Machine learning to the rescue The tsetse fly has wreaked devastation across large swaths of sub-Saharan Africa. About the size of a housefly, the insect transmits a parasite that can be lethal to both humans (sleeping sickness) and animals (nagana) - especially cattle. In many countries of the sub-Sahara, there are large regions where farmers cannot raise cattle; most eventually die as a result of infection caused by the trypanosomiasis parasite. And if farmers take the risk of raising cattle, they must live with the constant fear that their livestock will be infected by the parasite. The tsetse has caused many farmers to lose their livelihoods as well as an essential source of nutrition for their villages. Across the whole of sub-Saharan Africa, cattle deaths from trypanosomiasis can cause billions of dollars of production and economic losses. This Columbia team is therefore pioneering a machine-learning based imaging and sorting solution that aims to drastically reduce Africa's tsetse population. The research is supported by a $100,000 Seeds Fund Grant from Columbia's Data Science Institute. The solution, which allows for the sorting of male and female tsetse flies, was discovered by Zelda Moran, now a researcher at the Earth Institute. While working as an intern at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Moran first used near infrared light to peer inside the pupae of tsetse flies. She placed the pupae under a microscope and used the near infrared light to photograph them, allowing her to discern if the developing flies were male or female. She designed this novel sorting technique to support the Sterile Insect Technique, which the IAEA has used to eradicate tsetse populations in Zanzibar and other countries. The sterilizing technique uses irradiation to render large numbers of male flies infertile. The flies are then released into breeding grounds, where they mate with female flies. Since the females usually mate only once in a lifetime, the unfertilized mating will drastically reduce the tsetse population and help eliminate the spread of the disease, enabling farmers to more safely raise livestock. As it is, though, fly-production labs use a manual and time-consuming technique to sort the flies by sex. The sorting solution pioneered by the Columbia team, once refined, will enable the labs to sort the flies faster and more efficiently and on a larger scale. This enhancement will allow the labs to ship a higher number of sterile flies, in earlier stages of their life cycles, out to the sub-Saharan breeding grounds. This innovative research project was born out of a chance encounter. Four years ago, Moran and Szabolcs Marka met at the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna. They were both interested in finding high-tech solutions to public-health problems, and soon found themselves discussing how to use machine-vision methods to combat the tsetse fly infestation. After Moran finished her internship at IAEA and later moved to New York, she teamed up with the Marka lab at Columbia. In that lab, Szabolcs Marka, an astrophysicist with an expertise in biophysics, and Zsuzsa Marka, an experimental physicist, had previously collaborated on insect behavior research, including how to mitigate malaria mosquitoes and fruit flies. The Markas' expertise in optics, hardware instrumentation and electronics has also been used successfully in biophysics and astrophysics applications. Most prominently, they are members of the LIGO Scientific Collaboration, a consortium of scientists who worked on the instrument that in 2015 detected gravitational waves - a discovery that resulted in scientists at LIGO winning the Nobel Prize. John Wright, the fourth member of this research team, is an electrical engineer who does high-dimensional data analysis and develops algorithms to solve imaging problems-in this case, the pupae images. Wright and the Markas are also affiliates of the Data Science Institute. Together, the team aims to work in the lab to develop a sorting-machine prototype that can process tens of thousands of pupae images a day. Right now, the four are focused on amassing large numbers of pupae images that will be used to train a machine-learning algorithm. At the same time, they are also designing a robot that can sort the pupae based on the result of the algorithm. Once the robot can process a large number of images with high accuracy, they will send it to the International Atomic Energy Agency, which will use it to sort the male flies, irradiate them and release them in Africa. "We'll use data science to create a machine-learning-based automated system that can quickly determine from a tsetse pupae if it's male or female," says Zsuzsa Marka. "And that system will be the basis for a robotic sorting machine that we hope will eventually be used in sub-Saharan Africa to mitigate the scourge of the tsetse fly." ### This story has been published on: 2019-03-08. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Most real estate agents have an obligation to market their business to potential clients. You have to make sure that... Were sure you already know, but lets repeat: Burlington is a city located in the Halton, Ontario area. It is... A personal injury occurs when a person's body, mind, or emotions are injured due to the negligence, carelessness, or wrongful... After being seriously injured in an accident, you may be experiencing a wide range of emotions. You are probably feeling... I Agree This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy 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. 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But her latest project has so many catfights, we're surprised she doesn't have scratch marks. The Kentucky native stars in the new Netflix reality series Selling Sunset, which follows a group of elite real estate agents from the Oppenheim Group who don't take too kindly to Hartley joining the team. The series is sort of like The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, but with kickass women who spend their time selling extremely opulent Sunset Strip/Hollywood Hills homes to affluent buyers. "I had my work cut out for me with this group," the actress teases of the drama that unfolds in season one of Selling Sunset. "My family moved and I started a new school in 9th grade. So I was the new freshman trying to fit in. This experience felt alot like that only I have better clothes." Some of the other personalities featured on the reality series include Mary Fitzgerald, Davina Potratz, Christine Quinn, Maya Vander, Heather Young, Romain Bonnet, and Brett and Jason Oppenheim. Hartley explains that it "was a stressful experience at times, but I am now an accomplished real estate agent working in the cut throat luxury market." The comment prompted Soap Central's Dan Kroll to reply, "This is awesome... but be warned that if those girls are mean to you, I might have to have some words with them!" Hartley's BFF Melissa Claire Egan (ex-Annie Chandler, AMC; ex-Chelsea Lawson, The Young and the Restless) agreed, saying, "You and me both!!" This is awesome... but be warned that if those girls are mean to you, I might have to have some words with them! Dan J Kroll (@DanJKroll) March 9, 2019 Hartley got her start in the daytime industry as All My Children character Amanda Dillon, which she played from 2005 to 2011. She joined DAYS as Jordan in 2013 but left the NBC soap in 2015 before taking on the short-lived role of The Young and the Restless' Bethany Bryant in 2016. The actress made the decision to re-join DAYS last year and made her return appearance on February 4. She also does real estate in addition to acting. Check out a trailer teaser of Selling Sunset below and let us know if you'll be tuning in to the Netflix series that drops on Friday, March 22. . . . 9.00 ., 11.00 . . 12.00 . ... California man told of impending death via video- link San Francisco, March 9 (AFP) Mar 09, 2019 A septuagenarian Californian learned of his impending death through a video link, outraging his family, which protested the dehumanized and robotic way in which the news was delivered. Ernest Quintana received the news last Monday in a hospital in Fremont when a doctor appeared on-screen and told him. He passed away the following day. "That Robot Dr. May be ok for some situations but not to tell a Man he is going to Die," a family friend wrote in a Facebook post that included a screenshot of a video taken by the patient's granddaughter, Annalisia Wilharm. Wilharm was alone with her grandfather when the doctor remotely told Quintana that his lungs were failing and he would not be going home. "We knew that it was coming and that he was very sick, but I don't think somebody should get that news delivered that way. It should've been a human being come in," Wilharm told local TV station KTVU. As her grandfather had a hearing problem, she had to relay the news, KTVU reported. The Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, where Quintana was being tweeted, responded in a statement carried by US media in which it offered condolences to the family but disputed the characterization that the news was delivered by "robot." "The use of the term 'robot' is inaccurate and inappropriate. This secure video technology is a live conversation with a physician using tele-video technology, and always with a nurse or other physician in the room," Kaiser Permanente said. "It does not, and did not, replace ongoing in-person evaluations and conversations with a patient and family members," the center said. "We regret falling short in meeting the patient's and family's expectations in this situation and we will use this as an opportunity to review how to improve patient experience with tele-video capabilities." Two killed in car bomb attack in Iraq's Mosul Mosul, Iraq, March 8 (AFP) Mar 08, 2019 Two people were killed in a car bomb outside a restaurant in Iraq's Mosul late Friday, security forces said, in the second such incident in around a week. A statement by the Iraqi military's media centre said one young woman and a security officer were killed in the blast, which took place in the city's eastern half. Ten other people were wounded. Iraqi forces ousted the Islamic State group from Mosul in mid-2017, but explosions and hit-and-run attacks have continued to plague the province. Last week a car bomb detonated near Mosul University, killing one person and wounding 13 more. On Wednesday night, six paramilitary forces were killed and more than two dozen wounded in an ambush south of Mosul. Iraqi authorities have also warned that jihadists could slip across the porous border from east Syria, where IS faces a ferocious US-backed offensive on its final redoubt. Moscow airport staff find 'mortar shell' on US embassy staffer Moscow, March 9 (AFP) Mar 09, 2019 Security staff at Moscow's main airport confiscated a "mortar shell" from a US embassy staffer on Saturday, in what the foreign ministry described as a "provocation," local media reported. Security staff at Sheremetyevo airport, the biggest in Russia, found an object resembling a mortar shell while checking the man's luggage, the Ria Rovosti agency reported, citing a foreign ministry source. "Bomb disposal experts confirmed that it was a shell with a detonator but no explosives," the source said, adding that it amounted to a "provocation". The United States appeared to be testing Russia's security not just abroad but inside the country's borders, the foreign ministry source told Ria Novosti. The US embassy staffer told staff the object was for his personal collection and he was allowed to take a later plane to New York, having missed his original flight. The individual concerned had links with the US army, the ministry source said. Moscow said it had contacted the US embassy and was waiting for an explanation. Sudan says Turkish naval ship to boost 'Red Sea security' Khartoum, March 9 (AFP) Mar 09, 2019 A Turkish military ship arrived in Port Sudan on Saturday for a three-day visit aimed at enhancing "security and safety" in the Red Sea, a Sudanese general said. Ties between Khartoum and Ankara have grown since Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Sudan in December 2017 as part of a plan to gain a strategic foothold in Africa. The Turkish ship, Gojka Ada, arrived on Saturday morning at Port Sudan for a visit that will last until March 11, Sudan's army said. "The visit reflects the cooperation between the two armed forces and is also part of a diplomatic initiative," Sudanese General Mousa Ahmed Mousa said in the statement. "It will also enhance the security and safety of the Red Sea." Erdogan's Sudan visit was the first by a Turkish president to the east African country, and led to several bilateral deals. Erdogan said at the time that Sudan had agreed to let Turkey restore the Red Sea port of Suakin Island, which thrived during the Ottoman era, but has fallen into disrepair. The deal caused concern in Riyadh and Cairo, which fear Ankara is attempting to extend influence in the region to their detriment. But Erdogan had denied that there was any plan to build a military base at Suakin. The Turkish president said that the renovated port at Suakin could attract Hajj-bound pilgrims to the Red Sea island, in turn boosting the region's tourism. Sudan has been rocked by nationwide demonstrations against President Omar al-Bashir's iron-fisted rule since December 19. Protests were triggered by a government decision to triple the price of bread, but then grew into rallies against Bashir's administration. Protesters blame Bashir for mismanaging the country's economy and have called on him to step down. The veteran leader has refused to resign and instead has imposed a slew of tough measures to quell the protests, including a year-long state of emergency across the country. Officials say 31 people have died in protest-related violence so far, while Human Rights Watch says at least 51 have been killed, including medics and children. Many people seem unaware that Islam is now Americas third largest religion and may soon surpass the number of Jews. In Canada, Muslims are already the second religion. by Eric S. Margolis Tell me who you cannot criticize and I will tell you who is your master. ~ (Attributed to Voltaire). Saying anything negative about Israel has long been the third rail of US politics and media. Israel is our nations most sacred cow. Any questioning of its behavior brings furious charges of anti-Semitism and professional oblivion. I keep in my bookcase a cautionary book, They Dared Speak Out written by US senators and congressmen who all lost their positions after rebuking Israel for its mistreatment of Palestinians or daring to suggest that Israel had far too much influence in the US. Journalists learn this first commandment very early. Criticize, or even question, Israel at your own peril. Until recently, we journalists were not even allowed to write there was an Israel lobby. It was widely considered Washingtons most powerful lobby group but, until lately, mentioning its name was seriously verboten. Now, young Democratic stars Tulsi Gabbard, Kamala Harris, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and a feisty congresswoman from Minnesota, Ilhan Omar, have suddenly broken the taboo and said what dared not be said: there is too much rightwing Israeli influence and there must be justice for Palestine. Presidential candidates Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren have come to the defense of Ilhan Omar against the usual charges that she is anti-Semitic. So have black groups and smaller liberal Jewish groups. The Democratic Party, that once received half its financial support from Jewish sources, is badly split over the Palestine crisis. Its old guard is retreating and does not know what to do beyond issuing fiery denunciations of the heretical Miss Omar. The Democrat Party split comes just at a time when it is trying to bring down President Donald Trump. Many people seem unaware that Islam is now Americas third largest religion and may soon surpass the number of Jews. In Canada, Muslims are already the second religion. Ilhan is not anti-Semitic. I grew up in New York and New England where vicious anti-Semitism abounded. I know real anti-Semitism when I see it. But she is quite right in charging that vast amounts of pro-Israel money have bought Congress and the media. Sheldon Adelson, the pro-Israel casino tycoon, has given well over $100 million to the Republican Party and its leaders. This money comes from legal gambling, a sickness that preys on addicts and the unfortunate. In the 1700s, Dr. Samuel Johnson well defined lotteries and gambling as a tax on fools. Such is the source of Adelsons billions and his influence over the US political process. He is also the primary financier of Israels prime minister, Benyamin Netanyahu, who now faces serious charges of corruption. Interestingly, Britain faces a similar political storm. Its left-leaning Labour Party, led by Jeremy Corbyn, has called for justice for the Palestinians and a viable state for them. Britains pro-Israel groups and media have launched furious counterattacks on Corbyn and his allies, barraging them with false accusations of being anti-Semitic. This is utter nonsense. To find real anti-Semitism in Britain you need look into the recesses of the Conservative Party. Ive seen its ugly face. Israels brutal repression of Palestinians has sparked bitter anti-Israel sentiments across Europe. Not so much in America, where media leans far over to Israels side and evangelical Christians have been bamboozled into believing that a Greater Israel is somehow necessary for the Second Coming. But young Americans, and even more so Europeans, are increasingly hearing the call of justice for Palestine. They want no truck with Israels right-wingers, whom many leftist Israelis, including the late great writer, Uri Avnery, brand fascists. The prescient and courageous Pat Buchanan said it years ago: the US Congress was Israeli occupied territory. His political career was ruined. So was my mothers career. She was one of the first American female journalists to cover the Mideast in the early 1950s. After extensively reporting the unknown fact that there were nearly one million Palestinian refugees driven from the new state of Israel, she was silenced by advertisers pulling ads from the papers she wrote for and, finally, threats to throw acid in my face. Her career was ruined. So I say to Miss Omar and the other brave ladies, full speed ahead. Damn the torpedoes. Do what is good for the world and your country. Break the hold of big money over our republic. A swan is recovering after having a huge hook removed from its beak in Stratford. Former Stratford mayor Cyril Bennis, from the Stratford Swan Rescue group, was called to the canal by Birmingham Road earlier today (Friday) to help the bird. Writing on Facebook, Mr Bennis said: When I was called out to the canal by the Birmingham Road this morning to rescue a swan with a fish hook piercing through its beak, I was not expecting one of this magnitude. An angling colleague has advised me that although it is not illegal, this is not the kind of barbed hook a genuine, responsible angler would use...unless they were deliberately targeting and trying to catch the swan. Whatever the reason, the swan would have starved to death if it had not been removed. Sophie Kahn Levy and Lucy Phelps. Photo Topher McGrillis/RSC Lucy on high with diamonds Steve Sutherland reviews As You Like It, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, until 31st August Helen Mirren, Maggie Smith, Vanessa Redgrave, Juliet Stevenson, Rebecca Hall youd be forgiven for assuming were, rather irrelevantly, roll-calling down the red carpet at the recent Oscars. But what all these fine ladies have in common, apart from being varying shades of rich and famous in the acting business, is that, according to our old pal internet, they have all excelled in the role of Rosalind, the principal character in Shakespeares As You Like It and pretty much the biggest role (or at least, given the most lines) of any female in the Bards oeuvre. Well, the headline news is that we can now add Lucy Phelps to that A-list. Her Rosalind, a merry mercurial delight, is worth the price of admission alone. Bright and sparkling from the very outset, she utterly owns the show, her every gesture genuine, in and of the moment, lithe and responsive, one of the best enjoyed at the RSC or on any other stage Ill warrant in quite some time. The only aspect of her performance beyond belief is how she could have fallen head over heels for David Ajaos dopey, schoolboyish Orlando but, hey, thats love for you, which I guess, if anything, is what the plays all about. Its the relationship with her long-suffering best buddy Celia, played with a lovely mixture of exasperation and exuberance by Sophie Khan Levy, which actually carries us with little complaint through a piece of work that even the biggest AYLI fan would surely admit isnt one of Shakespeares finest. Lazily conceived with oodles of lukewarm humour, loose ends tied up slapdash with a brutal indifference to audience intelligence, and characters that dont really appear to do anything or, for that matter, to actually know what theyre there for, its a gentle plod laced, as always, with characteristic flourishes of genius. Director Kimberley Sykes, last seen at the RSC with her lauded Dido, has done a pretty good job with this middling business, teasing out the eternal preoccupations and self-delusions of the lovelorn so the drama, thin as it is, does lightly resonate, engaging and timeless. Of course, back when it was first performed, around 1599 or so, there were no women actors and all the female parts were played by boys. So it must have been quite a hoot to have Rosalind, played by a boy, disguise him/herself as Ganymede, a bloke, for most of the play. However, there are some fresh gender switches in this production which, even allowing for an admirably modern embrace of gender fluidity, actually add nothing but confusion to an already muddled plot. A splendidly brash Laura Elsworthy who plays the wanton Phoebe, falls in lust with Ganymede despite his indifference, so when she is pursued in love by Amelia Donkors shepherdess Silvia, a lass rather than the Bards original lad, its just plain baffling, especially as shes kind of bullied into a lesbian relationship at the end somewhat against her previous nature. The casting of a strangely subdued Sophie Stanton as Jacques also doesnt bring anything fresh to the party. One innovation that does pay comic dividends is the casting of Charlotte Arrowsmith as Audrey, for whom Sandy Griersons overbearing clown/fool Touchstone has the hots. Grierson renders him gruff, loud and Glaswegian, like Jerry Sadowitz if he were a harlequin punk with a Rab C Nesbitt comb-over, while Ms Arrowsmith is deaf so their bickering interaction is necessarily played out in sign language via a bemused interpreter. Cue much comic frustration. The cast play it all for every laugh they can find, the audience roped in to participate whenever opportunity knocks. One poor chap found himself centre stage in a suit of Post-it Notes, like a tree stump splattered with bird poo quite a giggle if you like that sort of thing. The matrimonial finale invokes something Ive just discovered is called a deus ex machina which in this case means the lowering and rather clumsy assembly of a giant wooden puppet a little more weird than wonderful Im afraid. Anyway apparently, the most famously remembered lines in As You Like It are Jacques from his/her All the worlds a stage speech, but, true to his instinctive urge to subvert dramatic conventions in pursuit of living, breathing reality, I suspect Shakespeare reveals more of his own personal truth when Rosalind as Ganymede cunningly dismantles this whole darn shebang in a sarcastic aside which begins: The poor world is almost sixty thousand years old, and in all this time there was not any man died in his own person in a love cause, goes on to expose the tales of the legendarily fated lovers Troilus, Leander etc as fanciful myths, and concludes, Men have died from time to time and worms have eaten them, but not for love. In other words, lets not take all this too seriously, shall we? The same ensemble will soon move on to tackle Measure For Measure and The Taming Of The Shrew, somewhat meatier fare on which to test their talents. ICM have worked with the Coventry and Warwickshire LEP Growth Hub, Coventry City Council and Warwickshire County Council business support to access grant funding. A SHOP in Stratford-upon-Avon is aiming to create new jobs after receiving 150,000 in grant funding. Stratford-based ICM, which began life in 1998 as a one-man operation run by managing director Steve Lewis, has invested in top of the range machinery, as well as new air conditioning, flooring and computers thanks to a series of collaborative funding bids. Through the purchase of a 250,000 5-axis CNC machine, the production side of the business has been transformed, with a quicker turnaround time than ever before achievable for its range of high quality interior features which are fitted at a range of popular restaurants and bars across the UK. The company is looking to create ten new jobs this year and increase turnover by 30 per cent by 2022 following the recent investments, which have come together as a result of partnership working between Coventry and Warwickshire LEP Growth Hub, Warwickshire County Council and Coventry and Warwickshire Business Support and Green Business Programmes that are part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund. Steve Lewis said: The business has changed and developed over the last 20 years, going from a one-man operation to 45 staff across two sites. Thanks to the funding we have received we are now about to enter what we believe will be an incredibly exciting period of growth for us. Purchasing the 5-axis CNC machine has revolutionised our processes, we are working with a range of new clients in the leisure industry and have expanded to work in airports. This purchase, alongside the equipment we purchased thanks to our work with Warwickshire County Council and Coventry City Council, has set us up for an exciting year. A range of complex funding applications had to be completed in order to secure the machine and accompanying improvements. Gary Thyeson, Account Manager with the Coventry and Warwickshire LEP Growth Hub, said: This is a perfect example of successful collaboration to help contribute towards real business growth. ICM is a success story thanks to the hard work of Steve and his team and we are proud to contribute towards the next chapter of that story. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. China-India tussle for Eastern Container Terminal By Bandula Sirimanna View(s): View(s): Colombo Ports Eastern Container Terminal (ECT) development project has been stalled since 2016 due to inconsistent policy decisions taken by the government from time to time amidst intervention of the President in awarding the contract to a suitable bidder among multiple consortiums who have made expressions of interest (EOI). Multiple consortiums representing India- Japan, China-Qatar -Iran along with the Sri Lanka Ports Authority have already expressed interest to develop the ECT as the deepest Container Terminal at the Port of Colombo helping to berth massive ships, container carriers and oil tankers, official sources said. The state-run Container Corporation of India (Concor) has formed a consortium with APM Terminals BV, John Keells Holdings and Maersk Line to bid for the ECT development in Colombo in 2017. The total project value will be around $550-600 million. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) had been signed on the ECT with this Indian Japanese and Sri Lankan consortium to develop the ECT in the same year. This was the result of an assurance given by the Government especially Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe that the East Terminal will have an Indian investor/party so as to balance off any regional concerns over Chinese presence in Hambantota Port. But President Maithripala Sirisena told the gathering at Sri Lanka Ports Authoritys 38th anniversary ceremony recently that Colombo Ports East Terminal will not be privatised or developed via Public Private Partnership. It will remain with the Sri Lanka Ports Authority despite an on-going exercise for non-state involvement. He assured that the East Terminal will not be handed over to any other party and insisted that it should be vested in the Ports Authority. Heeding the Presidents protest at that time, the Government has convinced the Indian government to abandon the project as it needs to maintain the ECT under the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), a senior official who was involved in the project negotiations said. After concluding a visit to Iran in August 2018, the President took measures in October 26 to remove the incumbent Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and his cabinet and appointed MP Mahinda Rajapaksa as the premier creating a political impasse in the country that lasted 52 days. Mr. Wickremesinghe was eventually reinstated. A cabinet paper was presented during this period to hand over the ECT modernisation project to Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Company (ZPMC). This deal to replace the India-Japan consortium and bring a Chinese company with links to Qatar and Iran had been worked out to take over ECT with a 1200m long quay wall, 18m deep berthing three mega ships at a time. In the latest move of the Government, the new board of directors of Sri Lanka Ports Authority has been entrusted with the task of devising the strategic plan for ECT, Ports and Shipping Minister Sagala Ratnayake told media recently. The Asian Development Bank is expected to submit a report to the Government outlining modalities of transforming the ECT to a transshipment and bunkering hub in the region soon, he disclosed. The Government will be recognising the Indian dynamics and its proximity and the potential economic growth which will provide many opportunities for the country to grow as a regional maritime hub, Minister Ratnayake said. Enterprise cloud at the tip of the iceberg in Sri Lanka, says Finetech CEO By Raj Moorthy View(s): View(s): While business entities are moving into cloud based data storage solutions worldwide, in Sri Lanka the enterprise cloud is at the tip of the iceberg, says Finetech Consultancy CEO, Clehan Pulle. In an interview with the Business Times Mr. Pulle said, in Sri Lanka the enterprise cloud is at the tip of the iceberg. Taking the whole IT infrastructure in the country, only 5-10 per cent is in the cloud. Regulatory issues in Sri Lanka are dragging this while the Central Bank too hasnt come up with a proper guideline, a reason why banks are wondering whether to shift to the cloud, he added. He further elaborated, looking at the private sector most of the companies are working on strategies to move towards the cloud. The industries want to take a planned approach which is why the process is slow. Cloud is the future of technology where 90 per cent of the enterprises must think of moving towards it from now, he noted. He also mentioned that in 2011 Google decided to work with a partner based out of South Africa and Finetech became an enterprise partner for Google in Sri Lanka. At that time cloud was a difficult term to explain and educate the people on its benefits. Later in 2013 people started accepting cloud and businesses started to grow on cloud. Finetech has grown 100 per cent year-on-year since then. From the Google perspective the company has grown by 250 per cent. With that result Google decided to appoint Finetech as the premier partner for Sri Lanka, Maldives and Bangladesh. Finetech has the highest number of certified engineers where Google is concerned at the technology aspect of a company apart from its revenue. There is a minimum required amount of engineers that must be certified by Google to become a partner. All engineers at Finetech are from Sri Lanka who get the exposure from a technical point working with Google. Enterprise cloud is different from a private user cloud. The legality and security aspect is taken care of by Google. Large companies go for enterprise cloud due to security reasons when an employee leaves so that he or she will not take the data along. The enterprise cloud could also be accessed through the mobile device. Look at the collaboration suite, from a confidentiality point, Google servers has the most confidentiality platform more than an individual has in its own servers. Google has its own unique way of storing data by breaking into compartments somewhere in the world. The data is encrypted and when you retrieve it to the end user the data gets decrypted. The servers are duplicated twice for data redundancy. Google is one of the only companies that has not yet been hacked, noted Mr. Pulle. He also stressed, there is no option for enterprises other than moving into the cloud in the future. More and more companies are seeing the benefits of cloud. An organisation running a data centre will have massive costs on power and space while running the organisation. Google enterprises storage is much cheaper than having a data centre. If enterprises dont take the route of moving to the cloud they would be left behind. Mr. Pulle stated, there are government institutions that have moved into the Google cloud. The entire Ministry of Foreign Affairs is using this collaboration within the country and 67 missions across the world for the last three years. The Sri Lanka Tourist Board, the Board of Investment and the Ministry of Disaster Management are using the Google cloud for data storage. Many government institutions are moving towards the cloud, he added. Reflections on education Reflections on education View(s): SOMEWHERE IN COLOMBO Last Wednesday, a long line of parents were seen standing outside the gate of a prominent school in Colombo. Armed with files and documents, they were waiting to be called inside, to hand over applications to gain admission for their 5-year-old children to Grade 1 next year. Every year, more than 300,000 are admitted to Grade 1 in schools across Sri Lanka amidst a huge tussle to get into the more prestigious schools in Colombo. While admission is supposedly free given Sri Lankas free education system, the struggle to get into the popular government schools in Colombo means that desperate parents are willing to spend anything to get their child into a good school. And thats where money comes into play making a donation to the school as discreetly requested by school authorities: The higher the donation, the better the chance of your child being admitted. This, then, is Sri Lankas free education! According to the Ministry of Education, 322,135 students were admitted to the first grade in all schools in Sri Lanka in 2017. The largest entry came from the Western Province with 71,249 and the lowest from the North 16,719. In 2016, the total was 317,899, with the highest being in the West 70,530 and the North the lowest at 17,087. In 2016, the total number of schools was 10,162 with a student population of 4,143,330, while in 2017 the total number of schools had increased marginally to 10,194 with the student population (also marginally up) at 4,165,964. Education seems to be the focus of discussion these days because the next morning (Thursday), Kussi Amma Sera and her friends too were in education mode. Seated under the Margosa tree armed with steaming cups of tea, the trio was discussing the budget proposals on education, particularly the decision to reward the best students with scholarships to prestigious universities like Harvard, MIT, Oxford and Cambridge. Meva honda theerana (these are good decisions), said Serapina, removing some leaves that had fallen on her clothes. Ov, ethakota apey daruvanta pitarata honda adhyapanayak labaganna puluwang (Our children can get a good education abroad), added Mabel Rasthiyadu. Habei, keepa deneku-ta pamanai eka labenne (However, only a few students will get this), asserted Kussi Amma Sera. Education seems to be the topic because soon after passing the school where a long line of parents were waiting patiently, I received a call from Koththamalli Fernando, the Kokatath Thailaya (oil for any ailments) expert who has a remedy for any issue. I say, the Budget has some good proposals on education, ah, he said, getting involved in a long conversation on this topic. Yes, it was interesting because I just passed a long line of parents outside a school waiting to admit their children into Grade 1, I replied. How unfortunate, this is one of the tragedies of the education system. You cannot blame parents for paying to get their children into the best school, as every parent wants his/her child to get the best education, he said. We then got involved in a discussion on the education system, the struggle to get into the best school, the need for schools in the provinces to have the same facilities as Colombo schools and the pressure on young students sitting the Grade 5 scholarship examination. On the last named topic, newspaper reports in October 2018 quoted Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam as saying that he has instructed his Ministry Secretary to rescind the circular which makes the Grade 5 scholarship examination compulsory for schoolchildren. This is a good move, since many 10-year-olds come under undue pressure to perform well at the Grade 5 scholarship and many even fall ill, unable to bear the pressure, ahead of the exams. The move to offer scholarships to the best students at the AL examinations is a move in the right direction and provides some motivation to those doing these exams. Some, however, are not too happy with the proposal to offer scholarships to international universities to the most deserving students. According to a Budget reaction review by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), giving a few students opportunities to study in top universities in the world is not a favourable proposal. For one, only a few will benefit from this. Also, there is no guarantee that these students will return to the country. Even if they come back, whether there will be jobs for them to do in Sri Lanka is a concern. It is better to facilitate top class educational facilities within Sri Lanka and give scholarships for more students to attend those facilities, IPS argued in its suggestions. According to the Budget proposal, the Scholarship for Educational Excellence SEE Fund, is to facilitate the countrys top performers at Physical Science, Biological Science, Technology, Commerce and Arts, at the AL exams to pursue their undergraduate education at top universities, such as Harvard, MIT, Oxford, Cambridge, etc and will see the first batch of 14 students (chosen from the results of the 2019 ALs in August) being sent this year. On education, it was also proposed to offer low-interest loans to AL qualified students to pursue their studies at non-state universities since only 30,000 are eligible for admission to state universities from a total of 300,000 sitting the exam. The Budget also said investment focus would be on a STEM+A master plan. This is to allow students to pursue a combination of subjects such as Mathematics with Music or Biology with English, it said. In another positive move, the Finance Minister said the IT industry will train 1,000 unemployed graduates who are mostly Arts graduates for a year as interns with 50 per cent of the monthly wage (up to Rs. 25,000) being met by the Government. These are all bold steps in the right direction but given the slow progress of implementation of Budget proposals, it is questionable as to whether these proposals will see the light of day soon. Despite all its challenges rural and provincial schools not having the same facilities and benefits as Colombo-based schools like good teachers, up-to-date laboratory facilities and active and cash-rich old boys/old girls associations that help to uplift standards Sri Lankas education structure is something to be proud of. Education is free (though there is an element of donations) and teachers despite some distraction with tuition classes, etc are dedicated. As I wound up writing this weeks column on education, Kussi Amma Sera brought the morning tea, saying Mahattaya, Adhyapanaya-ta honda yojana kihipayak thibuna budget-eke (there were a few good proposals on education), she said. Ov eka hari, I said, sitting down to enjoy my cup of tea on this bright and sunny morning. PS On Friday, the line of parents waiting outside the Colombo school for interviews had lengthened considerably. 30 years in politics, picking winners and losers View(s): My dear Khemas boy, I thought I must write to you because you seem to be on all the front pages these days, what with celebrating 30 years in Parliament and presenting budgets in quick succession. In recent times, we havent seen and heard of one man so much in so little time, without doing anything special at all! The fact that you celebrated 30 years in Parliament is, I suppose, special for you. A day before that, our first ever appointed MP or chit MP as they were called those days Wattalas Long John celebrated 40 years in politics. I dont know whether to laugh or cry about these anniversaries. If you look around your colleagues in Parliament, Khemas boy, you will find that so many of those who entered the House with you 30 years ago are still with you. Due to the manaapa system, once someone gets elected and makes a name for themselves, we cant get rid of them for decades. I am not saying that we should have got rid of you too, but I prefer the previous system when even leading ministers were sent packing by voters of their electorate from time to time. The last time that happened was in 77, when even people like Felix, Hector, NM, and Colvin all lost their seats. That kept everyone on their toes. No one took themselves for granted. Now, once you are in Parliament, you are set for life. We even had trouble keeping those like Duminda and Mervyn from Kolonnawa and Kelaniya out of Parliament and we will have many more anniversaries like yours. Khemas boy, it has been a long journey for you over the past 30 years. Five years after you entered Parliament, you took Satellites side in her tussle with Anura and became her blue-eyed boy when she got the top job. A few years later, she rewarded you by putting you in charge of the media. At the time, you were the chap the media loved to hate, particularly after you famously said that journalists could be bought for a bottle of arrack. I am curious as to whether you still hold that view and whether that is why you increased the price of arrack once again when you presented your budget. You must have known which way the wheel of fortune was turning because, 10 years later, when Mahinda maama was battling Satellite to get nomination from the Blues, you did the unthinkable, deserted Satellite, joined Mahinda maamas ranks and ran his campaign. You picked a winner! That honeymoon did not last long. A couple of years later Mahinda maama sacked you along with Anura and Sripathi. Only you have lived to tell the tale. The Green Man welcomed you with open arms. You got together with him to get even with Mahinda maama - and put Aiyo Sirisena in office. People will judge you differently for what you have done, Khemas boy. Still, I think most will find fault with you for elevating Aiyo Sirisena to where he is. I suspect you must be feeling that way too which is why you were heard talking about a para balla (or lowly dog) during that crisis last year. So, it was amusing to find you seated there at your ceremony, flanked by Satellite, Mahinda maama, the Green Man and even Aiyo Sirisena. You have opposed them all at one time or another and at the same time you have helped them to come to power too and you have also survived. Then, you say that what you presented the other day was not an election budget, with the customary tax hikes on various items and so-called relief measures for others. All that is well and good, Khemas boy, but I think it will take more than a mere budget to get the Greens across the line. Already, you are on the firing line for saying that a million people in Paradise Isle do not have toilets. The Green Man has got his knickers in a twist for referring to them as jungees in a public speech. Others are complaining that even basic cars will be hit with a luxury tax that will make them unaffordable. What surprises me is that the Green Man and most of the Greens dont seem to realise the mess they are in. They think the government will be theirs just because Aiyo Sirisena and Mahinda maama are in different camps and are pulling in different directions. That trick worked once, it wont work again! Still, Khemas boy, it must have been an arduous journey for an innocent fashion designer to make his mark as a politician handling subjects as diverse as the Media, Foreign Affairs and Finance while working for different bosses and keeping them all happy. For that, we must say congratulations! Yours truly, Punchi Putha PS: You have put three Presidents in office, managing their campaigns when they were first elected to power. That is a great achievement. You are now aiming for the impossible by trying to get a fourth person to do the same. I dont think you will succeed and it wont be your fault either, Khemas boy! President refuses extension for PMs ranking bodyguard View(s): President Maithripala Sirisena has said there will be no extensions of service to police officers who retire. The issue came into focus after Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had recommended an extension of service to a ranking member of his personal security detail. President Sirisena, under whom the Police Department now functions, has said he had decided as a matter of policy not to grant extensions. This, he has explained, is to ensure that junior rank officers have the opportunity to rise to the top. Weeks earlier, President Sirisena presented a Cabinet Memorandum to extend by a year the services of Senior DIG Ravi Waidyalankara, the then head of the Financial Crimes Investigation Bureau (FCID), but withdrew it later. He directed the Ministry of Defence to cancel Mr Waidyalankaras one-year contract due to expire on March 30. The Ministry in turn conveyed the request to the National Police Commission which executed the directive. DIG Mevan Silva is now being strongly tipped to become the head of the FCID. He is currently head of the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) which functions directly under Police Chief Pujith Jayasundera. At present, the FCID is being overseen by Senior DIG Ravi Seneviratne, who is in charge of the Criminal Investigation Division. The immediate impact of President Sirisenas new ruling will be on SDIG Seneviratne and Senior DIG W.M. Wickremesinghe, now in charge of the Central Range based in Kandy. The latter was earlier in charge of the Presidential Security Division (PSD), both under then President Mahinda Rajapaksa and thereafter President Sirisena. SDIG Seneviratne is to retire on April 20 whilst Wickremesinghe will follow the next day, April 21. The very last term extension of one year was given to SDIG M.R. Latiff, head of the Police Special Task Force (STF), their commando arm. Police Chief Jayasundera will remain in office till March 20, 2020 when he is due to retire. Chamaths fixation with four-letter word At one time, he was second in command to Mark Zuckerberg at Facebook. Chamath Palihapitiya, who sprinkles all his interviews with four letter words, is now CEO of his own company, Social Capital. He has had close links with the Clinton Foundation and with the Clinton family. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) last year, he praised Bill Clinton and added the punchline he is a f*****g stud. Even in this interview, the headline has a four-letter word. The WSJ chose it fit to print. UN rights chief raps Maj. Gen. Silva The Armys Chief of Staff, Major General Shavendra de Silva, has been rapped by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. In her 15-page report to the UN Human Rights Council, made public on Thursday, Human Rights High Commissioner Veronica Bachelet Jeria notes: The High Commissioner expresses her concern at the appointment, on 9 January 2019, of Major General Shavendra Silva as the Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army. Major General Silva was the commanding officer of the 58th Army Division during the last stages of the war, and allegations were documented against troops under his command in connection with violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law, including by the Panel of Experts on Accountability in Sri Lanka appointed by the Secretary-General in its report and the OHCHR investigation on Sri Lanka. However, President Maithripala Sirisena has insisted that Sri Lankan troops did not commit any violations, including war crimes. UN anti-torture team to visit Sri Lanka The United Nations Sub Committee on Prevention of Torture will visit Sri Lanka next month to conduct a study. The visit was decided during the Subcommittees confidential session held in Geneva from February18 to 22. Sri Lanka the Great Destination of the World: Sigiri girls first to wear see-through blouses As Sri Lanka places high priority on tourism, it received considerable mileage during a presentation at the Broadmoor Hotel in San Francisco last week where Sri Lanka was the first to be chosen to launch an exciting new series titled The Great Destinations of the World. Global tourism expert, author and journalist, Lakshman Ratnapala, a former Director of the Sri Lanka Tourist Office in New York, made the keynote presentation, categorising Sri Lankas attractions into eight segments, all of which, he said were authentic. He invited the audience to take a closer look at the Sigiriya maidens who he claimed were not bare breasted but wearing gosammer blouses proving that it was Sri Lanka which had introduced the see-through fashion to the world. He added that the grafitti on the mirror wall proved that Sri Lanka had a flourishing domestic tourism industry as far back as 1,500 years ago. Answering questions from the audience on the foreign policy differences between the West and Sri Lanka, Mr. Ratnapala claimed that the Wests Victorian era foreign policies based on Lord Palmerstons theory that they had no permanent friends nor enemies, only permanent interests were selfish, dishonest and hypocritical while in the East, most countries like Sri Lanka practised friendship with all nations, through fair or foul weather. A video of Sri Lankan drummers heralded the presentation followed by a Lonely Planet video on the Number 1 destination of the World. Radio Broadcaster, Author-Photographer and Film maker Russ Johnson and Print Designer- Artist- Photographer Pat Meier Johnson, both of whom had visited Sri Lanka, showcased a video produced by them to illustrate an introduction to the island. Mahendran extradition: No official response yet from Singapore There has been no official response so far from the Singapore government to send former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran to face charges in Sri Lanka over the bond scandal, official sources said yesterday. On Tuesday, President Maithripala Sirsena confirmed at a news conference that he had made a request from Singapore Prime Minister Li Hsieng Loong during his visit to that country. He said: I have privately told the Singaporean Prime Minister when I met him in Singapore recently. During the one-to-one talks, I explained the Central Bank issue. He said whether he is a Singaporean national or another national in his country he would take action. I cannot confirm if he is in Singapore or in any other country. If we know where he is we can round him up. Therefore, what some politicians say is hilarious at times as they question if the President is in charge of police why cannot he (Mahendran) be arrested. That is the situation. The Interpol is now looking for him. President Sirisena also added: I have seen some remarks by politicians questioning as to why I cannot get Mahendran. If he is in the country, my officials will get him. We do not know where he is. We have done everything possible required. We informed the Interpol and based on that request, it issued a Red Notice. After a Red Notice is issued, the person concerned could make an appeal defending him that he should not be arrested. Mahendran appealed to the Interpol. Its normal procedure is to appoint a judge to hear the appeal. The appeal was rejected. Therefore, the Red Notice was validated again. The Red Notice is effective so that he can be arrested anywhere in the world. The good, the replaceable and the worthless View(s): How they must dislike the Diyawanna Five. Actually some of the 225, who parade themselves as the chosen people and the inhabitants of what they call an August Assembly, must surely hate the guts of the five colleagues who decided to open their assets and liabilities declarations for all to see. They could hardly have won plaudits from fellow lawmakers and even state officials who have, over the decades, bent the rules over the years and done some fiddling when it came to declaring their assets. The five upright parliamentarians who responded to numerous public calls over the years for politicians and others to come clean were the veteran Left politician Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Vidura Wickramanayake, State Minister Eran Wickramaratne, M.A. Sumanthiran and Tharaka Balasuriya. Later they were joined by Ranjan Ramanayake and Ali Zahir Moulana making up Sri Lankas Magnificent Seven. This was a grand gesture, though it would have been more meaningful and appreciated had it come much earlier. Even so they have thrown open their assets declarations to public scrutiny. In doing so, they are showing the public, and more so their fellow parliamentarians and high-ranking officials, that they are clean and they have nothing to hide. It is a move that other lawmakers should follow, making available their own assets and those of their kith and kin for public assessment. But will it ever happen? The public surely has entertained huge doubts about the dubious doings of MPs over the decades, so they know that there is little chance of parliamentarians opening their assets declarations to public view unless their declarations weight heavily on the side of liabilities. The tendency is to keep all the information as close to the chest as possible. One of the problems that have made the Asset Declaration law virtually deadwood is that it is not taken seriously. Granted, when the time comes, which is the end of March for those in public service, autonomous institutions and state bodies, the individual declarations are handed over to the relevant authority, some with much reverence and others with great cynicism. The cynics know that this is the end of the road for the declarations. They are faithfully bundled each year and deposited in some corner of a room, never to be seen again unless somebody accidentally stumbles on the accumulated bundles gathering dust and adding to the space problems that government institutions face. Parliamentarians make their worth known when they enter parliament for the first time and regularly thereafter. But who on earth cares a damn about what 225 MPs say what their assets are unless some enterprising official desires to dig into these narratives. Several decades ago, when I was writing the regular parliamentary sketch for the Daily News, I remember asking Felix Dias Bandaranaike who it was that actually studied the declarations submitted to the authorities. Nobody, said FDB, then at his laconic best. Whether he was serous or not, I could not say. Very few could; unless he made his intentions clear a few minutes later. One must say that some officials actually did, for they were not certain when Felix DB would ask them. Over the years this assets declaration has turned into a huge joke. The first question to ask is whether, today, anybody peruses the information provided by Ministers, MPs or officials who are mandated to submit their declarations to higher authorities. The Declaration of Assets law has been in the Statute Book for decades. If I remember correctly it was Felix Dias Bandaranaike, as a minister in Mrs Bandaranaikes coalition government that introduced the bill in 1975. It seems that the Assets declaration law has now fallen into disuse. That is because those who should take the law seriously and those who should study the declarations submitted do not examine them for their veracity. So let culprits and cheats go by unhindered and unpunished. There is an interesting anecdote that concerns a provision in either the assets or the bribery law that possibly Felix Dias Bandaranaike wrote into one of them, though I cannot be sure that it was he. If a politician or official was living rather ostentatiously and what seemed to be beyond his earnings, Felix placed the burden of proof on the politician or official to prove that his assets were legitimately earned. When Hong Kong under British colonial administration was wracked with corruption in the 1960s and 70s and was seeking to set up an anti-corruption body it studied the laws of several countries, including Ceylon as it was known then. The newly formed Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) incorporated into its law what I would call the burden of proof law. Over the years the ICAC has proved to be a formidable force sparing nobody (not even the second Chief Executive of Hong Kong and its own high level officials) for bribery and accepting gratifications. While the Magnificent Seven have set an example by opening their assets to public examination, they are but a minuscular group in an assembly that consists of individuals elected by the people. If this vast majority of MPs who came in through the peoples vote (of course there some who found the backdoor a more convenient way to enter despite the peoples rejection) appealed to the peoples vote, why is it not possible for them to trust the people and have their assets voluntarily opened for examination? In the meantime, when one sees genuine signs of honesty and transparency in a limited corner of public affairs, we hear noises from that garrulous party leader called Wimal Weerawansa. Not that this is unusual. The day I do not hear Weerawansa or Gammanpila or read about them I would feel that my day is not done. How can this country progress and prosper without a daily dose of wisdom from them? In the years gone by, the citizenry was to hear so much about diplomatic passports, birth certificates which show people growing younger not older, about ministry vehicles being distributed liberally for the use of kith and kin, while Gammanpila was preaching the dhamma in some Australian state, which is not a bad thing if you ask me. But the strangest thing I read was that Weerawansa, this breakaway leftist (or whatever) has declared that he will pull out of the Rajapaksa orbit if the former president supports moves to abolish the executive presidency. Like hell he would! Who would he stand next to if he left Mahinda Rajapaksa. Television news have shown innumerable shots of Mr Weerawansa (if I might call him so) almost rubbing shoulders with Rajapaksa. Having virtually wormed his way to be by Rajapaksas side and thereby tried to win public acceptance, he is now threatening to part from the former presidents political circle. Weerawansa is of no use to Rajapaksa, whereas Weerawansas political survival depends a lot on continuing to align himself with the former president. Weerawansa without Rajapaksa is a dead duck. He could only cackle but that is not going to do him any good. Weerawansas bogus bravado is for public show. But then the public has already had enough of this loud-mouthed political nonentity. Those who have been misled in the past by Weerawansas theatric say his arguments are sound. I agree his arguments are merely sound. The peoples friendly budget could undermine economic stability and growth View(s): Lee Kwan Yu characterised Sri Lankas elections as an auction of non-existent resources. Sri Lankas budgets are the promises to give those non-existent resources. Sir Ivor Jennings observed that truckling to the multitude is a feature of electoral politics. This is clearly seen in Sri Lankas budgets that tend to placate the electorate by extravagant promises that are beyond the means and resources of the Government. Budgets, especially those in election years, tend to promise a host of extravagant expenditures, which lead to large fiscal deficits, which, in turn, destabilise the economy. The 2019 budget, whose expenditure of Rs. 3,149 billion exceeds its revenue of Rs. 2,464 billion is no exception. Serious flaw The derailing of the fiscal consolidation process is the most serious flaw of the 2019 Budget. The fiscal deficit target of 4 percent of GDP is expected to increase to 4.4 percent of GDP. Even this may not be achieved if there are revenue shortfalls and especially expenditure overruns. The Finance Minister disclosed that the 2018 fiscal deficit target of 4.5 percent of GDP had not been met. It has increased to 5.3 percent of GDP. The consequences of this increase in fiscal deficit will have adverse repercussions on economic stability, debt repayment capacity and the countrys economic growth. Sri Lankan budgets, especially those preceding elections, are characterised by financial extravagance rather than financial prudence and far-sightedness. Increases in salaries, employment in the public sector and social welfare benefits that are meant to enhance the Governments popularity and support at the forthcoming elections increase public expenditure beyond its revenue resources. Dr. W.A. Wijewardena has described this as the pitfall of election budgets (Daily FT March 4th). Winning elections If election budgets are what win elections, then the country would not have had the frequent changes of governments. Yet, extravagant expenditures erode economic stability for this elusive electoral victory. Whatever the Governments budget promises, the opposition can always make more extravagant promises and lead the country to further fiscal and economic difficulties when its turn begins. This has been the pattern of financial management of governments. Budget proposals The 2019 budget, delayed owing to the constitutional coup of October 26 and the subsequent chaos, was presented last Tuesday. It was replete with welfare payments, salary increases and populist expenditure. Indeed the budget was akin to an election manifesto of a country whose electorate, like Oliver Twist, asks for more Expenditure proposals The expenditure proposals of the budget included, as expected, salary increases for public servants, increases in pensions and allowances to military. It promised payments to differently-abled persons, free milk for rural students, housing loans for newly married couples, Soft loans for higher education, scholarships for foreign studies, fees for private university education. Twenty four percent of budgetary expenditure was for education, health and infrastructure. Samurdhi The budget allocated more money for Samurdhi, which the Finance Minister himself described as a politicized programme where the recipients were not the deserving poor. Studies have shown that those receiving Samurdhi benefits are not the intended beneficiaries. The deserving poor are hardly recipients. Furthermore, a large expenditure is on the Samurdhi staff and its administration. Despite this waste of resources, the 2019 Budget has allocated a significantly larger amount for this programme. Key projects Funds for the Gamperaliya project are expected to improve the socio-economic conditions of villages and Enterprise Sri Lanka is expected to enhance entrepreneurship among youth. These expenditures could be justified, provided the funds are received by the intended beneficiaries, intended objectives are achieved and they enhance production of goods and services. On the other hand, the pertinent issue is whether the countrys public finances could expend that much of resources on these mostly welfare oriented programmes. The Governments contention, however, is that these policies are aimed at empowering the people and nurturing the poor, apart from catering to the basic educational, health and livelihood requirements of the population. Fiscal outturn The governments estimated revenue for 2019 is Rs. 2,464 billion, while expenditure for the year is estimated at Rs. 3,149 billion. The governments target is to keep the budget deficit at 4.4 percent of GDP. There are real possibilities that, like last year, the fiscal deficit would increase owing to expenditure overruns, in particular, as the Government seeks popularity during the run-up to the election. Fiscal consolidation It is of utmost importance for the revenue enhancing fiscal consolidation that has been put in place is continued and that at least the revised fiscal deficit of 4.4 percent of GDP is achieved in 2019. Any deviation from this target would erode international confidence, flout conditions for the expected new Extended Fund Facility and destabilise the economy. This is the most important fiscal objective for the economy that the government must achieve. Concluding reflections The political milieu of the country is hardly conducive to prudent management of public finances. The persistent large fiscal deficits have led the country into an enormous debt burden and debt servicing absorbed nearly the entirety of revenue. This, in turn, distorts public expenditure and development expenditure. It is in such a context of public finances that there have been further extravagant spending. Despite his professional training, Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera has not been able to cut the suit according to the cloth. Clearly we are continuing to live beyond our means. We are still in the mode that the Cambridge economist Joan Robinson described in the 1950s as: A people who want to taste the fruit before planting the tree and nurturing it. Three major parties intensify campaigns for presidential election; SLFP puts up posters highlighting Presidents achievements; UNF and SLPP also preparing at village level President and PM battle openly here and abroad; latest dispute over Geneva meeting of UNHRC and Govt. policy In Sri Lankas 71 years of independence from British rule, at no time before have bizarre political records tumbled in rapid succession than since last year. The fiascos, set in motion from October last year, with President Maithripala Sirisena sacking Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and foisting Mahinda Rajapaksa in his place, continue. The Supreme Court rescinded that particular action and declared it was unconstitutional. It took another five months for President Sirisena, who is constitutionally responsible for the conduct of Sri Lankas foreign policy, to formally acknowledge that he violated the Constitution. A news release issued by the Foreign Ministry, on matters relating to the ongoing UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) sessions in Geneva, explained, Sri Lanka was unable to finalize some of the required legislation due to the infamous Constitutional Coup of 26th October 2018. There was, however, no mention about who triggered that Constitutional Coup though the two-page press release, funny enough, acknowledged the consequences. The answer was still obvious it was President Maithripala Sirisena. Instead, there was blame by the Foreign Ministry on those who try to seek cheap political advantages shamelessly of a situation in which the country needs to be salvaged are the real traitors of our Motherland. One need not be a soothsayer to say that the veiled but poisonous attack is on the UNF leadership. Dishing out the dubious national title of traitor has remained the prerogative of even the previous government. This time, it was only a small tip of the huge iceberg above water. For weeks now, Sirisena, the President of Sri Lanka, has been fighting a shadow war with his United National Front (UNF) government, on the countrys approach at the current UNHRC sessions. That Sirisena did not altogether have his way is clear. Also clear for many months now are the newer heights to which the bitter internecine war has reached. President Sirisena publicly admitted during an on-the-record chat with the Sunday Times that Sri Lanka may withdraw from the co-sponsorship of the US resolution (30/1). The move to sponsor this resolution in 2015 had neither been approved by the Cabinet of Ministers nor by President Sirisena himself. The then Foreign Minister, Mangala Samaraweera, known for his pro-US leanings, had taken the decision then. One source said he had the concurrence of his leader, Premier Wickremesinghe. One of the complaints against such sponsorship in 2015 is the argument that it acknowledged the need to probe extra-legal acts by the troops during the final stages of the separatist war. President Sirisena told the Sunday Times troops had not committed any war crimes. It was the Tigers who did so. In the weeks past, there has been hectic diplomatic activity at least by one Colombo-based powerful mission. Intelligence sources said select UNF ministers were regularly entertained by the envoy concerned during night meetings where strategy in respect of the current UNHRC sessions has been the main topic, besides the prevailing political situation. The envoy in question also had a meeting with President Sirisena and some positions, contrary to the ones held by the President, had been articulated. It is during this meeting that a request had been made to President Sirisena to hand back the Police Department to the UNF government. In terms of the Sri Lanka Constitution, assigning subjects is the rightful prerogative of the President and not a foreign envoy. Obviously, some seem to be oblivious to this or blatantly ignored this reality in a sovereign country. The President made a disclosure of this at Tuesdays news conference suggesting that foreign envoys were interfering in such matters. President Sirisena was indeed correct. Such blatant, Donald Trump like diplomacy, has been very rare in independent Sri Lanka in the past. Yet, the most pertinent question is why such envoys or their minions are not put in place when such requests are made to the highest in the land. The late President J.R. Jayewardene who earned the sobriquet of Yankee Dickey did not hesitate to declare persona non grata Kenneth Munro Scott, the Political Officer of the US embassy in Colombo in 1982. He had made critical remarks on Sri Lankas internal affairs. Similarly, in 1991, the then British High Commisisoner David Gladstone was declared persona non grata by President Ranasinghe Premadasa for interfering in Sri Lankas internal affairs. Under President Sirisena, this is not the only instance. There was another when a European diplomat who was among those who met him cast aside the niceties of diplomacy and was seen to be admonishing Sirisena. This was during a meeting after the constitutional crisis. In this instance President Sirisena was wrong in what he did. So was the diplomat whose tenor of conversation was equally wrong. The UNHRC during its 34th sessions which began in February 2017 adopted the US backed resolution (30/1). The core group backing this resolution were Britain, Macedonia and Montenegro. Sri Lanka co-sponsored it. Though the US withdrew from the UNHRC last year, it is otherwise active behind the scenes. Britain took the lead with Canada and Germany in the core group after the US pullout. Instead of pulling out of the co-sponsorship of the US backed resolution, which President Sirisena said was under consideration, the Foreign Ministry said, Sri Lanka will join hands with the new core group in co-sponsoring a roll over resolution. The roll over is a reference to the recurrence of the issue at every UNHRC session. This strategy, the Ministry said, will prevent international war crimes allegations being continuously levelled against Sri Lankans through strengthened ownership of the implementation process. The Foreign Ministry also acknowledged that co-sponsoring the US resolution in 2015 helped to avert a looming international catastrophe. A face-saving exit indeed from the embarrassment caused by the failed withdrawal of the co-sponsorship. However, that did not end the ding-dong controversy between President Sirisena and his UNF government led by Premier Wickremesinghe. He picked on a three-member delegation to represent Sri Lanka former Ministers Mahinda Samarasinghe, Sarath Amunugama and Northern Province Governor Suren Raghavan. Samarasinghe, no stranger to the UNHRC, will join the delegation in Geneva since he is on a private visit to Switzerland. They will be on hand to articulate President Sirisenas position and give directives to A.L.A. Azeez, Sri Lankas Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva. Foreign Minister Tilak Marapana will not be on hand. Sri Lanka, once had two Prime Ministers and two Leaders of the Opposition. Now, there are two teams in Geneva representing different shades of opinion. The message Sirisena was not only fighting Wickremesinghes government locally but internationally, too. The Foreign Ministry made clear, through a rather unprofessional and undiplomatic news release that it wanted the world to know it if not laugh at it. Nowhere before has the word traitor been used in Foreign Ministry news releases before on any Sri Lankan. The conduct of diplomacy has sunk to low levels. That was good governance at play, as one chapter after another, in a series of political comedies, is enacted. In a 15-page report to the ongoing sessions in Geneva, Veronica Bachelet Jeria, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said on Thursday that The political crisis at the end of 2018 further obstructed progress owing not only to the temporary paralysis of institutions but also because it generated fears that another Government might not embrace the reconciliation agenda. There were also concerns among key stakeholders that a return to power of the pre-2015 administration could have negative implications for their security and the human rights situation in general. In particular, during the crisis, the work of the Secretariat for Coordinating Reconciliation Mechanisms the body mandated to lead and coordinate transitional justice efforts was hampered, given that its Secretary-General had resigned on 30 October and a number of its staff contracts were terminated on 30 November. Some staff members were reportedly subjected to surveillance and threats within hours of the removal of Prime Minister Wickremesinghe. The Secretary-General and staff resumed their work in late December. The High Commissioner acknowledges the efforts made to establish bodies like the Secretariat for Coordinating Reconciliation Mechanisms and the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation, and applauds the commitment and professionalism of their staff. The Government has, however, lagged in the actual implementation of its commitments, beyond the establishment of coordinating bodies. The situation has been compounded by the lack of a comprehensive strategy or action plan setting out a timeline for the establishment of the various transitional justice mechanisms and the linkages between them. The report added: The High Commissioner joins the Secretary-General in welcoming the resolution of the political crisis in Sri Lanka through peaceful, constitutional means, and applauds the resilience of the countrys democratic institutions. Nonetheless, for seven weeks, the legitimacy and the legality of a number of authorities were in question, which led to further delays in the implementation of the recommendations made in Human Rights Council resolution 30/1, for instance owing to staff changes in key institutions and uncertainty with regard to reporting lines. Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa criticized both President Sirisena and Prime Minister Wickremesinghe for this situation. At least on international issues over matters of national importance, both should have discussed matters and taken a unified stand. This is very bad for the country and the people, he said. However, a more laughable event, somewhat akin to a wedding ceremony without a groom or a bride, came this week. President Sirisena, who is also the leader of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), has already launched his campaign for the presidential election, formally due in the next seven months. On whose behalf will he contest besides the SLFP? The answer came from an official who is involved in making campaign preparations and promotional work. Shiral Lakhthilaka, Advisor (and former Co-ordinating Secretary) to the President. President Sirisena will be the default candidate at the presidential elections, he told the Sunday Times. He explained that President Sirisena was sure to come on the SLFP ticket. In addition, he said, he is hopeful that Sirisena will be accepted as a candidate by parties of the Joint Opposition, particularly by the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP). This will happen by default, he claimed. Lakthilaka is a member of the campaign team and some of the slogans appear in a montage on this page. Lakthilaka, likened the situation to how a onetime US President Harry S. Truman, a farmer, created an upset in US election history and won the presidential election in 1948 by more than two million votes. He beat his Republican contestant Governor Thomas E. Dewey in the polls that came after the death of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Truman was widely touted as a loser. Lakthilaka said he sees a similar parallel in Sri Lanka for default candidate Sirisena. Election campaign posters for Sirisena sprung up in the City of Colombo and suburbs. They were in different colours. There were bold letters exhorting Maithri hari, (Maithri is correct). Other slogans included one like the person who worked to his conscience, The person who exposed people, The person who did the best at difficult places and The person who pointed out the bitter truth in politics. All of them were signed off as Podi Minissunge Panthiya (The class of the small people.) The most favoured candidate of the SLPP albeit the Joint Opposition is Gotabaya Rajapaksa, former Defence Secretary. He is yet to be formally told of his candidature but is making preparations. He is sure to be the beneficiary of a grassroots level campaign now launched by SLPP architect and ideologue, Basil Rajapaksa. Whilst preparing for its national convention, the SLPP has also set out its campaign known as Gama Samaga Pilisandarak (A dialogue with the village). The party has brought out booklets for its organisers to collect data on voters, their proposals, the socio-economic background of the village and details of public sector employees, including teachers, religious persons and medical professionals supportive of the party. The organisers also have been told to collect information on those who may serve as polling agents in future elections. A booklet titled Preparations for 2019 elections (does not refer to which one) contains more detailed information on setting up of sub committees on canvassing, printing of posters, organising meetings, polling agents, security and refreshments, visiting house to house, inspecting electoral lists, collecting information on those who do not have identity cards, distribution of leaflets, educating postal voters, looking for locations to set up offices, obtaining permits and setting up of district offices are among the other instructions formulated by Basil Rajapaksa. UNF campaign Not to be outdone, the UNP-led United National Front is also launching a campaign designed to increase its membership. The UNP General Secretary, Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, told the Sunday Times, We want to expand our islandwide membership and strengthen village level organisations. Parliamentarians and local councilors are helping us in this exercise. We are doing this with elections in mind. The theme is Siri Kotha Gamata or the partys headquarters being taken to the village level. It will begin in the Kalutara District. Kariyawasam, who is also Minister of Education said, The Kalutara district co-ordination of this programme in eight of the electorates has been entrusted to eight ministers Sajith Premadasa, Ravi Karunanayake, Kabir Hashim, Navin Dissanayake, Lakshman Kiriella, John Amaratunga, Ranjith Madduma Bandara and Thalatha Athukorale. However, the UNF is yet to formally announce its candidate for the presidential election. President Sirisena created a political diversion at a news conference on Tuesday by declaring that parliamentary elections may be held ahead of the presidential election. Earlier, on February 9 Sirisena declared that Provincial Council elections will definitely be held before the Presidential election. Speaking at a public rally coinciding with the re-organisation programme of the SLFP in Polonnaruwa, the President said the impediments to holding PC elections would be removed soon. However, later he blamed the delays on Premier Wickremesinghe but admitted to the Sunday Times there was nothing he could do about it. Why then is he now talking about a parliamentary election first? To place matters in context, what he said at the news conference is relevant. Sirisena said, As you know this year is going to be an election year. At the end of the year we will have the Presidential election. We are not sure but there may be Parliamentary elections before that. This is particularly with the unstable situation in Parliament. There should be a strong parliament to carry out its work. If there is a weak Parliament, it is difficult to take straightforward and hard decisions. If a government does not have a majority it is also difficult to retain persons as you need to give in various demands of them. The President was questioned on what basis he forecast that Parliamentary elections might be held. He replied I did not say that an election (Parliamentary) will be definitely held. I said it may be held. Since there is no majority in parliament there are difficulties in continuing with Parliament. Thats why I said that a Parliamentary election may be held. Q: Have you decided to contest the next presidential election? A: Discussions are currently underway. It is same with the UNP, SLPP, and even the SLFP. It is the parties which will decide on the candidates. I am also in these discussions. Q: If the SLFP requests that you contest, would you contest? A: As the Presidential election is towards the end of the year, I do not want speak about it now and create instability. It is not good. At the right time, the parties will decide. Our party too will decide at the correct time. Budget and abolition of executive presidency The conjecture about possible parliamentary elections early appears to be based on two premises, both highly questionable. The latest one is an unsubstantiated claim that the UNF will not be able to pass the 2019 budget in Parliament. In such a situation, sections backing Sirisena believe, it could lead to a situation where there could be a resolution from within the UNF calling for a parliamentary election. The speculation is that it would be led by a jaunty political leader within the UNF. Yet, he has lost his political glamour after the constitutional crisis late last year and UNF leaders dismiss this as simply idle talk. President Sirisenas references to an unstable situation in Parliament and the call for a strong Parliament are nevertheless strong indications that he focused on this aspect. Another is the earlier premise based on moves to abolish the executive presidency and introduce an executive prime ministerial system in its place. With a pre-agreed national referendum and a new electoral system, parties represented in Parliament were to go for a parliamentary election. The proposal gained traction with the UNF leadership strongly in favour. So much so, as reported last week, UNFs Minister Malik Samarawickrema broached the subject with President Sirisena. He said he was in favour as long as the others were willing. That was manna from heaven for Premier Wickremesinghe since there would be no controversy over who will be the presidential candidate an issue on which there is divided opinion within the UNP. Such divisions would largely be obviated if Wickremesinghe continues as Premier. Samarawickrema told the Sunday Times, Our leader Premier Wickremesinghe has said that we should also talk with other partners in the UNF. We are also awaiting the response the JVP would receive to its 20th Amendment proposal. It is highly unlikely that the move for a 20A will become a reality. That is even after the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), which is a passive backer of the UNF, took over the mission and held a meeting with the Joint Opposition leaders last Wednesday at the Opposition Leaders Office in Sir Marcus Fernando Mawatha. The three-member JVP team comprised party leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Sunil Handunetti and Vijitha Herath. The JO team was led by Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa, and included Dinesh Gunawardena and Dullas Allahapperuma. The JVPs thrust is to pass in Parliament a draft 20th Amendment a document widely regarded as one prepared by two lawyers backing the UNF. A main highlight is to abolish the executive presidency. Vijitha Herath told the Sunday Times, We requested the Opposition Leaders side not to block the 20A from being approved and to help with a two thirds majority in Parliament. The people can make their views known through a referendum. The opposition side said in the event the presidency is abolished, they would also wish that the electoral system is changed. We endorsed the view but pointed out that electoral changes would necessitate delimitation of polling districts a process that would delay the abolishing of the executive presidency. We suggested that for the parliamentary elections after abolishing the executive presidency, the current proportional system be utilized. This is until a stable electoral system is created. However, opposition sources said Mahinda Rajapaksa explained that his side was agreed in principle that the executive presidency should be changed. He pointed out that on a previous occasion, JO partner parties had chosen to oppose the move for many reasons. There was the case of the 13A which facilitated the setting up of Provincial Councils. There was also a need for a fuller study of the electoral system and make changes. Any decision now, Rajapaksa had pointed out, would come as an ad hoc measure and would be sans a fuller study of all aspects. Interesting enough, here is a case of Mahinda Rajapaksa virtually saying no to becoming Prime Minister. Nevertheless, Rajapaksa told the JVP delegation he would discuss issues raised by them with partner leaders of the JO and later respond, the source added. In the JO, particularly within the SLPP, fears have exacerbated in the past weeks over reverting to the executive prime ministerial form of government before the scheduled presidential election. One of those who strongly disfavours the idea is Basil Rajapaksa, who plays a very influential role in the party and is widely credited for the countrywide base the party has developed. He has not made a secret the bitter encounters the SLPP has held in the hands of President Sirisena beginning with the events that occurred from October 26. In the event of going for parliamentary election first, he told a confidant, the SLPP would have to take a chance since it would be Sirisena who will call upon the winning party to form a government. Moreover, he had argued, that since the SLPP had transformed itself into a major political body after the local polls in February last year, it should stand on its own strength and face issues. What is said in so many words only means that that the JO will not support any initiative to abolish the executive presidency ahead of this years presidential election. SLPP de facto leader Mahinda Rajapaksa told the Sunday Times, We are ready for any elections be it provincial, parliamentary or presidential. I doubt PC or parliamentary elections being held early. For the presidential election, we will decide on a candidate who can win. That decision is yet to be made. During Thursdays news conference, President Sirisena conceded that he was awaiting the decisions of the SLFP as well as the SLPP on his candidature at the presidential election a marked departure from his previous assertions. There is no impediment to his becoming an SLFP presidential candidate though the party is badly weakened and in a disorganised state. It won only 12.10 percent of the votes at the local polls last February. Out of 17. 5 million eligible to vote, 75 percent exercised their franchise then. Whether his candidature as an SLFPer alone would help him get elected remains a critical question. On the other hand, the fact that he has not lost hopes of obtaining SLFP support for his candidature is clear from his remarks at the news conference. He said that the SLFP is also considering his candidature re-asserting that he still has hopes. This brings us to the question of a common alliance by the SLFP with parties in the JO led by the SLPP. Revealed last week were names of the Joint Committee. They were SLFPs Dayasiri Jayasekera, Mahinda Ameraweera, Thilanga Sumathipala and Rohana Laxman Piyadasa, and the SLPPs G.L. Peiris, Basil Rajapaksa and Dullas Alahapperuma. The first meeting of this joint committee will take place on March 14 (Thursday). The task is to prepare the spade work for a common alliance. The slow movement in this regard is an indication that it would take considerable time if indeed an accord is to be reached. Intervening Avurudhu holidays would delay it further. Many an obstacle lies in their path. That includes the SLPP insistence that the SLFP should adhere to its constitution, like all other partners. Such a requirement may not meet the approval of a formidable section of the SLFP. It is amidst this that there were some minor frictions. On the SLFP side, there were complaints that they were not invited to join a public rally in Kandy on Friday. Posters appeared in the hill country town urging SLFP supporters not to take part in the rally. On the other hand, the SLPP organisers said that like the upcoming May Day rally, this was the beginning of a series of rallies countrywide by the SLPP under the title Ivasuva Athi (We tolerated enough). Addressing a public rally outside the Central Market in Kandy, Mahinda Rajapaksa said, We would end this governments term in six months. He said, The government has introduced a budget which will be a burden on the public. The prices of goods are sky high making things difficult for the people. The government has destroyed the environment; the drug issue has increased and the government is not capable of carrying out any construction activities similar to what our government completed. We have been blamed for taking loans, but we at least could show the constructions carried out from these funds. This weeks political developments have come as pointers to some of the things to come. President Sirisenas own hopes of becoming a joint SLFPSLPP candidate are no more unless there is a dramatic turn of events. If he choses to go it alone as the SLFP presidential candidate, how many within the party would back him and how many would leave remains a critical question. For the UNF, Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera, has only won a mixed bag of reactions. The budget has failed to trigger a wave of voter support leave alone overwhelming public approval. With just seven months to go for presidential polls, President Sirisena and Premier Wickremesinghe are fighting it out openly, both in the international and domestic front. Some diplomatic missions in Colombo are working overtime to change the political destinies of Sri Lanka. A floundering economy and corruption at many levels have only made it difficult for a vast number of Sri Lankans. They wait in anxiety. The UNHRC facade View(s): The in your face policy contradictions, political contradictions and political manoeuvres that the country is witnessing locally have now been exported. The President who was keen to reverse a 2015 Government decision (which he claims was taken without his knowledge) to co-sponsor the UNHRC Resolution 30/1 calling for an investigation into what happened during the final stages of the 2009 military campaign against the LTTE and reconciliation efforts thereafter, has not been able to get his way. That part of the Government run by the Prime Minister prevailed. The Government agreed to co-sponsor the 2015 Resolution for the next two years as well. This has left the President to complain to newspaper publishers and editors that foreign policy remained his prerogative. And as if to show he is still not a lame duck President, he assigned some of his (SLFP) MPs to represent his Government at the UNHRC sessions that commenced this week in Geneva. This year, despite the other co-sponsor of the 2015 Resolution viz., the United States pulling out of the UNHRC claiming the UN agency was a cesspool with its own political agendas, the UK has stepped in to its big brothers shoes together with Canada, Germany and the Wests puppet states Montenegro and Macedonia. It appears that there had been a tussle within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on what course to follow this year given the US pullout. One school of thought inspired the President to propose withdrawing from the Resolution. Not that the Resolution would therefore have collapsed, but the argument was that it was a treacherous act that could sacrifice those who gave their lives to safeguard the nations territorial integrity from a deadly armed terrorist organisation. The proponents of co-sponsoring the Resolution seem to feel that being directly involved with what was an inevitable inquiry against the Sri Lanka Armed Forces prompted by the West for a) being snubbed and rightly so, from stopping the military campaign against the LTTE on the grounds of civilians getting caught in the cross-fire, and b) being under heavy lobbying from the Sri Lankan Tamil Diaspora members who were now voters in those countries, was a wiser option. The move to co-sponsor the Resolution brings back memories of the then (2002) UNP Governments controversial decision to enter into an MoU with the LTTE a deal brokered by the Norwegians. That Government was criticised for this on the basis that it only gave time for the LTTE to re-arm and re-group. However, what happened by design, or by accident, was that the hitherto monolithic LTTE split as a result of peace talks and one major faction, its Eastern Command, broke away crippling the LTTEs war machine. The Geneva Resolution can be seen in that light, to an extent; that the hitherto aggressive West was cooled down by a seemingly pro-Western Government in Colombo thereby buying time and taking the electric chair heat off the Sri Lankan political and military leadership. But without adopting one clear strategy, the Government is displaying its differences in international fora. The Presidents delegation will be seen to speak with forked tongues if they say anything against the co-sponsoring of the Resolution and one would hope that the country does not become a laughing stock in the eyes of the International Community. What the US says about the UNHRC having political agendas is a fact. That the US was very much part of that agenda is also a fact. The co-sponsoring of the Sri Lanka Resolution was a textbook case of its agenda at the time. It was only when Israel got caught up in the web of majoritarian rule at the UNHRC that the US complained of the deceit and duplicity of the UN agency. Many years ago, when India was pressing its thumb on Sri Lanka during the war years here, it prompted Argentina to sponsor Resolutions against Sri Lanka. Argentina has no interest in Sri Lanka whatsoever, but India reminded it of Sri Lankas vote against Argentina at the UN (ironically on behalf of the UK) during the Falklands (Malvinas) war. Similarly, what on earth Macedonia and Montenegro have with Sri Lanka only God knows. It is interesting to see the UK take over the baton from the US in this instance. In a recent case in the UK, a Magistrate decreed that a Sri Lankan Brigadier serving as a Military Attache at the High Commission in London does not have diplomatic immunity because making a throat-slitting gesture towards LTTE sympathisers waving LTTE flags was not in the job description of a diplomat under the Vienna Convention on immunity. No wonder famed English writer Charles Dickens wrote the law is an ass. One might ask if a diplomat asking a sovereign Government to remove the High Security Zone in Jaffna or calling for more devolved powers is covered by the job description under the Vienna Convention. It seems, however, that the British Foreign Office tried to intervene on behalf of the Sri Lankan Brigadiers matter only to be snubbed by the Magistrate. Almost as if to hit back, the British authorities arrested and deplaned two sympathizers of the LTTE rump on their way to Geneva and charged them under the UK Terrorism Act for carrying LTTE flags. If the British Police had shown the same interest when they were carrying LTTE flags and protesting opposite the Sri Lanka High Commission, the laffaire Brigadiers undiplomatic conduct could have been avoided. All this drama apart, it was essential that Sri Lanka set its own agenda towards reconciliation and bridging the North-South divide. The talking Diaspora members have done precious little to put their sterling pounds, Canadian dollars and Euros towards the economic development of the people their hearts bleed for; in short, put their monies where their mouths are and walk the talk. This also goes out for the Western powers behind the UNHRC. The people of the North are fed up with Geneva Resolutions. They want Restitution and Restoration. And they want to move forward, not so much to look back on a dark past of what was a suicidal mission to win their rights. Presidential Secretariat halts Suraksha award to Allianz View(s): The Suraksha insurance scheme to provide benefits for government and private school students has come to a halt with a deadlock between the Ministry of Education (MoE) and the Presidential Secretariat, over the selection of the Insurance company. As a result, at least 3,500 claims by students in December, January and February have been put on hold. The Allianz Co. was initially awarded the contract, after they made the best offer, but Sri Lanka Insurance appealed to the Presidential Secretariat Appeal Board. The Appeal Board decided that the Allianz Co. should be awarded the contract, but eventually, the Presidential Secretariat directed the MoE Secretary to halt the issue of the contract. Thereafter, no directive has been issued about the contract, thereby putting the entire project on hold. Students who relied on the insurance scheme and entered hospitals or proceeded with medical treatment, have been adversely affected due to this impasse. - Damith Wickremasekara Nishi is UK Child Genius 2019 View(s): Twelve-year-old Nishi Uggalle of Sri Lankan heritage, from Manchester, UK, won the final of Channel Fours Child Genius competition held on March 2, 2019 and was crowned Britains Brightest Child. She is the first-ever Sri Lankan to be part of the final 20 in this contest. Child Genius is an annual competition open to children from the age of eight to twelve years where they are challenged on spelling, maths, memory, vocabulary, geography and science. Nishis IQ (Intelligence Quotient) of 162 is reported to be over that of Einstein and Hawking which was 160. More than a charity ride Joshua Surendraraj chats with the committee behind the Ride for Ceylon a project that comprises 44 cyclists who journey across 400km to raise funds for the memorial hospital in Manipay Jaffna View(s): View(s): Compassion towards one another is perhaps one of the best things we could have as human beings. Fuelled by this compassion, 44 cyclists embarked on a 400 kilometer charity ride from Colombo to Jaffna on February 27 under the Ride for Ceylon banner. Their sole aim was to raise funds for the Green memorial hospital, Manipay, Jaffna. Since 2017, back when the ride first took off under the slogan Ride for Charity, it has been able to raise approximately 70,000 GBP (Rs. 16,559,827 approx) This year as of March 4, despite the target being 15,000 GBP, the riders were able to raise almost 60,000 GBP, we are told. We got the chance to converse with David Rasiah, a committee member of Ride for Ceylon. David tells us Ride for Ceylon is the face of the charity, Friends of Manipay Hospital. The ride itself is the brainchild of a group of Thomian Old Boys, who met up once at a stag night. Gerald Simons, an old boy, was a keen cyclist and had put forward the idea. At this point Michael Arnold, also an old Thomian, who had connections to the Manipay area in Jaffna and whose cousins are the trustees of Friends for Manipay Hospital, thought of conducting the ride to raise funds for the hospital. It was this first ride that opened their eyes to what the hospital needed and thats when they realized something had to be done. I saw hardened guys shed a tear after seeing the plight of people in the hospital. We thought well make it an annual ride, David recalls. Today the ride is conducted by a committee comprising Nishan Wickramaratna, Michael, Sriomal De Silva and David. They are supported by trustees Dr. Jayantha Arnold and Anandan Arnold. Built in 1847, the Manipay Green Hospital has long served the local community of Jaffna. However, the countrys civil war had taken its toll on the region, causing destruction to both the buildings and the lives of the people. Under this light, the chance to rebuild the hospital and expand its services was a compelling cause, to revive a community that was physically and emotionally tarnished by the war. The cycle ride was a practical way to create awareness, raise funds and build momentum for the hospital. But as David puts it, riding across the once troubled region from Colombo also signifies a coast-to-coast process of healing. This also showcases unity and hope, paving the way for reconciliation in these broken communities. Since the inaugural ride that comprised six riders, the charity ride has come a long way. It grew to 25 riders, in February 2018 which included the Old Boys, together with a few international riders. This years ride comprised 44 riders, which also included cyclists from Canada, Romania, Australia, UK and Sri Lanka. It is also significant that the Sri Lankan group was represented by riders of every race and religion. This was a great spirit of friendship, unity and reconciliation. The fruits of the 2017 and 2018 Rides have since enabled the redevelopment of the main hospital and the creation of the new Paediatric and Cardiology Ward. With the work currently underway, 2019 presented a new chapter in their story. This is just why Ride for Charity was relaunched as Ride for Ceylon. Each cyclist from UK was supposed to collect a minimum of 1000 GBP, the Australian rider was asked to collect 2000 Dollars and the Sri Lankan riders were asked to collectively deposit a million rupees. The donations would be utilized to purchase an ambulance for the hospital, which is an utmost necessity. The remaining funds would be directed towards the Paediatric and Cardiology Ward. This will include a digital upgrade of the X-ray machinery, the general maintenance and upkeep of the hospital, etc. Aside from this funds will also be used to establish the Hope foundation, David tells us adding that this will house any person who has lost hope. We take them on at the hospital and give them hope. Since its inception, the charity has also generated interest worldwide. David points out that the Lords Taverners, the biggest sports disability charity in the U.K has donated sporting equipment thats worth over 35,000 GBP. David adds the equipment will be donated to different schools in deprived areas within the next few days. Aside from this, theyve also teamed up with City Tattersalls Club, Sydney, Australia. They found us on Facebook and sent nine riders to join us this year, who contributed about 25,000 Dollars and they want to work with us going forward, he tells us. Now that the ride is over, the team has also already started planning the next one and as David calls it, this will be a ride with a twist to get more people and funds on board. At present there is a plan to build a twin hospital in the Southern part of the Northern Province. This will be a North/South reconciliation as well. Ride for Ceylon welcomes your interest or contribution. If youd like to be involved either as a rider, donator or campaigner or simply to find out more get in touch with them at ride4ceylon@gmail.com or check their website at www.ride4ceylon.com or follow them on Facebook at http://www.sundaytimes.lk/190310/. Alleged plot to kill President: CID says it has reliable information By Ranjit Pathmasiri View(s): View(s): There was justifiable and reliable information that Deputy Inspector General Nalaka Silva, now in custody, proposed to assassinate President Maithripala Sirisena, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has told the Attorney General and a Magistrates Court. The claim is made in a report after the CID had recorded statements from 87 persons in an investigation that is still under way. It, however, does not spell out the details of the assassination plot, except to quote from statements recorded from different people. It was only a week ago that Mersalin Thomas, an Indian national, was released after Police told court that there was no evidence of his involvement. According to the CID report, the man at the centre of accusations is Namal Kumara, a self-described political activist. He has said that DIG Nalaka Silva had asked him to allegedly use drug lord Makandure Madush (now in custody in Dubai) to assassinate President Sirisena and Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the former Defence Secretary. The CID has said it was still trying to obtain the help of Interpol to determine the relationship between DIG Silva and Madush. Other targets, according to the CID report, include Prasanna Alwis, an Assistant Superintendent of Police. The report claims that DIG Silva had driven Namal Kumara to the residence of ASP Alwis and told him he would provide the necessary items to knock him off. The report quotes extracts from a statement made by President Sirisena. He has expressed the belief that DIG Silva had hatched the assassination plot conscious of constitutional provisions that when the President is not there, he would be succeeded by the Prime Minister. He had met DIG Silva on some occasions. Once he had told him of a conspiracy to kill Minister Rishad Bathiuddin and Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian M.A. Sumanthiran. According to President Sirisena, DIG Silva had told him that he could do a better job if he was made head of intelligence. The CID report has said that its investigations had revealed that Namal Kumara had met DIG Silva in his office in Colombo. The attack on President Sirisena or Gotabaya Rajapaksa was to be carried out when they were travelling to either Ampara or Batticaloa. The reason for this venue, DIG Silva had allegedly claimed, was to place the blame on a person known as Pushparaj, a onetime Tiger guerrilla political wing cadre. DIG Silva had told Namal Kumara that he was known to Madhush. Deputy Solicitor General Dilipa Peiris has made submissions to the Fort Magistrates Court and, accordingly, Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake has directed the CID to submit a summary of the evidence. Aruwakkalu site: Biggest ever garbage landfill begins operations on Friday By Damith Wickremasekara Puttalam district gets priority, other areas in the second phase View(s): View(s): Garbage collected from Colombo and other locations islandwide will be sent to the Aruwakkalu landfill in the Puttalam district, only in the second phase of the project, scheduled to start next month, the Megapolis and Western Development Ministry has decided. In the first phase, which begins on Friday, only garbage from the Puttalam district would be accepted, Ministry Secretary Nihal Rupasinghe said. Under the project, upto 600 metric tonnes of garbage could be received daily at the site, which has the capacity to expand to receive 1,200 metric tonnes daily. Mr. Rupasinghe said the Puttalam districts local councils had been informed that garbage could be brought to the site from March 15. Special sealed-type trucks will be used for the transportation of garbage from Colombo. The trucks are due to arrive in Sri Lanka soon. Under the plan, the Ministry hopes to have special railway carriages to transport the garbage. However the locomotives are due only later this year. An allocation of US$ 8.2 million has been made to import the railway carriages from China. Meanwhile, the Aruwakkalu project has been fortified to prevent wild elephants from entering the site. An electric fence, plants with thorns including lime have been planted in addition to the normal fence. Arrangements have been made to wash garbage trucks while leaving the premises. Chinese company gets multibillion contract to expand coal yard By Namini Wijedasa View(s): View(s): China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC), builder of the Lakvijaya coal power plant, has won a contract worth more than Rs 4.6 billion to expand its coal yard. The award further increases the footprint of Chinese companies handling multibillion rupee projects in Sri Lanka. CMEC already has a repertoire of businesses here, including the 400 megawatt natural gas power plant coming up in Hambantota and the Rs 35.8 billion Basnagoda-Attanagalu Oya water supply project. Only two bidders participated in the coal yard tender advertised in August 2017, according to a cabinet memorandum submitted by Power and Energy Minister Ravi Karunanayake. They were Shanxi Xintang Engineering Design Inc and CMEC. Shanxi Xintangs bid was rejected by a technical evaluation committee (TEC) on six grounds, including the average annual construction turnover being in the Chinese language and the authorisation for bid signing not containing a signature. Therefore, only the CMECs financial proposal was opened. The cabinet paper argues that the Lakvijaya power plants design capacity only allows for storage of 742,421 tons or three months worth of coal for the three units, each of which generates 300MW. Coal unloading was not possible for six months of the year during the Southwest monsoon from April to the middle of September owing to rough seas. Therefore, the coal yard required expansion to accommodate 1.21 million tons. The project covers ground works, installation of a stacker reclaimer (coal handling machine that is the single most expensive component of the project), construction of two transfer towers, two new coal conveyors and extensions to existing ones. There is general acceptance that the coal yard needs expansion. Industry sources pointed out, however, that coal quantities procured by Lakvijaya in the past have sufficedeven with interruptions for monsoonsto run all the units throughout the year without shutdowns on account of there being not enough coal. Meanwhile, the existing coal yard infrastructure will have to tide over till the expansion project is completed, which could be in around three years. It is also not known why the requirement for a bigger coal yard was not anticipated in the design phase, when the second and third units of Lakvijaya were conceptualised. CMEC is also behind the Greater Kurunegala Water Supply and Sewage Project and the Jaffna Kilinochchi Water Supply and Sanitation Project. It has also won contracts running into millions of dollars for maintenance of turbine and related accessories in two out of three of Lakvijaya units. The last one was awarded in February this year. Disabled womens rights to the fore HRC organises Mainstreaming Women with Disabilities for a Dignified Life on March 8, International Womens Day By Kumudini Hettiarachchi View(s): View(s): It was the irony of ironies! Friday, International Womens Day, saw people from all over the country gathering for a crucial half-day session on the theme Mainstreaming Women with Disabilities for a Dignified Life organised by the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL), under the dynamic leadership of Chairperson Dr. Deepika Udagama at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute (SLFI), Colombo 7. As I drove into the SLFI, I saw a parking spot marked for the disabled. But when I wanted to park there, I was told that it was for a Stores vehicle, said Chief Guest Dr. Shashika Jayalath revealing the day-to-day reality of what is faced by all those living with disabilities in Sri Lanka. Dr. Jayalath, having overcome numerous challenges thrown at her due to her physical disability, is serving the people at the Panadura Base Hospital. The organisation of this important session by the HRCSL, however, was very commendable. Abandoning the stage which has to be accessed by several steps, at centre-stage of the auditorium seated in a large rectangle were all those special people.taking their rightful place in society, not seeking sympathy but empathy to discuss what their rights are. Heartwarming was the fact that even though it was an event to do with women, with a pink banner highlighting the theme, there were men too, as both women and men are equal partners. It was a fantastic sight to behold.wheelchairs drawn up to the table, crutches leaning against the table, people sporting dark glasses seated with white canes before them on the table, a sign language speaker before a group and many more.and the auditorium was full. All the three languages, Sinhala, Tamil and English, were used. Focusing on education, health, employment and family affairs of disabled women, the discussions at the roundtable have come up with several proposed policy interventions that are to be forwarded to the relevant authorities and what type of redress mechanisms should be available as oversight bodies. Of all disabled persons around the world, 57% are women, according to a report of the Joint Front for the United Nations Quarterly Review 2017. It is Dr. Udagama who stresses that as a vulnerable group these women are subjected to various types of abuses and ill-treatment in day-to-day life. As the Human Rights Commission it is our mission and responsibility to make this vulnerable group in Sri Lanka aware of the challenges they come across in their daily lives and empower them to overcome these ordeals. If asked, how I see women in Sri Lanka, Dr. Udagama said, the usual answer is that when compared to other South Asian countries, we have remarkable achievements in education and health. But we need to look beyond in the Cabinet of Ministers there are only two women; in the independent commissions there is only one woman-chair and with regard to political representation, Sri Lanka has the lowest. There are also very few complaints about gender discrimination to the HRCSL and hardly any applications to the Supreme Court with regard to the same issue, she pointed out. The premise for the 63-page report of the HRCSL which came out on Friday is defined by national and international instruments such as the Sri Lanka Constitution, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and more, it is learnt. And the report encapsulates the views and recommendation of women with disabilities and other representatives of public and civil organisations who had taken part in roundtable discussions organised by the HRCSL Regional Offices in Batticaloa, Ampara, Matara, Kalmunai, Badulla, Kandy, Vavuniya, Jaffna, Anuradhapura and Trincomalee and the Sub-Offices of Kilinochchi, Nuwara Eliya and Puttalam. Here are the problems encountered by women with disabilities in the key areas of education, health, employment and family affairs and recommendations by the HRCSL. Education Challenges: Not even the minimum facilities required for inclusive education accepted worldwide are available in the school system of Sri Lanka. The shortage of special education teachers is another potential reason for children with disabilities to leave school early. Preliminary interviews suggest that a combination of factors, including the challenging nature of the job, particularly in the context of poor infrastructure facilities, social stigma attached to special education and the higher status accorded to regular education teachers, induce many teachers to switch from special education to regular education. Opportunities and minimum facilities required by students with disabilities are not up to minimum expected standards in all higher education institutions, while these students also lack the freedom to choose preferred subject streams. Physical accessible facilities available in every higher education institutes are far below standard and not at all sufficient. Perceptions and attitudes towards different types of disability vary among different stakeholders. Many professionals are skeptical of the idea of inclusion and prefer to provide education separately from the regular classroom. There is a strong need for more material/equipment essential for the learners education, functional independence and interaction with others in the learning environment. Low-cost assistive devices such as large print books, Braille textbooks and talking books are unavailable in many public institutions. Assessment processes are often found to be inflexible. Lack of proper infrastructure facilities including accessible and/or separate toilets for girls with disabilities. Children of disabled parents are neglected at schools because their parents cannot attend parents meetings. Recommendations: Necessary government intervention and legal provisions to establish the concept of inclusive education. Policies should be adopted to allow the children to choose the streams of their preference and provide learning equipment in accessible learning formats. Teacher training and appointments by type of disability, to ensure that children with all types of disabilities have access to competent teachers. More training and seminars need to be introduced on inclusive education strategies to reinforce the teachers professional ideas of accepting students in need. Proper public awareness on early identification and intervention support, medical and therapeutic services and early childhood education and schooling. Technology and distance learning should be made accessible to allow students with disabilities to continue living at home while studying, sharing documents, exchanging ideas and making presentations. Providing schools and universities with separate adequate infrastructure facilities for girls with disabilities, to lessen dropouts. When charging facilities fees in schools, an exception should be made for disabled children. Employment Challenges: The generation of employment for vulnerable groups especially in under-developed regions. Even though national legislative enactments, regulations and international conventions accept the right persons with disabilities to work, policy implementation, however, is inadequate. Limited opportunities of vocational training and skills development for these groups. Even though there has been an increase in the school participation of disabled children and the number of disabled persons seeking vocational training, mechanisms have not been developed to absorb them into the labour market. Transport difficulties and inadequate disabled-friendly working environments with dangers such as sexual abuse at the workplace discourage persons with disabilities from participating in the workforce and in vocational training. Given that the disabled are also amongst the poorest in the country and highly dependent on others, measures to empower them and integrate them into society will benefit them, their families and society. Recommendations: There is a strong need for proper data. Based on the personal characteristics of the vulnerable skills, interests, knowledge, ability and talents action should be taken to make them build up small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Training in SME management is of extreme importance to them. Women could be motivated to become owners/ proprietors of such ventures. Awareness among parents, persons with disabilities and their caregivers on the benefits of participation in training and employment for the disabled. By re-establishing the industrial base in the north and east, which was destroyed during the war, a large number of employment opportunities can be created for both men and women. Increase institutional responsiveness to meet the needs of the disabled and bring about a supportive environment in the workplace. Introduction of special concessions (such as tax concessions, exemption from statutory payments and financial assistance) to employers of persons with disabilities to improve physical facilities. Health Challenges: When a child with a disability is born, parents do not have any information on how to bring up this child. Lack of information on disability in hospitals. Doctors and health sector officials only have a charity-based and medical-based approach and not a right-based approach. Lack of knowledge on how to interact with persons with disabilities, especially the hearing-impaired who do not have access to healthcare due to communication gaps. Lack of access to hospitals. Labels on medicine packs and instructions on how to take medicine not available in accessible formats. Lack of information on pregnancy and parenting for mothers with disabilities and challenges during childbirth. Lack of health insurance facilities. For blood and urine tests, disabled patients have to walk a long way from one section to another, in a hospital. Recommendations: Establishment of a Disability Help Desk in every hospital can be perceived as a promising measure. Recruitment of persons with disabilities to be in-charge of the Help Desk. Appoint a health official to aid the disabled in the hospital premises. Display leaflets of organizations working for persons with disabilities. Conducting awareness programmes on reproductive health for both young disabled women and their parents. Provide all information in accessible formats such as Braille, large print, audio, sign language, printed, e-copies (Sinhala copies in Iskolapotha font and Tamil in Latha font), simple text etc. Sensitization of doctors and other health officials on rehabilitation facilities, vocational trainings, access to education, assistive devices, employment opportunities and other related facilities available for persons with disabilities. Training health staff on disability etiquette. Public Health Midwives should also be trained on how to give information to mothers with disabilities and make all leaflets in accessible formats. Make the Labour room and maternity ward accessible and train the doctors and staff members on how to handle mothers with disabilities. Authority to allow an extra person to stay with the mother with a disability. Conduct access audits to give recommendations to the authorities. Allow acceptance by health insurance companies and the validity for them to apply for health insurance facilities. Family affairs Challenges: Violence against women who have a disability and face sexual harassment and sexual exploitation in the home, community, workplace and society at large is at a serious level, with hidden or undiscovered incidents. The legal situation is not conducive to ensuring justice for women who have a disability. There is still no legal provision for abortions, in the case of sexual harassment-related pregnancies which ultimately worsen the life status for women who have a disability, without any help or expectation. This situation seriously affects women who have an intellectual disability or is deaf and hard of hearing. Poor women with disabilities face more challenges in their livelihoods. Women with disabilities receive insufficient opportunities to acquire knowledge and skills in family planning and leading a healthy lifestyle. There is a lack of knowledge in sexual and re-productive health. Domestic violence and harassment inflicted on women with disabilities; discrimination against women with disabilities when it comes to marriage and having children. They are not allowed to make their own choices and decisions in life but kept under the rule of the family. Families deciding that they should not be given family wealth, as others might exploit them. Recommendations: The government should establish by statue an independent Disability Rights Commission to protect, promote and realize the rights of disabled persons including disabled girls and women. This commission should include a specific complaint mechanism which will aid disabled women to lodge complaints against harassment and violations. It should also comprise an inquiry and investigations mechanism to monitor reported violations and harassment and facilitate rehabilitation for the victimized. The local authorities and police stations should be sensitized to act when such harassment or violence is reported where the specific condition of the victim is taken into account and a counter-measure taken to prevent such violations. Specific laws should be amended in terms of sexual offences, while addressing the lack of law enforcement in marital rape. In relation to statutory rape, the punishment given for engaging in sexual intercourse with a disabled girl below the age of 16 needs to be looked at and the lack of specific laws on statutory rape in this regard should be redressed. Specific measures to record statements which would allow the victim to make their statements with ease should be introduced to the police and local authorities. (This could include the use of Braille or a sign language translator.) Sensitization and training of police officials to handle issues of disabled parties. To create a disability inclusive legal profession where the legal system is revolutionized to incorporate specific needs of the disabled community, especially in the instance of disabled women giving evidence at court regarding harassment and rape. The issue pertaining to abortion rights is applicable to all women who are legally denied the right. However, the impact felt by disabled women who are subjected to harassment related pregnancies is greater and the lack of specific consideration of such recommendations should be incorporated into the law. To counter the situation abortion laws should be amended to allow abortions that occurred due to harassment-related pregnancies for all women; if abortion laws are not amended, a counter-measure should be implemented to specifically facilitate disabled women who face such pregnancies, where a specific system is formulated to cater to their physical, mental and social conditions; laws should be altered to include severe punishments to perpetrators; a compensation or remuneration mechanism should be implemented. Sensitization towards disabled people should be included in school curricula. Encourage all local universities to establish Departments of Disabilities. Integrate programmes on disability rights and conditions into vocational training curricula and employee training programmes. Facilitate family planning training programmes for women with disabilities, joining up with the Family Planning Association to incorporate specific issues and how to overcome them (child care and pregnancies). They should also include topics such as sexual and reproductive health, pregnancy and post-pregnancy etc. Joint venture with India for MRIA to fly high By Namini Wijedasa View(s): View(s): The Cabinet this week gave the go-ahead to start formal negotiations with the Government of India (GoI) to reach final agreement for operation of Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA), including rights to supply catering and ground handling services. A joint Cabinet memorandum titled Implementation of the Proposal Submitted by Airports Authority of India for the Operation of Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) was approved on Wednesday. It was submitted by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera and Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Arjuna Ranatunga. A Cabinet-appointed negotiating committee (CANC) and a project committee had earlier evaluated the proposals of the Airports Authority of India to manage MRIA. It submitted a report along with recommendations. This week, the Cabinet agreed to empower the CANC to start formal negotiations for and on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) with designated officials of the GoI for the preparation of a final deal to be signed by the assigned parties of both Governments based on recommendations contained in the CANC report. It consented to include in this agreement the right to provide catering and ground handling services under the definition of commercial aviation, whilst excluding from that term the right to provide aviation fuel and lubricants to aircraft. Cabinet also sanctioned the Government of Sri Lanka to enter into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Government of India after successful negotiations for the establishment of the proposed joint venture with the approval the Cabinet of Ministers pending required amendment to applicable aviation legal framework. The Indian Governments proposal, dated May 2017, envisages the setting up of a joint venture in which the GoI or its assigned entity would hold 70 percent of equity and the GoSL or its assigned entity would hold 30 percent. The company would perform activities mentioned under commercial aviation; aircraft maintenance repair overhaul (MRO) facility; flying training school; emergency response, including search and rescue; humanitarian assistance and disaster relief activities; meteorological services; and any other use, as mutually agreed. The project would require land to be released to the joint venture along with all existing infrastructure. Security of the airport, including perimeter security and deployment of anti-hijacking squad, is the responsibility of the GoSL. Sri Lanka will also have to develop external infrastructure for access to the airport, including public transport facilities. The Cabinet memorandum states that MRIA does not generate significant revenues to sustain even its day-to-day operations. There was no demand by commercial airlines to operate to that airport in the foreseeable future. But it sees the growing Indian air transport market as offering a valuable opportunity to resurrect MRIA. If negotiations are successful, Sri Lanka would have to amend its aviation laws to enable the establishment of the proposed joint venture. Construction of MRIA started in 2009 at a total estimated cost of US$ 209 million. A loan of US$ 190 million was obtained from the Exim Bank of China for repayment within 15 years at an interest of two percent after a grace period of five years. The balance US$ 19 million was from Airport and Aviation Services Ltd of Sri Lanka (AASL). After project completion, the GoSL had to pay the contractor a further US$ 38.7 million on account of price escalations, cost variations and interest on delayed payments. The investment on MRIA is, therefore, US$ 252 million. The running of MRIA is now under AASL. The average operating cost, including loan interest, for a year is around US$ 20 million. The average revenue generation per year, however, is US$ 0.6 million, says the project committee report obtained by the Sunday Times. The debt for MRIA is being paid off by AASL out of its own funds, generated mainly through the operation of Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA). Repayment is done on instalment basis of US$ 8.3 million each, twice a year. Negotiations with GoI will now start on the basis of the project committee report which recommends that, instead of an outright 99-year lease, the facility be given out for 40 years to begin with, extendable on mutual consent up to the remaining period of 99 years. It also proposes that the joint venture absorbs all serving employees of MRIA with no change in their terms of employment. And it shall employ only Sri Lankans in all airport activities, unless the required expertise is not available within Sri Lanka. The GoSL first invited expressions of interest for aviation related ventures for MRIA at the end of 2016. Eight proposals were received. However, none of them covered the operation, management and maintenance of MRIA in its entirety. They were mostly bids to use a part of the airport premises to run limited activities. The CANC members appointed in 2018 were Power and Renewable Energy Ministry Secretary B.M.S. Batagoda, former Transport and Civil Aviation Ministry Secretary G.S. Withanage and Public Enterprise Development Ministry Secretary R. Hewawitharana. The project committee separately had 11 officials. Mangalas proposals seen through wary eyes By Sandun Jayawardana and Kasun Warakapitiya View(s): View(s): Budget 2019 was touted as people-friendly, with various relief packages and loans proposed, but the reaction from trade unionists and people have been far less enthusiastic. Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera, in his budget titled, Enterprise Sri Lanka Empowering the People and Nurturing the Poor, proposed lending a helping hand to people to help themselves. But much of the discontent since Tuesday has been over a seeming failure to address the cost of living. While state employees have been promised a Rs 2500 allowance, that too will only be effective from July 1, meaning that it will be credited at the end of that month. Many of the taxes and other increases though, will go into effect much earlier. At a time when rice growers are unable to get a fair price, farmer organisations have voiced strong displeasure over what they claim is a lethargic attitude from the government regarding solutions to their issues. They have allocated money to sterilise street dogs, but have ignored the farmers, charged Namal Karunaratne, National Organizer of the All Island Farmers Federation. The government can impose a fair price for paddy through a budget proposal and at least allocate some money for farmers who did not get an insurance fee for crop damage due to the drought the previous year, the AIFF organiser said. Potato farmers and cattle herders who sell their produce to government institutes have also been neglected, he added. Education sector proposals were also being criticised for giving priority to private education. Prof. Rohan Fernando, President of the Federation of University Teachers Association (FUTA), recalled a lengthy trade union campaign in 2012 aimed at getting the government to allocate at least 6% of Gross Domestic Product to education. Our slogan at the time was, Save State Education. We won an agreement from authorities to increase the allocation gradually. However, what has happened is that the government is spending more on non-state education, he lamented. While a loan scheme was proposed to enable studies at non-state universities, the FUTA president stressed that those in state universities were also finding it difficult. The Mahapola Scholarship remains at Rs 5,000, while there has been no increase in student bursaries. The General Secretary of the Ceylon Teachers Union, Joseph Stalin, too, objected to the loans for students to study at non-state universities, claiming that it was against the principle of free education. He said that the Rs 200 million allocation should be used to develop state universities and increase the intake. Mr Stalin was also sceptical about the proposal to provide a glass of milk to students of government schools. We hear about this in practically every budget. But, I have never seen students offered dairy milk even at well-recognised schools. He, however, praised the proposal to launch an educational scholarship that allows top performers to study at leading international universities, though acknowledging he was not sure if this was just another election gimmick. The Inter University Students Federations (IUSF) newly-appointed convener, Maheel Bandara Dehideniya, said more funds should be given to state universities instead of promoting private ones. We are allocating a large portion of money for national security though we dont have a war, yet are unable to spend on education which is a right and requirement of all students. We are against promoting privatised universities and putting a price on free education, he said. The budget proposes to support three-wheeler drivers through loans to upgrade to electric three-wheelers and small eco-friendly cars. The President of the All Island Three-Wheeler Drivers Association, Lalith Dharmasekara, said that this was something the industry had been trying to achieve for about 7-8 years. But, there are unresolved issues. The problem is with the battery. Specific issues have still not been addressed, such as how to charge them, how to replace the batteries if they are damaged, and whether the batteries are adequate. Nothing was said about how three-wheeler drivers should dispose of their vehicles before buying electric ones. If they want us to dispose of the three-wheelers, they should have a method where the government buys them on the basis that we buy electric three-wheelers with the money we get from the sale. The General Secretary of the Government Management Assistants Officer Union, (previously the Government Clerical Service Union), S. S. Attanayake, said that the proposed Rs 2,500 is not satisfactory. The previous Rs 10,000 proposal for state sector employees was an allowance, not a salary increase. An Rs. 2,500 salary increase would have bumped up pension benefits and this would have been welcome, he added. Having discussed disparities in pensions owing to two different Public Administration Circulars, revisions to the pension schemes were made and the anomaly addressed through the budget. Accordingly, 585,000 pensioners are to be affected by these revisions, with lower grade employees pensions to increase by at least Rs 1,600 per month. A Grade 1 teacher will have an increase of Rs 4,600 per month and the pension of a secretary to a ministry will rise by Rs 12,000. This is applicable to individuals who completed 25 years of service and retired before December 31, 2015. Convener of the Employees Centre for Protecting Pensions, Dhammika Munasinghe, said the budget proposal would solve the anomaly that arose because of the two Public Administration Circulars. Still, a bigger issue remained. Neither this budget, nor the budgets before this, have stated the details of the pension schemes of employees who joined the public service after 2016. Pensions of public sector employees who are yet to retire (who joined the service after 2016) too have not been discussed. He stressed that this is a far greater issue than the anomaly addressed in the budget. Dreams of better lives dashed Many of those the Sunday Times spoke to lamented that their hopes for relief had been dashed. Manjula Ratnayake, 49, an employee of a private export company, said there is no strategic planning in the budget. There are no benefits to people, he said. Though Sri Lanka depends on agriculture, there is no mention about it in the budget. Farmers who had high expectations are facing difficulties, he said. An electrician, Dammika Pradeep Jagodarachchi from Kelaniya, said although there is talk of empowering university students, the Government has not increased allocations to universities. He also questioned the rationale of loans such as the Home Sweet Home plan for newlyweds, noting that when governments change, the interest on loans will increase. The government is trying to deceive people by offering loans, instead of benefits. Rajagiriya resident, Sunny Arambage, complained that the cost of living has not been reduced. The monthly fuel price changes and periodic increase in gas prices, mean monthly increases in prices of essential items. Pensioner, A.G Nawaratne, told the Sunday Times that he was waiting to the buy a vehicle after recently-retiring from the Electricity Board, but that his dream was short-lived as taxes were increased. The government claims it will control the number of vehicles in the country, but taxes have not made a dent in vehicle sales, he said. Housewife, K. Mayadunne, from Sapugaskanda, said that although Mr Samaraweera proposed loans, he did not mention any concessions for household items. People expected prices of essential household goods to be reduced. Some however commended some of the proposals. Teacher, P Abewickrema, said that though salaries have not increased, he is happy about taxes on branded liquor as that makes it unaffordable for school children. Meanwhile, the All-Island Bus Passengers Union also praised the proposals to increase production tax and taxes on luxury vehicles. The union said tax revenue should be used to improve public transport. Billions for projects Several billions of rupees have been allocated in the budget for projects, the government says will empower the people. Billions have been made available in particular, for two flagship projects, Gamperaliya, Rapid Rural Development Project, and Enterprise Sri Lanka Credit Programme. The multi-pronged Gamperaliya promises to uplift villages by addressing critical infrastructure needs. A total of Rs 48 billion has been allocated. For agriculture and plantation sectors, Rs 12 billion was earmarked. This includes Wayamba Maha Ela, Minipe, and North Central Province canals, which are expected to facilitate the movement of water from the Moragahakanda Reservoir to water scarce regions, ensuring cultivation of Yala and the Maha seasons. Priority has also been given for housing, including for low income groups in urban, rural and estate sectors as well as the North and East. The government intends to achieve this mainly through the Urban Re-generation Project and Model Village Programme, for which Rs 24.5 billion has been allocated. So far, Rs 4.5 billion has been allocated to build 15,000 brick and mortar houses in the Northern and Eastern Provinces. These will begin this year. A further Rs 5.5 billion has been allocated for these initiatives. An important project is to provide sanitary facilities to some 260,000 households. These facilities are to be built in two years. Rs 4 billion has been set aside for this. There are major allocations for education, with Rs 32 billion set aside for the programme aimed at ensuring 13 years of education for every child. The funds will be used to improve laboratories, class rooms, libraries, sanitary and water facilities, and teachers quarters, etc. For universities, Rs 25 billion was allocated for building theatres, professorial units, departmental complexes, libraries and canteens. A 38 percent increase in funding was proposed for the health sector to improve infrastructure at hospitals and other facilities. A total of Rs 24.75 billion has been allocated. Rs 10 billion was proposed to the Ran Mawath programme to maintain and build rural roads. A further Rs 20 billion was set aside for public sector salary increases, with a Rs 2,500 interim allowance a month for public sector workers from July 1. Rs 12 billion was allocated to rectify anomalies in the pensions of public sector employees. Many loan schemes were proposed for various groups, including women. Concessionary loans will be provided to the private sector to establish child-care facilities. A Home Sweet Home loan scheme will be available for newlyweds to buy, or build, a home. And for migrant workers, a Sihina Maliga loan was proposed. Another loan, My Future is for undergraduate education at non-state universities Pitfalls of a sanitary nature see uproar in House in largely uninterrupted Budget speech By Sandun Jayawardana View(s): View(s): No tea please, say JVP after what they termed a budget that burdened the people In rare move, Chief Opposition Whip commends some proposals during debate Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweeras second Budget, delayed by four months due to last years constitutional crisis, largely avoided being a full-on populist one, as expected in an election year, though there was predictably some relief for the people. The 2019 Budget, under the theme, Enterprise Sri Lanka Empowering the People and Nurturing the Poor, laid out an ambitious vision to help people help themselves. Unsurprisingly, the United National Front (UNF) Government gave much emphasis to its two flagship development programmes to achieve this goal, namely, the Gamperaliya Rapid Rural Development Project and the Enterprise Sri Lanka credit programme. Students, newlyweds and migrant workers were among those who were offered attractive loan schemes under the Budget. Allocations were also made for the betterment of differently-abled persons, while initiatives were laid out to improve the participation of women in the labour force. At the onset of his speech, Mr Samaraweera made certain to mention the damage that had been caused to the countrys economy during the 52-day political crisis. He noted that a billion US dollars had been wiped off the countrys hard-earned foreign reserves. As a result, the currency depreciated to an all-time low, while the countrys credit ratings were downgraded, he observed. Minister Samaraweera conducted his near 2 1/2 hour Budget Speech without much interruption, though the United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) erupted in uproar when he claimed that over 15, 000 people in Hambantota, the home district of Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa, lacked even basic sanitary facilities. He made the remark while proposing to allocate Rs 4 billion to provide sanitary facilities to about 260, 000 households in the country over two years. Mr Samaraweera contrasted the lack of sanitary facilities in Mr Rajapaksas home district with the splurge of mega projects undertaken by the former President during his rule. This jab led to a strong reaction from UPFA MPs who disputed the number given by the minister. Some Opposition MPs loudly remarked that if the numbers are true, then the Minister of Housing Sajith Premadasa, who is also from Hambantota, should also be ashamed of himself. MPs from all parties barring the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), attended the traditional post-Budget Speech tea party in Parliament. JVP MP Dr Nalinda Jayathissa said they had decided not to attend as the Budget imposed further taxes. It is not right that we should be drinking tea after imposing so many taxes on the people, he told the Sunday Times, stating that their party would vote against the Budget. While Government MPs continued to heap praise on the Budget throughout the debate on the Second Reading held this week, many Opposition MPs decried what they said was another failed Budget by a Government that was now on its last legs. Opening the debate, UPFA MP Bandula Gunawardena strongly disputed claims made by the Finance Minister that the 52-day political crisis was the cause for the countrys economic woes. He also scoffed at Minister Samaraweeras claims that the economy that the Yahapalana Government took over in 2015 was a ticking time bomb. In reality, the economy had been in the best shape ever, he claimed, adding that the new Government failed to make use of a historic drop in world oil prices. The Government need not have sold the Hambantota Port to China if it had properly used the funds saved from the drop in oil prices, he noted. He further pointed to the Central Bank bond scam as a major contributing factor to the countrys economic woes. UNP MP and Non-Cabinet Minister Dr Harsha De Silva, who opened the debate for the Government fired back, insisting that the downgrading of the countrys credit rating by all three international credit rating agencies during the political conspiracy had a major adverse impact on the country. In contrast to most UPFA MPs, Chief Opposition Whip Mahinda Amaraweera commended some of the proposals listed in the Budget, though he called on the Government to do more to assist the countrys farmers and fishermen. He commended the Budget proposal to allocate funds for freezers to limit post-harvest damage. Mr Amaraweera noted that, in 2017 alone, over 60, 000 metric tonnes of fruit had been imported to the country at a cost of billions of rupees. All of these fruits can be grown here, he stressed. JVP MP Bimal Rathnayaka raised a point about how quickly Governments jettison one economic strategy for another, noting that the Finance Ministers last Budget had been titled as a Blue-Green Budget. Yet there is no mention of either blue or green in this years Budget. Does that mean issues related to the environment cited in the last Budget have all been resolved now? he queried. The debate will continue until Tuesday (12), following which a vote on the Second Reading will be taken, while the Committee Stage debate will continue till April 5. Presidential poll: Sirisena still hopeful By Anthony David View(s): View(s): Four years in office now, President Maithripala Sirisena still hopes he will be the joint candidate of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) at the presidential election expected within the next seven months. This is notwithstanding growing uncertainty. Yet, signs that he would not back out and retain his option, at least, as an SLFP candidate, emerged this week. He has already named SLFP electoral organisers in seven districts and is busy picking others. Some party stalwarts, including General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekera, are drawing up plans for a grassroots level campaign amidst dissension among a formidable section. What would be Sirisenas rallying point for victory? He has stepped up his campaign against the use of drugs. Like tailwind for an airborne aircraft, a stronger push came after reports from Dubai that Makundure Madush (real name Samaratunga Aratchchige Madush Lakshitha) had been arrested. That was good news for two reasons it coincided with his anti-drugs campaign. More importantly, Madush is also linked to the alleged assassination attempts on President Sirisena and former Defence SecretaryGotabaya Rajapaksa. On hearing the news of the arrest of Madush, a source close to the Presidency said, President Sirisena promptly telephoned Ahamed Ali Ibrahim al Mulla, the Ambassador for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Sri Lanka, to inquire about the arrest. It turned out that he was then in Abu Dhabi, their capital. The veteran diplomat, the source said, called back to say he had spoken to his Foreign Ministry. They had said that a detailed Police investigation was under way and a formal statement would be issued when they are completed. Those accused, he had said, would be tried in their courts. President Sirisena has learnt that these investigations have now extended to the drug trade in other countries like Pakistan, India and Bangladesh countries with which Sri Lankan drug kings had connections. Last Tuesday, President Sirisena extended his campaign to illicit liquor. I have told the Police that the Kasippu (illicit local brew) menace should be ended in three months. Hardly a day after his announcement, the Police dedicated four different hotlines 011-3024820, 011-3024848, 011-3024850 and 011-2472752 for public complaints on illicit liquor dealers. The anti-illicit liquor campaign comes weeks ahead of the national new year season where there is an increased demand for such brew in poorer sections. President Sirisena has made a national event of his efforts. On April 3, he said, there would be a Bak Maha Divurma or (swearing in) schoolchildren during their assembly, government officials and political parties will pledge their support. He said there would also be an authority to rehabilitate drug addicts. President Sirisena said he had proposed separate courts to try drug offenders. He said he would enforce the death sentence on convicted drug barons but declined to say when. Rathgama killings: Two transferred PCs absconding View(s): Police are looking for two of the five constables, who were transferred to Colombo by the IGP, two weeks ago, following the deaths of two Rathgama businessmen The five policemen were formerly of the Southern Province Special Criminal Investigation Unit (SPSCIU). Two of them are yet to report for duty after their transfers. The CID is looking for them; they are wanted for questioning over the Rathgama murder inquiry, a senior Police officer said. The two victims, 33-year-old Manjula Asela Kumara and 31-year-old Rasin Chinthaka were abducted on January 23 by a group of 13 men, including five men in police uniform. Last week, a Sub Inspector of Police and a PC attached to the SPSCIU were arrested over the abduction and killing of the two individuals from Rathgama, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said. Both suspects were produced before the Galle Magistrate and remanded till March 13. Earlier, the Galle Chief Magistrate had issued an overseas travel ban on the five PCs. The arrests bring the total number of police officers on remand, over the incident, to sixa Chief Inspector, an Inspector, two SIs and two PCs. A forest officer was also arrested by the CID, on information obtained by interrogating a PC who had surrendered to the CID. Police also searched a lake in Galle with the aid of Navy divers and recovered two mobile phones, which were identified as belonging to the victims. The phones are to be sent to the Government Analyst for forensic analysis. Suspected extremists shoot at Hashims coordinating secretary View(s): Suspected members of an extremist group shot and seriously wounded an official working for a cabinet minister in Mawanella yesterday, Police said. Mohamed Razak Taslim (37) was asleep when two persons arrived at his home at Dhanagama Mawatha before dawn yesterday. One of them pulled out a pistol and fired at him at point blank range. Mr. Taslim is now lying at the Intensive Care Unit of the Kandy National Hospital. Mr. Taslim is described as a Coordinating Secretary to Highways and Investment Promotion Minister Kabir Hashim. The minister was scheduled to provide development assistance to several Buddhist temples in a string of ceremonies yesterday. Police said Mr. Taslim was known to have assisted Criminal Investigation Department (CID) detectives who had probed activities of an extremist group in Mawanella. This group had campaigned for attacks on religious statues, including Buddha statues and crosses. The Police were yesterday reviewing surveillance video footage to identify the assailants. President Maithripala Sirisena had telephoned Minister Hashim yesterday to ascertain what has happened. He had also advised him to exercise caution. UN Rights Chief backs universal jurisdiction to prosecute Lankan war crimes suspects View(s): The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (HR) encouraged Member States to prosecute Sri Lankans suspected of crimes against humanity, war crimes or other gross violations of HR, in accordance with universal jurisdiction principles. In her Report to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), Michelle Bachelet Jeria, a former President of Chile, says this approach is likely to address only a handful of cases where alleged suspects happen to be in the territory of countries receptive to the application of universal jurisdiction. Alternatives, including some forms of international investigation and prosecution are, therefore, needed to ensure that those most responsible for the most serious crimes are prosecuted, says the Report, which looks into the status of implementation of 2 UNHRC Resolutions which were co-sponsored by Sri Lanka. The period under consideration is October 2015 to January 2019, with special focus on the period after January 2018, which was not covered in previous reports. The report observes that the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) has regularly engaged with the UN system, including with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). It also comments on the political crisis that erupted in October 2018 and ended in December, saying: for 7 weeks, the legitimacy and the legality of a number of authorities were in question, leading to further delays in recommendations contained in the Resolutions. The OHCHR is particularly concerned with the absence of measures to deal with post-war accountability, to which a significant portion of the 15-page Report is dedicated. In terms of transitional justice, it says the national consultations on reconciliation mechanisms held in 2016 and the establishment of the Office on Missing Persons (OMP) remain the 2 main achievements. The High Commissioner is convinced that the OMPs, if fully operational, can play a crucial role in tracing individuals, identifying remains and reuniting families, the Report states. Nonetheless, the lack of a comprehensive strategy and of outreach on the process to address the past has led some to question how the various transitional justice processes and mechanisms envisaged would interact. The Report welcomes the enactment last year of the Enforced Disappearances Act, which criminalizes enforced disappearances and allows for the implementation and enforcement of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance at the national level. A Bill providing for the establishment of an Office for Reparations was adopted by the Parliament in October 2018, and the Constitutional Council has called for nominations to select commissioners. With regard to the proposed Truth & Reconciliation Commission, a draft concept has been ready since 2016, but was presented to Cabinet only on October 23, 2018, before being submitted to the Legal Draftsman for translation into a Bill. Less progress has been observed in the area of criminal accountability, the Report continues. The GoSL has not announced any plan to create a special judicial mechanism, despite the commitment it implicitly undertook when it co-sponsored HRC Resolution 30/1 and the recommendations contained therein. It has indeed denied the need for such a mechanism, particularly with respect to the involvement of foreign judges, despite abundant evidence that the ordinary criminal justice system is unable to deal with the nature of allegations and the complexity of crimes, it states. Both the President and the Prime Minister have made statements denying the need of foreign assistance in this matter. The lack of substantial progress in establishing criminal accountability for serious crimes in the past 3 years underscores the relevance of that assessment, the Report asserts. Moreover, claims that a domestic specialized process could suffice have not been accompanied by any serious attempt to establish one. No effort has been made to build the capacity required to conduct investigations, including forensic ones, or prosecutorial strategies, despite the repeated recommendations of the Special Rapporteur on truth, justice, reparations and guarantees of non-recurrence. The High Commissioner has recommended that the situation of HR in Sri Lanka should remain firmly on the agenda of the HRC owing to a lack of progress. She has proposed that the GoSL invites the OHCHR to establish a full-fledged country office to monitor the situation of HR in Sri Lanka, to advise on the implementation of the recommendations made by the High Commissioner, the HRC and other HR mechanisms, and to provide technical assistance. With regard to legislation and justice, the High Commissioner has recommended that the GoSL, among other things, adopt Legislation establishing a hybrid court to investigate allegations of violations and abuses of international HR law and violations of international humanitarian law. Wannabe movie heroes bring terror to Jaffna with swordfights By S. Rubatheesan View(s): View(s): Police intel and resources failing to curb new menace in north Lawless, jobless, dollar-fuelled mentality to blame Sword-wielding youth emulating the macho violence in their favourite South Indian films have brought fear to the streets of Kokuvil, 3km from Jaffna town, with internal gang wars and increasing criminal activity. This week alone, more than five incidents of sword attacks by gangs were reported in Jaffna, Madduvil, Chunnakam and Manipay, with houses and vehicles damaged. A week earlier, a family in Kokuvil received an anonymous letter from a self-claimed armed group ordering it to remove the closed-circuit television (CCTV) surveillance camera fixed to the house. The letter, written in poor Tamil, said members of the gang had been arrested after having been identified through footage from that camera. A few days later, masked men armed with primitive weapons such as swords and knives barged into the house, wrecked the CCTV camera and threatened the owner with death. The sight of young men riding high on new, imported racing motorbikes with swords strapped to the bikes might seem like a vivid scene from a South Indian movie but in Jaffna and other sensitive areas these sights are unpleasantly real. Armed, violent gangs have emerged as a new threat to normalcy in the postwar north, destroying community peace with attacks on targeted individuals and households. Confirming that the attacks by armed groups are a major problem, Senior Deputy Inspector-General (DIG) of Police for the Northern Range Roshan Fernando told the Sunday Times the provincial police force have vowed to eradicate this menace despite struggling with inadequate resources such as an acute shortage of Tamil-speaking officers. The police are about to launch a major recruiting drive for 1,000 Tamil-speaking police (see box). Most of the suspects arrested over involvement of violent gangs are local youths and school-leavers aged from 17 to 25 years. Accustomed to an extravagant lifestyle achieved with money sent from families gone overseas during the war, and lacking any commitment or motivation to responsible living, these youths have become addicted to drugs at a young age and are engaging in violence for the sake of being in control and having fun as they see demonstrated by stars in Indian films. In our area, people are constantly living in fear every moment without knowing what would happen next. Its similar to the wartime years. We dont feel safe, a youth in Kokkuvil said on condition of anonymity. This situation had become the norm, he added. Increasing unemployment, drug usage, remittance money from relatives in the diaspora and the strong influence of cinematic portrayals of masculine heroism have pushed these Tamil youths onto a self-destructive path, local civil society leaders observed, expressing great worry over the future of the community. On Thursday, a Special Crimes Unit police attached to the Jaffna Police arrested a notorious key suspect in many sword attacks and other criminal incidents, recovering numerous swords and masks used in attacks. The man was arrested in Chavakachcheri, which falls under a separate police division, and it was suspected that he had been in hiding for over two years with the support of local police. Heated arguments were exchanged at the Civilian Security Meeting held at the Jaffna District Secretariat recently when civil society leaders alleged police had failed to curb the violence that has been the norm in the region. At one point, senior police officers walked out of the meeting. The police are inefficient and corrupt. The failure to take adequate steps to prevent violent incidents has caused people to hesitate in coming forward to help police. A local household owner handed in CCTV footage of armed group attack to police and subsequently it was published on an online media website. Then how can the people trust the police and share information? queried S. Thavarasa, a former opposition leader of the Northern Provincial Council. Mr. Thavarasa, a resident of Kokuvil, was one of those who had raised concerns at the Civilian Security meeting over police shortcomings in ensuring normalcy in the region. Senior police officers in the north argue that these violent incidents and random attacks on households are not a sign of organised crime as in the south, but random actions by notorious armed groups carrying out attacks on contract for various vested interests. These include attacks on families over personal petty issues, feigned attacks on which to build a case for seeking asylum in foreign countries on the basis of claimed death threats, and rivalry between armed factions, with most members being youths or school-leavers. DIG Fernando is of the view that compared to other provinces the situation in the north is normal, and he has given assurances that police have taken additional steps such as increasing patrols in hotbed areas to eradicate the violence. Special police units have been deployed in across the Kopay, Chunnakam and Jaffna police divisions. As responsible police officials, we believe we have been doing our job very well, DIG Fernando said. Over the months, we have identified and arrested most of those suspects, who were involved in these attacks and produced before courts, thereafter they were released on bail. DIG Fernando noted, however, the worrying pattern of suspects, once being granted bail, continuing to engage in similar violence as part of revenge-taking. Stressing that the population in general in the north is cooperating with police to bring these notorious violent gangs under control, DIG Fernando said the shortage of Tamil-speaking police personnel in the provincial police force is a longstanding institutional problem that needs to be addressed urgently. Locals give a totally different picture of the nature of the violence and the effectiveness of police in dealing with it. Civil society leaders alleged police have failed to take timely actions to control the gangs. Sometimes, they said, it would take hours for police to reach a crime scene after being informed of an attack, and sometimes cases are not pursued. Senior police officials stationed across the region who spoke on the condition of anonymity said that along with the shortage of Tamil-speaking officers, the lack of police intelligence personnel in the provincial force stands in stark contrast to the capacity of security forces stationed in the region. DIG Fernando refutes that claim, stating that the police have a strong intelligence network in the region. Im satisfied with their performance, he said. Although the police are blamed for not doing enough, the emergence of violent gangs needs to be addressed in the context of socio-political and economic issues in the north. A leading senior criminal lawyer in Jaffna and politician representing Tamil National Alliance, N. Srikantha, affirmed that police were handicapped by a lack of resources and lacked will-power. He added, however: It is wrong to assume that judges, lawyers, and police are neglectful in maintaining normalcy in the region. In fact, it is really hard to secure bail for suspects who were arrested for alleged involvement of such criminal activities. The increasing unemployment rate, the lack of commitment to earning a livelihood, drug usage, and a lavish lifestyle on foreign remittance money sent by relatives made the Tamil youth take this path. This pathetic situation needs to be addressed by all relevant stakeholders rather than pointing fingers at certain sections of society, Mr. Srikantha said. Earlier, former chief minister C.V. Wigneswaran asserted that violence in the province could be curbed if the Northern Provincial Council were vested with police powers as the 13th Amendment to the Constitution would allow. With the councils mandate having expired last year without addressing pressing issues regarding normalcy in the region, the province is currently under presidential rule as administered through Governor Dr. Suren Raghavan, who was appointed early this year by President Maithripala Sirisena. The Governors Office was contacted for a response. Work needed to make youth drop their weapons Unemployment, which is highest in the Northern Province, plays a major role in prompting local youths to take up weapons and commit crimes to fund a lavish lifestyle, civil society leaders observed. Unemployment doubled from 5.7 per cent in 2015 to 10.7 per cent in 2018.With no new industrial factories being built and slow-paced private sector investments failing to generate adequate youth employment opportunities in the region, many agitated youths prefer to migrate abroad or secure slots in the government sector. In Jaffna district alone, 3,483 graduates registered with the District Secretariat to seek employment opportunities either from state or private sector, figures compiled in January 2018 said. Most unemployed (20,787 people) lack any vocational training or skills, the report added. Officials at the Jaffna Secretariat noted that a significant problem to finding jobs was that many people preferred to enter the state sector and shunned private sector jobs because of their heavier workload, poor allowances and non-flexibility in conditions. A recent report, Economic Development Framework For a Northern Province Master Plan, commissioned by the Central Bank, indicated that emigration will continue to rise without a concerted effort to increase the quality and quantity of work opportunities in the Northern Province. Continual investment in upgrading the quality of human resources, particularly of youths, is required to enable higher long-term levels of productivity and better returns to labour from small agricultural producers to skilled labour and professional business and financial management required for industries and service sector firms, the report added. Govt. hopes home training will tempt young Tamils into police A thousand Tamil-speaking police officers half of them female will be added to the ranks in the Northern and Eastern provinces in a major recruitment drive to resolve the longstanding communication gap between police and residents of those areas. We are hoping to recruit 1,000 police personnel, including 500 female officers, shortly as a major step to address the longstanding shortage of Tamil-speaking officials in both provinces, said retired Senior Superintendent of Police T. Ganeshanathan, who has been serving in the North for the past three years to improve relations between the police and the local population. A gazette notification calling for applications for the posts of police constables, women constables and Sub-Inspectors will be issued by March 20, he said. Senior Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Roshan Fernando also pointed out the dire need to recruit Tamil-speaking police personnel into the provincial force in order to ensure better community service for locals and strengthen law and order. Currently, only 12 per cent (720) of the total provincial force of 6,000 officers can communicate in Tamil, DIG Fernando said. He noted that most Tamil youths are unwilling to join up for various socio-political reasons and that similar recruitment drives in past had met with little success. The government hopes a key factor in the new recruitment programme will turn that trend around: a Police Training Institute will be set up in the north so that the new recruits can be trained and deployed near home. Currently all new recruits are trained in Kalutara, in the south, and deployed across the country. Earlier this week, President Maithripala Sirisena, under whose purview the police department stands, instructed senior police to expedite the establishment of a new institute in North when he inquired about the recruitment of Tamil-speaking police. Worm-hit farmers to get compensation today By Hassaan Shazuli View(s): View(s): Farmers affected by the Fall Army (Sena) worm will be given compensation today under a programme being launched in the Ampara district. Rs 250 million has been allocated to provide compensation Agriculture Insurance Board Director General Panduka Weerasinghe said. Farmers were instructed by the Agriculture Department to burn down the affected plants at the first sight of the worm. However, some farmers had refrained from doing so and subsequently lost their crops due to the spread of the worm. Some 337 farmers will be compensated today. The compensation had been calculated based on an assessment done by Agriculture Department officers who had visited the maize and paddy fields and a subsequent assessment carried out by the Agriculture Insurance Board with the assistance of Grama Niladharis. In Anuradhapura, the second worst affected area after Ampara, farmers will receive compensation on Thursday, the Director General said. He also said that at present a re-assessment process was underway in Monaragala, which was also one of the worst affected areas. The process is expected to be concluded by March 21. Meanwhile, Agriculture Departments Deputy Director Anura Wijetunga said the Departments 7,100 pest control committees set up in several areas to control the damage caused by the Sena worm had reported that the situation had been brought under control for the time being. However, he cautioned that the worm might surface again if crops such as maize were cultivated in fresh batches. Appreciations View(s): Police officer of the highest calibre who pioneered the PNB Ramachandra Sunderalingam (Police Sunda) Ramachandra Sunderalingam, a Police Officer who was highly respected for his integrity, honesty and impartial execution of law, died in Chennai on December 29, 2018, where he was domiciled with his wife, during the past few years. It is reported that after a fall at his flat at Mylapore, Chennai, he was treated at a private hospital where he passed away. A stalwart of the Sri Lanka Police who had brought credit to the Police Department in many fields, his departure in such a manner, was indeed a considerable loss and sad news for the Police Officers of his era who had been subordinate Officers in various Police Stations and branches of the Police Department. Mr.Sunderalingam joined the Police force as a probationary ASP, having graduated from the Peradeniya University in 1954. Whilst at University he was elected President of the University Students Council and President of Jayatilleke Hall, uncontested, which is said to be a rare occurrence and a first in the history of the Peradeniya University. On completing his initial training at the Katukurunda Police Training School, he went into the field. He had served in almost all parts of the country from Ambalangoda to Kandy, Jaffna and Colombo. He performed his duties in a professional manner and was accepted by members of all political parties as a fair and just Police Officer. When he was attached to the Kandy District, the Peradeniya University came under his purview. There was student unrest and a hartal by the students, where the Police were called in to the campus by the Vice Chancellor. He, being a past President of the university students, led the team of Police officers and dealt with the unruly students in a tactful manner to restore normalcy. In the aftermath of the JVP insurrection in 1971, a group of graduates of the Vidyalankara University proceeded by train and motor car to Jaffna in a bid to rescue JVP leader Rohana Wijeweera who was incarcerated in the Jaffna Prison. This group was arrested by the Jaffna Police. The Police Officers were highly agitated and were raring to attack any member of the JVP. Mr. Sunderalingam made certain that none of the persons arrested were harassed, but safely locked up in the Hammenheil Prison in the Nainativu area in Kayts. Even Rohana Wijeweera was never harmed or tortured. Mr. Sunderalingam was considered to be a fair and just officer when dealing with members of the public or Police officers of all ranks. He was a smart Police Officer who used to go into the Jaffna Town on duty riding a horse, something the Jaffna public had not seen before. He was transferred to Colombo subsequently and the Department established a unit known as the Colombo Detective Bureau (CDB) under his leadership. The CDB became well known, solving many unsolved crimes. Whilst being the head of the CDB, having realized the danger of narcotic drugs which would eventually become a serious problem, he established the Police Narcotics Bureau in 1973. Though Mr. Sunderalingam was promoted as DIG Crimes and Operations, the subject of narcotics was also under his purview, and the Police Narcotics Bureau which was established as a sub-unit of the CDB, was legally and firmly established due to his untiring efforts and enthusiasm in April 1973. It was his foresight that made the Police Department establish this specialized unit which is continuing the fight against the drug menace which has grown out of proportion. After retirement, he left for Germany with his family and with the help of Drug Law Enforcement Officers of the German Police, underwent training and worked with them for a few years. He then joined the Interpol in Lyons, Paris in 1986. With his wide knowledge and experience, he was welcomed into the Drug section and ended up as a Drug Expert of the Interpol. He was assigned by Interpol to undertake lectures on Drug Law Enforcement to many drug law enforcement agencies in the Asian region and other countries. He was a regular representative of Interpol at U.N sessions on drug law enforcement. He served Interpol until 2002, until the age of 72 years ,which is said to be a record for an officer. He was a kind and lovable personality, who won many friends in all the places he served and in Chennai where he spent the last few years. He leaves behind his loving life long partner Yaso and only child Radhakrishnan. He was a devoted and loving husband and caring, guiding father. All of us who knew him and who served under his command extend our deepest condolences to his wife and son. Siva patham adainthar Om shakthi. B.Anton Jeyanathan A hundred good days: Celebrating and recollecting life with my father Shibly Aziz Last year, the news of the passing of Shibly Aziz took many by surprise. Many knew him as a public figure: a distinguished lawyer, a leader of the Muslim community, an Attorney General. I knew him simply as my father. He was educated at Royal College, the University of Peradeniya, and the University of London. My father was appointed as a Crown Counsel in the Attorney-Generals Department in 1969 and worked his way up to being Attorney-General in 1995, patiently, with dignity and respect. His father was a lawyer, his grandfather was a merchant in the Deep South. It still amazes me that he was able to come so far in two generations, and it is a testament to the wonderful supportive nature of his extended family, who have always loved and admired him throughout his life. He was a man of deep integrity, of values and principles, that he held dear. At the same time, he was tolerant and a pragmatist. He would never judge someone because they had different beliefs to him. Rather, he was content to make his case and agree to disagree amicably if common ground couldnt be found-a quality that is much in need in this day and age. But he was human. In his younger days, he had a terrific temper-sometimes he would fly into a rage and perform his famous trick of clearing all the plates off the dinner table in one fell swoop. My brother and I learned to eat really fast just in case we were going to lose our dinner too soon. Over the years, the tempestuousness of his youth mellowed into the calm, almost Zen-like approach he took to life where his anger calmed down and he became the genial, benevolent figure many knew. Much of this came from his deep and abiding faith and practice of his religion. His faith was quiet and deep-it was not the kind that tries to impose itself on others. His was a moderate Islam, tolerant of other faiths, and progressive in its thinking. His devotion to his community was long-standing-the Ahadiya schools which were started by his father flourished and blossomed under his guidance, and have helped hundreds of thousands of children across the country get access to better education. After leaving the Attorney Generals Department, he entered private practice where one of his sacred traditions became the afternoon nap. He would go to courts in the morning, come back and have lunch, and then have a nap until it was time to start his meetings in the afternoon and into the evening. To this day, my idea of success isnt making a lot of money-its having enough freedom and independence to be able to take a nap in the middle of the workday. That devotion to self-care, by the way, extended to our family vacations: whenever we went away on holiday, we knew we were doing it properly when we had achieved two naps a day; one after breakfast and one after lunch. He lived life well. He loved going to the sea to swim and taught my brother and me to swim in it every weekend when we lived in Wellawatte. He loved his food, and nothing made him happier than a good Sri Lankan rice and curry. He loved cracking jokes and had a few favourite ones: everything in moderation, even moderation he would say as he reached for a second helping of lunch. He loved music, especially jazz and rock and roll it may surprise many to know that he was a drummer in a rock band in his university days, and still liked to play on a drum kit in our house, while my mother gamely tried to accompany him on the piano. I say gamely, because he unfortunately only knew one beat. He loved to travel, and he and my mother instilled a deep love of it in me: we were privileged to travel around the world as a family, and it gave me a deep sense of curiosity about this amazing world we live in, and a fearlessness to be able to go anywhere and do anything that I hope to pass onto my own son. He loved being a grandfather, first to my brothers sons Aiden and Tahir, and then to my own son, Nuri. In fact, as we navigated the difficult adoption process of Nuri, it gave me huge comfort to know that my sons first father figure, was my own father. Nothing made him happier than hanging out with his grandkids, taking them to movies, or just knocking about town. He was a devoted and loving grandpa. He was the very definition of a patriot: someone who put his country first before himself. And if doing so meant giving up the thing he had worked for, for over 30 years because of his principles and integrity, then he didnt hesitate. I know his resignation as Attorney General after just over a year surprised many: but for him, it was a simple decision. If he couldnt act with integrity and decency in exercising the power of that role then it was not for him. He was a public servant with the emphasis on servant he understood that the responsibility of a leader is to be of service to the people that he represents and not the other way around something I think many of our current leaders deserve reminding. He helped hundreds of people in his life but he never told us about any of them. In fact, one of the things we would love to hear is stories of people that he helped. He was a gentleman in both senses of the word a man of honour, and also a man of great gentleness. He took care in his relationships with people to make sure they always felt valued, no matter what their background or views or status. His humility was a lesson to us all, that achievement doesnt necessarily need to be tied to ego; that humbleness and grace he had applied to everyone of every socio-economic class and background and religion and race. He loved his country, his community, his family and his faith. I can think of no better role model to have in my life than him. A while ago I read this article which said that by the time a child graduates from high school he or she has already spent 90% of the time that theyre ever going to spend with his parents. This is especially true, if like me, you left home at an early age and moved to another country. This struck me deeply. We were lucky to see my parents a lot of the time, when they visited us wherever we lived, or when we went to Sri Lanka. But I realized last year when my dad had a heart attack again, how precious the time we had left was. So in the last year of his life, I flew to Sri Lanka for no other reason than to just be with him. We went on a boys weekend down South, where all we did was eat, sleep and yes, have two naps a dayand have long conversations into the night. In retrospect, I am so glad that I did that and was able to see him in good spiritsand be there for him when his health started failing rapidly after that. He had five heart attacks and a brain tumour in three months. He was 75 years old and he had lived a good life. It was time for him to go. We were lucky that his illness didnt drag on for years, and that his decline was mercifully swift. Lucky that he passed away peacefully in his sleep in the early hours of the morning, with his son (my brother Dr. Aadhil Aziz, who did a heroic job looking after him in his decline) close by his side. It was, as the Romans say, a good death. I realized that if you have parents who are older, and you dont live in the same place as they do, then you have perhaps one hundred good days left to spend with each other. So if you take anything from this, it is this: use those one hundred days wisely. Make sure you use those days to enjoy each others company, to spend time travelling, or eating, or whatever it is that makes you happy. Time is more important than money. Experiences are more important than things. And therefore time spent on experiences doing things you love, with the people you love, are the most important of all. One hundred good days. Thats all most of us have. Make sure you use them well. Afdhel Aziz She transmitted her joy of life to others Areenie Ratwatte Pethiyagoda Its almost three months since the sudden death of Areenie Ratwatte Pethiyagoda but those who knew her havent yet reconciled themselves to the fact she is no more. Her husband Dilip Pethiyagoda and her sister Lilamani Sirimanne and family mourn her deeply. Areenie Upendra Ratwatte was the younger daughter of A.C.L. Ratwatte, one-time Mayor of Kandy and then High Commissioner for Ceylon/Sri Lanka in Ghana and subsequently in Malaysia. Areenie and Lilamani schooled at the Good Shepherd Convent, Kandy, and then moved to Mahamaya College, co-founded by an ancestor Chitravo Ratwatte. Areenie took to teaching in Ghana having undergone teacher training in Accra. Returning to Sri Lanka from Malaysia, she joined the teaching faculty of Trinity College Kandy Kindergarten. After marriage too she continued teaching at TCK and much later at Gateway International School and CIS Kandy, counting 40 years with school kids. She was particularly loved at Trinity; not surprising being very pretty, youthful and lively. Many were those holding high posts in the public and private sectors she had cared for as very young KG children who recognised her and expressed gratitude. Dilip said that when they stayed over in a local hotel there would invariably be a Trinitian among the staff and hence a warmer welcome and special service. Areenie and Dilip settled down to married life in Areenies parental home along the scenic Cuda Ratwatte Mawatha between Kandy and Katugastota. They lived a full, truly happy life of perfect companionship, sharing a love of travel which they indulged in, visiting many countries and travelling around Sri Lanka. They were also film buffs and avid readers. Areenie was a member of a foreign ladies book club in Kandy and then formed her own club where women would meet often to informally discuss books they had read and lend each other newly bought books. She made a name for herself in the art of Ikebana exhibiting both in Kandy and Colombo. She was also interested in needlecraft. She was keen on social service and thus the service given the community as a member of the Inner Wheel Club of Kandy, which she served as President for a period of time. Areenie was beautiful with a perfect complexion. But her beauty was definitely more than skin deep; much deeper. Her bubbly, happy personality shone through and anyone who met her felt she was good to be with. There was immense humanity in her, never even a trace of the negative. She was happy with herself and happy with others. We relatives would tell each other: Yes, Dilip and Areenie visited and they laughed the roof down. Such was their joy in life complemented by their strong togetherness. The news of her passing away was a shock to many. Areenie had been ill for a short while with heart trouble. She underwent a successful surgery in Singapore and was at home returning to normal routines rapidly. A fortnight after surgery, on January 3, she celebrated her birthday with a special breakfast attended by her nephew and grand niece. Her sister missed this birthday, being overseas. That evening she had another party with a few people where she joyfully cut and shared her birthday cake. Early next morning Dilip found her ill and transferred her promptly to the Kandy General Hospital, where she passed away the same day. We mourn Areenies death as it came too soon to her, leaving her husband and family members devastated. We say goodbye lovely Areenie with sadness, but with appreciation to her for showing us how a woman could live happy and give of herself to others. The tapestries and flower arrangements she created spread beauty and also transmitted her joy in life. Nanda P. Wanasundera CFW day 4: Grand finale By Sashini Rodrigo View(s): View(s): Colombo Fashion Week 2019 ended with an evening characterised by grandeur and glamour at the Hilton Colombo, as the final six designers presented their summer season collections. Sonali Dharmawardena combined the art of batik with well-constructed pieces, using a simple colour palette to make the nature-inspired prints and pops of fuschia stand out. Structured ruffles, voluminous sleeves and billowing fabrics showed her elegant flair, and interesting choices like pairing sarees with infinity scarves kept it contemporary. Indi Yapa Abeywardene incorporated Beeralu and bobbin lace art into global fashion trends to create the Next 15 Attitude Collection. Colourful bohemian prints and mandalas on block-coloured silks and tulle were complemented by intricate beading and lacework. The showstopper piece encapsulated the collection perfectly, as Miss World Sri Lanka for 2018 Nadia Gyi walked the runway in a full length A-line skirt with red lace bralette and matching lace-striped cape. Next was Asanka de Mels LOVI Ceylon, who drew inspiration from our ancient Royal heritage to create the cosmopolitan Risecollection. The trademark modern sarongs featured bold stripes and LOVI Ceylon branding in a variety of rich natural tones, paired with matching jackets, shirts and crop tops. Charini Suriyages Ethereal Wildness collection encapsulated the luxurious aspects of Sri Lankas tourist appeal and wildlife attractions. Batik prints of flowers and animal prints were paired with bold red and black, while dramatic black ruffles accentuated the edgy yet sophisticated feel the name suggests. Fouzul Hameed added a modern touch to a classic man in Evolution of Man using a variety of fabrics, textures and shades of black to create impeccably constructed pieces, in eye-catching patterns and chain detailing. Indian designer Rajesh Pratap Singh closed the show with an outstanding collection that combined traditional Indian design aesthetics with international silhouettes.The collection opened with all white pieces that were deceptive in their simplicity, and ventured into vivid colours and a gradual incorporation of gold. Ayesh Wickramarathne was announced as the winner of the NEXT Award for the most high-potential designer in the Emerging Designers programme as CFW closed an exciting week that will no doubt influence this seasons trends. Walk into W.A. Silvas world By Yomal Senerath-Yapa Revisiting the home of the King of Sri Lankan novelists, today a museum with a vision View(s): View(s): Silvermere was built in the same decade Queen Victoria celebrated her Golden Jubilee: the 1880s. A neat house with three modest gables, it faced the Wellawatte High Street, where against the palms and the lush greenery the bullock carts were driven and the occasional horse drawn carriage clip-clopped raising puffs of dust. At evening, the residents of the house could look out from the verandah to a scene that is idyllic compared to the heavy traffic of today. The Silvas would surely be shocked by todays loud clamour and bustle- but it would be a different kind of a shock for them to learn that their road has been renamed after one of their own clan. Today the wide W. A. Silva Mawatha permits Silvermere little privacy, but not so when the namesake of the road lived here. You can picture the original house: well set back, cool, and silent- a prim middle class bungalow- the kind with dark nooks and crannies to foster a young writers imagination. W. A. Silva, who grew up here after being born in 1890, is Ceylons Walter Scott, who in the first half of the last century enraptured countless readers with his exciting, suspenseful novels. He had a distinctive flair for the dramatic, the sensational and the chillingly mysterious- whether in his romances, historical novels, detective yarns or short stories. It was in this house, named after a silvery English lake in Surrey with swans and green meadows, that Silva was to plot out all his intriguing stories- among them the classics Kele Handa, Hingana Kolla and Lakshmi (this last partly inspired by H. Rider Haggards She). He would become one of the first best-selling Sinhala novelists, with the exciting Gothic style which the readers of the time were avid for- an escape from their travails into the adventurous, romantic world this new genre from the west promised. For some reason, he never left the old house his father built. Abandoned after the death of this great writer in 1957, the house was slowly robbed of personal space, standing too close to the road. Today, however, the building is again vested with a purpose- given a new lease of life by the W. A. Silva Foundation as the W. A. Silva Language and Literature Museum, open to the public since September last year. You walk over a colourful mosaic on the verandah and enter the small hall, where the old wooden carvings of the house and other adornments are displayed. The museum possesses a few exhibits which commemorate the man still known as the Chakravarti (universal ruler) of Sinhalese novelists: the chair and table he used to write and a few personal equipment are preserved in his room. They have also preserved most of his oeuvre- including some first editions of the novels. Alongside are framed contemporary articles and the posters of films inspired by the books- redolent of that period on the cusp of Independence, when there was great interest in the Sinhala arts- especially the new medium of cinema. The rest of the museum also brings to life the same period- allowing the visitor to step back in time. A giant, cumbersome camera, antique radios, and machines used in cutting and printing books are displayed. An old typewriter and a gramophone stand by, and the blocks used for illustrating books and word blocks; for example there is the block that was used for the title of the Vijayaba Kollaya- the novel that brought to lyrical life the classic story of the regicide (and patricide) by three princes in the 16th Century Kingdom of Kotte. Dr. Thamari Thillakawardene, curator of the museum, says that the W. A. Silva Foundation hopes to expand what is still a very small property- by adding a library, a coffee parlour, a conference hall and a mini-theatre. Few visitors drop in as of now. Rather sad, seeing that despite a somewhat antiquated language, the prose W. A. Silva produced can still be read with compulsion today- the storytelling genius compounded by the elements of mystery and suspense of which he was master, and the careful historical detail. The house should be visited by anyone with a penchant for his writing or maybe the films it spawned. It gives insight into what he wrote- that Gothic world comes alive- and for a moment, the nostalgic magic seems more real than the traffic roaring outside in busy Colombo 6. Zonta: Marking 100 years of serving women with recognition awards for non-Zontians By Minnath Azeez View(s): View(s): Zonta International Foundation celebrates a century of service this year, a century of working towards empowering women all around the world. In honour of this landmark anniversary, the Zonta International Foundation is awarding Recognition Awards for non-Zontians who have made significant contributions towards the empowerment of women. This once in a century award thats a recognition given internationally is open to all individuals or organizations to apply for or to be nominated for. Nominations close on April 30, 2019. Since its establishment over 50 years ago as the Zonta Club 1 of Colombo, the pioneering club in Sri Lanka has awarded many scholarships and conducted empowerment programmes to provide greater opportunities and uplift the skills of Sri Lankan women. What the club is trying to do is to empower women because we dont believe in only giving them money, said Shahnaz Nathani, Governor of District 25 for Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh and Nepal. Zonta in Sri Lanka has also expanded to Zonta Club Colombo II, III, IV and Kandy. It has chartered clubs for young people as well; the Z club at the Asian International School and a common club for students from all schools along with the Golden Z club in Jaffna and at the Medical Faculty in Colombo regardless of gender. Presentation of the Centennial Recognition Award will take place at the Zonta District Conference to be held from October 4-6 at the Galle Face Hotel Colombo. Applications for the award can be collected from the Polytechnic Limited in Colombo 6 or via email to ayesha_imbul@yahoo.com. For more information contact Manthri 0777720313 or Ramola 0777352373. Was Slavery the Worlds First Human Rights Violation? By Thalif Deen View(s): View(s): UNITED NATIONS, Mar 7 2019 (IPS) - The United Nations, which diligently monitors human rights violations worldwide, believes that centuries-old slavery still exists worldwide. The UN mandate on contemporary forms of slavery includes, but is not limited to, issues such as: traditional slavery, forced labour, debt bondage, serfdom, children working in slavery or slavery-like conditions, domestic servitude, sexual slavery, and servile forms of marriage, according to Urmila Bhoola of South Africa, the UN Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Slavery. In an interview with IPS, Bhoola pointed out that slavery was the first human rights issue to arouse wide international concern.But it still continues todayand slavery-like practices also remain a grave and persistent problem. She said traditional forms of slavery have been criminalized and abolished in most countries, but contemporary forms of slavery are still prevalent in all regions of the world. Still, many UN member states who are suspected of such human rights violations refuse to permit international expertsdesignated as UN Special Rapporteurs to either investigate allegations or even formally visit these countries, according to published reports. Asked about these constraints, Bhoola said she he has so far visited Niger, Belgium, Nigeria, El Salvador, Mauritania, Paraguay and, lastly Italy, in October 2018. Her mandate includes the implementation of Article 4 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which states that No one shall be held in slavery or servitude: slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms. She said country visits are only conducted upon invitation from governments. I have issued requests for country-visits to many countries but due to the mandates name and focus, member states are often reluctant to invite the mandate on contemporary forms of slavery, to conduct a visit, said Bhoola, who was appointed Special Rapporteur by the UN Human Rights Council back in May 2014. In this sense, she pointed out, member states may not openly refuse a visit but may not reply to country-visit requests. This is, in my view, a pity, as my aim is to engage constructively with governments, and to support them in their efforts to end contemporary forms of slavery. In fact, some of the countries that are afraid of being named and shamed, perhaps because they are listed as countries where slavery is prevalent in global reports, have many good laws and practices that others can learn from. The findings obtained through the country visits are contained in the country visit reports, which are publicly available. Excerpts from the interview IPS: The ILO says over 40 million people 71 percent of them women and girls are subject to various forms of modern slavery, including human trafficking, child soldiers, forced and early child marriages, domestic servitude and migrant labour. Can these malpractices be criminalized by national legislation or by an international treaty? How feasible are these measures? BHOOLA: Several international treaties prohibit slavery and related practices, such as the 1926 Slavery Convention and its Protocol; the 1956 Supplementary Convention on the Abolition of Slavery, the Slave Trade, and Institutions and Practices Similar to Slavery; the ILO Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29); the ILO Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 (No. 105); the ILO Protection of Wages Convention, 1949 (No.95); the ILO Domestic Workers Convention, 2011 (No. 189); the ILO Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138); the ILO Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182); the Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others (1949). A complete list can be found here. International treaties can make an important difference in a country, as States need to periodically report on progress achieved in implementing the treaties provisions once they have ratified a treaty or convention. If a State does not have the means to effectively fulfil its obligations under a treaty or convention, it should seek international assistance. However, slavery is considered to be a customary norm of international law that requires elimination by States irrespective of whether they have ratified the 1926 Slavery and 1956 Supplementary Conventions. All States are therefore required to prohibit slavery and its different forms, such as slavery like practices or servitudes, in domestic legislation. In order to eradicate slavery effectively at the national level, States must also invest in sustainable development and in the protection and promotion of all human rights. Many States have committed to achieving target 8.7 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) because ending slavery and creating decent work for all requires a multifaceted approach. This requires them to develop comprehensive national responses to contemporary forms of slavery, which should combine the effective rule of law, robust institutional and policy frameworks, ending discrimination and inequality, including gender inequality, protection of labour rights, oversight of the business sector and ensuring full and equitable access to justice where rights have been violated. Ending contemporary forms of slavery is therefore an integral part of the broader struggle to combat poverty, underdevelopment and gender inequality and achieve human rights-based development and justice for all. IPS: As a UN Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, how far does your mandate extend? Can you name and shame countries? Or is that an action that can be taken only by the Human Rights Council? BHOOLA: Special Rapporteurs are appointed by the Human Rights Council and they either have a thematic or a country-specific mandate. As Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, I am mandated to address country-specific concerns either publicly or privately. All Special Rapporteurs are mandated to address confidential communications to States and/or to issue public statements and public thematic reports which are presented on an annual basis. Also, I issue a public report on every country visit containing the findings of the mission as well as recommendations to the State visited and to other stakeholders. I report to both the Human Rights Council and the General Assembly and when these reports are presented governments engage with one another, including the government that has been the subject of a visit, and it is this constructive dialogue that is far more useful in my view in addressing gaps in compliance. The writer can be contacted at thalifdeen@ips.org ** The National Student's 'Women in Music' content series makes space for the incredible, important women that work behind the scenes in some of the toughest and most rewarding roles in the industry. To celebrate International Women's Day, we're hearing their stories. ** --- We spoke to Founder and Head of Longevity PR, Lorraine Long, who reflects on the changing dynamics of the music industry, the pinch me moments of her career, and the importance of unity in the face of tragedy. Image courtesy of Lorraine Long The music industry has had a big shakeup, even in the short decade of Lorraines own career. Originally studying a Hospitality Management degree in Dublin, Lorraine expresses that three years into that, I kind of realised that burning desire since I was a teenager to work in music wasnt going away. Her voracious hunger for music meant she propelled herself into work experience, going through the right of passage as general dogsbody at a friend of a friends indie label. Coincidentally this is where she met with the opportunity of a lifetime - the offer of a junior PR assistant. Aphorisms sound cheesy, but as Lorraine expresses As the saying goes, its not what you know, but who you know. Networking and persistence is key to breaking through the seemingly double-glazed glass ceiling. I knew it was an opportunity Id always regret if I didnt take it." Lorraine reflects, "It was such a big jump, but I guess I had the safety of previously having a degree, and having a lot of experience in another area that I could always go back to. So I kind of had that safety net, [...] but I knew that if I didnt go, if I didnt give it a try, itd always be a what if scenario. After dedicating 8 years of her career to working at Charm factory PR, she utilised the knowledge from her business degree to found Longevity PR. Longevity boasts an impressive, diverse roster, varying from Britpop icons Oasis, to rising Liverpool psych-outfit She Drew The Gun. Cannoning yourself into a new business can be a risky next-step, but Lorraines marriage of education and industry experience provided her with the acute knowledge of both the logistical and creative side of the business. That was the main thing really, in terms of a new challenge. But at the same time I retained the artists that I worked over multiple years with, so actually retaining the roster I had a well was a big thing for me. You know, you become very attached, to things that youve worked on for such a long time, and I wanted to continue with those relationships and helping to build those careers.. Imagine the two-dimensional posters that adorned your walls as a teenager, later in your career materialised in three dimensions? And then you became a major component at the helm of their continuing popularity - this is Lorraines reality. Lorraine's campaign on Oasis Be Here Now album reissue helped it land NMEs re-issue of the year award 2017, Working on that record was one of those kind of pinch me moments [...] I would never have believed that that would have happened. That the person who I had adorning my walls with posters, is someone that Im working with. Its well versed that the PR industry is largely dominated by females, meaning that Lorraine is very fortunate to probably never have experienced any inequality in terms of (her) career. Yet, the reality in other branches of the industry is not so pragmatic. Though the proportion of women in the music industry rose from 45.3% in 2016 to 49.1% in 2018, there is a noticeable lack of women in positions at the top of the hierarchy, in CEO positions. Lorraine also spoke about female artists, and how the industry almost thinks of female artists as a genre, rather than them just being artists. In a perfect utopia, it would come to the point where its not even a conversation point. Longevity ethos is purely based on a passion for the music it represents, rather than positively discriminating in order to gain a wider cross-section of inclusivity; Ive always been fortunate to have a varied roster, so everything from absolute brand new artists to living legends. I personally, as a woman, would always want to be representing interesting talented female artists, as much as male - and for me, to be honest - the only thing thats important is the music. Various groups, such as Women In Music, have drawn attention to the lack of diversity in particular aspects of the sector, with the PRS foundation pledging to inject more funding into female musicians in 2017. Lorraine notes that the misconception that this isolate male musicians, is damaging as All feminism is about fighting equality - and its not about women wanting to be more elevated than men - but actually just to be viewed as equal, and I think thats really important. Longevity has a wealth of successful campaigns over the years; from the contribution to the meteor rise of acts like Rag N Bone man to the NHS Date 2 Donate Campaign. Youve heard of the Stand Up To Cancer gigs, right? What you may not know is that Lorraine was the brains behind the operation. Boasting line ups over the years including Lewis Capaldi, Laura Mvula and Jamie Lawson, it showcases the binding unity that music can bring in the face of tragedy; it just seems that no one will go untouched in one way or another. Lorraine tells me the poignant story that inspired the gigs, after one of her own artists Daniel James was diagnosed with testicular cancer. I kind of watched him go through his treatment for quite intense chemo and become very sick. I think it was sort of New Years Day, and I kind of had that moment, of sort of, I really wanna do something [...] The first conversation I actually had was with Kodalines manager, and I told him the concept of what I wanted to do and he just straight away said Yes, absolutely, theyd love to do it. From that she worked with a connection in Kilimanjaro (the live promotion company), and after a chance meeting with a representative at a press event, the Stand Up To Cancer charity. Tragically, Lorraines father died of the very thing she was fundraising for in 2017, but this made the motivation behind the event all the more intimate to her. Potentially its going to save your life, my life, somebody elses life in the future by finding new cures [..] thats what Stand Up To Cancer do [...] find new treatments and new cures, and so hopefully even if you do get cancer youll actually survive. Music is a universal unifier and can inspire many young people to want to perservere and break into the industry themselves. So whats the advice that Lorraine would give? The advice I always give to people in general is like, dont be a dick...you might think 'oh theyre just a junior or whatever', but Im telling you that person, give them five years, theyll probably be running the label that youre working on. Lorraine is a shining example of how perseverance, passion and tenacity can lead to success in a difficult industry. Unfortunately, The Content Is Not Here You have arrived at this page because the page or post you were looking for no longer exists. Please check our main navigation pages for other content: Home Page remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said the path to a breakthrough on Brexit remained elusive, and he did not know what his British counterpart Theresa May meant when she said on Friday that only "one more push" was needed to reach a deal. With just three weeks left before Britain is due to leave the European Union, May used the expression in a last-ditch appeal to the European Union and a deeply divided domestic parliament. "The Brexit date is getting ever closer. The ball is still rolling toward the cliffs of Dover. I am worried (it) is rolling the wrong way," Rutte told journalists. May and Rutte spoke by telephone Friday evening, Rutte said in a tweet, adding that he had expressed his "full confidence" in EU leaders. "We both aim for a solution in the coming days," he wrote, adding, "Tense days of negotiations ahead before the meaningful vote in British Parliament on Tuesday." Rutte said May\s plan to amend her withdrawal agreement to secure parliamentary approval on Tuesday was unclear, and reiterated that British "red lines" for talks with the EU were preventing a solution. "To be clear: we are running out of options. The British government and parliament must make up their minds," he said. "If the British keep asking for a time limit for the (Irish) backstop that\s not going to work." London and Brussels are at loggerheads over the backstop, an insurance policy to prevent the return of border controls between Northern Ireland and Ireland the only land frontier between the United Kingdom and the bloc. Asked what the solution to the stalemate could be he answered: "I don\t know". He then suggested a supplementary, non-legally binding letter from European Council President Donald Tusk and other senior EU officials on details of the deal might help move negotiations forward. The Netherlands, the world\s fifth largest exporter, is among nations most vulnerable to the economic disruptions that would be caused if Britain left the EU with no deal on March 29. SOURCE: REUTERS Large volumes of natural gas have been found in the Red Sea, said the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) quoting the Energy Minister Khalid Al Falih. Saudi oil giant Aramco is considering opportunities for acquisitions of liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects in the US, Al Falih has also said, according to a Reuters summary of SPAs news item. In January this year, Saudi Aramcos chief executive Amin Nasser told Reuters in an interview that the oil firm was looking to spend billions of US dollars on natural gas acquisitions in the US as part of Aramcos strategy to bolster its gas business and become a global natural gas player. Last week, Nasser said at an industry event in London that Saudi Arabia aims to export as much as 3 billion cu ft of gas per day by 2030 as part of its goal to boost the international footprint of its natural gas business. Aramco will solely develop Saudi Arabias conventional and unconventional gas reserves, and the options for exports include exports via pipelines and LNG, according to Aramcos top manager. In November last year, Nasser said at an event in Dubai that Saudi Aramco, already a top global oil producer but not as strong in gas production, will boost efforts to grow its natural gas output, from both conventional and unconventional reserves, reported OilPrice.com. Saudi Aramcos gas development programme is expected to attract as much as $150 billion in investment over the next decade, the report quoted Nasser as saying. The top Aramco executive pointed out that natural gas production was expected to jump to 23 billion standard cu ft a day from the current 14 billion cu feet a day. "We also have world-class unconventional gas resources that are rapidly supplementing our large conventional resources," remrked Nasser. "Because a significant proportion of this unconventional gas is rich in both liquids and ethane, its production will play an important role in the further growth of the Kingdoms chemicals sector," he added. Mexican movie chain Cinepolis has revealed plans to expand across the GCC this year, with new cinemas set to open in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman. In an exclusive interview with TradeArabia, Ashish Shukla, CEO for Cinepolis Gulf, revealed that it is currently fitting out its first cinema in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. No opening dates were announced. The expansion plans come hot on the heels of the opening of the GCC's first Cinepolis in Bahrain at the end of January. Located at Atrium Mall, Saar, on the left of the King Fahd Causeway when entering into the country from the Saudi Arabian city of Al Khobar, the Cinepolis cinema is ideally placed for Saudi visitors as well. Featuring 13-screens, including Bahrains first Junior theatre and 4D E-motion viewing experience, as well as two large-format screens, MacroXE with Dolby Atmos, Cinepolis promises a unique cinema offering. Since its opening, it has enjoyed favourable response from residents and visitors. "We're quite pleased with the response to our cinema experience in Bahrain. Our Junior theatre, 4D E-motion and MacroXE screens have become top favourites among visitors," Shukla said. "We're also seeing a rise in visitors from Saudi Arabia, who constitute about 25 per cent of our visitors so far," he said. To further boost the number of its cinemagoers, Cinepolis is offering 'flat 50 per cent off' when booking tickets using the Cinepolis Bahrain app. The special offer will run for the next three weeks, Shukla noted. Shukla, who has been in the cinema industry for the last 30 years, is proud of Cinepolis impact on the cinema business in Bahrain. "At Cinepolis, our aim is to ensure viewers enjoy a well-rounded experience. From exceptional seating and premium F&B options to the latest projection and sound technology, we aim to give our guests the best sound and picture for their money," Shukla noted. When asked about the future of cinema following the rise of online streaming services, Shukla noted that such services "have not negatively impacted cinema attendance". "Man is a social being. He/she enjoys being with people and experiencing moments together. Although there has been a rise in the number of online streaming service viewers [such as Amazon Prime and Netflix] across the region and the world, it has done nothing but take over the regular TV watching experience at home. Cinema, on the other hand, has always been, and will always be, a part of man's social activity." Adding to the movie experience, Cinepolis held an exclusive screening of the much-anticipated Captain Marvel on March 5 for media personnel and lucky Instagram contest winners. - TradeArabia News Service Delegation of State Tourism Committee of Turkmenistan attends international travel trade show in Berlin A delegation of Turkmenistans State Tourism Committee and a number of national travel agencies attended the 53rd International Travel Trade Show ITB Berlin 2019. The Turkmen Pavilion presented the tourism potential of Turkmenistan. On the sidelines of the show, members of the delegation of Turkmenistan held meetings with tour operators, companies and businessmen discussing the prospects of establishing cooperation in the sphere of tourism. ITB Berlin is the biggest travel trade show in the world. It has been held annually in the German capital since 1966. In total, the current fair brought together more than 10 thousand exhibitors from more than 180 countries. TURKMENISTAN.RU, 2021 New Delhi, Mar 4 (UNI) Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Monday embarked on an eight-day two-nation visit to Paraguay and Costa Rica, to strengthen bilateral ties with the two Latin American countries. He was seen off by Minister, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Paraguay in India, Ruben Dario Benitez Palma and CDA for Costa Rica Eduardo Salgado and other dignitaries were present at the departure. He is accompanied by Minister of State for Culture and Tourism Alphons Joseph Kannanthanam and Ram Kumar Kashyap, MP, an official release here said. This is the first ever visit of an Indian Vice President to Paraguay. Apart from pushing for strengthening bilateral cooperation in the areas of trade, culture and Science & Technology, Mr Naidu will during his visit seek the support of both two countries for Indias bid for permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council, On his arrival at Paraguay, the first leg of his visit, Mr Naidu will visit National Pantheon of Heroes and pay homage to fallen soldiers by placing a wreath. Later, he will hold discussions with Paraguayan President Mario Abdo Benitez at Palacio de Gobierno. He is scheduled to have tete-a-tete with his Paraguayan counterpart Hugo Velazquez and also participate in a high-level delegation talks and attend the banquet lunch hosted in his honour. Mr Naidu will meet with National Congress President Silvio Ovelar and attend a reception organised for the Indian community in Paraguay. Before emplaning for San Jose on March 7, he will interact with the business community and see a presentation on Business and Investment Opportunities in Paraguay. Soon after arriving in San Jose, on the second leg of his journey, the Vice President will receive the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Honoris Causa) in International Peace & Conflict Studies conferred by the University for Peace in recognition of his contribution to the rule of law, democracy, sustainable development and peace. Later, the Vice President will call on his host, Costa Rica President Carlos Alvarado Quesada and also participate in high level delegation talks with him. On March 9, Ms Carolina Hidalgo Herrera, President of Congress of the Republic of Costa Rica, will call on him, followed by banquet lunch hosted by Ms Epsy Campbell Barr, the First Vice President. The Vice President will return to India on March 11. UNI SD ADG 1838 GUADALAJARA, Mexico, March 08, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico, S.A.B. de C.V., (NYSE: PAC; BMV: GAP) (the Company or GAP) announced the following: Pursuant to a resolution adopted by our board of directors on February 20, 2019, and in accordance with Articles 180, 181, 182 and other applicable articles of the Mexican General Corporations Law and Article 35 of the Companys by-laws, Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico, S.A.B. de C.V. invites its shareholders to the annual General Ordinary and General Extraordinary Shareholders Meeting on April 23, 2019 at 12:00 and 1:00 pm, respectively, in Salon Oceania I of the Hotel Hilton, located at Av. de las Rosas 2933, Col. Rinconada del Bosque, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, to discuss the following: ANNUAL GENERAL ORDINARY SHAREHOLDERS MEETING MEETING AGENDA In compliance with Article 28, Section IV of the Mexican Securities Market Law, the following will be presented and, if applicable, submitted for approval: The Chief Executive Officers report regarding the results of operations for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, in accordance with Article 44, Section XI of the Mexican Securities Market Law and Article 172 of the Mexican General Corporations Law, together with the external auditors report, with respect to the Company on an unconsolidated basis in accordance with Mexican Financial Reporting Standards (MFRS), as well as with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), each based on the Companys most recent financial statements under both standards. Board of directors comments to the Chief Executive Officers report. Board of directors report in accordance with Article 172, clause b, of the Mexican General Corporations Law, regarding the Companys main accounting policies and criteria, as well as the information used to prepare the Companys financial statements. Report on transactions and activities undertaken by the Companys board of directors during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, pursuant to the Mexican Securities Market Law. The annual report on the activities undertaken by the Audit and Corporate Practices Committee in accordance with Article 43 of the Mexican Securities Market Law, as well as ratification of the actions of the various committees, and release from further obligations. Report on the Companys compliance with tax obligations for the fiscal year from January 1 and ended December 31, 2017, and instruction to Company officials to comply with tax obligations corresponding to the fiscal year from January 1 and ended December 31, 2018, in accordance with Article 26, Section III of the Mexican Fiscal Code. II. As a result of the reports in item I above, ratification of the actions by our board of directors and officers and release from further obligations in the fulfillment of their duties. III. Presentation, discussion and submission for approval of the Companys financial statements on an unconsolidated basis in accordance with MFRS for purposes of calculating legal reserves, net income, fiscal effects related to dividend payments and capital reduction, as applicable, and approval of the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with IFRS for their publication to financial markets, with respect to operations that took place during the fiscal year from January 1 and ended December 31, 2018; and approval of the external auditors report regarding the aforementioned financial statements. IV. Proposal to approve from the Companys net income for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, reported in its unconsolidated financial statements in accordance with MFRS presented in agenda item III above, which was Ps. 4,936,818,189.00 (FOUR BILLION, NINE HUNDRED AND THIRTY SIX MILLION, EIGHT HUNDRED AND EIGHTEEN THOUSAND, AND ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-NINE PESOS 00/100 M.N., the allocation of 5% (FIVE PERCENT) of this amount, or Ps. 246,840,909.00 (TWO HUNDRED AND FORTY-SIX MILLION, EIGHT HUNDRED FORTY THOUSAND AND NINE HUNDRED AND NINE PESOS 00/100 M.N.), towards increasing the Companys legal reserves, with the remaining balance of Ps. 4,689,977,280.00 (FOUR BILLION, SIX HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-NINE MILLION, NINE HUNDRED SEVENTY-SEVEN THOUSAND AND TWO HUNDRED AND EIGHTY PESOS 00/100 M.N. to be allocated to the account for net income pending allocation. V. Presentation, discussion, and submission for approval of the allocation from the account for net income pending allocation, of an amount equal to Ps. 4,737,835,452.00 (FOUR BILLION, SEVEN HUNDRED AND THIRTY-SEVEN MILLION, EIGHT HUNDRED THIRTY-FIVE THOUSAND, AND FOUR HUNDRED AND FIFTY-TWO PESOS 00/100 M.N.), for declaring a dividend equal to Ps. 8.42 (EIGHT PESOS AND FORTY TWO CENTS) per share, to be distributed to each share outstanding as of the payment date, excluding any shares repurchased by the Company as of each payment date in accordance with Article 56 of the Mexican Securities Market Law; any amounts of net income pending allocation remaining after the payment of such dividend will remain in the account for net income pending allocation. The dividend will be paid in the following manner: i) Ps. 4.21 (FOUR PESOS 21/100 M.N.) per share as of the payment date, to be distributed before August 31, 2019; and ii) Ps. 4.21 (FOUR PESOS 21/100 M.N.) per share as of the payment date, to be distributed before December 31, 2019. VI. Cancellation of any amounts outstanding under the share repurchase program approved at the Annual General Ordinary Shareholders Meeting that took place on April 25, 2018 for Ps. 1,250,000,000.00 (ONE BILLION, TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY MILLION PESOS 00/100 M.N.) and approval of Ps. 1,550,000,000.00 (ONE BILLION, FIVE HUNDRED AND FIFTY MILLION PESOS 00/100 M.N.) as the maximum amount to be allocated toward the repurchase of the Companys shares or credit instruments that represent such shares for the 12-month period following April 23, 2019, in accordance with Article 56, Section IV of the Mexican Securities Market Law. VII. The report regarding the designation or ratification of the four members of the board of directors and their respective alternates named by the Series BB shareholders. VIII. Ratification and/or designation of the person(s) that will serve as member(s) of the Companys board of directors, as designated by any holder or group of holders of Series B shares that owns, individually or collectively, 10% or more of the Companys capital stock. IX. Ratification and/or designation of the persons that will serve as members of the Companys board of directors, as designated by the Series B shareholders. X. Ratification and/or designation of the Chairman of the Companys board of directors, in accordance with Article 16 of the Companys by-laws. XI. Ratification of the compensation paid to the members of the Companys board of directors during the 2018 fiscal year and determination of the compensation to be paid in 2019. XII. Ratification and/or designation of the member of our board of directors designated by the Series B shareholders to serve as a member of the Companys Nominations and Compensation Committee, in accordance with Article 28 of the Companys bylaws. XIII. Ratification and/or designation of the President of the Audit and Corporate Practices Committee. XIV. The report concerning compliance with Article 29 of the Companys bylaws regarding acquisitions of goods or services or contracting of projects or asset sales that are equal to or greater than US$ 3,000,000.00 (THREE MILLION U.S. DOLLARS), or its equivalent in Mexican pesos or other legal tender in circulation outside Mexico, or, if applicable, regarding transactions with relevant shareholders. XV. Appointment and designation of special delegates to present to a notary public the resolutions adopted at this meeting for formalization. Adoption of the resolutions deemed necessary or convenient in order to fulfill the decisions adopted in relation to the preceding agenda items. EXTRAORDINARY SHAREHOLDERS MEETING MEETING AGENDA Proposal to reduce the Companys shareholders equity by a total amount of Ps. 1,592,493,907.41 (ONE BILLION, FIVE HUNDRED AND NINETY-TWO MILLION, FOUR HUNDRED AND NINETY-THREE THOUSAND, NINE HUNDRED AND SEVEN PESOS 41/100 M.N.) and, consequently, pay Ps. 3.03 (THREE PESOS AND THREE CENTS) per outstanding share, and if approved, amend Article 6 of the Companys by-laws. Appointment and designation of special delegates to present to a notary public the resolutions adopted at this meeting for formalization. Adoption of the resolutions deemed necessary or convenient in order to fulfill the decisions adopted in relation to the preceding agenda points. Shareholders are reminded that in accordance with Article 36 of the Companys by-laws, only those shareholders registered in the Companys share registry as holders of one or more of the Companys shares will be admitted into the shareholders meetings, and they will be admitted only if they have obtained an admission card. The share registry will close three (3) business days prior to the date of this meeting. In order to attend the meeting, at least one (1) business day prior to the meeting: (i) shareholders must deposit with the Company their stock certificates, shares or a receipt of deposit of shares from S.D. Indeval Institucion para el Deposito de Valores, S.A. de C.V. (Indeval) or from a local or foreign financial institution, and (ii) brokerage firms and other depositors at Indeval should present a listing containing the name, address, nationality and number of shares of the shareholders they will represent at the meeting. In exchange for these documents, the Company will issue, in accordance with the Companys bylaws, an admission card and/or the forms required under Article 49, Section III of the Mexican Securities Market Law in order to be represented. In order to attend the meeting, shareholders must present the admission card and/or the corresponding form. Shares deposited in order to gain admittance to these meetings will only be returned, via a voucher that will have been given to the shareholder or his/her representative. Shareholders may be represented by proxy at the meetings by any person designated by a power of attorney signed before two witnesses or as otherwise authorized by law. However, with respect to the Companys capital stock traded on a stock exchange, the proxy or proxies may only verify their identities via Company forms. These will be available to all shareholders, including any stockbrokers, during the time period specified in Article 173 of the Mexican General Corporations Law. Following the publication of this announcement, all shareholders and their legal representatives will have free and immediate access to all information and documents related to each of the topics included in the meeting agenda, as well as all proxy forms that must be presented by persons representing shareholders. These documents will be available at the Companys offices located at Av. Mariano Otero #1249-B, 6th Floor, Col. Rinconada del Bosque, Guadalajara, Jalisco 44530 or at Arquimedes #19, 4th Floor, Col. Bosque de Chapultepec, C.P. 11580, Alcaldia Miguel Hidalgo, Mexico City, Mexico 11580. Shareholders are invited to contact the Company should they have need for any additional information. Company Description: Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico, S.A.B. de C.V. (GAP) operates 12 airports throughout Mexicos Pacific region, including the major cities of Guadalajara and Tijuana, the four tourist destinations of Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos, La Paz and Manzanillo, and six other mid-sized cities: Hermosillo, Guanajuato, Morelia, Aguascalientes, Mexicali and Los Mochis. In February 2006, GAPs shares were listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol PAC and on the Mexican Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol GAP. In April 2015, GAP acquired 100% of Desarrollo de Concesiones Aeroportuarias, S.L., which owns a majority stake of MBJ Airports Limited, a company operating the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, Jamaica. This press release may contain forward-looking statements. These statements are not historical facts, and are based on managements current view and estimates of future economic circumstances, industry conditions, company performance and financial results. The words anticipates, believes, estimates, expects, plans and similar expressions, as they relate to the company, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Statements regarding the declaration or payment of dividends, the implementation of principal operating and financing strategies and capital expenditure plans, the direction of future operations and the factors or trends affecting financial conditions, liquidity or results of operations are examples of forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the current views of management and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. There is no guarantee that the expected events, trends or results will actually occur. The statements are based on many assumptions and factors, including general economic and market conditions, industry conditions, and operating factors. Any changes in such assumptions or factors could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations. In accordance with Section 806 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and article 42 of the Ley del Mercado de Valores, GAP has implemented a whistleblower program, which allows complainants to anonymously and confidentially report suspected activities that may involve criminal conduct or violations. The telephone number in Mexico, facilitated by a third party that is in charge of collecting these complaints, is 01-800-563-0047. The web site is http://www.lineadedenuncia.com/gap . GAPs Audit Committee will be notified of all complaints for immediate investigation. IR Contacts: Saul Villarreal, Chief Financial and Administrative Officer svillarreal@aeropuertosgap.com.mx Alejandra Soto, Financial Planning and IR Manager asoto@aeropuertosgap.com.mx Neanderthals are often depicted as having straight spines and poor posture. However, these prehistoric humans were more similar to us than many assume. University of Zurich researchers have shown that Neanderthals walked upright just like modern humans, thanks to a virtual reconstruction of the pelvis and spine of a very well-preserved Neanderthal skeleton found in France. An upright, well-balanced posture is one of the defining features of Homo sapiens. In contrast, the first reconstructions of Neanderthals made in the early 20th century depicted them as only walking partially upright. These reconstructions were based on the largely preserved skeleton of an elderly male Neanderthal unearthed in La Chapelle-aux-Saints, France. Changing perspectives Since the 1950s, scientists have known that the image of the Neanderthal as a hunched over caveman is not an accurate one. Their similarities to ourselves both in evolutionary and behavioral terms have also long been known, but in recent years the pendulum has swung in the opposite direction. Focusing on the differences is back in fashion, says Martin Haeusler, UZH specialist in evolutionary medicine. For instance, recent studies have used a few isolated vertebrae to conclude that Neanderthals did not yet possess a well-developed double S-shaped spine. However, a virtual reconstruction of the skeleton from La Chapelle-aux-Saints has now delivered evidence to the contrary that Neanderthals walked upright. This computer-generated anatomical model was created by the research group led by Martin Haeusler from the University of Zurich and included Erik Trinkaus from Washington University in St. Louis. The researchers were able to show that both the individual in question, as well as Neanderthals in general, had a curved lumbar region and neck just like the humans of today. Sacrum, vertebrae, and signs of wear as evidence that Neanderthals walked upright When reconstructing the pelvis, the researchers discovered that the sacrum was positioned in the same way as in modern humans. This led them to conclude that Neanderthals possessed a lumbar region with a well-developed curvature. By putting together the individual lumbar and cervical vertebrae, they were able to discern that the spinal curvature was even more pronounced. The very close contact between the spinous processes the bony projections off the back of each vertebra became clear, as did the prominent wear marks that were in part caused by the curvature of the spine. All of this indicates the neanderthals walked upright. Recognizing similarities Wear marks in the hip joint of the La Chapelle-aux-Saints skeleton also indicated that Neanderthals walked upright with a posture similar to that of modern humans. Haeusler said: The stress on the hip joint and the position of the pelvis is no different than ours. This finding is also supported by analyses of other Neanderthal skeletons with sufficient remnants of vertebrae and pelvic bones. Haeusler explained that: On the whole, there is hardly any evidence that would point to Neanderthals having a fundamentally different anatomy. Now is the time to recognize the basic similarities between Neanderthals and modern humans and to switch the focus to the subtle biological and behavioral changes that occurred in humans in the late Pleistocene. Provided by: University of Zurich [Note: Materials may be edited for content and length.] Follow us on Twitter or Facebook Fort Polk, LA (71446) Today Cloudy skies during the morning hours followed by scattered showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. High 76F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Cloudy skies during the evening followed by isolated thunderstorms overnight. Low 69F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%. By West Kentucky Star Staff Mar. 09, 2019 | 09:59 AM | PADUCAH A local woman and a business were honored earlier this week for their service to the community.The annual Governors Service Awards program is administered by Serve Kentucky, Kentucky's state service commission, in partnership with the Office of the Governor, to highlight the importance of volunteer and national service across the Commonwealth. On Wednesday, Paducah's Roberta Cervantes and Paducah Bank were recognized by state officials, including Cabinet for Health and Family Services Secretary Adam Meier and Lt. Governor Jenean Hampton.Cervantes was recognized with a National Service Award for her work in the Paducah and McCracken County Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). In 2018, she volunteered nearly 1,400 hours, which is the most for any of the almost 500 volunteers in the program. Most of her time was spent helping at the St. Vincent De Paul Thrift Store and Heart USA, a community-based prescription drug program.Paducah Bank received the Governors Business Service Award, given to businesses that have made an impact through innovation, volunteer hours, monetary support and other volunteerism. The award recognized the impact of their "Swipe and Serve" program, which donates $1 to charity for every 100 signature-based transactions. A different project, typically one that provides food to those in need, is selected each quarter of the year.After the Marshall County School Shooting in 2018, Paducah Bank used "Swipe and Serve" proceeds to create scholarships in memory of the two students who were killed. Over the past four years the program has contributed $200,000 to deserving organizations or causes.You may click the link below to watch the awards presentation video. On the Net: Advertisement By West Kentucky Star Staff Mar. 08, 2019 | PADUCAH By West Kentucky Star Staff Mar. 08, 2019 | 07:49 PM | PADUCAH The woman who was serving as interim principal at McCracken County High School has stepped down from that job. McCracken County School Board Chairman Steve Shelby said Friday that Ginger Stewart has requested to return to her previous position, which was director of district-wide programming. Shelby was not at liberty to discuss the reason for her request. Shelby said the high school's site-based decision making council will have to discuss whether they want to appoint another interim principal. He indicated that the assistant principals at each of the five houses on campus appear to be handling things well for the time being. Stewart was named interim principal after Michael Ceglinski was placed on paid suspension. That happened February 20, the same day the McCracken County Sheriff's Department announced that Ceglinski had been charged with official misconduct and failure to report abuse of a student. County Attorney Sam Clymer eventually dropped the misconduct charge against Ceglinski and another administrator. Ceglinski allegedly conducted an internal investigation into reported sex abuse of a student but did not report the incident to police as required by state law. Advertisement By West Kentucky Star Staff Mar. 08, 2019 | PADUCAH By West Kentucky Star Staff Mar. 08, 2019 | 07:14 PM | PADUCAH The McCracken County Sheriff's Office arrested a man Friday afternoon on various drug offenses following a traffic stop in Paducah. Detectives reportedly saw a pickup truck backing into traffic on Park Avenue, almost causing an accident. They stopped the truck on HC Mathis Drive and spoke to the driver, 35-year-old Michael Thomas of Paducah. During the stop, detectives determined that Thomas was under the influence of controlled substances. Sheriff's Office narcotics detection K-9 Oscar alerted to the odor of illegal drugs on the bottom of the driver door of the truck. Detectives searched the truck and located doses of Valium, amphetamine and benzodiazepines inside the passenger compartment of the truck. They also located a magnetic container under the truck that contained small amounts of methamphetamine, marijuana, smoking pipes, scales, and baggies. Detectives also seized $1,493 in cash, which is believed to proceeds of drug sales. Thomas was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of a 2nd degree controlled substance-amphetamine, possession of a 3rd degree controlled substance-Valium, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of marijuana. He was lodged in the McCracken County Regional Jail. Withdraws from El Penon Option Agreement Cancels Incentive Stock Options VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 08, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Centenera Mining Corporation (Centenera or the Company) - (TSXV: CT, OTCQB: CTMIF) announces that pursuant to previous news releases dated September 5, 2018 (NR18-11) and February 11, 2019 (NR19-01), the Company has signed amending agreements to three previously executed option agreements (the Option Agreements) whereby, subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval, Centenera will be granted the right to acquire up to a 100% interest in eight precious metals properties (the Properties) from an arms length party, Tres Cerros Exploraciones S.R.L (Tres Cerros). The Properties are all located within the highly prospective Deseado Massif in Santa Cruz Province, Argentina, and together comprise more than 30,000 hectares. Under the terms of the Option Agreements, Centenera will be granted an exclusive option (the Option) to acquire a 100% interest in the Properties by way of staged cash and common share payments, subject to a net smelter returns (NSR) royalty in favour of Tres Cerros. Details of Option Agreements The Option Agreements provide that, subject to certain conditions, including TSX Venture Exchange (TSX-V) acceptance, Centenera will be granted the Option to acquire a 100% interest in the Properties, subject to a NSR royalty in favour of Tres Cerros. The three Option Agreements relate to the property groups set out below (Property Groups) as follows: Property Group Properties Property Group #1 Cerro Bayo & La Flora Properties Property Group #2 Aylen, Aylen Oeste & Pedro Properties Property Group #3 Fiorentina, Fiorentina Norte & Aguila Mora Properties The Option is structured as a two-stage option, whereby Centenera can earn an initial 80% interest (the First Option), followed by the remaining 20% interest (the Second Option), subject to certain royalty conditions. During the Option period, Centenera will be responsible for maintaining the exploration concessions and permits comprising the Properties in good standing, and paying all fees and assessments, and taking such other steps required to do so. There will be no other work commitments, and any work carried out on the Properties will be at the sole discretion of Centenera. As part of the earn-in commitment for each Property Group, Centenera will be required to deliver to Tres Cerros a single technical report in accordance with NI 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (NI 43-101), with the subject property being the more advanced of the Properties in each of the Property Groups. The earn-in terms for the First Option (for each of the Property Groups) will be as follows under the amended option terms (all dollar amounts are US Dollars): Property Group #1; Cerro Bayo & La Flora Properties Date Cash Payments Centenera Shares Cumulative Earned Interest 5 business days from conditional TSX-V acceptance (the Effective Date) $12,500 -- -- First anniversary of the Effective Date $25,000 350,000 -- Second anniversary of the Effective Date $50,000 450,000 -- Third anniversary of the Effective Date $75,000 550,000 35% Fourth anniversary of the Effective Date $100,000 950,000 51% Fifth anniversary of the Effective Date $200,000 1,300,000 71% Sixth anniversary of the Effective Date $500,000 1,800,000 80% TOTAL: $962,500 5,400,000 -- Property Group #2; Aylen, Aylen Oeste & Pedro Properties Date Cash Payments Centenera Shares Cumulative Earned Interest 5 business days from conditional TSX-V acceptance (the Effective Date) $12,500 -- -- First anniversary of the Effective Date $25,000 350,000 -- Second anniversary of the Effective Date $50,000 450,000 -- Third anniversary of the Effective Date $75,000 550,000 35% Fourth anniversary of the Effective Date $100,000 950,000 51% Fifth anniversary of the Effective Date $200,000 1,300,000 71% Sixth anniversary of the Effective Date $500,000 1,700,000 80% TOTAL: $962,500 5,300,000 -- Property Group #3; Fiorentina, Fiorentina Norte & Aguila Mora Properties Date Cash Payments Centenera Shares Cumulative Earned Interest 5 business days from conditional TSX-V acceptance (the Effective Date) $12,500 -- -- First anniversary of the Effective Date $25,000 350,000 -- Second anniversary of the Effective Date $50,000 450,000 -- Third anniversary of the Effective Date $75,000 550,000 35% Fourth anniversary of the Effective Date $100,000 950,000 51% Fifth anniversary of the Effective Date $200,000 1,300,000 71% Sixth anniversary of the Effective Date $500,000 1,700,000 80% TOTAL: $962,500 5,300,000 -- The aggregate acquisition cost of the First Option after six years for all three Property Groups will be USD $2,887,500 payable in cash, and 16,000,000 common shares in the capital of Centenera issued to Tres Cerros over a period of 6 years. Other than the initial $12,500 cash payment (aggregate $37,500 for all the Property Groups), Centenera will not be obligated to make any payments or issue any stock to Tres Cerros. For a period of 120 days after the exercise of the First Option for each Property Group, Centenera will have the Second Option to acquire the remaining 20% (aggregate 100%) interest in that Property Group, by making a cash payment of $400,000 and issuing shares in the capital of Centenera valued at $400,000 to Tres Cerros, subject to a 0.75% NSR royalty, of which two-thirds of the royalty (0.5%) can be purchased at any time for $1,000,000. If Centenera elects not to exercise the Second Option, the parties will be deemed to have entered into a joint venture (JV), with the initial participating interests of Centenera being 80% and Tres Cerros being 20%. In the event that either partys participating interest falls below 10% then that partys interest will be converted to a 1% NSR royalty, one half of which (0.5%) can be purchased by the other party for $1,000,000. The Properties are all located within the prospective Deseado Massif. The Deseado Massif is a Jurassic age volcanic plateau covering 60,000km2 and hosting valuable epithermal precious metals deposits. El Penon Withdrawal The Company also announces that it has withdrawn from the El Penon option agreement, under which the Company had the right to acquire a 100% interest in the El Penon property located in San Juan Province, Argentina. During the course of the option period, the Company completed stream sediment sampling, rock sampling and mapping. Following review of the Companys property portfolio, it was determined that the El Penon property should be relinquished and returned to the underlying owner. Incentive Stock Options The Company also announces that it has cancelled an aggregate of 7,710,000 incentive stock options (the Cancelled Options) previously held by certain officers, directors, employees and consultants of the Company. The Cancelled Options represent all of the previously outstanding option grants issued under the Companys stock option plan (the Option Plan). The Cancelled Options were voluntarily surrendered by the holders thereof for no consideration. Under the Option Plan, the Company may grant up to 10% of the currently issued and outstanding common shares. Qualified Person Keith J. Henderson, P.Geo., is the Company's qualified person as defined by NI 43-101 and has reviewed the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for portions of this news release. He has approved the disclosure herein. Mr. Henderson is not independent of the Company, as he is an employee of the Company and holds securities of the Company. About Centenera Mining Corporation Centenera is a mineral resource company trading on the TSX-V under the symbol CT and on the OTCQB exchange under the symbol CTMIF. The Company is focused 100% on mineral resource assets in Argentina, which include gold, silver, copper-gold and lithium assets. Centeneras assets are located in Salta, San Juan and Santa Cruz Provinces, which are widely recognized as being favourable jurisdictions for mining and exploration. On Behalf of the Board of Directors of CENTENERA MINING CORPORATION "Keith Henderson" President & CEO For further details on the Company readers are referred to the Company's web site ( www.centeneramining.com ) and its Canadian regulatory filings on SEDAR at www.sedar.com . For further information, please contact: Keith Henderson Phone: 604-638-3456 E-mail: info@centeneramining.com 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 news release. This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities legislation, including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, statements regarding the negotiation of the Option Agreements and exercise of the Option for the Properties, the anticipated content, commencement, timing and cost of exploration programs in respect of the Properties and otherwise, anticipated exploration program results from exploration activities, and the Company's expectation that it will be able to enter into agreements to acquire interests in additional mineral properties, the discovery and delineation of mineral deposits/resources/reserves on the Properties, and the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Often, but not always, forward looking information can be identified by words such as "pro forma", "plans", "expects", "may", "should", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", "potential" or variations of such words including negative variations thereof, and phrases that refer to certain actions, events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that it will be able to negotiate the Option Agreements and that it will obtain TSX-V acceptance for filing of thereof, market fundamentals will result in sustained precious metals demand and prices, the receipt of any necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals in connection with the future development of the Companys Argentine projects in a timely manner, the availability of financing on suitable terms for the development, construction and continued operation of the Company projects, and the Companys ability to comply with environmental, health and safety laws. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors include, among others, operating and technical difficulties in connection with mineral exploration and development and mine development activities at the Properties, including the geological mapping, prospecting and sampling programs being proposed for the Properties (the "Programs"), the fact that the Companys anticipated interests in the Properties will only be an option and there is no guarantee that such interest, if earned, will be certain, actual results of exploration activities, including the Programs, estimation or realization of mineral reserves and mineral resources, the timing and amount of estimated future production, costs of production, capital expenditures, the costs and timing of the development of new deposits, the availability of a sufficient supply of water and other materials, requirements for additional capital, future prices of precious metals and copper, changes in general economic conditions, changes in the financial markets and in the demand and market price for commodities, possible variations in ore grade or recovery rates, possible failures of plants, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated, accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry, delays or the inability of the Company to obtain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required, including TSX-V acceptance for filing of the Option Agreements, any current or future property acquisitions, financing or other planned activities, changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting mining operations, hedging practices, currency fluctuations, title disputes or claims limitations on insurance coverage and the timing and possible outcome of pending litigation, environmental issues and liabilities, risks related to joint venture operations, and risks related to the integration of acquisitions, as well as those factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's latest Management Discussion and Analysis and other filings of the Company with the Canadian Securities Authorities, copies of which can be found under the Company's profile on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward looking statements. Except as otherwise required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking information in this news release or incorporated by reference herein. Discovery Park of America offering limited bottles of wine to members Email To : Multiple e-mail addresses must be separated with a comma character(maximum 200 characters) Email To is required. Your Full Name: (optional) Your Email Address: Your Email Address is required. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 08, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wildflower Brands Inc. (CSE: SUN) (the Company) announces it will complete a private placement of units (Units) at a price of C$0.54 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $1,750,000. The financing is fully subscribed and will close next week. Each Unit shall consist of one common share of the Issuer and one half of one share purchase warrant (Warrant). Each whole Warrant will entitle the holder to acquire one common share of the Company at a price of $0.85 for a period of 24 months following the closing date of the private placement. Once resale restrictions on the Shares having expired and upon Companys shares trading at or above a weighted average trading price of $1.50 for 20 consecutive trading days, Wildflower may give notice that the Warrants will expire 30 days from the date of providing such notice (in writing to Warrant holders and via a news release). The proceeds of the financing will be used to fund the build out of the Companys manufacturing capability in Washington State to meet the increasing demand for Wildflower products and for general working capital. The securities issued will be subject to a four month hold period. A finders fee will be paid on a portion of the funds raised including to Industrial Alliance Securities. ABOUT WILDFLOWER BRANDS Wildflower Brands is a company headquartered in Vancouver building reputable brands and quality products that incorporate the synergistic effects of plants and their extracts. On Behalf of the Board of Directors William MacLean ____________________________________ William MacLean Director and CEO Cautionary and Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forwardlooking statements and forwardlooking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These statements relate to future events or future performance. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forwardlooking statements or information. Forwardlooking statements and information are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "appear", "seek", "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "estimate", "approximate", "expect", "may", "will", "project", "predict", "potential", "targeting", "intend", "could", "might", "should", "believe", "would" and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements and information are provided for the purpose of providing information about the current expectations and plans of management of the Company relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such statements and information may not be appropriate for other purposes, such as making investment decisions. Since forwardlooking statements and information address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. These include, but are not limited to, the risks associated with the marijuana industry in general such as operational risks in growing; competition; incorrect assessment of the value and potential benefits of various transactions; ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources; failure to obtain required regulatory and other approvals and changes in legislation, including but not limited to tax laws and government regulations. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forwardlooking statements, timelines and information contained in this news release. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. The forwardlooking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and no undertaking is given to update publicly or revise any forwardlooking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws or the Canadian Securities Exchange. The forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The Canadian Securities Exchange Inc. has in no way passed upon the merits of the proposed transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved of the contents of this press release. Mao Xiuju, who is in charge of the e-commerce department at a Walmart store on Jianguo Road in Beijing, discusses the deliveries for the day with a Dada employee. [Photo provided to China Daily] Female employees are playing an important role in China's online grocery and delivery sector, thanks to the ongoing consumption upgrade and accelerated integration of online and offline retail scenarios. Mao Xiuju, 40, who has been working in US-based retail giant Walmart Inc for 16 years, keeps updating her e-commerce knowledge, as the popularity of online shopping brings about new changes to conventional retailers. "I joined Walmart in 2003, and was in charge of tobacco and alcohol sales, customer services and also took up several other positions. In October 2016, I was transferred to the e-commerce department of a Walmart store on the Jianguo Road in Beijing." Dada-JD Daojia, an online grocery delivery firm in China, has partnered with Walmart since 2016 when Walmart invested $50 million as part of its effort to create a seamless online and offline shopping experience. Till the end of June last year, approximately 200 Walmart stores in 30 major Chinese cities had a presence on JD Daojia. "After I took over the new job, I found it was completely different from what I had imagined. The pace of the job is very fast and the workload is much bigger than before. I also need to communicate with multiple levels of people. Meanwhile, the requirements of customers have also changed a lot." Mao said being a manager in the e-commerce unit of brick-and-mortar stores, she has to accept and handle customers' orders in a timely manner, arrange for products and coordinate delivery services. She also needs to check the list of goods to ensure all goods are available, and inspect the product quality every day, as well as deal with customer suggestions and complaints. "In order to meet the online shopping demands, I require all of my team members to memorize the product names, types and locations in the display area. In the face of large-scale promotional activities such as the Singles Day and '618' online shopping festival, we have to pick out the products very fast to save time." Mao is among the many female employees, who are involved in the online-to-offline platform. Others like Ye Runfen, 48, joined the on-demand logistics platform Dada in 2015. "Although my parents don't support my work as they think being a delivery person is not very respectable, I can earn money, have time to take care of my daughters and do physical exercise." Ye, who lives in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, works for seven or eight hours each day, and earns a salary of more than 7,000 yuan ($1,046) every month. "I am satisfied with my salary. Even though this sector is male-dominated, the merchants and consumers are considerate with delivery women. They can finish the work as well as men." Although typhoons hit Guangzhou sometimes, Ye said she would deliver goods no matter how bad the weather was. "The customers need us, so even if the delivery is late, the customer will understand. As long as you work hard and serve your customers well, you will get what you deserve." "The future of global retail is without boundaries. There will be no separation between online and offline shopping, only greater convenience, quality and selection for consumers," said Liao Jianwen, chief strategy officer of JD. Online spending has expanded fast in China, with retail sales surging 30.1 percent year-on-year to reach 4.1 trillion yuan in the first half of last year, according to the China E-Commerce Research Center. So far, JD Daojia has partnered with over 100,000 leading retail stores, providing one-hour delivery services of fresh fruits and vegetables, groceries, flowers, baked goods and pharmaceutical products to the homes of its users in more than 63 cities across China. State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaks at a news conference on the sidelines of the annual session of the National People's Congress in Beijing, March 8, 2019. [Photo by Feng Yongbin/chinadaily.com.cn] The second forum on the Belt and Road cooperation will be held in Beijing in late April, with more comprehensive cooperation, said State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday. President Xi Jinping will deliver a keynote speech during the opening ceremony, Wang said. The Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, or BRF, will have more foreign heads of state and government than the previous forum and thousands of delegates from over a hundred are expected to attend. It will include a series of events, such as leaders' round table, high-level meeting, thematic forum, CEO conference, under the theme of Belt and Road cooperation shaping a brighter shared future. Wang said there will also be more side events, including 12 thematic forums focusing on practical cooperation, and for the first time a conference organized specifically for the business community. Wang said the second forum aims to bring about a high quality Belt and Road cooperation, and China looks forward to a full exchange of views on the future cooperation plans. He said China will build consensus with parties on high quality cooperation followed the principle of consultation, cooperation and shared benefits; champion an open, transparent and inclusive approach to Belt and Road cooperation, and thrive for green and sustainable development. Meanwhile, China and the participating countries will seek a greater complementarity between the BRI and their development strategies, align up the key projects from the implementations of the United Nations 2030 agenda for sustainable development, and pay more attention to improving the lives of the ordinary people. Wang said China will act the spirit of win-win, focus on improving physical connectivity, build a stronger momentum for common development, and forge an even closer partnership. China will champion openness and cooperation, support economic globalization, uphold multilateralism, and work with all to make the world economy an open one, Wang noted. "We have reasons to hope and believe the second BRF will be a greater success," he said. UNITED NATIONS, March 8 (Xinhua) --Investing in women and respecting their human rights is the surest way to lift communities, companies and countries, and to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, said the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday. In his remarks for the observance of International Women's Day, the UN chief called for "a new vision of equality and opportunity so that half the world's population can contribute to all the world's success." Guterres said that gender equality and women's rights are fundamental to addressing many global challenges like climate change and armed conflict. "Remarkable progress" on women's rights and leadership has been made in recent decades, but these gains are far from consistent, and they have sparked a backlash from an entrenched patriarchy, said the secretary-general. "Gender equality is fundamentally a question of power. We live still in a male-dominated world. Our male-dominated culture has ignored, silenced and oppressed women for centuries - even millennia," said Guterres. Women's political representation in parliaments around the world stands at less than 25 percent. At the highest levels that drops to 9 percent. The Global Media Monitoring Project found that worldwide, just one quarter of the subjects of news stories are women, and most often as victims rather than leaders, he added. Despite women's achievements and successes, their voices are still routinely overlooked, and their opinions ignored. So increasing the number of women decision-makers is essential, said Guterres. "We must not give ground that has been won over decades. We must push for wholesale, rapid and radical change," he said. President Xi Jinping attends a panel discussion with deputies from Henan Province at the second session of the 13th National People's Congress in Beijing, March 8, 2019. [Photo/Xinhua] President Xi Jinping extended greetings and best wishes to female lawmakers, political advisors and staff workers at the ongoing two sessions, and also to women of all ethnic groups and from all walks of life, on Friday, the International Women's Day. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, expressed his greetings when joining deliberation with deputies from Central China's Henan Province at the second session of the 13th National People's Congress, China's national legislature. President Xi Jinping attends a panel discussion with deputies from Henan Province at the second session of the 13th National People's Congress in Beijing, March 8, 2019. [Photo/Xinhua] President Xi Jinping shakes hands with a deputy from Henan Province at the second session of the 13th National People's Congress in Beijing, March 8, 2019. [Photo/Xinhua] President Xi Jinping attends a panel discussion with deputies from Henan Province at the second session of the 13th National People's Congress in Beijing, March 8, 2019. [Photo/Xinhua] Source: Xinhua Sight loss charity to highlight macular disease at Wrexham Maelor Hospital This article is old - Published: Saturday, Mar 9th, 2019 A leading sight loss charity will be bringing the UKs biggest cause of blindness sharply into focus at Wrexham Maelor Hospital later this month. On Thursday 14 March, staff from Macular Society will be visiting the eye clinic at the hospital and will be on hand etween 9.30am-4pm to offer advice and support to people with macular disease. The charity will then attend the eye clinic at the same time on the second Thursday of each month. Macular disease is the biggest cause of blindness in the UK. Nearly 1.5 million people are currently affected and many more are at risk. The disease can have a devastating effect on peoples lives, leaving them unable to drive, read or see faces. Many people affected describe losing their sight as being similar to bereavement. There is still no cure and most types of the disease are not treatable. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common form of macular disease, affecting more than 600,000 people, usually over the age of 50. At the session, the Macular Society will also be highlighting the work of its macular support group based in Wrexham. The group is one of more than 400 of its kind in the UK, offering vital information, encouragement and friendship to people who are affected by macular disease. Marian Williams, Macular Society regional manager, said: Regular sessions like these are a great way to raise awareness of macular disease and the effect it can have on a persons life. Although there is no cure for macular disease at present, there are lots of things that can be done to reduce the speed of its progression and limit its impact. Well be offering lots of advice on this at each session, as well as the support thats available to anyone living locally who has the condition. If you have macular disease and want to know more, or if you have a friend or family member who has sight problems, then please come and see us at the eye clinic. The Wrexham Macular Support Group meets on the third Thursday of each month (excluding August, December and January), from 1-3pm, at Avow: Association of Volunteer Organisations in Wrexham, 21 Egerton Street, Wrexham LL11 1ND. The groups next meeting will be on Thursday 21 March. For more information about the drop-in session, or the Wrexham Macular Support Group, please contact Marian Williams, Macular Society regional manager, on 07495 054 053, or email marian.williams@macularsociety.org For general information on macular disease, call the Macular Society on 0300 3030 111 or email help@macularsociety.org (Click for large) Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-08 21:52:38|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close Maize fields are immersed in flood water in southern Malawi, March 8, 2019. Twenty-three people have been confirmed dead in 13 southern Malawi districts following severe flooding resulting from heavy rains accompanied by strong winds. (Xinhua/Kenneth Jali) BLANTYRE, Malawi, March 8 (Xinhua) -- Twenty-three people have been confirmed dead in 13 southern Malawi districts following severe flooding resulting from heavy rains accompanied by strong winds. In a statement on Friday, the Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining said the figures are from preliminary reports collected from various districts including Blantyre. Heavy rains over the past few days have resulted in severe flooding in most parts of the southern region with people missing and others confirmed dead. "The department has deployed search and rescue teams in collaboration with the Malawi Defence Force, Malawi Police Service and Malawi Red Cross to help in the rescue operation," the statement said. The department has also deployed 23 trucks of relief items to be distributed in the affected districts, it said. A press release from the nation's homeland security ministry on Friday also said that 29 people have sustained injuries and 11 others have been reported missing due to the flooding. The floods have also affected over 22,000 households, the release said. The Electricity Generation Company (Malawi) has had to cut power generation as a preventive measure against damage to its power generation infrastructure. Power generation has been reduced to around 270 megawatts (MW) from 320MW. "We have stopped all machines at major power stations [like] Nkula and Kapichira due to flooding and excessive debris at the power stations," a statement released by the company said. Following the shutdown, most parts of the country are experiencing continuous black outs. A low pressure system moved into southern Malawi on March 6, causing continuous wide-spread rains accompanied by strong wind. Jolamu Nkhokwe, Director of Climate Change and Meteorological Services at the Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining, said Friday that the low pressure area has greatly impacted on Malawi and Mozambique over the past few days, adding that the heavy rains are forecast to weaken on March 9. He however warned that rainfall activities are expected to increase in central and northern areas of Malawi due to the presence of the Inter-tropical Convergence Zone. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 00:38:29|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close WARSAW, March 8 (Xinhua) -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called for increased defense cooperation in Europe as part of NATO, while speaking in Warsaw on Friday during a meeting of the European People's Party (EPP). "There is a need to increase defense cooperation in Europe, but this should not replace cooperation within NATO. We need both," Stoltenberg said during a session focused on defense during the meeting of the EEP Bureau in Warsaw on March 7-8. Stoltenberg praised new EU initiatives to increase defense cooperation, such as the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) and the European Defense Fund. But he also said European cooperation should happen as part of NATO and that Europeans should increase their contribution to the alliance. Stoltenberg was joined by EPP head Manfred Weber and German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen during a session focused on defense as part of the EPP Bureau meeting in Warsaw. The other priority theme of the EPP meeting is equalising living standards across the EU. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 01:43:42|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close Filippo Grandi, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, attends a press conference in Beirut, Lebanon, on March 9, 2019. Filippo Grandi said Friday that his agency is working with Syrian authorities to remove obstacles facing the return of Syrian refugees to their homeland, local media reported. More than 1 million Syrian refugees have registered with the UNHCR in Lebanon, while the government estimates the true number of Syrians in Lebanon at 1.5 million. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich) BEIRUT, March 8 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations refugee agency chief Filippo Grandi said Friday that his agency is working with Syrian authorities to remove obstacles facing the return of Syrian refugees to their homeland, local media reported. "We are working, in cooperation with Russia, to remove obstacles related to legal issues, securing housing in addition to providing other services for returning refugees which constitute a great challenge for us," Grandi was quoted as saying by the National News Agency. Grandi's remarks came following his meeting with President Michel Aoun and Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil to discuss issues related to refugees' return to Syria. Grandi said that a big number of Syrian refugees have returned to their homeland while others are still hesitant in this regard. "Around 165,000 Syrians returned back to Syria from Lebanon, according to Lebanese authorities," he said. Grandi added that his visit to Lebanon comes following a three-day visit to Syria where he discussed with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other international organizations the necessity upon the return of refugees to create a confident and healthy atmosphere. More than 1 million Syrian refugees have registered with the UNHCR in Lebanon, while the government estimates the true number of Syrians in Lebanon at 1.5 million. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 02:08:46|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close BEIRUT, March 8 (Xinhua) -- Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah called upon his supporters Friday to donate funds to help the party face tighter sanctions from Western countries, the National News Agency reported. "The resistance needs your support ... because we are in the heart of the struggle," Nasrallah said during the 30th anniversary of the establishment of Hezbollah's "Commission to Support the Resistance." Nasrallah's rare request comes after Britain joined the United States in listing Hezbollah as a terrorist group. "Britain's classification of Hezbollah as a terrorist group is considered a war which our party will be facing with power, patience and good management," Nasrallah said. Nasrallah added that Lebanon is not the only country facing this war. "Sanctions against Iran have increased and have created obstacles for the Syrian population because they failed to win militarily in the country," he said in reference to the United States and Israel. Nasrallah said that all countries that are working against his party and waiting to see its defeat will be disappointed. The British parliament announced by the end of last month that it is set to pass new rules classifying Hezbollah as a terrorist group. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 03:24:00|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close RIGA, March 8 (Xinhua) -- The defense ministers of Latvia, Estonia and Denmark met at the Adazi military base outside Riga on Friday to inaugurate the headquarters of NATO's Multinational Division North, local media reported. The NATO headquarters was established in Latvia with the aim to enhance the defense capabilities of Baltic states and contribute to NATO's collective deterrence and defense efforts through the command element based in the Baltics, the Latvian Defense Ministry informed. The main tasks of the NATO headquarters include defense planning, military training, planning and coordination of joint projects. It will promote the compatibility of forces from participating countries and their interoperability in scope of common defense initiatives. In his address at the inauguration ceremony, Latvian Defense Minister Artis Pabriks said this is the first NATO headquarters to be established in the Baltic states and that it is intended to boost the collective security of the Baltics and all NATO countries in general. The NATO headquarters in Adazi will be manned by officers from the framework nations -- Denmark, Latvia and Estonia. News UAE Rulers witness the launch of new 50-dirham banknote as part of Golden Jubilee celebrations Sheikh Mansour added, "We see in this issuance that the UAE has entered a new phase in its history and a renewed pledge to continue the process of economic and social growth. This occasion also allowed us to express our appreciation and gratitude to our founding fathers, by issuing a new 50 dirham banknote to celebrate the passing of Fifty years since the establishment of the UAE. People walk past a campaign poster of the Ukrainian presidential candidate Serhiy Taruta reading the slogan "Taruta runs for president, the country will start working again", in Kiev, on February 4, 2019. (AFP PHOTO) KIEV, March 7 (Xinhua) -- Three more candidates have announced their withdrawal from Ukraine's presidential race, local media reported on Thursday. Sergiy Kryvonos, deputy commander of the Special Operations Forces at the Ukrainian army, quit the election in favor of incumbent President Petro Poroshenko, according to Interfax-Ukraine news agency. Parliament member Eugene Muraev withdrew his candidacy to back up former Deputy Prime Minister Olexandr Vilkul, while another lawmaker Dmytro Dobrodomov dropped out of the race to endorse former Defence Minister Anatoly Hrytsenko. Last week, Hrytsenko was supported by two other candidates who voiced their intention to withdraw from the elections. They are journalist Dmytro Gnap and Andriy Sadovyy, mayor of Ukraine's western city of Lviv. Initially, 44 candidates registered to compete in the election scheduled for March 31. Contenders are permitted to withdraw their candidacy from the race by the end of Thursday. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 04:04:09|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close ISTANBUL, March 8 (Xinhua) -- Turkish police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse women protesting against male violence at central Istanbul on Friday evening. Thousands of women poured into streets across Istanbul to mark the International Women's Day under heavy police presence, while many gathered on the bustling Istiklal Avenue with the intention to stage a mass rally against male violence. Police officers, however, did not allow them to march through the avenue by closing all the entrances with barricades, cordoning off the iconic Taksim Square nearby and shutting down the metro stop. Police vehicles and water cannons were also put in place with helicopters flying low. "The heavy police presence here actually shows the power of women in this country," said a woman who did not give her name. "We are here to call for the state authorities to account for male violence and homicide against women," she added. The rally, dubbed the "night march," started in the evening from a designated section on Istiklal and then changed course to neighboring side streets. Video clips posted later on social media and websites show police using tear gas and rubber bullets against protesters on Istiklal and on the side streets to prevent them from marching on. On Istiklal, police officers with dogs also walked toward the protesters to try to push them back. Last year, a total of 440 women were killed by men across the country, up from 409 in 2017, while 317 women were sexually assaulted, according to figures released by We Will Stop Femicide Platform, a women rights group that tracks the number of homicides against women. The latest data show that 74 women were murdered by men across the country during the first two months of this year. "I did not forget Ozgecan Aslan and Dilek Dogan, and I will never forget what happened to them," a protester named Alev Korlu said, referring to the two young women brutally murdered by men. "I am here today to remember all the women who were killed by men," she added. During the rally, the protesters whistled aloud to show that they would not remain silent on violence and abuses. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 04:39:15|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close TIRANA, March 8 (Xinhua) -- Members of the Civil Society protested violence against women here on Friday, the International Women's Day. The members of Civil Society held a march near Tirana Police Directorate, where they called for more effective protection for the women by the police and an amended legal framework with regard to protection orders. "Any issue related to domestic violence should not be neglected," said a member of the Civil Society. "We want rights, not flowers," said another woman activist. Since the beginning of this year nine women were killed in violence against them in Albania. According to statistics, during 2018, out of 3,690 victims of violence, 1,343 were women and girls in Albania. Among them, there were a total of 148 cases of violation of protection orders, and 11 homicide cases occurred. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 05:04:22|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close SKOPJE, March 8 (Xinhua) -- North Macedonia's Criminal Court sentenced former director of the Administration for Security and Counterintelligence Saso Mijalkov three years in prison for interfering with the municipal elections in 2013, the court announced on Friday. The court also handed over three years and two months sentence to the leader of the small opposition Democratic Party of Albanians Menduh Thaci for applying illegal influence and misuse of office. Mijalkov and Thaci were sentenced prison terms as part of the codenamed "Titanic 2" case raised by the Special Prosecution for forging an agreement during North Macedonia's 2013 local elections. The court found Mijalkov guilty of "illegally influencing" the elections, whereas Thaci of "misuse of office", along with several former electoral commission members. However, both Mijalkov and Thaci pleaded not guilty. The Special Prosecution, set up in 2015, has opened four cases against Mijalkov, where he is accused of being the mastermind of the illegal wiretapping of thousands of people in North Macedonia, including ministers, judges, journalists, opposition members and many other top officials during the time when VMRO DPMNE was the ruling party of the country. On Nov. 20 last year, Skopje Criminal Court ordered Mijalkov's detention for 30 days and he was put under house arrest after that. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 06:59:47|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close Shanying Leung (C), design director of Ant Financial, an Alibaba affiliate that runs Alipay, talks with attendees after he delivers a speech at an event during the South by Southwest (SXSW) Conference and Festivals in Austin of Texas, the United States, March 8, 2019. Several innovative online platforms initiated by China's e-commerce giant Alibaba Group are turning charitable ideas into reality. And when they were introduced to designers worldwide attending the SXSW Conference and Festivals that opened Friday in Austin, Texas, the enthusiastic reception came as no surprise. (Xinhua/Wang Ying) AUSTIN, the United States, March 8 (Xinhua) -- Pooling efforts of hundreds of millions in curbing carbon emission, helping schoolchildren in rural areas get textbooks, and saving craftsmanship on the cusp of extinction... Several innovative online platforms initiated by China's e-commerce giant Alibaba Group are turning these charitable ideas into reality. And when they were introduced to designers worldwide attending the South by Southwest (SXSW) Conference and Festivals that opened Friday in Austin, Texas, the enthusiastic reception came as no surprise. Ant Forest, a scheme launched in August 2016 on China's leading online payment platform Alipay, now has 400 million users recording their green activities, such as walking to work and choosing electronic receipts over paper, said Shanying Leung, design director of Ant Financial, an Alibaba affiliate that runs Alipay. As of May 2018, these users had helped reduce 3.05 million tons of carbon emission and with the help of Ant Financial, which translated users' green activities into green energy points and later into new trees in deserts, planted 55.22 million trees. "The result is stunning. It is something we have never expected," Leung said while addressing an audience of more than 1,000 in a keynote speech. Karl Krainer from Germany called Ant Forest "a great initiative" and "very smart program" to help people protect the environment. "This has not been seen in other countries because this is more like people deciding to participate. In Europe, a lot of companies do corporate social responsibility projects, but is more of an advertising campaign," Krainer said. On a similar platform, Ant Farm, users accumulate hearts of love by raising chicken on a virtual farm. By donating the hearts to charity events, users are making real donations as Alipay matches all the real costs, according to Leung. Thus far, 180 million users have donated 2.2 billion hearts of love, which translated into 680,000 textbooks given to children in rural areas and 3,800 operations on children with heart diseases, he said. More innovative programs are being developed, he added, including one that enables designers across China to pool wisdom to help those in need, for instance, poor artists in central China's Hubei province struggling to save bamboo craftsmanship that is on the verge of extinction. German designer Angelo Cioffari said he found these programs "very interesting," as they "move more people to help... and technology together." These projects may not be copied in other countries, but they can encourage other environment and charity-related activities, such as soliciting donation for food banks to help those in need of food, said Robert Meiklejohn from Britain. When it becomes digital, many of these things can be done in a much easier and more efficient way, Meiklejohn added. The 10-day SXSW, an annual event that can be traced back to 1987, is a conglomerate of film, interactive media, and music festivals and conferences. Around the year 2000, SXSW started to focus more on emerging technologies and has earned the reputation as a breeding ground for new ideas and creative technologies. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 07:24:53|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close The photo taken on March 8, 2019 shows a meeting of United Nations Security Council on the situation in Sudan and South Sudan at the UN headquarters in New York, March 8, 2019. The UN envoy for South Sudan on Friday stressed the need to "foster greater self-reliance within communities" to improve the humanitarian situation in the conflict-torn country. (Xinhua/Li Muzi) UNITED NATIONS, March 8 (Xinhua) -- The UN envoy for South Sudan on Friday stressed the need to "foster greater self-reliance within communities" to improve the humanitarian situation in the conflict-torn country. David Shearer, the special representative of the UN secretary-general for South Sudan, said while the target appeal this year is 1.5 billion U.S. dollars to reach 5.7 million people, "the humanitarian bill is ultimately unsustainable" and "we have felt strongly the need to switch approaches." He told the Security Council that in the past months, UN agencies and the peacekeeping mission, backed by donors, have begun to focus more on "resilience," which fosters greater self-reliance within communities in more stable areas where a gradual shift away from purely humanitarian support is possible. He also mentioned a trust fund has been established to reconcile differences between warring communities and to bolster agreements with economic support and services. According to Shearer, in 2018, donor nations gave more than 1 billion U.S. dollars, more than twice South Sudan's state budget, enabling humanitarian agencies to deliver assistance to 5 million people, or 83 percent of the 6 million they had targeted. South Sudan, which gained independence from Sudan in 2011, descended into conflict in December 2013 when forces loyal to President Salva Kiir started battling those loyal to Riek Machar, his former vice president. After a failed deal in 2015, the government and the armed factions signed a revitalized peace agreement in September 2018. The ongoing peace process stipulates a transitional government, with Machar being one of the vice presidents, should take office in May. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 07:29:55|Editor: Yang Yi Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, March 8 (Xinhua) -- UN General Assembly President Maria Fernanda Espinosa on Friday called for an end to "gender-based political violence" -- discrimination against female politicians. Asked at a news conference on International Women's Day about the challenges for young women who want to enter public life, Espinosa said: "There is something that is called gender-based political violence. And I see the younger generations are afraid of being put in that situation." "As politicians, when we are out there, very rarely people recognize our achievements. They sometimes make comments about the way we dress, our hair. They make comments about issues that don't have anything to do with your job, your responsibility, your capacity to deliver," said Espinosa, herself a longtime female politician, first in Ecuador, now at the United Nations. "I think that we should start discussing seriously, seriously, about political... discrimination against women in politics." She gave the example of the current Vice President of Panama, Isabel de Saint Malo de Alvarado. When de Saint Malo de Alvarado was asked to run for the current office, her daughter cried, for fears that her mom might be mistreated by public opinion, said Espinosa. She encouraged young women to "be out there in the public sphere speaking out loud, demanding the rights to be respected." "This is really happening. We see so many very strong and loud, intelligent women's voices out there," she added. Espinosa also called for universal schooling for girls and more job opportunities for young people -- women and men. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 07:44:57|Editor: Yang Yi Video Player Close by Xinhua writer Tan Jingjing LOS ANGELES, March 8 (Xinhua) -- After a five-day mission at the International Space Station (ISS), American spacecraft Crew Dragon parachuted to a splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean off Florida's eastern shore on Friday, completing an end-to-end flight test to the ISS and back to earth. "It's been almost 50 years since we've landed a spacecraft that was designed for humans in the Atlantic Ocean. Last one was Apollo 9 on March 13, 1969," the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) tweeted. The spacecraft of U.S. private spaceflight company SpaceX returned to earth with a splash in the Atlantic Ocean off Florida's eastern shore at 8:45 a.m. Eastern Time (1345 GMT). SpaceX's "Go Searcher" recovery ship, staged in the ocean, approached the Crew Dragon and will use a crane to lift the spacecraft out of the ocean, according to NASA. "Today's successful splashdown of the Demo-1 Crew Dragon capsule after its mission to the ISS marked another milestone in a new era of human spaceflight," NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine tweeted. The NASA Commercial Crew Program is one step closer to launching American astronauts on American rockets from American soil, he said. The spacecraft undocked from the ISS at 2:32 a.m. Eastern Time (0732 GMT). It slowly maneuvered away from the ISS into an orbital track to return to Earth, according to NASA. Before the undocking, ISS crew members closed and locked the Dragon's hatch on Thursday afternoon. Crew Dragon, designed to fly astronauts to the ISS, was rocketed into orbit Saturday morning for its maiden unmanned flight. It successfully docked with the space station on Sunday, and remained docked for five days before departing on Friday. It was the first autonomous docking of any U.S. spacecraft to the ISS. The Crew Dragon used the station's new international docking adapter for the first time since astronauts installed it during a spacewalk in August 2016. The first commercial crew vehicle is bringing back to Earth more than 330 pounds (about 136 kg) of science gear, crew supplies and station hardware, according to NASA. It delivered almost 450 pounds (about 204 kg) of materials to resupply the station crew Saturday. The capsule carried to the ISS a test dummy called Ripley, named after the heroine from the "Alien" movies, which was outfitted with sensors to provide data about potential effects on future astronauts who will travel in the Crew Dragon. After the spacecraft is safely home, an immense amount of work will commence to analyze all the data gathered during this test flight. A series of reviews will be carried out before another critical In-Flight Abort test scheduled for April and the first crewed Crew Dragon mission planned for this July. The demonstration mission, called Demo-1, is the first flight test of a space system designed for humans built and operated by a U.S. commercial company through a public-private partnership. The mission also marks a significant step forward to the resumption of launching astronauts to the space station on a U.S.-built spacecraft from U.S. soil since 2011. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 07:55:00|Editor: Yang Yi Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, March 8 (Xinhua) -- Al-Hol camp in northeastern Syria has swelled to well over 65,000 persons displaced by the war, and humanitarian agencies have "grave concerns over the fragile health of the camp's residents," a UN spokesman said on Friday. Thursday night, more than 3,000 people -- mostly women and children in poor condition -- reached the camp from ISIS-held areas in Deir ez Zor Governorate, bringing the total population to more than 65,000, said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. "Urgent funding is needed to ramp up the response, especially in the areas of shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene, health and protection services," the spokesman said. "There are grave concerns over the fragile health of the camp's residents, with nearly 100 people having died since early last December en route to the site (or) shortly after arrival or referral." Dujarric told reporters in a regular briefing that two-thirds of the deaths were children under the age of five, with the main causes of death being hypothermia, pneumonia, dehydration and complications from malnutrition. "At least 243 unaccompanied and separated children have been identified in the camp, of whom 41 have been reunited with their families," he said. "The UN and aid agencies are scaling up their efforts at the camp, providing round-the-clock emergency health and protection assistance," Dujarric said. "All of the people arriving at the camp are receiving food, water, shelter, warm clothes or blankets." Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 08:01:20|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close Thai female workers hold banners calling for equal rights of women in front of the United Nations office on International Women's Day in Bangkok, Thailand, March 8, 2019. Thousands of Thai female workers gathered at the United Nations office and marched to the Government House to call for better employment conditions and equal rights. (Xinhua/Rachen Sageamsak) Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 08:05:48|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close Women take part in a protest against male violence on Istiklal Street in Istanbul, Turkey, March 8, 2019. Turkish police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse women protesting against male violence at central Istanbul on Friday evening. (Xinhua/Xu Suhui) Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 09:05:07|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close Palestinians check the site of an Israeli airstrike at a seaport under construction in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, March 9, 2019. Israeli war jets on Friday midnight carried out two airstrikes on military facilities and posts that belong to the Islamic Hamas movement in northern and eastern Gaza Strip with no injuries reported, Gaza security officials said on Saturday. (Xinhua/Khaled Omar) GAZA, March 9 (Xinhua) -- Israeli war jets carried out at midnight Friday two airstrikes on military facilities and posts that belong to Islamic Hamas movement in northern and eastern Gaza Strip with no injuries reported, Gaza security officials said on Saturday. The Israeli war jets struck a military facility that belongs to Hamas naval forces in northern Gaza Strip, they said, adding that no injuries were reported, but severe damages were caused to the facility. They also said that the Israeli war jets carried out four airstrikes on military facilities all over the Gaza Strip with no injuries reported. Earlier on Friday night, an Israeli army spokesman said that a homemade rocket was fired from the coastal enclave into southern Israel and the rocket landed on an empty field. Over the past few days, Israeli army war planes and drones have been striking on military facilities and posts in the Gaza Strip after Gaza activists released several arson balloons carrying explosive devices into southern Israel. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 09:10:08|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, March 8 (Xinhua) -- French ambassador to the United Nations Francois Delattre said Friday that there is a "true revolution" regarding gender parity at the UN. "There is a true revolution taking place at the UN with respect to gender parity," Delattre told reporters Friday afternoon, adding that "this priority is no longer a footnote as was too long the case." "It is no longer PR or marketing," said Delattre, who is holding the unprecedented "joint presidency" for March and April with German ambassador Christoph Heusgen. Delattre told reporters about his impressions of an event held Thursday at the French mission residency in New York marking the International Women's Day together with the UN Women and the mission of Tunisia. "Girls' access to education, women's empowerment and the fight against all kinds of violence towards women and girls are now really central to the UN efforts," he said. "It's the case of the General Assembly. It's the case of the Security Council," he said. The Senior Management Group of the UN, which has been a staunch supporter and promoter of gender parity, has 23 women occupying senior positions as against 21 men in the hierarchy, according to statistics. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 09:15:09|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close DHAKA, March 9 (Xinhua) -- The International Women's Day was observed in Bangladesh capital on Friday as elsewhere in the world with renewed vows to protect women's rights at every sphere of life. This year's theme for International Women's Day was "Think equal, build smart, innovate for change." Women in capital Dhaka held a candlelight vigil in the first hour of Friday and observed a minute of silence with the theme "Soman Bhabi, Soman Thaki, Soman Soman Samne Choli (Think equally, live equally, move forward equally)." Colorful processions were also organized in capital Dhaka. Ministers, senior government and non-government officials and women's rights activists joined the processions. Many women in the procession were seen holding banners and placards showing their demands for empowerment of women in every stage of the society. Some organizations arranged programs to honor talented and successful women in their respective fields. The United Nations has been celebrating International Women's Day on March 8 every year since 1975. In a message on the eve of the day, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged all to work together for ensuring women empowerment, their equal rights and opportunity. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 09:55:19|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close WASHINGTON, March 8 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump will meet with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro in the White House on March 19, the White House said Friday in a statement. Trump and Bolsonaro would discuss defense cooperation, trade policies, combatting transnational crime, and Venezuela issues, according to the statement. The two leaders will also talk about their efforts to provide "humanitarian assistance" to Venezuela. The United States has piled up a large amount of "humanitarian aid" in the Colombian border city of Cucuta and Brazil's Boa Vista near its border with Venezuela. The Venezuelan government refused to let the aid cross the borders and called the aid operation a U.S.-orchestrated show designed to lead to an eventual invasion. The United States and Brazil recognized Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido as the nation's "interim president" on Jan. 23, days after Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was inaugurated for a second term as president. In response to Washington's support for Guaido, Maduro announced he was severing "diplomatic and political" ties with the United States, ordering all the U.S. diplomatic and consular personnel to leave Venezuela in 72 hours. Maduro on Feb. 21 also ordered to close the Venezuela-Brazil border because of Brasilia's support of Guaido. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 10:10:21|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, March 8 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations and its partners are supporting South Sudanese refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) to return home, the UN envoy for South Sudan said here Friday. David Shearer, the special representative of the secretary-general for South Sudan, said that "people are expressing a willingness to return home" for the first time in three years. He told the Security Council that an estimated 135,000 refugees have returned to South Sudan, and that within three months after the September peace deal, the number of people in protection of civilians (PoC) sites dropped from about 205,000 to 193,000. After a failed deal in 2015, the South Sudanese government and opposite armed factions signed a revitalized peace agreement in September 2018. Since then the two sides have been talking about peace and mending relations. Shearer said the population in the PoC in Wau is down to 13,000, one third of what it was six months ago, with another 40 percent saying they plan to move. He said that the UN peacekeeping mission in the country, or UNMISS, has undertaken frequent "look and see" trips, helicoptering people to locations to assess for themselves if security situation is fit for return. Meanwhile, humanitarian agencies are programming agricultural, education and health support in areas of expected high return, he said, adding the peacekeepers are patrolling more the areas of anticipated return to boost confidence. South Sudan, which gained independence from Sudan in 2011, descended into conflict in December 2013 when forces loyal to President Salva Kiir started battling those loyal to Riek Machar, his former vice president. The ongoing peace process under the September accord stipulates that a transitional government, with Machar being one of the vice presidents, should take office in May. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 10:15:22|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close WINDHOEK, March 9 (Xinhua) -- The African Development Bank (AfDB) has provided a financial support worth 1 billion Namibian dollars (69 million U.S. dollars) to the Namibian government for the country's education sector, according to the AfDB. The loan will finance the Education and Training Quality Improvement Project brought out by Namibia's Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture to raise the quality of educational provision and eliminate inequalities in the country, the AfDB said. A total of 17 schools, one national library, three vocational training centers and one veterinary facility at tertiary level will be built under the project. The Namibian government is contributing additional 400 million Namibian dollars (28 million U.S. dollars) to co-fund the project. The five-year project seeks to alleviate infrastructure constraints in the country, Namibia's Minister of Education, Arts and Culture Katrina Hanse-Himarwa said Friday. Namibia is challenged with a huge backlog of new infrastructure needs in addition to a growing need for renovation and upgrading of existing but aging infrastructure, Hanse-Himarwa said. "It (the project) thus supports the development of the basic education and Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) infrastructure in all 14 regions, as well as the strengthening of basic and TVET education systems in the country through institutional capacity building," she said. This financial support followed a 4-billion-Namibian dollar (278-million-U.S. dollar) loan agreement signed between the bank and Namibia's Ministry of Finance, which took effect in March 2018. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 10:55:29|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, March 8 (Xinhua) -- The South Sudan peace agreement continues to hold six months after its signing with positive changes on the ground, the UN envoy for the country said here Friday. David Shearer, the special representative of the secretary-general for South Sudan, told the Security Council the deal is "a testament to the efforts of the parties who built sufficient trust and confidence among themselves and have committed to work together towards durable peace." In September 2018, the South Sudanese government and the armed factions signed the deal in Ethiopia after five years of fighting in the country. South Sudan, which gained independence from Sudan in 2011, descended into ethnic conflict in December 2013 when forces loyal to President Salva Kiir started battling those loyal to Riek Machar, his former vice president. The current phase of the peace process, the pre-transitional government period, ends on May 12. Based on this accord, the transitional government is scheduled to take over and the vice presidents, including Machar, should have taken up their roles. Shearer outlined four positive changes since the agreement. "First, opposition politicians from different parties are moving freely around Juba without hindrance and are taking part in the various meetings as part of the peace process." He praised the South Sudanese government for creating the space and security conditions for this to happen, as well as the opposition leaders for returning and participating in the peace process. Second, he noted over 71 meetings and rapprochements have been held across the country where the government and the Machar-led Sudan People's Liberation Movement-In Opposition (SPLA-IO) have met. "The enthusiasm for peace amongst people is palpable." Third, he said political violence has diminished significantly with the exception of Central Equatoria state, where fighting close to Yei between some armed forces has intensified. Fourth, for the first time in three years, "people are expressing a willingness to return home," he said, adding an estimated 135,000 refugees have returned and that many internally displaced have signaled their wish to go home. Despite the positive changes, maintaining the momentum of the peace process faces "significant challenge," Shearer cautioned. He said fundamental issues include forming a unified armed force to be deployed in the capital Juba and all major towns, providing security for returning opposition leaders, and drafting a constitution. The UN envoy pledged that the United Nations will continue to focus attention and resources on making the peace agreement work. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 10:55:29|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close WELLINGTON, March 9 (Xinhua) -- The deputy consul-general of the Chinese Consulate-General in Christchurch on Saturday visited the Chinese tourists who were injured in a car accident on Friday. The deputy consul-general, who arrived at the Dunedin Hospital to visit the Chinese tourists, told Xinhua that the injured are in stable condition. Three Chinese tourists were killed and two others injured after a head-on car crash on Friday in New Zealand's South Island. The two cars collided on Braemar Rd, between its intersection with Tekapo-Twizel Rd, or State Highway 8, and Hayman Rd on Friday morning local time, an official from the Chinese Consulate-General in Christchurch told Xinhua. The Chinese Embassy in New Zealand and the Chinese Consulate-General in Christchurch will closely follow the situation and provide full assistance to families of the victims, an official from the consulate-general told Xinhua on Saturday. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 11:25:34|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close BEIJING, March 9 (Xinhua) -- Tourism destinations across China built and upgraded a total of 29,700 toilets in 2018 with the policy and financial support of the government, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism has said. The ministry allocated an increasing amount of its tourism development fund to toilet upgrading projects and extended a preferential policy that facilitates tourism destinations to obtain new land for toilets, said a ministry statement published earlier this week. Following an action plan to improve toilets at tourism destinations from 2015 to 2017, the ministry published another action plan from 2018 and 2020 and revised the criteria for evaluating public toilets at tourism destinations in 2018, according to the statement. It also issued a directive to stop tourism destinations from spending excessively on luxury toilets. From 2015 to 2017, the country had built and upgraded more than 70,000 toilets for tourists. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 11:55:39|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close LIMA, March 8 (Xinhua) -- The Peruvian government on Friday confirmed the resignation of Prime Minister Cesar Villanueva. In a statement, the president's office said the prime minister "has presented his resignation letter to the President of the Republic." It said that Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra "deeply appreciates the work carried out with commitment and dedication (by Villanueva) during his tenure." Villanueva served as prime minister in 2013-2014 and became prime minister for a second time in 2018. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 11:55:40|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close by Xinhua writers Cheng Lu and Wang Qin'ou BEIJING, March 9 (Xinhua) -- For most of his career, Yao Tandong has led researchers to drill into the heart of glaciers on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau to collect ice cores, a key to understanding climate change. In the process the plateau has also grabbed his heart, even when the eminent glaciologist steps into the Great Hall of the People in Beijing for the annual "two sessions." Known as Asia's water tower, the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is the source of major rivers of Asia, including the Yangtze, Yellow and Yarlung Zangbo, and a key eco-safety barrier. Yao, 64, was among more than 2,000 members attending the ongoing session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the top political advisory body. From all walks of life -- economists, scientists, teachers, doctors, artists and religious leaders -- they are expected to offer proposals and insight on running state affairs. In Fengda International Hotel in south Beijing, top scientists from various fields such as space exploration, quantum, climate change and medicine are gathering together to pool their wisdom for the country's development. This year, Yao's proposal is related to the prevention and treatment of the more frequent disasters on the plateau including glacier collapses, floods and glacier lake outbursts. Glaciers collapsed last October at the Yarlung Zangbo River in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, blocking the river and forming a barrier lake. "The climate on the plateau, with a fragile ecosystem, is becoming warmer and more humid. Temperature rise here is twice the global average," said Yao, honorary director of the Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research with the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The reasons are yet to be totally clear, and Yao's team have been working with other scientists at home and abroad to figure them out. "Changes on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is not only Tibet's business. It matters to other parts of China, its neighbors, and even the world," he added. Nearly all of the proposals submitted by Yao since he became a CPPCC member more than a decade ago were regarding the plateau. They have attracted the attention of Chinese authorities who regards the plateau's ecological protection as a vital task. In June 2017, China launched its second comprehensive scientific expedition to the plateau after more than 40 years. The expedition, which will last five to 10 years, aims to study changes in climate, biodiversity and environment over the past decades. As the chief scientist of the expedition, Yao revealed the initial findings in September. One of the discoveries was that glaciers on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and neighboring regions have shrunk by 15 percent in the past half century. "The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is always at my heart. As a scientist member of the CPPCC National Committee, my job is to tell what I know, see and think, and offer my own suggestion based on the research," Yao said. Scientists believe that the information embedded in the ice core will help them solve the climate change mystery. Despite his age, Yao still ascends the mountains at an altitude of around 6,000 or 7,000 meters, and often stays there with other glaciologists for several months. They drill into the heart of the glaciers to collect ice samples for further analysis. The process is dangerous. One of his students described the scene: "You can see a board installed on different sections of the road, inscribed with the names of victims and the dates they left this world." The cracks on the glaciers, gales and blizzards pose dangers to researchers, who have to carry heavy equipment up the mountains on their shoulders. When being asked what drives him, Yao said: "When you're really interested in doing something, challenges will not hold you back." Growing up in Tongwei County in northwest China's Gansu Province, Yao's childhood was far removed from the glaciers. It was not until he visited Tanggula Mountains during an expedition in 1978 that he fell in love with Tibet and glaciers. "In our traditional impression, Tibet was supposed to be cold and dry. It was August, and I saw rainy days and rivers," he recalled. "It's very beautiful." A climbing pack is always ready in his office, containing everything necessary for a scientific expedition. Over the past decades, Yao and his colleagues have left their footprints on many mountains such as Qomolangma, Muztagh Ata, and Shishapangma. He received the 2017 Vega Medal in Stockholm, recognizing his contributions to the study of glaciers and the environment on the plateau and its surrounding areas. China is one of the first countries to sign the Paris Agreement on climate change. As the topic has gradually attracted global attention, Yao said the once "cold" discipline of glaciology has gained popularity. The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is still one of the cleanest regions on earth, according to the white paper "Ecological Progress on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau," published by the Chinese government in 2018. China is investing big and promoting international cooperation in the scientific research of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, which is key to the world's ecological environmental protection. In 1984, Yao started cooperating with foreign counterparts: "Over the past years, we have never encountered hurdles in cooperation. Climate change has no boundaries." Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 12:05:42|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, March 8 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations is working with the South Sudanese government to strengthen the latter's justice system to deal with the rampant sexual violence in the country, the UN envoy for South Sudan said here Friday. David Shearer, the special representative of the secretary-general for South Sudan, said sexual violence continues to cause immense harm to women and girls across South Sudan, "most recently in northern (state of) Unity where the concentration of forces from all sides has led to horrific incidents." At a Security Council meeting on South Sudan, Shearer said "this violence must end and the perpetrators be held to account." He said the United Nations and the South Sudanese government are working in cooperation to build the capacity of the justice system to deal with sexual violence. Their efforts include operating a mobile court system, where prosecutors and judges are flown to hotspots to hear cases, and opening soon a UN-supported special court in the capital Juba with jurisdiction over crimes of sexual and gender-based violence. The mobile court system has already led to several dozen perpetrators being tried and jailed, Shearer said. South Sudan, which gained independence from Sudan in 2011, descended into conflict in December 2013 when forces loyal to President Salva Kiir started battling those loyal to Riek Machar, his former vice president. After a failed deal in 2015, the government and the armed factions signed a revitalized peace agreement in September 2018. The ongoing peace process stipulates that a transitional government, with Machar being one of the vice presidents, should take office in May. During the five years of conflict, sexual violence and impunity for offenders have been a long-running problem in South Sudan. A UN report said in February that at least 134 women and girls were raped, including some as young as eight, between September and December 2018. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 12:10:42|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close Liu Junchen, vice chairman of Legislative Affairs Commission of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, attends a press conference on the legislative work of the NPC for the second session of the 13th NPC in Beijing, capital of China, March 9, 2019. (Xinhua/Li Ran) BEIJING, March 9 (Xinhua) -- China's draft Civil Code will be submitted to the third session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) for deliberation in 2020, said a senior legislator Saturday. The legislature has began the second phase of formulating the country's long-expected Civil Code following the adoption of its General Provisions in March 2017, said Liu Junchen, vice chairman of Legislative Affairs Commission of the NPC Standing Committee, at a press conference on the sidelines of the annual legislative session. Draft sections of the Civil Code were submitted to the NPC Standing Committee as a whole for first reading in August. The draft sections on contract and torts were submitted to the NPC Standing Committee for second review in December, and more sections will follow this year, according to Liu. The draft has six sections, namely provisions on property, contract, personality rights, marriage and family, inheritance, and torts. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 12:20:43|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close GENEVA, March 8 (Xinhua) -- An exhibition on the human rights situation in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region was held in March 4-8 at the Palais des Nations during the 40th session of the UN Human Rights Council. The exhibition "Development and Progress of Human Rights in Xinjiang" held at the building of the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG) features more than 80 pictures reflecting the system of regional ethnic autonomy, democratic election at the community level, freedom of religious belief and protection of the ethnic culture there, among other things. The show is jointly sponsored by the Permanent Mission of China to the UNOG and the China Society for Human Rights Studies. "The purpose of the photo exhibition is to show the international community a true, beautiful and vibrant Xinjiang where people from all ethnic groups are living in harmony," said Yu Jianhua, head of the Chinese permanent mission to UNOG. Yu said he believes that the pictures will help people to get a better understanding about the human rights situation in Xinjiang, in particular not to be misled by those people who, with ulterior motives, distort the facts and make irresponsible remarks on Xinjiang. "China attaches great importance to the protection of human rights, including the rights of ethnic groups. Human rights issues should not be distorted or be subject to double standards, nor should they be used as a tool to damage the sovereignty and territorial integrity and core interests of other countries," he stressed. Wang Linxia, deputy secretary-general of the China Society for Human Rights Studies, said the exhibition provides a window for people to know the true story of human rights in China. Over the past 70 years since the founding of the People's Republic of China, Wang said, great progress has been made in promoting the human rights in China, contributing to the global cause of human rights development. Permanent Representative of Cuba to the UNOG, Pedro Luis Pedroso Cuesta, told Xinhua that there were new developments impressing him in every trip he made to China, and in particular when he visited Xinjiang. Deputy Permanent Representative of Russia to UNOG, Nikita Zhukov, said he thinks the vocational training and other measures taken by the local government in Xinjiang helped people improve working skills in their self-development. Poverty hardly affords civil and political rights for people, and without development, there will be no way for achievements in other fields, he added. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 12:30:45|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close China's Minister of Commerce Zhong Shan attends a press conference on China's domestic market and all-round opening-up for the second session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, capital of China, March 9, 2019. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan) BEIJING, March 9 (Xinhua) -- China will take a string of measures to maintain stable trade growth in 2019, the country's commerce minister said Saturday. The commerce ministry will implement a raft of trade facilitation policies and measures in export credit insurance, financing and others to reduce burdens and improve efficiency for foreign trade companies, Zhong Shan, China's Minister of Commerce, told a press conference on the sidelines of the annual legislative session. Efforts will also be stepped up in improving the business environment to shore up enterprises' confidence, Zhong added. China will promote international cooperation via the Belt and Road Initiative, and explore emerging trade markets while building on traditional ones, he said. "Generally speaking, China's trade is huge in scale, but not competitive enough," Zhong said, adding that the ministry will encourage exports of high-tech, high-quality and high-value-added products. Imports will be expanded in scale and optimized in structure to meet domestic demands, according to him. The ministry will support enterprises' innovation in technologies, systems and management to boost market competitiveness and encourage development of new trade businesses and models, Zhong added. Related: China's consumption structure keeps improving: MOC China to expand opening-up in international shipping, tourism, professional services in Hainan FTZ China's 2nd CIIE to have more booth area, attendees: MOC Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 12:30:45|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close China's Minister of Commerce Zhong Shan attends a press conference on China's domestic market and all-round opening-up for the second session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, capital of China, March 9, 2019. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan) BEIJING, March 9 (Xinhua) -- China will expand opening-up in fields such as international shipping, tourism and professional services in Hainan as the southern Chinese island is building a pilot free trade zone (FTZ). The government will support accelerated growth of sectors like medical and health services and international exhibitions to attract more innovative players, Zhong Shan, the minister of commerce, told a press conference on the sidelines of the annual legislative session Saturday. More decision-making power in reform measures will be granted to the Hainan pilot FTZ in terms of trade and investment facilitation, government supervision and other aspects, Zhong added. "The environment should never be compromised during the development of the Hainan pilot FTZ," Zhong said. China announced plans in April 2018 to build a pilot FTZ covering the whole island and explore the establishment of a free trade port with Chinese characteristics. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 12:35:45|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close LOS ANGELES, March 8 (Xinhua) -- A U.S. young man was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole Friday for his role in the 2014 murder of Ji Xinran, a Chinese graduate student in electrical engineering at the University of Southern California (USC). Alberto Ochoa, 22, was convicted of first-degree murder, assault with a deadly weapon, second-degree robbery and attempted second-degree robbery last December. Ochoa is the fourth and last person convicted for the murder of 24-year-old Ji. Three other suspects were also previously convicted and sentenced for the death of Ji. Prosecutors said the group of suspects were trying to rob Ji, who was walking home from a study group near the university campus early on July 24, 2014. Ochoa struck the victim with a metal bat before he ran away. Andrew Garcia, another defendant in the case, eventually caught up with Ji and hit him repeatedly with the bat. Ji made his way back to his apartment where he was found dead hours later by a roommate. In August 2017, Garcia was sentenced to life in prison without parole after jurors found him guilty of first-degree murder, robbery, attempted robbery and assault with a deadly weapon. The other members of the group Jonathan Del Carmen and Alejandra Guerrero were sentenced to 15 years to life in state prison and to life in prison without parole respectively. The tragic death of Ji sent shock waves to Chinese students at the USC and Chinese community in the United States. In response to the incident, USC improved campus security and set up a scholarship in the name of Ji to honor his memory. The scholarship is awarded annually to an electrical engineering graduate student at USC who comes from China. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 13:05:48|Editor: Yang Yi Video Player Close MAPUTO, March 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese medical team in Mozambique gave a lecture here on Friday on women's sexual and reproductive health to students and teachers in Mozambique's prestigious Eduardo Mondlane University. "We had a small lecture about women's sexual and reproductive health. The doctors went through sexually transmitted diseases on how to prevent them. They spoke about the contraception methods, very important for women like us as college students," Gatina Isabel, a student and participant, told Xinhua. Similar lectures should be given more to encourage women and girls to pay attention to their own health and to better take care of themselves, Isabel said. The lecture on the International Women's Day also went through gynecologic diseases like cervical and breast cancers, which affect many women in Mozambique, and it also served as a platform for students to seek health consultation with the Chinese doctors. "I took the opportunity to consult the doctors some personal health issues, and fortunately I had my doubts cleared up," said Shamila Guita, another student and participant. The team leader Jin Tao, a senior urological surgeon from the West China Hospital, said this was the first time for his team -- the 22nd Chinese medical team in Mozambique -- to offer free medical services to the locals since they arrived in Maputo and started their mission in January. The medical cooperation between China and Mozambique dates back to the early days of Mozambique's independence. The first Chinese medical support team in Mozambique was sent from China's Sichuan Province in 1976. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 13:55:54|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close China's Minister of Commerce Zhong Shan (C), Vice Minister of Commerce and Deputy China International Trade Representative Wang Shouwen (2nd R) and Vice Minister of Commerce Qian Keming (2nd L) attend a press conference on China's domestic market and all-round opening-up for the second session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, capital of China, March 9, 2019. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan) BEIJING, March 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Minister of Commerce Zhong Shan said Saturday that the structure of China's consumption has kept improving as consumption contributes more to economic growth. Consumption of services grew faster than that of goods, with its share rising to 49.5 percent last year, a sign of improved consumption structure, Zhong told a news conference on the sidelines of the annual legislative session. The quality of consumption has also become better with personalized, diversified and customized consumption burgeoning, he said. Despite a narrowed growth rate in China's total retail sales last year, the increment amounted to 3.2 trillion yuan (about 476 billion U.S. dollars), equivalent to the annual retail sales in 1998, Zhong said. "China is already a major consumption power," he said. Last year, consumption contributed 76.2 percent to economic growth, remaining the primary driver of economic growth, he said. China will promote the development of a robust domestic market this year, with measures focusing on unleashing the potential of both urban and rural consumption and promoting spending on services such as elderly care, the minister said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 14:05:56|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close China's Minister of Commerce Zhong Shan attends a press conference on China's domestic market and all-round opening-up for the second session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, capital of China, March 9, 2019. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan) BEIJING, March 9 (Xinhua) -- The second China International Import Expo (CIIE) will feature larger exhibition area and be attended by more countries and enterprises, Minister of Commerce Zhong Shan said Saturday. The booth area will expand to a planned 330,000 square meters, Zhong told a news conference on the sidelines of the annual legislative session. The first CIIE had an exhibition area of 300,000 square meters. The exhibition will also showcase more new products, technologies and services, he said, adding that booths in sectors like health care have already been fully booked. The second CIIE will also offer more business opportunities and see more deals reached, Zhong said. The second Hongqiao International Economic and Trade Forum will be held during the CIIE, the minister said. A total of 172 countries, regions and international organizations and more than 3,600 enterprises participated in the first CIIE, held on Nov. 5-10 in Shanghai. It was the world's first import-themed national-level expo. Deals for intended one-year purchases of goods and services worth a total of 57.83 billion U.S. dollars were reached at the first CIIE. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 14:20:58|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close BLANTYRE, Malawi, March 9 (Xinhua) -- The newly refurbished Karonga-Songwe road, one of Malawi's priority routes for regional trade, endowed the landlocked country with easier access to neighboring Tanzania, Malawi's President Peter Mutharika has said. The road served as the lifeblood of Malawi's trade, connecting the country with the port of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, Mutharika said on Thursday, while attending the launching ceremony in Karonga District, a northern region district which lies about 533 km north of Malawi's capital Lilongwe. The road has brought Malawi more open to further international trade, Mutharika said. "Many Malawians import cars through this road while others use it to import various products from Tanzania for sale in Malawi, making the Karonga-Songwe road very important to this country," he said. Funded by the World Bank under the Southern Africa Trade and Transport Facilitation Project to the tune of 24 million U.S. dollars, the 46-km road has been under renovation since June 2017 by a Chinese company named Zhejiang Communications Construction Group Co., Ltd. The road is part of the North-South Corridor that runs from Dar es Salaam in Tanzania to the port of Durban in South Africa, whose renovation was made to improve the regional road network in eastern and southern parts of Africa and facilitate the movement of people and goods in countries along the corridor. "No country can develop without a good road network. As Malawi is moving from poverty to prosperity, we are building new roads for Malawians to travel and it is the aim of my government to cover every part of Malawi with tar roads," Mutharika said. The newly updated Karonga-Songwe road has a bigger capacity and has "reduced vehicle operating costs because of the high-quality service," said Chikondi Msusa Chilipa, World Bank transport specialist in Malawi. Apart from the Karonga-Songwe road, the World Bank project also aimed to reduce cross-border traffic by modernizing Malawi's official entry points to Tanzania and Mozambique. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 14:20:59|Editor: Yang Yi Video Player Close BEIJING, March 9 (Xinhua) -- China's imports of solid waste continued to decline in the first two months of the year as the country tightened enforcement of a ban on solid waste imports. Imports of plastic, paper, and metal waste totaled 2.65 million tonnes for Jan.-Feb., down 22.9 percent from the same period last year, according to the General Administration of Customs. In February alone, solid waste imports reached 918,000 tonnes, sharply down from 1.74 million tonnes in January and 1.71 million tonnes registered in February of 2018. China began importing solid waste as a source of raw materials in the 1980s and for years has been the world's largest importer, despite its weak capacity in garbage disposal. Some companies illegally bring foreign waste into the country for profit, posing a threat to the environment and public health. Given rising public awareness of environmental protection and China's green development drive, the government decided to phase out and halt such imports by the end of 2019, except for those containing resources that are not substitutable. The government banned imports of 24 types of solid waste, including plastics and paper, and has imposed tough quality restrictions on other recyclable materials. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 14:41:04|Editor: zh Video Player Close Zuliyati Simayi (L), a member of the China Society for Human Rights Studies and a professor at the School of Political Science and Public Administration of Xinjiang University, makes the remarks on the sidelines of the ongoing 40th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, March 8, 2019. Popularization of the national common language provides guarantee for the right to development for every ethnic group in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Zuliyati Simayi said here Friday. (Xinhua/Xu Jinquan) GENEVA, March 8 (Xinhua) -- Popularization of the national common language provides guarantee for the right to development for every ethnic group in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, a Chinese scholar said here Friday. Zuliyati Simayi, a member of the China Society for Human Rights Studies and a professor at the School of Political Science and Public Administration of Xinjiang University, made the remarks on the sidelines of the ongoing 40th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. Learning and using the national common language is a citizen right in China, she said at a meeting on the development and progress of human rights in Xinjiang, jointly sponsored by the Permanent Mission of China to the UN Office at Geneva and the China Society for Human Rights Studies. "Promoting and popularizing the national common language is the need of the people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang in their life, an important guarantee for them to achieve unity and equality, and an inevitable choice for the people of all ethnic groups there to seek common development and create a better future," she said. While presenting her research results, Zuliyati noted that popularization of the national common language is an important means of helping the people of all ethnic groups in China out of poverty. For the people of ethnic minorities in Xinjiang, she said, whatever their jobs, speaking national common language can bring more opportunities in their self-development. At the same time, popularization of the national common language can facilitate the inflow of capital, personnel, technology and other factors of production, as well as the exchange of economic and trade information, in promoting the local development, she said. "It is indispensable for minorities to learn the national common language well and obtain more knowledge of modern science and culture so as to better integrate into the modernization process," she added. The scholar noted that popularizing the national common language does not challenge the protection of ethnic languages but help them coexist in a harmony. Zuliyati said the Chinese government has been promoting the use of national common language while making efforts to ensure that all ethnic groups are free to use and develop their own languages. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 14:41:06|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close Cheng Lifeng, member of the Natural Resource and Environmental Protection Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), attends a press conference on the legislative work of the NPC for the second session of the 13th NPC in Beijing, capital of China, March 9, 2019. (Xinhua/Li Ran) BEIJING, March 9 (Xinhua) -- China will make a domestic law on Antarctic operation and environment protection in line with the Antarctic Treaty's principles and requirements, said an official with the country's national legislature Saturday. The legislation is aimed at clarifying relevant departments' responsibilities and regulating participants' activities in Antarctica, said Cheng Lifeng, a member of the Environment Protection and Resources Conservation Committee of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC), at a press conference on the sidelines of the annual legislative session. China, a consultative member of the Antarctic Treaty system, plays an important role in international affairs regarding Antarctica, he said, noting that the country is obliged to turn the principles and requirements of the Antarctic Treaty system into domestic law. Cheng said his committee is busy with drafting the law, which is included in a legislation plan of the 13th NPC Standing Committee. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 14:56:12|Editor: ZX Video Player Close Duan Suhua (L), who runs a hostel, makes dumplings for tourists at her farmhouse in Niangziguan Village of Niangziguan Town in Pingding County, north China's Shanxi Province, on Feb. 26, 2019. China's efforts and success in poverty reduction can help other developing nations, said experts observing the country's ongoing Two Sessions. The Two Sessions refer to the annual gatherings of the National People's Congress (NPC) and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, China's top legislature and political advisory body respectively. China has emerged as a global role model with efforts in structural transformation and industrial upgrading, lifting hundreds of millions of people out of poverty, said retired Lieutenant Colonel Muhammad Faruk Khan, a presidium member of Bangladesh's ruling Awami League. (Xinhua/Cao Yang) BEIJING, March 9 (Xinhua) -- China's efforts and success in poverty reduction can help other developing nations, said experts observing the country's ongoing Two Sessions. The Two Sessions refer to the annual gatherings of the National People's Congress (NPC) and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, China's top legislature and political advisory body respectively. China has emerged as a global role model with efforts in structural transformation and industrial upgrading, lifting hundreds of millions of people out of poverty, said retired Lieutenant Colonel Muhammad Faruk Khan, a presidium member of Bangladesh's ruling Awami League. In the government work report delivered at the opening of the annual NPC session on Tuesday, Premier Li Keqiang pledged that China will reduce its rural poor population by over 10 million this year. Official figures show that over the past 40 years, China has lifted more than 700 million rural residents out of poverty, and the poverty rate, proportion of people living below the Chinese poverty line, had fallen among rural population from 97.5 percent in 1978 to 3.1 percent at the end of 2017. China's reform and opening-up drive has transformed its economy and helped maintain its financial stability, said Khan, adding that China's experience "will immensely help Bangladesh in its efforts to eliminate poverty." Dr. Shamsul Haq Arianfar, a former Afghan government official, also hailed China's commitment to poverty reduction, as well as its pledge to create more than 11 million new urban jobs and pursue sustainable development. "No doubt, all the decisions taken at the 13th National People's Congress would be implemented by Chinese government and its people," he said, adding that he believes China will continue to make strides in reducing the rate of poverty. In his eyes, the world's second largest economy has achieved inclusive growth thanks to "fairness of capital distribution, comprehensive policies of the government and the hard work of people." Meanwhile, through its pursuit of sustainable economic development China has also contributed to the world economy, added Arianfar. "In my opinion China's strong economy has bolstered the economy of the world," he said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 14:56:13|Editor: zh Video Player Close Vladimir Norov, secretary general of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), speaks in an interview with Xinhua in Beijing, capital of China, March 8, 2019. Member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) will continue to safeguard an open world economy despite the global trend towards protectionism, said Vladimir Norov, the newly appointed SCO secretary general. In an interview with Xinhua, Norov expressed concern about the increasing global instability and uncertainty amid "imposition of sanctions and unilateral protectionist measures," which hindered international political and economic cooperation. (Xinhua/Ren Chao) BEIJING, March 9 (Xinhua) -- Member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) will continue to safeguard an open world economy despite the global trend towards protectionism, said Vladimir Norov, the newly appointed SCO secretary general. In an interview with Xinhua, Norov expressed concern about the increasing global instability and uncertainty amid "imposition of sanctions and unilateral protectionist measures," which hindered international political and economic cooperation. "Against this background, the SCO member states are in favor of deepening interaction in order to meet the challenges of jointly forming an open world economy, consistently strengthening an open and rule-based multilateral trading system, and preventing any unilateral protectionist actions in trade," Norov said. He said that favorable conditions should be created for trade and investment in order to gradually implement the free movement of goods, capital, services and technology within the SCO. Norov added that practical economic cooperation projects could be improved through financing platforms such as the SCO Interbank Consortium in such fields as energy, industry, transport and tourism. The senior official said the year 2019 would witness the SCO making strides with balanced cooperation in four spheres, namely politics, security, economics and humanitarian issues. Many SCO member states are working to link their economic development strategies with China's Belt and Road Initiative, which "should lead to the expansion of economic, financial, trade and infrastructure cooperation," according to Norov. He added that scientific, technical and innovative cooperation would be pushed forward through exchanges among research institutions of SCO member states, while using the rapidly developing digital technology for the good of regional economic cooperation. The fight against terrorism and drug trafficking as well as information security cooperation is proceeding smoothly, Norov said, and suggested SCO member states "promote the creation of a single global anti-terrorism front with a central coordinating role of the United Nations." He also noted the necessity of preventing youth in SCO countries from getting involved in terrorist, separatist and extremist activities, which could be done through education, in particular the spiritual and moral education of the young generation. "I believe that the treaty-legal base agreed upon within the framework of the organization and the joint positions of the member states can play an important coordinating role with respect to each area of interaction," Norov said. "The commitment to the Shanghai Spirit, which features mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diverse civilizations and pursuit of common development, is of key importance in the activities of the SCO," he said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 15:11:17|Editor: zh Video Player Close SAN JOSE, March 8 (Xinhua) -- Costa Rica's government is encouraging the business community to take part in the second China International Import Expo (CIIE), following the success of the first in 2018. The Ministry of Foreign Trade and the national trade promotion agency Procomer aim to get a head start on the November event in Shanghai, which gives exporters an opportunity to showcase their products for the Chinese market. "Our priority policy is to make the most of trade accords and the free trade agreement with China. It is of the utmost importance to give exports greater opportunities (and) identify where the bottlenecks are to improve," Foreign Trade Minister Dyala Jimenez told business leaders at a meeting on introducing CIIE. At the gathering sponsored by Procomer, China's Ambassador to Costa Rica Tang Heng highlighted the success of the first expo and the potential trade opportunities the event presents. The CIIE "is the first event of its type around the globe that allows the world to share the enormous opportunities of the Chinese market and to build a common market so countries can cooperate with each other," said Tang. The inaugural expo in 2018 drew 3,617 exhibitors from 172 countries, regions and international organizations, and attracted more than 800,000 visitors. In 2018, Costa Rica's delegation, headed by Jimenez, "saw firsthand the huge potential of the Chinese market and the responsibilities taken on to promote economic liberalization," said Tang. Costa Rican coffee maker Coopevictoria participated in last year's expo, and its trade manager Hermann Faith shared his experience with others. The CIIE allowed the company to fast-track the process of identifying and contacting potential Chinese buyers, a process that can otherwise entail much more time and investment, he said. "Our experience was very good, because we have been going to the Chinese market for more than five years, but we have always gone looking for buyers. This time it was very interesting because it was the first time we met with people directly interested in the product, and that really minimized the time, the effort and obviously the investment," said Faith. The sales potential for Costa Rican exports in China is "practically infinite" given the size of the market, he noted. While the small Central American country would be hard pressed to meet Chinese demand by volume, it could carve a niche for itself as a supplier of more exclusive premium goods, such as gourmet coffee, said Faith. The expo demands the same level of efficiency from exhibitors as the organizers display, he said. "It was very well organized and very demanding, that's for sure. You have to be very well prepared starting here in Costa Rica, with everything from samples ... to the paperwork. But the organization is impeccable, really impeccable," said Faith. Luis Diego Soto, founder of Costa Rican candy maker Turrones Dore, was the first to sign up to attend the 2019 CIIE as part of the national delegation. "It is a growing market with many, many people who want to try new things," said Soto, who believes products of his company "are right for a growing market like China." His company is looking to diversify its export markets and the CIIE presents a unique opportunity to do that, he said. "We have been in Seattle, in France, in Germany with limited success because there is a large offering there. I think in China we can have better opportunities due to the novelty (of the product), the opening-up and the expansion of a large middle class," said Soto. Fabio Piedra, the head of consulting firm Piedra, Gaitan and Partners, which advises businesses on how to approach the Chinese market, said the expo offers many advantages, mainly by bringing exporters and importers together. "At the expo, we can identify business opportunities that would be hard to detect on an individual basis. China is very large. The cities represent significant sales potential, but getting from place to place in China is a lot of work," said Piedra. Last year, six Costa Rican companies showcased their goods at the CIIE, including makers of coffee, cassava and pineapple products. This year, Costa Rican officials expect to double their exhibition space to 90 square meters in a bid to boost the nation's exports to China. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 15:36:20|Editor: Yamei Video Player Close BEIJING, March 9 (Xinhua) -- Many people think 30 is still an early age to achieve one's goals. Tashi Gyaltsen, who just turned 30, is working to make every minute count. As a newly-elected deputy to the 13th National People's Congress (NPC), Tashi Gyaltsen values being Lhoba, an ethnic group in southeast Tibet, one of the smallest among China's 56 ethnic groups in terms of population. Till the middle of last century, Lhoba people still lived in the woods, relying on bows and arrows. As few knew their existence in the wildest nature, they were dubbed "the tribe of mystery." "The traditional culture of Lhoba is an inalienable part of Chinese culture. As an NPC deputy, it's my responsibility to promote my culture," he said. Though with a small population, Lhoba has nevertheless developed its own culture such as clothing and language over a very long time. The raw materials for traditional Lhoba clothing have become increasingly difficult to find, and younger generations are reluctant to learn how to make them, according to Tashi Gyaltsen. "Traditional skills that have been orally passed down face the risk of disappearing as later generations are not as interested as before," said the lawmaker. In Tibet, the people of all ethnic groups directly elect deputies to the people's congresses at the county (district), township and town levels in accordance with the law; these deputies elect the deputies to the National People's Congress (NPC) and the people's congress of the autonomous region. The Monba and the Lhoba ethnic groups who have a small share in Tibet's population also have deputies to the NPC and the people's congresses at all levels in Tibet. Before Tashi Gyaltsen came to Beijing for the annual legislative session, he visited Namyi Lhoba Ethnic Township in Nyingchi, and consulted with Dawa, the intangible cultural heritage inheritor of Lhoba clothing. "How would you gauge young people's willingness to learn traditional clothing making?" "How difficult is it to find materials to make traditional clothes nowadays?" "What do you suggest for a better inheritance of the Lhoba culture?" Tashi Gyaltsen asked these questions, and soon, his notes filled several pages. Tashi Gyaltsen has visited the remote township three times since he was elected an NPC deputy a year ago, trying to understand the current situation of the Lhoba culture and find the way to protect it. In the meantime, he took every opportunity he could to consult with experts, scholars and search through documents. "Lhoba elders used to tell me about our culture, but it was difficult to remember everything. Now I have a more systemic understanding of my culture," he said. "Many of my ideas are still in the early stages, and I will continue my research and make more constructive suggestions to the NPC," he said. He said an NPC deputy's primary task is to represent the masses and voice their aspirations. In his written suggestion to the Congress, he called for more funding and attention from the governments at central and local levels to promote the Lhoba language and Lhoba clothing skills, and strengthen publicity of the culture. More importantly, "let more young Lhoba people feel a sense of belonging and pride towards their own culture." "I have made plans to further my research. I still have so much to learn before I can call myself a qualified deputy," he said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 15:36:21|Editor: Yamei Video Player Close Xiao Yaqing, head of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, attends a press conference on the reform and development of state-owned enterprises for the second session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, capital of China, March 9, 2019. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan) BEIJING, March 9 (Xinhua) -- China's centrally-administered state-owned enterprises (SOEs) saw strong revenue and profit growth in the first two months of 2019, the head of China's top SOE watchdog said Saturday. Their operation revenues grew by 3.9 percent year on year, while profits surged by 15.3 percent, Xiao Yaqing, head of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, told a news conference on the sidelines of the annual legislative session. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 15:46:22|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, March 8 (Xinhua) -- The South Sudan peace agreement signed in September 2018 continues to hold with positive changes observed, but challenges remain for the peace process. At a Security Council meeting held Friday here on South Sudan, the United Nations' (UN) envoy for South Sudan and other member states, while recognizing the significance of the agreement, called for joint efforts to maintain the momentum and resolve difficult issues, including security arrangements. POSITIVE DEVELOPMENTS David Shearer, the special representative of the secretary-general for South Sudan, outlined four positive changes since the signing of the ceasefire agreement by the South Sudanese government and opposition groups in Ethiopia in September 2018. "First, opposition politicians from different parties are moving freely around Juba without hindrance and are taking part in the various meetings as part of the peace process," Shearer said. He praised the South Sudanese government for creating the space and security conditions for this to happen, as well as the opposition leaders for returning and participating in the peace process. Second, he noted over 71 meetings and rapprochements have been held across the country, enabling the government and the main opposition Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO) to meet. "The enthusiasm for peace amongst people is palpable," Shearer said. Third, he said political violence has diminished significantly in South Sudan with the exception of Central Equatoria state, where fighting close to Yei between some armed forces has intensified. Fourth, for the first time in three years, "people are expressing a willingness to return home," he said, adding that the United Nations and its partners are supporting South Sudanese refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) to return home. He told the council that an estimated 135,000 refugees have returned to South Sudan, and that within three months after the September peace deal, the number of people in protection of civilians (PoC) sites dropped from about 205,000 to 193,000. The UN peacekeeping mission in the country, or UNMISS, has undertaken frequent "look and see" trips, helicoptering people to locations to assess for themselves if the security situation is fit for them to return. Meanwhile, humanitarian agencies are programming agricultural, education and health support in areas of expected high return. The peacekeepers are increasing their patrol of the areas of anticipated return to boost confidence. Many delegates at the meeting acknowledged and welcomed the improvement of the situation in South Sudan, calling for maintaining the momentum that the peace deal has generated. South Sudan's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Akuei Bona Malwal said his country's security, peace and economic situation has "improved noticeably" since the signing of the agreement. Implementation is progressing "slowly but surely," he added, noting that President Salva Kiir is touring the Greater Bahr El Ghazal region in the company with opposition leaders. Refugees are now returning voluntarily in large numbers and the economy is in the early stages of recovery, he said, adding that consumer goods are available and prices are dropping in Juba's markets. Russia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia described the agreement as a demonstration of the principle of African solutions to African problems. CHALLENGES REMAIN Friday's meeting also saw the UN special envoy and the member state delegates pointing to lingering unresolved issues. As the September peace deal stipulates that a transitional government should take over the role of the pre-transitional government by May 12, there are less than three months left. Shearer said the South Sudanese parties are "well behind" in implementing the deal and that key issues have been delayed. He cited "fundamental issues still to be resolved" including determining the number and borders of states, forming an armed force to be deployed in the capital Juba and major towns, providing security for opposition leaders returning from exile, and drafting a new constitution. Jonathan Cohen, U.S. acting permanent representative to the United Nations, noted the failure of previous South Sudanese accords and called upon the African government to demonstrate its full commitment. South Sudan descended into conflict in December 2013 when forces loyal to Kiir started battling those loyal to Riek Machar, his former vice president. After agreeing on a deal in 2015, Machar returned to South Sudan from exile in 2016, only to flee again after a major battle broke out in Juba. Christoph Heusgen, German permanent representative to the United Nations, said the "peace process is at a crossroads" as the May 12 deadline for forming a transitional government approaches, noting key questions about security arrangements remain open. Echoing Shearer's concern, Heusgen pointed to the lack of progress in the establishment of security services as well as the number and boundaries of states. Noting the progress and challenges in South Sudan, Wu Haitao, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, called on the international community to push all parties for further implementation of the peace agreement. While some worry a return to violence is inevitable, Shearer said "we don't concur," arguing the revitalized deal "has broader buy-in from parties" than the 2015 agreement and "is widely embraced by the population." South Sudan's UN envoy said while challenges remain, including inadequate funding, his government will carry on, "using whatever means and resources are available." Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 16:21:29|Editor: zh Video Player Close GUIYANG, March 9 (Xinhua) -- Southwest China's Guizhou Province unveiled a plan to ramp up language expert training to serve its cooperation with Belt and Road countries. Guizhou will speed up training masters of languages used in ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries with which the province has close cooperation, and increase courses on languages of countries in central and south Asia, and in central and eastern Europe, according to the plan released by the provincial education department. Colleges in Guizhou will train more than 100 learners of those languages by 2024. By 2027, at least 300 teachers and students will be funded by the government for further study in Belt and Road countries. Guizhou aims to enhance cooperation with countries along the Belt and Road with a total turnover of 1.5 billion U.S. dollars in economic and technological projects by 2020. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 16:26:30|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close JERUSALEM, March 9 (Xinhua) -- Israeli aircraft struck Friday overnight several military targets of Hamas in the Gaza Strip hours after a projectile was fired from the Gaza Strip at Israel. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said early Saturday in a statement that "several military targets" in a Hamas compound in the southern Gaza Strip and "underground structures" in the northern Gaza Strip were struck. The strike was conducted in response to the projectile that was launched from the Gaza Strip at Israeli territory on Friday evening and the continued violence, including the launching of balloons carrying explosive devices and attempts to damage security infrastructure over the last days, the IDF added. No casualties were reported by the projectile attack which fell in an open field, according to Israeli media. "The IDF views any attempt to harm Israeli civilians with great severity, and will continue to operate with determination against these acts," the Israeli military noted. Two suspects who infiltrated into Israel from the northern Gaza Strip were apprehended, IDF said on Friday, adding that a grenade and a knife were found in their possession and the suspects were transferred to security forces for further questioning. One Palestinian protester was shot dead and more than 40 injured during the Gaza border clashes on Friday, the Palestinian Ministry of Health reported. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 16:31:31|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close KATHMANDU, March 9 (Xinhua) -- A Dutch national and another local Nepali guide were killed during their trekking after an avalanche in Manang district of central Nepal, local authorities said Saturday. Police inspector Shrawan Kumar B.K told Xinhua that the deceased have been identified as Vincend Jan Bloen from the Netherlands and Ajaya Dhakal from Dhading district of Nepal. "We have recovered the dead bodies from the site. Now, we are preparing to airlift the dead bodies to Kathmandu," he said. The incident occurred when the duo were trekking in Manang town, which is at an altitude of 3,519 meters, on their way to the Annapurna Circuit, one of the popular trekking routes in Nepal. Avalanches are often deadly to trekking enthusiasts in the Himalayan country. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 16:46:33|Editor: zh Video Player Close BEIJING, March 9 (Xinhua) -- A national political advisor Saturday called on authorities to improve the ecology and environment observation system of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Jiang Zuojun, vice chairperson of the Zhigong Party Central Committee, proposed to build a large ecological observation system and a national laboratory on environment and climate change of the plateau, in remarks at a plenary meeting of the second session of the 13th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee. With a special focus on monitoring glaciers and frozen soil, the observation system could integrate the existing observation sites and build a new batch of unmanned observatories to carry out perennial observations, Jiang said. The carbon and water cycles should be integrated into the observation system, while monitoring stations on biodiversity should be added, he noted. The national lab will be tasked to coordinate and advance domestic monitoring, scientific research and international cooperation to enhance China's comprehensive capability of scientific research on environment and climate change, Jiang said. He also called on related agencies to strengthen scientific research on ecological security, disaster risk assessment and prediction, and increase support for optimizing the construction of ecological security barrier system. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 17:41:39|Editor: Yamei Video Player Close BEIJING, March 9 (Xinhua) -- Optimism over the economy is high at China's ongoing annual legislative and political advisory sessions despite challenges ahead. China has set its GDP growth target at 6-6.5 percent for 2019, and faces "a graver and more complicated environment as well as risks and challenges" this year, according to the government work report delivered Tuesday. However, the country's economic fundamentals are sound and new growth drivers are strong, according to lawmakers and political advisors attending the second sessions of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) and the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), also collectively known as the "two sessions". Vivian Jiang, a national political advisor and Asia Pacific Clients & Industries Leader with Deloitte, a global auditing and consulting firm, said she and many of her clients are upbeat about China's future economy. China has a huge domestic market, with the consumption upgrading led by the young population; the business environment is improving; regional coordination programs such as the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta will leverage local strengths and optimize resource allocation, Jiang said. Facing trade uncertainties, China strives for stable and higher quality growth of foreign trade. South China's Guangdong Province, a major exporter, is diversifying its exports markets to regions like Latin America, said Xu Ruisheng, vice governor of Guangdong and a CPPCC member. The province is also encouraging local firms to innovate and customize their products and services to boost overseas competitiveness, Xu said. Wang Yinxiang, a national lawmaker and secretary of the Communist Party of China branch in a village in east China's Shandong Province, is proud to share the success story of lifting the villagers out of poverty and into prosperity by developing a sound agricultural chain. The village has opened eight physical and online stores to boost sales of their products, and is keen on product innovation to extend their added value, according to Wang. Robin Li, a national political advisor and CEO of tech giant Baidu, noted that "reform" and "innovation" are two of the most mentioned words in the government work report. Li is particularly inspired by the country's plan to promote artificial intelligence in more fields to propel industrial upgrading, which will be "new fuel" to power the country's development drive. The government is fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. The Ministry of Transport has vowed to encourage autonomous driving development. "Promises of more support for private firms and improvement of business environment are a boost to our morale," Li added. Zhang Jindong, an NPC deputy and board chairman of Suning Holdings Group, is upbeat on the country's vast consumption potential. The retail conglomerate plans to open about 15,000 smart retail outlets across the country, especially in communities and villages. It will also recruit another 80,000 employees to support business expansion. "We are committed to expanding investment and creating more jobs as there is much untapped market potential," Zhang said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 18:06:43|Editor: Yamei Video Player Close SHIJIAZHUANG, March 9 (Xinhua) -- China's largest SUV and pickup maker Great Wall Motor Co. Ltd reported steady sales growth in February, up 18.34 percent compared with the same period last year. The company sold 69,037 new automobiles in February, of which 2,943 were exported, a 23 percent increase from the same month last year. Sales in the first two months amounted to 180,800 units. The growth has been primarily driven by strong SUV sales, especially the Havals, which sold 49,316 units last month, up 16.95 percent year on year. Continuing its push into the electric vehicle market, Great Wall Motor sold 3,280 units of ORA brand last month. Headquartered in the city of Baoding, north China's Hebei Province, the company owns several SUV and car brands like Haval, Great Wall, WEY and ORA. It sold 1.05 million vehicles in 2018 and aims to sell 1.2 million this year. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 18:11:44|Editor: Yamei Video Player Close BEIJING, March 9 (Xinhua) -- The following are the highlights of China's key education news from the past week: -- China to check recruitment qualifications of secondary vocational schools The Ministry of Education has decided to check the recruitment qualifications of secondary vocational schools and publish the results on a regular basis. Provincial-level education administrative departments were asked to coordinate and organize inspections of vocational schools to find out if there have been serious malpractices involving student recruitment and management, according to a ministry circular. -- Popularity of online education grows rapidly in China China saw rapid growth in online education last year, with the number of users of such services rising 29.7 percent year on year to 201 million, accounting for 24.3 percent of total internet users, according to a statistical report on internet development. Around 194 million people in China accessed online education via mobile phones, up 63.3 percent compared with 2017, said the China Internet Network Information Center report. Wider use of smart devices and improved quality and accessibility of mobile internet creates more opportunities for online education growth and makes learning via mobile devices much easier. -- China aids 135 mln students in 2018 China has provided financial aid for 135 million students from preschool education to higher education in 2018, according to the Ministry of Education. The investment was worth 204.3 billion yuan (about 30.4 billion U.S. dollars), up 8.54 percent from 2017, said Ma Jianbin, an official with the ministry, at a press conference. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 18:21:46|Editor: Yamei Video Player Close YANGON, March. 9 (Xinhua) -- Border trade between Myanmar and Thailand totaled about 1.4 billion U.S. dollars in the first half of fiscal year (FY) 2018-2019 which started in October last year, according to the figures from Myanmar's Ministry of Commerce Saturday. The country's export to neighbouring Thailand reached 985.8 million U.S. dollars while its import shared 412.9 million U.S. dollars. Myanmar carries out border trade with Thailand mainly through Tachilek, Myawady, Kawthoung, Myeik, Hteekhee, Mawtaung and Maese border checkpoints. During the period, Hteekhee border gate topped with most bilateral border trade value of 791.6 million U.S. dollars. Myanmar exports agricultural and fishery products to neighbouring Thailand and imports cosmetics, food products, machinery and raw industrial goods such as cement and fertilizers. According to the ministry's data, the total trade between Myanmar and foreign countries reached over 14.18 billion U.S. dollars, including 4.05 billion U.S. dollars' border trade during the first half of FY 2018-2019. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 18:21:46|Editor: Yamei Video Player Close BEIJING, March 9 (Xinhua) -- National political advisors on Saturday expressed strong faith in China's economic prospects. Members of the 13th Chinese People's Political Consultation Conference (CPPCC) National Committee gathered for a plenary meeting during the annual session, where some spoke on the country's economy and other issues. Yang Weimin, deputy director of the economic committee of the CPPCC national committee, said although China's economy faces downward pressure, the sound long-term economic fundamentals have not changed. Lin Yifu, another deputy director of the economic committee, said he would cast "a vote of confidence" for the Chinese economy. "Although the growth rate has declined, the quality of growth has significantly improved." According to Lin, a lot of countries have underlined the importance of structural reform since the international financial crisis, but few have taken real action. China, however, has introduced its supply-side structural reform with tasks to cut overcapacity and excess housing inventory, deleverage, lower costs and strengthen areas of weakness. Li Daokui, another national political advisor and an economist with Tsinghua University, called for unflinching faith in the country's economy, saying that the challenges today are "growing pains." Facing these challenges, the country should stay composed and open minded, further strengthen reforms, and continue to consolidate the foundation of economic development, he said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 18:51:49|Editor: zh Video Player Close FUZHOU, March 9 (Xinhua) -- Youth-led startups in cultural and creative industries are adding new vitality to economic development in Quanzhou, a city which is more than 1,700 years old and has been a crucial hub of global maritime commerce for centuries. In an active commercial area in urban Quanzhou, Fujian Province, one can hardly imagine a finely refurbished cluster of buildings -- accommodating more than 6,000 young people with creative ideas -- were once deserted plants built in the 1980s and 1990s. "It was like an area totally forgotten by the city that was developing so well," Zhang Shunan, one of the developers, recalled his amazement when he encountered the industrial heritage with some friends ten years ago. "We wanted to add value to it in the city's economic growth process." With support from the local government, Zhang and his two friends led a group of young people to transform the space into a cultural and creative industrial park, known as Live SHOW Wonderland. "Quanzhou has a strong base in the manufacturing industry, with many national brands and listed enterprises. But youth-led startups in the service industry have not sufficiently matched the city's development," said Zhang. "We see this gap as an opportunity," he said. "We want to gather them to play a role in the city's industrial development." Zhang and his team founded Live Show Culture & Tourism Development Group, to take charge of the park's management. "We provide them with various support and services, such as helping enterprises deal with the government and other industries, and organize seminars and forums on entrepreneurship and creative industries," said Wu Fong-yu, general manager of Live SHOW Wonderland. Many startups draw inspiration from Quanzhou's history and culture and provide services to enhance the city's charm. Quanzhou Film and Picture Center in the park is equipped with advanced studios and technologies to integrate the city's images, catering to governmental and corporate needs to produce promotional videos. "Quanzhou is a city of entrepreneurship," said Wu, who was encouraged by the spirit of young urbanites. "Young people here act fast and have a strong will to cooperate." Yang Shufen, an illustrator who had been working for companies since she graduated, finally has her own studio and a chance to realize her dream. "I've always wanted to integrate my paintings with local cultural elements into gadgets for daily use," she said with a smile, hands softly stroking colorful silk scarves hanging in the studio. "Quanzhou embraces open ideas and has a long tradition of business engagement. Young people are brave enough to explore new things, but their minds are deeply attached to their hometown." Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 19:16:53|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close KABUL, March 9 (Xinhua) -- At least eight militants were killed and five others wounded in two military operations in Afghan provinces, authorities said Saturday. In one incident, six Taliban were killed and five others wounded after security forces raided a Taliban hideout in remote Kuran Wa Munjan district of northern Badakhshan province Friday night, Ghulam Hazrat Karimi, a press officer of army's Division 20 Pamir, told Xinhua. The security forces and civilians have not suffered any damage during the raid, he said. In another incident, a local Taliban leader, Mawlana Mansor, together with a bodyguard were killed during the operation carried out by Afghan Special Operations Forces in Andar district of eastern Paktika province on Friday, the country's Ministry of Interior Affairs confirmed in a statement. The Afghan security forces, backed by the NATO-led coalition troops, have increased ground and air offensives against militants within the past few months as the Taliban militant group has been attempting to take territory and consolidate its position during the winter in Afghanistan. Taliban militants have not made a comment on the report yet. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 19:21:53|Editor: zh Video Player Close LHASA, March 9 (Xinhua) -- Effortlessly cutting slices from a gigot while chatting with local herdsmen in fluent Tibetan, Ji Qiumei, thin and wearing glasses, fits right into the prairie. Born in 1965, Ji has studied Tibetan yaks for 30 years. In this field, she is the sole female researcher and the only one with a doctoral degree. Aiming to help herders out of poverty through her research, Ji sees grasslands and pastures as her laboratories. In recent years, she has made frequent trips to Damxung County in the northwest outskirt of Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, where projects like large-scale grass planting and intensive yak fattening are being carried out. Ji Qiumei had been raised in a pasture. She has known yaks since childhood and understood that for Tibetan herders, yaks are the most important source of food as well as income. In 1988, she graduated from the Southwest University for Nationalities and later studied in the Chinese Academy of Sciences. She finished her doctoral degree at the International Potato Center in Peru. Upon her return from Peru in 2002, Ji undertook research focusing on the Tibetan yak. She and her team have achieved a lot in increasing yaks' milk yield, reproduction rate, and meat production. They also established an embryo transplantation method for yaks, an important step forward in yak breeding. Achievements did not come without a cost. Decades of working in the fields on the plateau worsened the doctor's heart condition. She has had three heart surgeries. Ji Qiumei always returned to her work once recovered, devoting both her mind and her body to the study of Tibetan yaks. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 20:07:03|Editor: zh Video Player Close Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, joins deliberation with deputies from Jilin Province at the second session of the 13th National People's Congress in Beijing, capital of China, March 9, 2019. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) BEIJING, March 9 (Xinhua) -- Senior Chinese leaders on Saturday stressed reform, legislation and poverty alleviation at the annual legislative session. Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu and Zhao Leji, all members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks when they separately joined deputies to the National People's Congress (NPC) in group deliberations. Premier Li Keqiang called for efforts to deepen reform and opening up, improve business environment, unleash the vitality of state-owned and private enterprises, and strengthen the real economy to promote stable and healthy economic development. Li Zhanshu, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, called for high-quality legislation to promote high-quality development. He said legislation should better contribute to economic and social development and help accomplish major reform tasks. Zhao Leji, secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, said disciplinary inspection and supervision organs should strengthen efforts to deal with corruption and misconduct in poverty alleviation, so as to provide a strong guarantee for winning the battle against poverty. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 20:12:05|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close ISTANBUL, March 9 (Xinhua) -- Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said that Turkey and Iran were planning to conduct a joint operation against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), but analysts feel a limited strike is more likely as they have doubts about Tehran's willingness to inflict a blow to the outlawed group. Tehran would not crack down on it if the PKK sends out the message about it not being part of a U.S.-led war on Iran, Nihat Ali Ozcan, a security policy analyst, told Xinhua. The PKK has been waging a bloody war against Turkey since 1984 to carve out an autonomous, if not independent, Kurdistan in the country's predominantly Kurdish southeast. Turkey and Iran have occasionally cooperated against the PKK in the past, but Tehran was sometimes targeted as well by Turkish media for offering protection to the group. After withdrawing from the 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran last year, the United States has been trying to scramble a coalition of Arab countries and Israel against Iran, which U.S. President Donald Trump called a "terrorist state." It is widely argued that Washington may wish to use the PKK's Iranian extension, the Party for Free Life of Kurdistan (PJAK), to destabilize the Islamic Republic for a change of regime. "We will, God willing, carry out with Iran a joint operation against the PKK," Turkey's Soylu said on Wednesday, noting it was what Ankara had long sought to do. Ozcan, who teaches at TOBB University of Economics and Technology in Ankara, does not rule out a potential operation that may be politically motivated. "It's customary to hear such remarks ahead of elections (in Turkey). You see some action and that's it," he said. Turkey will have important local elections at the end of March, in which the ruling party may lose most big cities to the opposition, according to some polls. It is often argued that Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party may order a cross-border operation against the PKK with a view to winning over nationalist voters as it did ahead of the general elections last year. "If Tehran feels the PJAK will pose a threat to it, then it would move against the PKK," said Murat Bilhan, the vice chairman of the Istanbul-based Turkish Asian Center for Strategic Studies. Referring to the fact that Iran is looking for allies to break Washington's choking sanctions and pressure, Bilhan, a former diplomat, said that "a joint operation on the PKK is therefore not to be ruled out." "Iran used the PKK against Turkey in the past when it posed no threat to itself, but now it's in Tehran's interest to cooperate with Turkey," he stated. The PKK has its main headquarters on Iraq's Qandil Mountains and several bases in northern Iraq. A fairly large part of the Qandil mountain range is on Iranian territory, making it necessary for Ankara to obtain Tehran's cooperation for a fully successful operation. When Turkish jets struck the PKK headquarters in the past, local media usually reported that leading PKK figures sought refuge in Iran. Ozcan, who has a book on the PKK to his credit, feels that Iran would, before making a decision, want to see what shape the U.S.-PKK relations would take in the days ahead and weigh the pros and cons of turning the PKK into a hostile force for itself in Iraq and Syria. Since the early 1990s when Turkey's battle against the PKK particularly intensified, reports have occasionally appeared in local media that the U.S. backs the PKK as part of its plan for the creation of a Kurdish state in the region. Ankara also sees the U.S.-backed Kurdish militia in Syria, the People's Protection Units (YPG), as the Syrian offshoot of the PKK. A staunch supporter of Damascus in the Syrian war, Iran has so far been careful of not alienating the Kurdish militia in Syria, which has carved out three self-declared autonomous cantons along and near the Turkish border thanks to Washington's military support. Even if a joint operation on the PKK is carried out, Ozcan does not think it would mean much as far as bilateral ties between Ankara and Tehran are concerned. Maintaining that Iran's ties with the PKK go back as far as 1982, he said cooperation against the PKK between the two neighbors in the past decades has been more superficial than genuine. Despite an appearance of cooperation against the PKK over the years, there has never been consensus below the tip of the iceberg between the two neighbors, he remarked. "A long-term and synchronized cooperation is needed between the two countries to inflict a lethal blow to the PKK," he added. Turkey relaunched a massive campaign against the PKK following the breakdown in 2015 of a peace process to settle the Kurdish issue. According to Bilhan, Soylu's announcement of the intended joint operation is a message to both the U.S. and Russia. Noting Moscow does not recognize the PKK as a terror group, he said that "Russia has a hostile attitude neither to the PKK nor the YPG." Ankara has long criticized Washington for its military support to the YPG, saying the U.S. has provided the Kurdish militia with 23,000 truckloads of weapons, munitions and armored vehicles during the Syrian war. Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said on Friday that the PKK has currently a total of around 17,000 members, with 750 of them estimated to be within Turkish borders. About 3,000 PKK members are in Iraq, while the remaining 13,000 are in Syria, said Akar. Turkey's Ulusal TV reported the same day that cooperation between Turkey and Iran will begin with intelligence sharing, while a joint operation is expected only in the medium or long term. "Iran thinks the Iraqi and Syrian governments should also be involved in the operational process (against the PKK)," the TV channel said. Ankara refuses to have dialogue with the Syrian government, arguing it has lost legitimacy to rule. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 20:12:05|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close SAN FRANCISCO, March 8 (Xinhua) -- A photo exhibition opened on Friday in the San Francisco Main Library to commemorate Chinese and American officers and soldiers who fought shoulder to shoulder against the Japanese invasion in World War II (WWII). The exhibit, called "Looking for the Sealed Memories: U.S. China Air Force Alliance -- War of Resistance," displayed photos that captured the lesser known stories of the Chinese air force members who fought against Japanese troops not only on Chinese territory, but also in the China-Burma-India (CBI) Theater during the war. The event was created by Chinese American writer and WWII historian Ann Lee, whose uncle was a Chinese air force cadet sent to Arizona for flight training more than 70 years ago. A group of family members of Chinese and American war veterans attended the exhibit and shared with the audience touching stories of how their fathers and grandfathers served both countries and displayed dauntless bravery in the war of resistance against the Japanese troops. Lee said China and the United States joined forces to fight against Japanese aggression in World War II, and one of their joint efforts was to send hundreds of Chinese air cadets to the United States for flight training to become future pilots. Most of them went back to China to fight in the Anti-Japanese War after their training. John Easterbrook, grandson of Joseph Stilwell, commanding general of the U.S. Army Forces in the CBI Theater, said the exhibit is important because photographic evidence shines a light on the truth of historic occurrences, in this case U.S.-China cooperation during World War II. "It has been in darkness for too long," Easterbrook said, but "historical photographs are wonderful for documenting and exploring history, or developing or renewing friendships." "We must all remember our history ... We must remember those who stood up for their countries in a time of need ... and their sacrifices," Easterbrook said. He said that the exhibit demonstrated a segment of U.S.-China cooperation during the war and that he hopes more people from both China and the United States will know more about the episode in history. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 20:17:05|Editor: zh Video Player Close WASHINGTON, March 8 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Embassy in Washington D.C. will hold a celebration marking the 40th anniversary of sister city relationships between Chinese and U.S. cities, it said in a statement Friday. Officials of U.S. states, cities, and towns that have sister city ties with their Chinese counterparts are expected to join the celebration on Wednesday, which will be co-hosted by both the Chinese embassy and Sister Cities International (SCI), a non-profit organization that promotes local level ties between the United States and other countries. The event would also celebrate the 40th anniversary of the China-U.S. diplomatic relations, the embassy's statement said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 20:27:07|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close by Burak Akinci ANKARA, March 9 (Xinhua) -- In Turkey, nearly 50 percent of the cost of a bottle of wine goes straight to the government's coffers with successive taxes levied on alcoholic beverages. "There is a fresh perspective ahead for quality Turkish wines in the world as people are searching for new tastes rather than traditional wines such as a Bordeaux," Olus Molu, founder and proprietor of Vinolus, a boutique producer in Cappadocia in central Turkey, said to Xinhua. Vinolus was founded in Kayseri province in 2007 and has a maximum annual production of 45 tonnes consisting of two categories of local and international grape varieties such as Kalecik Karasi, Narince, Chardonnay or Roussane. Olus made sure that she had an internationally-renowned organic certificate for her farm where she uses only what she grows in bottles. "First I was driven by a commercial need to be successful but then it turned to pure dedication and that is in fact what you need to produce good wine," she said. Today, Turkey has the fifth-largest vineyard area in the world, with a loam conducive to delicious varietals, used however mainly for table grapes and not winemaking. Turkey also ranks sixth globally in grape production. But its winemaking industry comes in at a lowly 45th, just ahead of Belarus, Cuba, and India, according to the Wine Institute. In recent years, things have gotten difficult for Turkish vintners. Teetotaler President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government placed tough restrictions on domestic alcohol marketing, where it is now totally banned to publicize any kind of alcoholic beverage or tobacco products in the country. Such products are now automatically blurred out in television shows. Islam forbids alcohol consumption and a succession of hefty taxes have been imposed on alcohol since 2012, the very recent being an additional 13.5-percent special consumption tax levied since Jan. 1. The government insists that such regulations are aimed at protecting public health and preventing minors from drinking. In contradiction, while alcohol is restricted within Turkey, the government has supported the export of its wines, but the sales are very modest. But the depreciation of the Turkish currency since last year might well be a boon for the Turkish wines. "For a big company, this ban can be surmountable by the fact that consumers already know the brand, but for small enterprises like ours, it's making life difficult," said Olus, adding the fact that Turkey is by no means a big-wine drinking country. Despite the current social stigma attached to alcohol and heavy taxes, Anatolia has a rich oenological history. The Hittites, the most ancient Indo-European culture which inhabited actual Turkey came in contact of grape and wine as early as 2500 B.C., according to historians. Anatolian winemaking history stretches well beyond the classic civilizations of Greece and Rome that cemented the popularity of wine. Currently, there are over 100 wineries operating in Turkey, roughly half of which are small producers making less than 250,000 bottles a year. Current economic hardships on the back of a currency crisis which saw the Turkish lira sink 30 percent against the U.S. dollar since last summer are also a factor added to the struggle of wine makers. Yet, Turkish producers are trying to capture foreign markets and palates with a range of exotic and ancient varietals which are unfamiliar to European and America customers. Okuzgozu (Bull's eye) and Bogazkere (throat-burner) are some of the stars of native varieties of Turkey and they are typically blended together. There's also the Kalecik Karasi, the grape named for the Kalecik village, native to outside of Ankara. These indigenous but underrated red grape varieties have received critical acclaim by sommeliers and in winemaking conventions across the globe. "There is a real opportunity here. Turkey can encourage gastronomic tourism and people who are ready to pay for new things could visit Turkish winemakers and taste the local wines," said Olus. The arrival of tourists in winemaking regions spread across western, central and eastern Turkish provinces may provide income and sustenance for local businesses and assure the existence of the millennial Anatolian wine culture, she added. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 20:27:08|Editor: zh Video Player Close CHINGOLA, Zambia, March 9 (Xinhua) -- "I have completely changed my perception over Chinese after I visited China and witnessed their culture of hard work," says Martin Simwaba a resident of Chingola town in Zambia's Copperbelt Province. Simwaba, 38, a father of five children who visited China in October for an e-governance for Development program, was impressed by the steadiness shown by the Chinese to develop in all economic sectors. He said some three decades ago China was a relatively poor country, noting that the Asian nation is now a second economic giant in the world, and aims to eliminate poverty. This, he said, is a result of long term planning model which has paid off, stressing that Zambia should emulate China's economic model if the country is to advance in the quest to grow her economy. Simwaba attributes the tremendous development partly to Chinese government's commitment to educating its masses in various fields, starting at a tender age. China's education system is tailored in such a way that youths are educated in various fields and this contributes effectively towards the development of their country. If Africa is to develop to a higher level, Simwaba says the African states are supposed to plan for economic growth. A mining technician by profession, Simwaba visited three cities, namely Harbin, Jinan and Beijing, and was surprised by the advanced technology in all the cities. He said technology is the heartbeat of China from where development is anchored from. People have come up with detecting technology to check on an foreign item in any maize silos. "Chinese are even able to detect fake drinks through technology system," he says. Some hotels have installed hotpots on tables where a person can cook his or her own food while seated. On hospitality sector, Simwaba said it is marvelous. "Chinese are down to earth and a humble people," he says. According to him, China is a safe place for international tourists, adding that he felt at home while in China during the e-governance for development program. He said the Chinese like mingling with other people and learning other people's culture and tradition. Simwaba concluded that he hoped more exchange programs will be carried out so Zambian youths can learn the hard working culture of Chinese. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 20:32:09|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close ABUJA, March 9 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from the latest Lassa fever outbreak in Nigeria has risen to 93, the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) said on Saturday. In a statement reaching Xinhua in Abuja, the NCDC said the figure represents a fatality rate of about 22.1 percent since the onset of the outbreak in January. At least 21 out of Nigeria's 36 states have been affected by the acute viral hemorrhagic fever since Jan. 13, the statement said. The outbreak has also been recorded in the capital, Abuja. The NCDC confirmed 39 new cases of the Lassa fever, known to be endemic in several west African countries. The new cases were recorded between Feb. 25 and March 3 in six states. So far, 1,447 suspected cases have been reported nationwide, the NCDC said. On Jan. 22, Nigerian authorities declared a fresh outbreak of the disease, saying an Emergency Operations Center was activated to coordinate the response. NCDC chief executive officer Chikwe Ihekweazu told reporters on Friday that 15 health workers have so far been affected by the outbreak. He said that about 4,900 people suspected to have had contact with those infected had been identified in 19 states. Recent epidemiological data show that Lassa fever usually occurs in Nigeria during the dry season, between January and April. Humans become infected with the Lassa virus from exposure to urine or feces of infected mastomys rats. Other than common preventive measures such as washing hands regularly, the World Health Organization has also recommended keeping cats. In 2018, the NCDC reported at least 143 Lassa fever deaths across the country. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 20:32:09|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close TOKYO, March 9 (Xinhua) -- A collision of a jetfoil ferry with a marine animal took place off Japan's Sado Island in the Sea of Japan on Saturday, injuring 87 people, local media reported, citing the Japan Coast Guard. Of the injured, five are in critical condition. The incident occurred at around 12:15 p.m. local time, leaving a 5-centimeter crack at the vessel's stern with a heavy blow. The ferry left Niigata Port on Japan's main island at 11:30 a.m. local time, carrying 121 passengers and four crew, and was expected to reach its destination on Sado Island at 12:30 p.m. local time. The coast guards are currently investigating the cause of the incident. According to them, it is likely that a whale or some sea creature has hit the vessel. However, the collision did not stop the jetfoil from completing its journey. It arrived at the destination of Ryotsu Port at around 1:30 p.m. local time. The jetfoil ferry, propelled by a high pressure jet of seawater, can run at a speed of 80 km per hour. Its hydrofoil wings were also damaged in the accident. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 20:32:09|Editor: zh Video Player Close BEIJING, March 9 (Xinhua) -- China's banking and insurance regulator has released a document to encourage financial support for agriculture, rural areas, farmers and poverty relief. Banks will be required to fulfill special lending targets, including faster increases in loans to agriculture, rural areas and farmers than average lending growth and steady expansion in outstanding rural loans, according to the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission. Efforts should also be made to direct more funds to poverty-stricken regions and to ensure more rapid lending growth in this regard. The commission asked large and medium-sized commercial banks to give internal incentives to lending to rural and poor areas and launch professional financial services to support rural development and poverty relief. China has stepped up efforts to improve weak economic areas, with measures to vitalize rural regions and reduce poverty. Outstanding loans to rural areas totaled 33 trillion yuan (nearly 5 trillion U.S. dollars) at the end of 2018, up 5.6 percent from a year ago. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 20:37:10|Editor: zh Video Player Close TAIPEI, March 9 (Xinhua) -- New college graduates in Taiwan have lowered their expectations for salaries as the new hiring season begins in March, but the starting salaries they seek are still higher than what employers are willing to offer, according to surveys by different job sites. On average, expectant college graduates hoped for a starting monthly salary of 32,015 new Taiwan dollars (about 1,036 U.S. dollars), according to a survey on 970 college students who will graduate this summer, conducted by 1111 Job Bank, a job service website in Taiwan, from Feb. 20 to March 6. The average salary graduates asked for was 1,038 new Taiwan dollars less than the previous year, according to the 1111 Job Bank. Companies, however, are offering an average salary of 27,767 new Taiwan dollars for private college graduates, and 29,376 new Taiwan dollars for public university graduates, according to a survey on 1,022 companies made by Yes123, another online job site, from Feb. 20 to March 5. Yes123's survey also found that the halo effect of prestigious universities still helps students find jobs, as more than one-third of employers said they are more willing to hire a graduate if the job-seeker is from a prestigious university. Graduates with multiple majors are more likely to receive a job offer, with 60 percent of the surveyed employers saying multiple majors would boost the hiring likelihood for a graduate, according to Yes123. About 83.2 percent of the surveyed enterprises said they will hire through campus job fairs this year, Yes123 said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 21:57:29|Editor: zh Video Player Close BEIJING, March 9 (Xinhua) -- In addition to education and healthcare, the Chinese government is also turning its attention to something equally important to rural areas: toilets. The world's second-largest economy is in the midst of a "toilet revolution," launched in 2015 to improve restrooms across the country. In rural areas, some toilets were little more than makeshift shelters surrounded by corn stalks, and some were open pits next to pigsties. Toilets might not be glamorous to think about, but for villagers, they provide a cleaner and healthier environment, for sightseers a better holiday experience, and for businesses, big opportunities. China has announced plans to install or renovate toilets for 10 million rural households in 30,000 villages this year. The fund allocation by the central government is expected to be 7 billion yuan (about 1.04 billion U.S. dollars). Besides toilet upgrades, China is also upgrading garbage and sewage treatment facilities to build a more beautiful countryside. China has more than 550,000 villages and companies are eager to seize the massive business opportunities. "Reinvented Toilet Expo," a forum hosted by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation held in Beijing last year, showcased various cutting edge toilet technologies in lieu of sewers, making them easier and cheaper to install. Toilet revolution is just part of a much grander rural revitalization strategy, first put forward during the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2017 and repeatedly stressed by the Chinese leadership since then. The strategy aims at achieving the basic modernization of agriculture and rural areas by 2035, and the grand goal of a strong agriculture, a beautiful countryside and well-off farmers by 2050. To guarantee its national food security and improve its agricultural competitiveness, China will have more high-standard farmland, install more efficient water conservation facilities, and use more advanced agricultural equipment. China is also promoting the supply-side structural reform to increase supply of farm produce in high demand. Farms in China are becoming larger in land sizes. Their operations are being mechanized and transformed by information technology. Rural infrastructure and basic services are being improved. The government has announced plans to provide safe water to all rural population within two years. A new round of rural power grid upgrading will be completed. Policy makers are stepping up efforts to direct more funds to agriculture, farmers and rural areas. Private companies are also encouraged to join the endeavor. All these efforts are creating opportunities in related industries such as green farming, e-commerce, tourism, renewable energy, and construction. The rural revitalization strategy also includes the prosperity of culture and effective rural governance to make sure rural society is vigorous and stable. China's modernization drive will not be complete without the modernization of its agricultural and rural areas. Its 600 million rural residents will one day enjoy the same quality service in education, health care and environment management as their urban counterparts. This is a massive project that will inevitably take a long time, but China is working hard and learning from other countries. China is confident that one day, villagers across the country will enjoy thriving businesses, pleasant living environments, social etiquette and civility, effective governance, and prosperity; tourists will spend their holidays in the countryside enjoying traditional Chinese culture and beautiful sceneries; and international investors will take advantage of the rising business opportunities in the vast rural areas and cooperate with millions of diligent and open-minded farmers. Such success will not only belong to China, but also to the world, where a number of countries are also finding solutions to revitalize their rural areas. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 22:02:34|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close BRUSSELS, March 9 (Xinhua) -- After another week of no apparent progress on Brexit negotiations, EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier's latest attempts to assure London appear to have hit a wall by weekend. After negotiations in Brussels that were characterized as "difficult", Barnier opened on Friday a series of tweets by noting that the bloc had proposed to Britain a "legally binding interpretation" of the Brexit withdrawal agreement. Barnier also underlined an EU commitment "to give UK the option to exit the Single Customs Territory unilaterally," so long as the "backstop" along the Northern Irish border remained in place, to avoid a hard border that would go against the Good Friday peace agreements. The "UK will not be forced into customs union against its will," Barnier insisted, while promising that the EU would continue "working intensely over the coming days to ensure the UK leaves the EU with an agreement." In a rebuke, British Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay tweeted that it was "not the time to rerun old arguments," with deadlines looming for Britain's departure from the EU on March 29. Barclay appeared to dismiss the possibility of leaving the customs union while a "backstop" stays in place, an option that has been rejected by many Brexit advocates, and notably the Northern Irish Democratic Unionist Party, a part of the British government coalition, because it would mean separate rules for Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom. BRITISH PM WARNS OF DEADLOCK "We may not leave the EU for many months, we may never leave at all," British Prime Minister Theresa May warned British Members of Parliament in a Friday speech in the northern English town of Grimsby, as she tried to find support for the Brexit withdrawal agreement that she would put up for a vote at the House of Commons by March 12. May said the agreement needed "just one more push" to get approved, but noted "If MPs do not back the deal, the only certainty would be uncertainty, months more spent arguing on Brexit." Despite her warnings, signs are not positive that May has either found the assurances and concessions that many MPs want, or that she will drum up the support needed to have the agreement approved after it was defeated for the first time on Jan. 15. Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar spoke to journalists Friday, dismissing Theresa May's speech, saying that the British PM needed "a change of approach" and London needed to come up with propositions if it wanted new concessions for the "backstop". "What's not obvious is what the UK government is offering the European Union and Ireland should they wish us to make any further compromises," the Irish PM said, underlining "We have received no offer from them as to what they would give us in return for any changes." "It requires a change of approach from the UK government to understand that Brexit is a problem of their creation," Varadkar said. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte echoed the sentiments of his Irish counterpart, saying that a breakthrough continued to appear elusive and required the UK to decide what it wanted, in order to make fresh proposals. Rutte also admitted he did not understand what Theresa May meant by "just one more push" was needed to reach a deal. RROUTES TO BREXIT DELAY Alongside Theresa May's attempts to rally support for her Brexit deal, a voting calendar has been set by her government to soothe divisions within the British conservative party and script how decisions will be made leading up to March 29. The government has committed to putting the withdrawal agreement to a vote in the House of Commons by March 12, with whatever final concessions May is able to receive from the EU. Having lost her original attempt in January by 230 votes, and not having come back to Westminster with significant changes or assurances on the Northern Irish "backstop", the British PM might be snubbed again. If the deal is rejected by MPs, they will have the opportunity to vote by March 13 on whether they would accept a no-deal Brexit. Given the wide negative publicity of consequences associated with no-deal Brexit, it is also considered to be unpopular. If a no-deal Brexit is rejected, MPs will be able to vote by March 14 on whether Britain should attempt to negotiate a delay of Brexit, though not on the extend of that time period. May has already said that any extension should be a one-off, and no longer than until the end of June, a prospect she has stated is not her preference. European Council President Donald Tusk said in February that "an extension would be a rational solution," but European leaders are looking for good reason. French President Emmanuel Macron has already indicated that an extension needed justification. The French Minister for Europe Nathalie Loiseau reiterated her president's stance Thursday in London, telling journalists "A short extension: why not, if there is a good and credible reason." European Parliament President Antonio Tajani did not think that Brexit could be delayed by more than "a maximum of several weeks". He said in an interview published Saturday with Germany's Funke group of newspapers that London would have to justify an extension, such as wanting time to hold new elections or a new referendum. The European Parliament president expressed a common position in Europe, however, that the responsibility for what happened next remained with Britain. "They've decided to leave - it's their problem, not ours," Tajani said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 22:12:37|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close TUNIS, March 9 (Xinhua) -- Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic will pay a two-day official visit to Tunisia from March 11, Tunisian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Saturday in a statement. "A series of cooperation agreements will be signed between the Serbian foreign minister and his Tunisian counterpart Khemaies Jhinaoui," the statement said, adding that this visit will be an opportunity to discuss issues of common interest. Dacic will also hold talks with senior Tunisian officials. Jhinaoui visited Belgrade, the Serbian capital, in Dec. 14-15, 2017. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 22:28:52|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close Ji Qiumei stands next to a yak pen at about 4,500 meters above sea level in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Feb. 26, 2019. Effortlessly cutting slices from a gigot while chatting with local herdsmen in fluent Tibetan, Ji Qiumei, thin and wearing glasses, fits right into the prairie. Born in 1965, Ji has studied Tibetan yaks for 30 years. In this field, she is the sole female researcher and the only one with a doctoral degree. Aiming to help herders out of poverty through her research, Ji sees grasslands and pastures as her laboratories. In recent years, she has made frequent trips to Damxung County in the northwest outskirt of Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, where projects like large-scale grass planting and intensive yak fattening are being carried out. Ji Qiumei had been raised in a pasture. She has known yaks since childhood and understood that for Tibetan herders, yaks are the most important source of food as well as income. In 1988, she graduated from the Southwest University for Nationalities and later studied in the Chinese Academy of Sciences. She finished her doctoral degree at the International Potato Center in Peru. Upon her return from Peru in 2002, Ji undertook research focusing on the Tibetan yak. She and her team have achieved a lot in increasing yaks' milk yield, reproduction rate, and meat production. They also established an embryo transplantation method for yaks, an important step forward in yak breeding. Achievements did not come without a cost. Decades of working in the fields on the plateau worsened the doctor's heart condition. She has had three heart surgeries. Ji Qiumei always returned to her work once recovered, devoting both her mind and her body to the study of Tibetan yaks. (Xinhua/Purbu Zhaxi) Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 22:42:46|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close Wang Yang (R), a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, shakes hands with a family member of Mao Zhiyong to convey his condolences at Mao's cremation service in Changsha, capital of central China's Hunan Province, March 9, 2019. The body of Mao Zhiyong, former vice chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, was cremated in Changsha on Saturday. Entrusted by the CPC Central Committee, Wang paid the final respect at the service. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen) CHANGSHA, March 9 (Xinhua) -- The body of Mao Zhiyong, former vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), was cremated Saturday in Changsha, capital city of central China's Hunan Province. Mao died of illness at the age of 90 on March 4 in Hunan. Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji, Han Zheng, Wang Qishan, Jiang Zemin, Hu Jintao as well as other senior officials had either visited Mao when he was in the hospital or offered their condolences after his death. Entrusted by the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Wang Yang, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, paid the final respect at the service in Changsha. Wang stood in silent tribute and bowed three times in front of Mao's body, before shaking hands with Mao's family members and conveying the condolences from Xi, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, and other Party leaders. Born in 1929 in Hunan and having joined the CPC in 1952, Mao served as the vice chairman of the ninth National Committee of the CPPCC. He was also a member of the 11th, 12th, 13th and 14th CPC central committees. Mao was described in the official statement as an excellent CPC member, a loyal Communist fighter, and an outstanding leader in agriculture and economic affairs. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 23:07:54|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close MOSCOW, March 9 (Xinhua) -- An employee at the U.S. embassy to Russia attempted to bring a bomb with a fuse, but without explosives, in the luggage into the Sheremetyevo International Airport in Moscow on Saturday in a deliberate provocation, local media reported, citing the Russian Foreign Ministry. During security check at the entrance of Terminal D, an object resembling a landmine was found in the employee's luggage. Experts identified it as a mine with a fuse but without explosives, although their traces were present inside the mine body. The employee said he acquired the empty mine for his personal collection and continued his trip to New York after the seizure of the mine, according to Sputnik and Tass reports. The Russian Foreign Ministry believes that the United States was testing Russia's security systems from inside, in addition to its regular military maneuvers near Russian borders that test the security systems from outside. The ministry called the U.S. embassy employee's action a deliberate provocation. The Russian Interior Ministry's unit for the security of the Sheremetyevo airport has informed the U.S. embassy of the incident, and the Russian Foreign Ministry said it expects an explanation. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-09 23:32:58|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close JOHANNESBURG, March 9 (Xinhua) -- The South African police on Saturday said they recovered 11 petrol bombs at a taxi rank in Johannesburg's West Rand following the bombing of some houses in the area. The police said they recovered the petrol bombs on Friday. It is not clear what was the intention behind the move. Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Elias Mawela said on Friday three houses were petrol bombed, for which cases of malicious damage to property are being investigated. Mawela warned people who hide behind will face the wrath of the law. It is reported that the bomb could be related to taxi wars. The wars are going on in various parts of the country with taxi operators feuding over routes. This week Gauteng member of the executive council for roads and transport Ismail Vadi threatened to close two taxi associations' taxi ranks and routes in Soweto following a spate of violence. In Johannesburg this year, three taxi operators were murdered, 5 wounded and 10 taxis damaged during the violence. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-10 00:03:07|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close WUHAN, March 9 (Xinhua) -- The city of Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province, will invest 40 billion yuan (about 6 billion U.S. dollars) to provide key support to the development of high-tech infrastructure by 2022, local authorities said. The province and its capital will forge ahead with high-tech industries by raising a 10-billion-yuan fund per year for major projects, platforms, industrial parks, equipment and talent teams, from 2019 to 2022. So far, a research facility of precise gravity measurement, a national major science and technology infrastructure, is under construction in the Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan. In the past few years, the city has completed a pulsed high magnetic field facility and opened China's first national bio-safety level four lab, which requires the highest level of biological safety. Wuhan will work with universities, institutes and enterprises to achieve great breakthroughs in various fields including integrated electromagnetic energy, optoelectronics, microelectronics, geomatics, and new materials, as well as build national laboratories. Data released at the city's science and technology conference for 2019 on Friday showed that the value added of the hi-tech industries in Wuhan exceeded 300 billion yuan last year, accounting for 20.56 percent of the city's gross domestic product. With 3,536 high-tech enterprises in total, the city is making efforts to build itself into a tech hub of the country. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-10 00:08:07|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close WASHINGTON, March 9 (Xinhua) -- International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Christine Lagarde and World Bank Group Interim President Kristalina Georgieva have encouraged female economists to break the glass ceiling, highlighting the importance of discipline, detail-orientation and dare. The two trail blazers held a one-on-one conversation on Friday at the IMF headquarter in Washington D.C. on the International Women's Day, themed on "Empowering a New Generation." When asked how the experience of being a synchronized swimmer impacted her, Lagarde said it taught her resilience, teamwork, and how to deal with losing. "Even if you lag behind at the end of the ranking, you have to just grit your teeth and work hard, know that there is always another step that you can progress," Lagarde said. "You don't win all the time, you have to learn how to lose, and then bring yourself together." "One of the things resonate very strongly is the sense of discipline," Georgieva said. "Success can't be achieved without discipline." Georgieva said as a female economist, being quite "numerical" helps. "Because when you go, you make your rational arguments, based on facts, not on fictions." Noting that there is clearly a minority issue in the economics field, Lagarde said that "not enough attention is being paid to the work that women economists do, to the researches that they produced, to the enormous talent and energy that they display." The IMF chief encouraged female economists to "gang up together" and found allies and friends, "not necessarily women," to achieve their aspirations. The two also talked about some of the biggest risks they took in their early life. Georgieva recalled the year 1990, when she got the invitation to be a visiting professor at the University of the South Pacific in Fiji, and she decided to leave her home country Bulgaria and went to the other side of the world. "In my professional life, I have been very fortunate to dare; to dare is a very important thing," Georgieva said. "When people tell you that can't be done, you dare to say, well, why not?" Lagarde said learning to overcome that fear and gain confidence is critically important. "Take a deep breath, tighten the muscle, think about something really nice, and just charge on, because you can do it." Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-10 01:18:17|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close DAMASCUS, March 9 (Xinhua) -- A total of 63,500 refugees, most of whom are the Islamic State (IS) militants and their families fleeing the last IS-held areas in eastern Syria, are living in the al-Hol camp in northeastern Syria, a war monitor reported Saturday. The refugees are mostly non-Syrians either from Iraq or Europe, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Deaths are being reported on a daily basis among the refugees who are suffering from various illnesses as a result of the bad conditions they lived through in IS-held areas and the lack of medical care in the al-Hol camp, which is run by the Kurdish militia in al-Hasakah Province. The watchdog said the camp is enough only for 10,000 people, adding that most of the deaths are occurring to infants and children. The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) is besieging the IS remnants in the farmlands of the town of Baghouz in the eastern countryside of Deir al-Zour. The Observatory, however, said the SDF has postponed its last push against the IS in Baghouz as the terror-labelled group is holding prisoners from the SDF. The SDF, with the backing of the U.S.-led coalition, has been carrying out a crushing offensive against the IS in eastern Syria since last September. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-10 01:38:19|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close TUNIS, March 9 (Xinhua) -- A total of 11 cases of neonatal deaths were recorded between March 7 and 8 in the Rabta Hospital of Tunis, the Tunisian Ministry of Health said Saturday. The causes of deaths in the obstetrics and neonatology departments in the hospital are still unknown, according to a ministry statement. "Relevant services have taken necessary preventive measures to avoid new cases of death," said the statement. A medical worker will be sent to monitor the health status of other residents in the two departments, it added. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-10 01:48:20|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close OTTAWA, March 9 (Xinhua) -- A man in his 50s surrendered to police early Saturday, nearly 9 hours after he took four employees hostage in a bank branch in Montreal, according to CTV. Police ended their siege around 1:30 a.m. local time Saturday when the suspect surrendered inside the bank branch. The man, who released the four hostages unharmed, was taken to a hospital by police for evaluation before being questioned by investigators. Neither his identity nor motive have been revealed. The incident began when the armed man entered the bank branch before its closing. Feeling threatened, an employee pushed the panic button, which alerted police around 4:50 p.m. local time Friday to surround the bank branch for rescue. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-10 01:53:22|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close SARAJEVO, March 9 (Xinhua) -- Members of Bosnia and Herzegovina's State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA) arrested 30 persons who are suspected of smuggling a big amount of gold and silver jewelry, the SIPA said in a statement on Saturday. "Police seized 60 kilograms of gold, 45 kilograms of silver, some 2,000 pieces of different jewelry estimated at more than 3.5 million KM (2 million U.S. dollars), banknotes in the amount of 60,000 KM, banknotes in the amount of 40,000 euros (44,939 U.S. dollars), six guns and several stamps for jewelry marking," it said. Police also searched 60 business and private premises in ten cities across the country, according to the statement. Suspects are charged with offenses of organized crime, smuggling, money laundering, unauthorized warehousing of goods, tax evasion and forgery of signs for the marking of goods, it said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-10 05:13:56|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close RIYADH, March 9 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Arabia is organizing a four-week course to teach basic Chinese in different neighborhoods of the capital Riyadh, Arab News reported Saturday. In a statement issued recently on its website, the General Department of Education in Riyadh said the course would be offered free of charge twice a week from March 10 to April 4 in the neighbourhood schools. It would also be broadcast online to benefit the entire educational community, it added. According to Arab News, the curriculum also provides students with new and broader educational horizons. During Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's visit to China last month, the two countries agreed to include the Chinese language as a curriculum at all stages of education in schools and universities across the Arab country. No casualties among the Ukrainian Armed Forces were spotted in the Donbas combat zone on Friday, March 8, as the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) HQ reported. The Russian occupants opened fire at the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine over 24 hours. The enemy fired with small arms in the North group area, near Krymske settlement. However, the Russian militants did not use heavy machine guns, mortar, and artillery, in other words, the Minsk-banned weaponry. No attacks have been spotted since midnight of March 9. Earlier, on March 8, the deal on the ceasefire regime has come into force in the Donbas conflict zone. The agreement has been reached previously by the subgroup on the security of the Contact Group on conflict settlement of eastern Ukraine. It also should be noted that Russian militants have fired once today, March 8, despite the armistice they promised yesterday. On March 7, five Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in the Donbas conflict zone, as the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) HQ reported this. The Russian militants violated the ceasefire regime 18 times, including they used 14 times Minsk-banned weaponry. The enemy attacked the Armed Forces of Ukraine with 152 mm artillery system and 120mm and 82 mm mortar, they used 119 shells. The Russian militants violated the armistice and fired at the Ukrainian positions in the North group area of the Donbas combat zone today, March 9, as the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) HQ reported. In particular, the enemy opened fire with 120 mm and 82 mm mortars near Popasna settlement, launching the attacks from the temporary occupied Kalynovo-Borshchuvate settlement. This fact is the proof that the Russian occupational forces violated the armistice and that they neglect all agreements. No casualties among Ukrainian Armed Forces were spotted, the report said. Earlier, on March 8, the deal on the ceasefire regime has come into force in the Donbas conflict zone. The agreement has been reached previously by the subgroup on the security of the Contact Group on conflict settlement of eastern Ukraine. It also should be noted that Russian militants have fired once today, March 8, despite the armistice they promised yesterday. On March 7, five Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in the Donbas conflict zone, as the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) HQ reported this. The Russian militants violated the ceasefire regime 18 times, including they used 14 times Minsk-banned weaponry. The enemy attacked the Armed Forces of Ukraine with 152 mm artillery system and 120mm and 82 mm mortar, they used 119 shells. The politician believes that the new law on the ban on antibiotics sale without prescription is one of the government's ideas on how to increase the death rate of Ukrainian people Viktor Medvedchuk, chairman of the Political Party Opposition Platform - For Life Opposition Platform - For Life The prohibition of the sale of antibiotics, which the Cabinet of Ministers approved on March 6, will have at least three negative consequences. Viktor Medvedchuk, the Chairman of the political council of the Opposition platform For Life, stated this, as the press service of the party informs. It goes without saying, that their aim is the concern of the health of citizens, as they say, it fights the resistance to antimicrobial drugs. Although, everyone understands that Cabinet of Ministers decided to do so, as it is in the USA, where you practically cannot buy any medicine without a visiting a doctor (accordingly without paying a doctor for a visit), - Medvedchuk said. According to Medvedchuk, first of all, the corruption in the pharmacy field will grow, which already is strong, in addition, the legal, half-legal and illegal trading of antibiotics will increase as well. Secondly, now we will have to pay not only for medicine but for prescribing them as well. Apparently, the government decided that Ukrainian people pay for medicine no enough. The third reason is the most important and the worst one. The mortality number will grow as well. Not always a person, for example, suffering from flu or measles (do you remember that we still have measles epidemic) goes straight to a doctor. If an ill person feels very bad, the relatives will be forced to visit a doctor, to beg him to examine the ill person and only then to go and to buy antibiotics, unfortunately, there are no doubts, that someone will bring the medicine to someone. who is already dead or dying, - the politician said. Although, it is also possible, that this the exact aim of the Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers, and Ulyana Suprun, the Acting Health Minister, in particular?, - Medvedchuk added. Open source Ukrainian MP, the head of the "Opposition Platform - For Life" party Vadym Rabinovich said that the bills on the luxury tax are the correct laws. "Despite the fact that we must fight not with the rich, but with the poor, I believe that today the bills on the luxury tax are the correct laws that more or less equalize the situation in the country," he said on the 112 Ukraine TV channel during the Voice of the People show. In addition, the deputy stated that the authorities must admit defeat in the fight against corruption. "We need to understand one simple thing - we have to confess defeat in the fight against corruption, not we (Ukrainians, - ed.), but they (power, - ed.) ... They created many anti-corruption bodies, they have worked hard this year, and the amount of money received by the budget from the whole fight against corruption is seven thousand dollars. I would collectively hang myself "in their place," Rabinovich added. Vadym Rabinovich, leader of For life political party, urged to protect the freedom of speech in Ukraine at the hearings in the French Senate, broadcasted by 112 Ukraine. I got more votes in the presidential elections in Ukraine, than all the radicals of the state combined. I dont get it. I came here with pain our journalists are being killed and beaten and you say: There is aggression in your country. What aggression has to do with it? Is it allowed to murder the journalists in terms of aggression? I cant speak about Russia, I am not in charge of the situation. My heart is sick for our journalists, this is my pain. I pray and ask God to solve all the problems in our country, and then we will show our neighbors how to live. Indeed, our situation is difficult, yes, there is a war going on, but its not a reason for murdering the journalists, he said. According to Antonio Tajani, without reaching an agreement with Brussels, Brexit can have tragic consequences for the British economy The terms of the British exit from the European Union may be postponed "for no more than a few weeks." Antonio Tajani, the President of the European Parliament, stated this to the German media Funke, DW reports. The deadline is the beginning of July. The British parliament has to tell us the reason for postponing anyway, the President of the EU outlined. According to Tajani, without reaching an agreement with Brussels, Brexit is the biggest mistake, which they should avoid. Besides, the President of European ruled out the possibility of reviewing the document on Great Britain exit from the European Parliament. Earlier, the exit of the UK from the EU was scheduled for March 29, 2019. It was determined by a referendum in June 2016, in which 51.89% of Britons supported the country's withdrawal from the EU to regain control over their own funds, laws, borders and the domestic market. European Parliament expects to begin the procedure for approving Brexit, which was agreed by London and Brussels. At the same time, there are still many opponents of this agreement in the UK. January 15, the British Parliament failed to vote on an agreement on the country's withdrawal from the European Union and even tried to dismiss the head of government, Theresa May. The hierarchs of the Albanian Orthodox Church expressed their worries concerning recognition of behindhand ordinance, committed by the excommunicate and devoted to the anathema of Filaret (Denysenko) Archbishop of the Orthodox Church in Albania did not recognize the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. The press service of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine reports this, referring to the Greek news Romfea, which posted the official claim of the Albanian Orthodox Church. In particular, the hierarchs of the Albanian Orthodox Church expressed their worries concerning recognition by the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople of behindhand ordinance, committed by the excommunicate and devoted to the anathema of Filaret (Denysenko), whose ordinance is invalid and deprived of the grace and actions of the Holy Spirit. Besides, the Albanian Church questioned the canonicity of ordinance of Epiphanius, the head of the newly created Orthodox Church of Ukraine. The Archbishop of Albania also notes that the concerns expressed to the Ecumenical Patriarch in October 2018 have been verified, that is instead of peace and unity of the Ukrainian Orthodox, a risk of the division has started to creep in. As we reported earlier, it was reported that the members of the Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate signed the Tomos on providing autocephaly for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew passed the Tomos of autocephaly and bishops crosier to the apostle of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine Epiphanius. The event happened during the festive service in St. George's Cathedral in Istanbul. The men from Kyiv lured the users into installing the malicious browser extensions Open source Facebook sued the two Ukrainian hackers, who with the help of installing malicious browser extensions exfiltrated their profile data and friends lists. The Daily Beast reports this. "Facebook is suing the Kiev-based entrepreneurs for alleged violations of Californian and federal anti-hacking law, as well as fraud and breach of Facebooks terms of service", the report said. According to the report, Andrey Gorbachov and Gleb Sluchevsky used online quizzes for installing malicious browser extensions. They kind of overlayed their own advertisements onto Facebooks news feed, when the users visited their profiles from other browsers. Such method possibly was used in order to work friends names into the ad copy, repeating the form of many Facebook ads. The men from Kyiv worked under nicknames such as Olena Stelma, Amanda Pitt and Ihor Kolomiyets. Their scheme had been working till October 2018. Facebook claims that this scheme is oriented on the Russian users. The fight against this scheme brought over $75,000 damages to the company. There are no reasons to count on the end of the Russian aggression soon The strengthening of the presence of NATO in the Black Sea can restrain the aggression of the Russian Federation. Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, the Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine stated this during the meeting with Fiona Hill, the Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for European and Russian Affairs, as the Government Portal reports. The leadership of the USA in strengthening the presence of NATO military ships in the Black Sea is extremely important. This is the only way, which can help restrain the Russian aggression, the Vice Prime Minister outlined. Klympush-Tsintsadze stressed the necessity of the immediate renewal of the NATO-Ukraine Commission format at the level of ministers, which is being blocked by Hungary at the moment. Earlier, The President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko claimed the necessity of increasing the presence of the NATO military ships in the Black Sea due to the Russian aggression. According to Poroshenko, the Russian Federation uses Crimea for deploying missiles there, what creates an extremely dangerous situation and destabilizes the region. The President does not rule out the opportunity of further aggression by the Russian forces in the Black Sea. According to Conte, the sanctions are ineffective and hurt the Italian economy Open source The Government of Italy is working to try to end the international sanctions against Russia, which the ruling parties in Rome say are ineffective and hurt the Italian economy. Giuseppe Conte, the Italian Prime Minister, said this at a foreign policy conference in Genova, as Reuters reports. According to Conte, the sanctions against the Russian Federation after Crimea's annexation in 2014 are not supposed to be the target. He outlined that the sanctions should not affect the Italian economy. When asked if Italy wanted them lifted, he replied: We are working for this objective, the Prime Minister said. At the same time, the U.S. President Donald Trump ordered to prolong anti-Russian sanctions for aggression in Ukraine for another year, as the press office of the White House reported. Therefore, the national emergency declared on March 6, 2014, and measures are taken then, including those adopted on March 16, 20 and December 19, 2014, were prolonged for one more year to deal with this emergency. Besides, the measures imposed by Trumps Administration on September 20, 2018, were also extended. Open source As a result of the clash of National Corps far-right organization representatives with law enforcement officers in Cherkasy, 15 officers were injured, including Valeriy Lyuty, the head of the National Police department in Cherkasy region. The Ministry of the Interior reported this on Saturday. During the public order protection in Cherkasy city center, where mass events with the participation of a large number of citizens were held, during the departure of the President of Ukraine, representatives of the National Corps tried to block the motorcade of the head of state and started provoking ordinary residents of Cherkasy and the police to fight. Activists tried to break to the scene using pyrotechnics. Law enforcement officers used police coercive measures. As a result of the clashes, 15 police officers were injured, including the head of the Cherkasy region police colonel Valeriy Lyuty", reads the statement. Open source Vienna sharply criticizes the decision of the Ukrainian authorities to ban the Austrian TV journalist from entering Ukraine for the period of one year. It is reported by Deutsche Welle. The Austrian authorities consider the decision of the Security Service of Ukraine "an unacceptable act of censorship in Europe." Journalist Christian Wehrschutz denies all accusations and is going to appeal the decision as soon as he officially receives the ban on entry to Ukraine. I assume that the current Ukrainian leadership was looking for an excuse not to let me in because they are unhappy with critical reports about media freedom and scandals around defense procurement during the war, said Christian Wehrschutz. Austrian journalist Christian Wehrschutz has not yet received any official documents on his banning of entry to Ukraine. He told about this to the 112 Ukraine journalist. "Here in Ukraine I still have a residence permit until the end of June of this year. Its generally interesting how the rule of law works in Ukraine, when on the one hand I have only the oral information (regarding the ban, - ed.), on the other hand I have a document for temporary residence, because I have an office in Kyiv, "he said. Open source Austrian journalist Christian Wehrschutz has not yet received any official documents on his banning of entry to Ukraine. He told about this to the 112 Ukraine journalist. "Here in Ukraine, I still have a residence permit until the end of June of this year. Its generally interesting how the rule of law works in Ukraine, when on the one hand I have only the oral information (regarding the ban, - ed.), on the other hand, I have a document for temporary residence, because I have an office in Kyiv, "he said. According to Wehrschutz, "a small group of people that is not happy with what we write and what problems we cover" is behind the ban of entry for him. "I think that this is only a reaction to the fact that several people are not happy with the way we work. This is really an attack on freedom of speech and nothing else," he noted. Wehrschutz also stressed that he had never been a pro-Russian or anti-Ukrainian journalist, and he planned to make the film Ukraine: 5 years after Maidan and interviews with some presidential candidates in Ukraine. Earlier, we reported that Austrian journalist who worked for Kremlin press was banned from entering Ukraine for one year. It was reported by the first deputy chairman of the Committee on Freedom of Expression and Information Policy in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Olga Chervakova. Austrian TV channel ORF journalist Christian Wehrschutz was banned from entering because of his illegal crossing of the state border and the publication of fake news from Russia Today. During the last four years, the man constantly visited the temporarily occupied territories of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, as well as annexed Crimea through uncontrolled checkpoints. Last December, the 57-year-old journalist said that he was afraid for his life, because Ukrainians allegedly threatened him. Open source The Security Service of Ukraine has confirmed the ban for Austrian journalist Christian Wehrschutz l he will not be able to enter Ukraine for a period of one year. The basis for the decision about Wehrschutz was the "need to ensure the safety of the journalist." We recall that Christian Wehrschutz noted in his interview about the existing threats to his life in Ukraine. In order to avoid possible provocations during the stay of the Austrian journalist in our country, the SBU, in accordance with the law, decided to ban him from entering, the report said. Earlier, Vienna sharply criticized the decision about Wehrschutz. Journalist Christian Verschutz denied all accusations and is going to appeal the decision as soon as he officially receives the ban on entry to Ukraine. Austrian journalist has not yet received any official documents on his banning of entry to Ukraine. He told about this to the 112 Ukraine journalist. "Here in Ukraine I still have a residence permit until the end of June of this year. Its generally interesting how the rule of law works in Ukraine, when on the one hand I have only the oral information (regarding the ban, - ed.), on the other hand I have a document for temporary residence, because I have an office in Kyiv, "he said. According to Wehrschutz, "a small group of people that is not happy with what we write and what problems we cover" is behind the ban of entry for him. "I think that this is only a reaction to the fact that several people are not happy with the way we work. This is really an attack on freedom of speech and nothing else," he noted. Wehrschutz also stressed that he had never been a pro-Russian or anti-Ukrainian journalist, and he planned to make the film Ukraine: 5 years after Maidan and interviews with some presidential candidates in Ukraine. Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko Open source Ukraine has got rid of some of the limitations on the range of missiles and plans to develop high-precision missile weapons. This was stated by the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko during a meeting of the National Development Council, Interfax-Ukraine reports. "We are no longer bound by any limitations either on the range of our missiles or on their power - let the enemy know about it, too. We need high-precision missiles and we no longer intend to repeat the mistakes of the Budapest Memorandum," he said. Poroshenko stressed that high-precision missiles of increased range "will make the aggressor more restrained, and make the defense safer." In 2019, the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine will conduct four military exercises with combat shooting from the Buk-M1, S-125, and S-300P / PT / V1 anti-aircraft missile systems. It is reported by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. "The divisions will be called up to the area of combat training tasks suddenly, with standard armament and military equipment. Of course, the situation will look more than realistic. And that is the main task, "said the head of the anti-aircraft missile forces of the Air Force Command Colonel Yuriy Stavsky. The first combat shooting of anti-aircraft missile systems will take place as early as this month at the Yahorlyk training ground in the Kherson region near the occupied Crimea. In addition, anti-aircraft missile specialists will take part in the testing of new missile weapons and will carry out research launches of anti-aircraft guided missiles as part of research projects. Ukraines defense state enterprise Ukroboronprom korrespondent.net The information space of the country continues to spread the information with signs of manipulation, misinformation or obvious incompetence. This is said in the Ukroboronprom state enterprise's statement. "In particular, the statements of MP Biletsky about dozens of factories in Eastern Europe, which offer Ukraine cooperation in the repair and modernization of Soviet-made military equipment, ready to supply a wide range of components, and in general about the "infinity of spare parts in Europe, can be considered such misinformation, the document reads. Ukroboronprom stressed that as a result of the integration of Eastern Europe into NATO, the stocks of Soviet weapons and spare parts there are almost exhausted. "Therefore, the thesis of a respected deputy on the "infinity "is quite contradictory. Moreover, in this statement we see the speakers lack of clear understanding of such fundamental terminological nuances as ordinary repair of equipment and the supply of spare parts for the current production," the enterprise added. Thank's for the fish. -- Douglas Adams Come back again sometime. Thank you for visiting. 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!) New Braunfels, TX (78130) Today Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy in the afternoon. Near record high temperatures. High near 80F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy in the evening followed by scattered thunderstorms after midnight. Low 64F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. Subject Quick Links Click on any of the badges below to see posts from that subject area. This is just a quick way to search for all posts with these labels using one click. YEREVAN, MARCH 8, ARMENPRESS. On March 8, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh Republic) Masis Mayilian received Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office (CiO) Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk, the Artsakh foreign ministry said in a news release. The sides discussed a range of issues related to the situation on the Line of Contact between the armed forces of Artsakh and Azerbaijan, as well as the monitoring conducted by the Office of the Personal Representative of the OSCE CiO. Masis Mayilian reiterated the need to establish mechanisms of international control over the cease-fire regime in order to increase the predictability and transparency in the field of security, as well as to prevent possible incidents. In this context, the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Artsakh stressed the importance of continuing the efforts to implement the Vienna and St. Petersburg agreements. During the meeting, issues related to the visit of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Slovak Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajcak to the region were also touched upon. YEREVAN, MARCH 8, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has expressed condolences to the Armenian community, the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople and Mesrob IIs family over the latters passing. I was deeply grieved to learn about the demise of Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople Mesrop Archbishop Mutafyan. As a church leader, he made an invaluable contribution to the revival of national-spiritual life in Turkey and the consolidation of the Armenian Church and the Armenian community. Mesrop Archbishop Mutafyan enjoyed high reputation for his activities and will remain in our memory as a spiritual leader devoted to his mission. I express my deepest condolences to Patriarch Mutafians family, the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople and the entire Armenian community, Pashinyan said in a cable, as reported by his office. Mesrob II died March 8 at the age of 62 following many years of suffering from dementia. He was in a coma for more than 10 years. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, MARCH 9, ARMENPRESS. NATO Secretary Generals Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia James Appathurai will arrive in Armenia in the sidelines of NATO week. ARMENPRESS reports Appathurai will give a press conference on March 11. NATO week is initiated by the embassies of NATO member states in Armenia with close collaboration with the Foreign and Defense Ministries of Armenia. Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan YEREVAN, MARCH 9, ARMENPRESS. Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group (Igor Popov of the Russian Federation, Stephane Visconti of France and Andrew Schofer of the United States of America) issued a statement on the upcoming meeting of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. Press service of the OSCE informed Armenpress that the statement runs as follows: "In their March 1 statement, the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group (Igor Popov of the Russian Federation, Stephane Visconti of France and Andrew Schofer of the United States of America) welcomed the commitment of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to meet soon under the auspices of the Co-Chairs. The Co-Chairs, working closely with the two foreign ministers, have been making preparations for this important leaders meeting, which will be the first direct contact between the two leaders conducted under Co-Chair auspices. The Co-Chairs underline the importance of maintaining an environment conducive to productive discussions and continue to assess positively the recent lack of casualties on the front lines. The Co-Chairs also welcome some initial steps being taken in the region to prepare the populations for peace and encourage the sides to intensify such efforts. At the same time, the Co-Chairs reiterate the critical importance of reducing tensions and minimizing inflammatory rhetoric. In this context, the Co-Chairs urge the sides to refrain from statements and actions suggesting significant changes to the situation on the ground, prejudging the outcome of or setting conditions for future talks, demanding unilateral changes to the format without agreement of the other party, or indicating readiness to renew active hostilities. With reference to some contradictory recent public statements on the substance of the Minsk Group process, the Co-Chairs reiterate that a fair and lasting settlement must be based on the core principles of the Helsinki Final Act, including in particular the non-use or threat of force, territorial integrity, and the equal rights and self-determination of peoples. It also should embrace additional elements as proposed by the Presidents of the Co-Chair countries in 2009-2012, including: return of the territories surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh to Azerbaijani control; an interim status for Nagorno-Karabakh providing guarantees for security and self-governance; a corridor linking Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh; future determination of the final legal status of Nagorno-Karabakh through a legally binding expression of will; the right of all internally displaced persons and refugees to return to their former places of residence; and international security guarantees that would include a peacekeeping operation. The Co-Chairs stress their view that these principles and elements must be the foundation of any fair and lasting settlement to the conflict and should be conceived as an integrated whole. Any attempt to put some principles or elements over others would make it impossible to achieve a balanced solution. The Co-Chairs are prepared to meet with the leaders and foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan at any time, and call on the leaders to resume negotiations in good faith at the earliest opportunity. Continuous and direct dialogue between Baku and Yerevan conducted under the auspices of the Co-Chairs remains an essential element in building confidence and advancing the peace process. The Co-Chairs will also continue to discuss, as appropriate, relevant issues with the interested parties directly affected by the conflict, recognizing that their views and concerns must be taken into account for any negotiated solution to succeed. The Co-Chairs stress that they remain fully committed, in accordance with their mandate, to helping the sides find a peaceful solution to the conflict. The Co-Chairs also express their full support for the impartial and critical monitoring work undertaken by the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and his team". YEREVAN, MARCH 9, ARMENPRESS. The delegation led by Second Deputy Speaker of the Swedish parliament Lotta Johnsson Fornarve visited Armenian Genocide memorial complex accomponied by Vice Speaker of the Armenian parliament Lena Nazaryan on March 9. As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the parliament of Armenia, Lotta Johnsson Fornarve laid a wreath at the monument eternalizing the memory of the Armenian Genocide victims and also put flowers at the Eternal fire, honoring the memory of the sacred victims with silence. The guests also visited the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute, got acquainted with documents proving the tragedy of the Armenian people and made a note in the commemorative book. The Swedish Parliament Vice Speaker noted that her countrys parliament has recognized the Armenian Genocide, adding, 'We always remember the great tragedy of Armenians and every year a commemorative event is held at our parliament. This year also a commemorative event dedicated to the Armenian Genocide will take place. Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan Between 1888 and 1891 he completed philosophical and theological studies in Antwerp, then taught in an apostolic school before being ordained priest in 1895. He always wanted to become a missionary and during his novitiate in Belgium he displayed a strong missionary spiritand made his first profession as a Missionary of the Sacred Heart in 1888. de Boismenu was born in 1870 in Britanny in France, the 11th and last child in his family. He never knew his mother since she died 15 days after his birth so his elder sister brought him up. There is now the need of a miracle to enable Alain de Moismenu to become a Blessed and from there a Saint. POPE Francis has officially recognised the heroic virtues of Alain-Marie Guynot de Boismenu, former Apostolic Vicar of Yule Island, who just before Easter was declared Venerable. Some years earlier, de Boismenu had written to Father Henry Verius MSC, the pioneer missionary who arrived at Yule Island in 1885, seeking his advice about the best way to prepare himself for live in the mission. Veriuss advice was: Here you need 100 times more virtue, spirit of sacrifice and spirit of faith than in Europe Consider excellent the day when you are opposed, exercise yourself often in patience, in putting up with the faults of your brothers; this point is essential, patience with yourself, with others and above all with the natives who discourage you in the mission such a habit of patience is so necessary. As a teacher, de Boismenu was popular amongst his students and he developed an interest in social questions. He was concerned about the working conditions of the poor and theological aspects of the Popes teaching. Alain de Boismenu received news of his appointment to the Yule Island mission in August 1897, arriving in Sydney towards end of October. However, some of his colleagues were skeptical about his suitability for the vigorous life of the mission. They were very mistaken. He travelled to Yule Island, being appointed Bishop in 1900. He was in the office for 45 years = retiring to Kubuna in 1945 and dying on 5 November 1953. de Boismenu set out to improve the living conditions of the missionaries and to strengthen the administration to offer better support to the missionaries in the field. He was a very good diplomat in tribal conflicts and in dealing with the colonial Administration and the rival Protestant missions as the churches developed the policy of spheres of influence in Papua and New Guinea. He reorganized the structure of mission life to regroup missionaries into communities of about six or seven members. Such an arrangement alleviated serious problems of isolation and loneliness. The men were able to move out from the central station to minister at different outstations; but also had a base, a community, to which they could return for support and companionship. de Boismenu believed in indigenous vocations so he founded the womens Congregation of the Handmaids of Our Lord and, for the men, the Little Brothers of the Sacred Heart. Later he promoted the first indigenous priest, Fr Louis Vangeke MSC, who was ordained in 1937 and consecrated Bishop in 1970. Just before Easter, the Catholic Church in PNG received news that Archbishop Alain Guynot de Boismenu, former Apostolic Vicar of Yule Island, has been declared Venerable, the first step along the pathway to sainthood. The modest royalties received from the sale of these books remain with Pukpuk Publications and are used to support the publication and distribution of titles by other PNG authors. Social media coverage has been instrumental in marketing the book and keeping it in front of readers. On a recent Saturday morning an email from individual in Canada informed me excitedly that her copy had just arrived in the post. And each month My Walk to Equality, first published to coincide with International Womens Day two years ago, registers a few more sales. BRISBANE Each month Philip Fitzpatrick releases figures on book sales to all authors with titles under his Pukpuk Publications imprint. If we show emotion, were called dramatic, If we want to play against men, were nuts And if we dream of equal opportunity, delusional. When we stand for something, were unhinged. When were too good theres something wrong with us. And if we get angry, were hysterical or irrational or just being crazy. So if they want to call you crazy? Fine. Show them what crazy can do. (Tennis icon Serena Williams as narrator in Dream Crazier, Nike commercial ad) _________ A few weeks back ago, the MWTE Project received a $10,000 grant, courtesy of Paga Hill Estates CEO, Gudmundur (Gummi) Fridriksson, towards staging a readers and writers festival in Port Moresby later this year. This had been envisaged as an outcome of last years Paga Hill MWTE Writers Fellowship, which had followed the publication of My Walk to Equality and enabled me to develop a concept for the event. For each occasion Mr Fridriksson has been a generous benefactor, I have maximised the opportunity by sharing my learning and experiences with others, especially Papua New Guinean girls and women. This has been assisted by PNG Attitude, the wide-reaching online blog has taken my words to PNG, Australia, other Pacific nations and beyond. A readers and writers festival for Papua New Guineans is an ideal opportunity to showcase what Paga Hill Development Companys investment has been able to do in encouraging a nation of readers and writers. _________ Since its inception, the MWTE project has functioned as a stand-alone enterprise. Like most voluntary projects, it did not start with an enviable financial endowment. Relationships were sought, rapport built and nurtured, communication reciprocated, transparency and accountability at regular intervals have underpinned the longevity of the project. But its vision has remained clear: to offer a space for PNG girls and women to participate in dialogue through writing. Always. There is no hesitation to reiterate boundaries, debate influence or disengage with destructive attitudes unhelpful to fulfilling the projects goals. _________ Being referred to as crazy is an unfortunate yet persistent descriptor Ive experienced since being first published on PNG Attitude but especially so in my voluntary role as chair of the MWTE Project since 2016: Crazy is managing the demands of your private life whilst devoting all your spare energy to immersing yourself in the craft, and making an effort to participate with the public community. Crazy is being observant and having no illusions about who is genuine about contributing to your personal vision, and making a conscious effort to nurture open dialogue, mutual respect and a respect for the individual visions of those in the relationships. Crazy is understanding the opportunity created for you and committing yourself to maximise positive outcomes for others and yourself. Crazy is acknowledging your privilege at all times, irrespective of the situation, and using it to help others. And yet, the MWTE project has demonstrated what is possible for contemporary PNG-authored literature because: Crazy is taking ownership and responsibility for the leadership role you voluntarily insert yourself in. Crazy is paying attention to those who have invested their time, attention and inviting them to guide you with mentorship. Crazy is ensuring that every email, phone call or social media interaction that enquires or participates as a contributor to your vision is reciprocated. Crazy is recognising that constraints are everywhere; irrespective of your location, trying, failing then trying again with different strategies is the only way obstacles are minimised. Crazy is delivering every time by undertaking, delegating and completing tasks, attending meetings, delivering expected outcomes, writing articles and submitting project reports. Crazy is being nominated as PNGs country project for the United Nations Girls and Womens Education Prize 2018. But at Serena Williams has said, When were too good theres something wrong with us. A large number of individuals in the PNG writing community have been persistent in their diatribes against writers of the Papua New Guinean diaspora, especially women. Its been an unfailing attack to perhaps rationalise or deflect from stunted domestic literary efforts whilst conveniently failing to acknowledge the diasporas role in impacting readers, contemporary writers and an audience, domestic and internationally. But let me be clear. Crazy had a vision, sought and received the full support of a dedicated team, and delivered a milestone book project in three months. On-schedule, transparent and accountable, no excuses made. Crazy has worked hard to build, maintain and nurture relationships based on mutual respect. Crazy has published articles, spoken in radio interviews and participated in Australian literary festivals to promote and encourage the purchase and readership of PNG-authored titles. Crazy produced project reports detailing the expenditure and fulfilled expected outcomes of financial sponsorship. Every time. Crazy has used the platform of the MWTE project to spend time sharing knowledge with the students in rural PNG primary schools, distributing books and bringing other issues of PNG social inequity and inequality to public discourse through action and regular, published writing. Crazy has played a significant role in consistent monthly book sales over a two-year period, and remains committed to assisting all PNG writers through anthology royalties. Crazy remains dedicated to supporting PNG girls and women writers, including their additional creative endeavours including audio podcasting, film, photography and blogging. I have requested (and it has been agreed to) that the $10,0000 Paga Hill Development Company grant be diverted to PNGs national literary competition, the Crocodile Prize, to enable its revival and literary efforts in 2019. And I hope and believe a readers and writers festival can be created along with this enterprise. Crazy? Not if it reinvigorates and rebuilds Papua New Guineas best attempt yet to sustain a national literature. After all, there can be just a short footstep between crazy and inspired. The British government drew fresh criticism Saturday over its decision to revoke citizenship from a London teenager who joined the Islamic State group in Syria, after her baby died in a refugee camp. Shamima Begum, 19, had asked to return home after giving birth to her son Jarrah last month in the camp in northeastern Syria, but London refused. A spokesman for the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, Mustefa Bali, told AFP the baby had died, without giving further details. The BBC said he had pneumonia, citing a medical certificate. Begum's fate has sparked heated debate in Britain, which like many other countries is facing a dilemma over whether to allow jihadists and IS sympathisers home to face prosecution, or stop them from returning at all. She was 15 when she left east London for Syria with two other schoolgirls, and was found by journalists in the refugee camp after fleeing fighting between the terror group and US-backed forces. Begum told them she wanted to return home to save her baby, saying that her two older children had died, apparently from illness and malnutrition. "I don't want to lose this baby as well and this is really not a place to raise children, this camp," she told the BBC at the time. Opposition Labour MP Diane Abbott said the death of the baby was "a stain on the conscience of this government". She accused Home Secretary Sajid Javid of revoking Begum's citizenship "to appease the right-wing press", saying he had "failed this British child, and he has a lot to answer for". However, the chairman of Prime Minister Theresa May's Conservative party, Brandon Lewis, told BBC radio: "There is no question that the duty of a home secretary in this country is to keep British people safe." - 'Take responsiblity' - Begum, who was married to a Dutch IS fighter who is now thought to be held in Syria, initially showed little remorse about IS attacks, sparking public outrage in Britain. But Javid's decision to revoke her citizenship drew mixed reactions. British law states that the government cannot remove a person's citizenship if that would make them stateless, unless there are "reasonable grounds" to believe they can become a citizen of another country. It was reported that Begum could be eligible for Bangladeshi citizenship through her parents, but Dhaka said there was "no question" of her going there. Javid had hinted that her baby could be treated differently, telling MPs previously: "Children should not suffer, so if a parent does lose their British citizenship it does not affect the rights of their child." But he said it would be "incredibly difficult" to bring the child back from Syria, where Britain has no consular presence. Abbott said: "To leave a vulnerable young woman and an innocent child in a refugee camp, where we know infant mortality to be high, is morally reprehensible." Aid group Save the Children said the baby's death was "incredibly sad" and urged Britain and other countries to "take responsibility" for their citizens in Syria. "It is possible the death of this baby boy and others could have been avoided," said the group's Syria response director, Sonia Khush. "All children associated with (IS) are victims of the conflict and must be treated as such." A mass exodus from the jihadists' last redoubt in eastern Syria has sparked a humanitarian emergency, as the SDF leads an offensive to smash the last remnants of the IS territory. The International Rescue Committee on Friday said that 12,000 women and children had arrived at the Kurdish-run Al-Hol camp since Wednesday. Since December, at least 100 people have died en route to the camp or shortly after arriving, mostly children under five, the IRC said. Britain stripped Shamima Begum of her citizenship last month despite her wishes to return to the country Tens of thousands of people have left the Islamic State group's last redoubt in eastern Syria in recent months Since December, at least 100 people have died en route to the Al-Hol camp or shortly after arriving, mostly children under five, according to the International Rescue Committee A Chicago grand jury on Friday indicted American actor Jussie Smollett on 16 felony counts after allegedly lying to police about being the victim of a racist, homophobic hate crime. Police say Smollett -- who gained fame on Fox musical drama "Empire" -- staged the attack in a bid to gain publicity and a bigger paycheck. Instead, the 36-year-old actor -- who is black and gay -- has been dropped from the last two episodes of the show's current season, and his future is now in the hands of the court. Smollett was charged last month with one felony count of disorderly conduct for allegedly filing a false police report. He allegedly sent himself a threatening letter and then hired two acquaintances to stage a street attack in downtown Chicago, complete with homophobic and racial slurs, while invoking Donald Trump's "Make America Great Again" slogan. According to court documents published online by local media, the 16-count indictment lists the specific statutes Smollett violated by telling police he had been attacked when he knew "there was no reasonable ground for believing" that such crimes had occurred. Smollett has denied the allegations against him and in a statement to the media, his attorney Mark Geragos decried what he called "prosecutorial overkill." "Jussie adamantly maintains his innocence even if law enforcement has robbed him of that presumption," Geragos said. The case has drawn intense national interest with everyone from politicians to celebrities and late night talk show hosts commenting. When asked about the indictment, a Fox spokesman declined to comment. Smollett was released on bond in February. He is next due back in court on March 14. Police accuse Jussie Smollett of staging a hate attack for personal gain A teen struck down with a rare auto-immune disease that stole parts of her childhood has had a special wish come true. Chymer Henley, from Mount Isa in Queensland, was diagnosed with a rheumatic heart disease when she was just 14. It has meant endless trips to the hospital and lots of medication. Its a disease that affects valves around the heart and can stop the blood pumping around the vital organ. Chymer Henley realised her dream of being a model. Source: 7 News It was a hard time, I had to go through a lot of pain, she said. But Chymers hospital routine was broken up when she stepped off a plane at Brisbane Airport and had her greatest wish granted stepping straight onto her own runway to live her dream of becoming a model. Chymer Henley arrives at the Melbourne Fashion Festival. Source: 7 News The surprise took years to plan and tears to realise it was real. This week she learnt to pose and stride the catwalk alongside other models. It was just the start of Chymas Starlight wish the next was a front row seat to one of Australias biggest fashion shows. Chymer Henley was diagnosed with the rare disease when she was 14. Source: 7 News She was given the VIP treatment, arriving in style in a limo to Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival. I feel like Im one of the models, she said. Her father said Chyma had to be restricted from doing things she loved, like sport, and her dream was to be a model. The brave teen said its an industry where she would like to see more diversity. Do you know more or have a story tip? Email: y7newsroom@yahoo7.com.au. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter and stay up to date with the latest news with Yahoo7s daily newsletter. Sign up here. A man has been charged with the alleged murder of a Sydney woman who went missing two months ago, as police continue their search for her body. Samah Baker was last seen by a friend after being dropped at her Parramatta home in the early hours of January 4. Relatives reported the 30-year-old missing later that day after they couldnt get in touch with her. Local detectives, with help from the homicide squad, launched an immediate investigation and on Wednesday, began a forensic search of bushland at Yarra, southwest of Goulburn. A man has been charged over the alleged murder of Samah Baker, who went missing in January. Source: Facebook/Elena Baker Officers found several items they believe may be relevant to the investigation and are now having them forensically tested. On Friday morning, detectives arrested a 32-year-old man at a shopping centre in Hurstville. He was charged with murder and refused bail to appear at Parramatta Bail Court via video link on Saturday. Police are continuing their inquiries as they search for Ms Bakers body. Do you have a story tip? Email: y7newsroom@yahoo7.com.au. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter and stay up to date with the latest news with Yahoo7s daily newsletter. Sign up here. Vote counting began after polls closed on Saturday in keenly fought governorship and state assembly elections in Nigeria, held against a backdrop of political tensions and insecurity. For the second time in a fortnight, Nigerians went to the polls to elect governors in 29 of Nigeria's 36 states, all state assemblies and administrative councils in the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is expected to announce the results in a few days. Although voting was mostly peaceful a local election observer was killed by a stray bullet as police attempted to disperse demonstrators in southeastern Enugu state. There were also reports of abductions, violence and vote buying, as well as at least 10 deaths before and on polling day. The Situation Room umbrella group of more than 70 civil society monitoring organisations recorded seven deaths on Saturday, just weeks after 53 people were killed in presidential polls. INEC meanwhile said some of its staff had been abducted by "thugs" in the southern states of Rivers and Akwa Ibom. "We are working with the security forces to ensure they are rescued," INEC spokesman Rotimi Oyekanmi told AFP, without specifying how many were seized. "When thugs invade our polling units and kidnap our staff there is nothing we can do but rely on security forces," he added. Some election workers protested at the non-payment of their 10,000-naira ($28, 25-euro) salaries, and technical issues with biometric card readers delayed voting elsewhere. Five journalists and two staff from the CoolWazobiaInfo FM Radio station were abducted for four hours by gunmen in military camouflage in the Rivers state capital Port Harcourt. They were later released unharmed. Many voters as well as opposition parties complained about the "militarisation" of the vote, given the strong presence of troops on the ground. The beaten presidential election candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, said the involvement of the military was "unconstitutional". The PDP is hoping for victory in some of the 22 states currently run by President Muhammadu Buhari's ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). - Local impact - Governors are powerful and influential figures in Nigeria's federal politics, controlling state finances and responsible for key areas from education to health. They can also provide a strong collective voice in Abuja. Political scientist Jibrin Ibrahim, from the Centre for Democracy and Development, said governorship and state assembly elections mean more to many voters than the presidential ballot. "Most of governance functions at the state level where it has the most impact on people's lives," he said. "The choices people make in these elections really determine the level of governance they get." Voting patterns are often predicted to broadly mirror presidential polling. But initial indications were of a low turn-out, with the military blamed as well as voter apathy after a disorganised and delayed presidential vote in February. Adewunmi Emoruwa, an analyst for the Gatefield Consultancy, a public affairs and media group in Abuja, said: "Local elections matter. "But what we are witnessing today are signs of eroding faith in the democratic order." - Death and disruption - Most domestic and international observers said last month's presidential vote was credible, despite well-documented problems. But tensions remain high as the PDP challenges the result in court. Accusations from the two main parties, accusing the other of conspiring with INEC to rig the result, have not gone away. Two people were killed and 35 vehicles destroyed in violence between party supporters in the southwest state of Lagos on Friday, the Situation Room said. In the southern states of Ebonyi and Bayelsa, two people were killed in each state, according to local reports. A further three were killed in the volatile state of Rivers in the oil producing Delta region, according to Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi. Amaechi, a former governor of Rivers, confirmed three people were killed on Friday, including a local government chairman. "The killings happened because the military were not on the ground," he said after voting in his hometown. The PDP governor, Nyesom Wike, had accused the military of complicity in the killing of 16 people in the Abonnema area of the state. Adding to tensions in Rivers this time is a court ruling barring any APC candidates from standing in the gubernatorial election because of procedural irregularities in the selection process. INEC meanwhile said tens of thousands of voters could be affected by fires at its offices in the southern states of Akwa Ibom and Ebonyi, and central Benue. Nigerians went to the polls to elect governors in 29 of Nigeria's 36 states, all state assemblies and administrative councils in the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is expected to announce the results in a few days Many voters as well as opposition parties complained about the "militarisation" of the vote, given the strong presence of troops on the ground Tens of thousands of "yellow vest" demonstrators marched in France Saturday, but the latest turnout figures suggest the movement is struggling to maintain momentum after nearly four months of protests. The interior ministry put turnout across France at 28,600, the lowest since the movement began and a significant drop from last weekend's government estimate of 39,300. While the movement regularly disputes the official figures, the numbers are a fraction of the 282,000 at the first march on November 17. Police headed off protesters who tried to set up a rally on the Champs de Mars, a large park in the centre of Paris. A yellow jacket "flash mob" event at Paris's Charles de Gaulle airport protested plans to privatise Aeroports de Paris, the body that manages the capital's airports. And separately, about a thousand "pink jackets" -- nursery school assistants and care workers -- turned out in small demonstrations across France calling for better tax and benefit conditions for their work, said organisers. Saturday's yellow vest demonstrations in several French cities also saw the clashes between police and a minority of protesters that have regularly marred the demonstrations. One protester marching in the southwest city of Bordeaux, remained stoic however. "It's normal that the turnout is less strong," said Andre, one of a number of pensioners marching. "It's raining, it's poor weather, people have the right to stay at home with their family. "There will be peaks and troughs, but it is going to continue." Organisers of the movement are already looking ahead to next weekend, which will mark four months of protests. Instead of the usual scattered rallies across France, they want demonstrators to converge on Paris. That march will also fall a day after the end of French President Emmanuel Macron's "grand national debate" -- internet and town hall meetings to gather opinions on how the country could be reformed -- launched in response to the protests. The weekly "yellow vest" rallies began in mid-November over a planned hike in fuel taxes. But they quickly grew into a broader anti-government revolt by people in rural and small-town France who have been angered by Macron's policies. - Police weapons row - The protests have often been marred by violence, while activists have also accused the police of using excessive force and the use of controversial crowd-control weapons. A French court rejected a bid by campaigners to have the use of such weapons banned. But there has been growing concern abroad as the list of casualties has lengthened. Michelle Bachelet, the head of the United Nations Human Rights Council, has called on France to investigate reports of excessive use of force by police. Government spokesman Benjamin Griveaux expressed surprise at the criticism. He pointed out that the IGPN, the body that investigates police abuses, has launched more than 100 investigations into the conduct of officers during the protests. But the mayor of one French town instructed police to stop using the controversial defensive ball launchers, whose rubber bullets have been blamed for a string of serious injuries to protesters. Dany Koxher, mayor of Phalsbourg, a town of only 5,000 people in the northeast Moselle region, admitted that the order was purely symbolic -- that he had no power to issue it. "But as a citizen and an observer, I find that the government's responses are disproportionate against the demonstrators," he told AFP. In support of his position, he cited both the statement from the UN rights body and an earlier call from the Council of Europe to suspend the use of the weapons. sva-rfo-sha-ito/jj/klm 'Yellow Vest' protesters returned to the Champs Elysees in Paris for the latest of their weekly marches 'Pink vest' campaigners -- nursery assistants and care workers calling for better tax and benefit conditions for their work -- staged their own smaller demonstrations Many of the rallies around France were again marred by clashes between police and protesters Two teenagers have ended up in Barcelona after a drunken night out got out of hand. Tara Hammersley, 19, was enjoying a night out in Sussex, England, with her best friend Jack Messer, 19, when the pair ended up at Gatwick airport. It was there that Jack, a retail worker, decided to book two tickets to Barcelona for a spontaneous trip abroad. Tara who studies psychology at Nottingham Trent University claims she cant remember anything from their airport escapade and woke up during their descent into Spain. The pair spent four days in Barcelona, with Tara claiming she had no clothes or money, before returning to the UK on February 27. Tara Hammersley said she couldnt remember what had happened. Source: Caters News We decided, as Tara was in need of some food, to head to Gatwick Airport for a cheeky McDonalds, Jack said, explaining how the impromptu adventure was sparked. Its only 15 minutes away from the club and it was the easiest place to go for food. But as soon as we saw the planes, we decided to check out SkyScanner. Thats when I decided to book our flight to Barcelona for a little spontaneous holiday. The pair feeling a little worse for wear found the cheapest deal on Skyscanner and settled on Barcelona as their chosen destination. Apparently we then decided it would be a great idea to go on holiday, we nearly went to Morocco, Tara said. I dont remember this but Jack filled me in the last thing I remember was being sick in the club toilets. Jack remembers booking the flights but cant remember anything after that. When I woke up on the flight I had no idea where I was my initial thought was I had died and was on my way to heaven. Tara Hammersley and Jack Messer decided to stay in Barcelona for a couple of days. Source: Caters News After she asked Jack multiple times where they were, he finally remembers they were going to Barcelona. I just said, oh my god what have we done, and eventually laughed it off, she said. The intoxicated pair caused trouble before even leaving the country, as they almost werent allowed on the flight because they were so drunk. I have no idea how we made it through airport security and on to the plane but somehow it happened, she said. Story continues The flight wasnt the end of the disaster upon arriving in Barcelona, Tara found herself without money, clothes or cards, having not taken them with her on the night out. The pair booked the flight after going to Gatwick Airport for a late-night snack. Source: Getty/file Thankfully Jack had his card so I had to use that for the whole trip we also had no clothes apart from what we wore to the club that night, Tara said. I had on a shiny, silver bodycon dress not the best outfit to travel in. We had to buy some clothes and borrow some clothes off some friends we made at the hostel we were staying in. We decided to stay in Barcelona for a couple of days and try to make the most out of our drunken mistake. We spent most of the time chilling out on the beach and going out drinking at night. All in all we had a good holiday although Im hoping that this doesnt happen again my mum has confiscated my passport since. U.S. Rep. John Katko believes the campaign finance system must be addressed, but doesn't agree with a Democratic-backed proposal that would establish a system in which candidates could receive matching funds for small donations. The House of Representatives passed an election and ethics reform package Friday that included several provisions, such as a mandate that super PACs and nonprofit groups disclose donor information if they gave at least $10,000. The measure would designate Election Day as a national holiday, allow automatic voter registration, restore voting rights for individuals who served sentences after being convicted of a felony and require presidential candidates to release at least 10 years of federal tax returns. The bill, named the For the People Act, passed on a party line vote of 234-193. Katko, R-Camillus, joined his Republican colleagues in opposing the bill. Following the vote, Katko repeated his support of campaign finance reform and noted that he joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers to introduce a constitutional amendment that would overturn the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision. He voted against the Democrats' bill primarily because of the matching funds program that would reward candidates who receive small donations. It would provide a six-to-one match for donations up to $200. Katko described the proposal as a "publicly funded electoral system." But a change secured by some Democrats, including U.S. Rep. Anthony Brindisi, would prevent taxpayer funds from being used for the matching funds program. Brindisi, D-Utica, announced last week that he advocated for the revision because he didn't believe taxpayers should help fund campaigns. Under the final version of the bill, the matching funds program would be financed by a fine on corporations guilty of wrongdoing. The bill does include language Katko supports to bolster election security and prevent foreign actors from interfering in elections. "I am heartened to see Congress take these issues seriously, and will continue to advocate for these bipartisan reforms," he said. The Democratic proposal won't progress in Congress. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican, has said he will not allow a vote on the bill. Even if passed the Senate, President Donald Trump would veto the measure. Online producer Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 282-2220 or robert.harding@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @robertharding. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 New York winters seem to go on forever, with a combination of cold, snow and freezing rain that has many dreaming of warmer climates. Seymour Library is the perfect stay-cation destination to beat the winter blues with programs on travel, virtual reality, history and more! Travel the world without ever leaving your chair! Travel to Morocco with Auburn Enlarged City School District librarians Anne Mlod and Victoria Calarco as they spotlight the highlights of their trip at 6 p.m. Monday, March 11. After the presentation, explore Morocco with the librarys Google Expedition kit. View tourist attractions like the heart of old Marrakesh: La place Jemaa el-Fna, La Koutoubia (the largest mosque in Marrakesh), Le palais de la Bahia (an ornate 19th-century palace) and more in virtual reality! Time travel is another option to get away from the cold and the snow! Although we dont have a time machine (yet), we do have a live portrayal of lighthouse keeper Kate Gortler Walker and an intro to HeritageQuest Online, the perfect tool to explore your family history. For over 30 years, Kate Walker (1848-1931), the only female keeper of a water-bound lighthouse on the eastern seaboard, tended the light on Robbins Reef, a rocky outcropping on the west side of Upper New York Bay. During her service as head keeper, she rescued over 50 sailors and passengers! Watch history come to life with a live portrayal of Kate Walker at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 19. HeritageQuest Online offers materials for researching family histories and American culture with indexes of genealogy resources and original page images. It includes over 20,000 books, the entire U.S. Census from 1790 to 1940, PERSI (PERiodical Source Index), Freedmans Bank Records, Revolutionary War Pension Records, and more. Join Jenny Shonk, the continuing education and outreach librarian at the Finger Lakes Library System, and learn how to use this relatively easy and free research tool, available through your local library, at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 20. Space is limited, so please register at the librarys main desk or by calling (315) 252-2571. Winter boredom setting in? Explore a new hobby or craft with Seymour Librarys Discover! Kits. Discover! Kits include the tools and information that you need to try out a number of activities, including quilting, watercolor, cake decorating and more! Or try out our cake pan collection, now with over 40 different pans available to check out with your library card! For the days that we are stuck inside, visit the librarys website at seymourlibrary.org/elibrary. Take a class on wide variety of topics with Universal Class and ArtistsWorks. Exercise can be the perfect way to shake off the the winter chill! Join instructors Deborah Daly and Wendy Vitale for chair yoga classes from 3 to 4 p.m. Thursdays, March 14 and 21. No mats are required, but comfortable clothes and shoes are recommended. Or explore how technology can help you meet your fitness goals during "Technology, Health, and Fitness" from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Mondays, March 11 and 25. Get hands-on experience using apps like My Fitness Pal. Bring your own device or use a tablet or phone provided by the Cayuga Community Health Network. Registration is required, so please call the library at (315) 252-2571. Looking to get the kids out of the house? The librarys Childrens Room has storytimes and STEAM-based programs perfect to engage all ages. Discover germs, fingerprints and more using the librarys microscopes during Junior Scientists, a monthly program for homeschooling families, at 1 p.m. Monday, March 18. It's open to all ages. All materials are provided. Get cozy at the library with Pajama Storytime at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 20. Kids and families are invited to wear their pajamas to the library for this fun storytime featuring stories, songs and movement activities! This months theme: "Things That Go." The event is open to all ages. Explore stories, songs and movement about shapes during "SENS"ory Saturday: Shapes at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 23. This program was designed for children who experience sensory integration challenges, are on the autism spectrum or have a difficult time in a large group setting. It's open to all ages and abilities. For more information about upcoming programs or to explore the tools and resources offered by Seymour Library, visit the librarys website at seymourlibrary.org. Jackie Kolb is community services coordinator at Seymour Library in Auburn. For more information, visit seymourlibrary.org or call (315) 252-2571. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Two candidates so far have received endorsements to succeed current Cayuga County District 10 Legislator Joe Bennett in representing Auburn's northwestern corner. Edward Darrow, a Republican, has been endorsed by the Cayuga County Republican and Conservative Committees. The Cayuga County Democratic Committee endorsed Heidi Nightengale, an independent. With a shortened petitioning season thanks to election reforms passed by the state Legislature and signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo last month, Darrow and Nightengale have until April 1-4 to submit gathered signatures to the state. A lifelong Auburn resident, Darrow, 56, has served on Auburn's Zoning Board of Appeals for nearly 30 years, and said he would bring a wealth of business and community service experience to the Legislature. The zoning board in particular has helped him understand working with fellow citizens and how to work with them on any problems or dilemmas, he said. "I think that's a lot of what a county legislator has to do, they have to relate to their constituents," Darrow said. As the owner of CNY Pool Services for more than 30 years, Darrow also said he has the budgetary and managerial experience necessary to help reducing the tax burden on resident, one of his chief goals if elected. "Everybody is finding ourselves having to do more with less. I don't think government should be any different," Darrow said. To achieve that, Darrow said the county should continue to explore sharing services between municipalities and finding efficiencies with upgraded technology. Darrow said he was also especially interested in public safety, and working from the Legislature's side to ensure emergency responders have everything they need to protect themselves and the public while also being fiscally responsible. Protecting Owasco Lake from harmful algal blooms is Darrow's other priority, he said, calling it "one of our jewels of the Finger Lakes." If elected, Darrow said he'd like to further cooperation with state and federal agencies to prevent further harm to the lake rather than only reacting to problems as they arise. Nightengale, 57, moved into the district 26 years ago in order to be close to her first job after finishing grad school at The Neighborhood House daycare center. Motivated to run in part by her participation in the Women Elect Political Action Committee leadership program, a national program designed to help women enter into politics. "I think that I have always had a strong interest in community involvement and always have been involved in community leadership but have never taken it to the next level, and that's public office," Nightengale said. With her experience directing the Neighborhood House and as deputy director of The Partnership for Results, where she oversaw a $2 million annual budget, Nightengale said she had the experience to make responsible budgetary decisions, with a focus on health and human services. "I think the Legislature has some very strong responsibilities. One of the ones the taxpayers look to us for our leadership the most is fiduciary responsibility," Nightengale said. Nightengale also stressed that as an educator currently working as a professor of human services at SUNY Empire State College on the Cayuga Community College campus she would be "committed to hard work," making sure she'd be fully prepared for every legislative meeting. "I don't ever intended to go into a decision-making capacity without reading and understanding how and where my decisions are going to come from," Nightengale said. Both candidates, and any other potential hopefuls, must submit petitions to state and county election boards between April 1 to April 4. Any necessary primary elections are scheduled for June 25, with the general election set for Nov. 5. Staff writer Ryan Franklin can be reached at (315) 282-2252 or ryan.franklin@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @RyanNYFranklin Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 In a series of rulings over the past several decades interpreting the Eighth Amendment's prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment, the Supreme Court has prohibited the execution of some of the most helpless people in the nation, including children and people with intellectual disabilities. On Wednesday, the court spared from execution Vernon Madison, who cannot remember the circumstances surrounding his 1985 conviction in Alabama for the murder of a police officer. Mr. Madison suffered at least two severe strokes after his conviction, and his lawyers had told the justices that he had vascular dementia and attendant cognitive decline. As Justice Elena Kagan explained in a 5-to-3 decision siding with Mr. Madison, a faulty memory alone does not trigger the protections of the Eighth Amendment, just as the diagnosis of a mental illness alone would not. Instead, Justice Kagan wrote, what's relevant is whether the person possesses a "rational understanding" of why the state wants to impose the ultimate punishment. (Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who hadn't yet been confirmed when the court first heard the dispute, did not participate in Mr. Madison's case.) In prior cases laying the foundation for this principle, the Supreme Court justices have reasoned that executing someone who can't rationally understand his crime or punishment "simply offends humanity" and would serve no "retributive value." Which is to say: If a man condemned to die can't comprehend the true meaning of society's judgment against him, what is the value of that condemnation? "Do you have an independent recollection of the Civil War?" asked Justice Kagan in her opinion in Madison v. Alabama. "Obviously not. But you may still be able to reach a rational indeed, a sophisticated understanding of that conflict and its consequences." The justice went on: "Do you recall your first day of school? Probably not. But if your mother told you years later that you were sent home for hitting a classmate, you would have no trouble grasping the story." The lower courts may again conclude, based on the Supreme Court's guidance and expert medical testimony, that executing Mr. Madison doesn't qualify as cruel and unusual. But until then, the Supreme Court's decision joined by the rest of the liberal bloc and Chief Justice John Roberts Jr. provides hope that officials may yet realize that it's inhumane to put to death someone too impaired to remember the crime he committed or comprehend the punishment he is facing. The New York Times New York does not levy sales tax on either over-the-counter or prescription medication, and it shouldn't. The people who most need such drugs are often the ones least able to afford them. But a bill imposing such a tax and signed last year by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo did try to take that into account. The law said the $100 million to be raised annually from manufacturers of opioids could not be passed on to consumers. But in December, a federal district court judge in Manhattan said the state law could unconstitutionally shift the burden of the cost to out-of-state consumers. The law likely wasn't going to be nearly as helpful in funding addiction treatment and prevention programs as many hoped. It designated only $20 million of that $100 million to address drug addiction, with no plan for deploying it. The rest would have gone to the general fund. Cuomo is trying it again, with a new bill in this year's budget, and it's worse. This time the tax can be passed on to the consumer, making the law more likely to survive a legal challenge but worse for New Yorkers. The state has done a good job of cracking down on a number of painkiller prescriptions for people who shouldn't have them because of its I-STOP oversight system. As dangerous and powerful as opioids are, most people getting them legally need them and shouldn't have to pay a surcharge on top of their out-of-pocket costs. And since users only pay a fraction of a drug's costs, the higher tax on manufacturers means insurance premiums for all New Yorkers would climb. Drug companies that were complicit in fueling opioid addiction must be made to pay to address that problem. But New York already is seeking that remedy in the courts. Increasing costs for all New Yorkers will only make the high cost of health care even worse. Newsday, Long Island Pope Francis said all the right things during an extraordinary conference to discuss sexual abuse by Roman Catholic priests and cover-ups by their superiors. But what he did not say has some observers upset. Francis summoned 190 Catholic bishops and many other high-ranking church officials to Vatican City to discuss the scandal, which dates back generations. On Sunday, the pope vowed to confront abusers with "the wrath of God." For the faithful, that goes without saying and is beyond the influence of any mortal, of course. But it is earthly punishment that concerns those unsatisfied with the pope's actions during the meeting. He failed to present a detailed, concrete plan to deal with abuse in the past and prevent it in the future, critics have said. Some church officials have taken harsh action, of course. Lists of names of priests, even bishops, "credibly accused" of misdeeds have been released. Sadly, the lists are long. Some priests and even bishops have been kicked out of the church. Law enforcement authorities will be aided, if appropriate, church officials vow. And there will be no more cover-ups, the Catholic hierarchy insists. In truth, what Francis needs to accomplish is not some new written strategy but rather, an end to the seemingly endless revelations of new outrages. Yes, 2017. No plan for dealing with predators and their protectors will be enough to placate many Catholics, as long as new reports of sickening outrages continue to surface. The Post-Journal, Jamestown Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 " " Could California become home to an American version of Germany's autobahn? Sean Gallup/Getty Images Germany is known for several awesome things, including beer, brats and of course, the autobahn. Bundesautobahn as it's known in Germany, is really just a federal highway system there, but to visitors, the allure of the autobahn is the speed limit, or lack of one. Cars can top 150 miles per hour (241.4 kilometers per hour), or more on this famed freeway. And now a California legislator is proposing a bill that could make the state home to what is being called the "American Autobahn." John Moorlach, the Republican state senator from Orange County, introduced bill SB 319 in February 2019, to relieve traffic congestion along Interstate 5 and State Route 99. According to the proposed plan, both roadways would get new lanes, one northbound and one southbound. Drivers in the new lanes would not have to abide by a speed limit, though the existing 65 miles-per-hour (104.6 kilometers-per-hour) limit would remain in effect in the existing lanes. The idea also could provide an alternative to California's controversial, long-delayed and possibly canceled high-speed rail project. This proposal comes on the heels of California Governor Gavin Newsom's announcement that the bullet train, as planned, is too expensive at an estimated cost of $77 billion and would take too long to build. Advertisement Funding the American Autobahn There are no official cost estimates for SB 319, but in February, Moorlach told the Los Angeles Times it could cost about $3 billion. He also said the money would come from the state's cap-and-trade program, which requires companies to offset pollution by purchasing credits. If plans move forward, the American Autobahn would be constructed along major freeways, with Lebec (about 80 miles [128.7 kilometers] north of L.A.) at the southern point and Sacramento or Stockton at the northern end. That means (theoretically) vehicles traveling north at 100 mph (160.95 kph) in the unrestricted lane could make the trip to Sacramento from Lebec in about three hours. Currently that drive takes well over four hours. Aside from improving drivetimes for those along that route, the authors of the bill claim it will also help reduce congestion, which would in turn decrease greenhouse gas emissions from cars stuck idling. For that reason, the bill specifies that funding should come from California's Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, which regularly supports transportation and transit projects that reduce pollution. Advertisement What Opponents Think Critics point out, however, that cars traveling this fast will actually emit higher emissions, so there won't be any net reduction in pollution. In fact, Bill Magavern, a spokesperson for the Coalition for Clean Air, told SFGate that net-reduction-in-emissions theory is "ridiculous." "Emission goes up at high speeds; this would encourage people to drive cars really fast on our highway, and that would increase emissions coming from transportation," he told SFGate. In addition to the pollution concerns, critics are also worried about the risks to drivers. Maureen Vogel, a spokeswoman for the National Safety Council, told USA Today that numerous studies demonstrate that when states raise speed limits, they can expect an increase in traffic fatalities. Statistics from the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) do actually show that motor vehicle crashes are down by almost 2 percent between 2016 and 2017. However, the NHTSA also points out that in 2017, speeding was the factor in 26 percent of all traffic fatalities that accounts for nearly 10,000 deaths. Several states across the U.S. have increased speed limits. For instance, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and Wyoming allow drivers to travel 80 mph (128.7 kph) on certain highways, and Texas allows 85 mph (136.7 kph) along a specific stretch of State Highway 130. However, the current maximum speed in California is still 70 mph (112.8 kph), with some stretches named in SB 319 at 65 mph (104.6 kph). Californians shouldn't get too excited, yet. The bill has a long way before ever becoming law, and may never get there. If it passes the vote in the state's House and Senate, it then must approved by Gov. Gavin Newsom. Now That's Interesting Business Insider called Germany's Autobahn one of the best highway systems in the world. The entire Autobahn covers 7,500 miles (12,070 kilometers), though contrary to popular belief, there are some sections with speed limits. New drivers in Germany are actually trained on the Autobahn to learn how to handle the high speeds, and the country's licensing process is a lot more difficult, time-consuming and expensive than it is in the United States. In order to maintain this blog I have to pay for its upkeep including a hosting company, support services, virus and other malicious hackers. If you appreciate what I write please make a donation. Egyptian Streets Mama Maggie Gobran was honored the International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award during an annual celebration on Thursday by the US Department of State. Mama Maggie, second last on the right Mama Maggie of Egypt is being honored for her commitment to serve lives of the poor in her community, realizing value of those seeking vocational training in order to contribute to society and providing economic salvation for impoverished children in her country, the US Department of State said in a statement. Melania Trump joined US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to confer the International Women of Courage Award on 10 recipients, including Sister Orla Treacy of Ireland, Colonel Khalida Khalaf Hanna al-Twal of Jordan, Razia Sultana of Bangladesh, and Marini de Livera of Sri Lanka. Courage is what divides those who only talk about change from those who actually act to change, Mrs. Trump said. Courage takes sacrifice, bravery and humility. It is the ability to put others first. Maggie Gobran, often referred to as the Mother Teresa of Cairo, is a Coptic Christian lady who gave up her academic career as a computer science professor at the American University in Cairo to become a Coptic Orthodox Christian consecrated servant and set up the charity Stephens Children. Stephens Children aims to improve the lives of the children and families living in Cairos slum quarters and impoverished communities in rural Upper Egypt. Growing up in an upper-middle-class family in Egypt, Gobran was first shielded from the realities of Cairos slums, yet she broke that barrie when she visited the garbage slums through an annual Easter outreach aimed at distributing food and clothing to families. Maggie was gripped by the despair she saw, and was inspired to build close bonds with children and meet their underlying needs. So far, the charity has been operating for almost 25 years and has helped reach over 30,000 families. Orcas Spotted Along Oregon Coast; Gray Whales Kicking Up Numbers Published 03/09/2019 at 5:53 AM PDT By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff (Depoe Bay, Oregon) Gray whale numbers are really starting to pick up along the Oregon coast, and that also means killer whales seem to be in the mix as well. (Photo above: Orcas at Depoe Bay in previous years, courtesy Whale Watching Center). Two reports of Orca sightings came in from the central Oregon coast, and they're causing a stir. One Oregon Coast Beach Connection reader reported seeing them near Cape Perpetua (around Yachats), while another striking report came from South Beach, at Newport. There, Surfrider Foundations Charlie Plybon said he saw four or five of them on Thursday, heading north. Sheanna Steingass, Marine Mammal Program Leader with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), said this fits the profile of what are known as the transient Orcas that wander the west coast. These are a slightly different subset of Orcas which look a little different than those from Puget Sound that come down here occasionally. The general wisdom around the state, including various Facebook groups that discuss whales of the area, is that these are likely on their way to the Columbia River area to make a meal out of the many seals there. Steingass agrees. They are most likely headed to the Columbia, she said. In the last few weeks, the number of pinnipeds there has more than tripled. When you get these smelt runs kicking up on the Columbia, you get the pinnipeds there to eat those. So transient Orcas start coming up there looking for those congregations. Runs of herring or any baitfish result in everyone showing up at the same time to dine on the increased food chain. This is why Humpbacks appear in great numbers along the north Oregon coast in the late summer: theyre following the baitfish, and so are the pelicans and other birds. Later, the transient Orcas stick around to seek out baby gray whales on their migration north, then generally hang out until May or June. Now is the time to follow the pinnipeds and in a month or so they will start tracking gray whales, Steingass said. However, I will say that gray whales are probably more of a hit-and-miss food source, while pinnipeds this time of year are always there. In April, thats when the transients turn their attention to baby gray whales in tow along the migration. But theyre not nearly as successful a food source as the seals and sea lions. Moms are really protective of their young and thats why they really hug the coastline as they migrate, Steingass said. In middle of that theres the baby whales, and those transient killer whales will go after them as well. Not much is known about the transient killer whale pods. Theyre an elusive mystery. Unlike the grays, they dont seem to have a breeding ground and their territory is vast. This group of Orcas is also not like the Orcas from Puget Sound, which eat salmon and other fish, occasionally wandering as far as south as the southern Oregon coast. Theres a lot of important areas for them, Steingass said. There are the resident killer whales of Puget Sound, but the transients also spend some time up north. But theyre a lot more mobile up and down the west coast. Theres less known about them less work being done. Steingass, like other scientists, is itching to study these Orcas more closely, even do some tagging which has been done extensively with gray whales. Ive love to learn more, but logistically theyre so challenging, she said. When you have a group of unpredictable animals out on the ocean, moving around, then you cant approach them and its not easy to know what theyre going to do. Luke Parsons, head of the Whale Watching Center in Depoe Bay, said hes not really sure if its the fish-eating Orcas of the Puget Sound or the transients being seen. But one thing is for sure: whale sightings are spiking, just in time for the peak migration happening near the end of the month. Parsons said the center spotted four whales in the one hour he was at there on Friday. During its full day on Thursday the spotted eight whales. In short, heading north to the Columbia River area is probably your best bet now to see Orcas. Then in April, the central Oregon coast will the hotspot for the massive beasts. Oregon Coast Lodgings for this - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on BeachConnection.net All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright BeachConnection.net Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted Archived Results for Saturday, March 9th, 2019 Older Page 1 A week or so ago, a group of people who don't like the idea of people drinking liquor got together to denounce efforts to privatize the state monopoly on alcohol sales, storage, and distribution.The group included representatives from the General Assembly, law enforcement, and - never to be left out of any discussion that centers on railing against alcohol - the Rev. Mark Creech of the Christian Action League They played all the usual notes of concern - easier access to alcohol for minors and problem drinkers, loss of local revenue, increased crime, etc.The N.C. Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission, which oversees some 170 boards throughout the state, is irrevocably broken. It's archaic, draconian, and should have been fixed long ago.It's useless for media outlets to continue reporting on "news" conferences such as the one led by Creech, who, simply put, would be thrilled to reenact Prohibition. Nothing more, in regard to his thoughts - and the thoughts of those with similar mindsets - needs saying.But there's a twist here.Not long after the news conference, the Wake County ABC board posted on Facebook a "thank you" - photos, included - to Creech and the gang. I asked on the post whether it was appropriate for an ABC board - a government entity - to appear as if it's supporting efforts to thwart legislation to change the monopolistic system.A short time later I tried to return to the post. It was gone.On Tuesday morning I emailed Wake County ABC General Manager Ike Wheeler and Bryan Hicks about the post. As of Wednesday afternoon, they still had failed to respond.Employees of the N.C. ABC, members of the boards, and workers in the more than 430 government-run stores around the state want to keep the status quo. Well, of course they do.But it's important they remember that, as government employees, their job is to implement and adhere to rules and laws enacted by the General Assembly and, in some cases, county and city entities. Their duties are many, and these are often complicated. Yet supporting or opposing pending legislation, in an official capacity - as an arm of government - shouldn't be among them.Expect a slew of bills this session that aim to reform liquor laws in North Carolina. Moves, for example, allowing distilleries to sell mixed drinks, giving local governments the option of operating ABC stores on Sunday, and allowing spirituous liquor tastings at ABC stores. Lawmakers will introduce measures aimed at helping North Carolina distilleries, which are treated far differently by the state than are breweries and wineries.Some of the discussions around fixing the system - replacing local money, for instance - are valid. And, yes, it's critical that we keep liquor away from minors, and that we, as a community, reach out and help problem drinkers.But some arguments are just plain hyperbolic.Rep. Pat McElraft, R-Carteret, as reported by the Insider, said during the news conference that, if the system goes private, as many as 9,000 stores in North Carolina could be selling liquor.That reasoning, based on retailers now selling beer and wine, is dubious at best.As my colleague Jon Sanders has pointed out, the idea that government control of liquor distribution and bottle sales somehow makes us safer is an old and tired belief. Yes, beer and wine are widely available throughout the state - in bars, restaurants, grocery stores, gas stations. ...Alcohol is alcohol, whether it's a dram of whiskey, a glass of wine, or pint of beer. North Carolina maintains a mysterious bias against spirituous liquor, which, so far, no opponent of reforming the N.C. ABC has begun to explain, in terms either scientific or empirical.This debate - repeating myself yet again - isn't about alcohol, yet defenders of the status quo will use the same frayed and threadbare arguments. Wouldn't it be wonderful, they probably think, if all liquor simply evaporated into the ether.But wait, they think again. The state has a stranglehold on one of the world's most innovative, vibrant, and thriving markets. A market that last year amounted to $1 billion in revenue - an all-time high - for North Carolina. Stratistics MRC says the Global Alcoholic beverages market accounted for $1,324.1 billion in 2017 and is expected to reach $1,864.2 billion by 2026, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 3.9 percent during the forecast period.Change things in North Carolina? Why, never. In his proposed budget released on Wednesday, Gov. Roy Cooper has provided the tax and spending details for his vision of a North Carolina determined to spend a lot more on state government.The strong economy allows him to recommend a $1.3 billion spending increase without rolling back any of the tax reforms enacted by Republicans in the past decade. But Medicaid expansion and a proposed $4.2 billion borrowing binge would leave state finances vulnerable to any future economic slowdown.Although supporters of Medicaid expansion claim that the program's $6 billion cost over two years is a benefit, the federal portion has a cost, as does the portion paid by the hidden hospital tax. Even those familiar with state budget documents easily could miss the fact that 10 percent of the cost of expansion would be paid through a tax on hospitals. Only the tax on Medicaid prepaid insurance plans, the care management organizations, shows up as state appropriations. The budget also acknowledges that Medicaid expansion would pull more of those already eligible for assistance into the current Medicaid program at a total cost of $190 million over two years, $51 million of which will come from state appropriations. And the expansion is not just for working adults but for anyone below the income threshold and not eligible for Medicaid already, that is, able-bodied working-age men and women who may or may not have a job.In contrast, the Opportunity Scholarship Program provides resources to low-income parents to choose private schools when the local school district has failed their families. Cooper would close the door behind those already in the program and leave other families constrained by zip code and income from giving their children access to a quality education. While limiting choices for parents of school-age children, Cooper's budget would spend another $15 million on child care and direct $16 million from the lottery for pre-kindergarten vouchers, which would enable parents to send younger children to the preschool education providers of their choice. With these expansions, funding for early childhood programs would surpass $300 million.If the budget proposal survives the legislature, voters would be asked to approve Cooper's $3.9 billion debt proposal in the November 2020 general election. Cooper's plan is double the $1.9 billion that is moving ahead in the N.C. House. The $2 billion for public school district facilities alone is equal to the entire Connect NC bond passed in 2016. In addition, the proposal would borrow $500 million for projects at community colleges, $800 million for water and sewer projects, $100 million for the Museum of History and the NC Zoo, and $500 million for university projects.Cooper suggests borrowing another $288 million, this time without voter approval, to move the Department of Health and Human Services headquarters to Blue Ridge Road in Raleigh and to update a water lab for the Department of Environmental Quality. Blue Ridge Road is the current site of Troop C of the State Highway Patrol, the state's textbook warehouse, motor fleet management, and mail service center.More spending, more borrowing, and more need for government approval are the hallmarks of this budget proposal. The House and Senate will likely provide more restrained visions of what government can do, what it can afford, and what it should even attempt. Expect the legislative proposals to increase the Savings Reserve and possibly return some taxpayer dollars to businesses and people who pay taxes. The Senate on Thursday unanimously passed a bill to protect state whistleblowers from retaliation. Senate Bill 127 , which heads to the House, would bring North Carolina in line with laws in dozens of other states.Senators said the bill didn't arise from any specific situation. But they acknowledged it would apply to a showdown lawmakers are having with Gov. Roy Cooper and his administration over the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. The General Assembly hired a team of investigators to look into the administration's negotiations with utilities about the pipeline, but Cooper doesn't want employees to talk to them, calling it a political fishing expedition.Legislators accused Cooper of creating an unconstitutional $57.8 million contingency fund from money his aides negotiated with the energy companies building the 600-mile pipeline across West Virginia, Virginia, and North Carolina. The General Assembly redirected the money to eight school districts in the pipeline's path.Some lawmakers have called it a slush fund, and expressed concerns about possible coercion and pay-to-play schemes. Pipeline developers were attempting to get a vital water permit from the state Department of Environmental Quality at the same time Cooper's staff was negotiating the side deal for tens of millions of dollars he would control.Carolina Journal first broke the story about the irregular pipeline deal, and has published a series of stories about the issue Senators passed the Protecting Government Accountability Act 44-0 with little discussion other than adopting two amendments.One would require heads of state agencies, departments, and institutions to inform their employees about the law. The other clarified that the protections covered state employee testimony to agents or employees of legislative inquiry panels appointed by the Speaker of the House or Senate President Pro Tempore.Senate Majority Leader Harry Brown, R-Onslow, and Sens. Ralph Hise, R-Mitchell, and Warren Daniel, R-Burke, introduced the legislation. The senators said Cooper and N.C. Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Michael Regan had refused to affirm they wouldn't retaliate against public employees who voluntarily shared information with the General Assembly's independent investigators.Current whistleblower statutes protect employees who share information about violations of state law or regulation; fraud; misappropriation of state resources; danger to the public; or gross mismanagement. The law hasn't included employees sharing protected information with the legislature or its designated surrogates outside a traditional public hearing.Without that specific protection, employees could be intimidated from disclosing information.Brown said in a press release immediately after the vote.Brown said.Brown said Regan recently refused to answer a letter from lawmakers asking for his commitment not to retaliate against public employees who share information with the private investigators.Senators included in their press release examples of strong whistleblower protection laws in Delaware, Iowa, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Missouri, and New Jersey. They said 28 states have similar employee safeguards from retaliation or discrimination. Gov. Roy Cooper (CJ photo by Don Carrington) There's no extra money.The 2019-20 General Assembly session is well under way. Bills are being filed and committees are meeting, but the attention will soon fall on the biennial budget, which the governor introduced this week and included new and expanded spending, including a 9.1 percent raise for teachers. Early revenue returns have been optimistic, even showing a surplus in the $150 million range. But folks eager to spend that might want to proceed cautiously. The money is already spent.Smart budget decisions and a strong economy over the past few years enabled lawmakers to put $2 billion into the savings reserve fund, about 10 percent of the general fund and the highest level of savings in state history. Thank goodness it was available when Hurricanes Michael and Florence devastated eastern communities. The General Assembly took about $850 million out of the rainy-day fund for hurricane recovery with a promise to replenish it within five years. They would be wise to rebuild that savings account as quickly as possible to ensure North Carolina is prepared for the next storm, whether a natural disaster or an economic downturn. In addition, a 2016 law requires 15 percent of new savings go directly into the savings reserves.What it takes to run the Medicaid program will be recalculated, as it is every year under the ACA, to adjust spending based on increasing medical costs and additions to enrollment and usage. Twenty percent of North Carolinians are on Medicaid, and almost 50 percent of babies born here are covered by Medicaid. A proposed expansion would add 500,000 mostly able-bodied childless, working-age adults to the program. As a federal entitlement program, Medicaid funding has precedent, and this year's adjustment to the current program could cost upwards of $200 million.Commitments have been made for repairs and renovations to state-owned facilities, new construction is under way on projects across the state, and general obligations bonds and other debt equals $7.3 billion. A recent change in the law requires 4 percent of the general fund go toward paying these debts and obligations. The State Capital and Infrastructure Fund is $956 million; the $150 million is new money not spent last year.North Carolina is now the ninth most-populous state, with more than 112,000 people moving here in the past year. As school enrollment grows, education costs rise. Recent reductions in class size require more school funding for the additional teachers as classes get smaller.Thanks to a commitment to make teacher pay competitive with other states, and with four consecutive years of pay raises, average teacher pay is $53,000. Promises were made to raise the average salary to $55,000 next year.Our state health and pension plans for state employees, teachers and retirees has $50 billion in unfunded liabilities. Promises were made to continue paying the health-care costs of the 700,000 workers covered under the state health plan. As medical costs increase, so do costs to the state health plan. About 950,000 retirees in the system are entitled to receive pension benefits promised when hired. A recent law establishes an Employee Benefit Trust Fund; building a reserve for this unfunded liability is a good idea. Meanwhile, the promise made to state employees has to be kept, and it's an expensive one - about $150 million this year.Promises were made to continue expanding Opportunity scholarships. Costs will be incurred as we implement the Raise the Age program for juveniles in the prison system.Built-in obligations mean added spending as additional tax cuts become effective in 2019. The personal income tax will go down from 5.499 percent to 5.25 percent, and the 3 percent corporate tax rate will tick down to 2.25 percent.Promises made, promises kept.Reining in the growth of state government, cutting taxes, reducing burdensome regulations, and making the right investments in education and infrastructure have paid off. Unemployment is the lowest in 17 years. North Carolina's economy is strong and continues to grow. To ensure continued growth, strong fiscal discipline is needed. We should stay the course, live within our means, save when we can and spend cautiously and carefully. That means making reasonable promises you can keep, and not spending money you don't have. Hawaii Urges 2A Repeal, and More By Dan Zimmerman. March 7th, 2019 This week, a resolution was introduced in the Hawaii state Senate calling on the U.S. Congress to change or repeal the Second Amendment. This resolution shows a gross disregard for individual liberties that the United States was founded upon. Senate Concurrent Resolution 42, introduced by Senators Stanley Chang (D-9) and Karl Rhoads (D-13), would urge the U.S. Congress to adopt an amendment to eliminate the individual rights of citizens. On top of the introduction of this egregious resolution, four anti-gun bills passed their chambers of origin. ....... Apart from the four 'gun control' bills referred to - the call for changing or even repealing the Second Amendment is almost beyond belief. Hawaii has long been among the least friendly to citizen gun ownership but this shows that they are marching fast forward to try and disarm everyone - as ever, needless to say, the criminal element will be unaffected. The JPFO "Confiscation Clock" if applied here would probably not be at '12 minutes to midnight' but nearer '2 minutes to midnight'. Back to Top Except for wealthy institutions possessing high-status research centers or law schools, sponsoring debates or forums about public policy with different perspectives is not a priority in higher education. Many political issues debated everywhere else in American society are not debated at all, or only rarely, in campus public events. Almost all undergraduates can vote, but few are exposed to diverse viewpoints about the major policies which should inform their franchise. Direct universities to establish an Office of Public Policy Events; Direct the new office to host debates, panel discussions, and individual lectures from a wide diversity of viewpoints on current public policy issues; Direct the new office to keep a yearly calendar of events that is open to inspection by the public and policymakers; and Direct the new office to record each event and make it available for the public to view. If the campus marketplace of ideas was functioning properly, legislative adoption of this proposal would be unnecessary. With administrators and faculty averse to debate from across the political spectrum, it is up to trustees and legislators to step in. This Act would advance the goal of improving higher education at public colleges and universities by encouraging well-formed and intelligent debate on important public policy issues. Such debate is needed to ensure that college students acquire a well-rounded understanding of the range of views that shape our state and national discussions on matters of which Americans at large disagree. Kurtz takes a wonderful idea that I have long advocated, for colleges to promote debates and discussions of opposing ideas, and he completely ruins this great idea by legislating it and suffocating it with insane bureaucratic rules. American colleges and universities lean left. Among faculty at leading U.S. universities, Democrats outnumber Republicans by more than 11-to-one. The administration is even more skewed: there, Democrats outnumber Republicans by 12-to-one. Further evidence can be found by examining summer reading choices, non-academic campus programming, commencement speakers, and funding given to student groups.George R. LaNoue observed in a Martin Center article that this imbalance extends to the conversation on campus. LaNoue is a research professor of political science and research professor of public policy at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County. In a study on campus debates, LaNoue found:LaNoue suggested that oversight from policymakers and trustees was necessary to facilitate change byNow Stanley Kurtz, a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center and author of a successful bill to protect free speech on university campuses, has proposed a solution that goes one step further. His new model legislation is entitled The Campus Intellectual Diversity Act. It does a few things, which Kurtz explained recently in National Review. The Act would:Kurtz' idea isn't new. Richard Vedder, an emeritus economics professor at Ohio University, suggested a similar approach in Forbes last year. He recommended inviting diverse speakers as a "cheaper, quicker, and politically probably more feasible" alternative to attempting to control faculty hiring.The American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA) has also recommended improving the campus intellectual climate by inviting more outside speakers. In a recent publication, " Intellectual Diversity: A Time for Action ," ACTA recommends that universities encourage balanced panels and speaker series as one of its "practical suggestions."At least two schools have already proven the value of debates on campus. At Princeton, Robbie George and Cornel West have taught and lectured together-showing students how to disagree deeply but without rancor or personal animus. Their lectures have been wildly popular. Ohio University has recently introduced a new lecture series entitled "Challenging Dialogues." The purpose of the series is to "provide [an] outlet for campus-wide discussion and debate.What is new is implementing the idea legislatively. That's one of the reasons that the Act has received mixed (although mostly positive) reviews from critics and observers of higher education.Emory University professor Mark Bauerlein praised the Act in an article for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, saying it will improve civil discourse by exposing students to ideas with which they disagree-and conditioning them to respond with intellectual rather than emotional arguments. "When the climate on the quad goes sour, we should expect the public square to follow suit-as has already happened. If we want a more civil society, the act is a good starting point," Bauerlein wrote.Journalists at Campus Reform interviewed Kurtz last month, who conceded that the legislature wouldn't have to step in to solve the problem of campus imbalance in an ideal world. Then, it could be left to the free market and campuses themselves:Peter Wood, president of the National Association of Scholars, endorsed the model legislation on behalf of his organization. He wrote:But John K. Wilson, co-editor of Academe, the blog of the American Association of University Professors, was skeptical. Although he supports the idea of more debates on campus, he called the bill "unnecessary and counterproductive." He also pointed out that bill would add layers of bureaucracy to campuses already burdened with top-heavy administration and red tape:He calls the Act's insistence on video documentation of each event and paper copies of speaker rosters wasteful and duplicative.Despite these criticisms, it seems that there is wide agreement on the underlying goals of the legislation: bringing thoughtful and diverse speakers to campus, exposing students to new ideas, and improving the campus intellectual climate. The scene over at Fox News'on Wednesday got really uncomfortable between co-hosts Greg Gutfeld and Juan Williams when the latter, the most left-leaning voice on the team, accused Gutfeld and others of being deepThe increasingly tense exchange, which resulted in Gutfeld threatening to throw Williams off the set, occurred during the co-hosts' analysis of the testimony of Donald Trump's former personal lawyer-turned-"rat" Michael Cohen.Cohen told the House Oversight Committee Wednesday that his former boss - for whom he once said he'd "take a bullet" - is a "racist," "conman," and a "cheat," who has been involved in "illicit acts." Presenting what he describes as "irrefutable" evidence of Trump's wrongdoing, including after taking office, Cohen painted Trump in all the ways Democrats have repeatedly portrayed him. But Cohen also admitted that he had no evidence whatsoever of collusion and failed to present solid evidence of clear illegal actions.When Williams and co-host Dana Perino began discussing Trump's "pattern" of using the "catch-and-kill" strategy to kill unflattering stories of him, Gutfeld slammed Williams for failing to let panelist Morgan Ortagus talk."Gosh, are you guys gonna ever let me finish!" exclaimed Williams."No, because you're always 'finishing'!" said Gutfeld. "There's somebody sitting there who hasn't said a damn word!""You are so deep in the bunker and-" Williams began, but Gutfeld, clearly livid, cut him off."Oh shut up, Juan!" yelled Gutfeld. "I'm in nobody's 'bunker.' Enough with your 'bunker'-! I'm trying to be polite to somebody on the panel, Juan - which you won't do, which you won't do!"Juan sniffed in disgust, "Oh my god."Later, as Jesse Watters dismisses Cohen's testimony as having failed to provide any meaningful new evidence, Williams drops his "bunker" reference again. This time, Gutfeld goes nuclear."Again, you're so blind, because you, like Greg, are deep in the bunker.""You know, if you say that again, I'm going to throw you off the set," says Gutfeld, apparently serious."Oh no!" Williams says mockingly."Because you know what the bunker means?" says Gutfeld, leaning in and pointing at him across the table. "What your intimating is that who is in the bunker? Adolf Hitler, correct?""No I was not," says Williams."No, no, no, that's what you're saying.""You're so far off," says Williams, repeating, "No," and trying to explain himself.says Gutfeld. "Like when I say that I believe something, I'm in the bunker."Two clips below ( via Allahpundit ) followed by video of the full segment (via The Hill):One of the most analyzed moments from Cohen's testimony Wednesday was his claim that he did not want a job in the White House. Cohen, who pleaded guilty to lying to Congress last year and was sentenced in December to three years in prison for multiple counts of fraud and campaign finance violations, was asked by Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) if he was bitter about Trump not getting him a job in the White House.Jordan asked.said Cohen.said Jordan."You wanted to work in the White House, but you didn't get brought to the dance."Cohen denied Jordan's claim, saying he was "extremely proud to be personal attorney to the President of the United States of America."Even CNN had to call out Cohen on that one, noting that this is yet more evidence that he's willing to lie to Congress under oath. Looks like they have to reset the "Days without...." counter https://t.co/euMo4A2s7x Benjy Sarlin (@BenjySarlin) March 1, 2019 This is so dispiriting. If you can't figure out how to criticize Israel without unleashing a torrent of epigenetic trauma in your own Jewish voters, you're making the problem you seek to solve worse. How does @IlhanMN still not understand this, after weeks of meetings with Jews? https://t.co/Sb9fGKeyCM Batya Ungar-Sargon (@bungarsargon) March 1, 2019 On Thursday, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) was caught on tape once again indulging in her favorite off-hours pastime - some cozy anti-Semitism with cheering fans. Omar, of course, has a long history of anti-Semitism: accusing Israel of "hypnotizing the world," suggesting that American support for Israel is "all about the Benjamins," backing the anti-Semitic BDS movement.Now, appearing alongside fellow anti-Semitic Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), who herself recently accused American supporters of Israel of dual loyalty to Israel and is, along with Omar, a supporter of anti-Semitic boycott, divestment and sanctions from Israel, Omar reached for the anti-Semitic lever once again. First, Omar smiled when an audience member yelled,Then, she stated, "What I'm fearful of - because Rashida and I are Muslim - that a lot of our Jewish colleagues...go to thinking that everything we say about Israel to be anti-Semitic because we are Muslim....So for me, I want to talk about the political influence in this country that says it is okay to push for allegiance to a foreign country."This is, once again, anti-Semitism. It sets hercalendar back to zero; for the record, she was only up to 18 days.Suggesting that Jewish Americans are pushing for "allegiance" to a foreign country, or that American supporters of Israel are doing so, is a vicious conspiracy theory and a vile smear. Jewish Americans by and large support Israel not out of "allegiance" to Israel but because Israel protects victimized Jews all over the world, represents the sole liberal democracy in the Middle East, and provides valuable strategic partnership to the United States. But according to Omar and other anti-Semites, the only reason for American Jews to support Israel is because they are part of a secret club, disloyal to the United States and loyal only to the ethnic tribe.It's not like Omar has been hiding the ball here. After her faux apology for the "all about the Benjamins" tweet, she stated just last week that she wasn't apologizing for anti-Semitism - she was only apologizing if her comments offended people. Which is like calling a woman a whore, then apologizing for how the slur made her feel. The problem, as it turns out, is that Omar is a consistent and vicious anti-Semite.But the media won't treat her that way. Instead, many in the mainstream media continue to treat Omar with kid gloves, as though she's just an ignorant child in need of some gentle chiding, more in sadness than in anger. Here's a sampling: a reporter from NBC News, a staff writer for The New Yorker, the opinion editor of The Forward.The sad part of this dynamic is it's a self-fulfilling cycle. Omar keeps invoking stereotypes about Jewish control which leads to backlash which leads to her believing she's being unfairly silenced which leads to the next incident. That's how both the last two episodes started.At progressive event in D.C. last night, @IlhanMN said,@HelloLauraKelly reports here: http://jewishinsider.com/15799/reps-omar-and-tlaib-anti-semitism-charges-shut-down-criticism-of-israel/ ...This is simply the soft bigotry of low expectations - or, more insidiously, an attempt to soft-pedal anti-Semitism in order to preserve the intersectional hierarchy. Omar is, you see, a Muslim woman from Somalia, and that means that she ranks higher than Americans Jews do on the victimhood scale - and thus she must be treated with kid gloves when she targets said American Jews. Omar will still be cheered, despite her open and unapologetic Jew-hatred, by the same media members who place her alongside Nancy Pelosi on the cover of Rolling Stone. And Nancy Pelosi will continue to cover for her, all the while claiming to be an advocate of anti-bigotry.Now, imagine, for just a moment, that Omar were instead a white Congressman from Iowa who said something bigoted. Would the media react with "sadness" and advice? Or would the media correctly react with outrage?You don't have to theorize. When Rep. Steve King (R-IA) said, according to The New York Times, that he didn't understand how the languagebecame "offensive," he wasn't accorded any of the hemming and hawing surrounding Omar. There was no weepy talk about learning curves and ignorance of "tropes." There was appropriate and universal condemnation.Not so with Omar, who will continue to get away with her anti-Semitism, as Democratic Party leaders and their allies in the media simply shake their head and tut-tut softly while elevating her to a position of public leadership. We don't have to speculate. They're already doing so. Movie reviews: 'Captain Marvel' is convoluted, cluttered and as refreshing as it is unusual Richard Crouse Contributor, CTV News Channel and CTV News Digital Film critic and 'Pop Life' host Richard Crouse reviews three new movies this week: superhero blockbuster 'Captain Marvel,' Netflix thriller 'Triple Frontier,' and the documentary 'Invisible Essence: The Little Prince.' Brie Larson in a scene from 'Captain Marvel.' (Disney-Marvel Studios via AP) CAPTAIN MARVEL: 3 STARS The tagline for "Captain Marvel," the latest Marvel origin story, is "Higher. Further. Faster." but I would like to suggest another. "In Space, Everyone Can Hear You Scream Whee!" As Captain Marvel (Brie Larson) pierces our atmosphere, her banshee cry of sheer exhilaration pierces the soundtrack. "Whee!" She's having fun and so should fans of the high-flying character. Jude Law, left, and Brie Larson in a scene from 'Captain Marvel.' (Chuck Zlotnick / Disney-Marvel Studios via AP) Ben Mendelsohn, left, in a scene from 'Captain Marvel.' (Chuck Zlotnick / Disney-Marvel Studios via AP) There's a bit of backstory. "Captain Marvel" begins, as all good superhero flicks do, on an alien planet. Hala is the home of the Kree, a race of powerful ETs ruled by an AI leader called the Supreme Intelligence (Annette Bening). Among the inhabitants of the planet are Yon-Rogg (Jude Law), mentor to Vers (Brie, not yet dubbed Captain Marvel). She is being trained as part of an elite band of space cops, who, shooting energy bolts from her wrists, tracks and hunts shapeshifting creatures called the Skrull. An insomniac, she is haunted by nightmares and mysterious images of another life. Samuel L. Jackson in a scene from 'Captain Marvel.' (Disney-Marvel Studios via AP) To find context for her existence she travels to C-53 Earth during the Clinton years. There, while hunting down Skrulls who are searching for a weapon that would make them unstoppable in the universe, she meets Nick Fury, Agent of the espionage agency S.H.I.E.L.D. (Samuel L. Jackson), who becomes entangled in her hunt for the earthbound Skrulls including the world-weary Talos (Ben Mendelsohn) and her search for her true identity. "Captain Marvel" begins with a trippy, time-warping introduction to Vers's past. It's an orgy of fast cuts and establishes the film's spirited tone. There's a lot going on here, maybe too much, but at least it rips along like a cheetah attacking its prey. Things slow down once the film lands in 1995 California and the "Terminator-esque" story of a benevolent alien with superpowers kicks in. The high points are lofty. Brie Larson in a scene from 'Captain Marvel.' (Disney-Marvel Studios via AP) Larson finds the right tone, playing someone grappling with two identities, otherworldly and stoic one moment, swaggering playfully the next. Vers is a total girl power hero, with no love interest, other than a female best friend, she kicks but while the soundtrack blares "I'm Just A Girl" and tell her male mentor, "I have nothing to prove to you." Larson keeps her interesting even though through much of the film Vers isn't quite sure who she is or where she belongs in the universe. Further separating her from her superhero colleagues is a purpose driven mission not born out of revenge but by powerful emotions and a sense of loss. Those motivations alone give the film a slightly different feel from others in the Marvel family. Visually Vers, harnessing all the hurt of all the times she was told she wasn't good enough or that girls shouldn't try to do boy stuff, is a powerful feminist statement that helps drive the story and define the character. That it's visually stunning is a bonus. Supporting actors Jackson (we finally learn the unlikely reason why Fury wears an eye patch) and Mendelsohn find a balance between the film's dramatic, action and lighter scenes. Brie Larson in a scene from 'Captain Marvel.' (Disney-Marvel Studios via AP) Co-directors Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, handle the character work with aplomb. Their previous films, indies like "Half Nelson" and "Mississippi Grind," are studies in nuance, a trait lost in "Captain Marvel's" larger set pieces. The action and there is plenty of it, tends to be of a generic frenetically edited style. The convoluted origin story mixed with the cluttered action sequences suck some of the air out of the theatre but their take on the superhero character as both an outsider and one of us is as refreshing as it is unusual. "Whee!" Read another take: 'Captain Marvel' gets an average introduction Ben Affleck, from left, Oscar Isaac, Charlie Hunnam, Garrett Hedlund, and Pedro Pascal in 'Triple Frontier.' (Melinda Sue Gordon / Netflix via AP) TRIPLE FRONTIER: 3 STARS "Triple Frontier," a new thriller starring Oscar Isaac and Ben Affleck, is a "let's get the band back together for one last gig" movie given extra heft by its examination of the treatment of veterans. Oscar Isaac, left and Ben Affleck in 'Triple Frontier.' (Melinda Sue Gordon / Netflix via AP) Santiago Garcia (Isaac) has his sights set on reclusive South American drug lord Gabriel Lorea (Reynaldo Gallegos). After a failed attempt to infiltrate Lorea's circle he turns to his former comrades, a group of American Special Forces operatives, now retired. Dangling a huge pay cheque $17,000 a week and 25 per cent of the $75 million in cash they seize he lures MMA fighter Ironhead Miller (Charlie Hunnam), Ironhead's brother and gunslinger Ben (Garrett Hedlund), pilot 'Catfish' Morales (Pedro Pascal) and logistics genius turned failed real estate salesman Tom Davies (Affleck). Each were hotshot Special Forces who have floundered in civilian life. "You've been shot five times for your country and you can barely afford to live," Garcia says to Davies. "That's the crime." Once recruited they become a gritty A-Team, who, with the help of an informant (Adria Arjona), plan on raiding Lorea's heavily fortified house "The house is the safe." killing the drug lord and pocketing millions in cash. "We finally get to use our skills for our own benefit and actually change something," says Garcia. Garrett Hedlund in a scene from 'Triple Frontier.' (Melinda Sue Gordon / Netflix via AP) The carefully planned mission, however, turns into, some "full on cowboy s**t" when some of their intel proves incorrect. Hundreds of bullets later they make a hasty retreat with only their guns, their wits and hundreds of millions of dollars in duffle bags. Question is, will they complete the mission or will greed get the best of them? "Triple Frontier" is half heist, half get-away, each section filled with equal parts tension and cliches. Director J.C. Chandor knows how to let anxiety hang in the air, creating a sense of danger that permeates the heist section. The getaway is more contemplative, or at least as contemplative as a movie with this kind of body count can offer. A heavy mist of testosterone hangs over both sections making this tale of men, their guns and world weariness feel like something we've seen before. Cliched dialogue "We're dancing with the devil here!" comes hard and fast and by the time the soundtrack blares "Masters of War" it feels as though Chandor is hitting the viewer with a metaphorical billy cub to get his message across. Ben Affleck in a scene from 'Triple Frontier.' (Netflix via AP) Once the testosterone settles Chandor's message of how veterans are treated once they slip out of their uniforms becomes crystal clear. As each of these war scarred men question the way the choices they've made with their lives, they also realize it's the only way they know. They've been conditioned to behave a certain way and yet, when they retire they are left without the resources, personally or professionally, to deal with civilian life. It's a timely and heartfelt message deftly delivered. A drawing of 'Le Petit Prince' in Paris, on April 11, 2013. (Francois Mori / AP) INVISIBLE ESSENCE: THE LITTLE PRINCE: 4 STARS First published in 1943 the novella "The Little Prince" by Antoine de Saint-Exupery is one of the bestselling books of all time. The short tale of a child the little prince who travels the universe gaining wisdom still sells almost 200 millions copies a year. "Invisible Essence: The Little Prince," a new film from director Charles Officer, attempts to dissect the books popularity from an academic, artistic and global perspective. 'The Little Prince' author Antoine de Saint-Exupery and his wife, Consuelo, are seen in their Paris home in 1936. (AP / File) "Invisible Essence: The Little Prince" mixes talking heads, including The New Yorker's Adam Gopnik, poet Rupi Kaur, filmmaker Mark Osborne, St-Exupery biographer Stacy Schiff and the author's great nephew and nephew Olivier and Francois d'Agay, with the touching story of a seven year-old blind Pakistani-Canadian boy who learns about the fable's famous line, "what is essential is invisible to the eye" to grasp the book's fundamental message of respect for humanity. The new documentary footage is underscored by excerpts from a 1974 audio adaptation of the story starring Richard Burton and Jonathan Winters, clips from Osborne's animated feature, a live action feature from director Stanley Donen and scenes from Guillaume Cote's 2016 production at the National Ballet of Canada. The result is a deep dive not only into the book but, just as importantly, the influence the book has had on several generations of artists and readers. It essays how imagination and inspiration are inextricably linked, and how both, plus a love of aviation fuelled Saint-Exupery's creation of "The Little Prince." 'Pop Life' host Richard Crouse Two people injured after a bomb exploded inside a private residence in Kathmandu An improvised device was exploded at a house of Nepal Association of Foreign Employment Agencies Chairman Rohan Gurung in Basundhara on Friday night. BLACK REPUBLICAN BLOG - The Republican Party is the party of civil rights and the four Fs: faith, family, freedom and fairness. The Democratic Party is the party of the four Ss: slavery, secession, segregation and socialism (Quote By Author Michael Scheuer). Science educator Dave Farina developed the eponymous YouTube show, Professor Dave Explains , to teach high school students and undergrads subjects from astronomy and biology to mathematics and physics. Now his full-time endeavor, the channel has evolved from a few classes to an extensive library of educational videos that have convinced more than 345,000 individuals to subscribe. Farina, who taught in high school and undergraduate classrooms for 10 years before turning into a YouTuber, received a bachelors degree in chemistry from Minnesotas Carleton College and a masters in chemistry and science education at California State University. His career included a full-time position teaching chemistry, biology, and physics at a private school in Hollywood, and substitute teaching in the San Francisco Bay Area, before transitioning to lecturing at a trade university. In the following interview with Education Week, Farina explains how he made the transition from teaching in a classroom to creating content online, why he thinks more Gen Z students prefer to learn by YouTube than books, and his advice for other educators interested in making a similar move. Why did you want to become an educator? I suppose it was just really my best skill set. Coming out of undergrad, I started grad school, and so there I would TA and tutor. Moving through my 20s, I found that the best way for me to earn income and what I was best at was explaining science to people. It just seemed to be the best way to earn a living and also feel like I was contributing. What eventually led you to YouTube? I was teaching organic chemistry at this trade university, and I had developed my course, so I had made all the resources. After teaching that course a number of times, I really got some effective lectures going, and I didnt want to lose them, so I recorded them and put them on YouTube. I was very pleased with their reception, and that inspired me to do more topics with greater production value. Is your YouTube show a full-time venture? As of very recently, it pretty much is all Im doing. As the channel was growing, I was pulling away from teaching. Then, once the channel got some momentum, I started getting attention from websites [outside YouTube] that I was doing freelance content creation and curriculum development for. Now, Ive been pulling away even from that to really double down on the channel and just try to get that going as effectively and as quickly as possible. So, I really work about 70 hours a week on the channel and do almost nothing else. Did you apply for the YouTube Learning Fund, last years $20 million call for entrepreneurs to create educational content? I did indeed apply. I apply for every grant, funding, incubator--whatever I can find, and I have been very disheartened to receive none of them. Since youre working so much, how are you supporting yourself with YouTube? How would you say your income compares to that of a high school teacher? I am very pleased that after four years of relentless effort, the income I bring in from YouTube is finally approaching or comparable to that of a high school teacher. In addition, it shows great promise to grow far beyond that, and being completely passive income, will free me up to do a number of other things. How would you say your videos compare to the ones out there by YouTube educators Veritasium or Vsauce? When I got started, I glanced at what was out there, and I saw two paradigms. I saw edutainment--the sort of one-off, grab you with a hook and teach you a little nugget of something [thats] interesting to the common public--and then I saw on the other side Khan Academy-style learning--very long lectures basically like a tutor helping you on a piece of paper and a pen. I saw a chasm in between, and I really wanted to fill that [by making] educational content that would be very rigorous and aligned with curricula like the blackboard-style learning, but have it be a little bit more visually palatable. Edutainment [draws] people in, and then the blackboard style is very thorough, and rigorous, and helps students actually prepare for exams. I really wanted to split the difference. Where do you think other educators fall short when they try to teach on YouTube? If you are trying to dazzle, youre probably going to fall short on depth, and thats fine. That content is very important in terms of generating interest. Its just that once that interest is generated, there needs to be follow through. Most people dont make the leap from one of those channels straight to Khan Academy or something like that because its too much like a textbook. There needs to be something in between that nurtures that creativity and offers the next step up the ladder of complexity. What have been some of your biggest challenges as a YouTuber? Managing workflow is a monumental amount of work when it comes down to writing, shooting, editing, animating. Not only I do all of that, but I also have to manage all aspects of running my own business. I work an unbelievable amount--12-, 14-hour days almost every day just to keep up with five tutorials a week. Are the non-science parts of your work like video editing and animating, entirely self-taught? How did you learn these skills? I did have to teach myself the editing/animating software. I have a friend that knows how to use it who gave me a few tips at first, but from there its quite easy to Google whatever you are trying to do and figure it out pretty quickly--in addition to just experimenting with the programs. My animation skills are by no means incredible, but Ive grown enough over these past few years to be able to illustrate concepts the way I visualize them in my head, which I feel has been very effective. Last year, Harris Poll researchers found that Generation Z prefers to learn by YouTube (59 percent) compared to learning from books (47 percent). What do you think of this finding? I dont think its surprising at all. I lament the fact that this resource was not available to me when I was studying. YouTube came out shortly after I graduated from undergrad. Its a very effective tool. It acts as a catalyst for learning because it lowers the activation energy of consuming content. If youre reading a textbook, the amount of focus that you have to bring to a study session is very high. YouTube definitely has the potential to make learning easier and more efficient. This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. See also: Maryland's Court of Appeals has reinstated Adnan Syed's conviction in the murder of Hae Min Lee. The court's opinion was filed on a Friday afternoon, two days before a four-part HBO documentary about the case premieres. Weird. It was a 4-3 vote; there are two opinions there written for the majority, and a dissenting opinion. Chief Judge Barbera was among the dissenting Excerpt from State of Maryland v. Adnan Syed, No. 24, September Term, 2018. Opinion by Greene, J. [PDF Link]: CRIMINAL LAWPOST CONVICTIONINEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF TRIAL COUNSELFAILURE OF TRIAL COUNSEL TO INTERVIEW POTENTIAL ALIBI WITNESSSTRICKLAND V. WASHINGTON The Court of Appeals held that under the deficient performance prong of Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668 (1984), at a minimum, Respondent's trial counsel had a duty to contact a potential alibi witness to investigate or explore that person's background and potential as an alibi. The failure of Respondent's trial counsel to contact an alibi witness identified by Respondent constituted deficient performance under the first prong of the Strickland test. The second prong of the Strickland test asks whether trial counsel's deficient performance resulted in prejudice. The Court of Appeals held that given the totality of the evidence against Respondent, there was not a significant or substantial possibility that the jury would have reached a different verdict had his trial counsel presented the alibi witness. CRIMINAL LAWPOST CONVICTIONINEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF TRIAL COUNSELAPPLICATION OF WAIVER PRINCIPLES The Court of Appeals held that an individual who advanced a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel in his post-conviction petition, filed pursuant to the Uniform Postconviction Procedure Act, but failed to assert all grounds upon which that claim is made, cannot later assert other grounds upon which the ineffective assistance of counsel claim could have been premised. Thus, the Court held that the waiver provision of the Uniform Post-Conviction Procedure Act, Criminal Procedure Article, 7-106(a), applied in this case to bar an allegation upon which the ineffective assistance of counsel claim could have been argued but was not, because the Respondent's ineffective assistance of counsel claims had already been fully litigated. In the present case, we are asked to reconsider the decision of a post-conviction court that granted the Respondent, Adnan Syed, a new trial. That decision was affirmed in part and reversed in part by our intermediate appellate court with the ultimate disposition a new trialremaining in place. The case now stands before us, twenty years after the murder of the victim, seventeen-year-old high school senior Hae Min Lee ("Ms. Lee"). We review the legal correctness of the decision of the post-conviction court and decide whether certain actions on the part of Respondent's trial counsel violated Respondent's right to the effective assistance of counsel. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND We shall not endeavor to replicate the thorough, carefully-written and well organized Opinion, penned by then-Chief Judge Patrick Woodward, of the Court of Special Appeals in this case. For a more exhaustive review of the underlying facts, evidence presented at trial, and subsequent procedural events involving Respondent's (hereinafter "Respondent" or "Mr. Syed") conviction of first-degree murder of his ex-girlfriend, we direct readers to the Opinion of that court. Syed v. State, 236 Md. App. 183, 181 A.3d 860 (2018) ("Syed"). For purposes of our review of the issues before us, we shall include relevant facts as necessary as well as an abbreviated recitation of the significant procedural markers in this case's sojourn. On February 25, 2000, a jury sitting in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City convicted Mr. Syed of first-degree murder, robbery, kidnapping, and false imprisonment of Ms. Lee. Mr. Syed challenged his conviction on direct appeal. In an unreported opinion, the Court of Special Appeals affirmed his conviction on March 19, 2003. Syed v. State, No. 923, Sept. Term 2000. On May 28, 2010, Mr. Syed filed a petition for post conviction relief, which he supplemented on June 27, 2010. In that petition, Mr. Syed alleged that he received ineffective assistance of counsel and in so alleging lodged claims against his trial counsel, sentencing counsel, and appellate counsel. In the post-conviction petition, Mr. Syed argued nine bases for his claim that he had received ineffective assistance of counsel. Syed, 236 Md. App. at 206-07, 181 A.3d at 872-73 (listing the nine bases on which Mr. Syed claimed his trial counsel or appellate counsel were ineffective). Of relevance to our inquiry is that none of the nine bases was a claim that his trial counsel failed to challenge an alleged Brady1 violation regarding the admission of evidence that potentially undermined the reliability of cell tower location evidence that was used as part of the State's case. Mr. Syed did raise and argue that his trial counsel was ineffective for failing to investigate or call Asia McClain ("Ms. McClain") as an alibi witness. After a two-day hearing on October 11, 2012 and October 25, 2012, the post-conviction court issued an order and memorandum in which it denied post-conviction relief on January 6, 2014. Thereafter, Mr. Syed filed a timely application for leave to appeal, which presented the issue of his trial counsel's failure to interview or investigate Ms. McClain as a potential alibi witness. Subsequent to his filing of an application for leave to appeal, Mr. Syed supplemented his application for leave to appeal and requested that the Court of Special Appeals remand the case for the post-conviction court to consider an affidavit from Ms. McClain. The intermediate appellate court granted Mr. Syed's request and issued a limited remand order in which it afforded Mr. Syed "the opportunity to file such a request to re-open the post-conviction proceedings" in the Circuit Court. See Syed, 236 Md. App. at 210, 181 A.3d at 875 (reciting the Remand Order in relevant part). Upon remand by the Court of Special Appeals and as part of his request to the Circuit Court to reopen his post-conviction proceedings, Mr. Syed filed a request for the Circuit Court to consider, for the first time, a new basis for his claim of ineffective assistance of counsel related to a purported Brady violation concerning the cell tower location evidence. Mr. Syed continued to maintain his argument that his trial counsel's failure to pursue Ms. McClain as an alibi witness amounted to ineffective assistance of counsel. The Circuit Court granted Mr. Syed's request to reopen his post-conviction proceedings to review both of the aforementioned issues. After a five-day hearing, the post-conviction court issued an order, accompanied by a thorough memorandum, in which it denied relief to Mr. Syed on the issue of his counsel's failure to investigate Ms. McClain as an alibi witness. The post-conviction court concluded that although Mr. Syed's trial counsel was deficient for not contacting Ms. McClain, counsel's failure to investigate Ms. McClain's claim did not prejudice Mr. Syed. Next, the post-conviction court concluded that Mr. Syed waived his claim of a Brady violation with respect to the cell tower location evidence because he had not raised the claim in his post conviction petition. Finally, with respect to Mr. Syed's claim of ineffective assistance of counsel concerning his trial counsel's failure to challenge the cell tower location evidence, the post-conviction court first determined that Mr. Syed did not knowingly and intelligently waive this claim. Then, the post-conviction court reasoned that Mr. Syed's trial counsel's failure to challenge the cell tower information was in fact deficient and that this deficiency prejudiced Mr. Syed. As a result, the post-conviction court vacated the convictions and granted Mr. Syed a new trial. A grand jury indicted Jussie Smollett on 16 felony counts of disorderly conduct for falsely reporting that he was assaulted by two men who, he claimed, targeted the Empire actor because he is black and gay. The two men later told police that Smollett paid them to stage the attack as a publicity stunt that Smollett hoped would land him a raise. Smollett will be arraigned on Tuesday. From the Chicago Sun Times: The indictment, which was made public on Friday, cites Smollett with disorderly conduct for each crime he said he had suffered, with separate counts related to statements he made the night of Jan. 29 to a police officer, and then for repeating the same account to a detective the same night. The charges all are Class 4 felonies, the lowest category of felony offense under Illinois law In a statement, Smollett's attorney Mark Geragos said while the indictment is "not unexpectedWhat is unexpected however, is the prosecutorial overkill in charging 16 separate counts." "This redundant and vindictive indictment is nothing more than a desperate attempt to make headlines in order to distract from the internal investigation launched to investigate the outrageous leaking of false information by the Chicago Police Department and the shameless and illegal invasion of Jussie's privacy in tampering with his medical records. Jussie adamantly maintains his innocence even if law enforcement has robbed him of that presumption." Drinking in the Nepali language As a kuire living in Nepal, the Nepali language has always been something I know I should learn. Having spent six months of 2018 in Kathmandu, the fact I could only master and muster raksi dinusna and arko euta was my shame. Palmer Luckey (previously) the alt-right financier who was made a billionaire by Mark Zuckerberg's decision to acquire his VR startup Oculus, is now running a Peter-Thiel-backed surveillance startup called Anduril Industries, which has won a contract to contribute to Project Maven, the Pentagon's controversial AI-for-drones system (Google's involvement in Project Maven sparked an employee uprising that ended with the relevant executives leaving the company and the contract being allowed to lapse). Luckey's company won the contract after he made lavish contributions to the campaigns of Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans. In an opinion column for the Washington Post, Luckey and Stephens sharply criticized Google for abandoning the U.S. government by rejecting Project Maven. "We understand that tech workers want to build things used to help, not harm," the pair wrote. "We feel the same way. But ostracizing the U.S. military could have the opposite effect of what these protesters intend: If tech companies want to promote peace, they should stand with, not against, the United States' defense community." What was left out of the column, however, was that, as the piece went to print, Anduril was beginning its own work on Project Maven. In interviews and public appearances, Luckey slammed engineers for protesting government work, arguing that those claiming conscious opposition to military work are among a "vocal minority" that empowers American adversaries abroad. Moreover, he said that the Defense Department has failed to connect with top tech talent because many engineers are "stuck in Silicon Valley at companies that don't want to work on national security." In Anduril, Luckey is presenting a company that is unapologetic about its work capturing immigrants or killing people on the battlefield. The U.S., Luckey argued in a previous interviews, "has a really strong record of protecting human rights" and should be trusted to use AI without any ethical constraints. "The biggest threats are not going to be Western democracies abusing these technologies," he told the audience at the Web Summit in Lisbon. The real enemies are China and Russia, both of which have invested in AI military technology. South Africa is the most developed of all the African countries. Naturally, we enjoy better educational resources than the rest of the continent, and our higher learning institutions are ranked among the best. Also, we offer free education in South Africa. However, quality always comes at a cost. There has been a tenacious upward drift in the cost of higher education, and with the rate of unemployment being at an all-time high, students who take loans to cover their educational costs end up suffering a lot to repay the debt. Image: canva.com (modified by the author) Source: UGC It is, however, interesting to note that not many students think about how they can access higher education at no cost. The few, who think about bursaries, either do not know how to go about it or cannot fulfill the minimum requirements to get the financial help they need. If you are stuck in a financial rut because you want to pursue more education locally but do not have the means, you need to do a lot of research on the free higher education in South Africa options available so that you can make an informed decision. This is a high starting point of your research on how to get free education in South Africa in 2019. READ ALSO: SA Teachers Union demands reinstatement of Schweizer-Reneke teacher The state of higher education in South Africa Our country has hundreds of universities, both public and privately owned. However, among the hundreds of universities and colleges, there is a couple of dozens considered and ranked as the best both locally and internationally. It is every South African students dream to get in one of these: The University of Cape Town The University of Witwatersrand The University of Kwa Zulu Natal Stellenbosch University University of Johannesburg University of Pretoria North-West University University of Western Cape Rhodes University University of South Africa There are a few other blue-cluster institutions of higher learning which focus primarily on technical training. The top among these include: Vaal University of Technology Central University of Technology Walter Sisulu University Mangosuthu University of Technology Cape Peninsula University of technology The list above does not in any way mean that if you are not eyeing one of these institutions, there is no hope for you in higher education. The truth is that these universities can only accommodate a fraction of the students pursuing higher education, and some do not even offer the specialized training that some students want to pursue. This list here offers a more comprehensive review of all top colleges and institutions of higher learning in the country, depending on the area of specialization. Getting a bursary from a college in South Africa Image: canva.com (modified by the author) Source: UGC Once you have an institution in mind, and you know their entry requirements, the next natural step is to try and meet these requirements. The two main requirements that most institutions offer bursaries are: Work back bursaries where you are expected to work or help out in some way as repayment for your school fees waiver. Academic performance-related: here, the institution will only train you when you are among the best in your study area, and they want to either absorb you into their faculties or increase research in the study area. Find out which of the two options can work for you. When you have the right option in mind, they will tell you what the bursary covers for free education 2019. Typically, financial aid covers: Tuition fees Examination fees Prescribed books and other study material Meals and accommodation Travel allowance and sometimes a laptop National Student Financial Aid Scheme This is one of the first places where students look when searching for a bursary. The NSFAS funding is used to cater for costs such as books, tuition fees, accommodation, and travel allowances. NSFAS loans must be fully repaid when you complete your studies. The good thing is that the body will only need you to repay the money once you are gainfully employed with a salary of at least R30, 000 per annum. If you are a TVET college student, you will not be needed to pay back the bursary that you get from the government. READ ALSO: 7 powerful Steve Biko quotes on oppression, apartheid, education and freedom Getting NSFAS funding as a student scholar To apply for NSFAS scheme, you have to meet the following requirements: You have to be a South African Citizen You must come from a household that earns less than R350,000 per year You must have passed grade 9 and 10 to get funding to a TVET college You must have passed Matric if you want university funding Students who do not surpass the above requirements are not eligible to receive funding. Additionally, those who have previously applied for and received funding need not apply for a second time. Also, anyone that has received college education previously will not be granted the bursary. There are three ways in which a person can apply for this bursary: Visit any NYDA center close to you and follow the registration process they will give. Apply online on the NSFAS website Visit any financial aid center on campus The new bursary scheme which was rolled out in 2018 makes sure that all students, and not only those in TVET institutions, can apply for and receive university education funding. NSFAs are still implementing the scheme, and the first batch of beneficiaries joined this year. For more info on the bursaries and scholarships available, you can have a look at these websites: 1. Link 1 2. Link 2 3. Link 3 The vital thing is to do your due diligence and look for the scholarships and bursaries that will cover your education so that you can enjoy free education in South Africa that can help you deal with the tuition fee quagmire. READ ALSO: EFF manifesto makes promises like free education and women-owned land Source: Briefly.co.za - T. S. Eliot Thoughts After Lambeth "The World is trying the experiment of attempting to form a civilized but non-Christian mentality. The experiment will fail; but we must be very patient in awaiting its collapse; meanwhile redeeming the time: so that the Faith may be preserved alive through the dark ages before us; to renew and rebuild civilization, and save the World from suicide." Index funds Canadas Big Banks have long been considered the foundation of any well-diversified portfolio thanks to a series of stellar results, growing dividend yields, and an overall positive outlook towards the market. With many experts now viewing the cooling market as signs that a correction or even a recession could be around the corner, it begs the question which of the Big Banks is the best fit for your portfolio. Today well take a look at the case for investing in Bank of Nova Scotia (TSX:BNS)(NYSE:BNS) or Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (TSX:CM)(NYSE:CM) The case for Scotiabank While many of Scotiabanks peers opted to expand into the lucrative U.S. market, Scotiabank instead opted to expand into the Latin American markets of Mexico, Columbia, Peru, and Chile. The four nations are part of a trade bloc known as the Pacific Alliance, which is tasked with eliminating tariffs between members and by extension, fostering better trade and investment between those markets. Scotiabanks brilliant decision to expand heavily into those markets has resulted in the bank gaining status throughout the trade bloc as a common, if not a familiar lender, resulting in continued strong growth from the region with each passing quarter. That growth has also been the catalyst behind a number of key acquisitions that the bank has completed throughout the region in recent years. In fact, over the course of the past two years, Scotiabank has completed no less than four separate acquisitions, two of which were directly associated to that region. In the most recent quarter, Scotiabank reported net income of $2.246 billion, coming in lower than the $2.337 billion that the bank reported in the same quarter last year. On a per share basis, Scotiabank earned $1.71 per diluted share in the most recent quarter, reflecting a $0.15 per share drop over the same quarter last year. In terms of a dividend, Scotiabank announced a 6% hike to its quarterly dividend, which now provides a handsome yield of 4.79%. Story continues Scotiabank currently trades at just over $72 with a P/E of 10.85. The case for CIBC CIBC jumped into the latest round of international expansion much later than its peers, ultimately completing the acquisition of PrivateBanCorp in 2017 and establishing the bank as a powerhouse in the lucrative U.S. Midwest market near Chicago. The acquisition provided a new source of revenue for the bank and silenced critics that ultimately saw CIBC as being too focused on the domestic market (and by extension, the overheated mortgage market). The move to diversify into the U.S. market was well-timed, as the most recent quarterly update saw weakness emerge on a variety of fronts in the domestic market. In the most recent quarter, earnings came in at $1.18 billion, thereby reflecting an 11% dip over the same period last year. Much of that drop was attributed to weakness to both the capital markets as well as the personal and small banking segments in Canada, both of which registered drops of 38% and 29%, respectively. On an adjusted basis, the bank earned $3.01 per share, falling below the $3.18 per share reported in the same quarter last year as well as the $3.08 per share that analysts were expecting. By comparison, the banks U.S. commercial banking and wealth management segment saw an uptick in net income by 25% in the most recent quarter, coming in at $168 million. In terms of a dividend, CIBC offers a quarterly dividend that works out to an impressive 4.96% yield. The bank has maintained a steady stream of annual upticks to the dividend, with the most recent four cent uptick being announced in this latest quarter. This latest quarter marks the second consecutive earnings miss for CIBC following a prolonged period of surpassing expectations in recent years. CIBC currently trades at just over $112 with a P/E of 9.94. Which is the better investment? Both CIBC and Scotiabank make excellent long-term investment options, particularly for those investors looking to diversify their portfolio with some exposure to foreign markets. In my opinion, Bank of Nova Scotia remains the better investment option between the two banks, which I place down to the vastly more diversified international network that the bank maintains, as well as the stellar performance we continue to see from the Pacific Alliance region. More reading Fool contributor Demetris Afxentiou has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Bank of Nova Scotia is a recommendation of Stock Advisor Canada. The Motley Fools purpose is to help the world invest, better. Click here now for your free subscription to Take Stock, The Motley Fool Canadas free investing newsletter. Packed with stock ideas and investing advice, it is essential reading for anyone looking to build and grow their wealth in the years ahead. Motley Fool Canada 2019 A Canadian flag with a cannabis leaf flies on Parliament Hill during the 4/20 protest, Monday, April 20, 2015 in Ottawa. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld) Un-Canadian, inappropriate, simply wrong, and insulting. When it comes to the taxation of medical cannabis, Canadas pot producers and patient advocates are not mincing words. A patient can get a prescription for an opioid that has no tax applied, then is reimbursed by provincial drug plans and private insurers. At the same time, cannabis, a substance that for many patients can be an alternative, is discriminated against, Aurora Cannabis Inc. Chief Corporate Officer Cam Battley (ACB.TO) told Yahoo Finance Canada in an interview. This simply strikes us as outrageous. The reality is, governments dont like to give up on taxes, Canopy Growth Corp. (WEED.TO) co-CEO Bruce Linton told Yahoo Finance Canada at a recent event in Toronto. For medical cannabis, its inappropriate. Last fall, Canada sparked global excitement when it became the first G7 nation to legalize the drug for recreational use. For those reliant on doctor-prescribed cannabis to treat medical conditions, the landmark legislation made it instantly harder to afford. In Canada, there are no taxes on prescription medications. Cannabis is the exception. The government has collected taxes since July 2001, when the Marihuana Medical Access Regulations enabled individuals authorized by their health care practitioner to access the drug. The Cannabis Act absorbed the previous medical legislation on Oct. 17 of last year. Under that framework, the government charges an additional $1-per-gram or 10 per cent of the cost on both medical and recreational cannabis, whichever is higher. Thats on top of sales taxes. Its actually a tax upon a tax. How does that make any kind of sense at all? said Battley. The cost to the government of dropping the taxes would be miniscule. But the impact on actual patients dealing with serious illnesses is significant. Edmonton-based Aurora recently took its opposition to the streets with a bold public awareness campaign to shame the government into dropping all taxes on medical cannabis. Story continues On a grey February afternoon, Battley tweeted a photo of cube van strategically parked in front of Finance Minister Bill Morneaus Toronto constituency office. On its sides, large screens display a digital ticker showing the rising tally of tax dollars paid by Canadian medical cannabis patients since 2014. On that day, Feb. 19, it read $121,550,915. Do you think @Bill_Morneau will consider this, or dismiss it? Who needs the money more? The federal government, or patients with chronic illnesses trying to get by? Do the right thing, Mr. Morneau. Lets all get together on this. #DontTaxMedicine pic.twitter.com/FGJr9SyA1p Cam Battley (@CamBattley) February 20, 2019 The ticker also lives on an Aurora-sponsored website called CannabisTaxTicker.com. Canopy is equally determined to see Ottawa scrap the taxes. However, the Smiths Falls, Ont.-based company sees a different path to putting tax-free cannabis in the hands of patients. All the lobbying in the world isnt going to win, where science could, Linton said. Thats what were doing. He expects Canopy will have enough evidence this year to begin making scientific claims about certain products, paving the way for better integration into the medical system. Were running sleep trials now. Were trying to show that a combination of cannabinoids works better than say benzodiazepine-based sleep aids, which do not attract taxation if they are given under prescription, he said. Once we do studies, and we can actually call it a medical product because it can actually have a drug identification number (DIN), I think then it is going to be much easier to say this is not going to be taxed. Canopys newest executive has more than 20 years experience serving medical patients. Initially, outside the bounds of the law. Needless to say, Chief Advocacy Officer Hilary Black is no stranger to grassroots activism. For now though, she and Canopy are staying focused on fast-tracking its scientific trials to secure DINs. What I have been told quietly is that the taxation isnt going to change until we have products that have gone through the drug approval process and have DIN numbers, she told Yahoo Finance Canada. Thats the message that I have been getting from inside the government. Pressure on Ottawa to eliminate taxes on medical cannabis is building ahead of the release of the federal budget on March 19. The advocacy group Canadians for Fair Access to Medical Marijuana (CFAMM) organized a rally on Parliament Hill on Feb. 19. The event united Liberal MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, Conservative health critic Marilyn Gladu and NDP health critic Don Davies in a call to change how medical cannabis is taxed. Aurora, Hexo (HEXO.TO), Tilray (TLRY), Organigram (OGI.V), PureSinse (PURE.V), Strainprint, Ample Organics, and Gage Cannabis are among the corporate backers of the groups #DontTaxMedicine campaign. The Department of Finance would not say if changes to how medical cannabis is taxed are under consideration. It would not be appropriate to speculate on tax changes, a Finance department official told Yahoo Finance Canada in an email. The Department of Finance Canada regularly assesses the tax system, and consults with stakeholders to ensure that our tax system is fair and efficient. The finance department added that the Medical Expense Tax Credit can be applied to medical cannabis. In 2019, the tax break will provide a 15 per cent credit on eligible expenses in excess of the lesser of $2,352 or three per cent of net income. The crux of the governments case for keeping medical and recreational cannabis taxes aligned has rested on concerns that non-medical users would be incentivized by lower prices to seek out prescriptions. That argument shows a lack of faith in Canadian doctors, their ethics, and their ability to spot drug-seeking behaviour in patients, according to Battley. Physicians are not going to write false prescriptions for medical cannabis. I find that perhaps a little bit insulting, and not consistent with the reality of how physicians operate in this country, he said. They have their licenses and they have their insurance at risk should they engage in any fraudulent activities. CFAMM president Gerald Major started suffering from arthritis at 14 years old. He was eventually forced to step away from a career in finance as senior vice president of operations for Citibank Hedge Fund Services North America. For Major, having an excise, or so-called sin tax applied to medical cannabis undercuts its therapeutic value, and enforces the damaging stereotype that medical users are turning to cannabis to get stoned for fun. When you have an excise tax applied to something, that means you should be limiting its use, like tobacco and alcohol, he told Yahoo Finance Canada. How a government and a country that says cannabis is medicine can go ahead and act like this is beyond me. Major warns scores of patients are underdosing, sacrificing living expenses, and turning to the black market because of high costs. He points to Karlie Starchuk. A 26-year-old from Burlington, Ont. who receives $800 per month in disability support from the Ontario government. She lives with cerebral palsy, and buys cannabis illegally to save money. She uses eight grams per month. This kid technically needs three, four or five grams per day. And that would be fairly light for her, Major said. She uses a bowl in the morning to wake up, and she doesnt do another one until night time. She goes all day without. Canopy, Aurora and CannTrust Holdings Inc. (TRST.TO) are among the licensed producers committed to footing the bill for the federal governments excise tax while advocating for changes to the tax guidelines. We will continue to absorb it until the day that patients arent charged it anymore. This is an unjust tax on critically and chronically ill patients, said Black. Its very un-Canadian. Battley is hopeful that change is on the horizon, given the support from members of the three main political parties. In the meantime, he promises Aurora will keep up efforts to pressure on federal lawmakers. Advocacy is in our DNA, Battley said. This is part of what gets us up in the morning. Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Android. Government utilised less than half of loan pledges The government was able to utilise less than half of the loan commitments made by the Asian Development Bank in 2018 due to the poor capacity of all its three tiers, said the Nepal Portfolio Performance Review 2018 unveiled by the multilateral lending institution on Friday. It took decades for Pamela Walsh to conquer her shame and talk about being sexually abused by a priest when she was not even old enough to go to school. She opened up for the first time in 2015, telling a priest in the Archdiocese of Regina. She says the conversation was quickly shut down. "After a bit, I was basically shown the door to the Catholic Church, and told the Catholic Church could not and would not help me, and that I needed to leave," she said. She felt like a piece of garbage tossed aside. "I was physically shown the door and it was locked behind me." CBC News Walsh said the Archdiocese of Regina did not listen to her for years, but that a shift is now occurring, one aimed at listening and empowering victims. On Ash Wednesday, which begins the Lent season of penance and fasting, Regina Archbishop Donald Bolen issued an open letter to those impacted by clergy sexual abuse. Bolen said the letter is meant to acknowledge not only that were people victimized, but that the church did not listen to victims. "We hear you and we hear the depth of your pain. We hear what was done to you and we are profoundly sorry," he said. "We're sorry for the abuse you suffered, that should have never happened." Gerald Herbert/Associated Press For Walsh, that acknowledgement is both the result of years of effort and the first step on a longer journey. Other letters issued from the church have spoken about regret and contrition, but this letter spoke directly to victims, she said. "It's very moving as a victim to have an archbishop say that. Very, very few archbishops have said that publicly and it's a real testament to the work that has been done here," she said. Finding courage to come forward Walsh said her abuse happened on and off from 1969 into the 1970s and took place whenever she met the priest in question, during visits to a family home. Many victims take their stories of sexual abuse to the grave, or share with very few people, she said, explaining she wants others to feel they can come forward to the church if they wish. Story continues "This is a deeply shameful thing we live with, and it's not our shame to carry," she said. "Part of it is placing the shame on people it belongs [to]." After the installation of Bolen as archbishop in 2016, Walsh brought forward her story again, telling him he had inherited a problem that still needed redressing. This time, unlike others, she was heard. "There's been bumps in the road, but he's listened," she said. CBC News Bolen said he's learned from listening to victims who have slowly started coming forward about the devastation, the shame, the guilt and the erosion of self-confidence caused by abuse. Young people are shaken when a priest a person of leadership and who comes to represent God in their hearts and minds is the one to abuse them, he said. Bolen said the church wants to create an environment where victims of sexual abuse can come forward if they wish. "We're taking a lot of steps to try and accompany them and to try and create a church which is welcoming and safe for everybody, for vulnerable people,for children, everybody," he said. It's a comprehensive effort to deal with this and respond to victims in a way we haven't done before. - Archbishop Donald Bolen, Archdiocese of Regina Some of those steps include a program of education not just for priests and deacons, but for the parish and its organizations as well, revising policy to make it more victim-centred, and involving victims in its efforts to address and prevent sexual abuse. "It's a comprehensive effort to deal with this and respond to victims in a way we haven't done before," said Bolen. The Catholic church is still grappling with clergy sex abuse scandals. Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope, held a summit on sexual abuse of minors in February, after he himself botched a well-known sex abuse coverup case in Chile last year. For Walsh, the Archdiocese of Regina is showing a way forward, but there's a long way to go. She won't be satisfied until there are no further abuse and no victim is treated the way she was by the church. "This is not just a small problem. This is a big problem," she said, adding it's impossible to know how many people have had their childhood and lives ripped apart by clergy sexual abuse. She and Bolen both said they want to continue reaching out to victims and to show they are ready to walk with them. "They don't have to feel the shame and blame and pain of this alone, and live in darkness," said Walsh. A Spanish climber has spotted "two silhouettes" on a passage taken by missing mountaineers Tom Ballard and Daniele Nardi. British climber Mr Ballard , 30, and Italian Mr Nardi, 42, last made contact from Nanga Parbat in Pakistan on 24 February. The pair were at an altitude of 20,700ft (6,300m) on the peak which is nicknamed Killer Mountain. Alex Txikon, who is leading the search, claims he saw "two shapes" on the Mummery Spur that Mr Ballard and Mr Nardi had taken. The Italian climber's Facebook page is being updated by his support team as the search effort continues. A post, translated from Italian, read on Thursday: "Alex tells us that yesterday from the base camp he has identified two shapes on the mountain; from this morning at dawn, they are operating to carry out in-depth observations of the wall. "Upon arrival of the helicopters, expected soon, an exploration will be launched along the Mummery route for the close evaluation of some images of the telescope." Italy's ambassador to Pakistan has posted about the development on Twitter. Stefano Pontecorvo wrote: "'Alex Txikon has informed that he and his team have spotted two silhouettes and on the Mulberry trail (sic) on #NangaParbat that he is further exploring." Karrar Haidri, secretary of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, said rescue efforts had ended after another unsuccessful day on Wednesday. He said it had been a "very painful decision" to take. Senior diplomat Mr Pontecorvo denied reports on Wednesday that the search for the two missing climbers had been called off. He added that efforts would continue on Thursday. Mr Ballard and Mr Nardi set out on Nanga Parbat, the world's ninth highest mountain, on 22 February. Speaking about Wednesday's rescue effort, Mr Pontecorvo said: "Today they went to look at an alternative route, one of the reasons was they had gotten up high enough so they might have come back down - if they were facing some kind of danger or avalanche - through the Kinshofer route, which is an easier route and there are ropes already and camps and so on." Story continues Two Pakistani mountaineers were with the pair initially but decided to turn back because they thought it was too dangerous. Mr Ballard was born in Derbyshire but moved to the Scottish Highlands in 1995. That same year his mother, Alison Hargreaves, died on K2 when she was 33 - just months after becoming the first woman to conquer Everest unaided. SNC-Lavalin, the engineering firm at the centre of a political scandal engulfing the Liberal government, has lost its bid for a judicial review of the Director of Public Prosecution's decision to proceed with criminal prosecution of the company on corruption charges. The company has been seeking a remediation agreement to avoid criminal proceedings related to bribery charges linked to contracts in Libya. Today's court decision means the Montreal-based engineering and construction firm will likely only get a deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) now if Minister of Justice and Attorney General David Lametti overturns the public prosecutor's Oct. 9, 2018 decision. The company does have the right to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court. The court ruling by federal Judge Catherine Kane says the decision by the director of public prosecutions is not an administrative decision but an exercise of prosecutorial discretion, "which is not subject to judicial review, except for abuse of power." A remediation agreement, according to the ruling, is defined as "an agreement, between an organization accused of having committed an offence and a prosecutor, to stay any proceedings related to that offence if the organization complies with the terms of the agreement." The court acknowledged that the threshold to strike an application for judicial review is high, but found that the threshold had been met. In a statement, SNC-Lavalin expressed disappointment with the Federal Court's decision. "We applied for judicial review in the hopes that such a review would elicit the reasons for the decision taken by the Director of Public Prosecutions not to offer SNC-Lavalin a negotiation of a remediation agreement," said spokesperson Nicolas Ryan. "Our objective was to negotiate a remediation agreement that would have been both in the public interest and in the interest of our innocent stakeholders: our employees, customers, shareholders and pensioners. SNC-Lavalin will vigorously defend itself against the charges in court if no remediation agreement is possible." Story continues Lametti's office declined to comment. "The Public Prosecution Service of Canada is a body which operates independently of the Department of Justice. Given that the matter is in its appeal period, it would be in appropriate to comment," said spokesperson Celia Canon. Political pressure, veiled threats Former justice minister and attorney general Jody Wilson-Raybould has alleged she faced intense political pressure and veiled threats from various government officials to overturn the public prosecution director's decision to proceed with criminal charges. During a news conference in Iqaluit today, where he was delivering a formal apology for past mistreatment of Inuit with tuberculosis, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was asked if he will act to help SNC-Lavalin in the wake of the federal court decision. He repeated his line that the government sees creating and protecting jobs as a fundamental responsibility, but he would not intervene in a decision on whether the company should have an alternative to prosecution. "In the specific question of a DPA, that is the attorney general's decision to make," he said. "That is what I have been consistent on for many months. And the attorney general will make that decision." Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer said companies must meet multiple conditions to be eligible for a DPA. "It is not up to politicians in Ottawa to determine whether or not a company has reached those criteria. It is up to our court officers, our prosecutors, ultimately judges to determine the fate of companies that are accused of these very serious crimes," he said. No non-confidence motion Scheer said Conservatives will introduce a number of motions to get to the bottom of the matter. But they're not planning to table a motion of non-confidence in the government. He has called for an RCMP investigation and for Trudeau to resign, while the NDP has called for a public inquiry. Trudeau was also asked if Philpott and Wilson-Raybould can remain in the Liberal caucus. He said they've both indicated they want to remain in the Liberal Party and that they share the government's values and objectives when it comes to economic growth, reconciliation with Indigenous people and the environment. "Obviously there are going to be reflections and discussions but I will remind people that we are a party that values diversity of opinions and perspectives," he said. Earlier this week, Trudeau said he was still considering the status of Wilson-Raybould in the caucus after she confirmed she would be seeking re-election in her Vancouver Granville riding under the Liberal banner. "This is obviously not a situation or a decision to be taken lightly and we will continue to reflect and work on this issue," Trudeau said during a funding announcement in Charlottetown. During her testimony before the Commons justice committee, Wilson-Raybould was asked if she still has confidence in the prime minister. She declined to answer, saying the question was not relevant to the hearings. Opposition Conservative and NDP MPs on the committee wrote a letter demanding an emergency meeting to discuss their request to "study developments in the accusation that the prime minister and his closest political allies conspired to stop the criminal trial of a company accused of bribery." That meeting will take place Wednesday. By Hyonhee Shin SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korean President Moon Jae-in has replaced his unification minister who played a major role in detente with North Korea over the past year, his office said on Friday, and named a longtime confidant to lead a drive for "a new Korean peninsula". Kim Yeon-chul, a pro-engagement scholar who heads the state-run Korea Institute for National Unification, will replace Cho Myoung-gyon pending a confirmation hearing. The Ministry of Unification handles relations with North Korea. "He's the right man who can actively embody the president's vision for a new Korean peninsula, a new peace and cooperation community, by carrying out the unification ministry's main policy tasks without a hitch and implementing inter-Korean agreements in a speedy manner," Moon's spokesman told a news briefing. The change was part of Moon's largest cabinet reshuffle since taking office in 2017, with new ministers for the interior, land and transport, culture and sport, oceans and fisheries, science and technology, and small and medium enterprises. The shake-up allows the outgoing ministers to run in parliamentary elections next year and turns a page for an administration facing a sluggish economy and sagging popularity. The removal of Cho, who has yet to say if he would enter politics, comes a week after a second summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, in Vietnam, failed to narrow their differences on dismantling the North's nuclear program and U.S. willingness to ease sanctions. The failed summit was a blow for Moon, who had hoped U.S. sanctions relief would boost South-North projects including a factory park, tourism zone and railway network. Ahead of the summit in Vietnam's capital of Hanoi, a rift opened within Moon's administration over how to advance Korean ties without undercutting international sanctions and the alliance with the United States. Some top aides, including national security adviser Chung Eui-yong, had pushed for economic projects with North Korea to go ahead. Cho and other aides favored sticking to Trump's "maximum pressure" campaign to force the North's denuclearization. Cho's advocacy of strict sanctions enforcement surprised - and drew complaints from - many officials. DIVISIONS Following the breakdown of the summit, Moon reorganized his national security council, tasking Choi Jong-kun, one of Moon's foreign policy architects who steered an inter-Korean military accord last year, with the nuclear issues. Moon's spokesman said the recent changes, including Cho's dismissal, did not mean a policy change, but Kim Yeon-chul would expedite Moon's initiative for "peace-driven economy". But Kim's appointment could also exacerbate divisions within Moon's government, some analysts said, and fuel U.S. concerns that the South may be moving too quickly with the North. A staunch backer of Korean reconciliation, Kim was a North Korea studies professor and adviser to a previous administration in which Moon also served. More recently, he advised Moon's office on Korean summits before moving to head a think-tank affiliated with the unification ministry. Kim, 55, was a vocal critic of a 2016 decision to close the Kaesong factory complex just on the North Korean side of the border, after Seoul's then-conservative government said the North had diverted wages paid to workers by South Korean firms to bankroll its weapons programs. A private panel appointed by the unification ministry under Moon said there was no evidence to back up that accusation, and Kim had since called for the factory complex to reopen. The industrial park, along with a railway and tourism project, are important parts of Moon's initiative to build a pan-peninsula economic community that he has said will also benefit South Korea's economy. (Reporting by Hyonhee Shin; Editing by Darren Schuettler, Robert Birsel) The company behind Montebello Rockfest has revealed the details of who is owed money a list that includes well-known musical acts and all three levels of government after they declared bankruptcy in December. Outaouais Rock, which organized the annual west Quebec music festival, has just $330,000 in assets but owes creditors more than six million dollars. Court documents reveal over 120 creditors, including bands who played at Rockfest, businesses in North America and Europe, the federal and Quebec governments, and the town of Montebello, Que. Kimberley Molina/CBC Most of the debt is unsecured and may never be repaid. According to the documents, those who are owed money include: Weezer ($226,968) Sum 41 ($171,579) Lamb of God ($235,644) Simple Plan ($59,345.90) Canada Revenue Agency ($380,479) The Municipality of Montebello ($7,302.24) The Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada, or SOCAN ($173,911.31) Robotron 500 Inc. ($129,120) Loud is Allowed Inc. ($147.227.50) Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello ($46,981) Montebello Rockfest has had a checkered past: in 2018, a man died of an overdose at the festival, even though organizers had fentanyl test strips and naloxone kits on the grounds. In 2014 a pornographic film was made during the festival without the organizers' knowledge, causing an uproar. The town's residents have also complained about the amount of garbage generated by the festival, with concerns that Rockfest was attracting too many fans into too small a space. Attila Kisbenedek/AFP/Getty Images That said, some local businesses have indicated they'd like the festival to return and they may be in luck. Rockfest founder Alex Martel has created a new smaller festival this year called Montebello Rocks. It's set to take place June 14-15. Martel is promising a more intimate experience, with 30 bands playing on two stages. Tickets are already for sale. In an email to Radio-Canada, Martel said he lost control over the festival and at the end had only one seat on its board of directors. Story continues He said he was restarting because Rockfest provided a $16-million economic benefit to the region, and believed it was important not to lose that. No government investment Papineau MNA Mathieu Lacombe, however, said the Quebec government would not be investing public money in Martel's new festival. Lacombe said he would help the festival where he can, just not with government funds. "If I can help Alex Martel with his festival in another way, I will. Because it's an important event for the region." 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. . ..Israel Hayom..08 March '19..You still hear serious people talking out loud about the two-state solution as a reasonable even inevitable possibility to the conflict between us and the Arabs of the region: dividing the good land and establishing an Arab state on the hills of Judea and Samaria, which could wind up connecting to the Hamas state in the Gaza Strip to the west and the state of Jordan to the east.Exactly 100 years have passed since the division of the land was first suggested in the 1919 FaisalWeizmann Agreement, after World War I. Eighteen years later, in 1937, the Peel Commission (convened to investigate the bloody events of 1936) proposed dividing the land, and a decade later, on Nov. 29, 1947, the U.N. voted in favor of the partition plan. The Arabs refused, and their response was war.The Palestine Liberation Organization was founded before the "occupation" of the 1967 Six-Day War. Its goal was to "liberate all the land from the Zionists." Our country was then quite small in size, and still the organization's terrorists wanted it. The goal hasn't changed; it has sometimes been disguised to delude naive, liberal, self-righteous Jews in the West.The Oslo Accords came into being after the PLO was on the mat after backing Iraqi ruler Saddam Hussein during the First Persian Gulf War. The Palestinians supported any murderous dictator who served their purposes. In Oslo, the government under then-Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin put the dying organization on artificial life support and brought tens of thousands of terrorists whom we had armed into western Israel to force the division of the country and fulfill their dream of peace. If the Jews don't acknowledge their right to their own land and revive their sworn enemies from the ashes, we can expect nothing more from Europe or the U.S. That is how the organization of terrorists became the official, respectable representative of the supposed forthcoming Palestinian state.It didn't happen. The Palestinian Arabs never asked for an independent state alongside ours; mainly, they wanted the Jews not to have a state. The Jews, for their part, insist on speaking on behalf of their enemies and attaching all sorts of nice ideas to them which they never held. Article 20 of the PLO charter decrees that the Jews are only a religion, not a nation, and therefore have no rights to a country of their own, and must return to the nations from which they arrived and live as Russian, Polish, Iraqi, or Iranian citizens. That article has never been changed. This is a fundamental Arab position; even Arab MKs do not recognize the Jewish people's right to national determination in their own land.In the past decade, the basic condition laid down for negotiations with the Palestinians recognition of Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people is not designed to win their recognition of us. We don't need it. It functions as a litmus test for how honest their intentions are. If there is no recognition of Israel as a Jewish state, then even after the land is divided, the Arabs will continue to talk about Israel in terms of colonialism and an apartheid state because they would be able to point to the Law of Return, for example, as a "racist law" that gives Jews preference in obtaining citizenship when they make aliyah.And as for racism, according to the sanctimonious chorus (which includes Arab MKs), only the Jews of all the nations of the world do not have the right to national self-determination in their own country. What is that, if not racism? Given that, we can toss aside the irresponsible remarks voiced by the Zionist Left against the nation-state law.We should go over the basics. As "Nathan the Wise" (as poet Nathan Alterman was known) once said to Shimon Peres after we returned to the stretches of our land following the Six-Day War: "If indeed there is a dispute here between two peoples between the Palestinian people, who were supposedly uprooted from their land, and the Jewish people, who supposedly uprooted [the Palestinian people] from their land we've been wrong all along."To the poet Haim Gouri, Alterman said, "If we recognize that Judea and Samaria are not ours, we will need to rewrite the entire Bible." Indeed, the demand to establish a Palestinian state starts with a denial of our very historic, legal, and religious right to the land even on part of it. As I've already observed, no Arab leader is willing to declare that the Jews have any basic right historic, legal, or religious to so much as a square foot of this country.Let's leave principles aside and discuss how the brilliant plan to divide the land would be implemented. We mentioned World War I. Immediately after it was over, the world powers met and divided up the Middle East, which had fallen into their hands when the Ottoman Empire collapsed. To our north, they grouped together different and hostile ethnic groups Sunnis, Shiites, Christians, Alawites, Druze, Assyrians, and more and decided that from then on, they would be one nation: Syria. The same thing happened in Iraq when Sunnis, Shiites, and Kurds were bundled together; and in Libya, Yemen, and other places. And it wasn't only different ethnic groups; they mixed the basic, stable units of the region, which existed here for thousands of years the tribes and clans (extended families) that exist alone and for the most part do not even intermarry.The major powers, with typical European patronization, forced the Arab peoples into European-style nationalism and thereby sentenced the Arab nation-states to live in a constantly bubbling pressure cooker. It took less than 100 years for the artificial creation to break out of its straitjacket. At the start of the last decade, the Arab Spring still hadn't arrived, but the artificial national structures that Europe had forced on the region were collapsing the crumbling. In their place was revealed the permanent reality that had always been here: one of tribes, clans and ethno-religious groups.So the Arab states around us are shaky or collapsing, and still people here are pushing with "messianic zeal" to found an Arab state on the hills of Judea and Samaria, a Qassam rocket away from our major population centers, in the hope it will remain in place and not fall down around our ears. That is what they wanted us to think in the short period of euphoria that surrounded us with the outbreak of the Oslo Accords in the 1990s, thanks to a homogeneous media.But the various sectors of Palestinian society represented clans and tribes that have in common almost nothing other than their hatred of the Yahud (Jew) and a desire to restore some imaginary lost honor by destroying the state of the Jews. If we were no longer in the area, heaven forbid, it would take a very short time for Hamas to violently seize control of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' ineffectual mechanism of government, and for the sleeper cells of the Islamist revolution to awaken and devour each other. In the temporary lulls that would come with chance reconciliations, they would join forces to make our lives a misery. With a wonderful sightline to the state of Israel, it wouldn't be difficult.To the righteous who talk about the "occupation," we say: the Jewish people are in all parts of the western land of Israel because it is our land. Since we were forced into exile (and not only by Rome and Byzantine the Muslim conquest of the seventh century C.E. also ousted Jews and forced many of those who remained to convert to Islam), no other independent national entity has arisen here. This land waited silently for its legal descendants and when we began to return here in the last few centuries did it begin to flower. It kept the faith with us. But we are also in all parts of the land to protect ourselves from another terrorist state right among us and, as WikiLeaks documents show, to protect the Palestinians themselves from the possibility of an Islamist dictatorship.So what is the solution? I've written many articles about it. In the meantime, it's important to learn the lessons of history: Don't rush and don't force artificial solutions on a complex reality. Patience. Krishni Tharus journey from ex-Kamlari to Deputy Speaker Krishni Tharu, Deputy Speaker in Provincial Assembly of Province 5, elected to the position in 2017, is a former Kamlari, an indentured girl child labourer, from the Tharu community. Agile Cigar Reviews are cigar assessments where we use a lightweight, shorter format. These will never take the place of our comprehensive reviews. They are only used on blends we have previously assessed. This might be a blend we are re-scoring or giving a score for the first time. It might be a blend we are looking at in a different size Today we look at the Joya de Nicaragua Antano Gran Reserva Presidente TAA Exclusive. This is a cigar line we have previously assessed in the Belicoso size back in May 2018. Wrapper: Nicaraguan Corojo Oscuro Binder: Nicaraguan Filler: Nicaraguan (Condega, Esteli, Jalapa) County of Origin: Nicaragua Factory: Fabrica de Tabacos Joya de Nicaragua, S.A Presidente: 6 1/2 x 50 Back in 2017, Joya de Nicaragua announced it was bringing back a line known as the Joya de Nicaragua Antano Gran Reserva. This line was previously released in 2005. In Cuba, the term Gran Reserva has been used to refer to blends where the tobaccos have extra aging, and this is exactly what the Joya de Nicaragua Antano Gran Reserva brings to the table. The line is based on Joya de Nicaraguas Antano 1970, but it uses fillers that have been aged up to an additional five years. The idea is it brings a more mature and refined profile to the Antano 1970. The line was brought back in three sizes, but a fourth size was added in 2018 as an exclusive limited offering to Tobacconist Association of America (TAA) retailers as a part of the 2018 TAA Exclusive Series. This fourth size comes in the form of a 6 1/2 x 50 size known as the Presidente. Today, we take a closer look at this cigar. The Joya de Nicaragua Antano Gran Reserva Presidente TAA Exclusive is the first TAA release since Joya Nicaragua released the CyB Lancero Fino as a part of the 2013 TAA Exclusive Series. The TAA Exclusive Series consists of cigars made by leading manufacturers that are exclusively sold at TAA member retailers. The TAA is a small group of retailers. At press time the number of retailers is approximately 80. The TAA has defined itself as: The Tobacconists Association of America, Ltd. is a trade organization established in 1968 by visionary retail tobacconists. By providing education, communication, research, advocacy, and member discount programs, The TAA works with our members and the industry they support to offer the tools and relationship building opportunities needed to maximize professionalism and success. 2018 was the 50th anniversary of the Tobacconist Association of America, so there was a large number of releases as a part of the 2018 TAA Exclusive Series. As for the blend of the Joya de Nicaragua Antano Gran Reserva Presidente TAA Exclusive, like the Antano 1970 it features 100% Nicaraguan tobaccos. The Presidente is a box-pressed size joining the Robusto Grande size as a box-pressed offering in the Antano Gran Reserva line. The Joya de Nicaragua Antano Gran Reserva Presidente delivered a flavor profile of natural tobacco sweetness, cedar, bakers spice, black pepper, and classic wood. The natural tobacco sweetness had qualities of brown sugar and bing cherry. As the cigar experience progressed into the second third, the natural tobacco notes evolved into more of a rich tobacco taste with the bing cherry and brown sugar qualities diminishing. The final third saw an increase in the black pepper, but this spice never overpowered the overall flavor profile. The flavors produced were medium to full and this was countered by medium strength. OVERALL ASSESSMENT Final Thoughts The Joya de Nicaragua Antano Gran Reserva in the Belicoso size landed a spot on the 2018 Cigar of the Year Countdown. Except for a little more in the way of body, I didnt find the Presidente size to be that much different than the Belicoso. A lot of times, Im skeptical when an exclusive size of a tried and true regular production blend is made for the TAA, but in this case, this cigar performs at the high level Ive come to expect from this line. Its a cigar Id recommend to an experienced cigar enthusiast or for a novice looking for something medium plus. As for myself, I am impressed with this TAA offering and it was enough to garner box worthy consideration in my book. Summary Key Flavors: Natural Tobacco, Bing Cherry, Brown Sugar, Cedar, Classic Wood, Black Pepper, Earth Burn: Excellent Draw: Excellent Complexity: Medium to High Strength: Medium Body: Medium to Full Finish: Very Good Rating Value: Box Worthy Consideration Score: 92 References Previous Assessment: Joya de Nicaragua Antano Gran Reserva Belicoso News: Joya de Nicaragua Antano Gran Reserva Presidente to be 2018 TAA Exclusive Price: $12.50 Source: Drew Estate (Distributor) Brand Reference: Joya de Nicaragua TAA Exclusive Series 2018 Reference: 2018 TAA Exclusive Series Photo Credits: Cigar Coop Local units fail to submit reports on tobacco consumption control Even as a large number of people die every year due to illnesses caused by tobacco consumption, none of the local governments seem serious about controlling and regulating tobacco products. 1. U.S. acceptance of coexistence as the only alternative to atomic war. 2. U.S. willingness to capitulate in preference to engaging in atomic war. 3. Develop the illusion that total disarmament of the United States would be a demonstration of moral strength. 4. Permit free trade between all nations regardless of Communist affiliation and regardless of whether or not items could be used for war. 5. Extension of long-term loans to Russia and Soviet satellites. 6. Provide American aid to all nations regardless of Communist domination. 7. Grant recognition of Red China. Admission of Red China to the U.N. 8. Set up East and West Germany as separate states in spite of Khrushchev's promise in 1955 to settle the German question by free elections under supervision of the U.N. 9. Prolong the conferences to ban atomic tests because the United States has agreed to suspend tests as long as negotiations are in progress. 10. Allow all Soviet satellites individual representation in the U.N. 11. Promote the U.N. as the only hope for mankind. If its charter is rewritten, demand that it be set up as a one-world government with its own independent armed forces. (Some Communist leaders believe the world can be taken over as easily by the U.N. as by Moscow. Sometimes these two centers compete with each other as they are now doing in the Congo.) 12. Resist any attempt to outlaw the Communist Party. 13. Do away with all loyalty oaths. 14. Continue giving Russia access to the U.S. Patent Office. 15. Capture one or both of the political parties in the United States. 16. Use technical decisions of the courts to weaken basic American institutions by claiming their activities violate civil rights. 17. Get control of the schools. Use them as transmission belts for socialism and current Communist propaganda. Soften the curriculum. Get control of teachers' associations. Put the party line in textbooks. 18. Gain control of all student newspapers. 19. Use student riots to foment public protests against programs or organizations which are under Communist attack. 20. Infiltrate the press. Get control of book-review assignments, editorial writing, policymaking positions. 21. Gain control of key positions in radio, TV, and motion pictures. 22. Continue discrediting American culture by degrading all forms of artistic expression. An American Communist cell was told to "eliminate all good sculpture from parks and buildings, substitute shapeless, awkward and meaningless forms." 23. Control art critics and directors of art museums. "Our plan is to promote ugliness, repulsive, meaningless art." 24. Eliminate all laws governing obscenity by calling them "censorship" and a violation of free speech and free press. 25. Break down cultural standards of morality by promoting pornography and obscenity in books, magazines, motion pictures, radio, and TV. 26. Present homosexuality, degeneracy and promiscuity as "normal, natural, healthy." 27. Infiltrate the churches and replace revealed religion with "social" religion. Discredit the Bible and emphasize the need for intellectual maturity which does not need a "religious crutch." 28. Eliminate prayer or any phase of religious expression in the schools on the ground that it violates the principle of "separation of church and state." 29. Discredit the American Constitution by calling it inadequate, old-fashioned, out of step with modern needs, a hindrance to cooperation between nations on a worldwide basis. 30. Discredit the American Founding Fathers. Present them as selfish aristocrats who had no concern for the "common man." 31. Belittle all forms of American culture and discourage the teaching of American history on the ground that it was only a minor part of the "big picture." Give more emphasis to Russian history since the Communists took over. 32. Support any socialist movement to give centralized control over any part of the culture--education, social agencies, welfare programs, mental health clinics, etc. 33. Eliminate all laws or procedures which interfere with the operation of the Communist apparatus. 34. Eliminate the House Committee on Un-American Activities. 35. Discredit and eventually dismantle the FBI. 36. Infiltrate and gain control of more unions. 37. Infiltrate and gain control of big business. 38. Transfer some of the powers of arrest from the police to social agencies. Treat all behavioral problems as psychiatric disorders which no one but psychiatrists can understand. 39. Dominate the psychiatric profession and use mental health laws as a means of gaining coercive control over those who oppose Communist goals. 40. Discredit the family as an institution. Encourage promiscuity and easy divorce. 41. Emphasize the need to raise children away from the negative influence of parents. Attribute prejudices, mental blocks and retarding of children to suppressive influence of parents. 42. Create the impression that violence and insurrection are legitimate aspects of the American tradition; that students and special-interest groups should rise up and use united force to solve economic, political or social problems. 43. Overthrow all colonial governments before native populations are ready for self-government. 44. Internationalize the Panama Canal. 45. Repeal the Connally reservation so the United States cannot prevent the World Court from seizing jurisdiction over nations and individuals alike. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp LinkedIn Email Telegram New York, March 8, 2019 Sudanese authorities must immediately release journalist Osman Mirghani from detention or clarify his whereabouts and the charges against him, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Mirghani, editor-in-chief of the independent Sudanese newspaper Al-Tayar, was arrested by agents of the National Intelligence and Security Service, Sudans federal intelligence service, at the newspapers office in Khartoum on February 22, according to Agence France-Presse, independent Sudanese broadcaster Radio Dabanga, and Al-Tayar columnist Shamael Elnoor, who spoke with CPJ. Authorities have not released any information about where Mirghani is being held or what charges may be levied against him, Elnoor told CPJ yesterday. His family has not been allowed to visit him, Elnoor added. The National Intelligence and Security Service did not respond to questions emailed by CPJ. There are no official charges against Osman Mirghani, but we can guess how he has run afoul of authorities: by practicing independent journalism and shedding light on the desperation and malice that have come to typify President Omar al-Bashirs crackdown on dissent, CPJ Middle East and North Africa Program Coordinator Sherif Mansour said. Sudanese authorities should free Mirghani immediately and stop trying to solve their grave problems by waging war on the press. Mirghani was arrested shortly after being interviewed on the Abu Dhabi-based Sky News Arabia network, where he discussed the ongoing protests in Sudan and said they could prompt al-Bashirs removal from office, according to AFP. Earlier that day, al-Bashir had declared a state of emergency in response to nationwide protests, which began in December 2018, Elnoor told CPJ. In 2014, plainclothes security agents stormed Al-Tayars office and assaulted Mirghani, CPJ reported at the time. Elnoor told CPJ that the newspaper had been operating under a strict censorship regime since the beginning of the protests, long before the state of emergency. Since the protests began, the government has increased censorship and has harassed, detained, and arrested journalists, CPJ has found. Question: Regarding my posts about the terrible perversion of Torah and halacha that Rav Shmuel Kaminetsky has engineered with his prod... RONI has left a new comment on your post " Reb Reuven - please! ": Rav Daniel Eidensohn Shlita At it stands now (and I do n... From my book Child and Domestic abuse vol II There was a very well known kiruv personality. Perhaps you could say that he was a poster ... lt is clear that no one in the world has the authority to establish guilt anyone without both [the accuser and accused] coming ... Important!! email - yadmoshe@gmail.com When Paul Manafort entered an Alexandria, Virginia, courtroom on Thursday, he did so in a wheelchair. And dressed in a green prison jumpsuit.That picture of Manafort, who was sentenced Thursday to 47 months in jail for a panoply of financial crimes having to do with his long relationship with Ukraine, was eons away from the bespoke pinstriped-suit wearing, ostrich-leather-coat-having political operative who seemed on top of the world as he toured Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump around the Republican National Convention in the summer of 2016.The starkness of that contrast highlights how quickly Manafort rose in the understaffed world of then-candidate Trump and how precipitously he has fallen in the two-and-a-half years since that triumphant moment in Cleveland.Manafort was widely considered to be past his political prime -- he came of age, professionally speaking, during the Reagan years -- when Trump suddenly named him campaign chairman and chief strategist in May 2016.Manafort's hire was meant to send a message to Washington Republicans: Trump was serious about representing the party in 2016 and was putting respected, veteran aides around him to accomplish that goal. (Manafort replaced Corey Lewandowski, a controversial figure whose qualifications for the job were primarily his unswerving loyalty to Trump.)(A quick survey of respected GOP officials at the time would have, inevitably, turned up considerable doubts about both Manafort and his business practices. But Trump almost certainly didn't do that.)In the months following Manafort's promotion, Trump's decision to hire him looked like a stroke of genius.Trump crushed Texas Sen. Ted Cruz in the final weeks of the primary season and easily crested the required number of delegates needed to formally be the party's nominee.By the time the travelling roadshow that was (and is) Donald Trump arrived in Cleveland to accept his prize, Manafort was being touted in some circles as the comeback kid -- the man who brought order to the Trumpian chaos.It didn't last. Within a month of the convention's close, Manafort was gone. While the official storyline was that he had 'resigned,' it was clear from contemporaneous reporting that he had been pushed aside amid heightened scrutiny of Manafort's past dealings with pro-Russia Ukrainian politicians.That thread, once pulled, unraveled Manafort entirely. Manafort's activities in Ukraine became a focus of special counsel Robert Mueller and he was indicted, tried and found guilty.Manafort then agreed to cooperate with the Mueller probe but was found to have broken that agreement -- nullifying it.Which brought us to Thursday, when the legal system got closer to closing its book on Manafort.Manafort will receive a second sentence next week from a different federal judge for the two crimes he pleaded guilty to last year, witness tampering and conspiracy.-Chris Cillizza, CNN Editor-at-large , : ; Nepal Communist Party holding mass assembly in Province 2 The ruling Nepal Communist Party is holding a mass assembly in Province 2 on Saturday. Anup Ojha is a reporter for The Kathmandu Post primarily covering social issues and human interest stories. Before moving to the social beat, Ojha covered arts and culture for the Post for four years. I am a retired newspaperman. I live in Poca, WV, with my wife of 44 years, Lou Ann. I grew up in Cleveland. Three kids. Grandfather. Report all errors to DonSurber@GMail.com Testing of pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables halted for months Testing for pesticides on fruits and vegetables has been halted for months now since the authorities have failed to supply kits and technical manpower to the rapid bioassay of pesticide residue labs spread across the country. Washington Post yesterday, having said "I do not buy the concept, popular in the 60s, which said, We have suppressed the black man for 300 years and the white man is now far ahead in the race for everything our society offers. In order to even the score, we must now give the black man a head start, or even hold the white man back, to even the race. I dont buy that." After Marianne Williamson published her plank on African-American slavery reparations , something she's been speaking out about forcefully and publicly since 1997, several presidential contenders started exploring the issue themselves. But one who certainly won't be doing so is ole Status Quo Joe. He was quoted in theyesterday, having said "I do not buy the concept, popular in the 60s, which said, We have suppressed the black man for 300 years and the white man is now far ahead in the race for everything our society offers. In order to even the score, we must now give the black man a head start, or even hold the white man back, to even the race. I dont buy that." Coincidentally, Chuck Todd's team at NBC News was asking , "Can the Democratic Party we saw nearly melt down this week over Ilhan Omar handle Bidens past-- whether its busing, race or Anita Hill?" Marianne Williamson is about to cross the threshold the DNC is requiring for contenders to make it onto the debate state-- at least 1 percent support in three party-approved public polls or campaign donations from 65,000 individuals with a minimum of 200 donors apiece in 20 states. She's already surpassed 200 donors in each of 20 states and is closing in on 65,000 individual donors. You can contribute to her campaign here and help get her uniquely progressive voice onto the debate stage. Marianne has been aggressively ignored by MSNBC's prime time swim-- particularly Maddow-- and by the elite Beltway status quo media. That she has millions of followers and admirers nationally and internationally, compared to politician-candidates almost no one has ever heard of outside their own constituencies-- from John Delaney, Terry McAuliffe, Mayor Pete, Tulsi Gabbard and Julian Castro to John Frackenlooper, Jay Inslee and Steve Bullock (all of whom are polling between zero and 1%)-- hasn't encouraged the political establishment to give her candidacy a second look. Quite the contrary, in fact. The mainstream media and the pollsters have done their best to erect a wall around her campaign and write her off as "an outside." She's not in their club. Insiders especially don't like it when she responds to questions about not having been a senator or congressman or governor by reminding them of what a mess professional politicians have made of the country. The "qualified political experts" she likes to remind them "took us into Viet Nam. The 'qualified political experts' are those who took us into Iraq. The 'qualified political experts' created the greatest income inequality since 1929. These 'qualified political experts' have taken us to a point where the environmental peril in our experience today actually threatens the survivability of the human race 50 years from now. There are different sets of qualifications. I think we need more than someone who's just qualified because they understand how Washington works. We need someone today who understands how we work." Oh, does that piss them off! Politico, the mouthpiece of the Beltway political class Politico routinely takes seriously. This week,, the mouthpiece of the Beltway political class had its self-righteous dander up about Williamson qualifying for the debate stage . "Under newly crafted rules," wrote Elena Schneider,"two little-known candidates with no governmental experience are poised to qualify for the first debate later this year. The extraordinary shift from past campaigns will squeeze the amount of time on stage for candidates looking to the debates for breakout campaign moments. And it will force the senators and governors-- and maybe even a former vice president-- running for president to contend with and respond to the outsiders ideas on national TV. Andrew Yang and Marianne Williamson, a pair of little-known 2020 contenders, both say they are on track to meet the grassroots donation threshold set by the DNC to get into the first debate in June. Theyd join Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson, both African-American ministers and civil rights activists, as the only non-elected officials to make the first Democratic presidential debate in the past 40 years." She used "little known" to describe Williamson numerous times, despite her being far better known than many of the politician-candidatesroutinely takes seriously. National and early-state polling for New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has quite consistently been going up and down between zero and 1% since she announced she wants to be president a few months ago. The Harvard-Harris poll in late February showed her at zero percent, while the slightly more recent Morning Consult poll shows her at 1%. Politico, Elena Schneider and Laura Barron-Lopez wrote that she The good news for her is that voters don't know who she is (yet). The bad news is that when they find out about her, they walk away with a negative impression usually tied to her unfair treatment of Al Franken or her career flip-flops. She's doing the worst of all the senators who have jumped into the race-- worse than Amy Klobuchar, Cory Booker, Kamala Harris at the bottom end and far worse than Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders at the top end. One respected Democratic operative told me her game plan is no longer about the 2020 nomination but about making herself a contender for Biden's VP pick. "She's already got that loser stink about her," he told me... "She's not even making headway in her own state." Reporting for, Elena Schneider and Laura Barron-Lopez wrote that she hasn't been able to get a single endorsement from her home state congressional colleagues, not even from like-minded establishment types-- despite trying really hard. "[S]o far," the wrote this week, "no one has jumped on board." Gillibrands efforts to get home-state colleagues committed to her presidential campaign reflects some members wish to see the field develop, as well as the complex internal politics of New Yorks huge Democratic delegation-- and the fact that Gillibrand could face presidential competition from within the state. Gov. Andrew Cuomo hasnt conclusively closed the door on a run and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio travels to early caucus and primary states. Former Mayor Michael Bloomberg bowed out of the 2020 primary only on Tuesday. But Gillibrands hunt for support stands in stark contrast to neighboring Sen. Cory Booker, who locked down the entire New Jersey Democratic delegation within a month of his presidential launch, as did Sen. Bernie Sanders in (much smaller) Vermont. Sen. Elizabeth Warren was introduced by Rep. Joe Kennedy, a Massachusetts colleague, at her official launch event last month, while Sen. Amy Klobuchar shouted out to freshman Reps. Angie Craig and Dean Phillips as she announced her campaign in a driving snowstorm in Minnesota. And while Sen. Kamala Harris has not yet received the support of most of her California colleagues, she has locked down endoresements from five House members there. Rep. Brian Higgins (D-NY) noted that the governor could still be in play for a 2020 presidential bid from New York, but that hes open to supporting Gillibrand. Its too early to make any kind of decisive commitment without knowing the full lay of the land, Higgins said. Its early and theres seemingly new candidates coming in every single day. Its early. Im taking my time, said Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY). I dont know all the candidates yet. Im going to wait to see who all of the candidates are. Sen. Chuck Schumer, the minority leader and New Yorks senior senator, is also expected to remain neutral in the 2020 primary. And Rep. Carolyn Maloney said Gillibrand hasnt asked for her endorsement yet. Shes working hard, shes been going into South Carolina, New Hampshire and Iowa, said Maloney-- who was more critical in a recent New York Daily News story, questioning whether Gillibrand could beat President Donald Trump in Midwestern states key to victory in 2020. And some members of the New York delegation are waiting to see whether Beto ORourke jumps into the presidential race, citing their close relationship with the former House member from Texas. No one seems to be willing to stick their neck out for Gillibrand, said Rebecca Katz, a New York-based Democratic consultant. Katz noted that Gillibrands 2017 comments that former President Bill Clinton should have resigned during the Monica Lewinsky scandal might be part of the hesitation. But Katz said that if you build it, they will come, and if Gillibrand resonates in Iowa and New Hampshire, then Im sure the New York delegation will take notice. Some House members privately noted that Gillibrands relationship with other New York Democrats isnt as strong as Schumers. We see and deal with him a lot more, said one member, granted anonymity to discuss internal delegation dynamics. But Gillibrand is reaching out to her colleagues. On Tuesday, Gillibrand invited members of the New York delegation to an impromptu event with New York county officials at Bistro Bis, a restaurant on Capitol Hill. But only one member showed up to the early evening event, which coincided with House votes, after Gillibrands office extended the invitation two hours earlier, according to people with knowledge of the invitations. Progressives weren't happy with her typically self-serving criticism of Ilan Omar, right at the point when Omar most needed support from within her own party. That's typical Gillibrandian behavior-- throwing a colleague under the bus to curry favor with a segment of the population opposing that colleague. "She's a real piece of work," a congressional staffer whose boss Gillibrand has been wooing, unsuccessfully. "No one in the House really likes or trusts her... maybe she's done better in the Senate, although I don't see any of them clamoring the endorse her either." NY Times that "No one from New Yorks 21-member congressional delegation is yet backing her bid for president. And neither is New Yorks governor, Andrew M. Cuomo, or its other senator, Chuck Schumer, who as minority leader is staying neutral because numerous senators are in the race." He noted that her "missing support back home is revealing of both her New York relationships and how she has constructed her national profile, often by staying far from the states notoriously fractious and rough-and-tumble fray... In 2018, a New York-based political magazine, City and State, On Thursday, Shane Goldmacher reported for thethat "No one from New Yorks 21-member congressional delegation is yet backing her bid for president. And neither is New Yorks governor, Andrew M. Cuomo, or its other senator, Chuck Schumer, who as minority leader is staying neutral because numerous senators are in the race." He noted that her "missing support back home is revealing of both her New York relationships and how she has constructed her national profile, often by staying far from the states notoriously fractious and rough-and-tumble fray... In 2018, a New York-based political magazine, published a ranking of the citys most powerful people in politics. Ms. Gillibrand ranked 16th, one spot behind Mr. de Blasios wife, Chirlane McCray. (The top four were, in order, President Trump, Mr. Cuomo, Mr. de Blasio and Mr. Schumer.) New York Magazine this week, Gillibrand was still very defensive when asked about the switcheroo from New York's most conservative Democrat in Congress to (fake) liberal, immediately showing herself asa transaction careerist with no fundamental ideological foundation, just someone willing to back any agenda that would further her ambitions, the reason so many people are repulsed by her candidacy. In an interview with Gabe Debendetti forMagazine this week, Gillibrand was still very defensive when asked about the switcheroo from New York's most conservative Democrat in Congress to (fake) liberal, immediately showing herself asa transaction careerist with no fundamental ideological foundation, just someone willing to back any agenda that would further her ambitions, the reason so many people are repulsed by her candidacy. Well, its certainly the talking points from the Republican Party. Its what theyre putting out there. But, you know, my background, and where Im from, is very much part of my story. The fact that my first campaign was in a two-to-one Republican district, and I was able to win that against an entrenched Republican incumbent whod been in Congress for eight years is part of who I am. The fact that he was a bully and demeaned me and tried to dismiss me with comments like, Youre just a pretty face shows not only my resilience, but how I treat a bully-- I talk past them. When he says, Youre just a pretty face, you say, Well, thank you, but lets now talk about how we get out of Iraq and my own out-of-Iraq policy, and why I believe this is the most important thing we do right now. And my second campaign was no different. My opponent was a philanthropist, had a lot of personal money and wealth, and he decided to spend $7 million, almost exclusively on negative campaign ads. I was a mom with young kids at the time, I had just had Henry. So Im walking around the district with a toddler-- Theo was 4, Henry was just a baby-- and we learned something in politics: that you cannot win a campaign [against a mother] with a toddler and an infant on negative campaign ads, because nobody believes you. ...[S]o when I became senator ten years ago, I realized that only protecting the Second Amendment and, you know, hunters rights, wasnt enough, and that I needed to really absorb the pain and suffering and challenges of other communities that had deep gun violence and gang violence, and meeting even just one family who had lost a daughter when a stray bullet hit her in the head, and meeting her whole class, made me recognize immediately that I had to be a champion for her. And that meant writing my first piece of legislation on ending gun violence, which was an anti-trafficking law, because Commissioner [Ray] Kelly-- at the time, our New York City police commissioner-- along with a lot of parents who had lost their children said: This is the thing. These guns are coming in from out of state. Theyre almost all illegal, and theyre almost going right into the hands of gang members. So when I meet a mom, more recently, who lost her 4-year-old on a park bench in Brooklyn, thats something you dont recover from. You have to speak a truth and say, This must be addressed. What's being addressed is her authenticity, which is reflected by that zero to 1% backing she's finding in the polls and the lack of enthusiasm for her campaign among her home state colleagues. And everything is everyone else's fault, never an attractive trait in a politicians (see Donald J. Trump). Hanoi Grade A office yield was highest globally in the second half 2018. Photo by Shutterstock/Vietnam Stock Images Hanoi offered the highest grade A office rental yield in the world last year -- 8.57 percent, a Savills report said. This was the third straight year the Vietnamese capital ranked top, according to the British property consultancy, which used data from the second half of 2018. Hanoi recorded a 3 percent year-on-year increase in average gross rent in the last quarter of 2018 and a steady occupancy rate of 95 percent. Philippine capital Manila, Australia's Adelaide, Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City, and Australia's Perth round out the global top five. HCMC, the previous runner-up, dropped to fourth place with a yield of 7.36 percent. HCMC has been performing outstandingly in the last five years, with average rents growing at 8 percent a year and a very high occupancy rate of 97 percent. "The fact that Hanoi and HCMC are among markets that offer the highest yields globally shows healthy rent and occupancy prospects for the two cities," Hoang Nguyet Minh, investment manager at Savills Hanoi, said. The two Vietnamese cities have been enormous interest from international investors, particularly Singaporeans, Japanese and Koreans, Minh said. In the 12 months since the second half of 2017, office space attracted the largest global investment -- $340 billion, according to Savills. While Boney M lead singer remarked on the changes in Hanoi, Joy members tucked into Vietnamese cuisine. Ahead of their highly successful concert in Hanoi, members of the Joy band, Andreas, Manfred va Michael, sampled some local cuisine and were impressed with Vietnamese coffee. "I have never seen a type of coffee with such a strong flavor. It is quite interesting that in Europe, people rarely drink coffee with ice, so when the seller here asks us whether we want to drink hot or iced coffee, we were quite puzzled. In the end, we decided to drink hot coffee," said Michael Scheickl, a member. The first Vietnamese dish they had was noodles with duck. Andreas quacked about it: "Duck meat in Vietnam is really delicious. Fresh chilies are also delicious," Andreas said. "We will go down to downtown Hanoi to explore street food. When Joy goes on tour, we like to experience local dishes. Tonight we want to try spring rolls." The band said theyd prepared a song for Vietnamese women to celebrate Womens Day. Liz Mitchell, the main vocalist for Boney M, said she was impressed with the changes in Hanoi. She had first visited Hanoi in the 1990s and could clearly see the change in the city. "There are now more tall buildings, cars and motorbikes." Boney M has been around so long that their music is stored on vinyl, cassettes, CDs and smart phones. "For young people, I think they can freely listen to music the way they want. But I encourage everyone to listen to Boney M with vinyl. For me, it's the best sound and gives the most relaxing feeling. You'll almost live more slowly and focus on enjoying the music," said Mitchell. Boney M and Joy performed at the National Convention Center in Hanoi Friday. Boney M is a German disco band with four members that enjoyed peak popularity in the mid-1970s, with dozens of their songs ranking high on European charts. In Vietnam, their songs are loved by millions, especially those born in the 1960s and 1970s. Particular favorites include Rivers of Babylon, Daddy Cool, Ma Baker, and Christmas songs like Jingle Bells, Marys Boy Child, Petit Papa Noel. Joy is an Austrian disco band established in 1984 with three members: Freddy Jaklisch, Manfred Temmel and Andy Schweitzer. Their songs like Touch by Touch, Hello, Valerie, and Japanese Girl are still popular in Vietnam. Hanoi X-Girls got all yesses from the judges to enter the next round. Photo acquired by VnExpress The Hanoi X-Girls progressed to the next stage Thursday after a striking performance at Asia's Got Talent 2019. The groups hyper-showy dance moves and earned praise from the celebrity judges to go on to the deliberation round. Music producer David Foster said: "For me, in general, I thought the choreography was really unique and it told a story. And it doesn't always happen on this stage. So good going!" "It was definitely a solid performance. I mean, there were a few minor slip-ups but I don't think it hindered your overall performance. You guys all had very charismatic expressions and were all very fierce. I liked it," said Korean superstar Jay Park, who joined the troupe for a few minutes on stage and showed off a few moves himself. Vietnam dance team wins plaudits at Asia's Got Talent 2019 HANOI XGIRLS Anggun, an Indonesian music icon also said she was entertained and liked it. So the Hanoi X-Girls got three yesses from the judges to enter the next round. Hanoi X-Girls was formed in 2016, specializing in Poly Swag Hip Hop and Waacking. Having performed in several dance competitions, they were crowned the champions of 2018 Hot Steps Dance Competition and 2018 LG Twinwash Dance Challenge in Vietnam. Other Vietnamese representatives like LifeDance team and junior dance duet Gia Nhu and Anh Duc also secured a place to the deliberation round at Asia's Got Talent 2019. A Vietnamese tour guide died and seven South Koreans were injured after their bus went off a slope road and turned over. Photo by VnExpress/Phan Thanh A Vietnamese tour guide died and seven South Korean tourists were hospitalized after their bus plunged off a road in Binh Thuan Saturday. Around 1 p.m., the bus carrying South Korean tourists was traveling on a slope road leading to downtown Phan Thiet, a coastal town in the south central province of Binh Thuan, when the driver lost control of the bus and it plunged about six meters down. Provincial authorities said seven South Korean passengers, including a child, and the driver who was also a tour guide suffered serious injuries and were rushed to hospital for treatment. The driver died at the hospital. One of the seven South Korean passengers was a child. Photo by VnExpress/Phan Thanh Police are investigating the accident. Last month, 11 South Koreans were injured in a bus-truck collision near the Hai Van Tunnel in central Vietnam. South Koreans are among the biggest groups of visitors to Vietnam, with more than 3.4 million arrivals last year, a 44 percent year-on-year increase, according to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism. Road safety has become a serious concern in the country, with almost one person killed every hour in road accidents. More than 18,720 accidents occurred last year, killing 8,244 people and injuring nearly 14,800, according to the National Traffic Safety Committee. An England court Wednesday sentenced a Romanian to four years and six months in jail for trafficking 10 Vietnamese from Germany into the U.K. Ciprian Scorteanu, 45, was convicted of hiding eight Vietnamese children and two adults inside his truck and illegally carrying them into the U.K., British newspaper Metro reported. Border security officers at the Port of Hull in England stopped his vehicle on October 27 last year and found the Vietnamese nationals hidden in a refrigerated container in the vehicles trunk. The Romanian man was arrested the same day. It is believed the 10 Vietnamese had been in the refrigerated container for 36 hours when they were found. No information has been provided about how the children and adults got to Germany. The Vietnamese men found in the refrigerated truck were refused entry to the U.K. and sent to Rotterdam in the Netherlands, while the eight children were taken into the care of social services. Last year, a court in England sentenced a Romanian man to 18 months in jail for attempting to smuggle a Vietnamese teenager into the U.K., Sky News reported. Vietnam is consistently one of the top source countries for modern slaves in Britain - at least 3,187 suspected Vietnamese victims have been identified since 2009, according to official data. About 362 possible child victims from Vietnam were discovered in Britain in 2017, up more than a third over 2016. Victims trafficked from Vietnam most commonly end up being exploited, often in cannabis farms and nail bars, but many are also sexually exploited, according to a report commissioned by Britains Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner Kevin Hyland. The Travelodge hotel in Orlando City, Florida where two Vietnamese tourists stay during their trip to the U.S. to attend a film festival. Photo courtesy of Travelodge A homeless female burglars attempt to break into their room was foiled by two Vietnamese tourists in Florida. Vietnamese filmmaker Tan Duong and his female companion Anh Nguyen, who were in the U.S. to attend a film festival this week, were staying at the Travelodge hotel in downtown Orlando. On Wednesday, Duong was sleeping when his friend screamed after finding a stranger in the room, trying to steal their cellphones and wallets. He woke up and grabbed the burglars hands as she tried to escape, the Fox 35 Orlando newspaper reported Thursday. The burglar was identified as Nicole Watkins, 40, a homeless woman. She also attempted to run away while being taken to local police station and drug paraphernalia were found on her person. She is now in custody and faces charges of burglary, possession of drugs and attempted escape, police said. The Vietnamese tourists said they never thought they would experience something like a scene out of movie. In June last year, an American man, Julius Trotter, stabbed two Vietnamese tour employees to death in a hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, while robbing them. He was arrested a month later and could be sentenced to death for the murder. Protests, strikes and studies -- people around the globe are taking action to mark International Women's Day and to push for action to obtain equality. Here are some of the events: Strikes and tear gas In Turkey authorities sought to quash Women's Day demonstrations on Friday, with police firing tear gas to disperse a sea of demonstrators at the entrance of the city's main pedestrianised shopping street Istiklal Avenue. Protesters had gathered at the central avenue despite a ban on their protest, with crowds chanting slogans including: "We are not silent, we are not scared, we are not obeying." They were blocked by police in riot gear, who then used tear gas and dogs to disperse them. Across Spain, women downed tools in a strike for equality, a mass movement which drew in female employees from across the spectrum, from nuns to journalists and even the mayor of Madrid, Manuela Carmena. Authorities said more than half a million people took part in Women's Day protests in Madrid and Barcelona. In France, thousands of people took to the streets to mark the day, with demonstrators in Paris carrying banners with slogans including "Equal pay, equal work" and "we will never be silent again." Thousands protest Duterte misogyny About 4,000 demonstrators marched through Manila chanting slogans against President Rodrigo Duterte, who has repeatedly made jokes about rape and last year admitted indecently touching the family maid when he was a teenager. Aides brushed off his comments as jokes, but activists have denounced his "misogynistic" statements as "unacceptable, pointing to statistics showing a 153 percent increase in rape from the decade before he was elected. With one woman or child raped in the Philippines every hour, activists aiming to raise awareness about gender-based violence staged an exhibition of clothes worn by victims, called 'Don't tell me how to Dress.' Mourning murdered women In Mexico, demonstrators held marches and staged a series of performances with graphic depictions of domestic abuse in Ecatepec, a town one hour outside Mexico City known as a flashpoint for violence against women. Mexico State, where Ecatepec is located, led the country in femicides in 2017, with 301 women and girls murdered, according to official figures. "It makes me sad to wake up every day and see in the news that another (woman) has disappeared, another body has been found. It makes me sad to realize I'm very vulnerable as a woman and that I never know if I'm going to make it home," Fernanda Pando, 23, a recent graduate in psychology who has lived her whole life in the town, told AFP. Flowers for mums and wives In Pyongyang, Flower Shop No. 5 did a brisk trade in flowers on International Women's Day, which is a public holiday in North Korea, as a steady stream of customers turned up to buy blooms for their wives, mothers and significant others. As the North's founder Kim Il Sung once said: "In our country, women are in charge of one of the wheels of the revolution." Do more at home, UN tells men Of all the factors blocking equality in employment, the biggest is the heavy burden of caregiving borne by women, a UN report has found, saying the pace of change will only change if men take on far more unpaid tasks at home. "In the last 20 years, the amount of time women spent on unpaid care and domestic work has hardly fallen, and men's has increased by just eight minutes a day," said Manuela Tomei of the UN's International Labour Organization. Globally, women perform more than three-quarters of the total time spent on unpaid care work, averaging four hours and 25 minutes per day, while men only do one hour and 23 minutes. "The imbalanced division of work within the household between men and women is one of the most resilient features of gender inequality," the report said. Designed with a gender bias? Women's lives are impacted every day by a built-in "gender data gap" that touches everything from urban life to design, says a new book called "Invisible Women." British author Caroline Criado Perez says it is the story of "what happens when we forget to account for half of humanity", citing examples which range from slight irritations to life-threatening situations. From cars designed using crash-test dummies based on the average male, to doctors misdiagnosing women suffering a heart attack because their symptoms differ from those of men, the bias pervades modern society, and can have fatal consequences, she says. Even consumer products are often male-centric with voice recognition software far more likely to accurately recognise men's speech, and mobile phones often too large for women's hands. "Designers may believe they are making products for everyone, but in reality they are mainly making them for men." In the director's chair, but paid less The number of films directed by women has risen steadily in France over the past decade, but there remains significant inequality, notably in salaries, a study by the French film council says. Back in 2008, just 43 films were made by women, but in 2017, that figure rose to 70. Women directors were also more active in France than in other European countries, making 370 films between 2012-2017, compared with 242 in Germany and 87 in the U.K. But wages were notably lower, with women directors earning on average 42.3 percent less than their male counterparts. Oz takes aim at sexist campervans Australia's government used International Women's Day to take aim at Wicked Campers, a "misogynistic" campervan firm known for its fleet of vehicles spray-painted with crude, sexist graffiti and slogans, which have sparked outrage. "We have no tolerance for sexist, misogynistic and offensive slogans on campervans," said Minister for Women Kelly O'Dwyer, while Transport Minister Michael McCormack said they "belong in a junkyard, not on Australian roads." 'Peace is born of women' Pope Francis praised women as the source of peace, hailing their contribution to building a world "that can be a home for all". "Women make the world beautiful, they protect it and keep it alive. They bring the grace of renewal, the embrace of inclusion, and the courage to give of oneself," he said. "Peace, then, is born of women, it arises and is rekindled by the tenderness of mothers. Thus the dream of peace becomes a reality when we look towards women... If we dream of a future peace, we need to give space to women." Cameroon activist wins French prize France awarded the first Simone Veil Prize to Aissa Doumara Ngatansou, a Cameroonian woman who has spent 20 years helping victims of rape and forced marriages. On receiving the 100,000-euro prize ($112,000) Doumara dedicated it to "all women victims of violence and forced marriages" and to those who had escaped the clutches of Boko Haram, the jihadist movement which emerged in Nigeria a decade ago and has terrorised the region. Abuse affects one in three Figures released in an OECD report showed that one in three women have suffered from domestic abuse. But since its last report in 2014, another 15 countries have adopted laws against domestic violence, meaning 132 countries criminalise it while 48 do not, it said. In a second report, the OECD found that addressing gender inequalities and encouraging women's participation in the workforce could boost the global economy by $6 trillion, or 7.5 percent of GDP. White House Communication Director Bill Shine is seen prior to a joint news conference at the White House September 18, 2018 in Washington, DC. Photo by AFP/Alex Wong Former Fox News executive Bill Shine has resigned as President Donald Trump's communications director, the White House said Friday. "Assistant to the president and communications director Bill Shine offered his resignation to the president yesterday evening, and the president accepted," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said in a statement. Sanders didn't go into Shine's reasoning but said he continued to support Trump and his agenda and would be a senior advisor to the 2020 re-election campaign. Shine, 55, was appointed co-president of Fox News in August 2016, following the abrupt resignation of its chief Roger Ailes in the face of a sexual harassment lawsuit. Shine resigned from the US television network less than a year later over questions concerning his handling of the Ailes case and accusations that he had helped cover up alleged misbehavior. His resignation comes as accusations mount over Trump's closeness to the network, whose prime time star anchor Sean Hannity served as an informal advisor to the then-candiadate during the 2016 election campaign. An article in this week's New Yorker magazine suggested Fox was a "propaganda" vehicle for Trump and alleged that in 2016, the network went so far as killing a story about the president's alleged affair with a pornographic film actress. The Democratic Party responded by banning the network from hosting any of its primary candidate, after published revelations suggested it was a "propaganda" vehicle for Trump. Democratic National Committee chairman Tom Perez said a story in this week's New Yorker magazine on the White House's apparently close relationship with the channel prompted the decision. "Recent reporting in the New Yorker on the inappropriate relationship between President Trump, his administration and Fox News has led me to conclude that the network is not in a position to host a fair and neutral debate for our candidates," he added in a statement to The Washington Post. The New Yorker piece detailed how Trump has given dozens of interviews to Fox and repeatedly tweets claims that have been made on the popular cable news network, owned by media magnate Rupert Murdoch. Trump often refers to Fox's rivals CNN and MSNBC, as well as The New York Times and The Washington Post, as "fake news." Tikapur residents fear possible unrest over courts order to imprison 11 people The ripples created by the 2015 Tikapur incident had just begun to settle down. The towns residents were gathering themselves from the incident that resulted in violent killings of nine people, and nearly stoked communal violence between the Tharu and non-Tharu communities. Intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) are driven past the stand with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and other high-ranking officials during a military parade marking the 105th birth anniversary of the country's founding father Kim Il Sung, in Pyongyang April 15, 2017. Photo by Reuters/Damir Sagolj U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday he would be disappointed if Pyongyang were to resume weapons testing. He also reiterated his belief in his good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un despite the collapse last week of their second summit. "I would be surprised in a negative way if he did anything that was not per our understanding. But we'll see what happens," Trump told reporters. "I would be very disappointed if I saw testing." Trump's comments came after two U.S. think tanks and Seoul's spy agency said this week that North Korea was rebuilding a rocket launch site at Sohae in the west of the country. There have also been reports from South Korea's intelligence service of new activity at a factory at Sanumdong near Pyongyang that produced North Korea's first intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of reaching the United States. On Friday, U.S. National Public Radio quoted experts from California's Middlebury Institute of International Studies as saying that satellite images of Sanumdong taken on Feb. 22 and on Friday suggested North Korea could be preparing to launch a missile or a space rocket. One of the experts, Jeffrey Lewis, told Reuters the activity at the two sites was "probably connected." NPR said the Feb. 22 photos showed cars, trucks, rail cars and two cranes at Sanumdong, while in those taken on Friday, the activity had died down and one of the cranes had disappeared. Other experts, including Joel Wit at 38 North and Michael Elleman of the International Institute for Strategic Studies considered the conclusion speculative. "In the past there have been multiple reports about activity at this place that turned out to be false alarms," Wit said, referring to Sanumdong. "It could either be preparation for an eventual launch or not." The White House and the Pentagon did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The State Department declined to comment. North Korea has frozen nuclear and missile testing since 2017, and Trump has pointed to this as a positive outcome from nearly a year of high-level engagement with North Korea. Sohae has been used in the past to test missile engines and to launch rockets that U.S. officials say have helped development of North Korea's weapons programs. A senior U.S. State Department official said on Thursday that any launch from there would be "inconsistent" with North Korean commitments. Kim pledged at a first summit with Trump in Singapore in June that the engine test site and launch platform at Sohae would be dismantled. He repeated the pledge in a summit with the South Korean president in September. Trump said he thought his and the U.S. relationship with Kim and North Korea was "a very good one." "I think it remains good," he said. Summit collapse Trump has been eager for a big foreign policy win on North Korea which has eluded his predecessors for decades and has repeatedly stressed his good relationship with Kim. He went as far late last year as saying that they "fell in love," but the bonhomie has failed to bridge the wide gap between the two sides and a second summit between them collapsed last week in Vietnam over differences on U.S. demands for Kim to give up his nuclear weapons and North Korea's demands for sanctions relief. U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton and other U.S. officials have sought to play down the developments spotted at Sohae, although Trump on Thursday called recent North Korean activity "disappointing." The senior State Department official who briefed reporters in Washington on Thursday said he would "not necessarily share the conclusion" of the think tanks that the Sohae site was operational again, but said any use of it would be seen as "backsliding" on commitments to Trump. Pyongyang has used Sohae to launch satellites into space since 2011, and one such launch in April 2012 killed off an Obama administration deal for a freeze in North Korean nuclear and missile testing in return for food aid. North Korean state media acknowledged the fruitless Hanoi summit for the first time on Friday, saying people were blaming the United States for the lack of an agreement. "The public at home and abroad that had hoped for success and good results from the second ... summit in Hanoi are feeling regretful, blaming the U.S. for the summit that ended without an agreement," its Rodong Sinmun newspaper said. The paper directed fiery rhetoric against Japan, accusing it of being "desperate to interrupt" relations between Pyongyang and Washington and "applauding" the breakdown of the summit. Washington has said it is open to more talks with North Korea, but it has rejected an incremental approach to negotiations sought by Pyongyang and it remains unclear when the two sides might meet again. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Monday he was hopeful he would send a delegation to North Korea for more talks in the next couple of weeks, but had received "no commitment yet." The senior State Department official who briefed reporters on Thursday declined to say whether there had been direct contact between the sides since the summit. He said Washington was keen to resume talks as soon as possible, but North Korea's negotiators needed to be given more latitude. "There will necessarily need to be a period of reflection here. Both sides are going to have to digest the outcome to the summit," said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "Fundamentally, where we really need to see the progress, and we need to see it soon, is on meaningful and verifiable steps on denuclearization. That's our goal and that's how we see these negotiations picking up momentum." The official said complete denuclearization was the condition for North Korea's integration into the global economy, a transformed relationship with the United States and a permanent peace regime on the Korean peninsula. Bolton, who has argued for a tough approach to North Korea, said this week that Trump was open to more talks, but also warned of tougher sanctions if North Korea did not denuclearize. The program should bring together experts to discuss and debate Internet freedom trends, challenges, and policies. The U.S. Department of State has announced a competition for the implementation of a program to promote Internet freedom in Ukraine in the context of a "hybrid war" with Russia. Read alsoSBU fighting off Russian intel attempts to meddle in elections via social networks "The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) announces an open competition for organizations interested in submitting applications for programs that promote Internet freedom in Ukraine," reads a statement on the U.S. Department of State's website. The program should bring together technology experts, lawyers, civil society, media, and private sector representatives to discuss and debate Internet freedom trends, challenges, and policies. It should also build the knowledge and advocacy capacity of these groups in order to support cross-sector engagement on domestic Internet freedom issues and to combat regional and domestic threats to freedom of expression online. "The program should have a strong focus on consensus-building among Ukrainian stakeholders on freedom of expression during conflict, specifically addressing the issues of self-censorship and the intersection of national security concerns with freedom of expression online," the document said. The tender assumes that the program will be funded from one to three years. The U.S. is ready to provide from US$500,000 to $1,180,500 in funding for the initiative. As was earlier reported, President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko and U.S. Undersecretary of State David Hale during their meeting in Kyiv March 7 noted the need to further increase pressure on Russia over its aggressive policies undermining world stability and security. Hale said that Ukraine had made significant progress in implementing a number of reforms: in particular, in the judicial, energy and defense spheres. After many meetings and debates, the Chicago delegation succeeded in working with the New York United Federation of Teachers, Local 2 (UFT) to push the AFT to take stronger stands on charter school accountability and school closings though many delegates from Chicago would have liked the language to have been even stronger. Generally speaking, the New York delegation represented organizing charters as the best model for handling their role in reshaping unions, despite the fact that according to many reports few charter schools in New York have been organized as is the case in Chicago. This logic is the same touted by the Progressive Caucus of the AFT. The few that have been organized are a part of the UFT local though they have separate contracts negotiated with the help of UFT. The Chicago delegation reflection the mindset that allowing new charters to continue to proliferate while attempting to organize existing charters is an end game in which public schools and the union lose. Jen Johnson, CTU, Local 1 in Substance Russia's hybrid military forces mounted one attack on Ukrainian army positions in Donbas in the past 24 hours, with no casualties reported, the press service of the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) has reported. "On March 8, Russia's hybrid military forces once mounted fire on the positions of the JFO from small arms in the area of responsibility of the operational-tactical group Pivden (North), near Krymske," the JFO headquarters (HQ) said on the Facebook social network on Saturday morning. Armaments prohibited by the Minsk agreements were not applied. "Since the beginning of the current day, the enemy has not shelled our positions," JFO HQ said. The JFO reliably control the enemy on the line of contact, while respecting the conditions of the ceasefire. Ukraine has no ground to count on the stop of aggression by Russia in the near future, and the decision of NATO presence in the Black Sea region could curb Moscow, Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze has said. "The U.S. leadership in strengthening NATO navy's presence in the Black Sea region is extremely important. This is the only way that can help deter Russia from aggressive actions," the deputy prime minister said at a meeting with Fiona Hill Special Assistant to the U.S. President and Senior Director for European and Russian Affairs on his National Security Council staff Fiona Hill in Washington (the United States). According to the press service of the Ukrainian government, Klympush-Tsintsadze said that Ukraine is counting on further close attention from the United States to the situation in the Azov and Black Seas and condemning the Russian armed attack on the Ukrainian Navy near the Kerch Strait. "The aggressive actions of the Russian Federation undermine regional and international security. The Kremlin neglects international law and bilateral agreements. Such behavior requires increased pressure on Russia," the deputy prime minister said. She thanked for the continued and decisive support of Ukraine by the United States and noted the importance of strengthening economic sanctions against the Russian Federation. The government's representative said that Kyiv is continuing reforms, which are a key tool for preparing Ukraine for NATO membership. "The implementation of the law on national security is our priority task for this year. In January, a bill on parliamentary control over the activities of special services and law enforcement agencies was registered in Verkhovna Rada. I hope it will be passed by people's deputies," Klympush-Tsintsadze said. She also noted the need to urgently restore the format of the NATO-Ukraine Commission at the level of Foreign Ministers, which is now being blocked by Hungary: "Ukraine pays considerable attention to protecting the rights of national minorities and seeks to resolve this issue in a bilateral dialogue with Hungary." Trekking guide dies, Dutch national goes missing along Annapurna Circuit route A trekking guide died and a Dutch national went missing in an avalanche along the Annapurna Circuit trekking route. Kyiv's Obolonsky district court on March 20, 2019 is to hear statements of defending lawyers of former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych regarding correction of handwriting and explanations regarding the verdict in the high treason case. The press service of the court reported that the defenders ask to remove the reference to the circumstance that mitigates punishment for Yanukovych in the statements of reasons of the verdict: "committing crimes under the influence of dependence on representatives of authorities of the Russian Federation." The lawyers also asked to remove the reference to video recording of an interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin from the verdict. In this interview Putin three times stressed that he has the official address of "legitimate president Viktor Yanukovych" on the use of Russian Armed Forces on the territory of Ukraine, which he (Putin) considers as enough legal ground for using the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation on the territory of Ukraine from the point of view of international law. On March 6, the Kyiv's court of appeals returned the verdict in the Yanukovych's high treason case with the appeal complaints of his lawyers to the Obolonsky district court of Kyiv to hear petitions to correct handwriting and clarify the sentence. This ruling is not appealable. On February 25, the deadline for filing appeals against the verdict of Yanukovych in the case of high treason expired. On February 26, the Obolonsky district court of Kyiv announced that on March 1, it would send all complaints to the court of appeal. On March 1, the Kyiv's Court Of Appeals informed that it had determined the composition of the jury for hearing the appeals. On January 24, 2019, the Obolonsky District Court of Kyiv sentenced Yanukovych to 13 years of imprisonment after finding him guilty of treason and abetting Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine. The court simultaneously found him not guilty of abetting encroachment on the territorial integrity of Ukraine, resulting in deaths or other grave consequences. The investigation department of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) on Thursday, March 7, handed out orders on scheduling an expert psychiatric examination (a kind of forensic test) to two more captive Ukrainian sailors Vasyl Soroka and Viktor Bespalchenko, defending lawyer Nikolai Polozov has reported. "Thus, in the current week, an outpatient expert psychiatric examination was scheduled for eight captive sailors. Next investigative actions are planned for another 12 prisoners of war next week," Polozov wrote on his Facebook page. According to him, the lawyers made statements about the inadmissibility of such an examination of the captive prisoners, as being unforeseen by the Third Geneva Convention. It was also noted that the investigators had not provided information on sending a relevant request for obtaining information on the mental health status of the captive sailors to the competent authorities of Ukraine. Due to the fact that the investigators have the intention to conduct an examination regardless of the position of the defense, lawyers, as before, filed petitions seeking for their presence during the examination in connection with the need to provide legal assistance to the prisoners of war (POW). Earlier POW sailors Serhiy Tsybyzov, Roman Mokriak, Yuriy Bezyazychny, Vladyslav Kostyshyn, Volodymyr Varimez and Serhiy Chuliba received orders on scheduling an expert psychiatric examination. As earlier reported, on November 25, 2018, Russian border guards used weapons to stop three Ukrainian naval vessels, the Yany Kapu tug and the Berdiansk and the Nikopol armored gunboats, which were traveling from Odesa to Mariupol in the Kerch Strait. The vessels were convoyed to Kerch, and 24 Ukrainians who were on them were arrested and charged with "illegally crossing the border" and "conspiracy by a group of persons or an organized group to illegally cross the border using violence or the threat to use violence." Late November 2018, the Ukrainians were transferred to Moscow. The court extended all the Ukrainians' arrests until April 24. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has confirmed information that Austrian journalist Christian Wehrschutz was banned from entering Ukraine for the period of one year. "The reason for this decision was the need to ensure the safety of the journalist. We recall that Christian Wehrschutz noted in his interview about the existing threats to his life in Ukraine," the SBU reported on its Facebook page on Saturday. The security service said that in order to avoid possible provocations during the stay of the Austrian journalist in Ukraine, "the SBU, in accordance with the law, decided to ban him from entering." As reported, on March 8, 2019, the EU press secretary told Interfax-Ukraine that the EU is aware of the decision of the Ukrainian authorities to ban Wehrschutz from entering Ukraine and expects that such decisions will be taken in accordance with fundamental rights and freedoms, including the European Convention on Human Rights. Earlier, First Deputy Head of the Rada Committee on Freedom of Speech and Information Policy Olha Chervakova reported that the SBU had prohibited head of the Ukrainian bureau of the Austrian ORF TV channel Christian Wehrschutz from entering the country because of the "threat he poses to national security." Poroshenko: Ukraine has no plans to repeat mistakes of Budapest memo, country needs high-precision missiles Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has said that Ukraine has not been bound with some limits regarding the missile range anymore and now the country seeks to develop high-precision missiles. "We are no longer bound by any limitations either on the range of our missiles, nor on their power let the enemy know about it, too. We need high-precision missiles and we are not going to repeat the mistakes of the Budapest memorandum," Poroshenko said at a meeting of the Regional Development Council in Cherkasy region on Saturday. He said that high-precision missiles of extended range are capable of hitting targets far behind enemy lines that occupied the Ukrainian state. "This will make the aggressor more restrained, and our defense will be safer," the president said. The head of state recalled that Russia suspended the treaty on medium and shorter-range missiles, and the United States withdrew from it, "as we, Ukrainians, too who lost certain obligations that we adhered to before." Poroshenko announced the tests of new missile military equipment in the near future. "I hope that in the coming weeks we will personally demonstrate to society the successes of our missile technologies. Do not worry, this is only about tests and exercises," he said. According to the president, the missile program should become a symbol of changes in the country. He recalled that in recent years, the efficiency of using anti-tank missile systems has increased, tests of Neptun cruise missiles have been conducted. "Look at how high-precision Vilha (Alder) rocket launcher system significantly increased its range," Poroshenko said. Director of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) Artem Sytnyk predicts that manipulations against the bureau will appear due to abuse of office in the Ukroboronprom state concern based on information from Yevhen Shevchenko who was linked to NABU, but never was staff member of the bureau. "Due to the fact that, according to our information, another bogus story is being prepared, manipulation regarding this issue [the transfer of criminal proceedings for abuse in the Ukroboronprom concern to NABU from the military prosecutor's office] and regarding NABU. Shevchenko is the person who never worked for NABU, but he also collaborated with NABU detectives in a number of criminal proceedings," Sytnyk said at a briefing in Kyiv on Thursday, March 7. Sytnyk said that cooperation with Shevchenko was registered in confidentiality contracts. He also denied accusations against NABU that the bureau had not responded to the abuse at Ukroboronprom for two years. "One of the people's deputies showed a letter to the military prosecutor's office, which sent a number of materials to NABU," Sytnyk said. He said that from the criminal proceedings, which, according to his data, will remain in the General Prosecutor's Office of Ukraine, 87 pages were taken and sent to NABU. These materials concerned Shevchenko's correspondence with individuals. "With regard to cooperation with Shevchenko, we are talking about three cases, and other special tasks or other cooperation within the confidential cooperation were not implemented," the NABU director said, admitting that some actions of Shevchenko outside cooperation with the bureau could be "subject to possible speculation." BERLIN, March 8 (Reuters) Germany will not follow Britain's lead in declaring Iran-backed Hezbollah a terrorist organisation, a senior official was quoted as saying on Friday, a decision that may fuel tensions with Saudi Arabia and the United States. Minister of State Niels Annen told weekly news magazine Der Spiegel that the Shi'ite Muslim Islamist movement remained a relevant factor in Lebanese society and the European Union had already added its military wing to a list of proscribed groups in 2013. Britain last month said it would ban all wings of Hezbollah for destabilising the Middle East. Long the most powerful group in Lebanon, Hezbollah's influence has expanded at home and in the region. It controls three of 30 ministries in the government led by Western-backed Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri, the largest number ever. Iran and Hezbollah, founded in 1982 by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, are big players in the Syria war allied with President Bashar al-Assad. Saudi Arabia, the United States and Israel have pressured allies to ban Hezbollah in its entirety. Annen, who spoke to Spiegel after a visit to Lebanon, said Germany was interested in Lebanese stability and Britain's decision would have no direct impact on the position of Germany or the European Union. Earlier on Friday, Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah had said other nations may follow Britain's example. "Despite all that is said and done, they will be disappointed. Their actions will not be able to make us poor, hungry or isolated. Those that support us will continue in their support - be they countries, people or our people and the people of resistance in Lebanon," he said in a televised speech. Germany's Annen rejected U.S. criticism his nation was doing too little to combat Iran's influence in the region and said Berlin's foreign policy remained focused on finding political solutions even in tough situations. Germany has criticised the U.S. decision to withdraw from the 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran, and worked with France and the European Union to set up an alternative financing mechanism that would allow European firms to do business with Tehran despite U.S. financial sanctions. Germany's refusal to ban Hezbollah as a whole could add to tensions with Riyadh over its leadership of a coalition fighting the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, and the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. France, Britain and European arms makers are pressing Germany to end a unilateral freeze in arms shipments to Saudi Arabia imposed by Berlin after Khashoggi's death that is holding up billions of euros of weapons deliveries. (Reporting by Andrea Shalal in Berlin; Additional reporting by Lisa Barrington in Beirut; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne) Zahra Rahnavard, one of the leaders of Irans Green Movement, who has been under house arrest along with her husband for eight years, has issued a statement calling on Islamic Republic rulers to free women prisoners on the occasion of the International Womens Day, March 8. Rahnavard, her husband Mir Hossein Moussavi and cleric Mehdi Karroubi, both presidential candidates in 2009, were put under house arrest in 2011 for rejecting the official outcome of the 2009 disputed elections when hardliner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was declared the winner of the presidential race. In her statement Rahnavard called on the authorities to release well-known activists, such as Nasrin Sotoudeh, to show that they have no enmity with free-thinking women who strive for liberty. She also urged the release of women who are workers, teachers or students, along with women belonging to the religious Dervish minority. But in her statement Rahnavard says releasing female political prisoners is not enough for the political development of the country and reform of laws and the legal system to protect womens economic and employment rights is essential. The leading suspect in a controversial financial corruption case in Iran alleged that the trial of suspects in the case has unnecessarily disclosed the identity of a number of individuals involved in circumventing U.S. sanctions. This was the second hearing session in a series of trials the Iranian reformist daily newspaper Sharq has nicknamed "the biggest scam in Iranian history." Reza Hamzehlou, the former managing director of the Iranian Petrochemical Commercial Company (PCC), was named by the prosecutor as having embezzled government funds in partnership with another suspect, Marjan Sheikholeslami , who owned two trading companies in Turkey. Sharq reported that 14 suspects in this case have disrupted Iran's economy by mishandling 6.66 billion euros of foreign currency resulting from the export of petrochemical products. A deputy to Iran's prosecutor-general said at the court on Saturday March 9, "We have tackled sanctions to a great extent, but we have not been as successful in dealing with financial corruption." He said that the suspects converted the foreign currency into the Iranian currency rial before returning it to the government, making a profit in the process. However, it is not easy to see a clear picture from the courtroom proceedings. Did the suspects embezzle funds or simply made illegal currency conversions? Who else among officials were involved in any illegal financial acts related to the case? Reports from Tehran say most of the suspects were the managers of PCC between 2010 and 2013. It was a government enterprise that was privatized in 2009 and Hamzehlou was its first managing director. At the court session it was said that three of the suspects, including Ms. Sheikholeslami, are currently living abroad. According to Iranian media, she failed to fulfil her commitments as stipulated in her contract with IRGC's Khatamolanbia financial conglomerate, and left Iran for Canada without paying her debts to Khatamolanbia. Ms. Sheikholeslami has still not reacted to these reports. It is also not clear how she could have left Iran if she owed money to the all-powerful Revolutionary Guards. Exiting Iran through airports is not as straightforward as in other countries. Travelers need to inform authorities in advance about their plans to go broad. Only people who have no pending legal issues or debts are able to exit through airports. Sheikholeslami and two other suspects living abroad will be tried in absentia, said the court. Meanwhile, the number one suspect in this case, Amin Qorashi Sarvestani, was arrested in the United States in 2014 for selling satellite equipment to Iran. During Saturday's session, Hamzehlou defended his performance at PCC and ruled out the accusations and said the main culprit in the case was the National Petrochemical Company of Iran which did not report facts about the case at the time. He said the government should have given him a medal for circumventing the sanctions. After the first round of international sanctions on Iran in 2011, Iranian officials started non-transparent financial operations to circumvent sanctions and used front companies to sell oil and petrochemical products on the world market. These non-transparent operations under former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad administration led to many cases of embezzlement and mishandling of government funds. Most of the financial corruption cases have something to do with failing or refusing to repatriate the government revenues from illicit sale of oil and oil products. The most well-known case is that of Babak Zanjani who operated through a series of companies he had set up in Turkey, Central Asia, Malaysia and the Persian Gulf states. He has been sentenced to death. Like Hamzehlou, Zanjani also had said that he should have been given an award instead of being sent to jail. No date has been yet set for the next session of this trial, while media in Iran is making the most of the controversial case during the weeks prior to the Iranian New Year, making up for the slow flow of other news. In the meantime, Iranian social media have been bubbling with libelous anecdotes and horrendous drama about the case during the weekend. As the trial gets under way for eight prominent Iranian environmentalists on charges of espionage, Irans prosecutor-general has said the defendants are certainly guilty. In a March 7 media briefing, mid-ranking cleric and Prosecutor-General Mohammad Jafar Montazeri insisted, "As the Prosecutor-General, and on the bases of evidence and documents, I believe the eight are definitely spies. Now, I am waiting for the outcome of the hearings and the court's verdict." Ms. Niloufar Bayani, Houman Jokar, Ms. Sepideh Kashani, Amirhossein Khaleghi, Abdolreza Kouhpayeh, Taher Qadirian, Sam Rajabi, and Iranian-American Morad Tahbaz, are members of a local environmental group called the Persian Wildlife Heritage Foundation, which was established by Iranian-Canadian sociology professor and well-known environmentalist Kavous Seyyed-Emami. Emami was arrested along with the other eight environmentalists in January 2018 but died in jail a few weeks later under suspicious circumstances. Authorities at Tehrans notorious Evin Prison maintain that the 63-year-old Emami committed suicide while in custody, an explanation his family categorically reject. Meanwhile, an unknown number of the detained environmentalists are charged with "corruption on Earth" which is punishable by death. The Prosecutor-General's insistence on their guilt contradicts the findings of three major state agencies in Iran, including the countrys highest security body, the Ministry of Intelligence, who have stated that the accused are all innocent of the spying charges filed against them. Furthermore, their continued detainment has prompted an international outcry. The UN has called the charges against the environmentalists hard to fathom and in February 2018 stated, Nowhere in the world, including Iran, should conservation be equated to spying or regarded as a crime. In October 2018, Human Rights Watch also called the accusations against the eight environmentalists "ridiculous." Meanwhile, the New York-based Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) reported March 4 the arrest of yet another environmentalist. "Environmentalist Afshin Sheikholeslami Vatani, a U.S. permanent resident, was arrested on February 17, 2019, at his fathers home in the city of Sanandaj, the capital of Irans Kurdistan Province, a month after returning to the country from the United States." Afshin Sheikholeslami Vatani belongs to Irans Kurdish minority. Afshis sister Negin, who lives in Sweden, told CHRI Our parents, uncle and some repairmen were inside the house when several agents came and carried out a search and took Afshin away. A civil engineer, Afshin Sheikholeslami Vatani, 40, had traveled to Iran several times without any problems since he immigrated to the U.S. in 2015 (he is currently a permanent resident). Prior to that, he had served one year in prison for his peaceful political activities, CHRI reported. The U.S. government has so far not reacted to Afshin Sheikholeslami's detention. Baku, Azerbaijan, Mar. 9 By Matanat Nasibova Trend: Statements related to the transit of Iranian gas to Georgia through the territory of Armenia are mostly populist in nature: they are made in connection with certain forces in the new Armenian government trying to give importance to their economic policies, including those of foreign trade, a well-known Azerbaijani economic expert, Professor Elshad Mammadov, told Trend. He was commenting on the information of Armenian media about the possible transit of Iranian gas to Georgia via Armenia. "When approaching this issue from the point of view of economic analysis, it becomes obvious that organizing the transit of Iranian gas through Armenia requires serious investment resources in the infrastructure of such a project. As of today, Armenia does not possess such resources, while Iran, on the other hand, also faces certain financial problems. With that being said, the Georgian market is not such a large and capacious market so that investments with the attraction of external credit resources could have the desired economic effect. Therefore, in my opinion, this is yet another propaganda canard launched in the Armenian media," Prof. Mammadov said. With regards to Georgia, according to the expert, it is trying, as a consumer, to diversify supplies and work with different suppliers in order to try to lower the price of energy resources. "Calls are sometimes being made in Georgia to reduce dependence on certain suppliers and this is also an element of a verbal battle, in order to strengthen their position at the negotiating table with gas suppliers. That is why I think that, in reality, and in terms of sound analytical assessments, the prospects of the transit of Iranian gas via Armenia is extremely unlikely," the expert concluded. 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. Baku, Azerbaijan, March 9 Trend: Over the past 24 hours, Armenian armed forces have violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops 20 times, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said March 9, 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. Baku, Azerbaijan, March 9 Trend: Iran is interested in developing the comprehensive relationship with Azerbaijan, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said during the official visit of the Azerbaijani delegation led by Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov to Iran, Trend reports March 9 with reference to Azerbaijans Foreign Ministry. At the meeting the sides had an exchange of views over various issues of bilateral agenda, including the development of relations in the spheres of tourism and culture, cooperation within regional and international organizations, widening of cooperation within UNESCO and etc. Stressing the importance of ensuring peace and security in the region Minister Elmar Mammadyarov underlined in this regard the soonest settlement of Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and informed his counterpart on the current situation of the negotiations process. The significance of the settlement of the conflict for achieving peace, security, sustainable development and prosperity in the region was emphasized. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif noted that they consider the security and development of Azerbaijan as their own security and development. The interest of Iran in developing the comprehensive relationship with Azerbaijan was stressed. It was noted that for developing bilateral ties it is necessary to speed up the projects under consideration. It was underlined that the statements made by Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Bagheri during his visit to Azerbaijan represent the official position of Iran. Minister Javad Zarif emphasized that his country stands for the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict by peaceful means and negotiations based on the principles of territorial integrity and inviolability of borders. Baku, Azerbaijan, March 9 Trend: Within his official visit to Iran Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov met with the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Hassan Rouhani, Trend reports with reference to Azerbaijans Foreign Ministry. Minister Elmar Mammadyarov conveyed the greetings of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to the Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. Minister Elmar Mammadyarov congratulated the Iranian side on the opening of the Rasht-Gazvin railroad. Iranian President expressed his gratitude for participation of the high level delegation from Azerbaijan at the event dedicated to the commissioning of the railroad. The sides exchanged views on the economic projects of the bilateral agenda. Also, the development of cultural, political, economic relations between the two states was underlined. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani noted his satisfaction over the development of existing relations between Iran and Azerbaijan. It was stressed that all branches of government in Iran support the development of relations with Azerbaijan. President Rouhani expressed their support to the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict by peaceful and diplomatic negotiations based on the territorial integrity and inviolability of borders of Azerbaijan. Minister Elmar Mammadyarov presented the letter of invitation of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan with regard to the Summit meeting of the Heads of States and Governments of the Non-Aligned Movement to be hosted on 25-26 October of this year in Baku. President Hassan Rouhani accepted the invitation with great pleasure. Supporting the bilateral and multilateral coperation formats between the two states, Iranian President appreciated the existing Iran-Azerbaijan-Russia trilateral cooperation format and noted the importance of organizing the next meeting of the heads of states. Also, highly appreciating the Azerbaijan-Iran-Turkey and Azerbaijan-Iran-Turkey-Georgia formats, the significance of continuing cooperation in these directions was emphasized. Baku, Azerbaijan, March 9 Trend: In the framework of his official visit to Iran, Minister of Foreign Affairs Elmar Mammadyarov met with the Chairman of the Iranian Parliament Ali Larijani, Trend reportswith reference to Azerbaijans Foreign Ministry. Minister Elmar Mammadyarov conveyed the sincere greetings of the Chairman of the Milli Mejlis of Azerbaijan Ogtay Asadov to the Chairman of the Iranian Parliament Ali Larijani. Ali Larijani thanked the Minister and requested from his side, to convey his sincere greetings to the attention of Ogtay Asadov. At the meeting the sides discussed the relations between the two states, including developing the bilateral relations in political, economic, cultural and other spheres. Minister Elmar Mammadyarov informed the Iranian Speaker about the bilateral economic projects under implementation. The activity of the Interstate Joint Commission between the two states was assessed. Minister noted the contribution of the Interparliamentary Friendship Group to the bilateral relations. Minister Elmar Mammadyarov informed his interlocutor on the current stage of negotiations on the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. It was emphasized that Azerbaijan is in favor of peace and stability in the region. Chairman of the Parliament of Iran Ali Larijani said that they support the resolution of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict by peaceful means and negotiations. It was underlined that the statements made by the Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri during his visit to Azerbaijan represent the official position of Iran. Iranian Speaker underlined support to the settlement of the conflict within the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. Baku, Azerbaijan, March 9 Trend: In the framework of his official visit to Iran, Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov met with the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran Ali Shamkhani, Trend reports with reference to Azerbaijans Foreign Ministry. At the meeting, along with the various issues of the bilateral relations agenda, regional and global security issues were discussed. Also an exchange was held over the security, cooperation and development in the region. Touching upon the bilateral economic relations, Minister Elmar Mammadyarov informed his interlocutor on the economic projects under implementation. He informed the other side on the current negotiations process over the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Ali Shamkhani noted that the position of Iran on the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict remains unchanged. He underlined the support of his country to the resolution of the conflict by peaceful means and diplomatic negotiations based on the territorial integrity and inviolability of borders of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The sides also discussed the joint actions against ISIS and other terror groups, which pose threat to regional security. Baku, Azerbaijan, March 9 Trend: Statements by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in recent months nullify fragile hopes for the prospects of the negotiation process, Member of Parliament of Azerbaijan, Vice-President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (PA) Azay Guliyev told Trend. According to Guliyev, the Azerbaijani delegation, for the first time at the winter session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, welcomed the statements made in January by the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan and the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair countries in connection with the peace talks and called on the Assembly to support these positive messages. "However, the recent behavior of Pashinyan and the statements he voiced negate cautious optimism that the negotiations will be resultative. As I noted in my press statement on March 2, after analyzing Pashinyans statements and behavior, I personally had the impression that this person approaches the peace process irresponsibly, perhaps he does not understand what he wants or what he says," he said. Vice-President of the OSCE PA added that on the one hand, Pashinyan tries to change the format of the negotiations and bring the separatists to the negotiating table and on the other hand, he sends the foreign minister to a meeting and when he meets with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, he tries to establish a contact and speaks of his readiness for bilateral talks. "I think that Pashinyan, fearing internal public opinion and his competitors, is forced to demonstrate a different position from official negotiations, and make pathos statements, or this person is simply not sincere, does not fully understand the seriousness and responsibility of the issue. I think that both situations are dangerous for Armenia and do not promise anything good to the Armenian people. Pashinyan knows perfectly well that it is impossible to change the format of negotiations with international status, and neither Azerbaijan nor the OSCE, which has approved this format, will agree to this," Guliyev said. Guliyev stressed that the promotion of such initiatives can be perceived as a refusal of Armenia from the negotiation process, which further actualizes the military solution of the conflict, which is an alternative to peaceful negotiations. He noted that using all the possibilities of diplomacy it is necessary to continue to bring this reality to the attention of the international community. "On the other hand, the time has come for the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs to express their attitude to the statements of Pashinyan threatening the peace talks. Everyone knows that contradictory and meaningless statements by the Armenian leadership and artificially delaying time have no political perspective," he said. He stressed that Pashinyan and his team will be forced to demonstrate a specific policy and experience the consequences of this policy. "From this point of view, the time of Pashinyan is gradually narrowing. I hope that the official meetings expected in the coming weeks will take place, the position and policy of the Armenian leadership regarding the conflict will be fully clarified and in accordance with this, we will once again consider the next steps that we will take," Guliyev said. Baku, Azerbaijan, March 9 Trend: Azerbaijan supports the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs to resolve the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict through result-oriented and intensive negotiations, spokesperson for the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry Leyla Abdullayeva said. She was commenting on the statement of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs on the upcoming meeting between President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. "There were proposals from the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group in connection with the meeting of the President of Azerbaijan with the Prime Minister of Armenia. We would like to note that Azerbaijan is committed to the negotiation process and always ready for substantive negotiations. Azerbaijan supports the efforts of the co-chairs to resolve the conflict through result-oriented and intensive negotiations. As known, so far three meetings have been held between the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and the Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan and there were four meetings between the Ministers of Foreign Affairs. This statement by the co-chairs of the Minsk Group is a signal to Armenia and we welcome it. When receiving the Minsk Group co-chairs, President Ilham Aliyev brought to their attention our countrys position in this regard. Negotiations on resolving the conflict are conducted between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The format of the negotiations remains unchanged. Attempts to attract the separatist regime established in our occupied territories to negotiations and attempts to change the format are unacceptable. The statement of the co-chairs also includes the steps to be taken in connection with the settlement of the conflict," spokesperson said. She added that one of the first steps envisages the liberation of the territories surrounding the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan and the return of internally displaced persons who were expelled from these territories by force. "As for the status of Nagorno-Karabakh, this may be a subject of discussion not to the detriment of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan, having repeatedly stated its position on this issue, said that the status of Nagorno-Karabakh within the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan should be determined by communities of this region, thats to say, the Azerbaijani and Armenian communities. As known, the principle of self-determination of peoples should not violate the principle of the territorial integrity of states. And the Helsinki Final Act is taken as the basis in the statement of the co-chairs. Namely this document reflects "respect to the equal rights of peoples and their right to self-determination, acting at all times in conformity with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and with the relevant norms of international law, including those relating to territorial integrity of states". As for the interested parties in the negotiation process to resolve the conflict, these are the Azerbaijani and Armenian communities of the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, and these communities are equal," Abdullayeva said. 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, March 9 By Matanat Nasibova - Trend: The reform process in general, and in particular in the field of ensuring pensions, continues at a high level, and the most important steps taken as part of Azerbaijans state policy are vivid evidence of this, Azerbaijani Minister of Labor and Social Protection of the Population Sahil Babayev told Trend. The minister noted that during the year a new concept will be ready, which will form and forecast the pension system of Azerbaijan until 2030, 2040, 2050 and beyond. "The concept is being prepared as part of reforming the pension system in Azerbaijan," he said. "In the future, we want to introduce the next two levels of pension systems that are widely used in international practice. To this end, we have attracted local and foreign experts." The minister reminded that last year the Azerbaijani president adopted a historic law that allowed ensuring the amnesty of insurance experience for citizens until 2006. "This gave us the opportunity to automate the allocation of a pension in Azerbaijan from Jan. 1, 2019, and today we have already met with a five-thousandth pensioner who received his pension online," he said. "Undoubtedly, this is a significant reform, and such practice exists in a very small number of countries. I think that in this regard we will be one of the best examples in terms of organizing the system for granting pensions. But our reforms dont stop there, as you know, the head of state appointed a minimum pension in Azerbaijan in the amount of 160 manats, which is higher than the subsistence level, so this step will help us improve the lives of our pensioners." On March 1, 2019, the average minimum labor pension in Azerbaijan increased by 38.5 percent and amounted to 160 manats. Previously, the minimum size of labor pensions was 116 manats. The increase in the minimum size of pensions covered 233,000 pensioners, including 140,000 persons receiving a disability pension. As many as 49 million manats were allocated to finance the increase of pensions from the State Social Protection Fund of Azerbaijan. Over the past 15 years, the increase in labor payments in Azerbaijan has been carried out seven times and the minimum amount of labor pensions has increased 6.5 times. (1.7 manats = 1 USD on March 5) Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Mar. 9 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: Turkmenistan's Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) has hosted a meeting between Akmaljon Kuchkarov, Uzbek Ambassador to Turkmenistan, and Orazmyrat Gurbannazarow, chairman of the CCI, Trend reports referring to the Uzbek Foreign Ministry. The parties discussed enhancing trade and economic cooperation during the meeting, and talked about new opportunities for building up bilateral cooperation in various fields. The formation of the Uzbek-Turkmen business council, an agreement on which was signed by the end of the bilateral summit talks in April 2018, serves as a perfect example of this, according to the report. It was stressed that the new format will help further strengthen the partnership between the business communities of the two countries, organize joint conferences and exhibitions, as well as further facilitate mutual trade. The parties agreed on the agenda of the first meeting of the business council and reached an agreement on determining the date and place of the event as soon as possible. The two neighboring countries are discussing the possibility of implementing new joint projects, identifying the energy sector, the development of transport infrastructure, industry, agriculture, and the stimulation of investment activity as prioritized fields. According to the Uzbek side, the total volume of trade in 2018 rose to $302 million from $177 million a year earlier. The countries signed contracts and memorandums in April 2018 providing for joint projects worth over $250 million. Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, possessing impressive hydrocarbon reserves, are in favor of diversifying energy flows. One good example might be the project for the construction of the Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan-Kazakhstan-China gas pipeline, commissioned in 2009. Ashgabat is also ready to step up cooperation as part of the project on the supply of electricity from Central Asia to South Asia along the Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan-Tajikistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan route. The project on the creation of an Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan-Iran-Oman transport route is also currently being discussed. This will significantly increase international transit freight traffic and provide a new communication corridor to global markets. Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, March 9 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: Turkmen Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov met with Romanian counterpart Teodor Melescanu in Bucharest, Trend reports referring to the Turkmen Foreign Ministry on March 6. The views on the prospects for the development of relations in the political-diplomatic, trade-economic, cultural-humanitarian spheres were exchanged during the talks, the source said. The issues of partnership within the international organizations, the intensification of relations within the EU-Central Asia format and Romanias current chairmanship in the EU Council in the first half of 2019 were also discussed. Earlier it was reported that the two countries agreed to explore the best routes of the Black Sea - Caspian Sea trade and transport corridor by using the advantages of Constanta and Turkmenbashi ports. The issue is the formation of the Eurasian Transport Corridor. In particular, Turkmenistan has been recently exploring the possibility of transporting cargo, including liquefied gas, to Constanta port. Tehran, Iran, March 9 Trend: Iraq Trade Minister Mohammad Hashim has announced that the trade volume between Iran and Iraq would increase to $20 billion. "The current trade volume between Iran and Iraq is $13 billion and by the will of two countries, it would rise to $20 billion in the future," he said, Trend reports citing Fars News Agency. "Iran has a good opportunity to develop trade with Iraq and two nations have a lot of common in cultural and religious views," he added during a joint meeting with his Iranian counterpart Reza Rahmani in Tehran. The official noted the Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is to visit Baghdad to discuss the development of trade ties between Iran and Iraq. Referring to meeting with the Iraqi official on Wednesday night, Iran Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade has indicated that there have been negotiations to improve strategic relations between two countries and increase the trade. Baku, Azerbaijan, Mar. 9 By Matanat Nasibova Trend: The structure of the Friends of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) launched in Azerbaijan will be consistently expanded this year, Chairman of the Board of the Agency for the Development of SMEs Orkhan Mammadov said at a joint business forum with Caspian European Club in Baku, Trend reports. According to the chairman, there are at present 12 "Friends of SMEs" operating in the country, and the opening of the first House of SMEs, which will operate in Baku, is expected this year. "This year, the Agency for the Development of SMEs plans to significantly expand this area in order to provide substantial support for the development of small and medium-sized enterprises in Azerbaijan. The "Friends of SMEs" network is an essential tool aimed at supporting micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, and one of its tasks is the expansion of the network and its coverage of the countrys districts and cities. This is also very important because the mechanism is aimed at protecting the rights of entrepreneurs," Mammadov said. Mammadov noted that one of the key areas of the agencys activities is the improvement of the legislative framework, as well as the development of mechanisms aimed at stimulating small and medium-sized enterprises in Azerbaijan. "At present, on the basis of the proposals put forward by the agency, a draft law On the Development of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises has been prepared, and a number of changes aimed at providing benefits have been made to the Tax Code. Moreover, procedures in the area of public services have been simplified, and major changes have been made to public procurement legislation," Mammadov said. He noted that the agency organizes its activities within the framework of the "Strategic roadmap for the production of consumer goods in Azerbaijan at the level of small and medium enterprises" until 2020, in order to significantly improve the business environment by this deadline and ensure that local products enter foreign markets. During the event, Orkhan Mammadov was awarded a diploma of the Caspian-European Club. As part of the event, the "SME Friendly" service was created and applications, proposals of entrepreneurs participating in the business forum were heard through the Friends of SMEs. The business forum was attended by heads of state and private companies, diplomatic corps and representatives of international organizations. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @MatanatNasibova Baku, Azerbaijan, March 9 By Leman Zeynalova Trend: Since their Joint Statement of 25 July 2018 in Washington D.C., when President Juncker and President Trump agreed to strengthen EU-US strategic cooperation including in the area of energy, EU imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the US have increased by 181 percent, Trend reports citing the European Commission. With a share of 12.6 percent of EU-LNG imports in 2019 so far, the U.S. is Europe's third biggest supplier of LNG. The European Union is ready to facilitate more imports of liquefied natural gas from the US, if the market conditions are right and prices competitive. This will allow US exporters to further diversify their European markets whilst contributing to the EU's objectives of security of supply and diversification. Currently, U.S. legislation still requires prior regulatory approval for liquefied natural gas exports to Europe. These restrictions need to be addressed and US rules made easier for US liquefied natural gas to be exported in larger quantities to the EU, reads a message from the European Commission. Compared to the period before the 25 July 2018 Joint Statement, cumulative EU imports of US LNG are up by 181 percent at 7.9 billion cubic meters until early March 2019; In terms of the EU's total imports of LNG, the US share was 12 percent, over the last six months, compared to 2.3 percent before the Joint Statement and since the first US LNG cargo to Europe in April 2016. In the month of January 2019, EU imports of U.S. LNG from the U.S. were 1.3 billion cubic meters, up from 102 million cubic meters compared to the same month in 2018. In February 2019 total US LNG imports amounted to 0.6 billion cubic meters. On 18 January 2019 the Commission adopted proposals for negotiating directives for its trade talks with the United States: one on conformity assessment and one on the elimination of tariffs for industrial goods. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn Baku, Azerbaijan, March 9 By Fakhri Vakilov - Trend: Several banks from Russia and Kazakhstan are planning to open their branches in Uzbekistan, Trend reports with reference to Uzbek Central Bank Chairman Mamariso Nurmuratov. "Several foreign commercial banks expressed their desire to work in the Uzbek market. We have certain requirements regarding the creation of a subsidiary bank, and they are working on their execution. Speaking in detail, Halyk Bank (Kazakhstan) is now working productively to create a subsidiary bank ", he said during a press conference in the capital. He stated that there are also several other banks from Russia and Kazakhstan, which have expressed a desire to open their subsidiaries in the country. "Moreover, there is a certain category of investing banks that want to enter Uzbek banks capital and thus create a joint bank. In this context, we continue to work and we are always happy to see a foreign investor," Nurmuratov stressed. He also noted that a number of international financial institutions intend to enter the capital of domestic banks through the allocated credit lines. Chairman of Central Bank underlined that the International Finance Corporation is working with Uzbek Ipoteka Bank, and plans to work with Asia Alliance Bank. The European Bank has begun certain negotiations regarding the Aloka Bank. --- Follow author on Twitter:@vakilovfaxri Baku, Azerbaijan, March 9 By Fakhri Vakilov - Trend: Measures to eliminate problems in the currency market of Uzbekistan will be taken this year, Trend reports with reference to the Chairman of Uzbek Central Bank, Mamariso Nurmuratov. He spoke about the plans of the regulator for 2019. Further liberalization of the foreign exchange market will be based on the exchange rate, its stability and dynamics, the volume of transactions in the foreign exchange market, coordination of foreign exchange operations. "Work on the further liberalization of the foreign exchange market has already begun. First of all, we are planning to remove the restrictions related to the foreign economic activity of business entities that operate in the domestic market. In 2019, we will reconsider all the elements, even the smallest, that impede the streamlining of the foreign exchange market. We identified one of the main tasks to remove these restrictions in 2019. The central bank will take the necessary measures to simplify the interaction between banks and customers. In other words, we will take measures to eliminate problems that cause questions to business entities and the public in the foreign exchange market," Mamariso Nurmuratov said. The Central Bank also plans to create a system of encouraging foreign investment, improve the strategy of intervention in the foreign exchange market and monetary policy in order to stabilize prices in the domestic market. Moreover, the Central Bank, alongside with the Ministry of Finance, will develop a medium-term concept for reforming the financial sector, which will include: ensuring financial stability, creating conditions for private capital to enter the banking sector and increasing the influence of monetary policy instruments on the economy through the banking system . Regarding banks privatization, in the coming days a government decree will be issued to attract private capital to the banking sector. --- Follow author on Twitter:@vakilovfaxri Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, March 9 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: Turkmen deputy prime minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Rashid Meredov will visit Pakistan March 11-13, Trend reports with reference to the Turkmen government. Political consultations, as well as a number of bilateral meetings, are planned to be held in Islamabad. The issues related to the intensification of the work on the implementation of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline construction project will become subject of thorough discussion, the report said. The aspects of cooperation in the electric power industry and telecommunications, including those related to the implementation of power transmission and fiber-optic communication lines along the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (TAP) route will also be considered. Transport sector has been defined as one of the priority directions of the partnership. In this context, it is planned to discuss the issues of creating a new transport corridor with the use of the possibilities for entering Europe through the Caspian Sea by using the transit potential of Afghanistan, Turkmenistan and Pakistan. Construction of TAPI was launched in December 2015, while the Afghan section in February 2018. Pakistan plans to start the work on its pipeline section this year. Turkmen gas is expected to be supplied through TAPI in 2020. The total length of the pipeline with a capacity of 33 billion cubic meters of gas per year will be 1,840 kilometers reaching the settlement of Fazilka on the border with India. Being the leader of the international consortium TAPI Pipeline Company Limited, Turkmengas, having a controlling stake, performs the functions of the main financier and manager of the project. The consortium also includes the Afghan Gas Corporation, Pakistans Inter State Gas Systems (Private) Limited Company and Indias GAIL Company. Baku, Azerbaijan, Mar. 9 By Elnur Baghishov Trend: A young couple was detained in one of the shopping centers of the city of Arak in Irans Markazi Province, due to the young man making a marriage proposal in a public place, Trend reports. Deputy head of the Law Enforcement Force of Markazi Province Mahmoud Khalaji told Fars News Agency that the young people were detained due to the young man making marriage proposal in a public place, an act which goes against the rules of Sharia, and contradicts the laws of the Islamic Republic of Iran. According to the deputy head, the couple was then conditionally released. Baku, Azerbaijan, Mar. 9 By Matanat Nasibova Trend: Russia and Azerbaijan are actively building up bilateral cooperation in all areas, and this interaction has intensified recently, as evidenced by the frequent visits of representatives of the Russian government to Azerbaijan, Ivan Pyatibratov, Russian analyst at the Center for Political Information, told Trend. He noted that the recent visit of Russian Economy Minister Maxim Oreshkin, in connection with the start of the construction of the assembly plant for Russian GAZ trucks in the Hajigabul District of Azerbaijan, was a clear indicator of the mutual interest of the parties in economic cooperation. "The launch of this project is a result of documents signed by the leaders of Russia and Azerbaijan, and this is not the only direction which one can already observe progress in. On the other hand, this visit is a demonstration of the loyalty of the Russian side to its promises of strengthening economic relations with Azerbaijan, and evidence of these relations being valued by Russia, not to mention the personal meeting of the presidents of Russia and Azerbaijan, Vladimir Putin and Ilham Aliyev, in September 2018, which ended with the signing of more than a dozen of different policy documents and agreements regarding economic interaction between our countries until 2024," said the Russian analyst. Speaking about joint cooperation, the expert recalled the commencement of the construction of Hayat Pharm drug manufacturing plant in Azerbaijan, a joint venture of Russias R-Pharm and Azerbaijans Vita-A, as well as the launch of the SOCAR Polymer chemical plant, the investor of which was Russias Gazprombank. "It is worth highlighting that these projects bear not only an economic, but also a social burden, as students from Azerbaijani educational institutions are attracted to the new production facilities. In addition, large new productions always acquire infrastructure, which will be utilized not just by the companies, but also by the residents of the region. Another important item in the economic relations between Russia and Azerbaijan is the arms trade. Following the September meeting of Vladimir Putin and Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan purchased Russian arms worth $5 billion. At the same time, the volume of Russian arms purchased by the country has a steady growth trend. Such a level of relations between our countries helps strengthen the armed forces of Azerbaijan. This process speaks of the highest degree of confidence of the Russian side to the Azerbaijani leadership, since no one would ever arm an "unfriendly" country," continued Pyatibratov. The expert also gave serious importance to the extraction of energy resources. Russias Lukoil is actively investing in Azerbaijani energy projects, while Rosneft is developing production at the Goshadash field, Pyatibratov said. In turn, Russias Transneft is involved in the transportation of Azerbaijani oil. Development of the North-South project remains the key area of Russia-Azerbaijan cooperation. Russia and Azerbaijan are an integral element of this corridor, but other countries are also involved in it. Just recently, a new section between Rasht and Qazvin cities has been opened in Iran. Successful construction as part of the North-South project contributes to the further unity of Russia and Azerbaijan, as well as their economic development. The Russian analyst stressed that this is not the only joint transport project. Russia and Azerbaijan are negotiating on the creation of maritime transport line in the Caspian Sea, which will connect the Russian port Olya with one of the Azerbaijani ports, he noted. This project potentially promises the growth of tourism business as well. In general, since August 2018, when the convention on the status of the Caspian Sea was signed in Aktau city, the Caspian Sea has become extremely interesting in terms of business opportunities. In the future, it is worth expecting an even greater number of initiatives and projects related to the Caspian Sea. The talks are also underway about possible creation of the Caspian free trade zone, which would certainly be beneficial for our countries. He added that at the current stage, Russian-Azerbaijani economic relations cover almost all areas, such as industry, transport, energy, the military-industrial complex, while electronic technologies are the only direction not covered by these relations. In this area, the interaction of our countries is at the level of declarations of intentions, he said. The topic of jointly ensuring cybersecurity is raised from time to time, but there are no concrete results so far. This is while TASIM, a major project for laying a transit communication line, where Russia also participates, is in an uncertain state or develops quite slowly. At the same time, this direction was never a priority within the cooperation between Russia and Azerbaijan. The Russian analyst noted that the Russian-Azerbaijani economic relations arent only on the rise, but also have great development prospects. Tunisian navy arrested 64 illegal immigrants, including four women, off Zarzis coast in southeastern Tunisia after their vessel broke down, the Tunisian Red Crescent (CRT) of Medenine province said, Trend reports citing Xinhua. "The illegal immigrants came from Libya. They tried to cross the Mediterranean toward the Italian coast," said Mongi Slim, head of the provincial CRT. He added that a team of doctors and representatives of the CRT headed to Zarzis for these illegal immigrants. According to Mazen Abu Shanab, representative of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Tunisia, dozens of irregular immigrants arrive every day in the Tunisian coast from Libya. China and the United States are still working day and night to achieve a trade deal that matches the interests of both sides and the hopes of the world, including eliminating tit-for-tat tariffs, a senior Chinese official said on Saturday, Trend reports referring to Reuters. Chinese Vice Commerce Minister Wang Shouwen said he was optimistic about negotiations with Washington, but added any trade mechanism achieved must be equal and fair. The governments of the worlds two largest economies have been locked in a tariff battle for months as Washington presses Beijing to address long-standing concerns over Chinese practices and policies around industrial subsidies, technology transfers, market access and intellectual property rights. Advances in talks drove the White House to indefinitely delay hikes in tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese imports that were set to kick in on March 2. Wang, speaking at a news conference on the sidelines of Chinas ongoing annual meeting of parliament, said slapping tariffs on each other was bad for workers, farmers, exporters and manufacturers. It hurts investor confidence and delays corporate investment decisions, said Wang, who has been deeply involved in the trade talks with the United States. Now, the economic and trade teams of the two sides are making full efforts to communicate and negotiate in order to reach an agreement in line with the principles and directions decided by the two heads of states, he added. That is to remove all the tariffs imposed on each other, so that bilateral trade relations between China and the United States can return to normal. The two countries working teams are communicating day and night, Wang said.The trade talks have seen senior officials shuttling backwards and forwards between Beijing and Washington. Giving rare details into the talks, Wang said the two countries had been making extra effort to find areas in common. During the talks Vice Premier Liu He and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer enjoyed take out food, he said. Vice Premier Liu had a hamburger, and Lighthizer had eggplant and chicken, he added, describing a common Chinese dish. Throughout the negotiations, there was coffee and tea, but the two of them did not drink any coffee, did not drink any tea. They both drank boiled water. This is to find common ground. It is unclear when or where senior negotiators from both sides will next meet. 1. Yes. The Schlueter Group has extensive experience and contacts. Its a good investment. 2. Yes. The firms namesake has a background as a legislator and knows Killeen well. 3. No. The expenditure is a waste of money. Our lawmakers should be doing that work. 4. No. The contract should be shorter, incentivized and based on performance benchmarks. 5. Unsure. Its not always easy to quantify the outcomes of lobbying efforts. Vote View Results The Estonian Center Party, the major party in the current ruling coalition, on Friday rejected the offer to form a new coalition with the election-winning Reform Party, Trend reported citing Xinhua. Juri Ratas, incumbent Estonian Prime Minister and chairman of Center winning 26 seats after Reform's 34 seats out of the total 101 parliamentary seats, said that the Center Party board decided not to launch coalition talks with Reform due to differences of opinion on tax matters, the red line issue, the Estonian Public Broadcasting Corporation reported. Ratas noted that his party board Friday morning held one of the most complicated and serious meetings they had ever had, which pushed the ball back in Reform's court to face the difficult task to form a coalition government. The board of the Reform Party decided on Wednesday to invite the Center Party to launch coalition talks, and Kaja Kallas, chairwoman of Reform later insisted on her party's promise to extend the 500 euros (about 561 U.S. dollars) per month basic income tax exemption to everyone. Reform's planned tax reform was alleged not to allow for Center's planned extraordinary pension hike, it was reported. In the parliamentary election held on Sunday, three other political parties out of the total five elected to the 14th Estonian parliament are Conservative People's Party, Isamaa Party and Social Democratic Party, winning 19 seats, 12 seats and 10 seats separately. Both Isamaa and the Social Democrats are in the current coalition with the Center Party, and was in the coalition with the Reform Party in 2015. The Israeli Air Force carried out several strikes in the southern and northern Gaza Strip Friday night, hours after a rocket fired from the territory exploded in Israeli territory, Trend reports referring to The Times of Israel. The army said jets struck a Hamas military base in the south of the territory and underground infrastructure in the north. There were no immediate reports of casualties. None were hurt by the earlier projectile attack. The launch set off rocket warning sirens in the Eshkol Regional Council, where Hebrew media reports said it fell in an open field. The incident came after thousands of Palestinians rioted along the Gaza border and two men who the IDF said were carrying a knife and a hand grenade were arrested after crossing into Israel from the northern strip. The two infiltrators who broke through the security fence evaded capture for approximately half an hour, forcing the Israel Defense Forces to bring additional troops to the area and local communities to go on high alert and call up their volunteer security forces. Upon their capture the two were found to be carrying a hand grenade and a knife. During the border clashes, Palestinians threw rocks and improvised explosives at Israeli soldiers on the other side of the security fence. The Israeli troops responded to the estimated 8,000 with tear gas and, in some cases, live fire, the military said. The Hamas-run Gaza health ministry reported that one person was killed and at least 48 Palestinians had been injured by Israeli fire. Ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra said 23-year-old Tamer Arafat succumbed to his wounds after being shot in the head. The violence came amid a period of heightened tensions in the region of the coastal enclave as Israel and the Gaza-ruling Hamas terror group exchanged fire as well as verbal threats. Fridays clashes were part of what Palestinians call the March of Return, a series of regular demonstrations along the security fence that have been held since March 30, 2018. Palestinians say these protests are typically peaceful in nature and call for their right to return to their family homes in Israel and the West Bank (much of Gazas population is made up of refugees from the 1948 War of Independence) and for an end to the Israeli-Egyptian blockade of the enclave, which the two countries say is necessary to prevent terror groups from easily importing weapons and materiel. Israel maintains that the demonstrations are orchestrated by Hamas in order to provide a cover for the organizations nefarious activities along the security fence, including infiltration attempts, the planting of explosives and attacks on Israeli soldiers. Recent weeks have seen an uptick in violence along the border, with Palestinians launching balloon-borne explosive devices into Israel, causing damage and threatening the safety of Israelis living nearby. On Thursday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Hamas that Israel would respond harshly to any further violence emanating from the Strip. Three people died and 54 others injured after a lorry they were travelling in plunged into a ditch in northeastern Tanzania's district of Muheza, police said, Trend reports citing Xinhua. Edward Bukombe, Tanga Regional Police Commander, said that the accident occurred on Friday morning at Shebomeza village, in Muheza district. He said that the lorry was carrying workers of East Usambara Tea Company who were coming from Kwamkoro camp heading to Derema to harvest tea. The regional police chief said that the driver lost control, causing the lorry to plunge into the ditch. Bukombe said all casualties had been admitted to Muheza Designated District Hospital for treatment and police were investigating the cause of the accident. Aubrey Maonga, Senior Medical Officer at the hospital confirmed to have received the 54 injured who were receiving treatment at the facility. Investing in women and respecting their human rights is the surest way to lift communities, companies and countries, and to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, said the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Trend reports referring to Xinhua. In his remarks for the observance of International Women's Day, the UN chief called for "a new vision of equality and opportunity so that half the world's population can contribute to all the world's success." Guterres said that gender equality and women's rights are fundamental to addressing many global challenges like climate change and armed conflict. "Remarkable progress" on women's rights and leadership has been made in recent decades, but these gains are far from consistent, and they have sparked a backlash from an entrenched patriarchy, said the secretary-general. "Gender equality is fundamentally a question of power. We live still in a male-dominated world. Our male-dominated culture has ignored, silenced and oppressed women for centuries - even millennia," said Guterres. Women's political representation in parliaments around the world stands at less than 25 percent. At the highest levels that drops to 9 percent. The Global Media Monitoring Project found that worldwide, just one quarter of the subjects of news stories are women, and most often as victims rather than leaders, he added. Despite women's achievements and successes, their voices are still routinely overlooked, and their opinions ignored. So increasing the number of women decision-makers is essential, said Guterres. "We must not give ground that has been won over decades. We must push for wholesale, rapid and radical change," he said. U.S. President Donald Trump will meet with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro in the White House on March 19, the White House said in a statement, Trend reports citing Xinhua. Trump and Bolsonaro would discuss defense cooperation, trade policies, combatting transnational crime, and Venezuela issues, according to the statement. Nigerian voters return to the polls on Saturday to elect powerful state governors, two weeks after Muhammadu Buhari secured a second term in a delayed presidential vote, Trend reports referring to Reuters. The election is for 29 of the countrys 36 governors, who are among the most influential politicians in Nigeria, which is Africas biggest oil producer and has the continents largest economy. Many of them control budgets larger than those of small nations. With so much at stake, many previous governorship elections have been marred by violence including shootings and armed gangs snatching ballot boxes. Some results are expected to emerge on Sunday. Buhari, of the All Progressives Congress (APC), beat Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in last months presidential election with 15.2 million votes to 11.3 million, though on a turnout of just 35.6 percent. Situation Room, a monitoring mission comprising over 70 civic groups, said 39 people were killed in election-related violence on the day of the presidential poll. In one incident, a gang shot dead two soldiers in the southern oil hub state of Rivers, prompting fears of more violence there on Saturday. The Armed Forces of Nigeria, as a professional and reputable institution, wish to reassure the public that no reprisal attack will be carried out by any military personnel, a military spokesman said on Friday. The army said it would work with the police to ensure people would be able to vote in an environment devoid of violence and insecurity. Nigerias security forces have been stretched in the last few years by an Islamist insurgency in the northeast as well as by communal violence and banditry in other areas. Hours before polls opened for the presidential vote, explosions rocked Maiduguri, capital of Borno state, epicenter of the insurgency. In neighboring Yobe, residents of the town of Geidam fled a militant attack around the same time. Last months election was delayed by a week after the electoral commission was unable to get ballots and results sheets to all areas on time. Legislative elections were held Feb. 23 at the same time as the presidential poll and Buharis APC secured key victories over the opposition PDP in many areas. Bukola Saraki, a PDP member who was president of the upper house of parliament, lost his senatorial seat. Bitterly at odds with the presidency, Saraki had often worked to frustrate bills proposed by Buhari. A US embassy staff member attempted to enter Moscows Sheremetyevo airport on Saturday morning carrying a bomb with a fuse but with no explosives in his luggage, a source in the Russian Foreign Ministry told TASS. "On the morning of March 9, personnel scanning the luggage of a US embassy staff member detected an item that looked like a mortar bomb," the source said. "They called bomb technicians who confirmed it was indeed a bomb with a fuse but without explosives, though there were traces of explosives inside the bombs body," he added. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, "the airport police immediately informed the US embassy about the incident." "We expect the embassy to explain the staff members behavior," the ministry source noted. The US staff member said he was leaving Russia as his assignment at the US embassy was over and claimed to have bought the bomb for his personal collection. The bomb was seized from the man who then took a flight to New York. Turkey's purchase of S-400 missile defense system from Russia has "nothing to do" with NATO, F-35 fighter jets or security of the U.S., but it is rather about the country's independence in terms of making its own regional decisions, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, Trend reported citing Daily Sabah. "Everyone knows that this issue has nothing to do with neither NATO and F-35 project nor the security of the U.S.," Erdogan told a meeting of Turkey Youth Foundation in the southeastern Diyarbakir province. The president said Turkey is facing pressure against buying S-400 air defense system, adding: "The issue is not about S-400. It is because Turkey takes action with its own will regarding the regional developments, particularly Syria." "It is clear why Turkey is buying this air defense system and how it will use it," he added. Erdogan also said that this issue will be resolved through logic and common sense. The Pentagon warned that should Turkey move ahead with its purchase of a Russian-made air defense system there would be grave consequences for Ankara, Trend reported citing The Hill. There would be grave consequences in terms of our military relationship with them, Defense Department spokesman Charles Summers told reporters at the Pentagon. Turkey, a NATO ally, plans to buy Russias S-400 long-range air defense system, but the United States has been trying to convince the nation to buy a Patriot air defense system instead. The U.S. military has threatened to withhold delivery of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey if Ankara goes through with the Russian purchase. Trump administration officials were in Turkey this week to work on the issue. Summers said that if Turkey buys the S-400, then they would not get the F-35s or the Patriot system. The comment follows testimony this week from U.S. European Command head Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti, who told Congress on Tuesday that he would recommend that the United States not follow through with the F-35, flying it or working with an ally thats working with Russian systems. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, meanwhile, dismissed such threats and on Wednesday said that the decision has already been made. The S-400 is a done deal, there can be no turning back. We have reached an agreement with the Russians," Erdogan said in an interview with Kanal 24 television. We will move toward a joint production. Perhaps after the S-400, we will go for the S-500. Turkey is a partner in making the F-35. Parts of the jet are built in the country, and Turkey is supposed to eventually get 116 of the fifth-generation fighter jets. But U.S. officials have expressed concerns that the S-400 could be used to gather information on the advanced aircraft. Summers would not say whether the F-35 partnership with Turkey would be eliminated as part of the warned consequences. To share with friends and brethren The Gospel of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (the Everlasting Gospel), and to prepare a people to stand when He returns to redeem His remnant. Also, to share relevant information of current events, and to show how they relate to prophecy; By means of articles, editorials, opinions, scripture readings, and poetry. Disclaimer Endrtimes does not necessarily endorse or agree with every opinion expressed in every article/video posted on this site. The information provided here is done so for personal edification; It's up to the reader to separate truth from error, and to examine everything (like the Bereans) from a Biblical perspective. Let the Holy Scriptures be you guide! - - - FAIR USE NOTICE: These pages/videos may contain copyrighted () material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. Such material is made available to advance understanding of ecological, POLITICAL, HUMAN RIGHTS, economic, DEMOCRACY, scientific, MORAL, ETHICAL, and SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES, etc. It is believed that this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior general interest in receiving similar information for research and educational purposes. Manufactured by Russian Helicopters' subsidiary Kazan, the helicopter has an onboard weather radar and is equipped with the latest generation of night vision devices. NEW DELHI: The official said that recently, banned The Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir has established strong links with Pakistan's ISI and has been maintaining regular contact with the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi for promoting jihad for the state. A senior official said, The JeI (J&K) has established strong links with Pakistan's ISI for ensuring logistics support for arming, training and supply of weapons to Kashmiri youths and its leaders continue to maintain regular contact with the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi for support. This is how much the Anushka Sharma's this latest obsession cost As per the intelligence inputs, the Jel (J&K) has been using its network of schools to spread anti-India feelings among children in the Kashmir Valley and encouraging cadres of the Jel (J&K) youth wing Jamiat-ul-Tulba to join 'Jihad' by getting recruited into terrorist groups. P Chidambaram takes dig on AG says, 'I suppose thief returned Rafale files' The official also said the group also has extensive foreign links through which it secures funding and promotes its objectives. It has close links with Jel-Pakistan, Jel-POK and Jel-Bangladesh, where several leaders have faced the death penalty for anti-national activities. The outfit was banned twice in the past due to its activities. The first time in 1975 for two years by the Jammu and Kashmir government and the second time in April 1990 for three years by the Centre. New Delhi: Amid the tension between India and paksitan after Pulwama attack, India called back the diplomat. Now, since the situation is better, The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), on Friday, informed that Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Ajay Bisaria will return to Islamabad after completing his consultations in India. Reports of soldier's abduction incorrect, he is safe: Defence Ministry In response to a media query about Bisaria's return to Islamabad, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, the High Commissioner is returning to Islamabad after having completed his consultations in India. He said, Mr Bisaria will reach Islamabad today and resume his duties. Hindus are constantly being neglected: RSS Ajay Bisaria was called back to Delhi on February 15 for consultation after Pakistan-based terror organisation Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) carried out Pulwama terror attack, in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed and several others injured. Bisaria had earlier said that he would be in Delhi for a while for consultations. Earlier, Pakistans High Commissioner Sohail Mahmood was also summoned by Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale following the ghastly attack that took place on February 14 in Pulwama. The attack worsened the already weak relation between India and Pakistan with many countries coming forward in favour of New Delhi while calling for complete isolation of Islamabad. New Delhi: Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar, challenged neighbouring country Pakistan to share the video recording of the downing of a second Indian aircraft with international media. He also questioned that why Pakistan has not shared video of downing Indian aircraft. He asked, If as Pakistan claims it has a video recording of the downing of a second Indian aircraft then why have they not shared the video with international media?" India's most-wanted man, Nirav Modi seen walking on London street Kumar further said that there are eyewitness accounts and electronic evidence that Pakistan deployed F-16 aircraft and that one F-16 was shot down by Wing Commander Abhinandan. He further asked, "We have asked USA to also examine whether the use of F-16 against India is in accordance with terms and conditions of sale. After an argument over changing TV channel husband stabs his wife multiple times Kumar emphasised that it is regretaable that neighbouring country is denying claim of JeMs own claim of Pulwama attack. IAFs airstrike on JeM camps in Pakistan achieved its objective. He slammed Pakistan for backing Jaish-e-Mohammad and said, "It is regrettable that Pakistan still continues to deny Jaish-e-Mohammad's own claim of taking ownership of Pulwama attack. Pakistan Foreign Minister said 'they (JeM) have not claimed responsibility of the attack, there is some confusion' Is Pakistan defending the JeM?" By Benjamin Jumbe. Uganda is to continue being hospitable to people displaced by conflict. The commitment was made by the minister for relief disaster preparedness and refugees Eng Hillary Onek at a high level meeting of ministers in charge of refugees in the Great Lakes Region held in Kampala. The minister said intolerance and corruption were among some of the factors contributing to the rising displacement of people in the region calling on governments to deal with them He however cautioned that Ugandas open door policy should not be taken advantage of by some countries to settle their political problems by churning refugees to Uganda. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. 15 Totally Legit Ways to Make Money From the Comfort of Your Couch All those hours you spend chilling with Netflix or hanging out with Hulu are lost income opportunities. You have plenty of ways to make some money and give yourself a bigger savings cushion -- without venturing too far from those cushions on your sofa. Here are 15 ways you can put more cash into your pocket today and possibly for years to come, and all without ever changing out of your sweats and slippers. 1. Earn extra money taking surveys Andrey_Popov / Shutterstock Several sites and apps will pay you to take surveys. Your opinions are worth something! Several apps and websites will help you generate some extra cash or earn other rewards by taking surveys in your downtime. With Survey Junkie, for example, you provide feedback on new products and services in exchange for points that can be traded in for gift cards, or for cash via PayPal. Other companies offering paid surveys include Swagbucks and VIP Voice. Hey, you might as well make some money if you can't find anything to watch, rather than mindlessly popping open Pokemon Go right? 2. Get work writing closed captions JasonParis / Flickr Are you good at typing and taking notes? Many closed captioning services employ transcribers who work from home. The companies often require previous experience, though a site called Rev routinely hires beginners. Depending on your speed and accuracy, you can earn up to 75 cents for each minute of video you transcribe. Rev says its freelancers make an average of $240 per month. It's a good way to gain experience so that you'll have more captioning opportunities available to you. 3. Try automated investing Vintage Tone / Shutterstock Gone are the days when you had to have Wall Street-level knowledge to make any money in the financial markets. Today's automated investing services find the smart money for you. Wealthsimple calls itself "investing on autopilot." It's an automated investment manager that helps you set up a portfolio and then makes automatic adjustments to it whenever market conditions take a turn. Human advisers are standing by, in case you need one. It only takes a few minutes to sign up and get started. Story continues 4. Create designs for T-shirts Ann Haritonenko / Shutterstock Ever had an idea for a T-shirt that you thought could make a ton of money? Teespring and Redbubble are sites that allow you to upload your designs and make them available for purchase in minutes. People around the world can order prints of your creations, and not only on shirts but also on other products, like coffee mugs and cellphone cases. The best part is that the sites provide the actual merchandise your designs are printed on, and handle the shipping. All you have to do is create and collect a percentage of every sale. 5. Sign up for online 'jury duty' create jobs 51 / Shutterstock If you're always sitting around reading John Grisham books anyway, then you might enjoy the chance to be a part of an online mock jury. Many attorneys like to take a case on a sort of trial run before presenting it in court. Sites such as OnlineVerdict and eJury allow you to become a virtual juror for these lawyers and earn up to $60 for each case you review. Typically, it takes anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour to read, watch or listen to the case materials and give your feedback. So skip Judge Judy and make some money instead. 6. Rent out your spare room JP WALLET / Shutterstock When you've got a spare bedroom, a guest house or a vacation home, you've got the potential to make some money as an innkeeper. Airbnb provides an alternative to hotels by allowing homeowners around the world to rent out lodging to travelers. How much you can earn will depend on the size, condition, and location of your home, of course. One 2017 study found the average Airbnb host made more than $900 a month. 7. Teach ESL online Hi-Point / Shutterstock If you like the idea of teaching kids but aren't wired to control a whole classroom of them every day, you may still be in luck. Qkids connects children in China learning English as a second language with teachers and tutors working from their homes in the U.S. and Canada. The site provides an extensive learning curriculum so you don't have to worry about coming up with lesson plans. You set your own schedule and can make up to $20 an hour guiding your students through their lessons. 8. Invest in a REIT Vadim Georgiev / Shutterstock It's no secret that real estate can be a great investment. But what if you don't have the money to buy your own property? Or don't have the time to be a landlord? For you, there are REITs: real estate investment trusts. They trade like stocks and offer you an opportunity to "own" real estate without all the expense or hassles. REITs have tended to provide better returns than both stocks and actual real estate. The investing platform Fundrise offers you a chance to make money on REITs with an investment of at least $500. 9. Rent out your car or RV JaySi / Shutterstock Your second car or RV that's taking up space in the garage or driveway can be turned into a good source of extra income. Services such as Getaround and Turo allow you to rent out your car, and provide insurance and 24/7 roadside assistance. They also screen the drivers, to make sure they have good safety records. If you've got an RV and wouldn't mind letting someone else take it on a trip, then check out Outdoorsy, which is sort of like Airbnb for RVs. 10. Write an e-book Foxy burrow / Shutterstock If you're knowledgeable about a particular topic or have a creative brain, you might be able to whip up an e-book to make some extra cash. The advantages are that there's no overhead, and pretty much anyone can publish an e-book without having to find an agent and publisher. Here's the rest of the story: You'll need talent to come up with the concept and write the thing, and discipline to complete the project. But in the end, you'll get to keep all the profits. 11. Make your home a doggie hotel Cookie Studio / Shutterstock You're an animal lover? You might earn some extra cash by babysitting dogs for owners who are going away and don't want to leave their animals at a kennel. Rover.com offers fur-parents a much more intimate option by hooking them up with people like you who are willing to take in their dogs. When you sign up as a sitter, you can charge a nightly or even hourly fee just to hang out with other people's pooches right within your own home. 12. Get paid for your pics Roma Black / Shutterstock You love taking pictures, and people seem to love what you post on Instagram. (All those likes!) So maybe it's time to start making a little cash for your efforts in image-making. Sites including Shutterstock and iStock are great ways to get your work in front of people who will pay for the right to use your photos. Your pics will have a wide audience, and you'll earn anywhere from pocket change to a couple of dollars each time one of your images is downloaded. 13. Work as a proofreader GaudiLab / Shutterstock Are you someone who can't help catching grammatical or spelling misteaks? Like that one? That's a talent that can make you money. Several sites, such as EditFast and ProofreadingPal, hire work-from-home proofreaders and editors to scrub documents and other texts clean of errors. ProofreadingPal looks for candidates who either have graduate degrees or are working toward them. It says its editors earn up to $3,000 per month. 14. Become an at-home travel agent wavebreakmedia / Shutterstock If you love travel, you may be able to turn your passion into a nice little side gig. And you won't even have to leave your living room. KHM Travel and companies like it can provide you with training to work as a travel agent from your home. You'll make money helping people book their next vacations. Some travel agencies that hire in-home agents look for people who are very well versed in particular destinations, such as central Florida residents who know all the secrets to doing Walt Disney World without blowing the kids' college fund. 15. Create an online course Agenturfotografin / Shutterstock Everybody's an expert in something. How about you? Do you know Southern cooking? Smart saving strategies? How to make art out of cat hairballs? Whatever it is, you might be able to teach a course about it online. Udemy and similar sites and apps allow millions of people to learn about virtually anything using their tablets and smartphones. The flipside is that anyone else can create a course and decide how much to charge for it. Though creating a course entails a bit of work upfront, it's something that could pay off for years. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 9, 2019) - Abattis Bioceuticals Corp (CSE: ATT) (OTC Pink: ATTBF) (the "Company" or "Abattis") announces that, effective February 20, 2019 and March 6, 2019, both Wolfgang Richter and James Irving have respectively resigned as directors of the Company. The Company thanks both Mr. Richter and Mr. Irving for their service and wishes each all the best in their future endeavors. About Abattis Bioceuticals Corp. Abattis is positioned to be a leader in the cannabis industry as a fully integrated medicinal cannabis company. The Company's flagship cultivation asset is located on beautiful British Columbia's Gabriola Island, where the Company plans to grow medical-grade cannabis and select craft strains of infamous "B.C. Bud". Abattis has also continued to organically grow its products divisions. From its Abattis-branded vaporizer line, to the recent launch of its first proprietary cannabinoid therapeutic formulated for pain, COMFORT. Abattis also continues to service the cultivation industry through its preferred service agreements with Northern Vine Canada Inc. and Dicentra Inc., one of Canada's largest regulatory advisory firms. To further its reach into the cannabis space, Abattis has made several strategic investments into cutting-edge research performed in partnership with the University of British Columbia and Mitacs, to research and develop nanoemulsified cannabinoid-rich hemp oil. As well as investments into XLABS Therapeutics (ONT) Inc., building one of Canada's largest cannabinoid manufacturing. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD, ABATTIS BIOCEUTICALS CORP, "Rob Abenante" Robert Abenante, President & CEO For more information, please visit the Company's website at: www.abattis.com For inquiries please contact 1 (808) 650-3007 or at investors@abattis.com. Abattis' investor relations are managed by Canada One Communications Inc. Story continues About Canada One Communications Inc. Canada One Communications Inc. ("Canada One") is a full-service Investor Relations and Marketing company that focuses on both private and public sectors within the Canadian markets. Canada One offers timely responses to all investor inquiries over several mediums and effective, thorough market awareness programs that are specifically designed to maximize exposure and bring value to shareholders. Canada One's dedicated and experienced team strives to promote client information to the public and educate potential investors on the various developments of its clients. From basic phone-call and email investor correspondence, to full-scale comprehensive marketing packages which includes industry analysis, website development, corporate videos and other marketing programs, Canada One provides a full suite of services that are fully compliant with Canadian securities regulations. Canada One is driven by an uncompromising dedication to provide publicly listed and private companies with across-the-board investor relations and marketing solutions, directly translating these services into organic growth and increased market value of its valued clients. The CSE (operated by CNSX Markets Inc.) has neither approved nor disapproved of the contents of this press release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/43317 A riot police officer places her hand on her shield as she helps to prevent a march marking International Women's Day from reaching the government palace, in La Paz, Bolivia, on Friday, March 8, 2019. The day has been sponsored by the United Nations since 1975 as millions of women around the world are demanding equality amid a persistent salary gap, violence and widespread inequality. (AP Photo/Juan Karita) Here's your look at highlights from the weekly AP photo report, a gallery featuring a mix of front-page photography, the odd image you might have missed and lasting moments our editors think you should see. This week's gallery includes mourners in front of a tornado-destroyed home in Alabama; hostesses at China's National People's Congress in Beijing; and scenes from around the world on International Women's Day. ___ This gallery contains photos from the week of March 2-8, 2019. See the latest AP photo galleries: https://apimagesblog.com ___ Follow AP photographers on Twitter: http://twitter.com/AP/lists/ap-photographers Follow AP Images on Twitter: http://twitter.com/AP_Images Visit AP Images online: http://www.apimages.com http://www.apimages.com/ ___ This gallery was produced by Patrick Sison in New York. Changpeng 'CZ' Zhao, CEO of Binance, confirmed on Twitter that Binance will have a fiat-to-crypto exchange in Argentina. This week, Binance also announced that every blockchain project that receives funding from Binance Labs or LatamEx will see a matching investment of up to $50,000 from the Argentinian government. This confirms The Block's earlier reporting that the next likely launch locations of fiat-to-crypto exchanges will be South Korea, Lichtenstein, Argentina, Russia and Turkey. This year, Binance plans to launch at least two more; one in Malta and one in Singapore. Binance is reportedly also considering Bermuda as a potential home for a fiat-to-crypto exchange. By Aluisio Alves SAO PAULO, March 8 (Reuters) - Brazil's Sao Paulo state said on Friday it would offer fresh tax incentives to automakers, weeks after Ford Motor Co said it would shut down a plant there with 3,000 employees and General Motors Co hinted it might do the same before backtracking. Sao Paulo is the historical center of Brazil's auto industry, which was one of the world's five biggest until a recent downturn from which it is still recovering. It has been losing ground in recent years to other Brazilian states which have showered automakers with incentives. Sao Paulo state Governor Joao Doria said at a press conference that the state would offer a discount of up to 25 percent over Brazil's ICMS value-added tax to automakers which invest at least 1 billion reais ($258.78 million) and create 400 new jobs. Doria added that the government is still trying to help sell Ford's factory in Sao Bernardo do Campo, which is scheduled to be closed by year's end. He said the state is negotiating with three companies, which he did not name. He did not say when the incentives would take effect. Legislative approval is not required. Ford declined to comment, while GM said in a statement the incentives would help as the industry seeks to be more competitive. ($1 = 3.8643 reais) (Reporting by Aluisio Alves; Writing by Marcelo Rochabrun; Editing by Richard Chang) By Chen Aizhu and Meng Meng SINGAPORE/BEIJING (Reuters) - China's crude oil imports rose to the third-highest volume on record on a daily basis on increasing purchases by new private refineries, while natural gas imports eased as demand dropped amid warmer temperatures, customs data showed on Friday. China, the world's biggest crude oil importer, took in 39.23 million tonnes of crude oil last month, the data from the General Administration of Customs showed. That is the equivalent of 10.23 million barrels per day (bpd), up 21.6 percent from 8.41 million bpd during the same period the year before. This the fourth month in a row that China's crude imports held above the 10 million bpd mark. Last month's crude arrivals also rose from January's 10.03 million bpd. Hengli Petrochemical, the operator of China's first privately-owned large-scale refinery, said on Jan. 28 that the plant is set for full operation by the end of March. Zhejiang Petrochemical has also begun test runs at some units at its refinery in east China though full pilot production is expected only during the second quarter. "The new plants are one factor...The strong crude imports are also a reflection of fundamental demand support from the property sector and the speed-up in infrastructure building," said Seng-Yick Tee of consultancy SIA Energy. Imports for the first two months of 2019 gained 12.4 percent from a year ago at 81.83 million tonnes, or 10.12 million bpd. Natural gas imports in February fell from a month ago as temperatures rose but were up from the same time in 2018. Total natural gas imports including both liquefied natural gas (LNG) and pipeline gas were at 7.57 million tonnes last month, down from 9.81 million tonnes in January, but up 9.2 percent from a year earlier, the customs data showed. With the heating season ending in mid-March, China's LNG import demand, which hit record in January, will ease, said Lu Xiao, an analyst with IHS Markit. "We're expecting slower demand growth in total gas consumption and LNG imports this year," said Lu. Gas imports for the first two months of 2019 reached 17.36 million tonnes, up 18.5 percent from a year earlier, the data showed. Data also showed China's refined fuel exports were up 9.4 percent from a year ago at 3.81 million tonnes while imports fell 10 percent from a year earlier to 2.35 million tonnes. (Reporting by Meng Meng and Aizhu Chen; editing by Christian Schmollinger) Coal miners have kept employment steady at about 51,000 to 53,000 positions during President Donald Trump's first two years in office. A surge in U.S. exports has offset the continued closure of American coal-fired power plants during that time. It could become harder to hold the line on employment, because U.S. coal exports are expected to fall over the next two years. President Donald Trump's campaign trail vow to revive the coal industry may not have come to pass, but two years into his presidency, the miners have at least halted the plunge in employment over the last 30 years. Since Trump took office, coal miners have kept employment steady at about 51,000 to 53,000 positions. Over the next two years, it could become harder for the industry to hold the line, as a surge in U.S. coal exports is expected to lose steam. In February, the industry employed about 52,800 workers, figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed on Friday. That's up from a reading of 50,900 in February 2017. However, because of the way BLS measures employment , the bureau's economists have not been able to say whether employment actually rose or fell significantly throughout much of the last two years. Instead, they usually say employment held steady. Still, that is a welcome reprieve for the coal-mining industry, which has shed more than 100,000 jobs over the last three decades. Trump has taken steps to ease regulations on the coal industry, reversing the trend under the Obama administration. Some of the regulations passed over the last decade hastened the closure of coal-fired plants slated for retirement. But the bigger driver for coal-mining jobs is market forces at home and abroad. Coal-fired power plants have continued to shut down under Trump's watch, eliminating a major source of demand for the nation's miners. Continuing the long-term trend, markets are turning to cheap, cleaner-burning natural gas and wind and solar farms to generate electric power, pushing coal out of the energy mix. Story continues But American coal miners have gotten a boost from foreign markets in recent years. Coal exports jumped over the last two years, driven by healthy demand in Europe and Asia and disruptions in coal supplies from Australia, Indonesia and China. But over the next two years, the outlook for the industry looks tougher. After rising in 2017, U.S. coal production dipped 3 percent last year, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. EIA expects output from the nation's mines to fall another 4 percent this year and 6 percent the following year. The reason: EIA not only expects the nation to burn less coal to generate electricity, but it also sees the export bump ending. The bureau expects exports to fall by 13 percent this year and another 8 percent in 2019. That could mean Trump will find himself in the same position as many of his predecessors: presiding over another period of job losses in the coal-mining industry. More From CNBC The Florida Reef Tract is the third largest barrier reef in the world, Alice Grainger, the Communications Director at Coral Restoration Foundation, told Yahoo Finance. It's actually the only barrier reef in the continental United States. We now have lost around 97% to 98% of its populations. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration suggests that coral reefs in southeast Florida have an asset value of $8.5 billion, generating $4.4 billion in local sales, $2 billion in local income, and 70,400 jobs. By one NOAA estimate, coral reefs provide economic goods and services worth about $375 billion each year. But reefs need people like Grainger to ensure their survival. My personal goal would be to get to the point where everybody around the world is so aware of the crisis facing our coral reefs that they're all stepping up to take action and I'm no longer needed, Grainger said. Coral reefs require tending. (Source: Yahoo Finance) Pamela Hallock Muller, a professor of marine science at USF College of Marine Science, tracks the changes in the Florida Reef Tract over time. The problems started that were really observable in the 60s and 70s before the clean water act came into Florida and nationally, Hallock Muller told Yahoo Finance. Coral reefs dont handle major changes in temperature. They dont handle excess nutrients, they dont handle less than 14C or more than 32C. Weve had a couple of winters that have been as hard on the surviving coral as the bleaching conditions in the summer. Grainger noted that even though the Florida Reef Tract and other restore coral reefs around the world are responsible for thriving ecosystems, there are not enough efforts being made to protect them. The crisis facing coral reefs is invisible to most people, Grainger explained. If you can't see it, then how do you know that it's facing extinction? Imagine if the coral reefs were a forest, and we could see, before our eyes, all of the temperate forests around the world declining by 50%. We've now lost 50% of the world's coral reefs in the last 30 years, she added. If we'd lost 50% of the world's forests in the last 30 years, people would actually be able to be paying attention. WATCH MORE: 'A little bit more dangerous': What it's like to train alligators for a living Follow Yahoo Finance on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Flipboard, LinkedIn, YouTube, and reddit. Investing.com - Cryptocurrency prices were mixed on Friday as Australias anti-money laundering watchdog suspended the license of two digital platforms due to drug trafficking links, increasing concern over regulation of the sector. The suspension of the unnamed exchanges are the first by the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre, or AUSTRAC, legislation in April 2018 that brought digital currency exchanges under its oversight. Bitcoin gained 0.71% to $3,897.10 as of 8:53 AM ET (13:53 GMT) on the Investing.com Index. Cryptocurrencies overall were flat at $133 billion at the time of writing. Ethereum fell 0.2% to $136.84 and XRP slumped 1% to $0.31112 while Litecoin was at $56.499, up 0.77%. Australian officials said they arrested a 27-year-old man and suspended the businesses due to his link with the companies. He was charged with importing, trafficking and possessing about 30 kg of drugs including cocaine. As digital currencies rise in popularity, government agencies around the world have moved to oversee platforms that trade in digital assets for fear the funds could be used for money-laundering and other illicit activities. "While cash is still 'king', digital currencies are fast becoming the preferred choice for organized criminal networks involved in money laundering, funding terrorism, and cybercrimes," Cybercrime Squad commander, Detective Superintendent Matt Craft said in a press release. "Let this be a warning to digital currency exchange providers: if you fail to comply with your obligations, your actions will not go unnoticed." -Reuters contributed to this report. Related Articles Crypto Mixed; Basel Committee Issues Warning Ethereum Co-Founder Joseph Lubin: Blockchain Can Benefit Artists, Journalists Canadian Police Asks for Public Assistance to Identify Bitcoin Fraudsters Prices of major digital coins were mixed on Friday morning in Asia. Investing.com With regulations on cryptocurrencies being formulated and suggested around the world, prices of major digital coins were mixed on Friday morning in Asia. Bitcoin slid 0.07% to 3,876.9 by 10:24 PM ET (03:24 AM GMT). The coin still lingered at one-week highs after surviving a mid-week dive to around $3,700. Ethereum also went down 13.64% to $135.97, and XRP traded 1.72% lower to $0.31167 over the last 24 hours. Litecoin was the only gainer, increasing 0.09% to 55.92. Going full steam, the coin has surged 22.14% over the past week. The crypto market cap stayed flat at around $133 billion. It added $7 billion so far from the beginning of this week. The most notable news in the industry this morning was Frances announcement that it might push forward a ban on anonymous cryptocurrencies. Eric Woerth, the head of the Finance Committee of Frances National Assembly, proposed a ban on these private coins. It would also have been appropriate to propose a ban on the dissemination and trade in [cryptocurrencies built] to ensure complete anonymity by preventing any identification procedure by design, said Woerth. He cited private coins such as Monero, PIVX, DeepOnion, Zcash, saying the purpose of creating these coins is to bypass any possibility of identifying the holders. He said regulation has not gone that far. Japanese regulators made a similar move last April, when they suggested a ban on trading anonymity-oriented altcoins Dash and Monero. France is not considered crypto-friendly, at least to date. Last year, French parliament blocked amendments to ease crypto-related taxation, and its central bank would not support tobacco kiosks sale of Bitcoin. In other news, Israels securities regulators published final recommendations on crypto regulation that suggested disclosure requirements for crypto offerings that qualify as securities. The regulators said that such offerings should be controlled like crowdfunding. Story continues Related Articles US SEC to Clarify Cryptocurrency Related Regulations in Meetings with Startups Auscoin Scam Busted; Sam Karagiozis Arrested on Drug Trafficking Charges New York Times Posts Blockchain Exploration Job Listing, Removes It Hours Later Following a record breaking year for fintech investment, 2019 shows no sign of the market cooling - even with the impending economic turmoil surrounding Brexit. LONDON / UNITED KINGDOM / MARCH 8 2019 / The main focus of interest for investors is fintech and the United Kingdom is leading the way in spite of economic uncertainty with Brexit just around the corner. The fact that traditional banks like Lloyds and Barclays still maintain the highest levels of brand awareness, key brand dimensions indicate future growth is highest among neobanks, as opposed to traditional banks, a sure sign that change is coming as more tech-savvy consumers look for modern banking solutions. Starling Bank and Monzo have seen the greatest growth in brand awareness with a respective increase of 5% and 4%. To investors this indicates that not only are neobanks becoming more popular as their user bases grow at lightning speed, but it also demonstrates their brand strength, which converts to high consumer interest. This is gold for any investor. Last week west London welcomed a new fintech contender, Creditum, to the scene. A crowd of investors, attended a private product demo hosted by Creditum at one of London s top hotels, Mandarin Oriental. With over 128,000 customers on their pre-launch waiting list, the Gibraltar headquartered startup is attracting huge investor attention. Neobanks (or challenger banks) are the next generation of banking with budding tech startups challenging traditional financial institutions. The KPMG Pulse of Fintech report, states that global fintech funding rose to $111.8B in 2018, up 120 percent from $50.8B in 2017. Venture capital investors have clearly been pouring billions of dollars into fintech companies, looking to gain a significant market share from incumbent financial institutions by offering easier to use and cheaper digital financial services. Creditum looks promising as investors view this new contender as their next addition to their fintech portfolio. Story continues The term unicorn (a startup with a $1b+ valuation) was used a lot amongst the attendees at Creditum s private product demo and that comes with as no surprise. There are now 39 venture capital backed unicorns worth a combined $147b in the fintech space. Creditum founders openly discussed their forthcoming public listing, with the vision of achieving unicorn status. In the current market and with Creditum s unique business model this makes for a very viable option. Last year, fintech attracted a record breaking $40b investment with the UK a world centre for the industry. Traditional finance and venture capital is clamouring to acquire these hot startups, as a means of fast entry to the booming market. Creditum s Business development director Paul Lowin stated: Due to the exceptional growth potential of the borderless lending business model, Creditum has already obtained a DCF valuation estimate of over 100 million euros, from one of the big four auditor firms. The Company is also in the process of obtaining a stock exchange listing, which means that its valuation should be further enhanced once the shares are publicly tradable. Contact Info: Name: Jane Walsh Email: Send Email Organization: Press Authority Address: 447 Broadway 2nd Floor, New York, New York 10013, United States SOURCE: Press Authority View source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/538535/Despite-Brexit-Fintech-Launch-Attracts-Investors-in-London U.S. Labor Department headquarters in Washington, D.C. Photo: Mike Scarcella The U.S. Labor Department has unveiled a long-awaited proposal that makes more than 1 million workers eligible for overtime. The proposal sets up renewed tension for stakeholders and will eventually shake up how employers pay and classify their workforce. Currently, employees with a salary below $23,660 a year must be paid overtimetime and a half their hourly rateif they work more than 40 hours per week. That salary level was set in 2004. A 2016 proposal by the Obama administration, which was blocked by a Texas federal judge, would have doubled that salary threshold to roughly $47,000. Unlike the Obama measure, the new proposal does not call for automatic adjustments. That rule was challenged and struck down by a federal court in Texas in 2016, and since then there has been uncertainty. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit held off on deciding on the measure while the department revised the rule. Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta acknowledged there was a need to increase the threshold to help more workers, but he said the Obama-era move to double to standard went too far. He also told the Fifth Circuit that the department has a right to set a rule, which was in contention. The department will next ask for public comment on the proposal. To develop the proposal, more than 200,000 groups, stakeholders and individuals submitted comments. Already, interest groups and management-side attorneys are weighing in on this development. Here is a collection of what they are saying. >> Allan Bloom, head of Proskauer Roses wage and hour group, said the salary threshold was higher than many employers expected. He pinpointed that the threshold for exemption as a highly compensated employee would jump from $100,000 to $147,414 in total annual compensation. Thats higher than the level proposed by the Obama administration. So, all in all, a fairly straightforward proposed new rule that wont make a difference to employers in states with already-higher salary minimums for exemption (like New York and California), Bloom said. He said the rule wouldnt likely be completed until fall 2019. >> Tammy McCutchen, a principal in Littler Mendelsons Washington, D.C., office and former administrator of the U.S. Department of Labors wage and hour division, said: The proposed salary level seems reasonable and should be workable in every industry and in every state. I am also glad to see that DOL has committed in the proposal to regular updates to the salary level, but only after the public has an opportunity to comment as required under federal law. Now the department needs to make sure that the next stage in the process moves expeditiously so the rule can be finalized this year. Story continues Get employment law news and commentary straight to your in-box with Labor of Law, a new Law.com briefing. Learn more and sign up here. >> Workers' rights groups, which had supported the Obama administrations overtime push, were disappointed about the threshold Acosta settled on. The Economic Policy Institute said the Labor Department met with more than 200 organizations to create the higher level before the Obama administration proposed a new threshold. The 2016 rule was not overly expansive, the group said. It covered far fewer workers than the rule did historically. For example in 1975, more than 60 percent of full-time salaried workers earned below the threshold. That dropped to 7 percent in 2016. The 2016 rule would have covered 33 percent. That means this administration is effectively turning its back on millions of workers. Trump and his cabinet are again siding with corporate interests over those of working people. We strongly oppose this and any efforts to weaken the criteria set forth in the 2016 final rule for defining who qualifies for exemption from overtime protections. DOL does not need to undertake a new rulemakingthey just need to defend the 2016 rule, and support middle-class workers who badly need a raise. >> Fisher & Phillips said in a client advisory that said some of the same flaws exist in the new proposal that were struck down by the Texas court. The attorneys say that its possible litigation will be filed against the lower figure. If weve learned anything from the saga that accompanied the release and subsequent controversy over Overtime Rule 1.0, its that this is a process, said Marty Heller, of counsel in Atlanta. Many twists and turns might occur before this proposed rule is finalized. Do not run out tomorrow and make changes to your compensation structure based on what is simply a proposal. Some employers made changes in 2016 in anticipation of the new rule. Susan Harthill >> Susan Harthill, a Morgan, Lewis & Bockius partner, who previously served as deputy solicitor for national operations at the Labor Department, said the actual salary level will remain the most controversial and probably generate the most in the comments. She advised that employers who comment should take the opportunity to participate in the process and think about all aspects of the proposal, its impact on their business and the methodology used. She said while many employers did adjust to the 2016 rule, many did not. She said some employers may decide to advised that they wait and see what the final rule provides because there will be a lead time before it becomes effective. How the rule is actually enforced to take action will also likely be challenged. They can watch and wait and consider submitting comments, she said. >> Ryan Glasgow, partner at Hunton Andrews Kurth, called the proposal a much more modest approach to that of the Obama administration. He noted two ways the rule is different from 2016: The methodology used is the same as that in 2004, and the 2016 rule used a national average and relied upon a higher percentage. It would also require notice and comment rulemaking every four years to update the salary level. He said employers had options to satisfy the rule, as well. He said they could satisfy the requirement through bonuses and incentive programs of make a yearly catch-up payment. >> Robert Boonin, wage and hour defense attorney at Dykema Gossett, said: The DOL also appears to have taken the least controversial tact by not including periodic adjustments or providing variances for different regions or sectors, likely with the hope that finalizing the regulation will be feasible before the 2020 election year. The question now will be if the limited proposal is considered reasonable enough to avoid serious challenges, if the Department supported its position for having a salary level standard on stronger legal grounds than the court found it failed to do in 2016, and whether Congress will chime in some manner. >> Ryan Mick, partner at Dorsey & Whitney, said, Employers who recall the feeling of panic when the Obama administration issued its Final Rule doubling the salary basis threshold in May 2016 will breathe a sigh of relief over the much smaller increase proposed by the Department of Labor yesterday. In fact, for many larger employers, or employers that made changes to comply with the 2016 Final Rule before it was enjoined, yesterdays announcement will be a non-event. Nonetheless, yesterdays proposed rule will still have a significant impact on many businesses, as the Department of Labor estimates that more than 1 million employees will have to receive pay raises in 2020 or become eligible for overtime. Small and medium-sized businesses may bear the brunt of that impact." He said employers should not forget that the Department of Labors proposed rule has no bearing on state law. Read more: US Labor Judge Warns Lawyers About 'Tone' in Oracle Discrimination Case Judge's Pay-Data Ruling, a Trump Rebuke, Puts New Squeeze on Employers Labor Dept. Attorney Sanctioned for Bad Judgment in Litigating Private Suit Faith Obafemi answers a series of questions from Coin Rivet. How did you get involved in blockchain technology? After a two year hiatus due to a fracture surgery, I joined an online group of lawyers to help brush up on my rusty legal knowledge. One of the lawyers in the group kept throwing around the word blockchain, but I never paid much attention. One fateful day in late 2016, I came across an online article from the folks at Blockgeeks with the title: How Smart Contracts Will Replace Lawyers. You guessed right, I screamed what? But also paid attention and read the article. While the title was sort of misleading and sounded like a doomsday prophecy, it opened my mind Faith Obafemi answers a series of questions from Coin Rivet. How did you get involved in blockchain technology? After a two year hiatus due to a fracture surgery, I joined an online group of lawyers to help brush up on my rusty legal knowledge. One of the lawyers in the group kept throwing around the word blockchain, but I never paid much attention. One fateful day in late 2016, I came across an online article from the folks at Blockgeeks with the title: How Smart Contracts Will Replace Lawyers. You guessed right, I screamed what? But also paid attention and read the article. While the title was sort of misleading and sounded like a doomsday prophecy, it opened my mind into the possibilities of a decentralised future. Thus began my journey in blockchain. Tell me more about what you do? I work with blockchain and crypto projects in two capacities, depending on what solutions they need. On one side of the coin, I offer legal consulting and advisory services to help projects navigate the uncertain legal regulations maze in the space. Some come with a request for structuring their token sale or how to proceed with an STO in the country they are registered. On the other side of the coin, I offer digital content consulting, helping projects craft content that enlightens their prospective clients about the solutions they offer. Why is it so important to be philanthropic? Philanthropy to me goes beyond giving people fish because they are hungry and cant provide for themselves at that moment. I believe more in providing people with the means to fish, that is more sustainable. In this belief lies my answer as to why it is so important to be philanthropic. You never know, that little act of philanthropy could be all someone somewhere needs to survive, to breakthrough and become capable of empowering others, to smile. Four years ago, when I was still bedridden, without a job and depending on my parents with their meagre monthly income, the philanthropic acts of a few friends was how I could crawl out of that gloomy-tunnel period of my life. Story continues No, they didnt send me monthly allowances or stock my fridge and pantry. What they did was a one-time philanthropic act where they gave me the funds to get an 8-inch smartphone, as before then, I couldnt get online. Another connected me to my first digital content consulting client. Today, Ive been able to rent and furnish my own apartment, while also helping others with the means to fish. What were your career ambitions when you were younger? I make a lot of references to the two-year hiatus because my view of life, before and after the near-fatal accident that rendered me bedridden for two years, are distinctly different. The sum of my career ambitions then was getting hired by one of the top law firms in Nigeria. Before the hiatus, all I aspired to was having a nice job that paid the bills, period. But after the hiatus, you could say I became filled with boundless energy, suddenly developed a buzzing mind with one new idea daily. Why are so few women involved in blockchain? Access and mindset. And this is not just in blockchain, it is in all areas of life, women seem content to always be in the background. Women lack the access needed to get exposure to things that matter. Mindset too is an issue. Like I said earlier, before the hiatus, all I wanted was a nice job in a big law firm. Then, it never occurred to me that I too could be creating the nice job I was desiring. It took a life-changing event for me to realise this. Unfortunately, many women are still trapped in this mindset. The society also reinforces this by telling them lies like, dont aim too high, otherwise, you wont get a husband, or you wont be able to have children, etc. The usual, career or your life, you cant have both. What more needs to be done to remove obstacles for women in blockchain? Decentralising access, this is very important. In Nigeria, we would be hosting a BlockTech conference where the target participants are women. Efforts towards removing obstacles to women participation in blockchain need to be deliberate. It is not enough to say, we googled and couldnt find women. What are you, personally, doing to get more people involved in blockchain? I leverage more on one-on-one evangelism. I tell women I know how they can chart new career paths in blockchain. In a few weeks, I would be training female teens on an introduction to blockchain. This is just one of the similar kind of training I do to bring in more women into the space by letting them know in simple terms what they stand to gain. How do you see this technology changing peoples lives for the better? On the financial front, the technology has near eliminated barriers to entry for those without a working government identity. They are usually the ones counted in the poverty statistics which we read from the comfort of our houses or offices, on our laptops and tablets. But for the first time in history, we have a technology for good that would allow these people to go from being just a statistic to becoming relevant players in the economy, consequently improving their circumstances. Why are people so suspicious of it? Because the technology is yet to receive a stamp of approval from the government. Also, there is the argument of crypto being used for criminal activities and cybercrime, which to me is ridiculous considering the tracking and immutability features of the blockchain. Well, a creator cannot control how their invention is used. Cryptos close relationship with Ponzi schemes which has got several people burnt is another reason most people are suspicious of the technology. After the events of recent weeks, with the price of crypto falling dramatically what does this mean for trust in the technology? In my opinion, this would mean more attention would shift to building other use cases of the blockchain technology beyond crypto. Do people need to be kinder to one another after the last week instead of turning on each other? Whatever the circumstance, people need to always show kindness, because you never know what the other is dealing with. What would you say to young women considering a career in blockchain? How would you encourage them? Never wait for anyone to give you permission to be successful. You have to learn before you can earn. Write, write, write. Is gender a barrier to success. Or not? Interestingly, in the blockchain space, gender has never been a barrier for me. In fact, I could say it even helped as leverage. I cant begin to count how many times I have been in an all-male meeting and when I raise my hand to speak, there is an instant hush, not in a mocking way, but because they want to be encouraging. Do you feel that theres resistance to this tech in Africa, whereas its been embraced in the rest of the world? I do not think there is any resistance, just snail-pace approach to reacting to the technology. African countries like Kenya, South Africa, Mauritius and Nigeria have made positive efforts towards creating regulatory frameworks, especially for blockchain, while some seem to treat crypto as leprous. The regulatory sandbox approach we hope will birth a fertile ground for blockchain to develop while protecting end users and not stifle innovation. By Helen Bennicke March 9, 2019 The post Faith Obafemi: How I got involved in blockchain after recovering from surgery appeared first on Coin Rivet. In its Flashback Friday series, FreightWaves publishes articles that look back at various aspects of the transportation industry's history. If there are topics that you think would be of interest, please send them to media@freightwaves.com The early days... Beginning around 1910, the concurrent development of a number of technologies gave rise to the modern trucking industry. With the advent of the gasoline-powered internal combustion engine, improvements in transmissions, the move away from chain drives to gear drives and the development of the tractor/semi-trailer combination, shipping by truck gained in popularity. In 1913, the first state weight limits for trucks were introduced. At the time, only four states limited truck weights, from a low of 18,000 pounds (8,200 kilograms, or kg) in Maine to a high of 28,000 pounds (13,000 kg) in Massachusetts. The states enacted these laws to protect the roads (at that time roads were either dirt or gravel-surfaced) from damage caused by the iron and solid rubber wheels of early trucks. By 1914 there were almost 100,000 trucks on America's roads. However, solid tires, poor rural roads and a maximum speed of 15 miles per hour continued to limit the use of trucks to mainly urban areas. Major improvements spurred by World War I During World War I (1914-18) truck use and development was hastened by the increasing congestion on the nation's railroads, which carried increasing amounts of war materiel. As the nation's economy expanded, alternative modes of transportation were needed to move the additional freight. During the war, Roy Chapin (the founder of the Hudson Motor Company) served as chairman of the Highway Transport Committee of the Council of National Defense. Through the Committee's efforts, experiments with the first long-distance truck shipments were made. In addition, pneumatic (inflated) tires capable of supporting heavier loads were developed. The new tires also enabled trucks to drive at higher speeds. Two truck manufacturers also emerged in this period White Motor Company and Mack Brothers Company (now Mack Trucks, Inc.). Over one million trucks were running on America's roadways by 1920 a 10-fold increase in six years. Story continues During the 1920s, several more advancements were made rural roads were improved, the diesel engine was introduced (which was 25 to 40 percent more efficient than a gasoline-powered engine), truck and trailer sizes were standardized, and the "fifth wheel" coupling system was introduced, as were power-assisted brakes and steering. Government oversight of trucking As more trucks were used to move increasing amounts of freight, there was a corresponding increase in government oversight of the trucking industry. By 1933, all 48 states regulated the weight of trucks on their roads. As noted in previous FreightWaves articles, the U.S. Congress created the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC). The ICC was established to regulate the nation's railroads. But Congress also passed the Motor Carrier Act of 1935, which gave the ICC the authority to regulate the trucking industry. While many of the ICC's actions negatively impacted trucking, it also got some things right. For example, in 1941, the ICC pointed out that inconsistent weight limitations imposed by the states had a negative impact on effective interstate truck commerce. The birth of the Interstate Highway System Also in 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed a committee to consider the possibility of a "national inter-regional highway" system. However, the committee's progress was halted when the U.S. entered World War II after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1944 authorized the designation of what are now known as interstate highways, but the legislation did not include funding to build the highways. Limited progress was made over the next 10 years, until President Dwight D. Eisenhower reignited interest in the interstate highway plan in 1954. As Supreme Commander of the Allies in Europe during World War II, Eisenhower knew first-hand that Germany had used its autobahns to move troops and war materiel effectively. Therefore, one of the reasons President Eisenhower advocated for an interstate system was that it would be available to help move the American military and its materiel more easily around the country in case of war. His call for a U.S. Interstate Highway System began a protracted and nasty debate among various transportation-related interests (such as the railroads, trucking companies, their associations, and related interest groups), over how the new highways would be paid for, where they would be located and what their impact would be. Following two years of often acrimonious debate, the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 authorized the construction of the Interstate Highway System. The system was envisioned as an interconnected network of controlled-access freeways. Among other uses, the interstates would allow larger trucks to travel at higher speeds through rural and urban areas. Federal limits on trucks' gross vehicle weight This legislation also authorized the first federal maximum gross vehicle weight (GVW) limits for trucks. The weight limit set in 1956 was 73,280 pounds (33,240 kg). The GVW limit was only for the interstate system, and a patchwork of state laws still governed state-maintained roadways. Shortly after the birth of the interstate system, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) conducted extensive road and bridge tests in the late 1950s to determine how traffic contributed to the deterioration of pavement materials. AASHTO's tests led to a 1964 recommendation to Congress by the association that truck GVW limits should be determined by a "bridge formula" based on axle lengths, instead of a static upper limit. By 1970 there were over 18 million trucks traveling on roads across the United States. While freight still moved by other transportation modes, trucking freight intrastate and interstate was the commonplace mode. The federal GVW was increased to 80,000 pounds (36,000 kilograms) by the Federal-Aid Highway Amendments of 1974. This legislation also began a system of a sliding scale of truck weight-to-length ratios based on the bridge formula, but did not establish a federal minimum weight limit. This lack of a minimum weight limit led six contiguous states in the Mississippi Valley (known as the "barrier states") to refuse to also increase their intrastate weight limits to 80,000 pounds. Therefore, the trucking industry was hampered by a barrier to efficient cross-country interstate commerce. The problems caused by the barrier states went unsolved until after the trucking industry was deregulated in 1980. The Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1982 established the needed federal minimum for truck weight limits. This Act standardized truck size and weight limits across the country for traffic on the Interstate Highway System. Currently, federal limits are 80,000 pounds GVW, 20,000 pounds on a single axle, and 34,000 pounds on a tandem axle group. Applications of the formula allow for up to seven axles and 86 feet or more length between axle sets, and a maximum load of 105,500 pounds. Federal Highway Administration testimony In July 2008, Jeffrey Paniata, who at the time was the Executive Director of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) testified at a joint hearing of the Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit. Both subcommittees were part of the House of Representatives' Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The subcommittees were holding the hearing on truck weights and lengths to assess the impacts of existing laws and regulations. While this testimony is more than 10 years old, many of the points Paniata made are still valid and relevant. He stated, "FHWA [which is an agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation] is responsible for monitoring and enforcing federal commercial motor vehicle size and weight limits requirements that preserve the physical condition of the highway transportation system and the safety of its users. Meeting the freight transportation needs of a growing economy in a safe and efficient manner is the challenge for all of us involved in this endeavor." Although the maximum GVW for commercial motor vehicles on U.S. interstates was set at 80,000 pounds in 1975, several states interpreted their grandfathered permit authority broadly and allowed the operation of increasingly heavy trucks that came to be known as longer combination vehicles (LCVs). According to Paniata's testimony, "an LCV is any combination of a truck-tractor and two or more trailers or semi-trailers operating on the Interstate System with a GVW greater than 80,000 pounds." To counteract these varying state laws, Congress passed the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) in 1991, which froze the weight of LCVs on interstate highways. ISTEA also established limits on the length, width and configuration of longer double- and triple-trailer combinations on the "National Network" (NN). The National Network and the importance of trucking The NN is comprised of the interstate highways, U.S. highways and certain roadways designated by the states (generally, state-designated highways). This network is comprised of approximately 210,000 miles of roadway and includes the Interstate Highway System (about 47,000 miles) and certain other principal arterial roadways designated by the states and incorporated in federal regulation. Beyond the interstate system, the states may set their own weight limits. These limits (which can be lower or higher than federal limits) come into effect for intrastate commercial vehicle traffic not on the National Network. Trucks are an integral part of the fabric of the U.S. (and global) economy. More than 70 percent of all the freight that moves in the U.S. moves by truck. Over the past 100 years, trucks have grown larger and heavier and also "smarter" and safer thanks to technological innovations, which continue to be introduced. The companies that own or lease the trucks and the men and women who drive the trucks are more heavily regulated and scrutinized than at any time in history. FreightWaves is proud to help tell the story of freight, and trucks and trucking are a major part of that story. Want more content like this? Click here to Subscribe See more from Benzinga 2019 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Oil prices fell on Friday morning in Asia Investing.com - Oil prices fell on Friday morning in Asia as the European Central Bank (ECB) slashed its economic forecast and caused more worries about a slowdown in the global economy. Meanwhile, the U.S. oil supply continues to soar. U.S. Crude Oil WTI Futures were down 0.58% to $56.33 per barrel by 10:55 PM EST (03:55 AM GMT). International Brent Oil Futures dropped 0.69% to $65.84 per barrel. At the policy meeting on Thursday, ECB President Mario Draghi said the economy is seeing a period of continued weakness and pervasive uncertainty. The ECB outlook compounded by Chinas cut in economic expansion target, Canadas lowered expectations for policy tightening and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Developments downbeat global outlook, caused more concerns about global economic weakness. A slowdown in economic growth could keep a lid on fuel demand, thus pressuring oil prices. Oil prices were supported by the production cut of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), which continues to stick to production cuts of around 1.2 million barrels per day (bpd). At the same time, sanctions against OPEC members Venezuela and Iran are also constraining the global supply. But soaring U.S. crude oil production, which has increased by more than 2 million bpd since early 2018, to a record 12.1 million bpd, has counteracted OPECs efforts. Reuters reported that analysts expect the U.S. to soon overtake Saudi Arabia as the worlds biggest oil exporter. In a pivotal geopolitical shift, the United States will soon export more oil and liquids than Saudi Arabia, consultancy Rystad Energy said in a report quoted by Reuters. The (Saudi) kingdom currently exports some 7 million bpd of crude oil plus about 2 million bpd of natural gas liquids (NGLs) and petroleum products, compared with the U.S. now exporting approximately 3 million bpd of crude oil and 5 million barrels of NGLs and petroleum products, Rystad said. Story continues Earlier in the week, American Petroleum Institute had reported that U.S. crude inventories rose by 7.3 million barrels to 451.5 million, significantly higher than the expected increase of 1.2 million barrels. Related Articles U.S. Crude Hits 2019 High After Surprise Stockpile Tumble Fiat Chrysler recalling 965,000 US, Canadian vehicles over excess emissions Gold/Equities Inverse Play off as Brexit Triggers Highs Above $1,300 In this March. 6, 2019, photo Valarie Regas poses for a photo at Ponce City Market in Atlanta. Child care costs delayed Regas' return to the job market after she gave birth to her second child in 2012. Regas wanted to go back, but most of the jobs she found didnt pay enough to cover child care. So, she remained mostly out of the job market for five more years. After completing a coding boot camp, Regas was hired last year by a division of the European aerospace giant Airbus. (AP Photo/Elijah Nouvelage) WASHINGTON (AP) -- In a story March 7 about (topic), The Associated Press reported erroneously that the IT services provider TEKsystems is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. Its headquarters are actually in Hanover, Maryland. A corrected version of the story is below: A hot US job market is coaxing people in from the sidelines Defying expectations, a hot US job market is pulling in workers from the sidelines By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER AP Economics Writer WASHINGTON (AP) -- A surprisingly strong burst of job growth over the past year has led many economists to wonder: Where are all the workers coming from? As recently as last spring, analysts had worried that hiring would slow as the pool of unemployed shrank. Many employers have complained for years that they could no longer find enough people to fill their open jobs. Turns out they were both wrong. The pace of hiring in 2018 was the most robust in three years, and for a surprising reason: Many more people have decided to look for work than experts had expected. The influx of those job seekers, if sustained, could help extend an economic expansion that is already the second-longest on record. The growth in America's workforce made up of people either working or looking for work has helped reverse an alarming consequence of the recession: The exit of millions of Americans from the job market. For five years after the Great Recession ended in 2009, many Americans gave up on their job hunts. Some suffered from disabilities. Others enrolled in school or stayed home to raise children. Still others were stymied by criminal pasts or failed drug tests. Some just felt discouraged by their job prospects. Because they weren't actively seeking work, they weren't even counted as unemployed. Economists had speculated that millions of these people lacked necessary qualifications or were otherwise deemed undesirable by employers and might not work again. That meant stronger hiring wouldn't necessarily help them. Yet for the past few years it has. The proportion of Americans ages 25 to 54 who have a job has reached nearly 80 percent the same as before the recession. Economists refer to this age group as "prime-age" workers. It excludes older Americans who have retired and younger workers who may be in school. Story continues "The U.S. is a very diverse and dynamic economy and can often surprise us," said Julia Coronado, chief economist at MacroPolicy Perspectives. "This is a positive surprise. We're due for one." Other factors that have held some people back from seeking work have included the high cost of child care and a lack of paid leave. Research suggests that such costs have held back the workforce participation rate of prime-age U.S. women, a rate that trails those in most other industrialized countries. Child care costs delayed the return of Valarie Regas of Atlanta to the job market after she gave birth to her second child in 2012. Regas wanted to go back, but most of the jobs she found didn't pay enough to cover child care. So she remained mostly out of the job market for five more years. After completing a coding boot camp at Georgia Tech, Regas was hired last year by a division of the European aerospace giant Airbus. The company initially wanted someone with more experience, she said. But after she pitched them on her enthusiasm and willingness to learn, she was hired as a software programmer. "Even with the exorbitant cost of child care, I am now bringing home real money," said Regas, 36. Many companies are relaxing their education or experience requirements, according to economists and staffing agencies. They are considering more applicants with disabilities. Businesses are expanding their training programs. Some, analysts say, are also looking with a more open mind at people with criminal backgrounds. The rebound has confounded many experts' projections. In 2014, the Congressional Budget Office forecast that the proportion of people ages 16 and up either working or looking for work often called the participation rate would be just 62.5 percent by the end of 2017 and would decline thereafter. Instead, the figure reached 63.2 percent in January, a five-year high. "We have learned this year that there's more slack in the labor market because people are coming back in," Fed Chairman Jerome Powell told Congress last week. The influx of people, Powell acknowledged last year, had come as a "surprise." Women, it turns out, have returned to the workforce in greater numbers than men. The proportion of prime-age women in the labor force is now higher than before the recession. And for women ages 25 through 34, participation is at an 18-year peak. The participation rate for prime-age African-American women also exceeds its pre-recession level. As they assess a broader pool of job applicants, some companies are doing more to develop skills. A survey by Manpower found that 54 percent of employers invested in training programs in 2018, up from just 20 percent four years earlier. One-third said they're adjusting their education and experience requirements, with some no longer requiring a college degree. Ricardo Madan of TEKsystems, an IT services provider, says his company is willing to train more of its new hires, rather than just finding already-qualified workers. Last year, the Hanover, Md.-based company paid for a three-month boot camp for 25 potential employees run by Trilogy Education, a training company, and Southern Methodist University in Dallas. It ended up hiring 19 of them. "We weren't thinking this way five years ago," he said. "It's never been this hard to find people." As European countries grapple with their decision to integrate telecoms equipment maker Huawei into their 5G infrastructure, the Chinese company has gone out of its way to reassure government officials that concerns of a national security risk are unwarranted. This week, the company opened a cyber security center in Brussels, inviting customers and governments to test the companys source code, software, and product solutions. Huawei also filed a lawsuit in Texas, arguing that a U.S. ban on government purchases of Huawei products violated the constitution. China Foreign Minister Wang Yi voiced support for the lawsuit, telling reporters that the scrutiny of Huawei amounted to political suppression" and that Beijing would take "necessary measures" to protect Chinese businesses. Surveillance cameras are seen next to a Huawei company logo outside a shopping mall in Shanghai, China March 7, 2019. REUTERS/Aly Song But U.S. intelligence experts told Yahoo Finance that those efforts at transparency and claims of injustice do little to safeguard against Chinese espionage. The big question is why are we investing a substantial amount of money and infrastructure in a company that has in the past stolen intellectual property from the United States [and] Europe-based companies in an effort to promote their own, said Dave Kennedy, a former U.S. government hacker and founder of TrustedSec, a cyber security firm that works closely with the U.S. and European governments. Its just really, really bad business practice. Huaweis domination of market share Europe has become an increasingly important market for Huaweis success outside of China, accounting for the companys second-largest market globally. European leaders have so far pushed back against the U.S. narrative that any use of Huawei equipment would compromise national security and intelligence sharing operations among the Five Eyes alliance. And overall, according to DellOro Group telecommunication infrastructure research, Huawei leads the global telecom equipment market. DellOro Group telecommunication infrastructure research programs "consist of the following: Broadband Access, Carrier IP Telephony, Microwave Transmission & Mobile Backhaul, Mobile Radio Access Network (RAN), Optical Transport, Service Provider (SP) Router & Carrier Ethernet Switch, Telecom Capex, Wide Area IoT, and Wireless Packet Core." (Graphic: David Foster/Yahoo Finance) Countries like the UK and Germany have been especially vocal about the risks a Huawei ban would pose on their abilities to keep up with 5G technology as the US and China look to roll out the next generation mobile network this year. Instead, theyve hinted at a compromise that amounts to a strategy of containment agreeing to use Huawei equipment but compelling the company to offer up its source code, reducing the number of Huawei components used, and drawing up a bilateral pledge not to conduct cyber espionage. Kennedy said that given the complexities of the 5G buildout, theres no guarantee that the source code Huawei shares with intelligence agencies will be what is ultimately used. Story continues Theres definitely a bait and switch that can happen, Kennedy said. A company can provide source that is clean and looks good but what actually makes it into the product, the build cycle of that technology is where the rubber meets the road. How hard is it for Chinese intelligence to put somebody inside the Ericsson plant? The standoff between the U.S. and China has intensified as mobile carriers look to award contracts that establish the foundation of the next generation mobile network. 5G is expected to allow data to be transferred at speeds that are 100 times faster than current 4G networks, enabling machine to machine communication. (Disclosure: Yahoo Finance parent company Verizon is among the companies developing 5G technology.) Ang Cui, the founder of embedded device security and research company Red Balloon Security, told Yahoo Finance that the stakes are particularly high given the economic, intelligence, and military edge that 5G technology would provide to a government. Every single room we move into, every car that we drive, any aspect of our modern existence will be directly be connected to this network, Cui said. Whoever gets control and dominance of that infrastructure will have access to all that data. (Graphic: Yahoo Finance/David Foster) Huawei executives have repeatedly maintained that a national intelligence law does not compel Chinese companies to create backdoors at the directive of the government. Founder Ren Zhengfei told CBS News he would firmly reject a government request, even if the law required him to follow orders. And Rotating Chairman Guo Ping framed the U.S. attack on the company as a fusillade stemming from Americas desire to suppress a rising technological competitor. However, Huawei may not have a choice in the matter. Cui explained that the complex supply chain networks need to build the next generation network could be compromised without the knowledge of the company. And beyond Huawei, foreign competitors Ericsson and Nokia partner with factories in China, making the 5G vetting process even more difficult. Less [Chinese] equipment doesnt mean less risk, Cui said. How hard is it for Chinese intelligence to put somebody inside the Ericsson plant? Direct proof that you cannot trust the Chinese government and their technology Kennedy specifically questioned the effectiveness of a bilateral no-spy agreement Germanys national cyber security agency has advocated, given mixed results of the U.S.-China cyber deal signed in 2015. While the U.S. National Counterintelligence and Security Center said the mutual commitment not to conduct cyber theft led to a reduction in Chinese attacks, Kennedy asserted that attacks targeting the intellectual property of American companies had increased 600% in the last 6 months as the trade war has escalated. Thats direct proof that you cannot trust the Chinese government and their technology, he said. You might have an agreement in place but theyll throw it out the window when hard times come. Akiko is a reporter and anchor for Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter. READ MORE: How China steals U.S. secrets Follow Yahoo Finance on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Flipboard, LinkedIn, YouTube, and reddit. A 3D printed Huawei logo is placed on glass above a displayed U.S. flag in this illustration taken January 29, 2019. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/Files By Sijia Jiang and Jan Wolfe HONG KONG/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Chinese telecoms equipment maker Huawei Technologies sued the U.S. government on Thursday, saying a law limiting its American business was unconstitutional, ratcheting up its fight back against a government bent on closing it out of global markets. Huawei said it had filed a complaint in a federal court in Texas challenging Section 889 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), signed into law by U.S. President Donald Trump in August, which bars federal agencies and their contractors from procuring its equipment and services. The lawsuit marks the latest confrontation between China and the United States, which spent most of 2018 slapping import tariffs on billions of dollars worth of each other's goods. The year ended with the arrest of Huawei's chief financial officer in Canada at U.S. request, to the consternation of China. Long before Trump initiated the trade war, Huawei's activities were under scrutiny by U.S. authorities, according to interviews with 10 people familiar with the Huawei probes and documents related to the investigations seen by Reuters. "The U.S. Congress has repeatedly failed to produce any evidence to support its restrictions on Huawei products. We are compelled to take this legal action as a proper and last resort," Huawei Rotating Chairman Guo Ping said in a statement. "This ban not only is unlawful, but also restricts Huawei from engaging in fair competition, ultimately harming U.S. consumers," he said. "We look forward to the court's verdict." While Huawei had very little share of the U.S. market before the bill, it is the world's biggest telecoms gear maker and is seeking to be at the forefront of a global rollout of fifth-generation (5G) mobile networks and services. In its lawsuit, Huawei said its "equipment and services are subject to advanced security procedures, and no backdoors, implants, or other intentional security vulnerabilities have been documented in any of the more than 170 countries in the world where Huawei equipment and services are used." Story continues The privately owned firm has embarked on a public relations and legal offensive as Washington lobbies allies to abandon Huawei when building 5G networks, focussing on a 2017 Chinese law requiring companies to cooperate with national intelligence work. "The U.S. Government is sparing no effort to smear the company and mislead the public," Guo said in a news briefing at Huawei's headquarters in southern China. The U.S. State Department declined comment on the lawsuit on Thursday. "More generally," State Department spokesman Robert Palladino told reporters, "the United States advocates for secure telecom networks and supply chains that are free from suppliers subject to foreign government control or undue influence which would pose risks of unauthorised access and malicious cyber activity." U.S. Representative Mike Conaway, a Texas Republican who has sponsored anti-Huawei legislation, called the Huawei lawsuit "bogus." "NO PROOF" The NDAA bans the U.S. government from doing business with Huawei or compatriot peer ZTE Corp or from doing business with any company that has equipment from the two companies as a "substantial or essential component" of their system. In its lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of Texas, Huawei argues that the section in question is illegal because it could sharply limit the company's ability to do business in the United States despite no proof of wrongdoing. The lawsuit also alleges that Huawei has been denied due process and that Congress, by stripping Huawei of commercial opportunities, has violated the "separation of powers" portion of the U.S. Constitution by doing the work of the courts. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said he had no information on whether China's government may also seek legal action against the U.S. law, but added Huawei's move is "totally reasonable and totally understandable." UPHILL BATTLE Some legal experts said Huawei's lawsuit is likely to be dismissed because U.S. courts are reluctant to second-guess national security determinations by other branches of government. The lawsuit "will be an uphill battle because Congress has broad authority to protect us from perceived national security threats," said Franklin Turner, a government contracts lawyer at McCarter & English. In November, a federal appeals court rejected a similar lawsuit filed by Russian cybersecurity firm Kaspersky Lab, which was challenging a ban on the use of its software in U.S. government networks. The Texas court hearing Huawei's case will not be bound by that decision, but will likely adopt its reasoning because of similarities in the two disputes, said Steven Schwinn, a professor at the John Marshall Law School in Chicago. "I don't see how (Huawei) can really escape that result," said Schwinn. Huawei's chief legal officer, Song Liuping, said the two cases were different in terms of evidence and scope, and that the Chinese company's case had "full merits." If a judge decides Huawei has a plausible claim, the case will proceed to the discovery phase, in which internal documents are shared and U.S. government officials could be forced to provide testimony and lay out their security concerns. RETRIBUTION The legal action compares with a more restrained response in December emphasising "trust in justice" after the arrest of Chief Financial Officer Sabrina Meng Wanzhou. Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei later said Meng's arrest was politically motivated and "not acceptable." Meng - Ren's daughter - is accused by the United States of bank and wire fraud related to breaches of trade sanctions against Iran. Canada approved extradition proceedings on March 1, but Meng has since sued Canada's government for procedural wrongs in her arrest. The next court hearing is set for May 8. The case strained Canada's relations with China, which this week accused two arrested Canadians of stealing state secrets and blocked Canadian canola imports. Meng is under house arrest in Vancouver. It is unclear where the two Canadians are being detained in China, and at least one does not have access to legal representation, sources previously told Reuters. (Reporting by Sijia Jiang in HONG KONG and Jan Wolfe in WASHINGTON; additional reporting by Twinnie Siu in HONG KONG, Ben Blanchard in BEIJING and Diane Bartz in WASHINGTON; editing by James Pomfret, Christopher Cushing and Jonathan Oatis) Former Vice President Joe Biden has been actively meeting with his closest advisors about his preferred economic policies, including crafting an infrastructure reform package that could be part of his 2020 campaign if he decides to run for president. An emphasis on infrastructure would give Biden an opportunity to directly challenge Donald Trump on a key aspect of the president's "Make America Great Again" agenda. "We would approach this community by community. If you talk to somebody about the water in Flint, Michigan, or a bridge in Erie, Pennsylvania, you can personalize it," said one of the people who has spoken to Biden about infrastructure. Former Vice President Joe Biden has been actively meeting with his closest advisors about his preferred economic policies, including crafting an infrastructure reform package that could be part of his 2020 campaign if he decides to run for president, CNBC has learned. An emphasis on infrastructure would give Biden an opportunity to directly challenge Donald Trump on a key aspect of the president's "Make America Great Again" agenda. Trump ran on improving the nation's roads, bridges and tunnels, but those policies have yet to take shape as the administration's $1 trillion infrastructure plan failed to gain traction . Some of Biden's allies have suggested to him that he should make this a personal issue for voters if he enters the Democratic primary race, according to people directly involved with the matter. Biden, according to those familiar with the conversations, has appeared open to the idea of having infrastructure be one of the pillars of his campaign if he were to run. "We would approach this community by community. If you talk to somebody about the water in Flint, Michigan, or a bridge in Erie, Pennsylvania, you can personalize it," said one of the people who has spoken to Biden about infrastructure. "This is going to be a very important plank in what Joe's going to be advocating," this person added. Story continues The 76-year-old Biden has said in the past that the country needs to increase its infrastructure spending. "Build, build, build, build. ... We built the transcontinental railroad," Biden said at an event in 2014 hosted by CG/LA Infrastructure. "[We] built a thing called the Erie Canal. ... Ladies and gentlemen, we always have to build. That's who we are." Biden has been asking his team to keep an eye what's being proposed by other 2020 contenders and to take note if they are discussing how to go about paying for some of their ideas. "He wants to be kept apprised with all these policy developments and one of these things that he cares about is their decision on how we are going to pay for it," a Biden consultant told CNBC, speaking on the condition of anonymity. This person would not explain which specific ideas they're tracking but cited the "eye popping" estimated price of the sweeping Green New Deal environmental policy plan, proposed by freshman liberal Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. A study produced by the conservative think tank the American Action Forum showed that the climate change proposal could cost between $51 trillion to $93 trillion over 10 years. A Medicare-for-all plan, which has been championed by 2020 presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders and others, has been estimated to cost $32 trillion to $33 trillion. Presidential candidates who have come out in favor of a Green New Deal include Sanders and fellow Sens. Kamala Harris, Kirsten Gillibrand and Amy Klobuchar. Biden and his team privately have also gone through other various positions that the former vice president has supported in the past, including cutting taxes for the middle class and bettering income inequality, according to people with direct knowledge of the matter. These people say such ideas have not been crafted into an official 2020 platform, but they are under consideration to be part of his agenda if he were to run for president. A spokesman for Biden declined to comment. As for an announcement timeline, Biden continues to lean toward a run for president but has not made a final decision. He has publicly confirmed to be in the "final stages" on deciding his next steps. CNBC reported last month that Biden has been actively talking with top party donors about potentially entering the growing 2020 primary. He's also been speaking with social media experts for guidance on how best to appeal to young voters through a variety of online platforms. Taxes and spending For Biden, his continued analysis and efforts on affordable government spending fits is in line with his long record of public service. It's also one of the reasons he will be considered a centrist candidate if he enters the 2020 arena. While he was vice president under President Barack Obama, he worked with Congress to cut over $1 trillion in federal spending over 10 years. "We're determined to continue in a balanced way to cut our debt in the coming years and have made significant strides towards that goal," Biden told an audience at the Munich Security Conference in Germany in 2013. "Last year, with the help of my colleagues in the U.S. Congress, we reached a difficult agreement on reducing our spending over the next 10 years by close to $1 trillion." He has also repeatedly called for a middle-class tax cut and for lawmakers to focus on closing the income gap. At the Brookings Institution in Washington last year , Biden addressed the ongoing struggles for middle-class families. "We have to deal with the tax code. It's wildly skewed toward taking care of those from the very top. It overwhelmingly favors investors over workers and it's ridiculed with unproductive expenditures," he said then. At the University of Pennsylvania in February, he called the tax plan passed by Republicans "God awful." When Biden discusses income inequality, he sometimes makes a point of distancing himself from leftists like Sanders, and he doesn't blame billionaires for the wealth gap. "I love Bernie but I'm not Bernie Sanders. I don't think 500 billionaires are the reason why we're in trouble," Biden told the crowd at Brookings last year. "I get in trouble with my party when I say wealthy Americans are just as patriotic as poor folks. I found no distinction, I really haven't, but this [income] gap is yawning." Sanders' platform has taken aim at the wealthiest Americans, and he has argued that politicians are too often influenced by special interest groups. One of the areas the two seem to agree on is providing free community college tuition for all and having it paid for through a higher tax on the wealthy. Still, the early polls seem to favor Biden's more moderate approach. A Morning Consult poll continues to have him in the lead with early primary state voters. The survey shows Biden has support from 31 percent of voters versus Sanders' 27 percent. Meanwhile, Trump is losing steam in the historic swing state of Florida, where Biden has an early lead over others who have already entered the race. According to a survey by Bendixen & Amandi International , only 40 percent of Florida voters believe Trump should be re-elected for a second term while 53 percent think otherwise. Biden captured 26 percent on whom Floridians want to vote for in the Democratic primary. However, 46 percent say they are undecided. More From CNBC Kimco Realty Corporations KIM issuer default rating was recently reiterated at BBB+ by Fitch Ratings. The rating agency also maintained its stable outlook for the company. The credit action is backed by Kimcos diversified portfolio of premium properties in upscale markets. The company has significant presence across the New York-Washington D.C. corridor that accounts for nearly 30% of annualized base rent (ABR). Further, its tenant roster includes a mix of well-capitalized national, regional and local retailers. Top tenants like TJX Companies TJX, Home Depot and Ahold Delhhaize have fared relatively well. Fitch is of the view that a quality portfolio and well-diversified tenant base has enabled Kimco to witness impressive organic growth as reflected in the year-over year improvement in its same-store net operating income (SSNOI). Furthermore, a well-staggered leasing profile for the companys portfolio will provide stable cash flows in the upcoming period. In addition, the companys efforts to reduce leverage levels also look encouraging. In line with this, proceeds from non-core asset sale have been used for debt reduction and to fund the companys development and redevelopment pipeline. In 2018, it disposed $1.1 billion of assets with nearly $913.9 million in sale proceeds. Fitch noted that monetization of Kimcos investment in grocer Albertsons will provide it with nearly $400 million in cash proceeds that can be used to further reduce debt in the upcoming years. The reiteration also reflects Kimcos convenient access to the debt markets. Additionally, the company is investing in development and redevelopment projects that will be accretive for long-term growth. Fitch expects Kimcos $900-million projects to be completed and stabilized through 2021. As of Dec 31, 2018, two-third of Kimcos development pipeline was preleased, highlighting progress on stabilization and lower risks. Notably, near-term capital needs of $400 million for development/redevelopment projects are manageable, representing 3% of gross assets as of Dec 31, 2018. Story continues The reiteration of this credit rating to Kimco indicates the companys creditworthiness in the market and is likely to enhance investors' confidence in the stock. In fact, such moves provide companies an opportunity to enjoy favorable costs on debts and solid access to capital, and are, therefore, encouraging. Kimco carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), at present. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. However, broader brick-and-mortar retail industry concerns have impacted share prices of retail REITs, including Macerich Company MAC, Taubman Centers, Inc. TCO and Kimco. This remains a major bottleneck for the company. In fact, shares of Kimco have declined 1.3% over the past month. Today's Best Stocks from Zacks Would you like to see the updated picks from our best market-beating strategies? From 2017 through 2018, while the S&P 500 gained +15.8%, five of our screens returned +38.0%, +61.3%, +61.6%, +68.1%, and +98.3%. This outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. From 2000 2018, while the S&P averaged +4.8% per year, our top strategies averaged up to +56.2% per year. See their latest picks 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 The TJX Companies, Inc. (TJX) : Free Stock Analysis Report Kimco Realty Corporation (KIM) : Free Stock Analysis Report Taubman Centers, Inc. (TCO) : Free Stock Analysis Report Macerich Company (The) (MAC) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research We listen to local police and fire departments scanner traffic, but sometimes miss crimes, wrecks, fires or other incidents, especially if they happen overnight. If you know of something were not covering yet, please let Managing Editor Jeff Pownall know by emailing him at jpownall@lufkindailynews.com, or submit a news tip online by visiting lufkindailynews.com/tips. A victim of an alleged crypto Ponzi scheme has told mainstream media she is racked with guilt after her family lost 216,000. Jen McAdam, 48, invested in OneCoin after being promised astronomical returns (she had heard about one person making 3.5 million in a month for bringing people into the fold). And she also recruited family members, having been told that the currency was about to be put onto an independent exchange and was rapidly increasing in value. I remember buying my first package I was so excited and I thought I changed my familys life financially, McAdam told Metro. But shortly afterwards, she was informed that there was just too much money for the bank to work with and that there A US District Attorney has announced charges against the leaders of a multi-billion dollar pyramid scheme involving the sale of an allegedly fraudulent cryptocurrency called OneCoin Konstantin Ignatov was arrested Wednesday at Los Angeles International Airport and charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, Manhattan US Attorney Geoffrey Berman said in a statement. Ignatovs sister Ruja, the founder of OneCoin, was charged with wire fraud, securities fraud and money laundering. She hasnt been arrested. Berman said: As alleged, these defendants created a multi-billion-dollar cryptocurrency company based completely on lies and deceit. They promised big returns and minimal risk, but, as alleged, this business was a pyramid scheme based on smoke and mirrors more than zeroes and ones. Investors were victimised while the defendants got rich. Our office has a history of successfully targeting, arresting, and convicting financial fraudsters, and this case is no different. FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge William Sweeney, Jr. claimed that OneCoin was a cryptocurrency existing only in the minds of its creators and their co-conspirators. Unlike authentic cryptocurrencies, which maintain records of their investors transaction history, it had no real value. It offered investors no method of tracing their money, and it could not be used to purchase anything. In fact, the only ones who stood to benefit from its existence were its founders and co-conspirators. Whether youre dealing with virtual currency or cold, hard cash, we urge the public to exercise due diligence with any investment, he stated. Mark S Scott Last month, Coin Rivet reported that a lawyer arrested Stateside in connection with the alleged OneCoin fraud was a director of six companies in Ireland and operated a number of bank accounts there. Mark S Scott stands accused of laundering approximately $400 million through hedge funds in the Cayman Islands and sending the majority of these funds back to his colleagues. Story continues Ruja Ignatova created OneCoin in 2014 in Sofia, Bulgaria, and fronted the venture until fading into the background in October 2017. Her brother took the helm in 2018. In 2017, the government of Kazakhstan clamped down on the company, labelling it a Ponzi scheme. It has also been the subject of investigations in India and China. It nonetheless managed to sidestep the controversy and ploughed ahead, claiming earlier this year that its cryptocurrency ONE was a step closer to being listed on an exchange. The post Lies and deceit: Crypto scheme OneCoin unravels in spectacular fashion appeared first on Coin Rivet. To access the newsletter, click on the link: http://share.thomsonreuters.com/assets/newsletters/morning_News_Call/MNCGeneric_CA_03072019.pdf You can read Morning News Call Canada via TOPNEWS Canada page. If you would like to receive this newsletter through your email, please register at: http://solutions.refinitiv.com/MorningNewsCallENsubscriptionpage ECONOMIC EVENTS 0830 Building permits mm for Jan : Expected -5.0 pct; Prior 6.0 pct COMPANIES REPORTING RESULTS March 7: Canadian Natural Resources Ltd (CNQ). Expected Q4 earnings of 14 Canadian cents per share Canadian Western Bank (CWB). Expected Q1 earnings of 79 Canadian cents per share Crescent Point Energy Corp (CPG). Expected Q4 loss of 3 Canadian cents per share Ensign Energy Services Inc (ESI). Expected Q4 loss of 22 Canadian cents per share Freehold Royalties Ltd (FRU). Expected Q4 earnings of 3 Canadian cents per share Obsidian Energy Ltd (OBE). Expected Q4 loss of 10 Canadian cents per share Profound Medical Corp (PRN). Expected Q4 loss of 4 Canadian cents per share March8: MEG Energy Corp (MEG). Expected Q4 loss of 24 Canadian cents per share CORPORATE EVENTS 0830 KP Tissue Inc (KPT). Q4 earnings conference call 0830 Obsidian Energy Ltd (OBE). Q4 earnings conference call 0900 Morneau Shepell Inc (MSI). Q4 earnings conference call 0900 Recipe Unlimited Corp (RECP). Q4 earnings conference call 0930 Spin Master Corp (TOY). Q4 earnings conference call 1000 Polaris Infrastructure Inc (PIF). FY earnings conference call 1000 Premier Gold Mines Ltd (PG). Q4 earnings conference call 1000 Shawcor Ltd (SCL). Q4 earnings conference call 1100 Ballard Power Systems Inc (BLDP). Q4 earnings conference call 1100 Canadian Natural Resources Ltd (CNQ). Q4 earnings conference call 1100 Canadian Western Bank (CWB). Q1 earnings conference call 1100 Peyto Exploration & Development Corp (PEY). Q4 earnings conference call 1130 Parex Resources Inc (PXT). Q4 earnings conference call 1200 Crescent Point Energy Corp (CPG). Q4 earnings conference call 1200 Essential Energy Services Ltd (ESN). Q4 earnings conference call 1300 Clearwater Seafoods Inc (CLR). Q4 earnings conference call 1430 Clearwater Seafoods Inc (CLR). Q4 earnings conference call 1530 Covalon Technologies Ltd (COV). Annual Shareholders Meeting 1630 Profound Medical Corp (PRN). Q4 earnings conference call EX-DIVIDENDS Canadian National Railway Co (CNR). Amount C$0.53 Finning International Inc (FTT). Amount C$0.20 Hudbay Minerals Inc (HBM). Amount C$0.01 Leon's Furniture Ltd (LNF). Amount C$0.14 Magna International Inc (MG). Amount $0.36 Power Corporation of Canada (POW). Amount C$0.38 Snc-Lavalin Group Inc (SNC). Amount C$0.10 Sprott Inc (SII). Amount C$0.03 Thomson Reuters Corp (TRI). Amount $0.36 Toromont Industries Ltd (TIH). Amount C$0.27 Torstar Corp (TSb). Amount C$0.02 For Morning News Call U.S. -- a preview of market-moving news for the trading day: - type US/MNC in a news browser if you are an Eikon user, or type RT/US/MNC in a news browser if you are a Thomson One user For The Day Ahead -- a recap of the day's events and preview of the next trading day: - type DAY/US in a news browser if you are an Eikon user or type RT/DAY/US in a news browser if you are a Thomson One user For an index of our newsletters click on An increasing number of stores nationwide have recently turned "cashless," refusing to accept Washingtons, Lincolns, Jacksons and Benjamins. At some of these stores, such as Sweetgreen, customers are expected to download the company's mobile app and pay via a QR code. At the majority of stores, customers are expected to swipe their credit or debit card. However, cashless stores are a problem for the estimated 8.4 million unbanked households in the United States. As a result, local and state governments are pushing back and banning stores from banning cash. Massachusetts and Philadelphia have already outlawed the practice, while New York City and New Jersey are considering similar measures. The cashless controversy comes at a particularly critical time for Amazon, which is rolling out cashless stores nationwide. As Business Insider notes, "the whole point of Amazon Go, the chain's tech-powered cashierless convenience store, is that there's no need to pay a cashier. Customers can just swipe their app and go. The store's cameras and sensors will see what you take and charge you accordingly." The cashless brouhaha once again shows how integral cash is to the lives of tens of millions in the United States, despite the increasing usage of digital money from credit cards to Cash App to cryptocurrency. Two days after a report concluded that none of the world's 20 biggest publicly traded airlines is doing enough to tackle climate change, executives from Alaska Airlines (NYSE: ALK) and Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) said the sustainable jet fuel supply chain has a long way to go before airlines could transition away from conventional energy sources. "There's a great business case for investing in problem-solving right now," said Diana Birkett Rakow, vice president of external relations for Alaska Airlines. "But the price differential to buy at larger scale" is too big, she said. "We all have to figure out how to fill that gap." Through a combination of carbon offsets and efficiency measures Delta has reduced carbon emissions 13 percent since 2005, said Tony Gonchar, vice president of Delta Air Lines' Seattle operation. To meet 2050 emissions targets, low-carbon fuels will be necessary, he said. The biggest hurdle is "price, price, price." "A penny difference in the price of fuel is $40 million to our bottom line," he said. "We are a public company; we have shareholders." Among the key questions yet to be addressed, said Gonchar, is what role government is going to play in subsidizing the cost of clean fuels. Birkett Rakow and Gonchar participated in a panel discussion on March 7 at the Washington State Sustainable Aviation Fuels summit. The fast-growing airline sector currently accounts for 12 percent of transportation related CO2 emissions. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has set a goal of reducing global airline emissions 50 percent by 2050. But a report released earlier this week by the Grantham Research Institute at the London School of Economics said that the aviation sector must do much more to reduce fleet emissions. Many airports are greening their facilities. But as Gonchar noted, aviation's carbon footprint is dominated by fuel. Ninety-nine percent of Delta's emissions come from fuel, he said. Throughout the summit, investors and fuel producers sounded the importance of putting in place a regulatory structure that would send the fledgling jet fuels sector a clear signal. Story continues "It's only through clear government legislation that our industry can truly flourish," said Scott Lewis, executive vice president, commercial operations & strategy for World Energy, one of America's largest suppliers of biodiesel. "Being able to monetize the reduction of carbon is critical." "The greatest challenge in the whole energy game is the challenge of scale," said Eric Toone of Breakthrough Energy Ventures, a fund that invests in technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The second is the challenge of cost. People will pay a premium for what they put in their mouth or on their skin. Full stop." Birkett Rakow noted that Alaska Airlines has one of the sector's most fuel-efficient aircraft fleets and that the airline has flown multiple commercial passenger flights with sustainable jet fuel from used cooking oil. To get to the next level, she said, industry and government need to "further best ideas about how do we encourage economically viable options, how do we close the logistics gap and how do we talk to the public about these issues." Want more content like this? Click here to Subscribe Permalink See more from Benzinga 2019 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. According to a panel of experts reporting to the U.N. Security Council, North Korea has been engaging in cyber attacks to subvert economic sanctions and obtain funds, Nikkei Asian Review writes. Pyongyang has managed to steal as much as $670 million in foreign currency and cryptocurrencies. Economic sanctions have been imposed on North Korea because of its nuclear and missile programs. The programs still "remain intact, even though the countrys main exportcoalwas blocked. The report states North Korea arranged hacks of overseas financial institutions between 2015 and 2018. The attacks are said to be carried out by specialised North Korean military corps, and blockchain technology was used to escape detection. According to the U.N. panel, North Korea has opted for crypto assets as they are harder to trace. It also pointed to the fact they are independent from government regulation." The experts have recommended the member states "enhance their ability to facilitate robust information exchange on the cyber attacks by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea with other governments and with their own financial institutions." This could allow for better detection and prevention of North Koreas attempts to circumvent sanctions. (Bloomberg) -- Improbable Worlds Ltd., a London-based software startup backed by Japans SoftBank Group Corp., has seen revenue plummet and losses balloon, according to the companys latest financial filings. Sales for the year ended May 2018 were 579,859 pounds ($756,800), down from 7.8 million pounds a year earlier, documents posted to U.K. business registry Companies House on March 6 show. Pre-tax losses increased more than ten-fold to 50.4 million pounds, up from 4.9 million pounds in 2017. The company has also continued to hire at a rapid clip: it had 222 employees for the period, up from 135 a year earlier. As a result, staff compensation costs more than doubled. Improbable makes software that lets customers build large and complex simulations. Clients have included the U.S. Army, but the company said its core business was targeted at video-game developers and the products they release. In a statement Friday, a spokesman said Improbables commercial progress was not reflected by sales, and that "spikes in revenue will occur along the way related to specific contracts." "We are where we expect to be at this stage of our growth phase," the spokesman said. "We are spending money in order to build the team and the technology required to realize success in the future." In May 2018, London-based Bossa Studios, an independent game development firm, released Worlds Adrift, the first title to be created on Improbables SpatialOS platform. The company is no danger of running out of money, however, thanks largely to SoftBanks $500 million investment in May 2017. As of May 31, 2018, Improbable had about 255 million pounds in cash and cash equivalents on its balance sheet. In July 2018, Chinese gaming firm NetEase Inc. also invested $50 million in the company. To contact the reporter on this story: Jeremy Kahn in London at jkahn21@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Giles Turner at gturner35@bloomberg.net, Nate Lanxon, Molly Schuetz For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com 2019 Bloomberg L.P. By Johan Ahlander and Esha Vaish STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Swedbank is facing pressure from some of its biggest shareholders to reveal more about what it knew about allegations of money-laundering linked to Danske Bank. Six of Swedbank's top 20 investors, collectively holding around 14.5 percent of its shares, told Reuters they were seeking more information from the Swedish lender, after a media report last month linked it to the scandal involving Danske. The Swedish TV program, aired on Feb. 20, alleged that at least 40 billion Swedish crowns ($4.25 billion) had moved between Swedbank and Danske accounts between 2007 and 2015. The report prompted an investigation by financial watchdogs in Sweden and Estonia. Swedbank's chief executive Birgitte Bonnesen said at the time that she could not comment on specific transactions due to Swedish banking secrecy laws. The bank is due to complete an external report, commissioned by Bonnesen after investor pressure, before its annual general meeting on March 28. "We are having a dialogue with the company on the issues that we think we need more information on to be able to continue to be investors in the company," Magdalena Wahlqvist Alveskog, acting CEO of Handelsbanken Asset Management which is Swedbank's 11th largest investor with a 1.85 percent holding, told Reuters. Alveskog said that her asset management fund had questioned Swedbank at the time of the Danske Bank revelations and said she had not been happy with the answers Swedbank had given. Danske Bank is being investigated in five countries over some 200 billion euros ($226 billion) of suspicious payments from Russia, ex-Soviet states and elsewhere that were found to have flowed through its Estonian branch. Several other European and overseas banks have been drawn into the scandal. Bonnesen, Swedbank's head of Baltic banking between 2011 and 2014 and Chief Audit Executive between 2009 and 2011, said on Jan. 29 that she saw no links between Swedbank and the Danske Bank money laundering scandal. But on Feb. 20, she said she could not guarantee every suspect transaction had been detected. Story continues A spokesman for AMF, Swedbank's fifth largest investor with a 4.77 percent stake, said more transparency was needed. "We are waiting for the results of the investigation and then we will make further decisions about how to act at the annual meeting and so forth," the spokesman said. Bonnesen and Lars Idermark, Swedbank's chairman, declined to comment, while three other board members approached by Reuters either declined to comment or did not respond. Swedbank's head of communications, Gabriel Francke Rodau, said Bonnesen had expressed in recent days that she had reflected over her style of communication. Bonnesen said in an interview with Swedish news agency TT on Tuesday that her answers after the Feb. 20 TV report had been correct but that she could have given more context and nuance. FACTS ON THE TABLE AMF and Alecta, Swedbank's third largest investor with 4.86 percent of its shares and a Swedish pension fund holding about 85 billion euros under management, have representatives on the committee that selects Swedbank's board. Alecta called on the bank to get "all facts on the table regarding the alleged shortcomings". "If we do not crack down harder on money laundering, we are playing fast and loose with European citizens pension savings," Alecta's chief executive Magnus Billing said in an email. Swedish fund Lannebo, another top 20 investor, said Swedbank's management, including Bonnesen, had made mistakes in dealing with the fallout from the Swedish TV report. "Bonnesen could have communicated differently due to the importance of trust in a bank. That trust has now been harmed ..." Maria Nordqvist, Lannebo's head of responsible investments, said. A fifth top-20 Swedbank investor, who declined to be identified, said that the results of the external report would be critical in deciding on its next steps. And Hans Ek, acting head of SEB Investment Management AB, told Reuters that he had regular discussions with Swedbank, including on the issue of money laundering allegations, which was high on its agenda for Nordic financial firms. Norway's sovereign wealth fund, one of the world's biggest investors, did not comment directly on Swedbank but is also watching developments closely. "We expect that the companies are dealing with serious issues in a very profound and diligent way. We have no indication that this is not the case at the moment," said Yngve Slyngstad, CEO of the fund, which held 2.03 percent of Swedbank shares at the end of 2018. A further seven shareholders contacted by Reuters did not respond or declined to comment. (Additional reporting by Gwladys Fouche and Alister Doyle in Oslo; Editing by Alexander Smith) A sign for a T-Mobile store is seen in Manhattan, New York, U.S., April 30, 2018. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Federal Communications Commission said on Thursday it has halted the informal 180-day "shot clock" on the review of the merger of wireless providers Sprint Corp and T-Mobile US Inc to give the public three additional weeks to comment on the $26 billion tie-up. The FCC said the decision was made after the third- and fourth-largest U.S. wireless carriers had filed significant additional information on their network integration plans for 2019-2021 and other new information on the merger. The FCC said it typically allows for additional public input after "substantial new submissions" by the applicants. The FCC said it expects to resume the "shot clock," at the current Day 122 on April 4. T-Mobile and Sprint in separate statements called the FCC decision "a positive step" that the FCC is "so deeply engaged in understanding this transaction and our recent filing, and we completely understand their desire" to stop the clock "to fully review the merits of our merger." Sprint said it hopes to complete the regulatory approval process by the end of June. The deal to combine the carriers, struck in April 2018, was approved by both companies shareholders in October and has received national security clearance, but still needs approval from the Department of Justice and the FCC. A number of state attorneys general are also reviewing the merger. Last month at a congressional hearing, House Democrats raised worries about the deal because the U.S. wireless market has just four main carriers. The industry leaders are AT&T Inc and Verizon Communications Inc. T-Mobile Chief Executive John Legere defended the deal, arguing that it will create jobs and help with the construction of the next generation of wireless networks. He said the merged company would have more capacity which would lead to a push to lower prices. Legere and Sprint Executive Chairman Marcelo Claure will testify at another U.S. House hearing on March 12. The deal has run into criticism from unions, consumer advocates, and rural operators. Story continues The Communications Workers of America said in a statement Thursday the decision of the companies to file new analyses of the merger suggests they "have failed to persuade regulators." The union argues the deal will eliminate tens of thousands of jobs. A group of eight Democratic U.S. senators and independent Senator Bernie Sanders last month urged regulators to reject the deal, saying monthly bills could rise as much as 10 percent. (Reporting by David Shepardson, Diane Bartz; editing by Richard Chang and Grant McCool) A month has gone by since the last earnings report for Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (ALNY). Shares have added about 3.1% in that time frame, outperforming the S&P 500. Will the recent positive trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Alnylam due for a pullback? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at the most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important drivers. Alnylam's Q4 Earnings and Revenues Beat Estimates Alnylam incurred adjusted loss of $1.82 per share, wider than the year-ago loss of $1.20 but narrower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of $1.97. Revenues declined 44.5% year over year to $21 million but beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $12.53 million. The top line in the quarter included net product revenues of $12.1 million from sales of Onpattro (patisiran), which was approved by the FDA in August 2018. The decline in sales was due to a significant drop in collaboration revenues, which came in at $9 million compared with $37.9 million in the year-ago period. Quarter in Detail The company launched its sole commercial drug, Onpattro as a treatment for polyneuropathy of hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis (hATTR amyloidosis) in adults in the United States and Europe, and made efforts to make it accessible to a larger patient population. The company is currently working on pricing & reimbursement agreement in both the territories and has signed several of them. It is also looking to expand in Asian and Latin American countries. Adjusted research and development (R&D) expenses increased 14.8% from the year-ago period to $118.1 million. Adjusted selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses increased 69.7% from the year-ago quarter to $93.7 million. Alnylam ended the year with $1.13 billion in cash, cash equivalents and marketable debt securities and restricted investments (excluding equity securities). In January 2019, the company sold its common stock through a public offering adding additional $382 million to its coffers. Story continues Full Year Results The company reported total revenues of $74.9 million in 2018, down 16.7% year-over-year, and adjusted loss was $6.21 per share compared to $4.40 per share in 2017. 2019 Guidance Alnylam provided its guidance for adjusted operating expenses in 2019. The company expects adjusted SG&A expense to be in the range of $390 to $420 million while adjusted R&D expense is expected to be $520-$560 million. The company also expects its current liquid resources to fund its operations approximately for the next two years at the current pace of cash burn. Pipeline Updates During the quarter, the company obtained regulatory alignment with the FDA on the design of its phase III study, which will evaluate Onpattro in hereditary and wild-type ATTR amyloidosis patients with cardiomyopathy. The study is expected to start in mid-2019. The drug is also under review in Japan, Canada and Switzerland. During the quarter, the company initiated the HELIOS-A study on vutrisiran (ALN-TTRsc02), a subcutaneously administered investigational RNAi therapeutic as a treatment for hATTR amyloidosis with polyneuropathy. Alnylam also plans to initiate another phase III study, HELIOS-B on the candidate in hereditary and wild-type ATTR amyloidosis cardiomyopathy in late 2019. The company initiated a rolling submission of a new drug application (NDA) for givosiran, an investigational RNAi therapeutic in development for the treatment of acute hepatic porphyrias (AHPs) based on interim results from phase III ENVISION study. It plans to pursue full approval based on complete results now expected in March 2019 from the ENVISION phase III study. The full clinical sections are expected to be submitted in mid-2019, assuming positive results. Alnylam initiated ILLUMINATE-A, a global phase III study of lumasiran in children and adults with primary hyperoxaluria type 1 (PH1). The company expects to report top-line results from the study in late 2019, and, if positive, will submit filings for global regulatory approvals starting in early 2020. In October 2018, Alnylams partner, The Medicines Company announced that the Independent Data Monitoring Committee for the ongoing inclisiran phase III clinical trials (ORION 9, 10, and 11) conducted its fourth planned review of safety and efficacy data from the studies and recommended that the studies continue without modification. The companys another partner, Sanofi is currently enrolling patients in phase III ATLAS program evaluating fitusiran for treating hemophilia An or B. How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then? Fresh estimates followed a downward path over the past two months. VGM Scores At this time, Alnylam has a poor Growth Score of F, however its Momentum Score is doing a bit better with a D. Charting a somewhat similar path, the stock was allocated a grade of F on the value side, putting it in the bottom 20% quintile for this investment strategy. Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of F. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in. Outlook Alnylam has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months. 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 Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ALNY) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research It has been about a month since the last earnings report for Hain Celestial (HAIN). Shares have added about 33.1% in that time frame, outperforming the S&P 500. Will the recent positive trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Hain Celestial due for a pullback? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at the most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important catalysts. Hain Celestials Q2 Earnings Decline Y/Y, View Slashed The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. disappointed investors with second-quarter fiscal 2019 results, wherein both top and bottom lines declined year over year and continued with the negative surprise trend. Moreover, management slashed its top and bottom-line views for fiscal 2019, which was an additional dent on investors sentiments. Markedly, Hain Celestial now envisions adjusted earnings per share from continuing operations to be 60-70 cents, reflecting a decline of 40-48% from fiscal 2018. Q2 in Detail The company posted adjusted earnings of 14 cents a share that came below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 26 cents, and also declined sharply from 32 cents recorded in the year-ago period. The downside can be attributed to lower net sales, and higher interest and other financing expenses and factors that affected gross margin. Net sales dropped 5% year over year to $584.2 million, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $612 million, owing to soft performance in the United States, United Kingdom and Rest of World. On a constant-currency basis, net sales dropped 4%. On adjusting for currency fluctuations, buyouts, divestitures and various other items like SKU rationalization, sales dipped 1%. Segment-wise, net sales at the United States segment dropped 4% year over year to $259.2 million, mainly due to decrease registered across Pantry and Better-For-You Baby products. This was partly mitigated by an increase in the Better-For-You Snacks category. Sales were also negatively impacted by the companys decision to shift focus away from various lower margin SKUs. Net sales in the United Kingdom slid 5% to $225.3 million, due to a decline of 4% in Hain Daniels net sales. This was partly offset by sales growth witnessed in Tilda, whereas sales at Ella's Kitchen remained flat year over year. Net sales for the Rest of the World segment tumbled 8% to $99.7 million. Net sales for Hain Celestial Canada and Hain Ventures decreased 12% and 17%, respectively, while net sales for Hain Celestial Europe were flat year over year. Costs & Margins Adjusted gross margin contracted 240 basis points (bps) to 20.3%, owing to increased investments related to trade and promotions along with escalated freight and commodity expenses in the United States. SG&A expenses decreased 1.2% to $85.4 million, due to cost savings from Project Terra, which were somewhat offset by marketing investments in the companys international operations. However, the same increased about 60 bps to 14.6% as percentage of sales. Adjusted operating income tanked close to 40% to $29.9 million, while adjusted operating margin contracted 290 bps to 5.1%. Adjusted EBITDA plunged 33.7% to $44.9 million, while adjusted EBITDA margin shrunk roughly 330 bps to 7.7%. Other Financials The company ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $38.2 million, long-term debt (excluding current portion) of nearly $692.1 million and total shareholders equity of $1,590.9 million. Management projects capital expenditure of $75-$80 million for fiscal 2019. Outlook While management is skeptical about its near-term performance, the company is seeing some sequential improvements and working toward reverting to growth in the United States. Further, the company is on track to simplify its business and allocate its resources toward areas with higher growth potential. Management expects to see improvements in the second half of fiscal 2019 when compared with the first half, on the back of its Project Terra savings plan. Hain Celestial is well on track with Project Terra, which is aimed at cutting costs and complexity, alongside aiding sales growth. The company generated savings of nearly $21 million from this program in the second quarter. However, management now expects total savings for fiscal 2019 to be at the lower end of its previously guided range of $90-$115 million. This is because some savings are taking time to be generated, owing to the existing complexities in the companys U.S. business. Consequently, management slashed its guidance for fiscal 2019. Hain Celestial now expects net sales from continuing operations in fiscal 2019 to decline 4-6% to $2.32-$2.35 billion. Earlier, management projected the same to increase nearly 2-4% to $2.50-$2.56 billion. Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations is now expected to tumble 22-28% to $185-$200 million. Management earlier projected the metric to rise about 7-17% to $275-$300 million. Hain Celestial now anticipates adjusted earnings per share from continuing operations to be 60-70 cents, reflecting a decline of 40-48% from fiscal 2018. On the contrary, the company earlier predicted the bottom line to be $1.21-$1.38 per share, reflecting a jump of roughly 4-19% from fiscal 2018. Story continues How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then? It turns out, fresh estimates flatlined during the past month. The consensus estimate has shifted -45.8% due to these changes. VGM Scores At this time, Hain Celestial has a subpar Growth Score of D, though it is lagging a bit on the Momentum Score front with an F. However, the stock was allocated a grade of C on the value side, putting it in the middle 20% for this investment strategy. Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of D. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in. Outlook Hain Celestial has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). We expect a below average return from the stock in the next few months. 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 Hain Celestial Group, Inc. (HAIN) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Username: Password: or Register Back to Forum Reply to This post Post New Thread Thread Rating: 0 Vote(s) - 0 Average 1 2 3 4 5 Page: 1 2 3 Germany wont ban Huawei & ready to oppose US pressure economy minister ALADIN * weird wizard1* User ID: 485250 03-09-2019 02:26 AM Posts: 5,423 Post: #1 Germany wont ban Huawei & ready to oppose US pressure economy minister Advertisement Germany does not intend to prevent Chinese tech giant Huawei from developing 5G networks, the countrys economy minister said, adding that the EU stands ready to defend its interests, should a trade war with Washington escalate. Berlin will not pre-emptively ban any specific companies from bidding for contracts to develop the countrys next generation 5G mobile network, despite immense pressure from the United States to ostracize Huawei, Peter Altmaier said on Thursday evening, during a debate on ZDF television. No, we will not want to exclude any company, he stressed, explaining that the government is capable of implementing enough safeguards to protect Germanys future networks. https://www.rt.com/business/453300-germa...icipation/ It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a ma s k on their nose and mouth ... Germany wont ban Huawei & ready to oppose US pressure economy ministerGermany does not intend to prevent Chinese tech giant Huawei from developing 5G networks, the countrys economy minister said, adding that the EU stands ready to defend its interests, should a trade war with Washington escalate.Berlin will not pre-emptively ban any specific companies from bidding for contracts to develop the countrys next generation 5G mobile network, despite immense pressure from the United States to ostracize Huawei, Peter Altmaier said on Thursday evening, during a debate on ZDF television.No, we will not want to exclude any company, he stressed, explaining that the government is capable of implementing enough safeguards to protect Germanys future networks. ALADIN * weird wizard1* User ID: 485250 03-09-2019 02:33 AM Posts: 5,423 Post: #2 RE: Germany wont ban Huawei & ready to oppose US pressure economy minister Germany does not want to ban Chinese telecoms equipment maker Huawei from building its 5G networks, Economy Minister Peter Altmaier has said. The US has warned Huawei's equipment could be used to spy on other countries. Speaking on a ZDF television talk show, Economy Minister Peter Altmaier said the government does not plan to bar Chinese telecoms equipment maker Huawei Technologies from an upcoming 5G auction due to concerns over the global market leader's ties to the Chinese government. "No, we will not want to exclude any company," Altmaier said. Instead, Germany plans to increase security requirements for all vendors as outlined by a government policy announced earlier Thursday. The announcement of tough requirements for the upcoming 5G auction come amid US-led debate on whether Huawei harbors spy technology, a claim denied by the China-based concern. https://www.dw.com/en/germany-wont-ban-h...a-47818771 Germany won't ban Huawei from 5G auctionGermany does not want to ban Chinese telecoms equipment maker Huawei from building its 5G networks, Economy Minister Peter Altmaier has said. The US has warned Huawei's equipment could be used to spy on other countries.Speaking on a ZDF television talk show, Economy Minister Peter Altmaier said the government does not plan to bar Chinese telecoms equipment maker Huawei Technologies from an upcoming 5G auction due to concerns over the global market leader's ties to the Chinese government."No, we will not want to exclude any company," Altmaier said. Instead, Germany plans to increase security requirements for all vendors as outlined by a government policy announced earlier Thursday.The announcement of tough requirements for the upcoming 5G auction come amid US-led debate on whether Huawei harbors spy technology, a claim denied by the China-based concern. It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a ma s k on their nose and mouth ... LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 492319 03-09-2019 03:16 AM Post: #3 RE: Germany wont ban Huawei & ready to oppose US pressure economy minister 44575 Wrote: (03-09-2019 02:26 AM) Germany wont ban Huawei & ready to oppose US pressure economy minister Germany does not intend to prevent Chinese tech giant Huawei from developing 5G networks, the countrys economy minister said, adding that the EU stands ready to defend its interests, should a trade war with Washington escalate. Berlin will not pre-emptively ban any specific companies from bidding for contracts to develop the countrys next generation 5G mobile network, despite immense pressure from the United States to ostracize Huawei, Peter Altmaier said on Thursday evening, during a debate on ZDF television. No, we will not want to exclude any company, he stressed, explaining that the government is capable of implementing enough safeguards to protect Germanys future networks. https://www.rt.com/business/453300-germa...icipation/ What's Germany gonna do when the get the boot from NATO and loss their remaining aid/pay from their foreign allies over This? There economy took a HUGE hit last time we closed bases in the late 2000s... we closed like a third and their economy tanked for a year and took 2 to recover, even with our aid payments. What's Germany gonna do when the get the boot from NATO and loss their remaining aid/pay from their foreign allies over This? There economy took a HUGE hit last time we closed bases in the late 2000s... we closed like a third and their economy tanked for a year and took 2 to recover, even with our aid payments. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 492319 03-09-2019 03:17 AM Post: #4 RE: Germany wont ban Huawei & ready to oppose US pressure economy minister BRICS gonna save em? Lol LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 386858 03-09-2019 03:51 AM Post: #5 RE: Germany wont ban Huawei & ready to oppose US pressure economy minister good hope they tell America to fu*k off on Iran sanctions also ditch the dollar entirely SevenThunders Registered User User ID: 389315 03-09-2019 04:28 AM Posts: 3,762 Post: #6 RE: Germany wont ban Huawei & ready to oppose US pressure economy minister LoP Guest Wrote: (03-09-2019 03:51 AM) good hope they tell America to f*#k off on Iran sanctions also ditch the dollar entirely Europe is doomed. We'll be firebombing Dresden again once the Muslims take over. Europe is doomed. We'll be firebombing Dresden again once the Muslims take over. The LORD thunders at the head of his army; his forces are beyond number, and mighty is the army that obeys his command. The day of the LORD is great; it is dreadful. Who can endure it? ALADIN * weird wizard1* User ID: 485250 03-09-2019 03:28 PM Posts: 5,423 Post: #7 RE: Germany wont ban Huawei & ready to oppose US pressure economy minister LoP Guest Wrote: (03-09-2019 03:16 AM) 44575 Wrote: (03-09-2019 02:26 AM) Germany wont ban Huawei & ready to oppose US pressure economy minister Germany does not intend to prevent Chinese tech giant Huawei from developing 5G networks, the countrys economy minister said, adding that the EU stands ready to defend its interests, should a trade war with Washington escalate. Berlin will not pre-emptively ban any specific companies from bidding for contracts to develop the countrys next generation 5G mobile network, despite immense pressure from the United States to ostracize Huawei, Peter Altmaier said on Thursday evening, during a debate on ZDF television. No, we will not want to exclude any company, he stressed, explaining that the government is capable of implementing enough safeguards to protect Germanys future networks. https://www.rt.com/business/453300-germa...icipation/ What's Germany gonna do when the get the boot from NATO and loss their remaining aid/pay from their foreign allies over This? There economy took a HUGE hit last time we closed bases in the late 2000s... we closed like a third and their economy tanked for a year and took 2 to recover, even with our aid payments. Sorry, 492319, you are total OFF TOPIC ! NATO and "remaining aid/pay from foreign allies" ? - is not in this thread topic. Economic HUGE hit due closing of bases ? - is not in this thread topic too. But go on in your "thinking" : close ALL bases and see foreward what happens ... Topic here is a pressured ban of products from Huawei and readyness for opposing pressure of sanctions from Idiots ! And now please think again ... (or for your first time on topic here) ... Sorry, 492319, you are total OFF TOPIC !NATO and "remaining aid/pay from foreign allies" ? - is not in this thread topic.Economic HUGE hit due closing of bases ? - is not in this thread topic too.But go on in your "thinking" : close ALL bases and see foreward what happens ...Topic here is aand readyness for opposing pressure of sanctions from Idiots !And now please think again ... (or for your first timehere) ... It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a ma s k on their nose and mouth ... (This post was last modified: 03-09-2019 03:49 PM by ALADIN .) LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 441673 03-09-2019 03:41 PM Post: #8 RE: Germany wont ban Huawei & ready to oppose US pressure economy minister SevenThunders Wrote: (03-09-2019 04:28 AM) LoP Guest Wrote: (03-09-2019 03:51 AM) good hope they tell America to f*#k off on Iran sanctions also ditch the dollar entirely Europe is doomed. We'll be firebombing Dresden again once the Muslims take over. If you had a brain, you'd take it out and play with it, foolish follower of fearful rhetoric. If you had a brain, you'd take it out and play with it, foolish follower of fearful rhetoric. ALADIN * weird wizard1* User ID: 485250 03-09-2019 03:45 PM Posts: 5,423 Post: #9 RE: Germany wont ban Huawei & ready to oppose US pressure economy minister LoP Guest Wrote: (03-09-2019 03:17 AM) BRICS gonna save em? Lol Sorry 492319, you are absolute off topic. Please read the linked articles (in OP and Sorry 492319, you are absolute off topic. Please read the linked articles (in OP and http://lunaticoutpost.com/thread-113298-...pid2007558 ) and try again ... It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a ma s k on their nose and mouth ... (This post was last modified: 03-09-2019 03:47 PM by ALADIN .) LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 492385 03-09-2019 03:48 PM Post: #10 RE: Germany wont ban Huawei & ready to oppose US pressure economy minister LoP Guest Wrote: (03-09-2019 03:16 AM) 44575 Wrote: (03-09-2019 02:26 AM) Germany wont ban Huawei & ready to oppose US pressure economy minister Germany does not intend to prevent Chinese tech giant Huawei from developing 5G networks, the countrys economy minister said, adding that the EU stands ready to defend its interests, should a trade war with Washington escalate. Berlin will not pre-emptively ban any specific companies from bidding for contracts to develop the countrys next generation 5G mobile network, despite immense pressure from the United States to ostracize Huawei, Peter Altmaier said on Thursday evening, during a debate on ZDF television. No, we will not want to exclude any company, he stressed, explaining that the government is capable of implementing enough safeguards to protect Germanys future networks. https://www.rt.com/business/453300-germa...icipation/ What's Germany gonna do when the get the boot from NATO and loss their remaining aid/pay from their foreign allies over This? There economy took a HUGE hit last time we closed bases in the late 2000s... we closed like a third and their economy tanked for a year and took 2 to recover, even with our aid payments. They can ask israel for support.. They can ask israel for support.. ALADIN * weird wizard1* User ID: 485250 03-09-2019 03:55 PM Posts: 5,423 Post: #11 RE: Germany wont ban Huawei & ready to oppose US pressure economy minister LoP Guest Wrote: (03-09-2019 03:48 PM) LoP Guest Wrote: (03-09-2019 03:16 AM) What's Germany gonna do when the get the boot from NATO and loss their remaining aid/pay from their foreign allies over This? There economy took a HUGE hit last time we closed bases in the late 2000s... we closed like a third and their economy tanked for a year and took 2 to recover, even with our aid payments. They can ask israel for support.. 492385, what do you know about Israels 5G future perspective ? 492385, what do you know about Israels 5G future perspective ? It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a ma s k on their nose and mouth ... (This post was last modified: 03-09-2019 03:56 PM by ALADIN .) SevenThunders Registered User User ID: 389315 03-10-2019 09:45 AM Posts: 3,762 Post: #12 RE: Germany wont ban Huawei & ready to oppose US pressure economy minister LoP Guest Wrote: (03-09-2019 03:41 PM) SevenThunders Wrote: (03-09-2019 04:28 AM) Europe is doomed. We'll be firebombing Dresden again once the Muslims take over. If you had a brain, you'd take it out and play with it, foolish follower of fearful rhetoric. It's a done deal. The Roman empire will be revived and it's likely to be Muslim in origin. Your new caliph will burn the Vatican to the ground. It is for this reason that God allows Him to take over. So Europe will rise up under antichrist and then be swiftly brought to ruin. Other than that there is nothing to worry about. Carry on kowtowing to all those wonderful Muslim "immigrants". Remember it was Muslim "immigrants" who took over Spain, and it took nearly 800 years to kick them out. It's a done deal. The Roman empire will be revived and it's likely to be Muslim in origin. Your new caliph will burn the Vatican to the ground. It is for this reason that God allows Him to take over.So Europe will rise up under antichrist and then be swiftly brought to ruin. Other than that there is nothing to worry about. Carry on kowtowing to all those wonderful Muslim "immigrants". Remember it was Muslim "immigrants" who took over Spain, and it took nearly 800 years to kick them out. The LORD thunders at the head of his army; his forces are beyond number, and mighty is the army that obeys his command. The day of the LORD is great; it is dreadful. Who can endure it? LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 431645 03-10-2019 09:50 AM Post: #13 RE: Germany wont ban Huawei & ready to oppose US pressure economy minister Well done, Germany. Finally a European nation grows some balls and stands up to retard/bully America.. Very nice to see, and much respect. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 491947 03-10-2019 10:29 AM Post: #14 RE: Germany wont ban Huawei & ready to oppose US pressure economy minister Germany/UK have not banned Huawei, but they have not approved them for use either.. pretty interesting situation, that feathers into the changes that are happening in the world.. Though from what I have read it is understandable that the Americans see potential backdoors since they inserted them in Cisco kit, it is easy to leap and ask why China wouldn't.. hence the UK working with Huawei on the source code, and German reluctance to approve.. If the US can why not China.. so there are logical concerns all round really. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 491525 03-10-2019 11:29 AM Post: #15 RE: Germany wont ban Huawei & ready to oppose US pressure economy minister Yeah, nice to see another country telling the US to BTFU. Advertisement Back to Forum Reply to This post Post New Thread The exclusion will affect companies that explore and produce oil and will not impact integrated oil and gas companies such as BP and Shell. The move, initiated by Norges Bank which manages the fund, is designed to make the Norwegian government's wealth less exposed to a lasting drop in oil prices. Oil and gas stocks represented 5.9 percent of equity investments by the end of 2018, Reuters reported, citing fund data. That's the equivalent to approximately $37 billion. Norway's trillion-dollar sovereign wealth fund plans to dump oil and gas companies from its benchmark index, the finance ministry announced on Friday. The move, initiated by Norges Bank which manages the fund, is designed to make the Norwegian government's wealth less exposed to a lasting drop in oil prices. "The Government is proposing to exclude companies classified as exploration and production companies within the energy sector from the Government Pension Fund Global to reduce the aggregate oil price risk in the Norwegian economy," the finance ministry said in a statement published on its website . The exclusion will affect companies that explore and produce oil and will not impact integrated oil and gas companies such as BP and Shell. The Norwegian government also said that the companies to be excluded are those belonging to FTSE Russel's Index sub sector called exploration and production. According to the government, the value of 134 stocks to be excluded from fund amounted to NOK 70 billion ($7.9 billion), Reuters reported. Shortly after the announcement, energy stocks worldwide extended losses on Friday morning. International benchmark Brent crude traded at around $65.18 on Friday, down around 1.7 percent, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) stood at around $55.78, more than 1.6 percent lower. Energy stocks are notoriously volatile. Brent crude collapsed from a near four-year high of $86.29 in early October down to $50.47 in late December marking a fall of more than 40 percent in less than three months. Story continues Energy stocks Norway's government said on Friday that the fund would still be allowed to invest in oil and gas firms so long as they were committed to activities concerning renewable energy. Oil and gas stocks represented 5.9 percent of equity investments by the end of 2018, Reuters reported, citing fund data. That's the equivalent to approximately $37 billion. Norway has faced criticism over its attempts to balance environmentally-focused policies and being one of the world's largest petroleum producers. It has become one of the world's leading countries for electric vehicles while putting pressure on emerging market economies, such as Brazil and Indonesia, to better protect their rainforests. After a strong start to 2019 for stocks , the Norges Bank website said late last month that the fund is currently valued at $1.03 trillion. At the end of 2018, the fund's biggest equity holdings were in Microsoft MSFT ($7.5 billion), Apple AAPL ($7.3 billion), Alphabet GOOGL ($6.7 billion), Amazon AMZN ($6.4 billion), Nestle NESN-CH ($6.3 billion) and Royal Dutch Shell RDSA-NL ($6 billion). More From CNBC Colorado Springs-area home prices continued to climb last month, even as Denvers slipped for the first time in several years. The local increase signals the Pikes Peak regions housing market remains healthy and no significant changes for buyers and sellers are in the offing, Donna Major, a real estate agent with Re/Max Advantage and board chairwoman of the Pikes Peak Association of Realtors, said Friday. Considering the time of the year, it being kind of in the midst of winter ... I think were still pretty strong, Major said. The median price, or midpoint, of homes sold in February rose to $315,000, a 7.7 percent increase when compared with the same month last year, according to a Pikes Peak Association of Realtors report. Area prices have risen every month since December 2014. The report compiles transactions reported by real estate agents who are association members; most of their sales take place in El Paso and Teller counties, with some in other Front Range counties. Other highlights of the associations report include: Home sales in February totaled 923, a 2.3 percent drop from the same month last year. Despite that decline, the latest monthly figure is the second highest February sales total on record and trails only that of last year. Through the first two months of 2019, home sales totaled 1,825. Thats down 3.2 percent from the same period last year. The supply of homes listed for sale totaled 1,518 in February, up nearly 24 percent on a year-over-year basis. Based on the inventory and the pace of recent home sales, there was a 1.6-month supply of homes available in February, up from 1.3 months a year earlier. Even as the inventory of homes for sale increased in February, it remains historically low. The tight supply has helped fuel the rise in prices, Major said. Sellers are getting at or above asking price, when theyre priced correctly, she said. If someone is way overpriced, those properties still sit. But if theyre at value, then they may have more than one offer, which may give them top dollar for their house. Because of the low inventory and steady demand, the market continues to favor sellers, Major said. The market wont tilt in favor of buyers until the supply picks up, especially for homes in the $350,000-and-under price range, she said. Februarys median sales price in the Denver area fell 2.2 percent to $430,100, which the Denver Post reported was the first year-over-year decline in price in seven years. Jill Schafer, a Denver real estate agent who chairs the market trends committee for the Denver Metro Association of Realtors, said prices fell partly because of sluggish sales in outlying portions of the 11-county metro area. Sales also are being compared against robust price gains of 2018, and so an appreciation slowdown isnt a surprise, she said. The Denver-area inventory has increased at a much higher pace than in Colorado Springs, so buyers also have more choices and can negotiate a more favorable price, she said. But Denvers market remains strong and Februarys price drop was a little bit of a blip, Schafer added. Yes, I found a better job Yes, but I'm still looking for a new job Yes, I retired Yes, I started my own business No, I like my current job No, but I'm currently looking for a new job Vote View Results The story of mental health care in our country is a harrowing one. During the dark days of the asylum era last century, the mentally ill were often warehoused in medieval institutions and restrained with iron chains and shackles around their ankles and wrists. One of those people was Rosemary Kennedy, President John Kennedys sister, whose father had her lobotomized and forever hidden in such a place. In the early 1950s, as health care practices and attitudes toward mental illness began to change and new medicines and therapies emerged, a group called Mental Health America issued a call to asylums across the country for their discarded chains and shackles. On April 13, 1953, at the McShane Bell Foundry in Baltimore, these restraints were melted down and recast into the 300-pound Mental Health Bell. An inscription on the bell reads: Cast from shackles which bound them, this bell shall ring out hope for the mentally ill and victory over mental illness. A short time later, President Kennedy, with his sister in mind, pushed through a bill to forever close the countrys asylums and replace them with small community clinics. He said of the law that the reliance on the cold mercy of custodial isolation will be supplanted by the open warmth of community concern and capability. Weve come a long way since the big hospitals were closed and that bell was made, but recent statistics suggest there is still a long way to go to shake the less visible shackles of misunderstanding, stigma, and a shocking lack of adequate care that still bind people with mental illness. The Community Mental Health Act was passed just weeks before Kennedy was killed in Dallas. As a result, the closing of asylums happened, but his vision for replacing them with a network of small community centers was never fully realized or funded. Deinstitutionalization, as it is now called, created problems of its own, and many of the mentally ill have ended up with nowhere to go, landing in prisons or on the streets, hopeless and homeless. In fact, prisons have become the nations default mental health treatment centers since. A report by Human Rights Watch has found that American prisons and jails contain three times more mentally ill people than do our psychiatric hospitals. Crisis in Colorado Unfortunately, Colorado is now one of the states with the worst record of caring for its mentally ill. Often celebrated as the healthiest state in the country, were actually one of the unhealthiest when it comes to behavioral health. The 2017 Colorado Health Access Survey shows that 450,000 people didnt get the mental health care services or substance abuse services they needed. The true number is likely much larger, of course, because the study did not include people who didnt want or admit to needing services. A recent national report ranks Colorado among the worst states in the nation in the prevalence of mental health and substance use disorders. A lack of long-range treatment oversight, insufficient numbers of psychiatrists and other mental health care professionals, and hurdles for family members getting their loved ones help make Colorado a poster child for failures in the mental health care system, according to a Mental Health America analysis. By another measure, Colorado ranks 48th in the nation for the number of children who need mental health services but cannot access them. An estimated 226,000 kids and teens in Colorado have diagnosable mental health conditions, yet only 21 percent receive professional care, according to Childrens Hospital. Colorado does not have a functional statewide pediatric mental health system, Shannon Van Deman, vice president of the Pediatric Mental Health Institute and executive director of Partners for Childrens Mental Health, said to me. And our beautiful home beneath Pikes Peak has its unique set of challenges. Suicides in El Paso County have soared over the past decade, nearly doubling. The county now has the highest number of suicides each year in the state and has the second highest rate per 100,000 among the states major counties. Yearlong investigation This year at The Gazette, weve decided to shine a light on this crisis. A team of reporters is working on Mental Health Care: Crisis in Colorado, investigating why our system isnt serving those in need better, how it got this way, what its greatest challenges are, and how it might get better. But we need your help putting a human face on these numbers. All of us Coloradans, I would argue, know someone in our families or circles of friends and acquaintances who has struggled with a mental condition. Not one of the dozens of experts weve talked to has argued against the notion that our state is in crisis when it comes to access to care. So were looking for courage. Were looking for your stories of lived experience, stories about the challenges of coping with a mental health condition as a peer or as a family member. Were looking for stories about brave souls facing down the barriers in our hodgepodge system of care. And were looking for stories about programs that work. Help us tell those stories over the next year so our state can better address this crisis affecting all of us. Like that inscription on that bell says, help us ring out hope for the mentally ill. How to reach us Here are the reporters working on this project now. More will join later. Send them an email if you can help. The overall crisis: Jakob.rodgers@gazette.com Patients stories: Stephanie.earls@gazette.com The barriers to care: Bill.radford@gazette.com Pediatric care issues: Debbie.kelley@gazette.com Care challenges for military vets: Tom.roeder@gazette.com Law enforcement and mental health: Lance.benzel@gazette.com Insurance and parity issues: Bill.radford@gazette.com The politics of mental health care: joey.bunch@coloradopolitics.com Solutions and the road ahead: jim.trotter@gazette.com An attempted drug robbery turned deadly last July when two armed intruders kicked in the door at an illegal marijuana grow site east of Colorado Springs and found a man sleeping on a couch, according to court testimony. Without hesitating, William Bacorn, 18, fired a pistol into his head, killing him where he lay, according to a confession by his alleged accomplice, Terrell Deshon Hall. I asked him (Hall), did he ever wake up? He said, No, he didnt, El Paso County sheriffs Detective Tre White told a judge Friday. Hours later, in a barn 20 miles away, Bacorn was fatally shot by a sheriffs SWAT officer after pointing a shotgun at the deputy during a raid on another alleged accomplices property. New details about both shootings emerged in court Friday as Hall and Colin Matthew Kellet, 27, appeared for a joint preliminary hearing. Both were ordered held without bond on suspicion of first-degree murder in the July 22 botched heist Kellet accused of being the planner and driver and Hall of brandishing a shotgun at Bacorns side during the drug robbery. Hall and Kellet identified Bacorn as the shooter, and authorities say they have no evidence to suggest otherwise. During the attempted robbery, Gustavo Del Sol Sanchez, 46, was killed and a second man, Adalberto Bello, was wounded in the groin. Hall claimed the second man fired a gun at them as they left the house, and was wounded in a shootout with Bacorn. But Bello, 50, told investigators that a gringo shot him without provocation when he came out of a bedroom to investigate a loud noise. Bello said he had been staying at the Highway 94 address for no more than a week, tending marijuana plants with Sanchez. In describing their alleged roles, Hall and Kellet said the trio believed the site was occupied by a Cuban drug cartel. Sheriffs investigators said they have no direct evidence a drug cartel was involved. Two outbuildings were being used to cultivate marijuana, but the buildings were fortified and the intruders didnt manage to get in. A later search turned up roughly 70 pot plants, authorities have said. After the botched robbery, the men drove to Colorado Springs and burglarized a different marijuana cultivation site, kicking in a door and loading containers of pot into a trailer attached to Kellets black sport utility vehicle, Hall and Kellet told police. Although investigators havent determined where that crime occurred, they have evidence that it did happen, authorities say. Surveillance imagery from a home on Loop Road east of Colorado Springs shows Bacorn, Kellet and Hall unloading a large amount of suspected marijuana sometime about 7:30 a.m. Authorities say Bacorn was staying in that house, while Kellet lived on an adjacent property. Bacorn was found hiding in a barn on Kellets property when he was shot by the SWAT deputy. The District Attorneys Office ruled in December the shooting was justified. Kellet and Hall are due back in court April 22 to be arraigned. 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Edit Close Richard Skormans life as a Coloradan began in 1970 as a student and a budding bookstore owner at Colorado College in Colorado Springs. A local bookshop where he worked while still an undergrad went out of business, so he bought its stock and started his own shop, juggling sales with his classes. The rest, as he tells Colorado Politics, a Gazette sister publication, is history. He went on to become a mainstay in the downtown business scene; today, he and wife Patricia Seator own and run a restaurant, a toy store, a cafe and wine bar and, of course, a bookstore. Hes also a linchpin in downtown Colorado Springs cultural life. Whats more, Skorman became a force for liberal/progressive politics in the by-reputation conservative community. And seemingly defying the odds in a relentlessly Republican stronghold, he became a local elected leader. He is now in his second stint on the City Council and serves as council president. He even made a high-stakes and high-profile run for mayor in 2011, rising above the pack of contenders to face the eventual winner, Steve Bach, in a one-on-one runoff. Colorado Politics: You have been a perennially prominent player in the political and civic life of Republican-red Colorado Springs for decades while so many other officeholders have had their day and then faded away. Yet, the enduring general perception is you hail from the center-left. Even before holding elected office, you were an activist and a catalyst for community causes, some progressive, ranging from open-space preservation to LGBTQ rights. Youve gone on to serve two separate stints on the City Council, two of those years as vice mayor, and between them ran for mayor in 2011, making it to the runoff against the eventual victor. And of course, you are now council president. How does a guy like you climb so high on the political totem pole in a place like the Springs? Is the city not as conservative or are you not as liberal as conventional wisdom holds? Or, is it that ideology doesnt matter that much in municipal politics in the first place? Richard Skorman: When you run for City Council, the elections have to be nonpartisan (although in my mayoral runoff against Steve Bach, it did become partisan). And as a small-business owner, Ive always considered myself practical, business-friendly and not a fan of government overreach. Yes, I do believe in good government, but not too much. I am a social liberal and a strong environmental advocate. But that also represents a large population in Colorado Springs, many of them Republicans. We have had loud conservative voices from our city, including Doug Bruce, Charles Duke, Gordon Klingenschmitt, Will Perkins and Jim Dobson. And yes, Amendment 2 originated here as did many of the think tanks in the anti-gay movement during the culture wars in the 90s. They are mostly gone now, and many of those organizations and their leaders never spoke for the majority in Colorado Springs in the first place. One statistic about Colorado Springs in the 90s that most people outside didnt know was that only 39 percent of our population belonged to a congregation and regularly attended church. Denver was 50 percent. And yes, the local Republican Party (the main game in town) can be influenced by conservative ideology. But none of that matters in our nonpartisan municipal elections. I always joke that potholes arent Democrat or Republican they just need to be fixed. Another joke I use whenever I see John Hickenlooper is that restaurant owners make the best politicians. If you can run a restaurant for 42 years, you have to be pragmatic enough to help run a local government. We arent as conservative (especially these days) as our reputation. We have the distinction of being the city with the most millennials moving to it. We have won awards for being the most fit, the most dog-friendly and the best city for mountain bikers. We have had huge voter support for protecting open spaces and building new trails and parks. Our citizens are passionate about having clean air and water, and we use less water per capita than any Front Range city. Recent polling even shows that the majority in the city want our downtown coal-fired power plant (Drake) decommissioned and replaced with renewable energy. These arent the stereotypes one hears about Colorado Springs. CP: You are among those on the council who advocate letting voters decide whether to lift the citys moratorium on the retail sale of recreational marijuana, while Mayor John Suthers prefers the status quo. What would you say is the strongest case for letting the Springs join cities including Denver, Pueblo and even neighboring Manitou Springs in allowing recreational pot sales? How do you think the Springs would vote if given a chance? Skorman: Marijuana is legal to possess and consume in Colorado Springs, and given how large and profitable the state industry has become, and the fact that making it legal is in the states Constitution (now more difficult to change), its not going away. But what the previous Colorado Springs City Council did by opting out of recreational sales was to make recreational marijuana use more expensive in Colorado Springs, more dangerous and without the financial benefits to help us manage it. Each of the two stores in Manitou Springs (a few miles from Colorado Springs) have as many as a 1,000 sales a day. Given that Manitou Springs population is only 5,000, guess where their customers come from? Having a monopoly, they are some of the most expensive dispensaries in the state. And they are rec mills, driving customers through with virtually no education on the dangers of overconsuming high amounts of THC or edibles. Also if you see the smoke coming from cars in their parking lots, you assume that a good number of their customers test their purchases on their way home. In other words, they are driving while impaired through our citys streets. That council decision to not permit rec sales has also helped promote a large local black and gray market, complete with drug cartels, hundreds of grow houses, no lacing or pesticide control and no childproof packaging. I think that reasonable taxes on marijuana sales to Colorado Springs residents should go to Colorado Springs, where we can do a good job (like we do with our medical dispensaries) controlling seed to sale for safety and distribution of the product. And we can bolster public safety personnel to help us manage the problems associated with legal marijuana but especially other substance abuse. We, like every other Front Range City, are plagued with substance abuse, drug overdoses and mental health problems that we dont have the resources to handle. We could sure use any extra money from rec sales to help. I do think the voters will support limited rec sales if they become educated on the issue. CP: How has local politics evolved amid El Paso Countys explosive growth over the past three decades? Some say our long-purple state is trending more decidedly blue, especially after last November. Do you think historically red Colorado Springs will, similarly, trend more purple in the years to come? Skorman: We may turn purple if the demographers are right about how fast we are going to grow and who will move here. Right now, we are becoming an even younger city. I would label us a light red heading to purple. CP: What are the top issues facing the city at least, those issues the council can do something about? Skorman: On the negative side, we are going through our own version of an affordable housing crisis (25,000 units short) in all categories, including workforce and senior housing. Gentrification and displacement have arrived here, as well. Our homeless and mentally disabled street population is growing, and citizens feel less safe downtown and in some of our parks. How we grow is going to be critical, as we are one of the hottest places to move to in the country but are very spread out, so it will be more and more difficult to deliver high-quality public safety services. We have an aging infrastructure that needs more attention, particularly our park and transportation infrastructure. And we are the city on the Front Range with the largest wildland-urban interface, i.e., fire risk. We have lived through two fire nightmares in the last six years, and how we prepare and respond to the next ones will be critical to our future. On the positive side: We have really hot business and job markets (with less government interference); lots of access to some of the most spectacular outdoor recreation in the country; a great quality of life; and thousands of dedicated and experienced local government and utility public employees who make this a safe, efficient and inexpensive city to live in. I feel like I have a big responsibility to help keep it that way. Baltic Horizon Fund closed the acquisition with UAB YIT Lietuva, part of the Finnish YIT Corporation, of the newly constructed Duetto II office building in Vilnius on 27 February 2019. The purchase price is approximately EUR 18,3 million, which corresponds to an entry yield of approximately 7.1%. The sales purchase agreement for the property was signed in December 2018 with the intent to close the transaction once construction is fully complete and tenants move in. The largest tenants in the property are Vilnius heating network company, Sweco and Rimi Lietuva. The Duetto II property is located on 6 Spaudos street, Vilnius, next to the Duetto I property already owned by Baltic Horizon Fund. The addition of this 8,500 sqm office building greatly complements Baltic Horizons growing portfolio. Moreover, together with the Duetto I office building bought in 2017, Baltic Horizon now owns and manages an attractive twin office complex of Duetto I and II with excellent tenants, commented fund manager Tarmo Karotam. For additional information, please contact: Tarmo Karotam Baltic Horizon Fund manager E-mail tarmo.karotam@nh-cap.com www.baltichorizon.com Baltic Horizon Fund is a registered contractual public closed-end real estate fund managed by Alternative Investment Fund Manager license holder Northern Horizon Capital AS. PHOENIX, Ariz. The University of New Mexico beach volleyball team split the day on Friday at GCU Beach Volleyball Stadium, falling to No. 17 Grand Canyon 4-1 before sweeping San Diego City College 5-0. In similar fashion to their season opener against the Lopes on Feb. 22, the Lobos sole point came from court one with the duo of Lauren Twitty and Dali Rosado winning in three sets over Hannah Towne and Katie Hess by scores of 21-14, 14-21, 15-11. Courts two and three pushed their matches to three sets before GCU captured the team point, with Yasmin Tan and Morgan Schreckler losing in a close first set 21-19 before forcing a third set with a 21-12 win. The third set went in favor of GCU by a score of 15-9 to secure the team win for Grand Canyon. On court three, Joey Benson and Carly Beddingfield lost another close first set, 21-18, and like court two, won the second set 21-12. The deciding third set went to GCU 15-4. Courts four and five were the first two matchups to be finished, both going two sets. Abbey Willison and Emily Nenninger lost in straight sets, 21-15, 21-13, on the fourth court and Claire Nenninger and Jaclyn Inclan lost 21-9, 21-12 on court five. The Lobos returned to the sand a short time later for a matchup with San Diego City College, in which UNM made quick work en route to the five team points. All five courts went just two sets and in four sets, the Lobos limited their opposition to single-digit points. On the first court, Twitty and Rosado won 21-11, 21-8 and Tan and Schreckler took care of court two, 21-15, 21-14. Benson and Beddingfield won 21-8, 21-16 and court fours paring of Willison and E. Nenninger won 21-17, 21-7. C. Nenninger and Inclan won 21-8, 21-12 to conclude the dual on court five. UNM returns to action Saturday with an 11:15 a.m. MT match with Arizona Christian University, who lost to GCU 5-0 on Friday afternoon. Grand Old Partisan salutes George Latham, born in Prince William County, Virginia this day of 1832. While practicing law in what became West Virginia, he was delegate to the convention that established a Unionist administration for the Old Dominion. Outbreak of civil war, he recruited a company of volunteers and enlisted as their captain. Gallantry in numerous battles merited him promotion to colonel of the 6th U.S. West Virginia Cavalry. In 1864, Latham won a term in the U.S. House of Representatives and caucused with the GOP. Peace restored, he was consul at Melbourne, Australia and a county school superintendent. He then worked his farmstead until death at age eighty-five. Here is a Video Version of this article on YouTube: https://youtu.be/iSBj9l7KRDg Michael Zak is author of Back to Basics for the Republican Party, a history of GOP civil rights achievement. Each day, Michael Zak's grandoldpartisan YouTube channel and Grand Old Partisan blog celebrate more than sixteen decades of Republican heritage. And, see Speech Raves for audience feedback from his presentations in thirty-one states so far. He also wrote the 2005 Republican Freedom Calendar. Clarence Thomas cited Back to Basics for the Republican Party in a Supreme Court decision. Buy the book at Amazon See www.youtube.com/q?v=IzxKCiXc5Qc for a brief video of a Texas Republican praising Back to Basics for the Republican Party. "This is the most amazing book about politics that I have ever read. The Overview should be required reading for anyone with even a minor interest in government. The remainder is an enthralling history lesson that I will never forget. For years, we have all been misled about the true nature of the GOP. This is the real deal! Read it and be proud!" "Michael Zak wrote the definitive history of the GOP." "Back to Basics for the Republican Party is the most significant contribution to the Republican Party in the last twenty years apart from Ronald Reagan." "Back to Basics for the Republican Party is more important to our party now than ever before." and "one of the best books I ever read" My names Will Capers. For almost nine years, Ive blogged on various topics. I blogged as Blaque Ink first, and as Brotha Wolf second. The latter had a mu... 2 years ago IceViking strongly condemns physical attacks and harassment directed towards them. They are also often victims of the Islamic idea. This is true when it comes to the cruel and tragic treatment of Muslim women and children when it is in accord with the Koran, the example of Mohammed and Islamic law, Sharia, which may be applied regardless of where a Muslim male may find himself in the world, whether in a Muslim or non-Muslim country. However, in no way, shape or form should one judge all Muslim men because of what is in Islamic scripture and what constitutes the Islamic law, Sharia. "Race", ethnicity or basically anything that you are "merely" born with should never be a basis for bigotry and discrimination. Apostates from Islam have been executed for 1400 years in accord with the Koran and the words and actions of the Islamic prophet Mohammed and Islamic law, Sharia. They should be lovingly helped. Furthermore, approximately as many as 11,000,000 Muslims may have been killed by other Muslims since 1948. To quote the website The Religion of Peace (TROP), edited by Glen Roberts: While it may be safe to say that a true Muslim would not intentionally kill another true Muslim ( 4:92-93 ), the Quran places no such value on the life of a Muslim who is not true. Consider verse 9:73 : Strive hard against the disbelievers and the hypocrites, and be harsh against them, their abode is Hell. The Arabic for strive hard uses the same root as Jihad - and the context in this sura is holy war (see v. 86 and 91). Thus, there are two distinct classes of people that a true Muslim is to target with harshness: disbelievers and hypocrites. A disbeliever obviously refers to a non-Muslim, so a "hypocrite" must be a Muslim of some sort. In fact, hypocrites are those who say they believe, but do not act as they should. In other words, they are "Muslims", but not true Muslims. They will go to hell just as unbelievers do, and so, according to the verse, their lives matter for naught. The same sura says that a hypocrite can be recognized not just by lack of piety (reluctance to follow Sharia), but by fear of death ( 9:56 ), reluctance to fight ( 9:44-45 ) and even friendliness toward non-believers ( 9:67 ). A true Muslim would thus be a pious person who relishes martyrdom, is eager to fight, and shuns non-believers. Even the Quranic passage that warns against killing "believers" ( 4:88-94 ) is more complicated than it first appears. It never says that a true Muslim is incapable of killing another Muslim, just that it should not be done. In fact, it makes exceptions for the unintentional killing of "believers" in war and mandates the killing of "hypocrites." Verse 17:33 says, "Do not kill anyone which Allah has forbidden, except for a just cause" . The greatest cause of all is that Islam be superior ( 9:33 ), which is exactly what Islamic terrorists say is their goal. Thus believing Muslims are allowed to be collateral damage in the war on unbelievers. There is sadly a phenomena that I`ve noticed in Sweden and elsewhere of people using true facts about Islamic doctrine and history as a cover for all sorts of irrational targeting of Muslims, ranging from xenophobia and racism to verbal abuse and physical attacks. This is strongly condemned by this website and does not in any way serve serious criticism of orthodox Islam and other important work. It`s also important that one tries to express oneself in a civilized way. Words matter. In this bloggers humble opinion the root cause of the problem is the ancient doctrine of orthodox Islam. In simple terms a non-Muslim is a Kafir. " The Koran defines the kafir and kafir is not a neutral word. A kafir is not merely someone who does not agree with Islam, but a kafir is evil, disgusting, the lowest form of life." An exact quote, as stated in the writings of Dr. Bill Warner in the article "Kafir" at http://www.politicalislam.com/kafir . In the perfect Koran (Allah`s direct and literal word as revealed to Mohammed through the angel Jibril), Muslims are told 89 times to emulate Mohammed in all ways (see Koran 33:21 for instance). Mohammed`s example, the Sunna, is found in the Hadith (stories of what Mohammed said and did) and the Sira (biographies of Mohammed). Islamic law, Sharia , is directly derived from these unchanging scriptures. It is based on the Koran`s numerous commands to obey Allah and obey the Messenger, that is Mohammed (see Koran 4:59 for instance). Islam is Sharia. Sharia is Islam. It is a capital crime for Muslims to deny Sharia in any way. A Muslim is someone who submits to Islam and submitting to Islam means obeying the Sharia of Allah. Sharia law includes pronouncements for both Muslims and non-Muslims (Kafirs). Islam is a "complete way of life", a "complete code of life", a "complete system of life". Islam is not just a religion but also a comprehensive ideology. Islam is a supremacist ideology. Islam is a totalitarian and imperialistic ideology akin to Communism and Nazism. Islam is a civilization. Islamic law, Sharia, is a manual for a civilization. Islamic law, Sharia, governs every aspect of life. It has a say about every conceivable human act . Non-Muslims are morally and legally inferior in Islam. Women are morally and legally inferior in Islam. The History of Jihad: From Muhammad to ISIS by Robert Spencer is the first one-volume history of jihad in the English language and a great book on the topic. Allah guarantees Paradise to those who "kill and are killed" for him (Koran 9:111). A hadith depicts a Muslim asking Muhammad: "Instruct me as to such a deed as equals Jihad (in reward)." Muhammad replied, "I do not find such a deed." (Bukhari 4.52.44) Muhammad himself said: I have been commanded to fight against people so long as they do not declare that there is no god but Allah, and he who professed it was guaranteed the protection of his property and life on my behalf except for the right affairs rest with Allah. (Sahih Muslim 30) Freedom of speech, human rights, democracy, science and human lives are all at stake in the fight against the Islamic Jihad. As of August 26th, 2021 Yahoo India will no longer be publishing content. Your Yahoo Account Mail and Search experiences will not be affected in any way and will operate as usual. We thank you for your support and readership. For more information on Yahoo India, please visit the FAQ Username: Password: or Register Back to Forum Reply to This post Post New Thread Thread Rating: 2 Vote(s) - 3 Average 1 2 3 4 5 Trump IS full of doo doo. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 464826 03-09-2019 02:56 PM Post: #1 Trump IS full of doo doo. Advertisement Quote: Immigration officials dropped off about 50 more undocumented migrants, mostly from Central America, Friday morning at a Greyhound bus station near Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, where they were left to fend for themselves as overwhelmed volunteers sought help for them. Quote: Many of the migrants arriving Friday had been in the United States less than 24 hours. Some had waited at a port of entry at the Arizona-Mexico border for about two months to make their case for asylum. Look at these staggering numbers. Quote: Since Dec. 21, according to the data, ICE has released 84,500 migrant family members. Of that, 14,500 have been released in the Phoenix area, 37,500 have been released in communities in south Texas, 24,000 in El Paso and 8,500 in San Diego, the data shows. These people have NOT BEEN APPROVED FOR ASSYLUM YET. Quote: But they still have to wait for immigration officials to notify them if they can apply for asylum, which typically requires the applicant to meet narrow and specific terms in order to qualify. Quote: On Thursday, the Ninth Circuit Appeals Court ruled the Trump administration can't swiftly deport asylum seekers who fail the initial screening. The ruling allows migrants constitutional protections such as appealing immigration officials' decision of denying asylum protection to them, providing them another chance to make a case as to why the U.S. should take them in. Quote: On Thursday , the Ninth Circuit Appeals Court ruled the Trump administration can't swiftly deport asylum seekers who fail the initial screening. The ruling allows migrants constitutional protections such as appealing immigration officials' decision of denying asylum protection to them, providing them another chance to make a case as to why the U.S. should take them in. https://amp.azcentral.com/amp/3106269002 Okay, if that ruling was just made on Thursday, how come all the people previously were not sent back to Mexico to await their application processes , AS TRUMP PROMISED, with "Stay in Mexico?" It's bullshit. Quote: Since late January, the Trump administration has turned back some Central American asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their cases are processed. Its an unprecedented response to what the Trump administration sees as its biggest problem: the fact that growing numbers of people are coming to the US without papers who cant be summarily detained and deported. which way did he go?/s/www.vox.com/platform/amp/2019/3/5/18244995/migrant-protection-protocols-border-asylum-trump-mexico All these people DO NOT even include those who cross and are not caught. The streaming of people flowing into this country is NOT being stopped. Thought you all needed to know what's really going on, because it is a serious crisis. And the WALL....more bullshit...F YOU, TRUMP. I see buses headed to the Greyhound station all the time in Phoenix. ICE buses, that is. They just drop illegals off. Look at these numbers of people that are NOT remaining in Mexico.Look at these staggering numbers.These people have NOT BEEN APPROVED FOR ASSYLUM YET.Okay, if that ruling was just made on Thursday, how come all the people previously were not sent back to Mexico to await their application processes, AS TRUMP PROMISED, with "Stay in Mexico?" It's bullshit.which way did he go?/s/www.vox.com/platform/amp/2019/3/5/18244995/migrant-protection-protocols-border-asylum-trump-mexicoAll these people DO NOT even include those who cross and are not caught.The streaming of people flowing into this country is NOT being stopped.Thought you all needed to know what's really going on, because it is a serious crisis.And the WALL....more bullshit...F YOU, TRUMP. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 492270 03-09-2019 03:29 PM Post: #2 RE: Trump IS full of doo doo. Years ago a leader was on television talking about his new and innovative scheme to get people back to work. I was on the scheme at the time while he was on television promoting it. And what he was saying about the scheme was the complete opposite to reality; it was a con and you could only know that if you were actually on it to see for yourself. And of course, he's on TV to give his side of the story and you're not so he's cheating and getting credit for nothing. You're just a pawn and everybody watching is just a pawn as he sells his image. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 492270 03-09-2019 03:35 PM Post: #3 RE: Trump IS full of doo doo. If somebody came up to them and taught them just to 'do it' and there are no consequences and not to worry about the people they con then in their eyes they aren't doing anything wrong. They're doing what they were born to do. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 409200 03-09-2019 03:46 PM Post: #4 RE: Trump IS full of doo doo. Trump Wants a Wall, and to put Illegals, on the Other Side! But because we are a nation that is already largely mesmerized by the invading faction.. It is now, illegal, to deport illegal immigrants. If, the trump administration, broke that, law', they would probably get busted! So blame Pelosi, and the freaking lollipop democrats! You freaking, , What? I don't know what to call your problem. It is people like you, OP, who blame Trump, for his inability to achieve his stated goals, in this environment created by Coyotes, infiltrators, and their willing or insensible stooge minions.Trump Wants a Wall, and to put Illegals, on the Other Side!But because we are a nation that is already largely mesmerized by the invading faction..It is now, illegal, to deport illegal immigrants.If, the trump administration, broke that, law', they would probably get busted!So blame Pelosi, and the freaking lollipop democrats! You freaking,, What?I don't know what to call your problem. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 464826 03-09-2019 03:53 PM Post: #5 RE: Trump IS full of doo doo. LoP Guest Wrote: (03-09-2019 03:46 PM) It is people like you, OP, who blame Trump, for his inability to achieve his stated goals, in this environment created by Coyotes, infiltrators, and their willing or insensible stooge minions. Trump Wants a Wall, and to put Illegals, on the Other Side! But because we are a nation that is already largely mesmerized by the invading faction.. It is now, illegal, to deport illegal immigrants. If, the trump administration, broke that, law', they would probably get busted! So blame Pelosi, and the freaking lollipop democrats! You freaking, , What? I don't know what to call your problem. My fault? How about a firm plan in action before stating goals? He clearly does not understand what obstacles might be in place before flapping his almost non-existant thin lips, that are on the head with little hair to keep his brain warm. Simply: Don't make promises you can't, or have no intention of keeping. Now he just looks like a f&*king dumbass. In more ways than one. My fault? How about a firm plan in action before stating goals? He clearly does not understand what obstacles might be in place before flapping his almost non-existant thin lips, that are on the head with little hair to keep his brain warm.Simply:Don't make promises you can't, or have no intention of keeping.Now he just looks like a f&*king dumbass. In more ways than one. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 412093 03-09-2019 04:12 PM Post: #6 RE: Trump IS full of doo doo. LoP Guest Wrote: (03-09-2019 02:56 PM) I see buses headed to the Greyhound station all the time in Phoenix. ICE buses, that is. They just drop illegals off. Look at these numbers of people that are NOT remaining in Mexico. Quote: Immigration officials dropped off about 50 more undocumented migrants, mostly from Central America, Friday morning at a Greyhound bus station near Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, where they were left to fend for themselves as overwhelmed volunteers sought help for them. Quote: Many of the migrants arriving Friday had been in the United States less than 24 hours. Some had waited at a port of entry at the Arizona-Mexico border for about two months to make their case for asylum. Look at these staggering numbers. Quote: Since Dec. 21, according to the data, ICE has released 84,500 migrant family members. Of that, 14,500 have been released in the Phoenix area, 37,500 have been released in communities in south Texas, 24,000 in El Paso and 8,500 in San Diego, the data shows. These people have NOT BEEN APPROVED FOR ASSYLUM YET. Quote: But they still have to wait for immigration officials to notify them if they can apply for asylum, which typically requires the applicant to meet narrow and specific terms in order to qualify. Quote: On Thursday, the Ninth Circuit Appeals Court ruled the Trump administration can't swiftly deport asylum seekers who fail the initial screening. The ruling allows migrants constitutional protections such as appealing immigration officials' decision of denying asylum protection to them, providing them another chance to make a case as to why the U.S. should take them in. Quote: On Thursday , the Ninth Circuit Appeals Court ruled the Trump administration can't swiftly deport asylum seekers who fail the initial screening. The ruling allows migrants constitutional protections such as appealing immigration officials' decision of denying asylum protection to them, providing them another chance to make a case as to why the U.S. should take them in. https://amp.azcentral.com/amp/3106269002 Okay, if that ruling was just made on Thursday, how come all the people previously were not sent back to Mexico to await their application processes , AS TRUMP PROMISED, with "Stay in Mexico?" It's bullshit. Quote: Since late January, the Trump administration has turned back some Central American asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their cases are processed. Its an unprecedented response to what the Trump administration sees as its biggest problem: the fact that growing numbers of people are coming to the US without papers who cant be summarily detained and deported. which way did he go?/s/www.vox.com/platform/amp/2019/3/5/18244995/migrant-protection-protocols-border-asylum-trump-mexico All these people DO NOT even include those who cross and are not caught. The streaming of people flowing into this country is NOT being stopped. Thought you all needed to know what's really going on, because it is a serious crisis. And the WALL....more bullshit...F YOU, TRUMP. Trump is the one wanting & building the wall. How is it Trump's fault, the left won't approve more funding for the wall? And, you're pissed at Trump? Trump is the one wanting & building the wall. How is it Trump's fault, the left won't approve more funding for the wall?And, you're pissed at Trump? LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 464826 03-09-2019 04:21 PM Post: #7 RE: Trump IS full of doo doo. LoP Guest Wrote: (03-09-2019 04:12 PM) LoP Guest Wrote: (03-09-2019 02:56 PM) I see buses headed to the Greyhound station all the time in Phoenix. ICE buses, that is. They just drop illegals off. Look at these numbers of people that are NOT remaining in Mexico. Look at these staggering numbers. These people have NOT BEEN APPROVED FOR ASSYLUM YET. https://amp.azcentral.com/amp/3106269002 Okay, if that ruling was just made on Thursday, how come all the people previously were not sent back to Mexico to await their application processes , AS TRUMP PROMISED, with "Stay in Mexico?" It's bullshit. which way did he go?/s/www.vox.com/platform/amp/2019/3/5/18244995/migrant-protection-protocols-border-asylum-trump-mexico All these people DO NOT even include those who cross and are not caught. The streaming of people flowing into this country is NOT being stopped. Thought you all needed to know what's really going on, because it is a serious crisis. And the WALL....more bullshit...F YOU, TRUMP. Trump is the one wanting & building the wall. How is it Trump's fault, the left won't approve more funding for the wall? And, you're pissed at Trump? That's not the point here. He PROMISED these things, also that Mexico would pay for it. He also promised that migrants would remain in Mexico until approved to be let into this country. Perhaps he should just shut the fu*k ip until he learns the process of how things work in his own government. The left has nothing to do with him making himself out as a fool. That's not the point here. He PROMISED these things, also that Mexico would pay for it. He also promised that migrants would remain in Mexico until approved to be let into this country.Perhaps he should just shut the fu*k ip until he learns the process of how things work in his own government. The left has nothing to do with him making himself out as a fool. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 464826 03-09-2019 04:24 PM Post: #8 RE: Trump IS full of doo doo. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 464826 03-09-2019 04:27 PM Post: #9 RE: Trump IS full of doo doo. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 492135 03-09-2019 05:34 PM Post: #10 RE: Trump IS full of doo doo. Didn't Trump just recently say we need the immigrants to fill jobs because there aren't enough Americans to fill the need? He claims it's because of the booming economy. Uh, say what? So, we can expect more approved migrants entering the US by the thousands. Keep paying your taxes, the migrants need the money. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 492135 03-09-2019 05:43 PM Post: #11 RE: Trump IS full of doo doo. LoP Guest Wrote: (03-09-2019 04:27 PM) Oh, I see, we have to take in the migrants until Trump works with the incoming Mexico administration. His deal would be to ask Mexico to keep the migrants on their side of the border, and we would pay for their keep while they await entrance into the US. In the meantime... Oh, I see, we have to take in the migrants until Trump works with the incoming Mexico administration. His deal would be to ask Mexico to keep the migrants on their side of the border, and we would pay for their keep while they await entrance into the US. In the meantime... LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 464826 03-09-2019 06:57 PM Post: #12 RE: Trump IS full of doo doo. ' cause there's a bus load coming soon, near you. ' cause there's a bus load coming soon, near you. GrimShaw Asinus Asinum Fricat User ID: 470470 03-09-2019 07:00 PM Posts: 32,704 Post: #13 RE: Trump IS full of doo doo. Whoever believed a demagogue is sincere or honest? A dumbshit, that's who. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 464826 03-09-2019 07:03 PM Post: #14 RE: Trump IS full of doo doo. GrimShaw Wrote: (03-09-2019 07:00 PM) Whoever believed a demagogue is sincere or honest? A dumbshit, that's who. There's millions of them in this county. That's why it's like a toilet these days. There's millions of them in this county. That's why it's like a toilet these days. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 492448 03-10-2019 01:57 AM Post: #15 RE: Trump IS full of doo doo. LoP Guest Wrote: (03-09-2019 07:03 PM) GrimShaw Wrote: (03-09-2019 07:00 PM) Whoever believed a demagogue is sincere or honest? A dumbshit, that's who. There's millions of them in this county. That's why it's like a toilet these days. I never go into a public restroom. They aren't too savvy about their toilet manners, leaving the stalls filthy. Ugh! I never go into a public restroom. They aren't too savvy about their toilet manners, leaving the stalls filthy. Ugh! Advertisement Back to Forum Reply to This post Post New Thread Username: Password: or Register Back to Forum Reply to This post Post New Thread Thread Rating: 1 Vote(s) - 5 Average 1 2 3 4 5 Greenpeace Founder: Global Warming is a Hoax Pushed by Corrupt Scientists Hooked LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 492405 03-09-2019 07:12 PM Post: #1 Greenpeace Founder: Global Warming is a Hoax Pushed by Corrupt Scientists Hooked Advertisement Greenpeace co-founder and former president of Greenpeace Canada Patrick Moore described the cynical and corrupt machinations fueling the narrative of anthropocentric global warming and climate change in a Wednesday interview. Moore explained how fear and guilt are leveraged by proponents of climate change: Fear has been used all through history to gain control of peoples minds and wallets and all else, and the climate catastrophe is strictly a fear campaign well, fear and guilt youre afraid youre killing your children because youre driving them in your SUV and emitting carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and you feel guilty for doing that. Theres no stronger motivation than those two. Scientists are co-opted and corrupted by politicians and bureaucracies invested in advancing the narrative of climate change in order to further centralize political power and control, explained Moore. Moore noted how green companies parasitize taxpayers via favorable regulations and subsidies ostensibly justified by the aforementioned narratives claimed threats, all while enjoying propagandistic protection across news media And so youve got the green movement creating stories that instill fear in the public. Youve got the media echo chamber fake news repeating it over and over and over again to everybody that theyre killing their children. And then youve got the green politicians who are buying scientists with government money to produce fear for them in the form of scientific-looking materials. And then youve got the green businesses, the rent-seekers, and the crony capitalists who are taking advantage of massive subsidies, huge tax write-offs, and government mandates requiring their technologies to make a fortune on this. And then, of course, youve got the scientists who are willingly, theyre basically hooked on government grants. When they talk about the 99 percent consensus [among scientists] on climate change, thats a completely ridiculous and false number. But most of the scientists put it in quotes, scientists who are pushing this catastrophic theory are getting paid by public money, they are not being paid by General Electric or Dupont or 3M to do this research, where private companies expect to get something useful from their research that might produce a better product and make them a profit in the end because people want it build a better mousetrap type of idea. But most of what these so-called scientists are doing is simply producing more fear so that politicians can use it to control peoples minds and get their votes because some of the people are convinced, Oh, this politician can save my kid from certain doom. The narrative of anthropogenic global warming or climate change is an existential threat to reason, warned Moore: It is the biggest lie since people thought the Earth was at the center of the universe. This is Galileo-type stuff. If you remember, Galileo discovered that the sun was at the center of the solar system and the Earth revolved around it. He was sentenced to death by the Catholic Church, and only because he recanted was he allowed to live in house arrest for the rest of his life. So this was around the beginning of what we call the Enlightenment, when science became the way in which we gained knowledge instead of using superstition and instead of using invisible demons and whatever else, we started to understand that you have to have observation of actual events and then you have to repeat those observations over and over again, and that is basically the scientific method. But this abomination that is occurring today in the climate issue is the biggest threat to the Enlightenment that has occurred since Galileo, declared Moore. Nothing else comes close to it. This is as bad a thing that has happened o science in the history of science. Moore concluded, Its taking over science with superstition and a kind of toxic combination of religion and political ideology. There is no truth to this. It is a complete hoax and scam.https://halturnerradioshow.com/index.php/en/news-page/news-nation/greenpeace-founder-global-warming-is-a-hoax-pushed-by-corrupt-scientists-hooked-on-government-grants Greenpeace Founder: Global Warming is a Hoax Pushed by Corrupt Scientists Hooked on Government GrantsGreenpeace co-founder and former president of Greenpeace Canada Patrick Moore described the cynical and corrupt machinations fueling the narrative of anthropocentric global warming and climate change in a Wednesday interview.Moore explained how fear and guilt are leveraged by proponents of climate change:Fear has been used all through history to gain control of peoples minds and wallets and all else, and the climate catastrophe is strictly a fear campaign well, fear and guilt youre afraid youre killing your children because youre driving them in your SUV and emitting carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and you feel guilty for doing that. Theres no stronger motivation than those two.Scientists are co-opted and corrupted by politicians and bureaucracies invested in advancing the narrative of climate change in order to further centralize political power and control, explained Moore.Moore noted how green companies parasitize taxpayers via favorable regulations and subsidies ostensibly justified by the aforementioned narratives claimed threats, all while enjoying propagandistic protection across news mediaAnd so youve got the green movement creating stories that instill fear in the public. Youve got the media echo chamber fake news repeating it over and over and over again to everybody that theyre killing their children. And then youve got the green politicians who are buying scientists with government money to produce fear for them in the form of scientific-looking materials. And then youve got the green businesses, the rent-seekers, and the crony capitalists who are taking advantage of massive subsidies, huge tax write-offs, and government mandates requiring their technologies to make a fortune on this. And then, of course, youve got the scientists who are willingly, theyre basically hooked on government grants.When they talk about the 99 percent consensus [among scientists] on climate change, thats a completely ridiculous and false number. But most of the scientists put it in quotes, scientists who are pushing this catastrophic theory are getting paid by public money, they are not being paid by General Electric or Dupont or 3M to do this research, where private companies expect to get something useful from their research that might produce a better product and make them a profit in the end because people want it build a better mousetrap type of idea. But most of what these so-called scientists are doing is simply producing more fear so that politicians can use it to control peoples minds and get their votes because some of the people are convinced, Oh, this politician can save my kid from certain doom.The narrative of anthropogenic global warming or climate change is an existential threat to reason, warned Moore:It is the biggest lie since people thought the Earth was at the center of the universe. This is Galileo-type stuff. If you remember, Galileo discovered that the sun was at the center of the solar system and the Earth revolved around it. He was sentenced to death by the Catholic Church, and only because he recanted was he allowed to live in house arrest for the rest of his life.So this was around the beginning of what we call the Enlightenment, when science became the way in which we gained knowledge instead of using superstition and instead of using invisible demons and whatever else, we started to understand that you have to have observation of actual events and then you have to repeat those observations over and over again, and that is basically the scientific method.But this abomination that is occurring today in the climate issue is the biggest threat to the Enlightenment that has occurred since Galileo, declared Moore. Nothing else comes close to it. This is as bad a thing that has happened o science in the history of science.Moore concluded, Its taking over science with superstition and a kind of toxic combination of religion and political ideology. There is no truth to this. It is a complete hoax and scam.https://halturnerradioshow.com/index.php/en/news-page/news-nation/greenpeace-founder-global-warming-is-a-hoax-pushed-by-corrupt-scientists-hooked-on-government-grants LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 491800 03-09-2019 07:17 PM Post: #2 RE: Greenpeace Founder: Global Warming is a Hoax Pushed by Corrupt Scientists Hooked https://lunaticoutpost.com/thread-113440...pid2009934 LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 492406 03-09-2019 07:19 PM Post: #3 RE: Greenpeace Founder: Global Warming is a Hoax Pushed by Corrupt Scientists Hooked LoP Guest Wrote: (03-09-2019 07:17 PM) https://lunaticoutpost.com/thread-113440...pid2009934 https://lunaticoutpost.com/thread-342.html LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 492408 03-09-2019 07:28 PM Post: #4 RE: Greenpeace Founder: Global Warming is a Hoax Pushed by Corrupt Scientists Hooked Same Scumbags Pushing This BS BLOOMBERG LAUNCHES ALTERNATIVE TO GREEN NEW DEAL Michael Bloomberg will not run for president. That was the main outtake from the businessman and philanthropists op-ed for Bloomberg the other day. But the more important outtake was his announcement of a new climate change initiative: Beyond Carbon. I will launch a new, even more ambitious phase of the campaign Beyond Carbon: a grassroots effort to begin moving America as quickly as possible away from oil and gas and toward a 100 percent clean energy economy, Bloomberg said. At the heart of Beyond Carbon is the conviction that, as the science has made clear, every year matters. The idea of a Green New Deal first suggested by the columnist Tom Friedman more than a decade ago stands no chance of passage in the Senate over the next two years. But Mother Nature does not wait on our political calendar, and neither can we. Bloomberg certainly has an exemplary track record with the Beyond Coal initiative: 284 coal-fired plans retired and replaced with less polluting alternatives, removing 605 million metric tons of CO2 from the atmosphere and US$3.5 billion saved in healthcare costs. Plans are to have all remaining coal-fired plants in the United States retired within the next 11 years, Bloomberg said in his op-ed. Obviously, this sort of success would make one confident that if this is possible, then it would be possible to completely move the grid from fossil fuels to renewable energy. However, Bloomberg steered clear of giving away any details or a deadline of any sort for this initiative. Given its magnitude, it was only reasonable to do so. The goal of this initiative is the same as the ultimate goal on Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez interpretation of the idea for a New Green Deal first suggested by Tom Friedman. In this interpretation, the 100-percent renewable power, zero carbon emission economy will be the result of efforts including investment in renewable power, boosting the grids energy efficiency, and building smart grids that distribute affordable power, and investing in things like sustainable farming and new, emission-free, transport. Its clear enough that such a massive undertaking would involve a huge amount of money. No wonder, then, that Republicans in Congress blasted the New Green Deal as wildly unrealistic and called it a radical environmental policy. Critics do have a point. The investments needed would be massive, but proponents of the deal argue that not doing anything about climate change would cost even more over the long term. Already, extreme weather and fires over the last decade have cost the federal government some US$350 billion and these will cost the U.S. economy another US$500 billion by 2100. Yet, according to Republicans, the Green New Deal will cost a lot more than that. The American Action Forum, a center-right organization, put the price tag at US$93 trillion. Democrats have said the figure is way too inflated but the speardriver of the bill, Ocasio-Cortez has not argued about the fact it will be quite expensive to completely switch to renewables. She has, however, offered a way to foot the bill: by raising taxes for the very wealthy to 60-70 percent. Thats another thing many have called unrealistic as people are quick to migrate if their income is being threatened by higher taxes than they can stomach. And now here comes Bloomberg with a net worth of US$55 billion and a long experience of phasing out fossil fuel power plants. Perhaps his plan, when detailed, would sound more realistic than the Green New Deal. Whether it will be more affordable, however, is doubtful. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 461961 03-09-2019 08:16 PM Post: #5 RE: Greenpeace Founder: Global Warming is a Hoax Pushed by Corrupt Scientists Hooked LoP Guest Wrote: (03-09-2019 07:12 PM) Greenpeace Founder: Global Warming is a Hoax Pushed by Corrupt Scientists Hooked on Government Grants Greenpeace co-founder and former president of Greenpeace Canada Patrick Moore described the cynical and corrupt machinations fueling the narrative of anthropocentric global warming and climate change in a Wednesday interview. Moore explained how fear and guilt are leveraged by proponents of climate change: Fear has been used all through history to gain control of peoples minds and wallets and all else, and the climate catastrophe is strictly a fear campaign well, fear and guilt youre afraid youre killing your children because youre driving them in your SUV and emitting carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and you feel guilty for doing that. Theres no stronger motivation than those two. Scientists are co-opted and corrupted by politicians and bureaucracies invested in advancing the narrative of climate change in order to further centralize political power and control, explained Moore. Moore noted how green companies parasitize taxpayers via favorable regulations and subsidies ostensibly justified by the aforementioned narratives claimed threats, all while enjoying propagandistic protection across news media And so youve got the green movement creating stories that instill fear in the public. Youve got the media echo chamber fake news repeating it over and over and over again to everybody that theyre killing their children. And then youve got the green politicians who are buying scientists with government money to produce fear for them in the form of scientific-looking materials. And then youve got the green businesses, the rent-seekers, and the crony capitalists who are taking advantage of massive subsidies, huge tax write-offs, and government mandates requiring their technologies to make a fortune on this. And then, of course, youve got the scientists who are willingly, theyre basically hooked on government grants. When they talk about the 99 percent consensus [among scientists] on climate change, thats a completely ridiculous and false number. But most of the scientists put it in quotes, scientists who are pushing this catastrophic theory are getting paid by public money, they are not being paid by General Electric or Dupont or 3M to do this research, where private companies expect to get something useful from their research that might produce a better product and make them a profit in the end because people want it build a better mousetrap type of idea. But most of what these so-called scientists are doing is simply producing more fear so that politicians can use it to control peoples minds and get their votes because some of the people are convinced, Oh, this politician can save my kid from certain doom. The narrative of anthropogenic global warming or climate change is an existential threat to reason, warned Moore: It is the biggest lie since people thought the Earth was at the center of the universe. This is Galileo-type stuff. If you remember, Galileo discovered that the sun was at the center of the solar system and the Earth revolved around it. He was sentenced to death by the Catholic Church, and only because he recanted was he allowed to live in house arrest for the rest of his life. So this was around the beginning of what we call the Enlightenment, when science became the way in which we gained knowledge instead of using superstition and instead of using invisible demons and whatever else, we started to understand that you have to have observation of actual events and then you have to repeat those observations over and over again, and that is basically the scientific method. But this abomination that is occurring today in the climate issue is the biggest threat to the Enlightenment that has occurred since Galileo, declared Moore. Nothing else comes close to it. This is as bad a thing that has happened o science in the history of science. Moore concluded, Its taking over science with superstition and a kind of toxic combination of religion and political ideology. There is no truth to this. It is a complete hoax and scam.https://halturnerradioshow.com/index.php/en/news-page/news-nation/greenpeace-founder-global-warming-is-a-hoax-pushed-by-corrupt-scientists-hooked-on-government-grants That global warming is a fraud has been obvious to anyone that read the Climategate I, Climategate II, and recent Mann emails releases. Further - as Dr. Curry has testified - skeptical scientists are persecuted. If you are going to treat dissenters as heretics - it isn't science - it is a religion. The Climate Cult should be cut off from all government funding since funding the climate cult is unconstitutional. In 1982 Climate Change was budgeted zero (0) dollars. In 2020 Climate Change should be budgeted zero (0) dollars. Back to Forum Reply to This post Post New Thread Your tax-deductible gift today powers our reporters and keeps us independent. We rely on you, our reader, not paywalls to stay funded because we believe important news and information should be freely accessible to all. Start your day with LAist Sign up for the Morning Brief, delivered weekdays. Subscribe Los Angeles County is again faced with allegations that a group of sheriff's deputies operates as a criminal gang. Seven sheriff's deputies have filed claims against the county saying they've been harassed, bullied, intimidated and physically attacked by members of the Banditos gang of deputies. All of the deputies who filed claims -- and the deputies they're accusing -- work out of the East LA station, which services communities of unincorporated East Los Angeles, City of Commerce, City of Maywood, and City of Cudahy. The attorney for the claimants, Vincent Miller, of the Law Offices of Vincent Miller, states that "the hostile environment at the police station has led to the deputies fearing their fellow officers more than the criminals in the street." The claims assert that by failing to discipline and covering up the gang's actions, the county encouraged its gang member employees to retaliate against deputies. The claims say things came to a head at a party last September, where members of the Banditos attacked several deputies. One deputy said he was punched multiple times in the face before being knocked out. Another said he was choked until he passed out. The deputies' union and the sheriff's department had no comment on the claims, which are a precursor to lawsuits. Altogether they're seeking tens of millions of dollars from the county. In a statement, the Sheriff's Department noted the allegations outlined in the claims arose before Sheriff Alex Villanueva took office. It said he replaced the unit commander and "key supervisory personnel." The allegations "are being fully investigated," said the statement, which added that the East L.A. Station's new unit commander "has met with staff members, and has made it abundantly clear that activities which violate workplace policies or the law will be immediately addressed with swift and appropriate action." Villanueva has at times defended deputies with tatoos. During last year's election campaign he said, "I worked with many people with these tatoos at different stations, and they were the most honorable, ethical people I have ever worked with." The sheriff has also accused his predecessors of failing to crack down on a culture of hazing. The Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs, the union that represents deputies, had no comment on the claims, said President Ron Hernandez. The group "fully supports a detailed, fair, timely investigation, with an interest in due process for all parties said to be involved," he added in a statement. There have been charges for years about violent deputy gangs, often marked by members wearing similar tatoos. Deputy cliques have been around since 1971, when a gang was first established at the East L.A. Station, said Sean Kennedy, a Loyola Law School professor who studies deputy cliques. There was even a white supremacist gang called the vikings at the Century Station back in the early 90s, he said. Altogether, Kennedy has identified 13 gangs that have operated within the Sheriff's Department. Former Undersheriff Paul Tanaka, who was convicted in 2016 and sentenced to six years in prison for covering up jailhouse beatings by deputies, had a Vikings tattoo. He said the Banditos have been active at the East L.A. Station for at least a decade. In 2014, Deputy Guadalupe Lopez sued the county, claiming she was assaulted and harassed by the Banditos gang. The county settled Lopez' lawsuit for $1.5 million. In July of last year, former Sheriff Jim McDonnell told the Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission that he had launched a comprehensive probe into secret cliques, and was looking into whether criminal gangs were operating within the ranks. His announcement followed a Los Angeles Times report that as many as 20 deputies at the Compton station had matching skull tatoos. Frank Stoltze contributed reporting to this article. Your tax-deductible gift today powers our reporters and keeps us independent. We rely on you, our reader, not paywalls to stay funded because we believe important news and information should be freely accessible to all. Start your day with LAist Sign up for the Morning Brief, delivered weekdays. Subscribe Three hours into Friday's meeting of the L.A. City Council, city staff reported back on what they found -- or rather, didn't find -- after inspecting City Hall and several adjacent buildings for rats and fleas. City staff, along with workers in L.A. County's health department, placed 1,800 flea traps in the floors and ceilings of Los Angeles' halls of power. And then they checked them. "An analysis of the traps revealed that we had found silverfish and some occasional invaders such as millipedes," said David Paschal, an assistant general manager for the city's general services department. "No fleas after we examined those 1,800 traps." Paschal added that some rat droppings were found on some of the lower floors in L.A. City Hall, but burrows were found only outside the building. "We recognized immediately that rodents are living in the planters and living in the soil that's adjacent to the buildings in the civic center," said Paschal. The report came more than a month after a deputy city attorney went public with claims she had contracted typhus after being bit by fleas while working in her office in City Hall East. She took her story to KNBC. A few days later, city council President Herb Wesson authored a motion calling for an investigation of vermin in the civic center, and an audit of how city employees store food and dispose of their trash. He also proposed removing all the carpets in the building. READ MORE: LA City Hall Has A Rodent Problem. Downtown Has A Typhus Outbreak. Here Are The Facts That meant more headlines about typhus in downtown Los Angeles. This image depicts a female Oriental rat flea, Xenopsylla cheopis. (Photo by James Gathany/Courtesy of CDC/Ken Gage) The flea-borne disease has been in the news since the county health department first declared a "typhus outbreak" in downtown Los Angeles last year. That initial declaration prompted national headlines, and drew attention to the deplorable conditions fostered on the street by Los Angeles' homelessness crisis, particularly in Skid Row. But some homeless advocates called foul, saying the outbreak declaration was driven by politics, not public health. "It's highly, highly suspicious," said "General" Jeff Page, often referred to as the de-facto Mayor of Skid Row, to LAist in October. "I see it as a result of the business sector putting pressure on the Mayor and the City Council to do something now about Skid Row's conditions." The reason some questioned the timing? It came as Los Angeles was weighing whether or not to settle a polarizing lawsuit filed by several Skid Row residents. A temporary restraining order issued by a federal judge in 2016 had made it much harder to do encampment clean-ups in Skid Row. The case, Mitchell v. Los Angeles, hinged on whether the city violated the constitutional rights of homeless people by seizing their property off the street and destroying it. READ MORE: Is The Skid Row Typhus Outbreak A Manufactured Crisis? Many in the downtown business and development sector pushed the city try the case in federal court, out of concern that a settlement would continue to complicate clean-up efforts. Against the wishes of the business community, the city council voted this week to settle the case. Assassinated Twice: DA Schubert Murders Stephon Clarks Character This past week, we, the freedom-believing and fair-minded residents of Sacramento, California, were disappointed to our cores. Our worst fears became reality. The Sacramento African American community has been holding its collective breath, our fingers crossed, hanging on to the unlikely hope that either Ann Marie Schubert, our county district attorney, or Xavier Becera, our states Attorney General, would do the right thing and bring charges against the officers who shot and killed Stephon Clark. Unfortunately, Sacramento has developed a shameful legacy relative to the killing of unarmed African American men. Once again, our justice system has reinforced that reputation. ADVERTISEMENT First, in April of 2016, Sacramento police offices shot and killed Mr. Daizon Flenaugh, a mentally ill Black man who cops said was exhibiting strange behavior and ranting incoherently before they took away his life. Mr. Flenaugh was found to not have any weapons on him at the time of his death. Then in July of that same year, Mr. Joseph Mann was shot several times by Sacramento police after he appeared agitated and threw a plastic water bottle at them before attempting to flee. Unlike the circumstances surrounding Mr. Flenaughs killing, there were several video and audio transmissions that bolstered arguments that police were acting with actual malice toward Mr. Mann. Finally, in March of last year, Mr. Stephon Clark, who was clearly unarmed at the time of his death, became the latest and most widely-known victim of the Sacramento Police Department. None of the officers involved in the three shootings described above were required to face criminal charges. Most distressing to us is this. District Attorney Schubert in her lengthy recent press conference and Attorney General Becera in his shortly after unconscionably and deliberately implied that Stephon Clark sought his own death by police officers. Our top legal officials who we entrust with the judgment and wisdom to stand up for our rights and protection justified their decision with the irrelevant evidence that Clark researched ways to commit suicide days before police officers tragically killed him. This heartless attempt to assassinate Mr. Clark twice; once physically and once relative to his character, must not be tolerated! ADVERTISEMENT Reasonable people might differ over many of the sad facts pertaining to the death of Stephon Clark. However, what is beyond dispute are the following. First, at worst, Mr. Clark was accused of vandalizing automobiles. Second, he was unarmed. Third, he was trying to enter his grandmothers home at the time of his death and not fleeing a contrived police chase leveled up to the pursuit of someone suspected of domestic terrorism. Fourth, he was shot several times in the back or side of his body which would lend strong support to the theory that he was not approaching officers at the time of his death as claimed unless, of course, he was doing so running backwards. The best forum for the consideration of the four factors above, relative to any law enforcement culpability in the death of Mr. Clark, would have been in the legal sanctum of a courtroom. There, under the watchful eyes and ruling of a judge, the entire range of evidence pertinent to his death could be presented before a jury in a criminal trial. A civil suit, on behalf of Mr. Clarks children and family will proceed. However, that is not close to the best vehicle for answering one of the key questions left unanswered by District Attorney Schubert and Attorney General Beceras exoneration of the Sacramento police officers responsible for shooting Mr. Clark. The move literally slams the door on justice for the Clark family. District Attorney Schubert and Attorney General Beceras decisions are now solely dispositive as they relate to an impartial evidence based inquiry into the death of Stephon Clark. Neither District Attorney Schubert nor Attorney General Becera should be executing the responsibilities of a judge or jury. Their conclusions here, though, serve to cast them in those roles. Lets pretend for a minute that either District Attorney Schubert or Attorney General Becera had instead made the proper decision to bring charges against the officers. Those officers would have had the right to legal counsel and to have their actions considered by a jury in a legal process following the constitution and the rules of criminal procedure and evidence. In other words, they, and Mr. Clarks family, would have had their full day in court where all of the facts pertaining to Mr. Clarks death could be considered. Isnt that the criminal justice process each of us is told over and over we must have confidence in? We are reminded time and again, that justice is both fair and impartial, theoretically favoring no one. I guess District Attorney Schubert and Attorney General Becera dont want to take any chances with the fate of the officers who took the life of Stephon Clark. After all, an independent jury of their peers may have found them to be criminally culpable. I would hope that we can take Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg at his word when he made the statement that the city of Sacramento is in need of substantial police reform. Further, I would hope that he and the entire city are not just now waking up to that realization. After all, those who live in certain neighborhoods within our city, or are economically disadvantaged or Black, have been telling city leaders the same for a very long time. Mark T. Harris Esq. is a Sacramento based attorney continuing lecturer and director, pre-law studies UC Merced and the co-founder Law Enforcement Accountability Directive (L.E.A.D.) a community based organization in Sacramento. Gov. Newsom Puts Charter Schools Under Same Transparency Rules as District Schools Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a common sense charter school transparency bill this week, striking agreement among a rare coalition of education reform advocates, labor leaders and traditional school educators. SB 126 is an application of the Ralph M. Brown Act, the California Public Records Act, the Political Reform Act and Government Code 1090 for Californias charter schools. ADVERTISEMENT Supporters of the bill say it adds more accountability and strengthens the flexibility and autonomy their schools need to innovate for students. For them, it also formalizes transparency and governance practices already followed by a majority of charter schools throughout the state. Taxpayers, parents and ultimately kids deserve to know how schools are using their tax dollars, said Gov. Newsom. This isnt the end of a conversation, but a beginning. Lets use this momentum to move forward together, constructively and in partnership, to improve education for children across California. I thank the leaders on both sides of this issue for coming together to help get this bill across the finish line. The California Charter School Association (CCSA) as well as individual operators of publicly-funded independent schools across the state are hailing the move by the governor. Many of them have been waiting over a decade for the bill to be signed into law. Former Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed it several times. The provisions in the new law, they anticipate, will correct a common misperception that charter schools are for-profit centers and are unaccountable to the public or the families they serve. Like most California charter schools, Fortune Schools has always followed the provisions in SB 126. Our team, alongside our charter schools champions across the state, believe in transparency and operate with the highest accountability to our students families and authorizers, said Margaret Fortune, President and CEO of Fortune School of Education. We are pleased that with Governor Newsrooms leadership we can all move forward and focus on whats most important: kids. The act mandates more than 1,300 charter schools across California to follow some of the same laws that govern school districts. Their board meetings are now required to be open to the public and board members are forbidden to vote on contracts in which they have a personal interest. Upon request, they are also now required to make their records available to the public. ADVERTISEMENT Charter School of Morgan Hill (CSMH), like most California charter schools, has been following the provisions outlined in SB 126 for a long time, said Paige Cisewski, Executive Director, CSMH. We already adhere to the Brown Act, the Public Records Act and the Political Reform Act, just like district schools. We are grateful to Governor Newsom for signing this legislation. McDonalds Launches Push for Gender Balance and Diversity As communities around the world celebrate International Womens Day, McDonalds Corporation announced the launch of its new BETTER TOGETHER: Gender Balance & Diversity strategy. By 2023, the company aims to improve the representation of women at all levels of McDonalds, achieve gender equality in career advancement, and champion the impact of women on the business. In addition, McDonalds has signed the UN Womens Empowerment Principles to further mark the companys commitment to progress. Gender balance and diversity makes McDonalds stronger, said McDonalds Chief People Officer, David Fairhurst. Together with our franchisees, McDonalds provides jobs for almost 2 million people across the world and is one of the worlds largest employers of women. Were committed to inspiring workplaces where everyone from crew to c-suite is equally supported and empowered to realize their full potential. But we also want to drive progress on a global scale by encouraging franchisees, suppliers and other partners to deliver initiatives that drive gender balance and improve diversity, with the goal of reaching millions of women worldwide. Our new strategy will help deliver this commitment and is designed to ensure that were clearly defining and hitting our targets, day-in and day-out. The four pillars of the strategy will guide McDonalds in developing key milestones and piloting a range of activities to promote gender balance: Representation :Aim for the representation of women at every level in the business to be equal to or better than the representation of women in the external workforce. :Aim for the representation of women at every level in the business to be equal to or better than the representation of women in the external workforce. Rising :Enhance equality in career advancement for men and women. :Enhance equality in career advancement for men and women. Recognition : Celebrate the voices and impact of women in the business and report on progress globally. : Celebrate the voices and impact of women in the business and report on progress globally. Reach: Achieve progress on a global scale by encouraging franchisees and suppliers to deliver strategies that drive gender balance and improve diversity, with the goal of reaching millions of women worldwide. McDonalds will advance education and development programs to support women to progress. As part of this, McDonalds is piloting a new Women in Tech initiative through its signature education and tuition assistance program, Archways to Opportunity, to enable women from company-owned restaurants and participating franchisee restaurants to learn skills in areas such as data science, cyber security, artificial intelligence and more. The goal of this initiative is to support broader representation of women in technology fields and support employees on their path to success at McDonalds and beyond. The pilot will start in the U.S. this spring with the goal of rolling it out to more countries in the future. McDonalds will work with Microsoft to provide the technical skills curriculum and Colorado Technical University to deliver access to the learning. This initiative will offer US participants college credits, a credential upon completion and help them build a foundation for lifelong learning thats necessary to compete in this 21st century economy. ADVERTISEMENT At present, 30 percent of McDonalds Officer positions and 41 percent of staff positions at Director level and above are held by women globally, and in the US, 60 percent of all Restaurant Managers are women. Key actions McDonalds will take to further improve representation and progression include: using gender neutral job-descriptions in English speaking countries for office and restaurant roles, increasing diverse candidate slates and interview panels, as well as investing in tools that use artificial intelligence to recognize and root out bias from the selection process. McDonalds will also review its high-potential talent pools to promote gender balance and accelerate their careers through executive mentoring and sponsorship. To mark the launch with a statement of support for workplace inclusion, McDonalds CEO, Steve Easterbrook and other senior leaders across the business took to LinkedIn the worlds largest job site. By switching their profile pictures for the McDonalds arches turned upside down, the leaders aim to raise awareness of unconscious bias and the importance of mitigating it. Having reached over 10,000 employees with bias awareness training, McDonalds is committed to its continued global roll out, and integrating the training into existing education platforms, talent management processes, leadership development, and training for talent agency partners. In the US, McDonalds is proud to have been included in the YWCA and Impact Shares ETF, WOMN, as well as having been recognized by both Catalyst and HRC as a company that is championing equality in the workplace. NAACP Joins NABJ in Criticism of CNNs Lack of Diversity in Leadership Positions The nations foremost civil rights organization issued the following response to CNN President Jeff Zuckers refusal to address the lack of diversity in leadership positions: It is vital that news organizations reflect the diversity of our country, which includes people of color in key decision-making roles which are responsible for shaping news coverage and providing nuanced perspectives, especially around issues directly impacting Black America. CNNs lack of black representation in leadership roles is troubling and another example of the media industrys reluctance to address an issue that continues to plague newsrooms across the country. NAACP finds is offensive that CNN President Jeff Zucker refuses to address this issue. We are far beyond the point of accepting simple visibility as an instance of true diversity. For major corporations like CNN and its parent company, WarnerMedia, diversifying the media landscape must become a part of a companys corporate responsibility rather than always as a response to intolerance and implicit bias. ADVERTISEMENT Until concrete steps are taken by CNN, the NAACP stands firmly with NABJ and asks that WarnerMedia conduct a diversity and inclusion audit of all its news divisions. We will continue to hold the media industry accountable for their insufficient response and actions toward diversity. Saturday, March 9, 2019 A Louisiana Hearing Committee recommends the reinstatement of an attorney suspended for three years in 2009 for a number of criminal incidents. The committee considered evidence of treatment for alcohol issues Applicant entered into a two-year diagnostic monitoring contract on October 3, 2018. At the time of the hearing of this matter on December 18, 2018, Applicant had been subjected to six (6) random drug/alcohol screens. Two diagnostic reports had been issued by the time of the hearing, both were favorable. The committee recommends a year of continued treatment. The Supreme Court suspension order described the allegations On Saturday evening, September 8, 2001, respondent drove to the home of his estranged wife, Amy Holliday. Respondent's two-year old daughter from his marriage to Ms. Holliday was with him in the car, and the formal charges allege that respondent was under the influence of alcohol at this time. Respondent did not find Ms. Holliday at home, but he discovered a pickup truck parked in the driveway which belonged to Ms. Holliday's boyfriend (now husband), Martin Schmidt. Using a shovel, respondent smashed all the windows of Mr. Schmidt's truck and caused significant damage to the body of the truck. He then fled the scene prior to the arrival of the police. The following day, September 9, 2001, the police were advised as to respondent's whereabouts near the intersection of Essen Lane and Perkins Road in Baton Rouge. As the police approached, they observed respondent proceeding in his vehicle down Perkins Road. The police followed respondent and activated their lights and sirens, but he refused to stop. The pursuit wound through a residential subdivision until respondent finally stopped in a private driveway, but he then refused to exit his vehicle as instructed. The police approached the vehicle with guns drawn and discovered respondent's daughter in a car seat in the front passenger seat. And At approximately 2:00 a.m. on December 3, 2002, respondent was driving south on LSU Avenue in Baton Rouge at a high rate of speed. At the intersection of LSU Avenue and Highland Road, respondent ran a red light and broadsided a vehicle traveling eastbound on Highland Road, injuring the driver. Respondent, who was highly intoxicated at the time, exited his vehicle and attempted to flee the scene of the accident by climbing a wooded ridge south of the intersection. After the police searched the wooded area and apprehended respondent, he reported that he had been with a stripper from the Gold Club in Baton Rouge and that she had been driving his vehicle at the time of the crash. This story was a fabrication, however, as independent eyewitnesses confirmed that respondent had been driving the car and that no one else was with him. Respondent was arrested and charged with DWI second offense, hit and run, disobeying a red light, reckless driving, and failing to maintain proof of insurance. After obtaining numerous continuances of the matter, respondent pled guilty in February 2005 to failing to report an accident, disobeying a red light, and reckless driving. In June 2005, petitioner obtained a court order expunging the record of his arrest. He denied causing the truck damage but The crux of the allegation in Count II is that respondent vandalized a truck belonging to his estranged wife's boyfriend while it was parked at his wife's home in Baton Rouge. The record reveals the ODC's case depended in large measure on the testimony of two witnesses, Christy Caballero and Ashley Mullens. Ms. Caballero testified she was babysitting at the home of respondent's estranged wife on the night of the incident. She testified respondent knocked on the door while holding his two-year old daughter and that he became angry when she would not let him in. Ms. Mullens, a resident of the garage apartment at the rear of the property, testified she saw a man hitting a pickup truck in the driveway. Although Ms. Mullens could not identify the man, she testified he was holding a child in his arms as he vandalized the truck. In opposition to the evidence produced by the ODC, respondent testified that he was in St. Francisville on the night of the incident and did not return to Baton Rouge until the next day. As corroboration, he relied on the testimony of his stepmother, who indicated he was in St. Francisville during the relevant time period. After hearing testimony from all the witnesses, the hearing committee made a factual finding that respondent was responsible for vandalizing the truck. (Mike Frisch) https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/legal_profession/2019/03/a-louisiana-hearing-committee-recommends-the-reinstatement-of-an-attorney-suspended-for-three-years-in-2009-for-a-number-of-c.html Artist Zsudayka Nzinga Terrell clearly remembers the day in high school when the teacher asked her to write about her family history. She saw that it was impossible to answer the questions 'Who am I?' and 'Where did I come from?' Nzinga Terrell told VOA about her childhood memories. So the white kids were able to get up and talk about hundreds of years of their background. And there was me and one other black kid in the class who could go back to a plantation in Virginia and thats it. She talked about her familys history. My people were brought here on the bottom of a ship. And they were sold and they were re-named. My dads side of the family took the last name of the job that they had, which is butlers. My moms side of the family took the last name of the plantation that owned them. Today, she and her husband, artist James Terrell, explore that identity in their work. Their new exhibit of paintings is called Born at the Bottom of the Ship. The show recently opened at the Center for the Arts in Manassas, Virginia. New culture, new tribe Over the generations, Africans became African Americans with a new culture, and Nzinga Terrell includes different parts of that story in her art. There are things that look like African cloth and design and things that make you think of American culture and clothing. An example is Hope and Grace, a painting of two women wearing colorful clothes with traditional African patterns. Pointing to their hair, she says: They have these big afros so it could be 1960, it could be 2018. James Terrells style is more abstract. Mami Wata, the first painting visitors see in the new exhibit, shows a woman rising from the ocean. Terrell explains the painting. Mami Wata is a goddess of the sea. There's no light going through; theres not a lot of color being seen, as opposed to the other ones. So, its just showing the time of the slaves being brought to America. But the artist says he also likes to play with color. Growing up, Terrell attended a church with colored glass in many windows. Because of that experience, he learned how light goes through the windows. He makes lines in his painting that look like the lines between pieces of colored glass in the church windows. Terrells works show how he sees himself as an African American. He says he wants the people in his painting to look happy, hopeful and strong. Visitors to the art exhibit say they see themselves and their family members in the works. They like the different kinds of people in the paintings because they know that many Americans come from other countries and cultures. The artists hope to take their exhibit to other states and around the world. Im Jill Robbins. Faiza Elmasry reported on this story for the Associated Press. Jill Robbins adapted it for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story kid n. young person plantation n. a large area of land especially in a hot part of the world where crops (such as cotton) are grown butler n. the main male servant in the home of a wealthy person afro n a hairstyle of tight curls in a full evenly rounded shape abstract n. expressing ideas and emotions by using elements such as colors and lines without attempting to create a realistic picture slave n. someone held in servitude symbolize v. to represent What do you think of the pictures made by the Terrells? Do they remind you of any art in your own culture? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section. About once a month, a group of Malaysians gather at a coffee shop or a home in Kuala Lumpur. They meet to support each other and to keep the memory of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 alive. Five years ago, the Malaysia Airlines plane disappeared on its way from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. Search efforts covered an area from Southeast Asia to the coast of Africa. But neither the plane nor any of the 239 people it carried were found. Investigators became hopeful when, in July 2015, a piece of the planes wing was found in the Indian Ocean east of Madagascar. But authorities officially suspended the search in January 2017. Jacquita Gonzales husband, Patrick Gomes, was an inflight supervisor on the plane. Gonzales home is often the meeting place for family members of the missing. It goes beyond a group waiting for answers, she told the Reuters news agency. It has become a family as well, an extended family. Calvin Shim is raising his two children without his wife, Christine Tan. She was a crew member on flight MH370. The other families know exactly how each of us feel, he said at a recent meeting at Gonzales home. New satellite tracking system Since the 1940s, ground-based radar systems have been used to follow planes and other aircraft in flight. But this kind of system cannot track aircraft over large areas of the worlds oceans. This is one reason why the Malaysia Airlines plane has not been found. The disappearance of MH370 renewed the worlds attention on tracking aircraft around the world. Shortly after the disappearance, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) pushed for quick action to improve tracking of aircraft in flight. The United Nations organization is now asking that aircraft be fitted with a tracking system that reports its position every 15 minutes. By 2021, the organization also wants aircraft to be able to send information once every minute when in trouble. In April 2017, Malaysia Airlines announced that it would be one of the first airlines to use Aireon's space-based system to track its planes in flight. Aireon says its system uses 66 satellites to cover the world. Its system includes areas that lacked air traffic service in the past -- like over oceans and the North and South poles. The system uses Global Positioning System (GPS) and signals from aircraft to determine locations in real-time. Aireon chief Don Thoma said in a statement: Malaysia Airlines has taken a lead role in the industry since the tragic events of 2014. Real-time, global flight tracking, anywhere on the planet, will further its safety goals, by allowing Malaysia Airlines to track its aircraft anytime, anywhere. I'm Ashley Thompson. Hai Do wrote this story for Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story wing - n. one of usually two long flat part of an airplane that extend from the sides and make it possible for that plane to fly authorities - n. people who have power to make decisions inflight - adj. provided while you are flying in an airplane track - v. to follow or watch the path tragic - adj. causing strong feelings of sadness Interestingly, a sane person finally commented on the thread, a philosopher who had struggled on the job market and with a disability, who had largely ignored blogs until s/he found her/himself in a new job in a new location, isolated from friends and family. S/he writes: The fact is that when I got on Daily Nous and saw some of the comments being made on here, it was almost literally incredible to me that they were being made by professional philosophers or graduate students. Some of these comments were so juvenile, sanctimonious, self-ignorant, and mean-spirited, they defied parody. That they passed moderation seemed to make a mockery of moderation. This kind of behavior is painful enough when it comes from the right, but every one of these commentators I am thinking of were ostentatiously expressing a concern for the oppressed and vulnerable. Given that I have harbored such concerns for a long time, and these appeared to me so grotesquely fake or corrupted, well, it was just stomach-turning. I also say it was traumatizing. That is surely in large part due to the extreme duress I was under at the time. Even though my normal life is a daily struggle, I would not normally be traumatized by something like this. But under these circumstances, I just could not believe that I had suffered and struggled so much to fight my way into a career that, at least so it appeared, was increasingly populated by people who looked as far away from lovers of wisdom as one could imagine, and were aggressively attempting to silence others while making a great deal of noise about the badness of silencing people. Much of this behavior I also saw on facebook, and collectively it was extremely dispiriting. My impression is that the comments on the whole have improved a great deal on this blog, though there is still a fair bit of this sort of thing (and other forms of jerkinessfrom which I do not entirely exempt myself). Nevertheless, my impression of the profession overall is nothing close to how you describe it in the beginning, Justin. It seems to me that many vulnerable peopleincluding myselfare effectively silenced by mobs of online shamers and harassers (that is not to deny that other people who had previously been silenced are now much more free, which is great). Even if this view is mistaken, it is widely held, as is evidenced routinely in the comment section here (also, it is hard to see how it could be widely held and likely to be false, at least if we take standpoint epistemology seriously at all). It seems to be that jerks have not, in the aggregate, waned at all, though the net influence of certain types might have (as I say, I was not online much before 5 years ago). For example, it seems to me that Nathan Oseroff, Christa Peterson and many [others] aggressively silencing those who question gender ID laws have acted jerkily (and libelously) in such a way repeatedly. Why doesnt this breed of jerkiness (not to say defamation) count? For there is a *very* great deal of it, and it often is much worse than mere jerkiness (McKinnons abuse of you stands out especially, though she ranges widely). For what its worth, I expect that the content of Nathans and Christas twitter feed, and not what Leiter has said about them, will constitute whatever political problems they have on the market. So it is clearly disingenuous to say that them being on the market will be a test case for Leiters power, other than his ability to direct attention to what strikes me as manipulative bullshit, to use Christas words. (Yes Christa, what Nathan said was defamatory, in my judgment. Why should Dr. Stock not respond the way she did? Saying that she is directing hate toward students and faculty is just a lie. Saying that she is advocating treating trans people the way gay people were treated decades ago is a vicious lie, as far as I can tell. Why should you expect these lies not to be called out, and why should your potential employers not take them into account?) Username: Password: or Register Back to Forum Reply to This post Post New Thread Thread Rating: 4 Vote(s) - 3 Average 1 2 3 4 5 Page: 1 2 3 4 DEA says overdose deaths reached record level Cracker Jacks lop guest User ID: 492287 03-09-2019 09:34 PM Post: #1 DEA says overdose deaths reached record level Advertisement REPORT: Drug overdose deaths hit record level with 200 people dying per day. WASHINGTON Drug overdose deaths hit the highest level ever recorded in the United States last year, with an estimated 200 people dying per day, according to a report by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Most of that was the result of a record number of opioid-related deaths. Preliminary figures show more than 72,000 people died in 2017 from drug overdoses across the country. About a week ago, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said overdose deaths, while still rising. The DEA's National Drug Threat Assessment, which was released Friday, shows that heroin, fentanyl and other opioids continue to be the highest drug threat in the nation. But federal officials are concerned that methamphetamine and cocaine are being seen at much higher levels in areas that haven't historically been hotspots for those drugs. The DEA is also worried that people are exploiting marijuana legalization to traffic cannabis into the illicit market or to states that don't have medicinal or recreational-use marijuana laws, according to the report. The preliminary data also showed 49,060 people died from opioid-related overdose deaths, a rise from the reported 42,249 opioid overdose deaths in 2016. President Donald Trump has declared the U.S. opioid crisis as a "public health emergency". No one is questioning the fact that the nation is dealing with the deadliest drug overdose epidemic in its history. Estimates show a strong course of six figure digits in drug related deaths this year by mid summer. The DEA's report also noted that methamphetamine is making its way into communities where the drug normally wasn't heavily used, the report said. Chronic use of meth, a highly addictive stimulant, can cause paranoia, visual and auditory hallucinations and delusions, studies have shown. But the DEA has found the gap is being filled by Mexican and Latin American drug cartels that had primarily dabbled in heroin and cocaine trafficking. A saturated market on the West Coast is now driving the cartels to peddle methamphetamine into the Northeast, using the same routes they use for heroin and other drugs. Officials also warn that because of more cocaine production in South American countries including Colombia, they expect to see larger shipments at the Mexican border. Overdose Graph By Gender: https://d14rmgtrwzf5a.cloudfront.net/sit...graph1.jpg Deaths By Race/Ethnicity: https://www.kff.org/other/state-indicato...2asc%22%7D Waiting until death toll numbers reach on upward to 1 million a year. That's when you will begin to see dramatic shifts in the US policies toward radicalization and extremist ideologies that are unforeseen in mainstream America by foreigners. Perhaps this is when Americans will kick this clown show out of Washington and execute anyone found crossing the borders illegally. Guess the US is clearing out it's trash first. WASHINGTON Drug overdose deaths hit the highest level ever recorded in the United States last year, with an estimated 200 people dying per day, according to a report by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Most of that was the result of a record number of opioid-related deaths.Preliminary figures show more than 72,000 people died in 2017 from drug overdoses across the country. About a week ago, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said overdose deaths, while still rising.The DEA's National Drug Threat Assessment, which was released Friday, shows that heroin, fentanyl and other opioids continue to be the highest drug threat in the nation. But federal officials are concerned that methamphetamine and cocaine are being seen at much higher levels in areas that haven't historically been hotspots for those drugs. The DEA is also worried that people are exploiting marijuana legalization to traffic cannabis into the illicit market or to states that don't have medicinal or recreational-use marijuana laws, according to the report.The preliminary data also showed 49,060 people died from opioid-related overdose deaths, a rise from the reported 42,249 opioid overdose deaths in 2016.President Donald Trump has declared the U.S. opioid crisis as a "public health emergency".No one is questioning the fact that the nation is dealing with the deadliest drug overdose epidemic in its history. Estimates show a strong course of six figure digits in drug related deaths this year by mid summer.The DEA's report also noted that methamphetamine is making its way into communities where the drug normally wasn't heavily used, the report said. Chronic use of meth, a highly addictive stimulant, can cause paranoia, visual and auditory hallucinations and delusions, studies have shown.But the DEA has found the gap is being filled by Mexican and Latin American drug cartels that had primarily dabbled in heroin and cocaine trafficking. A saturated market on the West Coast is now driving the cartels to peddle methamphetamine into the Northeast, using the same routes they use for heroin and other drugs.Officials also warn that because of more cocaine production in South American countries including Colombia, they expect to see larger shipments at the Mexican border.Overdose Graph By Gender:Deaths By Race/Ethnicity:Waiting until death toll numbers reach on upward to 1 million a year. That's when you will begin to see dramatic shifts in the US policies toward radicalization and extremist ideologies that are unforeseen in mainstream America by foreigners. Perhaps this is when Americans will kick this clown show out of Washington and execute anyone found crossing the borders illegally.Guess the US is clearing out it's trash first. Spiddy Registered User User ID: 335168 03-09-2019 09:41 PM Posts: 19,225 Post: #2 RE: DEA says overdose deaths reached record level Welcome to the world of decent quality opiates. Try shooting up half of what you're used to and proceed from there. As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron. H.L. Mencken 1920. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 492427 03-09-2019 09:44 PM Post: #3 RE: DEA says overdose deaths reached record level Opiods slow the lungs down and cause long term damage fairly quickly People take their meds and never wake up, they die of slow oxygen deprivation as the lungs quit working its actually a painless way to die. Cracker Jacks lop guest User ID: 492287 03-09-2019 10:00 PM Post: #4 RE: DEA says overdose deaths reached record level Spiddy Wrote: (03-09-2019 09:41 PM) Welcome to the world of decent quality opiates. Try shooting up half of what you're used to and proceed from there. Grew up in drug culture. So glad I did. Practically have medical and pharmaceutical knowledge of a second year med student. Always knew never to touch the smack. Many of my friends who I grew up with unfortunately didn't learn that lesson. The way things have been looking the past few years. Will never reminiscent old memories with these people that we shared as kids.. Grew up in drug culture. So glad I did. Practically have medical and pharmaceutical knowledge of a second year med student. Always knew never to touch the smack. Many of my friends who I grew up with unfortunately didn't learn that lesson. The way things have been looking the past few years. Will never reminiscent old memories with these people that we shared as kids.. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 486330 03-09-2019 10:05 PM Post: #5 RE: DEA says overdose deaths reached record level Deaths from Marijauna overdose still 0 RiskyRob ( Lop V.I.P.) User ID: 446882 03-09-2019 10:55 PM Posts: 8,137 Post: #6 RE: DEA says overdose deaths reached record level Where's the link to the article? No link---The thread stinks! Is it current? Your pasted copy is mentioning 2016 and 2017. Ascended Master (This post was last modified: 03-09-2019 10:56 PM by RiskyRob .) LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 492388 03-09-2019 11:20 PM Post: #7 RE: DEA says overdose deaths reached record level and after they were given all that extra money and power....I know, give em more money and power, that'll fix it LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 492388 03-09-2019 11:22 PM Post: #8 RE: DEA says overdose deaths reached record level LoP Guest Wrote: (03-09-2019 11:20 PM) and after they were given all that extra money and power....I know, give em more money and power, that'll fix it beefed up border, and customs and safeguards...and it's still increasing, oh woe is me, my little union trust fund needs an injection...f&*king worms, I hate them all beefed up border, and customs and safeguards...and it's still increasing, oh woe is me, my little union trust fund needs an injection...f&*king worms, I hate them all LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 442998 03-09-2019 11:53 PM Post: #9 RE: DEA says overdose deaths reached record level arrest healthcare!!!! LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 492434 03-10-2019 12:00 AM Post: #10 RE: DEA says overdose deaths reached record level Get at the food supply and drinks and it is game over its called genocide and how to profit at the same time , create hunger ,greed violence and crime and milk it big time and watch them kill themselves in a slow kill car crash that is the western world all built on a promise of debt .Get at the food supply and drinks and it is game over LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 470206 03-10-2019 12:08 AM Post: #11 RE: DEA says overdose deaths reached record level LoP Guest Wrote: (03-09-2019 10:05 PM) Deaths from Marijauna overdose still 0 That is why it can never be legal. Insufficient kill rate. That is why it can never be legal. Insufficient kill rate. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 450018 03-10-2019 12:52 AM Post: #12 RE: DEA says overdose deaths reached record level LoP Guest Wrote: (03-09-2019 10:05 PM) Deaths from Marijauna overdose still 0 And it was discoverd like 2300 years before christ...lol What has alcohol killed ..a billion humans and its leagal and accceptable. And it was discoverd like 2300 years before christ...lolWhat has alcohol killed ..a billion humans and its leagal and accceptable. RiskyRob ( Lop V.I.P.) User ID: 446882 03-10-2019 01:28 AM Posts: 8,137 Post: #13 RE: DEA says overdose deaths reached record level I don't get how this is PINNED , when there is no source linked. There are only two charts linked. One chart dated 2017, one 2018. I'm not sure if this is current or valid information . It's hard to evaluate. There seems to be very little concern if f&*king garbage is promoted on LoP. I pointed this out hours ago. Which mod is asleep at the wheel? Ascended Master (This post was last modified: 03-10-2019 02:03 AM by RiskyRob .) LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 492457 03-10-2019 02:43 AM Post: #14 RE: DEA says overdose deaths reached record level RiskyRob Wrote: (03-10-2019 01:28 AM) I don't get how this is PINNED , when there is no source linked. There are only two charts linked. One chart dated 2017, one 2018. I'm not sure if this is current or valid information . It's hard to evaluate. There seems to be very little concern if f*cking garbage is promoted on LoP. I pointed this out hours ago. Which mod is asleep at the wheel? Look it up bit*h https://www.apnews.com/79c5f4d312c944d692ea2e82fc2ef1d1 Look it up bit*h LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 492457 03-10-2019 02:44 AM Post: #15 RE: DEA says overdose deaths reached record level LoP Guest Wrote: (03-10-2019 02:43 AM) RiskyRob Wrote: (03-10-2019 01:28 AM) I don't get how this is PINNED , when there is no source linked. There are only two charts linked. One chart dated 2017, one 2018. I'm not sure if this is current or valid information . It's hard to evaluate. There seems to be very little concern if f*cking garbage is promoted on LoP. I pointed this out hours ago. Which mod is asleep at the wheel? Look it up bit*h https://www.apnews.com/79c5f4d312c944d692ea2e82fc2ef1d1 It's dated from Nov 2017 It's dated from Nov 2017 Advertisement Back to Forum Reply to This post Post New Thread Franchising a business still ranks as the most popular growth strategies among aspiring investors. While regarded the safest choice, it is not without its challengesreasons that even the most prepared entrepreneurs or established brand enterprises need a thorough understanding and know-how of the trade. With todays industry ripe with existing and up-and-coming franchise investment concepts, starting out smartly is indeed a game-changing advantage for a business to prevail successfully, and sustainably. But how and in what ways can entrepreneurs begin wisely in franchising? How can they map out the best future for their businesses? Aspiring franchisors, newbie investors and start-up owners seeking to revitalize their existing businesses to maximize their expansion potential can seek the answers by learning these essential rudiments in the trade straight from the experts in a series of seminars presented by Francorp, the worldwide leader in franchise development and consulting, in cooperation with the Philippine Franchise Association on March 30 to 31, 2019 at the Franchise Asia 2019 at SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. Participants will learn how to grow their business using other peoples money, time and connection. See the step by step process of how to franchise a business, the latest and future industry trends, gainful tips and secrets from the biggest names in franchise today including evolving industry practices, systems and product innovations crucial to keep businesses moving forward. Designed by entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs to help grow their businesses wisely, this years seminar series focuses on various timely topics on franchising.For a franchise business to succeed, it has to have well-placed systems and a clear business plan. As for owners, on a personal level, they must have the maturity and the readiness to deal with any possible eventualities. Also, developing the right managerial skills and keeping abreast with the latest trends and future franchise concepts is crucial and is a strong indicator that predicts the business performance and longevity, said Noel Siggaoat, managing director of Francorp Philippines. He said these concerns could be best learned via a systematic and guided approach coming from professional franchise advisors/analysts. A globally-leading franchise development and consulting firm, Francorps reputation is built on years of solid experience and industry expertise. To date, Francorp has helped develop over 3,000 franchise businesses and assisted more than 10,000 companies worldwide in their franchise expansion. Headquartered in Chicago, Francorp has grown to 22 offices and hundreds of franchise consultants not only in the United States but also in South America, Asia, the Middle East and South Africa. Imagine: For the rest of your life, you are assigned no tasks at work. You can watch movies, read books, work on creative projects or just sleep. In fact, the only thing that you have to do is clock in and out every day. Since the position is permanent, youll never need to worry about getting another job again. Starting in 2026, this will be one lucky (or extremely bored) workers everyday reality, thanks to a government-funded conceptual art project in Gothenburg, Sweden. The employee in question will report to Korsvagen, a train station under construction in the city, and will receive a salary of about $2,320 a month in U.S. dollars, plus annual wage increases, vacation time off and a pension for retirement. While the artists behind the project wont be taking applications until 2025, when the station will be closer to opening, a draft of the help-wanted ad is already available online, as Atlas Obscura reported on Monday. The jobs requirements couldnt be simpler: An employee shows up to the train station each morning and punches the time clock. That, in turn, illuminates an extra bank of fluorescent lights over the platform, letting travelers and commuters know that the otherwise functionless employee is on the job. At the end of the day, the worker returns to clock out, and the lights go off. In between, they can do whatever they want, aside from work at another paying job. WorldRemit celebrates the contribution female OFWs as gender gap in digital remittance narrowed by almost 20 percent in five years. Leading online money transfer service WorldRemit, in celebration of the International Womens Day, revealed data showing that the gender gap for sending digital money transfers to the Philippines narrowed by almost 20 percent in five years. Filipinos living abroad sent home a record $33 billion (P1.72 trillion) in 2018, making the Philippines the third largest remittance receiving country in the globe. This makes up about 10 percent of the countrys GDP - the highest share in the region. The new WorldRemit research shows that the proportion of females sending digital money transfers to the Philippines via WorldRemit grew by 10 percent, compared to the global average of 7 percent.About 35 percent of WorldRemits customers sending to the Philippines are female, compared to 25 percent in 2014. Despite the global gender gap, female overseas workers from the Philippines send a greater share of remittances compared their male counterparts, and they rank education as the most important reason for sending remittances. Of the 10 million Filipinos currently working abroad, about 55 percent are now women with many living in countries such as the United States, Australia and New Zealand. Money sent from mothers, sisters and aunts living abroad helps millions of families in the Philippines pay for essential needs such as healthcare and education.Globally, women represent nearly half of all remittance senders and tend to send a higher proportion of their income despite earning less than men. Evidence suggests that, although female migrants tend to earn less than their male counterparts, they send a higher proportion of their income home more frequently. Digital money transfer companies are improving womens access to remittances and helping their money go further. WorldRemit enables the Filipino diaspora to send money home in a few taps from their phones without having the travel to an agent, lowering costs and increasing speed and convenience. Ensuring digital inclusion for financial services for Filipino women living at home and abroad is critically important, as we know that when women thrive, families, businesses and local economies thrive too, said Michael Liu, managing director for Asia-Pacific at WorldRemit. Our data shows that women play an increasingly vital role in development of the Philippines by sending money home to support education, cover healthcare costs, make investments, and more. At WorldRemit, were committed to simplifying that process, and making it faster, cheaper and easier to send and receive remittances, he said. WorldRemit customers complete over 1.3 million transfers every month from over 50 countries to over 145 destinations. There were a couple of places the Missus wanted to revisit during this trip to Paris. One of those was Pere Lachaise Cemetery. We were a bit overwhelmed during our previous visit and couldn't find a lot graves and sites we wanted to see. This time we were a lot more organized as we got to the Porte Gambetta entry to the cemetery. The first thing you past as you make your way up L'avenue des Combattants are the various war memorials. And you soon come to the Crematorium. The building is surrounded by tons of small niches; cubicles for the cremated. We spent some time wondering the courtyard and came across some really fascinating niches. I found the following really touching. "Toi et Moi" it simply says....."Me and You". There are some interesting niches in the structure. Must've been a Rolling Stones fan? Painter and Poet. And of course; the famous soprano Maria Callas. One could spend a good amount of time here. Many families have crypts for entire families. There are graves that look ancient ruins...... To the sweet and touching. Close by is this tomb. This is where Oscar Wilde is buried. It is one of the most visited tombs in Pere Lachaise; there's quite a story behind the build. It had become a tradition for women to put on lipstick and leave an imprint of a "kiss" on the tomb. It would be covered with thousands of kisses; the cleaning effort was causing damage to the stone; so they put up a plastic barrier around the tomb. Monument to national airline disasters. Gertrude Stein's grave. There's an entire area which memorializes the victims of Concentration Camps and the Nazi Resistance. Gaunt, haunting statues top the memorials with names like Dachau, Auschwitz, Buchenwald, Oranienburg and Sachsenhausen. The concentration camp at Ravensbruck was created specifically for women prisoners and was used from 1939 - 1945. I had never heard of this concentration camp until I saw the memorial. After which, I came home and looked it up. Of the over 130,000 women imprisoned during the period of 1939 - 1945; only 15,000 survived. My good friend Ale is a big fan of Edith Piaf; so I promised that I'd find her final resting place for her. Her daughter who died at the age of two is buried beside her. Bernard Verlhac might not be a name you recognize. He was one of the twelve people assassinated in the Charlie Hebdo shooting. Other famous gravesites. Moliere Chopin Colette I guess you're really famous when everyone knows you by just one name. I already took a photo of Jim Morrison's grave on my previous post; so while we walked by, I refrained. Though I couldn't help but take another photo of this one. We got back to the apartment in the 7th a bit pooped. It was a pretty damp and cold day. So, we decided to head up two blocks to Restaurant Dong Phat. Some pho sounded like just the thing. The menu is rather small; the seating tight, the two young ladies working fairly nice. The place was quite busy and it seemed like most of the folks really liked the shrimp chips????? The Missus went with the Pho Tai and I went with the Pho Sate. Man, these folks love their sauces....from the cup of Hoisin to the jar of chili sauce; folks on other tables were just dumping it into their soup. Also, notice that mint seems to be a standard herb for pho 'round these parts. This was a pretty small portion for over ten Euros. It was pretty weak and bland....no wonder folks were dumping all of that stuff into their pho. Just a few slices of rare beef; decent fat, but on the tough side and very squeaky beef balls. The Banh Pho used were really wide and undercooked. The Missus fared no better with her cloudy, bland, beef ball filled bowl. I'd read good things about this place and with the history of the French in Vietnam, I thought that would be one cuisine that would be excellent in Paris. Well, this made it "oh-for-one". Dong Phat 10 rue Malar 75007 Paris, France Well, at least I was fairly certain dinner was going to be good..... Thanks for stopping by! Easy Franchise co-founder Jose Magsaysay Jr. (From Easy Franchise Facebook page) Easy Franchise, a tech-enabled platform, is looking at matching as many as 1,000 franchisors with investors in 2019, the first year of its operations. EasyFranchise.com co-founder and Potato Corner owner and chief executive Jose Magsaysay Jr. said the platform, which is open to both local and foreign companies, targets to have about 2,000 small, micro and medium enterprises on its site by year-end. There is a huge opportunity for technology to be used to grow the franchise industry. Several other sectors such as transport and energy have seen huge growth and development by introducing disruption through technology. Through Easy Franchise, we hope to support the whole industry in reaching its goal of moving past the P1.3-trillion mark in 2020, he said.By incorporating technology to connect franchise investors and franchisors, Easy Franchise is linking the franchise market to the world through its innovative platform that simplifies the daunting tasks related to franchise buying up to management and business growth. The company will generate revenues from ads within the platform and from priority listing, as well. Were actually targeting the OFW segment, wherein most are absentee owners and investors who leave their franchises to relatives or friends who are not well-equipped in managing a business, thus, the business goes under, he said.He said the platform will allow investors to choose from a roster of franchising companies. Investors are guaranteed that a professional team will provide management support to their franchise. Easy Franchise was developed by a team of franchisors and technology experts to provide a comprehensive franchise investing experience to franchise buyers and investors, as well as to connect franchisors to would-be entrepreneurs. Driven by technology, Easy Franchise provides all franchising benefits, while simplifying tasks for franchise investors by eliminating processes such as researching the legitimacy of franchise systems, their support features, prices and brand equity. It provides services such as franchise directory, a location-based search engine, and a franchise matching feature, which creates a matchmaking algorithm that combines the strengths and taste of the franchise investor to a franchise system. Aside from providing support, Easy Franchise also allows franchise investors to leverage on technology to monitor their businesses through an in-site digital dashboard, which also houses features that help simplify tasks related to managing the business. Its always fun to feel the rush of getting an incredible deal on something you already planned to buy. These readers recently wrote to me to share their great deals, but each one of them also wondered: Was my deal too good? Dear Jill, I spotted a deal in the store and am wondering what you would have done. We have a grandbaby on the way, and I have been looking for diaper deals. My store had name-brand diapers on clearance marked down to $2.49. The package says $3 coupon inside. I bought the diapers, took the package to the car, and indeed there was a $3 coupon inside for more of the same diapers. I took that coupon, walked back in the store, and bought another package of diapers. This one was free with the coupon. Im sure you can guess what I kept on doing. I am retired, so I have all the time in the world. One at a time I bought all six packages of those clearance diapers. All were free with the coupons except for the first package. Now I still have one $3 coupon remaining. My daughter-in-law was so excited about all the diapers for baby. However, I wonder if I did anything wrong. What do you think? I would like to add that these diapers all had Christmas designs on them and that is why I believe they were on clearance. Maris W. When my own children were in diapers, I used to celebrate every time I would find an incredible deal on them and you certainly did! Im sure the manufacturer didnt anticipate the diapers going on clearance for a price lower than the value of the coupons inside the package, but you got an amazing deal. No, there is nothing wrong with what you did. (Now, if youd opened the diapers in-store to remove the coupons before purchasing them, that would have been wrong.) Its not uncommon at all for stores to place seasonal items at low clearance prices to close them out and reclaim shelf space for other items. You happened to be in the right place to get this great deal and were willing to take the time to repeat it over and over to stock up at the lowest possible price. Dear Jill, A national chain drugstore put a lot of cosmetics on clearance. Its right by my house, so when I saw all the sale tags in the aisle, I took photos of each product and its price. I went home and looked up the coupons I had for these products. I cut them out and went back to the store. Im almost embarrassed about how much I bought. I am sharing my bounty with my daughters, because I had enough coupons for free nail polishes, lipsticks, face powders, eyeshadows and eyeliners. Many of these things were on clearance for $1 or less, and I had multiple coupons for $1 off or higher value for all of these different brands. I brought a shopping bag worth of cosmetics for less than $2, which was mainly tax. Do you think I bought too much? Sherry H. One persons definition of too much is going to differ from someone elses. Ive always viewed clearance sales as all bets are off situations. The store is reducing inventory on products, whether theyre seasonal or will no longer be carried at that store. The manufacturer may have discontinued certain colors or formulas of these cosmetics; or, they may have been reaching their best by dates. Whatever the reason, the store had already marked the makeup down to $1. Is there any difference whether you came in and bought a dozen items at $1 each, or if you used a dozen $1 coupons for your various items? Realistically, there is no difference. The store still receives $1 per item, as they will be reimbursed for each coupon used by the various cosmetics manufacturers. The store also regains this rack space to showcase new items. Its a win-win! Email your own couponing victories and questions to jill@supercouponing.com. An eight-year-old program in which some St. Helena students spend two years in a row with the same teacher could soon be eliminated. Based on trends in student achievement data, Superintendent Marylou Wilson is recommending that the school board discontinue looping in grades 1-2 and 4-5, starting in the 2019-2020 school year. After an initial discussion in February, trustees could take action on Wilsons recommendation at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 14, at Vintage Hall. I dont have anything against looping, Wilson said. It has a lot of benefits. This isnt about looping is bad. Its about whats best and right for our district today. The St. Helena Unified School District introduced looping for grades 1-2 and 4-5 in 2011 after eliminating a three-track K-5 system that offered the Multi-Age Program (MAP), Spanish Dual Immersion, or traditional classes. Looping has advantages and disadvantages. On the plus side, students who have the same teacher and classmates for two years in a row gain a sense of stability and dont have to acclimate to a new teacher during the second loop year. Looping teachers have more time to build relationships with students and observe their needs and learning styles. On the other hand, critics say students and teachers can get a little too comfortable together, making students less adaptable and resilient. Looping can also prolong negative experiences for students who dont mesh with their teacher or classmates. Wilson said another disadvantage of looping is that it requires teachers to master subject matter for two different grade levels. Between math, science, English language arts, English language development and social sciences, thats 10 separate curricula that have to be mastered by teachers who loop between fourth and fifth grade. Wilson said the reevaluation of looping grew out of a board study session on academic achievement, followed by discussions involving principals and teachers. The district met with parents on March 6 to discuss Wilsons recommendation and collect feedback. Wilson pointed out test scores showing that the percentage of students proficient in math and English language arts declined as students progressed through third, fourth, fifth and sixth grades. Wilson said she cant directly blame the lackluster performance on looping, but I cant live with this, and I have to ask staff to look at this and make recommendations around what we can do. Wilson said about 80 percent of teachers at the TK-5 level favor eliminating looping, based on her conversations with Brandon Farrell, president of the St. Helena Teachers Association. (Farrell declined to comment.) But the program does have some strong supporters. Theres some angst, Wilson said. Were not going to make everybody happy on this one. 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. 19852018 Jennifer K Gonzales Shushereba and her unborn child died on March 9, 2018. She was 32 years old. She is survived by her husband T.J. Shushereba; her parents, Mike and Kathy Gonzales; her brothers and sister-in-law, Steve Gonzales, Tim Gonzales and Lisa Paulson, and Greg Gonzales; T.J.s parents, Ted and Deb Shushereba; her grandparents, Jerry and Rosemary Kirrene and Myra Gonzales; a large extended family; and a plethora of friends. They all adored her. Known for her big heart, sharp intelligence, and keen wit, Jennifer grew up in Sacramento and Mountain View. A graduate of St. Francis High School where she enjoyed participating in many theater productions, she went on to receive a B.A. in Psychology from Loyola Marymount University. As part of her undergraduate studies, she spent a year abroad in Florence, Italy, where she indulged two of her favorite pastimes: eating and travel. She would continue to explore Europe and North Africa, including climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. After graduation, Jenn decided to help others by becoming a psychologist. She focused her efforts on serving veterans with PTSD because she was moved by their desire and commitment to getting better. She received her Psy.D. from the PGSP-Stanford Consortium at Palo Alto University, completed a predoctoral internship at the Iowa City VA Medical Center, as well as a postdoctoral fellowship at the Santa Rosa VA Clinic. She then became the clinical coordinator of the VA VITAL Program at the Palo Alto VA Health Care System before going on to work as a clinical psychologist with the San Francisco VA Health Care Systems Student Veterans Health Program. There she provided care and support to post-9/11 veterans at the Pathway Home in Yountville and for student veterans at Napa Valley College. Shortly after returning to Northern California from Iowa City in 2013, Jenn met T.J. the love of her life on the dating website Match.com. After being #domesticatedandhappy for four amazing years, they married on March 18, 2017. Together they loved to cook each other simple but delicious meals, enjoyed cozy time on Walter (their couch), and listened to music and slow-danced the night away. She became pregnant later in 2017, and their daughter, Cecilia Rose, was due in June 2018. A few more remarkable things about Jenn: She visited all 50 states by the time she was 30 and she spent a week each summer camping with family in the El Dorado National Forest. Most Saturdays she would visit with her grandmother who has Alzheimers disease, and they would often play the ukulele together. During the Napa fires last year, she volunteered with the Red Cross going from shelter to shelter looking for veterans to help. Jennifer loved books, movies, TV, and musicals. She often requested Thanksgiving dinner for her birthday meal in July, and her family and friends happily obliged. Jennifer was an extraordinary person who embiggened the lives of others. Her absence will always be felt, and she is profoundly missed. To help her incredible work with veterans continue, donations can be made in her honor to the Heart and Armor Foundation (https://www.heartandarmor.org/jenn) For years, I tried to convince my uncle to stop smoking. I watched as he lost one tooth after another from tobacco-related oral health disease. Hed tell me to stop worrying, that he was not one of the people who would get sick from smoking. In time, he needed urgent open-heart surgery and a valve replacement, spent a month in the hospital recovering, and finally stopped smoking. He became a better statistic a former California smoker who finally quit and returned to good health. His story is one example of the power of nicotine addiction. As a general surgeon, Ive seen others struggle to quit. I worry many more are being addicted today by a different delivery system, e-cigarettes. Theres an unprecedented epidemic of vaping among teenagers, as recognized by U.S. Food & Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb and U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams. The federal government is moving to limit the sale of flavored vaping liquids in convenience stores nationally. My concern was heightened when the company that brought America the Marlboro Man bought a 35 percent stake in the leading vaping company. First, a little history: In October 2018, Altria, the worlds largest cigarette maker and a source of tobacco-related health harm worldwide, announced it was alarmed by the epidemic of youth e-cigarette use, and would end sales of its e-cigarette product, Mark Ten. It claimed it did not want contribute to the issue. Two months later, Altria made a hedge bet by investing nearly $13 billion in Juul, the market leader in vaping products. In exchange, Altria secured a 35 percent stake in Juul and seats on Juuls board of directors. This deal enables Altria to profit regardless of whether combustible or electronic cigarettes ultimately dominate the nicotine delivery market. It also allows Juul to expand its market share. Now, shelf space reserved for Altrias Mark Ten product is available for Juul. Altria also can offer Juul global distribution, not to mention its lobbying and legal expertise in dealing with FDA regulators. Altria members on Juul board of directors have a commitment to shareholders. That will present a conflict of interest in discussions of the necessary research into Juuls safety that might impact future combustible cigarette sales. It must have been a rude awakening for the Juul employees, some of whom had begun their careers in tobacco control. They joined the firm to research solutions to end the smoking epidemic, and not to be part of Big Tobacco. After Altria swooped in, Juul paid $2 billion in bonuses to its employees to persuade them not to leave the company. In 1998, Altrias Philip Morris signed on to the Tobacco Master Settlement requiring tobacco companies to pay states more than $200 billion to help cover the cost of tobacco-related disease. California was a party to that suit. Two decades later, smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death and disability in America and worldwide. Public health experts understand that its a short step from vaping to smoking. Thats why we must act before e-cigarettes hook the next generation to nicotine. California Attorney General Xavier Becerra should work with the Federal Trade Commission, the US Surgeon General, and the Food and Drug Administration to ensure the Juul-Altria partnership complies with all existing laws, and work to end the vaping epidemic among teenagers. The health of a future generation depends on it. Dr. John Maa is a general surgeon in San Francisco. He wrote this commentary for CALmatters, a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how Californias Capitol works and why it matters. Armenia parliament to convene special session on December 15 MOD: Azerbaijan army opened fire on Armenia positions late Wednesday night Newspaper: Number of deaths in Armenia rise sharply this year Newspaper: Armenia PM asks for political, propaganda support from extra-parliamentary political forces Meta plans to fully reopen its US offices in January Armenia MOD: Soldier wounded from shot fired by fellow serviceman Raisi, Erdogan discuss cooperation in many fields Armenia's Pashinyan blames parliamentary opposition for delivering Nagorno-Karabakh, threatens to present evidence Armenia PM: Even today I am ready to deliver my son in exchange of Armenian POWs Armenia Parliament Speaker: We haven't stopped and won't stop efforts for our boys to return safe and sound Opposition 'Armenia' faction: All statements made in parliament need to be explored and investigated comprehensively Armenia PM: Mutual understanding was reached during meeting with Russian and Azerbaijani presidents in Sochi Frank Pallone: Azerbaijan continues to threaten Armenia's safety and sovereignty Karabakh Ombudsman: 21-year-old resident of Martuni region was subjected to violence by Azerbaijanis Armenia PM: Several circumstances behind loss of Karabakh's Khtsaberd and Hin Tagher contain state secret Nikol Pashinyan: Armenia will have railway communication with Iran and Russia via Azerbaijan's territory Lavrov underscores need to launch demarcation of Armenian-Azerbaijani border during talk with Mirzoyan PM: Armenia will participate in initial meeting in '3+3' format Joe Biden: Putting American troops on the ground in Ukraine is 'not on the table' Armenia PM: Final status of Nagorno-Karabakh doesn't imply its independence Assistants to deputies of opposition 'Armenia' parliamentary faction summoned to National Security Service Armenia Parliament Speaker's meeting with relatives of Armenian POWs and missing servicemen is over Armenia, Russia FMs discuss Karabakh issue, November 26 agreements and '3+3' format Armenia's Pashinyan rules out possibility of provision of corridor to Baku through Armenian territory Putin says Iran's President might pay visit to Russia Armenia Parliament Speaker in meeting with relatives of Armenian POWs and missing servicemen Armenia Parliament Speaker to move to governmental mansion in Yerevan district soon Armenia MOD has new General Secretary Armenia MOD: Azerbaijani army fires at water truck of Armenian military unit in border's southeastern direction NEWS.am daily digest: 08.12.21 Armenia MOD refutes Azerbaijan's statement that Armenian side fired at Azerbaijani army Armenia PM refutes opposition MP's statement that government is implementing verbal agreements Armenia President travels to Qatar ARARAT Museum initiated an inclusive project #FeelwithYourHeart (PHOTOS) Armenia opposition MP asks finance minister about operation of Amulsar gold mine Minister briefs UK envoy on details of justice sector digitalization Armenia opposition new MP is sitting with her back to parliament sessions hall Armenia MFA draws OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanships attention to UN International Court of Justice orders Dollar continues to rise steadily in Armenia Armenia frontline furnishing in progress (PHOTOS) 10 captives who were returned to Armenia from Azerbaijan 4 days ago are questioned Elnur Mammadov: Azerbaijan to file two lawsuits against Armenia in 2022 Azerbaijani MFA: Yerevan transmitted mine maps to Azerbaijan 3 days before ICJ's decision Iran is ready to connect electric networks to Azerbaijan and Russia Armenia parliament holding secret ballot for election of Audit Chamber member Yerevan law enforcement manages to reopen Marshal Baghramyan Avenue Russia Prosecutor General congratulates Armenian counterpart on his birthday Armenia revenue committee chief meets Iran customs service head at Meghri border checkpoint Yerevan police apprehending protesters who are blocking Marshal Baghramyan Avenue Parents of missing and captured Armenian servicemen shut down road near parliament (LIVE) Azerbaijan, Turkey FMs discuss 3+3 cooperation platform with participation of other regional countries Attachment imposed on Armenia ex-defense minister Ohanyan, ex-President Sargsyan's former security chiefs properties Film about Artsakh is submitted for competition at Golden Globe Awards US congressmen approve about $ 770 billion draft defense budget for 2022 Russia reports 30,752 new COVID-19 cases Chile parliament approves same-sex marriage bill 168.am: Border demarcation, delimitation commission members arrive in Armenia on board Russia MOD plane Joint statement: Armenia officials statements on captives pose obstacles to human rights activities Armenia parliament continues 2022 draft state budget debates Copper price remains almost unchanged 1 more person dies of coronavirus in Artsakh Legislature adopts amendments to law on Armenia citizenship Armenia National Assembly passes bill on amendments, addenda to Civil Code 410 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Armenia ombudsman in Paris, speaks about Azerbaijan genocidal policy after recent war (PHOTOS) World oil prices falling Armenia FM to head for Paris Missing, captured soldiers families spend night at Armenia legislature entrance Karabakh President stresses role of Russia peacekeeping mission Newspaper: Who is accountable for Armenia losing at International Court of Justice? Armenia PM sending delegation to Paris Police bring in forces near Armenia parliament building Newspaper: Armenia ruling partys plan works against it in local elections OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries FMs issue statement on Karabakh conflict Putin, Biden task to continue Russia-US dialogue on Ukraine NEWS.am daily digest: 07.12.21 Kazakhstan First President notes Russias role in resolving Karabakh conflict Armenia opposition MP: We are launching legal process of National Assembly speaker's resignation Fight occurs in Armenia legislature Armenia legislature deputy speaker from opposition: We are at preparatory phase for rallies Armenia parliament speaker claims video with his remarks on captive Armenian soldiers was edited MFA: Armenia urges Azerbaijan to refrain from provocative rhetoric and actions Legislature speaker: Criminal case will be launched against Armenian soldiers who laid down their weapons, surrendered 4 more die of coronavirus in Artsakh Dejavu: Parliament speaker says Armenian captive soldiers no longer exist for him National Assembly holding urgent discussion on Armenian POWs in Azerbaijan Armenia legislature majority blocks opposition draft statement on border delimitation Armenia ex-defense minister on border delimitation: Authorities say 'we negotiate whatever we want' US embassy of Armenia on local elections: We note reports of pressure against opposition candidates Ombudsman in Paris, briefs France colleague on Armenian captives in, war crimes of Azerbaijan Opposition Armenia Faction plans to launch urgent parliamentary debates on POWs in Azerbaijan Karabakh President pays tribute to 1988 Spitak earthquake victims Pentagon discusses situation on Russia-Ukraine border 240 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia US Air Force plans to develop 2 new secret combat drones Wreath laid in Gyumri on behalf of Armenia ex-President Kocharyan Ombudsman provides details from Azerbaijan shooting at Karmir Shuka village of Artsakh Armenia parliament session kicks off with minute of silence Newspaper: As always Armenia citizens chose individuals over ideas in elections Armenia remembers victims of 1988 earthquake Holding of large-scale military exercises in Azerbaijan once again proves that we are dealing with a fascist country, Spokesperson for the Artsakh Republic president Davit Babayan told Armenian News - NEWS.am, noting that the press secretary of the Armenian Defense Ministry Artsrun Hovhannisyan gave a detailed assessment of the announced exercises of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces. According to Babayan, over the past period, indeed, there has been a drop in tension on the contact line between the Artsakh and Azerbaijan armed forces. Yes, this is a fact, but we must review the situation not only from this point of view," Babayab said, noting that it is necessary to examine how many military exercises Azerbaijan held in 2018." Artsakh and Armenia are naturally the target of the announced large-scale exercises. That is, we are really dealing with a fascist and Nazi country, which did not abandon its perfidious, inhuman plans. We are not going to be scared, we will continue to develop and strengthen our country, increase the combat capability of our army, and conduct correct geopolitics. This is the key to resisting such aggression, Babayan said. From 11 to 15 March 2019, Azerbaijans army is planning large-scale military drills of an offensive nature. However, within the scope of the document signed in Vienna, the participating countries have not been notified about this. Spokesman of the Ministry of Defense Artsrun Hovhannisyan has issued a statement on this on his Facebook page, assuming that the military drills have been organized in the context of the Pashinyan-Aliyev meeting and is an attempt for pressure. The Metro Manila Development Authority has apprehended a total of 85,637 vehicles since it implemented the intensified campaign against illegal parking in the metropolis last year. Records from the MMDA Traffic Discipline Office also showed that 22,591 of the total apprehended vehicles in 2018 were impounded aside from fines slapped against the owners. As of January this year, the MMDA was also able to apprehend more than 7,900 vehicles, 2,846 of which were caught illegally parked unattended on major streets. Sixty of those apprehended were impounded. The agency started last month enforcing a new policy increasing fines for illegal parking in the National Capital Region. On the first day, more than 60 vehicles were apprehended in simultaneous operations along F.B. Harrison Street, Taft Avenue and Gil Puyat Avenue, all in Pasay City; Quirino Highway, Roxas Boulevard, T.M. Kalaw in Manila, and in the areas of Baclaran in Paranaque City. MMDA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Pircelyn Pialago said the Metro Manila Council, the agencys governing board and policy-making body, made the decision to increase the penalty to further free all obstructions along main roads, especially during rush hours from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. She said the penalty for illegal parking for attended vehicles was raised to P1,000 from the previous P200; fine for illegal parking for unattended vehicles was increased to P2,000 from P500; fine for obstructing the road was increased to P1,000 from P150; and fine for yellow lane violation was increased to P1,000. Apprehended vehicle owners will be fined for illegal parking plus obstruction, twice a day for the same violations. The MMDA formed two groupsTask Force Alpha and Task Force Bravo to operate against illegaly-parked vehicles.MMDA general manager Jose Arturo Garcia Jr. said the government is hoping that through this campaign, it will be able to change the selfish behavior of most of these irresponsible drivers and individuals violating traffic rules. Areas where parking are prohibited: All national roads in Metro Manila; Primary and secondary roads of cities and municipalities in Metro Manila that are: Within six (6) meters of any intersection or curved lane; Within four (4) meters of driveways or entrances to any fire station, hospital, clinic and other similar establishment; Within four (4) meters of fire hydrants; on roadsides of any legally parked vehicle; On pedestrian crosswalks; In front of any authorized driveway; On the sidewalks, paths and alleys not intended for parking; At the foot or near bridges; at any place where official signs have been erected prohibiting parking and/or declared No Parking Zone by the MMDA such as the Mabuhay Lane, and other areas duly declared as No Parking Zone provided by law or ordinances. MMDA data showed that at least 45,236 vehicles were apprehended for illegal parking in 2017. President Rodrigo Duterte said he want all roads in the countrys biggest cities cleared of all illegally-parked vehicles to ensure a smooth flow of traffic in the metropolis. The governments road and bridge projects will mean nothing if they will remain filled by illegally parked vehicles and other obstructions, said the President. Duterte directed the MMDA and local government units to immediately clear the roads and major thoroughfares of all unnecessary obstruction including vehicles parked on the street. He said he is planning to have a golden age of infrastructure under his term with big-ticket projects such as roads, airports, and bridges. Turkey MFA: First meeting of 3+3 format on South Caucasus to be held Friday, Armenia will also participate Armenia parliament to convene special session on December 15 MOD: Azerbaijan army opened fire on Armenia positions late Wednesday night Newspaper: Number of deaths in Armenia rise sharply this year Newspaper: Armenia PM asks for political, propaganda support from extra-parliamentary political forces Meta plans to fully reopen its US offices in January Armenia MOD: Soldier wounded from shot fired by fellow serviceman Raisi, Erdogan discuss cooperation in many fields Armenia's Pashinyan blames parliamentary opposition for delivering Nagorno-Karabakh, threatens to present evidence Armenia PM: Even today I am ready to deliver my son in exchange of Armenian POWs Armenia Parliament Speaker: We haven't stopped and won't stop efforts for our boys to return safe and sound Opposition 'Armenia' faction: All statements made in parliament need to be explored and investigated comprehensively Armenia PM: Mutual understanding was reached during meeting with Russian and Azerbaijani presidents in Sochi Frank Pallone: Azerbaijan continues to threaten Armenia's safety and sovereignty Karabakh Ombudsman: 21-year-old resident of Martuni region was subjected to violence by Azerbaijanis Armenia PM: Several circumstances behind loss of Karabakh's Khtsaberd and Hin Tagher contain state secret Nikol Pashinyan: Armenia will have railway communication with Iran and Russia via Azerbaijan's territory Lavrov underscores need to launch demarcation of Armenian-Azerbaijani border during talk with Mirzoyan PM: Armenia will participate in initial meeting in '3+3' format Joe Biden: Putting American troops on the ground in Ukraine is 'not on the table' Armenia PM: Final status of Nagorno-Karabakh doesn't imply its independence Assistants to deputies of opposition 'Armenia' parliamentary faction summoned to National Security Service Armenia Parliament Speaker's meeting with relatives of Armenian POWs and missing servicemen is over Armenia, Russia FMs discuss Karabakh issue, November 26 agreements and '3+3' format Armenia's Pashinyan rules out possibility of provision of corridor to Baku through Armenian territory Putin says Iran's President might pay visit to Russia Armenia Parliament Speaker in meeting with relatives of Armenian POWs and missing servicemen Armenia Parliament Speaker to move to governmental mansion in Yerevan district soon Armenia MOD has new General Secretary Armenia MOD: Azerbaijani army fires at water truck of Armenian military unit in border's southeastern direction NEWS.am daily digest: 08.12.21 Armenia MOD refutes Azerbaijan's statement that Armenian side fired at Azerbaijani army Armenia PM refutes opposition MP's statement that government is implementing verbal agreements Armenia President travels to Qatar ARARAT Museum initiated an inclusive project #FeelwithYourHeart (PHOTOS) Armenia opposition MP asks finance minister about operation of Amulsar gold mine Minister briefs UK envoy on details of justice sector digitalization Armenia opposition new MP is sitting with her back to parliament sessions hall Armenia MFA draws OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanships attention to UN International Court of Justice orders Dollar continues to rise steadily in Armenia Armenia frontline furnishing in progress (PHOTOS) 10 captives who were returned to Armenia from Azerbaijan 4 days ago are questioned Elnur Mammadov: Azerbaijan to file two lawsuits against Armenia in 2022 Azerbaijani MFA: Yerevan transmitted mine maps to Azerbaijan 3 days before ICJ's decision Iran is ready to connect electric networks to Azerbaijan and Russia Armenia parliament holding secret ballot for election of Audit Chamber member Yerevan law enforcement manages to reopen Marshal Baghramyan Avenue Russia Prosecutor General congratulates Armenian counterpart on his birthday Armenia revenue committee chief meets Iran customs service head at Meghri border checkpoint Yerevan police apprehending protesters who are blocking Marshal Baghramyan Avenue Parents of missing and captured Armenian servicemen shut down road near parliament (LIVE) Azerbaijan, Turkey FMs discuss 3+3 cooperation platform with participation of other regional countries Attachment imposed on Armenia ex-defense minister Ohanyan, ex-President Sargsyan's former security chiefs properties Film about Artsakh is submitted for competition at Golden Globe Awards US congressmen approve about $ 770 billion draft defense budget for 2022 Russia reports 30,752 new COVID-19 cases Chile parliament approves same-sex marriage bill 168.am: Border demarcation, delimitation commission members arrive in Armenia on board Russia MOD plane Joint statement: Armenia officials statements on captives pose obstacles to human rights activities Armenia parliament continues 2022 draft state budget debates Copper price remains almost unchanged 1 more person dies of coronavirus in Artsakh Legislature adopts amendments to law on Armenia citizenship Armenia National Assembly passes bill on amendments, addenda to Civil Code 410 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Armenia ombudsman in Paris, speaks about Azerbaijan genocidal policy after recent war (PHOTOS) World oil prices falling Armenia FM to head for Paris Missing, captured soldiers families spend night at Armenia legislature entrance Karabakh President stresses role of Russia peacekeeping mission Newspaper: Who is accountable for Armenia losing at International Court of Justice? Armenia PM sending delegation to Paris Police bring in forces near Armenia parliament building Newspaper: Armenia ruling partys plan works against it in local elections OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries FMs issue statement on Karabakh conflict Putin, Biden task to continue Russia-US dialogue on Ukraine NEWS.am daily digest: 07.12.21 Kazakhstan First President notes Russias role in resolving Karabakh conflict Armenia opposition MP: We are launching legal process of National Assembly speaker's resignation Fight occurs in Armenia legislature Armenia legislature deputy speaker from opposition: We are at preparatory phase for rallies Armenia parliament speaker claims video with his remarks on captive Armenian soldiers was edited MFA: Armenia urges Azerbaijan to refrain from provocative rhetoric and actions Legislature speaker: Criminal case will be launched against Armenian soldiers who laid down their weapons, surrendered 4 more die of coronavirus in Artsakh Dejavu: Parliament speaker says Armenian captive soldiers no longer exist for him National Assembly holding urgent discussion on Armenian POWs in Azerbaijan Armenia legislature majority blocks opposition draft statement on border delimitation Armenia ex-defense minister on border delimitation: Authorities say 'we negotiate whatever we want' US embassy of Armenia on local elections: We note reports of pressure against opposition candidates Ombudsman in Paris, briefs France colleague on Armenian captives in, war crimes of Azerbaijan Opposition Armenia Faction plans to launch urgent parliamentary debates on POWs in Azerbaijan Karabakh President pays tribute to 1988 Spitak earthquake victims Pentagon discusses situation on Russia-Ukraine border 240 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia US Air Force plans to develop 2 new secret combat drones Wreath laid in Gyumri on behalf of Armenia ex-President Kocharyan Ombudsman provides details from Azerbaijan shooting at Karmir Shuka village of Artsakh Armenia parliament session kicks off with minute of silence Newspaper: As always Armenia citizens chose individuals over ideas in elections Chinese authorities may abandon the idea of US-Chinese summit until the countries reach a final deal on trade issues, The Wall Street Journal reported. The Chinese authorities refuse to give commitments to hold a meeting until an agreement is reached between the parties. Until last week, the parties were close to agreeing on a draft version of the agreement, but later this process was affected by the unsuccessful meeting of Donald Trump with Kim Jong-un. Beijing fears that during possible talks pressure will be put on Xi Jinping, while in China they want the summit to be a signing ceremony for a trade agreement. According to US Ambassador to China Terry Branstad, there is still no agreement on a mechanism that will monitor compliance with the final agreement. Twelve of the 17 collection districts surpassed their respective revenue targets in February, contributing to the P44.4-billion overall collection of the Bureau of Customs. Documents from the Customs Finance Service Office also showed that the agencys tax collection is 1.6 percent or P698 million higher compared to the P43.7-billion collection in the same period last year. Revenue collection was up in the Port of Manila which collected P6.5 billion, more than P5 million against its target. The port managed to continue its operations and surpass the target for the month despite the fire incident that destroyed an estimated P50 million worth of government systems and facility. Come hell or high water, not even a conflagration can stop us from raising Port of Manila from the ashes through sheer will power of someone who refuses to be disheartened and daunted by challenges no matter how insurmountable the odds may seem, said lawyer Rhea Gregorio, PoM district collector. The Port of Manila is the bureaus third largest collection district. Strong performances last month also allowed the ports of Cagayan de Oro, Subic, Davao, Batangas, Surigao, Zamboanga, Limay, Legazpi, Tacloban, Aparri and San Fernando to hit their revenue targets. Cagayan de Oro collected P2.2 billion; San Fernando, P377 million; Batangas, P11.3 billion; Legazpi, P80 million; Tacloban, P111 million; Surigao, P2 million; Zamboanga, P58 million; Davao, P2.3 billion; Subic, P2.2 billion; Aparri, P35 million and Limay, P2.3 billion. The Manila International Container Port, Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Port of Iloilo, Port of Cebu, and Port of Clark, although they missed their collection target for February, also contributed to the collection performance of the bureau. The bureaus initial total accrued revenue from January to February 2019 has reached P92.793 billion, exceeding the P92.329 billion target by 0.5 percent or a revenue surplus of P464 million.The agencys revenue collection performance is the result of the correct valuation and tariff classification being implemented in all ports. Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero commended the men and women of the agency for their shared efforts and commitment to realize its mandate. Meanwhile, Port of Manila officials declared that the port is no longer congested, saying the yard utilization level in the south harbor was down to 64 percent as of Feb. 4. At present, the number of laden containers piled up at Manila South Harbor stood at 78 percent while empty containers were only occupying 47 percent of the yard. This represents a 34 percent drop from January 3, when the port recorded a high yard utilization rate at 98 percent and the number of laden and empty containers was at 100 percent and 93 percent, respectively. The Port of Manila, in partnership with its stakeholders and Asian Terminal Inc., has implemented measures to address the problem of high yard utilization at the port. ATI operates the Manila South Harbor. Authorized personnel conducted inventory of empty containers at the ATI yard by virtue of the letter of authority issued by Commissioner Guerrero while overstaying empty containers were issued demand letters and Decrees of Abandonment. This was followed by PoM shipping out overstaying laden containers to the ATI yard in Sta. Clara, Batangas to free up space inside the port. PoM strictly monitors the return and load out of empty containers. Moreover, monitoring at the south harbor showed a decline on the number of vessels at queue from as high as 21 vessels to only six vessels as of March 5. OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs issued a statement on the upcoming meeting between Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev. In their March 1 statement, the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group (Igor Popov of the Russian Federation, Stephane Visconti of France and Andrew Schofer of the United States of America) welcomed the commitment of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to meet soon under the auspices of the Co-Chairs. The Co-Chairs, working closely with the two foreign ministers, have been making preparations for this important leaders meeting, which will be the first direct contact between the two leaders conducted under Co-Chair auspices. The Co-Chairs underline the importance of maintaining an environment conducive to productive discussions and continue to assess positively the recent lack of casualties on the front lines. The Co-Chairs also welcome some initial steps being taken in the region to prepare the populations for peace and encourage the sides to intensify such efforts. At the same time, the Co-Chairs reiterate the critical importance of reducing tensions and minimizing inflammatory rhetoric. In this context, the Co-Chairs urge the sides to refrain from statements and actions suggesting significant changes to the situation on the ground, prejudging the outcome of or setting conditions for future talks, demanding unilateral changes to the format without agreement of the other party, or indicating readiness to renew active hostilities. With reference to some contradictory recent public statements on the substance of the Minsk Group process, the Co-Chairs reiterate that a fair and lasting settlement must be based on the core principles of the Helsinki Final Act, including in particular the non-use or threat of force, territorial integrity, and the equal rights and self-determination of peoples. It also should embrace additional elements as proposed by the Presidents of the Co-Chair countries in 2009-2012, including: return of the territories surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh to Azerbaijani control; an interim status for Nagorno-Karabakh providing guarantees for security and self-governance; a corridor linking Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh; future determination of the final legal status of Nagorno-Karabakh through a legally binding expression of will; the right of all internally displaced persons and refugees to return to their former places of residence; and international security guarantees that would include a peacekeeping operation. The Co-Chairs stress their view that these principles and elements must be the foundation of any fair and lasting settlement to the conflict and should be conceived as an integrated whole. Any attempt to put some principles or elements over others would make it impossible to achieve a balanced solution. The Co-Chairs are prepared to meet with the leaders and foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan at any time, and call on the leaders to resume negotiations in good faith at the earliest opportunity. Continuous and direct dialogue between Baku and Yerevan conducted under the auspices of the Co-Chairs remains an essential element in building confidence and advancing the peace process. The Co-Chairs will also continue to discuss, as appropriate, relevant issues with the interested parties directly affected by the conflict, recognizing that their views and concerns must be taken into account for any negotiated solution to succeed. The Co-Chairs stress that they remain fully committed, in accordance with their mandate, to helping the sides find a peaceful solution to the conflict. The Co-Chairs also express their full support for the impartial and critical monitoring work undertaken by the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and his team. YEREVAN. The maximalist and nonconstructive statements by Baku are reprehensible, noted Anna Naghdalyan, spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Armenia, in a statement. Naghdalyan stated that Azerbaijans declarations regarding the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) conflict have noticeably become tougher in recent times. As per the Armenian MFA representative, the use of force or threat of force, resolving the matter by military means, and maximalist and non-constructive statements are more stressed in those declarations, and this is reprehensible. Naghdalyan added that this very point is reflected also in the latest statement by the co-chairs of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group. The MFA spokesperson added that numerous constructive statements from the Armenian side remain unanswered from the Azerbaijani side. Furthermore, as per Naghdalyan, amid a statement on a meeting between the leaders of the countries, Azerbaijan is launching offensive military exercises which, contrary to international obligations, have not been notified. The Armenian MFA spokesperson added that Baku threatens to prepare its society for another way of resolving the matter, and not for peace. She noted that Armenia has repeatedly stated that it does not accept such approaches. Naghdalyan stressed that Armenia has always voiced its commitment and has supported the Karabakh conflicts solely peaceful settlement under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs, and in which Armenias priorities are Artsakhs security and status. In conclusion of her statement, Anna Naghdalyan noted that formation of a climate of peace, and the introduction of mechanisms for reduction of risks, prevention of incidents, and building of mutual confidence continue to be topical. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian sent a message of condolences on the death of the Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople , Archbishop Mesrop Mutafyan. It is with deep pain that I learned about the death of the Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople, Archbishop Mesrop Mutafyan. For decades, Archbishop Mesrop Mutafyan carried on his shoulders the cross of service to his people and faith. He was not only a devoted servant of the holy Armenian Apostolic Church, but also as the 84th Patriarch, one of our spiritual pillars outside of Armenia, on whom a huge community relied in questions of the preservation of language and national identity, the message says. Archbishop Mesrop Mutafyan was devoted to the Christian faith and turned spiritual commitment into a sacred duty before the people and God. It was an inseparable part of the new history of the Armenian Constantinople community, he said. The Armenian president noted that he has warm recollections about his meetings in the Patriarchate of Constantinople, Armenia and abroad, as well as conversations about the Armenian church and history. WOMEN POWER. Presidential daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio (above) heckles Vice President Leni Robredo (left below) to bid farewell to her dreams of becoming the countrys chief executive, particularly when she insists one has to be honest to run for public office, underscoring that the latters honesty has been questioned since day one of her six-year-term . Presidential daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio on Saturday taunted Vice President Leni Robredo to just say goodbye to her dreams of becoming President if she insisted in saying one must be honest to run for public office.She lashed back at Robredo for commenting about honesty and integrity, noting that since the first day she assumed the vice presidency, her honesty had been questioned. Since day one of her term as Vice President. She is not called fake VP for no reason, said Carpio, who has been leading the campaign caravan of the 13 senatorial candidates endorsed by Hugpong ng Pagbabago. She is facing an electoral protest for massive fraud during the 2016 elections, she added. HNP is the regional party established by the Davao mayor who is being eyed as the strongest contender in the 2022 presidential elections. However, she has remained mum on her political plans, insisting that as of the moment, she wanted to focus on the senatorial bets being supported by the HNP to ensure their victory. Carpio also accused Robredo for trying to copy her late husband, former Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo, but has failed at every turn. She said Robredo had refused to answer allegations of her relationship with a married man. She may or may not get away with these but we all know she is not forthcoming in everything, Carpio added.The reason why good moral character is not a requirement to run for Vice President is because we have so many Leni Robredos in this world, Carpio stressed. She has been going around the country to woo voters in supporting the candidacy of their senatorial candidates. Senators have expressed mixed reactions on the pronouncement of Carpio that honesty should not be an issue for candidates running in an elective post since almost everybody was lying. Meanwhile, President Rodrigo Duterte has vouched for the governance skills of Ilocos Norte Gov. and now Senate candidate Imee Marcos, despite what critics call her dubious claims over earned college degrees. Marcos, oldest of the three children of former President Ferdinand Marcos and incumbent Ilocos Norte 2nd District Rep. Imelda Marcos, finished law at the University of the Philippines in Diliman. Imee led a very colorful life. She is good in local government. There are of course charges against her because of her father [who declared martial law in 1972 and lifted it in 1981]...of course, the sins of the father cannot visit the daughter, Duterte said. I look at her as a very good asset in the Senate, Duterte added. Kane Tanaka, a 116-year-old Japanese woman, gestures after receiving a Guinness World Records certificate, back, at a nursing home where she lives in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, on March 9, 2019. Kane Tanaka wakes up at 6 a.m. each day, likes to study math and other subjects for fun and competes fiercely in the board game Othello. It's proven to be a pretty good combination for the 116-year-old from Fukuoka, Japan. Tanaka was named Saturday the new oldest living person in the world by the Guinness Book of World Records. She was recognized at a ceremony at her nursing home where she was given a commemorative framed certificate and a box of chocolates. She started eating the chocolates immediately, Guinness said, and responded with "100" when asked how many she planned to eat that day. Tanaka, the youngest of seven children of Kumakichi and Kuma Ota, was born prematurely on Jan. 2, 1903. Theodore Roosevelt was president of the United States and World War I was still a full decade away from changing geopolitics forever. She married Hideo Tanaka at 19, before they had ever met, following a Japanese norm at the time. The couple went on to have four children and adopt a fifth. Meet 116-year-old Kane Tanaka from Japan, our new oldest person living record holder > https://t.co/rgrgP0JcRp pic.twitter.com/wroWdOXxpU GuinnessWorldRecords (@GWR) March 9, 2019 Hideo Tanaka operated a family business that produced sticky rice and Udon noodles. Kane Tanaka took on a greater role in the family business after Hideo began military service in 1937 during the Second Sino-Japanese War. Their oldest son served in World War II and was held captive by the Soviet Union before returning to Japan. Kane Tanaka now resides in Fukuoka, located in the southwest portion of Japan, across the sea from South Korea. She's overcome several operations, including one for cataracts and another for colorectal cancer, according to Guinness. To become the oldest person ever recorded, Kane Tanaka would need to live another six years to surpass the record held by Jeanne Louise Calment of France for the past 22 years. Calment, born Feb. 21, 1875, died in at the age of 122 years and 164 days on Aug. 4, 1997. Story continues Guinness says that the title for oldest living man is "under investigation" after Masazo Nonaka of Japan died Jan. 20 at 113 years and 179 days. The oldest man ever recorded was Jiroemon Kimura of Japan who died in 2013 at 116 years and 54 days. Kane Tanaka, a 116-year-old Japanese woman, celebrates with the official recognition of Guinness World Records' world's oldest verified living person in Fukuoka on March 9, 2019. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 116-year-old Japanese woman crowned the world's oldest person by Guinness Book of World Records Logo of jester cap with thought bubble with words 'Fool Transcripts' below it Image source: The Motley Fool. 22nd Century Group (AMEX:XXII) Q4 2018 Earnings Conference Call March 7, 2019 4:00 p.m. ET Contents: Prepared Remarks Questions and Answers Call Participants Prepared Remarks: Operator Good day. And welcome to the 22nd Century fourth-quarter 2018 business update conference call. Today's conference is being recorded. At this time, I would like to turn the conference over to Mr. Thomas James. Please go ahead, sir. Thomas James -- Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary Thank you very much. Thank you, everyone, for joining the call today. My name is Thomas James, the vice president, general counsel, and corporate secretary of 22nd Century Group. And thank you also for listening to the required legal safe harbor text that I'll now read. The statements made on today's call that are not based on historical information are forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our company's business strategy, future plans and objectives, and future results of operations or that may predict, forecast, indicate or imply future results, performance or achievements. The words estimate, project, intend, forecast, anticipate, plan, expect, believe, will, will likely, should, may or the negative of such words, or words or expressions of similar meanings are all intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance, and all such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our company's ability to control. More From The Motley Fool Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including but not limited to, the risk factors disclosed in our company's most recent annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission yesterday on March 6, 2019. The company does not undertake and it disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements or to announce revisions to any of the forward-looking statements. During this call, we will also disclose certain non-GAAP financial measures, including adjusted EBITDA, which we define as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization as suggested by 22nd Century for certain noncash and nonoperating expenses as described in our company's earnings press release for the year ended December 31, 2018 as publicly issued yesterday on March 6, 2019, and which is available on our company's website. Story continues And with that, I will turn it over to our Chief Financial Officer John Brodfuehrer. John Brodfuehrer -- Chief Financial Officer Thank you, Tom. Good afternoon, everyone, and thank you for participating in the 22nd Century business update call for the year of 2018. For those of you that may be new to the call, my name is John Brodfuehrer, and I'm the CFO of 22nd Century Group. Today's conference call will be one hour in duration and will conclude promptly at 5 p.m. We will take questions at the end of the presentations as time permits. This afternoon, I will provide you with a summary of the company's financial results for the year ended December 31, 2018. I will now address some of our financial disclosures for the 2018 year. First, I will discuss our work -- our net sales revenues generated from product sales. As reported in our Form 10-K filed with the SEC yesterday and stated in yesterday's press release, net sales revenue for the year ended December 31, 2018 was $26,426,000, our highest annual net sales revenue in our history as compared to net sales revenue for the year ended December 31, 2017 of $16,600,000. The quarterly net sell -- sales revenue increased by 900 -- 800 -- by $9,826,000 or 59.2% for the year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to the net sales revenue for the year ended December 31, 2017. Net sales revenue increase is primarily the result of additional net sales revenue generated from our contract manufacturing of cigarettes and filtered cigars during 2018 as compared to 2017. Next, I will address our gross profit on product sales. Our factory in North Carolina continued to utilize additional production capacity that resulted in the increased net sales revenue as just discussed above. As a result, we generated gross profit on net sales revenue for the year ended December 31, 2018 in the amount of $899,000. In comparison, we experienced a growth -- gross loss on net sales revenue for the year ended December 31, 2017 in the amount of $708,000. This positive change from the gross loss to gross profit amounted to $1,607,000 for the year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2017, and this improvement is primarily the result of increased factory utilization. Next, I will move on to discuss our operating expenses. Our net cash operating expenses that exclude noncash equity-based compensation, amortization, and depreciation for the year ended December 31, 2018 was $20,388,000, an increase of $9,685,000 or 90.5% from net cash operating expenses of $10,703,000 for the year ended December 31, 2017. The increase was primarily due to increased expenses attributable to our Modified Risk Tobacco Product application with the FDA for our BRAND A very low nicotine content cigarettes. Our expenses related to the MRTP application amounted to approximately $9,800,000 for the year ended December 31, 2018. Next, I will address our net loss. We experienced a net loss for the year ended December 31, 2018 in the amount of $7,967,000 or a negative $0.06 per share as compared to a net loss of $13,029,000 for the year ended December 31, 2017 or a negative $0.13 per share, which is a decrease in our net loss of $5,062,000 or 38.9%. The decrease in the net loss of $5,062,000 was primarily attributable to the aggregate realized gains on the [Inaudible] award transactions in the amount of $14,493,000, an unrealized gain on the Aurora stock warrants in the amount of $284,000, an increase in net interest and dividend income of $1,176,000, and an increase in our gross profit on product sales of $1,607,000. Both numbers were partially offset by an increase in net cash operating expenses of $9,685,000, and as discussed earlier, an increase in equity-based compensation of $2,246,000 and an increase in depreciation and amortization expense of $395,000. The significant gain on the [Inaudible] award transactions in the amount of $14,493,000 consisted of the following three items: unrealized gain of $4,516,000 on our equity investment in Anandia was acquired by Aurora Cannabis in the third quarter of 2018. We received 1,947,943 shares of Aurora common stock and a warrant to purchase 973,971 shares of Aurora common stock as a result of the acquisition of Anandia by Aurora. No. 2, a gain of $3,830,000 on the subsequent sale of the Aurora common stock that we received in the acquisition of Anandia by Aurora, which also occurred in the third quarter of 2018. The sales of the Aurora common stock also generated $13,052,000 in net cash proceeds for the company. And thirdly, an unrealized gain in the first quarter of 2018 in the amount of $6,147,000 under U.S. GAAP accounting rules on our investment in Anandia. This amount became a realized gain upon the acquisition of Anandia by Aurora, boasting numbers in aggregate to the $14,493,000 realized gain. It should be noted that we still own the warrant to purchase 973,971 shares of Aurora common stock that does not expire until August of 2023. The Aurora stock warrants had a value of $3,092,000 at December 31, 2018, and we recorded an unrealized gain and the adjustment to fair value in the amount of $284,000 for the year ended December 31, 2018. At future quarter and year-end dates, if the warrant is still owned by us at that time, we will record the fair value of the warrant and any unrealized gain or loss will be recorded in net income or loss for that quarter or year end. Next, I will address our adjusted EBITDA. Our adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial metric previously defined by Tom James in his opening statement, for the year ended December 31, 2018, was a negative $19,489,000 or a negative $0.16 per share as compared to a negative $11,411,000 or a negative $0.11 per share for the year ended December 31, 2017, which is an increase in the negative adjusted EBITDA of approximately $8,078,000 or 70.8%. This increase is primarily the result of the previously discussed increase in our net cash operating expenses of $9,685,000 and is partially offset by an improvement in our gross profit on product sales of $1,607,000. Finally, I will discuss the cash position of the company at December 31, 2018. We continue to be in a strong cash position with cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investment securities totaling $56.4 million at December 31, 2018, an amount we believe will be adequate to cover normal monthly operating expenses of approximately $850,000 and meet all current obligations as they come due for a number of years. In addition, we expect to incur an estimated amount of approximately $1.5 million in additional expenses relating to our Modified Risk Tobacco Product application with the FDA by the end of the second quarter of 2019. That concludes my remarks. Thank you for your time, consideration, and continued interest in 22nd Century Group. I will now turn the remainder of this conference call over to our President and CEO, Henry Sicignano, who will provide you with a business review and update. Thank you very much. Henry Sicignano -- President and Chief Executive Officer Thanks, John. Good afternoon and thank you again to our conference call participants for joining us. Today, I have a host of important issues to discuss. In brief, I will discuss Dr. Scott Gottlieb's recently announced decision to resign as commissioner of the FDA and what his departure may mean to 22nd Century shareholders; two, I'll talk a bit about the FDA's plan to dramatically reduce the nicotine content of all cigarettes sold in the United States; three, provide an update on 22nd Century's Modified Risk Tobacco Product application and its progress at the FDA; and four, perhaps most significantly, I will talk about 22nd Century's cannabis research initiatives and strategic vision. At the end of our time together, I will also briefly touch on the wholly frivolous class action lawsuits that have been filed against our company in recent weeks. First things first. As you likely know, this week, we learned that Dr. Scott Gottlieb has decided to resign as commissioner of the FDA. This is unfortunate. Dr. Gottlieb has moved the ball forward on a number of important FDA initiatives, including speeding the approval process for important new drugs, addressing the opioid epidemic, questioning the place for flavors in e-cigarettes, and of course, in advancing the FDA's broad nicotine reduction plans across a host of tobacco products. We appreciate the work Dr. Gottlieb has done and we will miss him as commissioner. However, it is important to point out 22nd Century's Modified Risk Tobacco Product or MRTP application is under review at the FDA Center for Tobacco Products, also known as the CTP, not the FDA at large. Accordingly, Mitch Zeller, director at the FDA's Center for Tobacco Products, is actually the one who is overseeing our MRTP application. It is also important to realize that the FDA's Center for Tobacco Products is the division of the FDA that is advancing the agency's plan to limit nicotine in all cigarettes sold in the U.S. to minimally or nonaddictive levels. With respect to this larger-planned national mandate, Dr. Gottlieb was a terrific champion. It was not, however, the beginning or the end of the FDA's nicotine reduction movement. Actually, the FDA began to collaborate on 22nd Century's spectrum research cigarette initiative in 2011, which was six years before Dr. Gottlieb arrived on the scene. The FDA and various agencies of the U.S. federal government spent many tens of millions of dollars on independent research with very low nicotine content cigarettes long before Dr. Gottlieb made his historic 2017 announcement that all cigarettes in the United States should contain drastically lower levels of nicotine. Indeed, there were many at the FDA who were working on the Very Low Nicotine initiative long before Dr. Gottlieb came into office and there are many more who will continue to work on the nicotine reduction plan after Dr. Gottlieb leaves the FDA. That said, in a March 5, 2019 New York Times article, Dr. Gottlieb indicated that he actually plans to advance the FDA's pending tobacco regulations before he leaves. And indeed, I'm quite sure that the FDA itself is absolutely committed to enacting its new rule to require that all cigarettes sold in the U.S. contain only minimally or nonaddictive levels of nicotine in order to assist the more than 30 million American smokers, who are addicted to conventional cigarettes, and the 2,000 youth under the age of 18 across the United States who smoke their first addictive cigarette each and every day. Of course, the FDA's efforts to limit nicotine in all cigarettes are complemented by 22nd Century's Modified Risk Tobacco Product or MRTP initiative. In December, our company submitted a premarket tobacco application and an MRTP application to the FDA's Center for Tobacco Products for our company's proprietary very low nicotine content cigarettes. With these applications, 22nd Century is seeking the FDA's authorization to commercialize the company's very low nicotine content cigarettes under the proposed brand name, VLN, and to advertise to consumers that VLN cigarettes contain 95% less nicotine as compared to the 100 leading cigarette brands in the United States. Since the beginning of this year, 22nd Century regulatory specialists and scientists have been in virtually constant communication with FDA regulators charged with reviewing the company's PMT and MRTP applications. In fact, in the last two months, we have had more than 20 conversations with the FDA on matters relating to our MRTP application. We believe this is a very positive sign. While our PMTA and MRTPA efforts are independent of the FDA's planned new rule to limit the nicotine in all cigarettes to minimally or nonaddictive levels, we view the two initiatives as complementary and wholly reinforcing. Our very low nicotine content tobacco is the foundation of our VLN cigarettes and at the same time, our very low nicotine content tobacco makes possible the FDA's planned nicotine reduction rule. It is precisely because of those connections that we continue to believe that the FDA and public health will benefit from the approval of 22nd Century's PMTA and MRTPA submissions. In this way, the FDA will have a commercial very low nicotine content cigarette on the market to prove the feasibility of the agency's nicotine reduction plan and to generate real-world consumer data in support of the FDA's proposed new rule to reduce nicotine in all cigarettes sold in the United States. And of course, potentially, the world's only approved MRTP product will greatly enhance 22nd Century's commercialization efforts and will pave the way for a lucrative third-party licensing opportunities. All of that said, and as important as our tobacco initiatives are for the company and for our shareholders, our strategic initiatives in hemp and cannabis, together with significant recent legislative changes have combined to give our biotechnology efforts a massive boost in the emerging hemp/cannabis industry. At the conclusion of 2018, more than half of U.S. states had approved the sale and use of medical cannabis with another 10 states allowing adult recreational consumption. Even more importantly, in an effort led by U.S. senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, the U.S. federal government enacted the 2018 Farm Bill, including an important provision to legalize hemp, which is defined as a cannabis plant containing not more than 0.3% THC. The enactment of this new federal law has accelerated hemp/cannabis biotechnology developments and spurred a slew of multimillion-dollar investments in hemp/cannabis production and extraction. 22nd Century is well-positioned to take advantage of the opportunities represented by these changes in the federal law. Our company's foundation in hemp/cannabis research is already well-established. In 2014, a wholly owned subsidiary of 22nd Century entered into a worldwide license agreement with Anandia Laboratories in Canada, through which our company was granted an exclusive sublicense in the United States and a co-exclusive sublicense in the remainder of the world, excluding Canada, to patents and patent applications relating to the hemp/cannabis plant that are required for the production of cannabinoids, the major active ingredients in the hemp/cannabis plant. It is important to note, these incredible valuable licenses survived the Aurora Cannabis acquisition of Anandia. What's more, our subsequent investments in research with Anandia generated important new cannabis streams, including one with zero-THC. Besides Anandia, 22nd Century is entering the third year of a research agreement with the University of Virginia to optimize our company's proprietary hemp plant for growth in the historical tobacco belt states in the southern part of the United States. Further, we already possess a valuable New York State hemp research license for our research laboratory in New York. Utilizing our proprietary technology, 22nd Century's primary mission in hemp/cannabis is to develop proprietary hemp/cannabis plant lines for important new medicines and robust agricultural crops in order to improve the health and lives of people around the world. Going forward, I am pleased to announced 22nd Century will substantially increase the company's investment in the development of hemp/cannabis intellectual property. While our company's molecular biotechnology laboratory is an important component in achieving our mission of creating new varieties of hemp/cannabis, our strategy also includes assembling an entire network of accomplished hemp and cannabis researchers, partner companies and universities. In addition to our existing research relationships, we are currently in negotiations to enter into several new strategic alliances. 22nd Century is forming a vertically integrated hemp and cannabis nexus that combines research, production and extraction. And combining our technology with the assets and abilities of our strategic partners, 22nd Century will have access to advanced gene-editing techniques, valuable hemp/cannabis germplasm, extensive growing facilities, dozens of experienced hemp and cannabis scientists, and much more. The foundation of any biotechnology effort is the acquisition of genetic material. To this end, we have already developed or acquired exclusive rights to dozens of unique and proprietary varieties of hemp and cannabis plants, each with valuable agronomic traits and/or exceptional cannabinoid profiles. Though we are continually adding to our genetic library, we already have an incredible inventory of genetic variability. Literally, the building blocks for dozens of new improved plant varieties. Our library of hemp/cannabis germplasm is unique and crucial, and of in crucial importance to our research objectives. It sets us apart as a major player in the hemp/cannabis biotechnology field. Using genome sequences from the hemp/cannabis varieties to which we have developed and/or acquired exclusive rights, we are working to identify genes responsible for regulating cannabinoid biosynthesis, drought tolerance, disease resistance, increased flower production, increased cannabinoid production and overall plant growth and yields. Currently, in our own labs, 22nd Century is working to reproduce cannabinoid biosynthesis independent of the hemp/cannabis plant. In this way, we hope to develop hemp plants that yield single high-value cannabinoids instead of the cocktail of cannabinoids produced by conventional hemp/cannabis plants. A single cannabinoid plant that produces high levels of a rare cannabinoid would be a boon for our own extraction activities and for third-party extractors. Each project that we initiate is expected to lead to valuable intellectual property and products. All of our hemp and cannabis research must deploy our mission to develop new varieties of hemp and cannabis plants to improve the health and lives of people around the world. As we assemble hemp/cannabis strategic partnerships, as we develop new biotechnology methods for manipulation of plant genes, and as we create new hemp/cannabis varieties to improve lives, we will simultaneously enhance shareholder value. Although we do not intend to enter the complex regulatory arena of marketing hemp/cannabis-based consumer goods, we do plan to become a source of highly coveted hemp/cannabis genetics, plant varieties, and high-value extracted cannabinoid. Now after a discussion of such positive meaningful progress that the company has made over the last year, I'm obliged to say a few words about the wholly frivolous class action lawsuits that have been filed against the company and certain of its executive officers in recent weeks that allege violations of federal security laws. We believe that any claims alleging violations of security laws by the company and its executive officers are without merit and we intend to vigorously defend our position. As you likely know, the lawsuits appear to be based on the information taken from Seeking Alpha short articles by Fuzzy Panda Research, which were written by authors who were admittedly "short" in 22nd Century stock. As you realize, this means that the authors had an economic motive to suggest improper action by 22nd Century. The lawsuits repeatedly referred to these articles without any apparent effort to determine whether the statements in the articles are accurate. For example, the lawsuits include an incomplete photocopy of an SEC response letter to a Freedom of Information Act request that misleads an uninformed reader to incorrectly believe that 22nd Century is under some sort of SEC enforcement action. Let me state unequivocally, 22nd Century has not received any notice of, and the company has no knowledge of, any enforcement proceeding against 22nd Century by the SEC or by any other regulator. Simply put, 22nd Century believes the statements and the charges in such class action lawsuits are like the misleading short articles, incorrect and meritless, and the company intends to defend vigorously against these lawsuit claims. But in spite of these legal issues, our company is, really, is in a terrific place. Our spectrum research cigarettes make possible the FDA's proposed plan to limit nicotine in all cigarettes sold in the United States to minimally or nonaddictive levels. The next step in the FDA's plan is to issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking or NPRM. In this notice, the FDA will spell out the proposed product specifications and the details for how the agency will implement its new nicotine reduction rule. The FDA has publicly indicated that the NPRM should be expected this year. Following the NPRM, including a public comment period, the FDA should thereafter move forward with the final rule, and the time schedule for the implementation of the new rule. We believe the FDA is moving at a steady deliberate pace in this initiative. That said, a much sooner opportunity for 22nd Century comes in the form of our company's MRTP application for our VLN cigarettes. With 95% less nicotine than contained in conventional cigarettes, our company's proprietary VLN cigarettes are modeled after the lowest nicotine content file of our spectrum cigarettes. Our recently accepted for-review MRTP application relies on numerous independent clinical studies funded by more than $125 million from U.S. federal government agencies on our spectrum research cigarettes, the same scientific studies that the FDA itself references in conjunction with its proposed new nicotine reduction rule. The review process by the FDA for our PMT and MRTP applications is already well under way. We are encouraged by the FDA's prompt attention to our applications, and we look forward to the approval and the launch of what may very well be the world's first Modified Risk Tobacco Product. Finally, intense demand from consumers, combined with legalization victories, have resulted in a number of companies playing catch-up active multiyear speculative investments in cannabis. In contrast, 22nd Century has been building on a foundation in hemp/cannabis research and unique plant development for several years through our partnerships with Anandia Labs, the University of Virginia, the work done in our company's own labs, and the work done with other strategic partners. We are assembling an extraordinary hemp/cannabis germplasm library of unique plants, a talented team of experienced researchers, and a number of strategic corporate partners to accelerate our hemp and cannabis biotechnology. Now is clearly the time to capitalize on opportunities in hemp/cannabis. As we strive to improve the health and lives of people everywhere with our hemp/cannabis technology, 22nd Century intends to deliver very substantial value in this area for our shareholders. With so many momentous events converging for the company, we are incredibly excited for the future and we are eager to share more good news with you in the coming weeks and months. Thank you so much for joining us today and for your continued interest in 22nd Century. At this time, I will open up the call to your questions. Questions and Answers: Operator Thank you. [Operator instructions] We'll take our first question from Jim McIlree with Chardan. Jim McIlree -- Chardan -- Analyst Yes. Thank you, and good afternoon, Henry and Tom and John. Can I start with expenses? So you -- last year, expenses were $25 million, give or take, but you're -- this year, you're not going to have the $10 million or so of the application of expenses but it sounds like you're going to ramp up in the hemp area. Can you just kind of help me understand how much you're going to spend on hemp and if there's anything else out there that would sop up the savings from the $10 million of the applications' expenses that are going away? John Brodfuehrer -- Chief Financial Officer All right. Jim, this is John. So first of all, in, right, in 2018, we had nearly the $10 million spent on our MRTP application, which accounts for most of the difference between 2018 and 2017's expenses. We can't really comment at this time on the quantity of the amount of expenses that we'll spend in the hemp/cannabis area. Henry Sicignano -- President and Chief Executive Officer It will be significantly less than the $10 million, Jim. John Brodfuehrer -- Chief Financial Officer So -- but you're right on the $10 million difference between the two years. Jim McIlree -- Chardan -- Analyst And now are there any other initiatives that would require a meaningful amount of expenses in 2019? John Brodfuehrer -- Chief Financial Officer Well, as we said, Jim, there would be a small amount we anticipate approximately $1.5 million of additional expenses on our MRTP application. And at this point, we really can't comment on any other significant additional expenses. Jim McIlree -- Chardan -- Analyst OK. Let's see. Henry, I don't want you to -- I don't expect you to be up to comment in detail about what you can with the FDA as far as the NPRM goes. But can you talk about what it is you do to help move the process along with the MRTP and the PMTA? And it sounds like when you're looking at this year, your priorities are building out the hemp franchise and then advancing the MRTP and the PMTA. Is there anything else that is a top priority for you that you control, so again, excluding the FDA schedule on the NPRM? Henry Sicignano -- President and Chief Executive Officer Well, those are the top priorities. In terms of pushing the MRTP alone, the best thing that we can do is to answer all the FDA's questions on a timely basis. And having had more than 20 conversations with the FDA in the last 60 days, we think that's given us an opportunity that we didn't have in prior years and we've really appreciated that dialogue with the FDA. So we think that's our biggest area of leverage in terms of pushing that application forward. We don't believe that we'll have any additional science to provide the FDA. So really, we're just answering questions and we have some addendums that we're working on that will be submitted in coming weeks. But everything seems to be on pace and actually going more smoothly and quicker than we had anticipated. In terms of hemp and cannabis research, we anticipate making investments this year, and some of those investments might be multiyear investments. So I guess, stay tuned. I hope that we'll have some interesting news in the coming weeks on some of those. I guess, I can't say much more than that, but we're pretty excited about the opportunities that we've been working on. Jim McIlree -- Chardan -- Analyst And as far as the decision-making for the MRTP, the FDA, you indicated, is engaging with you now about your application. Is there -- I guess, does that imply that -- does that imply anything about the likelihood of acceptance? Or is it more of they're going to get all of their information and then give you the thumbs up, thumbs down, whenever, three months, six months, nine months from now? Henry Sicignano -- President and Chief Executive Officer All I can say, Jim, is that we think it's a very good sign. When we submitted our preliminary application in 2015, we had very sparse dialogue. We had a meeting early on in the process, and then we didn't hear again from the agency for nearly a year. This time around -- again, more than 20 conversations in 60 days. I think that speaks for itself. Jim McIlree -- Chardan -- Analyst OK. All right. OK. Very good. And then my last one, on the revenue, is there any -- is there anything about the $26 million or so in revenue generated this year that would -- that was onetime-ish in nature or that would -- that has a feature to it that would suggest you can't do the same thing this year? Henry Sicignano -- President and Chief Executive Officer No, we expect to do at least that much. So as long as we weren't to lose any contracts and if we were to gain additional business, we would expect that number to grow. Jim McIlree -- Chardan -- Analyst Yes, yes. Of course. OK. Great. Thanks a lot. Good luck with everything. Henry Sicignano -- President and Chief Executive Officer Thanks, Jim. Operator Thank you. yWe'll take our next question from Greg Adimos. Unknown speaker Hi. Yes, thank you for taking my call here. Just -- can you just walk us through maybe your business plans [Inaudible] busy MRTP timeline or the mandating events? It kind of drags out longer than expected, possibly through 2020. As the dates go on, we can -- we have a pretty large cash burn and with further expenses coming up possibly on the hemp side, I think day by day, maybe even our patents and our technology could be less valuable at the negotiating table with any type of company. Can you explain -- give us some advice on that? Henry Sicignano -- President and Chief Executive Officer Well, I think you should cheer up. I mean, I think things look a lot better than you've implied. By my math, with regular operating expenses, we have about four years worth of cash -- more than four years worth of cash in the bank, so that's good news. There are some outstanding warrants that must only be exercised for cash that will bring in, at the $2.15 exercise price, $23 million or $24 million additional dollars that further supplement that four years of cash. So I think in terms of cash, I think we're in great shape and I'm very pleased that we were able to raise the money we did a year and a half ago. So that's all good news. In terms of the calendar, as I just mentioned when I was talking with Jim McIlree, MRTP, I think is going more smoothly and more quickly than we ever imagined it could, given our experience in 2015. So we're very excited about that. I can't guarantee or sort of predict the timeline, but I think it's going really, really smoothly and much more rapidly than we expected. In terms of the national mandate, that we certainly have no effect or influence over but Dr. Gottlieb had mentioned in a Wall Street Journal interview in the fall that he had planned for the NPRM to be issued in 2018, I believe. In December of '18, he said he expected the rule to be published. He said, this year, I think, was the quote. So I don't know if this year meant 2019 or if it meant 2018. If it meant 2018, I guess FDA missed. If it meant 2019, well then that's pretty exciting news that, that rule would be coming out sometime this year. So I hope that's helpful. I think we're in a good place with cash. MRTPA is going very well and I think the national mandate remains on track. Unknown speaker OK. Thank you. Now lastly, just on the hemp side and our cannabis side of our business here. Pretty much, just about anything related to cannabis or hemp, CBD or anything recently has just been blooming. And I understand our philosophy a little bit on the not PR-ing everything as you do choose to really only PR most of the important things that you tend to release to shareholders here. But it kind of feels as though many shareholders and then also an investing group that I'm sure are listening to this as well, we feel that we are mainly left to our own devices by finding -- doing our own due diligence in finding patents that are awarded to the company that are not PR-ed and we have to do some extreme digging. Now we're back to share price of levels of back to prior to the 2017, first movement that Gottlieb even started on the mandate here. I mean, I understand the share prices you don't want to artificially pump up, but we certainly are undervalued now. Do you feel that you should maybe move a little bit stronger toward releasing some news on the hemp side to provide some investor confidence or even some information that would attract new investors because we do have great technology and it seems like, moving forward, there's a lot of opportunity for our business to be able to provide some significant new revenue streams. I just feel that there are a lot of potential investors out there that do not know this and do not know anything about 22nd Century due to the lack of media exposure. And do you plan to change that and whether it is to possibly try to get on new media's outlets, whether CNBC, anything, anything that can get our name out there? What do you feel about that? Henry Sicignano -- President and Chief Executive Officer Yes, those are all good points and, I guess, let me try to answer them as directly as I can. We're very careful. You're exactly right. We're very careful about what we press release because we don't want to provide a roadmap to our competitors of exactly what we're attempting to do in either cannabis or in tobacco. We feel that we have a tremendous competitive advantage in terms of Very Low Nicotine tobacco. I'm going to tell you squarely, definitively, we believe we're the only company in the world that can grow tobacco with 95% less nicotine. Full stop. So that's really important to realize. Of course, big tobacco companies have been working on this kind of technology. We're aware of the fact that some of them might be able to grow low nicotine tobacco, but there is a world of difference between low nicotine tobacco, which maybe, I don't know, have 20% or 30% less nicotine, and tobacco that is Very Low Nicotine at the levels of 95% less nicotine and below, which make them minimally or nonaddictive levels of nicotine. So that's the reason why we're not out there press releasing all of our tobacco patents in particular but maybe even more so with cannabis, it's such a rapidly developing industry. We're out right now competing behind the scenes with essentially scientific labs that we want to work with us and not with our competitors. And so we're being very cautious about press releasing names or specifics of any of these folks. That said, some of our -- especially, some of our investments that will be material, they will be 8-K-ed, and you're going to know about them. So I guess I'd keep your eyes open for those. And as we're able to describe the projects that we're working on, we'll certainly do that broadly. We'd like to keep our shareholders informed, and that's the whole point of today's discussion and of the press releases we do issue but understand, we have some folks who are litigating against us saying that we "pump up" the company and puff our achievements. And then we've got folks like you who are asking us to pump up our achievements and brag a little bit on CNBC. So at the end of the day, we're very proud of what we do achieve. We're never going to exaggerate our accomplishments or the technology that we have. So that's the fine line we need to walk. But we don't have a bunch of time, so I should move on to our next caller. Thank you very much. Your questions were very good. Unidentified speaker Thank you. Thanks. Operator Thank you. We'll take our next question from Joe Postilione Unknown speaker Yes, thank you. This has been very informative, Henry, Tom, and John. And my son and I are private investors in the company. Very excited about everything, of course, you spoke about here today and all that we've read prior. And I appreciate all the comments you just made from the previous question about being very careful about what you say, and it makes perfect sense. The concern I have is the bad press that comes out with these Business Wire, frivolous lawsuits, statements, and actually asking for people to contact, and they're almost soliciting people to jump into this fray. And from a comment back from the company, fighting back, vigorously defending, I'm sure that's going to happen behind the scenes in ways that you need to do it, but statements that could, in some way shape or form, leave potential investors or existing investors a bit more comfortable with the fact that this is all nonsense, and I don't see much of that coming out. Henry Sicignano -- President and Chief Executive Officer Well, I mean, I said sort of what I could say about pending litigation today on our conference call, but I would strongly encourage you to look at Page 31 on our 10-K, Page 31, Page 32. And there is extensive detail there about these lawsuits, including the names of the folks, who filed them, and including the number of shares that they hold, and I think that speaks volumes. I think there are a couple of shareholders there, and off the top of my head, I think they own fewer than 4,000 shares and I don't know. What more can I say? That should speak for itself. You can read about those on Page 31 and Page 32 of the 10-K. Unknown speaker Yes. And I appreciate that and I will certainly look at that to get to the detail that you're saying. I guess, I was more speaking about these blast statements that come out on Business Wire and such. And perhaps it's just not a good practice for you to respond in any way shape or form, which I guess, in some ways, it makes sense. But I guess, I suspect that we'll feel so much better to hear something coming out to say that these are frivolous and -- at least in some way, shape or form, to offset some of the bad press that it sends. Henry Sicignano -- President and Chief Executive Officer Yes. Well, you're exactly right. And I've tried -- I think I used that word "frivolous" at least twice, maybe three times in my talk. And I don't exactly understand how these lawyers work. But obviously, we've seen some of those -- I think what they're doing is they're trolling for clients. To the best of my knowledge, there have been only four suits filed. And I know there are far more lawyers that are looking for plaintiffs on the Internet than the four suits that have been filed. So it looks to me like those are hungry lawyers looking for clients. Unidentified speaker Yes. Yes, I don't doubt that at all. I appreciate the comments. Thank you for taking my questions. Henry Sicignano -- President and Chief Executive Officer Thank you very much, sir. Operator Thank you. We'll take our next question from Robert Branciforte with Morgan Stanley. Robert Branciforte -- Morgan Stanley -- Analyst Thanks. Thanks for taking my question. I hate to beat a dead horse with the litigation stuff, and it is frivolous. It's obvious. And we all know the type of lawyers that are -- that get involved in that. But rather than just playing defense on this, which is costly in terms of my money -- our money and human capital, the reputational damage that it does and the share price destruction to a certain extent that it's caused, I think what's wrong with filing a counterclaim for damages against these sleazebag lawyers. I mean, play a little offense. And most companies don't do that and maybe you don't want to get involved in that but this is ridiculous. I mean, generally, you see one or two law firms. But I think I've seen four, five, six. It's just -- they're jumping on the bandwagon. So that's one thing. Very quickly. On the cannabinoid situation, the strategic partnership -- corporate partners, you're probably not in a position to name who those corporate partners may be, but with Canada producing so many start-up companies, doing this and another thing, I mean, are companies like Canopy or Tilray some of the major companies? Will they be potential strategic partners? Henry Sicignano -- President and Chief Executive Officer I'm going to ask Tom to address the lawsuit question, and he might as well talk a little bit about strategic partners. Thomas James -- Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary Sure. Robert, this is Tom James, the general counsel. Robert Branciforte -- Morgan Stanley -- Analyst Hi. Thomas James -- Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary As you rightfully point out, we cannot, when it midst of litigation, discuss details. But we are investigating all options and we're not afraid of pursuing all options. We're not going to sit back idly by. As Henry said, the field of lawsuits are without merit, they're frivolous, and we intend to defend them vigorously. What other options we may take, you'll have to wait and see. So again, that's the most we can say at this time for that. On cannabis, we cannot, as you can imagine, mention strategic partners or ones that we're in discussions with. Nobody is off the table, but we feel that we've got great advantages. We're not a grower. We're a producer of unique plants that we'll also grow and also extract. The germplasm that we have people covet and we're very concerned to be careful about who we affiliate with. So we have talked to a lot of people internationally, globally, not just Canada, and we will announce them appropriately when the time is right. So that's the best we can say at this point in time, and I hope that's comforting to you. Robert Branciforte -- Morgan Stanley -- Analyst Yes. Thanks, guys. Keep up the good work. I appreciate it. Henry Sicignano -- President and Chief Executive Officer Thanks very much. Operator Thank you. We'll take our next question from Paul Sleady with -- a private investor. Unknown speaker Yes. Thank you very much for taking my call. My question has to do with the competitive situation in your hemp business. You, many times, have pointed out that you have -- you believe you have the only zero or close-to-zero nicotine tobacco. But are there other companies that actually can safely make hemp that has zero-THC? Or I mean, how -- what is the competitive landscape in that part of your business? Thomas James -- Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary So, Paul, this is Tom James. I'll answer that question. We, in 2017, two years ago, decided to go after the low- to no-THC plant because at that time, the 2014 Farm Bill did not allow for crop insurance to farmers. So if their crop grew above the legal limit for hemp, they called it growing hot. They'd have to destroy their entire crop, and so that was a problem. So we came out with a zero-THC as a solution to that. The 2018 Farm Bill cures that problem by allowing crop insurance for farmers to a zero-THC plant is interesting still, as we say in our 10-K, but it's not as positive. There needs to be other agronomic traits of robust cannabinoid profile or higher yield, things of that nature that make agronomic sense. So there are other people that would like to say, "Oh, they have come out with a zero-THC plant too." And again, that's scientifically interesting. It's two years behind us and they would like to try and get rare cannabinoids, they're again behind us. And so there are people that are going to come out and claim a whole lot of things, but we know what we have and we've publicly stated what we have and we'll continue to say when appropriate the things that we achieved. Not before because, as Henry said, we don't want to give a road map to our competitors as to where we're going. We will state once we've achieved where we intend to be. So you could take comfort in that. Unknown speaker So is it safe to say that there's a fair number of potential competitors and you've got a couple of years of head start. That's your, I would say, competitive advantage. But this is really a race in its early days for -- on the hemp side. Thomas James -- Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary Yes. Don't take the zero-THC as being competitive or a race somewhat now. That's an interesting scientific plant. But again, after the 2018 Farm Bill, it's -- you need other agronomic qualities. And we think we're substantially ahead from a number of players that are involved, and when we are ready to publicly announce, we'll let people know why we feel that way. Unidentified speaker All right. Thank you. I certainly feel like my questions have been answered and I thank you. Henry Sicignano -- President and Chief Executive Officer Thank you. We started about five minutes late, so we're going to hold the call open for about five minutes after the hour, and I apologize to those of you who won't get through. I see that there are quite a line of callers waiting, but we'll go as quickly as we can to see if we can answer a few more questions. Go ahead, operator. Operator We'll take our next question from Brian Desenditz Unknown speaker Yes. Thank you, guys. Most of my questions have been answered. I just wanted -- I think John may have commented on his initial remarks. But how much spend is left with the FDA on the MRTP? Is it every 90%? Where were we, or I guess how much are we looking at in the future? Would that be this year, kind of, to finish the course? Henry Sicignano -- President and Chief Executive Officer By current projections, we think 90% is about right. There's probably less than $2 million. Now the only caveat there is if FDA came up with, I don't know, some new thing that they might ask us to do and then we'd have to budget anew for whatever that new project is. But at this point, we do not expect any new science or any new projects or any new studies that have to be done. So all we need to do is sort of pay the bills for the remaining things that we're just tying up now. Unknown speaker Perfect. And the balance sheet is in amazing shape. It looks like a growth company that's been making money for years. You guys are way ahead of the game on that, and congrats on the balance sheet position. Henry Sicignano -- President and Chief Executive Officer Thank you very much. Thomas James -- Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary Thank you. Operator Thank you. We'll take our next question from Frank Colbert.. Unknown speaker Hi. Thank you for taking my question. I noticed, of course, in the last day or so, that the value of the stock went down a tremendous amount. I read that it was because of the resignation of the FDA Chairman, I guess. Is that your opinion? Or what was the main reason for such a high volume and such a tremendous drop in the stock? Henry Sicignano -- President and Chief Executive Officer I think you're -- yes, I think you're right. I think that bit of news probably sparked some selling. And then I think there are some folks who short our stock, who use that bit of news to scare investors, who didn't realize that, actually, the Center of Tobacco Products is the agency that is reading our Modified Risk Tobacco Product application and that, in fact, the national mandate is under the Center for Tobacco Products, so I think you're exactly right. I think that's what sort of sparks people's -- I don't know what the word is, spark people's concern. And then I think you have folks out there that bet on that concern because they had a bet that gave them economic incentive to drive the price of our stock down. Unknown speaker I mean, I was watching it. It was down $0.16 with about 0.5 hour to go before closing. And the next thing I saw was down $0.50. And actually, it was down as much as $0.80 and came back a little bit. And of course, it came back the day after, but it went down a little bit today because the market went down but I was shocked. I mean, I've never seen a percentage like that. I mean, it must have shocked you too. Henry Sicignano -- President and Chief Executive Officer Yes, of course. It did. And all we can do is keep doing the best job that we can here. And at the end of the day, I think we're going to look back and see this as a blip. I don't know if you were a shareholder in 2011, our stock went from something like $0.70 to $0.15 one day and a lot of people threw in the towel and I don't know, all those folks that bought stock at $0.15 or $0.16 are quite pleased. Unknown speaker Yes. I noticed one thing, and then I'll let you go to someone else if you have time, that there's an ETF that carries a lot of your shares. I think you should advertise that in some way. I think it's the harvest-something that has a big share of your -- shares of your company. I think that's a good thing. What do you think about that? Henry Sicignano -- President and Chief Executive Officer Well, I -- sure. I think it's a good thing when any holder amasses a large position, especially if it's for the long term. I think that's a good thing. I'm not sure how it -- the appropriateness of promoting that fact, but we do notice those disclosures when they're made. And I agree with you, I think it's a positive development. Unidentified speaker OK. Thank you so much for your call and good luck to the future. Henry Sicignano -- President and Chief Executive Officer Thank you, sir. Appreciate it. I think this will be our last question. Move to the next one. Operator Thank you. We'll take our next question from Jim Sckellton. Unknown speaker Yes, gentlemen. Thank you for taking the call. I'll be brief here. There's one significant product that I have not seen mentioned in the last year and that is, at one point, you were talking about putting out a smoking cessation kit that would include VLN cigarettes along with, I suppose, other devices to help people get off your cigarettes. Can you tell me where we stand with those? Henry Sicignano -- President and Chief Executive Officer Yes, sir. That was actually sort of my favorite project and that's actually the project that encouraged me personally to invest in 22nd Century in 2010. I was very excited about that project and we championed that for many years. But why we haven't been as active with that product since July of 2017 is because the national mandate would essentially make that product obsolete in the United States, at least. The national mandate would require that every single cigarette sold will contain 95% less nicotine than a conventional cigarette, and our X22 smoking cessation product in development was exactly that. It was a cigarette designed to be sold through prescription from your doctor with a 95% less nicotine content. So I guess if there were -- if the national mandate were ever to be put on pause, we would immediately pick up the prescription smoking cessation product or avenue. But right now, we believe that the bigger opportunity and the most important opportunity for public health is to make all cigarettes in the United States nonaddictive. Is that helpful? Unknown speaker I couldn't agree with you more. Yes, it is. So that's sort of dead in the water. It's unnecessary. If we can just skip the VLN brand out there and start marketing that, then people can do their own smoking cessation, such as myself, who has been a 50-year smoker and suffer tremendous health disabilities because of that. Thank you very much for your time, and let's just look onward and onward. Henry Sicignano -- President and Chief Executive Officer Thank you very much, sir. Thank you. We appreciate your support. Operator Thank you. Henry Sicignano -- President and Chief Executive Officer OK. So I think we're going to wrap up the call now. I appreciate everyone's participation. I apologize that we weren't able to answer everyone's questions, but we'll certainly have another call in a couple of months and we'll take questions again then. Duration: 62 minutes Call Participants: Thomas James -- Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary John Brodfuehrer -- Chief Financial Officer Henry Sicignano -- President and Chief Executive Officer Jim McIlree -- Chardan -- Analyst Robert Branciforte -- Morgan Stanley -- Analyst More XXII analysis This article is a transcript of this conference call produced for The Motley Fool. While we strive for our Foolish Best, there may be errors, omissions, or inaccuracies in this transcript. As with all our articles, The Motley Fool does not assume any responsibility for your use of this content, and we strongly encourage you to do your own research, including listening to the call yourself and reading the company's SEC filings. Please see our Terms and Conditions for additional details, including our Obligatory Capitalized Disclaimers of Liability. More From The Motley Fool Motley Fool Transcribing 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. Almost half-a-dozen Republican politicians voted against a resolution condemning antisemitism and other forms of hate. They argued that the measure did not lend support to Christians and failed to properly condemn congresswoman Ilhan Omars controversial comments on US-Israel relations. In total, 407 congressman and women voted to pass the resolution which defined antisemitism as hateful expressions of intolerance that are contradictory to the values and aspirations that define the people of the United States. It also condemned Islamophobia and other expressions of bigotry. Democrats, including Ms Omar, voted for the resolution. All of the 23 who voted against, were Republican. Among them was Wyoming's representative Liz Cheney, who called the vote a sham. She said the language in the resolution did not address the issue that is front and centre. The resolution was tabled after comments made by Ms Omar were labelled antisemitic by critics from both parties, although the resolution did not mention the congresswoman by name. Ms Omar, who in January became one of the first Muslim women to serve in Congress, said Israels supporters push lawmakers to pledge allegiance to a foreign country. The remark, made at a bookshop appearance in February, was viewed by some politicians as playing into a Jewish trope about divided loyalties among Jewish-Americans. Speaking about her decision not to support the resolution condemning antisemitism, Ms Cheney said: For Democratic leadership to kowtow to their radical members and refuse to offer legislative language that criticises Representative Omar's statements in the strongest possible manner confirms what we already knew: that their party is controlled by far-left extremists who can't even muster the courage to stand up to blatant anti-Semitism. Other Republicans complained that the resolution did not mention White people and Christians. In a statement emailed to the Washington Post, Alabama's congressman Mo Brooks said that he voted against the resolution because its wording suggests America's House of Representatives cares about virtually everyone except Christians and Caucasians. Story continues Likewise congressman Michael Conaway of Texas, told The Washington Post that the measure included the Democrats' kitchen sink, but did not lend support to Christians, Mormons, and many other groups that face regular discrimination in this country and abroad. Congressman Thomas Massie of Kentucky alluded to the abortion debate in his criticism of the resolution condemning antisemitism. In a tweet, he wrote: Now that the resolution protects just about every group on the planet, can we add 'babies on the day of their birth' as a protected class? Meanwhile congressman Steve King of Iowa, who was stripped of his committee consignments in January for questioning why white supremacy and white nationalist have become offensive, abstained without However, other Republicans argued that the resolution had been watered down when it was revised to condemn discrimination against several minorities rather than just antisemitism. Congressman Louie Gohmert of Texas said in a statement that all the edits to the resolution had made it so generic that it lost its meaning or significance. And congressman Chris Collins of New York wrote on Twitter that he voted against the resolution because he did not feel it was strong enough in support of Israel. After the votes on the resolution were tallied up, many Democratic lawmakers expressed their condemnation of the Republicans who voted against the measure. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wrote on Twitter: Wheres the outrage over the 23 GOP members who voted NO on a resolution condemning bigotry today? Oh, theres none? Did they get called out, raked over, ambushed in halls and relentlessly asked why not? No? Okay. Got it. Additional reporting by Washington Post In 2016 David Stevens was appointed CEO of Admiral Group plc (LON:ADM). This report will, first, examine the CEO compensation levels in comparison to CEO compensation at companies of similar size. After that, we will consider the growth in the business. And finally as a second measure of performance we will look at the returns shareholders have received over the last few years. This process should give us an idea about how appropriately the CEO is paid. Check out our latest analysis for Admiral Group How Does David Stevenss Compensation Compare With Similar Sized Companies? According to our data, Admiral Group plc has a market capitalization of UK5.8b, and pays its CEO total annual compensation worth UK395k. (This is based on the year to December 2017). It is worth noting that the CEO compensation consists almost entirely of the salary, worth UK391k. We looked at a group of companies with market capitalizations from UK3.1b to UK9.2b, and the median CEO compensation was UK2.5m. Most shareholders would consider it a positive that David Stevens takes less compensation than the CEOs of most similar size companies, leaving more for shareholders. Though positive, its important we delve into the performance of the actual business. The graphic below shows how CEO compensation at Admiral Group has changed from year to year. LSE:ADM CEO Compensation, March 9th 2019 Is Admiral Group plc Growing? On average over the last three years, Admiral Group plc has grown earnings per share (EPS) by 11% each year (using a line of best fit). Its revenue is up 12% over last year. Overall this is a positive result for shareholders, showing that the company has improved in recent years. Its also good to see decent revenue growth in the last year, suggesting the business is healthy and growing. Shareholders might be interested in this free visualization of analyst forecasts. Has Admiral Group plc Been A Good Investment? Boasting a total shareholder return of 34% over three years, Admiral Group plc has done well by shareholders. As a result, some may believe the CEO should be paid more than is normal for companies of similar size. Story continues In Summary Admiral Group plc is currently paying its CEO below what is normal for companies of its size. Since the business is growing, many would argue this suggests the pay is modest. And given most shareholders are probably very happy with recent returns, you might even think that David Stevens deserves a raise! It is relatively rare to see a modestly paid CEO when performance is so impressive. It would be even more positive if company insiders are buying shares. CEO compensation is one thing, but it is also interesting to check if the CEO is buying or selling Admiral Group (free visualization of insider trades). Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. Thank you for reading. By Alex Dobuzinskis (Reuters) - Alabama Republican Roy Moore, whose unsuccessful 2017 campaign for the U.S. Senate was marred by allegations he sexually assaulted or pursued teenage girls while in his 30s, said on Friday that he may again run for the Senate. In an interview on the Christian program "Focal Point" on American Family Radio, host Bryan Fischer asked Moore about the 2020 race for the Senate in Alabama. "Tell me what you're thinking about throwing your hat back into the ring," Fischer said. "I'm seriously considering it, I think that it (the 2017 Senate race) was stolen," Moore responded, citing what he described as misinformation campaigns against him. Senator Doug Jones, a former federal prosecutor, defeated Moore by a narrow margin in a special election in December 2017 to fill the seat vacated by Republican Jeff Sessions when he became U.S. attorney general. Jones was the first Democrat in a quarter-century to be elected to the U.S. Senate in conservative-leaning Alabama. If Moore, a 72-year-old former chief judge in Alabama known for staunchly conservative views, does decide to run for the Senate in 2020 and secures the Republican nomination, he could find himself facing Jones again. The term that Jones was elected to fill expires at the end of 2020. Moore's 2017 campaign to fill Sessions' seat was beset by allegations from women who told the Washington Post that he had sexually assaulted or pursued them while he was in his 30s and they were teenagers. Moore denied the misconduct allegations. In January, Alabama's Republican attorney general, Steve Marshall, asked federal elections officials to investigate allegations that the 2017 special election was tainted by use of a misleading social media campaign against Moore. [nL1N1Z71HV] The New York Times has reported that Democratic operatives sought to undermine Moore by creating a Facebook page claiming his supporters wanted to ban alcohol in the state. The newspaper has also reported that Democrats created a separate "false flag" Facebook page to portray Moore as supported by Russian bot accounts. U.S. Representative Bradley Byrne is the only Republican in Alabama so far, who has formally pledged to run for the Senate in 2020, according to a report from AL.com, the website of Alabama Media Group. (Reporting by Alex Dobuzinskis in Los Angeles; Editing by Leslie Adler) Algiers (AFP) - Algeria's oldest museum, home to some of the country's most valuable art, was vandalised during protests against President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's bid for a fifth term, the culture ministry said Saturday. "Criminals" took advantage of thousands-strong demonstrations on Friday to break into the National Museum of Antiquities and Islamic Arts in Algiers, founded in 1897, the ministry said in a statement. "Part of the museum was ransacked, objects stolen and administrative offices burned, as well as documents and records being destroyed," the ministry said. Firefighters arrived promptly and prevented the blaze from spreading, while police had managed to retrieve a sabre dating from the time of the Algerian resistance to the French conquest of Algeria in the early 19th century, it said. Tens of thousands protested across Algeria on Friday in the biggest rallies yet against ailing Bouteflika's bid for a fifth term in April polls. The police fired tear gas and stun grenades to disperse those who tried to force their way through a police cordon, but most demonstrators dispersed calmly as darkness fell. The ministry called the acts at the museum "a crime against a historical heritage that covers several important stages of Algerian popular history". Founded during the French occupation of Algeria, which lasted from 1830 to 1962, the museum is one of the oldest in Africa and covers over 2,500 years of history and art. Police had not yet identified those responsible, the ministry said, adding that security had been reinforced Saturday and that "criminals" had already attempted to enter the site during a previous protest on March 1. The museum lies at a major crossroads close to the presidential palace in Algiers. The junction was the scene of clashes Friday between young protesters and police, while demonstrations elsewhere in the city passed off in relative calm. Alibaba Group is considering blockchain implementation for cross-border supply chains. In an article published by Chinas largest state-owned newspaper, Peoples Daily, Alibaba Group VP, Liu Song, said that the company was looking at using the technology in complex supply chains to create a closed loop ecological system that could be linked with local governments. So many patents Last year, Alibaba nabbed the top spot, ahead of IBM, on an iPR Daily list that ranked global organisations by the number of blockchain-related patents they had filed. The media outlet used data as of 10th August 2018 from across China, the EU, America, Japan and South Korea, and also consulted the International Patent System from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Alibaba filed 90 blockchain-related patent applications and IBM was close behind with 89. In third place was Mastercard (80) followed by Bank of America (53). Next up was Peoples Bank of China, which had filed a total of 44 patent applications around its central bank digital currency project. The post Alibaba looks at blockchain for complex supply chains appeared first on Coin Rivet. For decades, various groups have been striving to educate voters, reminding them in every election to thoroughly study the candidates qualification to ensure that only those who have the best intentions and competence would lead the country. They emphasize the need for honesty, integrity, competence and selfless service for candidates. They also call on people to give importance to platforms and agendas rather than on popularity in selecting their leaders. Obviously, the calls have fallen on deaf ears. Elections after elections, many candidates who possess the opposite qualifications win, some for the simple reason that they are popular and can charm the audience during campaign rallies. Never mind that they have spotty records and dubious past, or are simply incapable of dispensing the duties of the positions that they were seeking. With the midterm elections coming in May, candidates will be cuddling babies, dancing and singing on stage, clasping hands, distributing giveaways and even attending wakes to win over the voters. Very few will be discussing issues or defining platforms because, lets admit it, most Filipino voters couldnt care less. An interesting voters survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations found that while 25 percent of Filipino voters wanted a candidate who will not be corrupt, 21 percent preferred those with good personal characteristics, and 21 percent liked trustworthy candidates, only 3 percent liked candidates who were bright or intelligent, and only 2 percent preferred those with plans for growth or vision for the country! No wonder the candidates of the Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) are refusing to debate with Otso Diretso bets. For example, why would former actor Lito Lapid be interested in a debate when he had won as senator, governor and vice governor without having to participate in one nor had to explain his plans and platforms? Or why would Bong Go have to sweat his way into a debate when all he had to do was smile, give away shirts and other things, or simply sit beside the popular President Rodrigo Duterte? Indeed, why waste precious hours and sweat when only 2 percent of voters care about what they would say and that only 3 percent are interested if they have the brains and ability to perform their duties once elected? But the courageous presidential daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, the Hugpong leader, said she was willing to take the cudgels for her silent lambs and debate all by herself against the eight candidates of Otso Diretso. Such bravado! But, as correctly pointed out by the opposition Otso Diretso bets, Mayor Sara is not the candidate for the Senate and should not be the one debating them. Let the candidates speak for themselves, they chorused. Why is the debate important? Because through the debates, candidates would be able to explain and expound on their supposed plans and platforms and voters would be able to discern who among the candidates understand what they are saying, have the competence to push their agenda, and have the integrity to become a member of the revered Senate of the Philippines. Candidates from both sides would be able to question the soundness of the other bets plans and platforms, and their honesty, integrity and competence. The Senate, after all, is a lawmaking body with only 24 members who discuss and debate important issues needed to pass legislation. It is not a place where one can just sit and smile while the direction of the countrys future is being discussed or debated. If the HNP candidates didnt want to debate, they should have opted to run for the House of Representatives where with almost 300 members, one can afford to just sit and even be absent without anybody noticing it. Besides, an administration congressman needs only to say aye to every administration-sponsored measure and nay to every opposition-initiated legislation. And then, theres the matter of honesty. For Mayor Sara and Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, honesty should not be a campaign issue in the coming elections.As a voter, I have to exercise my own judgment whether honesty will be a part of my choice, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a Palace press briefing Thursday. Why so many who are dishonest get elected? That means many do not consider honesty. It really depends on the voter. We shouldnt have to remind Atty. Panelo that as a citizen, it should be an important part of his choice. All candidates have been telling lies, thats why honesty should not be an issue, said Mayor Sara in defense of former presidential aide Christopher Bong Go, who has been accused of using government funds for his campaign, and Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos, whose claims of graduating from Princeton University and the University of the Philippines Diliman College of Law were denied by representatives of both institutions. Also under question for honesty among the HNP candidates are former Senators Bong Revilla, Jinggoy Estrada and Juan Ponce Enrile, who were all indicted for plunder for their alleged participation in the pork barrel scam. Since everybodys been lying, voters should not worry about it? Doesnt make sense, especially for lawyers like Mayor Sara and Panelo. In fact, to repeat the above SWS survey: 25 percent of voters want candidates who will not be corrupt; 21 percent prefer those with good moral character; and 21 percent like trustworthy candidates, all of which have direct correlation with honesty. Voters should be more discerning when choosing the people who will occupy the venerable seats in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, and the thousands of local posts all over the country especially in this midterm elections because it will determine whether we would go the same path as President Duterte and his allies in Congress have led us in the past three years, or whether Congress, especially the Senate, should stand up to the abuses of the Executive Branch and bring back the constitutionally mandated check-and-balance and balance of power among the three government branches. If Comelec wouldnt arrange a debate among the Senate candidates, media groups and entities should initiate one. If the HNP candidates refuse to participate, we can assume that they dont have a sound platform nor the competence to perform the duties of a senator. After all, the Senate is responsible for writing and passing laws, confirming presidential appointments, ratifying treaties and other agreements with foreign governments, and providing oversight to the executive branch, among others, all of which require thorough debates and discussions. [email protected] Warning: This post contains spoilers for Captain Marvel and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Captain Marvel is first and foremost an origin story for Brie Larsons hero. In the film, the part-alien, part-human warrior visits Earth to try to remember a past that she has forgotten as a full-human and fighter pilot. But the movie also introduces an important subplot that runs throughout the Marvel Comic books and could play a major role in upcoming Marvel movies: The Kree-Skrull wars. Its an ancient ongoing battle between two alien races, and earth often gets caught in the crosshairs. At the beginning of the movie, Carol Danvers (at the time, shes called Versher dog tag broke during an accident, leaving half of her last name visible) fights alongside the Kree, who call themselves noble warrior heroes, against the Skrulls. But fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe may have already suspected that the Kree are not as noble as they make themselves out to be when they spotted two villains from the film Guardians of the Galaxy fighting with the Kree forces in the movies trailers. And indeed, Carol eventually discovers the the Kree are the bad guys after all and switches sides. Heres what you need to know about the Krees, the Skrulls, and their connections to the rest of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Chuck ZlotnickMarvel Studios Chuck ZlotnickMarvel Studios. Korath (Djimon Hounsou) and Minn-Erva (Gemma Chan) with Leader of Starforce (Jude Law) Who are the Kree? The Kree are an alien race aggressively trying to expand their domain. Some of the Kree are blue-skinned, but others look like humans. Not all the Kree have superpowers, but some do have advanced powers. In general, the Kree are best known for their pugnaciousness and ruthlessness. Theyre imperialistic and try to force other races (like the Skrulls in this movie) to submit to their rule. Carol seems to not understand this when she trains to be part of the elite special teams force led by Jude Laws Yon-Rogg. But perhaps fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe became suspicious of the Krees motives when they saw Yon-Rogg reported to Ronan the Accuser, the bad guy from the Guardians of the Galaxy. (More on him later.) Story continues As a side note: The Kree are also obsessed with trying to evolve their race. At one point they create a race called the Inhumans, who may be the subject of a future Marvel film. What is the Supreme Intelligence? In the movie, Carol has to meet with something called the Supreme Intelligence in order to be cleared to go on a mission. Yon-Rogg tells Carol that the Supreme Intelligence appears to each person as the being that they most admire. When Carol meets with the Supreme Intelligence, she appears as Annette Benings Mar-Vell, a scientist that Carol held in high esteem back in her time on earth. In the comics, the Kree combine the minds of their greatest intellectuals to create the Supreme Intelligence, an organic, artificially intelligent construct. They then submit to the Supreme Intelligences dictatorial rule. Marvel Studios' CAPTAIN MARVEL..Talos (Ben Mendelsohn)..Photo: Chuck Zlotnick..Marvel Studios 2019 Who are the Skrulls? The Skrulls are a shape-shifting alien race that can impersonate any person or alien. In the movie, the Skrull are led by Talos (Ben Mendelsohn). At first, Carol thinks that the Skrulls are bad guys, plotting to subvert the noble work of the Kree. Later, on earth, she finds out that the Skrulls are actually just the victims of the genocidal Kree. Carol helps Talos reunite with his family on the ship that Mar-Vell built and promises to help them find a new home. Chuck ZlotnickMarvel Studios. Captain Marvel (Brie Larson) What is the Kree-Skrull War? The Krees and Skrulls are ancient enemies, and really what more reason do they need to fight? In the comics, their war which began with an argument over who was the strongest alien race has spanned hundreds of thousands of years. The Captain Marvel film adds a new twist: When the Skrulls resist Kree rule, the Krees try to massacre their entire race. Carol essentially helps the Skrulls go into hiding after fighting the Kree herself. When Mar-Vell, a Kree agent masquerading as a human scientist on earth, finds out about this, she tries to help the Skrulls by building an engine that could help a ship travel at light-speed. She stows several Skrulls away on a ship and plans to use the engine to fly the Skrulls to a distant planet where the Kree cant find them. She harnesses the power of the Tesseractwhich fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe will recognize as an Infinity Stonein order to create the technology. However, the Kree discover Mar-Vells plans and kill her before she can complete her mission. How does Carol Danvers get her powers? Carol volunteers to fly Mar-Vell to a remote location to destroy the super engine that she created before the Kree can get their hands on it. When Yon-Rogg shoots down their plane, kills Mar-Vell and approaches Carol, Carol shoots the power source created from the Tesseract. The thing explodes, and Carol is imbued with superpowers. The Krees, recognizing Carols supreme abilities, then wipe Carols brain and turn her into a super soldier. Marvels' Guardians of the Galaxy. How does this all tie into Guardians of the Galaxy? Two of the Kree warriors who fight alongside Carol are Ronan (Lee Pace) and Korath (Djimon Hounsou). Fans may remember both characters from Guardians of the Galaxy. In that movie, they are bent on destroying the planet of Xandar, another ancient enemies of the Kree. (The Kree, apparently, have a lot of enemies.) By the time Guardians takes place in 2014, the Kree and Xandarians have signed a peace treaty, and any hostile action that Ronan takes would start another war. Ronan strikes a deal with Thanos to retrieve a powerful orb for him in exchange for help annihilating Xandar. However, when Ronan realizes that the Orb Thanos wants contains an Infinity Stone, he tries to use the power of the stone himself. The Guardians of the Galaxy stop him and both Ronan and Korath die. WASHINGTON (AP) Claiming an exoneration that was not given, a "very honored" President Donald Trump is putting words in the mouth of the judge who sentenced former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort to nearly four years in prison. Trump is misrepresenting a statement by Manafort's lawyer, too. TRUMP: "Both the Judge and the lawyer in the Paul Manafort case stated loudly and for the world to hear that there was NO COLLUSION with Russia." tweet Friday. THE FACTS: This did not happen, loudly, quietly or at all. The case in Virginia was not related to Manafort's work on the Trump campaign and did not take up the question of whether the campaign colluded with Russia to influence the 2016 election. Manafort was convicted for tax and bank fraud related to his own work advising Ukrainian politicians. Judge T.S. Ellis III neither cleared nor implicated the president, instead emphasizing that Manafort was "not before this court for anything having to do with collusion with the Russian government." ___ TRUMP: Manafort's lawyer "went out of his way to make a statement last night, no collusion with Russia. There was absolutely none. The judge, I mean for whatever reason, I was very honored by it, also made the statement that this had nothing to do with collusion with Russia. So you know, keep it going. Keep the hoax going." remarks to reporters before leaving for Alabama. THE FACTS: The lawyer, Kevin Downing, did not say there was no collusion with Russia. He only argued that no evidence emerged in the trial that his client, in particular, was involved in any collusion. The judge did say the trial was not about Russia, but that was not a statement of vindication for Trump or anyone else. It was a reflection of the nature of the unrelated charges against Manafort. Whether the Trump campaign and Russia worked together to tilt the election toward Trump is a core issue in special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation, which continues. Story continues Like other Americans close to the Republican president who have been charged in the Mueller probe, Manafort hasn't been accused of involvement in Russian election interference. But he has not been cleared of that suspicion, either. For example, court papers in recent weeks revealed that Manafort shared polling data related to the Trump campaign with Konstantin Kilimnik, a business associate U.S. authorities say is tied to Russian intelligence. A Mueller prosecutor has said that an August 2016 meeting between Manafort and Kilimnik goes to the "heart" of the Russia probe. ___ Associated Press writer Eric Tucker contributed to this report. ___ Find AP Fact Checks at http://apne.ws/2kbx8bd ___ Follow @APFactCheck on Twitter: https://twitter.com/APFactCheck EDITOR'S NOTE _ A look at the veracity of claims by political figures Arkansas state Sen. Stephanie Flowers didn't hold back when debating a "stand your ground" bill and her unfiltered, profanity-laced pleas quickly went viral. Flowers, a Democrat, railed against the proposition in an emotional plea that laid out how similar self-defense laws across the U.S. had affected people of color and at one point, walked out of a committee hearing. Her comments spread like wildfire on social media on Friday, with many liberals and gun-control advocates applauding her courage and dubbing her a hero. "This is crazy! You don't have to worry about your children!" Flowers said during a hearing this week. "I worry about my son and I worry about other little black boys and girls and people coming into my neighborhood, into my city, saying they have open carry rights." Stand your ground laws and others similar to have allowed people to defend themselves if they feel threatened, without being forced to retreat. The laws, which have been controversial for years and used as a defense in a number of high-profile homicides, make it legal for a person to remain where they are, as long as they have a legal right to be there, and use any level of force, including deadly force, if they believe they face a threat of serious harm or death. The only black legislator on the state Judiciary Committee, Flowers raised her voice during the debate in a plea to ask the other lawmakers examining the proposition to extend the debate, according to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. "I am the only person here of color, OK. And I am a mother, too," she said. "I care as much for my son as y'all care for y'alls, but my son doesn't walk the same path as yours does." At one point, Republican state Sen. Alan Clark, who chairs the committee, tried to halt Flowers' emotional speech, telling her in a low voice, "Senator, you need to stop." "No, I don't. What the hell are you going to do? Shoot me?" she said. He tried again, saying "Senator..." but Flowers interjected, "Senator, sh-t. Go to hell." Story continues Flowers then continued to rant against conservative-led bills that cater to the National Rifle Association. "I'm talking about my son's life. And I'm talking about the life of other black kids," she added. "Do what the hell you wanna do, go ahead. But you can't silence me," Flowers said. "You are not going to silence me." Flowers said black people, like all people of different cultures, have a different way of expressing themselves that often feel threatening to some and this law could open the door to an increase in slayings. Flowers cited the case of Trayvon Martin, a black unarmed teenager who was shot and killed in Florida in 2012 by neighborhood watchman George Zimmerman. Zimmerman used Florida's "stand your ground" law as a defense and was found not guilty. The case helped start what would become the Black Lives Matter movement. 'Stand your ground' laws have been enacted in more than half of states across the U.S. A 2017 study examining the effects of the law in Florida found a surge in homicides after it went into effect in 2005. For years, experts have said the laws disproportionately affect people of color. After Flowers' emotional plea, the committee voted down the measure 4 to 3 on Thursday, the Democrat-Gazette reported. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'You are not going to silence me': Ark. lawmaker rails against 'stand your ground' bill Australia has admitted it had not focused enough attention on its Pacific backyard but vowed to make "long overdue" amends, amid growing Chinese influence in the region. "I think we would have to accept some criticism," Australia's minister for international development and the Pacific, Anne Ruston, told AFP on Friday. "We have perhaps not put as much attention and effort into our own region as we should of." In recent months, Ruston has been at the sharp end of trying to fix that -- jetting to-and-fro between Australia and far-flung Pacific Islands, as part of Prime Minister Scott Morrison's "step-up" in the region. The policy includes more aid, more security assistance, more diplomats working in the region and, crucially, more face-to-face contacts. It is, in large part, a response to Beijing's growing economic, political and military activity in the region. "I think we've had our focus gazed much further afield for a very long time," said Ruston. "It has certainly, more recently, been forced to be refocused back onto our own region." "That's a good thing. And it was certainly long overdue." While Australia was more focused on Fallujah than Fiji, China has been doling out loans and investment in the region and scooping up natural resources and telecoms contracts. Still, Ruston rejected suggestions that Australia, by moving to develop security facilities in Papua New Guinea and Fiji is causing the type of militarisation many complain China is embarking on. "This is our region, this is our area, this is where we live," she said. "However you see the security and sovereignty of our region the Pacific is extremely important to Australia." - The biggest issue - Australian re-engagement has been hampered by deep disagreements with Pacific nations over the conservative government's sceptical stance on climate change -- an existential threat to many island nations. Story continues Fiji Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has been among those accusing Australia of putting its coal industry "above the welfare of Pacific peoples". "It is a very, very real issue for them," Ruston acknowledged. In places like Kiribati -- where the average height of the land is a few feet above sea level -- it is "singularly the biggest issue that they have at the moment". To square the circle, Canberra diplomats have tried to separate climate policy writ-large from day-to-day work to temper its impact. The mitigation and infrastructure needs are enormous, "we talking tens of billions of dollars to be able to get the Pacific up to the kind of development standard, that I think Pacific aspires to have for itself", said the minister. Australia has committed to some ambitious projects, like helping Papua New Guinea bring electricity to 70 percent of the population by 2030. Today the percentage stands in the low double digits. But even that is another issue that has been complicated by Australian domestic politics -- which sees Papua New Guinea almost exclusively as the location of a deeply controversial offshore detention facility. "I think it is the challenge of the job," said Ruston of balancing domestic and international issues, admitting that Australians have not been totally won over by the idea of long-term development assistance. "I think one of the things that we've probably failed to do is to sell the message to the Australian public about why it is so important for Australia to assist, particularly our close neighbours in the Pacific." Many Australians see Pacific aid as money being taken from drought-hit farmers at home, instead of seeing the "huge value and benefit it is to Australia to have strong economies around it, the benefit to Australia to have secure and sovereign nations around it" she said. Bellamy Young paid a visit to the BUILD Studio on International Womens Day 2019 to discuss what . (Photo: Mike Pont). What Women Want Now is a program by Yahoo Lifestyle and her sister sites dedicated to creating content about the issues and stories that matter most to women. Read more here. Join the conversation with #WhatWomenWantNow. Whether it was the record-number of women running for office or the industry-shaking power of the Times Up movement, theres no doubt that 2018 was a game-changing year for women. But what do those who are actively reshaping the landscape actually want for the coming year? For Bellamy Young, star of ABCs Scandal and the spokesperson for humanitarian nonprofit CARE, its about paying attention to your inner voice. Whatever your soul is saying you want to help children in need, animals, climate change, gun control whatever your heart is saying, your voice and soul matters, Young says. Were all so capable of so much change. The 49-year-old stopped by AOLs Build Studio on Friday as a part of a panel discussion about the results of a HuffPost/Yahoo/CARE survey tackling what women care about most, titled What Women Want Now. The survey covered personal finance, politics and power, revealing how womens views on everything from racial discrimination to domestic duties are informed by who they are. In her case, that personal mission is about equipping women and girls worldwide with the tools they need to support themselves and their community. On a recent visit to Rwanda with CARE, Young says she experienced this firsthand, witnessing women learning everything from bee keeping to textiles. If you empower women theyll bring up their whole communities with them, says Young. Thats what they do. Its a joy to behold. Although when discussing her humanitarian work, Young seems effortlessly confident, she opened up on the Build stage about her own struggles with confidence which persist to this day. I have a lot of mean girls in my head, she said. Thats why playing Mellie Grant, the lead role on Shonda Rhimes hit show Scandal, has been transformative. Story continues Mellie is unburdened by [self doubt], says Young. Shes very much my way or the highway. It was inspiring to get to live in those shoes. Shes made me more bold. In Youngs eyes, she isnt the only one who has been touched by the characters moxie. Ill be grateful to Mellie for all of my existence. She taught me to be stronger, says Young. She taught a lot of women around the world to be stronger. I was along for the ride and lucky to be the vessel. This HuffPost/Yahoo/CARE survey was conducted by telephone Jan. 21-30, 2019, among a random national sample of 1,008 adult women, with 71 percent reached on cell phones and 29 percent on landlines. Results have a 3.6 percentage point error margin for the full sample, including design effects due to weighting. The survey was produced by Langer Research Associates of New York. N.Y., with field work by Issues & Answers of Virginia Beach, Va. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro will visit the White House on March 19 and is expected to discuss subjects including the situation in Venezuela with U.S. President Donald Trump, the White House said in a statement. Bolsonaro is a far-right former army captain who openly admires Trump. In a phone call after Bolsonaro's election victory in October, they spoke of "a strong commitment to work side by side" on issues affecting their countries. Even before taking office in January, Bolsonaro pledged to oppose the government of Venezuela, where an economic crisis has caused millions of people to flee, many to neighboring Brazil. Since taking power, Bolsonaro has stepped up criticism of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government and recognized Juan Guaido, the opposition leader and self-declared president, as the leader of the OPEC member nation. The United States has also recognized Guaido as president and called on others to do the same. Washington has increased sanctions against Venezuela in a bid to oust Maduro. (Reporting by Makini Brice in Washington; Editing by James Dalgleish) Photographer and Alaska native Acacia Johnson first visited Antarctica in 2010 as a tourist. From then on, working there became a passion: she was fascinated to see how the ice there was changing, and to experience the feeling of traveling back in time to an era untouched by humans. The scale of human presence on earth infinitely small, is felt in Antarctica. Theres a reason why this entire continent is devoted to science and peace, she notes. When previously working on expeditions, Johnson had often been one of the only women on a team. That was different in Antarctica, where women made up at least half of her team of logistics coordinators, guides and scientists. But this was not always the case. For years, Antarctica was a hostile place for women, and they faced significant political and social obstacles if they wanted to go. In 1914, when British explorer Ernest Shackleton was recruiting for an expedition to Antarctica, he got letters from three sporty girls applying to join. There are no vacancies for the opposite sex on this expedition, he responded. As many researchers have noted, Antarctica was then and still remains a masculine realm in popular imagination: never permanently inhabited, beautiful but hostile. Men were celebrated for testing their character by claiming and administering this new territory. Images of men fighting blizzards fed into the mythology of the conquering hero. Expedition writing from the early 20th century refers to Antarctica as an aloof, virginal woman to be won through chivalrous deeds. Sunrise near the Lemaire Channel, Antarctica. On Antarctica's Danco Island, gentoo penguins come and go from their nests over fields of blooming snow algae. In the 1960s, geologist Janet Thomson recalled the reply one female colleague received to her expedition application, which stated that there were no facilities for women in Antarctica, including no shops and no hairdresser. Women were even banned from the U.S. Antarctic Research Program until 1969. Though womens opportunities to join expeditions have been extremely restricted, women have nevertheless fought to play a part in the regions history. Maori oral tradition even suggests women traveled in Antarctic waters as far back as 650 AD. In 1935, Caroline Mikkelsen became the first woman in recorded history to set foot on one of Antarcticas islands in 1935. Story continues Since then, the polar gender dynamic has continued to shift, with more and more women taking roles as base commanders, expedition leaders, heavy equipment operators, scientists and researchers. Johnson introduces us to some of those working on the continent today in her series Women in Antarctica. In the 32 expeditions to Antarctica she has made as a guide, Johnson says she has been able to work alongside extraordinary women at 10 international research stations. She told TIME that breaking down gender stereotypes is an ongoing process, in Antarctica as everywhere else, but were making good progress, and its inspiring to be a part of. Weve come a long way women are now overtaking men in some areas, which is incredible but that doesnt mean we should lose sight of how far we still have to go regarding diversity. Expedition guide Francoise Gervais. Originally from Quebec, Francoise is a deep-sea explorer, environmental conservation specialist, polar expedition leader, and cold-water diver. What Ive realized all over the years is that a lot of women dont realize they can do things; go on expeditions; take leadership roles or work in extreme environments. Its not even in their subconscious. A lot of people dont even consider guiding in the Polar Regions an option as a woman and leading is a whole other story. You imagine Shackleton or Scott or Franklin. We keep hearing their names again and again. And we dont even hear about the women. I often think about the strategy you would need in an emergency. Courage, confidence, and caring. Especially caring. Guiding is a working environment, working inside a sort of family. To lift each others spirits, we dont need strong muscles. We need a strong mind. And anyone can have a strong mind. An Antarctic sunset glows through the portholes of a bedroom. On the wall is a map of the Antarctic Peninsula. Juanita Volker, a South African expedition guide who has worked there for 9 seasons. I love being a woman working in a mans world. It challenges [men], but I think it also brings humor, delight and a nice balance to working in such an extreme environment, especially for extended amounts of time. For me, as a woman, the secret is not to compete or try to prove to the men how equal I am, but more to accept our differences and unique strengths and form a unified team who has each others backs. American Aven King is proud to work amongst such a strong community of women, but is concerned that she has never worked with another person of color in Antarctica. I dont think Ive worked with a single other black person in the expedition world. At all. Culturally sometimes youll get people just not understanding seeing women in these scenarios. Like what are you doing here, youre too pretty, you should be in an office or is your family okay with you doing this? I rarely say what I want to say, which is: do you ask the male expedition guides this question? I already know the answer. They dont. A gentoo penguin colony greets the sunrise at Saunders Island, in the Sub-Antarctic Falkland Islands. Jiayi Zhao, an actress and dancer from Beijing, works as a Mandarin translator and expedition guide. She has guided extensively at both poles Antarctica is beyond my imagination. Its a place for everything, but at this moment for me, its a place where I look for myself. The Drake Passage, the notorious body of water separating Argentina and the Antarctic Peninsula, looms outside the portholes of a cabin. For guides who work long seasons in Antarctica, the turmoil of the Drake is a regular occurrence - a staff member may cross these waters up to 20 times in the course of a single Antarctic summer. Justine Ryan, Polar historian and expedition guide from England, prepares her zodiac in Antarctica. If people seem surprised [that Im a Polar historian], I just laugh and say, oh, I tried to grow a beard and some white hair, but couldnt quite manage, she says. It makes them realize that thats what they were expecting. Today, the landscape is changing. Efforts like the Homeward Bound expedition (a leadership initiative and the largest-ever female expedition to Antarctica launched in 2015), and a global Wikibomb to celebrate the notable contributions female scientists have made to Antarctic research, are broadening the narrative and raising the visibility of female scientists and explorers. Johnson plans to continue this series, with a greater emphasis on women who work on research bases and in science. Through images, I want to show the Antarctica that I know a seasonal home to a growing community of inspiring women, drawn together by this captivating place. I wanted to create portraits that challenge conventional ideas about who works in Antarctica, and how, and why. she told TIME. LONDON (Reuters) - Britain cannot accept an EU proposal to break the deadlock in the Brexit talks because it would threaten the unity of the United Kingdom by treating Northern Ireland differently, the chairman of the ruling Conservative Party said. The issue of how to maintain an open border on the island of Ireland is at the heart of the dispute between London and Brussels after British lawmakers objected to the so-called backstop insurance policy which they believe would keep the whole of the UK trapped in an EU customs union. Less than three weeks before Britain leaves the European Union, the EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier said on Friday Britain could have the unilateral right to leave their customs union after Brexit. However, Northern Ireland would have to remain in the EU's trade orbit to prevent the need for any customs checks on the border with EU-member Ireland. "We are not going to have an agreement that compromises the unity of the United Kingdom," Brandon Lewis told BBC radio. "The proposal that Michel Barnier put out yesterday would compromise the strength of the union." Lawmakers will vote again on Tuesday on whether to accept the deal struck by Prime Minister Theresa May. The government has so far failed to secure changes to the divorce deal that could gain the backing of lawmakers, after they roundly rejected it in January. Lewis said talks would continue over the weekend. (Reporting by Kate Holton; Editing by Janet Lawrence) VISALIA, Calif. Valley Oak Middle School teachers were asked to answer two questions about the school's climate and culture. Overwhelmingly, the teachers said the school's discipline model is broken. At a special meeting Thursday night, Visalia Unified School District teachers resoundingly agreed, saying there is a "crisis" in classrooms across the city. Parents backed them up on almost every concern. Just one teacher spoke in favor of the current discipline model. Like many campuses in California, Visalia Unified School District follows the Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports system when students misbehave or act out. With PBIS, students are placed in intervention programs, counseling, and alternative programs before a suspension or expulsion is recommended. Teachers say it's rare that a student ever receives support to address their issues. In most cases, they're sent back to class after a brief trip to the office. In some instances, teachers say they are held to answer for why they sent the student, rather than dealing with it themselves. Visalia Unified began adopting the model in 2013. Teachers had high hopes. They've been met with disappointment. As incidents on campuses have worsened, teachers and parents are pushing back. Visalia Unified board member Juan Guerrero (left) speaks with Ben Dhillon, director of Social Emotional Wellness, after a special board meeting on Thursday, March 7, 2019. Don't pee on my lunch Parents voiced concern with incidents on campus, like a student who told a classmate to "kill yourself" and "getting away with it," one parent said. That student was awarded two weeks later with a Respect award. One Golden Oak Elementary mother said her daughter's lunch was urinated on and the student responsible was "back at school the next day." Her daughter didn't realize her lunch had been spoiled until she took a bite. "There are zero consequences at our schools and I think the district needs to put something in place (so) there are consequences," Malika Anaya said. "The district needs to step up." Story continues Teachers told stories about being cussed at, ignored by administrators and evacuating entire classrooms because of one student's tantrum. A first-grade teacher said one "little guy" kicked things off desks and another student pretended to decapitate another classmate. Students have gotten so good at evacuating, they never forget to take their computers with them, she said. "My first-grade girls write in response to these kids, who say terrible things to me at times, 'We love Miss Jarrett, she is the best teacher ... she protects us," said Leisa Jared, a Riverway Elementary teacher who spoke during the meeting. "Why do first-graders (have to think like that), it's not like it's an active shooter. It's another first-grader" Valley Oak teacher Alysha Owens speaks to board members at the Visalia Unified special board meeting at the district office on Thursday, March 7, 2019. 'Directly to prison' The system is modeled around three levels of student support, known as tiers. Students are placed in a tier depending on the level of support or intervention needed. Tier 1 is a "universal" approach. Tier 2 is more targeted for an individual student. Both rely on positive feedback and rewards. Tier 3, which educators say is currently not even an option for their students, offers an "intensive" level of support for students who continue to act out. The U.S. Department of Education urges districts to implement a "multitiered approach to social, emotional and behavior support. The broad purpose of PBIS is to improve the effectiveness, efficiency and equity of schools." "PBIS improves social, emotional and academic outcomes for all students, including students with disabilities and students from underrepresented groups," according to PBIS.org. One of the problems? There are no consequences, teachers said. Conversely, students are often rewarded or even thanked after acting out. Crestwood Elementary kindergarten teacher Raul Gonzalez said students aren't being prepared for real life. "At the end of the day, if we don't have kids understanding that there's going to be consequences for their actions when they grow up and they leave our schools, they're going to be going directly to prison," he said. "They're going to expect somebody to give them a candy and say, 'Hey, it's going to be OK.'" When there are finally consequences, teachers say students are confused. "Unfortunately, our current system is not helping the 10 percent of students who desperately need support," said Divisadero Middle School teacher Katherine Wilson. "My students are in shock when they finally cross a line that results in a suspension or expulsion because small rules were not enforced." Horseplay, cussing, bigotry and defiant behavior have been treated as no big deal, Wilson said. "Behaviors escalated until they finally find themselves crossing a big line," she added. Gonzalez asked for more emphasis on building strategies to deal with students who are "escalating in anger." Crestwood Elementary Kindergarten teacher Raul Gonzalez speaks to board members at the Visalia Unified special board meeting at the district office on Thursday, March 7, 2019. Leaderless Some board members looked to principals for answers and action. "I see lack of leadership, lack of trust, lack of communication, kids being put back into the classroom without intervention, many places (with) no collaboration with the whole school community, the rest of the kids are losing out on their educations," said board member Walta Gamoian. Some teachers said the lack of leadership on campuses is a driving force behind PBIS's downfall. Board Member William Fulmer has shared his dissatisfaction with the system for several years. "There's this assumption that those average kids will be OK. They won't," Fulmer said. "If we don't support the teachers, and I grant you a major issue is we have principals not doing their jobs, I don't care what the issue is it's not working." Gamoian said, "something needs to be done now." "I feel like we're in a 911 situation," she added. Visalia Unified Teacher's Association President Greg Price speaks to board members at the Visalia Unified special board meeting at the district office on Thursday, March 7, 2019. 'Out of the fire' Greg Price, VUTA president, said teachers' frustration with PBIS is widespread. "There are a lot of tears on the phone to me," he said. "I have a lot of people call me and tell me 'I can't go to work tomorrow. I just can't get back in, it's too insane in my classroom.'" Price said the problem with the system is not just visible across Visalia but can be seen nationwide. "Part of our problem is schools are falling apart now. Teachers are falling apart now. Classrooms are in crisis," Price said. "We need to deal with those and we can't wait five years for that to be done." "Crisis" was the keyword, not only because thousands of students are missing out on their educations, but because no one can point to a clear plan to fix it, teachers said. "We're in a crisis and what I would like to see is a plan in place to get us out of the fire and then we can go back and build those systems and structures that need to be built," Gamoian said. Follow Calley Cederlof on Twitter: @calleyc_vtd. This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: California school district faces 'crisis' as students 'rage' without discipline Ottawa (AFP) - Justin Trudeau rose to power in Canada as a champion of feminism and indigenous rights, quickly earning him golden boy status at home and abroad as a progressive leader. But a major political scandal that sparked the resignation of two of his ministers -- both women, one indigenous -- has tarnished his image just seven months before national elections. Pundits say the 47-year-old premier faces a tough battle just to stay in office, with the latest polls showing his Liberals trailing the Conservatives for the first time. For weeks, Trudeau's government has been rocked by accusations of meddling in the criminal prosecution of engineering giant SNC-Lavalin, which was charged with corruption over alleged bribes paid to secure contracts in Libya. His attorney general Jody Wilson-Raybould, who said she experienced "consistent and sustained" political pressure to shield the company from a trial, stepped down. Budget minister Jane Philpott followed suit, as did longtime Trudeau friend and top aide Gerry Butts. On Thursday, Trudeau addressed the allegations head-on, telling reporters in Ottawa that he had learned "lessons" from the crisis -- but denying any wrongdoing. For the opposition, that wasn't enough. On Friday, they renewed their calls for Trudeau to resign. "Trudeau is facing a serious crisis of confidence in his leadership," said Stephanie Chouinard, a politics professor at the Royal Military College of Canada. "Seeing not one, but two members of his cabinet slamming the door like that, it's unheard of for many years in Canada and it augurs very badly for him ahead of the October elections." - 'Virtue' at issue - The Liberals built their brand around the handsome young Trudeau, a one-time bartender and snowboard instructor with Hollywood good looks and a father who was widely admired when he served as premier. Trudeau brought rock star energy to the job, and his brand of progressive politics -- he made bold statements on climate action, legalized cannabis and helped refugees make a new life in Canada. Story continues The Liberals' 2015 victory marked the return of the party, which had governed for most of the last century before being relegated to third-place status in a 2006 ballot. Trudeau was hailed. Now, his "virtue is being questioned," Chouinard said. "He promised to do politics differently and introduce real change, but (in many eyes) has showed himself to be a politician like any other." - Libya, bribes and Trudeau's 'brand' - SNC-Lavalin was charged in 2015 with corruption for allegedly bribing officials in Libya between 2001 and 2011 to secure government contracts during the rule of former strongman Moamer Kadhafi. The Montreal-based firm openly lobbied the government for an out-of-court settlement that would result in a fine and agreeing to compliance measures, saying a conviction would lead to job cuts. But Wilson-Raybould, Canada's first indigenous attorney general, refused to ask prosecutors to settle, and the trial is set to proceed. She later testified to lawmakers that she had received "veiled threats" over her stance -- and Trudeau's inner circle came under suspicion. Since the crisis erupted a month ago, Trudeau has seemed "disconnected" and "not in control" of his government, said Eric Montigny, a politics professor at Laval University in Quebec City. The resignations of two tough, successful women who embodied his values have prompted Canadians to re-examine his bona fides, especially his commitment to women and indigenous people, he said. Also, apparent contradictions in his policies, such as pushing for carbon emissions cuts while buying an oil pipeline in support of Canada's energy sector, are getting more attention. "It strikes at the heart of the Trudeau brand," Montigny said. "It also becomes more difficult for the prime minister to tell voters to trust him when two senior ministers say they have lost confidence in him." For a hint of how things might play out, many will look to the March 19 federal budget vote. If Liberals, who hold a majority in parliament, break ranks, it could trigger snap elections. Marcel Chartrand, a communications professor at the University of Ottawa, is nevertheless optimistic that Trudeau's party and Canadians in general will forgive his missteps. "He is young, he learns from his mistakes and I think Canadians will give him the benefit of the doubt," he said. Montreal (AFP) - A Canadian man sentenced to 40 years in prison without the possibility of parole for the killing of six worshippers at a Quebec mosque in January 2017 has launched an appeal, local media reported Friday. Alexandre Bissonnette was convicted on February 8 to life imprisonment for the murders, the deadliest attack on a Muslim place of worship in the West. On January 29 2017, Bissonette opened fire on around 40 men and four children who were chatting after prayers in the grand hall of the ground floor, killing six men and seriously wounding five others. In their appeal at the Quebec courthouse, Bisonnette's lawyers argued that Judge Francois Hout had imposed "an illegal punishment, manifestly unreasonable and not indicated in ordering 40 years imprisonment before being eligible for parole," according to the public Radio-Canada. The verdict, preventing Bissonnette from applying for parole before his 67th birthday, was considered too lenient by the president of the mosque, Boufeldja Benabdallah. The prosecution had for its part claimed a sentence of 150 years in prison, a request described as "unreasonable" and unconstitutional by the Judge Hout. WASHINGTON The new Captain Marvel film has sparked an online backlash for featuring the Marvel cinematic universes first solo female superhero, an Air Force F-15C pilot named Carol Danvers. But that criticism doesnt phase two of the Air Forces most powerful women. It is amazing to me that people would criticize a movie because it only has one [main] character in it [who is a woman]. Ive never heard that criticism of other films, Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson said before a March 7 premiere of the film at the National Air and Space Museum. That doesnt bother me at all. There are other superhero movies that just have a male superhero, and I havent heard criticism of those, said Brig. Gen. Jeannie Leavitt, the Air Forces first female fighter pilot and an inspiration for Carol Danvers portrayal in the film. Sorry, Marvel fans: SOCOM says real-life Iron Man suit remains a fantasy The Air Force plays a major role in Captain Marvel, and the services Hollywood liaison office collaborated closely with the directors. Not only are Danvers and her best friend Maria Rambeau F-15 pilots though the women note they cannot fly in combat, as the movie is set in the 1990s but the movie also features shots of Danvers at the Air Force Academy and a blink-and-youll-miss-it cameo by the B-2 bomber. Thursdays premiere at the Air and Space Museum was a bit of a victory lap for the service. Air Force leadership and members of Congress attended the viewing, and Captain Marvel directors Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck were present to introduce the film. But it was also clearly a celebration of women in the Air Force. Many of the attendees were Air Force families with young daughters, who could be spotted in Captain Marvel-themed costumes and jackets walking around science- and technology-themed exhibits before the show, as well as female airmen in flight suits. When Air Force Times caught up with Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Dave Goldfein, he said he hopes the film inspires young women to consider joining the service. Story continues It was a lot of fun, he said. More than anything I hope that young women see themselves as future Air Force members; I hope they get excited about their future. And I hope they enjoy the show. Neither Wilson nor Leavitt are big comic book fans Wilson described herself as more of a Mad Magazine kid, and Leavitt copped to only have watched Captain America and Iron Man before Brie Larson, who plays Danvers, visited Nellis Air Force Base in 2018. But both noted that the Marvel crew and Larson in particular wanted to accurately portray what it means to be in the Air Force. It seems to capture a lot of the ethos of what it means to be an airman," Wilson said. "They paid attention to details about who we are as airmen and how we approach things. For example, the T-shirt worn by Danvers in the Air Force Academy scenes is the same design worn by real cadets, not the one anyone can buy at the gift shop. Those details help ground the movie in the reality of being a part of the service, Wilson said. Its the difference between youre really a cadet or whether youre just visiting. By Stella Qiu and Ryan Woo BEIJING (Reuters) - China's exports tumbled the most in three years in February while imports fell for a third straight month, pointing to a further slowdown in the economy and stirring talk of a "trade recession", despite a spate of support measures. While seasonal factors may have been at play, the shockingly weak readings from the world's largest trading nation added to worries about a global slowdown, a day after the European Central Bank slashed growth forecasts for the region. Asian stock markets and U.S. futures extended losses after the data. Chinese stocks sank over 4 percent in their worst day in five months. Global investors and China's major trading partners are closely watching Beijing's policy reactions as economic growth cools from last year's 28-year low. But the government has vowed it will not resort to massive stimulus like in the past, which helped revive demand worldwide. February exports fell 20.7 percent from a year earlier, the largest decline since February 2016, customs data showed. Economists polled by Reuters had expected a 4.8 percent drop after January's unexpected 9.1 percent jump. "Today's trade figures reinforce our view that China's trade recession has started to emerge," Raymond Yeung, Greater China chief economist at ANZ, wrote in a note. Imports fell 5.2 percent from a year earlier, worse than analysts' forecasts for a 1.4 percent fall and widening from January's 1.5 percent drop. Imports of major commodities fell across the board. That left the country with a trade surplus of $4.12 billion for the month, much smaller than forecasts of $26.38 billion. Analysts warn that data from China in the first two months of the year should be read with caution due to business disruptions caused by the long Lunar New Year holidays, which came in mid-February in 2018 but started on Feb. 4 this year. But many China watchers had expected a weak start to the year as factory surveys showed dwindling domestic and export orders and the Sino-U.S. trade war dragged on. Story continues "Seasonal distortions around the Chinese New Year holiday has added noise to the export data in the past two months, and in our view explain most of the surprise (relative to consensus)," said analysts at Goldman Sachs, whose estimate for a 20 percent export drop was the most pessimistic in the Reuters poll. But they noted that export momentum on a three-month basis has moderated significantly since the third quarter last year and said "growth is likely to remain soft in the near future." TRADE WAR The increasingly weak China data comes amid months of intense negotiations between Washington and Beijing aimed at ending their trade dispute. On Wednesday, the U.S. reported its goods trade deficit with China surged to an all-time high last year, underlining one of the key sticking points. China's data on Friday showed its surplus with the United States narrowed to $14.72 billion in February from $27.3 billion in January, and it has promised to buy more U.S. goods such as agricultural products as part of the trade discussions. U.S President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that trade talks were moving along well and predicted either a "good deal" or no deal between the world's two largest economies. Trump postponed a sharp U.S. tariff hike slated for early March as the talks progressed, but both Washington and Beijing have kept previous duties in place. The Chinese government's top diplomat, State Councillor Wang Yi, said on Friday that talks had made substantive progress, and that the two countries' relations should not descend into confrontation. But the New York Times reported that Chinese officials are leery of continued discussions and don't want to commit China to structural changes in its economy. WORLD'S GROWTH ENGINE SLOWING China's economy was already slowing last year before trade tensions escalated, due in part to a regulatory clampdown on riskier lending that starved smaller, private companies of financing and stifled investment. Even if a trade deal is reached, its exporters will have to contend with weakening demand globally, particularly in Europe. China's exports to all of its major markets fell across the board last month. The government is targeting economic growth of 6.0 to 6.5 percent in 2019, Premier Li Keqiang said at Tuesday's opening of the annual meeting of parliament, a lower target than set for 2018. Actual growth last year slowed to 6.6 percent, and is expected to cool further to 6.2 percent this year. Many analysts expect a rocky first half before a flurry of stimulus measures start to stabilise activity around mid-year. China's slowdown and the trade war are having an increasing impact on other trade-reliant countries and businesses worldwide. Imports from Japan sank 19.3 percent in February compared with a month earlier, Chinese customs data showed. On Thursday, automotive chipmaker Renesas Electronics Corp said it plans to halt production at six plants in Japan for up to two months this year as it braces for a further slowdown in Chinese demand. Taiwan reported its biggest export drop in over 2-1/2 years on Friday, with shipments to China down 10.4 percent. Like China, Japan and South Korea, its hi-tech manufacturers are also being hurt by a global downturn in demand for electronics from memory chips to smartphones. (Reporting by Yawen Chen, Stella Qiu and Kevin Yao; Editing by Richard Borsuk and Kim Coghill) Family murderer Chris Watts speaks every day to photos he keeps in his prison cell of his slain pregnant wife and two daughters, according to his February confession from inside a Wisconsin prison. Watts, 33, also told investigators from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation he reads a book to his daughters every night, and also reads the Bible. The newly released Feb. 18 audio confession laid out chilling details of the murders of his 34-year-old wife Shanann and the couples daughters, Bella, 4, and Celeste, 3. His voice trembling at times between sniffles, Watts confessed to strangling Shanann and then loading her body into the bed of his truck before driving it to a remote oil field, where he used one of his girls own blankets to smother both of them. [Celeste] was first, Watts said the recording obtained by PEOPLE; Bella sat inches from her sister as she was killed. He then used the same New York Yankees blanket to kill his oldest. RELATED: Chris Watts 4-Year-Old Daughter Pleaded for Her Life After Watching Him Kill Sister: Lawyer Chris Watts before he spoke to police last month Watts, who claims he did not plan the murders, told authorities every time he sees pictures of Bella and Celeste, he doesnt understand how it all could have happened, according to a CBI report obtained by PEOPLE. He told authorities he has pictures of his wife and daughters in his prison cell and he talks to them every morning and every night. Watts said during his confession he and Shanann had sex after she returned from a business trip to Arizona. Hours later, on Aug. 13, 2018, he jumped on Shanann, who was on her back in their bed, after a fight in which he told her he didnt love her, and she threatened him with leaving him and taking the children. Watts said he snapped and lost control. Right now, Watts said, Id have a 5-year-old, a 3-year-old, and more than likely, a one-month old son and a beautiful wife, and right now its just me. RELATED: Behind the Scenes of Family Murderer Chris Watts Surprising Guilty Plea Story continues Last November, Watts pleaded guilty to all three killings. He is currently serving five life sentences without the possibility of parole. Watts was having an affair with a co-worker at the time of the killings. Authorities have cited his desire for a fresh start with his mistress as his motive. According to the confession, Watts drove 45 minutes to a remote oil field, with Shananns corpse in the bed of the truck and his still-living girls in the backseat. During the ride, the girls were dozing on and off, held each other, and laid in each others laps, the CBI report reads. Before burying Shanann in a shallow grave, Watts said he smothered Celeste, who went by CeCe, in the backseat, right next to Bella. After dumping Celestes body in an old field, he returned to smother Bella, who begged for her life. Chris and Shanann Watts RELATED: Chris Watts Killed Daughters at Oil Field After Driving There With Their Moms Dead Body: Lawyer Bella asked him in her soft voice, Is the same thing gonna happen to me as Cece?' reads the report. He is not sure if he told Bella yes like a horrible person. Watts also opened up about what he claims are his newfound religious beliefs, and what his life has been like behind bars. RELATED: Chris Watts Mistress Breaks Silence About Affair He Lied About Everything Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter. Watts with his girls in an undated photo While incarcerated in Colorado before being transferred to Wisconsin, Watts said he was taunted by the other inmates, who would yell at him at night and would explain to him all the ways he could kill himself in his cell by drowning himself in the toilet or hanging himself. He said he didnt kill himself because he felt like he may have a different purpose. He said he prayed to be transferred to a different facility, and when he was, it felt like God moved him to [the prison] for a reason. Watts told police he tries to keep a low profile in the prison. Big cockroaches live beneath Price Hall at Virginia Tech University. The stately, gray, five-story building, built of stone over a century ago, houses the school's entomology department, whose faculty study the insects that flourish in our forests, farms, and, often, homes. Sometimes, these reddish-brown American cockroaches the largest species of cockroach in the U.S. will leave their underworld dwellings, crawl through the structure's old pipes, and creep into Price Hall, said Dini Miller, an urban entomologist at the university. "Im kind of thrilled about it," she added. Miller has devoted her academic career to the flat-bodied, six-legged, and often abhorred pests, developing a keen understanding of why roaches have proven so resilient in our modern world, a world where many inspect species but certainly not all have been eviscerated by pesticides and the destruction of their habitats. Moths, dung beetles, wasps, bees, and dragonflies have all been given well-deserved PR recently from new widely-reported research and an expertly-told front page story in The New York Times Magazine, foretelling environmental doom should we annihilate the foundation of the planet's food web. A dead cockroach. Image: Getty Images Acknowledging that many inspect species might continue to decline in the 21st century a time when extinction rates are about 1,000 times that of natural, expected levels I asked Miller if the stubborn, stalwart cockroach might really inherit the Earth if other species were to bite the dust. The answer isn't simple, but in large part it comes down to the continued success of the human race: The seven or so cockroach species we call pests, the ones we view as indestructible, have learned to thrive in our human society. That means they will continue thriving, as long as we do. "If it wasnt for us they wouldnt be flourishing," said Tim Kring, the head of the Entomology Department at Virginia Tech. "But certain species have flourished because weve given them nice homes, food, and water." Story continues "So were with them forever," said Miller, who paused and corrected herself. "Let's put it this way theyre with us forever." The indestructible roaches Roaches traveled across oceans to infest the United States. The worst cockroach pest, however, isn't the American cockroach, which likely boarded New World-bound ships from Africa in the 1600s. It's the German cockroach, which may have came from either Europe or Africa. It's a smaller brown roach under an inch in size. Though German cockroaches are plentiful in the United States, there are no wild German roaches living outdoors in the nation. Instead, they've become domesticated critters. They all live with us. "[German roaches] are the ones that have evolved to live with humans," said Miller. "They have gone from the caves to our agricultural societies, to exploring the world on ships, to flying around on airplanes. They have just come with us the whole way." An overnight roach trap deployed by Dini Miller in a single apartment (German roaches). Image: dini Miller Unlike German cockroaches, larger roaches like the American cockroach or the smoky brown cockroaches of the south aren't wholly dependent upon our warmth and food to survive, though they're commonly discovered in large buildings, particularly in cities. Like the roaches peeking out in old Price Hall, these roaches flourish in modern human civilization. They don't always need to live in the shadowy corners of our homes and restaurants, but instead reside in sewers and the outdoors. Though, bigger roaches have no problem coming inside when they get hungry, thirsty, or cold. "They can just move on in when times get tough," said Miller. And that's when all roaches cause a stir, whether German, American, or something else. "People get freaked out by them," said Santangelo. Even though their swarming, brown bodies may provoke disgust, their dependence on us might be why they don't carry disease. They need us to stay a healthy, vibrant, reproducing species, which makes them well-adapted to infest our cities. "They dont want to hurt our populations," said Kring. "In a way, theyre farming us by not spreading disease to us," he mused. SEE ALSO: The wilderness has returned to idyllic Cape Cod. That means great white sharks. Still, we've certainly tried to annihilate them, using insecticides to unleash large-scale, nation-wide warfare against any roach that enters our homes. But the roaches have resisted. "They defeat the countermeasures we deploy," said Rick Santangelo, a cockroach control research specialist at North Carolina State University. Our chemicals might knock out 99 out of 100 roaches, but the remaining one percent will prove resilient. Then, they'll breed. "The more youre exposed to something, the more tolerant you become to it," said Santangelo. That's not to say the resilient critters can't be exterminated from your house. With the right strategically-placed poisons like placing bait in hundreds of places around a kitchen the roach dwellers can be expunged. But that's just your house. "You can get rid of them in a single structure, but were not gonna eradicate roaches," said Santangelo. An American cockroach visits the indoors. Image: Getty Images Roaches, particularly the German ones, have another potent weapon: their genes. Over millions of years, German roaches unwittingly evolved an exceptional ability to resist poisons and malicious pathogens. In a 2018 study, researchers found that the German cockroaches had expanded specific parts of their genome responsible for "detoxification," "defense against pathogens," and other related functions, making the bugs well-suited to thrive in filthy, inhospitable places like sewers. Of note, American and German roaches have a genome that supplies their bodies with a rich arsenal of a protein called the P450, which neutralizes toxins and can respond to a wide variety of chemical threats. "All this gives them an edge in an unsanitary environment," said Erich Bornberg-Bauer, a professor of molecular evolution and genomeinformatics at the University of Munster. "If they would also survive World War III is unproven and we'd prefer not to find out," added Bornberg-Bauer, who coauthored the genetics roach study. Until death do we part Roaches and humans are in the long-haul together. They don't seem to mind us, but why can't we get along with our six-legged roommates? "It's the shame," said Miller. "People have a lot of shame when it comes to having insects in their home." "They cant damage you. Theyre just obnoxious," she added. But the intimate roach-human relationship, while assured for near eternity, isn't exactly harmless. Roaches in a trap. Image: Shutterstock / Chattaphan Sakulthong Though roaches may not carry lyme disease, like ticks, nor inject us with venom that produces ghastly lesions, like the brown recluse spider, their poop can become a serious problem during a dreaded infestation. "All of your plates, curtains, walls get covered in cockroach poop," said Miller, noting that the problem is pervasive in poorer, inner-city environments but often unknown by other socio-economic demographics. The roach poop takes to the air and becomes an allergen, triggering wheezing, coughing, and asthma. Most roach species, it should be noted, aren't unsightly pests. Many are magnificently-colored bugs, unrecognizable as a dreaded roach. They're like the trillions of other insects out there, existing in a world rife with habitat destruction, pesticides, and a globally-disrupted climate. Many bugs simply no longer have homes. "Where there was once a forest, theres now a cornfield," said Kring. Who says cockroaches are are ugly. Mitchells diurnal cockroach (Polyzosteria mitchelli) at Charles Darwin Reserve. #WildOz pic.twitter.com/0kXftltlpG Ben Parkhurst (@ParkhurstBen) November 7, 2018 Although unease about insect declines can sometimes be misinterpreted or sensationalized, the unavoidable reality is that many insect populations have indeed experienced significant declines, but these plummeting numbers haven't been observed everywhere. In some places, like protected European forests, biologists have observed an over 75 percent decline in flying insect species in under three decades. Meanwhile, scientists haven't yet found dwindling numbers in other non-flying bug species. "Im not saying it's not happening, I just dont see it in my own data," Peter Dunn, a biologist at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee who has monitored flying insects for decades, noted in an interview. The future of wild bugs, though, is in a significantly more uncertain state than the roaches that dwell with humankind, as our homes are often safe and rife with food. It's a welcome place to be, especially if catastrophe does strike Earth's wild insects, should a complete and terrible environmental failure come to pass. "I think there will be cockroaches left," mused Dunn. GOMA, Congo (Reuters) - Mai Mai militiamen attacked an Ebola treatment center at the heart of an outbreak of the disease in eastern Congo on Saturday, killing a policeman and wounding health workers before being repelled by security forces. The center in Butembo was the same one torched by unknown assailants last week, an attack that prompted medical aid agency Medecins Sans Frontieres to suspend activities in the area. Aid workers have faced deep mistrust in some areas as they work to contain the outbreak of the deadly hemorrhagic fever, the worst in Democratic Republic of Congo's history, killing close to 600 people so far. Efforts to contain the virus have been hampered by a plethora of armed groups operating in Congo's lawless east. World Health Organisation (WHO) President Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus visited the Butembo center later on Saturday, a statement from the organization said. "It breaks my heart to think of the health workers injured and the police officer who died in today's attack, as we continue to mourn those who died in previous attacks, while defending the right to health," Tedros was quoted as saying. "But we have no choice except to continue serving the people here, who are among the most vulnerable in the world." Butembo major Sylvain Kanyamanda Mbusa said the Mai Mai militants had been successfully beaten back. "Because of previous attacks, a security system was already in place and attackers were quickly confronted by the police officers guarding the ...center," he told Reuters. The facility had resumed operations only a week ago and had been managed by the ministry of health in collaboration with the WHO and United Nations children's agency. The Mai Mai take their name from the word for "water" in a local Swahili dialect, because some of their fighters believe magic can turn flying bullets into water. They comprise several armed bands that originally formed to resist two invasions by Rwandan forces in the late 1990s. They have since morphed into a variety of ethnic-based militia, smuggling networks and protection rackets. One of the militiamen was wounded in Saturday's attack and is in custody, Kanyamanda Mbusa said. On Thursday, MSF accused the Congolese government of failing to contain the epidemic because of an overly militarized response that was alienating patients and their families. (Reporting by Fiston Mahamba; Writing by Giulia Paravicini; editing by Tim Cocks and Ros Russell) By David Morgan WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Congressional Democrats are debating whether to expand the scope of their inquiry into President Donald Trump's taxes to include his business tax returns along with his personal returns, a risky step seen by some as crucial to effective oversight. The debate has intensified, aides and lawmakers said, since last week's testimony by former Trump personal attorney Michael Cohen, who alleged to lawmakers that Trump altered his business asset values and slashed employee salaries to lower his taxes. The testimony suggested that investigators in the House of Representatives will need both his personal and business returns to fully assess Trump's compliance with tax laws and understand the network of businesses he owns, lawmakers said. The White House declined to comment on Thursday. House Democrats have spent months laying the groundwork for an unprecedented request to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin for Trump's personal tax filings. Adding Trump's business returns could complicate an already legally delicate effort, aides and lawmakers said. Trump owns more than 550 companies and business entities, including the Trump Organization, his financial disclosure reports show. "There's conflicting advice on this," said Representative Richard Neal, chairman of the House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee and the only House lawmaker authorized by law to ask Mnuchin for Trump's returns. "Tax policy is pretty complicated. There are times when individual returns can instruct you. Other times, you might seek a business return," Neal told Reuters in an interview. "It has to conform to the principle of a pretty narrow law." Neal is trying to formulate his request to Mnuchin so that it can withstand a likely court fight with Trump, who has refused to release his returns, defying decades of presidential practice. Unlike predecessors, Trump has also retained extensive business interests while serving as president, raising questions about conflicts of interest. Interest in Trump's business returns is coming from at least four other House panels, including Oversight and Judiciary, according to aides and lawmakers. House Oversight wants to depose long-time Trump tax attorney Sheri Dillon, who likely has a deep understanding of Trump's tax returns. Committee officials said this week that no final decision has been made on whether to pursue the business returns in the initial request. 'A LOT OF DOORS' Cohen's testimony "opened a lot of doors for investigatory bodies," Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a member of the House Oversight Committee, told Reuters. "It's about comparing his financial statements with his tax reports. What Cohen named particularly were the Trump Organization taxes," she said. Democrats, who won control of the House in the November 2018 U.S. elections, say Trump's personal returns would reveal whether he has complied with U.S. tax laws and any IRS audits, as well as his effective tax rate, business and investment income and charitable contributions. But Democrats could blunder by focusing solely on Trump's personal returns, if their aim is to identify conflicts of interest between his sprawling business investments and the policies he advocates from the Oval Office, tax experts say. "Personal returns alone fall short," said Steve Rosenthal, a senior fellow at the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center, a think tank in Washington. Success against legal resistance to disclosure by Trump would greatly depend on the ability of Democrats to demonstrate a legitimate legislative purpose for their request. Rosenthal said including business returns would strengthen the House argument because the documents are geared strongly to legitimate oversight questions such as conflicts of interest. But House Democrats are talking about simplify their request by targeting a limited number of Trump companies tied to investments of interest, rather than the entire business network, and possibly making further requests later. "It's going to be a combination of both personal and business, because he goes back and forth between both. To get the full picture, I don't think you can just pick one or the other," said Representative Gerry Connolly, an Oversight member. (Reporting by David Morgan in Washington; Editing by Kevin Drawbaugh and James Dalgleish) There is a lot to be liked about PageGroup plc (LON:PAGE) as an income stock. It has paid dividends over the past 10 years. The company is currently worth UK1.4b, and now yields roughly 5.8%. Lets dig deeper into whether PageGroup should have a place in your portfolio. See our latest analysis for PageGroup How I analyze a dividend stock If you are a dividend investor, you should always assess these five key metrics: Is it paying an annual yield above 75% of dividend payers? Has it consistently paid a stable dividend without missing a payment or drastically cutting payout? Has dividend per share risen in the past couple of years? Can it afford to pay the current rate of dividends from its earnings? Will it be able to continue to payout at the current rate in the future? LSE:PAGE Historical Dividend Yield, March 9th 2019 How does PageGroup fare? The current trailing twelve-month payout ratio for the stock is 40%, meaning the dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Going forward, analysts expect PAGEs payout to increase to 45% of its earnings. Assuming a constant share price, this equates to a dividend yield of 5.7%. In addition to this, EPS should increase to 0.36. The higher payout forecasted, along with higher earnings, should lead to greater dividend income for investors moving forward. When assessing the forecast sustainability of a dividend it is also worth considering the cash flow of the business. Cash flow is important because companies with strong cash flow can usually sustain higher payout ratios. If theres one type of stock you want to be reliable, its dividend stocks and their stable income-generating ability. In the case of PAGE it has increased its DPS from 0.080 to 0.26 in the past 10 years. During this period it has not missed a payment, as one would expect for a company increasing its dividend. These are all positive signs of a great, reliable dividend stock. Relative to peers, PageGroup produces a yield of 5.8%, which is high for Professional Services stocks. Story continues Next Steps: With this in mind, I definitely rank PageGroup as a strong dividend stock, and makes it worth further research for anyone who likes steady income generation from their portfolio. 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. Ive put together three relevant factors you should further research: Future Outlook: What are well-informed industry analysts predicting for PAGEs future growth? Take a look at our free research report of analyst consensus for PAGEs outlook. Valuation: What is PAGE 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 PAGE 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. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. Thank you for reading. - Getty Images Europe Men must not feel threatened by women walking alongside then as equals, the Duchess of Sussex has said, as she jokes about feeling the embryonic kicking of feminism from inside her growing baby bump. The Duchess, who joined a panel of female leaders for International Womens Day, said men should embrace the idea they can be both masculine and feminist, as she said hashtags are not enough to bring about real change. Arguing the case against calling feminism a trendy topic, she said making men including her husband Prince Harry a part of the conversation was the only way to make progress. The Duchess, who was today named as vice-president of the Queens Commonwealth Trust, spoke at length about the challenges facing women in developing countries, highlighting the stigma around menstruation and girls education as the key issues to be tackled. Hashtags are not enough, she said. "We have a responsibility as well, that if you're part of social media and engaging in that way, we're not just giving people more things to chat about but actually something to do, and what's the action." Meghan, Duchess of Sussex Credit: AFP Joining the panel at Kings College, London, the Duchess was described by the panel's host Anne McElvoy as "a royal not afraid to embrace full-on feminism". Asked how her pregnancy was going, she said: "Very well. It's funny, I'd actually been joking these past few weeks I'd seen this documentary on Netflix about feminism and one of the things they said during pregnancy was 'I feel the embryonic kicking of feminism', "I loved that. So boy or girl, whatever it is, we hope that that's the case." In a conversation lasting more than half an hour, the Duchess made a passionate case for men being feminists too. I think when we talk about gender stereotype shifting - what it means to be masculine, what it means to be feminine - you know I've said for a long time: you can be feminine and feminist, she said. Story continues "You can be masculine. And I think in terms of masculinity, you understand that your strength includes knowing your vulnerabilities and your sense of self and security. The Duchess of Sussex arrives at the panel event Credit: AFP Your confidence comes in knowing that a woman by your side, not behind you, is actually something you shouldn't be threatened about but, opposed to that, you should feel really empowered in having that additional support that this is really about us working together. That's what gender equality means for me and having men part of that conversation saying there's nothing threatening about a women coming up to the same level, it's our safety in numbers, this is our power and our strength as a team. And that's gender neutral if you really think about it. So I hope that men are part of the conversation. My husband certainly is." Her comment have particular resonance as a member of the Royal Family, where seniority has historically been carefully adhered to in public, with the Duke of Edinburgh famously walking one step behind the Queen, as her consort, for a lifetime. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex do not subscribe to the same habit, and have been praised by fans for images of Meghan often walking ahead, shaking hands first, and leading conversations in public. The panel, organised by the Queen's Commonwealth Trust, included songwriter and campaigner Annie Lennox, Australian politician Julia Gillard, model Adwoa Aboah, who set up the platform Gurls Talk, Chrisann Jarrett, founder of Let Us Learn, and Angeline Murimirwa, executive director of the Campaign for Female Education in Africa and co-founder of Cama, a pan-African network of young female leaders. British model Adwoa Aboah, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and and former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard attend a panel discussion convened by the Queen's Commonwealth Trus Credit: Getty Invited not to hold back on her opinions about what is still blocking progress for women, the Duchess said: I think we've covered how important education is. That is one huge thing, a lack of access to education in my mind is the single largest hindrance to this equality that we are all seeking out. "But to your point of saying things like, which I wouldn't condone, the idea that there's a headline saying 'feminism is a trendy word', that's not helpful either, right? "We have a responsibility as well, that if you're part of social media and engaging in that way, we're not just giving people more things to chat about but actually something to do, and what's the action. Hashtags are not enough. The Duchess of Sussex arrives to participate in a panel discussion convened by the Queen's Commonwealth Trust Credit: AFP "You say great, make a donation, you could sponsor a girl, with the Queen's Commonwealth Trust there are so many of these organisations - Cama, Camfed - to be able to say 'this is a tangible thing that I can do that will enable this girl to stay in school for a year' "That's something you can do and I think often-times when we talk about themes like this that are so large, people don't know where to begin. "So give them something to do, this will cost you so little, but will make the largest impact. "But that is how we start to effect that change." Asked about the reaction of some to comments about equality, with headlines like 'it's all gone a bit trendy, it's gone a bit woke and not in a good way, the Duchess said she chooses not to read her own press. Much safer that way, she said. But equally that's my own personal preference because I think, positive or negative it can all sort of feel like noise to a certain extent these days. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will now both have official roles at the Queen's Commonwealth Trust Credit: Reuters "So as opposed to getting muddled with that, to focus on the real cause. So for me I think the idea of making the word feminism trendy, that doesn't make any sense to me personally, right? "This is something that is going to be part of the conversation forever. And I think the more that we normalise it you see that, to the point of how men and boys should be part of the conversation, specifically in developing countries. When asked about whether she has faced particular hurdles as a woman of colour, she said: "Its an interesting question. "I think again going back to the idea of how this is global, its that we are all experiencing in some ways a version of the same thing. "In many cases that can be colour blind and you are marginalised simply by being a woman. In other cases there's an added layer of race, social demographic, I mean there are so many key elements at play there." Discussing social media, the Duchess said she preferred to read journalism that is really covering things that are going to make an impact rather than things that might feel muddling. My personal decision to not to feed into negativity and be more cause driven, action based. For me its a tricky one because Im not part of any of that. I dont look at it [Twitter]. Sorry, no. Asked how she had begun to identify as a feminist, the Duchess repeated the now-famous story about how she wrote a letter of complaint about a sexist television advert at the age of 11. As she traveled the world as an adult, she said, she learned how a lack of education for girls had such a ripple effect on whole societies. "In those terms it would be impossible for me to sit back and not do something about it, she said. "It started at 11, but still feels like it's just beginning." Focusing on the grassroots charities she has worked with overseas, she spoke about the importance of destigmatising menstruation and mobilising women in developing communities with microfinanced businesses to provide sanitary products. "At the end of the day, we are doing our part just to normalise the conversation, she said. That's the first step. "Because again this is 50 per cent of the population that's affected by something that can also end up creating the most beautiful thing in the world. "So it's a strange one that it's ended up becoming so stigmatised. The Queen is the charity's patron Credit: Getty As the panel ended, with a lighthearted question about how they are going to treat themselves on International Womens Day, the Duchess said: I think the real treat in and of itself is being able to be here that is such a gift on this day. And then separate from that there are the women in my life that I want to celebrate with and send some love to today. But also the men who are championing all of us as part of this journey. And then Ill put my feet up because thats a deserved treat, especially in this stage of pregnancy. Earlier today, the Duchess was named vice-president of the Queen's Commonwealth Trust, in an announcement timed to coincide with International Women's Day. The Duchess, whose husband is already president of the organisation, will help highlight the trust's work with young people across the Commonwealth, particularly supporting women and girls. Georgian wine exports increased by 13% in January-February By Tea Mariamidze Georgias National Wine Agency (NWA) reports that in January-February 2019, 12.2 million bottles (0,75l) of wine were exported to 32 countries worldwide, that is 13% higher than the similar data of 2018.According to NWA, the exported wine income amounted to $30 million that is 21% higher than the data of the previous year.During the last months, wine export increased in the direction to America, Asia, Europe and traditional markets. Also, the Polish market has moved to third place from the fifth in the list of the exporter countries.Georgian wine exports have increased in Georgian wine strategic markets:- Poland - 42% China - 7%- USA 1032% (128145)Also on European markets:- Lithuania 75%- France - 24%- Sweden - 300%- Bulgaria - 6%Also, the export increased to the traditional and Asian markets:- Mongolia - 200%- Russia - 17%- Azerbaijan - 8%- Belorussia -1389%The top five exporter countries of Georgian wine are:- Russia 8,688,854)- Ukraine (976,482)- Poland (628,022)- China (600,783)- Kazakhstan (346,152).In total, 115 wine companies exported Georgian wine to 32 countries. BERLIN (Reuters) - It is crucial to prevent Britain crashing out of the European Union in a disorderly way without a deal, the head of the European Parliament told a German media outlet. In an interview with the Funke group of newspapers, Antonio Tajani added the date of Brexit can be delayed past March 29 by only a few weeks at most. British lawmakers are due to vote on Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit plan for a second time on Tuesday. May has said that, if her plan is defeated, lawmakers will be able to vote on Wednesday and Thursday on whether they want to leave the bloc without a deal, or ask for a short delay to Brexit. "It's a matter now of avoiding the biggest mistake of all - a chaotic Brexit without contractual arrangements in place," Tajani said in an interview due to be published on Saturday. Such a disorderly no-deal Brexit would be a disaster for the British economy and would also hurt the EU, Tajani said, adding that he would be happy if Britain were to remain in the bloc. Tajani said the political declaration on Brexit could perhaps be slightly more clearly formulated but he ruled out changing the withdrawal agreement, especially on the Northern Ireland issue. "I'm convinced that the exit date can only be delayed by a maximum of several weeks - from the end of March to the start of July at most," he said. Tajani said Britain would need to provide a reason for postponing its exit from the EU such as wanting to use the extra time to hold fresh elections or a new referendum. "They've decided to leave - it's their problem, not ours," he added. Tajani said Britain's departure from the EU would deter other countries from leaving the bloc, adding: "We need to change the European Union but we need to stick together." (Reporting by Michelle Martin, Editing by William Maclean) By Nidhi Verma NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Saudi oil minister Khalid al-Falih said on Sunday that China and the U.S. would lead healthy global demand for oil this year but that it would be too early to change OPEC+ output policy at the group's next meeting in April. He said total global oil demand is set to grow by around 1.5 million barrels per day (bpd). "If you look at Venezuela alone you would panic, if you look at the U.S. you would say the world is awash with oil. You have to look at the market as a whole. We think 2019 demand is actually quite healthy," Falih told Reuters. In Venezuela, suffering from a political and economic crisis, oil exports have plunged by 40 percent to around 920,000 bpd since Washington slapped sanctions on its petroleum industry on Jan. 28. On the other hand, production in U.S. hit a record of more than 12 million bpd in February. The International Energy Agency in a report last month left its demand growth forecast for 2019 unchanged from January at 1.4 million barrels per day. Falih said Chinese demand was breaking records month after month and estimated the country would breach 11 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2019. For Saudi Arabia, he said oil output in April was expected to remain at this month's level of 9.8 million bpd. "Aramco is finalizing their April allocations today or tomorrow so we will know more on Monday. But my expectation is that April is going to be pretty much like March". The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies such as Russia -- known as the OPEC+ alliance -- will meet in Vienna on April 17-18 and another gathering is scheduled for June 25-26. Falih said the group was unlikely to change its output policy in April and if required will make adjustments in June. "We will see what happens by April if there is any unforeseen disruption somewhere else but barring this I think we will just be kicking the can forward," Falih said. Story continues "We will see where the market is by June and adjust appropriately," Falih said. On Jan. 1, OPEC+ began new production cuts to avoid a supply glut that threatened to soften prices. The group agreed to reduce supply by 1.2 million barrels per day for six months. Sources recently said the OPEC+ production policy is expected to be agreed on in June with an extension of the current pact the likely scenario so far, but much depends on the extent of U.S. sanctions on both OPEC members Iran and Venezuela. OPEC's share is 800,000 bpd, to be delivered by 11 members -- all except Iran, Libya and Venezuela, which are exempt from cuts. The baseline for the reduction was in most cases their output in October 2018. (Reporting by Nidhi Verma; Editing by Kirsten Donovan) India and Pakistan have retreated from the brink of possible war but an information conflict still rages over their tit-for-tat air strikes and an aerial dogfight between the nuclear-armed arch rivals. A suicide bombing on February 14 killed 40 troops and was the deadliest attack in Kashmir on Indian forces in a 30-year insurgency by militants wanting independence or to be part of Pakistan. Delhi has long accused Islamabad of supporting the insurgents and the attack was claimed by Pakistan-based militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). India and Washington say Islamabad uses groups like JeM as proxies to attack India, which despite repeated "crackdowns" manage to resume their activities. Here is a brief summary of what both countries, which have fought three wars since 1947, have said in recent days about their most serious standoff in years. - '250 dead' - India launched air strikes on February 26 on what it called a JeM training camp at Balakot inside Pakistan, 12 days after the suicide bombing. Vijay Keshav Gokhale, Indian foreign secretary, hours after its pre-dawn air raid said the target of the "pre-emptive strike" was "jihadis" in the "biggest training camp of JeM". Gokhale said "a very large number of JeM terrorists, trainers, senior commanders and groups of jihadis who were being trained for fidayeen (suicide) action were eliminated". While the Indian government has given no official statement about the numbers of dead, Indian local media ran several source-based reports claiming as many as 350 killed. Leading politicians linked to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) including notably BJP president Amit Shah put the death toll at 250. Some of those asking for proof -- such as opposition politicians accusing Modi of using the crisis to boost his standing ahead of looming elections -- have gotten short shrift. In the next raids, "opposition parties raising these questions can be tied under the jets... so that they can look at the targets," thundered junior foreign minister V.K Singh. Story continues - Just trees? - Pakistani officials have said that Indian warplanes did breach its airspace, dropping what military spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor described as "payloads" near Balakot. But Islamabad has denied there was any damage or casualties. "Once again (the) Indian government has resorted to a self serving, reckless and fictitious claim," Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said. Local residents reported hearing explosions in the night, but said only one person was injured and that no infrastructure was destroyed. The army escorted reporters to the area, but independent reporting by multiple local and international outlets who visited the site also found no evidence of a major terrorist training camp -- or of any infrastructure damage at all. An AFP reporter visited what his Pakistani military escort and locals said was the site and saw a crater, two trees snapped in half and three mud houses, one of which had a collapsed wall. AFP has not independently verified if any JeM training camps are nearby. Some media have reported that a madrassa run by JeM was in the vicinity, but undamaged. The Atlantic Council's Digital Forensic Research Lab said that open-source satellite imagery indicated "only impacts in the wooded area, with no damage being visible to the surrounding structures." Pakistan has even -- perhaps tongue-in-cheek -- floated the possibility of lodging a complaint against India for "eco-terrorism" for killing of "dozens" of trees. - Dogfight - A further bone of contention is the air raid by Pakistani aircraft into Indian airspace and the subsequent aerial dogfight in the skies over Kashmir on February 27. Pakistan said it shot down two Indian planes, one falling on the Pakistani side of the Line of Control frontier and the other on the Indian side. Initially Pakistan said it had captured two Indian pilots but the military later clarified it had just one pilot in custody. Attacking Pakistani "disinformation", India's Air Vice Marshal R.G.K Kapoor said India had lost just one plane, whose pilot was captured -- and later released -- by Pakistan. Kapoor also said an Indian Mig21 had shot down one Pakistani F16, crashing on the Pakistani side, but Islamabad denied this. "The fact... is that Indian army units had reported sighting two parachutes falling (in Pakistani Kashmir), which were of two F-16 pilots (from) the aircraft that was shot down by (a) Mig21," Kapoor said. - 'Open space' - Pakistan said its planes had crossed the Line of Control (LoC), their de-facto border, in broad daylight and locked on to six targets to show they could, but then hit "open space" instead. But India rejected this too, saying that Pakistan had intended to attack Indian military installations but had been "foiled" by its aircraft. "Although PAF bombs have fallen in the Indian army formation compounds, they were unable to cause any damage to our military installations," Kapoor said. At an investor conference last week, General Electric (NYSE: GE) CEO Larry Culp warned that the conglomerate's industrial free cash flow will likely be negative in 2019. Investors weren't pleased with the news. Indeed, GE stock plunged 12% in the two days after that revelation. This completely erased the gains from a late-February rally, which was sparked by news that Danaher had agreed to buy the company's biopharma business for a hefty $21 billion. The outlook for negative industrial free cash flow this year certainly isn't good news for GE stock. However, investors are probably overreacting. This guidance isn't entirely a surprise -- and it doesn't have any bearing on the company's long-term cash flow potential. Guidance comes trickling out Due to recent management changes and the general upheaval in its business, General Electric didn't provide guidance for 2019 when it reported its fourth-quarter results in late January. At the time, Culp warned investors of several headwinds that would hurt free cash flow this year. These included changes in working capital, restructuring costs in the struggling power segment and at the corporate headquarters, and "various nonrecurring investments and commitments." Nevertheless, GE stock surged 12% on the day of the earnings release, as there were no ugly surprises in the earnings report. GE will present its full 2019 forecast on March 14. However, in his presentation last Tuesday, Culp provided some more details beyond what he revealed on the earnings call. Most notably, he stated that industrial free cash flow is on track to be negative this year -- down from $4.5 billion in 2018. The power segment, which burned $2.7 billion of cash in 2018, is likely to lose even more money in 2019. Culp also reiterated that GE will ramp up the pace of restructuring at its headquarters and in its underperforming divisions this year. As a result, it will incur cash costs that will dent free cash flow. Story continues A GE gas turbine. GE's power segment is bleeding cash faster than ever. Image source: General Electric. Culp did note that the cash flow headwinds impacting GE will taper off significantly in 2020 and 2021. However, he didn't provide a more detailed forecast of how much free cash flow might rebound over the next two years. The short-term and long-term outlooks are not the same Not surprisingly, bears saw Culp's 2019 free cash flow forecast as a clear indication that GE stock had rallied too far since bottoming out below $7 in December. However, in the short run, General Electric can withstand some negative free cash flow. The company substantially reduced its debt in 2018, largely through a series of asset sales. It brought in $2.9 billion last month in conjunction with combining GE Transportation with Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies (Wabtec). The biopharma sale -- scheduled to close near year-end -- will raise another $21 billion. Finally, GE owns shares of Wabtec and Baker Hughes, a GE Company worth about $17 billion combined. Meanwhile, GE's short-term cash flow issues don't have much bearing on its long-term cash flow potential. For example, the power segment is hemorrhaging cash right now partly because of the cost of rightsizing the business. Management wouldn't be spending so much time and effort on fixing the power business if it couldn't be salvaged. Just getting back to breakeven would boost cash flow by billions of dollars. Restructuring today should also lead to lower corporate overhead and a better cost structure in the renewables segment going forward. Finally, GE Aviation -- by far the company's most valuable business -- is still in the early innings of its growth. Annual free cash flow from this segment is likely to grow by billions of dollars over the next few years. Long-term investors will be rewarded There are a lot of moving parts at General Electric right now, and the uncertainty has taken a toll on GE stock. Many investors and analysts appear to be obsessed with what's happening to GE's profit and cash flow this quarter or this year and are ignoring the long-term value in its businesses. If GE were facing a cash crunch, a short-term focus might be justified. But with tens of billions of dollars rolling in from asset sales and selling GE's shares of other companies, it's clear that the company has ample cash at its disposal. A recent presentation by the new leaders of GE's insurance business also showed that it is highly unlikely that General Electric will need to make massive additional unplanned contributions to its reserves (another big fear of some investors). GE Aviation alone is probably worth significantly more than the current value of GE stock. Right now, that value isn't obvious to investors looking at GE's high-level financial results, due to the ongoing restructuring process, problems at the power business, and the company's asset sales. Luckily, things should settle down over the next two to three years. Investors who hold GE stock until then -- or longer -- are likely to be rewarded. More From The Motley Fool Adam Levine-Weinberg owns shares of General Electric and Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. A California hospital delivered end-of-life news to a 78-year-old patient via a robotic machine this week, prompting the man's family to go public with their frustration. Ernest Quintana was admitted to the Kaiser Permanente Medical Center emergency department in Fremont, California, on March 3, granddaughter Annalisia Wilharm told USA TODAY in a written message Saturday. The family knew he was dying of chronic lung disease. After an initial diagnosis, a follow-up visit was made to Quintana's intensive care unit room by a machine accompanied by a nurse. The "robot," as Wilharm says the family refers to the machine, displayed a video of a remote doctor who communicated with Quintana. A video of the exchange provided to USA TODAY by Wilharm shows the machine being used on Monday to tell grandfather and granddaughter that the hospital had run out of effective treatments. Annalisia Wilharm needed to restate much of what the the machine communicated, as her grandfather struggled to hear and understand. They learned that the doctor believed Quintana would not be able to return home for hospice care. They discussed the appropriate amount of morphine to use to ease Quintana's suffering. "If you're coming to tell us normal news, that's fine, but if you're coming to tell us there's no lung left and we want to put you on a morphine drip until you die, it should be done by a human being and not a machine," Catherine Quintana Ernest's daughter and Wilharm's mother said Friday. Ernest Quintana died on Tuesday, Wilharm told USA TODAY in a written message. The hospital says that the situation was highly unusual and said officials "regret falling short" of the patient's expectations, according to Michelle Gaskill-Hames, senior vice president of Kaiser Permanente Greater Southern Alameda County. "The evening video tele-visit was a follow-up to earlier physician visits," Gaskill-Hames said in a written response. "It did not replace previous conversations with patient and family members and was not used in the delivery of the initial diagnosis." Story continues Wilharm told USA TODAY on Saturday that the hospital's response was insufficient: "The apology they gave wasn't good enough for me at all," she wrote. In an interview with KTVU, the family expressed dismay that the machine was unable to speak to Quintana in a way he could hear. That forced Wilharm to herself deliver the news to her ailing grandfather. Speaking generally, Steve Pantilat the chief of the palliative medicine division at University of California said bad news is always difficult to deliver and not all doctors do so in person with empathy. Pantilat said that the robot technology has helped many patients and families in his experience. Contributing: The Associated Press This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Doctor delivers end-of-life news via 'robot,' leaving family frustrated BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) Hungary's prime minister said Friday he would seek to form an alliance with Poland's populist ruling party if his governing Fidesz party is ousted from the main center-right group in the European Parliament. The European People's Party is expected to make a decision on Fidesz's status on March 20. About a dozen smaller parties within the bloc called for the Hungarian party's ouster because of Prime Minister Viktor Orban's tough anti-immigration stance and perceived contradictions with the group's Christian Democratic values. "It's possible this debate will end in a way that our place is not in the People's Party, but outside it," Orban said on state radio. While Orban has often been at loggerheads with the European Union and the EPP since his return to power in 2010, his government's current ad campaign against EU migration policies provoked intense criticism. The posters and billboards depict European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, who is part of the EEP, as advocating for mass migration into Europe. Orban said he preferred to stay in the EPP, but wanted it changed. "I'd rather prefer to achieve ... the transformation of the People's Party so there is room inside it for anti-immigration forces like us," Orban said. "Whatever happens in the future, no compromise is imaginable regarding the protection of Christian culture and immigration." If Fidesz is expelled, "then the first place we will hold talks is in Poland." Poland's governing populist Law and Justice Party is not in the EPP, and Orban has a close relationship with Law and Justice leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski. The EU has put Hungary and Poland under the microscope because of concerns about the rule of law and democratic values. Both countries have vowed to veto any possible EU sanctions against the other. EPP group leader Manfred Weber, also the EPP candidate to succeed Juncker after May's European Parliament election, has set conditions for Fidesz to remain in the bloc. They include ending the anti-Juncker campaign which the government said it will do by March 15 apologizing for the ads, and ensuring that Central European University, founded by George Soros, who appears with Juncker on the billboards, can keep all of its activities in Budapest. Representative Ilhan Omar has suggested Barack Obama is a pretty face who got away with murder. The Minnesota Democrat implied the former presidents hope and change message was an illusion saying his immigration policies involved detaining children at the southern border and pointing to his repeated use of lethal drone strikes overseas. We cant be only upset with Trump. His policies are bad, but many of the people who came before him also had really bad policies. They just were more polished than he was, Ms Omar told Politico. And thats not what we should be looking for anymore. We dont want anybody to get away with murder because they are polished. We want to recognise the actual policies that are behind the pretty face and the smile. She criticised Mr Obama for the caging of kids and droning of countries around the world. The article characterised her description of the former Democrat presidents policies as operating within the same fundamentally broken framework as Mr Trump. But Ms Omar did not refer to Mr Obama by name in that part of the published piece. Ms Omar has now insisted her comments were distorted and that she is definitely a fan of the former Democratic leader in a tweet posted on Friday which appears to have now been deleted. Exhibit A of how reporters distort words, she tweeted. Im an Obama fan! I was saying how Trump is different from Obama, and why we should focus on policy not politics. This is why I always tape my interviews. She also tweeted an audio file that included fuller comments on the Obama policy issues that she referenced including her differentiating between the ways in which Mr Obama and Mr Trump instigated those policies. For many of us, we think of ourselves as Democrats, but many of the ways that our Democratic leaders have conducted themselves within the system is not one that were all proud of, she said in the clip. I will talk about the family separation or caging of kids and people will point out that this was Trump, I mean, this was Obama. Story continues And I will say something about the droning of countries around the world and people will say, that was Obama. And all of that is very true. What is happening now is very different - its happening with secrecy, its happening with the feel good, polished way of talking about it. Ms Omar, who is the first Somali-American to be elected to legislative office in the US, has been plagued by controversy over statements she made regarding Israel and pro-Israel groups that some perceived to be antisemitic. A House resolution in response to her remarks divided the Democratic caucus, with some members striving to call her out by name while others successfully pushed for language denouncing a wide range of discrimination. The resolution, which was passed on Thursday, did not name Ms Omar. It made several mentions of antisemitism, but also hit out at other manifestations of hate such as Islamophobia. Prominent progressives including Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have come to Ms Omars defence in the wake of the controversy. Mr Sanders, who is Jewish, said that he believes the attacks on Ms Omar are aimed at silencing discussion of American foreign policy with regards to Israel. What I fear is going on in the House now is an effort to target Congresswoman Omar as a way of stifling that debate, Mr Sanders, who is top Democratic presidential candidate, said in a statement. Thats wrong. Ms Ocasio-Cortez claimed the attacks on Ms Omar illustrated the hypocrisy in Congress surrounding questions of racism or antisemitism. One of the things that is hurtful about the extent to which reprimand is sought of Ilhan is that no one seeks this level of reprimand when members make statements about Latinx + other communities (during the shutdown, a GOP member yelled Go back to Puerto Rico! on the floor), Ms Ocasio-Cortez tweeted. She continued: Its not my position to tell people how to feel, or that their hurt is invalid. But incidents like these do beg the question: where are the resolutions against homophobic statements? For anti-blackness? For xenophobia? For a member saying hell send Obama home to Kenya? India's opposition Thursday called for a corruption probe into a multi-billion-dollar fighter jet deal, raising pressure on Prime Minister Narendra Modi as government lawyers threatened a leading newspaper with legal action for revealing details. New Delhi agreed in 2016 to purchase 36 Rafale jets from France but the deal has been embroiled in misconduct allegations, which resurfaced in the wake of air battles last month with arch-rival Pakistan that raised questions about the capacity of the Indian Air Force. India and Pakistan both struck each other's territory during the skirmishes. Islamabad said it had shot down two Indian fighters, and New Delhi -- while confirming the loss of one of its planes -- claimed it had shot down a Pakistani jet. Modi said this week that the result of the brief aerial clash with Pakistan would have been "better" if India had Rafales while accusing the opposition of hampering the deal he signed with Paris at an estimated cost of $9.4 billion. During a Supreme Court hearing late Wednesday, The Hindu newspaper -- which ran a series of reports on the deal -- was warned it faces charges under the Official Secrets Act over defence ministry documents it cited in its coverage. Attorney General K.K. Venugopal said the files -- which indicated the defence ministry was angry because Modi's office had carried out rival negotiations for the Rafales -- had been "stolen". "The government claims that the documents were stolen. Doesn't that mean the documents are authentic?" said Rahul Gandhi, head of the opposition Congress party which has led a longstanding onslaught against the deal. He added: "The PM's name clearly figures in the documents, saying the prime minister's office is carrying out parallel negotiations. Let's have an inquiry into that as well." - 'No force on earth' - French company Dassault initially won a contract negotiated under a Congress-led government in 2012 to supply 126 jets to India, with 18 built in France and the rest in India by state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Story continues But during a visit to France in 2015, Modi scrapped the deal, replacing it with an order for 36 jets -- all to be built in France. The new agreement, formally signed in 2016, named Reliance group, a conglomerate owned by billionaire Anil Ambani, as Dassault's local partner. Ambani is reported to be close to the governing party and Reliance had little experience in the aviation sector. The government has strongly denied any misconduct in its renegotiation of the deal and accuses Congress of undermining national security to win votes. The Hindu published details which indicated the price of the jets had risen because normal procedures were bypassed. India's attorney-general said an investigation is under way into the newspaper, which has stated it will not reveal where its information came from. The Hindu group chairman N. Ram said: "We did not steal the documents from the ministry of defence, we got them from confidential sources and no force on earth can make me or us reveal the source." The Supreme Court is hearing a series of petitions seeking a review of a previous ruling that declined a demand for investigation into the deal. The next hearing is on March 14. The first Rafales for India are scheduled to be delivered in 2019. str-abh-ruc-ja/tw/qan/amz Signing Ceremony for the Three Projects financed by the Government of Japan within the framework of Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects On March 6, the Signing Ceremony was held for the Three (3) Projects: Two (2) Green Policy and One (1) Social welfare policy, within the framework of the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects, at the Residence of the Ambassador of Japan.The Signing Ceremony was attended by HE Ambassador of Japan to Georgia Mr. Tadaharu Uehara, representatives of the central government Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs (MIA) Mr. Levan Kakava, Deputy Governor of Shida Kartli - Mr. Simon Guledani, Mayors of Gori and Borjomi, as well as other representatives of local and central government.The three projects are:1. Project for providing equipment for irrigation water channels in Gori municipality. The project aims to improve the water and transport infrastructure within Gori municipality and in particular among war-affected villages. The heavy machinery, purchased within the project, will allow to build and rehabilitate hundreds of kilometers of drinking and irrigation water channels, as well as the road, allowing to strengthen the fight against poverty and provide thousands of residents with access to basic needs.Grant Amount: 61 000 USD2. Project for provision of 2 fire fighting engines for Borjomi municipality. The project aims to help safeguard Georgias environmental treasure one of the largest national parks in Europe - Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park, which is exceptional in its biodiversity. Because of its importance and vulnerability, it has been included among the lists of 35 priority eco-regions and 34 international conservation hotspots. Fires destroy this environmental treasure, destroy the key local income that comes from tourism, and tragically human lives. The project will enable to purchase 2 flexible fire fighting engines, the purpose of which is to extinguish the fire in difficult and remote areas, before it spreads to larger territories. This will help to preserve the national treasure, protect the source of income of local population, and most importantly protect human lives.Grant Amount: 86 242 USD3. Project for construction of the first post-chemotherapy rehabilitation center in the Caucasus in Tbilisi. The project will enable to construct the first rehabilitation center in the Caucasus region, for children with cancer, which will be located in Tbilisi. The center will allow the post-chemotherapy survivors and their family members to have access to rehabilitation service, improving and potentially saving their lives.Grant Amount: 88 500 USDThe Human Security Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects (GGP) provides assistance to relatively small projects and aims at improvement of human security in Georgia. It applies to projects in the field of sustainable agriculture, environment protection, poverty alleviation, public health, education, social protection, etc. Since 1998, 170 GGP projects have been financed in Georgia by the Government of Japan, totaling 17171529 USD. 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 shareholders might well want to know whether insiders have been buying or selling shares in Cloetta AB (publ) (STO:CLA B). 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. Insider transactions are not the most important thing when it comes to long-term investing. But equally, we would consider it foolish to ignore insider transactions altogether. For example, a Columbia University study found that insiders are more likely to engage in open market purchases of their own companys stock when the firm is about to reveal new agreements with customers and suppliers. View our latest analysis for Cloetta Cloetta Insider Transactions Over The Last Year Over the last year, we can see that the biggest insider purchase was by Director Mikael Svenfelt for kr31m worth of shares, at about kr31.17 per share. That means that an insider was happy to buy shares at above the current price. Its very possible they regret the purchase, but its more likely they are bullish about the company. We generally consider it a positive if insiders have been buying on market, even above the current price. Over the last year, we can see that insiders have bought 1.06m shares worth kr33m. But they sold 52.30k for kr1.6m. In the last twelve months there was more buying than selling by Cloetta insiders. Their average price was about kr30.95. This is nice to see since it implies that insiders might see value around current prices (around kr22.90). You can see a visual depiction of insider transactions (by individuals) over the last 12 months, below. If you want to know exactly who sold, for how much, and when, simply click on the graph below! Story continues OM:CLA B Recent Insider Trading, March 9th 2019 If you like to buy stocks alongside management, then you might just love this free list of companies. (Hint: insiders have been buying them). Cloetta Insiders Bought Stock Recently Its good to see that Cloetta insiders have made notable investments in the companys shares. In total, insiders bought kr699k worth of shares in that time, and we didnt record any sales whatsoever. This could be interpreted as suggesting a positive outlook. Insider Ownership of Cloetta 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. Cloetta insiders own about kr223m worth of shares. That equates to 3.4% of the company. Weve certainly seen higher levels of insider ownership elsewhere, but these holdings are enough to suggest alignment between insiders and the other shareholders. So What Does This Data Suggest About Cloetta Insiders? Its certainly positive to see the recent insider purchases. And the longer term insider transactions also give us confidence. Along with the high insider ownership, this analysis suggests that insiders are quite bullish about Cloetta. One for the watchlist, at least! 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. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. Thank you for reading. By Ellen Francis AL-HOL CAMP, Syria (Reuters) - Foreign women with Islamic State have tried to assault others they deem "infidels" at a camp where they are being held in northeast Syria, trying to impose their views even as the jihadists are facing territorial defeat, Reuters journalists visiting the site have found. "They yell at us that we are infidels for showing our faces," said a Syrian woman at al-Hol camp, where women and children were transferred from Islamic State's final bastion in eastern Syria. "They tried to hit us." The Baghouz enclave is Islamic State's last shred of populated territory after years of attacks have rolled back its ultra-radical "caliphate" in Syria and Iraq. But its impending defeat is confronting the U.S.-allies Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) with the problem of what to do with growing numbers of people, many of them Islamic State followers, emerging from the enclave. Most have been sent to al-Hol camp, already overcrowded with uprooted Syrians and Iraqis. Camp officials say they do not have enough tents, food, or medicine. Aid workers warn of spreading diseases, and dozens of children have died on the way there. At least 62,000 people have now flooded the camp, the United Nations said on Friday, way above its capacity. More than 90 percent of the new arrivals are women and children. The Syrian Kurdish authorities who control the camp have cordoned off the foreign women. On Friday, dressed head-to-toe in black and wearing full face veils, they gathered behind a fence with a locked gate. "The foreigners throw stones. They swear at the Syrians or Iraqis and at the camp officials. Even the kids make threats," said a security official at the camp. 'WE NEED HELP' Guards have fired in the air to break up a few fights and on one occasion used a taser to pacify a foreign female jihadist detainee, another Syrian woman at the camp said. Some of the women coming out of Baghouz in recent weeks have displayed strongly pro-Islamic State sympathies. Hundreds of jihadists have also surrendered. But the Kurdish-led SDF believes the most hardened are still inside, ready for a fight to the death. Before the final assault on Baghouz, the SDF said it was holding some 800 foreign Islamic State militants and 2,000 of their wives and children. While it has not given updated figures, the numbers have ballooned, prompting fresh calls for support. "The situation in the camp is very miserable. The displaced are growing very much and we are trying to cover people's needs as much as we can. But we need help," said Mazin Shekhi, an official at the camp. When young children arrive alone, officials deliver them to aid agencies or try to find adults to care for them at the camp for now, he added. "Even the big tents are full. People are sleeping out in the open." The International Rescue Committee said at least 100 people have died, mostly children, en route or soon after reaching the camp, and more than 100 children have arrived on their own. The aid agency warned the camp had reached breaking point. Women from different countries begged for food or asked about their detained husbands, while young boys kicked a ball around in the dirt amid scores of tents swaying in the wind. CAMP SKIRMISHES Some of the tensions at al-Hol reflect friction that has simmered for years between jihadists who traveled to Syria to join Islamic State, "al-Muhajirin", and locals who were members or lived under its rule. "There were problems with some people," said a 30-year-old woman from Turkestan who gave her name as Dilnor. She said her entire family had moved to Syria to escape oppression at home and "just wanted to live under the caliphate". Her mother, father and siblings all followed her to Syria. "The natives ... they were kind of rude. They always said the muhajirin are a problem and dirty and so on. It was always like that," she said outside the wire fence of the pen where she was staying with scores of other women. "Now (they) are alone, and the muhajirin alone. Now there are no problems." Shekhi, the camp official, said foreign women with ties to Islamic State had been kept apart so "they don't mix" with others. "We put them in a section alone to avoid them making problems with the displaced," he said. The foreign women often fought among themselves, he added. "There are some who are more extremist who don't accept others. This is happening just among themselves, because they are separated from the Syrians and Iraqis," he said. "The situation is under control." The staunch loyalties of Islamic State followers point to the risk the group will continue to pose after the capture of Baghouz. It is also widely accepted that the militants will still represent a threat, holding remote patches of territory and mounting guerrilla attacks. (Writing by Tom Perry and Ellen Francis; Editing by Giles Elgood) ROME (AP) Italy's coalition partners appear to have temporarily resolved a dispute over the high-speed rail line to France, with an agreement to let new contract bids go out on schedule but without any financial commitments. The standoff between the 5-Star Movement, which opposes the tunnel project, and the League which wants it, had sparked talk of a government crisis and the loss of about 300 million euros in European Union funding. Premier Giuseppe Conte posted an exchange of letters Saturday on Facebook in which he informed the Italian-French company building the Turin-Lyon tunnel, TELT, saying it should stop all activity implicating financial commitments until Italy renegotiates the deal. TELT responded saying it would go ahead and invite construction firms to bid for contracts as scheduled Monday, but delaying financing. Jake Patterson, the 21-year-old man accused of kidnapping Wisconsin teenager Jayme Closs and holding her captive for three months, has apologised to his former prisoner and claimed he had complicated reasons for the abduction. Mr Patterson said in the letter to a local NBC News affiliate that he would plead guilty to the charges he faces after the abduction, and the alleged earlier killing of the teens parents. I knew when I was caught (which I thought would happen a lot sooner) I wouldnt fight anything, Mr Patterson wrote in the letter. Jayme was went missing after police responded to a 911 call to find her parents shot dead in the family home in October. She was missing for 88 days before she escaped Mr Pattersons Wisconsin home about an our north of where she went missing. Mr Patterson has been charged for the kidnapping, and for the deaths of James an Denise Closs, Jaymes parents. In the letter which Mr Pattersons lawyer refused to verify the accused claimed that he acted mostly on impulse even though authorities say he had specific intentions to kidnap Jayme, and went to great lengths to prepare to take her. Jussie Smollett, the "Empire" star accused by Chicago police of staging a fake hate-crime attack, has been indicted by a Cook County grand jury on 16 counts in connection with the case. The indictment, filed on Thursday and obtained by USA TODAY, alleges he repeatedly lied to Chicago police about being the victim of a homophobic and racist attack in January. Smollett, who is scheduled to be arraigned on March 14, is charged with 16 counts of "false report of offense. The Class 4 felonies are described almost identically, except for the names of police officers, in that Smollett is accused of "knowingly" telling police that he was the victim of a "battery, a hate crime and an aggravated battery" and that he knew at the time "there was no reasonable ground for believing that such offenses had been committed." Late Friday, Smollett's attorney Mark Geragos released a statement to USA TODAY that the indictment was "not unexpected," adding, "we knew that there is no way they would expose their evidence to a public airing and subject their witnesses to cross-examination." Geragos added: "What is unexpected however, is the prosecutorial overkill in charging 16 separate counts against Jussie. This redundant and vindictive indictment is nothing more than a desperate attempt to make headlines in order to distract from the internal investigation launched to investigate the outrageous leaking of false information by the Chicago Police Department and the shameless and illegal invasion of Jussie's privacy in tampering with his medical records. "Jussie adamantly maintains his innocence even if law enforcement has robbed him of that presumption." Smollett told Chicago police that he was attacked in the middle of the night on a downtown street by masked men shouting homophobic and racist abuse. In February, after weeks of police investigation, he was charged with one Class 4 felony count of disorderly conduct for filing a false police report about the alleged attack. Story continues More: Jussie Smollett investigation timeline: How the actor went from assault victim to suspect Now a county grand jury has deepened his legal woes by adding 15 more counts of disorderly conduct stemming from the alleged false police report. Smollett has been out on bail after his initial arrest. He denies he lied to police or anyone else about what he says happened to him on Jan. 29. Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx did not immediately issue a statement. Chicago police spokesman Antony Guglielmi tweeted a comment from the CPD: "As Supt. (Eddie) Johnson stated, allegations against Mr. Smollett are shameful & if proven, they are an affront to the people of Chicago who embraced him as a neighbor & respected him as a role model. We stand behind the work of detectives & refer any comment on indictment to prosecutors," the tweet read. As Supt Johnson stated, allegations against Mr. Smollett are shameful & if proven, they are an affront to the people of Chicago who embraced him as a neighbor & respected him as a role model. We stand behind the work of detectives & refer any comment on indictment to prosecutors https://t.co/7bFECluCSP Anthony Guglielmi (@AJGuglielmi) March 8, 2019 Smollett was charged with one count on Feb. 20 by police, who alleged that he had paid two brothers who were his friends more than $3,000 to stage the attack as a ploy to raise his profile to get a raise in his salary on "Empire." Smollett surrendered to police and was arrested the next day, and was released later after posting $100,000 bail following a hearing. After his arrest, Empire producers announced his character would be removed from the final two episodes of the Fox dramas current season. The Fox studio and network declined to comment on the latest news in the Smollett case. Contributing: Aamer Madhani, Andrea Mandell This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Smollett's lawyer cites 'overkill' after actor indicted on 16 counts of lying to police SEOUL, South Korea (AP) South Korea and the U.S. on Friday formally signed a deal on Seoul's increased payment for the U.S. troop deployment, amid worries about the future of the countries' decades-long military alliance. President Donald Trump earlier pressured Seoul to increase its share, triggering concerns in South Korea that he might withdraw some of the 28,500 U.S. troops here if Seoul refused to accept his demand. Experts say Trump will likely again apply pressure when the two countries meet in coming months to determine Seoul's contribution next year. South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha and U.S. Ambassador Harry Harris signed the new cost-sharing deal on Friday. During a signing ceremony, Kang called the deal "the results of hard work and sometimes difficult work" that "the alliance can build upon to become stronger and greater." Harries said the deal's signing underscores "the importance of iron-clad nature of our alliance." Earlier this week, the two countries eliminated their huge springtime military drills and replaced them with smaller training in what they called a bid to back diplomatic efforts to strip North Korea of its nuclear weapons. Trump tweeted that "the reason I do not want military drills with South Korea is to save hundreds of millions of dollars for the U.S. for which we are not reimbursed." After his first summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Singapore last year, Trump unilaterally announced the suspension of another major U.S.-South Korea exercise, calling joint drills "very provocative" and "massively expensive." Many experts think the lack of comprehensive joint exercises will eventually likely weaken the allies' military readiness if diplomacy fails and tensions with North Korea return. Trump's second summit with Kim in Vietnam last week ended without any agreement. North Korea's state media on Thursday called the new, smaller U.S.-South Korea exercise "a wanton violation" of previous agreements to ease tensions and remove hostility among them. The statement was much milder than its past warlike statements issued in response to the just-ended South Korea-U.S. drills that North Korea viewed as an invasion rehearsal. The cost-sharing deal, which involves the spending of South Korean taxpayer money, requires parliamentary approval in South Korea, but not in the United States. The deal will likely easily pass through South Korea's parliament as the main conservative opposition party highly values a stronger alliance with the United States. Beirut (AFP) - Lebanon's Hezbollah movement on Friday called for donations from its popular base because it says it is coming under financial pressure as a result of Western sanctions. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah's appeal came after Britain announced on February 25 that it would seek to make membership of the Shiite movement or inviting support for it a crime. It also follows the United States ramping up sanctions against the group, with its latest raft of measures in November targeting Nasrallah's son Jawad, among other individuals. "The sanctions and terror lists are a form of warfare against the resistance and we must deal with them as such," Nasrallah said in a televised speech. "I announce today that we are in need of the support of our popular base," Nasrallah added. "It is the responsibility of the Lebanese resistance, its popular base, its milieu," to confront these measures. Hezbollah was established in 1982 during Lebanon's civil war and is now a major political party in the country, holding three cabinet posts. The movement has been designated a terrorist organisation by the US since 1997 and the group's armed wing fights alongside the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the country's civil war. Commenting on Britain's ban, he said: "More states will follow suit and put Hezbollah on terror lists and describe it as a terrorist group." Addressing his supporters, he stressed that the "financial difficulties that we may face are a result of this (financial) war" and not because of any "administrative defect". "They wont be able to empoverish or starve us," he said. "Those who have supported us will continue to support us... be it states or our support base". Washington has targeted the party with tough sanctions, and the European Union blacklisted the group's military arm in 2013. Nasrallah said he expects US sanctions "to get tighter on us and our supporters." "We may see new names, and new people, and new organisations added to the sanctions lists." BEIRUT (AP) Lebanon's president has spoken up in defense of the country's militant Hezbollah group, telling a visiting British official that the group's allegiances in the region do not affect internal Lebanese politics. President Michel Aoun's office quoted him as saying that Hezbollah is part of the Lebanese people and is represented in the Cabinet and parliament. The comments by Aoun, a Hezbollah ally, came after his meeting with Britain's Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt on Thursday. Hezbollah is allied with the Syrian government and Iran. Britain last week banned Hezbollah as a terrorist group, saying it's destabilizing the Middle East. The U.S. also considers Hezbollah a terrorist organization. Hezbollah said the decision was proof that the British government is "merely a puppet" that does the bidding of its American "masters." TRIPOLI (Reuters) - The airport in the Libyan capital Tripoli was closed on Saturday due to an unidentified drone flying in the area, the airport's director said. Residents have repeatedly spotted drones flying over Tripoli in the past few days but the reason is not clear. Flights from Tripoli's Matiga airport have been halted until further notice, said its director Lutfi al-Tayeb. People in the capital have been on edge due to rumours that the eastern-based Libya National Army (LNA) loyal to Khalifa Haftar might seek to take it after gaining control of much of the south. Haftar has not said he wants to march on Tripoli but a LNA website carried an unsourced report this week saying it could happen, adding that the LNA was working with people inside the city. The United Nations, alarmed about the possibility of a military escalation, is mediating between Haftar, who is allied to a parallel government in the east, and Tripoli premier Fayez al-Serraj who heads the U.N.-backed administration. The U.N. has been trying for years to pull the oil producer out of conflict but made little progress. (Reporting by Ahmed Elumami and Hesham Hajali; Writing by Ulf Laessing; Editing by Kevin Liffey and Kirsten Donovan) A Netflix documentary got a powerful dose of publicity thanks to Meghan Markle. Its funny, Ive actually been joking the last few weeks. I had seen this documentary on Netflix about feminism, and one of the things they said during pregnancy was I feel the embryonic kicking of feminism. I loved that, so boy or girl, whatever it is, we hope that thats the case with our little bump, the Duchess of Sussex said Friday at an International Womens Day event. Her comment was in response to a question onstage when asked how that bump was treating her. The crowd responded with warm choruses of laughter. Markle joined a panel of high-profile female thought leaders and activists like Annie Lennox, founder of The Circle; and Adwoa Aboah, a model and founder of Gurls Talk; to discuss a range of issues facing women today. The 2018 documentary Markle referenced was Feminists: What Were They Thinking? Starring Laurie Anderson, Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda, the film revisits the influential 1977 photography book Emergence by Cynthia MacAdams. MacAdams captured black and white photos to feature pioneering women like Fonda and Judy Chicago and other subjects who challenged conventional representations of women at the time. Even Michelle Phillips of the Mamas and the Papas was among the group. If youre looking to an ode to some of the trailblazing women of the past, its available on Netflix to stream now. And you can watch a snippet of Meghan Markles embryonic comment in the video of the International Womens Panel at Kings College in London above. The full video of discussion will appear on the Queens College Trust website at noon Eastern Time. Markles comments championing a future generation of feminists future generation of feminists followed up Friday mornings Kensington Palace announcement that the Queen named Markle Vice President of the Queens Commonwealth Trust (QCT). The role will be all about working to support young leaders working to better their communities alongside the Queen, the trusts Patron, and her husband Harry, who acts as President of the Trust. Lack of sexual education in Georgia By Levan Abramishvili Georgia has undergone development regarding openness towards new ideas, especially in the past decade. However, as a post-soviet country, many of the matters surrounding sex and sexuality have remained a taboo.In 1917, Kato Mikeladze, a prominent Georgian activist wrote in her feminist newsletter "Voice of a Georgian Woman" about problems that Georgian women encountered on a daily basis, among them sexual violence and forced marriages. In one of her publications, after listing various incidents of forced marriages and domestic violence across Georgia, Kato asks: Women, do you hear what happens in our homeland, where every political party agrees to equality? Her question remains alarmingly relevant in todays Georgia, where the idea of gender equality is shared by most of the political parties, yet such atrocities as forced marriages, sexual assaults, and domestic violence are still rampant. Advancing the understanding of such issues on a school and national level is as essential as ever and long overdue.The discussion regarding sexual education has entered the public sphere with various intensities over the past decade.In 2019, the debate has been reignited by a series of videos posted by Education and Labour Association.In recent years, some elements of sex education have been incorporated into the national curriculum for Biology. Whats lacking is the execution and the quality of studies of these subjects. Most of the teachers would simply skip these topics just to avoid awkward conversations and mockery from students, which stems from stigmatization of such topics from a very young age. The seriousness of these issues isnt fully understood by students either.There had been talks in the past about incorporating sex education in the national curriculum but all the initiatives were faced with a massive backlash and no substantial steps were made in this direction.All of the education that children receive at school should be aimed at keeping them safe and preparing them for the real world. Without sexual education, the stigma surrounding sex, menstruation, pregnancy, contraception, etc. only deepens and doesnt make the problems like early pregnancy and spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) and HIV/AIDS disappear.Studies from different countries show that high-quality sex education programs in school can lead to a heightened understanding of personal hygiene, health, and reproductive issues. Young people who receive decent sex education are less likely to form early sexual relationships and are less likely to face unwanted pregnancies.Great Britain has recently expanded its sex and relationship education to cover more topics. The initiative, especially coming from a conservative government, highlights the importance that good sex education has for young people.Apart from the obvious aspects that sexual education brings awareness to, is the importance of consent. Teaching young boys and girls about the importance of getting consent from a partner is a big step forward in preventing sexual harassment and sexual violence.Recently, the Education and Labour Association posted a video series on Facebook covering some of the basics of sexual education like the anatomy of reproductive organs and puberty. The organization has been working for more than 5 years regarding these issues with international experts, experienced psychologists, parents and children.The storyteller behind the aforementioned videos, Khatia Akhalaia, quickly became a target of violent far-right groups. She has received numerous rape and death threats. Ministry of Internal Affairs has launched an investigation regarding the threats.According to the Education and Labour Association, the videos were prepared according to the international technical guidance on sexuality education: an evidence-informed approach (UNESCO).As said by Khatia, their project counterbalances the myths and taboos that are prevalent in our society regarding sexual education and womens sexuality in general.We are planning to create competent, comprehensive literature for school children (aged 12-17) that would be based on the existing experience. It will provide timely and necessary information to the adolescents regarding sexual education topics said Khatia, regarding the organizations future plans.According to her, the material is voluminous and mainly serves the purpose of equipping young people with the necessary knowledge. It helps their socialization and develops them into respectful, healthy members of the society, that are aware of their rights, as well as the consequences of their own decisions and actions.Creating a healthy culture around sexuality is not an easy task, especially in Georgia, where the shadow of the Soviet past is ubiquitous. At present, the building of that culture almost solely relies on people like Khatia, who, sometimes at the expense of their safety, dedicate themselves to the advancement of the awareness regarding sexuality and sexual welfare. The importance of effective governance in creating a healthy sexual culture cant be stressed enough since activists like Khatia can only do so much. Without effective policies that ensure that all children get the education they require and deserve to evolve into responsible adults, there is not a big chance of establishing an environment where young people, especially young women, can explore their sexuality without facing unwanted consequences. Washington (AFP) - In Hanoi, Donald Trump overturned the widely held assumption he would be willing to settle for an interim agreement on North Korea's denuclearization. But despite the breakdown of the summit and the atmosphere of skepticism that now abounds, the US president seems determined to stick with his "all or nothing" approach, betting on his personal "chemistry" with Kim Jong Un to save the day. Trump insisted Friday his relationship with Kim "remains good" even as his aides attempted to paper over the collapse of the high-stakes second summit which concluded last week without even a modest deal on reducing Pyongyang's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. "Nobody in the administration advocates a step-by-step approach," a senior State Department official told reporters this week. In other words, Washington wants what administration officials have called a "big deal" -- "the complete elimination of their weapons of mass destruction program," the State Department official said. In return, Washington would ease the pain of the crippling sanctions that have strangled the isolated North's economy. "It really seems there's an all or nothing approach right now from the administration," Frank Aum, a former advisor to the Pentagon, said at a recent meeting hosted by the United States Institute of Peace (USIP). "That seems to be backtracking" which "the Kim regime would not be very happy about," Aum added. It's a position that has taken many observers by surprise given how, in the run-up to the summit, the administration dropped numerous hints it was willing to take a more incremental approach to the talks. "In no rush" was how Trump repeatedly described his stance -- a position echoed by his Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who emphasized: "Weve always known this would be a long process." Story continues The administration's point man on North Korea, Stephen Biegun, said the US would be prepared to pursue commitments "simultaneously and in parallel" while suggesting there was room for maneuver when it came to sanctions. That created the impression that Washington could be willing to countenance the step-by-step disarmament and sanctions relief sought by Pyongyang. - Trust deficit - But when Kim proposed dismantling the Yongbyon nuclear complex in exchange for lifting the main sanctions, Trump refused. "It has very much been characteristic of past negotiations to take an incremental approach to this that stretches it out over a long period of time, and quite honestly, has failed on previous occasions," the senior State Department official said. In Washington, the new line has been interpreted as a victory for National Security Advisor John Bolton, long a hawk on North Korea, over Pompeo and Biegun. Even as Washington increasingly turns its attention toward next year's presidential election, the administration exhumed a goal that has long been buried and seen as unrealistic by experts: the total denuclearization of North Korea by the end of Trump's term in 2021. For Jenny Town of the 38 North think tank, the lack of even a partial accord has meant "we have lost that momentum" created by last year's rapprochement. "You already see things starting to spiral downwards," Town said. Satellite imagery analyzed by her organization revealed that Pyongyang has begun rebuilding a long-range rocket launch site it had promised to dismantle, and North Korea's official news agency has now overtly blamed the US for the failure of the summit. The "all or nothing" approach has "always failed because (of) two mutually distrustful actors," Town said at a recent conference. The Kim dynasty has long seen nuclear weapons as a security guarantee against what it perceives as the hostile, bellicose intentions of the United States. "What this administration tries to do is to show that there is no hostile intent," Joseph Yun, a former US special representative for North Korea policy, said at the USIP meeting. "But that's a tough thing to prove and we're kind of stuck at that, which is why the North Koreans are asking that we go on a step-by-step approach to have a better foundation on that trust fact." - What happens now? - So what next? Washington hopes to resume working-level talks as soon as possible, and has reacted in a measured way to revelations about the rebuilding of the rocket test site. US officials say the main goal for now is to make sure the North Koreans do not resume testing in any way, including of space launch vehicles. Trump is even ready for a third summit -- he is convinced, as ever, that his personal relationship with Kim will be the difference at the end of the day. For Town, this represents an "opportunity" for the North Koreans, who "are very aware that this is an unconventional president," seeing as "they didn't have a good track record with the conventional presidents." Near Baghouz (Syria) (AFP) - US-backed fighters have been hoping for weeks that the final day has come for the Islamic State group's "caliphate", but its last tiny sliver of land just won't seem to empty. Tens of thousands of dust-covered women, children and men have streamed out of the ragged tent encampment in the Syrian village of Baghouz since December -- and despite that exodus they still keep on coming. The numbers have flummoxed the Kurdish-led forces and bogged down their offensive to finish off the once sprawling proto-state. "When we began the operation we knew there would be civilians, but not in such a big number," Adnan Afrin, a spokesman for the Syrian Democratic Forces, said Thursday. In recent days thousands more men and women -- including those who once flocked to join IS from across the globe -- left the IS pocket. That upended assumptions that few families remained holed up in Baghouz and those who refused to leave or surrender were choosing to die there. "They're coming from underground... they're never-ending," said one SDF official. The International Rescue Committee on Friday said as many as 12,000 people from Baghouz have arrived in one camp for non-combatants in northeast Syria over the past 48 hours, including some 6,000 people on Thursday alone. The women trucked out of the bastion this week gave drastically varying figures on the holdout families that remain in the bombed-out and besieged jihadist bastion. "There's still more," said Umm Aboud from the northern Syrian city of Al-Bab. "You see how many people have come out in the past few days, there's that many still inside," said the mother of four, her bright green eyes peering through a black veil. - 'Thousands' still inside - More than 55,000 civilians have arrived in the Kurdish-run Al-Hol camp since December, according to the International Rescue Committee. "The IRC and other agencies are doing all they can do help the new arrivals but Al-Hol camp is now at breaking point," the organisation said Friday. Story continues "No one could have guessed that such a large number of women and children were still living in Baghouz." Questions remain as to how aid planners, as well as SDF officials and their coalition partners, could have so severely underestimated the number of people left in the crumbling "caliphate". Carrying what they could manage, black-clad women trucked out of Baghouz in the past few days have said they were living crammed together in trenches, tents and cars near the bend in the Euphrates as the bombing campaign rolled the redoubt back. "There are thousands of families leaving... (but) there were thousands and thousands of families there, even I was surprised," 35-year-old Umm Alaa, from the Iraqi town of Heet, said Wednesday after fleeing. The mother of 10 said she lost a child last week due to hunger as the situation grew increasingly desperate. Footage obtained by AFP from the Free Burma Rangers, a Christian aid group run by a former US special forces operative, showed hundreds of people still remained in the riverside camp. In the images said to have been filmed Thursday, women draped in black walked through the makeshift dwellings as overturned cars and scraps of twisted metal littered the ground. The aid group has come in close proximity to the camp in recent days and its head, David Eubank, told AFP some two thousand people could remain inside. Analyst Mutlu Civiroglu, on the ground in eastern Syria, told AFP that IS was purposefully trying to conceal its numbers. They have regularly been "releasing certain numbers of people, including fighters, in controlled amounts" in an attempt to buy time, he said. "If they really wanted to surrender, they would have... and if they wanted to fight again, they could have," he added. The delay was "a deliberate effort, maybe to prepare for something else... what that is though is unclear". By Alexis Akwagyiram LAGOS (Reuters) - Nigerian voters return to the polls on Saturday to elect powerful state governors, two weeks after Muhammadu Buhari secured a second term in a delayed presidential vote. The election is for 29 of the country's 36 governors, who are among the most influential politicians in Nigeria, which is Africa's biggest oil producer and has the continent's largest economy. Many of them control budgets larger than those of small nations. With so much at stake, many previous governorship elections have been marred by violence including shootings and armed gangs snatching ballot boxes. Some results are expected to emerge on Sunday. Buhari, of the All Progressives Congress (APC), beat Atiku Abubakar of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in last month's presidential election with 15.2 million votes to 11.3 million, though on a turnout of just 35.6 percent. Situation Room, a monitoring mission comprising over 70 civic groups, said 39 people were killed in election-related violence on the day of the presidential poll. In one incident, a gang shot dead two soldiers in the southern oil hub state of Rivers, prompting fears of more violence there on Saturday. "The Armed Forces of Nigeria, as a professional and reputable institution, wish to reassure the public that no reprisal attack will be carried out by any military personnel," a military spokesman said on Friday. The army said it would work with the police to ensure people would be able to vote in "an environment devoid of violence and insecurity". Nigeria's security forces have been stretched in the last few years by an Islamist insurgency in the northeast as well as by communal violence and banditry in other areas. Hours before polls opened for the presidential vote, explosions rocked Maiduguri, capital of Borno state, epicentre of the insurgency. In neighbouring Yobe, residents of the town of Geidam fled a militant attack around the same time. Story continues Last month's election was delayed by a week after the electoral commission was unable to get ballots and results sheets to all areas on time. Legislative elections were held Feb. 23 at the same time as the presidential poll and Buhari's APC secured key victories over the opposition PDP in many areas. Bukola Saraki, a PDP member who was president of the upper house of parliament, lost his senatorial seat. Bitterly at odds with the presidency, Saraki had often worked to frustrate bills proposed by Buhari. (Writing by Alexis Akwagyiram; Editing by Frances Kerry) Paris (AFP) - Tens of thousands of "yellow vest" demonstrators marched in France Saturday, but the latest turnout figures suggest the movement is struggling to maintain momentum after nearly four months of protests. The interior ministry put turnout across France at 28,600, the lowest since the movement began and a significant drop from last weekend's government estimate of 39,300. While the movement regularly disputes the official figures, the numbers are a fraction of the 282,000 at the first march on November 17. Police headed off protesters who tried to set up a rally on the Champs de Mars, a large park in the centre of Paris. A yellow jacket "flash mob" event at Paris's Charles de Gaulle airport protested plans to privatise Aeroports de Paris, the body that manages the capital's airports. And separately, about a thousand "pink jackets" -- nursery school assistants and care workers -- turned out in small demonstrations across France calling for better tax and benefit conditions for their work, said organisers. Saturday's yellow vest demonstrations in several French cities also saw the clashes between police and a minority of protesters that have regularly marred the demonstrations. One protester marching in the southwest city of Bordeaux, remained stoic however. "It's normal that the turnout is less strong," said Andre, one of a number of pensioners marching. "It's raining, it's poor weather, people have the right to stay at home with their family. "There will be peaks and troughs, but it is going to continue." Organisers of the movement are already looking ahead to next weekend, which will mark four months of protests. Instead of the usual scattered rallies across France, they want demonstrators to converge on Paris. That march will also fall a day after the end of French President Emmanuel Macron's "grand national debate" -- internet and town hall meetings to gather opinions on how the country could be reformed -- launched in response to the protests. Story continues The weekly "yellow vest" rallies began in mid-November over a planned hike in fuel taxes. But they quickly grew into a broader anti-government revolt by people in rural and small-town France who have been angered by Macron's policies. - Police weapons row - The protests have often been marred by violence, while activists have also accused the police of using excessive force and the use of controversial crowd-control weapons. A French court rejected a bid by campaigners to have the use of such weapons banned. But there has been growing concern abroad as the list of casualties has lengthened. Michelle Bachelet, the head of the United Nations Human Rights Council, has called on France to investigate reports of excessive use of force by police. Government spokesman Benjamin Griveaux expressed surprise at the criticism. He pointed out that the IGPN, the body that investigates police abuses, has launched more than 100 investigations into the conduct of officers during the protests. But the mayor of one French town instructed police to stop using the controversial defensive ball launchers, whose rubber bullets have been blamed for a string of serious injuries to protesters. Dany Koxher, mayor of Phalsbourg, a town of only 5,000 people in the northeast Moselle region, admitted that the order was purely symbolic -- that he had no power to issue it. "But as a citizen and an observer, I find that the government's responses are disproportionate against the demonstrators," he told AFP. In support of his position, he cited both the statement from the UN rights body and an earlier call from the Council of Europe to suspend the use of the weapons. sva-rfo-sha-ito/jj/klm Investing in retail has become an act fraught with risks. Online competitors have taken significant market share from legacy brick-and-mortar locations and fickle consumers often leave retailers scrambling to keep up. One of the few constants is Home Depot Inc. (NYSE: HD), which has consistently ranked as one of the best retail investments of the past few decades. Unsurprisingly, this didn't change when the home improvement giant reported its fourth-quarter and full-year results late last month. In Q4, Home Depot's sales rose to $26.5 billion, a 10.9% increase year over year, and earnings per share (EPS) grew to $2.09, a 37.5% increase year over year. Comparable store sales, one of the most important metrics when measuring retail stores, increased 3.7% in U.S. locations. A Home Depot associate walks down a store aisle carrying two cans of paint. Home Depot makes it a point to integrate its in-store and online selling efforts. Image source: Home Depot Inc. The "One" secret The secret to Home Depot's success is that it is constantly innovating, finding ways to sell home improvement products better and more efficiently than its competitors. When the first stores opened in Georgia, the company fearlessly rolled out the big-box store footprint, something that had not been done before in the space. These days the company's innovation is found in the ways it is developing an omnichannel retail approach, one that combines the best of physical store locations as well as new digital experiences. The company refers to this as "One Home Depot," a constant reminder that the physical and digital worlds cannot be compartmentalized or separated because, in the eyes of customers, it is just "one" experience. In the company's conference call, CEO Craig Menear stated: In fiscal 2018, we made progress with regard to the One Home Depot investment plan, but we are still in the early days of our journey. Our strategic effort to drive an enhanced, interconnected customer experience through investments in both the physical and digital worlds are yielding solid returns ... Fiscal 2018 provided a lot of great learnings and momentum that we will continue to build on in 2019. Story continues Online dominance The One effort begins with a seamless online shopping experience for Home Depot customers. This past year, the company invested in its site's search capabilities, functionality, and mobile app. Most importantly, however, the company began a unique online experience for its Pro customers, designed to offer a more personalized website visit for Pros. This year, more than 100,000 Pro customers were onboarded onto the new Pro site. After listening to customer feedback, management expects to roll out more features in 2019, including enhanced account management and ordering capabilities. The company expects to roll out the new online Pro website to 1 million customers in 2019. The investments by Home Depot in its digital properties appear to be working. In 2018, online sales grew 24.1% year over year, and now represent 7.9% of the company's overall sales. Improved in-store experience Of course, One Home Depot doesn't end in the digital realm -- it is also about making shopping trips at its physical locations better as well. Menear said, "We fundamentally believe that when a customer comes to one of our stores, it has to be a great experience." Consistent with this belief, U.S. locations are being given an updated look, a process that has been completed in about 40% of domestic stores. Even as online sales grow, digital shoppers aren't abandoning the physical stores and, currently, about 50% of all online orders are now picked up in store. Menear called this "a testament to the power of our interconnected retail strategy." One of the primary drivers of this trend is that about 1,000 stores have been outfitted with lockers, where items ordered online can be picked up by customers. An incredible 94% of customers who utilized this feature rated it with five out of five stars. Delivering the goods A satisfactory digital experience is not complete until the items ordered are delivered quickly and safely to the end customer. In 2018, Home Depot kicked off its $1.2 billion campaign to improve its already-good delivery and fulfillment capabilities; the company expects its rollout of these enhanced capabilities to be complete by 2022. During the conference call, Marc Brown, senior vice president of store operations, gave an update on the progress the company was making on these efforts: [W]e have our five direct fulfillment centers already up, providing one- and two-day service to over 90% of the population. We've got our Interline Brands facilities, now Home Depot Pro, that give us near international coverage with next-day delivery via 700 private fleet trucks. We've opened three market delivery operations and we have openings planned and grand openings planned through the year on the various new platforms, market delivery operations, flatbed delivery centers, etc. ... And, of course, we have our car delivery and van delivery, fast options there, with 40% coverage of the U.S. population for low-cost car delivery and 70% with van coverage. An omnichannel powerhouse Home Depot continues to make strides in its truly omnichannel approach to increasing sales. By embracing the "One" approach, Home Depot has ensured it is strategically aligned with the times and consumers' desire to be able to shop whenever and however they want. This approach prioritizes customer satisfaction, a surefire way to win in retail. At the end of the day, as long as Home Depot continues to get that "one" thing right, it should continue to provide investors with market-beating returns. More From The Motley Fool Matthew Cochrane owns shares of Home Depot. The Motley Fool recommends Home Depot. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. By Nate Raymond (Reuters) - OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma LP and two other drugmakers on Friday lost a bid to delay a landmark trial set for May in a multibillion-dollar lawsuit by Oklahoma's attorney general accusing them of helping fuel an opioid abuse and overdose epidemic in the state. Cleveland County District Judge Thad Balkman's decision was a win for the state, even as one of the lawyers for the state said Purdue had "threatened" to file for bankruptcy rather than face the first trial to result from around 2,000 lawsuits nationally. "This case needs to get to trial because people are dying every day," Reggie Whitten, the lawyer for the state, said during a hearing in Norman, Oklahoma. Reuters, citing people familiar with the matter, on Monday reported that Stamford, Connecticut-based Purdue, owned by members of the wealthy Sackler family, was exploring filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Doing so would allow it to address potential legal liabilities while halting the cases. Eric Pinker, Purdue's lawyer, made no mention of a potential bankruptcy while arguing that the May 28 trial in the lawsuit brought by Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter against it, Johnson & Johnson and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd should be delayed. He said delaying the trial to Sept. 16 was necessary because the state belatedly turned over 1.6 million pages of records critical to Purdue's defense. "This case is not at a posture where it can fairly and fully go to trial in May of this year," Pinker said. But the judge said the drugmakers had not established the state's actions had prejudiced them. Purdue in a statement said it "categorically" denies that the ruling will affect whether it files for bankruptcy. Purdue said it was "looking at all of its options" but had made no decisions. Opioids, including prescription painkillers, heroin and fentanyl, were involved in a record 47,600 overdose deaths in 2017, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The epidemic has prompted lawsuits by state and local governments accusing Purdue and other drugmakers of contributing to the crisis through deceptive marketing that downplayed the risks of addictive opioids. The companies deny wrongdoing, noting their drugs carried warning labels and pointing to others factors behind the epidemic. More than 1,600 lawsuits have been consolidated before a federal judge in Ohio, who has pushed for a settlement ahead of the trial before him in October. Other cases, including Oklahoma's, are pending in state courts. (Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston; editing by Grant McCool and Leslie Adler) Several weeks ago, the Department of Health and Human Services announced the finalization of its Protect Life rule, which bars abortion providers from receiving family-planning funds under the federal Title X program. The rule prohibits the use of Title X money to perform, promote, refer for, or support abortion as a method of family planning. Even though the statute governing Title X has, for most of the programs history, stated that none of the funds appropriated under this title shall be used in programs where abortion is a method of family planning, that language effectively has been ignored. No longer. Since the program was established in 1970, it has provided federal funding to Planned Parenthood, which today is the nations largest abortion provider. According to the groups most recent annual report, Planned Parenthood facilities performed more than 332,000 abortions last fiscal year alone, over one-third of the estimated annual abortions in the U.S. Because of the new Trump-administration rule, abortion providers such as Planned Parenthood now stand to lose Title X funding unless they financially and physically separate their provision of abortion from the rest of their business operations. Planned Parenthood executives rarely acknowledge that the policy only requires separation, and their refusal to do so suggests that they wish to conceal the centrality of abortion to their bottom line. Predictably, abortion-rights supporters are outraged by this policy, and earlier this week California became the first state to sue the Trump administration over it. Xavier Becerra, the states progressive attorney general, said California is suing to stand up for a womans right to make her own health-care decision about her own body and claimed that the policy will result in clinics going out of business due to financial strain. Twenty additional states and the District of Columbia filed suit in Oregon against the administration on similar grounds. Planned Parenthood, joined by the American Medical Association, the Oregon Medical Association, local Planned Parenthood affiliates, and two individual health-care providers, also filed suit in Oregon. Story continues The Final Rule would radically alter and decimate the family-planning-assistance program established by Title X . . . with severe and irreparable public health consequences across the United States, Planned Parenthoods suit alleges. Planned Parenthood also asserts that the rule will politicize the practice of medicine and the delivery of health care and will cause patients to lose faith in their providers and the health care system as a whole. Near the end of Ronald Reagans presidency, the HHS Department introduced a Title X policy that wouldve enforced the distinction between family planning and abortion. When President George H. W. Bush attempted to enact the policy, it faced a legal challenge. Though Bill Clinton was in the Oval Office by the time the case was resolved, and declined to enforce the policy, it was ultimately upheld by the Supreme Court in Rust v. Sullivan. It is likely that California and Planned Parenthoods legal challenges will meet a similar fate. In an attempt to fundraise off their resistance to the new policy, Planned Parenthood and its most vocal defenders are now characterizing it as a gag rule, an assessment that has been echoed by public officials such as Becerra. Abortion-rights supporters say, too, that the rule will result in millions of American women losing access to necessary health care. They conveniently ignore that the federal government wont reduce overall Title X funding at all but that it will merely redirect it from groups that commit abortions to health-care providers that dont. Those who support publicly funded abortion ground their arguments in a common claim: that Planned Parenthood provides health care that women couldnt obtain anywhere else. This is simply a myth. For one thing, fewer than 500 of the approximately 4,000 Title X service sites in the country are Planned Parenthood facilities. Whats more, the groups clinics are nationally outnumbered 20 to one by federally qualified health-care centers, which provide a far greater variety of health-care procedures without performing abortions. The idea that redirecting Title X funding will drastically harm Planned Parenthoods business is even more of an overstatement. Most of the groups government funding half a billion annually comes in the form of Medicaid reimbursements. Losing Title X grants will remove roughly $60 million from Planned Parenthoods revenue. What outrages Planned Parenthood is not the loss of this pittance in federal funding but rather the fact that the federal government has drawn a clear distinction between family planning and abortion. Liberal state governments have rushed to defend the abortion provider not because of the money at stake but because they fear federal policies that clarify the fact that a procedure intended to end a human life isnt health care. For Planned Parenthood, losing lucre is an inconvenience. Losing the luster of being a federally sanctioned family-planning provider, on the other hand, is a substantial threat. More from National Review A Missouri police department has faced backlash after a video posted to social media Wednesday showed officers searching for marijuana in the belongings of a cancer patient in a hospital room. The family has identified Nolan Sousley, stage 4 pancreatic cancer patient who has stopped receiving chemotherapy treatment. Sousley takes cannabis to manage his pain as he approaches the end of his life, the Springfield News-Leader reports, citing Sousley's social media. The video shows several Bolivar, Missouri, police officers in Sousley's hospital room searching through his bags. Sousley is told that if marijuana is found he will be issued a citation but not taken to jail. Bolivar Police Chief Mark Webb told the News-Leader that the social media backlash has included threats against police and a deluge of questions that the department was unable to keep up with. At one point in the video, Sousley references the legal status of medical cannabis in the state. Last November, Missouri voters overwhelmingly chose to create a medical cannabis system, but the state will not be taking any applications for cannabis patient ID cards until July 4. Tylor Sousley with his father, Versailles resident Nolan Sousley. The Sousleys say Nolan has stage 4 pancreatic cancer. On Wednesday, March 6, 2019, Nolan posted a Facebook Live video of Bolivar police searching his bags in his hospital room for marijuana that Nolan says he takes to manage his pain as he approaches the end of his life. Referencing marijuana, Sousley says in the video "medically in Missouri, it's really legal now. They just they haven't finished the paperwork." "Okay, then it's still illegal," one of the officers replies. "But I don't have time to wait for that," Sousley says "What would you do?" The officer says he refuses to engage in "what if" games. March 6: Car crashes, psychosis, suicide: Is the drive to legalize marijuana ignoring major risks? Jan. 10: Cannabis food, drinks to be 2019's hottest dining trend, top chefs say The video also shows police saying they received a call reporting marijuana in the room; one officer says he can smell pot. Sousley bristles at the allegation, saying, "And there is no way they could smell it, doc, because I don't smoke it, I don't ever use a ground-up plant. It's an oil I use in a capsule, there's no smoking it. I take it like a pill." Story continues In the video, Sousley admits to consuming cannabis "in the parking lot." Webb said that no marijuana was found with Sousley in the hospital room Wednesday night and that his officers issued no citations. He said officers were dispatched following a 911 call that came in from the hospital. Webb said more events took place during the incident than were shown on Facebook Live, which were recorded on officer body cameras, but he declined to be more specific. "I dont know that they did anything," he said. "Making contact, looked through some bags and left." The incident happened at Citizens Memorial Healthcare in Bolivar. The hospital declined to confirm any details but emailed the News-Leader the following statement: "Unfortunately, due to HIPAA (federal privacy law), we are unable to comment about any specific patient, their treatment or what was done or not done in any particular situation. Generally speaking, it is against the Hospital's policy to smoke or vape on the Hospital's campus. It is also our policy to call appropriate law enforcement any time Hospital personnel see or reasonably suspect illegal drug use in patient rooms or otherwise on campus." Follow Gregory Holman on Twitter: @GregHolmanNL This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Police search cancer patient's hospital room for marijuana; video sparks backlash LOS ANGELES (AP) A growing list of Democratic presidential contenders want the U.S. government to legalize marijuana, reflecting a nationwide shift as more Americans look favorably on cannabis. Making marijuana legal at the federal level is the "smart thing to do," says California Sen. Kamala Harris, a former prosecutor whose home state is the nation's largest legal pot shop. New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, a prominent legalization advocate on Capitol Hill, says the war on drugs has been a "war on people." Former Texas Congressman Beto O'Rourke, who appears poised to join the 2020 Democratic field, has written a book arguing marijuana legalization would hobble drug cartels. In an email to supporters this week, he called again to end the federal prohibition on marijuana. "Who is going to be the last man more likely than not a black man to languish behind bars for possessing or using marijuana when it is legal in some form in more than half of the states in this country?" O'Rourke wrote. It's a far different approach from the not-so-distant past, when it was seen as politically damaging to acknowledge smoking pot and no major presidential candidate backed legalization. In 1992, then-White House candidate Bill Clinton delivered a famously tortured response about a youthful dalliance with cannabis, claiming he tried it as a graduate student in England but "didn't inhale." And two decades before that, President Richard Nixon unleashed a war on marijuana and other drugs and it helped carry him to a second term. This year, leading Democrats hold similar positions supporting legalization. Presidential hopefuls in the Senate who have co-sponsored Booker's legislation to end the federal prohibition include Harris, New York's Kirsten Gillibrand, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Vermont's Bernie Sanders, who campaigned on decriminalizing pot in his 2016 presidential bid. Story continues Another 2020 Democratic candidate, Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, supports legalization and believes states should have the right to determine how to handle marijuana regulation within their borders but hasn't signed on to Booker's legislation. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, who entered the contest this month, said in his announcement speech it's "about time" to legalize the drug nationally. During his 2012 run for governor, Inslee opposed the ballot initiative that made Washington one of the first two states to legalize so-called recreational marijuana. As governor, however, he has frequently touted what he describes as Washington's successful experiment with regulation and has urged the Obama and Trump administrations not to intervene. He recently began pardoning people with small-time marijuana convictions. The widespread endorsement for national marijuana reform among Democrats tracks the nation's evolving views. In the late 1960s the era of Woodstock and Vietnam 12 percent of Americans supported legalization, according to the Gallup poll. By last year, the figure hit a record 66 percent. About 75 percent of Democrats support legalization, along with a slim majority of Republicans. Most Americans now live in states where marijuana is legal in some form. Pot dispensaries are familiar sights in cities like Los Angeles and Denver, and conservative strongholds like Utah and Oklahoma have established medical marijuana programs. To Mason Tvert of the Marijuana Policy Project, a pro-legalization advocacy group, it's not surprising there's broad support among candidates to end the federal prohibition. "It's no longer popular to be in favor of marijuana prohibition," Tvert said. But there are limits: "We are not seeing any candidates saying, 'I am currently a marijuana user,'" he added. The trajectory toward legal pot has come with generational change. In a 2003 Democratic presidential forum, candidates John Kerry, John Edwards and Howard Dean acknowledged using marijuana in the past. Former President Barack Obama has been open about his youthful drug use, sometimes with a jab of humor: "When I was a kid, I inhaled. Frequently. That was the point," he said in 2006. In a recent radio interview on the syndicated "The Breakfast Club," Harris recalled smoking pot in her college days in the 1980s. She was an early supporter of medical marijuana but the Los Angeles Times reported that in 2010, the year she was elected California attorney general, that Harris opposed an initiative to more broadly legalize marijuana. How potent the legal pot platform might be with voters in 2020 is only a guess. Polls show some of the strongest support comes from younger voters. In California, millennials are now the largest generation among registered voters. However, younger voters are also the most likely to stay home on Election Day, said Paul Mitchell of Political Data Inc., a nonpartisan research firm. President Donald Trump's position on cannabis remains somewhat opaque. He has said he supports laws legalizing medical marijuana but hasn't offered a definitive position on broader legalization. In a departure from his predecessor, Jeff Sessions, new Attorney General William Barr has said he will "not go after" marijuana companies in states where cannabis is legal, even though he personally believes the drug should be outlawed. Standing somewhat apart from the Democratic field is the man who presided over one of the first legal recreational marijuana marketplaces in the nation, former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper. Hickenlooper opposed the ballot measure that fully legalized marijuana in Colorado in 2012. But he said he accepted the will of the voters and won praise for implementing the measure. He says his "worst fears" about legalization haven't been realized and considers the system better than when the drug was illegal. Still, Hickenlooper isn't willing to go as far as some competitors. Rather than calling for national legalization, he wants the drug to no longer be a Schedule 1 controlled substance so it can be studied. He doesn't think the federal government "should come in and tell every state that it should be legal," believing states should make their own determinations. "I trust this process by which states should be the models of, or laboratories of, democracy," he said. ___ Riccardi reported from Denver. Associated Press Writer Gene Johnson in Seattle contributed. Blood is a member of AP's marijuana beat team. Follow our complete marijuana coverage: https://apnews.com/Marijuana . Watch the full Episode 17 of Yahoo U.K.s show The Royal Box here. The Duke of Edinburgh isnt someone who immediately springs to mind when it comes to being an advocate for feminism within the royal family. When Prince Philip married then-Princess Elizabeth in 1947, the world was a very different place. When she acceded the throne in 1952, the queen was surrounded by men in positions of power in government, her staff and her advisers. While the country has changed beyond recognition, Her Majesty has remained a constant, and she was a world leader before any women were leading in the world. To many she is seen as a feminist icon because of that. The fact that the duke has walked a few steps behind one of the most famous monarchs in history for nearly seven decades has made him somewhat of an accidental feminist, as the Times of London once described him. The sudden death of King George VI in 1952 meant Elizabeth ascended the throne much earlier than expected. She and Philip were only five years into their marriage with two young children, Charles and Anne. The queen and the Duke of Edinburgh pictured in June 2018. {Photo: Getty Images) Everything changed for not only the then 25-year-old Elizabeth, but Philip too, who had worked his way up the ranks through the Navy, serving in the Second World War. While he was promoted to commander of the Royal Navy in 1952, his active naval career ended in 1951. As well as giving up his career, Philip also wasnt able to pass his surname to his children. He had hoped that when his wife took the throne, his adopted last name, Mountbatten, would become double-barreled with Windsor. But Winston Churchill insisted the royal family should remain the House of Windsor, although this was to be amended later. Philip reportedly said: I am nothing but a bloody amoeba. I am the only man in the country not allowed to give his name to his own children. Philip in his naval uniform in 1946. (Photo: PA} After the queens coronation in 1953, Philip supported his wife in her duties as sovereign and did so until his retirement at the age of 96 in August 2017. Since 1952, he has completed 22,219 solo engagements. Because of the dukes steadfast devotion, some royal watchers now regard him as an unlikely early adopter of feminism. Story continues Speaking on Yahoo U.K.s The Royal Box, Roya Nikkhah, royal correspondent for the Sunday Times, says: I have to say, a man who in the early 1950s, who was soaring up to the top of the Navy and would have gone all the way to the top of the Navy, had he not had to give up his naval career, who wasnt even able to give his own surname to his children, who has literally stood behind his wife for pushing 70 years. But who, as the queen will say herself, is her bedrock, who is still very much the head of the family. A man who has supported his wife in a way, to a very successful reign, I think is an amazing achievement for him, and he has supported, probably the most famous woman in the world for seven decades. If thats not being a feminist role model, I dont know what is. The duke carries out his last official duty at the Captain Generals Parade in August 2017. (Photo: Getty Images) Historian Anna Whitelock adds: I think history will look back on Prince Philip and commend him in a way that perhaps contemporaries dont. Perhaps we sneer at some of his indiscretions, but he was huge modernizer of monarchy; I mean, hes had a huge impact on the monarchy in a way that is just not often credited. Hes impressive, is kind of an understatement in terms of what hes done, what hes achieved and simply by being with the queen for all those years, in such periods of political and social change is absolutely remarkable and unprecedented. To find out more about Internationals Womens Day 2019, join the conversation here, where Yahoo Style and its sister sites take on the issues and stories that matter most to women. WASHINGTON New Mexico Rep. Debra Haaland got a standing ovation Friday as she presided over the U.S. House during a testy debate over a massive Democratic voting rights and campaign finance bill. It wasnt because both sides agreed with the measure. Democrats and Republicans stood and applauded after Illinois Rep. Rodney Davis, the top Republican on the House Administration Committee, saluted Haaland for making history as the first Native American woman to preside over the chamber. Davis, who was leading debate on the GOP side, paused to recognize the historic moment, his office said. Haaland said thank you, then picked up the gavel. Haaland, a Democrat from New Mexico, is one of two Native American women elected to Congress last fall. The other was Rep. Sharice Davids, a Democrat from Kansas. Haaland was also among the record number of women elected to Congress and part of a freshman class that is the most diverse in the chambers history. Presiding over a voting rights bill was fitting for Haaland. . @RepDebHaaland just got a standing ovation from her colleagues for being the first Native American woman to preside over the U.S. House. Deborah Berry (@dberrygannett) March 8, 2019 The House passed H.R.1, a sweeping anti-corruption and government ethics and voting rights package, 234-193, along party lines. A longtime organizer in New Mexico, Haaland said voting rights is one of her signature issues. She introduced a bill last month that would require states to provide same-day voter registration for federal elections. She's also a cosponsor of a measure proposed by Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Ala., that would restore a key provision of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. All the oppression and shenanigans that went on this past election I think will help our case, Haaland told USA TODAY in a recent interview. Story continues I've been fighting for access to voting rights for nearly two decades -- it's an honor to preside over the House Floor during debate of this sweeping legislation that will make sure every voter has equal access to participate in democracy. #InternationalWomensDay #ForThePeople pic.twitter.com/iwVM2TPlLv Rep. Deb Haaland (@RepDebHaaland) March 8, 2019 Haaland, who doesnt know what its like to be in the minority in Congress, dismissed the thought that the measure doesnt stand a chance in the Republican-controlled Senate. Just because were fearful that something wont pass in the Senate doesnt mean we can sit back and not do anything," she said, noting that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was able to beat the odds and get the 2010 Affordable Care Act passed. I think things can get done. Its up to us to bring Republicans into the fold, help them to understand how important these issues are." Republicans, including Davis, slammed the bill, calling it a federal government power grab. It's been a busy first three months for Haaland. Last month, she presided over her first hearing of the subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands. She also joined Democratic Leader Steny Hoyer on a congressional trip to the southern border to talk to immigrant rights advocates. She met with the other two co-chairs of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committees Women Lead, a program that aims to recruit more women to run for Congress. She also filed her first bill, the Antiquities Act, which aims to protect federal lands and monuments. The framed measure sits on a shelf in her office. A lot of these lands are lands that are sacred sites, she said. That figures into my whole protection of or public lands and national monuments. Contributing: Ledyard King This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rep. Debra Haaland becomes first Native American woman to preside over House A 97-year-old man was told he would die within days via a robot that rolled into his intensive care unit during the night at a hospital in California. Ernesto Quintana was given the terminal diagnosis by a doctor who appeared on a video screen on the robot after he was admitted to Kaiser Permanente Medical Centre in San Francisco on Sunday. His family said they were shocked the news Mr Quintana would die from his chronic lung disease was communicated via the robot. Mr Quintanas daughter Catherine said: If youre coming to tell us normal news, thats fine, but if youre coming to tell us theres no lung left and we want to put you on a morphine drip until you die, it should be done by a human being and not a machine. The grandfather died on Tuesday, two days after he was admitted to hospital. Michelle Gaskill-Hames, senior vice president of the Kaiser Permanente medical centre in Fremont, described the situation as highly unusual and said officials regret falling short of the patients expectations. However, the hospital also defended the use of tele-visits and said its policy is to have a nurse or doctor in the room at the time of remote consultations. Ms Gaskill-Hames added: The evening video tele-visit was a follow-up to earlier physician visits. It did not replace previous conversations with patient and family members and was not used in the delivery of the initial diagnosis. Steve Pantilat, chief of the palliative medicine division at University of California, said that robot technology has done wonders for patients and their families, some of whom are too far away for in-person visits. He added he did not know the specific details of Mr Quintanas case. Annalisia Wilharm, Mr Quintanas granddaughter, said she was alone with him when a nurse came into the ward to tell them a doctor would be making his rounds. It was then the robot rolled into the room and a doctor appeared on the video screen, she said. Ms Wilharm said she was astonished by what the doctor started saying. Story continues This guy cannot breathe, and hes got this robot trying to talk to him, she said. Meanwhile, this guy is telling him, So weve got your results back, and theres no lung left. Theres no lung to work with. Ms Wilharm added that she had to repeat what the doctor on the screen was saying to her grandfather who has hearing problems in one ear. She said that the robot could not get round to the other side of the bed where Mr Quintana could hear more clearly. The use of telepresence robots that interact with people via screens is becoming more popular in hospitals around the world. The Japanese government even supports introducing these type of robots in care homes to address the countrys ageing population problem. Additional reporting by AP Beirut (AFP) - The baby son of Shamima Begum, a British-born teenager who left London to join the Islamic State group, has died in Syria, the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces has said. Begum, 19, who was stripped of her citizenship by the British government despite her wish to return, gave birth last month in a refugee camp in northeastern Syria. The baby died of pneumonia, according to a medical certificate, the BBC reported Friday. Begum had previously given birth to two other children who are said to have died, apparently from illness and malnutrition. SDF spokesman Mustefa Bali confirmed the death to AFP late Friday but declined to specify how or when it happened. He had previously denied the baby had died in a Twitter post that has since been deleted. Her case has highlighted a dilemma facing many European countries, divided over whether to allow jihadists and IS sympathisers home to face prosecution or bar them from entry as the jihadists' "caliphate" crumbles. The runaway teen, who left east London for Syria when she was 15 years old with two other schoolgirls, said last month she wanted to return to Britain after fleeing fighting between the terror group and US-backed forces. At the time, Ms Begum told the BBC: "Losing my children the way I lost them, I don't want to lose this baby as well and this is really not a place to raise children, this camp." - 'Callous and inhumane' - But British public sentiment hardened against Begum, who showed little remorse about IS attacks when she spoke to journalists at the refugee camp. Home Secretary Sajid Javid revoked her citizenship, deeming her a security risk, although the government had hinted her newborn son could be treated differently. Senior British opposition figure Diane Abbott called the UK government's decision "callous and inhumane". "It is against international law to make someone stateless, and now an innocent child has died as a result of a British woman being stripped of her citizenship," she tweeted. Story continues British law states that the government cannot strip a person's citizenship if that would make the person stateless, although the interior minister may do so if there are "reasonable grounds" to believe they can become a citizen of another country. It was reported that she could be eligible for Bangladeshi citizenship, but Dhaka said there was "no question" of her being allowed to enter the country. Javid has previously said that more than 100 individuals had already been deprived of their British citizenship. Last month he told British lawmakers: "Children should not suffer, so if a parent does lose their British citizenship it does not affect the rights of their child." Aid group Save the Children called reports of the baby's death "incredibly sad" and urged Britain and other countries to "take responsibility" for their citizens in Syria. "It is possible the death of this baby boy and others could have been avoided," said the group's Syria response director, Sonia Khush. "All children associated with (IS) are victims of the conflict and must be treated as such." A mass exodus from the jihadists' last redoubt in eastern Syria has sparked a humanitarian emergency, as the SDF leads an offensive to smash the last remnants of the IS territory. The International Rescue Committee on Friday said that 12,000 women and children had arrived at the Kurdish-run Al-Hol camp since Wednesday. Since December, at least 100 people have died en route to the camp or shortly after arriving, mostly children under five, the IRC said. Johannesburg (AFP) - An American NGO defending journalists targeted South African radical leftist opposition leader Julius Malema on Saturday after he tweeted the personal phone number of a reporter who has since received a flood of threats. "The Committee to Protect Journalists today expressed grave concern about threats and harassment against veteran South African journalist Karima Brown," said the organisation which runs a global network from New York. The statement came after Malema tweeted Brown's telephone number, also calling her a "mole" for South Africa's ruling ANC party. Brown said that within hours she received a flood of messages she believes were sent by activists of Malema's Economic Freedom Fighters party, South Africa's third-largest. Some threatened to rape her, or burn her alive. "We are concerned about Karima Brown's safety given the threats instigated by the malicious publication of her contact information," said Angela Quintal, CPJ's Africa programme coordinator. South Africans vote in a general election in May, with the ruling ANC party widely expected to conserve its absolute majority. "The electoral commission must send the Economic Freedom Fighters and all political parties a strong message that using social media to threaten and intimidate journalists will not be tolerated and is a breach of the Electoral Code that could impact the credibility of the vote," she said. Malema himself has since denounced the most extreme tweets sent to Brown, who works for the eNCA network and the independent radio station Johannesburg 702, but he and his party continue to accuse her of being partial. His initial message has been deleted on Twitter. Malema, a former ANC member himself, is known for controversial statements, often targeting South African's white minority and prompting several legal complaints. New York (AFP) - A seductive Spanish art form characterized in the popular imagination by a bright frilly dress, the tradition of flamenco is fast becoming an arena for innovation. And flamenco superstar Sara Baras is at the forefront, using her heels to pierce gender stereotypes by trading the ruffled gown for a pair of pants to dance "farruca" -- a style normally limited to men. The 47-year-old from the southwestern Spanish city of Cadiz, who is starring in New York's Flamenco Festival USA series this weekend, says she enjoys the traditionally masculine style farruca because she "likes the risk, it makes you grow." "It's an elegant, sober style; it's a trouser and a shirt, not your dress or your flowers or anything." "You cannot hide. You have to have truth." Baras begins her show in a shirt with black pants, before transitioning to a spectacular dress with undulating folds. Today, she says, the "farruca" belongs to both men and women. "It does not matter what the movement is," she told AFP. "Before men could not move their hips and women did not use their feet." But today, she said, "a man can move his hips beautifully without being feminine, and a woman can dance with her feet without being masculine." She even says dancing farruca allows her to tap into her femininity, citing "the sensuality of the movement in pants." "The body is more naked; therefore you have to be more careful with placement -- your hip, your legs, your waist, everything has to be in place." - 'Straight to the heart' - Spanish sensation Rosalia has earned global acclaim for her fusion of flamenco with electronica and trap, a style of hip hop born in the southern United States. But she's also stoked controversy: some accuse her of cultural appropriation, as the tradition comes from Spain's southern Andalusia region where the gypsy community created it to express their suffering. Story continues Baras dismisses those criticisms, saying flamenco belongs to everyone. "Anyone who feels and lives it can do it," she said. "Flamenco does not understand borders; it is an art that goes straight to the heart." "It has no passport, it has no schedule, it has no limitations," Baras continued. "Flamenco is free." The acclaimed dancer says her art has changed since she became a mother nearly eight years ago, seeing her place less emphasis on technical perfection and speed. "Silence, a gesture, a sweet moment," are now the goals, she said. "Being still and being able to express something almost without moving." Baras -- whose tour began in Switzerland and will soon visit Miami, Abu Dhabi, Valencia and Barcelona -- vows to keep dancing "as long as the body endures." "I do not know my life without dancing," she said. "You dance and release everything; you communicate with everyone as if you had an additional form of expression." "You wear your shoes and fly." Presidential candidate and Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren wants to break up Americas largest tech companies, including Amazon, Google, and Facebook. Todays big tech companies have too much power too much power over our economy, our society, and our democracy, the Massachusetts lawmaker wrote in a blog post published Friday on Medium. The senators proposed legislation includes designating the tech giants as platform utilities and appointing regulators to break up mergers that harm market competition. She defines platform utilities as companies earning a global annual revenue of $25 billion or more and that offer to the public an online marketplace, an exchange, or a platform for connecting third parties. According to Warren, breaking up the mergers will not only foster competition, it will also keep the pressure on tech giants to listen to users concerns, including about privacy. The proposal would also bar companies from sharing user data with third parties. Warren is the first of the 2020 Democratic presidential contenders to present a detailed policy to limit the power of tech corporations, although Senators Bernie Sanders (Vt.) and Amy Klobuchar (Minn.) have expressed similar ideas, the New York Times reports. Amazon, Facebook, and Alphabet, which owns Google, all reported reported stock market losses after Warrens announcement, as shares dropped as much as 1.5% on Friday, TIME reports. Fortune has contacted the three tech companies for comment. Facebook declined comment Warrens proposal was released Friday ahead of a scheduled rally in Long Island City, New York. Thats the Queens neighborhood where Amazon recently canceled plans to build a second headquarters after facing community backlash from local residents and organizers. By Joey Roulette CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (Reuters) - An unmanned capsule from Elon Musk's SpaceX splashed into the Atlantic Ocean on Friday, successfully completing a mission crucial to NASA's long-delayed quest to resume human space flight from U.S. soil later this year. After a six-day mission to the International Space Station, Crew Dragon detached at about 2:30 a.m EST (0730 GMT) and sped back to earth, reaching hypersonic speeds before an 8:45 a.m. EST (1345 GMT) splash-down about 200 miles (320 km) off the Florida coast. A SpaceX rocket launched the 16-foot-tall (4.9-meter) capsule from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida last Saturday. "Everything happened just perfectly, right on time the way that we expected it to," Benjamin Reed, SpaceX's director of crew mission management, said in a live stream from California. It was a crucial milestone in the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Commercial Crew Program ahead of SpaceX's first crewed test flight slated to launch in July with U.S. astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken. "This really is an American achievement that spans many generations of NASA administrators and over a decade of work," said current Administrator Jim Bridenstine. Steve Stich, the crew program's deputy manager with NASA, said the vehicle was doing well after the splash-down. The capsule, which was lifted out of the water by a boat using a crane, is due back on land by Sunday. The live stream showed its protective shell had been weathered from intense heat during re-entry. The mission carried 400 pounds (180 kg) of test equipment to the space station, including a dummy named Ripley outfitted with sensors around its head, neck, and spine to monitor how a flight would feel for a human. The space station's three-member crew greeted the capsule last Sunday, with U.S. astronaut Anne McClain and Canadian astronaut David Saint-Jacques entering Crew Dragon's cabin to carry out air quality tests and inspections. Story continues NASA has awarded SpaceX and Boeing Co a total of $6.8 billion to build competing rocket and capsule systems to launch astronauts into orbit from American soil, something not possible since the U.S. Space Shuttle was retired from service in 2011. Results from this mission will determine whether SpaceX can stick to its current 2019 test schedule following previous development delays for the Hawthorne, California-based company and Boeing. "I don't think we saw really anything in the mission so far - we've got to do the data reviews - that would preclude us from having a crewed mission later this year," Stich said. The launch systems are aimed at ending U.S. reliance on Russian Soyuz rockets for $80 million-per-seat rides to the $100 billion orbital research laboratory, which flies about 250 miles (400 km) above earth. NASA resumed talks with Russia's space agency Roscosmos in February seeking two additional Soyuz seats for 2020 to maintain a U.S. presence on the space station. The short-notice solicitation, posted on Feb. 13, "provides flexibility and back-up capability" as the companies build their rocket-and-capsule launch systems. Boeing's Starliner crew capsule is poised to launch its maiden unmanned mission in April ahead of an August test flight carrying U.S. astronauts Michael Fincke, Chris Ferguson and Nicole Mann. Bridenstine told Reuters the cost per seat on the Boeing or SpaceX systems would be lower than for the shuttle or Soyuz. Privately owned SpaceX, also known as Space Exploration Technologies Corp, was founded in 2002 by Musk, who is also a co-founder of electric car maker Tesla Inc. (Reporting by Joey Roulette; Additional reporting by Gabriella Borter; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe and Chris Reese) Editors Note: The following excerpt is adapted from Victor Davis Hansons new book, The Case for Trump. It appears here with permission. Trump was warned by friends, enemies, and neutrals that his fight against the deep state was suicidal. Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer, just a few days before Trumps inauguration, cheerfully forecast (in a precursor to Samantha Powers later admonition) what might happen to Trump once he attacked the intelligence services: Let me tell you: You take on the intelligence community they have six ways from Sunday at getting back at you. Former administrative-state careerists were not shy about warning Trump of what was ahead. The counterterrorism analyst Phil Mudd, who had worked in the CIA and the FBI under Robert Mueller, warned CNN host Jake Tapper in August 2017 that the government is going to kill President Donald Trump. Kill? And what was the reason the melodramatic Mudd adduced for his astounding prediction? Because he doesnt support them. Mudd then elaborated: Let me give you one bottom line as a former government official. The government is going to kill this guy. The government is going to kill this guy because he doesnt support them. Mudd further clarified his assassination metaphor: What Im saying is government people talk about the deep state when you disrespect government officials whove done 30 years, theyre going to say, Really? It was difficult to ascertain to what degree Mudd was serious or exaggerating the depth of deep-state loathing of Trump. A writer for the London Review of Books, Adam Schatz, seemed even more direct. He reported a supposed conversation that he had with an American political scientist knowledgeable of the Washington permanent caste. He purportedly had assured Schatz that if Trump were elected, he would likely not survive his full term: He will have to be removed from power by the deep state, or be assassinated. Story continues Another progressive, the former Cleveland mayor, presidential candidate, and congressman Dennis Kucinich (D., Ohio), confessed in 2017: The intention is to take down our president. This is very dangerous to America. Its a threat to our republic. It constitutes a clear and present danger to our way of life. So, we have to be asking, What is the motive of these people? . . . This is a problem in our country. Weve got to protect our nation here. People have to be aware of whats going on, we need to protect America. This isnt about Democrat or Republican. This is about getting whats going on in the moment and understanding that our country itself is under attack from within. Even more dramatic were comments made during the Trump presidency by the ever ubiquitous and always more loquacious John Brennan about the vengeance of the deep state. Brennan insisted that the permanent bureaucracy had an obligation . . . to refuse to carry out any orders from President Trump that it deemed anti-democratic. In normal times, that boast would be interrupted as an insurrectionary call to all but remove a president or at least nullify his office. In Brennans mind, a career bureaucrat could arbitrarily decide a Trump presidential executive order was unconstitutional and then refuse to obey, or even block it. All of these threats were the more serious deep-state side to the popular bombast of actors and celebrities who routinely weighed in with more candid conspiracy talk, such as Alec Baldwin (We need to overthrow the government of the United States under Donald Trump) or Rosie ODonnell (I want to send the military to the White House to get him). The composition of Muellers special-counsel investigatory team was almost a caricature of the nature and composition of the deep state. It need not have been, given the polarization over the special-counsel appointment and the importance of avoiding even the hint of any conflicts of interest another testament to the power of New YorkWashington received wisdom and protocol. The announcements of initial appointments made the Washington and New York media become giddy, as if they were assured that those of their own tribe would be unleashed on Trump. Wired, for instance, published this headline on June 14, 2017: Robert Mueller Chooses His Investigatory Dream Team. Vox, on August 22, was elated: Meet the all-star legal team who may take down Trump. The Daily Beast, two days later, saw the team in military terms: Inside Robert Muellers Army. The armys soldiers possessed all the right resumes, with many of the requisite degrees from the right universities, the right revolving-door histories of government and private-sector employment, and the right ideology not so much progressive as wedded to the idea that the administrative state was the true sober and judicious expression of the values of the United States. Otherwise, in almost every imaginable context, the special counsels team was compromised at its very beginning through its own incestuousness and anti-Trump bias. Two of Muellers lead FBI investigators, Lisa Page and Peter Strzok, had a long-concealed amorous relationship characterized in their thousands of text messages by an overriding hatred of Donald Trump and a desire to ensure that he was not elected president or barring that, that he did not prove a successful president. In various text exchanges, they referenced an insurance policy to prevent a Trump presidency, as well as deliberate efforts to leak classified information to the press, also in the context of harming the 2016 Trump campaign. Strzok interviewed Michael Flynn (January 24, 2017) to learn about possible Trump-Russian collusion, and earlier Clinton aides Huma Abedin and Cheryl Mills in connection with the Clinton email scandal. All three had apparently given misleading information; only the first Trump adviser so far has been charged for lying to the FBI. Both Page and Strzok communicated with Deputy Director Andrew McCabe concerning the insurance idea that might suggest efforts to stop Donald Trumps election, or thwart his presidency. When the inspector general released evidence of their prejudices and romantic involvement, the two were reassigned. But Robert Mueller apparently did not immediately announce why they were taken off his investigation. In deep-state style, their staggered departures were reported in the press as normal reassignments and not connected as if to inform the public why they were leaving would somehow not be in the Mueller investigations interest. In May 2018, Page finally resigned during the controversy over her venomous anti-Trump text message exchanges with Agent Strzok, and in anticipation of a supposedly devastating forthcoming inspector generals report. In it, Strzok is quoted in a previously undisclosed August 2016 text reassuring Page that he would prevent Trump from becoming president: No. No hes not. Well stop it. Remember, this quote came from an FBI investigator who would shortly be appointed by Mueller to investigate possible Trump-Russian collusion. In similar fashion, only through the inspector generals report of June 2018 did the public learn that another of Muellers FBI lead attorneys who earlier had been assigned to the Clinton email investigation after the election had bragged in a text to an FBI attorney of his opposition to Trump: Viva le [sic] resistance. Again, Mueller did not disclose whether he knew of any such prejudice when he hired the unnamed FBI attorney, much less why he had retained him until early 2018, or why the public once again was not apprised of the circumstances of this lawyers belated departure. What was the upshot of the animus toward Trump Ive catalogued in this series? In the first two years of his presidency, Trump has not resigned. He has not been impeached. He has not been indicted. He has not died or been declared non compos mentis. Trump did not govern as a liberal, as some of his Never Trump critics predicted. He had not been driven to seclusion by lurid exposes of his past womanizing a decade earlier as a Manhattan television celebrity. Predictions of all that and more were no more accurate than earlier prognostications that Trump would never be nominated and certainly never elected. An administrative state, swamp, deep state, call it what you wish, was wrong about Trumps nomination, his election, and his governance. It was right only in its warnings that he could be crude and profane, with a lurid past and an ethical necropolis of skeletons in his closet a fact long ago factored and baked into his supporters votes. At each stage, the erroneous predictions of the deep state prompted ever greater animus at a target that it could not quite understand, much less derail, and so far has not been able to destroy. By autumn 2018, the repetitive nightly predictions of cable-news pundits that the latest presidential controversy was a bombshell, or marked a turning-point, or offered proof that the walls were closing in, or ensured that impeachment was looming on the horizon had amounted to little more than monotonous and scripted groupthink. Never before in the history of the presidency had a commander-in-chief earned the antipathy of the vast majority of the media, much of the career establishments of both political parties, the majority of the holders of the nations accumulated personal wealth, and the permanent federal bureaucracy. And lived to tell the tale. More from National Review Geneva (AFP) - A lawyer acting on behalf of an unnamed Algerian citizen has filed a petition with a Swiss court requesting that Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, in Switzerland for medical treatment, be placed under a trusteeship for his own protection. The petition came as tens of thousands of people protested in Algeria against the 82-year-old ailing leader's bid to secure a fifth term in the country's April 18 elections. It was unclear whether the court would admit the case, or whether the petition, received Friday, had any chance of garnering support. Saskia Ditisheim, who is president of the Swiss division of Lawyers without Borders but did not file the petition in the organisation's name, said in the document that Bouteflika's "fragile health" left him vulnerable to "exploitation" by those around him. The TPAE court she sent the document to specialises in the protection of vulnerable adults and children. "It is obvious that the Algerian president is today incapable of discernment, with a very precarious health condition and that all of his actions ... have not been carried out by him but by his political and familial entourage," said the document. It was therefore clear that the Algerian leader had not himself decided to submit his candidacy for a fifth term. He could also not have himself issued a statement this week that warned protestors in Algeria that troublemakers may try to infiltrate the demonstrations and create "chaos", according to the petition. - Urgency? - Under the Hague Convention, it would usually fall to Algerian legal authorities to determine if a citizen should be placed under trusteeship, according to Nicolas Jeandin, a Swiss lawyer and law professor at the University of Geneva. But if the Swiss court deems there is an urgent need to protect a vulnerable individual, it could choose to weigh in, he told AFP, stressing that "the question is if there is urgency". Story continues If so, in theory at least, "the Swiss judge should disregard the political backdrop ... and determine if this person needs assistance." Bouteflika, in power since 1999, has rarely been seen in public since suffering a stroke in 2013. He has been in Switzerland for nearly two weeks receiving what his office has called routine medical checkups. Bouteflika's campaign manager Abdelghani Zaalane insisted Thursday that the president's health raised "no worries". Ditisheim said her client had already requested that the University Hospitals of Geneva (HUG) release Bouteflika's medical records to determine his actual condition, maintaining it was of public interest to Algerians. While the medical records remain closed, the petition points to press reports indicating that Bouteflika's condition was "very precarious" and "life-threatening", and also questioned his mental capacities. The petition called on the court to name one or several trustees to look out for Bouteflika's wellbeing. It also asked the court to lift the medical secrecy around his condition, and to authorise the medical staff at HUG to issue a certificate pertaining to his health condition and aptitude to govern. The petition also demands that any statements made in Bouteflika's name first receive trustee approval. And it said the trustee or trustees should be authorised to take any necessary measures to protect the Algerian president's interests. An emergency request to place someone under trusteeship can often be ruled on in a matter of days. But in this case, the judge might want to mull it over a bit longer and would also likely request a medical expertise before ruling on the matter, Jeandin said. Ditisheim meanwhile acknowledged the sensitivity of the case and said the court might try to stall until Bouteflika is flown back to Algeria. Apple CEO Tim Cook responded to requests to change his Twitter name to Tim Apple by, well, changing his name on the social networking site to Tim with an apple emoji. An awkward moment took place between President Donald Trump and the Apple CEO when the president called the tech exec Tim Apple during a meeting at the White House on Wednesday. We appreciate it very much, Tim Apple," the president told the Apple chief executive at the White House for the American Workforce Policy Advisory Board to discuss technology education and jobs. Tim Cook changes name on Twitter Cook, who has led the iPhone-maker since 2011, did not appear to react after the presidents statement. However, people on social media did. Some people directly requested that the CEO alter his name on Twitter. Well, it looks like he just did, sort of. Cook didn't change his handle but instead added an Apple icon next to his name. Follow USA TODAY Reporter Dalvin Brown on Twitter: @Dalvin_Brown This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tim Cook changes his name to 'Tim Apple' on Twitter after Trump called him the wrong name Tim Cook responded with humour after Donald Trump incorrectly referred to the Apple CEO as Tim Apple. Rather than acknowledging the error in person during a White House meeting Wednesday, the tech billionaire decided to change his Twitter name instead - to Tim Apple. Cook made the revision using the Apple logo after numerous requests from people on social media, who found the presidents misidentification amusing. PLEASE change your Twitter name to Tim Apple. That is all, one person tweeted at Cook following the presidents gaffe. Another said: Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, seriously should change his name to Tim Apple! Its catchy. Cooks decision to amend his Twitter handle was met with joy, with one person writing: This is my favourite news story today. Tim Cook changes his name to Tim Apple on Twitter (Twitter) President Trump made the error during a meeting with the American Workforce Policy Advisory Board. While he has not addressed the incident, the presidents daughter Ivanka Trump did so on Twitter with a response of laughing emojis to a tweet from The Daily Show referencing the mistake. DES MOINES, Iowa - Transgender Iowans can use Medicaid funds to pay for transition-related care, including surgeries, according to a unanimous Iowa Supreme Court ruling Friday. The courts decision strikes down the administrative code governing Medicaid in Iowa that classifies transition-related surgeries as "cosmetic, reconstructive or plastic surgery" and explicitly bans "surgeries for the purpose of sex reassignment." The justices agreed with a district judge's ruling that the rules contradicted protections in the Iowa Civil Rights Act. That law's "gender identity classification encompasses transgender individuals especially those who have gender dysphoria because discrimination against these individuals is based on the nonconformity between their gender identity and biological sex," Justice Susan Christensen wrote for the court. This decision is thought to be the first by a state's highest court holding that transgender people have the right to use public money for transition-related surgeries. As issues of LGBT rights swirl nationally, the decision could help open the door for challenges to bans in other states, about half of which have language similar to Iowas in their administrative code. "As the ruling showed, this case presented a difficult question involving individual rights and the states interests," said Lynn Hicks, spokesman for the Attorney General's Office. "This issue was a first for Iowas courts, and we thank the court for its guidance and for resolving this issue." The state Department of Human Servies declined to comment. TRANS IN IOWA: A special Des Moines Register series of reports More: Transgender Coachella attendees say they were denied bathroom access. ACLU demands change The verdict ended an almost two-year legal battle that hinged on whether transition-related surgery was medically necessary or a procedure provided solely psychological purposes. Story continues EerieAnna Good After years of dealing with denials and headaches regarding their health coverage, Carol Ann Beal, 42, of northwest Iowa, and EerieAnna Good, 28, of the Quad Cities, sued the Department of Human Services in 2017. They alleged that the states blanket ban denying their use of public funds for doctor-prescribed surgery violated the equal protection clauses in both the Iowa Civil Rights Act and the state constitution. The record evidence shows that this surgery is medically necessary, John Knight, an attorney with the ACLU representing Beal and Good, told justices when the case was argued. Its really lifesaving treatment for a number of individuals. In his June decision, Polk County Chief District Judge Arthur Gamble concurred, saying the decades-old regulation "has not kept up with law and medicine." He ordered the department to approve the womens request for coverage. But the state appealed, arguing the ban is not discriminatory because the department denies all surgeries performed primarily for psychological reasons which is how it has characterized transition-related surgeries. Carol Ann Beal We are covering these surgeries in the same instances when the primary purpose is to address a non-psychological purpose, state Assistant Attorney General Matthew Gillespie said during oral arguments. And we don't cover surgeries in the same instance, regardless of gender identity, when the surgery is performed primarily for a psychological purpose. More: Exclusive: Pentagon spent nearly $8 million to treat 1,500 transgender troops since 2016 More: Tennessee becomes first state in the South with hate crime law protecting transgender people Gender identity or the deeply held sense of who one is that may differ from the sex organs with which one was born and sexual orientation were added to the Iowa Civil Rights Act as protected classes in 2007. Under that statute, transgender Iowans have legal protections against discrimination in education, employment, housing and public accommodations. Medicaid, a state and federally funded program, is considered a public accommodation. Daniel Hoffman-Zinnel, executive director of One Iowa, a statewide LGBTQ organization, said the ruling sets a strong judicial precedent for protecting transgender Iowans' civil rights. He called gender-affirming surgery "powerful, life-changing and absolutely essential." "This decision will, quite literally, save lives," Hoffman-Zinnel said. In a statement Friday, Beal and Good said they were thrilled with the decision. Beal described herself as "extremely happy for those people who will come after me." "Its hard to believe that its taken so many years for Iowa laws to catch up with the reality of transgender Iowans," Good said, calling herself honored to "help the hundreds and thousands of other transgender people out there who definitely need this type of medical care." The medical necessity Beal has known she was a woman despite being born with male genitalia since before she started kindergarten. She started presenting as a girl at 10 and began taking hormones in her teens after being diagnosed with gender dysphoria, the medical term for feeling that one's inner masculinity or femininity is incongruent with his or her biological sex. Both her family and her spouse supported her decision to go through with this litigation, Beal said when the lawsuit was filed in 2017. "You go through so many years transitioning, and now I hit a brick wall with Iowa's discriminatory ban on Medicaid coverage for transition-related care," Beal said in 2017, her voice cracking with nerves. "It has caused me stress and depression and affects every aspect of my life." The question of the "medical necessity" of these procedures often lies at the heart of conversations about transition-related care. When prescribed by a doctor, all forms of transition care, including surgeries, are recommended by most professional medical organizations, including the American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association and the American Psychiatric Association. But not every transgender person is interested in surgery, Dr. Joe Freund, one of the most sought-after transition-care doctors in the state, previously told the Register. Transitioning is a spectrum, and some patients find alignment simply by dressing in gender-specific clothing. Other patients may find hormone-replacement therapy enough while some may need surgery to make themselves whole, he said. Dr. Nicole Nisly, co-founder of the award-winning University of Iowa LGBTQ Clinic, has said she has many patients on Medicaid, some of whom meet the medical criteria for surgical intervention and are in desperate need of that kind of care. Without these surgeries, those patients can experience extreme depression and anxiety and may have suicidal thoughts. "When they are denied this care it is heartbreaking for us and heartbreaking for them," Nisly previously said. "Imagine it from their perspective: They have been on hormones and transitioned in every other way for a year and then they find out they can't take that extra step to fully become themselves. "Some (of my patients) do become suicidal." In the district court ruling, Gamble wrote that DHS did not rebut the medical evidence that gender affirming surgery is medically necessary treatment and called the exclusion of coverage unreasonable, arbitrary and capricious. The denial was issued without regard to the law and facts, the judge wrote. The agency acted in the face of evidence upon which there is no room for difference of opinion among reasonable minds. What will it cost? DHS has also resisted on the grounds of the high cost of transition-related care. The agency has argued that its regulation against transition care "serves the purpose of conserving limited state resources." While Gamble agreed that cost savings is a "legitimate government interest," he wrote that the ban "achieves this goal through an extreme degree of underinclusiveness." Tabulating the cost of transition is difficult because of the variation of care needed or desired, but the Philadelphia Center for Transgender Surgery prices the full suite of procedures for both transgender women and transgender men at more than $100,000. However, single surgeries cost much less. For example, a vaginoplasty, the creation of a vagina, or a phalloplasty, the creation of a penis, costs about $20,000. Despite what could be considered high costs, transgender people make up a relativity small portion of the national population. One estimate found about 0.3 percent of the total population, or about 964,000 people nationally and 9,300 in Iowa, identify as transgender, according to The Williams Institute, a think tank at UCLA's law school. A smaller subset of that population would seek surgeries. At the time the original suit was filed, the ACLU and local doctors pointed to mastectomies as an example of the inherent unfairness of the ban. Breast-removal surgery costs the same whether it is covered as cancer treatment or as a treatment for gender dysphoria. Only one of those surgeries was banned even if doctors in both cases deem the surgery to be "medically necessary." Advances in other court cases The 6-0 Supreme Court ruling came on the heels of another step forward for transgender rights in Iowa. Last month, Jesse Vroegh, a transgender man and former prison nurse, won his discrimination case against the state after he was denied access to the men's restrooms and locker rooms and denied transition-related care. He was awarded $120,000 in damages. More: Transgender nurse barred from using men's restroom wins discrimination case against Iowa The Iowa ACLU has also previously represented Meagan Taylor, a transgender woman discriminated against at a West Des Moines hotel. The highly publicized case resulted in an undisclosed settlement. In this case, Beal has said that she didn't set out to become a trailblazer, but wanted to "make it easier for younger people who need this surgery." "I look forward to the day when someone fighting to get the transition-related medical care they need isn't in the news, she said. Follow Courtney Crowder and Luke Nozicka on Twitter: @CourtneyCare and @LukeNozicka This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa Supreme Court rules transgender patients can use Medicaid for transition-related care President Trump threw out the diplomatic rule book when he took office, tweeting gleefully about sensitive global issues, be it the nuclear showdown with North Korea or burden sharing within NATO. Now he has spawned a squad of in-house imitators. John R. Bolton, the national security adviser, has tweeted more than 150 times about the political crisis in Venezuela, demanding that the countrys embattled president, Nicolas Maduro, go into exile and championing his waiting-in-the-wings replacement, Juan Guaido. Jason D. Greenblatt, Mr Trumps Middle East envoy, has taken to Twitter dozens of times to debate or chide Palestinian leaders, with whom the White House has had no formal contact since late 2017, when the president announced he would move the American Embassy to Jerusalem. Other administration officials, like Richard Grenell, the ambassador to Germany, and David M. Friedman, the ambassador to Israel, have used Twitter aggressively to defend their bosss policies and go after rivals like Iran. Even Vice President Mike Pence tweets regularly about Venezuela, accusing Cuba of propping up Mr Maduros discredited regime. For Mr Trumps lieutenants, Twitter is a rare twofer: a way to promote the presidents agenda while bypassing what he disparages as the Fake News. And they are mindful that in this White House, emulating the boss never hurts. [[gallery-0]] But critics say the proliferation of Twitter diplomacy reveals an administration long on bombast and short on policy. Sometimes it seems like Twitter is where policy is made, and not just an expression of policy, said Michael A. McFaul, who pioneered the use of Twitter as a diplomatic tool while ambassador to Russia under President Barack Obama. The old-fashioned policymaking process does not seem to be working, Mr McFaul said, and I dont think Twitter should be a substitute for that. It is also clear that a tweet by Mr Trump carries more punch than one by his underlings. Mr Maduro is hanging tough in Venezuela, despite Mr Boltons daily barrage of threats. On Wednesday evening, he again raised the specter of military intervention, tweeting President Trump has made clear to Nicolas Maduro and those around him, all options are on the table. Story continues In the Middle East, Mr Greenblatts tweets have done little to repair the rift with the Palestinians or lay the groundwork for his long-anticipated peace plan. In a recent exchange, Mr Greenblatt accused the longtime Palestinian negotiator, Saeb Erekat, of unfairly maligning the proposal when he warned that it would be an apartheid system with ghettos for Palestinians. Mr Grenell, whose no-holds-barred style most closely mirrors Mr Trumps, infuriated his German hosts last May when he tweeted, after the presidents decision to abandon the Iran nuclear deal, that German companies doing business in Iran should wind down operations immediately. Germany had opted to stay in the deal. All of the presidents advisers pay close attention to his social media behaviour and copy some of his moves. Mr Bolton, for example, has taken his lead in pounding a message through sheer repetition: Mr Boltons 150-plus tweets on Venezuela are not unlike Mr Trumps repeated references to the special counsels Russia investigation as a witch hunt. Mr Bolton told CNN that the tweets were a new experiment in public diplomacy never mind that Mr McFaul, and later Secretary of State John Kerry, did it during the Obama administration. A longtime commentator on Fox with a penchant for pungent statements, Mr Bolton sometimes infuses his tweets with a distinctly Trumpian tone. Talks between Russia and Maduros cronies are only useful if they are discussing retirement beaches for Maduro, he wrote last week of Russian efforts to broker a solution to the crisis. The difference between Mr Trump and his advisers is that his tweeting is usually more ad hoc. He has been known to tap out his messages off the cuff and not have them vetted, with a watch this expression, according to two people who have seen him do it. Mr Bolton and Mr Greenblatt carefully consider their tweets before posting. A senior administration official described Mr Boltons Venezuela tweets as part of a strategic, tactical and purposeful plan to raise awareness of the need to oust Mr Maduro. Experts on Latin America have likened Mr Boltons tweets to a prolonged info op on Venezuela. The problem, they said, is that the administration has so far been unable to buttress the communications strategy with concrete steps that will force Mr Maduro out of power. On Wednesday, Mr Bolton issued an old-fashioned statement in which he warned foreign banks engaged in illicit transactions with the Maduro government that they faced American sanctions. We will not allow Maduro to steal the wealth of the Venezuelan people, he said. In Mr Greenblatts case, the tweets are a way to engage Palestinians at a time when the Palestinian Authority refuses to talk to the administration. His audience, analysts said, is less the ageing Palestinian leadership than younger Palestinians, who Mr. Greenblatt hopes will respond by embracing the economic incentives in the peace proposal that he has been drafting with Jared Kushner, Mr Trumps son-in-law and senior adviser. Unfortunately, there are many rumours out there, Mr Greenblatt said in a statement. Twitter allows me to rapidly set the record straight, without a middleman, when our policies are mischaracterised. Mr Greenblatt said he had received largely positive feedback from Palestinians, as well as Israelis. Its good for diplomacy, he said, and its good for the people of the region. But since the White House has yet to disclose the details of its plan, Mr Greenblatts tweets are more effective at tamping down ill-founded speculation than in laying out a case for the administrations policies. Often, he criticises inflammatory statements made by Palestinians. In a recent tweet, Mr. Greenblatt condemned a columnist with ties to the Palestinian Authority who wrote that he resembled a person with Down syndrome. Mr Friedman rallied to his friends defense, tweeting, I am disgusted not for Jason (hes got broad shoulders) but by this utter disregard for the value of every human life. When a Palestinian journalist, Daoud Kuttab, tweeted his dismay at the personal attack on an American official, Mr Greenblatt replied, I know you disagree with our policies but glad you stood up for whats right, and invited him to the White House for a meeting. Mr Greenblatts lively Twitter profile is in stark contrast to his low-key role in the administration and in Mr Trumps prior business life. The former chief legal officer of the Trump Organisation, he has barely figured in discussions of the presidents legal woes. In a leaky White House, the details of Mr Greenblatts peace plan remain tightly under wraps. Experts on the Middle East said Mr Greenblatts decision to engage on Twitter had merit but was flawed in two respects. First, the Trump administrations policies have so alienated the Palestinians that it was difficult for Mr Greenblatt to overcome the hostility. Right now, the context of the US-Palestinian relationship is overwhelmingly negative, said Ghaith al-Omari, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Palestinians think, You say you care about us, but youre cutting aid to Palestinians and closing our hospitals. Second, critics said Mr Greenblatt was not explaining the administrations policies to a sceptical Palestinian audience as much as reproaching their leaders for what he believes is their shortsightedness. He is also, they said, one-sided. I cant remember a single tweet that has been critical of a new Israeli settlement or an Israeli government decision, said Daniel C. Kurtzer, a former American ambassador to Israel and Egypt. His tweets have strictly been used to point out Palestinian malfeasance. The New York Times Washington (AFP) - US President Donald Trump blasted Democrats as "anti-Israel" and "anti-Jewish" Friday after they passed a congressional measure opposing hate speech in general instead of specifically condemning alleged anti-Semitic comments by a Muslim congresswoman. His remarks follow days of tense debates in Congress addressing sensitive questions about national allegiance, discriminatory tropes aimed at Jews, and accusations of show votes that failed to call out a member for controversial comments. "I thought yesterday's vote by the House was disgraceful," Trump said at the White House. The resolution was originally intended to deliver a direct rebuke of anti-Semitism following comments by a Muslim Democratic congresswoman, Ilhan Omar, that were deemed anti-Semitic and offensive by many colleagues. But after blowback from progressives, it was revised to broadly condemn discrimination against Muslims and other minorities as well. Trump seized on the shift, injecting a new angle of attack as he readies a 2020 re-election bid and fellow Republicans seek to claw back ground they lost in the House in last year's mid-terms. "The Democrats have become an anti-Israel party, they've become an anti-Jewish party," he said. The issue has caused a deep rift. Some Democrats wanted to include language condemning other forms of bigotry, and expressed concerns about singling out Omar. The resolution, which made no mention of Omar, ultimately passed 407 to 23. Republicans who voted against it complained it had been watered down. The debate made clear that Democrats' growing diversity in Congress -- in ethnicity, religion, gender, age and ideology -- has created new challenges for the party. Among those is policy about Israel. Omar, a Somali refugee who resettled in Minnesota, had sparked fiery debate with her repeated criticisms of Israel and how a powerful pro-Israel lobby in Washington exerts influence on US politicians. Story continues "I am told everyday that I am anti-American if I am not pro-Israel. I find that to be problematic and I am not alone," Omar tweeted. "Our nation is having a difficult conversation." - Rise in anti-Semitic incidents - But Democrats insisted Trump was out of bounds to suggest their party was anti-Jewish. "Mr. President, you have redefined chutzpah," said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who like Trump is from New York. "As illustrated by history and yesterday's overwhelming vote to condemn anti-Semitism, there is strong support for Israel and the Jewish faith among Democrats," congresswoman Elaine Luria, a military veteran who is Jewish, told AFP. The debate comes amid a rise in anti-Semitic incidents across the United States. The Anti-Defamation League reported a 58 percent increase in such incidents between 2016 and 2017. In October a gunman killed 11 worshippers at a Pittsburgh synagogue, the deadliest attack ever on Jews in America. Trump proclaims himself as Israel's closest ally, having moved the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, and forged a close alliance with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. But Trump and other Republicans have also courted controversy with the Jewish community, and have been accused of trafficking in age-old tropes about money that anti-Semites have used to attack Jews for centuries. Speaking to the Republican Jewish Coalition in 2015 during his presidential campaign, Trump said "you're not going to support me because I don't want your money." "But that's okay," he went on. "You want to control your own politician." Trump drew outrage in 2016 with a tweet showing his rival Hillary Clinton and a Star of David with the word "corrupt" superimposed over stacks of $100 bills. And his closing 2016 campaign ad contained alarming messaging, with images of prominent financial figures George Soros and Janet Yellen, both Jewish, as Trump speaks of "those who control the levers of power in Washington." As president, Trump sparked a firestorm by saying there were "very fine people on both sides" at a 2017 white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, where demonstrators chanted "Jews will not replace us." Of the 535 members of the US House and Senate, 35 are Jewish, including just two Republicans, according to the non-partisan American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise. Pew Research Center says that among Jewish voters in the 2018 midterms, 79 percent supported Democratic candidates. Chinese clients have allegedly been offered access to Donald Trump and his administration by the female founder of a massage parlour involved in a high-profile prostitution sting. Li Yang, the Chinese founder of the Orchids of Asia Day spa in Florida, made headlines last week when US media unearthed a photo of her smiling alongside the US president at his West Palm Beach country club during last months Super Bowl. Less than three weeks after the selfie was taken, Robert Kraft, owner of Super Bowl champions the New England Patriots, was charged with soliciting prostitution at Orchids of Asia after police said they caught him on video in January paying for oral sex. Mr Kraft has denied any wrongdoing. Ms Yang, 45, said she had sold the spa in question in 2013, and she had not been charged or implicated with crimes related to the sting. Ms Yang does, however, continue to operate a series of spas scrutinised by at least two police agencies for prostitution. She also runs, with her husband, an investment firm called GY US Investments LLC described on its website as an international business consulting firm that helps US-based companies expand into China. A cached version of the website Mother Jones reported that the live version stopped working on Friday describes Ms Yang as founder of the company and shows her in two photos alongside Mr Trump. Accompanying an image of Mar-a-Lago, Mr Trumps private club in Florida, the company claims to offer clients the opportunity for a presidential roundtable and presidential dinner and to take photos with the president. It also offers the opportunity to interact with the president and the Minister of Commerce presumably US commerce secretary Wilbur Ross as well as access to a First Lady Charity Ball. Li Yang's company website, which has since gone down, offers clients access to the president (GY US Investments) Ms Yangs biography on the site describes her as a member of the presidential fundraising committee and a presidential club member who has been settled in the US for more than 20 years. Story continues Photos reviewed by The Miami Herald show Ms Yang has recently become politically active, with photos alongside Mr Trump, his adult sons, as well as other prominent Republicans such as Florida governor Ron DeSantis and former Alaska governor Sarah Palin. (Facebook/Cindy Yang) The newspaper reported Ms Yang and her relatives have since 2017 donated more than $42,000 to a Trump political action committee, as well as $16,000 to Mr Trumps presidential campaign. Her investment firms website lists upcoming events at what appears to be Mar-a-Lago. The events include one titled International Leaders Elite Forum on 30 March, which touts Mr Trumps sister, Elizabeth Trump Grau, as a guest speaker. Another event promoted on the site is a New Years Eve dinner at which attendees celebrate with the presidents family. Ms Yang and the White House have both been contacted for comment. WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trump and Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis now have another thing in common: They both like the same campaign slogan. Babis said Thursday at the White House that he similarly wants to "Make the Czech Republic great again." The two leaders already have much in common. Babis, like Trump, is a wealthy businessman who rode into office on a nationalist-style campaign. While Trump is dogged by special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation, Babis is facing charges of misusing European Union subsidies for a farm he transferred to relatives, including his son. Trump wants to strengthen the U.S. border with Mexico. Babis is a vocal opponent of accepting migrants and refugees in his country. Trump and first lady Melania Trump greeted the prime minister of the central European country and his wife, Monika Babisova, outside the White House and they walked to the Oval Office. "Czech Republic doing very, very well economically and in all other respects," Trump said. "It's always been a safe country. Strong military. Strong people. We have a very good relationship with the Czech Republic and the United States. We do a lot of trade." Babis said U.S.-Czech Republic business relations are growing. "Our investors are investing in the U.S. and already created thousands of jobs," Babis said. "Mr. President, I watched your 2019 State of the Union address and I perfectly understand you plan how to make America great again. I have a similar plan to make the Czech Republic great again." The two leaders also discussed cybersecurity. A Czech watchdog followed U.S. authorities in warning against use of hardware or software made by Chinese companies Huawei and ZTE. Huawei has become the target of U.S. security concerns because of its ties to the Chinese government. The U.S. has pressured other countries to limit use of its technology, warning they could be opening themselves up to surveillance and theft of information. Story continues "Our countries will work to ensure secure and reliable telecommunications networks and supply chains to reduce the risk of malicious cyber activity," the two leaders said in a joint statement issued after their meeting. "We resolve to deepen our cooperation. ... to develop telecommunications security principles." On trade, Trump has raised the ire of many Europeans by imposing tariffs on aluminum and steel, while threatening to slap tariffs on imports of cars from the European Union. Before leaving for the United States, Babis told The Associated Press that he hoped the trade spat would not escalate and that talks would result in a solution that avoids a trade war. In their statement, the two leaders also said they would work together to promote enhanced energy diversification in Europe and ensure security. "We will further investigate the potential benefits of regional energy infrastructure development in Central Europe," they said. Babis' visit coincides with the 30th anniversary of the 1989 anti-communist "Velvet Revolution" and the 20th anniversary of the Czech Republic's membership in NATO, which began in 1999. The Czech Republic is among the countries criticized by Trump for not meeting the NATO goal of committing 2 percent of their gross domestic product to defense. Babis has promised to meet the target by 2024. By Roberta Rampton and David Brunnstrom WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday he would be disappointed if Pyongyang were to resume weapons testing and reiterated his belief in his good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un despite the collapse last week of their second summit. "I would be surprised in a negative way if he did anything that was not per our understanding. But we'll see what happens," Trump told reporters. "I would be very disappointed if I saw testing." Trump's comments came after two U.S. think tanks and Seoul's spy agency said this week that North Korea was rebuilding a rocket launch site at Sohae in the west of the country. There have also been reports from South Korea's intelligence service of new activity at a factory at Sanumdong near Pyongyang that produced North Korea's first intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of reaching the United States. On Friday, U.S. National Public Radio quoted experts from California's Middlebury Institute of International Studies as saying that satellite images of Sanumdong taken on Feb. 22 and on Friday suggested North Korea could be preparing to launch a missile or a space rocket. One of the experts, Jeffrey Lewis, told Reuters the activity at the two sites was "probably connected." NPR said the Feb. 22 photos showed cars, trucks, rail cars and two cranes at Sanumdong, while in those taken on Friday, the activity had died down and one of the cranes had disappeared. Other experts, including Joel Wit at 38 North and Michael Elleman of the International Institute for Strategic Studies considered the conclusion speculative. "In the past there have been multiple reports about activity at this place that turned out to be false alarms," Wit said, referring to Sanumdong. "It could either be preparation for an eventual launch or not." The White House, State Department and Pentagon did not immediately respond to requests for comment. North Korea has frozen nuclear and missile testing since 2017, and Trump has pointed to this as a positive outcome from nearly a year of high-level engagement with North Korea. Sohae has been used in the past to test missile engines and to launch rockets that U.S. officials say have helped development of North Korea's weapons programs. A senior U.S. State Department official said on Thursday that any launch from there would be "inconsistent" with North Korean commitments. Kim pledged at a first summit with Trump in Singapore in June that the engine test site and launch platform at Sohae would be dismantled. He repeated the pledge in a summit with the South Korean president in September. Trump said he thought his and the U.S. relationship with Kim and North Korea was "a very good one." "I think it remains good," he said. SUMMIT COLLAPSE Trump has been eager for a big foreign policy win on North Korea which has eluded his predecessors for decades and has repeatedly stressed his good relationship with Kim. He went as far late last year as saying that they "fell in love," but the bonhomie has failed to bridge the wide gap between the two sides and a second summit between them collapsed last week in Vietnam over differences on U.S. demands for Kim to give up his nuclear weapons and North Korea's demands for sanctions relief. U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton and other U.S. officials have sought to play down the developments spotted at Sohae, although Trump on Thursday called recent North Korean activity "disappointing." The senior State Department official who briefed reporters in Washington on Thursday said he would "not necessarily share the conclusion" of the think tanks that the Sohae site was operational again, but said any use of it would be seen as "backsliding" on commitments to Trump. Pyongyang has used Sohae to launch satellites into space since 2011, and one such launch in April 2012 killed off an Obama administration deal for a freeze in North Korean nuclear and missile testing in return for food aid. North Korean state media acknowledged the fruitless Hanoi summit for the first time on Friday, saying people were blaming the United States for the lack of an agreement. "The public at home and abroad that had hoped for success and good results from the second ... summit in Hanoi are feeling regretful, blaming the U.S. for the summit that ended without an agreement," its Rodong Sinmun newspaper said. The paper directed fiery rhetoric against Japan, accusing it of being "desperate to interrupt" relations between Pyongyang and Washington and "applauding" the breakdown of the summit. Washington has said it is open to more talks with North Korea, but it has rejected an incremental approach to negotiations sought by Pyongyang and it remains unclear when the two sides might meet again. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Monday he was hopeful he would send a delegation to North Korea for more talks in the next couple of weeks, but had received "no commitment yet." The senior State Department official who briefed reporters on Thursday declined to say whether there had been direct contact between the sides since the summit. He said Washington was keen to resume talks as soon as possible, but North Korea's negotiators needed to be given more latitude. "There will necessarily need to be a period of reflection here. Both sides are going to have to digest the outcome to the summit," said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "Fundamentally, where we really need to see the progress, and we need to see it soon, is on meaningful and verifiable steps on denuclearization. That's our goal and that's how we see these negotiations picking up momentum." The official said complete denuclearization was the condition for North Korea's integration into the global economy, a transformed relationship with the United States and a permanent peace regime on the Korean peninsula. Bolton, who has argued for a tough approach to North Korea, said this week that Trump was open to more talks, but also warned of tougher sanctions if North Korea did not denuclearize. (Reporting by Roberta Rampton, David Brunnstrom, Lisa Lambert and Susan Heavey in Washington and Hyonhee Shin, Joyce Lee and Ju-min Park in Seoul; Editing by Jonathan Oatis and Sandra Maler) By Roberta Rampton and David Brunnstrom WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday he would be disappointed if Pyongyang were to resume weapons testing and reiterated his belief in his good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un despite the collapse last week of their second summit. "I would be surprised in a negative way if he did anything that was not per our understanding. But we'll see what happens," Trump told reporters at the White House. "I would be very disappointed if I saw testing." Trump's comments came after two U.S. think tanks and Seoul's spy agency said this week that North Korea was rebuilding a rocket launch site at Sohae in the west of the country. There have also been reports from South Korea's intelligence service of new activity at a factory at Sanumdong near Pyongyang that produced North Korea's first intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of reaching the United States. On Friday, U.S. National Public Radio quoted experts from California's Middlebury Institute of International Studies as saying that satellite images of Sanumdong taken on Feb. 22 and on Friday suggested North Korea could be preparing to launch a missile or a space rocket. One of the experts, Jeffrey Lewis, told Reuters the activity at the two sites was "probably connected." NPR said the Feb. 22 photos showed cars, trucks, rail cars and two cranes at Sanumdong, while in those taken on Friday, the activity had died down and one of the cranes had disappeared. Other experts, including Joel Wit at 38 North and Michael Elleman of the International Institute for Strategic Studies considered the conclusion speculative. "In the past there have been multiple reports about activity at this place that turned out to be false alarms," Wit said, referring to Sanumdong. "It could either be preparation for an eventual launch or not." The White House and the Pentagon did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The State Department declined to comment. Story continues North Korea has frozen nuclear and missile testing since 2017, and Trump has pointed to this as a positive outcome from nearly a year of high-level engagement with North Korea. Sohae has been used in the past to test missile engines and to launch rockets that U.S. officials say have helped development of North Korea's weapons programs. A senior U.S. State Department official said on Thursday that any launch from there would be "inconsistent" with North Korean commitments. Kim pledged at a first summit with Trump in Singapore in June that the engine test site and launch platform at Sohae would be dismantled. He repeated the pledge in a summit with the South Korean president in September. Trump said he thought his and the U.S. relationship with Kim and North Korea was "a very good one." "I think it remains good," he said. SUMMIT COLLAPSE Trump has been eager for a big foreign policy win on North Korea which has eluded his predecessors for decades and has repeatedly stressed his good relationship with Kim. He went as far late last year as saying that they "fell in love," but the bonhomie has failed to bridge the wide gap between the two sides and a second summit between them collapsed last week in Vietnam over differences on U.S. demands for Kim to give up his nuclear weapons and North Korea's demands for sanctions relief. U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton and other U.S. officials have sought to play down the developments spotted at Sohae, although Trump on Thursday called recent North Korean activity "disappointing." The senior State Department official who briefed reporters in Washington on Thursday said he would "not necessarily share the conclusion" of the think tanks that the Sohae site was operational again, but said any use of the site would be seen as "backsliding" on commitments to Trump. North Korean state media acknowledged the fruitless Hanoi summit for the first time on Friday, saying people were blaming the United States for the lack of an agreement. "The public at home and abroad that had hoped for success and good results from the second ... summit in Hanoi are feeling regretful, blaming the U.S. for the summit that ended without an agreement," its Rodong Sinmun newspaper said in a commentary. The paper directed fiery rhetoric against Japan, accusing it of being "desperate to interrupt" relations between Pyongyang and Washington and "applauding" the breakdown of the summit. Washington has said it is open to more talks with North Korea but it has rejected an incremental approach to negotiations sought by Pyongyang and it remains unclear when the two sides might meet again. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Monday he was hopeful he would send a delegation to North Korea for more talks in the next couple of weeks, but that he had received "no commitment yet." The senior State Department official who briefed reporters on Thursday said the United States was keen to resume talks as soon as possible, but North Korea's negotiators needed to be given more latitude than they were given ahead of the summit. "There will necessarily need to be a period of reflection here. Both sides are going to have to digest the outcome to the summit," said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "Fundamentally, where we really need to see the progress, and we need to see it soon, is on meaningful and verifiable steps on denuclearization. That's our goal and that's how we see these negotiations picking up momentum." The official said complete denuclearization was the condition for North Korea's integration into the global economy, a transformed relationship with the United States and a permanent peace regime on the Korean peninsula. Bolton, a hard-liner who has argued for a tough approach to North Korea, said this week that Trump was open to more talks, but also warned of tougher sanctions if North Korea did not denuclearize. (Reporting by Roberta Rampton, David Brunnstrom, Lisa Lambert and Susan Heavey in Washington and Hyonhee Shin, Joyce Lee and Ju-min Park in Seoul; Editing by Jonathan Oatis and Sandra Maler) By David Lawder and Alexandra Alper WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Trump administration officials have not made any new plans to send a team to China for face-to-face trade talks although there is much work left to be done to reach a deal, White House trade adviser Clete Willems said on Friday. "We're talking to them (Chinese officials) every day, but no one's got any trip plans," Willems told reporters on the sidelines of a Georgetown Law School event. When asked about the prospect for future face-to-face meetings, he said: "Maybe. But there are no plans right now." The governments of the world's two largest economies have been locked in a tit-for-tat tariff battle for months as Washington presses Beijing to address long-standing concerns over Chinese practices and policies around industrial subsidies, technology transfers, market access and intellectual property rights. Advances in talks drove the White House to indefinitely delay hikes in tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese imports that were set to kick in on March 2. Willems said the two countries had made progress in talks but that there was still much more to be done. He declined to say whether Trump would set a new tariff deadline should the talks stall. Members of Congress and the business community have expressed concerns that Trump is so eager for a deal ahead of presidential elections next year that he may accept an agreement that falls short of addressing key structural issues. Willems pushed back against such concerns, saying the notion that Trump will settle for a "bad deal" is "totally inaccurate." U.S. Ambassador to China Terry Branstad told The Wall Street Journal on Friday that Washington and Beijing have yet to set a date for Trump to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping - a sign that neither side sees a deal as imminent. "Both sides agree that there has to be significant progress, meaning a feeling that they're very close before that happens," Branstad told the newspaper in Beijing. "Were not there yet. But were closer than weve been for a very long time." Story continues One complicating factor has been Xi's plans to visit Europe after a meeting of the National People's Congress ends next week. The Journal, citing people familiar with China's thinking, also reported that after Trump's failed meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un last month, Beijing officials won't commit to a summit until they are sure of a deal. Chinese officials were surprised Trump walked away from denuclearization talks with Kim and do not want the same thing to happen to Xi, the newspaper said. For the Chinese, any summit would basically be a signing ceremony, it said. Larry Kudlow, the top White House economic adviser, gave Fox Business Network an optimistic view of the progress so far. "It is historic, it is written down, it was agreed to by the Chinese who were here two weeks ago, but it has to pass through the political filter of President Xi and the politburo," Kudlow said. "Perhaps a meeting of the leaders later this month or in April. Perhaps." Kudlow said the emerging deal would provide "an end to the theft of intellectual property" through forced technology transfers and hacking of computer networks. "We will get substantially lower tariffs, or maybe an end to tariffs on cars, commodities, agriculture, industrial supplies. We will get an enforcement procedure," he said. "If the deal doesn't work for the United States, and our long-term interests, whether it's technology, IP, theft, enforcement, commodities, tariffs ... then its not our deal." (Reporting by David Lawder and Alexandra Alper; editing by Chizu Nomiyama, Jonathan Oatis and Sonya Hepinstall) By Jonathan Stempel NEW YORK (Reuters) - The U.S. government on Friday announced criminal charges against a top official in Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government for violating sanctions imposed two years ago, when the official was accused of drug trafficking. Tareck Zaidan El Aissami Maddah, Venezuela's industry minister, was accused of evading the February 2017 sanctions by hiring U.S. companies to provide private jet services, including for a Feb. 23 return trip to Venezuela from Russia. Venezuelan businessman Samark Jose Lopez Bello, an El Aissami associate also sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control, was also criminally charged, as were several other defendants. A lawyer for El Aissami could not immediately be located. Lopez Bello's lawyer did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Venezuela's Information Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. El Aissami and Lopez Bello, both 44, were each charged with five counts of circumventing sanctions and violating the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act, which targets people believed to threaten U.S. economic and foreign policy interests. Each count carries a maximum 30-year prison term. The sanctions against El Aissami were the first by the Trump administration against a top official in Maduro's government for alleged money laundering and drug trafficking. El Aissami was accused of helping arrange drug shipments out of Venezuela, including to the United States and Mexico, through his control of a Venezuelan airbase and shipping ports. "Enforcement of these sanctions is critical to the national security interests of the U.S.," U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman in Manhattan said in a statement. The White House no longer recognizes Maduro's government. Friday's charges accuse El Aissami and Lopez Bello of illegally using services provided by American Charter Services LLC of Fort Lauderdale, Florida and SVMI Solution LLC of West Palm Beach, Florida. The Justice Department said these services included travel to or from the Dominican Republic and Turkey, as well as Venezuela and Russia. Victor Mones Coro, 41, who established ACS, and Alejandro Miguel Leon Maal, 51, who established SVMI, were charged with the same counts as El Aissami and Lopez Bello. Mones Coro appeared on Friday in the West Palm Beach federal court. His lawyer did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A lawyer for Leon Maal could not immediately be located. ACS and SVMI were not charged, and did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The case is U.S. v. El Aissami et al, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 19-cr-00144 (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by James Dalgleish and Marguerita Choy) By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Federal Aviation Administration warned Southwest Airlines Co and a union representing its mechanics in a letter on Friday that their prolonged contract dispute could pose safety concerns. The letter warned that a "breakdown in the relationship" between the airline and the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association "raises concerns about the ongoing effectiveness of the airline's safety management system." Southwest and the union did not immediately comment on the letter, which noted that the FAA is neutral on the labor dispute. Southwest and the union, which have been in contract negotiations since 2012, are locked in an escalating battle that last week saw the airline file a lawsuit asking a federal judge to intervene. CEO Gary Kelly said earlier this week the dispute is costing Southwest millions of dollars in lost revenues a week as well as millions of dollars in costs related to flight cancellations and delays. The union - which represents more than 2,400 Southwest mechanics - disparaged the comments as "a way to distract the public from Southwest's own degrading safety standards." An FAA spokesman told Reuters: "As a standard practice, we have increased oversight at this time." The FAA letter, from the associate administrator for aviation safety, Ali Bahrami, said he wrote to "emphasize the importance of ensuring cooperatively, in accordance with FAA standards, the highest level of safety in the airline's operations." The FAA trusts the airline and union will work to ensure "that any judicial order that might result from the litigation does not constrain appropriate safety activities," it added. Dallas-based Southwest, one of the largest domestic U.S. carriers, has said it is committed to operating a safe fleet and that every maintenance report is investigated. An unprecedented number of out-of-service aircraft in recent weeks at four of Southwest's maintenance locations has forced the airline to delay or cancel hundreds of flights. (Reporting by David Shepardson; editing by James Dalgleish and Sonya Hepinstall) By Jan Wolfe WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Italian government should not support China's "Belt and Road" infrastructure plan, a spokesman for the White House's group of national security advisers said on Saturday, calling it a "vanity project." On Friday, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said that he might sign an accord with Chinese President Xi Jinping later this month, despite reports that the United States was concerned at the prospect of a key ally joining the venture. "Italy is a major global economy and great investment destination. No need for Italian government to lend legitimacy to China's infrastructure vanity project," said spokesman Garrett Marquis on Twitter. Xi is due to travel to Italy from March 22-24 and Conte said Rome and Beijing were looking to agree a framework deal during the state visit. The "Belt and Road" plan, championed by Xi, aims to link China by sea and land with southeast and central Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Africa, through an infrastructure network on the lines of the old Silk Road. (Reporting by Jan Wolfe, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien) WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. State Department declined to comment on Thursday on a lawsuit against the United State by Chinese telecommunications equipment maker Huawei Technologies, and said Washington advocates for secure networks that are free from undue foreign government influence. "Regarding its litigation, I don't have any comment on that because it's pending," State Department spokesman Robert Palladino told a news briefing. "More generally ...," he added, "the United States advocates for secure telecom networks and supply chains that are free from suppliers subject to foreign government control or undue influence which would pose risks of unauthorised access and malicious cyber activity." (Reporting by David Alexander; Editing by Mohammad Zargham) SINGAPORE (AP) A U.S. military commander suggested Thursday that a loose security grouping of his country, Japan, Australia and India, also known as the quad, may be shelved for now. Adm. Phil Davidson, who heads the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, said he was on a panel with the other navy chiefs at the Raisina Dialogue, a multilateral conference in New Delhi in January. Davidson said the issue came up "several times" but Indian navy chief Adm. Sunil Lanba "made it quite clear that there wasn't an immediate potential for a quad." "That does not omit or prevent our ability to cooperate in crisis and conflict. And we continue collectively, all of us, to seek opportunities in which we might exercise and work together moving forward," he added. Davidson was asked if the quad was relevant to his country's vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific region, which was the central theme of his lecture in Singapore. The U.S. and the other three countries had come together to provide humanitarian assistance after the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe then suggested they form the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, which met three years later. The meetings stopped for a decade after China formally reached out to each country to seek information on the meetings' purpose. The quad met again in 2017. India's Ministry of External Affairs said they addressed "issues of common interest" such as terrorism and "proliferation linkages impacting the region." While members have said the grouping is not in opposition to China, it is viewed as a counterbalance to Beijing's rising influence in Indo-Pacific. India had stressed in the past that the quad was not a military grouping. Lanba noted at January's conference that the Chinese navy had added 80 ships in the last five years, according to Indian media. "Chinese Navy is a force and it is a force that is here to stay," the Press Trust of India news agency reported him as saying. Story continues The U.S. is also keeping a close watch on North Korea following reported activity at a rocket launch site. Davidson told reporters earlier Thursday that he was committed to maintaining U.N. sanctions against North Korea and a "readiness of our forces there." He added that he was working with countries including South Korea, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and France to catch any sanctions breaches via methods such as ship-to-ship transfers. "Many of those nations will contribute either maritime patrol aircraft or ships later this year," he said. On Wednesday, foreign experts and a South Korean lawmaker who was briefed by Seoul's spy service said North Korea was restoring facilities at a long-range rocket launch site that it dismantled last year as part of disarmament steps. Satellite photos taken on various dates showed new activity at the Tongchang-ri launch site, northwest of Pyongyang. The reports surfaced less than a week after President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met in Vietnam but failed to reach any agreement on the North's nuclear program. Davidson also addressed recent comments by Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, who called for a review of a 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty with Washington to prevent the Philippines from being dragged into a "shooting war" in the South China Sea. China is pitted against the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries in multiple territorial disputes in the waters, which are crucial for global commerce and rich in fish and potential oil and gas reserves. The treaty calls on the U.S. and the Philippines to come to each other's defense against an external attack. "I should note that the Philippines relies heavily on the freedom of the seas and the South China Sea especially," Davidson said. He added that he takes the treaty "quite seriously" and that the U.S. Embassy was in contact with the Philippines regarding the matter. Davidson took command of around 380,000 civilian and military personnel in the region last April. Venezuelas embattled president, Nicolas Maduro, has been forced to close schools and give workers the day off after a severe and potentially destabilizing blackout dragged into a second day. On Friday morning, more than 19 hours after power failed across most of the country, Venezuelas vice-president, Delcy Rodriguez, announced that schools would not open and private- and public-sector workers should stay at home. Rodriguez told the state-run broadcaster Telesur her country had fallen victim to an act of electric sabotage committed by Venezuelas extreme-right opposition on a hydroelectric plant in the countrys south. Related: Venezuela: huge power outage leaves much of country in the dark The streets of Venezuelas capital, Caracas, were quiet amid growing fears over the human cost of what observers called the worst power outage in memory. I cant even imagine how the children who are in neo-natal intensive care units spent the night the ones who are connected to ventilators, said Eunice Lample, a paediatrician at one such practice in Caracas. The first thing I thought when I woke up this morning was: How many people died overnight? because of the ineptitude of this usurping government, the 60-year-old doctor added. The country has stopped. Harrowing video footage posted on social media showed doctors trying to keep children breathing at the Supreme Commander Hugo Chavez paediatric hospital in Caracas. At one of the citys maternity wards an Associated Press reporter saw crying mothers watch nurses use candles to monitor the vital signs of their premature babies after backup generators shut off. A prominent Telesur reporter with close government ties blamed a technological and cyber attack on the Guri hydroelectric plant. People get on a bus during the blackout. People get on a bus during the blackout.Photograph: Reuters Rodriguez denounced the incident as part of a perverse plan to overthrow Maduro, who is facing a struggle to retain power after opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself Venezuelas rightful interim leader on 23 January and was recognized by most western governments. Story continues Rodriguez also alleged the United States Guaidos key international backer had played some role in the incident, particularly the putrid hands of the Republican senator Marco Rubio, a vocal cheerleader for those trying to force Maduro from power. Rubio reacted to those claims with sarcasm. My apologies to people of Venezuela. I must have pressed the wrong thing on the electronic attack app I downloaded from Apple. My bad, he tweeted. Maduro opponents rubbished suggestions the outage was the result of an anti-government conspiracy. Guri has collapsed because of a lack of maintenance, just like the thermoelectric plants and the transmission and distribution lines, tweeted Hugo Chavezs former oil minister, Rafael Ramirez, who went into exile after splitting with Maduro in 2017. It is the incapacity and the indolence of this government that have led us to this total collapse. Giancarlo Fiorella, the editor of the In Venezuela blog, said the government routinely blamed political foes for such increasingly common failures. But theyve never come close to providing any kind of evidence. It is much more likely that this is one of the symptoms of an electrical system that we know has been in crisis for at least a decade. Fiorella said the power crisis was the result of neglect, disrepair and corruption at the highest levels of the Venezuelan government precisely the same things that are leading to the crisis in the healthcare sector, the economic crisis. This is one of the facets of the Venezuelan crisis. A couple walks along a street in darkness. A couple walks along a street in darkness.Photograph: Yuri Cortez/AFP/Getty Images Local newspapers said the blackout began at about 4.52pm on Thursday and affected nearly all of Venezuelas 23 states. Flights in and out of Venezuelas decaying airports were suspended and workers were forced to hike home after the Caracas metro ground to a halt. On Friday morning power had still not been restored to large swaths of the country. Maduro had called a series of anti-imperialist marches on Saturday designed to shore up his rule but it was unclear if they would still go ahead. Fiorella predicted the outage which he called the longest in living memory would have both a political and a human cost. Related: Venezuela has dirt-cheap fuel, so why is driving nearly impossible? It is almost guaranteed at this point that people have died as a result of this. I would be extremely surprised if all the hospitals in the country had enough diesel to run their generators at all, [let alone] for 16 or 17 hours, he said. The power cut would also add fuel to the fire of an already volatile political situation. He said: This is certainly not good for Maduro if hes trying to seem like he is in control of the situation. International flights in and out of Caracas were delayed or cancelled and a late-night flight from Bogota was reportedly forced to abort its landing approach and return to Colombia. At Bogotas El Dorado airport, would-be passengers grew impatient and frustrated as staff announced that their flight to Caracas would be delayed by at least nine hours. Ive never heard of a power cut this big and lasting this long, said one Venezuelan traveller. Every time I go back home it gets worse, but what can we do? This is the country we have. Venezuelas land and maritime borders were closed following last months humanitarian aid showdown, and with air travel now crippled, the country is effectively locked down. Caracas (AFP) - Venezuela's government struggled to cope Friday with a massive electricity blackout that paralyzed much of the country as President Nicolas Maduro blamed the chaos on US sabotage. Even by the standards of crisis-weary Venezuelans, the power cut -- which began late Thursday -- was one of the longest and most widespread in memory, heightening tensions in Maduro's power struggle with his US-backed rival, opposition leader Juan Guaido. Maduro shut down offices and schools "in order to facilitate efforts for the recovery of electricity service in the country," Vice President Delcy Rodriguez tweeted. Power supply was gradually being restored to large areas of Caracas on Friday afternoon, as well as parts of Miranda state and Vargas, which contains the country's international airport and main port. However, it was short-lived as the lights went off again, extending the blackout beyond 24 hours. As night fell, people banging saucepans could be heard around the capital: a form of popular protest often seen in South America. Large lines formed at the few gas stations open as people fetched fuel for generators. Some took gas from their cars. The power "came for one moment and went away again," Antonio Belisario, who had been waiting around an hour for petrol, told AFP. - 'Total madness' - The outage had left most of the country in chaos, crippling day-to-day functioning of hospitals and other public services, according to local press reports. Witnesses described scenes of chaos at several hospitals as people tried to move sick relatives in the dark to clinics with better emergency power facilities. Marielsi Aray, a patient at the University Hospital in Caracas, died after her respirator stopped working. "The doctors tried to help her by pumping manually, they did everything they could, but with no electricity, what were they to do?" asked Jose Lugo, her distraught uncle. Generators at the JM de Rios children's hospital in downtown Caracas failed to kick-in when the blackout hit, said Gilbert Altuvez, whose eight-year old boy is among the patients. Story continues "The night was terrible. Without light. Total madness," he said. Emilse Arellano said urgent dialysis for her child had to be canceled Friday, after a night where staff worked in the light of cell phones. "The children were very scared," she told AFP. The putrid odor of rotting flesh hung around the entrance to Caracas' main Bello Monte morgue on Friday where refrigerators had stopped working and worried relatives gathered outside, waiting to be allowed to bury their dead. - 'Electrical war' - The blackout hit Thursday at 4.50 pm (2050 GMT) -- just before nightfall. Traffic lights went out and the subway system ground to a halt, triggering gridlock in the streets and huge streams of angry people trekking long distances to get home from work. Thousands of homes in Caracas -- a crime-ridden city of two million people -- were without water. Telephone services and access to the internet were also knocked out. The capital's Simon Bolivar international airport was hit, as were others across the country. Following Maduro's decision to close the borders to keep out humanitarian aid for his people, the country was completely isolated Friday. "The electrical war announced and directed by US imperialism against our people will be defeated," Maduro tweeted. Later, his communications minister, Jorge Rodriguez, announced on state television that Venezuela would make a complaint about the US's alleged role in the blackout before the UN Commission on Human Rights. But US national security advisor John Bolton blamed the blackout on "years of Maduro's corruption, under-investment, and neglected maintenance." Guaido meanwhile reiterated his call for mass protests on Saturday. "All Venezuela, now with more force than ever, returns to the streets of the whole country, we return to the streets and we won't leave until we achieve our goal," he said. - 'Tired, exhausted' - Venezuelans are wearily accustomed to blackouts. They have been common in the west of the oil-rich country for years, but have eventually spread to Caracas and other areas. The state power company Corpoelec said there had been sabotage at the Guri hydroelectric plant in Bolivar state, one of the largest in Latin America. It gave no details. Maduro is struggling in the confrontation with Guaido, who has declared himself interim president and is now backed by some 50 countries led by the United States. Guaido says Maduro's rule is illegitimate, arguing that his re-election win last year was fraudulent. He wants Maduro to resign from the Miraflores Palace and make way for new elections. Washington (AFP) - Hundreds of people turned out in Washington Friday demanding regime change in Iran and denouncing "atrocity toward the people" under Tehran's regime. Protesters waved Iranian flags as they chanted for "regime change now" -- with some holding portraits of Maryam Rajavi, leader of the People's Mujahedin, an Iranian opposition group banned in the country. "The regime inside Iran is doing so much atrocity toward the people. Iran in whole has been destroyed by this regime," said Michael Passi, an Iranian-American engineer. "There are a lot of executions, a lot of tortures and a lot of export of terrorism by this regime," he alleged. "We want separation of religion and the state," added Mina Entezari, an Arizona-based designer who was a political prisoner in Iran for seven years. "We want freedom for people." The administration of US President Donald Trump consistently blasts a lack of freedoms in Iran and its "destabilizing" influence on the Middle East. A firm adversary of the Islamic republic, he has reimplemented harsh economic sanctions -- but Washington insists it is not pushing for regime change, only a change to Iran's policy in areas including missile development and support for militant groups. "I'm 100 percent behind President Trump's policy," Passi said. "The only language that this Iranian regime understands is a language of force." The Hill The U.S. Navy seized 171 surface-to-air missiles, eight anti-tank missiles and 1.1 million barrels of petroleum products worth $261 million from two Iranian ships in the Arabian Sea in three separate instances since 2019, the Department of Justice said in a press release on Tuesday.The Navy seized the weapons in November 2019 and August 2020 during what is called routine operations in the sea. The arms shipments were headed to Iran-backed... Bill Shine is a former Fox News president - REUTERS Bill Shine, the White House communications director, abruptly resigned on Friday after just eight months in the job, adding to the rapid staff turnover under Donald Trump. A statement from the White House said that Mr Shine would move into a role with Mr Trumps reelection campaign and gave no reason for the switch. Mr Shine becomes the sixth person to have held the top communications post in Mr Trumps White House in just over two years - a much higher number than under previous presidents. His departure reflects the challenge of working under Mr Trump, who at times contradicts his own spokesmen and bristles at the coverage he receives from the press. The official announcement, which was unexpected, came with praiseworthy comments from the president and other senior officials in the White House. Bill Shine has done an outstanding job working for me and the Administration, Mr Trump said. We will miss him in the White House, but look forward to working together on the 2020 Presidential Campaign, where he will be totally involved. Thank you to Bill and his wonderful family! However The New York Times reported that people close to the White House believed the new campaign role was just a way to save face and that the pair had failed to develop a close relationship. Mr Shine was appointed in July 2017 and held the title of deputy chief of staff. He joined after decades of experience at Fox News, Mr Trumps favourites cable news network. He was an executive at the channel until last year. Early on in the role Mr Shine took credit for improving the backdrops for some of Mr Trumps major broadcast interviews, leaning on his television experience. However at key moments in the recent presidency he was not by Mr Trumps side. He was not present in Vietnam for Mr Trumps meeting with Kim Jong-un last week. Mr Shine was also on holiday in Hawaii in late December when Mr Trump was reprimanding Democrats for leaving Washington DC rather than striking a border wall deal to end the government shutdown. Mr Shine said in his resignation announcement: Serving President Trump and this country has been the most rewarding experience of my entire life. To be a small part of all this President has done for the American people has truly been an honor. Im looking forward to working on President Trumps reelection campaign and spending more time with my family. It has been about a month since the last earnings report for Adtalem Global Education (ATGE). Shares have lost about 3.3% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500. Will the recent negative trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Adtalem due for a breakout? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at the most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important drivers. Adtalem Beats Q2 Earnings Estimates, Lags Revenues Adtalem Global Education Inc. reported mixed second-quarter fiscal 2019 results, wherein earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate, while revenues missed the same. Earnings (excluding special items) came in at 74 cents, beating the consensus mark of 73 cents per share by 1.4%. However, revenues of $316.6 million missed the consensus estimate by 0.7%. Adjusted earnings decreased 8.6% from 81 cents reported in the prior-year quarter. Nonetheless, total revenues increased 2.7% from the year-ago figure of $308.2 million. Enrollments of new students in the January session increased 4.9% and that of total students grew 2.9% year over year. Adjusted operating income was $58.4 million, reflecting a decline of 4.8% year over year. The top-line performance was mainly backed by rising enrollments in its medical and healthcare segment, along with strong Professional Education segment. The solid performance in Professional Education was driven by the refreshed product differentiation in the Becker business and continued growth in the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (ACAMS). However, the companys bottom line was mainly affected by certain restructuring charges related to the closing of the Ross University School of Medicine campus in Dominica and real estate consolidations. During the second quarter of fiscal 2019, Adtalem closed the sale of DeVry University and Carrington College. Following the sale, the company incurred a pre-tax loss of $32.7 million. Segment Details Medical and Healthcare: The segments revenues rose 4.6% from the year-ago quarter to $212.6 million, led by growth at Chamberlain University, as well as Medical and Veterinary schools. Chamberlain University revenues were up 6.2% from the year-ago quarter. New student enrollment in the November session declined 6.7%, while that of the January session grew 6.4%. Total student count increased 3.7% in November and 3.3% in the January session. Revenues from Medical and Veterinary schools jumped 2.4% year over year. New and total student enrollment declined 8.5% and 6.6%, respectively, in the January 2019 semester. The decrease was mainly due to the shift in starts of students in the prior fiscal year, mainly due to Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Notably, after excluding the same, new student enrollments increased 6.6%. Yet, adjusted operating income of $47.5 million was down 13.7% from the prior-year quarter. Professional Education: The segments revenues of $42.1 million were up 38.8% year over year. Revenues at Becker increased 15.9% and that of ACAMS climbed 64.7% from the year-ago quarter. The upside mainly stemmed from the shift of the North American annual conference to the fiscal second quarter from the fiscal first quarter. The segments operating income increased significantly to $9.6 million from the prior-year figure of $2.2 million. Technology and Business: The segment recorded revenues of $62.6 million, down 16.6% year over year. The top line also declined 2.4% on a constant-currency basis, primarily due to lower tuition fee in response to student financial aid program reductions as well as increased competition. Adjusted operating income of $8.5 million decreased 38.7% year over year. Liquidity & Cash Flow As of Dec 31, 2018, Adtalems cash and equivalents were $294.8 million compared with $430.7 million on Jun 30, 2018. Cash flow provided by operating activities totaled $70.3 million at the end of the fiscal second quarter, up from $59.9 million in the year-ago quarter. In the fiscal second quarter, the company repurchased approximately 1.1 million shares of common stock for $56.8 million, at average purchase price of $50.18. Fiscal Third-Quarter Guidance Revenues are expected to grow approximately 1-2% year over year. Adjusted operating costs are expected in the range of 3-4%. Fiscal 2019 Guidance Total revenues are now anticipated to grow approximately 3-4% in fiscal 2019. Adjusted earnings are anticipated to grow 2-3% from a year ago. Capital spending is expected in the range of $65-$70 million. The capital spending includes about $20-$25 million for the relocation of RUSM campus to Barbados. The effective income tax rate for the fiscal year is likely to be around 16-17%. Story continues How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then? In the past month, investors have witnessed a downward trend in fresh estimates. The consensus estimate has shifted -8.13% due to these changes. VGM Scores At this time, Adtalem has a poor Growth Score of F, however its Momentum Score is doing a lot better with a C. Charting a somewhat similar path, the stock was allocated a grade of B on the value side, putting it in the top 40% for this investment strategy. Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of C. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in. Outlook Estimates have been broadly trending downward for the stock, and the magnitude of this revision indicates a downward shift. Notably, Adtalem has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). We expect an above average return from the stock in the next few months. 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 Adtalem Global Education Inc. (ATGE) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Home | News | General | Governorship elections 2019: See 10 battleground states that may be won and lost by APC and PDP (list) Few hours to the presidential and National Assembly elections rescheduled to hold on Saturday, March 9, we take a look at the some battleground states where the two leading political parties, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the lead opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are expected to keenly contest for votes. Legit.ng focuses on 10 states that stand as potential battleground where victory can swing to the APC or the PDP. The highlighted states are Oyo, Ogun, Lagos, Imo, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kwara, Benue, Kaduna, and Rivers. 1. Oyo The two main candidates are Adelabu Adebayo Adekola of the APC and Oluseyi Makinde of the PDP. Though Oyo state is currently an APC state, President Muhammadu Buhari lost to Atiku Abubakar of the PDP in the recently conducted presidential election in the state. The two candidates have since entered into coalitions that will make the contest one of the most intense in the state's history. According to a report by Premium Times, Makindes campaign received a boost when former governor and a key player in Ibadan politics, Rasheed Ladoja, collapsed his political structure to support his ambition. He also has the support of three governorship candidates, namely Sharafadeen Ali of Zenith Labour Party, Femi Lanlehin of the African Democratic Congress and Bolaji Ayorinde of the Social Democratic Party. He has also received the endorsement of the Chairman of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), Akin Fasogbon. Similarly, Adelabu has secured the support of least 13 political parties have signified their support for the APC candidate, even brightening his chances of a win on Saturday. The parties include the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), Allied Peoples Movement, APM), United Progressives Party (UPP), Grassroots Development Party of Nigeria (GDPN), and the Young Democratic Party (YDP). Others are Northern Peoples Congress (NPC), Independent Democrats (ID), Freedom and Justice Party (FJP), Mass Action Joint Alliance (MAJA), Nigeria Elements Progressives Party ((NEPP), Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM), Rebuild Nigeria Party (RNP) and Democratic Peoples Party (DPP). A faction of the ADC has also endorsed the APC despite the fact that their governorship candidate has gone with the PDP candidate. READ ALSO: INEC postpones assembly election in Adamawa as APC candidate dies 2. Ogun Ogun state has three leading governorship candidates namely; Dapo Abiodun of the APC, Akinlade Adekunle Abdulkkabir of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and Buruji Kashamu of the PDP. Ogun state should have been a walkover for the APC but for the internal crisis that led the outgoing governor of the state, Ibikunle Amosun, to ditch the APC candidate and pull his weight behind the candidate of the APM, his anointed APC aspirant who could not secure the ruling party's governorship ticket. One would also expect the opposition PDP to take the advantage of the APC crisis to take over the state but, like the APC, it also suffered internal wrangling that led to series of court interventions. Thus, as it stands, the state is open to be grabbed by either the APC, PDP or APM. 3. Lagos Lagos is the stronghold of the APC in the southwest, being the home state of the national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. No doubt, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the APC candidate in the state, has an edge, but the crisis the party suffered during the primaries, give hope to the PDP candidate, Jimi Agbaje. 4. Imo Major political stakeholders in Imo state have spoken on the chances of their parties, highlighting the reasons why they believed their governorship candidates will emerge the winner on March 9. With a total of 70 candidates, Imo state has the largest number of governorship aspirants in this years general elections. Analysts, however, believe that only five out of the 70 candidates have realistic chances of becoming the next Imo state governor. They are: Senator Hope Uzodinma of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ugwumba Uche Nwosu of the Action Alliance (AA), Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); Senator Ifeanyi Araraume of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Ikedi Ohakim of the Accord Party (AP). Prince Casmir Iwuh, president-general of Umunokwu Okwuato Autonomous Community in Aboh Mbaise LGA and a chieftain of Action Alliance (AA) described the Imo 2019 governorship election as a tough battle of five hot contenders. If you asked me, I will say this is balance of terror. The five candidates have all what it takes to emerge as the next governor of Imo state, he told The Guardian. This is the first time these five leading politicians in Imo state are in five different political parties. Before now, it used to be one of them pitched against the others. This years peculiar outlook is what distinguishes it from the previous elections. 5. Sokoto Sokoto used to be under the APC until the defection of the state governor, Aminu Tambuwal, in 2018. However, despite Tambuwa's defection to the PDP, APC still delivered the state to President Buhari in the last presidential election. The governorship contest now is between Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto of the APC and Tambuwal of the PDP. It is interesting to know that the APC governorship candidate was Tambuwal's former deputy before he later resigned, having refused to follow his former boss to the PDP. 6. Zamfara Zamfara is also an APC stronghold but the security challenges in the state which many alleged was not properly handled by the state governor coupled with the legal battle the party went through before INEC recognised its candidate has limited its winning chances in the coming election. Thus, Idris Mukhtar Shehu of the APC will have a strong contender in the hands of the PDP candidate, Bello Mohammed M. 7. Kwara The APC's 'O to ge' movement is a strong political wind that has seen the Senate president, Bukola Saraki, sent out of Senate by APC's Ibrahim Oloriegbe but whether the movement is strong enough to completely crush the Saraki dynasty is left to the outcome of the governorship election on March 9. 8. Benue Like Sokoto, Benue fell to the PDP with the defection of Governor Samuel Ortom. The PDP also delivered the state to Atiku in the last election. However, all is not lost for the APC in the state as APC's Senator George Akume, who lost his bid to return to the Senate for the fourth time, may want to stage a comeback at the governorship poll. PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet! 9. Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai is seeking a second term bid and has a major contender in the candidate of the PDP, Isa Mohammad Ashiru. El-Rufai has been under severe criticism lately particularly regarding the security challenges in the state. This, coupled with other factors, may hurt his chances at the poll. 10. Rivers Rivers state should have been a walkover for Governor Nyesome Wike of the PDP since the APC, at the momemt, does not have a candidate in the state, thanks to irregularities in its primaries. However, the recent move by the APC leader in the state, Rotimi Amaechi, to support the candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Awara Biokpomabo changed the political game. The PDP still has an edge in the state but a 'coalition' of the APC and AAC will surely make some difference. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng: Same great journalism, upgraded for better service! Lagos Governor: Is Sanwoolu a better candidate than Ambode?| Legit TV [embedded content] CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Home | News | General | Election 2019: We have made tighter security arrangements ahead of polls - Gov Bello - Kogi governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has addressed the people of the state in a broadcast - The governor assured the people of the state of their security as they come out to vote for the state house of assembly elections - The governor said his government and security agencies have made tighter security arrangements ahead of the polls Kogi governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has addressed the people of the state in a broadcast on Friday, March 9, assuring the people of of their security as they come out to vote during the state house of assembly elections. The governor said his government have made tighter security arrangements ahead of the polls, noting that the security services have quickly identified loopholes through which isolated instances of violence marred the last round of elections. According to him, through the efforts of vigilant operatives, and the cooperation of the various parties and their candidates, the last two weeks of campaigning for the next elections have been generally peaceful across Kogi. READ ALSO: Court declines to disqualify Wike over forgery allegation He said: Even though we have more candidates contesting for election into the Kogi state House of Assembly tomorrow than we had for the Presidential and National Assembly elections a fortnight ago, we have had peace despite the higher stakes for us as a state. It is therefore clear to everybody now that electoral violence is a choice which individuals make out of their own desperation, and not because of any set of circumstances. Irrespective of appearances, people who provoke or perpetrate electoral violence do so because they lack inherent nobility of character and have an unwillingness to let the electorate decide. I wish to assure all Kogites that we have made tighter security arrangements against the elections tomorrow. The police and other law enforcement agencies have been fully mobilised and are on red alert. They have our mandate to do anything and everything necessary within the law to keep our people safe and ensure peaceful polls. Accordingly, I urge parties, politicians and their supporters to continue maintaining the peace as any attempt to endanger the populace before, during and after the elections will be met with stiff resistance. The governor further directed security agencies to spare no resources in hunting down and arresting the culprits of recent attacks in the state. We are going to try them for murder and request for the maximum penalty since they have no qualms taking human lives, he warned. He continued: In pursuit of long-term solutions, we are also considering the imposition of certain executive orders in the overriding public interest which are designed to finally abate this intolerable nuisance. In the days ahead, I assure Kogites that we will so trouble those who trouble our peace in this atrocious manner that they will find themselves so occupied with too much troubles of their own to plot or execute further mischief. On the elections tomorrow, I encourage our people to come out en masse and vote for their representatives without fear of duress, or of threat to their lives and properties. READ ALSO: Infographics: 7 states exempted from Saturdays governorship polls Meanwhile, some concerned citizens of Akwa Ibom state under the aegis of Akwa Ibom Liberation Movement (AILM), have raised an alarm following reports of alleged influx of armed political thugs and deployment of more regular security forces into the state ahead of the governorship and state house of assembly elections. Addressing journalists in Uyo, on Thursday March 7, the leader of AILM, Prince Emmanuel Sam, decried the alleged importation of suspected armed militants from Edo to Akwa Ibom state by some politicians. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng: Same great journalism, upgraded for better service! 2019 Election: We are retrogressing in Nigeria 83-year-old man says after voting| Legit TV [embedded content] CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Home | News | General | Financial Times editorial urges Buhari to correct mistakes of his first term President Muhammadu Buhari has been urged by the Financial Times of London, to correct mistakes of his first term in office. The respected news medium in an editorial which has been widely read around the world said the president's new tenure should be devoted to running a dynamic and successful administration. READ ALSO: 7 states exempted from Saturdays governorship polls Going further, the newspaper tasked President Buhari on the need of creating a level playing field for business in which access to foreign currency, permits, and other requirements is both predictable and rational. Part of the report read: With his renewed mandate, it is now Mr Buharis task to rebuild faith by running a dynamic and successful administration and by building the institutions that can lay firmer foundations than in his previous term. The omens from his first four years in office are not good. During that time, the former military leader ran a lacklustre administration with no obvious sense of direction. There was no coherent economic strategy of the sort being attempted by the likes of Ethiopia, Rwanda or west African neighbours Ghana and Senegal to produce the rapid growth needed to haul tens of millions of people out of poverty. It is an indictment of its leadership both military and democratic that the continents biggest oil producer should have more people living in absolute poverty than any other country in the world. Mr Buharis priority this time must be to set out a coherent agenda, implemented by technocrats rather than ideologues, to turn things around. Nigeria desperately needs to create a level playing field for business in which access to foreign currency, permits, and other requirements is both predictable and rational. His much-vaunted crackdown on corruption must go beyond taking action against a few minor officials. Some big scalps would help. More important still is to implement systematic changes whether by reforming institutions, using technology or by removing arbitrage opportunities to create a more transparent environment. People should prosper in Nigeria based on what they know and how much value and employment they can create, not by their connections. Meanwhile, Legit.ng had reported that the Financial Times of London said President Muhammadu Buhari was battling perception of frailty as Nigeria prepared for the 2019 general elections. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng upgrades to serve you better. The London-based international newspaper in an article published on its website on Saturday, February 9, said there were concerns if Buhari was physically or mentally up to running Nigeria for another four years. 2019 Election: Why did Nigerian youths ignore Sowore, Durotoye, Moghalu? | Legit TV [embedded content] CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Home | News | General | Osinbajo's birthday appropriate for APC's victory - Yahaya Bello The governor of Kogi state, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has joined millions of eminent individuals within and outside Nigeria to celebrate the birthday of the country's vice president, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN. Governor Bello in a press statement issued by his chief press secretary, Onogwu Muhammed on Friday, March 8, described the 62nd birthday celebration of the vice president as fitting at this point in time. He said no time was more appropriate than now, a period the euphoria of the victory of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was yet to die down. READ ALSO: Military involvement in elections to support Police - DHQ The governor used the occasion to praise Professor Osinbajo for his sterling roles in the emergence of a new Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari, who he said, all his life has known nothing than striving to make Nigeria better. Governor Bello then prayed Almighty God to continue to give Osinbajo the requisite vitality and vision to stand behind the president, praying that together, they would take the country to the next level. He also prayed for the Osinbajo's family - immediate and political, and wished them wisdom to continue to rally round the celebrant in his commitment to a better Nigeria. Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has described his relationship with his vice asone of a special bond. READ ALSO: Infographics: 7 states exempted from Saturdays governorship polls The president, in a statement signed by his senior special assistant on media and publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Friday, March 8, said he joined Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo, her children and other Nigerians across the country as well as friends around the world to celebrate the vice president. I join the world in celebrating this erudite scholar, minister of the gospel and a very dependable deputy with whom I share a very special bond, Buhari said. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We have updated to serve you better INEC announces Buhari as 2019 election winner; Nigerians react - on Legit TV [embedded content] CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Home | News | General | EFCC arrests Imo Accountant-General, probes Okorocha over alleged N1bn fraud -The EFCC has arrested Imo state Accountant-General, Uzoho Casmir, for allegedly laundering N1 billion - The anti-graft agency is also reportedly probing the state governor, Rochas Okorocha for allegedly ordering Casmir to divert the money - Casmirs arrest reportedly followed intelligence report that the state government intended to use the money for vote buying on March 9 The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested the Accountant-General of Imo state, Uzoho Casmir, for allegedly laundering the sum of N1billion. The Nation reports that a top source of the EFCC said the agency is also probing whether or not the cash was diverted on the order of the governor of the state, Rochas Okorocha. The cash was allegedly withdrawn in three tranches for vote buying between Tuesday and Thursday and Casmir was picked up by the EFCC on Thursday. READ ALSO: INEC postpones assembly election in Adamawa as APC candidate dies The source said: We have intelligence report that cash was withdrawn through a new generation bank for use by the state government. Casmirs arrest followed intelligence report that the state government intended to use the money for vote buying in favour of a particular candidate in Saturdays gubernatorial election. Intelligence further revealed that Casmir withdrew the amount in three tranches between Tuesday and Thursday this week in the following order; N200million on Tuesday N500million on Wednesday and N350million on Thursday." The EFCC has blocked the traced accounts, while the arrested Accountant General has been providing useful information to the Commission. Casmir was before his appointment, a Director of Finance in Okorochas government and was in 2016 fingered in N2billion bailout fund scam, which was given to the state by the Federal Government for the payment of salary arrears of civil servants. Tony Orilade, the Acting Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, confirmed Casmir's arrest. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app Meanwhile, Legit.ng earlier reported that former First Lady, Patience Jonathan, suffered defeat at the Supreme Court after the apex court upheld the order of temporary forfeiture made by a Federal High Court in Lagos in respect of the $8.4million traced to her by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The court on Friday, March 8, ruled that the appeal filed by Mrs Jonathan challenging the interim forfeiture, was without merit. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng: Same great journalism, upgraded for better service! Why Governors Steal? Rochas Okorocha of Imo state | Legit TV [embedded content] CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Home | News | General | Just in: Wike's ex-aide shot, kidnapped in Rivers Two weeks after a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (AP) ,and his elder brother were killed by unknown gunmen, former chairperson of Andoni local government in Rivers state, Ms. Emilia Nte, was on the night of Friday, March 8 kidnapped at gun point by unknown gunmen at her home in Uyeada. It was not clear whether the kidnap was politically motivated or a separate incident of kidnapping for pecuniary gains. Information from credible sources from Andoni confirmed the incident. According to the source, the gunmen first shot her on the thigh before taking her away. It was initially speculated that she was dead. However, a close family member of the abducted politician confirmed she is still alive. Andoni is the local government area of Uche Secondus, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national chairman. Emilia Rogers Nte has also served as a special adviser to Governor Nyesom Wike. Insecurity continued over Andoni on Friday night with shootings in Ngo, its headquarters. It could not be confirmed as of the time of this report who were responsible. Attempts by Legit.ng regional reporter in Port Harcourt to reach Rivers police command area not yet successful. The spokesman of the Rivers state police command, DSP Nnamdi Omoni could not be reached for his reactions as his phone could not go through. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Home | News | General | Police arrest APC agent caught with voters register in Kaduna - An APC agent at Kaura LGA, Kaduna, has been arrested by the police - The agent was caught with voters' register which according to INEC, contravenes the Electoral Act - The agent said the document was distributed to all party agents in the area by a senior party member The police have arrested an agent of All Progressives Congress (APC) carrying a Voters Register at a polling unit in Manchok Registration Area Centre (RAC), Kaura Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna state, on Saturday. The agent, Samuel Semion, caught with the register at Uguwan Aba Dube I Polling Unit, Manchok RAC, said the document was distributed to all party agents in the area by a senior party member. When the attention of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials and security agents was drawn to the development, the INEC Supervisor in the RAC, Mr Cletus Joseph, asked the police to arrest the suspect. READ ALSO: Nigeria Decides 2019: Live updates of governorship and state assembly elections Joseph claimed the action contravened the Electoral Act. We have received similar information from our officials in various polling units that APC agents have in their possession INEC Voters Register. I want to categorically say that no agent is entitled to (hold) the Voters Register for any reason and anyone caught with it should be arrested. The Divisional Police Officer in the Local Government, CSP Daniel Mbwale, seized the document and ordered security agents to seize the documents from all APC agents in all polling units in the area. Responding to the development, the Public Relations Officer of APC in the LGA, Mr Mathew Kuyau, said the register was distributed to all members of the party executive in the area who made it available to the agents. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app He explained that the measure was to enable the agents to verify the accreditation of voters by INEC officials but not to interfere with the election process. Meanwhile, Legit.ng earlier reporeted that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operatives intercepted bags of cash meant for vote-buying at North Bank Area, Makurdi, Benue state. The anti-graft agency said in an attempt to arrest the culprits, some thugs attacked the agency's operatives and vandalised the bus used for patrol. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We have updated to serve you better Will the result of the presidential election have an effect on the guber polls?| Legit TV: [embedded content] CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Home | News | General | PDP candidate Jimi Agbaje casts vote, confident of winning Lagos governorship election - PDP governorship candidate in Lagos is optimistic the party will win the elction - According to Jimi Agbaje, the numbers are on his side Speaking to newsmen at his polling unit, Agbaje asked voters all over the state to maintain peace and order The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Jimi Agbaje has expressed his confidence at emerging victorious at the ongoing gubernatorial elections in Lagos. Agbaje who cast his vote at Unit 004, Hinderea Road polling unit, While speaking to pressmen at his Unit 004, Hinderea Road polling unit, he revealed that the numbers are on his side meaning that he should be the next governor of Lagos state. The numbers are on our side, we also have reports of how things are happening at other polling units so we are confident of emerging victorious," he said. READ ALSO: Nigeria Decides 2019: Live updates of governorship and state assembly elections He also gave reasons why there was voter apathy at his polling unit. PDP candidate Jimi Agbaje cast his vote at his PU 004 Ward A Source: Original People are afraid. They remember the violence that broke out on the day of the presidential elections perhaps that is why they have stayed in their houses," Agbaje added. The PDP candidate also asked voters all over the state to maintain peace and order. Agbaje had run for the position of the governor of Lagos, first in 2007 and in the last election in 2015 which he lost to Governor Akinwumi Ambode of the All Progressives Congress. Legit.ng had reported that a group on Wednesday, March 6, endorsed Agbaje ahead of the governorship election. The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum, a group made up of Afenifere, Ohanaeze, PANDEF, said the endorsement of PDP's Agbaje is in furtherance with its resolve that Nigeria must be restructured. READ ALSO: I expected Atiku's court case - Buhari speaks after casting vote The forum said Lagos which is a state of strategic importance in the Nigerian project should be a good starting point. It added that it cannot be indifferent with the governorship poll in Lagos because the state was the Secretariat of the anti-colonial struggles. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We keep evolving to serve our readers better Will the result of the presidential election have an effect on the guber polls? On Legit TV [embedded content] CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Home | News | General | LIVE UPDATES: APC guber candidate Sanwo-Olu advises Nigerians as 2019 governorship/state assembly elections continue Today, Saturday, March 9, Nigerians across the states will be trooping out to elect new governors and state legislators that will pilot the affairs of the state for the next four years. Only 29 states will be electing governors today, though the state House of Assembly elections will be conducted in all the 36 states of the federation. Seven of the states wont be voting for governors because their own elections took place off season. The states are Osun, Ekiti, Edo, Anambra, Kogi, Ondo, Bayelsa and FCT Abuja. As Nigerians come out en masse to cast their votes, Legit.ng will be bringing live updates, breaking news and results from all the polling units across Nigeria. Voting commences at 8am. Follow our live updates here. Dont forget to refresh your browser always for fresh updates. Update from Enugu state: Polling unit being set up The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) reports that a polling unit is already being set up in Ezeagwu local government area of Enugu state while voters wait for the commencement of the polls. Update from Katsina: Buhari and his wife arrive polling unit President Buhari and his wife, Aisha, have arrived his polling unit to vote for the candidates of his choice. President Buhari and his wife vote! President Buhari and his wife have voted. The president spoke with newsmen shortly afterwards. Update from Oyo, Anambra states: INEC officials, security agents ready in Ogbomoso Updates from INEC indicate that electoral officials and security agents are already at their polling centres, waiting for the commencement of the polls in Ogbomoso South, Anambra East and West LGAs Updates from Lagos state PU 003, Reg No 03 Oshodi/Isolo LGA Estate Pry School INEC officials, voters and policemen are yet to arrive. PU 010,Ward 11 Yaba/igbobi. Lagos Mainland, Lagos. Election has started. Cubicles are well secure and canopy is provided. At PU 10 ward 9 Eti Osa LGA, No ad-hoc staff, security personnel or electoral materials are in sight. Voting yet to commence at some PU in Alimosho LGA At 8am, the Unity Primary School, Egbe, Alimosho LGA, Ward D, polling unit 029, 030, 031, no queue, no presence of INEC officials, scanty voters found analysing newspaper headlines. Update from Kano state, Ganduje's ward Kano North senatorial district, Dawakin tofa local government are Polling Unit 008 The Ad-hoc staffs are set and the voters are already cued waiting for the proper time to cast their votes. Update from Lagos: Accreditation and voting begin at Jimi Agbaje's polling unit Accreditation and voting have started at the polling unit where the Lagos PDP governorship candidate will be casting his ballot. Nigeria Decides 2019: Live updates of governorship and state assembly elections Source: UGC Nigeria Decides 2019: Live updates of governorship and state assembly elections Source: UGC Update from Lagos: Accreditation and voting about to start at Sanwo-Olu's polling unit Accreditation and voting about to commence at the Lagos APC governorship candidate Babajide Sanwo-olu's polling unit, Unit 19, Okunnu, Lateef Jakande, Ikoyi. Nigeria Decides 2019: Live updates of governorship and state assembly elections Source: UGC Nigeria Decides 2019: Live updates of governorship and state assembly elections Source: UGC Updates from Gombe state Voting commenced at exactly 8am in many parts of Gombe state. A NAN correspondent who monitored the exercise in Gombe metropolis reports that turnout of voters is impressive. Voters were on the queues as early as 6am, waiting for the exercise to commence. At polling unit 008 and 006 at Kamara Primary School, the presiding officer, Augustin Kuji, said that everything needed for the election was on ground and the card readers were working perfectly. In Pantami/Malamkuri Primary School, the presiding officer, Maryam Yayaji, said so far , they had encountered no problem and voting had commenced. Also, Adams Emmanuel, the presiding officer at Justice Pindiga Street, polling unit 017, said that voting started at exactly 8am because they had everything they needed on ground. At Kofan Parashi, polling unit 003, voting commenced at exactly 8am. The presiding officer, Barkindo Mohammed, said: This time around we have not encountered any problem, everything is going on smoothly." At the polling unit in Jauro Abare, voters were seen already casting their votes by 8am. Voting commences in Egbeda, Lagos Voting has commenced in Egbeda area of Lagos. At polling units 45 and 40 in Ward 8 in the Alimosho local government area, in Egbeda, the electorate were seen arriving as early as 6.15am. The electoral officials arrived the polling units with their materials at 7.05 am, while the electorates waited patiently. Reports from NAN indicate that electoral materials were being arranged by the officials and ready for the electioneering process at about 7.57am. The officials first enlightened the electorate on the processes involved in voting and how to avoid mistakes. This was followed by pasting of voter lists on the wall for easy identification. At the time of filling this report, electorate were joining queues and beginning to cast their votes . Voting commenced at precisely 8.15 am. Update from Lagos: Card reader glitches at Sanwo-Olu's polling unit One of the two card readers at Sanwo-Olus polling unit is faulty at the moment. The INEC ad-hoc staff to fix it is being expected. The presiding officer is presently conveying this message to the electorates. He explained that voting and accreditation are not likely to commence until the second card reader has been fixed. Meanwhile, accreditation and voting have commenced at the polling unit 18 of the same area, where everything seems to be working just fine. Updates from Kaduna state: Governor El-Rufai on queue to cast his ballot Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna state has arrived the polling unit and is already on queue to cast his ballot. El-Rufai, who is seeking re-election, is the candidate of the ruling APC. The Kaduna governor, after casting his ballot at polling unit 024, Runka/Marnona, Angwan Sarki, Kaduna, said he is not afraid of losing his re-election bid. Updates from Kogi state: Governor Yahaya Bello votes Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi state voted at about 8.38am at Agasa Uvete Polling Unit 011 in Okene local government area. Governor Bello and two of his wives spent about 15 minutes to go through accreditation and voting unlike February 23 when the card reader failure kept the governor for over two hours before voting. The process went smoothly with the card reader working well. Speaking after, the governor commended INEC for a job well done in terms of timely arrival of materials and personnel. Bello, however, observed that the turnout was not as impressive when compared with that Feb. 23 election. In Lokoja, the state capital, election started few minutes after 8am in many polling units. Voting and accreditation were also going on peacefully in other parts of Okene like Adavi, Ihima, Okengwe, Eika and Kuroko, among others, NAN confirms. Update from Osun state: Senator Adeleke votes Senator Ademola Adeleke cast his vote at exactly 9.01am at Unit 09 Ward 02 Polling Unit at Sagba-Abogunde area, Ede. Adeleke said the state House of Assembly election had been peaceful, expressing confidence that the PDP would emerge victorious. He commended INEC for the successful conduct of the House of Assembly election, saying the exercise had so far been hitch-free in Ede. Adeleke urged the electorate to be patient while waiting to be accredited so as to ensure a peaceful conclusion of the exercise. Updates from the FCT: Low voters turn-out There is low turn out of voters at the Presidential Villa and Police polling Unit 022, in the Federal Capital Territory residents for the chairmanship and councillorship candidates. NAN observed that a few voters were seen at the polling unit. Balogun Seyi, INEC's presiding officer, said his arrived at 7.40 am. We had a large number of voters during the presidential and the National Assembly elections. But for this election, there are just a few number of people, he said. Update from Lagos: Eti-osa, Probin road, Polling unit 18, Ikoyi, Lagos state Voting has commenced at Eti-osa LGA, Probin road, Polling unit 18, Ikoyi, Lagos state. Nigeria Decides 2019: Live updates of governorship and state assembly elections Source: UGC Nigeria Decides 2019: Live updates of governorship and state assembly elections Source: UGC Nigeria Decides 2019: Live updates of governorship and state assembly elections Source: UGC Update from Lagos: Low voter turnout at Jimi Agbajes polling unit As at 9.55am, there has been low voter turnout at Unit 004, Hinderea Road, Liverpool area, Apapa, the polling unit of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate Jimi Agbaje. Instead, what we have here is a large number of onlookers, media personnel and security operatives. Jimi Agbaje himself is yet to come and perform his civic duty. Update from Kano state: Large turn out of voters Kano state, unlike other states, is witnessing large turnout of voters in some local government areas of the state. A NAN correspondent who monitored the election in Kano metropolis, reports that eligible voters started trooping out as early as 7am to various polling centres to exercise their franchise. At the Yandutse Primary School, voters were seen in the queue waiting patiently for the commencement of accreditation to cast their votes. Election materials and personnel also arrived at the polling units early. There was presence of security personnel at all the polling centres visited within the metropolis, while voting had also commenced at polling units. At the Municipal Polling Units and Kankarofi Polling Unit many voters were seen in the queues being accredited before collecting the ballot papers to cast their votes. One of the voters, Musa Sani commended INEC for bringing materials to the unit early which enabled voters in the area to cast their votes without any stress. INEC officials not available at polling units in Oke-Afa, Ifako-Ijaye as at 9.25am There were no INEC officials at some polling units Ifako-Ijaye and Oke Afa areas as at 9.25am, NAN confirms. At Ifako Ijaye as at 9.25am, intending voters cluster in groups discussing and waiting for the arrival of INEC officials at Polling Unit 009, Ward G, Fola Azeez Way, Alakuko,in Ifako Ijaye . Three security personnel are also seen maintaining law and order. The INEC officials assigned to conduct the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections at Ward E, Polling Units 21, 22 and 23 in Ifako-Ijaye had also not arrived by 8am. The NAN correspondent who visited the polling units reports that only few voters were on ground while some left because the INEC officials were not there to attend to them. Update from Lagos state: Famous activist Joe Odumakin and actor Sadiq Daba working as election observers Famous activist Joe Odumakin and actor Sadiq Daba working as election observers arrive Jimi Agbajes polling unit. According to Joe Odumakin, there are no INEC staff at parts of Opebi in Ikeja. Just waiting voters and other onlookers. Nigeria Decides 2019: Live updates of governorship and state assembly elections Source: UGC Update from Ikeja area of Lagos state Unit 019 and 020 in Ikeja still awaiting the arrival of election materials and INEC ad hoc staffs. Nigeria Decides 2019: Live updates of governorship and state assembly elections Source: UGC Nigeria Decides 2019: Live updates of governorship and state assembly elections Source: UGC Update from Delta state: Governor Okowa votes, speaks afterwards Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta voted at about 8.40am, expressing confidence that he would emerge victorious in his re-election bid. The governor spoke to newsmen immediately after casting his vote at Ward 2, Unit 3 at Oni Primary School, Owa Alero, Ika North East local government area of Delta. He lauded INEC for introducing the Registration Area Center (RAC) system which enabled early and timely distribution of electoral materials. By the Grace of God, I will emerge victorious, I expect to win grand slide if not in the 25 local government areas, I will win in 24 local government areas, he said. Update from Enugu state: Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi votes Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi voted at Amube ward 2 polling unite 007, in Orba, Udenu LGA, Enugu state. The governor while addressing journalists said he was happy that the election started peacefully and expressed optimism it will end peacefully. Nigeria Decides 2019: Live updates of governorship and state assembly elections Source: UGC Nigeria Decides 2019: Live updates of governorship and state assembly elections Source: UGC Update from Abuja FCT Area council elections: Voter apathy at Suncity Estate PU. Nigeria Decides 2019: Live updates of governorship and state assembly elections Source: UGC Nigeria Decides 2019: Live updates of governorship and state assembly elections Source: UGC VP Yemi Osinbajo and his wife vote The vice president, Yemi Osinbajo, and his wife have voted. Update from Rivers state Elections have started in Rumuagholu in Obio-Akpor local government areas. At Abonnema in Akuku-Toru as at 9am some people have started voting. There are signs of voter apathy in Abonnema, but eight polling units visited so far are peaceful and calm. Voters expressed happiness that materials arrived early. Recall that Abonnema was where three soldiers, including a Lieutenant were killed and some persons died during and after the presidential elections. Amidst fear and chocked presence of security drawn from the military, the police, Department of State Security and Civil Defence, voting is going in peaceful, at the moment. In Eleme local government area, election materials left Registered Area Centre (RAC) at 8am. Elections started at about about 9am as some card readers are having issues. Voter are fewer compared with the presidential election. In Okrika local government area, election materials left at the RAC centres at 8am. In Ward 6 where materials were hijacked during the residential election, voting started at about 9 am. Voting started as early in Abonnema in Akuku-Toru, Eleme,Okrika,Emohua local government areas. Update from Lagos: Sanwo-Olu votes The APC governorship candidate, Sanwo-Olu, has voted. He also addressed journalists shortly after casting his ballot. Nigeria Decides 2019: Live updates of governorship and state assembly elections Source: UGC Update from Lagos: Jimi Agbaje and his wife arrive polling unit The PDP governorship candidate Jimi Agbaje and his wife have arrived their polling unit. After casting his ballot, Agbaje expressed his confidence at emerging victorious at the ongoing gubernatorial elections in Lagos. While speaking to pressmen at his Unit 004, Hinderea Road polling unit, he revealed that the numbers are on his side meaning that he should be the next governor of Lagos state. Nigeria Decides 2019: Live updates of governorship and state assembly elections Source: UGC The numbers are on our side, we also have reports of how things are happening at other polling units so we are confident of emerging victorious, he said. He also gave reasons why there was voter apathy at his polling unit. People are afraid. They remember the violence that broke out on the day of the presidential elections perhaps that is why they have stayed in their houses. The PDP candidate also asked voters all over the state to maintain peace and order. Update from Ogun state: Former president Obasanjo votes Former president Olusegun Obasanjo has cast his vote at his polling unit in Abeokuta Central, Ogun state. The former president, however, reportedly refused to make any comments after casting his ballot. Despite attempts by news men to get his comments, the former president passed no comments and simply got into his waiting car and drove away. Update from Anambra: Peter Obi yet to vote due to card reader glitches In Enugu, NAN reports that in all the places visited, the INEC officials confirmed that the card readers were functioning, except at Amaututu Polling unit, voting point of PDP vice presidential candidate, Peter Obi. Speaking to journalists on malfunctioning of the card reader, Obi said it was unfortunate that INEC was still grappling with the challenge of card readers. I have been here waiting more than one hour now, yet the card reader is not working and the same thing happened to me about two weeks ago. It is sad that we have to continue this way as a nation, he said. It was gathered that the card reader identified only 45 voters at Amaututu Polling unit before it packed up. Update from Bayelsa state: Ex-president Jonathan, wife vote in Otuoke Former president Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience, voted at unit 39, Ward 13 at the Otazi Playground, Otuoke in Ogbia local government area of Bayelsa. Jonathan and his wife voted around 10.30am, NAN confirms. Ward 13 is made up of five communities, namely: Otuoke, Otuaba, Ewoi, Otuabula 1 and Otuabula 2. At unit 37, the Four Square road, an unadentified youth attempted to cart away a ballot box but soldiers on election monitoring chased him and he escaped to the bush. Voting has fully commenced in most of the polling units visited and all the card readers are functioning well. Update from Kebbi state: PDP governorship candidate votes The PDP governorship candidate in Kebbi, Alhaji Isa Galaudu cast his vote at his MGD solar pump polling unit in Augie local government area and dispelled rumours that he had withdrawn from the contest. I did not withdraw from the race, I am still contesting and I will win this election insha Allah, he said He advised the electorate to remain calm and be peaceful during and after the elections. Update from Lagos: Sanwo-Olu speaks after voting Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Lagos state candidate of the APC said election is not a do or die affair. Addressing journalists after casting his vote at the polling unit 19 in Okunnu, Lateef Jakande Avenue, Ikoyi, Lagos, the governorship hopeful explained that Nigerians seeking elective offices should put the people first. Sanwo-Olu who voted at about to 11am. He noted that the election has been peaceful so far, even though there have been reports of card readers glitches in some parts of the state. Update from Rivers state: Dump lulu Briggs of Accord Party votes Dump Lulu Briggs, the governorship candidate of Accord Party in Rivers state has voted in Ward 4 Unit 1 in Abonnema, Akuku-Toru local government area of the state. A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, Thursday, March 7, sacked Dumo Lulu Briggs as the governorship candidate of Accord Party in the 2019 governorship election. The court declared that Precious Baridoo, who was duly nominated during the October 4, 2018 Accord Party governorship primary is the authentic candidate of the party. He commended INEC for improvement in the area of logistics, especially the early arrival of Electoral materials. Source: Legit.ng CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Home | News | General | Suspected PDP supporter threatens to stab APC agent at Sanwoolus polling unit A suspected supporter of the PDP on Saturday morning, March 9, threatened to stab an agent of the APC at the polling unit 19, Okunnu, Lateef Jakande road, Eti-Osa local government area, where Babajide Sanwoolu, the APC candidate will cast his vote. According to the Legit.ng reporter present at the polling unit, trouble began when the man, a friend of the PDP party agent, moved towards the direction of the party agents in defense of his friend whom he perceived to be in distress. During the ensuing exchange of words, the friend to the PDP agent told the APC agent that he would dagger him. The APC agent consequently raised his voice, asking that the man who threatened him identified himself. READ ALSO: Nigeria Decides 2019: Live updates of governorship and state assembly elections This attracted the security agents on ground who called both men to order. The man explained that he was not referring to the APC agent, stating that he was talking to his friend (the PDP agent). Meanwhile, calm has since returned to the polling unit as the electorates expect Sanwoolus presence for accreditation and voting. Legit.ng earlier reported that INEC ad-hoc staff gave the responsibility of distributing voting materials in 25 wards under Ikeja local government area of Lagos state have refused to carry out their duties. The protesting ad-hoc staff, many of whom are corps members, insisted that they wont go to the polling units to commence voting process until they are paid the N20,000 they are meant to collect. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app One of the corps members who was among the protesters at the Local Government Primary School, Ikeja, lamented that they had to take such action because after the February 23 elections in the state, they were not paid their allowances by INEC officials. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng: Same great journalism, upgraded for better service! 6 things that 'may' happen on Election Day - on Legit TV: [embedded content] CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Home | News | General | Drama as INEC ad-hoc staff protest partial payment of allowances, refuse to distribute voting materials in 25 wards in Lagos - INEC ad-hoc staff have refused to distribute voting materials in 25 wards in Ikeja local government area of Lagos - The staff said they wont perform their assigned duties until their N20,000 allowance is paid in full - The INEC supervisory polling officer on the scene said there was nothing she could do about the situation Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ad-hoc staff given the responsibility of distributing voting materials in 25 wards under Ikeja local government area of Lagos state have refused to carry out their duties. According to Daily Trust, the protesting ad-hoc staff, many of whom are corps members, insisted that they wont go to the polling units to commence voting process until they are paid the N20,000 they are meant to collect. READ ALSO: Security officials found attempting to disrupt polls will be arrested - Kaduna CP Legit.ng gathers that one of the corps members who was among the protesters at the Local Government Primary School, Ikeja, lamented that they had to take such action because after the February 23 elections in the state, they were not paid their allowances by INEC officials. The corps member, speaking on the condition of anonymity, reportedly stated: No pay, no work! We wont move out from here except the N20,000 due to us are paid in full. We received N7,000 alert but we are not ready to be taken for granted again like they did during the presidential election. The INEC supervisory polling officer who was seen at the primary school said there was nothing she could do about the situation as the available money had been shared at N7,000 per each corps member. She said: We have distributed materials since yesterday evening. But they are insisting that they wont move to the field to commence polling. What can I do? Where am I going to get the N20,000 each which they are demanding? PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that the Independent National Commission in Borno replaced erring ad-hoc staff to facilitate smooth conduct of the governorship and House of Assembly elections in the state. The states resident electoral commissioner, Alhaji Mohammed Ibrahim, disclosed this on Wednesday, March 6, in Maiduguri. He said that the replacement was due to the inability of the staff to discharge their duties effectively during the February 23 elections. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng: Same great journalism, upgraded for better service! 6 things that 'may' happen on Election Day - on Legit TV: [embedded content] CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Home | News | General | I am sure of victory at the Osun governorship tribunal - Adeleke Senator Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun on Saturday, March 9, expressed optimism of emerging victorious at the governorship election tribunal. Adeleke made this known after casting his vote at exactly 9:01 am at unit 09 ward 02 polling unit at Sagba-Abogunde area, Ede. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Adeleke is challenging the victory of Governor Gboyega Oyetola in the Sept. 27, 2018 rerun governorship election in the state. READ ALSO: Nigeria Decides 2019: Live updates of governorship and state assembly elections He said: I am sure of victory at the Osun governorship tribunal because of the confidence I have in the judiciary system of this country. Adeleke, however, said Saturdays State House of Assembly election had been peaceful, expressing confidence that the PDP would emerge victorious. He commended INEC for the successful conduct of the House of Assembly election, saying the exercise had so far been hitch-free in Ede. PAY ATTENTION:Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet! Adeleke urged the electorate to be patient while waiting to be accredited so as to ensure a peaceful conclusion of the exercise. Meanwhile, Legit.ng had reported that President Buhari and his wife, Aisha, on Saturday, March 9, joined hundreds of other electorate to exercise their franchise at the polling unit 003 Kofar Baru III, Gidan Niyam, Daura, Katsina state. The president, accompanied by his wife, arrived the polling unit at about 8am, where both of them were cleared and issued ballot papers by the unit presiding officer, Aliyu Abdullahi. The president and his wife, with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) numbers 187 and 182 respectively, voted at exactly 8.08am to elect their preferred candidates for Katsina state governorship and House of Assembly legislators. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We keep evolving to serve our readers better. Will the result of the presidential election have an effect on the guber polls? On Legit TV: [embedded content] CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Home | News | General | Breaking: Bags of cash meant for vote-buying in Benue intercepted by EFCC (photos) The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operatives have intercepted bags of cash meant for vote-buying at North Bank Area, Makurdi, Benue state. The anti-graft agency said in an attempt to arrest the culprits, some thugs attacked the agency's operatives and vandalised the bus used for patrol. READ ALSO: Nigeria Decides 2019: Live updates of governorship and state assembly elections Meanwhile, Legit.ng earlier reported that thugs attacked staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ezza north local government area of Ebonyi state in the early hours of Saturday, carting away sensitive election materials. The thugs stormed the INEC's Registration Area Centre (RAC) at Okposi Umuoghara Community Secondary School at about 2:15am on March 9, beating the staff and stealing the election materials. The thugs burned down the primary school building which served as INEC's RAC when they were done with the attack. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app The states Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Loveth Odah, confirmed the incident and said investigation is ongoing. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We have updated to serve you better Will the result of the presidential election have an effect on the guber polls?| Legit TV: [embedded content] CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Douglas Mwonzora is an advocate who studied at Goromonzi High and later went to the University of Zimbabwe were he studied law. At the University Mwonzora studied constitunal law and was instrumental in writing the ZUM constitution. (ZUM was a political party formed by the late Edgar Tekere in 1985 to challengeMugabe's Zanu PF dream of a one party state) This escapade resulted in him in being incarcerated for more than 34 days by Robert Mugabe's regime making him the opposition leader to be jailed for a long time in Zimbabwe. He went on to join the MDC on its formation in 1999 and was also instrumental in the writing of the MDC constitution. Mwonzora as a constitutional lawyer is an excellent guy. In 2007 he was Co-Vice Chairman of COPAC with Munyaradzi Paul Mangwana of Zanu PF . Together they did a great job and saw the birth of the current constitution of Zimbabwe. Despite all these notable achievements I still believe Douglas Mwonzora cannot be a President either of his party or country. This I would state why in this article. During the 2013 parliamentary election Mwonzora lost his Nyanga North seat to Zanu PF. He contested the result citing a lot of irregularities and the Constitutional court threw out his petition. In 2014 during the MDC elective congress Mwonzora was Nominated by Manicaland province only for the position of Secretary General which had been left by Tendai Biti who had proceeded to form his political party. His rival Nelson Chamisa who was the Kuwadzana Member of Parliament was nominated by all the remaining provinces. Although Mwonzora brew a shocker by defeating his rival by 2, 464 votes against 1,756 votes I still believe that Mwonzora can't be a President in any capacity. It was stated Mwonzora as the custodian of the MDC constitution in his capacity as the Secretary General failed to uphold the constitution. Mwonzora as the secretary General stated that the MDC council erred when they appointed Chamisa as acting president on the eve of Tsvangirai's death but went on to do nothing about it. His inaction allowed the status quo to continue. Mwonzora allowed this unconstitutionalism to continue because of his personal ego. To him Chamisa was the best to beat come the next congress. Such a self fulfilling leader cannot be allowed to lead the country or the MDC as a president. He was planning all along to wrestle power from Chamisa. To me this is treasonous. Such a selfish and self conscious individual cannot be allowed to lead. Mwonzora as a constitutional lawyer who has spent all his life writing the constitution should be appointed a Supreme Court Judge instead of being president. Mwonzora was told to write the ZUM constitution and he did well. He was then asked to write the MDC Constitution and did it splendidly. Finally he was asked to write the new Zimbabwean Constitution and he did it very well. As a writer and used to following orders I think Mwonzoras rightful place is at the Supreme Court bench were he would be guided and given orders not as a president. Mwonzora as the secretary general failed to uphold the MDC Constitution and allowed Chamisa to make blunders without using his authority as a constitutional lawyer and secretary general of the party to enforce the party's constitution. This he did because he is selfish, ambitious and does not have Zimbabwe at heart. He allowed the mistakes to prevail in order to address his personal ego. Such an egoistic leader can't be president in any form. His true colors are now showing and letting such an individual to be the President of MDC and let alone the president of Zimbabwe would be the worst mistake that people can make. Mwonzora is always speaking out of his brain and has a hard time connecting with an ordinary person and lacks charisma at best. He has a tall stature befitting a President but he lacks the qualities of a people person. He is also a plotter and sacrifices stability of the whole in order to survive his political career. He must be out of politics because he makes a develish politician who is focused on self aggrandisement rather than the core. Without politics Mwonzora would be a fine gentleman building the country by following orders of the law as judge. To sum up my argument I implore that Mwonzora should be appointed to the Supreme Court bench. He indeed cannot be president of Zimbabwe or the MDC. He should be given a job on the bench by Mnangagwa. I rest my case. By MTT (MDC Truth Trumpeter) Home | World | Africa | PHOTOS: 1 600 women besiege Bulawayo streets 1600 members of Women of Zimbabwe Arise on Friday took to the streets in Bulawayo to protest against the challenges they are facing because of the government policies. The march marked the commemoration of the International Women's Day. Speaking about the event WOZA Director Jenny Williams said, "Women are coming together to share their views of the negative effects on their lives by austerity measure imposed by Government upon the shoulders of the poor." "Remember when the Zimbabwe Minister of Finance opened the simmering pot? It's burning the women on Zimbabwe now. We want action." Williams added. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: Africa North Korea has been said to be accumulating cryptocurrencies to fund Kim Jong-un's regime. | Source: Photo by JORGE SILVA / POOL / AFP North Korea has Cryptocurrency. A lot of it. In a piece from Nikkei Asian review, it was reported that experts have testified to the UN that Kim Jong Uns regime is sitting upon more than half a billion US dollars worth of Crypto. Clearly, there are plenty of reasons why the sanctions beleaguered nation would want to put in such a big effort to amass such a horde of coins. As the rest of the world has ramped up their opposition to nuclear testing on the Korean peninsula, so has the Korean leader sought ways to circumvent these restrictions. Let us not forgot that $670 million at todays prices was a bag at one point, especially if Pyongyang was doing most of its hacking closer to the market peak. As we reported before, North Korea looks to have had its hand in most of the hacking done around the world or at least a significant part of it. Lazarus, an infamous group, believed to be sponsored by Kim Jong Un himself, had their hands in a lot of wallets with the headline $530 million hack of Coincheck widely believed to have originated from in Korea. Heres the quote from the UN, Virtual Currencies provide the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea with more ways to evade sanctions, given that they are harder to trace, can be laundered many times and are independent from government regulation. Nuclear Capability Accelerates, Blame Boats not Bitcoin Obviously, because of how the media operates, we know that Cryptocurrency is going to get all the hate for this one. Particularly given that nuclear capability has continued to accelerate and not diminish in the cash-strapped rogue state. Honestly, the whole concept that digital currency is terrible because dictators use it is an exhaustingly narrow-minded argument and hypocritical argument. Guess what else they use to preserve their autocracies? Computers, Cars, Weapons, I mean I could keep writing things for hours. Read the full story on CCN.com. The oil ministers of Saudi Arabia and India will meet on Saturday, Reuters quoted Indias Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan as saying on Friday. Although the Indian minister did not go into specifics about the meeting, its probably safe to assume that Khalid al-Falih, the oil minister of OPECs biggest producer Saudi Arabia, and Pradhan, the oil minister of one of the fastest-growing oil demand countries, will discuss oil supplies and/or investments. Saudi Arabia is currently Indias second-largest oil supplier after Iraq and it has just pledged to invest US$100 billion in Indias energy sector in its continued efforts to lock in future demand for its oil on the fastest-growing Asian markets. In June last year, Saudi oil giant Saudi Aramco and the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) signed a framework agreement and a memorandum of understanding with a consortium of Indian national oil companies to join a mega refinery and petrochemical complex worth US$44 billion in the Maharashtra state on Indias west coast. The project, however, has seen some setbacks recently, as the process of land acquisition was halted amid farmers opposition and as plans emerged to relocate the complex to another site in the Maharashtra state. The meeting between Saudi Arabias al-Falih and Indias Pradhan will take place less than two months before the U.S. waivers for Iranian oil customersincluding Indiato continue importing oil from Iran at reduced volumes expire. India is in talks with the U.S., asking for an extension of its waiver to continue importing oil from Iran at the current rate of around 300,000 bpd, Reuters reported on Thursday, citing two sources in India familiar with the issue. In January this year, Iran slipped to seventh place among Indias main oil suppliers, from the third place it held at the same time last year. The report of India-U.S. talks over a waiver extension beyond early May comes just as U.S. President Donald Trump announced earlier this week that he plans to end the preferential trade treatment for India. I am taking this step because, after intensive engagement between the United States and the Government of India, I have determined that India has not assured the United States that it will provide equitable and reasonable access to the markets of India, President Trump wrote in a letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and President of the Senate. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: " " Happy International Women's Day! discan/Getty Images "This is a new thing, right?" my go-to morning radio DJ asked his co-host. "Like, it started last year, I think?" I had barely opened my eyes by the time the words left his mouth, but the gross inaccuracy was enough to send me shooting from groggy half-slumber straight to my laptop. A two-second Google search confirmed what I'd been told my whole life: March 8, International Women's Day, has been celebrated around the world for more than a century. As a first-generation American born into a family of Russian Jews, I realize I have somewhat of an unfair advantage on the international front, but I've only recently come to realize how novel today's historic celebration really is to so many in the United States. Advertisement More Than 100 Years of History The first International Women's Day (IWD) gathering took place in 1911, but the event had been brewing for a few years. In 1908, 15,000 women marched through New York City, demanding shorter work hours, better pay and voting rights (something they wouldn't get for another 12 years). One year later, on Feb. 28, 1909, women across the U.S. began commemorating National Woman's Day (NWD), and in 1910, female representatives from around the globe united in Copenhagen at the second International Conference of Working Women to make things more official. Clara Zetkin, leader of the "Women's Office" for the Social Democratic Party in Germany, proposed to the 100 attendees from 17 countries that women all over the world should unite in global solidarity each year on the same day to push for equality. The next year, International Women's Day celebrations took place for the first time in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland on March 18, with more than a million women and men attending rallies, demanding equal rights. Less than a week after the hopeful events, however, a historic tragedy took place in New York City. The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire in New York City killed more than 140 working women, most of whom were young Italian and Jewish immigrants. The devastating event served as a harsh reality check of current labor conditions for women, and it became a focal point of subsequent IWD events in the coming years. As World War I tore through Europe three years later, women banded together, using the IWD movement as a means to protest for peace. Russia's first IWD observance took place on the last Sunday of February that year, and the celebration spread to other countries in Europe the following year. Russian women were at the forefront of turning IWD into a political platform; on the first day of the Russian Revolution in 1917, tens of thousands of women took to the streets of the capital, in response to the death of more than 2 million soldiers. Participants flooded public spaces for four days, calling for change and rallying against food shortages the overwhelming movement forced the czar to abdicate, and pushed the provisional government to grant women the right to vote. The strike began on Feb. 24, according to the Julian calendar, which Russia used at the time. But according to the Gregorian calendar, which most of the world relies on today, those historic events kicked off on March 8. Advertisement A United Nations Proclamation Fast-forward several decades, and IWD hit another major milestone. In 1975, the event was celebrated for the first time by the United Nations, and two years later, the General Assembly adopted a resolution "proclaiming a United Nations Day for Women's Rights and International Peace to be observed on any day of the year by Member States, in accordance with their historical and national traditions." In 1996, the U.N. began assigning an annual theme to each IWD, starting off with "Celebrating the past, Planning for the Future." As the world moved into a new millenium, IWD went digital in 2001 with the launch of internationalwomensday.com, which continues to partner with corporations and organizations to promote and offer education around gender equality. To mark IWD's 100th birthday in 2011, President Barack Obama proclaimed March 2011 to be "Women's History Month," and called on Americans to reflect on "the extraordinary accomplishments of women" who helped shape the country's history. So where does that leave us today? Sure, many are still misinformed about the origins of IWD and the massive impact it's had on social justice, politics, labor, wages and more, but many more recognize its unparalleled importance. According to internationalwomensday.com, IWD is considered an official holiday in numerous countries, including Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, China (for women only), Cuba, Georgia, Guinea-Bissau, Eritrea, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Madagascar (for women only), Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Nepal (for women only), Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and Zambia. In some countries, it's considered the equivalent of Mother's Day, and in others, women and men are still silently and secretly honoring its significance. Wherever you are, consider dedicating the day to the powerful lineage of women who made modern life possible and those who continue to push for change. Advertisement Originally Published: Mar 6, 2019 One of the side effects of austerity is that it does concentrate the mind as to alternative sources of income. Thus, since the 2010, there has been a lot of noise about the extra revenue that could be raised from clamping down on tax avoidance, non-Doms and multi-national companies who base their business in low tax countries.The reason why so little has been done to pursue this agenda since that election is open to speculation. It may be that it is just too difficult, it may need international agreements to be negotiated and agreed or it could just be that successive chancellors do not want to upset key players in the country's economy.This article in today's Times suggests yet another reason, that the ruling Tory Party do not want to upset some of their biggest donors.The paper says that more than 1 million was raised by the Tories from Britons based in tax havens and their UK companies before the 2017 general election. They add that this money was accepted even though a law was passed in 2009 that was meant to clamp down on donations from offshore.The bill banned large personal donations from anyone not resident or domiciled in the UK for tax purposes but coincidentally, successive governments have failed to enact it with a commencement order.Section 10 of the Political Parties and Elections Act 2009 would have banned donations of more than 7,500 from anyone not resident in the UK for tax purposes, as well as those not domiciled in the UK. Non-dom is a separate status that applies to people who live in Britain but view another country as their permanent home. A persons domicile is usually determined by their fathers domicile but can be changed.:In addition to the failure to commence the clause forbidding overseas donations, ministers were criticised on Monday for pulling a bill that would have compelled Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man to publish registers of beneficial ownership.All of these donations are legal and properly declared but the intention of the 2009 law was that they should be stamped out. Why has the government not enacted that law? We can only speculate. Is there a competition amongst Tory Cabinet Ministers to see who can make the biggest gaffe and still remain sitting at the cabinet table? Is first prize tea at the Ritz ? Because if it is, Chris Grayling is still in pole position , but Northern Ireland Secretary, Karen Bradley is running him close.I only ask because if that is not the case then we are doomed, doomed I tell you, to obscurity and disaster as a country. Never in the history of the United Kingdom has our future been entrusted to such a bunch of nincompoops at such a crucial turning point in our relations with the outside world.Karen Bradley, like Grayling, has form. Do you remember her admission last September , that before becoming Northern Ireland secretary she was profoundly ignorant of the countrys political divisions and slightly scared of the place?She told the House Magazine she was unaware that nationalists did not vote for unionists and that unionists did not vote for nationalists the most elementary fact about Northern Ireland politics. Now she has compounded that error with he biggest gaffe so far.As the Independent reports , Bradley provoked fury when she claimed fewer than 10 per cent of deaths during the conflict were committed by the military and police, who were only "fulfilling their duties in a dignified and appropriate way":In response to a question from the DUP's Emma Little-Pengelly, Ms Bradley told the Commons:She has now sought to walk back those remarks , but the damage has been done:Theresa May says she has full confidence in her Northern Ireland Secretary. As with a lot of things May has confidence in, she may well be alone in that belief. THE National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) has removed over 650,000 campaign materials all over Metro Manila.NCRPO Director Major General Guillermo Eleazar urged the candidates to also do their MORE than half of the websites of Filipino politicians have no security features, making it risky for people who leave personal details and hard to know if these sites are authentic. A study released last March 7 by Comparitech, a United Kingdom-based company that conducts technology research, said 68.18 percent of the websites of Filipino politicians are insecure as these are without valid SSL (secure sockets layer) certificates, meaning visitors connections to those sites are not private nor secure. This becomes problematic when users are asked to input personal details such as name and email address on the website, the report found at https://www.comparitech.com said. Even if the website does not have forms to be filled, the absence of an SSL certificate and an HTTPS (hypertext transfer protocol secure) implementation to secure the transfer of information over a computer could compromise the integrity of the data. For the Filipino voter, an insecure website of a politician means not only security risks but also how candidates for the midterm elections this May do not give importance to the quality of information they provide. Having a website means having a venue to communicate with the public, the voters. Not having a secure or professional website means not giving importance to this communication platform and, by extension, the message. The Comparitech report said it assessed the personal websites of more than 7,500 politicians in 37 countries across the globe. Of those websites, 60.75 percent did not use valid SSL certificates. About half of the politicians websites include some sort of form input where users can register accounts, log in, sign up for newsletters or send a message. These forms often request the user to enter personal information. None of these interactions can be properly protected without HTTPS. Even websites that dont include form input fields should ideally use HTTPS to encrypt the contents of what users see on a particular site, it added. The SSL certificate authenticates websites, helping to ensure voters that theyre on the politicians genuine site and not a fraudulent one. Story continues The Comparitech report said obtaining an SSL certificate and implementing HTTPS are not difficult nor expensive so politicians have little excuse for not properly securing their sites. In the Philippines, the report said the worst-performing parties included the Lakas, LDP, NUP and UNA. Each had only one to four members with websites, and none used HTTPS. Best-performing parties were Akbayan and PDP-Laban. Each had only two members with websites. The absence of security features on politicians websites reflects on the lack of seriousness of politicians to communicate with the public. They do not seem to care about voters securely connecting via their websites. Thats the technology part. Now, lets go to the message these politicians want to disseminate to voters. But theres a different set of measurements for that. THE National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) has removed over 650,000 campaign materials all over Metro Manila.NCRPO Director Major General Guillermo Eleazar urged the candidates to also do their THE Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) is urging Filipino laborers to consider taking on local employment. This is after the Dole decided to slow down the deployment of construction workers overseas. In a statement, Dole Secretary Silvestre Bello III asked skilled workers to consider local employment in the construction industry in support to the Build, Build, Build program of the government. Construction workers are badly needed here in our country, said Bello. There is a strong local jobs growth but vacancies are not filled, he added. The labor chief said that around 800,000 to 1 million skilled workers are needed in the field of construction, architecture and engineering. Earlier, Bello bared that the government is slowing down the overseas deployment of construction workers as much as 90 percent. This, Bello said, is in response to the manpower shortage in the local construction industry. The Build, Build, Build program has lined up about 75 projects. (HDT/ SunStar Philippines) THE National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) has removed over 650,000 campaign materials all over Metro Manila.NCRPO Director Major General Guillermo Eleazar urged the candidates to also do their PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Friday, March 8, vehemently warned Cebu businessman and suspected drug lord Peter Lim of getting killed when they meet each other anywhere. During a campaign sortie of his political party, the President said he would not hesitate to kill Lim wherever he is, be it in the Philippines or in other foreign countries. Duterte made the remark, as Lim is still nowhere to be found since the latter has been indicted for conspiracy to commit illegal drug trading. "Itong Peter Lim na ito, may bahay sa Canada, may bahay sa Bahamas. Ang p***** i**, may bahay sa Hong Kong (This son of a b****, Peter Lim, has a home in Canada, Bahamas and Hong Kong)," the President said before his audience in Negros Occidental. "Peter Lim, 'pag nakita kita maski saan, papatayin kita (if I see you anywhere, I will kill you). And I will go to jail for [that]," he added. Lim went missing after the Makati Regional Trial Court ordered his arrest for alleged conspiracy with self-confessed drug lord Rolan "Kerwin" Espinosa, Marcelo Adarco and Ruel Malindangan to commit illegal drug trade in the Visayas. In September 2018, the Justice department offered a P500,000 for anyone who can provide information on Lim's whereabouts. To recall, Duterte in July 2016 named Lim, alias "Jaguar," as the one responsible for the rampant narcotics trade in the Visayas, but the fugitive drug lord vehemently denied supposed drug links. On February 20, the President told Lim to "just commit suicide," instead of surrendering to authorities, cautioning the latter that he would either get killed or put to jail for "200 years." Duterte made the remark as he believed that Lim's drug network is still "very much alive." (SunStar Philippines) University of Wisconsin-Madison postdoctoral researcher Jesus Ballesteros holds a small horseshoe crab. A study he led with Integrative Biology Professor Prashant Sharma used robust genetic analysis to demonstrate that horseshoe crabs are arachnids like spiders, scorpions and ticks. Credit: Jesus Ballesteros Blue-blooded and armored with 10 spindly legs, horseshoe crabs have perhaps always seemed a bit out of place. First thought to be closely related to crabs, lobsters and other crustaceans, in 1881 evolutionary biologist E. Ray Lankester placed them solidly in a group more similar to spiders and scorpions. Horseshoe crabs have since been thought to be ancestors of the arachnids, but molecular sequence data have always been sparse enough to cast doubt. University of Wisconsin-Madison evolutionary biologists Jesus Ballesteros and Prashant Sharma hope, then, that their recent study published in the journal Systematic Biology helps firmly plant ancient horseshoe crabs within the arachnid family tree. By analyzing troves of genetic data and considering a vast number of possible ways to examine it, the scientists now have a high degree of confidence that horseshoe crabs do indeed belong within the arachnids. "By showing that horseshoe crabs are part of the arachnid radiation, instead of a lineage closely related to but independent of arachnids, all previous hypotheses on the evolution of arachnids need to be revised," says Ballesteros, a postdoctoral researcher in Sharma's lab. "It's a major shift in our understanding of arthropod evolution." Arthropods are often considered the most successful animals on the planet since they occupy land, water and sky and include more than a million species. This grouping includes insects, crustaceans and arachnids. Horseshoe crabs have been challenging to classify within the arthropods because analysis of the animals' genome has repeatedly shown them to be related to arachnids like spiders, scorpions, mites, ticks and lesser-known creatures such as vinegaroons. Yet, "scientists assumed it was an error, that there was a problem with the data," says Ballesteros. A scorpion hides in an egg carton in a cage in a campus animal facility. Credit: Kelly April Tyrrell Moreover, horseshoe crabs possess a mix of physical characteristics observed among a variety of arthropods. They are hard-shelled like crabs but are the only marine animals known to breathe with book gills, which resemble the book lungs spiders and scorpions use to survive on land. Only four species of horseshoe crabs are alive today, but the group first appeared in the fossil record about 450 million years ago, together with mysterious, extinct lineages like sea scorpions. These living fossils have survived major mass extinction events and today their blood is used by the biomedical industry to test for bacterial contamination. Age is just one of the problems inherent in tracing their evolution, say Ballesteros and Sharma, since searching back through time to find a common ancestor is not easy to accomplish. And evidence from the fossil record and genetics indicates evolution happened quickly among these groups of animals, convoluting their relationships to one another. "One of the most challenging aspects of building the tree of life is differentiating old radiations, these ancient bursts of speciation," says Sharma, a professor of integrative biology. "It is difficult to resolve without large amounts of genetic data." Even then, genetic comparisons become tricky when looking at the histories of genes that can either unite or separate species. Some genetic changes can be misleading, suggesting relationships where none exist or dismissing connections that do. This is owed to phenomena such as incomplete lineage sorting or lateral gene transfer, by which assortments of genes aren't cleanly made across the evolution of species. Ballesteros tested the complicated relationships between the trickiest genes by comparing the complete genomes of three out of the four living horseshoe crab species against the genome sequences of 50 other arthropod species, including water fleas, centipedes and harvestmen. Using a complex set of matrices, taking care not to introduce biases in his analysis, he painstakingly teased the data apart. Still, no matter which way Ballesteros conducted his analysis, he found horseshoe crabs nested within the arachnid family tree. Prashant Sharma shows off a preserved sea spider recovered from the deep sea in Antarctica. Credit: Kelly April Tyrrell He says his approach serves as a cautionary tale to other evolutionary biologists who may be inclined to cherry-pick the data that seem most reliable, or to toss out data that don't seem to fit. Researchers could, for example, "force" their data to place horseshoe crabs among crustaceans, says Sharma, but it wouldn't be accurate. The research team tried this and found hundreds of genes supporting incorrect trees. Ballesteros encourages others to subject their evolutionary data to this kind of rigorous methodology, because "evolution is complicated." Why horseshoe crabs are water dwellers while other arachnids colonized land remains an open question. These animals belong to a group called Chelicerata, which also includes sea spiders. Sea spiders are marine arthropods like horseshoe crabs, but they are not arachnids. "What the study concludes is that the conquest of the land by arachnids is more complex than a single tradition event," says Ballesteros. It's possible the common ancestor of arachnids evolved in water and only groups like spiders and scorpions made it to land. Or, a common ancestor may have evolved on land and then horseshoe crabs recolonized the sea. "The big question we are after is the history of terrestrialization," says Sharma. For Ballesteros, who is now studying the evolution of blindness in spiders living deep within caves in Israel, his motivations get to the heart of human nature itself. "I get to look with childish curiosity and ask: 'How did all this diversity come to be?'" he says. "It's incredible what exists, and I never thought I would have the privilege to be able to do this." Explore further Spiders and scorpions have co-opted leg genes to build their heads More information: Jesus A Ballesteros et al. A Critical Appraisal of the Placement of Xiphosura (Chelicerata) with Account of Known Sources of Phylogenetic Error, Systematic Biology (2019). Journal information: Integrative Biology , Systematic Biology Jesus A Ballesteros et al. A Critical Appraisal of the Placement of Xiphosura (Chelicerata) with Account of Known Sources of Phylogenetic Error,(2019). DOI: 10.1093/sysbio/syz011 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. 2 hours ago What Elizabeth Holmes had to say at her trial: 5 takeaways SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) Once-lionized entrepreneur Elizabeth Holmes wrapped up seven days of testimony in her criminal fraud trial Wednesday, having largely used the time to defend her actions as CEO of the startup Theranos. Read Article About Me Scott Because prophetic scriptures are found throughout the bible, it is obvious that a comprehensive, systematic approach would be useful, if not necessary, for the understanding of prophecy. Past prophecies have been fulfilled in a literal manner, as confirmed by the dating of these writings and historical records of confirmation. These past prophecies also serve as a model of how to interpret future prophecies. A literal view of prophecy clearly indicates a certain sequence of events will occur within a single generation, concluding with the Tribulation and Second Advent and these events will be obvious. The prophetic signs appear to be present in this generation and we believe these signs are revealed in the news from around the world. View my complete profile WISNER It only takes a spark to get a fire going. In Wisner, it only takes one person to get a party going. When it appeared that the citys traditional St. Patricks celebration would not be taking place this year, Lori Moeller went into action. (Click to read more.) "3 more steps to make 'First Step Act' work" | Main | "Criminal-Justice Apps" March 8, 2019 Senator (and Prez candidate) Cory Booker introduces "Next Step Act of 2019" with wide array of sentencing and criminal justice reforms As set forth in this press release, "U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) today introduced a sweeping criminal justice bill the Next Step Act that would make serious and substantial reforms to sentencing guidelines, prison conditions, law enforcement training, and re-entry efforts." Here is more about this new (lengthy) legislative proposal from the press release: The Next Step Act is the most comprehensive criminal justice bill to be introduced in Congress in decades. "It's been 75 days since the First Step Act was signed into law, and already, it's changing lives," Booker said. "But the First Step Act is just as its name suggests it is one step on the long road toward fixing our broken criminal justice system. There's more that remains to be done so that our justice system truly embodies those words etched onto our nation's highest court a? 'equal justice under law.' That's exactly what the Next Step Act does. It builds off the gains of the First Step Act and pushes for bolder, more comprehensive reforms, like eliminating the sentencing disparities that still exist between crack and powder cocaine, assisting those coming out of prison with getting proper work authorization and ID documents, reducing the barriers formerly incarcerated individuals face when they try to find jobs, and ending the federal prohibition on marijuana."... Specifically, the Next Step Act would: Reduce harsh mandatory minimums for nonviolent drug offenses: the 20-year mandatory minimum would be reduced to 10 years, the 10-year mandatory minimum would be reduced to 5 years, and the 5-year mandatory minimum would be reduced to 2 years. Eliminate the disparity between crack and powder cocaine sentences (currently it is 18:1) End the federal prohibition on marijuana, expunge records, and reinvest in the communities most harmed by the War on Drugs. "Ban the Box" by prohibiting federal employers and contractors from asking a job applicant about their criminal history until the final stages of the interview process, so that formerly incarcerated individuals get a fairer, more objective shot at finding meaningful employment. Removing barriers for people with criminal convictions to receiving an occupational license for jobs, such as hair dressers and taxi drivers. Reinstate the right to vote in federal elections for formerly incarcerated individuals (blacks are more than four times as likely than whites to have their voting rights revoked because of a criminal conviction). Create a federal pathway to sealing the records of nonviolent drug offenses for adults and automatically sealing (and in some cases expunging) juvenile records. Ensure that anyone released from federal prison receives meaningful assistance in obtaining a photo-ID, birth certificate, social security card, or work authorization documents. Improve the ability of those behind bars to stay in touch with loved ones, by banning the practice of charging exorbitant rates for phone calls (upwards of $400-$500 per month) and ensuring authorities take into consideration where someone's kids are located when placing them in a federal facility, a circumstance that acutely impacts women since there are far fewer women's prisons than men's prison. Provide better training for law enforcement officers in implicit racial bias, de-escalation, and use-of-force. Ban racial and religious profiling. Improve the reporting of police use-of-force incidents (currently the Department of Justice is required to report use-of-force statistics to Congress, but states and local law enforcement agencies are not required to pass that information on to federal authorities, creating a significant gap in data that could be used to improve policies and training). The Next Step Act is an effort to build upon the momentum of the First Step Act, which was signed into law late last year and which represents the biggest overhaul to the criminal justice system in a decade. Booker was a key architect of the bill he was instrumental in adding key sentencing provisions to the package after publicly opposing the House-passed version of the First Step Act first released in May 2018. Booker also successfully fought to include provisions that effectively eliminated the solitary confinement of juveniles under federal supervision and banned the shackling of pregnant women. The Next Step Act is based upon a number of individual bills Booker has authored, co-authored, or co-sponsored since arriving to the Senate in 2013, including the Marijuana Justice Act, the Fair Chance Act, the REDEEM Act, the Ending Racial Profiling Act, the Smarter Sentencing Act, the Dignity for Incarcerated Women Act, the Democracy Restoration Act, and the Police Reporting Information Data and Evidence Act. I would be quite excited by a number of the substantive provisions in this bill if it had any chance of moving forward in any form. But, for a host of political and practical reasons, this bill really serves more as Senator Booker's statement of aspirations rather than as a serious attempt to get something specific passed by Congress in the coming months. Nevertheless, I am inclined to compliment the Senator for having so many big criminal justice reform aspirations, and the introduction of this bill will help ensure that Senator Booker keeps attention on criminal justice reform as he moves forward with his presidential campaign. March 8, 2019 at 06:58 PM | Permalink Comments I am tired of the elite living off the people and thinking/acting like they are above the law. People must be accountable for their actions. In reference to drugs, if someone wants to take drugs and harm themselves - you can't stop them. The difference is when you sell drugs or supply them to others, there is the crime. Doing harm to others! Our judicial system does not need to be leaches on the people. Our Public Employees are getting plenty of benefits for what they do. In fact, there should be a Tribunal Court of the people to reduce the work load of the "Judicial System". Posted by: LC in Texas | Mar 9, 2019 2:31:40 PM While I am not sure that I agree with all of the proposals, I would at least commend Senator Booker for making specific proposals about which mandatory minimums are too high and how he would change them. As someone who has worked on a code revision project in my own state, (an as I have expressed over the years in prior posts), I have always felt that most of the problem with mandatory minimums was a statute-by-statute issue that could only be properly fixed on a statute-by-statute basis. Posted by: tmm | Mar 11, 2019 2:46:18 PM Post a comment This well-established Blog is worth visiting on a regular basis for a wealth of information of interest to Armenian nationals and to the Armenian Diaspora world-wide. Although it has a particular role in promoting international recognition of the Genocide, the Blog encompasses much more and includes many articles of general appeal to all those concerned with Armenian affairs. Much of the content is difficult or impossible to find elsewhere and the long list of links provided gives easy access to a plethora of material on social, political, religious, educational and cultural matters, and many news items from around the world. 4 Ways to Save on Braces in Singapore As far as physical improvements go, braces have become a rite of passage for most people. They do more than just improve your smile, braces can also improve a variety of health problems ranging from breathing issues to dental issues caused by teeth overcrowding or a poor bite. However, they are still quite expensive, as some types of braces can cost upwards of S$10,000. Because you can't use Medisave, Medishield Life or Integrated Shield plans to cover the cost of braces, you will be responsible for bearing most of the cost yourself. To help make braces a more financially feasible undertakingwhether they'll be for your or your childrenwe've explored 4 things you can do to save on braces. Opt for Metal Braces for Your Children If your child needs braces but you are on a tight budget, metal braces will be your most affordable option. While this may not be as aesthetically pleasing as lingual braces or Invisalign, metal braces can cost up to a few thousand dollars less than these alternative. For instance, while Invisalign costs around around S$10,000 and lingual braces cost between S$10,000 and S$14,000, metal braces only cost between S$1,000 and S$6,500 (depending on severity). While it may make sense for adults to opt for less visible treatment options, metal braces are a fairly common sight on children around the world and there is no direct benefit in giving them more expensive but less visible versions. This graph shows the average cost of braces by type For Expats: Your International Health Insurance May Cover Braces Expats who do not have Medishield Life, Integrated Shield Plans or Medisave can actually purchase an add-on to their international health insurance plan that can cover up to 50% of your orthodontic costs. If you already have a private health insurance plan, it can be beneficial to check with them to see if you have coverage for braces or purchase the add-on to get your braces covered (you should just make sure you wait the allotted time before starting treatment if there is one in your policy documents). However, we do not recommend buying a plan just to get coverage for braces since the annual cost of some of these plans cost is about the same as getting braces. Story continues Compare Pricing and Payment Options Across Several Orthodontists There are a plethora of dental clinics in Singapore that offer a variety of teeth-straightening services. While prices are generally all in the same vicinity, some orthodontists can offer braces for a lower cost than others, or have better payment plans. For instance, some dentists let you pay for your braces in monthly, interest-free payments. You can also consider checking out new orthodontic start-ups like Zenyum. Zenyum offers 3-D printed invisible braces for S$2,200, which tends to be 70% cheaper than Invisalign. However, this type of braces is usually only recommended for minor orthodontic improvement. Regardless of how you will pay for your braces, you should use a credit card with generous cashback or rewards to at least get some cash back or points for this rather expensive investment. Additionally, it is important to always make sure you visit an accredited and well-reviewed orthodontist. If a price sounds too good to be true or the practice looks less than professional, you should avoid it and instead seek other options even if the are more expensive. NSF Personnel & Students Should Check for Discounted Packages Some dental practices offer discounts for students and NSF personnel. However, because dental practices have different student eligibilities, you should compare dental practices and read their terms carefully to make sure your age and academic situation is eligible. Student packages typically include a consultation, X-rays, scaling and polishing and braces and can offer up to a 25% discount. Full time National Service personnel who can provide a valid 11B are also offered orthodontic packages and can receive up to a 20-30% discount. In some cases, the consultation fee will also be subtracted from your total braces cost, which can drive your cost down by an additional S$100-S$250. Current Student/NSF Braces Packages This table shows the cost of student and NSF braces packages from Dental practices in Singapore that show their prices online General Advice for Paying for Costly Medical Procedures Sometimes, expensive medical procedures are necessary even if you don't have the means to pay for them. In cases where it's not urgent, there are several things you can do to help avoid going into debt. For instance, you can put off getting braces for a year and save a little bit extra per month to be able to pay for braces without resorting to a loan or large credit card payments. If you can not afford to put savings aside, then we recommend opting for a personal loan or a 0% instalment credit card to avoid paying high credit card fees. Lastly, you should always try to stay within your budget. Even if you want Invisalign or lingual braces because they are nicer aesthetically, you should only opt for the type of braces you can afford. Braces are a temporary treatment and it may not be worth it to go into debt for a year's worth of minor discomfort. The article 4 Ways to Save on Braces in Singapore originally appeared on ValueChampion. ValueChampion helps you find the most relevant information to optimise your personal finances. Like us on our Facebook page to keep up to date with our latest news and articles. More From ValueChampion: Belarusian prosecutors on Monday demanded the editor of the country's biggest independent news site pay a hefty fine in a criminal case, which may allow her to avoid prison time. Marina Zolotova, the editor-in-chief of tut.by, is on trial over alleged "unauthorised access" to information from a state news agency. Rights groups have condemned the case as part of a crackdown on the media under President Alexander Lukashenko. If convicted, she faces up to five years in jail. But on Monday, prosecutor Yulia Kharcheikina demanded the 41-year-old journalist pay a fine of 25,500 Belarusian rubles ($11,900, 10,500 euros). Judges almost always side with the prosecution in the ex-Soviet country. Zolotova was initially detained in August along with nearly 20 other journalists over alleged "unauthorised access" to state-run BelTA news service. They were all released after being ordered to pay fines and damages to the news agency. But Zolotova was subsequently charged with "official inaction," or negligence, for failure to control her subordinates when they accessed BelTA by using account passwords for the agency. Zolotova has been accused of not concluding an official agreement with the news agency but she rubbished the charges. "It's not possible to force or make someone sign an agreement," Zolotova said in court, claiming the accusations were "illogical". "Apart from it, according to my job descriptions, I do not have to sign any agreements," she added. The charges were brought against Zolotova despite the fact that BelTA makes its stories freely accessible soon after subscribers see them. Tut.by said it was the first time in the history of modern Belarus that the chief editor of a media outlet was put on trial for her "professional work". Ex-Soviet Belarus, ruled by the authoritarian Lukashenko since 1994, was ranked 155th out of 180 in last year's Reporters Without Borders world press freedom index. Venezuela's opposition leader Juan Guaido vowed Tuesday to take Nicolas Maduro's place in the presidential palace "very soon," as thousands of people took to the streets of Caracas to protest. "We need an office to work in, so very soon, and when we have the armed forces totally on our side, we'll go to find my office there in Miraflores. Very soon," Guaido told supporters, who chanted back: "Yes, you can!" Demonstrators banged pots and sounded car horns at the protest in a square in the east of the capital. Many waved large banners calling on Maduro to go. "The situation is very difficult, we are hoping that this government will change. We've had enough of this chaos!" said one of the demonstrators, Miguel Gonzalez. "With courage and strength I asked you to believe in yourselves, that Venezuela would emerge from the darkness, that the end of the usurpation is very close," said Guaido, who is recognized as interim president by more than 50 countries. Venezuela's state prosecutor, Tarek William Saab, told reporters he would place Guaido under investigation for "his alleged involvement in the sabotage of the Venezuelan electric grid." It is the first government move against the US-backed Guaido since his return to Venezuela last week after defying a travel ban to visit several allied South American leaders. - 'Electricity war' - Maduro has blamed a devastating multi-day blackout plaguing Venezuela on Washington, and declared "victory" in what he called an "electricity war" triggered by the Pentagon. He also called for support from allies including Russia and China as well as the United Nations in investigating the US "cyber attack" he said was responsible for the blackout. While Maduro pointed the finger at Washington, critics have long blamed the government for failing to maintain the power grid. Guaido, 35, is seeking to capitalize on public anger over the blackout, which has piled misery on a population suffering years of economic crisis and shortages of food and medicine under Maduro. The youthful opposition chief -- locked in a power struggle with Maduro since declaring himself interim president on January 23 -- has branded the socialist leader a "usurper" over his re-election in May, widely dismissed as neither free nor fair. Outlining the case against Guaido, Saab said the opposition leader had disseminated a series of messages that have "stoked violence." "At this moment, he appears as one of the intellectual authors of this electrical sabotage and is practically calling for a civil war in the middle of this blackout," Saab said. - 'New sanctions' - The US kept up the pressure, with special envoy Elliott Abrams saying Washington would soon impose "very significant additional sanctions" on institutions doing business with Maduro's government. It has already targeted a growing list of individuals and companies linked to the Maduro government, including state oil company PDVSA. At Guaido's urging, the opposition-dominated National Assembly declared a "state of alarm" on Monday to pave the way for the delivery of international aid, 250 tons of which has been stuck for a month at Venezuela's borders with Colombia and Brazil. However, with Maduro controlling the military and security services -- which are currently preventing aid from entering the country -- he has no means of enforcing it. Maduro used the military to begin distributing food, water and other assistance in several districts on Tuesday. Marshalled by security forces, crowds formed impatient lines at water trucks in some areas, as they waited to fill containers. But tensions were running high amid the shortages. "I saw people lining up for a kilogram (2.2 pounds) of rice, and the shopkeepers had to fire shots in the air to keep the lines under control," Alberto Barboza, 26, told AFP in the oil capital Maracaibo. "I heard a lot of shooting," said Barboza, adding that a local bakery and a tire shop were looted. The blackout has left millions without running water. Many people lined up to buy bottled water in Caracas supermarkets, but most are reduced to desperate means -- besieging fountains in public parks and any available water sources around the capital. - 'Active resistance' - Maduro had called for armed grassroots groups known as "colectivos" to hit back against what he called attacks encouraged by the US against the country's electrical grid. The opposition says the colectivos have been armed by the government and act as militia. Power has been restored to some areas since the weekend, but service has been intermittent and often drops out. Businesses and schools remained shuttered on Maduro's orders, as they have been since the blackout began. Luis Carlos Diaz, a well known Venezuelan journalist who was detained Monday, was released Tuesday and will be charged with hacking the electrical grid in connection with the blackout, the national press union said. As the situation worsened, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced Washington is withdrawing all its remaining personnel from the US embassy in Caracas. All non-emergency staff were ordered to leave on January 24. The State Department said all US citizens residing or traveling in Venezuelan "should depart" the country, citing "crime, civil unrest, poor health infrastructure and arbitrary arrest and detention of US citizens." burs-oh/amz/dw North Korea may be preparing for a missile or space launch, US news outlet NPR has reported, based on satellite image analysis of a key facility near Pyongyang. NPR said the images of Sanumdong, one of the facilities Pyongyang has used to produce inter-continental ballistic missiles and space rockets, were taken days before US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met in Hanoi for their high-stakes summit, which ended in failure. The photos by the firm DigitalGlobe show the presence of cars and trucks at the site on February 22, said NPR -- which has exclusive access to the imagery. It added that rail cars and cranes can also be seen at a yard. "When you put all that together, that's really what it looks like when the North Koreans are in the process of building a rocket," Jeffrey Lewis, a researcher at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, was quoted as saying by NPR on Friday. The Sanumdong analysis comes days after the specialised website 38 North and the Center for Strategic and International Studies said Pyongyang may have resumed operations at its long-range rocket launch site at Sohae, based on their study of satellite imagery from March 6. The development is likely to further compound Washington's frustration over the lack of progress in its bid to get the North to give up its atomic arsenal, especially after the February 27-28 summit between Trump and Kim collapsed without so much as a joint statement -- let alone an agreement on nuclear disarmament. According to senior US officials, in the week leading up to the Hanoi summit, the North Koreans had demanded the lifting of effectively all UN Security Council economic sanctions imposed on Pyongyang since March 2016. In return, Pyongyang offered only to close part of the Yongbyon complex, a sprawling site covering multiple facilities. The North is also believed to have other uranium enrichment plants. But North Korean foreign minister Ri Yong Ho disputed the US account, saying Pyongyang offered to dismantle all "nuclear production facilities in the Yongbyon area" in exchange for partial sanctions relief. Trump said Friday that his relationship with Kim "remains good", despite the setback in Hanoi. US officials have said Washington believes the "final, fully verified denuclearisation" of North Korea is still possible by the end of Trump's first term. Kim released his first public message since the Hanoi summit on Saturday earlier this week, instructing propaganda officials to conduct "positive information" activities to spur scientific and technological development, according to a Saturday report by North Korean state media outlet KCNA. Chaudhry Hakam Deen has a bunker -- a cold, damp hole dug in the ground -- next to his home where he and his family have often taken refuge amid soaring tensions with India. Spending the night inside, he said, "feels like sitting in a graveyard". The shelter dates from the Kargil conflict, a skirmish between India and Pakistan in disputed Kashmir in 1999. Twenty years later, the nuclear-armed neighbours are again at loggerheads. The latest crisis was sparked by a February 14 suicide bombing in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 40 Indian paramilitaries, and was claimed by a Pakistan-based militant group. In its aftermath, New Delhi and Islamabad launched tit-for-tat air strikes on each other's territory, igniting fears of fresh conflict in South Asia. The nuclear-armed neighbours regularly send shells and gunfire across the de facto border in Kashmir, known as the Line of Control, or LoC. But as they stumbled to the brink of war in recent weeks, there was a surge in the already-heavy firing, and families such as Deen's found the bunkers a miserable refuge. Deen's shelter, a stone's throw from his house in the village of Dhanna some five kilometres (three miles) from the LoC, is as tiny as it is uncomfortable: just four feet (one metre) long and three feet wide. Most adults cannot stand beneath its low ceiling, forced to sit or squat on cardboard or carpets, huddled around a mud stove whose smoke makes the inhabitants cough. "When shelling starts we take our children... inside the bunker," Deen says, looking down. "They don't have strength in their legs to even walk to the bunker, they don't eat anything inside out of fear," he adds. For his older brother Chaudhry Maqbool, being in the bunker is worse than just being in a cemetery: it feels like sitting in a grave itself. The white and blue walls of Deen's home are studded with holes, some the size of a fist. One shell landed in his kitchen, while another broke an outside door. He has piled sandbags at the entrance to his bunker. But in the event of an explosion, the packed earth walls and the roof of branches and plastic sheets may not be enough to protect those huddled inside. - 'Valley of fear' - Several civilians and soldiers died in the recent shelling on both sides of the LoC. In Dhanna, the shelling was so intense that most of the 2,000 villagers fled. Only a handful stayed to protect their property. An AFP correspondent saw a dozen houses, a health centre and a service station that had been hit by the Indian strikes. The women and children of Deen's family were finally evacuated to the nearby town of Kotli, which was less exposed. Tensions may have eased for now, but overall the shelling has increased dramatically since 2016, and locals fear worse is to come. "This is a valley of fear. Life is at a standstill here," said Sardar Javed, a local journalist. "When people hear a sound they become nervous. They don't know what will happen to them the next moment." Another resident, Ulfat Bibi, simply fortified her house, reinforcing the thickness of the walls and ceiling. Still, the grandmother in her 50s says, each time the shelling begins it feels like the "world has come to an end". She and her family cannot flee, however, for fear of losing their two buffalo -- their only assets. At Bibi's side, her 35-year-old daughter-in-law, Jameela Akhtar, is holding her two children, aged two and five. Their eyes look into the distance, and they appear afraid. They "are so terrified that they have become psychotic", their mother says. The second round table on the Moroccan Sahara is scheduled to be held in Geneva March 21 and 22, under the aegis of the personal envoy of the UN Secretary General, Horst Kohler, reported this Friday, the Moroccan news website le360, quoting concurring sources. According to these corroborative sources, Hosrt Kohler has informed the parties to these talks, namely Morocco, Algeria, the Polisario and Mauritania, of these dates. The parties have separately agreed to meet at the Palais des Nations in Geneva on March 21 and 22, the sources said. The UN Secretary Generals personal envoy had met separately the delegations of Morocco (FM Nasser Bourita, February 27 and 28 in Paris), of Algeria (FM Abdelkader Messahel, March 2 in Frankfurt) and that of the separatist front (Khatri Adouh), Le360 recalled. In Paris, the Moroccan delegation included, besides the Foreign Minister, the chairman of the Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra Region Council, Hamdi Ould Errachid, and the president of the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region, Ynja El Khattat. According to Le360 sources, the separate informal meetings were part of the talks led by the UN envoy to prepare the second round of the quadripartite talks. The first round table meeting took place on 5 and 6 December 2018 in Geneva. At the end of these talks, Morocco conditioned its participation in Geneva II with the imperative to move the lines, in accordance with resolution 2440 adopted at the end of October 2018 by a majority of the 15 members of the Security Council, putting forward the need to find a realistic and achievable political solution to the dispute. The resolution had also hailed the relevance, seriousness and credibility of the Moroccan autonomy initiative. With one week to go before Slovakia's presidential election, environmental lawyer and government critic Zuzana Caputova has emerged as the clear favourite with a considerable edge over her main rival, government-backed EU commissioner Maros Sefcovic. The vote will take place a year after the murder of investigative journalist Jan Kuciak plunged the EU member into crisis, raising concerns about media freedom and corruption and sparking mass anti-government protests. Then prime minister Robert Fico was forced to resign although he remains the leader of the ruling party and is a close ally of current premier Peter Pellegrini. A 45-year-old divorced mother of two and deputy chairman of the non-parliamentary Progressive Slovakia party, Caputova told AFP that "people are calling for change." She said that as president she would "help this country move forward to become a more fair and just society." "After the murder of Jan Kuciak it turned out that investigative journalists were right about our country not always working equitably," added the 2016 recipient of the Goldman Environmental Prize, which is considered the world's top award for grassroots environmental activism. Slovakia's three main bookmakers on Friday predicted that Caputova will win round one of the vote, to be held March 16 -- echoing opinion polls that showed her with a wide lead. Caputova had 52.9 percent support compared to Sefcovic's 16.7 percent according to a survey last week by the AKO agency, the last poll before a two-week moratorium. Another survey by the Focus institute gave Caputova 44.8 percent and Sefcovic 22.1 percent. Despite her wide lead, Caputova is unlikely to win the entire election in one round since she would need to secure backing from 50 percent of all eligible voters and the turnout is expected to be around 60 percent. A run-off between the top two candidates is scheduled for March 30 in the eurozone country of 5.4 million people. Pope Francis will pay a visit to Morocco on March 30-31 during which he will meet King Mohammed VI, visit many churches and meet migrants. The visit comes at the invitation from King Mohammed VI, Commander of the Faithful. This is the second time a Pope visits the majority-Muslim North African country since 1985. Morocco stands out in the region as a country where Muslims, Jews and Christians are free to practice their faith unrestricted. This is a chance to promote inter-religious dialogue and advocate understanding between the faithful of the religions as well as the values of peace and tolerance, said a priest who was presenting the agenda of the visit at a news conference in Casablanca. One of the main highlights of the trip to Rabat will be a direct meeting with the Moroccan people from the yard of Hassan mosque where the Pope will address the crowds before standing for a moment of silent contemplation at the grave of late Kings Hassan II and his father Mohammed V. A visit to the Mohammed VI Institute for the Training of Imams for meetings with Islamic counsellors and imams is also on the Popes agenda. The Pope will also show support to charities, including Caritas, which has been lending support to migrants mostly from Sub-Saharan Africa. According to archbishops of Morocco, there are some 30,000 Catholics in Morocco most of whom from Sub-Saharan Africa. The Pope will also hold a prayer at a covered stadium in Rabat, which will be broadcasted live across the globe. Relatedly, Director General of the Rabat-based Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) Abdulaziz Othman Altwaijri described the visit of Pope Francis to Morocco as an important historic event with a deep meaning. Morocco, an ISESCO member, is a country where tolerance and respect for religious and cultural diversity prevail, he said in a statement. This visit comes in a context marked by rapid mutations and the succession of regional and international events that threaten world peace and security and hamper international efforts to foster dialogue between cultures, alliance between civilizations, coexistence among believers and the promotion of the values of tolerance and mutual respect, Othman Altwaijri added. The ISESCO Chief underlined that cooperation among the followers of different religions is needed to strengthen the bases of world peace and security and to fight religious hatred and extremism. Get More Employee of the Month Slate Plus members get extended, ad-free versions of our podcastsand much more. Sign up today. Join Slate Plus Subscribe to Employee of the Month Copy this link and add it in your podcast app. copy link copied! For detailed instructions, see our Slate Plus podcasts page. After making her stand-up debut in D.C., Aparna Nancherla quickly became a comedy darling in Los Angeles and New York, writing for FXs Totally Biased With W. Kamau Bell and NBCs Late Night With Seth Meyers. She also became a welcome fixture in New Yorks competitive stand-up scene, thanks to her smart and self-aware one-liners. When she opened up about her own anxiety and depression, more fans flocked. As a writer and actor, she has worked on HBOs Crashing, Comedy Centrals Corporate, and Netflixs BoJack Horseman. Now shes eager to explore new terrain in her next stand-up special, but worries what fans and Hollywood will think. In her conversation with Catie Lazarus, Nancherla talks about the solitary nature of stand-up performing and writing, the toll it takes to regularly joke about anxiety, and how to say no to too much work. Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Theme song by Lady Rizzo. When it comes to 90s-era Star Trek series, Voyager doesnt always get its due, maybe because it couldnt quite live up to the high standard set by The Next Generation or because it lacked the gravitas and daring of Deep Space Nine. (Or maybe its just because were all trying to avoid thinking too hard about the events of Threshold.) Still, Voyager stayed true to Star Treks overarching spirit of exploration and cooperation, forcing two very different groups of people to work together to survive and testing the characters utopian ideals by stranding them far from the safety of the Federation. Plus, the series was the first in the franchise to be led by a female captain, Kathryn Janeway, played by the dynamic Kate Mulgrew. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The shows lasting influence can be felt in two stories from this week about prominent Democratic politicians, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Stacey Abrams, both of whom are fans of Voyager and, in particular, its lead character. The first surprise nod to Trek in the political sphere this week came from the Daily Mails unexpectedly wholesome interview with Blanca Ocasio-Cortez, who described how Voyager became a portent of her daughters future success. One of the last things she did with her dad before he died was sit with him and watch a Star Trek: Voyager episode on TV, Blanca explained. In one scene, Captain Janeway (a character played by Kate Mulgrew) appears and my husband, who could no longer talk, pointed at the captain then at Alexandria, and back and forth, to say to her he thought shed be like Captain Janeway one day, someone in charge. Advertisement Advertisement Years later, Mulgrew showed up at one of Ocasio-Cortezs campaign rallies, apparently without warning, to endorse her candidacy and give her a communicator. What an amazing woman! I urge NYs 14th Congressional District to #vote for @Ocasio2018 and make history! We need more candidates like Alexandria. #BlueWave2018 (Do you like our #startrek badges?) pic.twitter.com/70IvVtTcJN Kate Mulgrew (@TheKateMulgrew) November 3, 2018 Advertisement Advertisement The other Voyager shoutout appeared in the New York Times on Thursday in a story with the headline Stacey Abrams, Star Trek Nerd, Is Traveling at Warp Speed. In quotes from a previously unpublished interview from last summer, the former Georgia gubernatorial candidate says that while The Next Generation is her favorite series, she reveres Admiral Janeway. She also shows off her good taste in Trek by picking a Voyager episode, Shattered, as a favorite. Its a deep enough cut that it doesnt usually make the Top 10 lists, but it is still a well-respected time travel episode and one thats more rewarding to diehard Trekkies rather than casual viewers. 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. Im no political strategist, but the 2020 presidential candidates should strongly consider Theres coffee in that nebula as a campaign slogan. How are you feeling about the future? Thats the question Brett Story poses to the people in her documentary The Hottest Augustand given that the film was shot in the summer of 2017 in New York City, the answers dont tend to be especially upbeat. The specter of climate change looms over the film, as does (oh right) the crumbling of American democracy, but its something that hangs in the air rather than being talked about directly, like an unpleasant family secret no one wants to bring up. After the films premiere at the True/False Film Festival last week, Story described the movie as being almost like a soil sample, pushing through the surface to examine what lies underneath. (The film also plays SXSW beginning Friday night.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Story has a doctorate in geography, and she approaches her subjectssome of whom recur throughout the movie, some of whom are glimpsed only oncelike shes mapping terrain, moving forward inch by inch and accreting detail rather than forcing big-picture generalizations. Her previous movie, The Prison in 12 Landscapes, took the view from 10,000 feet, tracing how the ripples of mass incarceration have spread into every aspect of American life (a radio station that sends out dedications to inmates, a small business that specializes in assembling care packages that meet prisons strict and ever-shifting specifications). The Hottest August gets up close, as Story and her crew spent a month roaming the city, from midtown to the Rockaways (or, as one of her chattier subjects calls it, Rockapulco). Advertisement Advertisement The narration, which is often by actress Clare Coulter, styles Story as a stranger, and not just because shes Canadianthe whole film is informed by strangeness, an almost alien curiosity. Theres a touch of the subtle sci-fi of Chris Marker, whose Le Joli Mai Story has cited as a primary inspiration, but where his essay films tend to push toward conclusions, The Hottest August just floats, like a breeze blowing through peoples lives and back out onto the street. Theres no website to click at the end, no easy plan of action, just the sense that something is coming, and we know it, and were still not ready. Advertisement The Hottest August is, by its very nature, unsummarizable. (Not even the title helps: August 2016 was the hottest on record, but the month the film was shot fell short of the mark, although the last five Augusts are the five warmest on record.) Edited by Nels Bangerter, who also edited Cameraperson and Let the Fire Burn, it moves with the logic of a found-footage film, making associative leaps so that every cut sparks a thought, and often a jolt of pleasure as well; theres a rightness to the ways its images fall together, even though its not always easy to articulate as youre watching why the fit feels snug. We move from a young black woman, working in a call center as she makes her way through school, talking about her entrepreneurial future to a white working-class couple sitting outside their garage, their rhetoric about undesirable elements making their neighborhood less safe growing less comfortable by the word. (The ex-cops at a Staten Island bar who used to work Bed-Stuy could have come right out of Do the Right Thing.) Because the movies method relies largely on chance meetings, the encounters dont often intersect with the citys moneyed classes, but then theyre the ones whose lives are least likely to undergo upheaval in the years to come, unlike the women standing outside the ruins of houses destroyed by Hurricane Sandy, yet confident the proposed seawall at the end of their block will protect them from future calamities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. True/False ended with Room H.264, the latest iteration of a project by Jeff Reichert, Damon Smith, and Eric Hynes in which filmmakers are posed the question from Wim Wenders documentary Room 666: Essentially, is cinema dying? The answers, some of them given through actions instead of wordsvideo artist Deborah Stratman took the camera off its tripod and ran into the stairwellwere, in their range and inventiveness, characteristic of the festivals hothouse ferment, but Storys segment was quiet and concise, punctuated with just a hint of a smile. It might be that were killing it, or thats its slowly dying because were reducing it to its numbest form, but I dont think that has to be, she said. I think cinema is the language of light refracted through the imagination, and the delight in images that move and sounds that enliven. Soits on us to keep it alive. Even face to face with a bleak future, The Hottest August is steeped in that kind of delight, the kind that reminds us that theres beauty in the world, and a future thats worth fighting for. Adnan Syed, whose murder trial and subsequent conviction were the subject of the hit podcast Serial, is not getting a new opportunity to prove his innocence in court. Marylands highest court on Friday reversed a decision from last year and reinstated Syeds conviction for the killing of Hae Min Lee in 1999. Although the Maryland Court of Appeals agreed that Syed received a deficient performance from his attorney but decided that ultimately the evidence still pointed to his guilt and there was no reason to believe the outcome of the trial would be different. Considering the totality of the evidence against Syed, there was not a significant or substantial possibility that the jury would have reached a different verdict had his trial counsel presented the alibi witness, the court of appeals majority opinion said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Syed has been serving a life sentence since 2000, when he was convicted of killing his 17-year-old ex-girlfriend in 1999. Syed has always claimed he was innocent of killing Hae Min Lee, whose body was found in a shallow grave. We are devastated by the Court of Appeals decision, but we will not give up on Adnan Syed, defense lawyer Justin Brown said in a statement. Unfortunately we live in a binary criminal justice system in which you either win or you lose. Today we lost by a 4-3 vote. Here is my comment on today's ruling from the Maryland Court of Appeals https://t.co/oxPuRYW5kh Justin Brown (@CJBrownLaw) March 8, 2019 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Syed had argued his lawyer had hurt his case in two separate points. First, the lawyer never contacted a fellow student who said she saw Syed at a library around the time of the murder. And also, the lawyer failed to question an expert witness about the reliability of cell phone tower location evidence that was used to place Syed at the site where Lee was buried. The Maryland Court of Appeals said Syed never brought up that issue in an earlier appeal. The decision came shortly before HBO is scheduled to premiere a docuseries titled The Case Against Adnan Syed on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement The connections between President Donald Trump and the founder of a chain of Florida spas keeps getting stranger and stranger. Li Yang, the Trump donor who founded the spa where New England Patriots owner was caught and charged with soliciting prostitution, apparently had a side hustle that at least partly involved selling access to Trump and other top government officials. Li Yang ran an investment firm that had as one of its selling points the ability to gain access to top officials, reports Mother Jones. Advertisement The website for the company, which has since been taken down, advertised activities for clients that included the opportunity to interact with the president and members of his family. The website included lots of pictures that claimed to show Yangs clients in Mar-a-Lago. The website for GY US Investments LLC was mostly in Chinese and described the firm as an international business consulting firm that provides public relations services to assist businesses in America to establish and expand their brand image in the modern Chinese marketplace. The company also specifically said it has arranged taking photos with the president. The biography page on the now-defunct website says Yang is part of the Presidential Fundraising Committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yang, a registered Republican who has donated more than $42,000 to a Trump political action committee and more than $16,000 to his campaign, no longer owns the spa where Kraft was busted. But she is coming under scrutiny after the Miami Herald revealed a photo that showed she had attended a Super Bowl viewing party with the president at Trumps West Palm Beach country club. Her Facebook page, which has also been taken down, showed Yang posing with several big-name Republicans. The Herald reported that the chain of spa Yang still owns have gained a reputation for offering sexual services. Yang has denied any wrongdoing. The cost of doing business: The staggeringly short 47-month sentence Paul Manafort received yesterday for bank fraud and cheating on his taxes is an appalling display of leniency for a powerful man, writes Dahlia Lithwick. But shes not shocked. The judges willingness to forgive Manaforts misconduct as essentially two shades griftier than the glittering path of the American dream is the same impulse that allows millions of Americans to give Trump a pass. Bust em: Sen. Elizabeth Warren laid out an ambitious plan today to break up Facebook, Google, and Amazon, detailing how, as president, she would leverage antitrust law again Big Tech. Its an admirable goal, April Glaser reports, but Silicon Valley is going to put up a fight. Advertisement Everyone always knew: Throughout his career, Michael Jacksons increasingly controversial public persona made for plentiful comedic fodderand the jokes only grew darker as time progressed and more harrowing allegations were made. Sam Adams looked back at decades worth of TV and stand-up jokes made about Jacksonby institutions like SNL and figures like Jay Leno and Dave Chappelleto re-examine what was in front of us the entire time. Deeper: That one song from A Star Is Born finally hit No. 1 on the Billboard 100. But it was released nine months ago, writes Chris Molanphy, so how is it only now topping the charts? According to him, it is because of a little golden man, but maybe not in the way you might expect. For fun: A familys struggle with Momo. If you or a loved one Nitish President Donald Trump traveled to Alabama on Friday to comfort those who had been devastated by the tornado outbreak last weekend that killed 23 people. During the trip, the president raised eyebrows for what appeared to be an unusual gesture, as he signed some Bibles. He didnt do this out of the blue though. It seems a 12-year-old boy got the ball rolling when he handed Trump his Bible and asked him to sign it at a Southern Baptist church in Opelika. A 10-year-old also asked him to sign her Bible. He doesnt appear to have been the only one. Video posted online seems to show first lady Melania Trump also signing Bibles. Advertisement Heres President Trump signing Bibles for Alabama tornado survivors pic.twitter.com/cOYghebZtV NowThis (@nowthisnews) March 8, 2019 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The critics immediately pounced, with some pointing out that the only person who usually signs a book is the author. Others called it offensive for someone to sign their own name on a Bible. Growing up in a religious home, it wouldve been seen as blasphemous as having someone signing your own name, Jamie Aten, an evangelical and psychologist at Wheaton College, told the Washington Post. Maybe you penned your own name so people knew it was yours, he added. Ive never seen anything like it. Advertisement Advertisement In Trumps defense, he wrote as much of the Bible as Art of The Deal https://t.co/BsR6pTkaxK Judd Legum (@JuddLegum) March 8, 2019 Atten may have been shocked by the move, but it isnt as odd as you might think. The Post talked to Peter Manseau, the Smithsonians curator of religion, who said many past presidents have signed Bibles, including President Barack Obama. And its not like Trump was handing out stacks of signed bibles, but rather, he was doing what some people asked of him. Presidents seem to sign a lot of random things put in front of them, Manseau added. Advertisement President Trump is signing bibles for volunteers and survivors at a Baptist church in Alabama. pic.twitter.com/9b8VfyZiKF Josh Dawsey (@jdawsey1) March 8, 2019 Advertisement Advertisement The move was also very on-brand, notes the New York Times, considering Trumps appeal with evangelicals. A pastor who is a prominent Trump supporter said the signings were very appropriate, and that people ask him to sign their Bibles all the time. It isnt just presidents; other stars in the evangelical world are also often asked to signed Bibles, such as Tim Tebow. Beyond the act itself though, many pointed out that what seemed particularly strange wasnt just that Trump signed the bibles but that he chose to add his massive signature to the covers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ilhan Omar. Photo: Alex Edelman/Bloomberg via Getty Images Whatever you think of Ilhan Omar, you have to admit shes fearless. In an interview with Politicos Tim Alberta, the freshman Democratic representative from Minnesota criticized the insufficiencies of Barack Obamas hope and change, pointing to the former presidents caging of kids at the border and his droning of countries around the world as proof. We cant be only upset with Trump, she said. His policies are bad, but many of the people who came before him also had really bad policies. They just were more polished than he was. And thats not what we should be looking for anymore. We dont want anybody to get away with murder because they are polished. We want to recognize the actual policies that are behind the pretty face and the smile. Its one of the bolder criticisms a Democrat has leveled at Obama, and its even more remarkable considering the source. The Minnesota representative has just staved off censure from her own party, the latest development in a saga that began last week when she decried political influence in this country that says it is okay to push for allegiance to a foreign country Some interpreted this as a remark aimed at Jews, while others felt she was referring to pro-Israel lobbyists. Last month Omar, a Muslim and the first person in Congress to wear a hijab, deleted a tweet characterizing the decidedly pro-Israel posture of U.S. lawmakers as being all about the Benjamins. She later apologized, though she remained critical of the problematic role of lobbyists in our politics, including AIPAC. The outrage over Omars tweet was as swift as it was loud. Much of it came from within the Democratic Party, and it often proved her point; on Twitter, Representative Juan Vargas declared that questioning support for the U.S.-Israel relationship is unacceptable. After progressive backlash, the party amended a planned resolution condemning anti-Semitism to address other forms of hatred, too. Omar voted for it, which should have ended the controversy. Omars remarks to Politico wont revive the anti-Semitism debate. But theyve already earned her more criticism, and could provoke more comparisons likening Omar, and the other members of her left-wing, freshman squad, to a sort of progressive tea party. Alberta raises this possibility in his piece and says Omar herself embraces the comparison, though there are, as he notes, major philosophical differences between Omar, or Rashida Tlaib or Ayanna Pressley, and the right-wing Republicans who upended the GOP establishment when they were elected to Congress in the 2010 midterms. A Democrat who wants Medicare for All has little in common, ideologically, with a Republican who wants government so small he can drown it in a bathtub. Tea Party Republicans wanted to take their partys professed abhorrence of big government to its most extreme conclusions, by slashing the federal food stamp budget down to its bones and implementing impossibly deep spending cuts. The Democratic Partys unfiltered newcomers, by contrast, are deeply concerned by the gap between the partys legacy, and its moral obligations to its base. But it is true that both groups share a purifying instinct. A critical re-examination of Obamas record is inevitable; in fact, its probably overdue. Omars latest point, about the darker aspects of his presidency, should be uncontroversial. The congresswoman taped her own interview with Politico, and though the recording she released after the publication of the piece doesnt substantively change her quotes, it does capture her saying that what is happening now is very different, a clear distinction between the Obama and Trump presidencies. Nor did she conflate the Democratic Party, categorically, with the GOP. (Though shes a new face on the national stage, Omar has been involved with her state Democratic Party for years.) Instead, she accurately pointed out that Obama authorized drone strikes overseas and detained unaccompanied minors at the border in chain-link cages, and that these policies that did not provoke a proportional amount of outrage from Democrats because of Obamas personal charisma. If Omar truly believes that the Democratic Party has perpetrated the status quo, as Alberta put it, its not difficult to understand how shed reached that conclusion. Obama inherited that droning campaign from his Republican predecessor, George W. Bush. Despite promises to the contrary, Obama didnt close the Guantanamo Bay detention camp and he, like Bush, kept troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Omar is a Somali-American and a former refugee. The most recent Democratic presidents Middle East and immigration policies are probably of more immediate and personal interest to her than they are to many of her colleagues. Despite professing to be the party more sympathetic to her concerns, the Democratic Party has failed individuals like her in certain specific ways. And she has this in common with other members of the new congressional class. Tlaib, a Palestinian-American Muslim, has endorsed the Boycott, Divest, and Sanctions movement targeting Israeli goods; so has Omar, which puts them both firmly on one side of a widening intraparty divide over the American relationship with Israel. This generational insurgency isnt limited to foreign policy. When the 29-year-old Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez assails her party for the pace of its proposed climate change solutions, she speaks as a member of a generation for whom the issue is of pressing urgency. According to one Gallup poll, 75 percent of Americans ages 18 to 34 said they worried either a great deal or a fair amount about climate change; that figure dropped to 56 percent among Americans aged 55 or older. Young Americans just entering public office have grown up with a Democratic Party that admitted the reality of climate change, but largely failed to advance ambitious solutions during its moments in power. The political commitments that hampered the partys response to climate change undermined its stated commitment to working people, too. The leftward economic bent of Omars squad is hardly universal within the partys freshman class, but its not an anomaly. Its origins are legible, and trace back to real, substantive issues. The Democratic Party has indeed changed. Medicare for All is no longer such a fringe cause. Support for a $15 minimum wage is more widespread, and leading Democrats like Elizabeth Warren are becoming ever more critical of corporate monopolies that help drive inequality. But these are relatively recent developments. The Democratic Party thus ought to brace itself for future Omars: members shaped by an illegal war in Iraq and a grievous recession. Members who embraced Obamas message of hope and change, and who then built political identities out of the wreckage of their disappointments. Democrats like Omar arent nihilists. They have taken a great chance on the party and its capacity for self-reflection. Time will tell us if they were right to do so. Robert Gilpin, R.I.P. - The Washington Post : His greatest book was written in 1981, but the main theory in it is perhaps more trenchant now... 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. Woodbine Mohawk Park celebrated International Womens Day on Friday night (March 8) by highlighting the contributions of women to the sport of harness racing throughout the program. Woodbines award-winning broadcast department produced a special video tribute to the women of harness racing which aired on Fridays simulcast show and can be viewed below. Woodbine racing analyst Dawn Lupul was featured behind the mic calling the evening's 10 races while Woodbine Mohawk Park President Jessica Buckley also joined the broadcast and spoke about the talented women in the sport. "There are so many capable women in racing," said Buckley in an interview with Jason Portuondo. "It is a sport where women and men can compete on an equal playing field on the track, and there's so many women involved in racing as far as breeding goes and training and caretakers and lots of people that work in the business of racing as well, so it's a great night to celebrate." The evening's second race winner Birch Island Betty was joined in the winner's circle by female industry participants to celebrate International Womens Day. In the top fillies and mares class, Double A Mint closed off cover to defeat stablemate Sandbetweenurtoes and Jan as the 3-5 favourite in 1:53.1. Louis-Philippe Roy drove the four-year-old Bettors Delight-Double Creme mare, who earned her third Preferred win in a row for trainer Richard Moreau and owner Adriano Sorella. To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park. Participants and politicians from the Peterborough area have commented on the directive from Ontario Racing to cease making administration payments to the Ontario Harness Horse Association (OHHA) at the end of this month. Ontario Racing announced last month that it will stop funding OHHA, representing some 2,600 harness racing industry participants, as of March 31. At that time, Ontario Racing (OR) stated its organization will only recognize the Central Ontario Standardbred Association (COSA), already a member of OR. Due to its opposition of certain terms included in the long-term funding agreement created by the previous Ontario government, OHHA has thus far refused to join OR. OHHA receives funding from OR through purse deductions that the organization uses to administer member benefits, insurance and RRSPs. The agreement allows for racetracks and organizations to sign on and agree to terms up until April 1, 2019. As of press time, three Standardbred racetracks -- Kawartha Downs, Leamington Raceway and Hiawatha Horse Park -- have not signed on. These three tracks are currently operating on two-year funding agreements. According to local trainer and OHHA rep Dave Gibson, OHHA has represented Peterborough-area horsepeople for six decades and he's backing OHHA's fight for survival. "OHHA fought to keep our industry alive following the cancellation of the Slots at Racetracks Program," Gibson told the Peterborough Examiner. "OHHA fought alongside local horsepeople to keep Kawartha Downs open when we were all but abandoned by the previous government. I can't imagine where we'd be without OHHA." OHHA General Manager Brian Tropea stated that his organization has already reached out to government in attempt to save the horsemen's group. "We're here to stay and have begun working with the government to solve this," Tropea said. "We're continuing to manage benefits and to provide representation to standardbred horsepeople in Ontario. We are asking our supporters to renew their memberships and not to join Ontario Racing's chosen horsepeople's group while we fight to reverse this decision." The Hon. Laurie Scott, Ontario's current Minister of Labour and MPP for Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock MPP Laurie Scott is aware of the situation and encouraged more dialogue between the parties. "I encourage all parties to sit down in order to develop a workable solution," Scott told The Examiner. "Our government remains committed to the success of the horse racing industry across the province." In response to the OHHA statements, Ontario Racing executive director Katherine Curry issued the following statement to The Examiner. "Standardbred racing in the Peterborough area has a long and storied history and we'd welcome Kawartha Downs as a member track of Ontario Racing," Curry stated. "The Standardbred horsepeople are represented in Ontario Racing by the Central Ontario Standardbred Association (COSA). Ontario Racing has directed funding to COSA, which has opened up its membership to horsepeople throughout the province to ensure no horseperson in the province will be without benefits. "Ontario Racing has met with the Ontario Harness Horse Association to exchange views on how the industry can best move forward." Professor David Reilly from the School of Physics and Microsoft Quantum Laboratory. The NSW Government has announced support for the establishment of a new Sydney Quantum Academy with $15.4 million in funding, bringing together four leading universities in NSW. The Sydney Quantum Academy is the initiative of Macquarie University, UNSW Sydney, the University of Sydney and University of Technology Sydney. It will help train the next generation of engineers and scientists in quantum computing, cementing Sydneys place as the leading global city for quantum technology and ensuring NSW is a world centre for jobs in the emerging quantum economy. The funding, combined with current university and future industry support, means the total investment in the Sydney Quantum Academy will be up to $35 million. The Sydney Quantum Academy will develop the industry, attract talent and investment in Australia and internationally, and promote an understanding about quantum computing, simulation and software for local and global companies that want to use these emergent technologies. The Academy will: Encourage students to collaborate and train across the four universities; Directly link students to industry through internships and research; Support the development of quantum technology businesses; and Promote Sydney as a global leader in quantum computing. The four universities are already deeply involved in developing quantum technology, through the ARC Centre for Engineered Quantum Systems (EQUS) and the ARC Centre for Quantum Computation & Communication Technology (CQC2T) harnessing academic talent from all four institutions. In the past two years there has also been a flurry of commercial activity in quantum technology at the universities, with the establishment of Australias first quantum computing company, Silicon Quantum Computing, based at UNSW; the Microsoft Quantum Laboratory, based at the University of Sydney; and the foundation of Australias first venture-capital-backed quantum tech company, Q-CTRL, based at the University of Sydney. These companies are already providing dozens of high-tech jobs in quantum technology. Professor Michael Bremner, a Chief Investigator for CQC2T and a member of the Centre for Quantum Software and Information at UTS, said: Sydney has an incredibly strong quantum computing community, with deep expertise across all areas from the physics of qubit fabrication all the way through to software and application development. The Sydney Quantum Academy will help to cement Sydney as the worlds premier destination for quantum computing education, research and commercial development. Professor David Reilly holds a joint position as a Chief Investigator for EQUS at the University of Sydney and as Director of the Microsoft Quantum Laboratory. He said: This announcement shows that quantum technology is moving out of the laboratory and into practical application. Already at Microsoft Quantum in Sydney we have dozens of people employed in new, high-tech jobs. But we will need hundreds, if not thousands, of trained quantum engineers to make the promise of quantum technology a reality. The Sydney Quantum Academy will help us achieve this vision. Laureate Fellow Professor Michelle Simmons, Director of CQC2T and a founding director of Silicon Quantum Computing from UNSW, said: This is emerging as a hot area. Its also a domain where the city of Sydney hosts some pretty extraordinary capability. This ramps things up a notch. Our UNSW spin-out, Silicon Quantum Computing, needs engineers and physicists with incredibly specialised skills in quantum science. Were hoping this initiative will help us to nurture them here in Sydney. Maria Kieferova is a PhD student at Macquarie University. She is developing algorithms that will be needed to solve real-world problems on future quantum devices. She said: I hope that the Academy will give rise to quantum companies in NSW that will offer industry research positions as an alternative to an academic career. This commitment from the NSW Government will help to ensure that our city will emerge as a global leader in a technology that has promise to redefine the 21st century, said a statement from the four institutions. We are thrilled that our four universities in Sydney are joining forces with the emerging commercial quantum ecosystem to develop the talent and jobs that will be foundational for a new quantum industry in Australia. Wisdom of the Crowd: 58% of the respondents said that Ho Ching is not likely to be the next president of Singapore. https://tklcloud.com/C... Erik Prince. Photo: Al Jazeera English On Friday, Erik Prince, the brother of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and the founder of the notorious private security and/or mercenary firm Blackwater, sat for an interview with Mehdi Hasan for Al Jazeera Englishs Head to Head. In front of a live audience at the Oxford Union, Hasan manages to get Prince to admit he met at Trump Tower in August 2016 with Stephen Miller, George Nader a former Blackwater colleague and Saudi back-channel contact and Donald Trump Jr. Its a detail that Prince failed to mention when he spoke to the Republican-controlled House Intelligence Committee last year, and one that he fumbles over repeatedly, when Hasan asks him why he did not bring it up during his testimony: Erik Prince responds that the U.S. Congress got the transcript wrong when asked why he didnt tell the House Intel Committee about an Aug 2016 meeting he attended at Trump Tower. @Mehdirhasan goes 'head to head' with Erik Prince NOW @AJEnglish. pic.twitter.com/VCB7HKdyjT Head to Head (@AJHeadtoHead) March 8, 2019 I dont know if they got the transcript wrong is, to say the least, an unconvincing answer. Later in the interview, he tries a similar angle, claiming that not all of the discussion that day was transcribed. Al Jazeera states that Princes comments are the first public acknowledgement of the meeting from any of its reported attendees, and the first time its been publicly stated that the meeting was about Iran policy. That summer, Nader was reportedly pushing an option to destabilize Iran via private contractors like Blackwater which changed its name to Academi in 2011. Prince makes another brief appearance in the broader Trump-Russia collusion narrative. In January 2017, he met in the Seychelles with Kirill Dmitriev, who runs the Russian Direct Investment Fund, a sovereign wealth fund of more than $10 billion hit by U.S. sanctions after the annexation of Crimea. Prince has said that the pair spent half an hour talking oil and commodity prices, and in a 2017 interview with CNN, he described Dmitriev as some fund manager whose name he couldnt remember. But federal investigators may see the meeting in a different light: It was believed to have been brokered by the UAE, and could have been one of the first in a series of attempts to establish a back channel between Trump and Putin. In the interview with Mehdi Hasan, Prince continued to downplay the Seychelles contact, saying that it lasted one beer. But that lines efficacy may soon run out: Princes name was listed by the House Judiciary among the 81 agencies, individuals, and other entities tied to the president that the Democratically controlled committee intends to interview. Cindy Yang and President Trump in a photo signed by Trump, which Yang posted on Facebook. Photo: Facebook/Screencap via The Miami Herald The woman who founded the Florida spa where police allege Patriots owner Robert Kraft solicited prostitution appears to have also sold access to the president, according to investigations by the Miami Herald and Mother Jones. The reports not only raise another red flag about how political influence has been monetized during the Trump presidency, but provide new evidence of how Trump-branded properties have become magnets for corruption and grift and may soon lead to new investigations into what may have been illegal campaign donations to Trump and the RNC. Who Is Cindy Yang? At the center of this developing story is Cindy (Li) Yang, a 45-year-old entrepreneur and naturalized U.S. citizen from China who started fundraising for Trump in 2017. Yang and her family members founded a chain of Asian day spas in Florida, mostly under the Tokyo Day Spa brand. One of the spas Yang founded but later sold was the Orchids of Asia spa in Jupiter, Florida, where police say they filmed billionaire Robert Kraft paying for oral sex in late January as part of a multi-agency law-enforcement operation targeting human trafficking at spas in the state. Ten Asian day spas were ultimately raided and shut down as a result of that investigation, but Orchids of Asia was the only one associated with Yang. According to the Miami Herald, there is no indication that Yang was implicated in the sting. However, the Herald reports that many of the day spas she and her family have owned and operated, including the location which later became Orchids of Asia, at the time Yang still ran it, have earned reputations as so-called rub-and-tug parlors, where sexual services are sold to clients in addition to massage. Yang and her family members have opened at least six day spas as well as a massage school and several nail salons all in Palm Beach and Broward counties. The familys Tokyo Day Spa branches have attracted the attention of at least two local police agencies over allegations of prostitution, and are discussed online as places where men can pay for sexual extras, the Herald reported on Friday. The publication dug through Yelp and websites aimed at would-be patrons of rub-and-tug businesses, and noted allegations from former employees and customers: Online ads on obscure websites also raise flags about Yangs businesses. In an ad written in Chinese recruiting masseuses, Yang stated that anyone over the age of 45 need not apply. Phone numbers associated with members of the Yang family are connected to various apparently old online advertisements for more explicit sex services. The Herald reported on Friday that Yang denied that she or her family members had done anything illegal, but did not respond when asked whether they were aware of allegations that sexual services were being sold at their businesses. She also said she wanted to avoid negative press ahead of her upcoming move to Washington. From massage to MAGA If there is any evidence that Cindy Yang had an interest in politics before the 2016 presidential race, the Miami Herald couldnt find it. She hadnt voted in ten years, but then seemed to undergo some kind of political awakening. She made some small donations to Jeb Bushs presidential campaign in 2015 and talked about starting a new life in a Facebook post from a GOP womens event in 2016. But then, she started posting more and more about politics on social media as the general election played out. She also removed her name from the business records of the spas she founded, and had founded what the Herald characterized as a disorganized charity called the Overseas International Female Organization. Within a year of Trumps election, Yang was deep in the MAGA muck. She had been to Trumps inauguration, a fancy New York fundraiser, an elite lunch at Mar-a-Lago, and she had started fundraising for the president. She had also started amassing a large collection of photos of herself with Trump, Trump family members, Trump administration officials, Republican lawmakers, and conservative personalities. And still more. Here are photos of Cindy (Li) Yang with Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao and another of Chao with Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, both members of President Trump's cabinet. https://t.co/xrqjKVlL2n pic.twitter.com/hd2EMeJwck Christal Hayes (@Journo_Christal) March 9, 2019 Since 2017, Yang and family members have donated almost $60,000 to the Trump campaign and the Trump Victory super-PAC, and she has frequented Mar-a-Lago, where she recently took a selfie with the president during the clubs Super Bowl party. Shes also been to the White House, where she attended a meeting of Trumps Asian American and Pacific Islander Initiative in February 2018. She has apparently attended at least two other events hosted by the group in Washington, as well. Yangs Trumpmania may not have been all about MAGA, however, as she didnt just obtain access, but has tried to profit from it. Selling the presidential selfie in China A little more than a year after Trumps election, Yang and her husband started a consulting firm, GY US Investments, targeting Chinese businesses looking to expand their operations in the U.S. The companys website marketed Yangs connections to Trump, his administration, and his conservative allies. To prove that point, the site featured numerous photos of Yang posing with Trump, Trump family members, White House officials and various other Republicans and conservative personalities. Some more pics from Cindy (Li) Yang's consulting business site: Photo with President Trump, Trump's campaign manager Brad Parscale, Rep. Brian Mast and Adam Putnam, who was in the heat of campaigning for Florida governor at the time. https://t.co/xrqjKVlL2n pic.twitter.com/QExh7rcGFJ Christal Hayes (@Journo_Christal) March 9, 2019 According to Mother Jones, the overall message conveyed by the GY US Investments website seems clear: hire Yangs company and she can get you close to Trump and his government at Mar-a-Lago and in Washington. The GY site, which went offline after the Herald story broke but can still be seen in archived form, claimed that the firm had arranged attendance and photo opportunities for clients at the White Houses Asian New Year celebration in 2018, had gotten a number of guests into the annual New Years Eve bash at Mar-a-Lago this year, and teased more opportunities to come: The GY US Investments website lists upcoming events at Mar-a-Lago at which Yangs clients presumably can mingle with Trump or members of his family. This includes something called the International Leaders Elite Forum, where Trumps sister, Elizabeth Trump Grau, will supposedly be the featured speaker. Attendees, the site says, will include Chinese elites from various countries, including the US states, as well as elite leaders from Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Australia, Europe and other countries and regions. Another event for which Yangs firm says it can provide access is Trumps annual New Years celebration at Mar-a-Lago. Elsewhere on the website, the firm boasts that GY Company arranged a number of guests to attend the 2019 New Years Eve dinner. All the guests took photos with members of Trumps family. This page displays photos of Chinese executives and a Chinese movie star with Donald Trump Jr., suggesting that these pics were arranged by the company, and also includes a photo of Yang with Elizabeth Trump Grau. Coupled next to a photo of Mar-a-Lago, here's how Cindy Yang's business consulting website describes some of its services and how it can help you connect with President Trump and his cabinet: Story - https://t.co/xrqjKVlL2n pic.twitter.com/Jrl43Gwa6j Christal Hayes (@Journo_Christal) March 9, 2019 The first Trump event Yang may have sold access to was in late 2017. On Saturday, the Miami Herald reported that Yang had attended a fundraiser on December 7 at Cipriani New York, and was accompanied by a group of Chinese business executives. She said the foreigners were her guests, according to one of the attendees: In the 11 days before the event, Yang gave $5,400 to Trumps campaign and $23,500 to the Trump Victory political action committee, according to a Miami Herald analysis of federal political contributions. [Yang] also claimed to have arranged the presence of a large group of business people from mainland China. Nearly 100 of the 400 or so guests at the New York fundraiser were Chinese, according to Chinese-language media reports at the time. Even Trump noted the disproportion at the event, according to the Herald: The source who attended the party said the president joked that the Chinese guests got all the good seats and would be omnipresent at future events if his American friends in real estate didnt start donating more. The source said admission started at $2,700, and photos with the president were offered for $10,000. Ten days after the event, Yang and her husband registered GY US Investments as a company in Florida and began marketing her access. Yangs company is promoting an upcoming event at Mar-a-Lago featuring Trumps sister, Elizabeth Trump Grau. The co. bills it as a once-in-a-lifetime publicity opportunity where "Chinese elites" will have the chance to mingle with Trump Grau and members of Congress pic.twitter.com/5iCxZXqkVA Daniel Schulman (@DanielSchulman) March 9, 2019 Did Yang break the law? Its not yet clear. Since U.S. election law only allows American citizens and permanent residents to contribute money to a U.S. politician, foreigners can only attend political fundraisers if they do not pay their way in. If Yang paid for a foreign citizens ticket, but was reimbursed by them thus acting as a conduit for foreign donations that would be illegal. Mimi Rocah, a former federal prosecutor with the Southern District of New York, commented on Saturday that a law-enforcement investigation may now be an inevitability. She explained that there seemed to be a lot of potential criminal conduct in the reports, and the next step, she said, was to find out how and why Yang had access, predicting that, I see subpoenas in her future. Reached for comment about her businesses and Trump connections by the Miami Herald, Cindy Yang said she did not know the president personally or work for him, but has volunteered with the Trump campaign: I just come to some events. Theres nothing special, Yang said. Although she has claimed online to be a member of Trump clubs, she told the Herald she does not in fact belong to any. Is this a national security risk? Sam Vinograd, who served on President Obamas National Security Council, speculated on Saturday that it was very likely China, thanks to its counterintelligence strength, knew about Yangs access, and may have even directed it. Another national security expert, Lawfares Susan Hennessey made a similar point. On Sunday, Mother Jones reported that Yang was an officer in two groups with links to Chinas government, though stressed there was no evidence to suggest she was involved in espionage. According to the report, an online profile of Yang said she held senior roles in Florida local branches of the (American) Chinese Association of Science and Technology and the Council for the Promotion of the Peaceful Reunification of China (CPPRC). Both organizations have numerous U.S. chapters, and dont at all prove that Yang was some kind of government agent, but they are still organizations which are linked to Chinas Communist Party, and at least one, the CPPRC, is meant to help promote Chinese influence. Mother Jones also notes that Yang was once invited to attend a ceremony welcoming three warships as they docked in Florida an event which was also attended by Chinas ambassador to the U.S. and consul general. What about blackmail? Another potential security risk revolves around sex work that may have been performed at Yangs day spas, as well as their proximity to Trumps southern White House Mar-a-Lago. What if, as the Daily Beasts David Rothkopf loudly worried on Saturday, Trump or members of his inner circle have been customers at any of the spas operated by Yang and her family. Billionaire Trump friend Robert Kraft allegedly was. And billionaire Trump backer John Childs allegedly paid for sexual services at a different Asian day spa caught up in the same sting. You dont have to be a spy novelist to imagine the blackmail opportunities such a situation could create. There are no indications that any other Trumpworld figures were spa clients, but no one should be surprised if Trumps tabloid presidency gets somehow crazier, or sleazier. Is anyone else trying to sell White House access in China? Yang, of course, is only the latest specific example of the gold rush of influence seekers and peddlers who have tried to work their way into Trumps orbit since he was elected president. In the half-exploded ethical minefield of the Trump administration, concerns over executives and foreigners using Trump family businesses to gain access and influence within the White House have been repeatedly justified. Just this past week, ProPublica reported that a Mar-a-Lago member was able to get Trump to forward his personal policy idea to the head of the Veterans Administration hardly the first or last time that will happen before Trump leaves office. Just two weeks ago, Bolsonaro's son, a Congressman in Brazil, hung out at Mar-a-Lago where he celebrated @realDonaldTrump and said, "Build that wall! Brazilians are supporting you! Via @1100Penn: https://t.co/VNoooHQs1I https://t.co/rGvdDzsg8D Zach Everson (@Z_Everson) March 9, 2019 When it comes to obtaining access to Trump events, Yangs company has been just one of at least several options for interested parties in China. Last May, the Washington Post highlighted the rising number of well-off Chinese citizens who were attending Trump fundraisers. They reported that official-looking offer letters had made the rounds among wealthy businesspeople in China offering chances to meet Trump at a campaign fundraising event in Dallas for as much as $100,000. The Post even tracked down the source of that offer, and heard about tactics which seem somewhat similar to Yangs: In an interview with The Washington Post, a Beijing man who claims to be an organizer of the excursion to Dallas said he coordinated a previous U.S. trip, bringing members of the Chinese business elite to snap selfies and pose for photos at a swanky Manhattan fund-raiser headlined by Trump in December. As part of his promotional materials for the Dallas trip, the man circulated pictures of wealthy Chinese business leaders, including a businessman known as the countrys first owner of a Ferrari, standing shoulder to shoulder with Trump in formal wear and giving a thumbs-up. Suns invite claims that he and his associates have prior experience participating in three Republican president dinners in 2017, including the New York visit. The Post could not independently verify his involvement in any trips. In the interview, he said his Beijing-based company aims to raise the profile of Chinese entrepreneurs. The $100,000 per-person price tag includes airport pickup, lodging, meals and translator, the invitation says. The RNC, in their response to the Posts story, denied having any knowledge of the efforts to woo Chinese nationals and said they would not have endorsed them if they had. We maintain strict compliance with the law and have a zero-tolerance policy toward anyone who attempts to take advantage of the system in order to attend our events, an RNC spokeswoman said. There have also been suspicions about presidency leveraging in China from someone with the closest possible ties to Trump. Jared Kushner was reportedly aggressively pursued by Chinas government after Trump got elected, and his family business was caught, more than once, using his connection to Trump to attract investment in the country. Foreign citizens can spend as much as they want at Trump properties. At a typically Trump-attended event like the New Years gala at Mar-a-Lago, the money just goes to Trumps company, not his campaign or the GOP. Trump did not attend the New Years event at Mar-a-Lago this year, having decided to remain at the White House during his partial shutdown of the federal government. If hed gone, he may have run into Huachu Tang, the owner of an electric car company in China, who later told Yahoo Finance that hed made the trip from China with his wife in the hope of meeting Trump and raising the profile of his soon-to-be-public company. Its not clear if Tang was a client of Yangs firm or not. He said he had arranged the trip through a PR agency. Stood up by the president, Tang scored photos with Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump, and the presidents sister, instead. This is Huachu Tang, owner of a Chinese electric car co., who flew 17 hours to attend the New Year's celebration at Mar-a-Lago in hopes of promoting his company. pic.twitter.com/Ajz6zHfZsR Daniel Schulman (@DanielSchulman) March 9, 2019 Tangs company, when asked by Yahoo, declined to reveal how much he had paid to attend the event. According to the Palm Beach Post, Mar-a-Lago raised its prices for the party this year, and a pair of nonmember guests could expect to pay the Trump Organization as much as $2,500 to attend. We dont know who else was there, either. The Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics watchdog group has sued to gain access to Mar-a-Lagos visitor logs, but so far to no avail. This post has been updated throughout to reflect new information and context. Vitali Kremez is a Director of Research at Flashpoint. His team discovered that the recently disclosed intrusion suffered in December 2018 by Chilean interbank network Redbanc involved PowerRatankba, a malware toolkit with ties to North Korea-linked group Lazarus. The intrusion represents the latest known example of Lazarus-affiliated tools being deployed within financially motivated activity targeted toward financial institutions in Latin America. The original research can be found here: The Ten Commandments Judge may soon ride again. Photo: Luke Sharrett/Bloomberg via Getty Images U.S. Senator Doug Jones, Democrat of Alabama, has a tough road to reelection in 2020. Hes be running on the same ticket as a Democratic presidential candidate who is almost sure to be trounced in his state, and hes cast enough votes in the Senate with other Democrats that he wont be able to avoid the partisan stain. His odds may have just gone up, though, with this news: Sign Up for the Intelligencer Newsletter Daily news about the politics, business, and technology shaping our world. Email This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Terms & Privacy Notice By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us. Roy Moore may be back on a ballot soon. Moore, the 2017 Republican U.S. Senate nominee whose campaign crashed after allegations of sexual misconduct, said Friday he is seriously considering another run for office. The self-same Senate seat, as it happens. Now theres nothing surprising about Moore running for office. Hes run three times for local offices (winning once), twice for governor (losing primaries both times) and twice for Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court (winning both times), in addition to his failed special Senate race in 2017. Moore also publicly flirted with presidential campaigns in 2004 and 2012 after he gained national notoriety for installing a huge monument to the Ten Commandments in his courtroom. He has not let one removal and one suspension from the chief justice position slow him down. Nor has the chronically theocratic pol backed off from his categorical denial of the allegations of sexual harassment, abuse, and creepiness that damaged him in 2017. This time, moreover, Moore has a cause other than his usual right-wing agenda and his war on separation of church and state: he believes he was robbed by forces supporting Jones. And its not entirely a figment of his imagination, as Paul Gattis explains: Moore has been critical of two disinformation campaigns waged by Democrats against Moore during the Senate race, going so far as to first say the seat was stolen in another interview on [Bryan] Fischers radio show in January. The alleged thief was a shadowy pro-Jones (or at least anti-Moore) operation called Operation Birmingham, which was exposed in a series of recent articles in the New York Times and Washington Post. The Posts Craig Timberg explained the basics to NPR in January: This was a disinformation campaign that really resembled some of the tactics that were used by the Russians in 2016 involving fake Facebook messages. Twitter was used as well. And the idea was to undermine the support for Roy Moore and to bolster the support for Doug Jones using social media in a way that was, frankly, quite deceptive . [T]he definitive account of this, at least as far as weve been able to turn up, is a document that was handed out at a secret meeting here in Washington back in September. And what they were trying to do is figure out, you know, what would make people vote either for Jones or against Roy Moore? For example, arguably the most controversial tactic thats in the document speaks about creating fake evidence what they call a false flag that Russian bots were supporting Roy Moore. So they put out some sort of hints about this on Twitter. There are some tweets out there that have Cyrillic characters the Russian language suggesting that they were Russian, and then it was spread around. It actually generated some headlines at the time. A couple of news organizations bit on this and reported that Roy Moore was being supported by Russian bots. Theres no evidence at all linking Project Birmingham to Jones, and no way to know whether it had any effect whatsoever on the outcome. But Moore is certain he wuz robbed, and so he could go into 2020 with a fresh grievance in addition to the usual stuff about Christians being persecuted by secular socialists. The only Republican candidate already in the 2020 race, Represenative Bradley Byrne, is the sort of Establishment Republican Moore has always battled. He could be cast as this years Luther Strange, the appointed senator Moore beat in 2017 despite Trumps support for the incumbent. Byrne doesnt have the close association with a disgraced former governor (Robert Bentley) like Strange did, but hes hardly a slam dunk against the wily and universally known Moore. Some Republicans believe a different and more militantly right-wing congressman, Mo Brooks (who finished third in the 2017 primary behind Moore and Strange), might be a better bet to turn back Moore, but its unclear he will run. All in all, its looking better for Jones, who can raise money and wait and see whether Republicans can avoid another fractious primary, perhaps one that again gives him Roy Moore as an opponent. Issues of concern to people who live in the west: property rights, water rights, endangered species, livestock grazing, energy production, wilderness and western agriculture. Plus a few items on western history, western literature and the sport of rodeo... Frank DuBois served as the NM Secretary of Agriculture from 1988 to 2003. DuBois is a former legislative assistant to a U.S. Senator, a Deputy Assistant Secretary of Interior, and is the founder of the DuBois Rodeo Scholarship. It took bloody sacrifices by marchers in Selma to bring the 1965 Voting Rights Act to pass. Photo: Bettmann/Bettmann Archive Sometimes legislation thats not destined to be signed into law can send some pretty strong messages. Both major political parties arguably sent messages about their values in the House vote on HR1, the For the People Act. Sign Up for the Intelligencer Newsletter Daily news about the politics, business, and technology shaping our world. Email This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Terms & Privacy Notice By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us. This signature legislation had three major components: (1) tax credits and vouchers for voluntary donations to congressional candidates, and matching funds for candidates accepting spending limits, as one of the few avenues for campaign-finance reform left open after Citizens United; (2) lobbying and ethics reforms; and (3) the most extensive set of voting-rights guarantees in decades. Ari Berman explains the voting-rights provisions: These include nationwide automatic voter registration, Election Day registration, two weeks of early voting in every state, an end to aggressive voter purging, funding for states to adopt paper ballots, the restoration of voting rights for ex-felons, and declaring Election Day a federal holiday. While states control their voting laws, Congress has the power to set voting procedures for federal elections. The bill would also target partisan gerrymandering by requiring independent commissions instead of state legislatures to draw congressional maps. Congressional Democrats are separately pursuing legislation to restore the teeth removed by the Supreme Court in 2013 from the Voting Rights Act of 1965 when it eliminated a requirement for preclearance of redistricting and election-procedure decisions by jurisdictions with a history of racial discrimination. Aside from its scope, whats most remarkable about HR1 is that every single House Democrat voted for it: Every House Dem just supported #ForThePeople, most sweeping electoral reform leg since 60s. Every House D voted to overturn Trump's emergency. All but 2 voted for universal background checks. There's a left that wants more, but this metro-based party is far > united than 09/10 Ronald Brownstein (@RonBrownstein) March 8, 2019 And every Republicans voted against it, which means the GOP is determined to use barriers to full participation in elections along with related abuses like partisan gerrymandering and unregulated campaign spending to maintain its competitive position, regardless of public opinion. Its quite a shift from how the two parties divided on the original Voting Rights Act, in which 61 House Democrats voted no while 112 House Republicans voted yea. As recently as 2006, George W. Bush signed a bill extending the VRA, including the key provision SCOTUS struck down seven years later. Full party polarization on voting rights is a very recent development. The vote on HR1 should also provide something of a counterargument to all the recent Democrats in disarray story lines stemming from intraparty debates over socialism or Israel. No, the bill wont even get a hearing in the Senate, where Mitch McConnell has denounced it as the Democrat Politician Protection Act. Mitch has a point: It might well help Democrats in the long run, for the rather honorable reason that they are defending rather than resisting the full expression of the popular will. Even though progress has already been made, the legal texts still lack coherence and need to be improved, officials say. According to Luxembourg's commission on human rights, the country's youth protection laws need to be partially rewritten. Even though they voiced criticism on the existing legislation, the commission's officials also underlined their appreciation of the work that has already been done. Progress has already been made but the texts still require fine-tuning, they explained. The commission argued that youth protection laws are, above all, meant to be protective. In reality, officials lamented that the legal texts contain an excessive number of penal elements, raising the question whether the laws really put protection (rather than prosecution) in the foreground. One particular issue, as outlined by the commission's president Gilbert Pregno, is that of prison. The state had signed a number of conventions, Pregno explained, and since the creation of UNISEC (a special security unit for minors in Dreiborn), teenagers no longer go to Schrassig's penitentiary centre if they've committed crimes. However, the legislation does not detail how long a minor would be in detention at the UNISEC unit. The commission requires clear boundaries in the legislation. The commission demanded that these issues be openly debated - only then the right decisions can be taken. A report issued by a consortium of Luxembourgs largest news outlets has confirmed that nothing happened in Luxembourg today. We sent reporters all over the Grand Duchy, from the depths of the mines in Rumelange to the heights of the Eislek, and they all returned with the same news, says the report. That there was no news. Twice we were nearly fooled into thinking something had happened, the report continues. Once when a worker on a construction site in Ettelbruck was observed shouting, leading us to believe he was having an argument, but it turned out he was just talking on the phone to his wife and he always speaks loudly. The second time was when a Luxembourg City bus arrived six minutes late, causing perplexed commuters to look at their watches, which we figured might lead one of them to complain to the driver, but in the end they all silently boarded the bus. The report went on to say that all major news outlets, in dire need for stories to publish or broadcast, eventually chose to report the mundane, running with headlines such as Diekirch students go to school in Diekirch, Kirchberg bank employee opts for tuna when told no more ham sandwiches left, and No one at networking lunch any good at networking. Many of us, desperate to have something to report, considered reporting We have no news to report today as news, believing some people might find it shocking or unusual, but in fact thats the way things are here, the report concludes. This scarcity of events to cover might seem amusing, but trust us, theres nothing funny about it. Were farmers and this is a drought. The reports authors implore members of the public to remain vigilant, and to contact them if anything happens, whether thats a fire alarm going off somewhere, a car breaking down, or a cow mooing in a strange manner. Read more at wurst.lu Photo credit: Pixabay After reports of Indian fugitive diamond merchant Nirav Modi living in London emerged on media on Saturday, the government said his extradition case was being followed as closely as other cases of extradition, including that of Vijay Mallya. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar, during a press conference, refuted the allegations that Nirav Modi's case was stuck with the UK government after India's request for his extradition in August 2018. "The government will do everything that is necessary to bring him back. We have been aware of his presence in the UK. Ever since we submitted the extradition request to the UK, the matter is under consideration of the British government," said Raveesh Kumar. Weekly Media Briefing by Official Spokesperson (March 09, 2019) https://t.co/q1RcC9Z462 - Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) March 9, 2019 Elaborating on the extradition process, Raveesh said like the usual practice, the UK had also not sought any extra documents related to Nirav Modi from the Indian government, which only showed the British government was considering the matter. On the question of following up the case after submitting the extradition request, Raveesh said India was taking all necessary measures to him back to India. "I can assure follow-ups have been done," said Raveesh Kumar. Also read: Nirav Modi living freely in Rs 72 crore property in London; runs new diamond business Meanwhile, the opposition Congress party has attacked the government over the reports of Nirav Modi doing business in London. The party alleged that fugitives had looted Rs 1-lakh crore from Indian banks but not even one has been caught in five years. "Fugitive Nirav Modi has been seen enjoying in London, living in a Rs 75 crore flat and wearing a 10,000-pound jacket," Congress' chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala told reporters. "First loot Rs 23,000 crore from banks, then run away from the country without any checks, mock the CBI and the ED and then make a comfortable home in a Rs 75 crore flat. (Narendra) Modi is there, so it is possible," he claimed. Pl watch Trailor- A day in the life of 'Poster Boy' for 'Bank Fraudsters Settlement Scheme abroad'! Director & Producer- Narender Modi! Editor- Arun Jaitley! Script Writer- ED & CBI! Production Cost- 23,000Cr! Financed by- Indian Banks! !!! https://t.co/NdzDzq0JXM - Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) March 9, 2019 It seems Prime Minister Narendra Modi is running a "bank fraudsters settlement company" for the likes of Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi, Surjewala alleged. "Fugitives looted Rs 1 lakh crore from Indian banks but you have not even caught one in the last five years," he claimed. The Indian government is trying tooth and nail to capture the fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi, but he appears to be living freely in the UK's capital city London in a slightly new avatar. Nirav Modi, who is accused of defrauding the state-owned Punjab National Bank (PNB) with over Rs 13,700 crore, lives in a property worth over 8 million pounds (over Rs 72 crore) near Oxford Street in London's West End, at a time when the Interpol has issued a Red Corner Notice (RCN) for his arrest after India's request. Edited by Manoj Sharma Also read: Nirav Modi: The billionaire who stole a billion Nirav Modi case: How PNB was defrauded Nirav Modi refuses to change! Continues to fleece people even after PNB scam The administration of Ho Chi Minh City has sought permission from Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc to borrow VND2.15 trillion (US$92.9 million) from the central government to pay contractors who are building Metro Line No.1, the first of such system in the southern metropolis. The payment will help the project run in line with the plan, and it would help to avoid complaints and lawsuits about debts, the municipal chairman Nguyen Thanh Phong said in a petition recently submitted to the premier. The metro line connects Ben Thanh Market in District 1 and Suoi Tien Theme Park in District 9. The development of the Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien metro line began in 2007 using official development assistance (ODA) loans from Japan. It is estimated to cost VND47.3 trillion (US$2 billion), and will be capable of transporting 620,000 passengers per day upon completion, taking pressure away from the citys crowded public transport system that is overly dependent on buses. However, since October 2017 the project has not received any budget disbursement due to late approval of an adjusted investment plan. If Ho Chi Minh City is to receive money from the central government, chairman Phong said the loan would be cleared once the Ministry of Planning and Investment provides fund for the project. If the government cannot provide the requested money from the central budget, Phong suggested the prime minister should allow the city to use the funds from the municipal budget for the metro. According to current regulations on advance payments for investment projects, the Metro Line Number 1 project does not meet requirements to get money in advance from the citys budget, and can only receive funds from the central governments budget, according to the official Vietnam News Agency. Due to the urgency of the project, Ho Chi Minh City hopes to receive approval from the prime minister, Phong said in his letter. According to Vietnams capital plan for the 2016 -20 period, the metro project in Ho Chi Minh City was expected to receive VND7.5 trillion ($324 million) of the initial total investment capital of VND20.5 trillion ($885.8 million). In 2016 and 2017, VND2.7 trillion ($116.7 million) was disbursed for the project. However, in 2018, as the total investment was expected to increase, no additional funds could not be provided until the additional investment was approved. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Your browser does not support the audio element. A Vietnamese teacher has dedicated the last 20 years of her career towards working with hearing impaired children at a school in Ho Chi Minh City so that her students might have a better chance at successfully integrating into society. Lam Thi Minh Chaus career has been rooted in one goal: helping the hundreds of hearing-impaired students shes worked with at Hi Vong (Hope) School develop the soft skills necessary for social interaction. And what does she say is the secret to her success? One little word: Patience. Learning from students Its surprising that Chau was never formally trained to teach deaf children. I studied kindergarten education for regular children without disabilities but my first students after graduation were hearing impaired, Chau said. When I was appointed to this job, I was both happy and worried. Chaus first days on the job were not easy. The then-24-year-old teacher clumsily tried to communicate with the children without knowing sign language and, even to this day, recalls the feelings of confusion and despair she felt during her first days on the job. Her inability to communicate remained a huge obstacle, and many of her students were completely unable to communicate with her. All she could do was stare hopelessly at her students for those first few days. But things quickly began to change. Understanding that communication was crucial for helping the children, Chau began to learn sign language. Her inspiration was drawing parallels between her situation and that of her students: while they struggled to integrate into society, she struggled to integrate in their world. Even though she was supported by her colleagues, it was her students who often stepped in to offer help. Theyd help her learn sign language, instruct her, and let her into their community. Beyond knowledge Teaching students to communicate, write, and do math, are just a few of Chaus responsibilities. The most difficult thing about teaching the deaf children is understanding what they want to say, she shared. Before she teaches them to communicate like her, she must learn to communicate like them. Not being professionally trained to teach disadvantaged children, Chau has come across many struggles, especially in helping develop her students limited hearing abilities. The greatest motivation for me is seeing a childs development, said the young teacher explaining that in many cases the students travel long distances just to be able to study at quality schools for the deaf. One of such students is Le Tran Duy Luan, 6, whose condition has significantly improved since he started attending Chaus classes. Our child became much more responsive. He began to understand us and his friend. Hes definitely developed beyond our expectations, Luans mother said. Even though Chau prides herself on seeing the children improve, she hopes that one day they will be able to learn at a regular school, where she believes as a brighter future awaits. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A group of kind-hearted volunteers in Ho Chi Minh City have made the 2019 International Womens Day more beautiful by gifting flowers and countless best wishes to some 1,000 women in the southern metropolis on Friday. While March 8 is the day women are honored and recognized, in Vietnam not all women could afford observing the day, as they have to struggle to make ends meet. In order to pay tribute to these women, a group of volunteers, who are of all ages and walks of life, gathered at a flower shop on Nguyen Trong Tuyen Street in Ho Chi Minh Citys Phu Nhuan District to start their special campaign. They divided themselves into small groups, heading to different routes, and handed over as many as 1,000 flowers and sincerest wishes to many women they randomly met on their way. Several of the women said that that was the first time they received a flower from someone on March 8. The volunteers reportedly used their own money to buy the flowers. A blinded woman is gifted a flower on a street in Ho Chi Minh City on March 8, 2019. Photo: Chau Tuan / Tuoi Tre Volunteers gift a bouquet of flower to a woman they met on a street in Ho Chi Minh City on March 8, 2019. Photo: Chau Tuan / Tuoi Tre Volunteers take a photo with women they met on the streets in Ho Chi Minh City on March 8, 2019. Photo: Chau Tuan / Tuoi Tre A woman smiles when she receives a bouquet of flower from the volunteers in Ho Chi Minh City on March 8, 2019. Photo: Chau Tuan / Tuoi Tre Volunteers wrap small bouquets of flowers to give them to women on the streets in Ho Chi Minh City on March 8, 2019. Photo: Chau Tuan / Tuoi Tre Many of the volunteers are students. Photo: Chau Tuan / Tuoi Tre Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! About ten people, including a child, were rushed to the hospital after a tourist bus carrying a group of South Korean holidaymakers plunged off a cliff in the south-central province of Binh Thuan on Saturday afternoon. The accident took place on Nguyen Thong Street in the provincial capital of Phan Thiet, as the tourists, all South Korean nationals, were heading for the citys downtown after leaving the resort town of Mui Ne, according to local residents. The bus was seen on its side down the cliff, severely deformed, when a Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper reporter arrived at the scene. Around ten South Korean tourists, including one child, and the bus driver were hospitalized for emergency treatment. Tran Van Toan, director of the Binh Thuan police department, was present at the scene of the accident to direct officers to handle the case. Below are some photos taken at the scene: Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! More businesses in Vietnam are investing in production of eco-friendly straws as replacement of single-use plastic straws that have stormed local restaurants and coffee franchises, signaling a shift in people awareness of this throbbing environmental problem. The Old Compass is a small and quiet cafe and bar nestled in an age-old apartment building on Pasteur Street in downtown Ho Chi Minh City. For the past two years, the place has stopped serving plastic straws with its drinks and switched to reusable alternatives made from stainless steel instead. The metal straws are easy to clean and can be sterilized with boiling water after each use, according to Duong, the store manager. The transition wasnt a breeze, she said, as many customers demanded to be served plastic straws as they were not used to drinking from a metal straw. It took quite some time before the new straws caught on with our customers, who are now spreading good words about our cafe thanks to [our abstention from plastic straws], Duong said. Straws made from stainless steel, paper, bamboo, grass or even the shoot of morning glory plants are making their way onto market shelves, offering stores a range of alternatives to plastic straws. While small establishments are keen to jump on this eco-friendly train, bigger food and beverage franchises, which contribute much more to Vietnams plastics problem, are more reluctant to replace plastic straws for economic reasons. A paper straw can cost up to ten times more apiece, while plant-based straws can be around five to six times costlier than their plastic counterparts, according to the owner of a coffee franchise with over 100 stores in Vietnam. At a recent meeting between peoples representatives in the central city of Da Nang, director of the municipal Department of Natural Resources and Environment To Van Hung announced a shocking statistics that only 20 bubble tea shops in the citys Hai Chau District could release at least 100 cubic meters of plastics into the environment monthly on average. After a historic flooding in Da Nang in 2018, we went to inspect drainage outflows into the ocean and found that many of them had been blocked by plastic waste, Hung said. For bigger cities like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, daily output of plastic waste can amount to 80 metric tons, according to statistics from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. Plastic cups and straws fill a public bin in District 3, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Thanh Yen / Tuoi Tre Market forecast to boom Duong Bao Thinh, general director of Biogreen, a company that specializes in producing straws from kraft paper, said his company was among the first to introduce the product into the Vietnamese market around a year ago. Though Biogreen is capable of producing three million kraft straws per month, Thinh said his factories are only running at less than half its capacity due to inadequate demand. However, the businessman said he sees a bright future for this product in Vietnam and forecast that demands will easily double in the next few years. Quynh Huong, a representative from The Organic House which sells eco-friendly products, said her company is currently supplying luxury hotels in Ho Chi Minh City with reusable straws at the rate of more than 300,000 straws per month. Huong expects to sell her products to 30-50 percent of coffee stores in the area once store owners realize the long-term economic benefits of reusable products. We are currently producing by orders only, with 70 percent of our revenue coming from partners in Europe and South Korea, said Ngo Thanh Dat, director of Reedfarm Organic, a producer of reed straws. The price of our products is considered cheap in foreign countries, but sales remain slow in Vietnam, he said. Industry insiders expect to see a hike in demands for eco-friendly straws in Vietnam, once locals finally wake up to the environmental harms of single-use plastics. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Foreign tourists and attendants ran out in panic as a restaurant in District 1, the central business district of Ho Chi Minh City, caught fire on Saturday morning. Flames were first seen off the Hang Duong Restaurant, a multi-story building on Ngo Duc Ke Street, near the citys Nguyen Hue Walking Street, at around 10:30 am, according to people living in the area. The fire began to grow rapidly, with flames soon licking the top of the building. By 11:15 am, dense black smoke from the fire could be seen engulfing nearby houses and buildings. The whole Ngo Duc Ke Street was blocked as firefighters worked to contain the blaze. The fire was put out just before noon, with local authorities confirming that the restaurant was not crowded at the time of the incident, so there were no casualties. An investigation is underway to identify the cause of the fire, as well as to calculate the damage. Ladder trucks are dispatched to the scene. Photo: T.T.Dung / Tuoi Tre A firefighter works on a ladder truck. Photo: Le Phan / Tuoi Tre A firefighter works on a ladder truck. Photo: Le Phan / Tuoi Tre Black smoke is seen from the top of a restaurant building in Ho Chi Minh City, March 9, 2019. Photo: Anh Hong / Tuoi Tre Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! RTHK: Government claims sabotage in Venezuela blackout Venezuela's government struggled to cope on Friday with a massive electricity blackout that paralyzed much of the country as President Nicolas Maduro blamed the chaos on US sabotage. Even by the standards of crisis-weary Venezuelans, the power cut which began late on Thursday was one of the longest and most widespread in memory, heightening tensions in Maduro's power struggle with his US-backed rival, opposition leader Juan Guaido. Maduro made the decision to shut down offices and schools "in order to facilitate efforts for the recovery of electricity service in the country," Vice-President Delcy Rodriguez tweeted. Power supply was gradually being restored to large areas of Caracas on Friday afternoon, as well as parts of Miranda state and Vargas, which contains the country's international airport and main port. However, it was short-lived as the lights went off again, extending the blackout beyond 24 hours. Other areas like the western states of Zulia, Tachira and Barinas where lengthy outages are common were still without power as night fell on Friday. Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino, patrolling the west of the capital Caracas in an open-topped military jeep, said "everything is calm throughout national territory" as electricity workers tried to restore the electricity. (AFP) This story has been published on: 2019-03-09. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Google CEO Sundar Pichai, who encourages participation of women in development of technology products, celebrated International Women's Day in Mumbai and also spent some time with young students on Friday. "In Mumbai today and happy to celebrate #IWD2019 with the India chapter of Women@Google at their 'I Am Remarkable' event. Thank you for inspiring me with your stories about the experiences, challenges and triumphs of being women in tech," Pichai said in a tweet. Pichai, who is visiting the country after two years, also took part in an event organised by Piramal Foundation, in which students of the school are learning to read using Google's speech-based reading tutor app 'Bolo'. All the reading material on the Bolo app is free and Google is working with other third party companies to bring in more content to the Bolo. He visited DN Nagar Municipal School in Andheri and interacted with students and told them about the importance of reading and shared information about the different features of the app. Pichai later tweeted about his visit. "Earlier this week, we launched #Bolo in India: a reading tutor app powered by #GoogleAI text-to-speech & speech recognition. Had the chance to visit some students today who are learning to read using Bolo, excited for all the great books they'll discover!" he wrote. On Wednesday, the Internet giant Google launched a speech-based reading-tutor app called Bolo for Android-based smartphones to help children in rural India with their reading skills. Designed for primary grade children, the app is aimed at helping kids who are unable to go to schools or have no access to it. Bolo comes with a reading tutor, "Diya", which is powered by the same speech technology that is in the Google Assistant. "Diya can not only read out the text to your child, but also explain the meaning of English text in Hindi," Google wrote in a blog post. Also Read: Google CEO Sundar Pichai, UK Prime Minister Tony Blair attend Mukesh Ambani's son Akash's wedding Edited by Chitranjan Kumar In its return episode for 2019, Dateline follows 62-year old former finance executive Greg Kelly, who was diagnosed with fronto-temporal dementia, and younger onset Alzheimers at the age of 59. This special episode has been voiced by SBS World News presenter Janice Petersen. Dateline first met Greg in 2018, four months before he passed away. At the time, Greg and his wife Janet were weighing his care options in their home state of Queensland. Should his young wife care for him around the clock? Or would he eventually go to an aged care facility? Fifty two percent of all residents in aged care facilities in Australia suffer from dementia and it is now the second leading cause of death in Australia. But its a disease usually associated with old people. Surprisingly there are approximately 26,000 Australians* aged 30 65 currently suffering from the disease. Sub-standard care and the abuse of aged care residents is currently the subject of a Royal Commission, and the key reason why Greg and Janet made pact last year that Greg would never go into a nursing home. In this episode of Dateline, the couple travel to Svendborg, Denmark to explore another option: a dementia village. A first of its kind in the country, it offers residents a more independent and dignified lifestyle compared to ordinary aged care facilities. About 120 dementia sufferers live together at the village, with the same number of qualified staff. Residents live independently in their own apartments and can shop, visit the cafe, gym or hair salon all within the village, but also armed with around the clock dementia care. There are similar dementia villages in other parts of the world including the Netherlands and Canada. By January 2020 Australia will have its first Dementia Village in Tasmania. Sadly Greg lost his battle with dementia a few weeks ago, leaving behind a loving wife, children and grandchildren. This is the story of Gregs dementia journey, and his hopes to lead a normal and dignified life with the time he had left. Tuesday, March 12 at 9.30pm on SBS. There are no songs and chances are you know the story, but Les Miserables demands your attention. It has a formidable cast, emotive themes and money on the screen. Screenwriter Andrew Davies (War & Peace, Mr. Selfridge, House of Cards, Bleak House, The Line of Beauty) has adapted Victor Hugos classic beyond the characters depicted in the famed stage musical. In a sprawling saga there are multiple storylines and while their intersection is not always apparent, you know they will collide, sans One Day More. The tale commences in 1815 after Napoleon was defeated in the Battle of Waterloo. In battlefield scenes with hundreds of extras, reminiscent of Gone with the Wind (which clearly had no CGI), Thenardier (Adeel Akhtar) saves the life of Col. Pontmercy (Henry Lloyd-Hughes), before stealing from him. Pontmercy is father to a young Marius (Josh OConnor). If we both survive you can call on me I swear it, promises Col. Pontmercy. But when Pontmercy returns home to see his young son, his wealthy father in law (David Bradley) has banished him from the house. It is only thanks to the kindness of a house maid that he can see him at Church on Sundays. Meanwhile prisoner 24601 Jean Valjean (Dominic West) is working under the watch of the ruthless Javert (David Oyelowo) when he draws upon his brute strength to both crush and rescue a prison guard. Some of the display attracts the attention of Javert but Valjeans defiant attitude sets the pair on a bitter warpath that will escalate as Paris rises up. Whatever you think, you can never win, Javert warns him. Elsewhere a young Fantine (Lily Collins) catches the attention of soldier Felix Tholomyes (Johnny Flynn), declaring her the most beautiful sight he has seen. A whirlwind romance ensues as Fantine yarns to rise above her station. A year later Valjean is released from prison but freedom is frequently in name only. Shunned from village to village he eventually encounters the generosity of Bishop Myriel (Derek Jacobi). For the hardened Valjean, such benevolence is unfamiliar and confusing. It is here that the Bishop famously buys his soul creating a turning point for our flawed hero. The gentle Jacobi is but one of the highlights of a captivating first episode, underpinned by the strength of Dominic West and the merciless David Oyelowo. Andrew Davies keeps the momentum moving without ever causing your attention to wane -even at 6 episodes there is a lot to jam into the allocated time. Visually this is a splendid recreation with period and class distinctive settings. Producers have also opted for blind casting with David Oyelowo, who has Nigerian heritage, as Javert. If there is any quibble, it is that British accents are hard to ignore in this French revolution tale. If you know this story you will be wooed by its new perspective, and if you dont this is a sumptuous and accessible experience. Dont miss it. Les Miserables 8:30pm Sundays on BBC First. France 24 Videos The main European institutions have been based in Brussels for decades. But despite adding dynamism, they still don't seem to have found their place in the city they call home. The European Quarter is often viewed as a separate area; cold and cut off from the world. Now a handful of residents are fighting to bring the neighbourhood back to life and make the institutions part of a vibrant Brussels that's in touch with its citizens. The rise of teleworking, adapted en masse since the pandemic, could give them a helping hand. The Commission is looking to reduce its office space in the city from the current 780,000 m to 580,000 m. Our correspondents report. The onging loading of bauxite ore in a Solomon Islands bay is ramping up environmental damage caused by an oil spill that threatens one of the worlds most unique coral atolls, local groups are ... Heavy fuel has been leaching into the southern waters of Rennell Island renowned for its limestone formations, thick forest and Unesco heritage-protected lagoon since the MV Solomon Trader cargo ship ran aground there more than a month ago.The worlds largest raised coral atoll, Rennell is home to some 2,000 people along with several distinctive animal and plant species.The ecosystem throughout Kangava Bay relies on the reef, and all of the reefs problems such as bauxite or oil contamination, and climate-related issues such as rising sea temperature and acidification add together, says Chris Bone, director of the environmental group Oceans Watch Solomon Islands.The oil appears to be spreading throughout the bay where there is a circular current that tends to move things along.'High risk' the remaining oil will be leakedImages of the disaster show once pristine aquamarine water blackened by clouds of oil spilling from the crippled vessel. It was carrying more than 770 tons of fuel oil when the island's reef tore a hole in its side as it was loading bauxite in stormy weather.At least 100 tons of fuel have already been spilled, with Australias Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade warning theres a high risk the rest of it will leak too.Bone says two types of oil are polluting Kangava Bay. Aerial photos show a mixture of what appears to be light oil floating on the surface the type of oil that shines and makes rainbow patterns, he says.Thats bad enough, but theres also very heavy black oil the sort that lands on the beach and needs to be taken away with spades and shovels.Locals have been left devastated, and Willie Sau Kaituu, from Rennell's Tehakatuu tribe, says theyre angry by the governments failure to listen to their protests to end the mining, which began in 2014 when Bintan Mining Solomon Islands was given access to the island.Shortages of food, fresh waterNot only has the reef upon which villagers rely for food been poisoned, Sau Kaituu says, their fresh drinking water is also contaminated. Weve been banned from going fishing and the Ministry of Heath has warned us against collecting cabbages and other crops because of the risks, he says.Its very frustrating. People have been experiencing breathing problems and are complaining about stomach and head pains. We rely on the water and now its contaminated. The government has to revisit these mining operations.Sau Kaituu told RFI that despite the unfolding disaster, another ship is continuing to load bauxite right next to the stricken Solomon Trader. Media reports confirm Bintan is continuing to load bauxite with other bulk carriers something Chris Bone warns is further contaminating the water.You can see from aerial photos around the loading area that bauxite is actually spilling into the sea as its being loaded aboard the ship. I have a picture right in front of me of the seawater turning orange, Bone says.The bauxite in suspension in the sea will be settling on the reef and smothering the reef. The corals will be already dying from bauxite. Those that survive a load of bauxite sedimentation then face being killed by the oil because they will be less resilient.Rennell Island has been described by the UN as a true natural laboratory for scientific study. Speaking in the Solomon capital Honiara, the Australian High Commissioner, Rod Brazier, told journalists: Australia is extremely concerned at the scale of this disaster, the impact of this oil spill will have a devastating effect on the surrounding environment as well as the livelihood of the people of Rennell.Australia says its also exploring all options to help the Solomon Islands government hold those responsible to account.Little progress with clean-up effortBone says that for all the talk of a clean-up, there doesnt appear to be much movement on the ground. Committees have been set up and experts are arriving by plane from all over the world, but as far as I can see the ship has been there a month now and absolutely nothing has been done, he says.It surprises me that a boom has not been brought to the ship and put around it to stop the oil from spreading. Every port in the world should have an oil boom, including Honiara. There may be other ships coming to try and pump out the oil on board but this is a very treacherous area. I know it well and Ive anchored there myself. There are lots of coral outcrops that make manouevring near that vessel difficult. Its very dangerous." The onging loading of bauxite ore in a Solomon Islands bay is ramping up environmental damage caused by an oil spill that threatens one of the worlds most unique coral atolls, local groups are ... Heavy fuel has been leaching into the southern waters of Rennell Island renowned for its limestone formations, thick forest and Unesco heritage-protected lagoon since the MV Solomon Trader cargo ship ran aground there more than a month ago. The worlds largest raised coral atoll, Rennell is home to some 2,000 people along with several distinctive animal and plant species. The ecosystem throughout Kangava Bay relies on the reef, and all of the reefs problems such as bauxite or oil contamination, and climate-related issues such as rising sea temperature and acidification add together, says Chris Bone, director of the environmental group Oceans Watch Solomon Islands. The oil appears to be spreading throughout the bay where there is a circular current that tends to move things along. 'High risk' the remaining oil will be leaked Images of the disaster show once pristine aquamarine water blackened by clouds of oil spilling from the crippled vessel. It was carrying more than 770 tons of fuel oil when the island's reef tore a hole in its side as it was loading bauxite in stormy weather. At least 100 tons of fuel have already been spilled, with Australias Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade warning theres a high risk the rest of it will leak too. Bone says two types of oil are polluting Kangava Bay. Aerial photos show a mixture of what appears to be light oil floating on the surface the type of oil that shines and makes rainbow patterns, he says. Thats bad enough, but theres also very heavy black oil the sort that lands on the beach and needs to be taken away with spades and shovels. Locals have been left devastated, and Willie Sau Kaituu, from Rennell's Tehakatuu tribe, says theyre angry by the governments failure to listen to their protests to end the mining, which began in 2014 when Bintan Mining Solomon Islands was given access to the island. Story continues Shortages of food, fresh water Not only has the reef upon which villagers rely for food been poisoned, Sau Kaituu says, their fresh drinking water is also contaminated. Weve been banned from going fishing and the Ministry of Heath has warned us against collecting cabbages and other crops because of the risks, he says. Its very frustrating. People have been experiencing breathing problems and are complaining about stomach and head pains. We rely on the water and now its contaminated. The government has to revisit these mining operations. Sau Kaituu told RFI that despite the unfolding disaster, another ship is continuing to load bauxite right next to the stricken Solomon Trader. Media reports confirm Bintan is continuing to load bauxite with other bulk carriers something Chris Bone warns is further contaminating the water. You can see from aerial photos around the loading area that bauxite is actually spilling into the sea as its being loaded aboard the ship. I have a picture right in front of me of the seawater turning orange, Bone says. The bauxite in suspension in the sea will be settling on the reef and smothering the reef. The corals will be already dying from bauxite. Those that survive a load of bauxite sedimentation then face being killed by the oil because they will be less resilient. Rennell Island has been described by the UN as a true natural laboratory for scientific study. Speaking in the Solomon capital Honiara, the Australian High Commissioner, Rod Brazier, told journalists: Australia is extremely concerned at the scale of this disaster, the impact of this oil spill will have a devastating effect on the surrounding environment as well as the livelihood of the people of Rennell. Australia says its also exploring all options to help the Solomon Islands government hold those responsible to account. Little progress with clean-up effort Bone says that for all the talk of a clean-up, there doesnt appear to be much movement on the ground. Committees have been set up and experts are arriving by plane from all over the world, but as far as I can see the ship has been there a month now and absolutely nothing has been done, he says. It surprises me that a boom has not been brought to the ship and put around it to stop the oil from spreading. Every port in the world should have an oil boom, including Honiara. There may be other ships coming to try and pump out the oil on board but this is a very treacherous area. I know it well and Ive anchored there myself. There are lots of coral outcrops that make manouevring near that vessel difficult. Its very dangerous." In early March, a video showing a room filled with stacks of euro bills, some of which were burned, began circulating widely in Russia, Cameroon and Haiti. Social media users in these three countries all made the same claims: that this video offered proof that a politician or oligarch was manufacturing fake money. It turns out, however, that this video actually shows an art installation in Madrid, Spain. Its creator, Spanish artist Alejandro Monge told us more about his work. The FRANCE 24 Observers team first saw this video when a few social media users in Haiti sent it our way, noting that the captions claimed that stacks of cash had been discovered in the home of Youri Latortue, a member of the political opposition and former president of the Haitian senate. However, we found that this video had already popped up in two completely different contexts. The video has also made the rounds in Cameroon, with the caption: The Cameroonian minister of defence is hiding money. His wife tried to burn it before the police arrived. This post referred to former minister of defence Edgar Alain Mebe Ngoo, who was suspected of embezzlement, without stating his name. In Russia, the video was said to show stacks of bills that Russian senator Rauf Arashukov had tried to secretly burn in his office. Arashukov was arrested two weeks ago in the middle of a session at the Russian Federation Council, the upper house of the Federal Assembly of Russia, on accusations that he had murdered two people. Those who shared the video claimed that Arashukov was trying to destroy evidence of his criminal activities. Russian media outlet Fontanka, which first shared the video, ended up publishing a correction on February 28 and acknowledging that it had been fooled by an old video. An example of an article published on a Russian website stating that "stacks of money were found at the home of senator Arashukov". Read the article here. Does this video show a politician's secret stash of cash? Story continues The truth of the matter is much more well, artistic. Our team ran the video through a simple reverse image search using InVid (click here to find out more about this technique), and the more advanced search engine Yandex. We found the video on an Instagram account that belongs to Spanish artist Alejandro Monge. Turns out, this video was filmed by someone who visited the Art Madrid festival in February 2018 and saw Monges installation entitled European Dream". The three-metre-tall sculpture was on display at the 3 Punts gallery, and none of the money in the video is real. The artist posted this video on his own Instagram account. "When I saw that my installation had been distorted, I had mixed feelings about it..." Our team reached out to Monge. He said he knew that the video of his installation had been distorted and was now being used to spread false claims in Russia, but he was surprised to learn that it was also being widely shared in Cameroon and Haiti. My installation is a commentary on modern society and how everything revolves around money. I believe that money is the god of contemporary society. My sculpture is made up of about 500,000 hand-painted fake bills made out of resin. When I saw that my installation had been misappropriated in Russia, I had mixed feelings about it. At first, I laughed a lot and was flattered that my sculpture could fool so many people -- that meant that it was really realistic. But then I started to get a bit afraid because it was connected with a scandal in Russia and I didnt want to be associated with that in any way. Artist Alejandro Monge is shown here painting his sculpture, which represents stacks of euros. Source: @monge_art The aim of this installation is to startle the viewer, who may feel shock or anger when he or she sees a huge amount of cash, some of which is burned. Its striking to see that some people are willing to use this image to accuse people of a crime or of corruption. That shows that images showing large amounts of money can really provoke outrage and lead to surprising reactions. To find out more about how to verify images, check out our guide to online verification. This article was written by Alexandre Capron (@alexcapron) An imagery is always painted in Africa about a proverbial woman who is returning from the farm with tonnes of load on her head and struggling to order her weak legs through the thorns and thistles of the tropical African forest. An infant struggles at her back in a strap, having been tied there as part of the load she has to carry home. And to make the picture bizarre, the husband of this poor woman walks behind with just his machete in hand and smoking graciously from his pipe. The imagery, which has been physically actualized by brush and colour, has an unending story which goes on to say that when they finally get home, the man drops his machete and relaxes in his lazy chair whilst the woman drops her loads, fetches water for the husband to drink and then dashes off to the kitchen to begin a long session of cooking for the entire family. The man is then served his meal, and after bathing with the water served at the bathhouse, he walks out of the house to join fellow men, who had enjoyed similar treats from their wives, to cool off the day and play, leaving the poor woman to take care of the tidying of the house and taking care of the children. At night, when the man finally returns and everybody is asleep, he wakes this poor wife up and demands that she performs her marital duty to him as her husband. If she denies, obviously because she is tired, it could lead to serious controversy that could send her packing the next day, and so out of the desire to protect her marriage, she yields and the man does whatever he wants to do. This picture of the rural African woman could be aligned to that of the poor African urban woman, mostly a single mother, who hawks on the streets of a city with a baby tied to her back and stands in the heat of the African sun till dusk just to provide a decent meal for her children. And at night, she would surely retire to a Kiosk Estate community where women in similar situations live in very deplorable make-shift structures with part-time or permanent spouses. This has always been the predicament of the unsung African woman, but these perhaps are the least of her troubles. In the event of a pregnancy, another child on the row. She has to carry the baby for nine months, which she would do graciously anyway, and then through contractions and tears, a new human being pops out to the utmost joy and happiness of the man who would savour the product of his masculinity. For many years, this child, like the others before or after him, would be in the total care and nurture of the mother even if the man provides for the childs up keep. It means that should the child turn up with a bad attitude, society would surely blame the woman for being the one who failed to raise him after the values espoused by society. Should the child turn out successfully in life, credit must certainly go to the father under whose guidance the good nature of the child was developed. Perhaps, the real troubles of the African woman begin when her children come of age. This is because, at this age, she has aged and has metamorphosed into a candidate for ridicule and rejection. His successful male children would look on whilst their spouses reject this same woman through whose sweat and toil they grew into responsible adults. All of a sudden, this aging mother-in-law becomes a nuisance who has to be gotten rid of, and so her presence in her sons homes is looked on as a source of worry to her daughters-in-law, fellow women who should have appreciated womanhood. The situation even gets worse when this mother is completely forgotten by her loving sons not because the sons are that wicked, but because some caring wife of the son has succeeded in taking away the love a son once had for a mother. The situation of the African woman gets worst when her children decide to be consumed by the wave of false religious doctrines that are blowing across Africa. Whilst the wives of the successful sons of the woman see her as a nuisance in their homes, those of the unsuccessful sons would lure their husbands into accepting the prophets admonition that this poor old lady was the source of all their woes in life, and that would spark an attitude of hatred not only from the couples but their children at a woman who is drained and empty because she gave her all to keep the cycle of life intact. It is therefore not surprising that the Witches Camp, situated in Northern Ghana, has mostly old women as campers. These are the people society has abandoned and sent there to suffer and die just to satisfy somebodys unfounded perception that they are evil and strange human eaters. As we celebrate International Day of Women (IDW), let us not only focus on the educated middle class woman who lives gorgeously in the cities; let us not only focus on the achievements of great women, past and present; let us also cast our minds back and put our ears down to hear the silent cry of women who are marginalized and brutalized daily by society because of their vulnerability. These women could live better lives and live longer if we stop the discrimination against them and remember the great roles they have played in our lives. Womanhood is a benevolent force that could be used by society to better the lives of mankind. The kindheartedness of the woman coupled with her ability to take pain for their children and the family is a quality we should harness to the benefit of society instead of maltreating them simply because they are vulnerable in society, especially at old age. We owe it a duty to mankind and the well being of society to recognize the silent but important role played by the poor African woman in raising the great men and women who have shaped the destiny of our planet. Source: Alexander Nyarko Yeboah 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 Eritrea on Friday joined citizens of more than 20 countries in celebrating International Womens Day as a public holiday. "The struggle is never over," says Hanna Simon, in reference to the decades-old war between Eritrea and Ethiopia that thawed only last year.Yes, now we have peace after being at loggerheads for more than 20 years. But now that peace is here, we are all trying to get the maximum from this peace; first of all to maintain it."Women, she says, have an important role to play. They have been active since the struggle for independence against Ethiopia, with up to 30 percent of them taking part in the war effort, including Simon herself."We were five siblings to join the struggle," says the former freedom fighter turned ambassador. "Two of my brothers died there for the country."The Eritrean rebellion against Ethiopian rule was led by the Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF), a Marxist insurgent movement."I saw some women, many women in fact who were with the fighting forces and I asked them, how is it, and they explained. And I understood this was my place. I said I have to serve my country," comments Simon.Today, she is doing so as Eritrea's ambassador to France, a position she's held since July 2014.Double curseHer past struggles nonetheless still inform Simon's opinion when it comes to tackling gender inequality, a notion she admits was absent during her upbringing."My mother was very strong. My father kept the family, she too kept the family, and we didnt know anything about gender segregation."It wasn't until she joined the struggle and later entered the world of work that Simon discovered the meaning of "double oppression.""Suddenly I realized there is double exploitation," as a woman, and a black woman at that.What advice does she give to girls and other women to overcome such hurdles?"I want to tell them that we have only to fight ourselves, not any other person.We had the will to snatch our independence." To achieve gender equality, the same sheer willpower will be needed. Eritrea on Friday joined citizens of more than 20 countries in celebrating International Womens Day as a public holiday. "The struggle is never over," says Hanna Simon, in reference to the decades-old war between Eritrea and Ethiopia that thawed only last year. Yes, now we have peace after being at loggerheads for more than 20 years. But now that peace is here, we are all trying to get the maximum from this peace; first of all to maintain it." Women, she says, have an important role to play. They have been active since the struggle for independence against Ethiopia, with up to 30 percent of them taking part in the war effort, including Simon herself. "We were five siblings to join the struggle," says the former freedom fighter turned ambassador. "Two of my brothers died there for the country." The Eritrean rebellion against Ethiopian rule was led by the Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF), a Marxist insurgent movement. "I saw some women, many women in fact who were with the fighting forces and I asked them, how is it, and they explained. And I understood this was my place. I said I have to serve my country," comments Simon. Today, she is doing so as Eritrea's ambassador to France, a position she's held since July 2014. Double curse Her past struggles nonetheless still inform Simon's opinion when it comes to tackling gender inequality, a notion she admits was absent during her upbringing. "My mother was very strong. My father kept the family, she too kept the family, and we didnt know anything about gender segregation." It wasn't until she joined the struggle and later entered the world of work that Simon discovered the meaning of "double oppression." "Suddenly I realized there is double exploitation," as a woman, and a black woman at that. What advice does she give to girls and other women to overcome such hurdles? "I want to tell them that we have only to fight ourselves, not any other person. We had the will to snatch our independence." To achieve gender equality, the same sheer willpower will be needed. Women across Spain marked International Womens Day, March 8, with a series of protests, walkouts and strikes. Classrooms across the country were left empty as students and teachers took to the streets, El Pais reported. Various organizations, including the Spanish unions CCOO and UGT, have backed the strikes, which aim to highlight discrimination, domestic violence and the wage gap. In this video, police gather around protesters as they chant on the street. The translated caption of the tweet that accompanied the video said that police were denying people the right to protest. Credit: @Juditpi1 via Storyful As the world marked International Womens Day, Friday 8 March, France awarded its inaugural Simone Veil Prize in honour of the revered politician and Holocaust survivor who died in 2017.The prize, along with a purse of 100,000 was awaded to Cameroonian woman Aissa Doumara Ngatansou, who runs an organisation that helps victimes of rape and forces marriage in Cameroon.Ngatansou said she dedicated the award "with much emotion to all the women victims of violence and forced marriage and to the survivors of the Nigerian insurgency group Boko Haram whose activity has also spread to Cameroon.French president Emmanuel Macron also pledged 120 million euros in support of the fight against violence and discrimination in the world, and said he hoped that as president of the G7, France could help advance women's rights in 2019.There was also a demonstration in Paris by women seeking fair treatment at work. RFI's Jan van der Made talked to some of the woman who were there:Elsewhere, Irele Modupe Enitan, Nigeria's ambassador to France said Thursday at lunch for female ambassadors in the French capital that Women should be brave enough to fight with the men for the same positions because were not any less qualified."Women are used to being helpers, people who assist their husbands and not putting themselves forward," says Irele Modupe Enitan."That is one barrier that has to be broken," she told RFI on the sidelines of a Women's Ambassador's conference at the French National Assembly Thursday.Breaking barriersFor Jessica Bennett, who made headlines in 2017 by becoming the first gender editor of The New York Times, equality should be pursued everywhere. Her role, for example, focuses on closing the gap in male-female reading habits for neewspapers.The task is a tall one. The media, and The New York Times is no exception, has long been dominated by men, who design and define policies and agendas, including how women are portrayed. The creation of a gender editor is designed to break this ingrained patriarchy.However, there is a lot to be done, according to the Paris-based organization Internet Without Borders. In research it published for Internaitonal Womens Day nearly half of women polled across English and French-speaking countries in West and Central Africa, have experienced gender-based violence while using social media, indirectly pushing them out of that media, according to a study conducted across 18 countries in both of those regions.The sense of insecurity online plays a role in the digital divide between men and women: experiences of online violence do not motivate women to stay connected and give a negative bias to those who are yet to join, according to a statement by Internet Without Borders, a Paris-based group that fights for digital rights, against digital repression and oppression.In Africa, South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Lindiwe Sisulu told RFI English, women must be at the centre of conflict resolution and mediation because peace cannot be achieved without the participation of women.On this day, let us remember those women who are toiling under very difficult circumstances in conflict situations. Women are seldom the instigators of violence, but they suffer the most as victims of war and instability, said Sisulu.Women only constituted two percent of mediators, and eight percent of peace negotiators between 1990 and 2017, according to statistics furnished by the United Nations.In 1911, International Womens Day was marked for the first time by more than a million people in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. It has since grown into an festival of marches, ideas and celebrations. This year's theme is BalanceforBetter.A French public opinion poll Sunday found that Simone Veil, a former health minister who defended the 1975 law on the legalization of abortion in France, tops the list of personalities who "embody feminism the most. Veil defeated Michelle Obama and Simone de Beauvoir to take the top spot. As the world marked International Womens Day, Friday 8 March, France awarded its inaugural Simone Veil Prize in honour of the revered politician and Holocaust survivor who died in 2017. The prize, along with a purse of 100,000 was awaded to Cameroonian woman Aissa Doumara Ngatansou, who runs an organisation that helps victimes of rape and forces marriage in Cameroon. Ngatansou said she dedicated the award "with much emotion to all the women victims of violence and forced marriage and to the survivors of the Nigerian insurgency group Boko Haram whose activity has also spread to Cameroon. French president Emmanuel Macron also pledged 120 million euros in support of the fight against violence and discrimination in the world, and said he hoped that as president of the G7, France could help advance women's rights in 2019. There was also a demonstration in Paris by women seeking fair treatment at work. RFI's Jan van der Made talked to some of the woman who were there: Elsewhere, Irele Modupe Enitan, Nigeria's ambassador to France said Thursday at lunch for female ambassadors in the French capital that Women should be brave enough to fight with the men for the same positions because were not any less qualified. "Women are used to being helpers, people who assist their husbands and not putting themselves forward," says Irele Modupe Enitan. "That is one barrier that has to be broken," she told RFI on the sidelines of a Women's Ambassador's conference at the French National Assembly Thursday. Breaking barriers For Jessica Bennett, who made headlines in 2017 by becoming the first gender editor of The New York Times, equality should be pursued everywhere. Her role, for example, focuses on closing the gap in male-female reading habits for neewspapers. The task is a tall one. The media, and The New York Times is no exception, has long been dominated by men, who design and define policies and agendas, including how women are portrayed. The creation of a gender editor is designed to break this ingrained patriarchy. Story continues However, there is a lot to be done, according to the Paris-based organization Internet Without Borders. In research it published for Internaitonal Womens Day nearly half of women polled across English and French-speaking countries in West and Central Africa, have experienced gender-based violence while using social media, indirectly pushing them out of that media, according to a study conducted across 18 countries in both of those regions. The sense of insecurity online plays a role in the digital divide between men and women: experiences of online violence do not motivate women to stay connected and give a negative bias to those who are yet to join, according to a statement by Internet Without Borders, a Paris-based group that fights for digital rights, against digital repression and oppression. In Africa, South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Lindiwe Sisulu told RFI English, women must be at the centre of conflict resolution and mediation because peace cannot be achieved without the participation of women. On this day, let us remember those women who are toiling under very difficult circumstances in conflict situations. Women are seldom the instigators of violence, but they suffer the most as victims of war and instability, said Sisulu. Women only constituted two percent of mediators, and eight percent of peace negotiators between 1990 and 2017, according to statistics furnished by the United Nations. In 1911, International Womens Day was marked for the first time by more than a million people in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. It has since grown into an festival of marches, ideas and celebrations. This year's theme is #BalanceforBetter. A French public opinion poll Sunday found that Simone Veil, a former health minister who defended the 1975 law on the legalization of abortion in France, tops the list of personalities who "embody feminism the most. Veil defeated Michelle Obama and Simone de Beauvoir to take the top spot. By Conor Humphries DUBLIN (Reuters) - It is time for Britain rather than the European Union to compromise to get a Brexit deal over the line, Ireland's Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said on Friday, describing Britain's decision to leave the bloc as "a problem of their own creation". Brexit talks between London and Brussels are at an impasse, with the British government seeking compromises from the EU to help pass a vote in the British parliament next week on the withdrawal agreement lawmakers rejected in January. British Prime Minister Theresa May was due to make a speech on Friday saying that the EU "has to make a choice" on whether to compromise to avoid the damage caused by Britain. But Varakdar said that the bloc had already compromised and that it was the British government's turn to move. "What was agreed was already a compromise. They have failed to secure ratification of this so it should be a question of what they are now willing to offer us," Varadkar told journalists in Dublin. "We have received no offer from them as to what they would give us in return for any changes." The two sides are at loggerheads over the so-called Irish backstop, which seeks to prevent the return of physical border controls between Northern Ireland and Ireland -- the only land frontier between the United Kingdom and the EU. May wants legally binding assurances from the EU that Britain will not be trapped permanently in the backstop, which involves keeping Britain in a customs union with the bloc. Varadkar suggested one possible compromise: returning to an earlier version of the backstop that would keep just Northern Ireland rather than the whole of the United Kingdom tied to the EU's customs union. "We were and remain happy to apply the backstop only to Northern Ireland if they want to go back to that," he said. Varakdar said a poll published on Friday that found 67 percent of people in Northern Ireland would be happy to remain in the single market and customs union after Brexit indicated that this option had popular support in the region. "If Northern Ireland.. is in favour of the backstop, why would the UK House Of Commons ... go against the wishes of the people of Northern Ireland," the Irish premier said. (Reporting by Conor Humphries; Editing by Catherine Evans) A march organised in Baku, Azerbaijan, to end violence against women was halted by police, who confronted the demonstrators and pushed them towards a metro station, footage filmed on March 8 shows. According to the events Facebook page, the purpose of the march, organised to coincide with International Womens Day, was to liberate society from patriarchy and to make the voice of women heard for the end of the hegemony of men. The group also said that every year 100 women are victims of domestic violence in Azerbaijan and that the demonstration was to fight against sexual violence and domestic abuse. However, police officers prevented the demonstration, forbidding the mainly female protesters from meeting at the Statue of the Liberated Woman in Baku, where the march was supposed to begin, according to the Turan Information Agency, based in Baku, Azerbaijan. The news agency reported that police said the demonstration had not been coordinated with the authorities, resulting in protesters being pushed towards the Nizami metro station, and forced to leave the area. Credit: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty via Storyful Prison officers protesting against their dangerous work conditions continued to block the entrance to the Alencon/Conde-sur-Sarthe premises on Saturday. The top-security prison where two guards were stabbed and seriously injured by a detainee on Tuesday was blockaded by about a hundred protestors on Saturday.Trade union, Force Ouvriere (FO) is backing their action which amounts to a seige on the prison.On Friday, police fired tear gas to allow food to be delivered to the prison, and to allow prison officers and trainee guards to enter.However, they have not removed the protestors who have been camping out on mattresses, beds and sofas in front of the entrance, and making fires out of wooden pallets.An FO representative said colleagues were arriving from other prisons in the west of France to lend support.Saturday's regular visiting hours for prisoners have been cancelled.Negotiations between the authorities and the protestors are due to resume on Monday.The incident on Tuesday started during the visit of the 27 year-old detainee's wife, who it is believed gave him a ceramic knife which he used as a weapon to stab the guards.The couple then barricaded themselves in the so-called family room until special forces launched an assault. They prisoner was captured and his wife died from injuries sustained in the police attack.One prison guard has left hospital. His colleague is still receiving treatment. Prison officers protesting against their dangerous work conditions continued to block the entrance to the Alencon/Conde-sur-Sarthe premises on Saturday. The top-security prison where two guards were stabbed and seriously injured by a detainee on Tuesday was blockaded by about a hundred protestors on Saturday. Trade union, Force Ouvriere (FO) is backing their action which amounts to a seige on the prison. On Friday, police fired tear gas to allow food to be delivered to the prison, and to allow prison officers and trainee guards to enter. However, they have not removed the protestors who have been camping out on mattresses, beds and sofas in front of the entrance, and making fires out of wooden pallets. An FO representative said colleagues were arriving from other prisons in the west of France to lend support. Saturday's regular visiting hours for prisoners have been cancelled. Negotiations between the authorities and the protestors are due to resume on Monday. The incident on Tuesday started during the visit of the 27 year-old detainee's wife, who it is believed gave him a ceramic knife which he used as a weapon to stab the guards. The couple then barricaded themselves in the so-called family room until special forces launched an assault. They prisoner was captured and his wife died from injuries sustained in the police attack. One prison guard has left hospital. His colleague is still receiving treatment. Detained Deputy Central Bank Governor of Liberia Charles Sirleaf was released from prison on Friday for health reasons after an application for his release was filed by his lawyers, according to the ... Charles Sirleaf is ordered to be removed from the Monrovia Central Prison to his home or any other place of dwelling desirable to him within the City of Monrovia or its environs under the condition of house arrest, said Judge Boimah Kontoe, acting on the application in Criminal Court C.Kontoe specified that Sirleaf will need to surrender his passport, and will only be allowed visits by his lawyers, doctors, his parents and his immediate family.Sirleafs lawyers argued that the prisoners health had deteriorated since his arrest and subsequent incarceration.Jailed for missing money Charles Sirleaf, the son of former Liberian president Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, was sent to prison earlier this week over the alleged disappearance of two billion Liberian dollars in newly printed banknotes.He is held in detention along with four others, including former governor Milton Weeks, Dorbor Hagba, director for banking, Richard Walker, director for operations and Joseph Dennis, deputy director for internal audit.The five are charged with Economic Sabotage, Criminal Conspiracy and Criminal Facilitation after breaching the procurement law of Liberia by printing surplus money which cannot be accounted for.Barred from leaving Former Bank Governor Milton Weeks was also released on Friday after the court accepted a valid property bond his lawyers filed on his behalf.Like Sirleaf, Weeks is barred from leaving the country without the consent of the court and is mandated to report to the court twice after every two weeks.The action by the court is in keeping with the laws of Liberia, which allows for the removal of a person from custody before sentencing commences to some other place of confinement where his health may be better preserved, said acting information minister Gayedyu in a statement.He added that Sirleaf is required to report to the sheriff of the court twice a month.The government assures the general public of its determination to be judicious in the ongoing investigation, while ensuring that the rights of every citizen are preserved, he said.The rest of the defendants will remain behind bars until their lawyers apply for their release on bail, pending the verdict. Detained Deputy Central Bank Governor of Liberia Charles Sirleaf was released from prison on Friday for health reasons after an application for his release was filed by his lawyers, according to the ... Charles Sirleaf is ordered to be removed from the Monrovia Central Prison to his home or any other place of dwelling desirable to him within the City of Monrovia or its environs under the condition of house arrest, said Judge Boimah Kontoe, acting on the application in Criminal Court C. Kontoe specified that Sirleaf will need to surrender his passport, and will only be allowed visits by his lawyers, doctors, his parents and his immediate family. Sirleafs lawyers argued that the prisoners health had deteriorated since his arrest and subsequent incarceration. Jailed for missing money Charles Sirleaf, the son of former Liberian president Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, was sent to prison earlier this week over the alleged disappearance of two billion Liberian dollars in newly printed banknotes. He is held in detention along with four others, including former governor Milton Weeks, Dorbor Hagba, director for banking, Richard Walker, director for operations and Joseph Dennis, deputy director for internal audit. The five are charged with Economic Sabotage, Criminal Conspiracy and Criminal Facilitation after breaching the procurement law of Liberia by printing surplus money which cannot be accounted for. Barred from leaving Former Bank Governor Milton Weeks was also released on Friday after the court accepted a valid property bond his lawyers filed on his behalf. Like Sirleaf, Weeks is barred from leaving the country without the consent of the court and is mandated to report to the court twice after every two weeks. The action by the court is in keeping with the laws of Liberia, which allows for the removal of a person from custody before sentencing commences to some other place of confinement where his health may be better preserved, said acting information minister Gayedyu in a statement. Story continues He added that Sirleaf is required to report to the sheriff of the court twice a month. The government assures the general public of its determination to be judicious in the ongoing investigation, while ensuring that the rights of every citizen are preserved, he said. The rest of the defendants will remain behind bars until their lawyers apply for their release on bail, pending the verdict. Getting Introduced to Poker Solvers March 09 2019 PokerNews Staff If you follow and play poker, and especially if you study poker strategy and pay attention to the latest trends and topics, you might've heard of poker "solvers." High-stakes players especially seem to be bringing up solvers more and more often when describing steps they are taking to improve their games. These solvers are software programs that can provide users game theory optimal (GTO) solutions to specific poker situations or something close, anyway. Users input various scenarios from which certain actions are recommended, with the solvers sometimes suggesting plays that aren't necessarily intuitive or thought to be "standard." Describing these programs as "solvers" is perhaps misleading, given that they don't necessarily "solve" no-limit hold'em (or pot-limit Omaha) once and for all. They do however harness computing power to produce solutions to poker problems players can study and learn from in order to help when making decisions at the tables. In a recent Instagram series, Kevin Martin shared how he was going about introducing himself to solvers. He sensibly suggests new players not worry about them and instead focus more on learning fundamentals. Kevin Martin discusses "solvers" with his Instagram followers Parker Talbot recently shared some thoughts as well about solvers and their use among high-stakes players on Mark Herm's show The Chirp Herm Show on the Tournament Poker Edge Podcast network. Maria Konnikova recently described using solvers as part of her study of strategy when talking with PokerNews at EPT Prague. As she put it, working with solvers provides a way to improve one's understanding of what game theoretically optimal plays might be in certain situations, although that doesn't necessarily mean always trying to execute those plays. "The way I use solvers is not necessarily to play exactly like that, but to understand theoretically what I should be doing in certain spots," Konnikova explains. Konnikova talks as well about how solvers can help players find bluffs when they might not otherwise think of bluffing, and even to execute bluffs more confidently. Take a look: Of course, all of this talk and use of solvers is taking place against the backdrop of broader discussions comparing playing a "GTO"-like game to taking a more "exploitative" approach that more readily seeks to attack specific opponent weaknesses than to adopt a balanced or "optimal" style. If you're curious to get a more explicit introduction of what a solver is, here's a short video offering an overview of the one mentioned by Kevin Martin above, PioSOLVER: Lead image: PioSOLVER 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. The Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI), Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, has cut the sod for the rehabilitation of 10 dams across the northern part of the country. The dams are expected to serve as reservoirs for the spilt water from the Bagre Dam in Burkina Faso which has been causing perennial flooding and damage to both crops and households in that part of the country. Each of the dams will be about 305 metres high and bordered by 2.5 acres of tree cover to prevent them from drying up. The $200,000 project, funded from the UN Adaptation Fund, will serve 50 communities and is expected to be completed within six months. The project, which is part of a climate change intervention, is being implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with MESTI. The sod-cutting ceremony was part of the ministers three-day tour of the five regions of the north. Among communities visited were Chache, Kakease, Takpo, Goli, Walembelle and Bugubelle in the Savannah, Upper West and Upper East regions. Visits The minister also visited communities where other Adaptation Fund projects, including agro-processing ventures, vegetable farming and boreholes, had been undertaken. At Chache in the Bole District, he inspected a sheanut and groundnut processing plant which was built with local materials to add value to shea and groundnuts. There were also vegetable farms for women to provide them with alternative livelihoods during the dry season. The farms are well irrigated and fenced to prevent destruction by animals. The land was prepared for the women, who have been divided into groups and supplied with inputs such as improved seedlings and technical advice. Their produce is sold to schools and the public. Prof. Frimpong-Boateng appealed to them to help preserve the environment, especially around the Black Volta which flowed across the regions. He also advised them to invest in the education of their children. Satisfaction The District Chief Executive for Nadowli, Ms Katherine Lankono, expressed satisfaction with the various projects, which she said had not only eased the pressure on the environment but also provided alternative livelihood support for the people. At Goli, one of the beneficiaries of vegetable farms, Mrs Mary Datua, on behalf of the women groups, expressed appreciation for the support. 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 International Womens Day this year was a special one for HRH The Duchess of Sussex. The Queen inducted her into the Queens Commonwealth Trust as a vice president. Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, is president of the Trust while the Queen is its patron. The aim of the Trust is to extend every possible assistance to young leaders around the world. The program drawn up for the occasion was a star-studded panel discussion on various issues pertaining to women and their wellbeing in todays society. Daily Mail UK reports Kings College, London hosted the event. There was a team of female 'thought-leaders' and activists. They had arrived to have their say on obstacles that todays women face. Among the women were Annie Lennox and Meghan agreed with her about the need to be global feminists and include men and boys. Other personalities present were model and activist Adwoa Aboah, apart from Julia Gillard, former Prime Minister of Australia. Meghan Markle promoted to HUGE new role by husband Prince Harry on International Women's Day: The Duchess of Sussex is to join a discussion panel of leading feminists and national figures to mark International Women's Day https://t.co/6I4T6F26j8 Cannock Chase Radio FM (@CannockRadio) March 8, 2019 Focus is on the Duchess of Sussex The Queen has always had a soft corner for Meghan Markle. This was evident when she accompanied the Queen to Cheshire to inaugurate a bridge soon after her marriage. The two of them traveled by train and the Queen got to know Prince Harrys bride from close quarters. She wanted Harrys American bride to feel at ease and encouraged Meghan to adapt to a new set of values that the Royal family cherishes. Discuss this news on Eunomia HRH The Duchess of Sussex is undoubtedly the Queens favorite and she appointed Meghan as a vice president of the Queens Commonwealth Trust. Meghan joined Adwoa Aboah among many other activists and thought leaders. https://t.co/MdZXWfaJMr POPSUGAR (@POPSUGAR) March 8, 2019 Daily Mail UK goes on to report Meghan Markle is an ardent feminist and has tackled a number of women-sensitive issues in the past. As a member of the royal family, she has made such issues her mission in life. She loves to work on projects that will ultimately improve the lot of women who are unemployed and vulnerable. Activities for the younger generation of royals According to Standard UK, Queen Elizabeth II wants the new breed of British royals to take an active interest in different activities that relate to their background. That is probably why she passed the patronage of the National Theatre to Meghan Markle. She is a former actress and made a name for herself in the TV drama series, Suits. The Queen also made the Duchess of Cambridge a patron of the National Portrait Gallery and Victoria and Albert Museum. This was because she had studied the history of art at the University of St Andrews. On International Womens Day, the Duchess of Sussex entered a new phase of her life as a vice president of the Queens Commonwealth Trust. She will take forward the policies of the Trust and interact with young people across the Commonwealth in its work to extend support to women and girls. The Yangtze Repertory Theatre is a New York City based theater company that has been producing vibrant work from the Asian-American community for the past 27 years. From March 31 to April 20, 2019, the company will produce playwright Yilong Lius award-winning piece titled June Is The First Fall at New Ohio Theatre in Manhattan. The play focuses on a Chinese man named Don who grew up in Hawaii and has never felt accepted by his loved ones since coming out as gay. He returns to his home state and attempts to create a reconciliation between his sexual identity, his heritage, and his traditional family. Tickets start at $20. Recently playwright Yilong Liu and director Michael Leibenluft discussed this collaboration on this project via an exclusive interview. Inspiration, characters, and NYC Meagan Meehan (MM): Yilong, what inspired June Is The First Fall and its characters? Yilong Liu (YL): When I was a student at the University of Hawaii, I attended an Asian American Theatre seminar. Our professor introduced us to Afong Moy, the first female Chinese immigrant to the United States, and showed us her picture. As someone who grew up queer in China, I kept seeing myself in her, and I kept asking myself what makes us cross mountains and seas to another country, another continent, and another culture? Are we escaping or are we chasing? Why do we have to run away from home in order to feel at home? I started writing June is The First Fall as a way to look for my answers. My main character is a gay Chinese-American man. When we talk about coming out, we usually overlook its cultural aspects. More often than not, its a far more challenging and complicated process for queer Asians because of the familial and cultural expectations. Discuss this news on Eunomia Sometimes, we even struggle to find the language in our mother tongue to fully communicate the complex concepts surrounding sexual identities. Moreover, when the child comes out in a tight-knit family, the parents are forced into the closet instead. For them, coming to terms with their childs sexuality is almost like grieving. The story and characters come from my desire of wanting to understand and acknowledge these nuances in our communities. MM: Michael, what about the play made you want to direct it? Michael Leibenluft (ML): Yilong is an ambitious, creative, and wild writer. He tackles urgent, big ideas with patience and compassion, leading to plays that are poetic, subtle, and layered. I think we prefer to think and talk about identity in absolute terms, since it is simpler, but this is misleading and problematic. In reality, many of us are in a complex process of finding and changing ourselves, in conversation with the communities and cultures around us. This play shows this fluid and challenging journey towards belonging by looking at the process of coming out through a Chinese cultural perspective. He shows that migration and coming out arent finite events but rather processes of change and discovery that can stay with us for a lifetime. MM: You did some extensive rewrites for the NYC premiere. How did the text evolve since you first conceived it? YL: I started this play almost four years ago. I am in a different place right now, as a person and a writer, so working on this story again required me to really look back into my days in Hawaii and China, reconnecting with my old self and the people, places, and things in my life then. Through the workshop, rehearsals, and many conversations with my collaborators, I was able to gradually discover where the heart of the story is, and the text has since become more focused and deeply personal. Most of the new material centers on language, culture, and memories. My wonderful dramaturg, Gaven Trinidad, made this stunning picture collage to help visualize this journey. The research included a mixture of my personal photos and some of Gavens. We want to display them in the theater lobby! MM: How did you first hear about Yangtze Repertory Theater and what made you want to work with them? YL: I came across Yangtze Rep when I was still in school in Hawaii. I was just randomly searching keywords like theatre and China on Google for fun. However, I didnt meet the Artistic Director Chongren Fan until last year when I was in a short play festival and the director connected us. Whats really exciting about the company is that [the Executive Director] Sally Shens and Chongrens vision is really different and bold. We all grew up in China and moved to the U.S. when we were adults. There was always a shared understanding and perspective in the room when we were talking about what kind of stories and voices we want to put out there. I think they are on a path to make American theater more diverse, inclusive, and international, which is very empowering and gives me hope especially considering the current political climate. ML: I do a lot of theater work exploring the intersection of American and Chinese culture, so I heard about Yangtze soon after I moved to New York in 2012. The company has such an impressive and longstanding history of supporting Asian and Asian-American artists, and Ive always been impressed by the way that theyve committed to providing a space for new theater from both a Chinese and a contemporary perspective. Sally and Chongren are injecting a new global and forward-looking perspective into the company. I cant wait to see where they head next. MM: Michael, your interest in Asian theater predates this production. Can you tell us a bit about what has inspired it and how does this play relate to your other directing projects? ML: I am fluent in Mandarin and have been directing in China for over a decade. Although Im based in New York these days, intercultural work has become the cornerstone of my directing career. Im passionate about projects that bring together collaborators from a variety of linguistic and cultural backgrounds. Im often trying to destabilize and complicate our sense of cultural and national identity. Theater is such an elemental and potent tool to build community and understanding across difference it feels vital in our world today to create and tell stories that cross borders. In 2015, I founded Gung Ho Projects, which is an education and performance platform to launch and develop such projects. June in the First Fall fits squarely into this type of work. Like many of the projects Ive directed and developed, it is bilingual and looks at the intersection of American and Chinese cultural identities. Scenes, bilingualism, and the future MM: Yilong, you are fully bilingual but you write in English. What are the major challenges in navigating the differences between English and Chinese when you write? YL: I like the quote by Charlemagne: To know a second language is to have another soul. I think with each language comes a singular way of thinking, and behind it lies a unique culture that cultivated it. What has been fun and challenging to me is how to communicate the concepts that may not be fully developed or exist in the other language. For example, I am fascinated by the colorful world made of poems, myths, and histories in Chinese, and I keep finding inspiration there, but capturing the flavor and subtleties has never been easy. On the other hand, I find myself struggling a little bit sometimes to find the vocabulary to discuss things like non-binary etc. in Chinese. Part of the idea in this play is that when you leave somewhere to start a new life: a part of you stays there, and part of the place stays in you. I think our cultural identity and sexual identity are complicatedly intertwined. I want the audience to understand how we are always carrying the weight and pride of our culture and family with us, no matter where we are. An immigrant is someone who crosses borders to build a new life. A queer person is someone who crosses boundaries to search for that new self. The moment of leaving and the moment of coming out are both courageous. In a way, they are like superheroes, and those moments are their origin stories. We should see that. We should understand that. We should respect that. MM: There are scenes in this play that happen in different time periods and some that call for dialogue in two different languages. What is your vision for staging this production? ML: I am a big believer in creating clear rules for storytelling on stage and then radically breaking them. So, weve been exploring how memories emerge in the world of the play and how to find the balance between clarity and the slipperiness and messiness of a psychologically driven world. Weve been talking a lot about trauma and the ways that spaces and objects can soak up memories and never release them. MM: What else is in the future for you and are there any other projects you would like to talk about? YL: I just finished my Yelp Play, called "The Book of Mountains and Seas," about a father dealing with the loss of his son with the help of the sons Yelp reviews. Im also working on a first draft of a commission from EST/Sloan Project right now. Its about online censorship and video games. As a writer of The Flea Theaters serials writers room, I recently started a queer superhero piece. It gives me so much joy and I really want to keep investing in it and see where the story can go. ML: Im developing two projects with my company Gung Ho Projects. Yilong and I actually first worked together on one of them this past summer: its called Flood in the Valley and is a bilingual folk musical set in Sichuan and Appalachia created by a collective of artists from both countries (it looks at ethnic and racial divides in both communities). We presented preview performances in Sichuan and Beijing in early September and are eyeing the American premiere. Im also working with playwright Jeremy Tiang on a new play about Arthur Millers collaboration in 1983 with the Beijing Peoples Art Theater on the Chinese premiere of Death of a Salesman. "General Hospital" viewers, as well as Port Charles residents, have been given a long period of time to prepare for the death of Oscar Nero. Recent events seem to indicate that the time of his demise is drawing near. Should the teen succumb to the tumor in his brain, there are two positives that may come from this tragic situation. Drew and Kim's son may give his blessing for his girlfriend Joslyn and his best Cameron to look out for each other when he is gone. If he is an organ donor, Oscar's kidney may be donated to save the life of police commissioner Jordan Ashford, who on Wednesday found out that she needed a transplant. Cameron and Joslyn may hookup thanks to Oscar Last summer on "General Hospital" it became clear that Cameron Weber was falling in love with his life long friend. When he found out that Oscar was dying, Cam stepped aside and supported Joslyn in her efforts to help the terminally ill teen enjoy his last days. The three teens along with Trina traveled to Niagara Falls where Joss and her boyfriend had a motel room together. It looked as though they were going to make love when young Mr. Nero had a major seizure. Drew and Kim showed up to find their son weak but alert and promised to get him back to Port Charles where they could better access his condition. It's clear that Oscar's last days are drawing to a close unless there is some type of miracle and he possibly may not leave Canada alive. Outside the hospital room, Cameron hugged Joss as he and Trina offered support. Jordan may benefit if Oscar dies Back in Port Charles, Jordan Ashford is in need of a kidney donor. It's only logical that should Oscar pass away, his organ would be given to the police commissioner. It would be fitting for Jordan to receive new life after young Mr. Discuss this news on Eunomia Nero passes away, but spoilers have not gone so far as to suggest such a scenario. Sharp viewers might see where this storyline is headed. Celeb Dirty Laundry and Soap Dirt both do indicate that a lot will happen in Niagara Falls. Since Joslyn did not get her night alone with Oscar there is always the chance that Canada is where they will say their final goodbye. In time, Cameron and his childhood friend may grow closer and explore their feelings for each other and, at the appropriate time, they may enjoy the type of relationship that might have been meant for the two of them all along. If Jordan is the recipient of Oscar's kidney, then a part of him will continue to live on. Mr John Kumah, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Entrepreneurship Innovation Plan (NEIP), on Thursday urged graduates to stop being hopeful of getting employment into white colour jobs and be innovative. He said that was the only way to take hold of the future and change situations concerning their lives. Mr Kumah was speaking at a Breakfast Seminar of the Graduate Students Association of Ghana, Legon Chapter, in Accra. The event seeks to draw the attention of stakeholders to the promotion of entrepreneurship, which is as an important strategy to leverage the energy of individuals and society towards the creation of jobs. Mr Kumah said: Graduates are the answers to their own unemployment problems and they need to wake up and start thinking of how best they can change things for themselves. He said a lot of graduates believed that immediately after school, there should be big white colour jobs waiting for them but these things do not happen anymore. He said the government had trust in the youth to help change the unemployment situation adding: We are counting on you and from today if you are hopeful that anyone will create or give you jobs, re-think. Mr Kumah said the government set up the NEIP Fund with 10 million dollars to support small medium enterprises with good innovative ideas to contribute to the development of the economy. The Fund initially received 7,000 applications across the country, who were trained through business hubs and later supported 1,350 with funding with a minimum of GH10,000.00 and maximum of GH100,000.00. He said the fund also provided access to the global market for those small businesses. The CEO said management of the Fund received 80 percent repayment rate from its beneficiaries, which made some of them to pay ahead of time to enable them to access more funding. He called on graduates and all start-ups to take advantage of governments intervention to improve their business ideas and businesses. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. 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16 (23) Jan 15 (30) Jan 14 (20) Jan 13 (18) Jan 12 (24) Jan 11 (11) Jan 10 (23) Jan 09 (22) Jan 08 (17) Jan 07 (17) Jan 06 (9) Jan 05 (18) Jan 04 (15) Jan 03 (19) Jan 02 (14) Jan 01 (6) Dec 31 (12) Dec 30 (4) Dec 29 (15) Dec 28 (11) Dec 27 (7) Dec 26 (10) Dec 25 (16) Dec 24 (13) Dec 23 (16) Dec 22 (11) Dec 21 (26) Dec 20 (28) Dec 19 (14) Dec 18 (25) Dec 17 (23) Dec 16 (19) Dec 15 (22) Dec 14 (38) Dec 13 (26) Dec 12 (25) Dec 11 (27) Dec 10 (31) Dec 09 (15) Dec 08 (30) Dec 07 (31) Dec 06 (27) Dec 05 (38) Dec 04 (25) Dec 03 (27) Dec 02 (15) Dec 01 (36) Nov 30 (23) Nov 29 (17) Nov 28 (23) Nov 27 (13) Nov 26 (16) Nov 25 (14) Nov 24 (18) Nov 23 (21) Nov 22 (21) Nov 21 (24) Nov 20 (20) Nov 19 (23) Nov 18 (17) Nov 17 (17) Nov 16 (34) Nov 15 (25) Nov 14 (17) Nov 13 (21) Nov 12 (18) Nov 11 (9) Nov 10 (15) Nov 09 (9) Nov 08 (9) Nov 07 (12) Nov 06 (8) Nov 05 (4) Oct 29 (1) Oct 01 (1) Jul 29 (1) May 11 (1) Jul 11 (1) On February 2019, BRAC IED hosted Play Summit 2019 in Savar, Bangladesh. Fascinating multi-disciplinary discussions about early childhood development took place at the summit. One such discussion was by an architect, Emerald Upoma Baidya, who, along with her team developed three low cost prototypes of play apparatuses, serving various aspects of child development. Play apparatus models. Image Kareshma-E-Shams Ar. Emerald says that the prototypes are tested designs that can be replicated anywhere in the country considering the building mechanism adapts to the social, economic and cultural context of the region. Through various design processes she and her team came up with the three prototypes- each having its own variety to keep the design interesting to the users. Prototype 1 and its variation. Image BRAC IED, Design Lab The first prototype has a play house attached to a bamboo platform via a suspended wooden bridge. The design gives a variety of experiences and tactile sensations to its users. It not only introduces children to local materials like bamboo, wood, jute ropes and their tactile sensations, but also induces activities like crawling,balancing, jumping, storytelling, enjoying the play of light and shade created by the ropes etc. Prototype 2 and its variation. Image BRAC IED, Design Lab The second prototype is a structure for climbing and swing made to enhance childrens motor developments. Recycled tires are used here as climbing and swinging materials. Alternatives are possible with bamboo and other common household materials like bamboo baskets and piri, a low wooden seat. Prototype 3 and its variation. Image BRAC IED, Design Lab The third prototype of theirs consists of a sand water corner where children join together to create fascinating sculptures. The water carriers used here are charis a large cement bowl used for feeding cattle. Every, single design created use building materials which are readily available in all communities of Bangladesh. Top image: Ar. Emerald Upoma Baidya with the displayed Prototype 1 (Image courtesy of Shananuzzaman Angkan) > via BRAC IED/ Play Summit 2019 Paul Manafort, President Donald Trumps former campaign chairman for the 2016 presidential election, was sentenced to just under four years - 47 months- in prison on Thursday. He had asked for compassion as he faced the possibility of spending the rest of his life in prison. The last two years have been the most difficult years for my family and I, the 69-year-old Manafort said to U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis at his sentencing hearing. To say that I feel humiliated and ashamed would be a gross understatement. He added, I know it is my conduct that has brought me here. He did not apologize for his crimes. The sentencing was a major departure from the recommendation that had been submitted by special counsel Robert Mueller, which called for 19-24 years. Judge Ellis called that recommendation excessive" and appeared to characterize Manafort as a good man whod gone astray, saying he had lived an otherwise blameless life apart from the financial crimes he committed, which involved evading taxes on he made doing political consulting work in Ukraine. His sentencing in Alexandria, VA, federal court was the first of two court appointments, with a second hearing scheduled for later this month. He was convicted in August of eight felony counts for tax fraud and other financial crimes and faces up to 24 years in prison, the Associated Press said. Manafort pleaded guilty to witness tampering, conspiracy and money laundering in a separate federal case filed in Washington, DC. Prosecutors with special counsel Robert Muellers office slammed Manafort in a filing this week, saying he blames everyone from the Special Counsels Office to his Ukrainian clients for his own criminal choices. They recommended the judge reject his pleas for leniency. Manaforts lawyers argued his age should be taken into account. He has been in jail for months since his plea deal was withdrawn for alleged witness tampering. Prosecutors said he also lied under oath. His health has been in decline, and hes been using a wheelchair and a cane. The Electoral Commission (EC) has announced it has resumed the issuance of replacement of voter ID cards with immediate effect. According to a statement dated March 4, 2019, which was issued and signed by its Chairperson Jean Mensah, anyone who wishes to replace a lost, defaced, or a damaged voters ID card can visit any of the EC offices nationwide to do so. Any person who wishes to replace a lost, defaced, or a damaged voters ID card is required to pay a fee of GH5 at any of the Ghana Commercial Bank branches across the country. Applicants are required to submit the receipt of payment to the district offices of the commission where the applicant is registered for the issuance of a new ID card, the statement stated. It would be recalled that somewhere in August last year, the commission suspended its issuance of replacement of voter ID cards. It explained that the move is to enable it to mobilize and retool its district voter management system (VMS). Source: Daily Guide Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Clifton Mark in Aeon: Although widely held, the belief that merit rather than luck determines success or failure in the world is demonstrably false. This is not least because merit itself is, in large part, the result of luck. Talent and the capacity for determined effort, sometimes called grit, depend a great deal on ones genetic endowments and upbringing. This is to say nothing of the fortuitous circumstances that figure into every success story. In his book Success and Luck (2016), the US economist Robert Frank recounts the long-shots and coincidences that led to Bill Gatess stellar rise as Microsofts founder, as well as to Franks own success as an academic. Luck intervenes by granting people merit, and again by furnishing circumstances in which merit can translate into success. This is not to deny the industry and talent of successful people. However, it does demonstrate that the link between merit and outcome is tenuous and indirect at best. More here. When we make the wrong choices, we must act to set things right. When those put in charge of running the affairs of state get it wrong, we must have the courage, the humanity and the selflessness to say so. That is our patriotic duty. We should also not be seen, at every given opportunity, to be running down our nation merely to realise our narrow, parochial and partisan interest. That is not acceptable patriotism. These were the words of the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, when he spoke at the 109th anniversary celebrations of the Adisadel College, Cape Coast. Quoting from the celebrated American orator and Senator, Carl Schurz, who, in the 19th century, said, My country, right or wrong; if right, to be kept right; and if wrong, to be set right, the President noted that that should be the underlining belief of Ghanaians, if the nation is to be successful in consolidating a sense of patriotism in citizens and generations yet unborn. President Akufo-Addo reiterated that his Government remains committed to the development of a free, fair society in which all persons, irrespective of economic circumstances and social barriers, are able to access education, acquire skills, and contribute effectively to the progress and prosperity of our nation. We should have the belief that our nation can make its own unique contribution to the growth of world civilization, and be able to generate prosperity for the masses of its people, building a Ghana Beyond Aid. All of us gathered here, and millions out there, inside our borders and outside in the diaspora, share this love for the place where all of us feel completely at home, the President stated. Speaking on the investments his Government is making in education, he expressed his delight that any young boy from any part of the country, who applies himself diligently, can, in spite of his circumstance, dream of also becoming a Santa Clausian, and contribute to the growth and development of Adisadel and of our country. Like the examples of some countries of East Asia have shown, the President noted that key to the creation of progress and prosperity is the process of industrialization and value-addition activities. This, however, he added, cannot be achieved with an uneducated population, the reason why Government is sparing no effort in ensuring that the Free Senior High School policy succeeds. It gladdens my heart that we, in Ghana, are now able to say that education in the public sector is free from Kindergarten to Senior High School. Ghana is proud to be a part of the nations in the world granting unfettered access to Senior High School education to all school-going children, a path that has been trodden by successful nations like the United States of America, Singapore, Finland, Canada, Japan, Korea and Malaysia, the President said. The introduction of the Double-Track calendar system, President Akufo-Addo stressed, is a temporary measure, aimed at ensuring that no student was denied the opportunity to further his or her education. The construction of new facilities and expansion of existing ones in the four hundred (400) High Schools, running double track, are progressing steadily, made possible by a $1.5 billion GETFund securitization initiative, he said. The President continued, Within two weeks, contracts are going to be awarded for the construction of a two-storey classroom block and a two-storey dormitory block as a double track facility intervention. This will be in addition to the completion of the dormitory block and the classroom about which much has been spoken. We will, in due course, phase out the double track system without loss to anyones education. In addition to a new standards-based curriculum, which has mathematics, science, reading, writing and creativity at its heart, and will be rolled out from kindergarten to Class 6 in primary schools this year, the President stressed that all is set for the construction of 21 state-of-the-art Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) Centres this year. On the news of a recent misunderstanding between the Board and Management of Adisadel, on one hand, and the Ghana Education Service, on the other, the President described it as unnecessary. As the body charged with managing schools, the authority and directives of GES cannot be disregarded, without introducing anarchy into our educational system. This recent impasse between the GES and Adisadel should not, and must not reoccur. There are more appropriate channels of addressing problems than resorting to open spats in the media, he added. In recognition of Adisadels 109th anniversary, and in commemoration of his visit, President Akufo-Addo stated that GETFund is going to going to be instructed to complete this building in which todays ceremony is being conducted, and to replace the bus about which the Assistant Headmaster complained. Source: presidency.gov.gh 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 Taste: Leave these cookies out for Santa this Christmas NEW YORK In 1664, Maryland passed the first British colonial law banning marriage between whites and slaves. An 1883 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that state prohibitions on interracial marriage dont violate the Fourteenth Amendment held for more than 80 years. While such impediments to marriage were dismantled over time, there are still hurdles, however small, to overcome. Here, in 2019, interracial couples have a small victory to celebrate: The approval of 71 new variations of emoji for couples of color. Capping a yearlong project by, of all people, the folks at the swipe-right dating app Tinder and tech activist group Emojination, the emoji gods (known as the Unicode Consortium) recently approved the additions in characters technically referred to as people holding hands. A new gender-inclusive couple emoji was also approved among 230 new characters. Until now, emoji of two or more people on various platforms and devices have been available only in the default yellow. While the Unicode Consortium, where Google, Microsoft and Apple have voting seats and Lee is vice-chair of the emoji subcommittee, signed off on the skin-tone additions, user companies will decide for themselves starting later this year whether to add them and how they will look. Jenny Campbell, the chief marketing officer for Tinder, isnt worried about distribution after the company mounted a campaign and petition drive in support of the technical proposal it submitted to Unicode. Ultimately, we wanted to get the interracial emoji couple on peoples keyboards not only for equality, but also to spread acceptance for all couples no matter what their race, she told The Associated Press on Thursday. Our users are craving a way to express themselves visually and see themselves reflected in our everyday tech language. So are lots of other emoji enthusiasts of color left in the wings for years. More than 50,000 people signed Tinders online petition at Change.org. Unicode is taking user demand for more skin tones across emoji very seriously, said Lee, the co-founder of the grassroots Emojination. The additional of skin tones, gender variations, hijab and hair styles are part of users around the world demanding to see themselves represented on the emoji keyboard. Diverse couples and families are part of that. While facial features and hair textures are yet to be determined by some vendors, Tinder said the use of six existing skin tones already available for one-person emoji and various others is a step in the right direction at a time when the text- and chat-friendly characters remain a readily accessible way for the world to express itself. The lack of color options in couples, the company said, felt like a slight. Even as our social behaviors have evolved and interracial dating and marriage has become more prevalent, visual representation of these relationships in technology has lagged far behind, Campbell said. Emoji of single people of color and same-sex couples were added in the last several years, but not in mixed-tone combinations. In real life, the rate of interracial marriage has increased over the years, especially since the 1967 U.S. Supreme Court decision Loving v. Virginia that struck down all anti-miscegenation laws remaining in 16 states. But such marriages remain a small portion of marriages overall. Tinder is taking credit for its industry in pushing interracial dating along, citing data that indicates couples who meet online are more likely to be interracial than those who dont. We know that equal forms of representation are important to our users, Campbell said, and important to us. Skin tones for limited use were added to the Unicode Standard for emoji in 2015. More representation of women in 2016, some gender-inclusive people in 2017 and hair color options last year. Also approved this year: A waffle, a much-requested white heart, a guide dog and people in wheelchairs. Oh, and a sloth. WASHINGTON Bill Shine, a former Fox News executive who took over as President Donald Trumps communications director last summer, exited the White House on Friday, the latest person to step away from a job that has become a revolving door within the turbulent West Wing. Shine will join the presidents Republican re-election campaign, the White House said in a laudatory statement that quoted Trump and other top White House officials. When Shine joined the administration, he was viewed as an experienced hand whose television experience could help shape Trumps message. But like others before him, Shine was forced to grapple with a president who preferred to run his own communications strategy via tweet. In recent weeks, Trump had expressed frustration that Shine had not done more to improve his press coverage, said two people close to the president who were not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. The announcement took many in the West Wing by surprise, though there were signs of unrest lately. Shine did not join Trump on his high-stakes trip to Vietnam for a summit with North Koreas Kim Jong Un. Still, Trump said in a statement: We will miss him in the White House, but look forward to working together on the 2020 Presidential Campaign, where he will be totally involved. Shine was Sean Hannitys top producer for several years at Fox News Channel, rising to network leadership when founding chief executive Roger Ailes was forced out following sexual misconduct allegations. Shine wasnt accused of such misdeeds, but he was named in lawsuits as someone who tried to keep a lid on allegations of bad workplace behavior instead of trying to root it out. He was known as Ailes operations man and enforcer, the one who tried to put his boss directives into action. Shines work at Fox, and the close relationship the network has with the Trump White House, was given new attention this week through a lengthy story in The New Yorker magazine. That article led to the Democratic National Committee saying it would not partner with Fox on any debates involving 2020 presidential contenders. Shine called his eight-month stint in the White House the most rewarding experience of my entire life. Shine succeeded Hope Hicks as communications director. Others who served in that role were Anthony Scaramucci, who lasted just 11 days, Sean Spicer and Mike Dubke. ___ Associated Press writers Jonathan Lemire and David Bauder in New York and Catherine Lucey in Washington contributed to this report. In Vietnam & combat at 19 PLACITAS The reflection of a man can be seen in the glass of an about-50-years-old photograph of a platoon of soldiers standing in a freshly cleared field in Da Nang, Vietnam. Placitas resident Carl Longley, 70, looks at the photo solemnly, pointing at each soldier who died, remembering how and when each one met his end. Out of almost 17 men in my platoon, I am one of only eight or so left, he said. The year was 1969 when a 19-year-old Longley volunteered to fight in Vietnam. I thought I could beat the draft because I could pick what I was going to do when I got over there, he said. Longley ended up getting orders to join the Armys 687th Land Clearing Division, because he had a little experience handling the tractors being used after getting out of high school. All of us came from various backgrounds, cooks, clerks, whatever, he said laughing. You dont need much skill to push down a tree. His theory for the formation of the land-clearing company he was assigned to is that it was the governments alternative to using the dangerous defoliant Agent Orange, he said. The convoy Longley was in consisted of several brush-clearing tractors, or dozers, protected by someone at the front or back of the line with a machine gun. Depending on his companys orders, many times his platoon would meet other branches of service for cover during their clearing assignments. Recollection of combat Longley spent a few minutes looking around the house for his sunglasses before sharing a word of his first traumatic experience in the field. It was our first move out from a base camp when I remember being caught in our first firefight, Longley said. We were in convoyWe were moving 10 out of 30 tractors at a time through this mountainous pass, he said. We got hit in this narrow pass. Fortunately for me, I was in the middle of the convoy and the NVA (North Vietnamese Army) hit the end of the convoy. Longley said the road was too narrow to turn around, so they had to push forward. At the end of the convoy, we had a kid on a Jeep who was on a 60-caliber machine gun and he took a round to the jaw, he said while trying to hold back the tears. Longley said they found a little clearing down the hill where he and his platoon restaged when his lieutenant asked him and two other men to go and fight to get their equipment back. Soon, two Huey helicopters had been called in and a spotter plane laid down fire in the area the NVA was attacking from, he said. I got back up there and I saw this kid who got shot in the face and amazingly he survived, Longley said after a long pause to gain his composure. I dont know how, but he did survive. Coming home It wasnt until 2005 that Longley said he began to really think about the possibility that he might have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. I was talking to a group of my buddies at a reunion, and they kept asking me if I had received any treatment or compensation from the government for PTSD, he said. I told them I was doing alright, that somebody else needed that money more than me. Longley at this point in his life had a successful business and focused most of his attention on keeping it running. But I looked back at myself and realized how quickly I was given to bouts of rage, and for a time, I was drinking and smoking pretty heavily, he said. Never a religious person, Longley said until recently, he prayed only three times in his life. I prayed twice in Vietnam and once when I heard my parents fighting as a 9-year-old child, he said. But if it wasnt for family support and prayer, I wouldnt be where I am today. Longley said reuniting with fellow Vietnam veterans has helped him tremendously. I have come to terms with my trauma, he said. When I get together with my buddies once a year, we can share our pain and experiences and understand each other on a different level. To date, there is no cure for PTSD. Although many treatments exist, many people have unseen scars. Welcome Guest! You Are Here: Albuquerque police say an officers rifle went off during a severe struggle with a stolen car suspect in a Northeast Albuquerque parking lot Thursday night. A police spokesman told the Journal on Thursday night that the incident was possibly a case of accidental discharge and is being investigated as an officer-involved shooting. The suspect, 31-year-old David Crespin, was not hit by gunfire but was taken to the hospital for use of force injuries suffered during the struggle, according to a criminal complaint filed in Metropolitan Court. He has since been booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center on aggravated assault against a police officer with a deadly weapon, drug possession and stolen vehicle charges. Police say the shooting unfolded after Crespin led officers on a foot chase in the area of Montgomery and San Mateo NE following a stolen vehicle pursuit. According to the criminal complaint, a woman called 911 on Thursday night to report seeing her stolen car with several people inside at a Starbucks near Central and Eubank. When officers tried to pull the car over it sped off as a woman screamed, Stop let me out, from inside the vehicle, and police believed a kidnapping had taken place. Police say the woman inside the car called 911 and said she was being held against her will at the Casa Bonita Apartments, near Montgomery and San Mateo. Surveillance was established on the apartment complex in an attempt to identify the victims location and possible hostage rescue, an officer wrote. The complaint says officers saw Crespin, the woman who called police and another man outside the complex, and Crespin ran from police when they approached. Police say Crespin ran across San Mateo and tried to carjack someone before police caught up with him. Crespin grabbed for an officers rifle and a severe struggle ensued before a round was fired from the rifle into the ground. Officers used a Taser on Crespin and he was arrested. Police found user amounts of heroin and methamphetamine in his pockets, according to the court document. Crespin told police he bought the stolen car from a crackhead for $20 and he ran from officers because he was afraid to go to jail. The woman who reported being kidnapped said she was in fear for her life and tried to get out of the car during the chase but refused to press charges against Crespin. In the early morning hours of Feb. 20, 2016, an undercover deputy U.S. Marshal was conducting surveillance at a West Central mobile home park, looking for a murder suspect. Instead, he came across 23-year-old Edgar Camacho-Alvarado. Exactly what happened next is unclear, but several minutes later deputy Paul Hernandez shot and killed Camacho-Alvarado on the steps of his mothers mobile home. Camacho-Alvarado is referred to as Camacho in court filings. Late last month, U.S. District Judge Nancy Freudenthal of Wyoming concluded a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Camacho-Alvarados family by ruling in favor of deputy Hernandez. All local federal judges had recused themselves because the case involved an officer with the Department of Justice. The ruling means the case will not go to a jury trial, because the court finds deputy Hernandez did not violate Camachos clearly established constitutional rights. Louren Oliveros, one of the attorneys representing Camacho-Alvarados mother, Hermelinda Alvarado Escobedo, said they plan to file an appeal. This young man was shot and killed in his doorway of his home and its our position that his civil rights were violated and that a jury should decide this case, Oliveros said. We respectfully disagree with the judges decision and were looking forward to an appellate review of it. According to the order granting the defendants motions for summary judgement, Hernandez was undercover and in plain clothes at the mobile home park on Central near Unser when he was looking for murder suspect George Bond. He ran into Camacho-Alvarado around 3:30 a.m. Hernandez said he never mistook Camacho-Alvarado for Bond, but he was concerned that Camacho-Alvarado was conducting countersurveillance or following him. Eventually, the two men approached each other. According to Hernandez, Camacho-Alvarado asked what he was doing and responded by asking what does it matter to you? Hernandez testified that before he finished what he was saying Camacho is attempting to pull a gun from his hoodie, but it appears to get hooked on his sweatshirt, the order says. Camacho is able to pull the gun out of his pocket, at the same time Hernandez identifies himself as police, tells Camacho not to move, and pulls his weapon. Then Camacho-Alvarado started to run. Hernandez testified that he gave chase and at some point, Camacho-Alvarado began to turn and point a gun at him. Hernandez fired and Camacho-Alvarado fell, landing with half his body inside the trailer. It is difficult in this case to discuss undisputed facts because plaintiffs and defendants have very different versions of what happened, Freudenthal wrote in the order. However, it is undisputed that only deputy Hernandez and Camacho know what happened that evening. She wrote that there is other evidence, including Camacho-Alvarados DNA that was found on a gun that Hernandez said was found lying next to him. Based on these facts, deputy Hernandezs use of force was reasonable, Freudenthal wrote. Once Camacho pulled a weapon and refused deputy Hernandezs instruction not to move, deputy Hernandez had probable cause to believe that Camacho posed a serious threat of physical harm to others in the trailer park justifying deputy Hernandezs pursuit of Camacho. Mark Baker, Hernandezs attorney, said his client has been with the U.S. Marshals Service for almost 16 years. He is still assigned to the fugitive apprehension task force, but now he is a senior inspector assigned to prosecute convicted sex offenders. Early on there were misrepresentations in the media suggesting that the U.S. Marshals were executing a warrant on the wrong house and that Edgar Camacho-Alvarado was shot unarmed, Baker said. At some point they said it was execution style. I was glad to see the judge set the records straight. Bill Johnson isnt afraid of dying, but he does fear what will come next as his illness progresses. And as his life comes to a close, he says he wants to choose how he leaves this world. Sitting in a wheelchair and looking into a video camera, Johnson relates his struggle with Lou Gehrigs Disease. Diagnosed with ALS Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in May 2017, Johnson says doctors back then told him he might have two to five years remaining. At 83 and looking forward to a terrible, terrible protracted agony this is not something I want to go through, he says in the video. Thats why he agreed to make the two-minute video for Compassion and Choices New Mexico, which was released to the Journal on Friday. The organization is championing a bill in the state Legislature to provide terminally ill people the option to receive medication to end their own lives. House Bill 90, the Elizabeth Whitefield End of Life Options Act, is named for a former New Mexico judge who died from cancer and advocated on behalf of medical aid in dying. The bills sponsors are Rep. Deborah Armstrong, D-Albuquerque, and Sen. Elizabeth Stefanics, D-Santa Fe. The bill, which has been temporarily tabled, would allow mentally capable, terminally ill adults who have been diagnosed with six months or less to live, to obtain a prescription from a doctor for medication to end their suffering and their lives. Elizabeth Armijo, regional campaign outreach manager for Compassion and Choices, said New Mexicans overwhelming support medical aid in dying, according to a 2012 survey conducted by Research and Polling. I think we have good support in both the House and the Senate, and I think it will pass, if the Legislative session doesnt end before they can get to it, she said. And for the sake of terminally ill New Mexicans, I hope they dont run out of time. Not surprisingly, there is opposition to the bill. Nevada physician, Dr. T. Brian Callister, an internal medicine specialist and a nationally recognized expert in end-of-life issues, was part of an educational session and press conference conducted in the Capitol Rotunda at the beginning of the legislative session. He said he told those attending the conference that with hospice expertise and expanded and improved palliative medications, there is no reason for someone to be in pain at the end of their life. That, however, is very different from legislation that would allow doctors to give patients medications to end their own lives. Thats called suicide, Callister said; its something he does not support. According to national medical literature, he said, doctors err from 50 to 70 percent of the time in predicting how long a terminally ill patient will survive. In addition, 17 percent of hospice patients are removed from hospice care because they outlive the six month limit on their stay. Doctors are good at diagnosing terminal illness, but not how long those patients will live, he said. But Johnson knows a thing or two about hospitals. He was the CEO of University of New Mexico Hospital for nearly two decades, and is a former secretary for the state Human Services Department. He also spent 20 years in the military, working and teaching in health care-related positions in Germany, Vietnam and at West Point. The pain associated with his disease is not the singular phenomenon that is occurring, he told the Journal on Friday. There is also the crushing fatigue and associated conditions that are degrading the quality of his life. Its very hard having to be dressed every morning and be put in and out of bed. I worry about my family and how hard it is on my wife, Gloria, who has to do everything for me. Its an awful situation. Its demeaning, frustrating and creates anxiety. I have no purpose, no pleasure in life. There comes a point when theres no value in remaining alive, he said. A Roman Catholic, Johnson said hed like the option of a prescription for medication to end his life at the moment of his choosing, but in the meantime he has signed a do not resuscitate directive and has informed his family that he is not to have tube feeding or a respirator. His family, he said, supports his decision. If he were well enough to address the Legislature, he said hed tell them to support HB 90 and hed remind them that ultimately only he has the right to make decisions about his life and his death. The New Mexico Conference of Catholic Bishops opposes the legislation, said Allen Sanchez, its executive director. We have a consistent ethic of life from conception to natural death the same reason we oppose the death penalty, he said. Sanchez also expressed concern that a terminally ill person may be coerced by family members to opt for medical aid in dying to preserve life savings for family inheritances. One-third of all the hospitals in the United States are owned by the Catholic Church, and the church is committed to alleviate suffering. The problem with this bill is it wants to eliminate suffering by eliminating the sufferer, and thats not the answer, Sanchez said. The debate the Legislature should be having is about fully funding universal health care and making sure palliative and hospice care are available. People worldwide have now watched the HBO documentary Leaving Neverland, featuring two men who say as children they were repeatedly sexually abused by Michael Jackson. The documentary delved into how such abuse can occur, a predators methods and the lifelong damage it can do to a child victim. Im not convinced most Americans truly understand how a pedophile operates. There is still this perception that these sexual crimes are suddenly forced upon the child, that violence, restraints and bloodshed are the norm. Nothing could be further from the truth. At the crux of pedophilia is the technique child hunters use to gain access to their prey. It is called grooming and it is cleverly applied to both adults and children. First, realize that a pedophile is the most charming, personable and cunning criminal on the planet. They woo and seduce. They present as good tax-paying, church-going, hard-working citizens. They make people feel as though they are completely trustworthy. The pedophiles first grooming target is almost always the parent. They know they must seduce the parent into thinking the best about them before getting clear access to the child. Pedophiles often zero in on one-parent families, harried single mothers who crave help to raise their youngster. Once the predator has the child alone, a familiar pattern usually occurs. The child is first made to feel safe, then they are repeatedly given gifts and told how special they are. There is hugging and kissing, and if the child responds positively the next step is touching on the thighs and then the crotch. Pornography is often used to gauge a childs sexual curiosity, and alcohol or drugs are frequently offered. The child begins to love and depend upon this person who heaps so much attention upon them. This seduction doesnt happen overnight. It might take weeks or months, and that is part of the allure for a child predator. The hunt is often just as stimulating to a pedophile as an actual sex act. He told me it was love and God brought us together, one of Jacksons accusers, Wade Robson, said to Oprah Winfrey during a one-hour special that followed the HBO documentary. Robson said he was just 7 when the molestation began. I had no understanding that what Michael did to me sexually was abuse. I had no concept of it being that, Robson said. Oprah, herself a survivor of childhood sex crimes, explained that impressionable children simply dont have the language to explain all their complicated feelings. When asked if something bad happened to them, it is easy for the child to deny it because the hugging, kissing and rubbing actually felt good to them. Robson and a second man, James Safechuck, both said they were so brainwashed to keep the sex secret and beguiled by Jacksons fame that it wasnt until they married and had their own sons that they began to realize what had actually happened. Both described later-in-life nervous breakdowns that led them to seek therapy to heal from their trauma. Attorneys for Jacksons estate filed a $100 million lawsuit against HBO and condemned the documentary, calling it one-sided propaganda designed to shamelessly exploit an innocent man who is no longer here to defend himself. The public should also understand that pedophiles follow a typical script when discovered. They distract the conversation by personally attacking the childs character or that of the family. They may point the finger at what they claim is an overly needy child with an inattentive parent, they may tell police the family is out to extort money from them, or the suspect may accuse the child of being the aggressor who brought porn or alcohol into the relationship. They, in effect, ask police, Who you gonna believe? Me, the grown up or the troubled kid from the broken home? Its an age-old molesters tactic. Retired FBI Special Agent Ken Lanning wrote the bureaus bible on pedophilia, Child Molesters: A Behavioral Analysis. He once told me pedophiles have an uncanny ability to identify with and listen to children. They surround themselves with things that will attract children. Think of the amusement park at Neverland or the big-screen TV playroom in Jerry Sanduskys basement near Penn State. Lanning also notes that molesters believe their loving actions toward children are natural. Many pedophiles refuse to recognize that what they do is even wrong, Lanning said. They truly believe the love they are showing the child is a good thing. Im hoping that these recent child survivors stories have educated people as to why victims keep their humiliating secret for so long; how the person next door can be both a wonderful neighbor and a child predator, and how a victims lifetime of torment can be soothed by simply looking them in the eye and saying, I believe you. www.DianeDimond.com; e-mail to Diane@DianeDimond.com. There are shirts going around that say I survived 285. Semis dont slow down. They cut you off. When you slow down to turn, they dont stop. Southeastern N.M. resident Leo Gonzalez There are oil rigs everywhere. The number of vehicles is just madness. New Mexico has never put money into the road infrastructure as we should have. I drive over into Texas and the roads there are taken care of. We have not had our priorities straight. Southeastern N.M. resident Jim Harris As the New Mexico Legislature enters its final week of 2019, it is essential lawmakers come together as they did in 2018 to address an infrastructure crisis in southeastern New Mexico. Then it was the Carlsbad brine well, a disaster waiting to swallow homes and highways. Our lawmakers understood that the first responsibility of government is public safety, and they joined forces and put together a $30 million rescue package to help prevent the collapse of the well, created by a now-bankrupt company that extracted salt in liquid form by injecting fresh water into the ground. Now it is the highways in southeastern N.M. that are a disaster forget waiting to happen. The oil and gas boom has brought more people, more cars, more trucks, more semis and more tankers to the surface streets in and around Carlsbad, Roswell, Artesia, Jal, Loving and Tatum. And the sheer volume as well as weight and speed of those vehicles have in turn chewed up roads that in many cases werent in great shape to begin with. Wrecks are up. So are traffic fatalities 17 in Eddy County and 24 in Lea County last year alone. And thats in rural, sparsely populated areas where traffic deaths should be a rarity not a twice-a-month occurrence. Once again, New Mexico needs its citizen legislators to do what they do best think like the real residents of New Mexico they are and come up with solutions for their neighbors. Because the billion-dollar surpluses projected this and next fiscal year are thanks to that oil and gas boom, it makes sense for a decent portion of the windfall to go back into the communities that produced it. Its atrocious that routinely 100 trucks are backed up at stoplights in Jal, that mailboxes between Loving and the Texas state line are consistently mowed down by vehicles swerving to avoid collisions and above all that people are regularly dying on these roads. Yes, every one of our 33 counties has road needs. But with lawmakers looking at putting as much as $300 million to $400 million into road projects statewide, this part of the state should be a priority. Dont demand government go it alone And because we are talking long stretches of road chewed up by the oil and gas industry and it takes $2 million to pave a single mile it makes sense to take the industry up on its offer of a public-private partnership to help fund repairs. Lawmakers have tabled HB 201, sponsored by Rep. Cathrynn Brown, R-Carlsbad, that would have created a mechanism for private individuals and companies to donate directly to their county road fund or give all or part of their New Mexico tax return to such a fund. The 20 major and mid-size energy companies in west Texas and southeast New Mexico that make up the Permian Strategic Partnership want to invest $100 million in oil patch communities. That is as close to free money from the folks responsible for the wear and tear as you are going to get. Members of the House Taxation and Revenue Committee need to put the pedal to the metal and blast that bill out for a floor vote. Direct vehicle sales taxes to road repairs Then theres Browns HB 188, which would dedicate the Motor Vehicle Excise Tax to the state road fund, where it belongs. (Sens. John Arthur Smith, D-Deming, and Stuart Ingle, R-Portales, have a similar proposal in SB 505, as does Sen. Clemente Sanchez, D- Grants, with SB 609. None has made it to a floor vote.) New Mexicos roads are crumbling in great part because the road fund has been starved, and one of the fairest ways to fund road repairs is through money paid by road users. And especially given the cost of repairs, it is essential that New Mexico ensures it gets every last penny of federal matching money to cover as many miles as possible. Get governor to shore up traffic cops But just as Rome wasnt built in a day, neither was an extra lane, a wider shoulder, an overpass, a new intersection. When not if lawmakers send a roads rescue package to Gov. Michell Lujan Grisham, the dangers will remain on U.S. 285 in Eddy County, N.M. 128 between Carlsbad and Jal, at the intersection of U.S. 285 and N.M. 31 in Eddy County, on U.S. 380 in Lea County at least for a while. In the meantime, somethings gotta give now for the drivers and residents in the oil patch. More law enforcement presence would reduce the number of semis and others speeding. Drivers forcing vehicles into ditches and plowing through mailboxes to hit deadlines and cut costs has to stop. As resident Heather Lopez says, Everybody runs like it is the end of days. Drivers get impatient. Trucks pull out in front of cars. They figure they are bigger and you are going to stop. They might be bigger, but Lujan Grisham packs a lot of power in her under-5-foot frame. Heres a call for her to explore creative ways to get a supplemental law enforcement presence in the interim incentivizing retired officers, perhaps? to help keep industry and local drivers safer. New Mexico government acted before the brine well became a national disaster. With too many lives lost already, state officials need to act now to slow down the traffic in the oil patch while speeding up road repairs and improvements. 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. SANTA FE With just one week remaining in this years 60-day legislative session, the fate of a voter-approved ethics commission is far from settled. Two competing bills have emerged that would set the powers and procedures of the seven-member commission, and one of those bills passed the House earlier this month with bipartisan backing. But that measure, House Bill 4, has not been taken up by the Senate Rules Committee, which instead started deliberations Friday on a separate measure sponsored by the panels chairwoman, Sen. Linda Lopez, D-Albuquerque. Lopez has said the bill will be revised before its voted on, which could happen as soon as today. In its current form, Senate Bill 619 has come under fire from open government advocacy groups for being secretive and punitive. Among other things, it would impose stiffer penalties on people who violate the confidentiality provisions than it would on officials who violate ethical standards. The gag provision includes those who file complaints. Some lawmakers suggested Friday that approach might not go over well with voters, as a proposed constitutional amendment to create the ethics commission passed last November with the support of more than 75 percent of those who cast ballots. I think the public is going to expect us to err toward more transparency than (toward) less transparency, said Sen. Mark Moores, R-Albuquerque. But other senators suggested too much transparency could lead to politically motivated smear campaigns. The accusations that come forth sometimes are unbelievably false, said Senate Minority Leader Stuart Ingle, R-Portales. Its easy to criticize when youre not part of this process. Under the approved constitutional amendment, the independent commission will be tasked with investigating claims of wrongdoing against legislators, lobbyists, elected officials and state employees. It will have the authority to investigate compliance with state laws covering campaign fundraising, financial disclosures, lobbyist regulations and the conduct of government officials. But the two bills call for different procedures. The House plan would make all commission hearings open to the public, but the Senate measure, in its current form, would allow such hearings to occur behind closed doors. They also differ on how when and how ethics complaints would be made public, which Sen. Jeff Steinborn, D-Las Cruces, described as the thorniest issue of them all. The House-approved plan calls for complaints to be released once they are determined to be valid, while the Senate proposal would keep them confidential under most circumstances. SANTA FE A new proposal would restrict federal contracts for immigration detention centers and could make New Mexico a sanctuary state. Democratic state Reps. Angelica Rubio and Antonio Moe Maestas are pushing a bill that would limit the use of state and local resources for civil immigration custody or detention purposes. Under the proposal, state law enforcement agencies would not be able to sign new federal contracts or renew current ones involving civil immigration custody unless there have been two public meetings. Legislative analysts say the bill could make New Mexico a sanctuary state in the view of the federal government and cost the state millions in federal grants. In the case of many federal law enforcement grants, the federal government requires immigration cooperation assurances as a prerequisite to receiving funding, according to the bills fiscal impact report prepared by the Legislative Finance Committee. House Republicans are expected to strongly oppose the bill. Cibola County Correctional Center, a privately run prison operated by the Nashville, Tenn.-based CoreCivic, functions as a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center. That center and its cash-strapped county could lose a lucrative federal contract under the proposal. Cibola County Manager Kate Fletcher and County Commission Chairman Daniel Torrez did not return an email from The Associated Press. For the first time in a long time, it seemed possible. With a new Legislature, a new governor and a continued call nationwide to slow the body count resulting from gun violence, advocates like Robin Brule dared to hope that this time, this year they had a chance to pass laws they believe will help begin to stem the bloodshed. Its been good to finally have the support, she said. This has always been legislation about saving lives, not destroying the Second Amendment. It doesnt feel intrusive. Its common sense. No one wants dangerous people to get their hands on guns. Dangerous people getting their hands on a gun, this one apparently bought through a craigslist ad, is what prompted Brule to push even harder for sensible gun legislation. Her mother was murdered by that gun. Last week, a Maricopa County jury in Phoenix convicted Montez Wright and Tichina Shepard on two counts of first-degree murder apiece and other charges in the Feb. 8, 2016, shooting deaths of Brules mother and her mothers friend Barbara Leslie in Surprise, Ariz. A third defendant previously pleaded guilty to murder and burglary charges. Ruth Schwed, a 75-year-old Albuquerque retired educator, had gone to visit Leslie, 70, at her home in the quiet retirement community northwest of Phoenix. The women were having their morning coffee and reading the newspaper when two intruders slipped in through an open garage door and shot them both. The defendants then stole the womens bank and credit cards and checks and racked up hundreds of thousands of dollars in fraudulent charges. Testimony during the three-week trial indicated that the 9 mm handgun used to kill the women was never located, but evidence suggested that the trio had been searching to buy a gun on craigslist to carry out their crime. Sentencing is set for April 26. People who dismiss gun violence always talk about the victims being in the wrong place at the wrong time, said Brule, a well-known businesswoman and a member of Everytown for Gun Safetys survivor network. My mother was in a friends home in a retirement community at 8 in the morning. How is that wrong place, wrong time? Brule said she cant help but wonder whether a law such as the one that will be enacted under Senate Bill 8, which expands background checks, would have deterred her mothers killers. The bill was working its way through the Roundhouse at the same time the trial in Arizona was unfolding. On Friday, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed it into law. The bill makes it a misdemeanor for an individual who is not a federally licensed firearm dealer to sell a firearm without conducting a background check. The individual can request or pay for a federally licensed firearm dealer to conduct the background check in order to sell the firearm. Proponents say the law will close a loophole that allows people who would not pass a background check convicted felons, domestic abusers and those with severe mental illness to purchase firearms from unlicensed sellers, such as those who try to sell guns online, in ads, on the street or at gun shows. Perhaps not surprisingly, opposition remains. Some 25 counties in the states rural regions have passed Second Amendment sanctuary ordinances, concerned that gun legislation will infringe upon citizens rights to bear arms. All but a few of the states 33 county sheriffs have opposed the measure, although Albuquerque police Chief Mike Geier supported the bill. And on Thursday, several House Republicans announced they would attempt a little used and long-shot voter referendum process to void the legislation. All of which is disappointing to Brule and other advocates and survivors who have worked for years to get this far. This legislation is about saving lives, she said. Nobody is coming for your guns. Nobody is telling you not to buy a gun. Law-abiding citizens dont need to be afraid of this legislation. Proponents acknowledge that enhancing background checks will not stop the bleeding. Bad guys will always find ways to get guns. Maybe, though, it will begin to be a little harder, a little slower to do so. We know these are incremental changes, but its change, Brule said. Yes, it doesnt save everybody. But what is the alternative? To do nothing? Weve done that already. Brule said she knows there will always be people who wont believe that any legislation involving firearms isnt an infringement on their rights. But she fights on because of her mother, a woman who taught her that if you believe in something you use your voice. You speak up. You educate. You listen. You lobby. You vote. You dont stop. We never wanted our mother to be known as a victim, she said. I do this to honor her. I do this because its time to do something. 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. BELEN A haze of smoke still hung over the Rio Grande bosque near Belen on Friday after a wildfire ravaged 150 acres on both sides of the river. Firefighters from across the county, as well as those from multiple state agencies and neighboring counties were still working Friday evening to contain a bosque fire that started Thursday afternoon. The named Ironworks Fire, according to the website nmfireinfo.com just before 10 a.m. Friday, still posed a threat to 120 structures. Crews were still working on several hot spots Friday, and helicopters were dumping water on those areas as well. Incident commander Steven Griego, with New Mexico State Forestry, said extremely high winds drove the fire, which started on the west side of the Rio Grande, near Monte Vista Road in Belen, into the bosque and across the river. The fire jumped the river (to the east) in multiple places and pushed it into the subdivision, Griego said. The fire swept through fields east of the river, running north of the Whitfield Wildlife Conservation Area, and was stopped near N.M. 47. The fire did not cross the highway. It was pretty active all (Thursday) night long; it was a good fight, Griego said. We got a lot of good work done while the heat of the day was gone. We worked on establishing and building up containment lines, especially near structures. Today we are mopping up and securing. Griego said that officially the fire remained at zero percent contained but there was containment within the estimated 150 acres that burned. Because of expected high winds Friday afternoon, We may well be here through tonight again, he said. According to State Forestrys evening update, at least two homes, seven outbuildings structures such as a shed and six recreational vehicles have burned. The cause of the fire is under investigation, Valencia County Fire Chief Brian Culp said. Griego said no residents were injured in the fire, but two firefighters sustained minor injuries. Those who have been evacuated from their homes were asked to wait until they are contacted to return, Griego said. Depending on the winds we will let them know as soon as possible when they can return, he said. The American Red Cross established an emergency shelter at the Del Rio Senior Center, 351 Rio Communities Blvd., in Rio Communities. Red Cross disaster program specialist Sandra Darling-Roberts said four residents stayed at the shelter Thursday night, and about 20 volunteer firefighters used the center for respite during the night. She said the shelter has an abundance of food and water and urged community members who would like to donate food, water, clothing, toiletries or other items to help those who lost their homes to the fire or have been displaced to work directly with local groups. Five coworkers are facing felony charges after police say they jumped an off-duty New Mexico State Police officer before taking his gun at a Downtown Albuquerque hotel last December. Ezequiel Grado, 26, Manuel Herrera, 37, Rosalio Nunez, 32, Pete Ulibarri, 36, are all charged with aggravated battery in the beating of officer Alejandro AJ Romero. Justin Johnson, 30, is charged with receiving stolen property and tampering with evidence in the theft of Romeros revolver. Police say the five men worked for TLC plumbing and rented a room at the DoubleTree hotel at 201 Marquette NW following a company Christmas party. According to a criminal complaint filed in Metropolitan Court, police responded to a fight on Dec. 15 on the 14th floor of the hotel. Police found Romero dripping with blood and a fractured eye socket that had swollen shut. Romero, who was sleeping in an adjacent room, told police he had been beaten and kicked by several men when he asked them to keep it down. Afterward, his revolver was missing from a holster on his ankle. Police say they tried to find the men who had been involved but couldnt make contact that night. In the following days, a State Police detective interviewed several men who had been in the room when the beating occurred. Almost everyone interviewed, including those charged, told the detective slightly conflicting stories but the common thread was that Romero started the fight and swung first. Nobody told police anything about the revolver. The Albuquerque Police Department took over the investigation from there and police say Johnson called the APD detective in early January to change his initial story. Johnson told police he took the revolver from another TLC employee who found it on the ground after the fight, but gave it back to the employee before leaving the hotel. Police tracked down the employee in late February and he told them he picked up the gun because he didnt want anyone to use it in the fight and later hid it in his home. He gave it back to the detective and was not charged in the incident. He told police the boss at TLC interviewed everyone separately after the incident and he was fired. It is unclear if any of the other employees were fired and a company spokesperson did not answer those questions. Instead, TLCs Vice President of Service, Tracy Johnson, issued a statement: On December 16, 2018, TLC was made aware of an altercation that happened hours after a holiday party in a separate location involving some company employees. TLC will continue to fully cooperate law enforcement to resolve the issue. TLC is committed to ensuring its employees are honest, hard-working, respectable, compassionate, and consistent and if any employee does not exhibit this behavior we will take the proper internal actions. The head of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints met with a pope for the first time on Saturday, an event that reportedly followed decades of behind-the-scenes relationship building between denominations whose leaders share a concern over secularism. Pope Francis and President Russell. M Nelson both men who hold offices of profound spiritual significance for their faiths met for 33 minutes at the Vatican to discuss the shared priorities of protecting religious rights, traditional family values and young people and opposing secularism, according to the Mormon Church-affiliated Deseret News. The visit comes a day before Nelson was to dedicate the first Mormon temple in Rome. There are about 16 million Mormons in the world, compared with more than 1.1 billion Catholics. However, in a chaotic era when many people are leaving organized religion, leaders of the two denominations share goals, including responding together to disasters and poverty and promoting traditional families and involvement with Christian institutions. We talked about our mutual concern for the people who suffer throughout the world and want to relieve human suffering. We talked about the importance of religious liberty, the importance of the family, our mutual concern for the youth of the Church, for the secularization of the world and the need for people to come to God and worship Him, pray to Him and have the stability that faith in Jesus Christ will bring in their lives, Nelson told his churchs news website. The two groups work together on relief efforts in 43 countries. What a sweet, wonderful man he is, Nelson said of Francis, the Mormon Church news site reported, and how fortunate the Catholic people are to have such a gracious, concerned, loving and capable leader. The Vatican put out no detailed statement about the meeting Saturday, except to include it on the list of people and groups who had audiences with the pope that day. The meeting and the existence of the new temple are especially significant for Mormons, said Kathleen Flake, a historian of American religion and an expert on the Latter-day Saints. The church teaches that it isnt just generically Christian but is the authentic restoration of Jesuss church. Establishing the temple in Rome, a center of global Christianity, and the meeting with the pope give credibility to the Mormon Church as fully Christian, Flake said. Thats important for a group still fighting for acceptance. In the United States, for example, 97 percent of Mormons consider themselves Christian, compared with just more than half of U.S. adults who recognize Mormonism as a Christian faith, according to a 2016 analysis by the Pew Research Center. Asked to volunteer one word that best describes the group, Pew found, the most commonly offered response by non-Mormons was cult. Flake said it was significant that the visitors center of the new temple in Rome features a dramatic Christus sculpture along with sculptures of the 12 apostles. Theres a resonance there. Its a claim. . . . To replicate those statutes, in that place, theres nothing else it can be. Its symbolically an assertion of their claim to be the restored Church of Jesus Christ with its apostolic authority, she said. Nelson and Francis, she said, are unique. Are there any other men but those two who believe they stand in the shoes of St. Peter? According to the Deseret News, Francis gave Nelson two gifts: some of his writings on the family and on the Islamic faith. Nelson gave the pope a Christus statue an image common in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a copy of a core 1995 church document on the family. Other high-ranking Mormon Church leaders have met with top Catholic leaders in the past, including Henry B. Eyring, whose title was the first counselor in the First Presidency. That happened in 2014 when he and Francis spoke at a Vatican conference about marriage, the Deseret News wrote Saturday. The news site noted that a meeting between men in these positions would have been unimaginable to leaders and members in both churches until at least the 1960s, when followers officially were told to limit interactions with other faiths, including weddings and funerals. But behind-the-scenes connections were happening, the Deseret News reported, and have intensified in the past decade. The Mormon president, the news site reported, would go in the 1950s to Salt Lake Citys Holy Cross Hospital which is Catholic-run under the guise of visiting a Latter-day Saint patient, then slip into the office of Bishop Duane G. Hunt. They used their private sessions to talk about community issues and the tensions between their members in Utah, said Monsignor J. Terrence Fitzgerald, a Salt Lake City priest interviewed by the site. The Catholics were trying to get the Latter-day Saints not to bad-mouth the Catholics at every conference, Fitzgerald said, and the Latter-day Saints were trying to get the Catholics to put in a good word for them on the national level. Interfaith relations opened significantly with the Second Vatican Council, a major meeting of the Catholic Church in the 1960s. Both sides have become more open and, in the United States especially, have shared the cause of protecting traditional religious values in public life, such as government-affiliated faith groups choice not to offer health benefits to same-sex couples or to place foster or adopted children in their homes. Leaders of both faith groups have warned about liberalizing changes in sexuality, reproductive technology and gender norms and about a decrease in peoples firm belief in God. Secularism is prevalent in many Western countries, and many people have lost their faith in Jesus Christ, Latter-day Saint Presiding Bishop Gerald Causse told the Deseret News. And to have all Christian faiths join together and defend our values is important. In Utah, the two communities have developed strong relations in recent decades, the churchs news release said Saturday. NORTHERN CALIFORNIA - A human trafficking investigation in Northern California led to the arrest of a police officer on suspicion of soliciting prostitution and having sex with a minor. According to the Roseville Police Department, Sergeant Jason Bemowski was arrested Thursday at the Chino Police Department in Southern California. He's suspected of having sex with a 16-year-old girl while off duty at a home in Redlands. Police say 24-year-old Anthony Harrison was also arrested on suspicion of pimping and human trafficking and is being held at the South Placer Jail. PARADISE, Calif. - A medical clinic in Paradise is hoping to open its doors soon thanks to a big donation. Blue Shield of California recently donated $2 million to different health centers, including the Paradise Medical Group. Action News Now spoke to officials from the medical group who said of its three buildings, two were damaged and the largest one was destroyed. The donation will help rebuild the offices. People who are living back in Paradise say this is good news for those who need medical help. That's where our primary care physician is from," said Andrea Lovercheck, a resident in Paradise."We've had to go to Oroville and if they get in there and get good staff, we will continue to go there." For now, Paradise Medical Group has opened an office in Chico for patients to visit their doctors. It is located on 277 Cohasset Road. HAPPY CAMP, Calif. - Siskiyou County deputies arrested a man with BB gun after an on-foot pursuit and three failed attempts to tase and subdue him. It all started around 4:16 p.m. on Thursday when Siskiyou County deputies responded to reports of a man with a gun at the 1400 block of Curly Jack Road in Happy Camp. According to reports, the suspect walked onto a resident's property and confronted him. The resident said that he could see a gun in the man's pocket. Officers arrived on scene and contacted the suspect who they identified as Brett Christopher Rhodes, 32, of Happy Camp. He was later determined to have an active felony drug-related arrest warrant. Rhodes refused repeated attempts to take his hands out of his pocket and officers said he appeared to be purposely reaching into his pocket attempting to retrieve an object. Rhodes then ran from the scene into the yard of a house on the 1500 block of Curly Jack Road. He tried to enter the home but the door was locked. Deputies attempted to tase Rhodes twice but it had no effect on him. He cursed and taunted at the deputies and continued to refuse to take off his jacket and reveal what was in his pocket. He then removed a glass pipe from his pocket and told deputies it was his "crack pipe." Rhodes fled from the scene again and the deputies attempted to tase him again, which proved unsuccessful. Rhodes took off his jacket during the pursuit and threw it on a vehicle. Eventually, the deputies were able to tackle him and detain him. Deputies found a realistic-looking BB "facsimile" handgun inside his jacket. Rhodes was arrested and booked into Siskiyou County Jail in Yreka for felony arrest warrants and resisting arrest, possession of drug paraphernalia and for being under the influence of a controlled substance. This was a high-risk call for Deputy Garrison the CHP officer," said Siskiyou County Sheriff Jon Lopey. "The facsimile BB gun looked like a real handgun and the suspects aggressive, belligerent, and resistant actions endangered the safety of the involved peace officers and nearby residents. " This case is still under investigation and anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact the SCSO 24-hour Dispatch Center at (530) 841-2900. Would you like to receive breaking news notifications from The Post and Courier? Sign up to receive news and updates from this site directly to your desktop. Breaking News Columbia Breaking News Greenville Breaking News Myrtle Beach Breaking News Aiken Breaking News N Augusta Breaking News Click on the bell icon to manage your notifications at any time. Success! Please click the 'Allow' button in the 'Show Notifcations' alert in your browser if one is available. Thank you for signing up! Please enable notifications in your browser and reload the page. The Iraqi city of Sulaimaniyah hosted the sixth-annual Sulaimaniyah Forum on March 6-7, where discussions focused on Iraqs strategic significance in the region. During the forum, Iraqi officials and their Arab counterparts called for Iraq to re-embrace strong ties with its Arab neighbors and strike a balance in its ties with Iran. This year's forum was held under the motto Iraq and Its Neighbors: Toward a New Regional Order. Iraqi President Barham Salih said on the first day of the forum that Iraq is striving to bring together different viewpoints in the region based on its depth of ties with Arabic and Gulf states, assuring that this will bring major economic developments to the country and help solve the security crisis. Iraq is capable of being an "arena for consensus and reconciliation among the countries of the region," he noted. Salih highlighted the economic role of Iraq in bringing peace to the region, saying that Iraq is moving toward being a bridge between the regions economies by linking infrastructures between the Gulf, Turkey and Iran on one side, and between the Arab region and the Mediterranean region on the other." Salih referred to his recent campaign to visit different regional countries including Jordan, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia and preparations for signing major economic agreements between Iraq and these countries in order establish a regional economic system that brings all the countries closer and enables Iraq to play a balancing role in the region. In the same context, former Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi highlighted the importance of building a national view, distancing the country from the regional and international conflicts including the Iran-US conflict and striking a balance between all active powers in Iraq to serve national interests. President Salih also announced that Iraq is looking to build a network of interrelated interests such as regional railways, pipelines and free trade zones across Iraqs borders with all of its neighbors. For his part, former Iraqi Vice President Ayad Allawi emphasized the importance of Iraqs role in the region, saying that it should be a calming factor in the midst of ongoing conflicts. Member of parliament Faiq Ali al-Sheikh stressed the necessity of a two-way rapprochement between Iran and Arab countries. Iraq must adopt serious policies to return [to having strong ties] with [other Arab states], and the latter must look to strengthen ties with Iraq as well, he said, adding that Arabs cannot disregard Iraq as a regional power with a rich history and great possibilities. These calls for more openness toward Arab states weren't limited to the Kurdish and Arab Sunni figures alone, but even Iraqi Shiite figures who are known as close allies of Iran demanded rapprochement with Arabs and called for Baghdad to play an intermediary role between Iraqs neighboring countries. The young Shiite cleric Ammar Hakim, head of the Hikma Movement, said that Iraq must adopt an independent position in order to play a central role in opening dialogue between Iran, Arabs, Kurds and Turks. Iraq must be the peace gate of the region, he added. Arab figures meanwhile welcomed Iraq's rapprochement toward other Arab states, calling for a stronger and deeper involvement by Iraq in Arab issues. We have never doubted that Iraq is a great force in the Arab world, but Iraq cannot reach its peak without Arab support, said Amr Moussa, former secretary-general of the Arab League. Moussa said Iraq cannot play this role without getting out of the sectarian conflicts and adopting a broader national position. Arab figures seemed to be very realistic in addressing the regional conflict between Iran and Arab countries. They all called for reaching out to Iran via Iraq instead of escalating the confrontation. Moussa said the regional disputes cannot be dealt with through force or intervention but rather through communication and understanding, which are key to dialogue. Salih further stressed that Baghdad seeks to stay out of the US-Iran conflict. In response to a question about President Donald Trump's claim that the United States needs to maintain a presence in Iraq to watch Iran, Salih said Baghdad doesn't "want to be part of these conflicts. Iraq is still not a very stable country, and putting an extra political burden on it is unacceptable." Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is set to visit Iraq March 11, the first such trip during his tenure. This was preceded by Salih visiting Tehran in November 2018. These statements from the Sulaimaniyah Forum clearly indicate that Iraqi politicians are convinced about the need for their country to play the role of intermediary in the region more than ever before. The policy of aligning with one axis against another is no longer the standard for Iraq's political forces, and the country's major components agree on the need to distance Iraq from regional conflicts. They are looking for working for the interest of Iraq with all conflicting parties, without getting involved in any conflict in the region. Arab delegations at the Sulaimaniyah Forum, meanwhile, also seemed to be happy about Iraqs new role. They prefer Iraq as a bridge between them and Iran instead of Iraq as an enemy inside Irans camp. The economy is playing a major role in this new Iraqi policy. While Iraq cannot cut economic ties with Iran, Iraq's economy also cannot be sustainable without strong relations with its other neighbors, including the Arab countries and Turkey. A Birmingham man was indicted Friday by a federal grand jury on a carjacking charge stemming from a November incident in Hoover, prosecutors and the FBI said . Corderrel Dwayne Poole, 32, allegedly carjacked the female victims SUV at Publix on Green Springs Highway in Homewood on Nov. 5, according to U.S. Attorney Jay Town, FBI Special Agent in Charge Johnnie Sharp, Jr., and a previous AL.com report. Poole, a convicted sex offender, was apprehended the night of the carjacking by the Lincoln Police Department at the scene of a one-vehicle crash on I-20 in Talladega County, prosecutors said. The U.S. Attorneys Office encourages citizens to be vigilant in the parking areas of businesses they visit and commends the individuals who came forward to assist the victim after she was forcibly removed from her vehicle, Town said in a statement. Thanks to the work of the Homewood Police Department, Lincoln Police Department, and Alabama Law Enforcement Agency for their efforts in bringing this investigation to a quick conclusion. Poole faced up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted of the charge. The Birmingham man has a litany of previous arrests, including on charges of burglary, theft and drugs. A Montgomery man who fled the state after shooting and killing the victim inside his car was found guilty Friday of capital murder, prosecutors said. Kierro Nelson is expected to be sentenced to life in prison without parole on April 4 in the 2016 killing of 24-year-old Jordan Wilson. A Montgomery County jury returned a guilty verdict against Nelson. Wilson encountered Nelson in Montgomerys Virginia Pines apartment complex when Nelson confronted him in Wilsons car. Nelson fired a shot into Wilsons car, killing him. The Montgomery man fled to New York where U.S. Marshals apprehended him 31 days later. This was a senseless, heinous act, said Montgomery County District Attorney Daryl Bailey. The automatic sentence for Kierro Nelson of life without the possibility of parole ensures there will be one less person on our streets intent on harming the citizens of our community. My office will not be lenient on anyone using a gun to commit a crime. We will do everything in our power to make sure justice is served for the victims and their families." As debate took place in the Alabama House of Representatives on Friday, chambers of commerce in the states five largest cities announced their support for the gas tax. The House approved the bill late Friday afternoon, sending it to the state Senate for consideration. Alabama House passes the gas tax bill by a vote of 83-20. It wasn't that close after all. #alpolitics Mike Cason (@MikeCasonAL) March 8, 2019 Organizations from Birmingham, Huntsville, Mobile, Montgomery and Tuscaloosa joined with previously-announced support from the Business Council of Alabama for a plan pushed by Gov. Kay Ivey to raise the sate's gas tax 10 cents over the next three years. "Our support is on a number of different aspects," said Chip Cherry, president and CEO of the Huntsville-Madison County Chamber of Commerce. "We have a number of people who come into our community each day to work. We need to make sure we have the money to maintain our roads. Adding lanes to I-565 where currently a bottleneck, originally projected until 2040. That gives an idea how far the funding was backed up for priority road funding in the state. "The assumption is it's going to move up fairly significantly from that 2040, where it wouldn't have been in service until the mid-2040s. So that's one of those things where we've got significant road projects here that were being delayed due to the lack of funding at the state level." The city of Huntsville has partnered with the Alabama Department of Transportation on a $500 million project to address road issues in the state's third-largest city. Huntsville entered into a unique 50/50 funding split with ALDOT to hasten completion of road projects. "We taxed ourselves to get some of these things accelerated," Cherry said. Cherry said the tax would amount to about $4 to $5 per month for the average Alabamian. Iveys plan projects the annual cost to the average Alabama driver would be about $55 -- or about $4.50 per month. "The (Birmingham Business Alliance) supports the Rebuild Alabama Act and its intended purpose of increasing Alabamas public investment in transportation infrastructure, promoting economic growth and increasing public safety on Alabamas roads, Greg Curran, Chairman of the Firm, Maynard, Cooper & Gale, P.C. and Vice Chairman of the BBAs public policy committee, said in the announcement. Improved infrastructure is critical for the growth of Alabama, according to the Business Council of Alabama. The road to our future must be paved, Business Council of Alabama President and CEO Katie Boyd Britt said in the announcement. Alabamas transportation system is crucial to our economic growth, and BCA is proud to stand united with these chambers and so many others to support Governor Ivey and the legislature to Rebuild Alabama. Economic development and infrastructure go hand in hand. Roy Moore may be back on a ballot soon. Moore, the 2017 Republican U.S. Senate nominee whose campaign crashed after allegations of sexual misconduct, said Friday he is "seriously considering" another run for office. Appearing on Focal Point radio show with Bryan Fischer on American Family Radio, Moore was first asked about a potential Senate run in 2020 for Jones seat. "I'm seriously considering it," Moore said. "I think the (2017 race) was stolen. I think that's been pronounced in the national newspapers The New York Times, The Washington Post even has recognized there was a disinformation campaign going on in September of 2017 by forces outside of Alabama that spent a lot of money not regulated by the FEC in trying to dissuade Republicans from voting and encourage and enrage Democrats." The comments are Moore's strongest publicly about a run for office. In an interview with AL.com in January, Moore said he was focused more on the lawsuits resulting from the allegations than another political campaign. Moore, twice elected chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court who was forced from office before his term ended each time, has repeatedly denied the allegations made against him about a month before the election narrowly won by Doug Jones. Im not thinking about the future, Moore told AL.com when asked if he could envision running for office again. Im just dealing with the problems of the past. If we dont get it straight today, I dont know where the future will be. If I ever decide to do something, Ill let it be known. But right now, Im concentrating on whats before me. Ive got plenty of court cases going on right now. On his Facebook page in recent weeks, Moore has shared stories about Jones opposing President Trump and raising campaign funds from sources overseas. He also got into a public spat with Jones two weeks ago when the senator urged Moore to run for office if he thought the 2017 was stolen. Lets just do it again, Jones told Politico. Moore responded the next day, saying, "When and if I decide to run, he will be the first to know. Moores appearance Friday on Focal Point begins at the 19-minute mark of the video above. Moore has been critical of two disinformation campaigns waged by Democrats against Moore during the Senate race, going so far as to first say the seat was stolen in another interview on Fischers radio show in January. Well, I have no doubt it was stolen, Moore said on the radio show. I have no doubt this influenced the campaign. And to say it didnt would contradict even the report that came out on Project Birmingham. Its no coincidence this Project Birmingham originated as early as September 2017 before the false allegations came up. I think it was all a plan. I think it was all a plot." In the January interview with AL.com, Moore spoke of the disinformation campaigns. If you put out bad information thats intended to alter the election, thats bad for people, Moore said. Its not my concern or sour grapes about the election. Its over and done and whats done is done. But I want to stop, I want to see this disinformation stuff stopped. I dont know if I have any effect on it or what. U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne of Fairhope is the only Republican to formally announce a campaign for the Senate in 2020. SNc Channels: Search About Salem-News.com Mar-08-2019 18:49 TweetFollow @OregonNews Can We Divest from Weapons Dealers? Impoverished people living in numerous countries today would stand a far better chance of survival, and risk far less trauma, if weapon manufacturers such as Lockheed Martin, Boeing, General Dynamics, and Raytheon stopped manufacturing and selling death-dealing products. Image: usatrade.census.gov (PORTLAND, Ore.) - About three decades ago, I taught writing at one of Chicagos alternative high schools. Its easy to recall some of their storiesfast-paced, dramatic, sometimes tender. I would beg my students to three-hole-punch each essay or poem and leave it in a binder on our classroom shelf, anxious not to lose the documentation of their talents and ideas. Some of the youngsters I taught told me they were members of gangs. Looking down from the window of my second-floor classroom, I sometimes wondered if I was watching them selling drugs in broad daylight as they embraced one another on the street below. Tragically, in the two years that I taught at Prologue High School, three students were killed. Colleagues told me that they generally buried three students per year. They died, primarily, from gunshot wounds. I think they could have survived their teenage years if weapons and ammunition hadnt been available. Similarly, I believe impoverished populations of numerous countries at war today would stand a far better chance of survival, and risk far less trauma, if weapon manufacturers such as Lockheed Martin, Boeing, General Dynamics, and Raytheon, stopped manufacturing and selling death-dealing products. It would also help if the people living in countries that export deadly weapons were well-informed about the consequences these businesses bring. Consider this: The 2018 U.S. Census Report tallies U.S. exports of bullets to other countries. Topping the list is $123 million-worth of bullets to Afghanistanan eight-fold rise over the number of bullets sold in 2017 and far more than the number of bullets sold to any other country. During a recent visit to Afghanistan, I heard many people voice intense fear of what would happen if civil war breaks out. It seems to me that those who manufacture bullets are doing all they can to hasten the likelihood and deadly outcome of an armed struggle. But rather than help people here in the United States understand conditions in countries where the U.S. conducts airstrikes, President Donald Trump is hiding the facts. On March 6, 2019, Trump revoked portions of a 2016 executive order imposed by President Barack Obama requiring annual reports on the number of strikes taken and an assessment of combatant and civilian deaths. Trump has removed the section of the mandate specifically covering civilian casualties caused by CIA airstrikes, and whether they were caused by drones or manned warplanes. A U.S. State Department email message said the reporting requirements are superfluous because the Department of Defense already must file a full report of all civilian casualties caused by military strikes. However, the report required from the Pentagon doesnt cover airstrikes conducted by the CIA. And last year, the White House simply ignored the reporting requirement. Democracy is based on information. You cant have democracy if people have no information about crucial issues. Uninformed about military practices and foreign policy, U.S. citizens become disinterested. I lived alongside civilians in Iraq during the 2003 Shock and Awe bombing of Baghdad. In the hospital emergency rooms I heard survivors asking, through screams and tears, why they were being attacked. Since that time, in multiple visits to Kabul, I have heard the same agonized question. The majority of Afghanistans population consists of women and children. When civilians in that country die because of U.S. attackswhether within or beyond areas of active hostilities; whether conducted by the CIA or the Department of Defense; whether using manned or unmanned warplanesthe attack is almost certain to cause overwhelming grief. Often the survivors feel rage and may want revenge. But many feel despair and find their only option is to flee. Imagine a home in your neighborhood suddenly demolished by a secret attack; you have no idea why this family was targeted, or why women and children in this family were killed. If another such attack happened, wouldnt you consider moving? Reporting for The New York Times, Mujib Mashal recently interviewed a farmer from Afghanistans Helmand province displaced by fighting and now unable to feed his family. About 13.5 million people are surviving on one meal or less a day, Mashal writes, and 54 percent of the population lives below the poverty line of a $1 a day. Last week, an international crisis sharply escalated in a dogfight between India and Pakistan, both nuclear-armed states. The crisis has been somewhat defused. Media reports quickly focused on the relative military strength of both countriesobserving, for example, that the dilapidated state of Indias jet fighters could be a win for U.S. weapons manufacturers. It is hard to sell a front-line fighter to a country that isnt threatened, said an analyst with the Lexington Institute. Boeing and Lockheed Martin both have a better chance of selling now because suddenly India feels threatened. A few weeks ago, Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman visited heads of state in Pakistan and India. Photos showed warm embraces and respectful receptions. The CEO of Lockheed Martin, Marillyn Hewson, also embraces the Saudi government. She serves on the boards of trustees of two Saudi technological universities, and presides over a company that has been awarded a nine-figure down payment on a $15 billion missile-defense system for Saudi Arabia. The Saudis will acquire new state-of-the-art weapons even as they continue bludgeoning civilians in Yemen during a war orchestrated by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. And the Saudis will build military alliances with nuclear-armed India and Pakistan. With both India and Pakistan possessing nuclear weapons, every effort should be made to stop the flow of weapons into the region. But major weapon making companies bluntly assert that the bottom line in the decision is their profit. Attending funerals for young people in Chicagos Uptown neighborhood, at the time one of the poorest in Chicago, I felt deep dismay over the profits that motivated gun runners who sold weapons to students, some of whom would be soon fatally wounded. In the ensuing decades, larger, more ambitious weapon peddlers have engendered and prolonged fighting between warlords, within and beyond the United States. How different our world could be if efforts were instead directed toward education, health care, and community welfare. _________________________________________ Kathy Kelly, syndicated by PeaceVoice , co-coordinates Voices for Creative Nonviolence. #UnitedStates #Weapons #FollowTheMoney #GunsKillPeople #GunshotWounds _________________________________________ United-states | Business | Most Commented on Articles for March 7, 2019 | Articles for March 8, 2019 | President Donald Trump signed Bibles for Alabama tornado survivors and first responders as he greeted people at Providence Baptist Church in Smiths Station on Friday during a tour of the area where tornadoes killed 23 people in Lee County. All of those killed in the Sunday storm lived in a roughly one-square mile area of the community of Beauregard in Lee County. More than 90 people were injured and multiple homes and businesses were destroyed. Providence Baptist Church has been a focal point for distribution of relief and aid for tornado survivors. For some, autographing Bibles is akin to blasphemy. Id never sign someone elses Bible, said Southern historian Wayne Flynt, a Baptist deacon and professor emeritus at Auburn University. Thats right next to sacrilege. Thats a holy book. But Flynt wasnt surprised Trump was signing Bibles. There is nothing that shames the president, Flynt said. Hes also not surprised Alabamians, who voted overwhelmingly for Trump, applauded the gesture. He is for many a messianic figure, which is unbelievable - No need for Jesus, we have Donald," Flynt said. Trump extended an unusual gesture as he sought to comfort Alabama residents devastated by a tornado there last weekend he signed Bibles https://t.co/5HmOzUGXSp POLITICO (@politico) March 8, 2019 According to a pool news report, local volunteer Ada Ingram said that Trump signed several hats and Bibles, including one for a 12-year-old boy, an action which drew applause from people who came to see Trump. He signed his Bible, she said. I enjoyed him coming, Ingram said of Trump. I think its a godsend. Im sorry. The situation is bad. And there are going to be people who will say why did he come to my town? I dont know why. I dont why the hurricane happened [either]. But there is a reason." Ingram, who said she knew 10 of the tornado victims, said she is a Trump supporter. Id vote for him again, she said. Volunteer Emily Pike said President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump signed her 10-year-old daughters Bible. "She just reached out there and said, Mr. President, would you sign this? " The Associated Press reported. Blackout endangers hospital patients already struggling to cope with the economic crisis thats led to food and medicine shortages. Caracas, Venezuela I arrived in Venezuela on Thursday just a few hours after a massive power cut left most of the country in complete darkness. At the airport, long lines of passengers waited as immigration officials registered passports manually in a notebook. Power went out in the afternoon on Thursday and as we drove into Caracas, we could see people walking in the dark, struggling to get back home after work because the metro railway system was out. We already knew the biggest problem in Venezuela these days would be in the hospitals. In January, several people died in Caracas University Hospital after a power cut as the power plant was out of service. Thats why on Friday we rushed to check the situation in several of the citys hospitals. Health officials were trying to cope with the situation and prioritise the emergency and intensive care units. It was not easy. It was there where I met 17-year-old Engibel Gomez, who has been fighting cancer for months. She had part of her leg removed because of a tumour. On Friday, she went to the JM Rios Hospital in Caracas to get her chemotherapy treatment, but was told it was suspended because of the power cut affecting most of the country. 190123205835912 I spent at least three months to begin my chemotherapy because the equipment wasnt working, she told me. Now because of the problem with electricity again the equipment is not working so I cant get my chemo, she said. Engibel was waiting outside in a car and the only thing she could think of was in the friends she met when she was hospitalised and whose lives depend on an electric power plant. Workers of the state-run electricity company CORPOELEC arrive at the childrens hospital with a generator during a power outage in Caracas [Yuri Cortez/AFP] The main problem was at the Guri hydroelectric dam in the state of Bolivar. It supplies around 70 percent of the countrys electric power. Usmeli Romeons daughter Laureani is 12 years old and suffers from hydrocephaly. She has been in the hospital for a week. There is no electricity and because of that there is no water. There are no syringes, no gauze, Romeon said. We were told the power plant failed last night so I am not sure how the situation here will continue. Caught in the middle Without power, most of Caracas remained closed on Friday. The metro railway system was out of order. The government was forced to shut down schools and suspend working hours. 190123205835912 The only a few petrol stations that remained open were packed with long lines of vehicles. The opposition led by Juan Guaido said the massive power cut is an example of the corruption and mismanagement that exists in Venezuela today. But the government, led by President Nicolas Maduro, is convinced it was an act of sabotage led by the United States. There is still no power in several parts of Venezuela, but slowly electricity started to be restored in some parts of Caracas. But the problems are far from over. In the middle of the battle between Maduro and Guaido, there are people like Engibel Gomez who are suffering from the consequences of the ongoing crisis. They are victims of an economic crisis that until now the government has not been able to resolve. Palestinian workers say conditions at the notorious checkpoint in occupied West Bank have worsened over the last months. Bethlehem, occupied West Bank Frantic clamouring disrupts the usual noises at Israels Checkpoint 300 in Bethlehem, where thousands of Palestinian workers queue for hours, starting at 3am, to make it on time for their jobs in Israel. Workers chat, bicker, joke, frustratingly shout, bang on the steel bars, and rattle the turnstiles that Israeli border police officials intermittently lock amid the heavy traffic. He has fainted. Everyone move! Call an ambulance! The crowd becomes louder as a young man is carried outside the checkpoint. Numerous workers surround the mans limp body stretched out on the ground, and others attempt to resuscitate him to no avail. Several of the bystanders shout: Move, move! Make room! Let the journalist film! Show the world what is happening to us, as they push people aside to create a cleared space for Al Jazeera to photograph the scene. An ambulance arrives, and the young man is lifted onto a gurney and rushed to the hospital. The workers continue on through the single cement lane, sipping on small paper cups of coffee to push past their exhaustion. One worker looks at Al Jazeera and says: Israel treats animals better than us. Its a typical morning at Checkpoint 300. Suffocation, broken ribs and death Palestinians have long complained of the volatile conditions at the checkpoint also referred to as the Gilo checkpoint. However, Palestinian workers tell Al Jazeera that the conditions at the crossing have worsened over the last two months. The checkpoint was built more than a decade ago as part of Israels separation wall, deemed illegal by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 2004. EAPPI, an organisation that monitors Israels checkpoints, tells Al Jazeera that 300 is the worst (checkpoint) in the West Bank. Thousands of Palestinians from the southern occupied West Bank must cross this barrier to work in occupied East Jerusalem part of the occupied Palestinian territory or Israel. It can take up to three hours to cross the checkpoint during the rush hour. When traffic is less during the day, the journey takes just a few minutes. Many Palestinians are escaping high unemployment rates in the occupied West Bank, while others prefer to work in Israel for the better wages at times receiving more than double than what they would make in the West Bank. The scene each morning is chaotic, with Palestinians squeezed together inside a single lane, and pulling themselves up on the surrounding steel bars, climbing over, and dangling among the crowd. When Israeli officials unlock the turnstile at the entrance of the checkpoint, Palestinians push forward, passing one by one, until it is locked once again. Those who make it through then enter a warehouse-like compound where they meet more turnstiles, a security conveyor belt where they must place all of their items and a metal detector. Finally, they arrive at the permit check, where Israeli officials verify work permits and take their fingerprints. Abed Abu Shiera, who has sold coffee outside the checkpoint for 11 years, has seen first-hand the effects of the barriers harsh conditions. Every morning, at least one or two workers suffocate and faint from the lack of airflow, he says. Abu Shiera himself often has to call the ambulance to collect them. The 44-year-old has witnessed legs being broken after Palestinians fall off the steel bars where dozens of workers hang from. Other times, he has seen workers get their ribs broken from the pressure of the crowd pushing forward each time the turnstile is unlocked. A young Palestinian man faints at Checkpoint 300 [Jaclynn Ashly/Al Jazeera] Abu Shiera has even witnessed death. In October, a 65-year-old worker from Arroub refugee camp in the southern Hebron district reportedly slipped and fell on his head inside the narrow corridor of the checkpoint. He was rushed to a nearby hospital and pronounced dead. Despite this daily reality, Abu Shiera echoed the voices of many workers Al Jazeera spoke with: I have come here six days a week for 11 years, he said. But this past month and a half is the worst period I have ever seen. It gets worse and worse Palestinian workers tell Al Jazeera that before a few months, the large crowds would thin out by 7am. However, during Al Jazeeras visit this week, even at 8am, the checkpoint was still crammed with people. Amir, a 23-year-old Palestinian who has worked as a cleaner at the checkpoint for a private Israeli company for some five years, says that Israeli officials used to typically lock the turnstiles for five- to 15-minute intervals, before letting more Palestinians pass. For the past two months, however, Israeli officials have locked the turnstiles for up to one hour, Amir says, causing the already intolerable conditions at the checkpoint to exacerbate. Palestinians are now fainting more frequently, and some workers expressed fear of being crushed in the crowd. Nasser Abu Maria, a 45-year-old construction worker from Beit Ummar in Hebron, stands to the side with a few dozen other Palestinians, waiting for the crowd to disperse before daring to enter the checkpoint. Abed Abu Shiera has sold coffee outside the checkpoint for 11 years [Jaclynn Ashly/Al Jazeera] A week and a half ago, Abu Maria suffocated and fainted inside the checkpoint. The lane was too crowded for workers to carry him outside, forcing them to hurl his listless body over the steel bars, where workers on the other side grabbed him and settled him on the ground. He was then rushed to a hospital. I am too scared to enter the checkpoint when its like this, he said, gesturing to the sea of workers crammed and stacked on top of each other in between the cement and steel. All we want is for them (Israelis) to just stop locking the gate. Just let us pass. Thats all we ask. Stop putting us through all this humiliation, he said. The exhaustion I experience going through this checkpoint is more tiring than my eight-hour workday. Last week, frustrations at the checkpoint reached a boiling point, as Israeli officials locked the turnstiles for long durations throughout the morning hours. Abu Shiera tells Al Jazeera that out of frustration workers broke one of the turnstiles and a gate inside the checkpoint in order to rush through. Abu Shiera says that the workers were suffocating, but an Israeli border police spokesperson claims the workers were acting violently, shoving, pushing and breaking things. Ibrahim Hushiyye, construction worker [Jaclynn Ashly/Al Jazeera] Israeli officials gathered the workers into an open yard inside the compound until they could fix the damage. This checkpoint has always been difficult, Ibrahim Hushiyye, a 28-year-old construction worker from the town of Yatta in Hebron, told Al Jazeera. But it used to be easier than these days. Every day it gets worse and worse, he said. Its far beyond just being intolerable. If someone has never experienced something like this, then I hope they never have to. We are humans The Israeli border police spokesperson confirmed that the Israeli army is expanding the area of the checkpoint, creating more lanes, and introducing technological upgrades in order to lessen traffic, similar to the recent developments at Israels Qalandiya checkpoint near Ramallah. The exhaustion I experience going through this checkpoint is more tiring than my eight-hour workday. Nasser Abu Maria, Palestinian construction worker However, he denied that this was the cause of the heavy traffic, instead telling Al Jazeera that it was the result of an increase of permits Israel has been issuing for Palestinians to work in Israel. Yet Abu Shiera says he has not seen any increase in the number of workers, and the main issue is the Israeli officials locking the turnstiles. When asked by Al Jazeera if Israeli authorities were aware of the difficult conditions Palestinians are facing at the checkpoint, the spokesperson took a long pause, and said: Yes. But went on to say these issues are relegated to the Palestinian side [of the checkpoint], not the Israeli side, and said it was the responsibility of Palestinian authorities to address these issues. Palestinians have long complained of the conditions at the checkpoint [Jaclynn Ashly/Al Jazeera] A source at the Palestinian District Coordination Office, which coordinates with the Israeli army, spoke to Al Jazeera on the condition of anonymity and said that the entire area of the checkpoint is Israeli-controlled. We have no decision-making power with the Israelis. They dont consult with us at all. We have no control over the Israeli checkpoints, he said. Even if the Israelis were to request Palestinian assistance at the checkpoint, however, the Palestinian side would refuse. We wont allow them to put us in front of the workers. Then the workers will fight us instead of the Israelis. We dont interfere at all, he added. The problem is the checkpoint itself and this is caused by the Israelis. The Israeli border police spokesperson assured Al Jazeera that a new, upgraded checkpoint would be open in the coming months and would solve the issue of traffic. 190118065003667 Palestinian workers, meanwhile, say that the Israeli army has been renovating a new portion of the checkpoint for at least a year and a half, and each time a date is set for its opening, it gets postponed. We are always told that the checkpoint is being renovated and it will get better. But I dont think Israel is interested in making our lives any easier, Abu Maria said. All of this is completely unnecessary, he continued. We pass through this checkpoint almost every day. They (Israeli officials) know us. We are carrying our lunch bags, not weapons. We are just trying to make it to work on time. We are not any less human than they are. Maduro would not step down peacefully, having just been elected president. So what are the options? When Juan Guaido declared himself interim president of Venezuela on January 23, he thought regime change would be easy, but both Guaido and his backers in Washington dramatically underestimated the Maduro government and its grassroots supporters. Venezuelas military brass immediately refused calls to recognise the coup and opposition efforts to provoke a crisis by forcing truckloads of dubious humanitarian aid across the Venezuelan border a month later similarly failed. US vice president Mike Pence reportedly rebuked Guaido for failing to deliver military support, and the increasingly desperate opposition leader called for all options to achieve liberation code for military intervention but was blocked by regional leaders. For now, Guaidos coup attempt appears to have collapsed, but Venezuela remains mired in a deep economic crisis, with increasingly draconian US sanctions turning the screws on ordinary Venezuelans even tighter. The coming months will be treacherous straits for the Maduro government and the Chavista grassroots to navigate. As the threat of military intervention grows by the day, voices from across the political spectrum are scrambling to find an alternative, from dialogue to new elections. So what options are on the table? Elections Many, including some on the left, point to early elections as one solution to the crisis. Both sides claim popular support so why not let the people vote? But for those millions of Venezuelans who cast their ballot for Maduros re-election less than a year ago, new elections would be a hard pill to swallow. The opposition refuses to recognise his re-election, but they are often dishonest about why. Even right-wing voices concede that Maduro won the elections, in large part because the opposition refused to participate, citing the disqualification of opposition candidates for criminal allegations. Why would Chavistas accept new elections imposed by the losers, or whats worse, by Washington? Moreover, accepting elections would make Maduro who was only just inaugurated for his second term appear weak and might set a dangerous precedent. But this all assumes that the opposition, with Guaido temporarily at its head, actually wants elections, which isnt clear. While Guaidos constitutional claim to power was shaky to begin with premised as it was on Maduros abandonment of the office the constitution is absolutely clear that new elections be held within 30 days. But despite all his talk of democracy, Guaido never called those elections why? First, the opposition distrusts the National Electoral Council (CNE), despite its long record of free and fair elections. In other words, its not as easy as calling new elections, there remains the question of who would run those elections. But second, and more important, the electoral question has long divided the opposition between moderates seeking to win over a majority and hardliners who favour violent street protests and coups. Guaido himself a stand-in for Leopoldo Lopez who is currently under house arrest for leading such protests represents this hardline approach. Elections, in other words, were never part of the plan: The opposition and Washington want an immediate transition of power. Perhaps aware of this, Maduro has even dared Guaido to call elections in the most provocative terms: Why doesnt he call elections so we can demolish him with the votes of the people? [] Call elections, Mr Clown! By the same token, it seems Maduros preference is to work with the opposition towards early legislative elections as a sort of temperature check on popular opinion. Negotiations As soon as Guaido proclaimed himself interim president on January 23, Mexico and Uruguay stepped forward offering mediation and their call for a negotiated solution has been echoed by the United Nations and myriad voices in Venezuela and beyond. But again, while Maduro has embraced the possibility of dialogue, it is the Venezuelan opposition that most stubbornly refuses to negotiate. In fact, Mexicos quite reasonable offer was seen as nothing short of a betrayal. Guaidos coup had been planned in advance through conversations among the Lima Group, a coalition of predominantly right-wing governments formed to undermine Venezuelas role in the region. But while Mexico had joined the Lima Group while under the right-wing government of Enrique Pena Nieto, December saw the inauguration of leftist Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who bucked pressure from the Lima Group by refusing to recognise Guaido. The opposition leader was quick to denounce Mexico and Uruguays mediation proposal: If you are neutral in unjust situations, he wrote in an open letter, you have taken the side of the oppressor. This intransigence is nothing new: Former Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero spent years brokering an agreement between Chavistas and the opposition, only to express his frustration when the opposition suddenly refused to sign on at the last minute in early 2018. In the past, opposition parties that have chosen to sit down at the negotiating table have been lambasted by the right for colluding with Chavismo. Guaido and the Trump administration have openly embraced this extreme view. Neither Maduro nor Guaido? Finally, both within Venezuela and beyond, the absence of good options has led some to choose no option at all. One recent piece, for example, urges the left to take a stand against both the US and the Maduro administration, conspicuously leaving the Venezuelan opposition out of the equation. In Venezuela, a centre-left coalition including some prominent ex-Chavistas has emerged, calling itself the Citizens Platform in Defence of the Constitution, and proposing not only dialogue but also the replacement of the CNE and a referendum on the Maduro government. This neither/nor approach is a dead-end, however, not least for the same practical reasons outlined above. How to replace the CNE and with whom? Who would collect the signatures of 10 percent of the electorate required for a referendum? And most importantly: If the population votes against the Maduro government, they still wouldnt have voted for any alternative in particular the crisis would drag on. But the contradictions of the neither/nor position run deeper still. One member of the Citizens Platform, the sociologist Edgardo Lander, appeared on Democracy Now to denounce a coup carried out by the United States government with its allies, with the Lima Group and the extreme right wing in Venezuela. What Lander failed to mention is that he and others had sat down with that coup leader just weeks earlier. Refusing to choose is itself a choice. Mapping a revolutionary path forward A negotiated solution to the crisis seems difficult, if not impossible, since the Venezuelan opposition wants nothing less than a coup. How to negotiate with an opposition that refuses to do so? In this dangerous scenario, there are no easy answers, but a few things should be clear nonetheless. First, there can be no elections under US sanctions. When Nicaraguans voted in 1990, they didnt do so freely. The Bush Sr administration had declared that it would lift the embargo if the opposition candidate won against the Sandinista incumbent, Daniel Ortega. With the same people in charge of US policy today, its clear that the point of sanctions is to twist the arm of Venezuelans until they vote the way the US wants. The impact of sanctions has already been devastating, and their tightening into a brutal oil blockade means the situation will only get worse. If the US and its Venezuelan allies really care about electoral conditions, then they should recognise that there can be no free and fair elections with the threat of continued sanctions or foreign intervention hanging over the heads of voters. Second, some degree of dialogue and negotiation is absolutely imperative to defuse political tensions, avoid violence, and block US intervention. But for too many, negotiation means negotiated transition, a thin veil for US-backed regime change. Any dialogue whose starting point is Maduros removal from power is no dialogue at all, and will never be accepted by Chavistas. And if this means replacing Maduro with a discredited clique of opposition leaders hell-bent on a return to neoliberal capitalism, such fake negotiation is a recipe for civil war. Finally, even if some process is established for negotiating an end to the political standoff, the most daunting challenge remains: You cant negotiate economic policy. You cant simply sit two opposing parties down and reach a compromise that will magically stabilise Venezuelas macroeconomic situation, and if anything, previous negotiations have seen the government grant concessions to a private sector that then continues to sabotage the economy. You need to get to the source, which is not a government but a system: A century of oil development has left Venezuela dependent on imported goods and unable to produce most of what it needs. It was this system that led to the crisis that birthed Chavismo three decades ago, and it is this system that threatens Chavezs legacy today. The only solution lay not in opposition elites, but instead in the grassroots of Chavismo itself. There, revolutionary movements frustrated with Maduro but unflagging in their support for the Bolivarian Revolution have been slowly developing an alternative: communes that produce what people need locally, directly, and democratically. They are the ones who bear the brunt of both government mismanagement and US sanctions, they are the ones without the luxury of a neither/nor position, and they are the ones with a real vision for the future. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance. On December 31, 2018, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina secured her third consecutive term with a landslide victory in Bangladeshs national election, raising concerns that the south Asian country of some 160 million may be turning into a one-party state. Sheikh Hasinas party, the Awami League (AL), and its allies won almost all the 300 parliamentary seats contested in its best ever result. The main opposition alliance, led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), on the other hand, managed to secure only seven seats. The BNPs disappointing result in last years election caused many Bangladesh watchers to question whether the former ruling party, which won four national and two presidential elections since its formation in 1978 but has not been in power since 2006, will ever regain its position as a major political force in the country. Today, a BNP resurgence in Bangladesh seems unlikely for three main reasons. Losing the publics support First, the BNP no longer commands popular support. The partys Chairperson Khaleda Zia is in jail for corruption charges and her son and the partys Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has been living in exile in London for more than 10 years. In October 2018, a Bangladeshi court also sentenced Tarique to life in prison over a 2004 assassination attempt on Sheikh Hasina, which killed 24 people and injured many others. Many of the partys other leaders and prominent supporters are also either in jail, exile or hiding and the rest is trying to keep a low profile. The party categorically denies any wrongdoing by any of its leaders and says all charges are politically motivated. Nevertheless, it has lost a significant number of supporters as a result of these accusations. Moreover, in 2013 the BNP, supported by its ally, the Jamaat-e-Islami, sought to change the election law through general strikes and street protests and announced its intention to boycott the upcoming 2014 general election citing unfair conditions. Sheikh Hasinas government went ahead with the election despite the boycott and easily won a new term in power. In response, the BNP continued the unrest buses were burned, bombs were thrown, and major disruptions were caused to public life. This caused the public to turn against the main opposition party. In 2018, the BNP agreed to peacefully participate in the general election, yet failed to regain popular support. With most of its leaders and activists either in hiding or in jail, the party was almost invisible during the campaign and on the day of the vote. In spite of the obvious state bias against it, there was no outpouring of public sympathy for the BNP. This is not to say that the BNP had no chance of winning the election, or at least making substantial gains, if the vote was completely free and fair. However, the publics apparent disinterest in the injustices facing the BNP and its leaders clearly demonstrated that any gain by the BNP would have been the result of their anger at the incumbent government, not their support for the opposition. Failing to remain relevant Second, the BNP has failed to integrate itself into influential public mobilisations in the last few years. In February 2013, a huge popular protest erupted in Dhakas Shahbag district, demanding the Bangladeshi state to abide by the secular principles it was built on. A few months later, the Hifazat-e Islam a coalition of a dozen or so Islamist organisations started a counterprotest movement aiming to alter the countrys secular political culture. Hundreds of thousands of Bangladeshis took to the streets in favour of these two conflicting movements and ignited a major national debate on the very core values and principles of the state. However, the BNP failed to find its place in this major national conversation. The Shahbag youth kept it at arms length, while Hefazat ignored BNPs support because it was already strong a coalition of organisations based at more than 25,000 religious schools across Bangladesh. Since 2015, there have been three more significant youth mobilisations: the No VAT on Education movement against a government tax on private university education, the quota reform movement for broader intake to government jobs, and the road safety movement. The BNP was neither able to play a role in any of these protests nor was it able to position itself in the debates. Lacking a clear agenda Third, the BNP lacks a clear agenda. In the eyes of the Bangladeshi public, the BNP wants to be in power but offers no explanation as to what exactly it would do or change once it forms a government. It is healthy for a country to have the ruling elite change regularly, but when the main alternative fails to bring an attractive proposition to the table, change for the sake of change becomes a less attractive option for the people. Moreover, the BNP does not appear to follow a particular ideology, and this makes it an even less attractive opposition force. While most Bangladeshi political parties and groups are mostly clientelist, they still have a kernel of ideology. Even the ruling AL appears to have a (nationalist) ideology, however malleable, derived from the pre-eminent role it played in the war of liberation. The BNP, on the other hand, has not been built on a legacy that it can transform into a coherent and attractive ideology. From the outset, it was a hotchpotch of elements leftists dissatisfied with the ALs nationalism, rightists hankering for an Islamist revival, opportunists, and Pakistan-era establishment figures sidelined by the new rulers after Bangladeshs independence. The main two campaign pledges of the BNP in the run-up to the 2018 election were to free its jailed leader Khaleda Zia from prison and to reform the election system. Apparently, very few people in Bangladesh care much about Khaleda Zias imprisonment. She is a politician, and all politicians are corrupt, seems to be the general sentiment. As for reforming the electoral system, many believe the BNP has exhausted its chances. Of course, free and fair elections are desirable in the eyes of most voters. Yet following its botched attempts to bring about election reform in 2013-2014, which caused major suffering and disruption, many Bangladeshis believe the BNP is not capable of doing much to fix the countrys problematic election system. A free and fair election might bring the BNP to power, but for most voters that would only mean giving power to people who have not proven particularly competent in the past. This is why, when faced with a choice between the BNP and the ruling AL, most Bangladeshis ask themselves What could the BNP do that the Awami League isnt already doing? The AL is not invincible So, now what? The AL has successfully established a firm grip on the state and destabilised the traditional two-party structure of Bangladeshi politics. Moreover, the country is doing quite well on a range of indexes, including economic growth and human development. Has the opposition no chance of regaining the favour of the public and topple the all-powerful AL? Not necessarily. Bangladesh is still a country with a lopsided industry, growing inequality, high figures of unemployment or partial employment, a homespun terrorist threat, a refugee crisis, a border problem, and a mounting pollution issue. There is reason to believe the support of the forces that really matter the army, bureaucracy, police and the deep state for the ruling party is conditional on its successful performance. An economic hiccup or a major political faux-pas can easily cause Sheikh Hasinas party to fall out of favour and lose its grip on power. Moreover, the publics support for the ruling party is equally apprehensive. Most voters choose the AL not because they believe the party represents all their beliefs and offers solutions to all their grievances, but because they view the ruling party as the best of a bad bunch. Bangladesh is a huge country with a 160 million-strong population. It has leftists, conservatives, city dwellers and millions living in rural areas. There are nationalists, socialists, Islamists and minorities. There are people concerned with environmental problems, there are womens rights activists. None of these groups has specific political representation in the country at this point in time as a result, many of them vote for the AL. Such dissipate orientations cannot for long be kept under one umbrella, especially as state resources are limited. There is also a general disenchantment with the political class, a lack of state legitimacy, huge corruption, a brain-drain, poor infrastructure, and a capital city weighed down by its own enormity. There is ample chance for an opposition movement to underline the shortcomings of the ruling party, offer some real solutions to the deep-rooted grievances of the public, and carve itself an influential space in Bangladeshs electoral map or even topple the government despite the ruling partys relentless grip on power. A youthful, focused and goal-oriented opposition force, using imagination and political skill, can easily mobilise the unrepresented but politically sensitive masses in Bangladesh and facilitate change. However, the BNP is unlikely to be that opposition force. The main opposition party has not been unsuccessful in last years elections only because it was repressed and silenced by the incumbent government. It failed because of its old and unimaginative leadership, its inability to present an inspiring agenda and carve out a new path for the country. There still is a chance for change in Bangladesh but it is unlikely to be facilitated by the BNP. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance. The sentence is believed to be the harshest such penalty on record in the Muslim-majority country. A Malaysian has been sentenced to more than 10 years in jail and three others have been charged over insults against Islam and the Prophet Muhammad on social media. The sentence of 10 years and 10 months is believed to be the harshest such penalty on record in the Muslim-majority country. Inspector General of Police Mohamad Fuzi Harun said in a statement on Saturday that the person, identified only as Facebook user Ayea Yea, had pleaded guilty to 10 charges of anti-religious activity and misusing communication networks. 160307095402794 The statement did not specify the number of charges for each offence but said they would be served consecutively. Under Malaysian law, those found guilty of anti-religious activity can be punished with a jail term of two to five years. The misuse of communication networks carries a maximum one year in jail or a fine of up to 50,000 ringgit ($12,200), or both. According to Andrew Khoo, a Malaysian lawyer focusing on human rights, this is an unprecedented situation. For someone to face five separate charges, and for the sentences to be served consecutively this is excessive, Khoo told Al Jazeera. And according to press reports, the accused was unrepresented. That in itself is a travesty of justice, he added. Not to abuse social media Another social media user had also pleaded guilty and a sentencing hearing will be held on Monday. Two others had pleaded not guilty and were being held without bail. All four were charged under laws against causing racial disharmony, incitement, and misusing communications networks. The police advise the public not to abuse social media or communication networks by uploading or sharing any form of provocation that can affect religious or racial sensitivities, causing racial tensions within this countrys diverse community, Mohamad said. Mujahid Yusof Rawa, the minister in charge of religious affairs, said on Thursday that the Islamic Affairs Department had set up a unit to monitor writings and communications insulting Islam and Prophet Muhammad. He said the ministry would not compromise on any acts insulting the religion and called for punishment against those found guilty. Universities across Algeria will close two weeks before a scheduled holiday, authorities have announced, in an apparent attempt to defuse student-led protests against ailing President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who is seeking a fifth term in office. The Ministry of Higher Educations decision on Saturday came a day after tens of thousands of demonstrators packed the centre of Algiers to challenge the ailing leaders 20-year rule in the biggest rallies the capital has seen in decades. Without giving a reason for the move, the ministry said in a decree that the spring break would be brought forward by 10 days now to run from Sunday to April 4. Students have been at the heart of the mass protests which began on February 22 to denounce the 82-year-old Bouteflikas plans to extend his rule in an April 18 election. Teachers and students at several universities have gone on strike, while others had vowed to begin striking on Sunday. While Fridays rallies in Algiers and elsewhere were mostly calm, police reportedly used tear gas in several areas of the capital, including to block the road to the presidential palace. State media also said security forces had detained 195 protesters, citing offences including looting as grounds for the arrests. This time its different Bouteflika has been in Geneva, Switzerland, for the past two weeks for what his office has termed routine medical tests. The president, who is confined to a wheelchair, has rarely been seen in public since suffering a stroke in 2013, prompting critics to question whether he is being used as a puppet candidate by a faction of civilian and military figures. On Thursday, he issued his first warning to protesters, saying their movement now entering its third week could create chaos in the oil- and natural gas-producing North African country. Bouteflika has offered to limit his term after the election and has vowed to change the system that runs the country. The promises, however, have failed to quell public anger, galvanising discontent among different sectors, particularly students and other young people. Some long-time allies of Bouteflika, including members of the ruling FLN party, have expressed support for the protesters, revealing cracks within a ruling elite long seen as invincible. This time its quite different. What we see now is a momentum that is building up across Algeria, Al Jazeeras Hashem Ahelbarra, who has covered the region extensively, said of the ongoing demonstrations. Many people believe that if this momentum continues for the next two weeks, it could be a game-changer, Ahelbarra added. Looking ahead, Ahelbarra said a key date for the country was going to be March 13, when Algerias constitutional committee is due to determine the legitimacy of the presented candidacies for next months elections. President Abdelaziz Bouteflikas troubles increase as Algeria sees the biggest demonstration in nearly 30 years. Protesters in Algeria say they will keep up the pressure for political change, after a huge turnout at rallies across the country. State media described protests on Friday as a human flood after hundreds of thousands of people filled the streets to urge ailing President Abdelaziz Bouteflika not to stand for a fifth term. It was the biggest nationwide demonstration in Algeria in nearly 30 years. Al Jazeeras Mohammed Jamjoom reports. WHO will continue serving the vulnerable, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says during tour of repeatedly raided facility. The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) has denounced an attack on an Ebola treatment centre in the restive east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) during a visit to the facility, just hours after a raid which killed a policeman and wounded a health worker. On Saturday, during a tour of the centre, located at Butembo in North Kivu province, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said violence in the region was undermining the early progress made by authorities in fighting the ongoing outbreak of the lethal disease. Attacks on the Ebola treatment centre are not by the community, these are attacks on the community, Tedros said in a tweet. We have no choice except to continue serving the people here, who are among the most vulnerable in the world, he added. "It breaks my heart to think of the life we lost in this attack on the #Ebola treatment centre, as we continue to mourn those who have died in previous attacks, while defending the right to health"- @DrTedros from Butembo, #DRC pic.twitter.com/XAMJ8Wr7B1 World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) March 9, 2019 The Butembo facility reopened last week after an attack by gunmen the previous Wednesday forced its closure. Butembo Mayor Sylvain Kanyamanda told the AFP news agency the raid on Saturday had started with shooting at about six in the morning (04:00GMT) and resumed 30 minutes later with resistance from the army and the police. The health worker who was shot was being treated in hospital. The army and the police caught one of the attackers, Kanyamanda said, saying he was a member of the Mai-Mai rebel group. This was the third attack on the centre, the mayor added, branding the attackers as terrorists who wanted to kill the sick. Toxic atmosphere Ebola, a deadly viral disease, broke out in North Kivu in August last year, before spreading to neighbouring Ituri province. Both provinces are wracked by intercommunal violence and unrest. According to the latest ministry figures, the DRCs current and worst Ebola outbreak has killed close to 600 people. 170620124859533 Efforts to contain the epidemic, the 10th documented in the country, have been hampered by poor security in the highly unstable region, where numerous militia groups are active. Health centres have repeatedly come under attack in the seven months since the breakout begun. On Thursday, a leading medical charity warned that efforts to tackle the outbreak were falling short, accusing the DRCs authorities of failing to contain it because of an overly militarised response that was alienating patients and their families and contributing to the creation of a toxic atmosphere. Doctors Without Borders, also known by its French acronym MSF, highlighted that more than 40 percent of deaths were occurring in communities rather than in Ebola treatment centres. The charity alleged that security forces had used coercion while overseeing safe burials, tracking contacts and assisting with the admission of patients to treatment centres. But Jessica Ilunga, a spokeswoman for the DRCs health ministry, rejected MSFs claims as a gross exaggeration of the situation and said there was a misunderstanding about the security forces role in dealing with the outbreak. The police and the army are not involved in Ebola-response activities, and their role has never been to enforce sanitary measures, Ilunga said. Contrary to international agents, local health workers dont have the privilege of being evacuated when security conditions worsen. As such, it is necessary to reinforce the security to allow for smooth response operations, she added. The former army intelligence analyst says she has already revealed everything she knows at her court martial. Former army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning, who served seven years in prison for leaking one of the largest troves of classified documents in the United States history, has been sent to jail again for refusing to testify before a grand jury investigating WikiLeaks. US District Judge Claude Hilton ordered Manning, who served in Iraq, to jail for contempt of court on Friday after a brief hearing in which Manning confirmed she has no intention of testifying. She told the judge she will accept whatever you bring upon me. Manning has said she objects to the secrecy of the grand jury process, and that she already revealed everything she knows at her court martial. The judge said she will remain jailed until she testifies or until the grand jury concludes its work. Mannings lawyers had asked that she be sent to home confinement instead of jail, because of medical complications she faces. {articleGUID} The judge said US marshals can handle her medical care. Prosecutor Tracy McCormick said the jail and the marshals have assured the government that her medical needs can be met. Expected imprisonment Manning anticipated being jailed. In a statement before Fridays hearing, she said she invoked her First, Fourth and Sixth amendment protections when she appeared before the grand jury in Alexandria on Wednesday. She said she already answered every substantive question during her 2013 court martial, and is prepared to face the consequences of refusing to answer again. In solidarity with many activists facing the odds, I will stand by my principles. I will exhaust every legal remedy available, she said. Manning served seven years of a 35-year military sentence for espionage and other crimes because she furnished more than 70,000 documents, videos and diplomatic cables to WikiLeaks, an organisation that publishes information from anonymous sources, before then-President Barack Obama commuted her sentence. She was released in May 2017. The WikiLeaks investigation has been ongoing for a long time. Last year, prosecutors in Alexandria inadvertently disclosed that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is facing unspecified, sealed criminal charges in the district. {articleGUID} WikiLeaks and Muellers probe WikiLeaks has emerged as an important part of Special Counsel Robert Muellers investigation into possible Russian meddling into the 2016 presidential election, as investigators focus on whether Donald Trumps campaign knew Russian hackers were going to provide emails to WikiLeaks stolen from Democratic organisations, including presidential candidate Hillary Clintons campaign. But there is no indication that the Alexandria grand jurys investigation of WikiLeaks is related to the Mueller investigation. Prosecutor McCormick said Manning can easily end this incarceration on the civil charge simply by following the law and testifying. We hope she changes her mind now, McCormick said. Mannings lawyer Moira Meltzer-Cohen said she believes jailing Manning is an act of cruelty given her medical issues, and said there are many documented issues of jails and prisons providing inadequate medical care for transgender inmates. She said Mannings one-bedroom apartment would be a sufficient manner of confinement. Outside the court, about 10 protesters rallied in her support. Obviously prison is a terrible place, Meltzer-Cohen said. I dont see the purpose to incarcerate people. Attack comes on same day as WHO chief is due to visit the centre, located at Butembo in North Kivu province. Armed men have once again attacked an Ebola treatment centre in the restive east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), killing a policeman and wounding a health worker, according to local authorities. The facility, located at Butembo in North Kivu province, only resumed operations last week after a previous assault by gunmen had forced its closure. Saturdays attack was successfully repelled by security forces, Sylvain Kanyamanda, identified by the Reuters and Associated Press news agencies as Butembos mayor, said. Because of previous attacks, a security system was already in place and attackers were quickly confronted by the police officers guarding the centre, he told Reuters, adding that the attackers belonged to the Mai-Mai rebel group. The health worker was shot and being treated in hospital. WHO chief visit The latest attack came on the same day Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO), was due to visit the centre. It was not immediately clear if the visit at the facility, which is managed by the DRCs health ministry in collaboration with WHO and the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF), would still happen. To conquer #Ebola in #DRC, we must strike a delicate balance between providing accessible care, maintaining the neutrality of the response and protecting patients and staff from attacks by armed groups. We are committed to ending the outbreak and we will not leave until we do. pic.twitter.com/oKZJQZ7KoE Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) March 9, 2019 To conquer Ebola in DRC, we must strike a delicate balance between providing accessible care, maintaining the neutrality of the response and protecting patients and staff from attacks by armed groups, Tedros wrote on Twitter later on Saturday. We are committed to ending the outbreak and we will not leave until we do. Toxic atmosphere Ebola, a deadly viral disease, broke out in North Kivu in August last year, before spreading to neighbouring Ituri province. Both provinces are wracked by intercommunal violence and unrest. According to the latest ministry figures, the DRCs current and worst Ebola outbreak has killed close to 600 people. 170620124859533 Efforts to contain the epidemic, the 10th documented in the country, have been hampered by poor security in the highly unstable region, where numerous militia groups are active. On Thursday, a leading medical charity warned that efforts to tackle the outbreak were falling short, accusing the DRCs authorities of failing to contain it because of an overly militarised response that was alienating patients and their families and contributing to the creation of a toxic atmosphere. Doctors Without Borders, also known by its French acronym MSF, highlighted that more than 40 percent of deaths were occurring in communities rather than in Ebola treatment centres. The charity alleged that security forces had used coercion while overseeing safe burials, tracking contacts and assisting with the admission of patients to treatment centres. But Jessica Ilunga, a spokeswoman for the DRCs health ministry, rejected MSFs claims as a gross exaggeration of the situation and said there was a misunderstanding about the security forces role in dealing with the outbreak. The police and the army are not involved in Ebola-response activities, and their role has never been to enforce sanitary measures, Ilunga said. Contrary to international agents, local health workers dont have the privilege of being evacuated when security conditions worsen. As such, it is necessary to reinforce the security to allow for smooth response operations, she added. Guatemala City Marcia Mendez carried a photograph of her older sister Luz Hayde around with her all day. For Mendez and many others in Guatemala, Friday marked much more than International Womens Day. My sister was detained and disappeared on March 8, 1984, Mendez told Al Jazeera. Luz Hayde was 34 when soldiers abducted her from her Guatemala City home. She was tortured for more than 50 days, military documents later revealed. A mother of two, she was the secretary of international relations of the Guatemalan Labour Party, and dozens of its leaders were either assassinated or they disappeared. The party had organised one of the countrys guerrilla forces that fought the army for decades. Over the course of the 1960-96 armed conflict, an estimated 200,000 people were killed and 45,000 disappeared. A United Nations-backed truth commission concluded the army was responsible for 93 percent of atrocities, including acts of genocide. More than 80 percent of victims were indigenous Mayan, many of them killed in the more than 600 documented massacres. The violence during that era was very intense. You were targeted even just for having a family member involved in something, Mendez said. Mendez holds a photo of her sister, who disappeared on March 8, 1984 [Jeff Abbott/Al Jazeera] The whole family was subject to surveillance by military intelligence, according to Mendez. In 1985, the year after her sister disappeared, her younger brother Roberto was killed. Police beat him and then killed him execution-style with a bullet right here, said Mendez, pointing to the centre of her forehead. Annual march Mendez was among the hundreds of women who took to the streets on Friday for the International Womens Day march in Guatemala City. Transgender women, domestic workers, indigenous midwives and members of dozens of other organisations marched behind their groups banners. A marching band plays as a group dances on stilts during the march to commemorate the International Womens Day [Jeff Abbott/Al Jazeera] Marching bands and stilt-walkers participated in the march up a downtown pedestrian thoroughfare to the central plaza, but the overall tone of the protest was one of indignation. The night prior to the march, unknown perpetrators broke into the office of the Sector de Mujeres. Computers were among the items stolen from the alliance of more than 30 groups working together for an inclusive national womens movement. Second anniversary of youth shelter fire Early in the morning, people gathered to commemorate the second anniversary of a fire in a state-run shelter facility. On International Womens Day two years ago, 41 teenage girls were burned to death and 15 others injured, many of them with severe burns. Several government employees, including police, are now on trial for their role in the fire. The girls were locked in a room and shelter officials waited for nine minutes as the girls burned before they unlocked the door. 170329165427698 It is one case, the case of the fire. But behind it, there is a whole series of cases that remains in impunity, said Brenda Hernandez, a feminist activist involved in the movement for justice for the girls. Some of the victims of the March 8, 2017 fire in the Hogar Seguro Virgen de la Asuncion shelter had run away from home, fleeing abuse and sexual assault by relatives. But many faced more of the same inside the shelter. For years, girls reported being raped and forced into prostitution inside the state-run facility, but their protests were ignored. Two years ago, they were behind a locked door because they had helped facilitate a mass escape of boys from the shelter. They were demanding their rights, and the state burned them! women chanted on Friday before setting off for the central plaza. Earlier in the morning, activists laid out 41 pairs of shoes in the plaza, each with a name of one of the teenage girls killed in the fire. The state is a state that has permitted the violation of women in every way, Hernandez told Al Jazeera. Rape as weapon of war Guatemalans continue to clamour for justice for the Hogar Seguro fire victims. At the same time, indigenous women around the country have been fighting for justice for the use of rape as a weapon of war by military and paramilitary forces during the armed conflict. 190306220652220 Piedrina Lopez is one of them. She and 35 other Maya Achi women are pursuing a court case against six men for raping them inside a military base in the early 1980s. I was 12 years old when they raped me, Lopez told Al Jazeera, adding that she then had to raise her four younger brothers because their parents were both killed. The next hearing in the trial is set for late April, but a bill making its way through Congress is putting the case in jeopardy. The legal initiative would grant broad amnesty to perpetrators of crimes against humanity during the 36-year civil war. The bill would order the release within 24 hours of more than 30 men, most of them from the military, convicted of rape, forced disappearance and massacres. It would also release those in custody pending trial and shut down all current and future court cases. The amnesty bill passed the second debate on Wednesday and now has just one more debate and final vote before its passage in Congress. Victims, survivors, relatives and supporters continue to protest the measure, including during the womens march on Friday. We want justice for what was done to us, said Lopez. Though India and Pakistan retreated from the brink of war, an information conflict is on over tit-for-tat air raids. India and Pakistan have retreated from the brink of a possible war, but an information conflict still rages over their tit-for-tat air raids and an aerial dogfight between the nuclear-armed archrivals. A suicide bombing on February 14 killed at least 40 troops in one of the deadliest attacks in Indian-administered Kashmir on Indian forces in a 30-year conflict with rebels who want independence or a merger with Pakistan. New Delhi has long accused Islamabad of supporting the rebels even as the attack was claimed by Pakistan-based armed group, Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM). 190227063414443 New Delhi accuses Islamabad of using groups like JeM as proxies to attack India, which despite repeated crackdowns manage to resume their activities. Pakistan, which denies the allegation, this week said it will not allow armed groups to operate on its soil. Here is a brief summary of what both countries, which have fought three wars since 1947, have said in recent days about their most serious standoff in years. 250 dead India launched air attacks on February 26 on what it called a JeM training camp at Balakot inside Pakistan, 12 days after the suicide bombing. Vijay Keshav Gokhale, the Indian foreign secretary, hours after its pre-dawn air raid, said the target of the pre-emptive strike was jihadis in the biggest training camp of JeM. Gokhale said a very large number of JeM terrorists, trainers, senior commanders and groups of jihadis who were being trained for fidayeen [suicide] action were eliminated. While the Indian government has given no official statement about the numbers of dead, Indian local media ran several source-based reports claiming as many as 350 killed. 190308100252116 Leading politicians linked to Prime Minister Narendra Modis Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), including party president Amit Shah, put the death toll at 250. Some of those asking for proof such as opposition politicians accusing Modi of using the crisis to boost his standing ahead of looming elections have gotten short shrift. In the next raids, opposition parties raising these questions can be tied under the jets so that they can look at the targets, thundered Indias junior foreign minister VK Singh. Just trees? Pakistani officials said that Indian warplanes did breach its airspace, dropping what military spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor described as payloads near Balakot. But Islamabad has denied there was any damage or casualties. Once again, (the) Indian government has resorted to a self-serving, reckless and fictitious claim, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said. Local residents reported hearing explosions in the night, but said only one person was injured and that no infrastructure was destroyed. The army escorted reporters to the area, but independent reporting by multiple local and international outlets who visited the site also found no evidence of a training camp for rebels or of any infrastructure damage at all. 190227183058957 A reporter of the AFP news agency visited what his Pakistani military escort and locals said was the site of Indian raid and saw a crater, two trees snapped in half and three houses of mud, one of which had a collapsed wall. AFP has not independently verified if any JeM training camps are nearby. Some media reported that a madrassa (religious school) run by JeM was in the vicinity, but undamaged. The Atlantic Councils Digital Forensic Research Lab said that open-source satellite imagery indicated only impacts in the wooded area, with no damage being visible to the surrounding structures. Pakistan has even perhaps tongue in cheek floated the possibility of lodging a complaint against India for eco-terrorism for the killing of dozens of trees. Dogfight A further bone of contention is the air raid by Pakistani aircraft into Indian airspace and the subsequent aerial dogfight in the skies over Kashmir on February 27. Pakistan said it shot down two Indian planes, one falling on the Pakistani side of the Line of Control (LoC) frontier and the other on the Indian side. Initially, Pakistan said it had captured two Indian pilots, but the military later clarified it had just one pilot in custody. 190304060848221 Attacking Pakistani disinformation, Indias Air Vice Marshal RGK Kapoor said India had lost just one plane, whose pilot was captured and later released by Pakistan. Kapoor also said an Indian MiG21 had shot down one Pakistani F16, crashing on the Pakistani side, but Islamabad denied this. The fact is that Indian army units had reported sighting two parachutes falling [in Pakistan-administered Kashmir], which were of two F-16 pilots [from] the aircraft that was shot down by [a] MiG21, Kapoor said. Open space Pakistan said its planes had crossed the LoC, the de facto border with India, in broad daylight and locked on to six targets to show they could, but then hit open space instead. But India rejected this too, saying that Pakistan had intended to attack Indian military installations but had been foiled by its aircraft. Although PAF bombs have fallen in the Indian army formation compounds, they were unable to cause any damage to our military installations, Kapoor said. The move follows the UKs announcement last month to ban Hezbollahs political wing as a terrorist organisation. Lebanons Hezbollah movement has called for donations from its popular base because it says it is coming under financial pressure as a result of Western sanctions. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallahs appeal on Friday came days after Britain announced on February 25 that it would seek to make membership of the Shia movement or inviting support for it a crime. It also follows the United States ramping up sanctions against the group, with its latest raft of measures in November targeting Nasrallahs son Jawad, among other individuals. The sanctions and terror lists are a form of warfare against the resistance and we must deal with them as such, Nasrallah said in a televised speech. I announce today that we are in need of the support of our popular base, Nasrallah added. It is the responsibility of the Lebanese resistance, its popular base, its milieu, to confront these measures. Hezbollah was established in 1982 during Lebanons civil war and is now a major political party in the country, holding three cabinet posts. The movement has been designated a terrorist organisation by the US in 1997 and the groups armed wing fights alongside the government of Syrias President Bashar al-Assad in the countrys civil war. Commenting on Britains ban, he said: More states will follow suit and put Hezbollah on terror lists and describe it as a terrorist group. Addressing his supporters, Nasrallah stressed that the financial difficulties that we may face are a result of this (financial) war and not because of any administrative defect. They wont be able to impoverish or starve us, he said. Those who have supported us will continue to support us be it states or our support base. Washington has targeted the party with tough sanctions, and the European Union blacklisted the groups military arm in 2013. Nasrallah said he expects US sanctions to get tighter on us and our supporters. We may see new names and new people, and new organisations added to the sanctions lists. Close to 1,000 people mostly children have died of the disease in the past five months. Doctors in Madagascar are blaming a shortage of vaccines for their struggle to contain the worst measles outbreak in decades. Close to 1,000 people mostly children have died of the disease in the past five months. Al Jazeeras Fintan Monaghan reports. Cesar Villanueva steps down as calls for President Martin Vizcarra to shake up his government grows. Perus Prime Minister Cesar Villanueva has stepped down, the government said on Friday, amid calls for President Martin Vizcarra to shake up his government and revive falling approval ratings. Villanueva, the prime minister for the past year, handed in his letter of resignation to Vizcarra, the presidents office said in a statement, confirming media reports earlier on Friday. The statement did not say the resignation was accepted but said Vizcarra thanked Villanueva for his services. A new prime minister has not yet been chosen but two government sources who asked not to be named told Reuters news agency that Justice Minister Vicente Zeballos was under consideration for the position. Vizcarra will likely make several cabinet changes to revamp his team and shore up slipping support, the sources said. A survey by Datum Internacional published in local daily Peru 21 on Thursday found Vizcarras approval rating dropped seven percentage points from February to 56 percent. Presidents in Peru often reshuffle the cabinet when their approval ratings fall, though all recent presidents have ended their terms widely unpopular. Vizcarras approval rating rose to a high of 66 percent in January after he confronted the opposition-ruled Congress and pushed for passage of measures aimed at fighting corruption which had passed easily in a national referendum in December. In the past week, he has faced criticism that he has not done enough to tackle other problems, and for travelling to Spain and Portugal on a state visit instead of visiting regions affected by flooding and landslides. A former vice president, Vizcarra took office a year ago to replace Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, who resigned after a corruption scandal. Peru is the worlds second-biggest copper producer and one of Latin Americas most stable economies. Events organised on occasion of International Womens Day protest unjust imprisonment of women and children in Syria. Rallies across Turkey have urged the international community to take immediate action for the release of women and children in Syrian prisons. Fridays events, organised on the occasion of International Womens Day by several rights and humanitarian groups, protested human rights breaches and unjust imprisonment of women and children by the Syrian government. During the demonstrations, held simultaneously in various countries around the world and Turkish cities, representatives of organising groups read out a joint statement titled: Together for the freedom of captive women and children in Syria. According to the Conscience Movement, an umbrella group founded for the cause, more than 13,500 women have been jailed since the Syrian conflict began in 2011, and more than 7,000 women remain in detention where they are reportedly subjected to torture, rape and sexual violence. 160505084119966 Bulent Yildirim, head of the organiser group Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH), said at the press conference in Istanbul that Muslim countries should be ashamed of not doing enough for women and children held in Syrian prisons. We must not persecute anyone no matter what their language, religion or race is, Yildirim said, adding that women and children in Syrian prisons live in terrible conditions. Seymaros Baris, a member of Conscience Movement, said in eastern Bitlis province: We will continue our struggle until the last woman and child in the Syrian dungeons are free. IHHs Hatay province representative Ismail Dokmeci said from the province: We are calling on the Syrian regime and its partners. Stop using rape as a weapon of war. Stop the brutal torture against women. Release our Syrian sisters. Group founded for the cause The Conscience Movement was founded last year after an all-woman international convoy was organised to raise awareness about the abuses suffered by female prisoners of the Syrian regime. 190308194709989 Last year, a 55-bus convoy made a three-day journey from Istanbul to Turkeys southern Hatay province near the Syrian border, where thousands of women staged a rally marking the International Womens Day. The Syrian civil war started as a largely peaceful uprising against the Syrian government in March 2011 but quickly developed into a full-scale conflict after the Syrian leader refused to concede power. The former United Nations special envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura, estimated at least 400,000 people had died over the first five years of conflict. Hundreds of thousands of others have been displaced by the violence. Move to release the women coincided with International Womens Day, which saw continued protests against Bashirs rule. Sudans President Omar al-Bashir has ordered the release of all female protesters detained during nationwide demonstrations that have rocked his rule since December. Al-Bashir made the announcement on Friday during a meeting with a group of people from eastern Sudan at his residence in Khartoum. I order Salah Gosh to release all women detainees, al-Bashir said at the meeting, referring to the chief of the powerful National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) that has led a sweeping crackdown on the protesters. The media office at the presidency confirmed the move, which coincided with International Womens Day. Officials have not said how many women have been detained during the protests, but opposition activists say about 150 were in detention. Hundreds of protesters, opposition leaders, activists and journalists have been detained since the rallies erupted on December 19 following a government decision to triple the price of bread. The protests quickly mushroomed into nationwide demonstrations against al-Bashirs rule, with crowds calling on the veteran leader to step down. Al-Bashir has acknowledged that the protests were led by youths, the majority of them women. Officials say 31 people have died in protest-related violence so far, while Human Rights Watch has put the death toll at 51. Al-Bashir has imposed a slew of tough measures, including a year-long state of emergency across the country, to quell the protests after an initial crackdown failed to suppress the movement. Earlier on Friday, protesters staged a demonstration in eastern Khartoums district of Burri but they were confronted by security forces with tear gas, witnesses said. Security forces also fired tear gas at protesters who rallied outside a mosque in the twin city of Omdurman after Friday prayers, witnesses said. Leaders and members of the public criticise UK Home Office for calling Begum a security risk and revoking citizenship. The United Kingdoms Home Secretary Sajid Javid has faced criticism following the death of the infant son of Shamima Begum, a British teenager stripped of her citizenship for joining the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL or ISIS) in Syria. Begums three-week-old son Jarrah died in a camp in Syria on Thursday, according to spokesperson for the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Mustafa Bali. A medical certificate indicated pneumonia as the cause of death, reported the BBC. Following the childs death, British politicians and members of the public criticised the Home Office for calling Begum a security risk and revoking her citizenship, with some even blaming Javid for the death. 190304220616676 Dal Babu, a former Metropolitan Police chief superintendent and friend of Begums family, told BBC Newsnight on Friday: Weve failed, as a country, to safeguard the child. This was an entirely avoidable death of a British citizen, said Babu. There was no attempt to help by the Home Office. I think its shocking how the home secretary has treated this situation. Blaming Javid for the babys death, British journalist Ash Sarkar tweeted: Whatever Shamima Begum may have done, her child was innocent and a British citizen. Whatever Shamima Begum may have done, her child was innocent and a British citizen. Sajid Javid let a baby die because looking like a strongman mattered more than the rule of law and a childs life. https://t.co/dPJb7ksifW Ash Sarkar (@AyoCaesar) March 8, 2019 UKs shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott also criticised the home secretarys move. It is against international law to make someone stateless, and now an innocent child has died as a result of a British woman being stripped of her citizenship. This is callous and inhumane, Abbott tweeted. Begum was discovered last month in a refugee camp in Syria by a reporter with the UK-based newspaper, The Times, four years after she was last seen, aged 15, fleeing from her East London home. She, along with two female friends, left the UK to join the ISIL group in 2015. 190228141135189 Now 19, Begum had told journalists she wanted to raise Jarrah in the UK, alleging that she had lost two other children in Syria to malnutrition and disease. However, the UK government moved to revoke Begums citizenship, effectively blocking her return, claiming she was a dual-national with access to Bangladeshi citizenship. Begums family tried to challenge the decision and asked for help in bringing her baby back to the UK. While Home Secretary Javid confirmed Begums son was a British citizen, he said it would be incredibly difficult to facilitate the return of a child from Syria. Begums family denied she is a dual citizen and said it plans to challenge the UKs decision. A Bangladeshi foreign affairs official also told Al Jazeera that Begum is not Bangladeshi. International law forbids countries from making people stateless by revoking their only citizenship. Begums case has highlighted a dilemma facing many European countries, divided over whether to allow ISIL members or sympathisers to come home to face prosecution or bar them as the armed groups so-called caliphate collapses. With irregularities and violence, governorship and state assembly elections are marked by low voter turnout. Abuja, Nigeria Millions of eligible voters in Nigeria have stayed away from casting their ballot to elect governors and state assembly members, amid reports of disturbances. Saturdays election comes two weeks after Muhammadu Buhari secured a second term in a delayed presidential vote. I came out to vote but the place is empty as you can see and the low turnout shows a major trust deficit about the electoral process, housewife Mary Suleiman told Al Jazeera. Abuja residents are not as interested in the local council elections as compared to the presidential polls, but the outcome of the last polls led to todays turnout, Suleiman said. About 120,000 polling stations opened at 07:00 GMT across Africas most populous nation, but idle electoral officers spent much of the day waiting for voters in the capital, Abuja, and across the country. More than 84 million voters registered to take part in the elections but only 35 percent of that number took part in last months presidential and National Assembly elections. Thousands of candidates are vying for the 1,082 positions available, including 29 governorships, 992 seats in state houses of assembly and 62 in area councils in the capital Abuja. A total of 1,063 candidates are running for the governorship seats in 29 states. Voting was delayed in some cities due to the late arrival of materials, according to election monitors, and there were allegations of vote rigging in southern Abia state. Election observers also reported incidents of vote-buying across the country as politicians tried to sway voters. Violence and armed thugs In Lagos, the commercial capital of Nigeria, some voters also stayed away from Saturdays exercise after the February 23 polls were marred by violence and armed thugs burned and snatched ballot boxes. I did not vote because last two Saturdays, the violence in my polling unit scared me away. After voting [thugs] came and burned our result sheets, Chinedu Obiora, a businessman told Al Jazeera. I dont trust the system to conduct the elections and I couldnt have risked my life as a result of todays exercise, I stayed home with my family monitoring on TV, Obiora said. There appeared to be far fewer people taking part in Saturdays governorship and state assembly polls compared with the presidential and National Assembly elections when electoral officers in some polling areas were overwhelmed with large numbers of voters. The turnout of voters in the five polling units we visited today was abysmal, at some polling units, the election officials especially the party agents, were more than the voters, Chioma Agwuegbo, an Election Observer told Al Jazeera. Voters, especially young people, feel betrayed by the electoral commission. They believe that their votes did not count in the elections from February 23, and dont trust the system enough to come out again, Agwuegbo said. The main opposition presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar is challenging the outcome of the recently-concluded presidential election which he claims was rigged in favour of Buhari. There is low voter turnout and I believe its because of the last election which was marred by a lot of irregularities, Atiku told journalists after voting in his Adamawa home in northeast Nigeria. Atiku has approached the court to begin the process of auditing the results of the presidential vote which he says were manipulated. The City Council this week took the wait-and-see approach, deciding to let the process of collecting enough signatures to put a measure on the ballot play out, Once the sick man of Europe, Germany weathered the financial crisis and the Great Recession better than its neighbours. The Steele dossier is the collection of gossip and fantasy about Donald Trump, put together by former Brit MI6 operative Christopher Steele during 2016 on the dime of the Democratic Party. It triggered the Russian collusion investigation of the past two years. Sergei Skripal is a former Russian intelligence officer who spied for MI6 and got caught in 2006, went to jail for four years, and was then allowed to go to England as part of a spy swap. In March 2018, he and his daughter Yulia, who was visiting him from Russia, wound up in a hospital after being poisoned. MI6 says the toxin was nerve agent Novichok, administered by Russian agents, who smeared it on the doorknob of Skripal's home. The Skripals recovered, says MI6, but have not been seen in public, and their current location is not known. In June 2018, two other British citizens were poisoned by Novichok contained in a perfume bottle they found in a trash bin. The connection with the Skripals is obscure. The Russians denied involvement in the Skripal affair and pointed to a number of aspects of the story that make little sense. But it caused, and continues to cause, major disruptions in relations among Russia, the U.S., and Europe. Recently, a writer named Michael Antony analyzed the case on a Russophile website, emphasizing the holes in MI6's version. (For example, the doorknob theory does not fit the timeline of the Skripals' movements that day, their physical reactions were not in accord with Novichok poisoning, people who came to their aid were not affected, Russian intelligence services are more competent than whoever did this, many nations besides Russia have Novichok, the Russians had no reason to kill Skripal, and so on.) Most interesting is that Antony points out something omitted from most stories about the case. When Skripal went to England, Antony says, MI6 steered him to live in Salisbury. In Salisbury, there also lived a man named Pablo Miller, a retired MI6 agent who was prominent enough to receive the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2015 and who had served as Skripal's handler during his days as an MI6 spy. In 2018, Miller was working for Christopher Steele, a former boss in MI6 and the chief organizer of the Trump dossier via his private intelligence firm. From these facts, combined with the holes in the MSM accounts of the affair, Antony spins his alternative narrative, which is that Miller recruited Skripal to help make up stories for the dossier, and Skripal, realizing the value of this information and being a mercenary rather than an ideologue, decided to sell it to the Russians, who would have happily blown it up in the collective faces of MI6. In this account, MI6, at the least, found out about this plan and incapacitated the Skripals with something other than Novichok and has kept them incommunicado. A rougher version would be that MI6 actually tried to kill the Skripals with the perfume bottle, and when that went astray, the agency fell back on a less lethal alternative. Antony emphasizes a fact that has received zero MSM attention: immediately after the Skripal poisoning, the British government issued a DSMA notice forbidding press mention of Pablo Miller, so the connections have not been much remarked. But once one begins bouncing around the internet, more information crops up. The most comprehensive coverage of the Miller-Steele-Skripal connection and the holes in the MI6 version of events can be found on the website of Craig Murray, a former British diplomat and current whistleblower, who has put up more than 40 posts on the subject and, most recently, a long analysis entitled "Pure: Ten Points I Just Can't Believe about the Official Skripal Narrative." Murray is a proud associate of WikiLeaks and Julian Assange he claims to be the channel by which the DNC emails were physically transferred to WikiLeaks. He is called "controversial" when his opponents are being polite and "conspiracy nutter" when they are not, and I personally find his leftist tendencies uncomfortable, but on the Skripal affair, his logic and facts are powerful. As he says, the establishment may dismiss him, but it does not even try to refute him. Unlike Antony, Murray does not point a finger at MI6 because Skripal was too dodgy to reach any conclusions as to who all might have had it in for him. As one rabbit-hops through internet links, one finds other skeptics, such as "The Salisbury Poisoning One Year On: An Open Letter to the Metropolitan Police (March 3, 2019)." Few references to any of these doubts can be found outside the shadowy world of the blogosphere, but an important one appeared in a letter to the Times on March 16, 2018, in which a doctor at Salisbury hospital clarified that 40 people appeared for treatment as part of the Skripal affair, but only three of these (the two Skripals and a detective) required any assistance, and none had been poisoned by a nerve agent. (The Times story is behind a paywall, but it is quoted on several places, including here.) A search for further mention of this demolition of the MI6 narrative turns up nothing in the MSM. In a radio interview in March 2018, Gregory Copley, editor of Defense and Foreign Affairs, noted both that Skripal was known as someone who would make up intelligence as demanded and that MI6 would almost certainly have been aware of Steele's activities concerning the dossier. This information was summarized in the American Spectator, and the Daily Beast published an article on Miller, but in the year since the poisoning, these possibilities have gone unmentioned in the MSM. Is Antony's alternate narrative accurate? It seems plausible, and his analysis of the holes in the conventional story is arresting. Patrick Armstrong of Russia Observer, a sensible go-to source on matters Russian, calls it "the best theory I've seen so far." MI6 vehemently opposes the release of classified documents relating to the Russia collusion probe, which, combined with the DSMA notice, implies that there were indeed links between MI6 and Steele's operations, as Copley concluded. I am not qualified to resolve this wilderness of mirrors, but the critiques of the official story by Murray, Antony, and others cry out for a response. In any event, the reams of MSM stories that have appeared that do not even mention the Skripal-Miller-Steele connection should be dismissed from serious consideration. The Skripal affair has poisoned relations between Russia and the West. Further, because the Russians must be fully aware of the holes in the MI6 version, the failure to explain them must surely be attributed to malevolence rather than MSM incompetence, and they will regard the affair not as a cause of sanctions, but as an excuse for sanctions imposed for evil motives. So it is time and past time for the supposedly responsible U.S. media to take a serious look at the case. The concepts of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are dear, or once were dear, to the hearts of all Americans. These are the sacred rights of all human beings -- sacred because they are God-given and are not derived from government, rather governments only mandate is to provide cover for those rights. However, due to decades of twisted school curricula, and of postmodern, subjective journalism, weve arrived at a place where a sizable percentage of our population finds equality, immorality, and environmentalism superior concepts. In fact the left finds these ideas so compelling that they are willing to sacrifice the lives of us all to impose widespread adherence to these new gods. Equality alone is deadly. Despite its description as leveling the playing field there is nothing level, nothing honest about it. The left openly wants to redistribute wealth as if a cosmic unfairness had declared some rich and some poor and governments job is to rectify that. That attitude might have made sense back in feudal times, when upward mobility was close to impossible, but it makes no sense at all in a society where millions have manufactured their own wealth and the door of possibilities stands wide open. At least for now. Whats worse is the audacity of some to think that they are the ones with the right to decide who gets what and that becomes even more audacious when you realize what wealth actually is. Whether we talk about the 1% or the middle class, wealth and property are bought with ones time, effort, and talents. They are purchased with ones life. After all, that is all that life gives us -- time and the capacity to use it productively. To take my property is to help oneself to my life, to say that my production belongs to someone else, not to me. Once a person has convinced himself that he has a right to my life in that sense, it doesnt take long to assume that he has the right to also take the life of my body. Perhaps this explains the cavalier attitude of the left toward life in general. Leftists appear to be quite comfortable with killing infants. Theyre generally in favor of euthanasia, and many have expressed the willingness to erase the elderly a la Brave New World. They are promoting childlessness as a sacrifice to their environmental deity (it seems not to have dawned on any of them that if we fail to reproduce, theyll run out of people to push around and steal from). The left stomps about claiming that Black Lives Matter, but their policies, from welfare and abortion to gun laws and lousy schools, have caused the loss of tens of millions of black lives. Life - the greatest gift God has given us - means little to the folks who are fond of quoting, You cant make an omelet without breaking a few eggs. God not only gave us each life, but He also gave us free will - liberty. It is necessary that we have untrammeled volition so that we can be free to choose Him. It is also necessary so that we can each become all [we] can become, as Harrison Bergeron so tragically declared in the Kurt Vonnegut story. Along with life and liberty, God has given each of us amazing gifts, and freedom is necessary for us to realize our potential. We know from Thomas Maslows work that we cant reach our inbred capabilities - he called it self-realization - until our basic animal necessities are met. If were starving, or trying to sleep out in the cold, or fighting off an illness, we cant be painting masterpieces. We have many rock-bottom needs in order to just survive at an animal level, but a society must be able to provide the structure for us to rise above that or our humanity dies. It isnt enough for our society to give us food, clothing, and shelter - prisons do that. Human beings are designed to hunt for happiness. Happiness and the pursuit thereof is the last of the triune purpose for America. But what is happiness? Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi of the University of Chicago beautifully explained for us in his classic Flow: the Psychology of Optimal Experience. He defined happiness as the state of being when we are so involved in what we are doing that time evaporates - it flows right past us and when we finally stop doing whatever we were engrossed in, we wonder where the time went. Weve lost track of ourselves, of distractions and moved into a state of optimal experience. After 20 years of following his subjects - they each had a small meter with them that allowed them to record those moments when they were feeling happy -Csikszentmihalyi discovered that in spite of all of us wanting the weekend to get here quickly, his subjects most often recorded happiness when they were working. Work - meaningful work -- makes us happy. Not welfare. Not free stuff. Not rest. Not play. Work. People in Venezuela right now are not only lacking the basic necessities of survival, but they have no opportunity for fulfilling work. Note that our American dream is not happiness, but the pursuit of happiness, which confirms what Csikszentmihalyi found. We want to go after it; we know it cant just be handed to us. Some part of our souls needs the struggle. I dont have to sit here and write this, but I want to; doing so pleases my innermost being. Our president doesnt have to work. He could just be lolling around his gold-plated penthouse, but hes working 20-hour days, struggling against horrifying odds, because it is in him to do so. But the new left is not at all interested in our individual need for fulfillment. The left is not really even aware of the rest of us as human. We are merely the eggs for their omelet and an omelet doesnt present each egg separately - theyre all whipped up together, one indistinguishable from the rest, and all of them very dead. These Justice Democrats are after beating us all into an homogenized, manageable mass all in the name of equality - which is ridiculous on its face since none of us is like the other - and these folks like to tout social justice and at the same time encourage every kind of immorality and injustice imaginable. They appear to be on the side of pedophilia, of human trafficking, of terrorism. They appear to be playing fast and loose with immigration and campaign finance laws. They are willing to falsify votes in a dozen different ways and they dont mind being complicit in Americas slavery 2.0 -- illegal immigration. Immorality is their second god. But their biggest idol is the environment -- Mother Earth, Gaia -- their mighty goddess, a goddess so fragile that shell self-combust if cattle dont stop digesting and they believe that all of us - not them -- but all of us should be sacrificed at its altar. Life be damned. Liberty be damned. The pursuit of happiness has no place in this budding dystopia. Earth only has room for the power-hungry to wallow in their useless, miserable might. In some way, at some time in the future all this will be rectified. God, the author of life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, will wipe the grins off the faces of the evil and will set His Son on the throne and the Earth will again be what she once was and well all become what He designed us to become - blessedly happy. Deana Chadwell blogs at www.ASingleWindow.com. She is also an adjunct professor and department head at Pacific Bible College in southern Oregon. She teaches writing and public speaking. Hoax hate crimes belong to a larger category of ideologically motivated hoaxes, meant to sway public opinion and impact policy and legislation. There are broadly three types of ideological hoaxes. First, one finds journalistic hoaxes. Among these are the hoax of the Duke lacrosse-players and the UVA rape case. Such cases are fabricated and sensationalized in order to support the ideological claim of "rape culture on campuses." Second, there are academic hoaxes, which are "studies" based on fabricated data and cherry-picked samples designed to provide an ideological outcome. For example, there was a study that showed that gays die much earlier because people do not support calling two men in a romantic relationship a marriage. The third type is the fake hate crime. They are meant to prove the existence of violent bigots who attack the heroic victims, such as Jussie Smollett, Mathew Shepherd, and Tyler Clementi. These function as morality tales, with a victim hero and a religious martyr who proves the existence of endemic hate and violence. At the center exists the brave innocent who suffered for all our sins. These, by eliciting pity, prove victimhood and the harms of homophobia, racism, and sexism. Taken together these hoaxes represent a large-scale, coordinated campaign of misinformation and cultural lies. Many academic hoaxes are clustered in sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) studies. These studies sway public opinion and serve as "hard evidence" or "real science" and are used to change policy and create legislation. Exposed hoaxes do not often get much media attention. As Austin Ruse notes: Fake science is more dangerous than fake news because it takes more than a 24-hour news cycle to debunk fake science. Fake science can take years to dislodge. Even then, it remains part of the "common knowledge." For one paper on homosexuality, it has taken five years for it to be retracted. The paper, cited by more than 100 other scholarly papers, has been withdrawn from Social Science and Medicine because its results could not be replicated. What's more, they found a serious error in coding of the data rendering the initial finding unproven. Often, hoaxes work because the postmodern doctrine of intersectionality demands that the general public play a pick-up game of "find the martyr." Like all workable belief systems, or long cons, it works because there is just enough truth. For the postmodern social-justice position, truth does not matter. Intersectionality stands as complete moral relativism. Intersectional doctrine repeats the ideological proposition that there are two positions: victim and oppressor. In reality, there's a third position used to accrue power: the oppressor masquerading as victim. Basically, those occupying this third position publicly attack people at their psychological core by asserting: 1. Nothing you believe (have been told or taught or know or is common sense) is true. Brain scrub. 2. Everything you or your kind have achieved was taken by violence and exploitation from the rightful owners. Not agreeing means you are a bigoted hater. Bad person. 3. You are complicit in all historical crimes and reap the benefits from them. Guilty person. 4. There can be no dissent. We are the voice of the new God, and the sky is falling. Heed us now. Saved person complies. 5. We are right and will not trifle with your Western logic, ethics, or facts; literature; history. They are all the tools of exploitation and oppression that you have used to destroy us and others. In fact, we will not even be seen speaking to you. Isolated person. Hoaxes are not isolated from one another and do not take place in a vacuum. Regarding the Jussie Smollett incident, the media declared, "This is America 2019." Both Cory Booker and Kamala Harris called the incident "a modern day lynching." The LGBT news and cultural magazine The Advocate explained Harris's and Booker's legislative intentions: "The federal law they hope to amend, the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, was signed into law by President Obama in 2009." The Advocate further noted: "Booker spoke on the floor about the importance of the anti-lynching legislation and referenced actor Jussie Smollett, hours after the actor was on Good Morning America. The openly gay star was the victim of an alleged hate crime last month where a rope was put around his neck by two white men, according to local police reports." Cory Booker himself tweeted twice: "The vicious attack on actor Jussie Smollett was an attempted modern-day lynching. I'm glad he's safe." Before the vote, he tweeted: "To those in Congress who don't feel the urgency to pass our Anti-Lynching bill designating lynching as a federal hate crime I urge you to pay attention." This bill added sexual and gender identity (the enforced claim that some women have a penis) to groups under hate crime law that incur enhanced mandatory penalties. Intersectionality is easy just pose as, say, speaking as an XYZ. We recognize it immediately when Ellen Page vents her oppressed spleen on national TV. On The Late Show with Colbert, Page shrieked, "Kids are going to be abused, and they're going to kill themselves and people are going to be beaten on the street." Really? Over 300 politically motivated hate crime hoaxes predate "Trump's America," that anti-Narnia, Mad-Max violent landscape where church fish fries serve as covers for cross-burnings and where brutal homophobic attacks are mapped out. If you thought Ellen Page sounded unhinged, imagine the LGBT activist who set fire to her own home and burned two of her German Shepherds alive, along with three cats, because she was upset that the Pride Parade did not bring out enough hate groups to protest. The fabrications need to be reinforced and enshrined in the public imagination and consciousness. Truth no longer matters. In an exhaustive study of Mathew Shepard, The Book of Matt: Hidden Truths about the Murder of Matthew Shepard, journalist Stephen Jimenez shows that Shepard socialized with the killers and that all three parties to Shepard's murder were involved in, among other things, the sale of crystal meth. Recently, amid much publicity and fanfare, Shepard was reinterred at the National Cathedral, a new heroic martyr. This widespread deception by trusted institutions and legislation erodes people's basic civil rights, reduces religion to "hate doctrine," and quells free speech. This activism is about ideological conformity or isolation. Identity is authoritarian, a new form of totalitarianism masquerading as "civil rights." It has gutted the academy and turned the press in the public's eye into a pack of hucksters who can't be trusted. Intersectionality rates victim against oppressor as a template for good versus evil. I have little doubt that if the police had found some poor homeless white men, Smollett would have identified them as his attackers. This is a man who campaigned for Kamala Harris and who knows Cory Booker. Smollett is a 36-year-old wealthy man, a celebrity. If he had been given the chance, he would have sent innocent people to prison and who would have done so with support of the media and elected representatives. This is America 2019. Image: Screen shot from YouTube. Top Gun: An American Story, by Dan Pedersen soars into the readers minds. On the 50th anniversary of the creation of the "Top Gun" Navy Fighter Graduate School, its founder shares the remarkable inside story of how he and eight other risk-takers revolutionized the art of aerial combat. Pedersen, known as the Godfather of Top Gun, is credited with establishing the Navy Fighter Weapons School with the help of eight other passionate and talented officers known as the Original Bros. The book is an autobiography as Pedersen reflects on his childhood, why and how he decided to be an aviator. There are also bits of his love life and family life, his military career, and his post-military life. He told American Thinker he wrote the book as a legacy for the Top Gun school and teachers and what they accomplished. But the most interesting parts of the book are the discussions on how he became the man assigned to creating the school. Many today, can reflect on similar situations with the War on Terror. The bureaucrats and many high-ranking officers thought they knew best until the candid USS Coral Sea Commander Frank Ault spoke out. Already in line for admiral and with nothing to lose, the World War II attack pilot put his concerns on paper in 1968 and sent them to the Pentagon. He listed in detail the problems and the solutions with aerial engagement in Vietnam, in what became known as the Ault Report, and recommended the formation of a school specializing in aerial combat. Some of the problems included pilots fighting in Vietnam receiving limited training, having faulty Sidewinder and Sparrow missiles, and not learning the skills they needed to outmaneuver the enemy. This became abundantly clear with the kill ratios: In World War II the kill ratio was approximately 14 to 1, during the Korean War about 10 to 1, but in Vietnam before the Top Gun program it was as low as 2 to 1. Captain Pedersen (then a lieutenant commander) was the first officer in charge of Top Gun. He was chosen because of his experiences in the air battles over Vietnam where he received a firsthand knowledge of the shortcomings of American tactics and equipment. The "high tech" weapons failed about 90% of the time, and the latest fighter plane didn't even have a gun! American fighter pilots were being shot down by a third-world air force using Soviet MiGs. The Navy moved toward radar-guided missiles and aircraft to fire them instead of dogfighting. Defense contractors were more concerned with profits and plausible deniability than providing the best weapons. Pedersen commented to American Thinker, Industry designs our weapons and planes. This is still going on today, where no one ever goes into the cockpit and faces the enemy. Those doing the actual fighting do not have a lot to say. The planes did not even have guns because someone in the design industry decided they were not needed. There was a reliance on the missiles, but they never worked. This is what we changed with the founding of the Top Gun graduate school. Pedersens other big gripe is that the war was run by a bunch of politicians 8000 miles away in Washington D.C. Guys were asked to risk their lives flying an airplane and competing in real life combat. Yet, decisions were made by politicians, not by people on the ground. Robert McNamara, the Secretary of Defense during the Vietnam War, and President LBJ, mandated what went on. World War II was fought completely different, where the war in the Pacific was run by two four-star admirals and carrier skippers. They had a lot to say in the daily operations and tactics. The motto should be to never send an American into combat unless the intention is to win. An example given in the book and during the interview conveyed the incompetence of U.S. leaders. Robert McNamara and Secretary of State Dean Rusk, on orders from LBJ, sent the next days targets to the Swiss Embassy in Hanoi to let them know where the U.S. would be bombing. The rationale was that there will not be collateral damage and civilians killed. But the Vietnamese used the information for other purposes. Instead of moving the civilians away from the targeting areas, Pedersen noted, They moved the guns and missiles into those targeted areas to shoot at us. The high command was rigid and inflexible. They cared more about the headlines than protecting American pilots. At the time, we never knew we were being used like that. As today, many who did the actual fighting in Vietnam complained about the unfair rules of engagement (R of E) I knew the F-4 was designed for us to be able to shoot ten miles away, but the R of E said we had to visually see the plane before we could shoot. Flying became a dangerous game of risk versus reward. The R of E negated the capability of what the plane was designed to do. I think with better equipment and better rules of engagement we could have won the war in six months. If Americas best is sent to war then the strategy should be to win decisively. There was also the influence of the Israeli pilots, who Pedersen refers to as the elite pilots. Israel sent five pilots to train with the U.S. group. Pedersen asked them why they were all so serious. I will never forget their response. When you are fighting the enemy and roll over, looking down you see you are right over your home where your wife and children are. It becomes very serious. I also asked them what they did differently than the U.S. I was probing them for information I could use in the Top Gun School. They told me how they had categories of tactical strategy and that each pilot had a specialty. I used that to make sure each of my guys found a tactical area to work with and were good in a particular way. The Top Gun School ended up being very successful. The 2 to 1 ratio changed to a 24 to 1 ratio. The school became and still is run by people with combat experience. It is obvious that Top Gun saved lives and turned the air war around. As Pedersen says, My eight bros and I are patriots. This country needs more patriots that put America first. Anyone willing to defend their country should have a voice in combat and should have some control over their own destiny. Thanks to Dan Pedersen and others that followed, the Top Gun School remains the standard of excellence for providing air combat and weapons systems training. The author writes for American Thinker. She has done book reviews, author interviews, and has written a number of national security, political, and foreign policy articles. The consequences deriving from the allegedly false hate crime report of Jussie Smollett are vast. The expression "collateral damage" is appropriate. Whatever his fate, now that he was written out of his part on a TV show and indicted for 16 felony counts related to his allegedly false reporting of a hate crime, dozens of other people are suffering career catastrophes derived from the scandal's aftermath. At least 50 employees may have been fired from Northwestern Memorial Hospital for accessing the medical profile and records of "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett without authorization, sources with knowledge of the situation said. One of those employees identified simply as Susan, to protect her identity said that with one click of her mouse, she was fired from her job as a surgical nurse last week. "Simply put, it was just morbid curiosity," she said. "I went into the charting system and started to search his name." "I clicked just once," Susan said. "I never clicked into his chart." Susan said she was fired on the spot for violating the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, known as HIPAA, that sets standards for patient privacy and confidentiality. The Chicago Sun-Times reports on other hospital employees telling similar tales: The Northwestern Memorial Hospital employee thought nothing of it when a coworker walked over to her desk and asked if "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett had been admitted under an alias. Now, the employee an administrator with an advanced degree is out of a job, after she was told she'd inappropriately accessed Smollett's records, violating hospital rules. The administrator, who didn't want her name used, told the Chicago Sun-Times she was stunned by her dismissal and she suspects others may have been fired or disciplined for doing the same thing. "I didn't get any information about [Smollett]. I never clicked on his name and entered his record," said the former administrator. The haste with which the firings allegedly took place is curious. Of course, Smollett deserves the same level of respect for his medical privacy as everyone else. But the real problem, in my view, is the scandalous ease with which any American's confidential medical records are available to literally millions of other Americans not just credentialed medical professionals like doctors and nurses, but comparatively low-level administrative people who can pull up records with a mouse click or two. With Obamacare forcing doctors to fill out forms on computers every time they see a patient, accessibility to medical records online is greater than ever. If you think your private medical records are secure, you are living in a dreamland. Because of the enormous media attention showered on Smollett, huge amounts of police, prosecutorial, and other official resources were expended on the case, even as unsolved murders continued to pile up in Chicago. The families of the victims of those unsolved murders are suffering all the more thanks to the resources drained by the investigation, and now prosecution of his alleged hoax. Now Northwestern Hospital in Chicago will have to recruit, interview, train, and break in "at least 50" new employees to replace those who have been fired. Typically, this process costs many thousands of dollars per employee, meaning that hundreds of thousands of dollars of extra costs have been loaded onto the hospital, money that must be recovered from insurance companies, Medicare, and individuals paying their own hospital bills. It is quite apparent that with so many employees casually violating HIPAA, training on the importance of respecting medical privacy is inadequate. The fired employees should have known better, but they didn't. Coming soon: firings from the Chicago Police Department over leaks to the media: Chicago police have opened an internal investigation into leaks in the investigation of "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett's reported attack, police confirmed Thursday. "I would like to point out that a lot of the information out there was inaccurate and there were numerous agencies involved in this investigation," Sergeant Rocco Alioto, a CPD spokesperson, said in a statement. "As a standard procedure when there are allegations of information being leaked, an internal investigation has been opened and we are also looking at our vulnerabilities." If Smollett's case had not been in an intense spotlight, I doubt that the people accessing his private data would ever have been noticed. Hat Tip: Peter von Buol House Democrats took a step down a slippery slope yesterday when they voted to defend the right of local governments to allow illegal aliens the right to vote in local elections. Currently, all non-citizens including illegals are barred from voting in federal elections. But given the circumstances, how long will it be before Democrats try to change that? Washington Times: "We are prepared to open up the political process and let all of the people come in," Rep. John Lewis, a Georgia Democrat and hero of the civil rights movement, told colleagues as he led opposition to the GOP measure. The 228-197 vote came as part of a broader debate on Democrats' major legislative priority this year, HR 1, the "For the People Act," which includes historic expansions of voter registration and access, as well as a major rewrite of campaign finance laws. The measure would have had no practical effect even if it had passed. Illegal immigrants [sic] and indeed noncitizens as a whole are not legally able to participate in federal elections. Making it easier for citizens to legally vote in the U.S. is, on balance, a good thing. In a participatory democracy, you want as many citizens participating as possible. But allowing illegal aliens to vote, even in local elections, cheapens citizenship. Even if the illegals voted Republican, the notion that illegals are stakeholders in the community is appalling. If they want to be stakeholders, why not become citizens? And if they don't want to become citizens, what are they doing voting anyway? This move is not surprising from Democrats who have done everything in their power to see to it that non-citizens can cast their ballots. They continue to insist that non-citizen voting is not a big problem and not worth the effort to "true the vote." Given how close many races for Congress, the Senate, and the presidency have been in recent election cycles, it doesn't take many illegal votes to tip the scales in favor of the Democrats in several races. Ilhan Somali-refugee-who-might-have-defrauded-the-immigration-system Omar is on a roll, spewing anti-American and anti-Semitic nonsense as she struts the halls of Congress, emboldened by Democratic leadership and the media. She's taking aim at all sorts of people, including the unlikely target of Barack Hussein Obama when during a recent interview with Politico, she said (emphasis mine): We can't be only upset with Trump. His policies are bad, but many of the people who came before him also had really bad policies. They just were more polished than he was[.] ... And that's not what we should be looking for anymore. We don't want anybody to get away with murder because they are polished. We want to recognize the actual policies that are behind the pretty face and the smile. Indeed. Focus on the policies. Beware the pretty face and smile. Back at you, Ms. Omar. And we're on to you. Official portrait (cropped). Behind her "pretty face and the smile" is a heart full of hate. She reveals it every day, as she represents a congressional district distinguished for having the most men (and boys) who've tried to join foreign terror groups over the past twelve years. I'm sure she's doing those folks proud. Meanwhile, Omar also stated: "I am certainly not looking to be comfortable, and I don't want everyone necessarily to feel comfortable around me," she told me, a mischievous smile tugging at her lips. "I think really the most exciting things happen when people are extremely uncomfortable." First: "a mischievous smile tugging at her lips." Seriously? Apparently so. (More of this drooling garbage later.) Second: She thinks exciting things happen when people are uncomfortable. Extremely uncomfortable. And (supposedly) she couldn't care less if you're uncomfortable around her. Tough talk. Except the latter is a crock of taqiyya, since she plays the victim card anytime anyone expresses discomfort with her views. But OK. I'll bite. So, yeah, Ms. Omar. Anyone who's paying attention is uncomfortable with you. We're uncomfortable having a raging anti-Semite in Congress. We're uncomfortable having a member of Congress who embraces a totalitarian ideology that masquerades as a holy book. And we're uncomfortable with your hate for America. Having fled the civil war in her native Somalia at age 8, spending the next four years in a Kenyan refugee camp before finding asylum in America, her adolescence was spent questioning why the land of opportunity she had read so much about her new home, the United States was falling short of its promise. Really? America has fallen short of its promise? Feel free to head back to Somalia. Apparently, being elected to the United States Congress despite no credentials whatsoever to have earned that honor has not been enough. Apparently, being able to, perhaps (would the federal bureaucracy please investigate this?), defraud our immigration system was not enough. This little hater with the "mischievous smile" doesn't seem to count her blessings. Meanwhile, the writer at Politico continued to gush: Though she is just 37, with delicate features, a puckish giggle and a strident social media voice that reflects her relative youth, Omar is a woman in a hurry. Delicate features and a puckish giggle? How much drool can one writer produce in a single article? Maybe more than he should have. Soon after the piece was published, Omar announced she'd been misquoted, eager to establish that she's an "Obama fan!" And she has proof she was misquoted, because she recorded the interview. So there! Except Politico recorded it, too, and they quoted her comment about Obama getting away with murder because he had a pretty face and smile exactly right. Word for word. But, come on, Politico! Give her a break! After all, she's just a "puckish" character making mischief! But more importantly more important than the smile, the giggles, the delicate features, the tugging at her lip, and the rest of the nauseating drivel is that she's in a hurry. Hmm. I wonder what all the rush is about. Hat tip: Legal Insurrection. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is taking issue with those who she believes are belittling her job as a bartender-waitress before she got elected to Congress. I find it revealing when people mock where I came from, & say theyre going to send me back to waitressing, as if that is bad or shameful. Its as though they think being a member of Congress makes you intrinsically better than a waitress. But our job is to serve, not rule. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) March 8, 2019 This is the second time in a month Ocasio-Cortez has cited her "skills" as a bartender-waitress in preparing her for life as a member of Congress. New York Post: Last month, Ocasio-Cortez championed the skills she learned in the restaurant industry after being praised for her questioning of Michael Cohen, President Trump's former lawyer, at a House Oversight Committee hearing. "Bartending + waitressing (especially in NYC) means you talk to 1000s of people over the years. Forces you to get great at reading people + hones a razor-sharp BS detector," she wrote on Twitter. "Just goes to show that what some consider to be 'unskilled labor' can actually be anything but." The woman who wants to end meat production and air travel has a "razor sharp BS detector"? Mmmkay. What waitressing almost certainly didn't teacher was paranoia. Ocasio-Cortez sent out a fundraising appeal claiming that the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee is "coming after" her. Jerusalem Post: The release starts by quoting an "AIPAC activist" threatening the political careers of Ocasio-Cortez and her first-year Democratic colleagues, Reps. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Ilhan Omar of Minnesota. The quote, saying they are "three people who, in my opinion, will not be around in several years," was taken from a recent New York Times article exploring the political clout of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. Except the "AIPAC activist" quoted, Stephen Fiske of Florida, confirmed to me that he has not been associated with the pro-Israel lobbying group for several years. The hardball he counsels in dealing with those who depart from centrist pro-Israel orthodoxies is not the style of the lobby, which discourages alienating safe incumbents. The error is emblematic of the misconceptions that first helped spur the controversy leading up to Ocasio-Cortez's fundraising pitch, which was posted Thursday on Twitter by Guardian reporter Ben Jacobs. Fiske's role as the chairman of a pro-Israel political action committee unaffiliated with AIPAC, which is not a PAC was the centerpiece of The Times article and seemed to confirm what AIPAC's critics, including Omar, refer to as its hardball tactics. Omar has been at the center of a firestorm over Israel and anti-Semitism, fueled in part by a recent tweet charging that big spending by AIPAC had bought congressional support for Israel. It's not a question of waitresses or any other blue-collar job being a disqualifying factor in getting elected to Congress. I've discussed Kant and Erasmus with cab-drivers. What people mean when they say Ocasio-Cortez should go back to waitressing is that her appalling ignorance manifests itself on a daily basis. One can argue that her misconceptions about AIPAC are boilerplate anti-Semitism. The all-powerful Jewish lobby threatening to take her down is emblematic of either ignorance or hate. The Times article got much right about how AIPAC operates: The lobby itself does not fund campaigns. Instead its members are expected to give to campaigns, and get perks (invitations to exclusive briefings, a chance to introduce their lawmaker as a speaker, more illustrious tags at conferences) if they are especially generous. They also are expected to cultivate close relationships with their lawmakers, volunteering for them, and above all to lobby them. But by making Fiske the poster boy for AIPAC, The Times perpetuates a major misimpression. When Omar landed a seat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, it reported that Fiske began calling lawmakers to complain and that he is "hoping AIPAC activists will punish" Omar with a primary challenge in 2020. Ocasio-Cortez will continue to embarrass herself and her party not because she was a waitress, but because she is unqualified intellectually and emotionally to serve as a member of Congress. She's not alone on that score. Dozens of members from both parties should have stayed in their law offices or private businesses. But most of them are smart enough to keep their mouths shut about things they know little or nothing about. Thankfully for Republicans, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez hasn't learned that yet. The Left obsessively romanticizes ancient cultures purer, closer to Mother Earth, matriarchal, greener, more progressive. And these cultures' contacts with the West (and Christianity in particular) were Always Bad. But the truth has gotten out yet again about how harsh and inhuman these cultures were in a news story about unprecedented child sacrifice discovered in an ancient empire in Peru, the Chimu civilization. The Los Angeles Times reports: Anthropologists have found evidence of a mass ritual killing that involved the deaths of more than 140 children, three adults, and at least 200 young llamas on the northern coast of Peru. The archaeological site, known as Huanchaquito-Las Llamas, represents one of the largest known cases of mass child sacrifice ever seen in the Americas. Gabriel Prieto, a professor of archaeology from the National University of Trujillo who started excavating Huanchaquito-Las Llamas in 2011, said the discovery shocked him and his colleagues. "In Peru we are familiar with human bones, but in this particular case there were so many skeletons and they were all children," he said. "It was astonishing." The sacrificial victims ranged in age from 6 to 14, and appear to have been killed in a well-planned and choreographed event on a single, horrific day. Their mummified bones were found carefully arranged with their heads facing the ocean and their feet facing the mountains. Many of their remains were found with the bones of one or two young llamas lying on top of them. The children, both boys and girls, all appear to have been killed in the same way with a single horizontal slice across the sternum. As if all this wasn't gruesome enough, researchers say that many of the children's rib cages appear to have been pried apart. This suggests that their hearts were removed shortly after they died. The Times and other news outlets report that the discoveries are significant because they represent the largest child massacres ever found in the Americas. The Times notes that it wasn't the only one another huge massacre Chimu site was found nearby, meaning that it was probably a regular event. How a civilization could survive by killing so many of its exquisite fresh-faced children, which we look at as the image of God in our Judeo-Christian culture, is, well, as the lefties say, unsustainable. No wonder the Inca eventually conquered the Chimu. And the Inca weren't pure, either. They also engaged in human sacrifice and they were toppled easily by the Spanish. More significantly, many of the native peoples did embrace Christianity as it was offered, very quickly not just in Peru, but in that other redoubt of human sacrifice, Aztec Mexico, because among other things, there was no human sacrifice. The Spanish soldiers who led the way for it were tough bastards, but the friars who accompanied them were kind, and numerous instances through history signaled that they often served as the native peoples' defenders. Franciscan friar Junipero Serra, who is often reviled on the Left as the founder of California, taught the Indians skills in the missions he founded because he wanted to make sure the Spanish didn't slaughter them. Needless to say, he had no affection for the Aztec alternative, which is particularly romanticized now on the Left. Most of the lefties who now dress up as Aztecs aren't descended in the least from the Aztecs. Many are descendants of the Tarasco of Michoacan, Mexico, the somewhat more peaceable craftsman empire that was the sworn enemy of the Aztecs. When the Aztec empire sought help from the Tarasco to defend their empire against the Spanish, the Tarasco leaders slaughtered the Aztec messengers as their reply. None of these ancient cultures was pure. And forget about that human sacrifice cannibalism was practiced at one time by the Native Americans in the U.S. southwest as well. The Anasazi, who had a civilization in what is now Colorado, and around the four corners area, terrorized their fellow tribes by literally eating them and excreting their remains on their kitchen tables. There's evidence that it wasn't just the Anasazi who engaged in this abhorrent practice. There are also the Left's other favorite dreamscape from ancient cultures: the so-called matriarchal societies. This research indicates that the phenomenon was not quite what lefties think it was. This is not to say there is nothing to respect or admire in ancient cultures I have been to Peru myself, and I collect the beautiful Chimu black clay pottery. If you go to Peru's museums in Lima, or Mexico City's famed Museum of Anthropology, you will marvel at the beautiful things these ancient people created textiles, metal work, pottery, and other kinds of art, as well as respect the fact that they could found a civilization against harsh natural elements. But the ugly truths aren't and shouldn't be papered over. The mass murder practiced by the Chimu pretty well kills the leftist romance about ancient peoples being culturally superior by the standards we insist on living by. No, not all cultures are equal. Romanticizing some past ones as somehow better, superior, more wonderful in all ways than the way we live now is gone there on that bone heap found in northern Peru. Image credit: Wellcome Images/Wellcome Trust via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Socialism has always been about putting a society in a state of war from the war pronouncements of its leaders yelling revolution to the socialist shortages otherwise seen only in wartime to the socialist efforts to turn neighbor against neighbor, both from class warfare and internal spies for the regime. In Venezuela, there's a new front the equivalent of an EMP attack, an attack on all the people, based on the massive and unprecedented electrical blackout still covering the country. The Washington Post's thorough report on the matter is horrifying. CARACAS, Venezuela One of the severest power outages in Venezuelan history ravaged the country for a second day Friday, with hospital patients languishing in the dark, most supermarkets closed and phone service largely knocked out in the oil-rich but economically collapsing country. Venezuela, which has been roiled by a political struggle between President Nicolas Maduro and opposition leader Juan Guaido, has been hit by outages before. But the blackout that began Thursday evening is the longest and most widespread in recent memory, a sign of the rapid deterioration of the economy, which is expected to contract sharply in the next few weeks as U.S. sanctions on the oil industry begin to bite. Some analysts even worry that the country once among the richest in South America could face famine. If you can imagine what an EMP attack would be like, this is it. The phones don't work. The ATMs and banks don't work, so there is no access to money. The internet doesn't work. The refrigerators don't work, so the food is spoiling. The subways don't work, so there is no going to one's job. The generators are failing at hospitals as staff struggle to keep them going and the patients are already dying. The preemies are losing their incubators. Nobody can get the doctors on the phone. The transport isn't working, and food is running out. The water isn't working, no water from the faucet, too bad if you get thirsty. The schools are all closed. And much of the staff with the expertise to fix the system have fled the country, while the money that could be used to hire someone from the U.S. or someplace similar to make the repairs has been stolen. These reports describe the terrible conditions in just Caracas in the rest of the country, the situation is reportedly far, far worse. And yes, the result looks as though it's going to be famine. And coincidence of coincidences, it comes just as dictator Nicolas Maduro is under fire from millions and millions of Venezuelans to get out and allow acting president Juan Guaido, who's there through democratic mechanisms, to take over. Guaido returned to the country last week without much fuss and says he's calling for protests, and now the blackout has followed. The internet has been shut off, and the subways are out. Both of those things are instrumental in getting word out of protests and transporting protestors to locations. Shut. Down. How very convenient for Maduro. And by another coincidence, Maduro has had high-level contacts with Russians in recent weeks and the Russians just happen to be the masters of blowing out power grids. Richard Fernandez has some excellent insights about this matter here. Yes, it's all circumstantial to suggest that the socialist regime did this to itself. Surely, it was just incompetence, of which they are very capable. Or maybe the gringos, as Maduro claims. But if you look at who benefits from this vast power outage, it's obviously Maduro, who wants to stay in power at any cost. What's more, the socialist Chavista regime, as it exists today, has always had an unusual fascination with controlling the electrical system, dating back decades, as this tweet illustrates. And if you look at Maduro's heroes, who include the Castro brothers, the mullahs of Iran, and Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, it's pretty obvious that the one thing they all have in common is their longevity in power through starving their populations into submission. Would Maduro, backed into a corner by angry Venezuelans led by Guaido, be capable of this? You bet he would. Most of us don't want this, but the case rises for a U.S. Marine invasion to hose that socialist hellhole out. No regime should be allowed to blow out an entire country's modern infrastructue either through its own incompetence or by design, blame the yankees, and then starve their subjects into submission as a means of retaining power. No one. Image credit: Twitter screen grab. On March 9, former FBI agent Robert Levinson marked his twelfth year being held in captivity by Iran. Newsweek reports that efforts to free him have been ongoing but have not met with success because of Iranian intransigence and the American government's lack of interest. Levinson, an exFBI agent well into a second career as a private detective, had disappeared over a decade earlier from a hotel on Iran's Kish Island. He had been seen only twice since then, first in a hostage video his family received from unknown intermediaries in 2010, then in photos three years later, showing the then-63-year-old increasingly haggard and begging for help. At first, the U.S. government claimed it had no knowledge of why Levinson, an expert on Russian organized crime, had gone to Iran. The Iranian regime denied it was holding him. But in 2013, the Associated Press and other news outlets revealed that the ex-agent had gone to Kish on an off-the-books CIA mission to probe high-level Iranian money laundering. To the Levinson family, that explained why the government had not adequately pursued his release over the years, or in a prisoner swap the Obama administration conducted with Iran: He was an embarrassment to both the FBI and CIA. The possibility also existed that rival factions in Iran had not been able to agree on his release after years of denying it had him. Levinson isn't the only American being held in Iran. Currently, there are four other U.S. citizens and a permanent U.S. resident being held by Tehran or the Iranians' Lebanese proxy terrorists, Hezb'allah. Over the years, several players have offered their help to the Levinson family some of them truly bizarre: "For years, there's been a steady parade of well-meaning, crazy and even corrupt people who have tried to help the Levinson family or tried to use Bob's case to help themselves," Barry Meier, author of 2016's Missing Man: The American Spy Who Vanished in Iran, tells Newsweek. "It's enough to make your head spin." Kent's mission, like all the other private efforts to locate and win Levinson's release, came to nil. Not for lack of resources money men "with CIA connections," as three sources involved in the case described them, had offered to pay Kent's Iranian helpers $100,000 for a proof-of-life package, including fingerprints, a blood sample and what they claimed was a recent, 41-second video clip of Levinson, who would be 71 on March 10. "Another $150,000" would be needed "for the rescue," Kent says. But just as Kent readied to leave for the airport three months ago, the federal government got in the way, he says, refusing to issue the Americans a waiver from the Trump administration's sanctions on Iran to permit the payments. That Barack Obama refused to pressure the Iranians to release Levinson when the Iran deal included prisoner swaps, is unconscionable. Obama simply didn't want Levinson back. The former FBI agent has been "disavowed" by the government and his situation put in limbo by the federal government. At least some in government believe the worst about Levinson. A former senior intelligence official responsible for Iran tells Newsweek the government believes, privately, that Levinson is dead. Officially, it maintains he's alive, with the FBI calling the 12th anniversary of his disappearance "an opportunity for the leadership of the government of Iran to demonstrate its commitment to basic freedoms and civil rights and return Mr. Levinson home to his family." But Christine Levinson says the government has let her down. "Time and time again, Bob has been left behind, deprioritized or seemingly forgotten," she told the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East, North Africa and International Terrorism on March 7. "My husband served this country tirelessly for decades," she said. "He deserves better from all of us and from our government. He deserves our endless pursuit to bring him home, to fight day and night and leave no stone unturned." The U.S. government is not to blame. Responsibility for Levinson's plight rests solely with the Iranians who have been taking Americans hostage since 1979. They trump up charges of "spying" on innocent Americans when it suits them, looking wrest concessions from Americans. There is also a problem with the factionalization of the Iranian political structure. One faction or another will take and hold Americans, gaining political stature in the process. Is Levinson dead? I'm sure whether he is or not is something his family would like to know. The US Commerce Department has given steel pipe and tube maker Tenaris an exemption from Section 232 tariffs for some of the round steel billet it imports from its sister companies. The US Commerce Department has given steel pipe and tube producer Tenaris an exemption from Section 232 tariffs for some of the round steel billet it imports from its sister companies. Commerce granted Tenaris the exemption for rounds from Romania, Mexico and Italy that the company uses to make products such as seamless oil country tubular goods (OCTG), according to documents from the department dated Friday March 1. The department found that the rounds for which Tenaris had sought exemptions were not made in sufficient quality or quantity in the US and that providing an exemption for them would not jeopardize national security. Tenaris said it sought the exclusion because it needed the rounds to make seamless pipe - a key product for extracting oil and natural gas from wells - at its mill in Bay City, Texas. The company began production at the $1.8-billion mill in 2017. The plant had been under construction since 2013. The Trump administration in March 2018 imposed Section 232 tariffs of 25% on foreign steel, including imports of semi-finished goods such as rounds. Executives with Luxembourg-based Tenaris in November predicted that the company would be granted an exemption. Tenaris requested exemptions for 430,000 tonnes of rounds: 180,000 tonnes from Tenaris Silcotub in Romania; 145,000 tonnes from Tenaris Tamsa in Mexico; 85,000 tonnes from Tenaris Dalmine in Italy; and 20,000 tonnes from Tenaris Siderca in Argentina. The exemption request for Argentinian material was not approved. The Tenaris exemption is significant because it is believed to be the first instance of a Section 232 waiver being granted for semi-finished steel products. In an email to Fastmarkets AMM on March 7, a Commerce official said he could not immediately confirm whether this was the first exemption for a semi-finished steel product. Commerce has rejected exemption requests from Evraz and California Steel Industries (CSI) for slab, another category of semi-finished steel. Slab is used to make flat-rolled material such as hot-rolled coil. By contrast, round billet is pierced to make items such as seamless OCTG. Fastmarkets AMM's price assessment for domestic seamless P110 casing, a type of OCTG, stands at $1,420-1,470 per ton. The approval of Tenaris' exemption request bolsters the case for companies such as JSW Steel (USA) that need imported semi-finished goods and are investing in the United States, a source familiar with the matter said. JSW Steel (USA) has restarted an idled sheet mill in Ohio and plans to add an electric-arc furnace to its plate and pipe mill in Texas. On the night of July 21, 356 BCE, two important events took place in the Mediterranean Basin. One created history, the other erased it. On that night, in the city of Pella, the capital of the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedonia, the wife of King Philip II gave birth to a baby boy. This child would, years later, create one of the largest empires of the ancient world rewriting the history of much of Europe, Asia and northeast Africa. He was Alexander the Great. The other event was more prosaic: an arsonist set fire to a temple. That temple, however, was no ordinary temple. It was one of the greatest temples to stand on the face of the earthregarded for the past two thousand years by travellers and scholars as one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. This temple, the Temple of Artemis, was located near the ancient city of Ephesus, near the now modern town of Selcuk, in Turkey. Dedicated to goddess Artemis, the temple was supposedly the first Greek temple to be built of marble. The colossal structure was more than a hundred meters long and half as wide. Its peripheral columns stood forty feet high, in double rows that formed a wide ceremonial passage around the cella that housed the goddess's cult image. These columns were carved in elaborate relief. That night, while the kingdom of Macedonia was rejoicing the birth of their new prince and future king, five hundred kilometers away across the Aegean Sea, a lowly thug named Herostratus set out to make his mark in history. He walked into the Temple of Artemis and set it on fire. The temples wooden interior, particularly its wooden beams, the statue of Artemis, and furnishing quickly caught the flames, and by next morning all that was left standing were thirty six blackened marble columns and a smoldering ruin. Herostratus was promptly arrested, and when he was tortured on the rack, this demented individual confessed that he burned the temple in an attempt to immortalize his name in history. The Ephesian authorities not only executed Herostratus but forbade anyone from mentioning his name, thereby condemning him to eternal obscuritythe very opposite of what Herostratus desired. Many historians such as Cicero and Plutarch continued to honor the decree, suppressing the mention of the arsonists name, but some early writers had already violated the order. One notable violation was made by Theopompus (380 BC 315 BC), who mentions Herostratus in his biography of King Philip II, Philippica. The first extant work to mention Herostratus is Geographica by the Greek geographer and historian Strabo (64 BC 24 AD). A model of the Temple of Artemis, at Miniaturk Park, Istanbul, Turkey. Photo credit: Zee Prime/Wikimedia The first-century Roman historian Valerius Maximus mentions Herostratus again by name. His essay titled Of Appetite For Glory cites Herostratus case as an example of the pursuit of negative fame through a criminal act. Here is appetite for glory involving sacrilege. A man was found to plan the burning of the temple of Ephesian Diana so that through the destruction of this most beautiful building his name might be spread through the whole world. This madness he unveiled when put upon the rack. Maximus observes that the Ephesians had wisely abolished the memory of the villain by decree, but Theopompuss eloquent genius included him in his history. Indeed, Herostratus name continues to appear in history books throughout the centuries. The 17th-century English author Thomas Browne noted with much amusement that the arsonist had even outlived the names of those who tried him and those who attempted to banish him to obscurity. After Herostratus sacrilegious act, the citizens constructed an even more magnificent temple in place of the one destroyed. It took some time for the Ephesians to raise the funds. At one point Alexander himself offered to pay for the temples rebuilding on condition that the work should be attributed to him in the inscription. But the Ephesians tactfully refused him saying that it was not fit that a god should provide temples in honor of gods. The new temple was a behemoth137 meters long, 69 meters wide, and 18 meters tall with more than 127 columns. This temple stood for six hundred years before it was destroyed by the Goths, an East Germanic tribe, in the 3rd century. Stones of the collapsed temple were carried off and used in construction of other buildings. Some of the columns in Hagia Sophia, and several statues and other decorative elements throughout Constantinople originally belonged to the temple of Artemis. The ruins of the Temple of Artemis today. Photo credit: OPIS Zagreb/Shutterstock.com Marysville, CA (95901) Today Showers this evening, becoming a steady rain overnight. Low 48F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch.. Tonight Showers this evening, becoming a steady rain overnight. Low 48F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch. 8 Female Authors Men Should Read Why Every Man Should Read the Works of These Female Authors These women have something to say! Female authors have mastered everything from the thriller to the romance genre. Though chick lit material continues to sell well, women who write do so for more than just their own gender. RELATED: 10 Classic Books Every Man Should Read Not only should you give the following writers a chance, but run to the nearest book store (or Amazon, if you dont have time) to pick up their works of art. Take a look at the list below to see which female authors fellas may have been missing out on. GettyImages First, the classics. Austen penned her novels Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Persuasion and Sense and Sensibility, to name a few in the early 1800s. Still, their themes ring true 200 years later. The Brit called out the publicly accepted standards for women of her time, so any man would do well to study the history of her plot lines and the way she portrayed relationships. GettyImages Angelou had a way with words. The poet especially made her mark with her 1969 autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. The memoir dives deep into Angelous childhood, which included racism, sexual assault, and silence after trauma, all of which are still current issues. Her story and depiction of struggle are universal, despite the highly personal circumstances, making this a book everyone should read at least once. GettyImages Young adult novels may not seem like the obvious material for men, but Han has a unique skill for capturing teenage love and romance that will make any reader nostalgic. Her "To All the Boys Ive Loved Before series was already a success before it was adapted into an overnight sensation Netflix film. (A sequel is coming!) Newsflash: Guys could learn a thing or two from the character Peter Kavinsky, even if he is still in high school. GettyImages Looking for a thrill? She brings slow-burn, intellectual suspense novels to a whole other level. Gone Girl captivated readers with its shocking twists and turns, proving that women can write just as scary if not scarier content as their male counterparts. Fans of her books can also pick up Sharp Objects and Dark Places for more chill-inducing mystery. GettyImages The Nigerian authors message is one we all need: Feminism is for men and women alike. Her 2014 novel, We Should All Be Feminists, is must-read material, especially in an era of ever-present inequality. If anything, the book will help men understand the female experience and ideally convince them of its title. GettyImages Whos ready for a laugh? Kaling, of The Office and The Mindy Project fame, showcased her impeccable writing skills with two personal essay compilations: 2011s Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) and 2015s Why Not Me? The books are tailor-made for the comedians fans, but even those who are not as familiar with her onscreen work will fall for her wit and humor. RELATED: 7 Must-Read Books for Successful People GettyImages Gay has been lauded for capturing what it means to be human in her collections of personal essays. Bad Feminist did just this while also portraying what life is like specifically for women the details of which the opposite sex can often be more aware. Hunger focused more on body image, from which both genders can learn. GettyImages Ephron wowed romantic comedy lovers with films such as Youve Got Mail, Sleepless in Seattle and When Harry Met Sally. She also explained how the process of aging differs for women in her tome I Feel Bad About My Neck: And Other Thoughts on Being a Woman. Meanwhile, Heartburn tackled the nasty repercussions of divorce. If readers really want to go all in, The Most of Nora Ephron includes copies of plays, novels, screenplays and more by the celebrated writer. This list of inspiring and eye-opening authors will not only entertain, but can help you on your journey to become that better man. You Might Also Dig: Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. 10 Most Beautiful Small Towns in South Dakota South Dakota is one of the United States most wide-open states. It is a nature-lovers dream and perfect escape for those travelers seeking something different than your typical outdoor getaway American getaway. South Dakota is sparsely populated and many of its 869,000-plus residents reside in small towns. The state is packed with state and national parks provide unique outdoor adventures other American destinations lack. Many of the small towns are quaint, quiet slices of Americana. They offer extraordinary travel experiences that are miles away from the big cities that dot the US. Whether you are looking for an exciting trip to the Badlands National Park or a road trip to Mount Rushmore, South Dakota has plenty of great, eye opening adventure. The USAs 40th state is one not to miss. Best Small Towns in South Dakota Affiliate links may be used in this post. I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you if you use my affiliate link. I am now at the almost-ready-to-send-application-so-going-a-bit-mad-and-paranoid stage so apologies, please bear with me! Question 25 of the form 147 for the temporary NZ spouse visa (461) asks if I intend to enter any hospital or health care facility while in Australia. Q29 goes on to ask if I expect to incur medical costs or require treatment for (list of conditions including) pregnancy. In both of our written statements to evidence the nature of our commitment my husband and I mention wanting kids some day but that were not ready right now. The intention is that once I requalify to practice law in Aus Ill apply for a skilled worker permanent visa from there, so there is definitely no intention to become pregnant while on this visa (or even a couple of years after getting the PR visa!). However all going well we will be having kids during my stay in Australia. We also cant predict the future and things might change! The rational part of me thinks that the form has space to list up to 6 kids to bring into the country with you on this visa so I dont think answering yes will be a problem per se, but I dont wanna set hares running by ticking yes here. Alternatively I dont want to provide conflicting information with our statements by ticking no. Currently we have ticked Yes to both these questions and inserted in the free text box While we have no current plans to start a family in the next 5 years, it is possible that I may become pregnant during my in Australia. Assuming the purpose of these questions is to ensure the applicant wont be a drain on public resources, surely the health insurance requirement would cover this? How have others answered this? There wasn't a single question about global warming in the 2016 presidential debates. In 2020, it might be the dominant one. The big picture: Climate change is on everyone's minds in a way that it wasn't in 2016. The worst thing to be as a Democratic presidential candidate, according to some youth environmental activists, is a "climate delayer" someone who doesn't recognize the urgency in addressing climate change. That's why the 2020 Democrats are under so much pressure to make climate a dominant issue and to embrace the Green New Deal. It's also why the Democratic nominee will be sure to force the issue against President Trump, who's still denying the growing evidence of a warming planet. Even Gov. Jay Inslee, who's running for president as the climate candidate, doesn't get a pass. Thirteen activists are suing Inslee and the state of Washington for "causing and contributing to climate change" by "promoting and implementing a fossil-fuel based energy and transportation system," said Andrea Rodgers, a lead lawyer on the case. "Lets just say Im not a fan," one of the activists, 17-year-old Jamie Margolin of the youth climate action organization Zero Hour, said of Inslee. one of the activists, 17-year-old Jamie Margolin of the youth climate action organization Zero Hour, said of Inslee. "For too long people have patted themselves on the back for acknowledging that climate change is real but in effect ignoring the urgency and severity of the crisis," said Stephen O'Hanlon, communications director for the Sunrise Movement. people have patted themselves on the back for acknowledging that climate change is real but in effect ignoring the urgency and severity of the crisis," said Stephen O'Hanlon, communications director for the Sunrise Movement. Climate activists are also demanding that he reject new natural gas infrastructure in the state, saying it's time to move away from all fossil fuels. The pressure has already had a big impact. Six 2020 Democrats Sens. Kamala Harris, Cory Booker, Kirsten Gillibrand, Elizabeth Warren, Amy Klobuchar and Bernie Sanders are co-sponsoring the Green New Deal. In his announcement video for his presidential campaign, Inslee called climate change the most urgent challenge of our time. for his presidential campaign, Inslee called climate change the most urgent challenge of our time. Warren has said if elected president, climate change would constitute a national emergency. if elected president, climate change would constitute a national emergency. Harris has called climate change "an existential threat to all of us." "an existential threat to all of us." Klobuchar said the Green New Deal is "so important right now for our country," even though "we may not have agreements on exactly how it will work and when we can get it done." is "so important right now for our country," even though "we may not have agreements on exactly how it will work and when we can get it done." Former San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro said when announcing his presidential bid: "We're gonna say no to subsidizing big oil and say yes to passing a Green New Deal." The backstory: The climate issue has become inescapable now that alarming scientific reports and extreme weather events have focused the public's attention on it. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also paved the way for these types of demands on 2020 candidates by putting the Green New Deal on the national agenda. "We need moonshots," she recently told Rolling Stone. also paved the way for these types of demands on 2020 candidates by putting the Green New Deal on the national agenda. "We need moonshots," she recently told Rolling Stone. But the pressure is also coming from donors like billionaire and Democratic activist Tom Steyer. "If you want to talk about climate or pollution you have to start with environmental justice," he said. The climate election isn't confined to the presidential race. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer told the New York Times that Senate Democrats will make climate change an election issue by giving daily floor speeches and proposing a special Senate committee to focus on it. And the activists have made it clear that they're watching everyone, as Sen. Dianne Feinstein found out. The bottom line: All of the presidential candidates should be prepared to say what they'll do about climate change and Trump's record will be front and center. While Europe has taken the lead on imposing strict privacy rules, online platforms enjoy lighter oversight in the U.S. What's happening: States are stepping up to fill the void. Silicon Valley is most panicked about California's privacy law that takes effect next year. Washington state, New York and others are drafting their own rules. Tech giants have made it clear that their top priority is persuading Congress to pass legislation that overrules, or "pre-empts," state laws. Democrats on Capitol Hill see an opening to impose some tough requirements like giving the Federal Trade Commission more authority or making web platforms more liable for data leaks as part of that bargain. At least three privacy bills have been introduced so far in Congress the year and more will probably be re-introduced from the last session. There will also be new proposals, including one on kids privacy from Sens. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.). The clock is ticking: This year is the most likely window for bipartisan legislation, as passing laws during the 2020 election year will be tough. Today at a closed door meeting of the UN Security Council, President Trump's Middle East envoy, Jason Greenblatt, defended Israel's decision to withhold Palestinian tax revenues over the Palestinian Authority's payments to families of terrorists, U.S. officials told me. "The time has come to make it clear that the Palestinian Authority, if it aspires to the status of a government, it must behave like one. It is unacceptable for the Palestinian Authority to pay these terrorists and their families a reward for criminal acts." Greenblatt at the meeting Why it matters: The U.S. was the only member of the Security Council to defend the Israeli measure, which is a violation of the Oslo Accords. Other member states called on Israel to resume the transfer of the tax revenues according to its agreements with the Palestinians. The backdrop: The Israeli cabinet decided two weeks ago to freeze more than $150 million in Palestinian tax revenues over the course of a year. The Palestinian Authority rejected the move, saying it would not accept any tax revenues from Israel if they were not in the full amount. The tax revenues are a huge part of the Palestinian Authority's budget and without them the economic crisis in the West Bank and Gaza will further deteriorate. This decision was partially influenced by the current election campaign. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is at risk of being forced out of power. U.S. officials said Greenblatt told the members of the Security Council that any other country would act as Israel did toward a country that was paying terrorists who attacked its citizens. "It is entirely inappropriate to focus on Israel as the source of this crisis. It is the Palestinian Authority that has chosen to manufacture the current crisis. ... "The Palestinian Authority is refusing to accept over $150 million in revenue to protest the fact that $11 million is being withheld, only to make a political point. Does that sound like a governing authority that is concerned with the welfare of its people?". Greenblatt The Iowa Supreme Court ruled on Friday to uphold the lower court's decision, nullifying the state's limit on Medicaid coverage for sex reassignment surgery, reports NBC News. The bottom line: Medical experts concluded that 2 women who filed suit, EerieAnna Good and Carol Anne Beal, both had gender dysphoria which the American Medical Association acknowledges as a potentially life-threatening condition and needed sex reassignment surgery. The court asserted that they were denied the surgery because they were "related to gender identity disorders," adding that Medicaid approves payment for some cosmetic surgeries deemed necessary for psychological reasons, such as "disfiguring scarring and congenital anomalies." Why it matters: Including this outcome, 11 states, plus the District of Columbia now cover transition-related surgeries through their public health insurance programs, per the ACLU. Ahead of the launch of President Trump's Israeli-Palestinian peace plan, the White House has been engaging with Evangelical leaders to reassure them about the plan. Why it matters: Evangelicals are a crucial part of Trump's political base and senior officials in his administration, like Vice President Pence and Secretary of State Pompeo, are Evangelicals. Most U.S. Evangelicals are strong supporters of Israel, and many Evangelical leaders are stanch allies of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. On Thursday a group of Evangelical leaders arrived at the White House for a briefing with Trump's Middle East envoy Jason Greenblatt. Among those present were Pastor John Hagee, Pastor Jentezen Franklin, Pastor Paula White and others. Although the meeting was off-the-record many of the attendees tweeted about it. A source who attended the meeting said that several of the Evangelical leaders raised concerns about the peace plan, especially about the possibility it will give the Palestinians a capital in parts of East Jerusalem. "They didn't give many details about the plan but they wanted to hear concerns and red lines and answer questions the Evangelical leaders had," the source said. The source added that Greenblatt told the group the peace plan will be fair and can benefit both sides but both will have to make compromises. The White House declined to comment on this account. Joel Rosenberg, an author who heads an evangelical foundation and has attended the meetings, refused to give any details of their content. Ryanair is planning to become the worlds first budget airline to launch regular flights between Europe and Armenia, the head of the Armenian governments civil aviation department said on Friday. The official, Tatevik Revazian, told RFE/RLs Armenian service that she has held talks with senior executives of the Irish carrier in Dublin for that purpose. We received a proposal and are now negotiating over that proposal, she said. They made clear that they want to enter the [Armenian aviation] market in 2020. They said that the average price of their tickets is 40 euros ($45). Obviously, they wont be able to fly to Armenia at that price, but it definitely wont be 350, 400 or 500 euros, added Revazian. She did not give other details of the planned flights. Ryanair can really revolutionize, completely transform our aviation market, argued the 31-year-old official. If Ryanair does enter the Armenian market Im sure that air ticket prices will fall and passenger traffic from Europe to Armenia and also from Armenia to Europe will increase as a result. Armenias international air traffic has already grown rapidly since the liberalization of its civil aviation sector in 2013. The former Armenian government decided to switch to the so-called open skies policy following the bankruptcy of the Armavia national airline. Armavia had enjoyed exclusive rights to fly to Europe, the former Soviet Union and the Middle East for almost ten years. The liberalization, strongly backed by Western donors, allowed local and foreign carriers meeting safety standards to carry out flights without any restrictions. This has led to lower ticket prices, giving a strong boost to the countrys burgeoning tourism industry. The number of foreign tourists visiting Armenia reached a new record high in 2018, according to official statistics. Trend: Over the past 24 hours, Armenian armed forces have violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops 20 times, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said March 9, 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. Trend: Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov has arrived in Iran on an official visit. During the visit, Mammadyarov is scheduled to meet with senior officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry told Trend. By Trend Iran is interested in developing the comprehensive relationship with Azerbaijan, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said during the official visit of the Azerbaijani delegation led by Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov to Iran, Trend reports March 9 with reference to Azerbaijans Foreign Ministry. At the meeting the sides had an exchange of views over various issues of bilateral agenda, including the development of relations in the spheres of tourism and culture, cooperation within regional and international organizations, widening of cooperation within UNESCO and etc. Stressing the importance of ensuring peace and security in the region Minister Elmar Mammadyarov underlined in this regard the soonest settlement of Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and informed his counterpart on the current situation of the negotiations process. The significance of the settlement of the conflict for achieving peace, security, sustainable development and prosperity in the region was emphasized. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif noted that they consider the security and development of Azerbaijan as their own security and development. The interest of Iran in developing the comprehensive relationship with Azerbaijan was stressed. It was noted that for developing bilateral ties it is necessary to speed up the projects under consideration. It was underlined that the statements made by Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Bagheri during his visit to Azerbaijan represent the official position of Iran. Minister Javad Zarif emphasized that his country stands for the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict by peaceful means and negotiations based on the principles of territorial integrity and inviolability of borders. Trend: Russia and Azerbaijan are actively building up bilateral cooperation in all areas, and this interaction has intensified recently, as evidenced by the frequent visits of representatives of the Russian government to Azerbaijan, Ivan Pyatibratov, Russian analyst at the Center for Political Information, told Trend. He noted that the recent visit of Russian Economy Minister Maxim Oreshkin, in connection with the start of the construction of the assembly plant for Russian GAZ trucks in the Hajigabul District of Azerbaijan, was a clear indicator of the mutual interest of the parties in economic cooperation. "The launch of this project is a result of documents signed by the leaders of Russia and Azerbaijan, and this is not the only direction which one can already observe progress in. On the other hand, this visit is a demonstration of the loyalty of the Russian side to its promises of strengthening economic relations with Azerbaijan, and evidence of these relations being valued by Russia, not to mention the personal meeting of the presidents of Russia and Azerbaijan, Vladimir Putin and Ilham Aliyev, in September 2018, which ended with the signing of more than a dozen of different policy documents and agreements regarding economic interaction between our countries until 2024," said the Russian analyst. Speaking about joint cooperation, the expert recalled the commencement of the construction of Hayat Pharm drug manufacturing plant in Azerbaijan, a joint venture of Russias R-Pharm and Azerbaijans Vita-A, as well as the launch of the SOCAR Polymer chemical plant, the investor of which was Russias Gazprombank. "It is worth highlighting that these projects bear not only an economic, but also a social burden, as students from Azerbaijani educational institutions are attracted to the new production facilities. In addition, large new productions always acquire infrastructure, which will be utilized not just by the companies, but also by the residents of the region. Another important item in the economic relations between Russia and Azerbaijan is the arms trade. Following the September meeting of Vladimir Putin and Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan purchased Russian arms worth $5 billion. At the same time, the volume of Russian arms purchased by the country has a steady growth trend. Such a level of relations between our countries helps strengthen the armed forces of Azerbaijan. This process speaks of the highest degree of confidence of the Russian side to the Azerbaijani leadership, since no one would ever arm an "unfriendly" country," continued Pyatibratov. The expert also gave serious importance to the extraction of energy resources. Russias Lukoil is actively investing in Azerbaijani energy projects, while Rosneft is developing production at the Goshadash field, Pyatibratov said. In turn, Russias Transneft is involved in the transportation of Azerbaijani oil. Development of the North-South project remains the key area of Russia-Azerbaijan cooperation. Russia and Azerbaijan are an integral element of this corridor, but other countries are also involved in it. Just recently, a new section between Rasht and Qazvin cities has been opened in Iran. Successful construction as part of the North-South project contributes to the further unity of Russia and Azerbaijan, as well as their economic development. The Russian analyst stressed that this is not the only joint transport project. Russia and Azerbaijan are negotiating on the creation of maritime transport line in the Caspian Sea, which will connect the Russian port Olya with one of the Azerbaijani ports, he noted. This project potentially promises the growth of tourism business as well. In general, since August 2018, when the convention on the status of the Caspian Sea was signed in Aktau city, the Caspian Sea has become extremely interesting in terms of business opportunities. In the future, it is worth expecting an even greater number of initiatives and projects related to the Caspian Sea. The talks are also underway about possible creation of the Caspian free trade zone, which would certainly be beneficial for our countries. He added that at the current stage, Russian-Azerbaijani economic relations cover almost all areas, such as industry, transport, energy, the military-industrial complex, while electronic technologies are the only direction not covered by these relations. In this area, the interaction of our countries is at the level of declarations of intentions, he said. The topic of jointly ensuring cybersecurity is raised from time to time, but there are no concrete results so far. This is while TASIM, a major project for laying a transit communication line, where Russia also participates, is in an uncertain state or develops quite slowly. At the same time, this direction was never a priority within the cooperation between Russia and Azerbaijan. The Russian analyst noted that the Russian-Azerbaijani economic relations arent only on the rise, but also have great development prospects. By Trend Statements related to the transit of Iranian gas to Georgia through the territory of Armenia are mostly populist in nature: they are made in connection with certain forces in the new Armenian government trying to give importance to their economic policies, including those of foreign trade, a well-known Azerbaijani economic expert, Professor Elshad Mammadov, told Trend. He was commenting on the information of Armenian media about the possible transit of Iranian gas to Georgia via Armenia. "When approaching this issue from the point of view of economic analysis, it becomes obvious that organizing the transit of Iranian gas through Armenia requires serious investment resources in the infrastructure of such a project. As of today, Armenia does not possess such resources, while Iran, on the other hand, also faces certain financial problems. With that being said, the Georgian market is not such a large and capacious market so that investments with the attraction of external credit resources could have the desired economic effect. Therefore, in my opinion, this is yet another propaganda canard launched in the Armenian media," Prof. Mammadov said. With regards to Georgia, according to the expert, it is trying, as a consumer, to diversify supplies and work with different suppliers in order to try to lower the price of energy resources. "Calls are sometimes being made in Georgia to reduce dependence on certain suppliers and this is also an element of a verbal battle, in order to strengthen their position at the negotiating table with gas suppliers. That is why I think that, in reality, and in terms of sound analytical assessments, the prospects of the transit of Iranian gas via Armenia is extremely unlikely," the expert concluded. Trend: In their March 1 statement, the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group (Igor Popov of the Russian Federation, Stephane Visconti of France and Andrew Schofer of the US) welcomed the commitment of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to meet soon under the auspices of the Co-Chairs, Trend reports with reference to the OSCE website. The Co-Chairs underline the importance of maintaining an environment conducive to productive discussions and continue to assess positively the recent lack of casualties on the front lines. The Co-Chairs also welcome some initial steps being taken in the region to prepare the populations for peace and encourage the sides to intensify such efforts. The Co-Chairs reiterate that a fair and lasting settlement must be based on the core principles of the Helsinki Final Act, including in particular the non-use or threat of force, territorial integrity, and the equal rights and self-determination of peoples. Any attempt to put some principles or elements over others would make it impossible to achieve a balanced solution, reads the statement. The Co-Chairs are prepared to meet with the leaders and foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan at any time, and call on the leaders to resume negotiations in good faith at the earliest opportunity. Continuous and direct dialogue between Baku and Yerevan conducted under the auspices of the Co-Chairs remains an essential element in building confidence and advancing the peace process. The Co-Chairs stress that they remain fully committed, in accordance with their mandate, to helping the sides find a peaceful solution to the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The Co-Chairs also express their full support for the impartial and critical monitoring work undertaken by the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and his team. 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. Trend: Turkmen Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov met with Romanian counterpart Teodor Melescanu in Bucharest, Trend reports referring to the Turkmen Foreign Ministry on March 6. The views on the prospects for the development of relations in the political-diplomatic, trade-economic, cultural-humanitarian spheres were exchanged during the talks, the source said. The issues of partnership within the international organizations, the intensification of relations within the EU-Central Asia format and Romanias current chairmanship in the EU Council in the first half of 2019 were also discussed. Earlier it was reported that the two countries agreed to explore the best routes of the Black Sea - Caspian Sea trade and transport corridor by using the advantages of Constanta and Turkmenbashi ports. The issue is the formation of the Eurasian Transport Corridor. In particular, Turkmenistan has been recently exploring the possibility of transporting cargo, including liquefied gas, to Constanta port. By Trend Thirty-nine candidates in total will participate in Ukraine's presidential election on March 31, the country's Central Electoral Commission (CEC) said on Friday in a statement, Trend reports citing Xinhua. According to the statement, the CEC has cancelled the registration of five candidates, who voiced the desire to withdraw from the race. Three of the five candidates dropped out of the race to support former Defense Minister Anatoly Hrytsenko, one quit in favor of incumbent President Petro Poroshenko, and another withdrew his candidacy to back former Deputy Prime Minister Olexandr Vilkul. Initially, 44 candidates registered to compete in the election. The presidential contenders were permitted to withdraw their candidacy from the race no later than March 7. The 2019 presidential campaign in Ukraine was officially launched on Dec. 31, 2018. According to various opinion polls, incumbent President Poroshenko, opposition politician Yulia Tymoshenko and actor Volodymyr Zelensky were viewed as frontrunners in the presidential race. Trend: Turkmen deputy prime minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Rashid Meredov will visit Pakistan March 11-13, Trend reports with reference to the Turkmen government. Political consultations, as well as a number of bilateral meetings, are planned to be held in Islamabad. The issues related to the intensification of the work on the implementation of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline construction project will become subject of thorough discussion, the report said. The aspects of cooperation in the electric power industry and telecommunications, including those related to the implementation of power transmission and fiber-optic communication lines along the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (TAP) route will also be considered. Transport sector has been defined as one of the priority directions of the partnership. In this context, it is planned to discuss the issues of creating a new transport corridor with the use of the possibilities for entering Europe through the Caspian Sea by using the transit potential of Afghanistan, Turkmenistan and Pakistan. Construction of TAPI was launched in December 2015, while the Afghan section in February 2018. Pakistan plans to start the work on its pipeline section this year. Turkmen gas is expected to be supplied through TAPI in 2020. The total length of the pipeline with a capacity of 33 billion cubic meters of gas per year will be 1,840 kilometers reaching the settlement of Fazilka on the border with India. Being the leader of the international consortium TAPI Pipeline Company Limited, Turkmengas, having a controlling stake, performs the functions of the main financier and manager of the project. The consortium also includes the Afghan Gas Corporation, Pakistans Inter State Gas Systems (Private) Limited Company and Indias GAIL Company. Bakersfield, CA (93308) Today Partly cloudy this evening then becoming cloudy with periods of light rain after midnight. Low 48F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening then becoming cloudy with periods of light rain after midnight. Low 48F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%. Texans like to set records, but we just reached a new one that no one can be proud of. In the first three months of this year, Texas has exceeded the total number of confirmed measles cases in all of 2018, which was nine. In 2017, there was only one case. Clearly, were headed in the wrong direction with a preventable disease. Places like Southeast Texas with several ports also face a different problem with diseases like measles. The Port Arthur Health Department confirmed that a crew member aboard a ship that docked in Port Neches last month tested positive for measles. That person was from another country and was taken immediately to a local hospital. His fellow crew members were not allowed to leave the ship, however. That incident was the first confirmed case of measles in our area. Tampa-based Florida Orthopaedic Institute Surgery Center is one of only three ASCs in Florida offering robotic-assisted total and partial knee replacement procedures, according to Smith & Nephew Robotic Implementation Consultant Alison Ryan. What you should know: 1. Michael Miranda, DO, performed Florida Orthopaedic Institute Surgery Center's first robotic-assisted total knee arthroplasty. 2. It was the first procedure of its kind performed in the Tampa Bay Area. 3. Dr. Miranda used Smith & Nephew's Navio robotic system. The system is designed to help surgeons perform partial and total knee replacement surgeries with precision and accuracy and doesn't require a preoperative CT scan. More articles on supply chain: SurgCenter Development forms 200th ASC partnership Company in 'full-growth mode' Illinois community may benefit from ASC, OSF Regional Vice President says 3 insights How Southern California Orthopedic Institute shifted total joints to ASCs using bundled payments 5 insights Portland-based Maine Medical Center plans to build a $59 million, 108,000-square-foot medical office building in Scarborough, Maine, the Press Herald reports. What you should know: 1. The medical office building will house primary and specialty care practice Portland-based Maine Medical Partners' neurology, neurosurgery, spine, ENT and vascular surgeons. 2. The Scarborough campus features a research institute, a surgery center, cardiology, gynecologic oncology, pediatric oncology and outpatient imaging services. 3. If Maine Medical breaks ground on the practice in fall it could be complete by early 2021. 4. "This investment marks the next stage in our development of the Scarborough campus as a regional center for specialty medical care that is convenient for our patients, with easy highway access, ample parking and state-of-the-art facilities," said Maine Medical Center President Jeff Sanders in a statement. Orthopedic laser spine surgeon Stefan Prada, MD, will begin practicing at Tampa-based Physician Partners of America's Merritt Island (Fla.) Outpatient Surgery Center April 1. What you should know: 1. Dr. Prada previously worked at Tampa, Fla.-based Laser Spine Institute, which shuttered all locations March 1. While at LSI, Dr. Prada treated more than 9,000 patients. 2. Dr. Prada will perform minimally invasive laser spine procedures at Merritt Island Outpatient Surgery Center. The facility features a 9,060-square-foot ASC and more than 4,600 square feet of medical offices. 3. PPOA held a job fair for LSI employees March 6. Laser Spine Institute employed around 1,000 people at its four locations, including more than 500 in Tampa. 4. PPOA made at least 10 job offers during the career fair in Tampa, according to a LinkedIn post. PPOA has also helped 180 former LSI patients so far. In Arizona, where LSI also treated patients, spine surgeon Issada Thongtrangan, MD, is welcoming patients affected by the practice's closure. Data from Microsoft suggests federal information on broadband internet access may overestimate the availability of high-speed internet, particularly in rural areas, Government Technology reports. The U.S. Federal Communications Commission reports that most of the country (92 percent) has access to broadband, however, Microsoft data shows only about half of Americans (49 percent) use it. Government Technology cites a third source, Pew Research, that found 65 percent of Americans use broadband closer to Microsoft's estimate. Microsoft Chief Data Analytics Officer John Kahan told Government Technology the data discrepancy likely stems from the way the FCC collects data. If internet providers can provide broadband service, it is counted as access, regardless of whether service is available. It also counts access by census blocks, requiring just one customer per census block to have broadband to consider the entire block as having access. Data from all three sources indicate broadband use is lower in rural areas, according to the report. Microsoft has partnered with rural technology operators under its Airband Initiative to expand broadband access to rural internet providers. Find more on that here. More articles on telehealth: UVA Children's Hospital unveils app for follow-up care, remote patient monitoring Florida hospital to launch 3 telehealth sites at Publix pharmacies amid rebranding Behavioral health telemedicine company buys mental health app Local courier firms would see costs increase by a third in a no-deal Brexit scenario, new research by the Department for the Economy (DfE) has suggested. The Freight Transport Association, which represents the logistics industry in Northern Ireland, said the study shows that leaving the European Union without a deal would have a "disastrous" impact for businesses. DfE's research focuses on the services sector. It covers a wide range of businesses including engineering, insurance, accounting and construction. Services garnered 5.3bn in export sales in 2016, with 1.8bn of sales exported outside the UK. And for the transport and logistics industry, the study estimates that baseline costs for courier firms will increase by 35% in a no-deal Brexit. It said air transport (34%), road freight transport (17%), storage and warehousing (14%) and distribution services (15%) would all see significant extra costs. Seamus Leheny, policy manager at the Freight Transport Association, said: "We only have two weeks to go until the UK's scheduled departure from the EU and logistics businesses are now facing very real threats to their livelihoods, with no certainty on their ability to move goods and services to customers on time and on budget, without delays or additional charges being incurred. "This government research is a stark warning to our MPs that a no-deal simply won't work - logistics businesses want to keep NI trading, but need the tools and access to be able to do this. And time is running out." JP Morgan has failed in its latest attempt to halt an 875 million US dollar (670 million) lawsuit brought by the Nigerian government, as the investment banking titan was also ordered to pay 375,000 in legal costs. The Wall Street firm stands accused of failing to prevent the transfer of corrupt payments to former Nigerian minister Dan Etete, who has been convicted of money laundering, in relation to a 2011 oil deal. Last month, the commercial division of Londons High Court dismissed JP Morgans application to strike out the Nigerian claim. On Friday, JP Morgans application for permission to appeal the judgement was refused and the African nation was awarded an interim payment of 375,000 to cover costs linked to the unsuccessful strike out application. The claim, which was first lodged in 2017, will now proceed to trial in the UK courts, although it is expected that JP Morgan will apply to the Court of Appeal for permission to appeal the judgment. A source close to the Nigerian government said: The Federal Republic of Nigeria is pleased that JP Morgan has been ordered to pay the costs incurred. Nigeria looks forward to moving forward its claim against JP Morgan and seeing this matter through to trial, and is pleased that directions have been given to progress matters to a case management conference to be heard by the court in July. Nigeria is pleased the court has refused JP Morgan permission to appeal. This demonstrates again that JP Morgans response to the Federal Republic of Nigerias claim against it is misconceived. The source went on to say that the country will oppose any further applications by JP Morgan to the Court of Appeal. JP Morgan could not be reached for comment but has previously argued the case should be dismissed because it had received approval from Abuja to transfer the funds. She may be an international bestselling author but Ann Cleeves, whose novels are the inspiration for the top TV dramas Vera and Shetland, succeeds in staying below the radar when it comes to celebrity. Softly spoken and refreshingly open about her life and career, you don't doubt her for a second when she says success hasn't changed how she lives. Speaking ahead of a trip to Belfast this weekend, she insists: "I don't have to worry so much about a hole in my roof or my car breaking down any more, but really nobody recognises me and I just go into town as normal and do my shopping in Morrisons as usual. "I do travel more for work now and this week I have events every day in different towns, but life otherwise is pretty much the same with me sitting at my kitchen table, writing." Part of that busy itinerary will see her visit Belfast this weekend as one of a plethora of leading crime writers taking part in the NOIRELAND International Crime Festival. It isn't her first time visiting these shores as she has been invited here on several occasions to events by her good friend and fellow fiction crime writer Brian McGilloway. As part of this weekend's festival, Ann (64) will be talking to Brian about her life and career in crime fiction in an hour-long session tomorrow afternoon. She arrives in the city today and leaves again tomorrow, and seems to be genuinely disappointed that she won't have more time here. She says: "I have been to Belfast before for an event at the No Alibis bookshop to chat to people and I have been to Derry/Londonderry to visit my good friend Brian McGilloway, who I am looking forward to catching up with this weekend. "I've also done a lovely libraries event on the north coast. I find Northern Ireland very friendly and in that respect it feels very much like home. "I know the province has come through the Troubles, and as an outsider coming into Northern Ireland you do feel the weight of the sense of history that we don't have to the same degree in England. I hope it is moving on for the sake of the people there. "Unfortunately my trip this time is only for one night and I always say to my agent when I go to Northern Ireland that I must arrange to spend more time there." Certainly, the trajectory of her career would be inspirational to any would-be writer. Her tenacity to succeed never flagged even though she was writing for 20 years before she hit the big time. Two years ago, however, she reached a significant landmark when she published her 30th book in a 30-year period and today her work has been translated into 20 languages. Her life changed when she was awarded the prestigious Crime Writers Association Duncan Lawrie Dagger Award for Raven Black, the first novel in the Shetland series in 2006. The prize money of 20,000 allowed her to quit her day job (she was working in a library at the time) and focus on her writing full-time. Raven Black's success prompted her to expand that novel first to a quartet, and then to an ongoing series featuring Shetland Detective Inspector Jimmy Perez, who is played by Douglas Henshall. Ironically, Ann's own story reads like the plot of a novel too - though her characters are now watched by millions of TV viewers, she first put pen to paper to craft her crime fiction characters out of boredom when as a newly-wed she found herself alone with only her husband Tim on a remote island with no electricity or running water. Ann grew up in the countryside in Herefordshire and dropped out of university to take up a number of temporary jobs - child care officer, women's refuge leader, bird observatory cook, and auxiliary coastguard - before going back to college and training to be a probation officer. It was while cooking in the Bird Observatory on Fair Isle that she met her husband Tim, a visiting ornithologist. She jokes that she was attracted less by the ornithology than the bottle of malt whisky she saw in his rucksack. She says: "On Fair Isle, which is one of the Shetland Islands, you could get very good beer and that was it. I couldn't help but spot Tim's whisky as I showed him to his room. "I was 21 when I met him and we married when I was 22 and were together for more than 40 years." Sadly, Tim died suddenly in December 2017 after being admitted to hospital for a heart condition. Heartbroken, Ann has kept busy with her writing and stayed focused on the good times they enjoyed together. She says: "It was a terrible loss. It was sad and so unexpected but we had so many adventures together and we travelled a lot and had two children together and six grandchildren." One of those adventures happened just after they married when Tim was appointed warden of a tiny island nature reserve, Hilbre, in the Dee Estuary. They were the only residents, there was no mains electricity or water and access to the mainland was at low tide across the shore. If a person's not heavily into birds - and Ann isn't - there's not much to do on Hilbre and that was when she started writing. She recalls: "It was fun. We were only young and in our 20s and we had a great time. There was such a sense of space and being cut off and I started to write my first book in which I killed off a birdwatcher. Maybe I was getting all my aggression out in that book!" In 1987 Tim, Ann and their two daughters moved to Northumberland and in 2006 they settled in the seaside town of Whitley Bay, which has been home ever since. The north east provides the inspiration for many of her books. She has sold millions of copies worldwide and is best-known for her series of novels which led to the TV dramas Vera and Shetland. It was a chance discovery in a second-hand book shop that led to the screening of Vera on ITV. The station's producer Elaine Collins was poking around her local charity shop on the hunt for a strong detective character to replace television's popular A Touch Of Frost, which was winding up after a 20-year run. She found a second-hand copy of Ann's 1999 novel, The Crow Trap, a murder mystery set in Northumberland featuring a gruff but brilliant detective named Vera Stanhope. Vera, the television series starring Brenda Blethyn, aired in 2011, with Shetland's DI Jimmy Perez hitting the small screen in 2013. Nine series of Vera have now been shown in the UK and worldwide, and it has been confirmed that a 10th will follow. There have also been four series of Shetland, based on the characters and settings of her Shetland novels, and a fifth is currently showing on BBC 1. Both series have twice been ranked in the top 10 of the Radio Times best British crime drama of all time. Ann confesses that she enjoys sitting down at night with everyone else to watch both dramas even though she gets tapes sent to her in advance. She believes both of her characters are perfectly portrayed by the actors cast in the roles and is thrilled that her work has created such fine dramas for TV. "It would be anybody's dream to get a good adaptation of their work done for TV," she says. "For 20 years I had no commercial success and when my first book was published in 1986 it went straight to the libraries, they weren't even sold in bookshops. "When Shetland won the Gold Dagger Award my books started selling overseas. I think I would much rather have had it that way as I think having a big success with your first novel would have meant that you had so much to live up to and I was able to write for 20 years with no stress at all. "I feel so fortunate that Brenda Blethyn has become Vera. She is so close to the character and so respectful of her. Her vision of Vera is the same as my vision of Vera. "Also Douglas Henshall who plays DI Perez is such a fine actor and so charismatic and very strong. "He does 'kind' better than any strong actor I know and that kindness was a big part of my character. "They do send me the tapes in advance but I don't watch them. "I like to make sure I am at home to watch them as they are shown on TV as I like the idea of watching with everyone else." Ann has just published Wild Fire, the last of her Shetland book series, although she assures viewers that the TV series will continue. "They have really taken it and expanded it and it is very well done. They have a great writer, David Kane, and it will keep going." NOIRELAND takes place today and tomorrow at the Europa Hotel, Belfast. Ann Cleeves in Conversation, Sunday, 2.30-3.30pm. For full programme details visit: http://www.noireland.com Ann Cleeves says she loves reading crime fiction as well as writing it. Recent favourites include new talents Louise Penny, Emma Flint, Caz Frear and Abir Mukherjee. In October 2017 she was presented with the highest honour in British crime writing when she was awarded the Diamond Dagger of the Crime Writers' Association. Presenting Ann with her award, its chair Martin Edwards said: "It's a lifetime achievement award, and above all it recognises excellence in writing. But it also recognises a significant contribution to the crime writing world. And nobody can deny that Ann Cleeves' contribution has been magnificent." Officially the best of the best, she is nevertheless impressed by the big names who will be joining her in Belfast this weekend for the NOIRELAND International Crime Festival, which will play host to an amazing array of crime fiction talent from page and screen: award-winners, bestsellers, the biggest debuts and rising stars. This year sees the launch of a new event - Jack-aNOIR-y, a bedtime story for grown-ups. The renowned local actor and star of BBC's Line Of Duty Adrian Dunbar will be reading an exclusive extract from John Connolly's A Book Of Bones. Other highlights include the award-winning novelist and screenwriter Anthony Horowitz; Belinda Bauer whose bestselling Snap was nominated for the 2017 Booker Prize; Number one bestseller Stuart MacBride; the multi-award winning novelist Denise Mina and the team from RTE televisions hit series Love/Hate and Taken Down. Sitting in the study of her London home, Tracy Edwards MBE reflects: "I was fighting for a cause but I didn't want to be seen as a troublemaker." On the wall behind her is stuck a colourful map of the world. Across it, thin black arrows drawn in marker pen plot a route that, on first glance, could easily be mistaken for a pirate's treasure map. A curved streak across the Atlantic joins Southampton to Fort Lauderdale, another hugs the South American coastline down to Uruguay's Punta del Este. But the treasure charted in this map is not the pearls and diamonds of fabled children's stories but Edwards' famed path in the Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race. In 1989, Edwards won international acclaim for being the skipper of the first all-female crew to sail around the world in the competition, now known as the Volvo Ocean Race. For nine months, her crew on board the aptly-named Maiden sailed over 32,000 nautical miles, surviving frostbite, periods of lost satellite signal, icebergs, winning two legs of the course and coming second in class - the best result for a British boat since 1977 and the best result ever for an all-female crew. Their inspiring voyage is the subject of British director Alex Holmes' latest documentary, Maiden. It chronicles the team from their two-year wait for sponsorship to participate in the race and Edwards remortgaging her home to buy a second-hand ship to the crew working four-hour rotating shifts 24/7 (sometimes in more than -30C temperatures) and fixing a leak in the vessel mid-competition. The film is testament to the resilience and determination of the Maiden crew to confront adversity and prove women not only deserved a place in the race, but that they were serious contenders to win. It is fitting, then, that the film, which premiered at the 2018 Toronto Film Festival to critical acclaim, was scheduled for release nationwide in the UK yesterday, International Women's Day. And yet, despite its appropriately-timed release date and feminist subject matter, it may come as a surprise to learn that during the race Edwards rejected the notion of feminism all together, at one point even telling reporters on camera: "I hate the word feminist." Reflecting on that statement 30 years later, she firmly clarifies: "I'm actually a big feminist." The sailor explains that even after the women's liberation movement up until the 1980s (and arguably still today if recent comments by Dolly Parton and Sarah Jessica Parker are anything to go by) the term "feminism" was widely viewed as a "nasty, dirty, horrible word". As a result, it wasn't until later on in the race that she realised she was not only a feminist but that the Maiden's crew was a powerful statement about women's rights that chipped away at the ever-present, yet slowly eroding, glass ceiling. "The Duchess of Sussex said it so eloquently the other day when she said that feminism is about equality and fairness, and that's what it's meant to me since (the race)," says Edwards. "I look at my 19-year-old daughter's generation and they don't have the awful connotations that we remember from that word - they just see it as a positive. Their male friends see it as a positive as well which I think is such a great move in the right direction." During the entirety of the Whitbread race, the Maiden crew was relentlessly disregarded, ridiculed and underestimated solely on the basis of its gender. No sooner had the women announced their entry into the race than fellow competitors were taking bets on how long they'd last in the competition, with few expecting them to make it out of British waters, let alone successfully circumnavigate the globe. "I was completely mystified," says Edwards of the misconceptions towards the crew. Having already taken part in her first Whitbread Round the World Race as a cook and lone female aboard the ship Atlantic Privateer in 1985, she believed she had already proven she was more than capable to compete alongside her male contemporaries. "I'd already sailed around the world. I was strong enough and smart enough - I'd already learned the skills," she says, still dumbfounded by the resistance to her crew. "The thing that used to get to me was (the thought that) women don't get on. Where does that come from? Did people make that up so we wouldn't get together in large groups?" The sexist view that the female sailors were susceptible to bitchy behaviour is a bugbear frequently touched on in interviews with Maiden's crew members in the documentary, with several recalling the misogynistic line of questioning directed towards their team in comparison to their competitors. Edwards continued: "I had lived and worked in an environment on chartered boats where lots of women worked together and we'd never had a problem. I just couldn't understand it so I thought that if that is the perception, we have to change it. That's what we set about to do." And change it they did. During the Whitbread race, Maiden won two out of six individual legs of the race, with Edwards ultimately receiving the Yachtsman of the Year Trophy (the first woman to receive the title in its 34-year history), and made a member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1990. Despite their triumphs, the media frequently referred to the Maiden crew as "girls" as opposed to "women", with one male journalist going as far as to scornfully describe the team as a "tin full of tarts". That said, she says her crew found being referred to as tarts at the time "funny more than anything else". "We did laugh," she says, recalling the inherent sexist rhetoric. "It was so far removed to who or what we were. If he'd said 'these girls are inefficient sailors', then we would've gone..." she says, screwing up her face in faux anger. "To his credit, when we came into New Zealand and won our second leg, [the journalist] wrote 'not just a tin full of tarts, a tin full of smart, fast tarts' - the ultimate accolade," she jokes. During the race, the Maiden crew became minor celebrities to young girls and women around the world, with hundreds of supporters lining the ports to welcome them after each leg of the competition, holding up banners, throwing flowers onto the ship's deck and asking for autographs. However, it was only after the competition that they realised their trip fulfilled more than a shared dream among female sailors but a feminist vision that transcended borders, both physical and metaphorical. Over the years, Edwards says countless strangers have expressed their gratitude to her for the Maiden crew's feat, revealing their participation in the race inspired them to change their lives, take up sailing, and even climb Everest. "It makes me so proud and it's taken me a long time to be able to say that," explains Edwards, adding that "women are the worst in the world" when it comes to accepting praise. Now working as a motivational speaker, ambassador and fundraiser for girls' education, Edwards' fight for female equality and to empower women around the world is far from over. In 2017, the original Maiden yacht underwent a full restoration after being found abandoned for over a decade in the Seychelles. A year later, and with the support of Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein of Jordan - whose father King Hussein of Jordan originally helped Edwards fundraise to buy Maiden for the Whitbread race - the ship set sail on its next feminist voyage around the world. Over the next two years as the flagship of Edwards' not-for profit organisation, The Maiden Factor, Maiden will take part in a global campaign to promote girls' education and raise money to fund projects to empower young women. The project will cover over 54,000 nautical miles and work with several charities and campaigns - including I am Girl, Just a Drop, Girl Up and The Girls' Network - working to educate and mentor young girls who are currently unable to access education, and combat gender discrimination. "I'm so proud of being a woman at this time in history where we're all coming together and making a change. What's very interesting and positive is the difference between 30 years ago and now is that men are part of the same conversation." Thinking about the next generation of young girls and women hoping to unlock their potential and create a better balance of equality among the sexes, Edwards says: "Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do something or you can't be someone. "Stand up and go for it." Maiden is in cinemas now Katherine Kelly has never been one to play it safe. In fact, since leaving behind the cobbles of Coronation Street in 2012 (who could forget her stirring portrayal of brash barmaid Becky?), she's done little to appease industry snobs who dare to question a soap star's prowess. Take her stint as the aristocratic Lady Mae Loxley in Mr Selfridge, for example. Or her ruthless portrayal as editor-in-chief Maloney for The Field of Blood. Then came harrowing missing child drama Guilt, The Night Manager, Doctor Who spin-off series Class, the action-filled Strike Back and, of course, her depiction of stony-faced DI Jodie Shackleton in Happy Valley. More recently, the Barnsley-born actress even tried her hand at presenting as the host of gripping true crime series Murdertown. "Well, I defy definition," Kelly (39) says, laughing. "But, to be honest, the script is king for me, so if it's a good script, that really is the most important thing. It's lovely and very flattering to be offered parts, but I still like to meet the team, because we're colours in the director's palette and I want to make sure that we're all going to be painting the same picture. Or at least a picture that we all agree on. "There's so many different ways you can portray something. So, it does look like I make big, bold choices, but really I try not to take the path of least resistance. It's a contrariness in me." She applies the same rule to her changeable appearance. And today Kelly - who has no qualms about altering her looks for a part - has switched her usual blonde locks for a sharp brunette bob. "You can always tell by the hair," she quips, teasing her next move. "There's a few things - something for ITV, which I definitely can't talk about. But this (style) is for a Netflix show that I shot in Madrid at the beginning of the year, but I don't think it's been announced that I'm in it yet." What Kelly can talk about, however, is her latest lead in ITV's latest gripping psychological thriller, Cheat. Produced by the award-winning Two Brothers Pictures and penned by newcomer Gaby Hull, the four-part series centres on the dangerous relationship between university professor Dr Leah Dale (Kelly) and her student Rose Vaughan (played by the BAFTA-winning Molly Windsor). But what begins as a seemingly open-and-shut case of academic deception soon spirals out of control, triggering a devastating sequence of events that threatens to engulf both women. "On the face of it, Cheat is about a student essay that has been ghost-written by someone else," Kelly says of the drama, which also stars Tom Goodman-Hill, Lorraine Ashbourne and Peter Firth. "So, to begin with it's about plagiarism. But the story quickly moves on from there and explores the theme of being a 'cheat' rather than that particular incident." It's a page-turner, she elaborates. "It eats plot and I mean that in a really complimentary way. "It's such a rollercoaster and it'd been a long time since I'd read a script like that. "You know it's a thriller and you know we're in that genre, but you don't feel the twists and turns coming." Tipped to explore just how far we're prepared to stand up for what we believe - "It's that thing of taking things too far, isn't it? That's the joy of the drama" - the surefire hit promises to have audiences guessing from the start. And that ruse is something both co-leads worked hard to maintain, insists Kelly. "You can't put either of them in a box," she says of their title characters. "We all have theories about what we're going to do, moral decisions, what we think is right and wrong. And then something happens to you. Or to a loved one. And things can change." Is the mother-of-two (Kelly shares daughters Orla and Rose with husband Ryan Clark) partial to a whodunit when she's the spectator? "For me, it's never about the genre, it's about the depth. And I will always give something a chance." And, amid the "golden age of TV", there's certainly no shortage of great shows to watch. We're in something of an exciting small-screen renaissance, Kelly muses. "What's wonderful is that you always care about what you make, whatever genre, theatre, radio. "But what I've always loved about television is that it's in everybody's front rooms and they can just vote with the press of a button. "It doesn't cost an arm and a leg and I like that it's up to the audience to decide whether they want to watch or not." Cheat, ITV, Monday, 9pm Representatives from campaign group Relatives for Justice speaking outside Stormont House in Belfast following their meeting with Karen Bradley The daughter of a former Royal Naval officer shot dead by the Army has said the Secretary of State is unfit for office and must resign. Patricia Burns was speaking after meeting Karen Bradley yesterday at Stormont to hear her personally apologise for saying security force killings weren't crimes. The families of 11 civilians shot dead by paratroopers in Ballymurphy in 1971 refused to meet her. But Ms Burns, whose father Thomas was shot dead in Ardoyne in 1972, said she felt it important to go. "I lost my daddy when I was six years old. My entire adult life has been consumed with trying to get him justice," she said. "I wanted to look Karen Bradley in the eye and tell her what happened to daddy, an innocent man, and the hurt that her words had caused my family. We are not just statistics." On Wednesday Mrs Bradley told the House of Commons that security force killings were "not crimes" but were carried out by "people acting under orders and under instruction and fulfilling their duty in a dignified and appropriate way". She later clarified her remarks and apologised. Mr Burns (32) was shot dead by a solider in a watchtower at Flax Street Army base as he walked home from the pub. His daughter said: "I told Karen Bradley about the effect it had on our family. My mother was left on her own with four children under 11 and no money. She had to bring us up while holding down two jobs. "The only response from the state was when the RUC contacted us to ask for the funeral route and say there should be no paramilitary funeral - there was never going to be because daddy wasn't involved in anything." Ms Burns said Mrs Bradley apologised repeatedly. She added: "She seemed embarrassed and taken aback by the statistics showing that the vast majority of security force killings were of civilians and included 82 children. She just doesn't seem to know enough about Northern Ireland. She shouldn't be in the job. She should resign." The other victims to meet Mrs Bradley included Frances Meehan, whose brother Michael Donnelly was killed by a plastic bullet in west Belfast in 1980. She also called on the Secretary of State to step down. The family of 11-year-old Stephen McConomy, killed by a plastic bullet in Londonderry in 1982, showed Mrs Bradley a photograph of him in his school uniform a fortnight before he was killed, another on a life support machine, and one in his coffin. Relatives for Justice, which accompanied the families, said the Secretary of State was left speechless by the pictures. Speaking afterwards, Mrs Bradley said it had been humbling to meet the families "and listen to each of them and their personal and deeply moving stories". She added: "I heard about the hurt and suffering endured over many years... this cannot have been felt more deeply than by those who lost children." She thanked the families for giving her the chance to apologise personally and said where there was evidence of wrongdoing, justice would be pursued "without fear or favour whoever the perpetrators might be". The Irish Government needs to stay strong as Brexit looms, Sinn Fein has said. Party president Mary Lou McDonald said the divorce should not wreck the Irish economy or the Good Friday Agreement. The UK and EU are at loggerheads over the Irish backstop an insurance policy designed to prevent post-Brexit physical checks on the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Ms McDonald said: It goes without saying that at this critical juncture, the Irish Government needs to hold firm. If Britain wishes to Brexit who are we to stop them? But they won't take the North with them and they're not going to wreck the Irish economy and upend our peace process.Mary Lou McDonald They need to stay strong at the 11th hour, regardless of the overtures or pressure that might be applied from London. Whether there is a deal or not, the reality is that Brexit is bad for Ireland. Citizens in the North will be left behind. She said she is disappointed the Irish Government has not allocated the two extra seats Ireland is getting in the European Parliament post-Brexit to Northern Ireland. Former SDLP leader Mark Durkan, from Londonderry, or Derry as it is known by many in the city, is campaigning under the banner of Irelands largest party, Fine Gael, for an MEP seat in Dublin. He has pledged to raise issues north of the border if elected. Expand Close Former SDLP leader Mark Durkan is running for Fine Gael in the European elections in Dublin (PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Former SDLP leader Mark Durkan is running for Fine Gael in the European elections in Dublin (PA) Following a meeting in Dublin, Ms McDonald said: We are 20 days away from Brexit, and the British Government are still playing down the clock, playing for time. We see indecision and a reckless approach from that Government with absolute indifference to Ireland or Irish interests. (EU chief negotiator) Michel Barniers position is consistent with ours. If Britain wishes to Brexit who are we to stop them? But they wont take the North with them and theyre not going to wreck the Irish economy and upend our peace process. Thats the bottom line. Thats a position that has been articulated at Irish Government level and by the European Parliament. Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald has said that the UK Government are welcome to have their Brexit, but "they wont take the North with them". Mrs McDonald was speaking in Dublin on Saturday after the EU's Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier made a final offer to Prime Minister Theresa May on her Brexit deal. Read More Taking to Twitter on Thursday, Mr Barnier proposed that Britain could unilaterally leave the EU customs union, but said that Northern Ireland must remain as part of the backstop to prevent a hard border in Ireland. The offer was quickly rejected by the DUP who said it was neither "realistic or sensible", while former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnston accused the EU of trying to "annex" Northern Ireland. Mrs McDonald said that Sinn Fein's position was "consistent" with Mr Barnier's. She accused the government of "playing down the clock, playing for time" and said that they had "absolute indifference to Ireland or Irish interests". "If Britain wishes to Brexit who are we to stop them? But they wont take the North with them and theyre not going to wreck the Irish economy and upend our peace process," the Sinn Fein leader said. Thats the bottom line. Thats a position that has been articulated at Irish Government level and by the European Parliament." Mrs McDonald is set to travel to America next week for the annual St Patrick's Day celebrations. While there she will meeting with representatives of Irish America and US politicians to brief them on Brexit developments and the push for Irish unity. We will be asking them to stand with us in protecting the Good Friday Agreement and to join with us in reminding the British Government of their international obligations to Ireland in law, and that those obligations must be honoured," the Dublin Central TD said. The Sinn Fein President said that the Irish Government needed to "hold firm" as Brexit negotiations enter their final stage and resist any pressure from London. Whether there is a deal or not the reality is that Brexit is bad for Ireland. Citizens in the North will be left behind." Mrs May will put her withdrawal agreement to the House of Commons again on Tuesday in the hope of overturning the record 230-vote defeat she suffered in January. Speaking on Friday she said that she needed "one more push" to get her deal through Parliament. New bus lanes on the M1 have sparked concern among some road users A Northern Ireland roads expert has warned that a new system for drivers entering and exiting the hard shoulder of the M1 motorway could cause accidents. Wesley Johnston of the NI Roads website was speaking ahead of the opening of an extension to bus lanes on the M1 and M2 motorways on Monday. As part of the new 4m scheme, drivers entering the M1 Lisburn Services are being asked to give way to buses approaching on the hard shoulder. When exiting Lisburn Services drivers are asked to be aware of buses approaching on the hard shoulder and to merge with care. Buses will be limited to a speed of 40mph. Mr Johnston said that while the concerns were valid, the project could benefit everyone. "It's an unusual set-up, but it's not unique. Buses will be limited to 40mph which means that unless you are in slow moving traffic you're probably going to be travelling faster than the buses," he said. "The risk would come if traffic is very slow moving and someone moving into the slip road to go off at Applegreen (Lisburn Services) didn't notice a bus coming up behind them in their rear view mirror. "It's the sort of thing if you're doing your mirror, signal, manoeuvre, you should spot, but since we know people aren't perfect it's the sort of thing that could happen." Mr Johnston said that despite mitigation there were some risks. "I think it's a legitimate concern, I think it's mitigated by the fact the buses will be moving quite slowly but the risk is there. It wouldn't entirely surprise me if there was some bent metal at some point," he said. Belfast Telegraph readers voiced their displeasure on social media. Jim Carlisle said the new bus lanes would require a new lane to make them work, while Nichola Leinster said the lanes had caused "nothing but hassle" in Belfast city centre. A Department for Infrastructure spokesperson said that bus lanes had been operating successfully and safely for 10 years. "The new layout at the Lisburn Services is known as 'through junction running'. While new to Northern Ireland, this arrangement has been operating successfully for a number of years in Scotland," they said. "The slip roads have been lengthened to provide sufficient opportunity for cars and buses to merge and additional road markings and signs installed to guide traffic." The department said the new lanes could shave 10 to 15 minutes off the journey time for bus passengers. A couple who recall queuing at the border on their wedding day have said any form of physical infrastructure must not return. Walter Pringle spent three years travelling from Clones, on the Monaghan-Fermanagh border, to meet his then girlfriend Margaret, who was living in Dungannon, Co Tyrone. They married in 1975. Walter (71) recalled the difficulties he faced, navigating the rural roads. With the prospect of a hard border returning as Brexit nears, the Pringles are nervous for the future. Walter, who has spent all his life in Clones, said: "I have too many memories of this road being closed with what we called 'spikes', they were steel girders. We just cannot even get our heads around thinking what it would be like to have this road policed again. "I'd rather die. I've had a good life up to now. I don't want to go there. We can't go down the road of a divided Ireland ever again, because of economics, because of politics, whether it's European or British politics or whatever." Just three miles from that border, or "only a mile and a half as the crow flies", lies the Pringle's family home. Inside is Margaret, the woman Walter married after those three years of cross-border treks. In 1972, Margaret had moved to Dungannon to pursue training as a deaconess in a Presbyterian church. Love was also in the air, but the path was far from smooth. "For three years it was a continual issue of crossing the border in order for me to come to see her, or for her to come up home to see me," Walter added. "Even the day we were married, I can remember us queuing at the border. It didn't matter who you were, we queued for ages. You had to allow yourself that extra hour or whatever." Travelling across the border, facing checks by "soldiers you couldn't tell were real soldiers or people pretending" and traffic delays were a daily reality for the Pringles and thousands of others living along the border in the 1970s, 80s and early 90s. One moment stands out for Margaret, when their car was pulled aside by the Army. The Pringles had their two children in the back seat. "We knew, we could understand what was going on. But for the kids, for the car to be pulled in, it was scary," she recalled. The idea of a return to those days is "unthinkable", said Walter, while admitting it has dominated his thoughts recently. "At the time I wasn't aware so much of the danger, even though it was horrific. My southern-registered car parked in Dungannon, as I spent time with Margaret where she lived. For some reason, I wasn't as scared as I should've been," Walter added. "Heading back home, I can't remember ever having checked underneath the car. I was a sitting target in a southern registered car, coming every Monday night, it was such an easy target if anyone wanted to have a go at a southerner. "My poor mother, living here and staying up until I was home before 10 o'clock. No way can we ever anticipate the idea of checks at the border again." Margaret recalls hearing the bombs going off when she lived in Dungannon, but says the reality didn't sink in until a relative of hers was killed. Billy Fox, a Fine Gael member in the Dail and a distant cousin of Margaret, was shot dead by IRA gunmen in March 1974. "I remember I was off with the flu or something when my boss shouted up at me to see if I was awake. 'Something awful has happened', she said. "That was the start of it sinking it for me, someone belonging to the family, and across the border too. It was beginning to resonate with me." The pair recently took part in a "romancing the border" storytelling night hosted by the Monaghan Community Network. Couples from all walks of life and both sides of the border met up to discuss their stories of love, heartbreak and tales of sneaking out to meet each other. It was set up in the early 90s in response to the Troubles coming to an end. Brexit hasn't been a key topic of conversation among many of the members, but the question of border checkpoints has. For now, all anyone can do is wait and see how it plays out. "I keep thinking to myself, hopefully it won't go back to what it was like. That it'll be a modernised one with maybe just cameras, more linked in with produce crossing the border, opposed to political risks and that kind of thing," Margaret says. "I hadn't really given it much thought until about a fortnight ago when it was becoming more likely to have a hard border. Then you begin to really think back to all those years." Nicola Coughlan at the premiere for the second series of Derry Girls One of the stars of Derry Girls waded into a war on social media over Michael Jackson after a damning documentary broadcast claims of alleged abuse by the pop star. Nicola Coughlan, who plays Clare, became embroiled in a Twitter storm over comments she made attacking Jackson. The two-part programme Leaving Neverland contained interviews with two men - Wade Robson and James Safechuck -who said the King of Pop molested them when they were young boys and it contained explicit details of brutal sexual abuse. Galway-born actress Nicola, 32, made a series of comments on social media - later taken down - supporting the documentary, the account of Mr Robson and Mr Safechuck. Her initial comment was liked almost 5,000 times and was retweeted by more than 600 people - but not all of her Twitter followers agreed with her. One USA user called GG with the handle GG @rydetheboogie replied: "Your (sic) acting like Michael wasn't attacked for 30 years. Your (sic) acting like the gov agencies didn't investigate him for years. It's clear you are pusher of propaganda. It won't end well for you." Nicola then called him out and said: "Don't write things like "It won't end well for you" on Twitter if you don't want your account reported." But by early evening yesterday Nicola decided to delete the series of tweets she had made in relation to Jackson. Other high-profile criticism of Jacko came from Louis Theroux, who made a celebrated documentary about Jimmy Savile before he was exposed as a child abuser. He accused people of doubting the claims against Jackson of being "wilfully blind". But Michael's daughter Paris-Michael Katherine Jackson (20) defended her father. She posted: "If everyone reacted this way towards articles, they'd stop making lies and start writing actual news." Local media commentator and recent law graduate Anthony Miller said in his opinion Michael Jackson is not guilty in the eyes of the law. He told the Belfast Telegraph: "Just to clarify I'm not saying he's innocent and that's that. "I am saying the testimony given remains untested and so therefore cannot be held to a standard that equals guilty. "Furthermore, having looked at the articles that claim to prove his guilt are counteracted by articles that prove his innocence. "Therefore I cannot take media reports into account. "So, I am left with the FBI reports that detail two investigations by both the FBI and the police that acquitted him." He added: "Based on that information I have no other option than to say he is not guilty to the legal standard which is a high bar. "I shall however, remain open to any tested evidence that proves the contrary." Meanwhile, an episode of The Simpsons featuring the voice of Michael Jackson is being pulled following the controversial documentary about the star. The Wall Street Journal says that producers of The Simpsons have decided to remove the episode, Stark Raving Dad, from streaming services and TV channels which air the show. Jackson voiced a character in the episode, which aired in 1991. Prime Minister Theresa May has effectively been told by the EU to choose between a Brexit deal and the DUP. Amid growing frustration in Brussels, the EU's chief negotiator took the unprecedented decision to tweet what he is willing to offer the UK in a bid to break the ongoing impasse. Michel Barnier has proposed that Britain can leave the customs union unilaterally, but Northern Ireland must remain tied to the EU regulations to avoid a hard border. The idea was swiftly rejected by the DUP, which props up Mrs May's minority Government at Westminster, as "neither realistic nor sensible". Its deputy leader Nigel Dodds said a deal was still possible but warned there must be less "intransigence" in Brussels. It came as former Foreign Secretary and leading pro-Brexit MP Boris Johnson accused Mr Barnier of attempting to "annex" Northern Ireland. His accusation came in a message, posted in a private WhatsApp group, which has been seen by the Belfast Telegraph. Referring to Mr Barnier's proposals, Mr Johnson posted: "Be careful of what Barnier is proposing now... seems to mean annexation of NI." Mr Johnson did not respond to requests for comment. The developments come ahead of a potentially decisive week. Mrs May will put her withdrawal agreement to the House of Commons again on Tuesday in the hope of overturning the record 230-vote defeat she suffered in January. However, she was left to desperately implore the EU to facilitate legally-binding changes to the controversial backstop yesterday. The Prime Minister said she needed "one more push" to get the deal through Parliament. However, EU sources said they remain "hugely sceptical" about her ability to win any vote. Mr Barnier's offer includes a legal guarantee that Britain can leave the backstop at any time but it does not change the so-called 'Irish Protocol' within the withdrawal agreement. He stressed Britain would still need to honour its commitment to preserve a border free of controls on this island. "EU commits to give UK the option to exit the single customs territory unilaterally, while the other elements of the backstop must be maintained to avoid a hard border," he tweeted. "UK will not be forced into customs union against its will." Sources said this would amount to a border "in the Irish Sea" if a future UK Government decided to break the customs link with the EU. The backstop was originally designed to apply exclusively to Northern Ireland, but Mrs May convinced the EU to make it UK-wide after the DUP complained that the province was being treated differently. A majority of business leaders and farmers in here believe a sea border would be less impactful than one on the island. Mr Dodds categorically rejected the compromise proposal last night. "This is neither a realistic nor sensible proposal from Michel Barnier," he said. "It disrespects the constitutional and economic integrity of the United Kingdom. This is an attempt to get ahead of a possible blame game and appear positive when in reality it is going backwards to something rejected a year ago. As the Prime Minister has said, no United Kingdom Prime Minister could sign up to an arrangement which annexes Northern Ireland from the rest of the United Kingdom. "Whilst the European Union has spoken often about their value of the peace process in Northern Ireland, this proposal demonstrates that they have a one-sided approach and a lack of understanding about the divisions in Northern Ireland. "Just as nationalists and republicans oppose a new north-south border, unionists oppose any new east-west border which would place a new barrier between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom. "We need to work for a sensible deal which can work for everyone in Northern Ireland. It is possible but there must be less intransigence in Brussels." Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay said now was not the time to rerun old arguments. "The UK has put forward clear new proposals. We now need to agree a balanced solution that can work for both sides," he said. The gulf which remains between the EU and UK was on display yesterday as both Mrs May and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar urged each other to change tact. The Irish Government last night supported the proposal from Mr Barnier, saying he continues "to stand up for the interests of the whole of the EU, including Ireland". "The Taoiseach has repeatedly made clear that he would not oppose a backstop which is specific to Northern Ireland, if that is deemed helpful, but that would have to be a decision for the UK," a spokesman said. Speaking in Dublin, Mr Varadkar questioned why the UK hasn't come forward with a concrete offer to the EU. He described Brexit as "a problem of their creation" and accused the House of Commons of actively going against the wishes of a majority of people in Northern Ireland who support the backstop. He said both sides had spent 18 months agreeing the backstop. "Bear in mind elements of that compromise, like extending the backstop on a UK-wide basis, the single customs territory involving all the United Kingdom, these were compromises that the British Government sought. "We were and remain happy to apply the backstop to Northern Ireland only if they want to go back to that," he said. With no changes to offer Parliament, Mrs May looks set to lose her second attempt to win approval of her deal. Yesterday she issued a plea for support, saying "no one knows" what will happen if her plan is defeated, with the possibility of Brexit being derailed completely. Mrs May said both the democratic and economic cases for backing her deal are "clear", and issued a plea to MPs: "Let's get it done." The Prime Minister used her speech in Leave-supporting Grimsby to both urge the European Union to give ground on the backstop and call on Tory Eurosceptics to recognise that failure to back the deal could result in a softer Brexit or another referendum. "Next week, MPs in Westminster face a crucial choice: "Whether to back the Brexit deal or to reject it," she said. "Back it and the UK will leave the European Union. Reject it and no-one knows what will happen. "We may not leave the EU for many months, we may leave without the protections that the deal provides. We may never leave at all," she said. Rejection of the deal would be a "moment of crisis". Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt warned Brussels that a failure to co-operate on securing changes to the Brexit deal could "poison" relations with the EU for years. "This is a moment of change in our relationship between the UK and the EU and history will judge both sides very badly if we get this wrong," Mr Hunt told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. A teenager found dead at a flat in Newry was strangled, police said last night. Allison Marimon-Herrera (15) was one of three people discovered dead at the property at Glin Ree Court in a suspected murder-suicide, which detectives described as unspeakably tragic. Read More Last night the PSNI said there was a "strong possibility" her mother Giselle Marimon-Herrera (37) was also strangled. Ms Marimon-Herrera was originally from Colombia and her daughter was born in Spain. The news came as Giselle's father told how he is willing to sell his taxi to raise the money to travel here so he can "say goodbye" to his daughter and granddaughter. The PSNI said yesterday: "Following post-mortems detectives can confirm that the cause of 15-year-old Allison Marimon-Herrera's death was strangulation. "Results are not definitive for Giselle (37), however at this stage detectives believe there is a strong possibility she too was strangled." Police said a 38-year-old man, Giselle's partner, who also lived at the address, died by hanging. He has been named locally as Russell Steel (38), who was originally from Scotland. Detectives have said they are not looking for anybody else in connection with their murder inquiry. Ms Marimon-Herrera was found dead beside her daughter on Thursday after her sister became concerned at not being able to contact the pair. Yesterday the distraught parents of Giselle, also known as Irina, told South American media outlets that they are seeking assistance from the Colombian Government to obtain an emergency travel visa. Fabian Marimon and Elizabeth Herrera last saw Giselle when she visited her home city of Barranquilla seven years ago. Mr Marimon recalled cancelling a planned visit at the end of February due to "obstacles". He also revealed that his girl had spoken very little of the man now believed to have murdered her and her daughter before taking his own life. "She told us that the guy was fine; apparently he worked in the construction sector," Mr Marimon said. It is understood that Giselle's partner Steel lived in a separate apartment in the same complex and worked for Haldane Fisher building merchants in the city. The victim's sister Yadeli told Caracol Radio in Colombia that her family now had only one wish. "What we want is for my parents to go there, to see them and repatriate them," she said. Yadeli told the radio station that her father is willing to sell his taxi in order to pay to travel to the place where his daughter died, "to be able to say goodbye to one of his children, as it should be". In an interview with broadcaster Zona Cero, Mr Marimon explained: "We want to travel and that justice be done." Detectives say that they believe Giselle and Allison were still alive in the early hours of Sunday. It is understood that Giselle's sister accompanied the officers who made the shocking discovery after forcing entry to the property. The bodies had lain in the flat for three days. Police have urged anyone who communicated with the victims recently to come forward. Appealing for information, Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy, who is leading the murder inquiry, said: "The exact circumstances of what happened in their home remains the subject of our investigation." He refused to speculate on the circumstances surrounding the deaths but said investigators do not believe anyone else was involved. Giselle, who moved to Spain 20 years ago with her two brothers and became a naturalised citizen, relocated to Newry just four years ago. Her daughter joined her in 2017 and had been a student at Newry High School. Staff and pupils there have been offered counselling. Yesterday headmaster Iestyn Brown paid an emotional tribute to the "talented, kind, courteous and well-mannered pupil with a beautiful smile" as he offered condolences to her family. "Both staff and pupils are profoundly saddened by her death and she will be remembered with great affection by her fellow pupils and staff alike," Mr Brown said. Four men have been arrested following a paramilitary style shooting in west Belfast on Friday night. The men, aged 33, 48 and two aged 39, were arrested under the Terrorism Act. A 20-year-old man was found around 8.30pm in an alleyway in the Westrock Park Area with a gunshot wound in both legs. He remains in hospital with what has been described as potentially life changing injuries. Police carried out a number of searches under the Terrorism Act on Saturday morning. They searched in the Clonfadden Crescent, Iris Street, Albert Street and Whiterock Crescent areas. Items, including electronic devices were seized and have been taken away for further examination. Detective Inspector Barry Hamilton said it was a "vicious and brutal shooting" in a residential area. "To shoot this man in an area where anyone could have been passing shows the contempt they have for people in their community," he said. "The bullets could have strayed at any moment and hit someone passing by. This is appalling and needs to stop. We need support from the public to bring those responsible to justice and I am appealing to anyone with any information to contact detectives on 101, quoting reference number 1301 8/3/19. Alternatively information can also be provided by calling the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Update - Three men, two aged 39 and one aged 33, arrested by detectives investigating a paramilitary style attack in Westrock Park, Belfast on Friday night have been released unconditionally. Those arrested under the terrorism act must be charged, released on report or unconditionally. Police bail is not permitted under the legislation. The centre of Belfast came to a standstill on Saturday as hundreds of women marched to demand liberalised abortion rights. A termination is only permitted in Northern Ireland if a woman's life is at risk or if there is a risk of permanent and serious damage to her mental or physical health. Read More The 1967 Abortion Act which governs the rest of the UK was not extended to the country and the Government is under pressure from some quarters to legislate at Westminster. Emma Campbell, co-chair of the Alliance for Choice campaign group for change, said: "We know who we are and we know where we have come from - a long line of women; grandmothers, mothers and daughters who shake with indignation in the face of inequality." Hundreds paraded noisily through Belfast city centre to the City Hall, some dancing flamboyantly to the beat of drums, others chanting equality mantras. Students accused Prime Minister Theresa May of breaching women's rights. Drummers led the colourful parade while many participants wore the purple colours associated with International Women's Day. Placards and banners aplenty highlighted issues like domestic violence. Many pledged that Northern Ireland would not be left behind as abortion laws are relaxed elsewhere in the world. Doctors for Choice and Amnesty International were among the groups represented. Migrants campaigning for "reproductive justice" took part as well as feminists from north and south of the Irish border. Kellie O'Dowd, co-chair of Alliance for Choice, said: "We are the per-sisterhood. "We won't stop until we have free safe and legal abortion for everyone who needs it on this island. "And we won't stop until that is true for our siblings the world over." Thousands have signed a petition calling for the decriminalisation of abortion in Northern Ireland and efforts have been made to promote change through Westminster since devolved Government at Stormont is suspended. Northern Ireland's biggest political party, the DUP, which holds strong Christian values, supports restrictions on terminations and has prevented change in the past. The issue is deeply divisive in Northern Ireland. Many women travel to the rest of the UK where the procedure is available on the NHS. A vocal campaign including but not restricted to Christians is opposed to changing the current arrangement. Caitriona McDonnell, 25, from Homeless Period Belfast, provides homeless and vulnerable women across Belfast with sanitary and other hygiene items. She said women would not be equal while the DUP were in power. "That sends (the message) to women that people don't value us, they don't trust us, they don't respect us, they don't trust us to make decisions for ourselves over our own bodies." Anne McVicar, chair of Reclaim the Agenda, a campaigning organisation which brings together women's groups, trade unionists and individuals, said abortion rights are human rights. She said: "Women are being disadvantaged and discriminated against because they have to travel for healthcare, whenever healthcare should be provided in Northern Ireland." A 77-year-old man has been charged. Police investigating allegations of historical clerical sex abuse in east Belfast have charged a 77-year-old man. He has been charged with two counts of indecent assault on two females. The man was arrested around 5pm on Saturday evening by detectives from the PSNI'S Public Protection Branch. He is due to appear before Belfast Magistrates' Court on Monday March 11. Police have released the name of the 38-year-old man found dead at a flat in Newry on Thursday. He was Russell Steele, originally from Scotland. Steele died as a result of hanging. Read More He was found dead alongside Giselle Marimon-Herrera and her 15-year-old daughter Allison at a flat in the Glin Ree Court area. Police launched a murder investigation following the discovery of the three bodies. They believe that Steele was Giselle's partner, who also lived at a flat in the same building. Police confirmed that Allison Marimon-Herrera died as a result of strangulation and said that though Giselle's cause of death was not confirmed, detectives believe there is a strong possibility she too was strangled. Ms Marimon-Herrera was from Colombia and had lived in Northern Ireland for around four years. Expand Close Giselle Marimon-Herrera, 37, and her 15-year-old daughter Allison were found dead with a man at a flat in Newry, Co Down (PSNI/PA) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Giselle Marimon-Herrera, 37, and her 15-year-old daughter Allison were found dead with a man at a flat in Newry, Co Down (PSNI/PA) Her daughter Allison was born in Spain and had lived in Northern Ireland since 2017. She attended Newry High School. Police have confirmed that it was not currently seeking anyone else in connection with the deaths. Initial reports suggested detectives were treating the incident as a suspected double murder and suicide, but this has not been confirmed. On the benches outside Tesco Extra in the heart of Newry city centre, several elderly couples are sitting with their shopping bags. They are all reading newspapers, shaking their heads and talking to each other in hushed tones about the horrific events which unfolded just around the corner. Read More "It's sad," is the common reply when asked what they all think about the deaths of three people in the quiet complex of flats at Glin Ree Court. You can see the top of the flats from where they sit now, the flats where 37-year-old Columbian Giselle Marimon-Herrera and her 15-year-old daughter Allison lost their lives along with an as-yet-unnamed 38-year-old man. "No, we didn't know them. It's sad." The heads shake again. And that is the mood of the city - the word 'sad' crops up in almost every conversation. On Thursday MLA Justin McNulty described the murder-suicide that shook the city straddling the Down-Armagh border as casting a dark cloud over the area. You can see what he meant, both in the skies above and on the faces of those on the ground. The cold, the greyness and the dampness of the day permeates through the people as they huddle through the network of streets either side of the river. The mood, today at least, isn't ready to lift. "It seems like everyone is a bit stunned," said Michael Scott, who has been editor at local newspaper The Newry Democrat for the past three years, keeping a close watch on local community issues. "You could tell something was up without knowing," he said. "Our office is right beside a supermarket and you can guarantee Newry High School pupils will be piling in there, all bubbly and full of chat. But they were quiet. "You could overhear conversations. They knew the young girl. There was a shock and a real sadness in those conversations that something as awful as this could have happened right on their own doorstep, to one of their classmates. The day didn't feel normal at all. "And the fact that there have been so few facts up until now in a relatively small place suggests there are some unpleasant details in this. "But Newry is now a place where people tend to keep themselves to themselves." People keeping themselves to themselves is one thing, but word, if not details, soon gets around. In Hill Street Declan McChesney has been running Newry's oldest independent shop at Cahill Bros for the past 45 years and has seen the town grow into a city over the years. He admitted the centre has been a sad place since the news of the three deaths broke. "It's hard to comprehend something like this has happened in our midst," he said. "Obviously people are talking about it, but it's difficult to find someone who really knew the people involved. "We have people moving in and out all the time, from all parts of the world. We often don't know who is living around the corner. "As a society perhaps we simply don't reach out to the people we live our lives alongside and I find that sad. "Perhaps a lot of people are sitting now and thinking they should be getting to know all the people who have come to live amongst us, making them feel more at home." A short walk through the rain, over the city centre bridge and a couple of hundred yards along Downshire Road, Glin Ree Court sits back off the main road. The police cordon has gone and everyone is free to walk past the flat where tragedy unfolded. No-one is around until the council chairman Mark Murnin walks up the shallow hill, accompanied by Mr McNulty and local councillor Michael Savage to lay a wreath at the front door of the block of eight flats. The three SDLP representatives stand in silence for a moment, paying their respects to three people who came to live and work in their community. "We want to extend a message of sympathy on behalf of the citizens of the borough," said Mr Murnin, as he moves away. All is still and the complex returns to a hushed kind of mourning. The homes of a number of older people were targeted in burglaries in Belfast on Friday and Saturday. Police are appealing for information after four burglaries in the last twenty four hours. In the first incident, which took place at around 11.45am, a man tricked his way into the home of a woman in her 90s in Newtownbreda. He rummaged through a number of rooms before fleeing along Church Road. At this stage it is unclear if anything was taken. The intruder is described as 6 tall, heavy build, clean shaven with short dull blonde hair. He was wearing dark clothing and spoke with a local accent. Around 30 minutes later a man who was also in his 90s reported that a male had called at his Beechgrove Park address claiming to need to check drains. He forced his way inside and after threatening the occupant, ransacked a number of rooms before fleeing with a number of items. The burglar is believed to be in his 30s and wearing dark clothing. The third burglary took place in Callan Way. The intruder used the ruse of checking for a leak to gain entry to the home of a woman in her 70s. Once inside he stole her purse before making off. All three victims were left shaken and upset by their ordeals. Police are investigating the possibility that the burglaries may have been linked and would like to speak to the driver of a dark-coloured vehicle, described as being similar to an X5, that was spotted close to the scene of one of the burglaries Police have also appealed for information following a burglary in Dunmurry in the early hours of Saturday. They received a report at 7:40am that entry was gained to a property in the Harris Crescent area sometime between 10pm last night and the time it was reported. It was reported that rooms in the house were completely ransacked, and a white purse containing a sum of money was stolen. A woman who was in bed at the time of the burglary was not injured. Detective Inspector Kerry Brennan described the burglary as a "despicable act which must have been frightening for the victim who was not only vulnerable but also completely helpless". "It is disgusting that our older people should be targeted, and I am asking that anyone with information or who can help us identify the criminal involved, to please contact detectives at Musgrave on 101 quoting reference number 259 of 09/03/19 ," she said. "Information can also be given to the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111." Police are still searching for a firm motive for the murder of a man in Co Antrim last month. Detectives carried out fresh enquiries into the killing of David Murphy yesterday. The body of the 52-year-old was found at his home near Glenwherry last month. Police visited locations across Ballymena and Kells yesterday as part of their investigation into his murder. They circulated leaflets appealing for information. PSNI Detective Chief Inspector Geoff Boyce said that Mr Murphy died from gunshot wounds. "We are working extremely hard to pinpoint a motive for this senseless murder and to retrace David's steps in the days leading up to the killing," he said. "We hope that today's investigative operation will provide fresh leads and new information that will lead us to David's killers. "I would ask anyone with information that could help us to please get in touch by calling 101. Alternatively, information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime." A friend of Mr Murphy found him dead at his home after he had been shot twice with what they believe was a shotgun. Mr Murphy was known to police and had previously been accused of possessing firearms and ammunition, and having the items in his possession for an act of terrorism for the UVF. He was accused of blackmail and threats to kill last March and had been bailed after denying the charges. At least seven players associated with the Parkhead team were killed during the First World War. They will be honoured along with past Rangers and Hearts players at a remembrance ceremony during a dinner in the Europa Hotel. Sixteen former Rangers stars and hundreds of Belfast-based fans of the Glasgow club will pay tribute tonight to past players from their bitter rivals, Celtic, who died in wartime. At least seven players associated with the Parkhead team were killed during the First World War. They will be honoured along with past Rangers and Hearts players at a remembrance ceremony during a dinner in the Europa Hotel. The event is being organised by supporters from the Sandy Row Rangers Club and their manager Warren Miller said: "We feel it's important to recognise the sacrifices of not only our former stars but also the men from other clubs who paid with their lives too. Sometimes people forget that Celtic players went away to war too." The ex-Rangers players who are travelling to Belfast to join in the remembrance service include Colin Stein, Andy Gorman, Marco Negri and Barry Ferguson. Proceeds from the night will go to charity. A woman who saw her mother stabbed to death in a savage and frenzied attack had to be physically restrained from the killer in court yesterday. As "sadistic" Nathan Ward (20) was being led to the cells at Craigavon Crown Court, Charlotte Reat, herself stabbed in the brutal Christmas Day attack in 2017 which took the life of her mum Jayne Toal-Reat, had to be held back by her father from getting out of the packed public gallery. Weeping and hyperventilating, Charlotte shouted at Ward "I hate you, I hate you" before being comforted by her dad Simon and other relatives. Ward, already handed a life sentence after he pleaded guilty to Jayne's murder, will be told next Friday the minimum tariff he will have to serve in jail before he is considered for release by the Parole Commissioners. As well as admitting murder Ward, who appeared in court yesterday in a beige T-shirt and blue tracksuit bottoms, confessed to the attempted murder of Charlotte and wounding his father Joseph Tweedie with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm. Earlier, prosecuting QC Ciaran Murphy likened the incident to something akin to "a pulp fiction novel" and that the blood-spattered bedroom where the murder happened was "like something from a horror film". It is the first time the events surrounding the bloody and brutal attack at a house on Mornington Lane in Lisburn have been heard in court. Mr Murphy revealed that Ward confessed to police he had been "fantasising" about killing 44-year-old nurse Jayne for around six months before launching the unprovoked and frenzied attack. He further revealed that Ward had bought the 9ins "Bowie or Rambo knife" used in the attack along with a machete and other items including handcuffs, duct tape and a Soviet gas mask from online site CombatUK, "believing it would be more intimidating", and that he admitted he fantasied about "trapping and torturing" Jayne before killing her. The court heard he felt ill-will towards her as he believed his father "always prioritised" his six-year relationship with her over him, and that he had moved in with his father while on bail for an alleged sexual attack, which he was acquitted of three months after the bloody murder. The court heard how, just before 5.30am on the Christmas Day in question, Jayne found Ward in one of the rooms. Jayne demanded "what the f***" and it was then that, according to Charlotte, Ward lunged violently at her mother. "At this stage what played out was something like a pulp fiction novel rather than reality," said the lawyer, outlining how Ward "started hitting her" and Jayne let out a "pained scream". "She saw that he was hitting her repeatedly but she didn't see a knife and didn't know he had one at that stage," said Mr Murphy. Ward was stabbing Jayne at the back of her head and upper back near her neck and when Charlotte got up, Ward attacked her. He told the court: "She tried to defend herself by lying on her back and raising her legs up, kicking and pushing out at him ... she said he was smiling." Having managed to kick him off, Charlotte didn't see the knife until Ward got back up again and held the knife "to her throat or chest". "Charlotte felt that she was going to die and was screaming", but having been awoken by the screaming, Ward's father "ran in" and grabbed the knife but during the ensuing struggle he was stabbed as well. Having disarmed Ward, Mr Murphy described how Joe Tweedie said his son "just changed, like a switch ... saying: 'It wasn't me daddy, I don't know what I'm doing, it wasn't me'." Joe ordered his son out of the bedroom and he sat on the stairs while Charlotte "saw her mother lying face down at the side of the chair at the end of the bed and went to her". "Mr Tweedie was in the hallway with the defendant and asked him: 'What the f*** did you do'," said Mr Murphy. "He replied saying: 'I don't know dad, I don't know what have I done, I don't remember anything'... he was crying and screaming. "Charlotte wanted to hold her mother but thought she was going to die... holding her mother in her arms she thought she felt a pulse briefly but she gasped, gave a big breath and fell to her shoulder," Mr Murphy said. Neighbours had heard the screams and called 999 at 5.56am and when officers arrived at the scene five minutes later they found Ward with the "large black sheath" of the murder weapon tucked into his boxer shorts. The weapon had been broken at some stage and they uncovered the blood stained blade under the bed. Ward himself had suffered lacerations to his hands as he had tried to use the broken blade to carry on the attack, and on the way to hospital officers received word that Jayne was dead. The self-confessed killer asked the officers in the car: "Can I ask a question, who was it that was murdered?" Turning to the post-mortem examination of Jayne's body, Mr Murphy outlined how she had been stabbed seven times in the back with wounds "nicking" her spine, penetrating through her ribs and sternum at the front of her body and one which lacerated the aorta, one of the body's main blood vessels. "The combined effect of the stab wounds but particularly that which transacted the aorta and that which severed the spinal cord would have caused her rapid death," the court heard. Mr Murphy said that according to deputy state pathologist Dr Peter Ingram, "no more than moderate force would have been needed to inflict the wounds, particularly if the blade was sharp and pointed". Turning to Charlotte's injuries, the lawyer said she suffered multiple lacerations to her head and face which required stitches but he added it was clear from the victim impact report she has also suffered serious psychological harm as a result of the attack on both her and her mother. Mr Tweedie also sustained lacerations and Mr Murphy said that in his victim impact report, he describes how he "has lost his partner and has lost his son". "He misses Jayne's beauty and kindness and misses the life that they could and should have had," said the lawyer. Ward was questioned by police two days after the killing and he told police he had been in his room on Christmas Eve drinking Jack Daniels whisky, when he got the knife from the shelf where he kept it. He went to the bedroom to "test himself to see if he still had the urge to kill". He said he stood there "for 10 minutes and had been thinking about the last two years and his horrific relationship with Charlie and Jayne and his own father". Ward admitted that he harboured fantasies of killing his own father and Jayne, and claimed that when Jayne woke up, he was "quite calm" but as she questioned him about why he was there "he just flipped" and attacked her. He further confessed that he "had been thinking of killing Jayne for six months" and, as well as the knife, had bought gloves, a machete and other items including a Soviet gas mask, handcuffs and duct tape with a view to "trapping and torturing her with the knife or machete". Mr Murphy told the court how Ward told police officers "he had bought the gas mask as 'it was like, more intimidating'," and claimed Jayne continually belittled him and that he felt "betrayed" by his dad who prioritised his six-year relationship with Jayne. Turning to legal guidelines for sentencing in murder cases, Mr Murphy submitted that the case fell into the higher starting point of 15 or 16 years before aggravating and mitigating features were taken into account. He further submitted that the killing had been planned, "the violence was gratuitous," Ward had intended to kill, the victim was vulnerable having been asleep in her bed and there were multiple victims. "It appears from what he said that while he says he did not plan to kill her that night, he had considered killing her before, he was considering it for months, he had acquired the knife and he had it with him that night," said the lawyer. Mr Murphy added that "it appears to be dually motivated by his sexual deviancy and his desire to kill". He further argued that Ward also intended to kill Charlotte because "were it not for the manner in which she kicked him and defended herself and the intervention of Mr Tweedie at the point that he did, it would have been inevitable that she would have suffered the same fate as her mother". Lodging his plea in mitigation, defence QC Peter Irvine said the reports and statements bear "testimony to the anguish and the total devastation sustained due to this totally senseless and unjustified killing" for which Ward had shown "a degree of remorse". He conceded the murder had been "brutal and savage... and frenzied" and accepted the numerous aggravating features such as the planning and gratuitous violence used. "The relationship between him and the deceased quickly deteriorated and in interview the defendant candidly accepted that he fantasised about killing her and indeed his father also," said Mr Irvine. In mitigation, he submitted that Ward should be given "considerable credit" for pleading guilty and for his youth at the time, aged 19. Mr Irvine argued that Ward had always accepted what he had done but the defence had been obligated to investigate whether he suffered an abnormality of mind at the time which could have raised issues of diminished responsibility but that when a report was received that there are no such issues, he admitted his guilt. Remanding Ward back into custody, Judge Patrick Lynch QC said he would fix the minimum tariff of the life term next Friday after he had considered yesterday's submissions and legal guidelines. Ulster Unionist leader Robin Swann has called for the appointment of direct rule ministers to address Northern Ireland's democratic deficit in the absence of a functioning Stormont. Speaking on the eve of his party's spring conference at Belfast's Park Avenue Hotel today, the North Antrim MLA said the current situation could not continue. There has not been a functioning Executive since January 2017. Mr Swann told the Belfast Telegraph: "We've been saying for a number of months now that because of the lack of direction for Stormont and no sign of its imminent return, that it is time for direct rule. "We need direct rule ministers to be making decisions in Northern Ireland. We do need elected, accountable politicians to be making those decisions." Mr Swann said he was concerned about how important legislation affecting Northern Ireland was handled at Westminster. There had been claims earlier in the week that legislation around cuts to Renewable Heat Incentive tariffs was being "bludgeoned" through Parliament. Mr Swann, speaking about the issue generally, added: "At this point in time it (legislation) is being steamrollered through, without any opportunity of proper scrutiny, so the introduction of direct rule would at least put those checks and measures in place at Westminster which we are currently not seeing." He was also concerned at the lack of political accountability of local civil servants in the absence of Stormont. In recent days David Sterling, the head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, has written to politicians expressing his concerns about a no-deal Brexit. Mr Swann said he felt this was a worrying development. He added: "I don't think it was his place to do so. Civil servants should be there to take direction from politicians. "In the situation we find ourselves in, civil servants are trying to do their best, but they need to be careful." But he added: "In the hiatus that we have, with neither our own ministers nor direct rule ministers, I suppose he took the responsibility on himself to issue that warning." Mr Swann said his party was focused on the forthcoming local government elections in May, but warned that the "dysfunctionality" at Stormont cannot be repeated in council chambers. He also voiced concern at the way the Brexit negotiations were going. Mr Swann added: "The Prime Minister seems to be simply running down the clock to March 29 - and we are going to be faced with a situation where we must accept her deal or no deal at all. "In the UUP we have been consistent in saying that we think a no-deal Brexit will be bad for the UK, but will be significantly worse for Northern Ireland." Today's conference is expected to be the last attended by party veteran Jim Nicholson in his capacity as an MEP. Mr Swann paid tribute to his four decades of service, adding: "Jim's contribution has been immense." Two unnamed protesters hold up a placard remembering Allison Marimon-Herrera and her mother Giselle who were found dead in a flat in Newry, Co Down (Michael McHugh/PA) Hundreds of Womens Day demonstrators in Northern Ireland have remembered a teenager found strangled in a flat along with the body of her mother. Instead of a minutes silence, the crowd staged a minutes noise. Two protesters held a placard which read: Their names are Giselle and Allison. We will not be silent over violence against women. Let's have a minute's noise instead of a minute's silence Allison Marimon-Herrera, 15, was one of three people discovered at a property in Newry, Co Down, this week in a murder-suicide which investigators described as unspeakably tragic. Detectives said there was a strong possibility that her mother, Giselle Marimon-Herrera, 37, from Colombia, was also throttled. Police said a 38-year-old man, Giselle Marimon-Herreras partner, who also lived at the address, died by hanging. They named him as Russell Steele, who was originally from Scotland. Belfast Lord Mayor Deirdre Hargey said: We are here in solidarity with their family at the loss of their lives and to say enough is enough. Officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) have launched a murder investigation and are not looking for anybody else. Police received post-mortem examination results on Friday. Expand Close Giselle Marimon-Herrera, 37, and her 15-year-old daughter Allison were found dead with a man at a flat in Newry, Co Down (PSNI/PA) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Giselle Marimon-Herrera, 37, and her 15-year-old daughter Allison were found dead with a man at a flat in Newry, Co Down (PSNI/PA) Officers went to the flat in Glin Ree Court, close to the city centre, after a relative reported concerns that they had not been in contact with a family member for days. Their bodies were discovered at about 11am on Thursday after police forced entry. An organiser of Saturdays march said: We will not be silent over violence against women. Lets have a minutes noise instead of a minutes silence. This is an unspeakable tragedyDetective Superintendent Jason Murphy Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy said it was an unspeakable tragedy. Ms Marimon-Herrera moved from Colombia to Northern Ireland four years ago. She worked in the Newry area. Her daughter Allison was born in Spain and has lived in Northern Ireland since 2017. She attended Newry High School. Mr Murphy added: I believe that Giselle and Allison were still alive in the early hours of Sunday morning but family members have not been able to contact them since. The late actor Tony Booth berated his wife Steph after finding her in conversation with Sinn Fein leaders Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness, she has revealed. Mr Booth, best known for his role as Mike Rawlins in the BBC series Till Death Us Do Part and as the father-in-law of former Prime Minister Tony Blair, lived near the border village Blacklion, Co Cavan, for some years after his retirement in 2003. It was when they made their home there that Mr Booth was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and Mrs Booth has written a new book documenting how the couple lived with his illness until his death in September 2017, two weeks short of his 86th birthday. In her book she reveals how Mr Booth was far from impressed to see her speaking to high-profile republicans at a peace lecture event. "We had been invited to the University of Derry for the Tip O'Neill peace lecture, given that year by Hillary Clinton," said the author. "As usual, when everyone started to move into the lecture theatre, Tony needed a last-minute wee. Standing waiting for him, I noticed someone approaching me out of the corner of my eye. It was Martin McGuinness. "He wanted to shake my hand and tell me how much he enjoyed reading my column, but more importantly how he thought my and Tony's move to Ireland had contributed to normalising the situation there. "I hope he was not simply being polite and that in some very small way we did help with the peace process. Martin then took me by the elbow and said, 'Come and meet Gerry'. "I was standing talking to them when Tony eventually reappeared ... His face was an absolute picture when he saw who I was chatting to. "Of course, I introduced him and we all then moved on to take our seats for the lecture. 'Jesus wept, woman. I leave you alone for five minutes and come back to find you talking to the IRA,' was all Tony had time to say before the lecture started. "I suppose it was an indication of how far the peace process had travelled that it seemed, and was, an entirely reasonable thing to do." Mr Adams has always denied being a member of the IRA. Elsewhere in her book - Married to Alzheimer's: A Life Less Ordinary with Tony Booth - she tells how she feared something had happened to her husband when they first moved to Ireland and he failed to turn up at a guesthouse.. Travelling to their new home separately in their own cars, their plans were to spend their first night at a B&B in Blacklion, close to their new home at Moneygashel. But when she arrived Tony wasn't there, prompting a visit to the local Garda office. "I went back to Moneygashel and waited. It was late at night and the house was freezing. By now really worried, I returned to Blacklion to find Tony at the bed-and-breakfast, enjoying a cup of tea. He had got lost and been brought in by a Garda," she explained. Mrs Booth also said she was concerned that her husband's drugs habit could see unwelcome visitors to their home - and at one stage she was told some strangers who paid a visit were 'Belfast mafia'. "One of the issues we had discussed before moving was Tony's dope habit. On moving to Ireland I was clear he would have to stop smoking," she writes. "As we would be living in an isolated area close to the border with the North, my major concern was that I didn't want questionable types offering drugs on our doorstep." She added: "The questionable men turned up anyway. Not offering drugs, but on a manhunt. A few weeks after we moved in, Tony and I were standing in our driveway, chatting to a neighbour, when a large black car with blacked-out windows pulled up. "Three men stepped out of the car. They were big blokes in black suits, crisp white shirts and ties and dark glasses. They were immaculate. It was like something out of Reservoir Dogs ... "They stood by their car with no intention, it seemed, of approaching us. We all looked at each other in surprise and eventually I walked over to them. 'Can I help you?' "One of the men mentioned a name and asked me if I knew this person. 'No.' 'You must know him. You live round here.' 'No. We've only just moved in and don't know anybody, really,' I helpfully responded. They stood and stared at us for a few more moments, then got back in their car and drove away. As I walked back to the house, our neighbour said to me, 'You are one crazy woman. They're Belfast mafia'. "It turned out they were looking for someone who had gone to make his fortune as a hairdresser in Belfast ... Unfortunately for him, he'd borrowed money from the wrong people... I may not have been quite so brave, or foolhardy, another time." The protest took place at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh (Jane Barlow/PA) Thirteen people have been arrested after a protest against the Scottish Oil Clubs annual dinner in Edinburgh. Extinction Rebellion Scotland held a planned demonstration outside the National Museum of Scotland, saying the oil and gas industry should not be celebrated. Several of the groups members occupied the main hall past the museums closing time in a bid to delay the dinner, said to be attended by 890 fossil fuel industry executives. After negotiating with police, 13 of the protesters in the museum were arrested. Waiting for the last few brave Rebels to come out #ExtinctionRebellion pic.twitter.com/tmocdGglkk Extinction Rebellion Scotland (@ScotlandXr) March 8, 2019 A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: About 4.30pm officers in Edinburgh were deployed to a pre-planned protest at the National Museum of Scotland. At the close of normal business some protesters refused to leave. Following a period of negotiation, police provided a proportionate response to the protest and 13 have been arrested. Inquiries are ongoing. A statement from the group said hundreds of protesters remained outside while the last of those in the museum left around 8pm, delaying the dinner which was meant to be seated in the main hall at 7.30pm. Flowers placed at Lanfrey Place, West Kensington, London, where 17-year- old Ayub Hassan was stabbed on Thursday and later died in hospital (Isabel Infantes/PA) A 15-year-old boy has been charged with murder following the fatal stabbing of a 17-year-old in west London. Police have confirmed that the victim was Ayub Hassan, from Shepherds Bush. Ayub was found with stab injuries to the chest in Lanfrey Place, West Kensington, on Thursday afternoon. A family friend earlier paid tribute to him as a kind and handsome boy with ambitions of becoming a barrister. Police said his next of kin have been informed and a post-mortem examination is due to take place on Sunday. The 15-year-old charged with his murder will appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on Saturday morning. Expand Close Ayub Hassan had ambitions of becoming a barrister (PA) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Ayub Hassan had ambitions of becoming a barrister (PA) Scotland Yard said three other males were arrested as part of the police investigation. A 17-year-old has been bailed pending further inquiries to a date in mid-April. An 18-year-old and a 15-year-old have been released with no further action. The baby of Islamic State runaway Shamima Begum is believed to have died, her family's lawyer has said. But the as-yet-unverified claim was met with some scepticism, with a military group on the ground in northern Syria reporting he is "alive and healthy". Ms Begum (19) gave birth to the boy in a refugee camp in the middle of February, having already lost two children. Yesterday her family's lawyer Tasnime Akunjee said they had received "strong but as yet unconfirmed reports" the baby had died, adding: "He was a British citizen." But Mustafa Bali, who runs the Syrian Democratic Forces' Press operation, tweeted: "Leaks said that ISIS bride Shamima's son died are fake. The bebe is alive and healthy." Mr Akunjee did not return calls and neither the Foreign Office or the Home Office were able to confirm or deny reports. Ms Begum was 15 when she and two other schoolgirls went to join the terror group in February 2015. She resurfaced heavily pregnant in a refugee camp in northern Syria last month and spoke of her desire to return to the UK, as the self-styled caliphate collapsed. On February 17 her family announced the boy's birth and said they believed he was "in good health". Home Secretary Sajid Javid stripped the British citizenship of Ms Begum, who is from Bethnal Green in east London, amid a fierce national debate over whether she should be allowed to return. Her family, who pledged to appeal against the decision, also wrote to Mr Javid pleading with him to allow a safe passage for the boy to come to the UK. Last month Mr Javid confirmed the boy was a British citizen and said he had considered the child's interest when deciding to revoke Ms Begum's citizenship. Asked whether there was any plan for Ms Begum's son, Mr Javid told the Commons Home Affairs Committee it would be "incredibly difficult" for the Government to facilitate the return of a child from Syria. "If it is possible somehow for a British child to be brought to a place where there is a British consular presence, the closest place - it might be Turkey for example - in those circumstances I guess potentially it is possible to arrange for some sort of help with the consent of the parent," he added. "Inside Syria, whether in a camp or maybe somewhere else, there is no British consular presence." Two climbers were rescued from a peak in the Glencoe area on Saturday (Andrew Milligan/PA) A climber is seriously ill in hospital after being stranded overnight on a mountain in the Highlands. The 57-year-old from the East Midlands was airlifted from a peak in the Glencoe area on Saturday after a major search operation. He was rescued along with another man, 49, who had also been reported overdue on Friday. Both men were traced following assistance from members of the public and an extensive mountain rescue operationPolice Scotland Police Scotland said the elder man is in a life-threatening condition at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, while the other climber is stable at Belford Hospital in Fort William. It is understood they were suffering from the effects of hypothermia. Both climbers are from Nottinghamshire and had travelled to Glencoe as part of a group. The search began on Friday evening and resumed at 8am on Saturday, involving Glencoe, Lochaber and Oban Mountain Rescue Teams and a Coastguard helicopter. HM Coastguard said one climber was found at midday and the second was located around 30 minutes later. The Scottish Avalanche Information Service warned of a considerable avalanche hazard on Friday and Saturday. The Queen has used her Commonwealth Day message to praise how the family of nations inspires its member states (Simon Dawson/PA) The Queen has used her Commonwealth Day message to praise how the family of nations inspires its member states to find ways of protecting the planet and its citizens. Millions of people are drawn together because of the collective values shared by the institution, the Queen says in her address to the 53 countries of the Commonwealth. The written message is featured in the order of service for the annual Commonwealth Day service being held on Monday, attended by senior members of the royal family and national figures. The Queen, who is head of the Commonwealth, says in her message: Today, many millions of people around the world are drawn together because of the collective values shared by the Commonwealth. In April last year, I welcomed the leaders of our 53 nations to Buckingham Palace & Windsor Castle for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, & we all witnessed how the Commonwealth vision offers hope, & inspires us to find ways of protecting our planet, & our people. pic.twitter.com/pHqhULzORS The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) March 9, 2019 In April last year, I welcomed the leaders of our 53 nations to Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, and we all witnessed how the Commonwealth vision offers hope, and inspires us to find ways of protecting our planet, and our people. We are able to look to the future with greater confidence and optimism as a result of the links that we share, and thanks to the networks of co-operation and mutual support to which we contribute, and on which we draw. With enduring commitment through times of great change, successive generations have demonstrated that whilst the goodwill for which the Commonwealth is renowned may be intangible, its impact is very real. The Queen will be joined at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey by the Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the Duke of York. Expand Close The Duchess of Sussex attended her first Commonwealth Day Service last year (Paul Grover/Daily Telegraph/PA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The Duchess of Sussex attended her first Commonwealth Day Service last year (Paul Grover/Daily Telegraph/PA) Other guests among the 2,000-strong congregation will include Prime Minister Theresa May, the Commonwealth Secretary-General Baroness Scotland, alongside high commissioners, ambassadors, faith leaders and more than 800 schoolchildren and young people. Commonwealth Day has a special significance this year, as 2019 marks the 70th anniversary of the modern Commonwealth a global network of 53 countries and almost 2.4 billion people. The theme for this years service is A Connected Commonwealth which highlights the co-operation between the culturally diverse family of nations who work together in friendship. Highlights of the service include performances by Grammy-winning group Clean Bandit and tenor Alfie Boe. A reflection will be given by Lewis Pugh, an endurance swimmer, ocean advocate and the UN Patron of the Oceans. Organised by the Royal Commonwealth Society, the Commonwealth Service is the largest annual inter-faith gathering in the UK and will be broadcast live on BBC One. Later in the evening, Charles and Camilla will be guests of the Commonwealth Secretary-General at the annual reception which traditionally takes place on Commonwealth Day at Marlborough House, the home of the Commonwealth Secretariat, the institutions civil service. Jeremy Corbyn must threaten to sack members of his shadow cabinet team if they refuse to back an amendment which would see the PMs Brexit deal made subject to a public vote, a Labour MP has said. Ian Murray voiced concerns that although the partys position was now to back a Peoples Vote, some prominent Labour frontbenchers may be trying to row back on that. He insisted Labour must now step up and enthusiastically support the amendment being proposed by Labour MPs Peter Kyle and Phil Wilson which would allow Theresa Mays Brexit deal to pass the Commons, but make it subject to a public vote, in which people could opt to remain in the European Union. Mr Murray, who has been a prominent campaigner for a second Brexit referendum, spoke out on the issue at a fringe event at the Scottish Labour conference in Dundee. He stated: Now it is time to step up. We are 480 hours away (from Brexit) and if the Labour Party, the opposition, doesnt step up next week the Kyle/Wilson amendment will either not come forward or it wont win and we will end up in a situation with no-deal, no no-deal, and no extension. My big criticism is yes, the Labour Party has now got into the right position, but now it is time to step up.Labour MP Ian Murray The Edinburgh South MP said it was possible next weeks votes in the House of Commons could see MPs again reject Theresa Mays Brexit deal but also not back the amendments that would rule out a no-deal Brexit and extend the Article 50 timetable. The Prime Minister could be sitting on Friday with her deal down, no extension of article 50, and parliament not wanting a no-deal and where on earth does that leave us? he asked. Mr Murray, who was the only Labour MP in Scotland between 2015 and 2017, continued: My big criticism is yes, the Labour Party has now got into the right position but now it is time to step up. He added: The problem with the Kyle/Wilson amendment is this: It will only pass if the Labour front bench enthusiastically support it, whip it. And then we win it. People are saying it looks as though the Labour frontbench are going to back it, are they going to whip it? Are they going to sack shadow ministers and shadow cabinet members, or threaten to sack them, if they dont vote for it? He insisted: We need the leadership of the party to enthusiastically back this, to make sure the party enthusiastically backs it. Of course there is going to be some people unhappy and some rebels in that, but unless you say to people: This the 11th hour, the division bell is going to ring, you will go down that lobby or you will hand in your resignation, we will not get the numbers. Its as simple and straightforward as that. Councils have urged the Government to protect youth offending teams amid the surge in knife crime (Alan Simpson/PA) Councils have warned the Government against making further funding cuts to youth offending teams as knife crime continues to come under the spotlight. Efforts to stop children joining gangs and becoming involved in violent crime will be undermined if funding to tackle youth offending is cut further, the Local Government Association (LGA) said. Figures show that youth justice grants, which fund the work of youth offending teams within councils, have been halved from 145 million in 2010/11 to 71.5 million in 2018/19, the LGA added. The warning comes amid a string of high-profile stabbings across the country which have led to the issue being described as a national emergency. Expand Close (PA Graphics) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp (PA Graphics) The LGA said councils were waiting to find out how much funding they would receive for 2019/20, but said at the very least it should match last years amount following the recent surge in knife crime. Cllr Anntoinette Bramble, chairwoman of the LGAs children and young people board, said: The recent spate of tragic violence across the country underlines the importance of investing in services which protect and support young people, keeping them safe from the lure of gangs or from becoming involved in serious crime. Youth offending teams within local authorities have an outstanding record of reducing youth crime and making a real difference to young peoples lives, but they are under huge pressure after seeing their government funding halved. We share the Governments determination to tackle youth crime, but it needs to properly fund the services that work most closely with young people at risk of offending. It is also important that there is no delay in councils finding out how much funding they will be allocated, so they can effectively plan services to support young people. Youth offending teams have been credited with helping prompt an 86% decrease in first-time entrants to the youth justice system over the past 10 years, as well as a 78% drop in arrests. Over the same period, the number of youth cautions handed out dropped by more than 100,000, or 91%. Sara Thornton has set out police chiefs' views on what's needed to tackle #knifecrime: Stronger government leadership COBR meetings to hold all agencies to account Emergency funding for officer overtime Long term investment in police & early intervention on the root causes pic.twitter.com/ZfuLm1PJlk National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) (@PoliceChiefs) March 6, 2019 Meanwhile, police forces across the UK have asked the Government for emergency funding to help them bear down on violence now. The National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) confirmed on Friday it had sent information to the Home Secretary concerning how much money was needed. Sajid Javid had previously pledged to do everything I can to provide police with the resources required. Chancellor Philip Hammond came under fire for saying that police should shift existing resources into tackling knife crime rather than expect more funding. London mayor Sadiq Khan said forces in the capital were already prioritising violent crime and insisted that moving funds would not fill the massive hole left by central Government cuts. Police officers from the City Hall-funded Violent Crime Taskforce are working flat out, around the clock, to keep our city safe. Their work has resulted in: - 3,401 arrests - 6,324 weapons sweeps - 245 firearms, 650 knives, 495 offensive weapons seized https://t.co/tYbBZjJlcL Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) March 7, 2019 During a housing visit in north London, he told the Press Association: In London we are prioritising our efforts towards tackling violent crime, tackling knife crime. I myself have directed officers to move from roads and transport to do the violent crime taskforce work, so we are really prioritising the resources we have to deal with the issue of the increasing violent crime. The stark reality is in London over the last eight years, we have lost more than 800 million of funding from central Government, were being asked to make a further round of cuts of 200 million from central Government thats a billion pounds lost from the Met Police budget. Re-prioritising, increasing council tax, diverting business rates money away doesnt fill the massive hole left by central Government cuts. Expand Close Mayor of London Sadiq Khan (Victoria Jones/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Mayor of London Sadiq Khan (Victoria Jones/PA) Mr Khan called on ministers to reverse the cuts and give us the funding we need to make sure there is sufficient policing across London. He added: Weve got fewer officers now in 2019 than in any time since 2003, when our population has grown by more than a million-and-a-half. But also weve seen youth services, preventative services, councils, schools have their budgets cut as well, so we need investment in preventative services but also policing too. He said London could not wait another few years to see investment, insisting: We need it now. The number of police officers across the 43 forces in England and Wales has fallen by more than 20,000 since 2009, but the Prime Minister has said there is no correlation between the decline and certain crimes. Former Labour home secretary Lord Blunkett joined calls to increase stop-and-search powers to help tackle the wave of violent crime, calling it a prime enforcement tool. Writing in the Daily Telegraph, he said: I cant see how you can stop someone carrying a knife if you cant search them for one. Stop-and-search, used intelligently and with, instead of targeted at, the communities most affected, has to be a prime enforcement tool, just to get that grip which makes it possible to implement other measures. Shamima Begum should be taken in by Bangladesh in an act of sympathy, a senior Muslim leader has said, as Sajid Javid faced a fresh backlash for stripping the Islamic State runaways UK citizenship. The Home Secretary was under renewed scrutiny on Saturday after it emerged the teenagers weeks-old son died in a Syrian refugee camp. Ms Begum, who fled London to join the terror group aged 15, had earlier begged to return to the UK with her boy, but Mr Javid revoked her passport amid fierce public debate. Stripping citizenship is only legal if the individual has a second one, and it was thought she may have a claim in Bangladesh because of her family background, but Bangladeshi officials denied this. Caliph Mirza Masroor Ahmad, who represents tens of millions of Ahmadi Muslims worldwide, urged a Muslim country to show sympathy to her following Britains move. Expand Close Caliph Mirza Masroor Ahmad (Dominic Lipinski/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Caliph Mirza Masroor Ahmad (Dominic Lipinski/PA) If the British Government has stripped her of her nationality then another country should adopt her, any Muslim country, he told reporters at the Baitul Futuh Mosque, in Morden, south-west London, ahead of an annual peace conference. Since her parents were from Bangladesh, the first duty is of Bangladesh to take her as a national. It emerged on Friday that Ms Begum, now 19, had lost her third child. A medical certificate showed he died of pneumonia a day earlier, the BBC reported. Ms Begum had earlier discussed her fears that she could lose the boy, saying: This is really not a place to raise children, this camp. Expand Close Shamima Begum fled the UK aged 15 (Met Police/PA) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Shamima Begum fled the UK aged 15 (Met Police/PA) Her family, who vowed to appeal against Mr Javids decision, had also written to the Conservative minister, pleading with him to allow a safe passage for the boy to come to the UK. On Saturday, his Labour counterpart, Diane Abbott, said he had behaved shamefully over the tragedy that might have been avoided. She added: If the mother and baby had been brought home, the mother, Shamima Begum, would have faced British justice, but the baby might have lived. Conservative MP Phillip Lee told BBC Radio 4s Today programme that he was deeply concerned by Mr Javids decision, which was driven by a sort of populism. This week a British baby died from pneumonia in a Syrian refugee camp. A tragedy that might have been avoided. If the mother & baby had been brought home, the mother Shamima Begum would have faced British justice, but the baby might have lived. @sajidjavid has behaved shamefully pic.twitter.com/LNU14EBTfE Diane Abbott MP (@HackneyAbbott) March 9, 2019 Accusing Mr Javid of moral cowardice, former director of public prosecutions Lord Macdonald said his move risked creating a more dangerous world where stateless individuals roam with no allegiance and the death of unprotected innocents, in this case a vulnerable British baby. No dignified self-governing state should abandon responsibility for its own citizens in this way, trying to dump them on to poorer countries with failed security arrangements, he told the Observer. Debate raged over Ms Begums desire to return after she resurfaced in a refugee camp last month and said she wanted to return to Britain as the self-styled caliphate collapsed. She had left Bethnal Green in east London with two other schoolgirls to join the IS terror group in February 2015. Conservative Party chairman Brandon Lewis defended Mr Javid, telling Today: There is no question that the duty of a Home Secretary in this country is to keep British people safe. A Government spokesman said: The death of any child is tragic and deeply distressing for the family. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has consistently advised against travel to Syria since April 2011. Sajid Javids decision to strip Islamic State runaway Shamima Begum of her British citizenship has come under renewed criticism after her baby died in a refugee camp in Syria. The Home Secretary revoked the teenagers passport after she said she wished to return to the UK with her newborn son, having already lost two children. On Friday, it was confirmed the weeks-old boy died in a camp in northern Syria, with reports suggesting he had suffered from breathing difficulties. Mr Javid faced fresh criticism on Saturday over his move, which came amid fierce debate over the future of Ms Begum, who fled London to join the terror group when she was 15. This week a British baby died from pneumonia in a Syrian refugee camp. A tragedy that might have been avoided. If the mother & baby had been brought home, the mother Shamima Begum would have faced British justice, but the baby might have lived. @sajidjavid has behaved shamefully pic.twitter.com/LNU14EBTfE Diane Abbott MP (@HackneyAbbott) March 9, 2019 His Labour counterpart, Diane Abbott, said he had behaved shamefully over the tragedy that might have been avoided. She added: If the mother and baby had been brought home, the mother, Shamima Begum, would have faced British justice, but the baby might have lived. Conservative MP Phillip Lee said he was deeply concerned by Mr Javids decision, which was driven by a sort of populism. He told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: Clearly Shamima Begum holds abhorrent views and to want to join Islamic State is beyond all comprehension, but she was a child, a product of our society. Expand Close Shamima Begum, whose baby son has died (PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Shamima Begum, whose baby son has died (PA) Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Ed Davey said the boy will be remembered if courts rule Mr Javid acted illegally in making a British citizen stateless. He added: Many of us feared this tragic outcome when the Home Secretary washed his hands of Britains responsibility for a British citizen and a British baby. Kirsty McNeill, a director at Save the Children UK, urged Britain to take responsibility for their citizens in Syria. It is possible the death of this baby boy and others could have been avoided, she added. Expand Close Home Secretary Sajid Javid previously stripped Begum of British citizenship (PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Home Secretary Sajid Javid previously stripped Begum of British citizenship (PA) Ms Begum, from Bethnal Green in east London, was 15 when she and two other schoolgirls went to join the terror group in February 2015. Aged 19 and heavily pregnant, she resurfaced in a refugee camp last month and said she wanted to return to Britain as the self-styled caliphate collapsed. Her family announced the boys birth on February 17 and said they believed he was in good health. Ms Begum discussed her fears that she could lose her third child, saying: This is really not a place to raise children, this camp. His death has been confirmed . Akunjee (@mohammedakunjee) March 8, 2019 On Friday the familys lawyer and the Syrian Democratic Forces confirmed the infant had died. The BBC reported a medical certificate showed he died of pneumonia a day earlier. The Begum family, who vowed to appeal against Mr Javids decision, had also written to the Conservative minister, pleading with him to allow a safe passage for the boy to come to the UK. But Conservative Party chairman Brandon Lewis defended the minister, telling BBC Radio 4s Today programme: There is no question that the duty of a home secretary in this country is to keep British people safe. Meanwhile on Saturday, the BBC published an interview with Ms Begums father Ahmed Ali, in which he apologised to the British people. Speaking from his home in Bangladesh, he said: I am sorry for Shamimas doing. I request to the British people, please forgive her. A Government spokesman said: The death of any child is tragic and deeply distressing for the family. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has consistently advised against travel to Syria since April 2011. The Tories grace and favour attitude towards devolution could put the future of the UK in jeopardy, the Welsh First Minister has said. Mark Drakeford condemned the Conservatives for their arrogance, and warned that it could lead to the unravelling of the UK. Describing the United Kingdom as a voluntary association between its four constituent nations, the Welsh First Minister insisted: In the end it is the so-called unionists who pose the greatest threat to the union of the United Kingdom. It is their arrogance and their taken-for-granted assumptions that they have a right to be in charge of the rest of us that risks the unravelling of the United Kingdom to which this party is genuinely committed. Mr Drakeford, speaking at the Scottish Labour Party conference in Dundee, stressed that Labour was a dedicated devolutionist party. Despite the fact that devolution has been with us for 20 years, scratch the surface of the Conservative Party and its instinctive hostility to Wales and Scotland quickly emergesWelsh First Minister Mark Drakeford He said: While Labour in Wales is committed to devolution, we are at the same time a party which firmly believes Wales future is best secured through a successful United Kingdom. The Welsh First Minister continued: It is this combination of powerful devolution on the one hand and the commitment to the wider United Kingdom on the other that gives the Labour Party our most distinctive offer. And it is in such powerful contrast to what others put in front of the people of Scotland and Wales. Despite the fact that devolution has been with us for 20 years, scratch the surface of the Conservative Party and its instinctive hostility to Wales and Scotland quickly emerges. Theirs is a grace-and-favour version of devolution, in which London always remain supreme, in which powers are given, not won in a referendum, and that can equally and easily be taken away. It is the Labour Party which understands that the United Kingdom is a voluntary association, a voluntary union for four nations. A union in which sovereignty no longer rests exclusively in a single UK Parliament but is dispersed to new centres of political authority and responsibility where those powers now rest. A variety of stories make the front pages on Saturday, from the court case into the Shoreham airshow disaster to a schools funding crisis. The Guardian leads on an investigation looking into school funding and reports that the system is falling apart at the seams, with teachers forced to do the work of cleaners and parents having to raise essential cash. The Guardian front page, Saturday 9 March 2019 | Revealed: the chaos in schools caused by cuts pic.twitter.com/QiXCett9dv The Guardian (@guardian) March 8, 2019 The Times says the families of those killed in the Shoreham disaster wept in court as a pilot was cleared of 11 charges of manslaughter after he argued the plane was flown so badly he must have been mentally impaired at the time. The Times 9/3/2019 Susan Reilly and her Pyrenees Mountain dog Boris at Crufts Dog Show, Birmingham. The breeds temperament is confident and gentle, while territorial and protective when necessary. 8/3/2019. Photo : Aaron Chown/PA #thetimes #tomorrowspaperstoday #crufts @thetimes pic.twitter.com/9DD0tUAC7k The Times Pictures (@TimesPictures) March 8, 2019 The Daily Express says the families vowed to fight on for the truth following the court case. In tomorrow's @Daily_Express - Families of #Shoreham air disaster call for 'justice for our loved ones' - Why @hollywills is in a 'spot of bother' - We still love #MidsomerMurders after 20 series#tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/2wuMjxJjp2 Daily Express (@Daily_Express) March 8, 2019 Shamima Begum is pictured on the front of the Daily Telegraph following the news that her baby son had died. The paper leads on Brexit, reporting that Theresa Mays hopes of a last-minute breakthrough were dashed after a total breakdown of trust between London and Brussels. TELEGRAPH: Barnier leaves May facing Brexit humiliation #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/XWMuUzk0eB Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) March 8, 2019 The i also runs with Brexit, and says the Government rejected the EUs offer of concessions to break the impasse. The Financial Times reports that Philip Hammond has urged Eurosceptic Conservatives to get behind the Prime Ministers Brexit deal as its approval would allow him to release billions of pounds for stretched public services. Just published: front page of FT Weekend, UK edition, Saturday 9 March https://t.co/UnwPWiGFKp pic.twitter.com/EdMvuFgfHQ Financial Times (@FinancialTimes) March 8, 2019 Meanwhile, the Daily Mail leads on warnings over rising parking fees. The Daily Mirror carries an interview with One Direction star Liam Payne, who spoke of being mugged at knifepoint as a 12-year-old. And The Sun claims a masked burglar took a selfie at the home of Brendan Rodgers. Juan Guaido speaks to supporters during a rally against the government of President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas, Venezuela (Eduardo Verdugo/AP) Venezuelan opposition protesters have converged on a main avenue in Caracas and other parts of the country, venting their anger over a nationwide blackout, shortages of basic necessities and the government of President Nicolas Maduro. At the same time, supporters of Mr Maduro held a rival demonstration in a separate district of the Venezuelan capital that drew a mass of people protesting against the US and its brutal aggression against the South American country. Both rallies illustrated the ever-growing gulf between two factions now struggling for control of a nation paralysed by economic and political turmoil. Meanwhile, tensions were only compounded further by a new power shutdown that came just hours after an earlier blackout in the country appeared to be easing. Expand Close Thousands of people join the march against the government of President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas (Fernando Llano/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Thousands of people join the march against the government of President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas (Fernando Llano/AP) Jorge Jaimes, a doctor who joined opposition protesters on Avenida Victoria in Caracas, said: This is chaos. We are at the end of this road. Opposition demonstrators earlier on Saturday pushed against the shields of riot police, who withdrew from the area but maintained a large presence. Some protesters elsewhere in the city said lines of police were blocking them from reaching the rally organised by opposition leader Juan Guaido, creating a sense of confusion as power and communications outages plagued the country. Netblocks, a non-government group based in Europe that monitors internet censorship, said on Saturday a second outage had knocked out almost all of Venezuelas telecommunications infrastructure. Expand Close A woman confronts police blocking a crowd of people gathering for the march against Mr Maduro in Caracas (Eduardo Verdugo/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A woman confronts police blocking a crowd of people gathering for the march against Mr Maduro in Caracas (Eduardo Verdugo/AP) Earlier, it referred to online connectivity data indicating the initial outage that began on Thursday and eased about 24 hours later was the largest on recent record in Latin America. Managers of the Caracas subway said they are still waiting for the electricity supply to stabilise before resuming services, but the power grid problems quickly became another issue that galvanised Venezuelans to take to the streets. As the opposition-led rally got under way, police units and members of the National Guard were deployed at several intersections, wearing helmets and carrying shields and other anti-riot gear. Several columns of security forces moved on motorcycles. Opposition activists said police had dismantled a speakers stage that had been erected in the street ahead of the demonstration on Saturday, while Mr Guaido tweeted that authorities would fail in any attempt to scare protesters. Today well show them in the streets, he said. Expand Close Juan Guaido has declared himself the countrys interim president (Fernando Llano/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Juan Guaido has declared himself the countrys interim president (Fernando Llano/AP) Meanwhile, demonstrators at the pro-Maduro rally danced and waved flags on what organisers labelled a day of anti-imperialism in a show of defiance towards the United States, which has imposed oil sanctions on Venezuela in an attempt to oust the president. Many showed up wearing red caps and shirts in support of the self-proclaimed socialist revolution of leader Hugo Chavez, who died six years ago and was succeeded by his protege, Mr Maduro. Mr Maduro, who maintains that Mr Guaido is part of a US-backed plot to oust him, tweeted on Saturday that each act of imperialist aggression will meet an overwhelming response. In the last two days, Venezuelan government officials have blamed the United States for the nationwide blackout and said Mr Guaido collaborated in the alleged sabotage. Mr Guaido and US officials scoff at that notion, attributing the blackout to alleged corruption and mismanagement under Mr Maduros government. The United States and about 50 other countries support Mr Guaido, 35, who has been unable to wrest power from Mr Maduro. Mr Guaido, the leader of Venezuelas National Assembly, declared himself interim president of the country in late January. Theresa Rose Bentaas has been charged with murder (Minnehaha County Jail via KELO via AP) A US woman has been charged over the death of a newborn baby who was abandoned in a ditch 38 years ago. Police in South Dakota said they used DNA and genealogy sites to determine Theresa Rose Bentaas was the babys mother. Bentaas was arrested and charged with murder and manslaughter over the 1981 death of the boy, known as Baby Andrew. Bentaas told authorities last month that she had hidden her pregnancy from her friends and family and gave birth while alone in her apartment, according to a court document. I couldn't be more pleased with the results today and the arrest and the closure that we find, as well as the hard work and dedication for the pursuit of justice for Andrew.Matt Burns Bentaas allegedly said she then drove the baby to the area he was later discovered, a cornfield ditch in Sioux Falls. Bentaas, now 57, said she was young and stupid and felt sad and scared as she drove away, according to the document. The baby died of exposure. Bentaas, who was 19 when her son died, later married the infants father and has two living adult children with him, it was reported. The case has gripped Sioux Falls for decades. Roughly 50 people attended the childs funeral, held more than a week after he was discovered. Children left stuffed animals and a badge on his pyjamas read: You are loved. Retired detective Mike Webb said authorities used DNA from the baby exhumed 10 years ago and DNA obtained from Bentaas through a search warrant. I couldnt be more pleased with the results today and the arrest and the closure that we find, as well as the hard work and dedication for the pursuit of justice for Andrew, police chief Matt Burns said. Public genealogy databases have been used in other recent cases, including the capture last April of the suspected Golden State Killer in northern California and the arrest of a businessman accused of fatally stabbing a Minneapolis woman in 1993. In South Dakota, authorities submitted a DNA sample from Baby Andrew to Parabon NanoLabs, which found two possible matches using a public genealogical database. Police constructed a family tree and performed a trash pull to collect beer and water containers and cigarette butts at Bentaass home. Results from a cheek swab sample show there is extremely strong evidence to support a biological relationship between Bentaas and the child, according to the court affidavit. Today we publish a poignant and thought-provoking interview with Kate Carroll whose policeman husband Stephen was murdered by Continuity IRA members on March 9, 2009. The tenth anniversary of that horrific killing brings back memories and thoughts of what might have been, and sadly what the reality is today for Kate and her wider family. She expresses clearly the sadness of it all, the futility of violence, and her fears that the dark days of the Troubles may return if things go from bad to worse. She also voices her sympathy for the families of the two soldiers murdered by republican dissidents at Massereene Barracks in Antrim, only two days before her husband's cruel death. She underlines how the reality of death haunts the families and friends long after the atrocities. Constable Stephen Carroll and Sappers Patrick Azimkar and Mark Quinsey were victims of violence long after the signing of the Good Friday Agreement which brought so many hopes of a better future for us all. Kate Carroll describes how, following her husband's death, the then political leaders Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness visited her to show solidarity with her suffering and loss. They literally stood shoulder to shoulder against violence from every quarter. Many will agree with Kate's view that if these politicians were still at the helm today "things would be very different here, and definitely less sectarian." Sadly things have changed, with a long, bruising deadlock at Stormont, and constantly bitter exchanges between senior figures from the main political parties. Brexit has further added to the tension not only within Northern Ireland but also between London, Dublin and Brussels. Mrs Carroll's words remind us what happens to ordinary people when unspeakably awful things take place. It is up to all of us to do our best to soften the divisions, and to work together for the good of all. Bangladesh spends U.S. $300 million monthly to host Rohingya refugees, its foreign minister said Friday, explaining why the country would no longer take in more people from the stateless group, as Dhaka had announced at the United Nations last week. About 745,000 Rohingya Muslims crossed the border into southeastern Bangladesh to escape a brutal military crackdown in Myanmars Rakhine state in 2017, in what U.N. and U.S. officials have described as ethnic cleansing. We wont host anymore Rohingya. There are 192 more countries in the world, they should also host some Rohingyas. Why only us? Bangladeshi Foreign Minister A.K. Abdul Momen told BenarNews on Friday in Dhaka. We are spending about $300 million per month for them, he said, echoing previous statements from other officials. That amount translates to a staggering $3.6 billion annually. When asked whether all of this cash was Bangladeshs own money, Momen replied that it was a mixture of local funds and foreign aid. However, he said, he could not immediately give a breakdown of the sources of money that Bangladesh was spending on Rohingya. On Feb. 28 in New York, Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque told the U.N. Security Council that the humanitarian crisis in the southeast and an impasse over repatriating the refugees had gone from bad to worse. The idea of long-term hosting by Bangladesh was not at all a viable proposition, Haque told the council. Bangladesh would no longer be in a position to accommodate more people from Myanmar, he said. Is Bangladesh paying the price for being responsive and responsible in showing empathy to a persecuted minority population of a neighboring country? Under a proposed repatriation scheme, which was supposed to start in November last year, Dhaka was to hand over the first batch of potential returnees from among 2,260 initially identified for being returned to Myanmar at a transit point along their common border. But the plan did not go through after U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet warned that refugees who had been identified for repatriation were gripped with terror and panic on hearing that they could be asked to return against their will, even though the program was supposed to be voluntary. Haque told the Security Council that despite his governments efforts, not a single Rohingya has volunteered to return to Rakhine due to the absence of a conducive environment there. Even if repatriation began today, it would take another 12 years (to finish the repatriation), based on an estimated 300 Rohingyas returning every day, Haque said. Last year in New York, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina told the U.N. General Assembly that about 1.1 million Rohingya Muslims were in Bangladeshi refugee camps, where they were receiving food, clothing, healthcare and security, among other services. That number included more than 300,000 Rohingya who entered Bangladesh during earlier bouts of violence in Myanmar. In Teknaf, a sub-district of southeastern Coxs Bazar district, which lies along the border with Rakhine state, the Bangladeshi border guard said it was stopping new Rohingya arrivals from crossing over. No new Rohingyas are being allowed to enter [across] the border, Lt. Col. Aasadud-Zaman Chowdhury, chief of the frontier polices Teknaf 2 Battalion, told BenarNews on Friday. A Vietnamese woman accused of using a chemical warfare agent to kill the half-brother of North Koreas leader was in good condition to testify for the first time when her trial in Malaysia resumes next week, her lawyer said Friday. Vietnamese Doan Thi Huong is expected to take the witness stand on Monday with the trials defense phase scheduled to begin more than two years after Kim Jong Nam was assassinated as he checked in for an AirAsia flight at a Kuala Lumpur airport on Feb.13, 2017. Prosecutors said Doan and Indonesian co-defendant Siti Aisyah approached Kim, the estranged half-sibling of Pyongyang dictator Kim Jong Un, and smeared a colorless and odorless substance across his face. Kim Jong Nam died about 20 minutes later. She is in good condition and confident to go on the stand, Salim Bashir, one of the three lawyers representing Doan, told BenarNews. We will examine her by way of questioning, and later the prosecution will cross-examine her. Both women have pleaded not guilty, with their lawyers arguing that they were misled into thinking that they were taking part in a prank for a Japanese comedy show on YouTube. Prosecutors have argued that the two Southeast Asian women, along with four North Korean suspects at large, took part in a premeditated attack and also practiced for it in advance. Salim said Doan will begin her testimony at the Shah Alam High Court by reading her sworn statement in Vietnamese, which will then be translated into English by an interpreter. On Aug. 16, 2018, Judge Azmi Ariffin ordered the two women to remain in custody after ruling that the prosecution had presented enough evidence to move the trial to its defense phase. Had the judge ruled in favor of the women, they could have been acquitted. But Azmi said credible evidence had pointed to a simultaneous act by the women. In his ruling, the judge emphasized that he could not rule out that there had been a well-planned conspiracy between the women and the North Korean suspects, who fled the country after the assassination. He called into question the defense argument that the two were carrying out a prank, saying there was no clear explanation why Doan had rushed to the bathroom to wash her hands after smearing the victims face with a liquid. Over the course of the trial, prosecutors laid out a bizarre plot claiming that the two women had been recruited by four North Korean operatives. They said the women, who were working in Kuala Lumpur as escorts, were trained as assassins to use VX, which has been classified by the United Nations as a weapon of mass destruction. In January this year, Siti won an appeal to obtain statements given to police by seven witnesses. Her defense lawyers said the documents were crucial to providing a clearer picture on what took place at the airport. Her lawyer, Gooi Soon Seng, said the Appeal Court overturned the lower courts ruling that the statements were privileged, and ordered prosecutors to provide such documents to the defense. But Gooi told the Associated Press that the order has been put on hold pending prosecutors appeal to the Federal Court. If we are allowed to see the statements, then we will get a fairer trial, Gooi told reporters. If we do not get a fair trial, where do we get justice? Doans lead attorney, Hisyam Teh Pok Teik, told a news conference in November last year that his side never applied to have access to the statements because the witnesses discussed in the documents were irrelevant for his clients defense. We have about five or six witnesses, he said. One or two might be local while the rest are foreign. But Naran Singh, the other lawyer in Doans team, told BenarNews on Friday that the number of witnesses have been revised down to four, with one more witness still unable to confirm her availability. It is a foreign witness and she is declining to come, so we are working on finding a way to sort this, Singh said, as he expressed confidence on Doans preparedness to face cross-examination. We are confident that upon hearing the entire evidence, I think one can say that she is innocent, he said. The assassination bruised diplomatic relations between Kuala Lumpur and Pyongyang. Washington also imposed sanctions on North Korea in response to the murder. If found guilty, Doan and Siti face a mandatory death sentence. Noah Lee in Kuala Lumpur contributed to this report. Filipinos joined worldwide celebrations of International Womens Day on Friday by rallying for gender equality. Thousands of Filipinas took to the streets of the Philippine capital and Baguio City, in the north, where many denounced what they described as President Rodrigo Dutertes chauvinistic stance toward women. As examples they cited the jailing of a female senator and the ousting of a female supreme court justice during his term. The female activists skewered the president for sexist rants and remarks, including ones in which he joked about rape and admitted he had once sexually assaulted a maid. Teresita Deles, a former government official who was among the organizers of Fridays pro-women rallies, said the activity was the first in recent memory where women of all political colors came together to demand an end to Dutertes alleged misogyny. Stop. We are fed up with attacks against our dignity as women, Deles said. We are all the more worried because President Duterte is leading this assault. The president, however, called Friday for creating a climate and opportunities for empowering women, according to a statement from the presidential palace. This important occasion reminds us all to pave the way for an enabling environment for women to be empowered and to make sure that the Magna Carta for Women is properly implemented at all levels in government, Duterte said in the statement, according to the Philippine Star. The five days programme was co-sponsored by the American Chemical Society Division of Medicinal Chemistry and the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC). Biocon Academy in association with American Chemical Society (ACS) Medicinal Chemistry Division and Pharma Innovation Sourcing Centre LLC USA, recently concluded the 4th edition of the Medicinal Chemistry, Drug Discovery & Development India 2019 (MCADDI 2019). This residential course in medicinal chemistry and drug discovery and Development was held from 4th- 9th March, 2019 at the Biocon Academy Campus in Bangalore, India. The five days programme was co-sponsored by the American Chemical Society Division of Medicinal Chemistry and the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC). "We have a powerful technology pool around us. There are so many new technologies coming up such as gene therapies, cell therapies. We need accelerated models to take these technologies ahead and create a platform. We need to learn how to invest into technology and innovation. There is plenty of data lying in India in the form of crude oil. We have to convert it into refined oil. We need to focus on novel ways to change the paradigms to make this world a healthier to place", shared Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, CMD, Biocon. MCADDI 2019 conducted several lectures on pharmaceutical development CMC topics including process optimization and development, bio-pharmaceutics and analytical sciences as well as integrated drug discovery and development case histories. The sessions were designed to be highly interactive, and included case studies to enhance the learning process. The highlight of the programme was the inclusion of pharmaceutical development with the discovery value chain. "India is traditionally very good in chemistry and generics but has shied away from discovery. Through this programme, we intend to tune the raw talent of the Indian chemists and biologists. There is so much potential in India which needs to be harnessed in the right manner. In the coming years, we do plan to incorporate more students into this programme. Also, we would be adding more content to the curriculum in the upcoming sessions", pointed out Dr Balu N Balasubramanian, MD, Pharma Innovation Sourcing Centre LLC USA. The sextoy market is growing quite rapidly in India right now. Although it is not a big trend, it is a hot topic on the internet as it is secretly expanding its market. In this article, we will focus on sextoy and introduce recommended sextoy for Indian beginners of sextoy by gender. India, the birthplace of the Kama Sutra, is very strict about sex. Also, premarital sex is basically not allowed. Therefore, there are many people who are sexually restricted. But what happens when you continue to be sexually restricted? Frustration may build up and you may end up taking your sexual stress out on your partner. If you are able to adopt sextoy in a timely manner, you can get rid of those problems. I want to have more exciting sex than Im having now. I want more variation in masturbation I want to get even stronger pleasure than I do on my own. If you have any of these problems, please stay with me until the end. What is sex toys for Indian? Sextoy, as the name implies, is a toy used during sex and masturbation. It is a generic term for vibrators, Egg-vibrators, Electric massagers, dildo, handcuffs and condoms. They are used to make regular sex more exciting or to make masturbation more pleasurable. Because sextoy is very stimulating, it can help you to get rid of the problems and frustrations of being in a rut of sex with your partner for a long time, or if you are unhappy with the lack of pleasure in sex with your partner. The ability to satisfy your desires with movement, texture, and size, which cannot be done by a normal human being, can help you to be satisfied with sex and, as a result, improve your relationship with your partner. It is also said to help improve sexual dysfunction (inability to get an erection or ejaculate) and difficulty in feeling during sex (insensitivity), which is attracting more attention than in the past. In recent years, the demand for sextoy has increased due to the spread of smartphones and the Internet and the increasing number of people using online shopping. Even those who are concerned about the appearance of sextoy (and find it difficult to purchase) can now easily obtain it by using mail order. In the case of online shopping, most of the stores have taken steps to ensure that the contents of the products delivered to you are not revealed, so you can purchase them without your family members knowing. Until a while ago, you had to go to the store where the adult goods were sold to buy them, so it was quite a hurdle to overcome. Also, many people may have an image that sextoy is somehow embarrassing to own. But nowadays, some of them are so stylish and cute that you cant believe they are sextoy at a glance. More and more people are using them for travel and outdoor use because they are not too bulky and are suitable for carrying around. Sextoy situation in India Before introducing the recommended sextoy for Indians, lets talk about one of the sextoy situations in India in recent years. In India, due to the high concentration of population, the following six cities have particularly high sales of sextoy in India. Mumbai Kolkata Bangalore Delhi Chennai Hyderabad These cities account for roughly 70 percent of sextoy sales in India. In the future, the percentage of sextoy use will gradually increase in other cities in India as well. If you never talk about sextoy publicly, that girl in your neighborhood might be a sextoy user too. If you are interested in sextoy, you dont have to suppress your desire for it. What are Sextoys for beginner? Among all sextoys, sextoy for beginners are vibrators, dildo, masturbators, Sex Lubricants, and condoms. Sex Lubricants and condoms, which are familiar to people who have had sex, are also a great beginners sextoy. I will explain the details of each toy later, but there are many sextoy products that are painful to use and can only be used after some anal expansion. I assume that the Indian readers of this article are people who have not had much experience with sextoy. If such people use professional sextoy suddenly, they are at risk of injury or trauma. Therefore, to introduce sextoy, you need to start with a beginners version and gradually become familiar with it. Advantages of using sextoy for Indians There are three advantages of using sextoy for Indians You can masturbate in a wide variety of ways. Can have stimulating sex Can develop new sexual zones If you try to masturbate with your own fingers or hands, it tends to be a pattern. However, with sextoy, you can easily masturbate in a variety of ways. You will definitely be fascinated by the attraction of new stimulation. Also, your daily sex life will be more exciting than ever. There are many things in sextoy that are visually stimulating and give you a strong and intense feeling of pleasure. This allows you to see your partners promiscuity in a way that you wouldnt normally see it. When you are in a relationship, sex with your partner may become a pattern, but it can also eliminate these problems. It can also lead to the development of new sexual zones (which is the training of sexual stimulation to allow you to feel orgasms). For more information on the development of new sexual zones, see the following articles [Women's Erogenous Zone]How to find and develop, 7 hidden sexual zones !![In India] In this issue, we will dissect the female erogenous zone! ..." Many of you may be like that. Men, in particular, shou... Thus, the use of sextoy can only be a good thing for the men and women of India. Sextoy for beginner men in India So, lets continue with the recommended goods for Indian sextoy beginners. For ease of understanding, we will introduce them by gender. Lets start with the men! The following five goods are recommended for novice Indian sextoy men Masturbator Cock rings Love Doll Sex Lubricants Toys for the prostate Lets check each one in detail. Masturbator The masturbator is a sextoy for men that elaborately reproduces a womans vagina, mouth, and anus, and is one of the most popular sextoy products. It is used by men to masturbate, and it is popular because it provides stronger stimulation and pleasure more easily than using hands. Most are made of good quality silicone, and their softness is something that cannot be achieved with ones own hands. They can provide stronger pleasure than a real womans vagina, so be careful not to overuse them. (You wont be able to have an orgasm in a womans vagina anymore.) Again Male masturbators are a wonderful toy. I do not need any favourite timing, bothersome bargaining. You do not have to worry too much. Revolutionize your masturbation time! ! ! Made in Japan is a wonderful kinky toy.#sextoysindia #SexToyIndia #Japanhttps://t.co/4k70QGzoTP pic.twitter.com/tRVdxTKPpa SEXToys India PR (@SextoysIndia) November 12, 2018 Some of them are disposable, while others can be washed and used over and over again, so its fun to buy a few to use depending on your mood. If you want to know more about masturbator, please click here Really pleasant male masturbation and how to do it Are you in a rut with your daily masturbation routine? I'm going to show you five ways men masturbate that you might ... [For Beginners] How to choose and use a male masturbator without fail Gentlemen.Have you ever used a masturbator? The person who sees this article is probably the one who has not experien... Cock Ring A cock ring is literally a ring-shaped sextoy that is worn on a mans penis. It maintains an erection by binding the penis with a ring of rubber and blocking blood flow. It is sometimes used as an accessory to be worn on the penis, and may be made of metal or plastic as well as rubber. In some cases, cock rings have parts or vibrators attached to them that stimulate the vagina, so they kill two birds with one stone, giving a woman pleasure while maintaining an erection. Cock rings are also sometimes used to treat erectile dysfunction. It can help with erectile dysfunction, where the penis doesnt get hard when you get an erection or doesnt last long when you try to insert it. Men who are prone to breakage or who are unsure of the hardness and size of their erections can use a cock ring to increase the size of their penis and maintain an erection for a longer period of time. Cock rings vary in price from around RS700 to over RS2000 with a vibrator function. Some of them do not fit your penis, so you should check the size of the cock ring before you buy. You should know the size of your partners or your own penis when it is erect. [Penis enlargement] What is a cock ring? Types and usage Cock rings can make your penis bigger and harder. It also makes sex with women more fulfilling and increases your sat... Love Doll Love dolls, also known as Dutchwives, are dolls with the appearance of a woman who can experience simulated sex. There are dolls that look like a woman, but they have no face and only have their breasts and lower torso cut off, and some dolls are so realistic that they can actually be mistaken for real women. Some expensive dolls can cost more than 1 million yen, and the quality of the doll is easily influenced by the price. The higher the price, the higher the quality of the doll will be, the closer it will be to the real woman, and the cheaper the doll will be, the less elaborate it will be, making it look like a real doll! Something is wrong! That is also true. You cant go wrong if you choose a balance between price and taste. There are stores that allow you to make custom-made love dolls, so you can create a girl of your choice. You can make a girl of your choice. You can start with inexpensive love dolls at first, and once you get used to it, you can try custom-made love dolls. If you want to know more about Love doll, please click here Thorough explanation of the charm of sex dolls! Have you ever heard of sex dolls that are used primarily for pseudo-sex purposes? It is a doll that is quite close to... Sex lubricants Sex lubricants are used as a substitute for lubricating fluid during sex or as a lubricant for men to use masturbator rules. It is not uncommon for women to have difficulty getting wet, depending on their physical condition, or to have difficulty getting wet due to their constitution. Forcing the penis into the vagina at such times can cause painful intercourse. There are various types of Sex Lubricants, some with a warming effect, some with a cooling effect, and some with a scent. Changing the Sex Lubricant used during play is recommended as a good sex accent. If you want to learn more about Sex Lubricants, click here. What is sex lubricant?Explain the difference and usage of each ingredient The word "sex toy" may seem like a hurdle to overcome, but lotion is actually one of the most familiar sex toys. Many... Toys for the Prostate Another sextoy for men is prostate toys. The most famous prostate toys include Enemagra, which was originally a prostate massager developed by an American urologist to treat an enlarged prostate line. Modern prostate toys are imitations of Enemagra that have spread as sextoy for men. Many people think of prostate toys as being used by gay men, but in fact they are often used by straight men. What is the prostate? The prostate is an organ found only in men. It is a walnut-sized organ located deep in the pelvis, just below the bladder, and its primary role is to protect and nourish sperm. You cannot touch the prostate gland from outside the body, but you can touch it by inserting a finger or sextoy through the anus. By inserting a finger or sextoy through the anus and touching the prostate and developing it, you can feel intense orgasms. Orgasms felt in the prostate are mainly dry orgasms, which are orgasms that do not involve ejaculation. (You can also feel orgasms with ejaculation through prostate stimulation.) The prostate is called the male G-spot, and dry orgasms can be much more intense than ejaculation. Therefore, men who are able to develop a prostate can become addicted to the pleasure. sextoy for beinner women in India The following are the recommended goods for Indian women who are new to sextoy. The following three are recommended for use by women who are new to sextoy. Vibrator. Dildo Electric Masserger Lets check out what each one is in detail. If you want to check out womens toys, click here. [BEST25]Sex Toys for Women in IndiaThat Can Help You Have an Orgasm There are many women who pretend to feel orgasm during sex. But don't worry, you don't have to pretend to feel orgasm... Vibrators A vibrator is a sextoy that vibrates with an Egg-Vibrator to provide stimulation and is often referred to simply as a vibrator. Some vibrate as well as rotate, and there are many variations of sextoy. It is quite a popular sextoy, and is well recognized by people who do not know much about sextoy. Its usage is similar to that of a massager, but it is more compact and easier to carry than a massager, and many of them look as cute as a lipstick or a macaroon, so they are popular among women. For a while, a famous influencer on twitter said, This is good! You may have heard of the topic of this article by introducing the recommended vibrators. Vibrators are great for women to use on their own, but they are also recommended for men who have difficulty satisfying women with sex. Since it is powered by electricity, it is far less tiring than moving your hands by yourself. This makes it easier to satisfy a woman with sex because you can caress her for longer than usual. Vibrators are mainly used on the female side, but they can also be used on men. When used on men, they are used to attack the nipples and glans, and in both cases it is recommended to wear a condom for hygiene reasons. Introducing how to use the vibrator, its purpose, and how to choose it! Vibrator uses the vibrations caused by the rotation of the motor to provide stimulation. It is one or two of the most... Dildo A dildo is a model sextoy made to mimic a male penis. It can be made of silicone, elastomer (think of it as a material similar to PVC), metal or glass. A dildo can be used by a man for his female partner during sex, or by a woman for masturbation to get pleasure from it. They are mainly inserted into women, but some can be used in the male anus as well. It is sometimes used synonymously with vibrators, but the vibrator is not the same thing as a vibrating device. A model of a penis that does not vibrate is a dildo. Some of them have suction cups that can be attached to the floor or wall so that you can enjoy realistic masturbation without using your hands. For fun, there is a dildo made in the shape of your partners penis. This one is also popular as a gift, and if youve been together for a long time and are having trouble finding a gift for your partner, you might want to pick one. To learn more about dildo, please click here. What is Dildo: Orgasms with Dildos for Men and Women A dildo is a model of a male organ that is used by women for masturbation and by men to stimulate the prostate gland. Th... Electric Masserger A Electric Masserger is a hand-held electric massager, also known as a handheld massager, and can usually be purchased at electronics stores. It was originally designed to relieve stiff shoulders and back pain, so the hurdle of buying one in a physical store is quite low. Many people may have seen or used it in some form or another, as it is often installed in leisure hotels. Such a massager is highly recommended for beginners because it is easy for women to get pleasure from it when they use it during masturbation. It is larger than Egg-Vibrator and vibrations are stronger than those of Egg-Vibrators and vibrators, so even just hitting the clitoris can give you a great deal of pleasure. For those women who have never had an orgasm during sex with their man, the massager may be a good way to get a feel for what it feels like to have an orgasm. It looks and feels like an electric massager, so you wont have to feel awkward if your roommate finds out. If you are in a rut of having sex with your partner, if you want to feel an orgasm through masturbation, or if you are thinking of using a sextoy, why dont you try it from a simple massager? To learn more about Electric Masserger, click here. What is a massager? Introducing types, selection methods, and usage Originally, the Magic-wand vibrator and the massage machine were sold as a home massage machine used for the back and th... How to choose a sextoy for Indian Now that weve covered the different types of sextoy, heres how to choose one. Especially if you are trying sextoy for the first time, pay attention to the following three points: Does the size fit you (the partner)? Does the size fit you (your partner)? Is the environment able to produce sound without problems? Price range First of all, the choice of size is quite important. Most sextoy are used against or inserted into the genitals, but the genitals are very delicate organs for both men and women. For this reason, using an inappropriate size may cause damage. Secondly, the environment should be able to produce sound without problems. Some sextoys not only wear, but also rotate and vibrate. Its easier to get pleasure from something that moves than something that doesnt, but the fact that it moves means that the internal rotors make some noise. If you live in a house with thin walls or if you have roommates, you may not be able to concentrate because of the noise, so it is best to choose one that is silent or has a low noise level. Especially in India, where many people live with their families, it is very important that you dont have to worry about sound when you use it. Finally, there is the price range. The price range of sextoy ranges widely, from around RS500 at the cheapest to RS10,000 or more at the highest. Its good to consider how much money you can afford and how much you want to buy. Do you want your family to not find out about sextoy? I live with my family and want to use sextoy without them finding out! If you are a man, you should buy a camouflage sextoy that does not look like a sextoy at first glance. For men, there are many masturbators that do not look like a sextoy, and for women, there are vibrators that only look like cosmetics. If you choose such a type, youll be safe in case your family members find out. How to buy sextoys in India The best way to purchase sextoy is through online shopping. For more information on how to purchase sextoy, please see the article below. Sextoy is one of them. Therefore, you can easily get sextoy in India by using online shopping. SexToysINDIA is a long established and stable sextoy store and you can have sextoy delivered to any place in India. They also offer cash on delivery, so those who are worried about shopping with a credit card do not have to worry. Of course, the latest security is in place, so your information will not be taken out when you use your credit card. To begin with, many people may be concerned about whether they are legally allowed to purchase sextoy. ikmAs it turns out, its not illegal. Right now, it is not open to the public because the Indian adult market is still in the development stage, but it will gradually spread from now on. Take advantage of sextoy and open the door to new pleasures and culture. Cautions for Indians using sextoy When using sextoy, keep the following three things in mind Keep sex toys clean Watch out for electrical leakage Beware of the heat generated by the body while using a sex toy As I mentioned earlier, many sextoy products are used for the delicate zone. Therefore, it is most important to keep the sextoy itself clean. It is very important to keep the sextoy itself clean, because if a slight scratch is created by friction, bacteria can enter and breed there. It is safe to wear a condom when using the masturbator, just in case. In addition, many sextoy devices are powered by a power source, so if they are not waterproof, there is a possibility of electric shock or malfunction due to wetness. Some may even develop heat during continuous use. If the fever becomes too much, you may get burned, so be careful. If you get a fever during use, stop driving the sextoy immediately and refrain from using it. You will enjoy sex more if you keep it safe and use it correctly. Summary What did you think? In this article, we have introduced the recommended sextoy for the beginners of sextoy in India. The sextoy market is growing rapidly in India and it will continue to grow steadily in the future. As India is a rather closed-minded country, it can be difficult to be open about ones sexual habits and values. However, being faithful to ones desires by properly dissolving ones sexual desire is very effective for ones physical and mental health. If this is your first time to learn about sextoy, or if you are interested in using sextoy, why not give it a try? Indian Sextoys for ur best! will introduce you to sextoy and other trivia about sextoy, sexuality, and sexuality for men and women. I want to read more! If you think its a great idea, please bookmark it. The mayor of the Municipality of Killarney-Turtle Mountain is calling on Manitobas finance minister to apologize for criticizing other levels of government for raising taxes in their jurisdictions. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 9/3/2019 (1005 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Advertisement Advertise With Us Municipality of Killarney-Turtle Mountain Mayor Rick Pauls is taking issue with Finance Minister Scott Fielding's budget day speech. (File) The mayor of the Municipality of Killarney-Turtle Mountain is calling on Manitobas finance minister to apologize for criticizing other levels of government for raising taxes in their jurisdictions. "He owes every single municipal government in this province an apology for that; this is not right, for one level of government to say, in essence, Were doing a good job saving your money, but your municipal governments arent. Thats an insult," said Rick Pauls. Pauls takes issue with a statement in Scott Fieldings budget speech Thursday where he says the provincial government is the only level of government saving Manitobans money. The speech reads: "While others are taking more money off kitchen tables all over the province with higher municipal property taxes, higher Hydro rates and higher federal deficits our PC government is cutting the PST, leaving that money where it belongs." A spokesperson for Fielding referred requests for comment to the Department of Indigenous and Municipal Relations. A spokesperson for Municipal Relations said in a statement the PST cut would result in significant savings for Manitoba municipalities. "Manitoba has undertaken substantial work to streamline operations in the province ...," the spokesperson said. "There is one taxpayer; it is incumbent on municipalities to also look internally to find savings, and not look to increase taxes." The spokesperson also said Thursdays budges increases core operating funding for municipalities. "The increase demonstrates continued efforts by our government to further streamline grant funding provided to municipalities, reduce red tape and enhance the flexibility given to local governments." According to a summary of expenditures in the 2019 budget and budget papers document, the Department of Municipal Relations budget dropped by $1 million between this year and last years budget, to $366 million from $367 million. A line titled "Financial Assistance to Municipalities" remained constant at $314 million between the two years. Pauls said municipalities have no choice but to raise property taxes each year as that is their biggest source of revenue. "The problem is, we cant hide those increases in anything because we only have one form of taxation, so we cant hide a little bit of an increase to the provincial sales tax by adding it on here and there." Pauls also takes issue with municipalities being charged the provincial sales tax on purchases. While the tax cut will save money, he said, the Municipality of Killarney-Turtle Mountain spent $680,000 on provincial tax while building a recreation facility in the community. Joe Masi, executive director of the Association of Manitoba Municipalities, said he wouldnt comment on what Pauls said, but said the provincial budget made some positive changes, despite some aspects lacking for cities and towns. Funding for roads and bridges was one positive, he said. "Whenever we get a partnership with the government on 50 per cent for municipal roads thats a good partnership, and that helps municipalities with their tax base." While the PST cut is a positive thing for municipalities, Masi said the AMM would still like to see that particular tax eliminated for cities and towns when buying things. "Its really up to municipalities to decide if they want to raise or lower their taxes," Masi said. "Municipalities have a very difficult situation at the end of their budget process to raise or lower taxes, but thats their decision to make so we fully understand the concerns that municipalities have." dmay@brandonsun.com Twitter: @DrewMay_ CALGARY - Canada's two largest railways are appealing Transport Minister Marc Garneau's order requiring railways to immediately use handbrakes on all trains stopped on mountain slopes following a deadly derailment in the Rocky Mountains. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 8/3/2019 (1006 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. A train derailment is shown near Field, B.C., Monday, Feb. 4, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh CALGARY - Canada's two largest railways are appealing Transport Minister Marc Garneau's order requiring railways to immediately use handbrakes on all trains stopped on mountain slopes following a deadly derailment in the Rocky Mountains. Canadian Pacific Railway's chief executive says the company is focused on safety, but the application of handbrakes introduces additional risks and will have unintended consequences. In a news release, Keith Creel says safer options are available, adding "we must get this right." The Calgary-based railway says it will comply with the ministerial order throughout the appeals process, including a review by the Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada. Canadian National Railway also says it is filing a review. "CN has complied with this order since it came into force, but is of the view that alternative solutions are available that will more adequately address the safety objectives and the realities on the ground," spokesman Alexandre Boule wrote in an email. Three CP Rail employees were killed in early February after a Vancouver-bound train that was parked for two hours with its air brakes engaged started moving on its own and sped up to well over the limit before 99 cars and two locomotives hurtled off the tracks. Companies in this story: (TSX:CP, TSX:CNR) MONTREAL - The past two years have not been easy for Quebec's three major police forces, whose officers have been working in a climate of suspicion, scandal and now an allegation of criminal wrongdoing at the highest level. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 9/3/2019 (1005 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. MONTREAL - The past two years have not been easy for Quebec's three major police forces, whose officers have been working in a climate of suspicion, scandal and now an allegation of criminal wrongdoing at the highest level. Internecine rivalries have divided the Montreal police. Provincial police officers were accused of abusing Indigenous women in the northwestern city of Val-d'Or. And the anti-corruption unit, known as UPAC, has suffered from low morale, recruiting difficulties and a string of embarrassing and damaging leaks to the press. The past two years have not been easy for Quebec's three major police forces, whose officers have been working in a climate of suspicion, scandal and now an allegation of criminal wrongdoing at the highest level. Martin Prud'homme, newly-appointed interim chief of police in Montreal smiles after he was decorated Officer of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces at the Citadelle in Quebec City on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot And this week, provincial police chief Martin Prud'homme was suspended pending the results of an investigation into an allegation he committed criminal offences. Criminologist Maria Mourani, a former Bloc Quebecois MP from Montreal, said it is hard to assess whether Quebecers have begun losing confidence in their police forces. "Every organization has its issues," she said in a recent interview. But that fact the public is aware of the many problems is a sign democracy is working, Mourani added. "If there was serious rot or a major crisis in the police, then I'm not sure if we would even know about it, because it would be endemic, and there would be a code of silence and it would continue." Prud'homme had just returned to the Surete du Quebec after spending a year as interim chief of the Montreal police, dispatched to set things straight following the suspension of Philippe Pichet. Pichet's suspension as chief followed reports the force's internal investigations unit had exaggerated or fabricated evidence against officers and helped created a climate of vengeance and mistrust. On Friday, Public Security Minister Genevieve Guilbault told reporters if Prud'homme is cleared of wrongdoing, he will be able to return to his role. But she has so far given no details about the allegation against him. Several Quebec media have reported his suspension was connected to an investigation into leaks to journalists in 2017 about a highly sensitive UPAC probe of the Quebec Liberals and former premier Jean Charest. Media have reported that two former UPAC officers who were involved in the unit's internal investigation into the source of the leaks and have since returned to the provincial police have been assigned to desk duties. The investigation into Prud'homme is being conducted by Quebec's police watchdog, the Bureau des enquetes independantes. That bureau was also given a mandate in October 2018 by the provincial government to investigate the UPAC leaks. Guilbault said the allegations against Prud'homme who has not been arrested or charged with a crime are "delicate and complex." She said the government had to "act quickly and in order to protect the integrity of the institution that is the Surete du Quebec and citizens' trust in their institutions." Francois Dore, a retired Quebec provincial police officer who also worked for Interpol, said people expect more from their police forces than they did when he started working in law enforcement in the late 1970s. "I don't think there is a lack of confidence," he said in an interview this week. "What reassures me is that people are asking more questions. They want to know what's going on." In recent years, however, Quebecers have not received a lot of answers. Much of the current uncertainty can be traced to a 2017 Quebecor media expose of documents related to a UPAC investigation of Charest and former Liberal party treasurer, Marc Bibeau. The leak revealed UPAC had put Charest and Bibeau under surveillance as part of their probe dubbed "Machurer," which looked into suspected illegal party financing. Charest's personal finances, passport information and details of his trips across the U.S. border had all been collected by investigators, and the information was obtained by Quebecor. Neither Charest nor Bibeau has been charged. Dore said what remains unclear is whether the documents were leaked to help push the investigation forward, or to protect Charest and Bibeau. Former UPAC head Robert Lafreniere vowed in 2017 to catch the "bandit" responsible for the leak. In October 2017, Guy Ouellette, a Liberal member of the legislature at the time, was arrested by UPAC on suspicion he was involved in leaking the information about Charest and Bibeau. Ouellette, a former provincial police officer, denied the claims and was never charged. In another wrinkle to this story, Lafreniere, who had sought and received a second mandate as head of UPAC under the previous Liberal government of Philippe Couillard, quit without explanation last Oct. 1 Quebec election day. Despite the seeming turmoil afflicting the province's three main police forces, the work on the ground is still continuing, Mourani said: "I wouldn't say there is a crisis .... We can say that the police are professional." MONTREAL - A man who surrendered to police after a hostage-taking in a Quebec bank was released from hospital on Saturday and is expected to face charges, according to police. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 9/3/2019 (1005 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. MONTREAL - A man who surrendered to police after a hostage-taking in a Quebec bank was released from hospital on Saturday and is expected to face charges, according to police. Quebec provincial police said the suspect in his 50s was expected to appear in court on Saturday afternoon, where he could be charged with confinement, uttering threats and using a weapon for a dangerous purpose. The siege ended at about 1:30 a.m. when the suspect turned himself in after nearly nine hours inside the Caisse Desjardins branch in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield. He had released the four bank employees taken hostage at around 10 p.m. Friday, and they were said to be unharmed. Provincial police said the suspect was uninjured, but was taken to a hospital for evaluation before being questioned by investigators. They said the incident began when an armed man entered the branch southwest of Montreal just before closing Friday, but police did not specify what kind of weapon he had. An employee pushed the panic button alerting police at around 4:50 p.m., and police established communications with the suspect a few hours later. Sgt. Louis-Philippe Bibeau described the negotiations as calm. Demonstrators will gather in Dublin today to protest over housing, poverty and the homelessness crisis. The National Homeless and Housing Coalition is organising the event at 2pm this afternoon from three locations. Today's mobilisation will be followed by similar protests across the country. The Coalition is also planning protests in Cork on Monday evening and in Galway at a later stage. It says the total number of people in emergency accommodation in the last six years has gone up by about 180%. People Before Profit Councillor Tina McVeigh says they want to send a message to the Government to tackle the worsening crisis. "We're responding to the momentum that has been growing and caused from the various grassroots groups that we've been working with to keep the momentum going, and people want to come out onto the streets," she said. "Most importantly, they want to remind the Government that this issue isn't going away. "Instead of the Government having dealt with it, and the situation becoming better, actually over the past seven or eight years the crisis is actually deepening and deepening," she said. Hanwha Techwin, a leading global security company, has announced that one of its most advanced multi-directional cameras 'PNM-9000VQ' was awarded the Gold in 2018 Astors Homeland Security Awards. The annual Astors Awards American Security Todays prestigious security awards ceremony honours distinguished government and vendor solutions that deliver enhanced values, benefits and intelligence to users while highlighting the most advanced and progressive market security solutions of today, said a statement. Hanwha Techwins Gold award-winning PNM-9000VQ camera has four sensors in one camera with selectable re-positional 2MP/5MP lenses, making simultaneous 360 monitoring possible while eliminating any blind spots. This makes the device ideal for monitoring large areas such as bustling shopping mall entrances, lobbies and airports. While utilising four sensors, the camera requires a single IP address and one VMS license, reducing installation, service, and support cost and ultimately benefiting its users. Its powerful multi-streaming performance adds extra flexibility to route streams to multiple destinations at different resolutions. It also supports high frame-rates (60/30fps) per sensor and true 150dB WDR through the Wisenet 5 chipset integrated with Hanwha Techwins innovative core technology, enabling crystal-clear monitoring and intelligent image analysis for each channel. Additionally, WiseStream II, Hanwha Techwins unique video compression technology, dynamically controls encoding, balancing quality, and compression according to movement in the image. When combined with H.265 compression, the bandwidth efficiency can be improved by up to 75 per cent compared to current H.264 technology. By incorporating such pioneering technology into the PNM-9000VQ, it has received wide attention and acclaim from the industry associates of the world since its release last year, with the US leading the praise. A source at Hanwha Techwin said: It is truly an honour to receive such a highly-sought-after award, especially as it recognises the worlds leading security solutions using a comprehensive assessment of technical innovation, interoperability, and overall impact to the industry and went on to promise further technological enhancement in the future to build a strong position in the global video surveillance market. TradeArabia News Service Update - March 10: Sophie Mercer has been found safe and well. March 10: Gardai appeal for help in finding 15-year-old missing in Dublin Gardai are appealing for the public's help in tracing a 15-year-old girl who is missing from Ballymun in Dublin. Sophie Mercer is described as 5'4'', of thin build with long brown hair. When last seen she was wearing a black and silver top and black leggings. Anyone with information is asked to contact Ballymun Garda Station on 01 666 4400. A man in his 50s has been arrested in connection with the hijacking of a car in Co Meath earlier this week. A woman was pulled from her car by two men in Enfield on Wednesday at 5.40am. A 38-year-old man who was found dead in a flat in Newry along with a woman and a teenager has been named. Police named him as him as Russell Steele, who was originally from Scotland. The bodies of 37-year-old Giselle Marimon Herrera, from Colombia, and her daughter Allison, 15, were also found at the apartment in Newry, Co Down, this week in a murder-suicide which investigators described as unspeakably tragic. Yesterday, the PSNI confirmed that Spanish-born Allison was strangled, and said there was a "strong possibility" that Giselle had also been strangled. Detectives said today that Russell Steele, Giselle's partner who lived at the address, died by hanging. Belfast Lord Mayor Deirdre Hargey said: "We are here in solidarity with their family at the loss of their lives and to say enough is enough." PSNI officers have launched a murder investigation and are not looking for anybody else. Police received post-mortem examination results yesterday. Officers went to the flat in Glin Ree Court, close to the city centre, after a relative reported concerns that they had not been in contact with a family member for days. Their bodies were discovered at about 11am on Thursday after police forced entry. Hundreds of Women's Day demonstrators in Northern Ireland have remembered Giselle and Allison today, with two protesters holding a placard which read: "Their names are Giselle and Allison." Two unnamed protestors hold up a placard remembering Allison Marimon-Herrera and her mother Giselle. Photo: Michael McHugh/PA. An organiser of today's march in Belfast said: "We will not be silent over violence against women. Let's have a minute's noise instead of a minute's silence. Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy said it was an "unspeakable tragedy". Ms Marimon-Herrera moved from Colombia to Northern Ireland four years ago. She worked in the Newry area. Her daughter Allison was born in Spain and has lived in Northern Ireland since 2017. She attended Newry High School. Mr Murphy added: "I believe that Giselle and Allison were still alive in the early hours of Sunday morning but family members have not been able to contact them since." PA & Digital Desk Former County Mayor Seamus McGrath has dramatically quit the race to become Fianna Fails European Parliament candidate in Cork, clearing the path for Cork North Central TD Billy Kelleher to run for Europe. The decision will cause ripples within Fianna Fail, with party leader Micheal Martin indicating that he would prefer if Mr Kelleher did not run for Europe in order to protect his Dail seat and avoid a Cork North Central by-election. A European selection convention was due to take place next weekend, with Mr McGrath set to go up against Mr Kelleher and party member Jason Fitzgerald to become the Cork-based candidate in the Ireland South constituency. Mr McGrath and Mr Kelleher were the clear front-runners for the spot, with the winner an odds-on favourite to claim the seat vacated by outgoing MEP Brian Crowley. However, citing family reasons for the decision to end his Euro campaign, the poll-topping Carrigaline councillor said he now will focus on the local elections in May instead. Speaking to The Echo, Mr McGrath said: I have reflected very carefully on my position in the last week or so and I have reached the very difficult decision not to proceed with my nomination at this time. I have made this decision for family reasons. Being an MEP would be an enormous honour, but it also comes with a huge impact on family life. My wife and I have two very young children and I have genuinely struggled from the outset on this issue. My decision is not a political one, it is a personal one. I want to sincerely thank all the members who have given me their support. This has been an agonising decision to make, but life requires such decisions. This is not my time and I very much look forward to getting stuck into my local election campaign now and continuing the work I do at a local level, which I genuinely enjoy. Party leader Micheal Martin had publicly stated that he needed Billy Kelleher to stay in his Cork North Central Dail seat for Fianna Fail to have a chance of winning two seats at the next general election. When asked about Mr Kellehers run for Europe, Mr Martin told The Echo recently: I did point out the reality as I saw it, that it created difficulty for is Cork North Central, because Billy is a poll-topper. This story originally appeared in the Echo. A search is underway in Co Mayo for a man who went out on a boat on Lough Mask yesterday. The man, who is in his late 70s, failed to return to shore in the Cushlough area of Claremorris. Talks are taking place between nursing unions and the Government this evening at the Workplace Relations Commission. It is aimed at reaching an agreement over new contracts for nurses and midwives, following last month's Labour Court recommendation. A third anti-abortion protest has been held at a health clinic which has been subjected to nuisance calls and intimidating letters which has resulted in gardai investigating. The Health Clinic, located in Graiguenamanagh, Co Kilkenny is so far providing the only termination services in the adjoining counties of Carlow and Kilkenny. Today the group, also protested outside the Cistercian Abbey and close to the Clinic entrance for three and a half hours. A local parish priest has had to move them away from the Church as Mass-goers were entering. They have picketed once a month since legislation making abortion services legal in Ireland was signed into law at the end of December by President Michael D Higgins. The anti-abortion protestors were holding signs with slogans such as Say no to Abortion in Graiguenamanagh and Doctors save lives not end them and Smile Your Mum Choose Life. It comes as legislation creating exclusion zones around healthcare facilities providing abortion is expected to be ready by June. It is understood the protest outside the clinic, which is located beside a library, caused a lot of upset again to children using the facilities with many adults condemning the move by pro-lifers. The highly respected Clinic, which has two GPs working there, received several nuisance calls in January, which caused upset to staff. It is understood that an intimidating letter was also sent to practice and has since been given to the gardai. Officers continue to investigate the phone-calls made to the Clinic. It is believed that ongoing issues in setting up the service in St Lukes General Hospital in Kilkenny are delaying the implementation of abortion services to the wider areas of Carlow, Kilkenny, Tipperary and Laois. More than 600,000 people live in the south-east of the country. Of the 3,500 GPs in the country, with just 10% having signed up to provide the services. A third of GPs in Ireland are women. The protests continue to renew calls for the introduction of exclusion zones to prevent women from seeking terminations from facing protests when accessing services. Minister for Health Simon Harris Minister for Health Simon Harris has promised to introduce legislation for such zones The Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act allows for terminations of pregnancy of up to 12 weeks, also providing for terminations where there is a risk to the life or a serious risk to the health of the pregnant woman. GPs provide the service up to nine weeks of a pregnancy, after that time a woman will be referred to a hospital for the other three remaining weeks. In response, a Kilkenny pro-choice group, Kilkenny for Choice issued a statement saying, Pregnant people need support and privacy, not intimidation and harassment. (We need) safe zones now. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar will raise the issue of equality of opportunity for women with US president Donald Trump during a White House meeting next week. An open invitation to Mr Trump and US vice president Mike Pence to visit Ireland also remains in place, Mr Varadkar confirmed yesterday. The Taoiseach is scheduled to make the traditional St Patricks week visit to Washington DC and the White House, with the meeting to take place next Thursday. The pair are expected to discuss economic co-operation, Brexit, and other issues. Both leaders will also discuss the Good Friday Agreement. A statement from the White House this week said Mr Trump and Mr Varadkar would look at ways of enhancing economic and people-to-people ties, and discuss maintaining the progress achieved by the Good Friday Agreement. Mr Trump is expected to be asked about the issue of extending E-3 visas to Irish citizens, a measure voted down in the US Senate last year. Mr Varadkar will also visit Chicago and attend a number of public events there, including some with the Irish diaspora. When pressed yesterday on whether he would take the Governments message of equality for women to Mr Trump, the Taoiseach confirmed that he intended to raise it as an issue. The meeting with President Trump is quite short and Im always keen to get as many items on the agenda as possible, Mr Varadkar said. Time is short and that makes it difficult. But I hope to have the opportunity to raise with him general issues around equality and equality of opportunity relating to women, but not just women. I think one of the things that made America great is the fact that America is one of the leaders in the world, in terms of equality, in terms of judging people by the content of their character, not by the colour of their skin or gender. It is where Stonewall [protests] started 50 years ago, it is where so much of the womens rights movements were born. It is where black people refused to sit in the back of the bus. To me, one of the things that makes America great is its commitment to individual liberty and freedom. So I might have an opportunity to share that perspective with him [Mr Trump] again in the White House. The Taoiseach also confirmed an open invitation to Mr Trump and Mr Pence to visit Ireland remained. There would be a standing invitation to the US president and vice president to visit Ireland and that invitation stands, he said. Asked whether his partner Matt would accompany him on the visit, Mr Varadkar said a decision had not yet been made. A Status Yellow snow-ice warning for all counties will take effect across the country from tonight. Met Eireann issued the warning this morning which is due to be in place from 11pm until 6am on Monday morning. Scattered thundery showers of hail, sleet and snow are expected during that time. The forecaster also warned of poor visibility, with slippery and icy conditions at times. There are also two Status Yellow marine warnings in place. Gale and small craft warnings were issued this morning, with some coastal areas set to experience strong winds. Yesterday, Met Eireann warned that a "highly mobile Atlantic regime" looks set to dominate our weather pattern through this weekend and the coming week. Forecaster Gerry Murphy said on RTE Radio One that there could be "hazardous conditions" on roads and paths. Snow-ice warning issued Area: Ireland Status: Yellow Valid: from Saturday 09th, 11 p.m., to Monday 11th, 6 a.m. https://t.co/ozrQHtoOkt pic.twitter.com/KrM7CqMrKH Met Eireann (@MetEireann) March 9, 2019 The forecast says that rain will spread up over much of the country this evening and early tonight, and will turn wintry with some falls of sleet and snow. The rain, sleet and snow will turn more showery overnight, with lows of minus 1C expected. Tomorrow will be "a cold and raw day", with a mix of rain, hail, sleet and snow. Scattered thunderstorms will also occur. The UK's Met Office has issued two yellow weather warnings for wind the first of which covers much of Northern Ireland, and will begin at 3pm on Tuesday and last until midnight. Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst said there is some wet and windy weather on the way and across Northern Ireland there could be gusts of 60mph-70mph. Ajman Free Zone has launched a new and innovative mobile app to make business management easier and faster. The newly-launched app will reduce the time and effort it takes for business owners to obtain a new licence or to renew a current licence, and to make online payments, amongst other features. The new app will assist the Ajman Free Zone business community to manage their companies via their smart mobile phones, said senior officials at the launch event held in the presence of Chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Humaid Al Nuaimi. The app boasts a number of features including new licence requests, renewal of the existing licence, notification alerts and safe payment processes, it stated. The app introduction follows the launch of a revamped and user-friendly website at the end of last year aimed at enhancing the users experience, and it forms part of a larger endeavor by Ajman Free Zone to innovate digital services. Fatma Salem, the director general of Ajman Free Zone, said: "We are very pleased to be launching the new app which will help our clients to focus on their business operations while saving a good deal of their time, energy and efforts." "We are very keen to ensure an efficient and hassle-free business environment for all our clients, enabling them to make a positive contribution to the economy of Ajman and the UAE," noted Salem. Both apps Ajman Free Zone and the Intelligent Electronic Inspection are available on iOS and AppStore platforms. Mohammed Ali Alshaya, the executive director of Technology Sector at Ajman Free Zone, said: "We are doing our best to implement all the feature technology that helps the business community to execute the required paper work in a very smooth and simple way thereby aiding efficiency." "We are committed to facilitating the business community with the very latest technology that will impact positively across all aspects of operations," he noted. At the same event, the Intelligent Electronic Inspection app was launched which will facilitate and improve the efficiency of Ajman Free Zone teams in carrying out field inspections.-TradeArabia News Service Labor's promised money would make NSW the first state aiming to fully fund government schools in line with the Gonski benchmark for the amount of money each school needs. At the Revesby launch in the must-win seat of East Hills, Labor will seek to reinforce its key election platform of "schools and hospitals before stadiums" by making a significant education promise. NSW Labor will use its campaign launch today to unveil a signature education commitment, vowing to pour $2.7 billion into public schools to end the school funding wars within a decade. Labor Leader Michael Daley will tell party faithful that his Gonski commitment will see an extra $1,500 every year for every student in NSW high public schools and more than $1,200 for every public primary school student. "At the heart of the Gonski school funding recommendations is that every child has access to the best possible education, and if I become premier I will make this happen," Mr Daley will say. Under deals struck last year, the shared state-federal ambition is to fund NSW public schools at 95 per cent of the schooling resource standard (SRS) by 2027. There is no plan for the extra five per cent. Private schools will be at 100 per cent four years earlier. Labor said an extra $2.7 billion investment would bring NSW public schools to 100 per cent of SRS by 2027. The extra money could be spent on more teachers, specialist programs or more counsellors, Mr Daley said. No time to waste? Six highlights. Toxic City? Symposium: Cities might be the engine of climate change but they might also offer its salvation. Local and international experts including Daan Roosegaarde, Joost Bakker and Ross Harding outline how to achieve a sustainable city. NGV International Great Hall, March 19 Craig Reucassel hosts the Victorian Design Challenge. Victorian Design Challenge: Join the ABC War on Waste's Craig Reucassel as he hosts a live design pitch to determine which designer presents the best solution to reduce, recover or eliminate waste. Chicago: A grand jury has indicted "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett on 16 counts of disorderly conduct for allegedly lying to police about being the victim of a racist and homophobic attack. The multiple counts highlight different aspects of Smollett's allegedly phony story, including claims that his attackers beat him, poured a chemical substance on him and put a rope around his neck. Jussie Smollett leaves Cook County jail in February. Credit:AP But an attorney for Smollett says the indictment was vindictive and Smollett maintains his innocence. Mark Geragos says in a statement that he did not expect a Cook County grand jury would charge Smollet with 16 separate counts and the indictment is prosecutorial overkill. Pictures of Tess from that time show her all legs and doe eyes. She won't reveal what she weighed but at 182 centimetres tall, she was terribly thin. She modelled for two years, then gave it up. "I gained 15 kilos, then I went to the Actors Studio," she says, laughing. "I knew I didn't want to model any more but I probably overdid it with the weight." Loading It was always acting that quickened Tess's pulse. She spent two years at the Actors Studio Australia in Sydney, winning roles on Home and Away and The Wolverine (2013). Her breakthrough came with Alien: Covenant and Bleeding Steel, and lead roles in the second season of Wolf Creek and the ABC spy drama Pine Gap followed. "Acting for me is so incredibly rewarding," she says. "It's not about you you are bringing it, but you are becoming someone else in a different way from modelling. It's still about image, but in a different way." There's no doubt Tess's star is on the rise. Last year, when Packed to the Rafters star Jessica Marais withdrew from the Nine Network's eight-part drama Bad Mothers, Tess stepped in. Then, in the middle of the three-month Melbourne shoot, Tess jetted off to New Zealand for two weeks for another, as-yet undisclosed role. Tess wears Paris Giorgia Mala dress, and Tiffany & Co Hardware necklace and bracelet. Credit:Steven Chee "That's what I love about this career," she says. "You have these times when you are not working and you think you're never going to work again. And then, a month later or two days later, you are on set with people you could never have imagined." Despite the anachronistic title, Bad Mothers is good television. Think Desperate Housewives or Big Little Lies with a comedic twist, set in suburban Melbourne. In an era when every event, every emotion, can be filtered to become a snappy, shareable selfie, Bad Mothers shines a light on the old adage, "Don't judge a book by its cover." "With social media you see everyone's highlight reel but you never really see what's going on behind closed doors," says Tess. "We all look at other people's lives and think, 'That would be amazing if I was doing that.' It's important to focus on yourself and what you are doing, and on your own achievements." Tess speaks from experience her own life is far from Insta-perfect. She recently split from her husband, actor Nicholas Gell, and the pair are going through a divorce. Negotiating shared parenting arrangements for daughter Juniper, now three, is difficult when both parents have high-profile careers marked by irregular travel. Christopher Esber top. Paris Georgia Isla skirt. Tiffany & Co Hardware ball wrap bracelet (worn as necklace). Credit:Steven Chee She acknowledges that this will be even more difficult as a single parent, noting that working overseas while she shot Alien: Covenant and trained for Bleeding Steel was much easier because Nicholas travelled with her and their newborn daughter. Tess also credits their extended families for helping stitch the pieces together. "You need that support, it's been a combined effort," she says. But when I ask how she'll juggle an international acting career with solo motherhood, Tess is thoughtful. "We work together to ensure that Juniper is our first priority," she says. "Nick is a wonderful father and we are both so proud of Juniper." In the pristine steel-and-white publicity room at Nine's Sydney studios, Tess radiates old-school Hollywood glamour. She has the kind of tall, angular frame that would not look out of place at an Olympic swim meet. Or, of course, an haute couture catwalk. I can't help but make comparisons with screen sirens Cate Blanchett and Katherine Hepburn. Today, Tess is wearing a puffed-sleeve '80s-style linen top and slim blue jeans. She's yawning she's been up since before dawn doing interviews and there are the tell-tale dark rings of motherhood under her eyes. She says every experience as a mother, and as a woman, goes into her acting. "I just try to feel for the character, not think about me," she says. "There are a lot of characters you play where you've never been in that situation. But we've all experienced pain and hurt and extreme happiness, and you try to put your experiences into a character and hopefully that comes through in an authentic way. "At the beginning of my career it took a while to get used to the camera. But I think about the circumstances the character is going through and what it would be like to be living through what is happening. Then you hope it translates." Christopher Esber Carmen dress. J.P. Todd boots, from Miss Louise. Tiffany & Co Hardware earrings, necklace and bracelet. Credit:Steven Chee I ask her how she deals with the competition in her industry, because while the advent of streaming means more work for actors, it also means that at nearly every casting call she is pitting herself on a global stage against thousands of other up-and-comers. As he walks, Uncle Max feels the hardness of the bare ground underfoot, pockmarked with horse hoofprints. There is no give in it, he says. The horse is much heavier than us, so when they tread on this, they are turning the taps off on the Murrumbidgee River. ACT Parks manager Brett McNamara shows how the sphagnum moss at the source of the Cotter River retains and cleans water. Credit:Justin McManus Uncle Max is referring to is the hydrology of the sphagnum bogs and the river which forks through the mountains. The wetlands house sphagnum moss that can retain water for up to seven years. Textured like a sponge, it naturally filters the water and slowly releases it down into the river systems and helps prevent the low-flow systems which favour growth of blue-green algae. Algal blooms deplete oxygen in the water, and were the major cause of the massive fish kills in the Darling River in recent months. Just across the border in Canberras Namadgi National Park, ACT Parks manager Brett McNamara and his rangers are working to control and monitor feral animals. Hes concerned an unchecked feral horse population in northern Kosciuszko will soon set up shop in Namadgis delicate alpine wetlands, which feed the Cotter River, which in turn gives the nation's capital 80 per cent of its drinking water. Im yet to meet a feral horse that can recognise a border, McNamara says. The wetlands were recently declared endangered and news that NSW park rangers removed zero horses from Kosciuszko was slammed as irresponsible by ACT Environment Minister Mick Gentleman. McNamara says as far back as the 1900s, newspapers were reporting on the plight of pastoralists pitted against the pillaging feral mobs of wild horses. Only decades after Banjo Patersons 1890 poem "The Man From Snowy River" the Sydney Morning Herald was referring to brumbies as a scourge in 1913. An alpine sphagnum bog at the source of the Cotter River in the Namadgi National Park, a fragile source of Canberra's water supply. Credit:Justin McManus Feral horses got so out of control that in the 1940s, farmers were asking to use machine guns to thin out their numbers. When Canberra was founded, one of the first laws passed was the Cotter River Act to protect the quality of the rivers water, at risk of damage by a then-strong feral horse population in Namadgi. Upholding the act was one of the first jobs of McNamaras predecessor. But pastoralists took it upon themselves to brutally cull the horses in NSW. They corralled them through V-shaped fencelines where, through the gap at the bottom of the V, they would hold out a knife and slit the horse's throat as it ran past. A far cry from the dreamy, wistful image conjured by Patersons romantic ballad - though perhaps we would do better to remember the movie, where the brumbies are rounded up and removed from the high country by the daring young stockman Jim Craig. Horses next to a headwater for the Murrumbidgee River on Currango Plain in Kosciuszko National Park. Credit:Justin McManus Protections for the horses were spearheaded by NSW deputy premier and Nationals MP John Barilaro. He holds the state seat of Monaro, an electorate that covers 22,000 square kilometres in the states south, including the Snowy Mountains. His so-called Brumby Bill passed NSW parliament in June last year and will see a new horse management plan drafted allowing only non-lethal methods to control their numbers, including re-homing. Conservative estimates currently put Kosciuszko's feral horse population, stretching from south of the ACTs borders to the Victorian border, at about 8000. The bill saw the NSW government ditch the proposed plan from its own independent reference group, which in 2016 recommended bringing horse numbers down to 600 within two decades. Loading For a time, the deputy premier lauded the cultural values of the brumby and refused to be drawn on the damage an unchecked population could cause. But Barilaros recent comments at a public forum in Jindabyne have given some hope to anti-brumby advocates. Lets get it clear, the Brumby Bill recognises the cultural connection. Thats why we have over decades, over decades, struggled to manage horse numbers in Kosciuszko, Barilaro told the forum. What it does put in place, for the first time, it got all stakeholders at the table where we all agree we need a 50 per cent reduction immediately. But when asked why NSW needed to bin the 2016 independent report and form a new scientific committee, Barilaro says they needed to organise a recount of the horse population. Damage caused by feral horses to the headwaters of the Murrumbidgee River in the Kosciuszko National Park. Credit:Justin McManus We cannot put a final number on it until we follow the process, identify the parts of the park that are suitable, and know how many horses there currently are, he says. One of the scientists who was on that independent reference group was botanist Professor Geoff Hope. He says a 50 per cent reduction would not be enough and the group agreed a population of 600 was the most sustainable. Our view was the park could tolerate a few out in the harder, lower parts, he says. While a fresh count is necessary, the count doesnt need to happen before horses are removed, he says. The higher wetlands are home to the critically endangered Northern Corroboree Frog, no bigger than a thumbnail, and the Broad-toothed Rat. Degradation of the soil caused by feral horses. Credit:Justin McManus But Hope says the biggest concern is once the wetlands and grasslands are gone, Kosciuszkos insect and invertebrate biodiversity plummets. Weve got a pretty unusual park. From a scientific perspective its also remarkable, Hope says. The horses are eating up and pugging - stomping - the riverbeds, making them wider and shallower and muddying their flow. Pascoe says that sheep are also incredibly destructive of soil. "The first Europeans found soils so friable you could run your fingers through them but after only a year of grazing by sheep, all the Aboriginal crops were gone and the soil had been beaten into a water-resistant pan. We have soft-footed animals already grazing on Australian farms, we should eat them and keep the horses to the race track and the house paddock." Just on the Victorian border, the difference between untamed Kosciuszko and paddock Kosciuszko is clear. Fenced-off sections to keep horses out are flourishing with tussock. The rest of the plain by Wombat Trail is muddy, with a brown creek running at a gurgle. But the horses have other supporters besides Barilaro. Snowy Mountains local Peter Cochran has been a passionate advocate for allowing feral horses in Kosciuszko since he entered politics in 1988. Many of the brumbies are in poor health and show signs of inbreeding. Credit:Justin McManus Now, 20 years after leaving parliament, Cochran runs horseback tours through the Snowys with the chance to see feral horses a key selling point of his packages. He and his wife made separate $5000 donations to Barilaros election campaign in 2011 but havent made donations since. Cochran is quite open about his hands-on involvement in putting together the Brumby Bill with Barilaro in 2017. Now is that a crime? Everybody has a vested interest, he says. His family has been in the Snowys for generations and he says brumbies are part of their cultural heritage. When it comes to scientists who are concerned about the impact of horses on Kosciuszko: Wouldnt trust em as far as I can kick em. When it comes to the concerns Canberra has about the future of its water supply: Bullshit. A pro-brumby activist from the Brumby Sustainability and Management Group follows the dancers to the Narjong ceremony ground. Credit:Justin McManus And the fenced-off areas to protect grasslands from horses on the Victoria-NSW border? A concocted scientific experiment. Back on the plains, Narjong performers from different parts of the river system paint up for ceremony: Ngarrindjeri from the the Murray mouth in South Australia, Barkindji from the Darling River, and Ngaran from the headwaters. A good crowd has gathered to show support for the ailing river systems, and hear the call to take responsibility for protecting country. There are also people from the Snowy Mountains Brumby Sustainability and Management Group present. They have been camped next to the Narjong campers with their horses for a few days, in something of a standoff that reflects the polarisation around this issue. The group's president, Alan Lanyon, denies the horses have had an impact on high country eco-systems, and describes this impact instead as evidence of existence. Making fire for the smoking ceremony. Credit:Justin McManus The scientists, whose studies say otherwise, are dismissed as being tied to a particular cluster of environmental groups that promote the complete removal of horses from the high country. The ceremony begins with dancers circling the corroboree ground in full voice to the percussion of clap sticks, each group and river system singing up its name - Indi(Upper Murray river), Murrumbidgee, Galari(Lachlan River), Barka (Darling River) and then they merge into the Murrundi(Murray River). The fire stick dance then follows, with the rhythmic chant of Shulumun Baba to call up the fire spirit. Author Bruce Pascoe (foreground) and other participants in the ceremony wash ochre from their bodies in the Murrumbidgee River. Credit:Justin McManus The fire makers spin their fire-making sticks with increased fervor. The chant and movement of dancers quickens, culminating in a crescendo of clap sticks as the fire sparks and takes hold. Coolaman smoking fires are then lit from the one sacred spark, and all those gathered pass through the smoke - including the brumby advocates. The smoking ritual is to encourage people to focus their energy on caring for the rivers and the landscape. "Mind the Gap" is a long-standing London Underground tube station warning now in evidence at many Australian train stations. Encountering gaps is not confined to railway platforms, of course. In community life we deal with gender gaps, generational gaps, Medicare gaps and even gap politics. There are the gaps between our expectations and how things turn out. Those latter instances can be more chasms than gaps and can affect everything from job satisfaction to personal relationships. Gap years shouldnt be overlooked. They are a rare chance for renewal between life stages but can also be a prelude to the common gap between our income and the cost of living. On a different level, while its important to take a stance on some issues, in so doing we may create gaps into which others fall. The vulnerable in our communities fall between the cracks while others around them have the influence, affluence, astuteness or education to choose their position or straddle lifes dilemmas. Members of a socially aware society know that minding the gap on behalf of others is as important as pursuing their own particular views, no matter on which side of the political, social or religious divide they may fall. The potential of Dubai-based global marine terminal operator DP World investing in new infrastructure in Kazakhstans ports and logistics sectors was the focus of recent high-level discussions held in Astana. The discussions took place between DP Worlds chairman and chief executive Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem and Kazakhstans Prime Minister Askar Mamin, said a company statement. This follows the signing of two framework agreements with the Government of Kazakhstan for Special Economic Zones (SEZ) in Aktau and Khorgos. DP World has been providing management services to the Port of Aktau, Kazakhstans main cargo and bulk terminal on the Caspian Sea, and Khorgos SEZ and Inland Container Terminal (ICD), which is strategically situated on the China-Kazakhstan border and has been acting as the primary transit point for trans-Eurasian cargo trains. DP World considers that both facilities play an important role in enhancing trade connectivity along the New Silk Route and have further actively promoted business connectivity between Kazakhstan and Dubai. Bin Sulayem said: Our expertise in developing logistics and trade enabling infrastructure will benefit tremendously from building facilities in Kazakhstan and to the needs of local businesses. We believe that the economic fundamentals of Kazakhstan are very strong, which is why look forward to continue investing there, he said. President Nursultan Nazarbayevs vision and progressive policies have laid the groundwork for linking the Far East to Europe and ensuring that the Khorgos Internal Container Depot and SEZ play a crucial role in facilitating this, he added. TradeArabia News Service I tried to start a book club once. It didnt work. We were young mums of child-bearing age and I selected Margaret Atwood's The Handmaids Tale as our first book. I was cheating, Id already read it, and loved it. But perhaps in those fertile years in our early 30s it was way too close to home. Of-husbands as we were then. We didnt even have a meeting. Everyone started the book, no one else liked it. Not that thats a prerequisite for a book club, isnt that the whole idea, to challenge and provoke and incite conversation? So we shelved the idea and just met on the occasional Tuesday for a glass of wine or three. Who can ever agree about what book to select for book club? Credit:Shutterstock Which, if were all honest, is the only reason we have book clubs and Tupperware parties, or those risque naughty adults-only versions which also include hard plastic. Not that anyone has ever invited me to one of those. Hello? Just recently my friends and I have spoken about resurrecting the whole book club thing. A proper book club where we promise to read and discuss the book. I think it has something to do with the fact that, for the most part, our children are getting older and were finding space in the back of our brains that is no longer full of information concerning the minutiae of raising small children. Were at that point too, perhaps, where we need to remind ourselves were capable of critical thought and intellectual analysis. And if you can throw in a wine and a catch-up, all the better. Police have found a 12-year-old boy who was missing since Friday afternoon safe and well. ACT Policing confirirmed they found the boy on Saturday afternoon following an extensive search. The boy was last seen at Red Hill on Friday about 3.30pm. Police wished to think the public for their assistance during the search. EDITOR'S NOTE: The High Court overturned Cardinal George Pell's conviction for historic child sex offences in a judgment handed down April 7, 2020. In a unanimous decision all seven High Court judges found Victoria's Court of Appeal should not have upheld Pell's conviction. It found the evidence could not support a guilty verdict. Between the ages of nine and 11 my husband was molested by a podiatrist who his parents had taken him to see to treat his flat feet. By the time we'd met in our 20s, he'd barely told a soul. Instead he put it into the dark corners or recesses of his brain, as the former choir boy told the jury in the case against Cardinal George Pell as to why he didn't report his abuse for years. He was in shock. William and Jeannette Oliver with Santa. Brother and sister were both sexually abused by their podiatrist, but neither told anyone until they were adults. Before my husband, William, was diagnosed with a brain tumour at the age of 31, he had told his parents about the abuse, and they were horrified and guilt-ridden. They had sat metres away in a busy waiting room, while behind closed doors the medical professional they had trusted, carried out despicable acts. The ups and downs of house prices are always in the headlines. But the profound ways those property market movements affect our everyday behaviour get far less attention. Housing is such a big expense, and so fundamental to our wellbeing, that it shapes some of our most basic choices. That includes when, and even if, we have children. Economists have found house price movements can influence the birth rate. Credit:Arsineh Houspian Researchers in several countries, including Australia, have discovered a strong correlation between house prices and birth rates. University of Sydney economists Kadir Atalay, Ang Li and Stephen Whelan have examined how changes in property values in Australia between 2001 and 2015 affected the birth rate. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size After leaving work early and riding his beloved motorbike down Bondi Road last January, Bill Springett-Kelly checked his speed after seeing a police car, making a mental note to be under the limit. He approached Wellington Street and an SUV nudged out at the busy intersection, leaving the 40-year-old in instant peril. That car is coming towards me," he thought. "I looked down and saw the bumper touching my leg ... (I'm thinking) I really need to get out of here, otherwise I'm never going to make it. I looked down and then looked ahead hoping to get away, but I didnt." Paramedics attend to Bill Springett-Kelly after his motorbike collision last year in Bondi. Credit:NSW Ambulance Then, in Bill's words "it was all over". The car smashed into him. It wasnt at high speed, but that didnt matter. People gathered around, telling him not to move. Bill doesn't remember whether he was in pain but screamed anyway. "That was the moment I looked down at my leg," the married father of two says. "I couldnt see my foot Ill never get rid of the image from my mind. Advertisement Loading "I saw two white bits sticking out from below my knee and flesh. It was very bad. My leg was hanging off and bent back the other way. By Bill's own admission he's made "somewhat of a miraculous recovery" from the crash that almost claimed his life. So its hard to think that here, 13 months on, hes talking about getting back on two wheels. The planets aligned As it happened, a paramedic and doctor - who were both off-duty - were just metres away when the collision occurred. Surgeons looking at the leg of Bill Springett-Kelly after his collision. He would spend eight weeks in hospital. Credit:Bill Springett-Kelly The paramedic, a Bondi local, was on his way to work when he stopped at a chicken shop for an early dinner. The doctor, a vascular surgeon in training, used the belt from his shorts as a tourniquet. An ambulance transporting another patient up the road serendipitously arrived soon after. Advertisement Whilst it was tragic, it was very fortunate that the planets aligned, says NSW Ambulance chief inspector Brian Parsell who arrived shortly after, describing it as "one of the more significant lower limb traumas" he had witnessed in his 30-plus years of being a paramedic. A classic combination of events occurred. He was inexplicably lucky. 'I want to get back on a motorbike Bill was admitted to hospital as an amputee - "the nurses would come in and be surprised I still had a foot" - and would spend eight weeks there. The first operation "to clean the road out" was followed by other procedures that attached two titanium rods into his leg and grafted skin from his back, spanning shoulder to waist. Bill Springett-Kelly in St Vincent's Hospital and an X-ray of his heavily swollen left leg, complete with titanium rods and screws, after the collision. Credit:Bill Springett-Kelly As for recovering back at his Darlinghurst home, the task of getting up and down the stairs just using his upper body was a brutal one. He suffered flashbacks and feelings of guilt. Advertisement "It was a great relief to me that there was dashcam footage and to find out that I hadnt done anything wrong, he says. Theres still a part of me that wonders if I could have done anything different." The driver was initially found guilty of negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm and disqualified from driving for 18 months. This was later quashed on appeal. Twelve months to the day after the incident, he returned to Bondi Beach with his wife, Ruth, to "finish the journey". Credit:Bill Springett-Kelly Bill's still shattered that his motorcycle was written off - the only thing salvaged was the number plate. "The bike became a massive part of my life and gave me the ability to let go and forget about everything," he says. "I want to get back on a motorbike. The thought of not riding again terrifies me. It feels like part of my life would be ripped away." 'I thought I was going to die' But for now, a bicycle is giving him added purpose. After participating in a three-day ride from Sydney to Wollongong and back again two years ago, Bill was planning another ride last year before his injury. Advertisement Not to be deterred, he's been training for the Tour de Cure's signature ride from Sydney on May 3, which will finish in Geelong eight days later and raise money to fight cancer. He calls it "an extraordinary and somewhat ridiculous challenge". The trip, over 1400 kilometres and taking in more than 16,000 metres of elevation, will test Bills somewhat bionic and still broken leg. Bill Springett-Kelly has been training for the Tour de Cure's signature ride from Sydney to Geelong to fight cancer. Credit:Janie Barrett He's more than halfway through his fundraising goal and hopes to "utilise my disaster to put that money to do something good, to give back". Five years ago, his father had prostate cancer, while his wifes grandfather and uncle died of cancer. It could even be harder than when he was lying on Bondi Road, he says. "It won't however be harder than having cancer and that is why I'm riding, Bill adds. He says the ride will test him and his bionic and still broken leg. Credit:Janie Barrett His short-term goals aside, hes worried about the possibility of post-traumatic stress disorder striking later on. For now, he's "not getting taken down a rabbit hole". Advertisement A Queensland man has pleaded guilty to charges relating to organising dog fights after several dogs and puppies were found with diseases, injuries and scarring while wearing heavy chains. All the dogs were taken to the RSPCA shelter and were treated for their injuries and medical conditions. Credit:RSPCA Queensland Training devices such as treadmills and chains to condition animals for dog fighting, cockfighting spurs and break sticks were discovered at the Jimboomba man's home. Joshua Baskerville, 38, pleaded guilty to 16 charges, including six relating to organised dog fighting in the Beenleigh Magistrates Court on Friday. The father of six was sentenced to three years probation and given a lifetime prohibition order so he could never own an animal again. Early morning commuters crossing King George Square may wonder why Mozart's melodies blare aggressively from speakers at the crack of dawn. The Brisbane City Council introduced the classical music to the square in the heart of the CBD in 2012 but the practice was questioned this week. A council spokeswoman said the move followed complaints about anti-social behaviour in the area. But the homeless people who take shelter under the roofed section of the square have had to learn either to live with the racket or become fans of Bach and Beethoven. A woman says she was strip-searched and interrogated for over an hour at a Sydney music festival, only to be subsequently banned from the venue despite having no drugs or alcohol in her possession, in an incident that is now being reviewed by NSW Police. Newcastle teen Lucy Moore says she was unfairly targeted by police at the Hidden music festival that took place at Sydney Olympic Park last week. Lucy Moore, 19, says she was unfairly targeted by police at the Hidden music festival in Sydney Olympic Park last week. Credit:Facebook "On Saturday about 10 minutes after I had arrived at the festival and had already been inside and walked past plenty of dogs, me and my boyfriend walked back out of the festival to collect our VIP lanyards," the 19-year-old wrote in a Facebook post. "As I was walking back to the entrance gate a police officer walked up to me and quickly told me I had been detected by the sniffer dog despite me never seeing the dog react or sit. Parents have been warned to remain vigilant after a stranger in attempted to coax children into his car near schools in Perths southern suburbs over the last week. A letter went out to parents at Melville Senior High School and Melville Primary School on Friday and detailed two separate alleged incidents currently being investigated by the school. Where the second incident is alleged to have happened. Credit:Google Maps On Wednesday, a primary school student was on their way to school when they were approached by a man in a car. Its understood the man was acting suspiciously when talking to the child, and the parent of the student reported the incident to both local police and the primary school principal. A woman has suffered serious injuries after falling from a horse at the Northam Equestrian Centre on Saturday afternoon. The RAC Rescue helicopter transported the woman from the venue to Jandakot Airport around 3pm. The RAC rescue helicopter has transported a woman after she fell from a horse. Credit:File image An ambulance has transported the woman to Royal Perth Hospital. WAtoday understands the 45-year-old fell from a horse and lost consciousness when she landed on her back. Viva Bahrain, a leading telecom services operator in the kingdom, has signed a partnership agreement with UAE telco giant Etisalat to utilise its state-of-the-art communication hub SmartHub in establishing global connectivity that will further expand Vivas reach globally. Etisalat SmartHub is a carrier grade data centre that is strategically located at Etisalat submarine cable landing in Fujairah, offering seamless regional and international connectivity. SmartHub is the ideal solution offering IX & IPX exchanges for carriers and content providers, as well as mobile network operators delivering high performance and reliability. "Viva Bahrain is honoured to sign this strategic partnership with Etisalat. Such agreements are important milestones to our global expansion strategy where we strengthen our position as a dynamic carrier with global reach," remarked Mohammed Al Khushail, the acting CEO of Viva Bahrain after inking the deal with Ali Amiri, Etisalat Group Chief Carrier & Wholesale Officer on the sidelines of Capacity Middle East 2019, the largest Middle East meeting for global carrier community. Al Khushail said this partnership will enable Viva to connect directly with tier 1 international carriers, reinforcing its global reach and international services portfolio to better serve business customers around the world. Amiri said: "Etisalat is honoured to have added yet another major telecom services operator into our expanding portfolio of customers, and we look forward to a continued long and mutually beneficial relationship with Viva Bahrain." "This partnership will add greater value to the SmartHub platform further enriching our global network and connectivity propositions," he added.-TradeArabia News Service When the Morrison government finally closed the Christmas Island detention centre last year, it became the 18th immigration detention facility proudly shuttered by the Coalition. Just a few months later, it is back open for business and is set to become a long-term feature of Australias immigration detention network once again. Detailed cost breakdowns of the $1.4 billion budgeted for the centres reopening show the Morrison government expects to hold refugees and asylum seekers there for up to four years by which time they would have spent a decade in detention. Prime Minister Scott Morrison toured the North West Point detention centre on Christmas Island on Wednesday. Credit:AAP By the year 2022-23, the Department of Home Affairs has planned on an annual expenditure of $300 million for services at the facility and a further $33 million for staffing on the island. High-profile barrister and Greens candidate Julian Burnside has been forced to terminate his 40-year membership of an exclusive men's club under the pressure of an imminent election. On Friday Mr Burnside revealed during a Sky News interview that he belonged to the Savage Club, an invitation-only gentlemen's club in Melbourne where "literary men" can bond over fine wines and a shared penchant for "the bohemian spirit". Julian Burnside said establishments such as the Savage Club were now a "relic of the past". Credit:Jason South By Saturday, following an online backlash, the refugee advocate and now Greens candidate for Kooyong promised to resign the membership, arguing same-sex only clubs were "an anachronism" and "should be made a thing of the past". "I joined the Savage Club 40 years ago as a very different person to the one I am today," Mr Burnside said in a statement. On Wednesday, Labor's spokesperson for women Tanya Plibersek announced a wide-ranging plan, that includes a move to use hospital funding agreements to "expect" states to provide abortion services in their public hospital systems . Claydon, who heads up the party's federal caucus committee on women, is over the moon about Labor's new sexual and reproductive health strategy, released last week. "I love it," she says. "It has been a long time coming." "Reproductive rights was always in the top five [issues]," the member for Newcastle says. "It didn't matter if I was in Sydney or in Alice Springs." Marie Stopes Australia says about one in four Australian women will have an abortion. It also estimates between zero and 10 per cent of surgical abortions are performed by the public hospital system, depending on the state. On top of this, only about 1500 of Australia's 35,000 GPs are registered to prescribe a medical termination (which can be done during the first nine weeks of pregnancy). As part of its strategy, Labor will review Medicare rebates around medical terminations (using the drug RU486) and help more GPs provide medical abortions. The plan will also look at increasing contraceptive pill prescriptions from one to three years and ways to increase the uptake of long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs), which are 99 per cent effective but only used by about 10 per cent of Australian women. In a 2017 speech, Plibersek said she thinks it is "pretty uncontroversial" to suggest that "every child born should be loved and wanted". But given a key plank of her new plan is to tie public hospital funding to abortions, political watchers were bracing for an outcry. Indeed, Prime Minister Scott Morrison quickly accused Labor of playing politics with abortion. "I don't find that debate one that tends to unite Australians and I certainly am not going to engage in the political elements of that discussion, because I frankly, I don't think it is good for our country," he said on Wednesday. A "crucial" metro line will be up and running before the opening of Sydney's second international airport at Badgerys Creek in 2026, the NSW and Federal government will announce on Sunday. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said her government will invest more than $2 billion over the next four years to build the North South Rail Line, which will run from St Marys to the new airport. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian. Credit:Louise Kennerley "We know the Western Sydney Airport and the aerotropolis are the future of Sydney and that is why we are making the investment now for construction on the rail line to begin in 2021," she said. "At the same time we are building the crucial road links and are investing $3.6 billion to build the new M12 motorway and upgrade existing roads including the Northern Road and Bringelly Road." Algiers: Tens of thousands of Algerians have packed central Algiers to capacity to challenge President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's 20-year-old rule in the biggest protests in the capital in 28 years. The demonstrations, the latest in two weeks of rallies across the country against the veteran leader, were mostly peaceful, but police in the evening stepped up their use of tear gas to block the road to the presidential palace. They also used it in several other areas of the capital. Algerian lawyers demonstrate with a national flag outside the constitutional council in a protest against President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. Credit:AP Security forces detained 195 people, state television said, citing offences such as looting. It added 112 policemen had been injured. Unidentified people broke into a primary school and the nearby national museum, stealing some ancient items and burning parts of the building, state TV and Ennahar TV said. The ailing Bouteflika, 82, is in hospital in Geneva and has rarely been seen in public since suffering a stroke in 2013. London: British Home Secretary Sajid Javid faced criticism on Saturday after the death of a UK teenager's baby in a Syrian camp. Shamima Begum, who had left London as a 15-year-old in 2015 to join the Islamic State group, had pleaded with British authorities before her baby was born to let her return to the UK to raise the child. But Javid revoked her passport, saying Begum hadn't shown any remorse. The father of a British teenager Shamima Begum who ran away to join the Islamic State group in Syria, speaks during an interview on Tuesday. Credit:AP The baby died on Friday. Begum's family said the boy appeared to be in good health when he was born on February 17. No clear cause of death has yet been given, but reports suggest he was having respiratory problems. The firm, SNC-Lavalin, was accused of paying bribes to get Libyan government contracts. The deal would have allowed the firm to avoid criminal conviction. If convicted, the firm would have been banned from receiving federal contracts for a decade. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is in a political pickle. Trudeau and his team are accused of pressuring Canada's first Indigenous attorney-general, Jody Wilson-Raybould, to make a deal with a Quebec-based engineering firm, and of demoting her when she refused. Jane Philpott, another senior member of team Trudeau, resigned last Monday. Gerald Butts, a top Trudeau aide, resigned last week, and he delivered testimony on Wednesday denying he inappropriately pressured Wilson-Raybould. Gerald Butts gave testimoney to the justice committee this week. Credit:Bloomberg Butts, who resigned as Trudeau's principal private secretary on February 18, said he had had one short conversation on December 5 with Wilson-Raybould about SNC-Lavalin."I am firmly convinced that nothing happened here beyond the normal operations of government," Butts told the Canadian House of Commons justice committee. At a press conference on Thursday, Trudeau denied interfering in Canada's judicial system, and offered no apology, asserting only that lessons had been learned, Reuters reported. "There was never any inappropriate pressure," Trudeau said. "As we look back over the past weeks, there are many lessons to be learned and many things we would have liked to have done differently," he said, adding he should have been aware Wilson-Raybould was unhappy. The whole story is particularly scandalous because Trudeau, elected in 2015, was a media darling for years, perceived as a champion of women and Indigenous rights. Though this is arguably the first time Trudeau's golden boy status has been tarnished, the shine had faded a few times before. Below, a look at Trudeau's previous - albeit far lower stakes - scandals. Washington: Trump administration officials have not made any new plans to send a team to China for face-to-face trade talks although there is much work left to be done to reach a deal, White House trade adviser Clete Willems said on Friday. "We're talking to them (Chinese officials) every day, but no one's got any trip plans," Willems told reporters. Trump: No deal on trade with China. Yet. Credit:AP When asked about the prospect for future face-to-face meetings, he said: "Maybe. But there are no plans right now." US Ambassador to China Terry Branstad said on Friday that Washington and Beijing have yet to set a date for Trump to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, a sign that neither side sees a deal as imminent. Newark: Authorities say passengers on a plane were evacuated by slides after an emergency landing at a New York airport. The Federal Aviation Administration says Air Transat Flight 942 was on its way from Montreal to Fort Lauderdale, Florida when it reported a possible fire in the cargo hold and was diverted to Newark Liberty International Airport at 8:30am on Saturday. The Boeing 737 landed and remained on the runway while airport firefighters responded, and passengers were evacuated on the runway via emergency slides. There were no immediate reports of any injuries. The airport closed its runways after fears of a possible fire but had reopened by 10am. In the wake of Butts' testimony, Trudeau himself spoke directly about the controversy that has consumed the country for the past month, saying that there had been a breakdown in trust and communication but that he had done nothing wrong. Bluntly asked by a reporter in the packed national press gallery in Ottawa if he was apologising, he said no though indirectly. "In regards to standing up for jobs and defending the integrity of law, I continue to say that there was no inappropriate pressure," he said. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau leaves his office with then principal secretary Gerald Butts last year. Credit:The Canadian Press via AP "He did express regret about the breakdown of the relationship," said Andrew McDougall, a lecturer in political science at the University of Toronto. "Whether that was enough is another question. "We're at the point in this story where both sides have shared their views, so he was trying to just get it behind him," he added. "Unless there's more to come, it's up to Canadians to decide who is telling the truth." Although in some ways the accusations seem mild no money changed hands and no laws appear to have been broken the political wreckage from the perception of backroom dealing by the Trudeau government has been huge. SNC-Lavalin's headquarters in Montreal, in the province of Quebec where Justin Trudeau has his parliamentary seat. Credit:Bloomberg The picture Butts and Trudeau painted differed starkly from the one Wilson-Raybould depicted in testimony to the committee a week ago - that she had been hounded for over four months with "inappropriate pressure" and "veiled threats" to avoid a criminal conviction of the Canadian construction giant SNC-Lavalin, by letting the company pay a multimillion-dollar fine instead. The belief, Butts said, was that a criminal conviction would have imperilled Canadian jobs by barring the company from doing government business for a decade. Many believed Wilson-Raybould paid a heavy price for her refusal to comply - demoted to a lesser cabinet position at veterans' affairs. She abruptly resigned last month. But Butts portrayed the situation as ordinary government operations. He denied that staffers pressured Wilson-Raybould, saying they merely advised her to seek independent legal advice on how to apply a new law that would allow the fine. He also denied that the justice minister had been punished, saying her new assignment was part of an ordinary cabinet reshuffle. Over more than 2 hours of testimony and questions, Butts kept his voice low and his tone muted and cordial. He presented himself not as the throne of political power, but the son of a coal miner who knew the price of shuttered plants and lost jobs. His tie was askew and he wore a coal miner's pin in his lapel. He repeatedly called Wilson-Raybould a "valued colleague" and a friend. "Gerald Butts' testimony casts the SNC-Lavalin issue in a very different light, and will likely alter Canadians' perception," said Myer Siemiatycki, a politics professor at Ryerson University in Toronto. Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi (right) with then French president Nicolas Sarkozy in Paris in 2007. Credit:AP Others disagreed. "We need to hear more, from more people involved," said Maureen Mancuso, a political science professor at the University of Guelph. At the centre of the crisis, which began a month ago, is SNC-Lavalin, charged in 2015 with bribing Libyan officials during the dictatorship of Muammar Gaddafi and defrauding the Libyan government. It was Wilson-Raybould's job to either allow the prosecution to continue, or apply a new criminal law allowing the company to pay a large fine, as companies can do in similar arrangements in Britain and the United States. In her testimony, which lasted almost four hours, she said she felt it was improper for politics to influence the case. She described 10 meetings, 10 calls and several emails in which she had been asked to order prosecutors to use the new law to cut a deal with the company. But Butts said that the number of interactions was minimal, compared with the 100 meetings he had attended to debate the government's purchase of the contested Trans Mountain pipeline or meetings on the NAFTA agreement. "This, to me, begs the entire question of what constitutes pressure," Butts said. "According to the former attorney-general, 11 people made contact with her office over four months. That's two meetings and two phone calls per month." Butts took pains throughout his testimony not to criticise Wilson-Raybould, or pick apart her version of events. But he did cast a dinner they had last December in a very different light. She remembered having told him she wanted "everyone to stop talking to me about SNC as I had made up my mind". He said he recalled no such statement. "There was nothing remotely negative about the exchange from my perspective," Butts said. "In fact, I walked away from dinner thinking it was the best discussion we had had in a while." Canada's former attorney-general Jody Wilson-Raybould appeared before Canada's parliamentary committee on justice before Mr Butts. Credit:AP A couple of hours after the meal, they exchanged friendly text messages, which he read aloud, that bore no residue of conflict. Instead, Wilson-Raybould appeared to thank him and say "alo" to the prime minister. In a statement, Wilson-Raybould did not directly comment on Butts' testimony, but expressed willingness to again appear before the committee. In the end, SNC-Lavalin's case is proceeding as a criminal prosecution. But in January, Wilson-Raybould was moved from justice to the less prestigious post of veterans' affairs. "The January cabinet shuffle had absolutely nothing to do with the SNC-Lavalin," Butts told the justice committee, adding, however, that his relationship with Wilson-Raybould had deteriorated significantly by then. The reshuffle was sparked by another cabinet minister's departure, he said. Wilson-Raybould, a lawyer and a former Indigenous leader in British Columbia, was offered the Indigenous Affairs portfolio. "Then Minister Wilson-Raybould did something I didn't expect," Butts said. "I had never seen anyone do it before, in many shuffles, over many years. The former attorney-general turned down a cabinet portfolio." Butts said Wilson-Raybould explained that she had "spent her life opposed to the Indian Act and couldn't be in charge of the programs administered under its authority." While Wilson-Raybould wanted to remain at justice, her "dream job", Butts said he had advised Trudeau that allowing that would set a bad precedent, and the only other post Trudeau could offer her was veterans' affairs. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at a mining and minerals convention in Toronto this week. Credit:Bloomberg "Cabinet invitations are not the product of shared decision-making," he said. "It is the prime minister's decision to make and his alone to make." Butts resigned two weeks ago out of what he called loyalty to the prime minister. Alpha Destination Management is all set for a strong presence at the 53rd edition of ITB Berlin taking place in Germany from March 6 to 10. ITB is the worlds leading travel trade exhibition that brings together over 10,000 exhibitors from 186 countries. The event is expected to attract this year more than 110,000 trade visitors from across the world. Samir Hamadeh, general manager, Alpha Destination Management, said, The German market continues to be extremely significant for our destination being among the top 10 source markets. From a regional perspective too, Western Europe is a major contributor in terms of visitor volumes to the UAE. Therefore, ITB Berlin presents strong opportunities for us and is the perfect platform to strengthen our collaboration with our strategic partners as well strike new deals. Dubai has a bigger presence at ITB Berlin this year. The emirates main attraction is Dubai Expo 2020 that is represented with its own stand. Samir stressed, It is wonderful to be part of these exciting activities that are aimed at leveraging awareness about Dubais new and upcoming attractions and tourism experiences. Expo 2020 is not only a milestone for the UAE but for the entire tourism industry and will unlock many opportunities for our destination while showcasing Dubais capability to host mega events. Alpha Destination Management has recently expanded its list of excursions and activities in Dubai with the creation of fascinating new tours and is working closely with the tourism authorities to drive the growth of visitors to the emirates. Visitors to ITB Berlin will be able to find Alpha Destination Management at the Dubai Tourism stand. - TradeArabia News Service Sign up for our PoliticsNY newsletter for the latest coverage and to stay informed about the 2021 elections in your district and across NYC Greenlight Bookstores pick: Confessions of the Fox, by Jordy Rosenberg This is the ideal novel for an ambitious reader with a soft spot for period dramas. It has everything: metatext, queer erotica, critiques of commodification, racial and gender oppression, the prison system, and the whitewashing of European history, all couched in the close reading of an 18th-century manuscript found by a down-on-his-luck scholar. Rosenberg paints an Escher-like, sex-positive, picaresque dreamworld without losing its connections to our current one. For fans of footnotes and social justice, critics of academia, and those who want to both speak truth to power and binge-watch The Crown, who will be pulled along by a mischievous trans rogue, into the underbelly of London. Nora Tjossem, Greenlight Bookstore [686 Fulton St. between S. Elliott Place and S. Portland Avenue in Fort Greene, (718) 2460200, www.greenlightbookstore.com]. Community Bookstores pick: The Age Of Surveillance Capitalism, by Shoshana Zuboff In the late 1950s a new wave of slick ad men on Madison Avenue combined Freudian theory and modernist graphic design to usher in an age of brand-based, turbo-charged capitalism. More than half a century later, we are the brands and the product, with tech behemoths facilitating, and monetizing, much of our daily experience. No longer content to harvest data, Zuboff argues, tech giants are now employing strategies borrowed from behaviorist psychology to encourage more profitable activity, and ensure we stay logged in. Where do we go from here? Read on and find out. Samuel Partal, Community Bookstore [43 Seventh Ave. between Carroll Street and Garfield Place in Park Slope, (718) 7833075, www.communitybookstore.net]. Words picks: Good Talk, by Mira Jacob In this memoir, Mira Jacob tells poignant stories through illustrations superimposed on photographs. Through effervescent, natural dialogue, she interlaces recollections from her childhood as the other kind of Indian in New Mexico with the wrenching pain of raising a curious, thoughtful, biracial child in the Trump Era. From the mouths of these babes (Jacob-as-a-child and her child), Jacob draws difficult questions about whether America is living up to its promise to immigrants & people of color. Spoiler alert: were not even close. I read this standing up on the subway and under the streetlights as I walked home. I stood outside to finish it in the wind. Its that good. Jeff Waxman, Word [126 Franklin St. at Milton Street in Greenpoint, (718) 3830096, www.wordbookstores.com]. 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 Its 6.30 pm in the northern Indian city of Varanasi on a cool January evening. Darkness is yet to fall but visibility already has. The cars on its teeming streets are hard to see from just metres away. But your tongue registers the dust obscuring the view. Soon, your skin feels the coarse particles that make up this dust. There is enough of it here, according to 2018 World Health Organization (WHO) data, to classify Prime Minister Narendra Modis parliamentary constituency as one of the cities with the most polluted air on the planet. Home to 1.2 million people, ... The Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) has signed up leading hotel management company Shaza Hotels to manage three retreats - Kingfisher Lodge in Kalba, Al Badayer Oasis in Al Badayer and Al Faya Lodge in Mleiha - located in the emirate. The Kingfisher Lodge in Kalba will offer guests a gateway to a unique world of conservation, in an intimate setting. A 60-minute drive from Kalba is Al Badayer Oasis, which portrays a perfect example of a Caravanserai. A picturesque desert stop set against the sweeping dunes of central Sharjah and a perfect place for relaxing after a day of adrenaline-fuelled desert excitement. As for Al Faya Lodge located near Fossil Rock in Mleiha, guests will immerse themselves in the regions ancient culture and history through archaeology, recreational activities, wellness and breath-taking natural landscapes. The announcement took place during Shurooqs 12th participation at the 53rd edition of ITB Berlin, under the Sharjah Pavilion led by the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA). The worlds largest travel and trade exhibition is slated to conclude tomorrow (March 10). The high-end destinations, which fall under the Sharjah Collection brand by Shurooq, will be operated by Mysk by Shaza brand, specialised for its international-based qualities and hospitality experiences that support the authenticity and culture of servicing unique lifestyles in the travel and tourism market. The announcement was made in the presence of Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, the executive chairman of Shurooq, Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, the chairman of Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), Ahmad Obaid Al Qaseer, the chief operating officer of Shurooq, Simon Coombs, the president and chief executive of Shaza Hotels and other senior officials. Surrounded by magnificent landscapes and majestic dunes, the Sharjah Collection is one of its kind in Sharjah and the UAE. From the natural retreat experiences in Kingfisher Lodge to the desert escapes-themed Al Faya Lodge or the Caravanserai in Al Badayer Oasis, each of these boutique-like resorts offers guests the opportunity to immerse themselves in the nature, culture and heritage of the location and discover a fascinating mix of indigenous experiences. Al Sarkal said: "Our three upcoming luxurious lodges will further strengthen Sharjahs positioning and leading rank in the world of authentic and eco-tourism experiences worldwide." "Our initiatives in doing this announcement during ITB Berlin is to strengthen this message among international tourists and international investors keen on expanding their operations in the UAE and the region," he stated. Shaza Hotels, a member of the Global Hotel Alliance, is growing rapidly in the Middle-East with a focus on strengthening its presence in the UAE. On the deal, Coombs said: "We are very proud to partner with Shurooq for the management of the Sharjah Collection by Mysk. Each retreat is a superb addition to our portfolio as it is unlike any other hotel accommodation in the region." "We greatly value our relationship with Shurooq and have a genuine interest in supporting the government initiatives to promote multiple destinations in Sharjah," stated Coomb. "Each member of the Sharjah Collection is like a tourism pavilion of the Emirate, and we are keen to develop with Shurooq other flagship retreats to allow visitors to discover the hidden beauties of Sharjah," he added.-TradeArabia News Service Gone with the wind Remember the Rs 2,000 from the Kisan Samman Nidhi meant to reach farmers with two hectares or less land? Well, reports coming from Una, Himachal Pradesh suggest the money landed in the bank accounts of farmers but vanished from the accounts in two days. Local newspapers report that farmers from Bangana in Una were thrilled that Rs 2,000 had come into the account of many farmers who had banked with Central Bank and had provided evidence to revenue department officials to lay claim to the money. The money came into the account, accordingly but within two days, ... A recent essay in the New England Journal of Medicine was titled Heart and Sole Of Metatarsals, Meaning and Medicine. I had to read it. Its not often you come across a reflection on metatarsal fractures, despite the fact that they are common. I had just recovered from breaking my fifth metatarsal, the slender bone on the outside edge of the foot, so I was curious. The author, Lisa Rosenbaum, a cardiologist at Brigham and Womens Hospital, broke a fifth metatarsal while walking in Central Park. My ankle rolled out of my shoe, she wrote. I ... The airline Virgin Atlantic has decided that female cabin crew will no longer be required to wear makeup during flights. They will also be offered the option of wearing trousers as part of their standard uniform allocation rather than only on request. According to one Virgin executive, the move will provide our team with more choice on how they want to express themselves. That companies like Virgin continue to operate different policies for men and women might have come as a shock to those who assumed that discriminatory dress codes were a thing of the past. Yet research ... I wanted to raise something yesterday that the Secretary said in his address to students, in which he spoke about the Taliban as terrorists in Afghanistan, at a time when a team from the US is in negotiations with these with the Taliban. Ive looked on the terrorist list; I dont see them as a terrorist, listed as a terrorist organisation. So has something changed here in which the Secretary believes that they are terrorists? And then what does it say about the US negotiating with terrorists, something that its said before that it would never ... UK Cabinet minister Andrea Leadsom rejected the European Unions latest plan to break the Brexit deadlock, but said Parliament will be given more chances to vote on the deal if the bloc improves its disappointing offer before its too late. Leadsom, leader of the House of Commons, said Saturday she was absolutely astonished that EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier was simply rehashing old ideas that Theresa May has already thrown out, dismissing his new proposal for the Irish border backstop as a joke. He seems to be on Twitter offering to go ... OBC leader and Congress MLA from Gujarat Alpesh Thakor on Saturday refuted all speculations of joining the BJP and said he will continue to fight for the rights of his Thakor community by staying with the Congress Party. Thakur also said he will support the Congress even though he was upset with the party's top brass in the state. Thakor's decision comes amidst rumours about his plans to join the BJP and the possibility that he might be given a Cabinet berth in the Vijay Rupani government. Addressing a press conference here, Alpesh said: "I am going to continue to fight for my people. I will stay in Congress and continue to support the Congress." "Everyone wants to hold the position of a minister. Even I thought of becoming a Minister and had talks regarding that. People working with me belong to deprived sections of society. I'm representing a backward part of society where we need to bring development from the basic level. So, I don't need power from where I cannot work for my own people," he added. Rubbishing rumours of convincing Congress President Rahul Gandhi to get a ticket for his wife to contest the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Thakor said: "I don't need a ticket for my wife. She is taking care of my family as I have no time to do so. I'm assuring you that no member of my family will ever join I had no such discussion with Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi on Friday. I just expressed my concern that I am being ignored by the Congress state leadership and nothing more beyond that." "Rahul has assured me that he would look into the matter and discuss the issue in the Congress Working Committee's meeting in Ahmedabad, which will held next week, " Alpesh said. Earlier, Thakor's close friend and Congress MLA Dhavalsinh Zala told ANI that the BJP has contacted Alpesh Thakor but he has not contacted any BJP leader. Alpesh, who came to limelight due to his quota agitation some years back, joined the Congress in 2017 ahead of the last Gujarat polls and was elected from Radhanpur. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, is marking International Womens Day this year with its first flight staffed by an all-female flight crew, highlighting the integral role played by its female staff members in technical, operational and leadership positions. More than 30 Etihad Airways women showcased their aviation skills and expertise during Etihads first ever all-female flight on flight EY017 from Abu Dhabi International Airport to Londons Heathrow International Airport yesterday (March 8). French Captain Sophie Blanchard and Irish Captain Faela Stevenson piloted the Airbus A380 along with First Officers Pirre Susana Leese from Finland and Liesbeth Baldewijns from Belgium. The flight deck worked hand in hand with the 19-member all-female Cabin Crew team from 13 nationalities, on the flight of 398 guests. Etihad Aviation Group VP (Corporate Affairs) Amina Taher said: "At Etihad, we dont just connect places - we connect people. On International Womens Day, were so proud to have thousands of strong, ambitious and talented women working with us across the entire value chain both above and below the wing in areas including operations, cargo, and engineering, as well as specialised functions such as aviation law, medicine and finance." "We invite our daughters, sisters, colleagues and friends to join us in continuing to ensure that gender diversity is well represented across our industry, here and globally. To women and men everywhere, Happy International Womens Day from Etihad Aviation Group," stated Taher. The operation brought together women in roles including pilots and cabin crew, engineers, technicians, a technical safety manager, a flight dispatcher and a load controller. Travellers to Abu Dhabi International Airport were able to see artwork featuring four of Etihads inspiring women as they journeyed through the nations capital. Fatima Alkharousi is head of Terminal Operations. Since joining Etihad in 2009, she has held management positions in London, Singapore and Sydney before becoming the airlines first female airport manager in Nagoya, Japan. She now leads Etihads terminal operations at Abu Dhabi International Airport, ensuring everything runs smoothly and safely for the airline in its busy hub. First Officer Flavia Lucilio flies Etihads Airbus A320 aircraft. One of Etihads 78 female pilots, she became a qualified pilot at 19 after falling in love with the aviation industry thanks to her father who was also a pilot, and joined Etihad in 2016. Carmen Paraschiv, the duty manager in the airlines buzzing Network Operations Centre, takes on the demanding task of overseeing the global flow of aircraft, crew and customers. Working at the heart of Etihads operations, Carmens highly pressured role requires the ability to make quick, informed decisions and respond to changing needs at a moments notice. Sara Hasan Al Hashmi is a Technical Engineering Trainee with Etihad Airways Engineering. At 26 years of age, Sara is one of 70 female UAE nationals on the intense engineer training programme working in its state-of-the-art facilities on one of the most modern fleets in the world. The four women featured in the artwork represent a handful of the 150-plus nationalities in the Etihad family and showcase just a small cross-section of the career paths at Etihad Aviation Group, including highly skilled technical, operational and leadership roles. Women landing in Abu Dhabi were treated to a welcome card and flowers to mark the global occasion, while guests travelling outbound from Abu Dhabi on board Etihad Airways flights heard a welcome announcement on board celebrating the day. March 8 is also the anniversary of the first woman to receive a pilots licence: the French aviator Elise Raymonde de Laroche in 1910, making it a doubly appropriate day for Etihads all-female achievement in the skies. Women are represented in each of the aviation and travel groups seven business divisions, and over half of Etihads UAE national staff are female.-TradeArabia News Service As a goodwill gesture, the Border Security Force (BSF) on Saturday handed over a Pakistani to the Pakistan Rangers at about 3 The Pakistani was apprehended on Friday by the BSF while he crossed the international border (IB) in Ramgarh area of Samba district in Jammu and Kashmir. "The BSF released the Pakistani healthy and sound. Pakistan Rangers were also appreciating the humane approach of the Border Security Force," said the BSF PRO in a statement. The move comes as a positive development as tension between India and Pakistan heightened following February 14 terror attack on the convoy of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Pulwama in south Kashmir in which 40 security personnel were killed and five others were injured. In retaliation to Pulwama terror attack, Indian Air Force (IAF) carried out air strikes at a JeM training camp in Balakot in Pakistan on February 26, eliminating a "large number" of terrorists, according to India's Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale. Next day, Pakistani jets violated Indian air space and dropped bombs in Rajouri sector in Jammu and Kashmir. India also foiled an attempt by the Pakistan Air Force to carry out strikes in the state by shooting down its F-16 fighter plane. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Baloch Liberation Tigers (BLT), a pro-freedom group, has claimed responsibility of blowing up - here in the Dera Bugti area. According to local media, the organisation has blown up the near the Sui on Friday. Mir Sarmachar Baloch, a and human rights activist took to to write, "Baloch Liberation Tigers in a statement accepted responsibility of the deadly attack inside #SuiGas field in #DeraBugti, # Four DSG personnel were also killed due to massive fire after explosion." According to local sources, four DSG personnel were killed while two local employees were wounded due to the massive fire after the explosion. There is no official confirmation by the authorities. Author and expert on affairs tweeted the video o-Your data has been truncated. (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.) In the age of cashless shopping and digital payments, Philadelphia mayor Jim Kenney thinks otherwise. The mayor has signed a new bill requiring stores to accept cash. The bill, effective from July 1, represents the first time a major US city is introducing a law mandating businesses to accept cash, Mashable reported. The bill seeks to address the concerns around discrimination and privacy. Philadelphia city councilman William Greenlee, who introduced the bill, said that most of the people who don't have credit tend to be lower income, minority or immigrants, and it is a form of discrimination by businesses against them when not accepting cash. On one hand, digital payment is a convenient method to pay for goods and services. On the other hand, there is an ever growing threat to security with the mounting data breaches and targeted ads leading to mindless purchases. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Ajay Bisaria reached Islamabad on Saturday and will resume office soon, sources told ANI. Bisaria, who had been recalled to New Delhi for consultations last month following the Pulwama terror attack, will articulate India's expectations from Pakistan with emphasis and more directly, sources added. The Indian High Commissioner will also engage on urgent issues not only with Pakistan but with diplomats of other countries in Islamabad. Bisaria who had been recalled to New Delhi last month returned to Islamabad upon the completion of consultations in India. Meanwhile, Pakistan's High Commissioner to India, Sohail Mahmood, is also expected to reach New Delhi on Saturday. Pakistan too had recalled Mahmood to Islamabad for consultations on February 18. Tensions have been high between the two neighbours following the Pulwama attack for which Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed claimed responsibility. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Efforts are on to establish a Band Training School at Chhindwara, which will produce professionals for playing bands at marriages and other functions across the country, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath said on Saturday. "I am trying for a band training school at Chhindwara. At so many marriages and functions, the band is being played. The people are excited about it. Hence, I want that those who participate in bands during wedding functions across the country should be from Madhya Pradesh," said he. Chief Minister Nath on Wednesday announced that his government would increase the reservation quota for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in government jobs and academic institutions from 14 per cent to 27 per cent in the state. The Chief Minister has also said 10 per cent reservation for the poor in general category will also be implemented in Madhya Pradesh. He said the Congress government in the state is creating an environment of trust. "Our youth are the future of developed Madhya Pradesh. We are moving towards providing a job to every person through investment," Chief Minister Nath had said on Wednesday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BJP general secretary Bhupender Yadav on Friday announced that BJP will contest on 13 seats in Lok Sabha elections while, the All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) will fight on one seat. Speaking to the media here, Yadav said, "In Lok Sabha elections, Bharatiya Janata Party will fight on 13 out of 14 seats and All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) will fight on one seat from Jharkhand." This announcement comes after the party's parliamentary board meeting, which was called to discuss the strategy for the upcoming General Elections. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP President Amit Shah, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and other senior leaders were present at the BJP Parliamentary Board meeting at party's headquarters in Delhi, on Friday. The Lok Sabha elections are due to take place between April and May. The Election Commission is expected to announce the election dates soon. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In the wake of the central government's decision to ban Jamat-e-Islami, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti held a party meeting today at her residence in Srinagar. The recent ban on Jamaat-e-Islami, arrest of Hurriyat leaders and elections were discussed at the meeting. The government has launched a crackdown against 'separatist' elements in the valley in the aftermath of the Pulwama attack. The Ministry of Home Affairs banned Jamat-e-Islami under Unlawful Activities Prevention Act for a period of five years. Both the mainstream parties in Jammu and Kashmir have expressed their disagreement with the decision. While Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah urged the central government to reconsider the decision, Mufti warned that banning Jamat-e-Islami will have dangerous consequences. Jammu-Kashmir Traders Association had also termed the Centre's decision as 'unacceptable'. PDP and BJP were alliance partners in Jammu and Kashmir for three years before BJP parted ways citing PDP's 'soft corner' separatist elements in the valley. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress president Rahul Gandhi asserted that the probe into the "missing" Rafale files should begin from Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who had claimed the files related to the deal were in his possession. Parrikar was the Defence Minister when India signed the Rafale deal with France. The Centre has told the Supreme Court that some documents related to the multi-billion deal have been "stolen". Addressing a meeting of the opposition party's booth committee workers, Gandhi also said, that like the 'missing' Rafale files, government in Goa is also missing. Manohar Parrikar had told the Cabinet that the Rafale files are with him," Rahul Gandhi said referring to a purported audio conversation between Goa minister Vishwajit Rane and an unidentified caller that had references to the deal. On Wednesday, Rahul demanded an FIR against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in connection with the Rafale fighter jets deal, asserting that there is "enough evidence to prosecute him." Certain documents pertaining to the Rafale fighter jets deal were stolen from the Defence Ministry and a probe has been initiated into the matter, the Government told the Supreme Court on Wednesday. Attorney General (AG), KK Venugopal made the submission during the hearing on review petitions filed by various parties against its December 14, 2018, judgment in which it had refused to order a probe into the deal to procure 36 Rafale fighter planes from France. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Indian government on Saturday sought credible, verifiable and sustained action from the Pakistani side against terror groups while saying that mere words will not be enough to appease the international community. "Pakistan will be judged by not the words it speaks but action it takes...The proof of action is not issuing notification but dismantling infrastructure which should be verified. Pakistan is well aware of its own commitment and concrete action that has to be taken against terrorism... If Pakistan claims to be a 'naya (new) Pakistan with nayi soch (new thought)', it should show 'naya (new) action' against terrorist groups and terror infrastructure on its soil and end cross border terrorism in support of its claims," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said on Saturday while addressing a media briefing. The MEA response comes barely 12 hours after Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan said in Islamabad that he will not allow Pakistan's soil to be used for terrorism adding that "God willing it will be beginning of a new era (in Pakistan)." However, the Indian government wants more than just mere such statements from top leadership of Pakistan. "We have seen this happening time and again. The same script is repeating again. Pakistan now has to move ahead beyond mere words and take some credible, verifiable and sustained actions against terrorists and terror groups so that is what they have to do," Raveesh Kumar said in response to ANI's question. "In 2004, the then President of Pakistan had made a solemn public commitment that they would not allow any territory under their control to be used for terrorist activity in any manner. But till today Pakistan has failed to take any credible action against Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and other terrorist organizations, which continue to operate with impunity from Pakistan. The widespread presence of terrorist camps in Pakistan is a public knowledge within and outside Pakistan. Repeated requests by us and the international community for Pakistan to take action against such groups has been met with denial," Raveesh Kumar said. The Indian government has asserted that since February 26, 2018, following demands from the international community, Pakistan is again claiming to take fresh action against terror groups on its soil but this could be mere eye wash. "In an interview to CNN on 28 February, the Foreign Minister of Pakistan has said "Well, he is (Masood Azhar) in Pakistan according to my information". Claims are being made that terrorist organizations will be proscribed, that some individuals have been placed in preventive detention and that some action has been taken against seminaries and Madarsas belonging to terrorist groups. We are seeing the same script that has been played out earlier after the terrorist attacks on our Parliament in December 2001, the Mumbai terrorist attack in November 2008 and the attack on Pathankot airbase in January 2016. Pakistan claims to proscribe groups and individuals, but this is confined only on paper. Actually, terrorist groups and individuals continue their activities without hindrance. Pakistan has not shown any serious intent to address the legitimate concerns of India and the global community," Raveesh Kumar said. He added that despite the media interviews by Pakistan's Foreign Minister and former President Pervez Musharraf acknowledging the presence of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) in Pakistan, the spokesperson of the Pakistan armed forces openly denied the presence of JeM Mohammad in Pakistan, in an interview on 6 March. "This statement is a sufficient proof that Pakistan still remains in a state of denial. We remain resolute in our determination to persuade the international community of the necessity of compelling Pakistan to move beyond mere words and to show credible, verifiable and sustained actions. We have, and we will continue to act with responsibility and maturity. Our armed forces continue to maintain strict vigil and will remain determined in the defence of the nation and its citizens," the spokesperson said. Talking about the non-military counter terrorism strike by India on February 26, 2019, Raveesh Kumar said: "Our non-military counter terrorism strike of 26 February achieved the intended objective. It has demonstrated our firm resolve to take decisive action against cross-border terrorism. On 27 February Pakistan, instead of taking action against terrorist groups on its soil, chose to escalate through an act of aggression by violating our air space and attempting, unsuccessfully, to target our military facilities. Their action was effectively thwarted by the alertness and readiness of our armed forces." Maintaining that India lost only one MiG21 Bison, Kumar rebuffed Pakistan's claim of shooting down two Indian MiG21 Bison aircraft on February 27. "We have been transparent and open in informing the media on February 27 itself that, in the process of defending our sovereignty and territorial integrity, one Mig 21 Bison was lost in action and Wing Commander Abhinandan had to bail out and landed in Pakistan Occupied Jammu & Kashmir. Pakistan, however, continues to propagate a false narrative of the events of that day... Only one aircraft was lost by us. If, as Pakistan claims, they have a video recording of the downing of a second Indian aircraft, why have they not shown it to the international media even after more than one week? Questions should be asked to them as to where the fuselage of the aircraft is and what has happened to the pilots? As we have already said, there are eye-witness accounts and electronic evidence that Pakistan deployed F-16 aircraft and that one F-16 was shot down by Wing Commander Abhinandan. Evidence of the use of AMRAAM Missile, which can only be deployed on the F-16 with Pakistan, has also been shown to the media. Pakistan should explain why it continues to deny that its F-16 aircraft has been shot down? We have asked the United States to also examine whether the use of F16 against India is in accordance with the terms and conditions of sale," the spokesperson said. He added that since the Pulwama attack, the international community has solidly stood with India in their condemnation of the attack as well as in asking Pakistan to take concrete action against terrorists and terrorist infrastructure in territories under the control of Pakistan. The United Nations Security Council unanimously issued a Press Statement in which they have explicitly referred to the JeM as having claimed responsibility for the attack. "The UN Security Council Press Statement also calls for perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of terrorism to be held accountable and brought to justice. It is regrettable that Pakistan still continues to deny JeM's own claim of taking ownership of the Pulwama attack. In his interview to BBC on 1 March, Pakistan Foreign Minister said "they have not claimed responsibility of that (Pulwama attack). There is some confusion on that. The confusion is that the leadership has been contacted and they said no". Is Pakistan defending the JeM and acting as its spokesperson? Does Pakistan's claim have any credibility?" Raveesh Kumar said. "It is regrettable Pakistan continues to deny JeM involvment in Pulwama attack. Is Pakistan defending Jaish and being its spokesperson? Till today Pakistan has failed to take any credible action against Jaish. Terrorist camps in Pakistan are in public domain... The fact that Pakistan has refused access to journalists to the site (of JeM camp that was bombed by India) shows they have plenty to hide. The initial bravado by Pakistan on Balakot has disappeared... All members of UNSC are aware of JeM camps in Pakistan and presence of Masood Azhar in the country. We request all UNSC members to designate Masood Azhar under the UNSC sanction list. We have been repeatedly demanding Pakistan to take action against terror camps in their terroritory and area under its control," he added. On Imran Khan's recent comments against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he was doing a divisive and that minorities are not safe in India, Raveesh Kumar said: "Pakistan Prime Minister's statement on internal issue of India is part of its narrative of diverting attention. They should first see how minorities are treating in Pakistan. Instead of lecturing us they should look at themselves and fix their own problems. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In the wake of reports that Nirav Modi is living and working in London, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar on Saturday said that India is making strong efforts to bring back the fugitive businessman and was waiting for a response from the United Kingdom with regard to its extradition request sent in August last year. At a media briefing here, Raveesh Kumar said the government is aware of Modi's presence in the UK and had made the request for his extradition in August last year. He added that the fact UK was sent that request clears that India is aware of his presence in that country and action has been initiated for his extradition. "The fact that we have requested the UK government for the extradition of Nirav Modi means that we are aware that he is in the UK. Otherwise, we would not have made the extradition request," said Raveesh Kumar. "We first made a request for extradition based on information provided by the ED in early August and then by CBI in late August. Despite what we see on television, the status remains the same. The UK government is yet to respond to MEA's request," Kumar said while responding to a question from ANI. He added that the UK is still considering the request for extradition of Modi. Extradition of a fugitive is a long drawn process and Indian government is strongly pursuing the matter with its counterpart in UK, Raveesh Kumar said. "Just because Nirav Modi has been spotted doesn't mean he will be brought back immediately. Both requests are under UK govt consideration. There is no demand for fresh document or request has been sought from the UK side from us so far. We are awaiting a response from UK government," the spokesperson said. Nirav Modi, one of the prime accused in the PNB scam in India, was tracked down on Saturday to an 8-million pound apartment in London's posh locality West End according to the Daily Telegraph. An interview and a video with the wanted diamantaire published early Saturday in the British newspaper, revealed that Modi has also started a new diamond business in Soho. The newspaper headlined its piece 'Exclusive: India's most wanted man Nirav Modi - accused of 1.5 billion fraud -living openly in London'. The video shows Nirav Modi sporting a handle-bar moustache and wearing an expensive jacket, repeatedly saying "no comments" to a series of questions put to him by the newspaper's reporter, including whether he has sought asylum in the United Kingdom. Modi is the subject of an extradition request by India, along with an Interpol Red Corner Notice being issued for the PNB scam accused. Modi is the prime accused in the Rs 13,000 crore PNB fraud, along with his uncle Mehul Choksi. Choksi was granted citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda on January 15, 2018, while Modi is in London. Both Modi and Choksi left India in January last year before the PNB scam came out in the public. The duo has not returned to India despite repeated summons from probe agencies and courts. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Mumbai, (IANS) Farmers suicides in Maharashtra have virtually doubled during 2015-2018, under the tenure of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, compared to the period 2011-2014, a RTI reply has revealed. According to the data received by RTI activist Jeetendra Ghadge, compared to 6,268 cases of farmers suicides recorded between 2011-2014 during the Congress-Nationalist Congress Party rule, under the present Bharatiya Janata Party-Shiv Sena regime it has almost doubled to 11,995 between 2015-2018. The highest number of cases have been notched in the Amravati Division of the suicide-prone districts in Vidarbha region of eastern Maharashtra. Support TwoCircles Incidentally, Fadnavis hails from Nagpur in Vidarbha, as also Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari. Despite the high number of suicides, the RTI replies submitted by the Revenue Department have revealed that even the compensation of Rs 100,000 is also denied to the farmers families. In 2014, 1,358 farmers families received the compensation while another 674 cases were rejected. But in 2018, total compensation was given in 1,330 incidents while 1,050 claims were rejected, Ghadge pointed out. Again, the high suicide areas in Amravati Division have recorded the highest number of rejections of compensation cases, and in 2016 and 2018, there were more rejections than approvals. In March 2015, the then Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse had announced in the legislature that the compensation in such cases would be increased from Rs 100,000 to Rs 500,000, plus a life insurance policy covering all farmers. With reference to increasing the compensation amount, the decision is still pending. For life insurance, the government has launched the Gopinath Munde Accident Insurance Scheme in December 2018. Strangely, however, the government circular covers only accidents and there is no mention of suicide in it, Ghadge told IANS. He said the situation of farmers in the past few years has only worsened with initiatives like loan waivers or crop insurance failing to have the desired effect. Moreover, on the question of rehabilitation of the families of those farmers who commit suicide, the government keeps rejecting compensation proposals even for a mere Rs 100,000, as the agrarian crises maintains its vice-like grip on the farmlands in the state. It is indeed shocking that the Gopinath Munde Accident Insurance Scheme that covers all farmers does not cover suicides. The government seems to be making only announcements without any follow-up action, Ghadge said. Continuing with ceasefire violations, Pakistani troops pounded India's border areas at three places along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border on Saturday. The Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire Rajouri, Poonch and Akhnoor sectors of Jammu and Kashmir. Early in the morning, Pakistani troops resorted to heavy shelling in Poonch in which a Special Police Officer (SPO) was injured. Later in the evening, Pakistani troops violated ceasefire in the Keri Battal area along the International border in the Akhnoor sector in the Jammu district of the state. The Pakistani side also violated the ceasefire along the Line of Control in the Sunderbani sector of Rajouri district. Further details in the incident are yet to follow. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) From controlling major business ventures in the state, the Pakistani Army is now investing in the oil business. According to a report 'Pakistani Army moves into the oil business' authored by FM Shakil in the Asia Times stated that the recent growth of businesses controlled by the powerful army has been impressive. The report stated that in 2016, the Pakistan Senate was informed that the army's commercial wings, including the Fauji (Army) Foundation, the Shaheen Foundation, the Bahria Foundation, the Army Welfare Trust and the Defense Housing Authorities, owned as many as 50 business concerns and housing property worth over 20 billion USD. However, three years later, the number of ventures owned by the army is in hundreds with net investment reportedly exceeding 100 billion USD. "The latest expansion of army business is a move into the oil sector. It is in addition to dozens of businesses the military already runs in Pakistan including companies in the spheres of banking, food, retail superstores, cement, real estate, housing, construction, private security services, and insurance," wrote Shakil in his report. Asia Times quoted Dr Ayesha Siddiqa, who is a Pakistani military scientist and author of the acclaimed book 'Military Inc.' as saying, "The army's total stake in private businesses in the country is more than $100 billion. They are underestimating their investment and disguising their involvement through public sector organizations like (the) National Logistic Cell, Special Communications Organization and Frontier Works Organization, which are exempt from annual audit and scrutiny." Siddiqa also revealed that the Fauji (Army) Foundation was one of the leading military-business conglomerates in Pakistan. She further divulged that in 2005, the elected parliament was affronted by Pakistan's Ministry of Defense after it questioned a controversial business transaction that undersold sugar mills. Siddiqa, who is also a research associate at the SOAS South Asia Institute, University of London revealed that 'Milbus-related' resources do not follow the norms of accountability prescribed for government institutions, reported Asia Times. She further asserted that military involvement in socio-economic activities undermines professional competence by focusing on non-military commercial activities instead of devoting themselves to core military duties and responsibilities. The Frontier Oil Company (FOC) is a subsidiary of the army-managed Frontier Works Organization (FWO), which has now been granted a contract for the construction of a 470km-long oil pipeline estimated to cost 370 million USD. "Ironically, the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC), which granted the contract to the FOC in mid-February, violated its own decision made in April last year. The then prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi had approved the granting of the contract for the white oil pipeline to the government entity Inter-State Gas System (ISGS). The former government of Abbasi was of the view that since ISGS was already involved in the execution of the proposed TAPI and North-South pipelines, they should have no difficulties in the execution of Machike-Taru Jabba High-Speed Diesel and Motor Spirit pipeline," Shakil asserted in his report published in Asia Times. Asia Times quoted an official of the state-run ISGS upon the condition of anonymity as saying that ECC failed to honour the decision of the previous government that awarded the pipeline contract to ISGS. Pointing out that Oil & Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) violated the cabinet decision of April last year in which the ECC empowered the federal cabinet to vet and approve the proposals for oil pipeline projects, the official said, "It is strange that OGRA granted a construction license to FOC well before time without informing the previous government, while the ISGS, which is part of the petroleum ministry, is yet to be considered for a license." "The previous government had approved the pipeline at a cost of $280 million which is $90 million less than the projection of FOC, but the contract was still awarded to FOC," he added. Asia Times quoted Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Secretary General and former Senator Farhatullah Babar as saying, "The parliamentary proceedings show that all is not well with the manner in which business contracts are awarded to military-run enterprises." He also claimed that the lucrative toll collection at motorways was acquired by the Frontier Works Organisation on a long-term basis without inviting bids. Babar asserted that the huge involvement of the army in non-military business activities has attracted the attention of the Parliament as well as that of the Supreme Court. Babr said, "The military's institutional strengths and advantages are well known. Backed by these strengths the military commercial wings always use unfair means to compete with other competitors and acquire commercial enterprises and get contracts in a non-transparent manner. Potentially it will have negative consequences for business as a whole because private businesses (are not competing on) a level playing field. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Launching a scathing attack, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is "Chowkidar" of Anil Ambani, and not of the nation. Gandhi, who was addressing a public gathering here, said: "When I raised questions over Rafale deal, PM Modi couldn't see into my eyes. He said he wants to be 'Chowkidar' of the country but he is 'Chowkidar' of Anil Ambani whose Rs 45,000 cr debt was waived off, and also gave him Rs 30,000 crore Rafale jet deal." "Why was Anil Ambani given the deal? And why was HAL sidelined, stealing many job opportunities from the youths of Karnataka," he asked. "The slogan of 'Acche Din Aayenge' has changed into 'Chowkidar Chor Hai," he said. He stated that the BJP wanted to divide the nation into two parts-"One for people like Anil Ambani, Mehul Choksi and the other for poor farmers, labourers, and the marginalised ones." "We want one nation where everyone gets justice," said the Congress president. Talking about the removal of Alok Verma from the post of CBI, Rahul said: "The CBI Director was removed at midnight because he wanted to start an inquiry into the Rafale deal. Even after the Supreme Court reversed the removal, PM Modi removed him again." Gandhi also targeted Prime Minister Modi for stating that the Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) scheme was a mistake, he said: "PM Modi has mocked the MNREGA scheme. He has reduced the funding to the scheme." "Congress is going to implement another historic policy-Minimum Income Guarantee. Modi can give Rs 30,000 crore to Anil Ambani but we will provide a minimum income to every poor citizen," he said. "A few days ago, Prime Minister Modi came to Karnataka and said that we are giving a lollipop to farmers in the form of farm loan waivers. The Prime Minister of this country has referred to Rs 11,000 crore farm loan-waiver as a lollipop," he quipped. Rahul said that one of the first decisions if the Congress forms the government at the Centre, would be to pass the Women's Reservation Bill. "Demonetisation and GST caused a huge loss to the economy. We will also reform the GST if voted to power at the Centre," said Rahul. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) New Delhi [India], Mar 9 (ANI): Tension between India and Pakistan, following the Pulwama terror attack on February 14 and its aftermath, seems to be subsiding. Pakistan has begun some sort of crackdown on terrorist organisations; banning some and arresting a few elements related to the Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) leader Masood Azhar. Time will tell whether what is being done is cosmetic and tactical, as on earlier occasions, or is it because of international pressure and Pakistan's precarious economic situation has led to more lasting action. Some basic questions surrounding the turn of events that triggered the face-off between the two neighbours have however got lost in the political squabble over electoral gain. To recap, Adil Ahmad Dar, an unemployed indoctrinated Kashmiri youth, posted a video of communal rant and deadly intent. On February 14 he carried out his threat by ramming his explosive-laden vehicle into a convoy of the CRPF Jawans near Pulwama- killing over 40. The JeM, a proscribed terrorist organisation that operates with impunity, if not also immunity from Pakistan, claims responsibility for the carnage. Given the well-known ties between Pakistan's intelligence agencies and JeM, the understandable assumption is that Rawalpindi has been complicit in the dastardly attack and Islamabad answerable for what has been conceived, planned and executed by Pakistan-based handlers of Dar. That India would retaliate to this grave provocation, so close to the Lok Sabha polls, was inevitable. Having suffered Mumbai in 2008 without anything more than appeals to the international community no government now could merely beat its chest and wring its hands in helplessness- certainly not the one led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and advised by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. In a muscular message on February 26, Indian Air Force went deep into Pakistan, successfully bombed a JeM training camp in Balakot and returned safely. Pakistan Army and Prime Minister Imran Khan too could not take the Indian action lying down. They simply could not afford a repeat of the Operation Geronimo, which took out Osama bin Laden from Abbottabad in Pakistan. Islamabad responded, albeit feebly, on February 27 when its Air Force crept into Indian airspace and when challenged by air defence and interceptors, hurriedly dropped bombs in stray isolated areas before trying to return to safety. In the ensuing dog fight, though a Pakistan aircraft was downed, dynamics of unfolding events changed as India lost a MIG 27 and its pilot was captured by Pakistan. Imperatives for New Delhi altered to bring the pilot back as the narrative of a successful muscular message to Pakistan would not have washed with images of the brave young Wing Commander in enemy hands. This provided the international community with an opportunity to put pressure on Pakistan and defuse the rising tensions. Realising his limited options, Imran Khan quickly made the best of a difficult situation. Appearing magnanimous and conciliatory, he ordered unconditional release of the pilot, returning him on March 1 in civilian clothes quickly stitched by some Pindi tailor. Pakistan has pleaded, with some support from China, that it has been implicated in the suicide bombing prematurely. Its apologists point to the country's impoverished state which has led Khan to go around with a begging bowl to potential benefactors. They argue such a provocation risking war would be most untimely and so Indian accusations are implausible. This has found no takers. The entire operation of spotting a disgruntled Kashmiri, targeting, cultivating, motivating, training him and arranging the explosives and vehicle is beyond the capability of indigenous militants. It has the imprint of Pakistan's spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence. Pressured by Indian security forces, especially in south Kashmir, sagging morale of the militants needed boosting. Confident of China's support and smug over Washington's desperation for Pakistan's help to exit Afghanistan with its face intact, Rawalpindi thought it could get away with cheekiness once again. So when frequent convoys presented opportunity, the green signal would have been given. Fall out of this episode has not been to Pakistan's advantage. Its nuclear bluff has been called. It did not receive the kind of support it expected from China which asked it to cool things down. The US accepted India's right to defence implying Pakistan was the aggressor. It realised prolonging the standoff was not to its advantage. Yet, by retaliating to the Indian strike on Balakot, downing and taking an Indian pilot prisoner, Pakistan has been able to claim it stood up to India. It has once again brought the world's focus on Kashmir. How much it will succumb to international pressure to crack down on Islamic terror groups that target India remains to be seen. For India too it has been a mixed bag. Measures announced to punish Pakistan such as cancellation of the MFN status and withholding water in excess of the Indus Treaty are meaningless. Export of a mere $400 million is not about to cripple the security apparatus in Pakistan. It will only hurt businessmen who have a vested interest in trade with India. Nor does India have the infrastructure to store excess water or divert it to its arid areas. All claims of isolating Pakistan too should be taken with the proverbial pinch of salt. While there was no condemnation of India's foray into Pakistan and bombing the JEM camp, also some acknowledgement of its right to self-defence and pressure on Islamabad to cool down, no country is about to disturb normal relations with Pakistan- certainly not China, US or Saudi Arabia, who all have a vested interest in stable Pakistan. The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation may have overruled Pakistan's objections in inviting Sushma Swaraj but that did not prevent it from crediting Imran for diffusing the faceoff and condemning "Indian terrorism" in Kashmir! The important point is India has discarded its policy hitherto of appealing to the and seeking the high moral ground whenever provoked by Pakistan. It has announced that it will take care of its own security and deal with its recalcitrant neighbour in the manner it chooses. This will make some tanzeems fear reprisal the next time they indulge in trans-border terror. Yet, one strike across the border may placate domestic public opinion but it is unlikely to deter Pakistan and Islamic terror outfits operating from there. Brokers of the order will have to be convinced India will not hesitate to raise the ante. Only that will impel them to pressure Pakistan into rolling the terror network down. Lastly, there needs to be an acknowledgement that Pakistan is only taking advantage of our own cleavages in the Valley and such incidents will recur. Adil Dar, the perpetrator of the dastardly suicide bombing, was a Kashmiri youth who was indoctrinated by radical Islam. The Youtube video he posted is disturbingly communal and reference to Ghazwa-e-Hind is particularly frightening. As noted by the keen observer Arshad Alam, with rampant unemployment in the valley, the alienated youth is caught between a coercive security apparatus on one hand and a very conservative interpretation of Islam on the other. This leaves him very little space to indulge in any creative pursuit of his choice. There is disaster looming if he is not engaged. Hopefully, Pakistan, chastened if only temporarily, will provide the opportunity to do so which policymakers will not miss. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress president Rahul Gandhi held a series of meetings on Saturday with environmental activists, representatives of fishing community and mining industry here and agreed to work together for the state and the country. While assuring all support to them in addressing their concerns, Rahul sought their support for the Congress party in the coming Lok Sabha elections. Rahul had arrived here on Friday to address a booth-level convention of Congress workers at Shyama Prasad Mukherjee stadium in view of the coming Lok Sabha elections. Addressing them, Gandhi asserted that the probe into the "missing" Rafale files should begin with the role of Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who had claimed that the files related to the deal were in his possession. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubier will visit India on Monday, Ministry of External Affair spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in a press briefing here on Saturday. Adel is scheduled to hold a meeting with the External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in New Delhi. The meeting will follow-up on announcements made during last month's visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman. "My understanding is that he [Adel] is visiting to discuss some important follow-ups from the recent visit of the Saudi Crown Prince to India. Beyond that, once the meeting takes place, then we will issue some kind of statement on his visit," said Kumar. Kumar denied the speculations about the attempt by Saudi Arabia to mediate in the ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan. "There has been no offer of any mediation from any country; not from Saudi, not from any country," said Kumar. "There cannot be any mediation; our position is very clear on it," said Kumar. Adel's visit comes three days after he made a day-long visit to Pakistan. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman visited both India and Pakistan last month. In his bilateral talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Saudi Crown Prince had described terrorism as a 'common concern. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A section of Congress leaders are still hopeful of forging an alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to take on the BJP in the coming Lok Sabha elections in Delhi where seven seats are at stake, said sources on Saturday. "Congress president Rahul Gandhi may call a meeting to review the decision about an alliance with the AAP," they said, adding that the Congress party is also under pressure from other like-minded parties to forge an alliance with the AAP. Those Congress leaders, who are still backing an alliance with the AAP are of the view that the alliance is must for taking on the BJP not only in Delhi but across the country. Delhi Congress chief Sheila Dikshit met UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Saturday at her 10, Janpath residence before proceeding to the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) office to meet the party leaders. Though not clear as to what exactly transpired at these meetings, the development comes against the backdrop of a section of Delhi Congress leaders strongly batting for an electoral tie-up with the AAP, which is in power in the city-state. PC Chacko, in-charge for Delhi affairs, said the workers are busy to strengthen the party. The party's booth-level workers' convention is slated for March 11 here. According to sources, Congress leaders like Chacko and Ajay Maken are in favour of an alliance with the AAP. Earlier this week, Dikshit after meeting with Congress president Rahul Gandhi had declared that there was unanimity among party leaders against forging an alliance with the AAP. Following the announcement, AAP convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had said there are "rumours" that the Congress has a "secret understanding" with the BJP and asserted that his party is ready to fight the "unholy alliance." On February 28, Chacko had met Dikshit and stressed the need for an alliance with the AAP, said a source. The source also added the AAP is willing to tie up with the Congress at least in Delhi, Haryana, and Punjab. However, a section of Congress leaders are opposed to this. On last Saturday, Delhi's Cabinet Minister Gopal Rai announced AAP's candidates for six Lok Sabha seats in Delhi, thus bringing all speculations about Congress-AAP alliance to an end. AAP has fielded Brajesh Goyal from New Delhi, Atishi from East Delhi, Dilip K Pandey from North East Delhi, Raghav Chadha from South Delhi, Pankaj Gupta from Chandani Chowk, and Gugan Singh from North West Delhi. AAP has not yet announced the candidate for West Delhi Lok Sabha seat. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Jhalpi Para village in Chhattisgarh's Balrampur district got electricity connection for the first time. The region was deprived of power supply since independence. This comes few weeks after ANI had reported the discontent of residents of the village over the absence of power supply. Locals told ANI, "We felt as if we were still the slaves of Britishers as even after more than 70 years of Independence there had been no electricity here. We want to thank the media for amplifying this issue. Earlier also we had approached the concerned officials, MLAs etc but no one heard us, it is after the media highlighted this problem they took note of it." R Naamdev, engineer-in-charge said that it was through media he came to know about the absence of electricity in the village. He said, "I came to know about this through you. I was not aware that there was no electricity in that village. Locals told us that though transformers were installed 5 years ago, the meters were installed a few months back, yet there was no electricity. However, the process has now been completed." On February 23, ANI had reported the discontent of residents of the village over the absence of power supply there even while claiming that they received electricity bills regularly. The villagers alleged that there is no electricity connection in the houses but meters have been installed due to which they are receiving electricity bills. The district administration, however, denied the claim of villagers receiving electricity bill while assuring that power supply will be provided in the area very soon. In March last year, the Government of India had stated that out of 18,452 villages in India that were power deprived 3 years ago, 17,181 have been electrified. Others are uninhabited or classified as grazing reserves. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) West Bengal police on Saturday held a man for vandalising the statue of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore in Bidhannagar. After vandalising the statue, two of them managed to escape while the third one was caught and handed over to the police. Speaking to ANI, TMC Councillor Nirmal Dutta said, "Three men vandalised the statue, we caught one of them while other two managed to escape. We don't know why they did it. The one who was caught has been handed over to the police." Further details are awaited. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sharjeel Usmani for TwoCircles.net Day I The 3-day LitFest (literature festival) of AMU (Aligarh Muslim University) from 8th March to 10th March was inaugurated on 8th March at the University campus and began with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran and a welcome speech. The inaugural session began with a lecture by Siddharth Varadarajan, the founding editor of The Wire.in an independent media house in India, who spoke on the restrictions put on media and the democratic spaces inside university campuses by the ruling party. He shared his experience of his first visit to AMU in 2002 after the Gujarat massacre when he felt entire University was under siege. He said, Universities are under siege and we shouldnt allow ourselves to be overcome with gloom and doom because we are here, we are discussing this, we are pointing it out and we are resisting it. He also said in his lecture that we are presently passing through a phase where politics and the language of politics is militarised. Educational institutions are being attacked and continuously provoked so that the very idea of a University is squashed. Support TwoCircles You dont even have reporting anymore, we just have gladiatorial contests now, he said while talking about the current position of media. He went on to talk about the defamation cases filed on The Wire.in in the three years of its existence, are worth 11,000 crores. He says that A well-functioning media is a guarantor of accountability and transparency. Varadarajan quoted Al Jazeera, Mukesh Ambani believes in buying the media and Anil Ambani believes in suing it. Sympathizing with the recent series of events in AMU, he said, Sedition and treason are used synonymously today. He mentioned Sagarika Ghose and other such women who have dared to raise their voices against the ruling party and said, To be a woman and have strong opinions requires nerves of steel. He concluded his talk with the note that the ruling regime fears and attacks universities because best universities produce best minds and the best minds believe in debate, they believe in challenging orthodoxy, they believe in questioning. He added that he came to AMU to be inspired, and he is inspired and he will be inspired. This is the 5th edition of the AMU Litfest. The students of the university claim that this is the only literary festival in India organized only by students without any corporate sponsorship. In another panel on the relevance of literary festivals, known poet Jaishree Misra congratulated the students and said, It is absolutely fantastic that AMU runs its literary festival without sponsorship. The panel on the relevance of literary festival had Sahitya Academy winner author Jerry Pinto and known Urdu critic Shafey Kidwai. Speaking on the issue of corporate funding, Jerry Pinto was attending the AMU Literary Festival because it takes no corporate funding unlike other mainstream literary festivals across India. Speaking in the third panel was Asghar Wajahat, well-known novelist and scriptwriter, narrated four different stories centred around issues like gender, right-wing organizations hailing killers of Mahatma Gandhi, and mob lynchings. The first day of the three-day long literary festival ended with a musical performance by the students. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) Chief N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday alleged that the YSR Congress and Telangana Rashtriya Samiti (TRS) resorted to a mega conspiracy by stealing the data belonging to his party cadre. "The conspiracy began with the lodging of a complaint to Chief Election Commissioner of India by parliamentarian Vijayasai Reddy on February 19. His complaint was accompanied with the plan of action of YSR Congress party to move further on the data theft case," Naidu said while speaking to media here. "The Telangana police should have informed the Andhra Police for further action. Questioning the action instead it foisted case on the Andhra Pradesh government in reverse. Telangana Police terrorised the employees of IT company resulting in great loss of TDP data," he added. Terming the data theft as a "planned conspiracy" Naidu said, "The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), TRS and YSR Congress parties are resorting to attack on Telugu Desam party by complaining to the governor one after another and demanding CBI inquiry." "As a return gift KCR is planning to establish a government in Andhra Pradesh which is submissive to him," he added. Earlier, the Hyderabad police had claimed that it has found data related to the state in its investigation into the alleged data theft by IT Grids India Pvt Ltd, the software company which had developed the 'Sevamitra' app for the TDP to collect voter data on the polling-booth level. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Tata Motors Group global wholesales in February 2019, including Jaguar Land Rover, were at 110,262 nos., lower by 9%, as compared to February 2018. Global wholesales of all Tata Motors' Commercial Vehicles and Tata Daewoo range in February 2019 were at 84,512 nos., lower by 9% over February 2018. Global wholesales of all Passenger Vehicles in February 2019 were at 67,964 nos., lower by 9%, compared to February 2018. Global wholesales for Jaguar Land Rover were 49,695 vehicles (*JLR number for February 2019 includes CJLR volumes of 2,561 units). Jaguar wholesales for the month were 14,926 vehicles, while Land Rover wholesales for the month were 34,769 vehicles. *CJLR - It is a JV between JLR and Chery Automobiles and is an unconsolidated subsidiary for JLR Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The West Bengal Criminal Investigation Department on Saturday seized 195 kilogram of ganja and 5,400 bottles of banned Phensedyl cough syrup from Nadia district of West Bengal, an official said. Acting on a tip-off, a team of Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officers raided a residence in Kuchaidanga village in Hogolberia and seized the products. The accused namely Sahidul Khan, 34, and Ganesh Biswas, 40, are well-known drug mafiosi of the area, said Nishad Parvez, Deputy Inspector General of state CID Department. --IANS bnd/ssp/pg/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress' maverick OBC lawmaker Alpesh Thakor, who had been keeping the party on tenterhooks amid speculation that he was headed for the ruling BJP, cleared the air on Saturday saying that his concerns had been settled for now. Thakor's announcement came as a respite for the Congress, which faced the twin shocks of two of its MLAs joining the Bharatiya Janata Party in a day on Friday, with one of them being rewarded by a cabinet berth in the Vijay Rupani government within 24 hours. For nearly a fortnight, Thakor who had joined the Congress in the run up to the 2017 assembly elections, had been giving sleepless nights to the Congress leadership after his meetings with Chief Minister Rupani and Gujarat BJP president Jitubhai Vaghani. Addressing a press conference here, Thakor admitted that he was hankering for a minister's post but decided against it later after meeting the Congress leadership. He met senior party leader Ahmed Patel in New Delhi on Friday to discuss his concerns. Former Gujarat Congress president Arjun Modhwadia was also present at the meeting. "At one point of time, I did aspire to become a minister to be able to serve the community better but have now decided to take the path of struggle," Thakor said. "If I had to go to the BJP, I would have gone at least six months ago." Thakor also admitted he was unhappy with the way of functioning of some Congress leaders in the state, but this was now a matter of the past. The Radhanpur MLA set to rest speculations that he wanted a Congress ticket to contest the Lok Sabha elections and scoffed at questions that he was trying to accommodate his wife in his place while he becomes an MP. "My wife will never enter politics," Thakor said, adding that he would continue to fight for the rights of poor, unemployed, farmers, Dalits and Adivasis. --IANS desai/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The European Union (EU) has said that US citizens will need a new type of visa, a European Travel Information and Authoriation System (ETIAS), to visit the European Schengen Area from 2021. Currently, American citizens can travel to Europe for up to 90 days without a visa, reports CNN. The Schengen Area is a zone of 26 European countries that do not have internal borders and allow people to move between them freely, including countries like Spain, France, Greece, Germany, Italy and Poland. To apply for the ETIAS, US citizens will need a valid passport, an email account and a credit or debit card, the EU said on Friday. Minors, the website said, will still only need their normal passports to travel after the visas go into effect. The Union said that the ETIAS visa is valid for three years and allows Americans to enter the Schengen Area as many times as necessary. On the ETIAS website, the EU said it "has recently decided to improve their security level to avoid any further problems with illegal migration and terrorism". The US has been in a dispute with the EU's European Parliament and European Commission over visas for Bulgaria, Croatia, Poland, Romania and Cyprus. The five countries are the only EU nations that US citizens need to apply for a visa. In June 2018, Parliament voted in favour of the Commission imposing visas on US citizens. --IANS ksk/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Film: "Badla"; Director: Sujoy Ghosh; Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Tapsee Pannu, Amrita Singh; Rating: ****(4 stars) The phonetic distance between badla, the Hindi word for revenge that serves as the deliciously filmy title of this delicately drawn whodunit, and Badal, the name that the lawyer-protagonist is known by is easily bridgable. The craftily-plotted whodunit shows us why vendetta is best served cold. It unfolds in snowcapped England, you see. Or, do you? Amitabh Bachchan plays Badal Gupta, a hotshot lawyer on the verge of retirement who has never lost a case. Badal goes for the kill when he is invited to look into a case of a murder accused, a nonchalant imperturbable married woman named Naina Sethi whose morals are so reprehensible they make Indrani Mukerjea seem excusably misguided in comparison. Kudos to Tapsee Pannu for playing a woman who won't stop at anything to get what she wants. It shows the expanding moral spectrum of celluloid heroism to see a female protagonist so low in the conscience department, and it is a pleasure to see Pannu so good in being bad. But why must she smoke to prove her disregard for moral values? I thought smoking for vamping went out of vogue with Shashikala. But I am straying. A crime this film about unforgivable crimes, never commits. To the point and on the ball, Badla is a concise gripping cat-and-mouse concoction where lawyer Bachchan and the accused Pannu play off against one another with feline stealth, one never willing to acquiesce to the other's persuasive arguments, so that in no time a swirl of accusations come hurling at us without the plot giving away anything. The dialogues tell us everything the characters want us to hear without giving away the truth. Sujoy Ghosh, it seems, has adapted a Spanish film "The Invisible Guest". I suspect the suspect-motive-crime-denouement graph in the original must have been very different. Badla contextualises the murder to fit into the ambit of adultery. Pannu's entrepreneur-heroine has a loving family of devoted husband and adorable little daughter. Why would she break the domestic idyll to have an affair with an anglo-Indian Arjun (Tony Luke) who must wear cross around his neck even while bearing it (the cross, I mean) and who speaks with a thick Bandra-Catholic accent that tends to take away from the gravity of the crisis on hand. Arjun's peculiar diction is the least of the problems in the narrative. Ghosh fills up the frames with an implosive tension. Most of the time there are just Bachchan and his accused (far from a victim) talking, exchanging barbed words and slanted glances that give nothing away. Both the actors are adept at using words to express more than just what they want to say. There is a third crucial character, played by the powerful Amrita Singh who makes even an offer for a cup of tea seem like a stern rebuke. It's a pity that there isn't much of Singh with Bachchan together. What I wouldn't give to see that Mard-slinging! Cinematographer Avik Mukhopadhyay captures the scenic splendour of the English countryside without allowing the characters to look subservient to their environment. Handsomely shot and as sharply cut as a Saville Row suit, Badla is a unique blend of suspense and chamber-piece. The verbal exchanges between Bachchan and Pannu play a curious mind-game with the perception of guilt and retribution. At the end Sujoy Ghosh captures two vital faces staring out of a window. They remind us of how important characterisation is to a tightly-wound plot, and how easily a suspense drama can come undone in the wrong hands. Not this one. --IANS skj/vc (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hollywood star Ben Affleck who is gearing up for the release of his next film "Triple Frontier" on Netflix declined commenting on filmmaker Steven Spielbergs push for blocking streaming of movies from the Oscars. Spielberg's Academy Award attention was devoted to ensuring that the race never sees another "Roma", a Netflix film backed by massive sums, that didn't play by the same rules as its analog-studio competitors, reported indiewire.com. He feels Netflix should only compete for awards in the Emmy arena. As the Academy Governor representing the directors' branch, Spielberg is eager to support rule changes when it convenes for its annual post-Oscar meeting. Affleck said: "That's really a question for various other interested outside groups and how they define the popular arts... that they are interested to give awards to or not or how you are kind of qualified for that which I am not. I am not on the board of governors of the AMPAS (Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences) or any other group." "Triple Frontier", slated for release on March 13 and directed by J.C. Chandor, tells the story of five former Special Forces operatives who reunite to plan a heist in a sparsely populated multi-border zone of South America. "Triple Frontier", which had a theatrical release on March 6 in the US, also stars Oscar Isaac, Garrett Hedlund and Pedro Pascal. --IANS dc/nn/pcj (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A senior Congress leader on Saturday resigned from the party saying demanding evidences of air strike made him feel ashamed. In his resignation letter to party President Rahul Gandhi, spokesman Vinod Sharma said after the Congress demanded evidences of air strike, he was feeling ashamed to be known as Congressman. Indian Air Force (IAF) had carried out an air stike in Pakistan's Balakot region on February 22 following a suicide attack on a Central Reserve Police Force convoy on February 14, which claimed lives of 40 troopers in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district. Thereafter, senior party leader Digvijaya Singh had said the government should release the evidences of air strikes as the US did after killing Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden in 2011. "I was ashamed to be a Congress member. Thus, I resigned from the party," Sharma said. "The Congress has demoralised defence forces by demanding evidence of the air strike," he said. --IANS ik/rs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The newborn son of Shamima Begum, a British teenager of Bangladeshi descent who ran away in 2015 to become an Islamic State (IS) jihadi bride, has died due to poor health in Syria, the Kurdish Red Crescent told CNN. Begum, 19, gave birth to her baby, Jarrah, in a Syrian refugee camp in February. After the baby's health deteriorated on Thursday, medical staff from the Kurdish Red Crescent transferred the mother and the infant from the al-Hawl camp to the main hospital in al-Hasakah city. The baby died a few hours after arriving at the hospital, the NGO told CNN on Friday. Begum's son is one of scores of children who have died fleeing from fighting in the Islamic State (IS) terror group's last remaining Syrian enclave Baghouz. Nearly 100 children have died en route or shortly after arriving at the al-Hawl refugee camp due to a lack of food, water and health care, according to the International Rescue Committee, adding that the situation there has reached a "breaking point". Begum left London to join the IS in Syria when she was 15. She made international headlines last month as she publicly pleaded with the UK government to be allowed to return. Her family is of Bangladeshi origin, according to Dal Babu, a former chief superintendent for the Metropolitan Police, who has been in contact with the family. However, the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry has said that Begum is not a Bangladeshi citizen, nor has she ever visited the country. Begum's sister, Renu, wrote to Home Secretary Sajid Javid last month asking for his help in bringing Shamima's newborn son to the UK. --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chelsea Manning, a former Iraq-based US Army intelligence analyst giving classified data to WikiLeaks in 2010, was arrested on Friday for refusing to testify to a grand jury probing the international anti-secrecy website. Manning will be held in jail until she testifies before the grand jury or that grand jury is no longer operating, Claude M. Hilton, a federal judge in Alexandria, Virginia, ruled on Friday, reports Xinhua. "I've found you in contempt," Hilton told Manning, ordering her to custody immediately, "either until you purge yourself or the end of the life of the grand jury." "The court may find me in contempt and order me to jail," Manning said in a statement issued on Thursday, "In solidarity with many activists facing the odds, I will stand by my principles." "My legal team continues to challenge the secrecy of these proceedings, and I am prepared to face the consequences of my refusal," her statement read. Local media said prosecutors in the Eastern District of Virginia have been investigating WikiLeaks for years, and revealed last year that they had charged the website's founder Julian Assange under seal. Manning, a transgender formerly known as a male soldier called Bradley Manning, was arrested in 2010 after leaking 700,000 military files including a battlefield video and diplomatic cables to WikiLeaks, the largest leak of classified data in US history. She was court-martialed and sentenced in 2013 to 35 years in jail, the longest sentence ever imposed for a leak conviction in US history. Yet in January, 2017, the then outgoing US President Barack Obama shortened the sentence to seven years after she had requested clemency. Manning walked out of a military prison in May that year. --IANS vc (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) International community had hopes that since Nikol Pashinyan came to power in Armenia, the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will be resolved, but it didn't happen. The "velvet revolution" happened a year ago, and thanks to it, 20 years later, Armenia is finally headed by a politician not connected to the "Karabakh clan". However, this time was enough for Nikol Pashinyan to effectively and firmly consolidate full power in his hands. In fact, after the last parliament left due to protests under Pashinyan's control, he managed to hold early elections in November of 2018 - at the most advantageous time for him, because he had an impressively great ratings at that moment. As a result, today the National Assembly consists of 88 from his party (out of 132 deputies). At the same time, other two factions - Prosperous Armenia and Enlightened Armenia - cannot be called opposition either, since they agree with most of the Prime Ministers policy. However, even without these two factions participating in "democratic process", Nikol Pashinyan has a convincing majority in the parliament supporting him. Security forces also supported Pashinyan's "revolution, so he can count on practically full support of the judiciary system. The wave of court-sanctioned arrests of opponents of the current government, especially Robert Kocharyan, was a clear confirmation of this. Armenian justice system is clearly affected by current trends and influence of the executive power, so it easily issue's "orders for arrests". In other words, there are no questiongs about stability of Nikolai Pashinyans domestic political power, so nothing can prevent him from making compromises in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement. There was enough time for Armenian Prime Minister and his supporters to work out approaches to the settlement. Almost a year has passed since completion of the first stage of the revolution, in other words, since April 23 of 2018, when Serzh Sargsyan agreed to Pashinyan's demands. During this time, Armenia's ruling team has formed its strategy of behavior in the context of existing foreign policy challenges, including the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Moreover, new government's strategy was formulated quite clearly: Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh, represented by the so-called Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, should become the third "equal party" of negotiations with Azerbaijan. "The return of occupied territories around Nagorno-Karabakh to Azerbaijan" settlement formula" was officially ruled out by Nikol Pashinyan. In other words, today Armenian side rules out even slight possibility of returning control over areas occupied by Armenian troops around Nagorno-Karabakh to Azerbaijanis. Now Baku questions whether this position should be interpreted as official refusal of Yerevan to negotiate. In February of 2019, head of Armenian special services, Arthur Vanetsyan, finally gave response to this question, stating during a trip to occupied Fizuli region (located outside of Nagorno-Karabakh): "We will not surrender even a centimeter of earth." Moreover, Vanetsyan talked to leadership of the unrecognized "Nagorno-Kabakh Repucling" about the program that proposes to send population to territories along the bank of the Araz River. Finally, Armenian Defense Minister David Tonoyan also made statements regarding Armenian army, noting that in case of resumption of hostilities, it's ready to carry out offensive operations. In other words, Armenian leadership made it clear that Azerbaijan should forget both about Nagorno-Karabakh and the occupied territories around former autonomy. Against this background, Armenian politicians' statements about "militaristic rhetoric" of Azerbaijani leadership are really surprising. First of all, militaristic statements are regularly made by both sides. After all, Armenia and Azerbaijan are in a state of war. It's really strange that it seems like Yerevan truly believes that Baku should express love for invaders and fotget about occupied territoris, agreeing to Armenia's position - we get everything, you get nothing. Second of all, after new government of Armenia came to power, the Azerbaijani side not only reduced frequency of the so-called "aggressive" statements, but also took a number of practical measures to reduce tensions on the front-line. For example, army units were on the border with Armenia were replaced by border troops. After a short conversation with Pashinyan in Dushanbe, President Ilham Aliyev agreed to create "hot line" between military officials of the two countries in order to prevent front-line incidents. Frequency of incidents on the line of contact between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces was practically reduced to zero, which was praised by international community and the OSCE Minsk Group mediators. Azerbaijans readiness for dialogue with Armenia was also highlighted by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in mid-January: "I think that statements from Baku about readiness to look for solutions deserve real praise. I hope our Armenian friends will respond accordingly." The fact that till the very last moment Baku tried to engage in active negotiations is also proved by the fact that Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov was ready to meet with his Armenian counterpart Zohrab Mnatsakanyan on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. We will take any opportunity to meet, Mammadyarov said before his trip to Munich. In turn, while he was already in Munich, Armenian Foreign Minister said in an interview with Vestnik Kavkaza that no meeting with Mammadyarov was planned, noting that they would definitely greet each other if they accidentally meet. Stagnant political situation around Nagorno-Karabakh, partially provoked by Pashinyan, increases risk that Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict will resume. At the same time, today Azerbaijan has an objective diplomatic advantage as the constructive side, since Armenian leadership made rather amateurish mistakes in the diplomatic field, and hurt the negotiation process in favor of tactical domestic political interests. In a significant order, the Central Information Commission (CIC), has directed the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to provide the complete list with full details of arrested Indian and Pakistani civilians and fishermen to a Mumbai RTI activist within four weeks. The CIC's directions came on an appeal filed by activist Jatin Desai, an India-Pakistan peace crusader, seeking details of the full lists as submitted by the governments of the two neighbours to each other. "Under the Agreement on Consular Access, 2008, both -- India and Pakistan -- exchange lists of prisoners in each other's countries in their custody on January 1 and July 1 every year. They include both civilians and fishermen," Desai told IANS. Till July 2017, Desai said he was provided the exact copies of the lists exchanges by both sides vide RTI applications. "However, when I sought copies of the lists exchanged between the two countries on January 1, 2018, I was shocked to see the Chief Public Information Officer (CPIO) of MEA giving only a small portion of data from the lists - pertaining to the names and parents' names of the arrested civilians and fisherfolk," Desai said. All other details like the date and place of arrests, the charges they were slapped with, the date when they were provided consular access by both countries were 'missing' from the lists Desai got. After his appeals with the MEA, finally the CIC Sudhir Bhargava gave Desai and the MEA's CPIO a detailed hearing, on February 28, 2019. The MEA contended that providing any other details -- barring the names and parentage of the prisoners -- would affect national security, and hence it was exempted from disclosure under the RTI Act, Section 8(1)(a). However, the MEA failed to explain to the CIC how disclosure of this information would affect national security. In his order, CIC Bhargava ruled: "An information shall be ordinarily provided in the form in which it is sought unless it would disproportionately divert the resources of the public authority or would be detrimental to the safety or preservation of the record in question." Accordingly, he ordered the CPIO, MEA to provide the full information sought by the RTI activist within four weeks, and disposed off the appeal. "This is an important order as the complete lists would give an idea of the arrests details, the charges they face, whether consular access was given or not within the mandatory period of three months after they were nabbed," Desai said. Currently, as of January 1, 2019, there are 537 Indian prisoners of which 483 are fishermen. Similarly, there are 348 Pakistani prisoners in different Indian jails. Of them, 99 are fishermen. Both sides use words like "Indian or believed to be Indian" or "Pakistani or believed to be Pakistani" till their citizenship details are verified, said Desai. The full data of the prisoners also help the families of the arrested persons on both sides of the border to keep track of the progress of the cases going on against them in the courts, the kind of punishment and some indicator of when they are likely to return home, besides follow-up in case of their illness or death while in custody. (Quaid Najmi can be contacted at q.najmi@ians.in) --IANS qn/pgh/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Shatrughan Sinha, Uday Singh, Kirti Azad, Arun Kumar, Mahboob Ali Qaiser, Pappu Yadav and Anant Singh are all non-Congress politicians but share one thing in common: They are keen to contest upcoming Lok Sabha polls in Bihar as the Grand Old Party's candidates. They are among nearly a dozen non-Congress leaders keen on a party ticket to contest the polls. More than the ruling BJP and its major ally, the JD-U of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, or the main opposition RJD, the Congress has become the most sought-after party by well-known disgruntled leaders of other parties. Unlike during the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, it's a different Congress this time around. It is aggressive and not ready to follow the dictat of RJD chief Lalu Prasad, its ally. Bollywood actor-turned-politician and disgruntled incumbent BJP MP from Patna Saheb Satrughan Sinha "is ready to opt for the Congress if the party offers him a ticket as his chances of getting a BJP ticket is almost nil after he repeatedly targeted the party and Prime Minister Narendra Modi", a close aide of his told IANS. According to the aide, Sinha may join the Congress after party president Rahul Gandhi clears a ticket for him. "Shatrughan Sinha had met Lalu in Ranchi (where he is serving time after being convicted of graft), his wife (and former Chief Minister Rabri Devi) and (son) Tejashwi Yadav in Patna in recent days. But it had nothing to do with RJD ticket; it was more to pressurise the Congress to give him a ticket. One thing is clear: Satrughan Sinha will not join the RJD as it will annoy his upper caste supporters," the aide explained. Senior BJP leader and former MP from Purnea, Uday Singh, who had resigned from the party last January, is also standing in line for a Congress ticket. Singh's turn-around came after the the BJP finalised its seat-sharing pact with the JD-U and decided to contest from 17 of Bihar's 40 seats - but not from Purnea. Singh is the brother of N.K. Singh, a retired bureaucrat who is the Chairman of the 15th Finance Commission and a senior BJP member. Arun Kumar, a disgruntled member of the Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP) who represented Jehanabad in the outgoing Lok Sabha, is also in talks with the Congress to contest on its ticket. He is confident of victory with the support of the Grand Alliance or mahagathbandan, of which the Congress is a part. BJP ally LIP's Mahboob Ali Qaiser (Khagaria) is also keen to return to Congress as the BJP is eyeing his seat under the NDA's seat-sharing formula.Qaiser,a traditional Congress member, joined the LJP of Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan in 2014 after the party denied him a ticket. Two Bahubali leaders, including Pappu Yadav, expelled from the RJD and who represented Madhepura and an independent legislator, Anant Singh, are also in touch with the Congress for tickets. "Both will join Congress after they would be assured of tickets," party leader said. But both Yadav and Singh, are known criminals-turned-politicians. If Yadav was once closed to Lalu Prasad, Singh was close to Nitish Kumar. In last two months sone well-known leaders from other parties have joined the Congress. Prominent among them is the NCP's Tariq Anwar (Katihar), suspended BJP member Kirti Jha Azad (Darbganga) and former MP Lovely Anand, wife of jailed Bahubali and former MP Anand Mohan. Bihar Congress president Madan Mohan Jha told IANS that some leaders of BJP and other parties "are in touch with us. Congress is happy to welcome those who want to join the party ahead of polls.It will strengthen the party. Few of them may contest as Congress candidates but it is not yet finalised". (Imran Khan can be contacted at imran.k@ians.in) --IANS ik/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Making a shocking prediction, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena President Raj Thackeray on Saturday claimed that another "Pulwama-like attack" would come within a couple of months" at the height of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. "Mark my words - another Pulwama-type strike will be organised in the next two months, during the Lok Sabha elections, to divert peoples' attention from all problems to patriotism," he said, addressing the MNS' 13th anniversary celebrations. This is because, Thackeray alleged, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have "miserably failed" in all their policies, including the Ram temple issue, or bringing back fugitive mafia don Dawood Ibrahim Kaskar. "The Pulwama attacks, in which 40 men (CRPF troopers) were killed, resulted in diverting attention from all the burning problems and the failures of BJP and Modi, and there were debates on nationalism," he said. Dismissing claims made by the BJP leaders including its President Amit Shah, Modi and others on the casualties inflicted in the Indian Air Force retaliatory strikes, Thackeray said, "Forget the claims of 200-250-350 terrorists killed... Mind you even if just 10 extremists had been killed, Pakistan would never have released our IAF (wing) commander Abhinandan (Varthaman). "Forty of our men were killed, can't we even ask questions? The BJP and Modi are using our soldiers for electoral politics," he said. Thackeray, however, said people are proud of the IAF for successfully carrying out the bombings. He also accused Modi of faking grief when the bodies of the troopers were received, indulging in a stylish sartorial display all along, and at one point lauding how Indian businessmen make even bigger sacrifices than our soldiers. Thackeray also charged the PM with "insulting" the sacrifices of our soldiers by saying that if the country had an advanced French fighter aircraft (Rafale), the outcome would have been very different. He recalled that barely a week after Modi went to Pakistan and celebrated the birthday of (then Prime Minister) Nawaz Sharif (December 25, 2015) by cutting a cake, Pakistan carried out the Pathankot attacks on Janaury 2, 2016, and then came the Uri terror strike of September 18 that year. "After the tensions created by China in Doklam in June 2017, there were calls for boycotting all Chinese products, then why was the China-made Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel statue acceptable to you," he asked. Attacking National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, he said that according to reports, he had secretly met his Pakistani counterpart in Thailand on December 27, and his son's company had an Arab and a Pakistani as partners. "Its is okay for them to have Pakistani business associates, but when anybody else has a Pakistani partner, they are immediately labelled as anti-nationals and traitors. Why such double standards?" he thundered. Thackeray also attacked "the orphaned troll army" of the BJP and asked his activists "to teach them a lesson" whenever they abuse the MNS, amidst repeated rounds of cheers and applause all through his stinging speech. On the crucial issue of the party's stand during the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, he continued to maintain the suspense of the MNS role vis-a-vis the Opposition parties' alliance. But he assured the gathering that he would take the decision at the right time, which would be in the "best interests of the party, the people, the state and the nation". --IANS qn/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With billionaire Nirav Modi, wanted in the Rs 13,500 crore PNB fraud case, tracked down to London, the Ministry of External Affairs on Saturday said that the extradition request for the absconding diamantaire is "still pending" with the United Kingdom government. The Indian government's response came soon after the UK's The Telegraph newspaper claimed that Nirav Modi has been spotted in London. "You are aware that we had made the request based on the information received from the ED (Enforcement Directorate) and the CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation). We had made the request for Nirav Modi's extradition with the UK authorities in August last year," MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar told media at a press conference here. He said that despite whatever we see on television today, the "status remains the same". "UK is still to respond and is considering our request for extradition of Nirav Modi," the spokesperson said. He said India had made the request for extradition of Nirav Modi from the UK, "as it was aware that he was in UK". He said: "Because he (Nirav Modi) has been spotted in UK doesn't mean that he can be immediately brought back to India as there is a process. We have made a request. It is for the UK government now to consider our request and respond to the CBI and the ED demands for his extradition." Pressed about the timeline of the last communication received from the UK authorities, he replied: "As far as the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is concerned, when we make a request for extradition then that request is sent on behalf of the investigative agencies. And in the last six months we have not received any request for any other documents." He said the ED had sent a request to the MEA in early August last year, and the Ministry forwarded that. The CBI sent the request in end August last year. "What we have been communicated is that both the requests are under consideration of the UK government," he said. Asked if the government was taking all necessary steps to extradite other fugitives on priority as in the case of Vijay Mallya, Kumar said, "We are following all the cases on priority. We will take all necessary steps." Earlier, the video released by The Telegraph newspaper showed Nirav Modi walking the London streets. He wore a changed look -- with a handle bar moustache and long hair. He is seen avoiding every question posed to him by the reporter, saying "no comment". The Indian intelligence agencies had already provided inputs about this new look of the fugitive billionaire. The newspaper report also stated that Nirav Modi against whom a Red Corner Notice has been issued by the Interpol, has been living in the city's West End area and has even started a new diamond business. An extradition request against Nirav Modi has been pending since last September before the UK authorities. Earlier on Saturday, the Congress slammed the Centre for its "failure" to bring back the fugitive diamantaire to justice while he apparently thrived elsewhere. Hitting out at the government, Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala in a video message said: "Today, the fugitive diamantaire 'chota Modi' Nirav Modi has been traced to London -- living a luxurious life in a Rs 75 crore flat and wearing a jacket worth 10,000 British pounds." "Is it right Modiji (Narendra Modi), that first someone rob Rs 23,000 crore from the banks; escape the country without any problem and then ridicule the investigative agencies like the CBI and the ED. "Modi hai to mumkin hai (Impossible is possible under Modi). It seems that Modiji is running Bank Fraudster Settlement Company. In five years Rs 1 lakh crore has been robbed by the fugitives and you were unable to catch them," he said. On February 26, the ED attached properties of Nirav Modi and his associate companies to the tune of Rs 147 crore in connection with its ongoing Punjab National Bank fraud probe. Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi are under probe by both the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the ED. The ED filed money laundering cases against them and others on February 15 on the basis of an FIR registered by the CBI. The ED has till date attached properties worth Rs 4,765 crore of Choksi and Nirav Modi. --IANS aks/oeb/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Jawahar Chavda, the Congress MLA who quit the grand old party and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party, was made a cabinet minister on Saturday. Two other ministers were also inducted into the government. Chavda, the MLA from Manavadar assembly seat, quit the Congress and joined the BJP late on Friday. As a reward, Chavda has been given the rank of a cabinet minister in the BJP government, which has been ruling Gujarat for over two decades. Chavda has been winning on the Congress seat in the constituency for the last five terms straight. Along with Chavda, two others were inducted as ministers of state in the government -- Yogesh Bhai Narayan Bhai Patel and Dharmendrasinh Meroobha Jadeja. All were inducted during a ceremony held at Raj Bhavan, where they took the oath in the presence of Governor O.P. Kohli "They can assume the charges as and when they like. We have been welcoming all those leaders who are influenced by the vision of our Prime Minister Narendra Modi and have opted to join the BJP," said Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel. The ministers were yet to be assigned any portfolios, but it is being speculated that the decision will follow soon. The induction of Chavda into the cabinet has not only shaken the Congress, but it has also started a wave of dissent in the BJP as well. Many senior BJP members were disgruntled. Earlier, Kunwarji Bawalia, an MLA from Jasdan, was also given a cabinet rank in the government, within hours of defecting from the Congress. --IANS desai/in/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Indian and Pakistan armies exchanged heavy fire on the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district on Saturday after Pakistan violated the ceasefire, a defence official said. "At about 6 p.m., Pakistan initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by shelling with mortars and firing of small arms along the LoC in Sunderbani sector of Rajouri," Defence Ministry spokesman, Lt Col Devender Anand said. "Indian Army is retaliating effectively." Breaking a two-day lull, the two sides had exchanged heavy fire in the LoC in Poonch district on Friday after Pakistan began targeting Indian positions. Authorities have closed all educational institutions within 5 km distance of the LoC in Poonch and Rajouri districts. --IANS sq/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A massive power outage has left most of Venezuela without electricity. At least 70 per cent of the country still had no power on Friday evening, more than 20 hours after the massive outage, CNN reported. The blackout stopped mass transit in the capital of Caracas, shutting businesses and gas stations. State broadcaster VTV reported that some power had been restored but provided no specific numbers or locations. Miguel Lara, a former electricity executive at Venezuela's National Electric Corp. told CNN that the outage at Venezuela's main hydroelectric power station in Guri, Bolivar state, was most likely the result of old equipment and bad maintenance. "That damage happened because the machines are old," Lara said. "There are not any spare parts or enough people to upgrade the system." But authorities quickly blamed the blackout on anti-government saboteurs. Electricity Minister Luis Motta Dominguez called the blackout an "electricity war" and act of sabotage. President Nicolas Maduro posted on Twitter: "The electric war announced and led by the American imperialism against our people will be defeated. Nothing and no one can beat the people of Bolivar and Chavez. Maximum unity of the Patriots." Blackouts have become a daily occurrence across Venezuela as the economic crisis has worsened, but one of this magnitude was rare. Opposition leader Juan Guaido, who declared himself the country's acting president in January, described the blackout as further proof that time was almost up for Maduro. "Venezuela knows that the light will arrive with the end of the usurpation," Guaido tweeted on Friday. --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India on Saturday in a strong message to Islamabad said that if it claimed to be a "naya Pakistan with nayi soch", it should show "new action" against terror outfits operating on its soil and end cross-border terrorism in support of its assertions. "We are seeing the same script that has been played out earlier after the terrorist attacks on our Parliament in December 2001, the Mumbai terrorist attack in November 2008 and the attack on Pathankot airbase in January 2016," Ministry of External Affairs spokesman Raveesh Kumar told the media here. "Pakistan claims to proscribe groups and individuals, but this is confined only on paper. Actually, terrorist groups and individuals continue their activities without hindrance. "Pakistan has not shown any serious intent to address the legitimate concerns of India and the global community," he said. "We remain resolute in our determination to persuade the international community of the necessity of compelling Pakistan to move beyond mere words and to show credible, verifiable and sustained actions. "We have, and we will continue to act with responsibility and maturity. Our armed forces continue to maintain strict vigil and will remain determined in the defence of the nation and its citizens," Kumar added. The spokesman added that Pakistan continued to live in a state of denial. He said that Foreign Secretary Vijay K. Gokhale and the spokespersons of the Indian Armed Forces have already briefed the media on the action taken by New Delhi against the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror outfit. But, "Pakistan, however, continues to propagate a false narrative of the events of that day", he added. Slamming Islamabad for continuing to deny that JeM's roots were in Pakistan, Kumar said: "It is unfortunate that Pakistan still continues to deny JeM's own claim of carrying out the Pulwama attack in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed. "Our non-military counter terrorism strike of February 26 achieved the intended objective. It has demonstrated our firm resolve to take decisive action against cross-border terrorism. "On February 27, Pakistan instead of taking action against terrorist groups on its soil, chose to escalate through an act of aggression by violating our air space and attempting, unsuccessfully, to target our military facilities. "Their action was effectively thwarted by the alertness and readiness of our armed forces. "We have been transparent and open in informing the media that on February 27, itself that, in the process of defending our national sovereignty and territorial integrity, one Mig 21 Bison was lost in action and Wing Commander Abhinandan had to bail out and landed in Pakistan-Administered-Kashmir. "The statement by our Indian Air Force is in the public domain. "Only one aircraft was lost by us. If, as Pakistan claims, they have a video recording of the downing of a second Indian aircraft, why have they not shown it to the international media even after more than one week?" the Ministry spokesman noted. "Questions should be asked to them as to where the fuselage of the aircraft is and what has happened to the pilots? As we have already said, there are eye-witness accounts and electronic evidence that Pakistan deployed F-16 aircraft and that one F-16 was shot down by Wing Commander Abhinandan. "Evidence of the use of AMRAAM Missile, which can only be deployed on the F-16 with Pakistan, has also been shown to the media. "Pakistan should explain why it continues to deny that its F-16 aircraft has been shot down? We have asked the US to also examine whether the use of F16 against India is in accordance with the terms and conditions of sale," Kumar added. The Ministry spokesman also said that ever since the Pulwama attack, the international community has supported India in their condemnation of the attack. He highlighted that the UN Security Council had unanimously issued a press statement in which they explicitly referred to the JeM as having claimed responsibility for the attack. "The UN Security Council Press Statement also calls for perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of terrorism to be held accountable and brought to justice. Referring to Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi's BBC interview on March 1, Kumar said: "I quote 'they have not claimed responsibility of that (Pulwama attack). There is some confusion on that. The confusion is that the leadership has been contacted and they said no' unquote." The Indian official questioned whether Pakistan was "defending the JeM and acting as its spokesperson? Does Pakistan's claim has any credibility?" The Ministry reminded Islamabad that in 2004, the then President Pervez Musharraf had made a solemn public commitment that they would not allow any territory under their control to be used for terrorist activity in any manner. "But till today, however, Pakistan has failed to take any credible action against JeM and other terrorist organisations, which continue to operate with impunity from Pakistan. "The widespread presence of terrorist camps in Pakistan is a public knowledge within and outside Pakistan. Repeated requests by us and the international community for Pakistan to take action against such groups has been met with denial," Kumar said. "Since February 26, following demands from the international community, Pakistan is again claiming to take fresh action against terror groups on its soil. "In an interview to CNN on February 28, the Foreign Minister of Pakistan said, and I quote 'Well, he is (Masood Azhar) in Pakistan according to my information' unquote," he said. Despite the media interviews by Qureshi and Musharraf acknowledging the presence of JeM in Pakistan, the spokesperson of the Pakistan armed forces on March 6 openly denied the outfit's presence in the country, he added. "This statement is a sufficient proof that Pakistan still remains in a state of denial. "If Pakistan claims to be a 'naya Pakistan with nayi soch', it should show 'naya action' against terrorist groups and terror infrastructure on its soil and end cross border terrorism in support of its claims," the spokesman concluded. --IANS in/ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actor Irrfan Khan, who returned to India last month after receiving neuroendocrine tumour treatment in London, was spotted at Mumbai airport on Saturday. According to the photographs that surfaced online, Irrfan can be seen avoiding paparazzi at the airport as he chose to hide his face with a muffler. He was spotted wearing a pink jacket and camouflage pants. However, it was not clear where the "Piku" actor was heading to. Back in March last year, Irrfan had revealed that he has been diagnosed with a rare tumour. Soon after, he went to London for treatment. "The unexpected makes us grow, which is what the past few days have been about. Learning that I have been diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumour as of now has admittedly been difficult, but the love and strength of those around me and that I found within me has brought me to a place of hope," Irrfan earlier said while sharing the news of his tumour. It is also reported that the 52-year-old actor will soon start shooting the sequel of his 2017 film "Hindi Medium". --IANS sim/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A man on Saturday was taken into custody by the police after a Delhi-based woman pilot filed a complaint, accusing him of verbally abusing her at the airport here, officials said. The incident occurred after 11 p.m. on Friday. After finishing duty, the woman pilot was waiting for her vehicle at the airport to go to the hotel, when a man started abusing her verbally, the police said. "She had identified him as a taxi driver. We registered a complaint and her statement was recorded," said the police. After she filed complaint, the CCTV visuals were examined. The man, a Thiruvanathapuram resident, has been taken into custody, police said. His vehicle is also in police custody. --IANS sg/pgh/pcj (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Today, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov, while on a visit to Tehran, held talks with the chairman of the National Advisory Board of Iran, Ali Larijani. Mammadyarov and Larijani discussed joint economic projects of Azerbaijan and Iran, the work of the Interstate Joint Commission and the Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group, the Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan reports. Mounting attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the general elections, Congress President Rahul Gandhi, here on Saturday, accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of being a "chowkidar" (watchman) for tycoons like Anil Ambani and Gautam Adani and not the people. "Modi keeps saying he has been battling corruption everywhere. But he himself is corruption personified. He is a 'chowkidar' not for the people but Ambani and Adani," Gandhi said at a public rally here, about 350 km from Bengaluru. Bemoaning that unemployment rate was the highest in the country in the last 35 years, Gandhi said in Hindi Modi had promised to create 2 crore jobs in 5 years. "Where are jobs? Even farmers have suffered under the Modi rule," he alleged. "When our (Congress and JD-S) coalition government in Karnataka waived Rs 11,000 crore crop loans, Modi termed it a 'lollipop'. We delivered what we promised in the party manifesto for the May 2018 Assembly elections," claimed Gandhi. His speech was translated into Kannada by party state unit chief Dinesh Gundu Rao for the benefit of audience. The Congress President alleged instead of waiving crop loans, Modi waived Rs 3.5 lakh crore loans of 15 cronies, including Ambani and Adani. Lashing out at Modi for the November 2016 note ban, Gandhi said demonetisation forced lakhs of people to stand in queue for exchanging their hard-earned cash or depositing them in their bank accounts. "Demonetisation led all of you to stand in the queue. But did you see even one suited and booted person standing in the queue? Such as Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi, Vijaya Mallya or Ambani? No," Gandhi said at the party's "Parivarthana" (change) rally. In a combative speech, Gandhi alleged the "chowkidar" took money from the people's bank accounts and distributed it to his cronies. "Five years ago, Modi said 'make me a chowkidar and not the Prime Minister'. The country voted for him. But Modi stole Rs 30,000 crore and put it in Ambani's pocket," Gandhi said. He also blamed Modi for helping Ambani get the offset contract from French aerospace major Dassault Aviation for procuring 36 Rafale fighter aircraft for their induction in the operational fleet of Indian Air Force (IAF). "Papers (official documents) show PM (Modi) opened his own negotiations parallel to that of the Defence Ministry. Ambani went to France with Modi for the Rafale deal although he never made a single aircraft in his life," claimed Gandhi. Recalling his address in Parliament on the Rafale issue, Gandhi said he asked Modi why Rs 1,600 crore was being spent for one aircraft. "Why steal jobs from Karnataka by denying the Rafale contract to the state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Bengaluru? He (Modi) spoke for over 100 minutes but did not answer any question," lamented Gandhi. --IANS bha-fb/arm/pcj (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A New York politician has been convicted in a US federal court of taking bribes from a once-high-flying Indian-American restauranteur whose web of influence even enmeshed the city's mayor. A jury found Edward Mangano, the former elected head of Nassau county on Long Island, guilty of several charges of accepting bribes and kickbacks from Harendra Singh, officials said on Friday. Singh has pleaded guilty to bribing Mangano and in a deal with the prosecutors turned approver and testified against him. "Mangano abused his power as a public official by taking bribes and kickbacks from a businessman in exchange for helping him obtain loans worth millions of taxpayer dollars", federal prosecutor Richard Donoghue said. A Republican, Mangano was elected in 2009 to the office of County Executive of Nassau, which has a population of 1.3 million and adjoins New York City. His wife, Linda, who was convicted of conspiracy and other charges, had "a bogus job as a food taster and menu planner at one of Singh's restaurants", said William F. Sweeney, a Federal Bureau of Investigation Assistant Director. Prosecutors said that she received $450 for the job that did not require her to report for duty. The couple face a maximum prison sentence of 20 years. This is the second time the Mangano couple was put on trial. The first trial last year ended because the jury could not agree on a verdict. Singh had admitted in 2016 in court that he was guilty of bribing New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio to get a concessional lease for a restaurant on city-owned land. However, de Blasio was not charged because the federal prosecutors felt there was insufficient proof against the Mayor, who did not personally benefit from the bribes, which were directed towards his election campaign. De Blasio is an influential Democratic Party national leader, who is said to be considering a run for president. Singh gave the Manganos a $7,500 watch, a vibrating chair, paid for their vacations and for work on their house in return for helping him get a town to guarantee bank loans totaling $20 million and for various contracts, including one to provide bread to jails, according to court testimonies. (Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in and followed on Twitter @arulouis) --IANS al/ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Lahore High Court on Saturday said it will hear a petition seeking Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's disqualification on March 11. The appeal claims that Khan had concealed the alleged parentage of a daughter with a former partner in his nomination papers for the 2018 election, Dawn news reported. Tyrian While is the daughter of a former partner, Ana-Luisa (Sita) White. It has often been alleged that Tyrian is Khan's daughter, a claim which he has denied. "Imran Khan did not mention White as one of his dependants in his nomination papers, and thus he does not measure up to Article 62 and 63 of the Constitution," the petition read. Articles 62 and 63, set the precondition for a member of parliament to be "sadiq and ameen" (honest and righteous). Earlier this year, on January 21, the Islamabad High Court had rejected a similar petition terming it non-maintainable as it involved personal matters. --IANS ksk/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With nationalist sentiments on a high after the suicide attack that left 40 CRPF troopers dead, it is the Kashmiris around the country who have felt the heat. Post-February 14 Pulwama attack, a helpline for students from the state in the NCR area received over 500 calls -- more than 25 calls a day. Vidushi Kapoor, Jammu and Kashmir's Liaison Officer in-charge of Delhi-NCR area, told IANS that although no major incident was reported, she received around 500-600 calls, especially from Dehradun, from Kashmiri students saying that they are "feeling insecure". "Police and college authorities were very helpful. Full security and support was provided to the students at all times," she said. However, the charged-up environment and reports from other areas has prompted many Kashmiri students to return home, she added. "The environment has cooled down now, but two weeks were quite upsetting... the students were really scared." Kapoor is one of the seven Liaison Officers appointed around the country by the state government in November 2018 for support of students from the state. After the attack, their contacts were published in newspapers and social media to enable students to contact them. More worryingly, the situation also shows that the rift between the state's three major regions - Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh - extends to influence the perception of their people around India. Kapoor noted that the helpline had not got a single call from any students from the Jammu region. Meanwhile, it is those from the Kashmir Valley who are squeezed between the terror outfits and the security forces. Noting how all this takes a mental toll on its residents, Mehr (name changed), a 21-year-old living in the Kashmir Valley, said: "We are in repressive conditions. Being surrounded by security men is normal for us...livelihood, schools being suspended is normal." About the Pulwama attack, she said: "Violence wouldn't solve the issue. The attack was not a good thing" but noted that people joined militancy because of "excesses". Taniya Tikoo, a Kashmiri Pandit living in Delhi, said it is best for both India and Pakistan if Kashmiris are allowed to have a dialogue among themselves. "It will be a win-win situation for everyone," she said. People from Jammu region have a different take. Citing the recent grenade attack in Jammu bus stand, Delhi University student Saloni, who hails from Kathua, said, "A lot of violence has shifted to Jammu (region)." She demanded greater linkage between the state and India. "India has been investing so much... we should be integrated with the rest of the country and Articles 370, 35A (of the Constitution) should be scrapped - they have done no good so far." Hitu, another girl from Jammu region studying in Delhi, however, said whenever any violence takes place in Kashmir, it affects everyone including "our schools, banks, highways also close". She also said that people from Jammu and Ladakh region "have a general feeling of being ignored by the leaders". Jigmat Paljor, President of the Ladakh Student Welfare Society in Delhi, is in agreement with his Jammu counterparts - but to a point. Paljor told IANS how his people feel alienated because with all focus on Kashmir, issues of Ladakh, which is the state's biggest region but sparsely populated, get overlooked. About the challenges Ladakh faces after a Pulwama-type attack, he said its economy suffers since it is almost fully dependent on tourism. "And since Ladakh has a border with both Pakistan and China, there is always fear of tensions escalating...." While Paljor maintains Kashmir is an integral part of the country, he wants Articles 370 and 35A to stay as his region "is very fragile and susceptible in terms of economy, culture, language, environment, from outside influence". (Muskan Aggarwal can be contacted at muskan.a@ians.in) --IANS mag/vd/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prasar Bharati launched, here on Saturday, 11 more state Doordarshan channels, including five for northeast through DD Free Dish, to widen the reach and accessibility of the government broadcaster. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated people of Chhattisgarh, Goa, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Uttarakhand for getting their own Doordarshan channels on satellite network through DD Free Dish. "Glad to note that Prasar Bharati has brought 11 more state DD Channels on the satellite footprint of India through DD Free Dish. This includes five channels for north-eastern states. This will go a long way in strengthening regional cultures and fulfilling people's aspirations," he said. These channels represented "the regional aspirations" of the local population, he added. Providing a satellite network will not only increase visibility of these channels, but also give them an all-India presence, according to an official statement. "The increased accessibility to regional broadcast will help promote regional culture and give opportunities to local talent," the Prime Minister said. --IANS spk/rs/pcj (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Patanjali Ayurved founder Baba Ramdev has slammed multinational corporations after an advertisement from FMCG major Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) allegedly ridiculed Indian culture. Hitting out at the company on Twitter on Friday, the yoga guru-turned-entrepreneur also called for a boycott of HUL products. "What is the contribution of MNCs to India's economic and cultural development?" Ramdev asked. "What is the stature (aukaat) of these MNCs to be making unsavoury comments on India's glorious cultural heritage? Is India, for them, merely a market to be plundered?" he said in a tweet in Hindi which had the #BoycottHindustanUnilever #BoycottHULproducts tags. The HUL advertisement for the "Red Label" brand depicted a man abandoning his father at the Kumbh Mela. But the man realised his mistake after seeing a father caring for his young son and returned to meet his father who was waiting with two cups of tea. The ad was criticised heavily on social media, but HUL in a tweet said that the "@RedLabelChai encourages us to hold the hands of those who made us who we are." --IANS gb/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha (ABPS) of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) passed a resolution on "Bharatiya family system: A unique contribution to humanity" at its three-day meet in Kedardham in Madhya Pradesh, on Saturday. The ABPS, the top decision making body of the RSS, said the resolution was of firm opinion that "there is a need for comprehensive and immense efforts to sustain the lively and value-based nature of our family system." Through day-to-day behaviour and conduct, it should be ensured that the family life worked for building character, enriching life-values and strengthening mutual relationships, it said. "The family life will be joyous and blissful through dining, praying, celebrating festivals and going on pilgrimage together, the use of mother tongue, insistence on Swadeshi and nourishing and protecting family and social traditions. "Family and society are complimentary to each other. To instil the sense of social responsibility, encouraging donations for social, religious and educational cause and readiness to help the needy as per ability should become the nature of our family," the resolution said. Remarking that with the passage of time, some distortions and rigidity have crept in our society. it said ill-practices like dowry, untouchability and discrimination, ostentatious and extravagant spending, superstitions were creating obstacles in the all round development of the society. It lauded the steps taken by the Union government to recognise contributions of the Azad Hind Sarkar and appealed countrymen to organise events to make the youth aware of its inspiring and glorious history. Talking to the media, RSS Sah-Sarkaryavah (joint General Secretary) Dattatreya Hosabale said the 75th anniversary of the Azad Hind Fauj government should be celebrated all over the country. --IANS bns/arm/pcj (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Delhi Congress President Sheila Dikshit on Saturday met UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi at her residence to discuss the state unit's preparedness for the coming Lok Sabha elections. Party sources said that the meeting lasted for over 45 minutes. The source said that the former Chief Minister also apprised Gandhi about the party booth presidents' convention scheduled to be held at the Indira Gandhi stadium on March 11. The meet will be addressed by party President Rahul Gandhi. Asked if the two leaders discussed the possibility of alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party in the city, a source denied it and accusing the city's ruling party of spreading a "false narrative". --IANS aks/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The probe into the data theft case against IT Grids, a firm providing IT services to Andhra Pradesh's ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP), has gathered pace, said a top officer Saturday. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has stepped up the probe, said Inspector General of Police Stephen Ravindra, haeding the SIT, after more searches and scene reconstruction at the company's office in Madhapur here. SIT along with clues team, scientific and technical advisors and experts visited the IT Grids office. "As part of the investigation, today we are reconstructing the scene here," the official told reporters at the firm's office. He said the investigations were being conducted from all angles. He said devices and other material seized so far were sent to Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for analysis and the same would be submitted to the court. The SIT was awaiting a reply from Amazon and Google about the data being used by IT Grids. On quash petition filed by IT Grids CEO D. Ashok in Telangana High Court, Stephen Ravindra said they would counter the petition. Cyberabad police had booked a case against IT Grids on March 2 on a complaint by T. Lokeswara Reddy that sensitive data including personal information of citizens of Andhra Pradesh was being processed illegally by the company without consent of the citizens. The data was allegedly used by the company for an app developed by it for TDP cadres. Telangana government on Wednesday constituted nine-member SIT for thorough investigations into the case. SIT was on the lookout for D. Ashok to interrogate and find out how he had access to data from government database. SIT chief said data of Telangana citizens was also found with the company. The police case and subsequent developments have triggered a huge row between the Telugu states with Andhra Pradesh alleging that TDP's data was stolen under a conspiracy by Telangana's ruling party Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) and YSR Congress party. In a tit-for-tat, Andhra Pradesh government on Thursday set up an SIT to probe data theft case against Telangana. --IANS ms/in/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With a career spanning over two decades, Hollywood star Ben Affleck, whose filmography boasts of movies such as "Mallrats", "Dazed and Confused" and "Armageddon", says the bifurcation between independent films and studio releases is less now. Talking about his career having two pockets with independent and commercial cinema, Affleck told select media, including IANS here: "Now there is less of a bifurcation between studio and independent cinema. People are trying to make movies that are interesting in multiple ways like it used to be in the 1990s and early 2000s... where I kind of started out with 'Chasing Amy', 'Armageddon' and then 'Shakespeare in Love' that was a little bit of both." The Academy Award-winning filmmaker-actor said he has tried to mix both the sensibilities in his filmography. "I have tried to fuse the sensibilities of popularity and artistic in my career... That's an interesting challenge..." added Affleck, who has been feted with two Academy Awards. What is the most futile aspect of being a star? "You accomplish doing something and people get to know about that, but there's this interesting and bizarre parallel life if you're an actor in movies or television or streaming platform or whatever and you become successful, you kind of become a star in your own reality show in tandem of that that you're not writing and you're not directing and you have very little control over (or you don't necessarily want to participate in). "You very badly want to be off the show, which is a terrible feeling. It is sort of ridiculous and I understand there's an interest to see drama play out," he added. Affleck will next be seen in Netflix's original film "Triple Frontier", which is slated to release on March 13. The film, directed by J.C. Chandor, tells the story of five former military officers. "Triple Frontier" also stars Oscar Isaac, Charlie Hunnam, Garrett Hedlund and Pedro Pascal. Asked about doing away with the idea of toxic masculinity in the post-#MeToo era, Affleck said: "It reflects the hard truth... 95 per cent of the people pointing guns at each other or killing each other are men, that is simply true. This kind of violence is perpetrated by men, on men...Not that women aren't victims of violence.... the certain kind of solving problems through violence is demonstrated by men... The director's desire was to examine that with a critical eye." Almost a decade ago, "Triple Frontier" began as a solo script and was slated to be directed by the movie's screenwriter Mark Boal's frequent collaborator Kathryn Bigelow. Did the long gestation period of the film affect Affleck? "I have done fair number of movies in the last 25 years and I can't think of... any of them had a linear path... As a function of this business and the difficulties in getting movies made, you often go through casting and that type of thing... the only difference is the extent of that sort of publicity story. "If a movie has been around for a long time... there's actually a sign there's something worthwhile in it because people keep coming back to and want it to be made..." (Durga Chakravarty is in Singapore on an invitation by Netflix. She can be contacted at durga.c@ians.in) --IANS dc/nn/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, today, one of the employees of the American Embassy in Moscow tried to smuggle a mine from the United States to the Russian Federation without a fuse. The media reports clarify that the diplomat was detained at Sheremetyevo, the mine was found in his baggage. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, it was a deliberate provocation. The US Embassy in Moscow was notified of the incident, the provocateur returned to New York. US President Donald Trump will meet with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro in the White House on March 19, the White House said on Friday in a statement. Trump and Bolsonaro would discuss defence cooperation, trade policies, combating transnational crime, and Venezuela issues, according to the statement. The two leaders will also talk about their efforts to provide 'humanitarian assistance' to Venezuela, Xinhua news agency reported. The US has piled up a large amount of 'humanitarian aid' in the Colombian border city of Cucuta and Brazil's Boa Vista near its border with Venezuela. The Venezuelan government refused to let the aid cross the borders and called the aid operation a US-orchestrated show designed to lead to an eventual invasion. The US and Brazil recognized Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido as the nation's 'interim president' on January 23, days after Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was inaugurated for a second term as president. In response to Washington's support for Guaido, Maduro announced he was severing 'diplomatic and political' ties with the US, ordering all the US diplomatic and consular personnel to leave Venezuela in 72 hours. Maduro on February 21 also ordered to close the Venezuela-Brazil border because of Brasilia's support of Guaido. --IANS vc (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A goods vehicle loaded with 1,000 kilograms of explosive material was intercepted here on Saturday and two persons have been arrested, police said. Based on prior information, the Special Task Force of Kolkata Police intercepted the commercial vehicle from Tala Bridge in Chitpur, in the early hours of the day. "About 1,000 kg of explosive substances (potassium nitrate) stored in 27 gunny bags were seized," a police officer said. The vehicle was coming from Odisha and heading towards North 24 Parganas district. Two residents of Odisha's Balasore district -- Indrajit Bhui (25) and Padmolochon Dey (31) -- have been arrested and further interrogation is underway. --IANS bnd/ssp/mag/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A goods vehicle loaded with 1,000 kg of explosive material was intercepted here on Saturday and three persons have been arrested, police said. Based on prior information, the Special Task Force of Kolkata Police intercepted the commercial vehicle at Tala Bridge in Chitpur in the early hours of the day. The vehicle was coming from Odisha and heading towards North 24 Parganas district. "About 1,000 kg of explosive substances (potassium nitrate) stored in 27 gunny bags was seized," a police officer said. The driver and the helper - Indrajit Bhui, 25, and Padmolochon Dey, 31 - both residents of Odisha's Balasore district, were nabbed. Later, based on information provided by the duo, Sheikh Rabiul, 40, who was going to receive the entire consignment in Barasat in North 24 Parganas, was arrested. He was now been interrogated, the officer said. All three were produced before a court which sent them to 14 days police custody. --IANS bnd/ssp/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Warner Bros. CEO Kevin Tsujihara has apologised to his company's employees following the allegation of an affair with an actress and that he subsequently tried to help her land roles in Warner Bros.' productions. Tsujihara penned a note to his staff saying he deeply regretted his mistakes, reports variety.com. "I deeply regret that I have made mistakes in my personal life that have caused pain and embarrassment to the people I love the most. "I also deeply regret that these personal actions have caused embarrassment to the company and to all of you. I realised some time ago you are right to expect more from me and I set a course to do better. That journey continues," he wrote. Tsujihara's position at the studio behind the "Dark Knight" and "Harry Potter" franchises is in question in the wake of a story in the Hollywood Reporter that claimed that Charlotte Kirk, an aspiring actress, had leveraged her extramarital affair with the executive to get readings with casting agents on the studio's projects. However, Tsujihara denied that he had any "direct role" in the hiring of Kirk on Warner releases such as "Ocean's 8". Kirk also issued a statement to The Hollywood Reporter denying that there was any "inappropriate behaviour" on the part of Tsujihara. --IANS sim/nn/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bill Shine, the White House communications director and deputy chief of staff, has stepped down to join President Donald Trump's 2020 re-election campaign as a senior adviser. "Serving President Trump and this country has been the most rewarding experience of my entire life. To be a small part of all this President has done for the American people has truly been an honour. I'm looking forward to working on President Trump's re-election campaign and spending more time with my family," Shine said in a statement on Friday. Shine, a former Fox News executive, joined the White House in July 2018, the sixth person to fill or be tapped for the top communications role after Jason Miller, Sean Spicer, Mike Dubke, Anthony Scaramucci and Hope Hicks, CNN reported. Trump said in a statement later Friday that Shine "has done an outstanding job working for me and the administration". "We will miss him in the White House, but look forward to working together on the 2020 presidential campaign, where he will be totally involved," Trump said. Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders called it a "big loss for the administration, but a huge gain for the President's re-election campaign", reports CBS News. Brad Parscale, the campaign manager for Trump's re-election campaign, called Shine "an incredible professional" and praised his "wealth of experience from cable news and the White House". Shine's sudden resignation comes after an article in The New Yorker magazine detailed the ties between Trump and Fox News. He had been slated to travel with Trump to Vietnam for the second North Korea summit but unexpectedly dropped off the trip two days before, according to an administration official. Shine, who helped build Fox News into a cable news juggernaut at the right hand of the network's founding executive, Roger Ailes, resigned from the network in May 2017. A close ally of Ailes, Shine was accused in lawsuits of helping his boss cover up allegations of sexual harassment, although he was never directly accused of any wrongdoing. Shine continued to receive a payout from Fox News after he resigned of roughly $15.4 million in severance pay and bonuses, according to federal financial disclosure documents. He also received an $8.4 million severance payment, with roughly $3.5 million in bonus options due in 2018 and 2019. --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A woman has been jailed for 11 years, becoming the first person in Britain to be convicted of female genital mutilation (FGM) in a landmark case, the media reported. Speaking at the Central Criminal Court here on Friday, Justice Philippa Whipple found the 37-year-old Ugandan woman guilty of cutting her three-year-old daughter, the Guardian reported. An additional two years were added to her sentence for possessing indecent images and extreme pornography. Justice Whipple said it was not known why the woman inflicted FGM on her child, although witchcraft was a possibility. "It's a barbaric practice and a serious crime. It's an offence which targets women, particularly inflicted when they are young and vulnerable," she said. The woman and her Ghanaian partner, 43, both from Walthamstow, east London, were accused of cutting their daughter in 2017. The man was cleared of involvement following a trial. The victim has told trained officers that she had been cut by a "witch". Police searched the woman's home, finding evidence of witchcraft, including spells written inside frozen limes and two cow's tongues. Prosecutor Caroline Carberry said: "Two cow tongues, they were bound in wire with nails and a small blunt knife also embedded in them, 40 limes were found and other fruit, which when opened contained pieces of paper with names on them. "The names embedded included both police officers involved in the investigation of the case, the social worker, her own son and the then director of public prosecutions." She said a jar with a picture of a social worker was found hidden behind the toilet and another spell was hidden under the bed. The woman has denied the accusation, saying someone who commits a crime like this "is not human". She was found guilty last month. Research by London's City University estimated 137,000 women and girls are living with FGM in England and Wales. --IANS ksk/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 13-year-old girl allegedly committed suicide by hanging herself from a ceiling fan in west Delhi's Tilak Nagar on Saturday, police said. The police said they were informed about the suicide at 5.43 pm after which officials went to the spot. The girl, a Class 7 student, hanged herself from a ceiling fan when her family members were not home, a senior police officer said. No suicide note has been recovered yet, he said. After preliminary investigation, the police said the girl might have taken such step under school exam stress. The body has been sent for post-mortem, the police said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Four people died after their car plunged into the Sidhwan Canal here at Sarabha Nagar, police said Saturday. The driver lost control of the vehicle and it plunged into the canal on Friday night, police said. All the four occupants of the car drowned in the canal, police said, adding that the bodies were later fished out. The deceased were identified as Kashish Arora (21), his two siblings Bhavneet Singh Juneja (27) and his sister Sanya Juneja (24), and Dinesh Chander (27), police said. "All four were old friends and Chander had come to Ludhiana from Lucknow to appear in an exam. Four of them had gone out to have dinner. They were returning home when the accident happened," police said. "According to Manpreet Juneja, father of Bhavneet, they had gone out to have dinner as their friend had visited from Lucknow. The vehicle was driven by Kashish Arora," said Kulbir Singh, the SHO of Sarabha Nagar police station. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 6-year-old boy died while a 29-year-old man was injured after gunshots were fired in a gym at Inderpuri, police said Saturday. On receiving information at 8:45 pm about gunshots being fired, police reached the spot and found that the boy, Prince Raj, who was looking through the window of his residence above the gym has died while another person, Mahender, was injured while entering the building, an official said. The injured was taken to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, where he was stated to be out of danger, police said. Initial enquiry revealed that four people of JJ Colony in Inderpuri were involved in the incident, they said, adding a case has been registered in the matter and a hunt is on to nab the accused. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) International Women's Day is a unique holiday, a senior analyst of Vestnik Kavkaza, Andrey Petrov, said in the National Question program on Vesti.FM, talking about the traditions of celebrating March 8 in the post-Soviet space. Following the collapse of the USSR, the holiday was canceled in a number of republics as too Soviet and ideological, but it did not disappear and regained the state status in the 2000s. Therefore, March 8 is one of those dates that unite all the post-Soviet space today, women still unite us all, despite different political courses, the expert noted. In particular, the expert spoke about the traditions of celebrating March 8 in the Caucasus and Caspian countries. Among the countries that abandoned March 8 as early as in 1991 were Georgia and Armenia - the new authorities considered the holiday a legacy of the communist regime. Then it was renamed and its date was moved: in Georgia, Mothers Day was celebrated on March 3, and in Armenia, April 7, the Day of the Annunciation became the Day of Motherhood and Beauty. In both countries the holiday was not celebrated for 10 years, Andrey Petrov recalled. However, at the beginning of the 2000s, both countries, under pressure from the public, which did not stop celebrating March 8, returned International Women's Day to the calendars of the public holidays and days off. In particular, in Georgia, this happened at the initiative of Prime Minister Nino Burjanadze. Interestingly, no one canceled new women's holidays, and as a result, the women's day is celebrated in Armenia, and there is also the women's month from March 8 to April 7, he said. Azerbaijan had a different approach to this holiday. The new republic was recognized as the successor of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic of 1918-1920, which did much to expand the rights and freedoms of women - this was the first state in the Muslim world to grant women the right to vote. Therefore, the question of the fate of International Women's Day was not even raised, it turned out to be filled with national meanings, and March 8 naturally passed from the Soviet public holidays to Azerbaijani ones, the expert pointed out. As a result, on the whole Caucasus, on March 8, women are greeted not only by men who love and respect them but also at the highest state level of presidents and prime ministers. In Azerbaijan, traditionally, honorary titles are awarded to the best teachers, doctors and cultural figures, in Georgia, women soldiers are awarded individual congratulations, and in Armenia, the new Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan reads live in Facebook verses for all Armenian women, Andrey Petrov said. Caucasus neighbors across the Caspian - Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan - are also celebrating March 8. In Kazakhstan, the holiday has been preserved since Soviet times, on this day Nursultan Nazarbayev traditionally holds meetings with Kazakhstani women, which is informal in nature - the president jokes a lot and tells anecdotes. In Turkmenistan, the International Women's Day was canceled by Niyazov in 2001, again, as the Soviet legacy (it was combined with Novruz), but the holiday was returned in 2008 by Berdymukhamedov. There is a Turkmen tradition - every woman in the country receives a small cash gift from the president on this day, the senior analyst of Vestnik Kavkaza said. In general, all countries of the former Soviet Union are still celebrating March 8 as a public holiday and a day off, with the exception of Lithuania and Estonia, but even there the holiday is celebrated informally, he concluded. A 60-year-old Pakistani national, who mistakenly ventured into Indian territory, was repatriated as a goodwill gesture, a BSF spokesman said Saturday. Mohammad Ashraf was apprehended soon after he intruded into this side from across the International Border in Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir. He was handed over to Pakistani Rangers at 3.40 pm, the spokesman said. "As a goodwill gesture and maintaining peace and tranquility at the IB, the BSF handed over the Pakistani national to Rangers. He was apprehended yesterday (Friday) when he crossed the International Border in Ramgarh sector of Samba," the spokesman said. The BSF released the Pakistani national "healthy and sound", he said. "The Pakistani Rangers appreciated the humane approach of the BSF," the spokesman said. Ashraf, a resident of Boitah-Narowal area of Punjab, was carrying Rs 12,000 in Pakistani currency and was questioned by the BSF officers, sources said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Free media is the lifeline of a democracy and access to information is vital to any society, British Deputy High Commissioner in Kolkata, Bruce Bucknell has said. Bucknell said the United Kingdom works hard to defend media freedom. "Media pluralism is limited by the ongoing fact that women remain comparatively unrepresented in the media workforce and in decision-making roles," he said at a conference here on Friday. Bucknell said as freedom of expression underpins all human rights "we must all defend a free media." On the issue of gender equality and womens empowerment, Bucknell said, "No country can truly develop if it leaves half of its population behind." "Women make up over 50 per cent of the population and deserve to have their voices heard and their rights protected. We believe girls and women everywhere should be treated equally, be empowered, and be safe," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) AIADMK top leader and Chief Minister K Palaniswami Saturday denied there was a deadlock in talks with the DMDK and softpedalled the prospective ally's remarks against his party. Downplaying the DMDK's remark that despite having 37 MPs, AIADMK could not bring good projects to the state, he said it was natural to be critical while being in the opposite camp and a consensus on views would emerge only when an alliance was struck. "Each party has a stand. There is no impasse (over talks aimed at stitching an alliance to face the Lok Sabha polls)," he told reporters at Salem when asked about the deadlock in talks with the DMDK. Premalatha Vijayakanth, DMDK's treasurer and wife of party chief Vijayakanth, had asked on Friday what benefit Tamil Nadu got though the AIADMK won 37 of the 39 seats without being part of any alliance in 2014 Lok Sabha polls. Since AIADMK was not part of the winning combine -NDA- that wrested power at the Centre from the Congress, Tamil Nadu could not get "good projects" from the Union government notwithstanding its 37 MPs, she had told reporters. "This is an election to elect MPs, the Prime Minister and we have to tie-up with only one of the two national parties," she had said, adding that a good decision would be out in a couple of days. The Congress party is in alliance with the DMK and the latter had days ago declared it had no seats to offer to DMDK. The DMDK's remark, though seen as a jibe directed at the ruling party, was also perceived as a bid to defend the proposal to tie up with the AIADMK combine since the BJP is a key constituent in that alliance. Palaniswami said: "We know to what extent MDMK chief Vaiko had lambasted the DMK. Now he is in the DMK front and is extolling (DMK chief Stalin) sky-high... you don't air such things in the (visual) media." The DMDK top leader had not said that her party opposed the AIADMK, the Chief Minister pointed out. Senior AIADMK leader D Jayakumar said he disagreed with Premalatha's view and that his party could strongly raise its voice on the Mekedatu issue in Parliament only due to its 37 MPs. "Parliament was stalled. It happened only because of our 37 MPs," Jayakumar, who is also the Fisheries Minister, told scribes in Chennai. The AIADMK had stalled Parliament last year over an alleged bid by Karnataka to build a dam at Mekedatu across the Cauvery. Despite not being part of the winning combine in 2014, AIADMK had never given up the rights of Tamil Nadu and had always fought and won the State's rights, he said. AIADMK could exert pressure on the Centre only due to its strength of MPs and the state had also got funding for projects, he said. Asked if he was softpedalling the matter, he said the DMDK leader may have avoided making the remark. "Let us forgive and forget as per Anna's (Dravidian ideologue and DMK founder) philosophy, the past is past, let us leave it. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The administration extended the date of depositing the second instalment of arrears of the old tax regime under an amnesty scheme till March end, an official spokesperson said on Saturday. On a request from various stakeholders, the state administrative council, led by Governor Satya Pal Malik, decided on Friday to extend the date of depositing the second instalment up to March 31, so that the inconvenience faced by the dealers in depositing their instalment is addressed. The due date for depositing the second instalment expired on January 31. The amnesty scheme announced by the government in February last year provides for 100-per cent remission of penalty and interest on arrears of tax for dealers under the provisions of the erstwhile Value Added Tax Act, 2005, and J&K Sales Tax Act, 1962. Andrea Riseborough has announced her commitment to work with a female director in the next 18 months and the actor urged her British counterparts to also take up a similar pledge. The 37-year-old actor made the pledge as part of the Time's up movement's "4PercentChallenge". The Time's Up movement, launched in the wake of Harvey Weinstein sexual harassment scandal in 2017, and the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative have come up with the initiative of "4PercentChallenge" which aims to increase the number of women directing major studio films. Riseborough, who last featured in Nicolas Cage-starrer "Mandy", has teamed with Time's Up UK chair Heather Rabbatts to call on the British film industry to follow suit. "We are urging the film industry here in the UK to be purposeful in how inclusion is advocated for. That's why Time's Up and the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative initiated the #4PercentChallenge, and we are delighted to announce Andrea Riseborough's commitment to the challenge, the first British actor to do so since Tessa Thompson formally launched it at Sundance earlier this year," said Rabbatts. Riseborough said the industry used to once operate on the idea of merit, but in the current era, the concept of inclusion has become a "cultural necessity". "Mine is an influential industry and its fruits effect our social consciousness. I'm committing to working with a female director in the next 18 months because although women make up 50 percent of moviegoers only four percent of studio films are directed by women. On projects directed by women we have statistics to prove more women also end up onscreen and behind the camera," she added. The actor joins the growing list of artistes like Lena Waithe, Rashida Jones, Olivia Wilde, Armie Hammer, Kumail Nanjiani, Josh Gad, Amy Pascal, Bryce Dallas Howard, Brie Larson, Eva Longoria, Rachel Brosnahan, Constance Wu, Jennifer Lopez and Kerry Washington to take up the "4PercentChallenge". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actor Ben Affleck on Saturday sidestepped a question on veteran filmmaker Steven Spielberg's push for a rule change by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) to exclude streaming services for Oscars eligibility. There have been reports that Spielberg will be speaking with the AMPAS's Board of Governors to insist for a rule change that will make films made by streaming services like Netflix, Hulu and Amazon ineligible for Oscars. The legendary filmmaker represents the Directors branch of the Academy on the Board. Asked for a comment on Spielberg's move, Affleck told reporters, "That's really a question for interested outside groups and how they define the popular art that they are interested in giving awards to or not or how you are kind of qualified for that." "I'm not on the Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) or any other group," he added. The 46-year-old actor is promoting his upcoming action thriller "Triple Frontier" here along with co-stars Garrett Hedlund and Charlie Hunnam. Affleck had previously told AP that it is "fun" partnering with Netflix as they are committed to telling new stories. "I'm not entirely sure how it's going to look. There's some controversy, people have different opinions but it's definitely also fun to be part of what Netflix is doing because they're heavily invested in telling stories, they want a lot of stuff out there, and there's a thrill and a rush and excitement to that," he said. Netflix, in its response to Spielberg's move, had said that the traditional cinema and the digital platforms can coexist in harmony. "We love cinema. Here are some things we also love: Access for people who can't always afford, or live in towns without, theaters. Letting everyone, everywhere enjoy releases at the same time. Giving filmmakers more ways to share art. These things are not mutually exclusive," the streaming giant had said in a statement shared on official Twitter account of Netflix Films on Monday. At the 91st Academy Awards, Netflix-produced "Roma" claimed three major honours -- Best Foreign Language, Best Director and Best Cinematography -- but stopped short of claiming the top prize of Best Picture which was claimed by "Green Book". The Peter Farrelly-directed racial drama, starring Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali, had Spielberg's backing. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Industrialist Bhupinder Singh Manhas has been appointed president of the Takht Sachkhand Shri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib replacing Mulund MLA and senior BJP leader Sardar Tara Singh. Famous as Hazur Sahib, the shrine on the banks of the Godavari River in Nanded in the state's Marathwada region, is among the holiest ones for the Sikh community as Guru Gobind Singh, its tenth and last Guru, left for his heavenly abode (parlok gaman) from here on October 7, 1708. The notification for appointing Manhas, as well as eight other members on the reconstituted board, was issued by the Maharashtra Revenue and Forest Department on Friday. Confirming the development, Sardar Tara Singh said, "I am stepping down from the post today. Manhas has been made the new president." He said an expansion of the the number of members on the board, by amending the Takht Shri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib Board Nanded Act 1956, is due and will take place after Lok Sabha elections. "Eight more members will be brought in which will take the board's strength to 17," he informed. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sleuths of the Excise Department Saturday foiled an attempt of tax evaders to smuggle cigarettes, weighing around 1,200 kilograms, outside the state when they intercepted a truck at Lakhanpur toll plaza in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said. "Cigarettes attract toll tax at the rate of Rs 4,000 per quintal and evaders tried to hoodwink the toll authorities by declaring these as 'telephone goods' which attracts toll at a much lower rate of Rs 100 per quintal," a spokesman of the department said. He said the vehicle was intercepted and seized at the export weigh bridge of the toll post near the Punjab border and recovery of Rs 5,28,000 on account of toll and penalty leviable under various sections of the J&K Levy of Toll Act was effected. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The BJP does not trust its own leaders and so was poaching those from the Congress, said the opposition party's state unit chief Amit Chavda Saturday. He was reacting to Jawahar Chavda being inducted into the Vijay Rupani cabinet on Saturday, a day after the former quit the Congress as well as the Legislative Assembly and joined the ruling BJP. Jawahar Chavda, a four-time MLA, represented Manavadar seat in Junagadh district and is considered to be an influential OBC leader from the Ahir community. He had submitted his resignation from the House to Speaker Rajendra Trivedi on Friday. "The BJP is staring at defeat in the Lok Sabha polls. It does not trust on its own workers and lacks capable leadership. This is the reason why the BJP is getting Congress leaders to join it using greed and threats," state unit chief Amit Chavda said. "BJP workers spend their entire life for the party but get no value within it. Just to win polls, the BJP takes away winning Congress candidates and makes them ministers," he said, adding that the people of Gujarat would give a befitting reply to this "insult" of its "mandate". He claimed such movement by some leaders to the ruling party would not demoralise Congress workers who will continue to fight for the people. Apart from Jawahar Chavda, Gujarat Governor O P Kohli Saturday also administered the oath of office to Jamnagar West MLA Dharmendrasinh Jadeja, who crossed over from Congress to BJP ahead of 2017 Assembly polls, and Yogesh Patel, BJP MLA from Manjalpur in Vadodara. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BJP is not into to gain power, but for the empowerment of the nation,Union Home minister Rajnath Singh said here Saturday. The opposition Congress, on the other hand, was pursuing only to regain power at the Centre by forging a coalition of variousparties, he said, addressing an intellectualsmeeting organised by the BJP's district unit. "Their (Congress) efforts are not going to yield any result andNarendra Modi will become Prime Minister again," he said. The union minister said the BJP's policy was justice for all and appeasement of none and added that the nation needs a strong government, not anunstable coalition. He said that as the fastest growing economy, the country was set to become one of the top three super powers in the world. Various schemes launched by the Union government had improvedthe lot of common man in the last five years, he said. The Swachh Bharat mission introduced by the governmentwas a success and 98.8 per cent of families now have toiletfacilities, Singh claimed. More than 18,000 villages wereelectrified under the 'power for village' and 'power for all' missions, he said. State BJP president B S Yeddyurappa, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel and MLA Vedavyas Kamath were among those present. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Today, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Leyla Abdullayeva welcomed the statement of the OSCE Minsk Group in support of plans for direct talks between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. There were proposals from the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs in connection with the meeting of the Azerbaijani President with the Prime Minister of Armenia. We would like to note that Azerbaijan is committed to the negotiation process and is always ready for substantive negotiations. Azerbaijan supports the efforts of the co-chairs to resolve the conflict through result-oriented and intensive negotiations, she said, recalling that Ilham Aliyev had three informal meetings with Pashinyan, and the two foreign ministers already held four meetings. Actor Whoopi Goldberg has revealed that she almost died during her battle with pneumonia but she is fine now. The 63-year-old Oscar winner prerecorded a message that was played during the recent episode of "The View", a show where Goldberg serves as a co-host. "Hey, yes, it's me. I am here. I am up and moving around. Not as fast as I'd like to be, but I am okay. I'm not dead. So here's what happened: I had pneumonia and I was septic. Pneumonia in both lungs, which mean there was fluid, there was all kinds of stuff going on," Goldberg said. "And yes, I came very, very close to leaving the Earth. Good news, I didn't. Thank you for all of your good wishes. And all of the wonderful things that you have been saying," she added. The actor said she is also grateful to those who do not like her but still sent their get well messages, according to The Hollywood Reporter. "Even people who are not huge fans of mine have actually said nice things about me. We all know that's gonna change when I get back, but for right now it's brilliant," Goldberg said. She then addressed her co-hosts and said, "Ladies, I cannot wait to see y'all. This has been interesting and I'll tell you about it when we're all at the table. See you soon. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Congress and the BJP traded barbs on Saturday over a media report that PNB scam accused Nirav Modi was living in a swanky apartment in the UK, with the opposition alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was running a "fraudster settlement yojana" and the ruling party accusing the UPA of allowing the banks to be "looted" under its watch. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the government was taking all steps for extradition of Nirav Modi from the UK, and asserted that the extradition request made to that country showed that India was aware he is there. The assertions, claims and counter claims began after British daily The Telegraph reported that Nirav Modi, wanted in India in the Rs 13,500 crore PNB fraud case, was living openly in an eight-million pound apartment in London's West End and running a new diamond business just yards away. Asked about the report, the MEA said the UK was considering India's request to extradite Nirav Modi. MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar, at a media briefing, said the fact that "we requested the UK government for extradition of Nirav Modi, means that we were aware that he is in UK, otherwise we would not have made the request". "Just because he has been spotted doesn't mean he can be immediately brought back to India as there is a process in place. We have made a request for extradition, it is for the UK government now to consider our request and respond to the demand of the CBI and ED for extradition," he said. Amid the raging political debate, the Enforcement Directorate said the United Kingdom's home secretary has recently referred India's request for extraditing Nirav Modi to a court for initiating legal proceedings against the diamantaire. Also, officials involved with the proceedings in the UK confirmed in London that UK Home Secretary Sajid Javid has certified India's extradition request for Nirav Modi. Congress president Rahul Gandhi, taking to Twitter, took a swipe at Prime Minister Modi saying that the recent video of Nirav Modi in the UK shows an "uncanny similarity" between the two as both "believe they are above the law". The Congress also alleged that fugitives had looted Rs 1 lakh crore from Indian banks but not even one of them had been caught during the five years of the Modi government. "The video of fugitive #NiravModi in London shows an uncanny similarity between him & his bhai, PM Modi. Both have looted India and are called Modi. Both refuse to answer any questions. Both believe they are above the law. Both will face justice," the Congress chief tweeted. The BJP hit back saying "profound argument from a man who himself has a stolen surname". "BTW, is it not true that in Sept 2013, you visited Nirav Modi's bridal jewellery exhibition in Delhi and the very next day Allahabad Bank approved loan to him, despite opposition from bank's director?" the party said in a tweet. Union HRD minister Prakash Javadekar Saturday held the Congress responsible for the alleged financial frauds involving Nirav Modi, Vijay Mallya and Mehul Choksi, asserting that all such fugitives will be extradited to India under the Modi government. "After Nirav Modi was spotted in London, Congress people are happy that he is spending good time there, but the Modi government will bring back all the fugitives. They (fugitives) as well as those who helped them will be punished," he said at a press conference in Jaipur. "They were allowed to loot banks. The then prime minister Manmohan Singh had also said Kingfisher airlines (owned by Vijay Mallya) should be helped. It was the Congress government which allowed them to take away depositors' money," he alleged. The Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) was in power at the Centre from 2004 to 2014 after which the Narendra Modi dispensation assumed office. "Many of these who cheated India during the UPA government have been brought back and are in custody. Others will follow. They are living the life of fugitives and refugees," the BJP tweeted. Targeting the BJP, Congress' chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said: "Fugitive Nirav Modi has been seen enjoying in London, living in a Rs 75 crore flat and wearing a 10,000 pound jacket." "First loot Rs 23,000 crore from banks, then run away from the country without any checks, mock the CBI and the ED, and then make a comfortable home in a Rs 75 crore flat. Modi is there, so it is possible," he claimed. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal alleged that the Modi government allowed economic offenders Nirav Modi and Vijay Mallya to flee the country, and wondered whether this was the prime minister's "patriotism". "Why did Modi government make the two flee country. Is this the patriotism of Modi ji?" the Aam Aadmi Party chief tweeted in Hindi. Congress spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi, at a press conference, said it is another instance in which the Modi government has proved that "their slogan 'Modi hai toh mumkin hai' (It's possible if there is Modi) is correct for fraudsters". "The country is now a witness to the 'Narendra Modi fraudster settlement yojana'," she said. Nirav Modi, 48, was tracked down to a three-bedroom flat occupying half of a floor of the landmark Centre Point tower block of luxury apartments, where rent is estimated to be around 17,000 pounds a month, 'The Daily Telegraph' reported. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Congress in Nagaland, bolstered by the return of 21 senior leaders to its fold, vowed to put up a united fight against the "stop-gap" BJP-NDPP government in the state. Welcoming the leaders who made a comeback to the Congress, five-time chief minister and senior party leader S C Jamir said, "Congress, today is solidified". The 21 leaders -- including former Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) president S I Jamir, former speaker Z Lohe and former deputy speaker Joshua Sumi -- were reinducted during a programme on Friday, the development coming just months ahead of the general elections. Claiming that the Congress is a party with a vision and clear ideology, Jamir asserted that it can never be uprooted. Asking the Congress workers to be active and propagate its programmes, the former Nagaland Governor called for shunning party dissents and internal bickering. "Congress workers should have the courage to tell the truth to the people, and articulate very clearly that we can serve, help and lead the people," he said. Stating that the Naga society is in "delirium", Jamir also alleged that the ruling NDPP dispensation was only "a stop-gap arrangement" to "fool" the people. NPCC president K Therie expressed hope that the party will put up a united fight to "combat the BJP and its regional cohorts", with the return of the 21 leaders. Therie added that more leaders were expected to join the Congress in the coming days. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In what could be seen as a jolt to Bihar Congress ahead of the parliamentary election, senior leader and spokesman Binod Sharma resigned on Saturday, contending that the party should not have demanded evidence of Balakot air strike. In a letter addressed to Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Sharma said the party high command has hurt the sentiments of ground-level workers and the common people by raising questions over the "pre-emptive" strike on the terror camps in Balakot, days after the Pulwama attack on a CRPF convoy. The senior leader also said that he wrote to Gandhi several times in the last one month, apprising him of the sensibilities of the party workers in the state, but his requests were not entertained. Terming the repeated demands for proof of air strike as "shameful and childish", he said, "I am resigning from the Congress with a heavy heart after serving it for 30 years. The party high command has hurt sentiments by breaking the Army's morale, while boosting the spirits of terrorists." Sharma alleged that some Congress leaders have "strayed from the path shown by party's stalwarts Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi". "Today, we (Congress members) are seen as Pakistani agents. I feel ashamed of being called a Congressman. Since the nation is above party, I am resigning from the Congress," he stated in his letter. The senior leader also said that many party workers, who are disappointed with the high command's stance over the air strike, may follow in his footsteps. Without taking names, Sharma said he would join a party that puts nation ahead of "petty politics". A former general secretary of Bihar Congress, Sharma had unsuccessfully fought the Paliganj assembly by-poll on a Congress ticket in 1996. He also served as the president of National Students Union of India's Bihar unit from 1996 to 2000. On February 14, a convoy of vehicles carrying CRPF personnel was attacked by a suicide bomber in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in the death of 40 jawans. Twelve days later, Indian Air Force jets crossed the Line of Control in Kashmir and pounded Jaish-e-Mohammed training camps in Pakistan. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Congress Working Committee meeting will be held in Gujarat on March 12 to mark the launch of historic Dandi March by Mahatma Gandhi from the Sabarmati Ashram here in 1930, state party unit chief Amit Chavda said Saturday. He said the meeting of the party's highest decision-making body will be followed by a public rally in Adalaj in Gandhinagar. It will be attended by Congress president Rahul Gandhi, his mother Sonia Gandhi, sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, former prime minister Manmohan Singh and chief ministers of Congress-ruled states. "The meeting of Congress Working Committee (CWC) will be held in Ahmedabad on March 12 to mark the launch of historic Dandi March by Mahatma Gandhi in 1930. The CWC will meet in Gujarat for the first time since 1961, after a gap of 58 years," Chavda told reporters here. The Gujarat visit will begin with Congress leaders paying tribute to the Father of the Nation at the Sabarmati Ashram, he said. Preparations for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections and poll campaign will be discussed in the CWC meet, he said. The meet, which was earlier scheduled for February 28, was shifted on account of tensions between India and Pakistan due to the February 26 IAF air strike and the neighbouring country's unsuccessful retaliatory strike on February 27. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Kicking off the Congress' election campaign in Telangana for the polls, Saturday said his party would implement a minimum income guarantee scheme for the poor if it is voted to power. He alleged that Prime Minister was into "making two Indias" - one where "only the rich are benefited and the other in which farmers who seek loan waiver with folded hands are let down". The would not let this happen, Gandhi said. "We have decided that the party will give guaranteed minimum income to every poor person in After the 2019 polls, the (Congress-led) will fix minimum income. It will not be below any of the income levels (below poverty line)," he said. Asserting that not a single person would be left behind, the said, "We will deposit money into accounts of those whose earnings are less than the minimum income." "People will get money under the scheme if their income is less than the minimum income (fixed), irrespective of whoever they are, whichever state they live in or religion they practice and whatever language they speak," he said while addressing a meeting of Congress functionaries in Shamshabad on the city outskirts. Alleging that some businessmen fled the country after taking hefty loans from banks, but no action has been taken, Gandhi said, "Modi works for 15 people." "Nothing can be done about demonetisation which has hurt people badly, but GST would be simplified once the Congress comes to power," he said, adding the doors of banks would be opened to small businessmen and traders. The Congress would also support farmers in whatever way it can, Gandhi said and asserted that his party would ensure the passage of women's reservation bill. Continuing with his attack on the prime minister, he said, "Modi talks about about patriotism but spreads hatred." Referring to the Doklam issue, the Congress alleged, "On one hand the entered Doklam and on the other, this patriot (Modi) was sipping tea with the Chinese " The Congress does not bend before anybody and two prime ministers from the party lost their lives for the cause of the nation, he said. "The time has come to remove (from power). All workers of the Congress should visit every house in Telangana and tell them that the state's chief minister wants to help Modi whose aim is to suppress the voice of The Congress can safeguard the voice of India and the Constitution," Gandhi said. The Congress president claimed that the MPs of Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao-led Telangana Rashtra Samithi supported the NDA government at the Centre on various issues. "Every day we stand up and ask questions about Modi's corrupt deals. I ask how many times did KCR raised his voice. Did the chief minister ever say that there should be a probe into the Rafael deal? This is because he wants to continue as prime minister," Gandhi said. Congress chief Rahul Gandhi Saturday said the party would implement the minimum income guarantee scheme and deposit money in bank accounts of all the poor in the country if voted to power after the Lok Sabha polls. "We have taken a decision that Congress party will give Guaranteed minimum income to every poor person in India. After the 2019 polls, the Government of India will fix minimum income. It will not be below any of the income levels (Below Poverty Line) of people," he said. People will get money under the scheme if their income was less than the Minimum Income (fixed), irrespective of whoever they are, whichever state they lived in or religion they followed and whatever language they spoke, he said. "We will not leave even a single person. We will search for people whose income is less than the Minimum Income, we will deposit money in their accounts, the congress chief said. Gandhi was addressing a meeting of Congress functionaries where he kick started the partys campaign for the coming Lok Sabha polls. Continuing his tirade against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he alleged that Modi was creating two Indias - one in which only the rich benefited and the other in which farmers seeking loan waiver are let down. "The congress party will not let this happen," he said Referring to the Doklam issue, he alleged that the Prime Minister hosted the Chinese premier in Gujarat at a time when that nation's army intruded into Doklam. "On the one hand Chinese army entered into Doklam and on the other hand, this patriot (Modi) was sipping tea with the Chinese President," he said On the women's reservation bill, Gandhi said Congress would ensure its passage in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and the state legislaturesAttacking Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, Gandhi said Modi is aware of his 'corrupt activities' and was 'remote controlling' him. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Slamming the Modi government over a news report that fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi was living in a swanky apartment in London, the Saturday alleged fugitives had looted Rs 1 trillion from Indian banks but not even one has been caught in five years. The British daily Telegraph reported that billionaire diamond tycoon, accused in the $2 billion PNB fraud case, has been tracked down by it to an 8 million pound apartment in London's West End. Pl watch Trailor- A day in the life of Poster Boy for Bank Fraudsters Settlement Scheme abroad! Director & Producer- Narender Modi! Editor- Arun Jaitley! Script Writer- ED & CBI! Production Cost- 23,000Cr! Financed by- Indian Banks! !!! https://t.co/NdzDzq0JXM Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) March 9, 2019 "Fugitive Nirav Modi has been seen enjoying in London, living in a Rs 75 crore flat and wearing a 10,000 pound jacket," Congress' chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala told reporters. "First loot Rs 23,000 crore from banks, then run away from the country without any checks, mock the CBI and the ED and then make a comfortable home in a Rs 75 crore flat. (Narendra) Modi is there, so it is possible," he claimed. It seems Prime Minister is running a "bank fraudsters settlement company" for the likes of Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi, Surjewala alleged. "Fugitives looted Rs 1 trillion from Indian banks but you have not even caught one in the last five years," he claimed. Tamil Nadu Municipal Administration Minister S P Velumani Saturday urged the corporates to contribute towards the Housing for All scheme. "Tamil Nadu government is doing everything possible to implement the scheme. And if corporates can contribute, more people from the poorer sections of the society will benefited from it," Velumani said. He was addressing a summit on CSR experience and impact with focus on "Reviving innovative and successful models for sustainable tomorrow," organised by CII Southern Region here. ACC has recently constructed 100 houses for the poor and if the corporates could help in such projects, there would be more beneficiaries, he said. On various projects coming up in the city, Velumani said the 400-acre CODISSIA industrial park project, extension of the defence corridor and airport expansion plan for which Rs 75 crores had been given to land owners as the first instalment, would lead to development and generate more employment. The summit had various sessions focusing on various aspects of CSR Activites. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu Saturday said the prime accused in the alleged data theft case, probed by the Telangana police would come out at the right time, even as he alleged that the case was an "unprecedented conspiracy" to implicate the TDP. "I have not seen such conspiracies in the 72-year history of the country. Even in cinema, you don't find such conspiracies. Even the magnum opus Baahubali too did not have such a great conspiracy," Naidu remarked at a press conference. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief blamed BJP, YSRC and TRS for hatching the conspiracy to "implicate" his party and its functionaries in an "untenable and fabricated case of unauthorisedly accessing the official data bases." D Ashok, who heads IT Grids firm that's under a cloud now, faced a lot of agony because of the police raid, the Chief Minister said. IT Grids is accused of theft of data of voters through "Seva Mitra" mobile app, used by the TDP in Andhra Pradesh. The Telangana Special Investigation Team that is investigating the data theft case is on a hunt to nab Ashok. "Ashok.. he will come. Where he is? here are some issues in it. It's in the court.. will talk tomorrow or day after.. He also has pain.. right time he will come.. he will explain," the Chief Minister said in reply to a question. The Chief Minister admitted that the IT Grids as well as Blue Frog Technologies, another firm that was also under the scanner, worked for the Andhra Pradesh government and his party. IT Grids was an outsourcing agency of the TDP, he added. Naidu, however, maintained that only the TDP data was "stolen" by the Telangana government while the Andhra Pradesh government data was "safe." "Blue Frog is doing from so many years. They are doing geo-tagging and other things (for the government). They are not doing any work on Real-Time Governance. IT Grids is doing some other work.. doing party work, private work. In what way they are concerned? Our people said government information is thousand times safe," the Chief Minister pointed out. He sought to know how the Telangana police could raid the IT Grids office on February 23 without even registering an FIR. "Without registering FIR, how did you go to the office? How did you steal the data? How did you do the investigation? All this is an illegal act of police," the Chief Minister added. The Telangana government owed an answer to all this, he said. The TDP and TRS are locked in a war of words since the case was registered on March 2 against IT Grids. Cyberabad police in Hyderabad had conducted searches at the IT firm and claimed to have seized severeal "incriminating" materials, including computer hard discs. A special investigation team has been constituted to probe the case. Police have issued notices to Amazon Web Services and Google Play as they were said to have stored the app database in their servers. The TDP government has dismissed the charge of data theft and sought transfer of the case from Telangana to Andhra Pradesh while Naidu has accused BJP and TRS of helping YSRC. TRS working president K T Rama Rao had said Telangana police was only probing the charges as per a complaint and asked Naidu why he should fear a probe if he had not done anything wrong. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and United Nations chief Secretary-General Antonio Guterres discussed on Friday the recent developments at the Indian-Pakistani border, and the latest situation in Syria over the phone, the Directorate of Communications of the Turkish Presidency said, Trend reports referring to Daily Sabah. Tensions between Pakistan and India, two nuclear-armed rivals, have soared since a suicide bombing in Kashmir on Feb. 14 by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed militants killed 40 Indian paramilitary troops. India has long accused Pakistan of cultivating such militant groups to attack it. Pakistan has denied any involvement in the suicide attack. Indian aircraft then crossed into Pakistan last week, carrying out what India called a pre-emptive strike against militants blamed for the bombing. Pakistan retaliated by shooting down an Indian fighter jet last Wednesday and detaining its pilot, who was returned to India last Friday as a peace gesture. Russian and Turkish forces started patrolling in and around Idlib on March 8 under a deal reached between the two sides last year to establish a buffer zone in the enclave, in efforts to prevent a major offensive by the Assad regime there. The Saturday denied reports of an Army jawan being abducted by militants from his home in central Kashmir's Budgam district, saying he is "safe". The family of Mohammad Yaseen, posted with the Light Infantry (JAKLI) Regiment, had on Friday informed the police that some people came to their house at Qazipora Chadoora in Budgam and took him away. Yaseen was on leave. However, a defence spokesperson Saturday said the reports of the abduction of the jawan were incorrect. Clarification. Media reports of the abduction of a serving Army soldier on leave from Qazipora, Chadoora, Budgam are incorrect. Individual is safe. Speculations may please be avoided.@PMOIndia @nsitharaman @DefenceMinIndia @PIB_India @adgpi Defence Spokesperson (@SpokespersonMoD) March 9, 2019 An Army official said they are trying to ascertain where the jawan had been on Friday night which prompted his family to approach the police. A girl student of a college in south Kolkata has been allegedly heckled by some students' union members on International Women's Day for wearing a "revealing dress". The student, who did not wish to be named, alleged that she was first threatened by two members of the Trinamool Congress Chhatra Parishad (TMCP) for wearing the "revealing dress which is against the discipline of the college", when she entered the college Friday noon. When she protested, she was pushed by the two union members, the student alleged. Her classmate Barun Majhi alleged that he was beaten up by the TMCP members when he protested against the incident. The TMCP said nothing of that sort had taken place. A college spokesman said no formal complaint had been lodged by the girl and there was no such dress code in the college. He said if the student lodges a complaint with the college authorities, necessary action will be taken after an inquiry. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Saturday asked to "desist from displaying photographs of defence personnel" against the backdrop of a picture showing a hoarding with images of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman as well as leaders of a party. In a fresh instruction issued to all political parties, the EC referred to its December 2013 letter in which it had "called upon all to advise their candidates and leaders to desist from displaying photographs of defence personnel or photographs functions involving defence personnel in advertisements". The instructions came after the photograph of a hoarding displaying pictures of the IAF pilot as well as senior BJP leaders was circulated on social media and came to the EC's notice. However, it was not known where the hoarding had been put up. In 2013, the defence ministry had informed the EC about photographs of defence personnel being used by leaders and candidates and had urged the poll panel to issue suitable instructions in this regard. An MiG-21 Bison, piloted by Wing Commander Varthaman, had shot down a Pakistan Air Force F-16 fighter aircraft on February 27. However, his plane was also shot down and he was arrested in Pakistan. The pilot returned home after his nearly three-day captivity in Pakistan on March 1. A local election observer was killed by stray bullet on Saturday in southeast Nigeria's Enugu state, police said. "The man was a local observer monitoring the gubernatorial and house of assembly election," a police officer who did not want to be named, told AFP. "He was hit by stray bullet fired by a policeman to disperse a group of protesters," he said. The police officer said the protesters were pushing for the postponement of Saturday's gubernatorial poll to give more time for Ayogu Eze, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to campaign. Eze who has been facing a legal challenge to his nomination, was only cleared to run by the court on Thursday. Eze's supporters insisted the election should be delayed so that he would have enough time to canvass for votes. Local media also confirmed the killing. At least 10 people were reportedly killed in election-related violence across Nigeria during Saturday's polls. Two weeks ago, 53 people were killed during the presidential and national assembly vote. Incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari won a second term after defeating his main challenger Atiku Abubakar, of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party with almost four million votes. Abubakar has rejected the results, alleging rigging. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Manfred Weber of the centre-right European People's Party will meet Hungarian populist Prime Minister Viktor Orban to discuss his Fidesz Party's dispute with the EPP, a Germany newspaper reported. On Tuesday, Weber, the EPP's leading candidate to take over as head of the European Commission later in the year, set Fidesz an ultimatum if it wanted to avoid being expelled from the largest group in the European Union parliament. Orban had to stop his government's anti-EU campaign; let the CEU university founded by the liberal US-Hungarian billionaire George Soros stay in Budapest; and apologise to other member parties of the EPP. "I will again in the coming days personally hold talks with Viktor Orban in Budapest," Weber told Welt am Sonntag, due to appear Sunday. He said he wanted to make it clear to Orban that Fidesz was going to be forced out of the EPP if he did not change his position, he said. On a visit in Slovenia Saturday, Weber refused to confirm if he was going to Hungary personally, saying only he and Orban were in "regular contact" and had several phone calls. "Let me say, that for the moment we are in the period of talks," he told reporters at a joint conference with Janez Jansa, the leader of Slovenia's main opposition Social Democrats Party (SDS), which is an EPP member. "For me there is no Europe of East or West, of South or North, of small or big. There are only Europeans... We have to keep Europe together that's why with talks you can solve problems, and we'll try to do it until the 20th of March," he added. EPP members are due to discuss Fidesz's future in the group at a meeting on March 20. In December, the CEU announced it was moving most of its programmes out of Budapest to Vienna, complaining it had been targeted by government legislation pushed through parliament in 2017. Weber has also objected to a campaign in Hungary targeting European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, also of the EPP, accusing him of backing illegal migration. On Friday, Orban said Fidesz could opt to leave the EPP and seek to join up with Poland's ruling right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) party in the European Parliament. The EPP is the biggest party in the European Parliament and comprises the main centre-right movements in Europe, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel's CDU. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former Burundi president Pierre Buyoya, the subject of a government arrest warrant, has urged the international community to intervene over what he termed breaches of the country's peace accord. The warrant against him was one such violation of the Arusha agreement of 2000 that ended a brutal civil war in Burundi, Buyoya claimed in a letter to the pact's guarantors. It also amounted to "a hindrance to the process of national reconciliation," he warned in the letter seen by AFP on Saturday and authenticated by an African diplomat. The document, dated March 1, was addressed to Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, who mediated the peace deal and supervised it, as well as fellow guarantors South Africa, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, the UN, African Union and the European Union. In November, Burundi issued an international arrest warrant against Buyoya, 11 former senior officials and five civilians close to him over the 1993 killing of the country's first democratically-elected leader, Melchior Ndadaye. Buyoya is the African Union's representative in Mali and a respected figure on the continent as well as overseas. A Tutsi, he came to power in a 1987 coup with the help of Burundi's army. He stepped down in 1993, when Ndadaye, a Hutu, was elected, but Ndadaye was killed just four months later in an attempted coup by hardline Tutsi soldiers. That led to several years of civil war between the two ethnic groups, in which an estimated 300,000 people died. In the letter, Buyoya accuses current President Pierre Nkurunziza of "violating the Arusha accord and the constitution that flowed from it." The country, he added, was in a political crisis, "aggravated by the massive and daily violation of human rights." He urged the guarantors "to intervene resolutely, using all the means at their disposal, to redress the wrong that is being inflicted on the Burundian people and to make President Nkurunziza see reason". Burundi was plunged into crisis in 2015 when Nkurunziza sought -- and went on to win -- a controversial third term. At least 1,200 people are estimated to have died in the ensuing turmoil, with more than 400,000 displaced. The International Criminal Court launched an investigation. Nkurunziza's rule has been characterised by growing authoritarianism, intimidation and abuse, according to human rights groups. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former Odisha chief minister Hemananda Biswals daughter and Congress leader Sunita Biswal Saturday joined the ruling BJD, barely two days after the Congress had announced that it will strictly follow 'one family, one ticket' policy for the upcoming polls. Sunita Biswal, also the former executive president of the Sundargarh district Congress, joined the BJD along with hundreds of her supporters in presence of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. "I am glad that Smt. Sunita Biswal, daughter of former chief minister Hemanada Biswal has joined our party along with her supporters. I welcome them to the party. I am sure they will strengthen the BJD further," Patnaik said. Sunita said she joined the regional party after consulting her in-laws. "Since my father is in the Congress, I was not open to quitting the party. "I am impressed by Naveen Patnaik's welfare programnme for women, farmers and youths. I hope, I will be able to do something for the people of Sundergarh," Sunita told reporters. Sunita said she has joined the BJD without any condition and will accept whatever decision the party chief takes regarding tickets to contest polls. Reacting to her daughter's decision, Hemananda Biswal said: "My daughter is quite grown up to take decision on her own. I have nothing to do with this. I continue to remain in the Congress." Biswal's daughter quit the party barely two days after AICC in-charge of Odisha Jitendra Singh announced that the Congress will adopt "one family, one ticket" policy in the upcoming elections. "Some leaders seek tickets for more than one member of their family. This time, the party has decided that only one ticket will be given to one family. However, if a senior family member, to whom the ticket is allotted, decides not to contest, he or she has the option to pass on the ticket to his/her son or daughter," Singh had told reporters on Thursday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tripura Health Minister Sudip Roy Barman has said that a number of diagnostic services are now being provided free in government hospitals in the state. He said the BJP-IPFT government which came to power in in the state in March last year introduced the free diagnostic services in government hospitals. "Prescription audit system was introduced to ensure accountability in public healthcare and Intensive Care Units (ICU) were made free for patients of all categories since April last year," Burman told reporters here on Friday. The minister said a host of diagnostic and treatment services like dialysis are offered to patients for free in different government hospitals along with free medicines for all by the BJP-IPFT government. "Public healthcare is provided 24 hours in 83 out of 112 Primary Health Centers (PHC) in Tripura, including in far flung areas. 65 medical officers of the state were trained in seasonal and vector borne diseases like influenza, Japanese Encephalitis, Chikungunia, Dengue, etc to combat onslaught of occasional outbreaks," he said. Roy Burman said the Health Department is maintaining public information on availability of blood through e-raktakosh, an online database of blood availability in government blood banks across Tripura. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The body of one more Army jawan, who had gone missing last month following an avalanche in Himachal Pradesh's Kinnaur district, was recovered on Saturday, an official said. Nitin Rana (27) and five other jawans of the 7 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles were buried under the avalanche at Shipki La near the Sino-India border on February 20. Rana's body was recovered on Saturday, whereas his mobile phone was recovered a few days ago, a district official said. His body was taken to Pooh from where it would be sent to his native place at Rit village in Jaisinghpur tehsil of Kangra district, he said. Earlier, bodies of three jawans were recovered, whereas two are still missing. Havaldar Rakesh Kumar's body was recovered on the day of the avalanche, whereas bodies of Rifleman Rajesh Rishi and Rifleman Govind Bahadur Chhetri were recovered on March 2 and 4 respectively. About 400 personnel and several residents of Khab village are carrying out operation to search for the two other soldiers. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Taking a dig at the Congress, Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri Saturday said the opposition party was making a fool of itself by asking for proof of the Balakot air strikes. Responding to allegations of the Congress that the Centre was "politicising" the issue, he said no one doubted the air strikes carried out by Indian Air Force (IAF) and that the government was not obliged to give any evidence. "The Pakistani authorities have still not given foreign press access to that area. This should itself provide people the proof. I feel very sorry for those who are insisting of making a fool of themselves," Puri said. "Those who are accusing us are representatives of a political party which ruled India for most of the 70 years and became victims of the doctrine of strategic restraint which means that because we are nuclear power, we cannot defend ourselves," he said in an apparent reference to the Congress. The Housing and Urban Affairs minister was speaking at the inauguration of an Urban Observatory here. The observatory looks at intelligent use of data in addressing complex urban challenges. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has demonstrated through the surgical strikes and the recent IAF air strikes that "we have the means to go 100 km inside a territory". Forty CRPF personnel were killed when a Jaish-e Mohammed (JeM) terrorist rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into their bus on February 14 in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district. The IAF hit back by targeting a training camp of JeM in Balakot on February 26. Pakistan retaliated the strike next day by unsuccessfully attempting to target Indian military installations. Puri said in the air strikes, more than 80 per cent of precision guided ammunition hit the target. "We went in there, got the (JeM) facility. We used aircraft and precision guided ammunition which had the precise coordinates. More than 80 per cent of such ammunition hit the target and they had warheads with deep penetration which pierced through and exploded inside the target," he said. The minister added that it was imperative for the empowerment of communities that cities work on using information available through various sources to improve their functioning, public services, governance systems, achievements and failures in the public domain. The Congress and several other opposition parties have accused the BJP of politicising the sacrifices of armed forces. The Congress praised the Indian Air Force for the air strike, but demanded the government to give proof of the number of terrorists killed in the strike in Balakot. BJP president Amit Shah had said 250 terrorists were killed in the air strike. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) French Yellow Vests protested across the country for the 17th straight weekend, briefly taking over a Paris airport as the movement sought to reignite fervor among France's working class, Fox News reports. Protesters are pressuring the government to reverse economic policies they see as favoring the rich. Some demonstrations have been marred by violence and vandalism. The Yellow Vest movement has rocked France since November 2018, when hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets demanding President Emmanuel Macronsresignation. Alumni of IIT Delhi from the 1969 batch have contributed over Rs 1 crore to their alma mater for establishing an award to promote innovation and entrepreneurship. The alumni have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with premier institute and named the award-- 'Batch of 1969 Innovation Fellow (Award)' on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee reunion of the batch here. The Award will be executed and managed by the Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT) of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi. "While funds are usually available for students to continue with their projects in the incubation mode, most investors do not permit their funds to be used as stipends or salary for the students themselves," Rajat M Nag, an alumnus of the 1969 batch said. "Many, if not most, graduating students thus find it difficult to continue with their projects as the alternative of a high paying jobs are much more attractive than the risk of supporting themselves using personal resources to work on projects which ultimately may not find venture capital support," he added. The batch has proposed to partially fund this gap by establishing the corpus at IIT Delhi for providing an annual stipend to a graduating student at any level and of any discipline or programme in any department, centre or school. The award would enable the recipients to continue working on their near finished project to bring it to a level of preparation for serious consideration by investors. It will carry a monthly stipend of Rs 1 lakh for a period of one year. In exceptional cases, the awardee may be considered for further support for a maximum of six months. The corpus will enable the institute to present one award annually for a 10-year period (2019-2028). "IIT Delhi alumni have made their mark in the entrepreneurship space with over 300 successful companies created by them all over the world. This award is a great beginning to similar fellowships institute is planning to create for budding entrepreneurs. We welcome this initiative from our alumni," said V Ramgopal Rao, Director, IIT Delhi. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India has carried out three cross border strikes in the last five years, Union Home Minister said here Saturday. Singh spoke about the 2016 after the terror attack and the air strike after the incident in which a convoy was attacked by a suicide bomber killing 40 jawans, but he did not reveal about the third. "I want to tell you, brothers and sisters, that in the last five years, we have gone beyond our borders thrice and our men have successfully conducted airstrikes. "About two I will tell you, but won't tell you about the third one," Singh told BJP's Shakti Kendra office bearers convention here. "One time you saw in Uri, terrorists who came from killed 17 of our soldiers, who were sleeping at night in a cowardly attack. After that, our soldiers also decided. Whatever happened after that you too know it very well, I need not tell....now you are seeing. First attack happened. the second one was air strike... happened after attack. I won't give you information about the third one," Singh said without elaborating. Singh asserted that "it is no more a weak India." "...leaving aside all our differences, we have to stand together. Time and again India has done this." In a pinpointed and swift airstrike on February 26, India pounded Jaish-e-Mohammed's biggest training camp in in a pre-dawn operation, described as "non-military" and "preemptive". Indian troops had crossed the Line of Control in September 2016 and launched a on terror launch pads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir after Pakistani terrorists attacked the army base in Kashmir, killing 19 soldiers. Singh said the Indian government had given a strong message to after the attack. He also said that Pakistan would have to pay a huge price if it continued to promote terrorism. "The country will not provoke anyone, but will not leave anyone if provoked," he said. He also said that no force in the country could deter the from its fight against terrorism and the party would come back to power at the Centre with renewed force. Singh said the had risen to heights from a party having only two seats in Parliament way back in the eighties. It could attain a clear majority in the 2014 elections. Singh also said that India would become one of the top three nations in the world in the next 10 years. "America, Russia and are now the top three powerful countries. India will join the league of top three by the year 2028," he said. Stating that was the largest political party in the world with its membership strength, Singh said India could retaliate against the terrorist strikes only because a strong party was in power. The country has become one of the fastest growing economies in the world in recent years, he said. He said state governments and party units in states had been asked to protect Kashmiri students studying at various institutions in the country from attacks after the Pulwama terror strike. Singh expressed the hope that the BJP would win all the 28 Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka. The Congress-JD(S) coalition is weak in the state and has not been successful in delivering its promises, he said. BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa, Nalin Kumar Kateel, Shobha Karandlaje MPs and other leaders were present. The External Affairs Ministry Saturday said the government was taking all steps to extradite diamantaire Nirav Modi, accused in the USD 2 billion PNB scam, from the UK. It also said the UK was considering India's request to extradite Modi. "The UK is still considering our request to extradite Nirav Modi...The government is taking all necessary steps for his extradition," MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said at a media briefing. He said India made the request for extradition to the UK knowing that Modi was living in that country. According to report in a British daily on Saturday, Modi is living in a swanky 8 million pound apartment in London's West End and is now involved in a new diamond business. Modi, 48, is currently living in a three-bedroom flat occupying half of a floor of the landmark Centre Point tower block, where rent is estimated to cost 17,000 pounds a month, The Telegraph reported. The revelation comes a day after Modi's 30,000 sq ft seaside mansion at Kihim beach in Maharashtra was demolished by authorities using explosives. Despite his bank accounts being frozen by the Indian authorities and an Interpol red notice being issued for his arrest, Modi, a diamond jeweller whose designs have been worn by Hollywood stars, is now involved in a new diamond business based in London, the report said. In a video posted by the newspaper, Modi can be seen sporting a handle-bar moustache and wearing an Ostrich Hide jacket, estimated to cost 10,000 pounds. When journalists from the paper questioned him on various issues, including whether he has urged Britain to grant him asylum, Modi ducked them by saying, "Sorry, no comments". A source told the the UK daily that Modi had been given a national insurance number by the Department for Work and Pensions, meaning he can legally work in Britain, and has used British bank accounts. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) which intruded into Rajasthan's Ganganagar was shot down by the Army on Saturday, defence sources said. "One UAV intrusion in Ganganagar sector around 7.30 pm. The drone was engaged and brought down," a defence source said. No further details were shared. On March 4, a fighter jet of the Indian Air Force shot down a Pakistani military drone in Bikaner sector of the Indo-Pak border using an air-to-air missile. Another Pakistani drone was shot down by India on February 27 along Indo-Pak border in Kutch in Gujarat. The downing of the drones came in the midst of heightened tension between India and Pakistan after IAF struck a terrorist training camp in Pakistan's Balakot and subsequent retaliation by Islamabad. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The CBI has filed an application in the Delhi High Court for taking on record additional submission in the anticipatory bail plea of former Union minister in connection with The plea will come up for hearing before Justice Sunil Gaur on March 11. The court had on January 25 reserved its order on the anticipatory bail plea of the leader in both the cases lodged by the CBI and the ED. In its application, the CBI said it wanted to file additional submission regarding ongoing investigation in larger interest of justice. Earlier, while opposing the anticipatory bail plea, the CBI and had asserted that custodial interrogation of Chidambaram was required in the case as he was evasive in giving answers during questioning. The high court had reserved its order and said that the interim protection from arrest granted to Chidambaram will continue till the decision is passed on his plea for anticipatory bail. The high court had on July 25, 2018 granted interim protection from arrest to Chidambaram in both the cases and it was extended from time to time. The senior leader's role had come under the scanner of various investigating agencies in the Rs 3,500-crore Aircel-Maxis deal and the involving Rs 305 crore. It was during his tenure as finance minister in the UPA-I government that clearances from the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) were given to the two ventures. In the INX Media case, the CBI had registered an FIR on May 15, 2017 alleging irregularities in the FIPB clearance granted to the media group for receiving overseas funds to the tune of Rs 305 crore in 2007 during Chidambaram's tenure as finance minister. Thereafter, the ED had last year lodged the in this regard. A trial court here had also on May 30, 2018, directed the ED not to take coercive action against Chidambaram in the Aircel-Maxis He was also granted protection from arrest in the Aircel-Maxis case in which he and his son Karti are named in the charge sheet filed by the CBI. The interim protection has been extended from time to time. Chidambaram's petition had said that though no summons had ever been served on him by the ED in this case, he had an apprehension of arrest in view of the summons issued to him by the CBI, which was investigating the scheduled offence. Actor Irrfan Khan was on Saturday spotted by eager paparazzis at the Mumbai airport, his first appearance since he returned to India after undergoing treatment for neuroendocrine tumour in London. The 52-year-old actor had revealed last year in March that he was suffering from neuroendocrine tumour and has been away from the limelight since then. In photos doing the rounds on social media, Irrfan's face was not completely visible as the actor covered it with a scarf. The actor was donning a pink jacket over a white shirt with a pair of camouflage cargo pants and a hat. Earlier, there were reports that Irrfan is undergoing treatment in the city-based hospital here, but a source close to the actor has denied, saying, "He isn't here for any treatment." It is still unclear when the actor will be returning to work and start shooting for "Hindi Medium 2", a sequel to his 2017 comedy drama. Irrfan, who has has delivered outstanding performances in films such as "Paan Singh Tomar", "Haasil, "Maqbool" and "Piku", has also established himself in the West with movies like "The Namesake", "Life of Pi" and "Jurassic World". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A suicide car bomb targeting US forces in northern Syria wounded at least two allied fighters Saturday, a monitor said, with the Islamic State group claiming the attack. A jihadist "driving a car bomb" hit a convoy that included a US armoured vehicle from the international anti-IS coalition and Kurdish fighters in the city of Manbij, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. The two wounded fighters were from the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the Britain-based monitor said. "No US soldiers were injured or killed today," coalition spokesman Sean Ryan told AFP. The Islamic State (IS) group claimed the attack by an "explosive-laden vehicle" via its Amaq propaganda arm. The attack is the third in the past two months targeting the US-led coalition and its allies in northern Syria. On January 16, four Americans were among 19 people killed in a suicide attack in the city claimed by IS. Manbij is a former IS stronghold that is now held by a military council affiliated to the SDF. The city constitutes a major point of contention between Syria's Kurdish minority, which maintains de facto autonomy in parts of northern and northeastern Syria, and neighbouring Turkey. The jihadist attacks followed US President Donald Trump's announcement in December that he would withdraw American troops from Syria, as he declared IS had been defeated. The White House later said around 200 American "peacekeeping" soldiers would remain in northern Syria. The SDF is currently battling to wipe out the final scrap of IS territory close to Syria's border with Iraq. After a lightning offensive that saw it seize large swathes of Iraq and Syria in 2014, IS's self-declared "caliphate" has crumbled under pressure from multiple offensives, but the jihadists remain able to launch deadly attacks. Syria's multi-fronted war has killed more than 360,000 people since it began in 2011 with President Bashar al-Assad's regime bloodily suppressing protests. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) After a series of conflicting reports, a Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) spokesperson confirmed the death of the newborn son of the UK's runaway ISIS bride, Shamima Begum, in a refugee camp in Syria. The baby, named Jarrah and just over two weeks old, died of pneumonia, according to a medical certificate, the US-backed SDF forces running the camp where the 19-year-old was based said on Friday. A UK government spokesperson said the death of any child was "tragic and deeply distressing for the family". A paramedic working for the Kurdish Red Crescent in the camp said the baby had been suffering from breathing difficulties. He was taken to a doctor on Thursday morning before being transferred to hospital, along with his mother, but died later on Thursday. Begum has since returned to the camp and her child was buried there on Friday. Earlier, the Bangladeshi-origin girl's family lawyer had stated on Twitter that they had received unconfirmed reports from within her refugee camp in the Middle East that her baby had passed away. It is confirmed he is dead, Mohammed Akunjee later stated on social media and posted a series of reports critical of UK Home Secretary Sajid Javid, who had revoked Begum's British citizenship last month even while acknowledging her baby as British. The UK's Opposition took aim at Javid for his decision, with Labour's shadow home secretary Diane Abbott saying: It is against international law to make someone stateless, and now an innocent child has died as a result of a British woman being stripped of her citizenship. This is callous and inhumane. In a statement when reports of the baby's death were still unconfirmed, Javid said: "Sadly there are probably many children, obviously perfectly innocent, who have been born in this war zone. I have nothing but sympathy for the children that have been dragged into this. This is a reminder of why it is so, so dangerous for anyone to be in this war zone." As the baby was born while Begum was still a British national, his status was that of a British national and Begum's London-based family had written to Javid to assist them in bringing the baby back to the UK based on his rights as a British citizen. Begum, who fled London as a 15-year-old schoolgirl to join the Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist group, is believed to be entitled to Bangladeshi citizenship by virtue of her parents' heritage. My number one job is to do whatever I can to keep this country safe, Javid had said last month when announcing the revocation of her British citizenship. Begum's son was born on February 17, days after she was tracked down heavily-pregnant in a refugee camp in Syria. She told reporters at the time that she had already lost two babies one to malnutrition and another to ill-health during her time with ISIS and pleaded with the UK government to allow her and her new-born baby to return to the Britain. I would like them to re-evaluate my case with a bit more mercy in their heart. I am willing to change, she said, following the revocation of her citizenship. She fled to join ISIS in February 2015 and married Dutch ISIS recruit Yago Riedijk as a so-called jihadi bride. Her 27-year-old husband, who is being held in a Kurdish detention centre in north-eastern Syria, recently said in a media interview that he wanted his wife and baby to be allowed to return to the Netherlands. Both the Netherlands and Bangladesh have since denied that Shamima Begum would have a right to entry into either country. Under international law, the UK can revoke a citizenship of a British national only if the individual would not be made stateless. Begum's British citizenship was revoked on the grounds that she is eligible for citizenship of Bangladesh until the age of 21 through her parents' Bangladeshi dual nationality. But Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has since ruled out such a possibility of her being considered for Bangladeshi citizenship. Begum is currently believed to be in a refugee camp closer to the Iraqi border after being removed from the Al-Hol camp in the north of Syria due to alleged threats following the worldwide media attention she attracted. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With the arrest of 18 persons from different parts of the country, Jaipur police on Saturday claimed to have busted an international gang involved in duping people of crores of rupees on the pretext of providing them rare and valuable radioactive articles that could be sold to NASA. The gang duped Pune-based three men of Rs 7 crore in the name of giving them a 'rare radioactive dancing doll' certified by DRDO, Jaipur Police Commissioner Anand Shrivastava said. "The gang convinced the victims that the radioactive doll is used in research by NASA and the agency will pay exuberantly for the product," Shrivastava said, adding the doll was not radioactive. He said that the accused used to arrange testing and certification of the article by a man posing as Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) scientist and also charged Rs 70 lakh for the testing. The officer said the gang was run by Ganesh Ingole who runs a fake energy company- Rencel India in Mumbai. "Ingole claims to be associated with several international nuclear associations and regularly attends scientific conferences abroad. He and his aide Satya Naryan, a resident of Jaipur, convinced many people into investing into radioactive products that could be sold to NASA at exuberant prices," the Commissioner said. He said an FIR was lodged with Jaipur's Jawahar Nagar Police Station and taking action on that 18 people were arrested from Jaipur, Delhi, Mumbai, Indore and Uttar Pradesh. The accused are being interrogated, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Jalpaiguri circuit bench of the Calcutta High Court was "operationalised" here on Saturday in presence of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, a month after being inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi which she had taken exception to. The prime minister had inaugurated the Jalpaiguri circuit bench on February 8, triggering a prompt reaction by Banerjee, who claimed that her government as well as the high court were kept in the dark about the development. "The land is ours, circuit bench is of the high court. Neither the groom nor the bride is there but the bandwala has come," she had said. At the programme on Saturday organised by the Calcutta High Court administration, Governor K N Tripathi unveiled the plaque of the circuit bench in the presence of Banerjee, Acting Chief Justice of the high court Biswanath Somadder and 31 other judges. At the programme, the chief minister said she did not "want to go into any controversy on this auspicious occasion." Noting that "all is well that ends well", Banerjee said the bench could have been inaugurated earlier had the necessary notification been issued by the Centre. "The circuit bench could have been inaugurated earlier by then chief justice Jyotirmoy Bhattacharya, who took a lot of initiative to start it," she said. Terming the circuit bench that will serve five districts of north Bengal as a "precious ornament" in its kitty of several development initiatives taken by the state government, the chief minister said it is a historic event that fulfils the long-standing demand of the people of the region. She said the foundation stone of the circuit bench, proposal for which was mooted in 1988, was laid by her in 2012 for early completion of its infrastructure. The circuit bench, where judges will begin hearing petitions from Monday, will now function from the Jalpaiguri Zilla Parishad bungalow, till a new building comes up on a land allotted by the state government. Acting Chief Justice Somadder and three other judges will hear matters at the Jalpaiguri Circuit Bench, which will serve the districts of Jalpaiguri, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Coochbehar and Alipurduar. He said "the operationalisation of the circuit bench" is a new beginning in the history of the region. Prime Minister Modi had unveiled the plaque of the circuit bench from a stage at Churabhandar in Jalpaiguri district, before holding a public meeting there. While inaugurating the circuit bench on February 8 he had said despite the sanction given by the Union Cabinet 13 to 14 years ago, "the insensitive government in the state has not been able to start the circuit bench for so long." Denying the charge, Banerjee had claimed at a press conference on the same day here that she and Justice Bhattacharya had planned to inaugurate the bench four months ago, but the Centre did not give a go-ahead. The chief minister alleged that a notification in this regard was issued at the last minute to facilitate the inauguration by Modi to win "political brownie points". "Who has given land for the new building and funds for the circuit bench? Rs 300 crore has been spent by us (West Bengal government), the land was given by us. "Was anyone from the high court present? Modi babu did not inform the high court or the state. He inaugurated it only because Lok Sabha elections are approaching. It is a matter of great shame," she had said. The inauguration ceremony on February 8 was not attended by Justice Somadder or any other judge of the high court. A high court official had said that there was no question of any of its judges attending the ceremony, since there was no prior communication from the Centre or the state government. The Jalpaiguri circuit bench is the second such bench of the Calcutta High Court, with the other being the Andaman and Nicobar Islands circuit bench. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) According to the press service of the Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan, Minister Elmar Mammadyarov visited Tehran, where he held talks with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. At the talks, Rouhani welcomed the Azerbaijan-Russia-Iran format, proposed a new summit of heads of state to be held within its framework, and also supported the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. "Supporting the cooperation of Baku and Tehran on a bilateral and multilateral basis, President Rouhani positively assessed cooperation in the Azerbaijan-Russia-Iran format and noted the importance of holding the next summit of heads of state," the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry reports. President Rouhani noted that the Iranian side is in favor of a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict through the diplomatic negotiations within the framework of the territorial integrity and inviolability of the borders of Azerbaijan, the ministrys press service reports. Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik on Saturday launched 19 'Government to Citizen' online services of seven departments on the State Services Delivery Gateway here. The online mode of 'Government to Citizen' services is developed by the Jammu and Kashmir e-Governance Agency, Information Technology department in collaboration with CDAC Mumbai and will be available on www.jk.gov.in, an official spokesperson said. With the launch of these services, the total count of services which would now be available on the State Services Delivery Gateway (SSDG) is increased to 26. Secretary, IT Department, Saugat Biswas said the newly-launched services would benefit over seven lakh beneficiaries every year. The governor complimented JaKeGA of the IT Department and CDAC, Mumbai for developing online services for different departments, which would eventually help the citizens at large to avail various services. "The online mode will avoid unnecessary human intervention and will speed up the public delivery mechanism, besides ensuring transparency," Malik said and urged the secretary IT to incorporate more such online services and also develop a user-friendly mobile app for this purpose. On the occasion, the governor approved the issuance of Direct Benefit Transfer of over 20,000 cases of the beneficiaries of Udhampur district under the Integrated Social Security Scheme providing old age pension, pension for women in distress and pension for physically challenged persons, through online mode. He also initiated the process of issuance of No Objection Certificate for employment through online system in which the first online NOC was delivered in Srinagar by Deputy Commissioner Shahid Iqbal Chaudhary, which was viewed over video conference, the spokesperson said. Advisor to Governor K Skandan suggested that provision of getting public feedback about the services be incorporated for further improving the system. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) "Empire" star Jussie Smollett has been indicted by a grand jury on 16 counts of disorderly conduct. The charges stem from a January 29 incident where Smollett, 36, had claimed that he was attacked by two men while leaving a restaurant in Chicago. The actor, who is openly gay, alleged that the suspects, one of whom was wearing a red Make America Great Again hat, shouted racial and homophobic slurs before they attacked him. After an investigation, the authorities said Smollett falsely reported to the police that he had been attacked by two men. The actor was previously charged in a criminal complaint with felony disorderly conduct, involving lying to police. The crime carries a felony charge, and if Smollett is found guilty he could face up to three years in prison and up to USD 25,000 in fines. According to Variety, a Cook County grand jury returned a more thorough indictment on Friday. Eight of the charges involve false statements given to Officer Muhammed Baig, while the other eight pertain to a more detailed account given to Detective Kim Murray. "Jussie Smollett knew that at the time... there was no reasonable ground for believing that such offenses had been committed," stated the indictment. Police believes that Smollett had paid the two suspect, Ola and Abel Osundairo, USD 3,500 to stage the attack. Smollett's potential role in the alleged attack emerged after reports stated that he was not cooperating with the police. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Lahore High Court will on Monday hear a plea seeking disqualification of Prime Minister for not being "honest and righteous" and concealing the alleged parentage of a daughter with a former partner in his nomination papers for the 2018 election. The high court on Saturday accepted for hearing a petition seeking Khan's disqualification for violating the provisions of Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution, that sets a precondition for a member of parliament to be "sadiq and ameen" (honest and righteous), the Dawn reported. The petition, to be heard on March 11, claims that Khan had concealed the alleged parentage of Tyrian Jade Khan White in his nomination papers for the 2018 general elections. Tyrian White is the daughter of Ana-Luisa (Sita) White, the daughter of the late Lord Gordon White. It has often been alleged that Tyrian is Imran Khan's daughter, the report said. " did not mention White as one of his dependants in his nomination papers, and thus he does not measure up to Article 62 and 63 of the Constitution," the petition read, demanding Khan's disqualification. Earlier, in January, the Islamabad High Court had dismissed a similar petition terming it "non-maintainable" as it involved personal matters. A Malaysian citizen was given more than 10 years in jail for insulting Islam and the Prophet Muhammad on social media, police said Saturday, one of the country's harshest such sentences in recent years. Issues related to race, religion and language are very sensitive topics in multiracial Malaysia. Critics say Malaysia's traditionally tolerant brand of Islam is being eroded by increasingly influential Muslim hardliners. The person found guilty, known only as Facebook user "Ayea Yea", was jailed for 10 years and 10 months after pleading guilty to ten charges of anti-religious activity and the misuse of communications networks, said national police chief Mohamad Fuzi Harun. In a statement, Mohamad did not specify the number of charges for each offence, but said they would be served consecutively. Under Malaysian law, those found guilty of anti-religious activity can be punished with a jail term of two to five years. The misuse of communication networks carries a maximum one year in jail or a fine of up to 50,000 ringgit (USD 12,200), or both. Three other social media users have also been charged with insulting Islam and the Prophet Muhammed, as well as causing racial disharmony. One who pled guilty will be sentenced next week, while the other two will be held without bail. "The police advise the public not to misuse social media or communication networks by uploading or sharing any form of provocation that can touch racial and religious sensitivities," Mohamad said. In 1969, deadly riots erupted between members of the majority Malay community and ethnic Chinese, which still haunt the country. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 29-year-old man was arrested Saturday on the charge of blackmailing his sister-in-law after he threatened to upload her nude pictures on social media platform in Odisha's Kendrapara district, police said. Seeking sexual favour, the accused Litu Mallick of Raghudeipur village blackmailed the woman, aged around 25 years, threatening to make public her nude pictures, they said. The accused threatened the woman, his wife's younger sister, that if she does not give in to his amorous advances, he will upload her photos on social media after which she lodged a complaint on March 7, said Inspector of Derabish Police Station, Umakant Nayak. The accused has been arrested on the basis of the woman's complaint. During interrogation by the police, Mallick has confessed to the crime, he said. The accused was booked under different sections of IPC and relevant provisions of Information Technology Act, 2000, the officer said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 30-year-old man has been arrested on Saturday for allegedly harassing a Delhi-based woman pilot at the international airport here, police said. Thiruvananthapuram resident Unnikrishnan was arrested by police late in the evening for making "sexually coloured comments" against the 26-year-old co-pilot of a public carrier while she was waiting for her vehicle at the airport premises Friday night. "He was arrested based on the complaint forwarded to us by the airport manager. On preliminary investigation, we came to know that he was drunk while driving at the airport. Further investigation is on," a police official told PTI. Quoting the woman's complaint, police said he had made the comments sitting inside his car and immediately drove away the vehicle. The woman had noted down the car's number. The case has been registered against the accused under Section 354A (making sexually coloured remarks) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), police said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A petition has been filed in the Madras High Court by a man who claimed that he is an Indian national, and not a Bangladeshi living illegally in the country as alleged by authorities, and that he has been "wrongfully" detained in a special camp in Tiruchirapalli under the Foreigners Act. When the petition by Momin alias Momimwar Hussain came up Friday, Justice K Ravichandrabaabu adjourned the matter for hearing to March 15. The plea was adjourned after a request was made by the Special Government Pleader Shanmugasundaram that Advocate General Vijay Narayan would appear and argue in the case on behalf of the Kerala government. The prosecution submitted that Hussain, along with seven others, were native of Bangladesh and were staying in India without any valid documents namely visa, passport etc. Also, there was a case filed by the police in Tirupur under Foreigners Act, stating that the petitioner, along with other accused, has been staying in India for more than 10 years. Over the period, the petitioner obtained Aadhar card, PAN card and other documents by way of fabrication to get employment in India and accommodation, it was alleged. Hussain and the others were arrested on October 9, 2018 and released on conditional bail two months later. After the petitioner's release, a government order was passed that led to him and the others being lodged in a special camp. The police also sought deportation of Hussain and the others to Bangladesh. To this, the petitioner claimed that he was an Indian citizen as he was born in the country on November 3, 1986 and has worked in reputed companies in Tirupur and obtained Aadhar and PAN cards with his Indian citizenship. He submitted that the entire "confusion" happened because he could not communicate with the police as he was not familiar with Tamil and English. Hussain said this led to the police filing an FIR based on "unascertained facts" and led to his detention of more than 60 days in judicial custody. The petitioner further alleged that the police has acted in an undue manner in lodging him in the special camp by misconstruing the November 10, 2018 G.O., which, he said, was "punitive in nature" and against settled principles of law. Noting that the government order was clear from its very construction, the petitioner said it authorises punishment of a person only after his or her conviction period and not before that. He claimed that the regulation of his continued presence by confining him in a special camp was clearly "illegal". "Even assuming the power of detaining a foreigner is available with central government under the Foreigners Act and and hence the state government cannot by exceeding its power pass an order of detention and confinement," he pointed out. Hence, he prayed for quashing the order. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A court here has sentenced a man from Bhiwandi to seven years of rigorous imprisonment for raping a five-year-old girl in 2016. In a judgement passed recently, district judge H M Patwardhan held Ramesh Rajaram Catham under the Indian Penal Code section 376 (rape) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 2,500 on him. Public prosecutor Rekha Hiwrale told the court that the incident had taken place on July 18, 2016. "Catham, who was the girl's neighbour, took her to an isolated spot and sexually assaulted her. She was later rescued from there," Hiwrale said. The girl later named the accused and her parents lodged a complaint against him with the Bhiwandi police station, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 39-year-old salesman from Maharashtra's Palghar district has been sentenced to 20 years in jail by a sessions court for raping his neighbour's 12-year-old daughter in 2015. In its recent order, additional sessions court judge M P Divate also imposed fine of Rs 10,000 on the convict Ramesh Kumar Sharma and referred the case to the District Victim Compensation Board with recommendations to grant her adequate compensation. Sharma was convicted under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. As per prosecution, the case came to light in April 2015, after the girl's family found that she was one-month pregnant. The incident occurred in March, 2015, when Sharma, who works as a salesman and resides in Nallasopara township in Palghar district, called the girl to his house under the pretext of making tea for his friends. However, as soon as the girl entered Sharma's kitchen, he bolted the door and raped her, the court was told. Sharma also threatened the girl against disclosing the incident, the prosecution said. During her submission, Additional Public Prosecutor (APP) Kadambini Khandagale requested the court to hand over maximum punishment to Sharma given that the girl had become pregnant, and had to abort her foetus due to social stigma. The defence argued that Sharma had sex with the girl following her consent. However, judge Divate observed the question of consent was immaterial in this case, as the girl was below 16 years of age at the time of the incident. "The prosecution has proved that the age of the victim was 12 years and 10 months on the day of the incident. As she was below 16 years, her consent is immaterial. This was a heinous crime, which is against society," the judge stated in the order. "The accused had taken advantage of his neighbourhood and acquaintance with the victim. Facts and circumstances indicate that this is not a fit case to take a lenient view while awarding the sentence. If a lenient view is taken, then it will amount to misplaced sympathy," it said. The judge stated that Sharma was being sentenced under section 376(3) of the IPC. As per Criminal Law Amendment Ordinance, 2018, a new clause 3 was added to section 376 (Punishment for rape) of the IPC which prescribes minimum punishment of 20 years to a person committing rape on a girl under 16 years of age. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Marshall Islands' is gearing to release a digital currency this year, although officials acknowledged Friday there is much work still to be done to alleviate concerns of United States financial regulators. However, the launch date of the currency, known as the "SOV", has yet to be decided. "We plan to launch SOV this year," said Barak Ben Ezr, chief executive officer of Neema, the Israel-based company that is partnering with the Marshall Islands government to develop the digital currency. A primary issue for the launch is that following the boom in 2017 and early 2018, the crypto-currency market value has plummeted. "We are working days and nights to prepare the foundations of the SOV initial coin offering, with the goal of being ready to launch once positive momentum is back to the markets," Ezer said. "It will be done once all stakeholders are convinced that SOV is ready, risks have been mitigated, and momentum is building." Neema and the Marshall Islands are working through a multitude of US regulatory concerns as well as the technological and logistical side of issuing the SOV using blockchain technology. The Marshall Islands, a tiny Pacific atoll nation with a population of just 55,000, passed legislation a year ago to develop digital currency as legal tender. The plan has since been criticized by the International Monetary Fund, the US Treasury Department and bank officials in the Marshall Islands. They argue it has the potential for a negative impact on existing banks and for money-laundering, but Ezer believed that once fully developed, the SOV will be one the safest monetary systems in the world. The US Treasury has concerns about "anonymous digital currencies, such as Bitcoin, (which) are often used for illicit purposes by people who want to conceal their identity," Ezer said. But, with SOV every account would be fully identified and buyers would be checked against the US Office of Foreign Asset Control "so only legitimate, law-abiding people can use the SOV". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) According to the Administration of the Head and Government of Dagestan, the head of the republic, Vladimir Vasilyev, has appointed the former head of the Federal Drug Control Service, Enrik Muslimov, as Minister for National Policy and Religious Affairs of Dagestan. The head of Dagestan, Vladimir Vasilyev, signed a decree appointing Enrik Muslimov as Minister for National Policy and Religious Affairs of the Republic of Dagestan, TASS press service cites the message of the administration. Thus, Muslimov replaced Tatyana Gamaley in this position. Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has called for investment in piggery in the state as there is a huge demand for pork in the North East region. "The total consumption of pork in the North East is 3.1 lakh metric tonne and the supply is only 1.2 metric tonne. So there is a deficit of about 1.9 lakh metric tonne of pork," he said, while addressing a stake holders workshop on Piggery and poultry value chain on Friday. The chief minister said there is an opportunity for our farmers, to fill the deficit in the supply chain. "Investing in piggery will greatly improve the livelihood options of the 1.62 lakh farming households directly engaged in rearing pigs in the state," he said. Stating that promotion of nano and micro enterprises is a key strategy for employment generation and fostering growth, the chief minister said the state government is working to set up an ecosystem that will provide the whole range of services needed by aspiring entrepreneurs. "We understand that access to credit is a fundamental challenge in the state and we are in the process of setting up a fund for promotion of livelihoods and nano enterprises with a corpus of Rs 10 crore. The fund will provide both small grants and soft loans thus enabling entrepreneurs to access larger sums from the formal banking system," he said. The chief minister also told the gathering that Smart village project is another new initiative that has been approved by the government. He said the government will sign an MoU with the University of Berkley, California to provide technology support for developing Smart Villages in the state and has proposed an allocation Rs 11 crore for the same. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least 15 men have died following a shooting at a nightclub in central Mexico, prosecutors said Saturday. Another four people, three men and a woman, suffered injuries, public prosecutor's office spokesman Juan Jose Martinez told AFP by telephone. The nightclub lies in Guanajuato state, where authorities have launched an operation against criminal gangs involved in fuel theft. The attack took place in the early hours Saturday as several heavily armed men opened fire at the La Playa nightclub in Salamanca before making off in a vehicle, the spokesman said. The four injured people were taken to a nearby hospital. So far, none of the victims have been identified. Salamanca is the site of the main pipeline of state oil company Petroleos Mexicanos (PEMEX), where fuel thieves have cost the firm around USD 3 billion over the last few years. In late January, a fake bomb was found in a car parked close to the refinery. Nearby, signs were found threatening Mexico President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and demanding that he withdraw from the area soldiers fighting against fuel theft gangs. Salamanca is less than 100 kilometers (60 miles) from Santa Rosa de Lima, where a few days ago authorities conducted an operation against Juan Antonio Yepez, the alleged leader of a fuel-stealing cartel. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A man who graduated from the University of Michigan in 1969 has finally received a congratulatory telegram from family friends that was sent more than 50 years ago. Robert Fink received the Western Union telegram this year. Western Union ended its telegram business in 2006. The Washington Post first reported on the telegram finally being delivered to Fink. The telegram originally arrived in 1969 at an Ann Arbor apartment Fink shared with three classmates a day after he had left to attend graduate school in New York. Christina Zaske rediscovered the telegram in December after removing the bottom drawer of an old filing cabinet now owned by Ann Arbor-based digital marketing agency ICON Interactive to retrieve a piece of paper that had fallen inside. "I looked inside, mostly because I was curious to see an actual telegram," Zaske told The Ann Arbor Zaske saw Fink's name on the paper and used the internet to find him and return the note. Fink is now a professor at Oakland University in Rochester, a Detroit suburb that's about 45 miles northeast of Ann Arbor. "I was surprised to learn that he had never received the telegram and was glad that I could reunite it with its intended recipient all of these years later," Zaske said. Fink said the letter has brought back memories and made him reflect on his old connections. "The theme for me has been that the long arm of the past is reaching out and grabbing me, and I should take it seriously," he said. Fink said he's regretful he never had the chance to thank Ben and Lillian Fischman for sending the telegram, noting that they've both died. "It also left me with a funny sense of guilt that they had thought about me that way," Fink said. "It took some effort to send a telegram it's not like texting someone. It touched me they had thought about me and made the effort to do so. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Mizoram cabinet has approved a bill, which seeks to ensure only "bona fide Indian citizens" living in the state receive the benefits of government schemes, an official said Sunday. The Mizoram Maintenance of Household Registration Bill, 2019 entails that a record of families, eligible for government schemes, will have to be maintained by the state. "If enacted, the legislation will safeguard the interests of the Indian citizens by identifying illegal immigrants," he said, adding that the the bill will be introduced in the Assembly during the interim Budget session, which is set to commence on Tuesday. The cabinet also noted on Friday that land settlement certificates were being issued to private parties, who are occupying plots in Aizawl that were originally alloted to the Assam Rifles, the official said. The Ministry of Home Affairs has recently directed the Assam Rifles to shift its battalion headquarters from the heart of Aizawl to Zokhawsang, 15km away. "The cabinet members, during Friday's meeting, decided that the land settlement certificates issued to private parties will be cancelled as per law. The state government will utilize the land vacated by the Assam Rifles after May 31," the official added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu Saturday mocked arch rival YSR Congress, saying his Telangana counterpart K Chandrasekhar Rao ran the YSRC and asked people to choose between him and the Telangana Rashtra Samiti leader, "who rubbed salt to the bifurcation wounds." Apparently changing tack over seeking to forge ties with TRS last year, Naidu said he had months ago sought an alliance between his party and TRS only for "resolution of problems" related to bifurcation between the two Telugu states. In October 2018, the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister had pitched for a tie-up between the TDP and TRS so that they could emerge as a "potent force" in South India. Speaking to reporters, Naidu said the ensuing elections in Andhra Pradesh would be "KCR (TRS chief) versus TDP" and not "Jaganmohan Reddy (YSR Congress president) versus TDP." Seeking to juxtapose Reddy, who is the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, with Rao, Naidu alleged that the latter, the Chief Minister of neighbouring Telangana, has 'abused' the people of Andhra Pradesh. "Have we forgotten?..everyone has self-respect. Congress only bifurcated (the united Andhra Pradesh into the residual Andhra and Telangana in 2014). You are sprinkling chilli poer on the bifurcation wound and enjoying." Targeting Reddy and peperring his comments with sarcasm Naidu said, "KCR is now the YSRC president. KCR decided long ago that Jagan failed (as opposition leader) and hence he wanted to step in...." Asking people to decide what they wanted, the Chief Minister said the "time has come for the people to decide whom they want, KCR or TDP." Naidu alleged that the Telangana Chief Minister was pumping money into AP to help the YSRC fight the ensuing elections. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan will be judged not by words but on basis of the action it takes to dismantle terror infrastructure on its soil, India said Saturday, asserting that its non-military strike on the JeM terrorist training camp in Balakot achieved its desired objective. External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said if Pakistan claims to be a 'naya Pakistan' (New Pakistan) with a 'nayi soch' (new thinking), then it should demonstrate 'naya' action (new action) against terror groups operating with impunity from its soil. The MEA's comments came a day after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said he will not allow Pakistani soil to be used for terror directed at other countries. Khan has been saying that a 'Naya Pakistan' is embarking on a new journey under his leadership. Kumar said Pakistan has been making identical statements after separate terror attacks and now Islamabad will have to take up the concrete action the international community expected it to take and must rein in terror groups operating from its soil. "We remain resolute in our determination to persuade the international community of the necessity of compelling Pakistan to move beyond mere words and to show credible, verifiable and sustained actions. We have and we will continue to act with responsibility and maturity," he said at a media briefing. Kumar said the widespread presence of terrorist camps in Pakistan is public knowledge and repeated requests by India and the international community for Pakistan to take action against such groups has been met with "denial". "In 2004, the then President of Pakistan had made a solemn public commitment that they would not allow any territory under their control to be used for terrorist activity in any manner," he said. "But till today, however, Pakistan has failed to take any credible action against Jaish-e-Mohammed and other terrorist organisations, which continue to operate with impunity from Pakistan," he said, adding Pakistan will be judged not by its words but on the basis of action it takes to dismantle terror infrastructure. Tension between the two nuclear-armed neighbours escalated after the February 14 Pulwama terror attack and subsequent aerial strike by India on a training camp of the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in Balakot on February 26. Pakistan retaliated the strike next day by unsuccessfully attempting to target Indian military installations. The JeM claimed responsibility for the Pulwama attack. "Our non-military counter terrorism strike of February 26 achieved the intended objective. It has demonstrated our firm resolve to take decisive action against cross-border terrorism," Kumar said about Balakot strike. He, however, evaded questions on number of casualties in the strike. Kumar said the fact that Pakistan refused access to journalists from visiting the site of the strike in Balakot meant that they have "plenty to hide". "So the initial bravado that everything is open please come and visit has disappeared. We are absolutely confident that strikes on Balakot has been successful and achieved the desired objectives," he asserted. On Pakistan's retaliatory strike, he said instead of taking action against terrorist groups on its soil, Islamabad chose to escalate through an "act of aggression" by violating Indian airspace and attempting, unsuccessfully, to target military facilities. Kumar also accused Pakistan of propagating a "false narrative" of the events of the day when Pakistani jets unsuccessfully attempted to target Indian military installations. In the aerial combat India had lost a Mig-21 Bison aircraft and its pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was captured by Pakistan. Pakistan claimed it downed two Indian jets, and rejected IAF's assertion that a F-16 aircraft was shot down by it during the dogfight. "Only one aircraft was lost by us. If, as Pakistan claims, they have a video recording of the downing of a second Indian aircraft, why have they not shown it to the international media even after more than one week? "Questions should be asked to them as to where the fuselage of the aircraft is and what has happened to the pilots? As we have already said, there are eyewitness accounts and electronic evidence that Pakistan deployed F-16 aircraft and that one F-16 was shot down by Wing Commander Abhinandan," Kumar said. He said Pakistan should explain why it continues to deny that its F-16 aircraft has been shot down. "We have asked the United States to also examine whether the use of F16 against India is in accordance with the terms and conditions of sale," he added. Kumar said India's armed forces continue to maintain strict vigil and will remain determined in the defence of the nation and its citizens. Hitting out at Pakistan for remaining in a state of denial, he said, "It is regrettable that Pakistan still continues to deny Jaish-e-Mohammed's own claim of taking ownership of the Pulwama attack." The MEA spokesperson referred to the Pakistan foreign minister's interview to BBC on March where he talked about "some confusion" about JeM's claim on the Pulwama attack. "Is Pakistan defending the Jaish-e-Mohammed and acting as its spokesperson? Does Pakistan's claim have any credibility," Kumar asked. He said despite the media interviews by Pakistan's foreign minister and former president Musharraf acknowledging the presence of JeM in Pakistan, the spokesperson of the Pakistan armed forces openly denied the presence of the terror group in the country. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In Hanoi, Donald Trump overturned the widely held assumption he would be willing to settle for an interim agreement on North Korea's denuclearisation. But despite the breakdown of the summit and the atmosphere of skepticism that now abounds, the US president seems determined to stick with his "all or nothing" approach, betting on his personal "chemistry" with Kim Jong Un to save the day. Trump insisted Friday his relationship with Kim "remains good" even as his aides attempted to paper over the collapse of the high-stakes second summit which concluded last week without even a modest deal on reducing Pyongyang's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. "Nobody in the administration advocates a step-by-step approach," a senior State Department official told reporters this week. In other words, Washington wants what administration officials have called a "big deal" - "the complete elimination of their weapons of mass destruction program," the State Department official said. In return, Washington would ease the pain of the crippling sanctions that have strangled the isolated North's economy. "It really seems there's an all or nothing approach right now from the administration," Frank Aum, a former advisor to the Pentagon, said at a recent meeting hosted by the United States Institute of Peace (USIP). "That seems to be backtracking" which "the Kim regime would not be very happy about," Aum added. It's a position that has taken many observers by surprise given how, in the run-up to the summit, the administration dropped numerous hints it was willing to take a more incremental approach to the talks. "In no rush" was how Trump repeatedly described his stance -- a position echoed by his Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who emphasised: "We've always known this would be a long process." The administration's point man on North Korea, Stephen Biegun, said the US would be prepared to pursue commitments "simultaneously and in parallel" while suggesting there was room for maneuver when it came to sanctions. That created the impression that Washington could be willing to countenance the step-by-step disarmament and sanctions relief sought by Pyongyang. But when Kim proposed dismantling the Yongbyon nuclear complex in exchange for lifting the main sanctions, Trump refused. "It has very much been characteristic of past negotiations to take an incremental approach to this that stretches it out over a long period of time, and quite honestly, has failed on previous occasions," the senior State Department official said. In Washington, the new line has been interpreted as a victory for National Security Advisor John Bolton, long a hawk on North Korea, over Pompeo and Biegun. Even as Washington increasingly turns its attention toward next year's presidential election, the administration exhumed a goal that has long been buried and seen as unrealistic by experts: the total denuclearization of North Korea by the end of Trump's term in 2021. For Jenny Town of the 38 North think tank, the lack of even a partial accord has meant "we have lost that momentum" created by last year's rapprochement. "You already see things starting to spiral downwards," Town said. Satellite imagery analysed by her organisation revealed that Pyongyang has begun rebuilding a long-range rocket launch site it had promised to dismantle, and North Korea's official agency has now overtly blamed the US for the failure of the summit. The "all or nothing" approach has "always failed because (of) two mutually distrustful actors," Town said at a recent conference. The Kim dynasty has long seen nuclear weapons as a security guarantee against what it perceives as the hostile, bellicose intentions of the United States. "What this administration tries to do is to show that there is no hostile intent," Joseph Yun, a former US special representative for North Korea policy, said at the USIP meeting. "But that's a tough thing to prove and we're kind of stuck at that, which is why the North Koreans are asking that we go on a step-by-step approach to have a better foundation on that trust fact." So what next? Washington hopes to resume working-level talks as soon as possible, and has reacted in a measured way to revelations about the rebuilding of the rocket test site. US officials say the main goal for now is to make sure the North Koreans do not resume testing in any way, including of space launch vehicles. Trump is even ready for a third summit -- he is convinced, as ever, that his personal relationship with Kim will be the difference at the end of the day. For Town, this represents an "opportunity" for the North Koreans, who "are very aware that this is an unconventional president," seeing as "they didn't have a good track record with the conventional presidents. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Insolvency and bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) Saturday said both operational and financial creditors have benefitted alike from resolutions under the IBC. IBBI chairman M S Sahoo said that it would be undair to say that resolutions under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) were tilted towards operational creditors, as is widely perceived. "Our data shows that after resolutions, recovery of financial creditors on an average have got 48 per cent of their claims. While, the operational creditors from the same resolution have got back 48.3 per cent, though marginally, they are better treated," Sahoo said here on the sidelines of Calcutta Chamber of Commerce interaction on IBC. "NCLT (National Company Law Tribunal) does not approve a plan unless it balances the interest of all the stakeholders," Sahoo said. In December, the NCLT had observed that operational creditors should have voting rights to have a bigger say in any resolution process. Sahoo, however, did not comment on it. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Opposition parties in Arunachal Pradesh Saturday staged a dharna demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Pema Khandu over his "inept handling" of the Permanent Resident Certificate (PRC) issue that claimed three lives last month. The protesters also demanded resignations of Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein and Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju, holding them responsible for the violence that unfolded in the state capital on February 23 and 24. The opposition parties including Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC), Janata Dal (Secular) and Peoples Party of Arunachal (PPA) under the aegis of All Party Coordination Committee staged the dharna at 'O' Point Tinali near the Raj Bhawan. The protesters had submitted a memorandum to Governor B D Mishra on Wednesday requesting him to use his constitutional powers to remove Khandu and others for their alleged failure to control the law and order situation on February 24. The committee had set a deadline of three days to the governor which ended on Friday. Hundreds of protesters brought out a rally from Nyokum Lapang Ground here to Raj Bhawan but they were stopped by security forces. Later, they sat at the tri-junction of 'O' Point Tinali, which leads to Raj Bhawan. Former Chief Minister Gegong Apang of JD(S) condemned the state government for failing to diffuse the situation which he alleged was created by the government. "In my 23 years and 7 months stint as chief minister of the state, I had never witnessed such a chaotic situation. This was a creation of the present leaders in the helm of affairs who, instead of working for the interest of the common people, is working for their vested political interest. "People should give them a befitting reply in the forthcoming Assembly elections, Apang, the longest serving chief minister of the state said. APCC President Takam Sanjoy alleged that the recommendation he made to the government when he was the chairman of the Joint High Power Committee (JHPC), constituted to study the PRC issue for four years, was wrongly uploaded in social media by the present government. "My recommendations were edited and posted in social media by the present government to distract the attention of the people from the real facts. It was Khandu and Mein who openly announced in public meetings to grant PRC to non-Arunachalees residing in Changlang and Namsai districts as New Year gift, for which the situation turned worse last month," he said. Sanjoy added that the next stage of democratic movement against the government would be chalked out soon after meeting of all opposition parties. He also cautioned that if the demands were not met, the opposition parties could lay siege to the state civil secretariat. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The West Bengal CID on Saturday seized 195 kg of ganja and over 5,000 bottles of cough syrup, and arrested two persons in this connection from a village in Nadia district. Acting on a tip-off, a team of state CID raided a house at Kuchaidanga village under Hogolberia Police Station limits, and recovered a total of 195 kg of ganja and 5,400 bottles of Phensedyl cough linctus, a senior officer said. The owner of the house and another person have been arrested, he said. "The bottles were to be smuggled to Bangladesh, where these cough syrups are banned and selling them is punishable," the officer said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received a delegation led by President of the Russian Jewish Congress Yuri Kanner yesterday, Trend reported. President of the Russian Jewish Congress Yuri Kanner said that as part of their visit to Azerbaijan they traveled to the city of Guba, adding they saw development processes in the country`s regions. He praised the fact that all conditions were created in Azerbaijan for representatives of all nationalities, including Jews, to live in prosperity. President Ilham Aliyev said that different nationalities and religious communities have been living in Azerbaijan as a single family for centuries, pointing out the existence of necessary conditions for representatives of all nationalities, including Jews to live in peace. The head of state underlined the importance of Azerbaijan`s hosting major international events aimed at strengthening dialogue among civilizations and cultures. on Saturday extended the closure of its airspace for transit till March 11, according to a media report. In a notification, the Civil Aviation Authority said that the country's airspace would now be closed for transit until 3 pm on March 11, the Express Tribune reported. However, it said operations on fixed routes between North and South would be permitted, the report said. The decision came a day after, on Friday had announced that the country's airspace would be fully re-opened from March 9. The decision to close the airspace came on February 27 after a rare aerial dogfight between India and ignited fears of an all-out conflict, with world powers rushing to urge restraint. Flights between Asia and Europe were also disrupted, stranding thousands of passengers, the report said. Both India and Pakiatan claimed to have shot each other's warplanes down, and one Indian pilot was captured. He was returned to India later, crossing the Wagah border on foot. Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's name was missing in an official advertisement highlighting the contribution of Pakistani women in diverse fields on the International Women's Day, triggering protest by Opposition which demanded a probe into the matter. Pakistan Peoples Party's parliamentary leader Sherry Rehman raised the issue during a session of the Senate, regretting that the name, photograph and mention of the twice-elected prime minister of Pakistan was missing from the official advertisement, the Dawn reported. She said Bhutto was an identity of Pakistan and her achievements brought her worldwide fame. She said roads were being named after Banzir Bhutto in different parts of the world while international universities were creating chairs in her name. She sought an official apology over the issue and an amendment to the advertisements by the evening, before the opposition staged a walkout from the House in protest over the issue. Senator Syed Shibli Faraz, Leader of the House in the Senate, said the government would investigate how Bhutto's name was excluded from its advertisements for International Women's Day, the daily said. Faraz acknowledged that Bhutto gave unparalleled leadership to women and said the services of the first woman prime minister of the Islamic world for restoration of democracy were beyond any doubt. He attributed the missing reference of Bhutto from the advertisements to a mindset and promised a probe to find out at which level it had been done. Later, the House passed a resolution commending the role of Pakistani women in nation-building. The importance of women's day should be realised and the house recommends that concrete steps should be taken for women's empowerment, said the resolution. The House also had a discussion to commemorate International Women's Day. The latter part of the Senate's proceedings was chaired by Krishna Kumari Kolhi, first Hindu woman senator from Thar, during which speeches were made to pay tribute to prominent Pakistani women for remarkable achievements in multiple fields despite all odds and challenges. Kolhi expressed her gratitude for being given the chance to chair the session. I consider myself very fortunate today to be sitting in this seat, I salute Pakistan and I salute Pakistan's people and I am proud to be a Pakistani and only Pakistani, she said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An influential Indian-American Congressman has warned that Pakistan will continue to slide into international isolation if it does not take actions against terrorist groups operating from its soil. Ami Bera, the Chairman of the House Foreign affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, also urged China to play a constructive role by lifting its veto over UN Security Council resolution to designate Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist. "The United States' Congress stands ready to support Pakistan should Prime Minister (Imran) Khan begin cracking down on terrorist groups in earnest. This will only help improve his nation's economy," Bera wrote in an op-ed. In his op-ed titled 'Time For Pakistan to Chart a New Course', the four-time Indian-American Congressman from California said that Pakistan did the right thing by releasing Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan Varthaman. "This de-escalated a dangerous situation but more has to be done. Prime Minister Imran Khan should use this opportunity to reset his country's relationship with the world and chart a new course for Pakistan," he said. This starts with cracking down on the JeM and other terrorist groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba which was responsible for the 2008 Mumbai attack, Bera said, adding that unfortunately, Pakistan's behaviour towards these terrorist groups have been contradictory and self-defeating. "Pakistan has banned many of these terrorist groups, including adding two more groups on March 5, but at the same time tolerates them operating within its own borders. This has caused the international community to isolate Pakistan," Bera said. Pakistan has taken some initial steps, like detaining 44 suspected militants, including the brother of JeM's leader Masood Azhar. It is, however, unclear whether this "preventative detention", as Pakistan described it, will lead to criminal prosecutions and justice being served, he said. "Prime Minister Khan can help Pakistan earn enormous goodwill by tracking down and bringing to justice Azhar, whom the Pakistani Foreign Minister indicated was alive, with his whereabouts known. They can further that goodwill by dismantling the terrorist networks that operate within Pakistan. "These actions are in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1267. If Khan does not take these steps, I'm afraid Pakistan will continue to slide into international isolation, which will only serve to increase economic hardship on the Pakistani people," the Indian-American Congressman said. "I also call on China to play a constructive role in India and Pakistan relations. A good first step would be for China to cease blocking a UN Security Council resolution designating Masood Azhar a global terrorist," Bera said. His article came days after Pakistan, under global pressure after the Pulwama terror attack and India's air strikes against JeM terrorist camp in Balakot in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on February 26, started taking actions against some of the terrorist outfits and their leaders over the past few days. In Islamabad, the Interior Ministry on Thursday announced that a total of 121 members of the proscribed groups have so far been taken into "preventive detention" across Pakistan. Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after a suicide bomber of Pakistan-based terror group JeM killed 40 CRPF personnel in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district in February 14. India launched a counter-terror operation in Balakot. The next day, Pakistan Air Force retaliated and downed a MiG-21 in an aerial combat and captured its pilot, who was handed over to India on March 1. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Senior Indian Police Service officer Param Bir Singh was Saturday appointed Director General of the Maharashtra Anti-Corruption Bureau. A state government release issued on Saturday informed that Singh, a 1988 batch IPS officer, will replace Sanjay Barve who was, on February 28, appointed to the coveted post of Mumbai Police Commissioner. Incidentally, Singh was also in the running to become the metropolis' top cop. Singh, before this posting, was Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) in the state police. Singh, as ADG (Law and Order), was in the eye of a storm when he, along with Pune police officials, held a press conference on August 31 last year on the arrest of activists with alleged Maoists links. Singh had read out letters allegedly written by these activists, held in June and August last year, at the media briefing, a move that was questioned by the Bombay High Court. A division bench of Justices S S Shinde and Mridula Bhatkar on September 3 last year had asked how the police could read out these letters which may be used as evidence. "How can the police do this? The matter is sub judice," the HC had asked. Singh has held important posts like that of Thane Police Commissioner, DCP in several important zones in Mumbai, and also Superintendent of Police in districts like Chandrapur and Bhandara. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday interacted with the recipients of the Nari Shakti Puraskar, the highest civilian honour for women, and said their work is an inspiration for others Forty-four women, including an acid attack survivor and India's first woman marine pilot and three institutions were conferred the prestigious award by President Ram Nath Kovind Friday at a special ceremony organised at the Rastrapati Bhawan. The Prime Minister on Saturday met with the winners and congratulated them for their achievements. He said their work is an inspiration for others, and exhorted them to go even further in their respective fields, according to a statement by the prime minister's office. Referring to the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, the PM said its success is attributable in large measure to the fact that women have given importance to it. Mentioning the recently concluded Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, the Prime Minister said this time it has been the subject of discussion because of the high standards of cleanliness and sanitation there. Modi said the next step in the Swachhta movement should be conversion of waste into wealth, the statement said. He also touched upon the issues of tackling malnutrition, and vaccinations for children through Mission Indradhanush. The PM said in both these areas, women have a key role to play in ensuring success. Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi was also present on the occasion. To acknowledge women's achievements, the Ministry of Women and Child Development confers Nari Shakti Puraskar on women and institutions in recognition of their relentless service towards the cause of women empowerment and social welfare. The 44 awardees include DRDO scientist Ipsita Biswas, India's first woman marine pilot Reshma Nilofer Naha, expert on subjects of agro-biodiversity Rahibai Soma Popere, acid attack survivor Pragya Prasun, woman commando trainer Seema Rao and motivational speaker Sister Shivani, among others. The Nari Shakti Puraskar, the highest civilian honour for women, has also been awarded to a One Stop Centre (OSC), Lucknow, Qasab-Kutch Craftswomen Producer and Social Welfare and Nuritious Meal Programme Department of Tamil Nadu. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Congress slammed the government on Saturday over a media report that fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi was living in a swanky apartment in London and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of running a "fraudster settlement yojana" for such fugitives. The opposition party also alleged that fugitives had looted Rs 1 lakh crore from Indian banks but not even one of them has been caught in five years of the Modi government. The government has said that the UK still considering the request to extradite Nirav Modi and India is taking all steps necessary for his extradition. British daily The Telegraph reported that billionaire diamond tycoon, accused in the USD 2 billion Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, has been tracked down by it to an 8 million pound apartment in London's West End. "Fugitive Nirav Modi has been seen enjoying in London, living in a Rs 75 crore flat and wearing a 10,000 pound jacket," Congress's chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala told reporters. "First loot Rs 23,000 crore from banks, then run away from the country without any checks, mock the CBI and the ED and then make a comfortable home in a Rs 75 crore flat. (Narendra) Modi is there, so it is possible," he claimed. It seems Prime Minister Narendra Modi is running a "bank fraudsters settlement company" for the likes of Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi, Surjewala alleged. "Fugitives looted Rs 1 lakh crore from Indian banks but you have not even caught one in the last five years," he claimed. Congress spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi said it is another instance in which the Modi government has proved that "their slogan 'Modi hai toh mumkin hai' (It's possible if there is Modi) correct for fraudsters. The country is now a witness to the Narendra Modi Fraudster Settlement Yojana". "How in 2014, PM Modi had promised the return of Rs 80 lakh crore of black money to India and Rs 15 lakh back in the accounts of every Indian but instead he has ensured Rs 1 lakh crore honest taxpayers' deposits are now being freely used by these fraudsters to lead a luxurious guilt free life in foreign shores," she told reporters. Chaturvedi also said that Prime Minister Modi had complete knowledge of Nirav Modi's dealings. "Yet, PM Modi stayed silent and turned a blind eye. India will never forget the Rs 26,306 crore PNB scam...and how these fugitives were given 'a free pass to flee India'," the Congress leader said. Chaturvedi also accused the government of not pressuring the UK over the extradition request of Nirav Modi. Senior Congress leader and former finance minister P Chidambaram also reacted to the media report. "When Lalit Modi stayed on in the UK, I wrote to the UK Chancellor that he should be sent back to India. Mrs Sushma Swaraj mocked me for writing letters," he said in a tweet.. "Now Nirav Modi is walking on the streets of London. Will Mrs Sushma Swaraj swoop down, pluck him off the street and bring him back to India?" he said in another tweet. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Congress on Saturday hit out at the government over a media report that PNB scam accused Nirav Modi was living in a swanky apartment in London and alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was running a "fraudster settlement yojana" for such fugitives. Congress president Rahul Gandhi, taking to Twitter, took a swipe at Prime Minister Modi saying that the recent video of Nirav Modi in the UK shows an "uncanny similarity" between the two as both "believe they are above the law". The opposition party also alleged that fugitives had looted Rs 1 lakh crore from Indian banks but not even one of them had been caught during the five years of the Modi government. The scathing attack on the government came after a British daily reported that Nirav Modi, wanted in India in the Rs 13,500 crore PNB fraud case, has been living openly in a swanky 8-million pound apartment in London's West End and is running a new diamond business just yards away. The daily also released a video of Nirav Modi at a street in London. "The video of fugitive #NiravModi in London shows an uncanny similarity between him & his bhai, PM Modi. Both have looted India and are called Modi. Both refuse to answer any questions. Both believe they are above the law. Both will face justice," the Congress chief tweeted. The government said Saturday the UK is still considering the request to extradite Nirav Modi and India is taking all steps necessary for his extradition. Facing flak from the Congress after Nirav Modi was spotted in London, the ruling BJP hit back saying he began his fraud in 2011 when the UPA dispensation was in power and that the Modi government detected and exposed it. Targeting the BJP, Congress' chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said: "Fugitive Nirav Modi has been seen enjoying in London, living in a Rs 75 crore flat and wearing a 10,000 pound jacket," "First loot Rs 23,000 crore from banks, then run away from the country without any checks, mock the CBI and the ED, and then make a comfortable home in a Rs 75 crore flat. Modi is there, so it is possible," he claimed. It seems Prime Minister Modi is running a "bank fraudsters settlement company" for the likes of Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi, Surjewala alleged. Senior Congress leader and former finance minister P Chidambaram also hit out at the government over the issue. "When Lalit Modi stayed on in the UK, I wrote to the UK Chancellor that he should be sent back to India. Mrs Sushma Swaraj mocked me for writing letters," he said in a tweet. "Now Nirav Modi is walking on the streets of London. Will Mrs Sushma Swaraj swoop down, pluck him off the street and bring him back to India?" he said in another tweet. Congress spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi said it is another instance in which the Modi government has proved that "their slogan 'Modi hai toh mumkin hai' (It's possible if there is Modi) is correct for fraudsters". "The country is now a witness to the 'Narendra Modi fraudster settlement yojana'," she said. "How in 2014, PM Modi had promised the return of Rs 80 lakh crore of black money to India and Rs 15 lakh back in the accounts of every Indian, but instead he has ensured Rs 1 lakh crore honest taxpayers' deposits are now being freely used by these fraudsters to lead a luxurious guilt free life in foreign shores," she told reporters. Chaturvedi also alleged that Prime Minister Modi had "complete knowledge" of Nirav Modi's dealings. "Yet, PM Modi stayed silent and turned a blind eye. India will never forget the Rs 26,306 crore PNB scam...and how these fugitives were given 'a free pass to flee India'," the Congress leader said. "The poster boy of this scheme, Chotta Modi aka Nirav Modi, has been found having fun in London -- a free bird -- wearing an ostrich hide jacket that has an approximate cost of 10,000 pounds and living in a posh London apartment, occupying half of a floor of the landmark Centre Point tower block, with views across London," she said. Chaturvedi also accused the government of not pressuring the UK over the extradition request for Nirav Modi. On the Ministry of External Affairs saying that it knew that he is in London and that is why it had put in an extradition request, Chaturvedi asked: "What have we been doing since August? Why we have not been building pressure, if Narendra Modi talks big about his 'hug diplomacy' initiative and his phenomenal diplomacy which India never saw before 2014." Nirav Modi, 48, was tracked down to a three-bedroom flat occupying half of a floor of the landmark Centre Point tower block of luxury apartments, where rent is estimated to be around 17,000 pounds a month, 'The Daily Telegraph' reported. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Puducherry Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi has given her assent to the Appropriation (Vote on Account) Bill passed by the assembly during its one-day session on March 2. A communication from the office of the Lieutenant Governor, highlighting the approval she had accorded to various proposals of the government during the last one week, said Friday that Bedi had given her assent to the Bill. The assembly had its session just for a day on March 2 after it was reconvened by Speaker V Vaithilingam to adopt the Bill. Also, a sum of Rs 2703.63 crore was sanctioned to the government departments to meet its routine expenditure for the first five months (April to August) of the fiscal 2019-2020. Although it was first session of the current year, there was no customary address by the Lieutenant Governor.as the House had not been prorogued after the previous session in August last year and considered continuation of it. The Raj Nivas communication further said the Lieutenant Governor has given her approval to the Social Welfare Department for the publication of the notification of the Central government extending 10 per cent reservation for the economically weaker sections in civil posts and service in the Union Territory of Puducherry. Bedi had also given her approval for implementation of reservation for the Scheduled Tribe Irular community (including 'villi and vettaikaran) community in education and employment in the Union Territory, the communication said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Leading Indian-origin British entreprenuer and parliamentarian Lord Swraj Paul has said the UK will enter into a period of intense international competition post Brexit. The UK is due to leave the European Union (EU) on March 29, although Parliament has yet to agree the terms of withdrawal. "Brexit is also coming, and in whatever form, Britain will enter a period of intense international competition. Our cultural interactions at home will be the yardstick for our success abroad," Lord Paul said after receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Midlands Business Awards 2019 on Friday at Leicester, about 100 km from here. Lord Paul, Chairman of the Caparo Group of industries and one of the richest Indian-origin industrialist in the UK, has been awarded for his lifetime contribution in the Midlands region, which is home to a large Indian diaspora. The 88-year-old member of the House of Lords is also the Chancellor of the University of Wolverhampton, one of the leading institutions of higher education in the region. Recalling the entrepreneurial spirit of the Indian community in the region, Lord Paul said, " I first began business in the Midlands nearly 50 years ago. It was then a very different place but there was a feature that he found particularly encouraging -- it was a region of opportunity." "In the decades since then, there have been good times and difficult times. But that attribute remained an essential part of our commercial and social DNA and it is what sustains our economic environment and we must nourish it," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Stepping up attack on the Narendra Modi government over the Pulwama terror strike, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi Saturday asked the prime minister to explain to the nation why the then NDA dispensation had released terror outfit JeM chief Masood Azhar from Indian jail. Raking up the release of Azhar by the Vajpayee dispensation in 1999 in exchange for passengers of a hijacked Indian Airlines plane, he said Modi should tell the country "how Masood Azhar was sent back (to Pakistan), who sent and which government sent him (back)". He also asserted that the Congress would not bow down to terror. Gandhi's attack on the Modi government on national security comes amid an escalating war of words between the BJP and the Congress over India's air strikes on terror camps in Pakistan after a suicide bomber attack on a CRPF convoy killed 40 jawans in Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir, with each accusing the other of politicising the issue. In a fierce attack on the opposition, Modi had called them "poster boys of Pakistan" for seeking proof of the IAF's action on a terror camp in Balakot in Pakistan and asked them to stop appeasing Pakistan. "Some days ago CRPF people were killed in Pulwama. I have a small question to the prime minister. Who killed these CRPF jawans? What is the name of the chief of Jaish-e-Mohammed?...Masood Azhar," Gandhi said at a rally here in north Karnataka, where he sounded the party's bugle for the Lok Sabha polls. The Congress chief said, "Modiji makes me understand who sent Masood Azhar from India's jail to Pakistan. Didn't the BJP government send this person from India's jail to Pakistan? "Didn't you send (then Union minister) Jaswant Singh and your National Security Advisor (Ajit Doval) on the same flight? Did you forget that your (party's) government sent this person from India's jail to Kandahar(in Afghanistan)?" "Why are you not speaking about it in your speeches? Why are you not saying that the person who carried out the bomb blast on CRPF, who killed CRPF jawans was sent back to Pakistan by the BJP government?" Gandhi asked. He told the crowd, "Go to the internet, you can see the photo of Ajit Doval who is the National Security Advisor of Narendra Modi along with Masood Azhar at Kandahar airport." "Modi ji we are not like you, we won't bow in front of terrorism," he said. Azhar was released by the Vajpayee government in exchange for passengers of the hijacked Indian Airlines plane IC-814 in 1999. The Kathmandu-New Delhi plane was hijacked and taken to Kandahar by Masood Azhar's men. The JeM chief was freed along with Omar Sheikh and Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar alias 'Latram' after negotiations with hijackers, in which Doval was involved, failed. The then external affairs minister Jaswant Singh took the three terrorists to Kandahar in a special plane to ensure the release of passengers of the hijacked plane. On the Rafale fighter jet issue, Gandhi asked Modi to explain "why he gave Rs 30,000 crore to Anil Ambani. You make make understand why did you purchase Rs 526 crore aircraft at Rs 1,600 crore." "You also tell the pilots of Air force that by robbing from their pockets you have given it to Anil Ambani," he said. Gandhi said Modi had asked the people to make him "a chowkidar" and spoken about 56-inch chest and people voted for him. But on the Rafale issue "Narendra Modi himself through theft has put Rs 30,000 crore to Anil Ambani's pocket," he alleged. "Earlier when he used say acche din, people used to respond saying 'aayenge' (will come). You remember? Now if someone says chowkidaar, people respond 'chor hai'." "...wherever he goes, he says he is fighting against corruption. You are corrupt, the whole country knows you help 15-20 businessmen whole day...wherever you see (it is the) same 15 people. Anil Ambani, Adani. Anil Ambani, Adani," Gandhi said. Gandhi said Modi claims he wants to do 'chowkidari', but "doesn't do your (people's) chowkidaari, he does Anil Ambani's chowkidaari." The Congress president also said Modi was "swinging" with the Chinese president when their army had infiltrated into Doklam. "Even today China's army is sitting in Doklam. The whole world knows about it," he claimed. He said if the Congress government comes to power in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, it would immediately give minimum income guarantee to the country's poor. Gandhi said the Congress would also reform the GST and bring in "one tax GST". Promising to implement women's reservation bill which provides for reservation of parliamentary and assembly seats for women, the Congress President said in 2019 "our first work will be providing reservation to women". Gandhi said the ruling coalition alliance in Karnataka --the Congress and the JD(S) -- would support each other in the Lok Sabha elections and "together we will win election here". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Israeli forces shot dead a Palestinian and wounded 42 others taking part in weekly protests at the fortified Gaza Strip border, the Palestinian health ministry said, after days of rising tensions along the frontier, Reuters reported. The Israeli military said over 8,000 Palestinians took part in the demonstration, throwing rocks and explosives toward soldiers, and that some tried to breach the fence into Israel. A spokesman for the military said troops responded with riot dispersal means and fired in accordance with standard operating procedures. Linking Pathankot and Pulwama terror attacks to elections, MNS chief Raj Thackeray Saturday said another "Pulwama like strike" could occur in near future in a bid to win polls. He also slammed as "insult to jawans" Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement that presence of Rafale jets could have added to more firepower to the February 26 raids by Air Force on a terrorist camp in Pakistan's Balakot. Thackeray was addressing party workers on the 13th Foundation Day of the MNS. In the February 14 Pulwama attack, the worst in the Valley so far, 40 troopers of the CRPF were killed when a suicide bomber rammed his explosives-laden vehicle into a bus in the paramilitary force's convoy. Thackeray also alleged that the warnings issued by intelligence agencies prior to the Pulwama attack were ignored. "40 jawans were martyred in the Pulwama attack. Should we still not ask questions? In December, National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval had met his Pakistani counterpart in Bangkok. Who will tell us what transpired at the meeting?" he questionned. Taking a dig at the BJP president Amit Shah's statement on the number of casualties in the Balakot strike, the MNS chief said whether Shah was one of the the "co-pilots" who participated in the air strike. "Intelligence agencies had sounded off warnings before Pulwama, however they were ignored. Is the NSA not responsible if jawans were killed despite prior intelligence?" he asked. Thackeray claimed the Indian Air Force "missed" targets it had intended to hit in Balakot because of "wrong information" provided to them by the Modi government. "If the Prime Minister himself says that results would have been better had the country have Rafale jets, it was an insult to our jawans," he said. Disputing that terrorists were killed in the air raids, Thackeray said had that been the case, Indian Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman would not have been allowed to return home from captivity by Pakistan. "There is a limit to speaking lies. Lies are being spoken to win elections. In a bid to win upcoming elections, there will be another Pulwama like attack within the next 1-2 months," he said. Referring to the 2017 stand-off between India and China over Doklam, Thackeray said Modi government had urged citizens to stay away from Chinese products, however, "it has failed to answer where did the material used in the statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in Gujarat came from". "...Is the real enemy inside or outside the country"? he asked. Seeking to link 2015 Pathankot terror attack with elections, Thackeray said PM Modi had met his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif on December 25, 2015 and gave him a cake on his birthday. "In the next seven days, the Pathankot terror attack took place. At that time, (assembly) elections were due in four states in the next three months," he said. Meanwhile, Thackeray, who is battling for political survival in Maharashtra, clarified that no talks underway with any political party for upcoming elections. The MNS has been keen to join the Congress-NCP alliance for polls. Thackeray had even met senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar to facilitate the MNS' entry into the alliance. However, the Congress is stridently opposed to take "chauvinist" MNS along in the polls. "I am not a (Bharip Bahujan Mahasangh chief Prakash) Ambedkar or a (AIMIM chief Asaduddin) Owaisi to hold discussions on 2-3 seats. I will soon announce if we will be fighting the Lok Sabha elections," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Madhya Pradesh High Court has directed a government college to reinstate a guest lecturer whose services it had terminated during her maternity leave. Setting aside the order of termination, Justice Sujoy Paul Friday asked the college to give her maternity benefits. Richa Tiwari, a guest faculty of computer science in the Government Naveen Mahavidyalay at Lidhoura in Tikamgarh district, had filed the petition challenging her termination order of October 22, 2108, her counsel said. "The high court said the respondents (including the state government) shall reinstate the petitioner in service and treat the relevant period as maternity leave and grant maternity benefits to her," Tiwari's counsel Madhavi Chaturvedi said. The petitioner had applied for maternity leave on October 1, 2018 while in advance stage of pregnancy. She had also attached medical documents in support. But the college authorities did not respond to it, she said. "However, her services were terminated on October 22 on the pretext that she remained absent from the college without informing the authorities, whereas the petitioner had already applied for maternity leave," Chaturvedi said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A retired major general is facing court martial after the Army found that he had produced wrong information to avail a higher disability pension, official sources said on Saturday. The officer was serving in the Military Training Directorate until he retired in August 2017. The disciplinary proceedings against the retired officer are being initiated under the provisions of the Army Act. The Army has mentioned four major charges against him in the court martial, including furnishing of wrong information that led to him receiving a high disability pension post-retirement, sources said. Officers, soldiers are entitled for an extra pension, which is non-taxable, if they meet with an injury during service. The officer had claimed that he had met with an accident in 2010, sources added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A retired policeman and his wife were found dead with injury marks on their bodies in Jeypore town of Odisha's Koraput district Saturday, police said. The deceased were identified as M K Rehman, a retired sub-inspector of police, and his wife Hafija Bibi of Jayanagar locality of Jeypore town, police said. The couple bore injury marks on their head as well as other parts of their bodies, said Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP), Koraput, Utkal Ranjan Das. "It is suspected that the couple was murdered on Friday night," he added. The two were in their house in the night as their son and daughter-in-law had gone to a relative's place nearby. After their return on Saturday morning at around 8 am, they found their parents were lying in a pool of blood and informed the police, the ASP said. Meanwhile, police have detained the son of the deceased couple, identified as Rotif Rehman, for interrogation. An investigation into the case was on, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sri Lanka's communist party JVP Saturday said the time was right to bring in the 20th amendment to the Constitution to abolish the all-powerful executive presidential system of governance. The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), the main mover of the motion seeking abolishing of presidency, held a series of discussions with the main opposition leader and Sri Lanka's former President Mahinda Rajapaksa to seek his support to bring in the 20th amendment to abolish the executive presidency. "He (Rajapaksa) was for the idea of abolishing it," senior JVP leader Bimal Ratnayake said. He claimed that all current leaders Rajapaksa, Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesimghe were afraid of facing another presidential election. "All of them know they can't win it. So they all will support it," Ratnayake said. He said it was an opportune time to abolish the executive presidency which has been in existence since 1978. Rajapaksa, who is constitutionally barred from contesting again to become president, has supported the proposal. His supporters, however, have expressed public opposition to abolishing the presidency. They want Rajapaksa's brother Gotabaya to contest it as Rajapaksa will be constitutionally barred from running for president again. Ratnayake said both Sirisena and Wickremesinghe want to dodge holding the provincial elections which have fallen due. "If we can adopt 20th amendment then there will be no need to hold another presidential election. A parliamentary election can be held thereafter," he said. The Sinhala-majority political parties, however, will face stiff resistance from the minority Muslim and Tamil parties for abolishing the presidency. Sri Lanka Muslim Congress leader Rauff Hakeem said his party would strongly object to abolishing the presidency. "When the whole country is considered as one electorate to elect a president, the minority vote will become important, so we will be politically valued. That is why we would not allow JVP to change it," Hakeem said. Since the introduction of the presidential system in 1978, every election which ensued was fought on the promise to abolish the presidency. However, once elected all presidents chose to ignore the election promise. Rajapaksa was elected twice as President. In 2010, he adopted an amendment to the Constitution allowing him to contest any number of times to be president. Sirisena's current government in 2015 through the nineteenth amendment to the Constitution restored the two term limit. This means Rajapaksa cannot become President again. With his new party's unexpected win in the local council elections held February, the former strongman presses for an early parliamentary poll ahead of its 2020 August schedule. However, the next election which is due is the presidential election which must be held by January of 2020. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala will field six sitting MPs and an equal number of MLAs in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections. While the CPI(M)--the largest partner in the Left Front-- will field 16 candidates, including six Members of Parliament (MPs) and four Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs), the CPI, the second major ally, will contest four seats and two will be sitting MLAs. Two women and two CPI(M)-backed independents are also among the candidates announced by the ruling coalition. With sharing of all the seats by the CPI(M) and CPI, other coalition partners of the 10-member-strong LDF have been left with no seat. Announcing his party's candidates list, CPI(M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan Saturday said the coming Lok Sabha polls were crucial and inevitable to enhance the strength of the Left front in Parliament. The sitting MLAs were chosen considering the winnability, he told reporters at the party headquarters, AKG Centre here. "It is not for the first time that sitting MLAs are contesting. In 2009, four MLAs of the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) had contested. It had happened on several other occasions also," he said. The six sitting MPs of CPI(M) who will contest in the Lok Sabha polls are Innocent (Chalakkudy constituency), Joice George (Idukki), M B Rajesh (Palakkad), P K Biju (Alathur), A Sampath (Attingal) and P K Sreemathi (Kannur). A M Arif (Alappuzha), Veena George (Pathanamthitta), A Pradeep Kumar (Kozhikode) and P V Anwar (Ponnani) are among the sitting MLAs who figure in the CPI(M) candidate list. Of these, George and Anwar are CPI(M)-backed independents. The Communist Party of India (CPI), which had already announced the candidates, plans to field sitting MLAs C Divakaran and Chittayam Gopakumar in Thiruvananthapuram and Mavelikkara constituencies, respectively. The CPI would field P P Suneer at Wayanad and Rajaji Mathew Thomas in the Thrissur constituency. During the 2014 Lok Sabaha polls, the Congress-led UDF had won 12 seats and CPI(M)-led LDF eight, while the BJP had failed to open its account in the state dominated by the bipolar polity. The Sabarimala women entry row and the alleged slow pace of flood rehabilitation initiatives will be among the key issues the ruling LDF would face during the elections. However, the Left front is banking on the three-year old Pinarayi Vijayan government's achievements on the development front, health and education sector and the stand it had taken in terms of protecting progressive values. The opposition UDF and BJP are yet to officially announce their candidates list. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani Saturday expanded his cabinet by inducting three members, including Congress turncoat Jawahar Chavda, who was rewarded with a ministerial berth a day after he joined the BJP. BJP MLA from Manjalpur of Vadodara district Yogesh Patel and Jamnagar West MLA Dharmendrasinh Jadeja, who had crossed over from Congress, were the other two members inducted into the cabinet. Gujarat Governor O P Kohli administered the oath of office to them. "The ministry of Vijay Rupani was expanded today with the induction of three ministers," deputy chief minister Nitin Patel told reporters outside the Raj Bhavan in Gandhinagar after the ceremony in the afternoon. "Jawahar Chavda was inducted as a cabinet minister, while Yogesh Patel and Dharmendrasinh Jadeja were included as minister of state," Patel said, adding that they will be allocated portfolios later. The function was held in the presence of select few including chief minister, few ministers and some top officials inside the Raj Bhavan without any prior announcement. Chavda is a four-time MLA from Manavadar constituency and a prominent leader of OBC Ahir community. He had resigned as MLA as well as the Congress party and joined the BJP on Friday. Earlier in the day, Patel had confirmed to PTI that apart from him, Chavda and Jadeja would take oath as ministers. A seven-time MLA from Manjalpur, Patel had earlier expressed dissatisfaction against the BJP government over several issues including lack of representation from Vadodara region in the Rupani cabinet. After quitting Congress ahead of the 2017 assembly polls, Jadeja had joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and contested from Jamnagar West constituency on a BJP ticket and won. With their induction, the number of ministers in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government has gone up to 24. As per the rules, the size of the council of ministers should not exceed 15 per cent of the total number of members of the state assembly. So, the Rupani-led government can have a total of 27 ministers. The chief minister had last expanded his cabinet in July 2018 and inducted veteran leader Kunvarji Bavaliya, on the same day of him quitting the Congress. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Saudi Minister Khalid al-Falih is making his second visit to in less than three weeks to attend the wedding of richest Indian Mukesh Ambani's son Akash. is tying the knot with Shloka Mehta, daughter of diamantaire Russell Mehta and Mona Mehta at a grand ceremony in on Saturday. Sources privy to the development said the Saudi minister will visit for the wedding and will also make a brief stopover in the capital to have a conversation with Minister and other industry leaders. Al-Falih, who has known Ambani for over a decade now, had previously travelled to Udaipur in December last year to attend the pre-wedding festivities of Ambani's daughter Isha's marriage with industrialist Ajay Piramal's son Anand. Akash and Shloka's wedding will take place at the newly built World Centre in in The wedding festivities kickstarted on February 23 with a grand bash in St. Moritz, The couple got engaged in June 2018 and celebrated the occasion with a string of lavish parties in Mumbai. Al-Falih last visited on February 20 as part of the high-level delegation that travelled with Saudi Crown Prince for a bilateral visit. When he last visited the Ambanis in December 2018, the Saudi oil minister had tweeted that the world's largest and Ambani-run are discussing joint investments in petrochemicals, refinery and communications projects. At the time of the February 20 visit, Amin Al-Nasser had spoken about talks with Reliance for investments in refinery and petrochemical projects. Reliance operates two refineries at Jamnagar with a total capacity of 68.2 million tonnes per annum. Reliance plans to expand its only-for-exports SEZ refining capacity to just over 41 million tonnes from the current 35.2 million tonnes but does not have any plans to set up a new refinery in the country. It is presently focused on expanding petrochemicals and telecom business, industry sources said. is the basic raw material for the of petrochemicals. Saudi Arabia, on the other hand, is keen to get a foothold in the world's fastest-growing fuel market so as to get a captive customer for the it produces. Saudi Aramco, the world's biggest oil company, and its partner Abu Dhabi Oil Co (ADNOC) have picked up 50 per cent stake in a planned $44-billion refinery in but the project is facing problems in land acquisition. Aramco and ADNOC will together hold 50 per cent stake in the 60 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) refinery and adjacent 18 MTPA petrochemical complex planned to be built at Ratnagiri district of by 2025. The two will supply half of the required for processing at the refinery. Like other major producers, the two are looking to lock in customers in the world's third-largest oil consumer through the investment. too is looking to invest in projects in return for getting an assured offtake of their crude oil. is also keen on retailing fuel in A refinery in India can also be a base for it to export fuel to deficit countries in and the Americas. India has a refining capacity of 247.6 million tonnes, which exceeds the demand of 206.2 million tonnes. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), this demand is expected to reach 458 million tonnes by 2040. Serena Williams out-gunned Victoria Azarenka 7-5, 6-3 in an electrifying clash of former world number ones to reach the third round at Indian Wells. The two raised the temperature on a cold, windy night in the California desert, trading shots from every corner of the court before Williams wrapped things up after two hours and 17 minutes She finished it off in style, with a pair of unreturnable serves. "It was really good for me to kind of fight through that, because literally I had to fight for every point," Williams said. The display worthy of a final came in the second round thanks to Azarenka's current ranking of 48th in the world -- and the bad luck of the draw. The first set alone lasted one hour and 13 minutes. Williams, unable to serve it out at 5-3, was under pressure again at 5-5 but Azarenka was unable to convert five break points. Williams produced three service winners to take a 6-5 lead and broke Azarenka to pocket the set. "She deserved to win," Azarenka said. "She played better on those important moments. I felt that every game was ad, deuce, ad, deuce. It was all about who was going to take that chance, and she took them a little better today." While Williams took her record over Azarenka to 18-4, the Belarusian said she would always relish any chance to take on her longtime rival. "You know, as much as she's the toughest opponent I have ever played in my life, she's my favorite person to play against," Azarenka said. "Those type of challenges always motivate me." Since their last meeting -- Azarenka's victory in the 2016 Indian Wells final -- both women have become mothers, adding another dimension to their on-court rivalry and off-court friendship. "We're both moms, and we know how hard it is and how hard it's been for us to come back, starting literally from scratch and fighting our way back," Williams said. - Mutual respect - ==================They exchanged a warm hug at the net to cap what Azarenka called an "amazing" match. "I think it's not a surprise that we have mutual respect and love off the court," Azarenka said. "On the court it's a fight. It's a war, it's a lot of intensity. "I think it was quite an amazing match. And having such a match on International Women's Day, I felt that was really incredible." Things won't get any easier for Williams in her pursuit of her first title since the birth of daughter Alexis Olympia in September of 2017. In the third round she faces another former world number one, Spain's Garbine Muguruza, a two-time Grand Slam champion who breezed into the third round with a 6-1, 6-3 victory over American Lauren Davis. Elsewhere on Friday, world number two Simona Halep eased into the third round with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over Czech veteran Barbora Strycova. Halep, who lifted the Indian Wells trophy in 2015, fired 18 winners and converted six of 11 break point chances to set up a third-round meeting with Ukrainian qualifier Kateryna Kozlova, a 6-4, 2-6, 6-0 winner over 31st-seeded Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus. But there was more misery for world number four Sloane Stephens, who was unceremoniously bundled out by Swiss qualifier Stefanie Voegele 6-3, 6-0. Voegele, ranked 109th in the world, won the last eight games to sweep into the third round in just 68 minutes. It's the second tournament in a row that 2017 US Open winner Stephens has been toppled by a qualifier, coming on the heels of a straight-sets defeat to 172nd-ranked Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia in Acapulco. Voegele's victory is perhaps less of a shocker. She has now won the last four of five career meetings with Stephens. Stephens said the windy weather was a factor, but not the main problem. "I didn't play well," Stephens said. "It was unfortunate that I lost the second set 6-0. It happens. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Several people have died in an attack by the jihadist group Boko Haram in southeastern Niger, local sources said on Saturday. "There have been deaths, including police, and also some wounded, in this attack by Boko Haram," an official in Diffa, a region of Niger close to the birthplace of Boko Haram in neighbouring northeastern Nigeria. The attack by "heavily armed" assailants travelling in a dozen or so vehicles on Friday targeted a military position near Gueskerou in the Diffa region, according to unconfirmed social media posts by residents. An official from the Diffa governorate and a municipal Gueskerou source confirmed the attack but did not elaborate. "We do not have a precise toll, we are awaiting for the military command to make an evaluation," the official said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In the village of Gekhi-Chu in the Urus-Martan district of Chechnya, a mosque with a capacity of 50 people was opened today. The opening ceremony was attended by the district Qadi Alu Amerkhanov. Heads of rural settlements and representatives of the district administrations came to celebrate the joyful event together with the villagers, the Grozny State television and Radio Broadcasting Company cites the press service of the Chechen Muslim Religious Board. Pakistan's jailed former prime minister has accused the federal government of deliberately impeding his treatment for heart-related ailments, according to a media report. Sharif's brother and PML-N President said the three-time former prime minister is in "high spirits" but still requires immediate medical treatment. He (Sharif) says the doctors who examined him earlier said they were only sent to check and verify his health condition. The doctors said they did not have any orders to start his treatment, Shehbaz was quoted as saying by the Express Tribune. The National Assembly opposition leader said the government's failure to address concerns regarding Sharif's health was regrettable. "It is sad to see that the medical treatment of a three-time former prime minister has been made a political issue. This victimisation must end, he said. Shehbaz's statements come a day after the Punjab government wrote a letter to the former prime minister stating that he was free to pursue treatment at a hospital of his choosing in Lahore. Sharif on Wednesday refused to be relocated to a hospital for treatment despite requests by his family members, saying he prefers an "honourable death" over kneeling to "politics being done" by the government in the name of his treatment. Sharif, 69, is serving a seven-year imprisonment in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills corruption case at the Kot Lakhpat Jail since December 2018. The Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo has suffered four angina attacks last week, his daughter Maryam Nawaz said on Tuesday. The Sharif family is complaining that the government is not providing health facilities to the former premier who has serious health complications. Actor Ben Affleck believes finding solutions to problems using violence is endemic to men but he agrees that the idea of masculinity needs to be redefined in the post #MeToo era. The actor says that majority of the people pointing guns at each other and killing one another are men is a hard truth. "I'm sure upwards of 95 per cent of the people pointing guns at each other and killing one another are men. That is simply true. "This kind of violence is perpetrated almost exclusively by men, not that obviously women aren't victims of violence as well but that this certain kind of problem solving through violence is endemic to men," Affleck told PTI in a group interview while promoting the Netflix film "Triple Frontier" here. The actor stars as one of the five former Special Forces operatives in JC Chandor-directed action thriller. Set in South America, the film sees war veterans pull off a seemingly successful heist at an infamous drug lord's house, at the end of which they ironically end up losing more than the spoils. Affleck said Chandor wanted to examine the violent behaviour with critical eye. "It's an interesting question that 'Why is this that the way we think of solving problems at the point of the gun is going to lead to a solution?' It never has, it rarely has and yet we keep on thinking 'Yeah, there's this problem and we show up with tanks and guns and kill a bunch of people and then things will get better'," he added. The film also stars Charlie Hunnam and Garrett Hedlund, who accompanied Affleck. Hunnam believes "Triple Frontier" is not a film that celebrates "toxic masculinity". "It's a specific story about specific people. The real world reality is that this (Special Forces) area is dominated by men. It's slowly changing I think there are a couple of female Navy SEALS, Rangers and DELTA. "So I know that we kind of explored that question whether or not the mission would have unravelled in quite the way it does if there had been more gender equality that we had a woman's point of view in there," he said. The actor, however, added the vice of greed is not exclusive to men. "One of the main areas that precipitates this thing unravelling partly in this fashion and on grounds as it does, it is greed. And it's certainly not exclusive to men," Hunnam said. Hedlund said the film attempts to explore the trauma war veterans go through and their life after coming home is an underlining theme. He added that its about the reintegration of soldiers back into the society. "I think that's something is an underlined issue that will stand out," he said. "Triple Frontier", also featuring Oscar Issac and Pedro Pascal, was released by Netflix in select theatres in the US on March 6. It starts streaming worldwide on March 13. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Describing South Africa as a great friend of India, outgoing Indian High Commissioner Ruchira Kamboj has said its support in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack is indicative of their "special relationship". Kamboj, who has been appointed as Ambassador to Bhutan, said South African Parliament unanimously accepted a motion which not only expressed solidarity with India, but also placed the onus firmly on Pakistan to address the issue of terrorism. In my interactions with members of the South African government, civil society organisations and people from all walks of life in recent weeks, there's been nothing but robust support for India, Kamboj told PTI in an interview. Although the Pulwama attack was condemned globally as an act of terrorism, the South African government was one of the few that specifically identified it as originating in Pakistan, calling on the government there to find and take action against the perpetrators of this dastardly attack", she said. His Majesty King Goodwill Zwelithini wrote directly to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling on him to continue to get rid of such evils in society'," the 1987-batch Indian Foreign Service officer said. Among others who decried the terror attack was Ela Gandhi, granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi, who runs the Gandhi Settlement in Phoenix. Even South African media and the public through their candle light vigils across the country sent out a clear message that no country should harbour organisations which promote terrorism. There was also concern expressed in many circles that if this could happen in India today, it could be anywhere else in the world tomorrow, she said. Kamboj, who has also served in South Africa as Consul General in Cape Town, said: President Cyril Ramaphosa being the chief guest at Republic Day celebrations in January this year and initiatives to grow trade and industry between India and South Africa including the resolution of a long-outstanding impasse with Defence conglomerate Denel was also something very special." The friendship between India and South Africa has definitely grown greatly in these past two years, and I have no doubt that my successor will continue to build on that, Kamboj said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Sudanese emergency court on Saturday sentenced nine women protesters to 20 lashes each for participating in an unauthorised demonstration against President Omar al-Bashir's rule, defence lawyers said. The ruling by the Khartoum court came despite Bashir on Friday ordering the release of all female detainees held during nationwide demonstrations that have rocked the country since December. The authorities have set up special emergency courts to investigate violations of a nationwide state of emergency imposed by Bashir on February 22 to end the demonstrations after an initial crackdown failed to suppress the protest movement. The nine women protesters were taken to court after they were arrested on Thursday for participating in a "banned demonstration" earlier that day in the capital's eastern district of Burri, a site of regular protests. "Nine women protesters have been sentenced to one month jail and 20 lashes," defence lawyer Enaam Atieg told AFP. "They have been taken to women's prison in Omdurman," she said, referring to the twin city of the capital across the Nile. Atieg said an appeal against the court's verdict will be filed on Sunday. A lawyers' group that is part of the protest movement also confirmed the sentencing. "Following pressure from their lawyers the court has still not implemented the floggings," the Democratic Lawyers Alliance said in a statement. Activists and rights groups have regularly complained about Sudan's selective application of Islamic sharia law, with hundreds of women sentenced to flogging under a controversial public order law. On Friday, Bashir ordered the release of all women detainees held during the demonstrations since they erupted last year, in a move that coincided with International Women's Day. Protests initially broke out on December 19 following a government decision to triple the price of bread. They quickly mushroomed into nationwide demonstrations against Bashir's three-decade rule, with crowds calling on the veteran leader to step down. Bashir himself has acknowledged that the protests were led by youths, the majority of them women. Officials say 31 people have died in protest related violence so far, while the Human Rights Watch has put the death toll at at least 51. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Suven Life Sciences Saturday said it will create a wholly-owned subsidiary in the US and will infuse USD 75 million (about Rs 525 crore) in its new business. The board of directors at its meeting held on Saturday has taken on record the approval for creation of wholly owned subsidiary (WOS) Suven Pharma, Inc, a Delaware company in the US under Contract Research And Manufacturing Services (CRAMS) division, the company said in a regulatory filing. The board of directors has approved investment of USD 75 million in the said WOS for new business opportunities and acquisitions, it added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Amidst reports of negotiations for a deal with china hitting a bump, President has said that he will enter into a trade deal with Beijing only if he is confident that it is good for the US. But he also told reporters at the White House on Friday that he is confident of entering into a trade deal with China. The world's two largest economies are locked in a trade war since Trump imposed heavy tariffs on imported steel and aluminium items from China in March last year, a move that sparked fears of a global trade war. Trump imposed tariff hikes of up to 25 per cent on $250 billion of Chinese goods. In response, China, the world's second largest after the US, imposed tit-for-tat tariffs on $110 billion of American goods. Top trade officials from America and China are holding talks to negotiate a comprehensive trade deal. "I am confident. But if we don't make a very good deal for our country, I wouldn't make a deal," Trump told reporters. "If this isn't a great deal, I won't make a deal." In the absence of a trade deal, Trump has threatened to impose additional tariffs on import of Chinese products into the US. Last month the US President had said that he and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping are planning to meet at his Florida resort in Mar-a-Lago to give a final shape to the trade deal, which is being negotiated between the two countries for past several months now. However, after the collapse of the North Korea summit in Vietnam where Trump walked out of his meeting with Chairman Kim Jong-Un, the US president has not spoken about it. Taken aback by Trump's decision to walk away from the summit with North Korean in Hanoi, China now wants the summit as a mere signature ceremony and finalise everything before that. According to The Wall Street Journal report on Friday, a US-China trade accord is facing a new roadblock, as Chinese officials balk at committing to a presidential summit until the two countries have a firm deal in hand. "What Chinese minister wants to say, 'Yes, Xi Jinping. Go to the US for a visit, which isn't a state visit, and hope that Trump doesn't embarrass you'" Evan Medeiros, a Georgetown University scholar who was a senior China adviser to President Barack Obama was quoted as saying by The Wall Street Journal. Republican Senator Marco Rubio on Friday doubted recent reports that China will end the forced transfer of technology and begin allowing "wholly foreign-owned enterprises in more fields" as a way to lure back foreign investors. "For decades, China fooled the world into thinking they would be a responsible partner. We must not let them fool us into thinking this new 'law' is anything other than a shiny object that will do nothing to stop Chinese state-directed actors' continued assault on US companies' intellectual property and trade secrets," Rubio said. The Trump Administration should continue to hold their leverage and increase pressure on China to secure a strong, enforceable deal, he asserted. "We cannot afford to waste this opportunity and risk losing this century's most important, strategic, economic, and geopolitical competition. China must not be allowed to pursue policies that run directly counter to America's national interest and their commitments without facing due consequences," Rubio said. Tunisian authorities on Saturday launched multiple investigations into the sudden deaths of 11 newborn babies at a state maternity hospital in the capital. The health ministry was conducting medical and hygiene checks and probing the management of the hospital pharmacy after the babies died Thursday and Friday at the Rabta clinic, a spokesman told AFP. Prosecutors said they had opened a judicial inquiry into the deaths. The Tunisian pediatrics society wrote in a Facebook statement that "elements of the ongoing investigation" pointed to an infection caused by an intravenous feeding product. The association called on the authorities to "shed light" on the situation and recalled the "precarious conditions in which health professionals work". The health ministry said in a statement that "preventive measures and treatment have been taken to avoid other victims and to ensure the health status of other babies in the maternity ward". The independent Tunisian Forum of Economic and Social Rights called on the health minister to resign over the deaths. The public health system, once a source of pride in Tunisia, has been hit by management and financial problems that lowered standards and caused drug shortages. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The US border patrol agents apprehended two Indian citizens who were smuggled into the US, officials said. On Thursday afternoon, US Border Patrol agents assigned to Massena Border Patrol Station observed a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot of a casino in Hogansburg in upstate New York, the US Customs and Border Protection said in a press release. Border Patrol agents further observed suspicious behavior by the occupants and conducted a vehicle stop. Six Indian citizens, including two who were identified as smuggled "aliens", were inside the vehicle, it said. The vigilance of the Border Patrol agents "prevented two illegal aliens from furthering their entry into the United States," Deputy Patrol Agent in-charge Glen Pickering said. The two smuggled Indians were charged with improper entry and an investigation is underway. The Swanton Sector is responsible for securing the land border between ports of entry in Vermont, New Hampshire and northeastern New York. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The United Kingdom's home secretary has recently referred India's request for extraditing bank-fraud accused Nirav Modi to a court for initiating legal proceedings against the diamantaire, official sources said Saturday. A British daily reported that Modi, accused in the USD 2-billion Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam, is living in a swanky 8-million pound apartment in London's West End and is now involved in a new diamond business. Sources in the Enforcement Directorate (ED) said they had been officially informed about UK Home Secretary Sajid Javid's move to forward the case to a London court about two days back. This move takes the process of extraditing and bringing back Modi to face the law in India to the next stage, the sources said. Soon, they said, a joint team of the ED and the CBI would travel to the UK to apprise the lawyers about the Indian case and evidence against Modi, in a similar fashion that was done in the case of another absconding bank-fraud accused, Vijay Mallya. The ED and the CBI are investigating Modi, his uncle Mehul Choksi and others for alleged money laundering and corruption to perpetrate the alleged scam in the Brady House branch of the PNB in Mumbai that was unearthed last year. Modi, 48, is currently living in a three-bedroom flat occupying half of a floor of the landmark Centre Point tower block, where rent is estimated to cost 17,000 pounds a month, The Telegraph reported. The revelation comes a day after Modi's 30,000 sq ft seaside mansion at Kihim beach in Maharashtra's Raigad district was demolished by authorities using explosives for alleged violation of coastal regulation rules. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also reacted on the issue of Modi's extradition, saying the UK was still considering India's request. India is taking all steps necessary for his extradition, an MEA spokesperson said Saturday. Modi has been charge-sheeted by both the agencies and the ED has also attached his assets worth crores under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India on Saturday said all UN Security Council members were aware about the JeM training camps and the presence of terror group's chief in Pakistan, and urged the nations to designate him as a global terrorist. The US, Britain and France had moved a proposal at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) last week to designate the chief of the JeM, which claimed responsibility for the Pulwama terror attack, as a global terrorist. Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar, at a media briefing, said: "All 15 members of the UN Security Council had unanimously issued a statement strongly condemning the Pulwama terrorist attack." All members of the are aware about the Jaish-e-Mohammed training camps in Pakistan and about the chief of Jaish-e-Mohammed and his presence in Pakistan, he said. "We call upon all members of the to list as a designated terrorist under 1267 UN sanctions committee," Kumar said. Official sources had earlier said any member country can seek clarification on the proposal till March 13 following which the process to listing will commence. Azhar's listing by the UNSC will subject him to global travel ban, asset freeze and arms embargo. It is the fourth such bid at the UN in the last 10 years to list Azhar as a global terrorist. In 2009, India unsuccessfully moved a proposal to designate Azhar. In 2016 again, India moved the proposal with the P3 - the US, the United Kingdom and France -- in the UN's 1267 Sanctions Committee to ban Azhar. In 2017, the P3 nations moved a similar proposal again. However, on all occasions, China, a veto-wielding permanent member of the Security Council, blocked India's proposal from being adopted by the Sanctions Committee. According to Georgian media, a member of the opposition parliamentary party Movement for Libert- Europea Georgia, David Napetvaridze, was attacked today as he was walking along the street with his wife. As a result of the attack, Napetvaridze suffered a head injury and a broken finger. He was hospitalized with a possible concussion. The attacker was detained at the crime scene, now he is interrogated, Sputnik-Georgia reports. The Uttar Pradesh government has decided to add 'acharya' as a prefix to Narendra Dev University of Agriculture and Technology in Faizabad district. The university, established in 1975, is named after notable politician and educator Narendra Dev, who had served as the vice-chancellor of Lucknow University. A decision was taken at Friday's cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. "The UP government has decided to 'acharya' to Narendra Dev Krishi evam Praudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya, Faizabad. It has also decided to replace 'Faizabad' with Ayodhya," according to a statement issued late Friday night. The cabinet also gave approval to increase the honorarium of the cooks of mid-day meal in primary schools from the existing Rs 1,000 per month to Rs 1,500 per month. This will benefit as many as 4,05,353 cooks across the state. The cabinet cleared a proposal for construction of a library and a building in Garha Kola in memory of eminent Hindi poet Suryakant Tripathi Nirala. Garha Kola in Unnao district is Nirala's birthplace. The resident doctors of the Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Science, Lucknow, will get allowances at a par with AIIMS, Delhi. The government also decided to give Rs 750 as incentive to accredited social health activists (ASHA), who work as an interface between the community and the public health system. The cabinet approved purchase of 24 new vehicles for the staff pool of state estate department. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A woman Naxal with a reward of Rs 5 lakh on her head Saturday surrendered to police in Rajnandgaon district of Chhattisgarh, an official said. Sarita alias Rekha Mandavi was active as an "urban operative" of the Maoists in Nagpur in neighbouring Maharashtra, Rajnandgaon Superintendent of Police Kamlochan Kashyap told PTI. "She has been part of the Maoists' Maharashtra Madhya Pradesh Chhattisgarh (MMC) Zone led by its Central Committee member Dipak alias Milind Teltumbde. She worked as a guard of Teltumde till 2018. She has been involved in at least eight Naxal operations against the police," Kashyap said. "She was later made a member of the coordination committee of the Naxal central committee and sent to Nagpur to work as an urban operative," the SP added. He said Mandavi had told police that she was laying down arms as she was disappointed with the Naxal movement and exploitation of tribal cadre by senior Andhra Pradesh-based functionaries of the proscribed outfit. Mandavi has been given Rs 10000 as "encouragement money" and will be assisted as per Chhattisgarh's Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy, the official said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Venezuela's government struggled to cope Friday with a massive electricity blackout that paralyzed much of the country as President Nicolas Maduro blamed the chaos on US sabotage. Even by the standards of crisis-weary Venezuelans, the blackout -- which began late Thursday -- was one of the longest and most widespread in memory, heightening tensions in Maduro's power struggle with his US-backed rival, opposition leader Juan Guaido. Maduro made the decision to shut down offices and schools "in order to facilitate efforts for the recovery of electricity service in the country," Vice President Delcy Rodriguez tweeted. Power supply was gradually being restored to large areas of Caracas on Friday afternoon, as the country slowly began to emerge from the 24-hour blackout. Electricity supply was also being resumed in areas of Miranda state and Vargas, which contains the country's international airport and main port. Other areas like the western states of Zulia, Tachira and Barinas -- where lengthy outages are common -- were still without power. Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino, patrolling the west of the capital Caracas in an open-topped military jeep, said "everything is calm throughout national territory" as electricity workers tried to restore the electricity. The outage had left most of the country in chaos, crippling day-to-day functioning of hospitals and other public services, according to local press reports. Witnesses described scenes of chaos at several hospitals as people tried to move sick relatives in the dark to clinics with better emergency power facilities. Marielsi Aray, a patient at the University Hospital in Caracas, died after her respirator stopped working. "The doctors tried to help her by pumping manually, they did everything they could, but with no electricity, what where they to do?" asked Jose Lugo, her distraught uncle. Generators at the JM de Rios children's hospital in downtown Caracas failed to kick-in when the blackout hit, said Gilbert Altuvez, whose eight-year old boy is among the patients. "The night was terrible. Without light. Total madness," he said. Emilse Arellano said urgent dialysis for her child had to be cancelled Friday, after a night where staff worked in the light of cellphones. "The children were very scared." The putrid odor of rotting flesh hung around the entrance to Caracas' main Bello Monte morgue on Friday where refrigerators had stopped working and worried relatives gathered outside, waiting to be allowed to bury their dead. Guaido, speaking to supporters at an gathering marking International Women's Day, confirmed that power "is beginning to come back in some sectors." "It can't be normal that 50 percent of hospitals in the country don't have an electric plant," he said. The blackout in the capital was total and hit at 4:50 pm (2050 GMT), just before nightfall on Thursday. Traffic lights went out and the subway system ground to a halt, triggering gridlock in the streets and huge streams of angry people trekking long distances to get home from work. Thousands of homes in Caracas -- a crime-ridden city of two million people -- were without water supplies. Telephone services and access to the internet were also knocked out. The capital's Simon Bolivar international airport was hit, as were others across the country. Following Maduro's decision to close the borders to keep out humanitarian aid for his people, the country was completely isolated Friday. "The electrical war announced and directed by US imperialism against our people will be defeated," Maduro tweeted. "Nothing and no one can defeat the people of Bolivar and Chavez," Maduro said, referring to the liberation hero Simon Bolivar and Maduro's predecessor and former boss, the late socialist icon Hugo Chavez. Guaido, meanwhile reiterated his call for mass protests on Saturday. "All Venezuela, now with more force than ever, returns to the streets of the whole country, we return to the streets and we won't go out until we reach the goal," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka made a triumphant return to Indian Wells, rallying for 6-7 (4/7), 6-3, 6-3 victory over British qualifier Daniel Evans to reach the second round. It was a rematch of Wawrinka's four-hour, five-set victory over Evans in the third round of the 2016 US Open -- where the Swiss would go on to claim his third Grand Slam crown. "He's always a tough player to play, for sure," Wawrinka said. "He's mixing a lot, especially on conditions like today when it's windy. With his slice, he feels the ball really well. He's mixing his game, serve and volley, sometimes coming, sometimes not, passing well. "So I'm happy to get through a match like today," he added. Wawrinka, on the rise after 18 months battling injury and recovering from double knee surgery, was runner-up in the California desert in 2017, but missed the combined ATP Masters and WTA event last year. While top seeds led by world number one Novak Djokovic enjoyed first-round byes, 40th-ranked Wawrinka gutted out a two-hour, eight-minute clash with 100th ranked Evans. Wawrinka saved all six break points he faced in the deciding set, battling back from 0-40 down in the fifth game and pushing to a 5-3 lead. He held at love to line up a second-round meeting with 29th-seeded Hungarian Marton Fucsovics. "I think for me this year it's for sure special because I'm happy to be back," said Wawrinka, whose run to the final in Rotterdam last month was his first final since Roland Garros in June of 2017. He hasn't lifted a trophy since Geneva in May of 2017, but says his Rotterdam run put his comeback in a new phase. "It helped me a lot to put away a little bit of pressure of knowing that you play well but (are) not winning too many matches," Wawrinka said. - Injured Anderson withdraws - ============================== Fifth-seeded South African Kevin Anderson's challenge ended before it began as he withdrew from the tournament with a right elbow injury that has nagged him since a second-round exit at the Australian Open. In other first-round matches, German Peter Gojowczyk defeated Italian Andreas Seppi 7-5, 6-4 to set up a second round meeting with fourth-seeded Roger Federer, who is coming off a remarkable 100th career title in Dubai. Australian qualifier Alexei Popyrin beat Spain's Jaume Munar 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 to advance to a meeting with eighth-seeded American John Isner and Aussie qualifier Alex Bolt also advanced with a 6-3, 5-7, 6-2 victory over Ernests Gulbis. Popyrin, 19 and ranked 131 in the world, notched his first win in a Masters 1000 event and will now try to take out his second top 10 opponent this year after beating Dominic Thiem at the Australian Open. American Jared Donaldson defeated Japan's Tatsuma Ito 6-3, 7-5 to set a second-round showdown with second-seeded Rafael Nadal. France's Adrian Mannarino will take on sixth-seeded Kei Nishikori after beating American Tennys Sandgren 6-2, 6-7 (5/7), 6-1. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An Indian Air Force MiG-21 Bison, piloted by Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, shot down a Pakistan Air Force F-16 fighter aircraft and there are eyewitness accounts as well as electronic evidence for it, the Ministry of External Affairs said Saturday. It also said evidence on the use of F-16 fighter jets by Pakistan is there in the form of parts of AMRAAM missile recovered from the site, which is carried only by F-16 aircraft of the Pakistan Air Force. Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar, at a media briefing, said an Indian Air Force MiG-21 Bison, piloted by Wing Commander Varthaman, shot down a Pakistan Air Force F-16 fighter aircraft and there are eyewitness accounts and electronic evidence for it. In the aerial combat, India had lost the MiG-21 Bison aircraft and its pilot Wing Commander Varthaman was captured by Pakistan. Pakistan claimed it downed two Indian jets, and rejected IAF's assertion that a F-16 aircraft was shot down by it during the dogfight. "Only one aircraft was lost by us. If, as Pakistan claims, they have a video recording of the downing of a second Indian aircraft, why have they not shown it to the international media even after more than one week? "Questions should be asked to them as to where the fuselage of the aircraft is and what has happened to the pilots? As we have already said, there are eyewitness accounts and electronic evidence that Pakistan deployed F-16 aircraft and that one F-16 was shot down by Wing Commander Abhinandan," Kumar said. He said Pakistan should explain why it continues to deny that its F-16 aircraft has been shot down. Official sources had earlier said Varthaman downed a F-16 fighter jet of Pakistan Air Force by firing an R-73 air-to-air missile before his MiG-21 Bison was hit during a fierce dogfight. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress president Rahul Gandhi Saturday assured a group of traditional fishermen in Goa that if his party was voted to power at the Centre this year, a separate Union ministry would be created for fisheries. Gandhi, who arrived in Goa on Friday, held series of meetings here on Saturday with the people dependent on mining, traditional fishermen, environmentalists opposing recent amendment to the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) notification and citizens opposing handling of coal in Vasco town. "Gandhi assured us that a separate ministry for fisheries and fisher welfare would be created in order to do justice to the sector once voted to power," said Olencio Simoes, Vice Chairperson of National Fisherworkers' Forum. He said Gandhi agreed to include the demand of a separate ministry in the party's manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha election. "Presently, fisheries is only one of the three divisions of the department of Animal Husbandry, Dairy and Fisheries that functions under the ministry of Agriculture," Simoes, who led the group of fishermen for a meeting with Gandhi, said. The fishing community also demanded scrapping of CRZ notification 2019, describing it as detrimental to the community. Gandhi also met the representatives mining dependents and as well as those affected due to pollution created by the handling of coal at Mormugao Port Trust in Vasco to hear their grievances. The Congress chief did address media as he immediately left for Karnataka after the meetings. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) MLA from Gujarat, Alpesh Thakor Saturday dismissed reports that he would switch over to the BJP. The OBC leader also indicated against contesting upcoming Lok Sabha elections. After meeting top brass of in Delhi, the Radhanpur MLA told reporters here that the speculation that he might join the BJP was not true. "I am now very clear that I have to fight for my people. So I will stay with and will continue to support this party. I want respect and rights for my people," Thakor said, adding that he would continue to fight for the poor, jobless youths, farmers, and people from OBC, SC and ST communities. Referring to remarks attributed to his detractors on his possible entry to the BJP for a ministerial position, Thakor said he was "neither sold nor greedy". "Had I been greedy, I would have joined the Congress six months ago," he said. In the same breath, Thakor also admitted that though he was not happy with Gujarat Congress leadership the matter has been resolved now. His statement comes a day after two Congress MLAs, Jawahar Chavda and Parsotam Sabariya resigned from the party. Chavda was inducted as a Cabinet minister in the government Saturday, after he joined the BJP. Political circles were abuzz with rumours that Thakor might also cross over to the ruling party. Thakor, who has been appointed as the Congress Secretary and party co-incharge in Bihar, also denied reports that he wanted Lok Sabha ticket for his wife. "My wife will never enter politics," he said. When asked whether he wanted to contest Parliamentary polls, Thakor said he was not interested in such proposition. "I am not harbouring any such thought. I am not interested. I must tell you that I want to work in Gujarat. I have even requested my party that I don't want to remain a national executive but wanted to work for my people in Gujarat," he said. Thakor, who had rallied OBC communities against the quota demand of Patels, had joined the Congress before the 2017 Gujarat assembly polls. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is investigating Philip Morris International Inc and its Indian partner Godfrey Phillips for alleged violation of the country's laws, a senior directorate source told Reuters on Friday. The Enforcement Directorate has been looking into both the companies and the scope of the investigation is much broader than the alleged foreign investment law violations highlighted in a Reuters story published on Wednesday, the source said. Philip Morris has for years paid manufacturing costs to Godfrey Phillips to make its Marlboro cigarettes, circumventing a nine-year-old government ban on foreign direct investment in the industry, Reuters reported based on a review of dozens of internal company documents, which were dated between May 2009 and January 2018. Three former officials and one former head of the Enforcement Directorate had reviewed the Philip Morris documents for Reuters and said the dealings should be investigated for circumventing India's foreign direct investment rules. On Friday, the Enforcement Directorate source declined to comment on whether the ongoing investigation included Reuters reporting findings, but said "this is already under investigation." "Both companies are being looked into," said the source, who declined to be named citing sensitivity of the investigation. The source declined to share further details of the probe. A spokesman for the Enforcement Directorate did not respond to an e-mail seeking comment. Philip Morris and Godfrey did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Philip Morris has previously told Reuters its business arrangements with Godfrey comply with India's foreign direct investment rules. Godfrey has said all the commercial arrangements "are in complete compliance with the extant regulations governing" India's foreign direct investment and other laws. Shares in Godfrey briefly pared gains on Friday following the Reuters report about the investigation. They closed 2 percent higher. MANUFACTURING CHARGES India in 2010 prohibited foreign direct investment in cigarette manufacturing, saying this would enhance efforts to curb smoking. Ahead of the ban, Philip Morris formed a new wholesale trading company with Godfrey. Since then, Godfrey has acted as a contract manufacturer of Marlboro cigarettes in India, while Philip Morris's local unit acts as a wholesale trading company and promotes the brand. Dozens of internal company documents showed Philip Morris has been indirectly paying costs related to Marlboro cigarette manufacturing in India in a phased manner. If the Enforcement Directorate finds a company in violation of the rules, Indian law allows it to impose a penalty of up to three times the amount contravened. The UK Home Secretary's office moved the extradition file of fugitive diamond merchant Nirav Modi to the Westminster Court in London two days back on March 7, finding his case "fit for extradition". His extradition case will now be further evaluated by the court, which might issue a provisional arrest warrant against Nirav Modi soon. However, strict civilian laws in the UK might allow him to get bail instantly. A request for the extradition of Nirav Modi to India was sent in July 2018. The UK Central Authority of Home Office has confirmed the extradition request has been sent to the Westminster Magistrate Court for further proceedings. The fugitive diamond merchant, who has been on the run since February 2018, has been found to be doing diamond business in one of the best and high-end markets of London despite India's efforts to bring him back. Nirav Modi has also got UK's Nation Insurance Number, which is normally provided to UK nationals only and allows people to do business, carry out bank transactions, etc, legally. The extradition file related to Nirav Modi was forwarded by the UK Home Office to the Westminster Court just two days back, reported India Today, adding the Indian agencies were already aware of these developments. Also read: Nirav Modi living freely in Rs 72 crore property in London; runs new diamond business Reacting to the developments related to Nirav Modi's extradition and the fugitive businessman running a legitimate business in London, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar on Saturday said the government would do everything that is necessary to bring him back. "We have been aware of his presence in the UK. Ever since we submitted the extradition request to the UK, the matter is under consideration of the British government," he said. While the Indian government is trying tooth and nail to capture the fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi, he appeared to be living and roaming freely in the UK's capital city London in a slightly new avatar. Nirav Modi is accused of defrauding the state-owned Punjab National Bank (PNB) with over Rs 13,700 crore. He along with his uncle and partner Mehul Choksi fled India in February 2018. According to the latest reports, he now lives in a property worth over 8 million pounds (over Rs 72 crore) near Oxford Street in London's West End. Also read: MEA says awaiting UK govt's response on extradition; PM Modi 'Poster Boy' of fraudsters, says Cong Nirav Modi, against whom an extradition request is pending before the UK authorities, was seen sporting a handlebar moustache with full face beard. The ED had registered a money laundering case against Nirav Modi and others on February 15, 2018, under the provisions of PMLA on the basis of FIR registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) under sections 120-B r/w 420 of IPC, 1860 read with Section 13(2) read with 13(1)(d) of PC Act, 1988. Edited by Manoj Sharma Also read: Nirav Modi: The billionaire who stole a billion Nirav Modi case: How PNB was defrauded Nirav Modi refuses to change! Continues to fleece people even after PNB scam Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday created political storm by claiming that in the past five years, Indian forces have thrice crossed the borders, signalling that there was a third incident involving cross-border strikes. "In the past five years, we have crossed the border thrice and our men have successfully conducted air strikes," said Rajnath Singh. Speaking at a rally in Karnataka, Singh said "You all know about the two strikes (Uri and Pulwama). I will not reveal the third one." #WATCH Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh at a public rally in Mangaluru: Pichle 5 varsho mein, teen baar apni seema ke bahar jaa kar hum logon ne air strike kar kaamyaabi haasil ki hai. Do ki jaankari apko dunga, teesri ki nahi dunga. #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/NZKeJPulrS - ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2019 "India is not weak anymore", he added. Warning Pakistan that it will have to pay "huge price" if it continued to promote terrorism on its land, the Home Minister said that Islamabad can no longer allow its land for use of terrorist activities. In the domestic circuit, debate over the evidence of India's 26 February air strikes and clarity on the number of casualties have begun to gather momentum, with Opposition leaders like West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, Congress leaders Digvijay Singh and Navjot Singh Sidhu seeking proof of air strike destroying the terrorist camp of JeM. It is to be noted that in September 2016, the Indian Army had conducted "surgical strikes" on what it termed "launch-pads" used by militants in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (Pok), eleven days after the deadliest Uri attack in which 17 army personnel were killed. In retaliation to the Pulwama terror attack on February 14, the Indian Air Force (IAF) carried out major strikes at terror camps of Jaish-e-Mohammed in Balakot town of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. On February 26, in a well coordinated operation, a fleet of Mirage 2000 aircraft struck inside Pakistan, targeting the JeM's training camp, which claimed responsibility for the Pulwama attack in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed. Also Read: PM Modi flags off Noida City Centre-Electronic City section of Delhi Metro's Blue Line Edited by Chitranjan Kumar The OSCE issued today a statement by the Minsk Group co-chairs, expressing support for plans to hold direct talks between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in the coming months. The co-chairmen expressed the need to maintain a constructive atmosphere at the talks and praised the reduction in the number of cease-fire violations on the line of contact between the Armenian and Azerbaijani troops, the consequence of which was the lack of casualties on both sides recently. Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy Saturday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and sought early release of Rs 2,064.30 crore funds to provide relief to drought-hit farmers in the ongoing rabi season, an official statement said. Kumaraswamy informed Modi that the state faced a drought situation during this year's kharif season as well but the financial assistance sanctioned by the central government was inadequate. In addition to floods, Karnataka reeled under severe drought both during kharif (summer) and rabi (winter) seasons of the 2018-19 crop year (July-June). "Consecutive droughts, flood has brought farmers under distress and it is the time to rush to their aid," Kumaraswamy told the Prime Minister. He requested Modi to expedite the process to release Rs 2,064.30 crore for drought relief and mitigation, the statement said. The state government has submitted a memorandum seeking Rs 2,064.30 crore drought relief fund for the ongoing rabi season as crop loss is estimated to be Rs 11,384.7 crore. The state has declared drought in 156 out of 176 talukas. In the meeting, Kumaraswamy apprised the Prime Minister about the pro-active steps taken to mitigate the drought impact on farmers. The state has released Rs 386 crore from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and given priority to ensure drinking water and fodder, besides creating 1.19 crore man-days jobs under the MGNREGA scheme, he added. The state government has advanced Rs 1,351 crore towards payment of pending wage and material bills in anticipation of the release of central funds, Kumaraswamy said and requested for early release of funds to make further wage payments. The chief minister further said the central relief funds released to the state for drought faced during kharif season this year was not sufficient. The Centre sanctioned Rs 949.49 crore against the state government's demand of Rs 2,434 crore as drought relief for the kharif season, which is less than 50 per cent of the input subsidy claim by the state, he noted. The crop loss during the kharif and rabi seasons together are estimated to be Rs 32,335 crore, he added. Also Read: Nirav Modi's case found 'fit for extradition', file moved to London court; may be arrested soon Also Read: PM Modi flags off Noida City Centre-Electronic City section of Delhi Metro's Blue Line comment Fear not, Warden. Even if there were a hell, you wouldn't go there. There's no such place as heaven either but if there were, and if ever you were to die, there would be a special place for those lifting the lid on folly. You'd dine with Voltaire. Barrie Smillie, Duffy Like Ian Warden (CT, March 3), I have visions of the hell to which I might ultimately descend, and strangely I share some of Mr Warden's alarming thoughts as to what I might find there. I share, for instance, his nightmarish thought of an everlasting Floriade, or Married at First Sight being the only TV show. Unlike Mr Warden, however, I do not fear "a Liberal government modelled on the long, slow torment of the Howard governments (1996-2007) of all those years of human fungus". Rather, those who might design a boutique hell for me need go no further than ensure Ian Warden is at the entrance gate to meet me, hand in hand with Jenna Price. Virginia Berger, Barton With residential real estate, Ray Sparvell reports that agents say a big driver for many buyers is a sense of peace and quiet ("Buyers place a premium on tranquillity", March 3, p24). This being the case, there is a strong incentive for Canberra residents to have delivery drones absent from their suburb. If drone deliveries are implemented on a continuing basis, I would expect real estate values in drone noise-affected suburbs to fall. Many Bonython residents have been highly impacted by the recently completed drone delivery trial in that suburb conducted by the Google-linked company Wing, with the high-pitched invasive noise pollution from the drones being a central concern among others such as safety, privacy, and impacts on wildlife and pets. Further evidence is provided in the submissions to the current ACT Legislative Assembly inquiry into drone delivery systems in the ACT. About 80 per cent of the 140 plus submissions are against the use of drones for widespread delivery purposes over suburbs, with noise a top concern. Residents of Canberra who wish to protect their property values should reject drone deliveries over their suburb, and be quick to recognise the commercial spin Wing is pushing. Murray May, Cook ALP senator Kristina Keneally (Q&A;, ABC, March 4) is right to end direct support for the Catholic Church (voluntary labour and money) as this "failing and decaying institution" does not deserve her support, though the church soldiers on despite falling membership thanks largely to taxpayer-subsidised cash cows like Catholic schools which help prop it up. Senator Keneally and every other citizen, including the many victims of Catholic clerics, support this institution with their taxes thanks to secular governments which are populated by many Catholics, including atheists, gays, Jews and Muslims who have been victims of the Catholic Church for centuries. Notably during the Crusades which lasted almost 200 years and the Inquisition which lasted roughly 700 years, with many centuries of anti-Semitism by the Catholic and Protestant churches being a major cause of the Nazi Holocaust. Many Nazis were self-described Catholics and Protestants. The secular state must end all support for religious institutions like the Catholic Church, in keeping with the "separation of church and state" doctrine. Sadly many politicians including Tony Abbott are supporters of both George Pell and the Catholic Church which did all it could to protect Pell and other child-abusing clerics. Richard Lutz, Payneham, SA After watching the ABC's Four Corners and Q&A; programs on Monday (March 4), I came away with the strong impression that the Catholic Church in Australia and perhaps generally has two major problems to address regarding child sexual abuse. The first is priestly celibacy. From the beginning of the papacy in the disciple St Peter's time, priests were permitted to marry; only in the period 1123-1139 was celibacy made compulsory in the priesthood. Enforced celibacy flies in the face of natural male behaviour and may well be partly responsible for child sexual abuse by Catholic priests. Another important factor in this sorry saga is the Catholic confessional. This allows Catholics to have their sins forgiven by God through his "spokesmen", the priests. They can then move on to their next sins, such as child molestation and sexual abuse, with a clear conscience. The Catholic Church clearly needs a serious review of these antiquated, unnatural and even, in the latter case, immoral rules. Douglas Mackenzie, Deakin Nicholas Stuart (CT, March 7) repeats the great lie that the conflict between India and Pakistan is all Britain's, i.e. Mountbatten's, fault. The truth is it is the invasion of the Sub-Continent and attempted genocide of the native Hindus and other religions by Islamic imperialism (C8th-present) which is the root cause. The obstinate refusal of Jinnah to join in a power-sharing government over all India meant Britain had no choice but to establish a Muslim Pakistan. Mountbatten is a convenient whipping boy for those ignorant of history. NR Watson, Phillip Reading the article "Donald Trump averaged 15 false claims a day, and it's getting worse" in The Age on March 7 (reproduced from The Washington Post, December 31, 2018) gave me an insight into why so many prominent Americans have described Trump as a "pathological liar", "prolific liar" or "conman". These descriptions fit the man aptly. It's truly mind boggling that such a scoundrel of a man should hold the highest office in that great country. Rajend Naidu, Glenfield, NSW Email: letters.editor@canberratimes.com.au. Send from the message eld, not as an attached le. Fax: 6280 2282. Mail: Letters to the Editor, The Canberra Times, PO Box 7155, Canberra Mail Centre, ACT 2610. Keep your letter to 250 or fewer words. References to Canberra Times reports should include date and page number. Letters may be edited. Provide phone number and full home address (suburb only published). /images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/2052fbb1-daef-4436-84bb-304f9a4df9ba/r2_0_618_348_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg Tomorrow marks the twelfth anniversary of Robert A. Bob Levinsons capture on Kish Island, Iran. In a statement released Friday, one day before the 12 year anniversary of Levinson's disappearance, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said renewed his department's "call on the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to return Mr. Levinson to his family. Representatives of Iran and the United States previously agreed to cooperate on locating and recovering Mr. Levinson. Iran must honor this commitment, and demonstrate its adherence to international norms and respect for human rights." Pompeo said the U.S. government remained "unwavering in our commitment to reunite the Levinson family with their beloved husband and father, who served our great nation during a long and distinguished career," CBS News quoted Pompeo as saying. news, latest-news Each week The Canberra Times polls a group of committed readers on a range of issues. To join our Insiders panel to have your say and be in the running for prize draws, go to canberratimesinsider.com.au Full survey results are published in each Saturday's newspaper. This week we look at responses our Insiders gave about change in the nation. Do you agree with the ACT government's argument that religious chaplains are incompatible with the secular operation of public schools? Yes 69% No 27% Unsure 4% I agree with the ACT government stance on religious chaplains being incompatible with secular schools. Religion is a matter of choice, if students feel that they require religious guidance, they may be better to attend church. School chaplains are not allowed to proselytise so why remove them? They are a valuable support to staff and students. There may be many students who have no one else they feel safe to talk to. The politically correct brigade are making this an argument about the separation of churches and state - balderdash. I think the chaplains have helped some young people, but philosophically it is a contradiction to have them in secular schools. They were certainly cheap. To replace them with social workers, for example, would cost a lot more. I feel very strongly that there is no place for religious chaplains anywhere on our public education system. I also believe very strongly that religion should only be taught from the perspective of history and not from a doctrinal perspective. I think it would be beneficial for our school students to learn about different religions and their history. But there is no place for teaching christianity or any other religion as a religion. I would like to see guidance counsellors in high schools with teaching quality and additional training to assist students with career, courses and how to access other social services such as beyond blue BUT all students must have regular access. I am sure some chaplains have excellent skills, but as they have to be connected to a religion, this is completely incompatible with secular education. Students with issues need professional assistance from people who are qualified to deal with them. Getting rid of chaplains seems ideological rather than using whatever resources are available to help our students. Which is also tied to violence in schools, we need as much professional help as we can get to make our schools safer. Chaplains in schools provide valuable help and a moral compass to students and staff. No one forces people to interact with them. Churches are providing a free valuable and voluntary service. Why waste money on yet another inquiry when the government will probably ignore its recommendations anyway? The solution is stricter discipline on the perpetrators of violence, and maybe the chaplains can help some of the students perpetrators and victims. Do you agree with the proposal to raise London Circuit to increase the amount of developable land in the heart of Canberra? Yes 11% No 67% Unsure 22% The proposal to raise London Circuit is just another subsidy to land developers. It will also lead to increased traffic congestion as it seems the existing flyover will be replaced with traffic lights. I'd prefer to see more done to assist in the development of our town centres and suburban shopping centres rather than the current preoccupation with increasing the developable land in Civic. We need to have a lot of other roads fixed before we start to worry about raising London Circuit. What about a flyover on the Barton Highway and Gundaroo Drive. Really, are we so desperate for "developable land" in the heart of Canberra? Or in any part of Canberra? Not every square metre of land needs to be covered in concrete. Same applies to the infill of any of the green spaces that make Canberra such a beautiful place to live and give it it's unique character. Remember that old song (yes, cheesy I know) about paving paradise and putting up a parking lot? Once every available space is developed then cities become interchangeable. Might as well live in Sydney or Melbourne. People are attracted to certain aspects of a city and decide they'd like to live there. Too many decide the same way and all of a sudden the very things that attracted to you an area are covered in buildings or roads (or parking lots). And we don't do too well with returning areas to their original condition. The ACT government seems intent on building apartments and office blocks on every piece of vacant land. The government has no right to destroy Canberra's open spaces and beauty. Have they ever stopped to think that they are not the last generation that will call Canberra home? Why would you want to use London Circuit to increase the amount of developable land in the heart of Canberra? There is already considerable traffic going through the centre of Canberra and this would only increase the congestion. London Circuit and associated roads are fine as they are. Keep the green space, plenty of land for buildings elsewhere. The London Circuit brain fart will most likely end up like all of the other daft plans like lowering Parkes Way, stadium in the city, geothermal pool in the lake etc that the ACT Labor government has come up with in the recent past. A truly wasteful idea to wreck a proper grade-separated road and replace it with a controlled intersection. This should be subject to a proper benefit-cost analysis, including the environmental cost of additional greenhouse gases generated by requiring trucks and cars to stop and accelerate. Why give up valuable public asset to benefit politically-connected property developers? /images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/f93bdb43-81b6-4623-b960-963f5e8f68f2/r0_80_1999_1209_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg news, latest-news Australians admire fighters with grit and determination even, or perhaps especially, when it seems obvious that the struggle will be unavailing. Many government parliamentarians have already given May's election away. But Prime Minister Scott Morrison's energy and ardour seem unabated, and it seems clear he will carry on to the end, with the last fibre of his being. That may make little difference to the outcome but at least, as at Gallipoli, he will hobble away with some dignity and self-respect. But what is one to say about politicians who are fighting not with every fibre of their own being but with every last dollar of taxpayers' money in the Treasury? And what is one to say of ministers who, recognising the inevitable, set out to use the same dollars in a last splurge of patronage, nepotism and cronyism, by putting friends, relatives and party associates on to statutory boards, often to take up appointments even after the government and possibly the minister has been defeated? And what is one to say about conscious sabotage and spite, as when a government signs a controversial contract to which the other side is implacably opposed only weeks before an election and just before the so-called caretaker rules come into effect? We are watching such an example in the NSW election, where demolition work at the Sydney Cricket Ground, being hurried forward to be a fait accompli in the (fairly unlikely) event that NSW Labor wins power from the Berejiklian government. Five years ago, the big issue at a Victorian election was whether to go ahead with the East-West Link project. Labor opposed it strongly. The Liberal government was strongly for it, and signed a contract on the election's eve committing the next government to the project. Labor said it would cancel the contract if elected but the contract was phrased so that the contractors stood to be compensated massively if this happened. There would have been no problem delaying signing the contract until after the election, which everyone, including the then prime minister, Tony Abbott, initially said was a referendum on the project. The Barr Labor government in the ACT did much the same thing with light-rail contracts, even though the Liberals' prospects of victory were dim. The Liberals had promised to cancel the contracts. Had voters preferred the Liberals, who were opposed to light rail, and the Liberals had walked away from the deal, ACT taxpayers would have been up for tens perhaps hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation for cancelling the contract, even if, as was the case in each of these three examples, the contractors had ample notice that a new government would cancel a project. Whenever this happens and it happens at state and federal level with increasing frequency one can find ministers, and sometimes even bureaucrats, who will insist piously that the election-eve contract-signing was a coincidence. That is rarely true. Although governments are free to cancel old contracts, they must generally, in the modern marketplace, pay for damages and losses, including lost profits if they do so. It would be adding a new category of sovereign risk if, in effect, the term of any contract could not exceed the life of the government. But the bastardry, or connivance, with contractors, in making forward commitments that will embarrass future governments, is wrong in principle and profligate with public money. It is increasingly becoming a sort of political booby trap to compromise, embarrass and limit the freedom of action of incoming government, regardless of their mandates. Any prime minister indeed, any minister is free to focus on policies and programs, and to maximise opportunities for propaganda in which he or she argues that the government's policy is the best, and that the opposition's proposals will ruin the nation, cause a recession or incite an invasion of foreigners. No one really complains when there are some stunts, impromptu ministerial visits and gatherings, at public expense, of players with concerned faces trying to underline the message and the warning. But that does not extend to announcing spending of more than $1 billion (to be paid in arrears by an incoming government) to forestall the confidently (but tendentiously) predicted disaster that will unfold if the opposition is elected. Thus, Scott Morrison was well within his rights to fly to Christmas Island with a few colleagues and carefully chosen stenographers from the press gallery for a photo opportunity, through which he warned the nation that Bill Shorten and the Labor Party were soft and irresolute on boat people. Morrison can insist (if not on the basis of actual intelligence) that, as a result, people smugglers are already planning voyages to test the incoming government's will if Australians elect Labor. He is far less within his rights to make a range of announcements, most of which will take effect only after the election, to prevent the disaster he so confidently expects (and secretly hopes for). The money in question has not yet really been appropriated by the Parliament, even within the existing constitutional twilight by which a dumb High Court allows vague appropriation bills to mean almost anything, other than a check on executive government. Even if the invasion of boats were not to happen, and officials were to recommend (say, a few months after the election) that the new facilities be closed or scaled down, one can expect that the cost of undoing what Morrison has started will be enormous particularly the cost of paying out contracts settled by officials. And especially officials of the Department of Home affairs, treating matters, as usual, as an emergency, justifying multiple deviations from good management practice. Until recent times, I wouldn't have said that the present government's bad record on patronage was noticeably worse than Labor's, even if Labor, through John Faulkner, cleaned up its practices. But the smell of death has sent Coalition chicanery off the scale, with jobs for the boys (and the occasional girl) in diplomacy, on well-paid boards, and with judicial and quasi-judicial posts. Patronage doesn't usually start with a vacancy and the task of finding the best person for it. It starts at the other end: finding a sinecure for an old mate (say, a colleague who has lost his seat, or her pre-selection, or who has become bored in Parliament or needs a job into retirement). In particular, Attorney-General Christian Porter's raft of seeming patronage appointments to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal has brought the government into the Caligula class. One hesitates to nominate a particular Incitatus, though several come to mind. So do questions about Porter's fitness to be entrusted with public power, especially if it involves the law, ever again. The inappropriateness of these appointments is not merely a matter of many of the appointees seeming to have been chosen primarily because they have a world view like Peter Dutton's. He is a former policeman not well disposed to having his black-and-white view of the world second-guessed by people more intelligent, or liberal, than himself. Obvious merit for AAT jobs seems to have taken a distinct second place even when the "candidate" was not an obvious friend, relative, minder, crony, donor or acquaintance of the minister or one of his colleagues. The administrative tribunal system's authority and the prestige (including that of many of its members who were properly qualified and chosen) suffer from the infusion of duds. So does tribunal efficiency and effectiveness. A government that has complained non-stop about the supposed inefficiencies and poor productivity of the Federal Magistrates Court and the Family Court seems now to be trying to slow, handicap and limit the work of administrative review. Ministers will point out piously that such tribunals are not courts, even if they operate in a somewhat similar manner. Nor are members judges (even if some are, in other lives). Tribunals are an essential part of modern practical public administration, and the public's confidence in it. They offer the prospect of a fresh and independent second look at decisions made by public servants. The decision must have aggrieved an ordinary citizen perhaps over a tax matter, a right to a pension or a visa extension, or a freedom-of-information matter. The law cannot freeze out appeal rights however much Dutton and his departmental secretary, Mike Pezzullo, might want it but it can make reviews easier, cheaper, and more united by general principle and consistency. These help good government and help create popular consensus around the laws and policies by which agencies work. But what this (now probably outgoing) government seems to want, of its now stacked tribunals, is not independence of mind, or strict compliance with the spirit and letter of the law. It wants robots parroting this government's pet prejudices, particularly about immigrants and to do so during the next government's term. The government or at least Dutton has been loudly unhappy that the AAT (and the courts) have repeatedly overturned decisions by officials imbued with the enthusiasms and world view of Pezzullo, their great leader. The answer, apparently, is to stack the decks and not for themselves but as an encumbrance on the next government. Unless Labor (if it wins) moves on some of these appointees (on salaries of between $200,000 and $400,000 a year), there is a risk the AAT will be parroting the hard-right ideology of Liberal factions rather than adhering to law. I have watched the AAT reasonably closely since its inception nearly 40 years ago. It is true that a small percentage of its members have been Labor luvvies. There have also been Tory luvvies. But wherever they have come from, most have not seen themselves as delegates of those who have appointed them. That is now an inevitable suggestion that will be made of the most recent set. Perhaps Australia should go the full Washington hog, with various categories of officials, including ambassadors, consuls-general, government board members (including for the ABC), judges and quasi-judges having tenure only for the term of the government of the day. Thanks to John Howard and to Abbott, each of whom saw an active interest in political pedigree as essential in the culture wars, we are pretty much at that point now with many boards. At a change of government, many board members (unnecessarily) offer their resignations to new ministers as a courtesy. The Howard and Abbott style was not only to accept resignations gracefully, but to replace them with right-wing activists, crusaders and warriors, rather than middle-of-the-road folk. Over the past three decades, boards have been far more political than they were, say, in the time of Bob Hawke, Malcolm Fraser, Gough Whitlam or John Gorton each of whom favoured a good mix rather than a platoon of yes men and women. The alternative depends on having a strong rather than a weak federal independent commission against corruption. Politicians usually try to limit the scope of such commissions. My instinct is to expand them. I suggest that an ICAC regard the wholesale use of public monies for partisan purposes, the deliberate and politically motivated placement of time bombs in the saddlebags of future governments (particularly within six months of an election), and appointments by obvious patronage, nepotism and cronyism rather than by merit as prima facie corrupt. That does not rule out the appointment of well-qualified folk of similar political outlook, of course. The politician, and even the odd bureaucrat (especially in the Attorney-General's Department), will insist that an ICAC would never be able to spot the difference between a political rort and abuse on the one hand, and an appropriate exercise of political power on the other. I don't think it is a difficult distinction in practice. We have a test already. It's called the pub test. Those who indulge in these practices are undermining our system of government. They are abusing the rules for personal purposes. They are stealing money from taxpayers. They are cheating. Why shouldn't we call it corruption? Jack Waterford is a former editor of The Canberra Times. Email: jwaterfordcanberra@gmail.com /images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/3da7eca3-d691-4fd7-9a5a-7c5b8c4fd6be/r0_350_6720_4147_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg Our Promise: Welcome to Care2, the world's largest community for good. Here, you'll find over 45 million like-minded people working towards progress, kindness, and lasting impact. Care2 Stands Against: bigots, racists, bullies, science deniers, misogynists, gun lobbyists, xenophobes, the willfully ignorant, animal abusers, frackers, and other mean people. If you find yourself aligning with any of those folks, you can move along, nothing to see here. Care2 Stands With: humanitarians, animal lovers, feminists, rabble-rousers, nature-buffs, creatives, the naturally curious, and people who really love to do the right thing. You are our people. You Care. We Care2. Photo: The Canadian Press Norwegian Minister of Finance Siv Jensen Norway's US$1-trillion wealth fund, the biggest of its kind in the world, will begin dumping shares in oil and gas companies including some Canadian names, but stopped short of barring major producers like Suncor, ExxonMobil and Chevron. The move was hailed by environmental activists as a sign that the global economy is increasingly moving away from fossil fuels toward cleaner energy. The financial impact, however, may be relatively limited. The move will focus on companies that trade solely in exploration and production rather than the integrated oil giants, that do everything from searching for fossil fuels to selling them to consumers. The fund is looking to sell some US$7.5 billion in shares in 134 energy companies over time, including 26 Canadian names. The list includes large Canadian producers such as Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. and Encana Corp. but not large producers that also own refineries such as Suncor Energy Inc. and Husky Energy Inc. Calgary-based oilsands producer Cenovus Energy Inc. is on the list even though it owns two U.S. refineries in partnership with Houston-based Phillips 66. The Norwegian government said its motivation was not climate activism but financial. The fund, somewhat ironically, derives its income from Norway's booming oil and gas industry. So reinvesting those proceeds in other sectors is considered a way to keep the money safe should oil and gas prices fall. "The objective is to reduce the aggregate oil price risk on the whole Norwegian economy," Minister of Finance Siv Jensen told The Associated Press. "The Norwegian state is highly exposed to oil." Tax receipts from oil production have made Norway rich. They underpin generous welfare provisions. And a hefty proportion is siphoned off into the fund, which was conceived as a pension kitty for the country's 5.3 million inhabitants. In Stavanger, a city on the rainy west coast where many oil companies are based, the sight of US$100,000 Teslas cruising along fjord-side roads are a marker of the town's oil-sponsored private wealth. Mark Campanale, executive director of the Carbon Tracker Initiative, a think-tank on climate issues, says Friday's decision is more significant than when the fund sold off its shares in coal companies. "This shows that while the fund was initially built on revenue from oil and gas, the Ministry of Finance understands that the future belongs to those who transition away from fossil fuels," he said. "Now is the time for smart investors around the world to follow their lead and make decisions driven by the reality of the energy transition." The selloff of stakes in the Canadian companies is not expected to have a great impact on the market, which is already buffeted by issues related to pipeline export capacity and a shortage of capital, said analyst Phil Skolnick of Eight Capital. He cited Bloomberg statistics from December that show the wealth fund owned just one per cent of Canadian Natural's stock, 0.57 per cent of Encana's shares and 0.68 per cent of Cenovus' shares. "There's nothing of size when you look at the percentage of total shares outstanding," he said, while cautioning that the impact could worsen if other large funds follow the Norwegian fund's lead. Photo: The Canadian Press Michel Cadotte Michel Cadotte's decision to end the life of his ailing wife was an act of selfishness rather than compassion, the victim's sons told a sentencing hearing Friday. A jury found Cadotte, 57, guilty of manslaughter Feb. 23 in the suffocation death of his 60-year-old wife, Jocelyne Lizotte, at a long-term care facility. Several people in the courtroom, including the judge, cried as family members described the impact of Lizotte's illness and death on her loved ones. Lizotte's son Danick Desautels said he lost his mother three times: once when his father died and she grew distant, once when she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and finally when Cadotte ended her life. "Despite everything you did for my mother before, for me you'll remain the one who prevented her from having a gentle, peaceful and natural death, therefore her murderer," he said, reading from a letter directed at Cadotte. Defence lawyers argued their client was in a disturbed state of mind and acted impulsively on Feb. 20, 2017, seeking to end the suffering of his wife of 19 years. The crime had been framed in the media as a compassion killing an offence that doesn't exist in the Criminal Code. The trial, which began Jan. 14, heard that Cadotte had inquired about a medically assisted death for Lizotte a year before she was killed. But Desautels told the court he believes Cadotte acted in his own interest, to end his suffering rather than Lizotte's. "I could have gotten past all that had you committed the act out of compassion, for my mother, to free her, but I know very well you did it for you, to free yourself," he said. "In your head, my mother was yours, she belonged to you." Lizotte's other son, David Desautels, said he has had to mourn two losses his mother and Cadotte, whom he described as "the only father I had for the passage to my adult life." David Desautels said Cadotte taught him to cook, sat by his side as he woke from surgery and made his mother happy. He said those pleasant memories are now "tainted by the indelible image that I have of him holding a pillow against my claustrophobic mother to suffocate her," he said. He agreed with his brother that Cadotte had acted to end "his own suffering, his conviction that my mother was suffering." Several family members described their feelings of helplessness and guilt at seeing Lizotte's condition deteriorate to the point that she could no longer take care of herself or recognize loved ones. Testifying for the defence, Lizotte's sister described her anguish at seeing her claustrophobic sister having to be constantly strapped to a bed or chair, and admitted she herself had hoped for her sister's death. "I hoped the good Lord would come get her," Johanne Lizotte said. "I hoped she wouldn't live like that for a long time." Lizotte said that while she doesn't accept Cadotte's act, she understands it. "I understand that it happened in a moment of hopelessness," she said. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan rejected on Saturday the US opinion that purchases of Russian S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems could in any way endanger the security of NATO and US military technology. The S-400s we buy are in no way connected with the security of NATO, the USA or the F-35. The reasons for which we buy these systems are obvious, TASS quotes him as saying. According to the reports, Romik Jndoyan, who tried to ram the entrance of the Yerevan City Hall and then set fire to his car, was declared mentally ill. Due ti this, he was taken to the Avan mental health clinic, Sputnik-Armenia reports. It is clarified that Jndoyan more than once underwent treatment in psychiatric institutions, however, he has not been there for a long time and managed to get a driver's license during this time. New Tennessee Education Commissioner Dr. Penny Schwinn visited Hamilton County Schools over the last two days and talked with teachers and students about their hopes and dreams for the future and how we can all work together to prepare graduates for the future. She also attended her first meeting of the State Partnership Network where the state and school district are working together with the community to improve the performance of schools in the Opportunity Zone.On Thursday, Comm.Schwinn toured Clifton Hills Elementary in the Opportunity Zone, East Ridge Elementary in Missionary Ridge Learning Community and Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences in the Rock Point Learning Community. Commissioner Schwinn met with a group of students at Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences to talk about the student viewpoint of education. The commissioner asked the students thoughts on state testing, their classes and how school is preparing them for life after graduation. The students were eager to share their thoughts on testing and how the Department of Education may want to proceed with the administration of TNReady. "The students and Schwinn engaged in a very spirited discussion that lasted well beyond the allotted time as the student representatives had many questions for the new commissioner and Schwinn was eager to hear what the students had to share with her," officials said.Comm. Schwinn shared that her goals in the first year are to develop a new strategic plan for the department, as well as finding a new testing company to administer the TNReady testing program. The commissioner met with teaching and learning leaders from Hamilton County Schools, administrators from the Opportunity Zone and participated in the Partnership Network meeting Thursday night to round out a full day of activity.Officils said, "The state is working with the local advisory board and leadership in the Opportunity Zone to raise achievement levels through the State Partnership Network. The Opportunity Zone leadership shared the goals of providing great teachers and leaders for children, powerful basic instruction, engaging hooks to grab the young learners interest and including the community in the schools to provide a supportive village to support learning. All of this provided with focus, consistency and a spirit of hope. Great teachers are exemplified in the 30 Opportunity Zone Model Teachers demonstrating effective teaching, tracking metrics of posted clear learning targets demonstrated their effect on learning in the classroom, and reading success experienced in partnership schools was shared on a chart. The chart showed a 13.5 percent increase in students performing on or above level in reading since August 2017. Just between August of 2018 and December 2018 students in the partnership schools performing on or above level in reading increased from 37.5 percent to 51 percent. State Partnership Schools include Brainerd High, Dalewood Middle, Orchard Knob Elementary, Orchard Knob Middle, and Woodmore Elementary."On Friday, Comm. Schwinn held a teacher roundtable discussion at Hixson High School in the North River Learning Community and toured Dalewood Middle and Orchard Knob Middle in the Opportunity Zone. My name is Gabriel Biser. I live in Chattanooga, and I am a happily married gay man. I own my home, where I live with my husband, our three dogs, my parents, and their two dogs. We moved to Tennessee in November of 2015 for work and loved it here so much we never looked back. I love Chattanooga, and I love my adopted state of Tennessee. You couldnt pay me to go back to living in the Silicon Valley of California. However, there are five bills making their way through the House that would severely impact my family, and many people I love and care about. The first being the Tennessee Natural Marriage Defense Act, or HB 1369/ SB 1282. My husband David and I were married July 23, 2015 in San Jose, Ca. While our love cannot and will not be affected by a piece of paper, that piece of paper allows us certain protections under the law. While I certainly respect someones right to practice their religion, the views of that religion should not be weaponized and forced upon people. My marriage should not be up for approval by committee. It is nobodys business what goes on in my marriage any more than it is my business what goes on in theirs. I love my husband as much as a person can possibly love somebody, and to refer to our relationship as a sham is both blatantly homophobic and morally reprehensible. Besides, this is law that has been settled at the federal level in Obergefell Vs. Hedges, which effectively overturned the ban against same-sex marriages in Tennessee on June 26, 2015. We have an opportunity in Tennessee to show the country and the world that we embrace diversity, and dont shun it or force it back into a closet. A year and a half ago, I injured myself while at work in South Carolina and was sent to the hospital by ambulance. I listed my husband on my HIPAA form, however the hospital refused to release information to him. My mother called (who was not on the HIPAA form) and they told her everything. Discrimination is real, and these protections are critical for estate planning, insurance, medical issues, and so much more. This is an issue more than a piece of paper. The second bill is SB 264/HB 563. This bill would allow businesses to discriminate against people based upon their sexual orientation. If this bill is signed into law, we may as well tell the world we are returning to the Jim Crow era of the south where Whites Only, or No Negroes or Colored signs told people where they can and cannot go. This is discrimination, plain and simple. I work in the mortgage industry, and I work with people every day whom I may not agree with, or in some cases even like. However, if I dont underwrite that loan, I dont get paid. This bill would also allow my taxes to support businesses that would discriminate against me. How fair is that? I understand the need to deny service from time to time, however I do not deny someone service because I dont agree with them politically, or religiously. If I did that, I would never have any clients! We are all different in this world and that is what makes it such an amazing place. We cant allow ourselves to return to the Tennessee of 50 years ago. That is not making America great again. The third bill is SB 1499/HB 1272. It would require that the Tennessee Attorney General to pay for the legal costs to defend themselves against anti-transgender policies in our schools. This places pressure on our schools to continue to force transgendered children to use the bathroom according to their biological gender, not the one they associate with. This places these children in danger of harassment, bullying, and physical violence. As we have seen in the news, the only sexual abuse, that has occurred with transgendered children using the bathroom they associate their gender with has been at the hands of school officials. There has not been one documented case of a transgender child abusing another child in a school bathroom. There have been plenty of documented cased however, describing the opposite. This bill is rooted in fear, and hate and should not be allowed to pass. This bill also corresponds with SB 1297/HB 1151 which seeks to criminalize the use of a bathroom other than what corresponds to ones biological gender. This is blatantly discriminatory to thousands of Tennesseans, who identify as transgender, or non-binary. The only attacks in bathrooms have been from Cis-Gendered people assaulting transgendered people. Not the other way around. They are under attack. All they are trying to do is use the bathroom, plain and simple. Using a restroom should not be made a criminal offense. Mind your business, do what you have to do and get out of there and go on with your day. Plain and simple. Finally, we come to SB 1034/HB 1152. These bills would turn away qualified Tennesseans from adopting children based on their faith, marital status, if they have been previously divorced, if they are LGBTQ+, or simply because they do not agree with ones religion. While I agree it is imperative we properly vet people we trust children in foster care or adoption with, the above criteria should have nothing to do with it. These faith-based agencies would be using public funds to openly discriminate against anyone who doesnt fit their mold. There are far too many children in need of a home, and plenty of loving homes for them to go into, but they will never get there if this is allowed to pass. This hits particularly close to home, as we planned on adopting our children. This bill would prohibit us from doing so, and would not allow us to have the family we dreamed of. At the heart of all of these bills the sponsors are hiding their prejudice behind the thin veil of religious freedom. I am a Christian man myself, and nowhere in the Bible does Jesus command us to do these things. In fact, he commands us to do the opposite. We are to love and treat our neighbors as we love and treat ourselves. These bills have nothing to do with someones religion, but they have everything to do with their personal prejudice, bias, and fear. We are a state of many religions, and no one religion should be placed in higher importance than another. Diversity is what makes us strong, and instead of dividing us, we need laws to protect and bring us together. Instead of punishing social and ethnic minorities we need to focus on how to unify us. We all have the inalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. This is not a right granted solely to evangelical Christians. There is a group of people who are forcing their lifestyle onto others, however it is not the LGBTQ+ community. It is the evangelical Christians. I cant take the gay off at the end of the day and hang it up in the closet before I go to bed. I was born the way that I am. Homosexuality is not a learned behavior and is not a lifestyle. Religion is far more of a lifestyle choice than your sexuality because you have the freedom to change your religion or congregation or church at any time. Yes, the LGBTQ+ has events such as Pride where we are loud and brash but that is to show that we are here, and we need representation as well. We are Tennesseans as well, and we are not going anywhere. The Tennessee I have grown to love, the Tennessee with friendly welcoming neighbors, the Chattanooga that comes together as one when tragedy strikes, the Tennessee where people care about one another is better than the above proposed legislation. To allow these bills to pass would not only show the world that Tennessee openly welcomes discrimination, but it is a slap in the face to our very culture, and a dis-service to all Tennesseans who just want to live and let live. We can show the country that people can practice their religion as they choose and coexist with people who share different beliefs. We can show the world the Tennessee that I have fallen in love with and despite its challenges have decided to raise a family here. If law does not prohibit it. I urge you to contact your representatives and speak with them about these hateful bills. Gabe Biser * * * Mr. Biser, Thank you for speaking out on the collection of issues you've addressed. I'm sure that it's not easy to step into the public eye on a matter that is so personal for yourself, and so controversial for the community at large. I support the positions you advocate regarding these bills. Many of us in this community agree with you. It is those that disagree with you, Mr. Biser, that I struggle to understand. Certainly I can comprehend why there are those who are offended by same-sex marriage and the minutia of legislation to integrate such families into our society. Change is always difficult. But I cannot, for the life of me, understand how such people justify their arguments by citing their Christian faith. The teachings of Christ are undeniably about love, compassion, charity, and forgiveness for our fellow man. Why undermine all of this for a few lines from Leviticus, tucked in with old-testament law regarding how to treat slaves, sounding trumpets for Yom Kippur, and requirements of priests covering their heads? You tell us that you are Christian man, Mr. Biser. I suppose there might be those reading your letter who would scoff at the notion. But while others cherry-pick from archaic code to condemn you, I ask that you look to my favorite part of the Bible, the beatitudes, which Jesus himself spoke into law, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." Nolan Crenshaw * * * Mr. Biser, What a wonderfully classy name, Gabriel. I would never shorten than name to Gabe. I know, beside the point. I enjoy reading new and different perspectives, well written ones, I might add. While I enjoyed reading your perspective, I am repelled by folks that use the term homophobic and racist like a dagger or weapon. You can never know what is in the hearts of others or what they have experienced in their lifes journey. Weaponizing divisive language, such as homophobic, is unproductive. Sadly, using these divisive labels for everyone that disagrees with you grows more division, and is self-defeating to your position of what you are trying to achieve. First, most everyone has a gay family member or friend. As many my age, we lost so many we loved in a storm of death in the 1980s. I also lost friends and a family member. We loved our family and friends regardless of their sexuality. At the same time, no one asked us to celebrate their sexuality as a special class. We just all loved each other. None of us as human beings are defined by our sexuality. It is a small part of us, not the whole person. So, when people enter educational systems, the workplace, or anywhere for that matter, professionally speaking, we should never wear our sexuality as a banner. It is distractive, and contrary to a healthy education experience and workplace. If being gay is a sinful act, there is certainly none of us without sin. Gabriel, I would encourage you to place the weaponized term, homophobic, out of your language for good. The term simply grows division. The state of Tennessee House of Representatives is not homophobic. Please consider rejecting that entirely subjective notion. You are calling people homophobic for introducing legislation you disagree with, surely you are above that. Here is the rub about the House Bills you have expressed concerns about, the new politically gay believes that their sexuality must permeate all spaces as an ideology that everyone must adhere to and agree with. Try to understand, I write this with nothing but good thoughts for you and your husband. You are exercising your own freedoms in speech, religious freedom, lifestyle, and everything that makes our nation a gift from God. The rub is that the new political gay demands that every citizen agree with your decisions and ideology, or else. Not everyone has to agree with a gay lifestyle, they are allowed as citizens to exercise the same freedoms that you enjoy, as cited above. Many do not agree with gay marriage. Like it or not, that is the price of freedom, and no one is mandated to agree with or adopt the policies of the new gay political movement. I would like great limited government and no regulation for our nation to have natural balance, but some wish for socialism. Only about 20 percent of people, would agree with me. What shall I call them? In short, your ideology does not trump the rights of others to reject your ideology. I feel that the new gay political view is agree with us, or else. An individuals rights end, when they attempt to forcefully mandate and impose views on others. Please respect the rights of others to disagree with you without using the term, homophobic, like a weapon. Many of these House Bills are protections for rights of children, so with respect to you I would ask you the following. 1) Why should young girls have to give up their rights to single gender restrooms? Someone with male anatomy in a female restroom disturbs many people. 2) What if a child did not agree with homosexuality, should they be forced to live in a household that practices homosexuality? We are seeing the same attitude of agree with us, or else from the Vegans. I am not giving up prime rib with horse radish sauce. It is a freedom I enjoy, a choice. The point is the new political gay insists that others relinquish their rights, and that is the rub. Again, I enjoyed your letter, and think that you should consider the perspective of others, and examine what freedoms you are asking others to relinquish to achieve your objective. You will never legislate or force the change the hearts of others though with divisive name calling. I will work to limit my own chronic use of the terms, raging liberal, zealot liberal, the Moneycrats, leftie, . April Eidson * * * In reference to your article, especially concerning the Bible, I'm pretty sure it spoke of Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve. Furthermore, your mention of transgender, I believe God made everyone for whom they are, for anyone to change themselves, they're basically saying God made a mistake and God makes no mistakes, period. Troy Brown * * * Gabe, It seems everybody these days are a Christian and yet they choose to live anyway they seem fit. Gods Holy Word is very clear on homosexuality , from Genesis to New Testament. God made Adam and then Eve and told them to be fruitful and multiply. You say you were born having a lust for men instead of a woman. I will agree with you on that. All man is born into sin. Its the curse on fallen man (Adam). I fall short everyday of Gods righteousness but where I sin , Gods Grace increases. I believe and have confessed and asked Jesus to be my redeemer. Im His. Im not my own. As Paul said I have to beat my body into submission . I have desires too but being a slave of Christ I cannot fulfill those evil desires. All sin , greed, adultery, anger. The list goes on. I can promise you this. After we die and are before thee Lord a millisecond later , no one gets a mulligan short of a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ. If one is not in Christ he or she will be told to depart from Him. A true child of God cannot chose to live in their sin. They are a new creature in Christ striving to obey Him in His calling them for His purpose. There aint no social justice on judgement day. God never changes. He has spoken. Its not the ones who hear Gods Word but its the people who obey it. Michael Burns * * * Thank you Mr. Biser for shedding a true light on these truly hateful, discriminatory bills that are about nothing other than attempting to relegate the LGBTQ community back to 2nd Class Citizens. It has nothing to do with anything other than hate. Hate is what these right wing, evangelicals hide behind their hand-selected, self-interpreted Bible verses. They to put our community into a hole. They try to hide their prejudices and bigotry behind what they, their hate-fueled pastors, and fellow church members, think the Lord or Jesus has said. In reality, Jesus never spoke about homosexuality. Not one word in the New Testament mentions it. In fact, through Jesus love and sacrifice, all are forgiven and the Old Testament is but a history book. I would love to see the actual Theology degrees these pastors have. If they even exist. Had they went to Seminary, which is doubtful, they would have learned the truth. Our marriages are not up for discussion. We are legal by Federal Supreme Court ruling. We want nothing but equality. Our rights to equal protections and treatments under the laws of our great land are not special. Equal is not special. Special rights would be like all these churches not paying taxes that continually jump into the political fold, public schools, and all manner of issues from LGBTQ rights, to womens reproductive rights. Religious Freedom is for you, as an individual, family, etc., to practice your religion how you see fit. It is not to try and use your religion as a weapon or as a reason to keep other people, who you dont agree with, in a box or a cell, or outlawed. We deserve and demand equality. Your small-minded, extinct, backwoods views are no longer relevant. Your opinion on things that do not impact you, directly, do not matter. Stay out of our bedrooms like we stay out of yours. Since all these religious organizations and churches want to keep jumping into politics, you need to pay taxes. As far as the whole restroom thing: just get over it. Anyone who is truly transgendered and needs to use the restroom, can. You have been sharing a restroom without knowing for decades. Trust me when I say that a true transgendered person will not go after minors and will not attack anyone. Statistics show that the majority of assaults on minors are done by heterosexual identifying males. Your own bathroom in your home has been unisex forever. Same concept. I pray for your family members that might be questioning their sexuality and or gender. With your vitriol, they are pushed further into the closet. They may never survive. Thinking this this is archaic and one of the main reasons for the massive spike in LGBTQ youth committing suicide. Hope your religious conscience lets you sleep at night. As for homophobia, you arent scared, which is what a phobia is. Homophobia really boils down to you being a jerk. Actually, it can be simplified. Homophobia is also that youre scared that a man might treat you, a heterosexual man, for instance, in the same manner you might treat a woman. As an object only without relevance. Shame on you. If it has no bearing on you, then dont participate. We dont mind. We do fine on our own. Richard and Thomas Hendricks Smith * * * I read this piece several times because my grey matter has been rode hard and hung up wet as many times as I can remember and, you know, that takes a toll on a boy. So for simplicity for a simple mind, I summarized the bills, as Mr. Biser described them (have not studied the actual bills), so that I could get a big, easy, picture. Spoiler alert- my reasoning is founded on Ray Stevens's conclusion that "Everybody's beautiful, in his own way..." Correct me if I'm wrong but according to my interpretation of Mr. Biser, I think the bills go like this: Bill 1: Regardless what the Feds say, in Tennessee same sex people can't marry and if a married gay from another state gets partially smacked by a beer truck, his spouse who pays part of his health insurance premiums has to wait until the possibly estranged next of kin shows up before he learns whether or not his husband will live or die. Bill 2: Businesses dont have to deal with homosexuals if their religion tells them not to. Bill 3: The Tennessee Attorney General has to pay his own salary if somebody sues the State for their transgender bathroom policies. Bill 4: If you get caught with junk in a girls room, you go to jail. Bill 5: Jews, Muslims, Catholics, single people, divorced people whove remarried and all LGBTQs cant adopt children. Thankfully, I have lived almost 60 years as a southern white boy and I've learned a thing or two. First, our planet is older than 7,000 years and nobody but nobody knows exactly what God thinks. This religious talk is mean and these bills are moronic. Surely there's a Constitutional or Bill of Rights factor in all of these bills. How can Bill 3 be anything but State sanctioned discrimination? So I really don't get them and this straight, registered Republican will never vote for anything like this. Got to figure out Bill 4 but all five are slaps in Jesus's face if you ask me. I'm not going along with anything proposed by Hillary, Bernie, AOC, Warren (except busting up tech giants- I like that), Pelosi, Schumer, etc., or anything associated with the crazy left. There again, I'll not be a part of anything mean and hard right either. Period. Not gonna do it. Thank you, Mr. Biser, for alerting me. I'll now know what to look for. So in case you didn't know by now, my Volunteer vote on these bills will be cast with similarly red necked lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders and queers. We're all from this great State of Tennessee. We don't need laws like these. Savage Glascock, Sr. * * * Mr. Gabe Bise, Look at things through the eyes of some of the other people your life choices impact. As the general public has to do every day. #1 SB 1499/HB 1272. SB 1297/HB 1151 I'm sorry if you can't make up your mind what sex you want to be. I care less about who you sleep with, marry or chose to live your life with. That's your choice. But when you have male parts and go into a female bathroom with one of my daughters, granddaughters, wife or sisters it's my business. With the sick people in today's world, this would open up a whole new way for sick child molesters, rapist and all the other criminals who prey on kids and women to have an open invitation to go in and do what they want. I'm not trying to say you or any other gay person is a sick-minded person, this has nothing to do with a gay person. It's just opening up a new threat on our families. I have gay people in my family so, no, it's not about being gay. If you want to go and have your parts taken off and become a female, well that again is your choice and a whole new ball game. So for now while you're out in public, use the one that fits your parts. #2 SB 264/HB 563 As a business owner I should have the right to hire and fire who I want if they don't fit in my business or if they cost me money because they want to be different in public. Not that being different is bad, but when you cost my family money or business because of your choices in life then, sorry, bye. #3 SB 1034/HB 1152, I'm not real sure about this one because as long as it doesn't hurt a child? But I do feel it may have an impact in the later years. So I just don't know at this time if it's good or bad. Dan Cobb Although the following story is complete in itself it refers back to earlier writings I have done on the Broomtown Road (Ga. Hwy. 337) between LaFayette and Menlo, Georgia. My last writing was about the long-disappeared TAG Railroad community of Harrisburg, only a few miles away to the southwest of the Woodside Plantation" (of today's story), and barely inside Chattooga County. Captain Napier's sizable land holdings in that county were eventually all taken into Walker County. Popularly known to everyone up and down the Broomtown Road, regardless of county affiliation, Nathan was a much respected local hero, and legendary captain of the Old Confederacy. I mainly know about Captain Napier through my dad's many ramblings about him as we drove past his still very attractive farmhouse - former "big house" of the plantation known as "Woodside". You can see its actual location to this day when watching the local weather on any Chattanooga TV station: It is the tiny little portion of Walker County which protrudes down into Chattooga County on the southern border of that county. The county line is absolutely straight, from east to west, except for that one little tic of land which still bears witness to the powerful political clout once wielded by Captain Nathan Campbell Napier. Getting state boundaries - or even county lines - changed is no easy matter, but he was able to do it. My parents and I passed that way nearly every Sunday back in the 1940's and early 1950's, and on those occasions when dad would point the house out to me I was always fascinated by the floor-to-ceiling windows on the front porch, and, although the captain was long since deceased, I always imagined that it still looked just as it did in the captain's day. I have seen it only recently via Google Earth, even though I have my own photos of it made just several years ago. House and grounds both appear to be well-cared for...almost like ready to welcome the captain and family home at any moment. If not already on the National Register of Historic Places, it could certainly qualify for that honor. A gift from his landholder father, Woodside Plantation was the cause for much pride - and wealth - for Napier and family. I have sometimes wondered why he preferred Walker to Chattooga as I think Chattooga's tax base might have been lower. Although identifying strongly with Walker County, he needed the closest ties possible with the cotton market which was at Rome, Ga., and which had close connections to Atlanta. His plantation was based almost entirely on "king cotton", and so, as my dad used to tell it, Captain Napier, with all his political power, was able to have a straight telephone line installed from his Woodside Plantation to the cotton markets at Rome, due south in Floyd County. Rome then had connections to Atlanta, and Atlanta in turn had connections to the seaports of Savannah and Charleston., the destination for his product, before being shipped off to Europe. According to my father, the first long-distance call ever heard of by the locals at that time was from Captain Napier's "Woodside" to Rome, Ga. And that was really "high tech" news for that day, folks, because none of my people - or their neighbors - had phone service or electricity until 1950! (The area was just outside of the TVA watershed so did not qualify for TVA power). But who was this "Captain Napier" anyway? Although a Georgian by birth, he was not native to Walker County. His father, however, was a great landholder, as already mentioned, owning large tracts of land all over the south, and was able to give each of his children a sizable farm. Nathan Napier received the 1,000 acres called "Woodside" which he owned and farmed for many years. At a young age his excellent primary education in Georgia later granted him access to Yale University - only to soon leave for medical school in Dresden, Germany. For reasons unknown, he left Dresden in turn for a second attempt at medical studies, this time in Philadelphia, USA, and there is no indication he ever finished that school or practiced medicine. Instead, he returned home and began farming at his estate in Chattooga County, (before he was able to get it into Walker County). That was only a stone's throw away from where my father was later born. Napier married there, but when the imminent Civil War broke out he enlisted as a private in the Confederate Army. Sent to Kentucky, the Confederate Army generals soon decided they needed a new regiment of cavalry. Probably due to his fine education, Private Nathan Campbell Napier was immediately promoted (elected) on the spot to the rank of 2nd lieutenant in Company H, - a distinct honor. There he fast became engaged in surprise skirmishes with the enemy resulting in the loss of his right eye, and was left for dead on the battlefield. Fortunately discovered "alive" by Federal forces, their surgeons saved his life and placed him in the care of a local miller and his family - even though legally still a Prisoner of War. It is indeed amazing that he survived that life-threatening battlefield wound, especially as there were no antibiotics or other medical amenities to ward off infections in 1862. Perhaps having been saved as a hostage, he was later exchanged for a northern POW and returned home to fully recuperate. At Woodside again, he lost little time in raising a new troupe from Georgia, later called Company K, 6th Georgia Cavalry, in time to fight at Chickamauga. It is unclear exactly when Napier was accorded the rank of captain, but was quite possibly following his grueling battlefield blinding experience, later recuperation, and then being re-called into further active duty. When the Southern cause was clearly lost, and after the war ended, a Yale University document about Napier ended with the following words: ".....maimed and impoverished, (he) returned to North Georgia.....took up the thread of his life again, and began farming on his plantation at Woodside, in Walker County." While the farm virtually ran itself through loyal hired help, Napier taught school for a time, and received much adulation for his wartime service to the Confederate cause. He later bought the Walker County Messenger and became its editor for a long time - a weekly newspaper which is still running today. As a newspaper editor, and now based in LaFayette, he became devoted to civic causes and, among other things, encouraged the development of a local chapter for the United Daughters of the Confederacy. Advertising appearing in his Messenger helped him restore a bit of his lost Confederate wealth. He is buried in LaFayette Cemetery. ~Chester Martin Big scandals combined with ultra-conservative politics have made the Duggars one of the most controversial families on television. And two of the most hated members of the Duggar clan are Jill Dillard (formerly Jill Duggar) and her husband Derick Dillard. The Dillards have been married since 2014 and have two children. Jill became famous for 19 Kids and Counting, the TLC show she appeared on with her parents and 18 siblings. That show was canceled in 2015 following the revelation that her older brother Josh had molested several of his siblings. Jill went on to appear in the new spin-off show Counting On, along with her husband. But the couple left the show in 2017 after Derick made controversial remarks about transgender TLC star Jazz Jennings. What does Derick Dillard do for a living? Jill Duggar Dillard and Derick Dillard in 2014 |D Dipasupil/Getty Images for Extra Since leaving Counting On, fans have wondered what the Dillards do for a living. We know that Jill is a stay-at-home mom, but what about Derick? Derick has had several jobs since graduating from Oklahoma State University in 2011 with a degree in accounting. First, he spent two years doing missionary work in Kathmandu, Nepal. While there, he worked as a volunteer coordinator for people who traveled to the country to help Tibetan refugees. In 2014, Derick moved back to his home state of Arkansas and took a job working as a tax accountant at Walmart. He and Jill married that same year. But his career at Walmart didnt last long. By 2015, hed left the mega-retailer and relocated with his wife and newborn son to El Salvador, where they worked as missionaries. The family returned to the U.S. in 2017. After coming back to the U.S., Derick began working as the resident missions minister for Cross Church in Springdale, Arkansas. In 2018, he graduated from the churchs school of ministry and earned his ministers license. Derick is now in law school Shortly after wrapping up his time in ministry school, Derick headed back to the classroom. Currently, hes enrolled in law school at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, according to his LinkedIn profile. He expects to graduate in 2021. For most people, attending law school is a full-time job. Derick doesnt have any other current employment listed in his online profile, so it seems that his career at the moment is being a student. Based on his Instagram, Derick seems to be enjoying his time in law school. He recently shared a photo from a tour of the federal public defenders office in Arkansas. Hes also shared photos of his participation in his schools spirit week and noted that hed enjoyed attending a lecture by the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas back in October. Interesting Constitutional Law class today on Roe v. Wade. Grateful for the evolution of science over the past 46 yrs, to better determine and communicate when life begins, so that we can be sure everyones rights are protected. Derick Dillard (@derickmdillard) March 4, 2019 A recent tweet from Derick offered some insight into the issues hes interested in as a law student. He commented on a class discussion of the landmark abortion case Roe v. Wade, writing that he was Grateful for the evolution of science over the past 46 yrs, to better determine and communicate when life begins, so that we can be sure everyones rights are protected. As for what the family plans to do after Derick earns his, J.D., that remains to be seen. For now, they are look[ing] forward to seeing how God will continue to direct our family in this new chapter of life! according to their family blog. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are expecting their first child sometime in late April. The past several months have been a whirlwind for the couple the two are trying to prepare for the new baby while also maintaining all of their regular royal duties. When the couple first shared the news, there was nothing but excitement from royal family members. But who was the first family member Harry and Meghan shared the good news with? Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are expecting a baby in April. | Dominic Lipinski WPA Pool/Getty Images Harry and Meghan announced their pregnancy to the public last October Harry and Meghans relationship timeline was a quick one. The two only began dating in 2016 after they were introduced through a mutual friend. However, they fell in love very quickly and both were ready to get married after only about a year and a half. Harry reportedly proposed to Meghan over a roasted chicken, and of course, the Suits actress immediately said yes. They planned an extravagant royal wedding for May 2018 and said they were extremely excited to start a family. Then, in October 2018, the couple publicly announced that theyre expecting their first child. The couple reportedly shared the news with most of the family at Princess Eugenies wedding While most people try not to share big news at weddings (for fear of stealing thunder), things in the royal family are very different than in common life. And Harry and Meghan reportedly shared the news of their little one at Princess Eugenies October wedding to Jack Brooksbank. Meghan and Harry likely wanted to tell everyone as soon as they knew, but its customary not to publicize a pregnancy until after the first trimester. Plus, there was one person the couple had to tell first. Queen Elizabeth is always the first to find out when a royal family member is expecting Queen Elizabeth calls all the shots in the royal family. Shes the most highly respected person in the family and is the first to know about any news that affects her relatives. Marie Claire reported that once a royal family member becomes pregnant, Queen Elizabeth must always be the first to know. And when a royal family member gives birth, the queen is always the first to receive the announcement and hear the babys gender. When Harry and Meghan learned they were expecting, the queen was likely the first one to hear the news. There are several pregnancy traditions royal family members typically follow The royal family loves tradition. There are several royal baby traditions women in the family should follow. For one, they cannot learn the gender of the baby before the birth. They also typically give birth in the Lindo Wing of St. Marys Hospital. Plus, for the last 70 years, the new babies have been swaddled in a very specific baby blanket when the parents and new baby make their first public appearance together. However, Meghan and Harry have been known to stray from tradition. Meghan reportedly will not give birth in the Lindo Wing. But despite Meghans slight rebellion with breaking tradition, the couple still probably told the queen first when they learned of the little one on the way. Check out The Cheat Sheet on Facebook! Welcoming a first child is an exciting time, whether youre royal or not! Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are beyond excited for the upcoming arrival of their first baby this spring. Though, being a first-time parent can also be a little overwhelming. Its completely natural to want to make sure you know all about babies well in advance. Everyone has their own way of getting ready, whether it be taking classes, or talking to friends and family members. So, how have Meghan and Harry been preparing for the exciting journey of parenthood? They are building an amazing nursery Meghan and Harrys baby will be sleeping in one unbelievable nursery! The babys bedroom in their new home at Frogmore Cottage will be decorated in a modern style, with shades of white and grey. The couple is said to be using eco-friendly vegan paint, as well as installing security windows, and a state of the art baby monitor so they can see and hear the new baby no matter what room they are in. Harry and Meghan interact with children whenever possible The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are sure to be amazing parents, as they simply adore kids! On their recent trip to Morocco, two young children waited for hours to get a glimpse of Harry and Meghan, and the couple made their entire day by getting down to their level, shaking their hands, and engaging in conversation. Known as a big kid himself, Harry is also especially drawn to babies. Whenever he sees one in a crowd, he heads right over, and the extremely young royal fans take to him immediately! However, he had a recent, although rather humorous, incident at the Institute of Translational Medicine, where he adorably tickled a baby and caused tears. Well, it happens! The Duke and Duchess are looking for a nanny When we say they are looking for a nanny to care for their baby, we mean they are doing an extensive search to find only the best, most dedicated nanny that they can. The chosen person must be excellent with babies, have plenty of experience, and most likely have a background in things such as CPR and how to handle emergency situations. Although Meghan and Harry plan to be very hands-on parents, they will need some help for those times when they just cant be there themselves. They are seeking advice Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex | Hannah Mckay Pool/Getty Images What are older brothers for? Harrys brother, Prince William, has plenty of experience with children, given that he has three of them himself! He and Kate have always been very involved in all aspects of their childrens upbringing, so William is the perfect person for Harry to go to for advice. We are sure that Kate Middleton is willing to share tips and secrets as well, as she is an excellent mom to her children, and is probably more than happy to help Meghan and Harry as they prepare for the beginning stages of parenthood. What else are Meghan and Harry doing? Meghan is likely talking a lot to her mother, Doria Ragland, who is rumored to be planning to spend a lot of time in England after the babys birth. Chances are, the Duchess is also reading plenty of parenting books, and seeking advice from friends who already have children. It is fortunate that the royal couple has an excellent and dedicated support system in place as they enter this wonderful new stage of their lives. No matter what, everyone is sure that Meghan and Harry will be the best parents possible! Tina Fey and Amy Poehler are comedic powerhouses in their own rights, but when you have the two starring in a movie together the results are unrivaled in their hilariousness. This makes a lot of sense, considering the bubbly blonde and cool brunette have been best friends in real life for over twenty years. Theyre so close that Fey and Poehler even plan to marry their children off to the others that is best friend goals epitomized. But just how many movies have Tina Fey and Amy Poehler starred in together? We have the answers. Actresses Tina Fey and Amy Poehler | Brad Barket/Getty Images How many movies have Tina Fey and Amy Poehler starred in together? Fey and Poehler have starred in two movies together, which include Sisters and Baby Mama. They often play supporting roles in the same movies, however, with the most notable having them play important characters in the teenage flick Mean Girls. They both also had cameos in Anchorman 2. Baby Mama Baby Mama, released in 2008, was a funny yet surprisingly touching film about a well-to-do business woman who wants a child of her own. While considering the sperm donor/artificial insemination route, the woman (played by Tina Fey) learns that she is infertile and cannot have children. Amy Poehler plays the role of the working class, pretty ridiculous woman who agrees to be Feys unlikely surrogate. The movie received poor to moderate reviews by critics, but was well-received by fans. It has a 6 out of 10 rating on IMDB, and perfectly showcased the difference in Fey and Poehlers personalities. The climatic middle has fans going what? while the ending is both funny and a bit of a tear jerker. Sisters This 2015 film has Fey and Poehler switching up their normal roles quite a bit. The girls play the roles of sisters, with Poehler being a recently divorced nurse who mostly has her life together nonetheless and is constantly trying to help people. Fey, on the other hand, portrays a woman whos life is a complete mess so much so that she doesnt even know where her teenage daughter is living. The plot has the sisters parents selling the childhood home in Orlando, Florida, and asking Poehlers character to tell her sister because she doesnt take bad news well. Instead of telling her that theyre supposed to be getting remnants of their childhood, Poehlers character simply convinces her sister to come home. Here, they aim to throw one last big house party where they grew up before its gone forever. Mean Girls This 2004 cult classic may not star Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, but it does have them cast in some fairly important supporting roles. Tina Fey plays Cady Herons math teacher, who tries to help the new student make the most of herself but ends up getting accused of selling drugs, right in the middle of her divorce. Thats some very bad luck. As for Amy Poehler? She plays the role of Regina Georges cool mother, who is portrayed in a typical over-the-top Poehler fashion. She can be spotted offering the girls alcohol, wearing Barbie pink tracksuits, and letting her tiny dog lick all over her face. A new Fey-Poehler movie in the works Fans of Tina Fey-Amy Poehler combo movies will be excited to learn the two have a new movie in the works called Wine Country, which is set to be released in May of this year. Wine Country is about a group of women who have been longtime friends who take a trip to Napa (wine country). Tina Fey will play the role of Tammy, while Amy Poehler has been cast in the role of Abby. There has not yet been much information released about the characters they will portray. Meghan Markle recently made headlines for a comment she made about feminism. Markles commentary about hoping that her baby will be a feminist has some fans wondering how that went over with the Royal Family. Meghan Markle | Daniel Leal-Olivas WPA Pool/Getty Images Meghan Markle is vocal about supporting gender equality Markle has been quite vocal about her views on gender equality and womens rights, with the Duchess of Sussex discussing female empowerment and education during a 2018 tour of the South Pacific. She told the students at the University of the South Pacific at the time: Everyone should be afforded the opportunity to receive the education they want, but more importantly the education they have the right to receive. She added that, for women and girls in developing countries, this is vital. Providing them with access to education is the key to economic and social development. Because when girls are given the right tools to succeed, they can create incredible futures, not only for themselves but also for those around them. Similarly, during the couples trip to Morocco, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry visited the Education for All boarding house in Asni, which gives girls access to secondary education. Markle is the feminist princess of our dreams Vanity Fairs Michelle Ruiz explained the significance of Markles feminist statements in the ABC News special Meghans New Life: The Real Princess Diaries. Ruiz noted: In these times and for this family it is pushing the envelope to give speeches on feminism. Ruiz added: Its certainly something the Queen doesnt do, nor does Kate Middleton do. Meghan is the feminist princess of our dreams. And for Americans, we sort of take pride in that, because we say look theres our American girl over there, shaking up the monarchy.' Markles remarks that Baby Sussex will be a feminist During an International Womens Day panel at Kings College London, Markle was asked about her baby bump. She shared: Its funny, Ive actually been joking the last few weeks. I had seen this documentary on Netflix about feminism, and one of the things they said during pregnancy was I feel the embryonic kicking of feminism. I loved that, so boy or girl, whatever it is, we hope that thats the case with our little bump. Is Markles comment frowned upon by the Royal Family? While many applauded Markles sweet comment, editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine, Ingrid Seward, isnt quite sure that the royals appreciate Markles beliefs. Seward told Yahoo UKs The Royal Box: I dont think the Royal Family are ready for any feminist comments at all. She added: Some of the more old-fashioned courtiers just recoil when they see some of the things that Meghan says and is liable to say because they feel it might get her into trouble, because she might be putting her feet into the political abyss. The Royal Family dont talk about politics because they dont want to be criticized for that. Meghan is sort of walking a very tight, tight rope there, Seward explained. Markle was just given a new role The Queen just made Markle the Vice-President of The Queens Commonwealth Trust, perhaps showing her support of the Duchess of Sussexs views. Kensington Palace shared the news in an official statement, noting: The Duchess of Sussex will today become Vice-President of The Queens Commonwealth Trust. The Trust, of which Her Majesty The Queen is Patron and The Duke of Sussex is President, exists to champion, fund and connect young leaders around the world who are driving positive social change, serving their communities and providing hope, work and self-employment opportunities for others. The trust shared more details of Markles role, noting: In this new role, the Duchess will highlight the trusts partnerships with young people across the Commonwealth, and in particular its work supporting women and girls. You might say that Hawaii Five-0 star Scott Caan was born to act. After all, hes the son of Oscar nominee James Caan and actress Sheila Ryan and grew up in Hollywood. But the 42-year-old performer, whos played Danny Danno Williams on the CBS cop show for almost a decade, has made a name for himself apart from his famous father. And hes reaping the rewards, building up a substantial net worth from his successful career in TV and film. Scott Caan is worth $16 million Scott Caan in an episode of Hawaii Five-0 | Karen Neal/CBS via Getty Images Caan has a net worth of $16 million, according to an estimate from Celebrity Net Worth. Caan earns $200,000 per episode of Hawaii Five-0, Variety reported in 2017, the same as co-star Alex OLoughlin. That works out to about $5 million per 25-episode season. And both Caan and OLoughlin also have backend deals that earn them even more money when the show airs in syndication. While theres no word yet on whether Hawaii Five-0 will be renewed for Season 10, chances are it will be, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Assuming Caan returns to the show (and theres no sign that he wont) the paychecks will keep rolling in. Is Scott Caan married? Scott Caan and Kacy Byxbee in 2016 | Darryl Oumi/Getty Images Caan isnt married, but he does have a long-time partner, Kacy Byxbee. She gave birth to the couples first child, a daughter named Josie James, in 2014. They met on the Hawaii Five-0 set, where she worked as a costumer, according to her IMDB profile. The couple keeps a low profile, but Caan has said in the past that Byxbee deserves a medal for putting up with him. She should get the purple heart because Im a complete disaster, he said during an appearance on Chelsea Lately in 2013. His career before Hawaii Five-0 It was Caans role on Hawaii Five-0 that really brought him into the limelight, but the actor had been working steadily in film and television for years before landing the part of Danno. Before joining the island-set police drama, Caan was probably best known for playing Turk Malloy in Oceans Eleven and its two sequels. He also portrayed manager Scott Lavin on 19 episodes of Entourage between 2009 and 2011 and had parts in movies such as Boiler Room, Enemy of the State, Gone in 60 Seconds, Varsity Blues, and Friends with Money. Caan didnt just stick to acting, though. He worked behind the camera, directing two movies, The Dog Problem and Dallas 362, which he also wrote. In addition, he penned the screenplay for Mercy, a movie he co-starred in with his dad. The actor has even released a book of his photographs, Scott Caan Photographs, Vol. 1. And before he started acting, he pursued a career in music. For a time, he was a member of the hip-hop duo The Whooliganz. The group signed a deal with Tommy Boy Records, but Caan eventually decided to focus on acting instead. Hawaii Five-0 airs Fridays at 9/8c on CBS. Check out The Cheat Sheet on Facebook! The Democratic-controlled House easily passed a resolution Thursday condemning anti-Semitism, but only after it was broadened to include Islamophobia. The action was viewed as a response to comments about Israel made by Rep. Ilhan Omar, a Muslim and Democratic freshman. Its not about her, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat, insisted during a news conference. Its about these forms of hatred. Yet members of both parties acknowledged that Omars comments sparked the action. The initial draft condemned only anti-Semitism, but the resolution that passed by a vote of 407-23 Thursday mentioned several groups, including LGBT people. But Jews and Muslims were the primary focus of the resolution. The resolution said the House rejects the perpetuation of anti-Semitic stereotypes in the United States and around the world, including the pernicious myth of dual loyalty and foreign allegiance, especially in the context of support for the United States-Israel alliance. It also said members condemn anti-Semitic acts and statements as hateful expressions of intolerance that are contradictory to the values that define the people of the United States. Omar had criticized supporters of Israel for their allegiance to a foreign country. Further, the resolution said the House acknowledges the harm suffered by Muslims and others from the harassment, discrimination, and violence that result from anti-Muslim bigotry. All 23 votes against the resolution came from Republicans. Republican Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming said she opposed the resolution because it did not address the issue. Rep. Omars comments were wrong and she has proven multiple times that she embodies a vile, hate-filled, anti-Semitic, anti-Israel bigotry, Cheney said. She deserves to be rebuked, by name, and removed from the House Foreign Affairs Committee so that there is no mistake about the values and priorities that the House stands for. GOP Rep. Louie Gohmert of Texas agreed. He also voted against the resolution. It is appalling that any type of anti-Semitic comment would be rationalized by Democrats. In fact, this resolution was solely on the House Floor today because of anti-Semitic remarks made by Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), yet neither she nor her remarks are ever mentioned in the text. This resolution, edited repeatedly by House Democrats, was meant to condemn anti-Semitism; however, it became so generic that it lost its meaning or significance, Gohmert said in a statement. As I pointed out in my House floor speech, watering down any condemnation of anti-Semitic remarks is the way a holocaust begins, Gohmert added. It needed to be condemned immediately before it starts us much further toward more widespread anti-Semitic hatred that leads to another attempted genocide. Michael Foust is a freelance writer. Visit his blog, MichaelFoust.com. Photo courtesy: Getty Images/Mark Wilson/Staff Did you know you can get Christian Headlines flash briefings on Amazon Alexa? Pastor tells how surrendering to God led to 40,000 praying for all Nashville residents by name Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Correction appended A Tennessee pastor who specializes in church planting shared how he was able to coordinate about 40,000 Christians from more than 400 Nashville area churches to pray for every single resident of the city by name. Dave Clayton, founder of Ethos Church in Nashville and leader of the group Onward Church Planting, spoke at the Exponential Conference Wednesday at First Baptist Orlando in Florida. Clayton talked about how a decade ago he and some friends planted a church. By its fifth birthday, the church had grown and had planted churches of its own. Despite this major success, Clayton told the Exponential crowd that following a major gathering of the congregations, he recalled God calling him to do more. And He said, Dave, I didnt call you to gather a crowd. I called you to penetrate a crowd and then transform a crowd and then release a crowd not just for the city but for the nation and the nations, said Clayton. Clayton talked about how he and his family had a crazy journey of surrender as he and the other leaders reassessed how Ethos was organized and how they made decisions. All of the people except our closest friends thought we were losing our minds. Daves having a mental breakdown. Theyre burning out, theyre leaving the church. Whats going on? explained Clayton. And I go, No, for the first time youre seeing a leader who is under the authority of a true Senior Pastor and Hes calling the shots. From there, Clayton was inspired to coordinate a massive prayer effort to get as many local churches as possible to pray and fast for every single citizen of Nashville by name. Some churches protested the idea, noting that churches were competitive with one another. But he responded that he was just walking in obedience. Eventually, more than 400 churches across the Nashville area signed on. Forty-thousand leaders, 30 straight days of praying and fasting for every person in the city, explained Clayton amid loud applause. Every denomination, young and old, black and white, a hundred different languages represented in that group of churches. Right now, those 40,000 leaders are literally writing hand-written notes to everybody in the city saying you matter to Jesus and were saying God, you do unprecedented things because were surrendering to Him and were doing it together. Claytons effort, known as Awaken Nashville, garnered mainstream media attention, with the Tennessean recently reporting about the event which began on Jan. 27 and concluded Feb. 24. Each person involved had a list of 15 people to pray for during the time period and addresses to send cards to, drawn primarily from publicly listed phone records, according to the Tennessean. Clayton also told those gathered that God is not looking for the most strategic or most skilled, but rather the most surrendered. The way to more is not strategy and skills and speeches and systems, declared Clayton. The way to more is on the downward path of surrender. If we want our churches to do more, its time that we, as senior leaders, get really committed to becoming less. Clayton drew inspiration from the New Testament book of Ephesians, written by Paul of Tarsus, which noted that the city learned about Christianity because of this little church of nobodies. Paul says, listen Ephesian church, you didnt get here because of your strategy, or your intelligence, or your systems. You got here because of your surrender, Clayton added. Claytons talk about the value of surrendering to God and how it created a large ecumenical prayer event was part of the multiday Exponential Conference. Scheduled for March 4-7, the theme for this Exponential Conference is Made for More: Mobilizing Gods People, Gods Way. Francis Chan, a notable pastor and best-selling author, gave remarks Tuesday at the conference, stressing the importance of pastors always remembering that Jesus Christ, rather than themselves, is the head of their church. He is our head right now. So in light of that truth, how should I act? We all believe that Hes our head, right? What if He wasnt the head of the Church? How would you do things differently? Think about that, said Chan to those gathered. I realize that a lot of times I dont act like Hes the head of the Church. I dont act like Im just like an arm. And I dont really humble myself, Lord, Youre the head of the Church. What do You want me to do? The arm doesnt do anything unless the head tells him to do it. An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that Dave Clayton left Ethos. He currently still serves at the church. Christians who dont have a passed-down faith have stronger theological convictions, Barna finds Wrestling with faith is a 'catalyst' for faith development Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Christians who grew up in homes where Christianity was incorrectly modeled and those who didnt have their faith formed by relatives in their home are more likely to have stronger theological convictions than Christians who say their faith was passed down to them, new research has found. On Tuesday, the evangelical polling firm The Barna Group released the results of a study conducted in partnership with the Lutheran Hour Ministries that aims to inform Christian families about what it means to live in a spiritually vibrant household. Titled Households of Faith, the new report is based on an extensive survey conducted last April of as many as 2,400 practicing Christian adults and teens in the United States. The term practicing Christian is defined as people who attend church at least once per month, call themselves Christian and say their faith is very important in their life. While Barna is known for researching trends within churches and congregations, the new study is different in the sense that it focuses on the conversations, relationships and rituals occurring inside the home. This is a cool study because you might think about who influenced you in terms of your spiritual development, in terms of your faith, Barna President David Kinnaman said during a launch event for the study held at Concordia Lutheran Church in San Antonio, Texas. This project is one of the first of its kind that I know of. And actually, I have been at Barna now for almost 25 years. The company is 35 years old and we have done a lot of research in that time. The survey asked the question: Would you say you are a Christian as a result of a person you grew up with in your household? Of the 1,116 practicing Christian adults who responded to that question, 59 percent said that someone passed their faith down to me. Meanwhile, 23 percent said they are a Christian despite the sort of Christianity I saw in my household growing up, and 15 percent said they are Christians as an adult not because of a person in their childhood household. What is interesting is that those who answered the second two options ... actually showed stronger theological convictions than those who did not, Kinnaman said during his presentation. It was interesting because having a passed-down faith is almost as though they hadnt really evaluated some of the orthodoxy, some of the beliefs. So, those who have struggled with their faith actually had a richer orthodoxy, he continued. At the same time, those who had a passed-down faith part of that 59 percent were more likely to prioritize traditions. Although those with a passed-down faith were less likely to have stronger theological convictions, Barna found that they did have more emotional connections to Christianity and had a warmer emotional climate within their home than other respondents. There was this interesting balance, Kinnaman said. There were some positives and negatives on each side of the ledger and there are some important implications for us. One of the implications the data show, according to Kinnaman, is that wrestling [with] faith is a catalyst for peoples faith development. These folks who I mentioned, the 23 percent who struggled despite growing in a Christian household that maybe wasnt a good model or the 15 percent who said they werent a Christian growing up but kind of came to faith, for them [faith] is not an heirloom, Kinnaman, the son of a pastor, argued. It is an anchor to them. That is a really cool part of our church and recognizing some of the contributions some of those individuals can make. The study also found that there are benefits to growing up in what is considered a spiritually vibrant home. Spiritually vibrant homes are defined by Barna as households that engage in spiritual practices (praying every one to two days and reading the Bible weekly together), spiritual conversations (talking about God and faith together at least once per week) and hospitality (welcoming non-family guests into the home several times a month.) Through the study, Barna discovered that faith formation is deeply connected to and increases with hospitality, that spiritually vibrant households are characterized by fun and quality time, and that faith heritage impacts Christians' beliefs and practices in the long run. Of a sample of 2,347 practicing Christians and teens, 25 percent said they live in spiritually vibrant households while 33 percent said they live in devotional households (engage in spiritual practices and conversations but not hospitality) and 14 percent said they are living hospitable households (engage in hospitality but not spiritual practices or conversations). Twenty-eight percent of practicing Christians say they live in spiritually dormant households that dont engage in any of those three requirements. When we looked at spiritually vibrant households, the differences across a whole range of factors were really, really clear and it is the kind of households that we want to be a part of, Kinnaman said. It is the kind of lives, as Christians, that we all aspire to. This is the vision that we want to show you today. People who live in spiritually vibrant households are more likely than people living in devotional and hospitable households to have someone in the home who shares their faith by either setting an example, encouraging others to go to church, talking about Gods forgiveness, teaching about traditions or teaching about the Bible. Imagine if we had more spiritually vibrant households in our churches, Kinnaman wondered. Imagine if there were more spiritually vibrant households in your neighborhood. Imagine if you became even more spiritually vibrant in what God is calling you to do. Barnas study comes as the landscape of American households is rapidly changing with households today taking many diverse shapes and forms. Additionally, Americans are increasingly falling into a post-Christian culture, according to Barna Senior Vice President of Research Brooke Hempell. For our team at Barna, we have been studying Gen Z, the next generation, for the last few years. And as a parent of a 12 and 8-year-old, I was looking at this going, The world they are growing up in is really different from the world I experienced in my childhood, Hempell explained. We are going to have to be really intentional in our home to shape their faith so they will thrive in that world. Along with the decline in church attendance, Hempell said that Americans are less reliant on the church to form their faiths. People are becoming more reliant on DIY faith formation through the internet and other forms of media like podcasts. For those who say they are investing in their faith, more of it is happening on their own in this kind of curated way and less of it is happening in the church, like going to worship every Sunday, Hempell stressed. The importance of the household in that faith formation in shaping and growing us as Christians has really increased in this context. Maina Mwaura, an Atlanta-based pastor and author, played the role of emcee during the launch event in San Antonio. He walked away encouraged by the report. I walked away going, Man, here are some opportunities for us to grow in the body of Christ, Mwaura told the audience. And I believe that when we are done with all this, you are going to walk away and go, This has been something that I needed. Family continues ministry of missionary killed in Africa 3 years ago; 1,000 kids helped Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Its been over three years since American missionary Michael Riddering was among dozens of Christians killed by al-Qaeda in West Africa. But today, his ministry to the orphaned and poor there continues with national partners and the help of his family. In 2011, Riddering, along with his wife, sold all their possessions in the U.S. to run an orphanage and womens crisis center in West Africa operated by an American mission group called Sheltering Wings in West Africa. He was killed when gunmen opened fire on a coffee shop just minutes after Riddering arrived in January 2016. Riddering was driving a ministry van on his way to pick up a group of about 15 missionaries at the airport. But since their flight was late, he decided to get some coffee. Minutes after arriving at the cafe, the attack began and 28 people were killed. "One of the things that my brother said is that if God is for you, who can be against you," Jeff Riddering, the pastor of Gateway House of Prayer in Sunset Hills, Missouri, said. He paraphrased Philippians 1:21, which states: "to live is Christ and to die is gain." The organization Riddering worked with, Sheltering Wings, partners with churches by sending missionaries to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ in word and deed to the world. The orphanage serves hundreds of children. But Sheltering Wings helps educate over 1,000 children through its $35 per-month sponsorship program. The program provides children with school fees, supplies, daily meals at school or semi-annual food and goods distribution as well as basic medical care. A total of 468 children are given a free education at Sheltering Wings Christian School, while other sponsored children go to public schools and have their education paid for by their sponsors. According to Sheltering Wings, sponsoring a child is a tangible way to show Gods love to a child in need as sponsorships reach the vulnerable children by giving them the opportunity to be educated, learn about Gods love, and to grow up healthy, all things that are critical in helping children escape extreme poverty. [Sheltering Wings sponsorship programs] make it so [the children] dont become a burden to their extended family but even a blessing, Jeff Riddering explained. People have the entire courtyard with food and different things like that. It becomes a blessing and almost an honor to be a sponsored child in the courtyard because Sheltering Wings comes in every month. Because of that child, they bless the entire courtyard. A courtyard is a term used to describe a group of homes that are associated with the same family. In many cases in Muslim-dominant cultures, a courtyard encompasses a man, his multiple wives, their offspring, and other relatives. The womens crisis center that is also operated by Sheltering Wings assists women who might have been kicked out of their courtyards for somehow bringing shame to the family. Some examples include having sex out of wedlock or even being raped. When the women and her children are kicked out of the courtyard, they have no place to go. But at the Sheltering Wings womens crisis center, the women can receive job training and are eligible to receive microloans to help them get on their feet. Sheltering Wings also has a widow sponsorship program beginning at $20 per month. Sheltering Wings also has a ministry to the widows there, Riddering explained. Maybe they are elderly women no longer being cared for by their extended family. Sheltering Wings also partners with well-drilling organizations to help bring clean water to impoverished communities. As for Jeff Riddering, he lives in St. Louis, Missouri. But he has also made a decision to begin his own ministry to help the church in West Africa. This decision has weighed on Ridderings heart since he saw his slain brother in a dream several months after his death. I saw him coming through these double doors. He comes up to me and I say, Michael, how can you be here? You are dead, Riddering recalled. He kind of smiled and said, Jeff, continue my ministry. It was only four words. Ridderings new ministry will be called My Brothers Keeper. The ministry will assist the Assemblies of God denomination in accomplishing its vision. Without them, Sheltering Wings couldnt have done it, Riddering said. The workforce is African. All the school teachers, they are all African. All the Christians there are from the Assemblies of God denomination. There are over 200 churches that are Assemblies of God churches. What we have is an opportunity to help the Assemblies of God accomplish their mission, he added. We want to facilitate their vision to become missionaries themselves, not missionaries outside of [West Africa] but to the unreached people in [West Africa]. Riddering said that he will be working to raise funding to help plant between 10 to 15 new churches in West Africa this year. [I]f God is asking me to go, then I will not be afraid, Riddering explained. The reason why we want to go to [West Africa] is [because I felt] we were called to this area, Riddering said. What we are seeing right now is a revival type thing that is on the cusp of happening. My Brothers Keeper Ministries is also the title of Ridderings book My Brothers Keeper: The Surprising Story of a Modern-Day Martyr. The book tells the story of Michael Ridderings unlikely transformation from an alcoholic yacht broker to a missionary in a desert African nation. Riddering recalled the day that his brother called him on the phone to tell him about a conversation he had with Jesus. His life radically changed at that point. His children, his wife, and all the people in the church, they just couldnt even recognize him, Riddering said. He was just anti-social but then all of a sudden he has home groups at his house and he gets baptized. The pastor thought it was such a moving moment, they made him the person that did the rest of the baptisms for the church. He became the youth pastor of the church. He oversaw the food distribution stuff. One time, he joked about it. I'll do anything God wants. I will move to Africa. The move to Africa came about seven years after Michael Riddering was saved, his brother explained. When he was there, he helped tens of thousands of people make decisions for Christ, Riddering said. He was only there for five years before he was killed. Michael Ridderings adopted daughter has followed in her fathers footsteps. The last trip I was on she came up to me and said, Uncle Jeff, my girlfriend here lives in a small village. We would like to go to that village, Jeff Riddering remembers. I got two vans and loaded them up and brought them over to this village. In four hours, they said, of about 300 people, 111 made decisions for Christ and 56 said they were interested but couldnt make a decision at that time. That doesnt happen in America yet. In some ways, I believe that it will. NewSpring Church had 4 volunteers charged with sex crimes against minors Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Amid lawsuits concerning oversight of a daycare volunteer caught sexually abusing children, at least three other men who volunteered at NewSpring Church in South Carolina in the past have also been accused of sexual misconduct with minors. A report published Wednesday by The Post and Courier newspaper in South Carolina outlines allegations and charges against three former NewSpring volunteers and one former staff member. Affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, NewSpring has 14 campuses across South Carolina and has a weekly attendance of about 20,000. It's regarded as one of the fastest growing churches in the United States. One of the men featured in the report is Jacop Hazlett, who drew headlines last year when he was caught on camera abusing a 3-year-old child inside a NewSpring daycare bathroom. The 28-year-old Hazlett has been accused of abusing at least 14 children in a span of three months up until he was arrested last November. Hazlett's actions are at the center of lawsuits facing NewSpring. He faces nine counts of criminal sexual conduct with a minor and five counts of sexual exploitation of a minor. The litigation claims that the church failed to adequately supervise and monitor Hazletts actions and that they did not do enough to look into Hazletts history before allowing him to serve. Hazlett had previously volunteered at two churches in North Carolina but was asked to leave both places over concerns about his behavior around kids. When he was 17, Hazlett was accused of sexual misconduct with a child younger than 13. He admitted to kissing and touching the boy between his legs, according to Columbiana County Ohio juvenile court documents obtained by The Post and Courier. Although he was charged as a minor with gross sexual imposition, he was not required to register as a sex offender. Although NewSprings policy is to work with a third party to run criminal background searches on its volunteers, the juvenile records regarding Hazlett's crime are not considered public records in Ohio. Therefore, they are not searchable in a public search of the states judicial database. But Hazlett is not the first NewSpring volunteer to face sexual misconduct allegations and charges. According to a Florence Police Department incident report and affidavit obtained by The Post and Courier, a 20-year-old volunteer named Leo La Salle Comissiong admitted to investigators in April 2016 that he fondled and kissed a 15-year-old boy in a dark room at the New Spring campus in Florence. Comissiong was initially charged with third-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor. However, The Post and Courier notes that Comissiong pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of assault and was given three years probation. Reports from the Anderson County Sheriffs Office indicate that about a month after the Comissiong incident, 23-year-old Chaz McKinsey Wood, a NewSpring Anderson volunteer, admitted to sexually abusing a 10-year-old boy he met through his work at the church. Wood was charged with criminal sexual conduct with a minor and committing a lewd act on a minor. According to The Post and Courrier, Wood pleaded guilty to a reduced charge and was given a 10-year suspended sentence and five years probation. Wood was also required to register as a sex offender. In February 2018, Caleb Lide Jordan, a former youth pastor at NewSprings North Charleston campus, was let go after he was charged with counts of exploitation of a minor, which include solicitation of a minor for sex. Jordan worked as a full-time employee at NewSpring from August 2011 until September 2015. A church spokesperson told The Post and Courier that Jordan served as a volunteer after stepping down from his paid position. As for Jordan, he was accused of misconduct while away from church property and his charges remain pending. Jordans employment with NewSpring was terminated in 2015 and any issues involving Jordan have nothing to do with NewSpring, said Suzanne Swift, the church's communications director, in a statement to The Post and Courier. It was about a month after the church released Jordan from volunteer duties that Hazlett was brought in to serve as a volunteer at the Charleston congregation. Hazlett served there for about eight months before a complaint was received that he had abused a child. Each time a volunteer was caught up in the sexual misconduct charge, The Post and Courier reports that NewSpring was measured in its response and offered nearly identical explanations in every case. As for Hazlett, the church has maintained that it cannot be held liable for Hazletts actions. NewSpring filed an official response with the court responding to one of the lawsuits in late February. The church contends that its liability as a nonprofit is limited because of the South Carolina Charitable Funds Act. The church also stresses that since Hazlett was a volunteer, its liability is limited by the Volunteer Protection Act of 1997. The church maintains that as soon as concerns regarding Hazlett were made, staff took the appropriate course of action and called authorities. NewSpring performed a screening process that included a criminal background check that showed no prior records and one on one interview before Defendant Hazlett then went through training and was allowed to volunteer, the official response reads. Swift told The Post and Courier that the churchs screening process includes verification of Social Security Number, address history, national sex offender search and another review for criminal convictions. The third-party company that NewSpring uses to perform the background checks is called Protect My Ministry, which claims to work with over 25,000 religious institutions across the U.S. Swift previously said last year that NewSpring is open to revising its screening process. She explained that the church is evaluating [its] processes and procedures internally while an external consultant would be invited to help determine if changes need to be made. The Christian Post reached out to Swift for comment on The Post and Courier report and for clarification on whether changes to NewSprings screening process have been made. Swift told CP on Friday that while they are unable to comment on pending lawsuits or the ongoing investigation, "NewSpring Church is voluntarily creating a Healing Assistance Fund that will be available to assist families affected by the accuseds alleged actions. This fund will be completely funded by NewSpring and will be available to both the children and parents. She added: "It is NewSprings prayer that the families who utilize this resource will be able to experience short and long term healing. Through a verified and trusted outside company, we perform criminal background checks which includes SSN verification and address history, National Criminal Database Search, National Sex Offender Search, re-verification of criminal records and a check for alias names. "Hazlett's background check was returned to NewSpring showing no records found," Swift emphasized. "We are continuing to evaluate our policies and procedures internally for volunteers joining our ministry to do our best to prevent anything like this from ever happening again." Pastor David Chadwick resigns, shares doubts about multicampus church model Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment After nearly 40 years at the helm of the Forest Hill Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, which he built from a 180-member congregation into a 4,000-member, six-campus ministry, Pastor David Chadwick has resigned. Looking ahead, through discussions with my family and the council of elders about the future of the church, I have concluded Forest Hill would benefit from new leadership. So today, I want to let you know I will no longer serve as senior pastor of Forest Hill Church, the 69-year-old announced in a letter to his congregation Thursday after pointing to a 10-year vision that has already been established for the church. Stacey Martin, a spokeswoman for the church, told The Charlotte Observer that Chadwicks resignation was voluntary and the church would form a transitional leadership team to determine its next steps. The campus pastors will be sharing preaching responsibilities and will work collaboratively with senior leaders to continue to lead Forest Hill while we format the next leadership structure of the church, Martin said. Despite his resignation, Chadwick said he and his wife, Marilynn, have no desire to get out of ministry altogether and pointed to plans to expand his Moments of Hope media ministry. Marilynn and I feel called to the opportunity to expand our ministry through the work of Moments of Hope, which is positively affecting lives nationally and internationally through our media outreach. We also feel the continued call to serve the Charlotte region where we have spent our lives in ministry together, he said. As I approach my 70th birthday, please know I am as excited about sharing Gods Word today as I was in 1980 when I came to this church. While I will broaden the focus of my ministry, I will remain in Charlotte and faithful to Gods direction in His service so people everywhere may know and grow their relationship with God through the Gospel of Jesus Christ, he added. Chadwick, who has three children and five grandchildren, told The Charlotte Observer that part of the reason behind his resignation was because he wanted to see his family more often. He added that he was open to the idea of starting over as a pastor at a much smaller church. I love to build things, Chadwick told the publication. With Gods help, I built (Forest Hill) from 180 members to however many thousands it is right now. Its in great health. So I asked myself: Do I want to continue to oversee this, or do I want to build something new? He said while he loves preaching he had grown weary of some of the administrative responsibilities of running the 150 staff, $25 million a year operation. Ive told Marilynn many, many times that if I didnt have preaching opportunities every week, Im not sure I would want to do this job, Chadwick said. Its so much meetings, planning, staff oversight, job performance reviews all of those things. Chadwick, who's also working on his 10th book, said the church has not yet decided on his replacement and is considering making each of Forest Hill Churchs campus pastors more autonomous. He said prior to his decision to resign he had started having doubts about the multicampus church model where lead pastors mainly connect with the congregation through video. Churches all over the country are doing it, with videos shown on the screen in other places, Chadwick said, Elevation (Church) is probably the primary example here in Charlotte. You know, I just began to wonder more and more how effective is that? I know Im a good communicator I can have people come and listen. But doesnt a pastor need to speak to his people? So I began to struggle with that, too, he said. Would-be father whose unborn baby was aborted can sue clinic, Alabama judge says Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Ryan Magers, a would-be father whose girlfriend aborted their 6-week-old unborn baby two years ago, was granted permission to sue the clinic that provided the abortion after an Alabama probate judge recognized the fetus as a person with legal rights. Magers attorney, Brent Helms, told news station WAAY 31 that the recognition of the unborn child as a person with legal rights, is the first decision of its kind in the nation. Probate Judge Frank Barger signed off on a letter of petition allowing Magers to represent Baby Roes estate, WHNT 19 said. We have already had a victory, and it was the first one of its kind, ever," Helms told WAAY 31. "This is the first estate that I'm aware of that has ever been opened for an aborted baby. Helms is now suing Alabama Womens Center for Reproductive Alternatives on behalf of Magers and "Baby Roe" for providing a chemical abortion to his girlfriend even though he begged her not to end her pregnancy. "I'm here for the men who actually want to have their baby," Magers said after he filed a lawsuit last month in Madison County against the abortion clinic, their employees and the pharmaceutical company that makes the medication used to abort of his child. Magers said he pleaded with his girlfriend not to end the life of his unborn child because he believes every child from conception is a baby and deserves to live. "I just tried to plead with her and plead with her and just talk to her about it and see what I could do. But in the end, there was nothing I could do to change her mind," Magers said. He says he is now fight to help other would-be fathers who might find themselves in the same situation. "Even though there's nothing I can do for the situation I was in, there is something I can do for the future situations for other people," he said. Helms said Magers was seeking legal counsel at the time of the abortion in February 2017. He said he petitioned to represent the estate of Baby Roe because with estate, the fetus has the right to sue under probate law in Alabama. Personhood Alliance, the pro-life organization that helped Magers sue on behalf of his unborn child, explained that the suit was brought to prevent profiting from abortion. In most states, wrongful death lawsuits can take into consideration medical bills, lost earning capacity, and other factors, but in Alabama, wrongful death lawsuits are meant exclusively to punish the defendant for their wrongful behavior and to deter similar conduct by others. This means that, if this case is successful, Alabama law could punish abortion clinics and pharmaceutical companies under the wrongful death law to prevent them from continuing to profit from the killing of pre-born children, the organization explained. The decision recognizing the legal rights of unborn children in Alabama, sparked a rounded rebuke from abortion rights groups. Yesterday, an Alabama court asserted that a pregnant persons rights are third in line AFTER the person who impregnated them and AFTER the fetus. This is the reality of the anti-choice movement's goal of punishing women, NARAL wrote in a tweet Wednesday. A day earlier, the organizations President Ilyse Hogue called the decision scary. Alabama allows a suit from man AND fetus against abortion clinic where his girlfriend terminated her pregnancy. First under Alabama's new personhood law, asserting woman's rights third in line. Very scary case, Hogue wrote in a tweet. Alabama voters decided last November that unborn babies should have the same rights as individuals born alive under state law. Appeals court: Judge abused discretion by denying trans teens name change Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment An appeals court in Ohio has overturned a judges decision to deny a trans-identified teenager preparing to go through hormone therapy a legal name change until the age of 18. Judge Joseph Kirby had denied a trans-identified teenage boy named Elliott Whitaker (a biological female born with the name Heidi) the ability to legally change names. The Ohio Court of Appeals in the states twelfth appellate district overturned that decision. [W]e find that the probate court abused its discretion by failing to consider appropriate best interest factors before it denied the name change application, the appellate courts opinion reads. A change-name application was filed in April 2018 in Warren County Court. Whitakers mother, Stephanie, requested the name change because "the child picked a name to suit gender identity." The application for a name change was submitted with consent from both the mother and father. A hearing for the name change was held in probate court on June 18, 2018, during which the parents and child testified. The child expressed the "feeling of distress from as far back as I can remember." The family explained that the child had seen a therapist many times and that people in the school were referring to the child by preferred pronouns and name. On June 22, 2018, Kirby ruled that a name change was not reasonable and proper and in the child's best interest." He reasoned that a name change request by the child could have been motivated by short-term desires or beliefs that may change over the passage of time as the child matures. Kirby added that the child should be given time to age, develop and mature and that the child could reapply for a name change as an adult. His ruling came as health experts, studies and critics have warned over the years that gender dysphoria often does not persist into adulthood for many children. Stephanie Whitaker appealed the decision, arguing that the judge abused his discretion by denying the name change. She argued that the denial was arbitrary, unreasonable and based solely upon the transgender status of her child. The appellate court agreed. [T]he probate court failed to recognize that it was H.C.W.'s mother, and not H.C.W., who sought the name change, the twelfth district's opinion reads. In doing so, the probate court neglected to consider the preferences of H.C.W.'s parents and their assessment of H.C.W.'s best interest. The opinion cites the 2000 U.S. Supreme Court case Troxel v. Granville, in which the plurality ruled that so long as a parent adequately cares for his or her children there will normally be no reason for the State to inject itself into the private realm of the family to further question the ability of that parent to make the best decisions concerning the rearing of that parent's children." The Supreme Court further added, "if a fit parent's decision of the kind at issue here becomes subject to judicial review, the court must accord at least some special weight to the parent's own determination." Instead of giving some special weight to H.C.W.'s parents' preferences regarding the name change, the probate court summarily dismissed them, the decision reads. In its sole reference to the parents' preferences, the probate court discounted them as simply a desire to assuage their child. However, in contrast to assuaging H.C.W.'s preference to change his name, the record plainly shows that the parents engaged a therapist specializing in transgender issues, kept H.C.W. in therapy for a year, consulted with the therapist, consulted with Dr. Conard of Children's Hospital concerning testosterone therapy, associated with a support group, and had extensive discussions among themselves before seeking the name change. The appellate court also accused the judge of not considering Whitakers mental health counseling and upcoming testosterone therapy. In addition to appealing the case, the Whitakers and other families sued Judge Kirby in his personal capacity for what they say was a "pattern and practice" of denying transgender name changes. Kirby was accused of discriminating against transgender individuals. Last October, U.S. District Judge William O. Bertelsman tossed out the lawsuit against Kirby on grounds that "the proper way to challenge an adverse judgment is to appeal, not to sue the judge. Bertelsmann ruled that appellate courts have the ability to overturn Kirby's decision and rule if he has "abused his discretion. Although the Ohio appellate court suggested the state has no business in injecting itself to question the ability of the parent to make the best decisions concerning the rearing of that parent's children, other courts have done just that. Last year, another Ohio judges ruling allowed a transgender teen to continue hormone therapy against his parent's wishes. The parents wanted a Christian therapy for their son. The parents were also stripped of legal custody, which was awarded to the childs grandparents who are more affirming of the childs gender identity. Christians demand Walmart take down gay dating ad Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment More than 137,300 people have signed a petition urging Walmart to take down its gay dating ad. Last month, Walmart launched a Valentines Day themed ad campaign called Love Is in the Aisle: A Dating Show at Walmart, which had three episodes, one of which included a same-sex couple (watch here). In a petition started last week, the socially conservative American Family Association denounced the ad and called on Walmart to remain neutral in culture war and remove pro-homosexual promotional video. For most Christians and other traditionalists, the idea that marriage is between a man and a woman is sacred. We've seen many large corporations reject that in their marketing, but I honestly never thought Walmart would join the cultural revolution and reject the beliefs of its customer base, said AFA. We have no choice but to ask our supporters to let the company know how they, the customers, feel about Walmart's shift away from neutrality on this controversial issue to full support for same sex relationships. As of Friday afternoon, the AFA petition as garnered more than 137,300 signatories, with the AFA expressing a sense of betrayal over Walmarts decision to air the ad. At least with a company like Amazon, we knew they were liberal from the outset. But this seems more like a betrayal from a well-known friend. Sam Walton is probably turning over in his grave, continued AFA. Based in Arkansas, this is not the first time that Walmart has expressed pro-LGBT sentiments. In 2015, the Arkansas legislature approved House Bill 1228, which was modeled off the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Walmart CEO Doug McMillon denounced HB 1228, arguing in a social media post that the proposed legislation was anti-gay. "Today's passage of HB1228 threatens to undermine the spirit of inclusion present throughout the state of Arkansas and does not reflect the values we proudly uphold," McMillon said at the time. "For these reasons, we are asking Governor [Asa] Hutchinson to veto this legislation." The Christian Post queried Walmart in 2015, asking what specific part of HB 1228 they objected to. A spokesperson responded at the time that they could not name a specific quote or section of the bill that they objected to. Evangelical university blocks lecture by pro-life activist Star Parker Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment An evangelical university in Minnesota has blocked a conservative student group from hosting a lecture by African-American pro-life activist Star Parker because of her radically held beliefs. The University of Northwestern St. Paul informed its chapter of Young Americas Foundation, a conservative student group, last month that it could not hold an open event featuring the 62-year-old conservative activist. Parker is the founder of the 800-pastor network Center for Urban Renewal and Education and has long argued that the conservative agenda of traditional values, limited government and free markets are the greatest benefit to low-income Americans, especially African-Americans, in inner cities. She has also long spoken about the negative impact that abortion and Planned Parenthood has had on the African-American community. Since 2017, Parker has served as part of the White House Faith and Opportunity Initiative to share ideas on how to best fix our nations most distressed zip codes. She is also an appointee to the Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Commission. YAFs chapter at the University of Northwestern had been working for months to host a prominent conservative to address their peers, according to a news release published March 5. But those plans were struck down by university officials. I accepted UNW YAFs gracious invitation to defend life and traditional Christian principles, Parker said in a statement. Abortion has devastated the black community and is the moral crisis of our time. Christian universities are precisely where this urgent discussion should be happening. On Feb. 20, school administrators informed UNW YAF Chair Hayley Tschetter that the group would not be allowed to host Parker and listed a number of concerns. The administrations email said that the first concern was over the fact that the group was planning an open event. [I]t would be different if you were having a speaker just come speak to your club, the letter explained. Speakers open to all UNW students would have more strictness and then like I said we dont typically do truly open events. The letter continued by explaining that there are other concerns about Parker. Our staff has been very adamant about bringing speakers to campus who educate and expand worldviews, but we really dont bring speakers who radically hold beliefs that UNW as a whole would not agree with, the email reads. In the past UNW has stayed away from sensationalized speakers. I foresee us continuing to do this. After reviewing some of Stars material online we didnt feel she was a good fit for our community. The school recommended that YAF plan its future speaking events far in advance so that appropriate speakers can be discussed with administrators. The schools YAF chapter requested a meeting with the university's President Alan Cureton in hopes of getting a reversal of the decision. That meeting came on Feb. 27. According to YAF, Cureton was found to be as resistant as the rest of the administrators. Cureton reportedly told the student leaders of the group that he didnt want to be divisive and that its better to provide a balanced view from different outlooks. One example would be a panel discussion. Tschetter asked Cureton what opposing viewpoint the school would want to have elevated. He didnt really have an answer, Tschetter explained. Cureton told the student activists that they would be better off scheduling a meeting with the schools vice president of student life Nina Barnes. As of Tuesday, Barnes has not responded to the groups meeting request. I was excited to embark on this new adventure and thrilled that Star Parker agreed to come and speak to my campus, Tschetter said in a statement. After doing a little reading on several YAF speakers, I thought she could address some relevant topics to our campus. However, many are too fearful of controversy to allow her lecture to take place. Issues already divide campuses, Christians, and people nationwide speaking about them will not cause a divide, it will bring the underlying issues to light and provide an opportunity for them to be discussed openly and civilly. YAF spokesperson Spencer Brown, who took courses through UNW as a high school student, argued that the decision to prevent Parker from speaking is a shocking departure from a school I once considered attending. UNW has chosen to abandon their core principles as a Christian university set above and apart in favor of avoiding any potential discomfort brought about by an insightful lecture from one of Americas leading conservative women on critical issues UNWs students will soon [face] with in the world, Brown stressed. The Christian Post reached out to UNW for comment and received an emailed response on Friday from April Moreton, vice president for Institutional Advancement. "University of Northwestern did not ban Ms. Parker from speaking on campus," Moreton said. "Ms. Parker has spoken on our campus twice before to share her testimony. The student club responsible for inviting her, Young Americas Foundation, did not follow policies and procedures that are put in place for student club events. Therefore, because proper approval was not obtained, the student club was told they could not host the event. "In addition, university administration had significant concerns regarding Ms. Parkers contract which contained certain requirements the university could not accommodate. "Furthermore, our statement on social media in response to information circulating sought to protect the students involved and Ms. Parker, but the lack of details caused more confusion," Moreton added. "For this, we sincerely apologize. Due to these misunderstandings, our stance on certain issues was not accurately represented. Northwestern is unwavering in our biblical foundation, therefore, we are passionately against abortion and take a pro-life stance." NJ firefighter-pastor sues fire department for making him shave beard he grew for religious reasons Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A born-again Christian firefighter and pastor in New Jersey has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Atlantic City as well as the fire departments chief and deputy chief for threatening to suspend him without pay unless he shaved a beard he claims he grew for religious reasons. In the lawsuit which was filed last week, according to NJ.com, the 15-year veteran firefighter Alexander Smith, who also leads the Community Harvesters Church in Atlantic City, is suing the city and his superiors, Chief Scott Evans and Deputy Chief Thomas Culleny Jr. for violating his religious freedoms under the First Amendment and for violating the New Jersey Civil Rights Act, NJ.com said. He is also seeking an injunction to prevent any adverse employment actions against him as well as an award of compensatory and punitive damage. Smith, who works as an air mask technician at an annual salary of $115,000, said he began growing out his beard last December as an expression of his faith. He tried to get special accommodation for his 3-inch beard from the city on Jan. 3 since beards are prohibited by the fire departments guidelines. The city, however, denied his request on Feb. 15, due to overwhelming safety concerns for Smith, as well as other firefighters, the lawsuit said. Facial hair can affect the seal of the breathing apparatus mask firefighters wear when they face fires, the report said. Smith argued that as an air mask technician, when he responds to fires it is solely for the purpose of refilling SCBA air bottles," according to the lawsuit. His job responsibilities do not include participation in extinguishing fires or search and rescue, it adds. Due to the denial of his religious accommodation he is now required to show up for work clean shaven. Smiths attorney, Luna Droubi, has filed a request seeking a temporary restraining order against the shaving requirement until his lawsuit is resolved, allowing him to keep his beard for now. Smith must prove he would face irreparable injuries and that his constitutional rights would be violated in order for a temporary restraining order to be granted. The lawsuit states that the bylaws of Smiths church say that growing a beard is a scriptural practice that is encouraged because many of the prophets in the Bible wore beards. Photos from the Community Harvesters Church website as well as the churchs Facebook page do not show Smith, who turns 43 next month, with a beard. The married father of three who has been a born-again Pentecostal believer since age 10 appears to freely sport a clean-shaved head and face. When contacted through his church by The Christian Post for comment Thursday, Smith did not immediately respond. Born and raised in Atlantic City as a Pentecostal believer, he developed a love and sense of compassion for others. Alexander was baptized in water and filled with the Holy Ghost at the age 10, the churchs website says of Smith. In the year of 2000 Pastor Smith accepted his calling and was ordained a minister under the leadership of Bishop John R. Gandy. In March 2009 we purchased a church building in Atlantic City and started The Way of Holiness Temple which was changed to Community Harvesters Church in 2013. Alexander was ordained pastor by The Universal Life Church in Modesto California, in 2011, and PA of W in 2017, it adds. The churchs website which was last updated on Aug. 31, 2018, further noted that Smith is pursuing a Masters of Divinity from Rockbridge Theological Seminary in Springfield, Missouri, and serves as a Police and Firemens Chaplain for the city of Atlantic City. In 2015, the Supreme Court ruled that Arkansas must allow a Muslim prisoner to grow a beard that he says his religion requires. In that opinion, Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr., said Arkansas prison officials had violated a federal law passed to protect religious practices from policies set by state and local officials. While the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act does not require a prison to grant religious exemptions simply because a prisoner asks or because other prisons do, Alito said Arkansas officials offered no evidence that a short beard posed security risks or could serve as a hiding place for contraband, as the officials once argued. Smiths lawsuit referenced a 1999 Third Court of Appeals opinion written by Alito that says a Newark police department policy to discipline two Islamic officers who refused to shave their beards was unconstitutional and violated the First Amendment. Droubi also argued that the U.S. armed forces have revised their grooming policies to provide for religious accommodations in these circumstances. Weekly briefing: Jack Phillips victory, churches in decline, Lent Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment We've compiled the top stories of the week. Here's what you need to know: Colorado drops lawsuit against Christian baker The Colorado Civil Rights Commission announced this week that it is dropping its case against Jack Phillips of Masterpiece Cakeshop. The commission lost its case last year at the Supreme Court when it tried to punish Phillips for refusing to make a custom same-sex wedding cake. It went after the baker again when he refused to make a gender transition cake, arguing that he violated the states anti-discrimination law. Both the commission and Phillips, who also dropped his federal lawsuit against the state, agreed that it was not in anyone best interest to move forward with these cases. Most U.S. churches not seeing growth A new survey by LifeWay Research revealed that 6 in 10 Protestant churches are plateaued or declining in attendance. Younger pastors are more likely to say their church is growing compared to older pastors. The majority of surveyed churches saw less than 10 people make a new commitment to Jesus Christ in 2018 while only around 8 percent reported having 25 or more new commitments. Lent begins This week marked the start of Lent a period of 40 days (not counting Sundays) before Easter Sunday. With the resurrection of Jesus Christ being one of the most important days in the year for Christians, believers are being encouraged to fast or engage in some type of discipline in order to conform to Christ. Judge lets would-be father sue abortion clinic, recognizes fetus as a person An Alabama judge has allowed Ryan Magers to sue the clinic that provided his girlfriend a chemical abortion. The aborted child was also recognized as a person and allowed to be named as a co-plaintiff in the lawsuit. Magers attorney, Brent Helms, considered that recognition a victory in itself. If this case is successful, Alabama law could punish abortion clinics and pharmaceutical companies under the wrongful death law to prevent them from continuing to profit from the killing of pre-born children. Personhood Alliance Fire destroys church, none of the Bibles A fire in West Virginia on Sunday destroyed a small church. But to the shock of firefighters, none of the Bibles were harmed. The cross was also left intact. The members of Freedom Ministries are staying positive and are eager to start anew. Read CPs feature: Mother of girl who thinks shes a boy speaks out, unpacks lies therapists told her Pray for Those affected by the tornado in Alabama that killed 23 people Chinese Christians who continue to be arrested and beaten for gathering to worship New releases Albums: Autumn & Eve: Old Testaments, Vol. I by Cindy Morgan (March 8) Never Fold by Tedashii (March 8) Books: Growing With: Every Parent's Guide to Helping Teenagers and Young Adults Thrive in Their Faith, Family, and Future by Kara Powell and Steven Argue (March 5) CinderGirl: My Journey Out of the Ashes to a Life of Hope by Christina Meredith (March 5) By West Kentucky Star Staff Mar. 07, 2019 | 12:14 PM | GRAVES COUNTY It's been a week since Jon Hayden was sworn in as interim sheriff in Graves County. Hayden will serve until the November general election, at which time residents of Graves County will vote on a new sheriff. Hayden hasn't ruled out a run for sheriff in November, but says now is not the time to be discussing that. I've committed to doing a job, and I don't think the judge-executive or the community as a whole want this to be about politics, Hayden said. And for me it's not about politics. There will be time to talk about that, Hayden continued. I want to know how the community feels about what we're doing at the sheriff's office. If there's community support to carry the department forward, I certainly would consider that, but that's not something that's on my radar at the moment. I don't think that's what I need to be concentrating on or even talking about. Democratic and Republican nominees for sheriff will be nominated by their partys executive committees. Independent and write-in candidates can also run for the office. Hayden replaced Sheriff Dewayne Redmon who passed away on Feb. 16. Hayden is a former sheriff of McCracken County. He retired in June of 2018. India: Evangelical network reports increase of Christian persecution in 2019 Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Reported cases of persecution and hate crimes against Christians in India have steadily increased by about 57 percent in the first two months of 2019, an advocacy group has warned. The Evangelical Fellowship of India, the national alliance of evangelical Christians with over 65,000 associated churches, has sounded the alarm about the increasing frequency of attacks against Christians in India, the persecution watchdog outlet Morning Star News reports. Although 2018 was a year filled with rampant violence and discrimination against Christians in certain parts of India, the EFI Religious Liberty Commission reports an increase in documented incidents of hate and targeted violence against Christians that occurred in January and February. In the first two months of 2019, the EFIRCL documented 77 incidents of hate and targeted violence against Christians. By comparison, only 49 similar incidents were documented by EFIRLC in January and February 2018. Among the incidents documented this year are the killings of two Christians, one in Odisha state and another in Chhattisgarh state. Sixteen of the 77 documented incidents in 2019 occurred in Tamil Nadu state, while 12 occurred in Uttar Pradesh. Six took place in Maharashtra and five in Chhattisgarh. Four cases each were documented in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and Kerala states. One incident that took place in Uttar Pradesh was described by eyewitnesses who say that police officers disrupted a Sunday church service and arrested four women and two men. Among those arrested was a female pastor named Sindhu Bharti who was physically assaulted at the police station. Boiling tea was forcibly thrust in her mouth because the police thought that she was feigning her unconsciousness, An eyewitness told Morning Star New. When that did not work, they poured two jugs of cold water on her face, not caring that it was already severely cold due to winter. As for the men who were killed in Odisha and Chhattisgarh, EFI General Secretary, the Rev. Vijayesh Lal, told Morning Star News that both men were killed by members of the India communist party because of their faith. One of the men killed was 40-year-old Anant Ram Gand of Odisha, who was reportedly abducted from his home by three men who left his decapitated body in the street. Gand had just converted to Christianity last year. It is believed that Hindu militants in Gand's village contracted Naxal, an Indian Maoist guerrilla group, to kill Gand. We have recorded cases where Christians have been facing social boycott and have been excommunicated from their villages, and in a few instances have had to flee to save their lives, Lal said. It should be noted that the EFIRLC data are by no means an exhaustive compilation of incidents of persecution in India because it is based on voluntary reporting and civil society investigations. Most cases go unreported either because the victim and witnesses are terrified, or the police, especially in the northern states, just turn a blind eye and refuse to record the mandatory First Information Report of the crime, EFI states in its 2018 report. In 2018, EFIRLC documented 325 incidents of violence and hate crimes against Christians in India. Last year, EFI voiced concern about the eruption in violence taking place in a few districts in Uttar Pradesh, the countrys most populated province. The EFIRLC reports that 40 percent of documented incidents in 2018 occurred in Uttar Pradesh where Christians make up a very small minority of the population. The EFIRLC report notes that with India general elections expected to be held in April and May, attempts at religious polarization have been at an all-time high. Hate speeches, sometimes even by Union Ministers, have acted as a catalyst in the dividing of people along religious, ethnic and even linguistic lines, the report reads. The menace of cow vigilantism has not been subdued but has grown with impunity. Targeting of Minorities, Dalits and Women have visibly increased. The small Christian community, 2.3 percent of the 1.30 billion population, which seems to be targeted on issues of conversion, is also [a] collateral victim of the hate crimes against the much larger Muslim community, which is about 15 percent. Over the last several years, India has placed higher and higher on Open Doors USAs World Watch List of countries where Christians are most persecuted. In 2019, India was ranked as the 10th-worst country in the world for Christian persecution. Since the ruling [BJP] party took power in 2014, attacks have increased, and Hindu radicals believe they can attack Christians with no consequences, an Open Doors fact sheet reads. As a result, Christians have been targeted by Hindu nationalist extremists more and more each year. The view of the nationalists is that to be Indian is to be Hindu, so any other faith including Christianity is considered non-Indian. Pastor abducted by militant Buddhists in Myanmar, second to be captured in 2 months Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A second pastor in Myanmars Rakhine state has been abducted by suspected Buddhist insurgents after another was killed less than two months ago. Pastor U Thar Tun was abducted from his home in Buthidaung township on Feb. 13, according to the U.S.-based watchdog group International Christian Concern. Tun is the 50-year-old pastor of Mara Evangelical Church who is active in community development and received a theological education from Mizoram State. The father of five has served as the pastor of his church even though the congregation could not support him financially. The pastors abduction was also confirmed by contacts of the England-based Christian aid agency Barnabas Fund, who say that he was abducted by militants of the Arakan Army. The Arakan Army is the armed wing of the United League of Arakan and is active in both Rakhine and Kachin states. Barnabas Fund believes Tun may have been a target because of his work helping refugees in his hometown of Buthidaung. Violence between the AA and the Myanmar military rekindled in December when fighting again broke out in Rakhine state, which has led to thousands being displaced. AA forces have attacked police posts in the Buthidaung Township. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, displaced people have sought shelter inside monasteries and other communal spaces in Kyauktaw, Ponnagyun, Rathedaung and Buthidaung townships, where they have been aided by authorities and relief agencies. He is innocent and actively involved in social and ethnic Myo [a minority ethnic group] people activities. He acts with truth and love for the oppressed people and he also protects them, one of Tuns colleague told ICC. Even though there is only [a] slim chance, I would like to request his immediate release from the people who had taken him. He is a valued member of our community. The pastors wife, Daw Hla Sein, told ICC that the insurgent group initially came to their home to demand that her husband talk with them outside. But when Tun stepped outside, the rebels reportedly tied Tun up and dragged him away. Local authorities are investigating the abduction. While a lot of attention has been paid to the Rohingya crisis in Rakhine State, it is alarming to see Christian persecution on the rise in the area, ICC Regional Manager Gina Goh said in a statement. We urge the Burmese government to negotiate the release of Pastor U Thar Tun, given that his life is at risk in the hands of the Arakan Army. This evil act cannot be tolerated or ignored. Last month, it was reported that Pastor Tun Nu, a Gospel for Asia missionary field partner in Rakhine state, was killed after he was abducted by suspected AA forces at gunpoint from his home on Jan. 19. The 41-year-old pastor shepherded a congregation of about 50 people in the Sittwe District in southwestern Rakhine. He was believed to pastor 12 different discipleship groups in the area. According to GFA, Pastor Nus death and kidnapping are the first incidents of its kind to happen to a GFA-supported ministry in Myanmar. Myanmar ranks as the 18th worst country in the world when it comes to Christian persecution, according to Open Doors USAs 2019 World Watch List. While much has been reported internationally about the genocide of the Rohingya community in northern Rakhine at the hands of the Myanmar military, the Christian community in Kachin state has faced its share of persecution at the hands of the Myanmar military. Gum San Nsang, president of the United States-based international advocacy group Kachin Alliance, told The Christian Post in December that Kachin Christians are facing an "existential threat" and "will not be able to continue" in the next one or two generations if the ongoing civil war between Kachin rebels and the Myanmar military keeps up. He warned that over 130,000 Christians have been forced to flee from their homes. In July 2018, it was reported that the military bombed 60 churches in an 18-month span. Two American Mormons being deported from Russia under anti-evangelism laws Two Americans affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were arrested in Russia and will soon be deported back to the U.S., their lawyer says. Russian attorney Sergey Gliznutsa told CBS News that Kole Brodowski and another unidentified volunteer were arrested while they were teaching English at a church in southern Russia. He went on to explain that the deportation order was given earlier this week, but because of a national holiday, Brodowski and the other man will likely not be released and deported until sometime next week. Russia has barred foreign missionaries from evangelizing in that country, but the LDS Church maintained that the two Americans fit the definition of "volunteer" and were not violating any laws. Eric Hawkins, a spokesman for the LDS Church, said in a statement that he was concerned about the decision by authorities to detain and deport the two Americans. "While we are grateful these young men are reportedly in good condition and are being treated well, we are troubled by the circumstances surrounding their detention," said Hawkins, according to Fox News. "They have both spoken to their parents. We will continue to work with local authorities, and encourage the swift release of these volunteers." In 2016, Russia passed an "anti-missionary" law as part of a broader anti-terrorism law. The measure targets religious minorities to the benefit of the influential Russian Orthodox Church. About a year after the law was enacted, the Norway-based group Forum 18 recorded 181 cases of Russian authorities using the law to crack down on non-Russian Orthodox religious groups. The 181 prosecutions included more than 80 cases against individuals representing various Protestant churches, as well as 41 cases against Jehovah's Witnesses, and several cases against Buddhists, Muslims, and a dozen Hare Krishna members. The detaining of the Mormon volunteers comes a month after a Russian court sentenced Danish citizen Dennis Christensen, a Jehovah's Witness, to six years in prison due to the religious sect being declared "extremist" under the nation's criminal code. Christensen was arrested in 2017 while giving a sermon. "The case against Christensen and the raids against Jehovah's Witness adherents violate the right to freedom of religion, denying them the right to worship, and cannot be justified as either a necessary or proportionate measure to protect public safety or public order," stated Human Rights Watch. "The conviction is a blatant violation of the rights to religious freedom and expression. Russian authorities should immediately move to set aside the conviction and free Christensen." Courtesy of The Christian Post Getting a better nights sleep was once a matter of beds and bedding. Maybe a new pillow. But counting sheep has gone high tech, with gadgets like electronic headbands that monitor sleeping patterns and pricey bassinets that automatically rock babies to sleep. Some 80 sleep-related products are showcased in downtown Houston this weekend at the first ever Sleep Show, organized by the National Sleep Foundation, a Washington sleep research and advocacy organization. More than 10,000 people are expected to attend the three-day expo held through Sunday at the George R. Brown Convention Center. When you Googled sleep 10 years ago, you got mattresses, said Jordan Stern, co-founder of Get Snooze, an online company selling custom mouth guards to treat apnea. Today, you get sleep tech. Sleep-health is roughly a $40 billion industry nationally, expanding by more than 8 percent annually thanks to growing awareness of the important role sleep plays in peoples well-being. Between 50 million and 70 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep disorders, such as insomnia, narcolepsy and apnea. To be sure, mattress companies, such as the Houstons Mattress Firm and Gallery Furniture, and manufacturers Serta Simmons and Tempur-Sealy, still dominate the U.S. sleep industry. Mattresses alone are a $13.8 billion industry, compared to the $8.2 billion market for sleep disorder products, according to IBISWorld, a market research firm. But the higher tech side of the business is poised for more growth. Companies, from established brands such as Philips to startups such as Get Snooze, have entered the sleep-health market in recent years with new products sleep trackers, wake-up lights and CPAP machine cleaners that are rousing the industry. Were starting to see products with much more sophisticated engineering, said David Cloud, CEO of the National Sleep Foundation, which sets science-based standards for sleep products and services. Its really shaking up sleep products, which havent changed for 500 years. Philips, the Netherlands-based personal technology company selling electric toothbrushes and razors, is also one of the leading manufacturers of CPAP machines, which aid people with sleep apnea. Several years ago, the company began expanding its sleep product lineup. Today, Philips sells a $249 light alarm clock, which uses a sunrise-mimicking light instead of a buzzer to wake people up; a $399 smart headband that tracks brain waves and deep sleep; and $500-and -up portable CPAP machine with a flexible mask. Later this year, Philips plans to ship a $199 chest band that buzzes sleepers to switch positions before they start snoring. Sleep is a massive growth market for us, said Chris Wilhite, a marketing manager with Philips sleep division, based in the Pittsburgh area. Consumers are thinking more and more about sleep, so youre seeing a lot of companies come into the market. Somnox, a sleep tech startup with 23 employees, flew a couple of representatives from the Netherlands to Houston to showcase its Kickstarter-backed Sleep Robot, a $599 bean-shaped cushion that simulates a breathing animal, which helps insomniacs relax at night. The cushion, which also has a sleep tracking device as well as a speakerwill start shipping to U.S. buyers in April. Snuggling this will help people mimic slow breathing and help them fall asleep at night, said Julian Jagtenberg, Somnoxs founder. Other sleep products at the Sleep Show include the Chilipad, a water-based cooling and heating mattress topper; and the Sleep Phone, a soft headband with flexible speakers for people who wish to listen to white noise or a babbling brook while they sleep. Harvey Karp, a pediatrician and author of best-selling The Happiest Baby on the Block, was in Houston promoting the Snoo Smart Sleeper, a $1,200 bassinet that features a white noise machine, oscillating motor, premium materials and chic design that helps babies sleep better at night and aids in the prevention of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The National Sleep Foundation plans to host the Sleep Show annually in Houston for the foreseeable future. The Sleep Show, which will feature 100 talks from dozens of world-renowned sleep experts, made its home in Houston because of the citys strong medical community and diverse population, organizers said. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, who opened the Sleep Show on Friday, said he welcomed innovative sleep companies and products to the city. Sleep is critically important, Turner said. We can all use a little bit more of it. Deputies are now searching for the killer of a Shell gas station clerk in northwest Harris County. Authorities say that several males entered a Shell Gas Station store at around 10 p.m. Friday. A female store clerk was held at gun point when one of the suspects opened fire on the clerk, reported Metro Video. The woman then died inside the store on Perry Road near FM 1960. A crash Saturday morning on the North Freeway has left one man dead and another in serious condition. Houston police said witnesses told them a truck was speeding northbound on the North Freeway feeder at Aldine Bender Road. Two men were shot in a parking lot of a north Houston bar Saturday morning, leaving one dead and another in critical condition. The two men were shot while inside a truck outside the Mi Tavenera bar, Houston police said. The male in the driver's seat died at the scene and the other male was found lying on the ground next to the truck with a gunshot wound to the head, police said. Several projects are currently in progress in Atascocita that should be completed by early 2020, Harris County Precinct 2 officials said at a chamber meeting on March 7. Road expansions Jeremy Phillips, Precinct 2s director of infrastructure, said Harris County is prioritizing the $2.7 million expansion of Timber Forest Drive. The four-lane expansion project will expand Timber Forest Drive from Eagle Springs Parkway to Madera Run Parkway. Mobility up here (in Atascocita) has been an issue for over a decade and one weve been actively going after for a while now, Phillips said. Once were complete with this Timber Forest (Drive) section, youre looking at four lanes from FM 1960 all the way down to Madera Run (Parkway), which never existed before. Thats going to provide that connectivity not only to the new school campuses but also that connectivity to Woodland Hills (Drive) and access to the Beltway in more diverse routing than just West Lake Houston (Parkway). Phillips expects the Timber Forest expansion project to be complete by the end of 2019. Concurrently, Phillips mentioned that the county is working on the expansion of Madera Run Parkway. Phillips said Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia approved a plan to advertise for bids on this construction project. Construction is expected to start in three months. The Madera Run project will expand the roadway from Kings Parkway to Boundary Waters Lane in The Groves. There are also plans to add traffic signals on Kings Parkway and on Cathedral Pines Drive. This is going to be the last section of Madera Run (Parkway) on the east side of Timber Forest (Drive) that is going to be wide, Phillips said. So youll have a widened four-lane section and thats complete from West Lake Houston (Parkway) to Timber Forest (Drive) and another access there to the dual campus there for the school district. Hike-and-bike trails Another Precinct 2 project thats going on in Atascocita is a $700,000 hike-and-bike trail that is planned to be completed by the second quarter of this year. Its a one-mile section that basically runs from West Lake Houston Parkway all the way back up into the neighborhoods along the flood control channel, and it will provide access to Kings Parkway and all those neighborhoods back there, Phillips said. Phillips said the precinct is constructing a parking area behind the HEB in Atascocita for people to park their vehicles to access the trail. Atascocita Park Atascocita Park, a 20-acre development with a 2-acre pond, will have a boardwalk, walking trails, restrooms, parking, a playground system and a dog park. Phillips the weather over the past two months has kept delaying the parks completion. Weve had a hard time there at the park trying to get in. We basically had to build our way in to the site so we can have more laydown and staging for the rest of the park, Phillips said. Phillips plans to finish Atascocita Park by the end of this year or early 2020 depending on the weather. kaila.contreras@chron.com Cy-Fair ISD families looking to transfer their children to another school within the district now have a list of options for next school year. During the March 7 school board meeting, trustees approved the open and closed campus designations for in-district transfer students for the 2019-2020 school year. Eight high schools, five middle schools and 25 elementary schools will be designated as open for transfer, according to a presentation delivered by Cy-Fair ISD director of general administration Kristi Giron. There are currently 13 high schools, 18 middle schools, 56 elementary schools in the district. The Cy-Fair ISD school board designates which district campuses are open, or closed, for in-district transfer to reduce overcrowding in schools, Giron said. Each year, the board is asked to approve our recommendations for open campuses, Giron said. A campus will be designated as open if the projected enrollment is 95 percent of the building capacity without portables. Related: Large class sizes bringing Jersey Village down, Cy-Fair parents say According to the school board transfer policy, open campuses accept a certain number of transfer students from within the district who wish to attend another CFISD school. Parents who want to transfer their children must fill out an application with the reason a transfer is needed. This does not apply to students moving to CFISD from outside of the district, to whom all schools are open. CFISD schools are categorized into three tiers: open transfer for any students; open transfer for children of employees; and schools closed to all transfers. A school reaches the third tier if enrollment is greater than 115 percent for elementary schools, 110 percent for middle schools and 105 percent for high schools. Schools classified as third tier cannot accept transfers unless the student is a child of a district employee who works in a facility within the attendance boundaries of the chosen school, Giron said. If the projected enrollment is less than 95 (percent), that campus is open to all residents and employees with a designated amount of spots determined by student services, she said. If (enrollment) projection is between the 95 (percent) and the 105 (percent for high schools), 110 (for middle schools) and 115 (percent for elementary schools), those are tier two and only open to CFISD employees. Related: Cy-Fair ISD calls for $1.7 billion bond election in May Giron said the student services department will begin informing the community about transfer applications through the CFISD website, social media, school messenger and newsletters. Student services will soon be calculating the number of open spots available for each campus based on the tier system, Giron said. If the board approves this list, student services will advertise the campuses that are open starting March 8. April 1, the registrars and student services will start accepting those applications and then June 3 will be the deadline to apply. Parents can select the school they want to transfer their student to based on the options available. Some parents commented on their disappointment in the selected middle schools during the regular meeting March 2, saying that schools available for transfer lack diversity and quality of education. Parent Pamela Duckworth said some people suggested she move and sell her house to access better schools, but that it is not an option for her. Its not an option because if I do try to sell my house, if my house does not sell within a certain amount of time and (the) school year starts and I havent already requested a transfer, then my daughter is stuck going to Campbell, she said. Of (the) five schools, there is only one I would consider sending my daughter to and I dont know if that transfer would be granted based on the number of students and their parents are applying for a transfer for their child as well. During the school board work session held on March 4, trustee Tom Jackson asked if this would affect school choice for transfer students due to many schools being left out. During the presentation, all 38 schools chosen were presented as open campuses. One of the things that we like to make sure the public knows is that we do have school choice here in Cy-Fair ISD, said Superintendent Mark Henry. Obviously, not all campuses are not open but we do, as you can see, have a sizable number of campuses ... in all geographic portions of the district that are available for transfer. 2019-2020 open transfer schools include: Elementary Schools Adam, Andre, Bane, Copeland, Danish, Duryea, Farney, Frazier, Gleason, Hairgrove, Hoover, Jowell, Keith, Kirk, Lamkin, Lee, Metcalf, Moor, Reed, Rennel, Sampson, Tipps, Walker, Wells, Willbern Middle Schools Campbell, Goodson, Hopper, Kahla, Labay High Schools Bridgeland, Cy-Fair, Cypress Creek, Cypress Falls, Cypress Park, Cypress Ranch, Cypress Springs, Langham Creek Applications for transfer can be found on the CFISD website. chevall.pryce@chron.com The two people dead after a workplace shooting on Friday have been identified by the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office. Brent Brock, 54,was found dead of an apparent gunshot wound in the building in the 2100 block of Buckthorne Place. The suspect has been identified by officials as John Williams, 63. Initial investigation suggests this shooting stemmed from a personal matter and the public is not in danger, MCSO stated in a release on Saturday. On Friday afternoon, responding deputies had been notified of an alleged shooter, who had shot one person and fled the scene southbound on Grogans Mill Road. A second victim suffered blunt force trauma and was rushed to Memorial Hermann The Woodlands for treatment. MCSO said in a release on Friday that the injuries have been reported as non-life threatening at this time. The Montgomery County Sheriffs Office Homicide and Violent Crimes and the Texas Rangers have also been investigating whether there is a connection between the shooting scene and the scene of a deadly, fiery crash that occurred nearby. At this time, detectives believe Williams is the subject who was found in the fatal car crash just half a mile from the shooting scene, MCSO said in the update. On Friday afternoon, deputies asked the public to stay indoors and away from the area. Heather Byrd worked on the second floor of the building where the incident occurred around 4 p.m. "It happened on the first floor, below us," she said. "We were in the midst of working and a policeman came through yelling asking us to leave and put our hands up. It was such a startling experience. They said put your hands up and we left. When we were coming out of the building here and there was a gun cartridge on the ground." Byrd said she did not hear any gunshots. She said law enforcement officials made her and others feel safe, and the evacuation was orderly and quick. "It is scary, because I've worked here for about 8 years here in this building and we've never had anything like this." Jay R. Jordan, Marialuisa Rincon, and Jeff Forward contributed to this report. mellsworth@hcnonline.com Hello, I ask again, Why would any one bring undeclared ammunition into Russia? I finally found an update on, Pastor Phillip Miles of Christ Community Church in Conway, South Carolina. I wrote an article about him last week. (LINK: Why would anyone bring ammunition into Russia!) Now it looks as though the situation is what it seems: Miles will be held for at least 60 days as charges of smuggling & trafficking are investigated. If evidence is found against him he could spend up to 7 years in prison, in Russia! To us Americans it seems to be a case of, Bad Russia! But I have lived here two years now & I see a different side to what has happened! There is more to this situation than the Pastors support group from within & outside of Russia is telling.. This situation will spread to the missionary in Russia! I hope the friend that he tried to bring ammunition in for has a legal right to have a rife in Russia? Russia is no different than America on these type of rules. If you were Russian (or anyone) and tried to cross American borders with undeclared ammunition. (follow the rules) http://www.biggamehunt.net/sections/Firearm/ http://studenttravel.about.com/od/getontheroad http://www.smirkingchimp.com/thread/12735 http://www.dhs.gov/index.shtm http://www.cbp.gov/ This website will be updated any time we receive official news about the status of this case. If you hear or read anything about this case that contradicts information on this website, please disregard it. Read more for the article: ================================= MOSCOW, RUSSIA (ANS) A South Carolina pastor detained in Russia early this week after bringing hunting bullets into the country while on a mission trip will be held in a prison there for 60 days while prosecutors investigate smuggling and trafficking charges against him. A story written by Robert Morris of The Sun News, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, said that after a formal hearing Friday in Moscow, Pastor Phillip Miles of Christ Community Church in Conway, South Carolina, will be moved from a temporary airport detainment facility to a prison for the investigation, according to David Aylor, Miles nephew and a Charleston attorney. Two Russian attorneys are representing the pastor and the U.S. Embassy is monitoring the situation, but the case is essentially in the Russian prosecutors hands for two months, Aylor said. Hes at the mercy of the Russian justice system, Aylor said. Its basically at a standstill at this point. Morris said that if the case goes forward and Miles is convicted, he faces three to seven years in prison for the smuggling-ammunition charge or up to four years for trafficking in ammunition, said Nicole Thompson, a U.S. State Department spokeswoman. He went on to say, Miles imprisonment began earlier this week as he prepared to return from a mission trip to the city of Perm, at the foot of a mountain range that borders Siberia. On his way into the country in late January, Russian authorities confiscated a box of hunting-rifle bullets, but allowed him to continue his trip. It was a something that was brought as a gift to the Siberian preacher, Aylor said. It was something you or I could get from any local ammunition carrier in the United States. On his way back through the Moscow airport this week, however, Miles was prevented from returning to the United States as Russian authorities questioned him further. Even after the newly imposed 60 days are up, prosecutors can ask for more time to investigate, Aylor said. While the church is disappointed with this temporary setback, we are encouraged that Pastor Miles reputation of integrity and character will ultimately lead to his freedom, read a statement posted on the churchs Web site. Friends in Russia have told the church that his spirits remain high and that those around him have been very impressed with his attitude and demeanor during this difficult time. The story said that there has been no indication that Miles arrest is related to his missionary work, Aylor said. The Russian Orthodox Church is the dominant religion in Russia, and the State Departments 2007 report on International Religious Freedom describes a slight decline in some groups right to worship in the country, but no particular pattern of harassment against foreign missionaries or evangelical groups was reported. Because the U.S. Embassy is closely involved in the case, family members are not concerned that any harm will come to Miles in the prison, Aylor said. The pastor, who has a wife and three grown children in Horry County and other close family members throughout the state, has been able to call home since his arrest. Considering, hes in good spirits, Aylor said. Hes a man of faith. He knows the Lord will lead him through this. Morris wrote, Miles arrest made the front page of the English-language daily Moscow Times, a 35,000-circulation newspaper read by expatriates in the city. The newspaper cites several other international smuggling cases including those of Soviet-era medals, rare Soviet posters and a turn-of-the-century crucifix none of which led to prison time. We all come up with crazy ideas for a gift, wrote Justin Miles, the pastors son, in a letter to the Russian newspaper. Please forgive my father for his mistake. An updated posted on the church web site on Friday, February 8, 2008, at www.christcommunitychurchonline.com says: A formal hearing was held in Pastor Miles case in Moscow on February 8th. At the hearing, the State requested that it be given an additional 60 days to complete its investigation of this case. The request was granted by the court. As a result, Pastor Miles will be held in jail in Moscow during the course of the investigation. While the church is disappointed with this temporary setback, we are encouraged that Pastor Miles reputation of integrity and character will ultimately lead to his freedom. The United States Embassy in Moscow is monitoring this situation and has sent representatives to visit with Pastor Miles. They assure us that he is being treated well and remains in good physical condition. Friends in Russia have told the church that his spirits remain high and that those around him have been very impressed with his attitude and demeanor during this difficult time. ================================= U.S. Pastor To Be Held For Two Months for Investigation By David Nowak Staff Writer MOSCOW A Moscow court has ordered a U.S. pastor to remain in detention for two months while prosecutors investigate him on suspicion of smuggling ammunition into the country, a U.S. Embassy spokeswoman said Sunday. Phillip Miles, a pastor of the Christ Community Church in Conway, South Carolina, was detained at Sheremetyevo Airport on Feb. 3, days after rifle rounds were discovered in his luggage. Miles remained on Sunday in the airport holding cell where he was taken after being detained, the spokeswoman said, speaking on customary condition of anonymity. At Fridays hearing, the Golovinsky District Court, which has jurisdiction over Sheremetyevo, ordered Miles be moved to a different, interim facility, the spokeswoman said. It was unclear when that would happen. After [Fridays] preliminary hearing, Miles remains in detention on charges that may include trafficking, with a potential sentence of a monetary fine or four years imprisonment, and smuggling, with a potential sentence of three to seven years, the spokeswoman said. Airport officials seized the ammunition when Miles entered Russia on Jan. 29. Officials allowed Miles to continue on his trip to Perm, where he met fellow church members, on the proviso that he check in with them at Sheremetyevo on the way back to the United States. When he did, he was detained on suspicion of smuggling the ammunition, which he admitted he failed to declare, as required by law, according to friends. The bullets were a gift for a pastor in Perm, who was a fellow hunting enthusiast, according to the embassy spokeswoman and Miles associates. Neither the law enforcement body that detained Miles nor the location of the court could be established as of Sunday. The embassy spokeswoman did not have immediate access to the information and calls to prosecutors, the Federal Security Service and the Moscow City Court went unanswered. Two lawyers contacted Sunday said authorities treatment of Miles was within the law. If he was unsure, all he had to do was approach a customs official and ask if he should declare the bullets, Sergei Melnikov, a lawyer who specializes in customs and immigration issues, said on Sunday. Checking one box on the declarations form could have saved him all this trouble, Melnikov added. ============================================= http://www.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=20363&PN=1&TPN=1 http://www.eurotrib.com/comments/2008/2/7/13137/47249/51?mode=alone;showrate=1#51 It is going to be a long 60 days, will most likely be much longer like years. PS: UPDATE LINK http://kylekeeton.com/2008/02/russia-update-on-pastor-phillip-miles.html Kyle & Svet Subscribe in a reader A 19-year-old Houston man has been charged with murder in the deaths of two people including an 18-year-old Lamar High School student as part of an ongoing gang war between local groups, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced Friday. Kendrick Johnson, who was already in custody on two unrelated aggravated robberies, faces murder charges in the Nov. 13 shooting death of Lamar student De'Lindsey Mack and the Sept. 23 killing of Kenneth Roberson, 24, in southeast Houston. "We're here to urge the killings to stop, to talk to the individuals, the young people, making choices about giving their loyalty to groups that murder one another," said Ogg said, flanked by the mothers of the victims. "We're here to say it's time for young men to stop dying on our streets." Yvonne Ferguson-Smith, Roberson's mother, had a plea to the teens embroiled in violence that had claimed her son's life. "If you love your mother and don't want your mother, your father, your family to go through this, please put the guns down," she said. Ogg said Johnson whom she described as a "poster child for representing a threat to the community" committed both murders as part of an ongoing war between members of a local street gang, 100 Percent Third Ward (103), and another local clique, the Young Scott Block, or YSB, gang. Johnson is also facing charges in a third case in which he is accused of shooting a person in the neck on Jan. 8 in a drive-by shooting. About 20,000 gang members in roughly 300 gangs live in the greater Houston area, according to law enforcement estimates. Mack, who was a new transfer student at Lamar High School, was walking home from classes on Nov. 13 when two people jumped out of a car and shot him. One of the two gunman stood over him and continued to shoot as he lay dying on the pavement, according to law enforcement records. The assault sent the River Oaks campus into lockdown. In the aftermath of the shooting, Mack's parents said they hadn't known about an online persona he'd created on Instagram in which he portrayed himself as a member of the Backstreet/Freemoney gang, a group closely associated with YSB. But at least twice before Mack's death as far back as December 2016, when he was attending Yates High School his mother warned police he was being threatened by gang members. A string of alleged crimes Johnson's criminal history includes a string of dangerous assault, murder and robbery charges dating back to 2014, when he was convicted as a juvenile in an aggravated robbery case. Law enforcement records show that police arrested Johnson in December on a July 26 aggravated robbery of a night motel clerk in south-central Houston. At the time, he had a 9 mm handgun. Investigators compared and matched a cartridge from that weapon with bullet casings collected at the scene where Mack was killed, records show. They were also able to match the weapon with casings collected from a Nov. 11 aggravated assault. Johnson has also been charged with aggravated robbery in a December 2017 incident. And months before Mack's death, Johnson allegedly shot and killed Roberson in a drive-by shooting in the 7300 block of Long Drive. According to police records, two people in a gray Jeep Renegade drove alongside Roberson's car, and a passenger in the Jeep began shooting, hitting Roberson several times. Roberson, who appears to have been affiliated with YSB, crashed into the median and died at the scene, according to law enforcement records. There, too, police recovered bullet casings and compared them to other cartridges they collected from the November assault. An attorney who represented Johnson in the July aggravated robbery case did not respond to a request for comment. Every life is 'precious' On Friday, Police Chief Art Acevedo, Mayor Sylvester Turner and the parents of the two victims all shared a common message: Bring this violence to an end. "A bullet may have taken their son, but we don't want that bullet to take their families," Turner said. "We don't want to give the enemy those who disrespect life the power to take more than what they have already taken." Acevedo thanked Mack's and Roberson's families for cooperating with investigators and urged the public's help solving other violent acts caused by gang violence. "We don't care if a suspect shoots a gang member, a nongang member we don't care who it is," he said. "Every life in this city is precious." At times growing emotional, the mothers of the two victims urged other parents to make sure they knew what their kids are up to and to be active in their lives. "Pray with your kids, take them to church ... teach your kids," said Dalia Mack, De'Lindsey Mack's mother. "Get to know their friends; get to know what they're doing on social media." "Never say what your child wouldn't do, or what your children wouldn't do," said Ferguson-Smith, Roberson's mother. "Because we don't know." st.john.smith@chron.com twitter.com/stjbs Tomball City Council approved the architectural concept for the Texas Railroading Heritage Museum at Tomball and got a first look at the plans to construct the building in downtown. The two-story museum would be built on a 3.2-acre property on the east side of Walnut Street between Fannin Street and McPhail Street. The building was designed by Harry Gendel Architects and will be adjacent to the depot in downtown Tomball. Generously, were saying its a $10 million project, said museum president Bill Capdevielle of the construction. The museum will feature a library, gift shop and viewing areas to see the trains on the railroad tracks that run through downtown Tomball. It will also display two locomotives, six passenger cars, three freight cars, two cabooses and other objects. Tomball, originally named Peck, but was renamed in 1907 to honor Thomas Henry Ball, a Texas politician who helped route a railroad through the town. The history of Tomball is steeped in oil, agriculture and railroad, Capdevielle said. Museum in the works since 2013 The Texas Railroading Heritage Museum was formed after the Houston Railroad Museum closed and the property in northeast Houston was sold in 2010. Related: Railroad museum is all aboard for move to Tomball The Gulf Coast Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, which operated the museum in Houston, signed a memorandum of understanding with Tomball in 2013. Capdevielle said the museum originally thought to stay in Houston, but received a lukewarm response and little support. Tomball was very enthusiastic about having it there. As part of that whole deal, they established a separate entity for the Texas Railroading Heritage Museum. We are legally a separate entity from the Gulf Coast Chapter, Capdevielle said. The Texas Railroading Heritage Museum, which was formed in 2011, is made up of nine directors who are appointed by the city of Tomball, Harris County, the Gulf Coast Chapter and Tomball residents. $10 million project As part of the presentation to the city council on Monday, March 4, Capdevielle said the project would be broken up into three phases with the first one involving soil improvements, drainage, security, lighting and gas main protection that would cost about $2 million. The second phase would involve the construction of the museum building, a car shed to shield the locomotives and museum visitors from the elements, as well as obtaining displays and library and office equipment, which would cost about $5 million. The final phase would include a car shop, water tower, tools and equipment, which would be about $3 million. The car shop would be for maintenance of the train cars, locomotives and cabooses as needed while the water tower would collect rainwater to irrigate the green spaces around the museum. We hope we get to build that. Its something thats left over from the steam era, even though we dont have any steam engines. The water tower is the last thing well build, Capdevielle said. Fundraising to begin While the museum expects to spend about $10 million for construction, it plans on starting to raise funds soon. The museum is currently working to create brochures to be able to lobby community organizations, such as the Tomball Greater Area Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club of Tomball as well other philanthropic organizations in the region and state. I cant see construction taking more than three or four months, Capdevielle said. Capdevielle said he expects to move both locomotives to the site in early 2020. One locomotive is currently housed by Union Pacific near Willowbrook Mall and another is in storage. Once the museum obtains the funds, it will submit a request for a permit from Tomball to begin construction. We believe it is worthy of being the only railroad museum in Harris County, Capdevielle said. mayra.cruz@chron.com Commonwealth champions Australia underlined their mixed relay credentials with victory on the opening World Series weekend, as Britains quartet toiled home in seventh. Advertisement Despite having two debutants in their line-up, Jake Birtwhistle, fast becoming a relay specialist, brought the Aussies to the tape in Abu Dhabi, having caught USAs Eli Hemming on the final bike leg and eased clear on the 1,500m run. New Zealand finished in third, with Alex Yee, runner-up in the individual contest yesterday, running Britain up to seventh, 68sec adrift of the winners. Over a 300m swim, 7.6km bike and 1.5km run course, Britain, who were led off by Vicky Holland struggled to make an impact throughout. The race was split early as USAs Taylor Spivey biked clear on the first leg to build an 18sec lead into T2, with Australias Ashleigh Gentle pegging back most of the deficit on the run. Germany and Italy then joined the USAs Ben Kanute and Australias Luke Willian to form a front pack of four, with Tom Bishop battling to keep Britain in the top 10. Kanute and Willian broke free on the run to give Katie Zafares and Emma Jeffcoat some breathing space on the changeover, with Zafares superior footspeed giving the Americans a 17sec lead on to the final leg. That was soon whittled away though as Birtwhistle caught Hemming, and the former track ace was dominant over the final 1.5km to take the tape. Weve never used this team before, but once again weve come out and won the race, Birtwhistle said. Its great for us all and great for triathlon in Australia. A strong second half of the race by Leonie Periault and Leo Bergere had put reigning world champions France clear in third, but with Bergere having to stand down for a penalty, New Zealands Hayden Wilde ran through for the bronze. Non Stanford and Yee rounded out the British effort, but it never looked enough to challenge the podium. The first of four mixed relays in the 2019 World Series, Abu Dhabi will be followed by Nottingham (June), Edmonton (July) and Grand Final in Lausanne (August). Advertisement To watch all the coverage live, plus highlights, race re-runs and interviews, visit triathlonlive.tv A disbarred lawyer who has drawn national media coverage for her brushes with the law, including the shooting of her boyfriend in Houston, is free on bond after being indicted on accusations that she failed to return a child to his mother. Catherine M. Shelton, also known as Catherine Mehaffey, 57, is charged with unlawful restraint, a state jail felony. She was "completely surprised" when police arrested her Tuesday, said Harris County prosecutor Jane Waters, chief of the district attorney's family criminal law division. Shelton was released after posting $5,000 bail. The Houston Chronicle was unable to reach her for comment Wednesday. She was disbarred in June from practicing law in Texas because of an unrelated incident. She has notified the State Bar that she plans to appeal that action. The indictment came Monday from a Harris County grand jury. Shelton is accused of taking a child, to whom she is distantly related, and disregarding a judge's orders to return him to his mother, Waters said. The indictment accuses her of moving the boy "from one place to another." Shelton had checked the child out of a Harris County elementary school in August, when she had a court order allowing her to do so, Waters said. The order was rescinded, but the boy, whose age was not disclosed, still was not returned to his mother, the prosecutor said. After Jersey Village police arrested Shelton during a traffic stop, the boy was returned to his mother, whom he had not seen since August, Waters said. Shelton's personal and legal troubles drew the attention of CBS' national news program 48 Hours, among other coverage. CBS filmed a movie, titled Heartless, starring Melanie Griffith, but it has not aired. Shelton is perhaps best remembered for pleading guilty to luring former Houston Post reporter Gary Taylor to her home in 1980 and shooting him twice after he ended their romantic relationship. Taylor survived. Shelton received 10 years' probation, was granted early release and regained her law license before moving to Dallas. She also was a suspect, but was never charged, in the 1999 killing of Michael Hierro and the wounding of his wife, Marisa, who had quit working for Shelton to open her own offices. Shelton's husband, Clint Shelton, was sentenced to life in prison for that attack. Before her disbarment, Shelton's law license was suspended three times, most recently in 2003 after a State Bar disciplinary lawsuit accused her of charging immigrants for legal services not performed. Shelton knows the father of the child she is accused of unlawfully keeping, but prosecutors said they don't know the nature of their relationship. peggy.ohare@chron.com A Houston man was sentenced Friday to 25 years in prison for the death of a Bellaire police officer whose motorcycle crashed while chasing shoplifters in 2016. Family members of the slain officer tearfully left the courtroom at the end of four days of testimony and jury deliberations, expressing frustration that Dante Moore, the driver in the chase, didnt receive the maximum life sentence. I have to be thankful for the jurors, that they found him guilty, said Maria Cecilia Zarate, the officers widow. But I am disappointed, extremely disappointed. One of the reasons is because of my girls He can have the possibility of being free in a few years, and thats not fair for them. Thats not fair for my family. In a brief moment after the trial, Moores aunt hugged the officers family members, expressing her condolences for the loss of officer Marco Antonio Zarates life. The district court jury convicted Moore, 30, of evading arrest on July 12, 2016 and causing the death of Zarate, a motorcycle officer. The chase began when the policeman, 52, heard of shoplifters in the Meyerland Plaza Target and took off after Moore and his twin brother. Store employees did not try to stop the two men because one of them was carrying a box cutter.During the chase Zarate crashed his motorcycle into a parked trailer and was rushed to the hospital, where he died. Moores attorney, Danny Easterling, argued throughout the trial that the chase didnt directly cause Zarate to fatally crash. While the guilty verdict wasnt in Moores favor, he received the minimum sentence possible for the charge, instead of the maximum life in prison. He could be eligible for parole in a quarter of the time, according to visiting Disrict Judge Reagan Clark, who presided over the case. Moores mother, Cynthia Moore, said she is happy her son wont be serving life, and also expressed sympathy to Zarates wife and daughters. I feel so remorseful for the family, because now they have to go and try to pick up their lives and try to get beyond past their grief, she said. The trial lasted for the better part of four days as the state called up witness after witness who testified to the grisly details of the crash. Deliberation on a verdict lasted more than five hours over two days, and some of the decision was struck through on paper, indicating the jury "worked hard," prosecutors said. Moore didn't visibly respond to the verdict or sentence but cried when his family spoke on the witness stand, asking the jury to have mercy on him. His family grappled with the outcome after he was found guilty. His aunt, Felicia Ratliff, said she was obviously unhappy with the jury's decision. "Hes guilty of some things, but not of that situation," Ratliff said. Prosecutors argued for a life sentence in the case, calling Moore a habitual offender. Hed been to prison twice before, for evading arrest and for burglary of a habitation, according to court records. Moore surrendered to authorities a day after the wreck, and Easterling and Moores family members said Moore had been remorseful from the beginning. He wasnt aware that an officer had died until he saw it on television newscasts, he said. In closing arguments, Harris County District Attorneys Office Vehicular Crimes Division Chief Sean Teare asked the jury to consider whether Moore was fully remorseful. He pointed to an image posted on Moores Facebook page that read F--- the police. The jury's verdict hung on Easterling's claims of an indirect cause in the crash. He blamed the bumpy road in Meyerland, and questioned Bellaire Police Department's chase policy, casting doubt on whether Zarate was allowed to continue chasing Moore past a certain period of time.The jury could have elected to convict Moore of evading arrest or detention but went with the higher charge of causing death. Moore was originally charged with murder after the incident, but those charges were dismissed. His brother is serving 8 years in prison for tampering with evidence in the case. Bellaire police officers appeared to listen to testimony throughout the trial in support of their fallen brother. Police Chief Byron Holloway said that two families were broken on Friday, but that Moores family will at least have the chance of seeing him again. Even though theres two families in pain, theres one thats really lost, he said. After a trial where Zarates decision-making was repeatedly called into question, the guilty verdict shows that Zarate died a hero, Teare said. And his family members will now be able to move on with their lives. Its not the punishment that I thought was appropriate, but this is our jury system, and for the most part it works, Teare said. I truly hope that theyre right, that [Moore] can come back and be a productive member of our society. samantha.ketterer@chron.com Twitter.com/sam_kett Every day for 14 years, Anne ODonnell prayed for Alfred Brown. It seemed like the least she could do for the man shed helped send to death row. A juror in the Harris County mans capital murder trial, ODonnell had doubts from the start. As she remembers it, she was the last of the 12 who could be persuaded to vote for a death sentence. It was the worst decision Ive ever made in my life, she said. It affected my conscience for so many years. But then last Friday, everything changed. After a 10-month investigation, special prosecutor John Raley released a massive report reinvestigating the south Houston double slaying and finding Brown actually innocent. At a well-attended press conference in front of a row of TV cameras, the much-awaited announcement signaled a rare outcome for a death row prisoner and a rare moment of relief for a former juror. Im 82 years old and miracles do happen, ODonnell told the Houston Chronicle after learning the news. ********** The wrongfully convicted Harris County man was sentenced to die in 2005 following a botched store robbery that left Houston police Officer Charles Clark and store clerk Alfredia Jones dead. During the trial that followed, prosecutors convinced a jury that Brown was the triggerman responsible for Clarks killing. Another man, Elijah Joubert, was convicted in a separate trial of gunning down the clerk; Dashan Glaspie, who said he sat outside in the getaway car, got a plea deal in exchange for his testimony. But from the outset, Brown protested his innocence. A phone call to his girlfriend, he said, would back up his alibi. According to his version of events, hed spent the morning of the murders at the home of his girlfriend, Ericka Dockery. Just after the killings too soon to have made it back to the apartment he called his girlfriend at work. Yet officials claimed there were no records of the call. And, after she was badgered by a grand jury and jailed for perjury when she refused to change her story, Dockery refused to back up her boyfriends alibi and instead testified that hed confessed. I was there. I was there, she claimed he said. To ODonnell, that testimony was compelling, as was testimony about cell phone logs that put the other men at the crime scene. And on top of that, the tense courtroom environment weighed heavily on the 12 men and women tasked with the decision. You walk into the jury room and you see all the policeman and those horrible pictures with blood all over the place, she said. Thats a lot on your mind. As a devout Catholic, voting to send a man to death row posed a moral quandary for ODonnell. She talked it through with her priest and decided she would do what the law allowed, regardless of her religious convictions. Her feelings were all the more complicated by the fact that Brown seemed like someone she could relate to: Raised by nuns in Catholic orphanages, ODonnell understood poverty. The mother of five children, she understood big families. And the victim of a gunpoint robbery, she understood violence. But still, she wanted to follow the law. It was the hardest thing I ever had to do, she said, but I believed he was guilty. Afterward, she started praying. ********** When jurors regret their decisions, theres little legal recourse even in high-stakes matters of life and death. So once they leave the courtroom, theres still no do-overs if new evidence emerges or a witness recants. The only thing is if there is juror misconduct and they report it, said Houston-based criminal defense attorney Sean Buckley. But just a change of heart is insufficient. Misconduct can include everything from an intoxicated juror to deal-making negotiations, such as agreeing to a certain sentence in exchange for a guilty vote. If a juror reports such behavior quickly enough within the first 30 days attorneys can file a motion for a new trial. Otherwise, the best hope is a successful appeal on unrelated matters; a jurors change of heart doesnt have much value in post-conviction appeals. ********* After voting for the death sentence, ODonnell stopped keeping up with the case. Around 2007 after she moved to North Texas Browns appellate team paid her a visit. She shared what she remembered, and afterward tried to put it all in the back of her mind. In the years that followed, the case began to unravel. A police investigator found phone records in his garage that would back up Browns alibi. And grand jury transcripts showed how Dockery had been pressured to change her story. Then, a court tossed out Browns conviction, and in 2015 Brown was set free. Afterward, he sued the city and the county when he realized he couldnt get compensation for his time behind bars because he hadnt been declared actually innocent. Last year, the Harris County District Attorneys Office released a bombshell email showing that a former prosecutor may have known about the missing phone records and the failure to turn them over at trial may not have been inadvertent, as initially supposed. In May, District Attorney Kim Ogg appointed a special prosecutor to review the case. After 10 months, Raley announced his findings last week, prompting celebration from Browns defense team, and heated pushback from the police union and the slain officers wife. Despite the controversy, to ODonnell its a happy ending, albeit one that leaves some unanswered questions. If we had all the information that was missing from the trial, things would have been a bit different, she said. Why is it nobody spoke up about the phone records? Why didnt even one person come forward? She didnt read Raleys report, but watched a video of the lengthy press conference and reviewed the Chronicles coverage of the case. Now, she said, I feel that Alfred Brown is innocent. She thought about the evidence Raley laid out: the phone records, the descriptions of the suspects, the few witnesses who didnt change their stories, the suspects who were never in a line-up. And, after taking it all in, she paused. I closed my eyes and imagined myself in the jury room and I felt so sad, she said. The dishonesty bothered me so much. keri.blakinger@chron.com The Sheriffs Office on Saturday continued searching the militarys nearly 28,000-acre training site, Camp Bullis, in far north Bexar County for Andreen McDonald, who has been missing since Feb. 28. Law enforcement has reported that they believe Andreen, 29, a mother of a 7-year-old daughter, is dead. Friends reported her missing when she did not show up at work or the gym as was her schedule. They said they became concerned and drove to her home in the Timberwood Park neighborhood. After no one answered, they entered through a backdoor and found hair and blood on a light switch in the master bedroom. READ MORE: Suspect in wife's disappearance visited San Antonio military camp within hours after she went missing, sheriff says Bexar County deputies arrested her husband, Andre McDonald, 40, on March 3 on charges of tampering with evidence. McDonald, a major in the Air Force Reserve is stationed at Lackland AFB. He is being held at the Bexar County Jail in lieu of a $2 million bail. The Sheriffs Office said it had received information that Andre McDonald had been on the largely wilderness Camp Bullis or in its vicinity, where he has no official business, before the investigation began. More than 350 civilian volunteers took part in search for Andreen McDonald on Friday. Also helping in the various searches since Thursday were Air Force personnel from the 502nd Security Forces, Texas Search and Rescue, the Bexar County Office of Emergency Management and the Sheriffs Office. With spring break kicking off this weekend for much of Texas, you can bet Gulf Coast beaches will be packed with families, students, thrill seekers, and workaholics turned beach bums. And while most people head down to the coast have their minds on vacation rentals, restaurants and the like, few stop to think about what they'll be swimming in. Syrian Prelates Visit Ghouta, See 'Unspeakable Suffering' Syriac Catholic Patriarch Ignace Joseph III Younan meets injured people in Douma, Syria, March 6, 2019. ( Syriac Catholic Patriarchate) DAMASCUS -- Catholic prelates in Syria, accompanied by Philippine Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, president of Caritas Internationalis, visited the eastern Ghouta region outside of Damascus and saw "unspeakable suffering." "In every face, mostly the children," was a "very confused" expression, Syriac Catholic Patriarch Ignace Joseph III Younan told Catholic News Service. The March 6 visit was part of the annual session of the Council of Heads of Catholic Churches in Syria. Patriarch Younan said the overall reaction of the prelates while visiting Douma, the major city of eastern Ghouta, "was deep sadness and repulsion" in seeing "the horrible destruction of that region, held hostage for such a long time by radical Muslims." Patriarch Younan noted that "evidently, this visit had an impact on Cardinal Tagle, who expressed his deep grief in front of so much suffering," adding that the cardinal compared the scenes to an earthquake or typhoon. "Besides the humanitarian assistance so much needed and the urgent help to rebuild their city, it is mostly and, first of all, hope and dignity that this courageous community was looking for," the patriarch added. In addition to Patriarch Younan and Cardinal Tagle, participants in the meeting and the Ghouta outreach included Cardinal Mario Zenari, apostolic nuncio to Syria; Melkite Catholic Patriarch Joseph Absi, who hosted the March 4-6 council session at the patriarchate in Damascus; and Catholic bishops of Syria. Ghouta, the last rebel bastion east of the capital city of Damascus, was secured by the Syrian government in April 2018. At one point, some 400,000 people were under siege in Ghouta, according to the United Nations. It was the site of alleged chemical attacks. Patriarch Younan characterized the suffering in the city as "unspeakable." "It is shameful that the so-called free world was accomplice to that disaster for no reason than satisfying the greed and opportunism of its politicians. All fake news of the agglomerate media, like the show play of chemical attacks attributed to the Syrian soldiers, were based on lies, in order to keep the fighting going on," Patriarch Younan said. "Less than a quarter of the population could return without any harassment and managed to find lodging, despite the destruction and the harsh winter," he said of the situation. The patriarch pointed out that in Douma, there had been 50 schools. To date, the government has rehabilitated 20 of them. The elementary school the prelates visited "was packed" with 1,800 children, he recounted. "It will take a long time for the children to heal from the trauma they lived." "The youth we encountered, though hesitant and confused, were looking to start their life again," Patriarch Younan said. "We saw a number of them responding to the draft in the military service, judging it as a best try to restart." Patriarch Younan said he, Cardinal Tagle and Patriarch Absi "assured the people of our prayer and solidarity and planted three olive trees on the school grounds, as a symbol of revitalized life." In their March 6 statement at the conclusion of their meeting, the Council of Heads of Catholic Churches in Syria said they addressed the "difficult humanitarian and social situation facing the Syrian people as a result of the conflict taking place in their homeland and the sanctions imposed on them from abroad." The prelates urged the international community and international organizations to lift sanctions, noting that the poorest are affected. The council pointed to their Ghouta visit "to express their care and closeness to their suffering and destitute Syrian brothers," noting that they spoke and listened to the people as an expression "of their love and solidarity." The council expressed "satisfaction at the security and stability achieved by the Syrian state and the Syrian army in most areas of Syria thanks to their great sacrifices and wise policies." It also thanked "all those with goodwill who are working to show the true picture of the Syrian crisis and lend a helping hand to the Syrian people." Presidential hopeful U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar praised Austin as an industry leader in innovation, but proposed antitrust legislation and tax increases as checks on Big Techs power in a Saturday talk at the South by Southwest festival. This is a city that has taken on the challenges, that has walked right into the digital world and developed new businesses and new ideas, said Klobuchar, D-Minnesota. It is on the cutting edge when it comes to culture and music, and understands that America isnt just on the coast and America, just like Minnesota, is in the heartland of this country and in the heart of Texas. But Klobuchar said many of the companies bringing those new ideas, including some in Austin, have taken advantage of consumers. On Saturday, she floated the idea of taxing companies that profit on data they collect from the people who use their products. "Maybe there's a way we can actually tax them when they use us, and we're their commodity and we're not getting anything out of it, Klobuchar said. In the crowded race for the Democratic nomination in 2020, the Minnesota Senator seeks to establish herself as a champion of consumer protection. During the hour-long talk, Klobuchar criticized Big Tech for dropping the ball on consumer trust, privacy and national security. The No. 1 priority is privacy, Klobuchar said. For so long, these companies have said, 'We've got your backs,' but that's just not true." Klobuchar also called for antitrust legislation to check the power of big corporations like Amazon and its subsidiary, Austin-based Whole Foods. "You want competition, you want innovation, you just don't want one company controlling everything under them, Klobuchar said. Asked by journalist Kara Swisher if she trusts big technology companies, Klobuchar didnt hesitate to say no. "The biggest goal of government in my life is protecting people's safety," Klobuchar said. "Well right now, they did not protect our safety - not the safety of our privacy, not the safety of our national security. While most of the conversation hosted by The Texas Tribune focused on Klobuchars views on technology and consumer protection, Swisher briefly touched on the Senators reputation as a tough boss. I know that I can be tough on people - sometimes too tough - that I can push them too hard, that I can always do better, but I also know that we have incredible people that have worked with me, Klobuchar said. I have high expectations for myself, I have high expectations for the people that work with me and most importantly, I have high expectations for our country. Before time was up, Swisher asked Klobuchars opinion on various hot-button issues in the news. Klobuchar called the 47-month prison sentence given to President Donald Trumps former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, for his role in a multimillion-dollar bank fraud scheme appalling. A jury found Manafort guilty of evading $6 million in taxes, and of deceiving banks to obtain millions in loans. Evidence of the fraud surfaced during an investigation into his alleged collusion with the Russian government in 2016. The crimes would normally lead to a sentence of 19 to 24 years in prison under federal guidelines. I had a job as chief prosecutor for biggest county in my state ... one of things I realized was ... crimes in boardrooms were not treated as seriously as crimes on the street corner. Klobuchar called on the federal government to follow Austins lead in upgrading national cybersecurity when it comes to Big Tech. Our government has to learn a little bit of the Austin way here, Klobuchar said. Small and medium-sized businesses have become attractive targets for cybercriminals. With solid cybersecurity strategy in hand, they can reduce the risk of attack. Its not just the Fortune 500 that needs to worry about attacks from cybercriminals. Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) have become common targetsas well as launch pads for bigger attacks with large payoffs. Cybercriminals see these businesses as potentially easier to breach: They are perceived as having less-sophisticated security infrastructure and practices than their larger counterparts, and may not have enough trained people on hand to manage and respond to threats. SMBs may hope to address their cybersecurity stance on the eve of RSA Conference 2019, which takes place March 4-8 in San Francisco. As Ciscos report Small and Mighty outlines, smaller businesses are at risk because its more difficult for them to coordinate resources and mitigate attacks before they cause damage. Every organization is affected by the cybersecurity talent gapbut SMBs, even more so. Even larger companies need to worry about the security weaknesses of their SMB. Attackers now strike supply chains, seeing vendors as an entry point to breach networks of larger organizations, according to the Cisco 2019 Data Privacy Benchmark Study. Large businesses that dont properly vet their smaller vendors security practices may find attackers reaching them through a less well secured-network. The Small and Mighty report, based on Ciscos Cisco 2019 Data Privacy Benchmark Study, outlined security challenges faced by SMBs businesses, along with the steps these organizations are taking to make their business safer. Here are highlights from the report. Challenges: Threats and impacts that can hurt the bottom line System downtime. Time is money, and thats certainly true when considering the impact of system downtime following security breaches. In the Cisco study, 40% of midmarket businesses (those with 250 to 499 employees) said theyd experienced eight hours or more of system downtime due to breaches; also, 39% said that at least half of their business systems were affected. These impacts can be especially hard on smaller businesses productivity. As the Small and Mighty report noted, the core systems of smaller businesses are likely to be interconnected, which means attacks can more easily spread from system to system. With fewer IT resources, including adequately staffed and experienced security teams, smaller businesses take longer to recover. Lost revenue. Ciscos benchmark study found that more than half (54%) of all cyberattacks result in financial damages of more than $500,000, including damage to customers as well as lost opportunities. Thats bad for businesses of any sizebut particularly tough for a smaller organization that could shutter its doors after such a loss. Ransomware and cryptomining threats. Companies cited ransomware as a top security challenge in the Cisco study. Cisco security experts said ransomware attacks can be especially costly for small businesses, which are often quick to pay ransoms so they can resume operations. And now, as more cybercriminals turn to illicit cryptocurrency mining (or cryptomining) to generate revenue, small businesses need to worry about unwittingly aiding these efforts. Illicit cryptomining operations can be hard to detect without the right technology, according to the Small and Mighty report. Difficulty orchestrating alerts. For many SMBs, however, the downside of adding more products and vendors to strengthen security defenses is that it can be tougher to understand alerts and assess threats. More than three-quarters (77%) of midmarket businesses, which already have limited IT resources, said they found it challenging to understand and respond to security alerts, given this complexity, according to the Cisco 2019 Data Privacy Benchmark Study. Solutions: Planning and processes to help reduce risks Despite the challenges they face, SMBs are not taking cyberthreats lying down. As survey respondents told Cisco, theyre making strides in filling security gaps and choosing outsourced help. Here are some examples of their progress, based on findings from the Cisco 2018 Security Capabilities Benchmark Study: Bolstering defenses with the cloud. SMBs have increased cloud use. In 2014, 55% midmarket companies hosted some networks in the cloud; by 2017, that number rose to 70%. Respondents believe that the cloud helps them close security gaps: 68% said the cloud offers better data security, while 49% said the cloud helps businesses to compensate for their lack of internal IT staff. Outsourcing security tasks. Many SMBs also look to outsourced assistance to fill internal gaps in resources and to boost knowledge of threats. Fifty-two percent of survey respondents said they outsource security tasks because its cost-efficient; 51% said it helps them respond to security threats more quickly. Responsible leadership. While the security talent gap is an ongoing challenge, SMBs are working to shore up their security leadership ranks. Ninety-two percent of midmarket businesses said they have executives responsible and accountable for security, while 42% have a CISO (chief information security officer). More frequent drills and reviews. Resource constraints mean that SMBs dont review their security practices frequently enough to stay ahead of attackers. However, conducting regular reviews can identify weaknesses in security defenses before they create problems. The good news is that 91% of midmarket businesses reported that they are conducting drills to test incident response at least once a year, according to the Cisco study. (But only 49% of midmarket businesses review and improve security practices over time.) Time for a cybersecurity strategy How else can a company respond to the challenges that cybercriminals throw its way? First, companies need a strategy. Only 38% of SMBs have an active cybersecurity strategy in place, according to the Vistage Research Center. Planning should include end-user training as well as business continuity and crisis communication plans so that when an attack happens, a business can recover more quickly. Also, as the Small and Mighty report suggests, businesses need to recognize that theres no silver bullet to fix cybersecurity woes. The threat landscape is too complex and dynamic, and attackers are constantly innovating new approaches, and refining successful tactics, to evade defenders. Instead of standing still, small and medium-sized businesses need to continually evolve their security strategies to respond to an ever-expanding attack surface. Cookie Preferences Cookie List Do Not Sell My Personal Information When you visit our website, we store cookies on your browser to collect information. 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The conference, which aims to promote Hispanic political power in New York, is remarkably similar to an annual February weekend conference hosted by the New York State Association of Black and Puerto Rican Legislators, commonly known as Caucus Weekend. But while that event has faced criticism for questionable spending and failure to fund promised scholarships, experts say Somos has been living up to its mission. In looking at the numbers, they look reasonable, New York Council of Nonprofits Chief Operating Officer Kelly Mathews told City & State after reviewing Somos Inc.s tax forms. For the fiscal year from July 2016 to June 2017, Somos took in $1.12 million in revenue and spent the majority of that, $730,000, on its two annual conferences one in Albany in March, and one in Puerto Rico in November. That year, Somos delivered $94,000 in total scholarship money to 90 recipients. Somos also helps fund attendance at the Angelo Del Toro Puerto Rican/Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute, or PRHYLI, a youth conference in Albany running alongside the main Somos Albany conference. Somos Inc. had similar spending figures the previous fiscal year, from 2015 to 2016. The nonprofit took in $930,000, spent $470,000 on conferences and paid out nearly $80,000 in scholarships to 92 people. Those scholarships are secondary to the organizations primary mission. According to the tax filings, Somos aims to put on conferences where stakeholders in New Yorks Hispanic population can address various concerns pertinent to this community. Additionally, it funds academic financial awards and college internships. These figures come from Somos Inc.s publicly available Form 990s, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Somos did not respond to repeated requests for comment about the groups finances or mission, and would not directly provide the Form 990s, despite being required to do. The conferences are organized by Somos Inc., but the policy panels are set up by the New York State Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force, which is made up of New York state senators and Assembly members. For the last four years, Bronx Assemblyman Marcos Crespo has chaired the task force and served as the de facto host of the biannual Somos conferences. Brooklyn Assemblywoman Maritza Davila took over as task force chairwoman in December, and will be hosting her first conference this weekend. The mixing of a tax-exempt, nonpartisan not-for-profit with political players has raised some eyebrows, said Gerson Borrero, a journalist who has been covering Somos conferences since they first began in 1987. But Somos current 14-member board of directors, none of whom are elected officials, has been good at keeping up the firewall. These people are playing it pretty straight, Borrero said. Out of fear or stupidity, they dont fuck around, as far as Ive been able to tell. Still, Borrero is one of a number of Latinos involved in New York politics that have criticized the Somos conferences for being weak on policy. Before his death last year, Puerto Rican advocate Angelo Falcon had been calling for a formal report on Somos results, both legislative and financial. Borrero said while he has heard Crespo may have written such a report, it has yet to be publicly released. Crespo wasnt immediately available for comment. One metric has been clear though Somos Inc. is bringing in more money. The organizations revenue increased in each the past five reported fiscal years, from $540,000 in 2012 to $1.12 million in 2016. Presumably, this revenue reflects an increase in sponsor support for Somos. Each conference is backed by a long list of sponsors who pay for access to the politicians and policymakers in attendance. Past attendees have included Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli and dozens of other lawmakers. Somos lists more than 50 sponsors on the website for this weekends conference, most if not all of which are also actively lobbying the state Legislature. Top sponsors include Uber, the Greater New York Hospital Association and the labor union DC37. City & State has previously written about another major Somos sponsor, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, which also gave $2.5 million to a pro-Trump political action committee in 2017. But with charitable giving and a message of uplifting Hispanic New Yorkers political priorities, its hard to find direct criticism of the organization in Albany. The conference is known for its parties and socializing, Crespo admitted to City & State ahead of the 2018 conference, but its about more than that. Powwows do take place, he said, but so does a lot of very substantive and worthwhile networking that strengthens the Latino agenda. Editors note: In the five years since this piece was published, journalism has continued to evolve in its approach to covering sexuality and gender. Were working on a new article that reflects those updates. Should you care if your celebrity crush is gay? When a journalist inquires about someones sexual preference, the question can seem intrusive. The awkward moment when Barbara Walters once pushed Ricky Martin to say hes gay is best left back in 2000. Ten years later, Walters said publicly, Unless someone is openly gay and happy to talk about it, its nobodys businessincluding mine. In a recent interview with Out magazine, Jack Falahee, an actor from How To Get Away With Murder, was asked if hes gay. He described the question as reductive. On the other hand, Diane Sawyers ABC interview with Bruce Jenner about his transgender identity exemplifies the potential for increasing diverse LGBTQ media representation. So isnt it a journalists job to ask about their sources true identities, even if that means inquiring about who they sleep with? Thats often the mistake. Its not a question about sex, says Lucas Grindley, editorial director and vice president of Here Media, which owns The Advocate and Out magazine. Its definitely a visibility issue, it matters, says Grindley. The ethical challenge shouldnt be about whether to ask or not, but about whether this question fits into the story. The media has entered an experimental age. The means by which we gather information, filter our thoughts, write our stories or produce our videos, all of it has changed. But what has received far less attention is the basic ethical rules of the road that have governed journalism for decades. It is not just the conventionally forbidden gay question, but the medias approach to privacy in general, its ambiguity over how to appropriately use social media as a reporting tool, and its vague frame for evaluating what the standard for objective ought to be. The presumption is that it shouldnt matter because its such a small detail. But if its such a small detail, then why shouldnt the question be asked? These ethical dilemmas confront journalists on an almost daily basis. What details are necessary to the audiences understanding of a story? What about getting information from tweets or by friending sources on Facebook or Instagram in order to gain information? The transparency of social media can easily turn salacious, or at least blur the lines between journalist and source. The internet gives overlooked voices the ability to connect directly and in real time with journalists, or to publicly complain about what they read. And as a result, journalists are subject to a new system of checks and balances, not just from their editors but from an engaged and connected audience. And for journalism to better serve audiences, ethical standards that have bound us for decades must be re-evaluated. Do the old rules of keeping your opinions separate from your work still matter to modern consumers? How do journalists reconcile their increased access into the private lives of sources, through social media, and keep a professional distance? Sign up for CJR 's daily email Kelly McBride, vice president of academic programs at The Poynter Institute, says the ethical code of journalism is part of an ongoing conversation. Ethics is not something that you fix and then youre done with it, says McBride. The reason that you can get a masters degree in journalism but you cant get a masters degree in plumbing is because journalism is this highly complicated, theoretical phenomenon that has real-life, practical, daily implications. Illustration by Raul Allen In the category of whats appropriate and whats not during an interview, questioning both gender and sexual identity is clearly a current topic. Think transgender actress Laverne Cox, who is one of the most popular characters on Orange Is the New Black, or Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, the first openly bisexual governor in US history. Yet, asking about someones sexuality is still debated among journalists. Publications such as The Advocate and Out have specific political slants, and they lean toward asking. The presumption is that it shouldnt matter because its such a small detail, says The Advocates Grindley. But if its such a small detail, then why shouldnt the question be asked? An individuals sexuality isnt always a key descriptor for every story. I would almost always say that a persons sexual orientation is irrelevant, says Poynters McBride. You have to demonstrate that the persons sexual orientation is relevant to the story and in most cases its not going to be. Relevance is also the deciding factor for Mike Semel, local editor of The Washington Post. Semel says he would defer to the individuals right to privacy unless sexual identity is directly relevant to the story. If were doing a story about the cherry blossom festival, were not going to ask the sexual orientation of the guy organizing it, says Semel. The Washington Posts coverage of the NSA shooting in Washington, DC in March presented Semel and his staff with a unique decision: We didnt have any names but we wrote that the two guys [who were actually trans women] in the vehicle had spent the night with another guy in a motel on Route 1 in Howard County and stolen his car. Semel says the vehicle detail made this background relevant, but no assumptions were made about the mens sexual activities or identities. We say what we know and people might draw their own conclusions from that, but we did not say that there was sex going on, says Semel. There is, however, an important distinction to be made between sexual practice and sexual identity. Steven Petrow, a columnist for The Washington Post and former president of the National Lesbian and Gay Journalist Association, says, For all too long, journalists have thought that questions about someones sexual orientation were off the gridnot to do so renders LGBT people invisible, which has other consequences, too. Petrow recalls how The New York Times self-censored its obituary of Father Mychal Judge, a beloved priest killed during the Sept. 11 World Trade Center attacks. Though Father Judges sexual orientation was an important part of his identity, says Petrow, this detail was left out of the Times article. Petrows work with the NLGJA involved reaching out to newsrooms to normalize this conversation around sexual identity. The solution, says Petrow, is asking about identity in a manner that applies to anyone: Do you have a partner or spouse? If youre going to do it for a heterosexual person, how do you do it the same way, and why shouldnt you do it the same way, for an LGBT person? The problem is when we depend on a label as the only thing that defines us. Jase Peeples recently wrote an op-ed for Advocate.com in reaction to Out magazines February interview with Falahee, arguing that Falahees answer is flawed. Since Falahee plays a gay character, fans speculate about his sexuality in real life. In the interview, Falahee states, I dont think answering who Im sleeping with accomplishes anything other than quenching the thirst of curiosity. But his interviewer, Shana Krochmal, also disagrees. It matters for people who are still continuing to look for themselves or a version of themselves in media and representation and dont see themselves there as much as they feel like they would want to, says Krochmal. As a contributor to Out and executive editor of ETOnline.com, Krochmals business is writing for an audience that wants to know celebrities inside and out. And that includes sexuality. I dont think theres anything rude in a context where youre talking about someones personal life to ask them about their sexuality or who theyre dating, says Krochmal. I dont think it should be a question that is only asked by an outlet like Out. As long as the question isnt asked with some hidden agenda, says Krochmal, its a journalists job to ask the questions that everyone else is wondering. Peeples says that we cant afford to be cavalier and pretend its not a problem. Its easier for people living in urban, progressive cities such as Los Angeles or New York to be open about their sexuality, says Peeples, but not every person has that luxury. What about that 15-year-old kid in the middle of Kansas, who perhaps doesnt have access to basic information about LGBT people and is afraid to look it up because their parents keep an eye on what they look at online? Beyond the ethics of directly asking about sexuality, journalists can now search Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other platforms for information that a source might not want to tell a reporter. Is it appropriate for a reporter to peer into the lives of their subjects, just because social media gives them a wide-open window? Journalists now write for audiences that are increasingly socially active and capable of engaging with reporters and editors on their own turf. That 15-year-old from Kansas could tweet about something he believes the writer did wrong, and within an hour that tweet could go viral. What hasnt changed is the philosophy around what social media material should and shouldnt be used by journalists. This question is further complicated when sources are underaged. McBride says journalists and editors for the most part no longer question the use of social media, but rather how the platforms are used. Its a tool just like the telephone or email, says McBride. You cant just call people up on the telephone and trick them into talking to you, right? Its generally accepted that youll reveal who you are. Along those same lines, says McBride, a reporter cant just walk into a high school cafeteria and start interviewing students without proper permission. So whats the difference between that and walking into the social media life of a teenager through their Facebook or Twitter account? On the other hand, public social media accounts can provide invaluable insight about a journalists subject. Semel says one of the first times The Washington Post first used social media was during the Virginia Tech shooting. People inside the building were posting on Facebook, giving reporters unique access. Before we were able to make the four hour drive down to Blacksburg, we were interviewing these people on the phone, says Semel. For Nicole Santa Cruz, a Los Angeles Times reporter who writes The Homicide Report, social media is also useful but Santa Cruz says she doesnt use it as a crutch in her reporting. Ive seen tons of stuff on social media which I could use if I wanted to, but how much is it going to add and whats the publics right to know versus the privacy of the individual? In reporting for features on homicide victims, Santa Cruz says she has used information from public social media accounts, but only to supplement victim descriptions. Santa Cruz has followed hashtags that memorialize a victim or link to gang member profiles because these windows are especially useful in reporting on closed-off communities. In a feature about two South LA men killed by gang violence, Santa Cruz included a description of a video from one victims Instagram account. Another Homicide Report article was about an Orange County shooting victim, and Santa Cruz reached out to the girls friends through Facebook to interview them. Andy Carvin is another journalist whose reporting brings him in close contact with social media. Carvins coverage of the Arab Spring through Twitter received a lot of attention, mostlybut not allgood. I think there are plenty of reasons to debate and critique my methods, but I only know of a few people who completely reject outright how I workbut I dont lose sleep over them. At the end of 2014, Carvin launched reported.ly, a six-person social media reporting team based in the US and Europe. Carvin says he views his teams work, which reports through social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Reddit, as a complement to traditional reporting rather than a challenge. We managed to tackle the Charlie Hebdo story less than 48 hours after our launch, says Carvin. Were taking bits and pieces of traditional newsgathering and production and figuring out how to make them work when dealing with social media. The ethical challenge shouldnt be about whether to ask, but about whether this question fits into the story. As journalists find smart new ways of benefiting from direct relationships with their audiences, they must also monitor their own digital personas. A common feature on the Twitter profiles of countless journalists is the phrase All opinions are mine, an effort to uphold that elusive goal of objectivity. But McBride argues that social media challenges objectivity since the whole point is to share your experiences and be transparent about who you are. How authentic can you be as a journalist on social media? says McBride. Social media is your front yard, not your backyard, but it feels like your backyard. While the ethics of social media are complicated, theres another question that has defined journalism up until now: How do we draw the line between our own opinions and the subject were reporting on? Our audiences can now choose from an increasing selection of information sources, some objective and some slanted. Perhaps the age of objectivity is ending. But for many news organizations, objective reporting is important for their business model. Advertisers are more willing to buy space when they know their content will reach a broad, rather than niche, audience. At The Washington Post, objective reporting is also an ethical requirement. If you have some sort of personal stake in something, youre not going to cover that issue for The Washington Post, says Semel. If youre on the board of a college, youre not going to cover higher education issues. But do these ethical standards still apply when an issue crosses over from opinion to personal experience? In February, Diane Rehm, host of the NPR-distributed The Diane Rehm Show, came under fire for contributing to fundraising campaigns for an end-of-life organization, a subject she reported on after her husband died last year due to Parkinsons disease. Rehms support for the organization violated a newly clarified NPR ethics code that prohibits all NPR journalists from speaking at fundraisers that challenge the impartiality of their reporting. McBride disagrees with this stance. She lived this experience, says McBride. Why would you not let her act on it and then as an organization figure out a way to still present a neutral product to your readers or your consumers? NPRs Ombudsman and Public Editor Elizabeth Jensen says the underlying issue of a journalists objectivity is earning the audiences trust. If you feel so strongly about an issue (one that you regularly cover) that you choose to raise money for it then your opinion has crossed a line, says Jensen. Theres a difference between opinion and advocacy. Objective journalism, without any slant, is a matter of presenting facts accurately, honestly, and with professionalism, says Jensen, but impartial reporting is a trickier concept. The answer to a biased study from one side of the political spectrum is not an equally biased study from the other side, says Jensen. Its one thing to state an opinion, another to state it constantly without acknowledging other opinions, or to spend excessive amounts of time on it. On the other hand, Jensen says theres room for both kinds of journalism, since known facts can be combined with opinion to form an argument with a point of view. Ultimately, the ethical issues of journalism are best handled case by case, using what Jensen describes as those you know it when you see it judgment calls. Thats no doubt true. But to see it, journalists must dare themselves to break from past protocols and establish a set of ethics in sync with todays era of experimental media. Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Nick Cimarusti is a California native who covers LGBTQ issues, enjoys copy editing, and favors Instagram over Twitter. TOP IMAGE: Illustration by Raul Allen This story was published in the May/June 2015 issue of CJR with the same headline. CLEVELAND, Ohio Wizard World Cleveland took over the Huntington Convention Center Friday night, the start of a weekend of appearances by stars of television and the movies, tons of T-shirts, hand-made collectibles, art and oh yeah _ comics. Lots and lots of comics. In its fifth year in Cleveland, the convention has gone further and further into the pop culture world and away from comic creators. There are few big name comic artists and writers here. Even smaller comic creators are in short supply. The name on everyones lips this year? Jason Momoa, the muscle-bound star of Aquaman, who will be on hand Saturday and Sunday to sign autographs and pose for pictures with fans who have the money. Autographs and photo ops range from $125 to $430, and are selling out fast. Kathrin Vavra, of Cleveland, came to Wizard this year for one reason actually three reasons. She wants to get autographs of the three stars of the television show Charmed. As she stood near the line for Holly Marie Combs, she was actually nervous. I started watching Buffy (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and was hooked, she said, clutching glossy photos of the stars of the show. When the series ended, I needed something new and I discovered Charmed. Then I was really hooked. I cant wait to get their autographs. Combs, and her co-stars Brian Krause and Drew Fuller, will be on a panel at 1 p.m. Saturday telling behind-the-scenes stories from Charmed. Even through there are not many comic creators here, there are hundreds of thousands of comics. Dealers from many states trucked their rare and not-so-rare issues to the convention to sell along with thousands of trade paperbacks, which collect individual issues of comics into one book. The dealers are not just selling, but buying comics as well. A gray-haired man from Cleveland, who said his name was Marc Spector, (one of the secret identities of the Marvel character, Moon Knight) carried a box of well-read Marvel and DC Comics from the mid-sixties from dealer to dealer. I am only asking $700 for the whole box, he said. Thats a good deal, about $15 per book. I bought these myself but Ive been sick and its about time to sell them off. Ive been selling them little by little. Half the fun of Wizard World is people watching, or creature watching. Opening night was loaded with people in costume, dressed up as their favorite comic or movie character. The big day for costumes is Saturday, as hundreds of people arrive arrive and wear their outfits all day and attend the cosplay contest Saturday night. People were lined up to get a picture taken with a giant bigfoot from a movie that has not been released. Missing Link, an animated film about a bigfoot looking for his family, will be released April 12, but folks got an advance look at the character. Expect a heavy crowd Saturday, no matter the weather. And watch out for people walking around with swords or Wolverine claws. They hurt. Here are some of the top events Saturday: + 12:00 p.m. to 12:45 p.m., Creative Stage: How to be a pro inker with Mostafa Moussa and Jeremy Clark. + 12:30 to 1:15 p.m., Room 26AB: Kids Can Cosplay Galaxy Amethyst and her parents talk about kids cosplaying. + 1 to 1:45 p.m., Room 23: Geek Girl Brunch with officers of the Cleveland branch of Geek Girl, to share our love of fandoms, food, and sometimes mimosas. + 1:30 to 2:15 p.m., Room 26AB: NASA and the Science of Superman, NASA Glenn scientists discuss the possibility and probability of the powers and abilities of the Man of Steel, who was created here in Cleveland. + 2 to 2:45 p.m., Room 25: Disney trivia against Thomas Ian Nicholas, test your Disney knowledge against Disney expert Thomas Ian Nicholas. + 2 to 2:45 p.m. Ballroom: There and Back Again, a Conversation. With Sean Astin. + 3 to 3:45 p.m. Room 25: Conversation with Chad Michael Murray (One Tree Hill, Agent Carter). + 4 to 4:45 p.m. Ballroom: Smallville reunion with Tom Welling, Michael Rosenbaum, John Glover and Laura Vandervoort. + 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., Ballroom: The Wizard World Costume Contest. For more information, visit the Wizard World Cleveland website. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Police are searching for a 46-year-old missing man who said he was going to drive off a bridge. John Hall, who police say they do not have a picture of, went missing from East 146th Street near Kinsman Road in the citys Mt Pleasant neighborhood, Cleveland police spokeswoman Jennifer Ciaccia said. Hall is driving a white Chrysler 300 with tinted windows with a license plate HCV4401. Hall has a history of suicidal attempts and is threatening to drive off a bridge, police said. Police did not say if Hall named a specific bridge. If youd like to comment on this story, visit Saturdays crime and courts comments section. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- To entice the worlds largest online retailer to build its second headquarters here, the regions leaders offered Amazon access to a patchwork of downtown and waterfront real estate that would have embedded the company throughout the core of the city and likely changed its look and feel. The proposal, made public for the first time this week, also dangled unprecedented financial incentives worth up to $3.5 billion that included the City of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County giving Amazon much of the new income and property taxes generated by the project. Clevelands bid included the surface parking lot on the northwest quadrant of Public Square, where leaders envisioned a skyscraper marking Amazons downtown footprint, loosely weaved together with Tower City, Post Office Plaza and undeveloped land throughout the Warehouse District, along the Cuyahoga River on the Scranton Peninsula and lakefront property north of Browns Stadium. Amazon, which set off a bidding war among cities across the nation when it announced plans in 2017 to build a second headquarters outside of its hometown of Seattle, was seeking the best options to build a campus-like headquarters largely in a single space. Clevelands bid did not offer a large plot of land, such as Burke Lakefront Airport, that could potentially become home to a single campus for Amazons operations. But the citys proposed real estate equaled about 100 acres of office space, more than requested by Amazon. The citys bid also said downtown could accommodate 10 million square feet of office space, including existing and yet to be built offices, as wells as land for new housing within walking distance to proposed Amazon sites. And the interconnected patchwork of sites afforded Amazon the opportunity to weave its identify throughout the city in unparalleled fashion. The $3.5 billion in financial incentives, which includes grants and tax breaks, were based on Amazon delivering 40,600 jobs with a 4.06 billion payroll. Heres a brief breakdown of the financial incentives. (You can read these in detail in the proposal below this post.) *JobsOhio, the states private economic development arm, offered up to $250 million, including $50 million for talent acquisition. *The State of Ohio pledged up to $1.35 billion, including $25 million is for road improvements and another $25 million is for transportation. *The City of Cleveland offered up to $803.6 million, including a 50 percent wage tax credit on Amazons payroll for 15 years that would be worth $489.4 million. Cleveland also promised to create an unprecedented form of tax incremental financing, or a TIF, worth up to $314 million over 30 years. This would have given much of the new property taxes generated from the project to Amazon. Only the Cleveland schools would keep their portion of the new property taxes. Under conventional TIF agreements, taxes collected on the new development are not given to a company, but are used to pay off debt or to enhance the area around the project. The Cleveland-Cuyahoga Port Authority, the Cleveland Public Library, Cleveland Metroparks and Cuyahoga Community College agreed to the TIF proposal, which would have meant a loss of new tax dollars for them. *Cuyahoga County offered up to $646.4 million, which included any increase in sales tax revenue generated by the new headquarters for 20 years. But the county said the diverted sales tax would have to be used for capital expenses, relocation costs, trolley and water taxi service between buildings and a subsidy for airfare from Seattle to Cleveland. In addition, the county subsidy included the creation of a power Microgrid, which would allow Amazon to power its facilities independent of the main power grid by relying on a special network led by the county and city that relies on Cleveland Public Power and Cleveland Thermal. The Microgrid would cost the county $200 million, though the money would be raised through the sale of bonds. Cleveland is believed to have been the only city to offer Amazon an independent and redundant power supply. *Cleveland State University offered to provide 10 acres on its campus for the construction of Amazon University, which would bring together the 16 colleges in the states Higher Education Compact to develop a tailored training and development program. Joe Marinucci, president and CEO of the Downtown Cleveland Alliance, which helped develop and coordinate the proposals site offerings. He said Saturday the regions leaders chose to pitch locations downtown over a suburban space because they believed, based on Amazons growth in downtown Seattle, that it preferred to locate their workers in an urban location with many amenities. In an interview with cleveland.com, Marinucci said the bid offered Amazon the citys most iconic space the last remaining space on Public Square. Amazon announced last January that Cleveland did not make its list of top 20 potential sites. The company has not publicly said anything about Clevelands shortfalls. Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish said on Saturday that he is proud of the proposal and everything in it. We were pretty strong on many items and came in with a strong package of incentives, he said. Budish also said the region will be better for having pulled together so many groups and ideas in just a few weeks. And he said the county is not giving up on developing a microgrid, a concept he said he plans to discuss in more detail at his upcoming State of the County address. Asked why he thought Cleveland lost out, Budish said, What Ive heard through grapevine is that we lacked tech talent. But I dont agree because Cleveland has the amenities to attract people if Amazon planned to locate here. The proposal also highlighted Clevelands fast fiber network, attractive cost of living, unrivaled health care and medical facilities, lakefront and parks network. Joe Roman, CEO and chairman of the Greater Cleveland Partnership, a business development group that helped organize the proposal, said the believes the proposal was a good one. I think the proposed location itself was a great asset for both the city and Amazon, Roman said, noting that Amazon wanted to be near public transportation. We put them right on top of a bus and rail line at Public Square, he said. Roman added that by linking the undeveloped land on the square to Tower City gave Amazon the ability to move in immediately, which is something the company sought. He said offering only an undeveloped site, such as Burke Lakefront Airport, would run counter to how Amazon envisioned building up its headquarters. The ability to give Amazon what they are looking for and fill a critical need in downtown portfolio made this a strong part of the proposal. Cleveland.com obtained a copy of the proposal late Friday. The city of Cleveland had for months refused to release the proposal, arguing that the document contained trade secrets that state law exempted from public inspection. WEWS-TV Channel 5 sued the city for a copy. A special master in the Ohio Court of Claims recently ruled in the stations favor. Cleveland.com contacted Jacksons office for comment on the proposal and will update this post when his office responds. Amazon announced in November 2018 that it would build two new headquarters, roughly splitting 50,000 employees between the Long Island City neighborhood of Queens, New York, and the Crystal City area of Arlington, Va., a Washington suburb. Amazon then pulled out of Queens after receiving pushback from some elected officials concerned the move would displace low-income residents and generate other problems. Mayor Frank Jacksons administration responded late Saturday with a largely generic statement. Here it is in full. Pursuant to the order of the Ohio Court of Claims, the City of Cleveland is releasing the Amazon bid as instructed in Sarah Buduson-vs-City of Cleveland, Case Number 2018-00300PQ. While we do not agree with the ruling, we will comply. In less than 120 days, the working team created an impressive proposal highlighting the strengths of our region, in pursuit of an unprecedented economic development opportunity. Our agility and ability to work with many parties to build a nationally-competitive incentive package, while creating several unique differentiators for Cleveland, will prove invaluable as we continue to attract and grow business in Cleveland. This was an unprecedented economic development opportunity, with thousands of jobs and billions in potential impact. The package that was compiled reflected proactive thinking on behalf of many parties with the goal of putting Cleveland in a competitive position. CLEVELAND, Ohio Whether they were fans of comic books, superhero movies or television shows or just out celebrity spotting, thousands of people gathered at the Huntington Convention Center Saturday for the biggest day of the Wizard World Cleveland show, which runs through Sunday. As usual, many of the fans showed up in full costume in preparation for the cosplay contest in the evening. Wonder Woman, Spider-Man, Batman, Deadpool and Harley Quinn were among the most popular characters represented, but even little-known characters such as Squirrel Girl and Hawkman were represented. Jason DeJelo of Pepper Pike took his four-year-old son, Leo, to his first comic convention Friday night, where they dressed appropriately. Leo wore a Darth Vader mask and insisted that was his name. His dad wore a more subtle Yoda mask. Not to be outdone, J.J. Manzoni, also 4, and his mom, Sarah, drove all the way from State College, Pennsylvania, to show off his dilophosaurus outfit from the first Jurassic Park movie. They wanted to meet the shows headliner, Jason Momoa, who played Aquaman in the surprise hit movie featuring the water-breathing member of the Justice League of America. We got our picture taken with him, Sarah Manzoni said. He was so sweet. He pretended to draw back in fear of J.J.s costume, which was quite a treat. Actors from film and television are the big draw of the show with Momoa taking the lead. Hundreds of people wait in long lines to pay $125 and above to get an autograph and a picture taken with the star of Aquaman and Game of Thrones." There are dozens of other actors on hand, including Tom Welling (Superboy) and Michael Rosenbaum (Lex Luthor) and other cast members of Smallville. Many of the celebrities will take part in panels all weekend discussing their careers and their famous alter egos. There is a lot more than just comics at the convention. Ash Meijer, of Troy, Michigan, and Morgan Kollin create handsome, leather journals with ornate metal locks that bear symbols familiar to comic book, television and movie fans. Depending on the size, the journals sell for between $40 and $60. We take a lot of time with each piece, they are all hand-made, Meijer said. And when the notebook inside is filled, its replaceable. If people wanted something permanent to remind them of the show, Jeremy Bealer was happy to oblige with his tattoo gun. I get a lot of requests for the Simpsons characters, he said, as he buzzed an intricate design on a mans bicep. We can do just about anything. As everyone tried to compete for the fanboy dollar, there is some duplication. There are even two stands that sell giant, five-foot, metal swords. Rick Sans and Sergio Andujarll of Cleveland came up with something unique that answers the question: what can be done with old vinyl records? They take those embarrassing old Pat Boone records and silkscreen designs on them, on one side anyway, creating a piece of art. We came up with the idea 13 years ago, said Andujarll. The records we get are on the way to landfills and we turn them into art. The discs are painted with hundreds of different designs including many Cleveland-oriented ones, and sell for $10 each. Some were critical of the lack of comic professionals that are normally found at other comic cons. Bill Cody, a comic dealer from Chicago, said Wizard World caters to the movie, television and celebrity crowd more than comic writers and artists. He said the cost of renting a booth is high, making it impractical for many dealers. Weve been here every year since the first Wizard World in Cleveland, said Cody, of Geek Inc. We have some expensive books like this one, the first (modern) appearance of the Blue Beetle from Captain Atom No. 83, which sells for $400, but not a lot of people can afford that. We prefer to stock a lot of good $5 and $10 books that people can afford. Josh Nealis is a writer for the independent comic publisher, Cutthroat Comics out of Findley, Ohio, and was one of the few representatives of the comic industry at the event. Nealis writes a series called Stingray about a guy who gets kidnapped by aliens, fights his way free and returns to Earth to fight the aliens when they return. The convention concludes Sunday afternoon at 4, but there are still many panels and presentations scheduled for Saturday and Sunday. Visit the Wizard World Cleveland site for more information. CLEVELAND, Ohio Netflix threw an all-star party Friday night, March 8, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. The guest list included Rita Moreno, Michael Douglas, Neil Patrick Harris, Taye Diggs and Rita Wilson. There were more, many more, including a great number of comedians, from Billy Crystal, J.B. Smoove, Brad Garrett and Margaret Cho to Jay Leno, Tiffany Haddish, Bobby Moynihan and Jon Lovitz. Who was being honored? Not who, exactly, but what? They were gathered to honor the 1968-73 NBC comedy series Rowan & Martins Laugh-In. And well they should pay tribute to this iconic show that embraced almost all of the comedy traditions that preceded it while also pushing the technical capabilities of the medium to giddy extremes. This Netflix party was meant to be anything but a solemn occasion. After all, the Laugh-In crew of 50 years ago would have rolled out the comedic cannons and fired away at any attempt to paint their manic laugh factory in serious tones. For those too young to remember Laugh-In, well, you just had to be there. Fronted by the nightclub comedy team of Dan Rowan and Dick Martin, Laugh-In wasnt really a TV series in any traditional sense. It was a pop-culture phenomenon. It was a force of nature, both good-natured and irreverent. It was a high-hilarity whirlwind that swept up an immense viewing audience and took them on a frenetic five-year ride. It was an anything-goes good time that captured almost everyone in the household by taking nothing sacred. Teenagers, their parents and their grandparents joined the Laugh-In party, enjoying the sly political satire and sexual innuendo that went over the heads of the youngest viewers. The kids, meanwhile, got a kick out of the outrageous sight gags, silly slapstick and wonderfully stupid jokes. That was just one of the secrets to the shows meteoric success. It blitzed the senses, moving at a dizzying speed. Didnt like that sketch? Stick around. Dozens of more mirthful missiles coming at ya from every direction. Rowan & Martin, also producers on the show, presented a bronze plaque to executive producer George Schlatter early in the run: In skating over thin ice, our safety is our speed. That was the Laugh-In philosophy. They were putting on an impossible show every Monday night, but, if they kept moving fast enough, they wouldnt go crashing through the ice. And that philosophy worked big time. Fifty years ago this month, Rowan & Martins Laugh-In was the countrys most-watched show by a huge margin. In that three-network, pre-cable, pre-streaming universe, it was pulling an average 31.8 rating (percentage of all the nations TV households). Bob Hope, who grew up in Cleveland, once said, Laughter is an instant vacation, which means that Laugh-In is a century of a therapy. There were some obvious inspirations that Laugh-In drew on for its madcap formula. One was Hellzapoppin, an antic and long-running Broadway hit that, from 1938 to 1940, was overseen by the comedy team of Olsen and Johnson. Another was the surreal, perception-bending visual humor pioneered by Ernie Kovacs on his 1950s television shows. Yet another was the sharp political satire on the short-lived American version of That Was the Week That Was. Unlike The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, unceremoniously dumped by CBS 50 years ago, Laugh-In didnt go to war over its political humor, sparking public battles with network censors. It took a more scatter-shot approach, aiming at all kinds of political and cultural targets. We didnt go to battle with the censors, Martin told me during a long chat about his career. We tricked them. We had all sorts of techniques to sneak things by the censors. For instance, if there was something slightly off-color or a double entendre, we had a no-laugh rule. No one would laugh when we shot the scene, and the censor wouldnt think there was anything risque about it. Ratings tell one story, but another indication of the shows popularity was its knack for creating catchphrases that became part of late 60s vernacular, from Martins You bet your bippy to Carnes Sock it to me. There was Johnsons drawn out Verrrrry, interesting (as a German solider) and the ubiquitous Look that up in your Funk & Wagnalls. Now theres a great deal to celebrate there. Invited to the festivities Friday night were two of the programs regulars, Lily Tomlin, whose career was launched by her years on Laugh-In, and JoAnne Worley. The show also made a star of Goldie Hawn, among others. The Dolby Theatre bash will be edited by executive producer Dave Broome into a special, Still Laugh-in: The Star Celebrate, which Netflix will air this spring. Tomlin, Hawn, Worley, Schlatter and Martin met with TV critics at a Santa Monica hotel for a 25th-anniversary reunion also attended by regulars Ruth Buzzi, Judy Carne, Henry Gibson, Alan Sues, Dave Madden Chelsea Brown and announcer Gary Owens (Rowan had died in 1987, so the only major cast member not in attendance that evening was Arte Johnson). Also attending this reunion were frequent Laugh-In guest stars Tiny Tim and Willoughby native Tim Conway, who grew up in Chagrin Falls and got his start at Cleveland television stations. Well, Laugh-In was everything to me, Tomlin said at that January 1993 press conference and party. I was totally unknown when I went to the show. And I didnt even want to go on television, because I didnt think I would be good on television. I had some romantic idea about being a stage actress and living on the East Village the rest of my life . . . but it never dawned on me to become really famous. Hawn left the show in 1970, the year she won the Academy Award for Cactus Flower. It was the greatest three years of my life, Hawn said. I knew it then. I know it now. Theres nothing better than being a part of a family and no one holding the gold star. Everybody did their job. We laughed more than Ive ever laughed on anything Ive ever done . . . It was a joyful and wonderful time. It was for all of us. Laugh-In, which began life as a one-shot special aired Sept. 9, 1967, and premiered as a regular series on Jan. 22, 1968, ended its lunatic run on May 14, 1973. The meteor had burned itself out. The party was over. But, it if it does its job, the Netflix special will recall just how much fun the party was while it lasted. After two fires in her homes in the Mississippi Delta, Farrah Appleberry and her four daughters were left destitute and in bankruptcy. But there was hope literally. Hope Credit Union, focused on economically distressed areas in the South, brings basic banking services to the nation's poorest. Twenty-five percent of U.S. households are unbanked or underbanked, according to a 2017 survey by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Those are people who either don't have a bank account, or have an account, but still use financial services outside the banking system like payday loans to make ends meet. Why are the numbers so high? More than half of unbanked households cited not having enough money to keep in an account, 30 percent said they don't trust banks and 9 percent reported banks are in an inconvenient location, according to the survey. A lack of access to banks continues to worsen as more and more branches close. Between 2014 and 2018, 1,915 more branches in lower-income areas closed than were opened, according to data from S&P Global. In February, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell made a historic visit to the Mississippi Delta, speaking with students at Mississippi Valley State University and delivering remarks at a conference to shine a light on the problem of the unbanked. "Access to safe and affordable financial services is vital, especially among families with limited wealth, whether they are looking to invest in education, start a business, or simply manage the ups and downs of life," Powell said. Then-Microsoft chairman Bill Gates testifies before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on March 3, 1998, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. If you want a sense of the impact that Sen. Elizabeth Warren's proposed tech crackdown could have, just look at Microsoft, which was the subject of a major U.S. antitrust case. Warren's call to do things like "unwind anti-competitive mergers" would be a departure from current regulatory dynamics and would bring the country closer to the approach in place in the 1990s under the Clinton Administration, which mounted a major challenge to the most powerful force in business. The government charged that Microsoft had a PC operating system monopoly with Windows, and that the company had "chosen to deprive customers of the competitive options of obtaining Windows 98 with Internet Explorer, with a competitive Internet browser, or with no Internet browser at all." Co-founder and CEO Bill Gates received plenty of negative publicity during the trial of the U.S. Justice Department's case, and he stepped down in the middle of it. At one point, federal judge Thomas Penfield Jackson ordered Microsoft to be split up into two companies. But his judgment was reversed, and the Justice Department decided it would no longer try to break up the company. Nevertheless, Microsoft did have to behave differently for years as a result of a settlement. Following the case, Microsoft operated with "internal restraint" in the wake of the case in the 2000s, former employee Don Dodge told CNBC earlier. The U.S. antitrust suit created a legal framework for similar competition lawsuits filed by individual states, the European Union and private companies such as Sun and RealNetworks, creating a constant drumbeat of distraction. New trends emerged, and Microsoft wasn't the first to them -- social networking, mobile and the cloud among them. The company even lost its dominance in web browsers -- the reason the government brought the suit in the first place. As a result, growth of income and revenue slowed -- the dot-com bust didn't help -- and under Gates' successor Steve Ballmer, Microsoft stock hit a plateau for years. Senator Warren would agree. "The government's antitrust case against Microsoft helped clear a path for Internet companies like Google and Facebook to emerge," Team Warren said in a Medium post on Friday. Amazon the retailer got a second public identity as Amazon the cloud provider. Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter also came into their own. And Google expanded beyond web search into core Microsoft domains like email, word processing, spreadsheets and even operating systems. In the past five years, under CEO Satya Nadella, Microsoft has become more humble -- it's not so insistent that everyone uses Windows like it once was. Microsoft maintains applications for Android and iOS, and it has made certain software capable of running on the Linux operating system. In the cloud market it's second fiddle to Amazon Web Services, although it's not above working with Amazon to ensure Amazon's Alexa voice assistant is accessible from Microsoft's less popular Cortana assistant. Some companies that have started work more closely with Microsoft have picked up on a change in approach. "Over the past 16 years that I've been at Red Hat, we have had previous interactions out of necessity or convenience for customers, Red Hat executive Michael Ferris said in 2016. "But when we started the recent [partnership] discussions, it was very clear to us that they cared as much as we did about delivering customer value in a meaningful way; it seems really core to their whole mission." This humility and market conditions have made Microsoft the world's most valuable public company by market cap once again. But Amazon, Alphabet and Apple aren't all that far behind. WATCH: Sen. Warren tells Cramer about her plan to make companies and CEOs more accountable to employees Tesla's decision to move its sales completely online is a "leap of faith" that may not necessarily pay off, former Ford CEO Mark Fields suggested on Friday. While the electric automaker has a "very sustainable brand," it has to figure out how to churn out cheaper Model 3s while trying to become profitable, he said on CNBC's "Closing Bell." "It all comes down to the consumer, because without incentives, that is going to impact the business model," Fields said. "By eliminating their stores, are consumers going to want to buy a vehicle like they buy a Crock-Pot on Amazon?" Last week, Tesla announced it is shifting its sales to online only. It will require the company to reduce headcount in sales and should help cut some operating expenses. In a blog post Tesla emphasized that shifting sales to online only would enable it to sell its Model 3 vehicles for the long-awaited base model price of $35,000. The company has had to keep prices high enough to recoup its massive investments and turn a profit but at the same time keep them low enough to compete with the larger automakers. CEO Elon Musk once seemed confident Tesla would turn a profit in the first quarter of this year but now he's predicting a loss. The move to online sales is part of the automaker's strategy to bring down costs. However, customers are used to seeing and touching a vehicle, said Fields, who served as Ford's chief executive from 2014 to 2017. "It is the second-biggest purchase that they make in their life, after their house, and will they want to do that just online, not physically seeing or test-driving the vehicle? That's a leap of faith." CNBC's Lora Kolodny and Robert Ferris contributed to this report. Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro attends an event to celebrate 211 years of the creation of the Brazilian Marine Corps in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on March 07, 2019. (Photo by Mauro Pimentel / AFP) (Photo credit should read MAURO PIMENTEL/AFP/Getty Images) President Donald Trump will host Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro in Washington on March 19, the White House announced Friday. They are expected to discuss the turmoil in Venezuela. Bolsonaro was elected in 2018 and his upcoming visit to Washington comes as Brazil's border with Venezuela has become a flashpoint in the ongoing political crisis facing the oil-rich country and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Brazil has sided with the U.S. in supporting Venezuela's opposition leader, Juan Guaido, as the legitimate head of state. Food and medicine shortages under Maduro's rule have caused a flood of Venezuelans to flee across the border into neighboring countries. The U.S. has sent relief supplies to the region but the political and economic crisis shows no signs of ending soon. According to the White House, Trump and Bolsonaro are also expected to discuss trade issues and military ties between the two countries. Earlier this year, Bolsonaro said he might allow the U.S. to operate a military base in Brazil as a check against Russia's influence in Venezuela. Russia supports Maduro and in December sent several military aircraft to Venezuela to participate in joint military exercises. Trump was one of the first world leaders to call Bolsonaro in October when the former army captain won the Brazilian presidential election by a wide margin. Last month, Brazil's minister of foreign affairs, Ernesto Araujo, traveled to Washington to discuss the situation in Venezuela ahead of Bolsonaro's visit. Reuters contributed to this report. British police closed London's Westminster bridge and roads near parliament on Saturday due to a suspicious vehicle. A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said officers were on the scene at Victoria Embankment next to the River Thames and that roads had been closed. The management board of Deutsche Bank has agreed to hold talks with rival Commerzbank on the feasibility of a merger, a person with knowledge of the matter told Reuters on Sunday. The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed information reported earlier by the Welt am Sonntag newspaper. The person said that first unofficial contacts have taken place in a very small group and that talks were at a very early stage. A spokesman for Deutsche Bank and a spokeswoman for Commerzbank both declined to comment. Speculation about a possible merger between the two banks has been rife for months, heightening under the tenure of Finance Minister Olaf Scholz, who has spoken out in favor of strong banks. Both lenders have struggled to return to sustainable profitability since the global financial crisis. A view of the waterfront of Long Island City in the Queens borough of New York, along the East River, on November 7, 2018. Ask a New York City real estate agent how they feel about Amazon's reversed plans to bring its second headquarters to the area and they will have some pointed words. "This was the biggest unforced error in the city since they let the Dodgers leave Brooklyn," said Jason Haber, an agent at Warburg Realty Partnership. "That's how big this is. Like you need to go back over 50 years in history to find a corollary to this mistake." But when it comes to the future of the real estate market in the Long Island City neighborhood of Queens where Amazon had chosen to set up shop, the situation seems far less dire. "The reason[s] that Amazon wanted to come there, those fundamentals are still in place," Haber said. That was the message from nine local real estate agents and three local buyers interviewed for this article. They all said Long Island City will be just fine without Amazon, even as politicians hurl blame at one another for the deal's fallout and decry the loss of 25,000 jobs the company promised to bring with it. The relative calm in the real estate community is partly because agents say they remained cautious about the deal from the start, having read the fine print that said Amazon still had time to conduct due diligence before breaking ground. "Once you read that, you have to advise your clients that this is certainly not a done deal," said Patrick W. Smith, a local real estate agent with The Corcoran Group who has been tracking Long Island City real estate for years. But that caveat did not dissuade buyers from pouncing on properties that seemed like they could get scooped up any second. In the weeks when Amazon was still publicly planning its move, 147 contracts were reported to be signed, according to public reports compiled by Smith while he was an agent at Stribling & Associates. That compares to 54 during those same weeks the year prior. Even Amazon employees reportedly got caught up in the housing craze, with two buying homes in a developing luxury building even before the public announcement was made, according to The Wall Street Journal. After the deal fell through on Valentine's Day this year, when Amazon determined it no longer wanted to put up with community opposition, agents and buyers interviewed said interest is still hot in the area. According to Smith's data, the total dollars spent in the local condo market increased 8 percent between 2016 and 2017, and 12 percent between 2017 and 2018. Now, the experts say, prices will continue to go up, but it just might take a bit longer to reach the heights to which Amazon would have accelerated. Tech giant Microsoft is taking legal action against Foxconn parent Hon Hai, after the Taiwanese consumer-electronics manufacturer allegedly failed to comply with a patent-licensing agreement from 2013. In a Friday court filing, Microsoft accused Foxconn of failing to provide twice-yearly royalty reports concerning certain unspecified products and has not made royalty payments on time. The suit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. Microsoft is suing for royalty repayment with interest, a review of Hon Hai's books and attorney fees. Foxconn had agreed to be audited by a third party, Deloitte, in 2017, but has not given the company any documents that were requested, the filing noted. It is currently unclear what products were covered under the agreement, but in 2013 Microsoft said it had a patent agreement with Hon Hai for Android and Chrome OS devices. A copy of the agreement was submitted to the court but remains under seal. "Microsoft takes its own contractual commitments seriously and we expect other companies to do the same," a Microsoft spokesperson told CNBC. "This legal action is simply to exercise the reporting and audit terms of a contract we signed in 2013 with Hon Hai. Our working relationship with Hon Hai is important and we are working to resolve our disagreement." Officials briefly halted flights in and out of Newark Liberty International Airport Saturday morning after a plane flying from Canada to Florida made an emergency landing there with a possible fire in the cargo hold, officials said. Air Transat Flight 942, a Boeing 737, was flying from Montreal to Fort Lauderdale, Fla. and diverted to Newark at 8:30 a.m. because of a possible fire in the cargo hold, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The plane was met by airport firefighters at Newark. The Air Transat jet had 189 passengers and six crew members on board and made the emergency landing after reports of smoke in the cargo hold, said airline spokeswoman Debbie Cabana. No one was injured, she said. Passengers evacuated by emergency slides, said the FAA. As of 9:45 a.m. flights had resumed, the airport said in a tweet. tweet Departing flights were delayed by a least 45 minutes, and arriving flights are delayed by at least one hour. Tweet one Tweet 2 The source of the smoke was not immediately clear, but cargo hold fires have become a concern among federal officials and lawmakers. Last month, the Department of Transportation unveiled stricter rules for the transportation of lithium ion batteries by air due to fears of fires in cargo holds. The Chrysler Building is one of the landmarks of the Manhattan skyline. Located on 42nd Street and Lexington Avenue, its the citys third-tallest building and a towering tribute to both the Chrysler Corporation and the city that it calls home.The Art Deco building has had two foreign owners in the last 11 years. TNW, a German investment group, bought a 75 percent stake in the building for in 2001. Seven years later, the Abu Dhabi Investment Council bought it, and now owns of the building. Signa Holding GmbH, Austria's largest privately owned real estate company, will buy the iconic Chrysler Building in New York City in partnership with property firm RFR Holding LLC for about $150 million, people familiar with the matter told Reuters. Signa and RFR are equal partners in a joint venture that signed an agreement on Friday to buy the building from the Abu Dhabi Investment Council at a fraction of what it paid to own it, the sources said. Abu Dhabi had splashed out $800 million to own a 90 percent stake in the Chrysler Building at the onset of the 2008 financial crisis. Property values subsequently crashed, and in some cases never fully recovered. The sources asked not to be identified as they were not authorized to speak publicly about the matter. Signa Holding and CBRE, which has handled the sale process of the asset, declined to comment. RFR did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The art-deco tower, which was the world's tallest building when completed in 1930 only to be eclipsed by New York's Empire State Building, is considered a crown jewel of the city's skyline. Its old age is fueling maintenance costs, however, and its historical status has often made modifications to the needs of its tenants difficult. Weighing on the sale price was the rent that the Chrysler Building has to pay to the Cooper Union school, because it does not own the land underneath the property. The annual rent increased to $32.5 million in 2018 from $7.75 million in 2017. The lease will increase to$41 million in 2028, according to financial statements from Cooper Union. The deal marks Signa's debut in the U.S. property sector. Led by its founder Rene Benko, Signa has a sprawling real estate and retail portfolio in Europe. Its real estate assets are worth more than 14 billion euros ($16 billion), while its development projects have a gross asset value of over 8 billion euros, according to its website. Signa is no stranger in investing in numerous landmark buildings in prime locations. Its holdings include KaDeWe and the Upper West Tower in Berlin, Goldenes Quarter with the Park Hyatt Hotel in Vienna, Alte Akademie in Munich, and Alsterhaus and Alsterarkaden in Hamburg. Founded in 1991 by Aby Rosen and Michael Fuchs, RFR made its name in real estate by owning and managing some of Manhattan's most prestigious office properties, including the Seagram Building and Lever House, which are located on Park Avenue. Signa and RFR have done deals together in the past, including in 2017, when Signa agreed to buy five landmark properties from RFR in Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt and Munich for about 1.5 billion euros. The Real Deal had earlier reported RFR's role in the deal for the Chrysler Building. Baronesses Seccombe has served as a Shadow Minister Home Affairs and for Legal Affairs, and as Opposition Deputy Chief Whip. Baroness Hodgson is a former President of the Conservative Partys National Convention. This year is notable for several key anniversaries. Its 40 years since Margaret Thatcher swept to power as Britains first female Prime Minister; 90 years since the first general election with full voting equality; a century since Nancy Astor became the first female MP to take her seat in the Commons; and we also mark the centenary of the founding of the Conservative Womens Organisation (CWO) which we have both been privileged enough to chair. From championing votes for women and encouraging women to become more politically involved, through influencing policy and providing the environment to debate them, to helping the party campaigning on issues that matter to women and providing training courses for budding MPs, its no surprise the worlds oldest womens political organisation predating Labours Womens Network by six decades has undergone something of a transformation in the hundered years since its founding. The beginnings of the CWO started to form during the early days of suffrage campaigning and the fight for greater rights for women, and it could be said to have its roots in the creation of the Primrose League in 1883. Set up to advance Tory principles, it was the first political organisation to give women the same status and responsibilities as men, and in 1885 a Ladies Grand Council was formed. The council recruited a vast army of female volunteers up and down the country, proving such an effective force on the campaign trail that seats, previously considered unwinnable, turned blue. Commenting on the success of this growing womens political movement, Millicent Fawcett said it had become such a fixture in British life that none of the parties can do without it or alienate it. Women were finally making their indelible mark on the political scene. Five women were given their first taste of local government in 1907, when the Qualification of Women Act granted them the right to become councillors. Just over a decade later in February 1918, the Representation of the People Act was passed, giving women over 30 the right to vote in parliamentary elections for the first time. While Astor was not the first woman nor the first Conservative woman to take stand for national election following a change in the law in late 1918, she was the first to take her seat in parliament, becoming the first woman MP in the House of Commons in 1919. It was during this period of upheaval following the Great War, when women were making great strides in politics, that the Central Womens Advisory Committee (CWAC) was formed by the National Union of Conservative and Unionist Associations and the Conservative family gained a new and lasting member. Yet despite this, attitudes towards Astor and other Conservative women were, in those early days at least, somewhat hostile. This only made the need for a womens organisation more pressing, and records show what is probably the partys first womens conference took place in London in October 1920 at a private residence. However, a year later 3,000 women descended on the capital for the first mass womens conference a tradition that continues to this day, with our centenary conference taking place in Westminster today. Less than a decade later, Stanley Baldwin signalled a real shift in parliamentary feeling when he remarked: Democracy is incomplete and lop-sided until it is representative of the whole people, and the responsibility rests alike on men and women. A year later, he extended the franchise to all women over 21 and affiliated the CWAC with the Conservative Party and the rest, as they say, is history. Except that was just the beginning. The organisation went from strength to strength, going through two further name changes and, by the time Margaret Thatcher came to power, was one of if not the biggest womens organisations in the world. Thatcher never underestimated the role women played inside the party and was absolutely an ally to the CWO, telling the first author of this article, CWOs chairman during the early 1980s, before becoming the Partys Vice Chairman for Women between 1987 and 1997: I really like hearing what the women say because they tell me as it is and not what they want me to hear. Cabinet Ministers were subject almost to a three-line whip to make a stirring speech at packed-out womens conferences, which became a highlight of the Tory calendar. After she left power, the fact the Conservatives had given us the first female Prime Minister made it easier to argue that having a separate womens organisation within the party was no longer necessary. Following the dire 1997 general election in which Tony Blair won by a landslide with a record 101 female MPs compared to the Conservatives 13, Conservative Central Office, as it then was, had to make economies and funding was withdrawn. Theresa May was very supportive of the organisation when she became Chairman of the Party in 2002, and an awareness grew that having a place for women in the party to support each other was a good thing. Not only was there still a role for the CWO, but Theresa and Baroness Jenkin took action and established Women2Win to identify and mentor aspiring women politicians. Under Baroness Hodgsons chairmanship, we were able to revive the womens policy forums and tackle subjects such as stalking and prostitution, while the Conservative Womens Muslim Group was also established. The womens conference returned to the Queen Elizabeth II Centre and, when David Cameron, then the new Party leader, took off his jacket and got down amongst the audience to answer questions, the effect was profound. Once again, the Conservative Party felt an inspiring place for women. The question now was how the CWO could attract more female voters and build on Women2Wins work of getting more women elected. The answer would soon become clear. The Westminster Foundation for Democracy was sending volunteers from the CWO abroad to run development sessions for women in sister parties in countries with emerging democracies. Pauline Lucas, then the Chairman, realised that what was now the CWO should establish a formal process to help women develop the skills they required for political engagement and planned initial modules ahead of the 2010 general election. Women2Win and the CWO could be proud of their achievement: the number of women MPs almost tripled, increasing from 17 in 2005 to 49 in 2010. CWO Development was then formally established, creating an entry pathway for women and solidifying the CWO as a grassroots organisation. Today, candidates are identified by both CWO and Women2Win and receive their initial training from CWO. Analysis conducted in 2015 showed more than half the newly elected female Conservative MPs had been on CWO courses. As we celebrate our centenary this weekend, we pay tribute to all those women who, over the years, have played such an important role in securing our right to vote, campaigning for womens rights, and shaping the policies of the Conservative Party today That the Prime Minister used her big set-piece speech on Brexit to publicly enjoin the EU to give her the concessions she needs for next weeks vote probably says all we need to know about how she thinks thats going to go. If she loses the second meaningful vote (MVII), Theresa Mays stated intention is to proceed fairly swiftly to two other votes: one on whether or not MPs are prepared to endorse a no-deal exit, and one on extending Article 50. As our editor wrote yesterday, at this point it looks as if any hope of whipping the Governments notional majority for or against either is long since passed. Either course of action would provoke a fresh slew of resignations or from Remainers, perhaps, open defiance whilst daring her to sack them and swell the ranks of blooded rebels yet further. This last possibility suggests not just that the power of the whip but that of the payroll vote, usually any governments praetorian guard, has all but disintegrated and thats before any further attempt by Oliver Letwin and his co-conspirators to formally wrest control of the negotiations from the executive entirely. Its a position of quite extraordinary weakness perhaps unprecedented in British political history, whose proper functioning would previously forced MPs to make a decision about backing or dismissing the Government. Harold Wilson had to play a similar party-management game over Europe, but never was his position as fraught as this. Shorn of the usual burden of directing the troops, May still has to cast a vote personally. Will she vote for for a no-deal exit, putting her money behind the rhetoric she has employed ever since becoming Prime Minister? Can she vote for extension, knowing as she surely must the price that Brussels will likely exact for it? There is some talk that May might yet try to win an 11th-hour vote on her deal MVIII! but there is currently a real possibility that by that point the process will be, whether de jure or merely de facto, out of her hands. Which raises the question of whether or not she and her remaining Brexiteer ministers would be prepared to remain in office (but not in power) whilst the most important policy decisions this country has made for decades are taken by a parallel executive which will be accountable to nobody. Of course a general election, which is the obvious and proper resolution to such a total collapse in relations between parliament and the executive, is itself undesirable for all sorts of reasons, not least for Conservatives the prospect of May leading them into it. But it would be foolish, at this point, to entirely rule one out. 100% Website capitec.co.za uses latest and advanced technologies. It is very popular on the web, it's within the 1 million most visited websites of the world at position 38735 by Alexa. It supports HTTPS and GZIP compression. The main html page has a size of 74529 bytes (72.78 kb uncompressed) and 18848 bytes (18.41 kb compressed). This CoolSocial report was updated on 2021-11-30, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. 100% Website ucet.sk uses latest and advanced technologies like: JQuery. It supports HTTPS and GZIP compression. The main html page has a size of 184014 bytes (179.70 kb uncompressed) and 29350 bytes (28.66 kb compressed). This CoolSocial report was updated on 2020-11-07, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line has announced the first-ever ARTSEA, a new art experience at sea. Internationally-recognized artists including Jose Sabate "PEZ", The London Police and Dasic Fernandez and more, who will be in South Florida for the annual Winter Music Conference, will join Miamis Afrobeta and DJ Wags for a one-of-a-kind, art-centric cruise experience. Guests can extend their Winter Music Conference festivities (taking place March 25-31) with an art getaway where EDM meets graffiti, to be experienced both onboard and on the picturesque beaches of Grand Bahama Island, the company said. The cruise leaves on April 2 from Palm Beach. We at Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line arent afraid to color outside the lines with new and unique cruise offerings never-before seen in the industry, said Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line CEO Oneil Khosa. ARTSEA will provide Palm Beach locals, Winter Music Conference attendees and other travelers with the chance to experience this momentous sailing and witness live work from some of South Floridas internationally-renowned street artists both onboard and on Grand Bahama Island. Guests will have the opportunity to view these artists create masterpieces during the trip. Once on the island, guests can head to the Bahamas Adventures all-inclusive beachside property hosted by proprietor Cesar Ochoa and continue to witness art come to life. Huge, colorful murals will be painted all over the property mimicking Wynwood Walls in Miami, according to a statement. Internationally-recognized PEZ will be showcasing his paintings alongside Chilean-born Dasic Fernandez and Venezuelan-born, Miami-based Slomo, known for his use of spray can work with color overlays and abstract pieces. The London Police will also be joining and recently celebrated 10 strong years in the art world with work that has graced streets and galleries in 35 countries during this time Illustrator and painter Cristhian Saravia Golden 305 will also be in attendance for the trip alongside ARTSEA Curator and Producer Joseph Risolia. While onboard, guests can look forward to electro-pop duo Afrobeta offering the latest music and DJ Wags, who has been playing at the Winter Music Conference since 2012. The Port of San Diego has announced that it generated $9.4 billion for the local economy in 2017, its latest economic impact report released this week. According to the port, 2017 saw a 13 percent increase over two years, and a 22 percent increase over four years. There were more than 44,300 jobs on the waterfront, including shipbuilding and cargo handling, tourism and hospitality jobs. Through a multiplier effect, approximately one in 30 San Diego County jobs were generated by the port. The results of the study reinforce the significant roles the Port of San Diego plays in contributing to our regional economy, said Port Chairman Garry Bonelli in a prepared statement. As an economic engine, our port provides good-paying jobs to tens of thousands of our residents. At the same time, our bay offers a spectacular recreational playground while the port champions protections for our diverse ecosystem. The 2017 Economic Impact Report is the eighth study of its kind commissioned by the port since 1992. The report examines the economic activity that takes place on, or is directly attributable to, the 34 miles of waterfront cared for by the port (military installations and the San Diego International Airport make up most of the other 20 miles). Among the findings, the cruise ship terminals experienced a 14 percent increase in activity, with 88 cruise calls and passenger throughput of about 244,000 in 2017. Other findings showed that the Ports two cargo terminals processed over 1.8 million tons of cargo (included more than 370,000 automobiles and more than 100 million bananas per month.); waterfront jobs and business operations generated approximately 70,000 total jobs throughout the region, a 3 percent increase over two years; the growth in direct employment attributable to the port increased by 1.6 percent over two years, while direct economic impact increased by 3.7 percent; economic activity on San Diego Bay and along the ports surrounding waterfront generated more than $140 million in property, sales and hotel taxes (collected by the ports five member cities and the County of San Diego. The port does not assess/collect taxes.) Six pilot projects launched since 2017 through the ports Blue Economy Incubator Program include shellfish aquaculture operations, vessel washing technology, copper remediation, and smart marina optimization. BRIDGEPORT It could take time and change to restore trust between Bridgeport police and the public they serve. We need visionary leadership, moral consciousness, and deep committed collaborations to heal our police department and our communities from the violence, corruption, racism, and trauma, the grassroots group Bridgeport Generation Now said after the city released a 405-page Office of Internal Affairs report Wednesday. The document found wrongdoing by 17 Bridgeport cops and two civilian detention officers on an October night in 2017, when a noise complaint about a party escalated. More than 40 officers responded, and eight people were arrested. The Internal Affairs investigation initiated by Police Chief Armando Perez following a civilian complaint found violations that included excessive force, lying and inaccurate reporting. Most of the officers involved were new, Mayor Joe Ganim said Friday. But, he said, whether they had one day on the job or years, the officers could face discipline, including suspension or termination in upcoming Police Commission hearings. Two cops named in the internal affairs report, Officer Thomas Lattanzio and Sgt. Mark Belinkie, committed suicide before the findings were made public. Lattanzio killed himself on Dec. 4, 2017; Belinkie last weekend, on March 2. Their deaths are not known to be linked to the investigation. Ganim said he has faith in the commission, whose members he appoints. Others, though, doubt the Bridgeport Police Department and the city administration that oversees it. Demanding to know more Jeannia Fu who is involved with the Justice for Jayson group that formed after the fatal 2017 Bridgeport police shooting of 15-year-old Jayson Negron said the recent report was troubling. But what is more concerning, she said, are the incidents no one hears about. The cases that become public, they are a fraction of what is happening at the hands of the police officers, Fu said. Perez maintained, though, that his department does its job thoroughly and fairly when there is an accusation of police wrongdoing. The police department will not tolerate misconduct from our officers, the chief said in a statement released Thursday. Since this incident and throughout my tenure as chief, we have taken various proactive measures to ensure that officers are appropriately trained on safety, responding to a scene and interacting with the community. Bridgeport Generation Now says more is needed. In a city struggling with many forms of violence, where young and old people both in uniform and out of uniform fear for their safety, it takes nothing short of transformational work to bring about the change we need, the groups statement said. Ganim said the police department has changed a lot since that 2017 party. Since then I know the chief has instituted de-escalation training, Ganim said. Theyve added body cams and dash cams that they didnt have back in 2017. Hes cracked down substantially on supervisors and supervision. The mayor said no incident of misconduct is tolerated by the chief or anyone in this city. I think we all have to remember, he said, we have hundreds of police officers - good men and women - that wake up every day to serve and protect and risk their lives. Distrust renewed Jazmarie Melendez, Jayson Negrons sister, said the recent Internal Affairs investigation is a reminder to her of the distrust she and others have had for Bridgeport police and the citys administration since her brother was killed. Melendez called on Perez to speak out about police conduct. The party incident that led to the investigation happened more than 16 months ago, and the city has had the Internal Affairs report since last November. (Perez) continues to stay quiet, Melendez said. He knew about this information for so long. She said she can see how the public could lose faith in the department. How can people see whats going on if we have no way of knowing whats the truth, Melendez said. The distrust is rooted in years and years of violence, she said. The only way thats going to change is if policies change. Waiting for answers On May 9, 2017, Melendez lost her brother when Officer James Boulay fired into what police and Waterbury States Attorney Maureen Platt said was a stolen a vehicle driven by Negron. The gunfire killed Negron and wounded his passenger. Platts investigation cleared Boulay of wrongdoing. After her brother was shot, Melendez said, the eight months that the states attorneys investigation took left her and many others desperate for answers. She said they turned to Bridgeport police to release video footage of the incident. The department declined to do so until the investigation was complete. Melendez also mentioned the police pursuit that led to the death of 18-year-old Corbin Cooper on June 14, 2018. We know there are so many officers that we can name that we still dont have information on, Melendez said. But we dont even know the names of the officers involved in Corbins death. Perez said the pursuit and actions of officers that June afternoon was justified. Melendez also referred to Officer Christina Arroyo, who was accused and caught on camera beating 18-year-old Aaron Kearney as he was arrested on Nov. 10, 2017. Arroyo said she feared for her life. Kearney did not have any weapons. The list just goes on, Melendez said. One of the main points that weve always been saying is these officers brutalize and then nothing happens to them and more damage happens. Melendez said she appreciates members of the City Council speaking out after the Internal Affairs report came out, but weve been seeing the same statements over and over again. Weve been calling for these changes since May 9 (2017), she said. We want to see policy change. We want to see different training. Fu said after incidents like Negrons and Corbins deaths, the community sees city and police officials talk about what a tragedy it was, but not moving toward change. We wouldnt have tragedy if change was to come, Melendez said. We wouldnt have tragedy if the police faced repercussions for their actions when theyre violent or aggressive. BRIDGEPORT Some of the members of the Bridgeport Police Department have created a fundraiser to support the cost of education for the daughters of fallen Sgt. Mark Belinkie. Belinkie committed suicide on March 2. The 19-year veteran of the Bridgeport police force leaves behind his two daughters, Molly and Ellie, according to a GoFundMe set up in his honor. 3 1 of 3 Contributed photo Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Cassandra Day / Hearst Media Connecticut Show More Show Less 3 of 3 The General Assembly is considering legislation that would drastically expand the states family leave law to every small business and increase the allowable paid leave time to 12 weeks every year. The circumstances and conditions under which a worker could take leave would be much broader even including caring for non-relatives if they are akin to family. Such legislation would bring great hardship to smaller businesses across Connecticut, making it difficult to get the daily workload completed, and in the worst case making that impossible. If two or more employees happened to need leave simultaneously, it could be a death knell for a small company. At Hemlock Directional Boring in Torrington, there are eight employees, including the husband and wife who own the company. Each worker has a specific job in the office or the field where the company does horizontal drilling for utility companies. Some jobs require specialized training and very specific government safety certifications preventing other employees from filling in. Currently, if an employee needs to take leave, the owner, who is highly trained and certified, accommodates the request, filling the void by working nearly 80 hours a week. That tough schedule can create fatigue and lead to physical and safety concerns. SEYMOUR Hey, Seymour residents: What stores or restaurants would you like to see take up shop in the Tri-Town Plaza? Or whats the best thing Seymour has to offer in terms of its business scene? And do you know what role the Economic Development Commission plays? The Economic Development Commission would like answers to those questions, and is turning to residents for their input. The EDC has posted a brief, three-question survey online at https://bit.ly/2NQhoG8 and wants residents to give their two cents on issues important to growing Seymours economic base. Its always great to hear residents thoughts, ideas and suggestions, said First Selectman Kurt Miller. Their input helps shape our direction going forward. While Seymour has an Economic Development Commission, there is no economic development director . The previous director, Fred Messore, left the job in late 2017 to become West Havens commissioner of planning and development. On the job in Seymour since 2011, Messore was involved in several key projects including the first phase of Seymours greenway trail in the heart of downtown. But, Miller said his budget proposal for 2019-20 includes funding for the Connecticut Economic Resource Center . In the meantime, the commission is working hard to engage residents. As an organization striving to better the town, we are always looking to hear peoples opinions, said commission Chairwoman Christine Aliman. The EDC enjoys hearing back from public opinion and seeing what people are passionate (about) in this town. The three-question survey asks the following: 1. Pertaining to business, what do you think is the best part about Seymour? Why? 2. Seeing the changes being made at Tri-Town plaza, what business would you like to see brought in there? 3. How much do you know about the EDC and its goals? Regarding the Tri-Town Plaza, long-overdue demolition to the former Ames and Adams stores commenced last December, but there are no specific plans or proposals yet about what could take their place. Miller had said Ron Spector, of Nevada, who owns the plaza at 814 Derby Ave., has made some offers and has been trying to actively market and rent the space. Spector had said in December that while demolition will not necessarily be followed by new construction we are actively looking for users. Ames department store and Adams grocery store served as the plazas anchors for years before closing in 2002 and 2003, respectively, leaving a 94,000-square-foot void in Tri-Town ever since. jean.sos@snet.net It's not a goat or calf, but a white deer, also known as a rare piebald WEST CHESTER A convicted murderer was found guilty of sexually molesting a young girl that lived near his Honey Brook borough home and for whom he acted as a watcher-over. The jury of nine women and three men hearing the case involving defendant Robert Bailey Sr. spent about four hours deliberating before returning with their verdict around 8 p.m. Thursday in Common Pleas Court Judge Alison Bell Royers courtroom. He was found guilty of all the charge against him solicitation for rape of a child, indecent assault, aggravated indecent assault, and corruption of minors. He now faces a mandatory minimum sentence of at least 10 years in state prison on both the rape and aggravated indecent assault charges. Before sentencing, Baileys case must be reviewed by the states Sexual Offenders Assessment Board to determine whether he should be classified as a sexually violent predator. If so, there would be community notification standards set for his release from prison. Royer also ordered a pre-sentencing investigation be completed within 90 days. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Emily Provencher of the D.A.s Child Abuse Unit and co-counsel Assistant District Attorney Alexis Shaw. Bailey was represented by Assistant Public Defenders P.J. Redmond and Erin Bruno. Bailey was described by the prosecution as the grandfather of the neighborhood a friendly presence supervising the comings and going of children who lived near his own grandchildren and were their friends. He was the kindly watcher-over figure, agreed Redmond, taking the place of busy parents who let the kindly older man help out while they could not oversee them. But he apparently became obsessed a young girl who lived nearby his home in the northern county borough, and pursued her relentlessly, telling her how much he loved her, how he wanted to marry her, and how he wanted to have sex with her. His behavior began in January 2014, when the girl was 7 years old. He would greet her and other children at the bus stop on their way home from school, and oversaw their games in a nearby park or at the apartment house where he lived with his son and his grandchildren. The girl, who was between 7 and 9 years old at the time, told a state police investigator that Bailey had touched her buttocks over 100 times, had kissed her on the mouth, and had asked her to marry him so they could have sex. The girl also told state Trooper Lori Kistle that on one occasion Bailey had taken her to his home, removed her clothing, and molested her. The girl is now a 12-year-old sixth grader, who would be just one of the witnesses against Bailey. In the four-day-long trial, Bailey took the stand and testified in his own defense, telling the jury that he knew the girl, but that he never molested her. The most he had done, he suggested, was wipe his hands on her clothing. Bailey was charged on March 7, 2016, and held on all charges by District Judge Michael Cabry, who set bail at $1 million. In 1987, Bailey was arrested and charged with the beating death of his step-father outside their home in Valley. He was sentenced to serve time in state prison after pleading guilty to third-degree murder charges in 1988. To contact staff writer Michael P. Rellahan, call 610-696-1544. And so to Grimsby. Home to the UKs busiest port, the Mighty Mariners footie fans and the best fish and chips youre likely to scoff anywhere on these fair isles. Local weather experts warned of chill winds with a strong chance of storms. They didnt know the half of it. Theresa May was here for her final push. Her last hurrah. This, as they say, was it. Theresa May delivered a speech at the Orsted A/S manufacturing facility in Grimsby, yesterday On Tuesday, MPs will vote again on the prime minister's much-maligned Brexit deal On Tuesday, MPs vote again on her much-maligned Brexit deal. All signs point to another whopping defeat. After that, who knows? By then we shall be splooshing helplessly in uncharted waters. The PM had travelled to these parts because the populace of the north east of Lincolnshire voted to leave the EU by seven votes to three. This is where the Brexit dream began. This is where the PM hoped it could be sealed. Her message was as clear as a freshly hooked mackerels peeper: Lets. Get. It. Done. Our setting was a hangar belonging to a wind farm. Boxes all around us. One, containing life-vests. Another full of tension pumps. All rather apt in the circumstances. As we awaited her arrival, her chief of staff, Gavin Barwell, worked the room, flashing grins and pressing flesh. An unnatural schmoozer, Gavin. Hes grown a bit of a paunch. All those late-night negotiations can do that to a man. At the risk of being unchivalrous, Mrs May looked haggard. I know, I know, when was the last time she didnt? But yesterday she appeared almost wraith-like as she chewed the chilly air. Her clunky chain hung loosely around her neck, her slight frame almost swamped in her stripey blazer. She is painfully thin. The speech, pictured, began with a pop at MPs who continue to believe they can prevent Brexit, writes Henry Deedes Her speech was no cri de coeur. The Prime Minister does not go in for chest-beating. Nor, most nobly, does she beg or whine at her lot. It was calm, measured. Vote for my deal, she said, or things could get really ugly. Is she resigned to defeat on Tuesday? Almost certainly. But on she battles regardless. She started with a pop at MPs who continue to believe they can prevent Brexit. The decision the British people took was to leave, she said. That is what we must do. Many people who voted for Brexit, she pointed out, hadnt previously voted for years. If MPs failed to act on the referendum result, why would people bother voting again? Then a replay of the greatest hits of her deal. An end to freedom of movement; being able to negotiate our own trade deals; taking back control of our agriculture and fishing policies; the opportunity to tell the European Court of Justice to naff off. All of these Good Things, she reminded her audience, could be revoked or watered down by the EU stiffs should Britain end up delaying our withdrawal. Amazonian energy minister Claire Perry, whod also made the trip north, gave a sharp jab of the head. There was a dig at Jeremy Corbyn who had promised to vote down the Governments deal without even bothering to read it. Does he read anything? Despite agreeing to cross-party talks, she said Mr Corbyn had made only one hour available to her advisers for discussions. Too busy weeding his allotment, perhaps. She was polite about the Brussels boobies, saying there was mutual respect and co-operation during negotiations. Is it me or could the PM have been a little less respectful and co-operative during negotiations? Oh well, toooo late for all that now, I suppose. And with one more final Lets. Get. It. Done rally cry, Mrs May set off home to Downing Street. She had done her best. Perhaps thats as much as we can hope for. Souwesters on, people. I fear next weeks set to get very stormy. Almost 1,000 days 996 to be exact have passed since the British people voted to leave the EU. And there are now just 20 days left before we are due to break away. Yet still we dont know on what terms this will happen. Indeed, its far from certain that we will ever leave. What a complete farce! Theresa May is not the only person to blame for this shambles. Far from it. To do her credit, the Prime Minister negotiated a withdrawal agreement with fellow EU leaders that made considerable sense. Theresa May, pictured giving a speech in Grimsby yesterday, is not to blame for this shambles, writes Peter Oborne Yet, when she brought it back to London in January, she suffered a humiliating Commons defeat by 230 votes the largest for any government in modern history. Next Tuesday, a wounded Prime Minister will again put her deal to a vote by MPs. In the meantime, she has taken the precaution of sending Attorney General Geoffrey Cox to Brussels to try to winkle out a better deal. Dont be fooled. Whatever the ebullient barrister might bring back, it wont amount to much. Essentially, MPs will be voting on the same previously-rejected deal next week. Thats why most observers think itll be binned again. However, dont bank on it. I believe Mrs May can still win. Take my word for it. There has been talk all week of a strange clinking sound around Westminster. After much searching for its source, I can reveal that it has been the welcome sound of pennies dropping in the minds of some of the 118 Tory rebels who voted against the deal in January. Until now, hard-Brexiteers such as Boris Johnson, pictured, have been banking on the fact that the alternative to Mrs Mays deal is the hard-Brexit or No Deal exit they yearn for Finally, these MPs have been waking up to the uncomfortable fact that if Mrs May fails to get her deal through on Tuesday night, then Brexit may not happen at all. Until now, hard-Brexiteers such as Boris Johnson and Jacob Rees-Mogg have been banking on the fact that the alternative to Mrs Mays deal is the hard-Brexit or No Deal exit they yearn for. For months, theyve been hoping that Britain will crash out of the EU on March 29. And until recently, that seemed quite possible. But manoeuvres by Cabinet ministers who voted Remain (and their allies), led by David Gauke, Amber Rudd and Greg Clark, have dramatically changed matters. If Mrs May loses on Tuesday, there will be two further votes the following afternoon. In one of those, MPs would have to decide whether to rule out for ever a No Deal Brexit. In the second vote, they would vote on whether to extend Article 50 and thus allow more time to finalise a deal, or come up with an alternative outcome via a General Election or another referendum. If Mrs May loses on Tuesday, there will be two further votes the following afternoon. Pictured is Jacob Rees-Mogg in the House of Commons Both of these votes would mark another humiliation for Mrs May, who has pledged again and again that Britain will leave on March 29 while repeatedly refusing to rule out No Deal Brexit. Even worse for the PM, Parliament could strip control of Brexit negotiations from Downing Street and let MPs take charge. So, this weekend, as government whips frantically try to corral support for their beleaguered boss, Britain still faces an uncertain future: exiting the EU on Mrs Mays terms; yet more delays; a No Deal Brexit; a defeated Mrs May stepping down and a new Tory leader and Prime Minister; a third General Election in four years or a second referendum. No wonder pennies are dropping in the minds of even the most boned-headed ultra-Brexiteer. Some are at last taking note of the warnings of the possible dire economic consequences of a No Deal Brexit. The latest grim forecast came this week with BMW bosses saying that a hard Brexit could mean their Oxford factory where 200,000 Minis are made a year by 4,500 workers having to shut. There are two main groups among those hard-Brexiteers wondering whether to risk sacrificing their long-held dream of Brexit. On one hand there are the Kamikaze Tendency prepared to chance all in order to force through a No Deal Brexit. On the other, Realists who are happy to accept a watered-down Brexit if thats the only one achievable and then edge sheepishly into line towards the Ayes lobby behind Mrs May. But as this motley band wrestle with their consciences and principles this weekend, they are revealing themselves to be men and women of tortured contradictions. For example, take the case of Tory MEP Dan Hannan, who, as a young man in the early 1990s was a joint founder of the Brussels-baiting European Research Group (ERG), whose members are now the bulwark of Mrs Mays Tory backbench dissidents. Before the 2016 referendum, Hannan said: Brexit will be a gentle process. Six months later, he assured us: Absolutely nobody is talking about threatening our place in the Single Market. By last October, an agitated Hannan said: The proposed Brexit terms represent a deal worse than either staying or leaving. Two months later, he said: Im beginning to think Brexit wont happen. This will destroy democracy as we know it. And, in a siren call to fellow hardline Brexiteers last Sunday, he railed: No self-respecting country would accept this deal MPs must vote it down. As an MEP, clever-clogs Dan doesnt have a vote on Tuesday but his message will be very influential on the stubborn rump of ERG members. However, I am convinced that these men and women some of whom have been campaigning against what they see as the overweening power of Brussels since the Maastricht Treaty in 1992 will come to realise that Tuesdays vote is basically one that can guarantee Brexit. The alternative being no Brexit at all. The fate of the country is in their hands. Greg Barker, pictured, was one of David Camerons more forgettable ministers and now he's working with a Russian oligarch Scandal of the 'peers for hire' Greg Barker was one of David Camerons more forgettable ministers. Appointed a peer in 2015, he disappeared into the Lords. Now hes taken leave of absence from the Upper House to become Executive Chairman of aluminium and power giant EN+ Group, the Company founded by Oleg Deripaska and in which the Russian oligarch still holds a 35% stake. Lord Barker has earned his roubles helping this Putin crony navigate around foreign sanctions on Russian firms. Under parliamentary rules, he can return to the Lords whenever he likes and help make laws for the rest of us. There are too many peers-for-hire. They make an unanswerable case for wholesale reform of what is increasingly a sleazy institution. Author's Corbyn claims that simply hit the buffers A new biography of Jeremy Corbyn by the celebrated writer Tom Bower states that the Labour leader rarely reads books. But is this true? Talal Karim, a friend of Corbyn for 40 years, says Bower is wrong. He tells me Corbyn has a large library and is constantly recommending fresh reading matter to colleagues. Mr Karim recalls a visit to India and Bangladesh with the Labour leader, during which Corbyn devoured Freedom At Midnight (an account of the events surrounding Indian partition) and Mahatma Gandhis memoirs. He also says Mr Bowers account of the trip is strewn with errors. The visit lasted ten days, not three weeks. Corbyn did not travel by steam train from Mumbai to Calcutta, either sitting on a carriage roof or on the footplate shovelling coal into the furnace as the book suggests. Corbyn took the intercity non-stop Rajdhani Express. Contrary to Bowers account, this service doesnt allow passengers to sit on the roof. The sight of a downcast Geoffrey Cox, the Attorney General, returning to Britain after yet more failed talks with EU negotiator Michel Barnier was galling. If reports are to be believed, the EU has acted in bad faith and rejected his proposals for a simple but legally binding guarantee that the backstop the agreement which prevents a hard border in Ireland would not lock Britain in for ever. And it is clear that unless there is such a guarantee, the backstop which puts us in temporary alignment with EU trade rules is indeed a trap from which the UK might never escape. The sight of a downcast Geoffrey Cox (right), the Attorney General, returning to Britain after yet more failed talks with EU negotiator Michel Barnier (left) was galling The problem is that the Attorney General was sent to negotiate these changes without any leverage at all. And this is because from the end of 2017, the Government has made a series of fundamental mistakes. Instead of approaching these long-running talks with Europe as a true negotiation based on ambitious hopes for Brexit, they have treated them as an exercise in damage limitation. This, in turn, has led the Government to sign up to a withdrawal deal that leaves us as rule takers 39 billion worse off, with Northern Ireland locked into the EU. And now, to make matters still worse, there has been a damaging revolt by three Remainer Cabinet Ministers Amber Rudd, Greg Clark and David Gauke. Astonishingly, they broke the vital rule of Cabinet collective responsibility and mounted a public attack on the Governments clear position that No Deal would be better than a bad deal. This, remember, is the policy upon which all three had been elected. This reverberated around the EU Commission and undermined any final shred of power the Government still had. And now, to make matters still worse, there has been a damaging revolt by three Remainer Cabinet Ministers Amber Rudd (pictured), Greg Clark and David Gauke Small wonder that when even a lawyer of the standing of Geoffrey Cox QC seeks the most reasonable and limited reassurances, the EU simply laughs in his face. The European negotiators are only too well aware that Britains position was dramatically weakened by the activities of these Ministers. One constituent angrily remarked to me that the trio had betrayed the Prime Minister and made them useful idiots for the EU. I had to agree. That damage was plain to see. I am told the Cox talks had been progressing well until the start of last week when, unexpectedly, German- born Sabine Weyand, a key negotiator and Barniers deputy, suddenly dismissed the proposed arrangements out of hand. Seemingly, she had no fear of the UK leaving without a deal even though that should have been our main negotiating weapon. Had she been taking instructions from virulently anti-UK Martin Selmayr, Secretary-General of the European Commission? Even now, I believe there is a way through this morass. Backed by a group of MPs from both sides of the argument Leave and Remain this is known as the Malthouse Compromise. Under these proposals, the terms of the backstop would be replaced by arrangements which would still guarantee an open border between Northern Ireland and the Republic. This would be a border without checks, and which would use existing customs procedures and new technology. Any ad hoc customs checks would be conducted away from the sensitive border itself. Even late last week, the Commons Northern Ireland committee endorsed this approach as the best way of resolving the impasse. Critically, it would mean that Northern Ireland remains a full member of the UK dealing with the EU on exactly the same terms. All that is required is a simple agreement between Europe and Britain to press ahead with these eminently workable proposals, with a firm date for implementation. After all, the EU knows the existing arrangements dont work and have to change. It cannot be stated often enough that adopting the Malthouse compromise would make it much more likely that the Governments deal would prosper. Can the EU be persuaded to play its part and sign up to Malthouse? Sadly, I believe its true colours were on display in the discussions with Geoffrey Cox. Having dismissed out of hand at the last moment Coxs modest proposals, Barnier added insult to injury with an offensive tweet reinforcing his view that the only way for the UK to escape the backstop is to leave Northern Ireland bound in to the Customs Union a position rejected by Britain a full year ago. Most of us want Geoffrey Cox to succeed as he continues to negotiate for us to leave on March 29. Yet I cannot see the deal passing unless we can agree that the backstop no longer poses a threat to the UKs sovereignty or it is replaced. Some argue that Brexit is at risk if the deal is rejected. I disagree. As I have already pointed out, we are being asked to vote for an arrangement which both the EU and the UK Government know cannot be implemented. It forces the UK to be a rule taker and for me, that is the biggest risk of all. No deal is most certainly better than that. As it stands, Parliament passed legislation to leave the EU on March 29 in line with Article 50. And unless that legislation is revoked, that is exactly what we will do. When most people set out to follow their dream careers, the concept of leaving their role for a less lucrative one in a very different industry might be a laughable one. But for five passionate Australian women, this is exactly what happened. Here, FEMAIL has spoken to these driven ladies about why they left their 'sensible' jobs behind for careers in dog photography, sex therapy, pole dancing and cosmetic tattooing. Kerry Martin, 39 Former job: Navy officer Current job: Dog photographer Kerry Martin, 39, was an officer in the Royal Australian Navy for 16.5 years before she left to become a dog photographer - her true passion Kerry Martin was an officer in the Royal Australian Navy for 16.5 years, joining the Australian Defence Force Academy straight out of school at just 17. She specialised in Ship Communications and while she said the Navy had great opportunities many of the actual jobs weren't the right fit for her. 'It's not something that I realised at 17 but as I grew and developed more understanding of myself and the world, I came to realise there was something else for me,' she told Daily Mail Australia. While in the navy the 39-year-old developed a passion for photography and three years before she left the navy started a business for her new-found love on the side. Ms Martin has been running the business full-time for six years and increasing loves her job as a dog photographer due to the freedom it gives her 'I was fortunate enough to photograph a colleague and his family which included a dog,' she said of the moment she became a dog photographer. 'It was following this session and welcoming our own "furchild" that I realised that photography, and specifically photographing dogs, was my happy place. I still love it today and can't imagine doing anything else.' Ms Martin has been running the business full-time for six years and increasingly loves her job as a dog photographer due to the freedom of owning her own business and the clientele she gets to work with. Helena Nista was an accountant for eight years before she studied Tantra and somatic sexology, which she has worked in for five years Helena Nista, 37 Former job: Accountant Current job: Sex expert Helena Nista was an accountant for eight years before she studied Tantra and somatic sexology, which she has worked in for five years. She had studied French in Poland but when she moved to Ireland she found her skills unhelpful. The 37-year-old looked for something that wouldn't need another degree, and so she applied for an accounting job. 'My employer was impressed enough with my performance to invest in my education. He paid for my accounting degree which I completed part-time while working full-time,' she said. But she changed careers and moved to Australia in the last five years. 'Through some very significant personal circumstances I discovered the world of Tantra and sacred sexuality,' she said. She said she switched from a career that paid the bills to something meaningful to her, as she wanted to help people solve their frustration 'From the very beginning, I was completely fascinated with it and was soon attending countless workshops and reading all the books on the topic I could find. 'I developed a passion for the tantric philosophy and wanted to share it with the world. So I trained as a Tantra practitioner and later as a sexologist.' She said she switched from a career that paid the bills to something meaningful to her, as she wanted to help people solve their frustration. Sarah Thompson, 54 Former job: Veterinarian Current job: Pole dancing teacher Sarah Thompson worked as a veterinarian from 1991 to 2016, where she began in a busy practice in Orange, New South Wales, and eventually became a partner there. 'However, following my marriage breakdown I moved down to Sydney in 2000 where I was working in small animal practice as an employed veterinarian, permanent part-time,' she said. 'I was also a single mum to two young boys, so it was a big juggling act between motherhood and making a living.' Sarah Thompson worked as a veterinarian from 1991 to 2016, where she began in a busy practice in Orange, New South Wales, and eventually became a partner there The 54-year-old had always loved animals and science and so being a vet seemed perfect to her. But her switch to a pole dancing instructor was gradually going on the background. 'It became possible once I was confident that I had a viable career and successful business in the fitness industry,' she said. Ms Thompson had been taking pole dancing classes for a few years, and she and her life partner John knew some people who would be interested but weren't living nearby to studios. Ms Thompson had been taking pole dancing classes for a few years, and she and her life partner John knew some people who would be interested but weren't living nearby to studios 'At that stage I did not have a fitness qualification and had never really taught anything so I had to expand my qualifications and skill set,' she said. Ms Thompson said she had never been afraid of working hard and set up the first Miss Fit Dance Studio with no particular expectation of a career change. 'It was more just a matter of "lets do this and see what happens". It was successful beyond our wildest dreams, and in turn it became obvious that it would necessitate a career change for the business to really grow,' she said. They opened the first Miss Fit Dance Studio opened in 2007 and are still going strong in 2019 with three locations across Sydney. Fabiola Gomez, 46 Former job: Property lawyer Current job: CEO of a beauty company Fabiola Gomez spent close to eight years as a property and commercial lawyer, which she studied at the University of New South Wales and Bond University in Queensland. The 46-year-old said: 'Whilst I loved commercial and property it wasn't truly making my heart smile and I felt I could be of service in a creative environment with both the left and right brain working.' She joked that she also became bored of her black suits, which she dubbed her 'corporate uniform'. She then used her legal and commercial skills in the creative fashion industry as Founding General Manager of clothing label Camilla. Fabiola Gomez spent close to eight years as a property and commercial lawyer, which she studied at the University of New South Wales and Bond University in Queensland. Pictured with her grandmother She then used her legal and commercial skills in the creative fashion industry as Founding General Manager of clothing label Camilla before becoming the CEO of her own beauty business. Pictured with Camilla Franks 'Fashion then lead me into the 'beautiful' Beauty industry, which I absolutely loved, and one step closer to where I am - CEO of LUXit,' she said. Her company delivers mobile beauty, health, wellness and lifestyle servives to 'time poor' individuals. She has been in the fashion and beauty industry for 12 years. Jane Simpson helped businesses relocate employees across the world for work for 20 years Jane Simpson, 46 Former job: Relocation assistance professional Current job: Cosmetic eyebrow tattooist Jane Simpson helped businesses relocate employees across the world for work for 20 years. 'When my youngest went to school it was time to go back to work,' she said. 'I had done relocation assistance as part of my role for an organisation and I enjoyed it, so I applied for a role that was with a relocation company and worked my way up.' However in 2015 she switched careers to take up a career in cosmetic eyebrow tattoo artist However in 2015 she switched careers to take up a career as a cosmetic eyebrow tattoo artist. 'I needed to do something totally different, I was over sitting behind a desk or sitting on planes. EyeBrow Feathering could not be more different. It is artistic and personal and every single day I make a difference to my clients lives,' she said. She said: 'Changing career either by choice or circumstances is actually a terrifying thing to do. 'You need to be aware that it will be at least a year until you have an income, so work out what is the least amount of money you need to "survive" and stick to that.' A man who almost died after falling 22 storeys off a building while intoxicated has used his 'miracle' survival as a way to raise awareness and help those suffering from a mental illness. As a teenager, Jacob Pearce, 30, from Melbourne, battled severe anxiety and depression which resulted in him self-medicating with drugs and copious amounts of alcohol. The fall, which took place on March 18, 2017, happened while he was celebrating at a friend's buck's party. 'I was highly intoxicated on a balcony and I managed to roll off the top but I survived, it was an absolute miracle and I'm lucky to be alive,' he told FEMAIL. 'I fell 60 metres and landed on the roof of a restaurant. I landed in the perfect spot in the perfect way as my arm must have saved my head and my spine.' Australian man Jacob Pearce, 30, has been given a second chance at life after falling from a 22 storey building Mr Pearce said he struggled with his mental health from the age of 18 to his mid-20s and battled in silence as he continued to live a reckless lifestyle. Although he would only party on weekends he would be on such a high, which would all come crashing down during the week before starting the cycle all over again. It was when he was 20 that he first came to terms with his mental health issues and chose to seek help. 'At that point I told people what I was going through until one person told me to stop talking about it, which is because of the stigma back then,' he said. 'After being told that, from then on I kept it inside and battled on my own.' 'I was highly intoxicated on a balcony and I managed to roll off the top but I survived, it was an absolute miracle and I'm lucky to be alive,' he told FEMAIL (pictured after his fall) 'I fell 60 metres and landed on the roof of a restaurant. I landed in the perfect spot in the perfect way as my arm must have saved my head and my spine,' he added Mr Pearce suffered from severe social anxiety and would be nervous about going to work, seeing his friends and family and found himself lying regularly. He didn't want to come across as 'weak', which is why being told by a friend to not speak about his mental health was so harmful. This all changed after his big wakeup call two years ago. Although he would only party on weekends he would be high the entire time and would crash during the weekdays before starting the cycle all over again come Friday night Mr Pearce said he only has 'good memories' from the buck's party but instead of waking up on the Sunday with a routine hangover, he woke up the following Tuesday from an induced coma. The last thing he remembers was a group party photo. 'I had no idea, I didn't remember anything. There were 40 people there, we had been to the races and we had a great day but it got to a point in the afternoon where I was a complete mess,' he said. 'I made the mistake of going into that day with the idea of getting messy, I was also on prescription medication for an infection in my leg and was on illicit drugs.' As a teenager Jacob battled severe anxiety and depression, which resulted in him self-medicating with drugs and copious amounts of alcohol When his mental health was at its worst during the week Mr Pearce would be 'extremely anxious' When the fall took place Mr Pearce said he fell past hundreds of locals on their balconies. The fire brigade and police were there in minutes and rushed him to hospital, where he 'miraculously' survived. Mr Pearce was in a wheelchair for three months with a fractured pelvis, punctured lung, fractured ribs, snapped arm and now every ligament in his knees are torn. 'Then about two months later when I was home my stomach organs herniated into my chest cavity and collapsed my left lung and nearly killed me,' he said. 'There was a tear in my diaphragm that they didnt pick up on originally and over time everything moved up but at least I came out of it the other side.' Mr Pearce said he only has 'good memories' from the buck's party but instead of waking up on the Sunday with a routine hangover, he woke up on a Tuesday from an induced coma Mr Pearce was in a wheelchair for three months with a fractured pelvis, punctured lung, fractured ribs, snapped arm and now every ligament in his knees are torn The 30-year-old spent a lot of time in the hospital by himself, which meant he had time to think about what he wanted to do with this second chance and how he wanted to give back to others. It wasn't until two people close to him in his life committed suicide that he knew how he could help his community while also facing his own issues head on. He realised that he wanted to raise money for young people's mental health as he remembered how awful he felt struggling as a young person. Mr Pearce discovered the Alive Project, which is a team that dedicates their time helping youth build resilience. The 30-year-old had many times in the hospital by himself, which meant he had time to think about what he wanted to do with this second chance and how he wanted to give back to others The 30-year-old contacted the team and with their help organised a 375km walk over 10 days that he will undertake to help raise money for the Alive Project. Mr Pearce took off on Friday March 8th and is walking for eight hours doing 40 kilometres a day on average. This will include stop-overs overnight as he travels from the Murray River to Melbourne. 'It's been 179 days since I told the world Ive battled with my mental health for most of my life. I am now nine hours away from the biggest challenge Ive ever faced and I just want to thank everyone that has supported me all the way,' he wrote shortly before he set off. 'I am doing this because I believe I survived for a reason and that reason is for people to learn from my experiences. I aim for a happier future for our young people. I aim to smash the stigma of mental health for good. 'I am doing this for all the brave warriors who are no longer with us and also for my own mental health. Ghandi once said "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others" and thats exactly what Im doing. ' Although his original goal was to raise $10,000 at the time of writing he had raised $28,771 through My Cause. 'If we can build resilience in our young people it can set them up for life but often young people, especially young men, don't want to come across as weak but now that I'm so open about my past struggles it has helped others,' he said. 'Since putting myself out there I've had so many people reach out and thank me for being so open, it's had a good impact on other people.' Amy Pickerill was tipped to become Meghans next private secretary but will now be leaving after Meghan gives birth The Duchess of Sussex was last night described as very sad to be losing her most trusted aide the fourth member of her team to quit in the past five months. Amy Pickerill, pictured right, who had been tipped to become Meghans next private secretary, will leave after the Duchess gives birth, which is expected to be next month. Sources insisted the split was amicable with Ms Pickerill, 33, moving abroad. Amy and Meghan will stay in touch because they are so close, a Palace source said. Ive no doubt they will continue to speak and Amy will continue to support Meghan. Their relationship is really strong. Ms Pickerill, who will help with the couples imminent move to Frogmore Cottage in Home Park, Windsor, joined Kensington Palace as a senior communications officer in 2016. She played a key role during last years Royal tour to Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga, including helping to whisk Meghan to safety during a scare at a market. Since adopting a more public role, Ms Pickerill, who studied at Nottingham University and City University in London, has even drawn the attention of fashion bloggers. The loss of the former Royal Bank of Scotland and Treasury press officer will be keenly felt by the Duchess, who has faced accusations that she makes unreasonably high demands of staff. In December, it emerged that aide Samantha Cohen will leave Kensington Palace after Meghan becomes a mother. A former assistant private secretary to the Queen, Ms Cohen had agreed to stay on to help the Duchess to adapt to Royal life. Her PA Melissa Touabti, 39, who had worked for Robbie Williams, quit in November and it emerged in January that Meghans female personal protection officer was leaving the Met for personal reasons. The Iowa Supreme Court on Friday upheld a lower court's ruling that the state cannot deny two transgender women Medicaid coverage for sex reassignment surgery. The state's high court agreed with Judge Arthur Gamble's ruling in June that a 1995 Iowa Department of Human Services policy denying Medicaid coverage for sex reassignment surgery violates the state's 2007 Civil Rights Act, which added gender identity to the state's list of protected classes. Gamble also deemed state's 1995 policy unconstitutional, but the high court did not address that finding. Friday's ruling comes in the consolidated cases of 43-year-old Carol Ann Beal, who lives in northwestern Iowa, and 29-year-old EerieAnna Good, who lives in the east of the state. The Iowa Supreme Court on Friday, March 8, 2019 upheld a judge's earlier ruling that found the state cannot deny two transgender women, including Carol Ann Beal (pictured), Medicaid coverage for sex reassignment surgery (ACLU of Iowa via AP) Both were born male but have identified as female since childhood. They sought to have surgery under the state's Medicaid program, which provides care for the poor and disabled, but were denied. They appealed to the state agency, which oversees the program, and were again denied. They sued in 2017, and the agency appealed following Gamble's ruling. In its appeal, the agency argued, among other things, that its policy wasn't discriminatory because neither transgender nor non-transgender Medicaid beneficiaries would be entitled to gender-reassignment surgery, which it said is performed 'primarily for psychological purposes.' It also argued the policy's explicit exclusion of gender-reassignment surgeries was merely a specified example within the broader category of 'cosmetic, reconstructive, and plastic surgeries' that were excluded from coverage. The state Supreme Court said Friday that the record doesn't support that assertion. 'The (department) expressly denied Good and Beal coverage for their surgical procedures because they were "related to transsexualism ... (or) gender identity disorders" and "for the purpose of sex reassignment," Justice Susan Christensen wrote, citing segments of the policy. Moreover, she wrote, the policy authorizes payment for some cosmetic, reconstructive and plastic surgeries that serve psychological purposes, such as to correct disfiguring and extensive scarring and congenital anomalies, but 'it prohibits coverage for this same procedure if (it's) a transgender individual.' Iowa Department of Human Services spokesman Matt Highland said the agency would not comment on the ruling. The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa, which filed the lawsuit on the behalf of Beal and Good, called Friday's ruling 'a landmark win.' 'Denying health care coverage to someone because they are transgender is wrong and extremely harmful to those who need this care,' said John Knight of the ACLU's LGBT & HIV Project. Beal and Good also expressed elation over the ruling, with Beal saying she's 'extremely happy for those people who will come after me, that we've made a path for them so that they can get the medical care and surgery they need.' Good said the decision has been a long time coming. 'So many people still don't understand that this is not something we need for trivial or cosmetic reasons,' she said. 'It's medical care a doctor is recommending for someone who has a medical need for it. And it can save lives. Transgender people are at such risk for suicide, and I've lost transgender friends to suicide. I hope this decision helps change that.' A struggling Australian dairy farmer has opened up about how the worst drought in 100 years cost him his marriage, mental health and livelihood. Fifth generation dairy farmer Jason Maloney, 37, is forced to buy food for his cows because of the severe drought that is still plaguing on his farm in Croom in regional New South Wales. He said his company Naturalganics Dairy struggles to break even because of the drought, as well as pressure from supermarkets who sell milk on the cheap. Mr Maloney said suicide has 'crossed my mind' and not talking to his wife about stress and anxiety cost him his marriage in a documentary called The One In A Hundred by filmmaker Suzanne Kim. Naturalganic Dairy, run by Mr Maloney, struggles to break even due to the cost of buying food for the cows during drought and pressures from supermarkets to sell milk cheaply Mr Maloney said he 'wishes that he had talked about' his mental health to family and friends. 'It's not just male farmers, it's the whole male population. There's a stigma out there that men don't talk,' he said. 'There's a lot of farmers out there that wouldn't talk. A lot of farmers out there that are taking their lives. BEFORE: NSW dairy farmer Jason Maloney's farmland in Croom was perfect for grazing cattle before the drought struck AFTER: Today Mr Maloney's land is dry and arid. He has to buy feed to keep his cows alive Mr Maloney is struggling through the worst Australian drought in 100 years. The dry land means grass does not grow and there is not enough water for cows to drink 'I've spoken with other farmers who've told me if they didn't have children they would've put a bullet in their head a long time ago. 'I'm not going to say that thought hasn't crossed my mind.' People living in rural areas take their own lives at twice the rate of those in the city. There are about 20 suicide deaths per 100,000 people in isolated rural areas, according to a study by NSW Health and Newcastle University. Mr Maloney said suicide has 'crossed my mind' and that many farmers he has spoken to have also considered taking their own lives 'I would go for days without eating or sleeping because I was so stressed and anxious,' Mr Maloney said. He said his old marriage broke down during the drought when he didn't tell his ex-wife how he was feeling. 'I thought I was protecting her. I would put up a bit of a front and smile to make things seem alright. 'Was it the right thing to do? I don't know. It cost me my marriage.' Mr Maloney is forced to buy feed for his cows because nothing is growing on his land. He said if farmers are paid more they could become 'drought proof' Mr Maloney is now in a new relationship with another woman since last December. 'Without a doubt I'm more open with her. I've learnt from my mistakes and I'm moving forward,' he said. 'The drought is like cancer. You're cruising along and then all of a sudden it hits you and changes everything,' Mr Maloney said. Mr Maloney said the drought has gotten 'a lot worse over the summer' and he's considering leaving the farm he's been on for the last three years. 'It's definitely made me realise I don't want to go through another drought again. I can't,' he said. Mr Maloney said 'the drought is like cancer'. He said the drought has gotten 'a lot worse over the summer' and he's considering leaving the farm The Croom farm used to be a cow's paradise with acres of grassland for them to graze. Now he feels like they 'scream' at him for food Mr Maloney became the face of the drought when he posted a heartbreaking video to Facebook asking for help. 'I've never felt so ashamed, so desperate about the fact that I have to ask for help,' he said with tears running down his face. He raised $270,000 on GoFundMe which he used to pay feed bills for himself and other farmers. 'I've never felt so ashamed, so desperate about the fact that I have to ask for help,' Mr Maloney said in a Facebook video with tears running down his face. He has since raised $270,000 'If we were paid a fair price we could set ourselves up so that we can be drought proof,' Mr Maloney said. He said '20 cents more for milk' would make a huge difference. Mr Maloney's supplies milk to Woolworths via Dairy Farmers. Coles and Aldi refused to stop selling $1-a-litre milk after Woolworths dropped their dollar dairy last month. 'There's a saying that you'll need a doctor or lawyer at least once in your life. You need a farmer three times a day,' he said. 'People need to realise where their food comes from.' For confidential support call the Lifeline 24-hour crisis support on 13 11 14. The six people accused of participating in a horrific attack on two police officers on Melbourne's busy St Kilda strip have now been charged - and released back into the community. It comes as Daily Mail Australia can reveal the full police version of events leading up to the alleged attack, including the venues the accused had attended before all hell broke loose. Footage of a vicious assault on Senior Constables Adam McKenzie and Darren Shepherd went viral after it was captured on Fitzroy Street late last month. Jake Mitchell, 26, of Frankston fronted Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Friday where he faced seven charges including assaulting police, affray, violent disorder, intentionally causing injury and other assault-related offences. Scroll down for video Jake Mitchell runs for cover after leaving the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Friday. He allegedly held a policeman down and kicked him in the head during a violent altercation caught on video Jack Houldcroft and his partner Kayla Potts are both accused of attacking a policeman. Holdcroft can allegedly be seen in dramatic video wearing a yellow shirt. Potts was cracked in the head by police with a torch The hearing was over in minutes with Mitchell making a run for it when approached by a Daily Mail Australia photographer outside court. Mitchell is alleged to have held down a policeman and kicked him in the head during the all-in-brawl, which was filmed by shocked passers-by along the busy precinct. Police had not opposed his release on bail and had earlier bailed him from the police station. His co-accused, Jack Houldcroft, 27, was also released from jail after spending 19 days in custody. Police had opposed his release, arguing he was a risk of committing further offences. Jack Houldcroft, 27, (pictured centre) was released from jail after spending 19 days in custody Houldcroft was pictured smiling as he arrived at Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday He had been the only one of the six accused not to apply for bail after being arrested. Police are convinced they now have each of the offenders responsible for the alleged assaults, which left both officers with nasty injuries. How it happened 3AM: Trent Potts allegedly gets into an argument outside of Poison nightclub on Fitzroy St Moments later he allegedly kicks a transgender in the genitals Police are called They arrive quickly and find Potts, dressed in pink, about to climb into a cab They attempt to talk to him He allegedly runs A passerby driving along Fitzroy St notices the fracas and starts filming Officer McKenzie attempts to arrest Potts. Kayla Potts allegedly intervenes and is seen being cracked in the face with Mr McKenzie's torch Houldcroft, in yellow, charges at the officer Potts, in pink, can be seen dragging officer Shepherd - in high viz vest - away O'Donnell allegedly drops the boot before jumping on top of officer Shepherd Jake Mitchell allegedly holds the policeman down and kicks him in the head Tobin, believed to be wearing a hat, approached and allegedly spits on the officer O'Donnell allegedly slams the officer's head into the footpath six times Houldcroft allegedly spear tackles the officer before punching on with Mr McKenzie Advertisement The men join Jules Jerome Tobin, 26, Trent Potts, 26, Phillip ODonnell, 38, and Potts' 25-year-old sister - and Houdcroft's partner - Kayla Potts, free on bail. They are expected back in court in June where they face mandatory prison sentences of six months each if found guilty of the attacks. On release of the video, senior police described the footage as 'animalistic' and the state premier slammed it as 'disgusting'. Now, the police version of events of the night can be revealed. Tobin had been fronting a band at a 30th birthday party attended by the group at Cushion Bar before they all headed off to Poison nightclub. Police claim trouble started when Trent Potts got into a heated argument with a transgender woman outside of the pub they had been in. He allegedly kicked her in the testicles. Police were called and arrived on the scene just as the group were about to board a taxi. Potts, who was allegedly wearing a pink shirt, was identified and questioned by Mr McKenzie. Detective Senior Constable Jacob Laidlaw told the court Potts then broke free and made a run for it. Mr Shepherd took chase but tripped on the gutter, he said. Potts then allegedly shaped up to Mr McKenzie before striking him. The experienced officer took him down as his partner ran to help. It was then that police allege Kayla Potts struck Mr McKenzie from behind. Police allege Houldcroft (second from left) spear tackled an officer and punched and kicked another Mitchell faces seven charges including assaulting police, affray, violent disorder, intentionally causing injury and other assault-related offences Poison on Fitzroy Street in St Kilda: The group had been partying at the night club before a fight broke out outside the venue and the police were called The group had attended a 30th birthday party at Cushion earlier that evening. The group moved on to Poison where trouble spilled out onto Fitzroy Street and police were called He retaliated with a Mag light torch to the side of her head. Police allege O'Donnell then attacked Mr Shepherd from behind, slamming his head repeatedly into the footpath while Mitchell held him down. They further allege Houldcroft punched and kicked Mr McKenzie as he lay on the ground while Tobin allegedly spat on him and kicked him twice. Houldcroft then allegedly 'spear tackled' Mr Shepherd after he got to his feet. He was hit with pepper spray, but the men fled, leaving Kayla Potts injured on the ground. Video of the incident shocked the nation and went viral soon after its release on social media. Phillip O'Donnell, Trent Potts and Jules Tobin have all been charged over the attack on police. O'Donnell allegedly slammed a policeman's head into the footpath while Tobin allegedly spat on one She took herself to hospital and was arrested later that day. Senior Constable Laidlow told an earlier hearing that officer Shepherd had sustained horrific injuries, including a ruptured bicep. 'It's quite a strong case and it's only going to get stronger,' the detective said. In arguing for Houldcroft's release, his lawyer William Barker said the only reason he hadn't been released earlier was because a duty lawyer advised him not to apply for bail. The court heard Houldcroft had previously been convicted of a violent offence and had a three-month suspended prison term imposed on him nine years ago. But police conceded he was a low risk of reoffending while out on bail. Federal immigration officers have arrested 161 Indian students enrolled at a government set-up fake university in Detroit in a major bust of an immigration scam. The Department of Homeland Security created the fake University of Farmington in Michigan to catch scammers who make money by helping foreigners live in the U.S. on student visas while enrolled at bogus schools. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has arrested the foreign students on civil immigration violations, agency spokesman Khaalid Walls told the Detroit Free Press. Federal authorities announced that the school was a sham in January in a undercover government operation to catch immigration scammers. ICE has arrested 161 foreign students from India on civil immigration violations. They were arrested for having U.S. student visas while being enrolled at the fake University of Farmington (website above), which was set up by the Department of Homeland Security This is the building that was used as a fake University of Farmington campus by the federal government in Farmingoton Hills, Michigan. Federal authorities in January announced that the University of Farmington was fake and created by the Department of Homeland Security to catch people making money by helping foreigners live in the U.S. on student visas while enrolled at bogus schools Many of the students have been removed from the country or are in the process of removal, Walls said. More students could be arrested or removed since enforcement action remains ongoing, he said. Most of the 600 students enrolled at the school were from Telugu-speaking regions of India. The university had a physical building and gave students the option to enroll in Optional Practical Training or Curricular Practical Training programs. The U.S. government says that the university didn't offer any classes. Immigration lawyers say the students din't know the school was fake when they enrolled. Now about 440 students remain enrolled at the fake school and haven't been arrested. They're anxious about their future status with many already choosing to leave the country, attorneys said. Prashanthi Reddy, an NY attorney who represents some of the students, says the government should have targeted other universities in the U.S. who have such sham programs, rather than creating a fake one and arresting students enrolled there. The Indian government has said it is closely monitoring the situation and expressed concerns that some of the students may have been duped by recruiters. The website for the fake school now shares this notice Now officials from an Indian-American cultural group say they're concerned about the arrests of the Indian students. The American Telugu Association, which aims to connect people who speak Telugu and promote their culture, is struggling to track all of the students and is concerned about the conditions they're facing in jail, said the group's president, Parmesh Bheemreddy. Students are being housed at 34 detention centers across the U.S., the association said. Many of the students have lost weight in detention because they're vegetarians for cultural and religious reasons, Bheemreddy said. Most of the students come from poor backgrounds and had to take out loans to come to the U.S. and 'pursue the American dream,' he said. 'These are innocent girls and boys,' Bheemreddy said of the students. 'They're not criminals. It's mentally and physically torturing. It is a life-changing event for them.' Some of the students have been granted voluntary departure. Voluntary differs from deportation in that they can return to the U.S. in the future after a three or 10-year period, depending on how long they were enrolled at the fake school. The longtime boss of the infamous Colombo crime family, Carmine 'The Snake' Persico, has died at the age of 85. Attorney Benson Weintraub says Persico died on Thursday at the Duke University Medical Center. He had been serving what was effectively a life sentence at a federal prison in Butner, North Carolina. Persico was convicted of racketeering and murder in a prosecution of mob bosses led by then-U.S. Attorney Rudolph Giuliani. Carmine Persico, the former head of the Colombo crime family, has died at the age of 85, his lawyer said on Friday. Persico is seen above in 1986 during his trial in New York City He had been serving what was effectively a life sentence at a federal prison in Butner, North Carolina. Persico (center) is seen above in an undated file photo Prosecutors said Persico took over the murderous New York-based crime organization in the early 1970s when it was at the height of its powers. He was sentenced to more than a century in prison during the 1986 'Commission Trial' targeting the heads of New York's mafia families. Persico served as his own lawyer during the trial. Persico was sentenced to 139 years in prison, though he was said to continue running the Colombo crime family from behind bars, according to the New York Daily News. It has also been reported that while incarcerated at Butner, Persico became friendly with another notorious inmate, Bernie Madoff. Persico (left) was indicted in 1984 by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Manhattan, which was headed at the time by Rudolph Giuliani (right) Madoff is the former Wall Street investor who was sentenced to life in prison in 2008 for masterminding a $64.8billion Ponzi scheme. Towards the end of his life, Persico began to suffer from a number of health problems, including blindness in his right eye and limited use of his arms. Last December, Persico filed a lawsuit asking for a compassionate release and alleging that the warden and doctor at Butner showed deliberate indifference, leading to the deterioration of his health. Doctors were planning to amputate Persicos leg due to an infection, but Persico resisted, according to his lawyer. Benson Weintraub, his attorney, told the Daily News he suspects that Persico died because the leg infections spread as a result of deliberately indifferent treatment. Persico had been serving what was effectively a life sentence at a federal prison in Butner, North Carolina. One inmate he reportedly befriended is Bernie Madoff, the former Wall Street executive who was convicted of running a $64.8billion Ponzi scheme Early in his career, Persico worked in bookmaking and loan-sharking. By his mid-20s, he was a high-ranking official in the crime organization headed by Joe Colombo. Persicos power within the organization grew to the point where he led a rival faction that overthrew Colombo, who was shot to death in 1971. In 1984, he was indicted for racketeering by the U.S. Attorneys Office in Manhattan, which was headed at the time by Giuliani. Persico eventually went to prison, though he did put out a contract on Giuliani. A federal jury says Royal Caribbean Cruises owes $3.38million to the family of a passenger who died during an Alaskan cruise. The jury returned its verdict Thursday in Miami federal court. Court records show Richard Puchalski was with his family on the Explorer of the Seas in 2016. A civil complaint says the Wisconsin man, who booked the trip to celebrate his 70th birthday, visited the ship's infirmary with shortness of breath and later collapsed after being treated and sent back to his cabin. The complaint says the ship's medical staff made errors that led to Puchalski's heart attack being fatal. Richard Puchalski, 70, died while on the Explorer of the Seas cruise operated by Royal Caribbean off the Alaskan coast on July 31,2016 Royal Caribbean was ordered to pay his family $3.38million after a jury determined the medical staff on board made errors just before Puchalski's death Jurors found Royal Caribbean to be 70 percent at fault for the approximately $34,000 in medical expenses and $4.8 million in loss of companionship and pain and suffering. Royal Caribbean representatives say they plan to appeal the decision. 'Until the cruise line industry makes the long-overdue, necessary changes to the standard of care, more families will suffer these life changing tragedies, and we will continue to file these lawsuits and present to juries these obvious cases of negligence,' Michael Haggard, a lawyer for Puchalskis family, told the Miami Herald. A spokesperson for the company said: 'We respectfully disagree with the outcome of this case. We are considering our legal options, and we intend to appeal the decision.' According to the lawsuit, Puchalski went to the infirmary of the Explorer of the Seas cruise ship on July 31, 2016 and complained he was suffering from shortness of breath. The doctor on duty, Amanda Saunders, diagnosed Puchalski with 'a septal infarction.' A septal infarction is dead tissue on the septum, the wall of tissue which separates the heart's right ventricle from the left ventricle. Saunders gave Puchalski medication and sent him back to his room, according to the lawsuit. An hour later, Puchalski collapsed to the floor of his cabin. Disgraced entrepreneur Martin Shkreli is being investigated by federal authorities for allegedly running his pharmaceutical enterprise from behind bars. The US Bureau of Prisons launched the probe after the Wall Street Journal reported that Shkreli - once dubbed the most hated man in America - had secretly been contacting executives at his company, Phoenixus AG, using a contraband smartphone. The 'Pharma bro' is also alleged to have used the illegal device to regularly update his social media pages and is even said to have fired the company's chief executive last month. 'When there are allegations of misconduct, they are thoroughly investigated and appropriate action is taken if such allegations are proven true,' the Bureau of Prisons said on Friday. Martin Shkreli (above) has been accused of using a contraband cell phone to operate his pharmaceutical company from behind bars Shkreli, 35, is serving a seven-year sentence for fraud after he lied to investor in two failed hedge funds 'This allegation is currently under investigation.' Shkreli, 35, is serving a seven-year sentence for securities fraud at the Federal Correctional Institution, a low security prison in Fort Dix, New Jersey. He was found guilty of lying to investors in two failed hedge funds and cheating them out of millions. The Bureau of Prisons said federal prisoners caught in possession of cellphones face up to an additional year behind bars if convicted. Shkreli also could face additional disciplinary sanctions within the prison if he is found to have conducted business. In their investigation, the WSJ claim Shkreli 'remains the shadow power' at his drug company. His current sentence is unrelated to the 2015 furor he caused when he raised the price of a life-saving drug for cancer and AIDS patients from $13.50 a pill, to $750 a pill Shkreli is currently serving a seven-year sentence for securities fraud at the Federal Correctional Institution, a low security prison in Fort Dix, New Jersey If forecasts hold true, the company - in which Shkreli owns a 40% stake - could be worth $3.7 billion by the time he's served his sentence. Shkreli had been charged with eight counts of securities fraud, conspiracy to commit securities fraud and wire fraud, for his role managing MSMB Capital Management and MSMB Healthcare between 2009 and 2014. The case was unrelated to the 2015 furor he caused when he raised the price of a life-saving drug for cancer and AIDS patients from $13.50 a pill, to $750 a pill. He earned the nickname 'Pharma Bro' for his maverick persona and often questionable conduct. In 2015, he paid $2 million at auction for an unheard Wu-Tang Clan album, which he later surrendered to authorities as part of a forfeit in his sentencing. A woman and her brother have been convicted in the gruesome stabbing death of her husband more than 20 years ago. Roslyn Pilmar, 61, and her brother, Evan Wald, 45, were found guilty of second-degree murder by a jury in State Supreme Court in Manhattan on Friday. The verdict is a victory for prosecutors, who for more than two decades had not been able to find suspects in the 1996 murder of 40-year-old Howard Pilmar. Howard Pilmar, a successful entrepreneur who owned an office supply store and a coffee shop, was stabbed 40 times just outside his New York City office. Roslyn Pilmar (left), 61, and her brother, Evan Wald (right), 45, were found guilty of second-degree murder by a jury in State Supreme Court in Manhattan on Friday The verdict is a victory for prosecutors, who for more than two decades had not been able to find suspects in the 1996 murder of 40-year-old Howard Pilmar Pilmar and Wald both face between 25 years and life in prison. Their lawyers plan to appeal the verdict, according to The New York Times. For nearly 23 years, Roslyn Pilmar and Evan Wald evaded justice for their gruesome crime and thought they would get away with it, the Manhattan district attorney, Cyrus Vance Jr, said in a statement. Were disappointed in the verdict, of course, but the battle is far from over, Pilmars lawyer said. Prosecutors say Roslyn Pilmar and Wald plotted the murder of Howard Pilmar in order to inherit a $1.2million life insurance policy. They allege that Pilmar fell into debt after she was caught stealing $160,000 from the dentists office where she worked as a dental hygienist. She then promised to pay the money back, though she did not tell her husband about it and kept it a secret. Prosecutors say that in the days leading up to the murder, Pilmar was receiving frequent telephone calls about her debt, including from the IRS, which was demanding $14,000 in unpaid taxes. The government threatened to shut down one of her husbands coffee bars, which she was running. Howard Pilmar was found dead in a pool of blood outside his office on East 33rd Street (above) near the Empire State Building on March 28, 1996 She owed the money, and she had to pay it back, Elizabeth Lederer, the lead prosecutor in the case, said of Pilmar. She had to find it quickly. Prosecutors also said that the Pilmars marriage was crumbling, and that Howard Pilmar contacted a divorce lawyer. Roslyn Pilmar had also complained that her husband was verbally abusive, according to witnesses. Lederer alleged that Pilmar and her brother planned [the murder] as a trap. After Howard Pilmars death, Roslyn Pilmar inherited more than $1million on two life insurance policies as well as his businesses, which she sold months later. Roslyn Pilmar also inherited an apartment on Manhattans Upper East Side and a summer home. Prosecutors allege that Roslyn Pilmar (seen in a Manhattan court last December) plotted to kill her husband in order to collect $1.2million on a life insurance policy Three years after the murder, Pilmar pleaded guilty to grand larceny in the embezzlement case, repaid the money she stole, and was sentenced to probation. Prosecutors said that the relationship began to grow tense between Wald and his brother-in-law, for whom he worked. They alleged that Wald began to resent Howard Pilmar for being too critical of him. Wald also was protective of his sister and was aware of her deteriorating marriage. Lederer said that Wald threatened to kill Howard Pilmar if he ever harmed his sister. But Walds lawyer, Daniel Gotlin, ridiculed the idea that Wald would announce beforehand plans to kill his brother-in-law. If you were planning something, why would you make that statement? Gotlin said on Monday. Its like announcing, Im going to kill the guy. Howard Pilmar was found dead in a pool of blood outside his office on East 33rd Street near the Empire State Building on March 28, 1996. Authorities said that night before, he was stabbed 40 times in his neck, chest, and back - with a number of stab wounds inflicted after he had drawn his last breath. Investigators believed that someone he knew was responsible, since there were no signs of forced entry. Pilmar was killed after the building security guard went home for the night - which detectives believed was a clue that the killer was familiar with his normal routine. Officers also did not believe it was a burglary since Pilmar still had his wallet with $200 on him at the time he was killed. Evan Wald, Roslyn Pilmar's brother, is seen above after his arrest in October 2017. Prosecutors say Wald's blood was found at the crime scene and that he had a cut on his left hand The gruesomeness of the crime scene and the repeated stab wounds also led police to believe that the perpetrators knew the victim and had an emotional motive to kill him. Authorities said DNA tests proved Walds blood was at the crime scene. Police officers interviewed him and noticed a cut on his left hand. Prosecutors allege the cut was sustained while he stabbed Pilmar. Walds lawyer, Gotlin, said that the cut on his clients hand did not prove that he was guilty. His hand was cut. So what? Gotlin said during closing arguments to the jury on Monday. That doesnt mean he killed anyone with a knife. Gotlin also claimed that the police focus on Wald prevented them from pursuing other leads. Howard Pilmar was the owner King Office Supply, a family-owned office supply business which had a coffee bar in the front of the store - an innovation at the time. The business had 50 employees and was generating some $14million a year. A traumatised family has not been able to return home after their three-year-old boy drowned in their backyard pool. Mother-of-three Kylie Parker was in the bathroom when her daughter told her the pool gate was stuck at their Geraldton home in Western Australia on February 23. Jake Anthony Botica was found unconscious under water less than a minute after Ms Parker started frantically looked for him around the house. Ms Parker is currently staying with her friends, while her daughters are cared for by their father Thomas Sprott, PerthNow reported. Jake Anthony Botica (pictured) was found unconscious under water in less than a minute after Ms Parker frantically looked for him around the house. Mother-of-three Kylie Parker (left) and her two daughters have not been able to return home after the tragic incident 'When she told me the gate was left open I ran around the house looking for him until I realised he wasn't there,' Ms Parker said. Ms Parker immediately performed CPR on Jake and a neighbour jumped over the fence to help take over after he heard her scream. 'He performed CPR on him right until they arrived at the hospital even in the ambulance,' she said. The mother-of-three described Jake as a bright and funny little boy, whose favourite things to do was spend hours watching car movies and playing with cars and trucks. 'He loved Hotel Transylvania and going to daycare, playing with friends,' Ms Parker said. Jake is the youngest child, who looked up to his sisters Scarlett, 7, and Isabella Sprott, 8. Jake is the youngest child, who looked up to his sisters Scarlett, 7, and Isabella Sprott, 8 Ms Parker warned it took just 20 seconds for a child to get out of a parent's sight and get into trouble. She had been teaching the toddler how to swim but recalled he had been 'terrified of water'. The mother-of-three is considering launching a campaign for mandatory pool gate alarms. 'There's alarms that you can get for pools. This isn't going to be the end for me and my son,' she said. The sister of missing woman Samah Baker has made a heartbreaking tribute to her sibling after police laid murder charges against a 32-year-old man. Elena Baker took down her original Facebook photo and replaced it with a black canvas to pay respect to her sister. The change to her social media account comes after police arrested James Hachem at Hurstville, in Sydney's south on Friday and later charged him with murder. It is understood the accused and Samah Baker knew one another. Hachem was not required to appear when his matter was briefly mentioned at Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday and his case has been adjourned until Tuesday. Elena Baker took down her original Facebook photo and replaced it with a black canvas to pay respect to her sister Samah Baker was reported missing by relatives later that day when they were unable to contact her The change to her social media account comes after police arrested a 32-year-old man at Hurstville, in Sydney's south on Friday and later charged him with murder Samah Baker, 30, was last seen after she was dropped off by a friend at her Parramatta home, in Sydney's west, in the early hours of Friday, January 4. She was reported missing by relatives later that day when they were unable to contact her. CCTV footage showed Ms Baker inside the Vibe Hotel, North Sydney, two days before her disappearance. The footage shows her entering an elevator at the hotel wearing a black and white spotted top with denim shorts. She exits a short time later before walking in the opposite direction to the male who was also in the lift. Following inquiries, detectives began searching bushland at Yarra, 16km south-west of Goulburn earlier this week. Several items which may be relevant to the investigation were seized by officers for forensic examination. The body of Ms Baker remains undiscovered. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Ed Sheeran has got his neighbours choking on their chorizos with plans to turn a much-loved Spanish restaurant into a music bar. The star bought the Galicia tapas bar in Londons swish Portobello Road for 1.5million last year. The 28-year-old, who lives nearby, reportedly wants to transform it into a live music venue with a members club vibe. But residents who described Galicia as one of the last authentic Spanish restaurants in London spoke of their dismay yesterday at finding out its new owner is one of the worlds biggest pop stars. Ed Sheeran has angered locals near Portobello Road after he bought the local Spanish restaurant Galicia was described by one resident as one of the last authentic Spanish restaurants in London Monica Marcolungo, 47, who lives opposite, said: If it turns into a members club where they charge 3,000-4,000 a month to join, nobody from around here will go. Dan Sharp, 42, who also lives nearby, said: I think its such a shame it was such a fun place to go for locals but if it just became a celebrity hangout then whats the point in that? Another neighbour added: Its terrible. There is already enough noise around here. There are non-stop roadworks and lots of people, its enough without more music. Galicia was one of the most unique, bohemian places. They were never playing music inside and human conversation was uninterrupted. You felt like you had gone back 70 years in time. Sheeran, who is worth an estimated 80million, is thought to have bought the west London property with his manager Stuart Camp. Councillors in Kensington and Chelsea have approved alterations to the building, including a new roof with obscured glass panel. Yesterday, the front of the restaurant was boarded up and workmen could be seen entering and leaving the building. It is understood a soft launch could take place as early as next month. Sheeran has been open about his drinking habits in the past. He has said: Ive never woken up and needed a drink but I love drinking every day. I dont see that as problematic. A regional council has issued a formal apology after publishing a racial slur in a funeral notice and insisting it was a nickname. Aboriginal man and father John Hagan was a dedicated employee of Paroo Shire Council in south-west Queensland before he died. However, his 20 years of service seemed to have been belittled when the council published a funeral notice saying Mr Hagan was 'known to all as 'N****r Rat',' The Australian reported. Aboriginal man John Hagan (right, with son Bruce) was a dedicated employee of Paroo Shire Council in south-west Queensland for 20 years 'Relatives and Friends of the late John Hagan known to all as 'N****r Rat' are respectfully invited to attend his funeral service,' said the post made on November 8. Paroo Shire Council took down the notice from its Facebook page after severe backlash and the threat of legal action from Mr Hagan's family. Mr Hagan's son Bruce Hooper and cousin Stephen Hagan filed a complaint with the Human Rights Commission under section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act. The council later claimed it was a 'nickname' that was not used in a racial context but rather at the request of Mr Hagan's sister. Dr Hagan and Mr Hooper disagreed with the claims, saying they had never heard of the nickname. The pair decided to pursue action as there was no justification to use the racial slur. 'We took this case to the Human Rights Commission to draw a line in the sand,' Dr Hagan said. 'They are offensive, hurtful words that shouldn't be used under any circumstances. Paroo Shire Council toook down the November 8 post from its Facebook page after a severe backlash and the threat of legal action from Mr Hagan's family 'Minority groups and people of colour have 18C in law to protect them and to stop racism.' Mr Hooper said his father, who always paid his taxes, worked for 45 years on the railway and then the council did not want him to be remembered in such a degrading way. Paroo Mayor Lindsay Godfrey intervened and negotiated a resolution last month, issuing a public apology and a three-year bursary for a future council trainee in the name of John Hagan. Mr Godfrey, who did not know of the funeral notice until it was published, acknowledged it was offensive to the Aboriginal community and extended an apology. He said the council regretted what had happened and the mistake was not reflective of Cunnamulla, a community where people generally have respect for each other, Mr Godfrey claimed. Dr Hagan, an academic and Aboriginal activist, said there was no justification for using a racial slur. He noted his cousin had been called a 'rat' and 'n****r', but the name surfaced at a time when 'Aboriginal people had no rights'. Paroo Shire Council chief executive Oliver Simon said he was going to get to the bottom of the fiasco He told Daily Mail Australia that he was appalled and horrified. 'Unfortunately this goes to the heart of what I've been arguing for a while,' he said. Dr Hagan is one of Australia's first two indigenous diplomats, and has a long history of social advocacy. In 2008, the stand at the rugby league oval in Toowoomba, Queensland was renamed after Dr Hagan pushed to change its moniker from the E.S. 'N****r' Brown stand. Dr Hagan said his cousin was a 'popular fellow' and it showed at his funeral service on November 12 2018. 'I was impressed with the council in terms that when you drove from the church to the cemetery at every intersection there were council members to stop traffic. 'It was a good gesture on the part of the council because he was popular.' But that gesture aside, Dr Hagan said racism had to be called out on all fronts. 'People don't believe they're racist. They think it's okay to have a golliwog as a toy, to eat c**n cheese, or to call a black cat n****r.' Margaret Thatcher dropped secret plans to sack Sir Geoffrey Howe from her Cabinet more than a year before he effectively forced her resignation. The newly-released documents lay bare the prime ministers frustration at the deep divisions in her party over Europe that prompted a stalking horse leadership bid and paved the way to her downfall. In her personal writings, she angrily noted how Sir Geoffrey, then foreign secretary, and her chancellor, Nigel Lawson, had ganged up during a private meeting to put pressure on her. Margaret Thatcher, pictured in June 1989, dropped secret plans to sack Sir Geoffrey Howe from her Cabinet more than a year before he effectively forced her resignation During the so-called Madrid ambush in June 1989, Sir Geoffrey and Mr Lawson threatened to quit if Mrs Thatcher did not give a fixed date for when Britain would join the European Unions Exchange Rate Mechanism. She was infuriated but eventually placated the ministers by assuring European leaders the UK would join the ERM under certain conditions that she had been told were unworkable. Note by David Cameron is among documents in Thatcher's archives A note by David Cameron singing the praises of the European single market is among the documents in Margaret Thatchers archives. Aged 22 at the time and working for the Conservative Research Department, the future prime minister issued the 1989 briefing as the Tory party was embroiled in chaos over Europe. He wrote: Companies will be faced by a wide range of new opportunities to sell their products abroad as previously protected markets are prised open. Advertisement In a March 1989 letter to the prime minister marked strictly personal, her private secretary Charles Powell had detailed how she was considering dropping Sir Geoffrey during the July reshuffle. Instead, he was made leader of the House and deputy prime minister. The documents also reveal Mrs Thatchers outrage over the resignation of Mr Lawson in October 1989, after he had made a reprehensible demand for her economics adviser Sir Alan Walters to quit. Sir Geoffrey resigned as deputy prime minister two days after Mrs Thatchers no, no, no speech opposing European political integration in October 1990. His harsh criticism of her while quitting is widely seen as the catalyst that led to her downfall three weeks later. Prime Minister Scott Morrison's recent comments about female empowerment have made international headlines - but for all the wrong reasons. The PM was speaking to the Chamber of Minerals and Energy in Western Australia on Friday when he made an odd remark in regards to International Women's Day. Mr Morrison said while he supported women's empowerment, he didn't believe men should have to make way for their female counterparts to succeed. Prime Minister Scott Morrison's (pictured) recent comments about female empowerment have made international headlines - but for all the wrong reasons Shortly after making the unusual remark, the PM took to social media to share a follow-up message (pictured) for International Women's Day 'We want to see women rise. But we don't want to see women rise only on the basis of others doing worse,' Mr Morrison said. The PM also said Australians shouldn't be setting people against each other so they lift some people up to feel empowered, while pushing others down. Shortly after making the unusual remark, the PM took to social media to share a follow-up message for International Women's Day. 'Today is about appreciating all the women in our lives and our nation - celebrating their value and achievements,' Mr Morrison wrote on Twitter. Despite his inspirational Tweet, the PM's speech still made headlines across the globe, with many media outlets taking to social media to share their thoughts. American news network CNN was one of the first outlets to slam the PM for his so-called female empowering comments. 'Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has provoked outrage on International Women's Day by saying that men should not have to make way for women's empowerment,' the media outlet Tweeted. CNN also stated only 22 per cent the Liberal Party members are female, while the opposition Australian Labor Party has 44 per cent female members. Other media outlets to scold ScoMo for his choice of words included The Guardian and BuzzFeed. Several politicians, journalists and media personalities also took to social media to take a swipe at Mr Morrision's controversial speech. Mr Morrison (pictured) was speaking to the Chamber of Minerals and Energy in Western Australia on Friday when he made an odd remark in regards to International Women's Day Mr Morrison (pictured with his wife Jenny and their their daughters Abey and Lily) released a video photo album this week for International Women's Day Senator for South Australia Sarah Hanson-Young wrote on Twitter: 'Scott Morrison telling women not to get ahead of ourselves is so tin-eared it's gobsmacking.' 'Men who are threatened or worried of women achieving equality is the bloody problem. Seriously, who briefs these muppets?' While Senator for New South Wales Krinstina Keneally Tweeted: 'On International Women's Day, @ScottMorrisonMP 's comments about women make international news.....for all the wrong reasons.' Comedian Charlie Pickering also wrote: 'Equality means not having to suffer this nonsense.' Another social media slammed the PM, saying: 'Thanks for the tip scomo you absolute frog.' The PM's recent video included a collection of photos of a dressed-down PM engaging in family time with his two daughters, Abbey and Lily One social media user slammed the PM, saying: 'Thanks for the tip scomo you absolute frog' The PM's lacklustre speech comes after Australians were given a rare glimpse into his family life when he released a video photo album for International Women's Day. The heartwarming collection of photos showed a dressed-down PM who spoke about his hopes and dreams for his two daughters, Abbey and Lily. Earlier on in the week, Mr Morrison addressed the subject of getting more women into parliament, saying his party was 'just getting on with it,' news.com.au reported. Former Liberal deputy leader Julie Bishop also stated at a separate International Women's Day event there had been renewed effort to get more women elected. 'Unless there is a pool of talented women to choose from, women don't put themselves forward in the same way as men,' she said. Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Mr Morrison's office for comment. Chris Watts opened up about his childhood and the strained relationship between his parents and wife Shanann while speaking with authorities from prison last month. The convicted murderer said that his wife believed that her mother-in-law wanted to kill their daughter following an incident where she served ice cream with peanut chips to Celeste, who had a nut allergy. Watts went on to confess that this may have motivated him to murder the pregnant mother of his children, though he still maintained that his decision to strangle Shanann was in no way premeditated. He told investigators that his parents, Cindy and Ronnie Watts, encouraged him argue he was a victim of emotional and mental abuse when the case went to trial, though it is unclear if they still believed their sons claim that it was Shanann who killed daughters Bella, 4, and Celeste, 3, at that time. And Watts also revealed that his parents had their own struggles as well, noting that his father was at one point addicted to a white powdery substance. Scroll down for video Dense defense: Chris Watts said that his parents, Cindy and Ronnie Watts (above last year), encouraged him argue he was a victim of emotional and mental abuse when the case went to trial Hostile: Prior to her death, Watts said that his wife Shanann believed that her in-laws were trying to kill her daughter, who has a nut allergy, by serving nuts near her (The Watts family in 2018) That substance was 'possibly cocaine' according to the report, and Watts said it did not bother him as much as he imagined it might at the time. 'When he talked to his father about his addiction, his father immediately changed the subject,' reads the report. 'His father was coping with the fact that he never came back home.' This all caused added tension to the family's already crumbling relationships. 'His mother initially believed his father was having an affair because he couldnt account for missing money,' the report goes on state. 'He has never used drugs and tried to talk to his father about why he was using drugs.' Watts said that he told his father that he was 'throwing his life away,' while pointing out the weight loss and nose bleeds he had been suffering as a result of this addiction. That section states in closing: '[Watts] talked to his father, his father stopped using drugs.' The acrimonious relationship between Shanann and her in-laws was previously revealed in text exchanges that were obtained by DailyMail.com in an open records request. Watts admitted that his parents and Shanann were never close, and acknowledged that Shananns belief that her mother-in-law thought she was not good enough to marry her son was likely accurate. He also confirmed much of the information that was laid out in a hand-written declaration that Shananns mother had submitted to investigators and texts sent by his late wife. In a lengthy message sent exactly one week before she was murdered, Shanann detailed what had led to the end of her fraught relationship between Cindy and Ronnie. Shanann wrote on August 4 that Cindy and Ronnie had cut off her and the girls because of her fury when she learned that they were serving ice cream with peanut chips in to their children, despite Cece having a nut allergy. The couple subsequently blocked Shanann on Facebook and did not attend or even call their granddaughter on her birthday. At the same time, Shanann's own mother revealed that Watts' parents did not even attend their son's wedding to her daughter. The tension between Shanann and her in-laws reached a boiling point while she was in North Carolina for four weeks without Chris, who was working and enjoying time with his mistress back in Colorado. Behind bars: Watts also revealed that his parents had their own struggles as well, noting that his father was at one point addicted to a white powdery substance' Caught: Watts told authorities that he murdered Shanann after watching her strangle their daughters Bella and Celeste in a fit of rage (Watts watching himself load the bodies into his truck on a neighbor's surveillance camera) Celeste and Bella were at their grandparents one evening during that vacation when Cindy served ice cream - that allegedly contained peanut chips. 'You should call your dad and tell him you did not appreciate your mom putting your daughter at risk today, nor do you like that she teased our girls,' wrote Shanann to her husband in a text that day. 'You should also say you don't appreciate her saying they have to learn they can't always get what they want! They are 2 and 4!' Watts sided with his wife in his response, writing: 'l will call him and tell him what I think about this. lt's not f***ing cool at all because it is the kids. I will set this right.' Things later soured however when Watts arrived in North Carolina, and his parents opted not to attend Celete's third birthday party. It was too much for Shanann, and she went after her husband in a lengthy text. 'Truth came out last night. l didn't create no dagger between you and your dad. That was done by your mom and your dad and I won't change a thing,' wrote Shannan. 'My daughter's life is way more important and you better believe I wanted to say a whole lot more than I did, but I was being the bigger person and protecting Bella. 'l didn't tell your dad not to come to party. l didn't tell him not to text, or call your daughter, on her birthday. I didn't tell him to start acting like he only has two grandkids instead of 4. I didn't block your family on [Facebook], he did. Myself and your kids have nothing to say to them. They do. 'They owe your kids their life. Your parent's home isn't a safe zone. Your mom isn't safe! 'You can let them tell you what you want, but I didn't tell anyone to stop loving your kids, or stop acting like it. He did that not me. 'You can believe I created this dagger, but I didn't do that. I stood up for our kids, I advocated and protected our children. I don't ever want to hear "l'm sorry I killed your kid because I was stupid." That would kill me. 'These kids are my world and I have to protect them from the evil of the world. I shouldn't have to protect them from evil family. Our kids deserve the same love and attention the other kids get, nothing less. 'l'm not accepting l'm sorry from your mom, because she doesn't mean it and she knew what she was doing. I made it very clear not to eat it around Celeste, because she doesn't understand, way before that happened. 'She's evil and willing to risk your daughter's life just to get under my skin. You and your dad are no different if you are ok with her behavior. 'There's nothing wrong with me and l'm not crazy. I just love my kids way too much.' That was just the first half of the message, with Shanann then going into the issues in their own relationship. 'From the day I left you never said I missed you before I said it. Something changed when I left. You may be happier alone and that's fine. You can be alone! 'This pregnancy, you have failed to acknowledge it, or to acknowledge how l'm feeling. The first trimester is the scariest and most dangerous yet we can lose this baby at any point till delivery. 'l'm not going to be treated this way for having the balls to protect our family and kids. I should get a gold f***ing medal for handling it the way I did, because I had a lot of choice words l wanted to say to her and your dad for his stupidity 'No one stands up to your mom and your dad for that. He's just as guilty by not doing anything. I have nothing to do with him stop sharing memories of his grandkids. What does that have to do with me? 'They are f***ing with our kids feelings and that l'm not ok with. I am their mother and I will protect them. I have enough to worry about with the world out there, l'm not going to worry about family. l will just remove it.' The report notes that this was the end of the first message, which was sent at 3:30 in the morning. There was another message from Shanann soon after that read: 'l also don't control what you do. lf you want to go hang out with your parents today, by all means do so, but without us. Don't put it on me why you can't go. You are your own person.' Watts in his initial response seemed to be in agreement with his wife. 'These kids mean the world to me and always will. Yes, my mom truly screwed up in a huge way, more than a huge way. I don't know what I would've done if something happened to CeCe,' he wrote. 'These kiddos are the light of my life and seeing their sweet, incredible smiles and playfulness makes me smile every day. l'm sorry for the way l've been acting, it's just been in my head and I haven't been right at all.' Shanann continued on in her attack in a subsequent message, writing: 'I protected our daughter from their stupidity. They created that and you belong with them thinking otherwise. I didn't tell your dad to remove himself from the kid's life... I did and do not deserve to be treated the way you have. l defended our daughter.' Watts again tried to console his wife and defend his parents. 'Yes you protected our daughter and l thank you for that a million times a million. I don't think they are innocent in any of this. They do want to be in the kids' life and l'm not sure they even know how to right now,' wrote Watts. 'They should've swallowed whatever they needed to and came to Cece's Birthday Party and called her and shouldn't have blocked all social media contact with them. I don't care what they do with us, just as long as they love and respect the kids. l'm not use to not having a relationship with my dad. I should've just called him before it got to this point where it got in my head I didn't and that's my fault.' There was a different version of events however from what one Watts' friends told investigators. He said that Cindy called him crying after her fight with Shanann and that Watts told him not to worry because he was done with Shanann. That friend also said that Watts and his mother were 'sweet hearted people.' An Indian diamond billionaire who is on the run after being accused of defrauding a state-run bank out of 1.5billion has been found in an apartment in London's West End. Nirav Modi, 48, is currently living in a three-bedroom flat in the Centre Point tower block, where rent is estimated to cost 17,000 a month, reports the Telegraph. Despite his bank accounts bring frozen by Indian authorities, and an Interpol red notice being issued for his arrest, Modi is now involved in a new diamond business based in the capital. A source told the Telegraph that he had been given a National Insurance number, meaning he can legally work here, and has used British bank accounts. Nirav Modi, 48, is involved in a new diamond business in the capital - despite Indian police issuing an Interpol red notice for his arrest Pictured: supporters of the Congress Party burn an effigy of Modi in New Delhi in February last year This is despite Interpol's red notice serving as a request for the British government to find Modi and arrest him ahead of an extradition. Red notices list both the fugitive's name and identifying features, as well as the crimes they are wanted for. What is an Interpol red notice? Interpol red notice's is a request sent to police across the globe to find and arrest someone 'pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action'. It is not an international arrest warrant. The notice includes the person's name, date of birth, photo, and other identifying features. It also details information about the charge they are wanted for. Source: Interpol Advertisement Modi's notice said that he is wanted by Indian police for 'criminal conspiracy, breach of trust, cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property, corruption, and money laundering'. Hollywood stars have worn Modi's designs in the past, and at one point he was worth around 1.3billion. The Indian authorities accused Modi and his uncle, Mehul Choksi, of fraudulently getting Punjab National Bank Letters of Undertakings, then using these to take out loans from overseas branches of Indian banks in February 2018. Modi has always denied the claims and says he is innocent. The Home Office have been contacted for comment. The diamond billionaire, 48, is currently living in a three-bedroom flat in the Centre Point tower block, where rent is estimated to cost 17,000 a month The housing industry has been accused of exploiting consumers by a leading minister. But James Brokenshires demand for an inquiry into thousands of new homes sold with extortionate leases was dismissed by regulators, the Mail can reveal. The Housing Secretary warned the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) in November that up to 100,000 people were trapped in homes they could not sell. Onerous clauses in the contracts see ground rents rising to thousands of pounds each year, while homeowners many first-time buyers face exorbitant fees for permission to make alterations such as building conservatories or even changing carpets. Housing secretary James Brokenshire, pictured at Downing Street, demand for an inquiry into thousands of new homes sold with extortionate leases but it was dismissed by regulators In a letter obtained by the Mail under Freedom of Information laws, Mr Brokenshire said: Leaseholders cannot sell and cannot move. They struggle to purchase their freehold or extend their lease, as the cost of the future ground rent must be met. This shines a light on the culture of consumer exploitation rife in the housing industry. In the past, the CMA used its influence to tackle this type of exploitation, and it is my hope it will do so again. Mr Brokenshire also wrote to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) to complain about lawyers many recommended by developers who fail to warn buyers about contracts with extortionate terms. He said: I am troubled by some of the evidence I have received. Family who are stuck with an unsellable flat Sarah Sisley knew the ground rent on her 117,000 flat would double each decade when she bought it from Taylor Wimpey in 2009. But the business supervisor, 40, said her solicitor did not flag up that she might have trouble re-selling it. Sarah Sisley, 40, pictured with her family, has tried to see her flat in Cornwall twice She tried putting the flat in Hayle, Cornwall, on the market twice, but both her prospective buyers pulled out over the ground rent, which their solicitors and lenders said was onerous. Mrs Sisley, who lives with husband Gene and daughters Chloe, six, and Mia, four, said she was waiting for the firm, which has apologised, to fix the issue. The last rise in ground rent saw it double from 250 to 500 a year. In 50 years, that will stand at 8,000 a year. Advertisement However, five months later, the CMA has declined to investigate the Housing Secretarys concerns and the SRA said it would only look into complaints raised by buyers. Sebastian OKelly, spokesman for the Leasehold Knowledge campaign group, said: If the minister was saying this in November, why hasnt he already banned leasehold houses and set ground rents to zero? 'The Government needs to urgently disrupt this tawdry and corrosive business model, which turns family homes into investment assets. James Brokenshire knows this sector stinks now he needs to get on and end it. The Housing Secretarys excoriating comments have emerged as the Commons housing committee is preparing to publish a report on the leasehold scandal. Chairman Clive Betts said: We have heard evidence of people being told one thing at the point of sale and then finding it is different further down the line. That has been repeated across many people, with many developers. Mr Brokenshires comments will heap further pressure on housebuilders such as Taylor Wimpey and Persimmon, which have faced fierce criticism for selling toxic leasehold homes while raking in record profits. Persimmon, which last month revealed profits of more than 1billion, already faces losing its right to sell homes under the Governments Help To Buy scheme mainly aimed at first-time buyers because of concerns about its practices. Last night a CMA spokesman said: The issues around ground rent clauses are well known and a market study would shed little further light. We have worked closely with the Government and are continuing to build on our work to help people buying or renting property get a fair deal. An SRA spokesman said: People who feel they have been let down by their solicitor when buying leasehold property can complain to their law firm or to us. A spokesman for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government declined to comment last night. Twitter accounts linked to Russian conspiracy theories have been 'obsessively' tweeting about the Duchess of Sussex, it was claimed last night. An analysis of those said to be in a 'Meghan Markle community', sending Tweets which centre on the Duchess of Sussex, found more than two and a half million messages from 1,000 'highly connected' accounts since September. The account with the second highest number of pro-Meghan followers also tweets regularly in support of the Democratic Party in the USA. More than two and a half million tweets about the Duchess of Sussex came from 1,000 'highly connected' accounts since September Many of the accounts are thought to demonstrate 'bot-like activities' according to the research, meaning the tweets may be automated by a computer program, reported The Daily Telegraph. Consultancy firm 89up, which carried out the research, also found the fourth most shared account in the Meghan Markle community frequently posted content from Russian state broadcaster Russia Today and questioned the truth of the Salisbury novichock attack. The firm, which has also analysed Facebook data for the Culture, Media and Sport select committee, said the small group had an 'unusually high reach'. This comes after the Duchess said yesterday that she avoids social media and newspapers so she does not get 'muddled' by the noise. She was speaking at a panel marking International Women's Day at Kings College London. Speaking at King's College London yesterday, the Duchess said she avoids social media and newspapers so she does not get 'muddled' by the noise When asked about accusations that her feminism was 'trendy', the Duchess replied: 'I don't read anything, it's much safer that way, but equally that's just my own personal preference, because I think positive or negative. 'It can all sort of just feel like noise to a certain extent these days, as opposed to getting muddled with that to focus on the real cause.' When asked later if she looked at Twitter she replied: 'No, sorry no. For me that's my personal preference.' Yesterday anti-racist group Hope Not Hate published findings from its research into abuse targeted at the Duchess of Sussex on Twitter. The group, who worked with CNN, found that more than 70 per cent of abusive messages aimed at Meghan were sent from just 20 accounts, many of which appeared to be set up simply to facilitate the sending of abuse. Joe Giudice, husband to the Real Housewives of New Jersey Star Teresa Giudice, won't walk out from prison next week as anticipated. The 46-year-old's release date had been scheduled for March 14, but the Federal Bureau of Prisons has now listed the date as 'unknown', as his deportation appeal hangs in the balance. Giudice is currently serving a 41-month sentence for fraud, and as part of the ruling he was ordered to return back to his native country Italy after serving his time. However, the Executive Office now say Giudice's deportation case is actually under review - leaving him likely to remain behind bars until a decision can be reached. Joe's release date was originally scheduled for March 14, but after appealing his deportation ruling he's likely to remain in custody until a decision is reached Joe (right) is currently serving a 41-month sentence for fraud, and as part of the ruling he would be deported back to his native Italy after serving his time 'The custodial aspect of Mr. Giudices federal sentence does in fact expire on or about March 14, 2019,' Teresa Giudices attorney James J. Leonard Jr. told Page Six. 'However, due to the immigration order and detainer lodged against him, that is not a release date meaning he is not coming home on that date.' Leonard Jr. added that he was optimistic that once Giudice's appeal had been heard, he was confident the businessman would be able to return to his home in New Jersey and stay there. '[Guidice's family] love him, they support him and they miss him tremendously,' he said. The appeal process could take up to a year to complete. Despite Leonard Jr.'s comments, in January Real Housewives star Teresa Giudice revealed during a season 9 taping that she and her husband would 'go their separate ways' if he does get deported. In January, Teresa Giudice (left) revealed during a season 9 taping that she and her husband would 'go their separate ways' if he does get deported In a snippet of the reunion show, Teresa can be heard saying 'I mean, unless my kids say, Mommy, I want to move to Italy,' to host Andy Cohen. 'Im not doing a long-distance relationship. Im not doing it. You know, I want somebody with me every day. I know exactly what happens. You know, Im sure hell be with other women. It happens. We do the long-distance thing, its not going to work. Id be like, Bye, bye.' She also went on to say that her four children have 'been through enough'. Teresa was sighted in Miami last month, holding hands with realtor Blake Schrek, who's 20 years her junior. He may be only two years old, but standing on his hind legs Boris more than matches his 5ft 8in owner for height. The young Pyrenean mountain dog couldnt resist giving Susan Reilly a hug as the duo arrived at Crufts yesterday. Miss Reilly, 58, and her dog who she affectionately refers to as bear were at the Birmingham National Exhibition Centre for the second day of the competition. Boris, a young Pyrenean mountain dog, caught the attention of spectators at Crufts this week. He was seen at Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre on the second day of the competition Owner Susan Reilly says feeding him costs her between 100 and 150 a week. I bought him a bib with spoilt rotten on because he costs me a fortune, she joked The duo are no strangers to the show, having represented Pyrenean mountain dogs in the breeders competition last year. Boris, who is named after Boris Johnson because of his blond locks, may be young but he already has a handful of titles to his name. Miss Reilly has previously said her pet is so much fun, adding that he has stolen my heart. Writing on Facebook, she said: I love him so much. I am so proud he is mine. She revealed he loves giving hugs and sloppy kisses. Boris weighs 7st 8lb and feeding him costs between 100 and 150 a week. Miss Reilly, from Bracknell, Berkshire said: I bought him a bib with spoilt rotten on because he costs me a fortune. Miss Reilly said Boris loves giving hugs and sloppy kisses. The duo have been to several competitive shows including previous Crufts Giant heroes of the front line Pyreneans are one of the oldest breeds dating back to the Bronze Age They were bred to deter sheep-stealing wolves During WWII, they were used to carry messages and supplies to troops at the front Nobles loved them so much they became the Royal Dog of France in the 17th century The animals can weigh 8.5st and can live to the age of 12 Advertisement Best paw forward: Many of the pooches were dressed in eye-catching onesies, waterproofs and even bibs documenting their previous achievements We did it! A pet owner embraces her golden retriever dog - and enjoys a proper hug back - after it is awarded a prize on the first day of the world-famous dog show Co-ordinated! An Angel Great Dane, left, and Bobbi, a Yorkshire Terrier Cross sit side by side as they await their moment in the spotlight A quartet of lovelies! These beautiful white, brown and black dogs pose on the second day of competition at Crufts The internationally-renowned competition attracts a whole host of dog breeds, both big and small. Most owners will meticulously prune their pets before showtime, whereas other like their dogs to show off a bit more personality An Irish Red and White Setter bounds into the Birmingham conference centre in a green onesie warmer and multi-coloured next scarf Advertisement Thousands have expressed their grief and horror over the murder of 17-year-old Jodie Chesney by turning the town where she was stabbed to death into a sea of purple. Purple was the teenagers favourite colour and her family have launched a purple ribbon campaign in her name calling for more police on the streets and tougher penalties for knife crime. The campaign has quickly been embraced by local people. Many wore purple ribbons when up to 2,000 marched through Romford, east London, on Thursday evening to demand justice. Hundreds of people took part in the march through east London to denounce knife crime in the capital after the death of Jodie Chesney The family of Jodie (left) are grieving with devastated stepmother Joanne and sister Lucy holding each other People carry purple balloons through Romford town centre, near to where Jodie was brutally killed in a children's play park Flowers and purple ribbons commemorate Jodie and her life cut short. Jodie, who wanted to be a vet, was playing music with friends when she was knifed in the back Purple balloons decorated the demonstrators route as they chanted no more knives in a powerful and poignant reaction to the bloodshed on Britains streets. At the end of the march, youngsters tied purple ribbons to a railing outside Romford police station as onlookers stood in silence holding placards saying, Lives not knives, RIP Jodie. Three petitions were taken inside. Jodie, who wanted to be a vet, was playing music with friends in a park near a childrens playground in Harold Hill, a suburb of Romford, when she was knifed in the back on Friday, March 1. Police have described it as a completely motiveless attack. Protesters looked visibly moved as they made their way through Romford carrying purple balloons in honour of Jodie Men, women and children all took part in the march through east London on Thursday evening, carrying their own placards. One sign read 'lives not knives RIP Jodie' Huge banners were brought out onto the march with read 'RIP Jodie', along with love hearts drawn onto the sign Purple was Jodie' s favourite colour and many have left heartfelt messages with purple ribbon after her family launched a campaign to end knife crime Residents have also started turning Harold Hill purple by tying bows around trees, and on front doors, fences and balconies. They have been wearing ribbons and laying flowers in memory of Jodie. Florists in the area, who have been dishing out metres of ribbon for free, have been ordering in extra supplies. ... and the local police station has become a supermarket A LIDL superstore stands on the site of the old police station in Harold Hill. The police station was closed in 2011 as part of swingeing cuts to the Metropolitan Police budget. The Harold Hill police station was closed in 2011 The German supermarket chain snapped the site up for 1.6million and opened its new store last May. But residents of the post-war estate believe the disappearance of their police station coincided with the start of a rise in anti-social behaviour. Knife crime has become increasingly common. It has been replaced with a 1.6million Lidl supermarket Independent councillor Jan Sargent, 58, said she has been warning for years about the danger of under-policing in the area. The nearest 24-hour police station is now three miles away in Romford. Advertisement Jodie was studying for A-levels in psychology, sociology and photography at Havering Sixth Form College in nearby Hornchurch. There was a purple theme there too yesterday as students, teachers and friends gathered to pay tribute to her. College principal Paul Wakeling recalled Jodie as a wonderful and caring student, who sometimes dyed her hair purple. He said: We all had banter with Jodie about her different hair colours and that made her laugh. Jodie would talk to her teachers, who she had great relationships with, about her lovely family, and thats because she loved the college. Community members also gathered in Barking Town Hall square for a minutes silence. Stood among them was Jodies sister Lucy, 19, who marked the moment wearing a small purple ribbon. Jodie, from Dagenham, was a keen Explorer Scout, and she had also attained silver level in her Duke of Edinburgh Award and was just two weeks away from reaching gold. In Harold Hill, Jodies death has unleashed a wave of anger that will not disappear until action is taken if nothing else because as her father Peter put it this week: Jodie needs justice and we need justice. And at the start of the march through Romford on Thursday, a woman, who only wanted to be known as a friend of the family, delivered a speech describing knife crime as a disease which had to be cured. She said: Knife crime is not something confined to gangs. It has no colour, no faith, no sexual orientation. Just victims. Tonight we march peacefully with love in our hearts. For our children. For our childrens children. For our young people. And for justice for Jodie. A second male was arrested yesterday on suspicion of Jodies murder and is being held in custody. Scotland Yard did not give his age. A 20-year-old man, who was arrested in Leicester on Tuesday, remained in custody on suspicion of her murder. Jodie is among ten people to be stabbed to death in London in the last 18 days and six teenagers to be murdered in the capital this year, as Britain grapples with a knife crime epidemic. Police say a fight over a brownie has left a 14-year-old Houston boy dead of a stab wound to the eye and another 14-year-old boy is in juvenile custody charged with aggravated assault. Houston Independent School District police say the victim died Friday of the knife wound suffered Wednesday afternoon. District Police Chief Paul Cordova said the fight erupted after school Wednesday outside a convenience store across from the Jane Long Academy in southwest Houston. Police say a fight over a brownie has left a 14-year-old Houston boy dead of a stab wound to the eye and another 14-year-old boy is in juvenile custody charged with aggravated assault. The fight erupted after school Wednesday outside a convenience store across from the Jane Long Academy (pictured). He said that when the victim was loaded into an ambulance, he still acted as if the fight were continuing. No identities have been released because of their ages. Cordova says the incident isn't believed to be gang-related. Jane Long Academy is a neighborhood middle school and magnet high school It may sound revolting to many of us, but shoppers could soon find bubblegum-flavoured apples on supermarket shelves. A US company has revealed plans to introduce the bizarre new food to the UK. Agricoat NatureSeal makes flavoured coatings for fresh produce to prolong their shelf life which includes a variety of flavours. The idea of the flavoured versions is to help parents get their children to eat more fruit and veg. US company Agricoat NatureSeal makes flavoured coatings for fresh produce to preserve shelf life and encourage children to eat more fruit and veg (stock image) These could include bubblegum, vanilla, toffee, blackcurrant and cinnamon, said industry journal The Grocer after the American tech company exhibited at last weeks Casual Dining trade show in London. It added that discussions were already taking place with UK food companies to use the technology on flavouring fresh produce, potentially for snacks and school lunchboxes for instance. The coating uses vitamins and minerals on precut fruit and veg to extend their shelf life by up to 21 days and claims adding novel flavours will not compromise the colour or crispness of the produce. A spokesman for Agricoat said: NatureSeal is designed to inhibit browning in select fruits and vegetables while maintaining the texture. Flavoured apples encourage children to consumer fruit while enjoying a flavour of their choice. We aim to create a unique product which will add variety and choice to healthy eating decisions. Recent health figures show just 18 per cent of children aged 5-15 eat the recommended five standard portions of fruit and veg per day. Facebook, Twitter and Instagram should get film-style age ratings in order to protect children from harm, a House of Lords committee has said. They should also be forced to remind users when they have been on their websites too long - for example by nudging them with pop-up windows telling them how much time they have spent there, the Lords said. The measures are part of a raft of proposals published today by the Lords Communications Committee, designed to ensure the internet is properly regulated for the first time. A House of Lords committee put forward the proposal for film-style ratings system on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter In their report, Regulating the Digital World, the peers warned that social media platforms are rife with abuse which big tech companies have failed to eliminate because their systems for moderating content are unacceptably opaque and slow. They called for Ofcom, the broadcasting watchdog, to have its powers extended immediately to enforce the new age classifications. The ratings would be devised with the tech industry, but they could be like the U, PG, 15 and 18 ratings that are dished out by the British Board of Film Classification to ensure that children do not see film content that they are too young to cope with, the Lords said. Platforms that regularly show youngsters material that is unsuitable for their age group would be fined for the breaches - potentially costing the tech firms billions of pounds. People who reported problem content on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and other tech platforms could also complain to Ofcom if the social media firms did not action. The Lords report said: Too often internet companies have been allowed to mark their own homework and can fail to uphold even the standards they themselves set in codes of practice. If the proposal goes ahead, platforms that regularly show youngsters material that is unsuitable for their age group would be fined for the breaches - potentially costing the tech firms billions of pounds Their sweeping proposals also called for: Tech firms to have a new, legal duty of care to users, policed by Ofcom; The complex terms and conditions on tech websites to be translated into language that children can understand; A new Digital Authority to oversee the patchwork of regulators that currently police parts of the technology industry, and ensure that nothing falls through the gaps; That Digital Authority to be tasked horizon scanning, so that it predicts problems that might arise from new tech trends and ensuring the Government is equipped; UK tech firms to face public interest tests when they want to buy up other firms in data-driven mergers. US tech firms that buy up other companies could face strict limits on their UK operations. Lord Gilbert of Panteg, chairman of the committee, said yesterday: We need a horizon scanning capacity, so that we look forward to problems rather than waiting for them to appear on the front page of the Daily Mail. He added: Without intervention, the largest tech companies are likely to gain ever more control of technologies which extract personal data and make decisions affecting peoples lives. Our proposals will ensure that rights are protected online as they are offline while keeping the internet open to innovation and creativity, with a new culture of ethical behaviour embedded in the design of service. He also called for the Government to ensure regulators have the power to mete out meaningful punishments. The proposal also called for the Government to ensure regulators have the power to mete out meaningful punishments The biggest fine Ofcom has dished out in the past was a 50million levy for Royal Mail - a sum that would still be small fry to web giants like Facebook. But Lord Gilbert said the regulator would be likely to have its fining powers increased so that it can dish out effective punishments to web giants that rake in billions of pounds in profits. A token fine doesnt work, he said. You have to have a sense of proportionality - that you dont fine them for a one off. You fine for systematic failures - but then the fine is consistent. The Lords committee also threw its weight behind plans for the ICO to crack down on web giants that hoover up users information, with no apparent regard for that persons age. The Mail revealed yesterday that the watchdog will ban tech firms from building up a profile of children based on their search history, and then using it to send them suggestions for material such as pornography, hate-speech and self-harm. It will also force tech firms to guarantee that privacy settings are automatically switched to the highest level, and that geolocation services are switched off, under a new code due to be published next month, and backed by existing laws. Web giants will also be forced to introduce strict age checks on their websites to guarantee they know the age of their users - or simply assume that all of their users are children. Tech firms will not be allowed to include features on childrens accounts designed to fuel addictive behaviour, such as online videos that automatically start one after the other, notifications that arrive through the night, and prompts nudging children to lower their privacy settings. In fact, under the proposals outlined today, tech firms will have to actively nudge children off their websites. The Lords said: Digital service providers...should keep a record of time spent using their service which may be easily accessed and reviewed by users, with periodic reminders. The recommendations come as the Government prepares to publish its long-awaited White Paper on Online Harms, designed to clean up the web giants platforms. It follows another damning report by the Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, which said last month that social media platforms were behaving like digital gangsters and should be forced to comply with a regulated code of ethics to tackle harmful or illegal content on their sites. A young English teacher with a deadly nut allergy was left disappointed by Qantas' service and claims she was told to wear a mask while other passengers snacked on complimentary in-flight almond slices. Laura Merry, from east Essex in the UK, flew from Sydney to Melbourne with the country's leading carrier on March 3. Ms Merry claimed the airline confirmed months ago, both in writing and on the phone, they would not serve nuts during the one-hour journey. But when Ms Merry began to board the flight to visit her sister she was told all 160 passengers would be given a nut-based snack. 'Qantas Australia were made aware of my nut allergy months before my booking and I had written documents to confirm that they would not serve nuts on board,' she told Daily Mail Australia. A young English teacher with a deadly nut allergy was left disappointed by Qantas' service and claims she was told to wear a mask while other passengers snacked on complimentary in-flight almond slices Laura Merry (pictured), from East Essex, flew from Sydney to Melbourne with the country's leading carrier on March 3 'However, when I boarded the cabin manager's attitude toward my allergy was awful,' Ms Merry claimed. 'She claimed she had no notes on my allergy and it was too late to make any requests.' Ms Merry requested the crew did not serve the snacks as they were not a meal that had been paid for. 'But she refused and said these complimentary snacks are part of their policy,' Ms Merry said. 'She then called the airport manager and they both advised me not to board the flight.' Ms Merry, who always carries epipens, said she knew boarding the flight was a risk but was left with no other option as she needed to get to her sister and did not have accommodation in Sydney. To ensure her safety, Ms Merry sat in the toilet while travellers around her ate the snack and wore a mask given to her by Qantas. 'During the rest of my Qantas flight they gave me this mask to wear as the solution instead of just simply not serving the nut snacks or simply just supplying a snack with no nuts in,' she said. To ensure her safety, Ms Merry sat in the toilet while travellers around her ate the snack and wore a mask given to her by Qantas (pictured) 'I understand that Qantas can not stop other passengers bringing their own nut snacks on board but they didn't minimise nuts being on board as they served them.' Ms Merry took her story to Twitter in the hope the airline will improve their education on severe allergies. 'It is 2019 and Qantas are unbelievably refusing to take allergies seriously,' she tweeted after the flight. 'They served the whole flight almond slices even though I asked for no nuts to be served on board due to my serious allergy.' 'So I had to suffer and wear this mask and hide in the toilet.' Ms Merry said she previously had an 'amazing' long haul experience with British Airways when she flew to Australia. She said they did not serve nuts and made two announcements about her allergy. Qantas, who initially contacted Ms Merry on Twitter, have since phoned about the incident. Qantas, who initially contacted Ms Merry on Twitter, have since phoned about the incident '(They) said my next flight with them will not have any nuts being served on board which is positive,' she said. 'They apologised but didn't offer anything just a safer flight next time.' Ms Merry will fly with Qantas on March 24 and again on April 12 when she returns to Sydney to fly home to England. Ms Merry recognises there are a lot of serious allergies out there and hopes her story will force airlines to take note. 'Even if the top 11 allergens could be minimised as much as possible on flights could help other people have a more comfortable journey,' she said. 'Especially on such a short domestic flight.' A Qantas spokesman told Daily Mail Australia that the airline is aware of the challenges those with nut allergies face and they seek to minimise the risk where possible. 'Qantas is aware of the challenges faced by allergy sufferers and take steps to reduce the risk for many of our customers particularly exposure to peanuts but as there are a wide variety of allergies it's not possible to cater to everyone's requirements,' the spokesman said. 'As is the case with other forms of transport - like buses and trains and other public places we can't guarantee a completely nut free environment.' At least five people have died after their twin-engine Piper PA-230-250 aircraft crashed into a lake in Florida on Friday afternoon, according to authorities. The Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office said that the plane was traveling from Tampa International Airport and was making its landing approach toward Pahokee Airport when it crashed into Lake Okeechobee at around 3:30pm. Investigators from both the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are probing the accident, according to the Miami Herald. Emergency personnel respond to reports of a plane crash at Lake Okeechobee, Florida on Friday evening At least five people are feared dead when their small plane crashed into the lake The plane, which flew from Tampa to Pahokee Airport on Friday, crashed as it was making its descent to land The plane crashed just north of the airport - about 400 yards from shore, according to WPTV-TV. The identities of the victims, whose bodies were found in the fuselage of the plane, have not been released. The above photo is a stock image of a twin-engine Piper PA-230-250 aircraft - the same model plane which crashed on Friday Sheriffs Deputies said one person was seen swimming away from the wreckage of the plane, but that individual has not been found. Palm Beach County Fire Rescue divers are now searching the lake. A released Evil 8 paedophile, who abused a 12-year-old girl and took explicit photos of her, was found selling children's toys. Benjamin Simon Clarke was charged with selling the items without the required permission of his supervisor at the Canning Vale markets in Perth in December. Clarke, who is banned from having unsupervised contact with children under 16, told police he forgot to tell his supervisor about the event . He claimed he did not talk to any children on the day, The West Australian reported. Benjamin Simon Clarke (pictured) was charged with selling the items without the required permission of his supervisor Clarke, an amateur photographer, was responsible for taking naked and semi-naked photographers of the girl in her home. He indecently dealt with her, put $300 on the kitchen counter before leaving and left the thumbdrive with photos in the mailbox. Clarke was fined $300 and warned he had to be more careful with following orders, when he faced court on Friday. He was jailed for three years in 2016 and was placed on the national child sex-offender register. The convicted paedophile is part of a group of men known as the Evil 8, who all met through Craiglist. The men abused, raped and took naked photos of a 12-year-old girl, after her father placed an ad on the site saying he was seeking modelling opportunities for his daughter. More than 7,000 head teachers have warned of a school funding crisis in a joint letter sent to 3.5million families. The heads are urging parents to lobby their MPs and the Government to increase funding as budgets are squeezed by rising costs. The letter was sent home with pupils yesterday to families across 65 local authorities, in an escalation of the ongoing row between heads and the Government. More than 7,000 head teachers have warned of a school funding crisis in a joint letter sent to 3.5million families across 65 local authorities (file picture) It criticises Education Secretary Damian Hinds, claiming he has repeatedly declined to meet and listen to campaigners. And it claims that, since 2010, school budgets have been reduced by 8 per cent on average, with cuts of 20 per cent in funding for sixth-form and post-16 students. The letter was masterminded by a group of Sussex heads who call themselves Worth Less? who formed before the last election. Its leader Jules White, head of Tanbridge House School in Horsham, West Sussex, said: Heads want meaningful reassurance that the Department for Education understands the scale of our concerns and has a credible plan going forward. 'We fear that there is a backs to the wall state of denial from ministers, and a refusal to meet the very people who are dealing with the crisis on a day-to-day basis is untenable. The Department for Education said Mr Hinds had spoken to head teachers about the issue, but mainly deals with unions rather than separate campaign groups. The letter was masterminded by a group of Sussex heads who call themselves Worth Less? and its leader is Jules White, head of Tanbridge House School in Horsham,pictured, in West Sussex A DfE spokesman said: School funding in England is at its highest ever level, rising from almost 41bn in 2017-18 to 43.5bn by 2019-20. It comes after unions warned the squeeze on budgets would mean schools adopting shorter working weeks, with an early finish on Fridays. And 24 schools across the UK have already taken on the shorter timetable, with another 200 considering the same drastic move. Many schools are also sending letters to parents begging for money, in one case specifying 1,000 per family per year. Others are cutting school subjects and making redundancies to make ends meet. Former paratroopers fear that if charges are brought against Army veterans involved in Bloody Sunday it will pave the way for another witch-hunt into troops over shootings five months earlier. Seventeen former soldiers from the 1st Battalion, Parachute Regiment will find out on Thursday whether they will be prosecuted in respect of the Bloody Sunday shootings in Londonderry in 1972. Thirteen civilians died at the time while another died later from his injuries. The ex-soldiers are being investigated over alleged offences including murder, attempted murder and grievous bodily harm. They face the prospect of life sentences. Former paratroopers fear that if charges are brought against Army veterans involved in Bloody Sunday shootings in Londonderry 1972 it will pave the way for another witch-hunt into troops over shootings five months earlier Now ex-servicemen have told the Daily Mail they fear that if charges are brought, then ex-paratroopers will undoubtedly face prosecution over separate shootings involving the same battalion on the Ballymurphy estate in west Belfast in August 1971. A retired soldier now in his 70s, who served with 1 Para in Ballymurphy, said: There is massive concern that if charges are made against the battalion over Bloody Sunday then they [Northern Irelands Public Prosecution Service] will come after those of us who served in Ballymurphy. This witch-hunt is not over. Where is the justice? Families of the ten civilians killed in Ballymurphy have long alleged that some soldiers involved went on to take part in Bloody Sunday five months later, on January 30, 1972. Police began the criminal probe in the wake of the 12-year, 200million inquiry led by Lord Saville, which concluded in 2010 that soldiers from the Parachute Regiment had lost control during a civil rights march, causing the unjustified and unjustifiable deaths of 14 civilians At least two former paratroopers questioned over Bloody Sunday were asked about their roles in the earlier shooting. An inquest into the Ballymurphy deaths is under way at Belfast Coroners Court and will next week hear evidence from former British soldiers involved in the operation. To date, 41 members of the Parachute Regiment have been asked by the coroner to appear at the inquest, where their identities could be revealed. Two former paratroopers called to give evidence say they could be made political scapegoats if charges are brought against Bloody Sunday troops. The Mail has long campaigned for an end to the witch-hunt against British troops. Another former paratrooper, now in his 70s, who was on the streets of Ballymurphy, said: We all fear that this is more about politics than justice and if that is the case then the logic says there will be prosecutions for Ballymurphy and men who regularly risked their lives for Queen and country will be sacrificed. It is nearly 50 years. Memories, people argue, are not what they were, but many of us know exactly what happened and why and how we reacted. Eighteen former paratroopers were under investigation, but one has died In an incident referred to as Belfasts Bloody Sunday, ten people including the local priest and a mother-of-eight who was shot in the face were killed in Ballymurphy over a 36-hour period in August 1971. The Parachute Regiment had been deployed to the area with Troubles violence soaring. Disturbances were triggered after the Northern Ireland government imposed internment without trial and troops were given the task of detaining suspected Provisional IRA members. John Teggart, whose father Danny was shot 14 times, said families would be keeping a very close eye on Thursdays Bloody Sunday announcement. If the Bloody Sunday families get the result that many people [hope for], it will prove a point to us and many other people that those who were in uniform are not above the law, he said. Yesterday it emerged that Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley had asked to meet Mr Teggart and other families to apologise over her comments that Troubles killings by the military and police were not crimes. But he refused and insisted she should resign. Following President Donald Trump's stalemate talks with Kim Jong-Un, it appears North Korea may be preparing to launch a missile or rocket some time soon. Earlier this week North Korea sparked outrage after satellite images revealed the nation was 'rapidly rebuilding' its Sohae Launch Facility, a long-range missile launch site. New images reveal activity may have also resumed at a second site near Pyongyang, known as Sanumdong, where intercontinental ballistic missiles and satellite-launching rockets are assembled. The shocking photos, captured by DigitalGlobe on February 22, show cars and trucks parked near the facility, rail cars ready to go, and two erected cranes. Activity has been spotted at a second missile assembling site in North Korea following failed talks between Donald Trump and Kim Jong-Un This close up satellite image captured on February 22, 2019 shows vehicle activity at the Sanumdong missile assembly center located on the outskirts of Pyongyang, North Korea This image shows rail cars outside of the facility as if ready to transport something and two erected cranes, fueling suspicions that North Korea is preparing for a potential launch On February 22 and March 8 activity was seen at the Sanumdong missile production site in North Korea (site pictured above). This is the second missile site where activity has been noticed this week 'When you put that all that together, that's really what it looks like when the North Koreans are in the process of building a rocket,' Jeffrey Lewis, director of the East Asia Nonproliferation Project at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in California said to NPR. However he adds it's not clear if the isolated country is preparing a military missile or a rocket to carry a civilian satellite into space. It's also not clear just when a launch date will be. Additional images of Sanumdong snapped on Friday by the company Planet shows that there's less vehicle activity on the site and one crane has disappeared. It could mean workers have paused their efforts on a missile or rocket or could be waiting for other parts to arrive on site. 'According to Planet imagery, I can definitely say the train has left the station. But I can't unfortunately use X-ray vision to see what's on the train and tell whether it's a civilian space launch vehicle or a military ICBM,' North Korea expert Melissa Hanham said. Prior to Kim Jong-Un and Trump's failed Vietnam talks, North Korean officials had said they were planning to launch two satellites, according to Lewis. He added that Kim had visited the Sanumdong site at the end of 2017 to prepare for those launches. 'We know that a space launch was a thing that the North Koreans were talking about doing,' Lewis said. On March 2 construction operations were noticed at the Sohae Launch Site (above) just days after the collapse of President Trump and Kim Jong Un's summit Two cranes and a series of apparent trailers have been pictured at the site, adding to the suggestion a construction work force are currently operating at the facility 'I think U.S. foreign policy has been far too obsessed with North Korean space launches,' he added. However, the a State Department official warned that the U.S. would regard any launch into space as a violation of Trump and Kim's good relationship. 'Let me just say, in our judgment, launch of a space launch vehicle from [Sohae] in our view would be inconsistent with the commitments that the North Koreans have made,' the official told reporters on Thursday. The Sohae Launch Facility, which the country uses to launch satellites into orbit and other technologies to aid its intercontinental ballistic missile (ICMB) program, had previously been partly dismantled after the two leader's first meeting last summer. The Sohae Launch Facility satellite images were taken on March 2, just days after the Hanoi summit's collapse, showing that the site is back under construction. However, two days on from the stalemate in Hanoi, Satellite images captured on March 2 show operations at the once-dormant Sohae site have resumed full-throttle - with its facilities once again under construction. Two cranes have been pictured at the site - also known as Tongchang-ri - where new walls and a new roof has been added to the launch pad. Efforts are also being made to to rebuild the rail-mounted building and engine test sight were new roofing has been installed and other construction materials can be seen stacked nearby. Possible trailers have also been cited in the satellite imagery, adding to the suggestion a construction work force are likely operating at the facility. Philadelphia has become the first US city to ban cashless stores and restaurants, amid backlash from critics that legal tender-free shopping is discriminatory. Retailers who've adopted the practice may argue that eradicating cash makes for more convenient shopping, but many believe the policy actually discriminates against those without bank accounts or credit cards. Siding with the critics, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney signed a motion last week banning stores in the city from enacting a cashless service. As of July 1, any businesses failing to comply with the law will face fines of up to $2,000. Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney signed a motion last week banning stores in the city from enacting a cashless service Critics say the cashless policy actually discriminates against those without bank accounts, credit cards or those who just prefer using cash There are exemptions to the statue, with parking lots, garages, and businesses who sell goods through a membership model - such as gyms - able to continue operations as normal. Cashless policies are increasing in popularity in cities across America, as business owners say the switch from tangible cash to digital payment deters theft and increases efficiency. But with more than eight million households without bank accounts in the US, opposition to the practice believe it's prejudicial. Mayor Kenney (above) signed the motion to protect the interests of every day Philadelphians Philadelphia councilman Bill Greenlee, who co-sponsored the bill, believes the new law will help re-level the playing field. 'I can go into a coffee shop across from City Hall that's cashless and get my coffee and muffin, but the person behind me that has United States currency can't get the same cup of coffee. It's a fairness issue; it creates an us-and-them kind of situation,' he said to CBS. 'We are not asking them to do something they don't know how to do. They accepted cash before,' Greenlee added. According to the New York Times, New Jersey, New York, San Francisco and Chicago are all considering adopting similar laws. In Philadelphia, Councilman Allan Domb said Amazon issued a warning that they would re-consider implementing an Amazon Go store in the city if the bill passed. The Bezos-owned company plans to open up 3,000 cashless stores across the country by 2021. Amazon Go stores have no cashiers and only accept digital forms of payment. Jeff Bezos' Amazon issued Philadelphia a warning for if the bill passed. They allegedly threatened to withdraw plans for an Amazon Go store in the city City spokesman Mike Dunn confirmed Amazon told the city the legislation would 'impede' plans for a Go store. Other stores likely to be affected by the shift include the likes of Sweetgreen. Currently a card-only store, the salad-chain will be forced to re-calibrate if they want to continue business in the area. In 2018, Shakeshack announced plans to go cashless across the country. But after a short-lived trial period, the fast-food chain about-turned on the idea after customer backlash. The city of Philadelphia says it's open to work with businesses concerned by the new law to bring about amicable resolutions. However, their main concern remains protecting the people of Philadelphia. 'Our priority has to be the folks who live here now, who were paying taxes,' Councilman Greenlee said. Kristian Vanderwaeren, chief executive of Belgian customs, is warning exporters to avoid shipping to Britain after March 29 in case of a No Deal Brexit Belgium's customs authority is warning exporters to avoid shipping to Britain after March 29 in case of a No Deal Brexit. Kristian Vanderwaeren, chief executive of Belgian customs, said firms should export as much as they can in the next three weeks before potentially stricter controls are introduced in the event of No Deal. Calling for the Brexitpauze, he said bigger industries such as pharmaceutical companies and car manufacturers have already been storing stock in the UK for months to avoid disruption. Zeebrugge, the main port for trade with Britain, alone expects to have to process around 1 million additional import and 4.5 million extra export declarations once the UK leaves the single market and customs union. Mr Vanderwaeren said: Who are we as customs to give the business world instructions? But we are still asking the small and medium enterprises and all other parties to wait. Do the necessary export to your customers before 29 March. He said that it was wishful thinking to think the port would be able to manage the flow of goods in the same way as it does now with Britain still a member. It comes after passengers were hit with hours of delays at the Calais and Eurostar terminal in Paris after French customs officers carried out a trial of the kind of checks they would have to impose under a No Deal Brexit. Mr Vanderwaeren even suggested that a No Deal could lead to a smuggling route opening up on Eurostar trains between Brussels and London. Zeebrugge (pictured), the main port for trade with Britain, alone expects to have to process around 1 million additional import and 4.5 million extra export declarations once the UK leaves the single market and customs union Belgium has a huge diamond market, particularly in the Antwerp diamond district. He said: What should we do with the diamond dealers who travel to and from London? They have packages of diamonds in their luggage that can be worth millions of Euros. After Brexit, they must be stamped to say those diamonds effectively left for London. Otherwise you can get smuggling routes. The UK said last month it would wave through EU imports under a No Deal Brexit to limit disruption, meaning companies will not have to fill out full customs declarations at the border and can postpone the payment of import duties. France, the Netherlands and Belgium have all hired hundreds of extra customs officers to deal with the potential disruption. A Texas man learned on Facebook that his father had allegedly shot his mother and brother before killing himself. Jeril Jacobson, who was in his early 50s, shot wife Kathy and son Chris at their Tomball home at around 10pm on Thursday, leading neighbors to call police. His other son James Jacobson was not at the home at the time of the shooting, but saw posts about a shooting at his family's home on Facebook. Harris County officers found Jeril's dead body on the front lawn of the home when they arrived to the scene. Cops said it's not immediately clear if he shot himself or not. James said: 'I got up at 2.50am to go to work and I saw 201 McPhail in all of the comments.' James Jacobson (above) was shocked when he went on Facebook on Thursday and read reports of a shooting at his family's house. When he arrived to the home his father was dead and had allegedly shot his mother and brother The incident took place at this Tomball, Texas home on Thursday at 10pm. When cops arrived on the scene they found father Jeril Jacobson dead on the front lawn. It's not clear if his death was a suicide or if he was shot by someone else He raced to the home and arrived after a SWAT team had surrounded the home. 'I don't have a father no more. He's gone,' James said while choking back tears to ABC13. His brother Chris Jacobson, 33, suffered at least four gun shot wounds. He ran to neighbor Michael Baker for help, who found him bleeding profusely from his leg and stomach. 'When he fell into my arms, Chris said, "I'm shot! Dad shot me! I'm not going to make it!"' Baker said. He added: 'I was just trying to keep him with me. Chris, stay with me. Chris stay with me. We are working on it. We are going to get you some help, stay with me.' James Jacobson (left) discovered his brother Chris (right) bleeding profusely from his stomach and leg after he was allegedly shot at least four times by their father. Jeril also reportedly shot his wife Kathy 'My father may have been depressed and not very social. My brother and dad, they just clashed a lot,' James said, trying to find a reason behind the deadly attack Baker who is a Navy veteran, helped cinch a belt around Chris' leg to stop the bleeding. Chris and James' mother Kathy Jacobson was reportedly shot once and was found crouching under a pick-up truck yelling that she had been shot. Heartbroken James and police are now trying to figure out a motive behind the attack in the quiet neighborhood. 'My father may have been depressed and not very social. My brother and dad, they just clashed a lot,' James said to ABC 13. He added that Jeril had gotten very sick this year and fought not only with Chris but with his wife Kathy as well. Authorities pictured at the scene on Thursday night. Police have not released a motive behind the attack Chris and Kathy were flown to a hospital where they are recovering from their injuries Baker said: 'Who thinks a father is going to shoot his son? This happens in other places, in other communities. Not here, Not our neighbors.' Chris was flown to a nearby hospital for his injuries. James said he was conscious and recovering following treatment. Kathy was also taken to a local hospital and underwent surgery where she is also recovering from her injuries. An investigation is taking place and police have not said what led up to the shooting. Police also haven't confirmed if Jeril shot himself or not. Neighbors say authorities were called to this home before. A principal from Texas is offering children a digital version of story time. Principal Dr. Belinda George, 42, hosts an online story hour called 'Tucked in Tuesday' which she presents on Facebook Live each week. Principal George says she got the idea before the Christmas break. 'You can't just stay stagnant. You'll lose the kids,' Dr. George said to GMA. 'I knew I would miss my scholars. You got to meet them where they are.' She had previously appeared in a segment on NBC last year. Dr. Belinda George, 42, puts on her pajamas for 'Tucked in Tuesdays' Thousands of students now tune into her Facebook Live broadcasts each Tuesday evening The kids at Homer Elementary School in Beaumont, Texas all seem to appreciate her efforts George, who is in her first year as principal at Homer Elementary School in Beaumont, Texas, started the story sessions in hopes to encourage good reading habits even outside the classroom. The school head got into her pajamas and decided to read the children a story direct from her living room with the hope she would be able to bridge the gap between home and school. Just 35 students from her Texas elementary school tune in to listen to the story the first time around but that has since grown to hundreds of kids and parents around the world. She started the started the readings in December, and now some of her Facebook Live videos have received as many as 2,000 views. George started to read bedtime stories for her elementary school students over Facebook but the audience has now grown to thousands of youngsters all over the country George started the readings in December for her 35 students. Some of her Facebook Live videos have gotten as many as 2,000 views Before reading the story, George gives a shout-out to the students who have signed on and pop up on her screen. 'Serenity is watching from Albuquerque, NM,' reads one comment on a post. 'LOVE THIS!!!!!,' reads another commenter from Illinois. 'Thank you for going out of your way for them!,' wrote Dana Berisha. 'Watching these from Murray, KY. Our daughter enjoys watching these story videos,' wrote Holly Rudd Buchanan, adding a heart emoji to her comment. 'In my head, I'm doing something that I love and I'm doing something for kids, and so the attention that I'm getting is kind of like I don't know the big deal yet,' Dr. George says. George has been overwhelmed by the response to her story time. She now plans to expand 'Tucked in Tuesdays' to include special guests She has also managed to help improve her students' reading scores thanks to her efforts 'The bottom line is I love, love kids,' said George to the Washington Post. 'I know if I don't reach them outside of school I never reach them in school.' 'Children will not trust you until you give them a reason to,' she told GMA. 'As an educator, you must build relationships with each child that you encounter. Relationships are the key to trust and student growth. If a child feels loved, they will try. There's no science behind it. When dealing with children, you have to remember that no matter what they do, they are children. No matter the behavior, they all want to be loved and nurtured.' George said 94 percent of her students come from economically disadvantaged homes, and last year's literacy tests showed that an average of just 55 percent of her third-, fourth- and fifth-graders were reading on or above grade level. Her efforts have gone viral, with families across the country tuning in George said she has a deep understanding of growing up in an economically disadvantaged home. She and her five siblings grew up in a three-bedroom trailer in Louisiana. Authors are now starting to send in their books for her to read in the hope that they will be next. Some have even joined her during story time. Dr. George says what is most important is that her students are learning. 'They're learning to read with expression,' she says. 'They're learning that the principal cares.' 'As an effective educator, you must believe and see the best in every child,' she said. 'It is your job and duty to ensure that the needs of the whole child are met before you can teach them anything academically. You have to lead with your heart because that is what children see first. Once children know that you love them, they will do anything for you.' Advertisement Donald Trump was greeted with a rapturous applause at an Alabama church on Friday, but the disaster-stricken crowd received more than just good wishes from the president. Hoping to offer comfort in the wake of the deadly tornado that swept through the region last weekend, many of the hundred-strong congregation received a unique piece of memorabilia: a Trump-signed Bible. Though the practice of a book-signing is usually reserved only to its author, Trump kindly obliged a 12-year-old boy's request to sign his copy of the religious scripture. And the gesture prompted a frenzy at the Providence Baptist Church, in Opelika, as many of the cheering crowd began waving their Bibles in the air too, hoping to have it branded with Trump's distinctive, frenetic signature. President Trump appeared at the Providence Baptist Church, in Opelika, on Friday. Bearing words of support and sympathy he also offered a unique range of memorabilia: signed Bibles After signing one 12-year-old boy's religious text, a frenzy ensued among the crowd with several others vying to have their Bibles branded with Trump's distinctive, frenetic signature The pair were warmly received during their stop in the state, which supported Trump with 62. 1 percent of the vote in his successful 2016 election A variety of Bibles, caps and other items were handed to the President by supporters hoping to have it branded with his distinctive, frenetic signature 'I enjoyed him coming,' church volunteer Ada Ingram said. 'I think it's a godsend'. Another volunteer, Emily Pike, said the president and first lady Melania Trump signed her 10-year-old daughters Bible, which was decorated with pink camouflage. 'She just reached out there and said, Mr. President, would you sign this?' Pike told the Associated Press. Though members of the denomination seemed delighted with their autographed texts, the internet's reaction provided a stark contrast. Many accused Trump of being a hypocrite, claiming his political policies are a perfect contradiction to the religious teachings he was writing over. Others berated the perceived arrogance of his gesture, accusing the President of touting the religious book as if it was of his own workings. 'I seriously cannot imagine the absolute outrage and round-the-clock coverage this would've earned if President Obama went around signing Bibles. My God,' said author Jennifer Hayden. Others too waded in with their outrage, insisted Trump's predecessor would've been treated differently But among the litany of fervor, some Tweeters couldn't resist poking fun at the president. 'In Trump's defense, he wrote as much of the Bible as Art of the Deal,' jibed journalist Judd Legum. 'People don't understand the purpose of Trump signing Bibles,' teased another commentor. 'May people are without a way to prepare food after a disaster. When Trump signs a Bible, its bursts in flame and people can cook over it.' And the 45th US President's alleged personal affairs weren't immune from ironic ridicule either. 'He signed Bibles with the same hand he used -- as president -- to sign hush money checks to an adult filmstar,' said former Chief of Staff to Joe Biden, Ron Klain. 'Trump's favorite story of the Bible is the part where Jesus pays $130,000 to keep Mary Magdalene quiet,' added author Sarah Cooper. It wasn't long before the outrage was interjected by a series of tweets picking fun at the president The U.S. president also posed for selfies and signed hats and a $100 dollar bill that a volunteer passed him at the Baptist church. He and first lady Melania Trump spent the afternoon consoling families who lost their homes in a deadly F4 tornado that killed 23 people in Alabama on Sunday. The pair were warmly received during their stop in the state, which supported Trump with 62. 1 percent of the vote in his successful 2016 election. 'I've never seen anything like it,' the president said of the devastation. 'We love you all. We love the state of Alabama.' Outside the church the first couple honored the dead, holding a moment of silence as they stood hand-in-hand before a memorial made of crosses representing the victims of last weekend's storms. The U.S. president also posed for selfies and signed hats and a $100 dollar bill that a volunteer passed him at the Baptist church President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump sign autographs and greet volunteers who sorted donated clothing Melania Trump also signed autographs for the crowd The First Lady greeted supporters alongside her husband The Trumps were visiting Alabama on their way to Florida, where they are spending the weekend at Mar-a-Lago The Trumps were visiting Alabama on their way to Florida, where they are spending the weekend at Mar-a-Lago and raising money for the president's reelection campaign. Donald and Melania Trump arrived in Alabama early Friday afternoon via helicopter after landing in Air Force One in nearby Georgia. Their aerial tour lasted approximately 25 minutes, and afterward, the president told victims that federal emergency managers will stay as long as they need to. 'Its hard to believe actually,' he told reporters during a walking tour of the devastation. 'We saw things you wouldnt believe.' He said that FEMA had done an 'A plus job' managing recovery efforts so far. Tornadoes blitzed Alabama last weekend, killing 23 people, and ransacking parts of Georgia, where the Trumps first landed. Greeting them on the tarmac was the state's Republican Gov. Brian Kemp. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, a Republican, and Sen. Doug Jones, a Democrat, greeted the president at the Auburn airfield and accompanied them on a walking tour of the community most-heavily affected. 'The governor has done an incredible job,' the president told reporters amid his tour of Beauregard, the Alabama neighborhood hit hardest. Ivey told the president 'were stronger together' and thanked him for him for taking the time to visit. He told reporters as he left the White House on Friday, 'I'll be meeting with Governor Ivey. The people of Alabama, they got hit very hard by the tornadoes. 'We're stopping there, then we're going to Florida. And we're going to do a lot of work. We'll be working very hard,' he said. President Trump and first lady Melania Trump spent the afternoon consoling families who lost their homes in a deadly tornado that struck Alabama They held a moment of silence at a memorial made of crosses and Providence Baptist Church in Beauregard, Alabama The president hugged family members of one of the storm victims as he toured a Beauregard neighborhood with Melania 'I've never seen anything like it,' the president said of the devastation after his storm tour on foot Marine One carrying President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump takes an aerial tour of the area The Trumps toured the Beauregard neighborhood after, where they met the family of Sheila Creech and Marshall Lynn Grimes Family members shared with the president and first lady, showing them Grimes' motorcycle vest and his bible The Trumps survey the damage with Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey (L), Housing and Urban Develoment Secretary Ben Carson, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, Alabama lawmakers and FEMA officials in Beauregard First lady Melania Trump and the couple's son, Barron, were on the trip with the president. They left the White House just before 10 am from the residential entrance, after the president took questions from the press on the sentencing of former campaign chairman Paul Manafort and a myriad of other subject. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson and Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen joined them for the flight down to Alabama. Sen. Richard Shelby and Rep. Mike Rogers, both of whom were Alabama Republicans, also flew down with the Trumps. Following the aerial tour of the damage that the group made via helicopter over Georgia and Alabama, the president and first lady met with survivors of the Lee County tornado and received a briefing from Kathy Carson, the county's emergency manager. The Trumps toured the Beauregard neighborhood, where they met the family of Sheila Creech and Marshall Lynn Grimes. Creech fled Panama City after Hurricane Michael in October of 2018 and relocated to Beauregard, where the White House says she was living with Grimes. Grimes's daughter is in the hospital and her friend, Taylor Thornton, 10, died at the home during the tornado. The Trumps were to meet with son Chris Grimes and his wife Denise, as well as the deceased's brother David and his wife Kristen. Family members shared with the president and first lady, showing them Grimes' motorcycle vest and his bible. The president hugged the grieving family members. He told reporters that he recognized the wreckage from his flyover in Marine One. 'I saw this. And its hard to believe,' the president said. 'You saw things that you wouldnt believe.' President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump sign autographs and greet volunteers who sorted donated clothing President Trump arrives in Georgia on his way to Alabama to view tornado wreckage on Friday afternoon WE'RE HERE: The president and first lady deplane from Air Force Oneat Fort Benning in Georgia Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and his wife Marty greets the Trumps at Lawson Army Airfiel at Fort Benning Also on their list of stops was the home of Susanne and John Polk, who was in the hospital when the tornado hit. The White House said that Mrs. Polk had left her home to visit her husband when she was informed that a tornado had just hit the area. A member of the Beauregard Volunteer Fire Department, she aided in the search and rescue of the community. The Trumps were scheduled to visit with another survivor of the tornado, Tamatha 'Tammy' Cardwell, who was at home when the weather event took place, and her husband James 'Jim' Cardwell. The president said Tuesday that he would review the wreckage himself on Friday. 'It's been a tragic situation,' Trump said at a White House event on Tuesday. 'But a lot of good work is being done. I'm in constant touch with the governor and also the governor of Georgia.' He said Friday, as he thanked volunteers, 'We couldnt get here fast enough. 'I wanted to come the day it happened,' he told them at the makeshift operation at Providence Baptist Church. A woman holds up a sign showing off her support for the nation's president as he tours an Alabama community Areas residents are seen from the media van in the motorcade of the president on its way to Beauregard President Donald Trump comforts people among devastation and debris in Beauregard on Friday afternoon President Donald Trump is greeted by Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey upon his arrival in Alabama President Donald Trump waves as he boards his motorcade as he leaves Auburn airport The president and first lady leave the White House on Friday morning for their trip down south President Donald Trump, son Barron and first lady Melania Trump prepare to board Air Force One as they depart from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland President Trump and Melania Trump arrive in Palm Beach aboard Air Force One President Trump said Monday that he had directed federal emergency managers 'to give the A Plus treatment to the Great State of Alabama and the wonderful people who have been so devastated by the Tornadoes' that injured nearly 100 people. He told reporters Friday that FEMA had 'done and incredible job' and thanked emergency managers for their efforts. The first lady made no public comments but shared photos of her family arriving at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington for their flight on Air Force One from the air. 'On our way to visit the great people of Alabama!' she said. They arrived at Fort Benning's Lawson Army Airfield in Air Force One and traveled to Auburn University Regional Airport across the border in Alabama after that. After spending several hours in the area, the Trumps left late Friday afternoon for Palm Beach, where the president has two evening events. Donald Trump is participating in a joint fundraising committee roundtable and reception for Trump Victory, a Republican National Committee operation working in tandem with his 2020 reelection campaign, on Friday evening. RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel and RNC Finance Chair Todd Ricketts are co-hosts of the closed-press event. The fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago is Trump's first major money-raising event of the calendar year. He is running for a second term with the party's backing. A young girl has been missing for nearly one week and police are pleading for assistance. The 13-year-old was last seen at Sandgate Road, Clayfield, a suburb of Brisbane, on Monday at around midday, and police are concerned her age puts her at risk of harm. She was last seen at this location wearing camouflage shorts, a white singlet and carrying a dark backpack. The longer she is missing, the greater she is at risk, especially because of her age, police said (file picture) The last place where the young girl was seen, and police are looking for answers (file picture) Police said investigations suggest the girl may be in the Moreton Bay region, north of Brisbane, and are appealing for witnesses to give information. She is of Pacific Islander appearance, is approximately 161cm tall, and is slim with brown hair and eyes. Anyone with information is urged to call 131 444, use the online form on Policelink, or contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Dozens of motorists have been locked out of their keyless vehicles at a shopping centre car park due to a mystery fault. The bizarre drama has affected at least 80 cars in a small section of parking at Lakeside Joondalup shopping centre, in Perth, since Tuesday. The fault is not being treated as suspicious but rather brought on by the interference of something as simple as an internet router. Dozens of motorists have been locked out of their keyless vehicles at a shopping centre car park due to mystery fault Spokeswoman for the shopping centre Gemma Hannigan said a new device could have been installed in 'close proximity to the car park which is causing this disruption', Perth Now reported. Compromised cars have responded differently to the fault, with some motorists unable to lock their car to begin with while others have been locked out or unable to start their engines. 'I parked in this exact spot yesterday, went to look my car it wouldn't lock so key-locked it,' motorist Jade Kingston told Nine News. 'Went to get the script, came back and it wouldn't open again.' Affected cars have parked in a 150-metre radius of Chemist Warehouse. Ultra Tune mechanics have helped a number of motorists attempt to get back into their vehicles but its proven to be a difficult task with uncontrollable alarms and the differing nature of each case. The bizarre drama has affected at least 80 cars in a small section of parking at Lakeside Joondalup shopping centre, Perth, since Tuesday The fault is not being treated as suspicious but rather brought on by the interference of something as simple as an internet router The shopping centre has also deployed security at the car park to assist shoppers. 'We have recently received feedback from customers regarding issues concerned with vehicle remote access in a small section of the Centre's carpark,' the centre said on Friday. 'WA Police have investigated, and have advised us that they don't believe suspicious activity is involved.' The centre said they have been in contact with the Australian Communications and Media Authority, who suspect the disruption is caused by a simple device. Ultra Tune mechanics have helped a number of motorists attempt to get back into their vehicles (pictured) The shopping centre has deployed security to the car park to assist shoppers 'Our Operations Team have set up a scanner to find the source of the frequency disruption.' 'Until we resolve this issue, we have increased security patrols should any customers require assistance.' The centre urges shoppers to contact centre management with any further questions. Hollywoods version of Captain America met a real life version on Capitol Hill this week. Chris Evans, the blockbuster actor who plays the comic book hero in Marvels Avengers series, was pictured with House Rep. Dan Crenshaw on Friday. But Crenshaw, the Texas Republican who lost an eye during combat service in Afghanistan, had a surprise in store for Evans - a glass eye with the famous Captain America logo. When Captain America sees your Captain America glass eye, Crenshaw tweeted on Friday. House Rep. Dan Crenshaw tweeted a picture of his glass eye which bears the Captain America logo He tweeted the photo on Friday during a visit to his office by actor Chris Evans (right) Evans (above) plays the comic book hero in Marvel's Avengers series Crenshaw is a first-term congressman who represents Texas 2nd Congressional District. He became a nationally known figure not just because of his military service as a Navy SEAL but also thanks to Saturday Night Live. A week before last falls midterm elections, SNL cast member Pete Davidson mocked Crenshaw for resembling a hit man in a porno movie. The joke sparked outrage, particularly because Crenshaw lost his eye due to an explosion of a bomb detonated by enemy forces in Afghanistan. A week later, Crenshaw appeared on SNL alongside Davidson, who apologized to the newly elected congressman. Crenshaw became a nationally known figure not just because of his military service as a Navy SEAL in Afghanistan, but also thanks to Saturday Night Live, where he appeared a week after cast member Pete Davidson (center) made fun of his appearance. Colin Jost is seen right Crenshaw then took the opportunity to mock Davidson in a good-natured sketch, which included jokes about the comedians recently ended engagement to pop star Ariana Grande. The congressman also took some shots at Davidson for his looks, saying that the comedian looks like if the meth from Breaking Bad were a person. Police were also told she had previously dropped her kids at a nearby school A mother of two will face a magistrate next month in court after she allegedly returned a breath test reading more than six times the legal limit. A concerned member of the public contacted police about 9am on Friday, reporting a car was being driven erratically along the Wakehurst Parkway at Oxford Falls, on Sydney's northern beaches. Officers then located the 44-year-old female driver in Quirk Street in neighbouring Dee Why. A mother on Sydney's northern beaches was arrested on Friday after being caught more than six times over the legal limit (stock image) After returning a positive roadside breath test, she was arrested and taken to Dee Why Police Station, where she allegedly returned a breath analysis reading of 0.314. Police were also informed the woman had dropped her two children at school moments before her arrest. The woman was issued a Field Court Attendance Notice for high-range PCA and also had her licence and car keys confiscated. She is set to appear in Manly Local Court Wednesday, April 17. A notification has also been passed onto Family and Community Services (FACS). An ex-army soldier accused of stealing newborn puppies had become homeless and drug-addicted after leaving the defence force, a Queensland court has heard. A four-week old Maltese-Shih tzu cross puppy was taken from its mother in the middle of the night from a from a home in Michelton, a suburb near Brisbane, Australia, last Sunday. The puppy's brother was also stolen at the time, and Ben Alex Worgan, a former Australian Defence Soldier, was charged with burglary and animal cruelty. Worgan's (pictured) legal aid solicitor said the evidence against him was not entirely credible The two dogs belonged to a litter of five, and while the owners lost many valuables, they didn't lose their puppies A Queensland court heard Worgan allegedly stole both puppies, as well as expensive electronic equipment and documents from the home, The Courier Mail reported. Owner of the Michelton home, Lewis Davies said his home was broken into in the middle of Sunday night, and $4000 worth of electronic equipment, passports and other documents were stolen. One of the puppies was seen at a fish and chip shop in Virginia, and police were able to retrieve the second after raiding an apartment in Stafford, where they also allegedly found drugs. Worgan, currently a 'self employed' labourer, according to his LinkedIn, is undergoing counselling and rehab (file picture) Legal Aid solicitor, Axel Beard told the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Saturday that the evidence proving that 23-year-old Ben Alex Worgan was the actual thief of the puppies, was doubtful. The court heard Worgan is receiving treatment for drug addiction and undergoing counselling for his mental health issues. The 23-year-old 'wanted a puppy', and had texted the owners to let them know he had the four-week-old sister, not the brother, the defence alleged. Magistrate Anne Thacker said Worgan was in 'a terrible state of affairs,' but refused to free him from police custody until Worgan's mother, who is travelling from a small town three hours inland to tell court staff how his mental health and addiction could best be managed. Worgan's bail application will be heard on Monday, and both puppies have been reunited with their mum. Australia's answer to Hugh Hefner has tattooed his most avid fans for free in a bizarre marketing ploy. Tobacco tycoon Travers Beynon invited his followers to get branded over the weekend at more than a dozen Celebrity Ink locations across Australia, Thailand, Indonesia and India. 'The Candyman' is offering two tattoo designs - the 'TB' Candyman logo or 'Freechoice', his tobacco company. 'Candyman' Travers Beynon is tattooing his most avid fans for free over the weekend Benyon (centre in black) is offering two different tattoo designs - the Candyman or Freechoice tobacco logo Usually, Benyon himself trawls through social media to pick and choose invitees for his exuberant and elaborate parties - thrown at his 'Candyshop Mansion'. However, those who receive the tattoos will get 'priority VIP access' to the mogul's upcoming exclusive parties. His offer has been widely accepted on its first day, according to Freechoice general manager Bryn Sharp. Mr Sharp told Daily Mail Australia people of 'all shapes and sizes' had come out in droves to get inked - with the expensive lingerie and skimpy outfits usually seen on Mr Benyon's associates absent. He says more they're expecting more than 300 Candyman tattoos to find flesh at the Coomera store, on Mr Benyon's native Gold Coast, on Saturday alone. Mr Benyon himself went to the Coomera shop at 9am on Saturday to watch the first woman receive the tattoo. He spent more than four hours at the parlour, posing for photos and meeting his fans. Throngs of people attended a number of tattoo parlours on the Gold Coast to meet the tycoon Those with either the Freechoice or Candyman tattoos will reportedly receive priority VIP access to Benyon's upcoming parties Mr Sharp said there was an 'overwhelming response' to children wanting to meet the Candyman. Those hoping to get tattoos might be left wanting, as three of the parlours have already been entirely booked out. Southport, Surfers Paradise and Coomera had no spare sessions on Saturday, with spots filling fast for Sunday. Each shop is equipped with eight tattooists, who put aside 15 minutes for each tattoo. Lines at Coomera went around the corner as throngs of excited fans waited to get inked. The event was initially tabbed as being held on one day only, but the overwhelming support forced the tycoon to spread it out over a weekend. The mogul is expecting at least 300 hundred people be tattooed at the Coomera store alone on Saturday The flashy mogul has spent years imprinting his logo (pictured) on people following his parties The flashy mogul partnered with Love Nightclub, where his son Valentino is a headline DJ. Mr Beynon has imprinted his logo on many over the past few years, setting up personal tattoo stations at his own mansion. Most recently, he installed one in the lavish living room of his luxury home, echoing Hugh Hefner's Playboy Mansion, where multiple women could be seen being worked on by one of The Candyman's tattoo artists. The walls, meanwhile, were adorned with stylish art as a dozen or so other women appeared to wait their turn. The 'M' when turned on its side spells out Benyon's initials. A man has been charged with the murder of 17-year-old Jodie Chesney, who was stabbed in a park in east London. Manuel Petrovic, 20, from Romford, was arrested in Leicester on Tuesday in connection with the incident, he appeared at Barkingside Magistrates' Court this morning. Wearing a grey tracksuit, he spoke only to confirm his address, date of birth, and nationality of Croatian. Petrovic is a short white man with sallow skin, short dark hair and dark stubble. He did not enter a plea and was remanded in custody to next appear at the Old Bailey on March 11. Another man who was arrested on suspicion of murder in London on Friday remains in custody, Scotland Yard said. Jodie was playing music with friends near a children's playground at Harold Hill when she was knifed from behind in a seemingly motiveless attack on March 1. Jodie Chesney, 17, was stabbed to death in a park in Romford, east-London on Friday, March 1. Jodies father Peter, stepmother Joanne and sister Lucy (Stefan Rousseau/PA) A prison van arriving at Barkingside Magistrates' Court this morning - believed to be carrying Petrovic Tributes consisting of purple ribbons continued to be made to Jodie Chesney at St Neots Road park Masses of flowers and letters to Jodie have been displayed with the 'Get Her' being displayed in purple hearts A wreath decorated with purple flowers was left which included a note She was pronounced dead just over an hour after officers were called at about 9.25pm. Tributes continued to be made today for the teenager, as ribbons were tied to a fence at a local park. A post-mortem examination gave the cause of the Girl Scout's death as trauma and haemorrhage. Jodie's father Peter Chesney described the teenager as a 'proud geek' and a 'great girl', adding: 'The fibre of her being was just about being good, kind there was nothing bad in her body.' He said Jodie's death had torn the family apart and said: 'We don't know how to deal with it. Families march through Romford town centre to protest the fatal stabbing of Jodie Chesney, who was playing music with friends near a children's playground at Harold Hill, east London, on Friday when she was knifed in the back in a seemingly motiveless attack Purple bows and ribbons were attached to lamp posts and railings in Harold Hill after Jodies death (Jonathan Brady/PA) A prison van was pictured leaving Barkingside Magistrates' Court today following the appearance of Manuel Petrovic One woman, ties a purple ribbon on a railings outside of Barkingside Magistrates Court today where the suspect was charged 'Everyone is suffering because she was so good everyone just can't believe why her? It is not one life deserves to be killed over another, but specifically her, she was so kind.' Speaking at Barkingside Magistrates' Court today Prosecutor Varinder Hayre said: 'Mr Petrovic is charged with a very serious offence, the murder of Jodie Chesney. 'The bail application will be heard at the Central Criminal Court by a Crown Court judge on March 11.' Magistrate Nigel Bower said: 'You have heard what's gone on. Theresa May to announce emergency plan to tackle knife crime epidemic Theresa May is preparing to reveal a 50million emergency package to tackle the ongoing knife epidemic in the UK. Chancellor Philip Hammond is said to have agreed to stump up the cash in order to fund the plan. It was also reported by The Sun that Mr Hammond is preparing to release an immediate funding package worth 'tens of millions' to plug short-term gaps in police force budgets to meet the need for getting more officers out on the street. The cash is set to be made available to overstretched police forces between now and April in order to fund overtime hours worked by officers - as they continue to tackle knife crime in cities across the UK. From April forces should gain access to a fresh 970 million funding package that has already been announced. This comes after Mr Hammond sparked outrage earlier this week by saying overstretched police forces re-prioritise their existing resources to 'nip' knife crime in the bud. Advertisement 'You are remanded in custody and are going to the Central Criminal Court on Monday. 'You may go.' Her death has added to the urgency for action to be taken to tackle knife crime across the UK. On Thursday, people wore purple ribbons and carried purple balloons in memory of the teenager as they took part in march through Romford calling for an end to knife crime. A murder investigation into Jodie's death continues. Anyone with information should call the Homicide and Major Crime Command Incident Room on 020 8345 3775, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. New figures released this week reveal how knife attacks have more than doubled over five years in some parts of the UK, as Britain's streets are rife with bloody violence that has seen six teenagers stabbed to death in the space of a week. Several counties, including Cambridgeshire, Gloucestershire and Hertfordshire, recorded an increase of more than 100 per cent in crimes involving knives or sharp instruments from 2013 to 2018. The figures come after 19-year-old woman was stabbed to death in Leeds, while two men were attacked with knives in separate incidents in Grimsby and Manchester. The attack in Grimsby on Friday happened just hours before Theresa May gave a speech on Brexit at the Orsted offshore wind plant a mile-and-a-half down the road. West Midlands Police, which became the first force to issue emergency section 60 stop-and-search powers last week, has seen knife attacks rise 96 per cent, from 1,585 to 3,108. Last Saturday, 17-year-old Yousef Makki died after a knife attack in the village of Hale Barns, Greater Manchester. Spanish national David Martinez was stabbed to death after he was chased in Leyton, east London, on Wednesday. UK knife murders in the UK from the start of the year leading through to March 7 Composite picture of some of the people who have lost their lives to knife crime this year. Top row, from left: Tudor Simionov, Jaden Moodie, Nedim Bilgin, Lejean Richards, Dennis Anderson. Middle row, from left: Patrick Hill, Sidali Mohamed, Bright Akinleye, Abdullah Muhammad, Glendon Spence. Bottom row, from left: Kamali Gabbidon-Lynck, Hazrat Umar, Che Morrison, Jodie Chesney, Yousef Ghaleb Makki In addition the body of French woman Laureline Garcia-Bertaux, 34, was discovered in a shallow grave near her home in west London late on Wednesday night. A total of 24 murder probes have now been launched in London this year, including 12 in the last 17 days. Nineteen-year-old Kamali Gabbidon-Lynck was also fatally stabbed by a gang riding bikes in Wood Green, north London, last week. He was chased into a hair salon by men armed with a firearm, knives and a samurai sword on February 22 and slaughtered in front of children. A day earlier, a 23-year-old man - Glendon Spence - was stabbed to death in Brixton, south London, at a youth club which had children as young as seven inside. Due to the spate of violence, Met officers are out in force carrying out a series of stop and searches around the capital today. The spate of violence has sparked a renewed political focus on knife crime. Prime Minister Theresa May has faced a backlash after saying there was no connection between surging violent crime and the cuts to police numbers which began when she was Home Secretary. President Donald Trump is to make a significant request for border wall funds and seeking money to set up Space Force as a new branch of the military in the White House budget being released next week, an administration official said. For the first time, Trump plans to stick with the strict spending caps imposed years ago, even though lawmakers have largely avoided them with new budget deals. That will likely trigger a showdown with Congress. The official said Friday that the president's plan promises to balance the budget in 15 years. Trump will seek $750 billion for defense, a boost for the military, while cutting non-defense discretionary spending by 5 percent below the cap, said the official, who was unauthorized to discuss the document ahead of its release and spoke on condition of anonymity. President Donald Trump will ask for a Pentagon budget of $718 billion for 2020, part of an overall $750 billion request for defense. He is pictured here on Friday with , first lady Melania Trump and Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson in Georgia Budgets are mainly seen as blueprints for White House priorities. But they are often panned on Capitol Hill, where lawmakers craft the appropriation bills that eventually fund the government, if the president signs them into law. Trump's budget for the 2020 fiscal year will increase requests for some agencies while reducing others to reflect those priorities. Reductions are proposed, for example, for the Environmental Protection Agency. The official said Congress has ignored the president's spending cuts for too long. The federal budget is bloated with wasteful spending, the official said, and the administration remains committed to balancing the budget. The cuts being requested by the White House would hit discretionary spending as well as some mandatory safety net programs, which Trump has proposed in the past. Last month President Donald J. Trump participated in a signing ceremony for Space Policy Directive 4 in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. The policy directive establishes the Space Force as the 6th branch of US armed forces Many Republicans are often eager to reduce government spending, but Congress has had trouble passing bills that seriously slash the safety net programs used by many Americans. Budgets often rely on various accounting measures to achieve desired results. This one, for example, counts $546 billion in defense money as a base, but another $174 billion in another account to keep within caps. And while the budget will suggest it balances in future years, it is also expected to rely on projections for continued economic growth from the tax cuts Trump signed into law in 2017. But there's no guarantee that would cover the lost tax revenues. By proposing spending levels that don't raise the budget caps, the president is courting a debate with Congress. Lawmakers from both parties have routinely agreed to raise spending caps established by a previous deal years ago to fund the government. Trump, though, has tried to resist those deals. He threatened to veto the last one reached in 2017 to prevent a shutdown. Late last year, a fight over border wall funds sparked the 35-day shutdown that spilled into this year and became the longest in history. Johnny Bobbitt (above), 36, admitted to conspiring to commit theft by deception in a 2017 GoFundMe, on Friday A homeless man, who was once hailed as a hero for helping a stranded driver, has pleaded guilty in his part for fabricating a story to defraud 14,000 GoFundMe donors out of $400,000. At the New Jersey Superior Court on Friday, Johnny Bobbitt, 36, admitted guilt in conspiring to commit theft by deception. Bobbitt also agreed to testify against his believed co-conspirators, Katelyn McClure, 28, her former-boyfriend 39-year-old Mark D'Amico, as part of a plea agreement. Authorities say the trio invented a 2017 story - which later went viral - claiming that Bobbitt offered McClure $20 as gas money, after her car broke down on a Philadelphia highway. Alleged conspirator Katelyn McClure (left), 28, said Bobbitt offered her his last $20 after her car ran out of gas on a Philadelphia highway The pair appeared on television numerous times to re-tell the story - but prosecutors say it was all a lie (pictured: Bobbitt and McClure during a 2017 TV interview) McClure and D'Amico then set up a GoFundMe page on behalf of Bobbitt, asking the public donate money as a reward for the homeless man's reported random act of kindness. They said they started the page in the hope of raising $10,000 to buy Bobbitt some warm clothes and get him off the streets for good. However, the campaign raised over $400,000 from 14,000 separate donations and received media coverage all over the world. McClure and Bobbitt also appeared on television numerous times retelling the story - but prosecutors say it was all a lie. Instead, they say rather than donating all the proceeds to Bobbitt as the fundraiser had advertised, the couple took home $275,000 and spendt it on lavish shopping sprees and luxury holidays. The former-couple are also said to have bought a brand new BMW with their purported share of the money. As part of a plea deal, Bobbitt agreed to testify against McClure and her former boyfriend Mark D'Amico at the New Jersey Superior Court on Friday In his plea, Bobbitt said the ex-couple 'took it upon themselves' to start fundraising, and he became a willing actor once the crowdfunding had already begun Instead of donating all the proceeds to Bobbitt, prosecutors say D'Amico and McClure took the majority of the funds, spending it on designer clothes, holidays and even buying a BMW (pictured: D'Amico and McClure during a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon) However, the relationship between the couple and Bobbitt took a turn after he filed a lawsuit against them for failing to turn all of fundraiser over to him last year. New Jersey prosecutors say the fallout prompted them to launch an investigation into the entire story. In his plea, Bobbitt said the ex-couple 'took it upon themselves' to start fundraising, and he became a willing actor once the crowdfunding had already begun. The former marine has been battling a drug addiction for several years. He is expected to serve five years probation and be enrolled in a rehabilitation program that will allow him to avoid prison if he stays clean. Otherwise, he will serve the entirety of the sentence in state prison. McClure (left) pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit wire fraud. A case of conspiring to commit theft by deception is still pending against her and D'Amico (right). D'Amico denies any wrongdoing On Wednesday, Bobbitt entered a separate guilty plea to a count of conspiracy to launder money, where he faces up to 3 years in prison. The district Judge agreed to delay sentencing until his rehabilitation program is completed. McClure pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in federal court on Wednesday. An additional charge of conspiracy to commit theft by deception has also been filed by prosecutors against McClure and D'Amico, but that case is still pending. D'Amico has denied any involvement with the alleged unlawful scheme. Lionel Simenya, 36, has been killed after an altercation with joyriders in Edinburgh A chef has been killed after he confronted joyriders for crashing into his parked car while he was sleeping in it. Lionel Simenya, 36, had parked up in a car park by Ford's Road in Edinburgh when his vehicle was hit by a stolen car. Sources said the man got out of his car during a confrontation and was then attacked. Lionel, originally from Burundi in Africa, was found at 3.50am on Thursday and police have launched a murder investigation. A Peugeot car that was stolen nearby then abandoned is being examined by forensic officers. A high police presence remains in the area and in a statement police said: 'The victim was said to be sleeping in his car when the joyriders hit it. Police officers on the scene in Edinburgh following the death of a man who had confronted joyriders Forensic officers on the scene at Ford's Road in Edinburgh after a car was found abandoned nearby Detectives are looking to speak to anyone who was in the Stenhouse area in the early hours of Thursday March 7. They are also looking to speak to anyone who has dashcam footage or saw vehicles being driven erratically. Detective Inspector Stuart Alexander said: 'Lionel Simenya moved to the UK a number of years ago. He was a highly thought of, hard-working man who kept himself to himself and has met a tragic death. 'I am confident the answer to solving this horrific crime lies in the communities of Edinburgh and no matter how insignificant you think any information is, please contact us and let us assess it. 'This must be playing on the consciences of the individuals responsible and I would urge those people to come forward.' Lionel's family said in a statement: 'We are profoundly shocked and extremely saddened that our beloved Lionel has been taken from us in such a cruel manner. A location map showing the road and the car park where the incident is alleged to have taken place 'Lionel was a hard-working and dedicated chef, who had won an award for his skills. 'We would ask anyone who can help police with their investigation to get in touch and provide any information that can bring those involved in his death to justice. 'Anyone who was involved should search their conscience and realise that our family have been left devastated by their actions. Hopefully then they will do the right thing.' Anyone with information should contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 Advertisement The horrifying injuries suffered by male car crash survivors have been recreated in powerful pictures that show how wearing a seatbelt saved all of their lives. Despite seatbelts being a potential life-saving necessity, many New Zealanders are still making the fatal error of not strapping themselves in. Startling statistics show around 90 New Zealanders who die in car crashes every year weren't wearing a seatbelt at the time. Scroll down for video Liam Bethell (pictured) was struck by a truck in 2017, and despite breaking most of his ribs, three discs in his back and suffering a brain bleed, he survived In a desperate bid to save lives, New Zealand Transport Agency have launched a poignant new image campaign using male victims of near-fatal collisions and the awful injuries they suffered. Even though the severity of their injuries are clear to see, none of the survivors would be alive if they had not been wearing a seatbelt. Men have been targeted specifically, as data shows they are more adverse to seatbelt safety than women. In 2012, 11 women who died in road accidents in New Zealand weren't wearing a seatbelt, and in 2016 a further 28 unrestrained women suffered fatal injuries. Rick Haira (pictured) had been driving over train tracks when his ute was clipped by a train in 2004 Dylam Chirnside (pictured) was T-boned by another vehicle as short distance away from his home in 2017 But for male fatalities, the figures are much higher. In 2012, 46 unrestrained men died, and in 2016 a staggering 72 unrestrained males died from incidents on New Zealand roads. Liam Bethell was struck by a truck in 2017, and despite breaking most of his ribs, three discs in his back and suffering a brain bleed, he survived. He had comatose for 10 days, and thankfully came round just before his daughter was born. If he hadn't been wearing a seatbelt it's unlikely he would still be alive. Another survivor, Rick Haira had been driving across train tracks when his ute was clipped by a train in 2004. He was unable to regain control of his vehicle as it spun around, and because he was wearing his seatbelt, he wasn't thrown from the car. James Liberona (pictured) is seen in a wheelchair and suffered multiple injuries as a result of a car crash back in 2014 Kahutia Foster (pictured) survived a collision in New Zealand in 2011. His seatbelt saved his life, and the visible scar is clear to see A third survivor, Dylam Chirnside, was T-boned by another vehicle a short distance away from his home in 2017. He suffered a brain injury and broke one of the major bones that connects the head to the spine. Despite his awful injuries, his seatbelt kept him alive and he's since made a full recovery. Notably all the men who participated in the campaign exhibited a dark deep bruise where their seatbelt would've been. A physical reminder they had made the right call to wear a seatbelt and survived because of it. The campaign launched with a public call-out to find men who had survived car accidents thanks to wearing a seatbelt. Hundreds responded, but 10 men were chosen and their injuries were recreated in graphic detail. James Mcdonald (pictured) survived a collision in 2017. His seatbelt mark is clear to be seen Special effects and make-up teams worked from personal pictures from the men, to make the wounds as accurate as possible. Dr. Natasha McKay, an Emergency Medicine Specialist also helped with the campaign. 'A seatbelt really does leave a mark like this. 'They will save your life, but they will leave a mark to show how they've done it,' Dr McKay said. The images are displayed on billboards near carparks of bars and pubs in towns around New Zealand. A 2017 report by AA on non-seat belt fatalities and offences in New Zealand found up to 30 percent of car crash fatalities involved people not wearing a seatbelt. Daily Mail Australia has contacted New Zealand Transport Agency for further comment. Do you have any pictures of snow? Email tips@dailymail.com Today will see rain, sleet and snow across Northern Ireland, Scotland and Northern England, with the rest of the country experiencing scattered shower Forecasters predicting that wintery conditions will return to the UK and temperatures will begin to drop As jet stream falls over Britain, we will see torrential rain, sleet and blustery showers across the country Heavy snow has swept across the north of England and Scotland overnight and throughout this morning Advertisement A plane rocketed from side to side as fierce winds continued to wreak havoc across the country today- just days after the country recovers from the powerful gales of Storm Freya. The terrifying footage, captured at Birmingham's BHX Airport, shows the pilot trying to bring the aircraft to safety as it was battered by the ferocious winds on the runway. The chaotic landing comes as heavy snow was seen sweeping across the north of England and Scotland overnight and throughout this morning. Scroll down for video A plane is rocketed from side to side at Birmingham's BHX Airport, as the pilot tries to battle the winds and bring the aircraft to safety As those living in County Durham woke up to find their cars covered in snow and the roads frozen from an overnight blizzard, road users were also left bracing the cold, with delays spotted on the A66 between Scotch corner and Bowes. Drivers in northern England were also left battling the sudden blizzard this morning as a fresh sheet of snow began to settle and cause chaos on the roads. Meanwhile in Blackpool a sudden surge of powerful winds saw waters crash against the promenade, leaving passers-by soaked. The aircraft sways a little as it tries to land on the runway in Birmingham, just days after the UK recovers from the ferocious winds of Storm Freta The plane makes a bumpy landing at Birmingham Airport today as other northern parts of the UK are hit by heavy snow and sleet One woman's hair was blown up by strong winds when she crossed Westminster Bridge in London this afternoon The overnight snow comes as an active jet stream from the Atlantic hurtles directly across the UK bringing strong winds, torrential downpours, and sleet. Forecasters are also predicting that as the wintery conditions begin to return to the UK, temperatures will begin to drop to around 14C in the south and as low as -3C in parts of Scotland. As we move away from the powerful gales of Storm Freya, the country can expect to see unsettled weather conditions, with some parts of Scotland and the Pennines set for a spell of hill snow. Met Office meteorologist John West said a low pressure system will see heavy rain push into Northern Ireland, England and Wales overnight and into Sunday morning. He said snow and a 'wintry mix' could affect some central and north-western parts of the UK, with blustery conditions and high winds expected across much of southern England. 'It is looking as if as that system deepens, we might see some snow over the hills of the Pennines and North Wales,' Mr West said. 'That is likely through the early hours of the morning towards dawn as this system moves away into the North Sea. 'It should clear quite quickly through the morning, but people might wake up to some snow in that central swathe of the country.' A yellow alert for snow and ice has been put in place by the Met Office for Northern Ireland, North West England and west and central Scotland between 2am and 11am on Sunday. The huge waves crashed over the sea wall at New Brighton, Wirral. As an active jet stream from the Atlantic hurtles directly across the UK bringing torrential downpours, sleet, as well as strong winds, pictured above One man even stands close enough to take a photo of the waves crashing in. As we move away from the powerful gales of Storm Freya, the country can expect to see unsettled weather conditions People battled strong winds in London today as they crossed Westminster Bridge. Heading into tonight, an area of low pressure will bring a spell of heavy rain and showers One person has their hair blown by the strong winds in London. Forecasters are predicting that as the wintery conditions begin to return to the UK, temperatures will begin to drop to around 14C in the south and as low as -3C in parts of Scotland A truck tries to get travel across a road in Country Durham today as a blizzard overnight leaves the North Eastern part of the country covered in snow County Durham woke up to a sheet of white snow this morning, days after Storm Freya hit the country and brought gales of up to 80mph As heavy snow sweeps across County Durham overnight and throughout this morning, delays hit the A66 between Scotch corner and Bowes A car is carried on top of a transporter truck as heavy snow hits the north of England and Scotland - while the rest of UK faces rain and blustery showers Cars and road users try to tackle the icy roads in County Durham this morning after the area was hit by a fresh sheet of snow These gusts will become even stronger as we move into the next week, with a risk of gale force winds returning to north-western coastal fringes of the UK on Tuesday. Today will see rain, sleet and snow across Northern Ireland, Scotland and Northern England, as the rest of the country experiences light scattered showers. Northern parts of the country can also expect some snow and blustery showers while the south remains mainly dry and windy, with gusts of 30-40mph expected along the coast. During the warning periods, across Northern Ireland there could be gusts of 60mph-70mph, with 50mph-55mph seen quite widely across England and 60mph-65mph in coastal areas. A band of heavy rain will also push south-eastwards, and will be followed by some heavy showers during Tuesday and Wednesday. Temperatures will be about average for the time of year - around 8C-11C (46.4F-51.8F) for most, but with the strength of the wind it will feel colder. As the UK braces itself for wet and windy weather, a storm in Blackpool causes the water to crash against the promenade and soak passers-by Passers-by are left drenched as a strong gale sweeps over Blackpool and causes water to come crashing against the promenade A high tide splashes over the sea walls at New Brighton, Wirral, as the UK sets itself for wind and rain for the week As strong winds form over the British Isles, torrential downpours and sleet will hit parts of the UK, with parts of Scotland and the Pennines set for snow On Saturday rain and hill snow will begin to clear and give way to heavy showers. The heavy showers will continue through the weekend Gusts and blustery showers are set to sweep over the county as a jet stream from the Atlantic hurtles directly across the UK As the UK recovers from Storm Freya, parts of the northern England and Scotland can expect to see sleet and ice The Met Office forecast reads: Today (Saturday): A windy day, with early rain and hill snow across Northern England clearing. Southern parts of the UK will be mainly dry with sunny spells. Otherwise, blustery showers in the north, with more persistent rain in far northeast. Tonight: Showers easing in the north, allowing a widespread frost. Rain spreading across southern parts, with hill snow for central areas, and perhaps to lower levels here later in the night. Sunday: A band of rain and hill snow will cross the UK, giving snow locally to lower levels in the north. Elsewhere, a mixture of sunshine and blustery showers, some wintry. A national rail train near Dalwhinnie is seen blasting through heavy snow after fresh snow fell across parts of Scotland today A car is left stranded off the A9 near Dalwhinnie after whiteout conditions and several inches of snow causes it to crash Police are hunting two men believed to have been involved in a fight with the 33-year-old Scot tourist who died in Benidorm on his first night out in the famous Costa Blanca resort. Well-placed sources said detectives are trying to identify the pair, believed to be Brits, as they await the results of an autopsy due to take place this morning. One has been described as wearing a white T-shirt and white trainers. Overnight local reports said the dead man, who had checked into a four-star apart-hotel with friends just hours before he lost his life, had suffered a blow to his head. The post-mortem is expected to reveal if he was hit over the head with a weapon or sustained the injury after hitting his head on the ground as he fell. The incident happened around 3.15am on Friday in Calle Gerona - Gerona Street in English - which is in the heart of Benidorm's Little England. An unnamed 33-year-old Scottish man died after a street brawl in Benidorm (pictured) and police have launched an investigation A Spanish National Police spokesman said afterwards: 'We received an emergency call at around 3.15am on Friday. 'Police were mobilised and arrived at the scene to find two people trying to assist another who was lying on the ground. 'He was confirmed dead shortly afterwards. 'What we know at the moment from witnesses is that there had been a fight moments earlier, apparently between British nationals who were on holiday like the dead man who was also a tourist.' A well-placed source added: 'We have to be cautious at the moment because the cause of death is not yet known. 'The autopsy will hopefully establish why this man died and whether it was the result of a blow or a heart attack or something else. 'In the coming hours police will have more information. The dead man is a 33-year-old Scot who was staying in a hotel in Benidorm.' Calle Gerona crosses Mallorca Street, where an innocent British holidaymaker was among three people shot last July after he was caught up in a gang war between North African drug dealers and criminals from Eastern Europe. Beachcomber, the bar where two workers were stabbed on February 24 after they tried to stop a fight between two Brits, is also in Mallorca Street. Last month two British men in Benidorm's 'Little England' area were arrested over a double stabbing One of the bar workers was rushed to intensive care after being knifed in the stomach. The other was stabbed in the chest. One of the two suspects, a man from Glasgow, was remanded in custody over the February 24 stabbing after being told he was under investigation for attempted homicide. The second man, also thought to be Scottish, was released on bail pending an ongoing criminal probe. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said after the latest incident: 'Our staff are providing assistance to the family of a British man who has died in Benidorm.' A source said the man's friends who had jetted to the resort with him had given their statements at a police station. Last month two Britons were arrested after a double stabbing in the same Little England area of Benidorm The apart-hotel declined to comment, saying it had very little information about what had happened. Police said another man had also been found injured at the scene. According to local media, officers discovered two people trying to revive the dead man. A spokesman for the National Police in Alicante said: 'I can confirm a 33-year-old British man has died on the street in Benidorm. He was from Scotland and was on holiday in the resort. 'The investigation so far has determined that moments earlier according to witness testimony, the man participated in a fight with other people who appear to be other British people who were also holidaying in Benidorm.' This is the hilarious moment that a drill rapper spilt water down himself after forgetting he was wearing a balaclava on BBC Newsnight. The rapper, Drillminister, was on the current affairs show to discuss Britain's knife crime crisis. But when Labour politician Stella Creasy was in full flow discussing the the bloodshed, he ended up with a damp hoodie. This is the hilarious moment that drill rapper Drillminister spilt water down himself after forgetting he was wearing a balaclava while on BBC Newsnight to discuss Britain's knife crime crisis Apparently forgetting that his face was covered, Drillminister, who was also wearing a hood, black gloves and dark glasses, picked up a glass and brought it to his mouth to take a sip of water. He instantly realised his mistake when water dribbled down his chin and on to his clothes. The cameraman also appeared to notice the awkward moment, as he panned across to the rapper as he tried to drink the water. The footage was later spotted by Twitter user Lincoln Jopp, who said: 'When you forget you wore a balaclava to appear on @BBCNewsnight' HIs tweet drew dozens of humorous responses, such as from Rob Manuel, who picked up on the fact that the programme's cameraman moved his camera to focus on the rapper as he drank the water. He wrote: 'The camera person following it. "Oh god, this is good, he's doing it, he's doing it, pan and zoom"' Another, Ian Rowlands alluded to satirical character Alan Partridge and wrote: 'If this happened on Partridge youd think it was too far fetched!!' Tweeter PAJ wrote: 'Brilliant. This is exactly what the internet was made for'. The rapper had lashed out at Theresa May's response to the knife crime crisis, saying that she was 'talking about something she doesn't understand Sitting up, the embarrassed musician put his glass on the table while the other panellists appeared not to notice. The footage was later spotted by Twitter user Lincoln Jopp, who said: 'When you forget you wore a balaclava to appear on @BBCNewsnight.' The hilarious tweet has since gone viral with 38,000 likes and 12,000 retweets. Drillminister was previously mocked in October last year after appearing on Good Morning Britain donning a camouflage balaclava and sunglasses to hide his identity One user, Ian Rowlands, alluding to satirical character Alan Partridge, wrote: 'If this happened on Partridge youd think it was too far fetched!!' Another, PAJ, wrote: 'Brilliant. This is exactly what the internet was made for.' But the rapper himself replied to the original eagle-eyed Tweeter: 'I remembered that I had a balaclava on lincoln what I didnt know is the BBC went cheap with the water wasnt Fiji or even Volvic tasted more like a Iceland pack of 12 water for 99p taste to it what you have is my reaction,' he joked. Drillminister had lashed out at Theresa May's response to the knife crime crisis on the show, saying that she was 'talking about something she doesn't understand.' He added that she 'doesn't walk these streets,' or 'see those incidents.' Drillminister was previously mocked in October last year after appearing on Good Morning Britain donning a camouflage balaclava and sunglasses to hide his identity. Advertisement A military complex once home to the Nazis and the Soviets is now a forbidden city which captures the turbulent history of modern-day Germany. The complex called Wuensdorf in Zossen, 25 miles south of Berlin, is hidden in a fenced-off pine forest in the east of the country and was abandoned in 1994. Tour guide Werner Borchert, 67, said: 'The Kaiser, Hitler, the Soviets, all of them were militarily active here, one after the other.' The officers' complex, built in 1916, has served as the headquarters of Germany's changing regimes in the 20th century. The Wuensdorf military complex in Germany was once home to the Nazis and the Soviets but has been abandoned for 25 years. The complex had a theater, a museum, shopping facilities and a swimming pool for the 40,000 soldiers stationed there. The German Olympic team trained there ahead of the 1936 Berlin Games A wall relief with a soldier, a mother and child, and Lenin (right) remains at the abandoned sight today, showing how the Soviets made the German complex their home It housed the military of German Kaiser Wilhelm II, served as the Nazis' military command centre during World War II and then headquartered the Soviets' military high command for East Germany during the Cold War. Mr Borchert, who grew up in the area, said: 'This was "Little Moscow" on German ground.' There was a theatre, a museum, shopping facilities, a swimming pool and many barracks for the about 40,000 soldiers who were stationed here. He added: 'It was the cultural centre for the Soviet Army in Germany.' Typical Soviet symbolism such as rockets, stars and cogs are still visible on a wall relief inside the Wunsdorf complex. The region is 25 miles south of Berlin and is closed to the public unless they have booked a visit A Lenin monument stands proudly in front of the abandoned Officers' Halls. A ten-mile perimeter wall surrounds the vast complex Tour guide Werner Borchert, who grew up in the region, said: 'The Kaiser, Hitler, the Soviets, all of them were militarily active here, one after the other. It was the cultural centre for the Soviet Army in Germany' It was built in 1916 and initially served as the headquarters of Kaiser Wilhelm II. The Nazis then took it over and made it a key base for their war operation, making bunkers and a communication hub called Zeppelin In 1994, several years after the fall of the Iron Curtain, the reunification of Germany and the disintegration of the Soviet Union, the last Russian soldiers left the compound. The complex is enclosed by a ten-mile-long concrete wall. It is run by the German state of Brandenburg but no money has been invested and no new owner has been found. The faded yellow plastering is flaking off the facade, windows are broken, a fuse box dangles off a wall, and wild animals have left trails of excrement on the dusty floors. The Soviet Union took over the complex after the end of World War II and made it one of their headquarters. It became the High Command seat for the Group of Soviet Forces in Germany A monument of the Soviets stands in front of a abandoned house in the former East German compound. It was abandoned in 1994, five years after the fall of the Berlin Wall Some 20,000 visitors come to Wuensdorf every year to discover the turbulent history of Germany's 20th century. Peeling wallpaper, dusty floors and animal droppings greet them on their arrival to the abandoned site which was once home to tens of thousands The forbidden city got its name during Soviet times because German locals were rarely allowed in. Today it is mostly off-limits for the public, though tours can be booked with Mr Borchert's group. Some of the vacated rooms inside the three-story officers' complex recall the glory years of Soviet power in East Germany. One mural glorifies communism while outside the main building entrance gate is a statue of the Russian revolutionary Vladimir Lenin. Some 20,000 visitors come to Wuensdorf every year to discover the town's military history. Aside from the forbidden city, the area also still has traces of the Nazis' Third Reich reign including an elaborate and secretive system of bunkers. The forbidden city earned its name during the Soviet occupation because Germans weren't allowed inside the complex. Aside from the city, there is also an elaborate system of bunkers constructed by the Nazis known as Maybach I and II Most of the Maybach complex was bombed by the Soviets in 1946 after the war but the underground communication hub known as Zeppelin is still in tact today Tour guide Sylvia Rademacher said: 'For me it's a memorial, a warning that one has to teach young people that all of this shall not happen again' Known as Maybach I and Maybach II, the Nazis built the fake country houses out of concrete that were supposed to disguise underground bunkers that housed the military and army high commands, where much of the planning of WWII was developed. Most of the Maybach complex was destroyed after the end of the war by the Soviets, but the huge underground bunker known as Zeppelin, which served as a communication hub, is still accessible. Wuensdorf is also home to several above-ground air-raid bunkers known as Spitzbunker. Tour guide Sylvia Rademacher said of Wuensdorf: 'For me it's a memorial, a warning that one has to teach young people that all of this shall not happen again.' An elderly woman has died in hospital after she was pulled from her car that had plunged into a river in northern New South Wales. The woman's car was seen swerving across a road, travelling down an embankment and sinking in the Richmond River at Lismore, about two hours south of Brisbane. Two bystanders and two police officers jumped in the water and pulled the 84-year-old from the vehicle just after 4.30pm on Friday. An elderly woman has died in hospital after she was pulled from her car that had plunged into a river in northern New South Wales The woman's car was seen swerving across a road, travelling down an embankment and sinking in the Richmond River at Lismore, about two hours south of Brisbane Fire & Rescue NSW, Lismore SES, and NSW Ambulance arrived on scene, however, due to the terrain, police continued resuscitation efforts for an extended time until the woman could be winched to the street. The woman was rushed to Lismore Base Hospital in a critical condition, where she died at around 11pm. It's believed she was from Casino, about half an hour west of Lismore. Efforts to remove the car are continuing today, with the wreck submerged in about five metres of water. Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Councils have warned that budget cuts of 50 per cent to youth offending teams with a track record of cutting crime could undermine the fight against knife violence. The warning comes as authorities are being stretched due to the surge in knife crime cross the country. The Local Government Association (LGA) highlighted that efforts to prevent children joining gangs and becoming involved in knife crime will be undermined if funding for youth offending teams (YOTS) continues to be hit. Across 2010/11 YOTs received funding of 145 million, but just eight years later this amount was slashed by half with 2018/19's funding coming in at 71.5 million. Police numbers on the street has been cut in recent years, a move the Prime Minister has said has nothing to do with the rise in knife crime The LGA represents 370 councils in England and Wales and said that more cuts will harm ongoing efforts to prevent children getting involved with criminals. Councils are now waiting in anticipation to find out what their youth justice grant allocations will be for 2019/2020, but have set their budgets without this information. According to Sky News the LGA says setting the budget without the grant makes it hard to plan the support services they can offer. The LGA has warned that cuts to funding to youth services to help prevent knife crime could undermine the work the groups do At presence YOTs have a stellar track record, in areas that they are implemented there has been an 85 per cent drop in first time entrants to the youth justice system over 10 years, and a 78 per cent drop in arrests over the same time period. This is while the number of youth cautions handed out has also dropped by more than 100,000, 91 per cent in the same period. Cllr Anntoinette Bramble, chairman of the LGA's Children and Young People Board, said: 'The recent spate of tragic violence across the country underlines the importance of investing in services which protect and support young people, keeping them safe from the lure of gangs or from becoming involved in serious crime. 'Youth offending teams within local authorities have an outstanding record of reducing youth crime and making a real difference to young people's lives, but they are under huge pressure after seeing their government funding halved. 'We share the Government's determination to tackle youth crime, but it needs to properly fund the services that work most closely with young people at risk of offending. 'It is also important that there is no delay in councils finding out how much funding they will be allocated, so they can effectively plan services to support young people.' Prime Minister Theresa May (pictured above) is set to announced an emergency funding package Speaking to the MailOnline a spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice said: 'The number of children entering the criminal justice system for the first time has reduced 85% over the last decade and continues to fall. 'For the last two years we have given the Youth Justice Board 72 million to allow local authorities to provide the best possible services for children and help them turn their backs on crime. The budget for the coming financial year will be set shortly.' Theresa May to announce emergency plan to tackle knife crime epidemic Theresa May is preparing to reveal a 50million emergency package to tackle the ongoing knife epidemic in the UK. Chancellor Philip Hammond is said to have agreed to stump up the cash in order to fund the plan. It was also reported by The Sun that Mr Hammond is preparing to release an immediate funding package worth tens of millions to plug short-term gaps in police force budgets to meet the need for getting more officers out on the street. The cash is set to be made available to overstretched police forces between now and April in order to fund overtime hours worked by officers - as they continue to tackle knife crime in cities across the UK. From April forces should gain access to a fresh 970 million funding package that has already been announced. This comes after Mr Hammond sparked outrage earlier this week by saying overstretched police forces re-prioritise their existing resources to nip knife crime in the bud. Advertisement Earlier this week the LGA released a report which detailed efforts in several councils to tackle knife crime. The report included Bristol City Council, which for several years has been tacking gang violence, resulting in them putting armed police on the streets back in 2001. Two years ago the council decided to move its focus to intervention at an earlier stage and its multi-agency safeguarding hub now gets dozens of referrals a month, of which it can manage about 50. The hub uses community volunteers who act as mentors to children and young people at risk of being caught up in street violence. The home secretary recently vowed to treat knife crime 'like a disease' following an outcry over the number of attacks across the country. In the past decade, police numbers have fallen by 20,000 in England and Wales, however the Prime Minister is set to announce an emergency package deal to help tackle knife crime. She also insisted that the drop in officers had no direct link to knife crime. However London Mayor Sadiq Khan urged the Prime Minister to get tough on knife crime following a spate of attacks across the capital over the last few weeks. Earlier this week he said that she must 'take ownership' of a link between school exclusions and rising levels of violence. Greens candidate Julian Burnside has sensationally quit an elite men-only social club he attended for 40 years just one day after he publicly declared he was a member. The barrister and refugee advocate abandoned his membership at the Melbourne Savage Club after he faced a barrage of backlash and was labelled a 'hypocrite'. The Melbourne Savage Club is a self-proclaimed private gentlemen's club, founded in 1894. Scroll down for video Greens candidate Julian Burnside (pictured) has sensationally quit an elite men-only social club he attended for 40 years According to its website it aims to bring together and provide a place for 'artists, intellectuals and business leaders to share ideas and enjoy good company'. The 69-year-old, who is in the running for the Kooyong, an inner Melbourne suburb, seat in the forthcoming Federal election, told Sky News on Friday he was a member of the club. Mr Burnside admitted he had even been married in the club. But when he was quizzed on whether or not he supported same-sex only clubs he said: 'You've got to leave that to people who might be members of them'. The barrister and refugee advocate (pictured) abandoned his membership at the Melbourne Savage Club after he faced criticism But he did note that he would 'like to see the Savage Club allow women as members'. He added that he had fought for it internally but his efforts had been met with 'a lot of resistance'. After the interview aired, ironically on International Women's Day, Liberal MP Tim Smith labelled him a 'complete hypocrite'. 'This man has the morals of an alley cat,' he said. 'Burnside is nothing but a pompous, super rich, hypocrite,' Mr Smith added. The Melbourne Savage Club is a self-proclaimed private gentlemen's club, founded in 1894 (Entrance to the club pictured) Liberal MP Tim Smith (pictured) labelled Mr Burnside as a 'complete hypocrite' and said he had the morals of an 'alley cat' Mr Burnside responded to Mr Smith's comments by quoting Gandhi. 'First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they attack you, then you win,' Mr Burnside wrote. However, he was forced to backtrack and on Saturday and said same-sex only clubs were a 'relic of the past'. 'I joined the Savage Club 40 years ago as a very different person to the one I am today,' Mr Burnside said in a statement to The Sunday Morning Herald. 'I've only been to the club a handful of times over the past few years so it hasn't been at the forefront of my mind, and so I'm glad to have been given an opportunity to think about this issue more seriously. 'Having done so and having listened to how my supporters feel about it, I've come to the conclusion that arguing for change from within as I have been is too slow, so I have taken the decision to resign my membership until the club welcomes all people,' he added. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Melbourne Savage Club for comment. The sheepdog has been a staple of the countryside for thousands of years. But a barking drone could soon replace farmers' best friend. Ranch owners in New Zealand can now buy a $3,500 DJI Mavic Enterprise drone with an in-built microphone and speaker to allow a dog's bark to be recorded and played back to herd livestock. Farmers already use drones to more efficiently find water leaks and count their livestock but now animals can be herded without the use of a dog. Adam Kerr, a drone specialist from New Zealand's drone retailer, DJI Ferntech, told RadioNZ more farmers were turning to drones to do 'dirty', 'dangerous' and 'dull' jobs. And while an older cow might try to lunge at a dog who gets too close they never lunge at drones, according to Corey Lambeth, a shepherd on a North Canterbury sheep and beef farm near Rotherham. The latest drone model, the $3,500 DJI Mavic enterprise, has a built in microphone and speaker system which means a dog's bark can play out across a field. While an older ewe might try to lunge at a dog who gets too close they never lunge at drones, according to Corey Lambeth, a shepherd on a North Canterbury sheep and beef farm near Rotherham The latest drone model, the $3,500 DJI Mavic enterprise, has a built in microphone and speaker system which means a dog's bark can play out across a field from the flying device Mr Lambeth said covering a vast amount of land to check water supplies and livestock is easier with a drone. He said: 'Also when we're lambing we can fly it round. It's ideal with the camera zoom, going right in, looking at the drone monitor, not even disturbing the ewes.' Despite the efficiency of a barking drone, dogs have not quite lost their jobs as the technology can be affected by wind and bad weather. Brett Velicovich, Strategic Advisor at White Fox Defence, told Mail Online: 'The DJI Mavix Enterprise system is super loud for such a small speaker. 'When you're talking about the speaker system you get 30 minutes of flight time. There is limitation but every year the systems get better and batteries last longer.' Farmers already use drones to more efficiently find water leaks and count their livestock but now animals can be herded without the use of a dog Farming is the industry that will benefit most from drone technology, according to Mr Velicovich. He added: 'There are different industries using drones now such as construction. But a survey asking who would benefit most from the technology found it was farmers. 'They can use a drone to spray crops. It is meant to take the place of crop spraying airplanes. 'It is cheap, automated and will spray pesticides and capture every inch of the farmer field for the one or two hours. 'It's incredibly cheap to do things that would otherwise take days to do. I've seen people herding sheep, trying to look for wild boar which try to kill farmers stock. 'It makes sense for farmers. The issue has been primarily that they do not understand the technology and they are afraid of it. 'As more farmers hear about it they're testing it more. Farmers like to walk their crops so it's scary to think this will take the place of the farmer. 'But the point is to make the job easier and efficient. We'll see more use of that as the technology gets better.' It comes as drones are expected to become a regular sight as outdoor jobs are made more efficient by the use of a small flying camera. Ranch owners in New Zealand can now buy drones with an in-built microphone and speaker to allow a dog's bark to be recorded and played back to herd livestock Contractors will start using drones to monitor building sites and search for risks, according to Construction Dive. The only alternative for detailed images of a job site is hiring a helicopter to fly above. Ryan Moret, of McCarthy Building Cos, said: 'We started out using drones for things like windows and steel inspections. 'In those cases, instead of putting someone in a manlift, having to do tie-offs and exposing them to fall hazards not to mention the cost of equipment rental we can fly a drone around a building, take close-up photos and if we see anything we can tag the location to deal with it.' Despite drones improving the lives of those who work outside and need to be able to see vast amounts of space or a large building quickly, the technology wreaked havoc in airports last year. Rules for flying a drone in the UK include keeping it in sight at all times and never flying it above 400ft. And a drone cannot be flown near an airport or airfield due to the damage it can do to aircraft if it was to cross paths with a plane. Advertisement Tens of thousands protested across Algeria on Friday in the biggest rallies yet against ailing President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's bid for a fifth term. The march in the capital Algiers was slowed to a near-crawl by the huge numbers taking part, despite the defiant leader's warning of the risk of 'chaos'. The crowds were also swelled by women marking International Women's Day and chanting 'No fifth term - hey, Bouteflika!' Algerian protesters take selfies and wave flags during a protest against the fifth term of Abdelaziz Bouteflika in the capital Algiers on Friday An Algerian protester holds a placard during a protest against the fifth term of Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who has been in power since 1999 An Algerian youth carries a tear gas canister fired by anti-riot policemen on the fringes of a demonstrate in the capital Algiers A woman gestures during a protest against Algeria's ailing President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, whose warning of a risk of 'chaos' did not deter tens of thousands of protesters up and down the country A festive crowd of thousands of protesters marched through central Algiers on Friday to protest President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's hold on power Waving Algeria's green-white-and-red flags, men and women converged on the city's landmark Grand Post Office square after weekly prayers. 'The people are here, from all social classes, from the youngest to the eldest, everyone is saying "no to a fifth term, please, leave, you won't even be judged",' said Kamel, a 37-year-old protester in the capital. The police fired tear gas and stun grenades to disperse those who tried to force their way through a police cordon that was blocking access to a road leading towards the presidency. While demonstrators dispersed calmly as darkness fell, small groups of young people clashed with the police. Protesters from all over Algeria took to the streets in what have been the biggest demonstrations since the 2011 Arab spring The Algerian Preisdent, 82-year-old Abdelaziz Bouteflika has announced on 19 February he will be running for a fifth term in presidential elections A protester holding a green and white Algerian flag clashes with anti-riot police during the protest against President Abdelaziz Bouteflika Algeria's ailing President Abdelaziz Bouteflika (pictured in November 2017) announced in February he would seek a fifth term in April elections The unrest left 112 members of the security forces injured, according to police, who said they had arrested 195 people suspected of 'vandalism'. The overall atmosphere through the day was calm and festive, and numerous people attended with their children. Huge crowds - again far surpassing those seen the previous Friday - also protested in the second and third cities of Oran and Constantine, local journalists said. A journalist in Oran said the whole city 'is out (on the streets)... this has never been seen before'. Major demonstrations were reported in other cities across the country by security sources, Algerian media and social networks. In a message released on Thursday night, Bouteflika - who uses a wheelchair and has rarely been seen in public since a 2013 stroke - warned that troublemakers may try to infiltrate the demonstrations. Anti-riot police aim weapons at people protesting against President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, in Algiers, yesterday Despite a ban dating back to 2001, demonstrations have been staged almost daily in Algiers since a massive rally two weeks ago Algerian protesters shout slogans during a demonstration on Friday in which 200 protesters were arrested and 112 security personnel injured 'Many of our fellow citizens' have demonstrated across the North African country 'to peacefully express their views', he said. 'However, we must call for vigilance and caution in case this peaceful expression is infiltrated by some insidious party... which could cause chaos,' he said, without mention of the demands that he abandon his bid to seek re-election on April 18. Bouteflika flagged the risk of a return to the 'national tragedy' of Algeria's decade-long civil war in the 1990s and of the 'crises and tragedies caused by terrorism' in neighbouring countries. The head of state has been in Switzerland since February 24 for what the presidency describes as 'routine medical tests', and a date for his return home has not yet been announced. More than 180 people want to run for president of Algeria in the April election, amid growing uncertainty about whether President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, infirm following a stroke, is fit for yet another term after 20 years in charge of this gas-rich North African nation People clash with anti-riot police holding batons and shields during the protest against President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, in Algiers A festive crowd of thousands of protesters marched through central Algiers to protest President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's hold on power. The protesters are challenging Bouteflika's fitness to run for a fifth term in next month's election Security forces help an injured officer during the protest in which 112 members of the anti-riot police were injured on Friday Swiss police said Rachid Nekkaz - a businessman and political activist opposed to Bouteflika - was arrested on Friday outside the Geneva hospital where the president is being treated. He will be held overnight and appear before a prosecutor on Saturday, police spokesman Jean-Philippe Brandt said. Nekkaz fell foul of Algerian electoral laws because he has previously held French nationality and stood aside for a cousin of the same name to run on his behalf. Algeria has largely avoided the conflicts unleashed by the Arab Spring uprisings that brought down rulers in neighbouring Tunisia and Libya. But discontent, particularly among the young, turned to anger after the veteran leader announced on February 10 that he would seek another term. A demonstrator throws back a gas canister after security forces' intervention during a protest march against candidacy of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika for a fifth term Discontent, particularly among the young, turned to anger after the veteran President of Algeria announced in February that he would seek another term Calls had circulated widely on social media under the hashtag 'March 8 Movement' for massive but peaceful demonstrations in the capital and cities across the North African state on Friday. 'I will not throw a single stone!' and 'No windows will be smashed,' were among '18 commandments' sent out to participants by poet and writer Lazhari Labter, as well as instructions to clean up streets after the protests. He also called for demonstrators to turn the event into 'a day of celebration' and one of 'love, faith, Algerian flags and roses'. Michael Ayari, an analyst for the International Crisis Group, told AFP that there is no 'anti-police (or) anti-army dimension' to the protests, unlike the beginning of the Arab Spring in Tunisia in 2011. Demonstrators throw rocks in response to security forces' intervention during a protest march in the Algerian capital yesterday Security forces intervene to push back demonstrators in Algeria during a protest against the President, who has been in power for 20 years, seeking a fifth term He said 'the army could try to steer a possible transition process', citing retired general Ali Ghediri - a presidential candidate - as a potential consensus choice. Despite a ban dating back to 2001, demonstrations have been staged almost daily in Algiers since a massive rally two weeks ago. Around 1,000 lawyers took to the streets of Algiers on Thursday, arguing that the president's ill health should disqualify him from the race. They breached police cordons to march on the Constitutional Council, the body tasked with approving the candidacy of those registered to contest the poll. Security forces intervene to demonstrators with tear gas during a protest march attended by tens of thousands in Algeria on Friday The baby son of runaway Islamic State schoolgirl Shamima Begum died in northern Syria yesterday, confirmed the Syrian Democratic Forces. Labour's Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott tweeted her response to the news in the early hours of this morning, placing the blame for the baby's death at Home Secretary Sajid Javid's door. She tweeted: 'It is against international law to make someone stateless, and now an innocent child has died as a result of a British woman being stripped of her citizenship. This is callous and inhumane.' Abbott stated that the tragedy might have been avoided had Shamima Begum been allowed to return to the UK. She said: 'This week a British baby died from pneumonia in a Syrian refugee camp. A tragedy that might have been avoided. The baby son of runaway Islamic State schoolgirl Shamima Begum has died in northern Syria 'If the mother & baby had been brought home, the mother Shamima Begum would have faced British justice, but the baby might have lived. 'Sajid Javid has behaved shamefully.' Conservative Party chairman Brandon Lewis has defended Home Secretary Sajid Javid's decision to strip Shamima Begum of her British citizenship. 'The loss of any life of any child is absolutely tragic and is a very clear reminder - this whole case - of the danger of travelling out to that area and getting involved,' Mr Lewis told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme. 'The Home Secretary will have had advice and I know he made a decision based on what is in the national interest and the security of people here in the UK. 'There is no question that the duty of a home secretary in this country is to keep British people safe.' It was confirmed late last night that 3-week-old Jerah had died following a lung infection This is the third child Miss Begum, 19, has lost, previously losing two children to illness and malnutrition A paramedic working for the Kurdish Red Crescent at the scene told the BBC the baby, named Jerah, died yesterday after suffering breathing difficulties and a lung infection. He was taken to a doctor before being transferred to hospital but died at 1.30pm local time that day, the medical worker added. Jerah, who had 'turned blue and was cold' according to a friend of Begum, was believed to have been 18 days old. The family's lawyer, Tasnime Akunjee, retweeted Diane Abbot's criticism of Sajid Javid and tweeted himself yesterday reporting 'strong but as yet unconfirmed reports' that the three-week-old infant had died, adding: 'He was a British citizen.' The baby's death was then disputed by Mustafa Bali, the spokesman for the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), who said the baby was 'alive and healthy' and it was 'fake news'. He later deleted the post and insiders in Roj camp where she was living confirmed the baby had died after earlier saying he was fine. Miss Begum, 19, gave birth to Jerah in a refugee camp last month, having lost two children to illness and malnutrition. They too had suffered breathing problems. Earlier the family's lawyer, Tasnime Akunjee, tweeted of 'strong but as yet unconfirmed reports' that the three-week-old infant had died, adding: 'He was a British citizen' Mr Akunjee (pictured) had taken to Twitter to say that he had 'strong but as yet unconfirmed reports' that the child had passed away, adding: 'He was a British citizen' Begum is pictured holding her son Jerah, named after a 7th century Islamic warlord, in the Al-Hol refugee camp where he was born Begum, now 19, left London to join ISIS in Syria when she was just 15 years old, and swiftly married Dutch husband Yago Riedijk, now 27 The teenager had asked the British government to let her back but Mr Javid made the decision to strip her of her citizenship after she showed no remorse. Who is Shamima Begum's lawyer? Privately-educated lawyer Tasnime Akunjee has represented the families of the three girls from Tower Hamlets, east London, who fled the UK to join Islamic State, including Shamima Begum, since 2015. Since she was found in a Syrian refugee camp in mid-February, Mr Akunjee has caused controversy by comparing the 19-year-old ISIS bride to a First World War soldier and said she had been treated worse than Nazi war criminals. Mr Akunjee has been spearheading the campaign to get Ms Begum repatriated to the UK. Previous clients of the criminal defence lawyer include one of Lee Rigby's killers. He once blamed British authorities for 'creating' Fusilier Rigby's killer, suggested Theresa May has 'Nazi blood' for trying to root out extremists and urged Muslims not to cooperate with police. Twice married Mr Akunjee, 41, has worked for a series of law firms since 2008, while also working as a legal adviser to the East London Mosque. It is believed he may have met the families of the runaway Tower Hamlets girls as part of this role. Mr Akunjee said he is handling the Begum case 'pro bono', meaning free of charge. It is unclear whether that would continue if the case came before the British courts in future. According to his LinkedIn page, Mr Akunjee, the son of a Bangladeshi doctor, studied at the 18,000-a-year City of London School for Boys. He went on to study law at the Universities of Sussex and then Westminster. Advertisement His death will reignite the debate over what to do with British jihadis and their wives and whether Britain should have allowed Miss Begum and her child back to the UK. Speaking to the Mail from her tent last month she broke down into tears as she said: 'This boy is all I have.' Responding to the claims, Mr Javid told the BBC: 'Obviously I don't know whether that news is true or not but what I will say, sadly there are probably many children, obviously perfectly innocent, who have been born in this war zone. 'I have nothing but sympathy for the children that have been dragged into this. This is a reminder of why it is so, so dangerous for anyone to be in this war zone.' Miss Begum was 15 when she and two other schoolgirls left the UK to join Islamic State in February 2015. The teenager resurfaced heavily-pregnant in a camp in northern Syria last month and spoke of her desire to return to Britain, as the 'caliphate' collapsed. She was moved to Roj this month from the Al-Hawl refugee camp after she was threatened by other IS wives for revealing her face during Press interviews. The east London teenager showed no remorse for joining the terror group, where she married Dutch jihadi Yago Riedijk, 23, who is now in jail. He had never met his son Jerah, who shares the same name as a 7th century Islamic warlord. Riedijk, who is in a Kurdish-run detention center, said last week that he wanted to return to the Netherlands with Begum and their son. The British government could not confirm reports of the baby's death yesterday because it has no one on the ground in the country. Begum's parents are from Bangladesh but her family says she isn't a dual citizen. The family has said it plans to challenge Javid's decision to strip her of her citizenship. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been forced to defend his widely-condemned comments on female empowerment. Mr Morrison told the Chambers of Minerals and Energy in Western Australia women's rights should not take precedent over men's on International Women's Day. In response to international criticism he's garnered from the comments, the PM says his words were misconstrued and he's a 'champion of women'. Prime Minster Scott Morrison has been forced to defend comments on female empowerment Fronting the media in Perth on Saturday, Mr Morrison said he wants 'all Australians to support the advancement of women'. 'That's what I was saying yesterday, that's why I want to see an agenda that supports all women, like our $328 million plan to combat domestic violence in Australia, that's a cause every Australian, men and women, must get behind.' 'I'm just simply saying I want to see this agenda pursued with Australians working together to achieve it, with men championing it as much as women championing it, because that's my experience. 'As a father of two daughters I have three wonderful women in my life with Jen and my two girls, and I'm a champion of women for them and have a direct self interest I've gotta say for all women across the country.' The message sets a different tone to one he'd adopted a day earlier. Mr Morrison's recent comments about female empowerment made international headlines for all the wrong reasons 'We're not about setting Australians against each other, trying to push some down to lift others up,' he said on Friday morning. 'We want to see women rise. But we don't want to see women rise only on the basis of others doing worse.' The speech was criticised by Labor, Greens and independent politicians, as well as international news outlets. They were quick to point out the ongoing exodus of female politicians from the Coalition government, most recently including deputy leader Julie Bishop. Shortly after making the unusual remark, the PM took to social media to share a follow-up message (pictured) for International Women's Day Mr Morrison was speaking to the Chamber of Minerals and Energy in Western Australia on Friday when he made an odd remark in regards to International Women's Day Shortly after making the unusual remark, the PM took to social media to share a follow-up message for International Women's Day. 'Today is about appreciating all the women in our lives and our nation - celebrating their value and achievements,' Mr Morrison wrote on Twitter. American news network CNN was one of the first outlets to slam the PM for his so-called female empowering comments. 'Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has provoked outrage on International Women's Day by saying that men should not have to make way for women's empowerment,' the media outlet Tweeted. CNN also stated only 22 per cent the Liberal Party members are female, while the opposition Australian Labor Party has 44 per cent female members. Other media outlets to scold ScoMo for his choice of words included The Guardian and BuzzFeed. Several politicians, journalists and media personalities also took to social media to take a swipe at Mr Morrision's controversial speech. Mr Morrison (pictured with his wife Jenny and their their daughters Abey and Lily) released a video photo album this week for International Women's Day Senator for South Australia Sarah Hanson-Young wrote on Twitter: 'Scott Morrison telling women not to get ahead of ourselves is so tin-eared it's gobsmacking.' 'Men who are threatened or worried of women achieving equality is the bloody problem. Seriously, who briefs these muppets?' While Senator for New South Wales Krinstina Keneally Tweeted: 'On International Women's Day, @ScottMorrisonMP 's comments about women make international news... for all the wrong reasons.' Comedian Charlie Pickering also wrote: 'Equality means not having to suffer this nonsense.' Another social media slammed the PM, saying: 'Thanks for the tip scomo you absolute frog.' The PM's recent video included a collection of photos of a dressed-down PM engaging in family time with his two daughters, Abbey and Lily One social media user slammed the PM, saying: 'Thanks for the tip scomo you absolute frog' The PM's lacklustre speech comes after Australians were given a rare glimpse into his family life when he released a video photo album for International Women's Day. The heartwarming collection of photos showed a dressed-down PM who spoke about his hopes and dreams for his two daughters, Abbey and Lily. Earlier on in the week, Mr Morrison addressed the subject of getting more women into parliament, saying his party was 'just getting on with it,' news.com.au reported. Ms Bishop also stated at a separate International Women's Day event there had been renewed effort to get more women elected. 'Unless there is a pool of talented women to choose from, women don't put themselves forward in the same way as men,' she said. Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Mr Morrison's office for comment. The hospital gown worn by rock star Kurt Cobain during Nirvana's final gig in Britain has emerged for sale for 40,000. The band's frontman chose the strange outfit to poke fun at media speculation about his wellbeing ahead of their now-famous Reading Festival performance on August 30, 1992. He was pushed on stage in a wheelchair and pretended to collapse before jumping up and delivering a blistering set considered to be one of the grunge group's finest. The performance turned out to be Nirvana's last in Britain and two years later Cobain committed suicide by shooting himself dead. The hospital gown worn by rock star Kurt Cobain during Nirvana's final gig in Britain has emerged for sale for 40,000 The long sleeve white cotton gown, which is stamped 'Angelica Healthcare, Rented-Never Sold', has scattered stains and wear and tear His partner Courtney Love gave the gown to a shocked fan who had attended a vigil for him. The fan has kept hold of it for 25 years but has now decided to consign it for sale with US auction house RR Auctions. The long sleeve white cotton gown, which is stamped 'Angelica Healthcare, Rented-Never Sold', has scattered stains and wear and tear. The vendor, who is not being named, said: 'A few days after his death, there was a vigil for Cobain at the Seattle Centre. 'About a dozen of us stayed long after the festivities ended. 'We sat and listened to music just hanging out among the candles and flowers fans had placed there earlier. Cobain, the grunge band's frontman, committed suicide at his home in Seattle in April 1994 'Late that evening, Courtney Love showed up accompanied by Kat Bjelland of Babes in Toyland with a bag of Kurt's clothes. 'She was visibly grief-stricken and proceeded to pass the clothes out while asking trivia about Kurt's life. 'She handed me his hospital gown from the Reading Festival performance from 1992. She then cried on my shoulder for a while. 'I tried to say something reassuring about his love for her and she pushed me away, insisting that he only loved Frances (their daughter).' Cobain's ongoing struggles with drugs had dominated headlines in the lead up to the 1992 Reading Festival, with some speculating the band would have to cancel their gig. The fan has kept hold of the gown for 25 years but has now decided to consign it for sale The performance saw Cobain's bandmates Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic walk out on stage before the frontman was wheeled out. After struggling to stand, Cobain warbled a few lyrics from Bette Midler's ballad 'The Rose' before appearing to collapse. But he then arose and played a 25 song set which cemented Nirvana's reputation as one of the biggest bands in the world. An RR Auctions spokesperson said: 'Worn as a stunt at the 1992 Reading Festival, bestowed later as a parting gift from Courtney Love to our consignor at the Cobain vigil, this iconic and museum-quality piece represents the Nirvana frontman at his finest and most sardonic. 'He jabbed pointedly at critics and detractors alike while retaining the intensely original showmanship that made him a living legend. 'This is a truly remarkable rock and roll keepsake offered on the 25th anniversary of Cobain's death.' As many as 14 people are dead and seven injured after an a gang opened fire on a nightclub in Mexico, reports say. Just after midnight last night a group of armed men reportedly arrived in a convey of trucks and entered the 'La Playa' club in the municipality of Salamanca. Within a short time, they had begun spraying bullets on the revelers and staff, killing 14 people according to local reports. #UltimoMinuto #Seguridad Tragedia en #Salamanca Ataque armado en el Bar La Playa (Av. del Trabajo, Col. San Roque) deja como saldo 14 ejecutados y 6 personas lesionadas. Elementos del Mando unico y militares acordonaron la zona #Guanajuato Informacion Via @Simoneta00 pic.twitter.com/6Xa7TgqD0P BELLATRIX RAZO (@BELLATRIX_RAZO) March 9, 2019 Emergency services cordoned off the scene where 14 people are thought to have died in a nightclub shooting in Mexico Around seven others are thought to be injured. Witnesses reported having to run for their lives amid chaotic scenes, during which the suspected gunmen disappeared. Mexican soldiers and police officers cordoned off the area and conducted a full search of the club, but have so far been unable to find those responsible. The injured were taken to different hospitals across the municipality for medical attention. The motive for the massacre remains unclear. Salamanca has approximately 143,000 inhabitants and is located northwest of Mexico City, about four hours away. Rescuers rush to the aid of an injured person in the wake of the shooting at the nightclub in Salamanca in Guanajuato The scene after the shooting: Cars had to be left nearby as emergency crews tackled the unfolding situation Police on standby: An officer is seen on the street near the bar La Playa Men's Club where the shooting broke out during the early hours of Saturday morning Britain's knife plague was laid bare last night as police released images of their latest haul of deadly blades found on the nation's streets. Meanwhile Asda vowed to remove all single kitchen knives from its shelves in the latest efforts to end the bloody stabbing crisis. The supermarket giant yesterday announced that its stores would not be selling the package-free blades from the end of April this year. It comes amid a string of murdered teenagers who have been knifed to death in recent months - the latest victim being 17-year-old Ayub Hassan who was stabbed in the chest three times in West Kensington on Thursday. And the ownership of these weapons is still widespread as the Metropolitan Police revealed blades which officers had confiscated. Counter terrorism patrols in Edmonton led to four men being arrested and these two bladed seized A shocking photograph of a Samurai sword found during a raid at East London properties was also posted A ruler was even placed next to a haul to highlight the length of the blades, including a kitchen knife spanning more than 11 inches One tweeted picture shows two knives lying on a patch of dirt in Edmonton which police had seized from counter terrorism patrols leading to the arrest of four men. Another shocking photograph of a Samurai sword found during a raid at East London properties was also posted. A ruler was even placed next to a haul to highlight the length of the blades, including a kitchen knife spanning more than 11 inches. But Asda a trying to stamp out the carrying of such blades by banning the single kitchen knives 'so they do not fall into the wrong hands'. Nick Jones, senior vice president of Asda, said: 'We strongly believe that we have a responsibility to support the communities that we serve. 'Whilst we have already taken steps to restrict the sale of knives to ensure that they do not fall into the wrong hands, we felt there was more we could be doing to support those looking at how to bring this issue under control.' 'We know single knives are the most common knife products to be stolen and that is why we have chosen to remove these items from our stores.' A Home Office spokesperson said: 'We welcome this move by Asda to restrict access to knives in their stores.' Officers in Barnet used stop and search powers to raid a vehicle and found this weapon, among others, as well as 30,000 worth of stolen goods The epidemic of 26 knife murders in 2019 has sparked a frenzied political debate, with three such deaths in Birmingham (shown) Ayub Hassan, 17, was stabbed in the chest three times outside a Waitrose in West Kensington on Thursday Asda's move comes as: Peter Chesney, father of 17-year-old Jodie Chesney who was knifed in the back in a seemingly motiveless attack in Harold Hill, east London, on Friday, made an emotional appeal for someone 'to do the right thing' and help catch her killer. A male teenager was killed in a stabbing in Lanfrey Place, West Kensington, on Thursday afternoon. Police announced the death of a 37-year-old man who had been injured in a stabbing in Soho on Sunday. David Martinez was named as the 26-year-old Spanish man who died after a stabbing in Leyton, east London, on Wednesday. A 22-year-old man who was attacked in Oxford on February 27 died on Wednesday. West Midlands Police investigate whether knives were involved in an incident at Matthew Boulton College in Birmingham on Wednesday afternoon, which left two teenagers in hospital. A 17-year-old accused of murdering teenager Yousef Makki in a knife attack in Hale Barns on Sunday was granted bail at Manchester Crown Court. Greater Manchester Police's Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts said his force would be asking for more cash from the Home Office so he can pay officers overtime to tackle knife crime. The disgraced former Deputy Mayor of Auburn Salim Mehajer has started selling off his assets less than a year after he was declared bankrupt. The 32-year-old is currently serving time behind bars in Cooma Correctional Centre, south of Canberra, for electoral fraud charges, and despite his imprisonment he's began auctioning off his property portfolio. Mehajer's three-bedroom property at Bayside in inner Sydney was up for auction on Saturday. Disgraced former Deputy Mayor of Auburn Salim Mehajer (pictured) has started selling off his assets less than a year after he was declared bankrupt In an auction that took place on Saturday, Mehajer's three-bedroom property (pictured) was up for sale CIA Real Estate Auburn agent Joe Salah, who ran the auction, said he was 'under instruction to sell for a very desperate vendor', reported The Daily Telegraph. The urgency of the sale was also highlighted on the property listing on realestate.com.au. While describing the property and its attributes, the listing added the residence was being sold by a 'very genuine vendor' and 'must sell'. Although it's understood neither the listing nor the auctioneer referenced the actual name of the infamous seller. CIA Real Estate Auburn agent Joe Salah, who ran the auction for the property (pictured), said he was 'under instruction to sell for a very desperate vendor' The auction proved to be a success for Mehajer, as the residence sold for more than $1.6 million. The sale was a huge increase from the last time the property was traded in 2015, at $1.4 million. It's reportedly the third time Mehajer has tried to sell the property in the past year. t's reportedly the third time Mehajer (pictured) has tried to sell the property in the past year The property had previously been withdrawn from the auction schedule in April 2018. And in November 2018, another auction proved fruitless with just two registered parties. Mehajer is residing in jail until for at least another two months, when he is eligible for parole. He was jailed in June 2018, with an 11 month non-parole period, for electoral fraud. Just a few months prior to his imprisonment a federal court judge declared him bankrupt. The heartbroken father of a woman who was found strangled in her home along with her 15-year-old daughter has said she was due to return home to Colombia next week. Fabian Marimon said daughter Giselle Marimon-Herrera, 37, from Colombia, and granddaughter Allison Marimon-Herrera, 15, were set to arrive to the South American country before their tragic deaths. Mr Marimon said he fears his daughter, who last spoke to her father last Saturday, was murdered before she could return home for good. His comments come as a picture of 38-year-old Russell Steele, the man suspected of strangling the mother and her daughter, is revealed. The body of 38-year-old Russell Steele, from Scotland, who was named as Giselle Marimon-Herrera's partner, was also found dead inside the Newry property Giselle Marimon-Herrera, 37, from Colombia, and daughter Allison Marimon-Herrera, 15, were found dead in their flat in Newry, Northern Ireland Both mother and daughter, who were found dead at a flat in Newry, Northern Ireland, on Thursday, were strangled in a suspected double murder suicide, with detectives saying there was a 'strong possibility' that Ms Marimon-Herrera was also throttled. The bodies were discovered at about 11am on Thursday after police forced entry into the property. The body of 38-year-old Russell Steele, from Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, Scotland, named as Giselle Marimon-Herrera's partner, was also found hanged inside the flat. Mr Marimon told Belfast Live: 'The last time we spoke was Saturday, the day before she was killed. She was happy and laughing and everything seemed normal. 'We were expecting her home in the coming days. We are a close family and we missed each other too much. 'When we couldn't get a visa to visit her, that's when she decided she would return to Colombia and live here with us.' A police officer leaves flowers outside the flats in Newry, where the bodies of Giselle Marimon-Herrera, 37, Allison Marimon-Herrera, 15, and 38-year-old Russell Steele were found A member of staff from the forensic team in seen carrying out investigations outside the property A police forensic officers carries outside investigations following the deaths of three people at a flats in Newry, Co Down A police officer stands guard outside a block of flats after the bodies of a man, a woman and a teenage girl were discovered at a flat at around 11am on Thursday morning Earlier reports from Spanish media also claimed that Mr Marimon was willing to sell his taxi in order to travel to Northern Ireland and say his last farewell to his daughter and granddaughter. Yesterday pictures were revealed of Ms Marimon-Herrera, who is originally from Colombia and moved to Northern Ireland four years ago, and her daughter who were found lying dead in their flat for three days after the suspected 'murder suicide'. Daughter Allison Marimon-Herrera, who was born in Spain and has lived in Northern Ireland since 2017, was a pupil at Newry High School. Speaking yesterday Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy described the deaths as an 'unspeakable tragedy'. He added: 'I believe that Giselle and Allison were still alive in the early hours of Sunday morning but family members have not been able to contact them since.' Today hundreds of demonstrators remembered the teenager and her mother during the Women's Day march in Northern Ireland A police officer stands outside the flats where three bodies lay undiscovered for three days A forensic officer are seen emerging from the property were three bodies were found on Thursday A PSNI statement on Twitter read: 'Following post mortems detectives can confirm that the cause of 15 year old Allison Marimon-Herrera's death was strangulation. 'Results are not definitive for Giselle (37) however at this stage detectives believe there is a strong possibility she too was strangled.' According to the Irish Times, the victims' family have requested consular assistance to allow them to travel to Northern Ireland. Fabian Marimon said he was seeking help through diplomatic channels to visit Newry to find out what happened to his daughter. Yadeli Marimon, the sister of Giselle Marimon-Herrera, told local media that the family had become worried after not hearing from the mother or daughter since the weekend. Officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) have launched a murder investigation and are not looking for anybody else. Today hundreds of Women's Day demonstrators in Northern Ireland remembered the teenager and her mother by staging a minute's noise instead of a minute's silence. Two protesters held a placard which read: 'Their names are Giselle and Allison'. Belfast Lord Mayor Deirdre Hargey said: 'We are here in solidarity with their family at the loss of their lives and to say enough is enough.' David Martinez-Valencia was stabbed to death in east London on Wednesday. His family in Spain are trying to get his body returned to Valladolid for a funeral A man has been charged with the murder of an aspiring chef David Martinez-Valencia, who was stabbed to death in east London. Carlos Rueda Velez, 20, was charged with murder this morning and is set to appear at Thames Magistrates' Court later today. The charge follows an incident at an address in North Birkbeck Road, E11 on Wednesday, 6 March, where Mr Rueda Velez also lives. Police and London Ambulance Service were called at approximately 16:25pm to reports of a stabbing and found 26-year-old David suffering injuries. He died at the scene. Detectives from the Homicide and Major Crime Command continue to investigate the circumstances. Relatives had paid to David, who moved to London to pursue his career. David who had dual Spanish and Colombian citizenship, was repeatedly stabbed at a flat in Leyton, east London, on Wednesday. He ran down the street but collapsed in front of shocked passers-by and bled to death just after 5pm. Colombian-based music producer Yohan Martinez posted a 2005 photo of the two of them together as children alongside a message which said: 'He lived like most would have wanted to live, getting to know the world in the simplest way, working and helping his family out. A forensic tent was pitched outside the property on North Birkbeck Road where police said Carlos Rueda Velez also lived A post mortem took place on Thursday, but the results have yet to be released. Pictured: Mr Martinez-Valencia next to the London Eye 'I admire him and we will always admire him. His loss pains us. This photo is the only one I have of him. We didn't take photos last time you came, thinking it wouldn't be the the last time I was going to see you.' Recalling Mr Martinez-Valencia helping them in their bakery after learning how to make bread, he added. 'My mum is heartbroken today because she loved you as if you were her own son. We miss you and will always miss you. 'You don't know how much it hurts that you've gone. I hope you make the best recipes in Heaven.' A police tent was set up behind the police cordon covering the crime scene as forensic officers conducted their enquiries Police say the victim knew the suspect and they do not believe the incident was gang related. No arrests have been made Scotland Yard said the killing is not believed to be gang-related and said the pair were known to each other. A post mortem took place yesterday, but the results have yet to be released. A Met Police spokesman said: 'The investigation was launched after police were called to North Birkbeck Road, 4.26pm on Wednesday, March 6 following reports of a stabbing. 'Officers, London Ambulance Service and London Air Ambulance attended and found a man suffering from knife injuries. 'He was pronounced dead at the scene at 5.10pm - his next of kin have been informed. 'Although formal identification awaits, the deceased is David Steven Martinez-Valencia, 26, who had dual Spanish and Colombian nationality.' The motive for the fatal attack may have been jealousy, according to the Spanish newspaper El Norte de Castilla, which is based in the city of Valladolid where David's mother lives. Mr Martinez-Valencia's grief-stricken mother is said to be trying to repatriate his body as soon as possible for a funeral in Valladolid, where she reportedly lives alone after his two siblings left Spain to seek work in Switzerland and Belgium. The 26-year-old was born in Colombia but moved to Spain as a child. He worked for a car manufacturer in Spain before moving to London. Composite picture of some of the people who have lost their lives to knife crime this year. Top row, from left: Tudor Simionov, Jaden Moodie, Nedim Bilgin, Lejean Richards, Dennis Anderson. Middle row, from left: Patrick Hill, Sidali Mohamed, Bright Akinleye, Abdullah Muhammad, Glendon Spence. Bottom row, from left: Kamali Gabbidon-Lynck, Hazrat Umar, Che Morrison, Jodie Chesney, Yousef Ghaleb Makki Former colleague Josechu Sanz said in a social media tribute: 'Very sad news for all those who worked with David, a really great person aged only 26 who has been murdered in London. Rest in peace and I hope justice is done.' Valladolid-based DJ pal Jose Antonio Maraca said: 'Rest in peace my friend. Life can be so cruel.' A local resident said: 'He got stabbed at the flats. He was screaming for help and crying. He just kept repeating, 'Help, help, help, they are after me. 'I was inside and my husband who saw it came running in and said 'Call an ambulance.' 'People were getting towels to soak up the blood. A girl had blood all over her hands. We were all in shock.' A prison guard has been rushed to hospital after a violent attack which left a high security jail in lockdown. The assault on the 47-year-old officer took place at Borallon Training and Correctional Centre in Brisbane's west on Saturday afternoon. He was reportedly hit at least 30 times by a high security inmate while working in a secure part of the facility. The attack comes weeks after an officer at another Brisbane prison was beaten to a pulp and only a day after every guard from prisons in New South Wales walked off the job to protest constant violence against staffers. A Brisbane prison guard has been horrifically bashed while on duty. Pictured is another bashing victim from a nearby correctional centre who was assaulted only weeks earlier Greg from Woodford Correctional Centre was bashed to a pulp earlier in the year, sparking outrage from concerned prison workers The Queensland officer was taken to Ipswich Hospital to be treated for his injuries and later discharged. His prison was placed into lockdown, with guards remaining on site and inmates held in their cells. The offender was taken to the detention unit and now awaits potential criminal charges. A Queensland Corrective Services (QCS) spokeswoman told The Courier-Mail the incident was still being investigated. 'Initial information is that the officer was punched a number of times in the incident which occurred in a secure unit at the prison,' they said. 'Officer safety is an absolute priority for QCS, and we are keenly aware that our officers work with some of the most challenging and complex people in society.' The assault sent Borallon Training and Correctional Centre (pictured) into lockdown Saturday The guard was hit at least 30 times and rushed to hospital. Pictured is the guard attacked at Woodford in January Guards, meanwhile, have demanded a meeting to discuss their safety. Their outrage follows officers in NSW leaving their posts in protest on Friday, after ISIS sympathiser Bassam Hamzy had his sentence quashed. Hamzy had a 20-month sentence for bashing an officer rescinded in court last week by a judge who said the added punishments made his life behind bars 'intolerable'. The fallout from the decision left NSW prisons running a skeleton staff, as guards walked off the job from Friday, not to return until Monday. NSW Corrections Minister David Elliott is now considering whether he will seek legal action over the sentence reduction. 'Even if the Director of Public Prosecutions does not appeal, or an appeal is unsuccessful, then a re-elected Liberals and Nationals Government will amend the legislation to ensure any loophole is addressed and the legislation is strengthened,' he said. One prison worker took to social media to say 'enough is enough', vowing not to return to work until Monday He claims the stronger legislation would lead to officers properly receiving 'the full protection of the law'. For one prison worker, however, the sentiment is too little, too late, taking to social media to say 'enough is enough'. 'We have had enough of being spat at, kicked, punched and hospitalised,' she wrote. 'We are tired of not having sufficient workers compensate like other emergency services and we are fed up that we do NOT receive support from the judicial system when we are assaulted.' The worker says officers will not return to work until Monday. However, a spokeswoman for the Public Service Association told Daily Mail Australia late on Saturday officers were going back to work, and the Association was not aware of any further strike. Advertisement Earlier this week, a young dentist with a bright future was found murdered, stuffed callously into a suitcase and left in a hot car. And the pain and heartbreak of 32-year-old Preethi Reddy's sudden death hung somberly in the air as dozens of mourners gathered around Town Hall in Sydney's CBD on Saturday night to honour her life in an emotional vigil. About 60 mourners gathered around a sea of candlelight and bouquets of flowers as they wrote messages of remembrance and support for Ms Reddy's family. Among the emotional offerings also stood people with a bigger picture in mind - baring signs which read: 'we need change now' and 'please stop killing us'. The Penrith woman was killed and stuffed into a suitcase in her own car, which was discovered in a Kingsford lane about 9.30pm on Tuesday, almost three days after she was last seen. 'She didn't deserve this at all,' a former high school friend Jasmine said. 'I don't think I've ever heard her say anything negative,' the former classmate told AAP. Jasmine, who was supported by friends, said she came to the vigil to pay respects and stand up against domestic violence. 'It comes down to violence against women,' she said. 'It's not even a lesson to us. Why are men doing this?' Around 60 mourners gathered to participate in a candlelight vigil for murdered Sydney dentist Preethi Reddy at Town Hall in Sydney's CBD on Saturday night Preethi Reddy was killed and stuffed into a suitcase in her own car, which was discovered in a Kingsford lane about 9.30pm on Tuesday Mourners were seen shedding tears as they stood in silence to honour the life of Ms Reddy less than a week after her body was discovered stuffed in a suitcase in her own car on Tuesday in a Kingsford lane Women were seen standing in silence among photographers and other members of the public who wished to pay tribute to the slain dentist Some mourners came with politically charged signs, with one woman seen with a bright orange sign saying 'We need change now!!' written on it Other signs reading 'Please stop killing us' and 'Take your foot off our necks ScoMo' were also seen being held high at the vigil, Doctors Against Violence Towards Women organised the vigils, which occurred across the country at the same time. 'For many in the medical community her death has hit close to home, many of us studying or working with Preethi or her sister,' the group wrote on a Facebook event page. 'The vigil aims to show support for the Reddy family in their grief, whilst highlighting the need for urgent action against male violence.' Vigils were held in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane with an additional vigil to be held in Canberra next weekend. Police say the dentist had been stabbed 'numerous times' before she was placed into a suitcase and left in the boot of her own car. Her former boyfriend is suspected of killing Ms Reddy after she reportedly told him she had moved on with her life. Tamworth dentist Harshwardhan Narde, 34, took his own life in a fiery car crash on the New England Highway just hours before Ms Reddy's body was found. Flowers and candles are left across the path below a sign about Samah Baker, another woman from Sydney believed to have been murdered by a man. Her body still hasn't been found, but a man known to her has been charged with her murder Flowers in pinks and purples were laid onto the pavement outside Sydney's Town Hall with others leaving lit candles and posters marked with emotional and political words Three mourners stand together with lit candles to remember the life of Ms Reddy and mourn the tragic end that she was forced to meet The vigil comes a day after the suspect's brother Dr Alok Narde said he found it 'too difficult' to believe that he acted alone. 'We feel it's too difficult to believe that this could be an act of a single person,' he said in a five-page statement sent to Daily Mail Australia. 'It is too sad and unfair to him.' He added: 'We wish to humbly submit that there could still be some open angles to probe involvement of any other person.' Dr Alok Narde also revealed his brother seemed 'composed' during a three-minute phone call with a friend just 20 minutes before he killed himself on Monday night, hours after being questioned by police. The statement read: 'One of Dr. Harshvardhan's friends had called him minutes before the accident (Local time 9.45 to 9.48 pm). Dr Harshwardhan stopped his car on roadside to take the call. 'He concluded the conversation assuring the friend that he is dropping his plan to go to Sydney and returning back home (Tamworth). 'This explains Dr. Harshwardhan was still composed even after day-long grill [by police] and conscious enough to follow traffic sense and rules such as stopping vehicle prior to taking a call and sensible enough to honor a friend's genuine request to return back home.' Dr Narde, however, did not return home - instead driving his car into a trailer to end his life. Director of the Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Services NSW Hayley Foster (pictured) places flowers during the candlelight vigil at Sydney's Town Hall The rate of sexually transmitted infections is staggeringly higher in the Northern Territory than anywhere else in the country. Data reveals in 2018 reported cases of gonorrhoea in the Northern Territory were the highest on record and 6.8 times more prevalent than elsewhere in the country, according to the NT News. The rate of chlamydia is also higher, with those in the NT twice as likely to get the infection as those in other states and territories. On top of this the Northern Territory has been declared a 'syphilis outbreak zone' by the federal government. The rate of sexually transmitted infections is staggeringly higher in the Northern Territory than anywhere else in the country Territory Health Minister Natasha Fyles has written to the Federal Health Minister and Indigenous Health Minister asking for funding towards a joint approach to tackle the epidemic. Indigenous Health Minister Ken Wyatt, however, says the government is already doing enough to deal with the problem. He says the Government has allocated $8.5 million for the delivery of direct services and support towards the high rates of infection in the Northern Territory. A further $8.8 million has also been earmarked to address the outbreak of infectious syphilis in indigenous populations in central and Northern Australia, which includes rapid response kits being rolled out across the NT. Mr Wyatt says that on top of this $21.2 million is also being invested from 2017-2021 through its Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services in outbreak regions. 'State and Territory Governments have constitutional responsibility for providing sexual health services, but the Australian Government also contributes to sexual health funding, recognising the importance of this issue,' Mr Wyatt said. Data reveals that in 2018 reported cases of gonorrhoea (pictured) in the Northern Territory were the highest on record and 6.8 times more prevalent than elsewhere in the country However, some critics are arguing that a more targeted approach is needed to bring the number of STIs down. Associate professor James Ward has been working with Aboriginal communities for over two decades. The Pitjantjatjara Nurrunga man now runs the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute's Infectious Diseases Research Program in Aboriginal Health. He thinks a back to basics approach is needed, which would include education programs in schools and more healthcare workers in remote regions. He says the median length of stay for a remote area nurse is four months and this high turnover affects the quality of healthcare provided. 'I think bolstering the sexual health workforce in the NT would be a very good start,' he says. Australian Medical Association NT president Rob Parker also says more investment is needed. He wants the federal government to establish a national CDC to provide a strategic approach to the issue. 'It's not just in the Northern Territory that's the problem. You need an effective co-ordination process.' Police in Missouri were filmed searching through the belongings of a dying cancer patient after receiving calls that his room smelled of marijuana. Nolan Sousley, who has stage 4 pancreatic cancer, posted on Facebook that the March 6 incident involved officers from the Bolivar Police Department. Footage shows three responding officers rifling through Sousley's belongings. Scroll down for video Nolan Sousley, who has stage 4 pancreatic cancer, posted on Facebook that the March 6 incident involved officers from the Bolivar Police Department Officers can be heard sharing that they received calls about smells of marijuana coming from the 52-year-old's room at Citizens Memorial Healthcare on Wednesday night. As the officers continue searching for cannabis, the cancer patient admits that he did consume 'a couple puffs of a cigar Swisher Sweets' in the parking lot and had some THC oil pills on him. He adds that he doesn't rely on 'a ground-up plant.' 'It's the only choice I got to live, man,' Sousley explains to the officers. 'We're Americans. I was born here, it's my right to live.' A physician even comes into the room and ask if officers have a right to search through the man's things. As the officers continue searching for cannabis, the cancer patient admits that he did consume 'a couple puffs of a cigar Swisher Sweets' in the parking lot and had some THC oil pills on him A physician even comes into the room and ask if officers have a right to search through the man's things But the police declare that they have a right to search as they are on private property. 'If we find marijuana, we'll give you a citation,' the officers tell the man. 'We're not taking you down to the county jail. But, we haven't found marijuana, so we're not citing.' 'It has my final day things in there and nobody's going to dig in it,' he said at one point. 'It's my stuff, it's my final hour stuff is in that bag. It's my right to have my final I'm not digging it down here in front of everybody.' The man tries to cite the passing of Amendment 2 in November, which allowed for state-licensed physicians to recommend marijuana for medical purposes to patients. But police quickly retort that medical marijuana isn't legal yet. Medical marijuana won't be available to purchase in Missouri until January 2020, according to the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services. Sousley explains that he has his final days belongings in the bags and asserts that the officers can't look through the items. 'It has my final day things in there and nobody's going to dig in it,' he said at one point. 'It's my stuff, it's my final hour stuff is in that bag. It's my right to have my final I'm not digging it down here in front of everybody.' The man eventually let one of the officers search through his things and they don't find any cannabis. Sousley explained to the Bolivar Herald-Free Press that he was 'highly medicated at the time it all happened.' 'I hadn't slept for days,' he said. 'As a terminal patient, you always ask, "Is this the time I'll fall asleep and not wake up?" It makes it hard to sleep.' 'I hadn't slept for days,' the man told local news. 'As a terminal patient, you always ask, "Is this the time I'll fall asleep and not wake up?" It makes it hard to sleep' The CMH released a statement on Thursday stating that it would not comment on any specific patient. They did highlight, however, that both smoking and vaping are prohibited on the campus. The man eventually let one of the officers search through his things and they don't find any cannabis 'It is also our policy to call appropriate law enforcement any time hospital personnel see or reasonably suspect illegal drug use in patient rooms or otherwise on campus,' the hospital said. According to Bolivar Police Chief Mark Webb, the department suspended their Facebook account after they were blasted with negative sentiments for the incident. 'We were inundated by negative feedback,' he said. Sousley is a huge supporter of cannabis use and asserted that he was set 'to make a change.' 'Im sick of our country, the way it is right now,' Sousley explained. 'I dont support the rules they have written. I use cannabis to save my life. I have the right to try anything. How can they say I cant? I have the right to live.' Advertisement Diehard jihadists swelling Syrian refugee camps have vowed revenge as the last remaining ISIS holdout in Syria faced imminent collapse. One veiled woman, feared to be among thousands of unrepentant fanatics who have fled Baghouz and surrendered to US-backed Kurdish forces, chillingly warned: 'We will seek vengeance, there will be blood up to your knees. 'We have left, but there will be new conquests in the future.' The civilians have continued to stream out of the ragged tent encampment the village of Baghouz since December. As they came out of their bastion in eastern Syria, many civilians are unrepentant and promise bloody vengeance against the enemies of ISIS. A veiled woman is pictured walking towards a screening point as hundreds of civilians, who streamed out of the Islamic State group's last Syrian stronghold, arrive in an area run by US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces outside Baghouz in the eastern Syria The US-backed Kurdish coalition forces thought only a few families remained in the enclave - but they now fear they may have severely underestimated the number of brainwashed ISIS followers left inside. 12,000 people from Baghouz arrived in one camp for non-combatants in northern Syria in the past 48 hours. As they came out of their bastion in eastern Syria, many are unrepentant and told media bloody vengeance against the enemies of ISIS. Diehard jihadists swelling Syrian refugee camps have vowed revenge as the last remaining ISIS holdout in Syria faced imminent collapse. Pictured, civilians streaming out of the ragged tent encampment in the village of Baghouz Smokes rises from the makeshift camp for Islamic State members and their families in the town of Baghouz A still from a video released by the Free Burma Rangers showing people moving between tents in a makeshift camp in the last ISIS-controlled piece of territory in Syria's Baghouz A fully veiled woman carries her injured child as she walks to members of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) just after leaving the Islamic State group's last holdout ing Baghouz At an outpost for US-backed forces outside the village, 10 women stood in front of journalists, pointing their index fingers to the sky and shouted: 'The Islamic State is here to stay!' The gesture is used by IS supporters to proclaim the oneness of God. Many of the women leaving the bastion told AFP they wanted to raise their children using ISIS ideology. One 60-year-woman, who did not want to be named, said that ISIS will continue because the boys under the terror group's rule have been trained to fight from a young age. She said: 'The caliphate will not end, because it has been ingrained in the hearts and brains of the newborns and the little ones.' Some of the civilians threw rocks at the cameras of those trying to film them, while one screamed at a photographer and calls him a pig. Nearby, a bearded man with a leg wound cursed the coalition, whose warplanes have pummelled the last jihadist redoubt. "I only surrendered because of my injury," he says. "I have been with IS since the beginning. Despite US-backed Kurdish fighters hopes that the final day has come for the ISIS 'caliphate', - its last tiny sliver of land just won't seem to empty. 'When we began the operation we knew there would be civilians, but not in such a big number,' Adnan Afrin, a spokesman for the Syrian Democratic Forces, said Thursday. In recent days thousands more men and women - including those who once flocked to join IS from across the globe - left the IS pocket, upending assumptions that only a few families remained holed up in Baghouz and those who refused to leave or surrender were choosing to die there. 'They're coming from underground... they're never-ending,' said one SDF official. ISIS forces fleeing the village of Baghouz in the eastern Deir Ezzor province have been cornered into a small piece of land between US-backed forces and a riverbank The International Rescue Committee on Friday said as many as 12,000 people from Baghouz have arrived in one camp for non-combatants in northeast Syria over the past 48 hours, including some 6,000 people on Thursday alone. The women trucked out of the bastion this week gave drastically varying figures on the holdout families that remain in the bombed-out and besieged jihadist bastion. 'There's still more,' said Umm Aboud from the northern Syrian city of Al-Bab. 'You see how many people have come out in the past few days, there's that many still inside,' said the mother of four, her bright green eyes peering through a black veil. A child sitting in a baby carriage surrounded by scattered blankets and other possessions near the village of Baghouz, Deir Al Zor province, in Syria The militants and their families were forced to set up camp amongst battered pickup trucks and tents on the last scrap of land of ISIS-controlled territory Members of White Helmets conduct a search and rescue operation after war planes belonging to Assad Regime's army carried out airstrikes at the de-escalation zone Women hugging near the village of Baghouz, Deir Al Zor province, in Syria, as US-backed forces sweep the dying 'caliphate' out of its Syrian-controlled territory The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces have struggled to deal with thousands of people who have fled Baghouz Footage obtained from the Free Burma Rangers, a Christian aid group run by a former US special forces operative, showed hundreds of people still remained in the riverside camp More than 55,000 civilians have arrived in the Kurdish-run Al-Hol camp since December, according to the International Rescue Committee. 'The IRC and other agencies are doing all they can do help the new arrivals but Al-Hol camp is now at breaking point,' the organisation said Friday. 'No one could have guessed that such a large number of women and children were still living in Baghouz.' Black-clad women trucked out of Baghouz in the past few days have said they were living crammed together in trenches, tents and cars near. 'There are thousands of families leaving... but there were thousands and thousands of families there, even I was surprised,' 35-year-old Umm Alaa, from the Iraqi town of Heet, said Wednesday after fleeing. The mother of 10 said she lost a child last week due to hunger as the situation grew increasingly desperate. Footage obtained from the Free Burma Rangers, a Christian aid group run by a former US special forces operative, showed hundreds of people still remained in the riverside camp. In the images said to have been taken Thursday, women draped in black are seen walking through the came around overturned cars and scraps of twisted metal which lay on the ground. The aid group has come in close proximity to the camp in recent days and its head, David Eubank, said some two thousand people could remain inside. Analyst Mutlu Civiroglu, on the ground in eastern Syria, said that IS was purposefully trying to conceal its numbers. They have regularly been 'releasing certain numbers of people, including fighters, in controlled amounts' in an attempt to buy time, he said. 'If they really wanted to surrender, they would have... and if they wanted to fight again, they could have,' he added. The delay was 'a deliberate effort, maybe to prepare for something else... what that is though is unclear'. ISIS created a proto-state across large parts of Syria and Iraq in 2014, ruling millions of people, but has since lost all of it except a tiny patch in Baghouz by the Euphrates River. Some of the last IS fighters and their families were cornered on Friday on the water's edge. They were caught between advancing Kurdish forces and Syrian regime fighters across the river. But General Joseph Votel, head of the US Central Command, warned today that many of those being evacuated from the area are 'unrepentant, unbroken and radicalised'. He told Congress the fight against ISIS was 'far from over', and stressed the need to 'maintain a vigilant offensive against this now widely dispersed and disaggregated organisation'. Thousands of men, women and children have streamed out of the ISIS group's embattled holdout of Baghouz in eastern Syria in recent days Children sitting next to their injured mother with one resting his head on her as she lies on the ground surrounded by discarded possessions near the village of Baghouz General Joseph Votel, who oversees US operations in the Middle East, said ISIS fighters had already dispersed across Iraq and Syria and remained radicalised. He told the House Armed Services congressional committee: 'Reduction of the physical caliphate is a monumental military accomplishment but the fight against Isis and violent extremism is far from over. 'What we are seeing now is not the surrender of ISIS as an organisation but a calculated decision to preserve the safety of their families and the preservation of their capabilities by taking their chances in camps for internally displaced persons and going to ground in remote areas and waiting for the right time to resurge. He added: 'We will need to maintain a vigilant offensive against this now widely dispersed and disaggregated organisation that includes leaders, fighters, facilitators, resources and toxic ideology. 'The ISIS population being evacuated from the remaining vestiges of the caliphate largely remains unrepentant, unbroken and radicalised.' A fighter from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) walking in front of two trucks carrying refugees to a camp in the north of the country, near the village of Baghouz Men sitting together in a queue waiting for aid, some injured and others living in makeshift camps near the village of Baghouz Aid groups have said that children who have fled Baghouz are 'victims of the conflict' who must be protected As the so-called caliphate crumbles, many Western countries have struggled to decide what to do with its citizens returning from the fighting. Donald Trump urged European countries to take back their suspected fighters and try them in their own countries, threatening via Twitter that US-backed forces in Syria would release the militants into Europe. The Kurds also want foreign nations to repatriate their citizens and jail them in their lands, but are willing to make compromises if the international community will provide the funding and security for new prisons. Last month Iraq announced a group of 13 French citizens accused of fighting for ISIS are to be tried in the country rather than face charges in their home country. And the Kurdish government in Syria said if Britain and other European countries will not take back their jihadi citizens, then international tribunals, similar to the Nuremberg trials used to convict Nazi's after the Second World War, could be set up to deal with the problem. Members of Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) help a woman near Baghouz with her food and belongings as one of the soldier's Kalashnikov rifles rests against her bags A Syrian fighter of the Turkish-backed Hamza Division mans a turret mounted in the back of a pickup truck flying a Turkish flag at a position in the village of Ulashli near the frontline in the northeast of Aleppo A member of Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) helps a woman near the village of Baghouz as thousands of men, women and children flee the fighting A Syrian fighter of the Turkish-backed Hamza Division aims a Kalashnikov assault rifle from a position in the village of Ulashli near the frontline in the northeast of Aleppo A boy looks out of a truck tarp near the village of Baghouz as he is transported in vehicles taking displaced families to refugee camps in Kurdish-controlled norther Syria Civilians evacuated from the ISIS's embattled holdout of Baghouz wait for bread and water at a screening area held by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), in Deir Ezzor A woman walking with crutches stands next to a child as people evacuated from the area of Baghouz An injured woman and her four children evacuated from ISIS's holdout of Baghouz sit at a screening area held by the US-backed Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) A queue of civilians being evacuated from the brutal fighting in the Baghouz area, where thousands of militants and their families have fled More than 7000 people, mostly women and children, have fled the shrinking pocket over the past days, as US-backed forces press ahead with an offensive to crush holdout jihadist Children believed to be from the Yazidi community, who were captured by ISIS fighters, pictured after being evacuated from ISIS's last stronghold A woman kisses the hand of a soldier at a reception area for people evacuated from the last shred of territory held by ISIS militants, outside Baghouz A cruise ship worth 600million has been launched to try to crack the Chinese tourism market - but it has no sunbeds. The Costa Venezia set sail yesterday on a 52-night trip from Trieste, Italy, to Japan. It will be moored in Shanghai as its owners Costa Cruises believe the Chinese tourism trade will grow to 20million a year by 2030. The Costa Venezia is a 600million vessel that set sail yesterday on a 52-night trip from Trieste, Italy, to Japan Mario Zanetti, director general of Costa's Asian operation, told The Times: 'There are fewer sunbeds, because Chinese passengers prefer to chat, snack and watch a show. 'If nine out of ten Europeans want to sunbathe on cruises, eight out of ten Chinese don't. 'The Chinese have gone from group holidays focused on shopping to wanting to explore, know local cultures and enrich themselves.' The owners Costa Cruises are tapping into the Chinese tourism trade but have built the ship with a Venice theme. The hall pictured is inspired by San Marco square A Chinese waitress is dressed as a Venitian Gondoliero onboard the Costa Venezia He added: 'It's not like in the US, where you go to a bar and show off to strangers.' 'Here, you will rent the room with family and friends.' The 324-metre ship - which is around 30 metres longer than the QE2 - will carry up to 5,260 passengers and has a crew of 1,278. Unlike the QE2, its deck will be filled with shaded areas and armchairs, rather than sunbeds. But the ship still has 11 karaoke rooms, six bars, 15 restaurants and tables laid for the popular Chinese game mahjong for the ship's mainly middle class passengers to enjoy. The ship will have an adapted menu featuring a hot pot, for families to dine communally. But there is also Italian offerings, as the salesman shows above The Costa Venezia will also feature a hot pot restaurant for people to cook their own food in a communal pot of stock. Despite it only sailing around Asia, the interior of the cruise has a Venice theme, including a theatre based on Fenice opera house, the main atrium made to look like St Mark's Square, a virtual reality tour of Venice and a museum for Juventus FC. Carnival, the American owners of Costa Cruises, was the first to step into the Chinese market 13 years ago - and they have seen the market grow from zero in 2006 to 2.5million last year. After a falter last year, when China refused cruises the right to dock in South Korea, there were still more than 140million Chinese tourists holidaying abroad. A dad who sliced his hand open on a razor blade embedded in a child's swing has warned other parents of the danger, sharing pictures of his deeply wounded hand. The blade was found in a children's park in Wester Inch in Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland after father Ross Lambert cut his hand on the embedded blade. Ross Lambert shared the incident on Facebook yesterday posting: 'Took my daughter and dog to the little park at wester inch found this embedded in the wooden shelter of the slide. The hand of father Ross Lambert bloodied by a concealed blade in a child's play park 'What little scumbag does this? imagine it was a 4-year-old that 'found' it rather than me! UPDATE, my injury turned out a lot worse than it looked, luckily only ended up with 3 very painful stitches! 'But a couple of return trips to hospital in the near future!' The images shared 4.1k times on Facebook attracted many comments from those disgusted by the hidden blade. Colin MacIntyre commented: 'What sort of scumbag would do this. A kids park ffs.' Ross Lambert's open wound caused by the blade before he had three stitches The blade that caused the injury purposefully stuck into the wood of the child's swing in a park Fiona Nicolson wrote: 'That's awful how anyone could even think of such a disgusting thing to do. These people are evil.' Facebook user Darren Brown warned others to be vigilant: 'Everyone be aware as this might spread like wildfire threw the idiots and scum that do these things!' The incident comes just days after a school girl discovered a blade hidden in a highlighter pen in her school bag. The 12-year-old, who attends Boldon School in South Tyneside, discovered the highlighter which had been adapted to contain a blade on Thursday night. A knife hidden in an adapted highlighter pen, which was discovered by a 12-year-old pupil in her school bag, leading Boldon School in South Tyneside to launch an investigation A spokesperson for Boldon School said: 'We appreciate tensions are running high with knife crime on the agenda at a national level. 'We were alerted to this particular incident by a post on social media on Thursday evening and immediately carried out a thorough investigation. 'This has included talking to students about the risks of such irresponsible behaviour and carrying out random voluntary bag searches. We will deal with any pupils found to be involved in this type of activity in the appropriate manner. 'This is something we take extremely seriously and would urge any parents or members of the public who have any concerns or information to contact the school direct. 'We want to assure people keeping our students safe is a top priority for us.' The girl is not being named but a relative said: 'She was hysterical and when I asked her what was wrong, she handed me the highlighter with a blade in it. 'She said someone had put it in her bag. 'She hates anything like this and I was shocked that someone would do this. Boldon School in South Tyneside have launched an investigation after being told one of their pupils found a knife disguised in a highlighter pen in her bag 'It's ridiculous people are making things like this - it could cause someone serious harm.' Pat McDougall, grandmother of South Tyneside schoolboy Glen Corner who was stabbed to death on his 16th birthday, in 2006, said: 'This has absolutely shocked me. What is the world coming to, where kids are making weapons like this? 'The young girl has definitely done the right thing by telling an adult. 'And I would always encourage anyone who knows of anyone who is carrying a knife to tell a responsible adult - as by doing so you could help save a life and stop a family having their hearts ripped apart like we have.' A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: 'We have not been contacted about this particular incident but we would always encourage people to call police if they believe somebody could be in possession of a knife and we will take appropriate action.' Chrystal Walraven, 28, is charged with two counts of abandoning or endangering a child and faces up to 20 years in prison A Texas mother faces up to 20 years in prison for accusations she left her five children at home alone while she went on vacation 'because she needed to get away with everything that was happening at home'. Chrystal Walraven, 28, is accused of leaving her eldest, a 12-year-old boy with a child as young as 15 months who authorities say appeared dead in her crib with a blanket over her mouth - when they entered the property that had an 'overwhelming odor' of feces and garbage. They learned she was alive when an officer removed the blanket and rubbed her, prompting her to take a visible breath and move. When law enforcement discovered the youngsters in the house on the 2700 block of High Point Drive in Round Rock on August 29, 2018, a 10-year-old boy answered the door, claiming everything was okay. Walraven's two daughters, aged six and three, who seemed they had not bathed in days, were also in the home where police found a dirty diaper in a closet, stains on the carpet and flies in the kitchen. She's accused of leaving 12-year-old and 10-year-old boys with her daughters, ages three, six and 15 months in Round Rock, Texas An affidavit released Tuesday also noted the youngsters had access to knives while their mother stayed with a male friend in Myrtle Beach in South Carolina. Cops were alerted about the situation by the principal at Gattis Elementary School who claimed some of the children had spoken about staying up late to change their sister's diaper. They visited the property shortly after the 4.24pm call. When a teacher contacted a man listed as a father to at least one of the children, the man claimed a neighbor was taking care of them while the mother was out of state. He told law enforcement he'd moved out of the property weeks before and no longer lived in Texas. However the neighbor who made the children dinner the night before and insisted she 'never knew exactly what was going on with the children', told police a second father was looking after them and would check in on the brood. She claimed she never noticed the awful odors coming from the home. Neighbors also told Fox 7 they assumed the mother was at work and didn't notice anything unusual because the children often played outside until midnight. The neighborhood residents said the youngsters appeared excited when Child Protective Services arrived. Neighbors said they assumed the mother was at work and didn't notice anything unusual because the children often played outside until midnight Authorities said a father claimed Walraven left them alone on August 25. She was due to return August 28 but didn't make it back until August 30. She claims her flight was delayed Authorities said the second man told them he declined to look after all five of the children but regardless, Walraven left them alone on August 25. During a visit to the police station to get 'his child' he reported he'd brought the children food in an 11am-1pm visit the day Walraven left and for a few hours the following two days. Walraven was due to return August 28 but didn't make it back until August 30. She claimed her flight was delayed several times and she kept in touch with the kids via Facebook Messenger. In an August 30 interview with cops, she admitted she visited tourist locations in Myrtle Beach and explored a job opportunity. The woman was due to depart on her trip a day earlier than she left for four days but ended up returning to her home because her outbound flight was delayed. She told law enforcement her husband had left their home weeks ago to return to Arkansas. In an August 30 interview with cops she admitted she visited tourist locations in Myrtle Beach (pictured) and explored a job opportunity while staying with a male friend She told law enforcement her husband had left their home weeks ago to return to Arkansas The mother's Facebook profile showcases her relationship status as 'separated'. Images suggest she was involved with Jeff Walraven (pictured right) at least until May 2018 The mother's Facebook profile shows her relationship status as 'separated'. Images on the social media account suggest she was romantically involved with Jeff Walraven at least until May 2018. His Facebook account indicates he began a relationship with new woman the same month Chrystal went away. Despite the mother being questioned by authorities last year, a warrant for her arrest wasn't put out until last month because police 'needed to conduct a thorough investigation to make sure we had enough evidence'. She turned herself in February 11 and was bonded out of jail the same day. The accused had placed the blame on her neighbor and one of the fathers. Cops were alerted about the situation by the principal at Gattis Elementary School who claimed some of the children had spoken about staying up late to change their sister's diaper 'He was supposed to be over here with the kids and he even told him that he was here the night before, um, you know, and that he got them food and everything,' she told KXAN 'Mary was here during the day, she actually had to give them the car seats because she had been taking the kids back and forth to school, like everything. So no, definitely didn't abandon them. They were supposed to be here with the children and did not do that.' The children were initially placed in foster care but now stay with the father of one of the children, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services said. Mother Walraven is charged with two counts of abandoning or endangering a child, a second-degree felony. She could spend anywhere from two years to two decades behind bars. Jussie Smollett's attorney has labelled the 16 count indictment he faces as 'overkill', 'vindictive' and a 'desperate attempt to make headlines'. The Empire actor was initially charged with one Class 4 Felony charge of disorderly conduct last month but a grand jury has applied that charge 15 times over in an 36-page indictment that was returned on Thursday. Now, he is facing a maximum sentence of 48 years behind bars and fines of up to $400,000. Following the news Jussie's attorney, Mark Geragos, issued a blistering statement, calling it 'prosecutorial overkill', adding that the star 'adamantly maintains his innocence'. Geragos told TMZ: 'The fact of an indictment was not unexpected. We knew that there is no way they would expose their evidence to a public airing and subject their witnesses to cross-examination. 'What is unexpected, however, is the prosecutorial overkill in charging 16 separate counts against Jussie.' Jussie Smollett now faces 16 counts of felony disorderly conduct which carry a maximum prison sentence of 48 years. His attorney, Mark Geragos, labelled the 16 count indictment he faces as 'overkill', 'vindictive' and a 'desperate attempt to make headlines' Empire' TV series actor Jussie Smollett emerges from the Cook County Court last month He added: 'This redundant and vindictive indictment is nothing more than a desperate attempt to make headlines in order to distract from the internal investigation launched to investigate the outrageous leaking of false information by the Chicago Police Department and the shameless and illegal invasion of Jussie's privacy in tampering with his medical records. 'Jussie adamantly maintains his innocence even if law enforcement has robbed him of that presumption.' Geragos told CNN Smollett was the victim of a 'media gangbang' and 'media lynching'. Smollett is expected to cut a plea deal with authorities, according to experts cited by ABC. The new indictment divides the 15 new charges into two sets. Counts one to seven apply to the comments he made to police officer Muhammed Baig, who first responded to his apartment when his friend called 911 on January 29. The second set applies to Detective Kim Murray who interviewed him later that day. Jussie Smollett is shown in the hospital with the scratches police say he gave himself after the 'attack', left. Nigerian brothers, Ola (right) and Abel Osundairo told police Smollett paid them to attack him Smollett is accused of hiring brothers Abel and Ola Osundairo to beat him up outside his apartment on January 29 in what he later described to police as a racist and homophobic attack. The brothers say he paid them $3500 to do it and that he promised them an additional $500 which they would get when they came home from a trip to Nigeria. They say Smollett's motive was that he wanted a higher salary on Empire. The actor went on Good Morning America before he was arrested where he cried and insisted he was telling the truth amid a swelling tide of public cynicism. Fox has said it is 'considering its options' in light of Smollett's arrest. American travelers will have a new requirement to consider before taking a trip to Europe in 2021. US citizens will have to get a new type of visa through the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) to visit the European Schengen Area, according to the European Union's announcement on Friday. The US had been in a disagreement with the European Parliament and European Commission, CNN reports, over visa requirements it has for citizens from five EU member nations: Bulgaria, Croatia, Poland, Romania and Cyprus. The European Commission called for the US to reciprocate visa-free status to those five countries as it does for the other 23 EU nations part of the Schengen Area, the EU's visa-free travel zone, in a 2016 report. American travelers can currently travel to Europe with a passport for up to 90 days, but in 2021, they will be expected to apply for a new type of visa The 26 European countries that make up the Schengen Area allow visa free travel within. Citizens of Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Poland and Romania are required to have a visa to travel to the US, an issue disputed by the EU since at least 2016 The report also stated the European Commission wanted 'push for full visa reciprocity' after President Trump took office, but in June of last year, the European Parliament voted in favor of imposing visas on US citizens. Member states are required to be treated equally according to EU rules, and American citizens can travel to the Schengen Area without a visa for up to 90 days currently. According to the ETIAS website, the EU imposed the rules to 'improve their security level' over issues of 'illegal migration and terrorism.' 'We need to know who is crossing our borders,' the website quotes President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, in his 2016 State of the Union. 'This way we will know who is travelling to Europe before they even get here.' US travelers to Europe starting in 2021 will need a valid passport, email and a credit or debit card to apply to the ETIAS The 'simple to use' ETIAS will then check for risk factors and travel eligibility of the applicant before providing a visa that will potentially be valid up to three years President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker is quoted on the ETIAS website to emphasize the system as a way to improve EU security 'All in all, the ETIAS authorization will make travelling to the EU less of a hassle and a much safer experience,' the website claims. American travelers will need a valid passport, an email account and a credit or debit card to apply for the 'simple to use' ETIAS, according to the EU. They will have to fill out an online application and provide a small fee of almost $8. Children under the age of 18 are exempted from the fee. After eligibility and risk factors are checked by the system, the applicant can have a travel visa authorized potentially up to three years. The parents of a missing 23-year-old British backpacker, last seen at an 'eco hotel' in Guatemala, have recorded a heartfelt message asking for help in finding her. Catherine Shaw was last seen leaving the hotel at around 1.30am on March 5 in the San Pedro, Lake Atitlan area while carrying a musical instrument. The 23-year-old is from Witney, Oxfordshire and her parents are 'desperately worried' with members of her family set to fly out and join the search for her over the weekend. In the emotional appeal, her father said: 'Please come home sweetheart. Your friends and your family, we need you.' Catherine is said to have been travelling in Guatemala for two weeks having previously been in Mexico and California, leaving home in England in September 2018. Catherine Shaw (left and right) is thought to have no money with her and also does not have her passport British backpacker Catherine Shaw (left and right) left England in 2018 and has since travelled to Mexico and California The map above details the area where Catherine was last seen and shows the surrounding towns She is described as being of a slim build and is around 5ft 7ins with shoulder length blonde hair and blue eyes. She also has piercings in her nose, lips and ears. She is said to have no passport or money with her. Her family said in a statement: 'She has always been really good about keeping in touch and informing us of her whereabouts and activities,' they added. 'So this is unusual behaviour which gives us great concern for her safety. Please help us to find her.' A hotel spokesman said: 'We regret the disappearance of Catherine Shaw and can confirm she checked into the Eco Hotel Mayachik with her friend Elena Consolini on Sunday March 3 at 1.37pm and Catherine left the hotel on Tuesday March 5 in the early hours of the morning, at 1.37am to be exact, taking with her a musical instrument. 'This information was taken from our CCTV cameras. 'She left her belongings in her room, and her friend left the same day, March 5, in the morning hours. 'Not knowing anything about Catherine, Elena returned to our hotel on Thursday afternoon asking after her and that was when Catherine's belongings were handed to her. 'We are extremely worried about Catherine and we hope she is found as soon as possible.' A hotel worker said: 'The cameras show she was with her friend Elena for about an hour opposite a bungalow and then she played the musical instrument she left with after Elena went to bed. 'We would have preferred her not to leave the hotel at that time of the night but everyone was asleep so no-one knew she had gone. 'The instrument she was playing was a Hang and people who had seen her with it earlier described it as having a black case. Fears are growing for Catherine Shaw (pictured above) who was last seen on Monday 'You can't see on the CCTV what Catherine was wearing. 'San Juan la Laguna is very safe and quiet and we don't suspect at this stage anything bad has happened to Catherine. 'We just think she's got lost somewhere and hope she can be found as soon as possible.' The worker added: 'Catherine was sharing a room with about four or five other people. She had checked in with Elena and my understanding is Elena checked out on Tuesday morning. 'We're not sure what happened during the two days before she came back asking about Catherine and it's something we're trying to look into. We don't know either where she is now but she's not at the hotel anymore.' Asked if anything untoward had happened before the Brit backpacker vanished from the hotel, she said: 'We didn't notice anything. Everything seemed normal.' New CCTV has now revealed that Catherine last left the hotel where she was staying several hours later, at around 5.30am. She did not have a musical instrument at that time and was just holding a puppy in her arms. The puppy was found on Friday morning at the top of a mountain overlooking the lake, a long hike from where Catherine was staying. Close friend Paco Patchouli, who is based in Mexico and traveled to Guatemala at the behest of Catherine's parents, , posted an appeal to his social media page. He said: 'H E L P! Friends in GUATEMALA. My friend has been missing since last Monday in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala. She has no belongings with her, passport money or mobile phone. Catherine Shaw (pictured above) was last seen in San Juan at the Eco Hotel Mayachik The 23-year-old is also said to have piercings in her ears, her nose and her lips 'Please if you know anyone who is at the moment in Guatemala, please share this photo. Please contact me ASAP'. 'INFO: She was the last seen in San Juan l laguna in eco hotel mayachik. Cat is 1.7m tall, skinny, blue eyes, hair as int he photos, nose ring and a piercing inside the upper lip. A Double XX Scar on the back of her Neck.' Catherine is understood to have been travelling with her friend Elena on and off for the last two months, and it was she who reported Catherine missing. The Public Ministry in Guatemala also posted an appeal on its social media accounts. In a statement to the MailOnline the Foreign Office said: 'We are supporting the family of a British woman reported missing in Guatemala and are in contact with the local authorities as they search for her.' The Lucie Blackman Trust chief executive Matthew Searle stressed how the 'first few days are vitally important' because those who may have seen something could still be in the area. 'We urge anyone who may have any information, no matter how small, to get in touch as soon as they can. They could hold the key to bringing Catherine home,' he added. If you have any information you can contact the Lucie Blackman Trust, from overseas you can call +44800 098 8485 and from the UK you can call 0800 098 8485. After the sale of Scarlett Johansson's used tissue, a glass Justin Bieber once drank milk from and Britney Spears' pregnancy test kit, ebay now presents Steven Spielberg's half-smoked cigar. The legendary film-maker puffed on the stogy during the making of the hit World War Two mini-series, Band of Brothers, and it could be yours for 1,000. It left his lips almost 20-year-ago, during a break in filming at Hatfield Aerodrome in Hertfordshire, and was rescued from the ashtray by a production runner on the wartime drama, who was a huge fan of Spielberg. Now the cigar, along with other memorabilia from the Band of Brothers, is on sale on eBay. It has been mounted in a glass case alongside a photograph of the director smoking a similar cigar on set, and would make an impressive centre piece to any film buff's coffee table. Steven Spielberg's half smoked cigar 'I want someone to get it who loves him as I do,' said Holly Francis, who has cherished the unusual piece of memorabilia since 2000 when she came across it in her first job in the movie business. Mrs Francis' role on Band of Brothers was to assist Spielberg and his co-producer, Tom Hanks. 'I don't want to part with it for less than 1,000,' she said. 'It's a good piece of treasure.' Mrs Francis, who is married and has two daughters, aged 7 and 9, hopes to use the proceeds of the sale to fund a once in a lifetime family holiday to Japan to watch the 2020 Olympics and attend the opening of Super Nintendo World, in Osaka. She was working with Spielberg regularly in 2000 and struck up a friendship with the director, who called her his 'merciful angel' because she kept him supplied with tea, coffee and his favourite: digestive biscuits. Holly Francis (pictured above) had previously worked with Speilberg In fact, one of Mrs Francis' duties was to restrict the famous director, who produced blockbusters including, Jaws, the Indiana Jones series, E.T. Jurassic Park and Bridge of Spies to name a few, to just three biscuits per day. 'He was such a kind person, he really cared' said Mrs Francis, who lives in Hertfordshire, and continued to send digestives to Spielberg in the US after filming had finished. 'He came off the set and he was smoking this cigar before he had to rush back on. He stubbed it out and I was emptying the ashtray, but being a humongous fan I could not throw it away.' Along with the half-cigar, the lot on eBay includes a crew jacket, cap, World War Two slang sheets used by the cast and a pen knife engraved with Band of Brothers, among other items. The sale closes Sunday. Band of Brothers was a war drama based on Stephen E. Ambrose's book of the same name, which first aired in 2001. The series won an Emmy and Golden Globe for best mini-series that year. It dramatized the history of 'Easy' Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division as they went from training in the United States to combat in Europe. It starred Damian Lewis as Major Richard 'Dick' Winters, the show's main character, a role which earned him a Golden Globe nomination. The cigar is the latest in a line of weird and wacky celebrity leftovers that have been put up for sale. In 2005, CNN reported that a Canadian radio station had bought a pregnancy test kit allegedly used by Britney Spears for $5,001 [3,800] and in 2008 a tissue used by Scarlett Johansson sold for $5,300 [4,000] to raise money for the hunger charity USA Harvest. In 2016, a glass Justin Bieber drank milk from at a pub during a UK tour was snaffled by a waitress, who put it up for sale on ebay, attracting bids of tens of thousands of pounds. For Mrs Francis, her career in the movie industry peaked with that job as assistant to Spielberg. She went on to become an events and marketing manager with the tech giant, Apple, where she has worked with British bands Snow Patrol and Fightstar. She is now launching her own business. 'To have Steven Spielberg in Hatfield was such a big deal,' said Mrs Francis. 'No one knew he was there. It was all about Steven for me.' Roy Whiting (pictured above) is alleged to want 10,000 compensation from prison chiefs The murderer of schoolgirl Sarah Payne has reportedly vowed to sue prison chiefs after being attacked four times while being locked up. Roy Whiting is said to want 10,000 after claiming that he hasn't been protected properly from other inmates at Wakefield Prison in Yorkshire. The 60-year-old child killer is currently serving a 40-year sentence for the murder of the eight-year-old and has complained that he is a 'dead man walking'. Whiting abducted Sarah as she played hide and seek with her brothers in a cornfield near her grandparents' home in July 2000. Her body was found in a field around 15 miles from where she disappeared. Speaking to the Daily Star a source close to the matter said: 'Whiting is sensing some cash so he can sit in his cell all day and not work. 'He reckons the fact that he has to leave his cell each day to go to work makes him a target and says it is only a matter of time before he's done in properly. Sarah Payne (pictured left and right) was abducted by Roy Whiting while she was playing with her siblings 'He says the prison has failed to look after him and is going to go for 10,000 and then he'll have enough cash in his prison bank account not to work. 'He claims to be a dead man walking and his fearful for his life.' Whiting is currently at maximum security Wakefield Prison, which houses some of the UK's most dangerous criminals. Roy Whiting is currently being held at Wakefield Prison (pictured above) and has been attacked during his time there He has allegedly been attacked four times at the prison and hopes to use the compensation most to quit his 21-a-week job packing goods in a workshop. The former mechanic has previously been slashed with a razor and stabbed with a sharpened toilet brush in various attacks. Back in 2017, he was battered with a flask by another prisoner, and in November 2018 he was battered and left for dead by two fellow murderers. One of rugby league's biggest names has been diagnosed with a central nervous system disorder. Andrew Johns, 44, has revealed he was diagnosed with a mild form of epilepsy after suffering from seizures that seemed to come out of nowhere. 'I've got a mild form of epilepsy and it's a huge relief to find that out,' the NRL legend told The Age. Andrew Johns, 44, (pictured) has revealed he has been diagnosed with a mild case of epilepsy after suffering from worrying seizures that seemingly came out of nowhere Johns (pictured here with partner Kate Kendall) says he was relieved to find out the diagnosis after months of not knowing what the seizures stemmed from 'It was not knowing that was the worst. They say that if I take my medication I should be fine. It's a huge relief,' he added. His father Gary revealed in December that his 'mystery seizures' had been happening 'for years'. In January, while holidaying in New Zealand with his partner Kate Kendall and young children, he blacked out for 45 seconds. It followed another recent episode late last year when he collapsed in a coffee shop while on holidays in Yamba on the New South Wales north coast. He flew to Melbourne in February for a series of tests and was only recently given the full diagnosis. The former Newcastle Knights star had suffered from the 'mystery seizures' 'for years' and even blacked out for 45 seconds while holidaying in New Zealand with his partner Kate Kendall and young children The father-of-three previously revealed he deals with depression on a daily basis and will take medication for the rest of his life. In November, Johns broke down in tears while talking to a group of students at South Grafton High School in northern NSW about his personal struggles with bipolar disorder and depression. Johns is leading a more healthier lifestyle following his recent health scares and says he has full confidence in the specialists and doctors looking after him. 'I'm trying to do everything right so once I know more from the specialist then we can move forward and understand what's triggering these episodes and how I can manage it,' Johns said. Johns is grateful for the overwhelming support he's received from the rugby league community in recent months. South Sydney Rabbitohs player Greg Inglis has split from his wife Sally Robinson and has moved on with another woman, it's been reported. It's understood the 32-year-old NRL legend parted ways with his wife of eight years a few months ago. He is believed to have recently moved on with a new girlfriend, according to The Daily Telegraph. Greg Inglis (pictured left) has reportedly moved on with another woman, Alyse Caccamo (pictured right) The former Melbourne Storm player's new girlfriend is understood to be Alyse Caccamo, who works in events for the National Rugby League. Inglis appeared to confirm his new relationship status with a telling Instagram post he uploaded to his feed on March 1. Alongside images of his children and his new girlfriend Alyse, Inglis wrote: 'The most important [people] in my life.' He then added 'lpve [sic] you Alyse,' appearing to make a public declaration of his feelings, despite the presumed spelling error. Inglis shared a social media post and captioned it 'the most important ppl in my life' (Post pictured) Inglis' alleged new girlfriend is believed to be Alyse Caccamo (pictured) who works in events for the National Rugby League Notably, Ms Robinson is absent from the images. According to the publication, Ms Robinson had shared post to her own Instagram account last month. Alongside an image of a group of friends, she wrote: 'Our Vday is hotter than yours'. It's believed to be the second time that Inglis and Robinson have split up. It's thought the former couple, who have two children together, had taken time apart back in 2017. At the time of the alleged break, Ms Robinson moved out of the home they shared to be closer to her family in Brisbane. Inglis(pictured left) and Robinson (pictured right) announced their engagement in June 2010 and married the same year Inglis is thought to have stayed in Sydney. The couple had met when Inglis was a teenager. They announced their engagement in June 2010 and married the same year in December. In the year prior, Inglis had been charged with recklessly causing injury and unlawful assault against Robinson. But he avoided a conviction after the charge was dropped. Inglis agreed to attend a behavioural change program and pay $3000 to a women's health organisation. Chinese tourists are being swindled out of thousands of dollars by unscrupulous guides. Tourism officials have slammed practices which charge foreign visitors a commission to visit public beaches and parks on the Gold Coast. Experts are now warning that unless the practice is stopped before it gets out of hand, one of Australia's biggest tourism markets could take a huge hit. Chinese tourists are being swindled out of thousands of dollars by dodgy guides (stock image) Dodgy tour operators hide additional charges as 'transfer' or 'tour guide fees', despite the destination usually being within walking distance of hotels, The Courier-Mail reports. The most common target are Gold Coast beaches, with bus loads of tourists unknowingly paying to visit public attractions that are free. One tour operator, who remained anonymous to avoid jeopardising their contracts, said the con was out of control. 'It's a joke that they're able to get away with it but no one wants to speak up about it,' they said. Once at the beach, the tourists are kept within patrolled areas and rarely get into the water. Shoddy tour guides are taking visitors to popular public attractions on the Gold Coast (pictured is Surfers Paradise) and charging them unfounded 'transfer' fees State Tourism Minister Kate Jones condemned the acts, saying they gave the tourism industry a 'bad name'. She urges anyone who comes across the scam to contact police. Queensland Tourism Industry Council chief executive Daniel Gschwind echoed the sentiment, saying the act had 'no place' in modern tourism. 'Not only does it rip off the visitors, it tarnishes our reputation if these people go home and broadcast their unpleasant or unfortunate experiences.' China recently overtook New Zealand as Queensland's biggest tourism market. More than half-a-million visitors visit the state from China each year, adding about $1.4billion to state's economy. A hipster restaurant is now offering hungry Australians the chance to bite into a 24 carat gold burger - but it's going to cost you. Burger bar Phat Stacks in Camberwell in Melbourne's east is now offering the Australian first 24 carat gold burger for $88.80. The burger, loved by influencers, is painted with 24 carat gold and has seen punters rush to the cafe for that perfect Instagram-worthy shot Called the Golden Phat Stacks, the burger comes with two patties of beef, two chicken breasts, two bacon rashers, three slices of cheese, jalepenos and doused in creamy sauce. Skewered on top are five deep-fried onion rings. The burger also comes with a complimentary liquid nitrogen smoke show. The influencer-loved restaurant has a vast array of Instagram-worthy burgers, ranging from duck-heavy Donald Burger to the soft shelled crab delight Mr. Krabs. The burger, titled the Golden Phat Stacks, comes with two patties of beef, two chicken breasts, two bacon rashers, three slices of cheese, jalepenos, creamy sauce and comes with a side of onion rings and a 'liquid nitrogen smoke show' 'You can customise your burger bun to match your mood or your outfit,' Phat Stacks owner Emad Zarghami told the Herald Sun. But it's just not for the carnivores- dessert lovers can also purchase a 24k Ferrero Rocher shake, which comes completely covered in gold, that will set back punters $28. The more adventurous burger-lovers can also sink their teeth into a green matcha, beetroot red or charcoal black burger. The restaurant also offers the 24 carat gold buns with any burger for an extra $50. Michael Cohen used International Women's Day to advise his former client, President Donald Trump, to apologize for the 'lies' and 'dirty deeds' concerning his alleged extramarital affairs. Cohen, 52, took to Twitter on Friday after the President claimed that the lawyer had requested a pardon for charges related to the hush-money payments that he made. In May, he is expected to begin a three-year stint in prison for tax evasion and lying to Congress. Michael Cohen took to his Twitter on Friday to blast President Donald Trump's 'lies' and 'dirty deeds' In May, he is expected to begin a three-year stint in prison for tax evasion and lying to Congress 'Just another set of lies by @POTUS @realdonaldtrump,' Cohen said on Twitter. 'Mr. President...let me remind you that today is #InternationalWomensDay. You may want use today to apologize for your own #lies and #DirtyDeeds to women like Karen McDougal and Stephanie Clifford.' Cohen arranged hush-money payoffs during the 2016 campaign to McDougal, a former Playboy playmate, and Clifford, who makes pornographic movies under the stage name Stormy Daniels, to stop them from claiming they had had affairs with the future president. Trump has denied everything. The tweet comes just a day after Cohen filed a lawsuit claiming The Trump Organization agreed to an indemnification agreement which would pay him all legal fees but that he was cut off as soon as he turned against the president in June last year. Cohen arranged hush-money payoffs during the 2016 campaign to Karen McDougal (left), a former Playboy playmate, and Stephanie Clifford (right) On Friday, Trump to his own social media to blast his former lawyer Cohen claims the Trump Organization stiffed him and he is now left with a $1.9 million legal bill - on top of another $1.9 million he has had to forfeit. 'All of these amounts were subject to the Trump Organization's indemnification agreement,' Cohen, who is a disbarred lawyer, claims. On Friday, Trump to his own social media to blast his former lawyer. 'Bad lawyer and fraudster Michael Cohen said under sworn testimony that he never asked for a Pardon. His lawyers totally contradicted him,' Trump claimed. 'He lied! Additionally, he directly asked me for a pardon. I said NO. He lied again! He also badly wanted to work at the White House. He lied!' 'Womens unemployment rate is down to 3.6% - was 7.9% in January, 2011,' Trump said Friday. 'Things are looking good!' Women's unemployment began falling under Obama and was at 4.7 percent by the time Trump was in office The President had released a statement to commemorate International Women's Day and also shared stats on women's unemployment in the United States. 'Womens unemployment rate is down to 3.6% - was 7.9% in January, 2011,' he said. 'Things are looking good!' Women's unemployment began falling under Obama and was at 4.7 percent by the time Trump was in office. Advertisement Italy's ambassador to Pakistan has confirmed the deaths of two missing European mountain climbers on Nanga Parbat, the world's ninth-tallest mountain. The search for Briton Tom Ballard and Italian Daniele Nardi ended after an aerial search team confirmed that silhouettes spotted at a height of about 5,900 meters (6,455 yards) were the bodies of the two climbers. Ambassador Stefano Pontecorvo tweeted the news on Saturday, after Pakistani army helicopters with four rescuers had searched the mountain for days. Ballard, 30, was the son of British climber Alison Hargreaves, the first woman to scale Mount Everest alone. She died at age 33 descending the summit of K2 in 1995. Tom Ballard, 30, has been confirmed dead along with his Italian climbing partner Daniele Nardi. The pair had not made contact since February 24 when they were 20,000ft up Nanga Parbat Tom (pictured above) from Derbyshire, is an experienced climber and the first person to solo climb all six major north faces of the Alps in one winter Ballard, 30, (right) was the son of British climber Alison Hargreaves (centre) who died climbing in the same region in 1995 Alison Hargreaves and Jim Ballard with their children Tom and his sister Kate before her fatal descent of the mountain in 1995 Ballard was a skilled climber, in 2015 becoming the first person to solo climb all six major north faces of the Alps in one winter. Nardi, 42, from near Rome, had attempted to scale Nanga Parbat in winter several times. The pair set out on the climb on February 22, making it to the fourth base camp by the following day, but they last made contact on February 24 from an elevation of around 20,700ft (6,300m) on Nanga Parbat. Ambassador Stefano Pontecorvo tweeted: 'With great sadness I inform that the search for @NardiDaniele and Tom Ballard is over as @AlexTxikon and the search team have confirmed that the silhouettes spotted on Mummery at about 5900 meters are those of Daniele and Tom. R.I.P.' He said the bodies are in a place that is difficult to reach but that everything possible will be done to try to recover them. Search plans were prevented on Thursday when Pakistan closed its air space after it shot down two Indian military planes, but two army helicopters were eventually drafted in. Ballard's sister Kate, father Jim and Italian girlfriend Stefania Pederiva had been waiting for news of him, and Pederiva's mother said that she has been 'crying constantly' since learning that he was missing. Alison Hargreaves with her children, Tom (right) and Kate (left) The bodies of Tom Ballard (pictured left) and 42-year-old Italian Daniele Nardi (right) were found on Nanga Parbat Ballard (right) and Nardi (left) were confirmed dead on Saturday by Italy's Ambassador to Pakistan. Mr Nardi's team posted a tribute on their official Facebook page saying they 'heartbroken' Ballard (pictured) and Nardi were trying to climb 'Killer Mountain' in Pakistan, the ninth highest in world Ballard was born in Derbyshire but moved to Scotland in the same year his mother, Alison Hargreaves, died on K2 when she was 33 after becoming the first woman to conquer Everest unaided. In the summer of 1993 she also became the first person to climb the notoriously perilous six great north faces of the Alps solo in a single season. The climb then inspired her book which was titled 'A Hard Day's Summer'. Ballard was just six-years-old when his mother died but went on to follow in her footsteps and in 2015 he became the first person to climb the north faces alone in a winter season. His sister is also a mountaineer. Although Ballard was really able to scale mountains with his mother, it is said that Alison had been six months pregnant with him when she scaled the treacherous north face of Eiger. Despite being dubbed 'Killer Mountain' because of its dangerous conditions, the summit of Nanga Parbat has long drawn climbers. Located in Pakistan's Gilgit Baltistan area, it is the ninth highest mountain in the world at 26,660ft (8,126m). Ambassador Pontecorvo said the search team involving the Spaniards this week captured photos of the silhouettes and analysis confirmed that they were the missing climbers. Mr Nardi's team posted a tribute on their official Facebook page. A rescue team confirmed that silhouettes spotted at a height of about 5,900 meters (6,455 yards) were those of the two climbers A map of the Nanga Parbat mountains in Pakistan (pictured above) which shows where Tom went missing and where his mother went missing in 1995 They wrote: 'We're heartbroken; we inform you that the research of Daniele and Tom has ended. A part of them will always remain on the Nanga Parbat.' They added: 'The family remembers Tom as a competent alpinist and brave friend of Daniele. Our thoughts are with him. 'Daniele will remain a husband, a father, a son, a brother and a friend lost for a dream that we have always accepted, respected and shared. 'We like to remember how you really are: in love with life, adventurous, scrupulous, courageous, loyal, attentive to detail and always present in times of need.' Karrar Haidri, the secretary of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, said the search team, headed by Spaniard Alex Txikon and experienced Pakistani mountaineer Ali Sadpara familiar with the peak, went on foot and used drones to search for the climbers. Tom Ballard, 30, was reported missing earlier this week on the notorious K2 peak in the Pakistani Himalayas Pictures from Tom's Instagram account detail his various training efforts for his climbs where he seems to be having a great time getting to grips with different heights The mountain (pictured above) which Tom and his friend Daniele had been scaling before they failed to make contact In an interview with the Telegraph newspaper published before the news of Tom broke, his father Jim Ballard said Alison would have watched their son go into mountaineering 'with gritted teeth'. But she would have been - no, she is - proud of what he has achieved. I hang on to that idea that Alison loved so much. It is better to live one day as tiger than a thousand years as a sheep, Mr Ballard said. Jim Ballard told the Telegraph yesterday that although with Alison he had known immediately that she was not coming back, this time he had 'assumed there had been a technical problem and they would be OK'. 'This was different at first,' he said. 'All we knew was Tom and Danieles satellite phone had failed and that we had lost contact. 'I talked to Kate and assured her that they would be alright for 7 10 days maybe longer. I said he would be cold, have a bit of frost nip and certainly be very bad tempered as he often could be when coming back from a climb that had not gone according to plan.' But as time went by it and the chances of finding his son alive become more remote, Mr Ballard said he just hoped that he had not suffered and had been feeling proud of his achievements when died. 'The other likelihood is that Tom and Daniele were simply blasted off the face of the mountain by a huge force of nature, thousands and thousands of tons of ice and snow. If thats the case they probably knew nothing about it. 'I just pray that Tom had just finished negotiating an incredibly hard route and was pleased with himself. If he had to go that would have been the way. It was like his mum. She had just summited K2 and must have been feeling wonderful when K2 claimed her,' he told the Telegraph. Sandy Allan, a family friend of the Ballards from Newtonmore in the Highlands, has climbed Nanga Parbat twice and previously admitted he was worried about the 'competent mountaineer'. He told the BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme: 'I knew Tom when he was younger and I'd climbed with him and his mother, Tom's an exceptional climber, he's not done a great deal in the Himalayas but he's done enough to know how to look after himself very well. 'Some people thought Tom was a little bit of a loner but he climbed to a very high standard and I suppose a lot of his routes were quite esoteric. 'But he's a normal human being with a passion for climbing. 'It's a lot colder and that makes it incredibly uncomfortable but if you're a climber like Tom, it's one of the big challenges for people to do so I can understand why he'd want to go there.' Two federal special agents are said to be under review by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for sharing and liking anti-immigrant posts on social media about Rep Ihan Omar. Leslie Derewonko, a Homeland Security Investigations senior agent, reportedly shared a post which suggested the Muslim American lawmaker was a terrorist threat. That post was then 'liked' by Jerry Templet, the second-in-command of Homeland Security Investigations in San Francisco, according to Buzzfeed News. On the LinkedIn post Derewonko is said to have shared a video that described the first-term Minnesota congresswoman as a 'trojan horse'. It said Omar, who spent part of her youth in a Kenyan refugee camp after fleeing war-torn Somalia, came to the US because of a 'refugee outbreak' under former president Barack Obama. The clip then claims to show Omar admitting to taking 'terrorism classes.' A LinkedIn account under the name Leslie Derewonko shared this post He also appears to suggest the Muslim American lawmaker is a threat to the country First-term Minnesota congresswoman Ihan Omar was described a 'trojan horse' in the post Derewonko reportedly commented: 'And this is what represents America?' before the post was liked by Templet. Templet is also said to have liked a advert in 2015 for a T-shirt which read 'I'm the Infidel Allah Warned You About'. On LinkedIn Derewonko appears to share or approve negative posts about migrant caravans. ABC reports he has used the term 'White America' multiple times. He replied to one meme which read 'What is the difference between an illegal immigrant and ET? ET learned to speak English and wanted to go home!' with the laughing emoji, posts show. Dalia Mogahed, the director of research at the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding, told Buzzfeed: 'It is alarming that a public official charged with executing our immigration policies endorses such toxic views of refugees, Muslims, and an elected official.' Both Derewonko and Templet's social media activity is now said to be under review to see if it violated any agency policies. An ICE spokesperson told the website: 'Social media content posted by employees on their personal platforms should not be considered representative of agency policies or positions. We are reviewing whether any of this particular content violated other agency policies.' Derewonko appears to share or approve negative posts about migrant caravans Jerry Templet is said to have liked a advert in 2015 for a T-shirt which read 'I'm the Infidel Allah Warned You About'. Representative Ilhan Omar entered Congress as one of several 'fresh face' lawmakers who drew attention for their vows to shake up the system Oman this week bashed the Obama administration's forceful use of military drone technology to try to take out terror networks, and likened Obama's policy of separating migrant adults and children at the U.S.-Mexico border to Trump's. Her slam on the two-term Democratic president was published after the House passed a resolution condemning hate language on Thursday. The legislative move was a response to comments from Omar that many of her colleagues deemed anti-Semitic. DailyMail.com has contacted ICE and for Derewonko comment. Templet appears to have deleted his LinkedIn profile. A Michigan couple was detained and charged with multiple offenses after a lifeguard allegedly caught them having sex in a hot tub at a Ohio resort on Tuesday. Kamden Mack, a 25-year-old from Ann Arbor, and 22-year-old Taylor Coats, of Hudson, were arrested by the Erie County Sheriff's Office after they allegedly refused to leave from Kalahari Resorts in Sandusky. Security informed responding deputies that the man refused to leave the indoor waterpark and grew 'irate' when confronted, the Detroit Free Press reports. Kamden Mack, a 25-year-old from Ann Arbor, and 22-year-old Taylor Coats, of Hudson, were arrested by the Erie County Sheriff's Office after they allegedly refused to leave from Kalahari Resorts in Sandusky A lifeguard at the indoor waterpark claimed that the couple had been having sex in a hot tub Police reports also indicate that 'at one point' Mack 'almost smacked' a lifeguard at the scene. A deputy smelled an 'odor of an alcoholic beverage' on Mack when he approached the two but the man shared that he didn't understand why he was being asked to leave. Mack is said to have grown more upset and started yelling at resort security. He was told he would be arrested if he did not stop but reports state that Mack continued yelling. Coats denied the allegations. The pair were taken to near the front entrance where they were told that they would be escorted to their room to get their belongings, but reports indicate that the two took off running. Mack was charged with escape, persistent disorderly conduct and criminal trespassing Security personnel were able to apprehend Mack on the second floor and deputies found him cuffed by the time they got there. Mack is said to have resisted being put into the patrol car, even putting his foot on the vehicle to prevent being put inside. But when a deputy said that he would 'drive stunned' and threatened him with a stun gun, Mack complied. At one point, Mack allegedly threatened to smack a lifeguard While deputies went back into the resort to find the woman, Mack was said to have opened the door and took off running. The report indicates that the door had been fixed in a previous repair. Deputies restrained the man and transported him to the Erie County Jail. Resort staff informed them that the woman was hiding in her hotel room. Mack was charged with escape, persistent disorderly conduct and criminal trespassing. He was released after paying on a $21,000 bond Coats was charged with persistent disorderly conduct and criminal trespassing. She has since been released. Ann Curry could be returning to television and has been in talks with CBS to front one of their shows, according to a source close to the host. The 62-year-old journalist is said to have been having casual discussions about fronting CBS This Morning as they aim to boost ratings of 3.2 million viewers to date this season with ABC's 4.2 million for Good Morning America and 4.1 million watching NBC's Today. Almost seven years after leaving the Today show in 2012, which she co-anchored with disgraced star Matt Lauer, Page Six reports Curry is more interested in presenting an evening program than joining the production Norah O'Donnell currently co-hosts. Ann Curry could be returning to television and has reportedly been in talks with CBS Curry is said to have been in casual talks to front CBS This Morning as Norah O'Donnell (left) could be leaving the show and taking Jeff Glor's (right) spot on CBS Evening News The publication last month reported O'Donnell could replace Jeff Glor on CBS Evening News as part of changes orchestrated by new CBS News President Susan Zirinsky. However the insider now claims Curry is 'interested in something at 60 Minutes or the Evening News' and not morning television after 15 years a Today which she exited the same year she claims a female employee came to her to complain about sexual misconduct from Lauer. It's reportedly part of changes orchestrated by new CBS News President Susan Zirinsky Page Six reported O'Donnell could take CBS Evening News from New York to Washington DC where she bought a home in 2010 - as Zirinsky is willing to spend more money on retaining great talents at the network. A CBS insider said, 'Norah has not yet been offered the Evening News job, but everyone expects it to happen soon.' CBS did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In October 2018, Curry announced she was getting into the business of medical crowd-sourcing on television. She agreed to anchor a Turner series that describes people with mysterious medical ailments, in the hope of reaching doctors or patients who have seen something similar and gotten help. Curry said that she hoped real good can come from the series, tentatively titled M.D. Live. TNT will air 10 episodes of the series sometime this year, each of them two hours. She is currently filming TV mini-series United Nations World Food Program: Solving Hunger at Scale. It's almost seven years after leaving the Today show in 2012, which she co-anchored with disgraced star Matt Lauer GPS systems could be brought down next month due to a computer calendar error says information security expert. An expert at the RSA 2019 security conference in San Francisco this week said he predicts a Y2K like computer error for older GPS systems to take place on April 6, in less than a month's time. The computers' calendars could fail if GPS devices' with older systems flip back to zero after literally running out of time, reaching the end of their counters. A similar prediction, nicknamed Y2K, was made in 1999 as the world worried over an impending computer shutdown. Holidaymakers planning to fly around April 6 may think twice considering the experts advice Bill Malik, vice president of Trend Micro, a Taiwanese multinational cyber security and defense company, told Tom's Guide he wouldn't fly on April 6 and compared the prediction to the 1999 Y2K calendar error - but suggests things may be worse this time around. He said: 'The effects would be more widespread because so many more systems have integrated GPS into their operations.' 'Ports load and unload containers automatically, using GPS to guide the cranes.' 'Public-safety systems incorporate GPS systems, as do traffic-monitoring systems for bridges. 'Twenty years ago these links were primitive. Now they are embedded. So any impact now will be substantially greater.' Governments have issued warnings to state and private sectors to update technology. The US government published a memorandum called 'Upcoming Global Positioning System Week Number Rollover Event' in April 2018 warning manufacturers and private technology firms. There are few parts of our lives that haven't be altered by GPS technology. Financial markets may be affected by the rollover While navigation systems in older ships and aircraft may be affected mobile phones are expected to be fine. FalTech GPS, a British company that manufactures GPS signal repeaters for indoor use, wrote: 'Some GPS receivers, or other systems that utilize the date and time function, may not be able to cope.' 'Financial markets, power generating companies, emergency services and industrial control systems may be affected, as well as fixed-line and cellular communications networks.' Despite these worrying predictions the company says that this is not the first time a rollover has occurred: 'Since this is the second time a GPS week rollover will occur, many manufacturers will have been aware of it in advance and newer receivers will continue through and beyond the rollover date without issue.' Leader of the House of Commons Andrea Leadsom has torn into the European Union and accused it of 'playing games' as relations between London and Brussels continue to deteriorate. The MP for South Northamptonshire said she was beginning to wonder what game the European Union was playing over Brexit as tensions continue to surge during negotiations. She added that she was 'deeply disappointed with what we're hearing coming out of the EU' just days before the latest vote on Theresa May's latest Brexit plans. Ms Leadsom's comments come after Prime Minister Theresa May failed to secure the changes to the divorce agreement she needs to gain the support of lawmakers who rejected it in a record rebellion in January. House of Commons leader Andrea Leadsom has torn into the European Union and accused it of 'playing games' as tensions continue to surge during negotiations At the heart of the dispute is a disagreement over how to manage the border between the British province of Northern Ireland and EU-member Ireland. On Friday, the EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier put forward a proposal to keep the border open and keep the province subject to EU rules, prompting London to reject it. Ms Leadsom told Reuters: 'There is still hope, but I have to say I'm deeply disappointed with what we're hearing coming out of the EU. 'I do have to ask myself what game are they playing here.' Asked who would be to blame if May loses the parliamentary vote again on Tuesday, Leadsom said: 'I would point to the EU needing to work closely with us. 'We are hoping we will be able to win that vote but that does depend on the EU coming to the table and taking seriously the (UK's) proposals.' Guy Verhofstadt, Brexit coordinator for the European Parliament, backed Barnier. 'He has put forward constructive additions, now we wait for a credible response from the UK to ensure an orderly Brexit,' he said on Saturday. The politician's comments come after Prime Minister Theresa May failed to secure the changes to the divorce agreement On Friday London rejected a proposal put forward by the EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier. The proposal suggested keeping the border open and keeping the province subject to EU rules Talks will continue in Brussels but without a major breakthrough, Theresa May looks set to lose her second attempt to get lawmaker's approval and smooth Britain's exit from the EU, its biggest shift in trade and foreign policy in more than 40 years. The main sticking point is the so-called Northern Irish backstop, an insurance policy to prevent a return of border controls in Ireland that eurosceptics believe is an attempt to trap the country in the EU's customs union indefinitely. Mr Barnier's solution would potentially create a 'border' in the Irish sea between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom, a move that is particularly unpalatable to Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). Brandon Lewis, the chairman of May's ruling Conservative Party, said on Saturday the government could never accept a deal which threatened the integrity of the union. Mrs Leadsom said were Britain to leave the EU without a withdrawal deal it would be harder to guarantee the smooth flow of goods and people across the Irish border that has been possible since 1998. 'In making it impossible for us to sign up to that (deal), it actually makes the problems with the Northern Irish border harder to solve, not easier to solve,' she said. May warned on Friday that were lawmakers to reject her deal on Tuesday, it would increase the chance that Brexit never happens, leaving voters feeling betrayed. If her deal is rejected, lawmakers will be able to vote on Wednesday and Thursday on whether they want to leave the bloc without a deal or ask for a delay to Brexit beyond March 29 - all but wresting control of Brexit from the government. Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz Saturday was blunt in his assessment that the Green New Deal championed by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was 'never gonna happen.' Schultz, who is considering a 2020 White House bid as an independent, slammed the proposal and other liberal ideas as a 'Alice in Wonderland fantasy' that was not a realistic solution to America's problems during his talk SXSW. The crowd gave him a cool response and there were only smatterings of polite applause throughout his one-hour conversation. Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz said the Green New Deal championed by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was 'never gonna happen' Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has pushed the liberal platform The billionaire businessman said he was looking for practical solutions to America's problems and ideas 'that are not fantasy, that are not Alice in Wonderland ideas.' Schultz noted that when the Green New Deal came out: 'I got and read it line per line.' He went on to complain it was part of a new extreme in the Democratic platform. The crowd of hundreds of people listened in silence as he spoke. The Green New Deal - a statement of goals that includes a job and health care for every American; slow climate change by ending the reliance on fossil fuels within 10 years; to upgrade power grids and existing buildings for maximum energy efficiency; and to overhaul transportation systems - has been embraced, at least in part, by several of the announced Democratic presidential contenders. Schultz pointed to one proposal in its platform - a requirement for every building in American to run on clean energy by 2030 - as an example of its unrealistic goals. 'That's a great idea but it's never gonna happen,' he said. 'Let's propose things that are true, that are honest, that are sincere and realistic,' he added. And his critic of socialism earned him boos from the crowd. 'If you want a good description of socialism just look at Venezuela,' he said to jeers from the room. 'You don't like that?' he responded. 'We don't want a government takeover of our lives. We want the freedom of being able to pursue happiness in America.' Schultz also criticized President Donald Trump as on the other end of the extreme but said the Democrats' swinging to the left was not the answer. 'You can't try to solve one extreme with the other,' he said. 'For us to start moving toward a level of socialism is such an extreme position and so inconsistent with the values and heritage of this country. And that is what Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders are proposing,' Schultz said. He argued if Sanders or Warren, who are on the more liberal end of the Democratic spectrum, are the nominee, Trump would win reelection. The contest for the Democratic presidential election next year is expected to be a clash between the liberal leanings of Ocasio-Cortez and other Democrats like Bernie Sanders versus the more moderate tones of Democrats like Joe Biden and Amy Klobuchar. Schultz argued if Elizabeth Warren (left) or Bernie Sanders (right) get the Democratic nomination then President Trump will win reelection Schultz said Michael Bloomberg's decision not to run for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination was proof the party has gone too far to the left Schultz declined to offer a time table of when he may decide on a presidential bid He said if he runs for president, he would take an independent, middle of the road, moderate path. Schultz, a former Democrat who's donated thousands to the party, has said his candidacy would be one that would appeal to centrists disenfranchised by the left and the right. Democrats fear such a move would result in Trump reelected to a third term. Third-party contenders tend to peel votes away from major-party candidates, splitting the support from one side in a way that benefits the other. But Schultz argues the Democratic party has become too left for moderates like himself. He argued former Mayor Michael Bloomberg's decision not to pursue the party's nomination is proof. For Bloomberg 'to realize there was no place for him in the Democratic Party is a litmus test that the party has gone too far to the left,' Schultz said at SXSW. And his argument against the two-party system was one of his few comments that got the crowd's approval. 'The two party system is broken, dysfunctional and in need of great repair,' he said to applause. The former Starbucks magnet has been weighing an independent bid as he promotes his new book 'From the Ground Up: A Journey to Reimagine the Promise of America.' He also declined to offer a time table of when he may announce a presidential bid. 'Give me some time to kind of feel my way,' he told moderator Dylan Byers. And the former Starbucks CEO dismissed the idea he's waiting too long to make a decision. 'If you have to say anything about me over the past 15 I know a little something about building a brand,' he said. Kelly Lively (right) adopted baby Marcus (left) when he was 13-months-old and she said she knew he was her son when she saw him A baby boy who was given just weeks to live after he was born prematurely to a heroin-addicted mother is now thriving against all odds. Marcus Lively weighed just one pound when he arrived three months early suffering from serious heart and lung complications. The tot needed a ventilator and tracheotomy tube to help him to breathe and eat. He had been abandoned at a hospital in Indiana and was then taken to a medical facility where he received care. However things took a positive turn for the brave toddler after a lady named Kelly Lively heard about his tragic story. Lively, 56, works as a nurse and was volunteering with sick children when she overheard a case worker talk about Marcus. She immediately knew she wanted to meet him after being struck by the youngster's plight. Mother and son met for the first time in February 2017 at a medical facility in Shelbyville where Marcus was being treated through the Indiana Department of Child Services. A few months later, he left the center to live with Lively in her home on the south side of Kokomo. In December, Lively, 56, officially adopted Marcus as her child. She told Kokomo Tribune: 'He smiled so big when I kissed his cheek, and I knew I was going to do everything I could to give this baby a chance. Baby Marcus was born three months prematurely to a heroin-addicted mother and weighed just one pounds. He has several medical conditions and needs a ventilator to breathe 'In my heart, I felt he had just been waiting for me. It gave me chills. I knew he was my son.' Marcus was 18-months-old when he came home to live Lively. At that time he could barely lift his head or hold anything and his eyes couldnt focus. He also never wanted to be touched, having spent more than a year in a medical facility where he was accustomed to little human interaction. Before he came to live with Lively, doctors said Marcus only had a 30% chance he would live to see his second birthday. But Lively claimed: 'Hes beat the odds. Hes been so successful. Marcus is truly a miracle. The doctors have said the same thing. 'They said, "Whatever you are doing for this child, keep doing it." They cant believe it.' Lively claimed she wanted to find joy again after nursing her mother through cancer and she had lost her father eight years previously. She traveled to Florida to volunteer with the Make A Wish Foundation to take care of medically fragile children. She was at a house where she was caring for a terminally ill child, who was being overseen by the Department of Child Services. She then overheard the childs case worker talking to a foster care worker. They spoke about Marcus, claiming he was very sick and may die soon. Before he came to live with Lively, doctors said Marcus only had a 30-percent chance of living beyond his second birthday Lively said case workers told her that nobody wanted baby Marcus after he was abandoned at a hospital and was then taken to a care facility to be looked after She added: 'They told me that no one wanted him. That just broke my heart. These kids deserve a loving home as much as the next. 'They cant help they were born with disabilities or born early. I couldnt allow Marcus to just end up in an institution. 'The same day that broke my heart when I lost my mom was the same day I met my joy. I know that God brought us together.' When she took him home, Marcus couldnt speak, so Lively started teaching them both sign language. It took months before Marcus finally started picking up a few basic signs. When Lively adopted him, she took a course in specialized care to look after Marcus, who is now three-years-old and is thankfully thriving with his new mother at home in Indiana Kelly Lively claimed she knew Marcus was her son as soon as she saw him and that 'God brought us together' Once he knew how to say 'yes' and 'no', she started asking him if she could hold him or touch him. It was ten months later that Marcus, for the first time, fell asleep on Livelys lap. She explained: 'It was exhausting. But it was exhausting in such a beautiful way. Thats because I could see him making progress, and that energized me and spurred me on. I knew he had it in him to do well and succeed. Marcus is now a happy, healthy three-year-old little boy who loves to read. He still needs a tube to breathe and cant speak, but he can say more than 100 words through sign language. In December, the 56-year-old nurse officially adopted Marcus as her child (pictured) and she said she is determined to give him a good life despite his physical challenges Lively said Marcus is 'the greatest joy of my life' and that the time and care she has invested in him has been worth it Lively still works full time as a nurse, but shes able to do her job from home. She and Marcus both sleep at the same time and she gets groceries delivered to the house. Shes already doing in-home preschool lessons with Marcus, and hes quickly learning his shapes and colors. She hopes to send him to kindergarten to be with other children providing he is well. 'I told the doctors I wasnt going to place any limits on what he could do,' Lively told the Kokoma Tribune. 'Marcus was going to place his own limits. Hes not aware that he has any disability, and thats just the way I want it.' Livesly explained that she was never able to have children. She began the specialized training to become medically certified to take Marcus home. She is determined for Marcus to have the best life he possibly can despite the challenges he faces. She added: 'Hes the greatest joy of my life. 'Its a lot of tears and a lot of sleepless nights and mixed emotions, but its worth it. Its so worth it.' A company director was caught on camera ordering a digger to dump 13 tonnes of waster over a fence and onto council-owned land. Peter Heavey, 60, directed sawdust and timber to be removed from his company's rented yard in Salford and fly-tipped onto council property. He was unaware he was being filmed on CCTV and council officials were able to track him down after they saw his company's logo on a worker's fleece. Mr Heavey had previously been ordered to remove the waste. The CCTV footage captured the company boss, who needed to clear the space in a hurry, watching as waste was scooped up by a worker in a digger and tipped over a six-foot high metal barrier. At one point, Mr Heavey moves the waste around himself and starts kicking bits of wood. After he was tracked down by council officials, he then admitted the waste had been fly-tipped. Mr Heavey pleaded guilty to illegally dumping waste when he appeared at Manchester and Salford Magistrates' Court on behalf of P&N Plant Civil Engineers Ltd. Peter Heavey, 60, was unaware that he had been caught on CCTV The company was fined 3,000 and ordered to pay court costs of 2,960 and a victim surcharge of 150. Magistrates earlier heard the incident was recorded between 2pm and 2.40pm on Sunday, September 10, 2017. Mr Heavey, director of the Swinton-based firm, rented the yard on Elton Street, Broughton, on a short term lease. But after twice trespassing on adjoining council land, the company was asked to pack up and leave, magistrates were told. 'Salford council had learned that P&N were trespassing on their land which is owned by the planning department,' Barbara Gora, prosecuting, said. 'They then agreed a tenancy with that company to use the land. In May 2017, this notice was terminated because of unauthorised use of more land.' The company, which specialises in bridge repairs, needed to get rid of the waste quickly before the lease was up, the court was told. Some 13 tonnes of rubbish was then dumped over a fence onto woodland. The piles of waste were mostly made up of wood chippings and timber, but old car tyres and roadwork barriers were also found. 'The fly-dumped material contained controlled waste and was spread across a wide area,' Ms Gora added. 'He said it has been done really due to inconvenience. This was clearly a deliberate act.' When questioned by council chiefs, Mr Heavey admitted the offence and said he felt 'disappointed' with himself. Some 13 tonnes of rubbish was then dumped over a fence onto woodland, that was owned by the council The company boss was even spotted kicking some of the waste as he directed the diggers Roberto Lavorine, the lawyer representing the company, said Mr Heavey had made a 'foolish' decision. He said his client paid 3,600 to get the rubbish cleared up. 'Mr Heavey accepts that is was a lack of organisation and through time constraints that they did not leave enough time to clear the site,' Mr Lavorine said. 'Foolishly, a decision was taken to dump the wood chippings over the fence. 'It has now been cleared. To get access they had to move other fly-tipped material that had nothing to do with them,' he added. Speaking after the hearing, the council's environment and community safety chief David Lancaster said: 'This shows the effectiveness of our CCTV network. 'Mr Heavey should have done the sensible thing and hired a skip to dispose of this waste properly. Taking the easy way out was not an option and has landed him with a hefty fine.' The father of ISIS bride Shamima Begum has apologised for her joining the group and is pleading with the British Government to allow her back into the country. Ms Begum travelled to Syria when she was aged 15 in February 2015, with two other schoolgirls, so she could join the terror group . Ms Begum's son Jerah died aged 18 days old on Thursday after suffering pneumonia in a refugee camp in northern Syria. Ahmed Ali, 60, said his daughter, now 19, 'did wrong' by joining the group but did so 'without realising it' because she was 'under age'. Ms Begum travelled to Syria when she was aged 15 in February 2015, with two other schoolgirls, so she could join the terror group . Ms Begum's son Jerah, who she is pictured holding, died after suffering pneumonia in a refugee camp in northern Syria on Thursday Shamima's father Ahmed Ali, 60, said his daughter, now 19, 'did wrong' by joining the group but did so 'without realising it' because she was 'under age' Mr Ali called for the government to 'take her back and punish her if she had done any mistake'. He made the comments before discovering his grandson had died. Speaking to the BBC in north-eastern Bangladesh, Mr Ali said: 'She has done wrong, I apologise to everyone as her father, to the British people. 'I am sorry for Shamima's doing. I request to the British people, please forgive her.' He continued: 'She was under age at that time, she couldn't understand that much. I suppose someone influenced her to do that. 'I admit that she might have done wrong without realising it.' Earlier this month Ms Begum said she wanted to return to the UK with Jerah in an interview with Sky News, which took place at the Al-Hawl refugee camp. She was moved to Roj this month from the Al-Hawl refugee camp after she was threatened by other IS wives for revealing her face during Press interviews. Ms Begum, from Bethnal Green in east London, was 15 when she and two other schoolgirls went to join the terror group in February 2015. Aged 19 and heavily pregnant, she resurfaced in a refugee camp last month and said she wanted to return to Britain as the self-styled caliphate collapsed. Her family announced the boy's birth on February 17 and said they believed he was 'in good health'. Ms Begum said two of her other children had also died in Syria. She told Sky News of her fears that she could lose her third child, saying: 'This is really not a place to raise children, this camp. A Government spokesman said: 'The death of any child is tragic and deeply distressing for the family. 'The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has consistently advised against travel to Syria since April 2011.' He had never met Jerah, who shares the same name as a 7th century Islamic warlord. Riedijk, who is in a Kurdish-run detention center, said last week that he wanted to return to the Netherlands with Ms Begum and their son. Jerah died after suffering breathing difficulties and pneumonia, a Kurdish Red Crescent paramedic revealed. He died at 1.30pm local time after he 'turned blue and cold'. A Government spokesman said: 'The death of any child is tragic and deeply distressing for the family. 'The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has consistently advised against travel to Syria since April 2011.' Home Secretary Sajid Javid has faced renewed criticism for stripping Ms Begum's citizenship since the death of Jerah. Home Secretary Sajid Javid has faced renewed criticism for stripping Ms Begum's citizenship since the death of Jerah Labour's Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott blamed the baby's death on Home Secretary Sajid Javid - who has been at the centre of the argument over Ms Begum. The teenager had asked the government to let her back but Mr Javid stripped her of her citizenship after she showed no remorse. He said he had no reason to believe his daughter had been radicalised and added: 'I do not stay there more than that. I do not know much about her [lately].' 'The time I stayed with Shamima, I never felt any such behaviour of going to Syria or joining IS.' He joined Ms Begum's sister Renu, who wrote to the Home Secretary two weeks ago. She wants to challenge Mr Javid's decision to strip Ms Begum of her British citizenship. She said moving back to Britain was Ms Begum's 'only hope at rehabilitation'. Conservative MP Phillip Lee said he was 'deeply concerned' by Mr Javid's decision, which was 'driven by a sort of populism'. He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'Clearly Shamima Begum holds abhorrent views and to want to join Islamic State is beyond all comprehension, but she was a child, a product of our society.' The Dutch husband of Ms Begum, Yago Riedijk, 27, joined when he was 15, and is being held in a Kurdish detention centre in north-eastern Syria. In an interview with the BBC he claimed he rejected IS and tried to leave. He married Ms Begum just 10 days after meeting her in IS territory and defended his decision to do so. The Dutch husband of Ms Begum, Yago Riedijk, 27, joined when he was 15, and is being held in a Kurdish detention centre in north-eastern Syria Riedijk, from Arnhem, said he was initially uninterested by the prospect of marriage with the East London schoolgirl whom he met in a women's centre but decided to marry her because it was 'her choice'. 400 of the 800 British people who went to Syria and Iraq to join ISIS did not lose their UK citizenship and were allowed to return to the UK . Around 40 the returning jihadis have been prosecuted for terrorism offences. The majority have been put in the dock using Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2000, which relates to 'preparation of terrorist acts' and can be applied to jihadi brides if they can prove they were 'assisting others' in preparing or carrying out acts of terror. The news of Jerah's death was announced yesterday. Initially the family's lawyer, Tasnime Akunjee, tweeted of 'strong but as yet unconfirmed reports' that the three-week-old infant had died, adding: 'He was a British citizen.' The claim was then disputed by Mustafa Bali, the spokesman for the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), who said the baby was 'alive and healthy' and it was 'fake news'. He later deleted the post and insiders in Roj camp where she was living confirmed the baby had died after earlier saying he was fine. This is the heart-stopping moment a five-year-old Florida boy gets trapped in a water cooler during a game of hide and seek as his desperate parents look for him. Surveillance footage captures little Nicholas Wanes, from Pompano Beach, getting locked inside the box after it automatically closed with him inside. His fingers be seen through the gap before the cooler locks and he can no longer push it open from the inside. Moments later his mom Maria and dad Robert can be seen running into the room after hearing his muffled screams. For a few seconds they are not able to work out where their son is. They eventually realize he is inside the cooler and are able to free him after unlocking it from the outside. Nicholas Wanes can be seen getting inside the cooler on the patio of his home in Pompano Beach. He pulls down the lid of the trunk to play a game of hide and seek The youngster crawls inside the box after spending the day on the water with his family But he ends up getting locked inside the box after it automatically closed with him inside His panicked parents hearing screaming and come running to help their young son but can't locate him. When they eventually find him little Nicholas jumps into his mom's arms A terrified Nicholas immediately jumps into his mother's arms after spending more than two minutes inside the trunk. He said: 'I wanted to play hide-and-go-seek. But I found a not-good hiding spot inside the cooler. I was really scared.' Now the family - who had just come back from a day on the water - are warning of the dangers of the locking system on the cooler, an IGLOO 72 qt. Marine Elite. They have now taken the lock off to prevent it happening again. Robert told Local 10: 'He decided to walk along and hop in the cooler. I know we're all supposed to watch our kids and make sure they don't crawl into a cooler, but as we know, it only takes a second to turn the other way.' Maria told Inside Edition: 'We heard this muffled scream and we didnt know where it was coming from and I am looking over behind the barbeque, I am looking around by the pool, I am looking behind the couches, then we were standing here and you can still hear it, Rob opens the cooler, I grab Nicholas. 'He was holding on so tight, it was just really traumatizing for all of us. We just grabbed him for dear life. We don't want another family to not hear their child and go through this.' The family are now warning of the dangers of children getting trapped inside the cooler A spokesman for IGLOO told Miami 7 they have now issued a recall on the products affected. They said: 'We are very sorry for the scare this incident must have caused the child and his family, and very happy no one was injured. 'We have contacted the family to express our apologies and communicate the following actions we have already taken.' DailyMail.com has contacted IGLOO for comment. Maria added: 'Every thought goes through your mind. What if? What if? What if? What if I didnt hear him? What if I was out front? What if I was upstairs? What if I was in the shower? I mean, thats why we want to get this out there.' A senior Muslim leader has called on Bangladesh to show sympathy and take in ISIS jihadi bride Shamima Begum. Caliph Mirza Masroor Ahmad, who represents tens of millions of Ahmadi Muslims worldwide, said that as she has been stripped of her citizenship 'any Muslim country' should take her in. Speaking at the Baitul Futuh Mosque, in Morden, south west London, he added that he did not blame the British government for the death of her 18-day-old baby Jerah. Earlier today, Labour's Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott provoked fury after placing the blame for the baby's death at Home Secretary Sajid Javid's door. He said: 'She claims herself to be Muslim so then a Muslim country should show sympathy to her. Caliph Mirza Masroor Ahmad, pictured, has called on Bangladesh to show sympathy and take in ISIS jihadi bride Shamima Begum Caliph Mirza Masroor Ahmad, who represents tens of millions of Ahmadi Muslims worldwide, said that as Ms Begum, pictured with her son Jerah, has been stripped of her citizenship 'any Muslim country' should take her in 'If the British Government has stripped her of her nationality then another country should adopt her, any Muslim country.' He added: 'Since her parents were from Bangladesh the first duty is of Bangladesh to take her as a national.' Caliph Mirza Masroor Ahmad also acknowledged that taking Ms Begum to the Netherlands with her Dutch husband, Yago Riedijk, was also a possibility. Stripping citizenship is only legal if the individual has a second one, and it was thought she may have a claim in Bangladesh because of her family background, but Bangladeshi officials denied this. He made the comments at the faith's annual peace symposium, which is now in its 16th year. The former director of public prosecutions Lord Macdonald also waded into the debate today, accusing Mr Javid of 'moral cowardice'/ He said the move risked creating a 'more dangerous world where stateless individuals roam with no allegiance and the death of unprotected innocents, in this case a vulnerable British baby'. 'No dignified self-governing state should abandon responsibility for its own citizens in this way, trying to dump them on to poorer countries with failed security arrangements,' he told the Observer. The news comes as Ms Begum's father made an emotional plea for the British government to allow her to return home. Ms Begum travelled to Syria from her home in Bethnal Green, east London, when she was aged 15 in February 2015. Ahmed Ali, 60, said his daughter, now 19, 'did wrong' by joining the group but did so 'without realising it' because she was 'under age'. Mr Ali called for the government to 'take her back and punish her if she had done any mistake'. He made the comments before discovering his grandson had died. The owners of the Chrysler Building (PICTURED) have reached a deal to sell the iconic New York City building for 'a little more than $150 million The owners of the Chrysler Building have reached a deal to sell the iconic New York City building for 'a little more than $150 million, it was reported. The sale price of the tower in midtown Manhattan, considered an Art Deco masterpiece, marks a significant loss for Emirati investment firm Mubadala. Mubadala, an Abu Dhabi investment fund, paid $800 million for a 90 percent stake in the building in 2008. Real estate group Tishman Speyer, which had bought the building outright for a reported $210-250 million in 1997, retained a 10 percent stake, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal. It reported that the building's owners do not own the ground beneath it and pay annual rent that went up from $7.75 million to $32 million in 2018 and was set to increase again to $41 million in 2028. Citing brokers, the newspaper said those fees 'have eaten away at much if not all of the building's revenue.' It is uncertain as to when the deal will close. The building sold relatively quickly after being publicly placed on the market only two months ago. The sale was handled by CBRE Group. The building also has some 400,000 square feet (37,160 square meters) of space that is either vacant or will become so in the coming years, the Journal said. The buyer is RFR Holding, a New York real estate company. It's unclear when the deal will close. The building sold fairly quickly after being publicly placed on the market only two months ago. The sale was handled by CBRE Group. The incentive to sell the building at such a huge loss was due to the soaring rent the owners pay to Cooper Union, a New York college, for the land under the building. The rent is rising from $7.75 million last year to $32.5 million this year to $41 million in 2028, CNN reported. The Chrysler Building in midtown Manhattan is one of the most iconic buildings in the New York skyline and has featured prominently in many movies The building is among the best known in the city - even to people who have never been to New York. It is famous for its triangle-shaped, vaulted windows worked into the stylized crown, along with its distinctive eagle gargoyles near the top. The skyscraper has been featured prominently in many films, including Men in Black 3, Spider-Man, Armageddon, Two Weeks Notice and Independence Day. A previous sale took place just before the 2008 financial meltdown led to a plunge in real estate prices. The iconic building is easily noticed as one looks up in Manhattan at nighttime when it is lit up in all its glory The Chrysler Building, which opened in 1930, stands 1,046 feet (319 meters) tall. It was the world's tallest building, but only for 11 months, after which it was dethroned by the Empire State Building, also in Manhattan. The building was a personal project for Walter Chrysler, the founder of the car manufacturer that bears his name, but remained separate from the auto business. The building also has some 400,000 square feet of space that is either vacant or will become so in the coming years, the Journal said. The Chrysler Building, which opened in 1930, stands 319 meters tall. It was the world's tallest building, but only for 11 months, after which it was dethroned by the Empire State Building, also in Manhattan. The building was a personal project for Walter Chrysler, the founder of the car manufacturer that bears his name, but remained separate from the auto business. An out-of-control car crashed into a freeway divider just a few yards from President Donald Trump's motorcade in Alabama Friday morning. Excited onlookers were filming the line of Trump's SUV's on their mobile phones near Opelika, unaware of the drama about to unfold. Footage shows the shocking moment the vehicle slammed into the central barrier before screeching to a halt. A car crashed into freeway divider yards from Donald Trump's Alabama motorcade Friday People filming the presidential motorcade caught it on cell phones near Opelika. 'Are you s***ting me?' a man is heard reacting, saying it almost 'took Trump out' 'Oh my god, right near the president,' one man behind the camera is heard saying after gasps. 'Are you s***ting me?' Traffic flowing the opposite way shows numerous black cars streaming bay in an orderly fashion. It's bound to have captured the attention of drivers as it did those by the side of the road. 'Are you kidding me?' the man continues. 'Did y'all see that?' he asks those standing beside him. One responds that he certainly didn't miss it and that he also caught the moment on his own device. 'Yeah, I got it on footage,' the person clarifies. The Secret Service had no idea the incident occurred and continued the day as normal The man seems to believe it could have been a fatal crash for Trump. 'Holy smokes, right near the president of the United States. Almost took him out,' he tells fellow spectators. A woman standing beside him points out that it proves the freeway's design is effective in helping to keep drivers safer in fast-moving traffic. 'Well those wires work,' she says. A WSFA viewer who provided the clip only captured the moment because he noticed 10 motorcycles ahead of Trump's cars. Alabama Highway Patrol said Opelika police were investigating. The motorcade seemed to continue as normal and the Secret Service said they didn't notice the wreck at the time. Terri Neighbors captioned the video on Facebook: 'Walked out to see the president drive by and then this happened.' John Carter Neighbors shared his own version of the incident on his account. President Donald Trump signs a Bible as he greets people at Providence Baptist Church in Smiths Station, Alabama Friday during a tour of areas where tornados killed 23 people in Lee County Trump carried out several engagements that day, including controversially signing Bibles at an Alabama church for survivors of a deadly tornado outbreak. Some were offended and others say he could have handled it differently. Hershael York, dean of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary School of Theology in Louisville, Kentucky, said he didn't have a problem with Trump signing Bibles, like former presidents have, because he was asked and because it was important to the people who were asking. 'Though we don't have a national faith, there is faith in our nation, and so it's not at all surprising that people would have politicians sign their Bibles,' he said. 'Those Bibles are meaningful to them and apparently these politicians are, too.' But the Rev. Donnie Anderson, executive minister of the Rhode Island State Council of Churches, said she was offended by the way Trump scrawled his signature Friday as he autographed Bibles and other things, including hats, and posed for photos. In this January 2, 1939 photo, the old family bible Frank Murphy used in taking his oath of office in the president's study in the White House is autographed by President Franklin Roosevelt immediately after ceremony. Watching are Homer Cummings (center) retiring attorney general, and Murphy (right) the new attorney general She viewed it, she said, as a 'calculated political move' by the Republican president to court his evangelical voting base. Presidents have a long history of signing Bibles, though earlier presidents typically signed them as gifts to send with a spiritual message. President Ronald Reagan signed a Bible that was sent secretly to Iranian officials in 1986. President Franklin Roosevelt signed the family Bible his attorney general used to take the oath of office in 1939. It would have been different, Anderson said, if Trump had signed a Bible out of the limelight for someone with whom he had a close connection. 'For me, the Bible is a very important part of my faith, and I don't think it should be used as a political ploy,' she said. 'I saw it being used just as something out there to symbolize his support for the evangelical community, and it shouldn't be used in that way. People should have more respect for Scripture.' Trump visited Alabama on Friday to survey the devastation and pay respects to tornado victims. The tornado carved a path of destruction nearly a mile wide, killing 23 people, including four children and a couple in their 80s, with 10 victims belonging to a single extended family. Climate change protesters have poured 200 litres of fake blood outside Downing Street, covering children in the red liquid. Around 400 members of Extinction Rebellion protesting the Government's inaction on environmental matters marched from Parliament Square and Trafalgar Square armed with buckets of fake blood. Police watching the protests did not make any arrests as the protesters wanted to make 'viscerally clear' the seriousness of potential ecological dangers. Climate change protesters descended on Downing Street and poured 200 litres of fake blood on the ground The blood, representing 'the blood of our children' was made of water, food colouring, cornflour and syrup Extinction Rebellion hold the Government responsible for a lack of action on environmental problems The blood, made from a mixture of syrup, food colouring, water and cornflour, symbolised the 'blood of our children' and Extinction Rebellion hold the Government responsible for 'sending our children to their deaths'. The group said they were prepared to risk arrest for the protest. Paolo, 61, a translator, said: 'We are here to mourn the loss of life, and for the life that has not yet been born and to protest the injustice of this for future generations. 'I have no children of my own but I haven't stopped loving the world.' Hector, ten, said: 'Many animals will go extinct if we do not act now. 'We have invested all our support in the Government. But in our time of need, they have deserted us.' The group said they were prepared to risk arrest at the protest but police did not detain any protesters Around 400 protesters marched from Parliament Square and Trafalgar Square to Downing Street One protester, Hector, ten, said: 'Many animals will go extinct if we do not act now' Extinction Rebellion are planning their next protest on April 15 when they plan to blockade the streets of central London Felix, also ten, said: 'I am here today because it is my duty and I will be here again and again and again. Until the Government can explain to me why I will have to focus on the death of this planet, and not my own dreams and aspirations. 'I hope one day that my future children will be able to live a decent life.' Another child said: 'All the young people today have been brought up with the promise of a future. And it's beginning to feel like a bit of a lie.' Parents concerned for their children's futures marched with young people to send a 'viscerally clear' message to the Government Extinction Rebellion said: 'This is the blood of our children, we are saying our children will die if we don't force the Government to act on climate change' Extinction Rebellion said: 'Our actions today show that the Government is sending our children to their deaths through their inaction.' The group say it is planning a rebellion on April 15 when they will blockade the streets of central London. They said: 'This is the blood of our children, we are saying our children will die if we don't force the Government to act on climate change. 'The science is done. We are going to experience hell if this is not sorted.' A nurse who worked for Stephen Hawking for 15 years has been suspended in a secret tribunal over allegations of serious misconduct concerning his care. The scientists immediate family had lodged a complaint which prompted a long investigation into 61-year-old Patricia Dowdy, The Mail on Sunday has learned. But details of the case, and the nature of the disciplinary charges against Mrs Dowdy, have been suppressed by the body which regulates nursing. Patricia Dowdy (centre) watches on as former Chancellor George Osborne greets scientist Stephen Hawking in 2014 The public and the media have been banned from the hearing in a move that will prompt renewed concerns about a shift towards secret justice. Because of the severity of the allegations against her, which have never been made public, Mrs Dowdy was suspended by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) when the claims came to light. The substantive hearing that will ultimately decide her fate is now ongoing but is being held behind closed doors. And it is likely that the charges will never be publicly disclosed. It is understood that the nurse, from Ipswich, Suffolk, stopped working for Hawking at least two years before he succumbed to motor neurone disease in March last year, aged 76. When a Mail on Sunday reporter turned up at the NMC in Stratford, East London, he was denied entry and told that Mrs Dowdys fitness-to-practise hearing, due to end later this month, was private. Later, the NMC said a secrecy order was granted because of Mrs Dowdys health, but declined to elaborate further. Dowdy, 61, has been suspended for serious misconduct allegations over her treatment of the scientist Asked about the allegations at her home yesterday, Mrs Dowdy said: This is all very upsetting. Can I just say no comment at the moment? Im not supposed to talk to anyone. A source with knowledge of the case said the charges against the nurse were pretty serious but declined to discuss the matter further. In 2004, ten nurses who had cared for Hawking accused his second wife, Elaine Mason, of abusing him. It is not known if Mrs Dowdy was among those who made statements to police or if that case is connected to the ongoing hearing. At the time it emerged that the author of A Brief History Of Time was repeatedly taken to hospital with unexplained injuries, such as a broken wrist, gashes to the face and a cut lip, that left his family concerned for his safety. Both he and Mrs Mason denied the allegations and police took no action. Last night, MPs and campaigners reacted with dismay to the decision to hold disciplinary hearings in secret. Details of the case, and the nature of the disciplinary charges against Mrs Dowdy, have been suppressed by the body which regulates nursing - to the fury of the scientist's family Independent MP John Woodcock, who helped his constituents fight for NMC hearings into midwives implicated in the needless deaths of babies at Furness General Hospital in Cumbria, warned the secrecy could increase the risk of a further tragedy. He said: It is deeply concerning that the NMC is seeking to reduce transparency. Why cases like this MUST be heard in the open MPs and patient safety campaigners are increasingly concerned about creeping secrecy at the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), which regulates the UKs 690,000 nurses and midwives and holds disciplinary hearings. In September 2016 it stopped publishing detailed charges faced by nurses and midwives ahead of NMC hearings. National newspaper coverage of hearings subsequently plummeted from 51 cases in 2016 to 16 in 2018. Last March, the then NMC chief executive Jackie Smith announced plans to hold public hearings only in exceptional circumstances, arguing that a softer approach would encourage people to admit more mistakes. In July, the NMC published its new fitness to practise strategy which stated: In many cases, a full public hearing may not be necessary. The Professional Standards Authority, which oversees health and social care regulators, criticised the move, pointing out that the NMCs own constitution says cases should normally be dealt with in a public forum. The current trend means theres a danger that should there be another scandal like the Musketeer Midwives whose pro-natural labour beliefs led to the deaths of 11 babies and one mother, and who were exposed by The MoS in 2015 the details of any disciplinary hearing might never be brought into the open. Advertisement And open justice campaigner John Hemming added: Justice in the dark is never proper justice. If you want people to have confidence in the regulator, then justice needs to be done and seen to be done. Prof Hawking had been confined to a wheelchair since the age of 30 and was attended to by a rota of private nurses and carers paid for by Cambridge University, where he was a mathematics professor. Often, Mrs Dowdy was at his side. She was pictured with him in 2014 when he met then Chancellor George Osborne at an event in London. A few months later she was described as having held [Hawkings] hand, to enable a light handshake when he was introduced to a journalist. Hawking married his first wife, Jane, in 1965, soon after he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease, and they had three children: Lucy, Robert and Tim. But fame placed a strain on the marriage and they divorced in 1995. He later married his nurse Elaine Mason, whose ex-husband, engineer David Mason, made Hawkings voice synthesiser. They divorced in 2006. Last night a spokesman for the family said they did not wish to comment on the NMC hearing but said: The past year has been a very distressing time for us. The NMC maintained that it was not intending to hold more hearings behind closed doors. It said: Hearings will usually take place in public. In some cases, including this particular case, there are reasons why this doesnt happen, due to the health of those involved. We will continue to give full reasons for the decisions we take so there is transparency about what steps have been taken to protect the public and why. However, in many recent cases the MoS was unable to find any published details of allegations against nurses. Alan Clamp, chief executive of the Professional Standards Authority which oversees health regulators, said: We support efforts to make fitness-to-practise hearings less adversarial. Public confidence, however, is an essential part of regulation. We think open hearings are an important way of assuring the public that serious cases are dealt with properly. President Trump on Saturday lashed out at Californias grandstanding governor, Democrat Gavin Newsom, over the states immigration policies and its struggling high speed rail project. I hope the grandstanding Governor of California is able to spend his very highly taxed citizens money on asylum holds more efficiently than money has been spent on the so-called Fast Train, which is $Billions over budget & in total disarray, Trump tweeted on Saturday. Time to reduce taxes in California! President Trump on Saturday slammed California's 'grandstanding' governor, Gavin Newsom, over the state's policies on immigration and its struggling high speed rail plan Trump appeared to be reacting to a CNN report in which Newsom (seen right next to correspondent Gary Tuchman) gave reporters a tour of a taxpayer-funded shelter for asylum seekers in San Diego Trump and Newsom have clashed before over the issue of federal funding for California's planned high speed rail link. The two men are seen alongside former California Governor Jerry Brown as they survey the damage from wildfires in Paradise, California last November Trump was likely reacting to a CNN report in which Newsom is seen giving reporters a tour of a taxpayer-funded shelter for asylum seekers in San Diego. The federal government should be doing this, Newsom told CNN. [Immigration] is the federal governments responsibility. These are people who came legally[they were] processed legally, [they are] seeking asylum legally. Californias more welcoming policy toward asylum seekers stands in stark contrast to the Trump administration, which has made cracking down on migrant entry into the United States one of its core missions. Trump on Saturday also tweeted a barb at his former supporter, conservative commentator Ann Coulter, who has lashed out at the president for what she says are his broken promises about building a border wall. Concept art shows the planned high-speed train that was to have run from San Francisco to Los Angeles. The project had ballooned in cost to $77billion and was running years behind Twitter feud: President Trump demanded the money back from Gavin Newsom but the California Governor said he would use it for a scaled-down project Wacky Nut Job Ann Coulter, who still hasnt figured out that, despite all odds and an entire Democrat Party of Far Left Radicals against me (not to mention certain Republicans who are sadly unwilling to fight), I am winning on the Border, Trump tweeted. Major sections of Wall are being built and renovated, with MUCH MORE to follow shortly. Tens of thousands of illegals are being apprehended (captured) at the Border and NOT allowed into our Country. With another President, millions would be pouring in. I am stopping an invasion as the Wall gets built. Trumps claims of a wall being built are factually incorrect, as he was unable to obtain enough funds from Congress to construct his promised barrier. Instead, he declared a national emergency, which he hopes will give him legal authority to divert funds from other sources toward a border wall. California was one of more than a dozen states to sue the Trump administration over the emergency declaration. Trumps tweet on Saturay came just five days after Californias High-Speed Rail Authority urged his administration to abandon plans to withhold $929million in funding and seek to claw back $2.5billion the state has already received for a rail project, calling the effort disastrous and unlawful. Brian Kelly, chief executive of the authority, told the Federal Railroad Administration in a letter that seeking the return of funds already spent by California would be disastrous policy and could put 2,600 people out of work. Trump on Saturday also took aim at his former supporter, conservative commentator Ann Coulter (seen above in Los Angeles last October) Wacky Nut Job Ann Coulter, who still hasnt figured out that, despite all odds and an entire Democrat Party of Far Left Radicals against me (not to mention certain Republicans who are sadly unwilling to fight), I am winning on the Border, Trump tweeted Trump tweeted: With another President, millions would be pouring in. I am stopping an invasion as the Wall gets built He formally asked the agency to reconsider ahead of a March 5 deadline. The administration last month moved to end funding after Newsom said the state would scale back the planned $77.3billion high-speed rail project after cost hikes, delays and management concerns, but would finish a smaller section. Kelly told the FRA that withholding the $929 million awarded by the Obama administration in 2010 would be unwarranted, unprecedented, and legally indefensible, and it would gravely harm a historic project. The FRA said in a letter last month it wanted to halt funding because the state had failed to make reasonable progress. It cited Newsoms announcement to scale back the project. Kelly on Monday asked the FRA to reconsider its rash and unlawful action and discuss its concerns with the state authority. The FRA decision will not be finalized until it reviews Californias protest. This is the second time in recent weeks that Trump and Newsom have clashed over the rail project. Last month, Trump called the project a 'disaster' and demanded the money back but Newsom said it was 'California's money', taking a dig at the President by suggesting he was desperate for border wall funding. California had hoped to build a 520-mile line where trains could travel at 220mph but the project, which was years behind and billions over budget, has now been scaled down to a 119-mile link from Merced to Bakersfield. The Trump-Newsom feud also has an interesting personal twist. Trump's eldest son, Don Jr, is currently dating Newsom's ex-wife, Kimberly Guilfoyle Trump took aim at the Democratic Governor on Twitter, saying: 'California has been forced to cancel the massive bullet train project after having spent and wasted many billions of dollars. 'They owe the Federal Government three and a half billion dollars. We want that money back now. Whole project is a "green" disaster!' Newsom fired back shortly afterwards, saying: 'Fake news. We're building high-speed rail, connecting the Central Valley and beyond. 'This is CA's money, allocated by Congress for this project. We're not giving it back. The train is leaving the station - better get on board! 'Also, desperately searching for some wall dollars??' The Obama administration awarded the state a total of $3.5 billion in 2010 as part of its stimulus package. The line had been planned to open by 2033 but last year the state forecast the costs had jumped by $13billion to $77billion, and warned that they could rise to as much as $98.1 billion. High-speed rail had been one of the planks of the 'Green New Deal spearheaded by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and fellow Democrats. The Trump-Newsom feud also has an interesting personal twist. Trump's eldest son, Don Jr, is currently dating Newsom's ex-wife, Kimberly Guilfoyle. The Kentucky teenager at the center of a viral clash with a Native American activist at the Lincoln memorial is preparing to sue CNN for more than $250million for its coverage of the incident in January. Nick Sandmann's lawyer L Lin Wood discussed the impending lawsuit in a Fox News interview airing on Sunday night. He warned that it will seek even more in damages than a $250million suit filed against The Washington Post last month. Sandmann became the target of widespread outrage after a video of him standing face to face with Nathan Philips while wearing a Make America Great Again Hat went viral. Sandmann and fellow students from Covington Catholic High School were initially accused of initiating the confrontation, until additional videos emerged and showed that they were verbally accosted by a group of street preachers. Sandmann, who was attending the anti-abortion March for Life, and Phillips, who was attending the Indigenous Peoples' March on the same day, have both said they were trying to defuse the situation. Wood called the initial video a 'one-minute propaganda piece' and accused the media of jumping the gun by reporting it without context when it first came out. 'CNN was probably more vicious in its direct attacks on Nicholas than The Washington Post. And CNN goes into millions of individuals' homes,' Wood said. 'They really went after Nicholas with the idea that he was part of a mob that was attacking the Black Hebrew Israelites, yelling racist slurs at the Black Hebrew Israelites. Totally false. Scroll down for video Nick Sandmann, the Covington Catholic student at the center of a viral clash with a Native American activist at the Lincoln memorial is preparing to sue CNN for more than $250million for its coverage of the incident in January Sandmann's lawyer L Lin Wood discussed the impending lawsuit on Fox News, warning that it will seek even more in damages than a $250million suit filed against The Washington Post Watch the latest video at foxnews.com Fox News Privacy Policy Wood continued: 'Now you say you've seen the tape; if you took the time to look at the full context of what happened that day, Nicholas Sandmann did absolutely nothing wrong. He was, as I've said to others, he was the only adult in the room. 'But you have a situation where CNN couldn't resist the idea that here's a guy with a young boy, that Make America Great Again cap on. So they go after him.' Wood said the lawsuit will be filed early next week, and will likely exceed $250million. 'I expect because of the way [CNN] went after Nicholas so viciously, that the claim for his reputational damage will be higher than it was against The Washington Post,' he said. The suit against the Post seeks $200million in punitive damages and $50million for reputational damage. Both Nick Sandmann (left) and Nathan Phillips (right) have said they were attempting to defuse the situation when the confrontation was filmed The Post issued an 'editor's note' on its controversial coverage in response to the lawsuit last week, in which it admitted that its initial coverage of the encounter was flawed. 'Subsequent reporting, a student's statement and additional video allow for a more complete assessment of what occurred, either contradicting or failing to confirm accounts provided in that story,' the note said. Sandmann accused the newspaper, owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, of falsely labeling him a racist when it engaged in 'targeting and bullying' and modern 'McCarthyism'. In early articles, the Post reported that the schoolboys 'surrounded' and 'taunted' 64-year-old Phillips. The newspaper claimed that a 'smirking' Sandmann had stood in Phillip's path, blocking him from moving. More extensive video of the events told a radically different story, showing the boys were subjected to racist abuse by the group of Black Hebrew Israelites, before Phillips waded into the group of students and banged his drum directly in Sandmann's face. According Sandmann's lawsuit: 'The Post ignored basic journalist standards because it wanted to advance its well-known and easily documented, biased agenda against President Donald J. Trump ... by impugning individuals perceived to be supporters.' The Washington Post's Vice President for Communications Kristine Coratti Kelly responded by saying: 'We are reviewing a copy of the lawsuit and we plan to mount a vigorous defense.' President Donald Trump gave Sandmann is his backing, quoting his suit and said: 'Go get them Nick. Fake News!' The editor's note in full 'A Washington Post article first posted online on Jan. 19 reported on a Jan. 18 incident at the Lincoln Memorial. 'Subsequent reporting, a student's statement and additional video allow for a more complete assessment of what occurred, either contradicting or failing to confirm accounts provided in that story including that Native American activist Nathan Phillips was prevented by one student from moving on, that his group had been taunted by the students in the lead-up to the encounter, and that the students were trying to instigate a conflict. 'The high school student facing Phillips issued a statement contradicting his account; the bishop in Covington, Ky., apologized for the statement condemning the students; and an investigation conducted for the Diocese of Covington and Covington Catholic High School found the students' accounts consistent with videos. 'Subsequent Post coverage, including video, reported these developments: 'Viral standoff between a tribal elder and a high schooler is more complicated than it first seemed'; 'Kentucky bishop apologizes to Covington Catholic students, says he expects their exoneration'; 'Investigation finds no evidence of 'racist or offensive statements' in Mall incident.' 'A Jan. 22 correction to the original story reads: Earlier versions of this story incorrectly said that Native American activist Nathan Phillips fought in the Vietnam War. Phillips said he served in the U.S. Marines but was never deployed to Vietnam.' Advertisement The president quoted Sandmann's suit and tweeted: 'Go get them Nick. Fake News!' A private investigative firm hired by the Covington Diocese concluded that the students did not instigate the confrontation. In a report released last month, Greater Cincinnati Investigation Inc said it found no evidence students made 'offensive or racist statements' - though it acknowledged that the students performed the tomahawk chop. In a letter to parents, Covington Bishop Roger Foys said the students 'were placed in a situation that was at once bizarre and even threatening'. 'The immediate world-wide reaction to the initial video led almost everyone to believe that our students had initiated the incident and the perception of those few minutes of video became reality,' the bishop wrote. Students told investigators that they felt Phillips was coming into their group to join their own cheers, which were meant to drown out insults from the Black Hebrew Israelites. They claimed that they were confused but did not feel threatened by Phillips, the report said. 'We found no evidence of racist statements to Mr. Phillips or members of his group,' the report said. 'Some students performed a 'tomahawk chop' to the beat of Mr Phillips' drumming and some joined in Mr Phillips' chant.' With only 19 days until Brexit, Theresa May faces defeat after Tuesday's MP vote Theresa Mays future in Downing Street was last night hanging in the balance as allies discussed openly whether she should resign to save her Brexit deal. With just 19 days to go until Brexit, Mrs May is facing her second heavy Commons defeat on the deal when MPs vote on her plans on Tuesday unless Brussels offers a dramatic last-minute concession on the hated backstop to assuage the concerns of Brexiteers. Cabinet Ministers, No 10 advisers and MPs increasingly believe that Mrs May will have to offer to resign as part of an Ides of March blood deal with pro-Brexit MPs: they argue that the prospect of installing one of their own in No 10 might be the only way to persuade the Brexiteers to accept her deal. The Ides of March March 15 in the Roman Calendar was the day Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44BC at a meeting of the Senate. Cabinet Ministers, No 10 advisers and MPs argue that the prospect of installing one of their own in No 10 might be the only way to persuade the Brexiteers to accept her deal The prospect of a vacancy in Downing Street has led leadership contenders to sharpen up their hairstyles. Boris Johnsons unusually short crop comes from the Commons barber; Environment Secretary Michael Goves sleek look is courtesy of the Gielly Green salon in North London; and the Treasurys Liz Truss patronises high street stylists Rush One ally of the Prime Minister said: If she has to make that sacrifice in order to secure her legacy, then I think she would. Another powerful Downing Street figure added: The only way she would countenance going voluntarily is if it could get her deal over the line. The leading candidates to succeed Mrs May - Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, his predecessor Boris Johnson and Home Secretary Sajid Javid are all ready to launch immediate leadership bids. Other potential candidates including Environment Secretary Michael Gove and Chief Secretary to the Treasury Liz Truss, who are on a joint trip to America this weekend are considering their options. Tense negotiations between the UK and the EU are expected to continue all weekend and until late tomorrow, with Ministers in London being updated on the progress by video-link. Last night, a Downing Street source hinted that a dramatic breakthrough might still be possible by saying that RAF Northolt had put the PMs plane on standby for a last-minute dash to Brussels. The source said the Prime Minister was intensely focused on making progress but these are tough talks we are expecting to go right down to the wire. Nerves are still jangling in No 10 following the provocative offer on Friday by the EUs chief negotiator Michel Barnier of limiting the backstop staying aligned to EU rules to Northern Ireland only. No 10 reminded Mr Barnier, who is today planning to be in Dublin for the France-Ireland Six Nations rugby clash, that the idea was first rejected a year ago because it would divide the UK. On Friday, talks between EU and UK officials continued into the night. Mrs May was briefed in the early hours of yesterday on the limited progress. Government sources said the current expectation was that Brussels would unveil a small concession on the backstop but not, they feared, one which would be sufficient to win over all the rebels. Attorney General Geoffrey Cox, who is leading the efforts to alter the withdrawal agreement, tells todays Mail on Sunday that he will not put his name to any legal opinion which backs the EUs proposals if there is any risk of us being indefinitely detained in the backstop. My professional reputation is far more important to me than my reputation as a politician, Mr Cox says. The eminent QC reveals that he has been working on an arbitration mechanism which would give us the unilateral right to trigger the process that would lead to our exit from the backstop and would dramatically alter the balance of power between UK and EU negotiators by putting the onus on them to prove we cant leave. Mr Cox adds: Its the reason why some EU officials dont like it it works. Tory whips have warned that the Government could lose the vote by a margin of between 50 and 150 if Mr Cox is unable to change his legal advice seen as key to winning over Brexit hardliners and the DUP. One senior Cabinet Minister told The Mail on Sunday that Mrs May does not have a hope in hell of winning the vote on Tuesday, with the expectation that all hell would break loose after that. Defeat on Tuesday would trigger a day of parliamentary drama on Wednesday, with MPs voting on whether to veto No Deal and extend Article 50 and even the possibility of another no confidence vote in the Prime Minister from Labour. Downing Street is divided about whether to order Ministers to vote in favour of No Deal which would risk mass resignations or put down a motion which only rules out leaving the EU without a deal in March, not at some other point later in the year. In the wake of a defeat, Mrs Mays allies expect pro-Remain MPs, led by Labours Yvette Cooper, to seize control of the process to both delay Brexit and soften it by keeping the UK in a customs union. They have been urging Tory MPs to save Brexit by voting for the deal for fear of much worse. But last night, Tory Brexiteer leader Jacob Rees-Mogg chairman of the partys European Research Group denied that voting down the deal would hand control of the process to a Remain-dominated Commons. He told The Mail on Sunday: Brexit can only be blocked if the Government wants to do it. That would be a breach of all its commitments. If the Government holds steady, Parliament cannot stop Brexit. The approach of the crunch vote has led to tensions spilling over in Cabinet meetings. Last week, Home Secretary Sajid Javid clashed with Philip Hammond over the Chancellors plans to bail out the economy if the UK leaves the EU without a deal. The Chancellor who has been widely criticised within Government for failing to devote signifi-cant funds to No Deal planning was rebuked by the Home Secretary for belatedly setting up a fund to jump-start the economy if talks with Brussels collapse. Mr Javid told Mr Hammond at a meeting of Theresa Mays Brexit doomsday committee last week that he didnt think that he or his Treasury officials were properly equipped to make such commercial judgments. The 21-member EU exit and trade (preparedness) committee was established by Theresa May to streamline the process to oversee the delivery of plans for an orderly exit from the EU. It has been dubbed the doomsday committee because it is obliged to countenance the worst-case scenarios of a No Deal Brexit. The committee was discussing Project Kingfisher, which The Mail on Sunday revealed last month was the codename for Mr Hammonds secret bailout fund. It includes the establishment of a short-term fiscal stimulus package designed to prop up the UKs manufacturing and industrial sectors, with Ministers ordered to draw up top-secret lists of specific firms and sectors they believe will most need the money. Mr Javid is also overseeing his own No Deal disaster committee codenamed Operation Snow Bunting, designed to deal with civil unrest and rioting in the wake of a messy EU divorce. Chancellor Philip Hammond will use his spring statement this week to pledge a 200 million, post-Brexit push to keep Britain as a scientific world leader including the creation of a national super-computer in Edinburgh to aid medical, climate science and aerospace research. Teams had been searching for Tom Ballard, 30, and Daniele Nardi, 42, for 13 days The body of climber Tom Ballard, who went missing on Pakistans notorious Killer Mountain, has been found 24 years after his mother died on the neighbouring Himalayan peak of K2. The 13-day search for the 30-year-old Briton and his Italian climbing partner Daniele Nardi, 42, ended after a rescue team confirmed that silhouettes spotted at over 19,000ft on Nanga Parbat were the bodies of the two climbers. Stefano Pontecorvo, Italys ambassador to Pakistan, said a Spanish climber discovered the bodies on the Mummery Spur trail, a treacherously rocky route up the western face of the worlds ninth-highest mountain. Tom Ballard, 30, has been confirmed dead along with his Italian climbing partner Daniele Nardi. The pair had not made contact since February 24 when they were 20,000ft up Nanga Parbat Mr Ballard, originally from Belper in Derbyshire, is the son of Alison Hargreaves, who died descending from the summit of K2 in 1995 the same year she became the first woman to conquer Everest unaided. His 72-year-old father Jim, in an interview given while awaiting news of his son, spoke of his anguish at the prospect of another family tragedy. He said: To have this happen the second time is almost more than I can handle. It really is. But Mr Ballard, whose daughter Kate, 28, works as an adventure guide in South Africa, also paid tribute to his gifted son. If he has perished, he did so living his life to the full and I have to use that to make sense of all this, he said. Ballard, 30, (right) was the son of British climber Alison Hargreaves (centre) who died climbing in the same region in 1995 The two climbers had last made contact with their team at base camp on February 24 as they tried to reach the 26,600ft summit of Nanga Parbat, which has now claimed more than 80 lives since 1895. Mr Pontecorvo said the bodies were in a place that was difficult to reach, but everything possible would be done to try to recover them. Writing on Facebook, Mr Ballards girlfriend, Stefania Pederiva, said her heart was completely drowned, adding: There are or will never be words suitable to describe the void you left. I thank the universe for giving me such a special person. There are only the wonderful memories of the times spent together that are the most beautiful of my life. A teenager was fighting for his life in hospital tonight after being stabbed in the chest in a horrific attack on a bus. Terrified passengers fled after the victim, 19, was knifed on the top deck as the bus travelled through Muswell Hill, North London, shortly after 4.40pm. The news comes as two others were stabbed this evening, an 18-year-old man near Edgware Road, west London, and a man in his 30s in Fitzrovia, also in west London. Both men suffered non-life-threatening injuries, Scotland Yard have confirmed. Terrified passengers fled after the victim, 19, was knifed on the top deck of bus. The scene in Colney Hatch Lane, North London after the incident The incidents are the latest in Britain's out-of-control knife crime epidemic which has seen six fatal stabbings in the past week. One witness said, who was on the bus with the victim, said: 'We were sitting on the top deck having a chat. 'We were just talking as friends and I'm not quite sure what happened but the boy next to us he was about 15 years old suddenly got up and pulled out a knife. He had misheard something we said and took issue. 'Everyone in the bus started screaming and then he suddenly stabbed him. Then he ran off.' The incidents are the latest in Britain's out-of-control knife crime epidemic which has seen six fatal stabbings in the past week. The scene in Colney Hatch Lane, Muswell Hill, is pictured above Eyewitnesses said armed police swarmed the area after the suspect fled to a nearby housing estate. Paramedics worked furiously to save the teenager's life before an air ambulance arrived. Police said he was in a critical condition in hospital last night. A woman who knows the victim and who went to the scene said: 'He was going in and out of consciousness. He was in a massive pool of blood. 'He had been stabbed in his side, possibly in his lungs. A witness said he had caught the eye of someone else on the bus, who was maybe 15, who suddenly got up and said, 'What you looking at?' The scene in Colney Hatch Lane, North London after the man was stabbed in the chest onboard a bus 'He said, 'I'm just sitting on the bus,' and the guy pulled out a knife as big as his forearm and stabbed him, then ran off.' She added: 'He's a normal 19-year-old. He had no connections at all to gangs he wouldn't hurt a fly.' Photographer John Rogers, who witnessed the aftermath, said: 'The knifeman ran off into an estate and there were armed police chasing after him.' Scotland Yard said: 'At this early stage there have been no arrests.' Meanwhile, in Birmingham, three men were stabbed in the early hours of yesterday at Medleys nightclub just yards from where Home Secretary Sajid Javid met police chiefs last week to discuss knife crime. The Trump administration's proposed Space Force, which faces an uncertain fate in Congress, would be the smallest military service - by far. Details of the Pentagon's proposal show the new service would have about 15,000 personnel, including an unspecified number of civilians, but would begin in 2020 as only a headquarters of about 200. The proposal was submitted Wednesday to Congress, which must authorize the new service. Space Force would be the first new military service since an independent Air Force was established in 1947 as part of a broad reorganization of the government's military and intelligence agencies. Space Force would reside within the Department of the Air Force, similar to how the Marine Corps exists within the Department of the Navy. It would have its own chief of staff, a four-star general who would answer to the secretary of the Air Force, currently Heather Wilson. Currently the smallest branch of the armed forces is the Coast Guard, which has about 40,000 active-duty members in uniform and is part of the Department of Homeland Security. The second-smallest service, the Marine Corps, has 186,000. The biggest military service is the Army, with 487,500 active-duty members. President Donald Trump hands a pen to Air Force Gen. Paul Selva after signing "Space Policy Directive 4" in the Oval Office of the White House in February President Donald Trump has pushed the Pentagon to create a Space Force that is 'separate but equal to' the other military services. His first defense secretary, Jim Mattis, initially was cool to the idea, arguing against adding expensive new layers of bureaucracy. Critics have questioned the need to create a Space Force as a separate military service, noting that there are relatively small numbers of people required to carry out space-related missions. The Pentagon argues that a separate service will give space issues a stronger voice within the military and create a special space culture and expertise. The plan submitted to Congress calls for phasing in a Space Force over five years beginning with the 2020 budget year. This would add an estimated $2 billion in costs beyond what is spent on existing military space activities. Many details of the new service have yet to be worked out, including whether it would have its own boot camp for recruits and whether it would have its own uniform design. Not all space-related government activities would fall under the Space Force. It would not include the Pentagon's Missile Defense Agency, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or the National Reconnaissance Office, which builds and maintains intelligence satellites in space. Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan issued a written statement Friday calling the proposal 'an historic moment for our nation,' ensuring the U.S. can 'compete, deter and, if needed, win in a complex domain.' He credited Trump with a 'bold vision for space.' While many in Congress support organizational changes to improve U.S. space defense capabilities, some key members question the wisdom of creating a separate military service. Sen. James Inhofe, the Oklahoma Republican and chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, has expressed doubts, although on Friday he issued a statement welcoming the Pentagon's proposal. Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island, the ranking Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, has questioned the need for a separate space service, as has the new Democratic chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Adam Smith of Washington state. Advertisement Motels have never crossed the Atlantic in quite the same way as hamburgers, milkshakes and Krispy Kreme doughnuts. The gruesome shower scene in Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 film Psycho in which Marion is stabbed to death after checking into Bates Motel can't have helped. Then, in the Seventies, American motels developed a reputation for being little more than doss-houses where you could rent rooms by the hour and where couples would come and go without passing through reception if they did not wish to be seen in public together. The brand new Mollie's Motel and Diner, which recently opened on the busy A420 between Swindon and Oxford. The man behind the venture is Nick Jones, the founder of the Soho House empire The closest we ever got to motel mania in Britain was ITV's Crossroads, the soap opera based on a fictional establishment in Birmingham. The show somehow pulled in up to 18 million viewers a night in the Sixties and Seventies. But could this all be about to change? A motel called Mollie's has just opened on the busy A420 between Swindon and Oxford, with two more planned for later this year in Bristol and Manchester and a further ten on the drawing board. It charges 50 a night and comes with an American-style diner and drive-through (sorry, drive-thru) offering 'meal deals'. The unlikely man behind this potential revival is Nick Jones (estimated wealth 150 million) who is mates with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and is founder of the Soho House empire that operates trendy hotels, restaurants and clubs everywhere from London's Soho to Berlin, Mumbai, New York and Chicago, Barcelona, and Amsterdam. 'I used to watch Crossroads every night,' says Jones, 55, who is married to the BBC's Desert Island Discs presenter Kirsty Young. 'There was always an argument with my mother because she thought that when the credits rolled it was the end of the episode, when in fact there was always a little add-on bit afterwards.' Inside the Fifties-style diner at Mollie's with ribbed leather seats, plastic Wimpy-style ketchup, swivelling stools at the chrome counter, lamps that look like microphones, and pretty waitresses wearing tight jeans and Californian smiles And just as the Crossroads matriarch Meg Mortimer (played by Noele Gordon) used to worry about the wonky sign above the entrance to her ramshackle building, so does Jones fret over why the red neon lights behind the letters 'MOLLI' have all gone out the day we meet. At least the E is working. Jones must be hoping there is no repeat of what happened to Arthur Heineman, the American who opened the world's first motel in San Luis Obispo, California, in 1925, charging $1.25 per room per night. Originally it was called Milestone Motor Hotel, but the name was too long to fit on the roof, so he abbreviated it to Milestone Mo-Tel. He failed to trademark it. Motels in those days were called either 'auto courts' or 'tourist courts' and were a response to widespread car ownership, which allowed the middle-classes to travel long distances and spend the night en route. The hotel has 79 bedrooms. It has had 9 million of investment and several members of staff have been recruited from Travelodge, Premier Inn, Pizza Express and McDonald's The bedrooms at Mollie's range in size from cosy double rooms to interconnecting family rooms to bunk rooms catering to larger groups. All rooms are air conditioned and decked out with Egyptian cotton sheets One motel still surviving from that era is the 3-V Tourist Court in St Francisville, Louisiana. It was built in 1938 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. By 1947, there were approximately 22,000 'auto courts' in America, rising to 50,000 three years later. The industry peaked in 1964 with 61,000 properties. To attract passers-by, they advertised themselves with big neon signs and boasted about having 'air cooling' (an early term for air conditioning) during hot summers. Nearly all of them were owner-operated 'mom and pop' businesses but by the Sixties, big chains moved in, offering more in the way of luxuries. The coin-operated Magic Fingers Vibrating Bed proved popular. Introduced in 1958, it gave guests 15 minutes of 'tingling relaxation and ease'. But, when people broke into the coin boxes, they were discontinued. Water beds became another favourite feature, but on occasion even these were stolen. Mollie's which has 79 rooms has had 9 million of investment and several members of staff have been recruited from Travelodge, Premier Inn, Pizza Express and McDonald's. One of the communal spaces within the motel. It charges 50 a night and comes with a drive-thru offering 'meal deals' Now, the question is: can Jones, having revolutionised the world of private members' clubs, transform roadside hospitality in Britain, where the likes of Welcome Break rule supreme without ever being particularly welcoming? Nostalgia is on his side. This year is the 55th anniversary of Crossroads, which first opened its doors in 1964 (one TV critic dismissed it as 'amateurish pap'), and, despite the sets being constructed from flimsy canvas and board, it went from strength to strength until 1988. It was revived from 2001 to 2003, but the motel became a hotel. Jones says that 24,000 cars pass Mollie's every day and many of the occupants of those vehicles might be tempted to stop if they know that they will be properly fed and watered or, as the strapline says: 'Eat Drink Nap.' Making back that 9 million might take some time, but during my stay there was no shortage of interest from local people. The theme in the diner is Fifties America, with ribbed leather seats, plastic Wimpy-style ketchup, swivelling stools at the chrome counter, lamps that look like microphones, and pretty waitresses wearing tight jeans and Californian smiles. Heaven knows what Benny Hawkins (Paul Henry) would make of it all. He was the Crossroads handyman, always sporting a soft, woolly beanie hat that covered his equally soft, woolly brain and was rarely out of trouble. For sure, Benny would love the all-day bacon and egg baps and 'dirty burgers', but he might be flummoxed by the breakfast offering of quinoa, buckwheat, oats, tomato and kale, with a couple of poached eggs on top. The closest the UK ever got to motel mania was ITV's Crossroads, the soap opera based on a fictional establishment in Birmingham TRAVEL FACTS Mollies (01367 707777, molliesmotel.com) has double rooms from 50. Advertisement And whereas guests at Crossroads were lucky to get a decent cuppa, their 2019 counterparts at Mollie's can order espresso martinis and a selection of 'house presses', such as a concoction featuring broccoli, cucumber, celery, lemon, spinach, parsley and ginger. Who knows if motels have a future in Britain. The likes of Travelodge and Premier Inn will do everything in their power to stop them. But Nick Jones will take heart from what the Iowa-born writer and Anglophile Bill Bryson said on the subject: 'I love everything about motels. I can't help myself. I still get excited every time I slip a key into a motel room door and fling it open.' The 76-seater twin-prop took off into unblemished blue, its whir accompanied by the clucking of baby chicks, loaded behind the cockpit. Chickens in the cabin was a clue: the 90-minute flight from the Mauritius capital Port Louis would transport me 400 miles to a backwater few have heard of. I was off to Rodrigues, a small island in the Indian Ocean. Mellow: The pristine beach on Rodrigues, a small island in the Indian Ocean that belongs to Mauritius Id been told it was like Mauritius to which this island of 38,000 souls belongs 50 years ago. And that I should expect sunshine, beautiful beaches, pristine nature, and a relaxed vibe. Oh, and that Princes William and Harry used to holiday here incognito, free of paparazzi. Thats about all I knew. Now, as I peered from the window, I saw below me a fish-shaped island in a lagoon of the most impossible, milky jade, surrounded by a sapphire ocean. Promising. A short runway and relative inaccessibility have saved Rodrigues from development and mass tourism. Thats just how the islanders, who live from fishing and agriculture, like it. Thats why this sublime island in the middle of nowhere is such a joy. After driving to our hotel, over hills of black lava and lush vegetation, negotiating free-range livestock with little road sense, we reached the pristine beaches of the East coast. Whereas most accommodation is in guesthouses inland, or along the North coast, the Tekoma, one of half-a-dozen hotels on Rodrigues, has pride of place. My bungalow had direct views over the ocean and I woke to pyrotechnic sunrises, and saw fishermen bringing in their traps, brimming with colourful reef fish. These unpolluted waters yield squid, emperor fish, marlin, the prickly shoemaker fish, tuna and the most succulent parrot fish. For both snorkelers and gourmands this is nirvana. Rodrigues only has a population of 38,000 and has so far been saved from development and mass tourism When not snorkelling, or scuba-diving beyond the reef, brimming with over 250 species of coral, we explored the island. Smaller than Manchester, its easily seen in a day. We passed little houses, all selling home-made pickles, honey, baskets woven from leaves, and octopus, hung out to dry from washing lines. Much of this produce is to be found at the market in Port Mathurin, advertised on cardboard in the local Creole language (3 ti po pou Rs100). We drove inland, through alpine-like scenery, passing what must be the most inviting prison on the planet with sea views, and an outer wall painted with colourful murals. When I first came here, I thought Id go mad, a French expat I met in town told me. Mauritius, by comparison, is like New York. But then, you get used to the pace, and you never want to leave. A room at the Tekoma Hotel located on the north coast. It is one of half-a-dozen hotels on Rodrigues No wonder tortoises once flourished here. Rodrigues was home to thousands of giant tortoises but by the 1770s theyd all been eaten. Thanks to Charles Darwin, an early proponent of breeding endangered animals in captivity, the late 1800s saw giant Aldabra tortoises brought here. And in 2007, the Francois Leguat Tortoise Reserve opened, staffed by a skeleton team and eco-conscious volunteers. Our residents are descendents of Darwins tortoises, says Arnaud, a reserve manager. We brought some from Mauritius and now have around 2,300. They were mating as we walked through the Canyon Tiyel, a few hopeful singletons lumbering up to us, to be tickled under the chin. We meet one tortoise, released into the wild, and duck under six-inch spiders hanging between the trees, while the islands last surviving native birds flutter around us the brilliant yellow Fody and Rodrigues warbler. A day was spent visiting the Ile aux Cocos. Only 15 fishing boats have a permit to bring tourists to this nature reserve, about an hours journey into the lagoon. Twelve of us came ashore, among hundreds of nesting noddies and skittish white fairy terns. We lunched on the local staples of octopus curry, rice, papaya salad, pickles, and a lethal rhum arrange made by our boatman, Rico, surrounded by white beaches and the most limpid waters Ive ever seen. The island is known for its wildlife, especially tortoises, which have flourished there But the best was saved till last. On a day when the 32c heat was tempered by a breeze, my guide and I undertook a three-hour coastal walk, from my hotel to Gravier. It took us on a rough path, through forests of casuarina trees and wild flowers, across beaches and over cliffs, and into deserted coves where we stopped for refreshing dips. Along the way, we passed only a fisherman caulking his wooden boat, and sunbathing goats. Lunch awaited at journeys end: a feast of crab, octopus salad, fresh fish, and huge lobsters, straight from the deep. There is little to beat such barefoot simplicity. Just make sure you leave your watch behind. They vowed to stay on Married At First Sight to continue their 'affair' after sharing an illicit kiss during Wednesday's explosive dinner party. And it seems Jessika Power, 27, and Dan Webb, 35, were true to their word, as they were spotted filming a romantic date together in Sydney. The Instagram model and car broker - who are 'married' to Mick Gould and Tamara Joy respectively - looked utterly smitten as they shared a passionate kiss during the tactile outing. Married At First Sight SPOILER ALERT: Jessika Power, 27, and Dan Webb, 35, (both pictured) were spotted filming a romantic date together in Sydney recently The duo seemed completely unfazed by the film crew around them as they packed on the PDA. Dan wrapped his arms around Jess while leaning in for a kiss, before the blonde bombshell embraced him in a bear hug. The pair seemed to be getting on famously, laughing and chatting happily as they waited for the crew around them to set up. Cute: The Instagram model and car broker looked utterly smitten as they shared a passionate kiss during the tactile outing Can't stay away: The duo seemed completely unfazed by the film crew around them as they packed on the PDA Jessika looked the height of summery chic in a thigh-grazing white playsuit with a ruffled Bardot neckline. Sweet: Dan wrapped his arms around Jess while leaning in for a kiss, before the blonde bombshell embraced him in a bear hug Letting the statement garment do all the talking, she completed her flirty outfit with a pair of simple black slides. Styling her glossy blonde tresses in a half-up 'do, Jessika framed her features with minimal make-up. Dan, meanwhile, kept his look casual in a pink shirt and white shorts teamed with striped slides. The couple's kiss on Wednesday night marked the beginning of an 'affair' - and one that Dan is more than happy to pursue. Raunchy: They vowed to stay on in Married At First Sight to continue their 'affair' after sharing an illicit kiss during Wednesday's explosive dinner party Hmm: Dan is 'married' to Tamara Joy (right) on the show, with the pair coming in as 'intruders' last week Not working out? Meanwhile, Jessika is 'betrothed' to farmer Mick Gould, 30, (left) whom she fell out with spectacularly over his comments about her family Speaking to 9Honey, Dan said: 'The kiss was the start of something special but I had to keep my cards close to my chest 'cause I didn't want to make a decision until I felt like she felt the same way.' In fact, Dan sounded almost deliriously in love with Jessika, adding: 'The first kiss with Jess was magical. It just felt right and it was raining, to my memory, which made it that of a movie scene.' Dan also admitted that he felt an 'immediate connection' to Jessika when he first set eyes on her at last week's dinner party. Having a whale of a time: Jessika and Dan seemed to be getting on famously as they waited for the crew around them to set up Looking good: Jessika looked the height of summery chic in a thigh-grazing white playsuit with a ruffled Bardot neckline Chic: Letting the statement garment do all the talking, she completed her flirty outfit with a pair of simple black slides The two lovebirds stole away from the dinner table on Wednesday night's episode to talk about their attraction to each other. After escaping the rain, the couple secretly shared their first kiss but decided to stay with their partners in the experiment so they could continue their 'affair'. However Dan appeared unsure of what to do next, wondering if he should keep trying to make his 'marriage' with 'bride' Tamara Joy work. Glam: Styling her glossy blonde tresses in a half-up 'do, Jessika framed her features with minimal make-up Cool guy: Dan, meanwhile, kept his look casual in a pink shirt and white shorts teamed with striped slides Cheeky: The couple's kiss on Wednesday night marked the beginning of an 'affair' - and one that Dan is more than happy to pursue After urging Jessika to remain with 'husband' Mick so they could get to know each other on Wednesday, the car broker later changed his mind. Dan delivered the heartbreaking blow during his interview with a producer, just moments after kissing Jessika and saying he was 'keen' on being with her. 'I don't know how to explain it... there's definitely some kind of chemistry there and I don't feel this often,' said Dan of Jessika, after asking her stay on the show for him. 'But, at the same time, I married Tam and it's a tough situation. I came here for love... do I stick it out with Tam or do I jump ship?' Speaking to 9 Honey, Dan said of their romance: 'The kiss was the start of something special but I had to keep my cards close to my chest 'cause I didn't want to make a decision until I felt like she felt the same way' In fact, Dan sounded almost deliriously in love with Jessika, adding: 'The first kiss with Jess was magical. It just felt right and it was raining, to my memory, which made it that of a movie scene' Naughty: The two lovebirds stole away from the dinner table on Wednesday night's episode to talk about their attraction to each other, which has continued MAFS was filmed between September and December last year, giving Jessika and Dan plenty of time to get to know each other after the cameras stopped rolling. During a recent appearance on Talking Married, Jessika admitted that Dan was more her 'type' physically than Mick. She said: 'If I had a checklist and I handed it to the experts, he would be ticking every single box. When Dan and I started talking, we had a connection straight away.' It comes after Daily Mail Australia revealed the pair were far from strangers when Dan debuted as an 'intruder' with Tamara Joy earlier this season. Keen: 'I don't know how to explain it... there's definitely some kind of chemistry there and I don't feel this often,' said Dan of Jessika, after asking her stay on the show for him So happy! The pair held hands and giggled as they chatted together by a car A production source has claimed that fellow contestant Ines Basic, 29, actually 'introduced' the pair before Daniel filmed his wedding to Tamara. 'Ines is very close with one of Dan's best friends, who was also one of the groomsmen at his wedding to Tamara,' the insider explained. 'Before Dan married Tamara, Ines had been sending Snapchats of herself and Jessika to the mutual friend while she was bored filming the show in Sydney. 'One night, when Ines was sending selfies to the friend in Queensland, he was sitting with Dan. Petty much instantly, Dan started asking who Jessika was.' Interesting: MAFS was filmed between September and December last year, giving Jessika and Dan plenty of time to get to know each other after the cameras stopped rolling Opening up: During a recent appearance on Talking Married, Jessika admitted that Dan was more her 'type' physically than Mick Jessika said: 'If I had a checklist and I handed it to the experts, he would be ticking every single box. When Dan and I started talking, we had a connection straight away' The scandal! It comes after Daily Mail Australia revealed the pair were far from strangers when Dan debuted as an 'intruder' with Tamara Joy earlier this season Dan reportedly described Jessika as a 'proper sort', before asking his friend to request 'more photos' of her from Ines. It was around this time that he also supposedly began following Jessika on Instagram. 'When all this was going on, Dan knew he would be joining the show as an intruder and was just days away from filming his wedding to Tamara,' added the source. 'He basically set his sights on Jessika before even meeting Tamara down the aisle. It's so unfair.' He has been judging rooms on The Block for the past eight seasons. And interior designer Darren Palmer has revealed the biggest mistakes contestants make when planning and designing rooms. He told the The Daily Telegraph on Saturday: 'Not setting themselves a brief, hands down.' The Block judge Darren Palmer reveals the biggest mistakes contestants make when planning and designing rooms on the show 'Most people think they have it all clear in their heads and they don't write it down. But by writing it down you have a document to check back with,' he explained. Darren added that the importance of a brief helps renovators keep on track for their design vision. When it comes to interior trends, the designer also noted that he does not give into trends, and nor should contestants on the Nine renovation program. Keeping on track: The interior designer told the The Daily Telegraph on Saturday: 'Not setting themselves a brief, hands down.' He added that the importance a brief helps renovators keep on track to their design vision 'Its like fashion, if you dress like everybody else its fine, but its not expressing who you are. Your home is your home,' he told the publication. Darren, along with fellow judges Shaynna Blaze, Neale Whitaker and host Scott Cam, will return to screens for season 15 of The Block this year. The film crew and new cast were seen at the work site in hard hats and hi-vis vests on the former Oslo Backpackers site in Melbourne's St Kilda. Ready to judge: Darren, along with fellow judges Shaynna Blaze and Neale Whitaker, will return to screens for season 15 of The Block, which recently began filming in February. Pictured: Darren with co-judges Shaynna (centre) and Neale The rundown property is a stone's throw away from The Gatwick site, which was featured on season 14 last year. Built in the 1850s, it is comprised of five terraces and is set to be the largest renovation to date. It is understood that the show's producers approached the building's owners with an off-the-market deal for the property. Weekend Today host Allison Langdon welcomed a daughter with husband Michael Willesee Jnr last Sunday. It comes after the death of Michael Willesee Jnr's father Mike, who passed away from throat cancer on Friday, March 1. The Sydney Morning Herald reported the birth on Saturday, with the couple naming the precious girl Scout Heather Willesee. It's a girl: Weekend Today host Allison Langdon, 39, (pictured) has welcomed a daughter with husband Michael Willesee Jnr, according to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald Scout is Allison and Michael's second child, as the pair also share two-year-old son, Mack. The couple are yet to announce the birth on their social media accounts, as they appear to be privately dealing with the grief of Mike's death. Back in November, Allison publicly revealed she was having a girl when making an appearance on Nova 969's Fitzy and Wippa. Baby mama: The Channel Nine journalist is already a mother to son Mack James Willesee (pictured), who was born in January 2017 'Do you know what you're having?' Michael 'Wippa' Wipfli asked the 39-year-old expectant mother at the time, to which she excitedly responded: ''It's a little girl!' In October, Allison told Nine Honey that she had 'past the halfway mark' in her pregnancy and was 'really excited' to welcome the couple's second child. The news anchor told the website that she hadn't experienced morning sickness at the time and was doing well. 'I'm past the halfway mark which is really exciting': Allison revealed her pregnancy in October last year, when speaking to Nine Honey. Pictured with husband Michael Willesee Jr. 'I've been great, I've felt fine,' Allison said at the time. The Channel Nine personality and fellow journalist and husband Michael Willesee Jr have been married for 10 years. Alison is currently on maternity leave from Nine. Margot Robbie has shared sneak peek photos from her upcoming bank robber thriller, Dreamland. The Australian actress shared the stills on Friday, where she could be seen cuddling up to male co-star Finn Cole behind the wheel of a vintage vehicle. The 28-year-old used the Instagram post to promote the film's anticipated premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in the coming weeks. Channelling Bonnie and Clyde? Margot Robbie (LEFT), 28, cuddles up to hunky male co-star Finn Cole(RIGHT), 21, in sneak peek photos from her new bank robber thriller Dreamland The film, which Margot and her husband Tom Ackerley produced, is set during the Depression-era in Oklahoma and centres on a young boy's search for a fugitive bank robber, played by Margot, who has a bounty on her head. Margot embraced her natural beauty in the first preview photo, pictures behind the wheel with little makeup on and her blonde locks messily brushed off her face. The man in the photo is English actor Finn Cole, 21, who appears to play one of the Hollywood star's love interests in the film. Getaway chic: Margot was also pictured in a different scene, where she was driving a car alongside her gun-toting co-star Garrett Hedlund Margot was also pictured in a different scene, where she was driving a car alongside her gun-toting co-star Garrett Hedlund. 'Our film Dreamland will be premiering at the 2019 @Tribeca Film Festival!! Tickets will go on sale on March 26th. See you there! #Tribeca2019,' she boasted in the caption. The film is directed by Miles Joris-Peyrafitte and will also feature another Australian actor Travis Fimmel from the series Vikings. Working together: Dreamland is set during the Depression-era in Oklahoma and focuses on a young boy's search for a fugitive bank robber, played by Margot(LEFT). She and her husband Tom Ackerley (RIGHT) co-produce the film Starring role: The film is directed by Miles Joris-Peyrafitte and will also feature another Australian actor Travis Fimmel from the series Vikings (pictured) The year ahead is set to be another for the former soap star with films such as Once Upon a Time in Hollywood where she portrays late actress Sharon Tate. She will also star in the ensemble drama Fair and Balanced along with Nicole Kidman, Charlize Theron and John Lithgow. Margot has also been busy filming scenes for Birds of Prey - the highly-anticipated sequel to the 2016 hit Suicide Squad. She has earned three Daytime Emmy nominations with her career so far, but its motherhood that sees her as a winner. And on Monday, The Bold and the Beautiful star Jacqueline MacInnes Wood, 31, welcomed son Rise with husband Elan Ruspol. The star gave birth to her little one almost one month past his due date, which was originally set for February 12, according to a post shared on Instagram. Proud parents: On Monday, The Bold and the Beautiful star Jacqueline MacInnes Wood, 31, welcomed son Rise with husband Elan Ruspol Jacqueline's newborn weighted in at '7 lbs., 13 oz., and measured 21 inches,' according to People. This is the first child for the Canadian actress and her husband of around eight months. 'Meet..Rise Harlen Ruspoli. Born March 4th 2019. Our hearts are so full,' she began, in a separate Instagram post. Busy nights ahead: This is the first child for the Canadian actress and her husband of around eight months The star, who looked lovely in a handkerchief print kimono, explained the couple's name choice for their son. 'We chose Rise because to us Rise means growth, the simplicity of moving forward. 'We look to our son as an uplifting force toward positive change and a better world. ~ Thank you for going on this incredible journey with me! Giving me great tips and telling me all about your pregnancy/delivery stories,' she wrote, alongside a collection of hashtags. 'Rise means growth, the simplicity of moving forward': The Canadian beauty explained the couple's name choice for their son in an Instagram post. She is seen in Pasadena, CA last April Jacqueline and husband Elan became engaged in November 2017, after having been together for almost one year, according to Soap Opera Digest. ET revealed that the duo later eloped in July of the following year. The actress announced that she was expecting that October, while in character as Steffy Forrester. For one scene, Steffy was required to walk in a lingerie fashion show, and it was then that her castmates would learn she was pregnant. 'I just wanna let you all know: your girl is pregnant!' she began. 'I am pregnant!' With Kylie Jenner and Travis Scott potentially on the fritz, Tyga seems to be upping his game for the hot mom to notice. The ex of the youngest self-made billionaire overhauled his look on Friday, with a video posted by his hair dresser that shows off his new, long hair. The rapper, 29, spins around in his stylist's chair as his shiny locks are put on display. Looking good: Tyga, 29, sported a new shoulder length hair style posted on Instagram Friday In a giggly video the hair guru, who goes by @hairbyess on social media, poked fun at Tyga for always goofing off whenever she's recording. The artist bopped to the beat while turning in his chair for the camera to get a good view. As his hair is being combed, viewers can see Tyga's new shoulder length style. Tyga's new look may grab the attention of his ex, Kylie, 21, who he split from in April 2017. The rapper and reality star dated shortly after Tyga's breakup with Blac Chyna, 30, who he shares his son, King Cairo with. Looking good: Tyga, 29, sported a new shoulder length hair style posted on Instagram Friday Luscious locks: Tyga sported his long hair as he left the gym after working out with a friend in Los Angeles Tyga's been the center of attention for his hair in the past too. In a Twitter rant Nicki Minaj, 36, went on last summer, the Queen rapper let it slip that Tyga's had hair transplants in the past. Luckily, the reveal didn't seem to faze the Rack City rapper who simply replied with a outlet plug emoji, making light of the situation. This shining hair isn't the only new thing Tyga's treated himself to lately either. Stunting for the gram: Tyga kicked back in his white Maybach, which was later repossessed The rapper also just purchased a brand new luxury car, days after his Maybach was repossessed at the end of February. After failing to hand over his $6k a month payment on the white colored ride, Tyga found himself in hot water over the vehicle. But that didn't prevent him from balling out for a new whip shortly after. Now, Micheal Ray Stevenson (Tyga's birth name), is the proud new owner of a red 2019 Rolls-Royce Cullinan, according to TMZ. Strangely enough, Tyga had picked out the car prior to his altercation over his Maybach at Floyd Mayweather's 42nd birthday party. Lisa Vanderpump retweeted a post saying that her Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills castmates should be fired - including Kyle Richards, who pointedly took note. It is currently unconfirmed whether 58-year-old Lisa, who has been on the show since it began in 2010, will return for a 10th season. The social media sniping began with a fan tweet on Thursday responding to the latest episode of the Bravo reality series. 'INTERESANTE': Lisa Vanderpump retweeted a post saying that her Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills castmates should be fired - including Kyle Richards, who pointedly took note 'New title for RHOBH after it falls apart without LVP: "Back Stabbing B****es of Beverly Hills." @RHOBH_ #TeamLVP What a disgusting display from Kyle, Dorit, Teddi, Erica, and Rinna #NoClass,' wrote one Twitter user. The tweet referred to Housewives Kyle Richards, Dorit Kemsley, Teddi Jo Mellencamp, Erika Girardi and Lisa Rinna. Another social media commentator quote tweeted that post and wrote: 'Fire them' - and it was this remark that Lisa Vanderpump retweeted. Kyle - whose blonde ex-child star sister Kim Richards also used to be a Real Housewife and has battled alcoholism - used Insta Stories to highlight this retweet. High anxiety: (from left) Lisa is pictured in 2015 with Kyle and Lisa Rinna, the latter of whom she has been squabbling fiercely with on the current ninth season of their show Below a screen-grab showing that Lisa had in fact retweeted the 'Fire them' comment, Kyle added the word: 'Interesante' and a pipe-smoking cartoon. Lisa already has a spin-off show called Vanderpump Rules that revolves around the staff of SUR, one of the restaurants she and her husband Ken Todd own. There are unconfirmed rumors that she is percolating yet another spin-off, this one called Vanderpump Dogs about her pet foundation of the same name. Will she or won't she?: It is currently unconfirmed whether 58-year-old Lisa, who has been on the show since it began in 2010, will return for a 10th season Lisa Rinna has taken extremely unkindly to this particular bit of speculation, saying on Instagram: 'If this indeed becomes another show, my lawyer will be calling.' The dog shelter was a huge source of drama on the ninth and current season of The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills, leading Rinna to believe that show's cast deserve a cut of the profits of any spin-off for having brought publicity to the foundation. 'Im a hustler. I make no bones about that. I think you get paid for what you do, so my feeling is if we indeed are servicing a spin off we should be paid for it.' Dorit has been accused on the show of taking a Vanderpump Dogs pooch to be put down after adopting and failing to get along with the animal. When Ant McPartlin was replaced by Holly Willoughby as an Im A Celebrity host, after his drugs and drink-driving shame, ITVs viewing figures shot up. Now, Ant faces a similar humiliation as he has, I can disclose, been supplanted as co-host of the awards ceremony for royal charity The Princes Trust by another spirited female television personality, Fearne Cotton. Ant and his pint-sized partner, Declan Donnelly, had hosted the ceremony for Prince Charless organisation for the past six years. Dec, whose place will be taken at the Celebrate Success Awards next week by Phillip Schofield, is said to be devastated. They both treasure their royal connections, but Dec is particularly disappointed not to be hosting the awards show, a source tells me. Hes an ardent royalist and really values his friendship with the Prince of Wales. Ant and Dec, pictured with the Prince of Wales, are set to be replaced by Fearne Cotton and Phillip Schofield as co-hosts of the awards ceremony for royal charity The Princes Trust Ant and Dec had become Charless court jesters and were chosen to present an admiring documentary about the Prince in 2016, which included a deferential interview. At that years awards ceremony, Charles joked: What would we do without Dant and Ec? They did this film about The Princes Trust, though I think the subsidiary title should have been: Im a member of the Royal Family, get me out of here! The charity insists the pairs absence is not because of Ants woes. The Princes Trust invited Ant and Dec to host the Princes Trust Awards, says a spokesman. However, due to the event taking place a week later than last year, this years date unfortunately clashed with commitments they already had in place. The pair have been given the consolation prize of an appearance on a video message to be played at the Royal Palladium. Boris Johnsons dramatic new haircut has been attributed to his girlfriend, Carrie Symonds, but the truth is rather more amusing. I hear the crew cut is the result of a misunderstanding with an outspoken young stylist at the House of Commons hairdressing salon. The woman, who regularly trims Boriss messy blond locks, is said to have told him: Im not cutting your hair if you keep ruffling it up, like you usually do. She then said she was going to cut it shorter to stop him doing so. Boris Johnsons dramatic new haircut is the result of a misunderstanding with an outspoken young stylist at the House of Commons hairdressing salon Boris was preoccupied and didnt say much or pay much attention. Then, when he saw the end result, he simply mumbled: Cripes. He came back later and said: Its a bit too short. The stylist responded robustly, telling him: Well, its too f***ing late now, isnt it? Sounds like Boriss approach to Brexit . . . The most illustrious of Britains acting dynasties, the Redgraves, have proved powerless when pitted against the bulldozer. For I can disclose that the demolition of the Redgrave Theatre in Farnham, Surrey, has just begun. Its a tragic loss, wails Grantchester star Jemma Redgrave, whose Oscar-winning grandfather Sir Michael inspired the playhouses name in 1974. Theatre is invaluable to a civilised society. Sarah, Duchess of York, who has described Wallis Simpson as courageous, invited the American divorcees biographer to lay flowers at her grave at Windsor. Walliss intended marriage to Edward VIII caused a constitutional crisis that led to his abdication. But Anna Pasternak who has written a sympathetic book about her, called Untitled: The Real Wallis Simpson revealed at the launch party that Fergie had allowed her to visit Frogmore, where she is buried next to Edward. Sarah lives at Royal Lodge, Windsor, with her ex-husband, Prince Andrew, and is a friend of Pasternaks author husband, Andrew Wallas. It was incredibly poignant for me to go to Frogmore and lay flowers on Walliss grave, as she had told the Queen at Edwards interment that no one would ever put flowers on her grave, Pasternak tells me. I took a bouquet with the same flowers, white peonies and delphiniums, that she had at her wedding. It was a great honour for me to be alone in the sacred burial ground and pay my tribute to Wallis in this way. Sarah, Duchess of York, who has described Wallis Simpson as courageous, invited the American divorcees biographer to lay flowers at her grave at Windsor Walliss intended marriage to Edward VIII caused a constitutional crisis that led to his abdication Fearsome as Tywin Lannister in Game Of Thrones, Charles Dance fancies a status upgrade in real life. Would I accept a knighthood? he muses at the National Theatres Up Next Gala. Ill have anything thats going, darling. If it gets me a table in a restaurant, then thats fine by me. Dance, 72, adds: I was given an OBE a few years ago. Mike Gambon rang me up and said: Its at least eight years before the knighthood you know that, dont you? The smart set's talking about... Jeweller's gem Amy Webster Amy Webster has been hired as her society jeweller father Stephen's creative producer and will design her debut piece of jewellery next week Society jeweller Stephen Webster, whose avant garde creations are worn by Kate Moss, Joanna Lumley and Madonna, is preparing to unveil his most prized gem. I can reveal that his daughter Amy is being lined up to take over the reins of his eponymous business. Amiable Amy, 27, whose mother is Websters ex-wife, Kathy Dowden, has been hired as his creative producer and will design her debut piece of jewellery next week. Its a necklace that will have a special story behind it, she tells me at the launch party for broadcaster Mariella Frostrups book, Wild Women. I cant say any more just yet. Her father is a former creative director of Garrard, the first official Crown Jeweller, and she says: At the moment Im in the shadow, but hes training me to become someone whos more in the foreground. So far Amy, who was educated at 20,000-per-year Latymer Upper School in West London, has avoided any big rows with her dad. We get on well at work because were so similar. Hes got a great mentality and likes breaking rules just like me. Miss Jones pulled out before the shows final four performances, with understudy Roisin Rae taking over the role. The show ran from late February until May 5 last year Suranne Jones has told how she became so traumatised playing the mother of a kidnapped girl that doctors urged her to pull out of the production. The star revealed the dark role left her suffering hallucinations, anxiety and exhaustion. The effects were so bad that she would panic if she heard the opening music to the West End play, Frozen, and at one point she had an out of body experience and was forced to leave the stage. She eventually decided to pull out of the shows run after suffering a collapse. At the time it was claimed that the demanding role had contributed to a mystery illness. I was having hallucinations, which was my body shutting down, because I was exhausted, the 40-year-old Doctor Foster star told Vogue. I was feeling trapped every time I went to the theatre when I heard the music for Frozen Id freak out. Doctors told me not to continue, but of course I did, because my face was up there [on the posters]. The mother-of-one said she felt pressure to continue with the play at the Theatre Royal Haymarket having seen online that fans were travelling from across the country to see her. Miss Jones own son was just 23 months old when she starred in the gritty play. [I was] working, working, working, on all these very dark subjects, she explained. So without realising, I was not dealing with what I should have been dealing with. By the time I got to Frozen, l was feeling very lonely, very anxious, I didnt want to go out and speak to people. And that ended up with me collapsing. She revealed she suffered an out-of-body thing, a really scary incident on stage, and came off halfway through a performance. In the play, written by Bryony Lavery, Miss Jones characters daughter Rhona is abducted by a paedophile serial killer, played by Olivier-nominee Jason Watkins. The star revealed the dark role left her suffering hallucinations, anxiety and exhaustion. The effects were so bad that she would panic if she heard the opening music to the West End play, Frozen, and at one point she had an out of body experience and was forced to leave the stage In a disturbing series of monologues, Watkins character Ralph describes in detail how he kidnapped and abused the young girl. Alongside this, the mother, Nancy, details her anguish in extraordinarily emotional speeches. Watkins, who recently volunteered in a hospital to back the Daily Mails Helpforce campaign, was highly praised for the difficult and disturbing role. Miss Jones pulled out before the shows final four performances, with understudy Roisin Rae taking over the role. The show ran from late February until May 5 last year. The actress said she later got help from a therapist and began working on a more uplifting project, Gentleman Jack an upcoming BBC drama series. The full feature appears in the April issue of British Vogue. Fitness trainer Sarah Boulazeris welcomed her first daughter with boyfriend Kris Smith in December. And on Friday, the proud new parents sparked rumours of a secret wedding. Sharing a photo of a sweet delivery of pink peonies and lilies from her Myer model beau, Sarah showed the bouquet had been addressed to 'Sarah Smith'. Something to tell us? Fitness trainer Sarah Boulazeris (RIGHT) sparks rumours of a secret wedding to model boyfriend Kris Smith (RIGHT) after receiving a bouquet of flowers addressed to 'Sarah Smith' The brunette beauty clearly showed the handwritten card had no mention of her surname Boulazeris - which she still uses on social media. She wrote across the image: 'I f#%king love you!' 'With love from Manchester,' she added on the post, tagging her beau, and hiding the couple's address from her fans. 'With love from Manchester': The 28-year-old took to her Instagram story to share a snap of the sweet delivery of pink peonies and lilies, as well as the handwritten card addressed to Sarah Smith, instead of her surname Boulazeris Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Sarah Boulazeris for comment. Kris has been busy travelling around Europe and is currently back in his hometown on Manchester. The 40-year-old hunk took to his Instagram story on Friday to share a photo of himself and his father Edward each enjoying a shot of whisky. Bonding time: Kris is has been busy travelling around Europe and is currently back in his hometown on Manchester. The 40-year-old hunk took to his Instagram story on Friday to share a photo of himself and his father Edward each enjoying a shot of whisky 'Educating my old man on the new world,' he joked in the caption. While away, the Myer Ambassador has been regularly using FaceTime to keep in touch with his partner and their three-month-old daughter. He recently shared a sweet screenshot of his exchange with Mila on Instagram while in Germany and admitted he was 'missing her like crazy'. Holly Willoughby left One Show viewers in hysterics on Thursday night, as they jokingly accused her of being 'drunk' following her animated TV appearance. Taking to Twitter, fans of the This Morning host, 38, joked that she had 'been on the sauce,' as she chatted to hosts Matt Baker and Alex Jones. Holly was ever the pro as she appeared on the show after suffering a nasty wardrobe malfunction on her pretty polka dot dress, as a member of the crew was seen stapling the skirt back together just seconds before going on air. Funny: Holly Willoughby left One Show viewers in hysterics on Thursday night, as they jokingly accused her of being 'drunk' following her animated TV appearance Holly was making the giddy appearance ahead of the Dancing On Ice live final on Sunday, when James Jordan, Saara Aaalto and Wes Nelson will battle it out for the top prize. The mother-of-three looked beautiful in a black and white polka dot dress, while her blonde bobbed tresses were loosely curled. At one point Holly was also left dumbfounded by magician Matthew T Le Mottee, as he performed a card trick live on The One Show sofa. Giddy: Taking to Twitter, fans of the This Morning host, 38, joked that she had 'been on the sauce,' as she teased the Dancing On Ice final on Sunday Animated: Holly was making the giddy appearance ahead of the Dancing On Ice live final on Sunday A vision: The mother-of-three looked beautiful in a black and white polka dot dress, while her blonde bobbed tresses were loosely curled Thanks to her animated display, many fans took to social media through their laughter to joke that Holly must have been drunk on the show, although there is no actual evidence to suggest that was the case. One viewer tweeted: 'Holly is three sheets to the wind tonight,' while another added: 'Holly Willoughby is definitely p****d on The One Show.' A third viewer also tweeted: 'Oh Holly... you may have had a little too much Dutch courage methinks?' A bit too much? Thanks to her animated display, many fans took to social media through their laughter to joke that Holly must have been drunk on the show Oops! During the show, Holly also dodged a nasty wardrobe malfunction while sat on The One Show, as her dress ripped just seconds before going on air Fix it! A member of the crew was seen trying to staple the dress back together, and Holly managed to hide the blunder by perching her elbow on her lap During the show, Holly also dodged a nasty wardrobe malfunction while sat on The One Show, as her dress ripped just seconds before going on air. A member of the crew was seen trying to staple the dress back together, and Holly managed to hide the blunder by perching her elbow on her lap. Earlier in the day Holly presented This Morning on her own for the first time ever, after her co-host Phillip Schofield called in sick. A source told MailOnline: 'It was a late call and it's a lot to prepare for a two-hour show, so it would be hard for a replacement at such short notice. Bosses believed Holly was perfectly capable of anchoring solo.' She has left audiences on edge with her dual performances in the eerie trailers for Jordan Peele's new horror film, Us. And Lupita Nyong'o could finally show off her work Friday at the film's South By Southwest premiere in Austin, Texas. The 36-year-old actress was the highlight of the red carpet in her edgy white suit. Striking suit: Lupita Nyong'o, 36, finally showed off her new film Us on Friday at the film's South by Southwest premiere in Austin, Texas The 12 Years A Slave star was dressed in the double-breasted suit, which featured striking oval-shaped cut-outs on the sides of the jacket that revealed just enough skin to highlight her hourglass figure. The chic suit was further adorned with a crest of white lace on one shoulder. Her long pants reached down to the ground, obscuring her footwear. Lupita accented her gorgeous eyes with a red stripe across her face, and gave her short, natural hair a regal look with a makeshift crown of silver alligator hair clips. Showing some skin: The 12 Years A Slave star was dressed in the double-breasted suit, which featured striking oval-shaped cut-outs on the sides of the jacket that revealed some skin and highlighted her hourglass figure Angelic white: The chic suit was further adorned with a crest of white lace on one shoulder Us stars Lupita and Winston Duke as Adelaide and Gabe Wilson, a married couple vacationing at their beach house with their two children, played by Evan Alex and Shahadi Wright Joseph. They're also joined by their friends, only credited as Mr. and Mrs. Tyler, played by Tim Heidecker and Mad Men's Elizabeth Moss. The family is confronted in the middle of the night by a crimson-clad family of doppelgangers, identical in appearance except for their disturbed expressions. The motive of the look-alikes, referred to as 'The Tethered,' aren't clear, but they seem sinister, based on the gleaming pairs of scissors they're all armed with. Fast friends: Lupita seemed to relax a bit as she was joined on the carpet by her co-stars and artistic collaborators Edgy look: Elizabeth Moss, 36, mixed classic elegance with punk rock as she wore a sheer peach-colored dress under a leather biker's jacket Lupita seemed to relax a bit as she was joined on the carpet by her co-stars and artistic collaborators. Elizabeth Moss, 36, mixed classic elegance with punk rock as she wore a sheer peach-colored dress under a leather biker's jacket. Get Out director Jordan Peele, 40, shared a laugh with Lupita as they mugged for the crowd. The comedian and director was dressed in an elegant blue-grey suit and he offered a subtle nod to the film with a bloody scissors lapel pin. All smiles: Get Out director Jordan Peele, 40, shared a laugh with Lupita as they mugged for the crowd Joking around: The comedian and director was dressed in an elegant teal suit with a bloody scissors lapel pin Simple style: Winston Duke wore an ultra-casual camo shirt with distressed jeans and a weather black denim jacket Winston Duke wore an ultra-casual camo shirt with distressed jeans and a weather black denim jacket. Tim Heidecker, of Adult Swim's Tim and Eric, was dressed in a fashionable pink blazer with a western-style black shirt with pink-accented designs. He capped the look off with a simple pair of dark blue jeans. Shahadi Wright Joseph wore an eye-catching yellow suit with covered in black tendrils. She also toted around a pair of golden scissors, just like the ones sported by the doppelgangers in the film. Evan Alex rounded out the film's cast. He kept it simple with a canary yellow sweater and dark jeans. First-time producer Ian Cooper was also present for the premiere. In addition to his black suit, he showed off his long braids and dark sunglasses. Texas couture: Tim Heidecker, of Adult Swim's Tim and Eric, was dressed in a fashionable pink blazer with a western-style black shirt with pink-accented designs Fearsome props: Shahadi Wright Joseph wore an eye-catching yellow suit with covered in black tendrils. She also toted around a pair of golden scissors, just like the ones sported by the doppelgangers in the film Rising star: Evan Alex rounded out the film's cast. He kept it simple with a canary yellow sweater and dark jeans Good hair day: First-time producer Ian Cooper was also present for the premiere. In addition to his black suit, he showed off his long braids and dark sunglasses Lupita, Jordan and the rest of the film's cast gathered on stage after the film to chat with the audience. Following the premiere screening, audience members flocked to Twitter to make their voices heard. Opinions ranged, but most of the early viewers were unified in proclaiming it legitimately frightening and a worthy follow-up to Jordan's Oscar-winning Get Out. Debriefing: Lupita, Jordan and the rest of the film's cast gathered on stage after the film to chat with the audience Opinionated viewers: Following the premiere screening, audience members flocked to Twitter to make their voices heard It's a hit! Opinions ranged, but most of the early viewers were unified in proclaiming it legitimately frightening and a worthy follow-up to Jordan's Oscar-winning Get Out Earlier in the day, Lupita showed off another stunning suit when she participated in Twitter's #SheInspiresMe brunch in Austin. The Jungle Book actress showed off her stylish houndstooth suit with black stripes down the inside pant legs. She was joined at the event, which was held in honor of International Women's Day, by her mother, Dorothy. She spoke onstage with the event's host, God-is Rivera. 'Celebrating #InternationalWomensDay with my mom at @Twitters #SheInspiresMe brunch! Thank you for having me, and special thanks to the students who came outthe future is yours!' she tweeted shortly after the event. Fashion icon: Earlier in the day, Lupita showed off another stunning suit when she participated in Twitter's #SheInspiresMe brunch in Austin. The Jungle Book actress showed off her stylish houndstooth suit with black stripes down the inside pant legs Mother and child reunion: She was joined at the event, which was held in honor of International Women's Day, by her mother, Dorothy Busy Philipps channeled her inner flower child at SXSW in Austin, Texas on Friday. The Cougar Town actress, 39, injected a California twist into her Southern inspired outfit while posing up a storm ahead of her panel with Hillary Kerr. Among the boho-chic touches were an array of crystal pendant necklaces, which paired well with her ruffled floral print dress and cowboy boots. Flower power! Busy Philipps channeled her inner flower child at SXSW in Austin, Texas on Friday Busy still looked every bit the California girl as she styled her bright blonde locks into loose beach waves. Accessorizing the look were an array of beaded necklaces, including a string of amethyst beads, along with gold heart earrings. She complimented her radiant complexion with a dewy glow of blush, shimmering eye shadow, and coral pink lips. Once on stage with Hillary, Busy lit up as she chatted away in front of their audience. Strike a pose! The actress flashed a goofy smile as she soaked up the spotlight Curl power! Busy's beachy waves gave her Southern-inspired ensemble a California touch Speaking up! The former Cougar Town actress was speaking at a panel with Hillary Kerr 'There has to be, there needs to be a woman's voice in late night television,' she told Hillary during their panel, according to the SXSW Instagram account. Busy made her debut as the host of her eponymous E! talk show, Busy Tonight, on October 28. Since the show premiered, guests have included Mindy Kaling, Chrissy Metz, and Busy's BFF, Michelle Williams. Let's talk: The new E! star discussed bringing more women into late night television Discuss! The ladies kicked off the first day of the annual festival with their panel Busy has taken a more lighthearted approach to her talk show, focusing on topics including pop culture, in a landscape that sees many hosts fill their shows with anti-Trump talk. 'It's okay to care about refugee children being held at the borders and then also do a face mask and like, have fun,' she told the Herald Sun. She continued: 'Otherwise your brain is going to break. 'We're reaching a point where so many people feel so overwhelmed by world events that they're having a hard time sort of unplugging from it.' Picture perfect: Hillary wore a bold red jacket and animal print purse She joined the Alpha Chi Omega sisterhood over four years ago. But rumored Bachelorette Hannah B was reportedly denied permission to film promotional scenes at her sorority house at the University of Alabama on Friday. According to TMZ, producers contacted the sorority about filming interior and exterior scenes of the house, but were shot down due to security concerns. Nope! Rumored Bachelorette Hannah B was reportedly denied permission to film promotional scenes at her sorority house (pictured in 2014) Hundreds of Alpha Chi Omega members exist on campus, and sorority officials reportedly feared the show would 'bring unwanted publicity and attention.' Hannah Brown was still able to film at other locations on campus on Friday, such as the Crimson Tide's Bryant-Denny Stadium. The future pageant queen joined Alpha Chi Omega in 2014, and graduated magna cum laude from the University of Alabama in 2017 with a degree in Communication and Information Sciences. She became Miss Alabama in 2018, and competed in Miss USA that same year, though did not place. Love is a battlefield: Hannah competed for Colton Underwood's heart on the current season of The Bachelor, but left after meeting his parents during a one-on-one date in his hometown of Denver Hannah competed for Colton Underwood's heart on the current season of The Bachelor, but left after meeting his parents during a one-on-one date in his hometown of Denver. Reality Steve tweeted this week Hannah will be the next Bachelorette, but just because she is filming doesn't necessarily mean she will be this year's lead. Luke Pell revealed he had been asked to be the next Bachelor in 2016, and was just hours away from boarding an airplane to begin filming his season when he was told he wouldn't be lead. Roll Tide! The future reality star with her pledge sisters on bid day in 2014 'I was checked in to my flight to come to L.A,' he told Us Weekly in 2016. 'I got a call from producers Sunday night at about 10 p.m. They said ABC had decided to quote-unquote go in a different direction. I was supposed to fly out Monday morning at 9 a.m. I had my bags packed and everything. Most dramatic Monday ever!' The Bachelor role ultimately went to Nick Viall that year. Caila Quinn was also seen filming promos after her season with Bachelor Ben Higgins, though JoJo Fletcher ended up being The Bachelorette, according to TMZ. The next Bachelorette has not yet been announced. He's the nerdy astrophysicist who was just announced as the next star of The Bachelor, Australia. But despite his bookish demeanor, Matt Agnew seems to have a secret wild side. A mystery woman who claims to have had a nightclub fling with the soon-to-be reality star called The Danny Lakey Late Show this week to spill all the juicy details. 'We just met at a bar and hit it off and were chatting': A mystery female called a radio station claiming to have kissed The Bachelor's Matt Agnew at a nightclub once 'We just met at a bar and hit it off and were chatting,' she explained. 'I was with a girlfriend and we were trying to get his friend and my girlfriend to hook up, so we thought the best way to do that would be for ourselves to start kissing in the middle of the dance floor.' She added: 'Yeah, it was quite full on.' It's unclear if the woman was telling the truth or if she was making a prank call. 'We started kissing in the middle of the dance floor': The mystery woman discussed her 'full on' kiss with the astrophysicist. (Pictured: Matty J and Laura Byrne) Matt was announced as the new Bachelor earlier this week, and his casting has already been met with praise from fans. The official announcement on Instagram was flooded with positive comments, and those keen to take a swipe at past Bachelors. 'Thank God! Someone we don't actually know and doesn't look like a complete tool like the past few have been,' one fan wrote. Popular pick: Matt was announced as the new Bachelor earlier this week, and his casting has already been met with praise from fans 'Cute and smart! Winning combo,' another mused, as others labelled the suitor 'good looking', 'hot', 'smart' and 'a little sweetheart'. The consensus of the thread appeared to be in favour of casting someone who wasn't already 'famous' like last year's Bachelor, Nick 'The Honey Badger' Cummins, with one fan writing, 'Thank goodness he's not a previous season recycle!!' One social media user referenced Nine's controversial dating series, writing, 'Nice to see someone intelligent on TV, unlike MAFS.' Victoria's Secret model Shanina Shaik, 28, regularly sets pulses racing with sizzling snaps flaunting her incredible bikini body. But on Friday, it appeared the catwalk queen gained the ire of her fans when she posed nude for International Women's Day. Reveling in her daring side, Shanina posed in the bush while flashing her pert derriere in a racy Instagram snap. 'It's not harming anybody': Victoria's Secret model Shanina Shaik, 28, (pictured) came under attack for her risque nude to celebrate International Women's Day on Friday Sending out the call to empower women, Shanina wrote: 'Here's to strong women, May we know them, May we be them, May we raise them.' The catwalk queen, however, didn't impress everyone with her racy snap, with a number of fans hitting out at her for flaunting her sizzling curves. One angry female fan took a swipe: 'Stripping doesn't make you strong.' 'Here's to strong women, May we know them, May we be them, May we raise them': Shanina wrote, but the photo and comments appeared to annoy a number of fans The fan then appeared to accuse Shanina of missing the point of International Women's Day - which is to uplift and empower others. 'Happy women's day to all the women who know what real strength is,' she wrote. Shanina, however, hit back at the an by defending her decision to post the risque nude of herself. 'This is simply a beautiful image capturing a raw woman's body': Shanina hit back at the angry female fans who were unhappy with her International Women's Day post 'This is simply capturing a beautiful image of a raw woman's body,' Shanina said. She then asked how celebrating the female form was somehow wrong. 'Where is the stripping? And shouldn't we uplift women on International Women's Day?' 'Too sexual': Fans hit out at Shanina for posting the snap on International Women's Day Despite her rebuttal, Shanina came under fire again from another fan who couldn't help but take aim at the Australian-born supermodel. 'I think she is simply trying to say you don't need to be naked on International Women's Day,' the fan said, parroting the first woman. 'But yes we should uplift and support women but not in this way.' Proving her rhetoric is just as sharp as her selfies, the glamazon hit back at the idea she was pushing anything sexual on to people. 'I understand clothes or no clothes it's nothing to harm or pushing in a sexual manner.' To which the fan replied: 'Yes I know but if it was a normal day the picture would seem in a sexual manner.' Baby love: Shanina (right) revealed she is interested in 'settling down' to have children with husband of less than a year DJ Ruckus (left) It comes after Shanina revealed she and husband DJ Ruckus are planning to have children. During an interview with Rose Inc, she said: 'Personally, I'm thinking about a family and when to settle down and have all that as well.' Shanina and DJ Ruckus - real name Gregory Andrews - were married in the Bahamas in April last year. Shanina rose to fame by storming the catwalk for Victoria's Secret. She's walked an unprecedented five times for the luxurious lingerie brand. Heidi Klum celebrated International Women's Day by donning pink at the Christian Cowan x The Powerpuff Girls runway show at City Market Social House in Los Angeles on Friday. The 45-year-old Emmy winner covered up her phenomenal 5ft9in figure in the bizarre ostrich-feathered hoodie dress and pink metallic stilettos selected by stylist duo Rob Zangardi + Mariel Haenn. Hairstylist Lorenzo Martin coiffed the pretty presenter's flaxen fringed locks and make-up artist Linda Hay applied her lashes and pink glossy pout. International Women's Day! Heidi Klum donned pink at the Christian Cowan x The Powerpuff Girls runway show at City Market Social House in Los Angeles on Friday Shake it! The 45-year-old Emmy winner covered up her phenomenal 5ft9in figure in the bizarre ostrich-feathered hoodie dress and pink metallic stilettos selected by stylist duo Rob Zangardi + Mariel Haenn Once inside, Heidi held court front row between a statue of Powerpuff Girl Blossom and The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Erika Jayne. Klum made sure to kiss the cheek of the man of the hour - designer Christian Cowan, who masterminded the Cartoon Network-inspired collection. The former Victoria's Secret Angel currently judges cycle 14 of Germany's Next Topmodel, which airs Thursdays on ProSieben. Evergreen: Hairstylist Lorenzo Martin coiffed the pretty presenter's flaxen fringed locks and make-up artist Linda Hay applied her lashes and pink glossy pout Holding court: Once inside, Heidi sat front row between a statue of Powerpuff Girl Blossom and The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Erika Jayne (L) Man of the hour: Klum made sure to kiss the cheek of designer Christian Cowan, who masterminded the Cartoon Network-inspired collection Beaming: Klum could not stop grinning as she arrived to the fashion festivities It was on the set of that modeling competition where the twice-divorced mother-of- four met her fiance Tom Kaulitz, who popped the question on December 24 with a dark-stone engagement ring after a nine-month romance. Heidi is 16 years older than the Tokio Hotel guitarist, and they already set a date for their wedding as she told ET last month: 'We're two Germans, it will be very organized and on time. Very, very much on time and very organized.' The bearded musician is about to become stepfather to Klum's four children - daughter Helene, 14; son Henry, 14; son Johan, 12; daughter Lou, 9 - with ex-husband #2 Seal and ex-partner Flavio Briatore. Airing Thursdays on ProSieben! The former Victoria's Secret Angel currently judges cycle 14 of Germany's Next Topmodel Betrothed: It was on the set of that competition where the twice-divorced mother-of- four met her fiance Tom Kaulitz, who popped the question on December 24 (pictured February 24) Heidi is 16 years older than the Tokio Hotel guitarist, and they already set a date for their wedding as she told ET last month: 'We're two Germans, it will be very organized and on time. Very, very much on time and very organized' (pictured February 22) January 1 family portrait: The bearded musician is about to become stepfather to Klum's four children - daughter Helene, 14; son Henry, 14; son Johan, 12; daughter Lou, 9 - with ex- husband #2 Seal and ex-partner Flavio Briatore It's Kaulitz's (born Kaulitz-Trumper) second engagement after being betrothed to Ria Sommerfeld for a year until their 2016 split. Heidi has been 'really supportive' to Karlie Kloss, who replaced her as producer and host of the 17th season of design competition Project Runway premiering March 14 on Bravo. The HK Intimates creative director and Mel B were also replaced as judges by Gabrielle Union and Julianne Hough in the 14th season of America's Got Talent, which premieres May 28 on NBC. Premieres March 14 on Bravo! Heidi has been 'really supportive' to Karlie Kloss (2-L), who replaced her as producer and host of the 17th season of design competition Project Runway On Monday, Vampire Diaries alum Kat Graham got wet and wild while vacationing in Mexico at The Fives Azul Beach Resort Playa del Carmen by Karisma. The Swiss-born 29-year-old flaunted her petite 5ft2in figure in a pink strappy monokini selected by stylist Jennifer Mazur. The Drop the Mic champ arrived on the beach in a jaunty straw hat and low-slung wide-leg pink pants before plunging in the Caribbean waters. Wading the waters: On Monday, Vampire Diaries alum Kat Graham got wet and wild while vacationing in Mexico at The Fives Azul Beach Resort Playa del Carmen by Karisma Taking the plunge: The Swiss-born 29-year-old flaunted her petite 5ft2in figure in a pink strappy monokini selected by stylist Jennifer Mazur Kat (born Katerina) was joined on her seaside holiday by a gal pal and two male friends, and the group stayed in a luxurious two-Bedroom penthouse resort residence. Graham and her companions appeared to have a blast at the resort, which features an expansive pool, dining at gourmet-inclusive restaurants, spa, rooftop lounge decks, and a sky bar. Career-wise, the Holiday Calendar actress will next play Rose in the film noir thriller The Poison Rose - hitting Dutch theaters on July 17 - alongside Leni Rico, John Travolta, Morgan Freeman, and Brendan Fraser. The biracial beauty reportedly speaks English, Spanish, and French, as well as some Hebrew and Portuguese. Cover-up: The Drop the Mic champ arrived on the beach in a jaunty straw hat and low-slung wide-leg pink pants before plunging in the Caribbean waters Picturesque: Kat (born Katerina) was joined on her seaside holiday by a gal pal and two male friends, and the group stayed in a luxurious two-Bedroom penthouse resort residence Relaxing: Graham and her companions appeared to have a blast at the resort, which features an expansive pool, gourmet restaurants, spa, rooftop lounge decks, and a sky bar The stars of TOWIE headed for a night out in Koh Samui, Thailand on Friday as filming got under way for the upcoming series. Chloe Sims led the fashion pack in a leggy silver minidress and was joined by newbie Chloe Ross, 26, who looked incredible in an ab-flashing fuchsia co-ord. It comes amid claims the cast are furious producers have signed-up a host of young social media stars in a bid to shake-up the show. Leading the pack: Chloe Sims joined the cast of TOWIE for a night out in Koh Samui, Thailand on Friday as filming got under way for the upcoming series As they made their stunning entrance to the night out, veteran Chloe showed off her incredible figure while going ahead with filming despite the alleged upset. A source told The Sun: 'Rather than bring in cast members who have links to the current stars, bosses have decided to bring in a bunch of all-new signings who are well known in Essex, they all have a huge social media followings... 'They are already keeping the old cast members on their toes following the big cull, the rest of the cast were told there was a new group of signings on the first night of their Thailand trip, but they don't know who they are yet. 'The revelation was met by mixed reactions by regulars who are desperate to find out who they are, half felt threatened by having a new group of younger, fresher Essex newbies stealing the headlines while the other half were excited to have fresh meat.' Head-turning display: The TOWIE veteran was joined by newbie Chloe Ross, 26, (R) who looked incredible in an ab-flashing fuchsia co-ord New faces: It comes amid claims the cast are furious producers have signed-up a host of young social media stars in a bid to shake-up the show Part of the gang: While the newbies film back in Essex, the reality starlet's younger sister Demi, 22, (L) has flown out to Thailand to join the well-known cast members Strutting her stuff: Demi showed off her sartorial flair in a skintight lycra top and a stone-coloured miniskirt Best pals: Georgia Kousoulou's best friend Chloe R (R) also jetted out to Thailand with the rest of the crew Stylish: Georgia cut a vibrant figure in a bright orange Gypsy frill crop top and maxi skirt Vision of colour: She paired the look with a wooden bag, bright yellow acrylic nails and gold flats MailOnline has contacted for TOWIE's representatives for comment. TOWIE veteran Chloe paired her figure-hugging one-shouldered minidress with brown sandals and wore her blonde locks in soft waves. Chloe was joined by fellow stars of the show; Pete Wicks, Dan Edgar, Bobby Norris, Chloe Meadows, James 'Diags' Bennewith, Saffron Lempriere and Courtney Green they filmed scenes for the upcoming series. While the newbies film back in Essex, the reality starlet's younger sister Demi, 22, and Georgia Kousoulou's best friend Chloe R jetted out to Thailand with the rest of the crew. Glam: Chloe paired her figure-hugging one-shouldered minidress with brown sandals and wore her blonde locks in soft waves Exciting: Demi has been introduced by bosses in a bid to spice things up and has spoken openly at her delight at being the first bi-sexual star to sign-up to the show Party-time: Chloe appeared in high spirits as she chatted to Dan Edgar, who enjoyed a chilled beer Handsome: Pete Wicks looked his typical dapper self in camel chinos and a simple black t-shirt as he filmed with the rest of the crew Holiday-mode: Chloe Meadows and Bobby Norris glammed up for the evening and caught up over a glass of wine Beautician Chloe has apparently wasted no time getting to know the boys on the show - including newly-single Dan Edgar. Chloe is said to have caught the eye of the single men on the show, and has made no secret of the fact that she is looking for a boyfriend. An insider told The Sun: 'Chloe is a perfect addition to the show she's gorgeous, friendly and as a single lady is on the hunt for a new man. 'Dan has already shown an interest in her but he's not the only one to think she's a hot new signing. Flair for fashion: Saffron Lempiere and Courtney Green slipped into bold patterned ensembles for the evening out Painful: Bobby looked like he had caught the sun a bit too much as he showcased his angry red sunburn on his chest, while Chloe M sizzled in a orange bandeau minidress Mysterious: The cast were reportedly told there was a new group of signings on the first night of their Thailand trip, but don't know who they are yet (pictured L-R Bobby, Chloe, Saffron, Courtney) A source said: 'The revelation was met by mixed reactions by regulars, half felt threatened by having a new group of younger, fresher Essex newbies stealing the headlines' (pictured L-R Demi, Pete, Dan, Chloe, James 'Diags' Bennewith) 'Chloe's also caught the eye of Gatsby, Sam Mucklow and Diags and there's no better way for her to get to know them all than in Thailand.' Any sparks between Chloe and Dan will no doubt make uncomfortable viewing for his ex-girlfriend Amber Turner, who he split from at the end of December. The news will no doubt come as an even heavier blow to the blonde bombshell given that she fell victim of the huge cast cull this season. Joining the likes of Myles Barnett and Kady McDermott, James Lock and Yasmin Oukhellou, the 25-year-old reality star was been told by producers that she will not come back. Rebel Wilson turned 39 on March 2nd but the celebrations just keep coming for the Australian actress. On Friday, she took to Instagram to share video of a surprise activity her friends organised for her birthday - a 'catersize' dance routine. In the video, Rebel donned a pink fur hat with ears and a pair of furry arm bands for the workout while her friends, including TV host Carly Steel, wore little cat-ear headbands. Meow! Rebel Wilson (front) dressed up as a pink kitty after friends, including TV host Carly Steel (center right), surprised her with a 'catersize' workout for her 39th birthday on Friday The women danced up a storm in black exercise gear, making a series of kitty-inspired moves. Rebel captioned the video: 'The new way to get that hot Summer bod: CATZERCISE Don't be a pussy and try it'. On Saturday, the cat themed celebrations continued, as Rebel got to go backstage and meet the cast of musical Cats, which is currently playing in Los Angeles. Big fan! On Saturday, the cat themed celebrations continued, as Rebel got to go backstage to meet the cast of musical Cats, which is currently playing in Los Angeles Sharing a video to Instagram Stories, Rebel showed off her new feline friends, saying to camera: 'We are backstage at Cats, and here are the cats! They're incredible!' It's been a big week of festivities for the star, and earlier in the week, the Pitch Perfect actress received two extravagant birthday cakes and a cookie delivery, courtesy of Milk Bar in New York. Sharing a video on Instagram, Rebel panned across a huge cake which read the words: 'Happy Birthday Rebel,' and an assortment of different cookies. Yum! It's been a big week of birthday festivities for the star, and earlier in the week, the Pitch Perfect actress received two extravagant birthday cakes and a cookie delivery, courtesy of Milk Bar in New York (pictured) Nice gift! Rebel also revealed she got spoiled by her housekeeper, when she received a Louis Vuitton wallet (pictured) for an early birthday gift The actress revealed that one the cakes which was called the Compost Cookie Cake, and is a real treat, packed with pretzels, potato chips, coffee, oats, butterscotch and chocolate chips. Rebel also revealed she got spoiled by her housekeeper, when she received a Louis Vuitton wallet for an early birthday gift. Taking to Instagram Stories, the actress and comedian flaunted her new Louis Vuitton Clemence wallet which retails for AUD $750. Her relationship with beau Kenneth Petty came to light in December. And Nicki Minaj looked happier than ever as she stepped out with the music industry insider in Paris on Friday night. Heading to the Royal Monceau Hotel, the rapper, 36, cut an incredibly stylish figure in a skintight Fendi jumpsuit and a chunky silver chain. Romance: Nicki Minaj, 36, looked happier than ever as she stepped out with her beau Kenneth Petty in Paris on Friday night All eyes were on Nicki in the clingy number which put emphasis on her eye-popping curves. Nicki teamed the one-piece with a unique black belt while her brown boots appeared to be a part of the haute couture number. The Anaconda hitmaker's raven tresses were glossed to perfection and despite it being dark, she added to the a-list look with a pair of shades. Kenneth also cut a trendy figure in a satin bomber which he teamed with an all-black look. Looking good: Heading to the Royal Monceau Hotel, the rapper cut an incredibly stylish figure in a skintight Fendi jumpsuit and a chunky silver chain Fashionista: All eyes were on Nicki in the clingy number which put emphasis on her eye-popping curves Stylish: Nicki teamed the one-piece with a unique black belt while her brown boots appeared to be a part of the haute couture number Nicki raised eyebrows when she confirmed her romance with Kenneth - who has reportedly been slapped with two violent conduct violations in 2010 for threats and fighting. According to TMZ, Kenneth spent seven years behind bars for first degree manslaughter, which he pleaded guilty to after being charged with second degree murder. Citing insiders in law enforcement, the website claimed that Kenneth shot one Lamont Robinson three times on a street corner in Queens in April 2002. Babe: The Anaconda hitmaker's raven tresses were glossed to perfection and despite it being dark, she added to the a-list look with a pair of shades Other half: Kenneth also cut a trendy figure in a satin bomber which he teamed with an all-black look Kenneth and some associates allegedly drove to a point across the street from Lamont, whereupon Kenneth emerged from the vehicle and walked over to his victim before firing into his stomach. However, soon after making their romance official, Nicki defended her new beau as she replied to a fan who was sticking up for her. 'He was 15, she was 16 in a relationship. But go awf, Internet. Yall cant run my life. Yall cant even run yall own life. Thank you boo,' she replied. He added to his long list of surgical enhancements by recently undergoing his 11th nose job and replacing his silicone chin implant. And Rodrigo Alves, 35, continued his bold display as he took to the streets of Istanbul in Turkey on Friday. The CBB star caught the eye in a double-breasted velvet blazer that was adorned with military-style gold buttons and glistening rope detailing on the cuffs and shoulders. Eye-catching: Rodrigo Alves, 35, put on a jazzy display in a double-breasted velvet blazer as he stepped out in Istanbul, Turkey on Friday Continuing to put his best fashion foot forward, Rodrigo wore canary yellow loafers that featured a tassel on the front. He kept with the velvet theme in a roll neck that was made out of the same material and slipped into a pair of skinny jeans. Showing off his designer wares, the star looped a Gucci belt around his hips. His sighting comes after he admitted to feeling 'very self-conscious' since his chin implant ruptured leaving a dent as he was set to appear on TV to talk about his original song Plastic World - which he will be performing during the Eurovision opening party in May. Bold: Continuing to put his best fashion foot forward, Rodrigo caught the eye in canary yellow loafers that featured a tassel on the front Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, he said he was 'in tears' over the rupture, and lamented: 'How can I go there to talk about my song when I have a big dent in my chin?' Despite the pain he's been in as a result of the rupture, the socialite put on a brave face as he updated his fans on Instagram during his journey to Milan for the city's fashion week. His posts sparked a huge number of fans to send him messages, as they were concerned with what had happened to his chin. Selfie: The star posed in front of his phone's camera lens as he stopped to snap some selfies Rodrigo told MailOnline he visited his friend and plastic surgeon Dr. Giancome Urtis to run a few X-Ray and CAT scans at the Clinica Villa Arbe in Milan to determine what can be done to help fix the rupture. He explained: 'It looks [like] I will have to go back to Iran, Tehran, to have the chin replaced. Alternatively I could have some injections of Hyaluronic acid but it wont be a permanent fix.' Earlier this month, Rodrigo enthused he was able to breathe for the first time in four years after 11 nose jobs during his 6,000 cosmetic surgery quest for perfection. Out and about: The Brazilian showed off his designer wares as he looped a Gucci belt around his hips During an appearance on This Morning he also divulged he was forced to keep his eyes open after having his fifth Canthopexy eye-lift surgery in recent weeks. Following his 70th procedure, the Brazilian star, who has splashed out 600,000 on plastic surgery in total, claimed he is staying out of the operating room for the next few years but he didn't rule out going under the knife again. He added: 'Plastic surgeons only perform on healthy people. I'm so healthy. I have lots of blood tests. I'm a very health person. If I was a smoker or had an illness, it would be a risk or a danger. 'I'm done with plastic surgery for the next few years and if I need to have surgery I can, my entire body has been modified.' She's the glamorous Australia model who rarely puts a foot out of line when it comes to fashion. And earlier this week, Catherine McNeil didn't disappoint as she attended the Chanel Show during Paris Fashion Week. The 29-year-old dressed to impress in a black silk frock that she paired with an oversize coat with a fur trim. Scroll down for video Oh la la! Supermodel Catherine McNeil (pictured) cut an elegant figure in a black ensemble as she attended the Chanel Show during Paris Fashion Week earlier in the week Cat finished off her elegant look with a black bag with a chain strap and a pair of matching ankle boots. Showing off her flawless visage, The Brisbane-born model kept her makeup to a minimal, adding a soft brown lipstick to her perfect pout. She kept her straight caramel tresses out and parted in the middle. Warm: The 29-year-old dressed to impress in a black silk frock that she paired with an oversize coat with a fur trim Flawless: Showing off her flawless visage, The Brisbane-born model kept her makeup to a minimal, adding a soft brown lipstick to her perfect pout It comes after Cat, who was said to be close to late iconic Chanel designer, Karl Lagerfeld, couldn't contain her emotion as she stormed a snow-covered runway to honour Karl's last collection earlier this week. The brunette model first showed off a steely demeanour at the beginning of the show, before breaking down into tears at the end of the spectacular. She was joined by many of Karl's other high-glam muses, including Spanish actress Penelope Cruz, Kaia Gerber, and UK model Cara Delevingne. Walk hard: It comes after Cat, who was said to be close to late iconic Chanel designer, Karl Lagerfeld, couldn't contain her emotion as she stormed a snow-covered runway to honour Karl's last collection earlier this week (pictured) The 29-year-old statuesque beauty looked incredibly chic in a black-and-white checkered vest and matching trousers for the extravaganza. A highly-appreciative Cat took to her Instagram account soon after to thank Karl and the prestigious fashion house for allowing her to walk 'stitches and all.' 'I will forever be grateful to you and my family at Chanel,' she wrote in her tribute, adding: 'It was always an honour and an absolute pleasure. You were and always will be loved and missed by all.' She could reportedly be forced to sell her country mansion in Sussex to pay off a 2.1m debt. But Katie Price brushed off any financial woes as she headed to the airport on Friday with her boyfriend Kris Boyson on another luxury holiday. The former glamour model, 40, took to Instagram ahead of her Emirates business-class flight and looked ready for her tropical break as she posed with her 2,470 Louis Vuitton suitcase. Jet-setter: Katie Price brushed off any financial woes as she headed to the airport on Friday with her boyfriend Kris Boyson on another luxury holiday and posed with a 2,470 Louis Vuitton case Seizing the opportunity to plug her travelwear from her own clothing brand, Katie captioned the snap: 'Airport ready', alongside a 20 per cent discount. Kris, 30, also couldn't resist sharing a photo of him relaxing in his business-class seat and left fans guessing about where the couple were jetting off to as he simply captioned it: 'Nowhere In Space'. Clearly excited about the prospect of travelling to a warmer country, the hunky personal trainer took to his Instastories to post a clip of rainy England, with him writing atop of it: 'laters rain'. Holiday ready: Kris, 30, also couldn't resist sharing a photo of him relaxing in his business-class Emirates seat and left fans guessing about where the couple were travelling time Relaxing: Kris looked delighted with his business-class ticket as he showed off the tv and chilled fridge area Their latest break comes just two weeks after the pair jetted to Spain with Katie's mum Amy and step-father Paul. But Katie could reportedly be forced to sell her country mansion in Sussex to pay off a 2.1m debt reports The Sun. Files allegedly sent to Companies House show the former glamour model, 40, is millions in debt, after narrowly avoiding bankruptcy last year. It was reported that in a new agreement with creditors, if her bill remain unpaid after four years, her nine-bedroom mansion will be put up for auction to pay the debt. Sun-soaked: Clearly excited about the prospect of travelling to a warmer country, the hunky personal trainer took to his Instastories to post a clip of rainy England, with him writing atop of it: 'laters rain' The agreement is said to have set up after her company, Jordan Trading, went into liquidation. The star will only have to pay back 41 per cent of her total debts (856, 358) in monthly instalments over five years. The agreement is said to enable the star to avoid bankruptcy - with the same files showing from February 2018 to last month, she paid 27.96 to creditors. An insider told the website this shows 'what a challenge she faces to turn things around.' Life of luxury: Kris also shared his own snap of his personalised suitcase as he arrived at the airport They added: 'Most people will wonder how she has managed to avoid bankruptcy with an agreement which lets her get away without paying 59 per cent of what she owes.' MailOnline has contacted Katie's representative for comment. The star purchased her 2million Horsham home in 2014, shortly after tying the knot with her now estranged husband Kieran Hayler, 31. At the beginning of December 2018, she avoided bankruptcy after coming to an agreement over her tax bill and a close pal allegedly loaned the star 22,000 to bail her out. Katie's case was heard at a specialist insolvency and companies court in Central London, which estimated her total debts ranged from 250,000 to 500,000. She was not at the court for the hearing, which lasted less than two minutes. Three years ago, Iggy Azalea famously claimed that she had 'no connection' to Australia. And now, the Sydney-born rapper has again spoken out about how she feels distant from her home country. In a YouTube video published on Friday, the 28-year-old stated: 'I do like Australia, a lot of people think I hate it. [But] I don't really like to go back, it's just not for me full time!' 'I don't really like to go back!' Speaking with make-up artist James Charles (left) on Friday, Iggy Azalea (right) claimed that she would 'never be able to live in Australia' again Iggy made the claim to make-up artist James Charles, who published the video on his YouTube channel. The Fancy hit-maker was born in Sydney and raised in Byron Bay, before she moved to the US at the age of 16. Insisting that she didn't dislike Australia, Iggy told James: 'I would love to take a vacation there and I would recommend anyone go visit. 'It's just too slow paced for me and it's not ridiculous enough!' Iggy revealed why she would never move back to Australia full time 'It's really nice, the food's really fresh, the weather's beautiful in summer, it's pretty clean, I like a lot of the beaches, my family live there.' However, the musician firmly added: 'I would just never be able to live there, because it's just too slow paced for me and it's not ridiculous enough!' Back in January, Iggy bluntly told her Twitter followers that she only misses one thing about her home country. Turning her back on her country! Iggy has previously indicated she is happy to no longer be living in Australia 'People have been asking me for years what I miss about Australia and the truth is I only miss Bunnings Warehouse sausage sizzles,' she tweeted. Speaking to the Herald Sun in January 2016, Iggy indicated she was happy to no longer be living in Australia. 'I mean, to be honest with you, my home is in America,' she said. 'It's great to come back [to Australia] and visit my grandparents, but there is no home connection.' However, in a conversation with a Twitter user that same month, Iggy confirmed she was still an Australian citizen. Brooklyn Beckham's playboy ex Lexi Wood got up close and personal with some of Australia's rarest animals at Wild Action Zoo in Melbourne on Saturday. The 21-year-old beauty looked ecstatic as she held the cutest of them all, the pygmy possum. The Canadian-born model also worked up the courage to hold a gigantic black-headed python, which was draped over her shoulders. Scroll down for video Crikey, she's brave! Brooklyn Beckham's playboy model ex Lexi Wood (pictured) got up close and personal to some of Australia's animals including a python at Wild Action Zoo on Saturday Lexi looked calm and relaxed as she held the large reptile, looking effortlessly flawless despite the creepy critter wrapped round her. She showed off her flawless visage by wearing minimal makeup, adding a soft pink lip to her plump pout and a smear of caramel eye-shadow to her lids. Dressing up for her animal meet and greet, Lexi wore a cherry-print wrap dress and finished off her casual look with a pair of black Converse high-tops. Brave: The Canadian-born model also worked up the courage to hold a gigantic black-headed python which was draped over her shoulders Cute! She later cuddled up to array of cute animals, including two sleepy koalas Feeding time: While feeding wallabies, Lexi showed off her svelte frame in a cherry-print wrap dress and finished off her casual look with a pair of black Converse high-tops Flawless: While holding a tawny frogmouth, she showed off her flawless visage by wearing minimal makeup, adding a soft pink lip to her plump pout In contrast, the brunette later posed with an array of cute animals, including koalas, wallabies and a tawny frogmouth bird. Lexi even stopped to take a few selfies with her furry koala friends, with of the fluffy critters even kissing her cheek for the shot. Later, the model couldn't wipe the smile of her face as she held a green parrot which was perched on her arm. Strike a pose! Lexi stopped to take a few selfies with her koala friends, getting a kiss from one All smiles: The model couldn't wipe the smile of her face as she held a green parrot which was perched on her arm On Friday, Lexi was seen posing beside I'm A Celebrity's Justin Lacko for a racy campaign shoot for label Bianca and Bridgett in Melbourne. Lexi is a model who hails from Toronto, Canada but began her career when she moved to Paris at the age of 16. Her reported romance with Brooklyn Beckham came to light last April when the pair were spotted kissing at a West Hollywood tattoo parlor. She was left devastated when she discovered her ex-boyfriend Pete Wicks had been sending sexually explicit messages with ten women last year. But Shelby Tribble has revealed she has managed to make amends with the 30-year-old hunk, after he apologised profusely to her when they landed in Thailand to film the upcoming series of TOWIE. It comes as the Plymouth-born beauty launched into a furious rant saying she always 'attracts the wrongun' after she reportedly ended up in bed with her co-star Sam Mucklow. Remorseful: Shelby Tribble has revealed she her ex-boyfriend Pete Wicks made a grovelling apology to her when they landed in Thailand to film the upcoming series of TOWIE Shelby exclusively told MailOnline: 'Pete and I have made up and are genuinely friends again. He apologised to me on the first night in Thailand and really meant it.' 'He admitted treating me badly. He said it a few times and I could tell he meant every word he said, all I ever wanted from him was him to apologise like he did last night. 'We ended up having a really nasty break-up but if he had done that in the first place we could have avoided all that.' Friends again: Shelby exclusively told MailOnline: 'Pete and I have made up and are genuinely friends again. He apologised to me on the first night in Thailand and really meant it.' (pictured together August 2018) The Miss England finalist and Pete left things on frosty terms when their relationship ended in September last year, with the reality star telling him to 'grow the f**k up'. She went on to publicly blast him in a scathing expletive-laden rant calling him 'disgusting' after she caught him out sexting another girl. But after mending her broken heart, the beauty pageant star's opinion on Pete has changed. Annoyed: It comes as the Plymouth-born beauty launched into a furious rant she always 'attracts the wrongun' after she ended up in bed with her co-star Sam Mucklow 'He is a great guy and is the funniest person I know so I'm glad we are friends again, I would never slag him off or say a bad thing about him. I'm now enjoying being around him because we have fun again', she said. 'I don't miss having a relationship with him but I do miss his friendship. The hardest thing being on TOWIE was being forced to see Pete after we broke up. 'No one wants to hang around with their ex. In a normal world you have time to avoid each other but when you are on TOWIE you have to spend time together. She added: 'In the end I'm quite glad because it has forced us to become friends again and I'm really glad because I would have been gutted to lose him as a friend because he made me laugh so much.' Grovelling apology: 'He admitted treating me badly. He said it a few times and I could tell he meant every word he said, all I ever wanted from him was him to apologise like he did last night' Shelby admitted she has been watching Pete's antics on Celebs Go Dating. The brunette beauty told us: 'It has been a bit weird seeing your ex go on dates with loads of girls but not in a jealousy way, it's just a bit strange but I've enjoyed. 'I don't still have feelings, I think what is meant to be will be and I knew from quite early on that we were incompatible. I wouldn't get jealous if he pulled anyone in front of me. We've both moved on. ' But while she has smoothed things over with Pete, her holiday has taken a turn for the worse after she reportedly ended up in bed with Sam after a night out. She later bemoaned that she always attracts the 'wrongun' on Twitter. Speaking out: Shelby, who enjoyed one date with Sam last year, took to Twitter later on Friday to share an explosive rant the morning after: 'I ALWAYS attract the wrongun' A source told The Sun on Friday: 'Shelby and Sam were all over each other their chemistry was unreal. 'One thing led to another and they ended up in bed together. None of the other cast were surprised.' Shelby also told the publication that Sam snogged her 'so passionately', he 'ripped off her lip'. Shelby, who enjoyed one date with Sam last year, took to Twitter later on Friday to share an explosive rant the morning after: 'I ALWAYS attract the wrongun. 'The disrespect a 'friend' ( who you trusted) has for you by talking about you and your business in a bad way to someone theyve known 5mins just because they have some sort of status is disgusting! 'The rant I want to go into right now....but I know its not worth the time and energy. All I can say is trust NO ONE. 'Always stay true to yourself [sic]'. TOWIE returns to ITVBe for TOWIE Thailand at 9pm March 17 Tree lover Russell Crowe paid $35,000 to plant seven Moreton Bay figs in Sydney's Centennial Park in 2008. And now according to some experts and locals, his beloved shrubs are on the brink of dying. Speaking to The Daily Telegraph on Saturday, one expert said: 'There is definitely something not right with those trees. Issues? On Saturday it was revealed Russell Crowe's (pictured) $35,000 Moreton Bay Figs planted in Sydney's Centennial Park are 'struggling' Concern: 'There is definitely something not right with those trees,' one expert told the Daily Telegraph on Saturday. Pictured is a Moreton Bay Fig tree planted by Russell Crowe 'They obviously have some stunted growth and their leaf coverage is not ideal. It also looks like they might be nutrient deficient. They definitely look like they are struggling to some degree,' they said. Despite everyone's concern for the trees' survival, Russell told the publication that he has full faith and trust in the caretakers of the park. 'The site was chosen specifically for Moreton Bay figs. The cost of the trees includes a lifetime of care by the park,' he said. Official plaque: This plaque appears in front of a Moreton Bay Fig planted by Russell Crowe in honour of the Irwin family Charitable: Last year, Russell sold some of his most cherished possessions as part of his divorce from ex-wife Danielle Spencer (pictured) Last year, Russell also showed off his generosity by auctioning off prized possessions worth $3.7 million at auction as part of his divorce. The sale at Sotheby's featured 223 items including a chariot from the film Gladiator, and was dubbed 'The Art of Divorce'. Watches, art and jewellery belonging to his ex-wife Danielle were also included in the sale. Rare movie memorabilia including the amour Crowe wore in Gladiator as Maximus went under the hammer last year. The armour sold for $125,000 while a sword used in the film sold for $70,000. A working chariot from the set of Gladiator will sold for $65,000. The Dr Martens boots Crowe wore playing a neo-Nazi in Romper Stomper sold for $10,000. Former radio star Merrick Watts has had something of a charmed life. Aside from becoming one of the biggest stars in Australian radio with his then radio partner Tim 'Rosso' Ross in the 2000s, Merrick, 45, met his wife of 20 years Georgie on a blind date - while hungover. The dad-of-two told Stellar magazine on Sunday that the blind date had been set up by their mutual hairdresser. Thousand Watts smiles! On Sunday, ex radio star Merrick Watts (pictured back, left), 45, spilled about meeting his wife Georgie (middle) on a blind date while hungover. Pictured in Stellar Magazine with his kids Wolfe (right), 9, and Kinga, 7 (left) 'I'd been out with some friends the night before and I was really hungover and I didn't want to go out on this date,' said Merrick. He continued: 'But I went out and met Georgie... I just remember thinking, "Wow, she's very, very good-looking. This probably won't work because she's too attractive for me".' The couple married in 2006 and now have two children together - son Wolfe, 9, and daughter Kinga, 7. Lucky! Aside from becoming one of the biggest stars in Australian radio with his then radio partner Tim 'Rosso' Ross in the 2000s, Merrick, 45, met his wife of 20 years Georgie on a blind date - while hungover. Pictured in Stellar Magazine Happy ending! 'I'd been out with some friends the night before and I was really hungover and I didn't want to go out on this date,' said Merrick. Pictured with wife Georgie He continued: 'But I went out and met Georgie... I just remember thinking, "Wow, she's very, very good-looking. This probably won't work because she's too attractive for me"'. Pictured with wife Georgie Merrick added that both his children are a delight to have around - because they are not like he was at their age. 'They are very well-behaved kids, strangely. I say strangely because I was such a horror,' the former radio star said. Merrick enjoyed a lengthy career in radio before leaving the airwaves at the end of 2017. Life is sweet! The couple married in 2006 and now have two children together - son Wolfe and daughter Kinga (pictured) Since then, the star has been busy hosting regional comedy events under the banner Grapes of Mirth, as well as being an active dad. Merrick first shot to national fame alongside Tim 'Rosso' Ross when they hosted the Merrick and Rosso program on Triple J back in 1998. The pair defected to Nova in 2001, and became two of the most popular radio stars in the country, hosting their top-rated breakfast show for eight years. Merrick Watts appears in this Sunday's edition of Stellar magazine MAFS star Mike Gunner was snapped without his wedding band as he arrived at Nova 96.9's radio station in Pyrmont, Sydney, earlier this week. And on Saturday, the 44-year-old reality star made sure he was photographed wearing the ring as he attended the 90.9 Sea FM Yacht Party in Southport on the Gold Coast. Posing up a storm with The Bachelor's Heather Maltman and MAFS star Bella Frizza, Mike flashed a cheeky grin from ear to ear as he stood between the two women. At least he kept his ring on! MAFS star Mike Gunner (pictured) partied with Bachelor and Love Island stars at the 90.9 Sea FM Yacht Party in Southport on the Gold Coast on Saturday TV friends: Posing up a storm with The Bachelor's Heather Maltman (left) and MAFS star Bella Frizza (right), Mike flashed a cheeky grin from ear to ear as he stood between the two ladies Looking dapper in a white button-up shirt, navy trousers and black loafers, Mike was very much in high spirits before heading out for a day on the water. Heather looked stunning and summery in a white jumpsuit with a floral-print top underneath. She glammed up her autumnal look with a bold red lipstick and dark eyeliner for an eye-catching look. Handsome! Looking dapper in a white button-up shirt, navy trousers and black loafers, Mike was in very high spirits before heading out for a day on the water (pictured with Heather Maltman) The brunette beauty finished her outfit with a pair of plain white casual shoes and a woven box clutch. Bella, who appeared on season three of MAFS, showed off her svelte frame in a two-piece ensemble consisting of a white tasseled-top and a matching form-fitting skirt that showcased her trim pins. Love Island's Edyn Mackney and Shelby Bilby also turned up to the event. Love Island beauties! Love Island's Edyn Mackney (left) and Shelby Bilby (right) were also in attendance, and looked fresh in white frocks All smiles: Bella and Mike posed for a cute photograph out the front of the vessel before venturing off onto the water for the day (both pictured) Edyn looked gorgeous in a white mini dress that exposed her long legs, with matching strappy stilettos. Shelby put on a busty display in a figure-hugging cut-out dress that showed off her slender frame and washboard stomach. She finished off her look with a pair of red stilettos and a small black clutch. They became engaged in 2017 after dating for seven years. And proving that she is always a shoulder to lean on, The Inbetweeners star Hannah Tointon, 31, lovingly supported her boozy fiance Joe Thomas after he was left looking worse for wear on a night on the tiles in Soho on Friday. The actor, 35, who is best known for starring as Simon Cooper in the comedy series, appeared fatigued as he was spotted out in the capital while his partner, who played his girlfriend Tara on-screen. Big night: Hannah Tointon, 31, lovingly supported her boozy fiance Joe Thomas, 35, after he was left looking worse for wear after a night on the tiles in Soho on Friday The couple could be seen spying at their phones as they chatted with one another in front of the Prince Edward theatre. Joe suffered a minor mishap when his mobile slipped out of his hands onto the pavement which he quickly scooped up to assess the damage. Slumping up against a wall, the comedy star looked disappointed that he was unable to get into a bar that his other half was granted entry into. Deciding to carry on the night solo, after being unable to get into the venue, he opted to head to Soho House before catching a taxi home at 2:30am without Hannah. Long-night: The actor used the wall to support himself during his night out in the capital Keeping it casual, the couple stepped out in laid-back looks for their outing with Joe wearing a green shirt, dark denim jeans and a black lightweight jacket with beige boots. Hannah selected black trousers and trainers and kept away the chill with a padded jacket. The pair have been dating since 2010, after meeting on set of Channel 4 comedy The Inbetweeners. Oops! Joe suffered a minor mishap when his mobile slipped out of his hands onto the pavement which he quickly scooped up to assess the damage Their love no doubt blossomed after their characters embarked on romance on the show - with the sister of Kara Tointon playing unlucky-in-love Simon's crazy girlfriend Tara. Having more luck with their love off-screen however, it was confirmed that the duo had moved in together in the City back in 2012. The Essex born actor admitted to Cosmopolitan that he is a romantic at heart, and is always looking out to 'protect' his stunning partner. He confessed to the magazine: 'I always try to impress my girlfriend Hannah by any means I can and I'm very protective about her. I've tended to have some serious, long-time monogamous relationships.' He continued: 'I'm such a romantic. I'd only ever have sex with one girlfriend at a time ... I've never had cojones to be a player, and I don't know any men who do. Way back when: The actor, 35, who is best known for starring as Simon in the comedy series The Inbetweeners, appeared fatigued as he was spotted out in the capital 'Some imply these lots of girls, and never see them again after one night, but I don't know that's actually true.' While the hugely popular series The Inbetweeners wrapped in 2010, Joe went on to star in the two movie spin-offs that followed, without Hannah by his side. Upon its release in 2011, The Inbetweeners Movie overtook Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason as the record holder for the most successful opening weekend ever achieved by a comedy film in the UK. The Inbetweeners 2 then bagged an overall profit of 33.3 million in 2014, making it the highest grossing British or Irish film that year. Paris Jackson was seen smoking a bong in the midst of the furore surrounding accusations of child abuse against her late father Michael Jackson. The model and actress, 20, proved to be in full concentration mode as she lit up the bong in the Instagram Story uploaded on Saturday. Paris appeared to be shirking her Michael's controversy a few days after defending him after he was accused of child abuse in the shocking, and divisive, new Leaving Neverland documentary. Amid controversy: Paris Jackson was seen smoking a bong in the midst of the furore surrounding accusations of child abuse against her late father Michael Jackson Taking to Twitter on Thursday, she referred to his 'good heart' and said she was thinking about 'the bigger picture'. Having previously tweeted advising her fans to be 'calm', she returned to the social media site to share her thoughts more fully. The Gringo actress wrote: 'I didn't mean to offend by expressing that t***ies should be calm, i know injustices are frustrating and it's easy to get worked up. but reacting with a calm mind usually is more logical than acting out of rage and also.... it feels better to mellow out. 'Smoke some weed n think about the bigger picture. chillax my dudes.' Social media savvy: The model and actress proved to be in full concentration mode as she lit up the bong in the Instagram Story uploaded on Saturday Attention elsewhere: Paris appeared to be shirking her Michael's controversy a few days after defending him after he was accused of child abuse in the shocking, and divisive, new Leaving Neverland documentary Backing him: Taking to Twitter on Thursday, she referred to his 'good heart' and said she was thinking about 'the bigger picture' 'It's not possible to tear his name down': Paris engaged with fans on social media where she defended her father's name An angered Michael fan replied: 'The bigger picture is your father's legacy ruined and his name smeared forever but whatever though. 'They want to tear his name down and stop playing his music but it's cool like who cares that he died for this.' Paris then penned: 'Yeah they do that to everyone with a good heart and tries to make a difference but do you really think that it's possible to tear his name down? like do you truly believe they stand a chance ? relax and have peace.' The day before, Paris responded to reports that she's worried about the document and allegations affecting her fledgling career. 'I actually haven't made any statements yet, especially regarding how it affects my work life. you guys are reaching a bit. 'At least this wasn't a disgusting and attacking article though,' Paris said in a now-deleted tweet. 'You guys are reaching a bit': Paris also responded to reports that she's worried about the document and allegations affecting her fledgling career (Seen together in 2009) She then added a tweet that read, 'ya'll take my life more seriously than I do.' Sources have said that Paris firmly believes her father never abused children but has not watched the new documentary in which two of his accusers speak out. Paris was just 11 when her father passed away in 2009 aged 50, following acute propofol and benzodiazepine intoxication. Leaving Neverland features emotional testimony from Wade Robson and James Safechuck who allege Michael raped them for years as children. It has caused bitter reaction from both critics and fans of Michael. Paris's extended family have claimed Michael Jackson was 'naive' about children but wasn't an abuser. Defiant: Sources have said that Paris firmly believes her father never abused children but has not watched the new documentary in which two of his accusers speak out Tragic: Paris was just 11 when her father passed away in 2009 aged 50, following acute propofol and benzodiazepine intoxication The late King of Pop's siblings, Tito, Marlon and Jackie Jackson, and his nephew Taj spoke out on CBS This Morning. Tito's son Taj, 45, claimed that the family do not wish to 'put more energy' into the claims against their late relative - who died in 2009 - because they don't want to draw any more attention to the documentary. Taj said: 'There's a fear to put more energy to it and more eyeballs to it. 'That's why Janet (his aunt) hasn't said anything, because she doesn't want to make it any bigger.' The siblings stated that they know the Thriller hitmaker was not a sexual predator and accused the documentary of spinning lies. He's been running 'a snuggle factory' as he enjoys being a new father. But Andy Cohen took a well-earned break from baby duties as he stepped out for dinner on Friday night in New York City - with Sarah Jessica Parker. The 50-year-old Bravo TV host shared a picture of the pair after they had a 'date' at West Village hotspot Fedora. Night out: Andy Cohen took a well-earned break from baby duties as he stepped out for dinner on Friday night in New York City - with Sarah Jessica Parker The Watch What Happens Live main-man captioned the picture: 'We had a great date at Fedora last night. Hadnt been in forever - its delicious! (Good company too).' SJP, 53, looked radiant as she sported a huge smile and wore her hair loose. The Sex and the City alum made sure to be stylish in the chilly night air, as she showcased the top part of a light coloured fun fur jacket. The snuggle is real: Andy posted a video to his Instagram stories which showed off Benjamin's cute London landmark adorned pyjamas on Saturday morning Andy - who is father to one-month-old son Benjamin Allen Cohen - was back snuggling by Saturday morning, however. The Bravo executive posted a video to his Instagram stories which showed off Benjamin's cute London landmark adorned pyjamas. 'We are celebrating London this morning, on our PJs,' the proud father is heard commenting, off camera. Wakey wakey! Andy - who is father to one-month-old son Benjamin Allen Cohen - was back snuggling his son at the weekend Dad life: Andy and his dog Wacha waited for Ben to wake up from a nap on Saturday Andy has been relishing paternal life, and captioned a sweet moment cuddling his son on Friday with: 'I now run a snuggle factory in the West Village.' Benjamin rested his little face against Andy's chest as he peacefully slept with his dad's arms wrapped around him. Since his birth via a mystery surrogate on February 4, baby Ben, who Andy calls his 'dream baby,' has been the center of attention. Open for business: Andy Cohen, 50, joked about how he now runs a snuggle factory in New York thanks to his newborn son, Benjamin Allen, which he posted about on Instagram Friday Wonder boy: Benjamin laughed as news icon Andersoon Cooper stooped down to meet the child Not so sure: Benjamin looked a bit confused as Kelly Ripa propped the newborn up in her arms during a visit Play dates coming: With two kids of his own, Jimmy Fallon peered at friend Andy's son just weeks after his birth All of his dad's famous friends have already visited, crooning over the child and his full head of dark hair. From fellow host Jimmy Fallon, 44, to John Mayer, 41, Benjamin has been graced by the presence of some of Hollywood's most elite. Other fellow TV personalities like Kelly Ripa, 48, and Anderson Cooper, 51, also stopped by to cuddle. Advertisement They recently returned home from their first family getaway together, enjoying some quality time with her two daughters in holiday hotspot Abu Dhabi. And Ant McPartlin and his girlfriend Anne-Marie Corbett, 42, shared a passionate kiss as they joined Declan Donnelly's wife Ali Astall and baby Isla for a walk in London on Saturday. Joined by their two maltipoo puppies, the television presenter, 43, looked overjoyed to be spending time with Dec's sixth-month-old daughter and his beloved Labrador Hurley. Smitten: Ant McPartlin and his girlfriend Anne-Marie Corbett shared a passionate kiss as they joined Declan Donnelly's wife Ali Astall and baby Isla for a walk in London on Saturday Ant looked every inch the devoted uncle as he helped Ali unload the pushchair from their car before setting off on the muddy walk. With Anne-Marie pushing the pram, Ant delightedly looked after his three dogs; his two new puppies Milo and Bumble and Hurley, whom he shares with his ex-wife Lisa Armstrong. Making the most of his weekend custody with his adorable chocolate Labrador, the I'm A Celebrity presenter doted on him as he animatedly threw a large stick across the grassy field. Thrilled: Joined by their two maltipoo puppies, the television presenter, 43, looked overjoyed to be spending time with Dec's sixth-month-old daughter and his beloved Labrador Hurley Smitten: Ant leaned in close to Anne-Marie as they stood by their car Sweet: Ant looked every inch the devoted uncle as he helped Ali unload the pushchair from their car before setting off on the muddy walk Besotted: Ant looked in the throes of love as he stopped to plant a kiss of Anne-Marie's lips during their romantic walk Cosy: Ant's flame bundled up in a pink puffa jacket and donned a pair of khaki wellies, while the television star rocked a navy coat and denim jeans Happy couple: They recently returned home from their first family getaway together Trip of a lifetime: Last month, the lovebirds enjoyed some quality time with her two daughters in holiday hotspot Abu Dhabi The trio appeared in jubilant spirits on their low-key stroll, with Anne-Marie throwing her head back in laughter as her two puppies tried to keep up with Hurley, while Dec's daschund Rocky trotted alongside Ali. Ant's flame bundled up in a pink puffa jacket and donned a pair of khaki wellies, while the television star rocked a navy coat and denim jeans. The presenter looked thoroughly relaxed as he puffed away on a vapour cigarette and chatted away to Ali, who was casually-clad in an all-black ensemble. Gal pals: Anne-Marie spent some quality time with Declan's wife Ali Sweet: Making the most of his weekend custody with his adorable chocolate labrador, the I'm A Celebrity presenter doted on him Playtime: With Anne-Marie pushing the pram, Ant delightedly looked after his three dogs, including Hurley whom he shares with his ex-wife Lisa Armstrong Adorable: Ant carried his two new puppies Milo and Bumble and Hurley in his arms Smiling: The trio appeared in jubilant spirits on their low-key stroll, with Dec's daschund Rocky happily trotting alongside them Vice: The presenter looked thoroughly relaxed as he puffed away on a vapour cigarette Low-key: Ali was casually-clad in an all-black ensemble and opted for comfort with a pair of ankle boots Ant looked in the throes of love as he stopped to plant a kiss of Anne-Marie's lips during their romantic walk. Ant is reported to be embroiled in a dog custody battle against ex-wife Lisa Armstrong over Hurley, and are said to have eventually drawn up a rota for shared time after adopting him together in 2013. According to the Daily Star, the former couple who, since their January split, have been spending a week each with the pooch were said to be ironing out an agreement that would see Hurley endure as little disruption as possible. Ant is understood to have credited the Labrador with helping him through his well-documented struggles with alcohol and substance abuse issues, with Hurley even given allowance to visit him in a residential rehabilitation centre. However, make-up artist Lisa is said to be equally attached, and frequently fills her Instagram page with posts of herself and the dog she shares with Ant. In December it was reported that Lisa was poised to end her custody battle over Hurley due to stressful handovers of the dog to Ant. MailOnline contacted Lisa's representative at the time. The lovebirds outing comes just a day after the new Britain's Got Talent 2019 trailer dropped, ahead of the show airing in April. The 60-second advert sees the Geordie presenter make his big TV return as he stars as a conductor alongside his sidekick, 43. In the trailer, it stars with Dec leading an orchestra of contestants using various props as instruments as they play Land Of Hope And Glory. Devoted dog owner: Ant delightedly looked after his three dogs during their day in the park Cute: Ant animatedly threw a large stick across the grassy field for Hurley, while Anne-Marie beamed down at baby Isla His big comeback: The lovebirds outing comes just a day after the new Britain's Got Talent 2019 trailer dropped, ahead of the show airing in April Exciting: The 60-second advert sees the Geordie presenter make his big TV return as he stars as a conductor alongside his sidekick, 43 Enjoying some downtime: Britain's Got Talent is just the start of Ant's comeback after he stepped down from all his TV commitments for a year after a difficult few months Devoted uncle: Ant appeared to be delighted to be enjoying some quality bonding time with Isla ahead of his big return to TV Close bond: Ali gave birth to Isla back in September last year and Ant told his fans he couldn't wait to give Dec's daughter a cuddle His pride and joy: Ant, meanwhile, has been splitting custody of Hurley with his ex-wife Lisa Who's a good boy? The television personality gave his adorable pooches a treat as they sat patiently in front of him Let's go: Ant looked back at at Hurley and encouraged him to hurry along as he walked along with the pups in his arms Chatting away: Anne-Marie and Ali seemed to be deep in conversation as Ant walked close by them Ready and waiting: Hurley could be seen excitedly looking at Ant, waiting for him to throw the stick The comedy star then drops his baton with Ant appearing and picking it up for him, as they continue to direct the orchestra together. Britain's Got Talent is just the start of Ant's comeback after he stepped down from all his TV commitments for a year after a difficult few months. In November, Holly Willougby filled in for Ant on I'm A Celebrity as she starred alongside Dec in the jungle. The This Morning host, 37, confirmed last month that the troubled presenter will most definitely be back on the Australian-based reality series in 2019, despite rumours suggesting she was set to return again in his place. Ant's personal issues - which saw him develop a painkiller addiction, end his marriage and commit a drink-driving offence - saw him sit out the last few episodes of BGT 2018, as well as Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, last spring. Man's best friend(s): Ant seemed to be having a great time playing with his adorable pups Here, boy: The TV host encouraged Hurley to follow him as he, Anne-Marie and Ali walked to the park Excited to play: Hurley, Milo and Bumble ran around Ant's legs in glee as they continued to play She is a successful TV presenter who is known for her chic sense of style. And Laura Whitmore cut a typically chic figure as she attended the GLAMOUR Beauty Festival 2019 at The Saatchi Gallery in London on Saturday. The blonde beauty, 33, slipped her toned frame into a blue and white pinstripe shirt dress, which flattered her trim waist and flared into an elegant A-line skirt. Chic: Laura Whitmore cut a typically chic figure as she attended the GLAMOUR Beauty Festival 2019 at The Saatchi Gallery in London on Saturday The dress showed off her honed legs, with the star boosting her height with white ankle boots. She layered up in a denim jacket and accessorised with a powder blue handbag with a crab embroidered on the front. Her tresses were styled in loose waves while her pretty features were enhanced with smoky shadow and a slick of coral lipstick. Laura has been going steady with comedian and Love Island voiceover artist Iain Stirling since they went public with their romance on Instagram in September 2017. Style: The blonde beauty, 33, slipped her toned frame into a blue and white pinstripe shirt dress, which flattered her trim waist and flared into an elegant A-line skirt Elegance: She layered up in a denim jacket and accessorised with a powder blue handbag with a crab embroidered on the front (pictured with Justine Jenkins) In October, the Scottish TV host discussed his flourishing romance with his fellow presenter. The hunk branded their highly-publicised relationship as 'scary' and 'absolute madness in a recent interview. According to The Irish Mirror, he told Hot Press: 'For me, it's brand new so it's scary. But some of the stuff you've just got to laugh. Some of it is absolute madness.' Soon after the pair got together last year, Laura revealed she had her beau as the screensaver on her phone. Yeah hes my boyfriend. Hes lovely. Ive got him as my screensaver. Ive known him for ages, she told The Sun. She recently sparked reconciliation rumours with ex Wes Nelson after their heartbreaking split earlier this year. And Megan Barton Hanson has fired back at trolls with an elaborate head piece, as she wore a huge 'f**k haters' hair clip for a night out in London on Friday. The Love Island star, 25, was sure to turn heads in her striking ensemble, as she showed off her toned abs in a green zebra-print crop top by New Girl Order. Hitting out: Megan Barton Hanson fired back at trolls by wearing a 'f**k haters' hair clip while out in London on Friday... as ex Wes Nelson claimed 'it's pretty clear' he WON'T reunite with her Megan slipped her slender legs into PVC-style black trousers to flaunt her hourglass figure, and boosted her height in silver sequinned heels. Pulling her blonde locks back into a high ponytail, the reality star wore the crass hair accessory to make a pointed message. She completed her outfit by keeping wearing a glamorous palette of make-up, and the beauty kept her personal items safe in a semi-sheer handbag. Firing back: The Love Island star wore the crass hair accessory to make a pointed message Peachy: Megan slipped her slender legs into PVC-style black trousers to flaunt her hourglass figure, and boosted her height in silver sequinned heels Megan's outing comes as her ex Wes claimed it was 'pretty clear' that he wasn't going to be reconciling with her, despite recent rumours. Speaking with CelebsNow on Saturday, the 20-year-old star revealed: 'Theres absolutely nothing going on with me and Vanessa, and theres still nothing going on with me and Megan. I think thats pretty clear now. Its been cleared up anyway.' Not happening: Megan's outing comes as her ex Wes claimed it was 'pretty clear' that he wasn't going to be reconciling with her, despite recent rumours Wow! Megan was sure to turn heads in her striking ensemble, as she showed off her toned abs in a green zebra-print crop top by New Girl Order The appearance comes after Megan sparked reconciliation rumours with Wes after she re-followed her ex on Instagram after a flirty text exchange between the pair. Megan's life has changed beyond recognition in the past year, as she found fame on Love Island and went on to endure a messy public break-up with Wes. The couple broke off their relationship in January after the blonde claimed Wes' Dancing On Ice partner Vanessa Bauer orchestrated her own break-up with ex Louis Nathaniel in a bid to generate headlines ahead of their skating debut. However, last week Megan told her Love Island beau she missed him by way of a response to a shirtless selfie shared by her ex via iMessage and Instagram. Making a point: Megan posed with her back to cameras to flaunt her hair clip Wes smouldered at the camera in the hunky snap, which he followed with the comment: 'Extremely annoying that youre not with me after watching that.' Flirting up a storm, former stripper Megan responded: 'Them lips... miss you telling me that its all mine and that Im a "good girl."' Shortly afterwards, it emerged that Megan was following her beau once more. MailOnline contacted Megan and Wes' representatives for comment at the time. Hailey Baldwin was Manhattan chic in head-to-toe black when she stepped out onto a snowy sidewalk in the New York borough on Saturday. The 22-year-old new wife of Justin Bieber showed off her enviably trim legs in a pair of skintight trousers that matched her turtleneck. Lending herself a bit of extra stature with leather stiletto boots, the niece of Alec Baldwin kept snug in a thick jacket and swept her blonde hair into a bun. Legging it: Hailey Baldwin was Manhattan chic in head-to-toe black when she stepped out onto a snowy sidewalk in the New York borough on Saturday The daughter of Stephen Baldwin used her Insta Stories to share a throwback clip of herself having her temporomandibular joint dysfunction treated a year prior. This condition affects joints and muscles that control jaw movements like speaking and eating, and Hailey got help from Los Angeles' Dr. Jocelyne Miranda. Justin, 23, who had a courthouse wedding with Hailey this past September, allegedly sought treatment for depression recently, People reported last month. 'It has nothing to do with Hailey - he is very happy being married to her. Its just something else that he struggles with mentally,' an insider told the magazine. Tres elegant: The 22-year-old new wife of Justin Bieber showed off her enviably trim legs in a pair of skintight trousers that matched her turtleneck City girl: Lending herself a bit of extra stature with leather stiletto boots, the niece of Alec Baldwin kept snug in a thick jacket and swept her blonde hair into a bun This source maintained that Justin 'has good help around him and is receiving some treatment. He seems confident he will feel better soon.' Justin, a longtime congregant of the megachurch Hillsong, was recently glimpsed stepping out with its pastor Carl Lentz in New York City. Although the pair are legally married and Hailey has obtained her husband's surname, the two devout Christians have yet to have their religious ceremony. The ecclesiastical wedding has reportedly been postponed because 'right now, Justins focus is getting well mentally,' an insider explained to People. In the offing: Although she and Justin are legally married and Hailey has obtained her husband's surname, the two devout Christians have yet to have their religious ceremony Relationship history: Justin proposed to Hailey, who is the niece of Alec Baldwin and daughter of Stephen Baldwin, during a whirlwind vacation to the Bahamas last June 'Hailey is very supportive - Justin is very open about that Hailey does nothing but help him. He would feel even more lost without Hailey - he is very grateful. They are both focused on having a happy marriage,' said the source. Justin proposed to Hailey, who is the niece of Alec Baldwin and daughter of Stephen Baldwin, during a whirlwind vacation to the Bahamas last June. Earlier last year, he had briefly rekindled his relationship with Selena Gomez - whose mother Mandy Teefy told Gossip Cop she was 'not happy' with the reunion. Remember when: Hailey and Justin allegedly married on September 13 at the New York City Marriage Bureau, where Justin cried and told his flame: 'I want to marry you, baby,' per TMZ Former teenage sweethearts Justin and Selena reportedly went on again late last year, but by this March, they were on a break. Hailey and Justin allegedly married on September 13 at the New York City Marriage Bureau, where Justin cried and told his flame: 'I want to marry you, baby,' per TMZ. News broke in October that Selena, who suffers from lupus, had undergone a breakdown and entered a treatment center for her mental health. '1 yr ago today': The daughter of Stephen Baldwin used her Insta Stories to share a throwback clip of herself having her temporomandibular joint dysfunction treated An emotional Teresa Giudice broke down as she sipped red wine with a friend on Friday afternoon. The outing came as the Real Housewives Of New Jersey star faced up to the fact that her husband Joe Giudice will not be released from prison next week as originally scheduled. Teresa, who has ditched her wedding ring in recent days, sat in a New Jersey restaurant with her friend, sharing a bottle of wine as she talked, tearfully. Taking the occasional phone call, the mother-of-four looked distressed and unhappy. Not good news: Teresa Giudice breaks down as she sips wine in New Jersey on Friday after ditching wedding ring... as Joe's prison release is cancelled ahead of deportation ruling Teresa's 46-year-old husband Joe's release date had been scheduled for March 14, but the Federal Bureau of Prisons has now listed the date as 'unknown', as his deportation appeal hangs in the balance. Giudice is currently serving a 41-month sentence for fraud, and as part of the ruling he was ordered to return back to his native country Italy after serving his time. However, the Executive Office now say Giudice's deportation case is actually under review - leaving him likely to remain behind bars until a decision can be reached. Uncertain future: Teresa, who has ditched her wedding ring in recent days, sat sharing a bottle of wine as she talked, tearfully Teresa's 46-year-old husband Joe's release date had been scheduled for March 14, but the Federal Bureau of Prisons has now listed the date as 'unknown', as his deportation appeal hangs in the balance 'The custodial aspect of Mr. Giudices federal sentence does in fact expire on or about March 14, 2019,' Teresa Giudices attorney James J. Leonard Jr. told Page Six. 'However, due to the immigration order and detainer lodged against him, that is not a release date meaning he is not coming home on that date.' Leonard Jr. added that he was optimistic that once Giudice's appeal had been heard, he was confident the businessman would be able to return to his home in New Jersey and stay there. Bad news: Taking the occasional phone call, the mother-of-four looked distressed Well groomed: She made have looked glum but she had a perfect manicure Got news? She was holding her cellphone and reading and typing Grape power: She took another swig from her wine glass Troubled: She looked to have things on her mind Animated: She engaged in chat with her supportive pal Solo parenting: Teresa and Joe have four children together '[Guidice's family] love him, they support him and they miss him tremendously,' he said. The appeal process could take up to a year to complete. Despite Leonard Jr.'s comments, Teresa has said that she and her husband of 20 years would 'go their separate ways' if he does get deported. Joe was born in Italy but brought to the U.S. as a baby, and does not speak Italian. However he never pursued his U.S. citizenship. Sad: Their family of six has been through a difficult few years with Teresa serving 11 months in prison herself just before Joe's sentence began; seen in 2016 'I'm not doing a long distance relationship. I'm not doing it,' Teresa told Andy Cohen in a reunion show screened this week. 'I want somebody with me every day.' Joe reported to Fort Dix Correctional Institution in March 2016 to serve a 41 month sentence after the couple pleaded guilty to 39 counts of conspiracy to commit mail, wire and bankruptcy fraud. His sentence was shorted by five months and he's expected to be released from the federal institution this month, but Teresa is making sure she's mentally prepared for what could happen once he is free. 'Unless my kids say, "Mommy, we want to move to Italy," [we] are not going],' she said. 'Gia's going to college next year; I haven't spoken to Milania or Audriana about it, we haven't gotten there yet; and Gabriella already voiced her opinion to me. She was like, "That would be so hard for me, Mommy." She doesn't speak the language. She's like, "That would kill me even more."' The Bollywood beauty was recently launched the latest collection from Dodo and Moa by Amazon Fashion and Zashed Fashiontech. Glamorous actor Vaani Kapoor, who made her film debut in the year 2013 with Shuddh Desi Romance, was last seen opposite Ranveer Singh in Befikre (2016). The actor is back in action after a little hiatus as she begins shooting for director Sidharth Anands unnamed film starring Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff, and Shamshera with Ranbir Kapoor. Although Vaani takes her time to choose her work projects, the actress currently has two big projects in the pipeline. Speaking about her work-life balance, she says, I am filming these two projects simultaneously and it is a great experience. Every project and role requires individual preparation and that comes along with these films as well. My work does keep me busy and I love it. It brings me happiness. In my free time, I do travel, watch films and learn on the go. The Bollywood beauty was recently launched the latest collection from Dodo and Moa by Amazon Fashion and Zashed Fashiontech. She stunned everyone as she walked the ramp in a dazzling black jumpsuit from the collection. I love what Im wearing, which is a very chic flowy jumpsuit with a bling element. I had the honour and the privilege to launch the brand Dodo and Moa together with Amazon Fashion at the Amazon Fashion Studio. The brand is a brainchild of Zashed Fashiontech. It is a new age brand for women with a collection that is contemporary, fun and modern. I personally love the label. The collection is everything that the modern day women would like to include in her wardrobe. It has print, colour blocking and more at extremely affordable prices. As a woman, I believe, there is something for everyone that this line has to offer and it is readily available online, she says talking about the collection. Vaani, who was seen portraying a chic, carefree Parisian in her last movie Befikre, spoke about her personal style as well. I believe in comfort above all. Growing up, I loved shopping from the streets of Delhi and love a mix and match of designer wear and high street in my wardrobe. I feel, designer wear is great and is created after a lot of thought and effort but its essential that we are confident and comfortable with our fashion choices at all times whether its on social media or in real life, sums up the actor. It's one of the bonuses of Los Angeles life - delicious Mexican food. And Natalie Portman certainly looked happy as she was glimpsed Friday enjoying a scrumptious-looking burrito. Out to to lunch with a male pal, the 37-year-old actress chose the Westwood Blvd restaurant Tacos Tu Madre for her meal, settling down at one of the outside tables. Creature comforts: Natalie Portman was glimpsed Friday enjoying a scrumptious-looking burrito while out to lunch with a male pal in Los Angeles Fab: The 37-year-old actress chose the Westwood Blvd restaurant Tacos Tu Madre for her meal, settling down at one of the outside tables Her burrito evidently proved a bit much for the petite Oscar winner to polish off in one sitting, as she was seen carrying the leftovers up the sidewalk later. Her outing came weeks after Natalie was granted a temporary restraining order against a man who claims to have a telepathic connection with her. The Black Swan actress sought the order against the man - whose real name has not been made public, but who told police his name was John Wick - after he showed up at her house and tried to get into her gated community last month. And now, according to The Blast, Natalie has had her application approved by courts, who handed her a temporary document in February ordering the alleged stalker to stay 100 yards away from her, her husband Benjamin Millepied, and their two children Aleph, seven, and Amalia, 23 months. Takeaway: Her burrito evidently proved a bit much for the petite Oscar winner to polish off in one sitting, as she was seen carrying the leftovers up the sidewalk later A hearing to make the order permanent has been scheduled for later this month. Natalie's petition is believed to be connected with an application for a firearms restraining order filed two weeks ago by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) against someone with the same name. The LAPD petition claims that on January 31, 'a high-profile actor of international notoriety' reported a man trespassing on her property. The officer who submitted the report explained the man 'rang the intercom/doorbell multiple times but said nothing when attempts to engage him were made over the intercom'. Star turn: Last year, she drew attention for the pop music drama Vox Lux, which featured Jude Law in the cast as well as original songs by Sia When police made contact with him, 'he identified himself as John Wick, even though officers had his Colorado Driver's License which confirmed his true identity.' The man told them he had 'spoken to the reporting person several times, telepathically, and that he had traveled from Colorado to Los Angeles to meet the individual.' The man refused to respond when the officers called him by his name, but gave 'limited and delayed' replies when they called him John. He was eventually placed under a mental health hold and the detective had the firearms restraining order granted. He's set to portray one of America's most notorious gangsters. And Tom Hardy was unrecognisable as he struck an ominous pose while embodying the character on set of his new biopic Fonzo, directed by Josh Trank. The actor, 41, wore his hair in a slicked back style to mimic his real-life counterpart, while he donned red silk pyjamas underneath a monochrome striped jacket, in images shared on Friday. Brooding: Tom Hardy looked unrecognisable as he struck an ominous pose to embody his role as American gangster Al Capone in behind-the-scenes images of Fonzo on Friday Scowling at the camera as he portrayed the gangster, he was posing next to his fellow co-stars Jack Lowden and Neal Brennan. The actor looked miles away from his usual dapper self, and in another behind-the-scenes image he sported facial scars and a slightly larger physique. Fully transforming into his character, Tom smoked a cigar as he prepared to film the next take as the film's second AC operating the clapperboard. Transformation: In another behind-the-scenes image he sported facial scars and a slightly larger physique, and wore his hair in a slicked back style to mimic his real-life counterpart Normal look: The actor looked miles away from his usual dapper self (pictured in July 2017) The film is said to focus on a 47-year-old Capone, who suffers from dementia and begins to be haunted by his past, after ten years in prison. The highly anticipated gangster flick is said to also detail the final years of Capone's life and his struggles with the illness. Tom will share the screen with Kyle MacLachlan, Matt Dillion, Noel Fisher and Linda Cardellini, who will play his wife Mae. Looking sharp: Images of Kyle MacLachlan in the role of Karlock was also shared by the director, and he looked sharp in an off-white suit For the project, Tom has once again altered his appearance, although he claimed it wouldn't be as drastic as his previous roles. He told the Daily Beast: 'It's not the classic Al Capone that you necessarily envision with the silhouette. I don't want to give too much away about it, but there's definitely a transformation with that role. 'I don't know if it's as drastic as Bane. I've probably damaged my body too much. I'm only little! If I keep putting on weight I'll collapse like a house of cards under too much pressure.' She made a flying visit to Montreal last month, for the opening of the new Thierry Mugler exhibition. And Kim Kardashian was reliving her 'Night at the Museum!' as she shared photos from the excursion to Instagram on Saturday. The reality star wore a short, skimpy white sculptural corset-style dress for the opening, which celebrated an exhibition of the designer's work in Montreal, Canada. 'Night at the museum': Kim Kardashian sizzles in low cut white dress as she shares throwbacks from her February Montreal trip on Saturday Night out: She made a flying visit to Montreal last month, for the opening of the new Thierry Mugler exhibition Despite the temperature bring a freezing -18- minus 20 degrees, Kim seemed at ease in her revealing dress, as she posed. The mother-of-three was visiting Canada for the Montreal Museum of Fine Art's tribute to the French designer's fashion. The exhibition, Thierry Mugler: Couturissime, includes 140 of his outfits, plus his sketches and dozens of fashion photographer shots of his work. The man himself: With Theirry Mugler at the exhibition Memorable: The reality star wore a short, skimpy white sculptural corset-style dress for the opening, which celebrated an exhibition of the designer's work Veteran model Pat Cleveland and RuPaul's Drag Race winner Violet Chachki also appeared in Mugler's couture for the preview event. Kim explained on Instagram she was: 'Wearing @manfredthierrymugler @muglerofficial Couture dress from 'les Meduses' collection FW 1999-2000 #Couturissime #MuglerArchives Make Up @makeupbymario Hair @cesar4styles.' She also shared a sketch by Theriry Mugler, of his plans for her hair and make up for the look. Inspiration: She shared a sketch by Theriry Mugler, of his plans for her hair and make up Padma Lakshmi and Amber Heard turned up the glamour quotient at the South By Southwest film festival in Austin, Texas on Saturday. The dynamic duo were booked to speak onstage with actor Ike Barinholtz and American Civil Liberties Union director Anthony Romero. Amber, 32, went for a splashy version of corporate chic in a fiery orange trouser suit that complemented her flowing peach wrap blouse. Fab: Padma Lakshmi (left) and Amber Heard (right) turned up the glamour quotient at the South By Southwest film festival in Austin, Texas on Saturday Tucking her blonde hair behind her head, the ex-wife of Johnny Depp gave herself a bit of added stature with nude heels and accessorized with a blue ACLU ribbon. Meanwhile, Top Chef hostess Padma went for triple blue, pinning her own ACLU ribbon over an indigo blouse she tucked into her high-waisted jeans. The former Lady Rushdie wore her wavy hair down and accentuated her winning features with makeup, rounding off the look with black heels and a medallion necklace. Padma, Amber, Ike and Anthony got together at South By Southwest for a talk called Featured Session: Making Change On And Off The Screen. Quartet: The dynamic duo were booked to speak onstage with actor Ike Barinholtz (right) and American Civil Liberties Union director Anthony Romero (left) Coordinated: Amber, 32, went for a splashy version of corporate chic in a fiery orange trouser suit that complemented her flowing peach wrap blouse On-brand: Tucking her blonde hair behind her head, the ex-wife of Johnny Depp gave herself a bit of added stature with nude heels and accessorized with a blue ACLU ribbon Anthony, the first gay man and Latino to hold his position at the ACLU, teamed a walnut brown suit with brown leather shoes and a white dress shirt. Meanwhile, Ike went for a more casual ensemble, throwing on a black sweater and a pair of jeans for his panel discussion look. Johnny, who has consistently denied Amber's allegations that he physically abused him, is now suing her for defamation to the tune of $50 million. Consistency is key: Top Chef hostess Padma went for triple blue, pinning her own ACLU ribbon over an indigo blouse she tucked into her high-waisted jeans Snappy: Lady Rushdie wore her wavy hair down and accentuated her winning features with makeup, rounding off the look with black heels and a medallion necklace He claims that Amber punched him 'twice in the face' in 2016, and this week The Blast ran the photo of his bruised face that he is using in the case. Amber, whose dating record includes Elon Musk and photographer Tasya van Ree, married Johnny in 2015, beginning her first marriage and his second. The following May 23, she filed for divorce, and within a week won a restraining order against him, claiming he had verbally and physically abused her. Through a representative, Johnny dismissed abuse accusations as 'salacious false stories, gossip, misinformation and lies about his personal life.' Premise: Padma, Amber, Ike and Anthony got together at South By Southwest for a talk called Featured Session: Making Change On And Off The Screen Dapper: Anthony, the first gay man and Latino to hold his position at the ACLU, teamed a walnut brown suit with brown leather shoes and a white dress shirt That August, he and Amber agreed that she would scrap the restraining order and get a $7 million divorce settlement, which she would give to charity. Johnny decided to give the money directly to the groups of her choice, Children's Hospital and the ACLU, according to TMZ. It was not lost on Amber's team that this meant he'd get the tax deduction, and they told TMZ Johnny ought to correct for this by doubling the $7 million to $14 million. Meanwhile: Ike went for a more casual ensemble, throwing on a black sweater and a pair of jeans for his panel discussion look Personal problems: Johnny, who has consistently denied Amber's allegations that he physically abused him, is now suing her for defamation to the tune of $50 million 'If Johnny wishes to change the settlement agreement, we must insist that he honor the full amount by donating $14M to charity, which after accounting for his tax deduction, is equal to his $7M payment obligation to Amber,' said they. As Johnny's plan was to give the $7 million in increments, Amber's team 'would also insist that the full amount be paid immediately and not drawn out over many years.' Amber's divorce from the Donnie Brasco star was finalized in January 2017, at which time the settlement remained at $7 million, TMZ reported. She is a former soap star who is known for her toned frame and stylish wardrobe. And Jorgie Porter looked sensational as she headed to the the Christie Charity Ball at The Principal Hotel in Manchester on Saturday. The former Hollyoaks actress, 31, flaunted her ample assets in a plunging floral print dress as she struck a confident pose for the cameras. Gorgeous: Jorgie Porter looked sensational as she headed to the the Christie Charity Ball at The Principal Hotel in Manchester on Saturday The gorgeous black and coral gown teased the star's perky cleavage, while accentuating her hourglass curves. She showcased her lithe legs in a pair of patent leather heels. The former Dancing On Ice star wore her platinum bob sleek and straight while her glamorous make-up look featured smoky shadow, fluttery lashes and a slick of rose gloss. Floral finesse: The former Hollyoaks actress, 31, flaunted her ample assets in a plunging floral print dress as she struck a confident pose for the cameras Busty: The former Dancing On Ice star wore her platinum bob sleek and straight while her glamorous make-up look featured smoky shadow, fluttery lashes and a slick of rose gloss She was joined at the fundraiser by Emmerdale actor Liam Fox who got into the Havana party theme with some maracas and Corrie star Victoria Ekanoye. Jorgie recently said that despite her lads' mag cover shoots, she couldn't be further from her sexy image in real life. She told the Daily Star online: 'I don't think that I am a sex symbol. Glamour: The star posed up with Victoria Ekanoye at the bash 'I just think, "Ooh that's a good photo" and my friends will tell me you look good put that one on. I personally am a goof ball... a total goofball.' Jorgie joked the men she dates are often confused about her because they don't expect her to be such a joker. The TV personality declared: 'You would probably date me thinking FHM but really you get The Big Bang Theory.' A third-generation soldier who helped more than 50 veterans get jobs in the mining sector and a company whose workforce comprises 90 per cent ex-service men and women have received national honours. Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Tuesday presented the veterans' employment awards at Parliament House in Canberra. Chris Mayfield, a third-generation soldier, was given the highest honour of Outstanding Contribution by an Individual to Veterans' Employment. Having been discharged from the Army in January 2014, after 26 years of distinguished service, he was influential in establishing Fortescue Metals Group's recruitment and training program that has seen 54 veterans enter careers in mining. The award for Outstanding Employer of the Year went to BCT Solutions, also awarded the Veterans' Employer of the Year (Medium), with nearly 90 per cent of its workforce being former service men and women. The Canberra-based consultancy provides a range of services including intelligence analysis, digital forensics and risk management as well as helping veterans transition to the private sector. Around 5500 members discharge from the Australian Defence Force each year, many of whom are of an age where they still have a long civilian career ahead of them. "During their time serving in defence of our nation, they will have led teams, worked with others to solve complex problems and demonstrated resilience and adaptability in high-pressure situations -all qualities that make them a great attribute to any business," Mr Morrison said. Other prize winners included: Boral Ltd (Veterans Employer of the Year - Large); Veterans in Construction (Veterans Employer of the Year - Small); Jordan Ivone (Veteran Employee of the Year); Ben Whitham (Veteran Entrepreneur of the Year); Defence Bank (Excellence in Supporting Spouse Employment); and Ironside Recruitment (Excellence in Supporting Veterans' Employment). The Northern Territory's four powerful indigenous land councils have sided with the Commonwealth over the NT Government in a fight over $1.1 billion for remote housing. Indigenous Affairs Minister, Senator Nigel Scullion, is withholding the rollout of $550 million for indigenous housing amid a breakdown in negotiations with the NT Government about how to spend it. He said last week he was considering other options including dealing directly with land councils - which are statutory authorities that enforce land rights - and giving them control over funds to provide housing. It is unclear how the NT Government could separately allocate its half of the $1.1 billion committed to remote housing over a decade. The NT Government is under pressure after its Housing Department was found last week to have breached its tenancy agreement. Aboriginal residents from the remote Santa Teresa community won compensation after suing over the squalid state of their houses. Lawyers and litigation funders have offered to represent any of the Territory's other 70 remote indigenous communities who also want compensation for poor public housing they are renting. Senator Scullion says he is withholding the money because the NT Government refuses to involve the land councils when it should be a priority that "indigenous employment and business outcomes be maximised". The land councils have written to NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner saying they back Senator Scullion's idea to expand their roles to operating housing. They told Mr Gunner the current system under his government is not working. "Land Councils also have a critical role to play in engaging traditional owners and other residents in communities about housing programs and negotiating tenure arrangements," said the letter signed by the CEOs of the Northern, Central, Tiwi and Anindilyakwa land councils. "We consider there is merit in the Commonwealth's proposal." Poor housing meant poor physical and mental health and exacerbated social tensions, providing barriers to schooling and participation in the workforce, Central Land Council chairman Francis Kelly said. The impasse had to end with Aboriginal people fully involved in the design and delivery of a new system that provides "decent housing for our people". The CEO of the Tangentyere Council, which runs housing in indigenous town camps, said a 2017 NT government review estimated about $250 million was needed to bring housing up to standard across 43 town camps across the NT. NT Housing Minister Gerald McCarthy said Territory Labor had built and upgraded more than 1320 remote homes and was on track to deliver 1091 new serviced lots, more than any previous Territory government. Senator Scullion, in contrast, had failed to contribute "a red cent" towards remote housing in the NT, he said. A South Australian man found guilty of kidnapping and raping a European backpacker will return to court later this week for the start of the sentencing process. Gene Charles Bristow was on Monday found guilty of six charges: one count of aggravated kidnapping, two counts of rape, two counts of indecent assault, and one count of attempted rape. He was remanded in custody to return to the District Court in Adelaide on Friday. The case against him stemmed from a Gumtree advertisement the 26-year-old woman posted seeking temporary farm work in February 2017. In her evidence, she told the court that Bristow responded to her advert and offered her a job, later picking her up from a bus stop at Murray Bridge and driving her to his hobby farm at Meningie, 150km southeast of Adelaide. She said he took her inside a disused pig shed where he asked to check the soles of her feet for needle marks and then pressed what turned out to be a fake gun to her back. The 54-year-old bound his victim's hands and feet, and chained her to the ground before leaving her alone in the shed. "I was feeling terrible and I would think about my family a lot," she told the court. "I thought I wouldn't see them again and that I would die." Bristow threatened to shoot the woman if she tried to escape and told her he was working with others in a kidnapping ring. The woman said she eventually managed to loosen the shackles and used her laptop to contact friends and family. In his evidence last week, Bristow said the woman was never held against her will, insisting she was free to move about the farm and leave when she wanted. He told the jurors that after one day the woman said she couldn't handle working in the heat, so he drove her back to Murray Bridge, helped her check into a motel and left. Bristow showed no emotion when the unanimous verdicts were delivered, the jury reaching its decision after deliberating for just three hours. It's unclear if he plans to launch an appeal. Today's Birthday, March 6: Victoria's 47th premier Denis Napthine (1952 - ) More than 10 years after being deposed as Victorian Liberal leader, Denis Napthine was sworn in as 47th premier of the state. The promotion was a birthday gift of sorts for the long-standing MP, who celebrated his 61st birthday the day he was sworn in as premier, following the shock resignation of Ted Baillieu. Born and raised in Geelong, Napthine was third eldest in a Catholic family of five boys and five girls. According to The Age, Napthine was politically engaged from a young age. As a 16-year-old, he wrote to US president Lyndon Johnson, urging him to run at the 1968 presidential election, fearing the ''domino effect'' of communism. He also wrote a commentary for the school magazine before the 1969 federal election, dismayed at the choice between two parties "offering nothing". Napthine has said he wanted to be a farmer but his father encouraged him to go to university. He studied veterinary science at the University of Melbourne, despite being told it was ''very hard for a country boy like yourself to get into vet science''. After graduating, he worked as a vet in regional Victoria with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and began to become involved with the Victorian Liberal Party. In 1988 he was elected as the member for Portland. In 1992, when Jeff Kennett was elected to the premiership, Napthine was appointed parliamentary secretary to the health minister. From there, he rose through the ranks, being promoted to youth and community services minister and then treasurer. His stint as treasurer was short lived after the Kennett government unexpectedly lost the 1999 election but the resignation of Kennett paved the way for Napthine's appointment to the Liberal leader role. As the 2002 election loomed, Napthine was overthrown by Robert Doyle, amid claims the party faced oblivion at the polls under his leadership. He went on to serve as shadow minister in various portfolios until the Liberals won the 2010 election under the leadership of Mr Baillieu. Before becoming premier, he was Ted Baillieu's minister for Racing, Ports, Major Projects and Regional Cities. After the Liberals lost at the 2014 state election, Napthine conceded defeat to Labor led by Daniel Andrews. Napthine stated that he intended to serve a full parliamentary term despite losing the premiership, but resigned a year later. Napthine and his wife Peggy are parents to three children, including an autistic son they fostered in the 1980s. All asylum seekers who seek to come to Australia for a health assessment under new medevac laws will be sent to Christmas Island, Prime Minister Scott Morrison is set to announce. He says he's taken this measure to ensure the safety of Australians, with the transfers to Christmas Island likely to include 57 men on Nauru and Manus Island. Mr Morrison, who will visit the island on Wednesday, says it is "incredibly regrettable" that he has had to reopen the Christmas Island immigration detention centre. The prime minister says the step is necessary given that Labor, the Greens and crossbenchers secured the numbers in parliament to pass laws enabling the easier transfer of asylum seekers on Nauru and Manus Island for medical treatment. On his visit, Mr Morrison will inspect the North West Point detention centre and receive briefings from Australia Border Force, Serco and International Health and Medical Services. "We will be making sure that the arrangements are in place - as indeed they are, as I understand it this week - to stand up that facility to deal with any transfers that may arise," he said ahead of the visit. The asylum seekers will be transferred to the island unless they need specialised treatment that can only be provided on the Australian mainland. The government has budgeted $1.44 billion over four years for the reopening of the centre, staffing and administration and transfer costs. The centre was mothballed in October last year. It is understood as of Tuesday, no applications have been made using the new process. Refugee advocates expected a handful of applications in the coming fortnight, but argue there is no necessity for Christmas Island to be reopened. However, the government argues it is acting on the advice of the Home Affairs Department. Under the coalition government 900 people have been evacuated to the Australian mainland for health issues, a quarter of whom were transferred since September last year. An independent health advice panel, which is required to publish quarterly reports, has not yet been formed. Refugee Action Coalition spokesman Ian Rintoul said the death this week of an immigration detainee at the Villawood centre - the second this year - showed the need for the government to release all "at-risk" detainees. "Just like offshore detention, the onshore detainees are hostages to the government's electoral strategy," he said. Mr Morrison will be the first Australian prime minister to visit Christmas Island. The counsel said the commission was yet to prepare its final report as it had to question the politicians concerned. Chennai: An inquiry commission probing late Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa's death on Friday submitted in the Madras High Court that the Apollo Hospital could not seek to stall its proceedings at a stage when 90 per cent of hearing was over and that too after participating in it. Opposing the hospital's plea for restraining it from looking into the medical treatment given to Jayalalithaa, the Arumughaswamy Commission of Inquiry also contended before a bench of justices R Subbiah and Krishnan Ramaswamy that such a relief could not be sought without first challenging the terms of reference of the panel. Senior Counsel ARL Sundaresan, who presented the final arguments on behalf of the commission, termed the hospital's petition against going into the records on the treatment given to Jayalalithaa as a knee-jerk reaction. If the prejudice argument of the hospital was to be accepted, the inquiry had to be wound up, he said. The counsel said the commission was yet to prepare its final report as it had to question the politicians concerned. Till now, only doctors, officials and others have been examined. The Apollo Hospitals was free to challenge the final report of the commission once it was out, but they could not challenge the proceedings at this stage, he said. Rejecting the charge of bias and prejudice levelled by the hospital, he said a bundle of facts had already been collected and recommendations would be made by the commission in its report to the government, which would then take a call on accepting or rejecting those. Legally, such allegations could not be levelled against a commission of inquiry since it was not an adjudicating authority, he added. Sundaresan said the ultimate mandate of the commission was to find out the truth and rule out rumours regarding the circumstances leading to Jayalalithaa's death. Noting that 90 per cent of the proceedings was already completed, he said the hospital could not seek to stall the proceedings without challenging the government order setting up the panel or the terms of reference, that too after participating in the hearings so far. Recording the submissions, the bench directed the commission and the hospital to file their written arguments by March 12 and adjourned the matter to that date. Jayalalithaa died on December 5, 2016, over two months after being treated for various complications, including infection, since September 22. The state government had set up the inquiry commission headed by retired high court judge A Arumughaswamy to look into the circumstances leading to the death of the late AIADMK supremo, citing doubts expressed by various people. Prime Minister Scott Morrison is showing no signs of easing his attacks against federal Labor's ability to manage the nation's economy, as an expected May election slowly creeps into view. But new data will soon show how well his own team has been doing in helping the Australian economy to grow. Economists are expecting the latest national accounts, set to be released on Wednesday, to show the economy grew by 0.4 per cent in the three months to December, and 2.6 per over 2018. That's below the Reserve Bank of Australia's 2.75 per cent full-year forecast. If the consensus eventuates, some economics may renew their prediction the central bank will be forced to cut the official cash rate at least once in 2019. The RBA on Tuesday held at the rate at 1.5 per cent for the 31st consecutive month. The fresh data comes after Mr Morrison on Tuesday suggested the economy may plunge into recession under a Labor government. Asked whether a Labor government could cause a recession, Mr Morrison stopped just short of saying yes. "I'm saying the economy will be weaker under Labor, that's exactly what I'm saying," he told a business event in Sydney. "Because they're going to put $200 billion worth of taxes and take Australia's industrial relations system back to the time when we had a recession in this country." Labor dismissed his revived warnings of an economic downturn as "desperate and dishonest". "It's everything we've come to expect from a desperate prime minister with no economic policy of his own," shadow treasurer Chris Bowen said. Economic growth figures are due to be released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics at 11.30am AEDT on Wednesday. A man accused of terrorising inner-city Brisbane residents for four years with his predilection for performing lewd acts in public is set to front court charged with indecent acts. The 43-year-old Eatons Hill man was spotted masturbating in the leafy inner-city suburb of Windsor multiple times between 2015 and 2019, police allege. In January, he was charged with 27 counts of indecent acts. The man was charged with a further 10 counts of indecent acts in February, bringing the total number of charges he is facing to 37. He is due to appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Wednesday. Land set aside for a cemetery in outer Brisbane is being combed by police a week after Edmund Riggs finally told them where to look for the last of his wife's remains. Riggs has been convicted but is yet to be sentenced for killing his wife Patricia at their Redcliffe home in 2001. Police on Tuesday were digging up a reserve set aside for a cemetery off Morayfield Road in Burpengary for her remains. Some of her bones were found in 2016 but not all have been unearthed. Patricia's family want to bury her themselves. "Give us the rest of her remains so we can bury her with dignity," her brother Mark Knowles said after Riggs was acquitted of murder last month. A Brisbane Supreme Court jury instead found the 60-year-old guilty of manslaughter. The court heard he fatally pushed his wife and the buried her on the outskirts of Caboolture in the dead of night, telling friends and family she had simply run off. He later reburied her at the family home, where a new property owner found remains in 2016. Riggs will be sentenced on March 18. Calmer conditions have reduced the bushfire threat to towns and farmland in Victoria's east but dozens of blazes remain out of control. Several watch and act alerts remained in place for fires east of Melbourne on Wednesday morning. Fire activity decreased at the site of several blazes on Tuesday night due to milder conditions, authorities said. "There is still potential for conditions to change," the environment department said as it downgraded a fire in the Upper Yarra Catchment to advice level. The most damaging of the state's 40 fires continued to burn near the Bunyip State Park, having claimed nine homes, damaged another and razed or impacted 23 outbuildings. The CFA has warned people avoid travelling near that fire due to falling trees and other threats. More than 40,000 hectares of land have been burned across the state by fires since Friday. Two homes were lost at the weekend in a fire at Yinnar South, further southeast of Melbourne. Rex Newton, whose Tonimbuk home was threatened by fire on the weekend, is among to criticise the CFA's level of assistance while others took issue with the level of hazard reduction burns. There were burn offs in the Bunyip State Park during 2008, 2012 and 2016, the state government says. Premier Daniel Andrews said the weekend fires were so fierce, previous backburns had little effect. "The strength of the fires that we have seen in the last few days meant that that fire either went through or went over the fire breaks that had been built over the last couple of years," he said. Emergency Services Minister Lisa Neville said firefighters from all agencies had the government's 100 per cent support for their actions. Fire danger ratings for Wednesday are very high in the Mallee, Northern Country and North East regions and are high elsewhere. After capturing the hearts of Australians, it's time for Bhutanese twins Nima and Dawa to head home. Five months ago the girls arrived in Melbourne, joined at the torso, their nervous mother hoping surgeons could separate her sweethearts. A team of 25 surgeons, nurses and anaesthetists at Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital claimed success in November after a lengthy and delicate procedure. On Wednesday, the separated 19-month-old toddlers and their dedicated mum are due to jet out of Australia, bound for their Himalayan home. There will no doubt be plenty of tears from the team at Children First Foundation, who have cared for the girls throughout their recovery and often referred to their "cheeky" personalities. Mother Bhumchu hopes to say a few words of thanks "but may be overwhelmed saying goodbye", the foundation said ahead of their departure. The CEOs of the Northern Territory's four land councils have written to Chief Minister Michael Gunner, telling him his government's management of remote housing is not working. The powerful indigenous land councils have sided with the Commonwealth over the NT government in a fight over $1.1 billion in funding for housing. Indigenous Affairs Minister and Senator Nigel Scullion is withholding the rollout of $550 million amid a breakdown in negotiations with the NT government about how to spend it. He said last week he was considering other options including dealing directly with land councils - which are statutory authorities - and giving them control over funds. It is unclear how the NT government could then separately allocate its half of the $1.1 billion for remote housing over a decade. The NT government is under pressure after its Housing Department was found last week to have breached its tenancy agreement. Aboriginal residents from the remote Santa Teresa community won compensation after suing over the squalid state of their houses, which could lead to other communities also taking legal action. Senator Scullion says he is withholding the money because the NT Government refuses to involve the land councils when it should be a priority that "Indigenous employment and business outcomes be maximised". The land councils have written to NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner saying they back Senator Scullion's idea to expand their roles to operating housing. They told Mr Gunner the current system under his government is not working. "Land Councils also have a critical role to play in engaging traditional owners and other residents in communities about housing programs and negotiating tenure arrangements," said the letter signed by the CEOs of the Northern, Central, Tiwi and Anindilyakwa land councils. "We consider there is merit in the Commonwealth's proposal." Poor housing meant poor physical and mental health and exacerbated social tensions, providing barriers to schooling and participation in the workforce, Central Land Council chairman Francis Kelly said. NT Housing Minister Gerald McCarthy said Territory Labor had built and upgraded more than 1320 remote homes and was on track to deliver 1091 new serviced lots, more than any previous Territory government. A man's been charged over the alleged abduction of a young woman on the Gold Coast. The woman, 26, was on the phone to her mother when she was forced into her car by a stranger at a shopping centre car park in Robina on Monday afternoon. He demanded she drive north on the M1 motorway while covering her face and pulling her hair to try to stop her from screaming, Detective Inspector Brendan Smith told reporters on Tuesday. "Bluetooth has kicked in and the mother could hear the conversation and what was going on in the vehicle, so she had the foresight to call police," he said. "Police could then actually ring the victim's phone and speak to the offender, and negotiate with him to let her pull over." At 6.20pm on Tuesday, a Mudgeeraba man turned himself in to police. The 47-year-old has been charged with one count each of kidnapping, unlawful entry of a vehicle and assault. He will appear in Southport Magistrates Court on Wednesday. WHO GETS SENT TO CHRISTMAS ISLAND DETENTION CENTRE: * Asylum seekers deemed a risk to the community who seek to come to Australia for a health assessment under new medevac laws will be sent to Christmas Island. * This includes those accused of murder, sexual assault of children, violent assaults and planning terrorist attacks. * The new rules cover 57 men on Manus and Nauru. * The asylum seekers will be transferred to the island unless they need specialised treatment that can only be provided on the Australian mainland. * Asylum seekers will go to North West Point, one of three immigration detention facilitates on the island. * The centre was mothballed in October last year. * Reopening the centre will cost an estimated $1.4 billion over four years. Rapper Eminem's legal team are taking a copyright complaint against a New Zealand political party to the country's top court. The conservative National Party was in 2017 ordered to pay the Detroit musician's label, Eight Mile Style, $NZ600,000 ($A570,530) after using a track that bore striking similarities to the song Lose Yourself in a 2014 election campaign ad. An appeals court in December slashed the amount to $NZ225,000. It's now been confirmed Eight Mile Style filed documents with the Supreme Court last month to challenge that ruling. The court will first have to decide whether it will consider the case and is awaiting further submissions. Lose Yourself was composed by Marshall Mathers III (Eminem), Jeff Bass and Luis Resto - who formed the Eight Mile Style company - in 2002. Bass described the song as the most valuable in the catalogue and said it had never been cleared for use in any political campaign. National paid $NZ4800 for a song called "Eminem-esque" to a production company in 2014, with the tune appearing 186 times on television, as well as on the internet and at a party conference. Thousands of women will have access to cheaper IVF treatments and a rebate on fertility testing as part of a pre-election promise by the NSW government. Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced the $42 million package on Saturday, saying it would make it easier for couples to have a baby. Government-supported IVF services - which cost substantially less compared to private clinics - are currently only available at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. That will be expanded to Westmead Hospital and The Royal Hospital for Women, providing access to about 6000 women. The government, if re-elected, will also provide a rebate up to $500 for pre-screening tests that can determine whether a woman is likely to experience a positive result through IVF. "I don't want to see anyone in NSW miss out on having a family because they can't afford it," Ms Berejiklian told reporters in Sydney on Saturday. The government also announced a partnership with the University of NSW, for the first statewide fertility preservation service for young cancer patients at The Royal Hospital for Women. "Our aim is to make NSW the IVF centre for Australia," Health Minister Brad Hazard told reporters. MoD said reports of soldier Mohammad Yaseens abduction from Kashmirs Budgam are incorrect and that he was safe. On Friday, several reports emerged saying that unknown gunmen kidnapped Yaseen from his home in Qazipora Chadoora. (Representational Image) New Delhi: The defence ministry on Saturday morning rejected the reports of abduction of a soldier in Jammu and Kashmirs Budgam district, adding that the individual is safe. Media reports of the abduction of a serving Army soldier (Mohammad Yaseen) on leave from Qazipora, Chadoora, Budgam(J&K) are incorrect. Individual is safe. Speculations may please be avoided, said the defence ministry statement. On Friday, several reports emerged saying that unknown gunmen kidnapped Yaseen from his home in Qazipora Chadoora. Yaseen, who is from the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JAKLI), has been on leave from February 26 till March 30. In June, an Army soldier Aurangzeb of 44 Rashtriya Rifles posted in south Kashmirs Shopian district was abducted by militants and his bullet-riddled body was found 10 kilometres away from the place of kidnapping. Declines across the US and Europe will provide a negative lead in for the Australian share market on Monday. Australian markets are also expected to be affected by Monday's public holiday in Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and the ACT. CommSec chief economist Craig James says its no surprise that after the losses in the US, there would be similar declines in our own market on Monday. "US investors are trying to mull up the state of the economy - job figures were much weaker than expected but the question is whether this is just a one off type development. And housing stats were much firmer than expected," he told AAP. "So that data was more mixed than anything." Despite the US dollar weakening against all other currencies, the Australian dollar was firmer. Rather than being about 70 cents, the Australian dollar was at 70.5 cents. He said mining stocks were all down, including the oil price (down 59 cents), nickel (down 1.2 %) and iron ore ($2.20 lower). "The only saving grace is the gold price, up over $13 an ounce," he said. "Gold stocks may do okay on Monday but some of the other mining and energy stocks may face headwinds - the higher Australian dollar doesn't help." He said investors could expect Monday to be a little softer in terms of volume, and potentially, growth because of the public holiday. He said because of that, no major economic data had been released. But what everyone is waiting for is a development in the US-China trade dispute. "Without new information, we are effectively in a holding pattern." Nearly 3,000 delegates from across China have gathered in Beijing for the annual session of the National People's Congress China's premier warned Tuesday that the country faces a "tough struggle" as he unveiled tax cuts to prop up a stuttering economy while increasing military spending to nearly $180 billion. The slowdown and US trade war have become major challenges for President Xi Jinping, a year after becoming the country's most powerful leader since Mao Zedong with the abolition of term limits and etching of his name into the constitution. Premier Li Keqiang told the opening session of China's annual National People's Congress that the government is targeting growth of 6.0-6.5 percent this year for the world's second-largest economy, lowering its range from 2018. China GDP since 1978 Nearly 3,000 delegates from across the country gathered under tight security, with legislation aimed at improving conditions for foreign investors topping the agenda of the two-week session. "In pursuing development this year, we will face a graver and more complicated environment as well as risks and challenges ... that are greater in number and size," Li said in his speech. "We must be fully prepared for a tough struggle," he said. The government had set a target of around 6.5 percent in 2018 and eventually recorded official growth of 6.6 percent -- the slowest pace in nearly three decades. Three-quarters of provinces have already lowered their annual growth targets this year. - Taxes cut, spending boosted - "We have made a moderate adjustment to our projection on the basis of a thorough assessment of destabilising factors and uncertainties affecting the economic performance," Li said. To combat slowing growth, policymakers have said they will lower taxes, reduce fees and streamline red tape. China will cut company taxes and employer social insurance contributions paid on behalf of workers by nearly 2 trillion yuan ($298 billion), Li said. Li Keqiang has outlined tax cuts and a reduction in red tape to combat slowing growth The value-added tax for manufacturers will be lowered to 13 percent from 16 percent and drop one percent for transportation and construction industries. Beijing will also lift spending, with China's targeted fiscal deficit set to increase to 2.8 percent of GDP, from 2.6 percent last year. "They need to strike a balance between boosting economic activity and not restarting another debt-fuelled boom," said Tai Hui of JP Morgan Asset Management. Fiscal policy will be "proactive", while monetary policy will remain "prudent", Li said, outlining cuts to the reserve ratios at medium and small banks to unleash more funds into the economy. Beijing is determined to achieve above six percent growth for the next two years to "meet its promise" of doubling GDP for the decade ending 2020, said Lu Ting, an analyst at Nomura bank. - Economic difficulties - Despite the slowdown, the government unveiled a military budget increase of 7.5 percent to 1.2 trillion yuan, though that is lower than last year's 8.1 percent hike. China has spent billions on stealth warplanes, aircraft carriers and other advanced weaponry as it faces territorial disputes in the South China Sea and issues warnings against independence in Taiwan. Recent economic data point to the difficulties China faces, with growth in the last three months of 2018 clocking in at 6.4 percent. Manufacturing activity has shrunk for three straight months, recording its worst performance in three years in February In January, an important barometer of prices in the country's industrial sector neared contraction territory while China's imports fell at the start of the year. Manufacturing activity saw its worst performance in three years in February. But the country's stock market soared to its highest point in more than eight months Monday on renewed optimism about a US trade deal. Relations with the United States deteriorated sharply last year after President Donald Trump hit roughly half of Chinese imports with new tariffs in an attempt to force trade concessions. Trump, however, has voiced confidence that he could soon sign a deal with Xi. Li said China will settle "trade disputes through discussions as equals". As the economy slows, Beijing has unveiled a military budget increase of 7.5 percent Enforcement of any agreement with the US has emerged as a potential sticking point. "We faithfully honour our commitments," Li said. "Right now both teams are still negotiating because there is still lots left to do," Commerce Minister Zhong Shan told reporters, adding there have been "breakthroughs in some areas". The legislature will next week pass a new law regulating foreign investment and barring the forced transfer of technology by foreign firms to Chinese joint venture partners, in a move that could help ease US trade tensions. Beijing will "create a fair and impartial market environment where Chinese and foreign companies are treated as equals and engage in fair competition", Li said. The European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, which has voiced concerns that the foreign investment law was being fast-tracked, cautiously welcomed the government report. "We hope that the work report provides real impetus to create a fair and well-regulated Chinese market with global characteristics," said Mats Harborn, president of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China. US President Donald Trump has made taking aim at what he considers imbalanced trade relationships a central plank of his presidency Washington will scrap the preferential trade status of India and Turkey, the US trade chief's office said, as President Donald Trump ramps up his battle against what his administration views as unfair foreign trade practices. Trump has made an overhaul of global trade and the slashing of American trade deficits a central plank of his presidency. The Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program for developing nations had granted favorable treatment to both countries for a range of manufactured goods imports, such as automotive parts, tires and appliance parts. But the Trump administration will end "India's and Turkey's designations as beneficiary developing countries" saying they no longer qualified for the reduced tariffs, US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said in a statement late Monday. India, the biggest beneficiary of the GSP program, had failed to assure Washington that it would allow required market access to American firms, and instead erected "trade barriers that create serious negative effects on United States commerce," the statement said. New Delhi played down the effect of the decision, with Commerce Secretary Anup Wadhawan saying the withdrawal of the program would not have a "significant impact" on Indian trade. Of India's $80 billion in annual exports to the US, only $5.6 billion were covered by the preferences, he said, according to a report by the Press Trust of India news agency. New Delhi's commerce ministry said India's tariffs were in line with its commitments to the World Trade Organization, while imports of US oil and natural gas had narrowed the US trade deficit with India in recent years. Meanwhile, Turkey's trade minister said Washington's plan conflicted with the NATO allies' push to increase commercial exchanges. "This decision contradicts our mutual objective of reaching bilateral trade volume of $75 billion... The decision will also negatively affect US small and medium-sized enterprises and manufacturers," Ruhsar Pekcan said on Twitter on Tuesday. - Trade war - "We still would like to pursue our target of increasing our bilateral trade with the US who we see as our strategic partner, without losing any momentum," she said. The changes cannot take effect for at least 60 days following the notification to Congress and the countries affected -- a process Trump began Monday with letters to the speaker of the House of Representatives and the president of the Senate. The change for India came after "intensive engagement" between New Delhi and Washington, Trump wrote in one letter, released by the White House. "I will continue to assess whether the government of India is providing equitable and reasonable access to its markets, in accordance with the GSP eligibility criteria," the president wrote. And USTR said Turkey has demonstrated a "higher level of economic development," meaning that it can be "graduated" from the program. In his letter on Turkey, Trump said the country's economy "has grown and diversified," and noted that Istanbul has already "graduated from other developed countries' GSP programs." The decision came as Washington and Beijing seek to negotiate an exit to the Trump administration's most high-profile and costly trade battle. The US and China agreed to a 90-day truce to work out their differences, and Beijing and Washington have been edging closer to an agreement in recent weeks. The truce was scheduled to end on Friday, but Trump lifted an ultimatum on further tariff hikes after expressing satisfaction with the progress made in several rounds of talks. Under an agreement taking shape, Beijing would lower some barriers on US companies' operations in China and purchase large amounts American agricultural and energy goods if the United States lowered most of the tariffs in return. However, leading news reports have said significant details remained unresolved. burs-dg/hs Auto tycoon Carlos Ghosn's case has gripped the business world since his arrest in Japan A Tokyo court on Tuesday unexpectedly granted bail to former auto industry titan Carlos Ghosn, who has spent more than three months in a detention cell. It was the latest twist in a case that has gripped Japan and the business world since the tycoon's shock arrest on November 19 over suspicions of financial misconduct An appeal by prosecutors against the decision to grant Ghosn bail was thrown out late Tuesday, according to the Jiji news agency. The 64-year-old Ghosn's lead lawyer Junichiro Hironaka suggested to Japanese media he could be freed Wednesday, once his defence team has raised bail which was set at one billion yen ($9 million). The former head of Nissan, Mitsubishi Motors and Renault faces three charges -- two involving alleged under-reporting of his salary and a third over a complex scheme in which Ghosn allegedly sought to transfer his losses to Nissan's books. Further claims of financial misconduct have been levelled against him and prosecutors may yet slap him with additional allegations to keep him in detention. Ghosn again insisted his innocence in a statement released early Wednesday, saying he would "strongly" defend himself against the "unfounded" charges. "I am boundlessly grateful to my family and friends for backing me through this terrible ordeal," he added in the statement released by his lawyers in Paris. - Banned from leaving Japan - Under his bail terms, Ghosn is banned from leaving Japan and must adhere to conditions aimed at preventing him from fleeing or destroying evidence. The shock decision came a day after Hironaka, who Ghosn hired just last month in a shake-up of his defence team, told reporters he had filed a "convincing" application for bail that contained fresh elements. The Ghosn case has been full of twists and turns Hironaka, who has a reputation for securing acquittals for high-profile clients in a country where almost all court cases end in conviction, offered greater surveillance of Ghosn and a limit on his electronic communications. The court has previously said Ghosn's continued detention was justified because he posed a flight risk and could seek to tamper with evidence. It had already rejected two official bail bids and other attempts to win freedom. However, his prolonged stay behind bars has come under fire internationally and from rights groups. Speaking to AFP and French daily Les Echos in January -- his only interview with foreign media so far -- Ghosn himself said that his continued detention "would not be normal in any other democracy". "Why am I being punished before being found guilty?" Ghosn asked. - 'The razor' - Under Japanese law, prosecutors can hold a suspect for up to 22 days while they investigate an allegation, and then can apply for repeated one-month stretches of pre-trial detention for each charge eventually levelled. That means prosecutors could effectively prevent Ghosn from leaving detention despite Tuesday's bail decision if they level new allegations against him, restarting the 22-day detention clock. Ghosn appeared only once in public since his arrest - in court In a shake-up of his legal team last month, Ghosn replaced a former prosecutor known as "the breaker" with Hironaka, who has earned the nickname "the acquitter" for his court record and the "razor" for his mental sharpness. Speaking to reporters on Monday, Hironaka had vowed a "completely new legal strategy" to obtain his client's release. "I think the content of the lawyer's application changed the situation," said Japanese lawyer Nobuo Gohara. - 'Further discoveries' - Nissan declined to comment on the bail decision, saying it was a matter for courts and prosecutors. However, it said that an internal probe had "uncovered substantial evidence of blatantly unethical conduct" and that "further discoveries related to Ghosn's misconduct continue to emerge". "The company's focus is firmly on addressing weaknesses in governance that failed to prevent this misconduct," it added in a statement. A towering figure once revered in Japan for turning around Nissan's fortunes, Ghosn also forged a successful alliance between Nissan, Mitsubishi Motors and France's Renault. But his attempts to deepen the alliance caused resentment in some quarters, and Ghosn has claimed the allegations against him are part of a "plot" by opponents of greater integration between the three firms. Given the number of people involved in the complex case and their wide geographical spread, Hironaka said the case would run over a "very long time span". However, he said prosecutors had begun handing over some of their evidence prior to a potential trial. Ghosn's family lawyer told French LCI television that his release would end a "cruel and brutal" time in custody for the Franco-Lebanese-Brazilian executive. Robert Richter -- who has an enviable record of courtroom victories -- told The Age newspaper that he was too emotionally involved to continue to represent Pell The lawyer representing disgraced Australian Cardinal George Pell denied reports Tuesday he had quit amid fury at a "perverse" verdict, but his role in the appeal process remains unclear. "I have not quit," high profile barrister Robert Richter told AFP, adding that local media reports to the contrary were false. "I have not quit or left anything." Earlier Richter -- who has an enviable record of courtroom victories -- told The Age newspaper that he was too emotionally involved to continue to represent Pell. The 77-year-old former Vatican number three is currently awaiting sentencing for a conviction of sexually assaulting two choirboys in the 1990s. Richter told The Age that Pell would be "better served by someone more detached" as he did not have "sufficient objectivity at this stage." "I am very angry about the verdict," he told the newspaper, "because it was perverse". "I think the man is an innocent man and he's been convicted. It's not a common experience," he added. Richter declined to comment further to AFP on his status in Pell's defence team. But the Australian newspaper later reported that he remains an advisor to the legal team for the appeal, where he had been expected to play a less public role. "He's a key part of the team and Robert never quit the team," Pell's solicitor Paul Galbally told the newspaper, without going into further detail. Pell, who become the most senior Catholic clergyman to be found guilty of child sex abuse when he was convicted in December, maintains his innocence. He is due to be sentenced next week and faces up to 50 years' jail. His appeal will be based on three grounds -- that the jury verdict was unreasonable, that there were issues with the jury's formation and that they were blocked from watching a defence video animation illustrating people's movements in the cathedral on the day of the alleged assault. Richter has been representing the Cardinal since 2017. But he recently came under fire and angered abuse survivors by arguing in court that even if Pell had committed the crimes, they were no more than a "plain vanilla sexual penetration case". He apologised for the statement last week. New chief lawyer Junichiro Hironaka seems to have made the difference to Ghosn's case, experts say A "razor-sharp" new defence lawyer and a change in tack are behind a Tokyo court's surprise decision to grant former Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn bail after two failed bids, experts say. Ghosn shook up his defence team last month and his new lead lawyer Junichiro Hironaka quickly filed for bail again, despite the unsuccessful past attempts. He told a news conference Monday that he believed it was a "convincing" bail application with new elements that would finally win the day. The court had previously rejected bail applications on the grounds Ghosn was a flight risk who might destroy evidence. So Hironaka, known as "The Razor" for his mental sharpness, said he had proposed to limit Ghosn's contacts with the outside world and impose camera or computer surveillance on his movements. Whatever the new request offered, it seemed to make the difference, with the court ruling in Ghosn's favour and forcing prosecutors to swiftly appeal the ruling. "I think the content of the lawyer's application changed the situation," said Japanese lawyer Nobuo Gohara. Ghosn's previous lead defence attorney was a former prosecutor who "always took the side of the prosecution and did not give good enough arguments to persuade the judge", said Gohara. "This time, he had a lawyer who put all his effort into getting a decision from the judge," he added. Another lawyer, Yasuyuki Takai, a former member of the prosecution unit now investigating Ghosn, also noted that a different judge heard the case this time. "That counts as well, the way of looking at the case changes." In a shock move -- the latest surprise in a case full of twists and turns -- the Tokyo District Court granted Ghosn bail on condition he pays one billion yen ($9 million), stays in Japan and accepts surveillance measures. The tycoon had been languishing in a detention centre in northern Tokyo since November 19 when he was arrested on suspicion on financial misconduct. - 'External factors' - Ghosn's lengthy detention -- more than three months -- has drawn sharp criticism internationally of the Japanese justice system, which allows courts and prosecutors to detain suspects almost indefinitely before trial. His family have frequently slammed his detention conditions and even vowed to take his case to the United Nations Human Rights body. The tycoon himself told AFP in an interview in January that such a lengthy detention would "not be normal in any other democracy of the world" and asked: "Why I am being punished before being found guilty?" However, analysts said that the court had not bowed before international criticism of Japan and its so-called "hostage justice" system. "The court's decision was not influenced by external factors, but it has previously tended to bend too much to the opinion of the prosecutors," said Gohara. "This time it was forced to take a good decision taking into account the arguments of the defence," he told AFP. Takao Nakayama, professor of criminal law at Tokyo's Chuo University and a former judge, dismissed the idea international criticism could have played a part. "That is never the case ... Judges would never consider it when they make decisions," he told AFP. However, Takai noted that the high-profile case of Ghosn would undoubtedly create a legal precedent and the court was probably mindful of this in its decision. "If it does not do the same thing in later cases, some people will denounce special treatment for Ghosn and the court will be criticised," said Takai. The US has vowed to keep open the South China Sea to trade and sails warships through the waterway The decades-old defence treaty between the United States and the Philippines needs to be revamped, or risks dragging Manila into a war with China, the Filipino defence chief said Tuesday. Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana made the comments four days after US Secretary Mike Pompeo said Washington would intervene in case of an armed attack on Philippine forces or vessels in the disputed South China Sea. "It is not the lack of reassurance that worries me. It is being involved in a war that we do not seek and do not want," Lorenzana said in a statement. Filipino officials have suggested the Philippines' 1951 mutual defence treaty with the US may not apply in the strategic waterway, since Washington has not stopped Beijing building artificial islands over reefs claimed by Manila and other neighbours. The US has said it does not take sides in the dispute over the South China Sea claimed by Beijing as well as the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam. It has however sailed warships near the Chinese-built islands to assert free passage. Pompeo said Friday China's actions in the waterway -- through which trillions of dollars of global trade passes each year -- threaten both the US and the Philippines, and vowed to keep it open. But Lorenzana said the naval manoeuvres risked dragging the Philippines into armed conflict. "The United States, with the increased and frequent passage of its naval vessels in the West Philippine Sea, is more likely to be involved in a shooting war," he said, referring to Filipino-claimed areas of the sea. "In such a case and on the basis of the (treaty), the Philippines will be automatically involved," he said. The "vastly different" security environment now in place "necessitates a review of the treaty", he added. Doan Thi Huong from Vietnam (pictured) and Indonesian Siti Aisyah deny murder and say they were set up A Vietnamese woman accused of murdering the half-brother of North Korea's leader will testify in court for the first time next week, when the long-running trial over the Cold War-style hit resumes, her lawyer said Tuesday. In a brazen killing that shocked the world, Doan Thi Huong from Vietnam and Siti Aisyah from Indonesia are accused of assassinating Kim Jong Nam by smearing VX nerve agent on his face at Kuala Lumpur airport in February 2017. The women have denied murder, saying they believed they were taking part in a prank and were tricked by North Korean agents. Salim Bashir, one of Huong's lawyers, said she will testify on Monday when the trial resumes with the defence stage of proceedings after a break of several months. "Huong is in good health, confident and is ready to take the stand," he told AFP, adding that the thrust of the defence remained that the women were tricked into carrying out the killing. "Huong had no... intention to commit murder." The pair have been on trial since October 2017 but proceedings have been hit by repeated delays, and Aisyah's defence -- which was originally due to start last year -- is currently on hold due to a row over witness statements. Prosecutors presented their case in the first stage of the trial, with witnesses describing how the victim -- the estranged relative of Kim Jong Un and once seen as heir apparent to the North Korean leadership -- died in agony shortly after being attacked. In August, a judge ruled there was sufficient evidence the suspects had engaged in a "well-planned conspiracy" with four North Koreans to murder Kim, and ordered that the trial continue to the defence stage. The four, who are accused of having recruited the pair and being the masterminds of the plot, are also formally accused over the killing. They fled the country shortly after the murder. South Korea has accused the North of ordering the hit, which Pyongyang denies. A murder conviction carries a mandatory penalty of death in Malaysia. The government has vowed to abolish capital punishment for all crimes, although parliament still needs to vote on changing the law. Air India's patriotic announcement that 'hail India' must be said after all messages comes as a standoff between Delhi and Islamabad continues Air India has reminded cabin crews to follow all announcements with a rousing cry of "Hail India!" as nationalistic fervour grips the nation in its latest military standoff with Pakistan. "With immediate effect, all are required to announce 'Jai Hind' at the end of every announcement after a slight pause and with much fervour," the national carrier's head of operations said in a circular. A spokesman told AFP the order was first issued in 2017 but that a reminder was required because new staff had joined. It comes as India's biggest military standoff with Pakistan in years triggers a rise in patriotism, stoked by Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of looming elections. India's excitable news channels have gone into overdrive and people have been flocking to a rip-roaring film about an Indian special forces incursion into Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Its catchphrase "How's the josh?" -- meaning "How's the fervour?" -- has been widely quoted on and offline, with government ministers employing it at political rallies. An Indian fighter pilot who was shot down, captured and then released by Pakistan has become a national hero, with some copying his handlebar moustache and even one baby named after him. The latest crisis between the nuclear-armed Asian foes was sparked by a suicide bombing in Indian Kashmir that left 40 Indian paramilitaries dead on February 14. India launched air strikes inside Pakistan 12 days later, and an aerial dogfight between the two countries' air forces over Kashmir broke out the next day. Tens of thousands attended funerals and solidarity marches around India for the 40 men, with some setting fire to Pakistani flags. The group that claimed credit for the attack is based in Pakistan. Islamabad's release of the pilot last Friday eased international alarm although tensions remain high, with both sides firing shells and mortars over their de-facto border in Kashmir. Indian media reports said that a Pakistani military drone was shot down over northern India on Monday, while Islamabad said Tuesday it prevented an Indian submarine from entering its waters. Air India's announcement Tuesday also attracted mockery on social media in view of the stricken airline's crippling debts. "Much welcome but before starting this Air India should improve the service. Make the airline profitable. Keep up to schedule. Stop wasting taxpayer money. Be customer friendly," quipped Dinesh Joshi, one Twitter user. Algerian students are calling on President Abdelaziz Bouteflika not to stand for a fifth term Hundreds of students from universities across Algeria on Tuesday marched in the capital to protest against ailing President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's determination to run for a fifth term in April elections. "Hey Bouteflika, there won't be a fifth term," the students chanted in central Algiers, an AFP reporter said. Onlookers applauded them and motorists honked their horns in a show of support. And in a sign they will not back down from protests calling on the veteran leader to resign, the students chanted "bring on the army commandos and the BRI (police rapid response squad)." Bouteflika, who suffered a stroke in 2013, vowed in a letter read out on state television late Sunday to quit early if he is re-elected for a fifth time in the April vote. He said he would organise a "national conference" that would set a date for further polls which he would not contest. "I listened and heard the cry from the hearts of protesters and in particular the thousands of young people who questioned me about the future of our homeland," he said in the message. But his words have failed to end the protests against him which first erupted on February 22 and have continued daily. Tuesday's rallies came in response to calls on social media for students to gather outside the iconic building housing Algiers' main post office. Police deployed across the centre of the capital where protests have been banned since 2001, but did not intervene. Bouteflika, who is rarely seen in public, formally submitted his candidacy for the April 18 poll just before a midnight deadline on Sunday. It was handed in by his campaign manager Abdelghani Zaalane as the president has been in Switzerland since February 24 for what the presidency has described as "routine medical tests". Algerians, and local newspapers, have dismissed his promise to quit early as an insult and a show of contempt. "No means no! Hasn't he understood the message of the people?," asked Selma, a student taking part in Tuesday's rally. "Today we will make it clear for him, and again on Friday," which has been the main day for protests, she said. The crash involving MiGs are not uncommon, earning it the unflattering flying coffin tag. Police teams rushed to the spot to cordon off the area. No loss of life has been reported. (Photo: Twitter/ ANI) New Delhi: An Indian Air Force MiG-21 Bison aircraft crashed in Rajasthans Bikaner district on Friday. The pilot ejected safely and there was no casualty. The MiG-21 Bison aircraft was airborne from Air force Station Nal for a routine sortie when it crashed at around 2:30 pm. Initial inputs indicate the likely cause of the accident as bird hit after take off, said Indian Air Force in a statement. A Court of Inquiry has been orde-red to investigate the cause of the accident. According to sources, the MiG 21 crashed near the airport. The crash has happened at a time when IAF is in a high state of preparedness to pro-actively engage any perceived threat from Pakistan. The crash involving MiGs are not uncommon, earning it the unflattering flying coffin tag. Nearly 15 percent of Sri Lanka's 21 million population have no access to toilets, the latest figures show Sri Lanka's government allocated money to build toilets in over a quarter million homes Tuesday, under an ambitious project to flush out the practice of "open defecation" within a year. Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera told parliament the government will spend 4,000 million rupees ($22 million) to build toilets for people living in over 260,000 private homes. "It is appalling that so many of our people do not have access to basic hygiene," Samaraweera said while unveiling the national budget for 2019. "Our aim is to ensure that by the end of the year, all homes in Sri Lanka will have toilets." The latest official figures show that nearly 15 percent of the 21 million population have no access to toilets and classified as "open defecators," or those using the open environment to relieve themselves. Samaraweera said public conveniences at bus and railway stations were filthy and unusable, and the government would unveil a plan to ensure clean toilets with the participation of the private cleaning companies. In some major cities, railway stations have set up toilets only for the use of foreign tourists. "I am disappointed by Burundi's lack of cooperation in recent years with UN human rights mechanisms," Bachelet said Burundi has closed a UN human rights office that has been operating in the country since 1995, UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet said Tuesday, vowing that the UN would continue monitoring violations there. "It is with deep regret that we have had to close our office in Burundi after a 23-year presence in the country," Bachelet said in a statement. The Geneva-based UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said the office was shut down on February 28. Bachelet noted that the UN rights office in Burundi was set up in 1995 amid massive human rights violations perpetrated in the country after the assassination of president Melchior Ndadaye. "The Office helped ensure the incorporation of a human rights dimension... which was the bedrock of the country's stability for many years," the statement said. It stressed that the Burundi office had played a leading role in establishing the emergence of strong civil society organisations. "Unfortunately, many of these human rights gains have been seriously jeopardised since 2015," Bachelet said. Burundi has been caught up in crisis since President Pierre Nkurunziza sought a third term in office in 2015, provoking civil unrest that left at least 1,200 dead and displaced over 400,000 people. In October 2016, the Burundi government suspended all cooperation with the office following a report by the UN Independent Investigation in Burundi established by the UN Human Rights Council. And two years later, in December 2018, the Burundi government requested the closure of the office. According to the UN, the government maintained that it had made sufficient progress in creating national mechanisms to protect human rights, eliminating the need for the UN office. For more than two years, the "UN human rights staff were severely hampered in their ability to look into allegations of violations" because of the lack of cooperation, Bachelet said. Her office said however that it continued to receive allegations of serious rights violations in the country, including killings, enforced disappearances and threats. Spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani told reporters that between early 2016 and September 2018, the office had received 1,050 allegations of arbitrary arrests and detentions. "I am disappointed by Burundis lack of cooperation in recent years with UN human rights mechanisms - which even went so far as to include threats to prosecute members of the independent international Commission of Inquiry established by the UN Human Rights Council," Bachelet said. She lamented that many rights defenders and civil society actors have been detained or forced into exile. "Even as our Office in Burundi closes, we will continue to explore other ways to work to shed light on human rights concerns and support the advocacy, promotion and protection of human rights in the country," Bachelet said. She said the Bujumbura government had expressed readiness to work with the UN rights office in Geneva after the closure of the Burundi office, and urged it to also cooperate with other UN bodies. Hundreds of suspected Islamic State members are among those who have fled into territory held by the Syrian Democratic Forces in recent days Hundreds of civilians streamed out of the Islamic State group's last Syrian stronghold Tuesday into territory held by US-backed forces battling to finish off the jihadists' dying "caliphate". A total of 3,500 people exited the riverside village of Baghouz, including 500 jihadists who had surrendered, the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces said. Five SDF fighters were also freed, their spokesman Mustefa Bali said on Twitter. IS seized large parts of Syria and neighbouring Iraq in 2014, declaring a "caliphate" there, but has since lost all but a patch on the banks of the Euphrates River near the Iraqi border. At a screening point for new arrivals outside Baghouz, an AFP reporter saw hundreds of men, women and children. Men sat on the ground, surrounded by members of the Kurdish-led SDF, while women clad from head to toe in black waited to be searched. Among them was the widow of French jihadist Jean-Michel Clain, 38, who said her husband had been killed last month after his brother Fabien. "The drone killed my brother-in-law and then the mortar killed my husband," Dorothee Maquere told AFP. Fabien Clain, 41, had voiced an IS audio recording claiming responsibility for the November 2015 attacks in Paris, when IS jihadists slaughtered 129 people in coordinated operations. Backed by air strikes from the US-led coalition, the SDF smashed their way into the jihadists' last remaining sliver at the weekend. Women and children are among the evacuees leaving the Islamic State group's last strip of territory in Syria But they slowed down the offensive on Sunday over concerns for civilians trapped inside. Bali on Monday night said 3,000 more people had been evacuated since Sunday. An SDF official told AFP "hundreds" of IS fighters were among them. - 'War injuries' - The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor, earlier said 280 IS fighters were among those who quit the pocket since Sunday. Diehard jihadists are fiercely defending their last patch after the SDF and the US-led coalition resumed their offensive late Friday, following a two-week pause to allow for civilian evacuations. The Kurdish-led force pushed into Baghouz on Saturday. On Monday night, an AFP correspondent near the front line saw black smoke billowing over the besieged pocket after an air strike. The Observatory, which relies on a network of sources inside Syria, said artillery fire and air strikes continued into the night. The evacuees are taken by trucks to Kurdish-run camps for the displaced in northeast Syria The mass outpouring of people from the dying "caliphate" has sparked a major humanitarian emergency, with an aid group saying 600 people arrived early Tuesday in one camp for non-combatants in northeast Syria. Among those who arrived at the camp in Al-Hol, 10 people "needed urgent medical treatment because of shrapnel or war injuries", the International Relief Committee said. Six were sent to hospital. Around 15,000 people reached Al-Hol from Baghouz between February 22 and March 1, the UN's humanitarian coordination office OCHA said on Monday. - Dying days of 'caliphate' - The new arrivals have pushed the camp's population to over 56,000, exacerbating already dire conditions at the crammed facility, it said. After months under heavy bombardment and sometimes with very little to eat, many of those emerging from Baghouz are in poor physical and psychological health. Around 90 people, mostly children under the age of five, have died en route or shortly after arriving at Al-Hol, OCHA said. Syria's Kurds hold hundreds of foreign jihadists and IS sympathisers, whose governments have been reluctant to take them back. A US judge on Monday rejected a request for expedited treatment of the case of an Alabama woman who joined IS in Syria but has asked to return home. Many of the people emerging from the Islamic State group's crumbling "caliphate" are in poor physical and psychological health The government has declared that Hoda Muthana, 24, is not an American citizen, and has barred her from entry. The jihadists are massively outnumbered in Baghouz and the SDF say they expect a victory within days. The Kurdish-led forces launched their broad offensive on remaining IS strongholds in the Euphrates Valley six months ago. The capture of Baghouz would mark the end of IS territorial control in the region and deal a death blow to the "caliphate". At its peak more than four years ago, the IS proto-state was the size of the United Kingdom and ruled millions of people. Syria's war has killed more than 360,000 people and displaced millions since it started in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests. Hezbollah's flag features a Kalashnikov assault rifle Saudi Arabia on Tuesday welcomed Britain's decision to outlaw the political wing of Lebanon's Hezbollah movement, describing it as an "important and constructive" step. Britain announced on February 25 it would seek to make membership of the Shiite movement or inviting support for it a crime. The decision followed outrage over the display of the Hezbollah flag, which features a Kalashnikov assault rifle, at pro-Palestinian demonstrations in London. "Categorising the (Hezbollah) militia, which is backed by Iran, as a terrorist organisation is an important and constructive step in combatting terrorism around the world," said a foreign ministry source, according to the official Saudi Press Agency. "Britain's decision is in line with the decision Saudi Arabia has taken towards the terrorist party, both politically and militarily." London's move was welcomed by other foes of Iran, Hezbollah's key supporter, including the United States and Israel. Hezbollah meanwhile said Britain had "insulted the sentiments and the will of the Lebanese". In 2016, the Gulf Cooperation Council -- which includes regional powerhouse Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates -- designated Hezbollah a "terrorist" organisation. Hezbollah was established in 1982 during Lebanon's civil war and is now a major political party in the country, holding three cabinet posts. Britain blacklisted Hezbollah's military wing in 2008 but had until now made no move against its political wing. However, British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said last Monday that any distinction between its military and political wings "does not exist". The US designated Hezbollah a foreign terrorist organisation in 1997. Algerian students demonstrate in the capital on March 5, 2019 against ailing President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's bid for a fifth term Thousands of Algerian students marched on Tuesday in protest at ailing President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's determination to stand for re-election, brushing aside his pledge not to serve a full fifth term. The country's army chief meanwhile delivered a speech slamming unnamed parties he said want to return to the "painful years" of Algeria's civil war, and pledged to guarantee the country's "security and stability". Bouteflika suffered a stroke in 2013 and is rarely seen in public. Rallies demanding the 82-year-old resign have rocked Algeria since February 22, with protesters mobilised by calls on social media, in a country where half the population is under 30 and many young people struggle to find jobs. Following mass demonstrations, Bouteflika promised Sunday that if he wins the April poll he will organise a "national conference" to set a date for further elections which he would not contest. But Algerians weary of his two-decade rule angrily dismissed his promise, read out on state television, as an insult. On Tuesday thousands of university students from campuses across Algiers marched in the capital, many carrying their country's flag. Abderahman, a 21-year-old student, said Bouteflika "wants an extra year" in power. "We don't want him to stay even an extra second. He should leave now," he said. Police deployed across the centre of the capital where protests have been banned since 2001. "Hey Bouteflika, there won't be a fifth term," the students chanted. Onlookers applauded them and motorists honked their horns in a show of support. Algerian riot police push back students demonstrating in Algiers Thousands of students also rallied in the centre of Algeria's second city Oran, an AFP reporter said. Local journalists in the cities of Constantine and Annaba said thousands more students had also joined protests, while Algerian media reported demonstrations in other cities. In a sign they would not back down, students in Algiers chanted "bring on the army commandos and the BRI (police rapid response squad)". - Army chief warns protesters - General Ahmed Gaid Salah said on Tuesday that the army would continue to guarantee Algeria's "security and stability" and slammed those he said want to return to the "painful years" of the 1992-2002 civil war. Speaking at a military academy outside Algiers, the armed forces chief of staff urged Algerians to be ready to "erect a rampart against anything that could expose Algeria to unpredictable threats". The European Commission has stressed the importance of freedom of expression and rule of law, following days of protests which have seen tens of thousands of people take to the streets. "The right to freedom of expression and assembly are written in the Algerian constitution," said commission spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic. "We expect that these rights can be exercised in a peaceful way and guaranteed in respect for the rule of law," she told journalists. Algerian have protested against ailing President Bouteflika's bid for a fifth term since February 22 Bouteflika formally submitted his candidacy for the April 18 poll just before a midnight deadline on Sunday. It was handed in by his campaign manager Abdelghani Zaalane as the president has been in Switzerland since February 24 for what the presidency has described as "routine medical tests". In Sunday's message he said his pledge not to serve a full term if re-elected "will ensure I am succeeded in undeniable conditions of serenity, freedom and transparency." He acknowledged the mostly peaceful protests against him. "I listened and heard the cry from the hearts of protesters and in particular the thousands of young people who questioned me about the future of our homeland." But his words have failed to end the demonstrations against him which have continued daily, drawing Algerians from all walks of life, including students, lawyers and journalists. - 'No means no!' - Protesters in Algeria have been mobilised by calls on social media in a country where half the population is under 30 Tuesday's rallies came in response to calls on social media for students to gather outside the iconic building housing Algiers' main post office. "No means no! Hasn't he understood the message of the people?" asked mathematics student Selma. A sign held up by demonstrators read: "No studies, no teaching until the system (regime) falls", as students were reportedly considering going on strike. The sprawling Bab Ezzouar campus of the University of Algiers, just outside the capital, was deserted. "There is a massive strike by students... I've never seen anything like it since the 1980 Berber Spring," a professor told AFP. She was referring to a weeks-long uprising demanding cultural rights for Algeria's Berber community, who long fought for greater recognition for their customs and ancient language overshadowed by Arabic culture. La Scala's director Alexander Pereira confirmed the historic theatre has negotiated a financing deal with the Saudi culture ministry A proposal to use 15 million euros in Saudi Arabian government funds for Milan's La Scala opera house came under fire on Tuesday because of anger over the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The October killing of the Washington Post contributor in Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul sparked international outrage. Riyadh denies any involvement and says the killing was carried out by rogue agents. In an interview on Tuesday in La Repubblica newspaper, La Scala director Alexander Pereira confirmed the historic theatre has negotiated a financing deal with the Saudi culture ministry. Pereira said the proposal was for a partnership of at least five years to raise three million euros a year. He said talks with Saudi officials were suggested by people close to regional Lombardy region president Attilio Fontana, a member of Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini's nationalist League party. In December, at the start of the new La Scala season, Italian Culture Minister Alberto Bonisoli met with his Saudi counterpart, Prince Badr bin Abdullah. The Saudi minister might join the prestigious opera house's board, according to widespread Italian media reports. The talks came under fire from opposition leaders. "The idea that the Saudis will come into La Scala is a slap in the face for Milan over human rights," said Antonio Panzeri, a European lawmaker from the main opposition Democratic Party. "I understand the need to find funds, but we absolutely cannot allow one of the most prestigious symbols of Milan to collaborate with those who trample on rights and freedom every day in their own country." Forza Italia party lawmaker Maurizio Gasparri said the government has a duty to defend the "history and identity of La Scala", asking Bonisoli to clarify the government's position. Theater director Pereira said he had followed the Khashoggi case "with dread" and was aware of the "despotic" nature of the Saudi regime. But he said he was convinced of the "positive force of music". "Prince Badr is very determined," he said. "He could finance the Scala privately or redirect his proposal elsewhere." US President Donald Trump addresses the National Association of Attorneys General in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, DC on March 4, 2019 President Donald Trump on Tuesday furiously branded a sweeping new investigation by Democrats of his inner circle a "big, fat, fishing expedition." In a series of early morning tweets, the president said the House Judiciary Committee investigation of his alleged crimes was "the greatest overreach in the history of our Country." "The real crime is what the Dems are doing, and have done!" he said. Democrats, who took control of the House of Representatives in elections last November, suspect Trump of a slew of potentially impeachable offenses. The powerful judiciary committee on Monday requested information from 81 Trump-connected individuals and entities, including his sons and close advisors. The letters demanded documents that could shed light on possible obstruction of justice and abuse of office by the administration and Trump himself. It was the first time since April that every industry had shown expansion The US services sector saw growth pick up in February, with a sharp increase in activity and new orders, even as concerns about trade friction with China lingered, according to a business survey released Tuesday. The rebound after two months of declines came despite a retail slowdown and a continued shortage of workers, the Institute for Supply Management's monthly survey showed. The ISM's non-manufacturing index jumped three points to 59.7 percent from 56.7 percent in the prior month, well above the consensus estimate of economists and above the 12-month average. Anything above 50 percent indicates growth. "It was a strong rebound from prior month," said Anthony Nieves, chair of ISM's survey committee for the non-manufacturing sector. "It was notable to see all 18 industries have reflected growth," he told reporters in a conference call. It is the first time since April that every industry showed expansion in the month and only the second time since May 2006, ISM said. In the key components, the business activity index jumped five points to 64.7 percent, while new orders surged 7.5 points to 65.2 percent, according to the report, both the highest since August 2005. But the uncertainty generated by the trade dispute with China hangs over the sector, which Nieves said especially affects retailers, which saw contraction in activity. One company executive said, "We are anxiously awaiting decisions in the next couple of weeks on the fate of the proposed tariffs on China." Another said that, while business was "steady... we are more concerned about tariffs in the short term, since there seems to be no agreement." But hiring continues to be a headache for firms nationwide, and the employment index fell 2.6 points to 55.2 percent. "It's really tough right now," Nieves said, noting that firms are beginning to see wage pressures, especially since the "prevalent practice" is to hire from competitors to fill open positions. In November, IS claimed to have killed 118 people in five attacks in Nigeria and Chad, making ISWAP its deadliest affiliate The leader of an Islamic State-backed faction of Boko Haram may have been replaced, sources say, against a backdrop of speculation as to his fate -- and the group's future direction. Three sources with deep knowledge of the group said they had been told in recent days that the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) had dropped Abu Mus'ab Al-Barnawi. A previously unknown figure named Abu Abdullah Ibn Umar Albarnawi is said to have replaced Al-Barnawi, whose father Muhammad Yusuf founded Boko Haram in 2002. The name Al-Barnawi or variations of it derive from Arabic words meaning "The man from Borno," a state in northeastern Nigeria. "If the information turns out to be true, it will have far-reaching implications and raise a lot of questions, including the fate of Al-Barnawi," one of the sources told AFP. "The big question is, where is Al-Barnawi? Is he alive or is he dead? Knowing how Boko Haram operates, it is unlikely for a leader to be deposed and allowed to move freely." Under Al-Barnawi, ISWAP split from the faction led by longtime Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau in mid-2016 in opposition to the latter's indiscriminate targeting of civilians. Shown here is the aftermath of an attack by Shekau's fighters Under Al-Barnawi, ISWAP split from the faction led by longtime Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau in mid-2016 in opposition to the latter's indiscriminate targeting of civilians. Shekau had previously pledged allegiance to IS chief Abubakr al-Baghdadi in 2015 but IS recognised only Al-Barnawi as leader. Al-Barnawi was considered only a figurehead, with the real power being held by his second-in-command, Mamman Nur. Nur, who was the mastermind of the 2011 bombing of the UN headquarters in Abuja which killed 26, was assassinated by more radical ISWAP commanders in August 2018. Since then, Al-Barnawi "has been living on the fringes, careful not to cross the path of the new leadership and earn their wrath", a second source said. A third said any change in leadership, which has sparked online speculation among those tracking the conflict, could be considered a "formality". "Al-Barnawi had long lost relevance in the group," he said. - Dead or alive? - Nur's demise followed a lull in ISWAP activity in northeast Nigeria and the abduction of more than 100 schoolgirls from the Yobe town of Dapchi in February 2018. The more radical lieutenants accused him of helping himself to a ransom allegedly paid for the girls' release, robbing them of cash needed for operations. Since July last year, ISWAP attacks on military bases and soldiers have increased, not only denting morale but also allowing the jihadists to restock vital arms and ammunition. One of the most recent attacks came just hours before polling was due to begin in presidential elections on February 23, and saw rockets fired on the Borno state capital, Maiduguri. Analysts said the increasing number and intensity of attacks indicated a greater capacity and mobility, as well as possible wider support from jihadist groups in the Sahel region Weapons experts have identified the rockets used as those seized from the Nigerian army in an attack on the Lake Chad town of Baga in December. Whether Al-Barnawi has suffered the same fate as Nur is unclear but his absence would explain the more aggressive positioning of the group in recent months. The three sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons, suggested that his only guaranteed way out alive was to "abdicate". But even that would be a risk for the new leadership, with the possible emergence of another splinter group of Al-Barnawi loyalists. - Unilateral decision? - The recognition of Al-Barnawi over Shekau was widely announced on IS-affiliated media outlets. But there has so far been no such announcement about the new leadership. "The silence from IS suggests ISWAP took a unilateral decision to get rid of Al-Barnawi," said one of the sources. "It is an indication that IS doesn't have the kind of tight control on ISWAP as many are suggesting, especially since the death of Mamman Nur." In November, IS claimed to have killed 118 people in five attacks in Nigeria and Chad, making ISWAP its deadliest affiliate. The recognition of Al-Barnawi over Shekau was widely announced on IS-affiliated media outlets. Three people died in this January 8 attack by the Shekau faction outside Maiduguri Analysts said the increasing number and intensity of attacks indicated a greater capacity and mobility, as well as possible wider support from jihadist groups in the Sahel region. IS's silence on Nur's execution was a clear sign of its helplessness in reining in ISWAP, the second source said. "IS needs ISWAP more than ISWAP needs them because of the defeat it has suffered in Syria and Iraq," he said. "They (IS) are now looking to the Sahel for sanctuary," said the third. "They wouldn't want to upset their hosts and will have to live with ISWAP's infractions and different approach." Jackson diehards swarmed Twitter as the documentary "Leaving Neverland" aired, smearing accusers while defending their idol A documentary on pedophilia accusations against Michael Jackson has left some fans grappling with the late superstar's tarnished legacy -- but among his outraged superfans, protecting it is all that matters. Celebrity fandom has morphed into a vicious online tool, with superfan gangs -- Beyonce's Beyhive, Justin Bieber's Beliebers, Cardi B's Bardi Gang, to name a few -- attacking whenever their idol's reputation is thrown into question, no matter the circumstances. And when celebrities face accusations of grievous crimes, as is the case with Jackson, psychiatrist Sue Varma said the urge to push back grows. The phenomenon stems from a "need to have an escape, a fantasy, someone we aspire to be," she said. "It's a form of denial," according to Varma. "They are superhuman and we want -- rather, we need -- to believe that they can do no wrong." Jackson diehards swarmed Twitter as the disturbing documentary "Leaving Neverland" aired, hijacking the film's eponymous hashtag to smear accusers while also defending their idol under #MJInnocent. "Shame on you for dragging an innocent man," wrote one Twitter user with the handle @Claudia20195, calling alleged victims Wade Robson and James Safechuck "money hungry." Director Dan Reed speaks onstage during the "Leaving Neverland" Premiere during the 2019 Sundance Film Festival "The more I read into and watch this whole #FindingNeverland documentary the more angry I get," wrote another, @bailey_hensel. "These guys are exploiting a dead man to make a dollar... My heart is breaking for the Jackson family." The documentary's director, Dan Reed, told AFP he has been receiving vitriolic messages from Jackson fans for months. "They have a blind devotion to him," he said. "It's almost like it's a religious cult." - 'Toxic fandom' - Superfandom -- a relationship to a figure, object or ideology that often spills over into obsession -- is nothing new, said media scholar Paul Booth of Chicago's DePaul University, but social media has increased its visibility. "Fans have always had disagreements and antagonisms," Booth said, "but the difference today is people who aren't fans have ready access to view it." The internet, he said, allows entry into "fan communities," heightening feelings of identification and a need to defend. A timeline of events in the life -- and death -- oF pop icon Michael Jackson, who succumbed to an overdose in 2009 at age 50 "When our object of fandom, which we have associated so much with who we are, is accused of something heinous, it some ways we want to deny that because it seems to reflect on us as people," Booth said. Today, he said "it's not enough to mount a defense," as social media discourse offers a platform to "attack back." "The best defense is a good offense" to many superfans, Booth said, calling this attitude "the basis of toxic fandom." For digital media scholar Mel Stanfill of the University of Central Florida, the online venom is encouraged by "the shifting way people converse." "You can just fire it off," she said. "You don't reflect, you just react." "Our expectations about what is socially appropriate has changed." - Man or mirage? - The struggle for fans to reconcile art with its maker reaches far back, Booth said, pointing to Roman Polanski and Woody Allen, both accused of pedophilia, as examples. But the issue has become particularly prescient in the #MeToo era that has changed the way society views alleged sex abuse victims, with celebrities like R&B superstar R. Kelly facing fresh legal challenges over grave accusations of misconduct. The alleged victims both describe the childlike Jackson, pictured in 2005, wooing them and gaining their families' trust In terms of Jackson, that "Leaving Neverland" has revived pedophilia accusations in stark relief nearly a decade after the artist's overdose death only exacerbates the desire to protect his legacy, said Varma. "People can be legends in their lifetime but somehow they become angels upon death," she said, citing Elvis and Princess Diana as examples. "Culturally, we are taught to not speak ill of the dead -- and somehow we just want to exonerate them." Jackson's estate -- which categorically denies all accusations and is suing HBO for $100 million -- has praised the online community passionately defending the late King of Pop. "Thank you to all the fans that are always standing by my uncle and my family," tweeted Jackson's nephew Taj. "You are the backbone behind this fight. I wouldn't have the strength, if it weren't for you." "I wouldn't be armed with all the facts, if it weren't for you." But despite fan backlash, director Reed said "support for the film has been a lot greater than I expected." "I think the fans will never accept that, because the Michael Jackson that they have a relationship with is not the real Michael Jackson," he said. "It's not the man, it's the mirage; it's the image; it's the icon." BJP general secretary Bhupendra Yadav announced a tie-up with All Jharkhand Students Union in Jharkhand. The BJP parliamentary board met in Delhi on Friday to finalise the party's strategy for the Lok Sabha polls. (File Photo) New Delhi: The BJP parliamentary board met in Delhi on Friday to finalise the party's strategy for the Lok Sabha polls with its top leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and president Amit Shah, brainstorming for close to three hours. There was no official statement on what transpired in the meeting. Asked from where PM Modi will contest, sources said that it was already decided that he will fight from Varanasi, the constituency he represents in the current Lok sabha. The party is yet to take a call on whether he will contest from any other seat or not. PM Modi had fought and won from two seats in the 2014 polls. There has been speculation that the party is considering introducing certain criteria, including age bar, for candidates, but there has been no official word on this. A party leader said "winability" will be the key consideration in selecting candidates. Following the meeting, BJP general secretary Bhupendra Yadav announced a tie-up with All Jharkhand Students Union in Jharkhand. The AJSU is already a partner in the BJP-led government in the state. Mr Yadav said the BJP will contest 13 of the 14 Lok Sabha seats in the state and the AJSU one. General Ahmed Gaid Salah, chief of staff of the Algerian Armed Forces, attends the funeral of major-general Abdelmalek Guenaizia at the Sidi-Yahia cemetery in Algiers, on February 6, 2019 Algeria's army chief on Tuesday pledged to guarantee the country's security following mass demonstrations against ailing President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's bid for a fifth term in office. General Ahmed Gaid Salah also criticised those who he said want to return to the "painful years" of the 1992-2002 civil war "during which the Algerian people experienced all forms of suffering and paid a heavy price." The armed forces chief of staff said in a speech at a military academy outside Algiers that the country's success "in eradicating terrorism... has displeased some parties who are upset to see Algeria stable and safe." The people will continue to enjoy "security and stability" of which the army "will remain the guarantor", the general, who is close to Bouteflika and considered one of Algeria's most powerful figures, said according to an official transcript. The army chief, who is deputy defence minister, urged Algerians to be ready to "erect a rampart against anything that could expose Algeria to unpredictable threats". Protests have seen tens of thousands of people take to the streets of the North African country since last month demanding the 82-year-old president resign. Thousands of students marched in the capital and other cities on Tuesday in the latest display of public anger. Bouteflika, who suffered a stroke in 2013 and is rarely seen in public, promised on Sunday that if he wins elections in April he will organise a "national conference" to set a date for further polls which he would not contest. His pledge, made in a letter read out on state television, has been dismissed as an insult by Algerians weary of his two-decade-old rule. Bouteflika has been in Switzerland since February 24 for what the presidency has described as "routine medical tests". Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the World Wide Web, says he is working to fix the problems of the internet that had not been envisioned decades ago Worldwide web inventor Tim Berners-Lee said Tuesday he is on a mission to fix the problems of online abuse, misinformation and data protection that were not envisioned when the system was created decades earlier. Berners-Lee, credited with creating the web in 1989, told a Washington Post event he is committed to working on solutions to rampant problems plaguing the online world. The British computer scientist said his efforts focus on two areas -- the so-called "Contract for the Web" to ensure integrity of online information, and his platform in development called "Solid" to give users control of their data. His comments come amid events marking the 30th anniversary of the web and growing fears that it has been hijacked for nefarious purposes. Berners-Lee stepped up his call to join the "contract," a project unveiled last November, that would bring together governments, tech firms and others to establish principles for online governance. "You can't just outlaw fake news, it's much more complicated," he said in an on-stage interview at the Post headquarters. "The Contract for the Web is about locking in a midcourse correction, a change of momentum, back toward constructivism, back toward science, facts." Berners-Lee said he launched the Solid projet in response to concerns about personal data being bought and sold without the consent of users. He said the platform aims "to separate the apps from the data storage" so users can decide where and how they would share their personal information. "Solid is going to be a ubiquitous data storage system that will give people control of their data," he said. The system being developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology aims to give users "pods" for data that may be uploaded to services such as Facebook, Amazon or Google, he added. "You can have a personal pod, you can have a work pod," he said. "You will have access to more data about yourself than even Amazon has now." The two projects were announced last year as Berners-Lee expressed concerns that his creation has been "hijacked by crooks" that may spell its destruction. US congresswoman Ilhan Omar, a freshman from Minnesota, has come under fire for her controversial comments that several fellow lawmakers have decried as anti-Semitic The US House will vote as early as Wednesday to condemn anti-Semitism, following another round of controversial comments by a new congresswoman who criticized pro-Israel lawmakers for potential "allegiance" to a foreign country. The resolution is not expected to specifically name Ilhan Omar, one of the first Muslim women ever elected to Congress, but the vote will be a clear reprimand against the freshman from Minnesota -- and the second public admonishment by fellow Democrats that she will have received since coming to Washington. Last week Omar sparked an uproar at a Washington event when she criticized the "powerful" pro-Israel lobbying group AIPAC, and US lawmakers who fiercely support the Jewish state. "I want to talk about the political influence in this country that says it is okay to push for allegiance to a foreign country," she said. Several lawmakers and activists recoiled. House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Eliot Engel said it was "unacceptable and deeply offensive to call into question the loyalty of fellow American citizens because of their political views, including support for the US-Israel relationship." President Donald Trump weighed in late Monday, pointing to Omar's "terrible comments concerning Israel" and suggesting House Speaker Nancy Pelosi remove her from the Foreign Affairs Committee. Anti-Defamation League chief executive Jonathan Greenblatt wrote to Pelosi slamming Omar's comments and urging the top Democrat to introduce a resolution condemning anti-Semitism and bigotry. "Accusing Jews of having allegiance to a foreign government has long been a vile anti-Semitic slur that has been used to harass, marginalize, and persecute the Jewish people for centuries," he wrote. Politico and others reported that the resolution, drafted by Pelosi and other top Democrats, will receive a floor vote Wednesday. Last month Omar, a onetime refugee from Somalia, triggered uproar with comments that echoed an anti-Semitic trope that Jewish influence in politics is money-related. Stunned Democratic leaders demanded -- and received -- and apology from Omar. But a second round of controversial comments has further angered some lawmakers. "It is disturbing that Rep. Omar continues to perpetuate hurtful anti-Semitic stereotypes that misrepresent our Jewish community," tweeted House Democrat Juan Vargas. "Additionally, questioning support for the US-Israel relationship is unacceptable." But Omar has pushed back. "I should not be expected to have allegiance/pledge support to a foreign country in order to serve my country in Congress or serve on committee," she tweeted. Omar's public statements triggered an ugly Islamophobic reaction in the West Virginia statehouse. A poster displayed there by Republicans comparing Omar to Al Qaeda terrorists and showing 9/11 imagery sparked a physical confrontation between Democratic and Republican lawmakers. Rwanda's Minister of Foreign Affairs Richard Sezibera accuses neighbouring Uganda of 'supporting' an anti-Kigali rebel movement Rwanda accused its much larger neighbour Uganda on Tuesday of supporting rebels opposed to the government in Kigali, a claim firmly rebutted by Kampala. Rwandan Foreign Minister Richard Sezibera told journalists that Kigali had information that rebels of the Rwanda National Congress (RNC) "communicate with Ugandan people and give them instructions on arresting Rwandans". "Our only concern is that the RNC is acting with and in support with people from Uganda," Sezibera said. The RNC opposition group is made up of former Rwandan rebels who, together with Paul Kagame, are credited with stopping the 1994 genocide. The RNC was started by Kayumba Nyamwasa, a former chief of staff of the Rwandan army and once-confidant to President Paul Kagame. But Nyamwasa fled to exile in South Africa after falling out with Kagame in 2010 and Rwanda issued an arrest warrant for him on charges of terrorism. "We dont see why the RNC should be part of any equation between Rwanda and Uganda. We dont see logic of it, but for some reasons they are still operating in Uganda. And that is the awareness we raise," Sezibera insisted. Last Thursday, Rwanda issued a travel advisory, warning its citizens against visiting Uganda as they may face illegal arrests, torture, and deportations. This came after Rwanda claimed 986 of its citizens were deported from Uganda, and almost 200 were being held incommunicado. Uganda rejected the claims. "It is false that Uganda hosts any elements fighting Rwanda," Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Kutesa said in a statement. "Uganda does not and cannot allow anyone to operate from its territory that threatens a neighbour as alleged." Kutesa also denied that Uganda "arrests, tortures and harasses Rwandans". People from Rwanda were welcome to visit Uganda, the minister underlined, and had nothing to fear as long as "they are law abiding". "As a country that has been a target of terrorist attacks... we remain vigilant," said Kutesa. "In this regard, the government of Uganda remains committed to protecting the security of its citizens and its borders and will act accordingly against local or foreign threats." He said it was "unfortunate" that the movement of goods and people across the common border has been affected by the row. The scuffle between Rwanda and Uganda threatens the six-member East African Community, a regional economic bloc. Both countries were involved in the so-called Great War of Africa which began in Democratic Republic of Congo in 1998 and drew in most of the region. Rwanda and Uganda are both led by former rebel leaders now ruling beyond their initial two-term limits after changing the respective constitutions. Yoweri Mueveni of Uganda has been in power since 1986 while Paul Kagame has ruled Rwanda since 2000 and is now serving a seven-year third term that will conclude in 2021. An Iranian military speedboat patrols the Gulf in early 2017, before the three Jordanians were detained in Iranian waters during a fishing trip from the United Arab Emirates later that year Iran has released three Jordanians it arrested in December after they strayed into Iranian territorial waters in the Gulf, Jordan's foreign ministry said on Tuesday. "Iranian authorities released the three Jordanians and handed them over to the acting charge d'affairs at the kingdom's embassy in Tehran," it said. The three men were detained during a fishing trip from the United Arab Emirates late last year. Jordan said last month that its embassy in Tehran had been notified that they would be released after paying a fine for straying into Iranian territorial waters and "illegal fishing". The foreign ministry in Amman said the embassy would cover the cost of the fine and was working closely with Iranian authorities to organise the men's return home as soon as possible. In January Jordan's foreign ministry said the three men, accompanied by Emirati and Egyptian friends, had entered Iranian waters "by mistake" during a boat trip on December 27. Chad's president Idriss Deby, whose government in August 2018 carried out a military operation aimed at "clearing out" illegal miners and stopping cross-border incursions from Chadian rebels holed up in Libya Rebels in a region of northwestern Chad that has been hit by unrest since gold was discovered there said Tuesday they rejected government demands to lay down their weapons. "We categorically refuse to be disarmed, given that the reasons why we took up arms against the authorities have not been addressed," said Molly Sougui, a spokesman for the so-called self-defence committee in Miski. Miski and neighbouring Kouri Bougoudi in the Tibesti region bordering Libya have been troubled by violence since gold was discovered there in 2012 and 2013. Miners have rushed in from around Chad and abroad, leading to friction over access to lucrative sites. At least 30 miners have been killed and more than 200 wounded, according to Chadian rights activists. The government has given authorisation to several mining companies to exploit the deposits. In August, it carried out a military operation aimed at "clearing out" illegal miners and stopping cross-border incursions from Chadian rebels holed up in Libya. In November, local inhabitants formed self-defence committees in an act of defiance. On Sunday, Security Minister Mahamat Abba Ali Salah, on a visit to Kouri Bougoudi, announced what he called the "disarmament of the entire population and a strict ban on gold mining" in the region. The minister also announced the closure of Chad's border with Libya. Tibesti "has become a crossroads for all criminals, terrorists and rebels," he said. The move came a month after anti-government insurgents holed up in Libya crossed the border into northeastern Chad, only to be stopped by French airstrikes. Northern Chad, a desert region, is closely tied to southern Libya, from which it gets most of its food supply. No caption A UN envoy is moving ahead with plans to hold a second round of talks this month on settling the decades-old conflict in Western Sahara, the UN spokesman said Tuesday. Horst Koehler, a former German president who has been leading the UN peace effort between Morocco and the Polisario Front, held a first round in December in Geneva that did not yield any breakthroughs. The envoy "plans to convene a second roundtable of meetings in the second half of March in Switzerland," said UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric. Koehler has been holding bilateral meetings to prepare for the talks between Morocco, the Algerian-backed Polisario, Algeria and Mauritania. The Polisario fought a war with Morocco from 1975 to 1991, when a ceasefire deal was agreed and a UN peace mission was deployed to monitor the truce. The Polisario is demanding a referendum on independence for the territory, which Morocco has flatly rejected. Morocco, which annexed the territory after Spain withdrew in 1975, considers Western Sahara to be an integral part of the kingdom and has instead offered autonomy. Ethan Lindenberger, an Ohio high schooler, gives evidence before US senators on March 5, 2019 Ethan Lindenberger spent his first 18 years unvaccinated -- defenseless against tetanus, polio, measles. But in December, defying his mother, he went and got inoculated, a rebellion that earned him an invitation to Congress. "I grew up understanding my mother believed vaccines are dangerous, as she would speak openly about her views both online and in person," the high schooler said Tuesday in testimony before a Senate hearing on contagious disease outbreaks. But Lindenberger, still 18, said he did his own research, became convinced that information in defense of vaccines "outweighed the concerns heavily" of the so-called anti-vax movement, and started receiving the shots he had missed as a child. In recent weeks he has become a hero of believers in modern medicine in the United States, where experts and elected officials still struggle to convince some that their refusal to get themselves or their children vaccinated is fueling several recent outbreaks of measles. Similar dangerous outbreaks have occurred in Brazil, France and Ukraine. Many vaccines are theoretically mandatory for students to attend school in the United States. But almost all states -- 47 out of 50 -- allow exemptions either on religious, moral, or personal grounds, including Lindenberger's state of Ohio. "It was a slow progression to start to see evidence" of the effectiveness and safety of vaccines, he said, adding that he grew intrigued by so many people who "disagreed with my mom" and sought to dismiss her claims online. But he sought out information from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, public health organizations and scientific journals. When he showed his mother the articles explaining, for example, that the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine did not cause autism, he said she replied: "That's what they want you to think." Lindenberger's defiance of parental guidance earned him the attention of thousands, including members of the US media and Congress. He was soon invited to appear before a panel of senators, several of whom praised his persistence in seeking out the truth. Lindenberger said one of the main challenges now is to counter the online anti-vaccination sites that peddle conspiracy theories. "The sources which spread misinformation should be the primary concern of the American people," he said. A picture taken on March 1, 2019 shows the Dome of the Rock at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in the Old City of Jerusalem The Muslim foundation which runs the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem, the Waqf, said Tuesday it will defy an Israeli court order barring access to part of the flashpoint holy site. There have recently been scuffles between worshippers and police there over the use of a side building called the Golden Gate, closed by Israel since 2003. Arguing there was no longer any reason for it to remain shut, Palestinian officials reopened the building last month and crowds of worshippers prayed inside despite the Israeli closure. A Jerusalem court this week gave the Waqf until March 10 to explain why the closure order should be lifted, Israeli watchdog group Ir Amim said in a statement. "As the Waqf does not formally recognise the Israeli court system, it is unlikely to issue a formal response, in which case the court is expected to approve closure of the building," the NGO said. "It is anticipated that a forced closure by the police will trigger significant numbers of Palestinians rallying or breaking the closure." That, it said, was liable to lead to "a harsh police reaction" at the compound, known as the Haram al-Sharif, or Holy Sanctuary, which includes the Al-Aqsa mosque and Dome of the Rock. Asked to confirm the latest ruling, a justice ministry official told AFP details of the case were "confidential". - 'Our right' - "The decisions of the courts do not apply to the mosque of Al-Aqsa," Sheikh Abdel Azim Salhab, the leader of the Waqf council, said in a video clip published on Tuesday. "It is our right, religious and contractual, to access the Golden Gate and keep this door open for Muslims to pray," he said. Salhab and his assistant were briefly detained last week for what police said was violation of an order preventing entry into a prohibited area of the holy site. They were released later the same day but the arrest drew condemnation from Jordan, the custodian of the Haram al-Sharif, in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem. Waqf spokesman Firas al-Dibs said that since the latest dispute erupted Israel had arrested nearly 130 Palestinians in Jerusalem, including senior Muslim officials. It has temporarily barred more than 60 people from the compound, he said. Access to Golden Gate was closed by an Israeli court order in 2003 during the second Palestinian intifada over alleged militant activity there, police say. Waqf officials argue that the organisation that prompted the ban no longer exists. The compound is the third-holiest site in Islam and a focus of Palestinian aspirations for statehood. It is also the location of Judaism's most sacred spot, revered as the site of the two biblical-era Jewish temples. Jews are allowed to visit but cannot pray there and it is a frequent scene of conflict between the two sides. Palestinians fear Israel will seek to assert further control over it, while Israel accuses Palestinians of using such claims as a rallying cry to incite violence. It is in the walled Old City in east Jerusalem, occupied by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed in a move never recognised by the international community. UN peacekeepers from Sri Lanka carry the coffin of a Sri Lankan soldier killed in an attack on a convoy in Mali Security is worsening in Mali with terror attacks on the rise, targeting UN peacekeepers, Malian troops, international forces and civilians, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned in a report on Tuesday. The threat from extremist groups has spread from northern Mali to the center of the West African country, complicating efforts to implement a peace deal with armed groups. "Despite significant international efforts, the security situation has continued to deteriorate with an increase in the number of terrorist attacks," said Guterres in the report sent to the Security Council. In 2018, there were 237 terror attacks, up from 226 in 2017 and 183 the previous year, said the report. The Security Council is planning to visit Mali this month for a closer look at the conflict as it faces a June deadline to extend the mandate of the 14,000-strong MINUSMA peacekeeping force deployed there. Mali has been struggling to return to stability after Al-Qaeda-linked extremists took control of the north in early 2012, prompting a military intervention by France. Although the jihadists were routed in the French operation in 2013, large stretches of the landlocked state remain out of government control. Most of the violence is centered in Mali's central and southern regions but it has also spread across its borders, affecting neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger. A peace agreement signed in 2015 by the government and armed groups was aimed at restoring stability, but the latest UN figures on the terror attacks confirmed the accord has failed to stop the Islamic militants. In January, 10 Chadian peacekeepers were killed in an attack on their UN camp in the northern Kidal region claimed by Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), one of the deadliest strikes against MINUSMA. In all, 18 peacekeepers have been killed and 77 others injured in attacks in the past six months, the report said. Despite the rising violence, Guterres reported progress in efforts to implement the peace deal, with over 1,400 combatants setting aside their weapons and new district administrations set up in the north. "International pressure, including through the prospect of sanctions, was viewed as an important factor in accelerating the process," said the report. France, which will lead the council visit to Mali along with Germany, is pushing for additional funding to shore up the G5 Sahel force set up in 2015 to root out the jihadists. Participants across the state sought early release of the seven convicts who have been in jail for 28 years now. Various Tamil organisations across the state took part in a human chain on Saturday seeking early release of seven individuals convicted for their involvement in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. (Photo: ANI) Chennai: Various Tamil organisations across the state took part in a human chain on Saturday seeking early release of seven individuals convicted for their involvement in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Participants across the state sought early release of the seven convicts who have been in jail for 28 years now. After the Supreme Court last year allowed the Tamil Nadu state government to take a decision on the release of the convicts, the state Cabinet passed a resolution recommending the Governor of Tamil Nadu Banwarilal Purohit to release the seven convicts by provoking Article 161 of the Constitution. However, the Governor has not made any decision on the recommendation of the state cabinet so far. On February 23, Nalini Sriharan, a convict, had written a letter to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami appealing to use the current political opportunity to release her and six others. In May 1991, Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by a Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) suicide bomber during an election rally at Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu. The impoverished Sahel state of Niger on Tuesday launched a campaign to vaccinate six million children against meningitis, which killed nearly 200 people two years ago. Children aged between one and seven years will be immunised over the week-long nationwide programme, Health Minister Idi Illiassou said. He called on parents to "massively" support the effort. The two-billion-CFA-franc (three-million-euro, $3.4-million) cost is being mainly borne by the World Health Organization (WHO), GAVI Alliance, Rotary International and the UN children's fund, Unicef. Niger lies in the so-called "meningitis belt" of sub-Saharan Africa, stretching from Senegal in the west to Ethiopia in the east, where outbreaks of the disease are a regular occurrence. The vaccination programme in Niger is against meningitis A, one of the six groups of meningitis bacteria that can cause epidemics. The disease is transmitted between people through coughs and sneezes, close contact and cramped living conditions. The illness causes acute inflammation of the outer layers of the brain and spinal cord, with the most common symptoms being fever, headache and neck stiffness. In Morocco, Pope Francis will be visiting a country where more than 99 percent of the country is Sunni Muslim Senior Catholic clergy in Morocco called Tuesday for freedom of conscience and respect for migrants' rights, ahead of a visit by Pope Francis later this month. The pontiff is due to visit the North African country on March 30-31 at the invitation of King Mohammed VI. He is set to meet migrants and deliver a speech on inter-religious dialogue. The archbishop of Rabat, Cristobal Lopez Romero, said Christians in the kingdom were "grateful to enjoy full freedom of worship". But, he said at a news conference in Rabat, "we would be happy if the Moroccan people could enjoy all freedoms, including freedom of conscience." An estimated 30,000 to 35,000 Christians live in Morocco, more than half of them sub-Saharan Africans who have headed to Morocco to work, study or try to reach Europe. More than 99 percent of the country's population is Sunni Muslim, with Christians, Jews, Shiite Muslims and Bahais making up the rest. Just over 27,000 are Catholic, according to the Vatican Insider newspaper. Islam is the state religion and the king describes himself as the "commander of the faithful". Foreign Christians worship freely and are protected by the authorities. But those who convert to Christianity -- estimated to be a few thousand people -- do so quietly. Santiago Angelo Martinez, archbishop of the northern city of Tangiers, said his "greatest concern" was the rights of migrants, whom he said lacked legal recourse to defend themselves. He criticised Morocco's authorities, which last August forcefully relocated hundreds of migrants from camps and homes near the country's Mediterranean coast, taking many of them to the far south. It was done with "a lot of violence... which is not acceptable," he said. "We sometimes lose hope and I hope that the Pope's visit will bring progress on this issue," Martinez said. No caption A US judge on Tuesday rejected a bid by WikiLeaks leaker Chelsea Manning to fight a subpoena to testify in a closed-door probe believed to target the anti-secrecy group. Manning told journalists outside the Alexandria, Virginia, federal courthouse that her push to defeat a grand jury subpoena was rejected, but that she will continue to fight it over the coming days. "The motion to quash was denied. We still have grounds to litigate so we're going to be here tomorrow," Manning said. Manning was subpoenaed last week and not told what the case was about. But she said she opposed grand juries, which she said are abused by prosecutors to unfairly compel testimony with little transparency. "It's a secret proceeding in which evidence that would not normally be used or allowed can be reviewed," she told reporters. "There's no adversarial process. You're not allowed to have your attorney in there. It's just a really bad process to have altogether." In 2010 the former army intelligence analyst, who is transgender and was then known as Bradley Manning, gave WikiLeaks more than 700,000 classified documents related to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Those revelations exposed covered-up misdeeds and possible crimes by US troops and allies, and made public the secret communications of US diplomats around the world. Her actions made her a hero to anti-war and anti-secrecy activists, but US establishment figures branded her a traitor. The leak also made WikiLeaks a force in the global anti-secrecy movement. Manning was jailed for 35 years in 2013, but president Barack Obama later commuted her sentence, leading to her release in May 2017. A banner supporting WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange hangs outside Ecuador's embassy in London, where the Australian-born activist has been holed up since 2012 Manning said Tuesday that the Alexandria court gave no information on what the grand jury is investigating. "We didn't learn anything apart from there was a whole lot of government lawyers in there." But it is widely believed that federal prosecutors are investigating WikiLeaks and its founder Julian Assange on national security grounds. WikiLeaks played a pivotal role in the 2016 US presidential election when it published data hacked from Democratic Party computers by Russian intelligence, according to US officials. Assange, who has been living in Ecuador's embassy in London to avoid arrest, says the United States wants him extradited to stand trial over WikiLeaks' activities, which he says are no different than what journalists do. Hanna Jonasson, a lawyer for Assange, said they believe that the US case is focused on the 2010 leak that involved Manning. In a statement WikiLeaks called the ruling against Manning "a dark day for journalism." "Forcing a source to testify against a journalist for publishing true information is an extreme normally only seen in the world's most authoritarian states," WikiLeaks said. Honduran migrants try to cross the Rio Bravo, which divides the cities of Eagle Pass, in Texas and Piedras Negras, Mexico The number of undocumented immigrants stopped at the US border with Mexico soared to more than 76,000 in February, the highest monthly level in years, US Customs and Border Protection said Tuesday. The number of families and unaccompanied children also rose to nearly two-thirds of the total, often crossing in large groups and turning themselves in to authorities to request asylum, blunting the Trump administration's tactics aimed at curbing the flow. At 76,103, the number of people stopped at the border or detained after crossing was up sharply from the roughly 61,000 average for the previous three months, a surprising surge for what is usually a downturn in the coldest month of the year. It was also more than double the number of February 2018 and 3.2 times the number for February 2017, the first full month after President Donald Trump took office promising to take aim at illegal immigration. "We are currently facing a humanitarian and national security crisis along our southwest border," said CBP Commissioner Kevin McAleenan. "The vast increases in families and children coming across our border, in larger groups and in more remote areas, presents a unique challenge to our operations and facilities, and those of our partners." In late January, the government launched a new policy to send the asylum-seekers -- nearly all from impoverished, crime-racked Guatemala, Nicaragua and El Salvador -- back across the border into Mexico to wait while their applications are reviewed, which can take up to two years. But implementation of that program only began in one area of the border, at Tijuana, Mexico, and has not been put in place in other areas yet. A house near the US-Mexico border fence on the outskirts of Tecate, Mexico Meanwhile, more than 70 groups of over 100 migrants each crossed the porous border last month, handing themselves in to authorities immediately. The February surge likely included many of those who joined caravans up from Central America, people whom Trump cited to justify shutting down the government for six weeks in December and January in a bid to obtain money from Congress to build more sections of wall along the long frontier. When Congress still refused, Trump declared a national emergency last month that would potentially enable him to divert funds for the wall from the US military and other departments. That move remains under legal challenge. Central African president Faustin-Archange Touadera, pictured February 2019, told reporters his country is "seeking peace, and in the agreement there are mechanisms which would allow us to continue to work" Central African Republic Faustin-Archange Touadera, during a visit to the Vatican Tuesday, stood by his country's peace deal the day after several militia groups rejected it and the new government. "We are seeking peace, and in the agreement there are mechanisms which would allow us to continue to work," Touadera told reporters after meeting Pope Francis. "We are committed to ensuring that this deal can bring peace to the Central African Republic (CAR)," he added. Less than a month after it was signed, the Central African Republic's peace agreement is under strain after five militia groups on Monday either pulled out or rejected the make-up of the new government. The peace pact, negotiated in the Sudanese capital of Khartoum before being signed in Bangui on February 6, bought together Touadera and the leaders of the 14 armed groups who control most territory in the African nation. A statement from the Vatican said Pope Francis (pictured March 3, 2019) and diplomats had encouraged engagement to promote peaceful co-existance and "national reconciliation" A new executive was formed on Sunday -- in accordance with the deal which called for an "inclusive government" -- but with all the main ministers remaining in post. On Monday, one of the main militia groups, the Union for Peace in the Central African Republic (UPC), led by Ali Darassa, said the peace deal was "threatened if the government does not show a clear change of attitude". Another group, the Democratic Front of the Central African People (FPDC) announced it was walking away in protest. Within hours three other groups announced they also rejected the peace deal or were pulling out of the new government. The current peace process is the eighth attempt to bring peace to the CAR, one of the world's poorest and most unstable countries, since mainly Muslim rebels ousted president Francois Bozize, a Christian, in 2013. "It's a huge challenge," admitted Touadera. "It's one thing to have an agreement, but it must be applied... and we need help from our friends," he added. The Vatican, in a statement, said Pope Francis and diplomats had encouraged engagement to promote peaceful co-existence and "national reconciliation". The US says Huawei equipment could be manipulated by China's Communist government to spy on other countries and disrupt critical communications Chinese telecom giant Huawei will give foreign media a peek into its headquarters Wednesday as the normally secretive company steps up a counter-offensive against US warnings that it could be used by Beijing for espionage and sabotage. Huawei has kicked off the year with an aggressive PR campaign that has seen reclusive founder Ren Zhengfei suddenly give a series of interviews with foreign media to deny the company was a threat, while executives have dismissed the US warnings as baseless. The charm offensive reaches another gear Wednesday when Huawei rolls out the media welcome mat at its headquarters in the southern city of Shenzhen. Foreign journalist visits are hardly routine at a headquarters where high-tech labs and manufacturing facilities employ 60,000 people, but these are unusual times for the company. The United States says Huawei equipment could be manipulated by China's Communist government to spy on other countries and disrupt critical communications. Washington is urging governments to shun the company just as the world readies for the advent of ultra-fast 5G telecommunications, an advancement that Huawei was expected to lead and which will allow wide adoption of next-generation technologies like artificial intelligence. Huawei's Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou, Ren's daughter, also faces a court hearing on Wednesday in Vancouver on a US extradition request. Two Canadians have been detained in China in suspected retaliation over her arrest. The US Justice Department accuses Huawei and Meng of circumventing US sanctions against Iran. Two affiliates also have been charged with stealing trade secrets from telecommunications group T-Mobile. - Wolf ethos - Founded by Ren in 1987, Huawei has espoused a relentless "wolf" ethos that executives say fuelled its rise to become the world leader in telecom network hardware. It remains to be seen how the new charm offensive will play out, but the wolf may already smell blood. After intense recent lobbying by Huawei, reports have suggested Britain and New Zealand may walk back earlier indications that the company would be frozen out of their telecom plans. At the world's top mobile industry fair in Spain last week, Huawei bagged 5G commercial contracts or partnership agreements with 10 telecom operators including Switzerland's Sunrise, Iceland's Nova, Saudi Arabia's STC and Turkey's Turkcell. On Thursday, Huawei Chairman Guo Ping will hold a news conference at the Shenzhen headquarters that may be the real reason for the media tour's timing. The New York Times on Monday cited anonymous sources saying Huawei this week will announce plans to sue the US government for barring American federal agencies from using the company's products. The topic of the news conference has not been disclosed, but a big announcement would allow Huawei to seize back the narrative from Meng's extradition hearing. Huawei declined to comment publicly on the Times report. Opening its sprawling grounds also is a chance for Huawei to show that it is a global player not to be trifled with. Around 60,000 employees work at Shenzhen HQ, which has cutting-edge laboratories, hotels, swimming pools and fitness centres, a dozen cafeterias, and a Huawei University where it trains staff as well as foreign customers and partners. Huawei strenuously denies any connections to China's government. Sceptics, however, say it is highly unlikely that Ren, a former Chinese army engineer, could have steered his company to such heights in such a strategic sector without the support of Beijing, which has clearly stated its goal of becoming the world's high-tech leader. Besides its network dominance, Huawei is the world's number three smartphone supplier after Samsung and Apple. US Army General Curtis Scaparrotti, Commander of the US European Command and NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe, wants to beef up Ukraine's defences against Russia The commander of NATO forces in Europe, US General Curtis Scaparrotti, said Tuesday he wants to bolster Ukraine's defenses against Russia's "increasingly aggressive" posture in the east of the country and the Black Sea. The United States has already sold Javelin anti-tank missiles to Ukraine in the past year, but there are "other systems, snipers systems, ammunition" that Washington could provide to strengthen Ukraine's forces, the general told Congress. He said the US may have to consider boosting naval defenses in the Black Sea, after Russian forces shot at and seized three Ukrainian ships late last year as they were traversing the Kerch Strait linking the Sea of Azov with the Black Sea. Five years after Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula, Moscow "continues to arm, train," and even "fight alongside antigovernment forces in eastern Ukraine," he said, calling its activities a breach of the 2015 Minsk agreement designed to end the conflict. "The conflict in eastern Ukraine remains hot, with numerous ceasefire violations reported weekly," Scaparrotti said. After a popular uprising in Ukraine in 2014 and the installation of a pro-Western leadership, Russia annexed Crimea. Kiev and European governments accuse Moscow of backing separatist groups in the east of the country in a conflict that has left some 13,000 dead. Asked about NATO member Turkey's desire to buy the Russian-made S400 anti-aircraft defense system, the general reiterated the Pentagon's position that Washington should block the delivery of F-35 stealth fighters if Ankara goes ahead with the deal. Washington delivered the first F-35s to Turkey in June 2018 but the planes remain in the United States while their Turkish pilots undergo training, a process which the Pentagon says could take two years. Nigerians go to the polls on Saturday for the second time in a fortnight for governorship and state assembly elections Nigerians go to the polls on Saturday for the second time in a fortnight for governorship and state assembly elections, against a backdrop of tensions and fears of violence. Elections for governors are being held in 29 of Nigeria's 36 states, for all state assemblies, plus the administrative councils in the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja. Polling stations open from 0700 GMT, with results expected from early next week. President Muhammadu Buhari will be expecting to consolidate his victory on February 23, when he won 19 states to secure a second, four-year term of office. His All Progressives Congress (APC) currently controls 22 states while the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has 13. The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has one. Governors are powerful and influential figures in Nigeria's federal politics, controlling state finances, where they are responsible for key areas including education to health. They can also provide a strong collective voice in Abuja. State-level elections are often predicted to broadly mirror presidential polling and this year come amid concerns about the role of security forces during the vote. During the presidential and parliamentary polling, there were reports of violence, vote-buying, voter intimidation and ballot box vandalism in some states. No caption At least 53 people were killed, according to the Situation Room umbrella group of more than 70 civil society monitoring groups, which said safety fears contributed to a low turnout. It said on Thursday there was a "worrying trend of increased and excessive involvement of the military and security officials in elections". - Rivers - The Situation Room said last month's poll did not meet the minimum standard for a credible election, although most domestic and international observers disagreed. Delays in voting and disruption in parts of the country saw the PDP and its beaten candidate Atiku Abubakar brand the results a "sham" and take legal action. The party has especially questioned the use of troops, which are not responsible for election security, citing reports soldiers had blocked voters from polling units. Workers arrange electoral materials for the polls which are taking place against a backdrop of tensions and fears of violence Tensions have been running high since the electoral commission postponed the scheduled vote for a week just hours before it was due to begin on February 16. That prompted the two main parties to accuse the other of conspiring to rig the result. Buhari revealed he had also ordered soldiers to be "ruthless" with vote riggers and anyone attempting to disturb voting would be risking their life. Nigeria has a history of electoral violence, particularly volatile Rivers, in the heart of the oil-producing southern delta. The PDP governor, Nyesom Wike, accused the military of complicity in the killing of 16 people in the Abonnema area of the state. Adding to tensions this time is a court ruling barring any APC candidates from standing in the gubernatorial election because of procedural irregularities in the selection process. - Lagos to Kano - Other states being keenly watched include Lagos, in the southwest, where APC candidate Babajide Sanwo-Olu is facing a strong challenge from the PDP's Jimmy Agbaje. Control of the commercial capital is a key prize given its sheer size and role as the main driver of the country's economy. No caption Kano, in the northwest, sees the APC governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, seeking a second term, despite being caught on camera apparently accepting large amounts of cash in bribes. The scandal earned him the nickname "Gandollar" but is not seen as affecting his chances unduly, given a fractured opposition. But supporters have clashed with those of his influential former boss Rabiu Kwankwaso, who is supporting his son-in-law Abba Kabiru Yusuf as PDP candidate. Voting in the religiously mixed northwestern state of Kaduna is likely to be along ethnic and religious lines, as APC governor Nasir El-Rufai is running on an all-Muslim ticket. Central Plateau, Taraba and Benue states, hit by renewewed violence between farmers and nomadic herders, will also be watched given dissatisfaction at Buhari's response. Nigerians went to the polls to elect governors in 29 of Nigeria's 36 states, all state assemblies and administrative councils in the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja Vote counting began after polls closed on Saturday in keenly fought governorship and state assembly elections in Nigeria, held against a backdrop of political tensions and insecurity. For the second time in a fortnight, Nigerians went to the polls to elect governors in 29 of Nigeria's 36 states, all state assemblies and administrative councils in the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is expected to announce the results in a few days. Although voting was mostly peaceful a local election observer was killed by a stray bullet as police attempted to disperse demonstrators in southeastern Enugu state. There were also reports of abductions, violence and vote buying, as well as at least 10 deaths before and on polling day. The Situation Room umbrella group of more than 70 civil society monitoring organisations recorded seven deaths on Saturday, just weeks after 53 people were killed in presidential polls. INEC meanwhile said some of its staff had been abducted by "thugs" in the southern states of Rivers and Akwa Ibom. "We are working with the security forces to ensure they are rescued," INEC spokesman Rotimi Oyekanmi told AFP, without specifying how many were seized. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is expected to announce the results in a few days "When thugs invade our polling units and kidnap our staff there is nothing we can do but rely on security forces," he added. Some election workers protested at the non-payment of their 10,000-naira ($28, 25-euro) salaries, and technical issues with biometric card readers delayed voting elsewhere. Five journalists and two staff from the CoolWazobiaInfo FM Radio station were abducted for four hours by gunmen in military camouflage in the Rivers state capital Port Harcourt. They were later released unharmed. Many voters as well as opposition parties complained about the "militarisation" of the vote, given the strong presence of troops on the ground. The beaten presidential election candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, said the involvement of the military was "unconstitutional". The PDP is hoping for victory in some of the 22 states currently run by President Muhammadu Buhari's ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). - Local impact - Governors are powerful and influential figures in Nigeria's federal politics, controlling state finances and responsible for key areas from education to health. They can also provide a strong collective voice in Abuja. Political scientist Jibrin Ibrahim, from the Centre for Democracy and Development, said governorship and state assembly elections mean more to many voters than the presidential ballot. Many voters as well as opposition parties complained about the "militarisation" of the vote, given the strong presence of troops on the ground "Most of governance functions at the state level where it has the most impact on people's lives," he said. "The choices people make in these elections really determine the level of governance they get." Voting patterns are often predicted to broadly mirror presidential polling. But initial indications were of a low turn-out, with the military blamed as well as voter apathy after a disorganised and delayed presidential vote in February. Adewunmi Emoruwa, an analyst for the Gatefield Consultancy, a public affairs and media group in Abuja, said: "Local elections matter. "But what we are witnessing today are signs of eroding faith in the democratic order." - Death and disruption - Most domestic and international observers said last month's presidential vote was credible, despite well-documented problems. But tensions remain high as the PDP challenges the result in court. Accusations from the two main parties, accusing the other of conspiring with INEC to rig the result, have not gone away. Two people were killed and 35 vehicles destroyed in violence between party supporters in the southwest state of Lagos on Friday, the Situation Room said. In the southern states of Ebonyi and Bayelsa, two people were killed in each state, according to local reports. A further three were killed in the volatile state of Rivers in the oil producing Delta region, according to Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi. Amaechi, a former governor of Rivers, confirmed three people were killed on Friday, including a local government chairman. "The killings happened because the military were not on the ground," he said after voting in his hometown. The PDP governor, Nyesom Wike, had accused the military of complicity in the killing of 16 people in the Abonnema area of the state. Adding to tensions in Rivers this time is a court ruling barring any APC candidates from standing in the gubernatorial election because of procedural irregularities in the selection process. INEC meanwhile said tens of thousands of voters could be affected by fires at its offices in the southern states of Akwa Ibom and Ebonyi, and central Benue. ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - A man in Florida is accused of throwing Molotov cocktails at his impounded car. The Orlando Sentinel reports 27-year-old Ayub Mule Abdulrahman arrived at Almake Auto Shop on Saturday to pay the towing fee for his Nissan Altima. Authorities say Abdulrahman was no longer there when the property's owner arrived. An arrest affidavit says the owner was told a car in his tow lot was on fire. The Orange County Sheriff's Office says the owner identified Abdulrahman as the man throwing Molotov cocktails at the car through video surveillance. The owner put out the fire and no one was injured. Abdulrahman was arrested and charged with arson and manufacturing and transporting a firebomb. It's unclear if he has a lawyer who could comment. ___ Information from: Orlando Sentinel, http://www.orlandosentinel.com/ The test before the Oppn parties is to at least get the narrative right even though they appear to have failed in getting their arithmetic right. Shortly after 9 pm on Thursday, the Congress Party released its first list of candidates for the impending Lok Sabha elections. By unexpectedly announcing 15 of its candidates even before the Election Commission has announced the dates of the polls, the Congress wished to be the first to get off the block. Significantly, 11 of the names in the list were from Uttar Pradesh and their declaration has virtually ensured that the contest in the state would be triangular. Hereafter, it would require an exceptional spirit of accommodativeness on the part of the Congress on one hand and the troika of Mayawati, Akhilesh Yadav and Ajit Singh on the other, to forge a Mahagathbandhan on the lines cobbled up in Bihar for the 2015 Assembly polls. This development has taken place close on the heels of the Congress Partys questionable behaviour in Delhi. In the nations capital, the party peculiarly handed its reins back to the ageing warhorse, Sheila Dikshit, and in the popular perception the one who pressed for the partys move to not align with the Aam Aadmi Party. Yet, the decision would be as much Congress president Rahul Gandhis and such a ploy does not cut ice with the other parties it is clear that the party consciously decided it would not enter into alliances in Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Punjab, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Some months ago, Mamata Banerjee had proposed the one-is-to-one formula under which the Opposition parties were to strive towards the ideal of putting up one candidate per constituency to prevent the division of the anti-BJP vote. This proposal now lies in tatters and there is no knowing, even in West Bengal, if the contest will be quadrangular, triangular, or tactically bipolar. Although the Congress has in recent days sewn up alliances in some states the ones in Karnataka and Maharashtra being the most important it is certain that the BJPs voteshare-to-seat-conversion ratio shall remain high because of the division of anti-BJP votes in several states, most significantly in UP and small sub-regions in the other Hindi heartland states. This is due to the fact that while all Opposition parties have publicly declared the defeat of the Narendra Modi government as their primary objective, they behaved quite differently in practice. In some cases, they even betrayed their real purpose for instance when Rahul Gandhi announced the appointment of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as the general secretary for eastern UP, he affirmed that the partys real target was the Assembly election in 2022. The Congress is well within its rights to assess that its political dominance of yore shall remain a pipedream unless the party became a serious political player in UP, and if it was not relegated as the third player in a battle between the three players in Delhi. The question, however, is when should a party prioritise this target. Was this the right time to strategise for the medium-term or the long-term when the immediate survival of the Opposition parties as legitimate political forces would be questioned by the BJP in the event of its returning to power? Events over the past five years should have warned the Opposition that the right to disagree with the government or even the ruling party has been delegitimised in social discourse, resulting in a unitary viewpoint. The Opposition parties seem to have forgotten a lesson from history in 1989, the Congress Party under Rajiv Gandhi was defeated mainly as a result of his divergent opponents tactically refraining from contesting against each other despite their fundamental ideological differences. In large parts of North India, there were several instances of the V.P. Singh-led Janata Dal making seat adjustments with the BJP on the one hand and with the Left parties or those inimical towards the saffron party on the other hand. In the present situation, nothing prevents the Congress from being the bridge between the Trinamul Congress and the Communists in West Bengal. What prevents the Congress from making adjustments in some seats with the Trinamul Congress on the one hand and with the Left on the other, and for each of them to accept the arrangement? It is no different in some of the other states. The absence of a federal pre-poll alliance will also have major implications in case of a hung Parliament, and the President using his discretion to decide who should be invited first to form a government and prove its majority within a stipulated period. Besides their failure to forge alliances, the Opposition parties have lost the political momentum after the Pulwama terrorist attack and the subsequent airstrike in Balakot and the dogfight in the skies the next day. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has somewhat regained media and mind space with ceaseless utterances using a vocabulary of retribution where emphasis has been on pledges and not on providing answers to questions being raised in the wake of these incidents. As seen during the 2014 campaign, Mr Modi revels in playing the victim card. This time he has chiselled past reasoning to claim that anti-Modiism was effectively anti-nationalism. It has not helped that some so-called experts on Pakistans television channels have credited the Opposition parties for their joint statement accusing Mr. Modi of politicising the airstrikes. No Opposition leader has countered that by using the political discourse across the border for his benefit, Mr Modi is embarking on the same path of becoming a failed democracy where words are used not for their true meaning but for their resonance. For the coming election to be politically legitimate, it is important for the Opposition to rediscover the confidence in the discourse that they were building prior to the Pulwama terrorist attack. The challenge is to argue that while countering terrorism should be prioritised in this moment of challenge for the Indian State, livelihood concerns and social security matters cannot be taken off the shelf. The test before the Opposition parties is to at least get the narrative right even though they appear to have failed in getting their arithmetic right. RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) - Samba competition is taking on a political edge in Brazil, with one of Rio's top samba schools and other groups paying tribute to Marielle Franco, an activist for gays and Afro-Brazilian rights who was slain almost a year ago. Mangueira, one of the oldest samba schools in Rio, included the former city councilwoman in its parade early Tuesday honoring Brazil's hidden heroes, those who history books often forget or choose not to mention. Franco and her driver, Anderson Gomes, were shot to death in their car while driving in downtown Rio on March 14, 2018. The killings shocked Brazilians and set off a wave of national demonstrations, but police have never named suspects. "It has been a year since the incident," Luyara Franco, Marielle's daughter, told The Associated Press hours before Mangueira was to perform. "This Carnival full of tributes stresses we are still in this fight. The case has not been solved." Several flags with Franco's face in green and pink, the Mangueira colors, appeared both in the parade and on the stands. One giant green flag on the stands also with Franco's face seemed to send a message to far-right Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who won last year's elections with a pro-gun message. A woman wears a crown with the words "Marielle present," in honor of slain councilwoman Marielle Franco, during the "Se Benze que da" block party which she created in 2005, in the Mare slum of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. Merrymakers take to the streets in hundreds of open-air "bloco" parties ahead of Rio's over-the-top Carnival, the highlight of the year for many. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo) "Our weapon is education," the flag in tribute to Franco read. Franco's partner, Monica Benicio, took part in the samba school's parade in the wee hours of Tuesday at Rio's Sambadrome wearing a shirt that read "fight like Marielle." "Marielle was a woman, a fighter, from the favela, who overcame inequality, went to university, was elected councilwoman, fought for minorities, denounced and investigated public power," said Deivid Domenico, who co-wrote Mangueira's samba anthem for this year's Carnival. For the composer, the need to write about the slain councilwoman and Brazil's forgotten history was all the more important this year as Brazilians recently elected a far-right president who has repeatedly praised the 1964-1985 dictatorship. Franco grew up in Rio's Mare favela and was black and homosexual - a rarity in Brazil's overwhelmingly white and male political spectrum. Franco "was not only a human being, it was an idea, a force," Domenico said. "She became a fighting flag." Thomaz Miranda, one of the authors of Mangueira's samba, also said in his social network channels that the lyrics "are for the memory of Marielle" and "all the struggle that is yet to come." While progressives hail Franco as a hero, Rio state lawmaker Rodrigo Amorim, who last year showed off a street sign honoring Franco that he and another candidate had broken, told the newspaper O Globo that he was disappointed the samba school included the councilwoman in its parade. "Just as universities are absolutely dominated by this cultural dictatorship that the left is trying to impose, unfortunately it has also reached the samba school," said Amorim, who belongs to Bolsonaro's PSL party. During the parade at the sambadrome, Amorim told journalists he was not singing Mangueira's samba despite being a supporter because he couldn't memorize the lyrics. Thousands of revelers in the stands, however, found Mangueira's tune very easy to sing and favored the green and pink samba school to win this year's parade. "This is the champion," they chanted after Mangueira's performance. Standing outside a Rio subway station with a sign reading "Who killed Marielle?," Adelaide Rezende argued that Brazilians needed to keep up the pressure. "If we don't forget and keep asking, we might get some answers," Rezende said, noting that authorities have said they believe the killing was orchestrated by militias, paramilitary-type groups that have close ties to local politicians. The left-wing local politician was widely commemorated Sunday during Carnival street parties, known in Brazil as "blocos." A Sao Paulo-based samba school, Vai-Vai, paraded with Franco's sister and daughter, while carrying a large photo mosaic of Franco along with the slogan "Marielle present!" Benicio, Franco's partner, attended a bloco in Rio wearing a shirt reading "Who killed Marielle?" She also carried a rainbow flag around the Toco-Xona bloco with the face of the murdered councilwoman. The Ilu Oba de Min bloco in Sao Paulo, which promotes Afro-Brazilian culture, also remembered the councilwoman. "They are not going to silence us!" the female-only bloco sang Sunday. At Sao Paulo's Vai Quem Quer bloco, 3,000 people danced as street signs with Franco's name rose close to the speakers. Rodrigo Rodrigues, an internet technology student who was one of the revelers, said the bow to Franco comes from her example and from her being a symbol of resistance to the new president. "Marielle is also a counterpoint to this narrative that Brazil is narrow-minded and hating of minorities. She is celebrated because she is pro-LGBT rights, because she is black and because she comes from a favela," Rodrigues said. "We are not merely teasing the conservatives that dislike her politics, we are giving praise to a woman that was killed by reactionaries." Revelers hold mock street signs that carry the name of slain councilwoman Marielle Franco, as they dance during the "Se Benze que da" block party, created by Franco in 2005, in the Mare slum of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. Merrymakers take to the streets in hundreds of open-air "bloco" parties ahead of Rio's over-the-top Carnival, the highlight of the year for many. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo) Dancers from the Vai-Vai samba school perform paying homage to the slain councilwoman Marielle Franco during a carnival parade in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Sunday, March 3, 2019. (AP Photo/Andre Penner) Revelers perform next to a giant puppet depicting the slain councilwoman Marielle Franco during the "Ceu na Terra" or Heaven on Earth street party in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. Merrymakers take to the streets in hundreds of open-air "bloco" parties ahead of Rio's over-the-top Carnival, the highlight of the year for many. (AP Photo/Leo Correa) Revelers embrace during the "Se Benze que da" block party, which was created by slain councilwoman Marielle Franco at Mare slum, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. Merrymakers take to the streets in hundreds of open-air "bloco" parties ahead of Rio's over-the-top Carnival, the highlight of the year for many. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo) Boys wear carnival costume hats during the "Se Benze que da" block party, created by slain councilwoman Marielle Franco, in the Mare slum of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. Merrymakers take to the streets in hundreds of open-air "bloco" parties ahead of Rio's over-the-top Carnival, the highlight of the year for many. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo) A woman cools off in a street shower during the "Se Benze que da" block party, created by slain councilwoman Marielle Franco, in the Mare slum of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. Merrymakers take to the streets in hundreds of open-air "bloco" parties ahead of Rio's over-the-top Carnival, the highlight of the year for many. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo) A girl dressed as a leaf prepares to participate in the "Se Benze que da" block party, created by slain councilwoman Marielle Franco, in the Mare slum of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. Merrymakers take to the streets in hundreds of open-air "bloco" parties ahead of Rio's over-the-top Carnival, the highlight of the year for many. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo) Boys bring their drums to the "Se Benze que da" block party, which was created by slain councilwoman Marielle Franco, in the Mare slum of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. Merrymakers take to the streets in hundreds of open-air "bloco" parties ahead of Rio's over-the-top Carnival, the highlight of the year for many. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo) A flag waves an image of the slain councilwoman Marielle Franco during the perform of the Mangueira samba school during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tuesday, March 5, 2019. (AP Photo/Leo Correa) SEEKONK, Mass. (AP) - Police are searching for a thief with expensive taste in Massachusetts. Chris Gasbarro's Fine Wine and Spirits in Seekonk says someone stole a $4,000 bottle of the Remy Martin Louis XIII cognac from its store last week. The bottle was kept in a locked glass case, and security cameras captured a man either picking the lock or using a key to open the case. The man tucked the bottle in his pants, used money to purchase a separate item, and left the store. The store is offering a $500 reward for information leading to the man's arrest. Police say the man faces a felony charge of larceny over $1,200. Anyone with information is asked to contact Seekonk police. WASHINGTON (AP) - In a story March 4 about the timing of heat warnings, The Associated Press misspelled the last name of a government scientist. His name is spelled Ambarish Vaidyanathan, not Vaidsynathan. A corrected version of the story is below: High heat warnings go out too late in some of US, study says Study suggests summer heat warnings go out too late to prevent illnesses in some parts of US By SETH BORENSTEIN AP Science Writer WASHINGTON (AP) - A new study finds even moderate heat sends Northerners to the hospital, suggesting that government warnings of dangerously high temperatures are coming too late in some parts of the U.S. The research shows an uptick in hospital admissions for heat problems long before alerts go out in northern, generally cooler states. And that's happening at lower temperatures than in the toastier South, where people are more accustomed to the heat. "Alerts are not occurring early enough ," said Dr. Renee Salas, an emergency room doctor and researcher at the Harvard Global Health Institute. Salas, who wasn't part of the study, called it important in a warming world where heat illnesses are going to only get worse. The research was published Monday in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and other federal agencies studied hospital admissions for heat-related illnesses in 22 states over a decade. They found 36,000 such hospitalizations a summer, on average. In the Midwest and North Central states, when the heat index - which combines temperature and humidity for a feels-like number - hits 85 degrees, there's a noticeable jump in the number of people who go to the hospital with heat-related illnesses, such as dehydration, breathing and heart problems, even diabetes, the study said. But NOAA's National Weather Service's first level of heat alerts don't kick in in those regions until the feels-like temperature approaches 100. Heat hospitalizations in the West and East also jump before heat warnings are issued, but only a few degrees from alert thresholds. But in the South, heat advisories go out before hospitalizations start stacking up. Colder regions just aren't used to the heat and people there get sicker at lower temperatures than in areas where high temperatures in the summer are a daily fact of life and air conditioning is more prevalent, said study lead author Ambarish Vaidyanathan, a CDC health scientist. The weather service is going to look at this new information to see what it can do differently, if anything, said study co-author Michelle Hawkins, who leads a weather service branch that does public warnings. Currently, the agency issues heat advisories when the heat index is forecast to hit 100 in the north and 105 in the south. Heat warnings are for a heat index of 105 in the north and 110 in the south, she said. During dangerously high temperatures, health officials advise limiting or avoiding strenuous outdoor activities, staying cool inside, drinking plenty of water and wear light, loose fitting clothing. Some people don't pay attention to warnings till it is too late, Salas said. "Children, older adults, and pregnant women are especially at risk," Salas said in an email. "However, I have even seen the young and healthy - often thought to be the invincible - hospitalized for heat stroke. No one is truly immune." ___ Follow Seth Borenstein on Twitter at @borenbears . ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content. WASHINGTON (AP) - In a story March 4 about President Donald Trump's proposed executive order to protect free speech on college campuses, The Associated Press reported erroneously that Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, canceled a speech after opposition from students at a historically black university. The speech was canceled by the school, Texas Southern University. A corrected version of the story is below: Proposed order on campus speech follows wave of complaints President Donald Trump's proposed executive order to protect free speech on college campuses follows a growing number of complaints from conservatives that universities are attempting to silence them By KEVIN FREKING and COLLIN BINKLEY Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump's proposed executive order to protect free speech on college campuses follows a growing chorus of complaints from conservatives that the nation's universities are attempting to silence their voices when they're heckled, disinvited or their presence on campus is otherwise discouraged. Critics counter that conservatives are turning the shared goal of protecting free speech into a partisan fight. It's unclear what Trump's order will contain, but the administration has been laying the groundwork for it for months. The Justice Department has filed statements in various lawsuits siding with students who had alleged that schools had infringed on their right to freedom of speech. Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions opined at a forum last fall that the issue had reached a pivotal point, saying "it is time to stand up to the bullies on campus and in our culture." Education Secretary Betsy DeVos made a similar assessment, saying "administrators too often attempt to shield students from ideas they subjectively decide are hateful or offensive or injurious, or ones they just don't like." Trump's proposed executive order, unveiled Saturday during a speech to conservative activists, has drawn criticism from some higher education leaders including President Robert Zimmer of the University of Chicago, a frequent champion of free speech. In a campus email, Zimmer said new regulation would be "a grave error" and would give federal officials dangerous authority to interfere in campus speech issues. "This opens the door to any number of troubling policies over time that the federal government, whatever the political party involved, might adopt on such matters," he said. "It makes the government, with all its power and authority, a party to defining the very nature of discussion on campus." In his speech Saturday, Trump highlighted the case of Hayden Williams, who was recruiting on Feb. 19 at the University of California, Berkeley, for the conservative group Talking Points USA when two men approached and one punched Williams during a confrontation captured on student cellphones. Neither Williams nor the man arrested for the attack are affiliated with UC Berkeley. Trump told the conservatives in the audience that Williams "took a hard punch in the face for all of us." "If they want our dollars, and we give it to them by the billions, they've got to allow people like Hayden and many other great young people, and old people, to speak," Trump said. "And if they don't, it will be very costly." The University of California system issued a statement Monday calling Trump's proposal "misguided and unnecessary." "Free speech is a fundamental value of the University of California and we already have strong policies in place that protect the free expression of ideas, regardless of political persuasion," said Janet Napolitano, the system's president. "We do not need the federal government to mandate free speech on college campuses - that tradition is alive and thriving." There were multiple hearings on campus free speech during the past two years when Republicans were in control of both chambers of Congress, though an attempt to legislate on the matter made little headway. A bill from former Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, that would have banned universities from restricting students' political speeches to certain outdoor areas on campus if that activity is lawful, did not make it through committee. The hearings followed conservative commentator Ann Coulter canceling a speech at the University of California, Berkeley, amid fears of violent student protests. Texas Southern University in Houston canceled a speech from Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, in the face of student opposition. Democratic lawmakers have said free speech infringement is just as likely to come from the political right as from the political left. Rep. Bobby Scott, D-Va., encouraged the administration during a congressional hearing last fall to take action on what he called a troubling rise in hate speech on campuses. "We have seen active investigation of claims of campus free speech violations at public universities brought by conservative activists, but nothing investigating the explosion in incidences of racially motivated hate speech or actions on campus," Scott said. Terry Hartle, senior vice president at the American Council on Education, called the proposed order a "solution in search of a problem," adding that free speech is already a core value in American higher education. "I understand it's sort of a red meat issue for conservative political organizations, but in the real world it's not as big a deal as they would like to believe," he said. Hartle worries an executive order would empower provocateurs who seek to roil campus audiences, and if campus events threaten to become violent, it could force schools to choose between preserving their federal funding and ensuring campus safety. Debates over free speech have flared up at colleges across the country in recent years, often sparked by speakers with widely polarizing views. Protesters have shut down events featuring conservative speakers at schools including Berkeley, Middlebury College and several others. In some cases, schools have canceled events over fears of violence. Several took that step following a 2017 white supremacist rally that started at the University of Virginia and later became violent. Days later, Texas A&M canceled a campus event billed as a follow-up to the Virginia march. Danny Pugh, Texas A&M's vice president for student affairs, said the school is "in good shape" to handle any executive order, but he added that safety will continue be a priority when weighing free-speech questions. Still, he noted that the vast majority of campus events, even those featuring controversial speakers, go smoothly. "We sort of get blinded by the provocative piece," he said. "For every one of those, there are thousands plus on our campus that happen without fanfare." Some observers have raised concerns that an executive order could force religious institutions to host speakers with views that run counter to the school's values. But some prominent religious colleges said they support Trump's proposal, including leaders at Liberty University, a Christian school in Virginia. "Not only do we encourage speakers with views conflicting universities to come, we pester them to come," said Scott Lamb, vice president at the school, adding that recent speakers have include former Democratic President Jimmy Carter and Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, an independent. The school's president, Jerry Falwell Jr., said in an opinion piece for Fox News saying that the "silencing of conservatives on college campuses is serious problem that has spread across our nation." "Even when administrators don't actively prevent conservatives from speaking on campus, individual extremists sometimes take matters into their own hands by physically assaulting the speakers," he said. ___ Binkley reported from Boston. WASHINGTON (AP) - Hillary Clinton says she won't run for president in 2020, but vows she's "not going anywhere." The former secretary of state, senator and first lady ruled out another campaign during an interview posted Monday by New York TV station News12 . Clinton, who lost the 2016 presidential election to Donald Trump, says, "I'm going to keep on working and speaking and standing up for what I believe." She says, "What's at stake in our country, the kind of things that are happening right now are deeply troubling to me." She says she has spoken with several of the candidates seeking the Democratic presidential nomination, and has told them, "Don't take anything for granted, even though we have a long list of real problems and broken promises" from the Trump administration. FILE - In this May 25, 2018 file photo, Hillary Clinton smiles as she is introduced at Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass. Clinton says she's "going to keep on working and speaking and standing up" for what she believes but won't be running for president in 2020. The Democratic former first lady, New York senator and secretary of state is ruling out a rematch with Republican Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) FILE - In this May 25, 2018 file photo, Hillary Clinton answers a question at Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass. Clinton says she's "going to keep on working and speaking and standing up" for what she believes but won't be running for president in 2020. The Democratic former first lady, New York senator and secretary of state is ruling out a rematch with Republican Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) TOKYO (AP) - A Tokyo court approved the release of former Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn on 1 billion yen ($8.9 million) bail on Tuesday, rejecting an appeal by prosecutors to keep him jailed, a lawyer for the auto executive said. He could be freed as soon as Wednesday morning, according to Japan's Kyodo News. Jean-Yves Le Borgne, Ghosn's French lawyer, said a court issued a late-night ruling rejecting prosecutors' appeal of the initial ruling. Le Borgne cautioned that prosecutors still had leeway to file new charges as they had done once before. Ghosn said in a written statement that he is grateful for his family, friends and human rights activists from around the world who have helped him. "I am innocent and totally committed to vigorously defending myself in a fair trial against these meritless and unsubstantiated accusations," he said in the statement issued Tuesday. The former head of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Motors alliance has been detained since he was arrested on Nov. 19. He says he is innocent of charges of falsifying financial information and of breach of trust. Step ladders placed by photographers and cameramen are seen in front of Tokyo Detention Center, where former Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn is detained, Tuesday, March 5, 2019, in Tokyo. The Tokyo District Court approved the release of Ghosn on 1 billion yen ($9 million) bail on Tuesday, ending nearly four months of detention. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko) His Japanese lawyer, Junichiro Hironaka, is famous for winning acquittals in Japan, a nation where the conviction rate is 99 percent. Hironaka said the legal team "proposed concrete ways showing how he would not tamper with evidence or try to flee." Hironaka said Monday that he had offered new ways to monitor Ghosn after his release, such as camera surveillance. Hironaka also questioned the grounds for Ghosn's arrest, calling the case "very peculiar," and suggesting it could have been dealt with as an internal company matter. In Japan, suspects are routinely detained for months, often until their trials start. That's especially true of those who insist on their innocence. The 1 billion yen bail set by the court was relatively high but not the highest ever in Japan. Among the conditions for Ghosn's release were restrictions on where he can live, his mobile phone use, as well as a ban on foreign travel and contact with Nissan executives, according to Kyodo News. Prosecutors say suspects may tamper with evidence and shouldn't be released. Two previous requests submitted by his legal team were denied. Hironaka is among many critics of the Japanese justice system who say such lengthy detentions of suspects are unfair. He referred to the situation as "hostage justice." Ghosn is charged with falsifying financial reports by under-reporting compensation that he contends was never paid or decided upon. The breach of trust allegations center on a temporary transfer of Ghosn's investment losses to Nissan's books that he says caused no losses to the automaker. They also name payments to a Saudi businessman that he says were for legitimate services. Ghosn's family had appealed for his release, calling his detention a human rights violation. Nissan Motor Co. declined comment on the criminal case but said it was working on strengthening corporate governance. Nissan has dismissed Ghosn as chairman, although he remains on the board pending a decision at a shareholders' meeting. "Nissan's internal investigation has uncovered substantial evidence of blatantly unethical conduct," company spokesman Nick Maxfield said. ___ Yuri Kageyama is on Twitter at https://twitter.com/yurikageyama On Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/yurikageyama/?hl=en ___ Sylvie Corbet and Lori Hinnant in Paris contributed to this report. In this May 12, 2016, photo, former Nissan Motor Co. President and CEO Carlos Ghosn speaks during the press conference in Yokohama, near Tokyo. Japan's Kyodo News service said Tuesday, March 5, 2019, a Tokyo court has okayed release of detained Nissan ex-chairman Carlos Ghosn on bail.(AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko) TV journalists prepare their work in front of Tokyo Detention Center, where former Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn is detained, Tuesday, March 5, 2019, in Tokyo. The Tokyo District Court approved the release of Ghosn on 1 billion yen ($9 million) bail on Tuesday, ending nearly four months of detention. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko) WASHINGTON (AP) - Aiming to crack down on money laundering and bribes to overseas governments, the FBI is stepping up its efforts to root out foreign corruption with a new squad of agents based in Miami. The squad will focus its efforts not only on Miami but also in South America, a continent that has been home to some of the Justice Department's most significant international corruption prosecutions of the last several years. The Miami squad joins three others based in the FBI's largest field offices - Washington, New York and Los Angeles. "We're protecting the rule of law," Leslie Backschies, the chief of the FBI's international corruption unit, said in an interview Monday. "If there's no rule of law, you'll have certain societies where they feel like their governments are so corrupt, they'll go to other elements that are considered fundamental, that they see as clean or something against the corrupt regime, and that becomes a threat to national security." The unit aims to identify violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, a U.S. law that makes it illegal to bribe foreign officials. The FBI has also been doing outreach to companies in a variety of industries, from oil to pharmaceuticals, to teach them about red flags that could indicate corruption and encourage the companies to "self-report" potentially improper conduct to the bureau. "One thing when I talk to companies, I'm like, 'When you pay a bribe, do you know where your bribe goes? Is your bribe going to fund terrorism?'" Backschies said. And so far, the cases the unit has brought have resulted in billions of dollars in settlements. The J. Edgar Hoover FBI Building on Monday, March 4, 2019, in Washington. The FBI is stepping up its efforts to root out foreign corruption with a new squad of agents in Florida. The Miami-based squad begins later this month as part of the bureau's international corruption unit. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Last September, for instance, the Brazilian-owned energy company, Petrobras, agreed to pay more than $853 million to resolve investigations into allegations that executives paid hundreds of millions of dollars in bribes to Brazilian politicians and political parties. And in December 2016, the Brazil-based construction conglomerate Odebrecht and another petrochemical company agreed to pay more than $3.5 billion to settle charges they bribed politicians around the world through a web of shell companies and off-the-books transactions. "We've seen a lot of activity in South America - Odebrecht, Petrobras. South America is a place where ... we've seen corruption. We've had a lot of work there," Backshies said. "But not just South America. Miami itself, it's an economic center," she added. "It's a big flow of money in and out of Miami. It's a city where we see individuals hiding their money, through shell companies, through real estate, through boating." More broadly, special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation has shone a spotlight on international corruption. Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort is being sentenced Thursday in federal court in Virginia on charges that he evaded taxes on millions of dollars in income received through political consulting on behalf of a pro-Russia Ukrainian political party, and that he concealed his money in undisclosed foreign bank accounts. Prosecutors have scored 34 convictions in cases brought by the international corruption unit from 2016 until 2018. The cases are often longer-running and more financially complex than other crimes the FBI investigates. Agents also have to be conscious of any potential political ramifications because international corruption cases can have widespread effects that influence elections and economies, Backschies said. In addition to regular conversations about cases, FBI supervisors meet with lawyers at the Justice Department in Washington each quarter to review potential prosecutions and the possible consequences. "These cases are very politically sensitive, not just in the U.S. but overseas," she said. "When you're looking at foreign officials in other governments - I mean, look, in Malaysia, the president wasn't re-elected. We saw presidents toppled in Brazil. These are the results of cases like this. When you're looking at high-level government officials, there's a lot of sensitivities." The agents are working to ensure there's "a place where business can compete fairly," and in most cases other governments are glad to accept the FBI's help in rooting out corruption, Backschies said. "You can't just have one agent or two agents in a field office addressing it. ...You can't be working this two hours a week. It's just not going to work. You need full-time dedicated resources," she said. The unit had been splitting cases involving South American countries between the three other offices before Backschies decided they should refocus their resources and add agents in Miami. The new squad will be comprised of six agents, who will start in their roles later this month, plus a supervisor and a forensic accountant. Unlike other FBI field office squads that focus on violent crime and public corruption and report to local leadership, this one will answer to officials at headquarters in Washington. "Beverly Hills, New York, Miami - these are cities where we find people hiding their money" in real estate and boating, Backshies said. "They're attractive cities for that." ___ Follow Balsamo and Tucker on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MikeBalsamo1 and www.twitter.com/etuckerAP . WASHINGTON (AP) - Attorney General William Barr will not recuse himself from overseeing the special counsel's Russia probe after consulting with senior ethics officials, the Justice Department said Monday. The officials advised Barr against recusal from Robert Mueller's investigation into possible coordination between Russia and Donald Trump's presidential campaign, Justice Department spokeswoman Kerri Kupec said. "Consistent with that advice, General Barr has decided not to recuse," Kupec said in a statement. During his confirmation hearing in January, Barr sought to assuage concerns that he might disrupt or upend Mueller's investigation as it reaches its final stages. Some Democrats had raised those concerns, citing a memo Barr had sent to Justice Department and White House lawyers in which he criticized Mueller's investigation for the way it was presumably looking into whether Trump had obstructed justice. Barr downplayed the memo during his confirmation hearing, saying it was narrowly focused and shouldn't be read that he has prejudged the investigation. Barr vowed during the hearing to consult with ethics officials about whether he should recuse himself, but told senators the decision would ultimately be his to make under Justice Department guidelines. Attorney General William Barr speaks to the National Association of Attorneys General, Monday, March 4, 2019, in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) Barr also stated without hesitation that it was in the public interest for Mueller to finish his investigation and that he wanted to release as much information as he can about Mueller's investigation to Congress and the public. Under Justice Department guidelines, Mueller will provide a confidential report to Barr that explains his decisions to pursue or decline prosecutions. Barr will then prepare his own report that would be released to Congress. He has said he intends to share some information with the public, though it's unclear whether Mueller's actual report will ever be made public. Former FBI Director James Comey, whose firing is among the things being investigated by the special counsel's office, said in an op-ed in The Washington Post on Monday that "providing detailed information about a completed investigation of intense public interest has long been a part of Justice Department practice." "Every American should want a Justice Department guided first and always by the public interest," Comey wrote. "Sometimes transparency is not a hard call." The president had assailed and ultimately pushed out his first attorney general, Jeff Sessions, for recusing himself from Mueller's investigation because of Sessions' work with the Trump campaign. The president named Matthew Whitaker, who was Sessions' chief of staff, as acting attorney general in November. But Whitaker came under fire after he declined to recuse himself from the Mueller investigation even though a top Justice Department ethics official advised him to step aside out of an "abundance of caution." Before joining the Justice Department, Whitaker had made critical comments about Mueller's investigation, including once opining about a scenario in which Trump could fire Sessions and then appoint an acting attorney general who could stifle the funding of Mueller's probe. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - A leading Dubai bank warned on Tuesday that non-oil companies across the United Arab Emirates have cut staff at their sharpest rate in nearly a decade amid an economic slowdown. A report by Emirates NBD, which is majority owned by Dubai's government, said it relied on data from some 400 private sector companies outside of the UAE's oil economy, including the nation's manufacturing, services, construction and retail sectors. The report's findings point to an economic slowdown that many UAE residents have already felt, with the rising cost of living outpacing salary increases and foreign workers quietly complaining about salaries that are weeks and sometimes even months late. The UAE, which is home to the oil-rich emirate of Abu Dhabi and the financial hub of Dubai, has weathered the shocks of a steep drop in oil prices that hit oil exporting countries in mid-2014. In response, the UAE rolled out a number of austerity measures, including lifting some subsidies on energy and implementing a 5 percent tax on most goods and services. The International Monetary Fund expects increased investment over the next five years and a boost in tourism from Dubai's hosting of the World Expo in 2020. Non-oil growth is projected to rise to 3.9 percent this year and 4.2 percent next year. Still, the UAE faces risks driven by external factors like tightening global financial conditions, geopolitical tensions, and rising protectionism. The country, steered by policies formed in Abu Dhabi, is also engaged in a Saudi-led war in Yemen and a boycott of Qatar. FILE- In this Monday, Nov. 7, 2016, file photo, the sun rises over the skyline in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. A prominent Dubai bank is warning that non-oil companies across the United Arab Emirates have cut staff at their sharpest rate in nearly a decade amid an economic slowdown. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili, File) The Emirates NBD report said "companies lowered their staffing levels at the sharpest pace since the survey began in August 2009 and business confidence dropped." It said February data ended four months of modest growth. The report did not elaborate on how companies had lowered their staffing levels- either through attrition or a freeze on hiring, or both. The report indicates that since 2009, the sharpest increase in employment growth rates was in 2015 and the sharpest contraction was seen this year. Anecdotal evidence suggested that challenging market conditions and competitive pressures led to weaker new order inflows, prompting companies to reduce staffing levels to save on costs, the report said. It said the companies wanted to operate with "minimum requirements in terms of staff, partly to help manage costs." Some firms reported difficulties in obtaining payments from customers, which led to delays in the completion of projects and sharp rise in backlogs of work. There were also signs of issues in supply chains and delivery by vendors. Concerns about the challenging market environment were also reflected in a sharp drop in business confidence, with firms predicting activity to fall or remain unchanged over the coming year. In an effort to make the UAE more attractive to investors and retain talent, the government will issue longer, 10-year visas for certain highly-skilled medical and science professionals, as well as entrepreneurs. It has also approved a measure that will allow 100 percent ownership of a UAE-based business by foreign investors operating outside of free zones. Meanwhile, a Property Finder report issued last month said a record 486 property companies and real estate brokerages stopped their work in Dubai last year, leaving the emirate with 3,680 brokerages. The firm said this reflects a "maturing real estate market". There are concerns, however, of an oversupply as developers continue to build new towers, shopping centers and sprawling neighborhoods across Dubai in the lead-up to the 2020 Expo. RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - Next week marks the start of a new round of elections in the nation's last unresolved congressional race after November's results were thrown out because of concerns about ballot tampering and state officials called for a do-over. North Carolina's elections board said Monday that 9th Congressional District candidates must file between March 11 and March 15 to be included in May 14 party primaries. If all the political parties clearly pick their candidates in May, then the general election will be Sept. 10. However, if a candidate fails to win more than 30 percent of the party vote in May, a second primary could be held Sept. 10 and the general election would be delayed. The extended timetable allows time for absentee ballots to be requested and mailed back, including those of military members and their families who may be stationed abroad but who live in the 9th District near the Army's Fort Bragg, elections board chairman Robert Cordle said. "I'm just sorry it takes so long to have these elections, because everybody would like to get it over with as soon as we can," he said. FILE - In this Feb. 21, 2019, file photo, Mark Harris, Republican candidate in North Carolina's 9th Congressional race, prepares to testify during the fourth day of a public evidentiary hearing on the 9th Congressional District voting irregularities investigation at the North Carolina State Bar in Raleigh, N.C. North Carolina's elections board is expected to decide Monday, March 4 when to hold new party primaries and the general election for the 9th congressional district, where a seat still remains vacant after November's result was tainted by ballot fraud concerns. Democrat Dan McCready is running again in the new election. Harris will not. (Travis Long/The News & Observer via AP, Pool, File) The new election resulted after testimony that a political operative working for Republican candidate Mark Harris in rural Bladen County collected mail-in ballots, making votes vulnerable to being changed or discarded. Harris said he won't run again. Dan McCready, the Democrat who appeared to be the loser November's election, has said he will try again to win in a district that has been in GOP hands since 1963. Donald Trump won it by 12 percentage points in 2016. "For right now he would definitely have to be looked at as the front-runner," Catawba College political science professor Michael Bitzer said. Harris' departure means opportunity for other Republicans. Harris said he's backing Stony Rushing, a Union County commissioner. State Sen. Dan Bishop is also believed to be sizing up the landscape. He is the architect and sponsor of the North Carolina law restricting LGBT rights that led to a boycott against North Carolina. Former state senator Tommy Tucker also is considering a bid. Activists from both parties expect lots of campaign money will flow into the off-year race as it gets heightened national attention. The district includes part of Charlotte and stretches through several rural counties along the South Carolina line. Its location close to Fort Bragg is expected to make McCready, an Iraq War veteran, an attractive candidate. The operative whom Harris hired ahead of his 2018 Republican primary, Leslie McCrae Dowless, was charged last week with seven low-level felonies, including ballot possession and obstruction of justice. The charges are connected to Dowless' work for Harris in the 2018 Republican primary; to work for 9th District congressional candidate Todd Johnson in the 2016 primary; and to other work Dowless did in the 2016 general election. Prosecutors are still investigating evidence of ballot tampering by Dowless and others during the November election. Harris has not been charged with a crime and has denied knowledge of any illegal practices by those involved with his campaign. But he too could come under scrutiny: He admitted in last month's board meeting to writing personal checks to Dowless in 2017, a potential violation if the payments weren't reported. The North Carolina scandal represents a rare case of a federal election nullified and redone because of fraud. Republican William Pirce of Rhode Island appeared to have won a U.S. House seat in November 1884, but the House declared the seat vacant in 1887 after evidence of fraud raised doubts about whether Pirce won a majority of votes, noted University of Minnesota research fellow Eric Ostermeier. The House elections committee also voided the 1806 victory of John Culpepper in a North Carolina congressional district, Ostermeier said. The Federalist had been in Congress for nearly a year when the committee found irregularities in three of the district's five counties and concluded, "It is most proper to give the citizens of that district an opportunity to have another election." ___ Follow Emery P. Dalesio on Twitter at http://twitter.com/emerydalesio . His work can be found at https://apnews.com/search/emery%20dalesio. ___ Associated Press writer Gary D. Robertson contributed to this report. Hong Kong: Fund benefits 17k children Chief Executive Carrie Lam today officiated at the Child Development Fund 10th Anniversary Ceremony and reviewed its achievements in the last decade. Over 800 children, together with their mentors and family members, and representatives of non-governmental organisations and schools attended the ceremony. Speaking at the ceremony, Mrs Lam noted the fund has so far launched 193 projects, bringing the cumulative number of participants to over 17,000. She presented long service awards to volunteer mentors, project operators and supporting organisations in recognition of their continued participation in and support for the funds projects over the past decade. A graduation ceremony was also held for some 3,300 graduates under the projects. Graduates staged music and magic performances and shared their experience. This story has been published on: 2019-03-09. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. For the first time, a joint document to the UN Human Rights Council criticizes Saudi Arabia. Among the signatories are the 28 EU countries, Canada and Australia. For the Saudi representative it is an attack of "political nature". Anti-terrorism laws used to repress freedom and rights are targeted. Geneva (AsiaNews / Agencies) - At the UN Human Rights Council, a group of 36 nations strongly criticized Saudi Arabia for repeated cases of arbitrary detentions, abuses and violations against activists and dissidents. The joint statement issued at the end of the meeting is the first "collective" document to condemn Riyadh since the Council's inception in 2006. It calls for the release of a dozen activists still in prison and more cooperation with the investigation team called to shed light on the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Saudi Arabias response was Immediate (and angry) speaking of an attack of a "political nature". Abdul Aziz Alwasil, permanent representative of the UN said interference in domestic affairs under the guise of defending human rights is in fact an attack on our sovereignty". Among the 36 signatory countries are Canada, Australia and all 28 nations that make up the European Union, but not the United States. A common front that bears witness to the growing international concerns regarding violations of human rights and freedom of expression perpetrated within the Sunni monarchy. We call upon Saudi Arabia to disclose all information available and to fully co-operate with all investigations into the killing, including the human rights inquiry by the special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions" reads the joint final communique read by Icelandic Ambassador Harald Aspelun . "Human rights defenders and civil society groups can and should play a vital role in the process of reform which the kingdom is pursuing". The signatory nations conclude by launching an appeal to the Saudi authorities for the release of all activists. Among these, in conjunction with the Women's Day that is celebrated today March 8, they remember nine women who fought, among others, for the right to drive and who would have suffered violence and abuse in the cell. Many nations regard Riyadh as a key anti-Iranian ally in the Middle Eastern region. In the past, criticism of human rights violations occurred only in the context of private, unofficial meetings. Yesterday's document breaks these patterns for the first time. The denunciation of arbitrary detentions and violations of human rights at the United Nations is just the latest in a long series of attacks on the spurious "reforms" promoted by 33-year-old Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in the context of the Vision 2030 program. The arrests of senior officials and business people last year, the crackdown on activists and critical voices, the war in Yemen with its civilian victims, children included, and the assassination of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi cast a dark shadow on Saudi Arabia. A SpaceX rocket launched the 16-foot-tall (4.9-meter) capsule from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida last Saturday. The capsule, which was lifted out of the water by a boat using a crane, is due back on land by Sunday. (Photo: AFP) An unmanned capsule from Elon Musks SpaceX splashed into the Atlantic Ocean on Friday, successfully completing a mission crucial to NASAs long-delayed quest to resume human space flight from US soil later this year. After a six-day mission to the International Space Station, Crew Dragon detached at about 2:30 a.m EST (0730 GMT) and sped back to earth, reaching hypersonic speeds before an 8:45 a.m. EST (1345 GMT) splash-down about 200 miles (320 km) off the Florida coast. A SpaceX rocket launched the 16-foot-tall (4.9-meter) capsule from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida last Saturday. Everything happened just perfectly, right on time the way that we expected it to, Benjamin Reed, SpaceXs director of crew mission management, said in a live stream from California. It was a crucial milestone in the US National Aeronautics and Space Administrations Commercial Crew Program ahead of SpaceXs first crewed test flight slated to launch in July with US astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken. This really is an American achievement that spans many generations of NASA administrators and over a decade of work, said current Administrator Jim Bridenstine. Steve Stich, the crew programs deputy manager with NASA, said the vehicle was doing well after the splash-down. The capsule, which was lifted out of the water by a boat using a crane, is due back on land by Sunday. The live stream showed its protective shell had been weathered from intense heat during re-entry. The mission carried 400 pounds (180 kg) of test equipment to the space station, including a dummy named Ripley outfitted with sensors around its head, neck, and spine to monitor how a flight would feel for a human. The space stations three-member crew greeted the capsule last Sunday, with US astronaut Anne McClain and Canadian astronaut David Saint-Jacques entering Crew Dragons cabin to carry out air quality tests and inspections. An unmanned capsule of the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft is seen shortly after splashing down into the Atlantic Ocean as SpaceX recovery teams work on it, in this still image from video from NASA Commercial Crew, in the Atlantic, about 200 miles off the Florida coast, US, March 8, 2019. Courtesy NASA/Handout via REUTERS NASA has awarded SpaceX and Boeing Co a total of USD 6.8 billion to build competing for rocket and capsule systems to launch astronauts into orbit from American soil, something not possible since the US Space Shuttle was retired from service in 2011. Results from this mission will determine whether SpaceX can stick to its current 2019 test schedule following previous development delays for the Hawthorne, California-based company and Boeing. I dont think we saw really anything in the mission so far - weve got to do the data reviews - that would preclude us from having a crewed mission later this year, Stich said. The launch systems are aimed at ending US reliance on Russian Soyuz rockets for USD 80 million-per-seat rides to the USD 100 billion orbital research laboratory, which flies about 250 miles (400 km) above the earth. NASA resumed talks with Russias space agency Roscosmos in February seeking two additional Soyuz seats for 2020 to maintain a US presence on the space station. The short-notice solicitation, posted on Feb. 13, provides flexibility and back-up capability as the companies build their rocket-and-capsule launch systems. Boeings Starliner crew capsule is poised to launch its maiden unmanned mission in April ahead of an August test flight carrying US astronauts Michael Fincke, Chris Ferguson, and Nicole Mann. Bridenstine told Reuters the cost per seat on the Boeing or SpaceX systems would be lower than for the shuttle or Soyuz. Privately owned SpaceX, also known as Space Exploration Technologies Corp, was founded in 2002 by Musk, who is also a co-founder of electric car maker Tesla Inc. TOKYO (AP) - The Latest on the decision by the Tokyo District Court to approve the release on 1 billion yen ($8.9 million) bail of Nissan's former chairman, Carlos Ghosn (all times local): 12:35 a.m. A French lawyer for former Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn says a Japanese court has cleared the way to free him on bail, rejecting an appeal by prosecutors. Jean-Yves Le Borgne said the decision was confirmed to free Ghosn on 1 billion yen ($8.9 million) bail. Le Borgne cautioned that prosecuting lawyers could nonetheless attempt to file new charges against the auto executive. The former head of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Motors alliance has been detained since he was arrested on Nov. 19. He says he is innocent of charges of falsifying financial information and of breach of trust. In this May 12, 2016, photo, former Nissan Motor Co. President and CEO Carlos Ghosn speaks during the press conference in Yokohama, near Tokyo. Japan's Kyodo News service said Tuesday, March 5, 2019, a Tokyo court has okayed release of detained Nissan ex-chairman Carlos Ghosn on bail.(AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko) ___ 12:15 a.m. Former Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn says he is "innocent" and "grateful" for his family and friends who have stood by him "throughout this terrible ordeal," after a Tokyo District Court approved his release on bail. In a written statement released Tuesday by his communications agency, Ghosn says he is "also grateful to the NGOs and human rights activists in Japan and around the world who fight for the cause of presumption of innocence and a fair trial." Ghosn says he is "innocent and totally committed to vigorously defending myself in a fair trial against these meritless and unsubstantiated accusations." ___ 7:00 p.m. A lawyer for Japanese automaker Nissan Motor Co.'s former chairman Carlos Ghosn says his release on bail will not occur Tuesday. The Tokyo District Court approved Ghosn's release on 1 billion yen ($8.9 million) bail Tuesday but prosecutors quickly appealed that decision. Junichiro Hironaka told reporters that the release would not take place Tuesday since bail procedures could not be carried out at night. Ghosn has been held since his arrest on Nov. 19. Hironaka said the latest request for bail, after two earlier ones were rejected, included promises of camera surveillance and other ways to ensure he could not flee or tamper with evidence. Prosecutors often hold suspects in Japan for months pending their trials. ___ 4:05 p.m. Prosecutors in the case against former Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn have appealed the decision by the Tokyo District Court to allow his release on 1 billion yen ($8.9 million) bail. Ghosn's release now hinges on the court's decision on that appeal. Ghosn has been held since his arrest on Nov. 19. He says he is innocent of charges of falsifying financial information and breach of trust. The acceptance of Ghosn's request for bail, his third, came Tuesday, a day after one of his lawyers, Junichiro Hironaka, said he was confident the auto executive would gain his release. Hironaka welcomed the court's decision to grant bail, saying "It was good we proposed concrete ways showing how he would not tamper with evidence or try to flee." ___ 1:10 p.m. The Tokyo District Court says it has approved the release of former Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn on 1 billion yen ($8.9 million) bail, ending nearly four months of detention. Tuesday's approval of Ghosn's request for bail, his third, came a day after one of Ghosn's lawyers said he was confident the auto executive would gain his release. Ghosn's newly hired attorney, Junichiro Hironaka, is famous for winning acquittals in Japan, a nation where the conviction rate is 99 percent. The former head of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Motors alliance has been detained since he was arrested on Nov. 19. He says he is innocent of charges of falsifying financial information and breach of trust. Ghosn's release from Tokyo Detention Center could come as soon as later in the day. SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - Legislators sent a bill to expand background checks on private gun sales in New Mexico to the governor's desk Monday for certain approval after a bruising series of debates and objections from county sheriffs across much of the state. Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has vowed to sign the legislation and immediately issued a statement that applauded final legislative approval by the House on a 42-27 vote, after legislators exhausted a three-hour limit on floor debate. "This legislation represents a simple yet meaningful step toward a state and society with fewer firearm fatalities," Lujan Grisham said in a statement that also condemned misinformation from critics of the initiative. Republican House lawmakers voted in unison against the bill, joined by three Democrats: Reps. Candie Sweetser of Deming, Patricio Ruiloba of Albuquerque and Harry Garcia of Grants. Democratic Rep. Joseph Sanchez of Alcalde did not vote. Lawmakers are considering a raft of gun safety initiatives that also would allow judges to authorize removing guns from people who may be suicidal or bent on violence, expand child neglect laws to encompass the secure storage of household firearms, and ban gun possession for people under permanent protective orders for domestic violence. The bills have stirred a backlash from county sheriffs across much of the state who threaten not to enforce gun regulations that they find unconstitutional. County commissions have been quick to sign on to supportive resolutions. New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham endorsed a scaled-back version of a proposal to spend more money from a state education trust to support early childhood education programs on Monday, March 4, 2019, in Santa Fe, N.M. A more ambitious proposal has stalled in the state Senate as lawmakers grapple with a court order to shore up resources for public education. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee) "This is rural versus urban, and I don't appreciate my community having to take these things," said GOP Rep. Gail Armstrong of Magdalena during the final House floor debate. "I don't know how you will police this in rural New Mexico." Lujan Grisham and Democratic legislators say the background-check bill is both constitutionally sound and popular. "New Mexico is indeed facing a public health crisis involving gun violence that is literally killing people in our community on a daily basis," said first-term Democratic Rep. Melanie Stansbury of Albuquerque. "I don't know how we can afford not to enact this legislation." Background checks against a federal database of prohibited buyers are designed to weed out prohibited buyers such as convicted felons and people with severe mental disorders. Current state law leaves out the background check requirement for many private, person-to-person sales arranged over increasingly popular online marketplaces for firearms. The New Mexico legislation provides exceptions to background check requirements for antique weapons, sales between family members and the lending of guns at sport shooting clubs. Federally licensed firearms dealers will perform checks for a fee of no more than $35, under the new legislation. OUTSIDE BAGHOUZ, Syria (AP) - A prominent French militant who joined the Islamic State group, Jean-Michel Clain, was killed in a mortar strike over the weekend as he struggled with wounds suffered in an earlier airstrike that killed his jihadi brother, his wife said Tuesday after emerging from the group's last pocket of land in Syria. The wife, who identified herself as Dorothee Maquere, said another French woman who had joined IS, Hayat Boumeddiene, was killed in another strike last week that allegedly hit a safe house known as the "French House," where many French nationals were staying. Boumeddiene had been wanted by French police as a suspected accomplice in a 2015 attack in the Paris region. Maquere was one of hundreds of people who over the past two days streamed out of Baghouz, the last village held by the Islamic State group, under stepped-up assault the past four days by U.S.-backed forces. The latest wave of evacuations brings the final defeat of IS by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces one step closer - a milestone in the devastating four-year campaign to defeat the group's so-called "caliphate" that once covered a vast territory straddling both Syria and Iraq. Maquere, who is also French, told the Associated Press that the situation inside Baghouz was a "horror film," saying there is a "massacre" inside, with constant shooting. People had to lay flat to avoid the crossfire, she said, adding that there were "no more homes, we live underground in tunnels and tents." She said her 7-year-old daughter was killed and her other daughter wounded by an explosion two weeks ago. Two other sons were killed earlier in a mortar attack and Syrian government fire. Speaking at a desert reception area where SDF fighters were screening the evacuees, the 38-year-old said she does not want to go back to France, which is part of the U.S.-led coalition fighting IS. "I want France to leave me alone. They killed my husband, my children. ... I want nothing from them. They did already enough harm. I want them to leave me with my children," she said, cradling her two-week old son, one of her five surviving children. Her account, if verified, closes a chapter on a number of French militants who were connected to attacks in past years in and around Paris and who then made their way to IS's "caliphate" and finally, as it crumbled, to this tiny village on the Euphrates River near the Iraqi border. People sit in a truck after being evacuated out of the last territory held by Islamic State militants, outside Baghouz, Syria, Monday, March 4, 2019. Hundreds of people including IS fighters evacuated their last foothold in eastern Syria hours after U.S.-backed Syrian fighters said they were forced to slow their advance because the extremists are using civilians as human shields.(AP Photo/Andrea Rosa) Her husband, Jean-Michel Clain, who Maquere said wrote religious anthems for IS, was seriously wounded in a Feb. 20 airstrike in Baghouz that killed his brother, Fabien, one of Europe's most wanted IS members. The U.S.-led coalition announced Fabien's death several days after the strike. The two brothers joined IS together and Fabien went on to become the group's voice in France. Fabien's voice was on an IS recording claiming responsibility for the worst terrorist violence in France's modern history - a series of bombings and shootings in Paris in November 2015 that killed 130 people. Jean-Michel held on for a little over a week after the airstrike. Maquere said she tried to treat him, but his feet were torn apart and one side of his body was crushed. "He suffered," she said. "There was no hospital." He was killed on Sunday when a mortar struck, causing him a direct head wound, she said. Boumeddiene was killed in a separate airstrike in Baghouz about a week ago, Maquere said. Two other French citizens who left Baghouz on Monday - a French-Belgian who identified herself as Zohra and a French-Moroccan,who refused to be identified said Boumeddiene was believed to have been staying in the French House and confirmed it was struck last week. Boumeddiene was the widow of Amedy Coulibaly, a Frenchman who attacked a kosher supermarket in Paris in January 2015, days after two other militants - brothers Cherif and Said Kouachi- gunned down the staff of the weekly satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. Coulibaly killed four people in the supermarket before French police stormed in and killed him. The Kouachi brothers were killed by police in a separate raid. All told, their attacks left 17 people dead. Investigators then focused on finding Boumeddiene, who was believed to be pregnant at the time. But she had already fled to Syria. Soon after, IS published what it said was an interview with her in French and English, in which she called on women to be patient and make life easier for their husbands. Maquere said Boumeddiene had "started a new life" and remarried. She said she didn't have any children. The French-Moroccan evacuee said Boumeddiene had told her she had no idea about plans for the 2015 attack in Paris or her husband's plans. Boumeddiene's evolution was documented in photos widely distributed in French media after her disappearance, from vacation pictures of her in a bikini to images of her holding a crossbow while wearing an all-encompassing black niqab. The last known image of her was from airport surveillance video in Istanbul, going through passport control. Tuesday's exodus came three days after U.S.-backed forces resumed their push on IS militants holed up in Baghouz. The assault had been slowed the previous week to allow thousands of civilians, including IS family members, to be evacuated from the tiny pocket of territory. As many as 10,000 people who had been squeezed into the eroding patch of land, are estimated to have streamed out - an enormous number that stunned the SDF. Asked about the situation inside Baghouz, a Russian woman who came out with her three children responded in broken Arabic: "Fear." She said her husband had died earlier. Another woman in her mid-20s, who identified herself as Reem from the central Syrian province of Hama, said she was waiting for her husband to come out of an IS-controlled jail. He has been there for months after killing an IS member in retaliation "for his baby daughter being killed in an airstrike," she said. "I haven't seen him since and don't know where he is," Reem said, adding that she asked repeatedly for his whereabouts before she eventually decided to leave. The evacuees said the bombing has been intense in recent days. One woman said she saw a man hit by a missile as she was fleeing from one tent to another. Earlier on Tuesday, SDF spokesman Mustafa Bali tweeted that about 3,000 people came out of Baghouz on Monday. They left through a humanitarian corridor established by the Kurdish-led forces for those who want to leave or surrender. Since Feb. 20, more than 10,000 people have left the IS pocket and black-robed women with children in the backs of trucks could be seen passing through the corridor and heading into the desert. They were then whisked off to a camp for displaced people to the north, while suspected IS fighters were moved to detention facilities. Bali said a large number among those who left Monday were IS fighters who "surrendered to our forces." It was unclear how many IS militants and civilians remained inside, but the number is now likely in the hundreds. ___ Associated Press writers Nataliya Vasilyeva in Moscow and Lori Hinnant in Paris contributed to this report. A member of U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) watches a wounded man climb off of a truck after being evacuated out of the last territory held by Islamic State militants, outside Baghouz, Syria, Monday, March 4, 2019. Hundreds of people including IS fighters evacuated their last foothold in eastern Syria hours after U.S.-backed Syrian fighters said they were forced to slow their advance because the extremists are using civilians as human shields.(AP Photo/Andrea Rosa) U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) move women and children into a truck after being evacuated out of the last territory held by Islamic State militants, outside Baghouz, Syria, Monday, March 4, 2019. Hundreds of people including IS fighters evacuated their last foothold in eastern Syria hours after U.S.-backed Syrian fighters said they were forced to slow their advance because the extremists are using civilians as human shields.(AP Photo/Andrea Rosa) PARIS (AP) - French President Emmanuel Macron drew both support and skepticism Tuesday with a clarion call to voters in 28 nations to choose a stronger European Union and reject populists, amid concerns that euroskeptics could achieve unprecedented success in upcoming European Parliament elections. In a column published for Tuesday's editions throughout the bloc, Macron advised voters in the May 23-26 EU parliament elections to reject nationalist parties that "offer nothing," laying down the battle lines for the vote. Instead, he called on people to support parties who want to strengthen Europe. Macron himself defeated an anti-EU candidate to become modern France's youngest leader, but his popularity at home has dipped since taking office to the strains of the bloc's anthem, "Ode to Joy." The column is his furthest-reaching attempt to shore up the EU, where nationalist and populist candidates have seen gains, including in neighboring Italy and most recently in the Estonian general election on Sunday. "Never has Europe been in so much danger," he wrote. He called Brexit a symbol of the crisis plaguing Europe - a "trap" of lies and irresponsibility backed by fake news. FILE - In this Monday, Dec. 10, 2018 file photo TV screens show French President Emmanuel during a televised address to the nation, at an electrical appliance store in Marseille, southern France. (AP Photo/Claude Paris, File) "Freedom, protection and progress: we need to build European renewal on these pillars. We can't let nationalists with no solutions exploit people's anger. We can't sleepwalk to a diminished Europe. We can't remain in the routine of business as usual and wishful thinking," he wrote. He proposed the creation of an agency to protect member states' elections from cyberattacks and other manipulations. He also seeks to ban the financing of EU political parties by foreign powers. To address migration, Macron called for stricter border controls, a common border force, and common asylum rules - measures that have already started being implemented. Macron also called for Europe to lead the fight against climate change by setting a target of zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2050 and cutting pesticide use in half by 2025. Macron's office said the French president's approach is "legitimate and useful" in opening a European debate without interfering in domestic politics. It added that the French presidency had informed all 28 EU governments ahead of the publication. The European Commission welcomed Macron's appeal, though it says it has already been working for years on many of the ideas he raised - ranging from border guard and asylum agencies to security and food safety proposals or tackling climate change. Olaf Scholz, Germany's vice chancellor and finance minister, praised Macron for sending "a determined signal for cohesion in Europe." He told the Funke newspaper that Europe needs to be strong to avoid being pushed around. In a tweet Tuesday, Finnish Prime Minister Juha Sipila offered support for Macron's call for "security, sustainable growth and ambitious climate policy." Sipila added that people needed to see "the EU that is capable of making decisions and implementing them." Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel said he particularly hoped for "a Europe that protects liberty and democracy," according to the agency Belga. But Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis, Babis, a populist billionaire, appeared skeptical of Macron's plea. "I don't think it goes in the right direction," he told The Associated Press, adding that he believed the EU should focus on issues such as defense and making the bloc's common trading market work better. Macron on Tuesday launched in Paris a new body where members of intelligence services from across the continent and other experts can exchange theirs views and experiences. He said in a speech this is an example of what can be done in Europe. The body, called Europe's Intelligence College, notably aims at better fighting of terrorism and cybercrime, but is not involved in operational intelligence exchange. In France, Macron's ratings remain low in popularity polls even if he has appeared to regain a little support in recent weeks as he tries to quell the yellow vest anti-government protest movement. The polls suggest that Macron's party appears ahead of the far-right National Rally in European Parliament elections. Since he took office in May 2017, Macron has made a point of visiting 19 European countries. But that has not prevented tensions from breaking out between France and nations where populist parties govern, from Poland and Hungary to Italy. In October, Macron harshly accused Hungarian and Polish leaders of "lying" to their people about the EU. The Hungarian government of President Viktor Orban said Tuesday: "Macron is a pro-immigration politician, who believes immigration is good. We believe it is bad. "In truth, Macron wants to attack those who are against immigration. That's what this program is about," a written statement said. France last month saw its most serious diplomatic dispute with Italy since World War II. Paris even recalled its ambassador for a few days to protest perceived Italian meddling in French domestic politics, after Italian Deputy Premier Luigi Di Maio met with French yellow vest activists seeking to run for the European Parliament. Italy's anti-migrant Interior minister, Matteo Salvini, has repeatedly criticized Macron and said he hoped the French would not back him in the upcoming elections. ___ Jan M. Olsen contributed to this report from Copenhagen, Denmark. FILE - In this Sunday, June 24, 2018 file photo French President Emmanuel Macron speaks with the media at the conclusion of an informal EU summit on migration at EU headquarters in Brussels. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert, File) A newspaper headlines on French President Emmanuel Macron's column, in a news stand in Paris, Tuesday, March 5, 2019. Macron's plea to voters in 28 nations to choose a stronger European Union has gained support from outside his borders - and a good deal of skepticism from within. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) A newspaper headlines on French President Emmanuel Macron's column in a news stand in Paris, Tuesday, March 5, 2019. Macron's plea to voters in 28 nations to choose a stronger European Union has gained support from outside his borders - and a good deal of skepticism from within. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) ISLAMABAD (AP) - Pakistan's Interior Ministry said Tuesday that authorities arrested dozens of suspects in the wake of last month's suicide bombing in Indian-controlled Kashmir that killed 40 Indian troops, including the brother of the leader of the outlawed Jaish-e-Mohammad militant group. The arrests were apparently aimed at easing tensions between Pakistan and India that escalated after the Feb. 14 suicide attack. In Tuesday's statement, the ministry said authorities arrested 44 suspects, including at least two prominent members of the outlawed militant group, which claimed responsibility for the attack that pushed the neighboring countries close to an all-out war over contested Kashmir last week. Among those arrested was Mufti Abdul Rauf, the brother of the group's leader, Masood Azhar. According to the ministry, Rauf was among a list of suspects in a file on last month's bombing that India gave to Pakistan over the weekend through diplomatic channels, urging Islamabad to take action against suspects linked to the killing of its soldiers in the region, which is split between Pakistan and India and is claimed by both in its entirety. Also detained was Hammad Azhar, the brother-in-law of Masood Azhar. At a news conference Pakistan Interior Secretary Azam Suleman Khan said Pakistan will take further action against suspects linked to the attack in Indian Kashmir if New Delhi provides additional evidence to Islamabad. In this image made from video taken on March 4, 2019, and released on Tuesday, March 5, 2019, by the Pakistan Military, shows what they claim is an Indian submarine approaching its territorial waters in the Arabian Sea. Pakistan's navy says the submarine was not targeted, "keeping in view Pakistan's policy of peace" under which Islamabad wants to de-escalate tensions with New Delhi. (Pakistan Military via AP) "So far India has not given evidence," he said. "We received only some names" in connection with the suicide attack. He said the 44 suspects detained across the country belonged to a number of groups, not just Jaish-e-Mohammad. Tuesday's arrests were announced hours after Pakistan's navy claimed that it spotted and warned an Indian submarine approaching its territorial waters in the Arabian Sea not to attempt an incursion. The navy said in a statement that the Indian submarine wasn't targeted, "keeping in view Pakistan's policy of peace" under which Islamabad wants to de-escalate tensions with New Delhi. A navy official said the warning was "communicated" to the submarine during Monday's encounter. The submarine then moved away. The official didn't elaborate and spoke on condition of anonymity to talk to reporters. In India, a spokesman for the navy, Capt. D.K. Sharma, said on Twitter that the navy "remains deployed as necessary to protect National Maritime Interests." Over the past several days we have witnessed Pakistan indulging in false propaganda and spread of misinformation," he said. Still, an uneasy calm prevailed Tuesday along the Line of Control, which divides Kashmir between Pakistan and India, and which saw an intense exchange of fire between the two nuclear-armed rivals last week, killing several people and at least two Pakistani soldiers. Tension between Pakistan and India increased last week when New Delhi launched a retaliatory strike in the northwestern town of Balakot, saying its air force hit a terrorist training camp and killed "a very large number" of militants. Pakistan said the strike only damaged three trees in a forest. However, Islamabad responded by shooting down two Indian warplanes and capturing a pilot, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who was returned to India at the Wagah border near the eastern city of Lahore as a peace gesture. Since then, the two sides have exercised restraint amid calls from the international community for avoiding war. ___ Associated Press writers Aijaz Hussain in Srinagar, India; Adil Jawad in Karachi, Pakistan; and Roshan Mughal in Muzafarad, Pakistan contributed to this report. Pakistani protesters beat an effigy of Indian prime minister during a rally in Karachi, Pakistan, Monday, March 4, 2019. A key train service with neighboring India resumed and schools in Pakistani Kashmir opened Monday in another sign of easing tensions between the two nuclear-armed rivals since a major escalation last week over the disputed Kashmir region. (AP Photo/Fareed Khan) BERLIN (AP) - The European Parliament's main center-right group will discuss later this month whether Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's party should remain a member, amid anger over the anti-migration party's latest campaign against European Union leaders. The European People's Party said Tuesday that it has received letters from 12 member parties in nine countries seeking the exclusion or suspension of Orban's Fidesz party from the group, the biggest in the outgoing EU legislature. That's considerably more than the seven parties in five countries that its rules require. The issue has now been added to the agenda for a March 20 meeting of the EPP's political assembly, which brings together representatives of member parties. Whether there will be a decision is unclear, but the body could decide to kick out or suspend Fidesz, which will be given an opportunity to defend itself. The matter is coming to a head a little over two months before the May 23-26 European Parliament election. Orban has been strongly identified for years with anti-migrant rhetoric. In recent weeks, he has angered many in the European People's Party with a campaign of government ads accusing European Union leaders of promoting mass migration. They depict European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, a fellow EPP member, and Hungarian-American billionaire George Soros. "The European People's Party is a big family that can have its differences," EPP president Joseph Daul told Tuesday's edition of German daily Die Welt. "But there is a limit and Viktor Orban has crossed the red line." FILE - In this Sunday, Feb. 10, 2019 file photo, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban delivers his annual "State of Hungary" speech in Budapest, Hungary. The inscription reads: "For us Hungary is the first!" Hungary's populist prime minister says calls for his party's expulsion from a European Parliament group serve left-wing rivals. The debate in the European People's Party follows a Hungarian government ad campaign against migration. (Szilard Koszticsak/MTI via AP, File ) The parties that have called for action against Fidesz are from Belgium, Finland, Greece, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Norway, the Netherlands, Portugal and Sweden. They do not, at least so far, include German Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democratic Union or its Bavarian sister, the Christian Social Union - the party of Manfred Weber, the EPP candidate to succeed Juncker. Weber was quoted as telling German daily Bild Tuesday that Orban "must stop his government's anti-Brussels campaigns immediately and finally" and apologize to other EPP parties. He also called for the future of the Central European University in Budapest to be secured. The university - founded by Soros, whom Orban considers his main ideological foe - said in December it would move most of its programs to Vienna because Orban's government was unwilling to sign an agreement guaranteeing its operations. Weber said he would "make a last attempt to keep Viktor Orban and Fidesz in the EPP," but the group's values are not negotiable and "the decision lies in Budapest." "We need clarity this month," he said. BRUSSELS (AP) - Chinese tech company Huawei on Tuesday opened a cybersecurity lab in Brussels, the heart of the European Union, as it tries to win over government leaders and fight back U.S. allegations that its equipment poses a national security risk. Company executives inaugurated the Huawei Cyber Security Transparency Centre, which will allow the wireless companies that are its customers to review the source code running its network gear. The launch comes amid a standoff between the U.S. and China over Huawei Technologies, the world's biggest maker of telecom infrastructure for new high-speed 5G networks. The U.S. has been lobbying allied countries and companies to shun Huawei because of fears its equipment could facilitate digital espionage by China's communist leaders. The new lab in the Belgian capital gives Huawei a venue to reassure the EU's policymakers about its cybersecurity credentials. It opened a similar center in Bonn, Germany, in November and funds a government-run British testing site, the Huawei Cyber Security Evaluation Centre, that opened in 2010. Journalists visit the new cybersecurity center of Chinese tech company Huawei, in Brussels, Tuesday March 5, 2019. Chinese tech giant Huawei is opening a cybersecurity lab in Brussels, as it tries to win over European Union leaders in a geopolitical battle with the U.S. over allegations its equipment poses a national security risk. (AP Photo/Kelvin Chan) Huawei said the Brussels center will be a platform where government agencies, technical experts, industry associations, and standards organizations can collaborate on cybersecurity. It will also be a place where Huawei's customers - wireless and internet companies - can test the company's networking equipment. That includes giving them access to Huawei's source code - "our crown jewels," John Suffolk, Huawei's global cybersecurity and privacy officer told reporters. Suffolk said that while Huawei lets telecom companies use the Brussels center's facilities and access its software, it doesn't necessarily know what they're doing or searching for. "It's a little bit like a black box," Suffolk said. Europe is Huawei's biggest market outside China, and the company hopes to play a key role in building the continent's 5G networks, in competition with Scandinavian rivals Ericsson and Nokia. Fifth-generation mobile networks enable lightning fast download speeds and reduce signal lag, advances that will be used in smart factories, self-driving cars and remote surgery. Western officials are worried that China's cybersecurity law requires the company to cooperate with the country's intelligence service. However, executives repeated their position that Huawei has never been asked to hand over sensitive information and would refuse to do so if asked. Neither would it install secret backdoors in its software. "There's no evidence," said Vincent Pang, Huawei's president for Western Europe. Suffolk said there's "some level of confusion" surrounding the interpretation of various countries' cybersecurity laws. "This is not uncommon and I think we'll see this continue as time goes on," he said. Cyersecurity experts wondered whether the Brussels center was more a way for Huawei to press its public relations offensive against the U.S. campaign than for serious cyber protection. "Simple auditing of source code, made in a limited capacity, and only at a small closed facility might not suffice to seriously establish the actual security level, and definitely not at a scale. But it is a nice demonstration of openness nonetheless," said Lukasz Olejnik, a research associate at Oxford University's Center for Technology and Global Affairs. He said that creating dedicated and comprehensive cybersecurity standards and regulations would take a lot longer. He compared it with the new European data privacy regulations that took effect last year and were a "multi-year endeavor." The U.S. government's campaign against Huawei has also included criminal charges against its chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, who the U.S. wants to extradite from Canada to face charges she misled banks about the company's business with Iran. Despite the U.S. pressure, there are signs that European governments and mobile companies are resisting a blanket ban on Huawei equipment. GSMA, the mobile industry's trade group, has recommended a testing and certification program. In an annual review of Huawei's engineering practices published in July, Britain's cybersecurity agency noted "shortcomings" that "exposed new risks in the U.K. telecommunication networks." But none were deemed of medium or high priority. ___ For all of AP's tech coverage, visit: https://apnews.com/apf-technology BERLIN (AP) - German prosecutors said Tuesday they have charged a Russian national with plotting an Islamic extremist bombing in Germany with an alleged accomplice arrested in France for involvement in a separate planned attack there. The pair were associates for a time of Anis Amri, a Tunisian who carried out an attack on a Christmas market in Berlin in December 2016 in which 12 people were killed, but weren't aware of his plans for that rampage, federal prosecutors said. The 31-year-old, who was identified only as Magomed-Ali C. because of German privacy laws and was arrested in August, was charged at a Berlin court with preparing an act of violence and preparing an explosion. He is accused of storing a "not insignificant" but unspecified amount of the explosive TATP at his Berlin apartment in October 2016, with which he and alleged accomplice Clement B. are believed to have planned to carry out an attack in Germany. Prosecutors said Magomed-Ali C. arrived in Germany in late 2011 and was already an Islamic extremist then. They said that he spent time at a now-closed radical Berlin mosque and decided to travel to Syria to join the Islamic State group, but that plan was foiled when local police got wind of it in 2015 and Berlin's office for foreigners barred him from leaving Germany. Magomed-Ali C. then decided to carry out an attack in Germany and linked up with Clement B., whom he had met during a visit to Belgium, prosecutors said. In late 2015, as they sought further accomplices, they came into contact with Amri. FILE -The wanted photo issued by German federal police on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2016 shows 24-year-old Tunisian Anis Amri. Anis Amri, a failed asylum-seeker, killed 12 people in the Dec. 19, 2016, during a terrorist attack at a Berlin Christmas market that was later claimed by the Islamic State group. (German police via AP) Both C. and B. allegedly acquired TATP or produced it themselves and planned to produce a bomb. Amri joined the plot in October 2016, but the other two abandoned their plans later that month, fearing that police were on to them. The two parted ways, and B. went to France to pursue an attack there - a plan that German prosecutors said was supposed to be coordinated with Amri but wasn't implemented. B. was arrested in Marseille in April 2017 over plans to carry out an attack in France, with several weapons and 3 kilograms (6.61 pounds) of TATP. Prosecutors said that the C. and B. didn't know about Amri's plan for the Dec. 19, 2016 Christmas market attack in Berlin, which he carried out using a commandeered truck. Amri fled the scene of the attack and was killed days later in a shootout with police in Italy. LONDON (AP) - Stockpiling of goods ahead of Brexit, already evident among British manufacturing firms uncertain about the path ahead, is coming closer to home. Households alarmed by reports of potential shortages in the event of a "no-deal" Brexit are beginning to stockpile ahead of the country's scheduled departure from the European Union on March 29, according to a survey Tuesday by market researcher Kantar Worldpanel. The firm found that 10 percent of customers at Britain's major supermarkets have started preparing for a disorderly Brexit, a scenario that would see tariffs imposed on products coming into the United Kingdom and other restrictions on trade with the EU. That is not yet enough to have a big impact on supermarket sales, worth around 100 billion pounds ($132 billion) a year, but it could if Brexit uncertainty persists. They survey noted that another 26 percent of shoppers say they're ready to start stockpiling as well. Kantar, which surveyed over 7,000 customers in early February, found that 61.5 percent of those that had already begun storing extra goods were focusing on food. That was followed by toilet paper at 47 percent and medicines at 44.8 percent. Frozen foods, soft drinks, alcoholic drinks and cleaning products were also in demand. The survey also found that those who back remaining in the EU are more likely to stockpile, at 14 percent, against 7 percent for those backing Brexit. Remain supporters shelter from the wind and rain across the street from parliament in London, Thursday Feb. 28, 2019. British Prime Minister Theresa May has offered Parliament the chance to delay Britain's scheduled March 29 departure if lawmakers fail to approve her divorce agreement with the bloc.(Jonathan Brady/PA via AP) "Peoples' attitudes to stockpiling depends very much on their attitudes to leaving or remaining in the EU," said Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at Kantar Worldpanel. Britain has been gripped by uncertainty since the country voted in 2016 to leave the EU. That's been particularly visible among firms who have had little, or no, idea what the country's future relationship with the EU will look like and what will happen to their supply chains. That uncertainty has only increased since lawmakers voted down Prime Minister Theresa May's withdrawal agreement with the EU in January. The uncertainty could ease next week if lawmakers back her revised deal in a new vote. Should they again vote against it, May has said they will have the option to either back a "no-deal" Brexit or seek a delay to the Brexit process. "If 'no-deal' is taken off the table by whatever means, then I think that's' immediately going to put a temporary stop to stockpiling concerns," said Kantar's McKevitt. In November, the Bank of England warned that if Britain crashes out of the EU without a deal or transition period to new trading arrangements, the British economy could shrink by 8 percent in a matter of months. On Tuesday, bank Governor Mark Carney said some recent "constructive developments" in preparations for a "no-deal" Brexit - a scenario that he said financial markets are putting "very little weight" on - will help cushion the blow. Carney told peers at the House of Lords that some border arrangements for traded goods, the rollover of trade agreements and improvements in derivative markets will "pull back" the scale of the recession by 2-3.5 percent. "There has been progress in preparedness and that reduces the level of the economic shock," he said. He warned that a disorderly Brexit would still represent a "material economic shock" for Britain, not least because around half of U.K. businesses aren't ready for a "no-deal" Brexit and half of those who have made some preparations say they're not as ready as they'd like to be. Businesses, which operate on longer timetables than the average consumer, have had to enact contingency measures to deal with the worst-case Brexit scenarios. That's been clear in the sharp 3.7 percent decline in business investment last year and the decision of a number of companies, particularly in the financial sector, to relocate jobs into the EU so they can continue to enjoy the benefits of the single market. Manufacturers, too, are relocating activities - Nissan, for example, partly blamed Brexit uncertainty for its decision to abandon plans to build its new SUV in northern England. A separate survey released Tuesday, from financial information company IHS Markit and the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply, found that Brexit-related uncertainty remained by far the biggest drag on the services sector in February, causing employment numbers to fall at the fastest pace for over seven years. "Once again this month, the lifeblood of the sector continued to leak away with Brexit indecision striking another blow to new orders and employment," said Duncan Brock, Group Director at CIPS. ___ Follow AP's full coverage of Brexit at: https://www.apnews.com/Brexit CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - A prosecutor in North Carolina says a Homeland Security agent won't be charged in the fatal shooting of a man who hit him with a car outside a bar. The Charlotte Observer reports District Attorney Spencer Merriweather announced Monday that it's impossible to prove Jose Dugger wasn't acting in self-defense when he killed 30-year-old Donald Janvier. Dugger was working with state investigators to inspect a Charlotte bar last summer. Witnesses reported Janvier had caused a scene while armed before authorities arrived. Merriweather says officers tried to "make contact" with Janvier, who instead got into his car and drove at Dugger. The prosecutor said evidence indicates Dugger was sprawled across the hood of the car with a broken thigh bone when he fired through the windshield, hitting Janvier in the neck. ___ Information from: The Charlotte Observer, http://www.charlotteobserver.com Bisaria who had been recalled to New Delhi last month returned to Islamabad upon the completion of consultations in India. The Indian High Commissioner will also engage on urgent issues not only with Pakistan but with diplomats of other countries in Islamabad. (Photo: Facebook | Ajay Bisaria) Islamabad: Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Ajay Bisaria reached Islamabad on Saturday and will resume office soon, sources told ANI. Bisaria, who had been recalled to New Delhi for consultations last month following the Pulwama terror attack, will articulate India's expectations from Pakistan with emphasis and more directly, sources added. The Indian High Commissioner will also engage on urgent issues not only with Pakistan but with diplomats of other countries in Islamabad. Bisaria who had been recalled to New Delhi last month returned to Islamabad upon the completion of consultations in India. Meanwhile, Pakistan's High Commissioner to India, Sohail Mahmood, is also expected to reach New Delhi on Saturday. Pakistan too had recalled Mahmood to Islamabad for consultations on February 18. Tensions have been high between the two neighbours following the Pulwama attack for which Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed claimed responsibility. BRUSSELS (AP) - A suspected jihadi insisted Tuesday that he's innocent of terrorism charges over the 2014 killing of four people at Belgium's Jewish museum, as the jury in his trial prepared to consider its verdict. Weeks after telling the Brussels criminal court that he would reveal the truth "when the time is right," Mehdi Nemmouche on Tuesday said only that he was "trapped" into involvement in the slaying. "If I could change things, I would change everything," the 33-year-old Frenchman, wearing a black shirt and top and flanked by police officers in ski masks, said in remarks lasting less than 20 seconds. Nemmouche is charged with four counts of "terrorist murder" over the killing of an Israeli couple and two staffers at the Brussels Jewish Museum. His alleged accomplice, Nacer Bendrer, 30, stands accused of supplying the revolver and assault rifle used in the shooting. Prosecutors claim that Nemmouche trained and fought with the Islamic State group in Syria. The museum shooting crystalized fears that European extremists would use combat experience from places like Syria or Iraq to sow terror back home. The 12-member jury is set to hand down its verdict on Thursday. In a secret ballot, the jury must decide by a majority vote whether Nemmouche is guilty. He would likely be sentenced on Friday, and could face up to 30 years in prison. Lawyers attend the trial of Mehdi Nemmouche at the Justice Palace in Brussels, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019. The defense lawyer Thursday is summing up the case for Nemmouche, who is charged with "terrorist murder" over the 2014 slaying of an Israeli couple and two employees at the Jewish museum in Brussels, about a week before the verdict is expected to be handed down.(AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert, Pool) Whatever the verdict, Nemmouche would remain in prison as he must face charges in France of taking hostages in Syria. For most of the trial, Nemmouche has exercised his right to silence, but on Tuesday he urged the jury not to take that silence as "disrespect." In more than six hours of case summary last week, defense lawyer Sebastien Courtoy argued that Iranian or Lebanese security officials were behind the killings, and that one, or both, of the murdered Israelis could have been Mossad agents. Michele Hirsch, a lawyer for the Coordination Committee of Jewish Organizations in Belgium, described Courtoy's summary as "hallucinatory, delirious, completely incoherent." In his final remarks to the jury on Monday, Courtoy said: "It's impossible for you not to have some doubt. For me, it's just not possible." "It might feel more comfortable for you to condemn him," he said. "But if you think he's innocent, please, don't be afraid to say it." Addressing the jury, Nemmouche's co-accused, Bendrer said: "Today I'm scared, I didn't do anything. But I'm scared. I say to myself, maybe they didn't understand." Lawyer for the accused, Sebastien Courtoy, center, attends the trial of Mehdi Nemmouche at the Justice Palace in Brussels, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019. The defense lawyer Thursday is summing up the case for Nemmouche, who is charged with "terrorist murder" over the 2014 slaying of an Israeli couple and two employees at the Jewish museum in Brussels, about a week before the verdict is expected to be handed down.(AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert, Pool) BRUSSELS (AP) - Brexit talks with the European Union are making progress, a senior British government minister said Tuesday, as Prime Minister Theresa May seeks concessions from Brussels to help persuade lawmakers to back her deal in a series of crucial votes next week. Britain is due to leave the EU on March 29 - the first country ever to do so - but British lawmakers have rejected a draft deal sealed by May and her EU counterparts in November. Both they and EU lawmakers must endorse any agreement. "I think the signals we are getting are reasonably positive," Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt told the BBC. "I don't want to overstate them because I still think there's a lot of work to do, but I think they do understand that we are being sincere." EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier was due to meet U.K. Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay and Attorney General Geoffrey Cox in Brussels later on Tuesday seeking to break the deadlock. The objections in London center on a provision demanded by Brussels to guarantee there are no barriers along the currently invisible border between EU member state Ireland and Northern Ireland, which is part of the U.K. Britain wants reassurances that this mechanism would be temporary. EU leaders insist that the legally binding divorce agreement governing Britain's departure can't be reopened. But Hunt told the BBC that his country is "prepared to be flexible" about how changes are achieved, and argued that the Europeans are coming around to the idea that May "can get a majority in Parliament." The flag of the European Union and the British national flags are flown on poles during a demonstration by remain in the EU outside spporters the Palace of Westminster in London, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019. British Prime Minister Theresa May says she will give British lawmakers a choice of approving her divorce agreement, leaving the EU March 29 without a deal or asking to delay Brexit by up to three months. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant) With time running out, the chances of Britain crashing out without any deal at all are growing, although Hunt said his government wants to avoid such a potentially devastating scenario. EU leaders want to avoid that too. In Poland, leaders were discussing Tuesday a plan to prepare for that eventuality. Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and his Cabinet were taking up the draft legislation during their regular weekly meeting Tuesday. Konrad Szymanski, a deputy foreign minister responsible for European issues, told Polish news agency PAP that the plan should help alleviate the most acute consequences of a no-deal Brexit. Also hanging in the balance is the fate of hundreds of thousands of Poles who have settled in the U.K. since Poland joined the EU in 2004. The Bank of England has warned that "significant market volatility" is likely if Britain crashes out. Minutes of the recent meeting of the bank's Financial Policy Committee warned that in a "disorderly Brexit," a range of financial assets, including the pound and stocks, "would be expected to adjust sharply, tightening financial conditions for U.K. households and businesses." They said that EU banks and insurance companies could also immediately face tougher requirements on their holdings of U.K. debts, which would reduce demand for U.K. assets. However, the committee said markets have "proved able to function effectively through volatile periods" and that the U.K.'s core banking system is strong enough to withstand the economic shock of a disorderly Brexit. ___ Lawless reported from London. Britain's Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt arrives for a cabinet meeting in Downing Street, London, Tuesday March 5, 2019. European Union and British top-level officials will resume talks on Tuesday in an attempt to break a deadlock in the Brexit negotiations less than a month before the United Kingdom is scheduled to leave the bloc. (Stefan Rousseau/PA via AP) A carnival float depicts British Prime Minister Theresa May and the Brexit during the traditional carnival parade in Duesseldorf, Germany, on Monday, March 4, 2019. The foolish street spectacles in the carnival centers of Duesseldorf, Mainz and Cologne, watched by hundreds of thousands of people, are the highlights in Germany's carnival season on Rosemonday. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) FILE - In this Thursday, May 17, 2018 file photo German Chancellor Angela Merkel, right, speaks with French President Emmanuel Macron, left, and British Prime Minister Theresa May after meeting at a hotel on the sidelines of the EU-Western Balkans summit in Sofia, Bulgaria. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic, File) TIRANA, Albania (AP) - Thousands of protesters supporting Albania's opposition on Tuesday surrounded the parliament, demanding the government's resignation and early elections and accusing the Cabinet of corruption and crime links. Some threw flares and lit car tires, but the protest ended largely peacefully. The parliament building in capital Tirana had been surrounded by hundreds of police officers and barbed wire. Lawmakers of the center-right Democratic Party-led opposition have resigned from their posts, and the opposition has pledged to hold rallies whenever the parliament holds sessions. "Only free and fair elections will open Europe's door," said Lulzim Basha of the Democratic Party. Four new candidates from the opposition were sworn in Tuesday as new lawmakers. A protester flashes the victory sign in front of Albanian policemen guarding the parliament building as opposition supporters gather to take part in an anti-government rally , in Tirana , Albania, Tuesday, March 5, 2019. The opposition demanded the government step down, claiming it's corrupt and has links to organized crime. (AP Photo/ Hektor Pustina) Prime Minister Edi Rama called for dialogue with the opposition, but stated that they do not "negotiate the democracy, parliamentarism and the mandate received from the citizens' majority." The opposition has not heeded calls from the European Union, the U.S. and international organizations to enter talks with its political rivals. The governing Socialists hold 74 seats in the 140-seat parliament. Recent rallies by the opposition's supporters have turned violent, with police deploying tear gas. Albania hopes to launch membership negotiations with the European Union in June. A protester who is covered with an Albanian flag holds a US in front of Albanian policemen guarding the parliament building as opposition supporters take part in an anti-government rally , in Tirana , Albania, Tuesday, March 5, 2019. Albania's opposition holds a rally calling for a new parliamentary election and accusing the government of corruption and links to organized crime. (AP Photo/ Hektor Pustina) A protester waves an Albanian flag as policemen secure the parliament building during an anti-government rally , in Tirana , Albania, Tuesday, March 5, 2019. Albania's opposition holds a rally calling for a new parliamentary election and accusing the government of corruption and links to organized crime. (AP Photo/ Hektor Pustina) PARIS (AP) - The Latest on the French president's call for a stronger European Union (all times local): 7:45 p.m. French President Emmanuel Macron has reiterated his call for a stronger Europe as he addressed members of European intelligence services who gathered in Paris to launch a new body where they can exchange views and experiences. Speaking Tuesday after his column went out to publications in the 28 EU nations, Macron said he believes Europe is "dying from those who, in a way, have renounced maintaining this desire of Europe." He added that the European countries "don't have any other choice than joining forces" if they "don't want to depend tomorrow on intelligence gleaned by the United States, China or Russia." The new body, Europe's Intelligene College, is launched on Macron's initiative and notably aims at better fighting terrorism and cybercrime on the continent through common discussions between European intelligence experts. It does not offer operational intelligence exchange. French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech during the closing session of the Intelligence College in Europe meeting at The Foreign Affairs Ministry in Paris Tuesday, March 5, 2019. Macron's plea to voters in 28 nations to choose a stronger European Union has gained support from outside his borders - and a good deal of skepticism from within. (Ludovic Marin, POOL via AP) ___ 6:05 p.m. The Hungarian government is dismissing French President Emmanuel Macron's call for voters to reject nationalists in May's European Parliament elections. In response to a column by Macron published Tuesday across the continent, Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government said the French leader was a "pro-immigration politician" attacking those, like Orban, who are opposed to immigration. The Hungarian government said "Macron ... believes immigration is good. We believe it is bad." Orban's office also accused Macron of censorship, claiming he called for the banning of "posters of the opponents of immigration." In recent weeks, the Hungarian government has been waging a media campaign against EU leaders and their supposedly pro-immigration position. Billboards and ads show European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and Hungarian-American billionaire George Soros above the caption "You, too, have the right to know what Brussels is planning to do." ___ 4:50 p.m. Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis says he is not impressed with French President Emmanuel Macron's push to persuade voters they should support parties that will strengthen the European Union. Babis said after newspapers across Europe published an opinion column by Macron on Tuesday: "I don't like it at all. "I don't think it goes in the right direction. I'm surprised by the call." In his column, the French leader offered ideas for safeguarding elections, managing migration, and making Europe a leader in combating climate change. Babis told The Associated Press he thinks the EU should focus on fundamental issues, such as defense and making the bloc's common trading market work better. He doesn't expect other Czechs to react positively to Macron's views, but "quite the contrary." ___ 3:45 p.m. France's European affairs minister says President Emmanuel Macron's column as a "realistic assessment about the state of Europe." Nathalie Loiseau told BFM TV that "we cannot be in the status quo, in conservatism, and we have never needed Europe as much as now. Many share this view." She said the Brexit made the U.K. a "distraught country" with a "confused political class." Macron's column, published in newspapers in the 28 EU member countries, calls for European renewal and alleges that that "lie" and "irresponsibility" led to Britain's scheduled departure from the EU at the end of the month. ___ 2:30 p.m. Germany's vice chancellor is welcoming French President Emmanuel Macron's call for reform of the European Union, saying that Europe needs to be strong to avoid being pushed around. Olaf Scholz, who is also Germany's finance minister, told the Funke newspaper group Tuesday that Macron "has sent a determined signal for cohesion in Europe." He said "it is important that we are sovereign and strong so that we are not pushed around in the world." Scholz added: "I see us right beside Paris when it comes to reforms for a Europe that is capable of acting and a stable euro." Germany and France are the traditional motors of European integration, but their cooperation has often been marred by disagreement. Scholz is a senior figure in the center-left Social Democratic Party, the junior partner in Chancellor Angela Merkel's fractious governing coalition. ___ 1:40 p.m. The European Commission is welcoming French President Emmanuel Macron's appeal for a "European renaissance," though it says it has already been working for years on many of the ideas he raised. Chief spokesman for the EU's executive body, Margaritis Schinas, on Tuesday read a list of ideas the commission and its president, Jean-Claude Juncker, have been developing since their term started in 2014. They ranged from border guard and asylum agencies to security and food safety proposals or tackling climate change. Schinas said: "For a European renaissance, France and the Commission are fighting the same fight." He conceded that any moves requiring changes to the EU's founding treaties can only be decided "among our member states. These are the owners of the treaties." ___ This version corrects that Schinas is male, not female. ___ 12:20 p.m. French President Emmanuel Macron's plea for a stronger European Union went out to publications "of record" in 28 nations, but didn't always get prime placement. In Hungary, whose President Viktor Orban has been a frequent target of Macron, it was published online only in the independent business weekly HVG. In The Guardian in Britain, it disappeared from the international home page by midday and was deep in an inside section in the paper edition. And in Poland, where the right-wing government is calling for greater autonomy from Brussels' decisions, Macron's column was published by the respected nationwide Rzeczpospolita daily. The headline was on the front page but the full text was published on page 12, as an opinion column, without any comments. ___ 10:40 a.m. The German government says it's important for pro-European forces to set out their ideas for the future of the European Union but isn't offering any immediate assessment of details of French President Emmanuel Macron's latest reform proposals. The government said in a brief emailed response Tuesday to a query on Macron's plea to voters to choose a stronger EU: "It is important for the pro-European forces to set out their concepts before the European election. The German government supports active discussion on the direction of the European Union." Alexander Gauland, the co-leader of the far-right opposition Alternative for Germany party, charged that Macron's "proposals for a 'renewal' of the EU would ultimately lead to yet more rules and bureaucracy and further limit the sovereignty of member states." He said that "that will worsen the crisis of the EU." Gauland said that "the bigger the problems become in France, the more Macron plays global statesman." ___ 9:45 a.m. French President Emmanuel Macron's plea in the publications of 28 nations for a stronger European Union has gained support from neighboring Belgium and Finland. In a tweet Tuesday, Finnish Prime Minister Juha Sipila offered support for Macron's call for "security, sustainable growth and ambitious climate policy." Sipila added that people needed to see "the EU that is capable of making decisions and implementing them." Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel said he particularly hoped for "a Europe that protects liberty and democracy," according to the agency Belga. But in France, where Macron's popularity has dipped since his election, there was skepticism. Nadine Morano of the opposition Republicans said that "in this column, the word France appears just once. This is Macronism - France has to disappear into this European federalism." A montage of the front page of The Guardian newspapers and the letter written by French president Emmanuel Macron that appeared inside on Tuesday March 5, 2019. French President Emmanuel Macron made a plea Tuesday in the publications of 28 nations for a stronger European Union. (AP Photo) FILE - In this Sunday, June 24, 2018 file photo French President Emmanuel Macron speaks with the media at the conclusion of an informal EU summit on migration at EU headquarters in Brussels. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert, File) A newspaper headlines on French President Emmanuel Macron's column, in a news stand in Paris, Tuesday, March 5, 2019. Macron's plea to voters in 28 nations to choose a stronger European Union has gained support from outside his borders - and a good deal of skepticism from within. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) A newspaper headlines on French President Emmanuel Macron's column in a news stand in Paris, Tuesday, March 5, 2019. Macron's plea to voters in 28 nations to choose a stronger European Union has gained support from outside his borders - and a good deal of skepticism from within. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) FILE - In this Thursday, June 28, 2018 file photo French President Emmanuel Macron, right, speaks with the media as he arrives for an EU summit at the Europa building in Brussels. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert, file) FILE - In this Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018 file photo a man rides his bicycle past by a graffiti reading "Macron equal to Louis 16" to reference to the king of France during French Revolution in 1789 on the Paris Garnier Opera house in Paris. (AP Photo/Kamil Zihnioglu, File) BRUSSELS (AP) - The Latest on Brexit (all times local): 5:20 p.m. The head of Britain's central bank says recent "constructive developments" will help limit the scale of any recession that would occur if Britain leaves the European Union without a withdrawal deal. Bank of England Governor Mark Carney said border agreements, the rollover of some trade agreements and improvements in derivative markets mean the British economy won't shrink by as much as the bank in November indicated was possible. Addressing peers in the House of Lords on Tuesday, Carney said "there has been progress in preparedness, and that reduces the level of the economic shock." In the worst-case scenario from the fall, the Bank of England said the British economy could shrink by around 8 percent in the months after Brexit. Steve Bray, a protestor who supports Britain remaining in the European Union and has been demonstrating across the street from the Houses of Parliament in London for more than 18 months, holds up a new placard he and other protestors made this morning, Tuesday, March 5, 2019. The U.K. government agreed Friday to pay 33 million pounds ($43 million) to settle a lawsuit that claimed it improperly awarded contracts to run extra ferry services in the event that Britain leaves the European Union without an agreement on future relations. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) Carney says the recent developments mean the contraction may be 2 to 3.5 percent under that. However, he says a disorderly Brexit would represent a "material economic shock" for the British economy. ___ 4:20 p.m. Poland's government has agreed to a backup plan in case Britain crashes out of the European Union without an agreement. The government said in a statement after its weekly Cabinet meeting Tuesday that it agreed to a draft bill that will protect the approximately 6,000 British citizens living in Poland who will lose their status as EU citizens. It said they will be given 21 months - that is until Dec. 31, 2020 - to submit an application for residency status in Poland. Britain is due to leave the EU on March 29, but Parliament has rejected Prime Minister Theresa May's deal, raising the prospect of a chaotic, economically damaging departure from the bloc. The fate of hundreds of thousands of Poles who live in the U.K. is also at stake. ___ 12:55 p.m. The Polish government is discussing a plan that would help prepare the country in the case of Britain leaving the European Union without an agreement. Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and his Cabinet are taking up the draft legislation during their regularly weekly meeting Tuesday. Konrad Szymanski, a deputy foreign minister responsible for European issues, told the Polish news agency PAP that the plan should help alleviate the most acute consequences of a no-deal Brexit. Britain is due to leave the EU on March 29, but Parliament has rejected May's deal, raising the prospect of a chaotic, economically damaging departure from the bloc. Hanging in the balance is also the fate of hundreds of thousands of Poles who have settled in the U.K. since Poland joined the EU in 2004. ___ 11:55 a.m. The central banks of the eurozone and Britain have agreed to activate a currency swap mechanism that would ensure British banks continue to have the access they need to euros, even during any market turmoil related to Brexit. The move seems to be an attempt to shore up the stability of British banks in the case of a "no-deal" Brexit, a scenario in which Britain could fall out of the European Union without a deal on trade relations. That could stress the financial system, and providing liquidity would be one way for the central banks to keep the financial sector going. The European Central Bank said Tuesday it is working closely with the Bank of England to monitor conditions in financial markets and stands ready to act as needed. ___ 10:40 a.m. The Bank of England has warned that "significant market volatility" is likely if Britain crashes out of the European Union on March 29 without a deal. Minutes of the recent meeting of the bank's Financial Policy Committee showed officials warning that in a "disorderly Brexit," a range of financial assets, including the pound and stocks, "would be expected to adjust sharply, tightening financial conditions for U.K. households and businesses." They said that EU banks and insurance companies could also immediately face tougher requirements on their holdings of U.K. debts, which would reduce demand for U.K. assets. However, the committee said markets have "proved able to function effectively through volatile periods" and that the U.K.'s core banking system is strong enough to withstand the economic shock of a disorderly Brexit ___ 10:30 a.m. A senior British government minister insists that Brexit talks with the European Union are making progress, as negotiators meet in Brussels seeking a way to break the logjam. Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt says "the signals we are getting are relatively positive." EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier is meeting U.K. Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay and Attorney General Geoffrey Cox on Tuesday, as Britain seeks changes to a Brexit deal that has been rejected by U.K. lawmakers. Their objections center on a provision to guarantee there are no barriers along the currently invisible Irish border. Britain wants reassurances the mechanism will be temporary. EU leaders insist that the legally binding withdrawal agreement can't be reopened. But Hunt told the BBC that Britain is "prepared to be flexible" about how changes are achieved. FILE - In this Thursday, May 17, 2018 file photo German Chancellor Angela Merkel, right, speaks with French President Emmanuel Macron, left, and British Prime Minister Theresa May after meeting at a hotel on the sidelines of the EU-Western Balkans summit in Sofia, Bulgaria. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic, File) A carnival float depicts British Prime Minister Theresa May and the Brexit prior to the traditional carnival parade in Duesseldorf, Germany, on Monday, March 4, 2019. The foolish street spectacles in the carnival centers of Duesseldorf, Mainz and Cologne, watched by hundreds of thousands of people, are the highlights in Germany's carnival season on Rosemonday. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) A Scottish flag, center bottom, is held up alongside European flags by protestors who support Britain remaining in the European Union across the street from the Houses of Parliament in London, Tuesday, March 5, 2019. The Scottish Parliament and the National Assembly for Wales are both due to vote later Tuesday on motions declaring opposition to British Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit deal and declare their opposition a no-deal Brexit. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) Britain's Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt arrives for a cabinet meeting in Downing Street, London, Tuesday March 5, 2019. European Union and British top-level officials will resume talks on Tuesday in an attempt to break a deadlock in the Brexit negotiations less than a month before the United Kingdom is scheduled to leave the bloc. (Stefan Rousseau/PA via AP) FILE - In this Monday, Jan. 21, 2019 file photo, Britain's Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay smiles to the media as he walks along Downing Street in London. EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier is meeting U.K. Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay and Attorney General Geoffrey Cox Tuesday March 5, 2019, as Britain seeks changes to a Brexit divorce deal that has been rejected by U.K. lawmakers. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File) BEIJING (AP) - The annual meeting of China's legislature is a highly scripted affair, but quirky moments and offbeat details lurk around the edges and behind the scenes. Hundreds of military officers serving as delegates march to the event in formation, carrying identical navy satchels, their red name tags dangling from delicate lengths of thread. A representative of an ethnic minority group wears a hat made from animal fur and antlers, walking to his seat amid a sea of delegates in staid business suits. And then there's the paramilitary policeman at a far corner of a vast, blocked-off Tiananmen Square, waving green and red flags as he directs traffic at a parking area. Nearly 6,000 delegates to the National People's Congress and its advisory body descend on the hulking Great Hall of the People, the seat of China's legislature, for approximately two weeks every March in what is known as the "Two Meetings." The session is largely symbolic within China's authoritarian one-party communist political system, but remains a highlight of the political calendar, during which the leadership sets out its goals and direction for the coming year. Beyond that rubber stamp function, it's a swirl of flashing cameras, crimson-clothed attendants and stern security guards helping maintain a tradition dating back decades to the founding of the People's Republic of China. In this Tuesday, March 5, 2019, photo, decorations dangle from the hats of bus ushers in ethnic minority dress as they pose for a group photo during the opening session of China's National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The annual meeting of China's legislature is a highly scripted affair, but quirky moments and offbeat details lurk around the edges and behind the scenes. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) An ethnic minority delegate wearing a colorful headgear leaves the Great Hall of the People after attending the opening session of China's National People's Congress in Beijing, Tuesday, March 5, 2019. The annual meeting of China's legislature is a highly scripted affair, but quirky moments and offbeat details lurk around the edges and behind the scenes. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) In this Tuesday, March 5, 2019, photo, a policewoman delegate wearing medals on her uniform talks with a fellow delegate before the opening session of China's National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The annual meeting of China's legislature is a highly scripted affair, but quirky moments and offbeat details lurk around the edges and behind the scenes. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) In this Sunday, March 3, 2019, photo, a visitor takes a cellphone photo of the Great Hall of the People during the opening session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing. The annual meeting of China's legislature is a highly scripted affair, but quirky moments and offbeat details lurk around the edges and behind the scenes. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) Tourists take photos of the daily flag-raising ceremony in Tiananmen Square on the eve of the opening session of China's National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, Tuesday, March 5, 2019. A year since removing any legal barrier to remaining China's leader for life, Xi Jinping appears firmly in charge, despite a slowing economy, an ongoing trade war with the U.S. and rumbles of discontent over his concentration of power. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) In this Sunday, March 3, 2019 photo, journalists interview a delegate before the opening session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The annual meeting of China's legislature is a highly scripted affair, but quirky moments and offbeat details lurk around the edges and behind the scenes. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) In this Sunday, March 3, 2019, photo, a paramilitary policeman stands with red and green flags as he directs traffic outside of the Great Hall of the People before the opening session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing. The annual meeting of China's legislature is a highly scripted affair, but quirky moments and offbeat details lurk around the edges and behind the scenes. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) In this Tuesday, March 5, 2019, photo, a delegate in ethnic minority dress wearing a hat made of animal fur and antlers arrives for the opening session of China's National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The annual meeting of China's legislature is a highly scripted affair, but quirky moments and offbeat details lurk around the edges and behind the scenes. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) In this Monday, March 4, 2019, photo, military delegates carry satchels with individual nametags as they arrive for a meeting on the eve of the opening session of China's National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The annual meeting of China's legislature is a highly scripted affair, but quirky moments and offbeat details lurk around the edges and behind the scenes. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) Security officials stand guard at the doors of the Great Hall of the People before the opening session of China's National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, Tuesday, March 5, 2019. The annual meeting of China's legislature is a highly scripted affair, but quirky moments and offbeat details lurk around the edges and behind the scenes. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) In this Tuesday, March 5, 2019, photo, bus ushers leap in unison as they pose for a group photo during the opening session of China's National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The annual meeting of China's legislature is a highly scripted affair, but quirky moments and offbeat details lurk around the edges and behind the scenes. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) CAIRO (AP) - A one-day strike shuttered businesses and emptied streets in the Sudanese capital of Khartoum and other parts of the country on Tuesday, activists said, as pressure mounted on longtime autocratic President Omar al-Bashir to step down following more than two months of deadly protests. Initially sparked by rising prices and shortages, the unrest quickly turned to calls for al-Bashir to resign after two decades in power. A heavy security crackdown has killed scores since the current wave of demonstrations began in December, the most serious protests against al-Bashir. Many students, doctors, markets, public transportation and other professionals took part in the strike Tuesday in support of al-Bashir's ouster, according to photos and videos provided by activists and posted by the Sudanese Professionals Association. The association is an umbrella group of independent professional unions that has been spearheading the recent wave of protests. Sarah Abdel-Jaleel, a spokeswoman for the group, said thousands joined the strike. "The response was satisfactory. It is a positive step toward civil disobedience to force the regime to step down," she said. In a video posted late Monday, Abdel-Jaleel said the strike is part of a "peaceful resistance" against the government Media workers at the privately owned newspaper al-Tayar joined the strike. "We've faced daily abuses since protests first broke out," said Shamayel el-Nour, a journalist. "We cannot do our work. Security agencies censor and confiscate our newspaper and others." The opposition Sudanese Congress Party said its leader, Omer el-Digair, was released Monday after two months in detention. El-Digair tweeted Tuesday that he would "resume the path with our people ... to freedom. We will not come back halfway." The country's intelligence and security officials, along with al-Bashir, insist that the rallies are the work of what they describe as "evil" foreign powers, and have vowed to stop them. Al-Bashir has banned unauthorized public gatherings and granted sweeping powers to the police since imposing a state of emergency last month, and security forces have used tear gas, rubber bullets, live ammunition and batons against demonstrators. Activists say at least 57 people have been killed in the current wave of protests, but the government total stands at 30, including police. The figures have not been updated in weeks. Opposition leaders, doctors, journalists, lawyers and students have been arrested, along with some 800 protesters. Emergency laws and night-time curfews have been imposed in some cities. Al-Bashir's current term ends in 2020, and he would not be able to seek another term without amending the constitution. Though he has repeatedly promised not to run again, a parliamentary committee was tasked with amending the constitution to scrap presidential term limits. In February, the committee cancelled its meetings in what appeared to be the only political concession by al-Bashir so far. VALDOSTA, Ga. (AP) - Animal shelters from around Georgia were called in to help authorities rescue 630 dogs from a home in Valdosta. News outlets report the shelters say the dogs were kept in small cages, and many of the animals rescued on Saturday had never been walked or held before. One shelter, Release Atlanta, calls it "an extreme hoarding puppy mill case." A transport coordinator with the Humane Society in Valdosta, Tim Hill, says the dogs did appear to have been fed and watered. He says the owner had asked for help from the state Department of Agriculture. Authorities didn't immediately release the owner's identity, and it's unclear if charges will be filed. The shelters say the dogs will be up for adoption once rehabilitated. NEW YORK (AP) - The Who's Pete Townshend, the man who helped invent the rock opera, has now written a rock novel. Hachette Books announced Tuesday that the British composer-guitarist's "The Age of Anxiety" was scheduled for Nov. 5. Set in London, the novel takes on the torments of creativity and the music business and "deals with mythic and operatic themes including a maze, divine madness, and long-lost children." In a statement issued through his publisher, Townshend said he hopes to expand the story into an opera and art installation. "Ten years ago I decided to create a magnum opus that would combine opera, art installation and novel," he said. "Suddenly here I am with a completed novel ready to publish. I am an avid reader and have really enjoyed writing it. I am also happy to say the majority of the music is composed, ready to be polished up for release and performance. It's tremendously exciting." No dates have been set for the music's release or for the art installation. Townshend, 73, has long been known for such ambitious musical projects as "Tommy" and "Quadrophenia." He also has longstanding connections to the literary world. He has worked as an editor at the publishing house Faber & Faber, which in 1985 published his story collection "Horse's Neck." In the 1990s, he adapted poet Ted Hughes' children's book "Iron Man" for a rock musical. FILE - In this July 13, 2017, file photo, Pete Townshend of The Who performs during the Festival d'ete de Quebec in Quebec City, Canada. Townshend, the man who helped invent the rock opera, has now written a rock novel. Hachette Books announced Tuesday, March 5, 2019 that the British composer-guitarist's "The Age of Anxiety" was scheduled for Nov. 5. Set in London, the novel takes on the torments of creativity and the music business and "deals with mythic and operatic themes including a maze, divine madness, and long-lost children." (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP, File) Townshend, who also published the memoir "Who I Am," isn't the first rock star to write fiction. Others include Ray Davies, Morrissey and Nick Cave. NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) - Germany's defense minister says her country is looking to boost defense cooperation with Cyprus, which she called a valuable partner in the European Union's defense strategy due to its location and military facilities. Minister Ursula von der Leyen said Tuesday after talks with her Cypriot counterpart Savvas Angelides that Germany will intensify cooperation with Cyprus on logistics and military mobility within the EU's joint military investment and project development program. Leyen said Cyprus has a "unique selling point" in both its defense capabilities as well as its "unique geostrategic location." She said Germany and all other EU member states see adherence to the rule of law as essential to regional peace and stability. Cypriot officials say Turkey aims to raise tensions over Cyprus' gas search, which Ankara strongly opposes. Venkaiah Naidu has met President of Costa Rica Carlos Alvarado Quesada and held fruitful discussions on a range of issues. Vice President Naidu, who became the first Indian on Friday to receive an honorary doctorate by the University of Peace founded by the United Nations. (Photo:PTI) San Jose: Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu has met President of Costa Rica Carlos Alvarado Quesada and held "fruitful" discussions on a range of issues, including cross border terrorism, and new areas of collaboration that hold potential to boost the bilateral ties. Vice President Naidu, who became the first Indian on Friday to receive an honorary doctorate by the University of Peace founded by the United Nations, also invited the Costa Rican companies to invest in India and benefit from high returns. "President of Costa Rica Carlos Quesada and I have had fruitful and cordial exchanges covering a range of areas of mutual interest. Based on our fruitful exchanges, we are confident that our mutual efforts will open up new and innovative vistas for deepening ongoing engagement between both countries," Naidu said. "India is a peace loving country but has been a target of terrorism from across our border for the last few decades. We discussed in detail the menace of terrorism and the need to fight in one voice against individuals & terrorist groups engaged in terrorist activities," the Vice President's office said in a tweet. Naidu, who met president Quesada at the Casa Presidenical in San Jose on Friday, said there were many new areas of cooperation for the two countries to take their bilateral relations to new heights. He said the Costa Rican strengths that India would want to take advantage of include eco tourism, clean transport, education and to have zero carbon emission economy by 2021. "Indian strengths that Costa Rica can benefit from include space and biotechnology, Renewable Energy including solar, pharmaceuticals, ICT particularly eGovernance, hydroelectric generators and power plant equipment, farm machinery & skill upgradation, railway construction," Naidu said. "Costa Rica is the largest economy in Central America. Costa Rican companies are invited to invest in and benefit from the fastest growing large economy. Current bilateral trade volumes between both countries are to the tune of USD 200 million," he said. Terming Costa Rica as an "important partner" of India, Naidu said the two countries shared "close and cordial" ties based on their shared commitment to the pursuit of democracy, pluralism, multiculturalism, freedom of Press and equitable human rights. The two countries also exchanged memorandum of understanding on waiving visa requirements for diplomatic and official passport holders and the signing of the Letter of Intent to collaborate in the field of Biotechnology. "India & Costa Rica could collaborate in various aspects of skill development such as Soft Skills, Entrepreneurship, Financial and Digital Literacy. 50 per cent of Costa Rican population is less than 25 years. We could share our experiences in skilling, training and capacity building," Naidu said. Naidu is in Costa Rica as part of his two-nation trip to Paraguay and the Central American country. WARSAW, Poland (AP) - Polish government's priority is not to adopt the common European currency, the euro, but to raise people's earnings to Western European levels, the prime minister said Tuesday. Mateusz Morawiecki was commenting in reaction to the opposition's promise that it would adopt the euro if it won power in parliamentary elections in the fall. Morawiecki told state Polskie Radio 1 that his government's priority is to make earnings comparable with those in rich European countries. He said it would take five to 10 years to catch up with Italy, and then with France and richer countries. Poland joined the European Union in 2004 and is working to make up for decades of inefficient communist management. Its economy is among the fastest growing in the EU, but it is still using the local currency, the zloty. "Our main purpose is not for Poland to adopt the euro," Morawiecki said, adding it would "not pay off." "To the contrary, we believe that the zloty ensures people's prosperity very well, so our purpose is for the Poles to start earning like in Western Europe." He cited neighboring Slovakia and Lithuania as countries where prices of staple goods reportedly rose following the adoption of the euro and where border residents do their shopping in Poland, where prices are lower. Poland's ruling conservative party recently announced a new round of social benefits that critics say aim to win over voters in the European Parliament elections in May and in the fall general election. Morawiecki said the generous social program is intended to help narrow the gap in living standards with the West. In an appeal Tuesday to EU members for a stronger Europe, French President Emmanuel Macron said the euro currency is a source of strength, helping it "resist the crises of financial capitalism." Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today: 1. HOUSE PANEL SEEKS DOCUMENTS ON 81 PEOPLE LINKED TO TRUMP A House panel is probing the president and his administration for possible obstruction of justice, corruption and abuse of power. Trump dismisses the investigation as "ridiculous." 2. JAPAN COURT OK'S GHOSN'S RELEASE ON BAIL A court in Tokyo approves the release of the former Nissan chairman on $8.9 million bail, although the end of his four months of detention is delayed when prosecutors appeal the decision. 3. CHINA SETS ROBUST GROWTH TARGET Granadas Baker, second from left, passes a family photo to his daughter Kiara Slater, left, while holding up an unsteady wall with son Granadas Jr. 18, right, as his other son Cameron, 11, looks on while retrieving personal items from the damaged home where they survived a tornado a day earlier in Beauregard, Ala., Monday, March 4, 2019. (AP Photo/David Goldman) Beijing announces a robust annual economic growth target and a 7.5 percent rise in military spending at a legislative session overshadowed by a tariff war with Washington. 4. 'DADDY, I LOVE YOU TO PIECES' Picking through the twisted debris that had been her Alabama mobile home, Carol Dean found that Father's Day note to her husband the day after a powerful tornado took the 53-year-old's life. 5. BORDER AGENTS USING FIREARMS AT LOWER RATE There were 15 instances in which U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers and agents used firearms during the budget year 2018, the AP learns. 6. REPORT: WHITE SUPREMACIST PROPAGANDA EFFORTS SOAR College campuses remain a primary target for hateful flyers, but the Anti-Defamation League says the number of off-campus propaganda incidents soared last year. 7. 2ND MAN SEEMS TO BE FREE OF AIDS VIRUS AFTER TRANSPLANT A London man appears to be free of the AIDS virus after a stem cell transplant, the second success including the "Berlin patient" 12 years ago, doctors report. 8. WHO'S NOT RUNNING IN 2020 Hillary Clinton says she won't seek the president nomination next year, but vows she's "not going anywhere." 9. REPORT FINDS FEW SENIORS ARE GETTING ROUTINE MEMORY CHECKUPS Few seniors get their cognitive abilities regularly tested during check-ups that would help diagnose some early warning signs of dementia. 10. IT'S FAT TUESDAY Thousands of people gathering in New Orleans will celebrate Mardi Gras with parades, bead-throwing fun and costumed merrymaking in the streets. Carol Dean, right, cries while embraced by Megan Anderson and her 18-month-old daughter Madilyn, as Dean sifts through the debris of the home she shared with her husband, David Wayne Dean, who died when a tornado destroyed the house in Beauregard, Ala., Monday, March 4, 2019. "He was my wedding gift," said Dean of her husband whom she married three years ago. "He was one in a million. He'd send me flowers to work just to let me know he loved me. He'd send me some of the biggest strawberries in the world. I'm not going to be the same." (AP Photo/David Goldman) In this Tuesday, March 5, 2019, photo, decorations dangle from the hats of bus ushers in ethnic minority dress as they pose for a group photo during the opening session of China's National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The annual meeting of China's legislature is a highly scripted affair, but quirky moments and offbeat details lurk around the edges and behind the scenes. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) ALGIERS, Algeria (AP) - The general who leads Algeria's army responded Tuesday to protests against the country's longtime president, darkly evoking the years of bloodshed before the current government took power and the fight against terrorism to portray the demonstrations as dangerous. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ahmed Gaid Salah spoke at a military school outside Algiers as hundreds of students marched in the capital to oppose President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's decision to seek a fifth term. In his first comments on the protests that started last month, Salah recalled the bleak period in the 1990s when fighting between Islamic insurgents and Algeria's security forces left 200,000 dead. "There are parties who wish to bring Algeria back to the years of violence," Salah, one of Bouteflika's most loyal supporters, said. "A people that defeated terrorism knows how to preserve the stability and security of its nation." He did not mention the president by name during his remarks at the school. The military is widely seen as a silent kingmaker within Algeria's opaque ruling coterie. Bouteflika, who has been in power since 1999, is credited with reconciling Algeria. But the 82-year-old president has hardly been seen since a 2013 stroke and is currently hospitalized in Geneva undergoing what has been described as medical exams. Algerian police forces block a tunnel where hundreds of students gather in central Algiers to protest Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's decision to seek fifth term, Tuesday, March 6, 2019. Algerian students are gathering for new protests and are calling for a general strike if he doesn't meet their demands this week. (AP Photo/Toufik Doudou) The students protesting Tuesday carried signs with slogans such as "Algeria is not a kingdom." They called for a general strike if Bouteflika doesn't meet their demands this week. Bouteflika released a statement Sunday that if he wins the April election, he would hold a referendum on a new constitution and call an early election in which he wouldn't run. "Too little, too late," said Yasmine Ferroukh, a marketing student in Algiers. "What we want is him to leave." When neighboring Tunisia and Libya overthrew autocratic leaders in 2011, the Algerian government boosted public spending and avoided Arab Spring uprisings. FILE - In this Sunday, July 1, 2018 file picture Algerian chief of staff Gen. Ahmed Gaid Salah presides a military parade in Algiers. The head of Algeria's army addressed during a visit to a military school outside the capital the waves of protests shaking the country for the first time Tuesday March 5, 2019, darkly evoking the years of bloodshed before the current government took power. (AP Photo/Anis Belghoul, File) Hundreds of students gather in central Algiers to protest Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's decision to seek fifth term, Tuesday, March 6, 2019. Algerian students are gathering for new protests and are calling for a general strike if he doesn't meet their demands this week. (AP Photo/Toufik Doudou) Hundreds of students gather under a tunnel in central Algiers to protest Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's decision to seek fifth term, Tuesday, March 6, 2019. Algerian students are gathering for new protests and are calling for a general strike if he doesn't meet their demands this week. (AP Photo/Toufik Doudou) Hundreds of students gather with posters reading "system, get out" or "Free Algeria" in central Algiers to protest Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's decision to seek fifth term, Tuesday, March 6, 2019. Algerian students are gathering for new protests and are calling for a general strike if he doesn't meet their demands this week. (AP Photo/Fateh Guidoum) Hundreds of students gather in central Algiers to protest Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's decision to seek fifth term, Tuesday, March 6, 2019. Algerian students are gathering for new protests and are calling for a general strike if he doesn't meet their demands this week. (AP Photo/Fateh Guidoum) Hundreds of students gather in central Algiers to protest Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's decision to seek fifth term, Tuesday, March 6, 2019. Algerian students are gathering for new protests and are calling for a general strike if he doesn't meet their demands this week. (AP Photo/Fateh Guidoum) Hundreds of students gather in central Algiers to protest Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's decision to seek fifth term, Tuesday, March 6, 2019. Algerian students are gathering for new protests and are calling for a general strike if he doesn't meet their demands this week. (AP Photo/Fateh Guidoum) Hundreds of students gather in central Algiers to protest Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's decision to seek fifth term, Tuesday, March 6, 2019. Algerian students are gathering for new protests and are calling for a general strike if he doesn't meet their demands this week. Poster reads "Students say No to a fifth term". (AP Photo/Fateh Guidoum) Algerian police forces block hundreds of students gathering in central Algiers to protest Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's decision to seek fifth term, Tuesday, March 6, 2019. Algerian students are gathering for new protests and are calling for a general strike if he doesn't meet their demands this week. (AP Photo/Toufik Doudou) COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - A former truck driver has pleaded guilty to illegally dumping tankers of toxic waste near South Carolina's only national park. The State reports 44-year-old Michael Greene admitted on Monday to repeatedly dumping the chemicals in 2017 in the Wateree River drainage basin, which flows past Congaree National Park. Assistant U.S. Attorney Winston Holliday says Green dumped leachate, the polluted water that forms in landfills, and that it contained lead and mercury as well as other chemicals that sicken humans, such as cadmium, chromium and selenium. Greene's former employer, A&D Environmental, has said he acted without its knowledge. Greene said he was "trying to save time" and didn't think his actions hurt the environment, and that he wouldn't do it again. It's unclear when Greene will be sentenced. ___ Information from: The State, http://www.thestate.com MINSK, Belarus (AP) - The authoritarian president of Belarus on Tuesday called for better ties with NATO and lifted restrictions on U.S. diplomats, an apparent bid to win concessions from Moscow by dangling the prospect of rapprochement with the West. Alexander Lukashenko's statement on NATO follows a decision by his main sponsor and ally, Russia, to charge a higher price for its oil supplies to Belarus. "If they shut doors to us, we will search for another way," Lukashenko said, adding that Belarus will seek to develop ties with the West and establish relations with NATO. Lukashenko has ruled the ex-Soviet nation of 10 million with an iron fist for nearly a quarter-century, relentlessly cracking down on dissent and free media. He has relied on loans and cheap energy from Russia to keep his country's Soviet-style economy afloat. Last fall, though, Russia declared that it will charge higher prices for its oil supplies, dealing a heavy blow to Belarus, which has been making hefty profits from the export of oil products made from cheap Russian crude. Lukashenko, who has won concessions from Moscow in the past by raising the prospect of a shift toward the West, appeared to try the tactics Tuesday, warning Russia that its pressure will force Belarus to diversify its ties. FILE - In this Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017 file photo, Belarus' President Alexander Lukashenko waves to journalists as he arrives at the Zapad (West) 2017 joint Russia-Belarus military exercises at the Borisovsky range in Borisov, Belarus. The president of Belarus, who was once dubbed Europe's last dictator, said on Tuesday March 5, 2019 that he is eager for better ties with NATO in the light of talks about the price Russia charges to sell his country oil. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits, File) He noted that while Russia feels "allergic and even hysterical" about Belarusian attempts to normalize ties with the West, it will continue on its path. "Why get hysterical?" Lukashenko said. "You bar our products from your market, you call us freeloaders, you pressure us wherever you can." "We're in a situation where we have to turn our head around all the time... because we are situated in the middle of Europe," he added. At the same time, the Belarusian leader emphasized that his nation remains committed to strengthening ties with Russia. Russia and Belarus signed a union treaty in 1997 that envisaged close ties but stopped short of forming a single state. As well as Russia and Ukraine, Belarus has borders with NATO members Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. "We must establish relations with NATO based on mutual respect that would strengthen our country's security," Lukashenko said. "We mustn't look at them as our enemies." The U.S. and the European Union have continuously criticized Belarus for its crackdown on dissent and its flawed elections, and introduced sanctions against Lukashenko's government. Most of those penalties have been lifted in recent years as Lukashenko, who was once dubbed Europe's last dictator, has sought to improve his nation's rights record. On Tuesday, Belarus also removed a cap on the number of U.S. diplomats in the country, which had been in place since 2008 as retaliation for U.S. sanctions against Belarusian authorities over a crackdown on opposition protests. Belarusian Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei, who hosted U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State George Kent, expressed hope that the decision would help to put the relations between the two countries back on track. ___ Vladimir Isachenkov and Nataliya Vasilyeva in Moscow contributed to this report. BANGKOK (AP) - The deputy leader of an up-and-coming political party contesting Thailand's general election has become the latest target of online content laws after unwittingly sharing a false news article. A spokeswoman for the Future Forward Party said Tuesday that a representative of the ruling military junta had filed a police complaint accusing Pongsakorn Rodchompoo of violating the Computer Crime Act, which carries a penalty of up to five years' imprisonment. Pongsakorn admits sharing an article that accused a top junta official of buying cups of coffee for 12,000 baht ($377) each, but says he deleted the post within minutes after learning it originated from a website promoting fake news, Future Forward spokeswoman Pannika Wanich said. The story had been widely circulated on Facebook. Five other people have reportedly been charged for the same offense, accused of violating a provision of the law against online activity that endangers national security. The head of the military government, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, is seeking to stay in office after the March 24 election. He is the candidate for prime minister of a new party regarded as a proxy for the military, but is not running for Parliament. Laws passed under the junta's rule allow so-called outsider - unelected - prime ministers. The junta has already filed charges against Future Forward Party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit for online remarks that the junta had unfairly lured other political parties to be allies of the military. He is accused of violating the Computer Crime Act by allegedly putting false information online, and could be punished with a five-year prison term. Thanathorn is a particularly articulate critic of Prayuth and the military. His case will be considered after the election. In another case, Thailand's army chief, Gen. Apirat Kongsompong, has ordered officials to file defamation charges against a former police chief who is running for prime minister after he made remarks regarding the many decorations on the general's uniform, Thai news reports said Tuesday. Thailand's Election Commission, which is nominally independent but generally follows the direction of whatever government is in power, also has oversight over online election material. On Monday, it ordered 12 social media postings be deleted for false or offensive messages. The commission is also looking into a complaint that Future Forward posted a false detail on its website about party leader Thanathorn's career, an infraction punishable by a fine, imprisonment and a ban from politics for up to 20 years. The incorrect entry described him as the head of a national industrial organization rather than of one of its regional branches. His party said it was a clerical error. JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) - Rocks as big as trucks buried miners when an unlicensed Indonesian gold mine collapsed last week, a search and rescue official said Tuesday, as the effort to find victims recovered more bodies, body parts and belongings. The director of operations at the national search and rescue agency, Budi Purnama, said three intact bodies, body parts and backpacks and shoes were recovered Tuesday. He said one body and part of a leg were recovered Monday. That raises the death toll to at least 13. Authorities are unsure how many people were in the remote mine in North Sulawesi when it collapsed a week ago but the national disaster agency has said as many as 100. "The rocks that hit the miners were large, some as big as a truck," Purnama told The Associated Press. He said an excavator has opened access to the mine's main cavern but progress is being hampered by the danger to rescuers who are pulling apart a rock pile believed to be covering victims. "We are determined to evacuate all victims completely, whatever the conditions we have to face," Purnama said. The unlicensed mine collapsed last Tuesday due to shifting soil and the large number of mining holes. Nineteen people were rescued with injuries from ranging from minor to serious. Informal mining operations are commonplace in Indonesia, providing a tenuous livelihood to thousands who labor in conditions with a high risk of serious injury or death. Rescuers initially used their bare hands and shovels to find victims and fashioned stretchers from branches, twine and other materials to carry survivors away from the mine, located in steep jungle terrain. One miner's leg was amputated to free him but he died from blood loss while being carried to a nearby settlement. ROME (AP) - A crane toppled from a methane gas extraction platform on Tuesday, plunging into the Adriatic Sea and killing the crane's operator, the Italian energy company Eni said. The company said the crane also struck a supply vessel, injuring two crew members aboard the boat. The accident happened in international waters, 32 nautical miles (60 kilometers; 40 miles) off Ancona, an Italian port, when platform infrastructure gave way, the Italian coast guard said. Coast Guard Rear Adm. Enrico Moretti told Sky TG24 TV the operator was trapped in the cabin of the crane, which had been loading a 7-ton canister. An Italian air force helicopter, fire department divers and coast guard boats had searched for the 63-year-old Italian. The Italian news agency ANSA said that the body, still in the cabin, was located by divers some 70 meters (230 feet) down in the sea. Eni confirmed that the body was found inside the cabin on the seabed near the platform Barbara F. The energy giant said it has begun investigating what happened. Italian prosecutors will also conduct an investigation. WASHINGTON (AP) - Dozens of people with connections to President Donald Trump and his associates will receive document requests this week, as the House Judiciary Committee starts a broad new probe looking at possible obstruction of justice, corruption and abuse of power. The panel sent letters to 81 people asking a flurry of questions about Trump's activities before and after he was elected president. Those included family, former business associates and current and former White House advisers. A look at people and topics covered by the document requests: BUSINESS AND FAMILY The committee requested information from two of Trump's children, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, who are running the Trump Organization while their father is in the White House. While the panel asked the two sons some questions that touch on their business, the document requests also include questions about events that happened in the White House after their father was elected, including the firing of FBI Director James Comey and discussions surrounding the appointment of special counsel Robert Mueller. Trump's daughter Ivanka Trump, a White House senior adviser, was not on the Judiciary panel's list. In this Feb. 27, 2019, photo, Michael Cohen, President Donald Trump's former lawyer, speaks as he testifies before the House Oversight and Reform Committee, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Dozens of people with connections to President Donald Trump and his associates will receive document requests this week as the House Judiciary Committee starts a broad new probe looking at possible obstruction of justice, corruption and abuse of power. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Several other people related to the Trump Organization were sent letters, including the Trump Organization itself, Allen Weisselberg, the company's chief financial officer and Rhona Graff, Trump's longtime assistant. Among other matters, the company officials were asked to provide documents regarding "any loan, financing transaction, or capital investment by the Russian Federation, any Russian national, any Russian business, or any other Russian entity to the Trump Organization." ___ HUSH MONEY PAYMENTS Many of the people who receive requests were asked about hush money payments to porn actress Stormy Daniels, who alleged she had an affair with Donald Trump. Trump denies the affair. The topic is currently under investigation by the Southern District of New York. Trump's former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, pleaded guilty last year to campaign finance violations for his involvement in the payments to Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal before the 2016 election. Cohen received a request from the panel, as did American Media Inc., the National Enquirer's parent company, and its CEO David Pecker. Pecker helped kill potentially embarrassing stories about Trump over the years by paying hush money in a practice known as "catch-and-kill." The request asks American Media for "all documents that relate to the purchase of rights for any narrative, personal account, documentation, recording, or photograph (including but not limited to materials colloquially referred to as 'catch and kill') concerning Donald Trump from June 2015 to the present." ___ TRUMP TOWER MEETING Most of the participants in a 2016 meeting in Trump Tower between Trump's campaign and a Russian lawyer received requests. People attending the meeting included Trump Jr., Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, publicist Rob Goldstone, Russian-American lobbyist Rinat Akhmetshin, a translator and Ike Kaveladze, a business associate of a Moscow-based developer. All of them received requests asking for any documentation related to the meeting - materials they have all already turned over to the House and Senate intelligence committees, which have both been probing the meeting for almost two years. ___ WHITE HOUSE ADVISERS Many of Trump's top advisers in his first year in office were on the list, including Steve Bannon, longtime spokeswoman Hope Hicks, former Press Secretary Sean Spicer and former White House Counsel Don McGahn. All have since left the White House. The advisers were asked about a wide variety of topics from Trump's early months, including Comey's firing, election interference and Mueller's investigation. The letters to Hicks and Spicer ask them to turn over any work diaries, journals or "a description of daily events related to your employment" by Trump. The committee asked McGahn for documents related to any discussion involving Trump regarding the possibility of firing Mueller around June of 2017 "or any conversation in which President Trump stated, in words or substance, that he wanted the Mueller investigation shut down, restrained or otherwise limited in or around December 2017." ___ EMAIL HACKING The committee requested documents from Julian Assange and his website, WikiLeaks, which published emails stolen from Democrats by Russian spies during the 2016 campaign. Assange is currently living in Ecuador's embassy in London under a claim of asylum. A letter to Assange asks for "discussions or attempts to provide or receive election information, campaign data, or campaign communications with, to, or from foreign entities or individuals in connection with the 2016 U.S. Presidential primary or general elections." GREAT BEND, Kan. (AP) - A Florida man has pleaded guilty in connection to the deaths of a couple who were killed at a Kansas fair after one suspect posed as a carnival mafia boss and ordered the killings. Michael Fowler Jr., of Sarasota, Florida, pleaded guilty Monday to first-degree murder and theft. He is among five people charged in the deaths of Alfred "Sonny" Carpenter and Pauline Carpenter of Wichita, whose bodies were found buried in shallow graves in Arkansas in July. As part of his plea deal, a capital murder charge was dropped against Fowler, The Great Bend Tribune reported. Prosecutors said the Carpenters were killed at the Barton County Fair, where they were vendors, and their bodies were taken to Arkansas and buried in a national forest near Van Buren. Fowler told investigators he believed the killings were an initiation into the carnival mafia. He admitted shooting the Carpenters, who were selling crafts, jewelry and other handmade items at the fair in Great Bend, Kansas, according to a probable cause affidavit released in July. He told Van Buren police that two other people were with him during the killings: Rusty Frasier, of Aransas Pass, Texas, and Kimberly Younger, of MacIntosh, Florida, also known as Myrna Khan. Frasier and Khan were also charged with capital murder in the deaths. FILE - This undated file photo provided by the Crawford County Jail in Van Buren, Ark., shows Michael Fowler Jr. One of several people charged in the deaths of a couple who disappeared from a Kansas county fair has pleaded guilty. The Great Bend Tribune reports Fowler Jr., of Sarasota, Fla., pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and theft. Alfred "Sonny" Carpenter and Pauline Carpenter of Wichita were found dead in July in shallow graves in Arkansas. Investigators say one suspect posed as a carnival mafia boss and ordered the other suspects to kill the couple (Crawford County Jail via AP, File) After the couple's bodies were discovered, Younger posed as a carnival mafia boss named Frank Zaitchik and ordered the other suspects to kill the couple, according to investigators. Fowler said he shot the couple and said Frasier stabbed Alfred Carpenter. Investigators have said Younger made up the "carnival mafia." Authorities believe the carnival workers used the couple's recreational vehicle to drive the bodies 320 miles (515 kilometers) to Van Buren, Arkansas. Their bodies were found next to a creek outside the community of Natural Dam in the Ozark National Forest. Deputy Kansas Attorney General Vic Braden, who is prosecuting the case, said the Carpenters were killed because of "their vulnerability" and the suspects' desire to kill and to obtain the couple's possessions. Two other people - 38-year-old Christine Tenney, of Santa Fe, Texas, and 31-year-old Thomas Drake, of Van Buren, Arkansas - are charged with obstructing apprehension. Fowler's sentencing will be delayed pending the outcomes of the remaining cases. ___ Information from: Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, http://www.gbtribune.com On 9 April Israelis go to the polls in a general election. The incumbents leadership has been weakened by corruption charges. The ruling Likud is closely following the improving polls of its main rival. The Palestinian question and growing social problems remain important. Jerusalem (AsiaNews/Agencies) Israels general election on 9 April will not be centred only on the usual issues: war, peace, relations with the Palestinians, the economy. The legitimacy of Benjamin Netanyahu is also on the table. The incumbent prime minister is facing a pre-indictment hearing on corruption charges that could lead to his eventual imprisonment Netanyahu, who claims to be a victim of a legal and political "witch hunt" designed to eliminate him politically despite popular support, has vowed to prove his innocence. Whilst many of his supporters sympathise with the veteran leader, his Likud party is trailing in opinion polls the centrist Blue and White alliance led by former military chief of staff Benny Gantz and ex-finance minister Yair Lapid. In recent years Israeli politics has moved firmly to the right and much of the campaign has seen Netanyahu try to brand his Blue and White opponents as "weak" leftists. The latter has in turn brandished its security credentials, noting that it includes three former military chiefs of staff. Netanyahu has claimed Blue and White would make significant concessions to the Palestinians. Gantz says instead that his alliance wants to separate from the Palestinians without sacrificing any of Israel's security needs or retreating from the major settlement blocs in East Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank. Security is always a major issue in a country that has fought repeated wars, and debate over who is truly of the political right goes hand-in-hand with that. However, a recent poll by the Israel Democracy Institute think tank found that a quarter of Israelis say their primary consideration in voting is the party's socio-economic positions. In the past few years, Netanyahu has overseen a growing economy, but the cost of living remains high and is an important concern for many Israelis. At the same time, flaws in Israel's public health system have recently come to light with shortages in hospital beds this winter, which the Labour party vows to remedy. WARSAW, Poland (AP) - The new mayor of the Polish city of Gdansk says a statue of late Solidarity-era priest Henryk Jankowski, at the center of allegations he abused minors, should not stand in a public place. The statue recognizes Jankowski's staunch support for the Solidarity pro-democracy movement in the 1980s, born out of Gdansk shipyard workers' protest. But the abuse allegations led three men to overturn it one night last month. Shipyard workers put it back up. Mayor Aleksandra Dulkiewicz said late Monday both actions were illegal and hampered peaceful dialogue about the monument's future. She said the statue should stand on private property, without specifying. It could mean church land. On Thursday, Gdansk councilors are to debate whether to dismantle the statue. FILE - In this Thursday Feb. 21, 2019 file photo, activists in Poland pull down a statue of a prominent deceased priest, Father Henryk Jankowski, who allegedly abused minors sexually, in Gdansk, Poland. The new mayor of the Polish city of Gdansk, Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, said late Monday March 4, 2019, the statue of controversial Solidarity-era priest Henryk Jankowski, at the center of allegations he abused minors, should not stand in a public place. (AP Photo/Bartek Sabela/Gazeta Wyborcza, File) BERLIN (AP) - It's purple and yellow, and very valuable: Switzerland's central bank has unveiled a redesigned version of its 1,000-franc ($1,000) note. The Swiss National Bank said Tuesday the overhauled version of its highest-denomination note is "smaller and thus easier to handle" than its predecessor, as well as incorporating "complex security features." The note, featuring a handshake on one side and the Swiss parliament on the other, will go into circulation starting March 13. The 1,000-franc note is a longstanding tradition in cash-friendly Switzerland. Still, the country's approach contrasts with that of the European Central Bank, which in 2016 decided to discontinue production of its 500-euro note - currently worth $567. The ECB dropped its biggest note amid concerns that it had become too popular among crooks and money launderers. Fritz Zurbruegg, vice president of the board of directors, presents the new 1,000-franc banknote in Zurich, Switzerland, Tuesday, March 5, 2019. It's purple and yellow, and very valuable: Switzerland's central bank has unveiled a redesigned version of its 1,000-franc ($1,000) note. (Ennio Leanza/Keystone via AP) BERLIN (AP) - A Berlin court has convicted a man of manslaughter, attempted manslaughter and causing bodily harm for pouring gasoline over two homeless men and setting them alight outside a suburban railway station last year. One of the victims later died of his injuries. The Berlin district court said 48-year-old Aleksandr T., a German-Russian dual citizen whose full name wasn't released in line with German privacy rules, was sentenced to eight years in prison on Tuesday over the July 22 attack at Schoeneweide station. It said that his motive was anger over a previous argument. The court said the defendant was intoxicated at the time of the attack, but rejected his argument that he had stumbled and accidentally set the two men alight. One of the victims died on Nov. 9. If there is one thing that's true of most of the movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it's that they have life and spirit to spare. It's a kind of an intoxicating joy that dares even the most comic book-apathetic to get onboard and delight in the spectacle, and it usually comes down to the characters. You might not care about whatever Earth-threatening foe is at large this time, but you care about Captain America, Black Panther and Black Widow and enjoy spending a few hours with them. I spent over two hours with Captain Marvel/Carol Danvers and I still have no idea what her personality is. Sure, there's a lot more going on in "Captain Marvel ," but it's a pretty egregious failing considering that the creative bigwigs at Marvel had 10 years and 20 films to work it out. It's hard to say whether that's a flaw in Brie Larson's performance or a failure of the script, but I came out of the film from writers/directors Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck not caring all that much about her beyond what her dazzling powers might mean for the next Avengers film, which is perhaps the lamest way of all to experience these movies. The story drops you in the middle of things and gives Carol Danvers a convenient case of amnesia as she tries to piece together her past by dreaming of Annette Bening while training to be a soldier with Jude Law on the planet of Kree. She is told at least 10 times in the first 10 minutes of the film that she needs to control her emotions, mostly by Law. This is a charged thing to say to a woman, but also confusing because "emotional" is the last word I would use to describe the character as she's presented. She's more impulsive and bullheaded than anything else. Emotions and heart don't seem to have anything to do with her decisions. At times it even seems like she's channeling the Terminator. But this is also a script that has Larson delivering eye-rolling lines like "enough of your mind games" with a straight face. She's a great actress, but that's a tall order for the best of them. The film is meant to be disorienting, especially at the beginning. She's confused and so the audience must be too, I guess? But things start to come together when she crash-lands on Earth in the middle of a Los Angeles Blockbuster Video somewhere around 1995, which you know because there's a "Babe" poster and a cardboard display for "True Lies." The filmmakers have fun with all their mid-'90s references from computers to musical cues (if you like angry '90s girl pop anthems you're in luck), but I wish someone would have been paying that much attention to the continuity of Larson's curls, which change even in the middle of scenes. In LA, she comes across a young Nick Fury, played by a digitally de-aged Samuel L. Jackson, whose infectious liveliness is a godsend. Together they try to both track down shapeshifting alien invaders called the Skrulls (led by Ben Mendelsohn) and also get answers about her past, which honestly sounds a lot more interesting than her present. But this is the origin story they went with and it does not include Bening teaching Larson how to fly a fighter plane. This image released by Disney-Marvel Studios shows Brie Larson in a scene from "Captain Marvel." (Disney-Marvel Studios via AP) There are some twists and turns and a scene-stealing orange cat that would be difficult to discuss here without spoiling everything. All-in-all it's fine, but nothing to get too excited about. And it could have and should have been so much better: The cast was there, the cool directing talents, the budget and the "brand" goodwill. Halfway through most Marvel movies I don't often find myself dreaming up some other Brie Larson, Jude Law, Annette Bening, Samuel L. Jackson, Ben Mendelsohn and Gemma Chan movie (oh right Gemma Chan is in this as a glorified extra), but it happened in "Captain Marvel." The first female-led movie of the MCU deserved more. "Captain Marvel," a Walt Disney Studios release, is rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association of America for "sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and brief suggestive language." Running time: 124 minutes. Two and a half stars out of four. ___ MPAA Definition of PG-13: Parents Strongly Cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. ___ Follow AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ldbahr This image released by Disney-Marvel Studios shows Brie Larson in a scene from "Captain Marvel." (Disney-Marvel Studios via AP) This image released by Disney-Marvel Studios shows Jude Law, left, and Brie Larson in a scene from "Captain Marvel." (Chuck Zlotnick/Disney-Marvel Studios via AP) This image released by Disney-Marvel Studios shows Brie Larson in a scene from "Captain Marvel." (Disney-Marvel Studios via AP) This image released by Disney-Marvel Studios shows Brie Larson in a scene from "Captain Marvel." (Disney-Marvel Studios via AP) This image released by Disney-Marvel Studios shows Ben Mendelsohn, left, in a scene from "Captain Marvel." (Chuck Zlotnick/Disney-Marvel Studios via AP) This image released by Disney-Marvel Studios shows Brie Larson, left, and Samuel L. Jackson in a scene from "Captain Marvel." (Disney-Marvel Studios via AP) This image released by Disney-Marvel Studios shows Brie Larson, left, and Samuel L. Jackson in a scene from "Captain Marvel." (Disney-Marvel Studios via AP) This image released by Disney-Marvel Studios shows Ben Mendelsohn in a scene from "Captain Marvel." (Disney-Marvel Studios via AP) This image released by Disney-Marvel Studios shows Jude Law, left, and Brie Larson in a scene from "Captain Marvel." (Chuck Zlotnick/Disney-Marvel Studios via AP) This image released by Disney-Marvel Studios shows Brie Larson in a scene from "Captain Marvel." (Disney-Marvel Studios via AP) This image released by Disney-Marvel Studios shows Brie Larson in a scene from "Captain Marvel." (Disney-Marvel Studios via AP) This image released by Disney-Marvel Studios shows Brie Larson in a scene from "Captain Marvel." (Chuck Zlotnick/Disney-Marvel Studios via AP) WASHINGTON (AP) - A former White House special counsel considers special prosecutor Robert Mueller "an American hero." Attorney Ty Cobb says he does not share President Donald Trump's opinion that Mueller's probe into Russian meddling in the election is "a witch hunt" during an ABC News podcast "The Investigation" that aired Tuesday. Cobb says Mueller is a "very justice-oriented person." Cobb does not believe Mueller's report will harm the president politically. Cobb says there's no link to Trump or the campaign in an indictment against Russian hackers and says there's "no reference to collusion" in a sentencing memo for former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort. Cobb joined the Trump's White House legal team in July 2017 and left after 10 months. He says Trump should brace himself for upcoming congressional investigations. BEIRUT (AP) - A top U.S. State Department official visiting Lebanon said Tuesday that the new government in Beirut needs to make tough decisions as it tackles widespread corruption and a crumbling economy, in addition to ongoing security issues. David Satterfield, acting assistant secretary of the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, said Washington is looking to support the Lebanese people as they move their country forward, but warned against increased Iranian influence. The eight-year war in neighboring Syria has deepened Lebanon's economic woes, which include high unemployment, meager growth and a soaring public debt of $85 billion, or 155 percent of the gross domestic product. Some 1 million Syrian refugees make up a quarter of Lebanon's population. Lebanon's powerful Shiite militant group Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran, made significant gains in last year's parliamentary elections at the expense of the largest Sunni party headed by Prime Minister Saad Hariri. Satterfield met with Hariri on Tuesday along with Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil and the leader of the right-wing Christian Phalange party, Samy Gemayel. The U.S. diplomat said Iran's growing influence in Lebanon required a national response, adding that "parties, notably Iran, are not passive, they're very active." U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State David Satterfield speaks during his meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri, in Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, March 5, 2019. Satterfield said Tuesday that Lebanon's new government faces critical decisions regarding the country's crumbling economy and fighting corruption. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein) In January, Lebanese political factions agreed to form a new government after the country's first parliamentary elections in nine years. The U.S. has expressed concerns about Hezbollah naming a health minister and two other posts in Lebanon's Cabinet and called on the new government to ensure the ministries' resources do not provide support to the organization. ___ This story has been corrected to fix the title of the U.S official to Acting Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs David Satterfield. PARIS (AP) - A prison inmate suspected of injuring two guards with a knife and locking himself inside a visiting room has been arrested, French Interior minister Christophe Castaner said Tuesday. He said in a tweet the inmate's wife was also arrested in the operation led by a special police unit. Anti-terror prosecutors have launched an investigation into the incident at the Conde-sur-Sarthe prison, in western France. Justice Minister Nicole Belloubet said the prisoner's wife was visiting him and he locked himself in the room after stabbing the guards with a ceramic knife. She said the guards' injuries are not life-threatening. No hostages were taken. Belloubet said "there's no doubt about the terrorist nature of the attack." The Justice Ministry said the inmate had convictions for kidnapping leading to death, armed robbery and glorifying terrorism. French media said the inmate was known as a radicalized Islamist. They said he was sentenced in 2015 to a 30-year prison term for the murder of an 89-year-old man who had survived Nazi concentration camps. GENEVA (AP) - The United Nations' human rights chief has delayed publication of a report on companies doing business in Israeli settlements in the West Bank, saying in a letter made public Tuesday that her office needs more time to carry out a complex and unprecedented task - one with deep political implications. The decision by High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet, a former president of Chile, followed a campaign by the United States and other countries to squelch publication of what Israel has described as a "blacklist" that could drive away companies. The U.N.-backed Human Rights Council in 2016 instructed the office Bachelet now oversees to create a "database" of companies deemed to be linked to or supportive of the settlements, which are considered illegal by the vast majority of the international community. The council, which is made up of 47 governments, had never before requested such a list scrutinizing corporate activities. The letter Bachelet sent to the council's president, Ambassador Coly Seck of Senegal, on Monday cited the "complexity" and "novelty" of the assignment. She wrote that she was committed to fulfilling the council's orders, but "further consideration" was needed. Bachelet said the office she has overseen since September has a "view to finalizing this mandated activity in coming months" but her letter did not give a more specific timeframe. FILE - In this Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018 file photo, U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Chilean Michelle Bachelet, speaks during a press conference at the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. The U.N. human rights chief has delayed publication of a report on companies doing business in Israeli settlements in the West Bank, saying her office needs more time to complete a sensitive and unprecedented task. The move by Michelle Bachelet on Tuesday, March 5, 2019 follows a campaign by the United States and others to squelch publication of what Israel called a "blacklist" that could drive away companies (Martial Trezzini/Keystone via AP, file) Supporters of the report say the credibility of the U.N.'s top human rights body is on the line. They want Bachelet to set a clear date for publication to raise pressure against the Israeli settlements. The report has been delayed before. It was expected to be published during the council's current session, which ends March 22. U.N. officials have said the human rights office received no additional resources or funds for a project that has involved reaching out to scores of companies, governments and advocacy groups. Last year, the rights office said 206 companies, mostly Israeli and American, were facing a review of business practices involving the Israeli settlements. It did not identify any companies by name. Israel has long claimed it is unfairly singled out by the council, whose members include some countries with poor human rights records themselves. Israel is the only country in the world whose policies automatically face scrutiny at every council session. The United States has called the council's resolution emblematic of an alleged anti-Israeli bias at the U.N.-backed body. The Trump administration cited the alleged bias as a leading reason it withdrew the United States from the council last year. Proponents of the resolution insist companies must be held accountable for their activities in Israeli settlements, arguing that those actions can contribute to injustices against Palestinians. Over 600,000 Israeli settlers live in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, territories captured by Israel in 1967 and claimed by the Palestinians as parts of a future independent state. Bruno Stagno Ugarte, deputy executive director for advocacy at Human Rights Watch, said Israel's "brazen expansion of illegal settlements underscores why the U.N. database of businesses facilitating these settlements needs to be published." In a statement, Ugarte said continued delay in the list's publication "further entrenches corporate involvement in the systematic rights abuses stemming from illegal settlements." He called on Bachelet to "commit to a clear date for publishing this vital report as a matter of urgency." Critics say publication of the database would amount to a stamp of approval from a U.N.-backed body to the "Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions" movement, which urges businesses, artists and universities to sever ties with Israel. Activists in the Palestinian-led BDS movement say they are using nonviolent means to resist unjust policies toward Palestinians. Israel says the movement masks a deeper goal of delegitimizing or destroying the Jewish state. Israel's Foreign Ministry called Tuesday on the council to halt any action in the economic sphere that could hurt residents of the area. Following Bachelet's announced publishing delay, the ministry said: "Our position in principle has not changed. The council accepted its decision without authority and with an anti-Israeli political bias." ___ Josef Federman in Jerusalem contributed reporting. ROME (AP) - Intent on ensuring his government's survival, Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte says "national interests" will ultimately determine if an Alpine rail tunnel project gets completed. The populist government's main partner, the 5-Star Movement, fiercely opposes the high-speed TAV rail tunnel, designed to speed travel between France and Italy. The 5-Stars say the money can be better spent on improving transport infrastructure nationwide. But the junior partner, the right-wing League, which is enjoying surging popularity, insists TAV is vital for Italian businesses. Conte led a huddle of coalition leaders about TAV Tuesday, and later said the focus is determining whether it is in the national interest to proceed or to stop the project. Italy risks having to repay EU funds if the Turin-Lyon tunnel link isn't completed. Italian premier Giuseppe Conte talks to journalists outside Chigi Palace's Premier office, in Rome Tuesday, March 5, 2019. Intent on his government's survival, Premier Giuseppe Conte says the coalition will let "national" interests determine if an Alpine rail tunnel should be built. The populist government's main partner, the 5-Star Movement, fiercely opposes the high-speed TAV rail tunnel, which is meant to speed travel between France and Italy. (Riccardo Antimiani/ANSA via AP) Italian premier Giuseppe Conte talks to journalists outside Chigi Palace's Premier office, in Rome Tuesday, March 5, 2019. Intent on his government's survival, Premier Giuseppe Conte says the coalition will let "national" interests determine if an Alpine rail tunnel should be built. The populist government's main partner, the 5-Star Movement, fiercely opposes the high-speed TAV rail tunnel, which is meant to speed travel between France and Italy. (Riccardo Antimiani/ANSA via AP) LONDON (AP) - A group of British lawmakers who quit the Conservative and Labour parties to form a centrist independent bloc in Parliament said Tuesday they have begun the progress of forming a new political party. Spokesman Chuka Umunna said he and other members of the Independent Group were holding talks with elections regulator the Electoral Commission. "We think people want an alternative," he said. "We aren't a political party but quite clearly there is an appetite for a new one, so we are here to discuss with them what that involves." Eight members of Parliament including Umunna quit the opposition Labour Party and three left the governing Conservatives last month, partly in opposition to the government's conduct of Britain's departure from the European Union. The defections mark the biggest shake-up in years for Britain's political parties. There have long been signs that voters' 2016 decision to leave the EU could spark a major overhaul of British politics, because Brexit has split both the Conservatives and Labour down the middle into feuding pro-Brexit and pro-EU wings. FILE - In this Monday, Feb. 25, 2019 file photo, clockwise from front left, Chris Leslie, Joan Ryan, Sarah Wollaston, Chuka Umunna, Heidi Allen, Gavin Shuker, Luciana Berger, Anna Soubry, Mike Gapes, Ann Coffey and Angela Smith, the new Independent Group hold their first meeting in London. The group of British lawmakers who quit the Conservative and Labour parties to form a centrist independent bloc in Parliament said on Tuesday March 5, 2019, that they have begun the progress of forming a new political party. (John Stillwell/Pool via AP, File) The breakaway lawmakers want to hold a new referendum on Brexit that could keep Britain in the 28-nation bloc. by Bernardo Cervellera Mgr Cui Tai told AsiaNews that the "charismatic" activities of Fr Zhang Li are distorted and do not follow episcopal guidelines. His concept of "unity" is not that of the Holy See. The priest wants to see the underground community eliminated, absorbed by the official Church. Rome (AsiaNews) - A priest in the Diocese of Xuanhua (Hebei) was suspended from the ministry after leaving the underground Church for the official Church. The clergyman, Francesco Zhang Li, has accused his (underground) bishop of not following the Sino-Vatican agreement and urged local authorities to arrest him. He also set up a group that has encouraged believers to disown their bishop and switch to the community recognised by the government. The priest is also suspected of using superstitions and miracles to make people join a community of "charismatic renewal". Fr Zhang, 60, has been a priest for 30 years. In the past he did a good job as an evangeliser in the Diocese of Xuanhua, under Coadjutor Bishop Mgr Augustine Cui Tai (picture 1). The diocese was established by the Holy See in 1946, but in 1980 the government merged Xuanhua with Xiwanzi to create the official Diocese of Zhangjiakou, which is not recognised by the Holy See. According to Fr Zhangs fellow priests, he expressed interest in moving to the official Church last year, and joined the Diocese of Zhangjiakou without the permission of his bishop. After the signing of the Sino-Vatican agreement last September, he openly spoke out against Mgr Cui Tai, accusing him of not following, in his words, the Pope's indications" in favour of "a united official Church". He also set up a group of about 100 people, including some priests, who have been urging the faithful in Xuanhua not to recognise the authority of Mgr Cui Tai. Faced with confusion and grief among the faithful, the Vicar general intervened and, on 23 December, after "turning to the authority of the Holy See," put a ban on Fr Zhang Li, prohibiting him from exercising the ministry or receiving any sacrament. Fr Zhang reacted by threatening to turn to government authorities to have anyone who stopped him arrested. A few days after the suspension, police took the bishop into custody and held him for 15 days. According to local witnesses, the government would like to see local Catholics move into the fold of the official diocese and is trying to get Mgr Cui Tai to lift the ban on Fr Zhang. On 3 March, Mgr Cui Tai reiterated his suspension, telling AsiaNews that the agonising step was taken "above all because the 'charismatic' activities undertaken by Fr Zhang are distorted. He is working with a Protestant clergyman in a way that is unclear, exaggerates [the] miraculous effects [of prayer], and invents miracles. In the past, local bishops banned such practices, but he has failed to follow their instructions." Secondly, "he is promoting a concept of the 'unity' of the Diocese of Zhangjiakou as one, which the Holy See does not recognise. He is causing divisions within the Church and does not recognise the Diocese and bishop of Xuanhua." What is more, Fr Zhang has claimed that he was chosen by the government as "vicar" of the Diocese of Zhangjiakou and is paid a monthly salary of 7,000 yuan, about US$ 1,040. Following the Sino-Vatican agreement, other priests in Zhangjiakou have claimed that Catholics must join the official community and register with the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association (CPCA), calling on the faithful in Xuanhua not to recognise its bishop, whom they describe as "unlawful". Mgr Cui Tai has been repeatedly placed under house arrest or sent to forced labour camps for his work of evangelisation not recognised by the government. Card Joseph Zen has often spoken out in his favour, calling for his release and demanding that religious freedom be guaranteed (picture 2). For Mgr Cui Tai, Catholics must be "good citizens" and support the countrys development, but he also demands real religious freedom and the right not to be forced into the CPCA, which claims that it is building a Church that is "independent" of the Holy See. WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump signed an executive order Tuesday aimed at stemming a persistently high number of veteran suicides, urging expanded outreach by awarding grants to community programs. The order creates a Cabinet-level task force that will seek to develop a national roadmap for suicide prevention, bringing in state and local organizations to raise awareness among the high-risk group. It directs the task force led by Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie to finalize a plan in 12 months. "Veterans suicide is a tragedy of staggering proportions," Trump said at a signing ceremony surrounded by military families and veterans' organizations. "Today we can help end this crisis." He said the problem of veteran suicide can only be solved if the entire country works together to build communities that support and protect veterans from the first moment they return to civilian life. "They courageously fulfill their duties to our nation, now we must fulfill our duties to them," Trump said. Currently, about 20 veterans die by suicide each day, about 1.5 times higher than those who haven't served in the military. The government says about 14 of those 20 were not under VA care, pointing to a need for improved outreach. President Donald Trump shows off an executive order on a "National Roadmap to Empower Veterans and End Veteran Suicide," in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Tuesday, March 5, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci) According to the White House, the new task force will look to create a grant system similar to the Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing program, which provides funding to state and local programs. The effort, which is being dubbed the PREVENTS Initiative, will also aim to better coordinate research on suicide prevention across agencies, including Veterans Affairs, Defense and Homeland Security. PREVENTS stands for "President's Roadmap to Empower Veterans and End a National Tragedy of Suicide." The White House did not indicate the expected costs of the proposed grants, which would require congressional approval. Trump has sought to boost suicide prevention, part of his campaign pledge to improve health care for veterans. Still, the order follows a report by the Government Accountability Office last December that found the VA had left millions of dollars unspent that were available for suicide prevention efforts. The report said VA had spent just $57,000 out of $6.2 million available for paid media, such as social-media postings. The VA has blamed the missteps on leadership turmoil at the VA that has since stabilized now that Wilkie is VA secretary. President Donald Trump listens as former Navy SEAL, and Sergeant at Arms of the United States Senate Frank Larkin, who lost his son Ryan to suicide, speaks during a signing ceremony for an executive order on a "National Roadmap to Empower Veterans and End Veteran Suicide," in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Tuesday, March 5, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci) COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - A critical-care doctor accused of ordering excessive painkiller doses for dozens of Ohio hospital patients who died is denying he negligently or intentionally prescribed drugs to end a woman's life. The response is part of a court filing seeking dismissal of a lawsuit against Dr. William Husel (HYOO'-suhl) over the September death of 64-year-old Bonnie Austin. Among others defenses, his lawyer argues Husel is immune to the suit under state law. The Columbus-area Mount Carmel Health System fired Husel in December. They face at least 23 wrongful death and medical negligence lawsuits . Mount Carmel found Husel ordered potentially fatal drug doses for 29 patients over several years. Mount Carmel apologized and put other employees on leave. Husel's attorneys have yet to file responses in several other lawsuits. WASHINGTON (AP) - The United States should not sell its high-tech F-35 fighter jet to Turkey, if Ankara moves ahead with plans to buy a Russian missile defense system, the top U.S. military commander for Europe told Congress on Tuesday. Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti, head of U.S. European Command, said Turkey, a NATO member, should reconsider its plan to buy the S-400 from Russia this year or forfeit other future American military aircraft and systems. He said Turkey's use of the Russian surface-to-air missile defense system would be a threat to the F-35. His comments are the latest in a series of warnings the U.S. has made to Turkey over its plans to buy the S-400. The U.S. and other NATO allies have repeatedly complained about the purchase, saying it is not compatible with other allied systems and would represent a security threat. The impending purchase has aggravated already souring relations with Ankara, including tensions over the war in Syria. Scaparrotti said U.S. officials are currently in Turkey explaining the potential consequences of the S-400 purchase. He said his best military advice would be that the U.S. not follow through with the F-35 sale and not work with an ally that's acquiring Russian systems that can threaten one of the American military's most advanced technological capabilities. "It presents a problem to all of our aircraft, but specifically the F-35," he said. The U.S. had agreed to sell 100 of its latest, fifth-generation F-35 fighters to Turkey, and has so far delivered two of the aircraft. But Congress last year ordered a delay in future deliveries. Scaparrotti's remarks echoed a warning issued by Vice President Mike Pence last month at an international security conference in Munich. During his speech, Pence said the U.S. has "made it clear that we will not stand idly by while NATO allies purchase weapons from our adversaries. We cannot ensure the defense of the West if our allies grow dependent on the East." During the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing Tuesday, senators raised objections to the sale, while also noting that some parts for the aircraft are made in Turkey. Pentagon leaders have warned that ending Turkey's production role would force other allies to take on that role and likely delay aircraft delivery. Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., said his message to Turkish leaders is that Congress is aware of the risks of the S-400 sale and could take action. "Why on earth they would be considering a decision that would make us have to rethink whether or not they can actually even be in the supply chain for the Joint Strike Fighter," said Tillis, adding that it could also raise doubts about future F-35 deliveries. Turkish leaders have suggested that the S-400 purchase is a done deal with Russia. But the U.S. has stepped up efforts to stymie it, and in December the State Department approved the sale of a $3.5 billion U.S. Patriot missile defense system to Turkey. LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday defended her proposal to nearly triple Michigan's per-gallon gasoline tax to make it the highest in the nation, promising no more "shell games" or "half measures" to reverse the deteriorating condition of the roads. The proposal - the centerpiece of a $60 billion budget plan - followed her November election victory over Republican Bill Schuette in part on a promise to "fix the damn roads." The $2.5 billion plan would increase the 26-cent fuel tax by 45 cents between this October and October 2020 and guarantee that the additional revenue is targeted to more heavily traveled roads. To alleviate the burden for some motorists, she proposed a tax overhaul under which retirees and low-income earners would get breaks while more businesses would pay a 6 percent tax instead of the lower 4.25 percent personal income tax. The proposal is an attempt to reverse parts of a tax rewrite enacted by her Republican predecessor, Rick Snyder. "No one likes to raise taxes," she told lawmakers during her first budget address as governor. "I wish I didn't have to come here today and put this budget before you because I know it's hard. But the hard truth is we got to get to work. Every day we don't we are jeopardizing our economic future, wasting our money and endangering our people. No more shell games and half measures. Here's a real plan." Her road-funding plan will face resistance in the Republican-controlled Legislature, where one GOP lawmaker called it "completely unrealistic." Legislators previously passed fuel and vehicle registration tax hikes that took effect in 2017, but they have been criticized for not generating nearly enough revenue under laws that also shifted spending from other budget priorities. Critics said the tax hikes only slowed the decline of road conditions. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer presents her fiscal year 2020 budget proposal, called "The Road To Opportunity," to lawmakers during a joint meeting of the House and Senate appropriations committees in the Senate Hearing Room in Lansing, Mich., Tuesday morning, March 5, 2019. (Todd McInturf/Detroit News via AP) States across the nation are struggling with how to finance road maintenance and construction as vehicles become more fuel-efficient and generate less revenue from flat per-gallon taxes. New Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, a Republican, is seeking an 18-cent gas tax increase . Whitmer quickly came under criticism from some in the GOP because last year, in a gubernatorial debate , she dismissed Schuette's warning that she would raise the gas tax by 20 cents as "ridiculous" and "nonsense." "How can you explain a 45-cent tax increase today?" Rep. Matt Maddock asked Whitmer's budget director after pointing to her debate comments. The conservative Michigan Freedom Fund accused Whitmer of lying on the campaign trail. Whitmer said it was not always her plan to seek so large of a tax hike, but once she took office she gained a "real appreciation" for how quickly the nation's worst roads are deteriorating. "We thought (a) user fee that is actually the right size to fix the problem was the way to go," she told reporters while denying that she broke a campaign pledge. "My campaign promise was to fix the damn roads. This plan does that." Whitmer said her proposal would cost the average driver $23 a month, or $276 a year, but contended that motorists already are paying a "roads tax" for vehicle repairs caused by crumbling infrastructure. She proposed doubling the earned income tax credit for low-income residents, saving 750,000 families $30 a month, and repealing the so-called retirement tax on pension and other income - saving 400,000 households $65 per month. Those components drew mixed reaction from legislators, while small-business groups denounced her plan to boost taxes on 150,000 S corporations, partnerships and limited liability companies. Michigan now has the 9th-highest combined local, state and federal gas taxes in the U.S., according to the American Petroleum Institute. Under Whitmer's plan, it would have the highest taxes, easily surpassing states like Pennsylvania and California. Michigan is among a small number of states to apply the sales tax to motor fuel, but that revenue mostly goes to schools and local governments under the state constitution. In response to Whitmer's proposal, Republican House Speaker Lee Chatfield renewed his call for ensuring that "every penny" paid at the pump is devoted to roadwork. "We can't continue to gloss over the long-term structural problem, while asking families, workers and seniors who are already living paycheck to paycheck to pay even more," he said in a statement. Whitmer did propose no longer diverting hundreds of millions in general funds to the transportation budget, saying it should go to universities. She also outlined a $507 million boost in K-12 spending for the next fiscal year, including extra funding to teach at-risk, special education, and career and technical students. She also wants to make more 4-year-olds eligible for publicly-funded preschool. A separate proposal for the current fiscal year includes a $120 million infusion to improve drinking water infrastructure in the state where Flint's crisis occurred and $60 million to install hydration stations in schools. Michigan Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Rich Studley, whose group has sway with GOP legislators, commended Whitmer and said he was prepared to support a "meaningful increase in user fees phased in over time." ___ Follow Eggert on Twitter at https://twitter.com/DavidEggert00 SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Two girls who were lost in a dense Northern California forest for nearly two days say they survived frigid nights by huddling under a tree branch and a huckleberry bush and by thinking "happy thoughts." Leia Carrico, 8, and her 5-year-old sister Caroline, said in an interview Monday they went on a hike last Friday past a marker that their parents told them not to pass because they wanted an adventure but lost their way home. "I just wanted a little more adventure, I said to go a little farther," Caroline said. Leia said her sister cried the entire first night and she told her to think happy thoughts as they huddled under a tree branch close to the ground. "I thought of going to the park with mommy and daddy. I thought of going to the ocean. I thought of everything I remembered, but it didn't work," Caroline said. Leia kept watch both nights and thought about the good memories from a family vacation to Monterey, California, she said. In this Sunday, March 3, 2019 photo provided by the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office rescuers and family members comfort Leia, back left, and Caroline Carrico, back right, after they were found near Benbow, Calif. Armed with some outdoor survival training, granola bars and pink rubber boots, the 5- and 8-year-old sisters survived 44 hours in the rugged Northern California wilderness before they were found dehydrated and cold but in good spirits on Sunday, authorities said. (Humboldt County Sheriff's Office via AP) She said she also remembered what she learned from watching movies of people surviving in the wilderness, going camping every summer and the training with their local 4-H club. She also thought of her father's advice to stay put if she ever got lost. "I knew dad would find us eventually," she said. Two volunteer firefighters who joined hundreds looking for the sisters found them Sunday in a wooded area about 1 miles (2.3 kilometers) from their home in the small community of Benbow, about 200 miles (320 kilometers) northwest of Sacramento. Delbert Chumley, a Piercy volunteer firefighter, said he and fellow volunteer firefighter, Abram Hill, found the girls after calling out their names during a long hike through rugged terrain. "I thought we heard someone say 'dad' and so then we called out again and they said yes we are right here," Chumley said. The girls' mother, Misty Carrico, said she is trying not to punish them. "They might have wandered off but they stuck together and they pulled themselves through," she said. "They saved each other." For now, the girls are not allowed to go far away from their house until they have a GPS trackers, which their mother has already ordered. In this Sunday, March 3, 2019 photo provided by the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office, Caroline Carrico is assessed by search crews after being found near Benbow, Calif. Armed with some outdoor survival training, granola bars and pink rubber boots, 8-year-old Leia Carrico and 5-year-old Caroline Carrico survived 44 hours in the rugged Northern California wilderness before they were found dehydrated and cold but in good spirits on Sunday, authorities said. (Humboldt County Sheriff's Office via AP) This Sunday, March 3, 2019 photo provided by the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office shows 5- and 8-year-old sisters Leia, left and Caroline Carrico being comforted after they were found and reunited with their family in Denbow, Calif. on Sunday, March 3, 2019, after they survived 44 hours in rugged Northern California wilderness. Armed with some outdoor survival training, granola bars and pink rubber boots, the sisters were found dehydrated and cold but in good spirits on Sunday, authorities said. (Humboldt County Sheriff's Office via AP) PRAGUE (AP) - Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis, who will meet with Donald Trump later this week, on Tuesday praised the U.S. president for trying to achieve peaceful nuclear disarmament in North Korea. Babis, who will be in the White House Thursday, told The Associated Press that talking is a better option than a military conflict, even where the other party is not a democratic leader. "If the American president negotiates with a dictator (Kim Jong Un), it is a good thing," Babis told The Associated Press on Tuesday. Babis said the U.S. should also use its influence and position as a permanent U.N. Security Council member to help negotiate peace in Syria. Babis said that the European Union's foreign policy is not influential enough to make a difference in the Middle East. "Syria is an important issue, especially for Europe," Babis said. "There are up to 6 million refugees in Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey and, of course, they want to return home." Czech Republic Prime Minister Andrej Babis answers questions during an interview with The Associated Press, before his departure for official visit of The United States, in Prague, Czech Republic, Tuesday, March 5, 2019. Ahead of his meeting with US President Donald Trump in the White House on Thursday, Babis told The Associated Press the United States should now use its influence and position of a U.N. Security Council permanent member to help negotiate peace in Syria. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek) While the global fight against the Islamic State group is expected to come to an end in Syria soon, it is only one conflict in a country that has been in civil war for nearly eight years. The Czech Republic is the only EU member state to retain an ambassador in the war-torn country, and also represents the U.S. interests there. Babis said that despite criticizing the regime of President Bashar Assad, it is necessary to communicate with its representatives "and engage all the states that could have a say." Babis is a vocal opponent of accepting migrants and refugees in his country and insists it's a better thing to help them in their countries. The White House said issues including cybersecurity, energy security and trade will also be on the agenda of the talks between the two leaders. The visit coincides with the 30th anniversary of the 1989 anti-Communist "Velvet Revolution" and the 20th anniversary of the Czech Republic's membership in NATO, which began in 1999. The Czech Republic is among the countries criticized by Trump for not meeting the NATO goal of committing 2 percent of their gross domestic product to defense, another possible topicsto be discussed. Babis promised to meet the target by 2024. Another point of contention is Trump's trade policy. The U.S. president has raised the ire of many Europeans with the imposition of tariffs on aluminum and steel, while threatening to impose tariffs on imports of cars from the European Union. "It's necessary to do all we can to avoid escalation in this respect," Babis said. "It's necessary to negotiate about it. Hopefully, the talks will end up in a solution acceptable for both sides to avoid a trade war." The two leaders should find more common ground on the issue of cybersecurity after a Czech watchdog followed U.S. authorities in warning against use of hardware or software made by Chinese companies Huawei and ZTE. Huawei has become the target of U.S. security concerns because of its ties to the Chinese government. The U.S. has pressured other countries to limit use of its technology, warning they could be opening themselves up to surveillance and theft of information. "It would certainly be a wrong thing if any critical state infrastructure was dependent on the technologies which could be linked to a state with political aims," Babis said. Czech Republic Prime Minister Andrej Babis answers questions during an interview with The Associated Press, before his departure for official visit of The United States, in Prague, Czech Republic, Tuesday, March 5, 2019. Ahead of his meeting with US President Donald Trump in the White House on Thursday, Babis told The Associated Press the United States should now use its influence and position of a U.N. Security Council permanent member to help negotiate peace in Syria. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek) Czech Republic Prime Minister Andrej Babis answers questions during an interview with The Associated Press, before his departure for official visit of The United States, in Prague, Czech Republic, Tuesday, March 5, 2019. Ahead of his meeting with US President Donald Trump in the White House on Thursday, Babis told The Associated Press the United States should now use its influence and position of a U.N. Security Council permanent member to help negotiate peace in Syria. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek) Czech Republic Prime Minister Andrej Babis answers questions during an interview with The Associated Press, before his departure for official visit of The United States, in Prague, Czech Republic, Tuesday, March 5, 2019. Ahead of his meeting with US President Donald Trump in the White House on Thursday, Babis told The Associated Press the United States should now use its influence and position of a U.N. Security Council permanent member to help negotiate peace in Syria. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek) A $6.3 million fund established after the Pittsburgh synagogue massacre will primarily be split among the families of the dead and survivors of the worst attack on Jews in U.S. history, organizers announced Tuesday. The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh set up the Victims of Terror Fund after the Oct. 27 attack at Tree of Life synagogue that killed 11 and wounded seven. The fund took in more than 8,500 donations from 48 states and at least eight countries. The donations are "expressions of love, generosity, compassion and a desire to help in the healing process," the independent committee overseeing the fund wrote in its report Tuesday. The committee acknowledged that "no amount of money can compensate for the loss of a loved one's life" or "completely heal our hearts or our communities." Most of the money, about $4.4 million, will be given to those most directly affected by the attack, including victims' families and two seriously injured congregants. The committee awarded about $437,000 to nine congregants who were trapped inside Tree of Life, "fearing for their own lives and, in some cases, watching relatives and friends being murdered," the report said. Police officers who were shot and wounded while responding will split $500,000. The committee also set aside $650,000 for the three congregations that share space at Tree of Life and were gathered for Sabbath services when the gunman walked in and opened fire. Some of that money will pay for repairs to the heavily damaged synagogue, which the committee noted will be "a costly, complicated and extended process." The balance of the fund, $300,000, will be given to a future memorial, as well as an education initiative. The fund stopped accepting donations Feb. 27. FILE - In this Dec. 2, 2018 photo, a menorah is tested outside the Tree of Life Synagogue in preparation for a celebration service at sundown on the first night of Hanukkah, in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh. A $6.3 million fund established in the wake of the Pittsburgh synagogue massacre will primarily be split among the families of the dead and survivors of the worst attack on Jews in U.S. history. The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh made the announcement Tuesday, March 5, 2019. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File) "The outpouring of support from around the world has been tremendous," Meryl Ainsman, chair of the Jewish Federation's board of directors, said in a statement. An anti-Semitic truck driver named Robert Bowers has been charged in the attack. Authorities have said Bowers expressed hatred of Jews as he opened fire with an AR-15 rifle and other weapons. Bowers pleaded not guilty to federal hate crimes and dozens of other counts, but his lawyer has signaled he might be open to a plea deal. Federal prosecutors in Pittsburgh have previously indicated their intention to seek the death penalty. LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) - A spokesman says a provincial Pakistani minister has resigned after criticizing the country's minority Hindu community in the wake of heightened tensions between Pakistan and India over Kashmir. Shahbaz Gill, a government spokesman, says Fayyazul Hassan Chohan, information minister in Punjab, stepped down Tuesday. Chohan drew nationwide condemnation over a weekend speech in which he conflated Indians with Pakistan's Hindu community and made derogatory remarks against their religion. Chohan's comments prompted the ruling Tehreek-e-Insaf party to call for his resignation. NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) - A Nigerian man has been sentenced to time served and now faces deportation for tricking school districts into sending him the personal information of workers that he then used to file fraudulent tax returns. Federal prosecutors say 36-year-old Olukayode Ibrahim Lawal, who had been living in Smyrna, Georgia, was sentenced Tuesday in Connecticut. Authorities say in 2017 Lawal sent phishing emails to the Groton Public Schools and to Sacred Heart Academy in Hamden to obtain the personal information of employees which he used to file fraudulent tax returns in their names. He pleaded guilty in December to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Prosecutors say Lawal was in the United States on an expired visa. He is currently in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody for deportation proceedings. LONDON (AP) - Three small explosive devices in plastic mailing bags arrived at offices for two London airports and at a train station Tuesday, and Irish police said they were helping British counterterrorism police with the investigation. London's Metropolitan Police Service said the devices found near London's Heathrow and City airports and at Waterloo Station "appear capable of igniting an initially small fire when opened." A staff member did unseal the bag sent to an office building on Heathrow's grounds, "causing the device to initiate," the police department said. Part of the package burned, but no one was injured, police said. The Compass Centre was evacuated as a precaution. The building is not close to passenger terminals at Heathrow, Britain's busiest airport, and flights were not affected. The Heathrow property is where the first of the three explosive devices was discovered at about 9:55 a.m. Transportation police received a call at 11:40 a.m. after another suspicious package turned up in the mail room at busy Waterloo Station. The last was found just after noon at the administration building for City Airport, a much smaller commercial airport. No one had opened either of those packages. The Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command "is treating the incidents as a linked series" and "keeping an open mind regarding motives," the department said in a statement. In this handout photo provided by Sky News, a suspect package that was sent to Waterloo station is seen in England, Tuesday, March 5, 2019. Britain's counter-terrorism police are investigating after three suspicious packages were found in London, including one near City Airport and one near Heathrow Airport. Police said Tuesday all three write postal bags contained yellow bags thought by specialist police to be small improvised explosive devices. Police say the devices "appear capable of igniting an initially small fire when opened." (Sky News via AP) Sky News correspondent Alistair Bunkall tweeted a picture of what he said was the package sent to the Heathrow office building. The stamps on the envelope have pictures of hearts and resemble ones issued by Ireland's post office for Valentine's Day 2018. Police in Ireland told The Associated Press on Tuesday evening they were assisting British investigators, but did not give an explanation or details. No person or group claimed responsibility for sending the devices and police said they haven't made any arrests. Train services to City Airport were suspended temporarily and the administrative building, City Aviation House, was evacuated. Flights were not affected. Police advised transportation stations throughout Britain to "be vigilant" and to report suspicious packages. London Mayor Sadiq Khan urged London residents and visitors to do the same. The official terrorism threat level throughout Britain is set at "severe," indicating that intelligence analysts believe an attack is highly likely. In this handout photo provided by Sky News, a suspect package that was sent to Heathrow airport and caught fire is seen in England, Tuesday, March 5, 2019. Britain's counter-terrorism police are investigating after three suspicious packages were found in London, including one near City Airport and one near Heathrow Airport. Police said Tuesday all three write postal bags contained yellow bags thought by specialist police to be small improvised explosive devices. Police say the devices "appear capable of igniting an initially small fire when opened." (Sky News via AP) FILE - In this file photo dated Tuesday, June 5, 2018, a plane takes off over a road sign near Heathrow Airport in London. Britain's counter-terrorism police are investigating after three suspicious packages were found in London, including one near City Airport and one near Heathrow Airport. Police said Tuesday, March 5, 2019 all three write postal bags contained yellow bags thought by specialist police to be small improvised explosive devices. Police say the devices "appear capable of igniting an initially small fire when opened." (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, file) AwazToday.pk Privacy Policy: We use third-party advertising companies to serve ads when you visit our Website. These companies may use information (not including your name, address email address or telephone number) about your visits to this and other Web sites in order to provide advertisements about goods and services of interest to you. If you would like more information about this practice and to know your choices about not having this information used by these companies, click here. Disclaimer: AwazToday.pk is not responsible for any content linked to or referred to from these pages. All videos, live tvs, blogs or video links point to content hosted on third party websites or members. We are using third party links for live tvs. Users who upload these videos or blogs agree not to upload illegal content when creating their user accounts. AwazToday.pk does not accept responsibility for content hosted on third party websites or by the members. If you have any questions please contact us. Copyright 2000-2021 AwazToday.pk. All rights reserved unless where otherwise noted. RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - Authorities have accused a man of placing white hoods on a Confederate statue depicting a woman and a young boy on the grounds of North Carolina's Capitol. News outlets report 42-year-old Jon Williams of Raleigh was arrested Monday and charged with misdemeanor littering. Williams posted a picture of the Monument to North Carolina Women of the Confederacy on Twitter , showing hoods often associated with the Ku Klux Klan over the pair's faces. An arrest warrant alleges that Williams made the hoods and put them on the monument. Reached on Twitter, Williams wouldn't say whether he put the hoods on the monument. According to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Library, the sculpture funded by a Civil War veteran's donation was dedicated in 1914. This photo provided by Jon Williams shows hoods on a Confederate statue depicting a woman and a young boy on the grounds of North Carolina's Capitol, in Raleigh. On Monday, March 4, 2019, authorities arrested and charged Williams with misdemeanor littering for allegedly placing the hoods on the statue. (Jon Williams via AP) CAIRO (AP) - Egypt's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday hosted talks with the foreign ministers of Algeria and Tunisia, Libya's neighbors to the west, days after Libya's rival governments agreed to hold elections. Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, Algeria's Abdelkader Messahel and Tunisia's Khemais Jhinaoui said at a news conference in Cairo that their countries support holding elections. "We need a unified, independent and stable Libya," said Messahel. "A stable Libya would guarantee the security of Tunisia, Algeria and Egypt." The Libyan election agreement was forged last Wednesday between the head of the U.N.-recognized government in the west, Fayez al-Sarraj, and Khalifa Hifter, the commander of forces based in the county's east. Hifter's forces recently took control of the southern border with Algeria, part of a campaign announced in January to "eliminate gangs, Islamic State terrorists and criminals" in the south. Tunisia's Jhinaoui called for armed groups in Libya to be disbanded: "We cannot talk about a political roadmap in the presence of militias. The militias are one of the main obstacles to any political stability," he said. Libya slid into chaos after the 2011 uprising, which toppled long-time ruler Moammar Gadhafi. Since 2016, Egypt has been hosting a series of negotiations between rival Libyan factions and has backed the self-styled Libyan National Army, led by Hifter, in his conflict with the Tripoli government and associated militias. ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Maryland's Senate voted Tuesday to make the state the first in the nation to ban foam containers for food and drink to fight pollution. The Senate voted 34-13 for the measure, which now goes to the House of Delegates. Sen. Cheryl Kagan, a Democrat who's sponsoring the bill, says more than half of the state's residents already live in places where foam containers are banned for food and drink containers. She described it as a chance to do more to help the Chesapeake Bay, the nation's largest estuary. "We have the opportunity to do the right thing for the Chesapeake Bay, for the environment and for our fish and wildlife that eat this product," Kagan said. "It infects them; we ingest them." But opponents said the bill only covers a small amount of foam material used in food and drink containers, not for other uses such as packaging. They also said the measure would hurt small businesses. "It's an unnecessary burden that isn't going to do anything for the environment," said Sen. Justin Ready, a Republican. "This bill does not move the needle at all on protecting the environment." Maryland state Sen. Cheryl Kagan, a Democrat, talks about her bill to make Maryland the first state in the nation to ban foam containers for food and drink statewide to fight pollution during a debate on Tuesday, March 5, 2019 in Annapolis, Md. Sen. Robert Cassilly, a Republican, is standing in the background in opposition to the bill. (AP Photo/Brian Witte) The measure would ban businesses that sell food from using "expanded polystyrene food service products" starting July 1, 2020. There currently are no statewide bans on foam food and drink containers, according to a review by state analysts. However, some local jurisdictions across the country have introduced measures to ban or partially ban the use of expanded polystyrene foam. Supporters note that foam drink and food containers cannot be recycled. The bill has been named as a priority this year among Democrats, who control both chambers of the Maryland General Assembly. The measure received some Republican support in the Maryland Senate. Sen. Bryan Simonaire, a Republican, said all have a responsibility to be good stewards of the environment. He also noted that large chain restaurants have moved away from using foam food containers, some of them long ago. "Thirty years ago they stopped producing them, and we say, 'let business catch up. Let business catch up.' I think 30 years is long enough for them to catch up," Simonaire said. ___ This story has been corrected to show the ban would begin July 1, 2020, not Jan. 1. SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - California's attorney general said Tuesday that he won't charge two Sacramento police officers who fatally shot an unarmed black man last year, a killing that set off intense protests. Attorney General Xavier Becerra's announcement follows the Sacramento district attorney's finding this weekend that the two officers broke no laws when they shot 22-year-old Stephon Clark. Officers Terrance Mercadal and Jared Robinet say they mistakenly thought Clark was approaching them with a gun after he ran from them into his grandparents' backyard as police investigated vandalism. Becerra said his review found officers believed Clark was armed and their lives were in danger when they opened fire. Investigators found only a cellphone. "Based on our review of the facts and evidence in relation to the law, I'm here to announce today that our investigation has concluded that no criminal charges against the officers involved in the shooting can be sustained," Becerra said. The attorney general emphasized the need for changes and called Clark's killing a "devastating loss." He met with Clark's mother, SeQuette Clark, before announcing his decision. Jamilia Land, a family spokesperson, said SeQuette Clark would speak to reporters later Tuesday. SeQuette Clark, left, leaves the Calvary Christian Center after meeting with California Attorney General Xavier Becerra Tuesday, March 5, 2019, in Sacramento, Calif. Becerra is expected later today to announce the results of his criminal investigation into the shooting death of Clark's son, Stephon Clark, by Sacramento police officers last year. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) Clark was shot seven times on March 18, 2018, and his killing prompted protests in California's capital city and across the U.S. Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert's decision not to charge the officers has sparked new demonstrations, with more than 80 people arrested Monday in a wealthy Sacramento neighborhood. Clark's family and black community leaders urged Becerra to reach a different conclusion. "I would like for the attorney general to prosecute the officers," brother Stevante Clark said Sunday. "I want justice and accountability." Both Becerra and Schubert concluded that the officers feared for their lives when they shot Clark, who they thought was holding a gun. They were pursuing him after receiving calls about someone breaking car windows. The attorney general and district attorney said the evidence showed Clark was advancing toward the officers when they shot him. The decision has increased support from top state officials to change California's legal standard for when police can use deadly force. Lawmakers have revived a measure introduced after Clark's slaying that would make California the first state to allow police to use deadly force only when it's necessary to prevent imminent and serious injury or death and if there's no reasonable alternative, such as warnings or other methods. Strong opposition from law enforcement agencies stalled it last year. California Attorney General Xavier Becerra leaves leaves the Calvary Christian Center after meeting with SeQuette Clark, Tuesday, March 5, 2019, in Sacramento, Calif. Becerra is expected later today to announce the results of his criminal investigation into the shooting death of Clark's son, Stephon Clark, by Sacramento police officers last year. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) FILE - In this April 9, 2018 file photo protesters display an image of Stephon Clark at a crime victims rights rally, at the Capitol in Sacramento, Calif. Two Sacramento police officers won't face criminal charges for the fatal shooting of Clark following a chase that ended in his grandparents' yard and started a series of angry protests that roiled California's capital city, the county's top prosecutor announced Saturday, March 2, 2019, following a nearly yearlong investigation. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli,File) MEXICO CITY (AP) - Townspeople allegedly paid by a criminal group burned cars and trucks to block a police raid on a fuel-theft gang in north-central Mexico, according to Guanajuato state prosecutors. The blockade occurred Monday in the town of Santa Rosa de Lima, which is home to a heavily armed gang that drills illegal taps into government pipelines. Police found pay envelopes with the gang's stamp and a legend that read: "Relatives should be prepared to protest when asked to do so." Prosecutors said police finally got into the town, seized guns, fuel tanks and drugs and freed six kidnap victims. They said that the town's municipal force did nothing to help; in Mexico, local police are ill-paid and are frequently bought off by gangs. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador launched an offensive against fuel theft soon after taking office on Dec. 1. He said Tuesday it's not the first time gangs have paid residents to protest. "Criminal organizations continue to pay people to protect them and commit crimes; this is a regrettable practice that continues," Lopez Obrador said. "There are still communities ... where people protect criminal gangs. We saw that yesterday in Guanajuato." "I call on all Mexicans ... not to protect criminals, even if they offer you money or food packages," said Lopez Obrador. "It is not correct, it is not right, it is not legal, it is not dignified. Don't stoop to this." SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - The Mormon church said Tuesday it will rename websites, social media accounts and employee email addresses to get rid of "Mormon" and "LDS" as the faith continues a push to be known by the religion's full name and not shorthand nicknames it previously embraced and promoted. The changes mark the latest step to implement a shift ordered last year by Russell M. Nelson, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Nelson, 94, has said the Lord impressed upon the importance of the full name and that removing the name from titles is "a major victory for Satan." The faith's presidents are considered prophets who lead through revelations from God. Nelson ascended to the post in early 2018. The faith believes that the full church name was given by revelation from God to founder Joseph Smith in 1838. In October, the world-renowned Mormon Tabernacle Choir was renamed the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square. The Utah-based faith of 16 million worldwide members said in the news release Tuesday that the website "LDS.org" will become "ChurchofJesusChrist.org." The website designed for media and outsiders known as "MormonNewsroom.org" will become "Newsroom.ChurchofJesusChrist.org." The website created for church missionaries will change from "Mormon.org" to "ComeUntoChrist.org." The Twitter account known before as "@MormonNewsroom" is now "@ChurchNewsroom." FILE- In this Jan. 3, 2018, file photo, the angel Moroni statue, silhouetted against the sky, sits atop the Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at Temple Square in Salt Lake City. The Mormon church is renaming websites, social media handles and email addresses as the faith digs in deeper to its push to be known by the religion's full name and not shorthand names that have been used for generations by church members and others. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said Tuesday, March 5, 2019, in a news release that websites that used "Mormon" and "LDS" will be phased out. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File) Church employee emails that ended with "@ldschurch.org" will now end with "@ChurchofJesusChrist.org." The faith said church websites and social media accounts in other languages will be changed in the coming months. "More than getting the name right as an institution, the invitation to use the full name of the church is an opportunity for Latter-day Saints to refocus their lives on the living Christ," the faith said in the news release. The term Mormon comes from the church's signature scripture, the Book of Mormon, which followers believe is based on the record keeping of an ancient prophet named Mormon. The faith tried once before to insist on the use of its full name - in 2001 ahead of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City - but that push fizzled out. The faith previously promoted the term Mormon, including with a 2014 documentary about its members called "Meet the Mormons." The church ran a series of "I'm a Mormon" ads on TV and billboards starting in 2010, aiming to dispel stereotypes by telling the stories of individual members. A church webpage that was up prior to Nelson's announcement last August described the term Mormon as an "unofficial but inoffensive nickname for members." The faith now says Mormon, Mormonism and LDS are not acceptable. Nelson has suggested that "Latter-day Saints" is acceptable shorthand to describe members and "the Church of Jesus Christ" to describe the faith. The entry about the faith in The Associated Press Stylebook, which many news outlets follow, remains unchanged for now. In a speech at the religion's last conference in October, Nelson said the shift is necessary to reflect that church members are disciples of the Lord, not Mormon. "If this were a discussion about branding a man-made organization, those arguments might prevail," Nelson said. "But in this crucial matter, we look to him whose church this is and acknowledge that the Lord's ways are not, and never will be, man's ways." BEAUREGARD, Ala. (AP) - A tornado that splintered homes, killed 23 people and injured 90 more in Alabama was the deadliest to hit the U.S. since May 2013, when a twister near Oklahoma City killed 24 people. The twister that struck Beauregard , Alabama, was part of a powerful storm system that slashed its way across the Deep South, spawning at least 18 confirmed tornadoes in four states. Mobile homes tucked among tall pine trees were swept from their bases and smashed into unrecognizable piles of rubble. Toys, clothes, insulation, water heaters and pieces of metal were scattered across the hillsides where once towering pines were snapped in half. The tornado swept up and scattered the debris so widely that the metal frames of two of those homes could not even be located. Church chaplain Ike Mathews checked on emergency workers who found some of the bodies . "They're hurting. The community is torn up. They started crying talking about it," said Mathews, an associate pastor at Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church. Debris sits on the side of a road in a neighborhood devastated by a tornado in Beauregard, Ala., Tuesday, March 5, 2019. (AP Photo/David Goldman) Granadas Baker, left, and son Granadas Jr. 18, right, retrieve personal items from the damaged home where they survived a tornado a day earlier in Beauregard, Ala., Monday, March 4, 2019. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File) Carol Dean, right, cries while embraced by Megan Anderson and her 18-month-old daughter Madilyn, as Dean sifts through the debris of the home she shared with her husband, David Wayne Dean, who died when a tornado destroyed the house in Beauregard, Ala., Monday, March 4, 2019. "He was my wedding gift," said Dean of her husband whom she married three years ago. "He was one in a million. He'd send me flowers to work just to let me know he loved me. He'd send me some of the biggest strawberries in the world. I'm not going to be the same." (AP Photo/David Goldman, File) Shiraka Baker stands in the bathroom where she rode out a tornado with her husband and three children as she retrieves belongings from the damaged home in Beauregard, Ala., Monday, March 4, 2019. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File) Danny Allen helps recover belongings while sifting through the debris of a friend's home destroyed by a tornado in Beauregard, Ala., Monday, March 4, 2019. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File) Debris from a home litters a yard the day after a tornado blew it off its foundation, lower right, in Beauregard, Ala., Monday, March 4, 2019. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File) Danny Allen recovers a family photo while sifting through the debris of a friend's home destroyed by a tornado in Beauregard, Ala., Monday, March 4, 2019. (AP Photo/David Goldman) First responders walk through a neighborhood heavily damaged by a tornado a day earlier in Beauregard, Ala., Monday, March 4, 2019. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File) Residents of Talbotton, Ga,. pray together outside a home destroyed by a tornado the day after storms battered Alabama and Georgia, Monday, March 4, 2019. (Grant Blankenship/The Macon Telegraph via AP, File) Dorothy Wilborn, seated, is comforted by her family in her home near Beauregard, Ala., on Monday March 4, 2019, that lost it's roof in the fatal tornado that struck the area on Sunday afternoon. (Mickey Welsh/The Montgomery Advertiser via AP, File) Shiraka Baker, left, passes a photo of her son to her daughter, Kiara Slater, while retrieving personal items from her damaged home where she survived a tornado a day earlier in Beauregard, Ala., Monday, March 4, 2019. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File) Residents and family members sift through the debris of their homes near Lee County Road 38 in Beauregard, Ala., Monday, March 4, 2019, a day after tornados ravaged the area. (AP Photo/Julie Bennett, File) Kiara Slater carries out personal items from her parents' damaged home where they survived a tornado a day earlier in Beauregard, Ala., Monday, March 4, 2019. (AP Photo/David Goldman) Dozens of volunteers help sort donated supplies pouring in from the community and local businesses at the Providence Baptist Church for those affected in nearby Beauregard a day after a tornado on Monday, March 4, 2019, in Opelika, Ala. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP) Granadas Baker retrieves personal items from his home after a tornado caused extensive damage to a neighborhood a day earlier in Beauregard, Ala., Monday, March 4, 2019. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File) WASHINGTON (AP) - The Latest on the fallout from Minnesota Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar's most recent comments on Israel (all times local): 3:05 p.m. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says he finds rising anti-Israel sentiments "disturbing," including by "some of the new members of the House of Representatives." The Kentucky Republican was asked Tuesday about freshman Rep. Ilhan Omar's comment last week that suggested Israel's supporters are pushing lawmakers to pledge "allegiance" to the Jewish state. In response, House Democrats are expected this week to present a resolution condemning anti-Semitism. McConnell noted that the Senate last month passed a provision that would let states penalize businesses that take part in boycotts or divestments of Israel. Omar is a supporter of the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement that promotes various forms of boycotts against Israel. McConnell says the BDS movement "is a clear example of rising anti-Israel sentiment in our country which is very disturbing and that's been underscored by comments of some of the new members of the House of Representatives." FILE - In this Feb. 26, 2019 file photo, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington. McConnell acknowledged Monday that opponents of President Donald Trump's declaration of a national emergency along the U.S.-Mexico border have enough votes in the Republican-led Senate to prevail on a resolution aimed at blocking the move. McConnell, who fell in line behind Trump despite his own misgivings about the declaration, said Trump will veto the resolution and that it's likely to be sustained in Congress. McConnell's remarks in his home state came after fellow Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul became the latest GOP lawmaker to say he can't go along with the White House on the emergency declaration. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) ___ 12:50 p.m. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is giving a fellow freshman a boost in the party's increasingly bitter split over Israel. The New York Democrat tweeted Tuesday about her party's leaders and their plan to rebuke Rep. Ilhan Omar for suggesting that supporters of Israel pledge "allegiance to a foreign country." The House is expected to vote on a resolution condemning anti-Semitism on Wednesday. Ocasio-Cortez tweeted, "No one seeks this level of reprimand when members make statements about Latinx + other communities." Omar, a Minnesota Democrat, has apologized for previous comments about Israel, but she's not apologizing for the statement that reminded many members of Congress of a Jewish trope about having split loyalties. Republicans have demanded that she be stripped of her seat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. ___ 8:20 a.m. President Donald Trump says Democrat Rep. Ilhan Omar's newest remarks about Israel mark a 'dark day' for the Jewish state. He tweeted as House Democrats were preparing a resolution for Wednesday declaring that the House opposes anti-Semitism and bigotry. The measure is part of the Democrats' pushback against Omar for suggesting last week that American supporters of Israel have conflicted allegiances. The declaration, written by Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other Democrats, comes after the Minnesota Democrat's remarks suggesting American supporters of Israel are pushing people to have "allegiance to a foreign country." Trump, a staunch supporter of Israel, tweeted that "Omar is again under fire for her terrible comments concerning Israel." He called her remarks "A dark day for Israel!" The House is expected to vote on the resolution Wednesday. CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) - The board governing North Carolina's public universities is giving itself more time to decide the fate of a Confederate statue toppled by protesters. The Board of Governors is now expected to receive recommendations for the statue in May, two months later than previously planned, according to an email by board Chairman Harry Smith. Smith had previously asked five members to develop and submit a plan to the full board by March 15. The email from Smith announcing the extension was released Tuesday. It says the team needs more time to do its work but doesn't give further explanation. The statue known as "Silent Sam" stood in a main quad for over a century before it was torn down last August by protesters who called it a racist symbol. EDMOND, Okla. (AP) - A suburban Oklahoma City teen told investigators that his older brother told him that he shot and killed their parents because they had been communicating with him telepathically and were Satan worshippers, according to an affidavit released Tuesday. The 17-year-old called police at around 2:30 a.m. Monday after waking to the sound of his mother screaming and hearing gunshots, police wrote in the affidavit. He then saw his mother in the hallway and she told him to call 911. "He looked into the hallway again and saw his brother ... walking down the hallway holding his gun," according to the document. "He advised that his brother often carries the gun around the house with him because he is paranoid." Police found the bodies of Michael Logan Walker, 50, and Rachel Walker, 44, inside their Edmond home and arrested their 19-year-old son, Michael Elijah Walker, on preliminary first-degree murder charges. He is jailed without bond and records don't list an attorney for him. A police spokeswoman, Jenny Wagnon, said Tuesday that investigators have no other suspects and don't expect to make further arrests. The younger brother said his older brother "shot their parents because they were sending him messages telepathically and they were Satan worshippers," and "that everything was OK, and he would bury the bodies," police say in the affidavit, which redacted the name of the younger brother. This March 4, 2019 booking photo released b y Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office shows Michael Elijah Walker. Police say the 19-year-old Oklahoma man told his younger brother that he fatally shot their parents because they were communicating with him telepathically and were Satan worshippers. Investigators say in an affidavit released Tuesday, March 5, 2019, that the younger brother called Edmond police early Monday after waking to his mother's screams and the sound of gunshots. (Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office via AP) The defendant told police his parents had not harmed him, and that he shot them during an argument in his bedroom after he asked them a question about Satanism, the document states. According to the affidavit, the defendant said he shot his father "anywhere I could hit him" after his father "tackled" him. He said he then chased and shot his mother several times as she tried to flee down a hallway. He said he returned to his room to reload and shoot his mother again because he thought she was still alive, and to get a pillow that he placed over the back of her head "and shot once or twice through the pillow because the gun was very loud, indicating the noise from the gunfire was hurting his ears." Walker told investigators "that he believed he did the right thing," and "would react the same way if he had it to do over again," the document states. CASABLANCA, Morocco (AP) - Morocco's bishops said Tuesday they hope Pope Francis' visit to their country will help shed light on the situation of migrants in the country that is a key transit point for those trying to reach Europe. The Catholic church in Morocco mainly works with people from Sub-Saharan Africa, who make up 50 to 70 percent of churchgoers. Many are migrants illegally staying in the majority Muslim country living in poor conditions. "We have had to prioritize to whom the aid goes first. Our church suffers from lack of funds. We can give some migrants food, plastic, covers, yet we can't give them the respect they deserve. They are people not animals." said Santiago Agrelo Martinez, Archbishop of Tangier. He said he hopes that the pope's visit on March 30-31 will help improve the situation. The city he oversees is particularly known for being a focal point for departure into the Mediterranean Sea. A large crackdown on migrants was led by Moroccan authorities there last summer to limit numbers of crossings. "Pope Francis loves to go to frontiers, to places of transit", said Cristobal Lopez Romero, archbishop of Rabat, at a news conference in Casablanca Tuesday. Santiago Agrelo Martinez, Archbishop of Tangier, speaks to journalists at Casablanca's Notre Dame church to brief them on the upcoming papal visit, in Morocco, Tuesday, March 5, 2019. Pope Francis will be in Morocco on March 30-31 (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy) Morocco's officials have repeatedly said the country cannot be the region's immigration police, putting pressure on Europe to provide funds to manage the crisis. Yet crackdowns on migrants and deportations are rampant, pushing international rights organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch to denounce Morocco's security measures. Nearly 47,500 migrants have arrived in Spain by sea since the start of the year, while 564 have died or gone missing while trying to reach Europe, according to the International Organization of Migration. CAPTION CORRECTS THE ID - Cristobal Lopez Romero, Rabat Archbishop takes notes during a presser at Casablanca's Notre Dame church to brief them on the upcoming papal visit, in Morocco, Tuesday, March 5, 2019. Pope Francis will be in Morocco on March 30-31 (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy) CAPTION CORRECTS THE ID - Cristobal Lopez Romero, Rabat Archbishop takes notes during a presser at Casablanca's Notre Dame church to brief them on the upcoming papal visit, in Morocco, Tuesday, March 5, 2019. Pope Francis will be in Morocco on March 30-31 (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy) JERUSALEM (AP) - The Islamic authority that oversees Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem has rejected an Israeli court order to close a religious hall that has ignited tension between Palestinian worshippers and Israeli police in recent weeks. Sheikh Abdelazeem Salhab, chairman of the Waqf Council appointed by neighboring Jordan, said Tuesday that the structure, called Mercy Gate, would "remain open for Muslims to pray," despite Israel's ultimatum to close the site by next Monday. Salhab demanded that Israel permit the Waqf to renovate the building and revoke orders banning dozens of Waqf officials, guards and worshippers from the sacred compound. Israel sealed off the structure in 2003, claiming it was home to a group with ties to Islamic militants. The Waqf has recently challenged the closure, convening and staging prayer-protests in the area. CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - The debate over making it easier to take guns away from dangerous people in New Hampshire featured red T-shirts on one side and white pearls on the other Tuesday. The House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee held a public hearing on a bill that would allow family members or law enforcement officers to seek a court order restricting gun access to those posing an immediate risk to themselves or public safety. Fourteen states already have passed so-called "red flag" laws and several others are debating them this year, according to a review by The Associated Press last month. Supporters of the New Hampshire bill said they were particularly motivated by the state's high suicide rate. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in June identified the state has having one of the largest increases in suicide rates compared to other states, and suicide is the second leading cause of death for residents ages 15-34. In the last five years, there were just over 1,100 suicide deaths, and nearly half involved a firearm. The bill's sponsor, Rep. Debra Altschiller, said the state doesn't ignore other leading causes of death such as cancer or drug overdoses, and should take the same approach to suicide. "When faced with these kinds of facts, what do we do? Do we throw up our hands and say, 'This is terrible'?" said Altschiller, D-Stratham. "No. We take action." In testimony she called "personal, painful and frankly, stigmatizing," Margaret Tilton of Exeter described her son George, who died at age 23 in 2017. An exuberant child and generous young man, he struggled with depression from a young age and bought a handgun in 2016, she said. That time, police were able to persuade him to surrender the gun, but he bought another one in 2017 and used it three weeks later. "My family and I will carry this grief for the rest of our lives," she said. "There can be no meaning to George's senseless death unless we create meaning. We know there are better tools out there we ask you to give us access to them." Dozens of the bill's supporters wore red T-shirts to represent the advocacy group Moms Demand Action, while opponents - including several male members of the committee - wore strands of fake pearls in support of the Women's Defense League. The latter dubbed the bill "the mother of all gun control bills" and called it "the most destructive piece of legislation to ever be introduced to the legislature in modern history." While supporters of the bill argued the law would only be used in cases of extreme risk, opponents argued it would undermine their constitutional rights and leave gun owners vulnerable to false accusations. Ignoring the issue of suicide firearms deaths altogether, Rep. Al Baldasaro listed other states with both stricter gun control laws and higher murder rates than New Hampshire. According to the CDC, New Hampshire had 146 firearms deaths in 2017, including suicides, the 11th lowest rate in the country. "Show me. Where is the issue in New Hampshire that we're trying to fix?" he said. "New Hampshire does not have a problem. We're one of the safest states in the country. Please stop watching TV about other states." Millard Martin of Lancaster said he decided at 4:30 a.m. to make the long drive to Concord to testify against the bill. He implored the committee to read both the state and federal constitutions. "We wouldn't be here if you understood what you have read, if you read it at all," he said. Red-flag laws gained momentum after Nikolas Cruz, a young man widely known to be mentally troubled but who had access to weapons, killed 17 students and staff members at a Florida high school in 2018. According to the data obtained from several states by the AP, more than 1,700 orders allowing guns to be seized for weeks, months or up to a year were issued in 2018. The actual number likely was much higher since the data was incomplete and didn't include California. ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) - A lawsuit claiming "an illegal and bad-faith takeover" of the Miss America Organization was withdrawn Monday for financial reasons, with the pageant responding it proves the "meritless and misguided nature" of the case. The lawsuit had been brought by former board member Jennifer Vaden Barth, who is also a former Miss North Carolina, and several state pageant organizations. Vaden Barth said that she withdrew the lawsuit due to a lack of financial resources but that it was dismissed without prejudice, leaving the door open for future litigation. Numerous state organizations have opposed the new direction and leadership of the pageant. Last year's competition eliminated the swimsuit portion. "I continue to believe that this organization is being led unethically, using intimidation tactics, primarily to serve personal agendas, and by those without the business skills necessary to manage and improve the financial health of the organization," Vaden Barth wrote in a statement Tuesday. But continuing the litigation, which was filed last December, "will cost at least as much as we have already raised," she said. The suit was filed on behalf of Vaden Barth and pageant organizations from Pennsylvania, Tennessee, West Virginia and Georgia. It asked a judge to void the actions of Chairwoman Gretchen Carlson and CEO Regina Hopper, and sought restoration of the situation that existed before the two assumed control of the Miss America Organization. In a statement Tuesday, the Miss America Organization said Vaden Barth's withdrawal of the lawsuit "is a reflection of the meritless and misguided nature of her suit and her false and defamatory claims. MAO disagrees with Ms. Barth's characterization of the dialogue regarding ending this lawsuit and is now assessing its next steps." At a hearing in January, a New Jersey judge refused to block the Miss America Organization from carrying out changes to some of its state pageant leadership groups, even as he called on both sides to try to work out their differences. At that hearing, Tim Davis, a lawyer for the Miss America Organization, chalked up the opposition to "a vocal minority that is unwilling to accept change." A lawyer for the plaintiffs rejected that characterization, saying 46 out of 50 state organizations eventually called for new national leadership of the Miss America Organization. Both sides had advanced settlement proposals, Vaden Barth said, but no agreement was reached. ___ Follow Wayne Parry at http://twitter.com/WayneParryAC WASHINGTON (AP) - A secret U.S. surveillance program that was revealed to the public by former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden has been at least temporarily halted, according to a senior congressional aide. The NSA program, which involved the mass collection of information about phone calls, has not been used over the past six months, the aide, Luke Murry, said in a podcast interview. Murry, a specialist in national security who works for California GOP Rep. Kevin McCarthy, did not go into detail about why the program was halted but mentioned "problems" with the way information was collected. McCarthy's office would not comment Tuesday beyond a written statement that noted Murry was not speaking on behalf of the Trump administration when he gave the interview to the Lawfare podcast. The White House and NSA declined comment. The U.S. began bulk data collection of the time, length and participants - but not the content - of phone calls as part of a surveillance program started after the Sept. 11 attacks. The program prompted widespread controversy after it was publicly exposed by Snowden in 2013. Authority for the program is due to expire this year unless Congress renews it. Civil liberties advocates from across the political spectrum have said the program was overly broad and invasive, violating people's privacy as it swept up call records. "The NSA should not restart this program if it indeed has sat idle, and Congress should put an end to the program and others like it once and for all," said Neema Singh Guliani, senior legislative counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union. Murry said in the podcast, which ran over the weekend, that he considers the collection program "critical" to national security but is not sure the administration will seek to resume it. Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden, a Democrat who has been critical of the surveillance program, said the NSA should let the public know if it has been halted. "The administration must permanently end the phone records program and Congress should refuse to reauthorize it later this year," Wyden said. David Greene, senior staff attorney and civil liberties director at San Francisco, California-based Electronic Frontier Foundation, said there were many reasons why the program shouldn't be renewed. "Even in its more limited form, the program sucks up a lot of records of people not suspected of doing anything wrong," he said. If the Trump administration advocates for its demise, "I would hope that Congress would let it go," Greene said. He said technical problems have made it difficult to comply with the law, and that the program is costly to administer, but that it's too early to know why the administration would want to scrap the program. In 2015, Congress changed the law so that the NSA must request the information from the telecom providers rather than sweep it up in a wholesale fashion. Still, critics want to see further changes to prevent what they see as large-scale surveillance that infringes on civil liberties. The NSA collected more than 534.4 million details of calls and text messages in 2017 from American telecom providers like AT&T and Verizon, according to the most recent government report covering NSA surveillance activities. That was more than three times the 151.2 million collected in 2016. ___ Associated Press writer Deb Riechmann contributed to this report. WASHINGTON (AP) - A bipartisan group of congressional leaders said Tuesday that the Interior Department's plan to clamp down on public records requests would undermine government transparency and potentially violate the Freedom of Information Act. In a letter sent to Acting Interior Secretary David Bernhardt, the lawmakers said the proposed changes to the rules governing public records requests "needlessly encroaches" on the right of Americans to access federal documents. The letter was signed by Senate Finance Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa; House Oversight Chairman Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md.; Senate Appropriations Vice Chair Patrick Leahy, D-Vt.; and Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, a member of the Senate Finance Committee. "The proposed rule appears to restrict public access to DOI's records and delay the processing of FOIA requests in violation of the letter and spirit of FOIA," the lawmakers wrote. "Rather than clarifying DOI's FOIA process, the proposed rule would make the process more confusing and potentially expose it to politicization and unnecessary litigation." The group urged Bernhardt, a former oil and gas lobbyist nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as the agency's permanent secretary, to reconsider the proposed rule "in the spirit of transparency and advancing the public's right to know." The agency has said the rule changes are needed to address what it calls exponential increase in records requests during the Trump administration. Reporters, watchdog groups, nonprofits and other members of the public routinely use FOIA requests to gain information on government actions and decision-making. Among the changes now under consideration at Interior is wording authorizing staff to reject records requests they deem "unreasonably burdensome" and impose monthly limits on the number of FOIA requests that can be filed by an individual. The proposal would also replace the phrase "time limit" in the agency's FOIA regulations with the term "time frame," a subtle change critics worry might allow staff to treat FOIA's legally required time limits as mere guidelines. The new draft rule was issued by the department Dec. 28, and a 30-day period for collecting public response expired in January. More than 65,000 people submitted comments about the proposed rule. Interior spokesman Alex Hinson said Tuesday he could not provide comment of specific provisions, since the rulemaking process is still underway. "Those who have followed the issue understand that exponential increases in requests and litigation have overwhelmed the department's capacity to timely process the public's FOIA requests," said Hinson, who added that the purpose of the changes has been "misunderstood." "We believe these changes will result in a more transparent, equitable, and accountable FOIA program," he said. The Associated Press was among a coalition of media outlets that voiced opposition to the changes last January. At that time, AP spokeswoman Lauren Easton said the news organization urges the Interior Department "to reconsider its proposal, which would greatly infringe upon the public's right to know and understand the inner workings of its government. AP condemns such restraint of public information and any move by a government agency to undermine transparency." ___ Follow Associated Press investigative reporter Michael Biesecker at http://twitter.com/mbieseck FARGO, N.D. (AP) - A man convicted in 2012 of stealing the identities of 38,000 people in a massive credit card scheme has been sentenced to an additional 10 years in prison on a separate charge of obstruction of justice. A federal jury in North Dakota in October found Michael Adeyemo guilty of lying about his name, date of birth and other parts of his background. Adeyemo was previously sentenced in 2012 to 18 years in prison for what authorities called high-tech bank robbery that cost banks millions of dollars. The case wound up in North Dakota because U.S. Bank, one of the victims, is based in Fargo. Prosecutors say they later discovered Adeyemo created a fictional version of himself under a different name and used that to successfully argue for a lesser sentence. SALEM, Ore. (AP) - U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon announced Tuesday he has decided after months of consideration not to enter the increasingly crowded race for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination. Merkley said in an interview that he decided he would be more effective in championing issues by running for his third term in the Senate instead of being a presidential candidate. The large field of Democratic contenders for the White House was not a major factor in his decision, nor was an Oregon law that prevents him from being on the ballot for more than one elected office in any given year Merkley said. "I've never shied from a fight, and there's nothing about the field that would make me reluctant to be there," Merkley told The Associated Press in a telephone interview Monday night. Merkley amped up his presence on the national stage by vocally opposing the Trump administration's immigration crackdown that has seen families separated and children put in detention facilities. But Priscilla Southwell, a University of Oregon political science professor, said that while Merkley has made a name for himself in Oregon and some other parts of the country, he is not well-known nationally, and the field of contenders is large. "I think it was a very wise choice," Southwell said. FILE - In this Jan. 24, 2019 file photo, Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., speaks during the U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting in Washington. Merkley announced Tuesday, March 5, 2019 that he would not seek his party's 2020 presidential nomination but will focus on his Senate re-election. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File) Merkley said he aims to fight anti-democracy moves including voter suppression, gerrymandering and dark money. He said he also wants to focus on helping families by improving health care, education and access to living-wage jobs and on stemming climate change. "These are the things we feel like we have to take on, and we have to take them on boldly and aggressively," Merkley said. He is not endorsing any candidate yet but said he is impressed by many of those Democrats who have already declared their candidacy or intention to run. "If you're running, you've got to present a credible and determined vision on how you'll take on these problems," he advised the growing field. In just the past few days, former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper and current Washington Gov. Jay Inslee launched their presidential bids, and 2016 presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and former Attorney General Eric Holder said they're not running. Merkley expressed guarded optimism that Democrats might regain control of the Senate in 2020, girded by opposition to President Donald Trump. If the House were to impeach Trump, the Senate would act as jury in a trial overseen by the chief justice of the Supreme Court, and Merkley would have a seat in the juror box, something he indicated he anticipates happening. "The House has the responsibility of taking the first step," Merkley said. "As a future juror, let me just withhold my thoughts until the House has acted, and I have a responsibility to play that role in the Senate." ___ Follow Andrew Selsky on Twitter at https://twitter.com/andrewselsky PRAGUE (AP) - Police say a man has been mauled to death by his pet lion in a village in eastern Czech Republic. They say that they were called to the site in Zdechov on Tuesday morning, where they found two lions in an enclosure with the body of a man. After assessing the situation with experts from a nearby zoo, they shot dead the lion that killed the man, as well as a lioness. Police say the victim of the attack is the 33-year-old owner of the lions. Veterinary authorities say the man was in the past denied permission to keep lions. World Animal Protection, an animal welfare organization, says the tragic event is an example "why wild animals such as big cats, are absolutely not to be kept as pets." CAPTION CORRECTS THE AGE - A special force policeman at the scene where a male lion attacked and killed a 33-year-old breeder in Zdechov village near Vsetin, Czech Republic, Tuesday, March 5, 2019. Police say a man was mauled to death by his pet lion in a village in eastern Czech Republic. When police arrived, they found two lions in an enclosure with a body of a man. After they assessed the situation with experts from a nearby zoo, they shot dead the animals. (Dalibor Gluck/CTK via AP) AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Wendy Davis of Texas said Tuesday she is considering a U.S. Senate run in 2020 but is waiting to see whether another high-profile Democrat, Rep. Joaquin Castro, goes through with challenging Republican incumbent John Cornyn. Davis hasn't run for office since badly losing the governor's race in 2014 following her star-making filibuster of an anti-abortion bill in the Texas Capitol, catapulting her into the national spotlight and making her a prominent voice for women's rights. She told The Associated Press she has urged Castro to run, calling him "uniquely poised" in Texas to give Democrats a chance at winning their first statewide office in 25 years. Castro said last week he was giving "serious" consideration to a Senate campaign but set no timetable for a decision. Davis said she wants him to decide soon so that someone else - including her - could step up if he sits out. She said she also discussed a Senate run with MJ Hegar, an Air Force veteran who last year lost a close congressional challenge near Austin. "I'm proud of the way that all of us are working together to decide how can we best beat John Cornyn. What's the best approach? Who has the strongest opportunity?" Davis said. "As we answer that question, we are going to circle behind that person and do all we can to support them - whether it's me, whether it's MJ, whether it's Joaquin, whether it's someone else. You are going to see us come together cohesively." Davis sat in the front row Tuesday at a press conference in Austin with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who was in Texas to headline a fundraiser dinner and promote proposals by Democrats in Congress to expand voting rights. Former state senator Wendy Davis, center, visits with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., right, following a stop for a news conference, Tuesday, March 5, 2019, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) If she doesn't go for Senate, Davis said it was unlikely she'll run for Congress this cycle, pointing to no obvious seats around Austin for now. Davis was a state lawmaker in 2013 when she laced up her now-famous pink sneakers and stood on the floor of the Texas Senate for 13 hours to temporarily block a sweeping anti-abortion bill. She energized Texas Democrats like few candidates in a generation, but a year later, was clobbered in the governor's race by 20 points to Republican Greg Abbott. Beto O'Rourke has signaled he won't run for Senate again and has been promising to announce soon whether he'll run for president in 2020. Castro is the chairman of Hispanic caucus in Congress and is the twin brother of Democratic presidential candidate Julian Castro. "He has demonstrated spectacular leadership. He has a real ability to inspire the Latino vote in this state," Davis said of Joaquin Castro. Cornyn has been in the Senate since 2003 and has never had a serious re-election challenge. He was the No. 2 Republican in the Senate before term limits forced him to step down from that leadership role this year. ___ Follow Paul J. Weber on Twitter: www.twitter.com/pauljweber WASHINGTON (AP) - The Latest on President Donald Trump and congressional investigations (all times local): 3:20 p.m. House Oversight and Reform Committee Chairman Elijah Cummings says the White House is refusing to produce documents related to security clearances. Cummings released a letter from White House Counsel Pat Cipollone in which he calls Cummings' request "unprecedented and extraordinarily intrusive" and offers to provide a briefing and documents "describing the security clearance process." Cummings says that is not enough and that the White House posture defies "plain common sense." He said he will consult with committee members about next steps. The document request from the oversight panel comes amid questions about the Trump administration's truthfulness regarding how senior adviser Jared Kushner got his high-level security clearance after career security officials recommended against it. The New York Times reported that President Donald Trump ordered officials to grant the clearance. President Donald Trump speaks during a signing ceremony for an executive order on a "National Roadmap to Empower Veterans and End Veteran Suicide," in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Tuesday, March 5, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci) ___ 2:45 p.m. President Donald Trump says congressional Democrats seeking to investigate his campaign and White House are playing political games. Speaking at the White House on Tuesday, Trump responded to a sweeping new probe from the House Judiciary Committee by calling it "presidential harassment" and a "witch hunt." Trump argued that Democrats were more focused on investigations than "getting legislation passed." He called the committee's requests for documents from 81 people linked to the president and his associates a "disgrace for our country." The Judiciary Committee is investigating possible obstruction of justice, corruption and abuse of power. ___ 2:30 p.m. The House intelligence committee chairman has hired new staff with experience in the intelligence community and law enforcement as he renews an investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and begins looking into President Donald Trump's financial interests. Rep. Adam Schiff announced Tuesday that he hired Daniel Goldman as senior adviser and director of investigations. Goldman formerly worked in the criminal division of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, where former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen has pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations and other crimes. Goldman worked there until 2017. Schiff also announced he hired Kathy Suber, who served as a government intelligence officer for two decades, and Lucian Sikorskyj, who worked for the National Security Council and served as a senior analyst to NATO. ___ 12:10 a.m. The White House is criticizing a sweeping House probe of President Donald Trump and his administration, calling it "a disgraceful and abusive investigation into tired, false allegations." Trump himself summed up his reaction in one word: "Ridiculous!" The chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, congressman Jerrold Nadler of New York, said Monday his panel is beginning the probe into possible obstruction of justice, corruption and abuse of power. Their first major action is to send document requests to 81 people linked to Trump and his associates. The broad investigation could be setting the stage for an impeachment effort. But Democratic leaders have pledged to investigate all avenues and review special counsel Robert Mueller's upcoming report before trying any drastic action. ___ Read the document requests: http://apne.ws/87a9kpP ___ Follow all of AP's Trump Investigations coverage at https://apnews.com/TrumpInvestigations RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - The top suspect in ballot-fraud allegations in the still-vacant North Carolina congressional election is free again after a surprise court appearance on felony charges. Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman said Leslie McCrae Dowless was arraigned Tuesday, almost three weeks before it was scheduled. Freeman says Dowless was scheduled to be in court March 25. But documents Dowless got after posting a $30,000 bond last week said he needed to show up Tuesday. Freeman says Dowless waived his right to be considered for a court-appointed attorney and is keeping his private lawyer. Dowless was arrested last week on seven felonies accusing him of illegally collecting ballots during last year's primary election and the 2016 elections. A new election in the 9th congressional district starts with primaries in May. FILE - In this Dec. 5, 2018 file photo, Leslie McCrae Dowless Jr. poses for a portrait outside of his home in Bladenboro, N.C. The North Carolina political operative at the center of a ballot fraud scandal is facing criminal charges for his activities in the 2016 elections and the Republican primary in 2018. Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman said Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, that Dowless was arrested after grand jury indictments alleging illegal possession of absentee ballots and obstruction of justice. (Travis Long/The News & Observer via AP, File) This booking photo released Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019 by the Wake City-County Bureau of Identification, shows Leslie McCrae Dowless, who was arrested Wednesday and charged with illegal ballot handling and obstruction of justice in the 2016 general election and 2018 primary. Dowless was also at the center of a ballot fraud investigation by state elections officials who ordered a new election in the disputed North Carolina congressional race. (Wake City-County Bureau of Identification via AP) FILE - In this Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019, file photo, Mark Harris, Republican candidate in North Carolina's 9th Congressional race, prepares to testify during the fourth day of a public evidentiary hearing on the 9th Congressional District voting irregularities investigation at the North Carolina State Bar in Raleigh, N.C. Harris, whose narrow lead in the North Carolina congressional race was thrown out because of suspicions of ballot fraud, announced Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019, he will not run in the newly ordered do-over election, saying he needs surgery in late March. (Travis Long/The News & Observer via AP, Pool, File) FILE - In this Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019, file photo, Mark Harris, Republican candidate in North Carolina's 9th congressional race, makes a statement before the state board of elections calling for a new election during the fourth day of a public evidentiary hearing on the 9th congressional district voting irregularities investigation at the North Carolina State Bar in Raleigh, N.C. Harris, whose narrow lead in the North Carolina congressional race was thrown out because of suspicions of ballot fraud, announced Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019, he will not run in the newly ordered do-over election, saying he needs surgery in late March. (Travis Long/The News & Observer via AP, Pool, File) FILE - In this May 8, 2018 file photo Ninth Congressional district Democratic candidate Dan McCready smiles as he speaks with U.S. Rep. Alma Adams outside Eastover Elementary School in Charlotte, N.C. The Democratic candidate in the nation's last undecided congressional race will address his supporters now that a new election has been called. McCready was planning a rally and news conference Friday, Feb. 22, 2019. (Jeff Siner/The Charlotte Observer via AP) BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - Another American Indian tribe in North Dakota is challenging the state's voter identification requirements, which many Native Americans allege discriminate against them and suppress their vote. The Standing Rock Sioux has signed on to a lawsuit that the Spirit Lake Sioux filed just days before last November's general election, challenging the state requirement that a voter ID include a provable street address. Tribes allege that disenfranchises members who live on high-poverty reservations where street addresses are uncommon or unknown and where post office boxes are the primary addresses. Spirit Lake sued in the wake of an October U.S. Supreme Court ruling in a similar lawsuit members of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa filed in 2016. Justices allowed the state to continue requiring street addresses on voter IDs, though Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said in a dissent that "the risk of voter confusion appears severe here." A federal judge refused Spirit Lake's request to block the street address law for the November election. But tribes, with the help of advocacy groups, had already mounted an intense effort to get Native Americans to the polls with proper identification. It was largely successful, though an amended lawsuit complaint filed by the Spirit Lake and Standing Rock tribes last Thursday indicates it also was expensive, costing the two tribes a combined $14,000. "That's money that doesn't go to other needs of the tribal communities in North Dakota," plaintiffs' attorney Timothy Purdon said in an interview Tuesday. "These are financially challenged communities. Those are dollars not going to early childhood education, or health care, or whatever." The lawsuit seeks to have the residential address requirement as it applies to Native American voters ruled unconstitutional and a violation of the federal Voting Rights Act. The state maintains everyone has a street address via the statewide 911 system, but the lawsuit argues the system is "incomplete, contradictory and prone to error on reservations." FILE - In this Oct. 24, 2018 file photo, Delaine Belgarde, right, shows the new Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa identification card she received free of charge, in Belcourt, N.D. Another American Indian tribe in North Dakota is challenging the state's voter identification requirements, which many Native Americans allege discriminate against them and suppresses their vote. The Standing Rock Sioux has signed on to a lawsuit that the Spirit Lake Sioux filed just days before last November's general election. That lawsuit was prompted by an October U.S. Supreme Court ruling in a similar lawsuit by Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa members that was favorable to the state. (AP Photo/Blake Nicholson, File) The state in January asked a federal judge to dismiss the lawsuit , arguing in part that the state is immune from such lawsuits in federal court and that the Spirit Lake tribe doesn't have standing to sue for several reasons. Secretary of State Al Jaeger maintains that the state's voter ID requirements are aimed at preventing voting fraud. He declined comment Tuesday on the Standing Rock tribe joining the lawsuit, saying the state doesn't comment on pending litigation. Some American Indians and advocates believe the Republican-dominated state government wants to subdue the vote of Native Americans, who tend to support Democrats. Native Americans make up only about 5 percent of North Dakota's population but were key in a 2012 U.S. Senate win by Democrat Heidi Heitkamp. The GOP-controlled Legislature decided just a few months later to stop allowing voters without proper ID to cast ballots simply by signing an affidavit attesting to their eligibility. Lawmakers denied that Heitkamp's win had anything to do with the decision. Last year's election featured a race between Heitkamp and GOP challenger Kevin Cramer that was seen as critical to Republicans' chances to keep control of the Senate. Cramer won handily despite a large voter turnout on reservations. ___ Follow Blake Nicholson on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/NicholsonBlake SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) - Chile's Roman Catholic church, already the target of Vatican sanctions, was being shaken Tuesday by yet another allegation of priestly abuse and high-level cover-up. Daniel Rojas Alvarez, a 43-year-old indigent man, appeared on a state television broadcast Monday night saying that a priest at the Santiago Cathedral had drugged and raped him in 2015. He said Cardinal Ricardo Ezzati had given him money when told of the attack and told him not to report it. "The case is terrible, unacceptable," said Fernando Ramos, secretary-general of the Chilean bishop's conference, at a news conference Tuesday ahead of his trip to the Vatican for a worldwide meeting of bishops on preventing sexual abuse. The Santiago archbishopric acknowledged in a statement that it had received a complaint against the priest, Rigoberto Rivera, in the summer of 2015 and said he had been forbidden to celebrate public Mass since last year. His attorney, Sandra Pinto, denied the allegations. A series of earlier cases investigated by the Vatican led Pope Francis last year to request all 31 active bishops to offer their resignations, complaining of "a culture of abuse and cover-up." Ezzati, who offered his resignation in 2017 on turning 75, has denied committing any cover-ups of sexual abuse. Government prosecutors are also investigating Ezzati on allegations he covered up abuse committed by his top deputy, and they have raided the Santiago ecclesiastical court and other church buildings looking for evidence. Another former bishop, Juan Barros, was also questioned last year by prosecutors. A weeping Rojas Alvarez, who has been living in the streets, told Channel 7 that he had gone to the cathedral seeking help to buy medicine for his ailing daughter. He alleged that Rivera had given him water that left him feeling weak, then kissed him and raped him. "I began to cry, to wake up. A terrible situation of total vulnerability," he said. He said he reported the attack to Ezzati, and said the cardinal asked him to pray for the priest, gave him the equivalent of $45 and asked him not to tell anybody what had happened. In addition to a criminal complaint, Rojas has filed a suit seeking the equivalent of about $530,000 from Rivera and the archbishopric. The bishop's office is also facing demands for similar sums from three victims of Fernando Karadima, the country's most notorious pedophile priest. The archbishopric said it had first received another complaint about Rivera in 2011, but didn't investigate because "it was not possible to contact the complainant." It said Rivera received canonical punishment in September 2018, but said it would start "an exhaustive review to clarify" all of the cases. He is allowed to celebrate Mass only in private, accompanied by a person over 50, and to have no meetings with youth. WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) - A Delaware judge is mulling whether to dismiss a lawsuit filed by a Saudi prince in a dispute with his ex-wife over a mansion they bought in Beverly Hills, California, before their divorce. The judge heard arguments Tuesday in a complaint filed last year by Prince Faisal Bin Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud against his former wife, Princess Fahdah Husain Abdulrahman Al-Athel. The prince wants to prevent his ex-wife from selling the property without his consent. He also says he is owed about $42 million that he loaned the Delaware limited liability company they formed to buy the property, and that she has mismanaged the estate and failed to pay employees, resulting in several lawsuits. The princess, also referred to in court documents as Ms. Alathel, argues that she was never a manager of New Generation Ideas LLC, and that the Delaware court has no jurisdiction over her. Steven Caponi, an attorney for the princess, suggested that when she signed documents related to the LLC, she may have not have understood what she was signing but was instead just being subservient to her husband. "This was not a business. ... This was a husband and wife. This was a wife in Saudi Arabia," Caponi said. "Women in Saudi Arabia are not exactly on equal footing. My client was just being a housewife." The princess also argues that the case should be dismissed or halted in favor of an earlier petition she filed in the Cayman Islands to dissolve a corporation that is the sole member of the LLC and to liquidate its assets. Jason Jowers, an attorney for the prince, noted that the princess had admitted in a Cayman Islands court filing that she is a director of the LLC. He also argued that the prince should be allowed to continue pursuing his lawsuit in Delaware because his claims are different than those raised by his ex-wife in the Cayman Islands action, where the LLC is not listed as a party. Jowers said the two former spouses won't be able to move on until a court determines whether the prince did indeed loan $42 million to the LLC to renovate the property or whether, as Caponi argued, "It was simply two married people spending their joint funds improving their joint marital residence." According to court records, the only asset of the LLC is the California estate, which was purchased in 2011 for about $16.9 million. According to online property records, the mansion measures more than 27,000 square feet (2,058 square meters), with at least 18 bedrooms and more than two dozen bathrooms. A Cayman Islands court has ordered the former spouses to submit independent appraisals of the property by the end of the month. "There's a very huge delta between what each party things this property is worth," Caponi said. The prince has suggested that the property is worth less than the $42 million he loaned to the LLC, while his wife believes it is worth significantly more. The couple married in 2001. Their divorce was finalized in Saudi Arabia in 2016. STANDISH, Maine (AP) - The Cumberland County Sheriff's Department in Maine says more charges could be forthcoming against a student who posted threats against a specific student and a school resource officer. The 17-year-old boy was charged with terrorizing. He was suspended from Bonny Eagle High School. Officials say he was seen on social media holding what appeared to be a handgun. Capt. Donald Goulet said the student was located and charged on Monday. The investigation is continuing. The incident comes days after Buxton police charged two Bonny Eagle Middle School students with terrorizing. Investigators say the 14-year-olds - a boy and a girl - threatened to bring guns to school and attack fellow students, staff and teachers. OLMITO, Texas (AP) - Authorities in Texas say Baltimore police have asked for more time before they pick up a man accused of killing his wife and blaming her death on a panhandler. Cameron County Sheriff's Office spokesman Lt. Joe Elizardi said a Baltimore detective requested a five-day extension Tuesday. That means 52-year-old Keith Smith and his 28-year-old daughter, Valeria Smith, could remain in Texas until March 20. They agreed to be extradited Monday. Jacquelyn Smith was fatally stabbed last year. Her husband said she rolled down her window to give money to a panhandler, who stabbed her. But Acting Police Commissioner Michael Harrison announced Sunday that story wasn't true and Smith's husband and step-daughter are facing first-degree murder charges. He says they were arrested in Texas and were preparing to leave the country. This photo released by the Cameron County Sheriff's Office shows Keith Smith . Smith is charged with killing his wife after blaming her death on a Baltimore panhandler is being held without bail in Texas. Cameron County Sheriff's Office spokesman Lt. Joe Elizardi said 52-year-old Smith and his 28-year-old daughter, Valeria Smith, were arraigned Monday, March 4, 2019, and agreed to be extradited. Elizardi says they're held without bond and Baltimore officials have until March 15 to pick them up. It's not known if Keith Smith and Valeria Smith had attorneys who could comment for them. (Cameron County Sheriff's Office via AP) CALGARY, Alberta (AP) - A Canadian man who was convicted last year of polygamy is selling property he owns in British Columbia, Canada, to repay creditors. Winston Blackmore will auction off two different sets of large properties located near the small community of Bountiful in southeastern British Columbia where he leads a polygamous group, the Calgary Herald newspaper in Canada reports . One property is listed at $536,000 and the other at $280,000. They are part of two companies owned by Blackmore: Blackmore Farms Ltd. and Church of Jesus Christ (Original Doctrine) Inc. Blackmore, 62 was found guilty last year of having 24 wives and sentenced to six months house arrest and one year probation. Court bailiff Michael Sandstorm of the company auctioning the properties says the new owner will get the land and any buildings on them. He says some people are still living on the properties. It's unknown what will happen to them. "I'm sure it will impact the community (in Bountiful), hopefully not in an adverse way," Sandstorm said. Hanna Blackmore, one of Blackmore's daughters, said she was surprised and disgusted about the auction. One of the buildings on the property is a community center, she said. There about 100 families living in the community, she said. The sale will "destroy the community," Hanna Blackmore said. She said she still talks with her father, who is done with house arrest and visits when possible. She has helped to raise $4,500 to help her father pay the legal fees, she said. "He has been strapped financially, especially with his house arrest, and has a lot of people relying on him for support," she said. "He calls his adult children to check up on us and I always look forward to his phone calls and try to visit as often as I can. My dad has a lot of friends and has helped a tremendous amount of people." Winston Blackmore at one point owed the Canada Revenue Agency nearly $2.4 million in unpaid taxes. The government seized some of his assets in 2017 to collect the debt. Blackmore used to be the bishop of the Canadian enclave of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a Mormon offshoot sect that believes in plural marriage. But he was kicked out, or ex-communicated, in 2002 by the group's leader, Warren Jeffs, who is now serving a life prison sentence in Texas for sexually assaulting underage girls he considered brides. AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - A big chunk of the 2020 Democratic field began making Texas an unlikely early-state stop Saturday and pushed back on big tech in front of young, social-media savvy crowds in a city where companies including Google and Apple have big footprints. Texas is an early primary state, but the real draw of the South by Southwest Festival in Austin for Democrats is face time with the party's ascendant young and liberal wing. The festival has grown from obscure roots into a weeklong juggernaut of tech, politics and entertainment. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts defended her new call to break up tech giants to an audience dotted with employees of some of those very companies. Her appearance began with her interviewer asking tech employees in the crowd to stand up. Warren scanned the room as several people got on the feet. "There are parts about big tech that are frankly just like railroads of the Teddy Roosevelt era," she said. "What's new is old. When someone gets market dominance, how then they start to destroy competition." Warren was also asked whether Sen. Bernie Sanders discouraged from her entering the race. She wouldn't divulge details, calling it a private dinner. Other highlights of Saturday campaigning: Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., speaks to local residents Friday, March 8, 2019, in the Queens borough of New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) ___ AMY KLOBUCHAR The Minnesota senator kicked off SXSW with promises to reign in tech companies and saying that she has spoken to former President Barack Obama about her own presidential ambitions. Klobuchar wouldn't go as far as Warren when asked whether Google or Facebook should be broken up. "I would want to have it investigated. That is how I do things," she said. If anti-competitive problems are discovered, Klobuchar said, "then you come up with a plan to break up or to move something out if there is a piece of it that is anti-competitive." Klobuchar criticized the tech industry for not protecting privacy and floated the idea of taxing social media companies when they sell personal data, but she did not give specifics. ___ KAMALA HARRIS The California senator said she's committed to shoring up rural communities, a message the Democratic presidential hopeful shared with voters in some of the most sparsely populated parts of the early voting state of South Carolina. Harris told a crowd of several hundred gathered in tiny St. George that a national infrastructure of crumbling roads and bridges makes it difficult for people in communities like this one to get to their jobs, which may be miles and miles away. Harris also said she wants to make changes to rural hospital funding, tweaks that she hopes will lead fewer health care facilities in such areas to close. In remarks to a small-business summit in North Charleston, Harris pledged to help build back America's image abroad, which she said has been damaged by President Donald Trump. "What we have seen recently is a president who is conducting foreign affairs by tweet. On Day One, I would make it very clear that I value the importance of diplomacy. I value relationships. And that doesn't take any strength from us, any power from us - it gives us power," she said. Speaking with reporters, Harris said that she wanted more information about the investigation into former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort to be made available to the public. ___ BERNIE SANDERS Sanders told a packed house in Des Moines that as president his power to reform industries and institutions would be limited, but he'd still fulfill his campaign promises with their support. The Vermont senator said "no president, not the best-intentioned in the world, can take on those extraordinarily powerful forces." He went on to say: "But we have something they don't have - we have the people." The crowd packed into the Animal Learning Center on the Iowa State Fairgrounds roared their approval of Sanders, who is making another run for the Democratic nomination. Many were decked out in his 2016 campaign gear or waved "IA loves Bernie" signs. About 50 volunteers showed up to support Sanders at the final stop of his three-day swing through the state, part of an Iowa volunteer force that he said already totals 7,000. "We need you to add to that number," he said, to roars from the crowd. ___ JOHN HICKENLOOPER Former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper said during his first trip to Iowa as a candidate that it would be "crazy" to drive out everyone who's in the U.S. illegally. Hickenlooper launched his bid for the Democratic presidential nomination this week and is positioning himself as a uniter who can get things done. On immigration, Hickenlooper said both sides need to sit down and that hardliners must accept some realities. "To think we're ever in this country, that was founded and defined by immigrants, to expel 10 million to 11 million people is crazy," Hickenlooper said. ___ BETO O'ROURKE O'Rourke swung by the trendy and techie SXSW, too, but still didn't announce whether he will embark on a White House run. Officially, O'Rourke wasn't part of the lineup at SXSW. The former Texas congressman attended a documentary about his longshot U.S. Senate campaign that may or may not become the springboard to a White House run. ___ Associated Press Writers Meg Kinnard in St. George, South Carolina; Alexandra Jaffe in Des Moines, Iowa; Nicholas Riccardi in Dubuque, Iowa; and Will Weissert in Austin contributed to this report. U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., takes part in a "Conversations About America's Future" program at ACL Live during the South by Southwest Interactive Festival on Saturday, March 9, 2019, in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Jack Plunkett/Invision/AP) Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., speaks during an event in St. George, S.C., on Saturday, March 9, 2019. Harris is spending two days in South Carolina, home of the first southern presidential primary in 2020, spending time with voters in rural and coastal areas. (AP Photo/Meg Kinnard) A US congressional committee has launched a sweeping new investigation into President Donald Trump, his White House, his campaign and his businesses. The House Judiciary Committee is sending document requests to 81 people linked to the president and his associates. Committee chairman Jerrold Nadler said the investigation will be focused on obstruction of justice, corruption and abuse of power. The aggressive, broad investigation could set the stage for impeachment, although Democratic leaders have pledged to investigate all avenues and review special counsel Robert Muellers report before taking drastic action. Mr Trump denounced the probe on Tuesday, tweeting that Mr Nadler and other Democrats have gone stone cold CRAZY. 81 letter sent to innocent people to harass them. They wont get ANYTHING done for our Country! Mr Nadler said the document requests, with responses to most due by March 18, are a way to begin building the public record and that the committee has the responsibility to investigate and hold public hearings. Over the last several years, President Trump has evaded accountability for his near-daily attacks on our basic legal, ethical and constitutional rules and norms, Mr Nadler said in announcing the beginning of the probe. Investigating these threats to the rule of law is an obligation of Congress and a core function of the House Judiciary Committee. Today, @HouseJudiciary unveiled the first steps of an investigation into the alleged corruption, obstruction, and other abuses of power by President Trump, his associates, and members of his Administration. https://t.co/zBc8s0IhLX Rep. Nadler (@RepJerryNadler) March 4, 2019 White House press secretary Sarah Sanders called the House probe a disgraceful and abusive investigation into tired, false allegations. In a statement on Monday night, she said: Chairman Nadler and his fellow Democrats have embarked on this fishing expedition because they are terrified that their two-year false narrative of Russia collusion is crumbling. Their intimidation and abuse of American citizens is shameful. Now that Democrats hold a majority in the House, the new probe is a sign that Mr Trumps legal and political peril is nowhere near over, even as Mr Muellers Russia investigation winds down. The move all but guarantees that potentially damaging allegations will shadow the president for months to come as Democrats try to keep them in the public eye. Mr Nadlers announcement comes after the House intelligence panel announced a separate probe into Russian interference in the 2016 election and Mr Trumps foreign financial interests. The House Oversight and Reform Committee has launched multiple investigations. Several other committees are probing related matters as well, and while many might overlap, the committee chairmen and chairwomen say they are working together on the investigations. Jerrold Nadler (Andrew Harnik/AP) The list of 81 names touches on all parts of Mr Trumps life his businesses, his campaign, the committee that oversaw the transition from campaign to the White House and the White House itself. There are also people connected to Russian interference in the 2016 campaign, including participants in a meeting at Trump Tower with a Russian lawyer before the election. In a letter to the White House, the committee asks for information surrounding former FBI director James Comeys termination, communications with Justice Department officials, the Trump Tower meeting and multiple other matters. The list includes two of the presidents children, Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump, and many of his current and former close advisers, including Steve Bannon. Donald Trump Jr (Sue Ogrocki/AP) It also includes his embattled charitable foundation, which he is shutting down after agreeing to a court-supervised process, and officials at the FBI and Justice Department. The committee expects some people to produce right away, and others may eventually face subpoenas, an official said. It is unclear how many will eventually be called in for interviews. The announcement of the new investigation follows a bad political week for the president. He emerged empty-handed from a high-profile summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on denuclearisation, and Mr Trumps former personal lawyer Michael Cohen, in three days of congressional evidence, publicly characterised the president as a conman and cheat. Mr Nadler previewed the announcement on ABCs This Week on Sunday, saying it was very clear that Mr Trump had obstructed justice. He said House Democrats, now in the majority, are doing our job to protect the rule of law after Republicans during the first two years of Mr Trumps term were shielding the president from any proper accountability. Were far from making decisions about impeachment, he added. Attorney General Geoffrey Cox and Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay are to hold fresh talks in Brussels in a renewed effort to secure changes to the Northern Ireland backstop. Downing Street has said negotiations are at a critical stage as Theresa May presses for concessions from the EU that will persuade MPs to back her Brexit deal in next weeks expected crunch Commons vote. Conservative Brexiteers are demanding guarantees the UK cannot be tied indefinitely to EU rules through the backstop, intended to ensure there is no hard border on the island of Ireland in the absence of a future free trade agreement. However, French president Emmanuel Macron signalled he would firmly resist any measure that might diminish the security and integrity of the EUs external border and internal market. He also accused Brexiteers of lying about the consequences of leaving the EU and suggested Britain would end up being part of a reformed Europe in the future. No 10 refused to be drawn on Monday on a report that Mr Cox had dropped attempts to secure either a time limit or a unilateral exit mechanism in the face of entrenched opposition from the EU. Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay (left) and Attorney General Geoffrey Cox are to hold fresh talks in Brussels (Stefan Rousseau/PA) However, Mr Cox poured cold water on the claims describing then as misunderstood fag ends dressed up as facts. Some of it is accurate, much more of it isnt and what is not is far more significant than what is, he wrote on Twitter. Complex and detailed negotiations cannot be conducted in public. The Prime Ministers official spokesman said the negotiations were definitely making progress but that there definitely remains more work to be done. Meanwhile, the so-called Cash Council of pro-Brexit Tory MP lawyers named after arch Euro-sceptic Sir Bill Cash said they would make a judgment on whether to vote an agreement once they had seen the details. The DT reporting of the last 24 hours consists of misunderstood fag ends dressed up as facts. Some of it is accurate, much more of it isnt and what is not is far more significant than what is. Complex and detailed negotiations cannot be conducted in public. Get Outlook for iOS Geoffrey Cox QC MP (@Geoffrey_Cox) March 4, 2019 Council member Michael Tomlinson said any document would have to meet the requirements of the Brady amendment, passed by the Commons in January, which called for alternative arrangements to replace the backstop. There are no documents for us to examine at this stage, but we look forward to seeing in due course what the Attorney has agreed, so that we may assess whether it meets the requirements of the Brady amendment, which commanded a majority in the House of Commons and calls for significant, legally-binding changes to the Withdrawal Agreement, Mr Tomlinson said following the first meeting of the group at Westminster on Monday. We support the Prime Minister in seeking treaty-level changes, but pre-judging or speculating at this stage wont help the re-negotiating efforts. The council has asked to be given all of the relevant documents in good time to consider them properly, in order to form a judgment in advance of a vote. Our primary objective is a proper analysis. (PA Graphics) Mr Macron tore into Brexiteers on Monday, saying anger mongers, backed by fake news, promise anything and everything. He said: Who told the British people the truth about their post-Brexit future? Who spoke to them about losing access to the European market? Who mentioned the risks to peace in Ireland of restoring the former border? Nationalist retrenchment offers nothing. Indicating he will stand firm on the backstop, he said: Our borders also need to guarantee fair competition. What power in the world would accept continued trade with those who respect none of their rules? We cannot suffer in silence. A Tokyo court has approved the release of former Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn on 1 billion yen (6.8 million) bail. The end of his four months of detention in Japan was delayed when prosecutors appealed against the ruling, but French lawyer Jean-Yves Le Borgne said the court rejected the appeal and confirmed the bail decision. Prosecutors had filed their objection to Ghosns release within hours of Tokyo District Courts announcement that he would be granted bail. Another lawyer for Ghosn said he would not be able to leave Tokyo Detention Centre until Wednesday at the earliest, even though the appeal was rejected, because bail procedures cannot be done at night. Ghosn said in a written statement that he is grateful for his family and friends who had stood by him throughout this terrible ordeal. He said he is innocent and totally committed to vigorously defending myself in a fair trial against these meritless and unsubstantiated accusations. The acceptance of Ghosns request for bail, his third, came a day after lawyer Junichiro Hironaka said he was confident the motor executive would be released. Lawyer Junichiro Hironaka is famous for winning acquittals in Japan (Koji Sasahara/AP) Mr Hironaka, who recently joined Ghosns defence team, is famous for winning acquittals in Japan, a nation where the conviction rate is 99%. He said on Monday that he had offered new ways to monitor Ghosn after his release, such as camera surveillance. He also questioned the grounds for Ghosns arrest, calling the case very peculiar and suggesting it could have been dealt with as an internal company matter. He welcomed the bail decision, telling reporters: It was good we proposed concrete ways showing how he would not tamper with evidence or try to flee. The billion-yen bail set by the court was relatively high but not the highest in Japan. Among the conditions for Ghosns release were restrictions on where he can live, a ban on foreign travel and other promises not to tamper with evidence or try to flee, the court said. The former head of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Motors alliance has been detained since he was arrested on November 19. He says he is innocent of charges of falsifying financial information and breach of trust. In Japan, suspects are routinely detained for months, often until their trials start, especially when they insist on their innocence. Prosecutors say suspects may tamper with evidence and should not be released. Two previous requests submitted by his legal team were denied. His previous defence lawyer, Motonari Ohtsuru, had said Ghosns release might not come for months. Mr Hironaka is among many critics of the Japanese justice system who say such lengthy detentions are unfair. He referred to the situation as hostage justice. Ghosn is charged with falsifying financial reports by under-reporting compensation that he contends was never paid or decided on. The breach of trust allegations centre on a temporary transfer of Ghosns investment losses to Nissans books that he says caused no losses to the car maker. They also name payments to a Saudi businessman that he says were for legitimate services. Ghosns family had appealed for his release, calling his detention a human rights violation. Nissan declined comment on the criminal case but said it was working on strengthening corporate governance. Nissan has dismissed Ghosn as chairman, although he remains on the board pending a decision at a shareholders meeting. Nissans internal investigation has uncovered substantial evidence of blatantly unethical conduct, company spokesman Nick Maxfield said. A naked British tourist was found walking down a coastal Sydney street after an early morning swim led to a search-and-rescue operation involving a helicopter and police boat. Australian police said the man was feared to have gone missing after taking a skinny dip with friends at the famous Bondi Beach early on Tuesday. The group went into the water at around 3.50am and only realised one of their number was missing when they returned to shore. They alerted police when they noticed one of their mates, aged 25, was not with them after the swim, and his clothes and personal belongings were still on the beach, a police spokesman said. A major search was launched involving local police, the New South Wales Ambulance helicopter, Surf Rescue New South Wales and Water Police. The search continued until members of the public called local police about 4.40am, reporting a naked man was walking along Military Road at North Bondi. The tourist went for an early morning dip at Bondi Beach in Australia (Alex Britton/PA) Officers picked the man up and took him back to Bondi Beach where it was confirmed he was the man feared swept out to sea. He was checked by paramedics as a precaution before being reunited with his clothes and friends. The Bondi suburb is popular with British backpackers thanks to its vibrant nightlife, 900m-long sandy beach and surfing waves. Authorities warn swimmers that rip tides are always present and the beach is not patrolled after dark. The average household in England faces a 75.60 hike in council tax from April, according to a survey of local authorities. The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (Cipfa) study found a planned average increase of 4.5% for Band D households in 2019/20. The increase is lower than the 5.1% or 80.92 hike last year, but is still the second highest council tax rise in the last decade, Cipfa said. (PA Graphics) Of the authorities in England which responded, 301 of 312 said they would increase their council tax. Households in Greater London are expected to see the highest percentage increase in their bills at 5.1%. But in cash terms their total bill will be an average 1,476.39, while bills in the North East will be 1,883.95. Cipfa chief executive Rob Whiteman said: The extent of the rises across the country are a reflection of the incredible fiscal pressure faced by local authorities and police. Without a bolder vision from Government, the future of these services is increasingly being put at risk. Local authorities have faced the most significant cuts to spending over the last 10 years, and, despite the Governments announcement that austerity is ending, for local authorities this is clearly not the case. Long term they remain in an unsustainable position. Ministers need to make radical decisions to secure the future of public services. Council tax is regressive, and increasingly divorced from the reality of property values. They will not be sufficient to meet rising demand for services such as adult, and increasingly, childrens social care. A Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government spokesman said: We are investing in Britains future by providing local authorities with access to 45.1 billion this year increasing to 46.4 billion next year to meet the needs of their residents. Councils, not central government, are responsible for managing their own resources. Taxpayers can veto excessive increases via a local referendum. Shadow communities secretary Andrew Gwynne said: Almost nine years of cuts have devastated our local government services and, instead of providing sufficient council funding, central government is attempting to shift the burden on to struggling families. The Government must provide genuinely new money to fund our public services for the long term. The search has resumed for two European climbers missing for more than a week on the worlds ninth-highest mountain. Tom Ballard, whose mother died on K2, was climbing Nanga Parbat in Pakistan with Italian Daniele Nardi when they lost contact on February 24. The search resumed on Tuesday, involving four Spanish rescuers who were flown to the area by military helicopter on Monday, when they joined Pakistani mountaineer Ali Sadpara who was waiting at base camp. Aerial reconnaissance on Monday found no trace of the climbers, however Karrar Haidri, secretary of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, said that there is still hope as in some instances in the past, missing climbers were miraculously rescued after a long time. Search ops for @NardiDaniele and Tom Ballard under way this morning. Search party @AlexTxikon, Ali Sadpara, Felix Criado, Ramat Ullah Baig. Grateful to have such impressive guys on the job. Plan is to reach Camp 3 and search the surroundings also with the help of the drones pic.twitter.com/6zfIA32PSx Stefano Pontecorvo (@pontecorvoste) March 5, 2019 Italian Ambassador Stefano Pontecorvo said that the climbers are two tough guys and he hopes they can be found alive. He said: Its been a week. There are known cases of mountaineers who had survived for longer than that. But he also acknowledged that the summit is a very difficult one. He said two Pakistani mountaineers were with the missing pair but had decided to turn back because they thought it was too dangerous. On Tuesday he tweeted a picture of the area and wrote: Search ops for @NardiDaniele and Tom Ballard under way this morning. Search party @AlexTxikon, Ali Sadpara, Felix Criado, Ramat Ullah Baig. Grateful to have such impressive guys on the job. Plan is to reach Camp 3 and search the surroundings also with the help of the drones. Mr Ballard, 30, was born in Derbyshire but moved to the Scottish Highlands in 1995, the year his mother, Alison Hargreaves, died on K2 when she was 33, months after becoming the first woman to conquer Everest unaided. Friends of the climbers have raised more than 115,244 towards the search effort in two days through a GoFundMe page. The target of the fundraiser is 150,000 euros (128,500). Alison Hargreaves with her two children Kate and Tom (Chris Bacon/PA) Mountain guide Sandy Allan, who has climbed with Hargreaves and knows Ballard, said he remains hopeful but admitted to having some negative thoughts after Mondays rescue flights failed to locate the pair. He said: I think people are getting really worried and very sad about the whole thing. He and his mother were very popular people. He was a little bit quiet, kept to himself, had some secret projects that he kept quiet, like all us climbers, but he was sociable and popular. I think most people liked him a lot. Allan said it was discouraging that the helicopter flights found nothing because if the two were alive in a snow cave they would likely have heard the helicopter and gone out to try to flag it down. He said the missing climbers situation becomes more and more precarious by the hour because of the extreme cold and wind. Located in Pakistans Gilgit Baltistan area, Nanga Parbat, dubbed Killer Mountain, is the ninth highest mountain in the world at 8,126 metres (26,660 feet). Nardi, 42, and Ballard set out on the climb on February 22, making it to the fourth base camp by the following day. The pair last made contact on February 24 from an elevation of around 6,300 metres (nearly 20,700 feet) on Nanga Parbat. A senior Labour MP has accused members of Jeremy Corbyns inner circle of interfering in the outcome of anti-Semitism cases to reduce the sanction imposed. Dame Margaret Hodge claimed Mr Corbyn had either misled her or been misled himself about the extent of his teams involvement in cases. She accused Mr Corbyn of promising a zero tolerance approach but did not demonstrate that if the cases involved his mates. Dame Margaret, who is Jewish, has a history of clashes with Mr Corbyn. Labour insisted that it was categorically untrue to suggest that staff in the leaders office overturned recommendations in cases. Last week Corbyn reassured me categorically that his office never intervened in antisemitism complaints. @ObserverUK whistleblower account clearly shows Corbyns office have intervened. Either Corbyn has intentionally misled me or his staff have misled him. Full letter below pic.twitter.com/gUR6LvJ3QW Margaret Hodge (@margarethodge) March 5, 2019 But leaked emails obtained by The Times showed that a member of Mr Corbyns team, Laura Murray, last year recommended that a woman should be spared suspension after defending a mural which the leader himself had acknowledged was anti-Semitic. Mr Corbyn himself came under fire over a 2012 message in which he questioned whether the mural showing hook-nosed bankers oppressing mankind should be removed. He later apologised and said he had not looked closely enough at the image. The email exchange shows that Labours head of disputes recommended a members administrative suspension over a Facebook post in which she said it was a great mural and should not be painted over. Ms Murray responded that, while the post showed ignorance and a lack of understanding, the woman had not displayed any specific attitudes herself. She recommended writing to the member to establish why she had not understood that the image was anti-Semitic and making a decision on suspension only if her answers showed an unwillingness to be educated about these tropes. Dame Margaret said that the case confirms all of my concerns about interventions by the leaders inner circle, adding: Either Corbyn or his office have deliberately misled me. And the president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, Marie van der Zyl said: It is intensely disturbing to hear reports that the Labour leaders office has intervened to stop the suspension of a member who defended an anti-Semitic mural in east London. Labour has long told us that complaints are expedited independently. This case would indicate that there is something less than zero tolerance for anti-Semitism in the leaders office and shows contempt for the concerns of the Jewish community. But a Labour spokesman said that the email exchange dated back to a time before general secretary Jennie Formby introduced more robust procedures for dealing with complaints. Staff who work on disciplinary matters have always led on investigations and recommendations on individual cases, said the spokesman. Any suggestion that staff in the leaders office overturned recommendations on individual cases is categorically untrue. A Labour source said that it was seriously misleading to focus on a handful of cases heard under processes which were now defunct. This is a deeply unfair attack on staff working in good faith to apply the party rule book to individual cases and get through the backlog of unresolved complaints Jennie Formby inherited, said the source. No-one stopped the suspension. Laura was asked for her advice, and she suggested that questions be put to the individual and a decision about suspension taken following the response. She argued in favour of suspension if that response was unco-operative. As always, the ultimate decision was made by the staff who work on disciplinary matters. Dame Margaret has written to Mr Corbyn setting out her concerns, which follow an Observer report at the weekend about the process followed in certain anti-Semitism cases. The Barking and Dagenham MP told BBC Radio 4s Today programme she had been given absolute, copper-bottomed undertakings by Mr Corbyn that there was no interference in the complaints process by his inner circle. She added: What we then discover from the Observer on Sunday is that a whole number of his top team not just one person, lots of them are involved in decisions around individual complaints and what they do is they interfere and they lower the sanctions so people arent suspended, they are just given a warning letter. What is so awful about this is that Jeremy always proclaims zero tolerance of anti-Semitism. When it comes to the actual cases, if they are his mates he doesnt demonstrate zero tolerance. He claims no political interference in these cases, I have now seen so much evidence there is definitely political interference. So trust in him has gone. Misleading me, or himself being misled, really undermines my trust for him. Dame Margaret Hodge accused members of Jeremy Corbyns inner circle of interfering in anti-Semitism cases (Yui Mok/PA) She also questioned the plan for former lord chancellor Lord Falconer to be brought in to examine the issue, saying she did not believe he was independent and it could be a repeat of Baroness Chakrabartis inquiry, which critics branded a whitewash. Dame Margaret said Lord Falconer had repeatedly urged her to apologise following a heated clash with Mr Corbyn last year in which she called the Labour leader a racist and anti-Semite. Meanwhile, shadow cabinet minister Angela Rayner revealed she has had panic buttons installed in her house after receiving threats from people claiming to be Corbyn supporters. Ms Rayner came under attack on social media over the weekend after tweeting praise for a TV interview by Tony Blair and saying that all shades of red should be welcome in Labour. Her comment sparked a wave of abuse under the hashtag ResignRayner, prompting her to say on Facebook that we have a problem with some on the left that cannot disagree respectfully. And she added: It was only a couple of weeks ago someone claiming to be a Jeremy supporter was arrested for making threats to rape and murder me on social media. My house has panic buttons fitted. My colleague was assassinated doing her job that I do week in week out. Jeremy was attacked this weekend. We have to stop the personal attacks and be kinder to each other. Hillary Clinton has said she will not run for president in 2020, but has vowed she is not going anywhere. The former US secretary of state, senator and first lady ruled out another campaign after losing the 2016 presidential election to Donald Trump. She said: Im going to keep on working and speaking and standing up for what I believe. Speaking in an interview, she added: Whats at stake in our country, the kind of things that are happening right now, are deeply troubling to me. Britains most senior police officer believes middle class recreational drug users have blood on their hands over the recent spate of violent deaths. Speaking on LBC, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick told host Nick Ferrari the description was a good way to put it. The host asked: Is it fair to say, commissioner, that some of these middle class dinner parties that send out for cocaine on the weekend or whatever it might be, theyve actually got blood on their hands of some of the people who are dying on the streets? Ms Dick said: I think anybody who is not seriously mentally ill, seriously addicted, who is seeking recreational drugs, particularly class A drugs, yes, I think that is a good way to put it, I do. (PA Graphics) The drugs trade is one of the key drivers behind street violence, particularly county lines networks that target children and teenagers to work as couriers. Ms Dick also disagreed with the Prime Ministers claim that police cuts were not to blame for a spate of fatal stabbings on teenagers. (PA Graphics) She said: If you went back in history, you would see examples of when police officer numbers have gone down and crime has not necessarily risen at the same rate and in the same way. But I think that what we all agree on is that in the last few years police officer numbers have gone down a lot, theres been a lot of other cuts in public services, there has been more demand for policing and therefore there must be something and I have consistently said that. I agree that there is some link between violent crime on the streets obviously and police numbers, of course there is and everybody would see that. Theresa May provoked fury on Monday when she said there was no direct correlation between certain crimes and police numbers. Former Met Commissioner Lord Hogan-Howe called for 20,000 officers to be recruited to bring forces in England and Wales back to their 2010 strength, as he demanded that ministers get a grip on the crisis. The body that represents rank-and-file officers said the Prime Minister was delusional. John Apter, national chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said: Policing has been stripped to the bone and the consequences are clear, splashed across newspaper front pages and TV news bulletins children being murdered on our streets. This is the true cost of austerity that we warned of, but were ridiculed for doing so. Appearing on ITVs Good Morning Britain, he also criticised proposals to reduce the number of people going to prison for short sentences. We have a Justice Secretary who is saying we need to scrap shorter sentences because the prisons are full. My argument is build more prisons. We need to have a consequence, he said. Several MPs, including a former Home Office minister, have called for the Government to convene a meeting of the Cobra emergency committee to respond to the national crisis. Home Secretary Sajid Javid will chair a meeting of police chiefs on Wednesday, including chief constables from the areas most affected by knife crime. It comes after the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Jodie Chesney in an east London park on Friday night in what her family branded a totally random and unprovoked attack. On Saturday night, 17-year-old Yousef Ghaleb Makki was stabbed to death in Hale Barns, near Altrincham, in Greater Manchester. Demand for new cars rose by 1.4% in February after five consecutive months of decline, figures show. Some 81,969 new cars were registered last month compared with 80,805 during February 2018, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said. February is traditionally one of the quietest months of the year for the new car market ahead of the March number plate change. (PA Graphics) Sales of petrol models increased by 8.3% year-on-year last month, while diesels fell by 14.3%. There has been growing concern about the impact of diesel car emissions on air quality and uncertainty about what taxes and restrictions will be introduced on the vehicles. Demand for alternatively fuelled vehicles such as hybrids and pure electrics increased by 34.0% to take a market share of 5.5%. SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: Its encouraging to see market growth in February, albeit marginal, especially for electrified models. Car makers have made huge commitments to bring to market an ever-increasing range of exciting zero and ultra low emission vehicles, and give buyers greater choice. These cars still only account for a fraction of the overall market, however, so if the UK is to achieve its electrification ambitions, a world-class package of incentives and infrastructure is needed. The recent removal of the plug-in car grant from plug-in hybrids was a backward step and sends entirely the wrong message. Supportive, not punitive, measures are needed, else ambitions will never be realised. (PA Graphics) Government grants for new low-emission cars were slashed in October last year, meaning hybrid models are no longer eligible for the scheme. Motoring groups have warned that the decision will leave the UK struggling to meet targets to reduce vehicle emissions. The Department for Transport has announced a plan to ban new diesel and petrol cars and vans in the UK from 2040 in a bid to tackle air pollution. The UK is prepared to be flexible over how to address concerns over the Northern Ireland backstop, Jeremy Hunt said as efforts continued to end the Brexit impasse. Attorney General Geoffrey Cox and Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay are to hold fresh talks in Brussels in a renewed effort to secure changes to the backstop in order to allay fears that it could leave the UK trapped in a customs union with the EU. Foreign Secretary Mr Hunt said Europes leaders were prepared to be reasonable as Prime Minister Theresa May presses for concessions from the EU that will persuade MPs to back her Brexit deal in next weeks expected crunch Commons vote. (PA Graphics) Mr Hunt, who has been part of a diplomatic push in capital cities around the European Union, said: I think the signals we are getting are reasonably positive. I dont want to overstate them because I still think theres a lot of work to do, but I think they do understand that we are being sincere. I think that they are beginning to realise that we can get a majority in Parliament because they are seeing the signals coming from the people who voted against the deal before who are saying, crucially, that they are prepared to be reasonable about how we get to that position that we cant legally be trapped in the backstop. Mr Cox has reportedly dropped attempts to secure either a time limit or a unilateral exit mechanism from the backstop in the face of entrenched opposition from the EU. Asked whether they were still the UKs demands, Mr Hunt told BBC Radio 4s Today programme that the crucial issue was avoiding an indefinite backstop and how we get there is something we are prepared to be flexible about. That could mean a role for a fair arbitration mechanism, he said. The DT reporting of the last 24 hours consists of misunderstood fag ends dressed up as facts. Some of it is accurate, much more of it isnt and what is not is far more significant than what is. Complex and detailed negotiations cannot be conducted in public. Get Outlook for iOS Geoffrey Cox QC MP (@Geoffrey_Cox) March 4, 2019 Mr Cox had earlier poured cold water on the claims about his demands being dropped, describing then as misunderstood fag ends dressed up as facts. The Prime Minister is set to bring her deal back to the Commons for a vote by March 12. If it is rejected, MPs will get the chance to either back a no-deal Brexit or call for the UKs departure from the EU to be delayed beyond the current March 29 deadline. Mr Hunt hinted that even if a deal is agreed, March 29 might not be an achievable date. We all want to leave at the end of this month, he told Today. It depends on how quickly we can get a deal through and then the time thats necessary for the legislation. Mr Hunt said that although the UK would find a way to prosper in a no-deal scenario, it would cause huge disruption, adding: I dont think anyone in the Cabinet wants no deal. Stephen Barclay and Geoffrey Cox will hold further talks in Brussels with EU negotiator Michel Barnier (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Mrs Mays hopes of winning over Tory Eurosceptics hinge on Mr Cox being able to change his legal advice about the indefinite nature of the backstop, which is intended to ensure there is no hard border on the island of Ireland in the absence of a future free trade agreement. However, French President Emmanuel Macron signalled that he would firmly resist any measure that might diminish the security and integrity of the EUs external border and internal market. He also accused Brexiteers of lying about the consequences of leaving the EU and suggested Britain would end up being part of a reformed Europe in the future. And European Council president Donald Tusk suggested that external anti-European forces had tried to subvert the Brexit referendum in 2016. Speaking at a press conference in Brussels with Armenian prime minister, Nikol Pashinyan, Mr Tusk said he backed Mr Macrons initiative, adding: There are external anti-European forces, which are seeking openly or secretly to influence the democratic choices of Europeans, as was the case with Brexit and a number of election campaigns across Europe. And it may again be the case with the European elections in May. He urged all those who care about the EU to be vigilant of signs of interference in the May elections. Do not allow political parties that are funded by external forces, hostile to Europe, to decide on key priorities for the EU, and the new leadership of European institutions, he said. Eurosceptics on the so-called Cash Council of pro-Brexit lawyers named after veteran Sir Bill Cash said they would make a judgment on whether to vote an agreement once they had seen the details of any changes secured in Brussels. Council member Michael Tomlinson said any document would have to meet the requirements of the Brady amendment, passed by the Commons in January, which called for alternative arrangements to replace the backstop. There are no documents for us to examine at this stage, but we look forward to seeing in due course what the Attorney has agreed, so that we may assess whether it meets the requirements of the Brady amendment, which commanded a majority in the House of Commons and calls for significant, legally-binding changes to the Withdrawal Agreement, Mr Tomlinson said following the first meeting of the group at Westminster on Monday. We support the Prime Minister in seeking treaty-level changes, but pre-judging or speculating at this stage wont help the re-negotiating efforts. The council has asked to be given all of the relevant documents in good time to consider them properly, in order to form a judgment in advance of a vote. Our primary objective is a proper analysis. A Downing Street spokeswoman said the Government aims to give MPs sufficient time to consider any new documents, but declined to provide details of how long before the meaningful vote they might be made available. She said Mr Coxs talks were at a critical stage and would take as long as they need to take. Asylum seekers could be given the right to work under changes to the system being proposed in Glasgow. Scotlands largest city welcomes the highest number of asylum seekers of any UK local authority area, and is keen to roll out reforms which would allow them to support themselves. An Asylum Task Force set up last year, which includes representatives from the Home Office and the Scottish Refugee Council, has made a number of recommendations to assist the vulnerable group. They include allowing asylum seekers to work from six months after their asylum claim has been submitted, until the final determination of their application. Glasgow City Council said currently a very limited number of asylum seekers with specific skills can request permission to work. It applies only if their claim takes more than a year to be processed, and permission is rarely granted. The task force also wants asylum seekers to be able to register in regional centres like Glasgow, instead of having to travel to Croydon, and an end to people being required to travel to Liverpool to make further submissions. Glasgow is keen to roll out reforms to better support asylum seekers (Andrew Milligan/PA) Council chief executive Annemarie ODonnell, chair of the Asylum Task Force, said: When people come to our city looking for help, Glaswegians want to ensure we do everything we can to assist them. This piece of work has been carried out in an open and honest environment and I want to thank colleagues from the Scottish and UK governments, Cosla, Serco, the Scottish Refugee Council and the West of Scotland Housing Forum for the way in which they have approached this. I am confident that the recommendations in this report, and the work that we will now do together, will allow us to do much more to support some of the most vulnerable people seeking asylum in the UK and in our city. Labours latest anti-Semitism row frankly stinks, according to a Jewish leader in Scotland. Jeremy Corbyns inner circle has been accused of interfering in the outcome of anti-Semitism cases by one MP, while confusion surrounded an investigation into how the party deals with the issue. In a letter to the Labour leader, Dame Margaret Hodge claimed Mr Corbyn had either misled her or had himself been misled about his teams involvement in cases. Dame Margaret quoted a report from a whistleblower who alleged a member of staff from the leaders office intervened to stop a party member being suspended for anti-Semitism. The bewildered Jewish MP wrote that it contradicts what you told me to my face last week. Last week Corbyn reassured me categorically that his office never intervened in antisemitism complaints. @ObserverUK whistleblower account clearly shows Corbyns office have intervened. Either Corbyn has intentionally misled me or his staff have misled him. Full letter below pic.twitter.com/gUR6LvJ3QW Margaret Hodge (@margarethodge) March 5, 2019 Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland, the director of Scottish Council of Jewish Communities Ephraim Borowski described the situation as Deja vu. the director of Scottish Council of Jewish Communities has called for `actions rather than words from Jeremy Corbyn to tackle anti-Semitism (Aaron Chown/PA) This has been going on now for a couple of years in one form or another, he said, adding: There has been one lets call it an obfuscation rather than a lie after another. What the Jewish community would like to see is actions rather than words. Mr Borowski pointed out that Labours general secretary Jennie Formby revealed there were roughly 670 outstanding accusations of anti-Semitism towards party members. Thats an astonishing number, he said. We have to be clear that an accusation is not a conviction, but some of these people have been convicted and what happened was they got a letter reminding them of the standards of the party rather than punishing them and thats just absurd. Mr Borowski was also asked about reports that Lord Charlie Faulkner was announced to be leading an investigation into Labours handling of anti-Semitism, only for the peer to reveal he was still considering it, subject to being given access to the partys email archive. Meetings with Labour Party next week to agree terms on my independent Anti semitism role. Undertaking the role subject to agreement being reached. Charlie Falconer (@LordCFalconer) March 2, 2019 He said: Its utterly bizzare that [Labour] announced he was taking up this role and he announced that he was thinking about it. Theyre trying to appoint someone but not giving them access to the evidence. The whole thing frankly stinks. The Labour Pary said that it was categorically untrue to suggest that staff in the leaders office overturned recommendations in anti-Semitism cases. A new factory dedicated to turning plastic waste into material for roads and car parks has opened, as part of efforts to tackle ocean pollution. MacRebur opened its site in Lockerbie, Dumfries and Galloway, on Tuesday, creating 12 jobs. The process the firm uses sees rubbish granulated, mixed with an activator developed by the company, and then distributed to asphalt producers. Looking forward to seeing everyone at our open day in Lockerbie today and explaining more about #plasticroads pic.twitter.com/nsDeYdwy0t MacRebur (@MacRebur) March 5, 2019 It is hoped the idea could be replicated elsewhere and help tackle ocean pollution. Toby McCartney, CEO, said: The opening of our first ever factory is an important milestone in our mission to tackle two issues plastic waste and potholed roads. Our technology means that we can not only help solve the problem of plastic waste but also produce roads that cope better with changes in the weather, reducing cracks and potholes. The technique also aims to tackle the number of potholes on roads (Clay10/PA) Thats because our roads are more flexible thanks to the properties of the plastic used in them, so although a MacRebur road looks the same as any other, it has improved strength and durability. Our technology also means there are no plastic microbeads present in the mix and we can even recycle the road at the end of its lifespan, creating a circular economy that is sustainable and cost effective. The companys mix allows the bitumen used in the production of asphalt to be extended and enhanced, reducing the amount of fossil fuel used. On a 1km stretch of road, the equivalent of approximately 684,000 bottles or 1.8 million single-use plastic bags would be used. MacRebur roads have already been laid around the world from Australia to Yorkshire using plastic waste processed by other companies. However, the new factory will bring this processing in-house and provide a blueprint for others which the company is seeking to license in the UK and across the globe. It has signed agreements for its first two licensed factories in Europe. Paul Pogba and Alexis Sanchez were among 10 first-team absentees as Manchester United travelled to Paris St Germain looking to upset the odds on Wednesday night. Already faced with a mountain to climb after losing the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash, Pogba misses the return fixture at the Parc des Princes because of his late dismissal at Old Trafford three weeks ago. Sanchez, meanwhile, was forced off midway through Saturdays 3-2 victory over Southampton and was seen limping away from Uniteds stadium seemingly wearing strapping on his right leg. The Chilean joins a lengthy injury list including Anthony Martial, Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata and Ander Herrera. Nemanja Matic, Matteo Darmian, Phil Jones and Antonio Valencia have also missed recent games and were not among the 20-man squad that travelled to the French capital. Eight members who have represented the clubs academy Tahith Chong, James Garner, Angel Gomes, Mason Greenwood, Scott McTominay, Andreas Pereira, Marcus Rashford and Brandon Williams have been included in the group. Paul Pogba, centre, was sent off in the first leg of the Champions League last 16 clash at Old Trafford (Martin Rickett/PA) Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is set to address the media on Tuesday afternoon on arrival at the Parc des Princes, where United will be looking to overturn a 2-0 deficit. Unbeaten on the domestic front since the 1999 treble hero took caretaker charge in December, the only blot on the interim managers copybook is last months defeat to the perennial Ligue 1 champions. Presnel Kimpembe and Kylian Mbappe did the damage and those away goals mean United are available at 18-1 with bookmakers to progress to the quarter-finals. Air traffic controllers in the Highlands and Islands are to strike next month in a dispute over pay. Prospect union said that Dundee, Inverness, Wick, Kirkwall, Sumburgh, Stornoway, and Benbecula airports will be affected by the strike action on April 26. Air traffic controllers working for Highlands and Islands Airport Limited (HIAL) will also begin action short of a strike on April 1 which will carry on until August 31. It will include an overtime ban, an instruction to work to rosters and the withdrawal of good will. Prospect claims members pay has fallen significantly behind the rest of the industry due to public sector pay restraint. The union said it will seek to agree a protocol with HIAL to ensure cover for emergency incidents during the period of the strike. Strike action will take place on April 26 (Danny Lawson/PA) David Avery, Prospect negotiations officer, said Prospect members have agreed to delay any strike action until after the Scottish school holidays have concluded. Our members do not want to stop their friends and neighbours visiting their families during the school holidays. I urge HIAL and Scottish Ministers to use the additional time members have given them to bring forward real proposals to resolve the dispute rather than the same offer which has already been rejected twice. Prospect last week said that 88% of controllers had voted for strike action, with 90% backing action short of a strike. HIAL managing director Inglis Lyon said: We are disappointed by the proposed action and the likely impact on the Highlands and Islands. We will meet with Prospect on Friday, March 8, to explore potential solutions. However, Prospect is pursuing an increase in basic pay of at least 10% and has recently sought parity with London airports which is beyond what HIAL can offer as we are government owned and must adhere to the Scottish Governments pay policy. We are working closely with our airline operators to minimise the disruption of industrial action and apologise in advance for the inconvenience this may cause. A Scottish Government spokesman said: It is disappointing to see the union announcing strike action, which will clearly impact passengers. We encourage both parties to continue dialogue in an effort to reach an agreement. HIAL has implemented a pay rise for all staff, which is a significant improvement on previous years, as well as significantly increasing their contribution to their pension scheme in order to maintain this benefit for employees. Staff also continue to receive generous annual leave, sick pay and other allowances. In the face of the UK Governments continued budget cuts, the Scottish Government delivered a distinctive and progressive Pay Policy for 2018/19 one which is fair, supports those on lower incomes and protects public sector jobs and services while delivering value for money for the people of Scotland. We are disappointed Air Traffic Control (ATC) colleagues have chosen to take industrial action that is likely to have a significant impact on passengers and the communities we serve in the Highlands and Islands. Full statement at https://t.co/aL4Kq5LWCz Highlands & Islands Airports (@Hial_Airports) March 1, 2019 Orkneys MSP, Liam McArthur, Lib Dem, has written to Transport Secretary, Michael Matheson MSP, asking him to do everything possible to bring both sides together in a bid to avoid this damaging industrial action taking place. He and fellow Lib Dem Tavish Scott, MSP for Shetland, said: There is absolutely no doubt that any industrial action on these routes would be hugely damaging to our island communities. From isles patients attending hospital appointments to local businesses trying to remain competitive, these services are a genuine lifeline. Even at this late stage, we would urge HIAL and the unions to get back round the table and resolve this dispute. Ministers must do everything possible to help broker a resolution and avoid the massive disruption any airport closures would inevitably cause. Scottish Greens transport spokesman and Highlands and Islands MSP John Finnie said: The Scottish Ministers own HIAL and have a responsibility to ensure this situation is resolved urgently, with a fair settlement for staff. Its perhaps no surprise that the Transport Secretary refused to say he had confidence in HIALs management the last time I asked him. I continue to offer solidarity to Prospect and its members. The Supreme Court has dismissed businessman Denis OBriens appeal over statements made in the Irish parliament about his banking affairs. The court, sitting in Galway, delivered its unanimous judgment on Mr OBriens appeal against the High Court. The High Court action arose from statements made by Social Democrat TD Catherine Murphy and Sinn Fein TD Pearse Doherty in the Dail during a debate in 2015. The statements were made after Mr OBrien was granted an injunction against RTE in April 2015, which prevented it from broadcasting details about his banking affairs. Over the moon as Supreme Court dismisses Denis OBriens appeal about comments made in the #Dail by myself and @cathmurphytd Common sense prevails. Pearse Doherty (@PearseDoherty) March 5, 2019 Mr OBrien said the statements made by the two deputies interfered with the courts decision and damaged his constitutional rights. The Committee on Procedure and Privileges (CPP) said the TDs did not breach the rules. Denis OBrien (Niall Carson/PA) However, Mr OBrien said the manner in which his complaint was dealt with breached the committees own rules. After the High Court rejected Mr OBriens case against the Dail, the Supreme Court heard his appeal. On Tuesday, the court ruled that any interference by the court in this case would be impermissible under the constitution. Obviously delighted with todays Supreme Court ruling which reinforces decision of both CPP & High Court that myself & @PearseDoherty did NOT abuse parliamentary privilege. Catherine Murphy (@CathMurphyTD) March 5, 2019 Mr Justice Frank Clarke said: Mr OBrien sought relief in respect of two different types of claim. The first concerns directly statements or utterances made by two deputies in the Dail. The second concerned the manner in which the CPP dealt with a complaint which Mr OBrien had made in respect of those utterances. In its judgment, this court identified two significant barriers to the justiciability of issues arising from a set of restrictions derived from the actual wording of the relevance of sub-articles of Article 15 of the constitution which confer significant privileges and immunities on the Houses of the Oireachtas. The court has concluded that the challenge which Mr OBrien has sought to bring to the decision of the CPP involves, in substance, an indirect or collateral challenge to the utterances of the deputies themselves. The only practical consequence of a successful outcome to proceedings such as this would be that it might lead to a reconsideration by the CPP of its decision in respect of Mr OBriens complaint. If that should lead to a different result, then a court would have been at least indirectly or collaterally involved in dealing with utterances made in the Houses. In the courts view, such course of action is impermissible under the constitution. He said that the court also noted that there is a constitutional obligation on the Oireachtas to provide protection for the constitutional rights of citizens for matters which happen in the Houses. Welcoming the decision by the Supreme Court, Mr Doherty tweeted: Over the moon as Supreme Court dismisses Denis OBriens appeal about comments made in the Dail by myself and Catherine Murphy. Common sense prevails. Ms Murphy tweeted: Obviously delighted with todays Supreme Court ruling which reinforces decision of both CPP and High Court, that myself and Pearse Doherty did not abuse parliamentary privilege. The Supreme Court decision comes less than a week after Mr OBrien lost a High Court action for libel against the Sunday Business Post. He took action against the newspaper over articles printed in March 2015. Speaking outside Leinster House, Mr Doherty said it is a good day for parliamentary democracy. I shudder to think if both these judgments had gone the other direction because there is no doubt that there would be a huge chill effect on parliamentary debate and in relation to press coverage and reporting of important matters, he said. One of the key things that has come out of this is that the privileges that is bestowed on TDs, in terms of parliamentary privileges, is sacrosanct and cannot be adjudicated by the courts. Its a privilege we take very seriously and use very scarcely and only when its in the public interest. More than a quarter of youngsters in need of specialist mental health care were not seen within the Scottish Governments target time with more than 100 waiting over a year for an appointment. Childrens campaigners and opposition politicians branded the waiting times for Child and Adolescent Mental Services (CAMHS) unacceptable. Over the course of last year 5,227 children and young people in Scotland had to wait more than 18 weeks for a CAMHS appointment a rise of 1,650 from 2017. Labour health spokeswoman Monica Lennon said: Thousands of young people have been failed in their hour of need. It is a national scandal that 5,227 children and young people had to wait longer than the four-and-a-half-months target for mental health treatment. Nearly 3 out of every 10 children are having to wait longer than 18 weeks to receive mental health treatment, despite promises from the SNP. These new figures reveal that we're not seeing the urgent improvements needed. pic.twitter.com/kwXEZww9RD Annie Wells MSP (@AnnieWellsMSP) March 5, 2019 NHS figures covering the last three months of 2018 showed 72.8% of children and young people received a CAMHS appointment within 18 weeks. More than 100 youngsters waited over a year for an appointment with specialist mental health services, new figures show (Anna Gowthorpe/PA) That is up from 69% for the period July to September but still well below the target of having 90% of youngsters seen within 18 weeks. At the same time the number of patients who waited more than a year for an appointment went from 93 in the third quarter of 2018 to 108 in the last three months of the year. Only five of Scotlands 14 regional NHS boards met the target of having 90% of patients receive an appointment within 18 weeks for October to December with NHS Grampian achieving this for just 41.1%. Scottish Conservative mental health spokeswoman Annie Wells said: These waiting times are utterly unacceptable, forcing children to wait far too long for essential mental health services. This utterly exposes the empty promises of the SNP and their failure to substantially improve these vital services. She added: The SNP must urgently improve access to services and ensure that all children get speedy and appropriate diagnosis. Anything less is failing children and families. The Scottish Childrens Services Coalition (SCCS), which brings together care providers from the voluntary and independent sector, said: These latest waiting time figures highlight that fact we are continuing to fail thousands of children and young people with mental health problems. Of the 453 children and young people who received inpatient treatment in 2017-18, 198 were placed in an adult psychiatric ward. An SCCS spokesman said: There must be a radical transformation of our mental health services, with a focus on preventing such problems arising in the first place and intervening early, especially when we know that half of all mental health problems begin before the age of 14. It is also vital that we increase the number of beds available in child and adolescent units, given the fact that over 40% of admissions of children and young people were to adult psychiatric wards. Mental health minister Clare Haughey welcomed the increase in the number of children and young people seen by CAMHS in October to December with this up 7% on the quarter and 12% over the year. She added: Our 250 million package of measures outlined in the latest Programme for Government, will help see more children and young people get the support they need in the community, rather in the acute CAMHS settings that are currently covered by these statistics. We have also ensured additional funding to help boards improve their performance against these waiting times. Disgraced MP Fiona Onasanya has lost a challenge against her conviction for perverting the course of justice. The 35-year-old solicitor was expelled from the Labour Party after being found guilty in December last year. She was jailed for three months at the Old Bailey in January and was released from prison after serving one month behind bars. MP Fiona Onasanya outside the Royal Courts of Justice (Yui Mok/PA) Representing herself at the Court of Appeal on Tuesday, Onasanya told the court: The charge against me was perverting the course of justice. I said from the outset, and I still maintain my innocence, that I did not do that. But she was refused permission for a full appeal by three leading judges. Jurors at the Old Bailey were told that she colluded with her brother Festus after her car was clocked speeding at 41mph in a 30mph zone in the village of Thorney, near Peterborough, in July 2017. She was sent a notice of intended prosecution to fill out, but it was sent back naming the guilty driver as Aleks Antipow, an acquaintance of her brother, who was away visiting his parents in Russia. Festus Onasanya, 34, from Cambridge, was jailed for 10 months after he admitted three counts of perverting the course of justice over speeding, including the July 24 incident. Schools are not encouraging enough young people to seek work in the construction industry, it has been suggested. At the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday, MSPs heard from a number of apprentices who highlighted their experiences of working in the sector. Scottish Green MSP Andy Wightman asked what support was available for pupils interested in pursuing their career interests. Several of the apprentices in attendance at the Economy and Fair Work Committee responded that too often schools give more support to pupils wishing to pursue academia. Daniel McKelvie, (Construction and the Built Environment) Heriot Watt University said: Personally, I found out about my apprenticeship through Apprenticeship Scotland. Id say that the school support was more pushed along the university route, instead of the apprenticeship route. Not enough young people are being encouraged into taking apprenticeships, it has been suggested (Taylor Wimpey/PA) There was support there if you went and asked for it, but if you didnt really know what you wanted to do then it was very hard to find it. Jessica Morris, (Construction and the Built Environment) Heriot Watt University, said that after leaving school in 2013, she learned more about the industry through her own research. Careers advice was very, very poor at my school. I received my first and only careers meeting three weeks before I went on exam leave in sixth year, said Ms Morris. And if you werent interested in university, it was almost as though you were ignored. There just wasnt the information available for any other routes. I think thats something that needs addressed. First Minister @NicolaSturgeon has officially launched Scotlands Apprentice Network - a nationwide initiative to inspire the #apprentices of tomorrow. Find out more https://t.co/YGmzwg5S5C #ScotAppWeek pic.twitter.com/TQxxY19d0G Skills Development Scotland (@skillsdevscot) March 4, 2019 Elliot Ruthven, (Plastering) Edinburgh College, said: Everything was pushed down the university routes and if you werent going to university, you were sort of left to find out what you want to do. The careers advice was if you were going to uni, you were given right, these are the grades you need and that was sort of it. Whereas, if you wanted to go down an apprenticeship route, you were just sort of left to find out what you wanted to do. David Watson, (Carpentry and Joinery) New College Lanarkshire, said that he entered the sector in his twenties, having not been made fully aware of the routes available during his time at school. He gained his apprenticeship after making phone calls to different companies and said: I wasnt really guided in school with the career advice of what route to take. I knew myself that I wasnt going to go to university. If I was given a trade route, like thats an option you can take and make a good living out it I probably would have took that route, but nobody gave me a real indication that that was an option. Liam Clark, (Carpentry and Joinery) New College Lanarkshire, left school in 2017 and suggested that the support on offer had improved. He said: I feel like its got a lot better. I left school two years ago and the amount of help they give you is quite a lot. They had different sessions you could go to. There werent specific people that they chose for it, you had to make your own effort, but it was there. A builder who shouted whoop whoop as he filmed himself destroying five newly-built retirement bungalows with a digger has been jailed for four years. Daniel Neagu, 31, had music blaring from the radio as he wrecked houses worth up to 475,000 each in Buntingford, Hertfordshire, on August 11 2018 over unpaid wages. Dramatic footage of the roughly 40-minute rampage, which he filmed on a GoPro camera and iPhone, shows him repeatedly ram the digger into the bungalows. He shouts F****** shit company, whistles the tune to Freed From Desire, and rants in Romanian during the demolition. In one clip he tells a passer-by he is owed 16,000, adding: I decided even if get in trouble I did it for a reason, because I didnt get paid, you know what I mean? The man replies: Go back in and smash up another one. As he wrecks another, Neagu says: Beautiful houses, you have to take it down and rebuild it, thats because you didnt want to pay me. Sentencing Neagu at St Albans Crown Court on Tuesday, Judge Stephen Warner said it was a wholesale destruction and a pure act of revenge. He said the footage was truly shocking, adding: Its quite clear from your demeanour that you were perfectly relaxed and quite unashamed. Neagu sat in the dock wearing a navy sweater and covered his face as the footage was played to the court. The judge described the incident as planned, deliberate and wanton vandalism and said unknown onlookers who encouraged Neagu should be ashamed of their conduct. Prosecuting, Richard Hutchings said Neagu was first spotted driving a digger on to the site that Saturday by a woman walking nearby with her family. The damaged bungalows were worth up to 475,000 each (John Stillwell/PA) She went off but later returned at about 5.30pm and called police as she saw the wrecking spree unfolding. Mr Hutchings said: She saw, as she said, the scoop of the digger going into a house and pulling the house down. As she called the police she heard the defendant shouting to her in a calm voice Have you phoned the police?' Police arrived at about 5.50pm and arrested Neagu. In interview, he said his company, Danny Boy Limited, was owed money by a company called Fentons and he had been forced to pay his workers 3,000 of his own money. Daniel Neagu went on a wrecking spree at the McCarthy & Stone development in Buntingford in protest at not being paid Mr Hutchings said Neagu told police his own employees had threatened to do something wrong to his family over the unpaid money. The cost of the destruction, in excess of 850,000, did not include rebuilding the two- and three-bedroom houses, built by McCarthy & Stone Retirement Living. Insurers covered the cost of the bungalows, which were marketed for 425,000 for a two-bedroom and 475,000 for a three-bedroom. Romanian national Neagu, of Harrow, north-west London, initially denied criminal damage but change his plea in January, two weeks before a trial. Representing Neagu, Andrew Campbell said his client, who earned about 35,000 per year, was provoked and called a midget and a gypsy by bosses whom he confronted about payment. Site staff inspect the damaged properties (John Stillwell/PA) He added: He had carried out these actions as a public demonstration that he had not been paid. Theres a strange sort of logic in it, but theres a logic in it. Judge Warner said Neagu will serve at least half of the sentence and it will be up to the Government to decide whether he can remain in Britain after release. He said Neagus claim that he had not been paid did not begin to justify your conduct that day which was unacceptable in a civilised society. Customers are complaining of being scammed by unscrupulous companies looking to switch customers from Eversource. The scam goes like this: A robocall is placed letting the target customer know they will have their electricity cut off due to lack of payment. The target is then given a number to call. The call is made and an agent picks up and negotiates with the target. If the target says they have autopay set up, they say that they recently changed payment processors and the target hasnt updated their account. Pressure is applied by the company saying the power will be turned off soon. They then ask if you want to set a time to reconnect the service. Watch out for this phone number in particular: 877-438-6086. Here is more from the Eversource site: RECOGNIZE COMMON SIGNS OF A SCAM Threatening phone calls demanding immediate payment to avoid shutoff, without prior notification. Asking for personal or account information. Insisting on a specific, often non-traceable, form of payment. Providing an unfamiliar callback number. IMPORTANT FACTS YOU NEED TO KNOW Eversource representatives never ask for instant payment in person or over the phone. Eversource representatives do not require the use of pre-paid debit cards (such as Green Dot MoneyPak, Vanilla or Reloadit). Eversource representatives never request customers meet at a payment center, such as a department or grocery store, to make a payment. Eversource does not solicit door-to-door or on the phone on behalf of third-party energy suppliers. Eversource representatives always carry company-issued photo identification and will always provide it when asked. Contractors working for Eversource always carry documentation explaining the nature and location of their work. Customers who are scheduled for disconnection due to nonpayment receive written notice via the U.S. mail which includes the actions they can take to maintain service. Eversource almost never makes unsolicited house visits. Exceptions might include accessing, maintaining, or ensuring the reliable and safe operation of our equipment. If youre not sure the person is an Eversource employee, call us. Well be glad to verify if work is scheduled at or near your home or business and the identity of the employee. HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF The number of days spent in hospital by people whose discharge was delayed has risen over the last year, according to official figures. Statistics published by ISD Scotland show the number of days rose to 43,863 in January this year an increase of 9% on the 40,152 days in January 2018. The average number of beds occupied per day due to delayed discharges also increased between the end of 2018 and the start of 2019. The daily average was 1,378 in December last year, which rose to 1,415 in the following month. Of those who were delayed at the January 2019 census point, 1,156 were delayed for more than three days. The most common reason for delays over three days was health and social care reasons (73%, 841), followed by complex needs (24%, 281), then patient and family-related reasons (3%, 34). There has been an increase in the number of delayed discharges, according to ISD Scotland figures (Lynne Cameron/PA) .@JeaneF1MSP has announced almost 27m of funding for 2018/19 for health boards to improve waiting times. This has been allocated from the 850m Waiting Times Improvement Plan https://t.co/ijzWtyYnjm pic.twitter.com/k7gn0XfzSC Scot Gov Health (@scotgovhealth) February 22, 2019 The Scottish Government has stated its commitment to reducing the number of delayed discharges and announced additional funding to support social care and integration in the Scottish budget for 2019/20. Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: January saw increased levels of demand on hospital services and a subsequent increase in demand for social care services. However, I am still clear that the level of performance on delayed discharge across Scotland is not good enough. We are allocating more than 700 million to support social care and integration as part of our 2019-20 budget. We will continue to work with health and social care partnerships, particularly those experiencing the greatest pressures, to ensure that people do not need to spend unnecessary time in hospital. This includes spreading good practice from the best performing partnerships, and ensuring this work is adopted by others. Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton said the figures highlight the pressures faced by NHS and social care workers. Its atrocious that on any given day more than 1,100 people are stuck in hospital unnecessarily, he said. The unavailability of community care packages is piling more pressure on beds in front line services. Timely discharge from hospital is an important indicator of the availability and quality of care within our health and social care services, but also critical to patient recovery. These figures show the pressure that hardworking NHS and social care staff are under. Its essential that staff get the resources they need, as well as an exit from Brexit which threatens to drastically reduce staff numbers, making the situation even worse. Scottish Conservative health spokesman Miles Briggs said the SNP had failed to tackle the issue of delayed discharges. Mr Briggs said: The SNP promised to eradicate delayed discharge but it is simply getting worse and worse on their watch. The SNPs failure to tackle this properly creates sheer misery for thousands upon thousands of patients who are fit to leave but have nowhere to go and no care package in place. These figures also demonstrate how the integration of health and social care is not delivering the desired outcomes as SNP ministers look to cut local council budgets, directly impacting on delivering new models of care and integration on the ground. Increased levels of delayed discharge obviously causes capacity issues and worsens waiting times as vital hospital beds are being used by delayed discharge patients. Once again, it is quite clear the SNP cannot be trusted with our health service. The SNP have failed to address delayed discharge for over 12 years, theyve had their chance. Pupils in Edinburgh will be able to take part in climate strikes unpunished. Edinburgh City Council agreed on Tuesday that children absent in support of the action on Friday March 15 will not be penalised for doing so as long as they have permission of parents or carers. The strikes are part of a growing global movement started by Swedish 16-year-old Greta Thunberg last August drawing attention to the scale of climate breakdown and the need for urgent action. Green councillor @MaryGreens has today secured city council backing for school staff to engage positively with young people taking part in climate strikes and the forthcoming climate day of action on 15 March. https://t.co/vdjAkgOwmo. pic.twitter.com/rF8bh56bNp Edinburgh Greens (@EdinburghGreens) March 5, 2019 Councillor Mary Campbell, who put forward the motion, said: Climate breakdown is the defining issue of our age. The future will depend on how willing we all are to listen to children and young people whose futures are most at risk, versus some politicians or vested interests who want to delay or do nothing. So that it is why I want Edinburgh to show a lead and recognise the importance of the climate strikes and support the children and young people taking part. Pupils taking part in a climate change protest outside Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh (Tom Eden/PA) I am glad that the Education Committee passed this motion today and I believe it shows how seriously we take both climate breakdown and the voice of our children. It is believed the move by the local authority could be the first of its kind in Scotland. The continuing action involves children taking off Fridays to gather outside the Scottish Parliament for more to be done on climate breakdown. Such moves have gathered momentum in the UK since the start of the year but concerns have been raised about how schools and education authorities might handle absences for strikes. A global day of action is planned for the March 15, involving 50 nations. The motion was backed by the councils vice-convener for education Alison Dickie. She said: I am utterly proud of our young people. There can be no more powerful learning experience than getting actively involved in real life global issues, such as action on climate breakdown. Im proud too that we are choosing to celebrate, rather than stifle the positive energy of our young people, and it showcases the very caring and responsible citizens we are shaping across our schools. Car giants Toyota and BMW have issued stark warnings about the impact a no-deal Brexit would have on their plants in the UK. The future of the Mini factory at Cowley, near Oxford, would be thrown into doubt if there is a no-deal scenario, parent company BMW said. The German firm said production of Minis could be moved to Holland if the UK crashed out of the European Union without a deal on March 29. And Toyota warned that a no-deal Brexit would make it extremely complicated for the Japanese firm to build new models in the UK. Toyotas sprawling car plant in Burnaston, Derbyshire (PA/Handout) Speaking at the Geneva Motor Show, Graham Biggs, corporate communications director of BMW Group UK, said he could not give any guarantees as to the future of the Oxford plant. He said: In the event of a no-deal Brexit, some or all of the production of the Mini could be moved to Holland where we have a plant. We need frictionless trade and a no-deal Brexit will not give us that from what we can see. Nothing is certain. I cannot give any guarantees as to the future of the Oxford plant. No company can. I cannot make any promises to the workers because at the moment we just dont know. But what I can say is we are heavily invested in the UK. Even if there was a deal, no promises could be made as nothing is certain, he said, but added: We are pressing for a deal and thats what wed like to see. Meanwhile, Didier Leroy, chairman of Toyotas European operations, said a no-deal outcome to EU withdrawal talks would be terrible and would create big additional challenges to UK operations competitiveness. His comments came after Honda announced that it is closing its plant in Swindon and Nissan ditched plans to produce the X-Trail SUV in Sunderland, though both companies said the decisions were driven by factors other than Brexit. Toyota began production of its new hybrid-powered Corolla model at its plant in Burnaston, Derbyshire, in January. Mr Leroy told the Financial Times that the 240 million investment in the model was made on significant trust in the UK that they would be able to achieve a good deal in Europe. He stressed that Toyota had no plan today to withdraw from the UK and stop production. But he added: If we dont have access to the European market without a specific border tax, it seems to be extremely complicated to think about introduction of another model. Mr Leroy told the FT: No-deal is terrible, it will create big additional challenges to keep competitiveness. He said Parliament had to decide whats best for employment when voting next week on whether to leave without a deal, urging MPs: Dont create a huge mountain. Theresa Mays official spokesman said the Prime Minister believes the best way to deliver the certainty which car companies want is for MPs to approve her Withdrawal Agreement in the meaningful vote due to take place by March 12. The spokesman said: The PM fully understands that businesses need more certainty and for us to secure a deal which allows us to protect those just-in-time supply chains and deliver frictionless trade. Thats why we are working hard to secure the changes which MPs need in order to be able to support the meaningful vote. Only by passing the meaningful vote will we be able to deliver that certainty. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald plans to meet PSNI Chief Constable George Hamilton next week. The meeting comes after an ongoing dispute between the two after Mrs McDonald said she would not have confidence in any current member of the Police Service of Northern Irelands (PSNI) senior command team replacing Mr Hamilton when he retires in the summer. Mr Hamilton branded the remarks ill-judged, wrong and inaccurate, claiming they ran directly contrary to Sinn Feins professed advocacy of integrity, fairness and equality. PSNI Chief Constable George Hamilton (Liam McBurney/PA) The PSNIs oversight body the Policing Board is responsible for appointing the chief constable. A Sinn Fein appointee will be on the board panel that makes the decision. Legal advice received by the Policing Board has said there could now be legislative vulnerability if politicians sit on the panel. Mrs McDonald said she has not sought any legal advice on her comments on the recruitment of the new chief constable. Any advice received by the Policing Board has to be considered by the Policing Board, she said. They are meeting tomorrow and they should be allowed space to pursue their job and consider any advice they receive. Im more than happy to allow the Policing Board to do its job. Mrs McDonald did not say if she now regretted the comments, but said she would speak with Mr Hamilton in the next 10 days. I am hopeful I will meet George in the next week and Ill have a conversation with him directly, she said. The conversation we need to have is about the disclosure of critical information to the policing ombudsman, to the courts and other authorities, to assist families and victims who are looking for closure and facts, and I think everybody is duty-bound to do everything they can to make sure that happens. The job of recruitment of the chief constable lies in the hands of the Policing Board, thats always been the case, the Sinn Fein leader added. I have no authority or influence in that regard, my concern has been for families, in particular the families of the Sean Graham bookies. Significant information was kept from the policing ombudsman, that to me is outrageous and there has been no credible, plausible reason offered up for that. Its a case of grave concern to me, and more significantly the families, and its something we need to get to the bottom of. Five people were killed on February 5 1992 when members of the loyalist Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF) opened fire on the Sean Graham bookmakers shop on the lower Ormeau Road. It emerged that the PSNI failed to disclose significant information relating to the notorious shooting. Police Ombudsman Michael Maguire said significant, sensitive information around the incident in south Belfast was not made available to his investigators. The Police Federation representative body has demanded an apology from Mrs McDonald, while her comments have also sparked a wave of condemnation from political rivals, who claim she has compromised the recruitment process. Around five in six employers in Britain have yet to publish their latest gender pay gap figures with less than a month to go until the deadline. Only 1,600 of an expected 10,000 organisations have reported their figures so far. Among those yet to publish are most supermarket chains, local authorities and NHS trusts, plus almost all universities and police forces. Those who have already reported include the majority of high street banks and all the main government departments. Public sector employers must declare their gender pay gap by March 30, while the deadline for private and voluntary sector employers is April 4. Penalties for missing the deadline include a court order and a possible unlimited fine. Prepare your #GenderPayGap data now. There is only 1 month to go until the deadline on 4 April. Find out more at https://t.co/YsUGt1pkKf #GenderEquality pic.twitter.com/LdV6nQiX31 Government Equalities Office (@GEOgovuk) March 4, 2019 The gender pay gap is the difference between the median average hourly wage of men and women working in the same organisation. It is not the same as equal pay, where firms are required by law to pay men and women doing the same job the same salary. This is the second year that all organisations with at least 250 employees are required by law to report their gender pay gap. This year, employers must publish data based on a snapshot of their workforce on March 31 2018 (public sector) or April 5 2018 (private and voluntary). (PA Graphics) So far, the new figures show that: Asda has reduced its gender pay gap year-on-year (from 8.9% to 7.6%) but Aldi has reported a rise (from 4.8% to 7.1%). Of the UKs main broadcasters, the BBC, ITN and Channel 4 have reported their figures. The BBC has reduced its gender pay gap from 9.3% to 7.6%, ITNs figure is down very slightly from 18.2% to 18.1%, and Channel 4 has reported a drop from 24.2% to 23.3%. Most government departments have reduced their gender pay gap, although it has increased at the Treasury and the departments for International Trade, International Development, Exiting the EU and Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS). The largest gap is at the DCMS (22.9%), the smallest at the Department for Education (5.6%), and there is no gap at all at the Department of Work and Pensions. Three of the big high street banks have seen their gap increase (Barclays, HSBC and RBS), two have reported a decrease (Santander and TSB) while the figure for Lloyds is unchanged. Barclays has the largest gap (44.1%) and TSB has the smallest (23.3%). The median gender pay gap for all workers in the UK is 17.9%, according to the Office for National Statistics. Of the 991 organisations who have published a comparable gender pay gap for both this year and last year, 398 (40%) have reported an increase, 56 (6%) no change and 537 (54%) a decrease. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), which enforces the gender pay gap legislation, said that in 2018 the first year the regulations were introduced 94% of organisations had published their data by the required deadline. Following enforcement action by the EHRC against employers who were believed to be in breach of the rules, this had risen to 100% by August. Disgraced MP Fiona Onasanya faces moves to force her out of Parliament after losing a bid to clear her name for perverting the course of justice over a speeding fine. The Peterborough MP was expelled from the Labour Party after being found guilty in December last year. She was jailed for three months at the Old Bailey in January and was released from prison after serving one month behind bars. Fiona Onasanya outside the Royal Courts of Justice (Yui Mok/PA) The 35-year-old solicitor continues to serve as an independent MP, as her sentence was less than the 12-month minimum which would have seen her automatically lose her seat and she has so far resisted calls to resign. After the Court of Appeal rejected her challenge against her conviction on Tuesday, Labour said it will actively support efforts to trigger a by-election possible if at least 10% of the electorate in the constituency sign a recall petition. The recall petition procedure could not be started until Onasanyas appeal process came to an end. A spokeswoman for Peterborough City Council said the local authority is awaiting notification from the Speaker of the House of Commons before it can take action. A Conservative Party spokesman said the people of Peterborough now have the opportunity to demand a new MP through a by-election. Representing herself at the appeal hearing, Onasanya told the court: The charge against me was perverting the course of justice. I said from the outset, and I still maintain my innocence, that I did not do that. But she was refused permission for a full appeal by three leading judges. Rejecting her challenge, Sir Brian Leveson said: It is a tragedy that she has damaged, probably irreparably, a promising political career, but there is absolutely no basis for challenging her conviction. Onasanya declined to comment as she left the court and briefly entered a nearby pub before leaving in a black cab. The judge told the court Onasanyas Nissan Micra was clocked speeding at 41mph in a 30mph zone in the village of Thorney, near Peterborough, in July 2017. She was sent a notice of intended prosecution, which was sent back falsely naming the guilty driver as Aleks Antipow, an acquaintance of her brother Festus, who was visiting his parents in Russia at the time. Festus Onasanya (Jonathan Brady/PA) The court heard Onasanya then confirmed the details given in the notice twice, once in a letter and once during a phone conversation with an investigator. Festus Onasanya, 34, from Cambridge, was jailed for 10 months after he admitted three counts of perverting the course of justice over speeding, including the July 24 incident. Onasanya, who now admits she was in the car when it was caught speeding, initially said she was in Parliament at the time. She claimed she knew nothing about her brothers actions until he admitted filling in the form with the wrong details after their first trial, at which jurors were unable to reach a verdict. But a jury at a second trial found her guilty, after being directed by the judge that they had to be sure she had provided or confirmed the false information to investigators with the intention of enabling the true driver to avoid responsibility. Sentencing her in January, Mr Justice Stuart-Smith said her case was out of the ordinary because the crime was totally out of character and possibly committed out of misplaced loyalty to her brother. He said her life as a new MP in 2017 was extremely hectic and chaotic and she had just been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis when police began to pursue her. After her brother falsely filled out the notice of intended prosecution, she made the disastrous decision to keep up the lie from November 2017, he added. The judge said jail could be expected for giving false information even in lesser cases because it undermines the very system of criminal justice. Onasanya was released last week, reportedly wearing an electronic tag, after serving one month of her sentence at HMP Bronzefield in Surrey. She took the marginal Cambridgeshire seat from the Tories with a majority of just 607 at the 2017 election. The boss of drugs giant AstraZeneca saw his pay package soar to 11.4 million last year despite suffering a shareholder backlash over his mammoth rewards. The firms annual report revealed chief executive Pascal Soriots total pay included a 1.9 million annual bonus and 7.7 million of shares under a long-term incentive scheme. His bumper payout was 9% higher than the 10.4 million awarded in 2017. And he stands to pick up a potential maximum 10 million for 2019, including a 3% salary rise to 1.3 million, an annual bonus and long-term share awards depending on financial targets. In its first-ever breakdown of Mr Soriots pay ratio, AstraZeneca revealed he earns 160 times the average employees salary. It comes in spite of significant shareholder revolts over remuneration for two years running, with 35% of votes cast against the firms pay plans for top bosses at the 2018 annual general meeting (AGM). The boss of drugs giant AstraZeneca, Pascal Soriot, saw his pay package soar to 11.4 million last year despite suffering a shareholder backlash over his mammoth rewards. Mr Soriots pay hike also follows a difficult year for the group, when core operating profits tumbled 17% to 5.7 billion US dollars (4.3 billion) in 2018. Astra insisted it has consulted with shareholders extensively since its recent bruising encounters with investors. It said while it has not reined in its annual bonus and long-term share schemes, it has made substantial changes to respond to shareholder feedback, including a number of changes to the performance measures. The group also defended its decision to hike Mr Soriots salary, saying it aims to find the right balance to incentivise, reward and retain highly talented individuals appropriately. Other changes since the AGM shareholder vote include its decision to reveal the CEO pay ratio ahead of incoming rules, as well as clarity on the target-setting process and simplifying its annual remuneration report. Mr Soriots pay has been a thorny issue for the group in recent years, following a 14.3 million payout in 2016. Nearly 40% of investors opposed Mr Soriots pay package at the groups 2017 AGM, although 96% backed its pay policy introduced that year. High-value fraud in Scotland has increased by nearly 90% in a year, according to new research. The value leapt from 16.2 million in 2017 to 30.4 million in 2018, equivalent to 88%, despite the number of reports falling from 50 to 43. Only incidents that were more than 50,000 were included by the researchers. Accountants and business advisers BDO found the rise was largely due to incidents in the public administration sector. This rose 565.3% in value, up from 2.9 million in 2017 to 19.5 million in 2018. Sat Plaha, partner at BDO, said: The increase in sophisticated high-value fraud in Scotland is a concerning trend. The value rose from 16.2m in 2017 to 30.4m in 2018 (Jane Barlow/PA) This is all the more alarming when our experience suggests that as few as one in 50 cases of fraud in the UK are likely to be reported so the figures only shine a spotlight on the visible part of a much wider problem. It is essential that businesses and government alike continue to deploy a proactive risk-based approach to protect themselves from harms way. Education and retraining of the workforce in how to detect fraud is vital. The costliest reported fraud that took place in Scotland last year was part of a probe by HM Revenue and Customs into a suspected 12 million VAT fraud. In 2018, the country recorded 14.9m of highly-organised tax fraud cases with employee fraud and third-party fraud also rising in value, up 62.8% and 136.5% respectively. The total value UK-wide more than halved in 2018. Following a 15-year high in 2017, reports fell from a value of 2.1 billion to 746.3 million. This is the lowest level since 2014, when the value fell to 720.3 million. Experts at BDO say the true cost to the UK could be as high as 37.5 billion. London and the south-east remain the biggest hot spots for fraud in 2018, accounting for more than 60% of all records in the UK. The Archbishop of Canterbury has praised the Prince of Waless belief in the sacred duty of service as the royal family gathered to mark the 50th anniversary of his investiture. The Most Rev Justin Welby paid tribute to Charless prophetic voice on the environment, his work supporting disadvantaged young people and concern for the armed forces in a speech at a Buckingham Palace event hosted by the Queen. The prince was surrounded by his immediate family at the reception, with his wife the Duchess of Cornwall by his side along with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Duke and Duchess of Cambridge a symbolic gesture of support for the future king. Leading figures from Wales were also invited, including Falklands veteran Simon Weston, the band Stereophonics, Game Of Thrones star Owen Teale and First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford. The Queen and the Prince of Wales, followed by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Duchess of Cornwall, and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex at a reception at Buckingham Palace (Dominic Lipinski/PA) The gathering of senior royals, Prime Minister Theresa May and representatives from Charless Welsh charities celebrated the moment on July 1 1969 when the Queen formally invested her son and heir with the title Prince of Wales at Caernarfon Castle. The Archbishop said about Charles: From service to young people and those caught in poverty, a prophetic voice on the environment, proved by time and events, concern for all who serve our country from the armed forces to the police, compassion for the suffering and humour with the brave and rejoicing, the list goes on and on. Prince Charles was created The Prince of Wales aged 9 on July 26th 1958. HRH was formally invested with the title by Her Majesty on July 1st 1969. pic.twitter.com/5zQPwpmKDo The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall (@ClarenceHouse) March 5, 2019 The investiture was unique. Seldom can a coming-of-age have had such a setting; seldom can the weight of expectation have been so great. In years since then, we have seen how the honour of being granted that title has been richly repaid in the Prince of Waless love for the country whose name he bears, and in the deep respect he has always shown for the land, for the language, and most of all, of course, for the people. The Archbishop went on to say: This Prince of Wales has guarded the sacred duty of service and kept the fire not only alight, but burning more brightly with the passing years. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attend a reception at Buckingham Palace (Dominic Lipinski/PA) Mr Welby ranked Charles above all his other predecessors in terms of his service to others, saying: Never in the history of the role can there have been such dedicated service, such honourable fulfilling of the promise at the investiture, I, Charles, Prince of Wales, do become your liege man of life and limb and of earthly worship, and faith and truth I bear unto you, to live and die against all manner of folks. Charless brothers the Duke of York and Earl of Wessex were not at the event, with Andrew attending private commitments and Edward at an official engagement, but the Princess Royal was among the guests. Stereophonics frontman Kelly Jones, who was joined by bandmates Richard Jones, Jamie Morrison and Adam Zindani, described how money from Charless flagship charity the Princes Trust helped set the band on the path to stardom. After meeting the prince, he said: We applied for a couple of grants from the Princes Trust because we needed some money for some speakers and Prince Charles came down to Pontypridd and we met him and we had some funding from them and that got us on the way. The Duchess of Cambridge attends a reception at Buckingham Palace (Dominic Lipinski/PA) Unfortunately the speakers got stolen by a bunch of builders a few months later, we had to get some more money, but yes, it was a very helpful start. Jones said about Charles: I think hes become almost part of the Welsh culture, hes always been there. Im just enjoying being here, nice to be asked, its been quite a surreal circle really to get a few quid for some speakers and then 22 years later theyve let us in here. The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby makes a speech during a reception at Buckingham Palace (Dominic Lipinski/PA) The band also chatted to William, and the groups rhythm guitarist Zindani said the duke told them about using the police lights to help him get Prince George to school on time. He said: He did mention pressing the blue light on the school run to speed things up a bit. Sometimes he presses the blue light like Batman and hes there. Kensington Palace later said this was a joke by the duke, and it had never happened. Mr Weston, 57, a former Welsh Guardsman who suffered severe burns when the vessel Sir Galahad was attacked during the Falklands War, chatted to Harry. The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall meet members of the Welsh band @stereophonics. The band received grants from HRHs @PrincesTrust when starting out. pic.twitter.com/GfRu9TGCxc The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall (@ClarenceHouse) March 5, 2019 He said later: It was wonderful to be invited to these celebrations to mark 50 years since the Prince of Waless investiture. I was seven years old at the time so Ive got a lot to thank him for such as the day off school and the jelly and ice cream at the street party. I watched it at my grandmothers house in our village called Nelson. Mr Weston, president of Debra, a charity which supports those with a genetic skin disorder, said they talked about wound healing and a new laser treatment to deal with scar tissue. He added: We also joked about Wales defeating England in the Six Nations rugby. I also warned him and the duchess it serves him right as they will be getting plenty of sleepless nights when the baby is born. He said if they have anymore than two it will serve him right, Mr Weston added. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex meet Simon Weston and Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns (Dominic Lipinski/PA) Charles was created the Prince of Wales aged nine on July 26 1958, and among the guests at the palace who saw him invested with the title 11 years later was Sir Nicholas Soames, his former equerry. Recalling the day, he said: It was the most beautiful ceremony, Lord Snowdon had created a sort of set within the walls of the castle that was very contemporary but the service is timeless, the investiture of a prince of Wales is one of the oldest services there is and its very, very beautiful. Packed with people, a very solemn occasion but also a very joyous occasion. Irish people have the most positive image of the European Union, a survey of member states has found. The annual Eurobarometer also shows that people in Ireland are the most satisfied with how democracy works in the EU and are the most optimistic about the blocs future. The report, issued by the European Commission Representation in Ireland, claims that 66% of Irish people say they feel attached to the EU, the highest proportion since May 2007. Gerry Kiely, head of the European Commission Representation in Ireland, said: The report captures Irelands strong support for the European Union. Latest #Eurobarometer report for Ireland shows Irish people: have the most positive image of the EU are the most satisfied with how democracy works in the EU are the most optimistic about the EU's future Download the Ireland report at: https://t.co/KGhua1PXOG pic.twitter.com/h23ZgKCNs5 EU Commission in Ireland (@eurireland) March 5, 2019 This is fully reciprocated, as is evident from the European Unions unwavering support for Irish interests in the Brexit negotiations. With the European Parliament elections looming in May, I hope that Irish support for the European Union will translate into a very healthy voter turnout. Young people in Ireland have a poor record in voting in the European elections. Everyone should have a say on who will influence their future by getting out and voting. At 76%, Ireland has the highest proportion of people in any member state feeling that their interests are well taken account of in the EU. This is an increase of 17 points in the past two years and coincides with the negotiations between the EU and the British government on Brexit. This score represents the highest proportion of Irish citizens feeling this way since this data was first collected in 2007. (PA Graphics) The report also found that attachment to the EU has increased by 24 points since 2013, however most people said they feel fairly attached rather than very attached. Some two-thirds of Irish people have a positive image of the EU, which is the highest level of positivity recorded in Ireland since 2008, and the highest figure for any member state. Only 8% of Irish people said they have negative image of the EU. As of November 2018, 85% of Irish citizens reported feeling some semblance of EU citizenship and are the most satisfied with how democracy works in the EU, with 75% expressing satisfaction. This is substantially above the EU average of 50%. Ireland is the most optimistic EU country about the future of the EU. 86% of Irish people say they are optimistic, the highest number of people saying this ever. Some seven in 10 Irish people disagree with the notion that Ireland could best face the future outside of the EU. Only one in four believe that Ireland would do better outside the EU. The competition watchdog is preparing to take another round of legal action against ticket reseller Viagogo, after warning the site it is still not compliant with a court order secured to protect consumers. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said it had warned Viagogo that it was still not complying with a court order requiring that it improve information displayed about the tickets listed on the site. A CMA spokeswoman said: Although some improvements have been made since we first demanded action to address areas of non-compliance, further checks have shown there are still issues of concern. viagogo update The CMA has today warned viagogo it is still not compliant with the court order we secured, requiring improved information be displayed about the tickets listed for resale on its site. pic.twitter.com/vbeIb6lhg2 Competition & Markets Authority (@CMAgovUK) March 5, 2019 For a company not to comply with a court order is clearly very serious. We are therefore now preparing to take legal action to ask a court to find Viagogo in contempt. Viagogo said: We take the CMAs concerns very seriously. However, we strongly believe we are not in breach of the court order. Screengrab from the home page of Viagogo (Viagogo/PA) As the CMA indicated, we have successfully made several improvements to our platform to meet the compliance requirements of the order. We remain committed to working closely with the CMA and to achieving the highest standards possible on behalf of the thousands of people who use Viagogo every day. The watchdog formally raised serious concerns with Viagogo in January about its compliance with the order and said it must address them or face a return to court. Viagogo claimed it had met the January 18 deadline to comply with the High Court order requiring it to make a number of changes to the way it collects and presents information about tickets for sale on its site, in particular about seat numbers, resale restrictions and face value as well as to the way it uses messages about the availability and popularity of tickets. The CMAs concerns followed its own monitoring of the site since the deadline and were in addition to an independent review of compliance with the court order. In November, the CMA told the Switzerland-based company it must overhaul the way it does business to protect consumers under a High Court order. Under the order, Viagogo must also publish the names and addresses of touts those selling more than 100 tickets a year via the site. The CMA began enforcement action against four secondary ticketing websites last November, with three of them Stub Hub, GetMeIn! and Seatwave committing to change their business practices. Adam Webb from the music industry campaign FanFair Alliance, said: FanFair Alliance welcomes todays long-awaited announcement from the CMA. We also share concerns about Viagogos compliancy with its court order, and that the site continues to facilitate large-scale breaches of consumer law. All UK music fans should avoid this site. Claire Turnham, awarded an MBE for obtaining close to 1 million of refunds from the site through her Victim of Viagogo group, said: The continued arrogance of Viagogo to defy UK law is staggering. We strongly support every legal action necessary to force them to comply. Sharon Hodgson, chairwoman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Ticket Abuse, said: I am pleased that the CMA have today announced that they are preparing to take Viagogo to court to find them in contempt. This has been a long time coming, so I feel that it is only right that Viagogo are held to account for their parasitical actions, that have ripped off fans for far too many years. British winemakers produced a record-breaking 15.6 million bottles last year, a 130% increase on the year before, a survey has confirmed. Last summers high temperatures boosted the bumper harvest but Wines of Great Britain (WineGB) said it predicted further substantial growth as a result of the ongoing proliferation of vineyards. The figures show the recent rapid expansion of production, rising from 6.3 million bottles in 2014 and 5.9 million in 2017, with small fluctuations in between largely due to the effect of weather. WineGB, who conducted the survey of the UK industry, said acreage under vine had tripled since 2000, growing 13% last year. Some 1.6 million vines were planted last year amounting to more than 1,000 acres, with a further two million set to be planted this year. According to industry predictions, British producers would be heading towards 40 million bottles a year in the next 20 years, leading to the creation of an extra 20,000 to 30,000 new jobs, WineGB said. Grape picking takes place in the autumn sunshine at Ryedale Vineyards, near Malton, North Yorkshire (PA) The arrival in recent years of two Champagne houses, Taittinger in Kent and Pommery in Hampshire, was a firm endorsement for the future of the industry, it added. WineGB chairman Simon Robinson said: Our latest survey acknowledges 2018 as a milestone year for the industry. Our figures detail the considerable pace of growth taking place here in the UK and what exciting predictions and opportunities lie in the future. As a sector, we are bringing many developments in agriculture, tourism, education, investment and employment. This is now a thriving and confident British industry in which we can be justifiably proud. Wine and Spirit Trade Association chief executive Miles Beale said: Its extremely exciting that in 2018 UK wine makers have produced volumes that near-triple the number of bottles made the previous year. This is down to the gutsy English and Welsh wine businesses and all those investing in them to grow vineyards, create fantastic wines rivalling the best in the world and develop amazing places to visit. These ambitious wine makers are reaping the rewards of years of hard graft and the industry looks set to continue to blossom. Last summers record heatwave provided near perfect grape growing conditions and a bumper harvest with UK winemakers predicting that when it starts being released, 2018 is likely to prove a vintage year. This will be vital to maintaining the reputation of English and Welsh wine as it grows including its exports. Breakaway MPs from The Independent Group (TIG) have begun talks with the elections watchdog about becoming a fully-fledged party. Group spokesman Chuka Umunna led a delegation of the groups MPs for talks with the Electoral Commission, saying that in order to present an alternative to the broken political system they would have to become a party. He said: We left the established parties a few weeks ago now because politics is fundamentally broken and they are part of a broken political system. We have been absolutely overwhelmed by the tens of thousands of people who have signed up to our website, who have shown support for what we are doing and want to see an alternative, to build an alternative. So we are here at the Electoral Commission to explore with them how we do that. We arent a political party but quite clearly there is an appetite for a new one, so we are here to discuss with them what that involves. Mr Umunna was joined by former Labour MPs Gavin Shuker, Ann Coffey and Chris Leslie along with former Tory Heidi Allen at the Electoral Commission headquarters in London. He said: We think people want an alternative. If you want to present an alternative you have to become a party, so we want to find out what that involves. Independent Group MPs (left to right) Ann Coffey, Chuka Umunna, Chris Leslie, Gavin Shuker and Heidi Allen before talks at the Electoral Commission offices (Yui Mok/PA) The Electoral Commission meeting comes just over a fortnight after Mr Umunna, Ms Coffey, Mr Leslie, Mr Shuker, Luciana Berger, Angela Smith and Mike Gapes resigned from Labour, signalling the biggest shake-up of Westminster politics for a generation. They were soon followed by former Labour colleague Joan Ryan and ex-Tory recruits Ms Allen, Anna Soubry and Sarah Wollaston. Registering with the commission would allow TIG to field candidates in elections but would also require it to comply with strict rules on funding. The group has promised to comply with party funding rules even if it does not formally register with the watchdog. The chief executive of British Airways owner IAG has hit out at the Governments lack of Brexit progress, branding it shocking that the country still has no clarity on the future. Willie Walsh also said in the companys annual report that all the credible forecasts show that Brexit will have a negative economic impact, adding that IAG must remain very agile to navigate the immediate risks. He said: I think it is inevitable that Brexit will have a greater impact in the months ahead. It has been quite shocking to get so far in the political process without having any real clarity about the future. That cant be positive for the economy. Whether you are for or against the UK leaving the EU, all the credible forecasts Ive seen predict that Brexit will have a negative economic impact in the short to medium term. That is likely to damage consumer confidence and act as a further drag on business investment. We need to remain very agile in the months ahead. The comments come as Theresa May has still not put her roundly criticised Withdrawal Agreement to Parliament, with just weeks to go until Britain quits the EU. Brexit is bad for business, according to many respectable forecasts (PA) The Prime Minister has been under intense pressure from the Eurosceptic wing of her party to ditch the so-called Northern Irish backstop, which she insisted upon in negotiations with the EU. Mr Walsh also described Brexit as the biggest unknown in 2019, but vowed not to be distracted by the uncertainty it was bringing. Last month IAG, which also owns Aer Lingus and Vueling, placed a limit on non-EU shareholders. EU regulations stipulate that airlines must be more than 50% controlled by investors from the bloc to fly freely across the continent. But IAG insisted at the time that the move wasnt linked to Brexit and that UK residents would be treated in the same way as those from the EU, even after Brexit. Mr Walsh has also recently said that he is confident there will be a comprehensive air transport agreement between the EU and the UK. We refuse to be distracted by the uncertainty and are very focused on continuing IAGs recent record of success, IAG added on Tuesday. Switzerlands central bank has unveiled a redesigned version of its 1,000-franc (760) note. The Swiss National Bank said the overhauled version of its highest-denomination note is smaller and thus easier to handle than its predecessor, as well as incorporating complex security features. The purple and yellow note, featuring a handshake on one side and the Swiss parliament on the other, will go into circulation from March 13. Fritz Zurbruegg, vice president of the board of directors, presents the new banknote in Zurich (Ennio Leanza/Keystone/AP) The 1,000-franc note is a longstanding tradition in cash-friendly Switzerland. The countrys approach contrasts with that of the European Central Bank, which in 2016 decided to discontinue production of its 500-euro note currently worth 430. The ECB dropped its biggest note amid concerns that it had become too popular among crooks and money launderers. An injunction granted to energy giant Ineos has created an impermissible severe chilling effect on campaigners right to protest against fracking, the Court of Appeal has heard. Environmental and human rights campaigners are challenging what they say is a draconian injunction, which prevents persons unknown from trespassing on or obstructing access to the companys shale gas sites. The injunction, granted by the High Court in November 2017, also prevents people from combining together to commit unlawful acts with the intention of damaging Ineos or any other companies in its supply chain. Ineos argues the injunction is intended to only prohibit unlawful activities and not injunct lawful activity. But opponents say it is unprecedented and wide-ranging and has had a very serious chilling effect on lawful and legitimate protest activities. At a hearing in London on Tuesday, lawyers for Joe Boyd and Joe Corre argued the injunction is unlawfully, unnecessarily and disproportionately exposing to risk of financial and penal sanction campaigners who are exercising their rights to free speech and to protest. The son of Dame Vivienne Westwood, Joe Corre (second left), joins protesters outside the Royal Courts of Justice, London, wearing `Jim Ratcliffe devil masks in a bid to overturn an "unprecedented" order prohibiting unlawful activites such as trespass or obstruction at energy giant Ineos shale gas sites. Heather Williams QC, for Mr Boyd, argued that the judge who granted the injunction did not distinguish between lawful freedom of expression and assembly and unlawful activities. She said that the supply chain injunction was a novel, uncertain, unnecessary and disproportionate injunction which exposes a significant number of people to serious penalties for speech and protest-related activities. Ms Williams further argued that anti-fracking campaigners were protesting on a matter of broad public interest, against what is widely considered to be a harmful activity, in pursuit of the perceived common good. Stephanie Harrison QC, for Mr Corre, said that fracking was highly controversial and there were widespread and compelling concerns about its adverse impacts on the environment, climate change and the local communities in which it was proposed to take place. She also pointed out that the terms of Ineoss injunction have since been applied in similar cases involving oil and gas firms Cuadrilla, UK Oil and Gas, Angus Energy and IGas. Ms Harrison argued that if Ineoss injunction was upheld, that it was likely to become the default position in protest cases. She added that the draconian nature of the injunction, the challenges and risks of resisting a powerful multinational company with deep pockets (and) the severe penalties for breaching the order was a serious deterrent to people coming forward to challenge the injunction. Mr Corre was able to do so, she said, because he is a man of both principle and means. Alan Maclean QC, for Ineos, argued in written submissions that there was no error of legal principle in the judgment granting the injunction. He said Mr Justice Morgans approach to the law was orthodox and correct and that his decision to grant the injunction was unimpeachable on appeal. Mr Maclean dismissed the contention that the injunction was uncertain, submitting that it clearly identifies and describes the categories of persons unknown, by reference to the ingredients of the particular wrongs. He added: It prohibits unlawful activity and there is nothing difficult about a would-be protester being in a position to know whether or not he or she is within the scope of the order. He also argued that it was appropriate for Ineos to obtain the injunction against persons unknown, saying that it would otherwise have had to pick on a particular individual or group of individuals. In the lunch break, protesters gathered outside the Royal Courts of Justice wearing devil masks of Ineos chairman Sir Jim Ratcliffe and holding placards reading Frack off Ineos. Lord Justice Longmore, sitting with Lord Justice David Richards and Lord Justice Leggatt, will hear submissions from the parties over two days and are expected to reserve their judgment. The family of murdered teenager Jodie Chesney have backed calls for tougher sentences for knife crime. Relative Karen Chesney appealed on Facebook for support for a petition calling for a 10-year jail term for knife possession and 25 years for using a knife. On Tuesday afternoon, the Parliament petition had been signed more than 33,000 times. A total of 100,000 signatures are required before a petition can be considered for debate by MPs. Jodie, 17, was with friends near a childrens playground on Harold Hill, east London, when she was approached by two males and knifed in the back in a seemingly motiveless attack. Flowers near to the scene in St Neots Road where 17-year-old Jodie was stabbed to death on Friday night (PA) The current maximum jail term for an adult caught carrying a knife is four years in prison and an unlimited fine. Only those caught with a knife more than once are handed prison sentences. Police in the local area appealed for calm and asked anyone with pictures of the suspected killer not to post them on social media. An entry posted on the Met Police Twitter accounts for Redbridge, Havering and Barking & Dagenham said: The investigation team into this tragedy are appealing for calm at this time, they are working tirelessly into finding the offender(s) who have committed this crime. The investigation team are requesting that people do not speculate as to who may have been involved and ask that all information is given to officers in the correct way by either calling the incident room on 020 8345 3775 or contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. Please do not post images of those you may believe committed the crime on social media. Jodie was pronounced dead just over an hour after police were called to the park at 9.25pm on Friday evening. Her suspected killer is a black man in his late teens. A petition to trigger a by-election has been launched following a failed bid by disgraced MP Fiona Onasanya to clear her name. Commons speaker John Bercow has told MPs that Onasanya is subject to a recall petition. The Peterborough MP was expelled from the Labour Party after being found guilty of perverting the course of justice over a speeding fine in December last year. She was jailed for three months at the Old Bailey in January and was released from prison after serving one month behind bars. Fiona Onasanya outside the Royal Courts of Justice (Yui Mok/PA) The 35-year-old solicitor continues to serve as an independent MP, because her sentence was less than the 12-month minimum which would have seen her automatically lose her seat and she has so far resisted calls to resign. Making an announcement to MPs in the chamber, Mr Bercow said: I have received a letter this afternoon from the registrar of criminal appeals informing me that Fiona Onasanyas application for leave to appeal against her conviction has been refused. This now triggers the provisions of the Recall of MPs Act 2015 and I will accordingly be writing to the relevant petition officer to inform that person that Fiona Onasanya is therefore subject to a recall petition process. It will be for that officer to make the arrangements for the petition. After the Court of Appeal rejected her challenge against her conviction on Tuesday, Labour said it will actively support efforts to trigger a by-election possible if at least 10% of the electorate in the constituency sign a recall petition. The recall petition procedure could not be started until Onasanyas appeal process came to an end. A Conservative Party spokesman said the people of Peterborough now have the opportunity to demand a new MP through a by-election. Representing herself at the appeal hearing, Onasanya told the court: The charge against me was perverting the course of justice. I said from the outset, and I still maintain my innocence, that I did not do that. But she was refused permission for a full appeal by three leading judges. Rejecting her challenge, Sir Brian Leveson said: It is a tragedy that she has damaged, probably irreparably, a promising political career, but there is absolutely no basis for challenging her conviction. Onasanya declined to comment as she left the court and briefly entered a nearby pub before leaving in a black cab. The judge told the court Onasanyas Nissan Micra was clocked speeding at 41mph in a 30mph zone in the village of Thorney, near Peterborough, in July 2017. She was sent a notice of intended prosecution, which was sent back falsely naming the guilty driver as Aleks Antipow, an acquaintance of her brother Festus, who was visiting his parents in Russia at the time. Festus Onasanya (Jonathan Brady/PA) The court heard Onasanya then confirmed the details given in the notice twice, once in a letter and once during a phone conversation with an investigator. Festus Onasanya, 34, from Cambridge, was jailed for 10 months after he admitted three counts of perverting the course of justice over speeding, including the July 24 incident. Onasanya, who now admits she was in the car when it was caught speeding, initially said she was in Parliament at the time. She claimed she knew nothing about her brothers actions until he admitted filling in the form with the wrong details after their first trial, at which jurors were unable to reach a verdict. But a jury at a second trial found her guilty, after being directed by the judge that they had to be sure she had provided or confirmed the false information to investigators with the intention of enabling the true driver to avoid responsibility. Sentencing her in January, Mr Justice Stuart-Smith said her case was out of the ordinary because the crime was totally out of character and possibly committed out of misplaced loyalty to her brother. He said her life as a new MP in 2017 was extremely hectic and chaotic and she had just been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis when police began to pursue her. After her brother falsely filled out the notice of intended prosecution, she made the disastrous decision to keep up the lie from November 2017, he added. The judge said jail could be expected for giving false information even in lesser cases because it undermines the very system of criminal justice. Onasanya was released last week, reportedly wearing an electronic tag, after serving one month of her sentence at HMP Bronzefield in Surrey. She took the marginal Cambridgeshire seat from the Tories with a majority of just 607 at the 2017 election. The Independent Group (TIG) of breakaway MPs want to form a rival to the Tories and Labour to fight the next general election. A delegation of the groups MPs held talks with the Electoral Commission about becoming a fully-fledged party but no specific timeframe was set for the process. Group spokesman Chuka Umunna said the goal was to be ready to field candidates in the next general election, whenever that is held. The next scheduled contest is not until 2022, but the turmoil in Westminster politics means that an earlier election remains a distinct possibility. Mr Umunna said the group had been overwhelmed by the tens of thousands of people who have signed up to our website, who have shown support for what we are doing. He added: We arent a political party but quite clearly there is an appetite for a new one, so we are here to discuss with them what that involves. Mr Umunna was joined by former Labour MPs Gavin Shuker, Ann Coffey and Chris Leslie along with former Tory Heidi Allen at the Electoral Commission headquarters in London. He played down the prospect of rushing through the process in order to contest Mays local elections. One step at a time. We have just been given a lot of information, we want to make sure we do things in the right way. In terms of decisions on local elections or any other elections in the immediate next few months we will make decisions about that. But we are clear that when a general election comes, people want an alternative. We have been advised that the only way that you can actually deliver that is by being a registered political party so you can be on the ballot paper. That is our goal. Independent Group MPs, left to right, Ann Coffey, Chuka Umunna, Chris Leslie, Gavin Shuker and Heidi Allen before talks at the Electoral Commission offices (Yui Mok/PA) The Electoral Commission meeting comes just over a fortnight after Mr Umunna, Ms Coffey, Mr Leslie, Mr Shuker, Luciana Berger, Angela Smith and Mike Gapes resigned from Labour, signalling the biggest shake-up of Westminster politics for a generation. They were soon followed by former Labour colleague Joan Ryan and ex-Tory recruits Ms Allen, Anna Soubry and Sarah Wollaston. Registering with the commission would allow TIG to field candidates in elections but would also require it to comply with strict rules on funding. The group has promised to comply with party funding rules even before it formally registers with the watchdog. Mr Umunna said he wanted the group to offer the politics of the future as an alternative to the rotten culture of the established Westminster parties. In the coming weeks and months we want to ensure that we properly involve everyone in the country who wants to see that alternative come into being, he said We will be launching a change politics project which we will be taking all over the country to include people in the process. Chris Grayling has insisted the Government thought it was worth taking a risk over Brexit ferry contracts after brushing aside calls to resign as Transport Secretary. The Cabinet minister faced shouts of ahoy there and peekaboo from opposition MPs as he arrived in the Commons, a day after failing to appear to answer an urgent question on the controversial 33 million payout to Eurotunnel. The payment was to settle a legal action brought by Eurotunnel after the Government awarded contracts to three ferry companies one of which had no ships to transport essential medical supplies from the EU if Britain leaves without a deal in place. Mr Grayling said decisions on the matter were taken collectively by ministers, although he said they were deeply sorry it had not worked out as intended. Labour accused Mr Grayling of admitting he had acted in contravention of legal advice and described him as a departmental wrecking ball as they renewed calls on him to resign. Arriving for the weekly meeting of Cabinet, Mr Grayling made clear that he had no intention of bowing to opposition demands for him to go. I will carry on serving the Prime Minister as long as she wants me to, he said. Labour former minister David Hanson, speaking in the Commons after the SNP secured an emergency debate, asked if officials had advised that negotiations solely with ferry companies would result in a legal challenge by Eurotunnel. Mr Grayling replied: We knew in accelerating the procurement process there was a legal risk. Thats been highlighted in the NAO report. Odd that #FailingGrayling now so adamant that this contract was awarded urgently after a collective U.K. Govt decision last autumn to secure supply of medicines but Govt Minister seemed unaware of this when I questioned him on 9 January....#ferrygate #Brexit https://t.co/xN4HU0om7O Joanna Cherry QC (@joannaccherry) March 5, 2019 However, it was my judgment and the judgment of my accounting officer and the judgment of those who vetted the plan across government that this was a risk we should take given the need to ensure that we had a supply of drugs into the country in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Shadow transport secretary Andy McDonald added: What he is laying bare today is that advice he received, hes acted in contravention of that advice and he has lost. What were asking for is not an absence of preparation for contingencies, what were asking for is a modicum of competence and hes singularly failed. Mr Grayling replied: We did not receive legal advice saying do not do this, we received legal advice saying that there was a risk in taking this approach and we judged collectively across government that this was a risk that was necessary to take in the national interest. He also told MPs: We are working very hard to make sure that we are prepared for all eventualities, that is the responsible thing for Government to do. Sometimes you have to take some risks in doing that, but I think sensible governments take risks in the national interest. I and we and all of my colleagues who took this decision collectively stand by this decision, were deeply sorry that it did not work out in the way wed intended, but the reality is it was the right decision to take because we were putting the national interest and particularly patients in our NHS first and that, Mr Speaker, you would expect any responsible Government to do. Mr McDonald later told the debate: The record of this Transport Secretary is that of a departmental wrecking ball. SNP MP Joanna Cherry (PA) SNP MP Joanna Cherry added that in any normal, healthy functioning democracy this scandal would bring the Government down. But Tory former minister Sir Edward Leigh defended Mr Grayling, saying: We believe that he was urging his colleagues for the last two years to make contingency planning for no-deal and he was frustrated by other people, perhaps in the Cabinet, who didnt want to do so and if mistakes have been made because these decisions have been taken at the last moment, its not the fault of (Mr Grayling), but hes too much of a gentleman to actually argue this in his own defence. Tory Charlie Elphicke (Dover) added: The Secretary of State confronted with opportunism has made the best of a bad job to make sure that the investment, is invested to the good of the country not to fatten the profits of Eurotunnel. Two senior figures from the NHS have been appointed to lead an inquiry into the design, building and maintenance of Scotlands largest hospital. The inquiry comes after two patients died at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow after they contracted an infection linked to pigeon droppings. Dr Brian Montgomery, the former medical director and interim chief executive of NHS Fife, and Dr Andrew Fraser, the director of public health science at NHS Health Scotland, will jointly lead the work. Their appointment was announced by Health Secretary Jeane Freeman. She said: The Scottish Government will provide a further update to Parliament detailing the remit of the review once Drs Fraser and Montgomery have considered their approach to the review, which will follow the principles outlined in Professor Alison Brittons report into the handling of independent reviews in Scotland. health Secretary Jeane Freeman. (Scottish Parliament/PA) The inquiry comes after the Crown Office announced it was looking into the death of a 73-year-old woman and a 10-year-old boy at the hospital. Both patients died after catching the cryptococcus infection, which is linked to pigeon droppings, with Ms Freeman last week telling MSPs she understood that public confidence has been shaken by such incidents. As well as the deaths at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, two premature babies died after contracting staphylococcus aureus at the Princess Royal Maternity Hospital, also in Glasgow, in January. The search for two European climbers missing for more than a week on the worlds ninth-highest mountain will continue on Wednesday. Tom Ballard, whose mother died on K2, was climbing Nanga Parbat in Pakistan with Italian Daniele Nardi when they lost contact on February 24. Aerial reconnaissance on Monday found no trace of the climbers and the search resumed again on Tuesday. Four Spanish rescuers were flown to the area by military helicopter on Monday and were joined by Pakistani mountaineer Ali Sadpara at base camp. Despite it being more than a week since contact was made with the pair Karrar Haidri, secretary of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, said: Miracles do happen and have happened in the past in such incidents so we are hoping to find them. Today @AlexTxikon and his team have conducted the search for @NardiDaniele and Tom Ballard on the #NangaParbat, on the ground between C1 and C3 whilst the drones have flown up to 6500 meters. Tomorrow the search continues both by foot and with the drones. pic.twitter.com/TsONVaitWf Stefano Pontecorvo (@pontecorvoste) March 5, 2019 Italian Ambassador Stefano Pontecorvo said the climbers are two tough guys and he hopes they can be found alive. On Tuesday he tweeted a picture of the area and confirmed the search would continue on Wednesday both on the mountain and with the use of drones. He wrote: Today @AlexTxikon and his team have conducted the search for @NardiDaniele and Tom Ballard on the #NangaParbat, on the ground between C1 and C3 whilst the drones have flown up to 6500 meters. Tomorrow the search continues both by foot and with the drones. Two Pakistani mountaineers were with the missing pair but had decided to turn back because they thought it was too dangerous. Mr Ponteocorvo acknowledged the summit is a very difficult one. Alison Hargreaves with her two children Kate and Tom (Chris Bacon/PA) Mr Ballard, 30, was born in Derbyshire but moved to the Scottish Highlands in 1995, the year his mother, Alison Hargreaves, died on K2 when she was 33, months after becoming the first woman to conquer Everest unaided. Friends of the climbers have raised more than 115,244 towards the search effort in two days through a GoFundMe page. The target of the fundraiser is 150,000 euros (128,500). Mountain guide Sandy Allan, who has climbed with Hargreaves and knows Ballard, said he remains hopeful but admitted to having some negative thoughts after Mondays rescue flights failed to locate the pair. He said: I think people are getting really worried and very sad about the whole thing. He and his mother were very popular people. He was a little bit quiet, kept to himself, had some secret projects that he kept quiet, like all us climbers, but he was sociable and popular. I think most people liked him a lot. Mr Allan said it was discouraging that the helicopter flights found nothing because if the two were alive in a snow cave they would likely have heard the helicopter and gone out to try to flag it down. He said the missing climbers situation becomes more and more precarious by the hour because of the extreme cold and wind. Located in Pakistans Gilgit Baltistan area, Nanga Parbat, dubbed Killer Mountain, is the ninth highest mountain in the world at 8,126 metres (26,660 feet). Nardi, 42, and Ballard set out on the climb on February 22, making it to the fourth base camp by the following day. The pair last made contact on February 24 from an elevation of around 6,300 metres (nearly 20,700 feet) on Nanga Parbat. A counter-terror investigation has been launched after three small explosive devices were found at buildings at major transport hubs in London. Police responded to reports of suspicious packages at Waterloo train station and office buildings at Heathrow and London City airports on Tuesday. Security sources emphasised investigators were keeping an open mind, and added that the devices did not appear to be very sophisticated. Irish police said they were assisting the Metropolitan Police with the investigation. All the packages were A4-sized white postal bags containing yellow Jiffy bags and appeared capable of igniting a small fire when opened, police said. Where the devices were found Scotland Yard said officers are treating the incidents as linked and are keeping an open mind regarding motives. No one has been injured in the three incidents and no arrests have been made, police said. Advice has been issued to transport hubs across London to be vigilant and report suspicious devices to police. We're treating the incidents as a linked series & keeping an open mind regarding motives. Flights at Heathrow & City Airport have not been effected. Train services at Waterloo Station continue to operate. As a precaution, some DLR services were suspended but now fully operational Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) March 5, 2019 Sky News correspondent Alistair Bunkall tweeted a picture which he said showed the package sent to Heathrow airport. He said the stamps say Eire on. Rep of Ireland. One of the images showed a partially-burned package addressed to the airport, which Mr Bunkall said had caught fire. The source of the images was not clear and their veracity has not been verified by the Press Association. Officers received a report of a suspicious package at The Compass Centre, a building near Heathrow Airport boundary, shortly before 10am. A statement from Scotland Yard said: The package was opened by staff at the building, causing the device to initiate. This resulted in part of the package burning. The building was evacuated as a precaution and specialist officers attended the scene to make the device safe. Police said the building remains closed as enquiries continue. A Heathrow spokesman earlier said that flights and passengers were not affected by the incident. Transport Secretary Chris Grayling: Police are investigating a small number of security alerts. If youre travelling and see anything suspicious, please report it to the police by calling 0800 789 321 or visit https://t.co/yYx5nnJtbT #ActionCountersTerrorism Department for Transport (@transportgovuk) March 5, 2019 British Transport Police were called to reports of a suspicious package in the post room at Waterloo station at 11.40am. The package was not opened and specialist officers again made the device safe. The station was not evacuated but cordons were in place outside on Cab Road. Police said trains were continuing to run as normal. Its owner, Network Rail, would not comment on the incident. Police were also called to a report of a suspicious package at Aviation House at London City Airport shortly after midday. The package was not opened, the building was evacuated and specialist officers made the device safe. The building has since opened. Docklands Light Railway services to the airport are running after an earlier suspension. A spokesman for London City Airport said Aviation House was a staff-only building about three minutes from the terminal and no flights or passengers were affected. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan tweeted: Our thanks go to police, security, transport staff and all involved for their swift actions to keep our city safe. Alexis Sanchez faces up to six weeks out with a knee injury, Manchester United caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed. The 30-year-olds Old Trafford career hit its latest roadblock as he was forced off early in the second half of Saturdays 3-2 Premier League win against Southampton. Chile physio Pedro Onate said forward Sanchez would be unavailable to play for between six and eight weeks. Solskjaer was asked about those comments ahead of the second leg of Uniteds Champions League last-16 clash with Paris St Germain. It was a bad knee injury so if its four weeks or six, hopefully hell recover quickly, the Norwegian told a press conference. The Duchess of Sussex voiced concerns about American food production practices during celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the Investiture of the Prince of Wales. Patrick Holden, a campaigner for organic food and a long-time associate of Charles, said he discussed the issue with Meghan when they chatted about her father-in-laws championing of sustainable farming. Meghan, who is heavily pregnant, was with Harry and other senior royals including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess of Cornwall at the Buckingham Palace event hosted by the Queen. The Duchess of Sussex is conscious of eating the right things for the health of her baby, says Mr Holden (Dominic Lipinski/PA) Mr Holden said about his chat with the couple: We talked about the Prince of Waless leadership in the field of sustainable agriculture and how the farm at Highgrove is one of the most important exemplars of sustainable farming practice. It is an example of the princes vision made flesh. He said the duchess also expressed her concerns about America food production practices. The duchess is very well aware of how industrial US food systems have become and the need to make a change, he said. There was a lot of conversation about (how) badly wrong the US food systems are and how we need to act. She is pregnant, and obviously wants to make sure she is eating the right things, not just for the health of the baby but also its mental health. We are what we eat, and our mental health is connected with what we eat. The Queen hosted the event, where she was joined by the Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Duke and Duchess of Sussex (Dominic Lipinski/PA) Last week, Donald Trumps administration published negotiating objectives for a post-Brexit trade deal with the UK. It is seeking comprehensive market access for US agricultural products through the reduction or removal of tariffs and the elimination of unwarranted barriers to food and drink imports. US companies have long complained that EU regulations limit American exports of food products such as chlorine-washed chicken, hormone-boosted beef and genetically modified crops. Liberal Democrat MP Tim Farron, a supporter of the Best for Britain campaign for a new referendum, speaking when the trade objectives were published said: Its clear that the US wants to flood us with chlorine-washed chicken and hormone-pumped beef. But Woody Johnson, the US ambassador to Britain, said the use of chlorine was a public safety no-brainer and insisted it was the most effective and economical way of dealing with potentially lethal bacteria such as salmonella and campylobacter. A man has been arrested after a woman was raped in Kirkwall, Orkney. The victim in her 40s was allegedly attacked in the early hours of Monday in the towns Bridge Street area. A 53-year-old man has been arrested. Police have appealed for anyone who saw anything suspicious in the Bridge Street and Albert Street areas between 11.30pm on Sunday and 1am on Monday to come forward. Detective Inspector Donald Macdonald said: It may well be something which seemed of little consequence at the time but I would ask that you let us make that judgment. It may well be of assistance. We have been carrying out significant inquiries to establish the full circumstances, including thorough analysis of available CCTV footage. Police are investigating after a woman was attacked in Kirkwall (Peter Byrne/PA) I would like to thank the local community in Kirkwall for their support of these inquiries so far. We are grateful for your understanding and patience as these continue. Officers meanwhile offered reassurances to members of the public. Inspector Keith Bendall said: Incidents such as this are extremely rare in our islands and it is understandable that there may be some concern in the community. I would reassure people that Police Scotland take reports of crime like this extremely seriously and every line of inquiry is being followed up by local and specialist officers to establish the full circumstances. I would also reiterate that it is vitally important that anyone with information which could help the investigation comes forward as soon as they possibly can. The Irish Government says the country cannot take their foot off the accelerator while preparing for a no-deal Brexit. The cabinet received a briefing on whole-of-Government contingency preparations for a no-deal scenario on Tuesday. The Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney, briefed his colleagues on the work that has taken place across all departments to implement the Governments Contingency Action Plan published in December. By the end of March, @RevenueIE will have over 400 additional staff trained and in place, @agriculture_ie will have over 200 additional staff trained and in place, and the @roinnslainte will have at least 59 additional staff trained and in place. #BrexitReady pic.twitter.com/tpOgPovi5R MerrionStreet.ie (@merrionstreet) March 5, 2019 While ratification of the Withdrawal Agreement remains the Irish Governments preferred outcome, all departments are continuing to prepare for a no-deal scenario. Mr Coveney said there were a couple of clear messages to take away from the briefing, however no-deal planning remains the standout issue. The very clear message to Irish businesses and state agencies to continue planning for no-deal preparations, he said. Simon Coveney said his hope was for a deal to be ratified in Westminster (Brian Lawless/PA) We should not take our foot off the accelerator here, in terms of the state of preparedness that we need to be at by the end of this month. The Irish Governments Omnibus Brexit Bill will be debated this week, which could see a number of emergency laws implemented on things like extradition and immigration, if Britain crashes out of the EU on March 29. The bill, and the list of 21 pieces of secondary legislation, are designed to mitigate the worst effects of a no-deal scenario. The Government is committed to maintaining the Common Travel Area. Today the Government also finalised the remaining domestic decisions necessary to conclude the Common Travel Area arrangements. #Brexit pic.twitter.com/t8YdSi5tOK MerrionStreet.ie (@merrionstreet) March 5, 2019 The Government also finalised the remaining domestic decisions necessary to conclude the Common Travel Area arrangements, so a final agreement with the UK can be ratified to ensure citizens in both states can travel unencumbered. The Government claims that by the end of March, Revenue will have more than 400 additional staff trained and in place, along with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, which will have more than 200 additional personnel, to mitigate the extra customs work produced by Brexit. Enhanced IT systems are also set to be in place to handle increased transaction levels as customs declarations are expected to increase from 1.7 million annually to about 20 million. The spectre of a hard border on the island of Ireland has loomed large throughout Brexit negotiations, and there have been concerns that a no-deal Brexit could see physical infrastructure or customs checks at the Irish border. If Britain crashes out in an unmanaged way, I think the British Government has also said that there will be a need for a very serious and detailed conversation between both governments and the EU to look at what we can do to protect the peace process and protect relationships on this island, by avoiding physical infrastructure (on the border), but we know how we can do that already its called the backstop, Mr Coveney said. Mr Coveney added that his hope was for a deal to be ratified in Westminster. Of course everyone is looking to next week, where there will be a vote in Westminster where we hope a Withdrawal Agreement and a future relationship agreement will be ratified, and if its not, that the following day, a no-deal Brexit can be avoided, he said. Its not for me to comment and not for me to tell them what to do, but it would be surprising if Westminster would vote for no-deal. Ive said for many months that I think theres a majority in Westminster who will work to avoid a no-deal, that is a lose for everybody. A no-deal Brexit could cause a sharp rise in unemployment in Northern Ireland, the head of the civil service said. Inability to prepare, EU tariffs and significant changes to exports could cause business distress, failure or the relocation of some companies to the Republic, a report from David Sterling said. The UK will leave the EU without a deal later this month unless MPs support the Prime Ministers deal or Britain secures an extension from the EU. Mr Sterling said: The consequences of material business failure as a result of a no-deal exit, combined with changes to everyday life and potential border frictions could well have a profound and long-lasting impact on society. The planning assumptions include the possibility that, in some scenarios, a no-deal exit could result in additional challenges for the police if the approach appeared to be unfair or unreasonable for some of those most affected. Stormont departments have urged the UK Government to do all possible to secure an acceptable and manageable outcome to the divorce. A letter sent by Mr Sterling to political leaders in Belfast said: In effect, there is currently no mitigation available for the severe consequences of a no-deal outcome. A letter sent by Mr Sterling to political leaders in Belfast said in effect, there is currently no mitigation available for the severe consequences of a no-deal outcome (Brian Lawless/PA). These consequences do not arise from the possibility of checks or controls on either side of the land border, but would simply be the direct consequence of the legal position that would apply. This point is well understood by the business community. He said relocation of companies to the Republic could cause a sharp increase in unemployment. The letter said Northern Irelands economy was particularly vulnerable given its high proportion of, and reliance upon SMEs (75% of all private sector employment) and businesses that trade directly with Ireland, Northern Irelands largest international export market. The agri-food sector is a disproportionately larger part of the economy than in Great Britain and is located predominantly in rural areas. The letter said: It is particularly vulnerable given its reliance on cross-border supply chains in the production stage and in finished products. These concerns were highlighted in a UK Government paper last week. The letter added: There are also some important businesses in other regulated sectors, notably pharmaceuticals, where product must be certified within an EU member state and where finding ourselves outside the internal market and customs union in a few weeks could have serious implications. This creates a clear incentive to relocate into Ireland (and the wider EU 26) in order to continue to export to the EU. The 23 people confirmed to have been killed by the deadliest US tornado in nearly six years have come into focus after a coroner finished identifying them and released their names. The youngest victim was six and the oldest was 93, while one family lost seven members. Just keep those families in your prayers, Lee County coroner Bill Harris said, two days after the disaster. Its a tragic situation. The search for victims in and around the devastated rural community of Beauregard continued, with crews using heavy equipment to lift large chunks of wreckage. Sheriff Jay Jones said the list of missing people had shrunk from dozens to just seven or eight. We are still conducting some searches, sifting through piles of debris where there may be people or animals, said Opelika Fire Chief Byron Prather. We havent given up hope. The dead included 53-year-old David Wayne Dean, whose body was found in a neighbours yard after the twister demolished his mobile home on Sunday afternoon. He was known as Roaddog for his love of Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Our son found him, his widow Carol Dean said between sobs. He was done and gone before we got to him. My life is gone. He was the reason I lived, the reason that I got up. Carol Dean with Megan Anderson and her 18-month-old daughter Madilyn (David Goldman/AP) After the tornado passed, she rushed home from work at Walmart and pushed past sheriffs deputies to be with her husband one last time. Picking through the ruins of their home, she found her wedding dress and a Fathers Day note to her husband that read: Daddy, I love you to pieces. The tornado packed winds estimated at 170mph and chewed a path of destruction almost a mile wide in Alabama for nearly 27 miles, the National Weather Service said. BREAKING: Preliminary EF-4 Tornado Damage has been found along County Road 39 just east of Cave Mill Road in southwestern Lee County. Winds have been estimated at 170mph. Single family homes were completely destroyed. Photos are from those survey locations. #alwx pic.twitter.com/euYNfSDY11 NWS Birmingham (@NWSBirmingham) March 4, 2019 Ninety people were injured, the NWS added said. Around Beauregard, an area of roughly 10,000 people near the Georgia state line, mobile homes tucked among tall pine trees were swept from their bases and smashed into unrecognisable piles of rubble. Toys, clothes, insulation, water heaters and pieces of metal were scattered across the hillsides where the pines were snapped in half. Law enforcement teams searching for victims used dogs and heat-detecting drones. President Donald Trump said he would visit Alabama on Friday. He said its been a tragic situation but a lot of good work is being done. It was the deadliest tornado to hit the US since May 2013, when a twister killed 24 people in Moore, Oklahoma. Government teams surveying storm damage confirmed on Tuesday that at least 18 tornadoes struck on Sunday in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and South Carolina alone. The youngest victim was Armando Hernandez Jr, an energetic six-year-old known to everyone as AJ. He kept a smile on his face all the time. He never met a stranger and he loved everybody, his grandfather Bobby Kidd said in a WIAT-TV report. On Sunday, AJ took shelter in a closet with his 10-year-old brother Jordan. The house exploded and the force of the tornado snatched both the kids away, Mr Kidd said AJs brother and father remain in hospital in stable condition, he added. Irish police are helping counter-terror officers investigating the three small explosive devices sent to major transport hubs in London. Police responded to reports of suspicious packages at Waterloo train station and office buildings at Heathrow and London City airports on Tuesday. Security sources emphasised investigators were keeping an open mind, and added that the devices did not appear to be very sophisticated. British Transport Police officers at Waterloo (John Stillwell/PA Wire) Following reports the packages had been sent with Irish stamps, a statement from Irish police said: An Garda Siochana are assisting the Metropolitan Police with their enquiries. All the packages were A4-sized white postal bags containing yellow Jiffy bags and appeared capable of igniting a small fire when opened, the Met said. Where the devices were found Sky News correspondent Alistair Bunkall tweeted a picture which he said showed the package sent to Heathrow airport. The stamps appeared similar to some issued by the Irish postal service for Valentines Day 2018, featuring a heart motif and the words Love Eire N. One of the images showed a partially-burned package addressed to Heathrow which appeared to have Dublin written in black ink in the bottom right-hand corner of the envelope, which Mr Bunkall said had caught fire. The other picture showed a jiffy bag addressed to Waterloo, with its senders address appearing to be Bus Eireann, Dublin. The operator said police had not been in touch, with a spokeswoman saying: Bus Eireann are currently not aware of this and we have no further comment. The source of the images was not clear and their veracity has not been verified by the Press Association. Scotland Yard said officers are treating the incidents as linked and are keeping an open mind regarding motives. No one has been injured in the three incidents and no arrests have been made, police said. Advice has been issued to transport hubs across London to be vigilant and report suspicious devices to police. We're treating the incidents as a linked series & keeping an open mind regarding motives. Flights at Heathrow & City Airport have not been effected. Train services at Waterloo Station continue to operate. As a precaution, some DLR services were suspended but now fully operational Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) March 5, 2019 Officers first received a report of a suspicious package at The Compass Centre, a building near Heathrow Airport boundary, shortly before 10am. A statement from Scotland Yard said: The package was opened by staff at the building, causing the device to initiate. This resulted in part of the package burning. The building was evacuated as a precaution and specialist officers attended the scene to make the device safe. Police said the building remains closed as enquiries continue. A Heathrow spokesman earlier said that flights and passengers were not affected by the incident. Transport Secretary Chris Grayling: Police are investigating a small number of security alerts. If youre travelling and see anything suspicious, please report it to the police by calling 0800 789 321 or visit https://t.co/yYx5nnJtbT #ActionCountersTerrorism Department for Transport (@transportgovuk) March 5, 2019 British Transport Police were later called to reports of a suspicious package in the post room at Waterloo station at 11.40am. The package was not opened and specialist officers again made the device safe. One slightly shaken-up man who was among staff outside the Network Rail office said he found the package there. Asked about the discovery, he said: Im sorry, Ive been told I cant talk about it. The station was not evacuated and trains continued to run as normal but cordons were in place outside on Cab Road. Its owner, Network Rail, would not comment on the incident. The @metpoliceuk Counter Terrorism Command has launched an investigation after three suspicious packages were found at locations in London. Our thanks go to police, security, transport staff and all involved for their swift actions to keep our city safe.https://t.co/Ow7xxILfRs Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) March 5, 2019 Officers were also called to a report of a suspicious package at Aviation House at London City Airport shortly after midday. The package was not opened, the building was evacuated and specialist officers made the device safe. The building has since opened. Docklands Light Railway services to the airport are running after an earlier suspension. A spokesman for London City Airport said Aviation House was a staff-only building about three minutes from the terminal and no flights or passengers were affected. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan tweeted: Our thanks go to police, security, transport staff and all involved for their swift actions to keep our city safe. Police have recovered the decapitated head of an 800-year-old mummy that was stolen from a church in Dublin. The head of The Crusader was taken from a crypt in St Michans Church last month. The crime was discovered when a guide went to open the church for visitors. The vault was badly damaged and several of the mummies, including the 400-year-old remains of a nun, had been desecrated. The Crusaders body was turned over and his head removed. Officers from Bridewell garda station said they recovered the head of The Crusader on Tuesday and another skull that had been taken over the weekend of February 24. The decapitated head of The Crusader mummy (Gardai/PA) A garda spokesman said: The items were recovered as a result of information that came into the possession of the investigating gardai. The National Museum of Ireland are acting in an advisory capacity. An Garda Siochana would like to thank the public for their assistance in the investigation, which remains ongoing. The Archbishop of Dublin Michael Jackson had described his outrage at the incident last month. I am shocked that someone would target this ancient burial place and desecrate the remains of those lying within it, he said. Not only have these individuals desecrated the sacred crypt but they have destroyed these historic mummies which have been preserved in St Michans for hundreds of years. The First Ministers of Scotland and Wales have joined together to tell the Prime Minister her reckless behaviour over Brexit must stop now. Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and her Welsh counterpart Mark Drakeford spoke out after politicians in Edinburgh and Cardiff took a united and historic step to vote against both Theresa Mays withdrawal deal and the prospect of a no-deal Brexit. In a debate at Holyrood Ms Sturgeon had insisted that this would be unforgivably reckless. Afterwards the two first ministers said: For the first time in the 20-year history of devolution, the National Assembly for Wales and the Scottish Parliament voted simultaneously to oppose a damaging no-deal Brexit. The vast majority of members across both chambers voted in agreement that a n-deal outcome would be completely unacceptable and that an extension to Article 50 is the best way forward to protect Wales, Scotland and the UK as a whole. First Minister @nicolasturgeon is addressing @ScotParl to open the debate on a historic joint motion with @AssemblyWales against the damaging @GOVUK #Brexit Withdrawal Agreement. pic.twitter.com/lADbBScBMd Scottish Government (@scotgov) March 5, 2019 They added: No-deal would mean not just probable short term chaos, but also very real and long-term structural damage to our economy. Damage which would mean fewer jobs, lower wages and less tax revenue. The motions in both the Scottish Parliament and National Assembly for Wales also reiterated opposition to the deal negotiated by the Prime Minister which would do significant damage to both countries. This united and historic step was taken to send the clearest possible message to the UK Government and Westminster that this reckless course of action must stop now. In Edinburgh MSPs overwhelmingly passed a motion stating this by 87 votes to 27 with one abstention, while in Cardiff a similar motion was approved by 37 votes to 13. Politicians in both places had united in a bid to put more pressure on Mrs May who faces a series of crunch votes on her Brexit deal in the House of Commons next week. First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford. (Jonathan Brady/PA) But Ms Sturgeon and Mr Drakeford said: We take little comfort from the sequence of votes planned to take place in the House of Commons next week, when a vote on extending Article 50 will be held only after another attempt to browbeat Members of Parliament into supporting the Prime Ministers deal and a vote to support no-deal. We are just 24 days away from crashing out of the EU. The Prime Ministers attempt to run down the clock must be resisted at all costs. Earlier the two politicians had set out the reasons for the unprecedented joint vote, with both leaders saying: We have been brought together by our dismay, bordering now on despair, at the UK Governments approach to and handling of Brexit. Speaking at Holyrood Ms Sturgeon insisted a no-deal Brexit was an avoidable outcome which could only happen by the choice of the UK Government. She stated: No rational government acting responsibly in the interests of those it serves would countenance leaving the European Union without a deal. She told MSPs that this was the first occasion in 20 years of devolution that the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly have acted in unison in this way. Mr Drakeford said: By acting uniquely in this way, we hope that our votes tonight will put further pressure on the Prime Minister to do the right thing, to live up to the responsibilities that have been placed in her hands and in a way that stands up for working people in Scotland and Wales. In a message from @NicolaSturgeon read out by @FMWales in @AssemblyWales she says we have been brought together by our dismay bordering now on despair at the UK Governments approach to Brexit pic.twitter.com/Q4Qop6ehgy Welsh Government #KeepWalesSafe (@WelshGovernment) March 5, 2019 A UK Government spokeswoman said: An orderly Brexit is in the UKs best interests and the best way to achieve that is for MPs of all parties to support the Prime Ministers deal. The deal is a good one for Scotland, Wales and the whole of the UK it delivers the result of the referendum, gives us a close future partnership with the EU, and guarantees citizens rights. Refusing to support the Prime Ministers deal simply makes a damaging no-deal more likely. Ms Sturgeon however criticised the Prime Minister for showing no decisive leadership whatsoever in the midst of Brexit chaos. She added: Instead of doing the right thing and ruling out a no-deal exit at any stage, she insists on freewheeling the car ever closer to the Brexit cliff edge. She is trying to run down the clock, making on an almost daily basis undeliverable promises to hardline Brexiteers and more recently offering tawdry, half-baked bribes to Labour MPs. The Health Secretary has resisted campaigners pleas to invite a specialist surgeon from America to remove vaginal mesh implants and train Scottish doctors. Hundreds of women have suffered chronic pain due to mesh implants inserted by surgeons to treat bladder and bowel conditions, repairing weak or damaged tissue often suffered during childbirth. Campaigners say that only partial mesh removal is available in Scotland, but that the pioneering American doctor Dionysios Veronikis has carried out over 2,000 full removals of the damaging implants using new techniques he developed. Dr Veronikis has offered to come to Scotland to carry out operations and train Scottish surgeons how to do it. As mesh sufferers watched on in the Scottish Parliament, Jeane Freeman said that, while she had not rejected the specialists invitation to work in Scotland, it was not for her to decide what training doctors receive. Ms Freeman said she would discuss the issue with the Chief Medical Officer and look at whether there is additional training, expertise, learning that can be provided by Dr Veronikis or others. Scottish Labour MSP Neil Findlay pleaded with the Health Secretary and said: We have a small window of opportunity to act. An opportunity that if we dont take it will be lost. Take up the very genuine offer from Dr Veronikis to come to Scotland, to work up to 6 days a week to carry out full mesh removal procedures but critically to also train Scottish surgeons in his techniques. This is a serious and a genuine offer that I urge the Cabinet Secretary to take. After pointing out some victims of mesh implants watching the debate at the Scottish Parliament, Mr Findlay said: I implore Ms Freeman to do the right thing and do the right thing: give these injured women the best treatment available these women have already lost so much- they should not, as some are, have to travel to the US and elsewhere. The Cabinet Secretary has the chance to act; the opportunity to change lives. Cabinet Secretary, you have the chance to do the right thing. The alternative is these women left living a life of pain, a life of misery, careers and relationships lost and a lifetime of medical costs which will collectively far outstrip the costs of bringing this surgeon to Scotland. Scottish Labour MSP Neil Findlay at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh (Andrew Milligan/PA) In response, Ms Freeman said: Nobody needs to implore me, nobody needs to beg me. I completely understand that the women involved want to have the best possible response to the situation they find themselves in and for many of them that will be full mesh removal. Ms Freeman continued: My mind is not closed to this, it is not entirely my decision. I have not refused Dr Veronikis offer; it is not for me to accept that offer, it is for me to discuss with the clinical community how their learning and techniques can be improved and we will do that. At a press conference before the debate, Mr Findlay introduced Dr Mary McLaughlin, a law lecturer from Northern Ireland who had a full mesh removal carried out by Dr Veronikis in January. I can walk again without pain. I can sit without excruciating pain, Dr McLaughlin said. The trip to the United States for the operation cost her 15,000 and she added: I dont think anyone should have to pay for this operation. Mesh women were injured. We trusted doctors and weve been let down. Its not right to say that partial removal is good enough. Sufferer Lorna Farrell, 53, said: Mary is just the perfect argument of why Dr Veronikis has to come to Scotland eight weeks ago she was like we are all now in constant, chronic pain. Ms Farrell, from Eaglesham near Glasgow, explained how she was told that doctors in Scotland could not fully remove the mesh and her partial removal has done so much damage. My nerve damage has become 100 times worse since they have gone in and cut this mesh inside of me. Fighting back tears, she added: I just cant see an argument why this doctor cant come to Scotland. We deserve to get our lives back. Its wonderful to see Mary and to hear how bad she was and how good she is now nobody has the right to deny us that. We got these implants in Scotland, the damage was done in Scotland, and its only right that experts should come to Scotland and repair what theyve done. After being told that the Scottish Government claimed full mesh removals were already taking place, campaigner Karen Neil said: We are being lied to. The 52-year-old from Glasgow added: I know just about all 635 Scottish mesh survivors personally, and I havent met or spoken to one yet whos had a full removal. Ms Freeman acknowledged a dispute about whether full mesh removals do take place in Scotland and said she would discuss the issue with Mr Findlay and other MSPs. Manchester United face a huge challenge if they are to progress past Paris St Germain in the Champions League on Wednesday night. Ahead of the last-16 second leg at Parc des Princes, Press Association Sport looks at five of the main talking points. 1. Can United make history? Presnel Kimpembe scored in the first leg for PSG (Mike Egerton/PA) Believe it or not, the 2-0 first leg defeat to PSG was Uniteds heaviest ever home loss in European competition. Presnel Kimpembe and Kylian Mbappe did the damage at Old Trafford last month and leave things looking bleak for Ole Gunnar Solskjaers side. UEFA research shows that of the 106 teams that have previously secured a 2-0 first-leg away win in European Cup history, all 106 have made it through. Furthermore, United have never come back from a first-leg home defeat to win the tie in UEFA competition. 2. Will PSG bottle it? Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has pointed to PSG crumbling in Europe before (Michel Euler/AP) The French side certainly showed enough at Old Trafford to worry United, although Solskjaer was quick to point to their soft underbelly in his pre-match press conference. I dont want to call it strange, but last year Juventus lost 3-0 at home against Real Madrid and suddenly they were 3-0 up after 90 minutes against Madrid away, the Norwegian boss said. The year before that, PSG against Barcelona. We all remember those results. Many of the players remain from the PSG side that won their last-16 clash with Barca 4-0 at home, only to fall to a 6-1 loss in the second leg and bow out. Gianluigi Buffon was in goal for the aforementioned Juventus match, too, and United will be hoping doubt creeps in again. 3. United down to the bare bones Paul Pogba is one of a number of absentees for Manchester United (Martin Rickett/PA) If Uniteds challenge was not hard enough in the French capital, they arrive without 10 players. Paul Pogbas red card at the end of the first leg compounded the loss and ruled him out of the Parc des Princes clash, which fellow midfielders Nemanja Matic, Ander Herrera and Juan Mata will also miss. The absence of Phil Jones, Antonio Valencia and Matteo Darmian diminishes Solskjaers defensive options, while in attack Jesse Lingard, Anthony Martial and Alexis Sanchez are out through injury. Solskjaer remains upbeat about the options at his disposal, but the absentees are far from ideal. 4. Will a new star emerge? Marcus Rashford announced himself as a United player in European competition (Adam Davy/PA) The injuries could offer a new crop of players the chance to shine. Three years on from relative unknown Marcus Rashford bursting onto the scene in a European match, the likes of Tahith Chong, Angel Gomes and James Garner are among those hoping to make their mark. All three have made their debuts, unlike fellow talented teenagers Mason Greenwood and Brandon Williams. The latter was as surprised as anyone with his inclusion in the 20-man squad and much is expected of 17-year-old Greenwood. Can United stop Mbappe and Co? United will have to stop Kylian Mbappe (Martin Rickett/PA) Even without Edinson Cavani and Neymar, PSG managed to give United a headache at Old Trafford last month. Mbappes pace and directness were too much, while Angel Di Maria relished the chance to get one over his former side. Cavani has not yet returned to action but trained on the eve of the second leg, meaning United may have another challenge to contend with in the French capital. Solskjaer has underlined the importance of scoring the first goal on Wednesday night, but PSGs attacking options make that easier said than done. Hundreds more people have left the last area held by the Islamic State group in eastern Syria and gathered in a massive reception area to be searched and screened by US-backed fighters. Some of those who gathered outside the village of Baghouz said they had been waiting since the previous night when hundreds left the IS-held pocket. The latest wave of evacuations brings closer the final defeat of the extremists so-called caliphate at the hands of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. Officers from the US-led coalition were screening the men who left the IS-held area to determine if they were militants or civilians. The exodus came three days after the US-backed forces resumed their push on militants holed up in Baghouz on the banks of the Euphrates River, close to the Iraqi border. In the past few weeks, thousands of civilians left the speck of territory in organised evacuations following an earlier halt in fighting. The Kurdish-led forces said their fighters were surprised by the large number of civilians, including IS family members, cooped up in the tiny area squeezed smaller and smaller by intermittent offensives. Women and children are evacuated out of the last territory held by IS militants outside Baghouz, Syria (Andrea Rosa/AP/PA) The US-backed forces slowed their push on Baghouz last week to allow civilians to leave the tiny enclave. Asked about the situation inside Baghouz, a Russian woman who came out with her three children responded in broken Arabic: Fear. She said her husband had died earlier. Another woman in her mid-20s who identified herself as Reem, from the central Syrian province of Hama, said she was waiting for her husband to come out of an IS-controlled jail. He has been there for months after killing an IS member in retaliation for his baby daughter being killed in an air strike, she said. I havent seen him since and dont know where he is, Reem said, adding that she asked repeatedly for his whereabouts before deciding to leave. The evacuees said the bombing was intense over the past few days. One woman said she saw a man hit by a missile as she was escaping from one tent to another. Another woman said many are waiting to leave and that the scene is chaotic at the safe passage area. Earlier on Tuesday, SDF spokesman Mustafa Bali, said about 3,000 people came out of Baghouz on Monday. They left through a humanitarian corridor established by Kurdish-led forces for those who want to leave or surrender. Since February 20, more than 10,000 people have left the IS pocket, often in dramatic scenes of black-robed women with children in the back of trucks passing through the corridor and heading into the desert. They were then whisked off to a camp for displaced people to the north, while suspected IS fighters were moved to detention facilities. Retaking the last IS-held enclave in Baghouz would be a milestone in the devastating four-year campaign to end the groups self-proclaimed caliphate that once covered a vast territory straddling Syria and Iraq. Mr Bali said a large number among those who left on Monday were IS fighters who surrendered to our forces. It is unclear how many IS militants and civilians remain inside, but the number is thought to be in the hundreds. The school at the centre of a sex education storm will reportedly continue teaching about LGBT relationships after Easter. Parkfield Community School in Birmingham had always planned on returning to its No Outsiders programme next term after a planned break from the inclusiveness and diversity lessons. Hazel Pulley CEO of Excelsior Multi Academy Trust, which runs the school told BirminghamLive the plan had always been to block this half term out for teaching RE. She added: But, of course, during that time, our No Outsiders assemblies will continue and our welcoming No Outsiders ethos. Her comments come after it was reported the school was temporarily ceasing the lessons following protests from parents who argue they are against their faith. It has also been reported that more than 300 parents have signed a petition against the No Outsiders programme, after last week some took the decision to withdraw their children from school in protest. Parkfield Community School in Birmingham has been running a No Outsiders programme promoting inclusion (Danny Lawson/PA) Asked how the protests had affected the school, Ms Pulley explained: What weve got to remember is this is one school that has made a decision to use the No Outsiders programme, and all that it brings with it through the right procedures of going to the governors and consultation with the parents we had about four years ago. Since then we have had various workshops to enable parents to see the lessons, and parents have been able to come into those through invitation through letter. Last month Ofsteds chief inspector Amanda Spielman backed the teacher who started the scheme. Assistant headteacher Andrew Moffat, has made the final of the Global Teacher Prize for his efforts to teach diversity. Andrew Moffat has been named as one of the worlds best teachers after facing protests and threats at the school gates over his promotion of equality issues pic.twitter.com/5rPI2rMZwV Good Morning Britain (@GMB) February 21, 2019 Christian and Muslim parents have claimed the lessons promote the personal beliefs of Mr Moffat, who is gay. But Amanda Spielman said it was important for children to learn about all aspects of society. Mr Moffat also runs a Parkfield Ambassadors after-school club that creates opportunities for children at his school where 99% of students are Muslim to meet people from different races, religions and cultures around Birmingham. While not quoted in the article, he tweeted links to it, appearing to confirm the No Outsiders lessons will resume after Easter. A man has been arrested in Leicester in connection with the murder of teenager Jodie Chesney who was stabbed to death in east London, the Metropolitan Police said. Jodie, 17, was with friends near a childrens playground on Harold Hill when she was approached by two males and knifed in the back in a seemingly motiveless attack. She was pronounced dead just over an hour after officers were called to the park at 9.25pm on Friday. In a statement the force said: A male (no further details) was arrested in Leicester on Tuesday, March 5 in connection with the murder of Jodie Chesney, 17. Flowers near the scene in St Neots Road in Harold Hill, east London (Stefan Rousseau/PA) He remains in custody at this time. Arrangements will be made to transport the male to London in due course. In the wake of Jodies death, her family have backed calls for tougher sentences on knife crime. Relative Karen Chesney appealed on Facebook for support for a petition calling for a 10-year jail term for knife possession and 25 years for using a knife. On Tuesday afternoon, the Parliament petition had been signed more than 33,000 times. A total of 100,000 signatures are required before a petition can be considered for debate by MPs. Police have arrested a male in Leicester in connection with the murder of Jodie Chesney, 17 in #Romford. The male remains in custody in #Leicester and will be transported to London in due course. Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) March 5, 2019 A post-mortem carried out on Sunday established that the cause of Jodies death was trauma and haemorrhage. Jodie was a Girl Scout and school friends said students at Havering College would be wearing purple next Friday in honour of Jodie and her Barking & Dagenham scout troop colours. She posted a photograph on Instagram with fellow scouts at 10 Downing Street on Remembrance Day last year, with the caption: Im basically famous now this was such a good opportunity and so much fun. Negotiations on Theresa Mays EU Withdrawal Agreement were mired in deadlock after what both Downing Street and the European Commission admitted were difficult talks in Brussels on Tuesday. The commission said there was still no solution to the impasse over the Irish backstop following the meeting between the EUs chief negotiator Michel Barnier and Attorney General Geoffrey Cox and Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay. Downing Street said there had been a robust exchange of views as Mr Cox tried to persuade the EU side to accept that legally-binding changes were needed if the deal was to win the support of the House of Commons. The meeting took place as Theresa May prepared for next weeks crunch meaningful vote in the Commons on her Brexit Withdrawal Agreement. The Prime Minister has said she wants legally-binding changes to the backstop intended to prevent the return of a hard border on the island of Ireland to ensure the UK is not tied to EU rules indefinitely, in order to convince MPs to back her deal. However, Mr Barnier told the weekly meeting of the College of Commissioners in Brussels that the negotiations were proving difficult and a way forward had not been found. The commissions chief spokesman Margaritis Schinas told reporters: Michel Barnier was present and informed the commissioners that while the talks take place in a constructive atmosphere, discussions have been difficult. No solution has been identified at this point that is consistent with the Withdrawal Agreement, including the protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland which, as you all know, will not be reopened. Mrs Mays official spokesman told reporters at Westminster: My understanding is that the talks were difficult and there was a robust exchange of views. However, talks are ongoing. The EU continues to say that it wants this to be resolved and that it wants the UK to leave with a deal. Parliament has been clear that for this to happen, we require legally-binding changes which mean that the UK cant be trapped in the backstop indefinitely. That is what we will continue to pursue. Attorney General Geoffrey Cox held talks with Michel Barnier on Tuesday (Jonathan Brady/PA) Leaving Brussels on Wednesday morning, Mr Cox told Sky News: I cant reveal the discussions. These are private and confidential discussions. But we are into the meat of the matter now. Both sides have exchanged robust, strong views and we are now facing the real discussions. Talks will be resuming soon. Mr Barclay said there had been constructive engagement, adding: The discussions are at a sensitive point. I am not going to comment on the details. Mrs Mays spokesman said: I dont think that anybody was under any illusion that this wouldnt be a difficult process. So it is proving, but we remain determined to secure the changes that Parliament needs. Meanwhile, International Trade Secretary Liam Fox has refused to rule out backing a no-deal Brexit if the Withdrawal Agreement is voted down by MPs next week. Dr Fox, who campaigned for Leave in the 2016 referendum, told the Commons International Trade Committee that no-deal was hugely sub-optimal, compared to getting a deal. Asked whether the Government would back no-deal in the vote scheduled for the following day if the agreement fails, he said: Potentially all things are possible. With the scheduled date of Brexit just 23 days away on March 29, Environment Secretary Michael Gove warned that MPs may be asked to give up their Easter break due to begin on April 4 to deal with the avalanche of legislation which needs to be passed. He told a parliamentary committee: The Chief Whip has reminded Conservative MPs that there may not be an Easter recess. With Tory Brexiteers still refusing to commit to voting for the agreement, ministers have acknowledged they may need the support of opposition MPs if the deal is to get through Parliament on Tuesday. However, the latest attempt to win over wavering Labour MPs with new measures to protect workers rights outside the EU has met with a dismissive response from trade unions. Under the proposals, MPs will be allowed to vote on whether to take new EU workplace rules, rather than them being automatically written into UK law. (PA Graphics) Trades Union Congress general secretary Frances OGrady said the announcement was blatant window dressing that left protections under threat. Working people need a cast-iron, legal guarantee that rights like these will be safe after Brexit, and that guarantee should be written into the deal, she said. Jeremy Corbyn met senior Conservative MPs backing a Norway-style relationship with the EU after Brexit. The Labour leader held talks with former ministers Sir Oliver Letwin and Nick Boles, part of a cross-party group who support the so-called Common Market 2.0 model of a close economic relationship. Oliver Letwin and I were happy to join @LucyMPowell and @SKinnock in this meeting with Jeremy Corbyn to discuss our Common Market 2.0 proposal. For months now we have been meeting with senior MPs from all parties in search of a cross party Brexit compromise. https://t.co/dNKpLbEQXR Nick Boles (@NickBoles) March 6, 2019 The meeting was also attended by Labour MPs Stephen Kinnock and Lucy Powell, who back the Norway-style approach for the UK to remain in the single market and customs union. Mr Boles said: For months now we have been meeting with senior MPs from all parties in search of a cross-party Brexit compromise. Many thanks to @jeremycorbyn for inviting our cross-party #NorwayPlus group to meet with him today, for a very detailed and constructive conversation about #CommonMarket2.0 There is a strong and growing cross-party consensus for a pragmatic, bridge-building Brexit. https://t.co/A208dSPJ5S Stephen Kinnock (@SKinnock) March 6, 2019 Mr Kinnock said they had a very detailed and constructive conversation, adding: There is a strong and growing cross-party consensus for a pragmatic, bridge-building Brexit. A Labour spokesman said the meeting was to discuss how to achieve a deal that would be good for jobs and could bring Leave and Remain voters together. With the state cabinets of Maharashtra and Haryana not going for dissolution of their respective Assemblies in Fridays (March 8) meeting possibly the last one before the schedule of the General Elections of 2019 is announced months of speculation about simultaneous elections in these BJP-ruled states have been put to rest. This is as good a political sign as any that could be relied on to assume that the BJP is no longer sure of retaining power at the Centre, notwithstanding the bravado or muscular claims over the Balakot strike. The govt says it hit Pakistan where it hurt the most. But will that ensure a clean sweep at the polls back home? (Source: Reuters) BJP leaders at various levels have been talking about holding simultaneous elections in three BJP-ruled states Jharkhand being the third one. While the tenure of the legislative assemblies of Maharashtra and Haryana ends in November this year, that of Jharkhand ends in January next year. The logic for advancing elections in these states was to ride the popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the performance of his government in order to beat anti-incumbency, if any. To be fair to the Jharkhand government, it had scotched the speculation much earlier. But it is not difficult to see why these BJP-ruled states have baulked at hitching their bandwagons to that of Modi, more so in the post-Balakot scenario. The political dividend that the party hoped for seems to have slipped away. Not only the Opposition parties, a few widows of the martyred CRPF jawans have now asked for proof of the Balakot casualties; international media has questioned the claims of destroying Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror camps or shooting down Pakistans F-16 fighter plane. These have dented the credibility of the claims made by ministers and leaders that 250 to 400 terrorists were killed in the strike or that India had taught a hard lesson to Pakistan. If anything, it was Indias MIG-21 which was shot down and it was the Indian pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman who was captured and later released by Pakistan. Blooming or not? The political dividends that the BJP hoped for may just have slipped away. (Source: Reuters) To make matters worse, all the questions about the Rafale deal are back in a shocking development earlier this week, the governments top-most legal officer KK Venugopal told the Supreme Court that the documents related to the deal had been stolen from the defence ministry; that the ones being relied on by those questioning the deal were marked secret and classified, and thus in violation of the Official Secrets Act. There are talks of two newspapers being prosecuted for such violations. All this sends a wrong signal to the electorate that something indeed is wrong with the deal. That the Balakot strike has not made the old issues disappear, as the Modi government might have hoped for by generating euphoria over its muscular response to the Pulwama terror strike, is evident from the latest (the first one since the post-Balakot strike) India Today TV survey. It shows unemployment remains the top-most issue for the electorate (at 36%), which has indeed been the case with three consecutive Mood of the Nation surveys by the CSDS, the last one being May 2018 in which 57% said that finding jobs in their area had become more difficult during the last three-four years. More bad news has come since. First, the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) survey of 2017-18 on the state of employment, which the government decided not to release, said unemployment levels had touched a four-decade high at 6.1% and then, the shocker from the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), that the labour force is down 25.7 million since September 2016 and the number of employed declined by 18.3 million in the same period, confirming that India has indeed moved now into job-loss growth, from the job-less growth of the UPA. Clearly, the issue of jobs is very much there that should worry the BJP. (Source: PTI) The India Today TV survey, mentioned earlier, threw up terrorism as the second (23%) issue, closely followed by farm distress as the third (22%). Terrorism as a concern is a new phenomenon and a natural consequence of the Pulwama terror strike and its aftermath, the gain from which to the BJP may not be as big as it was following a decisive Kargil victory in the 1999 General Elections. That may have titled the balance against the dissolution of the legislative assemblies in Maharashtra and Haryana. Farm distress continues to remain a big concern, even after the Modi government decided to provide cash support of Rs 6,000 to all small and marginal farmers (about 120 million families). Traders disaffection with the GST and the disillusionment of Muslims, Dalits and Adivasis with Hindutva forces are some other sources of worry for the Modi government. The CSDS survey mentioned earlier said the level of dissatisfaction over the performance of the Modi government had gone up from 27% in May 2017 to 40% in January 2018 to 47% in May 2018, indicating a 20-point increase in just one year much higher than that against the Manmohan Singh government in July 2013 (39%). Coming back to the BJP-ruled states of Maharashtra and Haryana, it is safe to assume that they want to play it safe for now and rightly so. The disastrous consequence of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government in advancing the 2004 General Elections by six months must be weighing heavy on their minds. The party had then expected to ride the popularity of Vajpayee and the euphoria of wins in three of the four Hindi heartland states that had gone to the polls in December 2003 Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. By not hitching their bandwagons with the Modi government now, these state governments can hope to escape the fate of the Modi government in case the latter should lose. And if the Modi government retains power, the partys governments in these states can surely hope for benefitting and retaining power too. It is a win-win situation for them. Also read: Lok Sabha Polls 2019: BJP's strategy to push regional alliances is far ahead of the Congress' game-plan During the 2014 General Elections in the country, Kashmir, fortunately, was not an issue. It was the economy and the corruption of the UPA government that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its chief campaigner, Narendra Modi, rightly exploited to the hilt, reducing the Congress to 44 seats in Parliament. Despite Afzal guru's hanging , Kashmir didn't become poll issue. We in Kashmir were hopeful that Modi had the right mix from the mandate and the power to settle the Kashmir issue through dialogue and reconciliation. It became the sole reason for our alliance with the party, even though we have a different ideological viewpoint. However, the Prime Minister and the BJP didnt follow the agenda of the alliance. They gave up on reconciliation and dialogue, and instead wanted a hardline and iron-fist approach. They wanted a crackdown on the Hurriyat and Jamaat-e-Islami without, as we saw it, any material evidence against them, which was resisted by the-then Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti leading to the break-up of the alliance. We in Kashmir were very hopeful that the Prime Minister would solve the simmering issue through dialogue. (Source: Reuters) Cut to 2019, ahead of the General Elections the Prime Minister not only boasted about a successful 'pilot project', he even spoke about sealing off properties of terror supporters. While the 'pilot project' was an obvious reference to the Indian Air Force-led air strike across the LoC into Pakistani territory, the sealing-off of properties is an ongoing reality in the Kashmir Valley and Muslim-dominated areas of Jammu. Has the Prime Minister given up on the economy, employment, governance and development, or perhaps has relatively less to show on these fronts, thereby shifting the focus to fighting Kashmir (read: fighting against Kashmiris, as many see it) and Pakistan? While the withdrawal of security cover to the Hurriyat leadership and some PDP leaders is how this started in the Valley, some reports of violence against hapless Kashmiris students, businessmen, travellers across several states are also doing the rounds. What gives credence to the belief that this alleged violence isn't random is how the government reacts to it. While thousands of students were forced to return home, those in power dismissed such reports as rumours, and did relatively little. The Prime Minister didnt condemn this until the Supreme Court of India itself pitched in. And a person as important as the Governor of a state advocated a ban on Kashmiri products, which eventually, the party disagreed with. Though the party disagreed, resentment towards Kashmiris could not be denied. (Source: Twitter/Screengrab) It is in this backdrop that I see the ban order on Jamaat-e-Islami as an act aiming to further the crackdown in the state, and project Narendra Modi outside it as a strong leader against Pakistan. As I see it, the ban order is undemocratic and I strongly believe that it will not stand the scrutiny of the law whenever challenged. The BJP presumed that its 'pilot project' across the LoC would bring a new lease of life to it as its record on the economic revival of the country and providing jobs has been pretty dismal. But when they went for air-strikes inside Pakistani territory, they apparently failed to take into account the fact that Pakistan has the capability to retaliate and escalate. With this one decision, the BJP government internationalised the Kashmir issue and made it a nuclear flashpoint. Never before has the world seen two nuclear states so openly confront each other the way India and Pakistan did in the past fortnight. Won't an escalation with Pakistan adversely affect the future of Kashmir? Won't it impact its innocent young? (Source: Reuters) With Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan calling for dialogue, the BJP government's shifting of focus onto Kashmir, banning Jamaat-e-Islami and sealing properties, can be seen as a counter exercise to look tough. Let's also think about some numbers such as over 300 Jamaat-run schools, where over 100,000 students are currently enrolled. What are they supposed to do now? For over two decades now, the Jamaat-e-Islami has openly disassociated itself with armed insurgency in Kashmir and called for peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue. From 1998 onwards, there is reportedly not a single FIR against the Jamaat and the organisation was apparently working to spread education through its schools. The schools are registered with the government and the curriculum in these is as per The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). There was no adverse report against the organisation. Jamaat, which is a strong cadre-based organisation, and believes in solving the Kashmir issue through peaceful means, will now feel choked again. The ban could even push some towards a disastrous extreme, with harmful consequences for Kashmir's society itself. I ask what many Kashmiris are asking today. Is all of this for the electoral adventurism of the BJP? We want to know. Also read: The Bullies of Partition: How the Muslim League silenced the majority of Indian Muslims strongly opposed to the creation of Pakistan Prime Minister Narendra Modi and hyper-nationalism are as inseparable as Siamese twins. Even the latter occasionally drift away. But Modi is seemingly so obsessive about escalating his muscular patriotism pitch that he can, to my mind, barely conceal his delight in pouncing upon the hostile exchanges with traditional adversary Pakistan since the Pulwama terror attack that killed 40 CRPF soldiers on February 14, 2019. Is hyper-nationalism, risking serious conflict, a poll strategy for the saffron party? (Source: PTI) That the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Maulana Masood Azhars terrorist organisation, which has received benediction from Pakistans deep state, claimed responsibility for the dastardly attack instantaneously reflects the malevolent rush they got from the act. That India was caught napping was equally unmistakable; how a reportedly massive haul of 600 pounds of RDX could get away undetected is disturbing. But the consummate politician in Modi, instead of prioritising national security risks, in a turbo-charged, war-hysteric environment, went on a frenetic electioneering campaign, spewing his predictable rhetoric. He castigated the Opposition, unambiguously branding them as 'anti-national' (even the PMO Twitter handle was apparently deployed to assiduously make the opponents look like 'the enemy). It was in astonishingly bad taste and, to many, smacked of rank opportunism. That Modi spoke with the backdrop of the slain martyrs' photos was, to my mind, a nadir in crude politicking. Alongside, Indias political discourse turned insufferably sulphurous it stinks of putrid hate. Following the cold-blooded massacre of over 40 CRPF soldiers in Pulwama, the air-strikes at Balakot in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the arrest of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman in Pakistan and his subsequent release, Modi seems to have convinced himself that mere aggressive posturing and militaristic bravado will sail him through the upcoming General Elections. Fact is, after Pulwama, there have been 20 security personnel deaths, and a bomb was thrown in a bus at Jammu, killing a teenager and injuring 30 people. But Modi is undeterred; his admirers in sections of the mainstream media, genuflecting in synchronicity, carrying his propaganda forward. The Modi government must answer how Pulwama could happen in the first place. (Source: Reuters) They are supported by a whole range of retired army veterans each outdoing the other in a war cry of bloody retribution. It is like a surgical strike targeting the impressionable youth, cementing the hot-headed core vote bank, ensnaring the borderline confused voter, unable to decipher the wheat from the chaff amidst the cacophonous madness on prime-time TV. The Bharatiya Janata Party has thrown compunction to the winds and is displaying an incalculable ruthlessness win the elections of 2019 at any cost. Everything else can wait. BJP President Amit Shah apparently concocted 250 as the number of terrorists killed in the JeM camp at Balakot. Shah is known for his classic faux pas (he seemingly forgot that BS Yeddyurappa was part of the BJP during the Karnataka campaign last year), but here, as I see it, it was evident that he was gloating, and thus came up with a convenient rounded figure. But he had competition BSY then did some micro-targeting and prognosticated that the BJP would get 22 seats out of 28 in Karnataka. Elsewhere, Yogi Adityanath, clearly dissatisfied with Shahs conjecture, reportedly enhanced the terrorist head count to 400. Himanta Biswa Sarma, BJPs hatchet man in the North-East, came up with a Tom Cruise-inspired conspiracy theory, reportedly surmising that if the people did not vote BJP, then Pakistan would attack India. How exactly did BJP president Amit Shah get 250 as the number of terrorists killed in the JeM camp at Balakot? (Source: PTI) Clearly, Sarma thinks that Pakistan F-16 jets can travel alongside Jet Airways, traversing Indian airspace from west to east, undetected. I happen to think its quite anti-national to belittle Indias air force capabilities with such casual disdain what say, Mr Modi? In short, the BJP brazenly played to the gallery, their political hubris making them believe that post-Pulwama, they can heighten emotional fervour and appear as the sole protector of Indias territorial boundaries. Joblessness, rural distress, the Rafale controversy, reported destruction of independent institutions, attacks on Dalits and minorities, a failed economy et al do not seem to bother Modi. It is a chimera but they are entitled to their illusions. Interestingly, Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa contradicted the government, puncturing the Alice in Wonderland-like second-guessing, saying they were not going to put a number on human casualties. But the BJP could not care less. They went a step ahead and tried to appropriate the intrepid Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman by reportedly posing with his poster and putting the partys lotus symbol alongside political immorality at its pits. It was such boneheaded confabulations that India indulged in for three weeks, with some mainstream anchors fuelling an inflammatory quest for revenge. Lt Gen DS Hooda, who masterminded the 2016 surgical strikes post-Uri, expressed dismay at the manner in which political capital was made out of cross-border military endeavours. But the BJP apparently didn't care. Lt Gen DS Hooda, who oversaw the first surgical strike, expressed dismay at political capital over cross-border military endeavours. (Source: Twitter) At the end, even some soldiers families demanded tangible proof, given the bombastic chest-thumping of the saffron squad. BJPs alliance partner Shiv Sena in Maharashtra questioned the veracity of the casualty numbers as well. Around the same time, the paramilitary forces were protesting in Delhi that their demands for one-rank, one pension (OROP) were not met by a government under whose watch Indias defence expenditure, reportedly as a proportion of GDP at 1.58 per cent, had reached a historic low after the India-China war. That some defence experts believed our military equipment qualified in the 'vintage' category did not bother Modi. As far as he is concerned, he seems to have found his electoral leitmotif. 'Ghar me ghus ke maroonga', he thundered, savouring the applause from the crowd perhaps hustled together to add to the atmospherics. As is his wont, he also traduced his opponents, questioning their nationalistic predilections it was absurd. But there it was. India heads for General Elections in a few weeks. Switching off the TV sets might be the first step to ensuring that great Indian democracy will survive. Also read: Hafiz Saeed is in the news: Why this is significant in a post-Pulwama time Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu has met President of Costa Rica Carlos Alvarado Quesada and held "fruitful" discussions on a range of issues, including cross border terrorism, and new areas of collaboration that hold potential to boost the bilateral ties. Vice President Naidu, who became the first Indian on Friday to receive an honorary doctorate by the University of Peace founded by the United Nations, also invited the Costa Rican companies to invest in India and benefit from high returns. "President of Costa Rica Carlos Quesada and I have had fruitful and cordial exchanges covering a range of areas of mutual interest. Based on our fruitful exchanges, we are confident that our mutual efforts will open up new and innovative vistas for deepening ongoing engagement between both countries," Naidu said. "India is a peace loving country but has been a target of terrorism from across our border for the last few decades. We discussed in detail the menace of terrorism and the need to fight in one voice against individuals & terrorist groups engaged in terrorist activities," the Vice President's office said in a tweet. Naidu, who met president Quesada at the Casa Presidenical in San Jose on Friday, said there were many new areas of cooperation for the two countries to take their bilateral relations to new heights. He said the Costa Rican strengths that India would want to take advantage of include eco tourism, clean transport, education and to have zero carbon emission economy by 2021. "Indian strengths that Costa Rica can benefit from include space and biotechnology, Renewable Energy including solar, pharmaceuticals, ICT particularly eGovernance, hydroelectric generators and power plant equipment, farm machinery & skill upgradation, railway construction," Naidu said. "Costa Rica is the largest economy in Central America. Costa Rican companies are invited to invest in and benefit from the fastest growing large economy. Current bilateral trade volumes between both countries are to the tune of USD 200 million," he said. Terming Costa Rica as an "important partner" of India, Naidu said the two countries shared "close and cordial" ties based on their shared commitment to the pursuit of democracy, pluralism, multiculturalism, freedom of Press and equitable human rights. The two countries also exchanged memorandum of understanding on waiving visa requirements for diplomatic and official passport holders and the signing of the Letter of Intent to collaborate in the field of Biotechnology. "India & Costa Rica could collaborate in various aspects of skill development such as Soft Skills, Entrepreneurship, Financial and Digital Literacy. 50 per cent of Costa Rican population is less than 25 years. We could share our experiences in skilling, training and capacity building," Naidu said. Naidu is in Costa Rica as part of his two-nation trip to Paraguay and the Central American country. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo discussed with British NSA Mark Sedwill the current situation between India and Pakistan and the efforts to reduce tensions between the two South Asian neighbours, the State Department has said. Pompeo and Sedwill reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the US-UK special relationship and cooperation in the face of major global challenges, State Department Deputy Spokesperson Robert Palladino said Friday. According to the State Department, the talk was reflective of the fact that the United States continues to engage its resources to reduce the tensions between the two nuclear countries. "Secretary of State Michael R Pompeo met with UK National Security Advisor Mark Sedwill today to discuss key global priorities, including support for reducing tension between India and Pakistan, securing progress in Syria, and countering Iran's malign influence," Palladino said in a statement. Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after a suicide bomber of Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) killed 40 CRPF personnel in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district in February 14. India launched a counter-terror operation in Balakot. The next day, Pakistan Air Force retaliated and downed a MiG-21 in an aerial combat and captured its pilot, who was handed over to India on March 1. The US, the UK and France, the three permanent veto-wielding members of the 15-nation United Nations Security Council, last month moved a fresh proposal in the UNSC to designate JeM's chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist. We knew thats why asked UK Govt to extradite Nirav, says MEA In line of Congress fire after diamantaire Nirav Modi, accused in the $2 billion PNB scam, was spotted by a British daily in London, the Government on Saturday said it was taking all steps to extradite the fugitive even as the Enforcement Directorate maintained the UKs Home Secretary has already referred Indias request for extraditing him to a court for initiating legal proceedings against the fugitive businessman. At a media briefing, MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said the fact that we requested the UK Government for extradition of Nirav Modi, means we were aware that he is in UK otherwise we would not have made the request. Just because he has been spotted doesnt mean he can be immediately brought back to India as there is a process in place. We have made a request for extradition, it is for the UK Government now to consider our request and respond to the demand of the CBI and ED for extradition, Kumar said. Responding to a question on the extradition request, the MEA Spokesperson said the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had forwarded the request for his extradition in early August that was given to the UK. There was also a separate request from the CBI, which was forwarded to the UK side by end of August, the spokesperson said. What we have been told that both these requests are under the consideration of the British Government, he said, emphasising that at repeated intervals request for expediting the process have been made. According to report in a British daily on Saturday, Nirav is living in a swanky 8 million pound apartment in Londons West End and is now involved in a new diamond business. Nirav, 48, is currently living in a three-bedroom flat occupying half of a floor of the landmark Centre Point tower block, where rent is estimated to cost 17,000 pounds a month, The Telegraph reported. The revelation comes a day after Modis 30,000 sq ft seaside mansion at Kihim beach in Maharashtra was demolished by authorities using explosives. Despite his bank accounts being frozen by the Indian authorities and an Interpol red notice being issued for his arrest, Nirav is now involved in a new diamond business based in London, the report said. In a video posted by the newspaper, Nirav can be seen sporting a handle-bar moustache and wearing an Ostrich Hide jacket, estimated to cost 10,000 pounds. Modi did not comment on question by The Telegraph journalists he has urged Britain to grant him asylum. The UK daily also reported that Modi had been given a national insurance number by the Department for Work and Pensions, meaning he can legally work in Britain, and has used British bank accounts. Meanwhile, ED sources said United Kingdoms home secretary has recently referred Indias request for extraditing Modi to a court for initiating legal proceedings against him. The ED said they had been officially informed about UK Home Secretary Sajid Javids move to forward the case to a London court about two days back. UK Home Secretarys reference to the court takes the process of extraditing Modi to face the law in India to the next stage, the sources said. A joint team of the ED and the CBI would travel to the UK to apprise the lawyers about the Indian case and evidence against Modi, in a similar fashion that was done in the case of another absconding bank-fraud accused, Vijay Mallya, the sources said. The ED and the CBI are investigating Modi, his uncle Mehul Choksi and others for alleged money laundering and corruption to defraud PNB. Modi has been charge-sheeted by both the Indian investigating agencies and the ED has also attached his assets worth crores of rupees under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). India carried out three cross border strikes in the last five years, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said here on Saturday, without disclosing which was the third. Singh spoke about the 2016 surgical strike after the Uri terror attack and the air strike after the Pulwama incident in which a CRPF convoy was attacked by a suicide bomber martyring 44 jawans, but he did not reveal about the third. I want to tell you brothers and sisters that in the last five years, we have gone beyond our borders thrice and our men have successfully conducted airstrikes. About two I will tell you, but wont tell you about the third one, Singh told BJPs Shakti Kendra office bearers convention here. One time you saw in Uri, terrorists who came from Pakistan killed 17 of our soldiers, who were sleeping at night in a cowardly attack. After that, our soldiers also decided. Whatever happened after that you too know it very well, I need not tell....Now you are seeing. First attack happened. Second one was air strike... happened after Pulwama attack. I wont give you information about the third one, Singh said without elaborating. Singh asserted that it is no more a weak India. ...Leaving aside all our differences, we have to stand together. Time and again India has done this. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said District Mineral Fund (DMF) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds should be utilized to the maximum for development and welfare of local residents to bring about positive changes in their life and enhance their living standard. He was addressing the inaugural session of a one-day discourse-cum seminar on effective implementation of the DMF at New Circuit House on Saturday. Chief Minister released the Vision Document 2030 prepared by the Chhattisgarh State Planning Commission at the event. He said, the document reflects peoples expectation and aspirations. The country is celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and the state is already following his dreams. Narva, Garuva, Ghurva and Baari (NGGB) have been identified for strengthening rural economy and development, which can be a model for the country, Baghel said. Earlier, the DMF utilization was not done as per set guidelines though it could have been utilized for promoting talents of children. Collectors should have utilized it for providing platform for livelihood, health and education. In mining areas, it should be utilized for drinking water, health and generation of employment, he directed. Chief Minister said, Rural residents had practical knowledge so they protected water resources but now non-scientific thinking has led to concrete jungles leading to blocking of resources. The cowsheds in villages can be central point for generation of compost, bio-gas and employment by taking care of cattle. Industries Minister Kawasi Lakhma laid emphasis on reopening of closed schools in Bastar, providing pure drinking water, improvement of hospitals and roads in remote areas. SC/ST, OBC welfare minister Dr Premsai Tekam and others also addressed the gathering. Experts made their presentation in different sessions. The newly appointed Chhattisgarh Bharatiya Janata Party president Vikram Usendi after taking charge said, Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country is progressing fast. We will again form the government under his able leadership. Mission Modi is our mission, he said. He was interacting with media after taking charge from outgoing president Dharamlal Kaushik at the BJP divisional office, Ekatma Parisar on Saturday evening. On his arrival at the office, the party workers accorded him warm welcome. However, top leadership of the BJP skipped the event. Addressing the party workers he said, I hope that all efforts will be given to fulfill the expectations of all. Leader of the Opposition and outgoing BJP president Dharamlal Kaushik said, As organizational chief, I hope that Vikram Usendi can carry out better work. The works carried out by him will be emulated by all. On Lok Sabha polls, Kaushik said, Our target is 11 out of 11 seats and we are sure to achieve that. On the ruling Congress, he said: The party which has given slogan for Narva, Garuva, Ghurva and Baari (NGGB) has become a party of debtor. It has become vulnerable. The government has failed in imposing total prohibition as well as in all other sectors. In coming days the people will give a befitting reply to it. In order to make road traffic smooth and convenient in Madhya Pradesh, as many as 472 bridges will be constructed in the next 5 years. An approval in principle of Rs 5,540 crore has been given by the Public Works Department in this regard. Minister for Public Works Sajjan Singh Verma has informed that 400 large and medium bridges, 55 railway over bridges at the railway crossings of the entire state and 17 flyovers will be constructed. He further informed that a provision of Rs 2,000 crore for the large and medium bridges, Rs 1,940 crore for the flyovers and Rs 1,600 crore for 55 railway over bridges has been made in the work plan. As many as 5 flyovers have been proposed for Bhopal city. The first 1500 meter long fly over bridge costing Rs 100 crore will be constructed from Jahawar Chowk to Katju Hospital via Rangmahal square and Roshanpura square upto Raj Bhavan. The second 2,000 metre long flyover costing Rs 160 crore will be built from Lalghati via Bairagarh upto Bhainsakhedi Jod. Similarly, the third 3,000 metre long bridge will be constructed at a cost of Rs 200 crore at Hamidia Road from Kali Mandir, Talaiyya to Bharat talkies, Railway Station Tiraha, Nadra Bus Stand via Bhopal Talkies upto Shahjehanabad Police Station. The fourth 2,000 metre long flyover costing Rs 120 crore will be built in front of Jaishree Beedkar hospital via Retghat, Curfew wali Mata Mandir upto hamidia Hospital and GPO. Likewise, the fifth 1350 metre long bridge costing Rs 90 crore will be constructed from Roshanpura square via Banganga square, polytechnic square upto MLB college square. Nine members of a family, including three children, died after a truck collided head on with their vehicle on National Highway 33 in the wee hours of Saturday. The family residing in Dhurwa locality of the Capital city was returning from Arrah in Bihar after ceremonial head shaving of a four-year-old boy, who is one of the deceased. Eyewitnesses said that the Innova lost its track and went on the wrong side of the Patna-Ranchi highway and rammed into a truck coming from the opposite direction at around 4 am. All the passengers in the Innova died on the spot while the truck driver fled. According to local police, five men, two women and three children died in the accident. The deceased have been identified as Satyanarayan Singh (73), Ajit Kumar Singh (28), Mantu Kumar Singh (32), Saroj Singh (30), Subodh Kumar Singh (30), Rinku Singh (28), Kali Kumari (13), Raunak Kumar (4), Ruhi Kumari (7) and car driver Anchal Pandey (33). Their bodies were sent to Ranchi after autopsy at Sadar Hospital in Ranchi. The truck driver is absconding. All the bodies have been sent to Hatia. We are waiting for the postmortem reports, said Ramgarh Superintendent of Police Nidhi Dwivedi. The speeding Innova, sources said, got stuck in the trucks engine space due to the high intensity collision. Eyewitnesses said that it took at least four hours to remove the bodies from the debris. The family left Arrah on Friday night and the driver may have been awake the entire night, police said. Usually, drivers who cover long distances in the night do not get proper sleep and are more susceptible to loss of concentration and drowsiness before dawn. In this case, he had already covered around 300 kilometers of distance before the accident. Police said no traces of alcohol were found in the body of the driver. However, the autopsy report will give a clearer picture on it. The body of one more Army jawan, who had gone missing last month following an avalanche in Himachal Pradesh's Kinnaur district, was recovered on Saturday, an official said. Nitin Rana (27) and five other jawans of the 7 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles were buried under the avalanche at Shipki La near the Sino-India border on February 20. Rana's body was recovered on Saturday, whereas his mobile phone was recovered a few days ago, a district official said. His body was taken to Pooh from where it would be sent to his native place at Rit village in Jaisinghpur tehsil of Kangra district, he said. Earlier, bodies of three jawans were recovered, whereas two are still missing. Havaldar Rakesh Kumar's body was recovered on the day of the avalanche, whereas bodies of Rifleman Rajesh Rishi and Rifleman Govind Bahadur Chhetri were recovered on March 2 and 4 respectively. About 400 personnel and several residents of Khab village are carrying out operation to search for the two other soldiers. Himachal Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur has expressed his deep condolences with the family members of Nitin Rana. The Chief Minister also condoled the unfortunate death of official of Air force Amit Kumar. Amit Kumar was resident of Nagrota Bagvan in Kangra District. The Chief Minister assured the family members of all possible help from the State Government. Uttar Pradesh Scheduled Caste Commission Chairman Brij Lal released documents to refute charges levelled against him and his family members by daughter-in-law Anita. Lal, the former DGP who is now a leader of Bharatiya Janata Party, has been accused by Anita of demanding dowry from her family members and forcibly getting her to sign blank paper to procure her kidney for her father-in-law. Subsequently, an FIR was registered at the Mahila police station in Lucknow. In a communique released on Saturday, Lal clarified that the charges made against his family members were baseless as his renal transplant took place in February 2017 while his son was married a year later, in February, 2018. The UP Scheduled Caste Commission chief said that his daughter donated her kidney as donors have to be a blood relative of the patient and hence there was no question of him asking or forcing his daughter-in-law to donate her kidney. Lal also claimed that his daughter-in-law stayed with his son for a few days after marriage and started living with her parents. Due to her behaviour, the two families had decided on getting through divorce proceedings. He said that he was shocked to find that his daughter-in-law fabricated baseless charges and lodged a case to defame him and his family members. Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Saturday announced that Police personnel in Chhattisgarh will get weekly off. He also announced a hike in DA (dearness allowances) of state government employees and pensioners from 5 to 9 %. They will receive the benefits from April. This was officially announced from the twitter handle of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel. We did what we had promised stated the Chief Minister in the tweet. Orders in this connection were issued on Saturday evening. As per the orders, police personnel (constable to inspector) posted in police stations across the state, barring Naxal-hit areas will get the weekly off. Police forces deployed in Naxal-infested regions though will not get an off day every week, they will get eight days holiday after three months of duty. After every night duty cycle police staff in police station will get a break of 24 hours every week. In case of any major deployment due to VVIP movement or any incident, the weekly off can be cancelled, but it will be compensated by giving a day-off in the same month. These offs will not be subjected to encashment or carry forward, the order said. The company commanders, inspectors and constables of different police companies will also get the benefit of this system, it added. On the occasion of North East Cultural Utsav organised to commemorate the 43nd foundation day of the IGRMS, five Women scholars- Charishma K Lepcha, Vijaylakshmi Brara, Sandhya Thapa and Visakhonu Hibo presented research papers on the second day of the national symposium on Women of Northeast India: Contributions and Concerns. The session was headed by Prof Subhadra Mitra Channa (Professor, Dept of Social Anthropology in University of Delhi). In this seminar, Karishma presenting her paper regarding various communities and villages where women control the house economies with a special mention of the culture of homestays in Dzongu village in Sikkim. Vijaylaxmi Brara from Manipur University titled Women of Manipur: Past Legacy and Recent Legacy where she methodically destroys misnomers and fallacies related to Manipuri women. Sandhya Thapa titled Women and Education: Sikkim Scenario wherein she focused on the statistics of education in Sikkim when it comes to women and the differences or disparity that exists. Padmini Balaram presented a refreshing paper on Textile Traditions of North-East and the Womans Contribution which focused on the natural dyes used by the tribes like natural indigo and their declining trends. Vishakha who extensively discussed about the Naga Womens Organization and the contribution of their efforts in keeping peace in their community. Prof Deepak Kumar Behera (Vice Chancellor of Sambalpur University) delivered the 15th IGRMS annual eganaramous lecture on the topic Children and Childhood an emerging sub- Discipline in Anthropology. At the outset, Prof Sarit Kumar Chauduri, Director Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya, Bhopal gave welcome speech and introduce the Lecture Prof TB Subba among Museum Staffs and other Guests and he said that Professor DK Behera was the recipient of prestigious Sarat Chandra Roy Memorial Gold Medal by Asiatic Society, Kolkata (the oldest educational institution in Asia) for his outstanding contribution in the field of cultural anthropology in India for the year 2016 (Award received in 2017). Professor Behera has visited more than 25 countries through 43 overseas tours in different academic connections. He has to his credit twenty-two volumes authored/edited by him and more than 100 research publications in reputed journals and edited volumes. Most of his publications are in the fields of tribal studies and children and childhood. The programme was chaired by former Director of IGRMS Prof KK Chakraarty, who told that the most examples in this study of child anthropology is taken from tribal areas and we should focus on urban areas too. He also says we should follow and make our own theories and not follow European theories, because children play an important role in biocultural democracy. Panchayat and rural development, public health and family welfare, medical education minister T.S. Singhdeo laid the foundation stone for construction of a new building of a medical college at Ambikapur, Bishunpur on Saturday. The cost of the project is Rs 372 crore. Addressing as chief guest, Singhdeo said, It is an auspicious day for the region as the medical college will help expand the health services in the area. Now, local students can also enroll here to become doctors. The medical college will be a milestone in the region in coming years. He said, The time limit for the construction of the new college building is 24 months. Soon recruitment of teachers will start so that the MCI cannot declare zero year in Ambikapur Medical College. The doctors working in remote areas will be given special allowance. Practical aspects will also be taken care of so that transfer within specified period and rotation can be enforced. In college premises there will be hospital, college, administrative building, staff quarters and residential area for students. On universal health facility, he said, Government is committed to achieve it as no one should run around for treatment. Ambikapur Mayor Dr Ajay Tirkey said, Ambikapur has made a special place in the country for cleanliness and next it will be for medical services. Collector Dr Saransh Mittar said, The medical college began in the year 2016 at the district. The present building is being constructed on 52 acres of land. It will have 500-bedded and another 100-bedded hospital , 750-seat auditorium building, staff quarters, residences of dean and medical superintendent, 170 flats for residential quarters, 125- seated seven hostel buildings, guest house, animal house, central kitchen, central workshop, central gas plant and HV AC room. Barely two weeks into its historic journey to the Moon, Israel's first spacecraft has taken a selfie of the Earth from a distance of 37,600 km. The unmanned craft, called "Beresheet" (meaning genesis in Hebrew), took the photograph during a slow spin, Israeli non-profit SpaceIL tweeted on Tuesday. Besides Australia, the selfie also showed a plaque installed on the spacecraft, with the Israeli flag and the inscriptions "am yisrael chai" and "small country big dreams". "At a distance of 37,600 km from Earth, Beresheet's selfie camera took a picture of Earth," SpaceIL tweeted. The Beresheet, launched atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on February 21 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida in the US, made Israel only the fourth nation to make a "soft landing" on the lunar surface, after Russia, US and China. The unmanned craft, weighing 1,300 pounds and standing about one metre tall and 2.3 metres wide, began the nearly seven-week journey to the Moon last month. It aims to touch down on the lunar surface on April 11. After landing, Beresheet will start carrying out scientific experiments that would include measuring and mapping the moon's magnetic field, the Israeli Science and Technology Ministry said. A Pakistani drone attempting to enter Indian territory across the Rajasthan border went back following its detection by the Border Security Forces (BSF), who tried to shoot it down, the BSF said. This was another of the drones from across the international border that tried to enter Indian territory at around 5 a.m. at Hindumalkot border near Sriganganagar, a BSF official said, adding that the moment it was sighted the troopers started firing, forcing it to return. Villagers residing along the western border also heard heavy firing. The drone returned safely across the border to Pakistan, a BSF official said. Accusing the government of manipulating institutions to "save" Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Rafale deal, Congress president Rahul Gandhi Thursday said it has spoken of investigating the media over the theft of Rafale documents but has not probed those involved in the "scam of over Rs 30,000 crore". Investigate everyone but probe Modi as well, Gandhi told a press conference, accusing the prime minister of performing a "bypass surgery" in the purchase of the fighter aircraft for corruption, including benefiting businessman Anil Ambani. In defence ministry files, it is written that the Prime Minister's Office carried out parallel negotiations in the fighter jet deal, then why can't the PM be investigated, he asked. The government has constantly rejected the allegations levelled by the Congress with the BJP accusing Gandhi of spreading lies to torpedo the Rafale deal due to his vested interests. Ambani has also rejected corruption allegations. A day after the government told the Supreme Court that the Rafale files were stolen from the defence ministry, the Congress chief took a dig, saying the documents have disappeared like two crore jobs for youths, right price for farmers' produces and the promised 15 lakh for everybody. Targeting Modi, Gandhi said the files have disappeared in the same way as jobs did following demonetisation and implementation of the GST. Hitting back at Modi for calling the Congress a "poster boy" following the Balakot air strike, Gandhi said "it is he who is Pakistan's poster boy, not us" as he noted that the Modi government has got Pakistan spy agency ISI in India to probe the Pathankot terror attack. Modi had also invited then Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif to attend his swearing in and then went to the country to meet him as well, he said. It is not easy to be wholly dedicated to careers at the expense of ones own family and social responsibilities, discovers Uma Nair as she speaks to a few women chefs around the city Studies and research on women chefs the world over are few and far between. However, a 2014 research came as a huge surprise to Joanna James, a journalist-turned-filmmaker who is also the daughter of a female restaurateur, Val James. When she decided to make her first documentary about her mothers journey as a chef, restaurant owner and a single mother, she had no idea that her mothers struggle to establish herself in the culinary industry was an ordinary step among other women. Joanna Jamess film, A Fine Line unveiled as a love note to her mom in which she chronicled the difficulties that Val James overcame, from finding bank loans to babysitters as she established her own restaurant in the early 1990s in central Massachusetts. Eventually the documentary grew into a much bigger story filled with dozens of additional voices from across the industry. I suddenly realised that what my mother had faced was part of a larger discussion. I wanted my moms story to be the compelling factor that moved everything forward, but to also weave in the stories of other female chefs, said James. The Indian story Moving to the Indian scene. There are few women chefs who climbed up the ladder to executive chef domains. One remembers Neeta Nagaraj of Taj Hotels who joined Jaypee. She was a front runner in research as well as haute cuisine diplomacy, if not an inspiration to many younger women chefs across the country. Despite numerous examples and testimonies on the internet, few studies have been done on the challenges and success of women chefs. Even lesser studies are done with an aim to identify the barriers women face and how they have succeeded to achieve top chefs positions in different specifics of culinary haute cuisine. Fewer still are objective evaluations of an entrepreneurial path, its motives, and the advantages it offers to these women chefs. Among the few who have climbed the ladder is chef Veena from The Imperial who has a number of awards and accolades up her sleeve. Humble yet ingenious, versatile and charming, her prowess at Thai cuisine goes back to her days in South East Asia and her family kitchen in which she watched the matriarchs cook up different authentic recipes. In India there are very few executive chefs among women. At the Imperial ever since 1996, chef Veena has been attached to the Spice Route Kitchen, as their Chef De Cuisine creating cutting edge globally-renowned menus for every season and occasion, throughout the year. In her two decade long association, she continues to create different versions of South East Asian cuisine for Neo-Thai food lovers. Spice Routes reckoning among the best names on the global haute cuisine graph is something chef Veena is proud of. Gender perceptions While most might not voice it, but barriers for women chefs are many. These include gender perceptions about their skills, capabilities and conforming to the work-life balance. To face them, they have to be resilient while at the same time keep learning and continue to prove their competence at all times and at all levels. There are also very few instances of women chefs being given the chance to acquire management and leadership skills. It is not easy to be wholly dedicated to careers at the expense of ones own family and social responsibilities. History is full of examples of women who in pursuit of better balance moved to other niches of the profession or followed the entrepreneurial path. The need of the hour then is better time management, flexibility and opportunities for professional evolution. Studying women in management positions in this Haute Cuisine field is particularly interesting because of the dichotomy of cooking which is considered a female task in the domestic sphere and male one in the professional. In India too we are in dire need of qualitative and quantitative research so as to research gender barriers and success factors for women to leadership. The research statistics also show that many female chefs believe that offering mentorships and apprenticeships, and having them in leadership positions, is critical to establishing equal opportunities within the workplace and policies that provide more work-life balance. Of great fame are some organisations that are set up to help advancement of career and leadership avenues for women. In India too we need organisations like the James Beard Foundation and Les Dames dEscoffier that have established programmes aimed specifically at helping women advance within the culinary industry. Indeed this Womens Day, we must admit we have a long way to go. 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. 3 hours ago What Elizabeth Holmes had to say at her trial: 5 takeaways SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) Once-lionized entrepreneur Elizabeth Holmes wrapped up seven days of testimony in her criminal fraud trial Wednesday, having largely used the time to defend her actions as CEO of the startup Theranos. Read Article Legal & General Group Plc provides various insurance products and services in the United Kingdom, the United States, and internationally. It operates in four segments: Legal & General Retirement (LGR), Legal & General Investment Management (LGIM), Legal & General Capital (LGC), and Legal & General Insurance (LGI). The LGR segment offers annuity contracts with guaranteed income for a specified time; longevity insurance products for company pension schemes; lifetime mortgages; lifetime care plans; and retirement interest only mortgages. The LGIM segment provides index fund management; active fixed income funds and liquidity funds; active equity management; solution and liability driven investment; multi-asset funds; corporate pension scheme solutions; and real estate funds. The LGC segment offers investment strategy and implementation, and direct investment and structuring services. The LGI segment provides protection products, such as health, disability, critical illness, and accident; individual term assurance; reinsurance; savings and death benefits; and annuities. The company is also involved in the unit trust and institutional fund management, mortgage finance, treasury, building project and modular housing development, general insurance, and open-ended investment businesses, as well as manufacture of sheds. It also engages in the real estate investment, operation, management, and trading, fund general partner, fund trustee, commercial lending, venture capital investing, contractual scheme, management, pension tracing and transfer, investor alternative investment fund, collective asset-management, and investment management activities; and provision of investment advisory, business information consultancy, and technology services. The company was founded in 1836 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom. Read More As of September 25, 2020, Stuart Olson Inc. was acquired by Bird Construction Inc. Stuart Olson Inc. provides general contracting and electrical building systems contracting services to the institutional and commercial construction markets in Canada. The company's Buildings Group segment provides general contracting services, including integrated project delivery, construction management, and design-build services for schools, hospitals, and high-rise buildings; and management, estimating, accounting, site management, field workers, and equipment in order to complete projects. Its Commercial Systems Group segment designs, builds, maintains, and services critical building systems, including electrical and life safety systems, voice, data and communications networks, security infrastructure, and other related building technology systems for commercial, institutional, light industrial, and multi-use low and high rise buildings. The company's Industrial Group segment provides contracting, maintenance, and turnaround services, such as electrical and instrumentation; mechanical; mechanical process insulation; industrial metal siding and cladding; scaffolding; heating, ventilation, and air conditioning; fire-stopping; heat trace tubing; and asbestos abatement services. This segment also offers a range of technical services on high voltage equipment, including project planning, acceptance testing, start-up and commissioning, maintenance, maintenance testing, infrared scanning, transformer assembly and repair, cable terminations, and reliability studies; temporary power services for initial project phases; ongoing electrical, mechanical, and instrumentation installation during construction phases; and value added services of continued operations and maintenance support for operating facilities, as well as full project commissioning services. The company was formerly known as The Churchill Corporation and changed its name to Stuart Olson Inc. in May 2014. Stuart Olson Inc. was founded in 1911 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada. Read More Harris Corporation provides technology-based solutions that solve government and commercial customers' mission-critical challenges in the United States and internationally. The company operates in three segments: Communication Systems, Electronic Systems, and Space and Intelligence Systems. It designs, develops, and manufactures radio communications products and systems, including single channel ground and airborne radio systems, multiband manpack and handheld radios, multi-channel manpack and airborne radios, and single-channel airborne radios, as well as wideband rifleman team, ground, and high frequency manpack radios. The company also offers vision-enhancing products; wireless communications systems; and Internet protocol based voice and data communications systems, as well as single-band land mobile radio terminals and multiband radios comprising a handheld radio and a full-spectrum mobile radio for vehicles. In addition, it provides electronic warfare, avionics, command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance solutions for defense and classified customers; and mission-critical communication systems for civil and military aviation and other customers. Further, the company offers intelligence, space protection, geospatial, earth observation, exploration, positioning, navigation and timing, and environmental solutions using advanced sensors, antennas, and payloads, as well as ground processing and information analytics for national security, defense, civil and commercial customers. Harris Corporation was founded in 1895 and is headquartered in Melbourne, Florida. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Banco Santander: 2 & 3 Triton Limited, A & L CF (Guernsey) Limited (f), A & L CF June (2) Limited, A & L CF June (3) Limited, A & L CF March (5) Limited, A & L CF September (4) Limited, AFB SAM Holdings S.L., ALIL Services Limited (b), AN (123) Limited, ANITCO Limited, Abbey Business Services (India) Private Limited, Abbey Covered Bonds (LM) Limited, Abbey National, Abbey National Beta Investments Limited, Abbey National Business Office Equipment Leasing Limited, Abbey National International Limited, Abbey National Nominees Limited, Abbey National PLP (UK) Limited, Abbey National Property Investments, Abbey National Treasury Services Investments Limited, Abbey National Treasury Services Overseas Holdings, Abbey National UK Investments, Abbey Stockbrokers (Nominees) Limited, Abbey Stockbrokers Limited, Ablasa Participaciones S.L., Administracion de Bancos Latinoamericanos Santander S.L., Aduro S.A., Aevis Europa S.L., Afisa S.A., Albert., Aljardi SGPS Lda., Alliance & Leicester, Alliance & Leicester Cash Solutions Limited, Alliance & Leicester Commercial Bank Limited, Alliance & Leicester Investments (Derivatives) Limited, Alliance & Leicester Investments (No.2) Limited, Alliance & Leicester Investments Limited, Alliance & Leicester Limited, Alliance & Leicester Personal Finance Limited, Altamira Santander Real Estate S.A., Alternative Leasing FIL, Amazonia Trade Limited, Amherst Pierpont, Andaluza de Inversiones S.A., Aquanima Brasil Ltda., Aquanima Chile S.A., Aquanima Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Aquanima S.A., Arcaz - Sociedade Imobiliaria Portuguesa Lda., Argenline S.A. (b), Asto Digital Limited, Athena Corporation Limited, Atual - Fundo de Invest Multimercado Credito Privado Investimento no Exterior, Atual Servicos de Recuperacao de Creditos e Meios Digitais S.A., Autodescuento S.L., Autohaus24 GmbH, Auttar HUT Processamento de Dados Ltda., Aviacion Antares A.I.E., Aviacion Britanica A.I.E., Aviacion Centaurus A.I.E., Aviacion Comillas S.L. Unipersonal, Aviacion Intercontinental A.I.E., Aviacion Laredo S.L., Aviacion Oyambre S.L. Unipersonal, Aviacion Real A.I.E., Aviacion Santillana S.L., Aviacion Suances S.L., Aviacion Triton A.I.E., Aymore Credito Financiamento e Investimento S.A., BEN Beneficios e Servicos S.A., BRS Investments S.A., BZW Bank, Banca PSA Italia S.p.A., Banco Bandepe S.A., Banco Madesant - Sociedade Unipessoal S.A., Banco PSA Finance Brasil S.A., Banco Popular, Banco Santander (Brasil) S.A., Banco Santander (Mexico) S.A. Institucion de Banca Multiple Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico como Fiduciaria del Fideicomiso 100740, Banco Santander (Mexico) S.A. Institucion de Banca Multiple Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico como Fiduciaria del Fideicomiso 2002114, Banco Santander (Mexico) S.A. Institucion de Banca Multiple Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico como Fiduciaria del Fideicomiso GFSSLPT, Banco Santander - Chile, Banco Santander Consumer Portugal S.A., Banco Santander International, Banco Santander International SA, Banco Santander Mexico S.A. Institucion de Banca Multiple Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico, Banco Santander Peru S.A., Banco Santander Rio S.A., Banco Santander S.A., Banco Santander Totta S.A., Banco Santander de Negocios Colombia S.A., Banco de Albacete S.A., Bansa Santander S.A., CCAP Auto Lease Ltd., Canyon Multifamily Impact Fund IV LLC, Capital Street Delaware LP, Capital Street Holdings LLC, Capital Street REIT Holdings LLC, Capital Street S.A., Carfax (Guernsey) Limited (f), Carfinco Financial Group, Carfinco Financial Group Inc., Carfinco Inc., Casa de Bolsa Santander S.A. de C.V. Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico, Cater Allen Holdings Limited, Cater Allen International Limited, Cater Allen Limited, Cater Allen Lloyd's Holdings Limited, Cater Allen Syndicate Management Limited, Centro de Capacitacion Santander A.C., Certidesa S.L., Chrysler Capital Auto Funding I LLC, Chrysler Capital Auto Funding II LLC, Chrysler Capital Auto Receivables LLC, Chrysler Capital Master Auto Receivables Funding 2 LLC, Chrysler Capital Master Auto Receivables Funding 4 LLC, Chrysler Capital Master Auto Receivables Funding LLC, Cobranza Amigable S.A.P.I. de C.V., Community Development and Affordable Housing Fund LLC (g), Compagnie Generale de Credit Aux Particuliers - Credipar S.A., Compagnie Pour la Location de Vehicules - CLV, Comunidad Laboral Trabajando Argentina S.A., Comunidad Laboral Trabajando Iberica S.L. Unipersonal en liquidacion (b), Consulteam Consultores de Gestao Lda., Consumer Lending Receivables LLC, Crawfall S.A. (b), Cantabra de Inversiones S.A., Cantabro Catalana de Inversiones S.A., Darep Designated Activity Company, Decarome S.A.P.I. de C.V., Deva Capital Advisory Company S.L., Deva Capital Holding Company S.L., Deva Capital Investment Company S.L., Deva Capital Management Company S.L., Deva Capital Servicer Company S.L., Digital Procurement Holdings N.V., Diners Club Spain S.A., Direccion Estratega S.C., Dirgenfin S.L. en liquidacion (b), Ebury, El Corte Ingles, Elavon Mexico, Electrolyser S.A. de C.V., Entidad de Desarrollo a la Pequena y Micro Empresa Santander Consumo Peru S.A., Erestone S.A.S., Esfera Fidelidade S.A., Evidence Previdencia S.A., Financeira El Corte Ingles Portugal S.F.C. S.A., Financiera El Corte Ingles E.F.C. S.A., Finsantusa S.L. Unipersonal, First National Motor Business Limited, First National Motor Contracts Limited, First National Motor Facilities Limited, First National Motor Finance Limited, First National Motor Leasing Limited, First National Motor plc, First National Tricity Finance Limited, Fondos Santander S.A. Administradora de Fondos de Inversion (en liquidacion) (b), Fortensky Trading Ltd., Fosse Funding (No.1) Limited, Fosse Master Issuer plc, Fosse Trustee (UK) Limited, GTS El Centro Equity Holdings LLC, GTS El Centro Project Holdings LLC, Gamma Sociedade Financeira de Titularizacao de Creditos S.A., Gesban Mexico Servicios Administrativos Globales S.A. de C.V., Gesban Santander Servicios Profesionales Contables Limitada, Gesban Servicios Administrativos Globales S.L., Gesban UK Limited, Gestion de Instalaciones Fotovoltaicas S.L. Unipersonal, Gestion de Inversiones JILT S.A., Gestora de Procesos S.A. en liquidacion (b), Getnet Adquirencia e Servicos para Meios de Pagamento S.A., Global Vosgos S.L. Unipersonal, Grupo Empresarial Santander S.L., Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico S.A. de C.V., Grupo Financiero Santander SAB de CV, Guaranty Car S.A. Unipersonal, HQ Mobile Limited, Hispamer Renting S.A. Unipersonal, Holbah II Limited, Holbah Santander S.L. Unipersonal, Holmes Funding Limited, Holmes Master Issuer plc, Holmes Trustees Limited, Hyundai Capital Bank Europe GmbH, Iberica de Compras Corporativas S.L., Independence Community Bank Corp., Insurance Funding Solutions Limited, Interfinance Holanda B.V., Inversiones Capital Global S.A. Unipersonal, Inversiones Maritimas del Mediterraneo S.A., Isla de los Buques S.A., Klare Corredora de Seguros S.A., Landcompany 2020 S.L., Langton Funding (No.1) Limited, Langton Mortgages Trustee (UK) Limited, Langton Securities (2008-1) plc, Langton Securities (2010-1) PLC, Langton Securities (2010-2) PLC, Laparanza S.A., Liquidity Limited, Luri 1 S.A. en liquidacion (b) (e), Luri 6 S.A. Unipersonal, Master Red Europa S.L., Mata Alta S.L., Merciver S.L., Mercury TFS, Mercury Trade Finance Solutions S.A. de C.V., Mercury Trade Finance Solutions S.L., Mercury Trade Finance Solutions S.p.A., Moneybit S.L., Mortgage Engine Limited, Motor 2016-1 PLC, Motor 2017-1 PLC, Mouro Capital I LP, Multiplica SpA, NW Services CO., Naviera Mirambel S.L., Naviera Trans Gas A.I.E., Naviera Trans Iron S.L., Naviera Trans Ore A.I.E., Naviera Trans Wind S.L. (b), Naviera Transcantabrica S.L., Naviera Transchem S.L. Unipersonal, NeoAuto S.A.C., Norbest AS, Novimovest Fundo de Investimento Imobiliario, Open Bank Argentina S.A., Open Bank S.A., Open Digital Market S.L., Open Digital Services S.L., Operadora de Carteras Gamma S.A.P.I. de C.V., Optimal Investment Services SA, Optimal Multiadvisors Ireland Plc / Optimal Strategic US Equity Ireland Euro Fund, Optimal Multiadvisors Ireland Plc / Optimal Strategic US Equity Ireland US Dollar Fund, PBE Companies LLC, PECOH Limited, PI Distribuidora de Titulos e Valores Mobiliarios S.A., PSA Bank Deutschland GmbH, PSA Banque France, PSA Finance UK Limited, PSA Financial Services Nederland B.V., PSA Financial Services Spain E.F.C. S.A., PSA Renting Italia S.p.A., PagoFX Europe S.A., PagoFX HoldCo S.L., PagoFX UK Ltd, PagoNxt Merchant Solutions S.L., PagoNxt S.L., Parasant SA, Patagon.com, Pereda Gestion S.A., Pingham International S.A., Popular Spain Holding de Inversiones S.L.U., Portal Universia Argentina S.A., Portal Universia Portugal Prestacao de Servicos de Informatica S.A., Prime 16 Fundo de Investimentos Imobiliario, Punta Lima LLC, Punta Lima Wind Farm LLC, Retop S.A., Return Capital Servicos de Recuperacao de Creditos S.A., Return Gestao de Recursos S.A., Riobank International (Uruguay) SAIFE (b), Rojo Entretenimento S.A., SAM Asset Management S.A. de C.V. Sociedad Operadora de Fondos de Inversion, SAM Investment Holdings S.L., SAM UK Investment Holdings Limited (b), SANB Promotora de Vendas e Cobranca Ltda., SCF Eastside Locks GP Limited, SDMX Superdigital S.A. de C.V., SMPS Merchant Platform Solutions Mexico S.A de C.V, Sancap Investimentos e Participacoes S.A., Santander (CF Trustee Property Nominee) Limited, Santander (UK) Group Pension Schemes Trustees Limited, Santander Ahorro Inmobiliario 1 S.A., Santander Ahorro Inmobiliario 2 S.A., Santander Alternatives SICAV RAIF, Santander Asesorias Financieras Limitada, Santander Asset Finance (December) Limited, Santander Asset Finance plc, Santander Asset Management - S.G.O.I.C. S.A., Santander Asset Management Chile S.A., Santander Asset Management LLC, Santander Asset Management Luxembourg S.A., Santander Asset Management S.A. Administradora General de Fondos, Santander Asset Management S.A. S.G.I.I.C., Santander Asset Management UK Holdings Limited, Santander Asset Management UK Limited, Santander Back-Offices Globales Mayoristas S.A., Santander Banca de Inversion Colombia S.A.S., Santander Bank & Trust Ltd., Santander Bank National Association, Santander Bank Polska S.A., Santander Brasil Administradora de Consorcio Ltda., Santander Brasil Gestao de Recursos Ltda., Santander Brasil Tecnologia S.A., Santander Capital Desarrollo SGEIC S.A. Unipersonal, Santander Capital Structuring S.A. de C.V., Santander Capitalizacao S.A., Santander Cards Ireland Limited, Santander Cards Limited, Santander Cards UK Limited, Santander Chile Holding S.A., Santander Consulting (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Santander Consumer (UK) plc, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2013-B2 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2013-B3 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2018-L1 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2018-L3 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2018-L4 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2018-L5 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2019-B1 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2019-L2 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2019-L3 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2020-B1 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2020-L1 LLC, Santander Consumer Auto Receivables Funding 2020-L2 LLC, Santander Consumer Bank, Santander Consumer Bank AG, Santander Consumer Bank GmbH, Santander Consumer Bank S.A., Santander Consumer Bank S.p.A., Santander Consumer Banque S.A., Santander Consumer Credit Services Limited, Santander Consumer Finance Benelux B.V., Santander Consumer Finance Global Services S.L., Santander Consumer Finance Oy, Santander Consumer Finance S.A., Santander Consumer Finance Schweiz AG, Santander Consumer Financial Solutions Sp. z o.o., Santander Consumer Finanse Sp. z o.o. (b), Santander Consumer Holding Austria GmbH, Santander Consumer Holding GmbH, Santander Consumer International Puerto Rico LLC, Santander Consumer Leasing GmbH, Santander Consumer Mediacion Operador de Banca-Seguros Vinculado S.L., Santander Consumer Multirent Sp. z o.o., Santander Consumer Operations Services GmbH, Santander Consumer Receivables 10 LLC, Santander Consumer Receivables 11 LLC, Santander Consumer Receivables 3 LLC, Santander Consumer Receivables 7 LLC, Santander Consumer Receivables Funding LLC, Santander Consumer Renting S.L., Santander Consumer S.A., Santander Consumer S.A.S., Santander Consumer Services GmbH, Santander Consumer Services S.A., Santander Consumer Technology Services GmbH, Santander Consumer USA Holdings Inc., Santander Consumer USA Inc., Santander Consumo S.A. de C.V. S.O.F.O.M. E.R. Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico, Santander Corredora de Seguros Limitada, Santander Corredores de Bolsa Limitada, Santander Corretora de Cambio e Valores Mobiliarios S.A., Santander Corretora de Seguros Investimentos e Servicos S.A., Santander Customer Voice S.A., Santander Digital Assets S.L., Santander Drive Auto Receivables LLC, Santander Equity Investments Limited, Santander Espana Merchant Services Entidad de Pago S.L. Unipersonal, Santander Espana Servicios Legales y de Cumplimiento S.L., Santander Estates Limited, Santander F24 S.A., Santander Facility Management Espana S.L., Santander Factoring S.A., Santander Factoring Sp. z o.o., Santander Factoring y Confirming S.A. E.F.C., Santander Finance 2012-1 LLC, Santander Financial Exchanges Limited, Santander Financial Services Inc., Santander Financial Services plc, Santander Finanse Sp. z o.o., Santander Fintech Holdings S.L., Santander Fintech Limited, Santander Fundo de Investimento SBAC Referenciado di Credito Privado, Santander Gestion de Recaudacion y Cobranzas Ltda., Santander Global Consumer Finance Limited, Santander Global Facilities S.A. de C.V., Santander Global Facilities S.L., Santander Global Operations S.A., Santander Global Services S.A. (b), Santander Global Sport S.A., Santander Global Technology Brasil Ltda., Santander Global Technology Chile Limitada, Santander Global Technology S.L., Santander Global Trade Platform Solutions S.L., Santander Guarantee Company, Santander Holding Imobiliaria S.A., Santander Holding Internacional S.A., Santander Holdings USA Inc., Santander ISA Managers Limited, Santander Inclusion Financiera S.A. de C.V. S.O.F.O.M. E.R. Grupo Financiero Santander Mexico, Santander Insurance Agency U.S. LLC, Santander Insurance Services UK Limited, Santander Intermediacion Correduria de Seguros S.A., Santander International Products Plc. (d), Santander Inversiones S.A., Santander Investment Bank Limited, Santander Investment Chile Limitada, Santander Investment I S.A., Santander Investment S.A., Santander Investment Securities Inc., Santander Investments GP 1 S.a.r.l., Santander Inwestycje Sp. z o.o., Santander Lease S.A. E.F.C., Santander Leasing LLC, Santander Leasing S.A., Santander Leasing S.A. Arrendamento Mercantil, Santander Lending Limited, Santander Mediacion Operador de Banca-Seguros Vinculado S.A., Santander Merchant Platform Operations S.A. de C.V., Santander Merchant Platform Services S.A. de C.V., Santander Merchant Platform Solutions Mexico S.A. de C.V., Santander Merchant Platform Solutions S.A., Santander Merchant Platform Solutions Uruguay S.A., Santander Merchant Platform SolucoesTecnologicas Brasil Ltda., Santander Merchant S.A., Santander Mortgage Holdings Limited, Santander Paraty Qif PLC, Santander Pensiones S.A. E.G.F.P., Santander Pensoes - Sociedade Gestora de Fundos de Pensoes S.A., Santander Private Banking Gestion S.A. S.G.I.I.C., Santander Private Banking UK Limited, Santander Private Banking s.p.a. in Liquidazione (b), Santander Private Real Estate Advisory & Management S.A., Santander Private Real Estate Advisory S.A., Santander Real Estate S.A., Santander Retail Auto Lease Funding LLC, Santander Rio Asset Management Gerente de Fondos Comunes de Inversion S.A., Santander Rio Trust S.A., Santander Rio Valores S.A., Santander S.A. Sociedad Securitizadora, Santander Secretariat Services Limited, Santander Securities LLC, Santander Seguros y Reaseguros Compania Aseguradora S.A., Santander Servicios Corporativos S.A. de C.V., Santander Servicios Especializados S.A. de C.V., Santander Technology USA LLC, Santander Tecnologia e Inovacao Ltda., Santander Tecnologia Argentina S.A., Santander Tecnologia Espana S.L.U., Santander Tecnologia Mexico S.A. de C.V., Santander Totta SGPS S.A., Santander Totta Seguros Companhia de Seguros de Vida S.A., Santander Towarzystwo Funduszy Inwestycyjnych S.A., Santander Trade Services Limited, Santander UK Group Holdings plc, Santander UK Investments, Santander UK Operations Limited, Santander UK Plc, Santander UK Technology Limited, Santander Wealth Management International SA, Santander de Titulizacion S.G.F.T. S.A., Santusa Holding S.L., Services and Promotions Delaware Corp., Services and Promotions Miami LLC, Servicio de Alarmas Controladas por Ordenador S.A., Servicios de Cobranza Recuperacion y Seguimiento S.A. De C.V., Sheppards Moneybrokers Limited, Shiloh III Wind Project LLC, Sociedad Integral de Valoraciones Automatizadas S.A., Sociedad Operadora de Tarjetas de Pago Santander Getnet Chile S.A., Socur S.A., Sol Orchard Imperial 1 LLC, Solarlaser Limited, Sovereign Community Development Company, Sovereign Delaware Investment Corporation, Sovereign Lease Holdings LLC, Sovereign REIT Holdings Inc., Sovereign Spirit Limited (f), Sterrebeeck B.V., Suleyado 2003 S.L. Unipersonal, Summer Empreendimentos Ltda., Super Pagamentos e Administracao de Meios Eletronicos S.A., Superdigital Argentina S.A.U., Superdigital Colombia S.A.S., Superdigital Holding Company S.L., Superdigital Peru S.A.C., Suzuki Servicios Financieros S.L., Swesant SA, TIMFin S.p.A., TOPSAM S.A de C.V., Taxagest Sociedade Gestora de Participacoes Sociais S.A., Teatinos Siglo XXI Inversiones S.A., The Alliance & Leicester Corporation Limited, The Best Specialty Coffee S.L. Unipersonal, Time Retail Finance Limited (b), Tonopah Solar I LLC, Toque Fale Servicos de Telemarketing Ltda., Tornquist Asesores de Seguros S.A. (b), Totta (Ireland) PLC, Totta Urbe - Empresa de Administracao e Construcoes S.A., Trabajando.com Mexico S.A. de C.V. en liquidacion (b), Trabajando.com Peru S.A.C., Trans Rotor Limited (b), Transolver Finance EFC S.A., Tresmares Growth Fund Santander SCR S.A., Tresmares Santander Direct Lending SICC S.A., Tuttle and Son Limited, Universia Brasil S.A., Universia Chile S.A., Universia Colombia S.A.S., Universia Espana Red de Universidades S.A., Universia Holding S.L., Universia Mexico S.A. de C.V., Universia Peru S.A., Universia Uruguay S.A., Uro Property Holdings SOCIMI S.A., WIM Servicios Corporativos S.A. de C.V., WTW Shipping Designated Activity Company, Wallcesa S.A., Wave Holdco S.L., Waypoint Insurance Group Inc., and Wirecard (Technological Assets). Canadian Western Bank provides personal and business banking products and services primarily in Western Canada. The company offers current, savings, cash management, US dollar, and chequing accounts, as well as organization, strata solution/condo, general trust, and trust fund investment accounts. It also offers commercial lending and real estate, and equipment financing and leasing products; loans and mortgages; secured and unsecured lines of credit; registered retirement savings plan; consolidation, vehicle, and recreation vehicle loans; and credit cards. In addition, the company offers cash management services; life and disability insurance products; and ATM, mobile, and online banking services, as well cheque order services. Further, it provides investment products comprising guaranteed investment certificates, registered retirement income funds, tax-free savings accounts, registered education savings plans, and mutual funds, as well as personal and business planning services. Canadian Western Bank has a strategic partnership with Temenos AG to support small and medium sized enterprises with financial decision-making and enhancing their businesses. The company was founded in 1984 and is headquartered in Edmonton, Canada. Read More 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 contact@marketbeat.com | (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. Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust is a closed-ended fixed income mutual fund launched by Invesco Ltd. The fund is co-managed by Invesco Advisers, Inc., INVESCO Asset Management Deutschland GmbH, INVESCO Asset Management Limited, INVESCO Asset Management (Japan) Limited, Invesco Hong Kong Limited, INVESCO Senior Secured Management, Inc., and Invesco Canada Ltd. It invests in the fixed income markets of the United States. The fund primarily invests in investment grade municipal securities which include municipal bonds, municipal notes, and municipal commercial paper. It employs fundamental analysis with bottom-up security selection approach to create its portfolio. The fund was previously known as Morgan Stanley Quality Municipal Income Trust. Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust was formed on September 29, 1992 and is domiciled in the United States. Read More GlaxoSmithKline Plc is a healthcare company, which engages in the research, development, and manufacture of pharmaceutical medicines, vaccines, and consumer healthcare products. It operates through the following segments: Pharmaceuticals; Pharmaceuticals R&D; Vaccines and Consumer Healthcare. The Pharmaceuticals segment focuses on developing medicines in respiratory and infectious diseases, oncology, and immuno-inflammation. The Pharmaceuticals R&D segment focuses on science related to the immune system, the use of human genetics and advanced technologies, and is driven by the multiplier effect of Science x Technology x Culture. The Vaccines segment produces pediatric and adult vaccines to prevent a range of infectious diseases including, hepatitis A and B, diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough, measles, mumps and rubella, polio, typhoid, influenza, and bacterial meningitis. The Consumer Healthcare segment develops and markets brands in the oral health, pain relief, respiratory, nutrition and gastro intestinal, and skin health categories. The company was founded in 1715 and is headquartered in Middlesex, the United Kingdom. Read More Embraer SA engages in the design, manufacture, and sale of aircraft and its parts for commercial, defense, and executive aviation sectors. It operates through the following segments: Commercial Aviation, Defense and Security, Executive Jet Business, Service & Support and Others. The Commercial Aviation segment is involved in the development, production, and sale of commercial jets; and the provision of support services to regional aviation and aircraft leasing. The Defense and Security segment engages in research, development, production, modification, and support for defense and security aircrafts, as well as other integrated products and solutions including satellites and information and communication systems. The Executive Jet Business segment deals with the development, manufacture, and sale of executive jets. The Service & Support segment provides after-service solutions and support to its customers through a comprehensive portfolio of innovative and competitive solutions to ensure operational efficiency of products manufactured by Embraer and by other aircraft manufacturers, extending the useful life of commercial, executive and defense aircraft. The Others segment refers to Read More 11 Wall Street equities research analysts have issued "buy," "hold," and "sell" ratings for Hugo Boss in the last twelve months. There are currently 6 hold ratings and 5 buy ratings for the stock. The consensus among Wall Street equities research analysts is that investors should "hold" Hugo Boss stock. A hold rating indicates that analysts believe investors should maintain any existing positions they have in BOSS, but not buy additional shares or sell existing shares. View analyst ratings for Hugo Boss or view top-rated stocks. The following companies are subsidiares of Illinois Tool Works: A V Co 1 Limited, A V Co 2 Limited, A V Co 3 Limited, ACCU-LUBE Manufacturing GmbH - Schmiermittel und -gerate -, AIP/BI Holdings Inc., Accessories Marketing Holding Corp., Advanced Molding Company Inc., Allen Coding GmbH, Allen France SAS, Alpine Automation Limited, Alpine Engineered Products, Alpine Holdings Inc., Alpine Systems Corporation, Anaerobicos S.r.l., AppliChem GmbH, Arylux Hungary Elektromechanikus Alkatreszgyarto Kft, Avery Berkel France, Avery India Limited, Avery Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Avery Weigh Tronix, Avery Weigh-Tronix (Suzhou) Weighing Technology Co. Ltd., Avery Weigh-Tronix Finance Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix Holdings Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix International Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix LLC, Avery Weigh-Tronix Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix Properties Limited, Azon Limited, B.C. Immo, Beijing Miller Electric Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Berkel (Ireland) Limited, Berrington UK, Brapenta Eletronica Ltda., Brooks Instrument (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, Brooks Instrument B.V., Brooks Instrument GmbH, Brooks Instrument KFT, Brooks Instrument Korea Ltd., Brooks Instrument LLC, Buell Industries Inc., CAPMAX Logistica S.A. de C.V., CCI Realty Company, CFC Europe GmbH, CS (Australia) Pty Limited, CS (Finance) Europe S.a.r.l., CS Mexico Holding Company S DE RL DE CV, CSMTS LLC, Calvia Spolka z Ograniczona Odpowiedzialnosci, Capital Ventures (Australasia) S.a r.l, Capmax Logistica S.A. de C.V., Celeste Industries Corporation, Coeur, Coeur (Shanghai) Medical Appliance Trading Co. Ltd, Coeur Asia Limited, Coeur Holding Company, Coeur Inc., Compagnie Hobart, Compagnie de Materiel et d'Equipements Techniques-Comet, Constructions Isothermiques Bontami C.I.B., Crane Carrier Company, Despatch Industries, Diagraph Corporation Sdn. Bhd, Diagraph ITW Mexico S. de R.L. De C.V., Diagraph Mexico S.A. DE C.V., Dongguan Ark-Les Electric Components Co. Ltd., Dongguan CK Branding Co. Ltd., Dorbyl U.K. (Holdings) Limited, Duo Fast de Espana S.A.U., Duo-Fast Korea Co. Ltd., Duo-Fast LLC, E.C.S. d.o.o., ECS Cable Protection Sp. Zoo, ELRO (Holding) AG, ELRO Grosskuchen GmbH, ELRO-WERKE AG, Elga Skandinavian AS, Elro Group, Eltex-Elektrostatik-Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, Envases Multipac S.A. de C.V., Eurotec Srl, FEG Investments L.L.C., Fasver, Filtertek, Filtertek De Mexico Holding Inc., Filtertek De Mexico S.A. de C.V., GC Financement SA, Gamko B.V., Gun Hwa Platech (Taicang) Co. Ltd., HOBART Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, Hartness International, Hobart (Japan) K.K., Hobart Andina S.A.S., Hobart Brothers International Chile Limitada, Hobart Brothers LLC, Hobart Dayton Mexicana S. de R.L. de C.V., Hobart Food Equipment Co. Ltd., Hobart Foster Belgium, Hobart International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Hobart Korea LLC, Hobart LLC, Hobart Nederland B.V., Hobart Sales & Service Inc., Hobart Scandinavia ApS, Hobart Techniek B.V., Horis, ILC Investments Holdings Inc., ITW (China) Investment Company Limited, ITW (Deutschland) GmbH, ITW (EU) Holdings Ltd., ITW (European) Finance Co. Ltd., ITW (European) Finance II Co. Ltd., ITW (European) Finance III Co. Ltd., ITW (Ningbo) Components & Fastenings Systems Co. Ltd., ITW AEP LLC, ITW AOC LLC, ITW Aircraft Investments Inc., ITW Alpha Sarl, ITW Ampang Industries Philippines Inc., ITW Appliance Components EOOD, ITW Appliance Components S.A. de C.V., ITW Appliance Components S.r.l.a, ITW Appliance Components d.o.o., ITW Australia Holdings Pty Ltd, ITW Australia Property Holdings Pty Ltd., ITW Australia Pty Ltd, ITW Automotive Components (Chongqing) Co. Ltd., ITW Automotive Components (Langfang) Co. Ltd., ITW Automotive Japan K.K., ITW Automotive Korea LLC, ITW Automotive Parts (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, ITW Automotive Products GmbH, ITW Automotive Products Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Bailly Comte, ITW Befestigungssysteme GmbH, ITW Belgium, ITW Brazilian Nominee L.L.C., ITW Building Components Group Inc., ITW CER, ITW CP Distribution Center Holland BV, ITW CS (UK) Ltd., ITW Canada Inc., ITW Celeste Inc., ITW Chemical Products Ltda, ITW Chemical Products Scandinavia ApS, ITW Colombia S.A.S., ITW Construction Products (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., ITW Construction Products (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., ITW Construction Products AB, ITW Construction Products AS, ITW Construction Products ApS, ITW Construction Products CZ s.r.o., ITW Construction Products Italy Srl, ITW Construction Products OU, ITW Construction Products OY, ITW Contamination Control (Wujiang) Co. Ltd., ITW Contamination Control B.V., ITW Covid Security Group Inc., ITW DS Investments Inc., ITW DelFast do Brasil Ltda., ITW Delta Sarl, ITW Denmark ApS, ITW Dynatec, ITW Dynatec Adhesive Equipment (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., ITW Dynatec GmbH, ITW Dynatec Kabushiki Kaisha, ITW EAE B.V., ITW EAE Mexico S de RL de CV, ITW EF&C France SAS, ITW EF&C Selb GmbH, ITW Electronic Business Asia Co. Limited, ITW Electronic Components/Products (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., ITW Electronics (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., ITW Epsilon Sarl, ITW Espana S.A., ITW FEG Hong Kong Limited, ITW FEG do Brasil Industria e Comercio Ltda., ITW Fastener Products GmbH, ITW Finance Designated Activity Company, ITW Finance Europe S.A., ITW Fluids and Hygiene Solutions Ltda., ITW Food Equipment Group LLC, ITW France Finance Alpha S.A.S., ITW GH LLC, ITW GSE ApS, ITW GSE Inc., ITW Gamma Sarl, ITW German Management LLC, ITW Global Investments Holdings LLC, ITW Global Investments Holdings Y Compania Sociedad en Comandita por Acciones, ITW Global Investments II Inc., ITW Global Investments Inc., ITW Global Tire Repair Europe GmbH, ITW Global Tire Repair Inc., ITW Global Tire Repair Japan K.K., ITW Graphics (Thailand) Ltd., ITW Graphics Asia Limited, ITW Graphics Italy S.R.L. in liquidazione, ITW Great Britain Investment & Licensing Holding Company, ITW Group France (Luxembourg) S.ar.l., ITW HLP Thailand Co. Ltd., ITW Holding Quimica B.C. S.L. Sole Shareholder Company, ITW Holdings Australia L.P., ITW Holdings I Limited, ITW Holdings II Limited, ITW Holdings III Limited, ITW Holdings IV Limited, ITW Holdings IX Limited, ITW Holdings Inc., ITW Holdings UK, ITW Holdings V Limited, ITW Holdings VI Limited, ITW Holdings VII Limited, ITW Holdings VIII Limited, ITW Holdings X Limited, ITW Holdings XI Limited, ITW Hungary Finance Beta Kft, ITW ILC Holdings I Inc., ITW IPG Investments LLC, ITW Imaden Industria e Comercio Ltda., ITW India Private Limited, ITW International Holdings LLC, ITW Invest Holding GmbH, ITW Ireland Holdings Unlimited Company, ITW Ireland Unlimited Company, ITW Italy Finance Srl, ITW Italy Holding Srl, ITW Japan Ltd., ITW Korea LLC, ITW LLC & Co. KG, ITW Limited, ITW Lombard Holdings Inc., ITW Lys Fusion S.r.l., ITW M FILMS II LLC, ITW MH LLC, ITW Meritex Sdn. Bhd., ITW Metal Fasteners S.L., ITW Mexico Holding Company S. De R.L. de C.V., ITW Mexico Holdings LLC, ITW Morlock GmbH, ITW Mortgage Investments II Inc., ITW Mortgage Investments III Inc., ITW Mortgage Investments IV Inc., ITW Netherlands Administration BV, ITW Netherlands Beta B.V., ITW Netherlands Finance Alpha BV, ITW New Universal LLC, ITW New Zealand, ITW Novadan Sp. Z.o.o., ITW PPF Brasil Adesivos Ltda., ITW Packaging Technology (China) Co. Ltd., ITW Participations S.a r.l., ITW Pension Funds Trustee Company, ITW Performance Plastic (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., ITW Performance Polymers & Fluids Japan Co. Ltd., ITW Performance Polymers & Fluids Korea Limited, ITW Performance Polymers & Fluids OOO, ITW Performance Polymers (Wujiang) Co. Ltd., ITW Performance Polymers ApS, ITW Performance Polymers and Fluids Group FZE, ITW Peru S.A.C., ITW Philippines Holdings LLC, ITW Poly Mex S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Polymers Sealants North America Inc., ITW Pronovia s.r.o., ITW Pte. Ltd., ITW Qufu Automotive Cooling Systems Co. Ltd., ITW Real Estate Germany GmbH, ITW Residuals III L.L.C., ITW Residuals IV L.L.C., ITW Rivex, ITW SMPI, ITW SPG Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Simco-Ion (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd., ITW Slovakia s.r.o., ITW Spain Holdings S.L., ITW Specialty Film LLC, ITW Specialty Films France, ITW Specialty Materials (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., ITW Spraytec, ITW Sverige AB, ITW Sweden Holding AB, ITW Test & Measurement Equipment (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, ITW Test & Measurement GmbH, ITW Test and Measurement Italia Srl, ITW Test and Measurement Services Industry and Trade Ltd., ITW Texwipe Philippines Inc., ITW Thermal Films (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., ITW UK, ITW UK Finance Beta Limited, ITW UK Finance Delta Limited, ITW UK Finance Gamma Limited, ITW UK Finance Limited, ITW UK Finance Zeta Ltd., ITW UK II Limited, ITW Universal II LLC, ITW Welding, ITW Welding AB, ITW Welding GmbH, ITW Welding Products B.V., ITW Welding Products Group FZE, ITW Welding Products Group S. DE R.L. De C.V., ITW Welding Products Italy Srl, ITW Welding Products Limited Liability Company, ITW Welding Produtos Para Solgdagem Ltda., ITW Welding Servicios Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Welding Singapore Pte. Ltd., ITW de France, ITW do Brasil Industrial e Comercial Ltda., Ideal Molding Technologies LLC, Illinois Tool Works (Chile) Limitada, Illinois Tool Works (ITW) Nederland B.V., Illinois Tool Works Norway AS, Impar Comercio E Representacoes Ltda., Industrie Plastic Elsasser GmbH, Inmobiliaria Cit. S.A. de C.F., Innova Temperlite Servicios S.A. de C.V., Innovacion y Transformacion Automotriz S.A. de C.V., Instron (Shanghai) Ltd., Instron (Thailand) Limited, Instron Brasil Equipamentos Cientificos Ltda., Instron Foreign Sales Corp. Limited, Instron France S.A.S., Instron GmbH, Instron Holdings Limited, Instron International Limited, Instron Japan Company Ltd., Instron Korea LLC, International Leasing Company LLC, International Truss Systems Proprietary Limited, Isolenge - ITW Sistemas de Isolamento Termico Ltda., KCPL Mauritius Holdings, Kester, Kester Components (M) Sdn. Bhd., Kleinmann GmbH, Krafft S.L., Loma Systems, Loma Systems (Canada) Inc., Loma Systems BV, Loma Systems sro, Lombard Pressings Limited, Lumex Inc., Lys Fusion Poland Sp. z.o.o., M&C Specialties (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd., M&C Specialties Co., MAGNAFLUX GmbH, MEHB Holdings Limited, MGHG Property LLC, MOA Enterprises Inc, Manufacturing Avancee S.A., Meritex Technology (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., Meurer Verpackungssysteme GmbH, Miller Electric Mfg. LLC, Miller Insurance Ltd., NDT Holding LLC, NOVADAN APS, Norden Olje AB, North Star Imaging Europe, North Star Imaging Inc., Nova Chimica S.r.l., Orbitalum Tools GmbH, PENTA-91 OOO, PR. A. I. Srl, PT ITW Construction Products Indonesia, Pacific Concept Industries Limited (Enping), Panreac Quimica S.L., Paslode Fasteners (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Peerless Machinery Corp., Penta Dnepr LLC, Penta Sever OOO, Penta Volga OOO, Polyrey, Premark FEG L.L.C., Premark HII Holdings LLC, Premark International, Premark International LLC, Prolex Sociedad Anonima, QSA Global Inc., Quimica Industrial Mediterranea S.L., Ramset Fasteners (Hong Kong) Ltd., Rapid Cook LLC, Refrigeration France, S.E.E. Sistemas Industria E Comercio Ltda., ST Mexico Holdings LLC, Sealant Systems International Inc., Sentinel Asia Yuhan Hoesa, Shanghai ITW Plastic & Metal Co. Ltd, Simco (Nederland) B.V., Simco Japan Inc., Societe de Prospection et dInventions Techniques SPIT, Speedline Holdings I Inc., Speedline Holdings I LLC, Speedline Technologies GmbH, Speedline Technologies Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Speedline Technologies Mexico Services S. de R.L. de C.V., Stokvis Celix Portugal Unipessoal LDA, Stokvis Danmark ApS, Stokvis Holdings S.A.R.L., Stokvis Promi s.r.o, Stokvis Prostick Tapes Private Limited, Stokvis Tapes (Hong Kong) Co. Limited, Stokvis Tapes (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Stokvis Tapes (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd., Stokvis Tapes (Taiwan) Co. Ltd., Stokvis Tapes (Tianjin) Co. Ltd., Stokvis Tapes BVBA, Stokvis Tapes Benelux B.V., Stokvis Tapes Deutschland GmbH, Stokvis Tapes France, Stokvis Tapes Italia s.r.l., Stokvis Tapes Limited, Stokvis Tapes Limited Liability Company, Stokvis Tapes Norge AS, Stokvis Tapes Oy, Stokvis Tapes Polska Sp Z.O.O., Stokvis Tapes Sverige AB, Stolvis Holdings II S.A.R.L., Technopack Industria Comercio Consultoria e Representacoes Ltda., Teknek (China) Limited, Teknek (Japan) Limited, Teksaleco Ltd., The Miller Group Ltd, Thirode Grandes Cuisines Poligny, Tien Tai Electrode (Kunshan) Co. Ltd., Tien Tai Electrode Co. Ltd., Unichemicals Industria e Comercio Ltda., VR-Leasing Sarita GmbH & Co. Immobilien KG, VS European Holdco BV, Valeron Strength Films B.V.B.A., Veneta Decalcogomme S.r.l., Versachem Chile S.A., Vesta, Vesta (Guangzhou) Catering Equipment Co. Ltd, Vesta Global Limited, Viltronics Soltec, Vitronics Soltec B.V., Wachs Canada Ltd., Wachs Subsea LLC, Weigh-Tronix Canada ULC, Weigh-Tronix UK Limited, Wilsonart International Holdings LLC, Wynn Oil (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd., Wynn's Automotive France, Wynn's Belgium BVBA, Wynn's Italia Srl, Wynn's Mekuba India Pvt Ltd, ZF TRW (Engineered Fasteners and Components), and Zip-Pak International B.V.. iStar, Inc. is a real estate investment trust company, which engages in financing, investing, and development of real estate and related projects. It operates through the following business segments: Real Estate Finance, Net Lease, Operating Properties, Land and Development, and Corporate and Other. The Real Estate Finance segment includes all of the activities of the company related to senior and mezzanine real estate loans and real estate related securities. The Net Lease segment comprises activities of the company and operations related to the ownership of properties generally leased to single corporate tenants. The Operating Properties segment focuses in the activities and operations related to its commercial and residential properties. The Land and Development segment refers to the developable land portfolio of the company. The Corporate and Other segment represents all the corporate level and unallocated items, joint venture, and strategic investments, which are not included in the other reportable segments. The company was founded by Jay Sugarman in 1993 and is headquartered in New York, NY. Read More KBR, Inc. engages in the provision of differentiated professional services and technologies across the asset and program life-cycle within the government services and hydrocarbons industries. It operates through the following segments: Government Solutions, Technology Solutions, Energy Solutions, Non-strategic Business, and Other. The Government Solutions segment provides full life-cycle support solutions to defense, space, aviation, and other programs and missions for military and other government agencies. The Technology Solutions segment combines KBR's proprietary technologies, equipment, and catalyst supply and associated knowledge-based services into a global business for refining, petrochemicals, inorganic, and specialty chemicals as well as gasification, syngas, ammonia, nitric acid, and fertilizers. The Energy Solutions segment provides full life-cycle support solutions across the upstream, midstream and downstream hydrocarbons markets. The Non-strategic Business segment represents the operations or activities which the company intends to exit upon completion of existing contracts. The Other segment includes corporate expenses and general and administrative expenses not all Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Kroger: 84.51 HQ Building Company LLC, 84.51 LLC, Alpha Beta Company, Ansonborough Square Investors I LLC, Ansonborough Square Retail LLC, Ardrey Kell Investments LLC, Bay Area Warehouse Stores Inc., Beech Tree Holdings LLC, Bell Markets Inc., Bleecker Ventures LLC, Bluefield Beverage Company, Box Cutter Inc., Brier Creek Arbors Drive Retail LLC, CB&S Advertising Agency Inc., Cala Co., Cala Foods Inc., Cheeses of All Nations Inc., Country Oven Inc., Crawford Stores Inc., Creedmoor Retail LLC, Dillon Companies LLC, Dillon Real Estate Co. Inc., Dillons, Distribution Trucking Company, Dotto Inc., Edgewood Plaza Holdings LLC, Embassy International Inc., FM Inc., FMJ Inc., Farmacia Doral Inc., Food 4 Less GM Inc., Food 4 Less Holdings Inc., Food 4 Less Merchandising Inc., Food 4 Less of California Inc., Food 4 Less of Southern California Inc., Fred Meyer, Fred Meyer Inc., Fred Meyer Jewelers Inc., Fred Meyer Stores Inc., Glasswing Labs LLC, Glendale/Goodwin Realty I LLC, Grubstake Investments LLC, HT Fuel DE LLC, HT Fuel NC LLC, HT Fuel SC LLC, HT Fuel VA LLC, HTGBD LLC, HTP Bluffton LLC, HTP Plaza LLC, HTP Relo LLC, HTPS LLC, HTTAH LLC, Harris Teeter, Harris Teeter LLC, Henpil Inc., Home Chef, Hood-Clayton Logistics LLC, Hughes Markets Inc., Hughes Realty Inc., I.T.A. Inc., IRP LLC, ITAC 119 LLC, ITAC 265 LLC, Inter-American Foods Inc., Inter-American Products Inc., J.V. Distributing Inc., Jondex Corp., Jubilee Carolina LLC, KCDE 2012 LLC, KCDE 2013 LLC, KCDE-2 LLC, KCDE-3 LLC, KCDE-4 LLC, KCDE-5 LLC, KGO LLC, KPF LLC, KPS LLC, KRGP LLC, KRLP Inc., KV Anderson LLC, Kee Trans Inc., Kessel FP, Kiosk Medicine Kentucky LLC, Kirkpatrick West Retail LLC, Kroger Community Development Entity LLC, Kroger Dedicated Logistics Co., Kroger Fulfillment Network LLC, Kroger G.O. 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Georgia Public Broadcasting and the Atlanta History Center have partnered to produce the gripping new documentary When Georgia Howled: Sherman on the March, premiering Thursday, September 10 at 8 p.m. on GPB Television. The program is the companion documentary to their Emmy-winning collaboration "37 Weeks: Sherman on the March, a series of 90-second segments that premiered in April 2014 and commemorated the 150th anniversary of Shermans 1864 march into Georgia. IT WAS 37 WEEKS THAT WOULD DETERMINE THE FATE OF A NATION. "The View" is a juried exhibition for Ohio artists working in landscape or land imagery, environmental themes, and world issues. Entries must be original works in any media (2-D or 3-D), completed within the last four years. Jurying will be done from digital images. Jurors Awards total $1,100. Work previously exhibited at Rosewood is not eligible. Completed entries (entry form, digital images, and non-refundable entry fee of $20 for up to 3 works), will be accepted via https://www.callforentry.org/ (search 'Rosewood') through May 26, 2022. The exhibit runs from June 27 through July 29, 2022. Both the exhibition and reception are free and open to the public. Information and a link to the online entry can be found on our website: playkettering.org/gallery. Artist Reception Saturday, July 2, Noon-2:00pm. For more information call (937) 296-0294 or visit our website. Honda has launched the 2019 Civic in India. Available in three variants - V, VX and ZX - it is priced between Rs 17.70 lakh to 22.30 lakh (ex-showroom pan-India). For the first time in India, the Civic is available with both petrol and diesel engine options. However, while the petrol engine is available with a CVT only, the diesel can only be had with a 6-speed MT. Now, let us find out which variant and engine combination suits your budget and needs the best. Colour Options: Radiant Red Metallic Platinum White Pearl Modern Silver Metallic Golden Brown Metallic Lunar Silver Metallic Standard Safety Features: Four airbags Vehicle stability assist Agile handling assist Hill start assist ISOFIX child seat anchors Front seatbelt reminder ABS with EBD Electronic parking brake with auto hold High speed alert Rear parking camera and sensors Front seatbelt pretensioner with load limiter Rear defogger Honda Civic V: Available with petrol-CVT only; logical purchase V CVT Petrol V Diesel Price Rs 17.70 lakh NA Exterior: Halogen projector headlamps with LED DRLs, fog lamps, LED turn indicators on ORVMs, LED tail lamps, 16-inch alloy wheels and sharkfin antenna. Interior: Fabric seat upholstery. Infotainment: 5-inch music system (non touchscreen) with Bluetooth connectivity. Comfort: Steering-mounted controls, paddle shifters (petrol only), smart entry with push-button start, walk away auto lock, remote engine start, all four power windows, remote opening and closing of windows, electrically adjustable and foldable ORVMs, sliding front armrest, tilt and telescopic steering and adjustable front and rear headrest. Verdict: The base variant of the Civic is only available with the petrol-CVT powertrain. This variant covers most your needs (apart from auto-dimming IRVM). Wed recommend the entry-level variant for those looking for a petrol-powered sedan within a budget but doesnt want to skimp on basic features. That said, buyers whore upgrading from a top or even mid-level variant of a compact car like the Honda City or the Hyundai Creta will feel the absence of feel-good features such as a touchscreen infotainment system, an auto dimming IRVM and a power adjustable driver seat. Honda Civic VX: Incremental value doesnt justify the additional equipment; diesel-manual doesnt justify the price difference over petrol-CVT powertrain VX CVT Petrol VX MT Diesel Price Rs 19.20 lakh Rs 20.50 lakh Over V Rs 1.5 lakh NA Safety: Pop up bonnet (diesel only) Interior: Ivory leatherette upholstery, digital instrument cluster and ambient lighting. Infotainment: 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Comfort: Dual zone climate control, auto dimming IRVM, cruise control, auto folding ORVMs, 8-way power adjustable driver seat and multi-view rear parking camera. Verdict: In this variant, the Civic not only covers all your needs but packs some feel-good features as well. It gets a dual-zone climate control, digital instrument cluster, 8-way electrically adjustable drivers seat, a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system and ambient lighting over the V variant. However, these additional features are priced at a premium of Rs 1.5 lakh over the petrol-powered V variant, which is quite pricey in our opinion. However, if its a diesel-powered Civic that you need, this is the sedans entry-level variant. But a price difference of Rs 1.3 lakh between the petrol and diesel powertrain makes the Civic diesel an expensive proposition, especially when you consider that the diesel version does not get the option of an automatic gearbox. Honda Civic ZX: Not interested in the Civic V for the lack of modern-day equipment? Splurge and buy Civic ZX instead. Its priced at a premium but appeals to the heart. ZX CVT Petrol ZX MT Diesel Price 20.99 lakh 22.29 lakh Over VX 1.8 lakh 1.8 lakh Safety: Curtain airbags Exterior: Auto LED headlamps, LED fog lamps, electric sunroof and 17-inch alloy wheels. Comfort: Rain-sensing wipers, Honda Lane Watch camera, remote opening and closing for sunroof. Verdict: The Civic ZX is definitely an upgrade over the VX as far as safety features are concerned. It also feels more premium thanks to additions like a sunroof, LED headlamps and fog lamps, and bigger alloy wheels. It also gets the Honda Lane Watch camera which assists in changing lanes while on the move. The Civic ZX appeals to the heart more than the other two variants. If you are the sort of person who has an emotional connect with your car, then this is definitely the variant to go for. The ZX variant also appeals to those whore buying the Civic not because they want an upgrade in terms of size, but in terms of equipment as well. For all others, the Civic V do the job just fine. Best of all, youll be able to save a substantial amount of money as well. Also Read: 2019 Honda Civic Warranty, Maintenance Details Revealed Disclaimer: This article has not been edited by Deccan Chronicle and is taken from a syndicated feed. Photos: CarDekho. For an additional premium, the warranty can be extended to 5 years/unlimited km. Service intervals are fixed at 1 year or 10,000 km, whichever is earlier. Optional 3-year annual maintenance package brings average maintenance cost to Rs 4,953 and 5,930 for petrol and diesel, respectively. Honda has launched the tenth-gen Civic in India at a starting price for Rs 17.69 lakh (ex-showroom pan-India). While the Civic petrol is available in three variants: V, VX and ZX, the diesel Civic can be had in two variants only VX and ZX. Along with the prices, the carmaker also revealed details about the sedans warranty and maintenance costs. Like other new Honda cars, the new Civic is also available with 3 years/unlimited km warranty as standard. It can be further extended to upto 5 years/unlimited for an additional premium. Along with this, Honda is also offering an optional 3 year annual maintenance package with the Civic, which will bring the average cost of maintenance down to Rs 4,953 for petrol and Rs 5,930 for diesel. However, Honda has not revealed prices of the extended warranty and the annual maintenance package yet. On the other hand, Civics arch-rival, the Skoda Octavia comes with Skoda 4 Year Service Care as standard. It includes standard warranty of upto 4 years/1,00,000km and roadside assistance. Like Honda, Skoda also offers an optional maintenance package with the Octavia. It is valid for 4 year/60,000km (whichever occurs first) and costs Rs 44,444. Recently, Skoda also introduced Skoda Shield Plus. Available at an additional cost, it offers one year of comprehensive insurance, three years of third party insurance and extended warranty with roadside assistance for fifth and sixth year of ownership, taking the total warranty to 6 years/150,000km. Comparing only the standard warranties offered by Honda and Skoda, both have their pros and cons. While for the Civic you can avail the warranty for three without thinking about the distance driven, in the Octavia, you can take advantage of the warranty for four years, however, you will have to keep a check on the kilometres driven. Also Read: 2019 Honda Civic Vs Skoda Octavia Vs Hyundai Elantra Vs Toyota Corolla Altis: Spec Comparison Disclaimer: This article has not been edited by Deccan Chronicle and is taken from a syndicated feed. Photos: CarDekho. The chief minister said the PepsiCo project would catalyse industrial growth in the state. Pathankot/New Delhi: PepsiCo India's bottling partner Varun Beverages has set up a Rs 800 crore facility in Pathankot that is expected to generate 5,000 direct and indirect jobs. The facility, spread over 41 acres allotted by the Punjab Small Industries and Export Corporation, was inaugurated on Friday by Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, according to a release by the state government. The fully backward integrated facility, in which VBL has invested Rs 550 crore, would manufacture the complete range of Tropicana juices, dairy based-products, carbonated beverages and Aquafina water, according to a company filing to the BSE. Trial production at the unit, which will be the first fully backward integrated facility to produce PepsiCo's beverage portfolio items, in the Growth Industrial Centre, Pangoli, has already begun trial production of the products. The chief minister said the PepsiCo project would catalyse industrial growth in the state, according to the government release. Member Parliament Sunil Jakhar said the commitment of the Amarinder government towards industrial development could be gauged from the fact that the Pepsico franchisee project has become operational within 10 months, said the release. The chief minister also announced a Dairy Development Extension Centre to be established in the region by Guru Angad Dev Veterinary Sciences University (GADVASU) to provide the best animal health care services to the dairy farmers, besides improving the breed of milch cattle to enhance the milk quality, it added. PepsiCo India President and Chief Executive Officer Ahmed ElSheikh said: "This new facility will act as a hub to address the growing demand for our well-loved beverage portfolio among consumers in the state and beyond." He added said PepsiCo started its India journey from Punjab over 30 years ago and this latest investment by the PepsiCo ecosystem was a reiteration of its commitment to its India business growth story. Varun Beverages Chairman Ravi Jaipuria said: "The facility is strategically located close to target markets which will reduce time to market and enable optimisation of freight and logistics costs, aiding margin expansion." VBL has been associated with PepsiCo from 1990s and has franchises for various products across 22 states and two Union territories. Varun Beverages Ltd (VBL) applied to Invest Punjab in April 2018 and all requisite clearance related to setting up of projects etc were completed within a period of just 10 months. It also has franchise rights for various PepsiCo products for Nepal, Sri Lanka, Morocco, Zambia and Zimbabwe. New Delhi: The United Kingdom's home secretary has recently referred India's request for extraditing bank-fraud accused Nirav Modi to a court for initiating legal proceedings against the diamantaire, official sources said Saturday. A British daily reported that Modi, accused in the USD 2-billion Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam, is living in a swanky 8-million pound apartment in London's West End and is now involved in a new diamond business. Sources in the Enforcement Directorate (ED) said they had been officially informed about UK Home Secretary Sajid Javid's move to forward the case to a London court about two days back. This move takes the process of extraditing and bringing back Modi to face the law in India to the next stage, the sources said. Soon, they said, a joint team of the ED and the CBI would travel to the UK to apprise the lawyers about the Indian case and evidence against Modi, in a similar fashion that was done in the case of another absconding bank-fraud accused, Vijay Mallya. The ED and the CBI are investigating Modi, his uncle Mehul Choksi and others for alleged money laundering and corruption to perpetrate the alleged scam in the Brady House branch of the PNB in Mumbai that was unearthed last year. Modi, 48, is currently living in a three-bedroom flat occupying half of a floor of the landmark Centre Point tower block, where rent is estimated to cost 17,000 pounds a month, The Telegraph reported. The revelation comes a day after Modi's 30,000 sq ft seaside mansion at Kihim beach in Maharashtra's Raigad district was demolished by authorities using explosives for alleged violation of coastal regulation rules. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also reacted on the issue of Modi's extradition, saying the UK was still considering India's request. India is taking all steps necessary for his extradition, an MEA spokesperson said Saturday. Modi has been charge-sheeted by both the agencies and the ED has also attached his assets worth crores under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Governance is a serious business, and by no means an easy task. In a large, vibrant, and often raucous democracy like ours, the excitement and satisfaction of serving constituents is often tempered by the frustrations, delays, and setbacks one faces while getting things done. This makes it all the more important to retain a sense of humour and take a few moments to laugh. Unfortunately in our politically charged contemporary India, irony or humour seems to be lost. Instead there is always someone or the other waiting to get offended. This right to be offended is a new national characteristic that makes humour unsafe for many to resort to, for fear of attracting lawsuits and worse. With this increasing trend of highly vocal righteous indignation, Indians are fast acquiring a reputation for lacking a sense of humour. In our private lives, most Indians enjoy a good joke. But in public life the political class no longer seems to have the sense to see that a joke, however weak it may be, is a joke. Sadly, issues are created out of comments that deserve nothing more than a grin or smile. On other occasions, comments are completely misunderstood. I can say this somewhat ruefully from personal experience of the needless controversy created by my now infamous cattle class comment, which was unduly blown out of proportion. During the 2009 austerity drive by the Government, a BJP-leaning journalist asked me on Twitter, Tell us Mr Minister, next time you travel to Kerala, will it be cattle class? And I responded using the same expression which in my experience has been commonplace for decades, and is clearly understood throughout the English-speaking world to refer not to the passengers, but to the airlines herding people into economy class like cattle: Yes, I will travel cattle-class in solidarity with all our holy cows! In the days that followed, however, the comment was maliciously taken out of context, made front-page news for days and literally translated into so many Indian languages that by the end most people thought I had called Indian economy travellers cattle! The misinterpretation of that unfortunate attempt at humour is still flung at me several times a day. Consequently, in a country of multiple languages and multiple political agendas, I have learned the wisdom of Shakespeares sage observation that the success of a jest lies in the ear of the hearer, not the tongue of the teller. For politicians, its less important what you intended to say than what people think they heard. Our new culture of offence-taking betrays our own great tradition of humour. Mahatma Gandhi, for instance, enjoyed a chuckle, though his puckish sense of humour has not been inherited by his political heirs. Asked once what he thought of western civilisation, the Mahatma replied, It would be a good idea. Upbraided for going to Buckingham Palace in his loincloth for an audience with the King-Emperor, Gandhi retorted, His Majesty had on enough clothes for the two of us. Among the Mahatmas contemporaries during the national movement, the poet Sarojini Naidu, the nightingale of India, came up with a couple of good cracks: her classic comment about Mahatma Gandhis frugal lifestyle and his army of aides if only he knew how much it costs us to keep him in poverty is one of the great one-liners of the independence struggle. Some also ascribe to her a crack about Sardar Patel: The only culture he knows is agriculture. Today that would cause degrees of offence that one shudders to contemplate. Gandhiji and Sarojini Naidu were perhaps exceptions: the Indian nationalist leaders and the politicians who followed them were in general a pretty humourless lot. I yield to no one in my admiration for the extraordinary intellect of Jawaharlal Nehru, but dig deep into his writings and speeches and you would be hard pressed to come up with a good joke. The best might be the one classic epigram that he uttered. Reacting with undisguised culture-shock to his discovery of America after a trip there in 1949, Nehru said, One should never visit America for the first time. But Nehruji could take a good joke, even when he was the target of it. When Nehru was caricatured by the inimitable R.K. Laxman after the Sino-Indian war in 1962 he did not react as our present rulers are reacting to criticism of their politicisation of the recent flare-up with Pakistan. Instead of being attacked by trolls or hired goons, R.K. Laxman was pleasantly surprised by a phone call from Jawaharlal Nehru. The Prime Minister said to him, Mr Laxman, I so enjoyed your cartoon this morning. Can I have a signed enlarged copy to frame? In 2013 our Parliament erupted in near-unanimous indignation over a 1954 cartoon by Shankar portraying Nehru and Ambedkar. Yet neither man was offended when the cartoon originally appeared, and Nehru went on to give Shankar no less an honour than the Padma Vibhushan, the nations second highest award. His famous line to the often critical cartoonist was Dont spare me, Shankar! In a parliamentary debate on the war with China in 1962, he told Parliament that Aksai Chin, which the Chinese had occupied, was an area where not a blade of grass grows. Thereupon Mahavir Tyagi, a senior Congress MP, pointed to his own bald pate and exclaimed: Not a hair grows on my head. Does it mean that it should be cut off and given to China too? Nehrus daughter, Indira Gandhi, was not much known for her humour, but there are a few examples that reflect well on her wit. She once remarked about Indian businessmen, our private enterprise is usually more private than enterprising. Sharper still was her answer to an American journalist in 1971 about why she had refused to meet with Pakistans General Yahya Khan: You cannot shake hands with a clenched fist. Both these remarks have the merit of provoking thought beyond the immediate reaction to their cleverness. In his shoddy Reminiscences of the Nehru Age, the former secretary to our first prime minister, M.O. Mathai, cited one anecdote that revealed Mrs Gandhis sharp wit. When Nehru and Indira expressed astonishment that Mathai had slept so soundly after the death of his mother, he apparently replied, That shows I have a clear conscience. To which Indiraji retorted, It can also mean that you have none. Natwar Singh told me another story about Indira Gandhis sense of humour. When he left the Indian Foreign Service to enter politics, he wore a Western suit to his swearing-in and said apologetically to the PM, Madam, Ill get some bandh-galas stitched. To which she pointedly replied, In politics, Natwar, youd better grow a thicker skin. Aside from her, the few examples of political humour one can find in post-independence politics come, alas, from the minor political figures. Piloo Mody is often cited for examples like his reaction to Mrs Gandhis charges of being destabilised by foreign intelligence agencies: he promptly pinned an I am a CIA Agent button on his pet poodle. I am sure Mody did better than that in parliamentary repartee, but no memorable examples come to mind. One story I enjoyed features the now-forgotten P. Upendra, a (then) Telugu Desam MP who, when Rajiv Gandhi appeared in the Lok Sabha on his return from yet another foreign trip, ceremoniously began a speech by saying, I would like to welcome the prime minister on one of his rare visits to New Delhi. There is also the sharp-tongued Krishna Menons cutting comment when American arms aid to Pakistan was described as not being directed at India: I am yet to come across a vegetarian tiger. During a debate on the Indian automobile industry, an Opposition member declared, The only part of an Indian car which does not make a noise is the horn. Full marks for wit but not, I believe (given the deafening klaxons that are always an integral part of Indian traffic jams) for accuracy. Indian literature and mythology offer plenty of material for humour, but few have mined them to good effect. When in the early 1970s Karan Singh, as minister for health, proved slow to act during a junior doctors strike in New Delhi, posters went up on the streets asking, Are you Karan or Kumbhakaran [the mythological figure who slept six months a year]? But no MP thought of expressing such an idea in the Lok Sabha. Some of the best-remembered jokes are the most savage ones. When Panampilly Govinda Menon was chief minister of Travancore-Cochin (the forerunner of Kerala state) in the early 1950s, he pointed to the chief ministers chair in the Assembly and told the ambitious leader of the Opposition, T.V. Thomas, For you to sit in this chair you will have to be reborn as a bug. For us to enjoy a good joke in this life, however, we will have to look beyond politics. Today, in these hyper-sensitive times, our humour cupboard is bare. (The author is Congress MP, orator, writer and former UN Under Secretary General) Mumbai: Actor Irrfan Khan was on Saturday spotted by eager paparazzi at the Mumbai airport, his first appearance since he returned to India after undergoing treatment for the neuroendocrine tumour in London. The 52-year-old actor had revealed last year in March that he was suffering from neuroendocrine tumour and has been away from the limelight since then. In photos doing the rounds on social media, Irrfan's face was not completely visible as the actor covered it with a scarf. The actor was donning a pink jacket over a white shirt with a pair of camouflage cargo pants and a hat. Earlier, there were reports that Irrfan is undergoing treatment in the city-based hospital here, but a source close to the actor has denied, saying, "He isn't here for any treatment." It is still unclear when the actor will be returning to work and start shooting for "Hindi Medium 2", a sequel to his 2017 comedy drama. Irrfan, who has has delivered outstanding performances in films such as "Paan Singh Tomar", "Haasil, "Maqbool" and "Piku", has also established himself in the West with movies like "The Namesake", "Life of Pi" and "Jurassic World". Young actor Raj Tarun has landed a great opportunity. Rana Daggubati is looking forward to producing a film with Raj Tarun in the near future. Ranas father, Suresh Babu, has produced many films under his home production label. Rana, too, wants to produce a few films now, in order to encourage budding talent. According to a source, Rana, who was impressed by a story conceptualised by an upcoming director, has decided to produce the film with Raj Tarun. This film is going to be made in Telugu and Hindi. For the Hindi version, however, they will be roping in a Hindi actor, said a source in the know. Rana had declared a while back that he and Akshay Kumar would be jointly producing Telugu and Hindi films. While Rana will be looking over the production of the Telugu version, Akshay Kumar will be in charge of its Hindi version. Raj Tarun On the other hand, Raj Tarun, whose career was on the brink of jeopardy after the failure of his past couple of films, seems to be bouncing back. Other than Rana Daggubatis film, Dil Raju is producing a film with him, and he has two more films in the pipeline. While some participants brought back very specific narratives, others came out with an overview of what they had seen. The storyboards were all interesting: buses going to different parts of the city, people waiting at the boat jetty, an auto ride around Fort Kochi, an elderly couple visiting India for the Biennale. That way, no participant at the comic-making sessions disappointed the teacher. Artist Lokesh Khodkes workshop Where Do People Go Every Day? at the art room explored the possibility of finding stories from ones surroundings and shaping them into comics. At the recently concluded classroom in the Cabral Yard venue of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, Lokesh asked the participants to visit one of the busiest areas nearby and observe its people. The narratives that came through the three-hour exercise were very interesting, explains the post-graduate from the Faculty of Fine Arts at Maharaja Sayajirao University, Baroda. While some participants brought back very specific narratives, others came out with an overview of what they had seen. Fair enough. The idea anyway was to let the participants discover the charm of looking at the mundane and imagining things that can together generate a storyline. Observation is key. For, you can find your story at any place, says the artist, a founding member of Blue Jackal, which is a platform for engaging with and creating visual narratives, comics and picture-books. Pranav Prabhakaran, a participant who is an art graduate from Thiruvananthapuram, created the busy scene of the bus-stop. I did not want to narrow my story to a single person. I tried to capture different people and their conversations at the local bus stop, he says. Like, how every minute a new bus will call out for people to a different destination and my interaction with people during that time. On the contrary, an 11th-grader from Maharashtra chose to essay a couple she saw at a cafe. Eunseo Son of Pune picked an elderly husband and wife as her muse for the story. When I entered the cafe, I first saw a young couple having a nice vacation time. Soon after they left, the place was taken over by an elderly couple who were fighting about every little thing. I noticed that the fights apart, they were remembering their younger days and how they used to enjoy each others company. I got my story. Lokesh had his first foray into comics as a childrens book illustrator. Soon, he fell in love with the mediumone that allows accessibility as a storytelling device, as he notes. Comics arent necessarily about drawing the accurate representation; its about iconography and storytelling. You have to learn how to get your audience to make inferences about the characters. What you show and what you dont show. Substantiating, he says: Its not just what they say. Its not just whats in the written word. Its also about how a characters body language is portrayed. This workshop also aimed at teaching more about it. Thus, each participant created a little sketchbook using A4 sheets and produced a storyboard. Together with the master, they decided the inputs to the narrative, in the process omitting out a few. Some of the participants used the same storyboard, while others changed the scene a little. Together, we worked on the next two days finalising the details and creating a finished product, he says. At the end of the workshop, each story was printed out so as to be showcased at the half-open art room. The idea was to make the participant understand the whole process of comics making, says Lokesh. It does not stop with sketching or putting the text. One must know the process fully, from creating the sketch to scanning it into the computer system to using Photoshop technique for editing to the final print. Alex Dehgan is clearly someone with a penchant for hazardous jobs. Even in the first few pages we find him in postwar Baghdad, he had spent the early part of the century searching for Iraqi scientists who had previously worked on weapons manufacture for Saddam Hussein. Presumably the life-threatening risks entailed in that role were insufficient, because he then allowed himself to be headhunted for fresh challenges in Afghanistan. Not only was the new post more dangerous, even on paper its goals looked to border on madness. Dehgans brief, scripted by the New York Zoological Society and funded by the United States Agency for International Development, was to design and set up from scratch a conservation infrastructure in one of the most mountainous, least accessible countries on Earth. He was tasked with identifying, gazetting and constructing administrative plans for a network of national parks and wildlife reserves in a state where none had previously existed. All of this would have been difficult in a region blighted merely by poverty, debt and corruption. In one that has known nothing but chaos and conflict for 40 years it was mission impossible. For these reasons the reader is half expecting Dehgan to be a camo-wearing, cigar-chewing action figure, in the manner of Arnold Schwarzenegger, but perhaps with binoculars around his neck. In fact he is of Iranian descent, has a doctorate in the ecology of Madagascan lemurs, speaks Farsi and comes across as mildness personified, is adept at inter-agency diplomacy and has the skills of a top bureaucrat. In confirmation his text is peppered throughout with a bewildering array of organisational acronyms, of which I counted 37. Those beginning with the letter I alone the ICS (Iranian Cheetah Society), ISAF (International Security Assistance Force), ISIS (Islamic State in Iraq and Syria) and IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) along with the ubiquitous IEDs (improvised explosive devices) give you a sense of the books capacity for confusion, but also of the rather strange conflation of themes of which it is compounded. Somehow it never quite delivers on the excitement that one might have anticipated from such a cocktail, nor that one is led to expect from the mysterious allure embedded in the title. Truth to tell we encounter no rare and exotic big cats, aside from the snow leopard skins that the author finds for sale in the bazaars of Kabul. Somehow the wild living organisms that he is sent to monitor and protect feature too little altogether for the book to be genuinely satisfying. Deeper and richer descriptions of Afghan landscapes and wildlife might have served as a counterpoint to all the talk of IEDs and ISAF. Unfortunately we only get half of this picture. Yet Dehgan does get into the field, most memorably on a prolonged and treacherous excursion to the Wakhan Corridor. This is that 220-kilometre-long finger of the Hindu Kush sticking out from the countrys eastern border towards Tajikistan, China and Pakistan. The valley is also home to Marco Polo sheep, a remarkable ungulate whose spiralling horns have been known to span 1.9 metres and are the longest of any sheep species on Earth. Unfortunately, while we hear about the creatures, they too remain just out of range of intimate encounter. In fairness they are very shy, because the two communities dwelling in the Wakhan Corridor, the Turkic-speaking Kyrgyz and the ethnically Persian Wakhi have been hunting them for decades. We also learn that after 40 years of continuous chaos and proliferating opium addiction, the inhabitants have the worlds worst infant-mortality rate, more than half of all children dying before the age of five. These are the background social conditions in which the author seeks to establish collective local commitment to protect the sheeps dwindling numbers. At the end of the book we learn that this unlikeliest of goals is achieved with the creation of a reserve that is greater in size than Yellowstone National Park. Captain M.Deepa Commander First officer and Vrinda Nair operate all women crew Air India flight Chennai to New Delhi along with women staff as part of Womens Day celebrations. (Image DC) Chennai: Air India on Friday celebrated International Womens Day by operating two domestic flights between Chennai and Delhi with the all women crew, officials said. Around 14 women employees of the airline were involved in flying the flights, they said. According to sources, the flights A1440 and A1429 were operated by Captain M.Deepa and Captain Vrindha Nair while the cabin crew comprised Shalini, Sagaria, Anjalakshmi, Alice and Virginia. All-women crew flights were operated on Delhi-Chennai and Chennai-Delhi. The flight was flagged off by Air Indias general manager, along with other senior officials at the city on the International Womens Day on Friday. The all women crew Air India flight from Chennai- Delhi had 182 women passengers on board and flight from Delhi -Chennai had 162 women passengers, sources said. Speaking to the media, captain M.Deepa said, I have been flying for 13 years and I had the honour of flying the all women crew. I would like everyone to believe women could do anything, she added An airline official said, approximately 62 women pilots and 181 female cabin crew members were involved in flying more than 50 flights of the company that had only women crew on board on Friday all over India. AP Genco stated that as per the TS power utilities books of account, they were liable to pay Rs 11,728 cr. (Representational Image) Hyderabad: Telangana state Transco and Genco chairman and managing director D. Prabhakar Rao on Friday condemned the statements of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu that the TS power department owes Rs 5,000 cr to his state. He said that for settlement, AP needed to pay TS Rs 2,406 cr Mr Rao described APs decision to move the National Company Law Tribunal over the matter as a plan to take over TS power companies. He said that the TS power department had written eight times to AP, seeking a settlement. We did not get any response. Now AP Genco has approached the NCLT. We are prepared for any step, he said. There is a possibility that there was no proper communication between the AP authorities. I believe that they would not have commented on this if they were aware of the payment situation, Mr Rao said. Mr Rao asked AP officials to settle the payment within 24 hours. AP has to pay Rs 2,406 cr. As they claim that TS has to pay Rs 5,000 cr, we are ready to settle and pay the dues. Apart from the Rs 2,406 cr, AP should also pay another Rs 1,100 cr to TS, he said, adding that AP has to pay TS Rs 5,785 cr and TS Genco has to pay AP Genco Rs 3,379 cr towards power purchase. Adjusting the sum, AP has to pay TS Rs 2,406 cr. Even the rightful share of power from the interstate generators at Machkund and Tungabhadra are not being supplied by AP, though TS discoms have rights under the AP Reorgan-isation Act, Mr Prabha-kar Rao said. Rebutting Mr Rao, AP Genco released an official note saying that his statements were totally false and baseless. AP Genco stated that as per the TS power utilities books of account, they were liable to pay Rs 11,728 cr. The books showed TS Southern Discom dues to AP Genco at Rs 8,274.23 cr. The balance is due from the TS Northern Discom. AP Genco said it had supplied power to the discoms after bifurcation for which they owe Rs 5,732.40 cr towards the sale of power after adjustments. Bengaluru: With temperature crossing 35 degrees Celsius, Bengalureans are now worried about the looming water crisis in the coming days. Several areas in Mahadevapua zone are facing severe water crisis. The residents of Bellandur allege that water tanker owners are now holding them to ransom. Only 55% of water needs are being met. The tankers say that if we do not enter into a deal with them to take specific number of tankers, they would not supply water. Cauvery water supply dwindled in the first week of March. We are short of two tankers and the water tanker operator in my area does not allow other private tanker operator to supply in my area, a resident said on condition of anonymity. Mahadevapura residents have taken to social media to express their outrage. While school board examinations have begun, the water situation seems to have slipped out of governments hands. Jagadish Reddy, a lake warden, said the crisis was predicted a decade ago and if measures are not taken now, 2020 would be a year when tankers would reach only once a week. Water depletion has gone beyond 1,500 ft and every day 70 lakh litres of water is pumped out of ground. While on the other hand the percolation rate stands at a dismal 0.75%. The senseless concretization of the Storm Water Drains (SWD) has brought us to this situation. Moreover, the water we receive is contaminated, he added. As illegal borewells mushroom, the residents wonder whether the BBMP and BWSSB are serious about dealing with the water mafia. Bengaluru: Public Works Minister, H D Revanna was widely panned across parties on Friday for being critical of Sumalatha Ambareesh for deciding to enter politics just six months after the death of her husband, the late actor/politician, M H Ambareesh. Clearly rattled by her adamancy on contesting from Mandya these Lok Sabha polls when the JD(S) is hoping to make it a launch-pad for Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy's son, Nikhil, he observed caustically, "She (Sumalatha) entered politics just six months after her husband passed away." His comment set off a spate of reactions with many demanding he apologise to Ms Sumalatha. But despite being trolled on social media, Mr Revanna refused to apologise, saying, "I have only pointed out what is required by Hindu tradition. Being an actress, she knows how to shed tears when wanted. I didn't mean to hurt her in anyway." The minister contended that Mr Kumaraswamy had been forced to field his son from Mandya after she decided to contest. "Otherwise our party would have fielded an ordinary worker," he claimed. Mr Revanna, added, "when her husband died, Kumaraswamy was there at the hospital till 3 am. I know who are behind this ongoing "Go back Kumaraswamy" online campaign and I will expose them." Strongly reacting to him, Ms Sumalatha said "this shows his culture, I don't want to stoop to his level. It is unfortunate that such a comment has been made on International women's day. I am not interested in courting controversy, I will leave everything to my voters." Karnataka State Natural Disaster Management (KSNDM) Director G.S. Srinivas Reddy told Deccan Chronicle that the increasing temperature was due to the onset of summer and it is a common phenomenon. Bengaluru: The mercury levels in the city have been soaring by the day and the weathermen have forecast that this trend will continue till March end. The city recorded 37 degrees Celsius on Thursday. Karnataka State Natural Disaster Management (KSNDM) Director G.S. Srinivas Reddy told Deccan Chronicle that the increasing temperature was due to the onset of summer and it is a common phenomenon. However, this time due to the absence of moisture in the atmosphere, the heat is being felt. At present the temperature across the state was at least two degrees above normal, he added. However, he pointed out that a low trough has been formed in Tamil Nadu and Kerala region and it may bring rain in the city or it will be partly cloudy in the days to come. Karnataka State Natural Disaster Management has 11 stations across the city to record and monitor the temperature, while Meteorological department has three. On a baggage search, officials found Rs 41 lakh worth gold weighing 1.5 kilograms hidden in their checked-in baggage. (Representational Image) Chennai: A total of Rs 70.5 lakh worth foreign currencies, gold and foreign cigars were seized at the Chennai Airport here on Friday. Five men were arrested and three separate cases of smuggling were registered. Four Chennai residents arrived from Dubai in a private airline on Friday morning. Based on a tip-off, customs officials intercepted them though they attempted to leave via the green-channel, without declaring anything during customs check. On a baggage search, officials found Rs 41 lakh worth gold weighing 1.5 kilograms hidden in their checked-in baggage. The same was seized from them under the Customs Act 1962. A case was registered and all four were arrested. Likewise, the same day, another passenger identified as Jaffer (42), arrived from Dubai in a private flight. The customs intercepted him at the exit of the airport arrival hall on suspicion. On checking his hand luggage, officials found Rs 2.5 lakh worth foreign cigarettes. He was detained and investigations are on. In the third case, one Ibrahim (34), had arrived at Chennai airport to board a flight to Sri Lanka. On suspicion, officials searched his suitcase and found foreign currencies worth Rs 27 lakh in a hidden column. He was arrested and the currency seized under Customs Act 1962. Chennai: A married couple was arrested on Friday in neighbouring Chengalpattu under the Pocso Act, for sexually harassing a four-year-old child. The incident came to light when the child's mother noticed severe bruises and bite marks on her. The child and her parents who are daily wagers, lived in a tent along the roadside on GST road. While the parents were away for work, the child was taken care of by some of the neighbours, who also lived in tents. Recently, the mother also noticed that the child very often looked exhausted and tired. Despite all this, she could not relate it to sexual harassment. When questioned, the child also said nothing, sources added. On Friday, the mother took the child to a doctor to treat the bruises on her body. The doctor who examined the child quickly figured out the issue, and told the mother that her daughter had been sexually abused by someone. The mother immediately rushed to the Chengalpattu police station and lodged a complaint. As police started investigations, they began suspecting a couple identified as Manoharan (58) and wife Chandra (52), who lived nearby. They were arrested and taken for investigations, but they denied involvement in the case. However, the child gave a first-person detailed account of the incident, following which they confessed to the crime. The case was then transferred to the Chengalpattu all-women police station, where the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act was slapped on the accused. They were remanded in judicial custody. According to the district medical office, many of the pipelines of the KWA are age-old and running in close proximity to the drains causing contamination. THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With water-scarcity looming large over the state capital, the District Medical Office (DMO) has tightened surveillance in the district to combat water-borne disease this summer. The issue of water-scarcity remains unresolved in the majority of places with the Kerala Water Authority failing to address the issue. The DMO has given strict instructions to the authorities of KWA and the city corporation to ensure safe and clean drinking water in the water scarce areas including the coastal belt, where water shortage is acute. According to the district medical office, many of the pipelines of the KWA are age-old and running in close proximity to the drains causing contamination. We have raised this issue in the past several years but the issue of water scarcity continues. Every year we hope that the issue will be resolved before next summer. Coastal belt is the worst affected and they are solely depending on the water tankers and store it in open containers , said Preetha P P, Thiruvana-nthapuram District Medical Officer. She said that a permanent solution is the only way to address the issue. An overhead tank or laying pipelines are the safest options to ensure clean drinking water in such areas, she added. The new Kochi city police commissioner S. Surendran gives instructions to women police officials during a surprise visit to the Central station after taking charge. As part of the International Womens Day celebration, women personnel manned the Central station today. (ARUN CHANDRABOSE) Kochi: The Kochi city police will lay a special focus to rein in goons and drug cartels and for this, the network of informers will be strengthened, S. Surendran, who took charge as the city police commissioner, said here on Friday. Strengthening the sources will help gather information quickly, enabling the department to take immediate action, said the commissioner who reached the office with his wife Bindhulekha and daughter Noopura. Besides retired police officers, there are several others who are willing to help the police. Were planning to increase their number and they will be in direct touch with the top officers," he said. Special squads will be formed to trace absconding criminals besides continuous monitoring of history-sheeters, he said. An arrangement will be made to help public lodge their complaints and suggestions directly to the commissioner round the clock. A direction has been given to all police stations to act immediately upon receiving complaints from the common man, he said. The Kochi police will strengthen its cyber investigation activities. All dysfunctional CCTVs will be repaired immediately. A mass drive will be initiated against drug peddlers in the district who drag students into their net. Stringent measures will be initiated against such rackets, Mr Surendran said. An interview and a video with the wanted diamantaire published early Saturday in the British newspaper, revealed that Modi has also started a new diamond business in Soho. (Photo: File) New Delhi/London: Wanted diamond trader Nirav Modi, one of the prime accused in the PNB scam in India, has been tracked down to an 8-million pound apartment in Londons posh locality West End by The Daily Telegraph. An interview and a video with the wanted diamantaire published early Saturday in the British newspaper, revealed that Modi has also started a new diamond business in Soho. The newspaper headlined its piece 'Exclusive: India's most wanted man Nirav Modi - accused of 1.5 billion fraud -living openly in London . The video shows Nirav Modi sporting a handle-bar moustache and wearing an expensive jacket, repeatedly saying no comments to a series of questions put to him by the newspaper's reporter, including whether he has sought asylum in the United Kingdom. Modi is the subject of an extradition request by India, along with an Interpol Red Corner Notice being issued for the PNB scam accused. Modi is the prime accused in the Rs 13,000 crore PNB fraud, along with his uncle Mehul Choksi. Choksi was granted citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda on January 15, 2018, while Modi is in London. Both Modi and Choksi left India in January last year before the PNB scam came out in the public. The duo has not returned to India despite repeated summons from probe agencies and courts. "Modi appears to have adopted a surprisingly nonchalant attitude to his fugitive status, walking his small dog each day between his apartment and the diamond company's office in a townhouse in Soho, just a few hundred yards from his Centre Point home," The Daily Telegraph said. The newspaper, quoting government sources, also reported that Modi has been given a national insurance number - needed to legally work in the UK - and has been operating bank accounts online while being wanted by India. "He has also been in contact with a wealth management company based in west London, which specialises in advice to rich foreigners. It is not clear why the British government has given him a national insurance number and yet has apparently failed to act on the Interpol red notice," The Daily Telegraph said. When confronted by the newspaper, Modi refused to comment if he has been granted political asylum in the United Kingdom or whether he is still trading in diamonds. "Sorry no comment," he said, before walking across the road, dressed in an GBP 10,000 black Ostrich hide jacket. On Friday, the PNB scam accused's bungalow in Alibag at Raigad district in India was demolished by the authorities on orders of the Bombay High Court for violation of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms. Hubballi: Congress president, Rahul Gandhi is all set to begin his party's election campaign in the state for the coming Lok Sabha poll from the BJP's stronghold of Haveri on Saturday. With the BJP having won three consecutive polls from Haveri Lok Sabha constituency since 2004, the Congress is hoping his visit will enthuse the party workers at the grassroots ahead of the parliamentary elections. A mammoth pandal has been erected at the municipal high school ground in Haveri for the rally, which local leaders claim will be attended by over a lakh people. "The Congress will showcase its strength and revive the party base in North Karnataka by holding thius rally in Haveri. Congress president, Rahul Gandhi is projected to be the next Prime Minister and he will send a strong message to the people of the region by flagging off the rally here," said minister Zameer Ahmed. Mr Gandhi had gone on a 4 km padayatra in Ranibennur taluk of Haveri district and interacted with farmers along the route during his visit here when Mr Siddaramaiah was Chief Minister and announced a farm loan waiver and compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the families of those who had committed suicide under burden of their debts. While Congress leader, Saleem Ahmad , who has been defeated in past polls, is hoping to contest for the third time from Haveri, others like D R Patil, brother of Congress leader, H K Patil, and former legislator, Basavaraj Shivannavar are also strong contenders for the ticket, said sources. Minister Zameer Ahmed, who is in charge of Haveri district, is demanding a ticket for his community either from Dharwad or Haveri parliamentary constituency, they add. Rameswaram: As part of the ongoing efforts to replenish the fish stock in the Palk Straits and Gulf of Mannar areas of the Bay of Bengal for the benefit of local fishermen, as many as 11 lakh shrimp hatches were released into the sea, official sources said on Friday. This is the third phase of the exercise which the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) at Mandapam has been undertaking through the year. The target of releasing shrimp eggs into the sea for species replication of this small edible fish has been set higher at 30 lakh this year, against last year's 15 lakh. Led by the Ramanathapuram district collector, Mr. Veeraraghava Rao, a team from CMFRI including its principal scientist-in-charge Dr R Jayakumar, scientists Shankar, Johnson, and CMFRI members including Muralidharan and few local fishermen went in a country-made craft and released the shrimp hatches in the sea off Thangachimadam near here, known as 'Villoondi Theertham' sea. The prawn and shrimp hatches are nurtured by the CMFRI at is sophisticated lab in Mandapam for a period of 45 days before they are released into the sea in phases, sources said. Already this year close to 20 lakh shrimp hatches had been released into the sea in the Gulf of Mannar area in Bay of Bengal. The fish seedlings are expected to grow by the time fishermen of Rameswaram begin their next fishing season following the 60-day fishing ban along the East coast observed every year, added sources. Hyderabad: Days after Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthamans picture was spotted in a BJP political advertisement, the Election Commission issued a directive to political parties and candidates on Saturday against using the photographs of defence personnel in their advertisements for Lok Sabha elections. The move came after several social media users pointed out about the BJP featuring defence personnel on its publicity material. A photograph of a hoarding displaying pictures of the IAF pilot as well as senior BJP leaders was circulated on social media and came to the ECs notice. It was not known where the hoarding had been installed. There have been instances of political parties using pictures of martyrs and Army officers in their posters. In one instance, a Delhi BJP leader dressed up like a soldier. In a fresh instruction issued to political parties, the EC referred to its December 2013 letter in which it had called upon all political parties to advise their candidates and leaders to desist from displaying photographs of defence personnel or photographs of functions involving defence personnel in advertisements. The EC told presidents of political parties, The ministry of defence has brought to the notice of the commission that photographs of defence personnel are being used by the political parties, their leaders and candidates in advertisements as part of their election propaganda and requested the commission to issue suitable instruction in this regard. The EC asked political parties not to use photographs of the Chief of the Army Staff or other defence personnel and even photographs of functions of defence forces in any manner in advertisements, propaganda, campaigning or in any other manner in connection with elections. The ECI called upon political parties to advise their candidates and cadre to desist from displaying such material. New Delhi: Maintaining that Indias non-military counter terrorism strike of February 26 on a Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror camp at Balakot in Pakistans KPK province had achieved the intended objective (and) demonstrated (our) firm resolve to take decisive action against cross-border terrorism, India accused Pakistan, on Saturday, of not being serious in any crackdown on terror emanating from the Pakistani soil and of following the same script. The ministry of external affairs (MEA) also said that the Indian Air Force (IAF) MiG-21 Bison fighter aircraft, piloted by Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, had shot down a Pakistan Air Force F-16 on February 27 and that there were eyewitness accounts and electronic evidence to prove it. Wg Cdr Varthamans MiG-21 Bison was itself shot down and he was captured alive after ejecting successfully by the Pakistani Army. He was eventually released the next day. In comments dripping with sarcasm, New Delhi said that if Pakistan claims to be a naya (new) Pakistan with nayi soch, it should show naya action against terrorist groups and terror infrastructure on its soil and end cross border terrorism in support of its claims. India also said it had asked the United States to also examine whether the use of F-16 against India is in accordance with the terms and conditions of sale. MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar, meanwhile, said that Pakistans refusal to provide access to the (Pakistani and global) media to the site of the IAF bombings at Balakot shows they (Pakistan) have plenty to hide and that Islamabads initial bravado has disappeared. In response to a question on the forthcoming talks between India and Pakistan on the Kartarpur Sahib corridor, which will take place on March 14, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said that it was not a resumption of bilateral dialogue, rather it reflected the emotions and sentiments of Indian Sikhs who want easy and smooth access to the Gurudwara located close to the border in Pakistani Punjab. Mangaluru: Warning Pakistan against helping terrorists, Union home minister, Rajnath Singh claimed here on Saturday that India had carried out not two but three counter strikes across the border in the last five years. Mr Singh, who was in Mangaluru to attend a cluster meeting of his party and an intellectuals' meet, however, refused to give details about the third strike. All of you know about the two strikes (retaliation for Uri and Pulwama). I will not reveal the third one, he said. The minister added that the strike at Balakot by the Indian Air Force was a targeted mission based on credible intelligence input. Our fighters, which entered Pakistan border completed their task and returned. We did not do anything to the Pakistan military or to the civilians there, but only targeted their terror units. Pakistan is our neighbour and steps were taken to ensure that the civilians were not hurt. Atalji used to say that in life friends may change, but not neighbours, he said to laughter in the hall. While observing that there was a problem in Jammu and Kashmir due to Pakistan, he contended that every problem had a solution and there would be one for this too. India is dedicated to taking steps against terrorism, he declared. Mr Singh revealed his ministry had sent am advisory to all the states to ensure the safety of Kashmiri students and asked for the people's cooperation to ensure their safety. Kasmiri students may be here too. They are like your children. Ensure their safety, he said. Terming the recent invitation by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to India to its summit as a diplomatic success, he noted that, Despite opposition from Pakistan we were invited for the first time as a guest of honour. Srinagar: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah Friday said the ruling dispensation in the country was creating rifts between various religions and the minorities were feeling "threatened". He was speaking at a function organised in Srinagar to welcome former IPS officer Shafqat Ali Wattali into the party fold. "Unfortunately, in this election, the party that is ruling is creating a rift between various religions that is a tragedy for the country. Muslims feel threatened, minorities feel threatened...that is unfortunate," Mr Abdullah told reporters. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should make it clear that the country does not belong to only "one party or a particular sect of people". Reacting to the Supreme Court's decision to refer the politically sensitive Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute case for mediation, the NC leader said he would not go against the court's decision. "It is fine that both the parties agreed for mediation under the Supreme Court. And we too accept the decision," he said. The Supreme Court on Friday referred the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute case for mediation by a panel headed by former top court judge FMI Kallifulla and gave it eight weeks to complete the process. On the crackdown on separatists and Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir, the former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir said "repressive measures" and jailing people won''t solve any issue. The BJP parliamentary board met in Delhi on Friday to finalise the party's strategy for the Lok Sabha polls. (File Photo) New Delhi: The BJP parliamentary board met in Delhi on Friday to finalise the party's strategy for the Lok Sabha polls with its top leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and president Amit Shah, brainstorming for close to three hours. There was no official statement on what transpired in the meeting. Asked from where PM Modi will contest, sources said that it was already decided that he will fight from Varanasi, the constituency he represents in the current Lok sabha. The party is yet to take a call on whether he will contest from any other seat or not. PM Modi had fought and won from two seats in the 2014 polls. There has been speculation that the party is considering introducing certain criteria, including age bar, for candidates, but there has been no official word on this. A party leader said "winability" will be the key consideration in selecting candidates. Following the meeting, BJP general secretary Bhupendra Yadav announced a tie-up with All Jharkhand Students Union in Jharkhand. The AJSU is already a partner in the BJP-led government in the state. Mr Yadav said the BJP will contest 13 of the 14 Lok Sabha seats in the state and the AJSU one. Chennai: Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Friday expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for announcing that the iconic Chennai Central railway station would be renamed 'Puratchi Thalaivar Dr M.G. Ramachandran Central Railway Station'. In a letter sent to the Prime Minister on Friday, Mr Palaniswami wrote, On behalf of people of Tamil Nadu, I express my heartfelt thanks to you. He said that for the people of Tamil Nadu and to Tamils living across the world, Dr M.G. Ramachandran continued to be an inspirational figure who is always remembered for his qualities of magnanimity, generosity, commanding leadership and determination to fight for the legitimate rights of the states. Dr Ramachandran was a charismatic and popular Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu also remembered nationally and internationally for having launched several innovative welfare programmes which have become model to be emulated throughout the country, Mr Palaniswami said. In view of his birth centenary, the state Cabinet had unanimously resolved on September 9, 2018, to recommend to the Centre to rename the Chennai Central station as 'Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G. Ramachandran Central Railway Station' to honour him. Mr Palaniswami wrote to Mr Modi that his announcement during the public meeting held at Kancheepuram on March 6 regarding the renaming of the station was a great honour and a befitting tribute to the great leader. Bihar Congress leader and party spokesperson Vinod Sharma on Saturday resigned from the party, claiming that he was perturbed over the way his party asked for the proof of IAFs Balakot airstrike. (Photo: ANI) Patna: Bihar Congress leader and party spokesperson Vinod Sharma on Saturday resigned from the party, claiming that he was perturbed over the way his party asked for the proof of IAFs Balakot airstrike. Speaking to ANI, Sharma said: I am resigning from all the posts and the Congress primary membership. I am disappointed over the Congress demand for proof of IAF air strike at JeM terror camp in Pakistan. I am unhappy with this stand of the party. Congress leaders had raised questions over the source of BJP president Amit Shahs claim of 250 terrorists having been killed in the air strike at Balakot. Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge last week had said the BJP leaders should share the information that they have. We should not politicise the air strike. As Rahul Gandhi said, for the national security, we should support each and every action of our armed forces. We should stand united in these situations, he said. But if someone is doing politics and wants to take credit for the action of our armed forces, then this is not good. With Karnataka BJP unit presidents statement, the BJP is exposed now. We should focus on national interest now, Kharge had said. Senior BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa on February 28 had stirred a hornets nest by stating that his party would win at least 22 Lok Sabha seats in the state as a result of the airstrike at Balakot in Pakistans Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on wee hours of February 26. Ghaziabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday lashed out at those seeking clarity on the damage and casualties inflicted by Indian air strikes on a terror camp in Pakistan's Balakot. Saying that such people were "appeasing Pakistan", PM Modi said Islamabad itself had first tweeted about the air strikes and his government did not seek any credit for it. The Indian Air Force strikes followed the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama last month that left 40 Indian soldiers dead. "Is Pakistan stupid to do this (tweet)? The 130 crore people of India are my proof. Please stop appeasing Pakistan," he told a rally in Ghaziabad, on the outskirts of Delhi.Besides opposition parties, family members of two Central Reserve Police Force troopers killed in Pulwama, too have made the kind of calls that the Prime Minister denounced. "Like in our case (Pulwama) we saw someone's hands, someone's limbs, we need to see something from the other side. Someone took responsibility for the bomb attack almost immediately. I am sure the strikes have happened but where have they done it? There should be clear proof. Until there is proof, how can we accept it? Pakistan says there is no damage to them so how can we accept it unless there is proof," Ram Raksha, the sister of Ram Vakeel, a soldier from Uttar Pradesh, said this week. In the state's Shamli, the mother of another soldier Pradeep Kumar also echoed the call for proof. "We saw no one dead. There are no dead bodies on the other side. In fact, there was no confirmed news. We need to see this on TV," Sulelata, in her 80s, said. Most opposition leaders have refrained from openly making such calls but many, including BJP allies, have urged the government to do more to counter international media reports contesting India's claims. But the Prime Minister today dodged those questions and said he was voted to power since the previous government had "done nothing" after the Mumbai terror attack in 2008. "When terrorists killed our 40 soldiers in Pulwama, should Modi also have kept quiet? If I had to behave the way previous governments did, why did the people elect me?" he said. Last month, days after the Pulwama attack, India sent its warplanes to strike a terror camp in Pakistan's Balakot. Pakistan responded by sending fighter jets across the Line of Control to target Indian military installations in Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in the first aerial encounter between the two countries in nearly 50 years Mainly Jem's Birding & Ringing Exploits in the Eastern Province & Ringing Trips to Bahrain Various Tamil organisations across the state took part in a human chain on Saturday seeking early release of seven individuals convicted for their involvement in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. (Photo: ANI) Chennai: Various Tamil organisations across the state took part in a human chain on Saturday seeking early release of seven individuals convicted for their involvement in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Participants across the state sought early release of the seven convicts who have been in jail for 28 years now. After the Supreme Court last year allowed the Tamil Nadu state government to take a decision on the release of the convicts, the state Cabinet passed a resolution recommending the Governor of Tamil Nadu Banwarilal Purohit to release the seven convicts by provoking Article 161 of the Constitution. However, the Governor has not made any decision on the recommendation of the state cabinet so far. On February 23, Nalini Sriharan, a convict, had written a letter to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami appealing to use the current political opportunity to release her and six others. In May 1991, Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by a Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) suicide bomber during an election rally at Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu. India said that Kartarpur Corridor are in no way a resumption of bilateral dialogue with Pakistan. (Photo: File) New Delhi: Making its stand very clear, India on Saturday stated that the impending talks on the Kartarpur Corridor are in no way a resumption of bilateral dialogue with Pakistan. "It (Kartarpur Corridor talks) is not a resumption of any bilateral dialogue. It is related to the emotions and sentiments of Indian citizens of Sikh faith and our decision to meet (Pakistan) reflects our strong commitment to operationalise the Kartarpur Sahib corridor on the occasion of 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev ji and also to meet the long-pending demand of Indian citizens of Sikh faith to have easy and smooth access to the holy gurudwara, Kartarpur Sahib," Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar stated at a media briefing here. "Pakistan had cast some doubts on the meeting, we had never said that the meeting will not be held," he said at Saturday's briefing. "We are happy that the Pakistani delegation is coming for the meeting on March 14." However, Kumar refused to comment on whether an Indian delegation would be visiting Islamabad on March 28, as claimed by Pakistan. Notwithstanding the heightened tensions following the Pulwama terror attack, India and Pakistan will be holding the first meeting to discuss and finalise modalities for the Kartarpur Corridor at the Attari-Wagah on March 14. "India has also proposed that a technical level discussion on the alignment of the corridor be held on the same day on the sidelines of this meeting," the MEA had previously outlined. fter the inauguration, PM held a public address here claiming the progress by the Modi-led BJP government in Uttar Pradesh. (Photo: Twitter/ANI) Noida: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday unveiled various development projects in Greater Noida. After the inauguration, PM held a public address here claiming the progress by the Modi-led BJP government in Uttar Pradesh. Talking about IAFs air strike after Pulwama terrorist attack, he said: They thought that Modi did surgical strike for the first time. Our forces deployed ammunition and other stuff at the border and we went there by air. We were silent after doing this, but Pakistan started crying at 5 am that Modi hit them. Hitting out at those who are raising questions over the IAF strike at Jaish-e-Mohammad terror camp, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that instead of hailing the feat, they were leaders in the country who were busy asking if the strike was carried out in Balakot in Pakistan or Bala Kote along LoC in India. Recognise this Tudke Tudke gang. Pakistan first tweeted that Indian forces had entered their house and killed terrorists. But in our country, there are sirphire (mentally not stable) people, who started saying at 8-9 am, where is Balakot in India or Pakistan, he said while addressing a gathering here. Pakistan was crying. Here in India people started helping them. When Indian forces are saying something, then should there be any suspicion? Those who have Indian blood, love for tricolour flag, and chant Bharat Mata Ki Jai, should there be any suspicion, he asked. Comparing the situation in Uttar Pradesh before BJP-led government came into power in the state, Modi in his speech said, Earlier, Noida was known for various land scams. Today Noida is known for the new development opportunities. Noida is growing as a big hub for Make In India. Uttar Pradesh is changing. "Today India works on ' nayi reeti , nayi neeti '. After Uri attack, India for first time taught terrorists a lesson in the language they understand," he added. Before 2014, there were just two mobile phone manufacturing factories in the country. Today approximately 125 factories are making mobile phones in the country, and out of those 125, many are in Noida, Modi added. Raising the terror attack issue, PM commented, Links of attacks and blasts were connected to Pakistan earlier as well, but what did the previous government do? They just changed the Home Minister. Now you tell me, in such situations should the home minister be changed or the policy? Attacking the UPA-led government, Modi said that there are reports that our forces were ready to avenge 26/11 Mumbai attacks, but they were not allowed to act. Slamming the oppositions' accusation, Modi said, "There is competition among corrupt people to abuse 'chowkidar', they think abusing me will get them votes." Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also attended the inauguration event at Greater Noida. In his speech, he stated that Namumkin ko mumkin banane ka naam hi hai 'Modi' (all the tasks which were impossible for Congress, BSP, and SP have become possible because Modi is there.) PM Modi flagged off Noida City Centre-Noida Electronic City section of Delhi Metro's Blue Line in the satellite city. PM laid the foundation stone of 1320 MW thermal power plant in Khurja, Bulandshahr from Greater Noida. PM also laid a foundation stone for 1320 MW power plant in Buxar, Bihar via video link. Salem/Chennai: Downplaying DMDK leader Premalatha's jibe that the 37 MPs of his party got nothing from the Centre for Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami maintained that the media misinterpreted her statement whereas she had only said the state could have got much more with so many AIADMK members in Parliament if only the party was part of the Government at the Centre. She had said, at her press conference at the DMDK headquarters at Chennai on Friday, that TN could not get 'good projects' from the Centre despite the AIADMK winning 37 out of the 39 seats in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, only because it was not part of the winning combine, the NDA. While this was what she had stated, the media had misinterpreted it, the CM told reporters at Salem on Saturday. Asked if there was deadlock in alliance talks with the DMDK, he said, "Each party has its stand and will pursue that while negotiating alliance for success. There is no impasse (over talks with the DMDK)". However, his senior colleague in the Cabinet, D Jayakumar told reporters in Chennai that Premalatha should not have spoken in such fashion (rebuking the AIADMK MPs) at a time when her party was negotiating poll alli-ance with his party. "But since we have been broug-ht up in the political culture of forget-forgive, we will do so", said the Fisheries Minister. Meanwhile, Electricity Minister P Thangamani told reporters at Namak-kal late Saturday evening that the final picture on the AIADMK alliance would just round the corner. "You will get all the details by tomorrow (Sunday) evening", he said, looking cheerful. Sources said the DMDK has settled for the AIADMK offer of "four seats and nothing more". Irked by the media reports and the state intelligence inputs that the DMDK was negotiating alliance simultaneously with both the DMK and the AIADMK, the ruling party had given Captain's camp to say a "firm yes or no" by the end of Saturday, failing which the offer of four seats would lapse. "The DMDK had no option but to accept the offer since the DMK door is firmly shut and it would be disastrous if Premalatha decides to carry out her boastful claim that her party could even go it alone if a proper deal did not work out with the parties queuing up before Captain's gate", said a source, adding that Kallakurichi, Trichy, Virudhunagar and North Chennai were the seats likely for DMDK. HYDERABAD: Congress president Rahul Gandhi took on Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao alleging that his remote control was in the hands of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Mr Gandhi said that Mr Rao wanted Mr Modi to continue in power, and was extending his complete support to the BJP in Parliament and outside. Mr Gandhi said, Though the Prime Minister is involved in the Rafale scam, Mr Rao did not question him. Mr Rao supported demonetisation though many youth lost jobs due to it. In Parliament too, the TRS support was always there for Narendra Modi. He said that in Telangana state, Mr Rao had a secret deal with Mr Modi and thus his remote control was in the hands of the Prime Minister. HYDERABAD: AICC president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday claimed that the Congress had more patriots when compared to Prime Minister Narendra Modis BJP. He said the Prime Minister was looting the nation in the name of patriotism. Addressing a public meeting at Chevella constituency on Saturday, Mr Gandhi said, Mr Modi was shooting a movie even after the Pulwama attack happened in which 49 CRPF jawans were killed. The person claiming to be a chowkidar is looting the nation under the mask of patriotism. Mr Modi is looting more than Rs 30,000 crore of the Indian Air Force money by giving a contract of making war jets to Ambanis company, which does not have any experience of manufacturing such jets, the AICC president said. Mr Gandhi said that helping fugitive Nirav Modi escape and making people stand in queues in front of banks after demonetisation reflected the patriotism of Mr Modi. Returning to the topic of patriotism after a while, Mr Gandhi mentioned on the Doklam issue. He said, The Prime Minister was shaking hands with the Chinese President in Gujarat when the Chinese military forces were busy occupying Doklam. The Chinese force is still in Doklam and Mr Modi is busy having his tea. Later without any agenda, the Prime Minister visited China and didnt speak a word about Doklam. All these incidents show the patriotism of Mr Modi. Yet, he continues questioning our patriotism every day. The AICC president promised to pass the Womens Reservation Bill in 2019, if the Congress came to power. Women should get reservation in the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, the state Assemblies and the Legislative Councils. We celebrated Womens Day yesterday (Friday) and a BJP MLA has raped a girl in Uttar Pradesh. The silence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is sending a message to BJP leaders that they can get away with anything, he added. In my view, the fundamental aspect about the airstrike at the Jaish training camp at Balakot, is that it signifies a paradigm shift in our security doctrine. In a pre-dawn attack on February 26, 12 of our Mirage-2000 fighter jets crossed the Line of Control (LOC), and used precision-guided SPICE-2000 bombs to hit terrorist targets deep within Pakistan territory. Why do I call this a paradigm shift? Because since 1971 we have never in self-defence crossed the LOC. We did not do it after 28/11. We did not do it even after Kargil, when there was verifiable armed intrusion into our territory by Pakistan. The intruders were on vantage points. To evict them we would have to send to certain death hundreds of our young officers and soldiers. In view of this, our obvious response should have been to cross the LOC, seal it, and starve the intruders by lack of supplies. But we did not do this. Instead our policymakers went about the Chancelleries of the world collecting certificates of good behavior and restraint. This time, post Pulwama, we showed the national resolve, in self-defence, to move from credible deterrence to what is called in military terms compellance, demonstrating to the enemy nation that when provoked beyond a point we are willing to retaliate by entering its territory and taking out its terrorist bases. It seems almost certain that Pakistan was taken by surprise. It must have concluded, that like in the past, India will not go beyond the rhetoric of a "befitting reply". The Balakot attack thus created to use another military term "psychological dislocation" in the enemy camp, and demolished its complacency with regard to India's lack of retaliatory options. This, indeed, is the principal takeaway of Balakot. The controversy about what damage was caused by our airstrike, is entirely irrelevant. The controversy was created in the first place by irresponsible statements by members of the BJP, giving different figures of the numbers of casualties. They were not authorised to do so. The only statement that matters is what was said by the armed forces in their press briefing. Anything else could be said only by an authorised representative of the government on the authority of the Cabinet Committee of Security (CCS). It would be unfortunate if a conscious attempt is made to politicise the Balakot attack. Nitish Kumar made a categorical statement that matters of national security are, by definition, national in nature and not a subject of partisan politics. No politicisation does not mean that no questions can be asked about Balakot or Pulwama. In a democracy, people have the freedom to ask, and the right to know. To conflate any such query or desire mechanically with anti-nationalism is, in fact, politicisation. What needs to be eschewed is seeking votes over the valour and sacrifice of our brave soldiers. In this context, the statement of B.S. Yeddyurappa, BJP leader in Karnataka, wherein he said that as a result of Balakot the BJP would win many more seats in that state, is highly regrettable. Pulwama also is subject to interrogation. Could the attack have been prevented? Was there an intelligence failure? Was their lack of coordination and anticipation? Were standard operating procedures (SOPs) not followed in the movement of large army convoys? Such questions are inevitable in a democracy, and should be welcomed to prevent another attack of this nature from happening. To say that anyone asking such questions is unpatriotic is also politicisation through the instrument of ultra-nationalism. Will Balakot impact voting choices in the coming parliamentary elections? It could, and it may not. If people believe that the current government has shown unprecedented spunk in responding to Pakistan's nexus with terrorism, it will reap benefits as well. If post-Balakot there is a verifiable impact on Pakistan's sponsorship of terrorism, that credit, too, will come to the current ruling party. If, however, terrorism from across the border continues unabated, and cross-border infiltrations claiming the lives of our soldiers and civilians increase, the government and the ruling party will have to accept its downside. The security situation along our borders with Pakistan, and in the Valley, is dynamic. Much can happen between now and the dates of polling. Besides, it is not as if voter choices hinge inflexibly on any one factor. National security is one variable, but a voter is motivated by several others, including local issues, the economic situation, especially with regard to jobs and agrarian distress, party affiliations, and the regional calculus of power. To posit national security as a single polarity against many other variables, would be silly. It is not an either-or situation. The bottomline is that if the ruling party is seen to be competent in containing or responding to the threat from across the border, security issues will have some bearing on voter sentiment. To what extent they will remains to be seen. The task is far more difficult for the Opposition. Nationalism is an electorally inflammable issue. Even if it is not desirable to use it for partisan political gain, the ruling party will seek to benefit from it. The Opposition must devise the fine line between being supportive to national imperatives, and asking the right questions at the right time in the right measure to the ruling party. Its best bet would be to seek accountability from the government, whenever there are good reasons to do so, on the success of the battle against terrorism emanating from across the border. Pulwama was a tragedy. To the extent possible such tragedies must not happen again. Balakot was an action waiting to happen. The decision to implement it must go to the credit of the government. But any attempt to sensationalise it or make it sound as the definitive answer to Pakistans terrorism, as was done with the surgical strike, could be counter-productive. This is the challenge for the ruling party. A scene of the spot after militants attacked a CRPF convoy in Goripora area of Awantipora town in Pulwama district of J&K on Thursday. At least 49 CRPF jawans were killed in the attack. (Photo: PTI) It is cause for gratification that Prime Minister Narendra Modi lost no time in criticising the right-wing elements who attacked two Kashmiri dry fruit sellers in Lucknow earlier this week and sought to revile them as terrorists. The PM could have used stronger language to censure those who beat up Kashmiri-origin Muslims without provocation. He called them sirphirey, or wrong-headed or crazy, which doesn't quite address the gravity of their action, especially in today's political circumstances when all of Kashmir valley is upset and angry. After the Pulwama attack, the Centre took recourse to unusual steps in order to give the impression that it was serious about fighting terrorism. These included preventing the movement of civilian traffic on the state's roads when convoys of military or paramilitary forces were moving (which is a lot of the time), fresh induction of the BSF in the valley after a gap of about a decade-and-a-half, the detention of separatist politicians, and not letting schools open on schedule at the end of winter holidays. At the same time, J&K governor Satya Pal Malik made statements purported to taunt the mainstream political parties in the valley as backers of terrorism, a proposition that is so obviously false. The combined effect of all of this was to drive Kashmiris further into a sense of psychological isolation and alienation, and unhealthy rumours began to do the rounds. The murmurings in the valley were loud enough to make the governor issue a placating statement to quell the disquiet. It was in this situation that Kashmiri students and traders were first attacked in several parts of the country, notably Dehradun in Uttarakhand and Aligarh in UP, both BJP-run states, but were treated with kid gloves by the police. The attacks stopped only after Mr. Modi, at a speech in Tonk in Rajasthan, declared that Indias fight was against terrorism, not against Kashmir or Kashmiris. The attacks might have ceased earlier if the PM had intervened earlier. After the attack on the Kashmiris in Lucknow, however, the PM intervened almost immediately. This has had a salutary effect. The attackers were rounded up by the police on the basis of video footage quite quickly (possibly on receiving a quiet nudge from New Delhi). This is how it should be. Indians travel to all parts of the country for work or education. The cause of the nations unity suffers when any section is singled out for discrimination or assault on grounds of language, religion or ethnicity (as has happened in Mumbai in the past). We can't let this happen, especially in volatile border regions. If the Centre had taken firm action against the Meghalaya governor Tathagata Roy for calling for the social and economic boycott of Kashmiris, and dismissed him forthwith, it is conceivable that some of the ugliness witnessed later may have been pre-empted. The anti-racist sensitivity on the issue had to be overruled in the face of facts and Londons Asian mayor, Sadiq Khan, endorsed the polices approach to stop and search. (Photo: AFP) Prayers are not heard or answered- Yaaron, mandir or masjidsey khisko The gods have gone deaf with the volume Like persistent sound in a disco. From Shambholic Blessings by Bachchoo Two 17-year-olds, a girl and a boy, were stabbed to death, one in a quiet suburb of London and the other in a rich suburb of Manchester. The stabbings bring the number of such fatalities to approximately 300 in the last year. Though criminal murder persists in most countries, in Britain today, this teen-on-teen murder is viewed as an epidemic and even a national emergency. The chief of Londons Metropolitan Police, Cressida Dick, says the cuts in the police force make it impossible to combat it and now the defence secretary, Gavin Williamson, says the Army can be deployed to assist the police. It takes a feat of imagination to envisage what the Army can do, but since the British State says the Army is available, we wait to see how soldiers will be deployed to tackle this civil dilemma. In the case of Jodie Chesney, the murdered girl, the police is looking for two young black men who encountered her sitting with her boyfriend and others at a park in an evening, stabbed her to death and fled. Most of the fatal crimes committed by teenagers and if one counts the shootings as distinct from the stabbings, the numbers more than double are according to the police, gang-related. In turn the existence, formation and criminal activities of the gangs are, as the police say, drug-related. What they mean is the large-scale importers of cocaine to the UK then set up distribution ladders, the lowest rung of which consists of mostly black youth gangs who drive around on scooters to deliver the tiny folded packets to the buyers and get paid for their pains. Naturally, these gangs then fight over custom and territory and shoot or stab each others members. Jodie Chesney was a law-abiding young citizen and had nothing to do with any drug activity. The police cant speculate as to the motive for her killing, but her grandmother did. She said, very plausibly, that the murderer may have been given an initiation task by a gang. Stab and kill a random white person if you want to join us. As for Youssef Makki, the young man who was about to take up a scholarship to study surgery, his stabbing remains a puzzle. It doesnt seem to have any connections with the operations of urban gangs. Police chief Cressida Dick was asked in a radio interview whether the middle-class people who were the consumers of cocaine had blood on their hands. She said one could put it that way. Perhaps the rich suburb in which Youssef lived harbours some complicated scheme which connects the white powder to the reddened knife. Kya pathha? Though I live in a borough of London with one of the highest knife-crime statistics in the country, I have not knowingly been in the vicinity of a stabbing. Very often, one or other street of our borough is cordoned off by police cars and tapes but as is correct, the cops at the barriers refuse to say whats going on. The closest I have been to a stabbing was not in London but in my hometown of Pune. As teenagers, my friends and I would join the Muharram processions of the Muslim community which circulated the taboots or tazias around the town with drumming and dancing crowds accompanying them to the Mulla-Muthha river to be drowned at dawn. On one occasion in the dead of night, the procession stopped. A man had been stabbed a few feet from where my friends and I, in a celebratory mood, were. The by-standers, in a panic, communicated the fact that boxer Thomas, a well -known Goan Christian, had been stabbed in the abdomen and was lying, dying in the middle of the road with his guts and his undigested dinner spilt onto the tarmac. There were relayed and rumoured details which we gruesomely absorbed, but which I shall, gentle reader, spare you. The police arrested one Akbar Rampuria for the murder. His motive was an honour killing because boxer Thomas had seduced Akbars Muslim sister and abandoned her. Akbar was tried for murder, the mode of which became a topic of conversation. The way the knife went into the lower abdomen and was pulled sharply upward to penetrate it upto the divide of the ribs acquired the attributive name of a Rampuri ghao or stroke. But enough of this indulgent descriptive memory. The British authorities have long pondered the causes and preventive measures to tackle this sort of knife crime. The statistics indicated very heavily that the stabbings were preponderantly by black youths on black youths. The anti-racist sensitivity on the issue had to be overruled in the face of facts and Londons Asian mayor, Sadiq Khan, endorsed the polices approach to stop and search. This operation targeted black youths on their innocent strolls and in the majority of cases no knives were found, but on balance the police practice was condoned because some knives were. All manner of sociological explanations are forwarded single mothers, neglected boys looking for membership of a gang as a substitute for belonging to a family and other plausible but ineffectual truths. Now a former police commissioner has said the only solution is to put 20,000 more police onto the streets of Britains cities and to target, with every resource available, the wholesale importers of cocaine. Stopping supply at the source will kill the killing gangs business. Easier said than done. The alternative now being seriously suggested is to legalise cannabis and cocaine. Capitalism versus Crime as in the abolition of prohibition in the US and India. This will certainly affect the bad behaviour and the health of a minority, but it will eliminate the raison detre of the knifing gangs. Amid duty-free shops at Bangkoks newer airport, you will come across a stunning installation that might seem resoundingly familiar. Fantastical figures tug at a serpent coiled around a mountain, on top of which stands a four-armed deity. It depicts a legend most Indians have grown up with samudra manthan, the churning of the oceans to obtain the nectar of immortality. Speakers of many Indian languages might have heard the name of the airport as well Suvarnabhoomi, land of gold. So how did an episode from ancient Hindu epics make its way to Bangkok? Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Photographed by James Wheeler; (right) Besakih in Bali. Photographed by Anna and Michal (Photo credit: Flickr) About 3,000 km to the southeast, the Besakih temple complex sprawls across Gunung Agung, Balis highest peak. It features shrines dedicated to the Hindu trinity Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva and tiered towers depicting Mount Meru, the centre of the universe. But Besakih and the statue at Suvarnabhhoomi are not anomalies; rather, they are the norm. Across Southeast Asia, there are hundreds of temples that bear witness to Indias impact on the region. In fact, the largest Hindu temple in the world was built not in India, but in Cambodia Angkor Wat. While the South Asian origin of Buddhism is common knowledge, the diverse influences of India on Southeast Asian societies is not as well known. This remarkable cultural infusion is usually traced back to the 1st Century CE, when maritime trade flourished. Goods moved both east and west in a vast inter-continental trading network that spanned from the Roman Empire in Europe to the Han Dynasty in China. The long sea routes required multiple stopovers, many of which were located in Southeast Asia. Along with spices, jewels, textiles and sandalwood, Indian traders brought along their religious and cultural concepts, which took roots across the region. This phenomenon, termed as the Indianisation of Southeast Asia, is unprecedented as ideas spread across civilisations largely through peaceful means. There is no evidence of colonialism or extensive conquests by Indian kingdoms in the region. However, in 1025 CE, the Chola king, Rajendra I, sent naval fleets to attack Srivijaya (in present-day Indonesia). While the reasons and outcomes of the war are debated by historians, the strong links between the two regions continued as before. Interestingly, the Cholas were the only Indian empire who ventured overseas to invade foreign territories. Today, the impact of Indian culture is visible all the way from Myanmar to the Philippines. Many southeast Asian scripts, like Khmer and Kawi (Old Javanese), are directly or vicariously based on the Tamil script common during the reign of the Pallava Dynasty. Indonesias national carrier is named after Garuda, the vehicle of Lord Vishnu. Along with Hinduism, the four-fold caste system persists in Bali and inter-caste marriage can still raise hackles. Tagalog, one of the many languages of the Philippines, has loan words from Sanskrit such as mukha (face) and sakshi (witness) as well as Tamil. Imagine Ravana asking for a boon from Allah! That is one of the plot points of Hikayat Seri Rama, a Malaysian adaption of Valmikis text. In the Indian version, writes Azly Rahman in an essay in Malaysia Today, Lord Brahma, the creator, is presented as the one approaching King Ravana. In the Malay version, there was a middle man who dealt with what Ravanas wishing for, the prophet Adam, first man on Earth His (Ravanas) wish could not possibly be channelled directly to Allah, rather, the prophet Adam was asked to present his wish. As in Malaysia, there are multiple adaptations of the Ramayana in Thailand (Ramakien), Cambodia (Ramakerti), Laos (Pha Lak Pha Lam) and Indonesia (Kakawin Ramayana). Till today, children in Thailand are taught the story of Rama in schools. A popular tourist destination in the country is Ayutthaya, about 80 km north of Bangkok. The name might seem familiar because it derives from Ayodhya, the kingdom of Rama. In fact, all emperors of the Chakri dynasty, which has been in power since the 18th century, adopted the name Rama. Knowledge of the Ramayana in Southeast Asia can be traced back to the 5th Century in stone inscriptions from Funan, the first Hindu kingdom in mainland Southeast Asia, writes Jana Igunma in a blog on the British Library website. New versions of the epic were written in poetry and prose and as dramas Most of these versions change parts of the story significantly to reflect the different natural environments, customs and cultures. It is for this reason that Agni, the god of fire, is portrayed riding a rhinoceros to Sitas swayamvara in Ramakerti. The Cambodian-origin linguist Saveros Pou points out that in Indian traditions, Agnis mount is usually the ram, an animal which did not belong to the Khmer environment and culture. The characters of Ramakien are remarkably different from the ones in Valmikis version. Thai audiences are more fond of Hanuman than of Rama, explains A.K. Ramanujan in his paper Three Hundred Ramayanas: Five Examples and Three Thoughts on Translation. Neither celibate nor devout, as in the Hindu Ramayanas, here Hanuman is quite a ladies man, who doesnt at all mind looking into the bedrooms of Lanka and doesnt consider seeing another mans sleeping wife anything immoral, as Valmikis or Kampans Hanuman does. Ramanujan specifies that the characters in the Thai retelling are a fallible, human mixture of good and evil. As Southeast Asian polities came under the influence of Buddhism, Rama came to be seen as a bodhisattva. The beginning of the Kakawin Ramayana is akin to Valmikis text, but the second half diverges significantly. Semar, a wise jester and an indigenous Javan deity, makes an appearance along with his three sons Gareng, Patruk and Bagong. His name is thought to have been derived from the Javanese word samar (obscure) and he is regarded as the brother of Shiva. Semar figures during comic interludes or as a companion to characters in the Javan retellings of both the Ramayana and Mahabharata. He is quite similar to the vidushaka (court jester) of Sanskrit dramas. Today, visitors to Indonesia can see Semar in Wayang, a form of puppet theatre. There are puppets of the Pandawas (Pandavas), Kresna (Krishna) and Sinta (Sita) too. However, most of these differ strikingly from the Indian depictions of the characters. Most notably, many of them sport a headdress that curves in an upward spiral and features the face of a bird on the back. The art form bears a striking resemblance to Tholu Bommalata, the traditional shadow puppet theatre of Andhra Pradesh. While there are numerous hypotheses regarding the origin of Wayang, some surmise that it is of Indian provenance. Even after the establishment of the first Islamic kingdom in Southeast Asia in the 13th Century and the subsequent colonisation of many dominions by the Europeans, elements of Indian culture remained pervasive. Besides, the religious influence of India is not limited to just Hinduism and Buddhism. Islamic scholars from Gujarat, such as Nuruddin ar-Raniri and Shaikh Muhammad Jailani, were instrumental in propagating Sufism in the Malay Archipelago in the 17th Century. Like Hinduism and Buddhism many centuries before, Islam also syncretised with the local customs, beliefs and practices in various parts of the region. In the 19th Century, the British transported indentured labourers from India to work on plantations in their Southeast Asian colonies as well as convicts and clerical staff. Many wealthy merchants also moved to centres of commerce, such as Singapore. Today, there are vibrant Indian communities, mostly of Tamil descent, in Malaysia and Singapore as well as Little India enclaves in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Johor Bahru, Melaka City and Singapore. Most of the Hindu temples in Malaysia, such as Sri Mahamariamman Temple and the Murugan shrine in Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur, were built in the past 200 years. Today, as some nations become more inward-looking, borders turn exclusionary and migration is seen as an issue to be resolved, India and Southeast Asias unique connection is instructive. When two cultures interact, the relationship does not necessarily have to be adversarial there can be remarkable cultural exchange, synthesis and efflorescence as well. Prosecutors said OneCoin, which still operates, claimed to have more than 3 million members, who would receive commissions for recruiting new members to buy cryptocurrency packages. US authorities on Friday announced criminal charges against the alleged leaders of an multibillion-dollar pyramid scheme involving the sale of a fraudulent cryptocurrency, OneCoin. Konstantin Ignatov, who runs OneCoin Ltd, and his older sister Ruja Ignatova, who co-founded OneCoin and is known as Cryptoqueen, were accused of swindling investors coveting big returns and low risk, in a scheme conceived as a fraud. Prosecutors said OneCoin, which still operates, claimed to have more than 3 million members, who would receive commissions for recruiting new members to buy cryptocurrency packages. Much of the USD 1.2 billion of investor money located so far was laundered through at least 21 countries, prosecutors said. OneCoin records, meanwhile, show profit of 2.23 billion euros (USUSD 2.51 billion) on sales of 3.35 billion euros (USUSD 3.77 billion) in the two years ended Sept. 2016, they added. The defendants created a multibillion-dollar cryptocurrency company based completely on lies and deceit, US Attorney Geoffrey Berman in Manhattan said in a statement. Investors were victimized while the defendants got rich. Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance added: These defendants executed an old-school pyramid scheme on a new-school platform. Ignatov, 33, of Sofia, Bulgaria, was charged with wire fraud conspiracy, and detained after being arrested on Wednesday at Los Angeles International Airport. Ignatova, 38, also of Sofia, was charged with wire fraud, securities fraud and conspiracy. She has been at large since disappearing in Oct. 2017. Lawyers for the siblings could not immediately be located. According to court papers, the defendants misled investors into believing OneCoins value was determined by supply and demand, when it was actually determined internally, and that OneCoins were mined using company servers. The papers also include quotations suggesting the defendants knew OneCoin was a fraud. Ignatova was quoted as telling a co-founder that I cheat currently on coins, and that one possible exit strategy was to take the money and run and blame someone else. Ignatov, meanwhile, allegedly told a OneCoin member recently in Las Vegas: If you are here to cash out leave this room now because you dont understand what this project is about. Another defendant, Mark Scott, 50, of Coral Gables, Florida, pleaded not guilty last September to conspiring to launder more than USD 400 million for OneCoin. Scott is a former partner at the law firm Locke Lord. Unequivocally, Mr. Scott maintains his complete and utter innocence, his lawyer David Garvin said on Friday. His conduct is consistent with the normal, proper duties of a lawyer. The case is US v. Scott et al, US District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 17-cr-00630. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. Washington: US President Donald Trump will host his Brazilian counterpart Jair Bolsonaro on March 19, the White House has said, the first meeting between the two rightwing leaders who have lavished praise on each other. The visit was announced by Brazil's foreign ministry last month but a firm date had not been finalized. Bolsonaro, who entered office in January, has vowed to forge close ties with Washington after over a decade of leftist rule in Brazil, and has been dubbed "South America's Trump." "President Trump and President Bolsonaro will discuss how to build a more prosperous, secure, and democratic Western Hemisphere," the White House said on Friday. "The leaders of the Hemisphere's two largest economies will also discuss opportunities for defense cooperation, pro-growth trade policies, combatting transnational crime, and restoring democracy in Venezuela. "Finally, they will talk about the major role that the United States and Brazil are playing in the effort to provide humanitarian assistance to Venezuela." Bolsonaro and Trump both favor regime change in Venezuela, and are harsh critics of the Cuban and Nicaraguan governments. Like Trump, Bolsonaro is a climate change sceptic, whose pro-business agenda and appointment of a like-minded right-winger as environment minister have done nothing to ease concerns about deforestation in the Amazon. The debate comes amid a rise in anti-Semitic incidents across the United States. (Photo:AP) Washington: US President Donald Trump blasted Democrats as "anti-Israel" and "anti-Jewish" Friday after they passed a congressional measure opposing hate speech in general instead of specifically condemning alleged anti-Semitic comments by a Muslim congresswoman. The remarks by the Republican leader follow days of tense debates in Congress addressing sensitive questions about national allegiance, age-old discriminatory tropes aimed at Jews, and accusations of show votes that failed to call out a member for controversial comments. "I thought yesterday's vote by the House was disgraceful," Trump told reporters at the White House. The resolution was originally intended to deliver a direct rebuke of anti-Semitism following controversial comments by a Muslim Democratic congresswoman, Ilhan Omar, that were deemed anti-Semitic and offensive by many colleagues. But after blowback from progressives, it was revised to more broadly condemn discrimination against Muslims and other minorities as well. Trump seized on the shift, and the tensions among Democrats. "The Democrats have become an anti-Israel party and anti-Jewish party," he said. The issue has caused a deep rift. Some Democrats wanted to include language condemning other forms of bigotry, and expressed concerns about singling out Omar. The resolution, which made no mention of Omar, ultimately passed 407 to 23. Republicans who voted against it complained it had been watered down. The debate made clear that Democrats' growing diversity in Congress -- in ethnicity, religion, gender, age and ideology -- has created new challenges for the party. Among those is policy about Israel. Omar had sparked fiery debate with her repeated criticisms of Israel and how a powerful pro-Israel lobby in Washington exerts influence on US politicians. "I am told everyday that I am anti-American if I am not pro-Israel. I find that to be problematic and I am not alone," Omar tweeted. "Our nation is having a difficult conversation." But Democrats insisted Trump was out of bounds to suggest their party was anti-Jewish. "As illustrated by history and yesterday's overwhelming vote to condemn anti-Semitism, there is strong support for Israel and the Jewish faith among Democrats," Congresswoman Elaine Luria, a military veteran who is Jewish, told AFP. There are currently 35 Jewish members of the US House and Senate, according to the non-partisan American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise. Only two of them are Republican. The debate comes amid a rise in anti-Semitic incidents across the United States. The Anti-Defamation League reported a 58 percent increase in such incidents between 2016 and 2017. In October, a gunman killed 11 worshippers at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, in the deadliest attack ever on Jews in America. Trump proclaims himself as Israel's closest ally. He proudly moved the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, and has forged a close alliance with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. But he and other Republicans have also courted controversy with the Jewish community, and have been accused of trafficking in dangerous, age-old tropes about money that anti-Semites have used to attack Jews for centuries. Speaking to the Republican Jewish Coalition in 2015 during his presidential campaign, Trump said "you're not going to support me because I don't want your money." "But that's okay," he went on. "You want to control your own politician." Trump drew outrage in 2016 with a tweet showing his rival Hillary Clinton and a Star of David -- with words accusing her of being "corrupt" -- superimposed over a blanket of USD 100 bills. And his final main campaign ad before the 2016 election contained alarming messaging, with images of prominent financial figures George Soros and Janet Yellen, both Jewish, as Trump speaks of "those who control the levers of power in Washington." As president, Trump sparked a firestorm by saying there were "very fine people on both sides" at a white nationalist rally in 2017 in Charlottesville, where demonstrators chanted "Jews will not replace us." The Indian High Commissioner will also engage on urgent issues not only with Pakistan but with diplomats of other countries in Islamabad. (Photo: Facebook | Ajay Bisaria) Islamabad: Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Ajay Bisaria reached Islamabad on Saturday and will resume office soon, sources told ANI. Bisaria, who had been recalled to New Delhi for consultations last month following the Pulwama terror attack, will articulate India's expectations from Pakistan with emphasis and more directly, sources added. The Indian High Commissioner will also engage on urgent issues not only with Pakistan but with diplomats of other countries in Islamabad. Bisaria who had been recalled to New Delhi last month returned to Islamabad upon the completion of consultations in India. Meanwhile, Pakistan's High Commissioner to India, Sohail Mahmood, is also expected to reach New Delhi on Saturday. Pakistan too had recalled Mahmood to Islamabad for consultations on February 18. Tensions have been high between the two neighbours following the Pulwama attack for which Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed claimed responsibility. Vice President Naidu, who became the first Indian on Friday to receive an honorary doctorate by the University of Peace founded by the United Nations. (Photo:PTI) San Jose: Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu has met President of Costa Rica Carlos Alvarado Quesada and held "fruitful" discussions on a range of issues, including cross border terrorism, and new areas of collaboration that hold potential to boost the bilateral ties. Vice President Naidu, who became the first Indian on Friday to receive an honorary doctorate by the University of Peace founded by the United Nations, also invited the Costa Rican companies to invest in India and benefit from high returns. "President of Costa Rica Carlos Quesada and I have had fruitful and cordial exchanges covering a range of areas of mutual interest. Based on our fruitful exchanges, we are confident that our mutual efforts will open up new and innovative vistas for deepening ongoing engagement between both countries," Naidu said. "India is a peace loving country but has been a target of terrorism from across our border for the last few decades. We discussed in detail the menace of terrorism and the need to fight in one voice against individuals & terrorist groups engaged in terrorist activities," the Vice President's office said in a tweet. Naidu, who met president Quesada at the Casa Presidenical in San Jose on Friday, said there were many new areas of cooperation for the two countries to take their bilateral relations to new heights. He said the Costa Rican strengths that India would want to take advantage of include eco tourism, clean transport, education and to have zero carbon emission economy by 2021. "Indian strengths that Costa Rica can benefit from include space and biotechnology, Renewable Energy including solar, pharmaceuticals, ICT particularly eGovernance, hydroelectric generators and power plant equipment, farm machinery & skill upgradation, railway construction," Naidu said. "Costa Rica is the largest economy in Central America. Costa Rican companies are invited to invest in and benefit from the fastest growing large economy. Current bilateral trade volumes between both countries are to the tune of USD 200 million," he said. Terming Costa Rica as an "important partner" of India, Naidu said the two countries shared "close and cordial" ties based on their shared commitment to the pursuit of democracy, pluralism, multiculturalism, freedom of Press and equitable human rights. The two countries also exchanged memorandum of understanding on waiving visa requirements for diplomatic and official passport holders and the signing of the Letter of Intent to collaborate in the field of Biotechnology. "India & Costa Rica could collaborate in various aspects of skill development such as Soft Skills, Entrepreneurship, Financial and Digital Literacy. 50 per cent of Costa Rican population is less than 25 years. We could share our experiences in skilling, training and capacity building," Naidu said. Naidu is in Costa Rica as part of his two-nation trip to Paraguay and the Central American country. The MEA's comments came a day after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said he will not allow Pakistani soil to be used for terror. (Photo:AP) New Delhi: Pakistan will be judged not by words but on basis of the action it takes to dismantle terror infrastructure on its soil, India said Saturday, asserting that its non-military strike on the JeM terrorist training camp in Balakot achieved its desired objective. External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said if Pakistan claims to be a 'naya Pakistan' (New Pakistan) with a 'nayi soch' (new thinking), then it should demonstrate 'naya' action (new action) against terror groups operating with impunity from its soil. The MEA's comments came a day after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said he will not allow Pakistani soil to be used for terror directed at other countries. Khan has been saying that a 'Naya Pakistan' is embarking on a new journey under his leadership. Kumar said Pakistan has been making identical statements after separate terror attacks and now Islamabad will have to take up the concrete action the international community expected it to take and must rein in terror groups operating from its soil. "We remain resolute in our determination to persuade the international community of the necessity of compelling Pakistan to move beyond mere words and to show credible, verifiable and sustained actions. We have and we will continue to act with responsibility and maturity," he said at a media briefing. Kumar said the widespread presence of terrorist camps in Pakistan is public knowledge and repeated requests by India and the international community for Pakistan to take action against such groups has been met with "denial". "In 2004, the then President of Pakistan had made a solemn public commitment that they would not allow any territory under their control to be used for terrorist activity in any manner," he said. "But till today, however, Pakistan has failed to take any credible action against Jaish-e-Mohammed and other terrorist organisations, which continue to operate with impunity from Pakistan," he said, adding Pakistan will be judged not by its words but on the basis of action it takes to dismantle terror infrastructure. Tension between the two nuclear-armed neighbours escalated after the February 14 Pulwama terror attack and subsequent aerial strike by India on a training camp of the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in Balakot on February 26. Pakistan retaliated the strike next day by unsuccessfully attempting to target Indian military installations. The JeM claimed responsibility for the Pulwama attack. "Our non-military counter terrorism strike of February 26 achieved the intended objective. It has demonstrated our firm resolve to take decisive action against cross-border terrorism," Kumar said about Balakot strike. He, however, evaded questions on number of casualties in the strike. Kumar said the fact that Pakistan refused access to journalists from visiting the site of the strike in Balakot meant that they have "plenty to hide". "So the initial bravado that everything is open please come and visit has disappeared. We are absolutely confident that strikes on Balakot has been successful and achieved the desired objectives," he asserted. On Pakistan's retaliatory strike, he said instead of taking action against terrorist groups on its soil, Islamabad chose to escalate through an "act of aggression" by violating Indian airspace and attempting, unsuccessfully, to target military facilities. Kumar also accused Pakistan of propagating a "false narrative" of the events of the day when Pakistani jets unsuccessfully attempted to target Indian military installations. In the aerial combat India had lost a Mig-21 Bison aircraft and its pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was captured by Pakistan. Pakistan claimed it downed two Indian jets, and rejected IAF's assertion that a F-16 aircraft was shot down by it during the dogfight. "Only one aircraft was lost by us. If, as Pakistan claims, they have a video recording of the downing of a second Indian aircraft, why have they not shown it to the international media even after more than one week? "Questions should be asked to them as to where the fuselage of the aircraft is and what has happened to the pilots? As we have already said, there are eyewitness accounts and electronic evidence that Pakistan deployed F-16 aircraft and that one F-16 was shot down by Wing Commander Abhinandan," Kumar said. He said Pakistan should explain why it continues to deny that its F-16 aircraft has been shot down. "We have asked the United States to also examine whether the use of F16 against India is in accordance with the terms and conditions of sale," he added. Kumar said India's armed forces continue to maintain strict vigil and will remain determined in the defence of the nation and its citizens. Hitting out at Pakistan for remaining in a state of denial, he said, "It is regrettable that Pakistan still continues to deny Jaish-e-Mohammed's own claim of taking ownership of the Pulwama attack." The MEA spokesperson referred to the Pakistan foreign minister's interview to BBC on March where he talked about "some confusion" about JeM's claim on the Pulwama attack. "Is Pakistan defending the Jaish-e-Mohammed and acting as its spokesperson? Does Pakistan's claim have any credibility," Kumar asked. He said despite the media interviews by Pakistan's foreign minister and former president Musharraf acknowledging the presence of JeM in Pakistan, the spokesperson of the Pakistan armed forces openly denied the presence of the terror group in the country. American Congressman from California said that Pakistan did the right thing by releasing Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan Varthaman. (File Photo) Washington: An influential US Congressman has warned that Pakistan will continue to slide into international isolation if it does not take actions against terrorist groups operating from its soil. Ami Bera, the Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, also urged China to play a constructive role by lifting its veto over UN Security Council resolution to designate Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar a global terrorist. "The United States' Congress stands ready to support Pakistan should Prime Minister (Imran) Khan begin cracking down on terrorist groups in earnest. This will only help improve his nation's economy," Mr Bera wrote in an op-ed published in News India Times on Friday In his op-ed titled ''Time For Pakistan to Chart a New Course'', the four-time Indian-American Congressman from California said that Pakistan did the right thing by releasing Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan Varthaman. "This de-escalated a dangerous situation but more has to be done. Prime Minister Imran Khan should use this opportunity to reset his country's relationship with the world and chart a new course for Pakistan," he said. This starts with cracking down on the JeM and other terrorist groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba which was responsible for the 2008 Mumbai terror attack, Mr Bera said, adding that unfortunately, Pakistan's behaviour towards these terrorist groups have been contradictory and self-defeating. "Pakistan has banned many of these terrorist groups, including adding two more groups on March 5, but at the same time tolerates them operating within its own borders. This has caused the international community to isolate Pakistan," Mr Bera said. Pakistan says it has taken some initial steps, like detaining 44 suspected terrorists, including the brother of JeM chief Masood Azhar. It is, however, unclear whether this "preventative detention", as Pakistan described it, will lead to criminal prosecutions and justice being served, he said. "Prime Minister (Imran) Khan can help Pakistan earn enormous goodwill by tracking down and bringing to justice Masood Azhar, whom the Pakistani Foreign Minister indicated was alive, with his whereabouts known. They can further that goodwill by dismantling the terrorist networks that operate within Pakistan. "These actions are in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1267. If Imran Khan does not take these steps, I'm afraid Pakistan will continue to slide into international isolation, which will only serve to increase economic hardship on the Pakistani people," the Indian-American Congressman said. "I also call on China to play a constructive role in India and Pakistan relations. A good first step would be for China to cease blocking a UN Security Council resolution designating Masood Azhar a global terrorist," Mr Bera said. His article came days after Pakistan, under immense global pressure after the Pulwama terror attack and India's air strikes against a JeM terrorist camp in Balakot in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on February 26, started taking actions against some of the terrorist outfits and their leaders over the past few days. In Islamabad, the Interior Ministry on Thursday claimed that a total of 121 members of the proscribed terror groups have so far been taken into "preventive detention" across Pakistan. Tensions between India and Pakistan flared up after a suicide bomber of Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed or JeM exploded over 60 kg of RDX near a CRPF bus, killing more than 40 soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district on February 14. India launched a "non-military, pre-emptive" counter-terror operation in Pakistan's Balakot on February 26. The next day, Pakistan Air Force retaliated and downed a MiG-21 fighter jet of the Indian Air Force, while losing an F-16 jet of their own. Pakistan also detained the MiG-21 pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who was handed over to India on Friday. Islamabad: Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan today said no terror group would be allowed to operate on Pakistani soil and carry out attacks abroad, days after his government began a crackdown against terror organisations. "This government will not allow Pakistan's land to be used for any kind of outside terrorism," Imran Khan said while addressing a public rally in southern Pakistan. "We will not allow any terror group to function in our country now," he added. Pakistan began a crackdown against terror groups this week amid growing international pressure in the wake of the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama in which 40 CRPF soldiers were killed. The attack was claimed by Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed. The terror attack led to rising tensions between India and Pakistan. The Indian Air Force struck a Jaish terror training camp in Pakistan's Balakot; Pakistan retaliated the next day by targeting Indian military installations which led to an aerial dogfight between jets of the two nations. The United States, Britain, and many other nations are urging Pakistan to act against anti-India terror groups. Pakistan has a history of using Islamist groups to pursue foreign policy aims in the region, but it has denied India's accusations it actively supports terrorists fighting Indian forces in Jammu and Kashmir. On Monday, Pakistan announced a new crackdown against terrorists and by Thursday, 182 religious schools run by banned groups had been seized, and more than 120 people detained. Pakistani governments have in the past made similar pledges to stop terror attacks being launched from its soil, notably in early 2002, after a raid by Pakistani-based terrorists on Indian parliament brought the two countries to the brink of war. Crackdowns have been launched with fanfare but faded out after a while, with the proscribed groups able to survive and continue their operations. Given the history, India has been sceptical about Pakistan's latest steps to dismantle terror groups, with Indian officials calling the action cosmetic. But Imran Khan said there was a huge desire to build a peaceful and stable Pakistan. "We will not allow any terror group to function in our country now," he said. Pakistani officials say this crackdown is part of a long-planned drive and not a response to Indian anger. About 1000 kgs of explosives were seized by the Special Task Force (STF) of Kolkata Police in north Kolkata in the early hours of Saturday. The explosives were seized from a vehicle coming from Odisha. The driver and helper of the vehicle, both from Odisha have been arrested. According to a senior STF official, the explosives were seized near the Tala Bridge in the Chitpur Police Station area of north Kolkata. Acting on a credible source information, this day (09/03/19) in the night at about 12.20 am, one matador-commercial vehicle was intercepted at the northern slope of Tala bridge in front of 10, B.T. Road(Chitpur P.S) area and recovered about 1000 kgs of explosive substances (potassium nitrate) contained in 27 pieces of gunny bags, the STF official said. He also said that vehicle was heading to North 24 Paraganas district of West Bengal. According to police sources, an investigation is on regarding the potential use of the explosives. A case has been lodged under section 4 and 5 of the Explosive Substances Act. MEDIA- Delaware County Council was joined by members of the Springfield St. Patricks Day Parade Committee, the Grand Marshal of this years parade and students from the McDade-Cara School of Irish Dance to announce March as Irish Heritage Month during the March 6 council meeting. More than 34 million Americans claim Irish ancestry. The early settlers of Pennsylvania included many farmers who came from the green shores of Ireland, and through their hard work and determination helped forge American democracy. Many Delaware County natives can trace their ancestors to those who braved great hardships to travel to the United States from Ireland in the 1840s to escape famine and oppression. March is nationally recognized as Irish Heritage Month, a month to celebrate the rich Irish history and heritage. This year marks the 39th anniversary of the annual Springfield St. Patricks Day Parade, taking place on Saturday, March 16th. This year, Tom Curtis, Sr. was chosen to be the Grand Marshal of the parade. Curtis has been a native of Springfield for the past 48 years, where he raised his family and now enjoys times with his grandchildren. He has served with various charitable organizations such as the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Knights of Columbus Council, St. Francis of Assisi Parish and the Springfield American Legion. He has been spreading and keeping the Irish music culture alive by performing traditional and modern Irish music for the past 40 years, keeping Irish music relevant to the younger generations in our community. Curtis has been playing Irish music at weddings, funerals, private celebrations and parades for decades. This will be his 39th year playing at Dukes Tavern in Springfield on Saint Patricks Day. During the council meeting, students from the McDade-Cara School of Irish Dance performed classic Irish dances. For more than five decades, the school has been dedicated to preserving and enhancing the rich tradition of Irish step and figure dancing for Delaware County and surrounding communities. In 1962, the late Maureen McDade McGrory founded the McDade School of Irish Dance. As the daughter of Jimmy McDade, leader of The All-Ireland Orchestra, McGrory loved the tradition of Irish music and dance. McGrory passed away in 1993 after battling cancer, but her legacy lives on through the many dancers who learned from her, over the thirty years she taught dance. Today, the McDade-Cara School carries on her tradition, believing that instruction in step dancing develops not only the physical abilities of children but also strengthens their self-esteem as they master the progression of dance steps. The school also provides an atmosphere where children and teens build relationships that last a lifetime. Friday nights Giving Hands Gala to benefit Delco Advocacy & Resource programs The Delaware County Advocacy & Resource Organization will hold its signature fundraising event, The 2019 Giving Hands Gala, 7-11 p.m. Friday, March 15 at The Oaks Ballroom, 511 W. Oak Ave., Glenolden. Tickets are $70. The night will include dinner, dancing, a silent auction and raffle baskets. Last year, after almost 42 years of operating as a state-affiliated ARC chapter, the organizations Delaware County group officially ended its affiliation with The Arc of Pennsylvania and became the Delaware County Advocacy & Resource Organization. The mission of the Delaware County Advocacy & Resource Organization is to advocate for inclusive public policy and provide social and recreational opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to assist them in achieving their full potential as individuals, as employees and as members of their communities. Delaware County Advocacy & Resource Organization is a nonprofit dedicated to advocating for and serving Delaware County residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities while providing support to their families. The nonprofit supports individuals with several different diagnoses, including Autism, Down Syndrome and Cerebral Palsy. For more information on Delaware County Advocacy & Resource Center, membership, or to purchase tickets to the signature fundraising event, visit www.delcoadvocacy.org or call 610-544-6600. Schoolhouse Center hosts Caregiver Academy Schoolhouse Center, 600 Swarthmore Ave., Folsom, in partnership with The Caregiver Support Program, will present the Caregiver Academy, a series of free presentations that help to educate, enrich and support caregivers. The presentations begin Thursday, April 4 and run every other Thursday until June 13. Caregivers are welcome and encouraged to bring family members or friends. Topics being presented are age related issues such as driving, vision and hearing changes, medication management, managing incontinence and more; taking the guess out of future planning; developing support systems; memory loss- what is normal; elder abuse; and relaxation techniques. On the final night, a special program with prizes is planned. There are limited spots and everyone must register. The program is open to all ages of adults in the community and not just senior citizens or members of the center. To register, call 610-237-8100. For questions, call Debbie Templeton, program manager, 484-540-0372. Registration underway for 2019 Womenomics Forum Registrations are now being taken for the Womenomics(R) Forum to be held 8:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 30 at the Springhaven Club, Wallingford. The event is sponsored by Delaware County Business and Professional Womens Club and Friends of Delaware County Womens Commission. The Keynote Speakers are Dena Lefkowitz whose topic is Cracking Confidence and Mary Tiernan and Rose Holandez who will present a message from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. There will be breakout sessions for the attendees to participate in smaller groups to identify issues of importance to them and obtain practical innovative solutions. The breakout sessions include The Power of Networking and LinkedIn, Getting Organized, Being you is Enough Aligning Your Higher Self to Achieve Success, How to be a Confident Entrepreneur, Your Fitness and Money Talk, Its Your Business. The program is $10 for students, $20 for members of supporting organizations and Delaware County employees and $25 for all others and guests. Cost includes breakfast. For more information or to register go to womenomics.weebly.com or www.friendsofwc.org or contact Teresa Miller at tmiller@frontrowlaw.com or call 610-566-5035. Registration is due by March 15. UPPER DARBY It wasnt your average assembly at the Upper Darby Performing Arts Center Friday afternoon. As the school day was winding down a DJ blasted hip-hop music throughout the auditorium as hundreds of students settled into their first BumpOut United event, a production by the a non-profit group that goes by the same name, started by Upper Darby alumni Matt Chacko and Zac Pierce to show that pursuing passions can be at risk without the right people and mentors to help them. To BumpOut, according to their brochure, is to break out of the pack; be an individual; boldy do what you love, not just what you are told. Renowned photographer Johnny Nunez and Pastor Harold Burnett of Connection Church Philadelphia motivated students with their own inspiring stories of overcoming their neighborhoods, upbringing and overall hard times. Their words came in between interactive moments of students who danced, sang and rapped their way through the inspiring presentation. Even high school guidance counselor Steve Bell was brought on stage to dance and get the students riled up. But even the most energetic moments of the event could not overshadow the important message the group was delivering about working through your troubles and atmosphere and making all of the right connections to better yourself and others. Having the right glue makes it all possible. Glue holds things together, said Burnett during his impassioned speech that is said to have taken the auditorium to church. Glue stops things from falling apart. Heres the interesting characteristic about glue: when it dries, its unseen. Heres the revelation, its the unseen things that hold you together. He continued: Consistency is a key ingredient in the glue. Do you know what consistency says? It says no matter how many times Ive missed a shot, Im still going to keep shooting Another key ingredient is not only consistency, but perseverance, it is what fuels your consistency, what energizes your ability to keep going. Burnett grew up in North Philadelphia, where he was surrounded by gangs, drugs, violence and teenage pregnancy. These impressionable factors that permeated his environment as he grew up did not mean he had to be a byproduct of it. Im trying to tell you that just because youve been born in it, just because youre surrounded by it, does not mean you have to be a byproduct of it, he said. Nunez also had a close call with falling into the wrong group. After being kicked out of a medical college program he was living out of his car delivering pizzas. One of the persons he delivered to offered him a job to sell cocaine. He passed when he received a sign from God to take up photography, a career that 20 years later has made him one of if not the most prolific photographer to the hip-hop community, shooting Kanye West, Jay Z, Beyonce, Nicki Minaj and even President Barack Obama. The connections Nunez made over the years has allowed him to create networking opportunities that have yielded millions of dollars of investments. If I had to give any inspiration for all of you kids listening to BumpOut, it would be the power of networking, he said. A lot of you all have friends that need things, and friends that have things. I would pride my photography to bring and bridge opportunities. You dont know it, but a lot of you have the relationship thats going to wind up making a lot of your friends rich. Those friends of yours that network with you, theyre going to bring more money to the fold. Money may be a quantitative variable in determining success. For co-founder Zac Pierce, who grew up in the Stonehurst and Bywood sections of the Upper Darby, said acquiring a home with tons of grass is what he strived for in life, and he got it. To get there he tried about 50 other ways to find success before finding his niche in developing an investment brokerage team in the Philadelphia region, and is a co-creator of the tech start-up BumpOut Audio. This event is built to inspire, to engage, and now its about following up and following through, said Pierce. Students will be able to meet with Pierce again on March 14 for an informational session at 3 p.m. at the high school. This will be followed up with six hour-long sessions over six weeks to go over the important lessons of sacrifice and all other inspirational messages the students heard about Friday. Im not going to lie, Zac and I being alumni here, were always told not enough alumni come back to to try to do something, and thats all were trying to do, said co-founder Matt Chacko. Were trying to show these kids that you can leave this community but come back and give back. Were setting the example, and they can set the example in the future. 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Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe WASHINGTON When Virginia first lady Pam Northam handed out raw cotton last month to African-American students on a governor's mansion tour and asked them to imagine being slaves picking the crop, she inspired a whirlwind. What in the world was she thinking? Northam quickly apologized after one of the students' mothers complained, but it was too little too late for some. Although the first lady apparently intended to have the cotton passed around the group of 20 children, most of whom were white, her suggestion to the black students was perceived as, well, insensitive, to say the least. In her defense, Northam said she was only trying to highlight the horrors of slavery, even pointing out how rough and prickly the raw cotton was and how hard it would have been to spend long days harvesting the crop. Northam's office has denied that she singled out anyone and said she merely handed out the cotton to the students who were nearest to her. Four other participants in the tour later told The Washington Post that Northam didn't single out the black students and that nothing untoward happened. The mother of the student who raised the complaint stands by her daughter's recollection of what transpired. It's probably fair to say that Northam was trying to demonstrate and encourage empathy for the slaves. But what about for those present? Tone-deaf is how some critics have described Northam. Others were less charitable. Democratic Delegate Marcia Price, a member of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus, said, "The cotton itself is a symbol of murder, rape, displacement and the radiating effects of the trans-Atlantic slave trade that black Virginians are still experiencing today." This may be true, but let's be fair. It's also a beautiful crop that fills countless Southern fields with snowy balls on stalks, without which our clothing and linens would be far-less comfortable. When people buy cotton stalks at florist shops, you can be sure it's for their beauty and not to celebrate the slave trade. We know, too, that were Pam Northam black, her gesture and her attempted teaching moment would have been perfectly acceptable. It's probably safe to say that her perceived slight also would have been judged less harshly were she not the wife of the moonwalking governor. Together with his recent scandal about a racially offensive photo in an old yearbook and his admission to having worn blackface for a dance competition performance as Michael Jackson the Northams suddenly seemed like an antebellum couple who had stepped into the wrong century. Yet, to many Americans, this is likely much ado. Yes, the Northams seem to be clueless. On the other hand, the governor is being judged for offenses from 35 years ago, excepting that moment last month when he seemed poised to demonstrate his moonwalking prowess for reporters. And, Pam Northam surely meant no harm. But these experiences are among the many in a pluralistic society that should be viewed through a lens of empathy, understanding and compassion. Imagine how those African-American girls felt among mostly white peers when they were given cotton and asked to think about being a slave. Empathy not only allows us to imagine what it's like to be someone else, and to respond appropriately, but also allows us to forgive. Did Pam Northam intend to cause black middle schoolers to suffer the cruelty and humiliation of slavery? Surely not. Did Gov. Northam intend to denigrate African-Americans by wearing black face and imitating a pop star? Perhaps not. He strikes me as someone who probably enjoyed being a clown and grabbing a laugh where he could. But, whoever selected a photo of a person wearing blackface next to a Klansman (in costume) for Northam's personal yearbook page acted intentionally and was surely aware of how such an image would affect fellow African-American students. (Northam maintains that he didn't select the picture and doesn't know who's in it.) We're not yet to the point of running people out of town or office for being insensitive. Obviously. Most likely, the Northams, as well as Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring, who has also admitted to using blackface, will survive their missteps and be forgiven by most. But it wouldn't be a bad thing if the next governor and the next president of the United States, while we're at it knows something about personal suffering, which, in the latter case, shouldn't be confused with a really terrific deal that fell through. A dramatic surge in the number of unauthorized migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border makes it necessary for firm and immediate action to address a problem that transcends the political debate over how best to secure the border against future illegal crossings. It is now a humanitarian crisis that demands an aggressive response one thats not held hostage (by either side) to the political back-and-forth on funding for a border wall. The nations immediate focus should be on the plight of those already at the border, and how the present situation has taken the system to the breaking point, as the head of the Customs and Border Protection agency reports. More than 200,000 undocumented migrants have been detained so far this year. A record number of 50,000 are in physical custody. An unknown number have been released into the country while awaiting a hearing, which could take months or longer. While the judicial components of the system are overwhelmed and incapable of processing applications for asylum or entry under any reasonable time frame, there are insufficient facilities to house the migrants stopped at the border and to address their medical needs. The result is largely one of the countrys own making. The inability over decades to fashion a comprehensive immigration policy has left the U.S. with a hodgepodge of inconsistent and often conflicting regulations, without the allocation of sufficient resources to enforce them. Much of this is the result of the political inability to agree on whether policy should follow a hard line of deterrence or a more compassionate model. As a result, America has neither. In the past, most illegal entries were by single men seeking work, who could be detained and quickly deported. Now, there are large numbers of families fleeing violence and poverty who arrive at the border seeking asylum. The law demands the U.S. address those claims, which now takes months or more. Agents, under the law, cannot detain families for more than 20 days, meaning they are often released. As a result, private entities pick up the slack. A coalition of churches formed along the southern border in Arizona, for instance, welcomes migrants with temporary legal status who can no longer stay in ICE facilities, as Deseret News reporter Tad Walch recently documented. These charitable groups provide immeasurable good, but they, too, are limited by finite resources. Congress should prioritize similar efforts and ensure migrants dont fall into a humanitarian gap. Despite the surge, levels of illegal immigration are not close to historic highs. But the levels of families and children have increased. For those currently at our border, and for the official entities charged with addressing their needs and their status, there is a serious contemporary problem the country cant look away from without ignoring its better nature. We have long favored a compassionate, legal and orderly approach to migration based on the historic reality that the nation in aggregate has seen far more benefit than harm from immigration. Now, lawmakers should set aside the politics of border security and help the countrys own agencies better do their jobs. The past few days have included stories about Michael Cohen's testimony, the future of the Trump presidency and the divide happening within the Democratic Party. Former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort was sentenced to 47 months in prison Tuesday for financial fraud convictions. The crimes were not directly related to Manafort's position as the 2016 Trump campaign chairman, but Trump tweeted about the conviction, saying Manafort's lawyer and the judge in the case "stated loudly and for the world to hear that there was NO COLLUSION with Russia." This comes after Michael Cohen's testimony last week and the ongoing controversy surrounding the Mueller investigation. Hillary Clinton confirmed Monday that she would not be running for president in 2020. She affirmed that she would not be leaving politics, though, and said, "I'm not going anywhere." Division within the Democratic Party is sparking conversation. Democrats worked to pass a measure that condemns anti-Semitism and prejudice against Muslims after Rep. Ilhan Omar made comments that were seen by many to be anti-Semitic. Many are speculating what this will mean for Democratic voters in the 2020 election and the large number of promises and ideas coming from the party. Some Americans are complaining about smaller tax returns this year. Lawmakers explained that the new tax law means workers take home more in each paycheck, and this would result in a smaller return. HERRIMAN Like many people in Utah, Tamara Boyle has emergency food supplies in her basement. Each one of these is 5 gallons of drinking water, she said while pointing to cardboard boxes filled with containers of water. However, it wasnt until the past month when Boyle really started thinking about her emergency supplies. I was just lying in bed and then it happened, she said. I woke my husband up and told him, 'I think we just had an earthquake.' Shes not alone in her thinking. When Herriman posted on its Facebook page asking residents if they had felt the earthquake in February, hundreds responded saying they had. Many said it woke them from a sound sleep. One commenter wrote its a good time for an earthquake preparedness class. Monte Johnson saw those comments and, as Herrimans director of operations, he thought a preparedness class was a great idea. It made me wonder how prepared I was. So we decided to have a class on how to prepare in an emergency, he said. Thats where the Utah-based Disaster Discovery Center, a group specializing in helping people prepare for disasters, comes in. On Thursday night, dozens of Herriman residents attended the class called Rebound in 72. It looks at what to do in the first 72 seconds after a disaster. It teaches people the steps really to take what to do, how to do it, and why were doing it, said Karen Thomas, who is the program manager for the Disaster Discovery Center. If youre in bed, youre going to want to put your pillow over your head. Youre going to want to stay where you are until it finishes shaking, said Thomas. Or if you're in your car, pull over and stay inside the vehicle. The class also looks at what to do 72 minutes, 72 hours and even 72 days after a disaster. Even though the recent earthquakes in the Bluffdale, Herriman and Riverton area havent caused any major damage, it has been enough for many residents to start thinking about preparedness. I think going to things like this can help people feel less scared, Boyle, who attended Thursdays class, said. I think the more you prepare, the less fear you may have. For more information on Rebound in 72, contact the Disaster Discovery Center at 801-553-8117. The Congressional Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives are giving away the 2020 election right before our eyes. President Donald Trump is highly vulnerable because of his personality and questionable stands on some issues. However, the Democrats are spending all of their time investigating him with the apparent goal of impeachment. My column this week may sound very pro-Trump to some, but what Im saying here is what Sen. Harry Reid and other leading Democrats have been saying recently. What is unfolding is the re-election of Donald Trump to another four-year term. Last week Chairman Jerrold Nadler of the House Judiciary Committee issued more than 80 subpoenas to the president, his Cabinet officers and his family. In 1972, I was a young Foreign Service Officer in the State Department and our office was on the receiving end of subpoenas concerning the War Powers Act. The real purpose of these subpoenas was to paralyze the State Department and the Defense Department in pursuing the Vietnam War. It turned out that they were mostly procedural and had very little to do with the substance of the issue at the time. Those subpoenas completely paralyzed our office. In careful compliance we all dug and dug for memos and papers. They had to be meticulously redacted to protect innocent individuals whose names were mentioned by chance. It took days of grudgingly hard work, and failure to fully comply could have resulted in being held in personal contempt of Congress. Most citizens are not yet aware of the onerous job Congress has dumped on the administration. The American people have been hearing about the Mueller investigation for two years, but now the general insiders consensus may well be favorable to President Trump. Even the House Democrats admit that so far, they have come up with no impeachable offense. I would predict that as this year progresses, our citizens will increasingly feel that we should give President Trump a chance to do his job and not have his department spend all their time answering fishing expedition inquiries. We are talking about large truckloads of papers that each department has to produce. The subpoenas seem to have almost nothing to do with current issues such as the deficit reduction, immigration policies, tax reforms or important issues that Congress should be considering. The Trump administration is likewise being paralyzed by these harassing subpoenas and the public is beginning to be aware of it. As the spring and summer progress it will be more and more apparent that critical public decisions are not getting done in either the U.S. House or the White House. The Democrats are overplaying their hand. There is a strong feeling emerging here in Washington and across the country. We should find a way to prosecute our presidents after they leave office and give them a chance to do their job while in office. I think in 2020 we will see a phenomenon of Trump skeptics re-electing him on issues because there is a sympathy swinging to Trump. Some investigations are fine, but this is excessive. The tone of the Democrats running for president all seem to be based on hatred for Trump, but there are some excellent issues I would love to see these Democratic candidates discuss. For example, when President Trump announced his decision to remove troops from Syria, not a single candidate issued a statement, agreeing or disagreeing. None of them issued statements on deficit reductions, such as the unwise Trump tax bill. None of the numerous Democratic presidential candidates seem willing to address specific issues facing our country. Underemployment and low wages are another example. Alternative asylum policies and immigration reforms should be discussed by the candidates if they do not agree with President Trump. My basic point is that Donald Trump could be beaten on issues. He will not be impeached because there is no impeachable offense and its too late to get it done before the next election. Also, Trump will likely benefit from the bias in our national press reporting. I have expressed great disappointment in President Trump, but many national media outlets have really gone overboard in not giving Trump credit for several bipartisan matters that he has worked out. The First Step Act, which is a compassionate reduction on crime sentencing, is a primary example. It is a great accomplishment and Trump should be given credit. Now the Democrats have announced that they will not allow their presidential candidates debate to be aired on Fox News. That is a great mistake. The American people will sense that Fox News, the only somewhat supportive channel of Trump, is being penalized. The national Democrats need to start talking about issues and solutions rather than trying to impeach and harass President Trump. Our nation needs Congress to hold hearings on critical issues. We need to have a presidential campaign of issues. SALT LAKE CITY A bill that calls for revision of the state's required semesterlong financial and economic literacy course for high schoolers to include units on socialism, communism won final passage in the Utah Senate Friday by a vote 21-6. HB286 also drops a unit on online shopping, noted the bill's Senate floor sponsor, Sen. Todd Weiler, R-Woods Cross. "We don't need to teach kids to buy something on Amazon because they're already doing that," Weiler said. "But we do need to, maybe, teach kids about political and economic system that have failed over and over and over again." Sen. Kathleen Reibe, D-Cottonwood Heights, opposed the bill. She served on a yearlong State School Board task force to develop recommendations to improve the state's financial and economic literacy curriculum, and the legislation does not respect that work. "As we've added these three terms, we've altered the whole program," Reibe said. During House debate, the bill's sponsor Rep. Jefferson Moss, R-Saratoga Springs, said it is critical that Utah students have a better understanding of various economic systems. Moss thanked Gov. Gary Herbert "who's been very vocal on this issue." In his State of the State address in January, Herbert said he wants Utah students to better understand free market economics. "When I meet with students, I am impressed by their intelligence and curiosity. But frankly, I have been disturbed by some of the rising generations fascination with socialism," Herbert said. PROVO In the latest update to a yearslong copyright dispute with a group of heavyweight Hollywood studios, video filtering service VidAngel is hanging its hopes on an act of Congress following a series of additional legal setbacks this week. In the meantime, however, the company could be looking at potentially tens of millions in damages following this week's rulings. The most damning action may be a summary judgement issued Wednesday by U.S. District Court Judge Andre Birotte Jr. in favor of the plaintiffs group that includes Disney, Lucasfilm (a subsidiary of Disney), 20th Century Fox and Warner Bros. In his ruling, Birotte wrote that VidAngel is liable for copyright infringement, violated the plaintiffs' public performance rights, dismissed VidAngel's arguments that its filtering service was protected by the 2005 Family Movie Act, and found that the company failed to make a viable argument based on fair use law. "Upon review of the record, the court finds that there are no triable issues of material fact because VidAngel either admitted all of the material facts, or its purported factual disputes are not genuine," Birotte wrote. "In addition, VidAngel cannot avoid the questions of law that this court and the 9th Circuit resolved against it. Thus, plaintiffs are entitled to summary adjudication that VidAngel is liable for copyright infringement and for violating the (Digital Millennium Copyright Act)." In a statement, VidAngel CEO Neal Harmon said his company, which offers a service that filters out content of movies and television shows that may be objectionable to some viewers like nudity, profanity and violence, wasn't done contesting the legality of their business model, in spite of the court's findings. Todays rulings have rendered the 2005 Family Movie Act meaningless, subverting the will of the people as expressed through their elected representatives in Congress," Harmon said. "We are renewing our call for leaders in Washington, D.C., to take decisive action to preserve the right they intended to afford families by passing the Family Movie Act Clarification bill, first introduced last year. "And as we've promised, we intend to fight this battle until the rights of families are secure for the 21st century. Other actions taken by the court this week include dismissal of VidAngel's request to modify an injunction issued by the court the prohibits the company from filtering content created by the plaintiffs. While the current court case is focused on VidAngel's prior practice of de-encrypting DVDs as part of its filtering process, the company switched to a method in 2017 the performs the filtering tasks, as determined by customers, to content from licensed video streaming services like Amazon Prime and Netflix. VidAngel requested the court lift the injunction as it applies to filtering works from the plaintiff studios that are streamed by the licensed services, but the court rejected that request. The argument over the legality of VidAngel's filtering service first surfaced in 2016 and has included multiple rulings by various courts, as well as a bankruptcy filing by the company in the midst of the legal wrangling. June 2016: Plaintiffs' group files complaint against VidAngel, claiming the service is unlawfully reproducing copyrighted works owned by the studios. Plaintiffs claim VidAngel's business model is "cutting out payments to copyright owners" and unlawfully releasing videos before they're available on licensed streaming services. December 2016: A California U.S. District Court judge issues an injunction barring VidAngel from unlicensed streaming of works created by the plaintiff studios. June 2017: The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals affirms the lower courts injunction, denying VidAngel's challenge. June 2017: VidAngel switches business models from ripping, then streaming, filtered DVDs to filtering movies from licensed streaming services. August 2017: VidAngel files lawsuit in Utah federal court, seeking potential declaratory relief. October 2017: VidAngel files for bankruptcy, seeking protection from creditors including, according to filings, its own customers. January 2019: VidAngel seeks a modification to original injunction, allowing the company to filter content from plaintiff studios via licensed streaming services. The court has also ordered VidAngel to make Harmon available to the plaintiff's counsel for a deposition on March 11 and, according to a blog entry posted Friday afternoon by Harmon, a hearing is scheduled on June 11 to make a determination as to damages. Harmon listed the following potential recovery amounts, and noted that just one of the plaintiffs, Disney, says VidAngel illegally accessed some 800 titles. Innocent Infringement: Roughly $200 per title Ordinary Infringement: Between $750 and $30,000 per title Willful Infringement: Between $30,000 and $150,000 damages per title Harmon also mentions VidAngel's unresolved Chapter 11 proceeding, and said he expects a weigh-in from the bankruptcy court following the final determination of damages. SALT LAKE CITY It looks like a west-side split from Salt Lake County won't be happening anytime soon. HB93, born from an undercurrent of frustrations from some elected officials on Salt Lake County's west side, failed on a 29-40 vote in the Utah House of Representatives on Friday. The vote to shoot down the bill came despite the bill sponsor's efforts to represent a constituency that has become fed up with feeling unrepresented by Salt Lake County government. "There is a disenfranchisement that is palpable in parts of my county," said Rep. Kim Coleman, R-West Jordan. There's been no formal call from councils and mayors from cities including Herriman, Riverton, West Jordan and Copperton, but a handful of elected leaders from those communities turned to Coleman to create an option in state code if their cities were to ever want a "divorce" from Salt Lake County. Frustrations with the county come after what elected leaders from the area say have been a variety of issues, including discontent over how money for transportation or other projects has been distributed seemingly to favor the east side. Herriman residents were also outraged when the Salt Lake County Council last year approved the 930-acre, 8,800-unit Olympia Hills development, leading former Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams to veto the project. Some west-side local leaders also opposed a $58 million sales tax hike to pay for transportation projects, but the county enacted the tax after enough city councils mostly on the east side voted to support it. While the bill was spurred by Salt Lake County concerns, some leaders in San Juan County began eyeing the bill after last year's election when the County Commission saw its first Native American majority elected, even though Navajos slightly outnumber white populations in the county. A judge realigned the commission's district lines after finding gerrymandering favored white residents. "This bill has literally been a journey," Coleman said, noting she took a trip to San Juan County to take input for the bill. The bill was confronted with several concerns in an earlier House committee but still passed out favorably. On the House floor, Coleman unveiled a long list of changes she said would address concerns, including requiring a feasibility study for both a new county and the county being left behind before a possible split could go to the ballot. Rep. Patrice Arent, D-Salt Lake City, tried to block the changed bill, protesting sweeping changes on the House floor. "I really reject this process of changing the bill so dramatically on the floor," Arent said. Nonetheless, the House adopted the bill substitute, but it was still met with opposition from some of Coleman's fellow Republicans. Rep. Jeff Stenquist, R-Draper, said a county split would be "very ill-advised" and he wasn't sure that the process laid out in Coleman's bill would be the best approach. "I think the best template for something like this is already in statute," Stenquist said. But Coleman argued current state statute isn't clear enough and counties would benefit from a clearer process, similar to what is already allowed for the formation of new cities. Her bill would have allowed communities to break off and form their own county with a petition and vote of residents without requiring a majority vote from the county they'd leave behind. Coleman noted Salt Lake County is among the nation's largest counties with 1.2 million residents. "It is true that when government jurisdictions grow and grow frankly away from the ability to be responsive, the people need to have a way to self-direct," Coleman said. She acknowledged the bill with changes to require feasibility studies likely would make a west-side split from Salt Lake County impossible, at least for the time being, but she said she'd rather put a process in place that could be used in the future. "This is a high, high threshold," she said. Still, the bill failed. As the end of the 2019 session approaches, it's unlikely it will be resurrected in time to be considered again this year. SALT LAKE CITY A man accused of stealing credit card numbers to purchase hundreds of gallons of diesel fuel, possibly to resell to others, now faces nearly two dozen charges. Yoandri Cabrera Rodriguez, 35, of Las Vegas, was charged Friday in Washington County's 5th District Court with nine counts of obtaining encoded financial information off a credit card, a third-degree felony; two counts of possession of a forgery device, a third-degree felony; 10 counts of unlawful acquisition of a financial card, a third-degree felony; and two counts of using a fake bank card for goods, a class B misdemeanor. On Thursday, St. George police were called to a possible fraud at Harmons, 1189 E. 700 South, at the fuel pumps, according to charging documents. A 2008 GMC truck had been parked there for several minutes and had used two bank cards to purchase 68 gallons of diesel fuel for $183, the charges state. The same truck had purchased 225 gallons of diesel for $620 using two financial cards on March 4, and 405 gallons of diesel for $1,116 in nine consecutive transactions at the Harmons in Santa Clara on March 3, according to court documents, "Officers observed that the truck contained a large tank installed in the rear which also had an auxiliary pump which led from the gas cap (fill point) to the tank," the charges state. "Based on my training and experience I am familiar with this type of fraud in which individuals use stolen finance card numbers to make multiple purchases of diesel fuel. The fuel is loaded into large customized tanks installed in the vehicles which can hold hundreds of gallons of fuel. The fuel is then resold for a profit." Rodriguez was questioned and said he had purchased several financial cards and gift cards in Las Vegas. "During my interview he pulled out a stack of cards (misc. gift cards and finance cards) from his pocket. He also gave consent for me to search the contents of his wallet which contained more finance cards (in other people's names)," the officer wrote in his arrest affidavit. "Yoandri was in possession of 10 finance cards with magnetic strips on the back, which had encoded information that was different than what shows on the front of the card," the charges state. While impounding his vehicle, police found a magnetic stripe card reader that was "able to read finance card magnetic stripe information as well as it can encode/rewrite new card information," according to the charges. SALT LAKE CITY Insurance will cover physical therapy through the end of April and the Tullis family will be broke four months later, if they don't get some help. "We will run out of financial resources by the end of summer," said John Tullis, whose 4-year-old son suffered a brain injury during unrelated surgery earlier this year. "He is having to relearn to do all the things as a 4-year-old that he could easily do as a 3-year-old," the boy's father told members of the Utah House Health and Human Services Committee on Thursday. He said that without early, long-term and consistent rehabilitation, the child and the family will face "a lot of disadvantages." "We have nowhere else to turn," Tullis said. Rep. Eric Hutchings, R-Kearns, is hoping HB461 can help not only the Tulles family, but others across the state. "Science, as we know it, has modified what we know about the ability of our brains and bodies and what they can do and recover from," he said. "Lifelong, unchangeable conditions aren't believed to be that anymore." Hutchings proposes that, based upon need and meeting certain requirements, individuals and families can qualify for financial assistance to cover continued physical and occupational therapy that could "have a lifelong, dramatic impact on the person's life and sense of self, but, also the state budget" in the long run. He said data has shown that providing therapy at a young age, specifically for children born with cerebral palsy or spina bifida, can impact physical ability in a very positive way. The results are palpable, particularly for children who are impacted by these nonprogressive neurological conditions. Increased neurological recovery and improved functional capability is achieved when intense, focused and expertly applied rehabilitative therapy is provided, according to Hutchings. Children who get the rehabilitative therapy that they need will have greater mobility, increased personal independence, less reliance on medical equipment and care, and be able to participate in more at home and at school. It creates a more capable individual, with a greater potential for employment, and, consequently, less dependent on state assistance. "The doctors told my mom that I would never walk and talk, and look at me now, I can walk and talk," 9-year-old Kyler Pope, who has cerebral palsy, told lawmakers. "Physical therapy has helped me and I really want other people to get physical therapy as well, so, please help us." Dr. Dale Hull, executive director at Neuroworx, a nonprofit outpatient physical therapy facility in Sandy, said children, especially, have the potential to make significant gains with the proper types of therapy. But, oftentimes, that is out of reach because of limits placed by insurance benefit plans, which typically will cover just 20 physical therapy visits each year for a patient. "The money will make a significant difference for these children," Hull said, adding that not only will people with neurological injuries be more able to function and have a greater sense of independence, but their parents will face less stress and be more likely to keep their jobs and homes. Andrew Justvig, a local comedian who was born with cerebral palsy, said he could have never accomplished his dream had he not been taught how to speak better. "Therapy changed my life," he told the committee, pleading with lawmakers to help change others' lives as well. If HB461 passes, Utah would be the first state in the country to develop a fund for such beneficial therapy, Hutchings said. The bill, which he said has the support of the Utah Physical Therapy Association, would serve as a framework for other states to follow. "There's not too many things that we talk about that change lives the way this does," Hutchings said. The committee unanimously approved the bill following Thursday's presentation. It moves to the House for more discussion. SALT LAKE CITY Despite representatives expressing love for the current Utah state flag, a bill to create a commission to determine whether Utah needs a new state flag flew through the House with a vote of 46-26. It will now go to the Senate. Rep. Steve Handy, R-Layton, said he sponsored HB219 because constituents approached him asking if he had thought about the state flag, he said that he had not. "Thats the issue. People dont think about it, but you look at other states where there are bold and bright and passionate state flags and they think about it," Handy said. In Texas, he said, you see the state flag everywhere on shirts, mugs and hats. But in Utah it is only seen at ceremonial times or flying on a flagpole. He said the commission would not necessarily choose a new flag, but would consider whether the people want a new state flag. He said schoolchildren are already reaching out and are excited to participate. "This would be a lot of fun and I think that a great state deserves a great flag," Handy said. Rep. Scott Chew, R-Jensen, said he has concerns with the proposal because he believes our flag is elegant. He said language in the bill about the flag being able to be drawn from memory by a child could create something that might appear to be homemade. "We dont want to create something that looks unprofessional," Chew said. Rep. Elizabeth Weight, D-West Valley City, said she likes the current state flag. She confirmed the bill does not change the flag, but simply would evaluate the flag so she supports the bill. "I actually dont want to see the flag changed, but I really appreciate a process to outline steps if we decided to consider a change," Weight said. The substitute of the bill that passed through the House added a section saying the commission could consider the specific flag that was proposed in HB292. Both flag bills were heard in the same committee meeting. Rep. Phil Lyman, R-Blanding, also spoke in favor of the bill, saying in the committee meeting he found that there is already quite a bit of interest in a new flag, and that there are also some great designs Utahns could be proud of. SALT LAKE CITY Winter weather swept across the Wasatch Front on Friday evening, bringing avalanches, road and canyon closures, and car crashes along with it. An avalanche in Provo Canyon and dangerous avalanche conditions in surrounding canyons closed both directions of U.S. 189 and state Route 92 for several hours. Both reopened later that night, the Utah Department of Transportation confirmed. Utah Highway Patrol Trooper Dave Hull said no one was involved or hurt in the Provo slide. UDOT said the avalanche was 30 feet wide and covered westbound lanes. Unified police reported Friday that Little Cottonwood Canyon would remain closed overnight to both up and downhill traffic due to avalanche control. It was estimated to open 8 a.m. Saturday. Alta officials also ordered immediate interlodge restrictions for all Hellgate residents due to an avalanche. Officials asked people to avoid the canyons Friday because conditions might be unstable and further closures could occur. UHP reported just before 5:30 p.m. that troopers had already responded to 146 crashes and slide-offs Friday, urging drivers to slow down. According to KSL's Kevin Eubank, north valleys are expected to receive 1/2 to an inch of snow, 2 to 4 inches in the Wasatch backcountry, 3 to 6 inches for the north mountains, 2 to 4 inches in the central valleys, and 3 to 6 inches were expected for the south mountains. SANDY The Salt Lake Valley Health Department and Intermountain Healthcare wrapped up two weeks of free blood tests on Friday for Sandy residents who may have ingested water contaminated with lead, copper and excess fluoride. In the meantime, the city was ordered this week by the Utah Division of Drinking Water to complete an illness report in the aftermath of a contamination event with impacts still not fully understood. On Friday, Sandy Deputy Mayor Evelyn Everton said the city put out a request for proposals for an investigation into the handling of communications and emergency response after the release of hydrofluorosilicic acid from a malfunctioning pump on Feb. 5. The city also retained an attorney to investigate management of the release. This isn't the first time in Utah that an accidental release of the concentrated material has caused problems in the communities where voters approved the introduction of fluoride into community drinking water systems. Hydroflurosilicic acid is a concentrate that in its undiluted form is classified as a hazardous, poisonous material that, while it contains fluoride, also contains arsenic, lead, copper, manganese, iron and aluminum. It is a byproduct from phosphate mining operations. In 2007, an estimated 1,500 gallons of hydrofluorosilicic acid was released in a tank rupture at a treatment plant in Salt Lake County, prompting monitoring of Parleys Creek from Sugarhouse Park to Mountain Dell Reservoir, according to state documents. Five years later, a worker at a North Salt Lake water treatment plant was hospitalized when he was exposed to fumes during a delivery of the material. He was not wearing any personal protection equipment. Officials at the time believed a hose may have malfunctioned. In North Salt Lake two years later, a feeder pump malfunctioned, discharging 140 gallons of the acid onto the floor of a drinking water well house. The material then made its way to the curb and gutter into the storm drain. Incident reports say fumes corroded the lock on the facility, making it inoperable. The Centers for Disease Control named community water fluoridation as one of the 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century, but the practice is not without its controversy or its critics, for a number of reasons. Just two of Utah's 29 counties opted for fluoridation in narrow votes about 20 years ago, and while the majority of the nation's water systems are fluoridated, some communities are revisiting the issue or opting out altogether. Although the CDC touts that for every dollar invested in community fluoridation $38 in dental treatment costs are saved, a 2015 study debunked that assertion because of the costs associated with remediating the over fluoridation of children something called fluorisis. The study by the International Journal of Environmental and Occupational Health concluded the cost savings were based on a "flawed analysis" that also ignored the costs of environmental impacts, equipment replacement, overfeed incidents like Sandy's, introducing fluoride into the system and occupational exposure. It also cited the "poor track record" for cost estimates by community water fluoridation advocates, pointing in particular to Utah costs far higher than initially proposed. Salt Lake County officials have not indicated any desire to revisit the fluoride issue, although at least one Davis County commissioner is making site inspections at distribution points. Utah cited Sandy with three drinking water violations and ordered an intensified testing schedule for contaminants like lead and copper. SALT LAKE CITY A veterans court places emphasis on rehabilitation and support, rather than punitive measures. It takes into account a veteran's history and any issues related to their service, according to Rep. Lowry Snow, R-Santa Clara. Snow proposed a bill, HB436, which would create more veterans courts throughout Utah. There are currently four veterans courts in Salt Lake and Utah counties. "This bill is an effort to make certain that those services that have been made available in some courts are made available to our veterans residing throughout the state," Snow said. This bill was heard in the House Judiciary Standing Committee Friday. Snow asked for the bill to be held because there is a need for more input and the legislative session is almost over. Former Utah County Attorney Jeff Buhman said in the five years that the Utah County veterans court has been in operation, it has been extremely successful in lowering the recidivism rate of veterans and he has observed changes in their lives. "Weve had individuals that were dealing with severe PTSD, mental illness and a variety of drug addictions that have been able to completely change their lives through the veterans court program," Buhman said. Snow explained veterans courts are not separate courts, but a separate process. A judge assigned to cover veterans cases would treat them according to the language in the bill. Veterans courts also involve a partnership between courts, attorneys and outside resources. Brian Tarbet from the Utah Attorney General's Office said the office supports the initiative. "We send these folks out to serve, sometimes they come back broken. Whatever we can do to help them and put them in a system that will help them, and help the state, we applaud," Tarbet said. SALT LAKE CITY House Republicans are pushing a plan to scale back the state budget by withholding some $400 million of the $1.1 billion budget surplus until lawmakers pass a tax reform bill later this year in a special session. A Friday evening Executive Appropriations Committee meeting to make key decisions about what was expected to be a $19 billion budget was abruptly cancelled after the House GOP's decision in a closed caucus to call for sticking only to "core" spending. "Basically, the idea is to just get the main things covered," House Majority Whip Mike Schultz, R-Hooper, said, such as "must haves" like covering student enrollment growth in public schools and a cost of living pay increase for state workers. House Budget Chairman Brad Last, R-Hurricane, described the plan as including "things we feel absolutely have to be funded in order to keep things running smoothly" in areas of public safety, corrections, social services and public education. Last said the $400 million proposed to be held back is just a starting point. He said the House plan is to "have kind of this core budget that will get us through the session," so once tax reform is dealt with in a special session, "we can make some decisions about what to do with the remaining surplus." The House, he said, "is nervous about spending all the money without having a game plan going forward. Next year were going to be in a real bind if we cant get this structural imbalance fixed. Schultz said setting aside money that would have been used to pay for new programs and other needs that have already been approved but not funded is to "make sure if tax reform doesn't pass, we have the money to get us by." Earlier in the 45-day session, which is set to end next Thursday, lawmakers approved what are called base budgets tied to prior year spending. Now is the time when decisions are finalized about new spending in the upcoming budget year that begins July 1. The move by the House sparked a second Senate Republican caucus Friday. Senate President Stuart Adams, R-Layton, said after the nearly 1 1/2-hour closed-door caucus meeting that he heard about the House plan earlier in the day and that discussions were continuing through the weekend. "We're talking about it all. Everything is on the table," Adams said, including setting aside some of the surplus. "Its a new concept. As far as the House and Senate goes, we're trying to maintain decent relations." But the Senate leader said he wasn't upset over the last-minute move by House Speaker Brad Wilson, R-Kaysville. "I think they're trying to do what they believe is responsible," Adams said. "We're too close of friends to be angry." Utah Education Association President Heidi Matthews reacted strongly to the plan. "The huge budget numbers weve been hearing since December have given teachers hope that well at long last see significant education increases," Matthews said in a statement. She warned, "It would send an exceptionally grave message if the Legislature ends the session without making substantial new investments in our students in a year of such incredible prosperity." Schultz said the House plan is not intended as leverage to get tax reform passed. Thursday, the plug was pulled on HB441, a bill extending sales taxes to a wide variety of services while lowering the sales and income tax rates. Gov. Gary Herbert and GOP legislative leaders held a news conference to make that announcement, pledging to continue to work on stabilizing the shrinking sales tax base while giving Utahns a $75 million tax cut. The issue, Schultz said, is the growing imbalance between income tax revenues that can only be spent on education and the state's general fund, which largely comes from sales taxes. He said despite the big numbers in revenue growth, there's actually ony $178 million in ongoing money expected to be added to the general fund to pay for new spending in every other area of state government. Although the upcoming budget can be balanced, Schultz said that's not going to be possible in future budget years without taking action to expand sales taxes to a wide range of services. House Democrats haven't been part of the discussions about the plan to leave the session with only a limited budget. Like many lobbyists and advocates on Capitol Hill, they were waiting to hear details. House Minority Leader Brian King, D-Salt Lake City, said lawmakers do have to get the word out to Utahns that there's a problem with sales tax revenues that needs to be solved. But King said that's going to be tough "when youve spent months and years talking about what a booming economy we have and how high our growth rate is economically and how Utahs the best, 'rah rah rah-ing' as they've done." Contributing: Marjorie Cortez SALT LAKE CITY The Senate Education Committee voted 4-1 Friday to endorse SB245, which would require school districts or charter boards to give students' parents at least 120 days notice before closing a school or changing school boundaries. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Karen Mayne, D-West Valley City, was introduced in response to the Granite School Board's vote to close Oquirrh Hills Elementary School in Kearns less than a month after district officials informed the school community of the plan. The board conducted a public hearing before taking the vote to close the school. The legislation also would require school boards to hear public comment on a proposed school closure or boundary change during "at least two public local school board meetings." Under SB245, the notice would also apply to surrounding schools that would be affected by boundary changes resulting from a school closure. In addition, school districts and charter school administrators would need to give the area's governing council and mayor notice. "There are no specific deadlines or timetables in statute specific to informing a school community or citizens about the final determination or plans of a failed school. So what happens is, there's no clarity at the end," Mayne said. Kearns Metro Township Mayor Kelly Bush spoke in support of the bill. "What I'm hoping is that this language will do is that it helps prevent what happened in my community, that it opens up the communications and that it helps the community become involved from the very beginning of the process when there is a boundary change or there is an anticipated closure of a school," Bush said. Oquirrh Hills was in turnaround status due to poor academic performance. It had three years to improve by one letter grade under the state accountability system but its performance worsened, necessitating other action required by state law. SB245 also requires school districts or charter school boards to give annual notice to school communities, including municipal leaders, when a school is in turnaround status. The information is to include the school's goals, benchmarks and timetable in the school's turnaround plan and its progress. It also would include information for how the community can support the school and students "inside and outside the classroom." Cookie banner We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. TREMONTON A Tremonton man who police say stabbed his wife to death and attempted to slash his own throat has been released from the hospital and booked into jail. Jose Gutierrez-Torres, 39, had been in the hospital since March 3, after police found him at the Bothwell home of Maria de Jesus Cervantes. Box Elder County Sheriff's Chief Deputy Dale Ward said the man had stabbed 53-year-old Cervantes multiple times in her neck and then turned the knife on himself. "All the evidence indicates the decedent was murdered by Jose, who then attempted to take his own life by repeatedly slashing his own throat," police wrote in a jail booking report earlier this week. It was reported that a "blood-covered steak knife" wrapped in a cloth was found at the residence near Cervantes head. Police also indicated that when they arrived at the home, Gutierrez-Torres initially resisted arrest, but was ultimately taken into custody and hospitalized. He had allegedly informed his relatives, by text, that he would be soon be joining a brother-in-law who had died a week prior. Gutierrez-Torres was released from the hospital and booked into Box Elder County Jail late Friday with no option for bail. The Box Elder County Sheriff's Office indicated Saturday that Cervantes and Gutierrez-Torres were living together at the time of the attack and Cervantes' death is being investigated as an act of domestic violence. Court documents show that Gutierrez-Torres has a history of domestic violence, having been arrested twice in 2014, the resulting charges of which were dismissed, and once in 2008, in which he pleaded guilty. Free and confidential help and support for victims and survivors of domestic violence is available 24/7 at 1-800-897-LINK (5465) or visiting udvc.org. Sonali Bendres struggle against cancer has been an inspiration to millions who are battling this dreaded disease. Since July last year, when she first told her fans that she has been diagnosed with it, she has been constantly posting updates of her fight on social media and, quite literally, taken people along. While she has described her feelings during the process, it is only now that she has opened up about the first few days when she came to know of her disease. Speaking to Rajeev Masand, she said at first they werent told what stage of cancer she had. Subsequently, on reaching New York, it was her doctors there who told her that not only did she have Stage IV cancer, she had 30% chances of survival. She also said it was her husband Goldie Behls decision to go to New York and that till she reached New York, she wasnt convinced about it. She said: I didnt want to go to New York. It was my husband who wanted to go. And I fought with him all through the flight. Why are you doing this? We have good doctors here. Why are you taking me away? My home, my life... in three days, we literally just packed and left and, I dont know, what was happening. I was like lets, at least, speak to the doctors here and he was just quiet through the whole thing and focussed. In the day, he was organizing and, in the night, as New York was wake; so he was organizing, so day and night--he was at that. So I got him and actually cribbed about the whole thing, on the flight. Through the flight, I have cribbed; I was really venting. I land in New York and next day, we go to the doctor. He looks at everything and we had sent all our tests and he says, you know, it is fourth stage and you have 30% chance of survival. That really hit me; I just turned to Goldie and I remember saying: Thank God, you got me here. Goldie always says that tomorrow Id rather feel I over-reacted, over-spent than under-reacted and have that regret that I should have done that. There was no time for it and we were not told that it was the fourth stage but Goldie had started reading about it and he was suspecting it. Also read | Deepika Padukone, Kangana Ranaut, Alia Bhatt: Meet the new Rs 100 crore stars of Bollywood on International Womens Day In early December last year, Sonali was back in India, after spending close to six months in the US. She is slowly getting back to work and recently did a photo shoot for Vogue India, embracing her cancer scars, from her treatment. Motorolas foldable smartphone is expected to sport two displays and the second smaller display is reported to come with a slew of functionalities. Highlights: Functionalities of the secondary smaller display on Motorolas foldable phone leaked. The smaller screen could come with support for select apps. It could also work as a touchpad or help capture images. The recently concluded MWC 2019 suggested that 5G phones and devices with foldable displays will be the trend this year. Some of the biggest smartphone makers like Samsung and Huawei have dived into the new segment, along with the likes of LG, all of which have come up with their own rendition of a foldable smartphone. Motorola is another such company that is in plans to create a foldable device but has revealed little about its upcoming product. While we do know that Motorolas foldable phone could resemble the iconic RAZR V3 from the 2000s, XDA Developers says they now have some details on the phones software and how it might work. As per the report, Motorola is working on a smartphone that has two displays. However, the phones clamshell design means that there is a tall flexible display on the inside, which flips out and the second display is on the outer side of the phone. This smaller secondary external display is said to work with only a few apps as the company has restricted the apps that can access display on flip. Citing a source, XDA Developers says that right now, only some set pre-installed apps like Moto Display, Moto Actions and the Moto Camera app are able to display content on the closed display. Additionally, when unfolded, the secondary display can work as a trackpad but currently its limited to enable scrolling in web pages in Chrome and an apps timeline. There could be up to six quick settings tiles on the display and it is not known if these would be customisable or not. While using the camera, one will reportedly be able to click a photo, or swipe up on the primary display to zoom in. This option could be useful when a user wants to click a selfie and a countdown timer could also be displayed on the secondary screen. The Google Assistants animation could also be displayed on a smaller screen when the phone is closed. This is said to happen if the user enables the option, otherwise, one will be prompted to flip open to unlock the device. The company is also said to be testing the Moto Display app to show a clock, pulsing notifications, and enable controlling media using the external display. There could also be a provision to set a different wallpaper on the smaller display. We first came to know about Motorolas foldable phone in January this year when a report suggested that the company might revive its Razr series, but with a foldable display. Later, some renders of the alleged phone surfaced at the World Intellectual Property Organisation, tipping at the devices design and reaffirming the possible revival of the Razr phone. Recently, the company's VP of Global Product, Dan Dery, confirmed that there is a foldable smartphone in the works but didnt reveal its details. Leaked renders of the phone suggested that it could feature a tall primary display that folds inwards, hence the clamshell design, and there might be a secondary display on the back of the top part, when the phone is folded. Related Reads: Motorola's foldable smartphone confirmed, could resemble RAZR All the foldable smartphones announced so far at MWC 2019 Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider subscribing to our ePaper and/or free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. B2B Lead Generation Service Reach key decision makers with sales-ready leads that shorten your sales process. Move the needle by delivering funnel qualified leads to your sales team. Learn more. The Samsung Galaxy S10, scheduled for launch on Feb. 20, likely will incorporate a cryptocurrency wallet. Samsung last month filed applications in the EU for trademarks on three terms: Blockchain Key Store Blockchain Key Box Blockchain Core Samsung also filed applications in Korea for the same three terms. Live images of the Samsung Blockchain Keystore app running on the Galaxy S10 were posted on Sammobile. The app is in the phone's "Biometrics and Security" portion of the S10 "Settings" menu. The wallet setup screen shows that users can import an existing wallet or create a new one. The wallet supports the Ethereum cryptocurrency, but it reportedly also will support Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, and ERC20 (derived from Ethereum). There will be a cold wallet for saving digital currencies and public and private keys, and for signing private keys for transactions. There also will be a crypto wallet for viewing account information, transfers, and transaction history, according to Sammobile. "Samsung has a long history of throwing everything it can think of, technology-wise, into its flagship Galaxy S series smartphones," remarked Ken Hyers, research director at Strategy Analytics. "The reviewer guide Samsung sends out with their latest releases to document all the features are often well over 50 pages long," he told the E-Commerce Times. Hyers "would not be surprised to find that Samsung adds a crypto wallet to the Galaxy S10, even if 99.9 percent of people who buy the phone never use it," he said, noting that the majority of users "never use, or are even aware of, all -- or even most -- of the capabilities of their Galaxy S smartphones." Samsung is expected to announce the three main Galaxy S10 phones and a foldable smartphone, all with 5G support, at the Unpacked press event in San Francisco on Feb. 20. The cryptocurrency applications also might be on the coming Galaxy A30 and A50, according to Dutch e-zine Galaxy Club. Size Matters More Than Pole Position Taiwanese smartphone manufacturer HTC became the first company to launch a device that supports cryptocurrency, with its Exodus 1, which hit the market last month. However, Samsung's release is likely to have more of an impact on the market. "Samsung is the segment leader," noted Rob Enderle, principal analyst at the Enderle Group. "If they do something, every other smartphone vendor will certainly consider following," he told the E-Commerce Times. That said, "whether they actually follow will likely have a lot to do with how safe cryptocurrency looks when the decision is made." Crypto and Security Hackers have stepped up attacks on crypto sites. A record-setting number of crypto crimes took place last year, according to Chainalysis, including the following: Etherum-based scams fluctuating with crypto prices; Darknet markets, which show resilience against market trends; and Hacks carried out by professional organizations with distinct tactics and methods. Two hacker groups stole about US$1 billion last year -- at least 60 percent of all publicly reported hacks, according to Chainalysis. They took about $90 million per hack on average. Cryptomining malware took the top four places on Check Point Software's December Top 10 Most Wanted Malware list, and accounted for a fifth. Cryptocurrency-related malicious activity will increase dramatically this year, Proofpoint has predicted. Many banking Trojans and information thieves have built-in coin mining modules and wallet-stealing capabilities. Hackers already have begun targeting smartphones to mine cryptocurrencies, through a technique called "cryptojacking," which involves the installation of cryptocurrency mining malware via an infected or malicious app. Games are a favor attack vector because of their popularity. "If you put enough resources on anything you can breach it, and cryptocurrency has been a very attractive target for some time," Enderle said, "but you'd expect full encryption [from Samsung], and that it would likely use the technology they have in Knox and the technology they've licensed from BlackBerry." The large number of expected breaches may reduce the lure of Samsung's crypto support as a marketing tool. "Before the breaches, [a cryptocurrency wallet] could have been the killer app for the Samsung Galaxy line," Enderle said. "Now there's a lot of concern and fear surrounding this technology, which has undoubtedly eroded its attractiveness to the average smartphone user." Crypto and E-Commerce The impact a crypto wallet in smartphones might have on e-commerce is not yet clear. "Cryptocurrency is about what you can do with it," Enderle said. "Uses are pretty limited, but you'd think it would play well with pot stores, which likely would be the ideal retail target for this wallet." The carriers "may or may not allow Samsung to include [a crypto wallet] on the devices sold through carrier channels" in the United States, observed Strategy Analytics' Hyers. On the other hand, if Samsung includes a crypto wallet in the international version of the new Galaxy smartphones, he said, "buyers of unlocked Samsung smartphones would have access to it." Richard Adhikari has been an ECT News Network reporter since 2008. His areas of focus include cybersecurity, mobile technologies, CRM, databases, software development, mainframe and mid-range computing, and application development. He has written and edited for numerous publications, including Information Week and Computerworld. He is the author of two books on client/server technology. Email Richard. Enterprise IT Lead Generation Services Fuel Your Pipeline. Close More Deals. Our full-service marketing programs deliver sales-ready leads. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee! Learn more. Mobile search and buying continue to grow as the chosen means for consumers' online shopping, with the market set to reach an estimated US$218 billion in 2019. By 2021, 72.9 percent of online purchases will be made on a mobile device, eMarketer has estimated. If you factor in the Millennial and Generation Z demographics, virtually all sales soon will be mobile-generated. Online retailers are seeing the writing on the wall: More than half of retailers participating in a recent survey planned to invest in mobile, and nearly two-thirds forecast that it positively would impact their online revenue in 2019. New sites have some advantage since they are designing, from the beginning, for a mobile-centric world. However, all sites can upgrade to achieve a mobile-friendly presence, and there are ways to do it without straining the budget. To survive over the next few years, a powerful mobile-ready site is a must for any retailer. Capturing mobile customers requires a combination of shrewd site design paired with marketing techniques aimed at engaging customers and moving them to conversion. Keep in mind: Mobile is a communication channel. Getting a customer to buy still requires doing all the other practices right -- like product mix, marketing, social media community building, and incentives to encourage conversion. Get Mobile Smart and Add Customer Love 1. Modernize your website for mobile sales. Sites that were designed specifically for the desktop cannot support mobile shopping effectively. To get into the mobile game, you have to upgrade your site to capture sales you no doubt are losing if you're operating a non-mobile site. Here are the two dominant design choices: Adaptive templates are designed for a specific set of screens, typically cellphones, tablets and laptops. The site will detect the type of device a mobile shopper is using and serve up the format for that device. Regardless of device, the shopper will see a screen well adapted for viewing. A key benefit of this format is that it loads significantly faster than the other option, a responsive template. Load speeds for an adaptive format can be extremely fast, based on Yahoo Small Business studies of actual sites. That gives millennial buyers, for example, the pace they demand in order to have a satisfying site experience. Of course, site speed is also one of the factors Google uses to determine search ranking, so having a fast-loading site could help you attract, as well as keep, more new customers. Entrepreneurs developing a new site will gain a competitive edge by starting with an adaptive template. Responsive templates do not have a pre-set selection of screens, and literally respond to the type of device they see a shopper using. They respond to screen size and reconfigure the site layout based on those dimensions. A lot of modern, beautiful mobile sites use responsive templates, but they may be paying a speed penalty versus adaptive sites. 2. Architect the site for the mobile user. Google takes no prisoners when it comes to mobile. Google will not send mobile users to a site that is not mobile-ready. Google search also will penalize slow-to-load sites, so your site runs the risk of being invisible and losing at least half of your potential business if you are less than mobile-ready. The right template gets you started. Now think about the screen orientation a shopper sees. A must-have for mobile is a vertical architecture. Think of walking with your phone and wanting a quick look at a site. Vertical lets you scroll down without missing a step. Another old-school technique to lose is mousing over a popup, or sensitive expanding menus. Mobile people do not want to hover over a link with a finger. Switch to easy click-throughs for category pages with dropdown menus, so your mobile shoppers quickly can get to the level of detail they need to make a buying decision. 3. Make your site sticky for sales. Mobile users want it now. To convert to a sale, retailers need to keep a shopper on the page, deliver all information as quickly as possible, and, when needed, add a fast incentive to prevent losing the sale. Be sure to avoid redirects at all costs -- they are poison to a mobile shopper. Service businesses need a call-to-action that avoids driving them back to other pages like a directory. OpenTable is a great example of an app that provides a fast sale -- in this case a reservation -- when incorporated into a restaurant's site. If you're selling a product, consider a third-party app that tells you how long a user has been on your site, and can automatically add an incentive, like discounts on shipping, to move them toward conversion. Be sure to have marketing tools like email or display retargeting at the ready to bring back customers who leave the site. An abandoned cart reminder, for example, tells shoppers that an interesting item can still be had. An email telling them of a price drop on a product might spur conversion. Targeting display ads based on what shoppers viewed is another retargeting tool. 4. Prepare for action. Mobile browsers are an action-oriented bunch, and they often expect to be only a few thumb clicks away from booking a reservation, scheduling a service call, pulling up directions to a local business, or placing an online purchase. While desktop users may be focused on gathering information and reading detailed content, mobile users typically are more interested in getting to a decision point. Be sure to provide easy access to the touchpoints customers need. If you're a local business, be sure to display a street address that actually puts the customer at your door. Similarly, if you're selling online, make it simple for shoppers to find what they need, and to pay for a product using familiar payment methods. No one wants to pull out a credit card sitting in an airport or a cafe. Look for a mobile checkout platform that enables mobile pay for the consumer. PayPal, Venmo and the like go a long way toward increasing conversion rates. 5. Think of social media as a marketing channel. Mobile-ready sites that are most effective are doing a good job of building customer community through offering feedback on their sites and engaging with customers on ideas and inspirations. The millennial/Gen Z demographic is an intensive social media user, so leverage that energy to build up your site's relevance. Even if a particular customer has not been to your site, craft a social media program that advertises to followers of sites that matter to your demographic. Also think of Facebook as a prime channel for seeing what your competitors are doing, and which potential customers are looking at their products. Mobile Rules Whether a new site, or a site that needs a refresh, making mobile a priority is now essential to survival. Having a template that provides an enjoyable experience for the user, with an architecture that makes site search easy for the person on the go, is a must-have. Then, put yourself in a mobile shopper's shoes, and offer a site that makes it easy to pay once a buying decision is made. To up your chances for a sale, remember to enhance marketing with buying incentives, cart reminders and retargeting. Add to this an active social media presence, and you have the complete playbook to capture the mobile customer. Dan Breeden is senior manager, strategic alliances, at Yahoo Small Business. He helps e-commerce entrepreneurs develop and sustain an online presence via community and marketing support. B2B Lead Generation Service Reach key decision makers with sales-ready leads that shorten your sales process. Move the needle by delivering funnel qualified leads to your sales team. Learn more. How do you build a software company? It's a trick question. There are certainly things you need to do and not do on the way to building a successful software company, but there are no recipes, especially in CRM where demand changes all the time. In my career, I've seen firsthand some of the ways that company builders succeed or fail, and to paraphrase Tolstoy, happy companies are all alike; every unhappy company is unhappy in its own way. We're used to having an idea, a prototype, or a minimally viable product (MVP) to shop around to investors in the hope of raising a few million bucks to get going. One round follows another, with the investments and the number of investors growing until the company either fails because it can't raise more cash, or has a successful liquidity event like an acquisition or IPO. Another Way Some years ago, I witnessed up close another approach, called "bootstrapping," in which founders finance the effort and retain ownership. It should be said that bootstrapping was the only method of starting a business until the Renaissance. At that point, the costs of starting, say, an import-export business, were so high, and the risks so great, that prudent business people began pooling resources to lower the risk of any specific voyage meeting with robbers, weather or other disasters. The profits were lower but more consistent, and the risks were, obviously, less. That was the beginning of what would be the "joint stock" company, and it was so successful that a peripheral business, shipping insurance, took hold. For the first time, investors could make money not on the profits of the voyage but on its simple successful completion. It's noteworthy that Lloyd's of London, the 300-plus year-old insurance company, got started as a simple coffee house/information exchange, where nervous investors gathered to trade information about their shipping investments. Watch out Starbucks! At any rate, venture capital was a significant investment that, like insurance, discovered a new niche within the old idea of shared risk. VCs invest in ideas that are far, far removed from first voyages in markets that demand immediate results. My point is that bootstrappers might build the company more slowly than the guys with access to the capital markets, but they are part of a long and successful tradition. For some entrepreneurs, it's the right move. The big question occurs if -- and it's often the case, when -- growth stalls. A VC-funded company might get shopped around and eventually sold to a company with parallel interests. A self-funded outfit might go into a holding pattern in which it operates more or less as a funding mechanism for the founders. These companies are at least minimally profitable, and they can go on for many years. Some call them "lifestyle companies," because they provide a product or service but are uninterested in generating profits beyond satisfying founders' income requirements -- that is, their lifestyles. Nevertheless, some very successful examples of bootstrapped companies in the modern era include analytics vendor SAS and shipping giant UPS, which only went public in 1999 after being a business icon for many decades. UPS company raised more than US$5 billion its first day. Also, back in the day, Ford Motor Company was like UPS, only having its IPO in 1956 once it was well established. Enter Zoho What many bootstrapped companies have in common is that they decide to avoid the spotlight to concentrate on building great products and serving customers while providing good workplaces for employees. Last week, I spent a day and a half at Zoho in Pleasanton, California, and I think it fits the overall description. It's impossible to say how big Zoho will become. Heck, it's impossible to say how big it is right now. As a private company with offices around the world and zero interest in accessing the public markets, it keeps its financials well hidden. It's part of the Zoho culture of investing profits back into the company and its people. It's also part of a strategy that emphasizes making everything rather than buying it -- no acquisitions, that is -- and invests heavily in educating its people in how to focus on customers, the Zoho way. Bootstrapping might not be for everyone, but it has worked at Zoho. The company has a culture well-focused on customers and empowering employees. Zoho was founded in India and most reminds me of another company with some Indian roots, HubSpot. It might surprise some people that a Boston company has roots in India, but as I wrote in Solve for the Customer, its cofounder and CTO, Dharmesh Shah, defined its culture and published it in a Slide-Share deck that is still available, titled "Culture Code: Creating A Lovable Company." Culture Code is too long to go into detail here, so check out the deck. One thing that stands out to me is this prime directive for employees: Favor your team over yourself. Favor the company over the team. Favor the customer over the company. Why? Because this directive speaks about not making lazy mistakes that have to be fixed by applying money. When you are funding your own growth, the last thing you need to spend money on is replacing the revenue you lost because you hurt an employee who hurt a customer. So, yes, favor the customer over the company. My Two Bits What's interesting about Zoho is that the company has been expanding from its core constituency of small businesses into a larger universe, and it is bringing its unique culture with it. Zoho understands the moment we're in, which includes a turn toward efficiency and effectiveness driven by reliance on automation. However, it still sees treating people well as core to the business. So Zoho is in favor of profits, but in an inversion of the lifestyle company, it is not interested in profits at any cost. Yet it simultaneously shows great interest in manufacturing happy customers and employees. As a practical matter, that's what supports the strategy of building everything in-house and not growing by acquisition, which would require compromises as disparate systems must be bound together. There's a lot to like about a single platform and an intense focus on customers and employees. It's kind of old school and goes back centuries. So I'm now following Zoho, just to see what it does next. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ECT News Network. Denis Pombriant is a well-known CRM industry analyst, strategist, writer and speaker. His new book, You Can't Buy Customer Loyalty, But You Can Earn It, is now available on Amazon. His 2015 book, Solve for the Customer, is also available there. Email Denis. A female mountain lion with three kittens was struck and killed by a car while crossing the six-lane 118 Freeway near Chatsworth, California on Dec. 3. Her three kittens are not expected to survive, the National Park Service announced Thursday. The remains of the mountain lion, known as P-39, have not been found, but her radio collar was located in the center divider of the freeway. It likely came off as a result of the impact with the vehicle. Her kittens haven't been located yet. P-39 is the thirteenth mountain lion killed since 2002 on Los Angeles county roads. About 15 of the big cats are known to inhabit the Santa Monica Mountains, which are crisscrossed by freeways and other roads in the highly populated area. The mountain range extends east-west from the Pacific Ocean to the Hollywood Hills in the heart of Los Angeles. "P-39's death is a jolting call to action for local and state officials to urgently build the corridors necessary to ensure the safe passage that these majestic cats are entitled to," said Jean Su of the Center for Biological Diversity. "People forget that the Santa Monica Mountains are native mountain lion territory," Su added. "It's our houses and freeways that have directly infringed upon their homes and natural corridors." Prompted by the repeated deaths of these animals while crossing busy roads, wildlife advocates have suggested bridges and tunnels that could act as passageways.The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has proposed building a 200-foot long wildlife overpass above the 110 freeway in Agoura Hills. Separately, the Los Angeles City Council is looking at enacting a wildlife corridor that would require new development to provide access for animals to transit the area. They say it will help to reduce human conflicts. "The recent headlines featuring mountain lions of the Greater Los Angeles area, such as the death of P-39 on the 118 freeway, highlights the tremendous pressure facing these big cats due to lack of connectivity, urbanization and habitat fragmentation," said documentarian Tony Lee. He is the producer and director of The Cat That Changed America, which tells the captivating story of P-22, perhaps the most famous mountain lion of all time. P-22, who lives in the shadow of the Hollywood sign, wasn't born there. In search of that territory, which he could call his own, the big, tawny-brown cat had to cross two major freeways and walk through dense urban areas. However, P-39 wasn't so lucky. The five-year old had given birth to her second litter earlier this year and had mostly stayed in an undeveloped area north of the 118 freeway. Just days before she was killed, she crossed the freeway for the first time. Today, there are some 4,000 to 6,000 mountain lions roaming California. They inhabit high mountain forests, coastal chaparral and scrubland. They prefer to avoid humans, but conflicts can occur. There have been 15 verified attacks on people since 1986 in the state, resulting in three fatalities. Source: Mountain Lion Foundation. Mountain lions are far more likely to be the victims of human actions. At one time, there was a bounty on mountain lions in California. From 1907 to 1963, 12,462 were killed and turned in for the bounty. But the killing hasn't stopped. Since 1991, 2,542 cougars have been killed under depredation permits and 947 from other causes including vehicle collisions. One that just barely escaped a death sentence this year was P-45, suspected of killing 10 alpacas on a ranch north of Malibu. The ranch owner was granted a permit to kill the predator, but has since agreed to work with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the National Park Service to either relocate or place the mountain lion in captivity. Rat poison, which gets into the food chain when homeowners, exterminators and farmers use powerful rodenticides, also threatens the state's mountain lions. More than three-quarters of the cats in California carry the poison in their systems. In September 2015, a hiker found P-34 dead in a state park in Southern California. P-34, a female cougar, was the "third case of mortality directly from rodenticide poisoning," according to the National Park Service. But increasingly, people are having to get along with wild animals in urban areas, including mountain lions. And in California, attitudes toward the big cats are changing, thanks in part to P-22. A healthy-looking P-22 in Griffith Park, Los Angeles. National Park Service The cat's home, since at least 2012, has been Griffith Park, an urban park that sees 10 million visitors a year. However, few have ever seen the elusive cougar other than in photos. Griffith Park encompasses just eight square miles. A male mountain needs as much as a 200-square-mile territory. Inbreeding among cougars inhabiting the Santa Monica Mountains is threatening their long-term survival. A study released in August gave the big cats a near-zero chance of surviving the next 50 years unless more lions become part of the gene pool. "P22 lives inside Griffith Park, but he is isolated by freeways on every side and has little chance of ever finding a mate. His plight is changing the way Americans think about wildlife management," said Lee. "We cannot have mountain lions dying on our freeways when we have the technology and capability to prevent future mortalities. Mountain lions are territorial animals and need large home ranges and open spaces to survive." By Tara Lohan Animals today live in a shrinking world. Development, resource extraction and roadbuilding have fragmented landscapes and reduced wild spaces making it harder for animals to find food, search for a mate and adapt to a changing climate. To help address these problems, ecologists and conservationists have been working for decades to create wildlife corridors areas of natural habitat that can reconnect fragmented habitats. These projects have ranged from small-scale efforts to build safe passage over highways to major conservation efforts protecting millions of acres. For more than 20 years, ecologist Jodi Hilty has been one of the people at the heart of this work. As president and chief scientist of the Canada-U.S. nonprofit Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y), Hilty has helped lead the organization's work to connect and protect habitat in the massive region stretching 502,000 square miles across western North America from Wyoming to the Northwest Territories. She's also co-author of the book Corridor Ecology: Linking Landscapes for Biodiversity Conservation and Climate Adaptation, due out in April, which explains why corridors are needed now more than ever with a changing climate. We talked to Hilty about what kind of wildlife corridor projects have been most successful and why corridors aren't just for land-based animals. What have been some of the impacts of habitat loss and fragmentation on wildlife? What kinds of species have been most affected? Habitat loss and fragmentation affects wildlife in a number of different ways. Generally, wildlife that have specific needs or large home-range requirements in more intact habitat are more likely to experience a reduction in total numbers or disappear from part of their original range. This is particularly true where smaller and more isolated patches of habitat remain because they often can only sustain smaller populations, and smaller populations are more likely to go extinct. There are three kinds of animals that have difficulty in places where natural habitat is disappearing or has become fragmented. The first is migratory animals these are animals that need to move seasonally to obtain resources. For example, some wildebeest and pronghorn populations have been lost in places where they can no longer migrate. Second are animals that are fewer in number and require large home ranges, especially those that have a harder time co-existing with humans, such as grizzly bears and tigers. Many isolated, small populations have gone extinct or are at high risk of extinction. And third are specialist animals that have very specific needs and don't do well in altered environments animals like orangutans and tiger salamanders are examples of specialists that face challenges with habitat loss and fragmentation. Ecologist Jodi Hilty on the Nahanni River. Colleen Brennan What are some of the most exciting wildlife corridor projects you're working on now? Wildlife corridors are one tool that can help reconnect disconnected patches of habitat and so are essential to achieve the Y2Y vision of connecting and protecting habitat in the region for people and nature to thrive. We worked with Vital Ground, a land trust in western Montana this year to purchase lands just west of Missoula to help maintain a corridor between Ninemile and the Bitterroot Ranges for grizzly bears and other wildlife. This is one of the key connections to allow grizzly bears to naturally re-occupy the Salmon-Selway wildland complex in central Idaho. Road-crossing projects in the Y2Y region are also really exciting. The region already has more than 100 underpasses and overpasses dedicated to getting wildlife safely across roads. A new overpass on the TransCanada highway east of Banff in Alberta is at the design stage, and Y2Y is supporting the Valhalla Wilderness Society to study how to solve the problem of western toads getting killed on Highway 31A in British Columbia. Animals of all sizes can face problems getting across roads safely. The book you co-authored, Corridor Ecology, is coming out with a second edition in April. What have been some of the most important developments in this field since the first edition was published in 2006? The science has advanced significantly, and the implementation of corridors has become vastly more widespread, with a proliferation of studies focusing on habitat connectivity originating from all over the world. Over half of these studies are coming from the U.S., followed by Spain, China and Australia. There have been more than 180 new papers published on connectivity and climate change alone a field that was in its infancy in 2005 when we submitted the first book for publication. Likewise, the growth and sophistication of various connectivity modeling approaches also exploded in recent years, as did other related science and implementation efforts. Which wildlife corridor projects have been most successful? It is difficult to say there have been many corridor conservation projects around the world. It is so exciting to see once-denuded creeks in Australia restored so well that a wide corridor of habitat has regrown and wildlife like Lumholtz tree kangaroos (Dendrolagus lumholtzi), which are threatened by large-scale clearing of rainforest habitat, are using the corridors. Closer to my home, Dr. Michael Proctor has been monitoring grizzly bears on the U.S.-Canada border and has been able to verify wildlife using key corridors. Snow geese stop during their migration from the Arctic at Pongo Lake in the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, North Carolina. Jim Liestman / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 Most wildlife corridors we hear about are on land, but what about the sky and sea? The concept of wildlife corridors took off quickly on land but connectivity in the marine environment has recently emerged as a field of research and we are pleased to have University of California, Santa Cruz marine ecology professor Mark Carr and NOAA research ecologist Elliott Hazen contributing a chapter on the topic in our book. There is now research into deep-sea connectivity in oceans, as well as near the shore, like along coral reefs. In some ways, flyways have been a pioneering part of the world of connectivity. North America has done quite a good job of protecting major flyways, mostly by making sure wetland stop-over sites for birds were maintained or restored. There is increasing discussion about what corridors in the sky might look like, but more work needs to be done to explore this concept. Reposted with permission from our media associate The Revelator. (Photo: LifeWay Research) For long, the North American Christian landscape has looked askance at plunging church attendance in secular Western Europe, but a new survey seems to indicate that the United States could be heading the same way and churches would like to counter this trend. A new study from Exponential by LifeWay Research found that 6 in 10 Protestant churches are plateaued or declining in attendance and more than half saw fewer than 10 people become new Christians in the past 12 months. Lifeway says the research gives a clear picture of the state of Protestant churches in America today. Most have fewer than 100 people attending services each Sunday, at 57 percent of the churches, including 21 percent who average fewer than 50. Around one in 10 churches, or 11 percent, average 250 or more for their worship services. The study was conducted to help churches better understand growth in the pews, the Christian Post reported. 'PROTESTANT CHURCHES NOT DOING WELL' It showed that most Protestant churches are not doing well attracting new Christian converts, reporting an average of less than one each month. "The primary purpose of this study was to obtain a set of objective measures on churches' reproduction and multiplication behaviors today as well as to understand their core context of growth," said Todd Wilson, chief executive officer of Exponential, in a LifeWay research post. "By combining these measures, we can help churches think about multiplication." "Growth is not absent from American churches but rapid growth through conversions is uncommon," Scott McConnell, executive director of LifeWay Research, said in the release. About 8 percent of the 1,000 Protestant pastors polled in the study had no new converts in the last 12 months. And 28 percent of Protestant pastors say their church has seen worship service attendance shrink by 6 percent or more compared to three years ago. Another 33 percent say their church has remained within 5 percent, while 39 percent say their congregation has grown by at least 6 percent since the first quarter of 2016. More than half of 18- to 44-year old pastors (55 percent) say their church is growing, while 33 percent of pastors 45 and older say the same. Evangelical churches are more likely to be growing (42 percent) than their mainline counterparts (34 percent). Less than a quarter (23 percent) of churches with an average worship attendance of fewer than 50 say they are growing, while most churches with 250 or more in attendance (59 percent) are growing. Among denominations, Holiness (56 percent) and Baptist (45 percent) pastors are more likely to say their churches are growing than Methodists (33 percent) and Lutherans (25 percent). LifeWay Research phoned 1,000 Protestant pastors. Quotas were used to maintain the correct population of each church size. Responses were weighed by region to reflect more accurately the total U. S. population. The sample provides a 95% confidence that the sampling error does not exceed /- 3.2%. This information from the statistical nerds assures us the study is very accurate," commented The Aquila Report. The Aquila Report noted some of the findings: "Seventy of churches are subtracting/declining or plateauing. Only 30 percent are adding/growing. This data is largely consistent with other research we have done. The period covered is three years. "There are relatively few reproducing churches. The research categorized only 7 percent of the churches as reproducing. "The numbers of churches considered multiplying 0 percent in the sample, indicating a negligible number in the total U. S. church population." Bamenda: Ghost Town Observed At Food Market (16/01/2017) Wilson MUSA Denizens of the North West and South West regions in Cameroon are picking up on their economic activities, after observing two days of Ghost Town. Economic activities are booming, with more business persons, strategising to open shops on Sundays in order to catch up with the ghost town days. Classes have commenced for some schools who took a break in February, due to escalating gun exchanges. Apart from the usual Monday ghost town, another was observed on Thursday, March 7, in solidarity with the ongoing trial of Anglophone leaders who were arrested in Nigeria and deported to Cameroon for alleged terrorist activities. Separatists in the diaspora had declared that whenever these leaders are taken to courts, all residing in these areas will observe a ghost town. The second ghost town was observed on Friday March 8, on the occasion of the 34th edition of the International Womens Day, celebrated across the country. Women in these areas in the past two years, have been warned to boycott these events as long as Paul Biya's regime, doesnt adhere to the demands of activists. All international and national days celebrations have been characterised by ghost towns, since the Anglophone crisis escalated. However, some women braved the odds to participate March 8 activities, despite these threats. Business persons have suffered enormous losses due to constant ghost towns declared by leaders of the Ambazonian movement, in a step to force Cameroonian government to succumb to their demands of independence fro Southern Cameroon. The national inter-employers' group, GICAM, last year revealed due to the ongoing crisis, business has suffered a shortage in turnovers, implying that government lost over FCFA 6Billion tax revenues, as a deposit of corporate tax since 2016. A study conducted on companies operating in the area and published last year showed that 86% of companies witnessed significant (36%) and very serious (50%) impact on business, as the unrest already cost FCFA2.153 billion in real property, rolling stock and furniture while the turnover shortage is valued at CFA269.056 billion. Blackouts continue in Venezuela A power blackout called the worst in Venezuela's history and blamed by the government on sabotage extended into Friday, closing schools and businesses. A power outage that left Venezuela in the dark on Thursday evening continues in most of the country, including the capital Caracas. The outage has been termed as a "sabotage" by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and other government officials. THE OUTAGE LEFT 22 PROVINCES IN THE DARK The subway in Caracas is not working and schools have been closed nationwide. Also, the government has ordered offices to remain shut until further notice. Energy Minister Luis Motta Dominguez said on Friday electricity will be restored within three hours. There were reports that electricity has been partially restored in some parts of the country. Thursday's power outage left 22 out of 23 provinces in the dark causing temporary disruptions at the International Simon Bolivar Airport, north of Caracas. Venezuela has been rocked by protests since Jan. 10 when Maduro was sworn in for a second term following a vote boycotted by the opposition. Tensions flared when opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself acting president on Jan. 23 -- a move supported by the US and many European and Latin American countries. Russia, Turkey, China, Iran, Bolivia and Mexico have put their weight behind Maduro. Cohen asked me for a pardon, but I declined' President Donald Trump claimed Friday that his former lawyer Michael Cohen "directly asked" him for a pardon and lied under oath when testifying before Congress last week. Trump said on Friday his former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, who has since turned against him and pleaded guilty to multiple crimes, had asked him directly for a pardon but was rejected. "HE LIED" Bad lawyer and fraudster Michael Cohen said under sworn testimony that he never asked for a Pardon. His lawyers totally contradicted him. He lied!, Trump tweeted. Additionally, he directly asked me for a pardon. I said NO. COHEN RESPONDED BY CALLING TRUMP'S ASSERTIONS LIES Just another set of lies by @POTUS @realdonaldtrump, Cohen wrote in a tweet. A THREE-YEAR PRISON SENTENCE Cohen is due to begin serving a three-year prison sentence on May 6 for lying to Congress last year about efforts to build a Trump tower in Moscow, along with other charges. Trump in December called Cohen a rat for cooperating with prosecutors and has said he should go to prison. In public testimony last week before a House of Representatives panel, Cohen called Trump, his employer for more than 10 years, a racist, conman and cheat. Cohen has said he worked on the Moscow project for nearly a year while Trump was running for president, and acted at Trumps direction to break campaign-finance laws by arranging hush money payments to women who claim to have had sexual relationships with Trump. Erdogan, Guterres discuss India-Pakistan tension Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, UN chief Antonio Guterres also discuss latest situation in Syria over phone. Turkish president and UN secretary general spoke over the phone on Friday to discuss recent developments at India-Pakistan border, said the Directorate of Communications of Turkish Presidency. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Antonio Guterres also discussed the latest situation in Syria, said the statement from the presidency. AT LEAST 40 INDIAN TROOPS KILLED Tensions between the two nuclear-armed rivals escalated after a suicide attack last month on an army convoy in Indian-administered Kashmir, which killed at least 40 Indian troops. India accused Pakistan of being involved in the attack, a charge Islamabad denies. Syria has been locked in a vicious civil war since early 2011, when the Bashar al-Assad regime cracked down on pro-democracy protests with unexpected ferocity. Since then, hundreds of thousands of people have been killed and more than 10 million others displaced, according to UN officials. US plan to give some of East Jlem to Palestine Israel, however, will reportedly maintain control over large West Bank settlement blocs. Palestinians will be granted sovereignty over several East Jerusalem neighborhoods under the backchannel Mideast peace plan known as the Deal of the Century, Israel HaYom, an Israeli daily, reported Friday. Israel, however, would maintain control over a number of large West Bank settlement blocs, according to the newspaper. East Jerusalem districts to be ceded to the Palestinians would reportedly include Jabel Mukaber, Sawahira, Umm Tuba and Sur Baher. ISRAEL WILL CONTROL THE OLD CITY Israel, meanwhile, would maintain control over at least 12 major settlements in East Jerusalem, according to Israeli HaYom. Regarding Jerusalems Old City, the newspaper said that the peace plan would leave Israel in full control of the Old City, while Palestinians would be allowed to participate in some aspects of local administration. "FUNCTIONAL SOVEREIGNTY" The plan would also reportedly grant the Palestinians a degree of functional sovereignty over Jerusalems Old City in which the Al-Aqsa Mosque is located and some surrounding districts. The term functional sovereignty as used in the plan grants certain authority [to the Palestinians], but supreme sovereignty will remain in Israel's hands, the paper reports. It adds: So-called functional sovereignty" includes Palestinian participation in administrative affairs, such as sanitation, road maintenance, urban planning, public transport, economy and civilian police. "WESTERN WALL" Israel would also reportedly maintain sovereignty over the flashpoint Buraq Wall known by Jews as the Western Wall and all underground passages leading to it. Under the plan, responsibility for supervising the Al-Aqsa Mosque would be given to an administrative body including Jordanian, Saudi, Moroccan and Palestinian representatives. The US administration has repeatedly warned against unfounded speculation about the Deal of the Century. Nevertheless, some observers fear that Palestinian refugees will be asked to concede their right to return to historical Palestine, from which they were driven in 1948 to make way for the new state of Israel. The ruling party and the government have turned the state into a war machine. The conduct of the government in the wake of the terrorist attack in Pulwama and cross-border strikes by the air force, is morally irresponsible and antithetical to the norms of democracy. As the possibility of escalating conflict between India and Pakistan loomed large, there was no effort on the part of the Prime Minister or his colleagues to address the nation and take the citizens in confidence. While the Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot was in Pakistans custody, the Prime Minister and other ministers continued with their partisan political engagements. Instead of communicating with the citizens in a transparent manner, the government seems to have relied on pliable media outlets to carry unverified and at times conflicting news reports based on sources. Transparency is essential in times of conflict or crisis in order to shape a reasoned public opinion by allowing citizens to draw conclusions based on facts. However, the purpose of this government does not seem to be enabling such informed conclusions, but spreading confusion to seek immediate electoral gains. Doing this helps the government cultivate the image of its muscular posturing without coming clean on the actual working and outcomes of its defence and strategic decisions. It is quite telling that the only apparent intervention from the defence minister during the entire period of heightened tensions was a solitary tweet after the release of the IAF pilot. Even as the government wilfully evades the responsibility of providing political leadership to the whole nation during crisis situations, the ruling party has sought to appropriate the air force strikes for its partisan political objectives. Sometimes through insinuation and otherwise brazenly, the leaders of the ruling party have sought to claim the air force action as its own achievement. Just as in the case of surgical strikes in 2016, they are claiming that this government is the first one to have avenged Pakistan-sponsored acts of terror. In order to position it as the only custodian of national security, leaders of the ruling party have made claims of hundreds of terrorists being killed in the air strikes. This is despite the IAF categorically saying that it does not have any such count. Such discrepancies naturally raise questions about the veracity of these figures, which have been floating in the media through unverified sources. This, once again, highlights the link between deliberate obfuscation and the ruling partys combative nationalist posturing. Such claims are instrumental in building a political narrative of enhanced national pride and triumph, which responds to the militarised consciousness of sections of the civil society. Simplistically reducing strategic achievement to some number without going into the actual realisation of strategic objectives is adequate to consolidate this constituency of militarised minds. It not only shows a fatuous understanding of foreign and defence policies, but also legitimises war and military action as a tool of domestic politics. Such conduct of politics on part of this government does not allow for a reasoned dialogue on the consequences of its strategic actions as it substitutes national interest with partisan interest for electoral gains. NHS-approved PARP inhibitor therapy found to boost the body's immune response Drugs could be used to increase number of patients who respond to immunotherapies Treatment developed for ovarian and breast cancers could also work in some lung cancers Precision cancer drugs called PARP inhibitors have a previously unknown ability to boost the immune system, and could help many more patients benefit from immunotherapy, a new study reveals. Scientists found that PARP inhibitors sparked a powerful immune response when used against cancer cells with weaknesses in repairing their DNA. The study changes our understanding of how PARP inhibitors work - and suggests they could be used alongside immunotherapies to boost their effectiveness. Clinical trials have already started to assess this combination. Some patients have benefited dramatically from a new generation of immunotherapies - but often only between 10 and 20 per cent of patients will respond, with many others' cancers able to hide from the immune system. Scientists at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, and the Institut Gustave Roussy, France, led by Professor Chris Lord and Dr Sophie Postal-Vinay, found that PARP inhibitors could unmask some of these cancers that can currently evade detection by immune cells. Their study is published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation and was funded by Breast Cancer Now and Cancer Research UK. PARP inhibitors such as olaparib block one of the systems which cells use to repair their DNA. They are designed to attack tumours that are already defective at DNA repair, especially ovarian and breast cancers in women with inherited BRCA mutations. The researchers looked at lung tumours taken from patients, and found those with deficiencies in their DNA repair contained significantly more immune cells within the tumours, compared with tumours in patients with a functioning DNA repair system. This suggested that the DNA repair mutations were stimulating an immune response against the tumours. They also studied cancer cells from non-small cell lung cancers and triple-negative breast cancers with mutations in DNA repair genes such as ERCC1 or BRCA, to assess whether PARP inhibitors could increase this immune response. When cancer cells with defective repair systems are treated with PARP inhibitors to block their remaining system of DNA repair, they can no longer repair any DNA damage so accumulate more and more DNA mutations until they die. The researchers found that the accumulation of DNA damage in cancer cells treated with PARP inhibitors triggered the release of various molecular signals that have the potential to attract immune cells to the tumour, suggesting that treatment with PARP inhibitors could enhance the immune response against these cancer cells. In one ERCC1-deficient cancer cell line, 24 out of the 50 signalling pathways that were activated after exposure to PARP inhibitors were related to the immune system. The scientists found that PARP inhibitors could potentially be used to treat lung cancers with faults in their DNA repair genes, in part because of these newly discovered effects on the immune system. By using PARP inhibitors alongside immunotherapy, this immune response could be further enhanced to kill the cancer cells more effectively. As 30 to 50 per cent of patients with non-small cell lung cancer have a deficiency in the ERCC1 DNA repair system, this could open up a new, more effective ways of treating a large proportion of non-small cell lung cancer patients. Study leader Professor Chris Lord, Professor of Cancer Genomics at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, said: "The findings of this study substantially change our understanding of how PARP inhibitors work. We now know that they not only kill tumours by damaging their DNA, but also by attracting immune cells to attack them - acting as a sort of double-pronged attack. "Immunotherapy is a genuinely brilliant cancer treatment but generally only for the 10 to 20 per cent of people who respond to it. Finding the tumour is half of the battle in immunotherapy so by attracting the immune cells to the tumour, PARP inhibitors could enable the immunotherapy drug to target their attack." Study co-leader Dr Sophie Postel-Vinay, Clinician Scientist and Medical Oncologist at Gustave Roussy, France, and The Institute of Cancer Research, London, said: "Our study found that PARP inhibitors enlist immune cells to aid in the killing of cancer cells. This provides a rationale for using PARP inhibitors alongside immunotherapies to further stimulate the immune response to cancer cells with DNA repair defects and enhance the therapeutic benefit of the treatment." "This will be evaluated in a clinical trial of lung, prostate and bladder cancers, which is starting later this year." Dr Ian Walker, Director of Clinical Research at Cancer Research UK, said: "This study highlights the important role that research in the lab plays in helping us devise new clinical trials. Identifying new combinations that make cancer drugs more effective could open up many new treatment options for patients with cancers that are hard-to-treat, like lung cancer. This is an exciting development and we look forward to seeing if PARP inhibitors can improve survival for these patients." Dr Kotryna Temcinaite, Research Communications Manager at Breast Cancer Now, said: "These are really promising findings that show once more just how important PARP inhibitors could be in treating a number of cancers. Not only do these drugs interfere with tumour cells' ability to repair DNA but this study suggests they may have additional effects in initiating an immune response, which could then be exploited using other treatments. "Activating the immune system to attack tumours is an exciting approach that is beginning to show promise in breast cancer. We now look forward to seeing how the combination of PARP inhibitors and checkpoint inhibitors may work in clinical trials for breast cancer patients." ### Notes to editors For more information please contact Tilly Haynes in the ICR press office on 020 7153 5136 or tilly.haynes@icr.ac.uk. For enquiries out of hours, please call 07595 963 613. The science underpinning the discovery and development of PARP inhibitors such as olaparib was led by scientists at The Institute of Cancer Research, London. Olaparib is now available on the NHS to treat advanced, chemotherapy-resistant ovarian cancer in women who inherit mutations in one of the BRCA genes. The Institute of Cancer Research, London, is one of the world's most influential cancer research organisations. Scientists and clinicians at The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) are working every day to make a real impact on cancer patients' lives. Through its unique partnership with The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and 'bench-to-bedside' approach, the ICR is able to create and deliver results in a way that other institutions cannot. Together the two organisations are rated in the top four centres for cancer research and treatment globally. The ICR has an outstanding record of achievement dating back more than 100 years. It provided the first convincing evidence that DNA damage is the basic cause of cancer, laying the foundation for the now universally accepted idea that cancer is a genetic disease. Today it is a world leader at identifying cancer-related genes and discovering new targeted drugs for personalised cancer treatment. A college of the University of London, the ICR is the UK's top-ranked academic institution for research quality, and provides postgraduate higher education of international distinction. It has charitable status and relies on support from partner organisations, charities and the general public. The ICR's mission is to make the discoveries that defeat cancer. For more information visit http://www.icr.ac.uk About Gustave Roussy: Gustave Roussy, Europe's leading comprehensive cancer centre, is a global, patient-focused centre of excellence. It brings together 3,100 professionals dedicated to treatment, research and teaching. Each year, more than 48,000 patients of whom 11,400 were attending their first appointment are seen in outpatients. 28% of patients treated in 2017 were included in clinical research studies. For further information, visit https://www.gustaveroussy.fr/en About Cancer Research UK: Cancer Research UK is the world's leading cancer charity dedicated to saving lives through research. Cancer Research UK's pioneering work into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer has helped save millions of lives. Cancer Research UK receives no funding from the UK government for its life-saving research. Every step it makes towards beating cancer relies on vital donations from the public. Cancer Research UK has been at the heart of the progress that has already seen survival in the UK double in the last 40 years. Today, 2 in 4 people survive their cancer for at least 10 years. Cancer Research UK's ambition is to accelerate progress so that by 2034, 3 in 4 people will survive their cancer for at least 10 years. Cancer Research UK supports research into all aspects of cancer through the work of over 4,000 scientists, doctors and nurses. Together with its partners and supporters, Cancer Research UK's vision is to bring forward the day when all cancers are cured. About Breast Cancer Now: Breast Cancer Now is the UK's largest breast cancer charity. Breast Cancer Now's ambition is that by 2050 everyone who develops breast cancer will live - and live well. The charity is determined to stop women dying from the disease, working in a new, collaborative way and bringing together all those affected by the disease to fund research, share knowledge and find answers. Breast Cancer Now's world-class research is focused entirely on breast cancer. The charity supports nearly 380 of the world's brightest researchers at 31 locations across the UK and Ireland. Together, they're working to discover how to prevent breast cancer, how to detect it earlier and how to treat it effectively at every stage so we can stop the disease taking lives. Breast cancer is still the most common cancer in the UK. Nearly 700,000 people living in the UK have experienced a diagnosis and one in eight women will face it in their lifetime. This year alone, around 55,000 women and 350 men will be told they have the disease. The UK still has one of the lowest breast cancer survival rates in Western Europe and this year alone around 11,500 women will lose their lives. It's time to act. Breast Cancer Now launched in June 2015, created by the merger of leading research charities Breast Cancer Campaign and Breakthrough Breast Cancer. For more information on Breast Cancer Now's work, visit breastcancernow.org or follow us on Twitter or on Facebook. The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR): improving the health and wealth of the nation through research. Established by the Department of Health and Social Care, the NIHR: funds high quality research to improve health trains and supports health researchers provides world-class research facilities works with the life sciences industry and charities to benefit all involves patients and the public at every step For further information, visit the NIHR website (http://www.nihr.ac.uk). What began as a brainstorming session last year about how to unify sustainability efforts across North Texas is now the Regional Centre of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development North Texas, or RCE North Texas, thanks to efforts led by Meghna Tare, University of Texas at Arlington chief sustainability officer, and many dedicated stakeholders. The coalition has been approved by United Nations University, which oversees the international network of regional centers. I realized that while there are 168 Regional Centres of Expertise around the world, there are only six in the United States, Tare said. So, launching an RCE North Texas is a chance to show leadership from UTA and the region in terms of sustainability. We have a lot to be proud of and to share with the world, and this gives us a global platform to do that. Tare leveraged working relationships already in place between UTA and other organizations to get the ball rolling. At their kickoff meeting in January, 60 stakeholders from the region were asked to pick sustainable development goals they thought were most relevant to the region. The consensus: good health and well-being, sustainable communities and education. We drafted the application and submitted it to the UNU-IAS, and I also asked the stakeholders to share information about their programs and provide a letter of support to go with the application, she said. Another working meeting was held this month to decide on mission and vision statements, and one-year and five-year goals. The group concluded that one of the reasons the coalition is needed is because the North Texas region has experienced such tremendous growth over the past 40 years. Population is expected to double by the year 2050. In this scenario, as noted in the application, we should examine how North Texas will confront the exploding population projections and the environmental, social and economic challenges they bring. Formation of a Regional Centre of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development would be an influencer in the community as cities expand, providing the resources to maximize the potential economic opportunity that well-managed communities can offer. The status quo is not sustainable; North Texas must embrace a proactive approach to addressing the challenges of urbanization. Tare said she is committed to including more grassroots organizations and private businesses in the RCE North Texas and that some consulting firms and small businesses have already expressed interest in joining the effort. As much as possible, we want to be focused on education, dialogue and collaboration of ideas, she said. Many businesses are designing their strategies around sustainable development, and we want to give them a chance to leverage our expertise and resources. Academia also is recognizing that the time is right to take its knowledge and expertise outside the campus Sustainable development engenders a culture of learning and continuous improvement. The RCE network brings together members who might not usually work together, said John Hall, UTA vice president for administration and campus operations. As such, they are uniquely placed to help create solutions to sustainability challenges through dialogue, education, training, conferences, symposiums and learning. ### Anyone interested in promoting sustainability is invited to attend the Regional Centre of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development North Texas kickoff from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, March 28, at The University of Texas at Arlington E.H. Hereford University Center, 300 W. First St., in the Carlisle Suite. Email mtare@uta.edu to RSVP. -- Written by Richard Hill Dears, I am a resident of Pakistan and applying for New Zealand Immigration. My wife has done MBIT [Masters in Business and Information Technology with Research Thesis] from Punjab University, Lahore, Pakistan. My question is when doing NZQA from IQA will this degree be assessed as Level 8 or Level 9 ?? Waiting for you valuable replies. Regards BILAL JAVED Saturday, March 9, 2019 Who Chains You Books is proud to announce our first overseas book! And odds are good this sweet book, written from the dogs perspective, will have you laughing and crying like it did us. Ouzo the Greek: A Year in the Life of a Greek Rescue Dog by Lisa Edwards After being hit by a car and left for dead on the streets of Greece, I was rescued by my heroine and first love, Ermioni. With broken bones and open wounds so severe my flesh was beginning to rot, the only option was to amputate my leg. Ermioni nursed me back to health and I lived for a time at the Diasozo Animal Rescue shelter. However, I was becoming depressed, as the healthier dogs were pushing me out of the way when there was food to be had. My guardian angel continued to look out for me and share my story on social media all around the world, until one day I found my very own Mama and Papa, in little old England. And this is where my story begins. You can pick up your copies in paperback and kindle in most Amazon stores the world over. Here are the links to the U.S. and UK markets. U.S. Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1946044466 U.S. Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PJWF4T4 Amazon.uk: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ouzo-Greek-Year-Life-Rescue/dp/1946044466/ Amazon.uk Kindle: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ouzo-Greek-Year-Life-Rescue-ebook/dp/B07PJWF4T4/ See photos of Ouzo as rescuers helped him in Greece: [embedded content] About the Author Lisa Edwards lives in a quiet village in West Sussex, England. With their children grown, Lisa and her husband Michael decided the time had come to search for a new family dog. Having rescued pets in the past, there was no hesitation in deciding to adopt rather than shop. Enter Ouzo the Greek, who joined Mrs. D, aka That Darned Cat, and more recently Mr. Moussaka. These three misfit second-hand pets completely changed Lisas life. Lisa spent over a decade working as an Executive Assistant in secondary education, but gave it all up to start a new career, where she is now employed at an animal rescue organisation. She hopes to make a difference to those still looking for their forever home, as well as write about animals and animal causes on a freelance basis. As for Ouzo, well Lisa and Michael didnt just rescue a dog, they inadvertently stumbled across their best friend. A company affiliated with local developer GrayStreet Partners may continue demolition work on a property at the center of its challenge to San Antonios tree preservation ordinance, the parties said Friday. On ExpressNews.com: Developer challenges San Antonios tree ordinance GrayStreet Stumberg sued the city earlier this week after the city accused the company of removing trees from its property just south of Paul Elizondo Tower downtown without a permit, violating the ordinance. The citys Development Services Department issued a stop work order in February halting demolition currently underway at the property. City officials have agreed to lift the order under an agreement reached between the parties Friday. In exchange, GrayStreet Stumberg must submit a tree permit application and pay a $100 fee within five days. GrayStreet has not dropped its lawsuit contesting the $2,000 fine levied by city officials, but the parties say they could be nearing an agreement. This is something that we anticipate could be resolved through an amicable resolution rather than going to court, city spokeswoman Thea Setterbo said. Demolition work had resumed at the site on Friday morning. Attorney Kyle Dingman, who represents GrayStreet, would not provide further comment about the agreement or the lawsuit. We dont want to comment on the rest of the case because we dont want to interfere with the resolution of the case, Dingman said. On ExpressNews.com: AT&T selling land, building near University of the Incarnate Word its most valuable San Antonio property GrayStreet bought the 1.2-acre property and a cluster of buildings along Nueva Street between Main Avenue and Flores Street on Sept. 20. Its unclear how much GrayStreet paid for the property but the Bexar Appraisal District valued the land at nearly $3.9 million last year. The city sent the violation notice and stop work order to GrayStreet on Feb. 25 as the developer was in the process of demolishing buildings on the property. The violation carries a $2,000 fine. GrayStreet said in its lawsuit that its demolition work did not lead to removal of any trees. Any tree removal was done prior to demolition, it said. GrayStreet has argued the city acted without legal or statutory authority to stop the company from completing the demolition. Joshua Fechter is a San Antonio-based staff writer covering real estate, economic development and tourism. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | jfechter@express-news.net | Twitter: @JFReports As the search continues for Andreen McDonald, missing for more than a week and presumed dead by law enforcement, some are already wondering: If the 29-year-olds body is never found, can her assailant still be prosecuted? Yes, but. It would present a challenge to go forward without a body, but it wouldnt be impossible, District Attorney Joe Gonzales said Friday. The state is permitted to build a case on circumstantial, as opposed to direct evidence. And the state is still required to prove a case beyond a reasonable doubt. A former first assistant district attorney who oversaw one of the most notorious missing-body murders in San Antonios history said this: You can do it, but its damned difficult. Michael D. Bernard prosecuted the husband of an affluent Terrell Hills woman, Susan McFarland, 43, who was murdered in 2002. The day after her husband, Robert McFarland, reported his wife missing, police found drops and smears of blood and clumps of hair in the home the couple shared with their three children. The carpet in his van had been removed and there were abrasions on the knuckles of his left hand. Bernard said the district attorney held off charging Richard McFarland with murder while Susan was missing. He was held on charges of attempting to obstruct a probe and unauthorized use of a vehicle. After a search that lasted seven weeks, her charred remains were found on an abandoned farm on the South Side. McFarland was later found guilty and sentenced to 40 years. A district attorney doesnt have to be in a rush to bring a charge of murder, so they can wait and see if the body is found, Bernard said. When a corpse isnt found, Bernard said a prosecutor must convince jurors theres been a murder and address the manner and means of death, which is close to impossible. The defense can always say, well, the person had a heart attack or a stroke or jumped off a cliff somewhere, he said. That makes it very hard for the state to prove its case. Investigators have been looking for Andreen McDonald since March 1. This week, they were joined by her family, friends, volunteers, organized search groups and military personnel. Andreens husband, Air Force Reserve Maj. Andre McDonald, 40, remains in jail under a $2 million bail, charged with tampering with evidence for allegedly trying to destroy receipts of items that investigators believe he was going to use to dispose of his wifes body. He has declined to cooperate with authorities, according to Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar. Andre McDonalds attorney, John Convery, has called the bail amount outrageous and said his client is just exercising his constitutional right to stay silent. On ExpressNews.com: Timeline of events in the case of missing woman Referring to the McDonald case, Bernard said an example of circumstantial evidence would include some of what the sheriff has released to the public, such as the blood stains found on a light switch inside the couples Timberwood Park-area home. While usable, such evidence is open to question, he said. Could she have just cut her finger with a razor blade? If you go in with Luminol (used to detect blood at crime scenes) and find a large puddle of blood thats been cleaned up, then you can get someone on the stand saying, A person cant survive losing that much blood. But without a body, its an uphill battle. Eyewitness testimony also contributes to building a case, even if it comes from a child. The McDonalds 7-year-old daughter has made statements suggesting her father hurt her mother, which could be used in a trial, Bernard said. So can tampering with evidence. That suggests consciousness of guilt, he said. Prosecutors get one shot at trying a murder suspect, so its best to wait for a body, Bernard said. Other high-profile missing body cases in San Antonio and Texas over the years include: The 1987 case of Ray Moberg, a paramedic who was convicted of killing his 18-year-old step-daughter Debbie Moberg in San Antonio, whose body was never found. In addition to multiple, citywide searches, a contingent of psychics joined in trying to find Debbies remains. Moberg, who after six months confessed to the murder, was also charged with kidnapping and burglary, and was given five consecutive 20-year sentences. In the 1995, famous atheist Madalyn Murray OHair, her son, Jon, and her granddaughter, Robin, were kidnapped by three men and taken to San Antonio, where they were killed, dismembered and buried in metal drums in the Texas Hill Country. Six years later, after reaching a plea bargain, David Waters, a former employee who said he hated OHair, led authorities to the threes remains. Accomplice Gary Karr got life in prison for crimes related to the disappearance, and Waters was sentenced to a total of 80 years in prison. On ExpressNews.com: Athiests disappearance a mystery In 2009, Jack Lee King was sentenced to 60 years for the 1993 murder in San Antonio of 23-year-old Johnny Perez, whose body was never found. Witnesses said King killed Perez after a barbecue, shooting him in the front seat of his car then driving away. There was no physical evidence against King, who was also charged with two later murders. It took 16 years for witnesses to come forward. In 1994 Paul Gayland Taylor Jr., 37, was charged in the murder of Rebecca Beard, 22, of Freeport, south of Houston. Beard disappeared in 1986 after leaving a Freeport night club. Taylor, a former chemical plant worker, was already serving a prison sentence for two drunken driving convictions. Prosecutors were able to get a murder indictment without a body because of information provided by informants and witnesses. Taylor pleaded guilty to murder and later led authorities to a shallow grave, but Beards body was never found. Bill Gill was an assistant criminal district attorney in Fort Worth when Glenda Gail Furch, a grandmother and devoted churchgoer, went missing in 2007. Detectives said her car, purse and keys were missing and found a large bleach stain in her home, but no body. They also found five trash bags containing items from her house in a dumpster outside her apartment. Several weeks after Furch went missing, Rodney Owens, who had a history of physical assault and stalking, was arrested for stealing a car. Through a bit of luck and coincidence, items found in the trunk led detectives to Furchs burned car, which in turn tied Owens even further to the crime. When his DNA, fingerprints and semen were found in the trash bags, Gill knew the state had a strong case even without a body. Witnesses also saw Owens driving Furchs car, and a jailhouse informant testified Owens told him details about the murder not released to the public. It took the jury three hours to return a guilty verdict. Owens got a life sentence. His attorney appealed and lost. Police had done a thorough investigation, Gill said. They didnt just treat it as a missing-person report. It also helped that Gail was punctual and had regular contact with family and friends. Because the first challenge is proving that someone is dead, that they didnt just disappear and go off the grid. That they didnt commit suicide. Cilfton Herberg, who served under former Bexar District Attorney Susan Reed, said a common theme seen in missing-body murders is a history of domestic violence between the victim and alleged perpetrator. Andre and Andreen McDonald had had arguments, one employee said, some of which involved calls to the police. Andreen allegedly once told a friend that if she ever disappeared, it would be because of her husband. Herberg said such statements might actually play against prosecutors, should they seek to build a case in the absence of her body. The defense will raise that, he said. Theyll say, She was afraid of him, so she left. She flew the coop, disappeared. And who would blame her? Shes telling people she was afraid for her life. A new public art piece that pays tribute to the indigenous people of the land and early settlers who started what has become the seventh largest city in the nation will be unveiled Saturday on one of the most historic plots of land in downtown San Antonio. The new, $700,000 Founders Monument depicts five primary figures in bronze a Native American, presidio soldier, Spanish friar and man and woman from the Canary Islands representative of groups that contributed to life in the colonial village of New Spain that would grow into San Antonio. The work, installed in front of the north entrance of the Bexar County Courthouse, also depicts a goat as an environmental element recalling a time when seeds were being planted for a community that would become the largest city in Texas in the 1800s and a place of military strategic value. It was also the first organized civil government in Texas. On ExpressNews.com: Canary Islanders start first civil government The whole beginning was right there on the land that we have, and across the street, Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff said of the area known today as Main Plaza, once called Plaza de las Islas a reference to 56 Canary Islanders who arrived in San Antonio 288 years ago, on March 9, 1731. Wolff said said King Felipe VI of Spain was very pleased to learn about the project when visiting San Antonio with Queen Letizia last summer for San Antonios tricentennial. Dignitaries attending Saturdays unveiling during a 10 a.m. dedication ceremony are expected to include Luis Padilla, vice-councilor of external action for the Canary Islands, and Teresa Sancho Martinez, consular officer with the Consulate General of Spain in Houston. Dr. Alfonso Chiscano, a native of Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the Canary Islands who has long advocated research and awareness of the contributions of those 56 settlers to San Antonios history, said there were Franciscan friars, soldiers and Native Americans here after the first mission and presidio were founded in 1718. But Spain wanted families to help colonize early Tejas. With that, you could not create a town, he said. Fifteen families from the islands, in response to King Philip Vs desire to establish a settlement between the Rio Grande and Nacogdoches, made a nearly yearlong trek by sea and land to San Antonio. They initially were sheltered and fed by local villagers until they could fend for themselves. The Canary Islanders laid out a village west of the plaza and built a church that now is San Fernando Cathedral, along with a Casa Real, or government building, on the plazas east side. Although they lived apart from the soldiers who occupied the presidio, and friars and Native Americans of the missions, the Canary Islanders and the other groups blended together through trade and bartering, and relied on one another as they confronted disease, droughts, attacks by hostile indigenous bands and other hardships, said Mari Tamez, president of the Canary Islands Descendants Association. They figured out quickly that they needed each other, she said. Chiscano said Dr. Franciso Cigarroa suggested he engage Laredo artist Armando Hinojosa, an internationally recognized sculptor who created the Tejano Monument dedicated in 2012 at the Texas Capitol. Hinojosa hand-picked reenactors as models to create clay figures that were used to form the bronze statues forged at Stevens Art Foundry in Bulverde. On ExpressNews.com: Descendants of Canary Island founders focus on monument The descendants group sought financial help from public officials before finding an ally in Wolff one of the few politicians who appreciates history in this town, Chiscano said. The county provided a $337,500 matching grant for the project, which also had the support of local corporate donors and contributions from Canary Islanders who visited San Antonio during last years Tricentennial celebration. By the 1780s, Canary Islanders had begun to intermarry with the soldiers and Native Americans, Tamez said. The town became the focal point of revolutionary unrest, first in 1813, when an independent republic of Tejas was established, then toppled four months later by the Spanish Royal Army at the Battle of Medina the deadliest battle in Texas history. San Antonio again was at the center of fighting in the 1835-1836 Texas Revolution, with the Battle of Bejar and siege and Battle of the Alamo. While that is very exciting, many tend to forget there were people doing the hard work 100 years before the Alamo, Tamez said. They built something that others later were willing to fight and die for. Scott Huddleston covers Bexar County government and the Alamo for the San Antonio Express-News. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | shuddleston@express-news.net | Twitter: @shuddlestonSA University Hospital is making changes in its cardiac program after being recently rated below average on two common heart surgeries by an independent doctors group. University was among the lowest performing hospitals in national ratings in August by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons for adult heart surgeries. The hospital was one of nine institutions among hundreds across the country to earn one star the groups lowest rating for overall performance in aortic valve replacement surgery. It was one of seven to receive another one-star rating for combined aortic valve and coronary artery bypass surgery. In January, the hospital rebounded somewhat when new scores were released that included data from the first half of 2018. Universitys performance for valve replacements improved to two stars, or average. But its overall score for combined aortic valve and bypass surgery remained at one star. That score put it among eight hospitals nationally to receive the low rating, out of 519 hospitals that publicly reported their results for the procedure. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons is widely regarded as a national leader in measuring cardiac surgical results. The groups ratings are commonly considered the gold standard for assessing the performance of heart programs because they are based on clinical information and are adjusted to account for sicker and thus higher-risk patients. Cardiac programs are assessed on operative mortality the rate of patients who die in the hospital or within 30 days of a surgery and major morbidity, or the rate of patients who had serious complications. Until recently, University was the only hospital in San Antonio that voluntarily made its STS ratings public. Mike Fisher The best tool that we have In an interview, University surgeons defended the hospitals cardiac program and said that as the countys safety net hospital, it accepts and treats a high number of patients who are sicker, economically disadvantaged or uninsured. Such patients tend to be at a higher risk of experiencing worse outcomes from surgery, they said. They added that they do not want to turn them away because of concerns over ratings. Still, the surgeons acknowledged that they were not entirely satisfied with the scores and said they had taken steps to improve. Were guilty. We had a one-star rating. I dont think its reflective of the entire program, said Dr. John Calhoon, director of the University Health System/UT Health Heart and Vascular Institute. It nonetheless is reflective of the data we turned in. We found some data we didnt turn in. Were working to make sure our reports are as accurate as possible. Were very humbly proud that we report. On ExpressNews.com: How much to fix this womans heart? The ratings are based on audited data submitted by hospitals that include detailed information from the medical records of all heart surgery patients. Hospitals and surgical groups receive composite ratings for several types of heart procedures. Each score is assigned a corresponding star rating, with three stars signifying above-average performance and one star indicating below average. Dr. Ravi Kiran Ghanta, an associate professor of surgery at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and chief of cardiac surgery at Ben Taub Hospital, said research has shown that factors like socioeconomic and insurance status, which are not yet included in the STS rating, can increase patients risk for surgery. It is also true, he said, that more patients at safety-net hospitals may have advanced diseases or chronic conditions that can negatively impact outcomes. But Ghanta, who recently authored a paper that examined differences between public ratings systems for heart surgeries, added that STS is still the best tool that we have at this point for assessing cardiac surgical results. Dr. Todd Rosengart, a professor of heart and vascular disease with the Texas Heart Institute and chair of surgery at Baylor College of Medicine, said STS ratings allow physicians and hospitals to understand their outcomes in a very granular way. The information, he said, can serve as a gauge for institutions that are statistically underperforming those that earn one-star ratings or are at the lower end of two stars. Related: Stone Oak surgeon uses new technique for heart surgery Although STS does not account for every factor that might raise a patients risk, it notably does not penalize heart programs that treat sicker patients, Rosengart said. Hospitals, including county hospitals, should be careful about saying our patients are sicker, he said. If a hospital is significantly underperforming in the STS analysis, regardless of the type of patients it cares for, that needs to be carefully looked at and reconciled with reality, said Rosengart, who co-authored the paper with Ghanta. Navigating the ratings More information than ever is available to patients who want to know about the quality of hospitals and their surgical results. Several organizations publicly rate hospitals on their outcomes in heart surgery, including the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Healthgrades and U.S. News and World Report. The ratings provide a wealth of information about hospitals, but navigating them isn't always simple. Because each group uses different sources of data and methods to assess hospitals, scores can vary widely and do not tend to correlate with each other, research has found. However, STS, an independent surgeons' group, is largely regarded as the "gold standard" for measuring outcomes in heart surgeries. According to a recent American College of Surgeons article, the STS database is comprehensive, including data from more than 1,100 heart programs and an estimated 95 percent of adult heart surgeries performed in the United States. Importantly, its ratings do not penalize hospitals for operating on sicker patients who are riskier candidates for surgery. STS, which rates heart programs twice a year, maintains an online database with its most recent ratings of hospitals on a microsite, publicreporting.sts.org/. The adult heart surgery database is accessible to members of the public at publicreporting.sts.org/acsd. Consumers can search by individual hospital or surgical group for their performance on common heart procedures, including aortic valve replacements, coronary artery bypass surgery, combined valve and bypass surgery, mitral valve replacement or repair and combined mitral valve and bypass surgery. The search function also allows for searches by city or state to view which hospitals in a particular region publicly report their results. For each procedure, information is available on the percentage of patients who died in the hospital or soon after surgery (operative mortality) and the rate of patients who had serious complications from surgery (major morbidity). STS assigns stars to each of its scores, with three stars signifying above-average results, two stars indicating average performance and one star signaling below-average numbers. See More Collapse Higher complication rates Universitys heart patients have experienced higher rates of major complications from surgery, including reoperation, infection, stroke, kidney failure or extended time on a breathing machine. The hospital responded by making multiple changes to its cardiac program. It has implemented a nursing protocol to wean patients from ventilators more quickly after operations, when appropriate. After making that adjustment, hospital officials said, Universitys morbidity rate for bypass surgery improved from 18 percent to 13.2 percent. The hospital is also examining ways to refine its protocols for glucose levels and postoperative pain medication, which can impact patients need to stay on ventilators. Additionally, the hospital is reviewing its data collection, internal audits and classification procedures to ensure it is accurately reporting information to STS. In particular, University officials said they are examining whether aortic root repair cases were inaccurately counted among combined valve plus bypass procedures. University is also more closely tracking illnesses that can raise a patients risk related to surgery. The hospital found it had not accounted for six patients with underlying diseases or conditions, like suppressed immune systems or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, that can make infection or other complications more likely. Those oversights, Calhoon said, were factors in their one-star morbidity rate for combined valve and bypass procedures performed from mid-2015 to mid-2018. During that period, 26.6 percent of the 24 patients who underwent that surgery suffered major complications. Dr. A.J. Carpenter, a professor of cardiothoracic surgery with UT Health San Antonio and a University heart surgeon, said refining the hospitals risk assessments translates to better outcomes for patients. If we dont look at this, then we dont get better, she said. And thats really what our primary goal is. On ExpressNews.com: The surgeons dilemma: Save the mother or the baby first Universitys mortality rates in the two most recent STS ratings all earned two stars and were largely close to national benchmarks. University performs relatively few heart surgeries compared to its volume of trauma cases and to other heart programs. From the second half of 2017 to mid-2018, the hospital performed 139 coronary bypass procedures. From mid-2015 to mid-2018, it operated on 79 aortic valve patients, according to data provided by University. With fewer patients, negative outcomes tend to stand out more starkly, Calhoon said. He said some scores may have improved in the most recent round of ratings after older surgeries during which patients suddenly or unexpectedly died dropped off the analysis. Few S.A. hospitals publicly report January marked the first time that Methodist Heart Hospital, which is housed within Methodist Hospital, publicly reported its results. The hospital received two stars in every category except the administration of required medications related to bypass surgery, for which it earned above-average scores. Dr. Fernando Triana, chief physician of cardiovascular services for Methodist Healthcare System, said the hospital had been reporting its cardiac surgery results to STS for years. But it did not make them public until recently due to concerns over accurate data collection and high turnover among its data managers. Four other Methodist hospitals in San Antonio agreed last year to publicly report and will soon appear on the STS website, according to the hospital system. Participating in STS ratings provides a constant level of checks and balances that helps ensure we perform at the level that our community deserves, Triana said. He was surprised more of the citys hospitals did not publicly report their results. At this point, theres just no good explanation as to why someone would not be on that database publicly, he said. Baptist Health System did not respond to requests for comment. Christus Santa Rosa Health System reports its quality measures to multiple accreditation and regulatory agencies, information that is made public in an easy to understand format, spokesman Steven Alford said. The system reports its cardiac surgery results to STS as one group for all of its hospitals in San Antonio and New Braunfels for benchmark purposes, he said. However, he said the hospital system is working to separate the data into individual facility reports and eventually make this information public as a way to help community members understand the results of each facility. Lauren Caruba covers health care and medicine in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | lcaruba@express-news.net | Twitter: @LaurenCaruba Saturday, March 9, 2019 at 10:47AM One way to have a more natural conversation with Google Assistant is with Googles Continued Conversations feature. Basically, Assistant stays active and listens to you as you ask it follow-up questions. It lessens the need for you to say the trigger word OK, Google or Hey, Google to ask it follow-up questions. This feature was only available for audio-only Google Home, Home Mini, and Home Max. Now, the current rollout fixes this issue and makes it available in English (US) across all Smart Displays, including the Google Home Hub, Lenovo Smart Display, JBL Link View and LG XBOOM AI ThinQ WK9. You have to head to Settings > Preferences > Continued conversation in the Google assistant app to activate this feature. Source: The Verge The long debate of whether to fence or not fence Plaza Guadalupe may be over, emphasis on may be. On Thursday night, city officials revealed their preferred design plan for the West Side public space after gathering citizen input. The plan keeps the plaza open 24/7, fulfilling a major concern that arose from contentious public meetings that started last August. But the plan also proposes to surround almost all of the plaza with various kinds of permanent fencing, clashing with the very definition of plaza. If approved by the citys Historic and Design Review Committee next month, the design could move to the permitting phase and then construction barring any other attempts to slow down they citys plans. The saving grace: A controversial chain-link fence that had all but closed off the beloved plaza for 2 years will come down. Some West Side residents and businesses were pleased by the plan. Theyve maintained a permanent fence will deter vagrancy, loitering, drug or alcohol use and prostitution in the plaza, perceptions that anti-fence supporters disputed as exaggerated and better addressed in other ways. The righteous on one side matched the righteousness on the other. Critics of fencing the plaza made points that are still valid. Leaders of the Esperanza Peace & Justice Center, for example, were the first to bring attention to the chain-link fence, unilaterally erected by the Avenida Guadalupe Association. Avenida is contracted by the city to be the plazas leasing agent and steward. It failed to get permission to put up the chain-link fence, though permits were later issued. Critics also argued convincingly that the plaza has been neglected, and that increased lighting and programming would deter alleged crime. Residents and others made similar suggestions. Those opposed to any fencing around the plaza noted that Avenidas rental rates were arbitrary and not posted publicly, making it difficult to schedule events at the plaza. The city responded by pressuring Avenida to post its rental rates; and the Center City Development and Operations Department announced Thursday it will offer rental waivers and reduced fees to nonprofits to encourage use of the plaza. District 5 City Councilwoman Shirley Gonzales responded by hosting a series of free movie nights in the plaza and secured $100,000 in city funding this fiscal year and the next for programming. Center City has scheduled public events and is looking for more to fill out the plazas calendar. Gonzales said the Avenida has met expectations, since criticisms were aired, but not exceeded them. The Avenidas contract extends to 2024. Police Lt. Jesse Salame said the San Antonio Police Department has heightened its presence in an area that is already heavily patrolled. A police substation, operational around the clock, is just a few minutes away on Frio Street, he added. The Avenida has a $300,000 budget from city Community Development Block Grant funds to pay for the proposed project. It will erect decorated wrought-iron fences, like those traditionally seen on the West Side, as well as artful walls and landscaped barriers, the city said. The project will include paving near the bathrooms that will better meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. If theres enough left over, the plaza may get a shade structure to make it more useful during hot months. Councilwoman Gonzales acknowledged how arduous this project has been given the emotional feelings around Plaza Guadalupe, beloved as the site visited by Pope John Paul II in 1987. She was most satisfied the proposed design focused on the two major issues that came out of public meetings: security and access. An entrance on Brazos Street and another on Guadalupe will remain open around the clock. The fencing around the plazas playground area was crucial to her. That area will be open to children with adults, not to adults alone. After Thursdays presentation by city staff, anti-fencers expressed their disappointment. They said they dont feel they were heard. They vowed to continue their opposition as the design plan goes to the HDRC in April; the city permitting phase in May, and through construction, which could be completed by summers end. Elaine Ayala is a columnist covering San Antonio and Bexar County. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | eayala@express-news.net | Twitter: @ElaineAyala Trust the art, not the artist. Its an old line that Bruce Springsteen repeated during a 1984 interview, by way of explaining why he was reluctant to meet his musical heroes. Springsteen, however, never could have anticipated the emotional quandary that Michael Jackson fans face in light of Leaving Neverland, a four-hour documentary that aired this week on HBO and provided graphic allegations from two men of Jackson sexually abusing them when they were children. The suggestion that Jackson, who died in 2009 at the age of 50, was a pedophile who used the blinding luminosity of his star power to lure young male fans, groom them and, ultimately, molest them, was not new. Weve been hearing it since a 1993 police investigation that ended with Jackson paying a reported $23 million to the family of his 13-year-old accuser. But Leaving Neverland provides a degree of graphic, disturbing detail that makes it impossible to shake. You cant watch it without being overcome by anger. For some die-hard Jackson defenders, that anger is directed at the alleged victims: choreographer Wade Robson and former child star James Safechuck. For the rest of us, the anger is aimed not only at Jackson, but at ourselves, for being complicit in a collective obliviousness to any dissonant biographical notes that threatened to drown out our enjoyment of Jacksons music. The confusion over what Michael Jackson means to us childlike eccentric or manipulative predator will play out Monday at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, when the Youth Orchestra of San Antonio performs Thriller, Jacksons iconic 1982 album, in its entirety. Its the latest installment in a concert series that YOSA began in 2015 with a performance of Radioheads OK Computer. YOSA decided a year ago to do a Thriller concert, and Troy Peters, YOSAs music director, began working on arrangements and orchestrations last summer. According to Peters, when he heard about Leaving Neverland in January, YOSAs leadership had a lot of intense conversations about how to approach the Thriller concert. After conferring with the musicians, they decided to go ahead with the performance and use it to provide a platform for organizations that are fighting child abuse. Representatives from child-abuse prevention nonprofits will be present in the lobby, and the concert will be prefaced by a video discussing the issue. We know its complicated and we know that not everybody is going to want to be there that night, and we get that, Peters said. But we have a lot of people who told us that they do want to be there and that they appreciate that were doing this. With any artist, theres an inverse proportionality between our love for the artists work and our willingness to believe that they could be guilty of monstrous behavior. If youre a connoisseur of early rock n roll, for example, you compartmentalize the fact that Jerry Lee Lewis married his 13-year-old cousin, Myra Gale Brown, and that two subsequent wives died under circumstances that could generously be described as mysterious. You compartmentalize those facts because you dont want to sacrifice your love for the rollicking glory of Great Balls of Fire or High School Confidential. To be engaged with pop culture, particularly in the #MeToo era, means to navigate your way through a minefield of moral ambiguity. Weve encountered it with Bill Cosby, Phil Spector, R. Kelly, Kevin Spacey and Ryan Adams, to name just a few. Your take on allegations from filmmaker Woody Allens adopted daughter that he sexually abused her as a child probably depends on how much Annie Hall or Hannah and Her Sisters mean to you. If you never liked Allens work, boycotting his films on moral grounds is easy to do. Its like hating grapes and then proclaiming that youre giving them up in solidarity with striking farmworkers. Michael Jackson is in a category of his own. His music is part of our cultural DNA. Our love for that music is a bell we cant unring. He gave us the ultimate schoolyard anthems with I Want You Back and ABC. He broke MTVs color barrier with the Billie Jean video. And he electrified the world with the moonwalk during the Motown 25 special in 1983. Before we wanted to be like the Mike who wore number 23 for the Chicago Bulls, we wanted to be like the Mike who wore the red jacket in the Thriller video. Many of us passed that music on to our kids. How do you untangle the joy that Jackson brought us from the psychological scars that Robson and Safechuck say he inflicted on them? Even they seem to be wrestling with internal conflict between love for the inspiration he gave them and hatred for the childhood he allegedly stole from them. There are no easy answers, just unresolved questions. Ultimately, each of us has to decide whether the lies of an artist invalidate any truth we find in their creations. Gilbert Garcia is a columnist covering the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | ggarcia@express-news.net | Twitter: @gilgamesh470 AUSTIN City ordinances that protect gay, lesbian and transgender Texans from employment discrimination would be undermined by a newly amended state Senate bill, civil rights advocates say. The prospect of weakening those anti-discrimination rules could set up the latest culture clash in the Texas Legislature, two years after the controversial bathroom bill stoked deep divisions among top Republican leaders. At issue is a sweeping bill backed by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott that would bar cities from regulating employment policies and likely undo San Antonios ordinance that requires private businesses to provide paid sick leave to employees. Texas lawmakers have largely stayed away from contentious social issues this session as they pursue costly measures to slow the escalation of property taxes and put billions more dollars into public education. Its a stark contrast from the last legislative session, when debate over the bathroom bill that would have restricted the public bathrooms transgender people can use took up most of the political oxygen. Its unclear whether the employment bill will meet the same resistance. City anti-discrimination ordinances were initially exempt from the legislation nullifying local employment laws, but a recent rewrite of the Senate bill stripped that section. The changes also narrowed the bill known as SB15 to focus only on sick leave, scheduling and benefit policies. Texas Take: Get the latest news on Texas politics sent directly to your inbox every weekday At a recent committee hearing, the bills author, Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, said the non-discrimination section is no longer needed since the revised bill doesnt affect local rules regarding hiring practices. A spokeswoman for Creighton said neither version would prevent cities from enacting nondiscrimination policies. Any argument that says so is inaccurate, spokeswoman Erin Wilson said in a statement. Senate Bill 15 is strictly a response to local governments imposing burdensome, costly regulations on Texas private businesses. Advocates for LGBTQ Texans, however, argue the change could gut the ability of cities to enforce anti-discrimination ordinances for employee benefits, leave and scheduling. Possible scenarios they cite include a business that denies parental leave to an employee who is LGBTQ, or refuses to give time off for a honeymoon or other family event. Texas law doesnt prohibit discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation, but a handful of cities, including Dallas, Austin and San Antonio, have adopted their own policies. Millions of people are covered by nondiscrimination protections at the local level (and) stand to have those protections dramatically cut back, said Cathryn Oakley, the state legislative director and senior counsel at the Human Rights Campaign. The bill could come up for a vote in the full Senate as early as next week. Its not clear whether Abbott or Rep. Craig Goldman a Fort Worth Republican who filed similar legislation in the House approve of the change. Neither returned a request for comment. When touting the legislation at business events, Abbott has focused on the paid sick leave aspect, saying such policies should be discretionary and not mandated by local government. David Welch, a Houston resident and leader of the Texas Pastor Council, says the bill would create a uniform standard for businesses across the state. SB 15 is one step in reversing the continued march toward unequal rights with a hodgepodge of laws throughout hundreds of cities and counties having different laws, language and enforcement, Welch said in a statement. The council which was a backer of the so-called bathroom bill last session sued the city of Austin over its anti-discrimination ordinance in 2018. Jessica Shortall, with the business coalition Texas Competes, said the group is still trying to understand the revised bills potential effect on cities anti-discrimination ordinances. Early analysis of the changes, Shortall said, suggest the best case scenario is confusion, and worst case is opening a door to eroding the local ordinances. amorris@express-news.net Why cant Gov. Greg Abbott accept that man-made climate change is real? He has said this is because he is not a scientist, but I think the better answer can be found in his response to Jade Helm back in 2015. Confronted with hysteria from fringe groups about the routine military exercise in Texas, Abbott notified the Texas State Guard to monitor the federal military operation. As we later learned, the hysteria about rounding up political dissidents and instituting martial law was fueled by Russian bots and alt-right media. In a position to squash these rumors, Abbott instead chose a painfully passive course. He didnt endorse the conspiracy theory, but he sure didnt shut it down. In the view of Michael Hayden, the former head of the CIA and National Security Agency, Abbott fanned the flames for future Russian meddling in U.S. affairs. At that point, Im figuring the Russians are saying, We can go big time, Hayden said in a 2018 interview. At that point, I think they made the decision, Were going to play in the electoral process. Im not willing to pin widespread Russian electoral meddling on one poor decision by the governor. But when Abbott fails to acknowledge man-made climate change, my mind often drifts back to his response to Jade Helm and the obvious political parallels. In a position to do more, he did less. In a position to embrace mainstream consensus, he played to a fringe base despite the potential larger repercussions. He valued the the voices of skeptics over the experts. Its a particularly cynical brand of politics. After all, Abbotts resume says he should know better. This is a former Texas Supreme Court justice. A longtime attorney general. A dynamic governor with a compelling personal story and a deep love for Texas. He is arguably the states most popular politician. The Blue Wave didnt even get his toes wet. He won re-election by 13 points in 2018. No other statewide officeholder can say that. And while this popularity shows he is doing something right on the issues that are important to most Texas voters, it also suggests he has political capital to spend. That he could move the needle on climate change for Republicans and urge others to embrace the science and honor the public concern. In short, to be a leader. Too often, though, he follows. Too often, he panders to fringe voters on the right. On Jade Helm. On voter fraud. On border insecurity. And, of course, on climate change. Listen, Im not a scientist, he said in December following the release of a report about how to mitigate future severe weather akin to Hurricane Harvey. The kind of weather scientists expect more of in a warming world. Leading climate scientists have offered to brief the governor about man-made climate change, but to no avail. In other words, hes given proponents of the Jade Helm conspiracy greater consideration than leading climate scientists about a real global catastrophe. Those scientists might tell the governor that Texas is vulnerable to man-made climate change. They might speak about the scientific consensus and the predictions that come with a warming world. How Texans will experience prolonged droughts, extreme heat, hardship in the agriculture sector, decreased water supply in the Edwards Aquifer and coastal flooding by 2030. Abbott is not a scientist, but he could listen to scientists. He could honor their expertise and the devastation and toll extreme weather has taken on this state. He could celebrate Texas as more than capable of facing the challenges of a warming world. A state rich in natural gas and tops in the nation in wind energy production. A state that could do so much more with solar energy production. He could frame our leading universities as pioneers in developing new technologies to mitigate climate change. What if he said he could see the long-term consequences of inaction on your children and grandchildren? Conservative talk radio might freak, but its not such an outlandish view. Recent polling from Yale University and George Mason University found 69 percent of Americans are either very worried or somewhat worried about climate change. This isnt some crazy conspiracy, and maybe thats the problem. jbrodesky@express-news.net The race for 2020 is taking shape, although there are still significant unknowns, including whether Donald Trump will get a serious primary challenge. His fiercest Republican critics say, Yes please, please, yes. They are probably wrong, and its certainly nothing to root for. Trumps dominance of the party begins with his lockdown support of the right, forcing any primary challenger to the left. This isnt fertile territory. Self-identified moderates and liberals are only a fraction of the party, and it is grassroots conservative activists who have fueled the most potent Republican primary challenges (Ronald Reagan in 1976, Pat Buchanan in 1992). Because a primary challenge would naturally come from the left and is unlikely to succeed, it will tend to attract people who dont have a future in GOP national politics and lack conservative bona fides the wayward former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld; the centrist governor of Maryland, Larry Hogan; former Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who convincingly demonstrated his lack of national electoral appeal in 2016. Trump is in a stronger position in the party now than he was then. Hes been a rock on judges, abortion and religious liberty. Last time, many Republicans told themselves, Well, at least compared to Hillary, we dont know what were getting with Trump. Now, they are grateful for what theyve gotten. Could all of this change? It would require a torpedo to the bow from some enormous scandal and a significant ideological betrayal on something extremely important, like a Supreme Court nominee. The promoters of a Trump primary challenge still havent come to grips with how intertwined Trumps fate is with the partys. If Trump becomes seriously vulnerable to a primary challenge, its a sign that something very bad has happened that wont be constrained to him. Say its proof of a criminal conspiracy with the Russians. Is the rest of the party that has defended Trump so vociferously in the Mueller probe going to emerge unscathed? Say its a sudden economic downturn. Whats the case that such an event wouldnt tank the GOP? Indeed, a winning primary campaign against Trump would almost certainly be a catastrophic success. How would the winner put the party back together again for the general election? Perhaps the hard-core Trump base and media will enthusiastically back whoever slays their champion. But why would they? Besides the inevitable hurt feelings and ideological disagreements, they will surely consider recent precedent Never Trump would be the analogue to Never Hogan. Of course, a primary campaign doesnt have to be about winning. Futile gestures can achieve a kind of grandeur. Bill Buckley was never going to win the 1965 New York City mayoral campaign, but he did promote his brand of conservatism. In their primary challenges, Reagan and Buchanan were movement-builders, not just candidates. Does anyone really believe, though, that Weld, Hogan or Kasich is going to define the future of the post-Trump Republican Party? There are people out there who may well have significant say in the partys future a Nikki Haley or a Tom Cotton but for them, 2024 will come soon enough (if Trump loses, the presidential jockeying begins in less than two years; if he wins, in less than four). There is obviously a character case to be made against Trump, although Republican voters are already aware of his flaws and strongly support him nonetheless. The contradiction in the case for a primary challenge is this: If its a bad thing that Trump is potentially a weak general-election candidate, as Trumps critics say, then why make him potentially weaker with a primary challenge? What many of Trumps GOP detractors wont say out loud is that when they talk of defeating Trump, they dont mean only defeating him in a nomination battle; they mean seeing him lose in a general election. That Republican voters would sense this, and understandably recoil, is another reason a primary challenge is probably a box canyon. comments.lowry@nationalreview.com For markets to work, you need a system in which either the government protects consumers or consumers can adequately defend themselves. Or both. But you cant have neither. The neither option lands you in a kleptocracy, which is basically where Republicans have been leading the country for the past few years. Happily, a new bill introduced by Democratic lawmakers last week would restore at least some of consumers diminished tools for self-defense. Republican politicians love to talk about their deregulatory successes. Theyre not exaggerating: Under President Donald Trumps leadership, Republicans have repealed or watered down tons of federal rules. If you look through a list of these deregulatory efforts, youll notice a striking pattern: Many of them loosen the limits for how much harm businesses can inflict upon consumers. Many changes allow for more pollution, for instance. These include the relaxation of Obama-era standards on coal-ash disposal, which makes it easier for arsenic, mercury and lead from power plants to potentially leak into the water supply. Or another proposed rule allowing coal-fired power plants to release more fine particulate matter into the air. And there are the many decisions to simply stop enforcing laws and regulations still on the books. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, for instance, suspended examinations of financial firms for compliance with the Military Lending Act, which protects service members and their dependents from financial predators. The Education Department has likewise failed to punish the misbehaving student-loan servicers it supervises, as a recent inspector general report found. Even as it remains asleep at the switch, the department has tried to block other regulators and state law enforcement officials from taking action against loan servicers accused of cheating consumers. If youre a conservative, you might argue that protecting consumers is not the governments role; in a free market, consumers should look out for themselves. If they have been harmed, they can seek redress through the courts. In fact, a Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences was awarded for precisely this insight: You dont need burdensome government regulations if you have strong property rights and the frictionless ability to sue over those rights. The prototypical example, which you might recall from a long-ago economics course: You can have either strong pollution regulations or strong property rights so that fishermen downstream can easily recoup their costs if all their fish die thanks to water pollution. But at exactly the same time that Republicans have been rolling back supposedly burdensome regulations, they have also been making it harder for downstream victims to seek redress. For instance, Trump has been trying to eliminate all federal funding for the Legal Services Corporation. This congressionally established nonprofit funds legal-aid programs that help about 2 million low-income Americans seek civil justice each year. Republican lawmakers have also tried to cap the amount of money that consumers hurt by financial institutions can be awarded even when theyre successful in court. But perhaps where the GOP has been most successful in curbing consumers ability to fight back relates to mandatory-arbitration clauses. This refers to language, typically buried in fine print, that forces you to give up your right to sue. If youve taken out a credit card, purchased a phone plan, checked a loved one into a nursing home or even just accepted a new job in the past few years, chances are youve agreed to these nonnegotiable terms. You are harmed not only because that company is likely bringing repeat business to the arbitrator handling your case, making them more likely to find in the companys favor. Its also because youve probably waived your rights to join a class-action suit. Republicans have repeatedly killed, undermined or delayed Obama-era regulations designed to curb forced arbitration for disputes involving financial institutions, nursing homes and for-profit schools. But last week, more than 150 Democratic lawmakers signed on to legislation to eliminate mandatory-arbitration clauses in consumer, employment and civil rights cases (although parties could still voluntarily agree to arbitration after a dispute occurs). If the bill passes, it would be a step in the right direction. In the best of all possible worlds, the government would also help protect customers from misbehaving companies. At the very least, though, it shouldnt be protecting misbehaving companies from their customers. crampell@washpost.com Sometimes numbers dont speak for themselves. That was the case in the attempt by Republican state leaders to show that massive voter fraud exists in Texas. Sometimes numbers dont speak for themselves. That was the case in the attempt by Republican state leaders to show massive voter fraud exists in Texas. In late January, acting secretary of state David Whitley sent lists of almost 100,000 registered voters suspected of being noncitizens to county elections offices, including 58,000 who had cast ballots in Texas elections. He asked the local election administrators to request that voters on the list prove their citizenship within 30 days or have their registrations cancelled. The Texas attorney general immediately tweeted a VOTER FRAUD ALERT that approx. 95,000 individuals identified by the DPS as non-U.S. citizens have a matching registration record in TX. President Trump with his own tweet: The numbers are just the tip of the iceberg. All over the country, especially in California, voter fraud is rampant. Must be stopped. Strong Voter ID! The next day, county elections officials began spotting huge errors. As many as 20,000 were quickly verified as naturalized citizens and counties were reporting errors daily thereafter. Naturalized citizens and voter advocacy groups filed three lawsuits against Whitley for conspiring with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to violate the constitutional rights of naturalized citizens by baselessly questioning their right to vote. A month after the lists were mailed, state director of elections Keith Ingram testified in federal district Judge Fred Bierys San Antonio court that more than 25,000 names should not have been on the list because they were citizens. The judge called the search for illegal voters a mess, declaring there is no widespread voter fraud. Last week Biery put a temporary halt to the secretary of states bungled attempt to remove thousands of people from the voter rolls suspected of being noncitizens, describing it as having to ferret the infinitesimal needles out of the haystack. One has to ask, what have the efforts to prosecute voter fraud in Texas over the past decade produced? The Texas Attorney Generals office was unwilling to provide a list of cases of election fraud or answer questions about the voter list, citing an ongoing investigation. However, I searched a database of adjudicated cases for every type of election fraud in Texas compiled by the Heritage Foundation, a conservative Washington D.C. think tank. While its website notes that the database is not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of voter fraud convictions, you can be sure that they attempted to be as thorough as possible in their search for adjudications. With these caveats in mind, I decided to use the database of 1,177 confirmed cases in order to explore the relative frequency of different types of fraud cases in Texas, to examine the types of charges and the characteristics of those charged. There were 73 persons identified as adjudicated in election fraud cases in Texas during the 13-year period of the database, from 2005 to 2018. Analysis of names on the list of cases reveals that Hispanics and women are over-represented. Of the total, 74 percent had Spanish surnames and 66 percent were women. These disparities should concern us and deserve further study. Here are some lessons learned from an examination of past voter fraud violations: Absentee Voting Fraud Almost half of the cases involved the improper use of absentee ballots, where voter fraud occurs most often. The rules for handling, transporting and mailing absentee ballots are very specific and very elaborate in Texas. While there were a couple of cases of forging and filling out absentee ballots for others, most were violations involving possessing, collecting, transporting and assisting in the submission of absentee ballots. Many of those violations might have been avoided with more training of election officers and education of voters on the handling and mailing of absentee ballots. Ineligible Felons The Texas Election Code states that a person finally convicted of a felony is not eligible to register to vote until successfully completing the punishment phase including incarceration, parole, supervision and period of probation. Its possible many of these were honest efforts to vote by ex-felons who did not understand the eligibility rules. More education is needed here also. Better yet, Texas should follow the step taken by Florida voters in November and remove the prohibition against voting by convicted felons. False Registration Cases of false registration involve voting under fraudulent voter registrations that either use a phony name and a real or fake address or claim residence in a particular jurisdiction where the registered voter does not actually live and is not entitled to vote. There were eight such cases in Texas over the 13-year period. The Motor Voter Law was passed by Congress in 1993 with the aim of expanding access to the ballot. As it was implemented in Texas, anyone applying for a drivers license at a Department of Public Safety office has the option of also registering to vote, as long as they also declare citizenship. In 2015, the Motor Voter law was expanded first by Oregon and then in ten other states to automatic voter registration unless the individual opts out. The switch to automatic voter registration in Texas would require a single database for both functions, resolving the inconsistencies between two separate lists in two separate bureaus. It would also minimize the types of fraud since maintenance of registration would be centralized and more uniform. Impersonation Fraud at the Polls In 2011 Texas passed the strictest voter ID law in the country, requiring one of seven government-issued photo IDs to vote. Several federal court rulings declared it either unconstitutional or in violation of the Voting Rights Act. The battle ended on appeal before the U.S. Supreme Court with voter ID relaxed somewhat to allow alternative forms of identification. Only six of the 73 cases in the database involved voter impersonation fraud at the polls, although it is unclear whether all of these might have been prevented by a photo ID law. This comports with a nationwide study by law professor Justin Levitt over the period of 2000 to 2014 that found only 31 voter impersonation cases out of one billion votes cast. If voter impersonation is so rare, the strict photo ID law in Texas serve only to disadvantage minorities and young people who are less likely to have state-issued photo IDs. Noncitizen voters Only four of the 73 cases involved voting by non-citizens. Texas ought to learn from other states that have wasted time and resources in the search for noncitizen voters on the registration rolls. In 2012 Florida came up with a list of 180,000 suspected noncitizens and found only 85 could be removed from the rolls. North Carolina in 2014 found 10,000 on their registration rolls that they thought were non-citizens and only 11 of them voted that fall. The paucity of cases of voter fraud found by the Heritage researchers is itself instructive: Only 73 cases out of more than 100 million votes cast by Texas voters in local, legislative and statewide election contests during the 13-year period. Taxpayer dollars would be better spent on modernizing the voter registration system instead of targeting noncitizens in a showboat attempt to grab headlines to drum up baseless fearmongering about undocumented immigrants. Robert Brischetto, Ph.D., was executive director of the San Antonio-based Southwest Voter Research Institute and a sociology professor at Trinity University. He can be reached at rrbrischetto@gmail.com. On Ash Wednesday, the holy season of Lent began and so did the annual fundraising drives by many of the nations Catholic bishops known as the bishops Lenten appeals. My advice to my fellow Catholics? Dont give them a dime. Last fall, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops was supposed to vote on a resolution to create a special commission, including six lay members, to investigate bishops who cover up sexual abuse. At the last minute, Pope Francis barred the bishops from holding the vote. But its not clear the resolution would have passed. After all, the bishops did vote on a nonbinding resolution that declared, Be it resolved that the bishops of the USCCB encourage the Holy Father to release all the documentation that can be released consistent with canon and civil law regarding the misconduct of Archbishop (Theodore) McCarrick. As they debated the wording, the National Catholic Register reports, they could not even agree on the inclusion of the word soon. Even the watered-down resolution was rejected 137 to 83, with three bishops abstaining. Want to know how your bishop voted? You cant. When I asked the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops for the roll call vote, a spokesman replied, Sorry, the votes are anonymous so we dont know who voted for what. Thats their idea of transparency. The situation in Rome is no better. This year, Francis reportedly informed Boston Cardinal Sean OMalley that he would not authorize a full-fledged investigation into the McCarrick coverup. In 2015, OMalley and a special Vatican advisory group Francis appointed him to lead made a simple recommendation: If any Vatican office receives a letter from an abuse survivor, it must acknowledge the letter. The pope approved the recommendation, but Cardinal Gerhard Muller, prefect of the Vaticans Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, has refused to comply with no consequences from the pope. The pope also agreed in 2015 to create a new tribunal, including laymen, to judge bishops who ignore or cover up sexual abuse. But a year later, he changed his mind. After an intense dialogue, Muller said, it was concluded that to confront possible criminal negligence by bishops we already had the competence of the Congregation for Bishops. Translation: The bishops can police themselves. No, they cant. How is it that, 17 years after the abuse scandal first broke, we are still learning new information from grand juries and whistleblowers about the scandalous conduct of the bishops? Until every corrupt bishop who ignored or actively covered up abuse is exposed and removed, the laity should shun the bishops Lenten appeals. When your pastor hands you an envelope, hand it back empty or better yet, send your bishop a letter explaining that he will get no financial support until the conspiracy of silence is ended and corrupt bishops are held to account. I offer this advice with a heavy heart, because I am, and will always remain, a faithful Catholic. I will never leave the church for one simple reason: I will not let Judas separate me from Jesus. But lets be clear: There are Judases in the ranks of todays successors of the apostles. They covered up or ignored sexual misconduct and moved around predator priests and continue to do so. They made secret payouts to victims while requiring them to sign confidentiality agreements. They were told about McCarricks serial abuses and did nothing in many cases because McCarrick helped them rise to the powerful positions they now hold. The church is not a democracy, nor should it be. It exists to spread the views of its founder, not its followers. But that does not mean that the laity must tolerate the bishops who have overlooked, ignored or covered up abuse. We must demand every bishop who did so be held to account and removed from office. Clearly the outcry of the victims is not enough. The only way we can get accountability is by voting with our pocketbooks. Some may object that the bishops Lenten appeals fund many good causes. Theres a simple solution: bypass the bishops and give directly to the many wonderful Catholic charities that help the poor and vulnerable. At the National Catholic Register, Simcha Fisher has a list of nearly two dozen worthy Catholic charitable groups dedicated to aiding the destitute, the disabled, the aged, the persecuted, the widowed, the unwanted and the unborn. Give them what you would normally give to the bishops. Give more. But until church leaders cleanse themselves of the stench of corruption, boycott the bishops. @marcthiessen Contrary to what some may be saying, America is already great, and it always has been. We are among the largest democracies in the world. We have the most powerful military. Were free to worship as we choose. We have a free press. And were free to speak our mind, even if what we say sometimes is ridiculous, uninformed or harebrained. But what really makes America great is its people. People like world-famous chef Jose Andres, a Spanish immigrant who emerged as a leader of the disaster relief efforts in Puerto Rico in the wake of Hurricane Maria in 2017. He organized a grassroots movement of chefs and volunteers to establish communications, food supplies and other resources, and started serving meals. His organization, World Central Kitchen, served more than 2 million meals during the first month after the hurricane devastated Puerto Rico. People like those in the Cajun Navy, informal ad-hoc volunteer groups of private boat owners who assist in search-and-rescue efforts in Louisiana and adjacent areas. Formed in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, they were reactivated in the aftermaths of the 2016 Louisiana floods, Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Irma and the 2018 Hidalgo County flood. They have been credited with rescuing thousands during those disasters. People like those who volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit organization that helps build affordable houses for low-income families to call home. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat for Humanity has built thousands of affordable homes for American families in the U.S. and worldwide. Here in San Antonio, Habitat for Humanity volunteers build 40 to 50 affordable family homes every year. And people like Brinley Williams, the 7-year-old from Hugo, Okla., who was given an American Girl doll when she was in the hospital for kidney problems and decided that she wanted to give back to others. So she sold lemonade and helped out in a restaurant to raise money to buy dolls for sick kids in St. Francis childrens hospital. She and her parents even customized the dolls so that theyd resemble the girls receiving them. America achieved its greatness, and continues to demonstrate its greatness, by being a mosaic of different cultures. This country of Native Americans and immigrants who came from around the world (albeit some involuntarily) absorbs elements of different cultures to create a whole thats greater than the sum of its parts. E pluribus unum. Out of many we are one one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. We have an amazing capacity for adjustment, self-correction and renewal, unequaled among the nations of the world. We possess a deep commitment to, and respect for, each persons inalienable rights as inscribed in our founding charter. It is the basis for Martin Luther King Jr.s I Have a Dream speech. Our American birthright belongs to everyone. President Harry S. Truman: America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand. Condoleezza Rice: The essence of America that which really unites us is not ethnicity or nationality or religion. It is an idea and what an idea it is: That you can come from humble circumstances and do great things. Yes, we can. And thats how I see it. Larry Johnson is an author and motivational speaker. He is available for luncheon talks or workshop presentations. You can contact him via email at larjo1@prodigy.net or visit his website at www.mexicobytouch.com One of the questions Bexar County Commissioners will soon need to answer is which judges will oversee bond hearings. This has been an open question for some time for several reasons. First, commissioners have only funded the county magistrates through the end of March. This was largely due to frustration over perceived resistance to the use of personal recognizance bonds, an alternative to money bail. That has direct implications for the countys jail population. At the same time, because the city of San Antonio has not yet agreed to use the countys new Justice Intake and Assessment Center, city magistrates are overseeing bail hearings for all San Antonio Police Department arrests. This is a big deal since city arrests make up the majority of the system. This has raised the question of city magistrates eventually overseeing bail hearings countywide. They once served in such a role many years ago, although few would say it went well. Its an idea that Bexar Countys district court judges, who oversee felonies, have pushed back against. They recently sent a letter to Commissioners Court criticizing the city magistrates: Since the City has begun handling magistration, serious concerns have arisen over issues related to the setting of the bonds, the letter says. The letter offers no specific examples, but says in some cases there have been unreasonable bonds and either no bond conditions or inappropriate bond conditions. The letter goes on to praise the county magistrates for their experience. Were skeptical of this criticism of the citys judges since it offers no specifics and there is a certain amount of political turf at stake. We also looked at the number of personal recognizance bonds from both sets of judges and found no significant difference. From Dec. 17, when the city and county split on magistration, through the end of January, county magistrates issued 764 personal recognizance bonds. In that same time period, city magistrates issued 939 personal recognizance bonds, but remember, the city is responsible for about 60 percent of arrests in the county. So, at least in terms of personal recognizance bonds, in the aggregate the judges have been comparable. Still, as a matter of principle, criminal justice is the countys wheelhouse. When the city eventually embraces the countys new Justice Intake and Assessment Center, county magistrates should oversee all bail hearings. It is a county function. Plain and simple. That said, while the criminal justice system is a county function, criminal justice policy is a matter of importance to the city. Again, the city is responsible for most of the arrests in the county, and in the past, city officials have complained about county magistrates delaying commitment orders to manage the jail population. Many of the people passing through the system who may receive a personal recognizance bond or may be detained on a relatively small cash bond are city residents. And if a person is inappropriately released, that can undermine public safety in the city. So, it matters to the city how the county magistrates function. Our modest proposal: Create a city-county board to monitor bail hearings on a quarterly basis. Two members of the City Council and two county commissioners. Judges are independent, so this would be strictly informational. But it would offer a way for city and county elected officials to monitor how bonds are set and provide a venue to raise community concerns or policy ideas. The goal should be to improve the system, not haggle over the various cogs that make the system go. Wizz Air is preparing for the launch of its first of eight new destinations from Macedonia in just over a week with the airline also upping capacity and upgrading certain routes. All eight of the new services will run on a year-round basis. Seasonal flights from Skopje to Barcelona, as well as from Ohrid to London Luton, which are set to resume this summer following a five-month hiatus, will once again operate throughout the year, with two weekly flights planned on both routes for the 2019/2020 winter. Furthermore, the low cost airline has increased capacity on its upcoming new service between Skopje and Larnaca, which is due to launch on July 3. Flights will now be maintained by the larger 230-seat Airbus A321 aircraft, instead of the initially planned 180-seat A320. Services between the Macedonian capital and the Cypriot city will run twice per week, each Wednesday and Sunday. As previously reported, Wizz Air is also increasing frequencies on its existing services. The airline will add an additional weekly flight from Skopje to Gothenmburg, Hamburg, Cologne and Malta, while operations to Basel will be increased by an additional three weekly services for a total of ten per week. The network growth will come as the airline allocates its fifth aircraft, an A320, to its Skopje base this summer. Further expanding our Macedonian operations means that Wizz Air can provide even more opportunities for Macedonian customers to travel across Europe at the lowest prices. We are confident that our customers will appreciate our new connections and that these routes will be as popular as the other thirty in our Macedonian network", Wizz Air's Chief Commercial Officer, George Michalopoulos, said. Connecticut sales tax collections spiked in December after the state enacted new rules for taxing online purchases. The states total then tailed back off in January, even as Gov. Ned Lamont readies to add several services to the states standard 6.35 percent sales tax and eliminate what has been an annual holiday on sales taxes during the back-to-school shopping season. Sales tax collections in the state totaled $467 million in January, a full 10 percent below the amounts collected in January 2018, excluding hotel room taxes and use taxes on items purchased elsewhere by Connecticut residents and businesses. Only the month before, the state Department of Revenue Services had reported a 34 percent increase in sales taxes, despite the annual Black Friday shopping weekend arriving a week earlier than normal, and so perhaps siphoning off some shopping that would ordinarily take place in December. On Dec. 1, DRS implemented a new requirement that online vendors collect and remit sales tax on transactions shipped to Connecticut, with the state General Assembly having passed a law to that end as the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling explicitly authorizing states to do so. Traditional retailers had long complained of being at a competitive disadvantage to websites that did not charge tax, even as Amazon and other companies built other advantages like massive inventories available for purchase with a few clicks, and overnight delivery. For the first seven months of the states fiscal year, which started last July, sales tax collections are up 6 percent to $2.2 billion, offset partially by a 16 percent decline in business use taxes to $23.6 million. This could represent some online purchases generating sales taxes up front rather than paid on the honor system that the states use tax represents. In his biennial budget proposal presented last month to the Connecticut General Assembly, Lamont proposed removing sales-tax protections on a number of products, to include boat sales that had been taxed at just under 3 percent; downloads of digital files including movies and music, which had carried a 1 percent sales tax; and over-the-counter drugs. A large number of services would also be exposed to sales taxes, to include boat storage and vehicular parking, architects and engineers, barbers and salons, lawyers and accountants and building services like waste collection. In the aggregate, it adds up to an extra $280 million in revenue or $78 on a per capita basis. Factor those projected totals on top of last years sales tax collections, and it would have been the equivalent of pushing Connecticuts sales tax that year to above 6.7 percent, up only a few rungs on a January ranking of state and local sales tax rates nationally published by the Tax Foundation. Lamont is also looking to raise to 17 percent Connecticuts sales tax on hotel rooms, which is already highest in the nation at 15 percent, despite past hospitality industry protests that the tax crimps their bookings. The governor is also looking to end an annual sales tax holiday Connecticut has scheduled each August, which the state Office of Policy and Management projects would recoup the state about $5 million a year. Due to a reporting error, an earlier version specified landscaping as a service proposed to be added to the state schedule of taxable services. Landscaping is already subject to Connecticut sales tax. Alex.Soule@scni.com; 203-842-2545; @casoulman Can Connecticut catch a break? We thought we had a decent year in 2018, adding 15,200 jobs compared with 2017. That would have been a nearly 1 percent gain, the best year of jobs growth since 2011 a huge uptick from the 2,300 jobs we thought the states economy added in 2017. Instead, we got dumped with a March surprise, an economic noreaster on a sunny Friday: Connecticut employers added only 2,200 jobs, in net, for all of 2018 based on annual averages. The 2017 gain was revised up to 3,200, for what its worth. What the hell is going on? How could the numbers have been so wrong? And most important, how can we move the needle upward? Maybe tax hikes really arent the answer. More for you Revised employment data bad news for CT economy The state and U.S. Labor Departments revise prior year estimates every March. Neither I, nor Andy Condon, the state DOL research director, could ever recall anything quite this stunning. It happened once before, maybe. Whats weird is that other measures remain solid, or at least OK: overall economic growth, wage gains, total income. The unemployment rate in January was down to 3.8 percent, slightly better than the national rate last month and the same as the U.S. rate now. People with any skills at all certainly arent out of work unless they want to be. One possibility is that hires are healthy but so are quits, Condon said. And those people quitting are either exiting the state or dropping out of the labor force. Tony Cirone, managing partner of CironeFriedberg LLP, a Fairfield County accounting, tax and consulting firm, doesnt need to look far to come up with a prime example. He had an accountant on staff, moving up the ladder, likely to make partner in the next couple of years. That young, talented accountant lived in the Naugatuck Valley town of Seymour, and decided to look for a house closer to the Danbury main office. Instead, Cirone told me, the account saw house prices in places like Brookfield, and switched gears late last year with a second child on the way and his in-laws living in North Carolina. He went down to North Carolina and the real estate costs were a lot less and the property tax costs were a lot less, and he got a job at just about the same compensation as we were paying him here, Cirone said, adding that the accountants local property taxes fell from $12,000 to $3,000 in the move. Yes, that newly minted Tar Heel (whatever that is) will have to pay for private school because the public schools arent as good as Connecticuts. But Cirone added, Hes on partner track down in North Carolina. And thats not unusual. Cirone said it took his firm six months to find the right receptionist for its Bridgeport office. Hes not sure hed have seen a faster result if he tacked another $4 an hour onto the advertised wage. Jobs are open but hard to fill. Employers are hiring but also losing people. The Connecticut economy is strong in many ways. But its just. Not. Growing. So what do we do? My knee-jerk reaction is to say, stop the cost increases. Now! Tolls, minimum wage hike, paid family and medical leave, Gov. Ned Lamonts proposed sales tax expansion all of it. No more. Just Friday morning, before the data shocker, I got a call from Brian Jessurun, who co-owns three restaurants in Storrs, Pomfret and Putnam. A $15 minimum wage ramped up by 2022 would drive him out, he said. Maybe the Republicans are right, enough really is enough. On the other hand, people dont want to come to a state with crumbling highways, low-budget schools and lackluster job training programs. Its about value, not cost. Were obviously paying for the sins of the past, and thats why we have a nonstop budget crisis which, in turn, makes matters worse. Why choke off the present if our problem is the costs we racked up in the past? Connecticuts poverty rate is 35 percent lower than the rate in North Carolina and we have just about the highest percentage of people with health insurance. Thats who we are. Theres no easy answer. Certainly we cant do all of those things that add cost, especially with the national economy showing signs of crapping out after nine good years. Fridays weak national jobs report didnt exactly boost confidence. The odds of a formal recession in 2019 are now a 50/50 proposition, said economist Donald L. Klepper-Smith of DataCore Partners, based on his projections. That includes a downward revision of his Liberty Bank Business Barometer, which predicts overall growth before we see the federal data. The decent gross domestic product gain for the first nine months of 2018 just might go poof as well. Condon asked, Is this an issue of stagnant economy or is this an issue of a shortage of labor and slow labor force growth? I dont know, but I will. Its difficult to expand when you dont have the people to do it. A little bit on the numbers here: Another way to look at annual changes is by comparing December of one year to December of the next. In that scenario, Connecticut fell from a reported gain of 19,900 jobs to 10,000. That method is widely used by journalists because it doesnt require downloading and calculating averages but its deceptive. Any two pairs of months can show widely varying results. The 2,200-job gain is based on the average of all months in 2018, using numbers adjusted to smooth out seasonal variations, compared with the average in 2017. Any way we look at it, Connecticuts economy has about 1.7 million jobs, including about 235,000 in government (including the Native American casinos). Those government jobs have been down in recent years as former Gov. Dannel P. Malloy eliminated thousands of state worker positions, the casinos shed jobs and local schools run leaner. A very good year is up 20,000, and we last saw that in 2006. Malloy had some numbers in the teens, as high as 16,700, but here are the totals for the last few years based on the new data: In 2018: 2,200; 2017: 3,200; 2016: 3,600; and in 2015, 13,000. Looking at the sectors, manufacturing is still showing decent gains, even after the revisions. Financial services is flat, which is bad news for Fairfield County. Professional services took a big hit over the last year. Weve got work to do, Condon said. He was referring to DOL analysts trying to sort out this statistical storm but he might as well have been talking about all of us in Connecticut, trying to right the ship. An earlier version of this column said the preliminary estimate for 2018 was 16,000 new jobs; it was 15,200. dhaar@hearstmediact.com BRIDGEPORT Out of the 117 restaurants inspected in the city in January, 19 establishments failed their inspections, according to data provided by the citys health department. All 19 restaurants that failed their January inspections had additional re-inspections that same month; every location passed its re-inspection. Various violations were recorded at the 19 eateries that failed their routine inspection, including improper temperature for food and employees failing to wash their hands before handling food. Most violations were dealt with on site. In order to pass an inspection by the city of Bridgeport standards, a restaurant must score at least a 80 out of 100, without any four-point violation, according to Bridgeport Director of Health Maritza Bond. Its important to note that the failed inspection scores received by these establishments are only a snapshot in time, she said. In most cases, their scores are much improved at the time of re-inspection. In the city, inspections are done at restaurants typically every three to four months, Bond said. She said re-inspections are done within two weeks of a failed inspection. Teppanyaki Buffet, 355 Huntington Turnpike: Scored an 84 on its initial inspection. The violation, which led to a four-point score deduction and caused the immediate failure, was improper cold holding temperature. An employee threw out the food at the buffet table while the inspector was on site. At re-inspection, the eatery scored a 95. RBML Supermarket, 827 North Ave.: Failed with a routine inspection score of 64 in January. The violations were dented cans and improper hot holding temperature. The locations re-inspection score was 93. Bobby Bs Roti Shop, 1176 Fairfield Ave.: Failed by one point with a score of 79. The violation recorded included improper cold holding temperature. This was resolved on site by a worker discarding the food. At re-inspection, Bobby Bs scored an 89. Conchitas Market & Restaurant, 127 Lewis St.: Scored an 82 on the routine inspection. But the restaurant had a four-point reduction for improper hot holding temperature, giving it an immediate fail for the inspection. The issue was resolved on site when a worker threw out the food. The re-inspection score was 94. Mi Rancho Deli, 2754 Fairfield Ave.: Failed its routine inspection with a score of 72. The violation recorded were lack of shellfish tags for mussels. They were thrown out by a worker while the inspector was on site. At re-inspection, the deli scored 86. Tonys Market, 100 Bishop Ave.: Scored an 81 at its routine inspection, but failed for at least one four-point deduction. The market had various violations, including improper holding temperatures and a busted cooler. The violations were handled on site and the cooler was serviced and inspect by the Bridgeport Health Department. At re-inspection, Tonys Market scored an 86. Duchess, 35 Boston Ave.: Failed its inspection with a score of 75. Violations recorded including food worker not washing their hands before starting work and food prep. There was not hot water provided for hand-washing at all hand sinks. These violations were corrected on site with the inspector there. The re-inspection score was 92. Sunshine Deli, 999 Maplewood Ave.: Scored a 67 at its routine inspection. The inspector reported employees werent following hand-washing expectations and there were temperature violations. These were handled on site while the inspector was there. At re-inspection, the deli scored a 93. Chaves Bakery, 1365 State St.: Scored a 78 and the inspector cited several violations, including a broken thermometer in the food color, food stored on the floor and lack of written training documentation. At re-inspection, the bakery scored a 93. Marina Market, 1056 Reservoir Ave.: Scored a 79 at its initial inspection. Violations reported included rotten tomatoes and limes and an unlabeled spray bottle that held a cleaner in it. Both violations were corrected on site. At re-inspection, the market scored a 92. Kings Wok Restaurant, 1664 Park Ave.: Scored a 70 at the routine inspection. A violation of improper cold holding temperature for cooked chicken was reported by the inspector and was corrected on site when an employee threw the food out. The restaurant scored an 88 at re-inspection. El Cochinito Restaurant, 883 East Main St.: Scored a 68 at its inspection. Improper hot and cold holding temperatures were recorded, including a lack of label on a spray bottle holding cleaner and no hand-washing done after handling money. The violations were handled on site. At re-inspection, the restaurant scored an 83. Pizza Mex, 1891 Main St.: Scored a 76 at its routine inspection. Improper cooling and unlabeled spray bottle with a cleaner inside were recorded as violations that were handled on site. Chlorine sanitizer in a bucket was also reported to be above the limit. It was discarded and a new solution was made. At re-inspection, Pizza Mex scored a 95. Grand Pizza, 1844 East Main St.: Scored a 68 during the routine inspection. Violations included dented cans, improper cold holding temperatures and hand-washing not observed. All violations were handled on site by the inspector. The pizzeria scored an 89 at re-inspection. Los Munchies Deli, 384 Brooks St.: Scored a 64 at its routine inspection. Violations found included chemicals and pesticides stored improperly and homemade food stored in a walk-in cooler. All problems were handled on site. At re-inspection, the eatery scored a 90. Dunkin Donuts, 4150 Main St.: Scored an 86 during routine inspection, but had four-point violations for improper cold holding temperatures of various foods, which were thrown out by an employee while the inspector was on site. At re-inspection, Dunkin Donuts scored a 96. Kitchen No. 1, 529 North Ave.: Scored a 72 at the inspection. Violations cited were for improper holding temperature, improper cooling process and medicines stored in the food area. All violations were dealt with on site. At re-inspection, the kitchen received a score of 87. New Great China, 52 Huntington Turnpike: At routine inspection, the restaurant scored a 75. Violations cited at the eatery included improper cooling procedure, too much concentration of chlorine sanitizer in a packet and no hand-washing observed when required. All violations were handled by the inspector on site. At re-inspection, the restaurant scored a 95. Oriental, 813 Madison Ave.: Scored an 87 at its routine inspection. The violation cited was that chicken was cooked at 125 degrees for 30 minutes before being put into shallow pans and then into the fridge. At re-inspection, the restaurant scored a 95. SEYMOUR Longtime Seymour High School teacher and member of the Board of Selectmen Karen Stanek was remembered fondly after news of her death spread Saturday. Online records showed Stanek was 70. I was saddened to hear the news, said Seymour First Selectman Kurt Miller. Karen was a loving wife, mother and grandmother who cared greatly about her family. Miller said Stanek was a dedicated educator and member of the Board of Selectmen. Karen was quick to put the needs of others before her own, he said. She will be greatly missed by not only me, but many people all around Seymour. Before becoming a teacher at Seymour High School, Stanek graduated from the school herself in 1966. She taught at the school for 35 years and created and led a mock trial team at the high school. Stanek received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the Board of Education in 2016. On the Board of Selectmen, Stanek served alongside Miller, Al Bruno, Robert Findley, Annmarie A. Drugonis, Stephan Behuniak and Trisha Danka. GREENWICH To developer John Fareri, his vision for West Putnam Avenue would revitalize an area badly in need of attention. To neighbors, it would bring a heavier burden of traffic and disrupt the character of the residential area. And in between is the towns desire to add to its stock of moderate-income housing to make the Greenwich more affordable for people who work in town to be able to live in town. Whether it helps 20 people or 40 people or 50 or three people, its helping this town, John Tesei, the attorney representing Fareri, said of the housing proposals. Thats the whole spirit of it. A Greenwich resident, Fareri put together two development plans currently before the towns Planning and Zoning Commission. One would add 35 multifamily units, eight of which would be designated for moderate-income tenants, along with a parking garage alongside new office space at 500 W. Putnam Ave. The other proposal would combine 581 and 585 W. Putnam into one lot and add 67 residential units, 14 for moderate-income renters, along with a multilevel parking garage. The buildings on the site would be demolished. Additionally, the development would include space for businesses, with a supermarket, a fitness center and a restaurant listed as possible tenants. The towns 2009 Plan of Conservation and Development calls for more moderate-income housing. The work of two subsequent task forces resulted in changes to town zoning codes to offer incentives to developers to add moderate-income housing units. Those units would be set aside for teachers, police officers, members of Greenwich Emergency Medical Services and workers in other essential services in Greenwich. Since the task forces recommendations were adopted in 2015, two projects that included moderate-income units have been proposed. One for Sheephill Road in Riverside was approved. But another for Sound Beach Avenue in Old Greenwich did not go forward. Both projects faced heavy resistance from neighbors. In 2012, Fareri built an apartment building on Old Track Road in Greenwich that included moderate-income units. The balance point is between the need to preserve the neighborhoods character and the need to increase and preserve the supply of moderate-income housing for the towns workforce as well as for seniors on fixed incomes and young adults, said Town Director of Planning and Zoning Katie DeLuca, who is overseeing work on the 2019 POCD. Since the 2015 task force recommendations, five new apartment units designated as moderate-income housing have been built as part of approved complexes in town with an additional 22 approved but yet to be built. It is very gratifying to speak with the tenants of the existing units and hearing the substantial impact it has had on their lives and of the community they serve, DeLuca said. The inclusion of the moderate-income housing has been pushed heavily during the Planning and Zoning Commissions review of the proposals. Tesei, the attorney representing Fareri, said the developer is committed to providing needed housing in the area. Fareri also plans to improve pedestrian and traffic safety, widen nearby Valley Drive, and improve sewers in the area. Tesei told commission members that if the applications were denied, they might not like what could be built instead. If this project is not approved by this commission, those lots will be developed and they will be developed separately, he said at a meeting Tuesday. Theyll be developed commercially and you wont have the safety features. Neighbors showed up in force at Tuesdays hearing, with many speakers saying they had not been aware the developments were up for review until recently. Only one member of the public spoke at a commission hearing on the developments in January. But on Tuesday, there were more than three hours of speakers and questions about the 585 W. Putnam proposal alone. Every speaker opposed the project, citing concerns about traffic, pedestrian and vehicle safety and neighborhood character and calling on the commission to turn down the proposals. Several speakers complained about the planned loss of trees and the removal of the rock outside 585 W. Putnam as well. Saying Greenwich deserves better, nearby resident Tracy Lavery said the town has changed since his family moved here 35 years ago. We have seen Greenwichs beauty and character under constant attack from real estate developers who dont care if they destroy, one project at a time, what makes Greenwich so special, Lavery said. This situation has intensified on the Post Road in Western Greenwich in recent years. Critics of the plans point to the potential increase in traffic as a huge issue. Annette Wilson said the Citarella, another Fareri project across the street from 585 W. Putnam, has caused major congestion problems. Wilson worried what another supermarket would do, especially with deliveries by tractor-trailers. Although the addition of moderate-income apartments is seen as a positive, even by those objecting to the project, they would come at too great a cost to Western Greenwich, critics said. Neighbor Nick Cataldo said the quality of life in the area would be jeopardized all while Fareri would gain through the zoning variances that come with the moderate-income housing. Cataldo was one of the leading voices in the opposition to the twice-defeated development proposals for the Post Road Iron Works site at 345 W. Putnam Ave. Plans for senior housing and then for a 355-unit apartment complex were both shot down after failing to get the needed town land use approvals. The first defeat came in 2012, at which time the Greenwich Neighborhood Preservation Association was formed. It rose up again in 2016 to battle the apartment plan. The group has not been as outspoken for the 500 and 585 W. Putnam plans, but Cataldo is a member of the group as well as an engineer. On Thursday, Cataldo said the current proposals would defeat all the benefits for the community that could come from adding housing and developing the area. A lot could be done to make the area safer for pedestrians and drivers, he said, but not with the large developments that Fareri is proposing. Cataldo said the development plans need to be better integrated into the surrounding area. Lin Lavery, another neighbor and opponent, is a former town selectman who was in office as the 2009 POCD was developed. She said she supported its goals, including the increase in moderate-income housing. But Lavery also said the conservation aspects of the POCD must be remembered and the character of residential neighborhoods preserved. Lavery said she supports improvements at 581 and 585 W. Putnam, calling the buildings there derelict. But it is critical to get it right and protect the quality of residential neighborhoods, she said. Given the rundown conditions at 581 W. Putnam, Tesei said the commission should be proud to support the proposed development. He told the commission he would hate like hell to see you throw out the baby with the bathwater because you may have a handful of people who may or may not have an opinion thats different than yours and different than mine. The applications are likely to come back before the Planning and Zoning Commission at its March 19 meeting. An unlike the Post Road Iron Works proposals, Fareris plans are within town zoning regulations in all respects, Tesei said. The commission offered suggestions, which could be addressed at that meeting, about adding more trees along the streetscape, adjusting entrance and exit points for 585 W. Putnam and possibly eliminating a connector driveway from the office park to the new development. Calling the project a community win, Tesei has urged the commission to look at the benefits, which would fuel a revitalization effort for that part of West Putnam Avenue. kborsuk@greenwichtime.com Michael Cummo / Hearst Connecticut Media STAMFORD A former city high school student, who had sex with a girl four years younger than him, will have to serve a three-year jail sentence for the crime. Manuel Francisco Condo, 21, was sentenced by Judge John Blawie at the Stamford courthouse late Friday morning. Blawie said Condo would probably be deported to his native Ecuador following his jail sentence. KAZ Minerals PLC, together with its subsidiaries, engages in mining and processing copper and other metals primarily in Kazakhstan, Russia, and Kyrgyzstan. It operates through Bozshakol, Aktogay, East Region and Bozymchak, and Mining Projects segments. The company operates the Aktogay and Bozshakol open pit copper mines in the east region and Pavlodar region of Kazakhstan; three underground mines in the east region of Kazakhstan; and the Bozymchak copper-gold mine in Kyrgyzstan. It also develops greenfield metal deposits; operates Koksay deposit in Kazakhstan, and the Baimskaya licence area in the Chukotka region of Russia; and produces and sells various by-products, such as gold, silver, molybdenum, and zinc. In addition, the company supplies and distributes heat, water, and electricity; and offers construction, project management, financing, management, sales and logistics, and repairs and maintenance services. The company was formerly known as Kazakhmys PLC and changed its name to KAZ Minerals PLC in October 2014. KAZ Minerals PLC was founded in 1930 and is based in London, the United Kingdom. Read More United States Natural Gas Fund's stock reverse split on the morning of Friday, January 5th 2018. The 1-4 reverse split was announced on Friday, December 22nd 2017. The number of shares owned by shareholders was adjusted after the market closes on Thursday, January 4th 2018. An investor that had 100 shares of United States Natural Gas Fund stock prior to the reverse split would have 25 shares after the split. Anadarko Petroleum Corporation engages in the exploration, development, production, and marketing of oil and gas properties. It operates through three segments: Exploration and Production, WES Midstream, and Other Midstream. The company explores for and produces oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids (NGLs). It is also involved in gathering, processing, treating, and transporting oil, natural-gas, and NGLs production, as well as the gathering and disposal of produced water. The company's oil and natural gas properties are located in the United States onshore and deepwater Gulf of Mexico; and Algeria, Ghana, Mozambique, Colombia, Peru, and other countries. As of December 31, 2018, it had approximately 1.5 billion barrels of oil equivalent of proved reserves. The company was founded in 1959 and is headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas. Read More Nelnet, Inc. engages in the provision of education-related products and services, as well as loan asset management. It operates through the business following segments: Loan Systems & Servicing, Education Technology, Services and Payment Processing, Communications, and Asset Generation and Management. The System & Servicing segment specializes in student loan portfolio and the portfolios of third parties such as loan conversion activities, application processing, borrower updates, customer service, payment processing, due diligence procedures, funds management reconciliations, and claim processing. The Education Technology, Services and Payment Processing segment provides products and services to help students and families manage the payment of education costs at all levels, as well as school information system software for private and faith-based schools that help schools automate administrative processes such as admissions, scheduling, student billing, attendance, and grade book management. The Communications segment is the operation of Allo Communications LLC which provides pure optic service to homes and businesses for internet, broadband, television, and telephone services. Th Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Brinker International: BI INTERNATIONAL SERVICES LLC, BI MEXICO HOLDING CORPORATION, BIPC GLOBAL PAYROLL COMPANY LLC, BIPC INVESTMENTS LLC, BIPC MANAGEMENT LLC, BRINKER AIRPORTS LLC, BRINKER ALABAMA INC., BRINKER ARKANSAS INC., BRINKER ASIA INC., BRINKER BRAZIL LLC, BRINKER CANADIAN HOLDING CO. ULC, BRINKER CANADIAN RESTAURANT CO. ULC, BRINKER CB LP, BRINKER CB MANAGEMENT LLC, BRINKER FHC B.V., BRINKER FLORIDA INC., BRINKER FREEHOLD INC., BRINKER GEORGIA INC., BRINKER INTERNATIONAL PAYROLL COMPANY L.P., BRINKER LOUISIANA INC., BRINKER MICHIGAN INC., BRINKER MISSISSIPPI INC., BRINKER MISSOURI INC., BRINKER NEVADA INC., BRINKER NEW JERSEY INC., BRINKER NORTH CAROLINA INC., BRINKER OF BALTIMORE COUNTY INC., BRINKER OF CARROLL COUNTY INC., BRINKER OF CECIL COUNTY INC., BRINKER OKLAHOMA INC., BRINKER OPCO LLC, BRINKER PENN TRUST, BRINKER PROPCO FLORIDA INC., BRINKER PROPERTY CORPORATION, BRINKER PURCHASING INC., BRINKER RESTAURANT CORPORATION, BRINKER RHODE ISLAND INC., BRINKER SERVICES CORPORATION, BRINKER SOUTH CAROLINA INC., BRINKER TEXAS INC., BRINKER VIRGINIA INC., CHILIS BEVERAGE COMPANY INC., CHILIS INC. a Delaware corporation, CHILIS INC. a Tennessee corporation, CHILIS INTERNATIONAL BASES B.V., CHILIS OF BEL AIR INC., CHILIS OF KANSAS INC., CHILIS OF MARYLAND INC., CHILIS OF WEST VIRGINIA INC., Grady's Inc., MAGGIANO'S OF ANNAPOLIS INC., MAGGIANO'S OF HOWARD COUNTY INC., MAGGIANO'S OF KANSAS INC., MAGGIANOS BEVERAGE COMPANY, MAGGIANOS HOLDING CORPORATION, MAGGIANOS INC., MAGGIANOS OF TYSONS INC., MAGGIANOS PROPERTY CORPORATION, MAGGIANOS TEXAS INC., PEPPER DINING HOLDING CORP., PEPPER DINING Inc., and PEPPER DINING VERMONT INC.. Medina, Ohio As part of Dairy Farmers of Americas Mideast Area Councils commitment to developing the next generation of leaders in the dairy industry, five $1,000 at-large scholarships are available for Mideast Area high school seniors and college students. Applicants must be registered or accepted as an undergraduate to a college, university or recognized trade school. These scholarships are offered yearly to members, children of members and employees on member farms. There are no age or course of study restrictions. Students cannot have also received another DFA-sponsored scholarship including one offered through their college or university for the 2019-2020 academic year. Proof of acceptance or current college registration is required to be included with a completed application. The Mideast Area scholarship program is designed to aid students from member farms, says Stefanie Bowman, communications associate. Mideast Area Council members and Young Cooperator liaisons conduct a blind review of all applicants and determine the winners based on agricultural, extracurricular and community activities, along with academic records and scholarship essays. Applications must be postmarked by June 7, 2019, and are available by calling 1-800-837-6776, ext. 7946, by emailing sbowman@dfamilk.com or can they can be downloaded from the Mideast Area section of the DFA members-only website, www.dfamilk.com. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 8, 2019) - Generic Gold Corp. ("Generic Gold" or the "Company") announces that Donald Christie has resigned as Chief Financial Officer and director of the Company, and that Bruce Durham has resigned as a director of the Company, effective immediately. The Company would like to thank Messrs. Christie and Durham for their respective contributions to the Company and wish them all the best in their future endeavours. The Company is pleased to announce that Mr. Kelly Malcolm has been appointed a director of the Company, and that Mr. Arvin Ramos has been appointed Interim Chief Financial Officer of the Company, effective immediately. Mr. Malcolm is a Professional Geologist who specializes in integration and interpretation of geological data to guide exploration and development activities. He has worked in the mineral exploration industry for several junior explorers and mid-tier producers. Mr. Malcolm acts as a consultant to several boutique Toronto-based finance firms. He holds a Bachelor of Science Honours degree in geology and a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics, both from Laurentian University. Mr. Ramos holds a degree in commerce and a member of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario. Mr. Ramos has over 15 years of business experience, having supported a broad range of industries, including mining, technology and banking. Mr. Ramos serves as CFO of several junior mining companies. About Generic Gold Generic Gold is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on gold projects in the Tintina Gold Belt in the Yukon Territory of Canada. The Company's exploration portfolio consists of nine projects with a total land position of 37,877 hectares, all of which are 100% owned by Generic Gold. Several of these projects are in close proximity to significant gold deposits with multi-million ounce NI 43-101- compliant resources, including Goldcorp's Coffee project, Victoria Gold's Eagle Gold project, White Gold's Golden Saddle project, and Western Copper & Gold's Casino project. Generic Gold's board of directors and management team is led by experienced mining industry professionals, with expertise in exploration, finance, capital markets, and mine development. For information on the Company's property portfolio, visit the Company's website at genericgold.ca. For further information contact: Kelly Malcolm, President and CEO Tel: 647-299-1153 kmalcolm@genericgold.ca NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR THEIR REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDERS ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. Not for distribution to U.S. Newswire Services or for dissemination in the United States. Any failure to comply with this restriction may constitute a violation of U.S. Securities laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/43318 By Brendan Pierson NEW YORK (Reuters) - The U.S. By Brendan Pierson NEW YORK (Reuters) - The U.S. Bureau of Prisons said on Friday it was investigating former drug company executive Martin Shkreli's conduct in prison after the Wall Street Journal reported he was still helping run his old company using a contraband cellphone. "When there are allegations of misconduct, they are thoroughly investigated and appropriate action is taken if such allegations are proven true," the Bureau of Prisons said in a statement. "This allegation is currently under investigation." The investigation was first reported by the Journal. The bureau said that possessing a contraband cellphone was considered a severe offence and could result in discipline, including being separated from the inmate population and having visits restricted. It also said that possessing a contraband phone could lead to criminal charges. Benjamin Brafman, a lawyer for Shkreli, declined to comment. The Journal reported on Thursday that Shkreli, 35, still wields significant influence over the drug company he founded, Phoenixus AG, formerly called Turing Pharmaceuticals. Shkreli is about 17 months into a seven-year prison sentence for defrauding investors in a previous company. The FBI has interviewed Shkreli's associates about his role in the company, the Journal said, citing unnamed people who had been interviewed. The FBI did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Shkreli, born in Brooklyn to Albanian immigrant parents, became known as the "Pharma Bro" in September 2015 after founding Turing Pharmaceuticals, buying the anti-parasitic drug Daraprim and raising its price by 5,000 percent to $750 per pill. In December 2015, he was indicted on unrelated securities fraud charges. Prosecutors said he defrauded investors in two hedge funds he ran, MSMB Capital and MSMB Healthcare, schemed to prop up the stock price of Retrophin, the drug company he founded in 2011. A jury in federal court in Brooklyn found him guilty in August 2017. He is at Federal Correctional Institution, Fort Dix, a low-security prison in New Jersey. (Reporting By Brendan Pierson in New York; editing by Jonathan Oatis) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Punjabs Malwa region, of which Sangrur is a district, has hundreds fighting cancer. Editor's Note: A network of 60 reporters set off across India to test the idea of development as it is experienced on the ground. Their brief: Use your mobile phone to record the impact of 120 key policy decisions on everyday life; what works, what doesn't and why; what can be done better and what should be done differently. Their findings straight and raw from the ground will be combined in this series, Elections on the Go, over a course of 100 days. Read more articles from the series here *** Sangrur: It is difficult to imagine Jasmine Khans pain and agony at losing her 14-month-old son in 2016. Living in a two-room concrete house in a labyrinth of bylanes in Handiaya village of Barnala district in Sangrur Lok Sabha constituency, she wells up every time Bilal intrudes on her thoughts, no matter that it has been two years since he succumbed to blood cancer. She often tries to hide her tears, but her trembling voice gives her away and makes it clear that the family is far from recovering from this loss. He used to cry and get fever quite often; so we took him to a local doctor who referred us to a local hospital. There, after some tests, we were told that Bilal has cancer; we then went to Kolkata for his treatment, but doctors there told us to admit him at PGIMER in Chandigarh, recalls Jasmine. She says the family managed to admit him somehow, despite their limited financial resources, but he died within a month. Bilals is not an isolated case; Punjabs Malwa region, of which Sangrur is a district, has hundreds fighting cancer. The disease has spread its tentacles predominantly in the Malwa region of Punjab reportedly due to consistent use of pesticides and other chemicals in agriculture; these toxic materials have got mixed with the regions water table and use of that water for agricultural activities as well as drinking has spread the chemicals in residents bodies, causing severe ailments among many. A study reiterates that cancer's unusually high incidence, especially in the cotton-growing districts of southwestern Punjab, has been linked to the use of pesticides by cotton farmers, among other factors. The consequences people in Malwa region are facing ought to serve as a warning to the rest. Indiscriminate pesticide usage combined with an absence of regulations limiting its use could have far-reaching adverse effects. Measures should be taken to make villages pesticides-free. An awareness campaign is needed to educate farmers of the deleterious effects of excessive pesticide usage. Environment-saving organisations should formulate the most effective practice for use and application of pesticides, it adds. Cancerous politics The state government has started the Mukhya Mantri Punjab Cancer Raahat Kosh Scheme to provide financial assistance to those suffering from the critical disease. An amount of up to Rs 1.5 lakh is made available for the treatment of every cancer patient. The state has also installed Reverse Osmosis Systems in various villages to protect residents from chemical-laden groundwater. Nonetheless, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has decided to make it a political issue ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. AAP MP from Sangrur, Bhagwant Mann, says successive state governments have failed to address the issue. I personally get hundreds of recommendations to help cancer patients in the Malwa belt. And as an MP, I do help. But the problem doesnt lie in treatment alone; the disease needs to be removed from the root, which SAD and Congress governments in the state have failed to, he alleges. He adds that the Punjab Pollution Control Board doesnt take action against the industrial units that pump effluents into the ground, thus contaminating the water table, only due to the politicisation of the agency. The need of the hour is a well-equipped dedicated cancer treatment facility in Sangrur. We want to make that possible, says Mann. Bride and prejudice The many schemes notwithstanding, the number of affected doesnt seem to be going down. Besides the thousands, including many youths, afflicted by cancer in the Malwa belt, over the past few years, Bathinda and adjoining districts have seen many deaths because of it too. Director of the Advanced Cancer Diagnostic, Treatment and Research Institute, Bathinda, MK Mahajan agrees that the number of cancer patients has shot up over the past few years. However, despite the state government opening this dedicated cancer institute in the town, patients still prefer to go all the way to Bikaner as facilities are better there. For years now, Bathinda railway station has been seeing a crowd of passengers every day at 9.20 pm, in particular, to get onboard train number 54703 that goes to Bikaner. More than 60 patients take this train every day to go to Rajasthan for cancer treatment, so much so that locals have dubbed it the cancer train. But the problem is reaching such alarming proportions now that Bathindas cancer institute, even though it lacks necessary facilities, has also been seeing a rise in the number of cancer patients coming there in the last three years from 6,233 in 2016 to 10,109 in 2017 and then 10,648 in 2018, as per official records. And what can only be called a cruel twist of fate, cancer in Bathinda is not only taking away youths health, but it is also robbing them of other prime of life moments many young men in Bathinda district are no longer considered 'marriage material' due to the reports of cancer published in media quite often, that have given a bad name to the region. Amarjit Singh (36), a resident of Bhucho Khurd village in Bathinda, is single despite several efforts by his parents to find him a suitable match. A farmer with 10 acres of land, he would have been considered a catch had the situation been any different. Money is not an issue, but reports of our region being infested with cancer have discouraged many families from promising their daughters to youths here. The young women have been finding matches in other parts of the state, while we are left alone, he says. Lives cut short Vicky Singh (34), a resident of Dhaula village in Sangrur Lok Sabha constituency, has been fighting cancer for the last 18 months. Singh used to work in a local factory, but ever since cancer came calling, he has been idle. His wife Jasmeet Kaur says family members have been helping them to make ends meet. Acute shortage of funds gives us nightmares. While the government helped us under a special scheme, the money did not last long, adds Kaur. With two sons and a daughter, it is becoming difficult for them to meet daily expenses. The Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital in Sangrur, which was commissioned in 2015, has registered about 5,000 patients so far. Meanwhile, Raghvir Singhs family is dealing with a double tragedy while their 21-year-old daughter Sarvjit Kaur succumbed to blood cancer in 2010, Raghvir himself was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2011 and died soon after. His wife Mandeep Kaur and son Sandeep are trying to come to terms with it all. Mandeep says the only acre of land they possessed had to be sold for Raghvirs treatment. Now, Sandeep has a small confectionery shop in Shekhpura village, which doubles up as their home. Dr Jasbir Aulakh, senior medical officer at the Civil Hospital in Barnala, says early detection of cancer is now possible with new techniques, adding that a wrong lifestyle is one of the major reasons behind high incidence of the disease. Those who smoke get lung cancer, while women who do not breastfeed their children can get breast cancer, he adds. But it is a fact that high use of chemicals in agricultural activities, too, has led to the rise in cancer cases. That should be tackled on a priority. With inputs from Sukhcharan Preet (The author is an Amritsar-based freelance writer and State Editor, 101Reporters) Rajnath Singh's comments come in the wake of an air strike conducted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) on 26 February, on a madrasa belonging to the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist group. Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday claimed that the Centre conducted three air strikes across the border in the past five years, but said he could not disclose any information about the third one. Speaking at a rally in Mangaluru, Rajnath mentioned the 2016 surgical strikes and the latest Balakot airstrike in Pakistan, but divulged no details about the third: #WATCH Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh at a public rally in Mangaluru: Pichle 5 varsho mein, teen baar apni seema ke bahar jaa kar hum logon ne air strike kar kaamyaabi haasil ki hai. Do ki jaankari apko dunga, teesri ki nahi dunga. #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/NZKeJPulrS ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2019 "In the last five years, we have crossed the border and conducted successful strikes three times. I will provide information on two, but not the third. Once in Uri, our soldiers were killed by terrorists coming from Pakistan, then our soldiers had responded. The next one was after Pulwama. The third one I will not disclose," he said. "India is not weak anymore". He also warned Pakistan that they would "have to a pay heavy price" for protecting and providing shelters to terrorists. "India will not provoke Pakistan, but we will not tolerate provocation on from their side," he said. The home minister's comments come in the wake of an air strike conducted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) on 26 February, on a madrasa belonging to the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist group. The outfit had claimed responsibility for a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama, in which at least 42 CRPF personnel were killed. Today's top stories: Congress president Rahul Gandhi to launch the Congress' Lok Sabha election campaign in Telangana, Priyanka Gandhi to visit Lucknow, KK Venugopal makes a U-turn on Rafale statement, and more Rahul Gandhi to launch Congress' Lok Sabha campaign in Telangana, Karnataka Congress president Rahul Gandhi will kickstart on Saturday the party campaign for the Lok Sabha elections in Telangana, where it fared badly in the Assembly polls three months ago. AICC in-charge of party affairs in Telangana, RC Khuntia on Friday said that the Congress chief will address booth committee members. Rahul will also hold a public meeting in the Chevella Parliamentary Constituency around 5 pm on Saturday, reports said. In the 7 December, 2018 Assembly elections, the Congress secured only 19 seats in the 119-member House with the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) returning to power after winning in 88 constituencies. For the coming Lok Sabha elections in Telangana, due by April-May, Khuntia said the Congress has decided to contest all the 17 seats on its own, and appealed to "like-minded parties" to support its candidates. Asked if the TDP, CPI and TJS promised support to Congress candidates, Khuntia said: "They have said they will talk (discuss) in their party". On when the Congress would announce candidates for the 17 seats, he said it's expected by next weekend. Rahul is also expected to launch the party's campaign in Karnataka on Saturday. He is scheduled to conduct a rally in the Haveri town in north Karnataka. The BJP wrested Haveri, which was once a Congress bastion, in 2009. Attorney General makes U-turn on controversial Rafale statement Attorney General K K Venugopal on Friday claimed the Rafale documents were not "stolen" from the Defence Ministry and that what he meant in his submission before the Supreme Court was that petitioners in the application used "photocopies of the original" papers, deemed secret by the government. His comments in the apex court on Wednesday that Rafale fighter jet deal documents were stolen caused a political row, with Congress president Rahul Gandhi targeting the government over stealing of such sensitive papers and seeking a criminal investigation. "I am told that the opposition has alleged what was argued (in SC) was that files had been stolen from the Defence Ministry. This is wholly incorrect. The statement that files have been stolen is wholly incorrect," he told PTI, in an apparent damage-control exercise. Narendra Modi to inaugurate Delhi metro line Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to inaugurate the 6.6-kilometre Noida City Centre-Noida Electronic City section, an extension of the Delhi Metro's Blue Line on 9 March, the officials said on Friday. The completely elevated section with six stations Sector 34, Sector 52, Sector 61, Sector 59, Sector 62 and Noida Electronic City will benefit the people of Noida and connect the satellite city with the national capital. "The prime minister is slated to inaugurate the Noida City Centre-Noida Electronic City section tomorrow from a rally in Greater Noida. Services will begin the same day at 4 pm," a senior DMRC official said. Priyanka Gandhi to meet party workers in Lucknow Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will meet party workers from Rae Bareli, Amethi, Sultanpur, and other constituencies in Lucknow on Saturday, which will be her second visit to the city after she was appointed as general secretary in-charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh. Priyanka's visit comes close on the heels of the Congress' first list of 15 candidates announced for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The party has fielded UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi from Rae Bareli and Amethi respectively, the seats they won in 2014 elections as well. According to reports, Priyanka's visit on Saturday will see her interacting with the party workers mostly from Rae Bareli, Amethi, and Sultanpur. Army jawan abducted in Jammu and Kashmirs Budgam An army jawan was reportedly abducted by four unidentified gunmen from his home in Jammu and Kashmirs Budgam district on Friday, which has generated fear of an escalation in tensions in the state. The abducted personnel was identified as Mohammad Yasin of the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry, reports said. Yasin was on leave from 26 February to 31 March and was abducted from inside his house in the Qazipora village in Kashmir. The police have launched an extensive search operation and have increased surveillance on the national highway following reports of the abduction. ArcelorMittal set to takeover Essar Steel ArcelorMittal is set to take over the crippled Essar Steel for Rs 42,000-crore with the Ahmedabad bench of the NCLT giving the go-ahead on Friday. The resolution process has already crossed the 270 days mandated deadline long ago after the Ruias, the original promoters of the 10-million steel mill, has been throwing up one legal challenge after another since June 2017 when the company taken to the bankruptcy court. This is the largest-ever payout by a new company to an NCLT asset since the IBC came into effect in May 2016. The previous one was the Rs 35,000 crore takeover of Bhushan Steel by Tata Steel last year. India seek consolation win against England in third women's T20I at Guwahati India hopes to bounce back in the third women's T20I against England at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati on Saturday. The Smriti Mandhana-led hosts have already surrendered the series by losing the first two games and have lost their last six successive T20s, a streak which they hope to snap in the upcoming match. India had earlier secured a 2-1 victory in the ODI series by winning the first two games. Mumbai City host FC Goa in the first leg of semi-final clash Mumbai City FC's quest for their first-ever ISL title sees them come up against a high-flying FC Goa side in the playoffs. Goa have gotten the better of Mumbai on both their encounters this season, and Jorge Costa's Mumbai will be on the lookout for revenge when the Gaurs come knocking at the Mumbai Football Arena on Saturday. Bhavani Ilavenil is the author of a book which looks at the life and struggles of three-time MLA and MP Dr Satyavani Muthu, one of the earliest Dalit leaders of DMK. If we look at our country's politics, there has been no one from the scheduled castes who has become the Prime Minister of India till date, let alone a scheduled caste woman. Political engagement of Dalits is necessary, but more importantly, it has to include Dalit women leadership in political spaces. The panel on "Dalit Women in Politics: Past, Present and Future" organised by The Blue Club, a collective for providing mentorship and support to women filmmakers, and All India Dalit Mahila Adhikar Manch (AIDMAM) was put together with the above vision in mind. More than 60 Dalit women leaders from across India participated in the conference. Firstpost will be publishing some of the important speeches from this panel. This is the fourth of the series of speeches. Bhavani Ilavenil is the author of "Thaltapatta Makkulku Kalingnar M Karunanidhi Seydha Droham: Sathyavani Muthu Varalar" (How Kalaingnar M Karunanidhi Betrayed Oppressed People Dr Sathyavani Muthus Struggles), a book which looks at the life and struggles of three-time MLA and MP Dr Sathyavani Muthu, one of the earliest Dalit leaders of DMK. Dr Muthu quit the DMK citing prejudicial behaviour by M Karunanidhi and went on to form her own party. *** I believe it is very important to discuss this topic Politics of Dalit women in the past, present and future because self-realisation is very important. I think this discussion will be an opportunity for us to analyse the present state of women in society and politics and to understand how we can move forward. My congratulations and wishes to everyone who made this discussion possible and is behind it. Politics! There are many kinds of politics, out of which we only focus on three important categories. First individual politics, then movement-based politics at the grass root level, and third, the electoral politics. The secret lies in how Dalit women handle these three kinds of politics. Many women have come up in individual politics. Some of them have succeeded and some havent. I have witnessed many such women and there are multiple examples. We come across many women who have boycotted electoral parties, associated themselves with grass root level movements and are working with people. Many Dalit women have already come up as the voice of the public in electoral politics within the democratic framework but there is no support and solidarity for them. It is not easy to have reached this level. Be it Savitribai Phule, Babasaheb Ambedkar or Periyar in Tamil Nadu, because of their vision for womens empowerment and hard work, women have seen some upward mobility. We have seen some progress on education, economic conditions and employment. But is this enough? Definitely not. It is important for us women who are empowered in education, financial status and employment to get political empowerment. There is a need for it and it is important that we strategise this. In power politics, dominant women have easily accessed power without doing any fieldwork. The examples are Jayalalithaa and Sonia Gandhi. We can never compare BSPs Mayawati with these women. People coming into politics purely based on their fieldwork at grass root level can never be compared with people coming because of caste network and nepotism. In such a political ecosystem, there were two towering women leaders in Tamil Nadu. How many of us from this generation know about them? Most of the upcoming Dalit women who are involved in fieldwork do not know about our women leaders, their history; those who worked and struggled for us. We are identifying only male leaders today. I felt even we who work with the public have failed to take our women leaders to the masses. After realising this, I have been continuously talking about Meenambal Shivaraj and Annai Sathyavani Muthu in the North Madras area, because these two leaders have predominantly operated from there. Sathyavani Muthu has been repeatedly elected from the Perambur constituency. I think I need to expose how the current state of Dravidian politics is here. Their continuous propaganda of we have done so much for Dalits in the last sixty years, we have done this and that for Dalit women". There are many narratives that are prevalent here, such as only because they have given separate reservation for ST category we have got empowered. Honestly, there is a big question mark on whether it is the Dravidian parties that have done everything for Dalits today. It can be confirmed from the recent talks of people like Su Ba Vee and some others. Meenambal Shivaraj is a Dalit woman, someone who has led the anti-Hindi movement and is a great leader. As a woman she has occupied so many important positions, the list is endless. But the Dravidian movement has continuously erased such a woman, a Dalit woman. Let us take this book as an example. Those in favour of the book say, so many women have participated in the anti-Hindi movement, just because we erased one woman, we forgot to mention one woman, we are not casteists. Only you, who are asking about one woman, in particular, is casteist. We are painted with casteist image. This book is written by Asiriyar Veeramani. Those of you who have the opportunity, please read it. It has the recorded history of who all participated and led the anti-Hindi movement, who conferred the title of Periyar to Thanthai Periyar. There is no mention of or credit to Meenambal Shivaraj anywhere in the book. Why are we raising this? Because there is a continuous effort to erase Dalit women leaders all over India, especially there is an intense effort in Tamil Nadu, the land of Periyar. Look here [reads from the book] Meenambigai, Va Ba Thamaraikani, Moovalur Ramamirtham Ammal, Dr Daramambal, Malar Mugathammair, there is no mention of Meenambal Shivaraj, and written by Asiriyar Veeramani. When I ask why have you not written about our leader, why you are not taking our leaders to the next generation, I am a casteist. I am a Dalit woman and they are trying to restrict me within a small circle. Not only this, DMK which came from DK is also doing the same thing. Sathyavani Muthu was appointed as the Chennai president of All India Schedule Caste Federation by Dr Ambedkar. She is one of the 50 major leaders responsible for growing and expanding the DMK. Why is that our history is not taken to the next generation, womens rights are not taught? Because if we know our leaders, how dominant they have been, we will get awareness, we will try to bring change. The Dravidian parties have continuously erased our history. All the policies envisioned by Sathyavani Muthu, Karunanidhi have claimed credits for, there is a long history behind it. I have compiled them in this book titled Thalthapatta Makkaluku Mu Karunanidhi Seiytha Throgam (M Karunanidhis Betrayal of Oppressed People). This book is a compilation of various sections from Sathyavani ammas autobiography. There has been a lot of opposition against the title. And the prominent opposing voices are from Periyarists and Dalits. They say it should not be titled this way, it will help BJP in coming back to power. They dont want the book to be released. This society cannot tolerate and doesnt want one Dalit woman to identify with another. Dalit parties here do not even have the guts to critique the book itself and debate whether what is written in the book is factual or not. Because of Dalit History Month, Meena akkas efforts and many such efforts, the book has somewhat reached the public. Only BSP party members have taken up this issue. But why should they take this up? We have to think about why this betrayal needs to be talked about. The rootstock of all political parties here are Dalits. To remove Dalits from these parties, we need a tool, a weapon. I see this book as that weapon. Dalit parties opposing a Dalit from releasing this book are those who occupy the positions of both the party leader and head of the womens wing. Only those who want to be the voice of everyone have opposed this book. I have even received death threats. Why is this happening? It is our history, we are identifying someone from our community, someone who has worked for our people. We are in a society which is not even ready for a discussion. Why I am telling this is because we need to move forward. If we want the politics of Dalit women to move forward, we need to introspect within ourselves. I will say Sivakami IAS is an example for current political leaders. She has both negative and positive sides. We need to learn a lot of lessons from her. And she also has done a lot of work we cannot take anybodys work lightly. Next, the towering leader is Ms Mayawati, who heads the third largest political party at the national level. Even in political parties headed by Dalit women, the situation is such that there is largely no space for Dalit women to participate. It is not only for Dalit women, even when Indira Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and Jayalalithaa were leading their parties, the situation was the same. This is the ground reality today. The reality of Dalit women and all womens political movements in the past and present. Where should the change come from? Definitely from Dalit men. We do not know how many Dalit men have tried to support Dalit women entering social spaces till now, but if they try now it is definitely possible. A Dalit woman is oppressed by savarna women, savarna men and also Dalit men. A Dalit woman has to face these three categories of people. So compared to other women, Dalit women have more stamina. Dalit women are heroes because it is difficult to manage these three people. In spite of all this, Dalit women who are in the field, politics and movements, and who are managing three layers of oppression are the real queens and princesses. Hence we must bring reservation within political parties. What I see as the future of politics is to bring reservations within Dalit organisations. We need to bring women in all spheres of power. Dalit parties have shown no intention till today of giving importance to women, of bringing them into positions of power, be it a party headed by a woman or a man. I have made this demand. I have made this demand openly on many platforms. We do not have even the space to add pictures of Dalit women like Savitribai Phule on the party banners. Reservation should not be just in parties. It has to be in everything and not 33 percent but 50 percent. People like us should fight and work diligently towards that that is my humble request. It took me eight years to speak amongst seniors here... These discussions are new to me. It hurts inside to think that if it took eight years for an activist like me to speak here, how long will it take for women coming after me? We need to move forward and we need to accelerate. We definitely need to bring in reservations that is my strong demand. Dalit parties and all other parties should bring in reservations. Men should bring their wives and daughters to political parties and should work for their success from the background. Let us bring change at least in that way for the first generation. The generation that follows will enjoy the actual benefits. Our goal is to capture power in Tamil Nadu politics. I work in the field with that ambition. We know the target is huge. Only when we aim high will we reach somewhere, and we will definitely achieve. Only with our hard work and collective effort can we make this possible. Thank you for the opportunity to speak to you. (Speech translated by Kanaga Varthan) The Election Commission on Saturday asked political parties to 'desist from displaying photographs of defence personnel'. New Delhi: The Election Commission on Saturday asked political parties to "desist from displaying photographs of defence personnel" against the backdrop of a picture showing a hoarding with images of Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman as well as leaders of a party. In a fresh instruction issued to all political parties, the EC referred to its December 2013 letter in which it had "called upon all political parties to advise their candidates and leaders to desist from displaying photographs of defence personnel or photographs functions involving defence personnel in advertisements". The instructions came after the photograph of a hoarding displaying pictures of the IAF pilot as well as senior BJP leaders was circulated on social media and came to the EC's notice. However, it was not known where the hoarding had been put up. In 2013, the defence ministry had informed the EC about photographs of defence personnel being used by leaders and candidates and had urged the poll panel to issue suitable instructions in this regard. An Indian Air Force MiG-21 Bison, piloted by Wing Commander Varthaman, had shot down a Pakistan Air Force F-16 fighter aircraft on 27 February. However, his plane was also shot down and he was arrested in Pakistan. The pilot returned home after his nearly three-day captivity in Pakistan on 1 March. National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Friday questioned the release of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) founder Masood Azhar in Afghanistan by the then BJP government in 1999 in exchange of the hijacked Indian airlines flight IC-814 despite his opposition. Jammu: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Friday questioned the release of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) founder Masood Azhar in Afghanistan by the then BJP government in 1999 in exchange of the hijacked Indian airlines flight IC-814 despite his opposition. He strongly opposed the ban on the Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) and said the time has come when banning should end, and meeting with these outfits should start. "Who released Azhar (JeM founder) and who took him to Kandahar (Afghanistan)? The centre should reply. When I told them not to release Azhar, they did not listen to me (at that time). Today I am anti-national and they are national," Abdullah, who was the chief minister during the hostage crisis in 1999 told reporters on the sidelines of a function. Azhar was arrested on 11 February, 1994 at Khanabal Chowk in Anantnag district of south Kashmir but was released in exchange of passengers of IC-814 on 31 December, 1999 by the then-BJP government along with two other terrorists. Asked about the ban on JeI, Abdullah said, "Banning is not the way out because the minute you ban anything they go underground and they become more vicious." "The time has come when it is not (about) banning, it is meeting them (recognised/unrecognised entities) politically, that is important. Unless you meet them politically, you are never going to be able to sort out these people," he said. The Centre last Thursday banned JeI Jammu and Kashmir for five years under anti-terror law on grounds that it was "in close touch" with militant outfits and was expected to "escalate secessionist movement" in the state. A notification banning the group under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act was issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs after a high-level meeting on security chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Asked about the involvement of Hizbul Mujahideen terror outfit, considered JeI's militant wing, in Thursday's grenade attack in Jammu which left two persons dead and 31 others injured, the NC leader said, "I do not know whether the group is really JeI's militant wing. "I do not know... I have been chief minister and I have never had any such input that they belong to JeI. I think this brigade (responsible for the grenade attack) is the one that is run by Sallauddin from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir," he said. In response to another question on the centre's decision to ban JeI, he said "I am not in power now. Information on them will be available only with the intelligence and the governor who rules (the state) today. I have no intelligence input about them now." He said when Jagmohan was the governor of the state JeI schools were banned and those teachers were inducted in government schools. "Did he do right or did he do wrong? The same people then met the Prime Minister and the home minister so that we could find a way out," he said, referring to the Hurriyat leaders talks with the centre. "Look at the history, you have to meet them, not ban them or put them in jail. You have to meet them by talking to them and finding out why are they not part of this nation. What stops them from being part of this nation. That is what we need to do," he said. Abdullah further said his party never questioned the air strikes by India in Pakistan on 26 February. In a separate function organised to welcome prominent persons from Basholi area of Kathua district into the party fold, the NC leader called for isolation of divisive forces and maintaining of harmony, saying the politics of divide is against the ethos of the nation and the state, which encompasses all religions, castes and regions. "We are passing through the most difficult times and there is crucial need of maintaining guard against polarising forces and defeating their machinations by upholding our unity," Abdullah said. He said division of society under the guise of ultra-nationalism is all the more dangerous, cautioning that those gloating over such posturing are needed to be isolated. "Practising hate and intolerance is (a) new low in Indian politics that brings one segment of society face to face against another which is detrimental for amity and brotherhood," he said. He said the onus lies on the youth to sensitise the people against divisive politics. "This may have short-term gains for some but the nation is at a loss by such misadventure," Abdullah said and advised the youth to get abreast with the chequered history of the country and the state as it will help them analyse political developments in the right perspective. The history, he lamented, is now being distorted and the version the young minds are being fed is far from the facts. Abdullah asked the youth to gear up for upcoming elections, saying their entry into public life will bring a fresh breath of life in the political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir. "Youths have to be the catalyst of change and National Conference has all along provided an appropriate platform to them and harness their energies in productive pursuits," he maintained. Abdullah also dwelled on the prevailing 'fluid political situation' and said that being a premier political party of the state, the National Conference cadre had to get further activated to meet the challenges. "Dejected and disillusioned people of the state are looking towards National Conference with hope and we have to prepare ourselves to meet their aspirations," he said and asked the functionaries to mobilise workers for identifying the problems. In the wake of the Pulwama attack, Kashmiri people, especially students, had been attacked by mobs in parts of the country, forcing some of them to return to their home state. Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh: Abdul Salaam, sitting in his 8x10 square feet room, and playing with his two-year-old daughter Sahiba, said, "There are good and bad people everywhere, and we should always look at the good people and not form an opinion based on any single unfortunate event." Salaam, a 29-year-old dry fruit seller from Noorabad village in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir, was thrashed on Wednesday by men belonging to the newly-floated and little-known Vishwa Hindu Dal. Salaam was selling dry fruits at Daliganj bridge when the attackers came and thrashed him because he is a Kashmiri. Salaam, who has been busy with phone calls and meeting people from every nook and corner of Lucknow city, says that there is no dearth of good people in the city, and this incident will not stop him from coming here again. The father of two says that Lucknow is his second home, and the safest place on earth. "Lucknow is safer than Kashmir, where we live in fear. I have been coming to this city every winter to sell dry fruits and Kashmiri shawls with my brothers, since I was just 14 years old. The attack is unfortunate and it upset me for a short time, but the people of Lucknow have showered love on me like I am their own son or brother," Salaam says, with Sahiba on his lap. He lives in a small rented dwelling in a lane of Maulviganj in old Lucknow. Salaam adds that he had never thought he would be beaten up in this city for being a Kashmiri, but it happened. "I will say this is an accident, and accidents can happen anywhere and at any time. When Kashmiris were facing a backlash after the terrorist attack in Pulwama, people of Lucknow assured me and my brothers (Kashmiri street vendors) that everyone is safe here. We are like family members, and this incident made me fall in love with the people of Lucknow once again," says the victim of the hate crime. In the wake of the Pulwama attack, Kashmiris, especially students, had been attacked by mobs in parts of the country, forcing some of them to return to their home state. Assuring his brothers and family members who called after seeing a viral video of him getting thrashed by saffron-clad men, Salaam says, "Nothing happened to me, and everyone from Kashmir should visit Lucknow, because people here do not hesitate to give love. There is nothing to fear and I am back at work, selling dry fruits." On Friday evening, Salaam was given Rs 20,000 by the Lucknow district administration for his treatment and to restart his business. People from different social service groups also came forward to help him. Seema Rana, district secretary of the All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA), says that their organisation made a small effort to show the goons that Lucknow will not support their deed of beating up innocent poor people who come to the city from Kashmir to make a living. "We (AIDWA) called them for our programme on International Women's Day and asked everyone to make Abdul Salaam comfortable. Surprisingly, people came in large numbers to support him and he was able to sell dry fruits worth more than Rs 10,000," Rana said. It came as a bonus for Salaam, who is very poor. Rana says, "I think I was the first person to reach out to this man. His wife was very hurt by the incident and was afraid to step out of her house even to buy milk for the kids. Her landlady came forward to help, and assured Salaam's wife that nothing would happen to them." Salaam's wife was so shaken that she couldn't eat anything and was praying to God constantly, but the love and support showered on them made them comfortable. "It was a bad incident and it will take some time to heal the wounds and bad memories," said Rana. Naik Mushtaq, the other street vendor who was targeted by the outfit, says that in the past two decades, no one had asked him for his identity card, and this was a first. "I have been coming to this city for the past 22 years, and this was the first time I was asked to show my identity and prove that I am an Indian. This was also probably the last time, because the kind of love and support we got after this incident has sent a message to the hatemongers that nothing in the world can replace love. Salaam lost around Rs 26,000 in this incident, but every single person from Lucknow has come forward to help us. A lady came today and handed over Rs 10,000, and didn't even give her name. She didn't take the packet of apricots we gave her either. The District Magistrate sahib gave Salaam Rs 20,000 and we were able to sell a good quantity of dry fruits. If this is not love, then what is?," Mushtaq adds. "I had seen such speedy action by the police only in the movies, and Lucknow police are the best in the world. The attackers were arrested within no time, and police assured every Kashmiri that there is nothing to fear in this city," the 38-year-old dry fruit seller from Kulgam district says. Five men were arrested on Thursday, a day after the incident. The two main accused were identified as Bajrang Sonkar and Amar Mishra, besides Dal president Ambuj Nigam. Sonkar has a criminal history, with around 12 cases registered against him, including charges of theft, loot and murder, said police. Additional Director General of Police (law and order) Anand Kumar told the media, "This was an unfortunate incident, and the entire force will crack down on such troublemakers. No one is above the law and no one has the right to target the citizens of India. The police will take the strongest possible action against those who are targeting innocent Kashmiri people." It may also be mentioned that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on Friday, while addressing a rally in Kanpur, condemned the attack and urged the governments of other states to take the strictest action against people who are trying to disrupt the unity of the country. The author is a Lucknow-based freelance writer and a member of 101Reporters.com. Patidar community leader Hardik Patel on Friday moved the Gujarat High Court to stay his conviction in a 2015 rioting case. Ahmedabad: Patidar community leader Hardik Patel on Friday moved the Gujarat High Court to stay his conviction in a 2015 rioting case. The plea seeking a stay on his conviction by a lower court would come up for hearing in the coming days. Hardik has been convicted in a case of rioting and was sentenced to two years of imprisonment, which bars him from contesting an election. His move came days after his announcement to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha polls from Gujarat. The Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS), of which Hardik is the convener, had announced that he would join the Congress on 12 March. Since he still stands convicted in the case, he cannot contest the election as per the Supreme Court order. Unless the high court stays his conviction, he is unable to contest the polls. In July last year, the sessions court of Visnagar in Mehsana district had sentenced Hardik to two years of imprisonment in a case of rioting and arson in Visnagar town in 2015, when the Patidar quota stir had started gaining momentum in the state. Although the high court had granted bail to him and suspended his two-year sentence in August last year, his conviction was not stayed by the court at that time. This is the third Pakistani drone that has been shot at by the Indian security forces since the Indian Air Force carried out an air strike at the JeM terror camp in Balakot. Sri Ganganagar: Indian Army troops shot at a Pakistani drone along the international border in Rajasthan's Sri Ganganagar sector, army sources said on Friday. "The Indian Army shot down the drone while it was making an attempt to enter the Indian airspace, " army sources said. This is the third Pakistani drone that has been shot at by the Indian security forces since the Indian Air Force carried out an air strike at the Jaish-e-Mohammad terror camp in Balakot in Pakistan on 26 February. On Monday, the second drone was shot down in the Bikaner sector of Rajasthan, while the first drone was shot down on the morning of 26 February after it intruded Indian air space in Kutch district of Gujarat. On the occasion of International Women's Day, Jaising wrote an open letter to Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi demanding a 'ban on sexist language in courts'. "I am a person in my own right," retorted senior advocate Indira Jaising on Thursday, protesting against Attorney General KK Venugopal's reference to her as "Anand Grover's wife". A day later, on the occasion of International Women's Day, Jaising wrote an open letter to Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi demanding a "ban on sexist language in courts". In a strongly-worded letter, Jaising spoke about the power that language holds in daily life, asserting that the ability to communicate transcends into "an intuitive social, cultural, and political indicator, which reflects the prevailing attitudes and ethos of any society." "In this way, sexist language is violent," Jaising stated, adding, "It needs to be reminded to everyone in our profession that such power wielded by our words inside the courtrooms and outside should be eliminated so as to not manifest as violence." Jaising then went on to detail various instances of sexism she has personally faced in the courts including the Supreme Court of India and the sexism that is prevalent in the field of law in general. Jaising pointed out how, in the male-dominated courts, colleagues and judges have often not condemned sexist language but on the other hand, have resorted to sexist language in their judgments as recent as 2018. The advocate said, "In my years at the Bar, there have been multiple incidents where sexist remarks being made by lawyers, go unnoticed by the Bench. Such tacit acceptance of sexist language in the courtroom and brushing it aside as 'didnt mean any harm', gives it a level of legitimacy." She added, "On another occasion in the Supreme Court, while I was arguing, a senior male lawyer referred to me as that woman while he was referring to all his male colleagues as my learned friend, and this, when I was the Additional Solicitor General and was representing the CBI. I expected the judge to immediately reprimand him, but he did not. Instead the judge was enjoying the spectacle and smiling. I asked for protection from the use of such derogatory language and he said, Madam, you dont need any protection, you are overprotected. The judgments passed by the courts enjoy the status of being the law of the land, Jaising said, adding, "Unfortunately judicial language continues to use words and phrases which perpetuate patriarchy, endorse stereotypes of womens perceived roles and behaviour and entrench biases that are detrimental to the status of women in our society." In conclusion, Jaising urged the CJI to take "active measures" to ensure that advocates and judges across the country are "mindful and checked" for the gender sensitivity in their language, regardless of whether they are within the courtrooms or outside. "It has been over 70 years that Article 15 of the Constitution entitled persons of all sexes equal status in this country." She also put forward four suggestions: To institute a Commission of Inquiry to do a gender audit of courtroom culture; to organise a fact-finding committee to document judgments and judicial documents that contain sexist remarks; to make active efforts to be aware if a person in a senior position has condoned sexist behaviour; and to issue a circular to judges across the country to check the usage of sexist language. "The symbol of justice may be a blindfolded woman, but none of us will settle for tokenism or symbols," Jaising concluded, wishing the CJI a Happy Women's day. With inputs from agencies JEE Main April 2019 admit card can only be downloaded by candidates using their login credentials. National Testing Agency (NTA), the conducting authority for JEE Main 2019, will release the admit card for the April session on 20 March, 2019. This is the revised release date of the admit card, which earlier was 18 March. JEE Main April 2019 admit card can only be downloaded by candidates using their login credentials. Only candidates whose registration is successfully completed in all respects can download their admit card. It is to be noted that the admit card serves as an identity document and hence, must be preserved till the admission process is over. Quick Steps to Access JEE Main April 2019 Admit Card The candidates can follow the given simple steps to download the admit card Step 1 - Visit the official website of JEE Main 2019 https://jeemain.nic.in Step 2 - Click on JEE Main 2019 Admit Card Step 3 - Provide the required credentials i.e., JEE Main 2019 application number and password/date of birth. Click on Submit Step 4 - The link to download the admit card will be made available. Step 5 - Click and download the admit card. Step 6 - Check for any discrepancies and print it. Information provided in JEE Main April 2019 Admit Card -Name of the candidate -Application number -Roll number -Name of father -Course name -Date of birth -Gender -Category -State of eligibility -Photograph of the candidate -Date, shift and timing of examination -Test city and centre code -Reporting time and gate closing time of centre -JEE Main paper (Paper I or Paper II) -Signature of candidate and his/her parent's Documents to carry with JEE Main 2019 Admit Card -One passport size photograph (same as uploaded on the Online Application Form) to paste on the attendance sheet at the exam hall -Any one of the authorized photo IDs (must be original, valid and non-expired) PAN card/ Driving Licence/ Voter ID/ Passport/ Aadhaar Card (With photograph)/ Ration Card -PwD certificate issued by the authorised medical officer if applicable For any queries about the admit card, the candidates can contact: National Testing Agency (NTA) Block C-20 1A/8, Sector- 62 IITK Outreach Centre, Gautam Buddh Nagar Noida-201309, Uttar Pradesh (India) Helpline No: 7042399520, 7042399521, 7042399525, 7042399526 Email: jeemain-nta@nic.in An overwhelming number of those who reacted on Twitter were politicians in the Opposition, who focused on how journalists of the London newspaper The Telegraph could track Nirav Modi down but the Indian government reportedly could not. The fact that Nirav Modi, who fled India after reports of a Rs 14,000-crore scam surfaced against him, was seen casually sauntering through a busy London street on Friday, led many Indians to take to Twitter against the inability of the Indian government to nab him effectively. An overwhelming number of those who reacted on Twitter were politicians in the Opposition, who focused on how journalists of the London newspaper The Telegraph could track him down but the Indian government reportedly could not. One of the first to react to the story, which broke at around dawn in India, was the Congress party through its official handle on Twitter. Journalists of the @telegraph managed to track down Nirav Modi. Why was the Modi Govt unable to do so? Who is Modi trying to protect? Himself, Nirav Modi or the people who let him escape? https://t.co/Rp6BFNh3zt Congress (@INCIndia) March 9, 2019 Randeep Singh Surjewala, the communications in-charge of the Congress, a party which has often accused the Narendra Modi government of shielding one India's biggest fraudsters, also chipped in, putting the blame of Nirav Modi's freedom on the likes of the prime minister, his finance minister Arun Jaitley, the Enforcement Directorate and the Central Bureau of Investigation. Pl watch Trailor- A day in the life of Poster Boy for Bank Fraudsters Settlement Scheme abroad! Director & Producer- Narender Modi! Editor- Arun Jaitley! Script Writer- ED & CBI! Production Cost- 23,000Cr! Financed by- Indian Banks! !!! https://t.co/NdzDzq0JXM Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) March 9, 2019 Congress's Priyanka Chaturvedi also spoke on the issue in a press conference and accused the chowkidar (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) of being asleep. The Congress communications convener also issued a statement on questions the nation would like to ask of the prime minister at this juncture. National Congress Party leader Dhananjay Munde went a step further by sharing a meme in which Narendra Modi's face had been superimposed on Nirav's. Moral of the story is- Journalists of @Telegraph can track Nirav Modi but Chowkidaar can't.#NiravModi #___ pic.twitter.com/VdMq7aCiut Dhananjay Munde (@dhananjay_munde) March 9, 2019 Other Opposition party leaders who took the issue to Twitter, ostensibly aiming for maximum leverage in this pre-election atmosphere were Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Sitaram Yechury and Aam Aadmi Party leaders Arvind Kejriwal and Yogendra Yadav. It is no surprise considering that the so-called Chowkidar exists only to help his cronies loot and scoot. This Modi was invited to be at Davos with Modi and is in the pictures, even after it was known that he had looted our banks. #NiravModi https://t.co/DTXklu6lOK Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) March 9, 2019 "No comments" from Nirav Modi. "No comments" from Narendra Modi as well? https://t.co/voMEh0uZMi Yogendra Yadav (@_YogendraYadav) March 9, 2019 The Bharatiya Janata Party has also reacted to the charges, with allegations of their own against the UPA government. Lawyer Prashant Bhushan, who has often been critical of the Centre, has also drawn attention to the reported luxury of Nirav Modi's current life in London. I will be addressing an important press conference in Lucknow at hotel Levana Hazratganj, today at 3:00 p.m. I will also talk about an important document 'Reclaiming the Republic' at Ganga Prasad Memorial Hall, Aminabad, Lucknow at noon today. All are welcome to attend it. Prashant Bhushan (@pbhushan1) March 9, 2019 Umar Khalid, who is currently charged with sedition for shouting anti-national slogans at the Jawaharlal Nehru University campus in 2016, asked if there could be "greater evidence of Chowkidaar's inefficiency?" Last seen with Chowkidaar at Davos, #NiravModi seen again, now living openly in London. Journalists of @Telegraph can track him but Chowkidaar can't. Can there be greater evidence of Chowkidaar's inefficiency? Or should we say complicity? https://t.co/6Tqih1PgBE Umar Khalid (@UmarKhalidJNU) March 9, 2019 Among aspects of the Telegraph report which attracted Twitterati the most was the 10,000 jacket the diamantaire wore. It was reportedly made of ostrich hide. National Conference leader Omar Abdullah was one to take note. That ostrich hide jacket is simply hideous. Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) March 9, 2019 Some of you can tell if a jacket is real Ostrich leather and it really shows. #NiravModi Rituparna Chatterjee (@MasalaBai) March 9, 2019 Best part about the video? #NiravModi wearing ostrich hide jacket worth 10,000 quid sunetra choudhury (@sunetrac) March 9, 2019 NiravModi strutting down the streets of London in an ostrich leather jacket worth 10,000GBP. He's using a diff name to still trade in diamonds. The Modi govt has failed at bringing him,Choksi,Mallya-the biggest CHORS & TRAITORS back! At least wipe that grin off ur face Mr.Modi! https://t.co/SENFL0YsJt Zainab Sikander (@zainabsikander) March 9, 2019 Comedian Vir Das, though, went a step further and suggested a full scale Bollywood script on the saga. How about this as a plot:#NiravModi is arrested by four undercover RAW agents. They take him to an underground room. "Mr Modi, you know diamonds, and you're already in london. If you can get the Kohinoor back, all is forgiven." Cue rock music to set up heist prep montage. Vir Das (@thevirdas) March 9, 2019 The allegations against Modi are that the companies linked to the jeweller and his relatives received credit worth close to Rs 14,000-crore between 2011 and 2017 using false guarantees supplied by two officials of the Punjab National Bank. A Red Corner Notice was issued against him by Interpol last year. READ MEA's statement on Nirav Modi's extradition Read about how a Red Corner Notice functions here MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar, however, confirmed that the IAF's MiG-21 Bison, piloted by Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, shot down a Pakistan Air Force F-16 fighter aircraft and there were eyewitness accounts and electronic evidence of it. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) used its weekly press briefing to train its guns once again at Pakistan's ambiguous stand on terror, and refused to entertain questions on the controversial casualty figure of the Indian Air Force's Balakot air strikes. MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar, however, confirmed that the IAF's MiG-21 Bison, piloted by Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman shot down a Pakistan Air Force F-16 fighter aircraft and there were eyewitness accounts and the government was in possession of electronic evidence of it. Reporters at the conference also asked Kumar about fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi, who was spotted in London on Friday. Kumar fielded all questions on the Punjab National Bank accused saying that the Indian government was aware of his whereabouts and is waiting for the United Kingdom to respond to his extradition request. Kumar began the briefing by highlighting Pakistan's failure to take any "credible action" against terrorists on its soil. "In 2004, the then president of Pakistan (Pervez Musharraf) had made a solid commitment that they would not allow any territory under their control to be used for terrorist activity in any manner. However, Jaish-e-Mohammed and other terrorist organisations continue to operate with impunity. Repeated requests by India and the international community are met with denial." Kumar held that the non-military Balakot strike had achieved its desired objective and demonstrated the country's firm resolve to take decisive action against cross border terrorism. "We have also shared evidence in the form of parts of AMRAAM missile which were recovered from the site and are only carried by F-16 aircraft of the PAF," he said. Kumar said if, as Pakistan claims, it has evidence of downing a second Indian aircraft then it should have shared images of it. "Pakistan has plenty to hide. The initial bravado (following the Balakot air strikes) where they said 'everything is open, please come and visit', has disappeared. We are absolutely confident that the strikes on Balakot have been successful," he later added, in reply to a question. Accusing Pakistan of not showing "seriousness," in taking action against terrorists, Kumar said that its government's claims of having cracked down on terror are "confined only to paper." "Terrorist groups and individuals continue their activity without hindrance. We are seeing the same script. Claims of action against terror groups were also made in the aftermath of the Pathankot air base attack in 2016, the Mumbai attack on 26/11 and so on," he said. The MEA spokesperson also spoke on the back and forth of the Paksitani government and army on Jaish chief Masood Azhar. "It is unfortunate that Pakistan still continues to deny Jaish-e-Mohammed's own claim of carrying out the Pulwama attack in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed. President Musharraf had acknowledged the presence of Jaish in Pakistan, yet the spokesperson of the Pakistani army (Major General Asif Ghafoor) has openly denied that the Jaish-e-Mohammed operates in Pakistan," he added. READ THE FULL STATEMENT OF MEA HERE Since the Pulwama terror attack the international community has stood by India, he added. Adding that Pakistan needs to move beyond words, Kumar added, "If Pakistan claims to be a naya Pakistan with a nayi soch, it should demonstrate naya action against terrorist groups...and end cross-border terrorism." The MEA spokesperson also sought to dispel any hopes of bilateral dialogue in the 14 March talks between India and Pakistan on the Kartarpur corridor. "The talks are only related to the emotions and sentiments of Indian citizens of Sikh faith. We have a commitment to operationalise the corridor and meet the long pending demand of these people. Pakistan (through its actions) had cast some doubts on the meeting but we had never said this meeting will not be held," he added. Kumar also chastised Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan for issuing statements on "India's internal affairs". "This is done with the objective of deflecting tension, taking the global focus out of the Pakistani government elsewhere," he said. The only salutary aspect of Supreme Court's decision to appoint a three-member panel to mediate in Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case, or the Ayodhya dispute, is that its forbidding shadow will not fall on the forthcoming Lok Sabha election The only salutary aspect of the Supreme Court's decision to appoint a three-member panel to mediate in the controversial Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case, also known as the Ayodhya dispute, is that its forbidding shadow will not fall on the forthcoming Lok Sabha election. Yet, from whatever perspective the hellishly complicated Ayodhya tangle is perceived, it is very unlikely that the mediation process will succeed. It is possible to argue that the mediation panel, comprising Justice (retd) FMI Khalifullah, Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and senior advocate Sriram Panchu, may have been caught on the wrong foot. This is because none of its three members, according to sources, was on the list of negotiators that lawyers representing the Muslim side in the Ayodhya dispute presented to the Supreme Court. It is possible that the names suggested by lawyers of the Hindu side, too, were excluded from the mediation panel. Yet the inclusion of Ravi Shankar has already stirred up a controversy given Shankar's publicly articulated position on the Ayodhya dispute echoes that of the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. Take the Palampur resolution that the BJP's national executive passed on 11 June, 1989. It stated, "The BJP holds that the nature of this controversy (Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid) is such that it just cannot be sorted out by a court of law The sentiments of the people must be respected, and Rama Janamasthan handed over to the Hindus if possible through a negotiated settlement, or else, by legislation. Litigation certainly is no answer." Compare that resolution to Shankar's stance in March 2018. In a series of media interviews then, he asked Muslims to give up their "claims on Ayodhya as a goodwill gesture." Explaining, Ravi Shankar said, "If the court rules against (the building of) the temple (in Ayodhya), there will be bloodshed. The government may not be able to implement the court order. Do you think the majority community will accept such an order?" The AOL founder, thus, went a step further than even the BJP, explicitly spelling out the fate awaiting Muslims in case they refused to hand over the site where the Babri Masjid had stood before it was demolished on 6 December, 1992 and which is claimed to be the spot where Lord Ram was born. In yet another interview, Shankar sought to menace Muslims into submission. A verdict against the Ram temple, he said, would create a "Syria in India", shorthand for civil war, which will be "devastating for the nation in general and the Muslim community in particular." To avoid the possibility of civil war, the only way out of the Ayodhya imbroglio was an out-of-court settlement between Hindus and Muslims, he said. From Ravi Shankar's perspective the starting point for an out-of-court settlement presumes Muslims relinquishing their right to the site of the Babri Masjid. After all, if the judicial verdict against the Ram temple in Ayodhya is unacceptable to Hindus, it is very unlikely they would waive their claims to it through negotiations. Ravi Shankar's inclusion in the mediation panel is problematic also because he is perceived to be close to the BJP. For instance, it was he who floated the idea of the United Nations hosting the International Yoga Day, a pet project of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Remember the Art of Living's World Cultural Festival held in Delhi in March 2016? It became controversial because of the fears that the venue of the festival the flood plains of the Yamuna could suffer environmental degradation. Despite the festival being widely panned, Prime Minister Narendra Modi graced the occasion for all of three hours. Subsequently, the National Green Tribunal imposed a fine of Rs 5 crore on the Art of Living for causing environmental damage. Ravi Shankar went in appeal against the Tribunal's verdict to the Supreme Court, where the case is still pending. Ravi Shankar's close association with the BJP and the RSS has many wondering whether he has the credentials to play the mediator's role, which demands neutrality for ensuring that disputants repose faith in the negotiation process. History tells us that just about every offer of a negotiated settlement was aborted because the RSS-BJP insisted on the pre-condition of Muslims handing over the Babri Masjid site to Hindus. On 10 May, 1986, Syed Shahabuddin, a member of the Babri Masjid Action Committee, proposed a settlement plan. It entailed removing the idols placed in the Babri Masjid on the night of 22-23 December, 1949 and building a "magnificent temple" on the Ram Chabutra, or raised platform. The chabutra in Shahabuddin's proposal was built by the mahant of Hanumangarhi temple after the revolt of 1857. In 1861, the district administration erected a wall to separate the mosque from the chabutra. In 1883, mahant Raghubar Das started to build a temple over the chabutra, but the district magistrate, because of the objections of Muslims, stopped the construction. Das filed a suit in the court of Sub Judge, who disallowed the temple to be built. Das went in appeal to District Judge Col FEA Chamier, who upheld the verdict of the Sub Judge. In his judgement, Chamier noted, "The chabutra is said to indicate the birthplace of Ram Chandra." This was re-stated by the Court of Judicial Commissioner, Oudh, in his judgement on the issue in 1886. Until 1886, at least, Lord Ram was not supposed to have been born under the mosque's central dome. It was perhaps why Congress leader Karan Singh, who is widely acclaimed for his knowledge of Hindu philosophy, wrote on 15 January, 1987: "There seems to be no controversy regarding the 'Chabutra' where in fact worship had been has been carried on for many years. I suggest that a national committee be formed to draw up plans for the construction of a magnificent temple on that site." The option of building the Ram temple on the chabutra was foreclosed with the Palampur resolution of 1989. Nevertheless, a series of meetings was held between the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, an RSS affiliate spearheading the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, and the Babri Masjid Action Committee between 1990 and 1992. The only consequence of these meetings was an abrasive set of questions both the VHP and BMAC prepared for each other to answer. These questions were rendered irrelevant with the demolition of the Babri Masjid on Dec 6, 1992. In its place a makeshift Ram temple was built. In January 1993, the Central government acquired 66.7 acres of land in Ayodhya, including 2.77 acres on which the demolished structure had stood and where a makeshift Ram temple had been built. In its judgement upholding the acquisition, the Supreme Court held that puja was to continue at the makeshift temple, but no construction activity could be undertaken anywhere in the acquired 66.7 acres of land. Yet attempts were made to begin the construction of the Ram temple in the area outside of 2.77 acres in March 2002. The National Democratic Alliance was then in power and AB Vajpayee was the prime minister. Whether construction could begin became a subject of informal discussion between the Shankaracharya of Kanchi and the president of the Muslim Personal Law Board. This effort fizzled out as the Supreme Court ruled on March 13 that "no religious activity of any kind by anyone" could take place in the 66.7 acres of the acquired land. A fresh attempt at a negotiated settlement was made in 2010. On 3 August, 2010, a three-member Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court, which was hearing the Ayodhya case, inquired from lawyers representing Hindu and Muslim litigants whether they wanted to reconcile. The Hindu side reportedly rejected the offer. Through its judgement of 30 September, the bench divided the disputed site between the Nirmohi Akhara sect, the Sunni Central Waqf Board and Ramlalla Virajman, or the presiding deity of the makeshift temple in Ayodhya. Disputants went in appeal to the Supreme Court against the High Court judgement. In March 2017, then Chief Justice of India JS Khehar offered to mediate for resolving the Ayodhya dispute. Explaining, Chief Justice Khehar said: "Give a bit, take a bit. These are issues best decided jointly. These are issues of sentiments and religion. The court should come in the picture only if you cannot settle it." He withdrew his offer, perhaps, because of the outcry against it. A dispute cannot be resolved jointly as long as one of the contending parties insists that it must take everything and give nothing in return. This is precisely what the RSS seeks to achieve through its stubborn insistence that a negotiated settlement must involve Muslims handing over the disputed site to Hindus. Indeed, the Supreme Court-appointed mediation in the Ayodhya dispute cannot succeed unless the RSS agrees to give, as Chief Justice Khehar said, "a bit" to Muslims. But the mediation process will push the final arguments in the Ayodhya title suit beyond the timeframe of the Lok Sabha elections. This is because the panel is expected to present its final report in two months, by which time several rounds of elections would have been held. Arguments at the peak of the election campaign could have stoked passions, involving as it would have such prickly questions as to the historicity of Lord Ram. In its statement, the MEA has condemned Pakistan for not taking action against the Jaish-e-Mohammed, the terrorist outfit who claimed responsibility for the attack which killed at least 42 CRPF jawans were killed. The ministry has also accused the neighbouring country of 'propagating a false narrative' of the events that have transpired since the attack The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Saturday released a statement on Pakistan's role in exacerbating tensions that arose between India and Pakistan following a suicide bombing in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama on 14 February. In its statement, the MEA has condemned Pakistan for not taking action against the Jaish-e-Mohammed, the terrorist outfit who claimed responsibility for the attack which killed at least 42 CRPF jawans. The ministry has also accused the neighbouring country of "propagating a false narrative" of the events that have transpired since the attack, including the downing of two IAF jets. Read the full MEA statement below: You are all aware of the developments following the heinous terrorist attack in Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir State, on 14 February, that was executed by the Pakistan-based and UN-proscribed terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed. The Foreign Secretary and the Spokespersons of our Armed Forces have already briefed the media on the action taken by us against the Jaish-e-Mohammed. Our non-military counterterrorism strike of 26 February achieved the intended objective. It has demonstrated our firm resolve to take decisive action against cross-border terrorism. On 27 February Pakistan, instead of taking action against terrorist groups on its soil, chose to escalate through an act of aggression by violating our air space and attempting, unsuccessfully, to target our military facilities. Their action was effectively thwarted by the alertness and readiness of our armed forces. We have been transparent and open in informing the media on 27 February itself that, in the process of defending our national sovereignty and territorial integrity, one Mig 21 Bison was lost in action and Wing Commander Abhinandan had to bail out and landed in Pakistan Occupied Jammu & Kashmir. Pakistan, however, continues to propagate a false narrative of the events of that day. The statement by our Indian Air Force is in the public domain. Only one aircraft was lost by us. If, as Pakistan claims, they have a video recording of the downing of a second Indian aircraft, why have they not shown it to the international media even after more than one week? Questions should be asked to them as to where the fuselage of the aircraft is and what has happened to the pilots? As we have already said, there are eye-witness accounts and electronic evidence that Pakistan deployed F-16 aircraft and that one F-16 was shot down by Wing Commander Abhinandan. Evidence of the use of AMRAAM Missile, which can only be deployed on the F-16 with Pakistan, has also been shown to the media. Pakistan should explain why it continues to deny that its F-16 aircraft has been shot down? We have asked the United States to also examine whether the use of F16 against India is in accordance with the terms and conditions of sale. Since the Pulwama attack, the international community has solidly stood with India in their condemnation of the attack as well as in asking Pakistan to take concrete action against terrorists and terrorist infrastructure in territories under the control of Pakistan. The United Nations Security Council unanimously issued a Press Statement in which they have explicitly referred to the Jaish-e-Mohammed as having claimed responsibility for the attack. The UN Security Council Press Statement also calls for perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of terrorism to be held accountable and brought to justice. It is regrettable that Pakistan still continues to deny Jaish-e-Mohammeds own claim of taking ownership of the Pulwama attack. In his interview to BBC on 1 March, Pakistan Foreign Minister said, and I quote "they have not claimed responsibility of that (Pulwama attack). There is some confusion on that. The confusion is that the leadership has been contacted and they said no unquote. Is Pakistan defending the Jaish-e-Mohammed and acting as its spokesperson? Does Pakistans claim have any credibility? In 2004, the then President of Pakistan had made a solemn public commitment that they would not allow any territory under their control to be used for terrorist activity in any manner. But till today, however, Pakistan has failed to take any credible action against Jaish-e-Mohammed and other terrorist organizations, which continue to operate with impunity from Pakistan. The widespread presence of terrorist camps in Pakistan is a public knowledge within and outside Pakistan. Repeated requests by us and the international community for Pakistan to take action against such groups have been met with denial. Since 26 February, following demands from the international community, Pakistan is again claiming to take fresh action against terror groups on its soil. In an interview to CNN on 28 February, the Foreign Minister of Pakistan has said, and I quote "Well, he is (Masood Azhar) in Pakistan according to my information unquote. Claims are being made that terrorist organizations will be proscribed, that some individuals have been placed in preventive detention and that some action has been taken against seminaries and Madarsas belonging to terrorist groups. We are seeing the same script that has been played out earlier after the terrorist attacks on our Parliament in December 2001, the Mumbai terrorist attack in November 2008 and the attack on Pathankot airbase in January 2016. Pakistan claims to proscribe groups and individuals, but this is confined only on paper. Actually, terrorist groups and individuals continue their activities without hindrance. Pakistan has not shown any serious intent to address the legitimate concerns of India and the global community. Despite the media interviews by Pakistans Foreign Minister and former President Musharraf acknowledging the presence of Jaish-e-Mohammad in Pakistan, the spokesperson of the Pakistan armed forces openly denied the presence of Jaish-e-Mohammad in Pakistan, in an interview on 6 March. This statement is sufficient proof that Pakistan still remains in a state of denial. We remain resolute in our determination to persuade the international community of the necessity of compelling Pakistan to move beyond mere words and to show credible, verifiable and sustained actions. We have, and we will continue to act with responsibility and maturity. Our armed forces continue to maintain strict vigil and will remain determined in the defence of the nation and its citizens. If Pakistan claims to be a "naya Pakistan with nayi soch, it should show "naya action against terrorist groups and terror infrastructure on its soil and end cross border terrorism in support of its claims. This MEA statement has been reproduced verbatim, only edited for style by Firstpost staff. Even though the Interpol has finally responded to CBI's request and issued a Red Corner Notice against Nirav Modi, don't expect the fraudster be back in India by next week Editor's Note: This article, originally published in July 2018, is being republished in the view of PNB scam accused Nirav Modi being spotted in London by The Telegraph. The Ministry of External Affairs said that the extradition process of Modi is not that simple. "We had made a request for extradition to the UK government based on the investigations of the CBI and ED in August last year. Despite what we have seen on television today, the status of the request is the same. It is with the British government. Try to understand how the whole process works. Just because he has been spotted, doesn't mean he will be extradited to India," spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said. *** In what is being interpreted as "relief" to Central agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the Interpol finally issued the Red Corner Notice against fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi. The allegations against Modi are that the companies linked to the jeweller and his relatives received credit worth close to $1.8 billion between 2011 and 2017 using false guarantees supplied by two bank officials. The scam involving Punjab National Bank is probably country's largest ever bank fraud. The notice was issued on 29 June but has been made public on Monday by the International police cooperation agency, the sources said, adding that it will make unhindered movement of Modi across borders difficult and might lead to his arrest. The CBI had tried to track the movements of Modi through a diffusion notice issued through the Interpol on 15 February, but it had limited success as only the United Kingdom responded to the CBI request, they said. Modi also managed to travel across several countries even after information about his passport being revoked by the Indian government was flashed in the Interpol central database on February 24, the CBI had earlier said. "After the passport was revoked/cancelled by the external affairs ministry, we had updated this information in the diffusion notice. The information that Modi's passport has been revoked was provided in the Interpol central database, available to all the member countries, on 24 February," CBI spokesperson Abhishek Dayal had said. As soon as the news broke, several reports claimed that the agencies can "any moment" have Modi in their net. Well, that is not completely true as there is only so much that an Interpol-issued RCN can do and ensuring arrest of the fugitive isn't one of them. What is Interpol? One will find several versions of this answer, and as experts have claimed it is hard to prove definitively because credible figures about Interpols accuracy arent available. Gherson, a specialist in UK immigration, nationality, extradition and human rights law firm based in London, said that Interpol isn't a "global police force" which is involved in the arrest of fugitives. It, however, is a largest police organisation with 190 participating member states. Unlike popular knowledge, Interpol can't arrest people, Gherson claimed. "It facilitates cooperation between police forces across the globe. Interpol operates a colour-coded notice system between its members, of which RCNs are the most well known." What is Red Corner Notice? It is not an arrest warrant, even though, it is often described in the media as "the closest" thing to one. Interpol cannot insist or compel any member country to arrest an individual who is the subject of an RCN, nor can it require any member country to take any action in response to another member countrys request, South China Morning Post reported. Can Modi be arrested now that the Interpol has issued an RCN against him? If issued, an RCN will help restrict travel by Modi and Mehul Choksi using their Indian passports. If either of them is detected making such an attempt, Indian agencies will be alerted through Interpol. While it can restrict Modi within the United Kingdom, the RCN alone will not bring him back. "How an RCN is treated and acted upon by an individual state can vary dramatically. Some member states will treat a Red Notice alone as sufficient justification to arrest and detain an individual whereas others may require more information before proceeding." When an RCN is issued, it informs all 190 Interpol member countries that the person is wanted based on an arrest warrant issued by a country or an international tribunal. Like mentioned above, many of Interpol's member countries consider an RCN a valid request for provisional arrest, especially if they are linked to the requesting country via a bilateral extradition treaty. Does an RCN mean fugitive can be extradited? No. A complex area of domestic and international law, extradition often involves several diplomatic and political considerations. Therefore, just because there is an RCN issued against a fugitive doesn't mean there will be an extradition. A RCN is merely a notification that a person is wanted by one of Interpol's member states and a request that fellow member states arrest them pending an extradition request. Extradition requires formal extradition requests between states and legal process needs to be followed. Difference between provisional arrests and extradition? Treaty partners of the requesting country (in this case, India) have an obligation to consider requests for provisional arrests seriously. If there is no treaty, then India can make a request for provisional arrest, but it is for the other country decide in accordance with its laws. The Indian Express reports, "Each extradition treaty specifies the documents required and means for a provisional arrest request. The concerned law enforcement agency in India prepares the request and sends it to the Ministry of External Affairs, which forwards it to the concerned authority of the other country." Request for extradition can only be initiated once a chargesheet has been filed. Therefore... Even though the Interpol has finally responded to CBI's request and issued an RCN against fugitive Modi, don't expect the fraudster be back in India by next week. Remember Vijay Mallya? Soon after, during weekly briefing of the Ministry of External Affairs, spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said that it's a misconception that the Nirav Modi case is not being diligently followed. Accused in the Rs 14,000-crore Punjab National Bank scam, fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi was seen in public for the first time since he fled India, London's The Telegraph newspaper reported. Soon after, during weekly briefing of the Ministry of External Affairs, spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said that it's a misconception that the Nirav Modi case is not being diligently followed. "Just like the Vijay Mallya case, we are doing everything possible to get Nirav Modi extradited from the United Kingdom," Kumar told the media on Friday. Kumar said the government was aware of Modis whereabouts, which is why India sent an extradition request. "We are aware that (Nirav Modi) is in the UK, otherwise we wouldnt have requested for extradition," he said. "We made a request, based on information provided by the CBI and ED, in August last year. Despite what we see on television, the status remains the same." "We had made a request for extradition to the UK government based on the investigations of the CBI and ED in August last year. Despite what we have seen on television today, the status of the request is the same. It is with the British government. Try to understand how the whole process works. Just because he has been spotted, doesn't mean he will be extradited to India," Kumar further said. Modi was approached by journalists from the paper while walking through a busy London street on Friday. From footage shot by the paper's reporters and accessed by CNN-News18, he can be seen sporting a handlebar moustache and a jacket which the paper pegs at nearly 10,000. To successive questions on whether he is involved in a new business, likely to return to India or if he is on the run from the law, he replies "no comment". Exclusive: Telegraph journalists tracked down Nirav Modi, the billionaire diamond tycoon who is a suspect for the biggest banking fraud in India's historyhttps://t.co/PpsjGeFEsy pic.twitter.com/v3dN5NotzQ The Telegraph (@Telegraph) March 8, 2019 The paper also claimed to have tracked down "an 8 million apartment" in Londons West End where Modi is reportedly living now. The flat, is a three-bedroom one and is likely to cost a rent of nearly 17,000 or Rs 15,48,946 a month. Modi is one of the most wanted men in India. On 29 June last year, the Interpol issued a Red Corner Notice against him. The allegations against Modi are that the companies linked to the jeweller and his relatives received credit worth close to Rs 14,000-crore between 2011 and 2017 using false guarantees supplied by two officials of the Punjab National Bank. The fraud engineered by him is probably the country's largest ever bank fraud. A Red Corner Notice functions almost as an international arrest warrant and the fact that Modi is walking freely through London has begun to raise eyebrows in India. The Telegraph report also highlights that Modi seems to have begun a new diamond business in London. This would require an insurance number, which in turn would need clearance from the British government, which has so far failed to act on the Red Corner Notice. The Congress has reacted on Twitter to the news, with a jab at the Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre. "Journalists of the @telegraph managed to track down Nirav Modi. Why was the Modi Govt unable to do so? Who is Modi trying to protect? Himself, Nirav Modi or the people who let him escape?" Congress tweeted. Modi had also managed to travel across several countries even after information about his passport being revoked by the Indian government was flashed in the Interpol central database on February 24, the CBI had earlier said. News of Modi's luxurious lifestyle comes hours after his sprawling seaside mansion near Mumbai was demolished on Friday using explosives. Raigad District Collector Vijay Suryawanshi had issued the demolition orders after the Enforcement Directorate had handed over the property in Raigad district, over 90 km from Mumbai. Self-interest is the best motivation for Pakistan, especially when it is hastened on by a sharp nudge or two from those who matter. It's like one of those endless replays on cable TV. Media headlines on Islamabad starting yet another action against terror groups has the same effect of bored somnolence. After all, its happened so many times before. Heres a headline: "Pakistan shuts down seminaries run by Jaish-e-Mohammed". Thats 2016. Heres another: "Pakistan Cracks Down On Lashkar-e-Taiba". Thats 2008. There were a series of such banner headlines in 2001. Nearly twenty years later, the headlines are identical in terms of a crackdown of terror groups. Dawn reported that seminaries have been closed in Sindh (56 facilities) Punjab (160 seminaries, 32 schools, two colleges, four hospitals, 178 ambulances and 153 dispensaries) as well as similar institutions in Peshawar and Dir in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and parts of Balochistan. If this is true, then this is undoubtedly a far larger exercise than previously undertaken, in terms of its geographical scope. However, a flurry of activity by security forces will solve nothing. The challenge is to sustain this action and ensure that terrorist leaders are not again (and yet again) free to return to their violent occupations. As most people are now aware, the Pakistani enthusiasm to curb militancy is alas, not so much due to Indian air attacks as due to the pressure from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), a global body that aims to cut off all aid to terrorists, among other things. In mid-February, it declined to ease the ongoing pressure on Pakistan, instead specifying more steps for it to comply with its recommendations. Last year, under similar pressure, Pakistan issued an amendment to its anti-terrorism laws, adding one clause which committed Pakistan to include all United Nations-designated terrorist groups in its proscribed list. Nothing much happened thereafter, with the jihadis publicly continuing their activities. It is this lack of action that is sought to be remedied now a year later when the FATF again did its own cracking of the whip. The FATF was clearly not impressed with Pakistans counter-terrorist action at its 22 February meet. Its notification stated that Pakistan has revised its Terrorist Finance risk assessment; however, it does not demonstrate a proper understanding of the TF risks posed by Daesh, AQ, JuD, FiF, LeT, JeM, HQN, and persons affiliated with the Taliban. Further, it called on Pakistan to demonstrate that facilities and services owned or controlled by designated persons are deprived of their resources and the usage of the resources: all this before May 2019. Thats a significant change in language from past directives, which tended to be more urbane and vague. This time, its a clear direction, in a do it or else spirit. FATF experts, as well as counter-terrorism officials, will say that the best way to destroy a terror group is to choke its finances. Terrorists like everyone else, like being paid for their pains. Cut the money off, and most terrorists will drift into something more lucrative. For instance, the financial heft of the Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) is derived in part from its many seminaries, hospitals, ambulances and dispensaries. According to the media, it is these that are being targeted in the ongoing raids. It is heartening to see that the charity arm of the group the Falah-e-Insaniyat Foundation (FIF) also receiving the attention of authorities. The FIF is usually arm in arm with the Pakistan Army in its disaster management activities. It is also at the forefront of the JuDs propaganda and recruitment efforts. Relief stalls of the FIF for instance, will always carry banners for donations for Kashmir, Palestine and lately for Rohingya. But the JuD also functions through a bewildering maze of institutions and groups. That includes platforms like the Difa-e-Pakistan Council (Protection of Pakistan) a platform that brings together students, religious groups, and a politician or two. Then there is the Tehrik-e-Hurmat-e-Rasool (Movement for Defending the Honour of God) made up of the representatives of various Rabita councils, the Tehrik-e-Tahffuz-e-Qibla-e-Awal (Movement for Safeguarding the first centre of prayer) which was aimed against Israel among others. These platforms bring in donations and other support of a multiplicity of religious and political bodies. Apart from these, the Jud (and to some extent Jaish) have several colleges, including those dealing with information technology, which cater to the needs to the group in a sophisticated psywar effort that includes a storm of fake news. So no, for Pakistan to demonstrate significant progress against terror, the crackdown has to continue for the foreseeable future to include a far wider number of targets. Pakistans actions however, remain quixotic to say the least. Recent news reports indicate that the father of one of the most dangerous terrorist groups Harkat-ul-Mujahideen has been inducted into the Pakistan's ruling Tehreek-e-Insaf. Apparently, this is seen as one way of rehabilitating terrorist leaders, even one who was responsible for hundreds of deaths, including the beheading of US citizen Daniel Pearl. A second issue is even more puzzling. As Pakistani columnist Gul Bukhari wrote, the Pakistani Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa on several occasions made known his worry about jihadi groups upending State institutions. In 2017, he showed a remarkable awareness of the economic pitfalls of a perilous internal and external security situation. Even more importantly, he seemed to reach out to India and Afghanistan. He has since followed this with the initiative for the opening of the Kartapur Corridor. Bukharis suggestion that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) is powerless in the face of Inter-Services Intelligence or other intelligence apparatus is difficult to accept. There is no precedent for a powerless COAS in Pakistan, other than as an aberration. And no, former president General Pervez Musharraf did not say agencies prevented him from acting against Jaish, as Bukhari suggests. He only said he hadnt pushed it. Theres a difference. Whether true-blue jihadis have entered the Pakistani intelligence machinery is a possibility however, and needs the closest possible monitoring given their potential for serious destruction: for both India and Pakistan. The best way to test this new theory is to see whether the crackdown continues in earnest and the military cracks the whip on its own rebellious elements and State institutions dragging their feet. Certainly for the first time, the JuD has been added to the list of proscribed entities. Now, it remains for Islamabad to carry this through to the logical end, with the firm conviction that this is what is necessary for Pakistan to deliver it from the financial and diplomatic abyss into which it has fallen. Self-interest is the best motivation, especially when it is hastened on by a sharp nudge or two from those who matter. Amid reports of the abduction of an army jawan in Jammu and Kashmir's Budgam district, the Defence Ministry on Saturday clarified that the information is incorrect. Amid reports that an Indian Army jawan was abducted in Jammu and Kashmir's Budgam district, the Defence Ministry on Saturday clarified that the information was incorrect. Indian Army soldier Mohammad Yaseen, who was on leave in the Qazipora village of Budgam, had reportedly been abducted from his home on Friday evening. However, ANI quoted defence officials on Saturday who said that the "media reports" of the abduction were "incorrect" and that the "individual is safe". The statement added, "Speculations may please be avoided." Defence Ministry: Media reports of the abduction of a serving Army soldier(Mohammad Yaseen) on leave from Qazipora, Chadoora, Budgam(J&K) are incorrect. Individual is safe. Speculations may please be avoided. pic.twitter.com/oYKXoYVQGT ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2019 Yaseen was reported missing on Friday evening and police suspected that he could have been abducted by a terror group, PTI reported. The family of the jawan posted with the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry Regiment, informed the police that some people came to their house in Qazipora Chadura and took him away. The Jammu and Kashmir Police had launched an extensive search operation and have increased surveillance on the national highway following reports of the abduction. With inputs from agencies The CBI is awaiting a response on its extradition request which was sent to the United Kingdom through the External Affairs Ministry in August l New Delhi: The CBI will extend all necessary help to the United Kingdom authorities for extradition of fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi, wanted in Rs 13,000 crore fraud in Punjab National Bank in collusion with his uncle Mehul Choksi, the agency said Saturday. The CBI is awaiting a response on its extradition request which was sent to the United Kingdom through the External Affairs Ministry in August last year after the confirmation from London that Nirav was in their country, agency spokesperson Nitin Wakankar said. The United Kingdom has responded to the Red Corner Notice issued by the agency against Nirav in June last year, he said. "We are willing to extend all help to the United Kingdom through External Affairs Ministry in ensuring extradition of Nirav Modi," Wakankar said. Modi fled the country after allegedly siphoning off about Rs 13,000 crore from Punjab National Bank using Letters of Undertaking in collusion with his uncle Mehul Choski. Forty-eight-year-old Nirav was spotted in a tony neighbourhood of London by British newspaper The Telegraph. He refused to comment to any of posers put forth by The Telegraph correspondent. The CBI registered an FIR against him on 31 January on the basis of a complaint against him and his uncle Choksi from the bank. It was followed by another FIR by the agency against him. Nirav's brother and wife were also named as accused in the FIR. His wife Ami, a US citizen, brother Nishal, a Belgian, and uncle Choksi, Gitanjali Group's promoter, had also fled the country in the first week of January. The case pertains to allegedly cheating the state-run Punjab National Bank (PNB) through fraudulent issuance of Letters of Undertaking (LoUs) and Foreign Letters of Credit (FLCs). The agency has charge-sheeted both Nirav and Choksi separately in the scam. It has now approached the Interpol for a Red Corner Notice aimed at bringing Nirav back for facing trial in the cases against them, the sources said. The CBI, in its charge sheets filed on 14 May, had alleged that Nirav, through his companies, siphoned off funds to the tune of Rs 6,498.20 crore using fraudulent LoUs issued from PNB's Brady House branch in Mumbai. Choksi allegedly swindled Rs 7,080.86 crore, making it possibly the biggest banking scam in the country, it alleged. It is alleged that Nirav and Choksi through their companies availed credit from overseas branches of Indian banks using fraudulent guarantees of the PNB given through LoUs and letters of credit which were not repaid bringing the liability on the state-run bank, the officials said. An LoU is a guarantee given by an issuing bank to Indian banks having branches abroad to grant short-term credit to the applicant. The instructions for transferring the funds were allegedly issued by a bank employee, Gokulnath Shetty, using an international messaging system for banking, called SWIFT platform, and without making their subsequent entries in the PNB's internal banking software, thus bypassing scrutiny in the bank, they said. Without naming then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the Hindutva leader praised the country's leadership during the 1971 Indo-Pak war, which led to the creation of Bangladesh. Bhopal: Former Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Praveen Togadia Friday said the air strike on a Jaish-e-Mohammed training camp in Pakistan has not yielded desired results as terror attacks have not stopped in Jammu and Kashmir. Terrorist attacks have not stopped due to the "weak" leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he alleged. Without naming then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the Hindutva leader praised the country's leadership during the 1971 Indo-Pak war, which led to the creation of Bangladesh. "My question is, have terror attacks stopped after the air strike in Balakot? After the air strike, two majors and 10 jawans had been killed (in separate incidents in J&K). There was a grenade attack in Jammu yesterday," he said. "If the surgery has been done, what is its importance (if the disease has not been cured)? Surgery (for me) means to get the patient rid of cancer," Togadia, a qualified cancer surgeon, told reporters here. To a question, Togadia said what is the use of air strikes if solders are still dying? "We split Pakistan in 1971, but at that time the leadership was with somebody else," said the firebrand Hindutva leader. Apparently referring to Modi, who made a surprise visit to Pakistan in 2015-end, he said, "The leadership which without invitation goes to eat the cake of (former) Prime Minister (Nawaz Sharif) is weak." "Official figures say 488 soldiers had been killed in 53 months (in J&K). Why was Pakistan the most favoured country for Modiji?" he asked. Togadia said it was baffling that separatist leaders in Kashmir were provided security. "Modi should answer this. Modi ji has neglected national security," he charged. "Life of every human is of great importance but that of soldier is of paramount importance to us," Togadia said. He disapproved of the ongoing politics over the 26 February the air strike on a Jaish-e-Mohammed camp inside Pakistan. In what could be seen as a jolt to Bihar Congress ahead of the parliamentary election, senior leader and spokesman Binod Sharma resigned. Patna: In what could be seen as a jolt to Bihar Congress ahead of the parliamentary election, senior leader and spokesman Binod Sharma resigned on Saturday, contending that the party should not have demanded evidence of Balakot air strike. In a letter addressed to Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Sharma said the party high command has hurt the sentiments of ground-level workers and the common people by raising questions over the "pre-emptive" strike on the terror camps in Balakot, days after the Pulwama attack on a CRPF convoy. The senior leader also said that he wrote to Gandhi several times in the last one month, apprising him of the sensibilities of the party workers in the state, but his requests were not entertained. Terming the repeated demands for proof of air strike as "shameful and childish", he said, "I am resigning from the Congress with a heavy heart after serving it for 30 years. The party high command has hurt sentiments by breaking the Army's morale, while boosting the spirits of terrorists." Sharma alleged that some Congress leaders have "strayed from the path shown by party's stalwarts Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi". "Today, we (Congress members) are seen as Pakistani agents. I feel ashamed of being called a Congressman. Since the nation is above party, I am resigning from the Congress," he stated in his letter. The senior leader also said that many party workers, who are disappointed with the high command's stance over the air strike, may follow in his footsteps. Without taking names, Sharma said he would join a party that puts nation ahead of "petty politics". A former general secretary of Bihar Congress, Sharma had unsuccessfully fought the Paliganj assembly by-poll on a Congress ticket in 1996. He also served as the president of National Students Union of India's Bihar unit from 1996 to 2000. On February 14, a convoy of vehicles carrying CRPF personnel was attacked by a suicide bomber in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in the death of 40 jawans. Twelve days later, Indian Air Force jets crossed the Line of Control in Kashmir and pounded Jaish-e-Mohammed training camps in Pakistan. Instead of re-evaluating its approach, the Election Commission has only doubled down on its flawed approach to the matter. While the latest move raises questions about privacy and confidentiality, it is also reflective of an approach to the regulation of elections that is entirely detached from the ground reality Ahead of the 2018 Lok Sabha elections, the Election Commission has come out with yet another rule for potential candidates in addition to existing asset and income declarations, they are required to provide five years worth of income tax returns of their dependents and themselves, and details of foreign assets owned by them. While some have welcomed this move, there is really only one justified response to this move: ho hum. The EC's move reminds one of a scene from the under-rated film Enemy at the Gates. A fictional Nikita Krushchev, as commissar in the Soviet Army battling the seemingly unstoppable Nazi war machine, is walking up and down the line seeking ideas from his terrified subordinates on how to put an end to the defeats. One particularly nervous political officer comes up with a brilliant idea: shoot any general who retreats. And their Chiefs of Staff. The one next to him comes up with an even better idea shoot the retreating generals families too as examples! Needless to say, the ECs approach to handling the money and muscle problem in India's elections sounds exactly like that. Like the Supreme Court (whose judgement initially led to the mandatory declaration of candidates' assets and criminal records on affidavit), the EC's approach comes at the problem from a very upper middle class perspective. One where elections are "polluted" by money and violence and needs to be "cleaned up". Where the poor, uninformed voter is bribed into voting against her interest, and only needs to be presented with the facts to get her to change her mind. The success of this approach speaks for itself more candidates with a history of violent crimes are getting elected. The number of "crorepati" candidates has increased manifold. By all accounts, the attempts of the Supreme Court and the EC to "crack down" upon candidates with a criminal background and with ill gotten gains has failed miserably. Instead of re-evaluating its approach, the EC has only doubled down on its flawed approach to the matter. While the latest move raises questions about privacy and confidentiality, it is also reflective of an approach to the regulation of elections that is entirely detached from the ground reality. The average Lok Sabha constituency has fifteen lakh voters but the spending limit is capped anywhere between Rupees fifty to seventy lakh. Even assuming that a candidate chooses to focus only on half the voters, that leaves the candidate with approximately Rs. 10 to spend per voter. Given the costs of reaching out to voters, organising rallies, and mobilising the vote, a candidate is unlikely to be able to meet these costs out of her own pocket using legitimate sources of funding unless shes funded by the party or taps illegal sources of funding. To be fair to the EC, it has made attempts to curb black money use and has sent across a proposal to the government to curb spending by political parties as well. Unfortunately, that still focuses on the wrong part of the problem and does not really answer the more troubling question why do people continue to vote for candidates with criminal backgrounds and ill-gotten wealth. The answer is complex but Milan Vaishnavs book "Money and Muscle in Indian Politics" offers us some data driven insights. It is not as if voters dont know about the political malfeasance of their representatives and it is not necessarily a failure of democratic accountability that they vote for them. Rather, the reasons range from ethnic identity to the ability to give them access to state services that makes electors vote for MPs and MLAs with criminal backgrounds. The myth of the ignorant voter being saddled with criminals in politics is just that, Vaishnav shows. For those with a criminal background, an entry into politics is the way to have the cases against them dropped or at least gone slow on. Although the Supreme Court has mandated immediate disqualification on conviction, this has rarely affected politicians from the ruling party in the state in which the trial has been conducted. But why are political parties so keen on getting those with a criminal backgrounds and ill-gotten wealth into their fold? One obvious answer, and some Vaishnav addresses in his book is their ability to self-finance election. The other, less obvious answer may lie in the nature of Indias Parliamentary democracy where the Government may prefer pliant legislators to make up the numbers rather than principled ones who may not be amenable to threat of anti-defection law to toe the line. Not understanding this as the source of the problem means that the solutions offered will either do nothing to address it, or worse, exacerbate it. As it stands, the artificial spending caps only mean those with black money have an advantage over those who dont, and compounded with the electoral bonds scheme, risks making the money problem even worse. Much of this cannot be fixed by the EC alone (or even by the Supreme Court in its judicial interventions). Serious electoral reform will require changes to the ways in which parties control MPs and MLAs through anti-defection law. It will require much greater transparency in the way in which political parties raise and use their funds, and an acceptance that money is a necessary evil when it comes to electoral politics. The author is an advocate and Senior Resident Fellow of the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy based on Bengaluru Rahul Gandhi's comments come the same day that the prime minister, while addressing a rally in Greater Noida, accused the previous Congress government of 'just changing the home minister' in the wake of previous terror attacks that were linked to Pakistan. Congress president Rahul Gandhi, addressing a public rally in Karnataka's Haveri, hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying that National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval was the one who escorted Jaish-e-Mohammed (Jem) chief Masood Azhar back to Pakistan. "A few days ago, CRPF personnel were killed. I have a question for the prime minister: Who killed them? What is the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief's name? Had the BJP government not transferred Masood Azhar from an Indian prison to one in Pakistan?" he asked. "We are not like Narendra Modi, we don't bow down to terrorists." Rahul's comments come on the day that Modi, addressing a rally in Greater Noida, accused the previous Congress government of "just changing the home minister" in the wake of terror attacks linked to Pakistan. "In such situations, should the home minister be changed or the policy?" Modi asked. The Congress president also hit out at the prime minister over various schemes launched by the BJP government. "Demonetisation and Goods and Services Tax caused a huge loss to the economy. We will reform the GST when we form the government," he said. He also said that the Congress government, if formed in the state, will be "pro-farmer and pro-poor." Rahul also questioned the prime minister over the Rafale deal. "Why was Anil Ambani given the deal? And why was HAL sidelined, stealing many job opportunities from the youth of Karnataka?" he asked. The Rafale row has led to a longstanding war of words within the political sphere, with the Congress time and again accusing the Centre of corruption and of favouring certain private businesses. Raj Thackeray also slammed Narendra Modi's statement that the presence of Rafale jets could have added more firepower to the 26 February raids Mumbai: Linking the Pathankot and Pulwama terror attacks to elections, MNS chief Raj Thackeray on Saturday said another "Pulwama-like strike" could occur in the near future ahead of the polls. He also slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement that the presence of Rafale jets could have added more firepower to the 26 February raids by the Indian Air Force on a terrorist camp in Pakistan's Balakot, and termed it as an "insult to jawans" Thackeray was addressing party workers on the 13th foundation day of the MNS. In the 14 February Pulwama attack, the worst in the Valley so far, 40 troopers of the CRPF were killed when a suicide bomber rammed his explosives-laden vehicle into a bus in the paramilitary force's convoy. Thackeray also alleged that the warnings issued by intelligence agencies prior to the Pulwama attack were ignored. "Forty jawans were martyred in the Pulwama attack. Should we still not ask questions? In December, National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval had met his Pakistani counterpart in Bangkok. Who will tell us what transpired at the meeting?" he questioned. Taking a dig at the BJP president Amit Shah's statement on the number of casualties in the Balakot strike, the MNS chief said whether Shah was one of the the "co-pilots" who participated in the air strike. "Intelligence agencies had sounded off warnings before Pulwama, however, they were ignored. Is the NSA not responsible if jawans were killed despite prior intelligence?" he asked. Thackeray claimed the Indian Air Force "missed" targets it had intended to hit in Balakot because of "wrong information" provided to them by the Modi government. "If the prime minister himself says that results would have been better had the country have Rafale jets, it was an insult to our jawans," he said. Disputing that terrorists were killed in the air raids, Thackeray said had that been the case, Indian Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman would not have been allowed to return home from captivity by Pakistan. "There is a limit to speaking lies. Lies are being spoken to win elections. In a bid to win upcoming elections, there will be another Pulwama like attack within the next 1-2 months," he said. Referring to the 2017 stand-off between India and China over Doka La, Thackeray said Modi government had urged citizens to stay away from Chinese products, however, "it has failed to answer where did the material used in the statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in Gujarat came from". "...Is the real enemy inside or outside the country"? he asked. Seeking to link the 2015 Pathankot terror attack with the elections, Thackeray said Modi had met his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif on 25 December, 2015 and gave him a cake on his birthday. "In the next seven days, the Pathankot terror attack took place. At that time, (Assembly) elections were due in four states in the next three months," he said. Meanwhile, Thackeray, who is battling for political survival in Maharashtra, clarified that no talks underway with any political party for upcoming elections. The MNS has been keen to join the Congress-NCP alliance for polls. Thackeray had even met senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar to facilitate the MNS' entry into the alliance. However, the Congress is stridently opposed to take "chauvinist" MNS along in the polls. "I am not a (Bharip Bahujan Mahasangh chief Prakash) Ambedkar or a (AIMIM chief Asaduddin) Owaisi to hold discussions on 2-3 seats. I will soon announce if we will be fighting the Lok Sabha elections," he said. Narendra Modi inaugurated the 6.6-kilometre Noida City Centre-Noida Electronic City section of the Delhi metro and lauded Yogi Adityanath for 'transforming' the state. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the 6.6-kilometre Noida City Centre-Noida Electronic City section of the Delhi metro and lauded Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath for "transforming" the state. The prime minister also said that India has become the world's second-largest phone manufacturer because of Noida, adding that the city is the "Make in India hub" of the country. Modi said that Noida and its surrounding areas were earlier known for various land scams, adding that in recent times they have come to be known for the "new development opportunities" they offer. "Noida is growing as a hub for Make in India. Uttar Pradesh is changing," he said. "Before 2014, there were just two mobile phone manufacturing factories in the country. Today approximately 125 factories are making mobile phones in the country, and out of those 125, many are in Noida," Modi added. The prime minister also said that the "country's biggest airport" was being constructed in the town of Jewar. "All formalities regarding this decision are complete," Modi said. Adityanath also praised Modi for "making the impossible possible". "All the tasks which were impossible for the Congress, BSP, and SP, have become possible because Modi is here," the chief minister said. Modi also emphasised on the development-related tasks completed under the NDA government. "Earlier, 2.5 crore families were living in darkness. They now live in light. Who has done this? Modi has not done this. It is because of the power of your vote," the prime minister said. The prime minister also slammed previous UPA governments for a "soft" approach to terrorism. Modi said, "Links of attacks and blasts earlier also were connected to Pakistan, but what did the earlier government do? They just changed the home minister. Now you tell me, in such situations, should the home minister be changed or the policy?" Modi also laid the foundation stone of a 1320 MW thermal power plant in Khurja, Bulandshahr and of a 1320 MW power plant in Buxar, Bihar via video link. Earlier, he unveiled a statue of Deendayal Upadahyaya on the campus of Pt Deendayal Upadhyaya Institute of Archaeology in Greater Noida. Yogi Adityanath and Union minister Mahesh Sharma were present at the inauguration event. The completely elevated section with six stations Sector 34, Sector 52, Sector 61, Sector 59, Sector 62 and Noida Electronic City will benefit the people of Noida and connect the satellite city with the national capital. With inputs from agencies Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy on Saturday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and sought the early release of Rs 2,064.30 crore funds to provide relief to drought-hit farmers in the ongoing Rabi season, an official statement said. New Delhi: Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy on Saturday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and sought the early release of Rs 2,064.30 crore funds to provide relief to drought-hit farmers in the ongoing Rabi season, an official statement said. Kumaraswamy informed Modi that the state faced drought situation during this year's Kharif season as well but the financial assistance sanctioned by the central government was inadequate. In addition to floods, Karnataka reeled under severe drought both during Kharif (summer) and Rabi (winter) seasons of the 2018-19 crop year (July-June). "Consecutive droughts, flood has brought farmers under distress and it is the time to rush to their aid," Kumaraswamy told the prime minister. He requested Modi to expedite the process to release Rs 2,064.30 crore for drought relief and mitigation, the statement said. The state government has submitted a memorandum seeking Rs 2,064.30 crore drought relief fund for the ongoing Rabi season as crop loss is estimated to be Rs 11,384.7 crore. The state has declared drought in 156 out of 176 talukas. In the meeting, Kumaraswamy apprised the prime minister about the pro-active steps taken to mitigate the drought impact on farmers. The state has released Rs 386 crore from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and given priority to ensure drinking water and fodder, besides creating 1.19 crore man-days jobs under the MGNREGA scheme, he added. The state government has advanced Rs 1,351 crore towards payment of pending wage and material bills in anticipation of release of central funds, Kumaraswamy said and requested for early release of funds to make further wage payments. The chief minister further said the central relief funds released to the state for drought faced during kharif season this year was not sufficient. The Centre sanctioned Rs 949.49 crore against the state government's demand of Rs 2,434 crore as drought relief for the kharif season, which is less than 50 per cent of the input subsidy claim by the state, he noted. The crop loss during the Khariff and Rabi seasons together is estimated to be Rs 32,335 crore, he added. The BJP aimed to turn the narrative of blame on the Nirav Modi case, and instead said it was under the Narendra Modi government that the fraud was unveiled. This implicitly alleges that the Congress was privy to the ongoing scam but did nothing to bring it to the fore. As The Telegraph's report on fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi being spotted in London unleashed a storm of allegations against the Bharatiya Janata Party government's inability to extradite him to India, the party reacted with a series of tweets blaming the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government. Modi fled India last year, days before it emerged that the companies linked to the jeweller and his relatives received credit worth close to Rs 14,000-crore between 2011 and 2017 using false guarantees supplied by two officials of the Punjab National Bank. The fraud engineered by him is probably the country's largest ever bank fraud. In late June last year, the Interpol issued a Red Corner Notice against him. The Ministry of External Affairs on Saturday said a request for his extradition is lying with the British government. The BJP aimed to turn the narrative of blame on the Nirav Modi case, and instead said it was under the Narendra Modi government that the fraud was unveiled. This implicitly alleges that the Congress was privy to the ongoing scam but did nothing to bring it to the fore. Nirav Modis fraud to cheat the banks started in 2011 when UPA government was in power. It was detected and exposed during the Modi govt. BJP (@BJP4India) March 9, 2019 The BJP also cited efforts taken by the current government in the light of the scam, including Friday's demolition of a sprawling mansion belonging to him, at Raigad near Mumbai. The offender was declared a fugitive, assets seized, illegal house blown up, businesses closed. Criminal cases filed, tax evasion, PMLA & Criminal fraud actions being pursued by our agencies. BJP (@BJP4India) March 9, 2019 Placing the blame squarely on the UPA, the BJP struck a tone of having done the right thing. Many of these who cheated India during the UPA govt have been brought back and are in custody. Others will follow. They are living the life of fugitives and refugees. None who cheats India can get away under the Modi government. BJP (@BJP4India) March 9, 2019 Finally, amidst the clamour of discrepancy in the way India has pursued the extradition of another economic offender Vijay Mallya, versus how it has allowed the British government to delay sending Nirav Modi back, the BJP sought to remind that it was the Congress government that had in fact given Mallya a second loan. When was the facility of second restructuring of bank loans given to Mallya? under UPA government. Ulta Chor Chowkidar Ko Dante. BJP (@BJP4India) March 9, 2019 The BJP's main opposition party, Congress, was one of the first to react to reports of Nirav Modi walking free and blamed the BJP government for the fugitive walking free. The Congress and the BJP on Friday sparred over Attorney General KK Venugopal 's claim that the Rafale documents were not stolen from the Defence Ministry with the Opposition party dubbing it a 'lie' and the ruling party slamming Congress president Rahul Gandhi for his attack on the government over the issue. New Delhi: The Congress and the BJP on Friday sparred over Attorney General KK Venugopal 's claim that the Rafale documents were not stolen from the Defence Ministry with the Opposition party dubbing it a "lie" and the ruling party slamming Congress president Rahul Gandhi for his attack on the government over the issue. The heated exchange between the Congress and the BJP came after Venugopal said that the Rafale documents were not stolen from the Defence Ministry and that what he meant in his submission before the Supreme Court was that petitioners in the application used "photocopies of the original" papers, deemed secret by the government. Reacting to the remarks, BJP chief Amit Shah launched a scathing attack on Rahul saying: "Lies and Rahul Gandhi are synonymous. In this chain, he had yesterday said that Rafale's documents have disappeared from the Defence Ministry, but today it has become clear that no documents had disappeared. Another lie of Rahul Gandhi is in front of the public." "Sometimes he lies about the foundation stone laying of the Ordnance Factory in Amethi, sometimes he lies about loan waiver, sometimes he lies about the Congress's role in the Sikh riots, sometimes he lies about meeting the Chinese ambassador during the time of Doka La, and sometimes he lies about the price of fruit and vegetables," Shah said in a series of tweets. He alleged that Rahul "lies habitually" and currently has no credibility in Indian politics. On the Rafale issue itself, Rahul has spoken over a dozen lies, Shah claimed. "On Rafale's price, French prime minister, meeting Manohar Parrikar... he has lied on everything. Moreover, he also lied in the temple of democracy the Parliament," the BJP chief alleged. Reacting to Venugopal's remarks, Congress's chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the government whose Attorney General does not know the difference between theft of defence ministry files and photocopies, is claiming that the country is in safe hands. "Art of serving hundred lies to hide one truth! Yesterday in Supreme Court Rafale files have been stolen. Today Photocopies of Rafale files have been stolen," he tweeted. "Modi ji, whats the 'duplicity' for tomorrow? Now every impossible lie is possible," he said. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in a tweet, cited Venugopal's remarks that the Rafale documents were not stolen from the Defence Ministry and that what he meant in his submission before the Supreme Court was that petitioners in the application used "photocopies of the original" papers, deemed secret by the government. Shah, in his tweets, also said: "Insult of Iron Man Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who symbolizes unity and integrity of the country, is nothing new for the Congress. Rahul Gandhi called India-made Sardar Patel's 'Statue of Unity' as 'Made in China'." Shah alleged that to grab the votes of farmers, Rahul made a "false promise" of debt waiver. Rahul had promised that if within ten days the farmers of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh are not given debt waiver, the chief minister would be changed, he claimed. "So far, even loans of 10% farmers has not been waived and now he says say that debt relief is not the solution," Shah said. Venugopal's comments in the apex court on Wednesday that Rafale fighter jet deal documents were stolen caused a political row, with Rahul targeting the government over stealing of such sensitive papers and seeking a criminal investigation. "I am told that the Opposition has alleged what was argued (in SC) was that files had been stolen from the Defence Ministry. This is wholly incorrect. The statement that files have been stolen is wholly incorrect," Venugopal told PTI, in an apparent damage-control exercise. Venugopal said the application filed by Yashwant Sinha, Arun Shourie and Prashant Bhushant, seeking from the court a review of its verdict dismissing pleas for a probe into against the Rafale deal, had annexed three documents which were photocopies of the original. Official sources said the AG's use of word stolen was probably "stronger" and could have been avoided. The impasse between the CPM and the Congress over the seat-sharing deal in Bengal seems to have resolved after intervention of Rahul Gandhi and Sitaram Yechury. Kolkata: The impasse between the CPM and the Congress over the seat-sharing deal in Bengal seems to have resolved after intervention of Rahul Gandhi and Sitaram Yechury. According to Congress sources, after the CPM announced candidates for Raiganj and Murshidabad Lok Sabha seats, the state unit of the Gandhi-led party urged the AICC to look into the matter. "We have come to know that Gandhi and Yechury discussed the matter. Later on, after speaking to state Congress leaders and Deepa Dasmunsi, one of the prime contenders for Raiganj, it has been decided that the Congress won't put up candidates in those two seats," a senior Congress leader said. However, there has been no official communication on the development as of now, the Congress leader said. Amid the ongoing seat-sharing talks between the CPM and the Congress in West Bengal, the Left Front on Friday announced its candidates for the Raiganj and Murshidabad Lok Sabha seats, a bone of contention between the two parties. The current MPs Mohammed Salim and Badaruddoza Khan would contest from Raiganj and Murshidabad respectively, Biman Bose, chairman of the CPM-led Left Front, had said. The announcement drew sharp reactions from the state unit of the Congress, which was not ready to compromise on those two seats. The CPM central committee on Monday came out with a proposal of "no mutual contest" in the Lok Sabha polls in the six seats jointly held by the two parties in the state. It was seen as a move to untangle the seat-sharing formula between the two parties to consolidate the anti-BJP and anti-TMC votes. While the Congress had bagged four seats in the state in the 2014 general election, the Left party had won only Raiganj and Murshidabad. The seats though won by the CPM in 2014 by a slender margin are considered Congress bastions. The CPM had won the two seats in a four-cornered contest the last time. While North Dinajpur's Raiganj has been a pocket borough of Congress stalwart Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi, Murshidabad's politics has been dominated by the party's firebrand leader, Adhir Chowdhury, who is also a vociferous supporter of the alliance with the Left. The two seats have been a bone of contention between the two sides since the beginning of the discussions. Rahul Gandhi's jibe came after a UK media report claimed that Nirav Modi, wanted in India in the crore PNB fraud case, has been living openly in London. New Delhi: Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying that the recent video of the PNB scam accused Nirav Modi in the UK shows an "uncanny similarity" between the two as both "believe they are above the law". Gandhi's jibe came after a UK media report claimed that Nirav Modi, wanted in India in the Rs 13,500 crore PNB fraud case, has been living openly in a swanky 8-million pound apartment in London's West End and is running a new diamond business just yards away. "The video of fugitive #NiravModi in London shows an uncanny similarity between him & his bhai, PM Modi. Both have looted India and are called Modi. Both refuse to answer any questions. Both believe they are above the law. Both will face justice," the Congress chief tweeted. In a video posted by The Telegraph newspaper, Nirav Modi can be seen sporting a handle-bar moustache and wearing an Ostrich Hide jacket, estimated to cost 10,000 pounds. On being accosted by reporters and questioned on various issues, including whether he had applied for political asylum in Britain and what he had to say about the charges against him, Nirav Modi responded with a curt "no comment". Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi are the main accused in Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam and they both left India before the details of the fraud came to light in January 2018. The Congress slammed the government on Saturday over the media report, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of running a "fraudster settlement yojana" for such fugitives. The Opposition party also alleged that fugitives had looted Rs 1 lakh crore from Indian banks but not even one of them has been caught in five years of the Modi government. The ruling BJP hit back saying Nirav Modi began his fraud in 2011 when the UPA dispensation was in power and that the Narendra Modi government detected and exposed it. His jibe came a day after the attorney general said that the Rafale documents were not stolen from the defence ministry, and that what he meant in his submission before the Supreme Court on Wednesday was that petitioners in the application used 'photocopies of the original' papers, deemed secret by the government. New Delhi: Taking a swipe at Attorney General KK Venugopal's fresh remark on Rafale documents, senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Saturday said that from "stolen documents" they became "photocopied documents" as the "thief" may have returned them. His jibe came a day after the attorney general said that the Rafale documents were not stolen from the defence ministry, and that what he meant in his submission before the Supreme Court on Wednesday was that petitioners in the application used "photocopies of the original" papers, deemed secret by the government. In a series of tweets, Chidambaram said: On Wednesday, it was 'stolen documents'. On Friday, it was 'photo copied documents'. I suppose the thief returned the documents in between on Thursday. P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) March 9, 2019 The former finance minister also said: On Wednesday, the Official Secrets Act was shown to the newspaper. On Friday, the Olive Branches Act was shown. We salute common sense. P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) March 9, 2019 Venugopal's comments in the apex court on Wednesday that Rafale fighter jet deal documents were stolen had caused a political row, with Congress president Rahul Gandhi targeting the government over stealing of such sensitive papers and seeking a criminal investigation. Venugopal had sought dismissal of a petition for a review of the Supreme Court's earlier judgment on the Rafale deal on the ground that the fresh plea relied on documents "stolen" from the Defence Ministry and that investigations were going on to find out if it was a crime and violative of the Official Secrets Act. "I am told that the opposition has alleged what was argued (in SC) was that files had been stolen from the Defence Ministry. This is wholly incorrect. The statement that files have been stolen is wholly incorrect," Venugopal told PTI on Friday, in an apparent damage-control exercise. The Congress and the BJP on Friday sparred over the attorney general's fresh remarks, with the opposition party dubbing it a "lie" and the ruling party slamming Rahul for his attack on the government over the issue. Miffed over the CPM unilaterally announcing candidates for the Raiganj and Murshidabad Lok Sabha seats, Congress' West Bengal unit chief Somen Mitra on Friday accused the Left Front of not being keen on having an alliance. Kolkata: Miffed over the CPM unilaterally announcing candidates for the Raiganj and Murshidabad Lok Sabha seats, Congress' West Bengal unit chief Somen Mitra on Friday accused the Left Front of not being keen on having an alliance. Mitra said his party won't compromise with its dignity and has its list of 42 candidates ready, asserting that it has left the matter to the high command to take a final call. "It seems that the Left Front is not keen on having an alliance with the Congress. The Left Front won't be able to win a single seat without the help of Congress in the state. But Congress will be able to retain its four seats," Mitra told reporters late on Friday after an urgent meeting with state leaders. "If needed we will fight alone in the state. We have our list of 42 candidates ready. We wanted an alliance till 2021 assembly polls so that our alliance or understanding gets acceptability from the masses. But the CPM is more keen on short term political gains and doesn't want any long-term adjustment," he said. Amid the ongoing seat-sharing talks between the CPM and the Congress, the Left Front on Friday announced its candidates for Raiganj and Murshidabad seats, the bone of contention between the two parties. The current MPs in those two seats Mohammed Salim from Raiganj and Badaruddoza Khan from Murshidabad would contest, Biman Bose, chairman of the CPM-led Left Front, said. The announcement of candidates in these two seats held by the CPM might lead to a breakdown in the seat-sharing discussions between the two side and eventually pave the way for a four-cornered contest in the state in the upcoming general elections. The development came at a time when Congress president Rahul Gandhi had asked his party's in-charge of West Bengal, Gaurav Gogoi, to speak to CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury in order to resolve the impasse over seat-sharing. Rahul had also met the state Congress chief to discuss the matter. The state Congress had requested Rahul to take a call on the matter. The CPM's central committee on Monday came out with a proposal of "no mutual contest" in the Lok Sabha polls in the six seats held by the two parties in the state. It was seen as a move to untangle the seat-sharing skein between the two parties, aimed at consolidating the anti-BJP and anti-TMC votes. While the Congress had bagged four seats in the state in 2014, the Left party had won only Raiganj and Murshidabad. The seats, won by the CPM by a slender margin in a four-cornered contest, are known to be Congress bastions. While North Dinajpur's Raiganj has been a pocket borough of Congress stalwart Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi, Murshidabad's politics has been dominated by the party's firebrand leader Adhir Chowdhury, who is also a vociferous supporter of the alliance with the Left. tech2 News Staff Samsung just announced the Galaxy A50, A30 and A10 smartphones in India but it seems that the company is not done with the A-series just yet. As the mid-range segment gets more crowded, Samsung is looking to make itself a leader for smartphones under Rs 25,000 and to that end, it has listed three more models of the A-series on its UK website. As per Sammobile, who had first noticed it, Samsung has put up product pages for the Galaxy A90, A40 and A20e. The page has not mentioned any details of the device but we know that the products will be making a global appearance. The A40 was actually spotted on Samsung's Germany website. The A90 will likely be the successor to the A60 or the recently released A50 smartphones. We can expect higher mid-range specs on the A90 while something a little lower on the A40. The Galaxy A20e could quite likely be the slimmed down version of the Galaxy A20 which is going to hit the global markets this Spring as per the report. The release date of any of these smartphones for the global markets is a mystery but we can be sure they are coming sooner rather than later. tech2 News Staff On the occasion of Women's Day, Google CEO Sundar Pichai was in Mumbai on 8 March to celebrate it with the women of Google. In a tweet, Pichai said "In Mumbai today and happy to celebrate #IWD2019 with the India chapter of Women@Google at their 'I Am Remarkable' event. Thank you for inspiring me with your stories about the experiences, challenges and triumphs of being women in tech." In Mumbai today and happy to celebrate #IWD2019 with the India chapter of Women@Google at their I Am Remarkable event. Thank you for inspiring me with your stories about the experiences, challenges and triumphs of being women in tech. pic.twitter.com/0W8eXVFk3c Sundar Pichai (@sundarpichai) March 8, 2019 Pichai is visiting the country after two years and he also met students who are learning to read using the Internet giant's speech-based reading tutor app 'Bolo' The search engine giant recently came into the spotlight after a study found that it paid men less money than women for doing similar work. In 2018 analysis, Google found that in one group of lower-level software engineers men received less discretionary funds than women. Apart from that Google also fired its employee who had written a controversial memo about gender disparity in the Google work culture. ' In response to the study, Google compensated 10,677 employees an extra $9.7 million to offset the underpaid wages, the company wrote in its blog post. However, Google didnt clearly mention what percentage of those employees who received pay adjustments were men. Manang town is a popular stop for trekkers and mountaineers on the Annapurna Circuit and is at an altitude of 3,519 metres. The entire Nepali district, however, witnesses heavy snowfall and rain across winter. A Nepali guide was reported dead and a Dutch trekker is missing after an avalanche in the Manang district of Nepal on Friday. Nepal: One local guide dead, one Dutch trekker missing after an avalanche in Manang.Further details awaited. ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2019 Manang town is a popular stop for trekkers and mountaineers on the Annapurna Circuit and is at an altitude of 3,519 metres. The entire district, however, witnesses heavy snowfall and rain across winter. In February, The Himalayan Times reported on how transport and communication services had been adversely affected due to continuous rainfall followed by snowfall in the district, limiting locals to their houses. "Snow has continuously battered the regions of Upper Manang, Tanki Manang, Bhakra, Ghyaru, Khangsar, Pisang and district headquarters Chame," the report quoted Manang resident Melina Gurung as having said. Avalanches often prove deadly to trekking enthusiasts in Nepal. A blizzard and avalanche in 2014 killed at least 20 people, nearly half of them foreigners, in the midst of the October trekking season in Manang and Thorong La, a pass along a popular trekking circuit. In Manang district alone, four Canadians and one Indian trekker were buried in an avalanche along the mountain pass, the New York Times had reported then. After days of soul-searching and febrile recrimination, the Democratic leadership appeared desperate to move past a controversy that has left the party split two months since reclaiming the House majority. Washington: A Muslim American congresswoman's remarks deemed anti-Semitic by some colleagues has exposed deep fault lines among Democrats, with the party seeking to contain the damage with passage Thursday of a measure condemning bigotry and hate. After days of soul-searching and febrile recrimination, the Democratic leadership appeared desperate to move past a controversy that has left the party split two months since reclaiming the House majority. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi unveiled a resolution that she called the "strongest possible opposition" to anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and white supremacist bigotry. The decision followed acrimonious debate over how to reprimand Minnesota Democrat Ilhan Omar, who sparked a firestorm over repeated criticisms of Israel and a powerful pro-Israel lobby in Washington that exerts influence in US politics. The resolution passed overwhelmingly, 407 to 23, with all Democrats voting in favor including Omar herself. The former Somali refugee had been assailed for suggesting supporters of Israel are urging lawmakers to have "allegiance to a foreign country." Lawmakers expressed outrage, warning that Omar was peddling in age-old anti-Semitic tropes about Jews having dual loyalties. Weeks earlier she drew ire for suggesting Jewish political power comes through their money, and that the American Israel Public Affairs Committee lobbying group was paying US politicians to support Israel. A vote had been expected on a resolution specifically condemning anti-Semitism. But on Wednesday some Democrats pushed to include language decrying Islamophobia and other bigotry. Ultimately it condemns anti-Semitism and discrimination against Muslims and other minorities as "hateful expressions of intolerance" contradictory to US values. The resolution does not mention Omar by name, and some Republicans complained that the measure's original intent was "watered down." "Today's resolution vote was a sham put forward by Democrats to avoid condemning one of their own and denouncing vile anti-Semitism," said number three Republican Liz Cheney. Omar joined the two other Muslims in Congress, Rashida Tlaib and Andre Carson, in praising the measure's passage. "It's the first time we have voted on a resolution condemning Anti-Muslim bigotry in our nation's history," they said, noting the worrying rise of extremism in America. "Our nation is having a difficult conversation and we believe this is great progress." Some Democrats including three 2020 presidential contenders Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Kamala Harris, expressed frustration that Omar faced an implicit rebuke, while racist statements by Trump and other Republicans go largely unchallenged. "We must not... equate anti-Semitism with legitimate criticism of the right-wing Netanyahu government in Israel," said Sanders, who is Jewish. Pelosi declined to condemn Omar outright. "I feel confident that her words were not based on any anti-Semitic attitude, but that she didn't have a full appreciation of how they landed on other people," she said. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, a former congressman, nevertheless slammed Omar and described her dual loyalty charge as anti-Semitic, not anti-Israel. "She is casting Jewish Americans as the other, suggesting a dual loyalty that calls our devotion to America into question," he said. The expansion of the resolution to broadly address hate did not sit well with some lawmakers. "When one of our colleagues invokes the classic... anti-Semitic language that Jews control the world, that Jews care only about money, that Jews cannot be loyal Americans if they also support Israel, this too must be condemned," Democrat Ted Deutch said in a passionate floor speech. Another Jewish House Democrat, Elaine Luria, said over a 20-year military career she deployed six times on US Navy ships, "overseeing nuclear reactors, driving ships and ultimately commanding a combat-ready unit of 400 sailors." "Is that not enough to prove my loyalty to our nation?" she boomed. Trump himself saw the discord as a political opportunity, tweeting Wednesday it was "shameful" that Democrats wouldn't take a stronger stand against anti-Semitism. That earned clap backs from Democrats who pointed to his equivocal remarks after a deadly 2017 neo-Nazi protest in Charlottesville. The Democrats' growing diversity, in ethnicity, religion, gender, age and ideology, has created new challenges for party leaders, said Jonathan Sarna, professor of American Jewish history at Brandeis University. Trump imposed tariff hikes of up to 25 percent on $250 billion of Chinese goods. In response, China, the world's second largest economy after the US, imposed tit-for-tat tariffs on $110 billion of American goods. Washington: Amidst reports of negotiations for a deal with China hitting a bump, President Donald Trump has said that he will enter into a trade deal with Beijing only if he is confident that it is good for the US. But he also told reporters at the White House on Friday that he is confident of entering into a trade deal with China. The world's two largest economies are locked in a trade war since Trump imposed heavy tariffs on imported steel and aluminium items from China in March last year, a move that sparked fears of a global trade war. Trump imposed tariff hikes of up to 25 percent on $250 billion of Chinese goods. In response, China, the world's second largest economy after the US, imposed tit-for-tat tariffs on $110 billion of American goods. Top trade officials from America and China are holding talks to negotiate a comprehensive trade deal. "I am confident. But if we don't make a very good deal for our country, I wouldn't make a deal," Trump told reporters. "If this isn't a great deal, I won't make a deal." In the absence of a trade deal, Trump has threatened to impose additional tariffs on import of Chinese products into the US. Last month the US president had said that he and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping are planning to meet at his Florida resort in Mar-a-Lago to give a final shape to the trade deal, which is being negotiated between the two countries for past several months now. However, after the collapse of the North Korea summit in Vietnam where Trump walked out of his meeting with chairman Kim Jong-un, the US president has not spoken about it. Taken aback by Trump's decision to walk away from the summit with North Korean in Hanoi, China now wants the summit as a mere signature ceremony and finalise everything before that. According to The Wall Street Journal report on Friday, a US-China trade accord is facing a new roadblock, as Chinese officials balk at committing to a presidential summit until the two countries have a firm deal in hand. "What Chinese minister wants to say, 'Yes, Xi Jinping. Go to the US for a visit, which isn't a State visit, and hope that Trump doesn't embarrass you'" Evan Medeiros, a Georgetown University scholar who was a senior China adviser to former president Barack Obama was quoted as saying by The Wall Street Journal. Republican Senator Marco Rubio on Friday doubted recent reports that China will end the forced transfer of technology and begin allowing "wholly foreign-owned enterprises in more fields" as a way to lure back foreign investors. "For decades, China fooled the world into thinking they would be a responsible international partner. We must not let them fool us into thinking this new 'law' is anything other than a shiny object that will do nothing to stop Chinese state-directed actors' continued assault on US companies' intellectual property and trade secrets," Rubio said. The Trump administration should continue to hold their leverage and increase pressure on China to secure a strong, enforceable deal, he asserted. "We cannot afford to waste this opportunity and risk losing this century's most important, strategic, economic, and geopolitical competition. China must not be allowed to pursue policies that run directly counter to America's national interest and their international commitments without facing due consequences," Rubio said. President Donald Trump's 2020 budget proposal will include $100 million for a global women's fund spearheaded by his daughter Ivanka Trump. Washington: President Donald Trump's 2020 budget proposal will include $100 million for a global women's fund spearheaded by his daughter Ivanka Trump. The White House said the budget, expected to be released on Monday, will include the funding for the Women's Global Development and Prosperity Initiative. The administration last month launched the government-wide project, which she leads. In a statement to The Associated Press, Ivanka Trump noted that Friday was International Women's Day and stressed the initiative was "working towards our goal of economically empowering 50 million women in developing countries by 2025." She says the budget includes "a new $100 million commitment" for the fund. The new initiative involves the State Department, the National Security Council and other agencies, as it aims to coordinate current programs and develop new ones to help women in areas such as job training, financial support and legal or regulatory reforms. The funding will come through the US Agency for International Development, which initially set up a $50 million fund for the effort using already budgeted money. The initiative will also be supported by programs across the government, as well as private investment. Trump has previously sought to cut USAID's budget. His full 2020 plans were not available on Friday. The White House also is expected to announce that the president will nominate Kelley Eckels Currie to serve as an ambassador-at-large for global women's issues. That position, established under President Barack Obama's administration, had been vacant since Trump took office. Ivanka Trump praised Currie, who currently serves as the representative to the United Nations Economic and Social Council. She said Currie "is a formidable partner on women's economic empowerment and national security issues." Since Ivanka Trump joined her father's administration in early 2017, she has focused on women's economic issues. The nightclub lies in Guanajuato state, where authorities have launched an operation against criminal gangs involved in fuel theft. Guanajuato: At least 15 men have died following a shooting at a nightclub in central Mexico, prosecutors said Saturday. Another four people, three men and a woman, suffered injuries, public prosecutor's office spokesman Juan Jose Martinez told AFP by telephone. The nightclub lies in Guanajuato state, where authorities have launched an operation against criminal gangs involved in fuel theft. The attack took place in the early hours Saturday as several heavily armed men opened fire at the La Playa nightclub in Salamanca before making off in a vehicle, the spokesman said. The four injured people were taken to a nearby hospital. So far, none of the victims have been identified. Salamanca is the site of the main pipeline of state oil company Petroleos Mexicanos (PEMEX), where fuel thieves have cost the firm around $3 billion over the last few years. In late January, a fake bomb was found in a car parked close to the refinery. Nearby, signs were found threatening Mexico president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and demanding that he withdraw from the area soldiers fighting against fuel theft gangs. Salamanca is less than 100 kilometers (60 miles) from Santa Rosa de Lima, where a few days ago authorities conducted an operation against Juan Antonio Yepez, the alleged leader of a fuel-stealing cartel. LIMA (Reuters) - Peru's Prime Minister Cesar Villanueva has stepped down, the government said on Friday, amid calls for President Martin Vizcarra to shake up his government and revive falling approval ratings. Villanueva, the prime minister for the past year, handed in his letter of resignation to Vizcarra, the president's office said in a statement, confirming media reports earlier on Friday. The statement did not say the resignation was accepted but said Vizcarra thanked Villanueva for his services LIMA (Reuters) - Peru's Prime Minister Cesar Villanueva has stepped down, the government said on Friday, amid calls for President Martin Vizcarra to shake up his government and revive falling approval ratings. Villanueva, the prime minister for the past year, handed in his letter of resignation to Vizcarra, the president's office said in a statement, confirming media reports earlier on Friday. The statement did not say the resignation was accepted but said Vizcarra thanked Villanueva for his services. A new prime minister has not yet been chosen but two government sources who asked not to be named told Reuters that Justice Minister Vicente Zeballos was under consideration for the position. Vizcarra will likely make several cabinet changes to revamp his team and shore up slipping support, the sources said. A survey by Datum Internacional published in local daily Peru 21 on Thursday found Vizcarra's approval rating dropped seven percentage points from February to 56 percent. Presidents in Peru often reshuffle the cabinet when their approval ratings fall, though all recent presidents have ended their terms widely unpopular. Vizcarra's approval rating rose to a high of 66 percent in January after he confronted the opposition-ruled Congress and pushed for passage of measures aimed at fighting corruption which had passed easily in a national referendum in December. In the past week he has faced criticism that he has not done enough to tackle other problems, and for travelling to Spain and Portugal on a state visit instead of visiting regions affected by flooding and landslides. A former vice president, Vizcarra took office a year ago to replace Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, who resigned after a graft scandal. Peru is the world's No.2 copper producer and one of Latin America's most stable economies. (Reporting by Mitra Taj and Marco Aquino; Editing by Sonya Hepinstall) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. BEIRUT (Reuters) - The United Nations refugee agency should have a bigger presence inside Syria to observe and help refugees returning from abroad and from displacement within the war-torn country, UNHCR Commissioner Filippo Grandi said on Saturday. After almost eight years of fighting, President Bashar al-Assad now controls most of Syria and the front lines appear stable for now between government territory and two big enclaves in the north and east still outside Damascus's control. Many Syrians scattered within and outside the country -- including the more than a million in neighbouring Lebanon -- are now considering whether to go home BEIRUT (Reuters) - The United Nations refugee agency should have a bigger presence inside Syria to observe and help refugees returning from abroad and from displacement within the war-torn country, UNHCR Commissioner Filippo Grandi said on Saturday. After almost eight years of fighting, President Bashar al-Assad now controls most of Syria and the front lines appear stable for now between government territory and two big enclaves in the north and east still outside Damascus's control. Many Syrians scattered within and outside the country -- including the more than a million in neighbouring Lebanon -- are now considering whether to go home. "It is important that in areas of return, organisations like UNHCR are present and can observe the return, can have access to the returnees and can help them address some of the problems they face," Grandi said in Beirut, as the Syrian conflict approaches its eighth anniversary next week. "Without that presence there is an element of confidence that is missing in the return of the people," he added. Syria's war has killed an estimated half a million people, driven some 5.6 million people out of the country and displaced around 6.6 million within its borders. Grandi said there are "big challenges" preventing people from returning to their homes including security, legal and administrative issues, housing, schools, water and healthcare. He said UNHCR was working with the Syrian government and its Russian ally on these matters. "The complicated one like legal issues and amnesties, these are Syrian issues the Syrian government decides. But the Russian government has been part of an important discussion creating better conditions for refugees to return," Grandi said. Grandi, who was in Lebanon after spending three days in Syria, said he had passed a "very strong message" about UNHCR access to the Syrian government. "We are present in some areas. I myself could go to Homs and Hama (this week) it was not complicated. In other areas such as the Damascus (countryside), to get the authorisation to visit is more difficult." Britain's foreign office minister for the Middle East Alistair Burt said on Saturday the Syrian government had not so far done enough to make Syria a safe place for returnees. "It is clear (Assad) does not want to see many of his refugees return," Burt told the BBC's Today radio programme. "It is essential there will be no reconstruction support from UK and EU until there is a political settlement that goes some way to meeting the needs of those people," he added. (Reporting by Imad Creidi; Writing by Lisa Barrington; Editing by Helen Popper) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. The bill moves to make Election Day a holiday for federal workers and puts in place a public financing system for congressional campaigns. It also seeks to bar voter roll purges such as those seen in Georgia, Ohio and elsewhere, and restore voting rights for ex-prisoners. Washington: Newly empowered House Democrats approved a centerpiece of their agenda Friday, a sweeping plan to reduce the role of big money in politics, ensure fair elections and strengthen ethics standards. But the leader of Republican-run Senate has pledged it will not come up for a vote and the White House issued a veto threat. The measure would make it easier for people to register and vote, tighten election security and require presidential candidates to disclose their tax returns. Election Day would become a holiday for federal workers and a public financing system for congressional campaigns would be established. The bill would bar voter roll purges such as those seen in Georgia, Ohio and elsewhere, and restore voting rights for ex-prisoners. The legislation was approved 234-193 on a straight party-line vote, with all Democrats voting "yes" and all Republicans voting "no." Republicans called the bill a Democratic power grab that amounts to a federal takeover of elections and could cost billions of dollars. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said the proposal was dead on arrival in that chamber. The White House said in a statement that the Democrats' plan would "micromanage" elections that now are run largely by states and would establish "costly and unnecessary programs to finance political campaigns" and force taxpayers to fund federal candidates they may not support. But House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, said the bill "restores the people's faith that government works for the public interest the people's interest not the special interests." Trying to turn Republicans' words against them, Pelosi said, "Yes it is a power grab a power grab on behalf of the people." House GOP leader Kevin McCarthy of California said the legislation would undermine the integrity of elections by allowing convicted felons to vote, and would apply a one-size-fits-all standard to elections now run by states and local governments. The bill stands in contrast to legislation Republicans promoted when they controlled the chamber in the last Congress, McCarthy said, citing a massive tax cut they pushed through that was intended to jump-start the economy. "Our bill returned taxpayer money to the people. Theirs takes tax money and gives it to campaigns." Democrats have criticized the GOP tax cut as a boon to the rich and to corporations. The nonpartisan Tax Policy Center said most middle-income taxpayers should see a reduction this year although the tax law benefits higher earners more. Democrats on Friday said McCarthy was mischaracterizing the election-overhaul bill. Representative Zoe Lofgren, said it "grabs power away from the elites and the power brokers and gives it to the people." She and other Democrats disputed the claim that taxpayers will pay for campaigns, noting that money for political campaigns would come from a surcharge on federal settlements made with banks and corporations that run afoul of the law. This bill would allow "everyday Americans to become power brokers" with small contributions of $50 or $75 that would be matched at a 6-to-1 rate by the government, said Representative John Sarbanes the bill's main author. Still, Republicans warned that the price tag could run into the billions. "Regardless of what they disguise it as, make no mistake that the position of Democrats is to fund politicians' campaigns using taxpayer funds," said Representative Rodney Davis. The bill also "weakens safeguards to voting and registration practices that open the door to fraud" and attempts to limit free speech, Davis said, citing disclosure requirements for political donations. The bill would create automatic national voter registration while expanding access to early and online registration. It would prohibits voter roll purges such as those seen in Georgia, Ohio and elsewhere, and increase federal support for state voter systems, including paper ballots to prevent fraud. Maryland Representative Steny Hoyer, the second-ranking leader, said voting-roll purges and other voter suppression have prevented thousands of people from voting in Georgia, North Carolina and other states. "We need to be facilitating people voting protecting voters' rights and making it easier to register and vote," he said in an interview. "It seems to me that's an American value." Representative Max Rose, said he and other first-term lawmakers ran on an anti-corruption platform that helped deliver a Democratic majority last fall. "We are changing the way politics is run in this country," he said. Investors in Eldorado Gold ( EGO -1.19% ) have long-awaited good news. Shares of the Canadian gold miner have, after all, shed 75% value in just the past three years, hugely lagging peers like Yamana Gold ( AUY -0.25% ), which has seen its shares drop around 18% during the period. As if Eldorado's key development projects in Greece running into regulatory hurdles wasn't enough, the gold miner found itself mired in further trouble when it suspended operations at its largest mine, Kisladag in Turkey, in early 2018 after a sharp dip in production. It is therefore no surprise that Eldorado stock has shot up in recent weeks, piling on nearly 50% gains already this year, as of this writing, after the miner announced plans to restart Kisladag and offered encouraging production guidance for the next three years. Is this the start of a much-awaited recovery in Eldorado Gold, signaling you buy the stock while it still trades below $5 in anticipation that Kisladag will help the miner start afresh? Check out the latest earnings call transcript for Eldorado Gold. Kisladag holds the key to Eldorado Gold's future Kisladag is Eldorado Gold's flagship mine and one of its only four operating mines. Production from Kisladag, however, has declined steadily over the years. In fiscal 2014, for example, the mine produced 311,233 ounces of gold. Around the same time, Eldorado decided to defer expansion at Kisladag and invest in its projects in Greece instead, primarily the high-potential Olympias and Skouries mines. Nonetheless, Eldorado gave out a rosy production outlook for Kisladag through 2019. If things had turned out as planned, 2019 would've been a stellar year for Kisladag and Eldorado. That was, however, not to be. Gold Ounces Per Year 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Projected 230,000-245,000 235,000-250,000 255,000-270,000 310,000-325,000 375,000-390,000 Actual 281,280 211,161 171,358 172,009 145,000-165,000* Lower-than-expected gold recovery rates forced Eldorado to halt operations at Kisladag in early 2018. Management has since strived to get the mine up and running, even approving a deviation from heap leach method of gold recovery to milling, which would require an investment of nearly $520 million. Given the backdrop, Eldorado's latest announcement to suspend the mill project and resume heap leaching and mining at Kisladag in coming weeks has come as a relief for investors. Among other benefits, heap leaching requires "minimal" capital investment, which means Eldorado can put the money for the mill project to better use, particularly debt repayment. As of Sept. 30, 2018, Eldorado had long-term debt worth nearly $600 million. Importantly, the debt's due for maturity in December 2020. Now Eldorado's existing cash flows fall considerably short to cover the debt -- it generated only $66 million in operating cash flow in 2018. Moreover, management didn't really specify where that $520 million would come from. So Eldorado will likely refinance the $600 million debt or may even issue shares to raise funds, which is something investors should watch out for. Potential sale of its developing mine in Brazil, Tocantinzinho, could help raise some money as well. There's another reason why the market is seeing Eldorado in better light: The latest development at Kisladag comes at a time when another of the company's mines, Lamaque, which it acquired in July 2017 with Integra Gold, is set to start commercial production in Q1 2019. Thanks to Kisladag and Lamaque, Eldorado now expects its gold production to jump more than 50% by 2020. While all of this sounds great, there are three risks investors who intend to bet on Eldorado Gold now should be aware of. Three reasons Eldorado Gold is a risky investment To start, Eldorado is heavily reliant on Kisladag for growth, which itself sounds like a risky proposition for now. Moreover, production from Kisladag is expected to drop dramatically in 2021, per the miner's forecast. As Eldorado conducts further testwork to extend the life of the mine, the possibility of a mill project to boost production after 2021 can't be ruled out. Eldorado's financials need to be in top shape by then. Second, Eldorado's outlook for all-in-sustaining cost (AISC) -- which is a comprehensive cost measure used in the gold industry and is a key determinant of a miner's profitability -- is at the higher end of the industry cost curve. Conversely, most gold peers, including Yamana Gold, have strived to cut costs lately, with Yamana even rapidly ramping up its low-cost Cerro Moro mine to boost margins. Fluctuations in gold prices, therefore, are likely to hit Eldorado harder. Third, Eldorado's Skouries mine in Greece is stuck in a limbo, as development was suspended in November 2017 after permit delays. Eldorado filed an application for 750 million euros, or roughly $855 million, in damages last September, but there's been no update since. Meanwhile, Eldorado is spending money on the mine's care and maintenance, and will need at least two years to construct and commission the mine even after getting full permits. In short, Skouries remains a long-drawn battle. The only reason Eldorado stock could head higher It's imperative that Eldorado delivers on Kisladag now, so you might want to wait a couple of quarters to see how things are shaping up at the mine. Also, the upcoming election in Greece is a major event to keep an eye on. With the opposition leader declaring his intent to push Skouries forward if he wins the election, it could be a make-or-break moment for the project. That's the only potential catalyst that could drive Eldorado Gold shares any higher in the near term. For now, it's speculation at best. It went off without a hitch. One week ago, SpaceX conducted its first unmanned demonstration launch of a "Crew Dragon" space capsule -- "Demo-1." Designed to carry American astronauts to the International Space Station and back, SpaceX's new spaceship promises to relieve the American space program of the need to write multihundred-million-dollar checks to subsidize the Russian space program. It will also empower NASA astronauts to leave Earth in their own spaceships -- for the first time since President Obama terminated the Space Shuttle program eight years ago. It's great news for just about everybody...well, maybe everybody but Boeing ( BA 1.05% ). How it happened Lifting off from Kennedy Space Center at 2:49 a.m. EST on March 2, the SpaceX Falcon 9 launch vehicle rocketed into the skies over Florida, dispatched Crew Dragon to overtake and dock with the Space Station, then gently landed on its retrojets, at sea, on the Of Course I Still Love You drone ship. About 27 hours later, Crew Dragon itself completed its journey to the International Space Station, docked autonomously, and was successfully opened and boarded by astronauts on board the ISS. And finally, just yesterday morning, Crew Dragon detached from ISS and returned to Earth to be recovered at sea. Mission(s) accomplished. Check out the latest earnings call transcript for Boeing. What happens next SpaceX intends to reuse the recovered Crew Dragon to conduct an in-flight abort test in April. Assuming that goes well, the company will proceed to conduct a manned test flight -- "Demo-2" -- perhaps in July, carrying two astronauts to take up their posts aboard ISS. But already, Crew Dragon has taken a big step toward proving itself the first-ever privately developed, human-rated spacecraft in history. Can Boeing match it? What it means to Boeing Boeing, of course, was the other company that NASA partnered with to begin privately contracted work ferrying astronauts to and from ISS. NASA initially awarded SpaceX 38% less money ($2.6 billion) to design and build (and fly) its Crew Dragon than it awarded Boeing ($4.2 billion) to design, build, and fly the Boeing CST-100 Starliner. Ostensibly, this was because Boeing was the better-known entity, and presumed to have a better chance of building a working spaceship. And yet, it was SpaceX that completed its capsule first -- and now it's Boeing that must play catch-up. At last report, Boeing was still targeting an uncrewed April test flight for Starliner, dubbed its "Orbital Flight Test," to be followed by a crewed demonstration in August. Now, technically, this April/August timeline means that Boeing is only about a month behind SpaceX in flying its own space taxi. But in fact, Boeing may be lagging even further than that. In June of last year, an "anomaly" prevented Boeing from successfully completing its pad abort test (in which a capsule on the ground is blasted away from its launcher, ensuring the crew will be able to escape safely from an exploding rocket in an actual launch situation). SpaceX passed this test way back in 2015. Boeing plans to redo its pad abort test in May. It's not known if Boeing will also be required to do an in-flight abort test of Starliner, to match SpaceX's planned in-flight abort test with Crew Dragon. If it doesn't, though, then arguably this will mean that Crew Dragon has proven itself even safer than Starliner, by virtue of having completed more safety tests -- which could make it harder for NASA to justify continuing to pay Boeing more money than it pays to SpaceX for the same work. If this is how things work out, Boeing could find its profit margins in space -- currently 6.9%, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence -- pinched in the future. The plan going forward Since the original "Commercial Crew Program" contracts were awarded back in 2014, NASA funding for development of SpaceX's Crew Dragon and Boeing's Starliner has climbed to $3.1 billion and $4.8 billion, respectively. Going forward, though, the plan is for the costs of crew transport to ISS by both companies to equalize -- at roughly $58 million per "seat" (which is already a big discount to the $82 million that Roscosmos charges NASA for each astronaut it carries on its Soyuz capsules). Thus, it looks like the premium Boeing won at the outset of the Commercial Crew Program is already slated to sunset. And SpaceX could win even more revenue than Boeing for its Commercial Crew missions, because its larger Crew Dragon capsule incorporates an unpressurized "trunk" capable of hauling 14 cubic meters of cargo in addition to its seven astronaut seats. Thus, SpaceX missions should theoretically expect to receive payment for both crew transport and cargo delivery services, whereas Starliner missions would carry only astronauts -- and be paid only for carrying astronauts. Whether or not Boeing succeeds in getting its Orbital Flight Test off on schedule next month, it looks like SpaceX is already winning this space race. Tax season is upon us, and most taxpayers are focused primarily on figuring out their federal income tax returns. With reform efforts having changed many key provisions of the tax code, adapting to the new set of tax laws has proven onerous for many. Yet at the same time, Americans in the vast majority of states also have to worry about state income taxes. Only seven states have allowed their residents to escape the double-hit of having to prepare a state income tax return and make payments to state tax collectors. However, there could be an eighth state on track to join this elite group -- if another state doesn't beat it to the punch. The seven states with no income taxes currently Right now, seven states have no state income taxes. If you live in Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, or Wyoming, then you won't have to pay any income tax at the state level. Of course, that doesn't mean that these state governments don't collect other sorts of taxes to make up for the lack of an income tax. In Alaska, Texas, and Wyoming, levies on natural resources provide much of the revenue that runs state government, while key industrial concentrations like the casino industry in Nevada and the credit card industry in South Dakota play a monumental role in helping residents stay income-tax free. State governments recognize the appeal that having no income tax can have in influencing decisions about where to live. In particular, retirees looking for more affordable places to live often choose to move to tax-friendlier locations that allow them to stretch their financial resources further. Tennessee is set to join the list The state of Tennessee looked at those arguments in favor of cutting state income taxes and came to the conclusion in 2016 that it made sense to eliminate it. Even before the move, Tennessee's income tax applied only to investment income from stocks and bonds, including most interest and dividends but excluding interest from bank and credit union accounts. A 6% rate applied to taxpayers for much of the tax's history. In 2016, the legislature passed a law reducing the rate on the tax from 6% to 5% and set in motion a plan to eliminate the tax entirely. That reform measure was finalized in 2017, with the tax rate falling by one percentage point from 2017 to 2020 before finally going away entirely by 2021. Could other states get there first? Tennessee is far from the only state to consider getting rid of its income tax. At the same time that Tennessee took action, several other state governments were looking at measures to try to eliminate income taxes at the state level. Governors in Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, and South Carolina were among those examining such proposals. More recently, some officeholders and candidates in more surprising locations such as Connecticut have discussed the potential positive impacts of eliminating state income tax -- especially now that federal law limits itemized deductions for those taxes. Yet the road toward going tax-free at the state level also has potential obstacles. The experience of Kansas shows the roadblocks that can come up, with Republican Gov. Sam Brownback having supported large tax cuts in the early 2010s that included the elimination of pass-through taxation on businesses and reductions in the individual income tax rate. Many lawmakers intended for further reductions in tax rates that residents paid in future years, with the goal of eventually eliminating them. However, after controversy and financial distress, Kansas lawmakers started boosting income taxes over the past couple of years. Keep your eyes on the Volunteer State At this point, even if other states decided to eliminate their income taxes, they'd likely do so using a phased-in approach similar to what Tennessee did. As a result, the Volunteer State is almost certain to cross the finish line as the eighth tax-free U.S. state. That's good news for Tennessee residents, and it'll be interesting to see if it prompts an additional influx of people trying to escape state taxes elsewhere. Photo: Unsplash/Japheth Mast Are our children too safe for their own good? Dr. Mariana Brussoni asks: Childhood is changing, but what will that do for confidence and resilience in adults? Brussoni, an associate professor in the Department of Pediatrics and the School of Population and Public Health at the University of British Columbia, will address questions of risk and safety at Okanagan College's Vernon Campus on March 20. It used to be normal for children to spend long hours outdoors and away from watchful adults, playing how and where they chose. Todays children spend more time indoors, supervised, in structured activities and in front of screens, says Brussoni. Many parents struggle to find a balance between bubble wrapping their kids and not protecting them enough. Fears of strangers, traffic and social services can overwhelm parents, making it hard for them to let go. Research is mounting on the importance of giving kids more opportunities for thrilling and exciting play that includes testing boundaries and flirting with uncertainty. This can include climbing trees, building forts, playing capture the flag, or simply roaming the neighbourhood with friends. Such play is associated with positive health, development and well-being in children, including increased physical activity, social skills, risk management skills, resilience and self-confidence. Brussoni will speak at 7:30 p.m. in the lecture theatre. Admission is $10. Register in advance or pay at the door. In addition to teaching at UBC, Brussoni is also an investigator with the B.C. Childrens Hospital Research Institute and the B.C. Injury Research and Prevention Unit. Photo: CTV News/Chopper 9 UPDATE: 5 p.m. Quick action by staff and construction workers helped get a fire under control at a private Vancouver hospital. The fire started in the roof, part of which is under construction, CTV News reports. Patients were evacuated from the third floor, and firefighters peeled back a section of roof to douse the flames. No one was injured in the incident. Workers were doing torch-on roofing at the time. ORIGINAL: 2 p.m. Vancouver firefighters responded to a two-alarm fire at a hospital on the city's West Side Friday afternoon. The blaze broke out at Point Grey Private Hospital about 2 p.m., CTV News reports. It's not known what caused the fire or if anyone was hurt. No smoke or flames could be seen from the air. with files from CTV Vancouver Photo: Contributed The Kelowna Chamber of Commerce wants to ensure the Okanagan is fairly represented if Bill 15 ends up passing in the B.C. legislature. The provincial government introduced the bill on Thursday, which it said will strengthen control of the Agricultural Land Commission and allow it to better fulfil its mandate of preserving the Agricultural Land Reserve while encouraging farming and ranching within British Columbia. Thats all fine and dandy, according to the Kelowna chamber. However, part of the bill includes the ALCs governing body becoming one commission instead of the current six panel regions and executive committee. Thats an area where the Kelowna chamber would like to see a little more information before it supports the move. For more details on this story, visit Okanagan Edge. The cold snap is over, the sun is shining just in time for the inaugural Spring Expo. Put on by the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce, the event kicks off today at Kal Tire Place North and again Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dan Proulx, with the chamber, said more than 60 vendors are at the event. There is something for the entire family and we are encouraging the community to come out and see what we have to offer, said Proulx. As the Greater Vernon chamber, we are always looking for ways to connect with the community. This about seeing that need and filling it. Admission is by donation to the United Way. News Large crowd questions merit of corps' barrier plan SEABROOK About 20 minutes before the Bay Area Houston Storm Surge Flood Forum was set to start, every seat in the community center was full. So, volunteers added chairs. And more chairs. Before a packed room Thursday night, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers laid out its tentative plans for a $32 billion series of more than 70 miles of levees, barriers and sea gates on Galveston Island, Bolivar Peninsula and around Galveston Bay to protect against storm surges caused by hurricanes. Representatives from the corps presented their concept and ideas ahead of seven speakers who spoke of concerns about the massive project and its effects, not so much in Galveston and Bolivar Peninsula, but to the region as a whole. We are starting to look at the separate pieces of this plan now to determine if we need all of it, or some pieces of it, Kelly Burks-Copes, the project manager for the corps, said. The goal of the outreach effort isnt so much to present the public with a finished plan as to show people the broad vision of the planning so far, officials said. Burks-Copes began her presentation by saying the corps was considering a second set of public meetings once its designs of the coastal barrier system have been improved. But once representatives from the corps finished their presentation, speakers from six other groups addressed their own, particular concerns with the barrier project. Building the Ike Dike might be the right move, said Bob Stokes, president of the Galveston Bay Foundation. But lets make an informed decision with regard to its environmental impact. Rice University Professor Jim Blackburn, co-director of the Severe Storm Prediction, Education & Evacuation from Disasters Center, known as the SSPEED Center, led off the post-corps conversation by detailing his research on an alternative plan and years of advocating for an alternative to a storm surge barrier built directly on the coast. Instead, the center has said barriers within the bay and measures such as building dredge spoil islands to disrupt storm surge waves would be more cost-effective than a massive barrier system. Representatives from the other groups seemed supportive of the centers research. The mid-bay concept advocated by Mr. Blackburn wasnt even included in the corps analysis, said Bob Stokes, president of the Galveston Bay Foundation. Several speakers referred to the project proposed by the corps as the Ike Dike, although that technically refers to a Texas A&M University at Galveston proposal that would place two massive floodgates across the San Luis Pass and Bolivar Roads, at the mouth of the Galveston Ship channel. While opposition to the corps plan isnt new groups in both Galveston and on Bolivar Peninsula have packed earlier meetings Thursdays gathering shows signs that pushback to the plan might be evolving in the northern parts of Galveston County and southern Harris County along the bay. The Houston Region Concerned Citizens group, which previously worked on the Harris County bond referendums, and the Houston section of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics hosted Thursdays meeting, but speakers included a whos who of the regions environmental groups. Speakers included representatives of the Sierra Club Houston, Bayou City Waterkeeper and Texas A&M University, although that professor said he spoke only for himself. Released last fall, the corps proposal has generated significant public opposition from people worried about effects on their personal property and on long-term environmental costs. The corps public comment deadline was Feb. 9. A final plan is expected in 2021. bet the Cheltenham Festival races from the U.S.A ., rest of North America and all over the world at BetOnline You can., rest of North America and all over the world at BetOnline GET 7% BACK ON LOSSES - BET ON TRACKS ACROSS THE WORLD - GET A FREE $25 RISK FREE BET Cheltenham Festival Events Betting Schedule ( Find Live Odds The Cheltenham Festival is a meeting in the National Hunt racing calendar in the United Kingdom, with race prize money second only to the Grand National. The event enjoys worldwide prominence. Betting on this event will be massive, including online, but you will want to do so with a site that pays back on losses while offering a free wager . The fixture has become the jewel in the British racing crown, helping the Gloucestershire county economy rake in some 100,000,000. Since the meeting is usually held around the same time as Saint Patricks Day celebrations, the Cheltenham Festival is extremely popular with Irish visitors. Some thirty extra flights from Dublin to Birmingham are put on during March every year, helping to transport a healthy portion of the 10,000 strong Irish contingent, who will travel to Cheltenham for the Festival. Turnstiles at Cheltenham Spa train station will be spun by over 105,000 Festival-goers. Over 600,000,000 will be wagered on races at the Cheltenham Festival. Like with the Premier League teams, many UK and Irish transplants will also want to watch the Festival races. ITV and ITV4 will both be broadcasting the races. The subscription channel is available on Freeview and Youview (both channel 261), Sky (channels 426 and 874) and Virgin (channel 536). A monthly pass for complete coverage is 24.98 per month, or 10 for one-day access. Racing TV is also available online, included in the package. - Alistair Prescott, Gambling911.com Photo: The Canadian Press President Donald Trump will be making a significant request for border wall funds and seeking money to stand up Space Force as a new branch of the military in the White House budget being released next week, an administration official says. For the first time, Trump plans to stick with the strict spending caps imposed years ago, even though lawmakers have largely avoided them with new budget deals. That will likely trigger a showdown with Congress. The official said Friday that the president's plan promises to balance the budget in 15 years. Trump will seek $750 billion for defence, a boost for the military, while cutting non-defence discretionary spending by 5 per cent below the cap, said the official, who was unauthorized to discuss the document ahead of its release and spoke on condition of anonymity. Budgets are mainly seen as blueprints for White House priorities. But they are often panned on Capitol Hill, where lawmakers craft the appropriation bills that eventually fund the government, if the president signs them into law. Trump's budget for the 2020 fiscal year will increase requests for some agencies while reducing others to reflect those priorities. Reductions are proposed, for example, for the Environmental Protection Agency. The official said Congress has ignored the president's spending cuts for too long. The federal budget is bloated with wasteful spending, the official said, and the administration remains committed to balancing the budget. The cuts being requested by the White House would hit discretionary spending as well as some mandatory safety net programs, which Trump has proposed in the past. Many Republicans are often eager to reduce government spending, but Congress has had trouble passing bills that seriously slash the safety net programs used by many Americans. Budgets often rely on various accounting measures to achieve desired results. This one, for example, counts $546 billion in defence money as a base, but another $174 billion in another account to keep within caps. And while the budget will suggest it balances in future years, it is also expected to rely on projections for continued economic growth from the tax cuts Trump signed into law in 2017. But there's no guarantee that would cover the lost tax revenues. By proposing spending levels that don't raise the budget caps, the president is courting a debate with Congress. Lawmakers from both parties have routinely agreed to raise spending caps established by a previous deal years ago to fund the government. Trump, though, has tried to resist those deals. He threatened to veto the last one reached in 2017 to prevent a shutdown. Late last year, a fight over border wall funds sparked the 35-day shutdown that spilled into this year and became the longest in history. India on Saturday said its non-military strike on JeM camp in Pakistan achieved its desired objective and demonstrated the country's firm resolve to take decisive action against cross border terrorism. Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar, at a media briefing, also said that an Indian Air Force MiG-21 Bison, piloted by Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, shot down a Pakistan Air Force F-16 fighter aircraft and there were eyewitness accounts and electronic evidence for it. "We have also shared evidence in the form of parts of AMRAAM missile which were recovered from the site and are only carried by F-16 aircraft of the PAF," he said. "Our non-military counter-terrorism strike achieved the desired objective. It has demonstrated our firm resolve to take decisive action against cross border terrorism," he said. Only one aircraft was lost by India during Pakistan's unsuccessful attempt at targeting Indian military installations, he said. Kumar also said if, as Pakistan claims, it has evidence of downing of second Indian aircraft then why has it not shared it. Since the Pulwama terror attack the international community has stood by India, Kumar said. It is unfortunate that Pakistan still continues to deny JeM's own claim of carrying out the Pulwama attack in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed, he said. Kumar asserted that Pakistan-based terror groups were conducting their activities without any hindrance. Pakistan must show credible, verifiable and sustained action against terror groups operating from its soil, he said. On the issue of the fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi's extradition, the MEA spokesperson said the UK is still considering India's request. India is taking all steps necessary for his extradition, he asserted. -PTI Samsung Galaxy A90, Galaxy A40, Galaxy A20e get listed on official website News oi-Abhinaya Prabhu Three more Samsung Galaxy A series phones in the making. Recently, Samsung unveiled three new smartphones in its new Galaxy A series - Galaxy A10, Galaxy A30 and Galaxy A50. Besides these new offerings, it looks like the company is preparing to launch more smartphones in the series. Well, the existence of three new devices allegedly dubbed Galaxy A40, Galaxy A90 and Galaxy A20e has been seemingly confirmed. This confirmation comes from the support page for each of these phones on the official Samsung UK website via GalaxyClub. Notably, the Galaxy A20e appears to be the first model in this series to have the suffix 'e' in its moniker similar to what we have seen with the Galaxy S10e. Samsung Galaxy A90, A40 and A20e Going by the Samsung UK website, there are dedicated product pages for each of these upcoming smartphones. The product pages do not divulge any key specifications but their existence confirms the imminent launch of these new upcoming Samsung smartphones. From the previous reports, we get to know that the Galaxy A90 will feature a sliding and rotating camera module. Also, a concept render that hit the web a few days back pointed out at the presence of a pop-up selfie camera besides the triple camera module at its rear. The renders also suggest that the smartphone might feature a new type of Infinity Display that we have not seen on previous offerings. Some reports have also hinted that the Samsung Galaxy A90 might run Android 9 Pie topped with One UI out of the box. It is also said to feature a 6.41-inch display with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 710 SoC teamed up with 6GB/8GB RAM and up to 128GB of storage space. On the other hand, the reports regarding the Galaxy A40 suggest that this smartphone might have the model number SM-A405FN/DS and use an Exynos 7885 SoC clubbed with 4GB RAM. Details regarding the Galaxy A20e are scarce but the Galaxy A20 was spotted on the Geekbench database with the model number SM-A260F. Also, some of its key specs were out suggesting that it could be an Android Go smartphone. 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 Estonian President Strips Officer Convicted of Spying for Russia of Ranks Sputnik News 21:44 08.03.2019 TALLINN (Sputnik) - Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid has stripped a former officer convicted of spying for Russia of his military ranks, her office said Friday. "At the suggestion of the deputy commander of the armed forces I hereby strip Deniss Metsavas of all his ranks," the president said in a published decree. The statement comes after retired Maj. Deniss Metsavas and his father Pjotr Volin were sentenced respectively to 15 and a half years and 6 months in jail in February, allegedly for passing secrets to the Russian military intelligence GRU. The two men were arrested last September. Metsavas served with the Estonian armed forces since 1998 and was promoted to major in 2015, while his father was a former Soviet border guard. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Mozambique's Former Finance Minister Indicted Alongside Other Former Mozambican Officials, Business Executives, and Investment Bankers in Alleged $2 Billion Fraud and Money Laundering Scheme that Victimized U.S. Investors FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, March 7, 2019 More Than $200 Million in Alleged Bribes and Kickbacks Paid to Mozambican Government Officials and Investment Bankers in Corrupt Maritime Loans for Mozambique A four-count indictment was returned on Dec. 19, 2018, by a grand jury in the Eastern District of New York, charging two executives of a shipbuilding company, three former senior Mozambican government officials, and three former London-based investment bankers for their roles in a $2 billion fraud and money laundering scheme that victimized investors from the United States and elsewhere. Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department's Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Richard P. Donoghue of the Eastern District of New York, and Assistant Director in Charge William F. Sweeney Jr. of the FBI's New York Field Office made the announcement. "The indictment unsealed today alleges a brazen international criminal scheme in which corrupt Mozambique government officials, corporate executives, and investment bankers stole approximately $200 million in loan proceeds that were meant to benefit the people of Mozambique," said Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski. "The Department of Justice and our law enforcement partners are dedicated to using all tools at our disposal to prosecute those who engage in money laundering, financial fraud and corruption at the expense of U.S. investors, wherever those individuals may be located." "As charged in the indictment, the defendants orchestrated an immense fraud and bribery scheme that took advantage of the U.S. financial system, defrauded its investors and adversely impacted the economy of Mozambique, in order to line their own pockets with hundreds of millions of dollars," said U.S. Attorney Donoghue. "This indictment underscores the Department of Justice's continuing efforts to end such fraudulent and corrupt practices and to hold those responsible to account for their crimes." "Today's indictment proves that no matter who you are, or what position of power you're in, you're not immune from prosecution," said FBI Assistant Director in Charge Sweeney. "The FBI will continue to use all resources at our disposal to uncover crimes of this nature and expose them for what they really are." Jean Boustani, 40, a citizen of Lebanon who worked for the Privinvest Group, a United Arab Emirates-based shipbuilding company, was arrested at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York on Jan. 2, 2019 and arraigned later that day in the Eastern District of New York on charges that he conspired with others to commit one count of wire fraud, one count of securities fraud, and one count of money laundering in connection with $200 million in bribe and kickback payments he helped organize relating to three loans totaling more than $2 billion that were marketed and sold to U.S. victim investors. Boustani has pleaded not guilty to the charges; a trial date has not yet been set. Alongside Boustani, Privinvest's chief financial officer Najib Allam, 58, a citizen of Lebanon, was charged with the same counts. Allam is alleged to have worked with Boustani to make the bribe and kickback payments. Allam is not currently in U.S. custody. Manuel Chang, 63, the former Mozambican minister of finance who is a citizen and resident of Mozambique, was charged with the same counts as Boustani, namely one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. Chang was arrested at the request of the United States by South African authorities on Dec. 29, 2018. The United States is seeking Chang's extradition. Antonio do Rosario, 44, a citizen and resident of Mozambique, was an official with Mozambique's State Information and Security Service and a director and officer of each of the three Mozambican entities that obtained the maritime loans. Do Rosario was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering in connection with his receipt of bribe payments relating to the loans. Do Rosario is not currently in U.S. custody. Teofilo Nhangumele, 50, a citizen and resident of Mozambique, acted on behalf of the Office of the President of Mozambique. Nhangumele was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering in connection with his negotiation and receipt of bribe payments relating to the loans. Nhangumele is not currently in U.S. custody. The three investment bankers, Andrew Pearse, 49; Surjan Singh, 44; and Detelina Subeva, 37, each of whom is a resident of the United Kingdom, were also charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. In addition, each banker was charged with one count of conspiracy to violate the anti-bribery and internal controls provisions of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) in connection with their roles in facilitating bribe payments to government officials in Mozambique and for circumventing the internal accounting controls of a foreign investment bank that arranged two of the loans. At the time, Pearse and Singh were managing directors of the investment bank, and Subeva was a vice president. Pearse, Singh and Subeva were arrested on Jan. 3, in the United Kingdom, all pursuant to provisional arrest warrants issued at the request of the United States. The United States is seeking their extradition. The indictment alleges that between approximately 2013 and 2016, the co-conspirators organized for more than $2 billion in three loans to be arranged by Investment Bank and another foreign bank. The loans were made to companies owned and controlled by the Mozambican government: Proindicus S.A., Empresa Mocambicana de Atum, S.A. (EMATUM) and Mozambique Asset Management (MAM). The money was purportedly to be used to fund three maritime projects for which the shipbuilder, Privinvest, would provide the equipment and services. Proindicus was to perform coastal surveillance, EMATUM was to engage in tuna fishing, and MAM was to build and maintain shipyards. Chang, in his capacity as minister of finance, signed guarantees on behalf of Mozambique for all three fraudulent loans. Singh signed the agreements on behalf of the investment bank for the two loans on which the bank acted as primary arranger. The investment bank subsequently paid the loans directly to Privinvest. As further alleged in the indictment, the co-conspirators facilitated Privinvest's criminal diversion of more than $200 million in loan proceeds, including more than $150 million in bribe payments to Chang and other Mozambican government officials that Privinvest paid to ensure that Mozambique would enter into the loan arrangements. In addition to the bribe payments, the alleged fraud also included approximately $50 million in kickback payments to Pearse, Singh, and Subeva, who assisted the conspirators to obtain financing for the loans through their investment bank and a second foreign investment bank. Pearse, Singh, and Subeva, along with the other members of the conspiracy, allegedly subsequently sold the loans to investors worldwide, including in the United States. Moreover, the participants in the scheme allegedly conspired to defraud these investors by misrepresenting how the loan proceeds would be used, the amount and maturity dates of other loans and debt Mozambique was obligated to pay, and the ability of Mozambique or its state-owned entities to repay the loans. Mozambique and its state-owned entities have thus far allegedly failed to make more than $700 million of repayments that have become due on the loans. The charges in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The investigation is being conducted by the FBI's New York Field Office. The government's case is being prosecuted by the Criminal Division's Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section (MLARS) and Fraud Section, and the Business and Securities Fraud Section of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York. MLARS Trial Attorneys Sean W. O'Donnell and Margaret A. Moeser, Fraud Section Trial Attorney David M. Fuhr, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew S. Amatruda and Mark E. Bini of the Eastern District of New York are prosecuting the case. The Criminal Division's Office of International Affairs provided critical assistance in this case. The Department appreciates the significant cooperation and assistance provided by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Department also appreciates the assistance provided by law enforcement authorities in the United Kingdom and in South Africa. MLARS's Bank Integrity Unit investigates and prosecutes banks and other financial institutions, including their officers, managers, and employees, whose actions threaten the integrity of the individual institution or the wider financial system. The Criminal Division's Fraud Section is responsible for investigating and prosecuting all FCPA matters. Additional information about the Justice Department's FCPA enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal/fraud/fcpa. Attachment(s): Download Ematum Indictment Topic(s): Financial Fraud Foreign Corruption Component(s): Criminal Division USAO - New York, Eastern Press Release Number: 19-201 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Amidst reports of negotiations for a deal with china hitting a bump, President Donald Trump has said that he will enter into a trade deal with Beijing only if he is confident that it is good for the US. But he also told reporters at the White House on Friday that he is confident of entering into a trade deal with China. The world's two largest economies are locked in a trade war since Trump imposed heavy tariffs on imported steel and aluminium items from China in March last year, a move that sparked fears of a global trade war. Trump imposed tariff hikes of up to 25 per cent on USD 250 billion of Chinese goods. In response, China, the world's second largest economy after the US, imposed tit-for-tat tariffs on USD 110 billion of American goods. Top trade officials from America and China are holding talks to negotiate a comprehensive trade deal. "I am confident. But if we don't make a very good deal for our country, I wouldn't make a deal," Trump told reporters. "If this isn't a great deal, I won't make a deal." In the absence of a trade deal, Trump has threatened to impose additional tariffs on import of Chinese products into the US. Last month the US President had said that he and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping are planning to meet at his Florida resort in Mar-a-Lago to give a final shape to the trade deal, which is being negotiated between the two countries for past several months now. However, after the collapse of the North Korea summit in Vietnam where Trump walked out of his meeting with Chairman Kim Jong-Un, the US president has not spoken about it. Taken aback by Trump's decision to walk away from the summit with North Korean in Hanoi, China now wants the summit as a mere signature ceremony and finalise everything before that. According to The Wall Street Journal report on Friday, a US-China trade accord is facing a new roadblock, as Chinese officials balk at committing to a presidential summit until the two countries have a firm deal in hand. "What Chinese minister wants to say, 'Yes, Xi Jinping. Go to the US for a visit, which isn't a state visit, and hope that Trump doesn't embarrass you'" Evan Medeiros, a Georgetown University scholar who was a senior China adviser to President Barack Obama was quoted as saying by The Wall Street Journal. Republican Senator Marco Rubio on Friday doubted recent reports that China will end the forced transfer of technology and begin allowing "wholly foreign-owned enterprises in more fields" as a way to lure back foreign investors. "For decades, China fooled the world into thinking they would be a responsible international partner. We must not let them fool us into thinking this new 'law' is anything other than a shiny object that will do nothing to stop Chinese state-directed actors' continued assault on US companies' intellectual property and trade secrets," Rubio said. The Trump Administration should continue to hold their leverage and increase pressure on China to secure a strong, enforceable deal, he asserted. "We cannot afford to waste this opportunity and risk losing this century's most important, strategic, economic, and geopolitical competition. China must not be allowed to pursue policies that run directly counter to America's national interest and their international commitments without facing due consequences," Rubio said. -PTI Speech by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at a conference organized by the Polish Institute of International Affairs with the German Marshall Fund of the United States NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation 08 Mar. 2019 (As delivered) Minister Czaputowicz, friends, it's really a great pleasure to be here and to be able to address you on this occasion where we celebrate the 20th anniversary of Poland joining NATO, and especially to be here together with you, and seeing some people who were actually very active and instrumental in making that happen back in 1999. I see Madeleine Albright at the front row, so there are people in this room who actually made that happen. It is hard to understand the impact of the enlargement of NATO, the importance, how it has transformed Europe. Because I remember, as a very young , active politician in Norway, we actually travelled to what we then called East Europe, during the Cold War, and that was a total different world. I was from Norway, we went into East Germany and Poland, and it was like, you know, going to a total different world. And if anyone had told me back then that, not so much later, Poland and many other of the former Warsaw Pact members were going to be members of NATO, I would have regarded that as absolutely impossible. Then, today, this is the fact, and it shows that change is possible, and the enlargement of the European Union and the enlargement of NATO has really transformed Europe. And therefore, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Poland joining NATO is really something worth celebrating. And therefore it is also great to be together with you, and to say that what we have seen over the last two decades, with Poland as a member, is that Poland is a very committed Ally, an Ally which is contributing to our shared security, to our collective defence in many different ways. And it helps to strengthen NATO and helps to build the transatlantic partnership. And that's something which we really welcome. Poland is contributing to NATO in many different ways. Poland is present in one of our battlegroups in Latvia, Enhanced Forward Presence. Poland is conducting air policing out from Lithuania. Poland is part of our Tailored Forward Presence in Romania, the NATO presence there. And Poland is also contributing to different NATO missions and operations, including in Afghanistan, our training mission in Iraq and also in Kosovo. And then, Poland is also leading by example by investing 2 percent of GDP on defence. So, by doing all this, Poland is helping to strengthen our Alliance. At the same time, we see that NATO is also committed to Poland, by the fact that now Poland is covered by NATO's security guarantees and NATO has increased its presence in Poland with one of the battlegroups; we have four battlegroups, three in the Baltic countries and one in Poland. That's the first time we have combat-ready troops in this part of the Alliance. Then the United States has a rotational armoured brigade. And then we have the site for missile defence in Poland, we have more exercises, we have investments in infrastructure, and we have also other kinds of NATO presence in Poland. So I think what we see is that Poland joining NATO has been good for Poland and, of course, also good for the NATO Alliance. It was a sovereign decision to join the Alliance. And it is an important message from NATO that our door is open. And this year we signed the accession protocol for North Macedonia. In 2017 Montenegro joined. And as you know, after Poland joined, together with Hungary and the Czech Republic in '99, many other countries have joined so we have actually almost doubled in size, more than doubled since our founding in 1949: 12 members to now 29. Most likely it will be 30 within not so many months, when the accession protocol with North Macedonia is ratified in all the Allied countries. So this enlargement has been a decision by sovereign nations and NATO respects those decisions and we send a very clear signal to all those who are protesting and saying that the enlargement of NATO is a provocation. It's not a provocation. It is the sovereign decision of a sovereign nation and we respect those sovereign decisions, because every nation has the right to make its own decisions on its own path. And that's exactly what Poland did when they decided to join NATO, and the NATO Allies welcomed them back in '99. But, as you know, this year we are not only celebrating the 20th anniversary of Poland joining NATO, but also the 15th anniversary of a lot of other Allies joining NATO in 2004, and the 10th anniversary of Croatia and Albania, joining in 2009. And then we celebrate the 70th anniversary of NATO, the founding of NATO. The paradox is that despite that we are growing bigger, more countries are joining the Alliance, despite that we have been the most successful alliance in history, we see questions being asked about the strength and the relevance of the transatlantic bond, both in Europe and in North America. And this is a paradox, because I have to admit that, of course, we see differences. We see disagreements between NATO Allies on important issues such as trade, climate change, the Iran nuclear deal, burden sharing and other issues. And we have to admit that these are differences on important issues. But the paradox is that despite these differences, North America and Europe are doing more together within NATO and on security and defence than they have done for many years. We see that we have, for the first time, deployed battlegroups, increased our military presence in the eastern part of the Alliance. We have significantly, together, with North America, the United States, increased the readiness of our forces, tripled the size of the NATO Response Force and now we are adding even more. We want what we call the 'Four Thirties' initiative: 30 battalions, 30 warships and 30 air squadrons ready within 30 days, adding to the high readiness forces of NATO. We are transforming, adapting the command structure with a new Command in Norfolk Virginia for the Atlantic, a new Command in Ulm in Germany for European mobility and logistics and the movement of equipment and forces throughout Europe. We are stepping up the fight against terror. We have made enormous progress in the fight against Daesh. The global coalition, NATO is part of that, all NATO Allies are part of that, it's a transatlantic effort. And we have seen some progress in Afghanistan, meaning that we have transformed our operation there from a combat operation to a train, assistant and advise operation, based on the idea that in the long run it's better that we are able to train local forces, help them to stabilise their own country, instead of NATO being engaged in big or large combat operations. And hopefully we can see some outcome of the peace talks, which are now taking place between United States and Taliban, closely consulted with NATO. So we do more together in that sense, but we also see that, contrary to what many people believe, or to a kind of public perception, the United States is not reducing their presence in Europe. The United States is committed to the security of Europe. It's right that after the end of the Cold War, the United States reduced its military presence in Europe and that was quite natural because tensions went down. But over the last years we have seen that United States is again increasing its military presence in Europe. The last US battle tank left Europe in December 2013. Now the United States is back with a full armoured brigade, many battle tanks, in Europe, actually rotational, based here in Poland. That's not a sign of weakened commitment, that's a sign of strengthened commitment. The funding for the European Deterrence Initiative has been increased by 40 percent, the US funding for US military activities in Europe. More exercises, we had the Trident Juncture exercise, with a lot of participation from North America, Canada and the United States, the biggest exercise NATO has conducted since the end of the Cold War, last fall in Norway. We have four battlegroups, as I said, two of them are led by North American Allies: one by the United States in Poland, and the other led by Canada in Latvia. That's not less North American commitment to Europe, that's more North American commitment to Europe. Then the European Allies are stepping up, because after years of cutting defence spending, they're now increasing. All European Allies have stopped the cuts. All European Allies and Canada have started to increase. And since 2016 they will have added 100 billion extra for defence spending by the end of next year. This is also recognised in Washington. So, yes, there are differences, yes there are disagreements on many issues. But yes, when it comes to NATO, security, we're actually strengthening our partnership. And, for me, it is important to convey this because perception matters. If the perception is that we are not strong, if the perception is that we are not standing together, then we reduce deterrence. And the strength of NATO, the deterrence we are delivering every day, the purpose of that is to prevent conflict, is to preserve the peace. And if there is any misunderstanding about that, we are actually increasing the risk of conflict, miscalculations and attack against a NATO Ally. So therefore I'm focused on the reality, but also how we are presenting the reality because deterrence is in the mind of your potential adversary. Then I would like to say that we see the need for transatlantic cooperation in many areas: the fight against terrorism that has been a transatlantic effort. Addressing some of the big new challenges cyber, new technology transatlantic. We see China as a rising power, there's a great potential for cooperation, for partnership, but there are also some challenges we have to address together. But then we see a very urgent challenge, which really is a transatlantic challenge. And that is the Intermediate Range Forces. It's the US that signed the INF Treaty back in 1987, so it's a US-Russia agreement, but it has direct impact on European security. So there's no way we can deal with it without being a transatlantic alliance. And you know how important that INF Treaty has been. It's shaped understanding of security issues for a whole generation of politicians. The deployment of the Russian SS-20 missiles in the '70s, and then the NATO response with the Pershing and Cruise missiles. And I think we . . . it was hard to imagine how much we welcomed and appreciated the INF agreement signed in 1987, not only reducing or limiting the number of missiles, but banning all of them. All intermediate range missiles were banned by the INF Treaty. Now Russia is violating that treaty. It was the Obama administration, almost six years ago, that first raised that concern with Russia. All Allies have expressed their concerns and all Allies have agreed, and many of them independently, based on their own information that Russia is in violation. The new SSC-8 missile is nuclear capable, hard to detect, can reach European cities and reduce the warning time and by that, also, it is reducing the threshold for any potential use of nuclear weapons in an armed conflict. So this is really serious. Russia still has the opportunity to come back into compliance. We call on them to do so. But, at the same time, we have started to plan for a world without the INF Treaty, with more Russian missiles in Europe. It's far too early to say what the outcome will be of that process in NATO, but what I can say is that we will be measured, we will be coordinated, it will be a NATO response, and we don't have any intention of deploying new nuclear ground launch missile systems in Europe. My message about this is that the INF issue is a serious challenge. But my message is also that it highlights and once again reminds us of the importance of the transatlantic bond, because the only way we can deal with this as a transatlantic alliance, North America and Europe standing together. So, 70 years of NATO, a great success; 20 years of Polish membership, a great success. And there are many more successful years to come. Thank you so much for the attention. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Sixth Fleet Commander Visits French Aircraft Carrier FS Charles de Gaulle Navy News Service Story Number: NNS190308-09 Release Date: 3/8/2019 11:08:00 AM From U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs MEDITERRANEAN SEA (NNS) -- The U.S. 6th Fleet commander, Vice Adm. Lisa Franchetti, at the invitation the operational commander for the Mediterranean, Vice Adm. Charles-Henri du Che, visited the French aircraft carrier FS Charles de Gaulle March 7 as the ship and its carrier strike group (CSG) began its long-planned deployment. While on board, Franchetti toured the ship, observed flight operations, and received a presentation on the integration of U.S. and partner forces with the French CSG during the Charles de Gaulle's major naval deployment. "I greatly appreciate Vice Adm. du Che's invitation to fly out to the Charles de Gaulle," said Franchetti. "It was a tremendous privilege to see Rear Adm. Lebas and his strike group operating together at sea. This deployment provides an excellent opportunity for the US and other NATO allies to work together and strengthen our combined high-end warfighting capabilities." Franchetti also had the opportunity to meet with U.S. Navy and Air Force officers participating in the Personnel Exchange Program, along with a liaison officer from the U.S. Army, serving aboard the French aircraft carrier. Participating in exchange programs with countries like France improves U.S. 6th Fleet's interoperability with partner navies and services. "Our relationship with France is strong and deeply-rooted in a shared commitment to ensuring the maritime domain remains free, supporting security and prosperity throughout the region," said Franchetti. U.S. 6th Fleet assets routinely exercise and operate with our French counterparts in exercises throughout the European region. Most recently, the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) and two P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft participated in the French exercise FANAL, the multinational advanced training period for the CSG, its units and staff to enhance training and combat readiness as a collective group. Continuing to integrate in training, exercises, and real world operations with the French navy, a long-standing ally, will remain a top priority for Franchetti and the U.S. 6th Fleet. U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US, South Korea sign deal for paying more for American military Iran Press TV Fri Mar 8, 2019 02:40PM The United States and South Korea have signed an agreement to increase the Asian country's payment for American troops deployed there after months of discussions between the two sides. US President Donald Trump has earlier threatened to withdraw some of the 28,500 US troops stationed in South Korea unless Seoul increases its financial contributions to the military deployment. Under a previous contract, which expired in December, South Korea had been paying $830 million of its taxpayer money per year to the United States to pay for about 28,500 American troops stationed in the region. Trump is reportedly also planning to apply more pressure on South Korea when the leadership of the two countries meets in coming months for the new cost-sharing deal which requires parliamentary approval in South Korea. US Ambassador to Seoul Harry Harris and South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha signed the new deal on Friday during a ceremony, where Kang called the agreement "the results of hard work and sometimes difficult work" that "the alliance can build upon to become stronger and greater." Meanwhile, Ambassador Harries said the agreement underscores "the importance of iron-clad nature of our alliance." Earlier this week, Trump cited "cost" as the reason for canceling annual joint military exercises with South Korea. Trump tweeted that "the reason I do not want military drills with South Korea is to save hundreds of millions of dollars for the US for which we are not reimbursed." After his first summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Singapore last year, Trump suspended a major US-South Korea exercise, calling joint it "very provocative" and "massively expensive." "The reason I do not want military drills with South Korea is to save hundreds of millions of dollars for the US for which we are not reimbursed," Trump tweeted. He also made the similar comments following his recent summit with the North Korean leader in Vietnam. "I was telling the generals I said: Look, you know, exercising is fun and it's nice and they play the war games," Trump told reporters. "And I'm not saying it's not necessary, because at some levels it is, but at other levels it's not. But it's a very, very expensive thing. And you know, we do have to think about that too." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Algerians protest against President Bouteflika Iran Press TV Fri Mar 8, 2019 02:33PM Thousands of Algerians have staged a protest in the capital, Algiers, against ailing President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's decision to seek a fifth term in office, a day after he warned of the risk of "chaos." The protesters gathered at Algiers' landmark Grand Post Office Square on Friday, waving the country's green, white, and red national flag and waving banners that read "Bouteflika, go!" and "No elections" until the regime is brought down. The demonstration took place amid tightened security measures, with anti-riot police vehicles and a water cannon deployed. A police helicopter was also seen flying over the city. Train and metro services in the capital were also suspended on Friday. Bouteflika called for vigilance on Thursday, saying foreign or domestic groups may seek to stoke chaos in the North African country. "Breaking this peaceful expression by any treacherous internal or foreign group may lead to sedition and chaos and resulting crises and woes," he wrote in a letter on Thursday, without mentioning opposition demands that he abandon his bid for another term. Bouteflika's letter came as some 1,000 lawyers took to the streets of the capital on Thursday saying his poor health had to disqualify him from the upcoming elections. The country's leaders "will not give in easily, but we won't either," said a taxi driver, summing up the popular mood. He said the first Friday of protests saw less than half the residents of his district of Algiers take part in the demonstrations. "On March 1, about two out of three said they would march, and (now) 100 percent of people are saying they will be out on the streets," he claimed. 'Ruling party lawmakers support protesters' Several lawmakers of the ruling FLN Party also resigned to join the mass anti-government protests, the private Ashourouq TV station reported Friday. No more details were immediately available. Anti-government protests first erupted in Algeria on February 22 over the 81-year-old Bouteflika's bid to extend his 20-year rule. Bouteflika is running in the April 18 presidential election in spite of doubts over his health condition. He has been seen in public only a few times since he suffered a stroke in 2013. Bouteflika flew to Switzerland on February 24 for what the presidential office called "routine medical checks" ahead of the vote. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Venezuela plunges into darkness after major dam 'sabotage' Iran Press TV Fri Mar 8, 2019 10:10AM Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro says the United States has declared an "electric energy war" against his country amid a widespread blackout that has left the capital Caracas and several other states in almost complete darkness. The blackout affected 23 of the country's 24 states on Thursday evening after an "attack" on the Guri Dam, a large hydroelectric facility in east Venezuela, according to the minister of electrical power, Luis Motta Dominguez. The power failure stopped subway service in the capital Caracas and caused many problems around the country. "The electric energy war declared and directed by the US imperialists against our people will be destroyed," Motta wrote in a Twitter post on Thursday. "Nothing and nobody will win over" the people of Venezuela, he added. Information Minister Jorge Rodriguez also accused right-wing "criminals" of committing "sabotage" to the dam's system of generation and distribution. "They sabotaged the central generator... it's part of the electric war against the state," the electric company CORPOELEC said, adding it was working to re-establish the service. US-backed opposition figure Juan Guaido, who declared himself president, took advantage of the power outage, accusing Maduro's government of "inefficiency". "Venezuela is clear that the light will return with the end of usurpation," he said. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also accused Maduro of "incompetence," saying the responsibility rested with his government. The US, which has long been pushing to oust the elected government of Maduro, has threatened several times to take military action to topple him. Washington has also recognized Guaido as the interim president and imposed economic sanctions on the country. The US recently confiscated Venezuela's state oil assets based in the US to channel them to the opposition. On Thursday, Trump's special representative for Venezuela threatened to "expand the net" of sanctions on the country. "There will be more sanctions on financial institutions that are carrying out the orders of the Maduro regime," said Elliott Abrams. China's stern warning China's top diplomat on Friday warned against interfering in Venezuela and imposing sanctions, saying saying the sovereignty and independence of Latin American countries should be respected. "The internal affairs of every country should be decided by their own people. External interference and sanctions will only exacerbate the tension situation, and allow the law of the jungle to once again run amok," State Councillor Wang Yi said. "There's already enough of such lessons from history, and the same old disastrous road should not be followed," he said at his annual news conference on the sidelines of China's parliament meeting. The US is unhappy about China's warming relations with Latin American countries. Last month, US national security adviser John Bolton called on El Salvador to cooperate on what he called the "predatory" expansion of China. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN Chief Urges Direct Talks Between Afghan Government, Taliban March 08, 2019 UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for immediate talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban, saying peace can only be reached through "comprehensive intra-Afghan dialogue." In a report to the Security Council circulated on March 7, Guterres said current developments represented "perhaps the most significant chance" to reach an end to the country's 17-year war. He added that "a sustainable peace agreement can be reached only through comprehensive intra-Afghan dialogue." "I call for the beginning of immediate, direct, and substantive talks, towards the hope of ending this conflict and its unacceptable toll in lives," he said. He cited progress reported in talks between U.S. officials and the Taliban in Qatar and expressed hopes they will lead to direct talks between Kabul and the militant group. The Taliban has so far refused to negotiate directly with the Afghan government, demanding that foreign troops first be withdrawn. The United States invaded Afghanistan in late 2001 after the Taliban-led government protected Al-Qaeda terrorists and Osama bin Laden, who organized the September 11, 2001, terror attacks in the United States that killed nearly 3,000 people. The Taliban was driven from power but has stepped up its efforts to overthrow the government in Kabul in recent years. Based on reporting by AP Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/un-chief-urges-direct-talks-between- afghan-government-taliban/29810218.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Former Trump Campaign Chief Manafort Sentenced To 47 Months In Prison By Mike Eckel March 08, 2019 ALEXANDRIA, Virginia -- Paul Manafort, who built a lucrative career consulting for Ukrainian politicians and later served as President Donald Trump's campaign chairman, has been sentenced to 47 months in prison. The sentence, handed down on March 7 by U.S. Judge T.S. Ellis, followed Manafort's conviction in August on bank- and tax-fraud charges, and was significantly less than what prosecutors had sought. Manafort's case was the first to be brought by Special Counsel Robert Mueller as part of his investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election and interactions between Russian officials and Trump associates. But his conviction did not deal directly with questions of possible Russian interference. Instead, it dealt with his efforts to hide millions in dollars he earned working for pro-Russian Ukrainian politicians and failing to pay U.S. taxes, utilizing more than 30 overseas bank accounts and shell companies. Ellis made that point explicitly in comments before he sentenced Manafort, 69, in U.S. District Court in Alexandria, Virginia, just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. "He's not here today for allegations that either he or the presidential campaign colluded with Russian government to interfere in the election," Ellis said. Before the judge pronounced the sentence, Manafort, dressed in a green prison jumpsuit and seated in a wheelchair, told the court, "To say I've been humiliated and shamed would be a gross understatement." "The last two years have been the most difficult my family and I have experienced," he said. But he did not apologize, something Ellis also pointed out. "I am surprised that I didn't hear you express regret for engaging in this wrongful conduct," he said. Federal sentencing guidelines called for 19.5 to 24 years, but Ellis called such a term "excessive" as he handed down the much shorter sentence. The sentence was also less than what Manafort's own defense lawyers asked for in their presentencing fillings. Ellis also ordered him to pay a $50,000 fine and pay $25 million in restitution. The charges brought against Manafort predated his time with the Trump campaign. For nearly a decade, Manafort worked for Ukraine's Party of Regions, whose main candidate was Viktor Yanukovych. Funded in part by wealthy and powerful Ukrainian oligarchs, Manafort's political strategies helped resurrect Yanukovych's political career and propelled him to the presidency in 2010. In 2014, however, Yanukovych was driven from office after months of massive street protests, and he fled to Russia. Manafort's work in Ukraine then dried up, forcing him, according to prosecutors, to resort to hiding his income in order to lower his tax burden and to get access to bank loans to continue his lavish lifestyle. In 2016, Manafort joined Trump's election campaign, and became chairman. In August of that year, however, he was fired from the campaign after revelations about the extent of the lobbying and consulting work he did for the Party of Regions. For years, one of Manafort's closest co-workers in Ukraine was Konstantin Kilimnik, a Russian-Ukrainian man whom prosecutors have alleged has close ties to Russian intelligence agencies. Federal prosecutors last year charged that Manafort, and Kilimnik, contacted potential witnesses in the criminal case against Manafort, and both were then charged with witness tampering. In June, a judge revoked Manafort's bail, and ordered him confined to jail, where he's been since. Kilimnik is believed to be in Russia and is unlikely to ever face federal charges in the United States. The sentence is the first of two that Manafort will receive this month. Next week, a judge in Washington, D.C., federal court will sentence him for the two conspiracy charges, which each carry a maximum penalty of five years. Those charges include more serious allegations: acting as an unregistered foreign agent for Ukraine, money laundering, and witness tampering. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-campaign-manafort -sentenced-virginia-court-mueller-russia/29810029.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. Envoy Calls On Serbia, Kosovo To End 'Mutual Provocations' By RFE/RL March 08, 2019 A senior U.S. envoy has urged feuding neighbors Serbia and Kosovo to stop provoking each other and to resume talks aimed at normalizing relations. David Hale, the under-secretary of state for political affairs, on March 8 also called on Kosovo to withdraw its 100 percent tariff on Serbian goods to allow European Union-led talks between the former wartime foes to restart. "The United States calls for the abolition of tariffs, an end to mutual provocations, and resumption of dialogue," Hale said in a Serbian-language tweet issued by the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade. The remarks come after Hale met with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in Belgrade. He is scheduled to meet with Kosovar leaders in Pristina on March 9. Belgrade has not recognized the independence of its former province, proclaimed in 2008 after a 1998-99 guerrilla war. More than 10,000 were killed in the war, which prompted NATO to launch an air campaign in the spring of 1999 to end the conflict. In 2013, Pristina and Belgrade committed to EU-sponsored dialogue meant to resolve all unsolved issues but little progress has been made. Vucic has repeatedly said Serbia will not resume talks with Kosovo until it abolishes import tariffs. Pristina has insisted that Serbia fully recognize its independence and to stop its efforts to block Kosovo from joining the United Nations and other international organizations. On March 6, Kosovo's parliament adopted a 12-point negotiating platform that stipulates mutual recognition between Serbia and Kosovo, while preserving current borders between the two. Vucic told Hale that Kosovo's platform "amounts to a decision by Pristina to halt dialogue with Belgrade" because it leaves no room for compromise, according to a statement by the Serbian presidential office. In a speech later on March 8, Vucic called Kosovo's negotiating platform an "ultimatum" aimed at "humiliating Serbia." "I will never agree to that. With those who don't want the talks, there are no talks and there will be no talks," Vucic told supporters. With reporting by AP, Reuters, and RFE/RL's Balkan Service Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/us-envoy-hale-urges-kosovo -serbia-end-provocations/29811306.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Will Rustam Emomali Become The Next President Of Tajikistan? By RFE/RL March 08, 2019 At age 29, he was appointed as mayor of Dushanbe. In 2018, the Tajik Constitution was amended to allow a person as young as 30 to run for president. Now, following claims by a prominent opposition activist that he was recently abducted, tortured, and pressured to support Rustam Emomali in the 2020 presidential election, the 31-year-old son of the country's long-standing authoritarian leader is squarely back in the spotlight. Rustam Emomali, the eldest son of 66-year-old President Emomali Rahmon, has never publicly said he would run for the presidency, but it is widely believed that he is being groomed as the heir apparent. Tajik President Emomali Rahmon (right) with Rustam Emomali The prospect reemerged this week after Sharofiddin Gadoev, a member of the banned Group 24 opposition movement, made allegations that state officials had pressured him to support Emomali. "Their plan for me included...leading the 17 members of Group 24 who have returned to Tajikistan and gradually supporting the policies of President Rahmon and Rustam Emomali," he told RFE/RL's Tajik Service in a March 7 interview. "They mentioned that 'Rustam Emomali will take part in the 2020 election and...you will support him.'" Prior to replacing Muhammadsaid Ubaidulloev, a Rahmon ally, as Dushanbe mayor two years ago, Emomali headed a state financial oversight and anticorruption agency. Prior to that, he served as the chief of the state customs service, a position he received at the age of 25, along with a military rank of major general. His age stood in the way of him ascending politically at the national level. But in 2018, Tajikistan's parliament approved amendments to the elections law, reducing the eligibility age from 35 to 30 both for the presidency and for legislative posts in parliament's upper chamber. The amendments, endorsed in a 2016 referendum, also gave Rahmon the right to run for an unlimited number of terms. Rahmon signed the measures into law in February 2018. The right to unlimited terms applies only to Rahmon, who was granted the title of Leader of the Nation. No Opposition With no real opposition, and no genuine political rival to challenge the incumbent Rahmon, the main question being asked by analysts is whether it will be father or son in the presidential office after 2020. Tajikistan is expected to hold both presidential and parliamentary elections that year, although no exact dates have been set yet. "There are two options in the election that both depend on the same person: Will Rahmon decide to run himself or bring forward his son, Rustam's candidacy?" says Parviz Mullojonov, a Dushanbe-based independent expert on political affairs. "This is what the experts believe." Tajikistan doesn't have a record of free-and-fair elections. Rahmon's government has been repeatedly criticized for suppressing dissent and restricting political freedoms. The opposition Islamic Renaissance Party, which is viewed as a moderate religious movement, was branded as a terrorist group and banned in 2015. Dozens of party officials and lawyers were sent to prison. The Group 24 movement was branded "extremist" and outlawed in 2014 after it called for antigovernment protests. Gadoev's comments suggest that efforts are under way in Dushanbe to transfer power to Emomali sooner rather than later. The activist said that during interrogations in Dushanbe, one high-ranking general told him that "Rustam Emomali is the future president of Tajikistan." Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/will-rustam-emomali-become- the-next-president-of-tajikistan-/29810996.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. Charges Daughter Of Late Uzbek President With Bribery, Corruption By Mike Eckel March 08, 2019 The United States has for the first time named Gulnara Karimova, the elder daughter of the late president of Uzbekistan, in a major international bribery scheme, charging her with conspiracy to violate U.S. foreign-corruption laws. The criminal charges, announced on March 7 by the U.S. Justice Department, came just days after Karimova was abruptly detained in Tashkent, accused of violating her house arrest, and ordered sent to an Uzbek prison. While U.S. court documents have in the past suggested the involvement of Karimova in violation of foreign corrupt practices, the filing was the first time she has been explicitly named -- a further sign of how deep her criminal liability has become. The Justice Department said it was one of the largest bribery schemes ever under the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. It is also an indication of how the government of Uzbekistan, under the successor to President Islam Karimov, has moved to target major figures from the Karimov era including his relatives. The charges stem from an alleged bribery scheme involving Russia's largest mobile-phone provider, MTS. The Moscow-based company, whose shares trade on U.S. stock exchanges, on March 7 announced it had reached an agreement with U.S. prosecutors under which it would pay $850 million to settle bribery and corruption charges related to its business in Uzbekistan. According to U.S. court filings, Karimov and a longtime aide named Bekhzod Akhmedov conspired to solicit more than $865 million in bribes related to mobile-phone licenses and regulations in Uzbekistan over more than 11 years, between 2001 and 2012. The companies included MTS, but also VimpelCom and the Scandinavian telecom company that used to be known as TeliaSonera. Both those companies paid record settlements to U.S. and other foreign regulators for bribery schemes that also were connected to Karimova. "This is the third installment in a trilogy of cases arising from an almost $1 billion bribery scheme that reached the highest echelons of the Uzbekistan government and was orchestrated by some of the largest telecommunications companies in the world," U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman said in a statement. Following her detention, Karimova's whereabouts was not clear. Akhmedov, meanwhile, was a longtime aide for Karimova, who fled to Moscow in 2012. In an affidavit filed in September 2012 with Russian law enforcement officials, Akhmedov provided explicit details about Karimova's business practices while he still lived in Tashkent. He asserted that he and his family was threatened repeatedly and pressured to pony up hundreds of thousands of dollars for a Karimova foundation event. flashy socialite known for fashion shows and syrupy pop-music videos, Karimova was at one point thought to be an heir to Karimov and the presidency. But she disappeared from the public eye in 2014. Uzbek prosecutors subsequently confirmed she was under house arrest and being investigated for suspected corruption and other charges. On March 5, Uzbekistan's Prosecutor-General's Office said a Tashkent court had found she had violated the terms of her house arrest and ordered her sent to prison. Since Karimov's death in 2016, his successor, Shavkat Mirziyoev, has moved to make Uzbekistan more business-friendly and to attract Western investment. His government has also engaged in a purge of thousands of government officials appointed under Karimov and has even moved to target top law enforcement, including the former prosecutor-general. U.S. authorities, meanwhile, have been engaged in multiyear negotiations with Uzbekistan over the fate of nearly $1 billion in assets belonging to Karimova that have been frozen in Swiss and other bank accounts. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/us-charges-gulnara -karimova-bribery-corruption-uzbekistan -russia-mts/29810045.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address EU Parliament Leaders Back Romanian Candidate For EU Prosecutor By RFE/RL March 08, 2019 Leaders of the European Parliament have endorsed former Romanian anti-corruption chief Laura Codruta Koevesi as their top choice to be the first-ever EU chief prosecutor. The parliament's Conference of Presidents on March 7 approved a prior decision of two parliamentary committees to put Koevesi at the top of their shortlist. The conference then assigned three European lawmakers to negotiate with the Council of the EU, which comprises representatives of all 28 EU member states, on choosing either Koevesi or French prosecutor Jean-Francois Bohnert, who is the council's choice, for the European prosecutor job. The European Union decided in November 2017 to set up the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) to tackle graft, VAT fraud, and other crimes involving the bloc's multibillion-euro joint budget. The EPPO is expected to begin operating next year or in 2021. The need for such a trans-EU body has become necessary to tackle the activities of organized criminals who make multibillion-euro profits from circumventing national and EU rules. According to official figures from across the bloc, the EU budget was defrauded of 638 million euros ($718 million) in 2015 alone. Romania's government, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the EU Council, has actively lobbied against Koevesi, who served as the country's chief anti-corruption prosecutor until she was fired last year. Also on March 7, Koevesi was summoned by a controversial Romanian investigative agency for a second hearing in less than a month on charges of abuse of office, bribery, and false testimony. At the end of the hearing, Koevesi told the media that she was held incommunicado for five hours before a "group of nine or 10 lawyers" came to officially inform her that she had been indicted in a second case. "I am accused of running an organized crime group inside the National Anti-Corruption Directorate," she told reporters after the hearing. "I am categorically telling you, I am not guilty of any of the accusations leveled against me. All this campaign is categorically tied to my candidacy.... I was subpoenaed exactly on the day when the [European Parliament] vote was being decided." Critics have said that Koevesi was subpoenaed in order to smear her record and diminish her chances of getting the Brussels position. Koevesi headed the National Anti-Corruption Directorate (DNA) for five years until last year, when she was dismissed by the leftist government. Many observers saw her dismissal as an attempt to sideline her after the DNA's conviction rates for high-level graft jumped across the political spectrum during her tenure in one of the bloc's most corrupt countries, drawing EU praise. Critics say her dismissal was also meant to prevent the DNA from convicting more senior members of the governing alliance, including the leader of the ruling Social Democratic Party. Liviu Dragnea, who is also speaker of the lower house of parliament, has been convicted of abuse of power with the help of the DNA and has a second pending sentence for corruption. Koevesi's efficiency as chief anti-graft prosecutor in one of the bloc's most corrupt countries has attracted not only praise from the EU, but also a lot of interest from Brussels, whose European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) established in 1999 has had only limited scope. Unlike OLAF, which is empowered to conduct only administrative investigations and has no judicial power to compel member states to act on its follow-up recommendations, the EPPO will be responsible for cross-border criminal investigations. While acting in the interests of the bloc, the EPPO will be fully independent, taking no orders from the EU or national authorities. It will operate as a single office across the 22 participating countries, outside the EU institutions. OLAF will keep looking into irregularities and fraud affecting the EU's financial interests at an administrative level, while consulting and coordinating closely with the EPPO. Six EU member states have not joined the EPPO: Hungary, Ireland, Poland, Sweden, Britain, and Denmark. With the exception of Denmark, which has an opt-out from the bloc's Area of Freedom, Security and Justice, the other five states may join at any time. Written by Eugen Tomiuc with reporting by Politico.eu, Digi24.ro, G4media.ro, and RFE/RL's Romanian Service Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/eu-parliament- leaders-back-romanian-candidate-for -eu-prosecutor/29810236.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pakistan Violating Ceasefire Along LoC With Artillery Strikes - Indian Army Sputnik News 18:19 08.03.2019(updated 19:11 08.03.2019) The Indian and Pakistani armed forces have clashed repeatedly in recent days amid strong tensions over last week's anti-terrorist operation by Indian aircraft over Pakistani territory in Kashmir. The Indian Army has accused Pakistani forces of violating the fragile ceasefire along multiple points at the Line of Control border between the two countries in the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. "Ceasefire violation by Pakistan along LoC in Shahpur and Kerni Sectors in Poonch today. From 18:00 hours (Indian Standard Time) onwards, Pakistan initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by heavy shelling with artillery and small arms fire," the Army said in a statement Friday. A police officer in the town of Poonch said an Indian special police officer had been injured in the shelling and taken to local hospital for treatment. Tensions along the LoC, which serves as the de facto border between India and Pakistan in Kashmir, have been high since last week's Indian Air Force operation to destroy the base of an al-Qaeda affiliated terrorist group which claimed responsibility for a deadly terror attack against Indian troops last month. On Wednesday, sources in the Indian security establishment accused Pakistan of mobilising additional troops and weaponry along the highly militarised border region, with the Army warning that any provocation would lead to "dire consequences." The two sides have also accused one another of targeting civilians in the recent back and forth clashes along the border. Earlier this week, hopes for a diplomatic reset emerged amid a "relatively calm" situation along the LoC, with each country making statements urging restrait against the backdrop of next week's meeting between Indian and Pakistani officials in New Delhi, and a followup visit by Indian officials to Islamabad on March 28, to discuss a draft agreement on the Kartarpur Corridor, a proposed border agreement which is hoped to serve as an olive branch to calm tensions between the nuclear neighbours. Tensions between India and Pakistan were heightened last month after a terrorist car bombing in the Indian-controlled area of Kashmir killed over 40 Indian policemen. Jaish-e-Mohammed, a Pakistan-based terrorist group affiliated to al-Qaeda, claimed responsibliity for the attack. India accused Pakistan of inaction against terrorism, and conducted airstrikes against a JeM training camp inside Pakistani territory on February 26. Islamabad blasted the assault, calling it a violation of Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and denied New Delhi's claims that it wasn't doing enough to fight terror. The terrorist attack and airstrikes have since led to further incidents, including dogfights between Indian and Pakistani warplanes in which at least one Indian MiG-21 and a Pakistani F-16 were reportedly destroyed, and multiple skirmishes along the Line of Control between Indian and Pakistani troops which killed and injured multiple troops and well over a dozen civilians on both sides. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Washington Wants to Make Allies Pay Huge Premium for Hosting US Troops - Reports Sputnik News 17:31 08.03.2019 WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The United States is considering raising the price for stationing US military troops in allied countries, Bloomberg reported on Friday. The US administration is drawing up plans for Germany, Japan and eventually other countries hosting US troops to pay the full price for the deployment of American soldiers in their respective countries, plus 50 percent or more for the privilege of hosting them, Bloomberg reported, citing a dozen administration officials and people briefed on the matter. According to the report, nations currently hosting US forces could be asked to pay five to six times as much as they do now under the so-called "Cost Plus 50" formula. US President Donald Trump, who frequently criticizes US allies for their lack of defence spending, has championed the idea for months, the report said. Officials caution that "Cost Plus 50" is one of many ideas under consideration, and it may be toned down. Despite the proposal's early stage, it has sent "shock waves" through the US departments of Defence and State, where officials fear the proposal could further alienate allies in Asia and Europe already questioning Trump's commitment to them, the report said. Since taking office in January 2017, US President Donald Trump has repeatedly pressed other NATO member states to meet their annual defence spending obligations within the alliance. Only five out of 29 NATO members Estonia, Greece, Latvia, the United Kingdom, and the United States currently meet their commitment to spend 2 percent of their GDP on defence, according to NATO. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Most of Venezuela Hit By Power Outage - Reports Sputnik News 04:45 08.03.2019(updated 05:55 08.03.2019) MOSCOW/CARACAS (Sputnik) Power outage was registered in 21 out of 23 states of Venezuela, local media have reported amid "sabotage" at the major hydroelectric power plant Guri, reported by the National Electric Power Corporation. The corporation made its statement on Thursday, saying it was working to restore power supply. "Guri has faced sabotage It is a part of an electric war against the state. We will not allow this! We are working to restore power supply," the corporation wrote on Twitter on Thursday. The Nacional newspaper reported on Thursday that the country's capital of Caracas had also faced a blackout. A Sputnik correspondent reported on Thursday that in Caracas, metro lines had been shut down. Moreover, local residents experienced mobile service outage. Venezuela's Electric Power Minister Luis Motta Dominguez subsequently said the authorities were working to solve the blackout issue. "We are getting ready to restore power supply as soon as possible It could take three hours," the minister told the Telesur broadcaster. Since January, Venezuela has been facing protests against President Nicolas Maduro. On January 5, lawmaker Juan Guaido was elected the head of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, which all other government branches have been refusing to recognize since 2016. On January 23, two days after the Venezuelan Supreme Court annulled his election, Guaido declared himself the country's "interim president." Maduro, who was sworn in for his second presidential term on January 10 after winning the May election, which part of the opposition boycotted, qualified Guaido's move as an attempt to stage a coup orchestrated by Washington. The United States immediately recognized Guaido, after which some 50 other countries, including Colombia, followed suit. Russia, China, Cuba, Bolivia and a number of other states have, in the meantime, voiced their support for the legitimate government of Maduro. Mexico and Uruguay have refused to recognize Guaido, declaring themselves neutral and promoting crisis settlement via dialogue. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Special Representative for Venezuela Elliott Abrams Special Briefing Elliott Abrams U.S. Special Representative for Venezuela Press Briefing Room Washington, DC March 8, 2019 MR PALLADINO: Happy Friday, everybody. QUESTION: Happy Friday. MR PALLADINO: Good to see you all. We have back again this week Special Representative for Venezuela. QUESTION: An encore performance. MR PALLADINO: There is important things to talk about, so let's get to it, please. MR ABRAMS: Okay, hi. I wanted to provide an update on Venezuela, which had another momentous week. Interim President Juan Guaido's return to Venezuela was an important milestone for his efforts to restore democracy to his country. The warm welcome he received from Venezuelans and the international community is a sign of the broad support he enjoys. You also know that the regime illegitimately declared, attempted to declare the German ambassador to Venezuela Daniel Kreiner persona non grata. The United States stands with Germany and the more than 50 other countries in the world recognizing Juan Guaido as the interim president of Venezuela. Humanitarian aid our humanitarian aid flights continue to Cucuta there was a flight this week in support of the urgent humanitarian needs of the Venezuelan people. And as you know, since February 4th we have pre-positioned hundreds of metric tons of critical relief supplies in Colombia and Brazil, procured internationally and also procured locally there to help tens of thousands of Venezuelans. Yesterday's flight included lifesaving medical supplies for hospitals and clinics, and we are continuing to try to find ways to support the people of Venezuela during this humanitarian crisis and ways to get that aid in. On visas, earlier this week Vice President Pence announced another 77 visa revocations of regime officials and their families. You remember that last time I was here I announced 49. That's going to continue. We are going to continue to use this tool to show these officials and their families they are not welcome in the United States and to show that fact to all Venezuelans. We are using sanctions and diplomatic actions to pressure the Maduro regime, a regime that continues to undermine democratic institutions, carry out human rights abuses, and engage in rampant corruption. We are hopeful that other countries will use these and other tools at their disposal to increase the pressure on Maduro's inner circle and family members. Treasury is continuing its sanctions of financial institutions, and as I said yesterday on the Hill, there will be more. The nationwide power outage throughout Venezuela is a reminder that the country's once quite sophisticated infrastructure has been plundered and allowed to decay under Maduro's misrule. For Venezuelans, this is much more than an inconvenience. It affects safety and security in an already dangerous country. For those in hospitals, this can affect lifesaving care. For those who have used very scarce personal resources to buy perishable foods that are already hard to come by, this can mean foregoing yet another meal or risking illness. As Secretary Pompeo tweeted last night, Maduro's policies bring nothing but darkness. Just a word about the hearing yesterday. It was interesting. It was a subcommittee hearing, the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere. But the chairman of the full committee, Chairman Risch, and the ranking member of the full committee, Senator Menendez, were both present, in addition to the chairman and ranking member of the subcommittee. That's reasonably rare and it shows the level of interest. And I think we also saw yesterday the bipartisan support for the policy of the administration in supporting Juan Guaido as interim president and helping the Venezuelan people achieve a return to democracy in Venezuela. I'd be happy to take some questions. MR PALLADINO: Matt. QUESTION: So two things briefly. One, did the U.S. have anything to do with the power outage, as some people have suggested in a conspiratorial way? MR ABRAMS: No. That's an easy one. QUESTION: Okay. So what's the cause of it as far as you know? MR ABRAMS: I don't know the exact cause. I don't know what line was overburdened, or what transformer blew up, or what caused it. I imagine that in the coming days we'll be able to find out. But somebody sent me an email this morning saying that this has been predicted, that the maintenance has not been taking place, and that a number of experts, having looked at this over the course of the last year, said there were going to be more and more blackouts. Now, of course there are there have been a series of temporary blackouts. There's never been a basically nationwide blackout of what is now roughly 20 hours. That's new. QUESTION: Okay. And then secondly, you keep referring to the support that Interim President Guaido has from the international community. You mention Germany specifically. But that number of countries that recognize him as and not Maduro as the legitimate leader is static. It's not it's 54, right? And it hasn't moved since you were last here a week ago, right? So in your mind, what the international community is 54 countries? I mean, that's fewer than are in the coalition against ISIS, it's fewer than there were in the coalition of the willing, and I mean, far fewer. And again, it's only it's less than a third of UN member-states. So what's the justification for saying that the support is increasing or even that the "international community," quote-unquote, unless you have an odd definition of international community being a small number what backs up the claim that he has increasing support? MR ABRAMS: I would say first, I think if you identify the countries, you have most of the world's leading democracies in the Western Hemisphere and in Europe, and you have many that are economically significant. Secondly, in our conversations with other countries that have not recognized President Guaido, we do not hear very often, "You have the wrong policy." What we hear is, "We're not there quite yet," or "This is a domestic political issue, we're trying to solve it," or frankly in the case of the Caribbean, we hear great concern about debts and what the regime might do. In some cases where countries have lots of citizens of their own in Venezuela, they say that they are concerned that their embassy might be closed or there might be actions taken against their citizens. We do not hear, that is, "Oh, this is all wrong and we don't agree with your support of Interim President Guaido." So -- QUESTION: But I thought that you said that you had spoken to the Russians. Don't they say that? Don't the Chinese say that? MR ABRAMS: The Russians and the Chinese do say that. QUESTION: Right. MR ABRAMS: I wasn't talking about the Russians and Chinese. QUESTION: Oh, okay. Right. MR ABRAMS: I was basically talking about democracies that have not yet recognized Mr. Guaido as president. I'm really happy with the list of countries we have. It will be nice to add to it; I don't know that it will make a huge difference to the internal situation in Venezuela, frankly. So we are trying to expand the list, but I think the extraordinary thing is, again, we have if I think I have the number right 24 of 28 EU countries. We have most of the major Western Hemispheric countries in Latin America, Canada, the United States, and that's very rare in a situation like this. So we're very happy with where we are in terms of international support. MR PALLADINO: Let's go Washington Post. Carol. QUESTION: Thank you, Mr. Abrams. You say that the United States had nothing to do with the immediate cause of this electricity going down, but is it possible that sanctions may have exacerbated the situation and indirectly caused it? And do you really have any other arrows in your quiver besides sanctions? And if they don't work, why is Maduro still clinging to power? MR PALLADINO: I don't accept the argument which I have heard made that one of the key causes to problems inside Venezuela economic problems is our sanctions. And I would urge you to take a look at comments made yesterday actually, at the end of my own appearance and beginning of the second panel by Senator Menendez, who addressed issue squarely, and reminded the committee that the sanctions are much newer than the problems. This is a multi-year decline in Venezuela. The situation there, due to the mismanagement, the economic policies, and the sheer corruption of this regime are the cause of those problems. So the United States did not cause those problems, the international community did not; the regime caused those problems. The United States had nothing to do with the regime's failure over a 10-year period to attend to the electric infrastructure of the country, for example. So I just I don't accept that view. As to the second part of the question, we are working with the National Assembly, Interim President Guaido, lots of other countries to put diplomatic pressure on the regime, to help the National Assembly, which is actually acting as an assembly I mean, they meet; they pass laws to prepare for the transition. I do think that the sanctions are very useful in bringing home, to people in the regime as well as other Venezuelans, that they're in a situation that cannot possibly end well for them. So we make no apologies for the sanctions. I do think that there were a lot of people who had the view that, oh, the United States is going to do PDVSA sanctions, for example, and then Maduro will leave and then it will be February. We did not have that view, and as I think I may have said here, but I frankly don't remember, Secretary Pompeo did not, when he asked me to do this, say come on over to the State Department for three or four weeks and we'll resolve all this and then you go back to the Council on Foreign Relations. We have understood that this is a struggle in Venezuela whose length we can't predict. No one can predict it. Regimes always look or often look quite solid and quite strong the day before they collapse, so none of us know how to predict the timing, but I think the direction is very, very clear and the outcome is clear. MR PALLADINO: Let's go to NTN. QUESTION: Mr. Abrams, I wanted to ask you two things. Number one, the Lima Group opposed the use of force, and there doesn't seem to be a lot of support for a military intervention in the U.S. Congress. What would it take for the U.S. Government to take a more decisive position towards a military intervention? What would have to happen? And number two, Human Rights Watch and some of Mr. Guaido's public officials here in Washington asked for the U.S. Government to include Venezuelans within the TPS program. You said in Congress that it was under review. What would it take for the White House to clear Venezuelans for a TPS program? Thank you. MR ABRAMS: On the second point, I really don't have anything to add to what I said at the hearing yesterday. We're aware of the situation of Venezuelans in the United States; we're aware of views of many in Congress, particularly senators and congressmen and women who represent Florida; we're aware of the legislation that Senator Rubio and I think Senator Menendez have introduced, and we are working on this issue. We are thinking about how to address this issue. I would point out that there are 74,000 current applications for asylum by Venezuelans in the United States, and those applications represent sometimes individuals, but they may also represent families. So we're not exactly sure of the number of people who are included in asylum applications. So Venezuelans who are here are aware of how they can try to regularize their status and stay in the United States longer. But anyway, we are that's a subject of concern that we are thinking about. What would have to happen to use the military? You know I can't speculate about that. There this is a dangerous world. One cannot predict the way things turn. I wouldn't try to do so. I wouldn't want to give you hypotheticals, but I would just say the President has said all options are on the table. They always are on the table. But that is not the path we are choosing to follow. The path we're choosing to follow now is the one that has been often described, which is diplomatic, economic, and financial pressure in an effort to support the people of Venezuela. That's the path we are taking now. MR PALLADINO: Let's go to Bloomberg. QUESTION: Mr. Abrams, in the weeks since Juan Guaido was recognized as the interim president, the Secretary of State and you have sort of intimated that there would be that the military would flip in imminently, that something might happen next week or the next week. Have you been disappointed I mean, you remarked a little bit about the timeline, but have you been disappointed that the military continues to seemingly side with Mr. Maduro? MR ABRAMS: Wouldn't say that I wouldn't use the word "disappointed." I would say we continue to call on the Venezuelan military to follow their own constitution. We call on them to restore it's better in Spanish institucionalidad. We don't really have a word in English institutionality but to restore their own proper role in any country. One of the definitions of having a state is having monopoly on force and violence for the security forces of the state. That's not happening in Venezuela, where the government is using, the regime is using armed gangs, colectivos. One would think that the police and military in any country would find that unacceptable. So we continue to hope that people in the Venezuelan security forces understand that the future of their country is going to be in much better hands if the Maduro regime comes to an end and the transition to democracy begins. And again, I would say it doesn't look like that is happening until the day that it begins to happen. QUESTION: So you have no indication right now that that's imminent, a switch in allegiances? MR ABRAMS: Well, we have lots of information suggesting that just as most Venezuelans are clearly unhappy with this regime and want it to come to an end, most members of the Venezuelan military feel the same way. That's not surprising. If you're a member of the Venezuelan military, you may get a small and inadequate lunch at the barracks, but that doesn't help your aunts and your uncles and your cousins and your brothers and your sisters. Members of the Venezuelan military know what's going on in the country. So we will continue to call upon them to act upon that knowledge. MR PALLADINO: PBS. QUESTION: Thanks, Mr. Abrams, for doing this. Two questions, if you don't mind. One, the national security advisor talked about secondary sanctions on Twitter. Kind of an invitation for you to put some meat on the bone. Is that about Russia and Cuba? Is that about India, who's been buying petrol from Venezuela? Is that about ships going between Venezuela and Cuba? And the second one there were 200 soldiers or exiled soldiers near the bridge in Cucuta the day that the humanitarian assistance was supposed to cross, led by General Alcala. Colombian Government stepped in and stopped that plan. Was the U.S. involved with that at all? Regardless of that, is it helpful to have that happen? Thanks. MR ABRAMS: The United States Government has said that we will not use force to deliver that aid, and the Colombian Government has said the same thing. So obviously we agree with that view and would not be involved in any actions that would be contrary to that view. On secondary sanctions, it's always it's out there. It's always a possibility. We have not done it yet and I wouldn't want to speculate as to whether we will or what would lead us to make that additional decision. MR PALLADINO: Fox. QUESTION: Thanks, Mr. Abrams. Is following up on Nick's question, is there a way beyond sanctions, perhaps, that the United States can get to or attempt to turn the military and political leadership in that country? And just a second question. Sixteen Democratic lawmakers reportedly sent the State Department a letter saying that the U.S. stands alone in imposing sanctions against Venezuela, that it hurts the civilian population there, and that it also plays into the narrative that Juan Guaido is a puppet of Washington. If you wouldn't mind responding to that as well. MR ABRAMS: We've been saying from the very beginning of the sanctions that the sanctions are meant to be temporary. Every single notice from Treasury and you see this in the the next notice says sanctions can be removed. The purpose is to motivate people to change their behavior. So while we impose sanctions or visa revocations, we make it very clear this is reversible if people's pattern of conduct changes. So it's not just a punishment; we hope it is also an inducement to a changed pattern of behavior. The allegation that Juan Guaido is some kind of puppet of the United States I think is, first, ridiculous, and second, has been disproved in a number of ways. One of them is the number of countries that support him, countries which were called puppets of the United States in the UN Security Council in a manner, I must say, that did not help the cause of Nicolas Maduro and his regime. But you saw the way in which Guaido was received as he stopped in a bunch of Latin American capitals received by the presidents of those countries. So I just think if you look at the Lima Group, if you look at the EU countries, the leadership we've seen in Canada, which hosted a Lima Group meeting, it's a ridiculous charge. As to the again, as to the sanctions hurting people in Venezuela, the United States has now spent weeks trying to get additional aid into Venezuela. We have actually used DOD assets to move the aid as close to the border Venezuela as we possibly could. The reason that aid has not gotten in, and much more aid that could get in, could get in from Curacao by boat, that could get in across the Brazilian border, is very simple to describe: It's the Maduro regime. But again, I would add, as I did, I guess, to Carol that this economic decline is not new. The situation in Venezuela now is a product of years of corruption and incompetence and venality on the part of this regime. That's the problem, and the solution is to replace it with a democratic government that actually is responsive to the needs of the people. Senator Rubio made the comment yesterday that there is this was after Administrator Green's testimony there is malnourishment and there is real hunger in Venezuela, but when you look at Maduro and his closest aides, you don't see any malnourishment. They're not sharing in the suffering of the people, which is considerable. So we're trying to help, and the regime has not permitted it. Other countries Latin American countries, European countries, have sent food. Several Latin American countries sent food to Cucuta, and it's clear that more would be available if the regime would let it in. MR PALLADINO: Last question, BBC. QUESTION: The UN is again warning about the growing refugee crisis, so I just wondered, is the administration at all open to taking in some Venezuelan refugees as part of its policy, or is that absolutely not a consideration? And secondly, I just wondered about your take on how Guaido was allowed back into the country without there was warnings that he might be arrested and that sort of thing, but so what's your take on how he was able to come back? MR ABRAMS: There were some statements by people in the regime that he would be arrested. There were lots of voices out there. Some said he will be arrested, some said justice will be done or other words like that that suggested he would be. And of course, we feared not only for his arrest, but worse. It didn't happen. And he made the comment that when he as he passed through customs and immigration, one of the agents said, "Welcome, Bienvenido, Presidente." "Welcome, President." It was extraordinary. He then rode into town and he rode past a neighborhood that is generally viewed of apartment houses built in the Chavez period that is generally viewed as an area not only that is pro-Chavez, but where a lot of colectivos are, and people were cheering. So I think his reception was extraordinary. Why did the regime decide to do it? One can only speculate, and our speculation is that they thought the public reaction, the popular reaction, would be dangerous to the regime if they acted against him. On the refugee situation, well, I've said before that we are thinking about the question of Venezuelans who are in the United States, and a very significant proportion of the Venezuelans in the United States are already availing themselves, in a sense, of American refugee and asylum policy by seeking asylum status. In general, I guess I should say that most Venezuelans don't have that opportunity and have taken the opportunity instead to walk or go by bus in many cases across the borders, particularly to Colombia, Peru, Ecuador. And those countries have proved very hospitable to them. I guess I'll leave it there. Thank you. QUESTION: But the only discussion about refugees -- MR PALLADINO: All right. Thanks. QUESTION: -- is about TPS. It's not about -- MR PALLADINO: Good? Elliott, thanks for coming today, appreciate it. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Peace deal holds in South Sudan, but humanitarian funding 'ultimately unsustainable,' says top UN envoy 8 March 2019 - September's UN-backed South Sudan peace agreement is holding and has led to positive change, but tens of thousands of civilians in the war-weary nation are still reliant of life-saving humanitarian assistance, and time is running out. This was the message that David Shearer, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for South Sudan, relayed to the Security Council on Friday. Mr Shearer outlined four notable changes in the country since the signing of the accord. Firstly, opposition politicians are now moving freely around the capital, Juba, and taking part in negotiations to cement the fragile peace deal. The top envoy who also heads the UN Mission, UNMISS, also described a "palpable" enthusiasm for peace amongst the participants of around 70 different peace-related forums involving representatives of the Government and main opposition figures, many of which have been facilitated by the mission. The third positive outcome is a significant drop in political violence, meaning that "many people are alive today who might not have been without the agreement signed," said Mr. Shearer. Finally, he told Council members, South Sudanese are, for the first time, expressing a willingness to return home. Some 135,000 of the estimated 2.3 million refugees in the country have already made the move. Mr. Shearer acknowledged, however, that the peace process faces several challenges. In Central Equatoria region, for example, forces that have not joined the peace process continue to fight government soldiers, with reports of lootings, civilian deaths and continuing sexual assaults. Ensuring that perpetrators of sexual violence are brought to justice is a vital part of the reconciliation, said Mr. Shearer, and UNMISS is working with the Government to build up the capacity of the justice system to deal with these crimes, operating a mobile court system by flying prosecutors and judges out to hotspots, and opening a new UN-supported special court to try crimes of sexual and gender-based violence, he noted. Maintaining the momentum of the peace process is another significant challenge, said the UN Special Representative, with the agreed timetable well behind schedule, and several fundamental issues still to be resolved. These include the definition of regional boundaries, the formation of a unified armed force, and the completion of a new constitution. Humanitarian aid still a lifeline for thousands Although South Sudan has seen relatively stability for some five months, the population is still facing high levels of food insecurity, and an absence of health and education services. Mr. Shearer pointed out that the aid received by South Sudan in 2018 some $1 billion is more than twice the country's state budget, a situation he described as unsustainable: "It is a reality that South Sudan's leaders often forget - or take for granted - that their country is supported by taxpayers around the world." The UN envoy added that UNMISS and other agencies are focusing on building up the resilience of communities in more stable regions of the country, in order to promote a shift away from reliance on aid. Mr. Shearer warned that there are just two months to go until a transitional government which will include representatives of the main opposition is scheduled to take office, and that a failed peace process could herald a return to violence: "The cost of failure is unthinkable. So, while responsibility lies primarily with the parties to the conflict, it also is beholden on us all to ensure that we move forward together to make this agreement a reality for the sake of the people of South Sudan." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN rights team heading to Venezuela may pave way for official mission led by Bachelet 8 March 2019 - A United Nations human rights team is to begin an official visit to Venezuela on Monday at the invitation of the Government, potentially paving the way for an official mission to Caracas by the UN's top rights official, Michelle Bachelet. Five staff members are to tour the country from 11 to 22 March, her office, OHCHR, said on Friday, amid a protracted crisis, arising from a faltering economy, political instability, and violent anti-Government demonstrations. The announcement follows an initial invitation last November from President Nicolas Maduro to High Commissioner Bachelet, which was reiterated by Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza at the current Human Rights Council session in Geneva. "During its visit, the team will seek to meet with Government officials, representatives of the National Assembly, civil society organisations and victims of human rights violations," OHCHR said in a statement. "The team will visit Caracas, as well as other cities in a number of states in Venezuela." 'Standard practice' ahead of High Commissioner visit The High Commissioner's office added that it is "standard practice" for a technical team to be deployed ahead of a "possible" visit by her. This is to ensure that Ms. Bachelet would have "unfettered access to the people and places she would need to visit, to be able to gain a clear understanding of the human rights situation in the country", OHCHR's statement explained. UNHCR centre opens in Colombia for vulnerable Venezuelans In another development, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, announced on Friday that it has opened a reception centre in Colombia for the most vulnerable Venezuelans crossing the border. Thousands of Venezuela nationals are still leaving the country every day and UNHCR spokesperson Andrej Mahecic said that many of them have resorted to living on the streets in neighbouring Colombia. The new facility in the border city of Maicao, in La Guajira region, has space for 350 people, with room for expansion if necessary, the UNHCR official explained. "A significant number of Venezuelans in Maicao are living on the streets or in informal settlements and 81 per cent of those interviewed, said that they required shelter," Mr. Mahecic said. Colombia's generosity praised but reception capacity 'overwhelmed' Colombia now hosts more than one million Venezuelans, who despite the authorities' generosity and open-border policy, have overwhelming humanitarian needs, according to UNHCR. "Over 3.4 million Venezuelans are living abroad, of whom 2.7 million have left the country since 2015," Mr. Mahecic said. "Colombia is the country that is most affected by the outflow, with over 1.1 million Venezuelan refugees and migrants." To help them, the new centre will provide shelter, food, water, basic medical care, and other services in the centre, on a short-term basis. "It's a reception centre which will basically serve to provide immediate support to the most vulnerable categories" Mr. Mahecic said." That may involve unaccompanied children, children who may have been separated from their families, vulnerable women, people who have disabilities, and so on. It is not meant to provide a permanent shelter on a long-term basis." '5,000 people leave Venezuela every day' This year, the UN agency is appealing for more than $730 million to help more than nearly three million Venezuelans and host communities in 16 countries. "On average, we still see that about 5,000 people cross into the neighbouring countries, and from those neighbouring countries then proceed into other nations in the region," Mr. Mahecic said. "Those numbers obviously fluctuate, but this is the average that we have been seeing for quite some time." To complement Colombia's efforts to provide international protection to those arriving at the border, UNHCR continues to scale up shelter, legal advice and access to basic services for people in "dire" need. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address New Lifeline for Venezuelans Opens in Colombia By Lisa Schlein March 08, 2019 The U.N. refugee agency and Colombian authorities are opening a reception center in the border city of Maicao, in the La Guajira region, to offer humanitarian assistance to vulnerable Venezuelans fleeing their country. Every day an estimated 5,000 Venezuelans flee violence, persecution and socioeconomic distress in their country. Many have taken refuge in Colombia, which is hosting more than one million Venezuelan refugees and migrants. There are no refugee camps in the country. Instead, those who arrive are hosted by local residents or live in makeshift shelters or on the street. The U.N. refugee agency says the new reception center, the first of its kind in Colombia, aims to provide the most vulnerable people with temporary shelter, food, water, basic medical care, and other services. The UNHCR says the center initially will be able to assist 350 people, but has the capacity to expand in the future. "Maicao is one of the cities in La Guajira with the highest concentration per capita of refugees and migrants from Venezuela," said UNHCR spokesman Andrej Mahecic. "Hundreds of people, including children, the elderly, persons with disabilities and critical medical conditions, are forced to live on the streets, due to a lack of alternative shelter options." Venezuelans who have no documents are among the most vulnerable, Mahecic told VOA. He says refugees and migrants who cannot prove their identities have difficulty getting the aid they need, and they face many risks from unscrupulous people ready to take advantage of them. "They may end up basically turning to the streets, to the coping mechanisms that may involve child labor or other forms, which are the negative coping mechanisms. And, certainly, that is the possible exploitation and abuse that we are looking at," Mahecic said. More than 3.4 million Venezuelans are living abroad; most have left their country since 2015. The United Nations is appealing for $738 million to provide life-saving assistance to 2.2 million Venezuelans and one-half million host communities in 16 countries. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Uganda Calls for Coordinated Action Against Militants By Halima Athumani March 08, 2019 Uganda's president, Yoweri Museveni, has called for more coordinated action to deal with militants in Africa's Great Lakes region. Meanwhile, the United Nations has urged countries to address the root causes of conflicts in the region that have created over 4 million refugees and displaced millions more. At a Great Lakes security conference Thursday in Kampala, Museveni said he wanted more active cooperation in confronting the region's militants. "Like the problem of Eastern Congo, I'm sure, if the countries of this area acted together, that problem could be solved. It's not such a big problem. Even the problem of Somalia, if it was not for this theater in which we are engaged, we could solve that problem by having enough action," Museveni said. Uganda has deployed more than 6,000 troops to Somalia under the African Union Mission to fight the al-Shabab terrorist group. Meanwhile, conflict in Great Lakes countries like Burundi, the Central African Republic and South Sudan has created over 4 million refugees in recent years and displaced millions more. Uganda has been praised for hosting an estimated 1.1 million refugees the largest number for any country in Africa. However, Uganda's minister for relief and refugees, Hillary Onek, warned that the country would not be exploited. "We shall continue to be hospitable, but we should not be used by other people to solve their problems. Refugees have come, we shall look after them. And when your country is peaceful, they can return. But people want to exploit the situation to become refugees but, whereas they don't really have problems in their country, so, they want to use our hospitality for wrong reasons," she said. Speaking at the conference Thursday, United Nations Special Envoy Said Djinnit urged the Great Lakes countries to address the root cause of conflicts in the region. Djinnit blamed conflict over land, resources, corruption and poor governance for fueling the fighting. He cited Uganda's repatriation of 57 former M23 rebels to the Democratic Republic of Congo as an example of cross-border cooperation to help end conflict. "When there's determination, we brought together the leaders of the countries, they took the decision, they established the mechanism and, therefore, relieved this country from this burden," he said. "And remove that problem between Uganda and the DRC. Because as long as the M23 are in Uganda, there is still that impression that [they] may have some kind of support in Uganda." The M23 fighters crossed into Uganda in 2013 after intense fighting with DRC-backed U.N. forces. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address SpaceX Dragon Capsule Splashes Down In The Atlantic March 08, 2019 The SpaceX Dragon capsule has successfully splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean after spending more than six days in space, the U.S. space agency, NASA, said on March 8. SpaceX Dragon launched on March 2 from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on a mission to prove that it could carry astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS). Dragon docked at the station on March 3 before detaching early on March 8 for its return to Earth. Live footage from NASA showed the capsule's four main parachutes opened without a hitch, and it splashed down safely. The crewless mission has been planned in collaboration with NASA's Commercial Crew Program, which aims at ending NASA's reliance on the Russian space program to shuttle astronauts to the ISS. The target date for Elon Musk's company SpaceX to fly NASA astronauts to the ISS is in July. Dmitry Rogozin, the head of Russia's Roskosmos space agency, praised both Musk and NASA on the successful mission on Twitter. Rogozin, who is under U.S. and EU sanctions, was supposed to travel to the United States earlier this year at NASA's invitation, but the U.S. space agency on January 4 cancelled the planned visit following critical press reports and calls by U.S. lawmakers not to allow the blacklisted Russian administrator into the country. Based on reporting by AFP, AP, and Reuters Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/spacex-dragon-capsule- splashes-down-in-the-atlantic/29810843.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address In this Tuesday, March 5, 2019 photo, Chelsea Manning addresses the media outside federal court in Alexandria, Va. The former Army intelligence analyst was ordered to jail Friday, March 8, 2019, for refusing to testify to a Virginia grand jury investigating Wikileaks. [Photo: AP] Former Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning, who served years in prison for leaking one of the largest troves of classified documents in U.S. history, was sent to jail Friday for refusing to testify before a grand jury investigating WikiLeaks. U.S. District Judge Claude Hilton ordered Manning to jail for civil contempt of court after a brief hearing in federal court in Alexandria in which Manning confirmed she has no intention of testifying. She told the judge she "will accept whatever you bring upon me." Manning has said she objects to the secrecy of the grand jury process and already revealed everything she knows at her court-martial. She said prosecutors have granted her immunity for her testimony, which eliminates her ability to invoke her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. "I will not participate in a secret process that I morally object to, particularly one that has been used to entrap and persecute activists for protected political speech," she said in a statement released after she was taken into custody. The judge said she will remain jailed until she testifies or until the grand jury concludes its work. Manning's lawyers had asked that she be sent to home confinement instead of the jail because of complications she faces in receiving gender-affirming medical care. The judge said U.S. marshals can handle her medical care. Prosecutor Tracy McCormick said the jail and the marshals have assured the government that her medical needs can be met. Amy Bertsch, spokeswoman for the Alexandria jail, confirmed Friday that Manning had been booked. "Specific details about Ms. Manning's confinement will not be made public due to security and privacy concerns," Alexandria Sheriff Dana Lawhorne said in a statement. "We will work closely with the U.S. Marshals to ensure her proper care while she remains at our facility." Manning acknowledged going into Friday's hearing that she might well be incarcerated at its conclusion. Outside the courthouse, about 10 protesters rallied in her support. "Obviously, prison is a terrible place," Manning said. "I don't see the purpose to incarcerate people." Manning served seven years of a 35-year military sentence for leaking a trove of military and diplomatic documents to the anti-secrecy website before then-President Barack Obama commuted her sentence. The WikiLeaks investigation has been ongoing for a long time. Last year, prosecutors in Alexandria inadvertently disclosed that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is facing unspecified, sealed criminal charges in the district. WikiLeaks also has emerged as an important part of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into possible Russian meddling into the 2016 presidential election, as investigators focus on whether President Donald Trump's campaign knew Russian hackers were going to provide emails to WikiLeaks stolen from Democratic organizations, including presidential candidate Hillary Clinton's campaign. But there is no indication that the Alexandria grand jury's investigation of WikiLeaks is related to the Mueller investigation. McCormick said Manning can end the incarceration on the civil charge simply by following the law and testifying. "We hope she changes her mind now," McCormick said. Manning's lawyer, Moira Meltzer-Cohen, said she believes jailing Manning is an act of cruelty given her medical issues, and said there are many documented issues of jails and prisons providing inadequate medical care for transgender inmates. She said Manning's one-bedroom apartment would be a sufficient manner of confinement. Meltzer-Cohen said after the hearing that the detention order can be appealed, but did not comment on whether such an appeal would be filed. China Eyes Alternative Sources for Maritime Expansion By Ralph Jennings March 08, 2019 Officials in Beijing are expected to take money from non-defense sources this year to solidify their military control in the disputed South China Sea following a proposed slowdown in formal defense spending. China will increase defense spending by 7.5 percent this year, according to a draft budget report submitted to a National People's Congress session Tuesday. That increase would bring spending to $177.6 billion. The budget grew 8.1 percent last year. Consistent with past practice, the government will protect and possibly expand its already dominant military presence in the South China Sea by drawing from civilian departments and even private Chinese companies, maritime scholars believe. China claims about 90 percent of the 3.5 million-square-kilometer sea ranging from Hong Kong to Borneo. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also claim all or parts of the same sea. China's use of naval ships and military aircraft in contested waters has riled the other claimants since 2010, prompting Washington to send some of its own as a deterrent. "China's expansion in the South China Sea is a comprehensive effort," said Oh Ei Sun, senior fellow with the Singapore Institute of International Affairs. "It involves the military but it also involves even the private sector. "So, you might see a slight decrease in strictly military activities and maybe even installations, but the efforts to claim a large part of the South China Sea to be their own, I think that will still go on," he said. Multi-agency defense spending China cites historical usage records to claim sovereignty over the sea, including its wealth of fisheries and fossil fuel reserves. Scholars say the People's Liberation Army Navy has made the sea's control a priority as the total number of ships rose from 512 in 2012 to 714 ships now. And the navy gets help already. State-run oil driller CNOOC Group has buffered China's claims by drilling in waters disputed by Vietnam, and private firms based in China reclaimed land to help the government get a foothold on otherwise uninhabitable islets. Two years ago, the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Institute of Acoustics and Tongji University in Shanghai said they would build a "long-term observation network" covering the South China and East China seas. CNOOC and China's Earthquake Administration were also part of discussions about the network, which is due to share data with other countries. The project will bolster the legal basis for Chinese maritime claims, analysts said in 2017. "The PLA operates businesses which accrue income for the acquisition of military products and other sources of income can be drawn from for example the ministry of science so that they can engage in exploring under the term of science diplomacy," said Stephen Nagy, senior associate politics and international studies professor at International Christian University in Tokyo. A lot of Chinese military infrastructure construction projects are "designed to be dual use and draw funding from local and national non-defense coffers," according to a study by the China Power Project under U.S.-based think tank Center for Strategic & International Studies. Non-defense agencies should reimburse for disaster relief funded by the defense budget, the study adds. The Chinese government could sell U.S. Treasury bonds as well if it needed more money, said Termsak Chalermpalanupap, fellow with the ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore. Pressure to make cuts The People's Liberation Army could also delay or cut back endeavors elsewhere to "maintain the pace of strengthening China's position in the South China Sea," said Denny Roy, senior fellow at the East-West Center think tank in Honolulu. Military cutbacks might make little impact for now because the once ambitious Chinese island-building in the South China Sea is "finished" except for maintenance, Chalermpalanupap said. "I think the overall economy of China is slowing down, so I think they have to be more careful on what they are spending in the defense side," Chalermpalanupap said. "I think no more features to build. They have what they needed." China can lock in its current holdings, which include the entire 130-islet Paracel archipelago and seven features in the Spratly islands, partly through diplomacy with the other governments that contest its maritime sovereignty, Nagy said. One goal, he said, would be to stop any active multi-country effort to roll back Chinese control. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Chinese FM: Huawei Case Is 'Deliberate Political Suppression' By Marissa Melton, VOA's Mandarin Service March 08, 2019 Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday called the legal clash between Chinese company Huawei and the U.S. government "deliberate political suppression," and he vowed to protect the rights of Chinese companies and citizens abroad. "It's quite obvious to any fair and unbiased person that the recent action against a particular company and Chinese individual is not just a pure judicial case but deliberate political suppression," Wang said on the sidelines of China's annual parliament session. "We have already and will continue to take all necessary steps and resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies and citizens," he said, though he did not elaborate on what those steps would be. Washington has banned U.S. companies from using Huawei technology, warning that doing so could result in security breaches. In December, Canadian authorities arrested Meng Wanzhou, Huawei's chief financial officer, on U.S. charges that she violated sanctions against Iran. Her extradition hearing is to begin May 8. Since Meng's arrest, two Canadians have been arrested in China, and a third who was already in Chinese prison for a drug crime has seen his sentence switched from 15 years to death. On Thursday, Huawei announced it had filed a lawsuit in the U.S., arguing that legislation Congress passed last year restricting Huawei business in the United States was "unconstitutional" because it singled out the company for penalties. The United States has also warned other countries that Huawei technology could allow Chinese intelligence agents to infiltrate their networks. "This ban is not only unlawful but also harms both Huawei and U.S. consumers," Huawei's rotating chairman, Guo Ping, told reporters Thursday in Shenzhen. No choice Guo said that Huawei was left with no choice but to take legal action, noting that neither lawmakers nor the government had shown any proof to date to back up concerns the company is a security risk. China expert Dean Cheng of the Davis Institute for National Security and Foreign Policy told VOA's Xu Ning that even though Huawei is not owned by the Chinese government, it would probably cooperate with the government if asked to. "Huawei is not a state-owned enterprise," Cheng said, but "broadly speaking, Chinese companies will respond to requests or demands from the Chinese government." In addition, he said, "Huawei coding appears to be often very poor. Whether that's deliberate or not is unclear. But Huawei has also been very, very slow in addressing those issues. So we have a fundamental quality control issue here." Julian Ku, a constitutional law professor and associate dean at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y., told VOA's Qiao Zhan that Huawei has a minimal chance of winning, but "not an impossible chance." He said the United States would probably file a motion to dismiss the Huawei case, arguing that Huawei's legal claims "don't have any basis so we don't need to go to trial because no evidence is required to resolve the case." Then, he said, the court would most likely schedule a hearing to consider that argument. U.S. vigilance On Thursday, U.S. State Department deputy spokesman Robert Palladino declined to comment on the pending lawsuit, but said the government needs to be vigilant when making procurement decisions. "The United States advocates for secure telecom networks and supply chains that are free from suppliers subject to foreign government control or undue influence, which would pose risks of unauthorized access and malicious cyber activity," said Palladino in response to questions posed by VOA during a briefing. "We believe that these risks posed by vendors subject to extrajudicial or unchecked compulsion by foreign states that do not share our values need to be weighed rigorously before making procurement decisions on these technologies," he added. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China, DPRK to jointly build ties for new era: FM Global Times Source:Xinhua Published: 2019/3/8 15:05:05 China will work with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to build a relationship for the new era, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Friday. Wang made the remarks at a press conference on the sidelines of the country's annual legislative session. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of China-DPRK diplomatic relations, and it is in both sides' shared interest to carry on and develop the longstanding friendship, Wang said. The foreign minister noted that China fully supports the DPRK in exploring a development path that suits itself and making continuous progress in socialist construction, in implementing a new national strategy and focusing more on economic growth and better livelihoods. China will work with the DPRK to solve the Peninsula issue by political means, and to maintain peace and stability in the region, Wang told the press. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address DPRK blasts joint military exercise by South Korea, U.S. People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 11:29, March 08, 2019 PYONGYANG, March 7 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Thursday blasted South Korea and the United States for holding a joint military exercise, saying it was a violation of summit agreements they reached with the DPRK last year. It is a violent violation of the joint declarations and statements that the DPRK reached with the United States and South Korea last year, the official Korean Central News Agency said in a report. "This also represents a frontal challenge to the aim and desires of all (Korean) people and the international community for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula," the report added. South Korea and the United States on Monday kicked off a new week-long joint exercise named Dong Maeng that replaced their major springtime Key Resolve drills. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trump: 'Very Disappointed' if North Korea Resumes Nuclear Testing By VOA News March 08, 2019 U.S. President Donald Trump said he would be "very disappointed" if North Korea is resuming nuclear testing after his recent meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Trump made the comments to reporters Friday as he prepared to travel to Alabama to view tornado damage. He said he has greatly improved U.S. relations with North Korea during his time in office. "Look, when I came in," he said, "under the Obama administration, North Korea was a disaster. You were going to war, folks, whether you know it or not I inherited a mess." He continued, "Right now you have no testing, you have no nothing. Let's see what happens, but I would be very disappointed if I saw testing." North Korean state media said for the first time on Friday that the summit made no advances and its people were blaming the U.S. for the lack of an agreement. Trump and Kim met last week in Vietnam in a summit meant to reach an agreement on North Korean denuclearization. But the meeting broke down over an impasse regarding how many sites North Korea would shut down. Following the summit, South Korean newspapers reported there was evidence of new activity at the Sohae long-range rocket site, a site Kim agreed last year to shut down as part of confidence-building measures with the United States. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address India, Russia ink submarine deal; Turkey to get S-400 in Oct. Iran Press TV Fri Mar 8, 2019 11:43AM India signs an agreement to lease another nuclear-powered attack submarine from Russia, while Turkey says it will begin deploying a Russian-made S-400 missile defense system in October. Officials from both sides signed a $3.3 billion lease agreement for Akula-II nuclear-powered attack submarine in the Indian capital New Delhi on Thursday, defense officials said. Under the deal, Moscow would deliver the submarine to the Indian Navy by 2025, according to defense sources, without providing further information. The deal has yet to be officially announced by the governments in India and Russia. The submarine, which is the third to be leased, would replace INS Chakra, which was taken on a 10-year lease from Moscow for $2.5 billion in 2011 and the lease is expiring in 2022. India also signed another defense agreement worth $5 billion to purchase five Russian S-400 Triumf mobile units during a bilateral annual summit in October. The US had warned India over buying Russian arms which it said would be in violation of the sanctions against buying weapons from Moscow That happened shortly after Washington imposed sanctions on China for its Russian arms purchases and also further threatened Turkey that it would do the same if it finalized its own S-400 deal. Moscow and Ankara, however, concluded an agreement on the delivery of the S-400 missile systems in December 2017. Turkish Minister of Defense Hulusi Akar said on Friday that the acquisition of the missile systems was "not a preference for Turkey, but a necessary measure." "Deployment of the S-400 will begin in October, the air force is studying in which regions it is better to install them," Akar added. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu also said earlier that no country has the right to try to prevent Turkey from purchasing the S-400. The leader of Turkey's Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) said on Thursday that Ankara would not ask Washington "which weapon to buy or from who and when." The first batch of the system will be delivered to Ankara later this year. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Indian Government Retracts 'Stolen File' Statement on Rafale Fighter Jet Deal Sputnik News 21:42 08.03.2019(updated 21:50 08.03.2019) With elections in India now less than two months away, the Rafale fighter jet deal with a French FIRM has become a hot campaign issue as the opposition has been alleging corruption in the procurement of the aircraft. New Delhi (Sputnik): The Indian government has retracted its earlier statement on the Rafale deal contract which it claimed before the Supreme Court of India that the documents were stolen from the defence ministry. KK Venugopal, country's top law officer, claimed that what he meant in his submission before the Supreme Court was that petitioners in the application used "photocopies of the original" papers, deemed secret by the government. "I am told the opposition has alleged that it was argued (in the Supreme Court) that the files had been stolen from the defence ministry. This is wholly incorrect. The statement that files have been stolen is wholly incorrect," Venugopal told PTI, in an apparent damage-control exercise. Earlier on Wednesday, the government's lawyer requested the Supreme Court of India to dismiss a petition filed by Yashwant Sinha, Arun Shourie and Prashant Bhushan, to review an earlier order passed on 14 December 2018 that granted clean chit to the Modi government and found no basis to order probe in the deal. "I have an objection! These documents were stolen from the Defence Ministry by some former employee and the investigation is ongoing. These documents are marked secret and were published by two newspapersthis is an offence under the official secrets act. We would be launching prosecution", the AG jumped to his feet as Mr. Bhushan sought to indicate the note as published in the Hindu. Official sources told PTI that the Venugopal's use of word stolen was probably "stronger" and could have been avoided. The court is currently hearing a number of private citizen petitions on the issue. Advocate Prashant Bhushan, one of the petitioners in the case, has alleged that the government lied in court about the Rafale deal and should face perjury charges. The petitioners wanted a court-monitored probe into the procurement process, alleging that the government favoured Dassault Aviation over other contenders as the French firm was willing to accept an offset partner chosen by the Modi government. Indian opposition leaders have been alleging major corruption in the $8.7 billion deal for the purchase of 36 fighter jet for the Indian Air Force that was signed in 2016 in government-to-government negotiations. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Indian Air Force Lost Seven Warplanes Since Beginning of 2019 - Reports Sputnik News 17:51 08.03.2019(updated 18:43 08.03.2019) In February alone, the Indian Air Force (IAF) lost five aircraft with one casualty. The largest casualty was recorded during the 28 January Mi-17 chopper crash which killed all six persons on board. New Delhi (Sputnik): A MiG-21 Bison belonging to the Indian Air Force crashed in Shobhasar Ki Dhani in Bikaner in the north Indian state of Rajasthan on Friday. No casualties were sustained as the pilot managed to eject safely. This was the seventh fighter jet to have crashed since the beginning of 2019. In February alone, the Indian Air Force lost five aircraft. On 1 February, a Mirage 2000 crashed while on an acceptance sortie after being upgraded by state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). On 19 February, two Hawk aircraft of the Indian Air Force's Surya Kiran aerobatic team crashed after hitting each other mid-air during a rehearsal for the AeroIndia show. One of the pilots was killed in the accident. On 27 February, a day after India's aerial raid on alleged Jaish-e-Mohammed terror camps in Balakot, Pakistan, one MiG-21 Bison was downed during an aerial fight between Indian and Pakistani air forces. Although the pilot managed to eject, he was captured by Pakistan after landing in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Wing Commander Varthaman was returned to India two days later. On 27 February, a Mi-17 chopper of the Indian Air Force crashed in Budgam in Jammu and Kashmir killing all six on board. Earlier on 28 January, an Indian Air Force Jaguar fighter aircraft crashed in Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh. The pilot managed to eject safely. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Indian MiG-21 Bison Crashes Near Pakistani Border Sputnik News 12:54 08.03.2019(updated 13:53 08.03.2019) Tensions between India and Pakistan have been running high following Indian air strikes which apparently targeted terrorist infrastructure on the Pakistani side of the border in Kashmir. Islamabad swiftly described this operation as a violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity. An Indian Air Force (IAF) MiG-21 has crashed outside the city of Bikaner, India, about 100 km from the Pakistani border, during a "routine mission," the Indian military has confirmed. The single-seater plane's pilot is reported safe, having successfully ejected. The IAF issued an official statement, which reads as follows: "[This] afternoon a MiG-21 aircraft on a routine mission crashed after getting airborne from Nal [Air Base] near Bikaner. Pilot of the aircraft ejected safely. A CoI will investigate the cause of the accident." The reason for the crash is yet to be established, although one defence official suggested it may have been the result of a bird strike. Unconfirmed photos from the scene show what appear to be the plane's remains, surrounded by onlookers and a fire brigade. The MiG-21 is a legacy fighter first introduced into the Soviet Air Force in 1959, and exported to dozens of countries around the world in the following years. The Indian Air Force has upgraded versions of the plane, known as the MiG-21bis, which were produced until 1985, and which are expected to be retired in the early 2020s. Tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad escalated last week after India carried out air strikes to destroy an alleged terror camp inside Pakistan said to belong to al-Qaeda* affiliated militants who claimed responsibility for a deadly terror attack on Indian paramilitary forces in Kashmir in mid-February which killed over 40. The Indian government has charged Pakistan with not doing enough to combat terrorist activity on its territory. Pakistani officials have rejected the charges, and called the Indian airstrikes a violation of Pakistan's airspace and a threat to its sovereignty. Following the initial strikes, dogfights broke out between Indian and Pakistani aircraft, leading to the loss of at least one MiG-21 aircraft. The Indian military also insists that it shot down a Pakistani F-16, although Pakistan denies the claim. The spike in tensions has also led to a rise in violence on the Line of Control between Indian and Pakistani forces in the contested region of Kashmir, with forces exchanging heavy fire across the border region. *A terrorist group outlawed in Russia and many other countries. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address India Signs $3 Bln Deal on Russian Sub Lease Despite US Sanction Threat Report Sputnik News 10:55 08.03.2019(updated 10:56 08.03.2019) The signing of the agreement comes as New Delhi faces restrictive measures from Washington after inking a deal with Moscow for the purchase of S-400 Russian missile systems in October 2018. New Delhi has clinched a deal with Moscow for the lease of a Russian nuclear-powered attack submarine for the Indian Navy, the Times of India reports. The newspaper cited military sources as saying that under the March 7 deal, worth more than three billion dollars, Russia is due to deliver an Akula class submarine, to be known as Chakra III, to the Indian Navy by 2025. The Indian Navy leases two other nuclear-powered submarines from Russia, with the lease of Chakra II set to expire in 2022. "INS Chakra's existing lease will be extended until at least 2025 through another contract, until the new submarine, which will be bigger and more advanced than it, becomes operational," one of the sources said. The sources added that the Thursday deal was inked despite the threat of US financial sanctions against India which continue to loom over its contract for the purchase of Russian S-400 missile systems. In November 2018, Washington said that it has yet to give notice about possible Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanction Act (CAATSA) waivers, which could be applied to the agreement. India signed a $5.43 billion deal to purchase five Russian S-400 Triumf mobile units during a bilateral annual summit in October. The United States has voiced its concern over India's plans to purchase the S-400s, noting that sanctions over the deal could not be ruled out. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address India's Modi Taps Into Tide of Nationalist Sentiment as Elections Loom By Anjana Pasricha March 08, 2019 At public meetings and election rallies held since the recent confrontation between India and Pakistan, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been tapping into a wave of nationalistic sentiment sweeping the country and presenting himself as a strong leader willing to take a more muscular approach to Pakistan. "I want to assure citizens that the nation is in safe hands," Modi told a cheering audience at an election rally after India carried out airstrikes on an alleged militant camp in Pakistan. Days later at another public meeting, he said India would no longer be helpless in the face of terror. "This is a new India. We will pay back terrorists with interest." But as the country prepares to elect a new government, the question being asked is: will the surge in support for the Indian leader, who until weeks ago was seen as struggling in his bid to win a second term in office, translate into votes? The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has quickly embraced national security as a mainstream electoral plank and issues such as joblessness and farmers' distress, on which the Indian leader was vulnerable, have been put on the back burner. Polling agency C-Voter says the Indian Prime Minister's approval ratings, which had plummeted to an all-time low in January, have jumped to over 60 percent and are now close to previous highs. "Modi being the biggest brand for his party, Modi being the biggest brand for Indian election at this point of time if his brand value is going back to similar sort of highs as in 2014-15, it augurs well for his party," said Yashwant Deshmukh, the head of C-Voter polling agency. He said rising support for the Indian leader cuts across all voter segments. "The positivity around that strike and the upswing for Modi is pretty much everywhere," he added. "How much that party can benefit from it remains to be seen." A suicide attack on February 14 in Pulwama in Indian Kashmir, which killed 40 paramilitaries, came just weeks before national elections and triggered fury in India. A Pakistan-based Islamist militant group, the Jaish e Mohammad claimed responsibility for the attack. For the first time in nearly 50 years, India carried out airstrikes in Pakistan on what it said was a training camp run by the Jaish e Mohammad at Balakot. Pakistan responded with retaliatory strikes in which one Indian jet was downed and an Indian pilot captured. Islamabad returned the pilot two days later helping calm tensions that had raised fears of a wider conflict. "There is no doubt that the strikes played well domestically and will provide the BJP with a new sense of momentum headed into general elections," said Milan Vaishnav, senior fellow and director of the South Asia Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. "The mood in India favored a military response to the Pulwama attack, and Modi has delivered on that." In the days since, the prime minister, whose right-wing BJP swept the 2014 elections, has sought to cash in on his image as a strong leader. And he has hinted that he will not soften his tough approach. "This was a pilot project," he told a gathering of scientists without directly alluding to the strikes. At the height of the hostilities, Modi appealed to the opposition to refrain from politicizing the airstrikes. But angry opposition parties now accuse him of doing exactly that and using them for electoral advantage. They have demanded proof that the airstrikes killed many militants, pointing to reports that have cited satellite imagery to cast doubts over claims that a militant camp was damaged. The BJP has countered by questioning their patriotism. The charges and counter charges are unlikely to impact perceptions of those who applauded the airstrikes. "The last time we know was 1999 when a similar war-like situation happened in Kargil, and BJP certainly benefited from that," says Rahul Verma, a political analyst and fellow at the Center for Policy Research in New Delhi. "Nationalistic sentiment most likely helps the incumbent, and specially if the incumbent is of a rightwing party." For the time being, opposition parties are struggling to refocus attention on issues on which the BJP is on the back foot: falling rural incomes and high rates of unemployment. It was these issues that contributed to the party's defeat in two key state elections in December. But as the weeks pass by, such core concerns of millions across the country could again emerge center stage, especially in rural communities where national security and foreign relations barely get any traction. Elections are expected to be announced in the coming days and begin sometime in April. Analysts say though Modi and the BJP got a lift with the India-Pakistan confrontation, the contest remains wide open. "The BJP would like to change the narrative to national security and terrorism, but it won't be so easy. Bread-and-butter issues like employment, development, and welfare will still be topmost for most voters," said Vaishnav. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran Navy foils pirate attack on oil tanker in Gulf of Aden Iran Press TV Fri Mar 8, 2019 01:26PM Iran's naval forces have successfully thwarted a pirate attack on an Iranian oil tanker in the Gulf of Aden. Pirates in 11 speedboats attacked the oil tanker with a cargo of more than 150,000 tonnes in Bab el-Mandeb Strait. However, commandos of the Navy's 60th flotilla of warships, which patrols the Gulf of Aden in an overseas mission, managed to repel the attack. The 60th flotilla, comprising Bayandor destroyer, Bushehr logistic vessel and Lavan logistic warship, set off for high seas on January 23 on a mission to maintain the Islamic Republic's power in international waters and safeguard maritime routes. In recent years, Iran's Navy has increased its presence in international waters to protect naval routes and provide security for merchant vessels and tankers. In line with international efforts against piracy, the Iranian Navy has been conducting patrols in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, safeguarding merchant containers and oil tankers owned or leased by Iran or other countries. Iran's Navy has managed to foil several attacks on both Iranian and foreign tankers during its missions in international waters. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US accuses Iran of defying UN resolution, calls for tough bans Iran Press TV Fri Mar 8, 2019 08:16AM The US has accused Iran of violating the UN Security Council Resolution 2231 by testing one of its ballistic missiles and launching two satellites, urging the world body to restore "tougher international sanctions" against the Islamic Republic. In a letter to the 15-member council, acting US Ambassador to the United Nations Jonathan Cohen said Iran tested a medium-range ballistic missile on Dec. 1, 2018, and attempted to place satellites in orbit on Jan. 15 and Feb. 5. "Iran has carried out these three launches in defiance of the expressed will of the UN Security Council, and such provocations continue to destabilize the entire Middle East region," Cohen claimed. Cohen's letter called upon the council to "join us in imposing real consequences on Iran for its flagrant defiance of the council's demands and bring back tougher international restrictions to deter Iran's missile program." The US claims about Iran's violation come as Washington turned into a "gross violator of the resolution" after unlawfully leaving the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, and imposing unilateral sanctions against Tehran. Resolution 2231 terminated the provisions of previous UN resolutions against Iran, some of which had imposed restrictions on Iranian missile activities. Such activities are not prohibited under Resolution 2231, which merely "calls on" Iran "to refrain from any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons." Tehran has always emphasized that it has no nuclear warheads and that none of its missiles have been designed to carry nuclear weapons. In remarks made on Thursday, IRGC deputy commander Brigadier General Hossein Salami said the Islamic Republic is increasing its military power in order to counter any type of threat posed by its adversaries. "Today the Islamic Republic has learned that it must respond to the enemy's war on the Islamic Revolution ... with the language of force and in the battleground," he said. He also noted that the country's defense power is being strengthened with a rapid and unstoppable pace. Brigadier General Kiumars Heidari, the commander of the Iranian Army's ground forces, also said on Thursday that the country's military is more prepared than ever, and has upgraded all its equipment based on the state-of-the-art technologies. "If the enemies of the Islamic Republic of Iran make any stupid move, our response will be strong and crushing," he noted. "Today the Iranian armed forces, the Army, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) and other military forces are stronger than ever, and the enemies would be eliminated in a very short time if make any stupid move," General Heidari warned. His warning came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued another military threat against Iran, this time saying that the regime's navy could take action against Iranian oil shipments. Speaking at a graduation ceremony of Israeli navy cadets in Haifa on Wednesday, Netanyahu claimed that Iran was trying to "covertly" ship fuel over maritime routes to "circumvent" unilateral US sanctions. "To the extent that these attempts widen, the navy will have a more important role in blocking these Iranian actions," Netanyahu threatened. The Israeli premier also urged the international community "to stop Iran's attempts to circumvent the sanctions by sea, and of course, by any (other) means." This is while the international community has been critical of Washington's withdrawal in May 2018 from the nuclear deal and the ensuing re-imposition of the economic sanctions, which had been lifted under the nuclear deal. Speaking on the sidelines of an anti-Iran meeting in Warsaw last month, Netanyahu openly called for "war with Iran." In addition, he frequently threatens to target Iranian military advisers in Syria, where they are helping the Arab country in its fight against Israeli-backed militants. In August 2018, the Israeli prime minister threatened Iran with "atomic annihilation" right from the regime's secretive atomic weapons facility. Iranian officials have repeatedly warned Israel against carrying out the threats, saying a crushing response awaits the aggressors. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. Urges New UN Sanctions On Iran For Missile, Satellite Launches By RFE/RL March 08, 2019 The United States has urged the United Nations Security Council to impose sanctions on Iran over its recent ballistic-missile test and launches of two satellites, saying they violate the world body's resolutions. Acting U.S. Ambassador Jonathan Cohen on March 7 condemned "Iran's destabilizing activities" in a letter to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and called on Tehran "to cease immediately all activities related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons." The statement cited a 2015 UN resolution that "called upon" Iran to refrain for up to eight years from tests of ballistic missiles designed to deliver nuclear weapons. The resolution was tied to a landmark nuclear deal that Tehran signed that same year with the United States and five other world powers that provided Iran with sanctions relief in return for curbs on its nuclear weapons and missile programs. U.S. President Donald Trump last year pulled out of the nuclear deal and reimposed U.S. sanction on Iran. Britain, France, Germany, China, and Russia have remained a part of the nuclear deal, and Tehran has so far said it is honoring the terms of the deal. Cohen's letter to the Security Council said that Iran tested a medium-range ballistic missile on December 1, 2018, and attempted to place satellites in orbit on January 15 and February 5 of this year. Both of the satellite launches ended in failure and did not reach orbit. "Iran has carried out these three launches in defiance of the expressed will of the UN Security Council, and such provocations continue to destabilize the entire Middle East region," Cohen wrote. He called on the council to "join us in imposing real consequences on Iran for its flagrant defiance of the council's demands and bring back tougher international restrictions to deter Iran's missile program." Alireza Miryousefi, a spokesman for Iran's UN mission, denied that Tehran had any ballistic missiles designed to carry nuclear weapons -- "therefore none of the ballistic-missile launches of Iran are covered by that resolution." With reporting by Reuters, AFP, and AP Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/us-urges-un-sanctions-iran- missile-satellite-launches/29810107.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iraqi popular forces urge ouster of US troops after ban Iran Press TV Fri Mar 8, 2019 08:38AM Iraq's popular resistance forces have condemned US sanctions on Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba and called for measures to oust American troops from the country. On Tuesday, the US designed Nujaba -- an Islamic movement whose crucial aid to the national army resulted in the defeat of Daesh in Iraq in late 2017 -- a terrorist group and imposed sanctions on it. The decision has drawn angry reactions from Iraqis. On Thursday, popular anti-terror groups Kata'ib Hezbollah and Asaib Ahl al-Haq issued statements, calling for resistance against US presence in the region. Kata'ib Hezbollah's statement said the ban was a response to numerous US defeats in the region. It said Washington is seeking to weaken the Iraqi resistance against the occupation as it digs its heels in Iraq. Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq highlighted what it described Washington's hypocrisy in sanctioning the anti-terror group while allying itself with Saudi Arabia and Israel. "We believe the American criteria for terrorism are not only usually wrong but are actually quite the opposite." Parliamentary factions discuss ouster of US troops On Thursday, political council chief of Iraq's Sadrist movement Nessar al-Rabi'ee stressed the need for a law to be adopted in parliament against the presence of foreign forces. Al-Rabi'ee explained that such a law would safeguard Iraq from "terrorist forces" seeking to enter the country under "new labels". Lawmaker Jamal al-Fakhir of the Sairoon bloc said the group was engaged in discussions with other Iraqi factions seeking consensus on a bill against the US military presence. Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi's office said US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had contacted the Iraqi premier by phone to discuss the matter. Abdul-Mahdi emphasized that the US cannot legally establish new bases in Iraq and that its current military presence is to be limited to only combating Daesh and training Iraqi troops, the office said. The US first deployed its forces to Iraq under the false pretext of countering weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) in 2003. The invasion was followed by rampant violence and chaos, which set the stage for the emergence of Daesh in 2014. Washington then mobilized its allies in another mission to allegedly root out terrorists. But the so-called coalition led by the US was suspiciously slow in eliminating Daesh, while its airstrikes against purported terrorist positions led to heavy civilian casualties and damage to Iraqi infrastructure. The volunteer forces helping the Iraqi army in its war have on numerous occasions urged US forces to withdraw from Iraq, documenting evidence that Washington has provided terrorists with weapons and military support. Last month, reports surfaced that Daesh leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was alive and traveling freely between neighboring Syria and Iraq under the protection of US military forces. It came amid other reports that the US was redeploying its forces, including those in Syria, to Iraq for the long haul. US troops have reportedly already been deployed to the western Anbar province and eastern city of Kirkuk, prompting Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) to step up measures against their presence. Last month, a video emerged showing PMU, known in Arabic as Hashd al-Sha'abi, stopping a US military patrol in the northern city of Mosul. Hashd al-Sha'abi officials have accused US troops of being involved in reconnaissance missions with the aim of collecting information on the movements and positions of the voluntary forces in Iraq. Hashd al-Sha'abi chief commander in Anbar, Qassim Mosleh, told al-Sumaria television in January that US troops had exposed the positions and arms depots of Iraqi forces deployed on the Syrian border to terrorist groups. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pakistani PM Imran Khan vows to crack down on terrorists Iran Press TV Fri Mar 8, 2019 05:07PM Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has vowed to crack down on Pakistan-based terrorist groups carrying out attacks abroad, following deadly attacks by such outfits in India and Iran. "This government will not allow Pakistan's land to be used for any kind of outside terrorism," said Khan while addressing a public rally in southern Pakistan on Friday. "We will not allow any terror group to function in our country now." Islamabad's relations with its neighboring countries have been strained as a result of terrorist attacks by groups based in Pakistan. On February 13, a bomber identified by Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) as Pakistani national Hafiz Mohammad Ali slammed his explosives-laden car into a bus carrying members of Iran's IRGC on a road in Iran's Sistan-and-Baluchestan Province which borders Pakistan killing 27 people and injuring 13 others. A day after the attack in Iran, a car bomb killed 40 Indian paramilitary troops in the Indian-administered Kashmir. The attacks in Iran and India were not the first of their kinds. The assault in India prompted New Delhi to launch airstrikes on what it said were militant positions inside Pakistan. Pakistan responded by launching its own cross-border attacks, and the tensions started mounting significantly. Pakistan also shot down an Indian fighter jet and captured its pilot but released him shortly afterwards as a "peace gesture." The tensions continued despite the peace gesture. Pakistan earlier this week launched an ongoing crackdown against terrorist groups operating within its territory. The government later announced that 182 religious schools run by banned groups had been seized and more than 120 people had been detained. Islamabad has in the past made similar claims about cracking down on terrorist groups, but those arrested are often said to be released shortly after arrest. Pakistani officials have said the ongoing crackdown has been long-planned and is not a response to Indian concerns. Still, it is seen as an attempt to partially soothe both India and Iran, whose patience seems to be running thin in the face of Pakistan's failure to take meaningful action against terrorist groups using its territory to launch attacks abroad. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address South Korea replaces point man on North after Hanoi summit collapse Iran Press TV Fri Mar 8, 2019 07:50AM South Korea's President Moon Jae-in has replaced his point man on North Korea with his longtime confident in an apparent effort to further improve ties with Pyongyang. Moon replaced his Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon on Friday with his confident Kim Yeon-chul, who heads the state-run Korea Institute for National Unification. "He's the right man who can actively embody the president's vision for a new Korean peninsula, a new peace and cooperation community, by carrying out the Unification Ministry's main policy tasks without a hitch and implementing inter-Korean agreements in a speedy manner," said the president's spokesman. The replacement was part of Moon's largest cabinet reshuffle for the second half of his term. It was announced days after President Trump walked away from his second summit with the North's leader Kim Jong-un in Vietnam's capital, Hanoi, claiming that Kim had insisted on the removal of all sanctions. The North disputed Trump's remarks, saying it was ready to "permanently and completely dismantle all the nuclear production facilities" if the US agreed to scrap sanctions "that hamper the civilian economy and the livelihood of our people." Moon, who has long favored engagement with the North, said the collapse of the summit has made his government's role "more important" to help the two sides reach "a complete settlement by any means." He has also said that it was Seoul's "utmost priority" to prevent nuclear negotiations between Washington and Pyongyang from derailing. Last year, Trump met the North's leader in their first ever summit in Singapore, during which the two sides agreed to work toward denuclearization. Subsequent diplomacy between the two sides, however, made little progress, mainly because the US refused to lift its harsh sanctions. Pyongyang has taken several steps toward the goal by suspending missile and nuclear testing, demolishing at least one nuclear test site, and agreeing to allow international inspectors into a missile engine test facility. Washington, however, has insisted that sanctions on the North must remain in place until it completely and irreversibly dismantles its nuclear program. On Thursday, US State Department issued yet another warning on North Korea's missile program, saying any missile launch at a site which was allegedly being rebuilt by Pyongyang, would be a violation of Kim's commitments to Trump. The department said it was seeking clarification after satellite images purportedly showed North Korea completing reconstruction of a missile site that previously produced the first intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) capable of reaching the US. Trump's national security adviser John Bolton said his boss was open to another summit with Kim, but this time he wanted to discuss a "big deal" involving complete disarmament in return for comprehensive sanctions relief that would give North Korea a "bright future." A senior North Korean official, however, said last week that "Chairman Kim may have lost the will" to sit with Trump to negotiate the country's nuclear and missile programs. On Thursday, North Korea strongly denounced ongoing joint military exercises between South Korea and the US, saying the drills posed an "all-out challenge" to efforts towards peace on the Korean peninsula. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address South Korea's Moon Replaces Minister in Charge of Relations with DPRK Sputnik News 06:08 08.03.2019 The President of South Korea Moon Jae-in announced that he had replaced the country's unification minister, who is responsible for affairs with North Korea. South Korea's President Moon Jae-in's office said on Thursday that the head of the state replaced his unification minister, Cho Myoung-gyon appointing a longtime confidant, a scholar who has headed the state-run Korea Institute for National Unification since last April. The announcement comes soon after the second Trump-Kim summit in Hanoi, which finished abruptly without any deal or declaration due to the parties' failure to agree on the scale of North Korea's denuclearization and US-led sanctions relief. Recently, several US think tanks and South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported that satellite pictures showed works were underway to restore the Sohae Satellite Launching Station at Tongchang-ri, which North Korea pledged to dismantle earlier. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The Week In Russia: Gerasimov's Trojan Horse And A Tabloid's Tip For Putin By Steve Gutterman March 08, 2019 A bizarre claim by Russia's top general that the Pentagon is developing a strategy involving air strikes and support for protesters sounds like bad news for Russians themselves, or at least for those in the mood to demonstrate against President Vladimir Putin's government, garbage dumps, or anything at all. Meanwhile, a tabloid sends Putin a warning about "the impermanence of power." Here are some of the key developments in Russia over the past week and some of the takeaways going forward. 'Trojan Horse' Imagine this: It's 2022 and Putin's opinion-poll ratings are lower than ever before, leaving his authority to stay in power by changing the constitution -- or even to secure his future by guiding an anointed successor into the Kremlin -- in doubt. With Aleksei Navalny leading 200,000 antigovernment protesters in a demonstration on Bolotnaya Square amid rumors that Putin is about to declare an emergency and extend his term by two years, the United States determined to ensure that he leaves the Kremlin at the end of his term in 2024 hits a missile-defense facility near Moscow with a "conventional prompt global strike" weapon. Hard to imagine? Of course it is -- it's absurd, unthinkable. But judging by a speech delivered by Russia's top general on March 2, it's exactly the kind of scenario that Moscow's military believes -- or claims to believe (big difference there) it needs to think about. And prepare for. "The Pentagon has started developing a completely new strategy of military action, which has already been christened the 'Trojan Horse,'" said Valery Gerasimov, the chief of the Armed Forces General Staff. "Its essence lies in the active use of the 'fifth column protest potential' to destabilize the situation along with simultaneous precision strikes on the most important targets." Really? No. Gerasimov, who made the startling claim in a speech at the Academy of Military Sciences, provided no evidence to support it. It came right after he asserted that "the United States and its allies are developing offensive military actions such as a 'global strike' and 'multidomain battle,' and are using the technologies of 'color revolution' and 'soft power.'" The goal, he alleged, is nothing less than "the liquidation of the statehood of undesirable countries." Fifth Column Fakery? In painting a picture of the United States using protesters and military strikes in a two-pronged attack, Gerasimov mixed two assertions that Putin has made repeatedly -- but usually separately. One is that Washington encourages antigovernment protesters in Russia. Recall his claim that then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton "gave the signal" to demonstrators in December 2011, when the Bolotnaya protests erupted over claims of fraud in parliamentary elections and at his decision to return to the Kremlin after a stint as prime minister. The other is that the United States is bent on containing Russia, holding it back, and potentially even pulling it apart and might try to do so if it gains too much of an edge militarily. In describing the alleged threat of a future attack in which Washington and the West would use both military hardware and protesters, Gerasimov seems to have based his comments in part on real developments or remarks by U.S. military officials but to have made the "fifth column" element out of whole cloth. In a March 4 article about the speech, Bloomberg Opinion columnist Leonid Bershidsky suggested that Gerasimov's claims were based partly on what Russia has gleaned about "U.S. thinking on conventional prompt global strikes (building weapons that would allow America to strike high-value targets anywhere in the world within an hour)." Bershidsky traces Gerasimov's talk of a "Trojan Horse" strategy to recent remarks by the U.S. Air Force chief of staff and a German online magazine article about those remarks. However, he points out, neither the air force official nor the article "said anything about the U.S. using a 'fifth column'" or fomenting unrest. We Have Met The Enemy Whether Russian generals and their commander in chief really believe in the potential threat described by Gerasimov is unclear. Propaganda is part of his job, if you judge by his appearances at the conferences Russia held for several years in which it invited foreign military officials and diplomats to upscale Moscow hotels to be lectured on alleged Western aggression. But whether they believe it may be beside the point. Either way, it looks like bad news for the people they are supposed to protect. "What the generals and the Kremlin are really scared ofis ordinary Russians," Bershidsky wrote. While Putin and the military hand out warnings to the West with sometimes astonishing regularity, this particular one also came with a word of caution for Russians themselves: Don't protest. If you do, it probably means you're aiding and abetting Western efforts to undermine your country. That, after all, is the very real signal sent by several laws Putin has signed in his years in power, most notably the one that enables the state to stamp a "foreign-agent" brand on NGOs that receive funding from abroad and are deemed by the state -- to be involved in political activity. 'An Unsubtle Hint' It's also the message that Putin delivered, in the final few sentences of his state-of-the nation speech on March 20. After setting out ambitious goals, he said they could only be achieved "in a unified society" whose people share "a common confidence in the authorities." As RFE/RL senior correspondent Robert Coalson put it in our annotation of the address, Putin concluded "with an unsubtle hint that dissent is not to be tolerated, that failing to follow the government's leadership is tantamount to fracturing the country and undermining its development." Success, Putin said, will be achieved "by any means necessary." By coincidence or not, Putin's emphasis on confidence in the authorities followed a January survey by state pollster VTsIOM that found public trust in Putin was at its lowest in 13 years. The latest VTsOIM poll found that it had dropped again in late February-early March, with 32 percent of respondents naming Putin when asked which politicians they trust to handle important affairs of state. If those figures don't worry Putin, he got a wordier warning from an article in the tabloid Moskovsky Komsomolets (MK) on March 4, whose headline predicted that the Russian people will not lend the authorities a hand "at the moment of their collapse." Citing a century of history, from murdered Tsar Nicholas II and dictator Josef Stalin to Mikhail Gorbachev and Putin's predecessor, Boris Yeltsin, it sent the potentially chilling message that the people will lend those in power their silent support until they don't. "At Stalin's funeral, everyone was crying, seemingly sincerely, but after just three years they calmly accepted the exposure of the 'personality cult' and then the removal of the body of the former chief from the mausoleum" on Red Square, where his corpse had lain along with Lenin's from 1953 to 1961, the article said. "Today a mainstream Russian newspaper warns the Kremlin that Russians 'couldn't care less about the fate of the authorities when power collapses, which sooner or later it does,' BBC Moscow correspondent Steve Rosenberg tweeted. Or, as author and analyst Mark Galeotti put it in a tweet: "Useful reminderthat even Russians are aware of the impermanence of power + are not willing to indulge any leader forever." The Kremlin portrays Putin as a leader who has lifted Russia from its knees. The unsigned MK article, however, argues that it is, in fact, the "ordinary Russian person" who is "beginning, slowly but surely, to rise up off his kneesand recognize himself no longer as part of the faceless mass of people but as an individual with dignity and personal interests." These interests include "doing what one wants," having the "opportunity to earn a decent living for themselves and their families," and being able to expect "protection from lawlessness and injustice in court," it said -- before concluding that "the Russian state that is in place after the current power system will be able to exist as a stable institution only if it serves these interests and not its own." Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/the-week-in-russia -gerasimov-s-trojan-horse-and-a-tabloid -s-tip-for-putin/29810690.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Assassination reports compound amid rift among Saudi royals Iran Press TV Fri Mar 8, 2019 12:02PM Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has escaped an assassination attempt by his brother Bandar bin Salman, an Israeli newspaper reports. Bin Salman's brother had promised an officer in charge of protecting the crown prince 10 million Saudi rials if he assassinated the powerful heir to rule the kingdom, Makor Rishon reported earlier this week. The plot, however, was uncovered beforehand by bin Salman who ordered the arrest of his brother and the security officer, it added. The report cannot be independently verified. According to the Israeli newspaper, a new security team described as a rapid response unit had been formed to protect the crown prince inside the kingdom and abroad following the plot. The alleged assassination attempt came after the British daily The Guardian reported rising tensions between bin Salman and his father, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, over important policy issues. A source told the newspaper that tensions between the king and the crown prince dramatically increased late February when the former visited Egypt for a joint summit between European Union and Arab League leaders at Sharm el-Sheikh. According to the paper, the king was warned by advisers of a potential move against him to the extent that a new security team of more than 30 hand-picked loyalists from the interior ministry was flown to Egypt to replace the existing team. "Some of the original security staff might have been loyal to the prince," Guardian quoted the source as saying. The prince's handling of the Saudi war on Yemen along with the murder of Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi are said to have led to heightened rift between the king and the crown prince, it said. Bin Salman is known as the architect of the bloody war on Yemen. The heir to the Saudi throne is also reported to have ordered the assassination of Khashoggi an outspoken critic of bin Salman's policies last October at Riyadh's Istanbul consulate. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Commanders Once Again Warn Syria, Iraq at Risk of Daesh Resurgence Sputnik News 22:45 08.03.2019(updated 01:54 09.03.2019) As Daesh loses its final sliver of territory in Syria, US and Iraqi leaders are warning the militant group isn't gone for good, and some think tanks are warning that the group could reemerge powerfully in Iraq. Those dangers, however, seem nearly as overblown as those the Pentagon is employing to keep US troops in Syria. Outside the town of al-Baghuz Fawqani, the US-allied Syrian Democratic Forces, composed primarily of Syrian Kurdish militias, have captured hundreds of Daesh militants fleeing from the onslaught. Baghuz is only a couple of miles from the Syrian border with Iraq, across which the roughly 2,000 US forces in Syria will soon withdraw as the war draws to a close. However, US Army Gen. Joseph Votel, who heads US Central Command, told the House Armed Services Committee Friday, "We will need to maintain a vigilant offensive against this now widely dispersed and disaggregated organization that includes leaders, fighters, facilitators, resources and, of course, their toxic ideology." These kinds of claims are nothing new: a Pentagon draft report last month warned that without US forces in eastern Syria, Daesh sleeper cells could return the organization to controlling territory in as little as six months, Sputnik reported. At the time, experts told Sputnik the conclusion was "bulltwaddle" and "Pentagon scare-mongering to keep United States forces in Syria." "If the US troops leave, there will not be a 'vacuum,'" former British Ambassador to Syria Peter Ford told Sputnik at the time. "There will not be an 'ungoverned space.' The Syrian government forces will step in and, either alone or in conjunction with allied forces, including the Russians and possibly a reconstituted SDF, will easily keep on top of ISIS." "What makes more likely a revival of ISIS are US blocking of Syrian forces from entering the areas in question and the Western policy of creating economic misery through sanctions and attempts to prevent reconstruction," Ford said. Votel's warning follows the same pattern: "We should be clear that what we are seeing now is not the surrender of ISIS [Daesh] as an organization, but a calculated decision to preserve the safety of their families and preservation of their capabilities by taking their chances in camps for internally displaced persons and going aground in remote areas and waiting for the right time to resurge," he said. "Recent observations by our men and women on the ground highlight that the ISIS population being evacuated from the remaining vestiges of the caliphate largely remain unrepentant, unbroken and radicalized." A report published Thursday by the hawkish think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW), however, highlights a different danger, one that's gone somewhat unnoticed in the Western press: Daesh is trying to rebuild its foothold in northern Iraq, too. The militant group was forced out of the country in 2017, with Baghdad declaring final victory roughly a year ago. However, ISW warns Daesh may have as many as 30,000 fighters in northern Iraq and that it already de facto controls several villages. "ISIS is re-establishing capable insurgent networks in multiple historic strongholds and linking them together, setting the conditions for future offensive operations against the Government of Iraq," ISW writes. "The US and its partners should not view the current relative security in Baghdad as confirmation of the defeat of ISIS. The US Anti-ISIS Coalition's strategy to enable Iraq to 'independently manage' an insurgency through intelligence support and other building partner capacity efforts will likely fail to prevent ISIS from regaining momentum based on its current trajectory in Iraq." However, ISW bases its dire warnings on shaky foundations, assuming that large numbers of Iraqi Kurds are vulnerable to Daesh recruitment. "Iraqi Kurds have historically contributed to Salafi-Jihadist Groups in Iraq," ISW writes. "Kurdish Salafi-Jihadists operated under the banner of Ansar al-Islam during the Iraq War. Large elements of Ansar al-Islam in Iraq later merged with ISIS in 2014." However, when it dissolved itself into Daesh in 2014, Ansar al-Islam wasn't more than 350 fighters. That's hardly a basis for ISW to make such an argument. Indeed, the claim comes across as further justification for the US maintaining its military presence in Iraq, and the conservative Washington Examiner doesn't miss the chance to drive home their point: "In other words, Iraq still needs US support," the paper said on Friday. That said, some Iraqis are concerned about an uptick in Daesh activity in Iraqi Kurdistan and Anbar Governorate and violence believed to be linked to them, although Baghdad seems to have the situation under control. On Wednesday, Iraqi President Barham Salih cautioned a speech in the northern city of Sulimaniyah, "The danger and the risk of ISIS hasn't been eliminated." "The victory against ISIS was an important one, and we cannot downplay it," Salih said, according to the UK Independent. "But this was a battlefield and military victory. The caliphate has been eliminated. But there are still sleeper cells and extremist groups along the Syrian border." On Thursday, six members of Iraq's paramilitary Popular Mobilization Forces were killed and 31 others wounded in an ambush by Daesh in the northern city of Makhmur, Sputnik reported. Makhmur is nestled in the Hamrin Mountains, where Daesh "gangs" have caused Baghdad to increase the government's military presence, including security checkpoints. Fighting alongside the Iraqi forces are Iraqi Kurds. Kurdish Peshmerga commander General Sirwan Barzani told Al Jazeera in early February that Makhmur formed their front line of operations against Daesh forces hiding in the mountains. ISW estimates Daesh strength in the Hamrin Mountains to be as high as 1,000 fighters, although it cites a 2017 report from Iraqi daily al-Mada, so that information may be out of date. However, earlier this week, Sputnik reported that Iraqi MP Hassan Salem claimed Daesh was also hiding out in the deserts of Anbar Governorate, a province to the west that directly borders the present warzone in Syria. The Sunday Times reported that Daesh fighters captured outside Baghuz told SDF forces that Daesh leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was hiding out in Anbar, too. In January, the Guardian reported that al-Baghdadi had narrowly survived an assassination attempt by some of his own men in the Syrian city of Hajin, following which he went into a more secluded hiding spot. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S.-Taiwan council supports Taiwan's request for F-16V fighters ROC Central News Agency 2019/03/08 23:09:35 Washington, March 7 (CNA) The U.S.-Taiwan Business Council has expressed support for Taiwan's request to purchase a fleet of new fighter jets from the United States, saying it would be consistent with the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA). "Taiwan has a legitimate right to purchase new airframes and to maintain a modern, well-functioning Air Force that can ensure air sovereignty," said the council's president, Rupert Hammond-Chambers, in a statement. Taiwan's military is currently upgrading its fleet of 144 F-16 A/B jets to more advanced aircraft as part of a US$3.68 billion project launched in 2016. Taiwan has submitted an official request to Washington, but the quantity or type of aircraft that Taiwan is interested in has yet to be revealed, the statement said. Maj. Gen. Tang Hung-an (), head of the Air Force Command's Planning Division, recently told reporters that Taipei is open to all fighter jet options, but it is widely believed the F-16 Vipers is the model Taipei wants. Hammond-Chambers said new F-16Vs would help close the gap between the air strength of Taiwan and China, and argued that if such a request has been made, it would represent an "important increase in Taiwan's commitment to its own defense and security." "Given that this sale would be consistent with the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) requirement for the U.S. to provide Taiwan with arms to defend itself, I am hopeful that the two sides can come to an agreement," Hammond-Chambers said. The TRA was enacted in 1979 after Washington severed ties with Taipei to define future unofficial relations between the U.S. and Taiwan. According to its statement, the council has long supported the sale of additional F-16s to Taiwan, believing that such a sale will "allow Taiwan to field a modern and capable fleet of fighter aircraft in sufficient numbers to meet the evolving threat represented by China's ongoing military modernization." Meanwhile, Ian Easton, a research fellow at U.S. think tank Project 2049 Institute, told CNA that Washington's apparent agreement to consider Taiwan's request is "positive" because Washington has turned down similar requests by Taiwan in 2007 and 2011 under pressure from China. "It is encouraging that the Trump administration is now ignoring Chinese pressure and taking Taiwan's air defense requirements more seriously," Easton said, adding that he is optimistic that a sale will be approved. If a sale of upgraded aircraft were to go through, it would send a strong political signal of American support for Taiwan and help Beijing understand that its offensive threats and intimidation tactics against Taiwan have consequences. (By Chiang Chin-yeh and Emerson Lim) Enditem/ls NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Turkey will begin to install Russian S-400 missile systems in October: Defense minister Iran Press TV Fri Mar 8, 2019 01:40PM Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar says the country will start installment of the advanced Russian-built S-400 air defense missile systems later this year, regardless of strong opposition from the United States to the plan and warnings that Ankara should not buy the platform. Speaking in an exclusive interview with the official Anadolu news agency on Friday, Akar said the systems would begin to be installed in October, adding that personnel from the Turkish Air Force are studying where to deploy the missiles. Akar said Turkey's purchase of the S-400 is "not a choice but a necessity." On Thursday, Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay said the purchase decision was only based on Turkey's own interests, stressing that Ankara will not give up the deal in the face of Washington's opposition. "Turkey does what is necessary for its own interests regarding the S-400 missile defense system, it takes own decision and choice," Oktay told Anadolu, adding that Ankara will not renege on its agreement with Russia. "In any case [about purchasing of S-400 defense system from Russia], we would do what it requires, especially if we signed a deal," the Turkish official emphasized. On Wednesday, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey would never go back from the deal, adding that Ankara may subsequently look into buying S-500 systems. In an interview with Turkish-language 24 television news network, Erdogan said the United States should not try to discipline Turkey through trade measures, adding that Ankara had its own penalties prepared. Robert Palladino, deputy spokesman for the US State Department, warned on March 5 that "acquisition of the S-400 will result in a reassessment of Turkey's participation in the F-35 (fighter jet) program, and risk other potential future arms transfers to Turkey." The comments came on the same day that the head of the US European Command, General Curtis Scaparrotti, told members of the Senate Committee on Armed Services that the United States should not follow through with a multi-billion dollar weapons sale of F-35 jets to Turkey, if Ankara takes delivery of the S-400. Moscow and Ankara finalized an agreement on the delivery of the S-400 in December 2017. Back in April 2018, Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin said in Ankara that they had agreed to expedite the delivery of the S-400. At the time, it was said that the delivery could be made between late 2019 and early 2020. A number of NATO member states have criticized Turkey for its planned purchase of the S-400 from Russia, stating that the missile batteries are not compatible with those of the military alliance. They also argue that the purchase could jeopardize Ankara's acquisition of F-35 fighter jets and possibly result in US sanctions. The S-400 is an advanced Russian missile system designed to detect, track, and destroy planes, drones, or missiles as far as 402 kilometers away. It has previously been sold only to China and India. Ankara is striving to boost its air defense, particularly after Washington decided in 2015 to withdraw its Patriot surface-to-air missile system from Turkish border with Syria, a move that weakened Turkey's air defense. Before gravitating towards Russia, the Turkish military reportedly walked out of a $3.4-billion contract for a similar Chinese system. The withdrawal took place under purported pressure from Washington. Ankara's ties with its Western allies in NATO have been strained over a range of issues. Erdogan has been critical of Washington for supporting Kurdish groups in Syria that he says are responsible for terror attacks inside Turkey. The Turkish leader has also slammed US officials for rejecting his requests to hand over Fethullah Gulen, a powerful opposition figure living in the United States, whom Ankara accuses of having masterminded a coup attempt in July 2016, among other issues. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address S-400 Missile Defence Systems Will Start to be Installed in Turkey in October Sputnik News 12:47 08.03.2019(updated 13:07 08.03.2019) The process of deploying Russia's S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems in Turkey will begin in October, Turkish Minister of Defence Hulusi Akar said. "Deployment of the S-400 will begin in October, the air force is studying in which regions it is better to install them," Hulusi Akar said. The head of the military department also reiterated that the acquisition of the Russian defence systems was "not a preference for Turkey, but a necessary measure." In addition, he added that Ankara and Washington "are continuing negotiations on the possible supply of the US Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems to the republic." Earlier, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that no state has the right to try to prevent Turkey from purchasing the S-400, particularly if they didn't want to sell their own systems to Ankara themselves. Recently, US State Department spokesperson warned that Turkey may be slapped with secondary sanctions and lose access to the F-35 fighter plane if it went ahead with its plans to purchase the S-400. Russia and Turkey penned a $2.5-billion contract on four battalions of S-400s in December 2017, with the first of the systems set to arrive later this year. Designed to stop enemy aircraft, drones, cruise and ballistic missiles, the S-400 is the most advanced mobile air defence system in Moscow's arsenal. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pentagon: 'Grave Consequences' to US, Turkey Military Relations Over S-400 Spat By Carla Babb March 08, 2019 The Pentagon is warning of "grave consequences" to military relations between the United States and Turkey should Ankara purchase a Russian surface-to-air missile system. "If Turkey takes the S-400, there would be grave consequences in terms of our relationship, military relationship with them," chief Pentagon spokesman Charlie Summers told reporters Friday. Summers said those consequences would encompass losing U.S. military sales to Turkey, including the long-awaited sale of the United States' new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter jet. "If they take the S-400s then they would not get the F-35s and the Patriots," Summers said, referring to the Patriot surface-to-air missile system, which has a primary function of defending against ballistic missiles and has been presented as an American-made alternative to the S-400. Ankara signed an agreement with Moscow for the S-400 missile system in 2017. At the same time, Turkey has helped finance the F-35 program and planned to buy 100 of the jets from the U.S., the first of which are due to be delivered later this year. Washington fears the sophisticated radar of the S-400 system could compromise the F-35 technology, which was developed to elude Russian-made systems. Ankara insists the S-400 offers the best value for its needs and poses no threat to NATO systems. Earlier this week, the head of U.S. European Command told lawmakers the United States should not move forward with the F-35 sales, should Turkey purchase the S-400. "My best military advice would be that we don't then follow through with the F-35, flying it or working with allies that are working with Russian systems, particularly air defense systems," Army Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti said Tuesday. A day later, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated his commitment to buy the Russian missile system and suggested expanding the purchase to Russia's more advanced S-500 system. Ankara is slated to receive the S-400 later this year in hopes of making the system ready for use by 2020. Dorian Jones contributed to this report from Istanbul NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Turkey to Face 'Grave Consequences' for Acquisition of Russian S-400 - Pentagon Sputnik News 00:25 09.03.2019 WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - Turkey's military relationship with the United States will face serious consequences if Ankara takes possession of the Russian S-400 air defence system, Defence Department spokesperson Charlie Summers told reporters on Friday. "If Turkey takes the S-400, there would be grave consequence in terms of our military relationship, and the Patriots and the F-35s," Summers was quoted as saying by Defense News. "They will not get the F-35s if they take the S-400." Summers' comments came after US European Command head Curtis Scaparrotti advised Congress on Tuesday to bar Turkey from getting the F-35 jet should Ankara continue with plans to procure the S-400 air defence system. Summers said the United States may also block Ankara from purchasing Patriot missile systems. On Thursday, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reaffirmed that the deal with Russia on deliveries of the S-400 air defence systems was completed, and said a new deal on purchases of advanced Russian-made S-500 systems could be possible in future. In January, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that Ankara was ready to consider the US proposal on deliveries of the Patriot air defence systems, but refused to abandon the S-400 missile systems deal with Russia as a potential precondition for the Ankara-Washington agreement. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address British Army Vets May Face 'Bloody Sunday' Trial as Tensions Rise By Jamie Dettmer March 08, 2019 Sectarian tensions are rising in Northern Ireland and not only because of Brexit and the possibility that the island of Ireland will once again be divided by a so-called "hard border." The province is also on edge about whether former British paratroopers will face trial for the deaths of 14 unarmed protesters, who were shot 47 years ago in a massacre that became known as Bloody Sunday. Prosecutors are expected to make their decision public next week, but the signs are that several of the ex-paratroopers, now in their 70s, are more likely to face murder charges for their roles in the shootings in 1972 than previously thought. Justice campaigners have told the British media that they know soldiers will face prosecutions for the killings. Some of the army veterans themselves have said they expect to be charged. Whatever the decision by the prosecutors, which comes after a seven-year police inquiry, it is bound to cause a political storm. The province's Irish nationalist mainly-Catholic minority will be furious if there are no prosecutions; while pro-British mainly-Protestant Unionists are already up in arms at the very idea that the army veterans could stand trial. The families of the dead will be told of the decision on March 14, the day after the British parliament votes on whether to leave the European Union, and if so how. That vote, already a source of mounting sectarian anxiety in the British-run province, could determine whether border checks are reinstated on the frontier separating the six counties of Northern Ireland from the 26 counties of the Irish Republic. On Tuesday, the head of Northern Ireland's civil service warned of risks in the event of a no-deal Brexit and the reimposition of customs and immigration checks along the border. In a letter to the province's main political parties in Northern Ireland, David Sterling noted a no-deal scenario could impose "additional challenges for the police" because of heightened community tensions. And the head of Northern Ireland's police service, George Hamilton, has warned that if Brexit results in fixed-frontier customs and security posts on the island of Ireland, it could energize a new generation of violent Irish republicans. Midweek, three letter bombs apparently posted from the Irish Republic and sent to transport hubs in London were intercepted, adding to concerns of the old sectarian conflicts being reignited over the issue of a hard border. "Letter bombs posted to London this week were a stark reminder that the peace process is still fragile and the threat posed to it by Brexit cannot be ignored," The Times newspaper warned. 'Very unfortunate timing' The Bloody Sunday massacre of civil rights protesters is one of the deepest wounds of the "Troubles," the decades-long conflict that was brought to an end with the U.S.-brokered 1998 Good Friday Peace Agreement. The conflict left more than 3,700 people dead as Irish Republican Army (IRA) gunmen battled the British Army and Royal Ulster Constabulary, as well as Protestant paramilitaries with ties to British intelligence agencies, in their war for a united Ireland. There are mounting concerns at the highest levels of the British government about how the prosecutors' decision will play out against the backdrop of Brexit. "It is an ill wind," a senior British government official told VOA. "This is very unfortunate timing and we could have done without it, but it is beyond our control," he added. Fears of the reigniting of the "Troubles" have been fanned by a recent explosion in the British province and hijackings in Northern Ireland's second largest city, Londonderry which Catholics call Derry, and where the Bloody Sunday massacre took place. The Bloody Sunday shootings came Jan. 30, 1972, when soldiers from the 1st Parachute Regiment opened fire on civil rights demonstrators in Londonderry's Bogside district. The demonstrators were protesting internment the mass arrest and imprisonment without trial of suspected IRA members. Thirteen people were killed where they stood and a 14th person later died of his wounds. Fourteen other people were injured. The shootings attracted worldwide condemnation and fury in Irish-American communities. Bloody Sunday investigation The police inquiry was mounted after a 12-year-long investigation into the killings conducted by Mark Saville, a British judge, which was set up after years of pressure from the victims' families and supporters in the United States, who dismissed an initial British probe as a whitewash. Saville concluded that the British soldiers had "lost control" and he detailed a break down in the chain of command, saying the paratroopers fatally shot fleeing civilians and those who tried to aid wounded civilians. The report said the soldiers had concocted lies to defend their actions and, contrary to their claims, none of them had fired in response to attacks by petrol bombers or stone throwers or gunmen. The civilians were not posing any threat, according to the Saville report. Eighteen ex-paratroopers have been under investigation, and four are thought likely to be charged. Under British regulations, they cannot be named, as yet. One of them, a partly paralyzed 77-year-old, told Britain's Sunday Telegraph newspaper that it was a "scandalous betrayal" by successive British governments for allowing the cases to proceed. "I think it is utter rubbish. But I think we will be charged," he added. British army veterans are also criticizing the investigation, saying it is unfair to charge people so long after the event. Former British foreign minister Boris Johnson has said any prosecutions against the veterans will be about politics, not justice. But relatives of the Bloody Sunday victims have welcomed the possible prosecutions, saying that justice should be done. "If these soldiers aren't prosecuted, then the families will be angry, and for good reason," according to Leo Young, one of the protesters, whose younger brother was killed. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Joint UN, OSCE engagement can address crisis in Ukraine, other 'dark spots of conflict' in Europe 7 March 2019 - What is happening in and around Ukraine is "unacceptable, the Chairperson-in-Office for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) told the United Nations Security Council on Thursday. "The crisis goes against everything the OSCE and the UN stand for," continued Slovakian Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajcak in his briefing on OSCE's activities. In late February 2014, the situation in Ukraine went from political crisis, to violent confrontation and, later, became a full-scale conflict between Government forces and separatists, in the country's east. While stressing the importance of the various accords on the situation in Ukraine, including the Minsk Agreements, the only "agreed framework" for halting the guns in eastern Ukraine and the Trilateral Contact Group, consisting of OSCE, Russia and Ukraine, he spelled out: "We cannot simply wait patiently for progress to happen. There are too many people suffering, as we speak." Mr. Lajcak shared his experience in traveling to the country in January, saying "It was my first trip as Chairperson. And it is not one I will forget." He spoke of the elderly in the Luhansk region "on sticks or in wheelchairs" who each day make a risky journey across a bridge severely damaged by the conflict because it is the only open entry-exit point. "More than 10,000 people cross daily", he explained. "They suffer; they feel hopeless, neglected and abandoned" because commitments are not upheld, trust keeps eroding and the space for dialogue is disappearing. Engaging with the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission, which he called "the eyes and ears of the international community on the ground", along with the Project Coordinator in Ukraine, UN Development Programme (UNDP), International Committee of the Red Cross and the European External Action Service yielded improvement proposals, including to repair the Stanytsia Luhanska bridge and to demine. Turning to suggestions on the creation of a UN mission in Ukraine, he pointed out: "This is not a new discussion", saying he had nothing to add, "except to reaffirm that we stand ready to engage on any concrete proposals, or decisions coming out of this esteemed body". In addition to the Ukraine, there are "other dark spots of conflict" in the OSCE area, he continued, citing Transdniestria, Georgia and Nagorno-Karabakh. "The OSCE has a lot to learn from closer UN engagement", including operational readiness and capacities and capabilities at various conflict stages Mr. Lajcak stated. "But", he added quickly, "the OSCE has a lot to give too", citing tailored regional knowledge and niche expertise. In a climate of eroding global arms control, he flagged that the OSCE can be "a platform for confidence-building and increased transparency". He highlighted the benefits of even more engagement in the future, "because there is absolutely no alternative when it comes to the legitimacy the UN brings and the reach it allows" and "absolutely no alternative to local know-how and field presence" of the OSCE. "When mobilized effectively and pulled together, the results can be historic" concluded the OSCE chairperson. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address SAN FRANCISCO, March 07, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As Lion One Metals Ltd. (LIO:TSX.V; LOMLF:OTCQX) , moves forward with getting its low-cost, fully permitted Fiji gold mine into production, Dr. Quinton Hennigh joins the team as an advisor. Company mentioned: Lion One Metals Ltd. Lion One Metals in 2011 acquired the high-grade Tuvatu gold mining project, located less than 20 kilometers from Fiji's major airport, Nadi, on the main island of Viti Levu. Tuvatu's previous owners advanced it to a feasibility study in 2000, and the project has seen more than 110,000 meters of drilling to date, along with 1,600 meters of underground development. Last year the company reported that surface sampling from the Jomaki prospect of Tuvatu returned the high-grade result of 502 g/t gold over 0.70 meters. Less than 10% of its leased land has been explored. Dr. Quinton Hennigh's appointment as technical advisor highlights the potential of the project. Hennigh is an "internationally renowned economic geologist, with over 25 years of exploration experience and expertise with major gold mining companies such as Homestake Mining Company, Newcrest Mining, and Newmont Mining where he last served as senior research geologist in 2007." Lion One noted that Hennigh has since "made a number of significant gold discoveries for Canadian exploration companies." He is the chairman and president of Novo Resources Corp., which is exploring for gold in Australia. "After completing my site visit and technical review I believe that Tuvatu has similarities not only to Vatukoula and other large alkaline systems in the South Pacific, but also to several multi-million ounce alkaline gold systems I'm familiar with in North America. Given that only a very small volume of the overall system has been explored, I see excellent potential for growth at Tuvatu," said Hennigh. Continue reading this article: Fiji Gold Mine Attracts 'Internationally Renowned Economic Geologist' About Streetwise Reports Streetwise Reports shares investment ideas in many sectors. The information provided above is for informational purposes only and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security. DISCLOSURE: The following companies mentioned in this article are billboard sponsors of Streetwise Reports: Lion One Metals. Click here for important disclosures about sponsor fees. Game and Fish: leave it alone A female moose walks along a alleyway off of Hutton Street Tuesday morning. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department recommend residents leave the moose alone, as it will leave the city once the weather warms. For the past few days, residents have seen a moose wandering around Hutton Street and the surrounding neighborhood and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department recommends residents to leave it alone. According to Lucy Diggins-Wold, information and education specialist for the WGF office in Green River, the WGF is aware of the moose and plans to let it be as it hasn't threatened residents. She said darting and relocating the moose would be one of the last acts the WGF would want to do because it would stress the animal and could result in its death. "We want people to leave it alone," Diggins-Wold said. She said the WGF received a call about the moose Monday and are aware people had stopped to watch it from their vehicles, but hasn't received reports of anyone attempting to approach it. Diggins-Wold said moose follow the river in search of food, which is what brought it into Green River. The WGF believes the moose will follow the river out of town once the weather warms. Moose coming into Green River is a rare occurrence. She said the previous time was when a bull moose came into Green River in 2008. "It's rare, I've lived here 26 years and this is the second time I've seen one," she said. A local legislator may have had intentions of giving the Sweetwater County Commissioners a friendly update, but it quickly turned into the Commissioners questioning whether or not he had the countys best interest in mind during this legislative session. During the County Commissioners meeting Tuesday morning, Commissioner Randy Wendling asked Rep. Clark Stith, R-Rock Springs, why he voted in favor of Senate File 49 when so many Sweetwater County residents and county commissioners across the state were opposed to the bill. He said the Wyoming County Commissioners Association referred to this bill as the Teton County Bill and comes after a dispute involving the size of a private school proposed in the county. SF 49 states no zoning resolution or plan shall regulate and restrict the location and use of the buildings and structures and the use, condition of use or occupancy of lands for the use of a private school as defined in Wyoming Statute 21-4-101 (a) (iii) in any manner different from a public school. Wendling said his understanding was that the Teton County regulations in place didnt support a structure of the size of the property the private school wanted to be located on. What it came down to was local control, Wendling said. Circumventing local control through a legislative process. He said when the Sweetwater County Commissioners found out it was going through the Senate with ease, they reached out to all of the local representatives to let them know it wasnt about the schools it was about losing local control. We did have one representative of the county that was not supportive of it. Rep. Stith, who is here today that voted in favor of it, Wendling said. Wendling said he talked to many people about this bill from Green River leadership, lobbying committees, the commissioners across the state and those in the planning and zoning department who all agreed this was not a good bill to pass. Ive got one question, first of all help me understand, why it is that all these people, leaders in this county, representing the people of Sweetwater County are wrong, Wendling asked. This is a Teton County bill, he said. Why is it that I sense its more important to support a belief in another county than it is to support Sweetwater County on this, Wendling asked Stith. I need to have some understanding to figure this out. I was going to do this personally with you, but you showed up today. I think Sweetwater County people need to know why it is that you hang your hat on representing Sweetwater County. Why are we supporting other countys issues rather than our own people. I was extremely disappointed in what Clark did relative to this bill, Chairman Wally Johnson said. Ive always said there are 22 counties in this state and then theres Teton. When the WCCA gives a thumbs up or a thumbs down on a bill, a legislator should pay attention to that, he said. The WCCA represents the entire state, not a small segment of the population like most legislators and the WWCC gave the thumbs down on this one. Stith was allowed to speak to the issue. Im here to take my beating, Stith said. He said he had great conversations with Wendling about it and didnt have a chance to get back with Commissioner Roy Lloyd before the vote. He said SF 49 basically says that a county should zone a public school and private school the same. There is a loss of control, he said. Before this bill passed, the county could place certain regulations on private schools. Stith said the loss of control took place four decades ago when the Attorney Generals office determined counties couldnt issue zoning regulations on public schools. Why did I vote for it? I voted for it because I think its fundamentally unfair for the government to be able to do one thing and for the private sector to not be able to do that same thing. He said in Teton County the public schools can build a structure of 100,000 square feet, but private schools cannot exceed 10,ooo square feet. The principle of is all is one of fairness, Stith said. Other business After a one hour and 45 minute executive session, the Commissioners approved two Voluntary Separation Requests. They also unanimously approved a $21,000 budget amendment request from Sweetwater Medics. This was for four months only. Western Connecticut State University is hosting its fourth annual lecture series on climate change. The program is open to the general public. All of the talks will be from 7- 8:30 p.m. in room 125 at the Science Building on the universitys midtown campus. The series starts on March 19 and will discuss climate wildfires, followed by natural disasters on March 26, impact of climate change on arthropods on April 2, simple things you can do on April 9 and the final lecture will look at the human costs on April 16. For more information contact wagenerm@wcsu.edu or 203-417-9346. Amazon dominates the retail market with a gross profit that is five times that of the next top five retailers combined -- a list that includes Walmart, Target and Costco. But Amazon's success is not random. The tech giant's rocketing gross profits are an indicator that its earlier investments are paying off. Related: What Is the Secret of Amazon's Huge Success? Jeff Bezos Credits Commitment to These 3 Principles. According to Eugene Kim of CNBC, Amazon's gross profit margin has grown steadily over the past few years and, in the first quarter of 2018, reached 40 percent for the first time after having stubbornly remained at around 30 percent since 2016. Because of Jeff Bezoss vision and strategy, laid out in his letter to shareholders, the robust foundation Amazon established allows it room for failure, and then, ultimately, progress through the use of trial and error. Wait one second. "Error" is a word that strikes fear in entrepreneurs everywhere, but just try to name an endeavor that hasn't included an error (or a dozen). Young businesses can get trapped in a perfection mindset that requires every little detail to be just right before a product or service can be launched. This kind of fear, however, can derail momentum and distract business leaders from what's most important. Bill Gates pioneered a new approach when Microsoft quickly started releasing software and allowed the end users to debug the software for them. That's how things work for some founders now; in their minds, it's OK to launch products earlier and let them hit the battlefield before they're officially ready to be scaled. Toward this goal, Microsoft has a group of beta testers who work out the major kinks in product offerings, but nothing matters if the end users don't buy in. Giving them the keys and letting them find the flaws is a great way to promote engagement. This willingness to expose the warts of an imperfect product reminds me of Mark Cuban, who has repeatedly warned against perfecting an idea, overthinking it and ultimately complicating a product before launch. While you need a strong foundation, you dont need perfection, Cuban says. Perfection is the enemy of profitability, says Cuban, and I totally agree. Related: Mark Cuban Shares the Best Advice He Ever Got Ultimately, its OK in the early stage to let your products and services crash to the ground; it's how you react and adjust that's key. When building the foundation of your business, you have three main parameters to consider. In order to thrive and not merely survive, you should keep these critical elements in mind: 1. First, cement your core business. At my current company, we focused early on, on marketing our standing desks. The trend became a movement, and our core business crystallized. But, as we've grown, our mission has expanded. Now, we look to help companies pursue health, wellness and an active workspace. With a strong core business in place, we can risk pushing into services, like space planning, which are natural extensions to our existing business. Moreover, our client base is hungry and willing to pay. Our initial efforts told us that we could push the envelope. But we needed our core business in place first. With a proven core business, you'll have momentum and presence, and there will be interest in your next move. Take Richard Branson and his constant innovation. With Virgin firmly established, Branson apparentlly felt comfortable launching into ventures such as a soda initiative, even a new airline, because he could apply to the new what he had learned from the old. 2. Connect with clients for feedback. During the first six months of your business, you need feedback, because immediate feedback builds momentum. Reach out to your customer base to find out what people think of your product or service and how much they're willing to pay. This will help you make any necessary tweaks to your primary offering(s). Interestingly enough, users often come up with innovations to products while the credit goes to manufacturers. MIT professor Eric von Hippel has noted that consumers are quick to develop improvised versions of goods to meet their specific needs, and manufacturers can adopt those modifications once they've seen the improved product catch on with a group of users. In a study of 1,193 successful innovations, von Hippel discovered that 60 percent had come from users. I've witnessed this dynamic firsthand, considering that our original product went through more than 20 revisions based on the feedback we received from a group of early advocates. So dont be afraid of feedback. A product has to stand on its own. The problem you're solving or the service you're providing must be obvious, because you wont always be around to explain it. Get as much feedback from your customer base as you can, because their advocacy should help steer your future decisions. 3. Know your scaling goals. Have a specific destination in mind -- but not necessarily a specific path. In the early stages, it's vitally important to use a reiterated process that incorporates feedback and allows for reorientation when that's necessary. Entrepreneur Hamdi Ulukaya is an example, though he came upon his fortune almost accidentally. In 1996, the New Yorker was so underwhelmed while shopping for feta cheese in preparation for his father's visit from Turkey that he started his own cheese company. Nine years later, he bought a defunct yogurt-and-cheese factory and decided to venture into Greek yogurt. He called his nascent company Chobani. Related: How to Scale Fast and Win the Race to Market Subsequently, in 2007, Ulukaya knew he had a tremendous opportunity to scale. Competition was virtually nonexistent, and the product was immensely popular in the limited region where it was available. Ulukaya believed that popularity would translate nationwide, but investments were necessary. Meanwhile, his success was more and more evident: Between 2005 and 2012, Chobani's workforce grew from 40 to 2,000, and annual revenue went from $2 million to $1 billion. This was made possible by Ulukaya's focus on mass retailers: He knew his product would succeed if he could get it on store shelves across the country. The rest is history. Related: Five Ways Failure Can Help Your Career When my own company was launched, I could see our core business ignite before my very eyes. People were exposed for the first time to our product, and I could see their reactions. They had questions, and they had suggestions. A buzz was created, and we became a topic of conversation. None of that would have transpired had we not identified our core business and stationed it as our North Star, implored our product advocates for pointed feedback and envisioned our opportunities to scale. All the rest is background noise. Related: Amazon Has Purposely Built in Room for Failure. Has Your Company Done the Same? The Everyday Behaviors You Can Use to Overcome Fear How to Level Up Your Business and Unlock Success Copyright 2019 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved In the hundreds of pages of proposed 2019-20 budget items that the school board has considered this year, there was one line item that neatly encompassed issues town Democrats may use this November as they try to win the First Selectmans office for the first time in 16 years. Superintendent Ralph Mayo had originally included $8.5 million in next years budget to begin the environmental clean-up of the large portion of playing fields at Western Middle School that was closed in 2016 and has not re-opened. That money did not make it through to the final proposed school budget, but the issues it raised still exist. That important and highly used playing fields have languished for three years, and likely will sit idle for several more, creates serious political liabilities for the powers that be. And in Greenwich, those powers are mostly Republican. Since winning his first term in 2007, First Selectman Peter Tesei has resisted efforts to address widespread soil contamination, despite repeated findings of highly toxic levels of arsenic, lead and PCBs, a carcinogen. This lethal brew is found everywhere from backcountry woods and public parks to school yards and the muck at the bottom of Greenwich Harbor. There have been a number of creative ideas proffered to define and deal with the dirty dirt. Some have suggested dredging the Greenwich Harbor muck to enlarge mud flats and islands that form coastal storm barriers in Greenwich. Others have suggested that, at the least, the town should test all publicly owned properties to determine the extent of the public health threat, and to inform a rational plan for clean-up. All these ideas have one thing in common: None of them came from Town Hall. The few times Tesei has even mentioned soil contamination, he has shown an odd preference for dismissing what is a known public health risk. Once, during his weekly Friday morning radio show, he dismissed the concerns of a mother whose child had had arsenic poisoning years earlier, and who believed her child was exposed to the arsenic at Byram Park. In a debate with his Democratic opponent in 2015, the first selectman called a proposal to test all public land a fools errand. Potentially budget-busting costs may have shaped Teseis political instincts to ignore the health concerns; his campaigns always featured his record of keeping tax increases predictable and low. And that has been a winning formula for Republicans for decades. However, public sentiment seems to be changing. The community grapevine has been abuzz lately with stories about the impact of soil contamination around town. There is greater awareness of childhood cancer cases within the public school population. Parents of kids with longstanding behavioral issues are having them tested for heavy metals for the first time; some kids are, indeed, suffering from heavy metal poisoning. There is a second facet to the discarded $8.5 million remediation budget item that could also be campaign fodder. High levels of arsenic and lead were first found at Western Middle School in late Spring 2016. Fields were closed that summer, and some are still closed. Imagine if this happened at Eastern Middle School. Do you think the town would dare to have those fields sit idle for three years without even a plan or timetable formulated for returning the fields to public use? Seeing money in a proposed budget might seem like progress, but consider what the school board wrote in the comments section of the budget. Defer to FY21, high likelihood construction will not begin in FY20. I spoke Friday afternoon with Peter Hill and Jeff Wilcox, two state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection scientists who are overseeing the Western field clean-up. Wilcox told me that there is a meeting with school officials March 20, but as of now there is no plan and no budget that weve seen. The state has to approve any plan before the first shovelful of dirt leaves the ground. WMS playing fields are closed. Hamilton Avenues playground has been unusable since the school re-opened, and the town used the William Street ballfield as a construction staging area for New Lebanon School. The equivalent in eastern Greenwich would be the closure of Eastern Middle School fields, unusable fields behind Riverside School and North Mianus parking lot turned into a public works depot. There would be protest marches at every Starbucks in town if that were the case. Local Democratic electoral gains in the last two years give that party a better than usual chance of winning Town Hall. Neither of the two Republicans publicly interested in the first selectman spot, BET member Michael Mason and state Rep. Fred Camillo, has been visible in either the debate over treating soil contamination or the neglect suffered by residents in western Greenwich. There are plenty of Democrats, too, who have been notably silent. But if the Democrats find new faces to run this year, the Republicans may be forced to finally confront their past failings. Bob Horton can be reached at bobhorton@yahoo.com. Americans are one step closer to seeing genetically modified salmon at their grocery stores. The Food and Drug Administration announced Friday that it is lifting an import alert that stopped genetically engineered salmon from entering the U.S. The salmon, called "Frankenfish" by some, won FDA approval in 2015 -- the first approval of a genetically engineered animal intended for food. The FDA, after years of review, had deemed food from the AquaAdvantage Salmon safe to eat in 2015 and said there is no biological difference between these salmon and nongenetically engineered salmon. But Congress blocked the FDA in 2016 from allowing the fish to be sold in the U.S. until it finalized labeling guidelines to inform consumers the product was genetically engineered. The FDA then went ahead and implemented the import alert. Congress also passed a law that year directing the Department of Agriculture to set a national mandatory standard for disclosing bioengineered foods. In December, the USDA issued the standard, requiring manufacturers, importers and certain retailers to disclose whether a product was bioengineered using either text, a symbol, a electronic or digital link, and/or a text message. On Friday, FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said because of the 2016 law and the USDA's standard, his agency "no longer has the authority to issue labeling guidance." "However, the FDA believes this Congressional mandate has been satisfied by the USDA's issuance of final regulations implementing that law in late 2018 because the law and regulations require that human food containing GE salmon bear labeling indicating that it is bioengineered," Gottlieb said in a statement. The FDA will now allow AquaAdvantage salmon eggs, produced by AquaBounty, to be imported to the company's land-based facility in Indiana and raised into salmon for food. The AquaAdvantage salmon grows year-round and grows faster than farm-raised Atlantic salmon. Elements of the 2016 British referendum campaign have long seemed familiar to Americans. There was a close, controversial election, full of rancor and anger. There were a lot of wealthy men talking about "the people" and their "will." There were targeted advertising campaigns, stolen data and fake social media accounts. But now, with only a few days left until Britain is due to face the consequences of that vote, the Brexit story suddenly looks even more familiar: One of its protagonists turns out to have much deeper Russian business connections than previously suspected. He also tried to conceal them. The protagonist in question is Arron Banks, the most important funder of both the pro-Brexit UK Independence Party(UKIP) and Leave.EU, one of several organizations that campaigned to get Britain out of the European Union. By the relatively low-spending standards of British politics, Banks was a huge donor, giving $11 million of his own money to the Brexit cause and raising an additional $5 million on top. And here's the peculiarly British part of the story: Thanks to Banks's extensive use of tax havens and shell companies, it has never been entirely clear where all of that money came from - or even whether all of it was really his. Some of it, he says, comes from an insurance company he owns. Some comes, supposedly, from "diamond mines." All of it is spread among dozens of companies based in Gibraltar, the British Virgin Islands and the Isle of Man, according to documents revealed in the Panama Papers, among other things, as well as Britain. Although he has testified that none of the money used in funding the campaign came from foreign sources - which would be illegal - the British electoral commission found his stories suspicious enough to ask the National Crime Agency to investigate. Banks also seems to have been very friendly with some foreigners who also believed that Brexit was in their national interest. Last summer, the Guardian reported that the Russian ambassador to Britain had offered him a tantalizing and peculiarly lucrative investment in Russian gold mines; Banks declared categorically that he would never invest in Russia: "No. Flat. Zero. Nothing," he replied when asked directly by Channel 4 News. This Last week the broadcaster's reporters alleged that a finance company substantially owned by Banks did pursue the deal - and even identified a shell company, based in Sweden, that could be used to pursue it. Because Banks still denies that the deal happened, and because the story is so hard to follow further, we won't know the truth before March 29, when Britain is scheduled to leave the EU. But even if this story won't delay Brexit, it does firmly locate the referendum within a larger context. The truth is that Britain has become a place where untransparent money, from unknown sources, is widely accepted with a complacent shrug. London is the world capital of offshore banking, home to the most sophisticated accountants and lawyers; a third of British billionaires have availed themselves of those services and moved their money beyond the reach of the state, according to a reportThursday in the Times of London. Many of them nevertheless continue to make donations to British political parties, and many continue to lobby to keep the rules that favor them exactly as they are. As a result, the British political class does not have the willpower to force them to bring their money home. The British state does not have the legal tools to force Banks to show where his cash came from. The British media continue to investigate, but if anyone were trying to influence the British referendum campaign from outside the country - beyond the social media manipulation that is now de rigueur in almost every election - it's possible that we'll never know. And here's the final irony: If Brexit was the creation, in part, of this new world of offshore money and political influence campaigns, Brexit may well ensure that it continues unrestricted. The EU is probably the only power in Europe - maybe even the only one in the world - with the regulatory strength to change the culture of tax avoidance. And since 2016, it has been slowly enacting rules designed to do exactly that. Britain, once it leaves the EU, may well be exempt. British industry might suffer after Brexit, and British power will be reduced. But the gray zone - where politics meets money, where foreign money can become domestic, where assets can be hidden and connections concealed - will survive. Perhaps that was the point all along. Haiti - Tourism : Despite the crisis, Haiti is present at the largest World Tourism Fair Despite the recent socio-political troubles that have hurt all operators of the tourism industry in Haiti https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-27073-haiti-economy-the-crisis-in-haiti-a-disaster-for-the-tourism-sector.html , the Ministry of Tourism participates once again https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-23784-icihaiti-tourism-haiti-s-booth-at-itb-attracts-many-people.html to the world's largest World Tourism Fair (ITB) held in Berlin (Germany) ITB International Tourism, Berlin from 6-10 March 2019. "We are working to keep HAITI on the global tourist map by redoubling our efforts to improve the image and perception of Haiti. The highlighting of the three major North / West / South development poles and their many natural, cultural and historical charms is a good illustration of our integrated regional development strategy," said Marie Christine Stephenson, Minister of Tourism. Strategic meetings with the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and several Caribbean countries have confirmed the neecesity and the need for strategic development for all of the multi-destination through the concept of Island Hopping in order to regionally establish our competitiveness in the face of new global issues. This year, the Ministry of Tourism wanted to highlight the Haitian tourism operators who animate and build strength, the resilience of the sector. The latter responded to the call to raise the colors and their respective potential in Berlin, among others : Destination Hispaniola (binational tour), Destination Creole (Cap-Haitien), Tour Haiti (national), Haiti Roots (Tourism eco-friendly responsible and supportive), ATH, ATSud, NDGO, Tourism Innovative summit, Sunrise Airways, Explore Caribbean, Explore Haiti. In addition to the international unveiling of the new brand-country "Haiti, a land, a soul" https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-26751-haiti-economy-new-country-brand.html the Berlin fair had been the opportunity to present to the world a new Haitian product "Caves and canyons" of southern Haiti, which is aimed at the niche markets of adventure tourism, sport tourism, and more broadly, solidarity-based tourism of nature; Ministry of Tourism presented its first Tourism Topoguide produced as part of its RIAT-South/TCD program, supported in particular by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) in collaboration with the Technical Implementation Unit of the Ministry of Economy and finances. Despite a participation that the Ministry of Tourism wanted the most economical possible in the light of the crisis, Haiti has shown determination and distinction in this great tourism fair. With its presence in Berlin, the Ministry of Tourism plans to prepare the next high tourist seasons in 2020, where Cap-Haitien, the Great North in general will be honored on the occasion of the 350 years of the capital of the North and the commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the death of the great king builder Henry Christophe (Henry 1st). See also : https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-27051-icihaiti-social-at-least-26-dead-and-77-wounded-in-protests.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-27046-haiti-flash-air-canada-suspends-flights-for-2-months-between-montreal-and-port-au-prince.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-26930-haiti-crisis-7th-days-of-demonstrations-at-least-2-dead-and-thirty-wounded.html https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-26982-icihaiti-tourism-moulin-sur-mer-temporarily-stops-its-activities.html https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-26958-icihaiti-canada-back-home-for-133-tourists-hostages-of-the-crisis-in-haiti.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-26950-haiti-tourism-hard-blow-for-haiti-and-the-development-of-the-haitian-tourism-sector.html https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-26992-icihaiti-crisis-tourism-and-the-image-of-haiti-seriously-affected.html https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-23784-icihaiti-tourism-haiti-s-booth-at-itb-attracts-many-people.html HL/ S/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Security : 205 demonstrations since December, the PNH to the limit of its capacities According to the Report of the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, on the United Nations Mission for the Support of Justice in Haiti (Minujusth), published last week out of 205 demonstrations that have taken place since December in Haiti, 38 required the mobilization of internal resources that exceeded the operational capacity of the Haitian National Police (PNH) Excerpt from the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Mission in Support of Justice (Minujusth) in Haiti : "The Haitian national police have been increasingly self-sufficient in providing security across the country. The positive performance demonstrated during the recent protests is an indication of the forces increased capacity and ability to maintain order across the country. However, since December, 38 of 205 demonstrations required mobilization of internal resources beyond the normal operational capacity of police public order units. In addition, to address the rise in criminal gang activity in the third quarter of 2018, the national police developed a strategy of targeted interventions in the Port-au-Prince neighbourhoods of Village de Dieu, La Saline and, more recently, Savanne Pistache. As a result, 4 of 12 larger operations were conducted by the national police with limited support from MINUJUSTH. The national police have also taken over full operational responsibility in the GrandAnse Department and have increased their capacity over the West Department following the departure of two formed police units during the current period, thus becoming autonomous in 6 of the 10 departments of Haiti, where crowd control units operate without MINUJUSTH support. During a meeting of the steering committee for the national police strategic development plan held in January, donors were informed that 96 of 133 priority actions were under way. However, the draft 2019/20 budget law, providing for a 6.24 per cent allocation to the national police of the overall State budget, will not allow for sustained momentum in implementation. Through an audit conducted by the Superior Court of Audits and Administrative Disputes, the Director-General of the national police removed a number of inactive officers from the payroll, lowering the operational number to 15,051, including nearly 10 per cent women, with a police officer to population ratio of 1.32 per 1,000 inhabitants. The number of police personnel deployed to the departments increased to 35 per cent of the overall police force. Meanwhile, recruitment efforts continue, and 671 cadets, including 142 women, are in the seven-month training programme as part of the thirtieth national police promotion. MINUJUSTH and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-Women) have been working with the police school to develop strategies to increase the number of female candidates. The numbers of women among the ranks still need to rise, both for effectiveness generally, for security sector reform, and for the impact that will have on appropriately addressing gender-based violence crimes. In January, the national police rolled out an officer appraisal system, piloted in 2018. The new performance evaluations will become part of a merit-based promotion system. MINUJUSTH funded a 15-day training on internal audit for the General Inspectorate of the national police and its Finance and Accounting Directorate, to consolidate mechanisms to combat corruption and embezzlement. In order to decentralize its oversight functions beyond Port-au-Prince, the General Inspectorate drafted a proposal for a pilot project to be launched in one of the four departments where this programme will eventually operate. The regional mentoring and advisory programme for senior police managers is being revised to better meet needs in the light of the forthcoming transition of the United Nations presence. The new model makes the transfer of managerial skills and competencies sustainable and to the benefit not only of senior management but also of mid-level personnel and supervisors. The police component of MINUJUSTH continued to conduct training on sexual and gender-based violence for actors of the judicial chain in order to build a common understanding on victims care and to share best practices. The community violence reduction project of mobilization against sexual and gender-based violence, benefiting 11,864 people, including 7,635 women, through sensitization workshops in the Artibonite, GrandAnse and South departments was completed. An ad hoc task force was established in each department to bring together State and non-State representatives involved in the judicial processing of cases of sexual and gender-based violence and to identify bottlenecks and possible solutions." HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - March 8 : Rain of homage to Haitian women On Friday, March 8, as part of the International Women's Rights Day, many political figures and institutions did not fail to emphasize in messages the courage and quality of women, paying them well-deserved homage, but all too often forgotten the rest of the year... President Jovenel Moise : "This March 8th reminds us of women's struggle for the right to vote, better working conditions and gender equality. My Administration will continue to work to make gender equity a reality at all levels of national life." Prime Minister Ceant : "Nan okazyon jounen 8 mas sila a, mwen wete chapo m byen ba pou m salye kouraj tout fanm Ayisyen alawonnbade. Batay pou libete-byennet pep ayisyen an makonnen tout bon vre ak batay pou emansipasyon fanm yo." First Lady of Haiti, Martine Moise : "I salute the courage of Haitian women on the occasion of International Women's Day. Together, let's fight for women to be autonomous. 'nn kreye poun Leve. Fanm nan kat kwen peyi mwen envite nou pran yon ti tan poun nou reflechi ansanm sou wol ak enpotans nou nan sosyete a. Nan okazyon jounen mondyal fanm yo mwen ankouraje tout fanm kelkeswa kote yo ye sou bout te a pou nou rete solide youn ak lot.'" Carl Cantave Speaker of the Senate : "Symbols of courage and hope, Haitian women deserve our consideration at all times. We can continue to build on this important category of society that has always been a driving force in progressive dynamics. I can not, on the occasion of International Women's Rights Day, fail to pay this well-deserved tribute to you women of my country," Dr. Carl Murat Cantave, President of the Senate. Town Hall of Port-au-Prince : "Jounen mondyal dwa fanm 8 Mas chak ane se yon rapel sou yon batay nou dwe mennen chak jou. Yon batay pou sosyete ak egalite, kote dwa fanm respekte paske yo se moun. Batay sa dwe fet nan enstitisyon yo, menm jan Administrasyon Kominal Potoprens fe l, atrave politik egalite fanm ak gason li tabli anndan Meri a. Li le pou nou fe respe dwa fanm yon priyorite enstitisyonel ak sosyetal." Senator Joseph Lambert : "Today, March 8, 2019, I renew my membership in the fight for the Haitian feminist movement. A special thought for women leaders engaged in the permanent quest for dignity, freedom, democracy and political rights." Secretary of State Eddy Jackson Alexis : "My feelings of solidarity and commitment to the ongoing struggle with Haitian women, on the occasion of International Women's Day, March 8, 2019." Eddy Jackson Alexis Secretary of State for Communication. Minister of National Education : "Respect and tribute to the valiant Haitian women for their constant struggle to assert their rights in society. A special greeting to our teachers at the MENFP on this special day dedicated to them. Good luck !" Pierre Josue Agenor Cadet, Minister of National Education Ministry of Health : "The Ministry of Public Health and Population emphasizes that gender equality calls for concrete action and invites everyone to work together to correct the inequalities between men and women in order to truly achieve the sustainable development goals. The Ministry makes a fitting tribute to all women who have brought and continue to bring their support to the health sector. Thank you for your love, your determination and your courage to save lives. The Ministry is proud of you !" Josue Pierre-Louis of the OMRH : "The General Coordinator of the Office of Management and Human Resources (OMRH), Dr. Josue Pierre-Louis, wishes a happy holiday to all women, especially those in the Haitian civil service, wishes for happiness and full equality in public administration." American Embassy : "On this International Womens Day, we are proud to support 'Women as Change Makers in Economic and Social Development' a Single Country International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) exchange program created to expose Haitian women to innovative ways American women have changed the business culture.The impressive Haitian contingent includes Joanna Moreau, Begenithe Begin, Alexandrine Benjamin, Valerie Pierre-Louis and Myrlande Therssier. They will also visit several womens organizations in the US and explore the role that women play as social change agents. We wish them an enriching experience in the United States and look forward to their retun." National Ambulance Center : "Precious Collaborators! Professional bravery! Colleagues and friends! Through the ambulance networks of all departments of the country, the 149 women employed at the National Ambulance Center remind us every day that they carry the title of "Poto mitan" in our society. Good struggle !" Simon Dieuseul Desras : "I salute the commitment of Haitian women, the backbone of the country's economy, to a society where respect for their rights becomes a reality. " Former President Miche Martelly : "Thinking equitably, building smart, innovating for change to give women the place they deserve in our society." Me Andre Michel : "I salute the courage of Haitian women. I particularly greet women who are raising their children alone in a difficult country like ours without forgetting those who get up early and go to bed late. Haitian women represent the poto mitan of our society." HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - News : Zapping... Money changer shot down in Gonaives On Friday morning in Gonaives, Robert Dieudonne, a money changer was shot dead by three unidentified individuals who were riding a motorcycle, who fled after their crime. 3 political blocs registered in the Lower House 3 political blocks were registered in the office of the Chamber of Deputies. They are the "Alliance of Parliamentarians for Renewal" (APR) (formerly known as APH), a pro-government majority block that brings together 52 deputies : the bloc "Entente des Parlementaires pour une Alternative Nationale" (EPAN) which gathers 48 deputies (acquired by Gary Bodeau, Speaker of the House) and the minority opposition bloc GEPEP / Verite / OPL and allies. Lack of money, unpaid public servants Ronald Decembre, the Minister of the Economy and Finance recognizes that the State faces great financial difficulties, pointing out that not all State employees have been paid because of the very low level of public revenue, consequence of the socio-political unrest and riots that the country experienced during the month of February. Presidential Grace for 16 Women Paul Eronce Villard, the Government Commissioner of Port-au-Prince announces that the presidential pardon will be granted to 16 women imprisoned for minor offenses and that 6 others were released Friday, March 8 at the special sessions presided over by women in the civil court of Port-au-Prince https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-27133-haiti-news-zapping.html Haiti will receive $45 million in IMF loan this year Friday, Ronald G. Decembre the Minister of Economy and Finance said that the $229 million concessional loan over three years at 0% interest granted to Haiti by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-27124-haiti-flash-the-government-will-borrow-$229m-from-the-imf.html , the IMF will disburse $45.3 million during the current fiscal year. Commissioning of toilets in Salnave Zamor High School The National Directorate of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DINEPA) has commissioned a modern toilet block at Salnave Zamor high school in Lascahobas, comprising 18 compartments (men and women), including 2 compartments intended people with reduced mobility. This new block adds to more than 30 others already built across the country. In addition, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between DINEPA, the Lycee and the Lascahobas Town Hall on the management of this sanitary block. HL/ HaitiLibre The Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue Center in Hampton Bays was founded by Virginia Frati in the late 1990s to provide care and rehabilitation for injured wildlife. It's the only facility of its kind on Long Island. The Center cares for and rehabilitates injured wildlife until they are able to be released back into the wild. Some that cannot be fully rehabilitated have permanent homes there. Saunders & Associates agent Jane Gill, a member of the Center's Board of Directors, is involved in making major decisions, and as a trained handler for birds of prey she is... By William Schwartz | Published on 2019/03/08 Nam Ji-woo has signed with Wayz Company. The Canadian-born actor is best known for his appearances in short films, and has been called the Jung Woo-sung of short films on the festival circuit. Advertisement The announcement was made on March 7th. Wayz Company expressed confidence in the strength of Nam Ji-woo's acting as well as the breadth of his range. They further noted how Nam Ji-woo speaks English and Japanese in addition to Korean, and is also a skilled piano player. This makes Nam Ji-woo a performer of diverse talents. Nam Ji-woo studied news broadcasting at Simon Fraser University. He has appeared in over one hundred short films, and has also had appearances in "A Poem a Day" and "Unctrollably Fond". Written by William Schwartz China's Minister of Commerce Zhong Shan (C), Vice Minister of Commerce and Deputy China International Trade Representative Wang Shouwen (2nd R) and Vice Minister of Commerce Qian Keming (2nd L) attend a press conference on China's domestic market and all-round opening-up for the second session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing on March 9, 2019. [Photo: Xinhua/Shen Bohan] Hopes are rising in China that the trade talks between China and the United States will bring the trading relationship between the two sides back on track, according to China's vice minister of commerce. Vice Minister Wang Shouwen shared his views on the ongoing talks during a press conference on the sidelines of the annual legislative session of the National People's Congress. "The global exports of the United States have risen by 7 percent in the past year, but the country's exports to China have decreased by 7 percent," said Wang. "Increasing tariffs will harm the benefits of the people in both countries, including workers, farmers, and enterprises." Aerial view of containers at the fourth phase of the Yangshan Deep-Water Port, the world's largest automated cargo wharf to start trial operation, in Shanghai on December 6 2017. [File Photo: IC] Wang said that China and the United States are trying their best to implement the consensus reached by presidents of the two countries. He said substantial progress was made during the three rounds of negotiation that have taken place since December. Teams from both countries are working towards reversing the increases in tariffs and bringing bilateral trade back on track. The vice minister stressed that reaching a mutually beneficial agreement was in the interests of China and the United States, and in line with the expectations of people around the world. Families bereaved by security forces in the North met Karen Bradley over her controversial comments on state killings - and handed her a photo of an 11-year-old boy who was shot dead by the British army lying in his coffin. The northern Ireland secretary approached a number of victims' groups in the wake of her "distressing" gaffe. During the meeting Ms Bradley was given pictures of Stephen McConomy, who was shot and killed by a plastic bullet near his home in Derry in 1982. Speechless The photographs included one of him in his school uniform two weeks before he was killed, another of him on a life-support machine and one of him in his coffin. Representatives of campaign group Relatives for Justice said she was left "speechless" at the images. Ms Bradley said on Wednesday that killings by the police and military during The Troubles were not crimes but the actions of people "fulfilling their duties in a dignified and appropriate way". They sparked fury among some victims and political parties. A delegation of relatives travelled to Stormont House in Belfast yesterday to discuss the furore. Speaking after the meeting, Frances Meehan, whose brother was shot dead by the British army in 1980, called for Ms Bradley to resign. "I wanted to look her in the eye to tell her how I felt," she said. "Her position is untenable and she needs to resign." Relatives of those killed in shootings involving the army in Ballymurphy in west Belfast in 1971 refused to meet Ms Bradley. John Teggart, whose father Danny was shot 14 times, said: "We will not meet her and have one request - for her to resign." Ms Bradley said she would not be leaving but was "profoundly sorry". "A slip of the tongue has caused enormous distress," she said. "I do not believe what I said - that is not my view." Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said her apology was "genuine and heartfelt". Britain has said Prime Minister Theresa May retains full confidence in her. Ms Bradley's comments come a week before decisions on whether 17 soldiers involved in the Bloody Sunday shootings in Derry in 1972 will face prosecution. Twins Sean and and Emma are all smiles with their special bravery awards, together with their grandmother Ruth Clarke Four-year-old twins Sean and Emma have been honoured with special bravery medals after their quick-thinking saved their grandmother's life. Their actions allowed medics to reach Ruth Clarke, who had suffered a seizure or an electrical malfunction in the brain. Ruth said the swift actions of the four-year-olds ensured she received prompt medical attention. The twins' proud mother, May O Suilleabhain, said she cannot believe how courageously they responded to the emergency. "We thought the absolute worst," she said. "We thought that nanny had passed away. Screaming "Sean was on the phone to me. He was screaming that he couldn't wake nanny up. "Our first thought was that she had passed away, and what do we do now? "The twins were locked in their home with their nan and it was dark outside." "What do they do? It was unbelievable how they reacted. We are so, so proud of them." The twins received the special bravery medals at the Naionra (play school) of Gaelscoil Mhichil Ui Choileain in Clonakilty, Co Cork, where they are students. The twins were being looked after in their own home by Ruth and their grandfather, Stephen, while their parents, May and Brian O Suilleabhain, were in Kerry for the day. When Stephen returned home, Ruth was left on her own with the twins. When Ruth suddenly lost consciousness, the twins tried to wake her up, but she did not respond. Sean displayed remarkable quick-thinking by finding his grandmother's phone and searching through her stored numbers. He was then able to ring both his mother and his grandfather. Sean was able to contact his mother, who immediately raised the alarm, while his grandfather raced to the house. Sean and Emma were able to unlock the door to allow him in to assist their grandmother. Paramedics were on the scene within minutes - and their prompt intervention ensured Ruth could be saved. Emma had assisted Sean throughout the dramatic incident. Their grandmother was rushed by ambulance to hospital and, thanks to the rapid attention she received due to the twins raising the alarm, has since made a good recovery. Stephen said the twins' swift actions were truly remarkable. "I got a phone call from Sean at 6am. Ruth was babysitting at the house because Brian and May were at a concert in Tralee." "They said they couldn't wake nanny. I rushed over to the house and found my wife unconscious on the bed. "Sean had also phoned his mum who had phoned for the ambulance. "The ambulance arrived and they rushed her to Cork University Hospital where she was in a coma. She was in a coma in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for two days. "They later put it down to epilepsy or an electrical malfunction in the brain. "She is OK now - but they saved her life. No doubt about it. "When I arrived at the house I couldn't get in because the door was locked. "I said to Sean to open the door and, when he couldn't reach the latch, he got his tricycle, pulled it to the front door, climbed up on it and managed to open the door. He is only four but he is a very, very bright child. "I didn't know what to expect that day. It was a terrible ordeal because you just didn't know what the outcome was going to be." The twins' father, Brian, said he was very proud of Sean and Emma. "I was wondering if everything was OK and what was happening when I saw the call coming through on nanny's phone," he said. "We realised what the story was after Sean calmed down on the phone and told us exactly what happened. We rushed home straight away. "Sean plays games on the phone and his nanny was teaching him how to use it. So he was well used to using the handset. Delighted "We are delighted he was able to use the phone and ring both his grandad and ourselves. "We are delighted with the two children and they are thrilled by the award here today." Tributes to the children were paid by emergency services. "Their quick actions definitely saved her life that day," one paramedic said. The twins' parents and grandparents admitted they were "very, very proud" to see the little boy and girl honoured for their actions. Tributes were paid to the bravery and quick-thinking of the twins by the Gaelscoil Principal Cionnaith O'Suilleabhain, West Cork Rapid Response director Dr Jason van dear Velde and the Mayor of Clonakilty Gretta O'Donovan. Claire Byrne at 'Liz and Noel's Chernobyl Lunch' at the Intercontinental Hotel to raise vital funds for Adi Roche's Chernobyl Children International charity. Claire Byrne has made a call for better childcare in Ireland, saying she would never give up her work to be a stay-home mum. The RTE presenter said it was still predominantly women who left their jobs to look after their children. "What I always think about on days like today is childcare in Ireland, it is a huge problem," she told the Herald. "I always remember that time in my career when women around me started having children. "They had one child and they came back to work; they had two children and they start dropping off and people start giving up work to stay at home. It seems predominantly women that have to do that," she said. "If I had one wish this women's day it is that we begin to address, in a really serious way, childcare in this country." Struggle As a working mum, Claire said she would never give up her job to be a stay-at-home mother. However, balancing family and work life was a struggle, meal-prepping in advance and explaining to her children when she would be filming. "Being quite honest, it is always difficult, it is a struggle. Yesterday I was making two dinners, one for yesterday, one for today and you're always thinking about not being there the next day and telling your children, 'I have to go to work'. "It is always a juggle but I wouldn't have it any other way. "I love my children and love my work and I am not going to give up work. "I'm not the kind of person who could stay home all the time. I really admire people who do that, it is the hardest job in the world." Asked for advice for young women, she said she never let her gender define her role in the workplace. "I suppose I have always really loved what I do and I have worked really hard. "I've been lucky that it has been easy for me in a way because I have refused to see gender as an issue and I have just worked on that basis," said Claire (43). "I am just a person working in an industry, not a woman working in an industry. "I haven't encountered too many problems when it comes to gender but am cognisant there are women who deal with huge issues every day." Former Miss Ireland Pamela Flood and her restaurateur husband, Ronan Ryan, can walk away without paying a penny of the 1.2m they owe against the plush Dublin home they have lived in "rent-free" for nine years. Judge Jacqueline Linnane was also told in the Circuit Civil Court that they will not even have to pay the huge legal costs two banks have run up in trying to repossess the house in Mount Prospect Avenue, in leafy Clontarf, Dublin 3 The couple's barrister, Eoin O'Shea, who appeared with David M Turner Solicitors, told the court that Mr Ryan and Ms Flood had given the American-owned Tanager bank an undertaking that they and their children will have vacated the property by July 9. In return, the bank would undertake to limit the couple's indebtedness to whatever it could recover from the sale of the property - no legal costs, no repayment of 374,000 arrears they had built up since 2010 and no liability for the 1.25m outstanding on the mortgage. Rudi Neuman, counsel for Tanager Dac, told Judge Linnane that Ms Flood and Mr Ryan, who had taken out a 1.1m mortgage with Bank of Scotland just before Christmas 2006, had consented to the court granting Tanager an order for possession against them. Mr Neuman, who appeared with Amoss Solicitors, told the court the bank had agreed to a stay on the execution of the order for four months on condition the couple delivered up vacant possession of the house, worth up to 800,000, along with "all keys, fobs, electronic access devices and alarm codes" and an undertaking to co-operate with an auctioneer to show off the property. He said the bank sought an order restraining the couple from damaging the house or removing any fixtures and fittings and subject to their full compliance with the terms of the settlement document their indebtedness would be limited to the sum recovered from the sale. The bank was also not seeking any order for costs against the couple. Mr O'Shea told Judge Linnane the terms of the settlement agreement had been explained carefully to his clients who had put forward the vacant possession proposal that had been accepted by the bank. Judge Linnane, who heard that any other suggested arrangement would now be wholly unsustainable, said it was a pity such a settlement agreement could not have been reached much earlier in the proceedings and the judge made court orders in the terms of the proposed settlement. The couple now have up to four months to find alternative accommodation for themselves and their four children. The court heard earlier that Mr Ryan (48) had not paid anything off his 1.1m mortgage since August 2010. Ms Flood (47) had not been named on the 2006 mortgage documents with Bank of Scotland, but had been joined as a Notice Party to the proceedings following her marriage to Ryan in 2014. Tanager, described as an American-owned vulture fund, has a registered office at Clanwilliam Square, Grand Canal Quay, Dublin. It snapped up more than 2,000 distressed Irish home loans almost 10 years ago at heavily discounted rates from Bank of Scotland. More than 90pc of those loans were two years or more in arrears. Ryan used to own three restaurants, all of which were hit by the recession of 2008. Model Ms Flood, a former model and host of the Off The Rails television series and several RTE shows, was to have presented a TV3 documentary series about older mothers, but this was shelved after Virgin Media took over the station. The mother-of-four won the Miss Ireland pageant 26 years ago. She stated in the past that despite their career difficulties, the couple's marriage was rock solid. Under the agreement the couple, after a period of two weeks following the court case, will facilitate house sales representatives access to their home for the purpose of photographing and assessing the property for inclusion in sales brochures. Geraldine Doyle is accused of theft by deception A 64-year-old woman who is accused of fraudulently receiving thousands of euro in deserted wife's benefit has been sent for trial. Geraldine Doyle is accused of deceiving others into making the benefit payments over a 12-year period. She was served with the book of evidence when she appeared on bail at Blanchardstown District Court. Ms Doyle, of The Village, Porterstown, Clonsilla, is charged with multiple counts of theft and making gain or causing loss by deception. The alleged incidents took place on various dates between 2004 and 2016. It is alleged that Ms Doyle induced others to make payments in respect of deserted wife's benefit. It is estimated that more than 4,000 was involved in the thefts. Caution A State solicitor said the book of evidence was ready and had been served on the accused. Ms Doyle will go forward for trial to the present sittings of Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Blanchardstown District Court was told there are 20 charges in the book of evidence. Judge Paula Murphy gave the accused the formal alibi caution. Ms Doyle has not yet indicated how she is pleading to the charges. She was assigned a solicitor on free legal aid after the court heard that she was in receipt of disability allowance. An application for a senior counsel was deferred by Judge Murphy to the circuit court. Judge Murphy also ordered that a video copy of an interview which gardai conducted with Ms Doyle be forwarded to her legal team. The accused was remanded on bail in her own bond to appear before the circuit court on a date at the end of March. Four residents living near Tayto Park have put the brakes on plans for a new "iconic" 14m roller-coaster at Ireland's largest theme park. Donal Greene, Clare Smith, Suzanne Galwey and Jeremy Butcher lodged a joint appeal to An Bord Pleanala against the decision by Meath County Council to give the project the go-ahead last month. The appeal now threatens the Tayto Park timeline to have the roller-coaster constructed and open to visitors by 2021 and puts a question mark over the project. The planned Coaster 2021 will involve two separate roller-coasters. A 189-page environmental-impact statement lodged with the planning application outlined the stark need for Coaster 2021 for the future of the park. The document said that if the operators did not add a major attraction at this time "the longer-term viability of the park would be brought into question". Increase Planning documents say Coaster 2021 will help visitor numbers at the park - owned by businessman Ray Coyle- increase from 630,000 in 2019 to 725,000 in 2023. However, in their objection to the plan, Ms Galwey and Mr Butcher - who live 200m from the park entrance - said: "This development is entirely inappropriate from the perspectives of traffic, noise and overall disruption." They supported Tayto Park in their community but said the development was of an inappropriate scale. They said they experienced noticeable noise pollution from the park from the existing Cu Chulainn roller-coaster from ratcheting sounds, riders' screams and the roaring of the cars. Tayto Park declined to comment on the appeal. A decision is due on the appeal in early July. Trucker charged with killing fellow driver on I-81 in West Virginia A trucker is charged with fatally shooting a fellow driver in a road rage incident that stretched along Interstate 81 in West Virginia. Missed Delivery? If missed delivery or wet paper please call our office 909-628-5501 ext 110 Leave a detailed message with name, address, and phone number. Readers must call before 1 p.m. on Saturday. Re-deliveries are available for Chino residents until 1 p.m. Saturdays. Click Here Actor Irrfan Khan, who returned to India last month after receiving neuroendocrine tumour treatment in London, was spotted at Mumbai airport on Saturday. Irrfan can be seen avoiding paparazzi at the airport as he chose to hide his face with a muffler. He was spotted wearing a pink jacket and camouflage pants. However, it was not clear where the Piku actor was heading to. Back in March last year, Irrfan had revealed that he has been diagnosed with a rare tumour. Soon after, he went to London for treatment. The unexpected makes us grow, which is what the past few days have been about. Learning that I have been diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumour as of now has admittedly been difficult, but the love and strength of those around me and that I found within me has brought me to a place of hope, Irrfan earlier said while sharing the news of his tumour. A source close to the actor confirmed that the globally renowned star is back, but dismissed all other claims. Irrfan is back in Mumbai. But people are publishing all sorts of stories without any confirmation. They are not true, the source said. While reports said the actor will begin work on Hindi Medium 2, its producer Dinesh Vijan had said earlier, Right now, everything is speculation. Irrfan had just come back to town. Its the script that is ready. Hopefully, in another one month, well have a clarity. Should there just be a day dedicated to celebrate women? Well, should there be no day at all? Does celebrating Womens Day (on March 8) make sense? Or is the day a commercial attempt by profiteers? Well, we can be on the either side of the fence or sit on it.Author and IPS officer Esha Pandey feels its a day when one could celebrate everyday warriors. Heres what she says: I first celebrated Womens Day in my school, the Army Public School, Lucknow. As the captain of Trishul House, which was on duty during the week, I had to plan activities for the assembly and decorate the main notice board with material relevant to the topic. It was a very good way to introduce a new topic to knowledge-hungry kids. When I joined masters at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), the importance of the day was further impressed upon me. There were debates, plays, book displays and collage making through the week preceding Womens Day. However, there was a lot of negativity attached to celebrating women on only one day in the year. I mean how could anyone at JNU in their right minds, say that the rest of the days of the year were not days for women? Even when I was writing my MPhil on the three waves of feminism, I was theorizing. The real meaning of the idea behind International Womens Day dawned upon me after I joined the Indian Police Service in my mid-twenties. It was a day when women were recognized for their achievements without differences ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political. Reality of the womens struggle day in and day out changed the paradigm of being a woman for me completely, once I came face-to-face with the dilemmas of a working woman, or a victim of sexual abuse, or a victim of domestic violence waiting for justice ,or a single mother who was also a constable working at night, or a very senior officer who still had a few glass ceilings to break (sic). There was no equality, not even a semblance of it in Indian society. So why was Womens Day celebrated with so much gusto if the real premise of equality had still not been reached in the last four decades since the celebration of first International Womens Day in 1975, I asked. The answer lies in the social media campaigns of the major political parties. There is no or very little support for womens rights and participation in the political and economic arenas. 33% reservation in Parliament and Police, is a case in point. There are only 11.2% women in Lok Sabha and only 7.28% women in Police in India. Therefore, International Womens Day needs to be celebrated every year to build support for womens rights and participation in the political and economic arenas. The survivors and the warriors need to be celebrated every day and if the International Womens Day on 8th March provides that opportunity, so be it. I asked my batchmate Suman Chandra, an IAS officer and a maverick of sorts, what feminism meant for her and if she celebrated Womens Day. To her, feminism means striving for something which society might otherwise make women believe that they arent capable of. She believes that International Womens Day is a reminder that women should not give up, that each day is an opportunity to renew the pledge to push ones limits. Suman is a warrior, she believes in being a hands-on mother and despite it not being welcomed at senior levels, she chose to give motherhood as much importance as her work. She doesnt think that women have to give up on motherhood to succeed. She stands up for herself and voices her opinions where it matters the most. Neha, a senior IPS officer, says that its good that a day has been earmarked to celebrate the wonder that is woman. For her feminism is about the freedom to make choices, without being judged by society. She believes we have come a long way but there are miles to go before we actually break the glass ceilings found everywhere. Besides being a daring police officer, Neha takes interest in the womens cause and encourages them to be fearless. As a district SP, she launched an attack on the country liquor industry with the help of local women and saved many lives from the impending hooch tragedies. The real meaning of Womens Day, therefore, is to celebrate everyday warriors and survivors and to celebrate the spirit of never giving up. The commercialization (think various discount coupons) of a cause might have happened, still its a cause which is extremely relevant, and we cannot lose sight of. Heres wishing all my fearless divas a happy Womens Day! smiles Esha. Esha Pandey is an IPS officer and an author. Her latest book, Someone Exactly Like You, is now available for order. She has served as a DCP in Delhi Police . Interact with the author @PandeyEsha At a time when tension between the two neighbouring countries continues to simmer in the wake of airstrikes on a terror launch pad across the border, a 33-year-old man from Ambala tied the knot with a woman from Sialkot in Pakistan. Telecom contractor Parvinder, 33, who hails from Tepla village of Ambala, married Kiran Sarjeet, 27, in a simple ceremony following Sikh traditions. The two were engaged in 2016 when Sarjeet visited her maternal uncles house at Samana in Patiala. Parvinder, who is the youngest of three siblings, said he has known Sarjeet for long since she is a distant relative of his aunt (wife of fathers younger brother). Her family had stayed back in Sialkot during Partition in 1947. She was teaching in a private school in Pakistan. The family has arrived in India on a 45-day visa. Parvinder was sceptical about marriage, when tensions brewed between the two countries in February. The girl and her family could not come with the Samjhauta Express cancelled. Hours before the marriage, the SGPC-controlled gurdwara was hesitant to perform the ceremony. However, later the authorities intervened the and the ceremonies were performed. Alls well that ends well, said Parvinder, as he starts a new phase of his life. I am happy. Now, I request that the Indian government to grant a visa to my wife for Ambala, so that she can stay with me at my parental house. Presently, she has visa only for Patiala, thus I have taken house on rent at Patiala to stay with her. I do hope that the Indian government will resolve this issue at earliest, he said. I hope that the marriage sends signals of love and peace to people of both countries. Tension should be reduced and friendship should be encouraged, said Parvinder, adding that he was told by some of his friends, who have in-laws in Pakistan, to go ahead with the wedding, as the Indian government was generous in granting citizenship to married women. Tepla sarpanch Summet Kaur said he requests authorities to grant the visa to Sarjeet for Ambala, so that she can stay at her husbands house. Now, she is married to an Indian boy and is our daughter-in-law, and the government should extend this facility to her, she said. Surjeet Singh Cheema, the brides father, said, If peace prevails, then only both countries can grow and become prosperous. Tension between neighbouring countries is not good for the people of the region. Both countries should not forget that they have the same culture, same people, and dialogue is the only solution. He said that he was happy in Pakistan, My daughter found Parvinder suitable for her and married her. Huge quantity of explosive substances were seized from a goods vehicle in Chitpur area of Kolkata, a senior police officer said on Saturday. Acting on a tip-off, police officers intercepted a goods vehicle near Tala bridge on the BT Road in the early hours of Saturday and seized 27 gunny bags containing about 1,000 kg of potassium nitrate, the IPS officer said. Potassium nitrate is used in making explosives. Two persons the driver and his helper have been arrested, he said. The vehicle was coming from Odisha and was heading towards North 24 Parganas district. We have arrested the driver and the helper of the goods vehicle. We are interrogating the duo and trying to find out more details from them, the officer added. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON This service applies to you if your subscription has not yet expired on our old site. You will have continued access until your subscription expires; then you will need to purchase an ongoing subscription through our new system. Please contact The Chanute Tribune office at 620-431-4100 if you have any questions Dr Johnson once said when a man is tired of London, hes tired of life. Let me add a corollary: To appreciate London to the full you have to overindulge yourself. Which is why I call it the wicked city. Theres much to recommend this most civilised of capitals and, odd though it may seem, food is one of them. I love eating out in London and last week I did a lot of it. Now, as far as Im concerned, there are two types of eatings out that I enjoy. The first is junk food and London is the trash meal capital of the world. My favourite used to be a place called Tootsies in Holland Park. Here the burgers would come with 32 different toppings and the wine was so rough you could smoothen it with a carpenters plane! I always have my burger well done with a double helping of blue cheese sauce. But the piece de resistance is the thick chocolate cake with hot fudge and what I call shaving foam. Since it comes out of an aerosol and rises in concentric circles a cow would have to contort its udders to produce the same effect. Now, this is the sort of meal that produces ulcers and stomach aches but thats only afterwards. At the time it sends pangs of envy through the diners at the next table. You can see them drooling as they stare at your plate. Odd, isnt it, but the sine qua non of progress is a fondness for fast food, served in noisy joints, by cheeky waitresses, amid too many diners, none of whom one would particularly care to meet again. Tootsies was just that but it was also great fun. Sadly, the restaurant recently went bankrupt and has disappeared. But if you think my account of the Tootsies experience is akin to spinning a fast one, have a word with your young children. If they could find a Tootsies in Delhi, theyd never walk out of the place. Of course, London also has fancy restaurants. Some of the best in the world. But for me the other way of eating out is a proper dinner in a decent home. Recently, my friend the Countess of Keeling, was kind enough to host one for me. Perhaps because her title is false, her hospitality is particularly lavish. Thats been true of all the occasions Ive dined at her London home. However, the dinner I can never forget was several years ago. On the night in question, I was fed and watered to distinction or do I mean extinction? Vichyssoise, roast lamb, cranberry jelly, duchesse potatoes, courgettes, broccolli and an old-fashioned creme brulee with a hard and difficult-to-crack top. Such cooking is the best foundation for postprandial banter and this was no exception. What will you have next? Gauris late husband David politely asked. I can offer you a good cigar and an old brandy. What more could I possibly want? It was meant to be a rhetorical question but it set us thinking. A man likes his food hot, his brandy old, his cigar moist, and his wine dry. Going by that description, its heaven. But get the adjectives mixed-up and the result is disastrous. Ah, said David, very much in the same mood as I was. A drink before and a cigarette after are three of the best things in life. The question is whats the bit in between? Karan Thapar is the author of Devils Advocate: The Untold Story The views expressed are personal In China, 30 years ago, an audacious public protest in the capitals central square pushed Chinas autocrats to the brink, and when the Soviet Union imploded, the ruling partys most relentless critic became Russias president and dominant political figure. Ascendant America had no serious rival. In Europe, West welcomed East. Among the worlds most advanced countries, there seemed little left to fight over. The end to a century of conflict appeared to ensure democracy had carried the day. History had other plans. Today, most liberal democracies are more polarised than theyve been in decades, and voters in the United States, Britain, France, Italy, Mexico, Pakistan, and Brazil have rejected established political players in favour of hoped-for sweeping change. Political common ground between political parties in these and other countries is disappearing. According to Freedom House, a rights advocacy group, public trust in government stands at record lows. Donald Trumps America couldnt be much more bitterly divided. The European dream of convergence and ever-closer union faces serious challenges from within that EU, particularly from Italy, Poland, and Hungary. In rising China, meanwhile, President Xi Jinping, has consolidated power on a scale not seen since Mao and committed his country to an authoritarian, state-capitalist economic model. Many governments and citizens around the world see China as a source of security, stability, and opportunity while Europe and America represent political dysfunction and public disgust with government. How much ground has democracy lost in recent years? On the one hand, governing institutions in Europe, the United States, and other advanced industrial democracies are extraordinarily resilient. The checks on power they provide help societies withstand shocks. In the United States, opposition lawmakers, the courts, the media, and the bureaucracy have all pushed back against Trumps restless push to get his way. In Britain, parliament has put the breaks on Brexit plans that members dont want. In Western Europe, there are no elected leaders who can be sure their governments are built to last. Even in younger democracies like Turkey, Poland, and Hungary, bureaucracies, courts, journalists, opposition parties, and angry voters can still call elected populists to account. The recent history of Greece demonstrates democracys resilience. This country has endured an economic depression that hit harder and lasted longer than even the Great Depression of the 1930s in the United States. In response, a relatively new political party of the far left (Syriza) won power. But far-left or not, Syriza has kept promises to work with European institutions and the International Monetary Fund to restore confidence in the countrys future. But thats not the whole story, because even if democracy endures in countries where its deeply entrenched, new technologies, particularly in communications and the harvesting of personal data, can help prevent democracys spread to other countries. From Tiananmen Square to Soviet collapse to the fall of governments in the early days of the Arab Spring, many assumed advances in communications technology would make it impossible for autocrats to remain in charge. In a world where they could no longer control the flow of information within their borders and limit the ability of citizens to communicate with one another, how, many wondered, could autocrats maintain their grip? Instead, governments have found ways to use new technologies to protect themselves. Syrias civil war provides a compelling example. In the conflicts early days, Russia provided President Bashar al-Assad with a few hundred data engineers and analysts to help the Syrian military sift through the texts and social media accounts of Syrian citizens to spot and arrest those most likely to challenge their government. This low-cost project proved extraordinarily effective in helping the Syrian government deprive opponents of the regime of allies. There are important areas of discontent within China. Among the most significant is Xinjiang in Chinas northwest, historically populated by a Muslim Uighur minority that has faced systematic political and economic discrimination and forced ethnic assimilation. Violent unrest in the region once led the Chinese government to shut down the Internet across that region. Today, Chinese officials use advances in facial recognition technology and big data to identify potential troublemakers and reduce the risk of large-scale public demonstrations. These and other surveillance technologies available to the Chinese and Russian governments are fast becoming more widely available. Democracy, like technology, evolves. No one can say with confidence that any autocrat will govern for life. But for many governments around the world, lasting authoritarian rule is becoming a much more realistic option. Ian Bremmer is the president of Eurasia Group and GZERO Media and author of Us vs Them: The Failure of Globalism The views expressed are personal In February 1959, Dr Martin Luther King and his wife Coretta arrived in India on a three-week visit. The American civil rights leaders pilgrimage to the land of Gandhi has been extensively written about. However, while working in the papers of Dr King at Boston University, I found a fascinating footnote that deserves rehabilitation. Among those who read about Dr King and his travels through India was a person named MK Achutan. Originally from Tamil Nadu, he was then working as a technical assistant in the Calcutta station of All India Radio. On April 28, 1959, he posted a letter to Dr King at his home in Montgomery, Alabama. Mr Achutan said he was 28 years old, and a graduate in telecommmunications engineering from Madras University. He told Dr King that he was very much ambitious of coming to America for some further studies or training and I have been mustering all my efforts towards realizing this ambition. He had written to several US universities with no luck so far, hence this direct appeal to Dr King. Mr Achutan then provided Dr King more details about his personal background. He was, he wrote, in many respects, in a very disadvantageous position as I am born in a financially poor family belonging to a low caste, [in] one of the most backward communities in India. Education above primary classes, continued Mr Achutan, is something very rare in my community and the very reason for my studying up to the Bachelor of Engineering degree was that I had high academic records and was awarded scholarship to meet tuition and maintenance by the Harijan Welfare Department of the Madras State Government and I got admission in Engineering College by virtue of reservation for backward classes in educational institutions introduced by the National Government after Independence . There was reservation for Dalits studying within India, but not, alas, for those who wished to study further, outside India. Thus, as Mr Achutan pointed out, though [the] Indian Government is sending some people abroad every year for studies, no special consideration is being given to Backward Classes in selection and these Scholarships generally go to people of high social and financial status. Mr Achutan had written to a number of American universities asking for information, and for forms for scholarships and assistantships, but had received very curt replies or no replies at all from them. He significantly noted: At the same time, [high-caste Indian] persons who are already in America are easily able to take their relatives and closely associated friends with them to America and obtain financial assistances for them, as well as help them in getting forms, etc. Mr Achutans observations were absolutely accurate. The Indians sent abroad to study on government funds were almost all upper caste; and it was also upper castes who had the cultural capital and family connections to go abroad to study in a private capacity. Doubly burdened by his background, he was now asking Dr King to help, by writing to universities and asking them to send him the necessary forms. Mr Achutan ended his letter to Dr King as follows: This is the first time I am writing a personal letter to America and my belief, due to obvious reasons, that you will have a sympathetic attitude towards me has prompted me to write to you . I shall be thankful for an early reply from you. Requesting you once again to excuse me for troubling you with this letter. Posted from Calcutta on April 28, 1959, the letter must have reached Montgomery in early May. However, Dr Kings reply (a copy of which is in the Boston University archives) was posted only two months later, on July 14. He apologised for the slowness of his response, which was on account, he said, of absence from the city and the accumulation of a flood of mail. I have read your letter with a great deal of concern, wrote Dr King to Mr Achutan: Your problem is a real one and I hope it can be solved. You are to be admired for your determination and sense of direction. Dr King told Mr Achutan that he was not in the academic field and not directly involved in any university work. Yet he was moved enough by the request to take your problem with some of the college presidents that I know personally. It seems to be that since you are interested in engineering, Howard University, D. C., is the school which would best meet your needs. Dr King said he would write to the dean there, and as soon as he heard back, inform the Indian. Dr Kings own letter ended as follows: Again, let me say how much I admire you for your positive drive and willingness to sacrifice in order to achieve. I hope for you a most rewarding future. This correspondence between a forgotten Indian and a famous American makes for moving reading. Sending such a letter showed exceptional bravery; but then M K Achutan had showed courage all his life, in overcoming his disadvantaged family background to study engineering, in combating the upper caste prejudice he must surely have faced in school, college, and the workplace. At the same time, Dr Kings reply is also graceful and generous. It is an exchange that brings credit to both men. But what happened to the one who was unknown? Dr Kings doings from 1959 until his death in 1968 have been documented in minute detail. However, I was unable to find out what MK Achutan did thereafter. One hopes that he had the sort of rewarding future that his courage and his intelligence deserved. Ramachandra Guha is the author of Gandhi: The Years That Changed The World. The views expressed are personal The Indian school (ISC) of class 12 Psychology Examination was scoring as told by the students here in Lucknow on Friday after the examination got over. For City Montessori School, Aliganj campus 1, Lucknow this was the first batch of this school appearing for psychology. Many of the students of this school said they were able to complete it on time. Students said it was a standard question paper and most of the questions were set within the scope of the syllabus prescribed.Smiling faces after writing the board exam was enough to tell that they were satisfied with their performance. A student Sanjana said,The paper was easy and all the questions were from the syllabus. Another student Mehwish said, Part 1 of the paper needed deep study of the subject while the Part 2 was very easy ,overall it was a standard paper and went well. According to Swapnil Srivastava, the Psychology teacher of the school said most of the topics were covered in their Pre board exam, so they were very well prepared. It is expected that an average student also will be able to score good marks . Principal Jyoti Kashyap said the students look satisfied as they came out of the examination hall. She reported that she was happy to see the overall positive response of the students because it would be a motivating factor for them to upgrade their overall percentage. Students of CMS Gomti Nagar branch said paper was Very lengthy although subparts of question 1 were a bit tricky. By large paper was easy and predictable, said Kshitz Shandilya, a student. Paper was bit lengthy but all the questions were taught were properly so we were able to write to the full length, said Jaya Tripathi. Another student, Khushi Vats said paper was relatively easy. Students from City Montessori School, Kanpur road branch, Anveeksha and Jaitavie, the duo from Arts section said, The paper was little lengthy and we managed to finish on time. Combination of topics in part 2 were unexpected as per the trends from previous years Akansha Dixit, another student said, The paper was good and I felt satisfied writing my paper. Another student Raghav Chandra said, The paper was very marks gaining and Im sure to come up with flying colors Rishabh and Himanshu said, Im sure to gain good marks we did thorough preparation. Vibhuti and Utkarsh Shukla seems contented and approached the subject teacher enthusiastically discussing the answers. Mudita Kumar, the subject expert expressed her opinion that the paper effectively covered all the aspects of the syllabus and could be categorised as one which tested well the future potentialities of students in the subject also. The psychology paper this year is sure to promote a lot of interest among students for the subject. UPPSC Admit Card 2019: Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) has released Admit Card for Dental Surgeon recruitment examination 2019. The hall ticket can be downloaded from the official website- uppsc.up.nic.in. The UP Dental Surgeon exam will be conducted on March 17, 2019. Candidates can download their hall ticket by using their registration number, date of birth, DD/MM/YYYY format, gender and the given verification (captcha) code. UP Dental Surgeon 2019:How to download the hall ticket Visit the official website of Uttar Public Service Commission at uppsc.up.nic.in Click on the link that reads UP Dental Surgeon Admit Card, on the homepage Key in your UP Dental Surgeon application number, date of birth, security pin Your admit card will be displayed on the screen Download and take its print out. All treatment, testing and care for survivors of sexual assaults physical examinations, injuries, forensic tests, DNA profiling, and psychological and psychiatric care will be provided under one roof at a new facility to be developed at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), according to multiple people familiar with the matter. The proposal, by AIIMS, for a National One-Stop Sexual Assault Examination, Care and Research Centre has in-principle approval from the Union ministry of women and child development and is now with the Union ministry of health and family welfare for review, said the people cited above. Six rapes and multiple molestations are reported in Delhi every day, according to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data for 2016. The women need a physical examination and psychiatric evaluation and counselling, said Dr Sudhir Gupta, head of the department of forensic medicine, AIIMS, adding that the centre would be a way to reduce some of the burden on women who have been victims of heinous crimes. The centres establishment and operational cost (for the first five years) will be 40 crore and it will employ 10 doctors, two scientists for the DNA lab, six lab technicians, eight women nurses, and two data entry operators. It will be located in the forensic department of the hospital and will have a separate 24x7 reception and examination room, according to the proposal details accessed by HT. Once it is ready, the AIIMS centre will also take on the role of a nodal agency for setting up similar units in other parts of the country, Gupta said. The Delhi Police welcomed the initiative and said such a facility is the need of the hour. We welcome such initiatives. Forensic evidence is crucial, and getting forensic reports soon would help in speedy investigations in cases of crime against women and providing justice to the complainants. Maximum attention is paid to solve the incidents of rape and other crimes against women. In such cases, about 63% of the accused are arrested within the first week, said Anil Kumar, additional public relations officer, Delhi Police. To aid the collection of forensic samples, the centre will have high-end technological equipment to identify the faintest of marks and traces of bodily fluids and the microbiology lab and the DNA lab will be upgraded to provide diagnostic results within 48 hours, the proposal said. The results for the vaginal swabs and semen samples can be analysed within 30 minutes, the rest can be provided within two days. Currently, 80-90% samples do not yield viable results because of the samples are not collected and sealed properly, or because they are stored at an unsuitable temperature till they reach the citys only Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Rohini, said Dr Abhishek Yadav, assistant professor in the forensics department of AIIMS. Even when stored correctly, the quality of any biological sample deteriorates with time as it often takes months for the FSL to analyse the samples, he added. The doctors and nurses will also be trained in the legal protocols of handling forensic samples. There is very little knowledge among staff of the protocols that have to be followed. Very often, the accused takes the benefit of loopholes like a chain of custody not being maintained, or samples not being properly sealed, said Gupta. A 2016 survey in nine government hospitals and 25 dispensaries in Delhi found that 60% of doctors and a little more than 50% of nurses were not aware of the protocols. The so-called one-stop centres in government hospitals are just a room in the existing gynaecological emergency. There is no dedicated staff for forensics, so the survivors and the forensic case often dont get priority, Gupta said. Hospitals in cities have to provide comprehensive physical and mental care and ensure the forensic case is foolproof. Most hospitals, however, just refer the woman to the OPD (out-patient department) and she has to spend days getting all the services she needs, said Dr Yadav. The centre will also have a facility for bathing and fresh clothes will be provided to survivors. According to the 2016 survey, more than 72% of doctors and nurses said the lack of private screening space was a major hurdle in examining victims of violence. It is always a good effort to improve the functioning of the one-stop centres. Ensuring timely MLC [medico-legal case] reports will assist the survivors tremendously, said Swati Maliwal, chairperson of the The Opposition in Assam has sought a CBI probe into alleged irregularities in recruitment for around 950 jobs in the states Panchayat and Rural Development Department a day after chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal announced a one-man inquiry panel. Sonowals announcement on Friday evening came after allegations that results and appointments were declared despite a pending police probe and many of the selected and appointed were associated with the BJP which leads the state government. Taking a suo moto cognizance of the reported controversy, chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal ordered formation of a one man inquiry by Additional Chief Secretary, a statement by the chief ministers office said. Former chief minister Tarun Gogoi demanded a CBI inquiry in the whole recruitment process as local press published names of some selected candidates who they claimed were related to BJP ministers and leaders including Chandra Mohan Patowary and Naba Kumar Doley. The irregularities that took place in the P&RD recruitment where supporters & relatives of BJP leaders got selected for jobs defying govt norms exposes CM @sarbanandasonwals hollow slogan of zero tolerance on corruption, Gogoi tweeted on Saturday. Akhil Gogoi who heads Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti, an influential peasants rights body led the charge against the state government. The results were announced and appointments made defying due process even as a CID inquiry is ongoing, he said. The results were announced on March 5 at 10 pm and appointments were made at 10 am the next day, he said adding what was this hurry? A top official of the department conceded that there was pressure to complete the recruitment. According to Naba Kumar Doley, the minister of state (independent) charge of the P&RD department, an examination was held in 2018 for around 950 vacancies in the department. Amid allegations that the process was not conducted fairly, JB Ekka, principal secretary, P&RD department said he carried out an initial inquiry which found that question papers had arrived late at three centres in Guwahati. According to Doley, subsequently, as allegations of use of mobile phones by some candidate came out, the department ordered a CID probe. He said the department has withheld appointment of candidates from the centres pointed out by the CID in its report. A report from the CID dated February 7, said investigation is continuing to trace out more culprits and their connivance and it found anomalies arising out of failure of system and administrative lapse in 18 centres spread over nine districts. A month earlier in January, appearing in Gauhati High Court in a petition challenging the examination, the Senior Additional Advocate General claimed that irregularity in exams was just confined to one centre in Rangia. The High Court, then lifted the stay order and allowed to proceed with the recruitment. The CID said they are continuing with investigations and it is not just confined to one centre, said Akhil Gogoi. Elections are coming and soon the code of conduct will be in place. Why should we hold back the recruitment? asked Doley. Is it not possible that two, three applicants who are connected to BJP workers study well and qualify on merit? Do the relatives and family of BJP workers have no right to appear for the exams? Patowary, a senior cabinet minister and government spokesperson said he did know if any of his relatives have been selected in the exam, neither did he push for their selection. We support the one-man inquiry committee, he said. Ekka said the inquiry committee will look into appointments and find out if candidates have been selected on merit or not. The External affairs ministry on Saturday stated that the government is aware of the fact that PNB scam accused Nirav Modi is in London and that it has already placed a request with the UK government for the diamantaires extradition. All necessary steps are being taken for the extradition of Nirav Modi. We have been aware of his presence in UK. It (extradition request) is under their (UK Govt) consideration, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said at a media briefing. Kumar stated that the Indian government had placed a request for Nirav Modis extradition with the UK authorities in August last year. Despite whatever we see on television, his (Nirav Modi) status remains the same, Kumar said. We have made two requests to the UK government. We have not got any response from the British government, Kumar said. On Saturday, a British daily reported that billionaire diamantaire Nirav Modi is living in a swanky 8-million pound apartment in Londons West End and is now involved in a new diamond business. The revelation came a day after Nirav Modis 30,000 sq ft seaside mansion at Kihim beach in Maharashtra was demolished using explosives. Nirav Modi is wanted in the PNB fraud case. Earlier, the government had frozen his bank accounts and an Interpol red corner notice was issued for his arrest. The report stated that when asked about whether he had sought asylum in the UK, Nirav Modi ducked the question saying, Sorry, no comments. Congress president Rahul Gandhi pointedly asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday to tell the nation who freed Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) founder Masood Azhar, whose group has claimed responsibility for the February 14 Pulwama attack, from an Indian prison almost 20 years ago. At least 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were killed in the Pulwama attack, for which Azhars JeM group said it was responsible. A few days ago, in Pulwama, CRPF personnel were killed.I have a small question to ask the prime minister who killed them? What is the name of the Jaish-e-Mohammeds leader? Masood Azhar, Gandhi said at an election rally in Haveri, northern Karnataka. Who released him from our jail? Was it not the Bharatiya Janata Party government that sent Azhar from our jail to Kandahar? Did you not send the (current) National Security Advisor (Ajit Doval) and (then foreign minister) Jaswanth Singh in the same plane as Azhar? Gandhi said. Why dont you (Modi) say that the person who killed the CRPF personnel was sent back to Pakistan by your government?, Gandhi sad referring to the December 1999 release of Azhar and two other militants. The three militants were released in exchange for the passengers and crew of an Indian Airlines plane that was on a flight from Kathmandu to New Delhi when it was hijacked on Christmas eve that year and diverted to Kandahar in Afghanistan. Gandhis remarks also came against the backdrop of the February 26 Indian Air Force strike on a JeM terrorist camp in Pakistans Balakot in reprisal for the Pulwama attack. BJP politicians have credited the government with exacting swift vengeance by adopting a muscular approach to cross-border terrorism. Also read | Speculation over Jaish chief Masood Azhars death amid crackdown reports Gandhi also accused Modi of favouring a handful of capitalists and ignoring the needs of the people. He has ruled for five years and the unemployment rate in the country is the highest in 40 years, Gandhi said in a reference to a leaked report of the National Sample Survey Organisation. He added that the BJP was bent on dividing India in two one for businessmen like Anil Ambani, and fugitive diamantaires Mehul Choksi and Nirav Modi and another one of the poor and farmers. In this other India, there is unemployment, poverty and hunger. The Congress will never allow these divisions. It will be one country where every person gets justice. Those who break the law are jailed, he said. Gandhi said the Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) coalition government in Karnataka was already working towards this. Responding to Gandhi, BJP spokesperson S Suresh Kumar said: The question is during whose time did terrorism begin and who did not take decisive action?. On Azhars release, Kumar said the issue had not been raised in the last 20 years. At the all- party meeting held at the time, the Congress too had said that all the hostages should be brought back safely, he said Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday said that the BJP would win more than 75 seats in the Lok Sabha elections, including Congress leader Sonia Gandhis Amethi seat and Azamgarh from where Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav won in 2014. We will not win 73 seats, we will win more than 75 seats in the Lok Sabha elections. It also includes the seats of Amethi and Azamgarh. I am making this claim in the name of development and good governance., Adityanath said in a live chat with Hindustan in Lucknow. While Mulayam Singh will contest from Mainpuri this time, there is speculation that his son and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Singh Yadav will fight from Azamgarh to claim Mulayams legacy. Adityanath who spoke on a range of issues reiterated that a Ram temple in Ayodhya is a matter of faith. On Friday, the Supreme Court ordered mediation in the Ayodhya title suit. Mediation will start within a week at Faizabad and state of UP has to make arrangements, the Supreme Court ruled. The mediation panel has to give its report within four weeks. Everyone has said that the temple should be built on the same spot where Lord Ram was born. The Supreme Court has constituted a three-member mediation team. If the Supreme Court thinks that the solution will come out then it is a good thing. But the world knows that it is a question of faith, he said. The picture on the issue of Ayodhya is clear. The ASI itself has certified itself that it is the birthplace of Lord Ram. He hailed the Centres response to the Pulwama terror attack saying, The manner in which the government responded to the Pulwama attack is a sign of new India. Asked how the state government conducted the Kumbh Mela despite a terror threat which was heightened after the Pulwama attack, Adityanath said that the administration had made elaborate arrangements to ensure that the pilgrimage went off smoothly. We used artificial intelligence and a central command centre to track the situation in Prayagraj in real time... And I want to assure everyone that Uttar Pradesh is a safe place for everyone and it is our responsibility to provide safety. Anyone who thinks that he can hoodwink security knows where he will go. He lashed out at the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samajwadi Party accusing them of looting the state and said their places are in a museum. There was no policy of purchase in UP. We made sugarcane payment of Rs 56,000 crore. At the same time, we have given jobs to over 9 lakh youths. He claimed more than 12 lakh houses were constructed in the villages of the state under the Prime Ministers Housing Scheme. More than 10 million toilets have made life easier for millions of households. More than 400 drinking water projects have been completed in the rural drinking water scheme. The best roads were built, the work of Purvanchal Expressway has started and so has the work for the prosperity of the farmers. The list will be even longer, when we prepare the accounts of the last two and a half years of the Uttar Pradesh government, Adityanath said. An army soldier was erroneously reported as having been abducted by militants from his home in Jammu and Kashmirs Budgam district on Friday night and is safe, a statement released by the defence ministry on Saturday morning said. Relatives and neighbours of Yasin Bhat, who is posted with the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JAKLI) regiment in Uttarakhand and came home on leave, informed the police and the army that some unknown gunmen had barged into their Qazipoora home around 8pm on Friday and forcibly taken him away. A defence spokesperson tweeted on Saturday that reports of the abduction were incorrect. Clarification. Media reports of the abduction of a serving Army soldier on leave from Qazipora, Chadoora, Budgam are incorrect. Individual is safe. Speculations may please be avoided, he said. Explaining to the media how the mix-up happened, Yasins relatives said the family was sitting together late in the evening when the gunmen entered their house from the rear looking for the soldier. A scuffle followed between the gunmen, Yasins mother and sisters and Yasin, and somehow in the melee, Yasin managed to flee. The relatives then raised an alarm, after which fellow villagers reported the matter to the police. But around midnight, Yasin, who had been hiding somewhere in the village, sneaked back home unharmed. Inspector general of police S P Pani said the police were ascertaining details of the incident. On Friday, local police confirmed Yasins abduction. The reports of abduction of a soldier in Jammu and Kashmirs Budgam district are incorrect, the defence ministry said on Saturday morning, adding that the individual is safe. Media reports of the abduction of a serving Army soldier (Mohammad Yaseen) on leave from Qazipora, Chadoora, Budgam(J&K) are incorrect. Individual is safe. Speculations may please be avoided, said the defence ministry statement. On Friday evening, reports quoting officials had emerged saying that unknown gunmen kidnapped Yaseen from his home in Qazipora Chadoora. Yaseen, who is from the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JAKLI), has been on leave from February 26 till March 30. In June, an Army soldier Aurangzeb of 44 Rashtriya Rifles posted in south Kashmirs Shopian district was abducted by militants and his bullet-riddled body was found 10 kilometers away from the place of kidnapping. Aurangzeb, a resident of Poonch in Jammu, was on way to his home to celebrate Eid when militants abducted him. The Election Commission on Saturday directed political parties to desist from displaying photographs of defence personnel in advertisements or otherwise as part of their election propaganda or campaigning. The direction came after a complaint by the ministry of defence. In a press statement the EC said that the ministry of defence had brought to its notice that photographs of defence personnel were being used by political parties, their leaders and candidates in advertisements as part of their election propaganda and requested the Commission to issue suitable instructions in this regard. It is pertinent to mention that the armed forces of a nation are the guardians of its frontiers, security and the political system. They are apolitical and neutral stakeholders in a modern democracy. It is therefore necessary that political parties and leaders exercise great caution while making any reference to the armed forces in their political campaigns. The Commission is of the view that photographs of chief of army staff or any other defence personnel and photographs of functions of defence forces should not be associated with or used in any manner in advertisement/propaganda/campaigning or in any other manner in connection with elections by political parties and candidates. The Commission calls upon all political parties to advise their candidates/leaders to desist from displaying photographs of defence personnel or photographs of functions involving defence personnel in advertisements or otherwise as part of their election propaganda/campaigning. Indias former Navy chief Admiral L Ramdas had also written to the Election Commission expressing concern and dismay over what he sees as the misuse of the air strike in Pakistan to influence the electorate. Former chief of naval staff, Admiral L Ramdas (retired), has written to the Election Commission of India (ECI) expressing concern and dismay over what he sees as the misuse of the air strike in Pakistan to influence the electorate. Admiral Ramdas led the Indian Navy from 1990 to 1993 and was part of naval blockade of East Pakistan during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. The operation, one of the most effective naval blockades, prevented Pakistan from evacuating over 90,000 soldiers from Bangladesh. They eventually surrendered before the Indian Army. Ramdas was awarded the Vir Chakra for his role in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. Criticising the use of armed force to garner votes, the former admiral has said the recent instances of using the Armed Forces for political gains, especially in the aftermath of both Pulwama [in which 40 CRPF jawans lost their lives] and the strikes in Balakot is against the ethos of the armed forces. The armed forces, Ramdas has said in the letter, are a-political and have always followed secular ethos. He has also asked the Election Commission to ensure that armed forces are not used for political gains. With elections due a few weeks from now, it is particularly important that there should not be any misuse of these recent events by any political party to send triumphalist or jingoistic messages, Admiral Ramdas has said in his letter. Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday said that as compared to 2013, Kumbh 2019 had witnessed twice the number of devotees. I did not know that Kumbh would be held in 2019. When I met Pm Modi, he told me that Kumbh should be organised as a modern generation event. In 2013, 12 crore devotees had come for the Kumbh. This year, double that number of devotees came to the Kumbh. Whats even better is that there was no major mishap during the event. Not only this, this event was established as a cultural heritage in UNESCO, Yodi Adityanath said in an interview to Hindustan. CM Yogi Adityanath said, This time, 3200 non-resident Indians from 70 countries bathed in Kumbh. More than 15 High Court judges including governors, and chief ministers also reached Kumbh. This time the people of 24 crore people took bath in the Ganga. He said, When Allahabad (old name) was there, everyone felt that this (Kumbh Mela) is being organized as a general event. But, when we renamed the city to Prayagraj it became a matter of curiosity for people all over the world. Nearly 44 million people came to witness the Kumbh. This proves that we have this immense potential. Indian forces shot down a Pakistani drone on Saturday as it tried to enter Indian air space in Sriganganagar district of Rajasthan, according to officials with knowledge of the matter. A top defence officer said on condition of anonymity that the unidentified object, likely a small drone, was flying over the India-Pakistan international border and trying to enter Indian air space early on Saturday when it took anti-aircraft gunfire by Indian forces. It was shot down by ground troops in the area, the official added. Another official said it was the third abortive attempt by Pakistan to send a secret service drone to India in recent days. The Indian Air Force shot down a Pakistani military drone using an air-to-air missile on March 4 in the Bikaner sector of the India-Pakistan border. On February 27, a Pakistani drone was targeted by Indian defence forces, again in the Bikaner sector, while trying to enter Indian air space. Meanwhile, gunshots from across the international border near Hindumalkot border outpost of Sriganganagar district sparked a scare in the area. Locals heard heavy gunfire and loud blasts from across the border around 5am on Saturday. The firing created panic among people residing near the Madera, Koni, Renuka and Hindumalkot border outposts. A Border Security Force officer, who asked not to be named as he was not authorised to speak to the press, said Pakistani Rangers and army units were functioning very close to the international border and the BSF had conveyed its concern about the resulting panic among locals to its Pakistani counterpart. India on Saturday clarified that holding talks with Pakistan over Kartarpur corridor does not imply resumption of bilateral ties with Pakistan. Raveesh Kumar, the spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, said Kartarpur corridor talks are about respecting the religious sentiments of people believing in Sikhism. I would like to make it clear that holding Kartarpur corridor talks doesnt mean resumption of bilateral ties. This is related to the emotions and sentiments of our Indian citizens of Sikh faith, Kumar told a press conference in New Delhi. A delegation from Pakistan is scheduled to visit India on March 14 to discuss the draft agreement on the Kartarpur corridor. The talks are being held in the shadow of heightened tension between eh two countries following terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmirs Pulwama on February 14. Forty CRPF jawans were killed in the incident. The terror attack, claimed by terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed, saw a series of steps by India to mount pressure on Pakistan, which has not shown verifiable action against such organisations. Nearly two weeks after Pulwama attack, the Indian Air Force carried a strike at a terror camp in Pakistans Balakot. The terror camp was believed to be the biggest training centre of Jaish-e-Mohammed. Day after IAF strike, Pakistan Air Force breached Indian airspace and tried to target military facilities. The IAF thwarted the PAF attempt and shot down an F 16 jet that was part of the large package of fighter aircrafts that came from the Pakistani side. In the process, the IAF lost one MiG 21 Bison, which was shot by PAF. The MiG 21 was piloted by Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who ejected from the downed aircraft but landed in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, where he was captured by the Pakistan Army. The tension flared up following the incident with international community calling for de-escalation. Amid mounting international pressure, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan announced his governments decision to release IAF pilot Abhinandan. The unconditional release of Wing Commander Abhinandan by Pakistan saw tension easing up between the two countries. Kartarpur corridor talks is being viewed by many a step that would help lowering tension further. Foundation stone of the Kartarpur corridor was laid by Imran Khan on November 28 last year when Congress leader and Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu was in Pakistan. He attended the event amid criticism from political parties including the Congress party. The Kartarpur corridor, which will allow devotees from India to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan, is expected to be operational by November this year. The National Investigative Agency (NIA) on Saturday summoned Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Syed Naseem Geelani, son of hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, to Delhi on Monday for questioning in connection with a terror funding case. Farooqs secretary, Syed Rehman Shamas, confirmed receiving the summons. Yes, NIA has summoned Mirwaiz Umar Farooq to Delhi, he said. On February 26, the NIA carried out searches at seven locations, including the residences of Farooq, Geelani, JKLF leader Yaseen Malik, Shabir Shah, Ashraf Sehrai and Zaffar Bhat in connection with the same case. An NIA spokesperson said officials recovered incriminating documents, including property papers, financial transactions receipts and bank account details during the raids. Electronic devices, including laptops, e-tablets, mobile phones, pen drives, communication system and DVRs, were also seized, he added. On Thursday, Malik was slapped with Public Safety Act and was shifted to a Jammu jail. The developments come in the backdrop of the governments decision to withdraw the security cover of senior separatist leaders after the Pulwama attack. The government on Saturday said that if Pakistan claims to be a Naya Pakistan with a new line of thought, then it should show it in terms of action taken against terror groups. Addressing media, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said that Pakistan has failed to take any credible action against the Jaish-e-Mohammed and other terror organisations operating from its soil. Kumar said, It is regrettable that Pakistan still continues to deny Jaish-e-Mohammeds claim of taking ownership of Pulwama attack. Pakistan Foreign Minister said and I quote they (JeM) have not claimed responsibility for that (Pulwama attack)... Is Pakistan defending the Jaish-e-Mohammed and acting as its spokesperson? The MEA spokesperson also dismissed Pakistans claim that its air force downed two aircraft of the Indian Air Force. Only one aircraft was lost by us. Pakistan is spreading false propaganda, asserted Kumar adding, If Pakistan has a video recording of shooting down two aircraft of the Indian Air force, why it has not shared the evidence with the international media. On Pakistans refusal to admit that Pakistan Air Force lost one F 16 fighter jet when it attempted to target military facility in India, Kumar said there is evidence to show that IAF pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman shot down their aircraft. There are eyewitness accounts and electronic evidence that Pakistan deployed F-16 aircraft and that one F-16 was shot down by Wing Commander Abhinandan. We have asked USA to also examine whether the use of F-16 against India is in accordance with terms and conditions of sale, he said. The MEA spokespersons statement comes a day after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said that his government would not allow the countrys soil to be used for terror purposes against any country. He said that the same script is playing out in Pakistan that was seen after terror attack on Parliament in 2001, in Mumbai in 2008 and in the days following attacks in Pathankot and Uri. He said Pakistan has to show credible, verifiable and sustainable action against terrorist outfits. If Pakistan claims to be a Naya Pakistan with Nayi Soch then it should demonstrate Naya Action against terrorist groups and cross border terrorism in support of its claims, he said. Pakistan will be judged not by the words they speak, but the actions they take. Besides issuing notifications in the gazette, they have to dismantle terrorist infrastructure, he added. India said on Saturday that its air strike on a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorist camp deep inside Pakistan last month had achieved its objective, and reiterated a call for Pakistan to take credible, verifiable and sustained actions against terror groups operating from its soil. The external affairs ministry questioned the seriousness of a crackdown underway on banned organisations in the neighbouring country. It dismissed Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khans remarks that his Indian counterpart was engaging in politics of hatred with an eye on elections, saying the comments were meant to divert attention from the pressure on Islamabad to quell terrorism. Amid a relative easing of tensions following Indias February 26 hit on a JeM facility at Balakot in Pakistan and an aerial engagement over the Line of Control a day later, external affairs ministry spokesman Raveesh Kumar said the air strike had met its objective. Our non-military counter terrorism strike of February 26 achieved the intended objective. It demonstrated our firm resolve to take decisive action against cross-border terrorism, the spokesman said. Pakistan has questioned what it has called Indias fictitious claim that its air force had bombed a large JeM facility in Balakot. Domestically, some Indian political parties, including the Congress, have sought information on the damage done to the terror camp and the number of casualties the JeM suffered. Watch| Naya Pakistan should demonstrate naya action against terrorist group: Govt This has prompted criticism by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party that they were toeing Islamabads line. The bombing, following the September 2016 surgical strikes that followed the death of 19 soldiers in Jammu and Kashmirs Uri, has demonstrated that India would no longer hesitate to strike back against cross-border terrorism, analysts have said. The air strike was prompted by the February 14 suicide car bombing in Pulwama that left 40 Indian paramilitary troopers dead. The external affairs ministry spokesman said on Saturday that Islamabad must take verifiable steps to dismantle terrorist infrastructure on the ground. If Pakistan claims to be a Naya (new) Pakistan with nayi soch (new thinking), it should show naya action against terrorist groups and terror infrastructure on its soil and end cross-border terrorism in support of its claims, Kumar told a regular news briefing. India, he added, is resolute in our determination to persuade the international community of the necessity of compelling Pakistan to move beyond mere words and to show credible, verifiable and sustained actions against terror. Indias armed forces are maintaining strict vigil and are determined to defend the country, though India will continue to act with responsibility and maturity, he said. Asked about Khans remarks on Sunday accusing Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi of engaging in politics of hatred and about the targeting of minorities following the February 14 terror attack in Pulwama, Kumar replied: The Pakistani prime minister has a penchant of issuing statements on internal affairs of India, and this is part of the Pakistani narrative to deflect attention and take the focus elsewhere, especially when they come under pressure on counter-terrorism. The world community has stood with India in condemning the Pulwama attack, which was claimed by JeM, and in asking Pakistan to act against terrorist infrastructure in territories under its control. However, Pakistan continues to deny JeMs claim of the attack and foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had said the banned group had not claimed responsibility. Is Pakistan defending the JeM and acting as its spokesperson? Kumar said. Pakistan has claimed to have taken fresh action against terror groups, such as banning some organisations and placing some individuals in preventive detention, but Kumar said: We are seeing the same script that has been played out earlier after the terrorist attacks on our Parliament in December 2001, the Mumbai terrorist attack in November 2008 and the attack on Pathankot airbase in January 2016. Pakistan claims to proscribe groups and individuals, but this is confined only on paper. Kumar said talks to be held between the two sides on March 14 on the Kartarpur corridor are not in any way a resumption of bilateral dialogue. The corridor is related to the sentiments of Indian Sikhs and the decision to hold the talks reflects Indias strong commitment to operationalise the corridor for the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak in November. Two weeks after National Investigative Agency (NIA) carried searches in the house of Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, it has summoned the separatist leader to New Delhi for questioning. This is the first time that the Mirwaiz who is one of the senior most separatist leaders in Kashmir has been summoned to NIA headquarters for questioning. Earlier, other separatist leaders were summoned by the NIA to its headquarters and later some of them were arrested. The Mirwaizs secretary Syed Rehman Shamas confirmed that summon had been served. Yes, NIA has summoned Mirwaiz Umar Farooq to Delhi. Besides, Mirwaiz, Syed Naseem Geelani son of separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani has also been summoned by the NIA. Also read: NIA raids separatists including Mirwaiz in Kashmir in terror funding probe On February 26, the NIA had carried out searches on houses of separatist leaders. An NIA spokesman had said that they had carried out searches at seven locations which included premises belonging to top separatist leaders namely Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, JKLF chairman Yasin Malik, President of JKDFP Shabir Shah and Naseem Geelani, son of Syed Ali Shah Geelani. The spokesman had said that during the searches, NIA teams seized incriminating documents including property papers, financial transactions receipts and bank account details. Electronic devices including laptops, tablets, mobile phones, pen drives, communication system and DVRs were also seized during the searches. Also read: J&K unit of Jamaat-e-lslami had strong links with ISI, was in regular touch with Pakistan: Officials Significantly, letter heads of different terrorist organisations as well as documents relating to recommendations for visa for admission in Pakistan Educational Institutions were found. A high tech internet communication set up was also recovered from the residence of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. On Thursday, Public Safety Act was slapped on Yasin Malik and he was shifted to Kotbalwal jail in Jammu. Following the Pulwama suicide bombing last month that killed 40 CRPF troopers, the government withdrew security cover of senior separatist leaders in the Valley including the Mirwaiz. The Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) had termed raids on the houses of separatists as a political vendetta against the separatist leadership and a shutdown was observed against these raids on Friday. A video of fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modis presence in London led to a sharp exchange of words between the Opposition and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday in an indication that it may emerge as an issue in the campaign for the upcoming general election. The Daily Telegraph of London posted the video in which a reporter for the newspaper is seen walking alongside Modi and asking him questions, to all of which he is seen replying with a no comment. Details emerged of the lavish lifestyle he is leading there. Congress president Rahul Gandhi retweeted the video and took potshots at Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The video of fugitive #NiravModi in London shows an uncanny similarity between him & his bhai, PM Modi. Both have looted India and are called Modi. Both refuse to answer any questions. Both believe they are above the law. Both will face justice, the Congress president wrote on Twitter The BJP hit back at Gandhi in less than two hours. Profound argument from a man who himself has a stolen surname. BTW, is it not true that in Sept 2013, you visited Nirav Modis bridal jewellery exhibition in Delhi and the very next day Allahabad Bank approved loan to him, despite opposition from banks director? No comments? the BJPs official handle tweeted. An external affairs ministry spokesman said the Indian government had been aware of the presence in London of NIrav Modi, who is the prime suspect in a 13,500 crore rupee fraud at Punjab National Bank, and had initiated the process of having him extradited to India. The ruling party also said the bank fraud carried out by Nirav Modi dated back to 2011, when the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) was in power. It was detected and exposed during the Modi govt. Communist Party of India (Marxist) chief Sitaram Yechury also attacked Prime Minister Modi. It is no surprise considering that the so-called Chowkidar exists only to help his cronies loot and scoot, said Yechury. Political parties are engaged in a heated campaign for the upcoming general election, in which the Opposition has highlighted the controversial Rafale jet fighter deal, farm distress and rising unemployment. The emergence of the Nirav Modi video could add more ammunition to opposition parties. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday again lashed out at those seeking proof of Indias air strike in Balakot in Pakistan and slammed the previous Congress government for its handling of terror attacks like the one in Mumbai in November 2008. Had the previous government shown some courage and taught terrorists a lesson in their own language [after the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai], terrorism would not have emerged as the menace it is now, he told a rally of about 25,000 people in Greater Noida, on the outskirts of Delhi, after inaugurating several projects. Modi said that after the February 26 pre-dawn air strike in Balakot in Pakistans Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, India was quietly monitoring the situation and it was Pakistan which started crying around 5.00 am that Modi has hit us. They were thinking they can keep wounding India, wage attacks, proxy wars and India would not respond. The reason the enemies of India could think this was because of the attitude of the remote-controlled government prior to 2014. That is why the enemies could nurture this attitude, he said. Modi said that today India works on nayi reeti, nayi neeti (new methods, new policies), asserting that after the terror attack in Uri (Jammu and Kashmir) in 2016, the country for the first time taught terrorists a lesson in a language they understand with surgical strikes across the Line of Control. Is it okay for you to have a government that does nothing? A chowkidar (referring to himself) who sleeps? he asked. He continued, After Uri, proof was sought. Our soldiers did something that has never happened before. Our soldiers struck terrorists inside their home. Terrorists and their guardians had not expected such action (this time). They thought if India once did a surgical strike, they would again do something similar. So they had deployed forces along the border, but we went by air this time. He said the country can never forget the 26/11 terror attack in Mumbai. India should have responded then and the whole world would have supported the country, he said. But that required courage. All evidence was against terrorist handlers in Pakistan which proved them guilty. But how did India respond? There are reports that our forces were ready to avenge the terror attack even then, but Delhi remained cold. The forces were not allowed to take any action, he claimed. Stating that there were repeated terror attacks in India after 2008 whose links were found across the border, Modi questioned the previous governments response. They did not change their policy, they only changed their home ministers, he said. Modi said that post-Balakot, some politicians were making controversial statements which elicited applause in Pakistan and urged the people to decide if they want to trust them or not. A Pakistani drone attempting to enter Indian territory across the Rajasthan border went back following its detection by the Border Security Force, which tried to shoot it down, the BSF said. This was another of the drones from across the international border that tried to enter Indian territory at around 5 am at Hindumalkot border near Sriganganagar, a BSF official said, adding that the moment it was sighted the troopers started firing, forcing it to return. Villagers residing along the western border also heard heavy firing. The drone returned safely across the border to Pakistan, a BSF official said. Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday promised to fulfil 24 demands placed before the party by the National Fish Workers Forum (NFF) and assured a delegation from the Goa Mining Peoples Front (GMPF) that the party was committed to help resume mining in the iron-ore rich state. The Congress president assured the NFF of setting up a dedicated union fisheries ministry and including their demands in its manifesto, Olencio Simoes of the NFF said. The NFF also wants the withdrawal of the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) 2019 notification. The notification removed the earlier provisions for demarcating fishing villages, sand dunes, turtle-nesting sites, khazans (low lying mudflats) and instead opened up the coastline for industrial development, Simoes said. Meeting the delegation from the GMPF, Gandhi assured them that the Congress was committed to help resume mining in a sustainable manner in Goa. With mining being the chief source of income to 75,000 families, its resumption is a politically sensitive issue in Goa. Due to irregularities, the Supreme Court had cancelled 88 mining licenses in March 2018. The GMPF is pressuring political parties to seek a legislative solution to overturn the cancellation and extend the validity of the leases. GMPF expressed disappointment in the state government whose efforts to push an amendment of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 have yielded no results so far. For the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) volunteers will not only re-create the groundswell of support it provided the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during the 2014 general elections, it will also ensure 100% voter turnout so that the difference in vote share between the BJP the Sanghs political arm and other parties is not slim. According to a functionary aware of the developments, four years ago, BJP president Amit Shah had submitted before the Sanghs highest decision making body, the Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha, that the party had secured only 31% votes in 2014 but the figure needed to be considerably increased by the time it faces another election. He [Shah] had said that the party will need to improve its vote share to 50% because there are chances that it will have to face a combined Opposition grouping against it in 2019. And that is what is now happening, said a functionary on condition of anonymity on the sidelines of the ongoing Sabha. Although the BJP won the 2014 Lok Sabha elections with a vote share of just 31%, it bagged 282 out of 543 seats. Shah, who arrived in Madhya Pradeshs Gwalior on Saturday, is expected to present the BJPs annual report at the meeting, which is being attended by over 2,000 delegates. He is also expected to hold separate meetings with the Sangh brass. While Sangh functionaries said electoral politics would not be on the agenda of the meeting, a stock taking of poll preparations cannot be ruled out. The Sangh, which has been steadfast about distancing itself from electoral politics and asserts that it does not canvass for the BJP, has been concerned about voter apathy that is reflected in fewer people turning up to vote. After the NOTA (none of the above) option was perceived to have played a role in the BJPs electoral setback in Madhya Pradesh last year, the Sangh has been exhorting its volunteers to drive home the message that the right candidate needs to be voted for. The Sangh does not want votes to be wasted. It has asked its volunteers to conduct door-to-door campaigns to urge voters to come out and vote and recognise the importance of voting for those who work with the best interests of the country in mind, said a second functionary. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat had also stressed on the need to avoid voting NOTA at his lecture series in New Delhi last year. He said voting NOTA means picking the worst available. On Saturday, when RSS joint general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale was asked by media persons what instructions had been given to the cadre, he said they had been only instructed to ensure a 100% turnout. Swayamsevaks have been asked to ensure that there should be 100% participation and that the electoral rolls have the names of our families and those around us. And for the government that works in the favour of the country, as the current government is doing, whatever can be done by swayamsevaks in their capacity as citizens will be done, Hosabale said. On Shah meeting Bhagwat, he said, This is not the first time he has come here, he has been coming to the meeting. He has also been meeting Bhagwat and not come here just to meet him. Family members of soldier Yasin Bhat who was believed to have been abducted Friday night had in fact managed to escape from his house at village Qazipora in Budgam district after they scuffled with militants who had barged into his house to kidnap him, the family said. He reached the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JAKLI) centre in the morning Family members of Yasin Bhat said that during the scuffle with unknown gunmen, Bhat ran away from his house and militants followed him and his family members had thought that he was abducted. After the family raised an alarm some of the villagers had informed police and the army about the incident. One gunman is said to have entered the house while two others were outside. Yasins relatives said that it was around midnight when the soldier who was hiding somewhere in the village returned home. On Friday local police officials had also confirmed that soldier has been abducted by militants from his house at Qazipora in Chadoora in Budgam district. Also read: Defence ministry says reports of soldiers abduction in Kashmirs Budgam incorrect However, in the morning, Ministry of Defence released a statement terming the abduction of soldier as incorrect. Media reports of the abduction of a serving Army soldier on leave from Qazipora, Chadoora, Budgam are incorrect. Individual is safe. Speculations may please be avoided, defence spokesman tweeted. Ghulam Mohammad Bhat father of Yasin said that around 8 to 8:30 pm on Friday night when he was sitting inside his house with his son two daughters and wife and a nephew, a gunman forcibly entered the house from the rear. He (the gunman) was looking for my soldier son. My daughters along with my wife intercepted him and I opened the front door of my house and started shouting for help. My family members had a scuffle with the gunman and it was then when my son got a chance and ran away and the gunman followed him, he said adding that they had come to take him away. Bhat said that soon the villagers came to my house. I dont know what happened to my son. Another relative, Farooq Ahmad said that after four hours Yasin Bhat returned to his home. The army and police had already left the place. We then took him to JAKLI centre at Rangreth and he is currently at his unit. Another relative Manzoor Ahmad said that three persons had come to abduct him last night. It was the resistance from the family members which saved him. Yasin Bhat is presently posted in Uttrakhand and according to his family had joined army in 2015. He had come home on February 25 on leave. Inspector General of Police S P Pani said that they are ascertaining the details about the incident. Terrorists operating out of Pakistan and Afghanistan are fuelling tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad according to Chief of US Central Command or CENTCOM General Joseph Votel. Militants operating out of Pakistan and Afghanistan continue to threaten Afghan stability as well as stoke tensions between Pakistan and India, the general said on Thursday afternoon, reported Dawn. US security assistance to Pakistan remained suspended, but some military cooperation activities continued, demonstrating the importance of military cooperation, despite challenges in the bilateral relationship, said General Votel, who also supervises Washingtons military strategy for the Pak-Afghan region. These remarks come in the wake of tensions between India and Pakistan. A day after India launched a strike against JeM in Pakistans Balakot, the fighter jets of the two countries engaged in a dogfight in the skies of Jammu and Kashmir after Pakistani F-16 planes transgressed into the Indian air space. The US had supported Indias decision to take action against Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror camp on the Pakistani soil on Tuesday. After the Indian strikes, the US Secretary of State Pompeo had said, I spoke to Pakistani Foreign Minister Qureshi to underscore the priority of de-escalating current tensions by avoiding military action, and the urgency of Pakistan taking meaningful action against terrorist groups operating on its soil. Acknowledging Indian actions as counter-terrorism action, the US Secretary of State said, Following Indian counter-terrorism actions on February 26, I spoke with Indian Minister of External Affairs Swaraj to emphasize our close security partnership and shared the goal of maintaining peace and security in the region. The long-drawn extradition process of fugitive Nirav Modi who has been in London for nearly a year after leaving India in the wake of allegations of major financial rows is set to begin in British courts after home secretary Sajid Javid certified Indias request on Thursday. The Daily Telegraph on Saturday released a video showing a different-looking Modi on the streets of London, where he has had a diamond store since 2014, when his company Nirav Modi Limited was registered with the registrar of companies. To persistent queries from the dailys reporters, Modi responded with no comments, most likely under legal advice. Modi has reportedly started a new diamond business and has been living in the high-end central London apartment block called Centre Point. Javids certification - the first stage of the extradition process - has been sent to the Westminster Magistrates Court, officials involved with the process said on Saturday. If the court is satisfied that enough information has been supplied, an arrest warrant will be issued. Also read: Aware Nirav Modi is in London, have asked UK to extradite him: Govt The court must be satisfied that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the conduct described in the request is an extradition offence, which includes the requirement for dual criminality. Nirav Modi will then be arrested by Scotland Yard and produced in court and bailed, triggering the extradition hearings. In the case of businessman Vijay Mallya, whose extradition case is now in the appeals court, India sent the request in end-2016 (he arrived in London on March 2, 2016); it was certified by the home secretary on February 21, 2017. Mallya was arrested and bailed nearly two months later on April 18, 2017, when his extradition hearings began. The daily reported: Modi appears to have adopted a surprisingly nonchalant attitude to his fugitive status, walking his small dog each day between his apartment and the diamond companys office in a townhouse in Soho, just a few hundred yards from his Centre Point home. Describing Modi as a billionaire diamond tycoon who is Indias most wanted, the report quoted unnamed government sources to say that Modi has been given a national insurance number, which is required to work legally in the UK. He has also been operating bank accounts online, it added. Modi, who is wanted in India in connection with a financial scam involving the Punjab National Bank worth thousands of crores, along with his uncle, Mehul Choksi, continues to figure in Interpols wanted list on its website. The charges against him, as provided to the international police organisation by India, includes criminal breach of trust by public servant, or by banker merchant or agent, cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property, and money laundering. British officials said that as a matter of long-standing policy and practice, the UK will neither confirm nor deny that an extradition request has been made or received until an arrest has been made in relation to the request. Besides facing extradition proceedings, Modi is reported to have applied for asylum. However, the Home Office said: We would not routinely confirm nor deny whether an individual asylum claim has been lodged. Modis asylum application, if lodged, will be in the context of the Home office no longer considering India as a place from where people flee. It has been included in the list of safe countries in 2005 for asylum purposes. This means that applications that are rejected and certified as clearly unfounded cannot be appealed against while the applicant is in the UK. The four major grounds for the UK considering asylum applications from Indian citizens are: sexual orientation and gender identity, prison conditions, women fearing gender-based harm/violence, and religious minority groups. The Home Office reportedly has a large backlog of asylum applications, with decisions taking years. While an individuals application is under consideration, he or she can usually remain in the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said it was Pakistan which cried after the Indian Air Force (IAF) carried out a strike at terror camps of Jaish-e-Mohammed deep across the Line of Control. He said Pakistan had done its preparation after Pulwama attack expecting a post-Uri style surgical strike, but we went by air. When surgical strike happened, we informed the country about itAfter Pulwama, we did what we had but we were keeping quiet. It was Pakistan that started crying at 5 am on Twitter. Pakistan started crying Modi ne maara, Modi ne maara (Modi hit us, Modi hit us)But some people, who eat of India but make statements to help Pakistan, PM Modi told a public rally in Uttar Pradeshs Noida. The prime minister said, After Pulwama attack, the brave soldiers of India did what had not been done in decades. They hit the terrorists and their patrons. Pakistan expected that Modi will carry out another surgical strike. They made heavy deployment along on the ground. But we went there by air, he said. PM Modi targeted the opposition leaders once again for seeking clarification from the government over the IAF strike in Balakot terror camps belonging to Jaish-e-Mohammed, the terror outfit which claimed responsibility for attack in Pulwama killing 40 CRPF jawans on February 14. He said, Pakistan has admitted that IAF strike happened there. The IAF has stated that they carried out a strike at terror camp. But some people still have doubts and raise questionsThey are just helping Pakistan. Should they have any doubt who have Indian blood flowing in their veins?...Should they have any doubt who chant Bharat Mata ki jai (Hail Mother India)? Who are these people who raise doubts? Will you trust the words of these people, PM Modi said in his speech after inaugurating development projects from Noida. PM Modi blamed the previous governments for adopting policies that allowed the menace of terrorism turned into a naasur (canker). After the surgical strike and air strike, the patrons of terror have understood this is not the India of oldTerror attacks and blasts even earlier were linked to Pakistan. But the previous governments just changed the home minister. Should such situations be dealt with by changing home minister or policy? We changed the policy, PM Modi said. Stating the terrorists are in panic after strict action taken by India, PM Modi said it is the time to stay alert against those trying to break the nation. Two more Congress legislators in Gujarat resigned from the party on Friday, a development that comes just four days ahead of the March 12 Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting in Ahmedabad. Jawahar Chavda, a four-time Congress MLA and son of Congress veteran Pethalji Chavda of Junagadh district, joined the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday. Dhrangadhra MLA Purshottam Sabariya also resigned on Friday. I wasnt enjoying in the Congress anymore. I have not betrayed the party but I felt like joining the BJP to strengthen Modijis hands, Chavda told reporters after joining the BJP. Assembly speaker Rajendra Trivedi accepted their resignations. Fridays resignations come days after Congress MLA from Unjha, Asha Patel joined the BJP. Months ago, key Congress MLA Kunwarji Bawalia joined the ruling party and was made a cabinet minister the same day. State Congress chief Amit Chavda slammed the BJP for the development: The BJP has been trying divide-and-rule strategy ahead of the LS [Lok Sabha] polls.... Senior Congress MLA Shailesh Parmar told reporters: He [Chavda] had never raised any issues nor has he given any reasons for quitting. There is speculation that at least three more Congress legislators are in touch with the BJP leadership and may quit soon. BJP state president Jitu Vaghani said, The Congress is in complete disarray. Their own senior leaders have lost the faith and are joining the BJP. The latest development has reduced the Congress tally to 72 in 182-member assembly. Giving its best performance since 1995, the Congress had won 77 seats in 2017 state elections. The Bharatiya Janata Party has sealed an alliance with the All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The decision was taken on Friday night at a meeting of the central parliamentary board of the party which was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two parties have agreed on a seat-sharing formula, under which, the BJP will contest 13 seats while the AJSU will put up its candidate in Giridih Lok Sabha constituency. The party leadership discussed election management including choice of candidates in Jharkhand, Mangal Pandey, the BJP in-charge of Jharkhand and Bhupendra Yadav, the partys in-charge of Bihar told the mediapersons about the alliance in presence of AJSU leader Sudesh Mahto in New Delhi. Mahto met BJP president Amit Shah before the alliance was finalised. The AJSU leader, sources said, demanded two seats, Giridih and Hazaribagh for his party. But the BJP agreed to concede only Giridih Lok Sabha seat. The two leaders also discussed the probable candidate for the seat. The names of Chandra Prakash Chowdhary and Lambodar Mahto cropped up during their talks, sources said. BJPs Ravindra Pandey has retained this seat for five terms. At the meeting of the central leadership, the BJP is understood to have fine-tuned its micro-strategy for the Lok Sabha elections. PM Modi-led party body considered the matters related to fielding senior leaders aged over 75 and giving tickets to the members of the Rajya Sabha and state legislatures. This was the first big election-related meeting of the BJP which PM Modi attended. The BJP leaders reviewed the emerging political situation in different states in the wake of alliances being cobbled up by the opposition parties. Sources said the BJP leadership is planning to change its candidates on many seats to deal with anti-incumbency. The leaders, who have crossed 75 years of age may be asked not to contest the general elections. Sources said that the party leaders could not reach at a consensus over holding assembly elections in Haryana, Jharkhand and Maharashtra along with the Lok Sabha polls. The ruling party is looking to bring young and new faces to people. An internal survey of the BJP is said to be favouring wide-ranging changes in the candidature for the Lok Sabha polls. The BJP leadership discussed the political situation taking into account electoral losses in three Hindi heartland states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. The party believes that there has been a positive change in the political narrative following action taken by the government in the aftermath of Pulwama terror attack. Congress chief Rahul Gandhi Saturday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to tell the nation that it was the BJP government which released terror outfit JeM chief Masood Azhar from an Indian jail. Addressing a public rally in north Karnataka, Gandhi said, Let Modi make me understand who sent Masood Azhar from Indian jail to Pakistan. The Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) had claimed responsibility for the Pulwama terror attack in which 40 CRPF men were killed. I have a small question for Modi. Who killed CRPF jawans? What is the name of JeM chief? His name is Masood Azhar, the Congress chief said, adding it was the BJP government in 1999 that sent him from Indian jail to Pakistan through Kandahar in Afghanistan. Why are you not speaking about it. Why are you not saying that the person who killed CRPF jawans was sent to Pakistan by BJP... Modiji we are not like you. We dont bow in front of terror. Make it clear to people to India who sent Masood Azhar, he said. Pakistan-based Azhar was released by India in exchange of passengers of the hijacked Indian Airlines plane IC-814 in 1999 during the Vajpayee government. Gandhi also alleged that while Modi talked about corruption, the whole country knew he was corrupt. He said the ruling alliance of Congress and JD(S) in Karnataka would fight the Lok Sabha elections together and win it. Gandhi also accused Modi of fooling the people of the country for the last five years with his programmes like Make in India, Stand Up India and Sit Down India. The Sahar police arrested a Swedish national on Friday for allegedly molesting a 42-year-old Indian national from Singapore at the reception of a luxury hotel in Andheri (East). The police said the incident had been captured on surveillance cameras. According to the Sahar police, the arrested accused is identified as Hakkan David Carlson, 37, a Swedish national who was on a visit to India. The complainant is an Indian national who works in Singapore and was in India for business. She has lodged a complaint against which a first information report was filed under section 354 (harassment) of the Indian Penal Code. Confirming the arrest, senior police inspector of Sahar police station Shashikant Mane said, The accused was produced before a magistrate court and has been remanded in police custody for a day. Further probe is on. Around 7am on Friday, the complainant was checking out of the hotel in Andheri (East). She was at the reception when Carlson, who was also staying in the same hotel, came to the desk and groped her. She raised an alarm and alerted the local police. Carlson had left the spot, but once the Sahar police arrived and checked the CCTV footage, they found the incident had been captured on camera. Carlson was taken to the police station and later placed under arrest. He does not have a prior criminal record in India and was staying alone. Two days after telling a youth gathering that he had helped people make CM and PM, JD(U) national vice-president Prashant Kishor has again set off a minor storm in the party by saying he did not concur with party chief Nitish Kumars method of realigning with the BJP and the exit from the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance), which should have ideally been followed by a fresh mandate. The poll strategist-turned-politician made the observations during an interview with a news portal, which uploaded the over-an-hour video on Thursday. Kishors remarks have ruffled some feathers within his own party as the interview went viral on the social media on Friday. In the interview, Kishor has, however, pointed out that U-turns by politicians were not unique to Kumar. You can look at Chandrababu Naidu, Naveen Patnaik and parties like the DMK. Looking back further, we have the example of the V P Singh government, which was supported both by the Left and the BJP, he said. Kishor also said there was no yardstick to measure if Kumar was right in taking the drastic decision of walking out of the Mahagathbandhan, comprising the RJD and the Congress, in July, 2017. For those who saw in him (Kumar) a potential challenger to (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi, the move was a let-down. But those who were of the view that he had begun to compromise on governance in his zeal to take on Modi would feel he was right, he said. Asked to comment on the episode, Kishor said, Keeping in view the interests of Bihar, I think it was okay. But I do not agree with the method adopted. I have said this earlier and I still hold the view, upon taking the decision to return to the BJP-led coalition, he should have ideally sought a fresh mandate. Kishor had earlier worked with Kumar as a poll strategist during the 2015 Bihar Assembly election, wherein the latter was the chief ministerial candidate of the Mahagathbandhan, which came into being as a result of his forging an alliance with arch rival Lalu Prasads RJD. Corruption cases against Prasads younger son Tejashwi Yadav, then the deputy chief minister, made Kumar queasy and he ultimately resigned as chief minister, but was sworn in again in less than 24 hours as the BJP came up with its offer of support on a day of dramatic developments. Reacting to Kishors remarks, RJD MLA and the partys chief state spokesman Bhai Virendra said, The JD(U) national vice-presidents statement is tantamount to admitting what has been our charge. Nitish had got the mandate as a candidate of the Grand Alliance, which comprised the RJD as well as the Congress, and his act of crossing over to the NDA without seeking a fresh mandate was tantamount to stabbing the Mahagathbandhan in the back. JD(U) MLC and party spokesman Neeraj Kumar sought to remind Kishor, who was inducted into the party in September last year and elevated to the post of national vice-president weeks later, that he was taking baby steps in politics. I do not wish to comment on his utterances but would like to show him the mirror, he said. He is offering pravachan (discourse) on seeking a mandate. Where was his gyan (wisdom) when the party took the decision to realign with the BJP? Moreover, does he not remember that his own formal entry into the JD(U) came after the development which he is raising questions about now, the JD(U) leader said. The iWoman Global Awards 2019 were given to sixteen women for their meritorious accomplishments and contributions to society on the occasion of International Womens Day (March 8) on Friday . The awards are constituted by a non-profit organisation, dedicated towards felicitating women from all economic strata, whose work is creating deeper social impact in the society. The awards were presented to the winners by personalities drawn from different walks of life at a glittering function held at Indian Institute of Science and Research (IISER) Pune auditorium on Friday evening. The awards were given to Mandakini Amte (jury-lifetime achievement), Supreety Mishra ( business and entrepreneurship), Dr (Capt) Ritu Biyani (jury award-special mention), Chandro Tomar (sports ), Radhike Khanna (education), Pallavi Tiwari (science and innvocation), Ankita Bajpai (arts), Kiran Sethi (jury award-special mention), Dhyani Dave (sports), Prakashi Tomar (sports), Laxmi Gautum (jury award-woman icon), Indira Dangi (literature), Anuradha Thakur (arts), Ruma Devi (social work), Naina Parekh (jury awardspecial mention) and Medha Tadpatrikar (environment). Major Poonam Khot (retd) in her address pointed out the growth and expansion of the awards initiative in countries like Spain, Mexico and the United States. She said, The awards have been given to them for their sheer hard work, dedication and devotion to the society from different fields of human endeavour, she said. Khot also mentioned that the theme for 2019 awards was to combat the skin colour related discrimination and she mooted the idea that people of all skin colours were equal and this discrimination in the society must be brought to an end. Amte thanked the organisers for giving her the lifetime achievement award. She said Every day belongs to a woman and celebration of only one day as womans day is not proper. Womens education is a result of the work done by great people like Savitribai Phule, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar and Maharshi Karve. Women has come forward and progressed in all walks of life due to education and literacy. A number of atrocities are being committed against women and their voice is being suppressed and we need to come out of this. Women themselves must come forward out of this scenario by way of education, she said. Against the odds, warriors maid for a new life Sandhya Yadav from Latur district had the tragic script of her life pre-ordained when her husband was revealed to be addicted to alcohol. The responsibility of her two children was hers; mental, physical, emotional and financial. That is when and why she reached out to Maidhub, a not-for-profit organisation, which helps women like Sandhya by finding them employment as maids. I was going through hell. Everyday my husband would come home drunk and he was not working. I decided to work and earn for the family. When I came to Pune I was a bit scared about whether the work will be good or not. Initially, I was working at a doctors house and today I am working with another family, Sandhya says. A special programme to felicitate maids on the occasion of International Womens Day was organised on Friday afternoon at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Bhavan, near Pune railway station by Maidhub and thhe Green Tara Foundation. Dr Siddharth Dhende, Punes deputy mayor; Sandhya Deshpande, public prosecutor at Pune district court; Chitra Rajuskar, professor at Karve Institute of Social Service; and Pradnya Waghmare from the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Research and Training Institute were at the programme. Afsana Shaikh from Ahmednagar district came from a very poor family. She says, Women were not allowed to work in our famil, but somehow the situation came that I needed to work and earn for my family. I got training and most importantly, a sense of security about being able to work. Earlier, I worked in Ahmednagar district, but now am working in Pune. The family I work for treat me as their daughter and a lot has changed for me in terms of my language, lifestyle and dealing with people. In her speech, advocate Sandhya Deshpande cited simple ways to use the law when a woman is being harassed or is in a problem. Dr Chitra Rajuskar, in her speech, said, When women start giving priority to themselves, and then their family, society will start respecting them. The mental health of the woman is important and we should live a happy life. Deputy mayor Dhende said, In 2019, women are capable of doing anything and we see that in every field. Women have knowledge, decision-making power and most importantly, they have the gift of motherhood. There is a need to give women intellectual freedom which still is not seen in most sectors in our country. The cost of healthcare has always been a huge problem for patients and insurance companies. What can one do about it? Public hospitals are not as reliable and private ones cost a fortune. For Vivek Tiwari, who was working as a healthcare service provider, this was the question that kept boggling his mind. He says, I was incharge of setting up several haemodialysis (a process of purifying the blood of a person whose kidneys are not working normally) clinics across the country and could see at first hand just how much it cost for a renal failure patient to stay alive with the cost of dialysis eating up into their savings and assets. Being involved with setting up of haemodialysis units, Tiwari understood the way things worked in the healthcare industry. He says, Often the materials, be it a syringe, cotton pads or even cardiac stents, all are sourced through distributors. This is obviously done at a cost. Generally, in smaller markets, the cost of the same brand, same product is higher than in a bigger market where competition plays up. Pricing, timely deliveries and operational efficiencies were the bottlenecks. If I can think of a pizza and have it delivered in 30 minutes, then why cant a hospital think of a syringe and have it delivered promptly? Cost and time were the two areas that needed to be worked on. If this could be done then there would be an all-round benefit to the hospitals and patients. HOW MEDIKABAZAAR WAS FORMED How to reduce these costs? According to Tiwari, this could happen if the buyers and sellers come together on one platform. If they had a clear understanding of what and how much was required, then they would not have to stock inventories, or medicines that would expire. The hospitals could buy when the need arose, could plan their purchases and negotiate better prices as everything would be known on a single platform. Tiwari says, Technology is a great equaliser. I thought of building a digital platform that would put all the sellers, distributors of all consumables as well as the hospitals, clinics on one platform. This way there would be a clear understanding of demand and supply, leading to rationalisation of price. Tiwari put together a team, did some in-house coding and used some other tools available in the market to set up Medikabazaar in May 2015. THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE Creating a tool is one thing, but getting people on board is another challenge. Tiwari says, Since the system is so well entrenched, convincing the suppliers and hospitals to come on Medikabazaar was a big challenge. Manufacturers of various goods have been working with their distributors for years and did not want to break-off relations with them. The hospitals too do not believe in digital systems. In small towns they would cite the problem of connectivity. However, Tiwari persevered, he continued to meet and convince big and small players of the benefits of Medikabazaar. So, he got a few small customers. By the end of 2015, Mediakabazaar had got a substantial number of customers in Maharashtra. As Tiwari rolled out the platform in the cities like Pune and Mumbai, he realised that in smaller towns there was an issue of last-mile logistics. He says, In a village there is no dealer and it is very difficult for a small clinic to source medical instruments. So, we established fulfilment centres across 11 cities and towns in the country. These centres ensure connectivity to these small villages. These centres also act as a quality assurance and quality control centres, and ensure that quality products are delivered. As of now Medikabazaar serves 17,000 pin codes in India, including the North-East. GROWING FURTHER From small to large hospitals, Mediakbazaar has shown its customers the benefits of its digitised platform. In Pune, Jehangir hospital, Ruby Hall Clinic, Deenanath Mangeshkar and several small hospitals and clinics are using the platform. In order to grow further, Tiwari has added an in-house app called Vizi that can help hospitals understand what to order and when. He says, A hospital has to put in their consumption data. Using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, the app can tell the hospital what it will need to order, how much and when. As of now, Tiwari is conducting a pilot project of Vizi in 200 small hospitals. He says, In large set-ups, they have their own systems for managing the purchase and interfering with that may not yield much. I plan to reach out to 2,000 hospitals in Tier 2 and 3 towns after the pilot project. HOW IS IT BENEFICIAL FOR USERS? Tiwari says, The 1,300 sellers that are registered on our platform have huge benefits. The have seen an increase in the number of customers due to Medikabazaar. Sellers can reach out to 2.5 lakh customers after registering on the platform. He further adds, For the 20,000 hospitals that are currently registered on our platform, the benefits are that they can get their stocks on time, they get a better price and save up to 15 per cent. THE MONEY STORY Tiwari says, I put in Rs 1.5 crore which was used in developing a team, technology and other aspects of the firm. In March 2017, we got funding of $1 million from Rebright Partners, Sunil Kalra and Arun Venkatachalam. In September 2018, we received a funding for $5 million. Medikabazars revenue model is based on commissions which we get from the suppliers. We also aim to charge a subscription fee for the Vizi app. MANAGING PEOPLE Managing people is one of the biggest challenges for a startup. Tiwari says, It is very difficult to get employees. I think what works for a startup that cannot afford to pay big bang salaries is to educate people about your mission and tell them what you want to achieve by your work. I still have the employees who joined me when we started. Getting them on board with the mission is the best way to keep people with you. Digitising medical procurement THE FINANCE Vivek Tiwari, founder Medikabazaar started the website in May 2015. Investment: Rs 1.5 crore (used in developing a team, technology.) Funding received in March 2017: $ 1 million from Rebright Partners, Sunil Kalra and Arun Venkatachalam. Funding received in Sept 2018: $ 5 million. Total turnover: $ 30 million. With the funding, Medikabazaar plans to strengthen its technology and increase its team size. It is also aiming to increase the number of its centres to at least 20. The platform also hopes to develop supply chain and logistics capability THE EXPANSION Medikabazaar started in 2 states. Currently they operate in 11 states. Medikabazaar started with 50 employees. Currently there are 250 employees. 1,300 sellers registered on the platform. 20,000 hospitals registered on the platform. 2.5 lakh customers. PRODUCTS AND SERVICES Medikabazaar has 1,00,000 products ranging from a machine as complex as an MRI scanner to a cotton roll. Products are delivered to 16,000 pin codes spread across the length and breadth of the country Time of delivery: 3 days. WHAT IS VIZI Vivek Tiwari has added a new feature on the medikabazaar platform. It is an app called Vizi. This app has been developed in house and all a hospital has to do is put in their consumption data. Using Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning the app can tell the hospital what it will need to order, how much and when. Tiwari is doing a pilot project of Vizi in 200 small hospitals. FEATURES OF VIZI Improve bottom line: Power of data science to optimise investment in medical supplies inventory. Zero loss of opportunity: Medikabazaar ensures availability of medical instruments and avoid surgical cases cancelation. Zero data entry: Registration is a simple process and does not require any data entry. Accurate projections: Artificial intelligence and ML technologies for accurate stock quantity projections. Highly secured: No third party accessibility, the data is secured. Actionable purchase list: streamline procurement of medical items. THE FUTURE Vivek Tiwaris goal of connecting hospitals with manufacturers has worked. He plans to expand medikabazaar in countries like Mexico, , Zimbabwe, Indonesia and Middle East. He says, Any developing country has this requirement and we are happy to provide it to them. Our goal is to give patients a better cost of health services. Vivek hopes that hospitals that can now save up to 15 to 20 per cent on their purchases will be able to pass on the benefits to their patients. E-AUCTION Hospitals often have medical devices and equipment that they want to replace with new models. Medikabazaar helps sell these instruments by conducting an auction. Interested buyers, can check the details on the website and bid for the device. Medikabazaar acts like an Amazon where the different prices of an item is displayed. The buyer can check the price of say a syringe or a sterilised gauze and compare the prices of different manufacturers before making a purchase. There is only one traffic light in Bhutan. It is at the top of the main road in Thimphu, the countrys capital. A policeman in a tight uniform stands beneath it, guiding vehicles. The policeman stands there because when the traffic light was installed, people complained; they said the impersonal nature of being directed by a light felt rude, like they were not being recognised as individuals. This is the essential truth of Bhutan. It is such a small country that everything feels personal; there is the sense that whoever one interacts with might be a distant relative or a friend of a friend and so, in every interaction there is both a formality and a friendliness. I visited Bhutan in January, getting day after day of clear skies and brisk winds. January, February, March are off-season in Bhutan as are several months in autumn, and so, almost half the year can be considered off-season. During these months, what is already an intimate experience becomes even more so. On my first morning in Bhutan, I went past the traffic light and there were no cars. The policeman was standing beneath the light, rubbing his hands to keep them warm. He seemed a bit at loose ends. The black-necked cranes in Phobjikha Valley are not to be missed Being Buddhist I flew into Paro from Delhi. My tour was arranged by Brown and Hudson, a company that charges a premium because it is so good at arranging trips where one gets to experience a place intimately, either through one-on-one interactions with chefs or museum directors or by accessing a place at an angle. A jeep picked me up at the airport and began driving me to Thimphu. The landscape of Bhutan is a lot like the landscape of Switzerland, mountains and sharp green valleys. I rolled down the window. A soft hissing wind filled the vehicle. After several weeks in Delhi, the silence was so strange that I had the sense that there was something wrong with my hearing. In the silence one can hear better. Sound carries further. It is like how voices skip across water. Standing on one side of a street, one can hear two men on the other side conversing. Everyone who comes to Bhutan from India is struck by how interwoven the two countries are! To help me get beneath the surface of Bhutan, Brown and Hudson had arranged for me to have dinner with the former royal chef Kezang Tenzin, a large, handsome, cheerful man. Mr Tenzin is an advisor to a charity that encourages vegetarianism and the dinner was in a bare white cafeteria-type dining room. Almost everyone who comes to Bhutan from India is, of course, struck by how interwoven the two countries are the fact that one can pay in rupees, the fact that people hum Bollywood songs. In almost every instance this sharing of cultures and resources is a wonderful thing. There are, however, certain things which inevitably are not as good as they can be. The Bhutanese are Buddhist and slaughtering animals and even eating meat is discouraged by their understanding of their own religion. I was told that there are no slaughterhouses in Bhutan and that almost all the meat that is consumed in Bhutan comes from India. In fact, if meat from India stopped arriving, Bhutan would become much more Buddhist in its cuisine than it actually is. The main site of Punakha is a white palace called the Punakha Dzong (Getty Images) The charity that Mr Tenzin supports teaches young women vegetarian cooking. The idea is to make meat eating less of a default. The four or five women I spoke with were all slender and dark haired. When they laughed, they covered their mouths with a hand. Each woman said that being vegetarian was a more moral way of living than being a carnivore but all said that they could not imagine not eating meat. Before this, I had appreciated that the presence of India would be a pressure on Bhutanese culture. I had not, however, appreciated the intimate way that something as simple as eating meat would cause Bhutanese people to question whether they were being as good Buddhists as they could. Bhutan is such a small country that everything feels personal, including the traffic police (Shutterstock ) Up close and personal My plan was to see most of the major sites of Bhutan, two of which were the black-necked cranes in Phobjikha Valley and the Tigers Nest. I left Thimphu and began the 125 kilometer drive to the Phobjikha Valley. Both because the switchbacks force you to go slow and because the scenery is literally breathtaking, the drive took close to six hours. At various times I stopped and got out into the thin bright sun. There are astonishing views of the eastern Himalayas. One stands on a hill and in the distance are snow-capped mountains endlessly reiterating themselves like a CGI effect. Equally lovely, and part of the journey of any traveller through Bhutan, are the prayer flags that cover mountains. The flags are printed with prayers and the idea is that they are carrying these appeals to heaven. The black cranes reside almost exclusively in the Tibetan Plateau and the Himalaya and their extraordinary, almost philosophers beauty, causes people to travel the world to see them. I was staying at the Gangtey Lodge, Amankora, and one morning I began biking to the Black-necked Crane Visitor Centre. The centre overlooks fields where the black-necked cranes come and peck the remains of the harvest. As I biked past fields, I saw the cranes moving slowly and carefully through them. They looked very much like men in robes, leaning forward and thinking as they walked. Seeing them in their natural habitat, I realised that this is why one travels to places as remote as Bhutan. There are so few tourists that what I was seeing was how the cranes had been viewed for hundreds of years, before tourists travelled the world to see them, and when only local farmers got to admire them. I stopped my bike and stood by a field and a crane nearby reached down in a bow to pick up something. I bowed as well. Climb every mountain The Tigers Nest is a collection of white pagoda-like temple chambers attached to a sheer cliff in Paro, Bhutan (Getty Images) I continued east from Phobjikha. Along the way I stopped at Punakha, which was the capital of Bhutan for 300 years and is currently the winter residence of the Central Monastic Body. The main site of Punakha is a white palace called the Punakha Dzong. In many ways, the architecture of the palace, the courtyards and the high walls is not surprising. What is surprising is that there is a bridge that connects the parking lot to the complex and beneath it is a stream full of enormous fish. Because the Bhutanese do not fish, the fish leap out and splash as if completely unafraid. The Bhutanese dont fish, so the fish leap out of streams as if completely unafraid... From Punakha I went on to Paro. One of the iconic images of Bhutan is the Tigers Nest, a collection of white pagoda-like temple chambers attached to a sheer cliff. When you stand at the bottom of the mountain and look up at the Tigers Nest, the complex feels like a hallucination. One begins climbing the mountain, going up and up. The climb can take three hours. One passes waterfalls and keeps climbing, pausing periodically and avoiding looking down for fear of vertigo. And when one finally arrives there, one is moved by the dedication that must have led to the enormous effort that built this temple. I had been wanting to visit Bhutan for many years, and to finally visit this country when there were almost no other visitors, made the experience almost private. The temple, the bowing black necked crane, the prayer flags flapping, I knew that when I would think of them, the memories would come not just as images, but as emotional moments. Akhil Sharma is an award-winning writer based in the US. He has contributed to The New Yorker and The Atlantic Monthly and authored novels like An Obedient Father and Family Life From HT Brunch, March 10, 2019 Follow us on twitter.com/HTBrunch Connect with us on facebook.com/hindustantimesbrunch United States President Donald Trump signed Bibles for people affected by a string of deadly storms that ripped through the state of Alabama. The President made the gesture on Friday while visiting a Baptist church in Opelika, Alabama, that is serving as a disaster relief centre, reports The Hill magazine. Volunteer Ada Ingram told the media that Trump signed several hats and Bibles, including one for a 12-year-old boy, an action which drew applause from people who came to see the President. I enjoyed him coming, said Ingram, who said she voted for Trump and would again in 2020. I think its a godsend. The situation is bad. And there are going to be people who will say why did he come to my town? I dont know why. I dont why the hurricane happened (either). But there is a reason. The President and first lady Melania Trump spent much of the day touring areas in Lee County, that were damaged by the tornadoes, which killed 23 people including several children, and meeting victims. Trump signed an emergency disaster declaration earlier this week authorising federal aid for the area. Freedom of religion continues to be harshly restricted in Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) because Beijing interprets veneration to the India-based Dalai Lama as part of the separatist ideology and against the Communist Party of China (CPC). Overall, the status of religious worship, individual rights and civil liberties in TAR worsened in 2018, a report by Freedom House, a US-based non-profit working on political freedom and human rights, added. New regulations on religious affairs came into effect in February 2018, reiterating many existing restrictions while strengthening controls on places of worship, travel for religious purposes, and childrens religious education, including in Tibetan areas, the report said. The report was released on the eve of the 60th anniversary of the aborted March 10 uprising in 1959 during which the Dalai Lama and his followers fled to India through what is now known as Arunachal Pradesh. Indias decision to grant asylum to the Dalai Lama adversely impacted bilateral ties with India and is counted among the reasons for the 1962 war. China views the Nobel Peace laureate as a dangerous separatist and accuses him of inciting dozens of self-immolations in the recent past in TAR and adjoining Tibetan areas. Sixty years later, Beijing continues to react strongly if political leaders meet the Dalai Lama, 83, in India or abroad. Meanwhile, in TAR, the government has taken steps to prevent any commemoration of the revolt on Sunday, and on March 14, that of the 10 years of riots in the province when members of both Han and Tibetan communities were killed in clashes and subsequent crackdown by authorities. The government has banned foreigners from traveling to TAR until April 1 as part of its efforts, according to rights groups, to strictly clamp down on any kind of activity to mark the dates. New restrictions flow from the hardline rule that Beijing is said to have implemented in TAR over the decades. Besides severe limits on individual rights, the Freedom House report added that CPC continues to control and guide opinion among the Tibetans Ideological education campaigns reach most monasteries and nunneries in the region. In 2018, the effort included the obligatory study of the spirit of the October 2017 19th Party Congress. Such campaigns typically force participants to recognise the CPC claim that China liberated Tibet and to denounce the Dalai Lama, the report on Tibet is part of the larger Freedom in the World 2019 report compiled by the group. Beijing, however, claims that the remote region has seen unprecedented development - following liberation from serfdom in 1959 - and prosperity under CPC rule, and that there is no love lost for the Dalai Lama in the province. Reports say many Tibetans in China still venerate the Dalai Lama despite restrictions on displays of his picture in TAR. The CPCs top official in TAR doesnt agree. Since defecting, the Dalai Lama hasnt done a single good thing for the people of Tibet, Tibets CPC chief Wu Yingjie said this week on the sidelines of the Two Session, Chinas Parliament. The people of Tibet have weighed things up, and really thank the Communist Party for the happy life it has brought them, he added. Industrialist Swraj Paul, one of the richest Indians in the UK who set up his first companies in Birmingham in the 1960s, has been awarded for his lifetime contribution in the Midlands region, which is home to a large Indian diaspora. Paul, 88, who is also a member of the House of Lords, received the Lifetime Contribution-Midlands Business Awards 2019 from Harj Sandher, founder of the awards, at an event in Leicester on Friday evening. One of the previous recipients of the awards is Kumar Bhattacharyya, the celebrated engineer who founded the Warwick Manufacturing Group and advised the Tata group, among others, during his long career. He passed away earlier this month. Paul recalled the entrepreneurial spirit of the Indian community in the region, and said: I first began business in the Midlands nearly 50 years ago. It was then a very different place but there was a feature that I found particularly encouraging - it was a region of opportunity. In the decades since then, we have had good times and difficult times. But that attribute remains an essential part of our commercial and social DNA and it is what sustains our economic environment; and we must nourish it. A large number of Indian-origin people moved to Leicester and the Midlands after being expelled from Idi Amins Uganda in the early 1970s. They have since rejuvenated the regions economy and culture to the point that Leicester is now seen as the poster town of UKs multicultural policies. Paul said at the awards event: The Midlands is perhaps the centre of this countrys multiculturalism. Over the years, one of the extraordinary features of this has been how different people have flourished in its social and economic ethos and yet retained their values and their cultural essence. The things that we treasure, that we want to hand down to our children, inevitably go through some change. But they have not been lost and indeed have acquired a richness that is visible as you look around this room. When I first came to the Midlands, I never believed that this would be possible. To me, this is a better yardstick of success than any secular index. It gives me some pride to see how well those of us who came from the Indian sub-continent have become involved with, learned from and contributed to the Midlands, particularly here in Leicester, Paul said. US secretary of state Mike Pompeo and UKs National Security Advisor Mark Sedwill on Friday discussed the need to reduce tensions between India and Pakistan, following the Pulwama terrorist attack in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed last month, as one of key global priorities. The two officials discussed key global priorities, including support for reducing tension between India and Pakistan, US state department spokesperson Robert Palladino said in a readout of their meeting. They also discussed Syria and Iran, and the special relationship between their countries. No details were offered of the India-Pakistan discussions and response was awaited from the state department to a request for more information, including, if the two officials also talked about their proposal, with France in the lead, to the UN Security Council to designate Masood Azhar, the head of Jaish-e-Mohammad that has claimed responsibility for the Pulwama attack, as a terrorist. The three P-5 countries launched last week a fourth attempt to sanction Azhar. China, which blocked the last three attempts, holds the key and it has been non-committal so far. A decision is likely next week. The United States and the United Kingdom have both strongly condemned the Pulwama attack and have extended their support to India to fight terrorism. The United States backed Indias right to self-defense and the airstrike on a Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorist camp in Balakot, Pakistan, calling it counter-terrorism actions, a description that India has welcomed and embraced for the strikes. The US and UK, joined by France, also pressed the UN Security Council to pass a pathbreaking statement condemning the Pulwama attack, despite stiff resistance from China, on behalf of Pakistan. And the three P-5 countries and Afghanistan joined India to oppose an appeal by Hafiz Saeed, founder and head of Lashkar-e-Toiba that carried out the 2008 Mumbai massacre, to be removed from the UNSC list of designated terrorists. An ombudsman for the world body rejected Saeeds petition on Wednesday. Anthony Knockaert's superb strike fired Brighton to a vital 2-1 win over arch rivals Crystal Palace as the Seagulls climbed away from the Premier League relegation zone on Saturday. Chris Hughton's side took the lead through Glenn Murray's early goal before Luka Milivojevic equalised with a second half penalty. Knockaert sparked wild celebrations from the Brighton fans who made the trip to south London when he blasted the winner in the closing stages. Having beaten Palace in December, Brighton secured their first win at Selhurst Park since 2005, giving them a first league double over the Eagles since the 1983-84 season. Just as importantly, Brighton are now level on points with Palace and well clear of the relegation zone heading into next weekend's FA Cup quarter-final at Millwall. Palace and Brighton might be separated by 40 miles, but the rivalry between the clubs has been fierce since the 1970s and the fate of their latest grudge match hinged on a pre-match twist of fate. Hughton initially left out Murray in favour of Florin Andone, but there was a late change to Brighton's starting line-up after Andone was injured in the warm-up. He was replaced by Murray, who made the most of his unexpected opportunity to open the scoring in the 19th minute. Palace defender James Tomkins failed to deal with Lewis Dunk's long punt forward and Murray pounced on the loose ball, driving a fine finish into the bottom corner from the right side of the area. It was the striker's 100th league goal for Brighton, maintaining his impressive streak against Palace, with goals in each of his last four appearances against his former club. Dunk made an excellent block to stop Wilfried Zaha's goal-bound shot as Palace pushed for an equaliser. Moments later, Brighton keeper Mat Ryan clawed away a header from Tomkins before Palace winger Jeffrey Schlupp fired just wide. Palace's pressure was rewarded in the 50th minute when Andros Townsend was tripped just inside the Brighton area by Davy Propper's needless challenge. Milivojevic stepped up to send Ryan the wrong way with a clinical spot-kick, making it 17 successful penalties for the Serbian midfielder since his Palace debut in 2017. But, despite being penned back for long periods, it was Brighton who snatched the winner with just their third shot on target in the 74th minute. Cutting in from the right flank, Knockaert advanced unchecked by Patrick van Aanholt to the edge of the area before curling a sublime strike into the top corner. Andrew Boguts arrangement with the Warriors will only cover the rest of this season, according to a tweet from his Australian team, the Sydney Kings. The Kings referred to Boguts Golden State deal as a short-term contract for the remainder of the current NBA season, adding that he will return to Sydney, and the purple and gold faithful, ready to go for #NBL20. Bogut will make $487K during his time in Golden State, according to salary cap expert Albert Nahmad (Twitter link). He will count $308K against the salary cap and will increase the Warriors tax payment by $1.2MM, pushing the total to $51.5MM. The 34-year-old center told Marc Stein of The New York Times he is surprised to be back in the NBA, figuring that the door had shut when he didnt get another opportunity after being waived by the Lakers in January of 2017. Bogut said the Warriors began calling him in December, even though they knew he wouldnt be available until Sydneys season ended. To come back to the NBA, for me, was basically Golden State or nothing, Bogut explained. But the fact it was Golden State it was the kind of opportunity that I would be kicking myself if I didnt take. Bogut called it my official retirement from the NBA when he agreed to a two-year contract to play in Australia last April. The deal doesnt include an escape clause for the NBA, so Bogut had to get the Kings permission to sign with the Warriors. Stein notes that Golden State made an effort to add players in the buyout market, which would have filled the roster spot that went to Bogut. However, once the March 1 deadline for postseason eligibility arrived and it became clear that Robin Lopez was staying with the Bulls, the Warriors resumed their pursuit of Bogut when Sydney was ousted from the playoffs. Warriors assistant GM Larry Harris, who drafted Bogut in 2005 when he served as GM in Milwaukee, traveled to Australia to scout the veteran center and let him know that Golden State wanted to get a deal done. Bogut was named Defensive Player of the Year in Australia as well as MVP and should help fortify a Warriors team that has fallen to 16th in the league in defensive efficiency. He will return to play alongside Kevin Durant, who was responsible for his departure from Golden State after the 2016 season. In their effort to free up enough cap room to sign Durant, the Warriors traded Bogut to the Mavericks. The Golden State Warriors are a very special organization in my heart, Bogut said. I had a lot of great years there and won a championship. Even though they moved me, it was understandable to get a guy like Kevin Durant. I probably would have traded myself if I had the same opportunity. Spurs originally planned to play at 90,000-capacity Wembley only for 2017-18 and move into the new stadium for the start of 2018-19. The new stadium will have the second-highest capacity in the Premier League behind 74,994 for Manchester United's Old Trafford. Event This conference will provide club professionals with two days of advanced-level education addressing industry strategy, trends and engagement. Register today (early rates available through February 11, 2019). HFTP 2019 Club Summit is organized by JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. You should upgrade or use an You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.You should upgrade or use an alternative browser If you walk the talk, people notice it. And if you don't, they notice it. So I think trying to model the attitudes, the behavior, the values that you believe in, that you want to see. If you do that, it can be contagious. Courage can be contagious. Compassion can be contagious. Competence. Continuous learning. Constantly striving for excellence can be contagious. And that benefits not just you and your team but also society. One Jordan Brand's newest silhouettes is the Jordan Proto Max 720 which combines the upper of the Jordan Proto React with the midsole technology of the Nike Air Max 720. At this point, it's well known that Nike and Jordan Brand like to make mashups of their sneakers and this latest model is no different. With the new model set to release soon, it was only a matter of time before Jumpman decided to reach out to another established brand for a highly-anticipated collab. The first collab will be with Atlanta-based sneaker boutique A Ma Maniere and looks to be quite an interesting shoe based on the teaser images. Some teaser images and video have been brought to the fold via James Whitner, and from what he's shown us, it looks like the shoe will feature an all-over 3M reflective upper and a glow in the dark midsole. When the shoes aren't lit up, it seems like they come in a triple-black colorway. In his latest post, it was also revealed that the colorway is called "Atlanta Nights." An official release date has not been unveiled but it appears as though that information will be coming next week. We will make sure to update you as soon as more details become available. Kash Doll used social media to thank her fans in Chicago for a great concert showing. She even alluded to flashing the crowd her breasts as a way of rewarding their generosity, a gestured that was received with a small pocket of criticism on the Net. In the following series postings, Kash Doll thanks the Chicago, makes an allusion to a fake gun she pointed at the crowd, then proceeds to shout out the next tour stop in Detroit, Michigan. Bennett Raglin/Getty Images That's when a user whose Instagram handle was obscured by the ShadeRoom (for legal reasons) jumped in the comments to question her indecency. Little did he know, but Kash Doll is ever-so active on social media, you might even say very "hands on." So once she picked up on the criticism after filing through her notifications, it didn't take her long to register a response. https://www.instagram.com/p/Buy9n83By52 As it turns out the user who commented, "Why would u point that a crowd" in reference to "gun" was wrong to pick a fight with the rapper. It just so happens the commenter was holding some pretty incriminating stuff on his own page: a thirst trap selfie leaving nothing to the imagination, bottoms and all. So, without further ado, Kash Doll chimed in asking, "why u naked in that second pic on your page like yo body look good?' And that was all she wrote if you catch my drift. KXNG Crooked's Hip-Hop Weekly series is well underway, with the Long Beach lyricist rounding the corner on week ten. This time, Crook has used the opportunity to bare his soul on wax, using an oft-cited 2Pac instrumental as his chosen backdrop. On "Take The Pain Away," Crook opens things up with a rare display of the vocal chops, reflecting on the age-old idiom of "misery loves company." "Nightmares in my sleep painting a grim picture," he raps, in the harrowing opening stanzas. "I see the n**a that murdered my mama's twin sister, I see the cancer that gave my uncle a slim figure." Crook continues down that road, opening up about his own battles with alcohol, his childhood struggles, and more. "I tried to normalize all the shit I did, as if stealing dinner is normal for a little kid," raps Crooked, before reaching for the hollow friendship of a Jamie bottle. Check out Crook's self-styled "therapy session" here, and sound off below. Quotable Lyrics Nightmares in my sleep painting a grim picture I see the n**a that murdered my mama's twin sister I see the cancer that gave my uncle a slim figure We weren't aware of any dating rumours surrounding Lupita Nyong'o and Jared Leto but apparently there are and the Black Panther actress discussed them head-on in her Net-A-Porter interview. A noted topic in the feature touches on her support system and how important her inner circle was when she stepped in the world of Hollywood after her role in 12 Years A Slave. Rachel Murray/Getty Images One of the most supportive was Suicide Squad actor Jared, who still just a phone call away. Jared Leto, hes still on speed dial, because we were on that [Oscar campaign] journey together and hes so embracing of me, she told the publication. There was an intimacy that grew from that, that goes beyond the dating rumors, beyond all that. The duo became close in 2014 when they both scored big during the Oscars, Jared winning Best Supporting Actor for Dallas Buyers Club while Lupita won Best Supporting Actress for 12 Years A Slave. Starting with 12 Years a Slave, I was welcomed [in Hollywood] with such warmth, she added. My castmates surrounded me. I dont know if they are aware of this, but I felt so protected. Mystikal will be allowed to leave the state of Louisiana before his rape trial is set to commence. This marks the first time since his release in mid-February that Mystikal has shown any sort of leniency, let alone permission to roam free within the United States of America. Gary Gershoff/Getty Images Last week, it was reported that Mystikal would not be accepting a plea deal over the charges, because as he sees it: the evidence he and his lawyer Michael Tyler have compiled, are strong enough to beat the current. According to a report published by Page Six, the 48-year old rapper will be allowed to cross Louisiana state lines so long as he wears a court-ordered ankle monitor. Mystikal was noticeably excited when he received the news, partially because it means he can resume his touring career. I can travel," he said excitedly after hearing the judge's decision. "I can earn some of my money back that I spent. I am in an incredible bind." Mystikal's get the bag mentality is well-earned if not completely necessary because any profits accrued from touring out of state will certainly contribute to his legal tab and any monies owed from the $3 million bond posted on his behalf. At least a portion of the bond posting was posted by a label advance he secured several months ago, over the release of a series of pre-recorded projects. Would you check out a Mystikal show in 2019, comment below? If you're curious to find out what your girlfriend has been watching when you're not able to fulfill her needs, this list is perfect for you. Pornhub is the go-to destination for many men and women during their personal time. With today being International Women's Day, we celebrate all the incredible women in our lives and around the world. Instagram is full of tributes to wives, girlfriends, sisters, mothers, and more today. Even some unexpected sources are celebrating the day with pretty elaborate infographics. Releasing a map of the world, Pornhub shared the top categories that women are searching for by region on their website. Unsurprisingly, lesbian porn is the top search in all of North America among women. We wouldn't be shocked if it was the top search for men too... In South America, lesbian porn is also popular but hentai and anal penetration also make appearances. The beautiful women of Africa are spending their time watching a mix of ebony and anal porn while Australia has opted mostly for lesbian videos. The most eclectic mix of categories belongs to Asia and Europe with a few new searches being added to the list. Hentai is a huge hit in Asia with Japanese and Indian clips also being quite popular among women. As for Europe, the MILF and mature spots are big terms. There you have it. In case you're ever wondering what ladies are searching for on Pornhub, look no further. Happy International Women's Day! Image via Pornhub [via] WFMZ, a media outlet covering the New Jersey-Pennsylvania surrounding area, reported on a wild exchange that occurred between a 44-year old bus driver and the students she transports to and fro school on a daily basis. Lori Ann Mankos, employed by the local Northhampton Senior High School grew tired of hearing the students jeer her driving skills, so she yelled back at them using expletive language, after which she abandoned them in the main vestibule of a nearby gas station. "When there was a turn, a right-hand turn and when she took it she was going far too fast," Mason Persiani said. He was one of the students on the bus that Mankos left in the Sunoco lot. "She ended up being halfway into the opposing lane of traffic," he continued. Before leaving the keys to the school bus with a Sunoco attendant, Mankos allegedly told the students at large to "go f*ck themselves." As it turns out, the students weren't jeering her for no good reason. Over the course of the ill-fated ride, Mankos dangerously steered the transport vehicle into the opposite lane of traffic. By the time authorities caught up with her, they found her completely out of sorts. Mankos would up arrest on 26 counts of endangering the welfare of children, to go with a failed breathalyzer test. A claim that Taraji P. Henson made in her 2016 memoir has come back to the light, and it's biting former Hollywood producer Harney Weinstein in the backside. In her memoir, Around The Way Girl, Henson wrote that she once lost out on a huge acting role because a certain, unnamed someone wanted to give it to a white actress instead. According to Henson, a top executive read the script and said that he couldn't see a black woman playing the role. The part in question was that of an out-of-control, stripper mom in the film St. Vincent. Henson claims that writer-director Theodore Melfi penned that part specifically with Henson in mind, however, others in the industry didn't want her and instead went with actress Naomi Watts. https://www.instagram.com/p/Bcg2Ke_Bf2w Time and again, Ive lost roles because someone with the ability to green-light a film couldnt see black women beyond a very limited purview he or she thought fit audience expectations, Henson wrote in her memoir. It was a meaty gig. I would have loved it. In a recent interview with The Guardian, Henson spills that the mysterious executive who gave away her role was none other than Harvey Weinstein, and when asked if she believed he made his decision because she was black, she said yes. "Basically, I dont think he saw my box-office appeal. What I heardI didnt sit down with the manis that he wanted someone who was known internationally, so they got Naomi Watts." https://www.instagram.com/p/BsWDTIxgjIH When asked about Weinstein's ongoing sexual misconduct scandal that led to dozens of women in the industry stepping forward and accusing him of various forms of assault, Henson was coy. Well, you know, I just sit here and I sip my tea, she said as she literally sipped tea. "I never wished anything bad on the man. I was just, like, O.K., hell see. Thats another person wholl have to eat crow. How would you like yours? Fried? Toasted?" Melfi would later go on to work with Henson on the blockbuster film Hidden Figures, so obvious Weinstein couldn't stop her shine. Vanity Fair contacted Weinstein to get a response to the allegations, and his representative told them, "Once again, simply because someone says something does not make it true, and the continuous drumbeat of any Hollywood star who believes that he or she can gain greater reverence by invoking Weinsteins name is just getting tiresome." https://www.instagram.com/p/Br5wDzYgr5Z They continued, "The fact here is that Ms. Henson is a terrific actor and that is why she starred in five films connected to Weinstein. To make this about anything other than that is shameful. When Maya Angelou could not find anyone to back her film Down in the Delta, Weinstein backed it and produced it. From actors like Idris Elba, Forest Whitaker, Denzel Washington, and Taraji Henson, and films such as Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, Lee Daniels The Butler, and The Great Debaters, to name a few, Harvey Weinstein has a long record of finding the best talent for some of the most respected film projects." Houston added jobs for the 16th consecutive month in January as the local economy continues expand but not as fast as a earlier thought. The region gained 4,600 jobs in January, the Texas Workforce Commission reported Friday, while unemployment continues to tick down. The jobless rate in January was 4.5 percent, down from 4.8 percent in January 2018. But revisions to last years data shows that the Houston metropolitan areas employment growth was not as strong as earlier estimates indicated. The region added about 73,000 jobs last, down from the initial estimate of 108,000. The oil and gas industrys 2018 gains were whittled to 3,100 jobs form 4,500. The revisions cut manufacturing job gains last year by one-third and construction by one-half. Still, said Patrick Jankowski, an economist with the business group Greater Houston Partnership, 2018 was a better-than-good year for the Houston economy, just a few years removed from the worst oil bust in a generation. A good year typically means the creation of 60,000 to 65,000 jobs. Overall, Im pleased with what the data says about Houston, Jankowski said. A few sectors struggled but overall we had solid growth last year. The U.S. Labor Department revises state and local employment statistics each year to reflect additional data that is collected after the initial estimates are made. Houston economists expected that the sky-high numbers first reported would be revised downward. The states blistering job growth in 2018 also was revised downward, to about 290,000 jobs from initial estimates of about 390,000, a decline of about 100,000 jobs. Both Houston and the state have enjoyed a robust growth as the energy industry continues its rebound and a strong national economy provides support. Texas added about 15,000 jobs in January. The uenmployment rate ticked up to 3.8 percent from 3.7 percent in December. . The state and the region have been buoyed by the recovery of the energy industry from the oil price collapse that began in late 2014 and a strong national economy that is on track for the longest expansion in post-World War II history. Most economists predict Houstons economy will remain strong, but that growth this year is likely to slow along with both the state and national economies. In February, the nation added just 20,000 jobs, the smallest job gains in 17 months, the Labor Department reported Friday. The Texas Workforce Commission will release state and local employment figures in two weeks. The Greater Houston Partnership predicts another year of solid growth is ahead for metropolitan Houston, forecasting the region will add about 71,000 new jobs in 2019. Houstons economy is expected to be bolstered by a number of large construction projects planned for 2019 valued at several billion dollars. LyondellBasel, for example, has broken ground on a $2.4 billion petrochemical plant in Channelview; German-based Convestro plans to start construction of a $1.7 billion petrochemical plant in Baytown; and McNair Interests plans to break ground on a $500 million, high-end mixed-use development in the Uptown-Galleria area. john.roper@chron.com Could this be the first time Captain Marvel has returned to Earth since she left with the Skrulls at the end of the movie? Its apparent that this is the first time Carol has been called up since the Avengers have been assembled since none of the remaining Earthbound heroes knew about the pager. Is she equally unaware of the existence of the Avengers? Has she never dropped by for a social call? What has kept her away? WHITTON David Dunagan and his wife, Lori, moved to this East Texas ranching community two years ago to escape the bright lights of Dallas, finding peace on a back patio overlooking the emptiness of rolling grasslands dotted by grazing cattle and deer. What they didnt count on was one of the fastest growing industries in the state choosing a location that would blot the pastoral landscape and upset their vision of a bucolic lifestyle. That industry is solar energy and the Dunagans are at the forefront of a campaign to stop the development of a 1,100-acre solar farm with as many as 450,000 solar panels a campaign that has bitterly divided this unincorporated community in Van Zandt County between landowners who will benefit from leasing their property and those who see a threat to a fragile ranching ecosystem that depends on water, grass and space. The debate here has also raised questions about the environmental impact of what is widely considered an environmentally friendly technology and the appropriateness of industrial installations in rural and natural locations. The debate is likely to spread to other communities across the state. Solar is the fastest growing source of electricity in Texas, with its share of power generation expected to double to 2 percent this year and more than double again to 5 percent in 2021, according to the Texas Solar Power Association, a trade group. Solar projects are under development in about 80, or nearly one-third, of the states 254 counties. The Dunagans, whose 2.5 acre property would be surrounded by sun-catching panels, have discovered that the solar development would be like any other power generation installation. Fencing with razor wire would keep out intruders. Rollers would click throughout the day as panels on tracking devices rotate to face the sun. Hazardous chemicals contained in the panels pose threats of contamination. It will look like a solid sea of panels, said David Dunagan. Other property owners, however, welcome the project, which David Dunagan said is offering as much as $450 per acre per year to lease the land for as many as 40 years, compared to $15 an acre landowners would get for cattle grazing. The solar farm is also expected to generate $22 million in new tax revenue for the Canton Independent School District, adding an extra 2.75 percent a year to the districts $20 million budget. It will also be a welcome addition to Van Zandt County whose average adjusted gross income in 2016 was $49,000, compared to $67,000 statewide. The solar farm is expected to contribute $9 million to county coffers over its life of 35 to 40 years. Van Zandt County Judge Don Kirkpatrick is walking a thin line, aware of hard feelings from both sides. I wouldnt want it beside me, he said in his office at the county courthouse in Canton. But I wouldnt want government telling me what to do with my property. Eyes of the beholder Solar and wind power are classified as clean energy, but clean, as Van Zandt County shows, can be a matter of opinion. Wind and solar projects have spurred fierce debate in communities around the country. In Massachusetts, homeowners with ocean views including the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy helped scuttle an offshore wind farm off the coast of Cape Cod. In Culpeper, Va., residents sued the Florida power company NextEra Energy last year to block a solar farm they say would destroy beautiful views and make it difficult to rent properties for events such as weddings. In California, environmental groups concerned about endangered wildlife sued to stop construction on what would have been one of the worlds biggest solar projects and agreed to settle when the developers reduced the project to one-third its original size. Texas, however, has a long history of welcoming energy projects. Private landowners have for more than a century leased mineral rights and allowed oil and gas drilling on their properties, typically without much fuss. On HoustonChronicle.com: CenterPoint transmission towers came out of nowhere The opposition to the solar farm has come as a big surprise to Anne Lantrip, who, along with her husband, bought 143 acres in Van Zandt County about 12 years ago. They were thinking of building an RV park or developing a storage facility, so when they got the chance to lease 127 acres for the solar farm, they jumped at the opportunity. Never, said Lantrip, did they think theyd face a backlash that has included hurtful comments on Facebook. We thought we would be doing something good, said Lantrip The solar farm will have a generating capacity of 127-megawatts, enough to power about 25,000 Texas homes on a hot summer day. The project was first launched by German-owned Alpin Group and bought by Pattern Development of Houston in December. Opposition began building after word got out in the community that Alpin was leasing land, beginning during the summer of 2017. Public meetings soon drew 200 or more residents with many opposed to the project. Signs and banners blaring, Say No!!! Solar Power Plant popped up all over Canton, the Van Zandt County seat, and in surrounding communities. Opponents have raised concerns about safety, over the possibility brush fires common in East Texas could start under the panels or tornadoes could rip the panels from their posts. Cattle rancher Kim Yates sells grass fed beef raised on about 1,000 acres with no drugs, hormones or pesticides. She shows off a certificate from the Texas Department of Agriculture that attests that her operation is drug, hormone and pesticide free. She likes the idea of solar power. But Yates is worried herbicides to control weeds under solar panels could seep into the sandy loam soil and ground water and migrate to her ranch just a mile downstream. She also worries about toxic chemicals commonly used in solar panels, such as lead and cadmium, could be released in panels are damaged. Yates said she sees little upside for the community in an industrial-scale project that seems at odds with its ranching character. Pattern, she said, stands to gain an investment tax credit worth about $42 million on the $150 million solar project, which she expects would sell the power to some corporation aiming to burnish its image as environmentally friendly. We are falling victim to a green marketing scheme, said Yates. Pattern officials said they have been stunned by the opposition theyve encountered in Van Zandt County. Pattern is building two more solar projects nearby, including a 100-megawatt farm in Fannin County and an 80-megawatt farm in Hopkins County. Both East Texas communities have welcomed the projects, said Deann Lanz, director of land and business development. Now, Pattern is doing what it can to allay concerns, offering to put up hedges to block unsightly views, promising to judiciously use herbicides only when absolutely necessary and vowing to have a disaster readiness plan to tackle fires and other emergencies. The solar panes in aluminum frames will not leach into the water or soil because the solar cells are protected by multiple layers laminated and attached to frames made of aluminum alloy, according to Pattern. Lanz said she believes that most people in the county believe they should be able to do what they want with their own property. Opponents, she said, represent a small but very, very vocal minority. Financial stability Cattle rancher Archie Neal grew up two miles from where he lives, atop a hill that looks out over grazing land. He has worked the land all his life, selling the calves born each year at market. He wont say how much property he owns, but he leased 148 acres to Pattern Energy for a confidential fee. The steady income over the next 40 years will smooth out the financial ups and downs of raising cattle and provide security for his family, Neal said. For him, he added, theres no cost to raising solar panels, a crop that Neal calls low-impact. On HoustonChronicle.com: Are pipeline land takings in public interest in oil, gas heading overseas? We dont have to feed them and we dont have to water them, he said. And you dont have to worry about too much rain. Neal has watched the Dallas metropolitan area stretch eastward toward Van Zandt County, with newcomers buying a few acres and assuming their views would stay the same even though they dont own the adjacent land. If you want that kind of control, Neal said, you dont buy two acres. You buy 100 acres and then you build your home in the middle of it. Neal said he didnt take Patterns offer to upset his neighbors. Nor did he have any idea the solar farm would divide the community. Yet, he and his neighbors who agreed to lease their land to Pattern have been unfairly depicted as the bad guys. The opposition group, Save Van Zandt County, is calculating its next move. Maybe theyll file a lawsuit. Theyre talking to state lawmakers about legislation to streamline recovery of damages. Theyre working with communities fighting other Pattern projects, such as a wind farm in California. Were hoping they back off, said Sandra Plaster, whose ranch land will abut the solar installation, and say its not worth it. lynn.sixel@chron.com twitter.com/lmsixel The music of Los Tigres del Norte spans generations. Sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, grandparents and beyond all have stories about the regional Mexican groups songs. They see their lives in the lyrics. They feel their hearts in the music. Its made the band of brothers a pivotal force, not only in norteno music but Latin music in general. For more than five decades, they have been voices for the unheard, exploring drug trafficking, immigration and politics. Jorge Hernandez, the bands vocalist and accordionist, says he had no idea the band would forge such a lasting legacy. We came from Mexico when I was a little kid, me and my brothers. We never had any idea this was going to happen, he says. Los Tigres are all U.S. citizens but spent several years as undocumented immigrants. When we sing the first song we recorded that the people made famous (Contrabando y Traicion), now 50 years later, it still feels brand new. The group, which has sold more than 30 million records and won seven Grammys, performs Sunday for what could be another record-breaking Go Tejano Day at RodeoHouston. Hernandez spoke about new music, keeping things topical and supporting Beto ORourke. Q: What was one of the earliest indicators of success for the group? A: We recorded Contrabando y Traicion. After that, we recorded another song called La Banda del Carro Rojo. Every year, wed bring new songs into market. At that moment, I said, These are going to be very, very busy days in my life. Q: Your first song in three years is out today, a tribute to regional Mexican legend Vicente Fernandez called Un Consentido de Dios. A: Hes been my friend for a long time. A friend of ours composed the song. I said, Oh, my God, this is good. One of these days, well go to Vicentes house and show it to him and see what he thinks about it. We, me and the group, went to visit him. We talked a little bit about it, not too much. But he was excited. The lyrics are very true. Hes the greatest artist in the Mexican industry of mariachi-type music. He puts them in high regard. His voice is authentic, and his person is authentic. We have a lot of history together. I hope that people feel it. Q: Whats something people may not know about him? A: Sometimes, when you know the artist but not the person, you have a lot of thoughts about how he behaves. But hes a fantastic person. Sometimes, I dont believe the way he is. Hes very spontaneous. He likes to tell chistes jokes. Hes always happy and talking. Hes been in the business so many years, but he doesnt have a big head. Q: Are you working on a new album? A: Yeah, its coming. We just finished. Were putting the photos together. Were making videos. Were going to have the whole package ready the first or second week in June. Its going to be very interesting. I think people will be surprised. Theyre going to identify with the songs when they hear them. Q: Los Tigres have never shied away from issues. You received a GLAAD Media Award for the song Era Diferente (She Was Different), about a girl in love with her best friend. Why was it important for you to transmit that message? A: We have a lot of friends that related to that song. They inspired us to do that. We connect with them. They come see us. But we never did anything for them. We have to look at what is necessary in music, what topics we havent sung about. I think in our career weve sung about almost everything. I said, Lets try it and see if they like it. Thank God it was a good fit. We were proud to do it. The award was very important for us, that they recognized us. Its a beautiful, beautiful song. I hope one of these days I can do something else strong for (the LGBT community). We have to participate. Q: Do you ever worry about the reactions to any of the bands lyrics? A: We have to think about it. We have to think about our career, we have to see if its a fit, if its the right thing, how the market is moving. Sometimes you go against the people. Its like fashion. Sometimes you might be out of style. One of the songs that made me very, very scared in Mexico was El Circo. We mentioned the president of Mexico and his brother (Carlos and Raul Salinas). I was terrified. I thought maybe something was going to happen to us. But it was a big hit, and everything was OK. Thank God were still here. Q: You supported Beto ORourke at a concert and rally in Edinburg. What do you think of his presidential potential? A: We had a lot of fun that night. We talked about projects and things that we want to do. We have a lot of respect for him and what hes doing. He has a lot of charisma. He knows what hes talking about. He speaks with truth. He has a big heart and a big way to communicate with the people. Q: Youre playing RodeoHouston for the first time since 2002. What are your memories of that show for 67,000 at the Astrodome? A: I remember they took us in a truck and then put us on the stage. But we didnt want to be on the stage. We wanted to be on the floor singing to the people. They threw little flags from up top. It was a lot of memories for us. joey.guerra@chron.com Residents of a small Alabama city, still reeling after deadly tornadoes devastated their corner of the state, said President Donald Trump's visit Thursday was "a godsend." He punctuated his trip at a Southern Baptist church in Opelika, Alabama, with another religious overture, one that was distinctly on-brand: when asked, the president signed several of the churchgoers' Bibles. After adding his unique, frenetic signature to a 12-year-old boy's Bible, the crowd of onlookers erupted in applause, a pool report noted. One church volunteer, Ada Ingram, told the reporters that Trump's visit was a blessing. Hopefully, it brings the community together, she said. "I enjoyed him coming," Ingram said. "I think it's a godsend." Another volunteer, Emily Pike, said the president and first Lady Melania Trump signed her 10-year-old daughter's Bible, which was already decorated with pink camouflage. "She just reached out there and said, 'Mr. President, would you sign this?' " the Associated Press reported. At the church, Providence Baptist, Trump addressed dozens of residents and victim's families, and recounted some of the damage he saw there, days after one of the worst tornado outbreaks in recent years killed 23 people. "I've never seen anything like it," Trump said, according to the pool report. In keeping with his vow to the state, Trump confirmed that officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency are indeed doing an "A-plus job" The crowd there praised Trump, who, in turn, told them, "We couldn't get here fast enough . . . We love the state of Alabama." But the president's critics were quick to chide him for his impromptu book signing, an act usually reserved for the author or authors of the book in question. "In Trump's defense, he wrote as much of the Bible as 'Art of The Deal,' " one commenter tweeted, referring to the first of more than a dozen books for which Trump has hired a ghostwriter. Others took a darker, more critical view, contrasting the Bible's teachings of Christ-like virtue with Trump administration policies they deemed inhumane. "Donald J. Trump is signing Bibles," wrote Peter Daou, a former adviser to Hillary Clinton and John Kerry, on Twitter. "The man whose vicious and inhumane border policy violates the fundamental teachings of Jesus is signing Bibles." The president's signature, on its appearance alone, may be an admittedly odd adornment to any sacred text. It's been described as resembling "the EKG of a tachycardia patient" or "a failed polygraph test." One handwriting analyst who has been following Trump's writing style since the 1990s told The Boston Globe that Trump's signature portrayed "power and control and rigidity." "There's absolutely no softness in his signature, it's just mean and tough and rigid, and there is no room for anybody else," the analyst, Sheila Lowe, said. "He's not interested in anyone else's opinion." Some experts said that any signature in a Bible, no matter the penmanship, would be frowned upon. "Growing up in a religious home, it would've been seen as blasphemous as having someone signing your own name," said, Jamie Aten, an evangelical and psychologist at Wheaton College. Aten, who specializes in the effects of disasters on the religious mind, said it's common for disaster survivors to use the Bible to help make meaning of what happened. Though he's never seen survivors bring Bibles for someone to sign. "Maybe you penned your own named so people knew it was yours," Aten said. "I've never seen anything like it." But Peter Manseau, the Smithsonian's curator of religion, said past presidents have signed Bibles, including George W. Bush and President Ronald Reagan. "If this was an organized effort where the president was giving out stacks of signed Bibles that would strike me as odd to say the least, but from what I can tell the event today wasn't outside the norm," Manseau said. "Presidents seem to sign a lot of random things put in front of them." Trump actually has some personal experience with signed bibles. Charismatic televangelist Paula White recounted a request Trump made in 2005 for a Bible signed by the late evangelist Billy Graham, one of the most popular American spiritual leaders of the last century. White managed to procure it for Trump's 60th birthday. The inscription read: "To Donald Trump, God Bless you always. Billy Graham." John Fea, a historian at Messiah College, a Christian school in Pennsylvania, said he's also never heard of any president signing Bibles before. But, Fea said, Trump's actions do fit his appeal to many white evangelicals in the South. "The fact that people are bringing Bibles to him says a lot about them," Fea said. "It seems to imply that they see him not only as a political leader but a spiritual savior for the nation." Trump, who is typically seen at church on Easter and Christmas, has dropped many Bible references since declaring he'd run for president. On the campaign trail, he nodded to the Bible when he spoke to thousands of students at Liberty University in Virginia. "Two Corinthians, 3:17, that's the whole ballgame," Trump said. Many in the crowd laughed because he said "two," instead of "second" Corinthians. In 2015, he even dubbed The Bible his all-time favorite book, before listing "The Art of the Deal" as runner-up. (However, a year, later he listed "The Art of the Deal" first.) That year, Trump told David Brody, a reporter for the Christian Broadcasting Network, he liked the Bible verse that read "never bend to envy," but it was unclear which verse he was identifying. "The Bible is special," Trump said. "The Bible - the more you see it, the more you read it, the more incredible it is. . . . I don't like to use this analogy, but like a great movie, a great, incredible movie. You'll see it once, it will be good. You'll see it again. You can see it 20 times and every time you'll appreciate it more. The Bible is the most special thing." Bloomberg reporters later asked him whether he was "an Old Testament guy or New Testament?" He responded, "Probably equal." A 14-year-old stabbed outside a Houston ISD school Wednesday died in an area hospital Friday, police said. The boy had just left Jane Long Academy in the 6400 block of Bellaire Boulevard when he and another juvenile got into some sort of argument around 4:30 p.m., according to Houston police. During the altercation, the other juvenile pulled a knife and stabbed the 14-year-old. He was rushed to Memorial Hermann Hospital in critical condition but died Friday. BREAKING NEWS UPDATES: Get your Houston breaking news alerts delivered to you The suspect fled east on Bellaire Boulevard and remains at large. RELATED: Three arrested in shooting death of Kingwood teen In a statement, Houston ISD said counselors will be available at Jane Long Academy for support and guidance. 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 Taxpayers are entitled to know if public schools are doing their job, particularly today when so much is riding on the education that young people receive. Thats why its worthwhile taking a closer look at the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness. Like all standardized tests, STAAR can be a useful tool to uncover how well teachers and schools are performing. But so much depends on how these instruments are designed and how the results are interpreted. Its the latter that is at the center of the present controversy over the validity and reliability of the test. Truth to tell, well written items are objects of great beauty because they are both art and science. The wording cant be ambiguous, and the knowledge and skills being assessed cant favor one subgroup of students over another. Psychometricians call the latter differential item functioning, which is a fancy term for fairness. Unfortunately, Texas is one of a handful of states that never bought into the Common Core, the national set of reading and math standards deemed indispensable for college and career. The Legislature voted to ban the standards in 2013 in the belief that they interfered with local control of education. Once Texas chose to go down this road, extra care was needed in drawing valid conclusions, even after a panel of teachers had approved the items and then field-tested them on Texas students. Thats because creating high-quality tests is difficult and extremely labor intensive. They need to discriminate between strong and weak students but not against groups of students. Thats a tight rope to walk, with racial diversity in the student population increasingly growing. What has compounded the brouhaha in Texas is the inclusion of Lexile measures, which were developed by a company called MetaMetrics in Durham, N.C. They sometimes showed students reading at grade level, when STAAR showed they were not. Not surprisingly, parents were confused and alarmed. So far, the Texas Education Agency has defended the tests items. Whether outside specialists will agree is unclear. Yet the larger question is how STAAR results are ultimately used. If they are used strictly for diagnostic purposes, as Finland does with its standardized tests, STAAR can help improve instruction. Almost all teachers welcome constructive criticism. But most often, they are employed punitively: Persistently failing schools whose students do not measure up are shuttered, the state takes them over, or teachers are summarily fired. Its little wonder, therefore, that STAAR finds itself in the crosshairs. If its any consolation, Texas is not alone. When New York State and Kentucky rolled out the first standardized tests aligned with the new Common Core standards introduced by the National Governors Association and Council of Chief State School Officers, most students failed. In 2013, less than a third of students in New York demonstrated proficiency in math and English. Kentucky didnt do much better when it launched its assessments in 2012. Determining which students are proficient, non-proficient or somewhere along the continuum can be arbitrary, which is why too much shouldnt be read into STAAR or for that matter into any standardized test. Some states have posted dramatic improvements by simply moving the goalposts. In the final analysis, therefore, great care needs to be taken before drawing sweeping conclusions about instruction. Gardner writes about education at theedhed.com. As an existing print subscriber it is easy to get FREE access to all our online content. When you click get started below it will walk you through creating an online account to attach your print subscription number to. After your account is created it will ask you to either add a subscription for online access or click on the print subscriber button. Click the print subscriber button header and it will open a dropdown, now click on get started. The page will reload and you will be prompted to enter an account number and a zip code. 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Some of us might have thought that two candidates with so much to gain in this election would be willing to spend every moment addressing issues that are most important to Chicagoans. Does anybody care that while accepting an endorsement from firefighters, Lightfoot stood next to two aldermen Preckwinkle says are supporters of President Donald Trump? Is anyone losing sleep over Preckwinkles past ties to beleaguered Chicago Ald. Ed Burke? Voters dont really know Lightfoot. They know Preckwinkle. They know her pop tax. And people want to be with a winner, said a man I respect whos been at the upper reaches of Chicago politics for half a century. People want change. Toni is capable, yes, she can run a government, but shes 100 percent status quo. Its ironic. She was all about change. Now shes the boss. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 8) Filipino Marvel fans have more to cheer for, as Wave the first Filipina superhero in the Marvel Universe has been revealed. The first image of Wave debuted on American film director and comic book writer Greg Pak's Twitter page. "As announced at @sxsw, I'm thrilled to share the great @leinilyu's stunning design of WAVE, Marvel's new Filipino superhero! Gorgeous colors by @sunnygho! She'll appear for the first time in WAR OF THE REALMS: NEW AGENTS OF ATLAS #1 in May, with art by Gang-Hyuk Lim!," he said. READ: Marvel to introduce new Filipino superhero 'Wave' Yu is a Filipino comic book artist who works with Marvel. Has Hoda Muthana, 24, the so-called ISIS bride who joined the terrorist group at 19 and was widowed twice, ever heard of Civil War-era writer Edward Everett Hale? I'd bet the answer is "No." And that's unfortunate. Because now I can't very well ask Muthana about Hale's famous story, "The Man Without a Country." In part, that's because she's in a Syrian refugee camp, doing interviews and seeking pity from Americans as leverage against President Donald Trump, so she can get home to her family in Alabama and raise her baby boy in the good old U.S. of A. "I realized I've made a big mistake and I know I've ruined my future and my son's future and I deeply, deeply regret it," she told the Guardian newspaper. Being a victim is what it's all about now. That's her only play, to be a victim. The ISIS bride is 24 now, a little older than my sons. She ran away from home at 19, made her way to Syria and joined ISIS, was married three times and widowed twice. That's the thing about ISIS members: When they're not chopping the heads off Christians, Muslims and American journalists, they have a habit of getting killed themselves. When she left America as a teenager, I've got a feeling ISIS bride wasn't condemning the monsters who took heads or burned people alive or drowned them in cages in the name of their god. And I really don't think they teach Hale much in school these days, nor do schools teach civics that much. Civics? You mean how government works and what, if any, are the responsibilities of American citizens? Clearly, that kind of thing isn't taught in schools. If it were, then 60 percent of Americans wouldn't have failed a basic citizenship exam put out by the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship. The group surveyed 41,000 Americans on basic questions about American history and government. But why would schools teach civics? Now, if the fellowship had only given a test on whom Tristan Thompson cheated on Khloe Kardashian with, then many Americans would pass. Ask people about the release date of "Game of Thrones" Season 8 and they'll know. But ask Americans how a bill is passed, or if abolishing the Electoral College would be the fastest way to destroy the republic and bring us to the brink of "Hunger Games"? Meh. Americans do know about becoming victims, though, and having victim status conferred upon them by media. One thing we know about being a victim is that whatever the transgression or alleged crime, it's not your fault, it's someone else's fault, and they don't like you and therefore, they should pay. And it helps if you look good on TV. Muthana is an attractive woman, a seemingly devout Muslim, a mother who speaks in measured, thoughtful tones on TV. She's a perfect victim, except of course for the stubborn facts of her earlier tweets. Muthana wasn't much concerned about the victim status of Syrian Orthodox Christians when, inside ISIS territory, in the Valley of the Christians, they were told to either convert and abandon their faith, pay a fine or die. Consider her tweets when she called for American blood. "Go on drive-bys and spill all of their blood, or rent a big truck and drive all over them," she tweeted in March 2015, as reported by The New York Times. And that's exactly what some terrorists did, in the U.S. and in Europe. President Donald Trump has said he doesn't want her in the country. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo explained further while doing an interview on WOC Radio in Iowa: "This is a woman who went online and tried to kill young men and women of the United States of America," Pompeo said. "She advocated for jihad, for people to drive vans across streets here in the United States and kill Americans." Though Muthana was born in the U.S., the daughter of a diplomat from Yemen, Pompeo and Trump insist she is not an American citizen. It's technical. The courts will decide. "She's not a U.S. citizen. She has no claim of U.S. citizenship." Pompeo said. "In fact, she's a terrorist, and we shouldn't bring back foreign terrorists to the United States of America." Her family's lawyer said she'd been brainwashed by ISIS. And she's told reporters it was all a terrible mistake, that she wants to be forgiven. But how many 19-year-old boys make terrible mistakes, with guns in their hands? Our prisons are full of them. In Hale's "The Man Without a Country," the traitor Philip Nolan was given the opportunity to address the judges and plead mercy. "Damn the United States!" Nolan cried. "I wish I may never hear of the United States again!" His sentence terrified me. He was sentenced to a life at sea, forbidden to set one foot in America, forbidden to see her shores. And while he lived, Nolan was never to hear the words "The United States" again. He lived a long life. But that's a story. Just like the ISIS bride who has been brainwashed is a story. Her son is innocent. He should be brought here to be raised by her parents. And I think she's a citizen, since she was born here. But citizens owe their county something. I figure she owes 30 years in a federal penitentiary without parole. (John Kass is a columnist for the Chicago Tribune. His Twitter handle is @johnkass.) (c) 2019 TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC. Related Content 40 IDTechEx 2019-2039 150 Electric School Buses and Midi Buses: Big Business Coming We all know China has 400,000 large battery buses and they are spreading across the world thanks to strong subsidies but there is another big opportunity coming with smaller buses. Uniquely, the new IDTechEx report, "Electric School Buses and Midi Buses 2019-2039" appraises this. There are over 1.5 million school buses, mostly midi buses but with larger ones favorite in North America. Federal support for electrification is poor or non-existent so adoption of electric versions has had to await public outcry about the entirely avoidable poisoning of children with engine fumes and cost-effectiveness even parity of up front price between the clean and dirty options. This is imminent. The report reveals how the school electric bus market extends from Dubai to New Zealand and it will jump to $6.9 billion in 2029 with rapid increase thereafter. The market for small and midi buses for other purposes will be a multiple of that and include robot shuttles rapidly becoming its biggest part. By the end of the decade, some robot shuttles may be acting as school bus, urban bus and taxi all in one day. There will be much innovation and the report has an image of what the planned Tesla midi bus may look like, leveraging existing Tesla technologies. Indeed, Tesla has just bought the world's largest supercapacitor manufacturer and the report looks at the potential for supercapacitors to replace batteries in such buses. School bus diesel exposures to children pose as much as 23 to 46 times the cancer risk considered significant under US federal law. There is no known safe level of exposure to diesel or gasoline exhaust for children. Their weak, developing immune systems get a huge belt when the bus doors open. In the USA alone, the captive ridership is around 26 million twice daily injured by this extreme case of cruelty to children. Indeed, US school buses emit 3,000 tons of cancer-causing soot and 95,000 tons of smog-causing compounds every year. Each year, one school bus in Texas emits the equivalent of 114 cars according to the EPA. The Executive Summary and Conclusions of the report pulls all this together in easily understood infographics, forecasts for electric school buses in China, USA, Canada and Other Regions and also buses in general, robot shuttles and fuel cell buses. A technology timeline covers 2019-2040. Chapter 2 Introduction covers school bus economics, regulations and market forces. That includes fewer people taking driving licenses, shortages of bus drivers and other reasons for robot buses eventually. Chapter 3 details the technology, criticising the poor start with hybrid electric buses and heavy old chassis and clarifying technologies that will succeed, benchmarking other more advanced sectors through to "massless energy" from bodywork making and storing electricity. Here are the battery and supercapacitor advances coming up to 2030, the trend to less battery, new supercapacitor buses, options for charging on-the-move and more given by year ahead. Learn how vehicle-to-grid and solar bodywork are making school buses affordable and how robot buses will function. Chapter 4 profiles relevant bus manufacturers by type and their activity prioritising school and midi buses. Chapters 5, 6 and 7 detail the latest situation, learnings and issues with school buses in North America, China and Other Regions respectively. IDTechEx 30 Imperial Valley News Center Top 5 Border Falsehoods Pushed by Congressional Democrats and the Media Washington, DC - "Illegal immigration is not compassionate. Its inhumane, unjust, and cruel." ~ President Donald J. Trump Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen spoke before Congress yesterday about the security and humanitarian crisis on our southern border. Acknowledging that such a crisis exists would make Democrats accountable for working with President Trump to solve it. Their leaders have already gone on the record to say they will not. Instead, they hope to keep a lid on the ugly, painful truths behind Americas broken immigration system. It is important to set the record straight. MYTH: There is no crisis at the border. FACT: We continue to face a surge in illegal immigration that has brought the border crisis to a breaking point. There has been a massive surge in illegal migrants arriving at our border, with more than 76,000 apprehended or deemed inadmissible at a port of entry last monththe most of any February during the past 12 years. This fiscal year, U.S. Border Patrol has seen a 97 percent increase in apprehensions compared to the same time period last year. Even before this recent surge, former President Obama called the situation at our southern border a humanitarian crisis as early as 2014. MYTH: The problem at the border used to be much worse. FACT: Today, we face an unprecedented number of illegal immigrants that loopholes prevent from being returned quickly to their home countries. The makeup of illegal immigration has completely changed from previous years. Now, record numbers of family units and minors are arriving at our border, and legal loopholes force them to be released into the interior of the country. Human smugglers know this, and these criminal enterprises routinely exploit these loopholes to smuggle children across the border as leverage. By contrast, in FY 2000, Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) apprehensions were primarily single adults and, as such, 95 percent of those apprehended were repatriated within hours. Apprehensions of family unit aliens and Unaccompanied Alien Children (UAC) have surged by 338 percent and 54 percent respectively this year. MYTH: A wall wouldnt help because drugs are coming through ports of entry. FACT: Not only do we not know the amount of drugs smuggled between ports of entry, but building the wall will help free up more resources to seize the drugs coming in. Obviously, there are more drug seizures at ports of entry that are manned by security than remote areas of the border with limited law enforcement presence. That doesnt mean drugs arent coming in between ports of entry. A physical barrier allows law enforcement personnel on the ground to carry out their missions more safely and effectively, preventing more deadly drugs and criminals from crossing our border in undermanned areas. MYTH: Law enforcement such as ICE and U.S. Border Patrol are the villains in this story. FACT: The real villains are the vile cartels and smugglers who exploit loopholes in our immigration laws for their own horrific gain. Law enforcement is the front line against them. The brave men and women who enforce our immigration laws and secure our border are working tirelessly to keep our communities safe. The cartels have devastated American communities with deadly drug supplies. The smugglers who profit from our weak borders and immigration laws have subjected migrants to horrific violence and abuse. Our border officers are the ones fighting to stop them. Secretary Nielsen testified on March 6 that law enforcement must give pregnancy tests to all migrant girls 10 years or older as a result of regular sexual assault from smugglers and others on their journey. One-third of the women making the trek to our border become victims of rape or other forms of sexual abuse. MYTH: President Trumps executive action on the border is overreaching, similar or worse to President Obamas. FACT: President Trumps exercise of executive power is categorically different from the kind President Obama used to circumvent existing immigration law. Vice President Pence at the 2019 Oil and Gas Association Annual Meeting Columbus, Ohio - Remarks by Vice President Pence at the 2019 Oil and Gas Association Annual Meeting: THE VICE PRESIDENT: Well, thank you all for that warm welcome. And thank you, John. Thank you for that kind introduction, and congratulations to you and Governor DeWine on delivering a great victory for the people of Ohio last year. (Applause.) We couldnt be more proud. Your Lieutenant Governor I have followed his career for many years. We got to know each other on the campaign trail. And throughout his career in public service. And John and his family have demonstrated a character, a commitment to the values that make Ohio great. Would you all join me in thanking Lieutenant Governor John Husted for a lifetime of service? (Applause.) Thank you, John. Really, its great to be with you all. To Speaker Householder, to Senator Obhof, Steve Downey, and to all you pioneers and visionaries of Ohios oil and gas industry: It is an honor to be here, in the great state of Ohio, at the annual meeting of an organization that is proving every day that you are fostering and promoting and advancing American energy. And American energy is prospering again. Ohio Oil and Gas Association, give yourselves a round of applause. (Applause.) Youre making a difference for American energy. And while youre still clapping, why dont you join me one more time. John was nice enough to mention her, but shes a Marine Corps mom, shes a champion for military families. Shes traveling all across this country, all across the world, representing our country with such dignity. My wonderful wife of 33 years, our Second Lady, Karen Pence, is with us today. (Applause.) Thank you all for that. It really is great to be here. You know, before I got on the plane this morning, I checked in with a friend of mine who loves the state of Ohio and who loves American energy. So as I begin, let me bring greetings from the 45th President of the United States of America, President Donald Trump. (Applause.) The President is on his way to Alabama to be with families that were affected in Lee County, Alabama, by those devastating tornadoes that struck earlier this week. But he wanted me to convey his regards, and his great admiration and appreciation, to all you in this extraordinary record of innovation and production that all of you who are members of this great industry and in this great region are delivering for the country. You know, on the wall of the House of Representatives, where I served for 12 years, theres just a few quotes. Right above the flag, it says, In God we Trust. On the ceiling, it says, E pluribus unum. But then just above the flag, near the ceiling, are the words of Daniel Webster. And they read: Let us develop the resources of our land, [and] call forth its power, build up its institutions, promote all its great interests, and see whether also, in our day[we] may not perform something worthy to be remembered. Let us develop the resources of this land and call forth its power Throughout the early days of this nations history, leaders in America understood that the source of American greatness was our faith and our freedom and our vast natural resources. And Im here to tell that America, once again, has a leader who understands that our natural resources are at the heart of American greatness. And that leader is President Donald Trump. (Applause.) Its true. Since early in our administration, the President promised the American people that we were, in his words, going to start a new energy revolution, one that celebrates American production on American soil. And President Trump delivered. We approved the Keystone and Dakota pipelines; withdrew the United States from the job-killing Paris Climate Accord; eliminated the hydraulic fracking rule; rolled back methane; were ending the Clean Power Plan; scrapped the Stream Protection Rule; and now, under President Donald Trump, the war on coal is over. American energy is booming. (Applause.) In fact, its remarkable to think that the United States of America is now the largest producer of oil and natural gas in the world. And you make that happen every day. (Applause.) And as all the business leaders in here know, it hasnt just been just about energy. This President has been busy getting this economy moving again since the day we walked off that platform on Inauguration Day, back in 2017. The President promised to roll back the heavy hand of government. In fact, as I stand before you today, President Trump has actually signed more bills repealing federal red tape than any President in American history. (Applause.) Since Election Day, all told, weve actually delivered more than $33 billion in regulatory savings to business owners and people that are creating jobs all across this country. And with the strong support of so many of you in this room, before the end of our first year in office, President Trump delivered again when he signed the largest tax cut and tax reform in American history. (Applause.) We cut taxes for working families, small businesses, and family farms. We slashed the corporate tax rate from the highest in the developed world to below the average. And under this President, with the strong support of Republican majorities in the Congress, we eliminated the death tax for nearly every American small-business owner. Death is no longer a taxable event in the United States. (Applause.) And to spur growth, we gave businesses, like those gathered here, the ability to deduct 100 percent of the cost of your new equipment for the next five years. And the results have just been remarkable. His commitment to renewed American energy, to renewed American growth, to less government, less regulation, less taxes, has been truly amazing. In just over two years, businesses large and small have created 5.3 million new jobs across America. The stock market is soaring, and the unemployment rate is at a nearly 50-year low. (Applause.) In fact, the unemployment rate for African Americans, Asian Americans, and Hispanic Americans has reached the lowest level ever recorded. And as the job report confirmed again today, wages are rising at the fastest pace in nearly a decade, and more Americans are working today than ever before in the history of our country. (Applause.) And everywhere you look, confidence is back. I sense it in this room. Jobs are coming back. In a word, America is back, and were just getting started, Ohio. (Applause.) And the energy revolution President Trump promised is going strong. Today, Im here to report on that revolution, but mostly to say thank you. Thank you to all of you who are the foot soldiers in that revolution the great oil and gas producers of the great state of Ohio. Youre doing the work thats bringing American energy back. And there are too many stories to tell all of them here today, but Ill mention a few of them. People like David Hill, from Cambridge, Ohio. Where are you, David? Stand up. (Applause.) David is an independent producer and President of David R. Hill, Incorporated. Hes a Boy Scout Council Citizen of the Year. He serves on the Cambridge Regional Airport Board. Hes the past Chairman of Byesville Community Development Corporation. And David is an active member of his community, and hes a leader in this industry. In fact, David told us that he used his savings from that recent tax cut to reinvest in his business. And David is hiring more people here in Ohio again. David, congratulations. Its great to have you here. (Applause.) And then there is Jack Miller, from Wooster, Ohio. Wheres Jack at? Jack Miller, stand up. Thank you, Jack. (Applause.) Jack is Chairman of the Board at Ken Miller Supply, a chain of oilfield supply stores you all are very familiar with. Over 50 years theyve been providing tubular goods and also production equipment port equipment for producers, pipeline contractors, utility companies; everything you need in this industry. Since the start of our administration, sales across their state operations, David tells us, have increased and grown by 18 percent. Davids company is growing again because of the policies that weve been advancing in this administration. (Applause.) Now, David and Jack are just emblematic of all of you in this room. Youre living the American Dream. Youre renewing American energy. Youre creating jobs and opportunities. So give them another round of applause. (Applause.) Thanks. Thanks for being who you are and being a great example to everybody here. You know, the truth is, I dont need to tell any of you how innovation can suddenly breathe life into long-forgotten towns. Its amazing to think how much the Appalachian Basin has changed in just over 10 years. Its something the Lieutenant Governor and Steven and I were talking about backstage before I came up. In 2008, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia produced 2 percent of our nations natural gas. Today, they produce 27 percent of the natural gas produced in the United States of America. (Applause.) Thats an incredible record of success. By 2025, theres one study that says that youll produce 20 times what you did just five years ago. Ill tell you, thats American ingenuity on display, isnt it? In just over a decade, thanks to that ingenuity, the Appalachian Basin has gone from being the 32nd to the 3rd largest natural producing regions in the world. Only one country in the world produced more natural gas than the Appalachian Basin. In fact, this region produced more natural gas than entire continents, like Africa and South Africa [America], and even OPEC countries. Give yourselves a round of applause for leading the world in natural gas production. (Applause.) Ohio itself is home to more than 65,000 wells that pump out 26 million barrels of oil and 1 billion cubic feet of natural gas every year. Those wells, most importantly, support some 200,000 jobs good-paying jobs with an average salary of over $88,000 a year. Energy is growing this economy. Its making America stronger, and its strengthening the foundation under families here in Ohio and all across this nation. (Applause.) You know, its a testament to the risk-taking and entrepreneurship represented in this room that a majority of those wells, Im told like nearly 91 percent of the wells across the country are drilled by independent operators. And thanks to you, despite all the talk of peak oil and energy shortages of just a few short years ago, the Utica and Marcellus shales are producing such an abundance. Its incredible to watch. Thanks to your daring and your grit, rather than learning to live with less, next year the United States of America will become a net energy exporter for the first time in nearly 70 years. (Applause.) Incredible. You all made this happen. And as the President has said, in his words, your full potential can only be realized when government promotes energy development. And thats exactly what weve been doing. If you want proof, just look at the look at the two states to your east. When the fracking revolution was just beginning, the state of Pennsylvania decided to embrace it, and while the state of New York decided to reject it. The Empire State put a moratorium on fracking in 2008 and then banned it outright in 2014. You all know the story. And the people of New York have suffered as a result. From 2006 to 2017, natural gas production fell by 80 percent. And in those counties that stood to benefit most from energy development the most in income, the most in wages, the most in jobs and prosperity, benefitting their entire community in every respect the truth is, property values fell by more than 20 percent because of the decisions that were made. In Pennsylvania, by contrast, natural gas production expanded over 30 times. And in those counties that were allowed to develop their energy potential, jobs went up, wages went up, and now the oil and gas industry is booming like never before. Energy is a source of prosperity for American communities and American families. And you need look no further than those two examples and yours to prove it. (Applause.) Its true. And the oil and gas industry, I want to promise you, has no greater friend than President Donald Trump. And as the President said, in his words, our administration will not only seek American energy independence but will seek American energy dominance. He promised to eliminate the barriers to domestic energy production, like never before. And thats exactly what weve done. Because weve streamlined liquefied natural gas terminal permitting in the first year of our administration, the United States became a net natural gas exporter. And just last month, I had the honor, on the Presidents behalf, to visit Poland. Karen and I traveled over there to attend a national conference, but were directly benefitting Poland is directly benefiting, rather and we are from the energy revolution. Since last October, Poland has actually signed three separate agreements with American energy companies, which, in four years time, will allow it to import more than 7 billion cubic meters of natural gas a year. (Applause.) So our ally in Poland is benefitting by your innovation, and American jobs are benefiting by your exports. Your work is not only strengthening economic opportunities here at home, but its strengthening the ties that bind us freedom-loving nations around the world. So American energy is soaring, and the American economy is booming. But to ensure continued growth, we all know that weve gotten to strengthen the foundations of our prosperity. And nothing is more important to this President or to the American people than the safety and security of our families and our communities. You know, the President said it many times: If you dont have a border, you dont have a country. And the truth is, as I stand before you today, my fellow Americans, its important for you to know, despite what you may hear from many voices in the national media, that we have crisis on our southern border. Its a crisis that sees the flow of illegal immigrants, drugs, dangerous criminals, human trafficking across the border. And most importantly, you deserve to know, its a crisis like weve never seen before. For the first time ever, a majority of people attempting to come into our country illegally are families and unaccompanied minors that are being enticed by drug cartels and human traffickers to make the long and dangerous journey north to take advantage of our porous border and loopholes in our immigration laws. As the President has said, These are heartbreaking realities that are hurting innocent, precious human beings every day on both sides of the border. Seventy percent of illegal immigrants report being victims of violence on that long journey north. According to Doctors Without Borders, nearly one-third of women traveling to our southern border from Central America are sexually assaulted on the journey. This week, the Department of Homeland Security announced that, in the last five months, Customs and Border Protection has seen a more than 300 percent increase in the number apprehended at our border compared to the same period a year before. Every day we dont secure our border, were allowing the crisis to worsen and lives to be endangered and exploited. Just a few days ago, I saw firsthand at the Phoenix Field Division of the DEA that, despite the incredible work our men and women of law enforcement are doing every day, drug cartels and smugglers are exploiting this humanitarian crisis to flood more drugs into our country, harming our children and our families and our communities. The Lieutenant Governor knows well: Mexican and Central American drug cartels are the principal wholesale sources for street-level gangs and dealers across this country, here in Ohio and all across America. Theyve brought untold suffering to millions of families. Its amazing to think drug overdose is now the leading cause of death for adults under the age of 55. Let me say that again: Drug overdose is now the leading cause of death for adults under the age of 55. In 2016, some 174 people lost their lives to drug overdose every single day. And the numbers dont really tell the tale. But I can see from the look on your faces, and the quiet nods as I speak, that you know its about families. There isnt a community in Ohio, there isnt a community in America, that hasnt been impacted by the flood of drugs into our streets, the enormous majority of which come across our southern border. I had a senator from the northwest say just last week say to me he said, Mike, the President is right. We dont But he said, We dont just have a crisis on our southern border. We have a crisis in all 50 states because of whats happening on our southern border, and its time for America to act. (Applause.) Its true. The scourge of opioid abuse and addiction is tearing families apart and tearing communities apart. I saw it in Indiana when I was governor; I see it across the country. Its happening here in Ohio. And the people of the Buckeye State have seen it firsthand. And I want to take the opportunity to thank Senator Rob Portman for his extraordinary leadership in the national effort to combat opioid abuse and addiction. Senator Rob Portman has made a difference. (Applause.) Because the truth of the matter is, you can see the statistics of the enormous flow of drugs that come across our southern border. Well continue to support law enforcement at the local level. Well continue to support treatment and remedies. But, men and women, its also why this President has taken such a strong stand for border security. Its why President Trump declared a national emergency on our southern border, to gain the resources that we need to construct a wall on our southern border and provide all of our personnel with resources and the support they need. But despite the fact the President had clear statutory authority under the National Emergencies Act, as I stand before you today, some in Congress, next week, are going to make an effort to try and stop the President from exercising the authority that the Congress actually gave the President to confront this undeniable humanitarian crisis. So let me be clear: A vote against the Presidents emergency declaration is a vote against border security. A vote against the Presidents emergency declaration is a vote to deny the real humanitarian and security crisis at our southern border. So we call on every member of the United States Senate. We call on Senator Sherrod Brown and every member of the United States Senate: Stand up for border security. Stand with this President. Put the safety and security of the American people first. (Applause.) Its an urgent crisis and one that we all need to be attending to. As I close, let me just say thank you again and also leave you with a charge and a challenge. Thank you for all youve done to renew the prosperity not just of the energy industry in America, but the prosperity of this country as a whole. The strength of this country is derived, I will always believe, from our faith, our freedom, and our vast natural resources. And as this industry prospers and grows strong, America grows strong. But know this: In the days and weeks ahead, were going to continue to work to ensure that our nations energy producers grow and thrive, because we know that when you succeed, America succeeds. But the stakes in the days ahead could not be higher. And as you watch the headlines and the debates taking place on cable television, its probably becoming obvious to you too that the choice we face could not be clearer. As I said a few short days ago, it is remarkable to think that as we gather today, many liberals in Washington, D.C. are openly advocating an economic system that has impoverished millions around the world. Under the guise of whats called Medicare for All or the Green New Deal, liberals in Washington, D.C. and in the national debate are embracing the same tired economic theories that have impoverished nations and have stifled the liberties of millions. And that system is socialism. What theyre actually offering is just more of the same: its more taxes, more spending, and more government, and less freedom. But I say from my heart what Americans have known for generations: It was freedom, not socialism, that gave us the most prosperous economy in the history of the world. (Applause.) It was freedom, not socialism, that ended slavery, won two world wars, and stands today as a beacon of hope for all the world. It was freedom, not socialism, thats moving us beyond the prejudices of the past to create a more perfect union and extend the blessings of liberty to every American. And it was freedom, not socialism, that gave us the highest quality of life, the cleanest environment on Earth, and improved the health and wellbeing of millions around the world. So we must say, as the President has said, America will never be a socialist country. (Applause.) The truth is, what Medicare for All really means is quality healthcare for none. And the only thing green about the Green New Deal is how much green its going to cost all of us if they ever pass it into law. (Laughter.) You know, the truth is, Margaret Thatcher said it best, The trouble with Socialism is [you] eventually run out of other peoples money. (Laughter and applause.) So in the days ahead, I want to challenge each and every one of you in this room to do two things. Number one, keep growing and keep prospering. Keep taking risks. And know that, from the Oval Office on down, in this administration, were going to keep fighting every day to give you the freedom and the flexibility to continue to develop the resources of this land in a responsible way, to benefit our nation, to strengthen the foundations of our country, and to prosper the communities across Ohio and across this region. Just keep doing what youre doing. We dont often talk enough about simply growing a business and raising a family is a civic contribution. So grow your business. Work with one another. Compete with one another. And stay on this fast track to American not just American energy independence, but as the President said, American energy dominance in the days ahead. Because I know Ohio is going to lead the way. Ohio is going to lead the way. And the second thing Id leave you with is simply this: And that is, as we look at that choice that we face in the next 20 months and I see the response that each of you have to all of the what weve laid before you today the progress that weve made not just in energy, but in advancing freedom, lowering taxes, rolling back regulations, negotiating free and fair and reciprocal trade deals that are benefitting American jobs and American workers, is just go out and tell somebody. Recognize that youre leaders in your communities, not just in your industry. Give voice to the progress that we have made. I mean, the truth of the matter is that the choice the American people are going to face in the next 20 months as I said before, Ill say again could not be clearer. And Ohio has always played an outsized role in decisions this nation has made. Ohio chose this President, this administration, and a new direction for America in 2016. And we need all of you to stand with us and make sure Ohio chooses four more years of freedom and prosperity and President Donald Trump. (Applause.) But I leave here today with just a thankful heart. Karen and I are on our way to Kentucky and then on to Georgia before the day is gone. As the poet wrote, We have miles to go before we sleep. But I have to tell you, its great to be with all of you today and, really, to celebrate what you all are accomplishing not just for your families and your businesses, but I want you to know what youre accomplishing, youre accomplishing for America. And I leave here today with renewed confidence that each and every one of you are doing doing more than just growing a business. Its youre doing what those words Daniel Webster spoke on the floor of the Congress more than a century ago. Youre developing the resources of the land, yes, but youre calling forth its power. Youre supporting its great institutions. And I just want to assure you all, youre doing something worthy of your time, worthy to be remembered. And as you continue to do all that you do to strengthen the foundations of this country, grow this economy, and support the ideals and the principles, I promise you well stand with you. Well keep fighting with you. And with your continued support, with this great leadership at the state level in the great state of Ohio, with renewed conservative majorities at every level of government, with President Donald Trump in the White House, and with Gods help, the best days for Ohio and America are yet to come. Thank you very much. God bless you. And God bless the United States of America. The phrase film noir was first coined in 1946 by a group of French critics to describe the emerging movement of mainly black and white Hollywood films with dark, pessimistic themes and signature motifs such as alienated antiheroes, rain slicked streets, dark shadows and seductive femme fatales. Borrowing heavily from the hard-boiled but literary detective novels of Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler, film noir attracted some of cinemas greatest craftsmen including Orson Welles, Howard Hawks, Billy Wilder and John Huston, as well as directors who came to specialise in the genre such as Robert Siodmak, Fritz Lang and Otto Preminger. Tellingly, many of these craftsmen were of European extraction and brought their expressionist influences with them, in turn influencing generations of filmmakers right up to the present day. The classic noir era is considered to span from the early 1940s to the end of the 1950s and its parameters were infinite, hence the inclusion of a couple of debatable entries in this list of the 20 greatest from the classic era of film noir. The 20 best noir films ever made Show all 20 1 /20 The 20 best noir films ever made The 20 best noir films ever made 20. Kiss Me Deadly (Robert Aldrich, 1955) The movie that virtually killed off the classic knight errant private eye forever. Aldrichs version of Mickey Spillanes Mike Hammer as a rage fuelled amoral misanthrope bulldozing his way through a storyline of Cold War paranoia in the nuclear age barely pauses for breath or releases its brutal hold on the viewer until the literally apocalyptic ending. The 20 best noir films ever made 19. The Big Heat (Fritz Lang, 1953) Memorable then as now for the shocking scene when sadistic thug Lee Marvin throws boiling coffee over his moll, Gloria Grahame. Righteous cop Glenn Ford then teams up with the disfigured moll to bring the guilty parties, cops as well as gangsters, to book for the murder of his wife. An essential example of Langs relentless and unforgiving auteur style. Columbia Pictures The 20 best noir films ever made 18. The Big Combo (Joseph H Lewis, 1955) Obsessive cop Cornel Wilde vows to bring down insidious crime lord Richard Conte but finds his judgement flawed by his attraction for the gangsters mistress. Claustrophobic, shadow filled cinematography, a torture scene involving a hearing aid and some infamously overt sexual imagery have helped make The Big Combo a cult item that flaunted the Hollywood production code. The 20 best noir films ever made 17. Detour (Edgar G Ulmer, 1945) A bona fide low-budget cult classic this one, and all in less than 68 delirious minutes. Hitchhiker Tom Neal is unable to stop the chain of events that lead to his downfall after being picked up by on the highway by a driver who then ups and dies on him. Neal takes the deceaseds car and identity but is soon rumbled by trampish Ann Savage, who puts the squeeze on the hapless dope. Savages demise is a doozy and has to be seen to be believed. The 20 best noir films ever made 16. Murder My Sweet (Edward Dmytryk, 1944) Song and dance man Dick Powell as Philip Marlowe forged a whole new tough guy career for himself in this version of Raymond Chandlers Farewell My Lovely, with Mike Mazurki in the role he was born to play: slow-witted ex-con Moose Malloy. Innovative sets and lighting and the first-person narration established Dymtryk as an early noir pioneer and Chandler himself considered Powell as close to his ideal screen Marlowe. The 20 best noir films ever made 15. Laura (Otto Preminger, 1944) Free spirit Laura is found murdered, but its a case of mistaken identity. The real Laura (a luminous Gene Tierney) turns up and the detective in charge of the case who is initially entranced by Lauras portrait and then by Laura herself, must unravel the mystery. Mesmerising, elegant, and wonderfully stylish with a stand out performance from Clifton Webb as the effete, waspish newspaper columnist who types in the bath. And did I mention that unforgettable theme from David Raksin? The 20 best noir films ever made 14. The Killers (Robert Siodmak, 1946) Famous adaption of the Hemingway short story about an insurance investigator piecing together the mystery of why ex-boxer Burt Lancaster (in his movie debut) was murdered by hit men after he did something wrong once. In the signature flashback scenes we find out just what. A smouldering Ava Gardner has a lot to do with Lancasters demise, but the film is most famous for its opening 10 minutes as two shadowy figures drive through the New Jersey night, terrorise a diner owner and then blast the acquiescent Lancaster to death, all set to Miklos Rozsas doom-laden soundtrack. The 20 best noir films ever made 13. Night and the City (Jules Dassin, 1950) Blacklisted by Hollywood, Dassin relocated to London for this lacerating tale of spiv Harry Fabian (Richard Widmark) who always seems to find himself behind the eight ball despite his grandiose plans. Widmark is sensational as the doomed protagonist always running from someone or something as his life spirals out of control. The 20 best noir films ever made 12. Touch of Evil (Orson Welles, 1958) Welles plays Hank Quinlan, a good cop gone bad who never framed anybody unless they were guilty in this stunning reminder of Welless genius. As ever, Welles lost control of the final cut of the movie and wrote an impassioned 58-page memo to the head of Universal Studios but to no avail until finally in 1998 a restored version close to his original vision appeared. Welless last great film is chock-full of overlapping dialogue, unsettling close ups and dizzying camera angles, and is especially memorable for the three-minute opening sequence tracking a bomb-laden car and the eventual explosion. The inevitable demise of the monstrous Quinlan plays like a Shakespearean tragedy. The 20 best noir films ever made 11. Sweet Smell of Success (Alexander Mackendrick, 1957) Burt Lancaster and Tony Curtis compete compellingly as to who plays the most venal character in this infinitely cynical tale about the machinations of Lancasters ruthless newspaper columnist (based on Walter Winchell) and Curtiss cookie full of arsenic press agent. A searing script, outstanding cinematography from James Wong Howe and MacKendricks barely concealed distaste for his subject, along with the performances make for a fascinating, lurid take on the traditional noir themes. There are no gangsters, no guns, no one is killed, but Sweet Smell of Success is the blackest of noirs. The 20 best noir films ever made 10. The Killing (Stanley Kubrick, 1956) 27-year-old Kubrick produced his first masterwork, which served as the prototype for Reservoir Dogs, about a racetrack heist that goes wrong and the aftermath. A brilliant ensemble cast of noir regulars but special kudos to Timothy Carey as a crazed sniper and a gloriously sluttish Marie Windsor whose actions are the catalyst for the disastrous chain of events. United Artists The 20 best noir films ever made 9. Criss Cross (Robert Siodomak, 1949) One of the joys of classic era noir was watching he-men like Robert Mitchum and Lancaster cast as the prize chump manipulated by femmes fatales as in this, possibly the most underrated film noir of all. A payroll heist goes wrong as Lancaster is drawn into a web of intrigue by his ex-wife Yvonne De Carlo and zoot suited gangster Slim Dundee, played by the great Dan Duryea. Director Siodmaks mastery of the genre is exemplified by the opening aerial tracking shot of Lancaster and De Carlo caught in a nocturnal clandestine embrace in a car park and the unfolding of events via a series of dreamlike flashbacks. The 20 best noir films ever made 8. Nightmare Alley (Edmund Goulding, 1947) Once described as the greatest movie not made by arch cynic Billy Wilder, Tyrone Power gives his finest performance as the fairground hustler who works his way into society by fair means and foul, including murder. But Powers fall is every bit as precipitous as his rise as he ends up back in the fairground as the carnival geek in this remarkable and disturbing movie. The 20 best noir films ever made 7. Out of the Past (Jacques Tourneur, 1947) Noir icon Robert Mitchum gives an archetypal performance as the fatalistic private eye unable to escape his former life after slimy gangster Kirk Douglas hires him to find the squeeze (Jane Greer as the baddest bad girl in noir) who shot him and stole his money. Duplicitous dames, hard-boiled dialogue, flashback sequences and world-weary voiceover from the laconic Mitchum all find their apotheosis in a movie that defines film noir. The 20 best noir films ever made 6. The Asphalt Jungle (John Huston, 1950) Definitive caper movie involving the planning, preparation and execution of a jewellery heist that goes wrong. Told from the criminals perspective in a semi-documentary style, The Asphalt Jungle ushered in a whole new type of realism and was hugely influential. The 20 best noir films ever made 5. In a Lonely Place (Nicholas Ray, 1951) Humphrey Bogart gives his most ambiguously compelling performance as the washed up, near psychotic writer suspected of murder. Bogarts volcanic relationship with noirs greatest good-bad girl Gloria Grahame is the core of a film that contains the genres most fatalistic and memorable coda as Bogart reflects, I was born when she kissed me. I died when she left me. I lived a few weeks while she loved me. The 20 best noir films ever made 4. The Maltese Falcon (John Huston, 1941) From the Dashiell Hammett novel, Hustons first movie as director is the grandaddy of noir thanks to a sparkling cast, moody lighting and brilliant screenplay and direction. The byzantine plot revolves around the search for the prized artefact of the films title and makes for wonderful entertainment. Bogarts Sam Spade became the model for the cynical yet romantic tough guy antihero that would populate noir for years to come. The 20 best noir films ever made 3. Sunset Boulevard (Billy Wilder, 1950) Some movie scholars dont think of this as noir, more black comedy meets gothic melodrama, but consider the following. The film opens with a dead body face down in a swimming pool. Said dead guy is narrating the movie. Said dead guy uses ageing woman to further his career. Ageing woman uses dead guy for sex and then kills him when he rejects her. Theres a flashback theme and handsomely baroque production values. Norma Desmond. Billy Wilder. Discuss. The 20 best noir films ever made 2. The Big Sleep (Howard Hawks, 1946) Justly famous and celebrated adaption of Raymond Chandlers convoluted novel featuring Humphrey Bogart as many peoples ideal Philip Marlowe. Chandlers core story, peerless sexual innuendo between Bogart and Lauren Bacall that somehow slipped past the censors, and Hawkss mastery of the medium combine for an American classic that in Hawkss words holds out its hand for a right turn signal, then takes a left. The 20 best noir films ever made 1. Double Indemnity (Billy Wilder, 1944) From the James M Cain novel and featuring taut direction and a sparkling script from Wilder and Raymond Chandler, Double Indemnity set the standard for the genre for years to come. Fred MacMurray is brilliantly cast against type in this landmark film as the cocky insurance salesman seduced by quintessential femme fatale Barbara Stanwyck (never better) into murdering her husband. Edward G Robinson is also memorable as MacMurrays boss whose little man inside him tells him somethings not quite right about the case. Miklos Rozsas insistent, foreboding soundtrack acts as a leitmotif for MacMurrays descent into hell as the innovative first-person narrative tells us after the murder, I couldnt hear my own footsteps. It was the walk of a dead man. Hailed as an instant classic, Double Indemnity retains its awesome power and fascination. Alfred Hitchcock sent Wilder a telegram that read Since Double Indemnity, the two most important words in motion pictures are Billy and Wilder. 20. Kiss Me Deadly (Robert Aldrich, 1955) The movie that virtually killed off the classic knight errant private eye forever. Aldrichs version of Mickey Spillanes Mike Hammer as a rage fuelled amoral misanthrope bulldozing his way through a storyline of Cold War paranoia in the nuclear age barely pauses for breath or releases its brutal hold on the viewer until the literally apocalyptic ending. 19. The Big Heat (Fritz Lang, 1953) Memorable then as now for the shocking scene when sadistic thug Lee Marvin throws boiling coffee over his moll, Gloria Grahame. Righteous cop Glenn Ford then teams up with the disfigured moll to bring the guilty parties, cops as well as gangsters, to book for the murder of his wife. An essential example of Langs relentless and unforgiving auteur style. 18. The Big Combo (Joseph H Lewis, 1955) Obsessive cop Cornel Wilde vows to bring down insidious crime lord Richard Conte but finds his judgement flawed by his attraction for the gangsters mistress. Claustrophobic, shadow filled cinematography, a torture scene involving a hearing aid and some infamously overt sexual imagery have helped make The Big Combo a cult item that flaunted the Hollywood production code. 17. Detour (Edgar G Ulmer, 1945) A bona fide low-budget cult classic this one, and all in less than 68 delirious minutes. Hitchhiker Tom Neal is unable to stop the chain of events that lead to his downfall after being picked up by on the highway by a driver who then ups and dies on him. Neal takes the deceaseds car and identity but is soon rumbled by trampish Ann Savage, who puts the squeeze on the hapless dope. Savages demise is a doozy and has to be seen to be believed. 16. Murder My Sweet (Edward Dmytryk, 1944) Song and dance man Dick Powell as Philip Marlowe forged a whole new tough guy career for himself in this version of Raymond Chandlers Farewell My Lovely, with Mike Mazurki in the role he was born to play: slow-witted ex-con Moose Malloy. Innovative sets and lighting and the first-person narration established Dymtryk as an early noir pioneer and Chandler himself considered Powell as close to his ideal screen Marlowe. 15. Laura (Otto Preminger, 1944) Free spirit Laura is found murdered, but its a case of mistaken identity. The real Laura (a luminous Gene Tierney) turns up and the detective in charge of the case who is initially entranced by Lauras portrait and then by Laura herself, must unravel the mystery. Mesmerising, elegant, and wonderfully stylish with a stand out performance from Clifton Webb as the effete, waspish newspaper columnist who types in the bath. And did I mention that unforgettable theme from David Raksin? 14. The Killers (Robert Siodmak, 1946) Famous adaption of the Hemingway short story about an insurance investigator piecing together the mystery of why ex-boxer Burt Lancaster (in his movie debut) was murdered by hit men after he did something wrong once. In the signature flashback scenes we find out just what. A smouldering Ava Gardner has a lot to do with Lancasters demise, but the film is most famous for its opening 10 minutes as two shadowy figures drive through the New Jersey night, terrorise a diner owner and then blast the acquiescent Lancaster to death, all set to Miklos Rozsas doom-laden soundtrack. 13. Night and the City (Jules Dassin, 1950) Blacklisted by Hollywood, Dassin relocated to London for this lacerating tale of spiv Harry Fabian (Richard Widmark) who always seems to find himself behind the eight ball despite his grandiose plans. Widmark is sensational as the doomed protagonist always running from someone or something as his life spirals out of control. 12. Touch of Evil (Orson Welles, 1958) Welles plays Hank Quinlan, a good cop gone bad who never framed anybody unless they were guilty in this stunning reminder of Welless genius. As ever, Welles lost control of the final cut of the movie and wrote an impassioned 58-page memo to the head of Universal Studios but to no avail until finally in 1998 a restored version close to his original vision appeared. Welless last great film is chock-full of overlapping dialogue, unsettling close ups and dizzying camera angles, and is especially memorable for the three-minute opening sequence tracking a bomb-laden car and the eventual explosion. The inevitable demise of the monstrous Quinlan plays like a Shakespearean tragedy. 11. Sweet Smell of Success (Alexander Mackendrick, 1957) Burt Lancaster and Tony Curtis compete compellingly as to who plays the most venal character in this infinitely cynical tale about the machinations of Lancasters ruthless newspaper columnist (based on Walter Winchell) and Curtiss cookie full of arsenic press agent. A searing script, outstanding cinematography from James Wong Howe and MacKendricks barely concealed distaste for his subject, along with the performances make for a fascinating, lurid take on the traditional noir themes. There are no gangsters, no guns, no one is killed, but Sweet Smell of Success is the blackest of noirs. 10. The Killing (Stanley Kubrick, 1956) 27-year-old Kubrick produced his first masterwork, which served as the prototype for Reservoir Dogs, about a racetrack heist that goes wrong and the aftermath. A brilliant ensemble cast of noir regulars but special kudos to Timothy Carey as a crazed sniper and a gloriously sluttish Marie Windsor whose actions are the catalyst for the disastrous chain of events. 9. Criss Cross (Robert Siodomak, 1949) One of the joys of classic era noir was watching he-men like Robert Mitchum and Lancaster cast as the prize chump manipulated by femmes fatales as in this, possibly the most underrated film noir of all. A payroll heist goes wrong as Lancaster is drawn into a web of intrigue by his ex-wife Yvonne De Carlo and zoot suited gangster Slim Dundee, played by the great Dan Duryea. Director Siodmaks mastery of the genre is exemplified by the opening aerial tracking shot of Lancaster and De Carlo caught in a nocturnal clandestine embrace in a car park and the unfolding of events via a series of dreamlike flashbacks. 8. Nightmare Alley (Edmund Goulding, 1947) Once described as the greatest movie not made by arch cynic Billy Wilder, Tyrone Power gives his finest performance as the fairground hustler who works his way into society by fair means and foul, including murder. But Powers fall is every bit as precipitous as his rise as he ends up back in the fairground as the carnival geek in this remarkable and disturbing movie. 7. Out of the Past (Jacques Tourneur, 1947) Noir icon Robert Mitchum gives an archetypal performance as the fatalistic private eye unable to escape his former life after slimy gangster Kirk Douglas hires him to find the squeeze (Jane Greer as the baddest bad girl in noir) who shot him and stole his money. Duplicitous dames, hard-boiled dialogue, flashback sequences and world-weary voiceover from the laconic Mitchum all find their apotheosis in a movie that defines film noir. 6. The Asphalt Jungle (John Huston, 1950) Definitive caper movie involving the planning, preparation and execution of a jewellery heist that goes wrong. Told from the criminals perspective in a semi-documentary style, The Asphalt Jungle ushered in a whole new type of realism and was hugely influential. 5. In a Lonely Place (Nicholas Ray, 1951) Humphrey Bogart gives his most ambiguously compelling performance as the washed up, near psychotic writer suspected of murder. Bogarts volcanic relationship with noirs greatest good-bad girl Gloria Grahame is the core of a film that contains the genres most fatalistic and memorable coda as Bogart reflects, I was born when she kissed me. I died when she left me. I lived a few weeks while she loved me. 4. The Maltese Falcon (John Huston, 1941) From the Dashiell Hammett novel, Hustons first movie as director is the grandaddy of noir thanks to a sparkling cast, moody lighting and brilliant screenplay and direction. The byzantine plot revolves around the search for the prized artefact of the films title and makes for wonderful entertainment. Bogarts Sam Spade became the model for the cynical yet romantic tough guy antihero that would populate noir for years to come. 3. Sunset Boulevard (Billy Wilder, 1950) Some movie scholars dont think of this as noir, more black comedy meets gothic melodrama, but consider the following. The film opens with a dead body face down in a swimming pool. Said dead guy is narrating the movie. Said dead guy uses ageing woman to further his career. Ageing woman uses dead guy for sex and then kills him when he rejects her. Theres a flashback theme and handsomely baroque production values. Norma Desmond. Billy Wilder. Discuss. 2. The Big Sleep (Howard Hawks, 1946) Justly famous and celebrated adaption of Raymond Chandlers convoluted novel featuring Humphrey Bogart as many peoples ideal Philip Marlowe. Chandlers core story, peerless sexual innuendo between Bogart and Lauren Bacall that somehow slipped past the censors, and Hawkss mastery of the medium combine for an American classic that in Hawkss words holds out its hand for a right turn signal, then takes a left. 1. Double Indemnity (Billy Wilder, 1944) From the James M Cain novel and featuring taut direction and a sparkling script from Wilder and Raymond Chandler, Double Indemnity set the standard for the genre for years to come. Fred MacMurray is brilliantly cast against type in this landmark film as the cocky insurance salesman seduced by quintessential femme fatale Barbara Stanwyck (never better) into murdering her husband. Edward G Robinson is also memorable as MacMurrays boss whose little man inside him tells him somethings not quite right about the case. Miklos Rozsas insistent, foreboding soundtrack acts as a leitmotif for MacMurrays descent into hell as the innovative first-person narrative tells us after the murder, I couldnt hear my own footsteps. It was the walk of a dead man. Hailed as an instant classic, Double Indemnity retains its awesome power and fascination over 70 years since its release. An impressed Alfred Hitchcock, no less, sent Wilder a telegram that read Since Double Indemnity, the two most important words in motion pictures are Billy and Wilder. Its Saturday morning in Preston and groups of people are hunched over whiteboards printed with maps of their neighbourhoods, covering them with Post-it notes. Green land for dog walks, one reads. A street is marked dark @ night and another hangout spot. The groups are identifying whats already available in neighbourhoods and what is desirable. It is part of the social action lab, a project with the British Council and the University of Central Lancashire to encourage Preston residents to become more active within their communities by offering them seed funding to develop projects. The social action lab, which brings together artists, community activists and residents, is exactly the kind of thing Ruth Heritage hoped to support in Preston when she opened the Peoples Production Lab in November 2017. The next step is to turn the many businesses and artists working within the Lab into a cooperative, owned and run by the people who work there, to make it sustainable. Activists poured hundreds of litres of fake blood into the road outside Downing Street to demand action on climate change. Police stood by watching, without making any arrests, as protesters simultaneously tipped up buckets of the red liquid, which spread across the breadth of the road. An estimated 400 demonstrators from the groups Extinction Rebellion and Christian Climate Action staged the protest, simulating a sea of blood. They said pouring the liquid, which they dubbed the Blood of our Children, symbolised the gravity of the ecology and climate emergency. The groups said they were prepared to risk arrest as part of a mass civil disobedience movement to force those in power to act. So far, governments worldwide have failed to take sufficient meaningful action, they believe. Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges Show all 25 1 /25 Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges Demonstrators block Westminster Bridge in central London to show anger at government inaction on climate and ecological issues AFP/Getty Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges A pro environment protester is arrested by police on Lambeth bridge in London EPA Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges Organised by Extinction Rebellion, the protest is part of many taking place this weekend to bring attention to political inaction on issues of pollution and climate change Reuters Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges AFP/Getty Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges Organised by Extinction Rebellion, the protest is part of many taking place this weekend to bring attention to political inaction on issues of pollution and climate change PA Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges Demonstrators on Blackfriars Bridge PA Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges Police with demonstrators on Blackfriars Bridge PA Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges AFP/Getty Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges EPA Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges A demonstrator is led away by police on Blackfriars Bridge PA Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges Reuters Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges PA Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges Reuters Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges AFP/Getty Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges AFP/Getty Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges PA Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges EPA Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges EPA Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges EPA Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges PA Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges Reuters Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges EPA Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges AFP/Getty Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges EPA Extinction rebellion: Climate change protesters block London bridges Reuters Scotland Yard said the policing was appropriate but would not comment while the event was still happening. Protests were also held in other towns across the UK. In Colchester there was a funeral march and lie-down to mourn species extinctions. In Scotland last night, police arrested 13 Extinction Rebellion activists who were among a group staging a protest outside an oil industry dinner at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh. They unfurled a banner reading: Thank you for our suicide. Enjoy the feast while you still can. Police said those arrested were among a group who refused to leave. An International Rebellion series of actions is planned in capital cities around the world from 15 April, to demand governments curb carbon dioxide emissions, limit global temperature rises and prevent mass species die-offs. The London demonstrators called on ministers to pay as much attention to climate change as to Brexit. This is the biggest issue that any civilisation has ever faced. The idea that this is not the first priority of every single person and every single government is laughable, said Teddy, Woolnough, 19. The climate crisis is killing people now. In London, thousands of people are dying as a result of air pollution, said Amy Jarvis, 22. And on the other side of the world the situation is even worse. We are complicit in a system that is sending people to their death. Another activist, Jayne Forbes, said: There are no words to describe the horrors we risk if we do not make governments act immediately. Every parent, every adult, everyone has a responsibility and duty to take action. That now means breaking the law. Shamima Begums father has apologised to the UK for his daughters decision to join Isis. Ahmed Ali said his daughter, who joined the terrorist group in 2015, had done wrong. She has done wrong, I apologise to everyone as her father, to the British people, he said in an interview with the BBC. I am sorry for Shamimas doing. I request to the British people, please forgive her. Mr Ali now lives between Bangladesh and the UK. He had not been told about the death of Ms Begums newborn son at the time of the interview. Timeline of the Isis caliphate Show all 19 1 /19 Timeline of the Isis caliphate Timeline of the Isis caliphate ISIS began as a group by the merging of extremist organisations ISI and al-Nusra in 2013. Following clashes, Syrian rebels captured the ISIS headquarters in Aleppo in January 2014 (pictured) AFP/Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi declared the creation of a caliphate in Mosul on 27 June 2014 Timeline of the Isis caliphate Isis conquered the Kurdish towns of Sinjar and Zumar in August 2014, forcing thousands of civilians to flee their homes. Pictured are a group of Yazidi Kurds who have fled Rex Timeline of the Isis caliphate On September 2 2014 Isis released a video depicting the beheading of US journalist Steven Sotloff. On September 13 they released another video showing the execution of British aid worker David Haines Timeline of the Isis caliphate The US launched its first airstrikes against Isis in Syria on 23 September 2014. Here Lt Gen William C Mayville Jnr speaks about the bombing campaign in the wake of the first strikes Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate Isis militants sit atop a hill planted with their flag in the Syrian town of Kobani on 6 October 2014. They had been advancing on Kobani since mid-September and by now was in control of the citys entrance and exit points AFP/Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate Residents of the border village of Alizar keep guard day and night as they wait in fear of mortar fire from Isis who have occupied the nearby city of Kobani Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate Smoke rises following a US airstrike on Kobani, 28 October 2014 AFP/Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate YPG fighters raise a flag as they reclaim Kobani on 26 January 2015 VOA Timeline of the Isis caliphate Isis seized the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra on 20 May 2015. This image show the city from above days after its capture by Isis Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate Kurdish forces are stationed on a hill above the town of Sinjar as smoke rises following US airstrikes on 12 November 2015 AFP/Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate Kurdish forces enter Sinjar after seizing it from Isis control on 13 November 2015 AFP/Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate Iraqi government forces make the victory sign as they retake the city of Fallujah from ISIS on 26 June 2016 Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate Iraqi forces battle with Isis for the city of Mosul on 30 June 2017 AFP/Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate Members of the Iraqi federal police raise flags in Mosul on 8 July 2017. On the following day, Iraqi prime minister Haider Al Abadi declares victory over Isis in Mosul Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate Members of Syrian Democratic Forces celebrate in Al-Naim square after taking back the city of Raqqa from Isis. US-backed Syrian forces declare victory over Isis in Raqqa on 20 October 2017 after a four-month long campaign Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate Female fighters of the Syrian Democratic Forces celebrate in Al-Naim Square after taking back the city of Raqqa from Isis. US-backed Syrian forces declare victory over Isis in Raqqa on 20 October 2017 after a four-month long campaign AFP/Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate Trucks full of women and children arrive from the last Isis-held areas in Deir ez-Zor, Syria in January 2019 They were among the last civilians to be living in the ISIS caliphate, by this time reduced to just two small villages in Syrias Deir ez-Zor Richard Hall/The Independent Timeline of the Isis caliphate Zikia Ibrahim, 28, with her two-year-old son and 8-month-old daughter, after fleeing the Isis caliphate, on Saturday 26 January 2019 Richard Hall/The Independent I do not stay there more than that. I do not know much about her [lately], he said. The time I stayed with Shamima, I never felt any such behaviour of going to Syria . Mr Ali also asked the British government to bring his daughter back to the UK. Take her back and punish her if she had done any mistake, he said. Ms Begum is currently living in a refugee camp in northern Syria, having fled Isis territory. She told a journalist from The Times she did not regret joining the terrorist organisation, in an interview published in February. The teenager has repeatedly said she wanted to return home so her child could live. But Sajid Javid, the Home Secretary, stripped the British teenager of her citizenship last month. Independent Minds Q&A session on the Middle East, Trump, Syria and Isis The death of Ms Begums son, Jarrah, from pneumonia, was confirmed on Friday. As students filed in and out of the Michigan Avenue facility, scrambling to collect their academic records while they still could, faculty and staff members cleared out their offices, and books that had been removed from the cleaned-out library were being stacked in the hallway, free for anyone to take, according to students accounts. Margaret Thatcher was apparently fond of alternative health cures and was sent them by prolific romance author Barbara Cartland, newly released documents show. Thatcher, who famously slept for only four hours a night, received nutrimental capsules from the novelist in case you ever feel tired. On a separate occasion Thatcher was sent a further supplement, possibly to address jetlag or travel sickness ahead of a trip to the Far East. Cartland, who corresponded with Thatcher fairly regularly and lunched with her, sent a package dated 8 June 1989. My dear prime minister, you were wonderful last night, as usual, she wrote. Margaret Thatcher's Belgravia home yours for 30m Show all 6 1 /6 Margaret Thatcher's Belgravia home yours for 30m Margaret Thatcher's Belgravia home yours for 30m The dining room The layout and design of the formal dining room and interlinking study on the ground floor has been reinstated exactly as Baroness Thatcher had it during her 22 years at the property, providing an impressive link to the propertys historical significance. Savills Margaret Thatcher's Belgravia home yours for 30m The '73' plaque Several features from Baroness Thatchers time at the property remain, beginning at its entrance; the inlaid 73 plaque in the doorstep was installed by her in 1991 Savills Margaret Thatcher's Belgravia home yours for 30m The study "If only the walls could talk, one could almost imagine Ronald Reagan and other heads of state sitting with Baroness Thatcher in her dining room, Richard Gutteridge, Head of Savills Sloane Street office said. Savills Margaret Thatcher's Belgravia home yours for 30m Hallway Leconfield chose Hopton stone flooring for the entrance hall, the same used in the Houses of Parliament. The front door is steel-lined ensuring it is bombproof. Savills Margaret Thatcher's Belgravia home yours for 30m Exterior Chester Square is one of Londons most prestigious and desirable addresses. Plaques on the other side of the square commemorate Matthew Arnold, the poet, and Mary Shelley, the author of Frankenstein Savills Margaret Thatcher's Belgravia home yours for 30m The drawing room The entire first floor of the property is dedicated to the drawing room and library, with views of Chester Square and 3.5 metre ceiling heights. It was often said to be Baroness Thatchers favourite room of the house. The relaxed yet luxurious space now also features a pair of original Louis XVI fireplaces and parquet flooring, selected to match the houses original floor. Savills It is incredible, with all you do, how you can still look as though you were 25. In case you ever feel tired, I am enclosing the very latest product we have in the health movement, which takes oxygen to every part of the body, including the brain. My son, aged 51, says that he wakes up in the morning and feels like a boy of 16, and at nearly 88 I find it fantastic. In a letter dated 15 June 1989, Thatcher thanked Cartland for the charming letter and the nutrimental capsules. Cartland then wrote to Thatchers diary secretary Amanda Ponsonby on 3 July 1989 with further supplements ahead of the prime ministers planned trip to the Far East. Union leader set alarm clock earlier 'so I could hate Margaret Thatcher for an hour longer' Thank you so much for being most kind and saying that you will give the enclosed to the prime minister, wrote Cartland. I hope that there are enough because it is a very long trip. I did it myself and it does feel ghastly when you get home. Do impress on her that as far as I know there are no side-effects at all, and they are not soporific, so that you feel you must go to sleep. It just stops that awful feeling in the head and ears... Millionaire industrialist Emmanuel Kaye, once a strong supporter of the Conservative Party, wrote to Thatcher that year after seeing her at the opera at Glyndebourne and offered advice about her supplements. He said he could sort out vitamins, minerals etc and, if you like ... check whether the vitamin C and the royal jelly you are having are of the best variety for you and work out the optimum dosage. Kaye also mentioned he had evolved an advanced form of homeopathy called body tuning, though it is not known whether he did any for Thatcher. The same year, a profile entitled The Blooming of Margaret Thatcher appeared in Vanity Fair, claiming that Thatcher was fond of electric baths in which 0.3 amps of electricity was run through water in a bid to stay youthful. Chris Collins, of the Margaret Thatcher Foundation, said: The impression of dottiness, of a woman slightly off her trolley, was not one that [Thatchers press secretary Bernard] Ingham could treat lightly and the electric baths piece attracted a lot of attention one way or another in the worlds press. He said that references to health cures in Thatchers correspondence were obscure, perhaps deliberately so, adding that he believed her interest was genuine. The Margaret Thatcher Foundation is gradually overseeing the release of her private files through the Churchill Archives Centre in Cambridge. Members of the public will be able to browse the archive from Monday by visiting http://www.margaretthatcher.org Press Association Areas around the Houses of Parliament were evacuated in a security alert after the discovery of a suspicious vehicle. Police cordoned off Westminster Bridge and Victoria Embankment in central London to both traffic and pedestrians. Armed officers checked the area and the vehicle, as witnesses reported they heard loud cracking sounds. But after an hour and 20 minutes, the Metropolitan Police announced that the vehicle had been deemed non-suspicious and the roads had reopened. One witness, Patrick Cardwell, tweeted that it sounded as though a bomb squad had destroyed a suspicious package. Police shut Westminster Bridge and Embankment after reports of 'suspicious vehicle' Police were called at 3.15pm after being alerted to the vehicle. Members of the public were held behind the cordon. Buses were diverted, and an area of the River Thames was closed to boats and clippers before the all-clear was given. This may be the crunch week for Brexit, although there are two more weeks after it until Friday 29 March, when we are supposed to leave the EU under Article 50 of the Treaty. The fixed point is that there will be a vote in the House of Commons on Tuesday on the latest version of the prime ministers deal. It will be a vote on a motion to approve the withdrawal agreement, the political declaration on the future relationship with the EU, and presumably a codicil on the temporary nature of the guarantee of an open border in Ireland. Adnan Syed, the subject of the popular Serial podcast, has had his murder conviction reinstated by Marylands highest court ahead of the premiere of the HBO docuseries The Case Against Adnan Syed. In 1999, Syed was convicted of killing Hae Min Lee, a former girlfriend and classmate, and was sentenced to life in prison. The Maryland Court of Appeals determined the 38-year-old received deficient performance from his defence attorney Cristina Gutierrez, but still found the evidence against Syed pointed towards guilty. Syed gained prominence in 2014 when Sarah Koenig launched the Serial podcast to re-examine his case, which led to Circuit Court Judge Martin Welch to overturn his conviction in 2016. Marylands high court agreed to the prosecutors request to reinstate Syeds murder conviction. 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 We are devastated by the Court of Appeals decision, but we will not give up on Adnan Syed, defence attorney Justin Brown said in a statement, hinting the team will be looking to appeal to the US Supreme Court. Unfortunately we live in a binary criminal justice system in which you either win or you lose. Today we lost by a 4-3 vote. Syeds post-conviction case has focused on Ms Gutierrez failing to bring a potential alibi to the witness stand to challenge mobile phone records showing him to be in the location where Ms Lees body was discovered. There was a credible alibi witness who was with Adnan at the precise time of the murder and now the Court of Appeals has said that witness would not have affected the outcome of the proceeding, according to Mr Browns statement. We think just the opposite is true. From the perspective of the defendant, there is no stronger evidence than an alibi witness. The potential alibi statement of Asia McClain, a classmate of Syed, said she saw him in a library at the afternoon of Ms Lees disappearance. However, the majority of the court said the statement alone does not exonerate Syed since the states case did not depend on any exact timeline of Ms Lees murder. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Furthermore, during several interviews with the police, Syed never mentioned being in the library. Throughout the case, prosecutors emphasised the testimony of Jay Wilds, Syeds classmate, who said he saw Ms Lees body in the boot of her own car and said Syed admitted to murdering her. More than 70 people living in slavery-like conditions have been discovered on a farm in Brazil by police investigating a religious cult. The site is believed to be run by Igreja Adventista Remanescente de Laodiceia, a religious community of about 300 people in the capital city of Brasilia, an ongoing investigation revealed. The 79 suspected slaves found working in dangerous conditions on the farm for little or no pay are members of the cult and have not asked for help, police said. Since Brasilia was founded in 1960, it has become a magnet for unorthodox religions with many believing that the plateau that the city rests on is endowed with crystals that can be seen from space. Labour inspector Rodrigo Ramos said they observed strong psychological coercion among the workers at the farm. 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 followers) believe they work for their own spiritual salvation, he said. "They think the world is nearing its end, and that they can be saved [by staying] in this community." Last year Brazilian officials found authorities found 565 suspected slaves working for the church of Igreja Crista Traduzindo o Verbo across three states However, authorities struggled to stop the abuse as some of the suspected slaves refused to be rescued. According to Mr Ramos, the leaders of cult found in Brasilia were enriching themselves off the work done by their followers. People living in the community made and sold bread, crops, books and sheets but received less than the minimum wage for their labour. It is believed they had to pay for their own food, clothing and accommodation. Police investigating the case said some of the machinery used by the workers on the farm put their lives at risk. Members of the cult also had to sleep in degrading conditions in makeshift tents, the Federal Public Prosecutor wrote in a statement. A room where dangerous pesticides were stored was only separated from an area where workers slept with an improvised wall made of cardboard, they added. State officials have seized the ledgers and documents containing payments and expenditures for each person who was in the cult. Authorities also shut down the workshops and commercial enterprises on the farm. However, they are unable to force people to leave the compound as it is on private property. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Mr Ramos said the leaders of the cult will be charged for keeping workers in slavery-like conditions and will have to pay compensation to those harmed by their practices if found guilty. A spokesperson from the prosecutors office said: "It bears emphasising that the operation does not mean to interfere in the religious beliefs of any citizen. But it is a duty of the state to act positively so that workers have their fundamental rights secured." Additional reporting by Reuters The parents of a 23-year-old British woman who has gone missing in Guatemala say they are desperately worried. A search has begun for Catherine Shaw, from Witney, Oxfordshire, who had been travelling with a friend in the country for two weeks when she vanished. Her friend woke up on Tuesday morning to find she had disappeared from the eco-hotel where they were staying. Her belongings including her passport and mobile phone were left behind, according to the Lucie Blackman Trust, which supports British people in trouble abroad. In a statement, her parents appealed for help in finding her. Guatemala's Fuego volcano: thousands flee after eruptions Show all 13 1 /13 Guatemala's Fuego volcano: thousands flee after eruptions Guatemala's Fuego volcano: thousands flee after eruptions Fuego volcano erupts at sunrise. More than 2,000 people have been evacuated from several villages due to the strong eruption EPA Guatemala's Fuego volcano: thousands flee after eruptions Fuego volcano is located 50 kilometers west of the Guatemalan capital AP Guatemala's Fuego volcano: thousands flee after eruptions A family evacuates their home EPA Guatemala's Fuego volcano: thousands flee after eruptions Guatemalan authorities declared a red alert Reuters Guatemala's Fuego volcano: thousands flee after eruptions Residents of several communities nearby the erupting Fuego volcano, stay at a temporary shelter AFP/Getty Guatemala's Fuego volcano: thousands flee after eruptions A provisional shelter Reuters Guatemala's Fuego volcano: thousands flee after eruptions A cloud of red ash hovers over a highway AP Guatemala's Fuego volcano: thousands flee after eruptions Children inside a provisional shelter Reuters Guatemala's Fuego volcano: thousands flee after eruptions AFP/Getty Guatemala's Fuego volcano: thousands flee after eruptions Residents of several communities arrive at a temporary shelter in Escuintla AFP/Getty Guatemala's Fuego volcano: thousands flee after eruptions Steam rises from Fuego volcano Reuters Guatemala's Fuego volcano: thousands flee after eruptions Soldiers stand by to help those residents who wish to evacuate their homes AP Guatemala's Fuego volcano: thousands flee after eruptions Fuego volcano erupting, as seen from San Juan Alotenango, outside of Guatemala City Reuters She has always been really good about keeping in touch and informing us of her whereabouts and activities, they said. So this is unusual behaviour which gives us great concern for her safety. Please help us to find her. In a video released by the trust, her mother urged Ms Shaw to get in touch as they needed to know she was happy and well, while her father described his daughter as of slim build, and about 5ft 7in tall. Recommended Migrant caravan traveling through Guatemala arrives at Mexico border He added: Your friends, your family are all really worried about you. Please come home, sweetheart. Ms Shaw and her friend had been staying in the San Pedro, Lake Atitlan area. She had already been to Mexico and California during her trip to America after leaving Britain in September. A Foreign Office spokeswoman confirmed they were supporting the family of a British woman and were in contact with the local authorities as they search for her. The Lucie Blackman Trust's chief executive, Matthew Searle, stressed how the first few days are vitally important because those who may have seen something could still be in the area. We urge anyone who may have any information, no matter how small, to get in touch as soon as they can. They could hold the key to bringing Catherine home, he added. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events The trust said members of her family are travelling to San Pedro to join the search this weekend. Paco Patchouli, believed to be the friend she was travelling with, posted on Facebook: Help! Friends in Guatemala. My friend Catherine Shaw has been missing since last Monday in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala. She has no belongings with her - money, passport or mobile phone. Donald Trump ally Erik Prince may have committed perjury, a congressman has said, after the former Navy Seal said for the first time he held a meeting with one of the US presidents sons to discuss Iran policy. Mr Prince, founder of controversial military contractor Blackwater USA, admitted he met Donald Trump Jr and an emissary for Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Trump Tower ahead of the presidential election. The admission comes more than a year after the 49-year-old, brother of US education secretary Betsy DeVos, failed to disclose the meeting under oath to the House intelligence committee, according to a public transcript. According to The New York Times, Mr Prince organised the August 2016 meeting with Mr Trumps eldest son and Lebanese-American businessman George Nader, who reportedly revealed Saudi Arabia and the UAE wanted to help Mr Trump in his bid for the presidency. The meeting also reportedly included Stephen Miller, now Mr Trumps senior policy adviser, and an Israeli social media expert called Joel Zamel. Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California Show all 20 1 /20 Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California The prototypes for President Trumps border wall are being demolished. AP Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California The US Customs and Border protection had built the eight 30-foot tall steel and concrete models near San Diego on the US-Mexico border. Reuters Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California A 2018 report from the Government Accountability Office found that the construction challenges presented by the four concrete models would be extensive and those presented by two of the other models would be substantial. Reuters Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California It was intended that Mr Trump would choose his favourite of the designs after testing had been completed. AFP/Getty Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California The President is yet to comment. AFP/Getty Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California Each prototype cost $300,000 to $500,000 to build and they are being knocked down in order to make way for the San Diego Secondary Wall project which will see up to 14 miles of barrier being built to support the existing steel border fence. AP Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California The new barrier will not employ the design of any of the prototypes, instead being built of the favoured steel bollards which make up the current section of the wall at San Diego. Reuters Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California The new secondary barrier being built near San Diego. Reuters Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California The rubble of one of the demolished prototypes. Reuters Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California A steel wall prototype AFP/Getty Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California A wall prototype made from a mix of steel and concrete AFP/Getty Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California A wall prototype made from a mix of steel and concrete AFP/Getty Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California A concrete wall prototype AFP/Getty Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California A steel wall prototype AFP/Getty Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California A concrete wall prototype AFP/Getty Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California A concrete wall prototype AFP/Getty Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California A concrete wall prototype AFP/Getty Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California A digger approaches the prototype wall AFP/Getty Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California Aerial view of the wall prototypes at the US-Mexico border after they were torn down AFP/Getty Trump prototypes for Mexico border wall demolished in California An aerial view showing Tijuana, Mexico on the left and the demolished wall prototypes on the right AFP/Getty During the devastating televised interview with Al Jazeeera' Mehdi Hasan, which was aired on Friday, Mr Prince acknowledged the meeting happened, but said he was not asked about contacts with the Trump campaign by the House committee. Facing intense and meticulous interrogation from Hasan, he later changed tack, suggesting he did reveal the meeting during the testimony to lawmakers. According to the transcript, Republican congressman Tom Rooney asked Mr Prince, So there was no other formal communications or contact with the campaign? in reference to the Trump campaign. Mr Prince replied: Correct. Pressed by Mr Hasan, Mr Prince suggested they may have got the transcript wrong, to audible laughs from the studio audience. I dont know, I certainly remember discussing it with the investigators, Mr Prince added. Ted Lieu, a congressman for California and a frequent Trump critic, shared footage of the interview on Twitter, and wrote: Sure looks like Erik Prince committed perjury. A former special counsel at the Department of Defense, Ryan Goodman, tweeted: Now seems obvious that Erik Prince lied to Congress about Aug 2016 Trump Tower meeting with Don Jr. Mr Princes comments are the first time anyone reportedly involved in the meeting has publicly spoken out about it, and the first suggestion it could have been about Iran. The New York Times reported Mr Nader was offering help on behalf of Saudi Arabia and the UAE to Mr Trumps candidacy, while Mr Zemel touted a proposal by his company to assist the campaign using social media manipulation. Trump calls Russia investigation a 'collusion witch hoax' outside White House A lawyer for Donald Trump Jr told the newspaper last year his client recalls a meeting involving Mr Prince and Mr Nader about a social media platform or marketing strategy. He was not interested and that was the end of it, he added. Blackwater, which Mr Prince sold in 2010, made headlines three years earlier when its mercenaries killed 17 unarmed civilians in Iraq when they opened fire in a crowded square in Baghdad. Since Blackwaters creation, the company has been awarded billions of dollars in US government security contracts, as well as hundreds of millions in classified contracts from the CIA. Mr Prince has been contacted for comment. Representative Ilhan Omar has suggested Barack Obama is a pretty face who got away with murder. The Minnesota Democrat implied the former presidents hope and change message was an illusion saying his immigration policies involved detaining children at the southern border and pointing to his repeated use of lethal drone strikes overseas. We cant be only upset with Trump. His policies are bad, but many of the people who came before him also had really bad policies. They just were more polished than he was, Ms Omar told Politico. And thats not what we should be looking for anymore. We dont want anybody to get away with murder because they are polished. We want to recognise the actual policies that are behind the pretty face and the smile. She criticised Mr Obama for the caging of kids and droning of countries around the world. US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Show all 20 1 /20 US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Democratic candidate Ilhan Omar is celebrates with her husband's mother after she won a congress place, becoming the first Muslim woman to be elected into congress alongside Rashida Tlaib Reuters US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Democratic House candidate, from Kansas, Sharice Davids (left) and her mom Crystal celebrate after she won. Davids is the first lesbian Native American Congresswoman by beating Republican incumbent Kevin Yoder. Davids is one of several first-time female candidates that helped the Democratic Party takeover in the House of Representatives EPA US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Republican Marsha Blackburn celebrates after winning the race for senate in Tennessee. In doing so she became that states first female senator AP US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Supporters of Democratic House candidate Sharice Davids cheer and cry after learning she won EPA US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Ayanna Pressley beaome Massachusetts first black congresswoman by defeating 10-term Republican Michael Capuano AFP/Getty US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Republican candidate Young Kim has become the first Korean-American woman elected to Congress AP US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Democrat Jared Polis won his seat and became the USs first ever openly gay governor AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post via AP US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Jean Kasselman (left) and Teresa Booker, supporters of Democratic candidate for Kansas' 3rd Congressional District Sharice Davids, react to election results Getty US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Republican Kristi Noem hugs a supporter after being announced as the new governor of South Dakota. Noem made history by being the first female governor of the state AP US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Gabierla Martinez and Cesar Delgado cheer on Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jared Polis REUTERS US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez became the youngest women ever elected to Congress, representing New Yorks 14th congressional district AFP/Getty US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Democratic congressional candidate Rashida Tlaib celebrates with family and friends at her midterm election night party in Detroit after won and also became the nations first Muslim woman to congress alongside Ilhan Omar who was also elected Reuters US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Supporters of Democratic candidate for Kansas' 3rd Congressional District Sharice Davids react to election results Getty US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Already having become the first Native American woman to chair a state political party, Deb Haaland has now become the joint-first Native American woman to be elected to congress, alongside Sharice Davids Reuters US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Supporters of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez cheer during her election night party in the Queens Borough AFP/Getty US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Young Kim hugs her son Alvin after she won a seat in congress AP US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Supporters of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez cheer AFP/Getty Images US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Asma Mohammed and Ashley Fairbanks celebrate as results come in at Democratic congressional candidate Ilhan Omar's election night headquarters AP US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Democrat Deb Haaland hugs a voter REUTERS US midterm results: more diverse, more female and more progressive Supporters of Democratic House candidate from Kansas Sharice Davids cheer and cry after learning she won her race EPA The article characterised her description of the former Democrat presidents policies as operating within the same fundamentally broken framework as Mr Trump. But Ms Omar did not refer to Mr Obama by name in that part of the published piece. Ms Omar has now insisted her comments were distorted and that she is definitely a fan of the former Democratic leader in a tweet posted on Friday which appears to have now been deleted. Exhibit A of how reporters distort words, she tweeted. Im an Obama fan! I was saying how Trump is different from Obama, and why we should focus on policy not politics. This is why I always tape my interviews. She also tweeted an audio file that included fuller comments on the Obama policy issues that she referenced including her differentiating between the ways in which Mr Obama and Mr Trump instigated those policies. For many of us, we think of ourselves as Democrats, but many of the ways that our Democratic leaders have conducted themselves within the system is not one that were all proud of, she said in the clip. I will talk about the family separation or caging of kids and people will point out that this was Trump, I mean, this was Obama. And I will say something about the droning of countries around the world and people will say, that was Obama. And all of that is very true. What is happening now is very different - its happening with secrecy, its happening with the feel good, polished way of talking about it. Ms Omar, who is the first Somali-American to be elected to legislative office in the US, has been plagued by controversy over statements she made regarding Israel and pro-Israel groups that some perceived to be antisemitic. A House resolution in response to her remarks divided the Democratic caucus, with some members striving to call her out by name while others successfully pushed for language denouncing a wide range of discrimination. The resolution, which was passed on Thursday, did not name Ms Omar. It made several mentions of antisemitism, but also hit out at other manifestations of hate such as Islamophobia. Prominent progressives including Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have come to Ms Omars defence in the wake of the controversy. Mr Sanders, who is Jewish, said that he believes the attacks on Ms Omar are aimed at silencing discussion of American foreign policy with regards to Israel. What I fear is going on in the House now is an effort to target Congresswoman Omar as a way of stifling that debate, Mr Sanders, who is top Democratic presidential candidate, said in a statement. Thats wrong. Ms Ocasio-Cortez claimed the attacks on Ms Omar illustrated the hypocrisy in Congress surrounding questions of racism or antisemitism. One of the things that is hurtful about the extent to which reprimand is sought of Ilhan is that no one seeks this level of reprimand when members make statements about Latinx + other communities (during the shutdown, a GOP member yelled Go back to Puerto Rico! on the floor), Ms Ocasio-Cortez tweeted. She continued: Its not my position to tell people how to feel, or that their hurt is invalid. But incidents like these do beg the question: where are the resolutions against homophobic statements? For anti-blackness? For xenophobia? For a member saying hell send Obama home to Kenya? Nearly 1,000 people have signed a petition asking a Catholic grade school in suburban Kansas City to prayerfully reconsider denying admission to a same-sex couple's child. The Kansas City Star reports that the Reverend Craig Maxim told families in a letter last month that he sought guidance from the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas when the same-sex couple asked to enrol their child in kindergarten at St Ann Catholic School in Prairie Village, Kansas. The archdiocese reportedly advised against accepting the child because the parents could not model behaviours and attitudes consistent with the church's teachings. Same-sex unions are not in conformance with the Churchs teaching on sacramental marriage, the archdiocese said. We do not feel it is respectful of such individuals, nor is it fair, loving or compassionate to place their children in an educational environment where the values of the parents and the core principles of the school conflict. About half of the people who signed the petition to Archbishop Joseph Naumann and the archdiocesan schools superintendent are St Ann members. 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 Respectfully, we believe that the decision to deny a child of God access to such a wonderful community and education, based on the notion that his or her parents union is not in accordance with the Churchs teaching in Sacramental marriage, lacks the compassion and mercy of Christs message, the petition reads. We ask you to consider the many ways that other modern marriages may be inconsistent with the Churchs teaching on Sacramental marriage. Catholic schools nationwide are divided over whether to admit same-sex couples' children. Recommended Miami teacher claims she was fired for marrying her girlfriend In their letter to the religious leader, residents noted the school has previously accepted students with parents whose relationships do not conform to traditional ideas of marriage. We recognise the complexities of morality, politics and theology in modern times, the petition read. We hope that you can recognise what may seem to be the shifting of values as actually the welcoming of tolerance, love, understanding and mercy. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events The Associated Press contributed to this report The Air Force said Friday that it had no plans to open an investigation into Senator Martha McSallys revelation that she was raped by a senior officer while serving in the Air Force. In a statement, Ann Stefanek, chief of media operations, said the Air Force could not begin an inquiry until Ms McSally agreed to participate in one or new information came to light. In a powerful public testimony on Wednesday, Ms McSally, the first woman in the Air Force to fly in combat, told a Senate hearing room that she had been raped by a superior officer, one of multiple times she was sexually assaulted while she served her country. In a Congress with a historic number of women, Ms McSallys revelation was another example of a female lawmaker coming forward to share a personal story of sexual assault. Senator Joni Ernst said in January that she had been raped while she was in college, and had been emotionally and physically abused by her husband. Representative Katie Porter has spoken openly of the domestic abuse she said she suffered in her marriage. But Ms McSallys revelation was the latest surfacing of a claim of sexual assault in the military, which has struggled to deal with the issue even as more combat roles have been opened to women. 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 McSally did not name the superior officer. Nor did she offer details of the assault. Any attempt by the Air Force to prosecute Ms McSallys attacker would now appear to be impossible because of a ruling made by the militarys highest court last month, just two weeks before Ms McSally disclosed the rape publicly at the hearing on Capitol Hill. On 22 February, the US Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces threw out the conviction of an Air Force lieutenant colonel who had sexually assaulted a female enlisted subordinate because the case had been brought long after the expiration of the five-year statute of limitations on military rape cases that was still in effect in 2005, when that assault occurred. While Congress amended the Uniform Code of Military Justice in 2006 to eliminate the statute of limitations on rape cases, the appeals court ruled that the case against the lieutenant colonel was required to have been brought within the statute of limitations in effect at the time. The New York Times Williams was pronounced dead at 3:54 p.m. at Comer Childrens Hospital, where he was taken after the shooting, according to police and the medical examiners office. At least 14 people have reportedly been killed in Mexico after armed gunmen stormed a nightclub in Salamanca. Local newspapers said another four people had been injured in the attack at the La Playa nightclub. The attackers arrived at the venue shortly after midnight, entered and opened fire on revellers, according to news website Asi Sucede. Security forces and officers from the Mexican army arrived at the scene after the shooting. Footage circulating on social media reportedly shows emergency services outside the venue. The crime scene has been secured with a police cordon. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Four ambulances arrived shortly afterwards and rushed the injured to various hospitals nearby. Politicians in North Carolina are pushing for teachers in the US state to be given a pay rise if they carry guns at school and undergo basic police training. The bill, which has been fiercely criticised by a teachers group, would give teachers a salary rise of five per cent. The piece of legislation filed this week, which is called the School Security Act of 2019, says so-called teacher resource officers could carry guns in an open or concealed manner and they would have the same arrest powers as police officers. The North Carolina Association of Educators has said teachers should not have to carry a weapon to get a raise and that the state should focus instead on adding more social workers, counsellors, and other support staff to schools. Arming teachers is something we are adamantly opposed to and a disaster waiting to happen, Mark Jewell, the groups president, told WNCN-TV. Students walk out of US schools to protest gun violence Show all 10 1 /10 Students walk out of US schools to protest gun violence Students walk out of US schools to protest gun violence Young people march from the White House to Capitol Hill while participating in the national school walkout over gun violence. EPA Students walk out of US schools to protest gun violence Thousands of local students march down Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House to the US Capitol during a nationwide student walkout for gun control. AFP/Getty Students walk out of US schools to protest gun violence A student has the words,'don't shoot,' written on her hands as she joins with other students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School after walking out of their school to honor the memories of 17 students and teachers that were killed. Getty Students walk out of US schools to protest gun violence Students take part in a walkout at General McLane High School. AP Students walk out of US schools to protest gun violence Students from Harvest Collegiate High School stand in Washington Square Park in New York to take part in a national walkout to protest gun violence. AFP/Getty Students walk out of US schools to protest gun violence Students rally in front of the White House in Washington after walking out of school to protest gun violence in the biggest demonstration yet of the student activism that has emerged in response to last month's massacre of 17 people at Florida's Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. AP Students walk out of US schools to protest gun violence Airport High School juniors Tony LaFata, 16, left, and Noah Doederlein, 17, stands for a moment of silence during a walkout at General McLane High School. AP Students walk out of US schools to protest gun violence Young people rally on the West Front of the US Capitol to participate in the national school walkout over gun violence, in Washington. EPA Students walk out of US schools to protest gun violence Students from Passaic High School hold photos of some of the 17 victims killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. AP Students walk out of US schools to protest gun violence Students join hands as they take part in a student walkout in Lafayette. AP Mr Jewell also noted there was a chance of someone managing to get their hands on an armed teachers weapon saying this issue could arise with police officers already assigned to schools. I dont see that this is any different, he told the station. A spokesman for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction said most public schools in North Carolina already had a certified police officer, known as a school resource officer. School boards across the state would have to decide whether to take part in the programme. The state would pay just under $4.8m to train the teachers. Republican State Senator Warren Daniel, one of the bills sponsors, and two other Republican lawmakers introduced the same bill last session but it failed in committee. While a similar bill to arm teachers has been put forward in the state house this year, it does not incorporate a pay rise. Donald Trump has previously said teachers should be armed with guns even suggesting that those that do not have them might be inviting attacks on themselves. Recommended Arguments over armed teachers after Trump suggests schools need guns Last February, the US president said he thought teachers who bring guns to school should get cash bonuses for their efforts to protect students. Speaking before a meeting with Christine Hunschofsky, the mayor of Parkland in Florida, and members of his cabinet, Mr Trump reiterated his belief that educators should bring weapons to school to try and deter attacks like the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting that left 17 people dead. I want certain highly adept people, people who understand weaponry, guns... [and] a concealed [carry] permit, Mr Trump said, describing his vision for armed classrooms. The billionaire property tycoon floated the idea of giving 10 per cent, 20 per cent, or even 40 per cent bonuses to educators who bring their firearms to school and undergo rigorous training beforehand. Teachers posted on social media using the #ArmMeWith hashtag to ask for more resources not guns after the Parkland school shooting. The National Education Association found an overwhelming majority of teachers would not want to carry a gun in school in a 2018 poll. A 97-year-old man was told he would die within days via a robot that rolled into his intensive care unit during the night at a hospital in California. Ernesto Quintana was given the terminal diagnosis by a doctor who appeared on a video screen on the robot after he was admitted to Kaiser Permanente Medical Centre in San Francisco on Sunday. His family said they were shocked the news Mr Quintana would die from his chronic lung disease was communicated via the robot. Mr Quintanas daughter Catherine said: If youre coming to tell us normal news, thats fine, but if youre coming to tell us theres no lung left and we want to put you on a morphine drip until you die, it should be done by a human being and not a machine. The grandfather died on Tuesday, two days after he was admitted to hospital. Ageing Japan: Robots' role in future of elderly care Show all 15 1 /15 Ageing Japan: Robots' role in future of elderly care Ageing Japan: Robots' role in future of elderly care Residents follow moves made by humanoid robot 'Pepper' during an afternoon exercise routine at Shin-tomi nursing home in Tokyo. Reuters Ageing Japan: Robots' role in future of elderly care Funabashi Hiroshi from A Fun, repairs broken'AIBO's, pet dog robots, at his office in Kasama. Reuters Ageing Japan: Robots' role in future of elderly care A caretaker wearing a 'HAL for care support' robot suit pushes a wheelchair at Shin-tomi nursing home in Tokyo. Reuters Ageing Japan: Robots' role in future of elderly care Residents follow moves made by humanoid robot 'Pepper' during an afternoon exercise routine at Shin-tomi nursing home in Tokyo. Reuters Ageing Japan: Robots' role in future of elderly care Yoichi Suzuki spends time with 'AIBO', a pet dog robot, which his father used for his rehabilitation at his house in Takahag.i Reuters Ageing Japan: Robots' role in future of elderly care A resident approaches humanoid robot 'Pepper' to pat its head during an afternoon exercise routine at Shin-tomi nursing home in Tokyo. Reuters Ageing Japan: Robots' role in future of elderly care A caretaker, wearing walking rehabilitation equipment 'Tree', helps a resident with his walking training at Shin-tomi nursing home in Tokyo. Reuters Ageing Japan: Robots' role in future of elderly care Yoichi Suzuki shows 'AIBO', a pet dog robot, to his bed-ridden mother at his house. Reuters Ageing Japan: Robots' role in future of elderly care A broken'AIBO', a pet dog robot, waits for repair in A Fun's office in Kasama, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. Reuters Ageing Japan: Robots' role in future of elderly care A resident touches 'AIBO', a pet dog robot, at Shin-tomi nursing home in Tokyo. Reuters Ageing Japan: Robots' role in future of elderly care A resident touches robot seal 'PARO' at Shin-tomi nursing home in Tokyo. Reuters Ageing Japan: Robots' role in future of elderly care Yoichi Suzuki and his wife take care of his bed-ridden mother as 'AIBO', a pet dog robot walks around at his house in Takahagi. Reuters Ageing Japan: Robots' role in future of elderly care A caretaker wearing a motion assist equipment 'Muscle Suit' carries a resident from a bed to a wheelchair at Shin-tomi nursing home in Tokyo. Reuters Ageing Japan: Robots' role in future of elderly care 'AIBO', a pet dog robot, which Yoichi Suzuki's father used for his rehabilitation, is seen at Suzuki's house in Takahagi. Reuters Ageing Japan: Robots' role in future of elderly care A resident claps to call 'AIBO', a pet dog robot at Shin-tomi nursing home in Tokyo. Reuters Michelle Gaskill-Hames, senior vice president of the Kaiser Permanente medical centre in Fremont, described the situation as highly unusual and said officials regret falling short of the patients expectations. However, the hospital also defended the use of tele-visits and said its policy is to have a nurse or doctor in the room at the time of remote consultations. Ms Gaskill-Hames added: The evening video tele-visit was a follow-up to earlier physician visits. It did not replace previous conversations with patient and family members and was not used in the delivery of the initial diagnosis. Recommended How robot carers could be the future for lonely elderly people Steve Pantilat, chief of the palliative medicine division at University of California, said that robot technology has done wonders for patients and their families, some of whom are too far away for in-person visits. He added he did not know the specific details of Mr Quintanas case. Annalisia Wilharm, Mr Quintanas granddaughter, said she was alone with him when a nurse came into the ward to tell them a doctor would be making his rounds. It was then the robot rolled into the room and a doctor appeared on the video screen, she said. Ms Wilharm said she was astonished by what the doctor started saying. This guy cannot breathe, and hes got this robot trying to talk to him, she said. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Meanwhile, this guy is telling him, So weve got your results back, and theres no lung left. Theres no lung to work with. Ms Wilharm added that she had to repeat what the doctor on the screen was saying to her grandfather who has hearing problems in one ear. She said that the robot could not get round to the other side of the bed where Mr Quintana could hear more clearly. The use of telepresence robots that interact with people via screens is becoming more popular in hospitals around the world. The Japanese government even supports introducing these type of robots in care homes to address the countrys ageing population problem. Additional reporting by AP A school bus driver who told students to go f*** yourselves before abandoning them along with her vehicle has been charged with 26 counts of endangering children and one of drink driving. Lori Ann Mankos was driving so erratically before she pulled over into a service station that many youngsters were screaming to be let off. Footage filmed by the teenage pupils, in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, suggests at least one student was close to tears. Call the school, this is not even funny, pull over she can be heard shouting. There was a right-hand turn and when she took it, she was going far too fast she ended up being halfway into the opposing lane of traffic, youngster Mason Persiani told local news channel WFMZ News. That was probably the scariest point of the ride, and at the point my heart was racing." The teenager added: She told us Go f*** yourselves. And then flipped us off, you know, stuck her hand in the air and flipped us off. 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 After 44-year-old Mankos pulled over, she is said to have left the vehicle, passed the keys to staff at the petrol station and walked away. The children let themselves off the bus via the emergency exit at the back. Recommended Child takes wheel of school bus after driver suffers medical emergency Joseph Kovalchik, a superintendent with Northampton School District, said officials were extremely upset but thankful no one was hurt. He added an investigation had been launched. First Student, the bus company which runs the route, has not yet commented. Mankos herself has also not spoken about the incident on 1 March but her mother Debbie Llewellyn said she believed her daughter had suffered a nervous break down. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events She said: "First day [as a driver], a kid walked past her and said, 'I hope she crashes the bus into a tree and dies'. I don't agree with what she did but I understand it cause she had a nervous breakdown." Chinese clients have allegedly been offered access to Donald Trump and his administration by the female founder of a massage parlour involved in a high-profile prostitution sting. Li Yang, the Chinese founder of the Orchids of Asia Day spa in Florida, made headlines last week when US media unearthed a photo of her smiling alongside the US president at his West Palm Beach country club during last months Super Bowl. Less than three weeks after the selfie was taken, Robert Kraft, owner of Super Bowl champions the New England Patriots, was charged with soliciting prostitution at Orchids of Asia after police said they caught him on video in January paying for oral sex. Mr Kraft has denied any wrongdoing. Ms Yang, 45, said she had sold the spa in question in 2013, and she had not been charged or implicated with crimes related to the sting. Ms Yang does, however, continue to operate a series of spas scrutinised by at least two police agencies for prostitution. Criminals who worked for Trump Show all 5 1 /5 Criminals who worked for Trump Criminals who worked for Trump Michael Cohen Former lawyer for Donald Trump was sentenced to three years in prison on counts involving evading income tax, false disclosure of the hush money paid to Stormy Daniels and another hush money charge Getty Criminals who worked for Trump Paul Manafort Former campaign manager for Trump Manafort was found guilty in February 2018 of five counts of tax fraud, two counts of bank fraud and one count of failure to disclose a foreign bank account. The crimes occurred prior to his appointment in Trump's campaign Getty Criminals who worked for Trump George Papadopoulos Former Trump campaign adviser Papadopoulos pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI in October 2017. He had lied about making contact with a professor who claimed that the Russians had dirt on Hillary Clinton. He was sentenced to 14 days in jail Getty Criminals who worked for Trump Michael Flynn Former White House National Security adviser Michael Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI in December 2017. He had lied about conversations that he had with the Russian ambassador to the US during Trump's Presidential campaign. He was not given prison time due to his "significant assistance" to the Mueller investigation Getty Criminals who worked for Trump Rick Gates Deputy chairman of Trump's presidential campaign Gates pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI in February 2018 AFP/Getty She also runs, with her husband, an investment firm called GY US Investments LLC described on its website as an international business consulting firm that helps US-based companies expand into China. A cached version of the website Mother Jones reported that the live version stopped working on Friday describes Ms Yang as founder of the company and shows her in two photos alongside Mr Trump. Accompanying an image of Mar-a-Lago, Mr Trumps private club in Florida, the company claims to offer clients the opportunity for a presidential roundtable and presidential dinner and to take photos with the president. It also offers the opportunity to interact with the president and the Minister of Commerce presumably US commerce secretary Wilbur Ross as well as access to a First Lady Charity Ball. Li Yang's company website, which has since gone down, offers clients access to the president (GY US Investments) Ms Yangs biography on the site describes her as a member of the presidential fundraising committee and a presidential club member who has been settled in the US for more than 20 years. Trump calls Russia investigation a 'collusion witch hoax' outside White House Photos reviewed by The Miami Herald show Ms Yang has recently become politically active, with photos alongside Mr Trump, his adult sons, as well as other prominent Republicans such as Florida governor Ron DeSantis and former Alaska governor Sarah Palin. (Facebook/Cindy Yang (Facebook/Cindy Yang) The newspaper reported Ms Yang and her relatives have since 2017 donated more than $42,000 to a Trump political action committee, as well as $16,000 to Mr Trumps presidential campaign. Her investment firms website lists upcoming events at what appears to be Mar-a-Lago. The events include one titled International Leaders Elite Forum on 30 March, which touts Mr Trumps sister, Elizabeth Trump Grau, as a guest speaker. Another event promoted on the site is a New Years Eve dinner at which attendees celebrate with the presidents family. Ms Yang and the White House have both been contacted for comment. Dozens of passengers have been injured after a high-speed ferry crashed into what is believed to have been a whale in Japan. The accident happened just after noon off Sado Island, Kyodo News agency reported, citing Japan's coast guard. Five of the injuries were serious and a 15-centimeter (6-inch) crack was found at the ferry's stern. The boat's hydrofoil wings were also damaged in the collision. But ferry operator Sado Steam Ship Co said the jetfoil ferry still reached its intended destination on the island, located off the west coast of Japan's main island of Honshu, according to Kyodo. 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 ferry, which departed from Honshu's Niigata Port, was carrying 121 passengers and four crew members. It is propelled by a high-pressure jet of sea water and travels at around 80kph. Kyodo said the cause of the accident was under investigation, but that coast guard officials said the ferry may have struck a whale or other sea animal. The country's public broadcaster NHK said 13 passengers were in a serious condition but thought to be conscious. A marine expert quoted by the website said the scale of the impact suggests the ship struck a whale, especially as mink and humpback whales are currently migrating through the Sea of Japan. After the sound of a bang my throat hit the seat in front of me. People around me were moaning (because of pain), one passenger said, according to The Japan Times. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Additional reporting by agencies Satellite photographs suggest North Korea appears to be preparing to launch missiles or possibly a space rocket, less than two weeks after Donald Trump met with Kim Jong-un to try and bring an end to the countrys nuclear weapons programme. Aerial images of a facility at Sanumdong near Pyongyang, show cars, lorries and cranes have arrived at the site. The factory was where North Korea built its first intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of reaching the United States. The activity at Sanumdong comes after two US think tanks and South Koreas spy agency said this week the North was also rebuilding a rocket launch site at Sohae in the west of the country. Experts believe the activity is probably connected. When you put all that together, thats really what it looks like when the North Koreans are in the process of building a rocket, Jeffrey Lewis, director of the East Asia Nonproliferation Project at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in California told NPR. Trump and Kim: leaders arrive in Vietnam for talks Show all 7 1 /7 Trump and Kim: leaders arrive in Vietnam for talks Trump and Kim: leaders arrive in Vietnam for talks Donald Trump and Vietnamese President Nguyen Phu Trong make their way to a meeting at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi Reuters Trump and Kim: leaders arrive in Vietnam for talks Donald Trump waves a Vietnamese flag as Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc looks on AFP/Getty Trump and Kim: leaders arrive in Vietnam for talks Donald Trump waves as he leaves the Presidential Palace in Hanoi AFP/Getty Trump and Kim: leaders arrive in Vietnam for talks North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, right, is welcomed on his arrival at the Melia Hotel in Hanoi AP Trump and Kim: leaders arrive in Vietnam for talks Kim Jong-un waves as he arrives by train in the Vietnamese border town of Dong Dang AP Trump and Kim: leaders arrive in Vietnam for talks North Korean leader Kim Jong-un receiving a situation report before the summit with Trump AFP/Getty Trump and Kim: leaders arrive in Vietnam for talks The motorcade carrying U.S President Donald Trump drives past Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum AP Other experts are sceptical. Joel Wit from 38 North a website which analyses activity in North Korea told Reuters: In the past there have been multiple reports about activity at this place (Sanumdong) that turned out to be false alarms. It could either be preparation for an eventual launch or not. The Sohae Satellite Launching Station has been used by North Korea for several space launch attempts in the past. It was last used in in 2016. It was partially dismantled following Mr Trump and Mr Kims 2018 summit, but recent photographs suggest it is now fully operational again. On Friday Mr Trump said he would be disappointed if Pyongyang were to resume weapons testing and reiterated his belief in his good relationship with North Korean leader Mr Kim despite the collapse last week of their second summit. I would be surprised in a negative way if he did anything that was not per our understanding. But well see what happens, Mr Trump told reporters. I would be very disappointed if I saw testing. Experts including Mr Lewis have suggested the activity could be part of a satellite launch. But the US has said it would still consider this a breach of the agreement between Mr Trump and Mr Kim. A senior State Department official told NPR the US would regard any launch, including a space launch, as a violation of the goodwill between Mr Trump and Mr Kim. Let me just say, in our judgment, launch of a space launch vehicle from [Sohae] in our view would be inconsistent with the commitments that the North Koreans have made, the official said. The bodies of a British man and his Italian climbing partner who went missing on a mountain in Pakistan have been found, the Italian ambassador has said. Tom Ballard, from the Peak District, and Daniele Nardi, from near Rome, were reported missing on a 26,000ft (7,900m) killer mountain almost two weeks ago. The pair set off on 22 February and last made contact at an altitude of about 20,700ft on Nanga Parbat in the Himalayas. Four Spanish rescuers were flown to the area by military helicopter on Monday and were joined by the Pakistani mountaineer Ali Sadpara at base camp. On Wednesday it was reported that the search had been called off; it then resumed when sillouettes were spotted on a passage taken by the climbers. 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 Italian ambassador to Pakistan, Stefano Pontecorvo, later said the search team had confirmed the silhouettes were the bodies of the two men and that the search was over. He wrote on Twitter: With great sadness I inform that the search for NardiDaniele and Tom Ballard is over as AlexTxikon and the search team have confirmed that the silhouettes spotted on Mummery at about 5,900 meters are those of Daniele and Tom. R.I.P. He said the bodies were in a place that was difficult to reach but that everything possible would be done to try and recover them. Mr Ballard, an accomplished climber, had been following in the footsteps of his mother, Alison Hargreaves, by tackling some of the toughest mountains in the world. Ms Hargreaves made history by becoming the first woman to climb Mount Everest unaided when she was 33 in 1995. Later in the same year she went missing on K2, which stands on the border of China and Pakistan, and her body was never recovered. Mr Ballard had been living in Italys Dolomites mountain range with his father for the last few years. In 2015, he became the first person ever to solo climb all six major north faces of the Alps in one winter. Alison Hargreaves pictured with her children, Tom and Kate, shortly before she went to K2 (Rex) (Rex Features) Mr Nardi was also an experienced climber and had attempted the Nanga Parbat summit in winter several times in the past. His family posted a tribute to the two climbers on their official Facebook page. They wrote: The family remembers Tom as a competent alpinist and brave friend of Daniele. Our thoughts are with him. Daniele will remain a husband, a father, a son, a brother and a friend lost for a dream that we have always accepted, respected and shared. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events We like to remember how you really are: in love with life, adventurous, scrupulous, courageous, loyal, attentive to detail and always present in times of need. Searches for the two men began days after they last made contact with their team, but these were delayed after Pakistan closed its airspace amid tensions with India. Additional reporting by PA Spanish authorities have rescued two elderly people who were allegedly locked up, drugged, and fed through feeding tubes at what police described as a "house of horrors". The Civil Guard said it discovered the German man and Dutch woman in a "terrible state" at a private nursing home near the southern city of Cadiz. Officers from the force said a German-Cuban couple were among six arrested on suspicion of swindling 1.8m euros (1.6m) over four years from elderly residents at the property, The victims, whose health has since improved significantly were only found after Frankfurt police asked their Spanish counterparts for help in locating a 101-year-old German woman called Maria Babes. Police tracked her down to a care home in the village of Chiclana de la Frontera. She told officers the German man and Cuban woman befriended her in Tenerife and brought her to southern Spain claiming they would look after her, The Local reported. Maria Babes at a care home in Cadiz (AFP/Getty Images) Babes reportedly said she was handcuffed and kept locked up in a house for several months. "In October, she had more than 162,000 in the bank and after this couple appeared in her life, by mid-December she had under 300 euros, her house in Tenerife had been sold and she didn't receive one euro of the sale," the Civil Guard said in a statement. 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 Before police managed to detain the couple, they allegedly returned to the care home and removed Babes, who died five hours later in their car. They reportedly cremated Babes body, preventing authorities from conducting an autopsy. After police arrested the couple, officers searched their home and discovered they had a rented property nearby. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events There they found the two elderly victims locked in separate rooms, drugged and fed unnecessarily by feeding tubes inserted into their stomachs through their noses. Police said four other people looked after by the couple had died unexpectedly once they had taken all their capital. A former Irish soldier who converted to Islam and travelled to Syria where she gave birth to a child has reportedly been arrested for membership of Isis. Irelands Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has confirmed an Irish citizen is being held in northern Syria but has not confirmed her identity. Despite there being no official confirmation, gardai and officials in the Defence Forces and the Department of Defence believe she is a former member of the Defence Forces, RTE reports. The woman, who is thought to be from the north east of the country, joined the forces when she was 19 and served as a private for five years. Eight years ago she left the forces and converted to Islam. She became radicalised and is thought to have travelled to Syria about three years ago. Timeline of the Isis caliphate Show all 19 1 /19 Timeline of the Isis caliphate Timeline of the Isis caliphate ISIS began as a group by the merging of extremist organisations ISI and al-Nusra in 2013. Following clashes, Syrian rebels captured the ISIS headquarters in Aleppo in January 2014 (pictured) AFP/Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi declared the creation of a caliphate in Mosul on 27 June 2014 Timeline of the Isis caliphate Isis conquered the Kurdish towns of Sinjar and Zumar in August 2014, forcing thousands of civilians to flee their homes. Pictured are a group of Yazidi Kurds who have fled Rex Timeline of the Isis caliphate On September 2 2014 Isis released a video depicting the beheading of US journalist Steven Sotloff. On September 13 they released another video showing the execution of British aid worker David Haines Timeline of the Isis caliphate The US launched its first airstrikes against Isis in Syria on 23 September 2014. Here Lt Gen William C Mayville Jnr speaks about the bombing campaign in the wake of the first strikes Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate Isis militants sit atop a hill planted with their flag in the Syrian town of Kobani on 6 October 2014. They had been advancing on Kobani since mid-September and by now was in control of the citys entrance and exit points AFP/Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate Residents of the border village of Alizar keep guard day and night as they wait in fear of mortar fire from Isis who have occupied the nearby city of Kobani Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate Smoke rises following a US airstrike on Kobani, 28 October 2014 AFP/Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate YPG fighters raise a flag as they reclaim Kobani on 26 January 2015 VOA Timeline of the Isis caliphate Isis seized the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra on 20 May 2015. This image show the city from above days after its capture by Isis Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate Kurdish forces are stationed on a hill above the town of Sinjar as smoke rises following US airstrikes on 12 November 2015 AFP/Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate Kurdish forces enter Sinjar after seizing it from Isis control on 13 November 2015 AFP/Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate Iraqi government forces make the victory sign as they retake the city of Fallujah from ISIS on 26 June 2016 Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate Iraqi forces battle with Isis for the city of Mosul on 30 June 2017 AFP/Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate Members of the Iraqi federal police raise flags in Mosul on 8 July 2017. On the following day, Iraqi prime minister Haider Al Abadi declares victory over Isis in Mosul Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate Members of Syrian Democratic Forces celebrate in Al-Naim square after taking back the city of Raqqa from Isis. US-backed Syrian forces declare victory over Isis in Raqqa on 20 October 2017 after a four-month long campaign Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate Female fighters of the Syrian Democratic Forces celebrate in Al-Naim Square after taking back the city of Raqqa from Isis. US-backed Syrian forces declare victory over Isis in Raqqa on 20 October 2017 after a four-month long campaign AFP/Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate Trucks full of women and children arrive from the last Isis-held areas in Deir ez-Zor, Syria in January 2019 They were among the last civilians to be living in the ISIS caliphate, by this time reduced to just two small villages in Syrias Deir ez-Zor Richard Hall/The Independent Timeline of the Isis caliphate Zikia Ibrahim, 28, with her two-year-old son and 8-month-old daughter, after fleeing the Isis caliphate, on Saturday 26 January 2019 Richard Hall/The Independent The gardai have reportedly been in contact with her family and are keeping them informed of developments. They are now working to confirm the womans identity and to confirm reports she was arrested at an airport in Syria. Irelands Department of Foreign Affairs said it provided consular assistance to all Irish citizens abroad, but it is not clear if the woman has sought assistance from the Irish or other authorities, RTE reported. The womans detention comes as British home secretary Sajid Javid faces strong criticism for stripping a teenager of her British citizenship after she left the UK aged 15 to join Isis. Despite her having a baby a few weeks old she was denied the chance of returning and the baby subsequently died of pneumonia in a refugee camp. The Independent has contacted the Irish Department for Foreign Affairs for comment. President Donald Trump speaks during a National African American History Month reception in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019. (Manuel Balce Ceneta / AP) Vladimir Putin marked International Womens Day (IWD) by congratulating Russian women on managing work and the home, all while remaining beautiful, charismatic [and] charming. IWD is a public holiday in Russia but mostly lauds gender roles that are now outdated. The Russian president made the comments in a video posted on the Kremlins website. You manage to do everything: both at work and at home and at the same time you remain beautiful, charismatic, charming, the centre of gravity for the whole family, uniting it with your love, he said. It is hard to imagine the history and development of our country without the contribution of the great Russian women. The Russian president also visited some female police officers at a training facility on the eve of IWD, during which he rode a horse that appeared not to obey its handlers instructions. During the event he suggested some ways women could maintain their figures. What does a young woman need to maintain her figure? Three things: a workout machine, a masseuse and a suitor, he said. According to The Moscow Times he also told the police officers that their presence on patrol saved some people because those who wish to die by suicide look at you and want to live again. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Additional reporting by agencies A huge abandoned military complex, once headquarters to the Nazis and then the Soviets, lies hidden inside a fenced-off pine forest in eastern Germany but one man keeps the memories alive. Werner Borchert grinds out a cigarette with his leather boot, zips up his jacket and unlocks a rusty door with a sign reading Do not enter. Hes entering anyway. Borchert is stepping into the heart of the forbidden city in the Wuensdorf neighbourhood of Zossen, 25 miles south of Berlin. The Kaiser, Hitler, the Soviets all of them were militarily active here, one after the other, says Borchert, 67, who offers tours of the Haus der Offiziere, or officers complex. He flicks a light switch in the darkness to turn on the cold, fluorescent lamps that light up seemingly endless hallways with numerous rooms branching off to the left and right. Inside Germanys abandoned forbidden city Show all 8 1 /8 Inside Germanys abandoned forbidden city Inside Germanys abandoned forbidden city AP Inside Germanys abandoned forbidden city AP Inside Germanys abandoned forbidden city AP Inside Germanys abandoned forbidden city AP Inside Germanys abandoned forbidden city AP Inside Germanys abandoned forbidden city AP Inside Germanys abandoned forbidden city AP Inside Germanys abandoned forbidden city AP The complex, inaugurated in 1916, has housed the military of German Kaiser Wilhelm II, served as the Nazis military command centre during the Second World War and then headquartered the Soviets military high command for East Germany during the Cold War. This was Little Moscow on German ground, Borchert, who grew up in the area, says during a tour. There was a theatre, a museum, shopping facilities, a swimming pool and many barracks for the 40,000 or so soldiers who were stationed here. It was the cultural centre for the Soviet army in Germany, he says. In 1994, several years after the fall of the Iron Curtain, the reunification of Germany and the disintegration of the Soviet Union, the last Russian soldiers left the compound, 2.3 square mile area enclosed by a 10.5-mile concrete wall. Recommended Scientific study debunks claims that Hitler escaped to South America The complex is now under the auspices of the state of Brandenburg, but no money has been invested and no new owner has been found. The ravages of time have taken their toll. The faded yellow plastering is flaking off the facade, windows are broken, a fuse box dangles off a wall and wild animals such as martens have left trails of excrement on the dusty floors. The forbidden city got its name during Soviet times because German locals were rarely allowed in. Todays its mostly off-limits for the public, though tours can be booked with Borcherts group. Some of the vacated rooms inside the three-story officers complex recall the glory years of Soviet power in East Germany. One pale mural celebrates communism, showing a hydroelectric power station and muscular workers on tractors. Outside the main-building entrance gate, theres still an oversized statue of the Russian communist revolutionary Vladimir Lenin. Some 20,000 visitors come to Wuensdorf every year to learn about the the towns military history. Aside from the forbidden city, the area also still has traces of the Nazis Third Reich reign including an elaborate and secretive system of bunkers. Known as Maybach I and Maybach II, the Nazis built the fake country houses out of concrete that were supposed to disguise underground bunkers that housed the military and army high commands. This was where much of the planning of the Second World War was developed. Most of the Maybach complex was destroyed after the end of the war by the Soviets, but the huge underground bunker known as Zeppelin, which served as a communication hub, is still accessible. Its also home to several above-ground air-raid bunkers known as Spitzbunker, which were rarely used but were a draw to the area for military buffs. This was already secretive during the Nazi times. People who lived here of course knew that it was somehow related to the military, but they didnt know the details, says Sylvia Rademacher, another tour guide, referring to the Zeppelin bunker. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Under Russian times this was just as secretive or, one could say, exterritorial the German territory ended at the walls, she says, adding that the Soviets, too, used the bunker for communication purposes during the Cold War. Reflecting on what Wuensdorfs military history means to her personally, Rademacher pauses for a moment, looking at the destroyed Maybach bunkers, and says: For me its a memorial, a warning that one has to teach young people that all of this shall not happen again. AP Arlinda Valencia was at a funeral when an uncle told her a bewildering family secret: a lynch mob had killed her great-grandfather. A mixture of grief and shock overwhelmed me, since this was the first I heard of this, says Valencia, 66, leader of a teachers union in El Paso, Texas. The more I looked into it, the more stunned I was at how many Mexicans were lynched in this country. Valencia and other descendants of lynching victims are now casting attention on one of the grimmest campaigns of racist terror in the American west: the lynching of thousands of men, women and children of Mexican descent from the mid-19th century until well into the 20th century. Some victims were burned alive, like Antonio Rodriguez, 20, a migrant worker who was hauled from a jail in Rocksprings, Texas, tied to a tree and set ablaze in 1910. Other mobs hanged, whipped or shot Mexicans, many of whom were US citizens, sometimes drawing crowds in the thousands. Lynchings have long been associated with violence against African Americans in the Deep South, and these atrocities are remembered at the National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Alabama. Lynchings of Hispanics have faded into history. Often they have been portrayed as attempts to exercise justice on behalf of white settlers protecting their livestock or claims to land. But a new movement is underway to uncover that neglected past. It has unleashed discussions about the scramble for land or mining claims that frequently influenced these lynchings, as well as the traces of such episodes in resurgent anti-Latino sentiment and the question many parts of the United States are confronting: who gets to tell history? The conquest of the west is still simply a tale of incredible progress for many Americans, says Monica Munoz Martinez, a professor of American studies at Brown University, who has written extensively about anti-Mexican violence in Texas. But despite the unwillingness to recognise these lynchings as a tragedy, or even recognise them at all, momentum is building to finally reckon with these events, says Martinez, who was raised in Texas and is a co-founder of Refusing to Forget, a group committed to increasing awareness about state-sanctioned violence against Latinos in Texas. The state, which enshrined white supremacy in its 1836 constitution when Anglo slaveholders seceded from Mexico, had by far the most episodes of mob violence against people of Mexican descent, according to William D Carrigan and Clive Webb, historians who have documented such cases. Central American migrants walk along the Mexican bank of the Rio Bravo that divides the cities of Eagle Pass, Texas, and Piedras Negras (AFP/Getty) (AFP/Getty Images) Reasons given for these lynchings varied wildly, including accusations of cattle theft, murder, cheating at cards, refusing to play the fiddle, shouting Viva Diaz! even witchcraft. In 1880, a mob in Collin County in north Texas accused Refugio Ramirez, his wife and their teenage daughter, Maria Ines, of bewitching their neighbours. The three of them were burnt to death, according to Laura F Edwards, a historian at Duke University. In another episode in 1882, a man of Mexican descent, identified as Augustin Agirer, filed a complaint against an white man who shot at his dog. In retaliation, a mob tracked Agirer down and fatally shot him in front of his wife, The Austin Weekly Statesman reported at the time. In 1922, a group of 10 men snatched Elias Villareal Zarate from a jail in Weslaco in south Texas, where he was being held for fighting with a white co-worker. La Prensa, a San Antonio newspaper, described how the mob hanged him, raising the ire of Mexican diplomats who were trying to curb such killings. One of the most contentious lynching episodes anywhere in the west involved the ancestors of Valencia, the El Paso teachers union official. The family and several neighbours had settled in the outpost of Porvenir in a remote stretch of west Texas on the Rio Grande, eking out a quiet existence as farmers. But on 28 January 1918, a group of cattlemen, Texas Rangers and US army cavalry soldiers descended on the village as families slept. They seized 15 men and boys, the youngest of whom was 16, marched them to a bluff overlooking the river and fatally shot them at close range. Trump shuts down US government over Mexico border wall in pictures Show all 15 1 /15 Trump shuts down US government over Mexico border wall in pictures Trump shuts down US government over Mexico border wall in pictures Federal workers and contractors rally against the partial federal government shutdown Getty Images Trump shuts down US government over Mexico border wall in pictures The US Capitol on the first morning of a partial government shutdown in Washington EPA Trump shuts down US government over Mexico border wall in pictures Federal workers and contractors rally against the partial federal government shutdown Getty Trump shuts down US government over Mexico border wall in pictures President Trump speaks with children who called the North American Aerospace Defense Command Santa tracker in the State Dining Room of the White House. He earlier in the day, tweeted that he was 'all alone in the White House' waiting for Democrats to make a deal on border security EPA Trump shuts down US government over Mexico border wall in pictures Furloughed federal workers pick up free food at a pop-up store of Kraft Heinz Getty Images Trump shuts down US government over Mexico border wall in pictures Hundreds of federal workers and contractors rally against the partial federal government shutdown Getty Trump shuts down US government over Mexico border wall in pictures Reuters Trump shuts down US government over Mexico border wall in pictures From left, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Sen. Dick Durbin and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi walk to speak to reporters after meeting with President Donald Trump about border security in the Situation Room of the White House. Trump declared he could keep parts of the government shut down for "months or even years" as he and Democratic leaders failed in a second closed-door meeting to resolve his demand for billions of dollars for a border wall with Mexico Evan Vucci AP Trump shuts down US government over Mexico border wall in pictures Federal workers and contractors rally against the partial federal government shutdown Getty Images Trump shuts down US government over Mexico border wall in pictures A sign alerts visitors to the closure of the National Archives on the fifth day of a partial government shutdown EPA Trump shuts down US government over Mexico border wall in pictures Hundreds of federal workers and contractors rally against the partial federal government shutdown Getty Images Trump shuts down US government over Mexico border wall in pictures Visitors read signs announcing the closure of the White House Visitor Center EPA Trump shuts down US government over Mexico border wall in pictures President Donald Trump speaks during a round-table discussion on border security and safe communities with State, local, and community leaders in the Cabinet Room of the White House Getty Images Trump shuts down US government over Mexico border wall in pictures A sign alerts visitors to the closure of the White House Visitor Center on the first day of a partial government shutdown EPA Trump shuts down US government over Mexico border wall in pictures Furloughed federal workers show their IDs for entering a pop-up store of Kraft Heinz Getty Images After burning Porvenir to the ground, the Rangers and ranchmen claimed, without offering proof, the villagers had been thieves. They contended the victims had been informants for Mexicans who had raided the nearby Brite Ranch a month earlier. They also claimed they had come under fire. But investigations by the army and the State Department found the Mexicans were unarmed when they were killed. Valencias great-grandfather, Longino Flores, was among the dead. Her grandfather, Rosendo Mesa, was a boy at the time. He survived because he was away buying provisions. My grandfather kept everything about the massacre to himself, which kind of amazed me, says Valencia, reflecting on why it took so long for her to find out about the killings. Remember, this is Texas. Theres reverence for the nearly godly Texas Rangers. To this day, the truth is hard. Remember, this is Texas. Theres reverence for the nearly godly Texas Rangers. To this day, the truth is hard Arlinda Valencia Valencia found out how hard it is to even agree on the facts surrounding the killings when historians and descendants of the victims at Porvenir, a village largely erased from local memory after it was razed in 1918 and survivors fled, applied to the Texas Historical Commission for a historical marker. Dont tell me that if the police kill an Anglo in Chihuahua City, there isnt going to be some differences about what really happened, says Jim White III, 70, a descendant of the Brite family, whose ranch not far from Porvenir was the one that had been raided a month before the lynchings. It was a turbulent time on the border when you had a lot of people getting killed on both sides, says White, who still lives on the familys ranch and refrains from calling the killings a massacre. Its 2019, right? Playing the race card doesnt work any more. Others who have opposed the marker include the chairperson of the historical commission, who cited concerns that it was being used by militant Hispanics looking for reparations. The Presidio County attorney worried that the dedication ceremony for a marker could serve as the backdrop for a major political rally for Beto ORourke, the Democrat who last autumn was a candidate for the US Senate, according to The Texas Observer, which wrote an extensive report on the dispute. A girl from Anapra, a neighbourhood on the outskirts of Ciudad Juarez in Mexico, touches hands with a person in the US through the border fence (AFP/Getty) (AFP/Getty Images) After several delays, the descendants finally got their marker in late 2018 on a highway near the razed village. It came after the historical commissions state chairman, John Nau a beer-distribution magnate who donates heavily to Republican officeholders told staff members to enquire about having markers that described raids that occurred on Anglo ranches around the time of the Porvenir massacre. Chairman Naus comments were provided as advice about how the county could address local concerns that the whole story was not being told about this period in Texas history, says Chris Florance, a spokesperson for the commission. While tension persists over how to commemorate the killings in Porvenir, there are hundreds of examples of other documented extrajudicial killings of Latinos in states aside from Texas, some in places far from the border. For instance, in 1919, two Mexican citizens were being held in a jail in Pueblo, Colorado, as suspects in the murder of a police officer. A mob broke into the jail, drove the two men to the edge of town and hanged them during a heavy rainstorm in front of about 100 people. The El Paso Herald reported that Mexicos consul in Denver investigated the episode and concluded the mob had lynched the wrong men. In Albuquerques Old Town Plaza in New Mexico, where gift shops and restaurants now cater to tourists, three men identified as Escolastico Perea, Miguel Barrera and California Joe were hanged by a mob of about 200 local residents in 1881 in connection with the murder of a geological surveyor, Colonel Charles Potter. Though lynching in general is to be condemned, yet to every case there is an exception, The Santa Fe New Mexican reported at the time. In the instance of the dastardly murder of Charles Potter, it is very doubtful whether justice can be too swiftly meted out. California endured its own eruption of lynchings of Mexicans during the Gold Rush, from 1848 to 1855, as competition for mining claims intensified. Anglo miners used mob violence in an effort to expel Mexicans or exact revenge. In one episode, in 1851, a mob hanged Josefa Segovia in Downieville, California, after she stabbed a white man who tried to assault her. Efforts by Anglo settlers to take control of land owned by Mexicans, along with fears that Mexicans could help African American slaves foment revolts, contributed to the sense of hostility around some lynchings. In the 1850s, several counties in Texas expelled Mexicans, and in 1854 the city of Austin ordered every Mexican to leave unless vouched for by a white person. If we dont want something like this repeated, its about time for the entire country to know the truth Brandi Tobar States on the border are grappling yet again with efforts among prominent conservatives to label Latino immigrants a security threat. Some in the borderlands see parallels with earlier outbreaks of anti-Hispanic militancy in the United States, citing examples like the armed vigilantes patrolling the Arizona desert, the expansion of the Border Patrol, and calls for the mass deportation of undocumented Hispanic immigrants. With everything thats happening on the border, it infuriates me that these lynchings were just swept under the rug, says Brandi Tobar, 19, a college student in San Tan Valley, Arizona, and a descendant of one of the men killed at Porvenir. Tobar is a co-writer of a song, Village Called Porvenir, which remembers the massacre. She adds: If we dont want something like this repeated, its about time for the entire country to know the truth. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events New York Times President Trump is an enigma. It's difficult to imagine any other president creating political divisions the way he has since 2015. And that's just among Republicans and conservatives. The Never Trump movement sprang up early in 2016 when a small percentage of Republican voters made clear they would not support Trump in the GOP primaries. For some, that extended to the general election against Hillary Clinton. Fast forward, and the country is a little over two years into his presidency. Trump's most ardent supporters those who were with him from the beginning and those who became staunch supporters after his election are similar to Barack Obama's most ardent supporters. No matter what Trump does, they defend it. And what many see as character flaws, Trump's supporters love the most. They applaud his demeanor, his tweets attacking various enemies and, of course, his barbs against the mainstream media. Elsewhere, many conservatives have chosen to take the time to criticise Trump where it's necessary but also accept the fact that he is the president and has a job to do. Then there are those who have done a 180-degree turn from Trumps hardcore base supporters and decided that nothing the president does can allow for praise. If that's how they want to go throughout the Trump presidency, fine, but within that strain is a frustrating tendency to question the principles of Trump-critical conservatives who may commend Trump when he does something worth praising. Tom Nichols, a professor at the Naval War College, in an appearance on Morning Joe, said the following: There is no policy that I want enough to trade off the norms that we are destroying daily in the Trump administration. There is no judge; there is no policy; there is no tax cut. Nothing to me personally is worth what we're paying for. Tom's comment is one that earns accolades among the most virulent critics of Trump, particularly Democrats, but there's a critical flaw in his statement. The worth it question only works in the context of an upcoming election. People will ask themselves in November 2020, Has what Trump accomplished made it worth voting for him? and many will answer, No. But in the here and now, the worth it scenario is a myopic way of examining the president. Trump may very well have faced allegations that he is corrupt and morally degenerate. But at the same time it makes little sense to pretend, as Kevin Williamson of National Review said, that we are three tweets away from the Holocaust. Criminals who worked for Trump Show all 5 1 /5 Criminals who worked for Trump Criminals who worked for Trump Michael Cohen Former lawyer for Donald Trump was sentenced to three years in prison on counts involving evading income tax, false disclosure of the hush money paid to Stormy Daniels and another hush money charge Getty Criminals who worked for Trump Paul Manafort Former campaign manager for Trump Manafort was found guilty in February 2018 of five counts of tax fraud, two counts of bank fraud and one count of failure to disclose a foreign bank account. The crimes occurred prior to his appointment in Trump's campaign Getty Criminals who worked for Trump George Papadopoulos Former Trump campaign adviser Papadopoulos pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI in October 2017. He had lied about making contact with a professor who claimed that the Russians had dirt on Hillary Clinton. He was sentenced to 14 days in jail Getty Criminals who worked for Trump Michael Flynn Former White House National Security adviser Michael Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI in December 2017. He had lied about conversations that he had with the Russian ambassador to the US during Trump's Presidential campaign. He was not given prison time due to his "significant assistance" to the Mueller investigation Getty Criminals who worked for Trump Rick Gates Deputy chairman of Trump's presidential campaign Gates pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI in February 2018 AFP/Getty Trump is not the first bad person to occupy the oval office, and he won't be the last. Are people willing to trade in any of the accomplishments of Woodrow Wilson and Richard Nixon because they were morally reprehensible and disrupted so many of the norms we associate with the presidency? Of course not. That is why there is room within a Trump presidency to judge something he does from time to time independently. To do so does not turn critics into supporters and doesnt mean that the people doing the judging should stand accused of compromising their principles. Trump's signing of The First Step Act illustrates this phenomenon. A Tennessee man, Matthew Charles, spent 21 years in prison related to a crack cocaine sentence in the 1990s. Released in 2016, he vowed to make a new life. Unfortunately, a mistake by the judge who signed off on Charles' release forced him to have to return to prison 18 months later. Once President Trump signed The First Step Act, the provisions allowed Charles to secure an immediate release. That Trump signed the law has nothing to do with the fact he spouts xenophobic rhetoric, or that he urged his economic advisor Gary Cohn to lobby the Justice Department to block the AT&T/Time Warner merger. Matthew Charles is a free man today because of a law signed by Donald Trump and it's not a rejection of moral convictions and principles to say that's a good thing. Would Nichols and others of his ilk prefer Charles remain in prison? The notion that one compromises their principles, loses their soul, or turns into a de-facto supporter of Donald Trump merely for agreeing with a law he signs or a Supreme Court appointment is nonsensical. The judgment of a presidency in the moment is not an all-or-nothing proposition. It's not an acceptance of the destruction of norms under Trump to look a sole issue and say, I agree with that. What Nichols and others fail to recognize is that they're the opposite of the same coin as Trump's most ferocious defenders. They both throw reason and rationality out the window when it comes to discussing Trump. One side demands loyalty, and any deviation makes one a traitor. The other side demands opposition, and deviation causes one to sell out or at the very least to turn into an enabler. It's not out of the realm of possibility to examine what Trump does on a day to day basis and judge it on the merits at that time. Others should try it and not be afraid to criticise or praise the results. Jay Caruso is the deputy editor of the Washington Examiner magazine Sajid Javid, the home secretary, cannot be held responsible for the death of Shamima Begums son Jarrah. We do not know why the baby died and so we cannot know whether he might have survived if he had been brought to the UK. All we can say is that Mr Javids decision to block Ms Begums return to this country was wrong, and seemed to be driven more by his ambition to succeed Theresa May as prime minister than by a dispassionate assessment of his obligations under international law. It was wrong because Ms Begum and therefore her child is this countrys responsibility, whatever we may think of her travelling to Syria to join Isis. Mr Javids decision to refuse her entry to this country because she was entitled to Bangladeshi citizenship was opportunistic. His case collapsed within hours when Bangladesh said it refused to take responsibility for her, as it was entitled to do because she had never been to the country. The home secretarys decision set a terrible precedent, in that it suggested that any British citizen with a parent born abroad or with foreign nationality is literally a second-class citizen in that they might be treated differently from someone with no notional ties to another country. As Diane Abbott, the shadow home secretary said, it is against international law to make someone stateless, but that is what Mr Javid did in this case. And Ms Abbott is right, too, that conditions in the refugee camp in Syria should have tilted the exercise of the home secretarys discretion in a compassionate direction. Of course, Ms Begum bears some responsibility for her situation, but that does not make the death of an innocent baby any less sad. As Anna Soubry argues in The Independent today, Ms Begum should have been brought home to face British justice, to be properly questioned as to how she became radicalised, and what support she gave to Isiss barbaric campaign. Her son would have had the protection and the support that a civilised country provides for all its children. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events A braver and more principled home secretary would have recognised the strength of public opinion against allowing Ms Begum to return, but could have made the argument that it would be in our interest to understand more about why she went to Syria. Other former Isis recruits have returned in less conspicuous cases and provided valuable intelligence. It would have been a difficult case to make, but Mr Javid might have gained some respect for making it. The call to prayer echoes across the ancient walled city of Lahore. Worshippers hurriedly make their way towards the centuries-old Badshahi Mosque, and in its shadow thrives a trade older than the grand mosque itself. Condemned by the devout and exploited by the elite, the sex workers of Heera Mandi, Lahores infamous red-light district, earn their living on the margins of society. Open doorways offer a fleeting glimpse into the realities of the women who live here, most of whom face a daily struggle to make ends meet. Each has a different story to tell. Some were born into the trade while others were trafficked from rural villages and poorer parts of the city; lured by men with the prospect of marriage or employment and then sold off to brothels. A winding alleyway leads to a small, concrete building with green doors. An unexpected chanting of nursery rhymes can be heard. Inside, a cluttered, makeshift classroom equipped with wooden desks, an alphabet-strewn blackboard and walls plastered with colourful drawings. The voices belong to the children of Lahores sex workers. They are the forgotten by-product of Pakistans undercover sex trade; spending their days on the streets and returning at night to sleep on brothel floors. They face malnutrition, physical and mental abuse and are prime targets of trafficking. Educating brothel children in Pakistan Show all 9 1 /9 Educating brothel children in Pakistan Educating brothel children in Pakistan "A winding alleyway leads to a small, concrete building with green doors Thaslima Begum Educating brothel children in Pakistan An unexpected chanting of nursery rhymes can be heard Thaslima Begum Educating brothel children in Pakistan Inside, a cluttered, makeshift classroom equipped with wooden desks, an alphabet-strewn blackboard and walls plastered with colourful drawings Thaslima Begum Educating brothel children in Pakistan The voices belong to the children of Lahores sex workers Thaslima Begum Educating brothel children in Pakistan They are the forgotten by-product of Pakistans undercover sex trade; spending their days on the streets and returning at night to sleep on brothel floors Thaslima Begum Educating brothel children in Pakistan They face malnutrition, physical and mental abuse and are prime targets of trafficking." Thaslima Begum Thaslima Begum Educating brothel children in Pakistan Thaslima Begum Educating brothel children in Pakistan Thaslima Begum Educating brothel children in Pakistan Thaslima Begum According to Sahil, a local NGO, child sexual abuse cases in Pakistan have increased from nine cases per day in 2017 to 12 cases per day in 2018. Between January and June 2018, 2,322 child abuse cases were reported from all four provinces of Pakistan. The data revealed children between the ages of 6 and 10 were most vulnerable and, of the total cases reported, the majority of victims were girls. Like shameful secrets, society prefers to keep them hidden and, to the Pakistan government, most of these children dont exist. Since many are without fathers a prerequisite to obtaining a birth certificate school enrolment is not only difficult but nearly impossible. Every child deserves an education regardless of their background, says Lubna Tayyab. These children have dreams to become artists, teachers and doctors to be respected members of society and nobody has the right to deprive them of that. Recommended Traumatised Rohingya children describe horrors they witnessed in Burma Born and raised in the red-light district herself, Lubna was taunted at school and made to feel like an outcast. Determined to provide an education for children who no other school seemed to want, she founded her project, Apni Taleem, which in Urdu means Our Education. In 2011, Lubna converted the ground floor of her home into a classroom and began offering free schooling to the children of sex workers in her neighbourhood. She went door to door, engaging mothers in discussing the importance of education and encouraging their kids to attend. It wasnt easy most mothers were reluctant since their children were expected to contribute to the family income by begging on the streets, but Lubna persisted. She made a special effort to recruit girls, who were less likely than their brothers to attend, and began offering free school meals. A dozen turned up, and today over 70 children are being taught a range of subjects, including literacy, numeracy and religious studies. Apni Taleem operates on a budget of roughly 20,000 a year. Local donors show no interest in funding a school for the children of sex workers so UK-based Muslim Charity has stepped up; contributing towards the cost of rent, teachers salaries and educational resources. The Pakistan government has also been reluctant to help. They insist the children can attend government schools, but thats not feasible, says Lubna. Government schools are meant to be free but in practice theyre not. Uniforms, textbooks and exam fees are costs sex workers cant afford. The school is more than just a facility; it is a safe haven protecting vulnerable children from the harsh realities of street life. According to the Trafficking in Persons Report 2018, Pakistan does not meet the minimum standards for the elimination of sex trafficking but efforts to carry out more prosecutions are underway. Last year, it reported investigating 6,376 alleged sex traffickers and prosecuting 6,232; an increase from 2,979 investigations and 2,021 prosecutions from the previous year. Pakistan also approved the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act 2018, which seeks to safeguard the rights of human trafficking victims. Overall efforts to combat trafficking remain inadequate compared to the scale of the problem. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Meanwhile, the safety of sex workers and their children remains a real concern. Local police do not provide adequate protection, so violence is a daily occurrence in their lives. Some of the children at the school have already been sexually exploited and their protection remains a key, underfunded priority. Noor is determined her daughter gets a decent education. She loves to learn, she says. Before the school, she was on the streets while I worked. I was constantly terrified not knowing where she was and what could happen to her. Despite the challenges these women face, they remain resilient and spirited. Their eyes show hope for a better future and this small school is a big catalyst for their children to discover their full potential. Lubna Tayyab unexpectedly passed away last month. Her husband and daughter, Fiza Tayyab, are committed to keep her project running. This school was my mothers dream and Ill do everything I can to keep her dream alive, says Fiza. Irfan Rajput, director of international programmes at Muslim Charity says: We are saddened to hear of Lubnas death. She was a true humanitarian who fought passionately for the rights of women and children in Pakistan. We will continue to support the school in whatever way we can. If you would like to support Lubnas legacy and educate some of the most vulnerable children in Pakistan, please donate Lisa Smith, a former member of the Defence Forces captured in Syria on suspicion of supporting Isil, gave an interview to ITV News on March 3, where she said Isil "is not over". Ms Smith identified herself as British in the video interview, but the reporter noted how she "spoke with an Irish accent". The full transcript of the conversation is as follows: Reporter: She left with all she has. Her son and a few bags of belongings. Her dreams of a Utopian Islamic state has disappeared behind her. Lisa: The people don't have food. They're struggling, everything is expensive, so I don't know how they're going to keep living. Reporter: She just left Baghouz, the final patch of land held by ISIS and she told ITV News she's British, although she seems to have an Irish accent. Lisa: How are the people in Baghouz now, that's left behind, they're tired. Morale is low I suppose. Some are strong, it's like any rollercoaster of people. Some want to leave, some don't. Some are hungry, some are not hungry. Some are tired, not tired. Reporter: She said she converted to Islam seven years ago and was enticed to Syria by ISIS propaganda. Lisa: You come, you see the propaganda, you want Islam, you want to come and live in Muslim country and environment. No music, no smoking, no fighting, no drinking, no prostitution... you want a clean life like this, that is what you want, but sometimes it is not like this. Reporter: Switching between Arabic and English, she says her husband, who is British, died two months ago. She claims she came to Syria alone and met him here Lisa: I came alone, I came by myself. I married the man here. I don't marry before. Reporter: But then she's asked, whether ISIS is now over Lisa: Not over yet. Not over yet. British prime minister Theresa May has effectively been told by the EU to choose between a Brexit deal and the DUP. Amid growing frustration in Brussels, the EU's chief negotiator took the unprecedented decision to tweet what he is willing to offer the UK in a bid to break the ongoing impasse. Michel Barnier has proposed that Britain can leave the single customs territory unilaterally - but Northern Ireland must remain tied to the EU regulations in order to avoid a hard Border. The idea was swiftly rejected by the DUP as "neither realistic nor sensible". Mrs May will put the Withdrawal Agreement to the House of Commons again on Tuesday in the hope of overturning the record 230-vote defeat she suffered in January. However, she was left to desperately implore the EU to facilitate legally binding changes to the backstop yesterday. She said she needed "one more push" to get the deal through parliament. However, EU sources told the Irish Independent they remained "hugely sceptical" about her ability to win any vote. Mr Barnier's offer includes a legal guarantee that Britain can leave the backstop at any time, but it does not change the so-called 'Irish Protocol' within the Withdrawal Agreement. He stressed Britain would still need to honour its commitment to preserve a Border free of controls on this island. "EU commits to give UK the option to exit the single customs territory unilaterally, while the other elements of the backstop must be maintained to avoid a hard Border," he tweeted. "UK will not be forced into customs union against its will." Sources said this would amount to a border "in the Irish Sea" if a future UK government decided to break the customs link with the EU. The backstop was originally designed to apply exclusively to Northern Ireland - but Mrs May convinced the EU to make it UK-wide after the DUP complained that the North was being treated differently. A majority of business leaders and farmers in the North believe a sea border would be less impactful than one on the island. The Government here last night supported the proposal from Mr Barnier, saying he continues "to stand up for the interests of the whole of the EU, including Ireland". "The Taoiseach has made clear that he would not oppose a backstop which is specific to Northern Ireland, if that is deemed helpful, but that would have to be a decision for the UK," a spokesman said. Nigel Dodds, the deputy head of the DUP, which props up Mrs May's government, categorically rejected the compromise proposal last night. "It disrespects the constitutional and economic integrity of the United Kingdom," he said. "We need to work for a sensible deal which can work for everyone in Northern Ireland. It is possible, but there must be less intransigence in Brussels." UK Brexit secretary Stephen Barclay also said now was not the time to rerun old arguments. "The UK has put forward clear new proposals. We now need to agree a balanced solution that can work for both sides," he said. The gulf between the EU and UK was on display yesterday as both Mrs May and Mr Varadkar urged each other to change tack. Speaking in Dublin, the Taoiseach questioned why the UK hadn't come forward with a concrete offer to the EU. He described Brexit as "a problem of their creation" and accused the House of Commons of actively going against the wishes of a majority of people in Northern Ireland who support the backstop. Mr Varadkar said both sides had spent 18 months agreeing the backstop. Asked if there was anything Ireland could offer to help break the impasse, Mr Varadkar replied: "What's not obvious is what the UK government is offering the European Union and Ireland should they wish us to make any further compromises. "We have received no offer from them as to what they would give us in return for any changes. "It requires a change of approach from the UK government to understand that Brexit is a problem of their creation." The Taoiseach questioned why the UK parliament was going "against the wishes of the majority of people in Northern Ireland, the majority of politicians, businesses, farmers and civil society in Northern Ireland, who all accept an agreement that the backstop should be part of the Withdrawal Agreement". With no changes to offer parliament, Mrs May looks set to lose her second attempt to win approval of her deal. The Brexit effort "needs just one more push to address the final, specific concerns of our parliament", she said in the northern English port of Grimsby, where 70pc voted to leave the EU in 2016. "So let's not hold back. Let's do what is necessary for MPs to back the deal on Tuesday." Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the main opposition Labour Party, said the appeal was "a sign of desperation" and added: "They've got to recognise her deal isn't going to work, it doesn't get support, and will not get through parliament." Britain's tortured path to an exit from the European Union poses the biggest single risk to growth here, although it isn't the only issue that could derail the economy, according to Central Bank Deputy Governor Sharon Donnery. Ms Donnery told an economic conference yesterday that a "hard Brexit" could cut economic growth here to just 1pc this year and next, and noted that the strong post-recession recovery in Ireland may have pushed the economy close to overheating. "From the spectrum of potential outcomes, a no-deal disorderly departure represents the worst-case scenario for Ireland," she said. Just before Ms Donnery spoke, a survey from Banking and Payments Federation Ireland showed that small and medium-sized businesses here were already feeling the chill from Brexit and that sentiment in the retail, food and accommodation sectors had deteriorated. These industries are heavily exposed to visitor numbers from the UK. With three weeks to go until the March 29 Brexit deadline, British Prime Minister Theresa May still has no plan that can win support in parliament and agreement from the EU, raising the risk that a deal will not be reached. If there is no deal, the value of the pound could plunge, hitting exporters who sell goods in the UK as well as Irish banks with operations in Britain. Despite the Brexit gloom, credit ratings agency Fitch said in a report yesterday that even if Britain left the EU without a deal it would not represent an immediate threat to Ireland's A+ rating. The agency has put the UK on a negative outlook due to Brexit risks. The economic recovery here since 2014 has created a record number of jobs, largely thanks to a strong export performance, and Ms Donnery warned that global growth slowdown and rising trade frictions could change the positive outlook. As such, the Government and financial institutions here needed to build buffers against the risk of a changing economic environment, she added. "This is important given the higher levels of risk intrinsic to a small, highly globalised economy." Clones-based Walter and Margaret Pringle spent three years crossing the border before they married THREE years over and back. Three years being stopped. Three years queueing and waiting. Three years enduring. Three years they don't want to return. Leaning on a bridge on the border of Northern Ireland and the Republic, a man stands with one foot in each camp. He jokes about who the weeds belong to, and which country will own them if a hard border returns. But for Walter Pringle (71), who has spent all his life in Clones on the Monaghan-Fermanagh border, the laughter is uneasy - he's nervous for his business, for his family and for his daily life. The nerves are based on experience. I have too many memories of this road being closed with what we called spikes, they were steel girders. We just cannot even get our heads around thinking what it would be like to have this road policed again, the Monaghan man tells Independent.ie. Id rather die. Ive had a good life up to now. I dont want to go there. We cant go down the road of a divided Ireland ever again, because of economics, because of politics, whether its European or British politics or whatever. Just three miles from that border, or only a mile and a half as the crow flies, lies the Pringles family home. Inside is Margaret Pringle, the woman Walter married in 1975, after spending three years trekking over the border to meet with her. In 1972, Margaret had moved to Dungannon in Co Tyrone to pursue training as a deaconess in a Presbyterian church. Love was also in the air, but the path was far from smooth. Expand Close Walter Pringle (71) from Clones, Co Monaghan, said he would "rather die" than see a hard border return. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Walter Pringle (71) from Clones, Co Monaghan, said he would "rather die" than see a hard border return. "For three years it was a continual issue of crossing the border in order for me to come to see her, or for her to come up home to see me, Walter said. Even the day we were married, I can remember us queuing at the border. It didnt matter who you were, we queued for ages. You had to allow yourself that extra hour or whatever." Travelling across the border, facing checks by soldiers you couldnt tell were real soldiers or people pretending and traffic delays were a daily reality for the Pringles - and thousands of others living along the border in the 70s, 80s and early 90s. Read More One moment stands out for Margaret, when their car was pulled aside by the army. The Pringles had their two children in the backseat. We knew, we could understand what was going on. But for the kids, for the car to be pulled in, it was scary, she said. The idea of a return to those days is "unthinkable", says Walter, while admitting it dominates his thoughts recently. At the time I wasnt aware so much of the danger, even though it was horrific. My southern registered car parked in Dungannon, as I spent time with Margaret where she lived. For some reason, I wasnt as scared as I shouldve been, Walter says. Heading back home, I cant remember ever having checked underneath the car. I was a sitting target in a southern registered car, coming every Monday night, it was such an easy target if anyone wanted to have a go at a southerner. My poor mother, living here and staying up until I was home before 10 o'clock. No way can we ever anticipate the idea of checks at the border again. Margaret recalls hearing the bombs going off when she lived in Dungannon, but says the reality didnt sink in until a relative of hers was killed. Billy Fox, a Fine Gael member in the Dail and a distant cousin of Margaret, was shot dead by IRA gunmen in March 1974. I remember I was off with the flu or something when my boss shouted up at me to see if I was awake. Something awful has happened, he said. That was the start of it sinking it for me, someone belonging to the family, and across the border too. It was beginning to resonate with me. The pair recently took part in a romancing the border storytelling night hosted by the Monaghan Community Network. Couples from all walks of life and both sides of the border- met up in a local hall to discuss their stories of romance, love, heartbreak, and tales of sneaking out to meet each other. Breege Lenihan, a member of the network, explains that it was set up during the early 90s in response to the Troubles coming to an end. While Brexit hasnt been a key topic of conversation among many of the members, the question of returning to border checkpoints has. Whats been discussed really is how were going to come and go and are we going back to queues and delays, Breege tells Independent.ie. People are looking at how wed cope with it again, and how its going to impact them directly. For now, all anyone can do is wait and see how it plays out. I keep thinking to myself, hopefully it wont go back to what it was like. That itll be a modernised one with maybe just cameras, more linked in with produce crossing the border, opposed to political risks and that kind of thing, Margaret says. I hadnt really given it much thought until about a fortnight ago, when it was becoming more likely to have a hard border. Then you begin to really think back to all those years. "This new House Democrat majority's top priority is apparently assigning themselves an unprecedented level of control over how they get elected to Washington, D.C., along with how, where and what American citizens are allowed to say about it," he said Tuesday. "More than anything else, Washington Democrats want a tighter grip on political debate and the operation of elections, nationwide." The most rapidly expanding section of beef production continues to be bull beef. But it's also the sector that has been hardest hit by the Brexit impact on beef prices with farmers facing the double-whammy of low payments and difficulty getting cattle killed. The large number of farmers turning to bull beef in recent years highlights the breakdown in the production of grass-fed quality beef bullocks. It is notable as it also means they are willing to turn their backs on the Quality Payment System for bullocks and heifers in the belief that bull beef is a more commercially viable option. The figures reflect the number of farmers willing to take that route. In 2002 the number of steers slaughtered stood at 862,357 compared to a figure of 39,609 for young bulls. Yet by the end of 2018 bullock numbers had fallen back to 649,830, while young bulls jumped over five fold to 200,581. Combined, the total of young bulls and steers in 2018 was 850,411 - this is 55,511 less than the combined young bull and steer figure of 901,966 for 2002. Since 2010 the trend among bulls has tended towards significantly more U grades than R grades. They have climbed as high as 44.3pc for U grades and 2pc for Es in 2015. The reality is you don't get over 40pc of the bulls in this country into U grades unless your calf is good enough to begin with. Meaning many in quality suckling have turned their back entirely on the QPS. However, there has been a noticeable change with the expansion of the dairy herd and the decline in sucklers. Last year just 2pc of the bull population slaughtered graded E, 38.3pc U, 27.6pc R, 27.1pc O, with P making up the balance at 4.8pc. The expansion in bull production throws up some serious issues for the marketing of Irish beef going forward. With many bulls seeing grass for possibly only the first six months of their lives where does that leave our green image? The figures are now beginning to suggest that the level of dairy influence over bull grades is also increasing meaning that as their numbers increase, as has been shown this year, actually getting stock killed can be difficult. Is it time for the QPS system to see a significant bonus built into it to reward those who fatten stock from grass and not just on grades achieved? Many will argue it is. The industry needs to re-green its image and it needs to pay farmers directly for this. Without measures that directly reward those who can show that their beef is actually properly grass reared, Ireland will become nothing more than another cheap producer of manufacturing beef - regardless of whether the animal is of dairy or suckler origin and whatever the grade. Reaction: Meat Industry Ireland 'concerned' about increased dairy influence on kill figures Meat Industry Ireland (MII) senior director Cormac Healy said MII is concerned about the increased dairy influence showing through in the grading statistics. "We are concerned about that as an industry. Our grassbased prime steer and heifer production system is not necessarily broken, but we do need to focus on what is happening on the breeding side and the increased output from the dairying sector. "We need to keep working with ICBF and on our breeding programmes. We have to find ways of encouraging the uptake of the new Dairy Beef Index among dairy farmers and trust in the science of breeding and genomics and other knowledge transfer measures to ensure that we deliver an improvement of the grade profile. "The mechanical grading system that we have in the country has delivered consistency and uniformity and brought objectivity to the grading process. There is a Department-led trial about to be concluded which is looking at the uptake of the latest camera technology to ensure that the system is future-proofed. We continue to look at other areas of grading technology as well. "Certainly there has been an increasing number of calls in the public arena for the QPS to be reviewed and the industry is open to this." ICMSA: Losses from QPS far outweigh the gains for farmers Des Morrison, chair of ICMSA's Livestock Committee, said that he is not surprised by the figures which he says show that the Quality Payment System (QPS) has failed in its objective of improving the grades of cattle . The losses suffered by farmers under the QPS far outweigh the gains made by farmers, said Mr Morrison. "The QPS is, in particular, unjustifiably severe on dairy beef production and continues to undermine this hugely important aspect of beef production. "The reality is that the QPS and its related specifications has placed way too many penalties and restrictions on beef production and has removed any flexibility or margin that might be in the system. "There should be an independent assessment of the mechanical grading system to establish if it has led to more severe grading as suspected by farmers and secondly, the QPS grid needs to be completely reformed and implified. It also needs to recogniseand incentivise beef production from the dairy herd. "The reality is that dairy beef production will represent the majority of beef produced in Ireland going forward. "The QPS needs to acknowledge this and incentivise rather than penalise beef production from the dairy herd. This should include the payment of the quality assured bonus on all animals from a quality assured farm irrespective of grade," said Mr Morrison. ICSA: 'The grid is too complicated and needs to be simplified' ICSA beef chairman Edmund Graham said that the grid payment system needs a full review. "The substantial increase in lower grading carcasses which is linked to dairy expansion means that the grid is very unbalanced now compared to when it was introduced in 2009. "We were told then that the cuts on lesser conformation animals would be compensated on a price neutral basis by increases on the U grade and R+ animals. A lot has changed since then. "In particular, the war on heavy carcasses coupled with the switch to bull beef for sucklers means that there is a significant loss of money on O grade cattle and this saving is not being allocated to top quality carcasses from the suckler herd. "ICSA believes the grid is far too complex and that a simplified grid is needed. Farmers are also convinced that grading is more severe with mechanical grading. All O grade cattle and all bulls up to two years old should get a QA bonus. We need an independent audit of whether the grid in its current form is price neutral compared to a simplified pricing system based on U,R and Os. The suspicion is that the grid along with other fake rules around 30 months, four movements and residency periods is being exploited by meat factories to short change farmers. Nothing less than a fundamental review will do." IFA: 'Teagasc needs to review the dairy breeding policy' IFA national livestock chair Angus Woods said the biggest contributor to the reduction in the percentage of R grade or better steers is the dramatic increase in the numbers of young bulls slaughtered. "The young bull kill went from 46,385 in 2000 to 203,667 in 2018, an increase of 340pc. A lot of these animals are the better quality suckler weanlings. It is clear that the increase in the numbers of dairy cows and dairy progeny in the beef herd is also having a significant impact on conformation grades. "In addition, breeding within the dairy herd has also undertaken major change over the years with more Holstein Friesian and cross breeding in recent years.The number of live exports and particularly calf exports and weanling exports also have a major impact on the conformation grades." "Our breeding policy is a critical component to the conformation of our beef output. Teagasc needs to relook at the dairy breeding policy. We need greater up take of the ICBF Dairy beef index." He added that "Minister Creed has to be able to provide farmers with a 100pc guarantee on mechanical classification and weights as this is what is used to determine payment to farmers." On the QPS, he said IFA is very clear that farmers must be properly rewarded for quality and is pushing for an increased price premium for quality suckler beef. Ash dieback disease forced Derek McCabe to clear-fell 20ac of ash he planted in Co Cavan. He now intends to sell the timber as firewood. Photo: Lorraine Teevan A decade ago, suckler farmer and civil engineer Derek McCabe decided on planting ash in the hope that forestry would provide a pension pot for his family. However, since the spread of ash dieback disease to his forests in south Cavan, any prospect of an income from his ash has been all but wiped out. Mr McCabe, who has plantations in the Mountnugent, Kilnacrott and Moynalty areas, told the Farming Independent that he discovered ash dieback in the Mountnugent plantation in 2017. It was a serious setback, but all was not lost as he was able to avail of ash dieback aid schemes which were then in place. "I was given 1,500 h/a to clear the 20-acre plantation and 100pc grant aid to replace with other trees. But it was frustrating because I ultimately lost 10 years of growth on those plants," he says. The disease has since appeared on his 15ac plantation in Kilnacrott and he says he is in now in limbo as there is no scheme to tackle the problem since the Department of Agriculture closed the Reconstitution Ash Dieback Scheme last year. Mr McCabe is one of the hundreds of farmers and landowners who have seen their forestry plantations laid to waste by the disease which arrived in Ireland seven years ago. They are now demanding urgent action from the Government on a commitment from Forestry Minister Andrew Doyle that a review of the scheme would deliver new options for farmers. "It is clear from the latest scientific advice that eradication here is no longer considered feasible," stated the Minister last April. "Given this updated advice, our policy response must also change. The Reconstitution Ash Dieback Scheme will be reviewed to ensure its continued relevance and value for money, and to ensure that the forest owner is provided with a broader range of silvicultural and management options". Farmers 'abandoned' "For farmers, this new policy response will mean more options if their forests are affected with the disease and we will continue to inform and support them if they have ash dieback." A year on, though, and there is still no sign of a new scheme to assist farmers grappling with the disease which has been confirmed on more than 560 plantations since 2012. The IFA has claimed that farmers have been "abandoned by the Government" and has called for the immediate introduction of a new scheme to tackle the disease. "We need some clarity on the review. It's been nearly a year since (the review) was announced and farmers are stressed and upset," says IFA forestry committee chairman Vincent Nally. "The response to the disease by the Department has been poor. "Farmers planted ash encouraged and supported by the Department through higher grants and premiums. They feel very aggrieved at how they have been treated by the Department, particularly since it was the Department that did not have adequate controls in place to stop the importation of infected plants that has seriously damaged their investment. "Farmers must have the option to clear fell and replant with a species of their choice under the any new scheme. All infected plantations must be eligible for a Reconstitution Scheme, which would grant aid to farmers to replant with tree species that satisfy their management objectives. The scheme should also provide a forest premium on the replanted land for 15 years." Meanwhile, 200km down the country from Derek McCabe, Mary McCormack from Killenaule, Co Tipperary is also counting the cost of ash dieback. She planted 30 hectares of hardwood in 1998, the majority of it ash. She says she planted the forestry as her husband, who had been a beef farmer, passed away and she wanted to secure an income there for her and her three children down the line. "I had great hopes for the forest. I got the best advice at the time. I was delighted with the premiums and it was really sold to me," she says. However last year, Mary discovered the wilting and brown discolouration symptoms of ash dieback in her trees. She feels that she can't take action when there is no scheme in place to allow her to deal with the issue. "I can't do anything. There's nowhere to turn." She adds that farmers in the region are "distraught and disillusioned" that nothing has been done since the review was announced last year. "I feel this wouldn't happen in any other sector of farming. When there was a fodder crisis, livestock farmers were assisted but we have been pushed aside. "Many here feel that you wouldn't be able to salvage 20pc of the ash in the region because it is so riddled with the disease. We can't see any light at the end of the tunnel." Back in Cavan, Derek McCabe is equally frustrated. He rears continental sucklers and Irish draught horses, but says that he was always pro-forestry and was hopeful it would provide a steady income to supplement the rest of the farm. "I thought I would be moving wealth on to my three children and wife Yvonne. I thought it would have been ideal for the children as I don't see any of them interested in farming," he says. "Many elderly farmers planted ash trees with the hope that they would have something to give back to their children. Even those tarring the road can see the disease on ash in the hedges now." Stricter checks Mr McCabe, who is chairman of All-Ireland social justice charity Extern, which hosted the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in Co Fermanagh last week, adds that questions need to be asked about why there weren't stricter checks on the importation of ash from parts of Europe affected by the disease. "The tree seeds label I used to plant in 2008 said origin unknown. I'm kicking myself that I didn't investigate that further. "Importing ash from these regions was crazy stuff and was hugely remiss on the part of whoever allowed it to happen." And Teagasc forestry advisor Steven Meyen warns that the future of the ash tree in Ireland hangs in the balance if a new strategy isn't put in place soon. "It's probably not a question of eradicating ash dieback now, but a question of containment as it is spreading very rapidly. "We need to learn as much as possible from other countries in order to form a better understanding of it. From research done, I don't think cutting all the trees down once the disease is identified is the answer as it's preventing us from finding out what trees are resistant." Finalising review A spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture stated that it is "finalising its review of the policy response to ash dieback disease and that consideration is currently being given to the financial aspects of the associated support schemes and it is hoped that details on this will be available shortly." It stated that the review "will reflect the latest scientific advice, namely that eradication of ash dieback disease is no longer feasible and the DAFM policy response should reflect this position". The review will also "outline an enhanced suite of grant aid options, and other options, depending on the age of the ash plantation and degree of infection, the purpose of which is to encourage a management based focus to dealing with the disease, rather than simply clearing and replacing all infected ash forests". The Department added that imported trees in which the first confirmed findings were made in October 2012 originated in countries where at the time of import the disease had not been declared and said that the use of 'Origin Unknown' on seeds labels "does not imply that the planting stock was imported". It also said that upon the first finding of the disease "contact was made immediately with stakeholders" and it introduced a Reconstitution Scheme to restore forests. The future supply of ash for hurleys is a "huge worry", the man who supplied most of the All-Ireland winning Clare team of 2013 has warned. John Torpey, of Torpey Hurleys, said 20,000 of his own trees in Sixmilebridge were diagnosed with ash dieback five years ago and although he had always sourced some of his ash from the Netherlands, he now imports the majority of it from there in order to meet demand. "It spread like wildfire. It was a huge concern for us. I had already contracted a farmer in Holland to supply ash. We increased this and were able to survive. I was really lucky. "We import 6,000 planks from Holland. It's the best quality ash and is working very well. We had to do something to ensure we could supply. It's a huge worry for the industry," says the 78-year-old, who was a member of the Wicklow team that won a Junior All-Ireland title in 1967. However, TJ Larkin of Larkin Hurls in Killimor, Co Galway, continues to source his ash locally and from neighbouring counties Offaly and Tipperary. He has been able to buy ash from plantations free from Ash dieback and feels that supply is more plentiful than ever as farmers are keen to offload trees in case they get infected. "We're knocking trees as we speak for the 10,000 hurleys we make each year. Farmers are really willing to sell which is good for us. I don't see there being a shortage of ash for us for at least for another 10 years." "The weather is great for us knocking at the moment, compared to this time last year when there was snow and floods. We'll knock about 500 trees ,which are aged between 25-30 years." Philip Higgins with his dog, Pippa,on his farm in Skreen, Co Sligo. Photo by Brian Farrell Philip Higgins is the latest farmer to join the Sheep Tech joint venture run by Teagasc in conjunction with Irish Country Meats. Philip farms a mixed suckler and sheep farm just outside the village of Skreen in Co Sligo where he lives with his wife Amanda, son Jonathan and daughters Naomi and Hannah. His flock consists of 316 commercial ewes, 29 pedigree Texel ewes and 115 ewe lambs. He plans to increase ewe numbers to 500 in the next few years. A review of the past year's flock performance from a production and financial position is a good indicator of where things went well, where targets were achieved and where improvements can be made for the coming year. Last year, Philip Higgins sold 1.50 lambs from the mature ewe flock and 1.0 lambs from his ewe lambs that lambed in 2018. Expand Close Philip Higgins on his farm in Skreen, Co Sligo / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Philip Higgins on his farm in Skreen, Co Sligo In a previous article, I outlined the financial targets for Philip Higgins' sheep enterprise, 160:80:80, 160 of a gross output per ewe with variable costs of 80 resulting in a gross margin of 80 per ewe. Table 1 outlines the financial performance achieved in 2018. Variable costs were on or just below target at 78 per ewe, gross output per ewe was below target at 136 per ewe, resulting in a gross margin of 58 per ewe. This was achieved by weaning 1.5 lambs per mature ewe and 1.0 lambs per ewe lamb with an average lamb sale value of 102.14 and cull ewe value of 99.60. To achieve the target gross output per ewe, Philip would have had to wean 1.70 lambs per ewe mated and 1.1 lambs per ewe lamb lambed with no change in stock inventory. The target remains the same for 2019. This year, mature ewes scanned at 1.81 lambs per ewe mated with ewe lambs having a litter size of 1.42. He says concentrates can be reduced from 32 per ewe to 22 per ewe as fed in 2017 as the spring conditions of 2018 resulted in increased concentrates fed per ewe. "I was happy enough with the average lamb and cull ewe sale values in 2018," says Philip. Factory data from all lambs slaughtered in Irish Country Meats Navan through the Sligo/Leitrim Quality Lamb Producer Group are outlined in table 2. All lambs were weighed the morning of sale and were 47.65kg on average and had a kill out percentage of 43.2pc. On the Higgins farm, when U grade lambs are compared to R grade lambs at similar live weights, 47.8 v 47.79 kg,and 90pc fat score three the U grade, lambs yielded an extra 1.03kg of carcase due to the higher kill out percentage. This accounted for a difference in price of 5.44 per lamb when adjusted to weight paid on limits. The price differential was influenced by the high percentage of U grade lambs in the first two drafts. The importance of selecting lambs with correct finish or fat cover is also evident as R2 lambs were worth 8.23 less that the total average lamb price and had a kill out percentage 1.7pc lower than the average lamb slaughtered in 2018. They accounted for only 7.2pc of the lambs with over 90pc of lambs selected at the desired fat class of three and a difference of just 0.24kg between the actual carcase and factory pay weights shows how Philip has mastered his lamb drafting skills. Expand Close Philip Higgins / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Philip Higgins Ewes were in good condition at housing this winter as a result of good grazing conditions and grass availability prior to housing in mid-December. Concentrate feeding to the triplet-bearing ewes commenced six weeks from the lambing due date of March 3. They were initially fed 0.4kg for seven days, increased to 0.6kg for the next 10 days and increased to 1.2kg fed in two feeds which will be fed until turnout to grass. Twin-bearing ewes were similarly introduced to concentrates four weeks out from lambing and increased to 1.0kg per head per day in two feeds. Singles are getting 0.4kg of concentrates from two weeks out from lambing. The ration is a high energy with 19pc protein with soya being second on the inclusion list of ingredients. Ewes carrying singles will be given an extra 100 grams of soya per day prior to lambing to ensure that all ewes are consuming around 200 grams of soya as Philip will cross foster all of the triplet born lambs. He is using the pasture base programme this year as a tool to improve his grassland management skills and also will attend a Grass10 course starting this spring with a group of local farmers. The opening farm cover taken on February 25 shows an average farm cover of 1,427kg of grass dry matter per ha. Philip adds that you can never have too much grass in the spring for ewes and lambs and has spread 20 units of nitrogen on the entire block this week. We hope to keep you updated on how he manages the high grass covers in future articles. Tom Coll is a Teagasc advisor based in Mohill, Co Leitrim Sheep farmer Philip Higgins talks to Tom Coll about how he fared on his financial targets for last year and his outlook for 2019 Philip Higgins with his dog, Pippa, on the farm in Skreen, Co Sligo. Photo by Brian Farrell Philip HIGGINS is the latest farmer to join the Sheep Tech joint venture run by Teagasc in conjunction with Irish Country Meats. Philip farms a mixed suckler and sheep farm just outside the village of Skreen in Co Sligo where he lives with his wife Amanda, son Jonathan and daughters Naomi and Hannah. His flock consists of 316 commercial ewes, 29 pedigree Texel ewes and 115 ewe lambs. He plans to increase ewe numbers to 500 in the next few years. AIB has confirmed that the regulatory fitness and probity assessment process and consultation with the Minister for Finance in respect of the proposed appointment of Dr Colin Hunt as CEO of the bank has concluded successfully. Accordingly, Mr Hunt has been appointed CEO and executive director with immediate effect. He succeeds Bernard Byrne who steps down from his executive duties and from the board on today, and leaves the countrys biggest bank on 26 April 2019. Mr Byrne is moving to a role at Davy Stockbrokers. AIB's chairman, Richard Pym, said the board of the bank are delighted to welcome Dr Hunt as the new CEO. "This appointment from within our senior team is testament to the calibre of people we have in AIB. I want to thank Bernard for his leadership and commend his many achievements during his time with the bank. I look to the future with confidence and optimism that under Colin's leadership AIB will continue to grow and prosper in the years to come," he added. Dr Hunt is a well-known economist - he had a high media profile in the early to mid-2000s when he was chief economist at Goodbody Stockbrokers. He was later a special adviser to Brian Cowen until mid 2007, when the former Taoiseach was Minister for Finance, and before that he'd been a special adviser to former Transport Minister Martin Cullen from 2004. An experienced banker, Dr Hunt has been managing director of wholesale and institutional banking and a member of the senior executive team at AIB since May 2016, after joining from Australian finance house Macquarie's Irish operations. The Government should commission an independent report to examine the state of the news media in Ireland given the threats to its financial stability, according to the head of Ireland's largest media buying agency, Core. "There is a strong, positive link between media consumption and national belonging," said Alan Cox. "We cannot take risks with this - it is a national crisis-in-waiting," he added. Releasing a report that showed expected media spend will fall at traditional media outlets in 2019, Core said that it's "critically important" that Ireland has a "thriving, ambitious, inquisitive" news media. "The Irish government must realise the pivotal role that all our indigenous media play in our culture, values and national identity," it added. Mr Cox said that a UK review of the news media sector found that investigative journalism, public-interest news and democracy reporting are the areas of journalism most under threat from the market power of online platforms. Core painted a challenging picture of the Irish advertising landscape for 2019 in a report published yesterday. It expects overall advertising spend to edge just 0.6pc higher to 1.04bn for the year, with a rise in online spend offsetting stark declines across other media platforms. Core expects print advertising to decline 11.1pc this year to 106.7m, with radio likely to see a 5.5pc fall to 111.1m, and TV a 2.9pc decline to 214.9m. The overall online market is expected to see its advertising spend jump 6.3pc to 519.5m. Question: I worked in London as a nurse for years. Now that I am a pensioner I get a pension from the British government. If there is a no-deal Brexit what impact will that have on my UK social security pension? Answer: Put your mind at rest. The governments of Ireland and Britain have guaranteed the continued payment of state pensions in the event of the UK crashing out of the European Union without a deal. You are just like thousands of people living here who get pensions and other payments from Britain, while Ireland also pays people who live in the UK. A legally binding agreement has been signed by the two governments. Social Protection Minister Regina Doherty and her UK counterpart, Amber Rudd, the UK secretary of state for work and pensions, signed a convention last month to ensure the "reciprocity of social welfare rights and entitlements". These rights currently exist under what is known as the Common Travel Area. Ms Doherty said: "Under the terms of the agreement, all existing arrangements, with recognition of, and access to, social welfare entitlements will be maintained in both jurisdictions. This means that the rights of Irish citizens domiciled in Ireland to benefit from social insurance contributions made when working in the UK and to access social insurance payments if resident in the UK are protected." The deal has been ratified by the Dail in the last week. The Government had been planning for a no-deal Brexit, ahead of the March 29 Brexit deadline. All this means you should continue to have your pension paid by the British government in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Question: I am a mature student studying for a masters degree in design. I have a few different freelance design gigs that I work at to keep the bills paid. I am a bit confused about my tax credits at the moment, because as it stands, my main job falls under PAYE, but I also have some project work that does not. I see myself working towards a scenario in the future where I am fully self-employed with my own design company. At this stage what is the best way to deal with my tax? Answer: The most important thing is to be aware of your tax obligations for all and any income that comes from any non-PAYE income. Be sure to check with Revenue where your tax credits lie, is the advice of the commercial director of Taxback.com Eileen Devereux. Assuming they lie with your current PAYE employer, from there, any taxable income from freelance employment can be filed under your PAYE tax assessment, as long as you earn less than 5,000 net (after expenses), but not nil from your non-PAYE income. This is done by submitting a tax return Form 12. If you earn over 5,000 in non-PAYE net income in a year, you must file your self-assessed taxes. In this case, you must register as self-assessed with Revenue and submit a Form 11. However, if your gross non-PAYE income is more than 30,000, you will be regarded as a chargeable person, even if your income is less than 5,000 net. A chargeable person for self-assessment purposes is a person who is chargeable to tax on income on their own account. You mentioned that you would like to operate on a freelance, self-employed basis into the future. If none of your work falls under the PAYE income tax, you are obligated to file under the self-assessed tax system, Ms Devereux said. Again, you must register as self-assessed with Revenue and submit a Form 11. You may be entitled to claim expenses and reliefs which will help limit your liability, meaning you pay less. The deadline for filing your taxes is October 31 the following year. Question: I bought goods online from a trader in the European Union and arranged delivery without specifying a particular date. What are my rights? Answer: Under the Consumer Rights Directive the product should be delivered within 30 days of you making the purchase. If the item does not arrive within this 30-day period, then you can contact the trader and ask that it be delivered at another date that is convenient for your, according to the Consumers' Association of Ireland. If the item does not arrive within this new agreed time period, then you are entitled to cancel the contract and be refunded the full costs, including any delivery charges, by the retailer within 14 days. You can also cancel the contract if the item did not arrive within the initial 30-day period and delivery within this time period was essential, such as ordering a wedding dress that did not arrive in time for the wedding. The governments of Ireland and Britain have guaranteed the continued payment of state pensions in the event of the UK crashing out of the EU without a deal Any taxable income from freelance employment can be filed under your PAYE tax assessment, as long as you earn less than 5,000 net (after expenses). Wolfgang Grenke's concept of offering small ticket leasing finance to small businesses found a welcome home in Ireland some 15 years ago, and even more so when the recession hit just a few years later. But although the German entrepreneur's firm, built from a room at his house in BadenBaden in 1978, has grown to have a presence in 32 countries and a global headcount of more than 1,300, its current offering remains relatively unknown mainstream. Grenke, which opened its first branch here at Sandyford with a four-strong team, lease all types of business equipment "from as little as 500 to 500,000 and beyond" to the SME needing an asset in order to expand. With the only real exclusion from the leasing range being motors (too volatile a market), the company facilitate these small firms with standard office equipment, CCTV systems, school white boards, multi-million factory machinery, drones, ice-machines, and a partridge in a pear tree. "When I took over the Irish operations, we were primarily offering photocopiers; that was the bulk, probably 60pc, of the business," Grenke Ireland Managing Director (MD) Justin Twiddy told Independent.ie. "Then we started expanding into different assets, more into manufacturing, drone technology and so on. People don't realise we can do all that, that we offer a one-stop-shop. And if there are certain assets that we don't do, we know a lot of the other competitors that would be able to help them out and we would quite happily refer them on." Mr Twiddy's own introduction to Grenke was actually fortuitous: the UK-based IT distributor he was working for were badly hit post-2008 as retailers couldn't pay for their equipment upgrades. The German leasing businesses happened to be located in the same office block just across the hall. "I met the MD at the time at a networking lunch in our building. He explained that they could do a split invoice, a distribution model. The distributor could get paid directly from Grenke, the retailer could get profit for the overall deal and then Grenke take the risk of compliance. For me, this was brilliant." When Mr Twiddy was looking for a change, Grenke brought him on initially to grow the IT side as he knew all the dealers but he was then offered the job to run the Sandyford HQ, taking over as MD in 2014. Grenke has two ways to market; direct, with a sales team that is constantly expanding in size and geographically, and also with suppliers and brokers and a number of products from a classic lease offering to a specialised Master Lease Agreement (MLA). An MLA is essentially a pre-approved pot of money that a business can draw down from as and when needed over a 12 month period to lease essential business equipment from a vendor of their own choosing. Because of the benefits to company cash flow, while also allowing it the equipment to expand, the recession actually worked in Grenke's favour. But, over a decade on, how are SMEs responding to the leasing services? "When we first moved over, small businesses were going to their main pillar banks. And if the bank said no, you wouldn't know where else to go, you wouldn't really have any idea that there were alternatives out there. That's where we stepped in. "The recession has made people get a lot smarter with their money and preserve their cash flows. We're on a good trajectory right now but there will be another bust, although not as bad as last time, at some point; we're just not sure when exactly that will be. People are being more prudent." While there are a number of organisations who still have the mentality of '"we have to own it", similar to the Irish mindset of "we have to own our houses", the rapid evolution of technology has driven the popularity of leasing, particularly across manufacturing and medtech. "The dental market for us has really grown as tech is changing all the time in the dentist area. They are looking for the newest machines that will cut down on client waiting times, help them expand and keep them ahead of their own competitors." In addition to Sandyford, Grenke have two other leasing branches in Fingal and Cork, with an Invoice Finance team that covers all three hubs. Including a Belfast office and a separate Plc operation, the company employs more than 65 staff in Ireland. With the Grenke team priding themselves on having a personable approach "three rings and you will get through to a person", Mr Twiddy said that having local offices in local areas is essential as "people buy from people" and an office in the West is on the cards in the next few years. A total of 13 new employees were hired for the Irish operations last year, bulking the total staff base by a quarter, and the team are looking to expand even further this year to strengthen the direct sales team. Antje Leminsky took over the global helm from Wolfgang Grenke last year filtering her ethos - "a revival of the entrepreneurial spirits and exploring new territories" - down to the country hubs. But in terms of company culture here, Mr Twiddy has a local autonomy and is busy fostering an environment where succession plans and career progression are the norm, ideas are welcomed and work flexibility is facilitated. "If an employee looks for extra responsibility; they'll be given it. If you're a back-to-work mum, we'll appreciate that. And if you've got an idea, we'll try it." Moving on: Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Paddy Cosgrave, CEO, Web Summit, during day two of MoneyConf 2018 at the RDS Arena last year. Photo: Sportsfile Paddy Cosgrave's Web Summit is to move MoneyConf, the 5,000-strong financial technology conference scheduled for Dublin this June, to Lisbon. Instead of a standalone event in June, it will now be part of the Web Summit in Lisbon in November, said Mr Cosgrave. It is understood that the decision was taken in recent weeks. Companies that had already made plans for the cancelled two-day June conference at the RDS will now be "accommodated" through refunds and possibly travel and accommodation compensation. The move is happening, Mr Cosgrave said, to integrate MoneyConf as a fintech segment within the company's three global conferences, Web Summit, Collision (in Toronto) and Rise (Hong Kong). "We feel strongly that a conference with as much potential as MoneyConf is deserving of a more prominent position on a more global stage," he said. The move is a reversal on previous comments made by Mr Cosgrave at last June's Dublin event, when he said that MoneyConf would remain in Ireland "for the foreseeable future". And it is likely to disrupt the plans of several companies which had arranged to attend or host events around Moneyconf, scheduled for the RDS from June 10 to 12. In its short history, Moneyconf has had a number of different host cities, including Belfast, Madrid and Dublin. Mr Cosgrave said that the Web Summit will remain headquartered in Dublin with 200 people. "We've built the best tech conference in the world in Lisbon and now have the certainty that comes with a 10-year deal and an incredible venue," said Mr Cosgrave. "However Dublin will always be at the centre of everything we do." Last year, the Web Summit struck a 110m deal with Lisbon authorities to keep the 70,000-strong conference in the Portuguese capital for 10 years. Speaking at last June's Dublin MoneyConf event, Mr Cosgrave said Dublin lacked the infrastructure for large global conferences. "Ireland has an opportunity to become a venue for much larger events," he said. "To do that we need a convention centre that's much bigger. It wouldn't take much to build a venue that would cater to 40,000 or 50,000 people in this city." Relations between the Web Summit and Irish authorities had been improving after a public row over the Web Summit's move to Lisbon in 2015. MoneyConf attracted over 5,000 registered attendees, mainly from financial firms and technology companies focused on payments, fraud and cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum. One afternoon in the mid-1990s, Barry Flanagan and Colm Grealy seemed unsure if their brave plan to put Ireland on the internet was going to work out when they stopped off for a break at McDonald's in Dun Laoghaire. Barry had set up Ireland's first mainstream internet service provider in the back room of his home in Galway in 1992. He was the sole employee of Ireland On-Line at the start. He knew all his customers personally, and he reckons he was the only person in Ireland trying to eke out a full-time living from the internet. Before Ireland On-Line, there was also IEunet, an internet service run by staff at Trinity College, but that was mainly targeted at the computer industry. In 1994, Flanagan hooked up with Colm Grealy, a Dublin primary school teacher who worked with children with special needs. Colm was fascinated by computers and also had a flair for selling. Expand Close Internet dream: Barry Flanagan in the early days of Ireland On-Line / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Internet dream: Barry Flanagan in the early days of Ireland On-Line But the pair were in a dejected mood when they stopped off at McDonald's on that afternoon early in 1995. They were uncertain about how this new-fangled online venture would turn out. But then, all of a sudden, something happened that convinced them that they were making an impact. Three girls arrived and sat near them in a booth, and one of them made an enthusiastic announcement to her friends: "I got the internet today! It's Ireland On-Line." "When we heard those girls talking about our company, that was it," says Barry. "Once people talk about you on the street, you know you are in the mainstream." As the first Irish Internet Service Providers to reach a mass market, Colm and Barry were making the best use of an invention that was first conceived 30 years ago this month. On March 12, 1989, Tim Berners-Lee submitted a proposal for a system for "information management" to his boss. Berners-Lee was an English scientist working at the European research organisation CERN. With little fanfare, he presented his plan for the computer system that became known as the World Wide Web. 'A portal into the world' "Vague, but exciting," were the words of comment written by his boss Mike Sendall on the proposal. The internet already existed by 1989 as a system linking computers, but Berners-Lee helped to develop accessible internet browsing on an open platform, with a system of addresses and links. He also created the first ever website. Barry Flanagan says he first saw the potential of computers communicating with each other in the late 1980s when he was working for his uncle, a well-known sculptor who shared his name. "We travelled around quite a bit at the time, and I found it very convenient to use modem banking, where you would communicate with the bank on the computer. I found it was very convenient because you could do your banking when you were away." Barry says he then realised what the potential could be if computers could communicate with each other. "It meant that the computer was not just a computer. It was a portal into the world - and that idea stuck in my imagination." When he was living in Galway, Barry was frustrated that there was no service available for going online. "I wanted it to exist and I thought to myself - nobody else is doing it, so frig it, I'll do it," he tells Review. One takes for granted how communications have been revolutionised since Tim Berners-Lee came up with the World Wide Web. At that time, hardly anyone had a mobile phone, handwritten letters were still popular, and documents were sent by fax at considerable cost. Colm Grealy says he first saw the potential of the internet in operation in 1993 on a visit to Swansea University, when he met a group of students with disabilities. "They were connecting with students in Atlanta. They told me that it was the only medium they could communicate with, where the people at the other end knew nothing about their disabilities. It struck me as very powerful." After he teamed up with Barry Flanagan in Ireland On-Line, Colm Grealy continued to work as a school teacher for six months. After school each day, he would change into a suit in the bathroom, and head off to promote Ireland On-Line to different businesses. "I would meet two or three IT managers a day, and introduce this new thing called the internet, " says Colm. One of the earliest clients of Ireland On-Line was Kenny's Bookshop in Galway, which sold books on the internet long before Jeff Bezos started Amazon. Colm and Barry had an effective routine for convincing groups of business executives that the internet was indispensable. During a demonstration, Colm would send an email to the White House using the address president@whitehouse.gov. "I knew that if I sent an email to the president, I would get an automated response. So, during my demonstration I typed a message and sent it off. "People were amazed when they saw an email coming back from the White House. Email and the internet was something they had to have." By the mid-1990s, the general public began to read in the press about the internet as the "Information Super Highway". A 1994 article in the Irish Independent by Tony Connelly, now RTE's Europe editor, painted a futuristic picture of internet "teleworking'' - commuting was expected to decline as people worked at home. As a young reporter in the mid-1990s, I recall being invited to see the Ireland On-Line's internet working in a shop off Grafton Street. At that time there were so few sites that there was an actual map of the World Wide Web. Most of the Irish sites, based in universities, said little other than announce that they were there. One website had a list of jokes that were corny enough to be in a Christmas cracker. Mysterious netherworld Before broadband came along, users relied on the notoriously slow dial-up, with its disconcerting whirring sound, to connect on cream-coloured PCs that seemed to generate the noise of a taxiing jumbo jet. It was not long before there were scare stories about the mysterious netherworld of internet chatrooms. James Plenderleith of Everyman Computers warned in a newspaper report at the time that "the dark side of the human psyche comes out on the electronic noticeboard". People adopted fake personas when they went into internet chatrooms, we were warned, and it could be risky. Males could pretend to be females, portraying themselves as "loose women". After their moment of truth in McDonald's, and the launch of Windows 95, Barry Flanagan and Colm Grealy saw their sales quickly shoot up to 30,000, and at its peak, Ireland On-line had 200,000 subscribers. The pair sold the business for just 2.5m in 1997 - a small amount for a company that introduced the country to the online world. Both of them still work in technology: Colm runs a digital advertising company Adforce, while Barry has his own internet business. The invention of the World Wide Web 30 years ago helped to make the Irish digital revolution possible. Niall Murphy, who runs the website internethistory.ie, says: "It lifted the feeling of the internet from something of interest to just to a few hundred people to something used by the billions we see today." On the way to this interview at the popular Whelan's pub and venue in Dublin's south inner city, Roddy Doyle walked passed another watering hole. If the name Jimmy Rabbitte's sounded familiar to him, that's because he dreamt it up for his much loved debut novel, The Commitments. "I'd heard about this pub, Jimmy Rabbitte's," he says, "but this was the first time seeing it. Maybe I should have gone in for a pint." I quip that they should be doling out free pints for life to him. He smiles. "Maybe I should look for 10pc of their profits." The proprietors of Jimmy Rabbitte's, Camden Street need not worry: Doyle is joking. "I actually remember exactly where I was when I came up with that name," he says. "I was in my flat in Clontarf and I was working on what would become The Commitments and I needed names. So I borrowed the phone directory that was in the hall downstairs and I flicked through it. I came across Pat Rabbitte. He was a young TD at the time. And then Jimmy came to me. Jimmy Rabbitte. I liked it." Expand Close Charlie Savage illustration by Ben Hickey / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Charlie Savage illustration by Ben Hickey Doyle has a thing for names. He is aware that thanks to his character in The Snapper, some Sharons curse him, for instance, and he knows that Joey 'The Lips' Fagan has become something of a fictional Dublin folk hero. He's proud of that because he says he can still recall the flicker of pleasure he felt when he came up with trumpet player Fagan's nickname. And now, there's Charlie Savage. Regular readers of this magazine will be familiar with the weekly instalments of Doyle's latest fictional creation. "Maybe it's something to do with liking two syllables," he says. "Jim-my Rabb-itte, Char-lie Sav-age, Paul-a Spen-cer." A year of those columns has been collected in a new book, Charlie Savage, and Doyle has been greatly heartened by the response to the character. "People - older people, especially - seem to warm to him a lot. My mother loved him and she read those columns right up to her death." Ita Doyle died last year at 92. "It's a great age, of course, but there's loss there too." Roddy Doyle aficionados will feel like they knew his mother. Both she and his late father were immortalised in his first non-fiction book, Rory & Ita, which told the story of their lives, largely in their own words. And now, he takes comfort in the fact that she adored reading about Charlie, this middle-aged Dubliner who experiences modern life in much the way he himself does. "I was at the end of my last book [Smile] and I got an email out of the blue from the Irish Independent asking me if I wanted to write a weekly column for Weekend magazine. The timing was ideal. Six months either side of it and I probably couldn't do it, because I'd have my head in something else. I liked the fact that it was a fictional column because I don't think I'd have been able to write something new every week if it wasn't fictional and I've always admired people who can write to deadline like that. And keeping it to 800 words can be a challenge, but it's one I really enjoy. I mean, it's a little glimpse into the adult world, having to present something fresh every week. That's something I hadn't done before." Doyle is 60 now, but looks at least 10 years younger. He has the air of one who is happy with their lot. He begins his working day with the column. "I'll put on a record and then I'll write a couple of hundred words of Charlie. It adds a bit of sugar to the day." Expand Close Charlie Savage illustration by Ben Hickey / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Charlie Savage illustration by Ben Hickey Video of the Day Then he will work on other projects. Right now, he is in the latter stages of editing a forthcoming novel called Love. "Nobody's told me it's not a good title," he says, with a laugh. "It's about two men in a pub talking about women. They're lifelong friends and there's a certain amount of backward-looking. I'm interested in this notion of memories - do we share memories? Their perspectives can be quite different." Writing Love has been quite unlike any other of his books. "Normally, the writing part takes much longer than the editing, but this time I wrote it quickly and I'm taking my time getting the editing just right." He will deliver the finished manuscript to the publisher in the summer and it will likely be out early next year. Doyle is comparatively prolific. "I like to be working," he says. "I'd usually write between 9am and 6pm. I like to have different projects on the go." He's an early riser. He gets up at 6am and is careful not to wake his wife of 30 years, Belinda Moller, granddaughter of former President Erskine Childers. He is open to unexpected commissions, like Charlie Savage - and the Roy Keane collaboration which came out of the blue. "Again, it started with an email: 'Would I like to work with Roy on a new book?' The timing was right. I met Roy and we got on really well. He's very affable." The result was The Second Half and Doyle's sounding board during the writing stage was his father, Rory, who was in hospital by then. "I'd go to see him and I'd tell him about the anecdotes Roy had told me and my father loved hearing the bit of gossip. I remember him [Keane] saying to me that when he was manager of Sunderland he questioned where the leadership was in the dressing room because nobody was picking the music the team would listen to before going out to play. It was left to the kit-man to decide. And the kit-man used to play Dancing Queen by Abba. Roy was furious. I told my father and he doubled up with laughter, but his voice was gone and he couldn't make a sound. Otherwise, it would have been the heartiest laugh." Doyle continues to keep in touch with Keane, albeit sporadically, and anticipating that a question may appear about the Corkman's less than glorious latter months as Ireland assistant manager, he says he "doesn't want to go there". It's the only time in an hour-long conversation that Doyle is guarded. He seems happy to shoot the breeze on any subject, especially when it centres on his body of work. He doesn't re-read his books unless he is adapting one for a new medium, as was the case with The Snapper which he helped turn into a lively stage play for the Gate Theatre last year. Due to popular demand, it will return to the same theatre in June. "It's strange to read something you've written a long time ago, but I don't go into this idea of being critical of work that's already published. What's the point?" He hasn't re-read Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha, his 1993 Booker Prize-winning novel. Was it the book that was most deserving of this prestigious literary honour? "Hard to say," he says. "Maybe The Woman Who Walked into Doors or A Star Called Henry would have been more obvious picks." Despite that unwillingness to rake over his past work Doyle says he is becoming inspired again by the style of writing that characterises his earlier books. "The way I presented dialogue, the way I could establish class in a couple of lines that appeals to me now again." He says he is not tempted to revisit those indelible Commitments characters 30-odd years on, although he knows such a move would likely generate a lot of interest. "I am," he says, "in this extremely fortunate position where I can write pretty much whatever I want." Doyle is especially proud of his screenplay for the Irish film, Rosie, which hit cinemas late last year. Directed by Paddy Breathnach, it stars Sarah Greene as a young mother who is struggling to put a roof over their heads. It's a tough film to watch, but an important one because it captures the everyday tribulations of Ireland's unfortunate population of 10,000 people who find themselves trying to live in emergency accommodation. It was hearing a young mother in that onerous situation on RTE's Morning Ireland that prompted Doyle to write the screenplay. He has long been engaged by social justice and the Fighting Words charity he's involved with is typical: it aims to get disadvantaged kids to create their own stories and poems. Intriguingly, it's part of the programme at Oberstown, the children's detention facility in north Co Dublin. Rosie is Doyle's first screenplay credit since the Dublin-set comedy caper, When Brendan Met Trudy, almost 20 years ago. There would have been others, but they fell between the cracks much to his frustration. "I was excited about a film version of A Star Called Henry [to be directed by the arthouse moviemaker Michael Winterbottom] but it never went ahead and then there was a TV series for Sky Atlantic that I'd written two episodes for but that fell through as well." The latter was about the Russian dogs that went up into space in the years before manned space flight and Doyle says he was deeply engaged by it. Despite such setbacks he says there's a great deal that he has to be thankful for. "I'm getting to do what I love every day and I don't take that for granted." It validates that decision to quit his job as a school teacher after the success of his so-called Barrytown Trilogy and to concentrate on writing full-time. Barrytown - named after a Steely Dan song - was clearly modelled on Kilbarrack, on Dublin's northside, where Doyle spent his formative years. "I subscribed to the idea of writing about what you know," he says. "And a place you know." Those first three books, The Commitments ("I'd originally called the band 'The Partitions' - I'm glad I changed it"), The Snapper and The Van, remain Doyle's best loved works although he says that is more likely due to the film adaptations than the novels themselves. "The books sold well, don't get me wrong, but it's the films that would have reached more people and I'm okay with that." Their successor, Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha, was also set in Barrytown, not at the tail end of the 1980s, but in the very different Ireland of 20 years before. The 10-year-old narrator is the same age Doyle was in the late 1960s but he has long said there are only scant autobiographical aspects in that book. Charlie Savage has far more of Roddy Doyle in him, especially when contemplating the business of being the parent of adult children. "It's a very strange thing, actually," he says. "My youngest [Kate] is 21. The years went by fast. "Charlie thinks of his childhood a lot and I do too. I think all people reach an age where they start thinking about their childhood. And of course when I think about growing up, I think about my parents." He speaks with great affection about both. "My parents liked modernity," he says. "They didn't rue the old days. Central heating was a great invention as far as they were concerned, as were mobile phones." He stops and breaks into a big smile, his mind transported elsewhere. "My father got a Kindle. He phoned me once. I was walking by Fairview Park and the traffic was loud and I could just about hear him on the other end of the line: 'I've done it! I've done it!' and I was like, 'Oh f***, he's fallen in the bath or something'. What he had thought he had done was to download a book on his Kindle, but instead of buying Jude the Obscure, he had bought the complete works of Thomas Hardy. And, being my father, he read them all." Doyle, unsurprisingly, continues to read voraciously too - despite the long shift he puts in front of his computer. He adores Dickens - "he's one of my great gods and I have a bust of Dickens on my desk" - and he is especially enamoured with one of the great Victorian writer's more obscure works, Little Dorrit. "He was under severe physical pain when writing Great Expectations but when he put down the last full stop, the pain stopped. I wonder is it a myth, though? Seems a bit too neat." He's also a music nut - no surprise to anyone who's read The Commitments - and he always listens to music when he's writing and editing. "For Charlie, I can listen to anything upbeat. And it can be vocals too - I don't find it distracting. But for a novel, it's probably going to be something instrumental and the volume will be turned down a bit." He's been chatting so animatedly that the half-drank Guinness on the table in front of him has gone 'dead'. It's time to go. You sense he wouldn't mind another pint - one he can enjoy without interruption. Well, Jimmy Rabbitte's is just up the road. 'Charlie Savage' by Roddy Doyle will be published by Jonathan Cape on March 14, at 14.99 Tory MP Mark Francois and author Will Self lock eyes for almost 15 seconds after a tense exchange on the BBCs Politics Live (Screenshot/PA) Conservative MP Mark Francois and author Will Self locked themselves in a staring contest on the BBCs Politics Live programme on Friday following a tense exchange over Brexit. Mr Francois, vice-chairman of the Tories vehemently pro-Brexit European Research Group, was outraged after Mr Self suggested most racists and anti-Semites in the UK had voted to leave the European Union. Mark Francois: A slur on 17.4m people...you should apologise on national TV....outrageous thing to say Author @wself You seem to find a lot of things outrageous...What I said was every racist and anti-Semiteprobably voted for Brexit#politicslive https://t.co/pVHd9QGUD9 pic.twitter.com/XA1TXxuWCd BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) March 8, 2019 The author and academic said: Your problem really, Mark, is not that you have to be a racist or an anti-Semite to vote for Brexit, its just that every racist and anti-Semite in the country did. I think thats a slur on 17.4 million people and I think you should apologise on national television, Mr Francois said as Self protested. I think thats an outrageous thing to say. Ah well you seem to find a lot of things outrageous, dont you, replied Self. Are you saying that 17.4 million people are are racists and bigots because they voted to leave the European Union? asked Francois. No, thats not what I said, came the reply. The pair talked over each other as host Jo Coburn tried to introduce the shows other guests, with Francois exclaiming utterly ridiculous and madness. Video of the Day Coburn continued regardless and Self stared, unblinking, for close to 15 seconds at Francois as he drank from a cup. The Conservative MP placed his drink down and retorted youre the bigot, mate. One Twitter user characterised the exchange with an analogy about birds and penguins. He wrote: WS Im not saying that every bird is a penguin. Im just saying that every penguin is a bird. MF How dare you say that every bird is a penguin! WS I didnt say that. MF You need to apologise to every bird for saying they are a penguin. His tweet had been liked by more than 500 people in less than an hour. Another popular response lamented Mr Francoiss comments as the saddest thing about modern life. They wrote: Mark Francois demonstrating the saddest thing about modern life there. Not listening to what the other person is saying, making up what he thinks the other person is saying, getting offended and angry by the thing he made up, looking like a prize idiot as a result. But Conservative MP Michael Fabricant leapt to his colleagues defence, tweeting: No-one can call ME an anti-semite [sic]. I voted for #Brexit. @wself just espousing narrow north London metropolitan elite view. No-one can call ME an anti-semite. I voted for #Brexit. @wself just espousing narrow north London metropolitan elite view. https://t.co/iinrcCtVNF Michael Fabricant (@Mike_Fabricant) March 8, 2019 In January, Mr Francois became embroiled in controversy after accusing the German chief executive of aeroplane manufacturer Airbus of Teutonic arrogance over comments he made about the companys business decisions on Brexit. Mr Francois added: My father, Reginald Francois, was a D Day veteran. He never submitted to bullying by any German and neither will his son. A Tipperary-based animator has rejected a claim that his new animated series, Bootleg Jesus, is 'blasphemous', and says he never intended to cause offence. Kenny Noble launched his ten-episode series about the 'lesser successful son of God' on his Ntoonz YouTube channel two weeks ago. It features the voice of Hardy Bucks star Owen Colgon in the title role and tackles everyday topics from modern men's haircuts to social media in a humorous, if adult, way - expletives are frequent. However, it is not the language which has caused a stir, but the content and title character - the first episode of the series was labelled 'blasphemous' in an article in the Irish Catholic newspaper. Kenny believes the content of his series is "in no way blasphemous". "Its light-hearted comedy outlining general topics, relatable topics," he tells Independent.ie. "Theres one reference to the Bible, a reference to walking on water, in the first episode. And the character is an interpretation - he's not the real deal. "People seem to be getting a bit upset or offended and that was never our intention with this show. Our only intention with this show at the end of the day was to make people laugh. In this day and age people could do with a laugh. Some people are going to get it and some arent going to get it but outrage over the character is a bit unfair." In the wider context of pop culture today, Kenny feels his series is less controversial than other animated shows, and even Father Ted. "If you really want to pick the bones out of it, what have Family Guy and South Park done? Theyve portrayed the actual Jesus in a very, very poor sense. I cant understand why people are outraged by this when there doesnt seem to be any problem with that," he says. "How many Catholics enjoyed Father Ted over the years and that really put the show in a bad light. A lot of people giving out about this show have probably enjoyed Father Ted over the years. Theres a level of hypocrisy there." Video of the Day Kenny, his producer Rosie Hanley and writer and sound engineer Matt O'Sioda have been working on the series since last summer and Kenny applied to Tipperary County Council Arts department for a small grant of 400 to help fund the project, which he was awarded. The Irish Catholic article took issue with the fact that the council had awarded the grant for a series which the newspaper deemed 'potentially offensive'. Tipperary County Council issued the following statement to Independent.ie regarding its funding of the project: "Tipperary County Council awarded in the region of 65,000 in grants to local and visiting artists last year as part of our remit to provide a diverse range of cultural services to all audiences living and visiting the county and to support artists as part of our commitment to economic development and job creation. "The animator was awarded 400 following his application for funding that comprised his CV and a half-page outline proposal. Some of the completed work when released contained material of a sexual nature and a warning that this was the case appeared at the start of the animation." Prior to the Irish Catholic article, Kenny admits that due to the adult nature of the series he had trouble promoting it in local and national media. "The article has helped it inadvertently," he said. "I'd like to thank the Irish Catholic because they have resurrected the show out of nowhere. It has garnered us a lot of publicity, especially locally. But it wasn't meant to go that way." The first two episodes of Bootleg Jesus are available on the NToonz YouTube channel with a new episode added at 8pm every Monday night. "Episode two is about our PC world, which is an appropriate one, outlining how on social media people are offended by the least little thing these days," says Kenny. 'We can't save the world by playing by the rules because the rules have to change. Everything needs to change. And it has to start today." Those were the words of 16-year-old Greta Thunberg in her speech at TEDxStockholm last November. Several months earlier, as the country prepared for elections, she decided to strike outside the Swedish Parliament building to call on the government to take a radical response to climate change. Her actions attracted worldwide attention and have since inspired students across the globe to raise their own voices. Since the election, Greta has taken part in school strikes every Friday. She also addressed the United Nations Climate Change Conference last year, and in January 2019 she was invited to talk to the World Economic Forum at Davos. Time magazine named her as one of the world's most influential teenagers in 2018. Greta's activism has inspired the Fridays for Future movement, which sees students skip school each Friday in protest against government inaction towards climate change. Underlying the movement are some striking questions, as stated on their official website. "Why study for a future, which may not be there?" "Why spend a lot of effort to become educated, when our governments are not listening to the educated?" While the movement is predominantly student-led, many adults including parents, grandparents and teachers have also taken part. This wave of youth activism is gathering momentum. On Friday, a worldwide protest will see students from at least 57 countries strike from school to demand action from their respective governments. On the Fridays for Future website, 490 events around the world have already been registered. Thousands of Irish students are expected to take part, with events already registered for Dublin, Cork, Kerry, Limerick and Kildare. Many schools and parents are backing the action. Over 60 schools nationwide have signed up to participate on March 15. The rapid spread of Greta's message has been aided by the use of social media. Indeed, young people are mobilising their peers through mediums such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. The trending hashtags #FridaysForFuture and #Climatestrike have connected activists of all ages around the globe. The internet is also providing young people with access to scientific resources on climate change, allowing them to educate themselves on a topic which many say is not often mentioned in the classroom. "I think that if a few children can make headlines across the world just by not going to school for a few weeks, imagine what we could do together if we wanted to?" said Greta in her Stockholm talk. With more and more young people joining the movement each week, only time will tell what they can achieve. It was a week in which the jury sat for just two days - but during which it learned the earthy, practical, background information on the day-to-day running of a farm. It learned of the everyday chores - milking and feeding cattle, of how slurry is mixed and spread on the land. They even learned of the method used to artificially inseminate cows to ensure a good replacement crop for next year. For a jury in a court complex in the capital city, it was, no doubt, illuminating stuff. Artificial insemination (AI) technician Breda O'Dwyer told the court she knew Patrick Quirke independently. "We're around the same age and he went to school with my sister,' she explained. She had been doing AI work for him for around 15 years, she said. There was a moment of amusement in court as prosecution counsellor Michael Bowman SC asked her to outline, in general terms, what she would ordinarily do for any farmer, adding hastily: "In general terms. In anatomical terms, I think we can figure that out." Ms O'Dwyer explained that during 'AI season' she would drive around to farms with frozen bull semen, which would be pre-ordered by farmers from companies or even as far afield as New Zealand, and which would be held in a straw "maybe the size of a knitting needle", she said. "All the farmers are into big breeding - it's all about the best milk you get more money from the highest yielding cows," she said. The companies would put the straws in her tank and when AI season starts, around April 20, she would choose her route and after dropping her children to school, would drive around to the farms. She later explained that she did not wish to go "zig-zagging around the country, wasting diesel. This is all about making money" and so would have her route worked out. Most farmers would do AI for six to eight weeks and the majority would have around 100 cows, expecting to get 20 to 25 replacement heifers the following year, she said. When doing her rounds, Mr Quirke would normally be "first or second" on her list, she told the court. Mr Quirke (50) has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Bobby Ryan (52), a DJ known as 'Mr Moonlight', on a date between June 3, 2011, and April 2013. Asked by the prosecution if Mr Quirke would usually be there when she called to his farm at Breanshamore, Co Tipperary, in the mornings, Ms O'Dwyer replied: "Normally not. He'd have cleaned up and gone. The dairy would be washed out, the whole place would be spotless." Asked if she had any specific recollection about June 3, 2011 - the day Mr Ryan went missing - she said Mr Quirke was still in the pit in the milking parlour when she arrived and she assumed he was still milking cows. She said she had no idea what time she arrived but said "it would have been 9.30am anyway". Asked if they had ever discussed that particular morning, she said they had. "He said Sean Dillon was there and I said I didn't see him," she said, adding: "He asked did I not remember Sean Dillon was there milking with him - I said I didn't see him." Sean Dillon told the court he had worked on Mr Quirke's farm for many years, starting at the age of seven or eight. His father was a first cousin of Imelda Quirke, Patrick's wife, he explained. He was 14-years-old in June 2011 and could not remember if it was June 3 when he was at Mr Quirke's farm but he knew it was the day after his school holidays began. He remembered moving bales for Mr Quirke and it was possible he had helped with milking. Asked if the AI woman was there, he said he could not recall. And when asked if he had known about the tank before the body was found, he said: "Not really, I knew it was there because the leg of the calf got stuck in the tank. I wasn't sure it was a tank but I knew there was concrete there." Farm workers Gary Cunningham and Emmett Kenny told the trial they had each worked on Mr Quirke's farm and were involved in the day-to-day running of it, feeding and milking cattle. Mr Cunningham was asked if he was working on the day the body was recovered, on April 30, 2013. He said that he was not, as he had got a kick from a cow the Friday before and was out for about two or three days. Asked if the run-off tank in which the body was recovered had ever been mentioned to him by Mr Quirke, Mr Cunningham said no. He also said he had not been asked by Mr Quirke to fence around that tank. David Humphries BL, for the prosecution, asked if he recalled any conversation touching on the matter of Mr Ryan in the few days after the body discovered. Mr Cunningham replied that Mr Quirke had asked him if he had heard any rumours about what had happened, before telling him he had heard there was a rumour a "Polish group" had been involved. Mr Kenny told Mr Humphries he started working on Mr Quirke's farm in 2009 and continued to work there annually during calving season. He was asked if he had ever been requested to fence around a tank after a heifer had damaged her hind leg in it. He said he knew it had been damaged in the septic tank because Mr Quirke told him after he had been asked to erect fencing around it one of the first years he was there. Asked if he was aware of a different tank at the back of the farm, Mr Kenny agreed that he was. Under cross-examination, he agreed it was "quite possible" the heifer had been injured at the run-off tank. Pensioner Paddy Lyons (90) was murdered for the sake of a few hundred euro, by a killer who preyed on the elderly and vulnerable. Ross Outram was known to gardai as an associate of criminals who targeted the vulnerable and either stole or conned them out of their money. Outram has been jailed for life after a jury found him guilty of murdering retired farmer Mr Lyons, who was found beaten to death in his own home. The murder happened at a time when the country was being hit by a wave of rural crime, with public uproar over the number of thefts and robberies, particularly householders located in isolated areas. Yesterday, the jury of eight men and four women rejected the 28-year-old's claim that he repeatedly struck Mr Lyons in "self-defence" after the pensioner - who suffered from osteoporosis and only had the use of one arm - "attacked" him with a stick. Outram operated mainly with an older criminal and his activities were confined largely to Waterford, particularly the west of the county and the Clonmel area. The court heard that Outram has 25 previous convictions which include burglary, theft, possession of stolen property and assault causing harm. Outram told gardai in an interview that he "knew that man [Paddy Lyons] a long time. My grandmother used to look after him". Mr Lyons lived alone in fairly sparse conditions in a house at the end of a boreen at Loughleagh, Ballysaggart, Lismore, Co Waterford. He kept an open house policy and welcomed visitors, bringing them into his house for a chat. He was also a customer of salesmen and women offering their second-hand clothes and goods. It was a couple selling their wares who found Mr Lyons's body at around 4pm on February 25, 2017, and they raised the alarm. Gardai believe Outram had gone there to rob Mr Lyons and thought the disabled pensioner might have a large sum hidden in the house. They believe Outram managed to locate a couple of hundred euro but carried out his savage assault when he could not find any more cash. Outram admitted to gardai he had struck Mr Lyons with his walking stick but that his victim was still alive when he left the house. Medical evidence was given at the trial that Mr Lyons suffered from a stiffness or fusion of a shoulder during childbirth, resulting in a frozen arm, which he could not use properly. Despite his disability, he was subjected to a brutal attack, sustaining multiple blows to his head and neck from a blunt weapon. His blood-smeared body was then left slumped in his armchair while Outram fled the scene in a car, which he had damaged after driving through the gates to gain entry. It was the State's case that Outram had carried out "a vicious and sustained attack on a defenceless old man" with a non-functioning arm and the defendant's claim of self-defence did "not bear thinking about". Outram, of Ferryland, Waterford Road, Clonmel, Co Tipperary, had pleaded not guilty to murdering Mr Lyons at his home at a time unknown between February 23 and 26, 2017. Before sentencing yesterday, a victim impact statement was read to the Central Criminal Court by the prosecution on behalf of Mr Lyons's home help in Lismore, Mary Fennessy. Ms Fennessy said she knew Mr Lyons for over 20 years and "if anyone deserved a place in heaven it's Paddy". "He was happy with simple things, had a great love for life and loved meeting people. He was a well-known, well-respected man of our community and he is greatly missed," she said. Ms Fennessy explained that Mr Lyons was the oldest man in their village and he was a "very friendly and trusting man". "He didn't drive a car but everyone in the village knew him and would give him a lift in and out of Lismore. Everyone liked him," she said. "He liked a simple life and loved sitting by the fire and listening to the radio. He loved having visitors and reminiscing about times long ago. He was a very religious man and never missed Mass no matter how bad the weather was. "One of the days when I saw Paddy at his happiest was when the priest said Mass in Paddy's home, what we call 'stations'. He was king of the castle that day. Paddy said 'twas a great day altogether' and he talked about it for months afterwards." The jury took three hours and 29 minutes to come to their unanimous guilty verdict. Mr Justice Paul Coffey thanked the jury for the conscientious manner in which they had dealt with this long and difficult case. "The care you have given to the case has been exemplary," he said before exempting them from jury service for a period of 15 years. Defence counsel Michael O'Higgins SC told the court that his client wanted to apologise for having killed Mr Lyons and he was remorseful for his actions. Mr Justice Coffey then sentenced Outram to the mandatory term of life imprisonment for murder. The sentence was backdated to when he went into custody on February 27, 2017. Addressing Outram, Mr Justice Coffey said his conduct was "a truly shocking and outrageous fatal attack on a defenceless 90-year-old man in his own home". The Law Society is facing questions over its handling of a complaint against a solicitor who overcharged a former client by 650,000. An inspection of the solicitor's firm by the society's investigating accountants in December 2011 did not uncover evidence of any wrongdoing. However, Taxing Master Declan O'Neill, who decides on disputes over legal bills, subsequently found "blatant and obvious overcharges" by solicitor Joe Buckley and significantly reduced his bills. These included a conveyance where a bill was cut by 270,000 and another matter where a bill was reduced from 60,000 to 6,000. Although the Taxing Master's decision was upheld by the High Court last year, it appears the Law Society has not progressed a complaint against the solicitor by farmer and publican Denis Doyle. Mr Buckley, of J Buckley and Company Solicitors, in Bray, Co Wicklow, denies overcharging and is appealing the High Court ruling. Correspondence seen by the Irish Independent raised a number of questions over how the matter has been handled by the society, which represents and regulates solicitors. In a letter, lawyers for Mr Doyle told the society their client was "at a loss to understand" how the matter had not been referred to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal. They said Mr Doyle believed the society had not given the complaint the full attention it deserved because Mr Buckley was a member of its complaints and client relations committee from 2008 to 2010. Mr Doyle's lawyers also said the society had not provided "any plausible or logical explanation" as to how the inspection of Mr Buckley's files did not result in the same findings as those later made by the Taxing Master. It was also alleged straightforward questions were "either ignored" by the society or "dealt with by saying the matter is sub judice". The Law Society has declined to comment, but the Irish Independent has established it has a practice of deferring to the courts in situations where issues raised in a complaint are also the subject of ongoing litigation. Mr Doyle, who is based in Delgany, Co Wicklow, first complained about Mr Buckley in December 2011. The solicitor had represented him and his siblings in a number of matters over the course of a decade. One of these related to a land sale which fell through. Following legal proceedings, Mr Doyle was able to retain 565,000 out of a deposit paid for the land. This money was paid into his client account, controlled by Mr Buckley. But Mr Doyle says he could not get any satisfactory assurance it was being properly held on his behalf and issued High Court proceedings. Mr Buckley later outlined in an affidavit that just 45,146 remained in the account. Mr Buckley said the rest went on fees he claimed were due to him, outlays and VAT. Mr Doyle alleges the fees were deducted without his consent and submitted a claim to the Law Society's compensation fund in January 2012. Mr Doyle subsequently learned from an affidavit filed by Mr Buckley that the solicitor's office had been inspected by the society. The affidavit said a report on the inspection did not contain any criticism of the manner in which any transactions, including those handled on behalf of Mr Doyle, were carried out by the firm. Mr Doyle's solicitors sought confirmation of this from the Law Society in October 2012. But it appears they got no response until September 2013 - and this did not address the question asked. The query was eventually answered in March 2014, some 17 months after first being made. A senior investigating accountant confirmed there was an inspection after Mr Doyle made his complaint. But he said the solicitor provided substantive responses to the issues raised. The investigating accountant said the matter was considered by the society's regulation of practice committee, but adjourned without any conclusions being reached pending the outcome of the High Court action. Mr Doyle's solicitors protested they did not believe the Law Society could delegate its disciplinary function to the outcome of civil proceedings. The High Court directed a number of files be examined by the Taxing Master, who concluded Mr Doyle had been overcharged. The society was informed of the decision in February 2016 and of an incident where Mr Buckley verbally attacked Mr Doyle in the Taxing Master's Court. Mr Buckley initially denied this, but apologised after the Taxing Master listened to a recording of proceedings. According to correspondence, a solicitor for the Law Society did not consider it should intervene over the verbal attack as the Taxing Master had dealt with it. The solicitor also said she was proceeding to close the file, but it was kept open following objections from Mr Doyle's solicitors. Another Law Society representative told Mr Doyle's lawyers in July 2017 that the compensation fund and conduct issues could not be taken up until matters had concluded in the courts. By that stage Mr Buckley had appealed the Taxing Master's findings to the High Court. A ruling upholding those findings was made last December, but is now being appealed further to the Court of Appeal. In the meantime, Mr Doyle has amassed substantial legal bills in pursuit of the money he believes he is owed and further court battles await him. Proceedings over the 565,000 client account money are on hold pending the latest appeal of the Taxing Master's findings. The Law Society declined to comment on Mr Doyle's criticisms. It also declined to answer a list of questions, submitted by the Irish Independent, about investigative procedures and practices. "We are legally restricted from providing any of the detail you seek, particularly because the matter remains sub judice," it said. Lisa Smith used to "hate" Muslims and admits: "I'd see them and think: bombers." But in recent days, she was filmed by ITV having fled the Baghuz region of Syria, insisting that Islamic State's (Isil) struggle was not over yet. Lisa was a self-confessed party girl who had tried cannabis and ecstasy as a youngster. She joined the Defence Forces shortly after school, at the age of 19. She worked as a soldier for five years before joining the Air Corps, and ultimately ended up working for several years on the Government jet. But while she came from a traditional Catholic background in Dundalk, she was craving something different. In an interview with journalist Margaret Carragher, published in the Irish Independent eight years ago, she outlined her reasons for converting to Islam and her hopes of leaving her career behind, and finding a husband in the Muslim faith. At the time, she had chosen only to wear the Islamic headscarf, the khimaar, but was planning to wear the hijab and niqab in due course. "I didn't have much grounding in the Catholic faith. I was looking for answers - why we were here, what was our purpose in life. I just knew we couldn't be on this Earth for no reason," she said at the time. "I went through the whole spirituality phase, Buddhism and stuff, and nothing was registering. Fairies, angels, reiki, the works - and then I was thinking that there was no god, just a god consciousness. "The pressure of life got to me. There was so much pressure to look good and there were no morals, nothing solid. I was all airy-fairy on the outside, but inside I knew there was something wrong." She met several women in the Muslim community through friends in Dundalk and Facebook. "They seemed so peaceful and content and they never worried about stuff. So I asked one of them for the loan of their 'Koran'. I read it and knew straight away it was for me." She studied the 'Koran' "nearly 24 hours a day" for several months, and formally converted in April 2011. She acknowledged at the time that her mother believed that her daughter's conversion was "just a phase - although she says it's my choice and that she'll support me even though she doesn't understand why I have to wear a scarf and give up my work". Lisa elaborated on her plans to change her career, or give it up entirely, "because my role as a Muslim woman is to be a housewife, or to get a job working with other women. Working with men is not a good thing for a Muslim woman". At the time she was hoping to find a "suitable husband", and was already talking about resigning when her contract expired. It is now known that within a matter of months, she had travelled to Syria. Certainly by 2015 she is believed to have been in Syria, and is understood to have married a man there. She is understood to have had connections with Isil, but was thought to be a sympathiser rather than a fighter. Officers from military intelligence and the Garda security and intelligence section have been tracking her movements for the past 18 months - although they were not certain until recently about her exact whereabouts. A relative last night denied she was involved with Isil, saying they would have known if that was the case. They said they were trying to bring her home from Syria and that she had been in "some campsite" there. Lisa's story took another twist earlier this week when a woman wearing a hijab and niqab, purporting to be British but with an Irish accent, was interviewed in Syria by ITV News. A relative last night confirmed to the Irish Independent that they recognised the young Irishwoman from this video. "The people don't have food. They're struggling, everything is expensive, so I don't know how they're going to keep living," Smith tells the reporter. "Morale is low, I suppose. Some are strong, it's like any roller coaster of people. Some want to leave, some don't. Some are hungry, some are not hungry. Some are tired, not tired." She says her husband, who is British, died two months ago. She claims she came to Syria alone and met him there. Then, she's asked whether Isil was now over. "Not over yet. Not over yet," she replies. Lisa told the Irish Independent back in 2011 that "if practised properly, Islam as a religion is brilliant; it sorts out all of mankind's problems". But she confessed to sometimes missing her old life. "I think every now and then that I'd just like to be out for the night drinking and clubbing and going a bit mad like I used to. But of course I'd never do it," she added. Participants brave yesterdays cold weather for an International Womens Day swim for Womens Aid at the 40 Foot in Dublin New research will look at gender differences in how cancer patients respond to immunotherapy in terms of the treatment and side effects. New research will look at gender differences in how cancer patients respond to immunotherapy in terms of the treatment and side effects. Consultant medical oncologist Professor John Crown revealed details of the new research project on International Women's Day yesterday, when he was one of seven Irish researchers who met with Higher Education Minister Mary Mitchell O'Connor at an event in the RDS in Dublin. The researchers were recently awarded 1.7m in funding as part of the GENDER-NET Plus programme, a European Union initiative to promote gender equality through research. Speaking to the Irish Independent, Prof Crown said: "We are trying to predict who will benefit from immune therapies." He said researchers are also trying to predict who will get the side effects of these therapies, because they can be quite formidable. St Vincent's University Hospital, along with centres in Milan, Oslo and Sweden, will be involved in the ground-breaking research, which will be starting soon. Prof Crown said that total funding of 200,000 has been awarded for the Irish arm of the project over three years. He said he would hope the number of patients being recruited into the project will be in the range of "perhaps 30 to 40 patients a year". These will be "people with the types of cancer where immunotherapy is of relevance". Meanwhile, President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina invited 150 women researchers to Aras an Uachtarain yesterday in celebration of the value of science and the work of female scientists. Elsewhere, a new campaign, 'Inspiring Women', that is seeking 1,000 professional women to speak with school students about succeeding in their career, was launched at The Foundry building at Google. Under the plan, professionals will give one hour of their time to speak to students at primary and secondary level about their career to date. It's part of the Inspiring the Future Ireland (ITFI) initiative run by South Dublin County Partnership. Separately, speaking as probationer gardai graduated from the training college in Templemore yesterday, Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan said 12 pioneering women, of a total of 400 recruits, entered the Garda in 1959. "It could not have been easy for women to enter such a male bastion, but those pioneers opened the door for others to follow," he said. Honoured: Ruth Clarke with her twin grandchildren Sean and Emma (4) who saved her life. Photo: Michael Mac Sweeney/Provision Heroic four-year-old twins were honoured with special bravery medals after their quick thinking helped save their beloved granny's life. Ruth Clarke said she owes her life to her grandchildren Sean O Suilleabhain and Emma Nic Suilleabhain (4) after they raised the alarm and ensured she received prompt medical attention. "It was unbelievable what they did - they saved their grandmother's life," she said. The twins' proud mother, May O Suilleabhain, said she couldn't believe how courageously the two children responded to the emergency. "We thought the absolute worst - we thought that nanny had passed away," she said. "Sean was on the phone to me. He was screaming that he could not wake nanny up. But it was unbelievable how they reacted. We are so, so proud of them." The twins received the bravery medals at the Naionra (play school) of Gaelscoil Mhichil Ui Choileain in Clonakilty, Co Cork, where they are pupils. The twins were being looked after in their own house by their grandmother while their parents, May and Brian O Suilleabhain, were in Kerry. Both twins were shocked when their grandmother fell unconscious early the next morning and did not respond to their attempts to wake her up. Sean found his granny's phone, searched through her contacts and rang his mother and his grandfather. His mother immediately raised the alarm while his grandfather raced to the house. Paramedics were on the scene within minutes - and their prompt intervention ensured Ruth, who had suffered a suspected seizure, could be saved. She was rushed by ambulance to hospital and, thanks to the rapid attention she received, has since made a good recovery. Grandfather Stephen Clake said the twins' swift actions were truly remarkable. "I got a phone call from Sean at 6am. Ruth was babysitting at the house because Brian and May were at a concert in Tralee," he said. "They said they couldn't wake nanny. I rushed over to the house and found my wife unconscious on the bed. "When I arrived to the house I couldn't get in because the door was locked. I said to Sean to open the door and, when he couldn't reach the latch, he got his tricycle, pulled it to the front door, climbed up on it and managed to open the door. He is only four but he is a very, very bright child." The twins' father Brian said he was very proud of both Sean and Emma. "Sean plays games on the phone and his nanny was teaching him [how to use a phone]," he said. "So he was well used to using the handset." Hundreds marched in Dublin city centre on Saturday to highlight the country's housing crisis as the number of homeless people in Ireland soars above 10,000. The demonstration, which originated from three different locations saw participants march from the GPO, the Housing Agency on Mount Street and Dublin City Hall to Samuel Beckett Bridge. Its purpose was to call the Government to action as the official number of homeless in Ireland breaks the 10,000 mark and over 80,000 people sit on waiting lists for social housing. A banner held at the bridge called on the Irish public to take part in a much larger demonstration in Dublin on May 12. Anthony Flynn, CEO of Inner City Helping Homeless (ICHH) said that the Government are failing the most vulnerable of its residents; those forced to live on the streets. "The dogs on the street are fully aware of the fact that the government are not providing enough affordable or social homes," he said. "We are seeing numbers of child homelessness go up month-on-month; were not seeing any reduction in numbers. What we are seeing is a constant air of denial and spin from the government in terms of actually tackling this crisis." Mr Flynn said that the Irish governments method of dealing with the problem is "totally unacceptable". He suggested that a rent cap similar to that of Berlin, which prohibits landlords from increasing rent by more than 10pc of the areas average, should be implemented. "Over 450m is going to be paid in 2019 to private landlords in order to subsidise housing assistance payment and that is just totally unacceptable," he said. "That money should be put into affordable housing. The 80,000 people that are sitting on housing waiting lists and transfer lists and there doesnt seem to be any light at the end of the tunnel. "The government are talking about acquisition and build programmes but unfortunately what we have is a voluntary housing body sector that is in 1.9bn worth of debt. We have a serious, serious problem and an over reliance on the private sector in order to solve that problem." The march today will be followed by another in Cork on Monday night and next weekend in Galway which will seek to raise awareness for the major demonstration that will take place on May 12. Mr Flynn said that he is confident that the public will stay behind the movement. "There is a big issue with regard to the fact that there is no rent control, we have a lack of social and affordable houses built right across the city at the moment," he said. "We have a number of minority groups who cant get access to housing, costs of rental properties is soaring we have issues in regard to the fact that the housing assistance payment is basically propping up the private rental sector at the moment and driving up the cost of rent. "We have ample amounts of rough sleepers on the street. We have children and families who are being referred to Garda stations. Our Government are just not stepping up to the mark when it comes to actually tackling this crisis." A Spanish-born teenager found dead at a flat in Northern Ireland was strangled, police have said. Allison Marimon-Herrera (15) was one of three people discovered dead this week at a flat in Newry, Co Down, in a murder-suicide which investigators described as unspeakably tragic. Detectives said there was a "strong possibility" her mother Giselle Marimon-Herrera (37), from Colombia, was also throttled. Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy said: "I can confirm that her 15-year-old daughter Allison was strangled." Police said a 38-year-old man, Giselle Marimon-Herrera's partner, who also lived at the address, died by hanging. Officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) have launched a murder investigation and are not looking for anybody else. Police received post-mortem examination results yesterday. Officers went to the flat in Glin Ree Court close to the city centre after a relative reported concerns that they had not been in contact with a family member for days. The bodies were discovered at about 11am on Thursday after police forced entry. Supt Murphy added: "This is an unspeakable tragedy." Ms Marimon-Herrera is originally from Colombia and moved to Northern Ireland four years ago. She worked in the Newry area. Her daughter Allison was born in Spain and has lived in Northern Ireland since 2017. She attended Newry High School. Supt Murphy said he believes that Giselle and Allison were still alive in the early hours of Sunday morning but family members had not been able to contact them since. Meanwhile, Giselle's devastated father said he is willing to sell his taxi so he can travel to Ireland to "say goodbye" to his daughter and granddaughter. Parents Fabian Marimon and Elizabeth Herrera last saw their daughter alive when she visited her home city of Barranquilla, Colombia, seven years ago. Giselle's sister Yadeli said that all the family want now is to be with her. Supt Murphy hopes that anyone who was in direct contact with the victims or who exchanged messages with them on social media might be able to shed light on how they spent their final moments. "The exact circumstances of what happened in their home remains the subject of our investigation," he said. DS Murphy refused to speculate on the circumstances surrounding the deaths but said investigators do not believe anyone else was involved - police are awaiting the results of all the post-mortem examinations. "I would expect the results to be available to us in the coming days," DS Murphy added. Ms Smith gives an interview to ITV in Syria this week. Picture: Independent.ie Videograb captured by an ITV cameraman of a woman believed to be Lisa Smith giving water to a young child in a camp in Syria A former member of the Defence Forces, who served Taoisigh on the Government jet, has been captured in Syria on suspicion of supporting Isil. Lisa Smith (37), from Dundalk, Co Louth, left Ireland for the war-torn region in 2015 and married an Isil sympathiser who later died. She was detained along with her two-year-old boy by US forces in northern Syria in recent days. Ms Smith spent a decade in the Defence Forces, serving as a soldier in the Army for five years before joining the Air Corps. Expand Close Lisa Smith pictured living in Dundalk in 2011. Photo: Tom Conachy/Independent.ie / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Lisa Smith pictured living in Dundalk in 2011. Photo: Tom Conachy/Independent.ie She worked as a flight attendant on the Government jet during Bertie Aherns time as Taoiseach. Ms Smith spoke to the Irish Independent about converting to Islam in 2011, revealing she was previously a party girl who did it all the drink, drugs, smoking, everything. Expand Close Ms Smith gives an interview to ITV in Syria this week. Picture: Independent.ie / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Ms Smith gives an interview to ITV in Syria this week. Picture: Independent.ie She was last in touch with her family in February, seeking money to get into Turkey. They contacted the Government for support to bring her home from Syria, where she is being held in a campsite. Speaking to this newspaper from the family home in Dundalk last night, a relative said: I just want to get her home. The family have also denied she was involved with Isil. Ms Smith is now likely to be the subject of negotiations between Irish and US governments about what will happen to her from here. Irish diplomats are expected to travel to Syria in the coming days with the aim of speaking directly with Smith. Expand Close Innocent: Lisa Smith making her First Communion. Picture: Independent.ie / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Innocent: Lisa Smith making her First Communion. Picture: Independent.ie Sources indicated that it is likely she will be allowed to return to this country - but she may face prosecution if authorities find any evidence that she actively helped Isil in their war. It is understood the name on her passport is Lisa Marie Smith but she has posted on social media under different aliases. She travelled to Syria on her own where she met and married a British man. He is believed to have died around two months ago. Earlier this week ITV posted a video interview online in which she claimed to British and said Isil's fight is "not over yet". "You come, you see the propaganda, you want Islam, you want to come and live in Muslim country and environment. "No music, no smoking, no fighting, no drinking, no prostitution... you want a clean life like this, that is what you want, but sometimes it is not like this," she said. Read More Relatives of Ms Smith told the Irish Independent that they had been contacted by gardai last week about the ITV recording. "They wanted to confirm that was her and we knew by the voice it was her," they said. One relative, who asked not to be identified, revealed that the family contacted the Taoiseach's office in recent weeks about Ms Smith's plight. "It was actually his receptionist that put me on to Foreign Affairs. She said she needs an email address, I said she doesn't have one. She needed a phone number, I said she doesn't have one. "And I said all I know is she's in a camp. And they said we need to get a bit more information in order for us to help her. But I can't be sure. At that stage I had no contact with [her]," the relative said. The Irish Independent has established that Smith joined the Defence Forces in 2001 and served in a variety of roles over the course of a decade. She was in the 27th Battalion. During her career she spent two years working with the Air Corps initially as a flight attendant. Her work brought in close contact with Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and a host of other government ministers. She then joined an army transport unit as a private. The former Catholic is known to have travelled to Syria in 2015 and where it is suspected she was sympathetic to Isil fighters. Officers from military intelligence and the Garda security and intelligence section have been tracking her movements for the past 18 months but were not certain until recently about her exact whereabouts. Read More It comes just a fortnight after Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said Ireland would take back extremists or sympathisers who have travelled to war-torn regions. He said this country shouldn't expect our citizens "to be somebody else's problem". The Taoiseach said he would be "very loath to revoke anyone's citizenship provided they are a citizen by right or acquired their citizenship appropriately". "I think it's bad practice to revoke somebody's citizenship and render them stateless and leave them to be somebody's else's problem," he said. A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs said they are aware of reports of an Irish citizen detained in Northern Syria. "Appropriate consular assistance is provided to all Irish citizens where it is possible to do so, however we do not comment on individual cases," he said. In a 2011 interview with the Irish Independent, she described previously hating Muslim: "I'd see them and think: bombers." However, she got to know some Muslim girls in Dundalk and then through Facebook. "They seemed so peaceful and content and they never worried about stuff. So I asked one of them for the loan of their Koran. "I read it and knew straight away it was for me." At the time she said the Defence Forces were "great support" when she decided to convert but she planned to leave "because my role as a Muslim woman is to be a housewife, or to get a job working with other women". Gardai and the Defence Forces estimate that a half dozen Irish passport holders are still operating with Isil in Syria. They reckon that many of the 30 suspects, who left here to join foreign fighters in Syria and Iraq, are now dead. At the end of December last, Alexandr Ruzmatovich Bekmirzaev, who held an Irish passport and lived here for 13 years up to 2013, was captured by Kurdish fighters in an operation against Isil in Syria. He was regarded by intelligence officers here as a key member of a back-up logistics support cell for Isil in Dublin and described as a "serious player" despite his claims last month that he was not involved in the fighting. I had tears in my eyes looking at them. They were shopping with their mother and father. We gave them all the appraisals and they twirled around, and they skipped out of the Family Resource Centre happy. Louise Smyth, a family support worker at Ballymun Child and Family Resource Centre, is working at the centre's first ever communion pop-up shop where children can get their dress or suit for free, or for a donation. Over the past few weeks, staff and volunteers have been busy taking in communion clothes - some new, some pre-loved merchandising them, and helping children pick their favourite dress or suit on the shop floor. At a time when the average Irish family spends 845 on their childs communion day, the team behind the project were keen to mitigate the expense of the outfits for struggling families. Already, some 20 children have already skipped out of the Ballymun shop, proudly holding their new outfit in their hand. We knew there was a need," explained Louise. "Weve noticed that since Christmas and last year, it doesnt matter if its a one working parent family or a two working family, people are struggling big time, and communion is the biggest expense. People will go out and get themselves into debt with loans. One little boy, he was beaut, he felt he was a million dollars in his suit. All the mothers cannot thank us enough. Theyre literally hugging us, theres a really good feeling about it. Its not just our community thats coming to the shop, we had someone with three kids who travelled from town to get here. We really want to try and reach as many more people as we can. The shop will reopen again on March 20 and March 23. Dublin menswear shop Collar and Cuff have donated nearly 40 pairs of brand new shoes; while a local seamstress has offered up her services to alter the donated goods; and a local dry cleaners is also offering its services. While families have been donating clothes, shoes, rosary beads and prayer books. Its an amazing feeling [to be helping], explains Louise. I have kids myself, and I think back to 25 years ago when I was handed a second-hand dress for my daughters Communion Day, I thought this is amazing. Even today we got a designer suit in, youre talking the best names. Instead of putting the suit and dress in wardrobe for a few years, were saying to people, why not donate it. She added: Even though its a free service, theres a donation box outside, and we say to people noone knows what youre putting in. We did get donations from parents already, and that money is going towards the courses at our centre. A Parian ware model of "two ballet dancers after Degas" sold at Adam's for 9,500 in November 2006. It was a superb piece, 60cm high, full of movement and delicately modelled in the uncoloured Parian china associated with Ireland's Belleek. The piece was designed by Cyril Arnold, manager of Belleek Pottery Company, but never went into production. The design was considered too intricate even for Belleek. The Arnold family had its own mini-dynasty in County Fermanagh. They came to Ireland in 1933, when Harry Arnold, who had previously worked for Copeland Spode, became general manager of Belleek. His son, Eric Arnold, became pottery manager in 1940. Eric's brother Cyril also worked for Belleek and went on to become general manager and production manager of the factory. "My interest in the family started when I realised that they produced three CEOs of Belleek" says Matt McNulty, former chairman of Design Ireland. Cyril, in particular, was a very talented designer and his ideas were hugely influential on Belleek. Parian china is generally white, and resembles marble, but Cyril introduced some pieces in pastel colours. The Belleek 1949 catalogue boasted that: "A number of our clients may prefer Belleek China without the painting, as of old, but the remarkable increased demand for the new designs proves that they are irresistible to many." On his retirement from Belleek in the 1970s, Cyril Arnold started his own pottery in the popular holiday resort of Bundoran. "The vast majority of the stuff that he made would have been for the holiday-makers, but he also made more serious artwork," McNulty says. Rare, and potentially of interest to collectors, Bundoran Pottery the kind of thing that might lurk undetected at the back of the china cabinet. Pieces are marked on the base as "Bundoran China" or sometimes "Donegal China". Bundoran China was one of several offshoots from Belleek. "A lot of good came out of these factories," McNulty says. "Almost everyone in the locality would have worked there at some stage, even if it was just a holiday job." Belleek created a lot of skill and many of its former employees found work in the smaller potteries that sprouted up on the other side of the Border. Among them was Donegal Parian China, made with Irish rose and trailing shamrock designs in Ballyshannon, County Donegal, from the mid-1980s until 2005, when it was taken over by Belleek. Celtic Weave China also had a factory in Ballyshannon between 1985 and 2018. "When Sybil Connolly was asked to design an Easter Egg for Tiffany & Co, she came to Donegal looking for someone who had the skill to make it," says McNulty. He introduced her to Tom Daly of Celtic Weave China, who went on to make Connolly's Tiffany Weave range in bone china. The egg-shaped trinket boxes can sell for up to 120. They can be identified by the mark on the base: "Designed by Sybil Connolly for Tiffany & Co. Made in Ireland. CWC." Other pieces from Donegal Parian China are still very accessible price-wise and will probably become more collectible in time. Cyril Arnold's Bundoran China was more adventurous and modern. Adam's At Home sale, which took place on February 24, included ten lots from the Cyril Arnold Studio, where McNulty, a native of South Donegal, purchased them from Mrs Arnold after her husband's death. The pieces sold within their modest estimates, indicating that collectors are interested but that, at the moment, it's a buyer's market. Some of the pieces were clearly experimental. An interesting Belleek-meets-Bauhaus flavour to a plain white "Donegal China" modernist vase, 17cm high, showed a "circular tapering baluster form, the body applied with variously shaped panels with textured surfaces." (Lot 282: est. 200 to 300; sold for 280) Another modernist vase had a flowing rim and a wavy band of white against a black body. It was offered with a green and yellow octagonal vase, painted with a motif of leaves coming from a central stem that look like a precursor to Orla Kiely's signature pattern. (Lot 277: est. 200 to 300; sold for 200). Other pieces were less obviously modernist. A trio of Bundoran China plates (Lot 279: est. 200 to 300; sold for 300) included two hand-painted with stylised starfish on yellow ground. Adam's auction also included a pair of Bundoran China figurines (pictured). These tall elegant ladies in long dresses and wide-brimmed hats (Lot 375: 70 to 100; sold for 100). "From talking to his wife, I understand that he was trying to create a series of wedding figurines," says McNulty. At its best, Arnold's work is exquisite (if not particularly fashionable). McNulty's favourite piece is a small group of three winged figures, reading a book beneath a blossomed branch. It's entitled "Fairy Tales - modelled and hand painted by Cyril Arnold, Bundoran China Ireland" and McNulty feels that it may have been inspired by illustrations by George Russell (AE). Arnold's fairy groups have come up at auction but rarely and not that recently. "It's not the kind of thing that you'd want to sell," he says. See adams.ie It's the first day in March and exactly one year since heavy snowfall buried the country beneath a heavy white blanket. Today's view is a stark contrast. Sun beats down on those basking in St Stephen's Green park, many of whom are sporting T-shirts in the unseasonably mild weather. I sit flicking through a book called The Children's Fire written by author and environmentalist Mac Macartney, who recently visited Ireland to talk on sustainable leadership and reclaiming the future for the generations to come. In the opening chapters, he describes a concept called The Children's Fire that was shared with him by some Native American mentors. This refers to an ancient pledge which said that, when governing the people, "no law, no decision, no commitment, no action, nothing of any kind will be permitted to go forth that will harm the children". Across the globe, it appears that this fire has been extinguished for a long time. Anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions through activities such as the burning of fossil fuels, agricultural activities and changes in land use are leading to the warming of our planet, and we are witnessing the effects. Last year's special report by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) concluded that the global temperature rise must be kept below 1.5C by the end of this century in order to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. According to the report, achieving this would require rapid, far-reaching and unprecedented changes in all aspects of society. The threat of climate change is something that today's youth are acutely aware of and, from the student movement sweeping the globe, it's clear they're not willing to stand for inaction. Ireland's young people are no exception. Expand Close School children outside Dail Eireann during one of the Fridays for Future protests. Photo by Colin O'Riordan / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp School children outside Dail Eireann during one of the Fridays for Future protests. Photo by Colin O'Riordan The Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2019 ranked Ireland's performance on climate action in response to global warming as the worst in the EU and among one of the worst in the world. The report acknowledged that existing climate mitigation efforts will not enable Ireland to achieve either its EU 2020 or 2030 targets domestically. Outside the Dail, dozens of young people of all ages stand together in their school uniforms, waving placards and calling on the Government to reverse this trend. "We're out of school to make the world cool," they cry. The protest is part of the Fridays for Future movement, which has seen young people across the globe miss school on Fridays to protest about climate change inaction. Today marks the 14th consecutive week of the Dublin protests. One of them is environmentalist and blogger Flossie Donnelly (11), who has garnered much attention for her environmental work in recent times. "I'm here today to show the Government and anyone in the world who thinks that we must be in school and not care about the problem, that we do care," says Flossie, who organises regular public beach cleans around her hometown of Sandycove, Co Dublin. "It's our future that we need to fight for and it's really important that we all fight on this because if it's just one of us fighting, nobody will take us seriously." Also striking is Peter Reid (12) from Dublin 8, who is supported by many of his classmates from St Catherine's National School. Expand Close Cork: 16-year-old Saoi O'Connor protesting outside Cork's City Hall / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Cork: 16-year-old Saoi O'Connor protesting outside Cork's City Hall "Climate change is a big issue and this seemed like one of the biggest ways that children can get involved," says Peter. The strikes are not limited to Dublin alone, with others being held in Cork, Kildare, Limerick, Tipperary and elsewhere in recent weeks. Largely inspired by Swedish student activist Greta Thunberg, Saoi O'Connor (16) from Skibbereen began weekly protests outside Cork's City Hall in January. "We want international governments to align themselves with the terms set out for them in the Paris Agreement, we want our world leaders to unite behind the clear scientific truths of climate change and take radical action to limit it to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels on global average before it is too late," says Saoi when asked about the young protesters' motivations. Momentum is building for this Friday, when pupils across the globe will strike in response to the failure of adults to address climate change. Student-led group School Strike 4 Climate (SS4C) Ireland is encouraging students from around the country to get involved, and says that interest is high. While saying that he has been aware of and interested in the issue of climate change for several years, group representative Theo Cullen-Mouze says it was Greta Thunberg who inspired him to take more radical action. Manifesto of demands "I'm someone who has dreams for the future. These dreams cannot be realised if we don't take action now because the future will only exist if something is done within the next 12 years," says the Mayo student. "Sometimes you have to stop looking around for someone else to fix problems. You have to start fixing them yourself." The group has published a 15-page manifesto of demands online, covering areas such as public awareness and media coverage, EU elections and Government action. In the case of the latter, the group calls for a "combination of aggressive legislation surrounding fossil fuel usage, a Government-backed complete transition to sustainable energy and a very heavy carbon tax", stressing that climate action must be taken in a way that does not hinder lower-income families. "We believe that the issue is no longer about targeting individuals and their actions, but about the Government taking hard action on corporations and the real roots of climate change," Dublin-based member Beth Doherty (15) tells Review. "The majority of climate change is caused by corporations, and as such we want to see a GND (Green New Deal) as well as tax breaks for corporations with low emissions. Overall, we want the Irish Government to work towards Ireland becoming a leader in climate action," she says. Member of the SS4C group Chaya Smyth (14) from Dublin says the movement gives a voice to young people like herself who cannot vote. Theresa Rose Sebastian (15) echoes this view. "This has given us the steering wheel to try and make change right now instead of waiting for us to get into government in years to come and make the changes," says the third-year student from Cork. "We want action so that in the years to come, we can still celebrate and enjoy the life on this earth in a way that we don't have to be continuously looking over our shoulder to see if we can make it to the next day." According to the many young activists, there's a mixed response from schools and teachers to the March 15 strike. Some schools are fully on-board. Many say they have requested permission from principals to get their school involved and await a response. Others say that regardless of school permission, their parents support their involvement in the cause. Some are not seeking permission at all. While adult support may vary, they all share the same determination to take part. On a global scale, the movement has attracted criticism from some politicians. A statement from UK Prime Minister Theresa May's spokesperson criticised the thousands of participants of a February 15 school walkout, saying that their action increased the workload for teachers and wasted lesson time. In New South Wales, education minister Rob Stokes warned students in Australia against participating in the strikes. Greta Thunberg subsequently labelled such statements as something that "belongs in a museum". Fight for the future The Irish participants seem equally unfazed by any such criticism. "We want to be educated. We want to have that future where we can use our education to the full. But if we don't take action now for climate change, we might not have that opportunity," says Theresa. Beth agrees. "The idea of the strike is that there is no point in going to school to memorise facts if the politicians will not listen to these facts," she says. "If school is preparing us for a future, we should fight in order to maintain that future and not have it destroyed by the reality of climate change." Theo says criticism from the politicians is an "arrogant response" from people who don't understand the problem and who won't have to live with the consequences. "Under the UN Declaration of Human Rights, every human being is given the right to peaceful assembly. I think what we are doing qualifies as peaceful assembly," he says. "We feel that something is inherently wrong with what is happening now and we don't see other people doing this for us." In Fermanagh, 14-year-old blogger, naturalist and conservationist Dara McAnulty has been working tirelessly to raise awareness about environmental issues, particularly the threats to biodiversity. He recently became involved in the climate strike movement and took part in a school strike alone, leaving his classroom to sit outside in "50-mile-an-hour winds". "I had been trying out lots of different methods to try and get people to realise all the devastation that was happening around them. I tried my blog, Twitter, doing stuff round my community and then I just thought, well this is going to make them listen, won't it?" says Dara, whose blog Young Fermanagh Naturalist was runner-up in the BBC Wildlife Magazine Blogger Awards last year. "I also wanted to make a wave of realism about climate change with other kids because most of us are not educated about this." Dara's passion for the planet has spurred on his involvement in environmental activism. "At this point, I don't see myself as separate from nature," he says. "I see myself as a part of nature and it's all a part of me. I'm not exactly going to want to bring hurt to any part of myself. "What is happening now is this beautiful giant web is starting to crumble and I can't actually let that happen. I won't allow myself to let any more of this beautiful web of life crumble away." Dara, whose debut book is set for release in 2020, was invited to speak about environmental and youth issues in the UK Parliament this week. "They were pretty brave and decided to let me in to speak," he joked several days prior to the meeting. Decimation of our planet With the constant barrage of news about the decimation of our planet's biodiversity and a changing climate, it's no wonder many people feel disempowered. However, Ireland's young environmental activists hope to empower other young people and show them that they can make a difference. "Look into what is already going on. If there are younger people doing things, see if you can get involved there," says SS4C member Tara O'Neill (14) from Galway. "If there isn't anything going on, try and get some creative ideas going. Participate in strikes, create your own marches, do whatever you can." "Take action in any way you can if you want to ensure a future and habitable planet for yourself, your children and every other living thing," echoes Beth. "Nothing will ever change if it isn't challenged." For young people interested in the climate action movement, Theo says the best first step is to inform yourself. "Make up your own mind and don't let anyone tell you what you should think. Do the research for yourself. Don't listen to those that say climate change is a hoax. They belong in the same box that we put flat-earthers in," he says. "After that, if you're interested in striking, there's a number of Instagram and Twitter accounts that you can follow. "These will provide you with information on the climate strike movement, details, times and locations and so on." Dara says that everyone can make a difference and while 'petrified' that change won't happen, he remains hopeful. "There's always a chance. We're not at the tipping point yet, though it's coming and it's very close," he says. "The scientists have the answers that we need. We know what we need to do. "We have the answers to solving this massive problem and it's just getting the people who can implement these changes to actually listen to sense." For those of us veterans who served along the Border, particularly in the 1970s, it comes as a shock to see once familiar, but almost forgotten, place-names re-emerge in the news. Long confined to the freaky tourist trail, the Louth Border townlands of Omeath, Flagstaff and Hackballscross are, like Churchill's dreary steeples of Fermanagh and Tyrone, back to haunt us. It's like deja vu all over again. Of course, the context is Brexit, or rather the security implications of a hard Border. So far, the Government's main preparations for the security consequences of Brexit have been limited to reinforcing the Garda presence along the Border. This modest reinforcement is already producing results, with the recent discovery of arms and ammunition in Co Louth. On February 1, 1,000 rounds of ammunition were found in Omeath in the Cooley Peninsula area, and on February 28, a more significant haul was made along the Omeath to Flagstaff road. The find near Flagstaff contained a Steyr assault rifle, and a small quantity of Semtex explosive. The Austrian-built Steyr rifle, which is also the main assault rifle of the Irish Defence Forces, has optical sights. These sights magnify the target, making it virtually impossible to miss, even from 300 metres. The haul also included a small sample of Semtex, the near perfect explosive material for terrorist operations. Both arms dumps are recent and are believed to be part of preparations made by a dissident IRA group planning for post-Brexit operations. It is difficult to say if they represent the tip of the iceberg or are just one-off finds. It is also not known if the finds were accidental or as a result of information received. Garda reinforcements to the Border include an Armed Response Unit, to be located in Cavan. In the past, the Garda, largely an unarmed police force, relied on the Army for armed protection. It seems this time the initial response will be confined to gardai, and the operational decisions will be taken by the Garda Commissioner. It is normal procedure that these decisions will be influenced by current assessments of the risk posed by the dissident groups. If, or when, it might be considered necessary, the Army can be called in to support gardai, under the 'aid to the civil power' provision. In considering the threat to security caused by a hard Brexit, we need to fully understand the context. Talk of a 'hard' Border is a misnomer. Former deputy chief of military intelligence Lt Col Michael Murphy has defined three levels of security which apply to borders in general. These are uncontrolled borders, controlled borders and hard borders. What we have at present is an uncontrolled border, with total freedom of movement. A controlled border, however, would be somewhat like the situation we had before. It was focused mainly on controlling vehicular movement at designated crossing points, with light surveillance on cross-Border foot movement. A real hard Border would involve the use of active and passive measures to prevent all unauthorised movements across the Border. This could include passive measures such as the closure of some crossing points, the construction of Trump-style walls along the Border, or possibly fencing off the Border with electrified wire. It could involve the flood-lighting of the entire Border, backed up with regular patrols of troops or gardai. Some form of an air exclusion zone would be necessary, as would a naval presence offshore. In the event of a hard Brexit, military and police chiefs have pointed out the vulnerability of soft targets along the Border to terrorist attacks. The static, lightly manned UK customs posts are obvious examples of soft targets for dissident IRA factions. The fact they would be on the Northern side does not get us off the hook. If the attacks originate from our side, the responsibility will be with our security forces to stop them. In an extreme scenario, dissident loyalists might retaliate against our customs posts. At this stage, our political leaders are reluctant to spell out the full range of responses that might be necessary. The hope is that a soft Brexit will emerge, and that the security problems envisaged will not arise. However, it is always best to prepare for the worst-case scenario Moreover, the presence of a hard Border alone is unlikely to be the catalyst for a breakdown in security. The biggest threat to security remains the ongoing failure to get a devolved government restored in the North. London and Dublin should not wait for the roller-coaster of Brexit to stop to get Stormont up and going again. In the meantime, the Brexit show is still running at a cinema near you. The audience remain gripped in suspense, not knowing if they are watching a horror movie or a musical with a happy ending. It's all bordering on the ridiculous. Dorcha Lee is a retired Army colonel and a commentator on defence issues Adolf Hitler was born and raised a Roman Catholic. Even in his younger years, he was acutely aware how a certain approach to the Church of Rome could help him achieve the power he craved. However, on a personal basis he had ditched all Christian beliefs by his early teens. Nazi ideology would not answer to any god. But like many another ruthless dictator he was willing to use religion, where necessary, to further his despotic aims. This was especially so in the 1930s as he connived to eliminate all forms of German democracy. Meanwhile, allegations have persisted over the decades that the Catholic Church, pursuing its own interests, was in turn over-accommodating to the Nazis. Most focus is on Pope Pius XII. Should he have spoken out when evidence of the mass extermination of Jews first emerged? This has remained a contentious allegation. There is evidence the pope worked behind the scenes to protect some Jews from the horrors of the concentration camps. But he undoubtedly tread a fine line, fearful that strident condemnation of the Hitler regime could risk devastation for the Vatican. Charge and counter charge regarding what the pope could and should have done has intensified over the decades. All the while, secrets of the real relationship between Rome and Berlin have remained hidden in a vast concourse of secret Vatican vaults. Successive popes have consistently refused to make vital documents available for public scrutiny. Such a stance has fuelled suspicions the Church has something serious to hide. But this week Pope Francis made a stunning announcement. He stated that despite the passing of so much time, he will authorise the opening of relevant archives next year. "The Catholic Church is not afraid of history," he said forcefully. Many observers see it as a remarkable volte-face. After all, the Church has been remarkably adept at hiding its secrets. Especially so if material coming into the public domain will damage its reputation and authority. Victims of sexual abuse - in Ireland and a host of other countries - have complained of a historical wall of silence if the interests of Rome are at risk. There have been countless cases where protecting the reputation of clerics superseded the rights of traumatised victims. Of course, there has been an acknowledgement of guilt by the Vatican unimaginable in the past. Yet it emerged only last month that files on paedophile priests in Germany have been destroyed. But if the current Pope goes ahead and makes available high-risk documentation regarding the relationship between Pope Pius XII and the Nazis, it will unshackle the Vatican from a burden of its past. Allegations in a controversial book entitled 'Hitler's Pope', by John Cornwell, published in 1999, have never been fully refuted. He argued that in the pre-war years the then Eugenio Pacelli, later Pope Pius XII, was too close to the emerging Nazi regime. At the time, Pacelli was the Vatican's senior diplomat in Germany. The charge is he protected the Church's interests by kowtowing to the Hitler regime. It is also alleged he should have done more when evidence first emerged of what became known as the 'Final Solution', leading to the deaths of an estimated six million Jews. His defenders argue his stance must be considered in the context of the times. They point out he did much behind the scenes to help the Jewish community. But he remained fearful lest he provoked Hitler to even greater bloodshed. Cornwell's investigation is especially critical of the pope for not giving a full account of his actions once the war ended. He remained steadfastly silent on the multiplicity of accusations levelled at him. The Yad Vashem holocaust museum in Jerusalem has controversial citations directly critical of Pius XII. Here it is also alleged he should have done more once evidence of the death camps emerged. The wording has been modified in recent years, but the essential accusation remains. All the while, those files hidden for so long in the Vatican archive may answer some lingering mysteries. The current Pope says he will do the previously unthinkable and finally make public their secrets. When it comes to unveiling the inner heart of Vatican politics, it could be historic. The world awaits. Two weeks ago in Egypt, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was thrown a left-field question about whether Ireland should take back citizens who had gone abroad to support terrorist groups. Amid endless queries about the latest Brexit developments, he could not have anticipated the inquiry, but he had no hesitation in giving an answer. He said this country shouldn't expect our citizens "to be somebody else's problem". The Taoiseach confidently added that he would be "very loath to revoke anyone's citizenship provided they are a citizen by right or acquired their citizenship appropriately". The question was asked in the context of British schoolgirl Shamima Begum, who ran away to join Isil in 2015. She had appealed for public sympathy following the birth of her son, leading to a massive debate in the United Kingdom as to whether she should be allowed to return. The UK government has moved to revoke her citizenship. Sources told the Irish Independent last night that Mr Varadkar was not aware of the case of Lisa Smith when being quizzed by the media in Sharm El-Sheikh. However, a select few in the Department of Defence were well aware of the former Air Corps officer who also migrated to Syria in 2015. She is one of half-a-dozen Irish passport holders still believed to be in the region, and had occasionally popped up on their radar. Most recently, she had been in contact with Ireland trying to raise funds to flee Syria. Mr Varadkar will now face the same question again from a different source and in a very different context. Smith is believed to be in the custody of American troops who are working with the Kurds in northern Syria. Last month, US President Donald Trump threatened to release 800 captured extremists unless European allies agreed to accept them home and put them on trial. "The United States is asking Britain, France, Germany and other European allies to take back over 800 [Isil] fighters that we captured in Syria and put them on trial," Mr Trump wrote. "The alternative is not a good one in that we will be forced to release them." Ireland wasn't on his list because, like most of us, he would have assumed very few people had left here to support Isil. However, contacts between officials in Dublin and Washington are expected to continue this weekend in a bid to establish how to deal with Smith. It's even possible that the issue will come up when Mr Varadkar visits the White House as part of the St Patrick's Day festivities next Thursday. Based on their public statements, the two leaders will come to an arrangement - but the real political debate could take place back in the Dail and on the airwaves. The decision by Theresa May's government to strip Begum of her UK citizenship (on the basis she is of Bangladeshi heritage) has sparked a massive row there. London's Mayor Sadiq Khan has warned the move "risks creating a second class of citizenship - one that can be removed at the whim of a politician". But the Irish approach is closer to that being adopted by the French and Germans, who have indicated they are prepared to take back their former jihadis. Like in the case of Begum, there is no evidence that Smith took part in any conflict. She may well have been simply living as a housewife. It is believed the Dundalk woman had been attempting to raise funds in recent weeks to get to Turkey along with her two-year-old, who is automatically entitled to Irish citizenship. If Mr Varadkar is true to his word, the Irish State may well now find itself picking up the tab for her return. Does Karen Bradley keep a diary? If she does, I'm convinced she makes Bridget Jones-style entries. "Dear Diary, I've been a silly sausage and put my foot in it with those scary (cross that out) touchy (cross that out) easily annoyed people in Northern Ireland. Even that nice Simon Thingy from the Republic scolded me over dinner in the Irish Embassy. Prince Charles pretended he didn't know about my teensy weensy gaffe but he gave me such a pointed look during his dull old speech about friendship between the people of the UK and Ireland. "At least Doddsie still likes me. Phew! Can't afford to fall out with the DUP. But Theresa told me I have to say sorry. Think I'll send out some cute puppy cards with 'hope I'm not in the doghouse'. That should do the trick." So, we've had a boot in the face to Irish-British relations at a time when dealings are already on a knife-edge. After the kick came an attempt at fancy footwork - her clarification in case of "misinterpretation" - although it was clear she had advocated a suspension of the rule of law for soldiers, an act of political interference. Finally, a fairly extensive apology followed when the serious damage could no longer be denied. However, Ms Bradley's mea culpa doesn't repair the shock of her failure to understand that her government is supposed to be impartial. She's sorry, all right - sorry at exposing her stupidity and bias. Recently, Ms Bradley said she was "slightly scared" of Northern Ireland when she became secretary of state, but Northern Ireland has good cause to be more than slightly scared of her and her party. Suspicions of a state cover-up are not conducive to positive relations between the North's nationalist community and the British government. To recap, Ms Bradley said killings by members of the security forces were not "crimes", and added: "They were people acting under orders and under instruction and fulfilling their duties in a dignified and appropriate way." That's known as the Nuremburg defence - I was only following orders. Hers were not the words of someone who appreciates she must represent all sides of the Northern community. Nor of someone who recognises the dangers of bypassing the legal system. Rather, they sounded like the words not just of a minister, but a government convinced that absolution should be granted to its security forces in every set of circumstances. This communicates to nationalists that their lives don't count - another reason for them to believe they have no stake in Northern Ireland. Her comments are all the more inflammatory because of the context. On Thursday, the Public Prosecution Service in Northern Ireland is due to tell relatives of 14 unarmed youths and men shot dead by soldiers on Bloody Sunday in Derry in 1972 whether any of their killers will face charges. Now consider the implications of the secretary of state for Northern Ireland suggesting no soldier ever acts unlawfully when he pulls a trigger. Add to that some remarks from Theresa May around the same time. She said in the House of Commons that Britain's Ministry of Defence would be publishing plans to ensure former servicemen were not prosecuted unfairly. Taken in tandem, they sound like an amnesty for security forces. But if an amnesty is on the cards, fairness dictates it should be granted to all parties in the conflict - republican and loyalist paramilitaries, soldiers and police alike. And, indeed, some families might accept an amnesty in exchange for a reconciliation forum where they'd hear the truth of what happened, at least. But Britain is opposed to such a platform because it has dirty secrets from the Troubles. Some more context is necessary. Elements of unionism believe a one-sided approach to legacy issues is being taken, considering most of the killings were carried out by paramilitaries. As first minister, Arlene Foster used her position to hold back finance for a number of Troubles-related inquests. The DUP says there is a "witch hunt" against security forces' veterans. Giving comfort to this view, Mrs May has claimed that only armed forces or law enforcement personnel are being investigated. But a BBC report has found that of 1,188 killings under examination by the PSNI Legacy Investigations, 530 are cases attributed to republicans, 354 to security forces, 271 to loyalists and 33 to unknown elements. Some say veterans such as the Bloody Sunday paratroopers are elderly and unfit to stand trial. But people should answer for their actions irrespective of age. Perhaps the argument should centre on whether or not they are fit to serve prison sentences, if convicted, but that's for a court to decide and not a political party. There have been two apologies for the behaviour of British soldiers during the Troubles. In 2010, following the Saville Report, then prime minister David Cameron said what they did was "unjustified and unjustifiable". The following year, the Ministry of Defence apologised to the elderly mother of 12-year-old Majella O'Hare, shot twice in the back by a soldier with a machine gun as she walked past a Co Armagh checkpoint on her way to church in 1976. A long-delayed coroner's inquest has opened into the Ballymurphy killings - known as Belfast's Bloody Sunday - in which 11 unarmed civilians died at the hands of paratroopers in 1971. The pattern is familiar: unrest on the streets, soldiers deployed, unarmed civilians fired on - and when people go to their assistance they are shot, too. An investigation clears the soldiers and the dead are denounced as terrorists. Bloody Sunday, Ballymurphy, Majella O'Hare and similar stories are why Ms Bradley looks like a throwback secretary of state. The suspicion is she was gratifying the prejudices, not of the DUP, but her own party which holds the military in high esteem. Mr Cameron felt obliged to preface his Bloody Sunday apology with a panegyric to the armed forces. It's yet more proof that the Tories care nothing for Northern Ireland - which is only on their radar as an obstacle to their Brexit nirvana. Some of them appear to believe the Good Friday Agreement is expendable, too. The Troubles were a devastating time. And while the bombs have stopped, not everyone has had a chance to heal. Some public setting is needed for victims which will, at least, acknowledge their losses. In many cases, bereaved families just want it known and accepted that their loved ones were innocents whose lives mattered. If Ms Bradley is sincere in her apology, she should use her role to advance the case for a reconciliation forum. Otherwise, it smacks of "Dear Diary, oops - but never mind. It's only Northern Ireland." When we hear of a series of gangland killings, there is a predictable and expected political response - more gardai on the streets, promises to crack down on the crime, assurances it will not happen again. Compare this to the murder of women, and we get a very different response. It is March 2019, and already three women have been killed, all in their own home, all allegedly by men they knew closely. This is unfortunately not an infrequent occurrence. This is the most serious end of violence against women, but it is not its only manifestation. We know that one-in-five women will experience domestic abuse at some point in their lives, ranging from physical and sexual abuse, to having their movements controlled and policed by their intimate partner. While there have been some efforts to tackle violence against women, the approach taken by the Government and statutory agencies so far has been too piecemeal to make a dent in such a prevalent and complex issue. This is why yesterday's ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women, or Istanbul Convention, marked a momentous International Women's Day. Ratification followed years of campaigning from women's groups, and from the bravery of women speaking out about their experiences of domestic and sexual violence and abuse, and their experiences of being re- victimised in family and criminal courts. Quite simply, the Istanbul Convention provides the complete framework that we need to protect women and children, and to work towards eliminating the problem of men's violence. What is so important about the Istanbul Convention is that it says very clearly that it is the responsibility of the State to prevent violence against women. This means the State is responsible for tackling the root causes of this highly gendered issue. It also means it has responsibility for shaping preventative policies and measures that are so required to bring about the cultural change that is required. Furthermore, the convention states that the obligation is on the State to protect victims of violence against women, and to prosecute the perpetrators. Significant greater priority and resourcing is required therefore by our judiciary in criminal and family courts and An Garda Siochana. Concerns have been repeatedly raised about the sanctions applied to perpetrators, as well as the often low level of support victims receive when they seek to prosecute crimes. The prosecution process can be incredibly traumatising for a woman who has experienced violence. It is essential that they are fully supported through this process, and that the criminal justice process takes a stronger victim- centred approach, so women can achieve justice. It is no longer acceptable for women to receive such a weak State response when they experience such horrendous violence. Now that the convention is ratified, we must work quickly toward its full implementation, which will give Ireland the opportunity to achieve a gold standard in protection and support for women. This means increasing the amount of refuge spaces available, as we currently only have one-third of the recommended amount. It also means that frontline providers, communities and affected women must be involved in the monitoring process, to ensure that the convention works for women. Alongside this, we urgently need to establish multi-agency domestic homicide reviews, to greater protect women and children. We also need comprehensive data to underlie our policies. The convention will also enable the prosecution of offences that are on the statute books but are rarely prosecuted, such as marital rape, and will aid the prosecution of new offences of coercive control and digital stalking. The National Women's Council of Ireland is preparing for full monitoring of the Istanbul Convention from a women-centred perspective. Across the world, women are speaking out against violence against women, and Ireland has a chance to be a world leader in setting international standards to prevent, protect against and prosecute violence against women. Let's meet this challenge. The headlines in recent weeks have proven once again that violence against women is not a problem that will go away without a significant State response to protect women and children. After ratifying Istanbul, there are no further barriers to action. Women must be safe in their own homes. Orla O'Connor is Director of the National Women's Council of Ireland Just one more push, pleaded Theresa May of the EU, as if she were the midwife instead of the mother delivering the Brexit problem child. The blank refusal to own responsibility, after a two-and-a-half-year gestation, makes this crisis unprecedented. With a cliffhanger vote looming on Tuesday which Mrs May will almost certainly lose, Michel Barnier has offered a unilateral exit from the customs union, while maintaining the other elements of the backstop. This might have seen the North remain in the customs union, but was immediately shot down by the DUP. With the air thick with desperation after her epic failure to forge any consensus in her warring party, Mrs May still sought to put the onus on Brussels to find a solution, issuing another "Mayday call". Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was having none of it; as he pointed out, it was up to the British, not the EU, to compromise. One EU diplomat was more blunt, claiming Mrs May was just preparing to blame the bloc for another defeat. "We are expecting a blame game after she loses the second 'meaningful vote' next week, so it looks like she is already preparing the ground for this," the diplomat said. Yet nothing focuses the mind like the prospect of terminal decline, and as Mrs May prepares for what is beginning to look like judgment day, she has some clear choices to make. If she accepts what Brussels has put forward she loses the DUP, and quite possibly the European Research Group (ERG). Earlier, DUP leader Arlene Foster must have sensed something in the air when she again insisted: "The prime minister committed to secure legally binding changes [to the backstop]. She must deliver on that commitment." It is baffling that so late in the day Ms Foster and Mrs May still fail to recognise that changing the elaborate architecture necessary to keep the 27-nation union together to facilitate their every wish is a non-runner. The "work-around" is for the six counties to enjoy the best of both worlds: remaining within the customs union and also enjoying the benefits of being in the UK. But the DUP says No. Mr Barnier's offer may have an element of divide and conquer to it, but given the wall of resistance around Mrs May's every move, something has got to give. The difficulty from the off with Brexit was attempting to construct political solutions to contain what appears to be an emotional juggernaut. The UK has proven incapable of agreeing or articulating precisely what it requires of the EU. The impatience among British voters is palpable. Expecting the EU to fashion a framework to accommodate the inimicable views of the UK's erstwhile "leaders" seems a big ask. No ladder could possibly be long enough to allow for the climbdown given the heights of indignation they have attained. When I was a little lad in primary school there were 54 boys in the class and if the teacher said, "Patrick", five of those boys would lift their hands and say, "Wha'?" or "Anseo". There were three Thomases and a rake of Seans. There were even two Charlies, although one of them - not me - was called Cathal at home. When we learnt that capall was the Irish for horse, we started calling Cathal "Horse", and that was his nickname for the rest of our schooldays, and after. I met him about 20 years ago and he showed me his credit card, and the name at the bottom of it: MR HORSE DELANEY. - That's gas, Horse, I said. - What about your passport? - Nope, he said. - Had to be the name on my birth cert. - But the bank didn't mind? - They couldn't give a s***e as long as they're getting money out of you, he said. Anyway. A very nice fella, by the way. But anyway, the reason I've been counting the names of all my old school pals is because we're just back from a christening. It's been a long day. I didn't actually know I was going to a christening. I mean, I knew I was going to something, so I'd put on my Jamie Redknapp shirt and a jacket that the daughter tells me is "retro". I just knew it had something to do with the 'extended' family. I'm not sure what an extended family is, what its limits and borders are, but the wife has become everyone's favourite granny, aunt, great-aunt, godmother, second-cousin twice-removed. I can readily understand this because - I state this with no hesitation whatsoever - she's my favourite wife. But anyway, we're getting invited to everything. At least, she is and I have to tag along. The church is behind the Blanchardstown Shopping Centre and at first I'm worried we're going in there. But the young one in the Google Maps app tells us to keep going and we eventually get there, just in time - or a bit late, like everyone else. The wife finds the family. I haven't a clue who they are. There are one or two familiar heads but, really, I could be sitting among the Waltons for all I know. But there's a lovely atmosphere in the place. There are 10 or 11 babies being christened and the Poles and the Africans - well, their Sunday-best is really spectacular. I feel dull in their company and I'm starting to think that my retro jacket is just old. - Why are we here, by the way? I ask the wife. - Ah, Charlie. - I'm not complaining, I whisper. - Just curious. I'm looking around me. I've never seen so many beautiful women under one roof and the fact that it's a church roof makes me feel guilty - very pleasantly guilty. I'm starting to think that religion's not such a bad idea after all when the wife gives me an affectionate dig and I turn in time to see the parade of babies - with the parents and godparents - heading up to the top of the church. Our gang - the mother and the father - are holding a baby each. - Twins? The wife nods. I can tell by the nod: she's told me before, more than once. Anyway, I'm concentrating now. I can manage that, no problem, for up to three minutes at a time. I listen to the names as the priest calls them out. He's loving the mic, by the way. I'm afraid he'll start singing. We were at a christening a few years back where the priest broke into that Stevie Wonder number, Isn't She Lovely. The baby he was serenading let go of a scream that startled the dead in the graveyard behind the church. But anyway, the names are brilliant. There isn't a Patrick or a Sean, a Deirdre or a Jacqueline - the big hits of my day. There's a Chibundo and a Princess, two Pawels and a Holly, a Zuzanna and a Sorcha. I'm looking at a baby called Success being lifted into the air. We're all clapping and smiling. - Would life have been different if I'd been called Success? I ask the wife. She pats my knee. It's our gang next - the twins. They're a girl and a boy, judging by the colour of their caps. And it's just as well they're the last, because I've had enough. The girl first - it's Lily. - Lovely, says the wife. I nod. But I'm dying for a pint. Now it's the boy's turn - Charles. - Did I hear right? I ask the wife. She grins and pats my knee again. I look at young Charles being hoisted into the air. I have to blink - but you should see this kid: he's magnificent. He's the best of the bunch, by far. One party I certainly wasn't going to miss last weekend was the 21st celebrations of Scott Gray from Cedarwood Park and there to make sure he had a fantastic night were his mum Audrey Garland, brother Stephen up from Tipperary, Brendan from Dromiskin sisters Maria Sonia and Sarah, Audrey's partner John Penty from Bridge Street and her sister Siobhan Gregory from O'Hanlon Park along with a huge collection of friends. I wasn't too long in the door when I met up with the birthday boy who works for Vodafone in the Marshes who wanted a big shout out for his brother and well known jockey Shane Gray who was over in Thirsk with his girlfriend Lauren Taylor, little did he know that Shane and Lauren were the surprise guests who arrived in not long after we were there. Next, I got a word with sister Sarah from Cedarwood Park who was there with family friend Michaela Gartland also from Cedarwood Park who told me the night was going to be an epic and no mistake. I then headed over for a quick word with Emma Agnew from Marian Park and Saoirse Corrigan from Castletown Road who are friends with Scott's sister Sonia, were looking exceptionally well and wanted to wish Scott all the best on his big night. After this I caught up with Sean Agnew from Muirhevnamor who was with Aoife Traynor from Meadow Grove and Kayleigh Stewart from Bay Estate who are also big mates with Scott and were there for an insane night with him. Seated close by were Cianna Bramble and Sean O'Reilly both from Dublin. Cianna said she has been a college mate with Scott in the National College of Ireland and certainly wasn't going to miss his 21st party. Close by I then got talking to Siobhan Duffy from Muirhevnamor who was with daughter Kenzie and Lexi Clarke. Siobhan said that Kenzie and Scott have been mates since 1st year and were looking forward to a mad one with him. They were then joined by family friends Benny and Gwen Molocca from Monaghan who were just after arriving in and were ready to party. Next, I had the pleasure of talking to Blathnaid Peyton from Carlingford and Shauna McGuinness from Blackrock who joined by Bronagh Quinn from Redbarns Road and Jolene Matthews from Doylesfort Road who were all looking exceptionally well and wanted too wish Scott all the best on his big night. Finally, before I departed, I caught up with Lauren Traynor with Shane Aaron Daly from Reaghstown who was having a laugh with Sarah who told me not to get to give a big shout out to brother Stephen, Maria and daughter Sadie and say it is a brilliant party! Ciara Higgins and Geraldine Murtagh at the fundraising night in The Lisdoo in aid of the Irish Association of Lourdes Volunteers. Photo: Aidan Dullaghan/Newspics. On Friday night I headed for the Lisdoo where a charity fundraising night was taking place for Irish Association of Lourdes Volunteers. The association are in their 2nd year now and raise money to defray costs when 140 people make their way for their pilgrimage to Lourdes on June 10th this year. It was expected to be an action packed evening with a host of local artists including Long Riders, The Urge, Us, The Time-Keepers, Swagg and PK Sounds taking part. I wasn't too long in the door when I met up with director Siobhan Rothwell from Darver who had just arrived back from Saudi Arabia where she works as a nurse. She told me their fundraising is extremely active at the moment with the Knockbridge Vintage club hosting an auction for them last weekend. They will be manning a pop-up shop in the Long Walk Shopping Centre all the way until Saturday night. They will also be hosting an Abba night in Toales on April 6th in readiness for the trip in June. Siobhan was joined by another nurse and Treasurer to the group Beverly Carolan from Knockbridge who told me it was going to be a huge night and was really looking forward to it. After this I headed over for a word with Chris and Maeve Rothwell from Mandsfieldstown who told me they have been away with the group many times and were delighted to be there to support the fundraiser. They were joined by Seamus and Concepta Coughlan from Tipperary and Christine Rosney from Cellbridge who said that all the girls are workers on the trip and were delighted to be there. Not too long later I then got talking to twins Fiona and Roisin McLaughlin from Bellurgan who were with Ciara Higgins from Coxes Demesne and were having a laugh with Geraldine Murtagh from Dromiskin who were all looking forward to the Long Riders and the rest of the bands in action, for such a good cause. I then got talking to Brendan Boland from Harlow, originally from Marian Park and Greenacres with wife Martha, son Niall and daughter-in-law Sara Boland also from Harlow who were there to support Brendan's sister Eilish Giff who is on the organising committee. Brendan was looking forward to getting up for a few songs later but told me he was looking forward to seeing Ollie and Trish McShane from Newry, but was told they couldn't make it on the night. Two ladies who were busy getting the Raffle ready were Stephanie Rosney and Arlene Minnock both from Birr who will be working as a carer and a nurse when the time comes for the trip and were delighted to helping out with the fundraiser. Heading for another table I then had the pleasure of meeting up with four ladies who were in great form and they were Theresa McGorrian from Blackrock, Brenda Rafferty from Mill Street, Aine Cullen from Dublin Road and Aideen Lynn from Carrick Road who were there to support a good cause and also to have an insane night out together. Not too long later I met up with Philip and Anne Woods from St. Clements Park who were looking forward to an entertaining night along with Christine McCourt from Avenue Road and Brigid Murphy from Blackrock who was looking forward to a few lively drinks too. Making my way over to another table I met up with Geraldine Quinn from Cluan Enda, Noeleen Henry from Pearse Park in Drogheda, Dolores McKenna from Clogherhead, Catherine Kavanagh from Farndreg and Sheila Moore from Bay Estate who are all committee members, go every year as helpers and just love the fundraising nights. I then headed over for a word with Sean and Julia Boland from Fatima Court who told me they were there to see nephew Brendan Boland in action and to make the best of the fundraiser. As the crowds got bigger and bigger, I did manage a quick chat with John and Winnie Tinnelly from Corderry who were delighted to be there on the night and were having a laugh with one of the organisers Eilish Gibb who assured me the night was going to be a cracker. Finally, before I departed, I met up with Kay O'Connor from Woodview Park and Kitty Dixon from St. Nicholas Avenue who were there to have a lovely night and were going to be shouting it loud for their neighbour Paddy Mac too. The exhibition Women of Ireland - Stories We Share which was created by Louth visual artist Lisa Butterly and photographer Lisa McCormack opens on Friday in UCD to mark International Women's Day. The exhibition is the brainchild of Lisa Butterly who holds a BA and PhD in History from MU and an MA in Art History from UCD. She is a self-taught artist who has taken part in group exhibitions and staged her first solo exhibition in 2016 in The Copper House Gallery, Dublin. Her artwork was featured in the first RTE documentary exploring Irish outsider art in October 2015. The same year, she reached a wide audience as a result of her artwork through the Late Late Show with Ryan Tubridy. 'The idea for the exhibition came to me about five years ago,' she explains. 'I wanted to do a celebration of the women of Ireland for the Decade of Centenaries and make a permanent collection grounded in history and art history.' 'I approached Blackrock photographer Lisa McCormack as she had the skills needed to make the portraits.' McCormack, who graduated in photography from DIT is a successful and award-winning wedding and portrait photographer. She willingly agreed to get involved in the project which tells the visual story of 50 sitters, from schoolgirls to Ireland's first lady, Sabrina Higgins. The idea, Butterly explains, is for the portraits to represent the history of women in Ireland since 1916, presented in a purely visual language. Each portrait tells depicts personal stories and shared national histories, with Butterly creating the sets and props which help the viewer to decipher the stories depicted. Consequently, each portrait is a chapter, every sitter is an actor and the stories they tell are the ones that we share. Butterly says she was anxious to represent women from all walks of life. 'They're your mother, my mother, your sister, my niece,' she explains. Some of the sitters are well known like Sabrina Higgins and MEP Mariead McGuinness, others have earned recognition in their chosen field, while many are what Butterly calls everyday women who will never make the headlines but make a great contribution to society by influencing their families and communities for the better. 'There are portraits of 50 women from all over Ireland,' she says. Some sitters jumped at the opportunity to get involved in the project, while others who were asked demurred. 'Not everyone wants to be in a public exhibition,' she concedes. While the portraits tell their stories with the help of props included in the sets, Butterly says that the viewer must take time to study the images and read their message. 'Each portrait is a chapter which makes up the story of women in Ireland,' she says. 'There's no text as I'm trying to pull people back into being able to read an image.' Her background in art history means that the composition of the portraits is inspired by well-known works of art. The picture of her mother Vera, a former teacher from St Malachy's NS, and her friends, for instance, is based on Raphael's 'The School of Athens' featuring a group of philosophers in mid discussion. 'They are all there, Socrates, Aristotle and Plato but in the form of women.' Other portraits feature singing teachers Geraldine McGee from Dundalk with Dr Veronica Dunne who travelled by train from Dublin for the sitting for their portrait which captures the two friends at each in each other's company. Caroline Macken sits among books with her daughter Olivia who has Downs Syndrome as Butterly says she wanted them to take their place in collection along with other women of Ireland. Dr. Colletta Dalikeni, co-leader of DkIT's WELCOME College of Sanctuary Project, is pictured with books while wearing a dress featuring striking ethnic patterns, while Butterly's niece Naoimh Butterly appears in a portrait reminiscent of Roisin Dubh or Cathleen Ni Houlihan, figures who often featured in the art of the Celtic Revival of early 20th century Ireland. Butterly says that in devising the project, she wanted to create a legacy, not just for herself but also for the women who are portrayed in the collection. The portraits provide a visionary and respectful view of Irish women in the 21st century with the imagery contains personal moments, untold secrets, public and private stories. These stories include voting rights, politics, religion, disability and access to the workforce in the broader context of women's relationship to the Irish State. Similarly, themes such as emigration, immigration and asylum-seeking are explored in several portraits. Notwithstanding these important national perspectives, the portraits also reveal the value of friendship, motherhood and family as well as exploring notions of home and belonging. Each portrait acts as both a record of the lives of Irish women, and as an agent of change and encouragement for future generations across the world. The exhibition opened in NUI Maynooth in January and was displayed in DkIT for two weeks before moving to UCD, where it will be opened on Friday to mark International Women's Day, and will be on display for the month of March. A selection of the portraits will travel to the Glucksman Gallery, Cork in April to form part of the Parted Veil Exhibition. Butterly pays tribute to her collaborator Lisa McCormack for embracing the project and lending her talents as a photographer to bring her vision to life. As she had to self-finance the project which received no state funding, Butterly is grateful to all those who supported it by providing furniture and materials for the set. The pair are now working on a companion exhibition Men of Ireland, which in a similar vein, will portray Irish men from all walks of life. The people of Louth are encouraged to organise a bake party to raise funds for those with Acquired Brian Injuries. Bake parties are taking place around the country as part of National Brain Awareness Week, March 11-17 to raise funds to the life-changing work of Acquired Brain Injury Ireland. This is something that touches so many lives after serious brain injuries from stroke, road traffic accidents, falls and brain tumours. In Louth, the local Acquired Brain Injury Ireland team is hosting a bake party to raise funds at Lisrath residential service, Ballymakenny Road,.Drogheda on March 13 from 12pm-2pm and all are welcome. To register a bake party please go to www.abiireland.ie/bake Members of the 112th Infantry Battalion, UNIFIL who attended The Laying up of the Colours Ceremony at Aiken Barracks. Dundalk based members of the 27th Battalion who returned from UN service in Lebanon at the end of 2018 were honoured at Aiken Barracks last week. The soldiers formed part of the 112th Infantry Battalion which performed a six month tour of duty in the Middle East last year. Their return was marked with a 'Laying Up of the Colours' ceremony at Aiken Barracks. Although the 112th Battalion was made up of Defence Forces personnel from around the country, it was led by the 27th Battalion. Among the 344 soldiers who took part in the mission, it was is the first tour of duty overseas for 101 personnel. Soldiers of the 27 Infantry Battalion have served in numerous Peacekeeping missions around the world, most notably in Lebanon since 1978 where two of the members of the Battalion died in service of peace, Private Patrick Wright in 1988 and Private Michael McNeela, from Dundalk who was killed in action in 1989. Peter OConnor visits the memorial to the victims of the 1975 Loyalist bombing on Crowe Street Dundalk-born musician Peter O'Connor was just a nineteen-year-old student when he was caught up in the loyalist bomb planted outside Kay's Tavern, Crowe Street on December 19, 1975, in which two people lost their lives and twenty people were injured. A member of one of the town's best known musical families, he sustained horrific injuries and spent months in hospital. Now, for the first time, he tells his story publicly as he takes part in a new theatrical production which gives voice to those whose lives were torn apart by The Troubles. 'Blood Red Lines', which comes to An Tain Arts Centre on Saturday night, was devised by BAFTA winning film and theatre director Robert Rae during a six month residency in Newry as part of an ambitious EU PEACE IV funded arts programme with The Playhouse Theatre, Derry and its Theatre and Peace building Academy. Taking part in the production has, Peter admits, caused him considerable anguish as he re-lives the trauma of being caught up in the Dundalk bombing. Like the rest of his family, Peter was very much involved in the local traditional music scene. He was a first year student at the then Dundalk Regional Technical College and had been taking part in a fundraiser with the Students Union on that fateful day on December 19, 1975. 'We were doing a 24 hour fast in aid of Concern and the Simon Community and had been busking and collecting money at The Square,' he recalls. 'I didn't go to Marks Bar, which was my regular as I was fasting and didn't want to be slagged, so went on down to Kay's.' That was his first time in the pub which faces the Town Hall. He wasn't in the bar long when a bomb, left in a car parked outside by Loyalist murder gang, exploded at around 6 o'clock. In the aftermath of the blast he grabbed Hugh Watters, a tailor who gone into the pub to deliver a parcel of clothes which he had altered, to help him out of the premises. 'I'd never been in the pub before and didn't know where I was going,' he says. 'The front of the pub was burning and Hugh said we could go out the back.' As they were make their way to the rear of the premises, Peter realised that Hugh was badly injured. 'I realised that he was past help and I cradled him in my arms.' Terrified that they were trapped and that he was going to burnt alive, Peter tried to knock himself unconscious. He came around to see the flashing lights of the emergency services and was helped out of the burning building by a fireman. 'I felt dreadful for having to leave Hugh behind me and told the fireman that he was still inside.' Peter remembers little about being taken to the Louth County Hospital but says that as the medical staff began cutting his clothes off, he realised that he was seriously injured. He had, in fact, sustained extensive burns, including first degree burns 4th degree burns to 7 per cent of his body and 23 per cent 3rd degree burns, and 2nd degree burns to about half of his body. He also had glass cuts from the explosion and concussion injuries from trying to knock himself out. He was subsequently transferred to Dr Stevens Hospital in Dublin and after being sent home, had to readmitted to the Louth County Hospital as he developed gangrene. He recalls having an 'out of body' experience when he could hear the doctors gathered round him discussing whether they needed to amputate his hands. When his parents next went to visit him, he told them what he had heard and his mother Rose ensured his plea was listened to. After his eventual release from hospital, Peter left Dundalk as he didn't want to be known as 'the bomb fella'. 'I said to myself that I wanted to do something good, so I went to work with the Student Christian Movement in Belfast.' He subsequently moved to the Netherlands and lived in Amsterdam, teaching and playing music while running a decorating and building business. He returned to Ireland with his Dutch partner Els, running an award-winning eco-lodge in Lismore, Co Waterford for a number of years. Getting involved in this production has forced him to relive the horror of the bombing and opened old scars. 'I was warned beforehand but I didn't realise how bad it would be,' he admits. 'It's extremely tough - far tougher that I thought.' Peter is one of two people who were caught up in violence during The Troubles who take to the stage - the other being a former British soldier who suffers from Post Traumatic Stress, who survived to tell their stories. 'The rest of the cast are all family members of victims,' he says. 'At least I was able to recover, although my medical rehabilitation was very, very slow, and to be honest, an awful painful experience.' He believes that he too suffers from Post Traumatic Stress although he has never had a formal diagnosis. The lack of support given to those injured in the Dundalk, Monaghan and Dublin bombings is something which he still feels raw about. He feels let down by the State. 'As I put it in the play, the State has three functions, to protect its citizens, to education its citizens and to provide medical health care for its citizens and my State has let me down on two out of three counts.' He has never been offered any psychological assessment or counselling, despite suffering from suicidal tendencies in the past which he believes are rooted in the horror he experienced as a young man. 'Abandoned is the word that comes to mind. I am a embarrassment to the State, a reminder of the war up north.' As the others involved in the productions are the family members of victims of the conflict in Northern Ireland, he appreciates that he is alive to tell his story. 'I've never talked about it with my siblings and they have never spoken of it,' he says. He has, however, been involved with the Justice for the Forgotten group, although he says that living in Waterford has prevented him from taking a more active role. On one occasion he travelled to Dublin to meet with TDs in Buswells Bar, across from Dail Eireann. 'Hugh Watters' daughter Margaret English was also there,' he recalls. 'We got talking and I realised no one had told her how her father died so I had to explain to her that he died in my arms in the flames.' He hopes that there will be a good attendance at Friday night's performance and that the politicians invited will turn up. 'It's really, really important that people see this play, particularly in the present climate as we don't want another generation of suffer what we went through.' Cllr. Maria Doyle, Leas Cathaoirleach makes a presentation to An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar watched by Joan Martin, CE Louth County Council, Michael Cannon, Cannon Kirk Developers, Aidan McAvinue, Project Manager, Cannon Kirk and Cllr. John McGahon during the Taoiseachs visit to Dundoogan Estate, Haynestown Louth County Council's Chief Executive Joan Martin has expressed confidence that the local authority will meet its target for the provision of new homes in 2019. She made her comment as An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar visited the new Dundoogan development at Haynestown on Friday. Tuath Housing Association are acquiring 112 houses out of the planned 1,100 home development for social housing, in collaboration with the Department of Housing, Louth County Council and developer, Canon Kirk Ltd. The first phase of 26 homes are due to be handed over this month with the remaining 86 homes ready for occupation by early 2020. Tenants from Louth County Council's housing list will move into the houses which will consist of 40 two bed houses, 66 three bed houses and 6 four bed houses. Ms Martin said: 'Louth County Council are delighted that this project has progressed to the point where, in conjunction with Tuath, we are now in a position to see these houses being allocated to applicants who have been on the Louth Housing waiting list for a significant number of years. She explained that it was one of the initiatives which the Council have undertaken to deliver homes and they were delighted with the partnership they have the Tuath and with other Approved Housing Bodies. 'This, together with our acquisition and leasing programme and our actions on vacant homes makes us confident that we will meet our 2019 target to provide new homes.' The 27 million cost of the 112 social homes is being funded by a combination of Capital Advanced Leasing Facility) (CALF) from the Department of Housing and competitive loan finance on a fixed term of 25 years from the Housing Finance Agency / European Investment Bank. Speaking at the launch, Tuath Housing's Chairman, Eamon Gavigan described Dundoogan as 'an excellent example of collaboration in action and it is testament to government and stakeholder commitment to Re-Building Ireland for the benefit of local communities.' He continued that the contractor Canon Kirk started working on site in September 2018. The had, he said, 'worked closely and speedily with Tuath to ensure delivery of high quality homes in a timely manner.' Mr Gavigan stated that 'Housing is as important a piece of infrastructure as our roads, railways, schools and hospitals. 'Meeting the housing needs of citizens is a massive challenge requiring joined up thinking and collaboration. 'Tuath will not be found wanting and intend to play our part to deliver more social homes in the years ahead via partnerships with the private and public sectors. 'It is essential that ordinary people, the elderly and those with special needs who can no longer afford to buy or rent in the open market are given hope that they will be able to secure a place they really can call home.' Michael Cannon, Director of the Cannon Kirk Group, said that the company was delighted to be working in partnership with Tuath Housing and Louth County Council. 'This project is an example of what can be achieved from a proactive partnership between developers, local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies 'Together we look forward to delivering much needed quality housing in Dundalk,' he said. Meanwhile the latest Homelessness Report from the Department of Housing, Planning & Local Government for the period from January 21 to 27 showed that there were 156 homeless in Louth in January. This was up by 25.8 per cent from 124 in December. It represented a 6.1 per cent increase of the same period of last year when there were 147 deemed to be homeless in Louth. The only counties reporting higher numbers of homeless were Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway. An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar points to his signature on the 2015 Marriage Equality Bill watched by Cllr. John McGahon and Bernardine Quinn during his visit to Dundalk Outcomers. Picture Ken Finegan/Newspics An Taosieach Leo Varadkar has promised to meet representatives of Outcomers Dundalk and LGBT Ireland to discuss the current funding structure of LGBT services during Pride Week. He made the commitment when he visited Outcomers LGBT Support Service, at Roden Place during a brief visit to Dundalk last Friday. Bernardine Quinn, Manager, Outcomers, outlined the history of the centre and they work they do for the LGBT Community in Louth. 'Outcomers has transformed into a resource for the wider community providing support and information on inclusion of and diversity within the LGBT community,' she told him. 'It provides training and awareness-raising sessions to a range of regional and national stakeholders; it provides crucial and timely accompaniment to young LGBT people and their families on their journey to acceptance and celebration of who they are.' Teenage service user Kamile highlighted her experience of the centre and how it has helped her. Paula Fagan, CEO of LGBT Ireland spoke about LGBT Family Rights and requested that the Taoiseach meet them in Government Buildings during Pride Week to discuss the current funding structure for LGBT Services and he agreed to do so. Cllr. John McGahon explained that when the Taoiseach asked him to help draw up a intinary for his Dundalk visit, he had said that first place they would have to visit would be Outcomers. 'I have worked closely with Bernie on different issues over the last five years and I was wanted the Taoiseach to have the opportunity to see the incredibly hard work that she and the board of Outcomers put into making the centre a safe and accessible place for LGBT people, not only in Dundalk, but throughout the North East.' Some of the ammunition found during the course of the search Explosives, two firearms and a sizable quantity of ammunition were found in a follow-up operation at Omeath last week. Gardai carried out follow up searches on Thursday, February 28 at a site in Omeath, 9 as part of a follow up operation earlier in the month targeting Dissident Republican Groups. The operation involving Gardai from the Louth Garda Division, Special Detective Unit and from Special Tactics & Operations Command involved further searches at lands in an area close to Omeath. During the operation, Gardai recovered explosives, two firearms and a sizable quantity of ammunition were found of various calibres. An Explosive Ordinance Disposal unit of the Irish Defence Forces later visited the site and some of the material was later destroyed by a controlled explosion. A garda spokesperson said: 'Investigations are ongoing and for operational reasons there will be no further comment.' At the beginning of February, gardai found a very large quantity of ammunition and a mortar tube buried in the ground in a forest in the Omeath area. The late Professor Noel William Mulcahy of Druid's Glen in Kilcoole and late of Limerick, died peacefully last Thursday in St Vincent's Hospital. Prof Mulcahy (89), was a former senator, a long-standing member of the Fianna Fail party, and Emeritus Professor of Industrial Strategy at the University of Limerick, where he also served as executive vice president. He will be very sadly missed by his wife Caroline, his children Daragh, Colm, Aisling and Garech, his children-in-law, and 11 grandchildren, as well as his sisters Phil, Majella and Anna, and his many other relatives and friends. He was appointed to Seanad Eireann in 1977 by Taoiseach Jack Lynch and served until 1981. He previously worked for Raidio Eireann, where he helped to set up the first TV system. Prof Mulcahy's funeral took place last Saturday in St Patrick's Church, Kilquade, followed by burial in Kilquade Cemetery. President Michael D Higgins was represented by his aide de camp. Deputy Pat Casey and Deputy Stephen Donnelly were part of the guard of honour, as were Cllr Gerry Walsh, cathaoirleach of FF Wicklow CDC Malachai Duddy, and Kathleen Kelleher, who is secretary of Fianna Fail Wicklow CDC. Family members, children and grandchildren all participated in the Mass. He and his wife, Caroline, were previously living in Killaloe but moved to County Wicklow to be closer to their children. They lived in a small private development on the grounds of Druids Glen. They were very happy there and always received a great welcome at the hotel. Kathleen Kelleher said that she got to know the professor over the past four years that he was living in County Wicklow. 'He has been called a "renaissance man". I would also call him a visionary,' said Kathleen. 'Although he had been a Senator and a Dail candidate, his best work was done behind the scenes.' Education was Professor Mulcahy's great love. He did ground-breaking work on setting up the institutes of technology throughout Ireland. He was particularly influential in the establishment of the Letterkenny IT. The professor was also involved in housing programmes and the building of social housing, especially in the inner city. He became very involved in local Fianna Fail affairs and was very supportive to the local party branch. 'He joined right in, attending meetings and offering help and advice,' said Kathleen. 'He was very supportive of us who were involved in the party organisation. He never lost sight of the Republican aspect of Ireland, in the very real meaning of that word. He was an inspiration to us all and he will be much missed.' Members of Dublin Fire Brigade outside the Department of Health after it was evacuated on Monday A suspicious package sent to Simon Harris at the Department of Health on Monday turned out to contain harmless baking powder. Minister Harris and his staff were present in the Baggot Street offices on Monday afternoon and were removed from the building in the evacuation after a member of staff opened the item. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has expressed concern for the department staff, pointing out that is they, rather than politicians themselves, who open mail. There was no note in the envelope, which was addressed to Mr Harris. Baggot Street Lower was closed for the duration of the operation. Five units of Dublin Fire Brigade and gardai as well as the army's bomb disposal unit were on site to assist the HazMat incident. 'I'm not sure what kind of oddballs send suspicious packages in the post but they should be well aware that it is not politicians opening the mail, it's people doing a normal job, a receptionist or a security guard or clerical officer or someone in the constituency team,' said Mr Varadkar. 'If you want to come after us, come after us, but don't come after our staff or our families.' Minister Harris tweeted his thanks to the emergency services for their diligence in responding to the incident. 'They safety of staff must always be paramount.' Defence Forces confirmed that an envelope containing a powder was inspected at the scene on Monday and deemed non-hazardous by technicians. The item was handed over to gardai for further examination. The scene was declared safe and the team departed at 2.30 p.m. 'Should members of the public encounter suspicious items, or potentially hazardous substances, they are advised to maintain a safe distance and inform gardai,' said the defence forces in a statement. Climate change, sexism, pollution and food shortages... these were just some of the things in the spotlight as students and staff at Colaiste Chraobh Abhann celebrated Global Issues Week. Taking place from February 25 to March 1, Global Issues Week is an attempt to raise awareness about various global problems, particularly climate change and plastic pollution, and also aims to encourage the school community to live in a more environmentally friendly way. During the week, the school held walking debates for first and second years, a fundraiser for MSF (Doctors Without Borders) and lunchtime events which allowed students to sample Fairtrade bananas (courtesy of Fyffes) and Fairtrade chocolate. Colaiste Chroabh Abhann students also supported a petition protesting against Government inaction on climate change and querying why there is very little on the curriculum addressing the serious challenges they may face in the future - such as food shortages, environmental refugees, flooding, etc - and how they might deal with them. During the thought-provoking week, which was funded by Worldwise Global Schools, Transition Year students organised a ladies day to promote females in sport while speakers from the Simon Community, MSF Ireland and Concern attended the school to give talks. The people of the parishes of Powerscourt and Kilbride turned out in force last Friday evening to give a warm welcome to their new rector. The Revd Cathy Hallissey was instituted by Archbiship Michael Jackson, in St Patrick's Church, Powerscourt. Cathy's husband Eddie, daughters Lizzie and Claire and son Robert were among the large congregation, as well as many friends, well-wishers, and a large contingent from Taney Parish, where she served as Curate. The principal and teachers from Powerscourt National School also attended. The preacher was Canon Fred Appelbe, who recently retired from the neighbouring parish of Rathmichael. He told parishioners that Cathy was a wife, a mum, a pastor and a graduate of the school of hard knocks and the proverbial university of life. She also possessed an innate wisdom, intuition and exploitative honest faith, he said. Canon Appelbe said that he and his counterparts who had served many years in ministry had noticed many changes in parish ministry in the last two decades. There were fewer call-outs to hospitals and homes with people not expecting clergy to be present at every death. The institutional church had taken a beating from many angles and was often greeted with antipathy. It was into this context that Cathy was landing as a Rector, he said and wondered what a rector was to do into the light of this reality. He said that while clergy were ordained to be purveyors of forgiveness, grace and to live prayerfully in the Spirit, they could also experience the guilt of wondering if they were doing enough. He urged Cathy's new parishioners to be aware of this at a time of 'great expectations'. The evening continued with a reception after the service in the neighbouring Summerhill House Hotel. Principal of Powerscourt National School, Anna Ovington, welcomed Cathy and her family and presented Cathy with a bonsai tree as a symbol of growth and harmony between the parish and the school. Speaking on behalf of the Catholic community in Enniskerry, Fr Bernard Kennedy, highlighted the focus on ecumenism which exists between Powerscourt with Kilbride and St Mary's Parish in Enniskerry. Eddie Hallissey said he was so proud of his wife who they had watched in amazement over the last eight years as she embarked on the journey which had led them to her institution. He spoke of her bravery and resolve and her dedication to pastoral care. He thanked parishioners for making them feel so welcome. Cathy said they had been 'borne on a wave of support over the last two weeks'. She thanked everyone who had helped make arrangements for her institution and all who had attended to the rectory and the grounds. 'Looking at this magnificent parish I am reminded of the hands that cared for it before and we think of Archdeacon Ricky Rountree, the Revd Terry Lilburn and the Revd Niall Stratford,' she said. She thanked her family for their support and for uprooting themselves from Dundrum. Chef Martin Shanahan, Holly Barry of the Barry Group and Paul Keating of The Frank and Walters launching the Race and Taste Festival, which will take place at the Cork Racecourse, Mallow in May. Photo: Darragh Kane The Cork Racecourse in Mallow is set to be the venue for new summer festival that will showcase the best in Cork food, music and, of course, 'the Sport of Kings'. Sponsored by the Mallow-based Barry Group, the aptly named 'Race and Taste Festival' will take place at the venue over two glorious days on Friday and Saturday, May 10/11 and will coincide with the opening of its new, seven furlong flat track. The festival will bring together a mouth-watering selection of Cork's leading food producers in a specially curated food village at the Racecourse, with live music provided The Frank and Walters and all the glitz and glamour of the traditional track side Ladies' Day. Following the official opening of the new track on Friday evening there will be a full seven race card of top quality flat racing featuring a selection some of the Ireland's leading runners and riders. The Fota Island Resort 'Most Stylish Lady' event will also take place on Friday, with some spectacular prizes up for grabs. Saturday will see a seven race card of National Hunt racing. Across the two-days there will also be live music and culinary workshops and demonstrations featuring some of Cork's leading chefs including Rory O'Connell, Lily Higgins and Martin Shanahan, with more than 30 producers setting up stalls at the venue creating a veritable 'foodies paradise'. More additions to the festival programme will be announced over the coming weeks There will be a free shuttle service to ferry visitors from Mallow train station to the Racecourse over the course of the festival. Jim Barry, MD of the Barry Group, said they were delighted to sponsor the inaugural Race and Taste Festival. "The Cork Racecourse is such an iconic landmark venue and I truly believe that this festival celebrates all that makes Cork so special; sport, food, the arts and of course the unique Cork charm," he said. Andrew Hogan, general manager at the Cork Racecourse, was equally enthusiastic about the prospect of hosting the two-day cultural extravaganza. "I'm thrilled to have such a stellar line up of real Cork talent awaiting racegoers to the Racecourse in Mallow," he said. "Where else can you indulge yourself with delicious food and watch the best of racing live, whilst partying to the sounds of The Frank & Walters? The festival will see incredible atmosphere around the racecourse, so why not join us for a festival of the best of Cork, for the people of Cork." Tickets for the Barry Group Race and Taste Festival are now available from www.corkracecourse.ie priced at 15 (with children under the age of 14 going free). Chronic under investment in regional infrastructure is placing the economy and future jobs at risk and the over reliance of the capital is "jeopardising" the region as it struggles to meet demand. That was the viewpoint of Pat Lucey, President of the Ireland Chapter of PMI (Project Management Institute). In Cork over 300 delegates attended the Ireland Chapter of Project Management Institute's (PMI) sold-out annual national conference. It was the first time the conference was held outside of Dublin and Mr Lucey said: "As the national body of project managers in Ireland, it was important for the Chapter to move outside of the capital for its national conference - decentralisation delivers advantages across all sectors; from government departments to multi-nationals.." He also said: "Chronic under-investment in regional infrastructure is placing our economy, and future projects, at risk. There is huge opportunity for economic growth in Ireland over the next 20 years. However, over-reliance on the Dublin region is jeopardising this growth as it struggles to meet demand." The conference, with headline sponsor EY, heard that strategic project management of regional infrastructure is vital to ensure stabilisation and future growth of the Irish economy. Mr Lucey stated that while Ireland should be the default location for companies seeking to relocate from the UK into an EU country, a disproportionate focus placed on Dublin is reducing Ireland's competitiveness. "With the capital feeling the worst effects of the housing crisis - rents there are 8.8 per cent higher than just a year ago - this is negatively impacting desired international investment. Joined-up thinking - or 'good project management' - is required to ensure the regional investment promises made in Project Ireland 2040 are actioned to make each of our regional cities a viable option for business," he said. Incentives for regionalisation highlighted at the conference include the long-awaited rural broadband network, and high-speed road and rail links between all Irish major cities, including Cork, Limerick, Galway and Dublin. Themed 'From Idea to Reality', the sold-out conference at Fota Island Resort examined how large-scale international projects can be facilitated in Ireland. The conference also showcased how effective project management principles can successfully bring projects of all sizes from conception to completion. The "complete mismanagement" by the government of the finances for the National Children's Hospital has cast doubts over the planned refurbishment of three hospitals in the north and mid-Cork areas. That's according to Cork North West Fianna Fail TD Michael Moynihan, who said serious questions needed to be answered over the schedules for proposed plans of works at Kanturk, Millstreet and Macroom Community Hospital's. Deputy Moynihan has been vocal in the past in relation to delays to works at Kanturk and Millstreet Hospital's, both of which have been the subject of HIQA reports highlighting major flaws in operating procedures and conditions at the HSE administered facilities. Last month the government signed off on a 100 million measure of capital budget cuts in a bid to offset the spiralling cost of the Children's Hospital - with half of the amount coming from the health budget. Fears that this may have a direct impact on the plans for the trio of Cork facilities prompted Deputy Moynihan to raise the issue in the Dail, asking Health Minister Simon Harris to make a statement on the matter. In his reply Minister Harris said officials from his department and the HSE were currently working to finalise the HSE's capital spending plan for this year. He said that plan would determine the projects that could progress during 2019 and beyond "having regard to the total available capital funding and the relevant priority of each project." "Once the HSE has finalised its Capital Plan for 2019, it will be submitted to me for consideration. As the HSE is responsible for the delivery of healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked them to reply to you directly and outline the current status of the community hospitals in Cork," he said. Describing the reply as "vague and non-committal, Deputy Moynihan said he was concerned that Minister Harris was unable to rule out the possibility of the three projects being mothballed for the foreseeable future. "This government has presided over one of the worst budget overruns in the history of the State, which will no doubt have consequences for other capital and infrastructure projects. Ministers have been using terms such as 're-profiling' and 're-scheduling' of funds. However, what that actually means is delays and cuts," said Deputy Moynihan. "This [the Minister's reply] is extremely vague and non-committal and fails to even reference the budget fiasco with the Children's hospital overspend. The government needs to come clean with the public and outline what projects are going to be delayed or shelved as a result of their complete mismanagement of the Children's Hospital budget," he added. This week marks the start of Ireland's largest fundraising campaign, the Trocaire Lenten Appeal, which will see more than one million Trocaire boxes reach households and schools across the country. Local Trocaire worker Tom Crowley from Mallow is appealing to people of his home county to get involved in the campaign, which will allow Trocaire to help more than two million of the poorest and most vulnerable people across the world over the coming year. Trocaire's 2019 Lenten Appeal highlights how the loss of land in the developing world is leading to devastating consequences for millions of families. Tom Crowley, who is Head of Latin America for Trocaire, explained: "Land is such an important factor in combating poverty. It allows people to grow food to feed their families and to make a living, and it offers much-needed safety and stability for children. "Sadly though, for many reasons, land and homes are being taken from millions of families across the developing world and means they are facing hunger, the threat of violence as well as a lack of access to education and basic medical care as they struggle to survive." This year, the lent box tells this story through three young girls, each of whom have been left homeless through being violently evicted, or through lacking fundamental rights, or through war."Trocaire is working in over 20 countries across the developing world and supports thousands of families like those of Maria, Maya and Patricia by providing food, shelter and medical care as well as fighting for justice and land rights," Tom added. "We are incredibly grateful for the generous donations we receive from parishes, schools and families from Cork each year and I would appeal to people across the county to support this vital campaign. This can be done by collecting your loose change in a Trocaire box, making a donation online or over the phone, or organising fundraising activities throughout lent." The Trocaire Lent Campaign runs until Easter Sunday, April 21. Trocaire boxes are available from local parishes, www.trocaire.org, by phoning 1850 408 408 or 9 Cook Street in Cork. The Mallow-based international water solutions giant EPS has once again struck gold, adding yet another string to its already impressive bow by retaining its coveted status as one of Ireland's most efficiently run companies. The company, which last year marked its five decades in business, has been given yet another reason to celebrate after scooping the prestigious gold accolade at the 2019 Deloitte Best Managed Companies Awards. This is the fifth year in a row that EPA - which employs more than 500 people in Ireland, the UK and Jordan - has been recognised with the gold standard for what judges said was its "superior business performance". Founded in 1968, EPS has grown from a modest electrical and pumping business into a globally recognised exporter and service provider to the water, wastewater and clean technology sectors. Along the way it has won numerous national and international awards, including representing Ireland at the European Business Awards. In recent months the company has placed an increased focus on recruitment, as well as encouraging secondary school students, both male and female, to study STEM subjects. So it was a powerful message that nine women represented the company at the awards ceremony and gala dinner in Dublin. "With International Women's Day approaching, it was a timely reminder that careers in engineering and manufacturing business are not just for boys," said EPS Human Resources manager Joanne Tracy. "We were proud to have women representing our marketing and communications department; operations; HR; industrial sales; and our service department on the awards night," she added. EPS managing director Patrick Buckley said the latest accolade underscored the contribution of every employee within the company. "As we continue to celebrated our 50th year in business, being acknowledged in this manner for the fifth year in succession is a fantastic way to keep up the positive momentum that drives the company", said Mr Buckley. A man in his mid 20s has been arrested in connection with a road collision at Ballymaquirke Cross which occurred between two articulated lorries. The driver of one of the lorries is in a serious condition at Cork University Hospital. On Tuesday, the road at Ballymaquirke Cross which is near Kanturk, was closed for a number of hours while a Garda forensic technical examination was undertaken. One of lorries involved in the collision had a tank containing 27,000 litres of milk, some of which spilled into the nearby River Blackwater. However, most of the milk contained within the crashed tanker was safely removed later. It is understood that there is no evidence of fish kill and the spillage has had little impact on the river due to the high water levels at the time. Ballymaquirke Cross has long been regarded as being a treacherous junction and it is listed by TII (Transport Infrastructure Ireland) as being one of Cork's top 15 most accident prone sites. While a design for a new roundabout at Ballymaquirke is currently being undertaken it has not yet been finalised. Cllr Gerard Murphy (FG) said that as soon as the design has been finalised it will then be assessed whether or not a CPO (Compulsive Purchase Order) is deemed necessary or not. "A roundabout is urgently needed at Ballymaquirke and this has long been the view point of all councillors in the region. The need to make Ballymaquirke safe has been raised at a number of council meetings. This section of road sees a huge sway of traffic on a daily basis and especially at peak times during the morning and evenings," Cllr Murphy told The Corkman. "In fairness to the design engineers, they are working on the design of the roundabout to find a solution to this serious issue as they are well aware of how dangerous Ballymaquirke is. The important thing is that the design is done and as Ballymaquirke has long been regarded as being a highly dangerous junction, then there is not an issue with funding to put a solution in place." It is understood that the estimated cost of the entire works, including planning and developing and installing a roundabout, will be in the region of 1m to 1.5m. Gardai have arrested a juvenile in his late teens in relation to a burglary and a theft of a car in Kanturk which occurred in September last. At approximately 5:30pm, Gardai from Kanturk received a report of a burglary at house in which a car was also stolen on September 2, 2018. An investigation was carried out by Gardai and a juvenile in his late teens was arrested on Saturday, March 2, 2019. He was detained at Mallow Garda Station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 and has since been charged to appear before the courts at a later date. 1.5m community development funding Cork County Council has announced Phase 1 of a 3.5 million fund with 1.5 million set to be distributed to community groups from across the county.. The council received 420 applications which were accessed and 64 from North Cork with a value of 500,000 were approved. The projects approved range from the refurbishment of community halls, the upgrading of walkways, equipment purchases such as tables, chairs and mowers, plus many more. Fly Youth promise to bring plenty of action to the Ireland's Got Talent stage next weekend. Based in Dublin but with a number of Drogheda dancers, Fly Youth are a dance crew put together by Kerrie and Zacc Milne. There are 21 in the group and they range in age from 13-19. Zacc is the choreographer along with his sister Kerrie. Last year Zacc wowed the judges at the semi-final of Ireland's Got Talent and was selected as one of the judges wildcard to perform in the final. He was championed by RuPaul who was very impressed with his dancing. Zacc has been in talks with various production companies since his IGT appearance, but this year he is back with his crew and he has something to prove. South Africa: New beginnings for disposed families At the age of 67, July Malobola from Soshanguve vividly remembers the day his family was locked out from the land they had occupied since 1800, and attempts by his father to get it back were futile. Malobolas family was dispossessed of their right to land as a result of the 1913 Land Act. However, unlike 1967 when the familys eight households left their homes in tears, Saturday marked a new beginning for Malobola after receiving a title deed for their land at Klipkop in Tshwane, thanks to the governments Restitution and Land Reform Programme. President Cyril Ramaphosa handed over title deeds for 10 land claims in Gauteng that were lodged before 31 December 1998. The ceremony was held at Moretele Recreational Park in Mamelodi, Tshwane. Holding his title deed in his hands, a visible excited Malobola said he wished that his father was still alive to witness the fruits of a democratic government. He fought very hard to get his forefathers land back, and I wish he was still alive and able to walk on his land again. Im lost for words, but I thank the government for making this dream a reality, said an emotional Malobola. Another beneficiary, whose family was forcefully removed from Kilnerton in 1956, Fortune Zino, said he was happy to be alive and be part of the days celebration. Im happy about the government of today this will benefit our next generation who will be able to come and view the tombstone erected on our land. It is important for us to know our roots, said Zino. Land reform mandated by the Constitution Speaking at the ceremony, President Ramaphosa emphasised that land reform is mandated by the Constitution and necessitated by the countrys past. It is important that we approach this task in an integrated and comprehensive manner covering restitution, redistribution and tenure reform to ensure that the land can be shared among those who work it and among those who need it, President Ramaphosa said. He said that by restoring the land to people, government is determined that agricultural production should increase and food security should improve. The President said government is also working to ensure that an environment exists for sustained agricultural growth, especially through support to young emerging black farmers. We are working to ensure that where it is possible to return the land to claimants, and where they want to return to the land, that we provide the necessary support to enable them to make productive use of the land. This is an important part of correcting the extremely skewed pattern of land ownership and land use in this country. It is an important part of developing black farmers who can build viable businesses, create work and contribute to an agricultural revolution. Our policies recognise that the restoration of land is not always possible and make provision for compensation to be paid instead of land, the President said. This compensation, he said, should enable claimants to acquire other assets that can be used to retain and generate value, that can be part of our efforts over the last 25 years to address the dire levels of asset poverty among our people. As we accelerate the pace of land reform, the President added that government is also focused on improving the quality and the impact of the countrys interventions. Working faster to clear land claims backlog He said government is working to ensure that land claims are settled much faster, and that they clear the backlog in the shortest possible time. At the same time, we are working on better ways to ensure that the beneficiaries of restitution like the beneficiaries of land redistribution receive the necessary post-settlement support. We will never fully heal the wounds of dispossession and degradation, but we are making ever greater strides in redressing the injustices visited on our people in the past. He however, reminded that land reform, is ultimately about the future, it is about building a South Africa which belongs to all who live in it, and in which all South Africans belong. It is about creating new livelihoods in agriculture and ending rural poverty. Land reform is also about building cities and towns that are integrated, where the poor have decent housing in areas close to economic opportunities. Economic asset Meanwhile, speaking at the wreath laying memorial held in Kilnerton, ahead of the handing over ceremony, Rural Development and Land Reform Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane said it is important to share information on what the beneficiaries are doing with the portion of land, post land claim. Land is not only for agricultural use, but an economic asset and should be enjoyed by all South Africans, Nkoana-Mashabane said. The beneficiaries of restitution settlements are Dukathole community from Driefontein in Ekurhuleni and the Ebenezer Congregational Church in Johannesburg, Mathabe family from Boekenhoutskloof, the Franspoort community, the Msiza family from Hondsrivier, the Kafferskraal community, the Mahlangu and Ntuli families from Tweefontein, and the Rodman community from Vygeboschlaagte in Tshwane. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2019-03-09. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 9) The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has proposed to President Rodrigo Duterte a P1,000 increase in its members' monthly minimum basic pension from 5,000 to 6,000. In a statement on Friday, the GSIS said it had recommended the hike in pension for over 67,000 of its members with old age and disabilities supposedly effective February, but has yet to be approved by the President. GSIS President and General Manager Jesus Clint Aranas said that the proposal "will not necessitate an increase in the monthly contribution of our members nor bring about adverse effects in the actuarial life of the pension fund." He noted that pensioners received a 1.5 percent annual pension increase last January, something that has been regularly granted by the agency since 2010. With Duterte's approval, those whose pension are still lower than P6,000 will get another increase to raise their pension to 6,000 retroactive to February. He clarified that the proposed hike does not cover surviving spouses and those who retired under the Portability Law despite not completing the required number of years of service. "Portability law pensioners have been granted pension benefit after combining their contributions to GSIS and to the Social Security System (SSS). The law dictates that the amount of benefit to be paid by GSIS or SSS should be in proportion to the actual premium contributed to the pension fund," Aranas explained. According to Republic Act 8291 or the "Revised Government Service Insurance Act of 1977," the basic monthly pension may be adjusted upon President Duterte's approval of the GSIS head's recommendation. The GSIS said the basic monthly pension was last increased to 5,000 in 2013 and a regular annual pension increase of 1.5 percent has since been provided to regular pensioners for at least five years. The average monthly pension of members is at 12,560. Populations of the Marsh Fritillary are in decline due to fragmentation and loss of the wetland habitats they need to survive. Margaret Desmond, Phillip O'Brien and Frank McGovern of the Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Climate, Licensing and Resources paint a revealing picture of how our climate has already changed and is likely to change in the future. An observed mean annual temperature increase of 0.8C has been documented between 1900 and 2011 and that is projected to increase to 1-1.6C by 2050. The number of warm days was increased, and the number of frost days was decreased. It is projected that there will be an increased frequency of heatwaves and a decrease of 50% in the number of frost days by 2050. An increase in mean annual rainfall has been recorded. It is projected that while winter rainfall will increase, there will be a decrease of up to 20% in summer rainfall by 2050 and a 35% increase in extended dry periods. That will result in much increased river flow in winter and much decreased flow in summer. Fewer more intense storms are projected. An increase of 0.8C in sea surface temperature has been recorded since 1982. That trend is predicted to continue. Coupled with increases in mean temperature, seawater is becoming more acid and that trend is also projected to continue. Sea level is rising by 3.4mm per year so it is projected that sea level will be higher by an estimated 25-44cm by 2080. Significant wave heights have increased by 20cm per decade since 1950. Surge events are likely to increase by an estimated 9mm per year. The combined impact of all these changes on biodiversity is going to be severe. There are several clear indications that significant change is already underway. Warnings abound and alarm bells ring out all around. To enthusiastic applause, President Michael D Higgins put it rather well recently when he addressed Ireland's first National Biodiversity Conference in Dublin Castle: 'If we were coal miners, we would be up to our knees in dead canaries'. To address the warnings and respond to the alarm bells regarding the loss of our biodiversity, the government has published a draft of Ireland's Biodiversity Sectoral Climate Change Adaptation Plan. The 69-page draft plan in available online and is open for public consultation until 17 April 2019. Guidelines are available to assist those who wish to make a submission. Full details may be accessed at www.npws.ie under the 'News and Events' tab on the homepage of the National Parks and Wildlife Service website. Concerns have been raised over the development of a power plant beside an ancient Henge - dating from 3,000 years before Christ! The site at Carranstown near Duleek is the subject of a planning application which proposes to construct the plant with a 25m 'buffer' zone from the Henge. However, a public meeting in Duleek last week heard from Steve Davis from UCD who said the Henge was 'quite rare' and indeed, he found it in 2010. The Henge, which dates from the Neolithic period, is a classic type found in the Boyne Valley and he added, 'it is likely there are other significant items around it. It is part of a bigger picture.' He says the Carranstown Henge is 'one of a few in Ireland' and it is an 'important site'. He says a 'buffer' zon of 25m from the power plant is not enough and it should be 45 to 50m. Pat O'Brien from the local environment group said that people were not opposed to 'clean' industry, but the proposed plant was 'old technology' and indeed is second-hand. It also operates using diesel and will be taking water from the mains. 'We hope the council and the local councillors will push the project into an Bord Pleanala for an oral hearing and then people can have their say. 'This was proposed back in the 1990s too and it was fought then,' he added. 'The environmental group feel that this area has had its fair share of industry.' He says the present water supply struggles to meet the demands of residents and businesses as it stands, never mind adding to the situation. 'There are so many other things that need to be sorted out, the bypass of Duleek is one and the need for an EPA office. Ministers and TDs have turned a deaf ear to this,' he explained. He says people have legitimate concerns about their health and while no one source can be blamed for issues, the facts speak for themselves. Guillain-Barre syndrome is one subject that has drawn immense debate. Two men in the Duleek area were diagnosed with it and within 12 months, there were six cases. There are another six cases in an area from Drogheda to Kentstown. 'Cancer is rampant in this area,' he stated. 'Unfortunately, all the proof is in the graveyard.' Fellow campaigner, Vincent O'Donovan from Donore, is equally concerned about the whole situation. 'I look around and I wonder why there's not hundreds of people here, thousands even. 'And they should be here, from the likes of Beamore and Legavoureen and south Drogheda. 'The wind carries all this stuff and that's where it lands. These areas will be impacted far more than Duleek but people don't seem to realise that.' Cllr Sharon Keogan called the meeting and she said she had a big issue with diesel being used as part of the process. 'That's a no no in my book,' she remarked. Renua European Elections candidate Michael O'Dowd attended and said the situation was 'quite shocking' and people needed to wake up and learn more about the whole process. 'This is on their doorstep. People have to ask questions,' he added. An order for the immediate release of two boats detained in Clogherhead was made at the conclusion of last Friday's court case in Drogheda when two fishermen pleaded guilty to breaches of Irish fishing regulations. Jack Brown (56), 12 Rooney Park, Kilkeel, Co. Down and Kevin Trainor (46), 9 Casement Park, Kilkeel are captains of the 'Amity' and 'Boy Joseph' respectively, the vessels which were seized by the LE Orla in Dundalk Bay on Tuesday, 26 February last. Judge John Coughlan applied the probation act in each case after describing the two defendants as 'people of absolute integrity' who should be dealt with as leniently as possible. 'I do not think they should have a conviction,' the judge continued. The boats had been berthed in Clogherhead, having been detained under a 48-hour order issued in Dundalk court on Wednesday. Sgt John Heavey, Dunleer garda station, gave evidence the two 10m boats were initially detained by the Irish Navy for fishing within the 6-mile exclusion zone in Dundalk Bay. The vessels were inspected and contained 'modest' quantities of shellfish. The 'Amity' had a catch worth approximately 2,000, and the 'Boy Joseph' 1,200. Both loads were 'disposed of'. State solicitor for Co. Louth Fergus Mullen said neither man has previous convictions and they co-operated fully. They were 'afforded a degree of co-operation' by the local fishing community. He explained there was a reciprocal arrangement in place between Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland fisherman to fish in this manner up until 2016, when a Supreme Court decision here rendered this 'gentleman's agreement' invalid. Mr Mullen added the maximum fine is 5,000 and the court has full discretion. Counsel for the two accused said they are small fishermen, earning a modest living. As a result of the Supreme Court decision Northern Ireland fishermen are, unfortunately, missing out. She sought the probation act for her clients, adding they had come with cash to perhaps donate to the R.N.L.I. Judge Coughlan said this (fishing) arrangement was reached in the 1960s, and Republic of Ireland fisherman are presently fishing within the 6-mile limit in Northern Ireland. However, he is bound by the Supreme Court ruling. The judge told Jack Brown and Kevin Trainor he would apply the probation act and explained to them they did not have a conviction. He also set aside the detention order, and ordered the immediate realise of the two vessels and the return of their log books. Drogheda and District Chamber welcomed An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to their HQ at Broughton House on the Dublin Road in Drogheda, the meeting arranged by local TD Fergus O'Dowd, who secured the visit to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing Drogheda's Businesses and indeed the future development of the wider community. The meeting was attended by a number of prominent local business leaders, entrepreneurs, members of An Garda Siochana, HSE Primary Care representatives and also some local souncillors from both Louth and Meath County Council. Uniquely, given the impasse on Brexit negotiations, the Chamber were also delighted to welcome MEP Mairead McGuinness to discuss Drogheda's development in the European context, alongside An Taoiseach. President of Drogheda & District Chamber Shona McManus said ''We were delighted to welcome An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to Drogheda on behalf of the local business community. We had a very constructive, fast paced, direct and ambitious meeting outlining our Vision, Strategy and Passion for Drogheda to drive sustainability, business and economic growth, job creation and overall development of Drogheda - which we hope will deliver results for Drogheda in the near term." Fergus O'Dowd T.D. added, 'I am delighted with the outcome of the meeting. There is now a clearer roadmap for Drogheda's future development, that will utilize the drive, and energy we have in our wonderful town. With Drogheda's designation in the 2040 Plan we must now put in place the most feasible way to achieve 'City Status', and plan for our development as a future city with our very own city manager." At the meeting the Chamber Delegation of Shona McManus (Chamber President & Owner Osborne) Padraic Kierans (Anglo Printers), Eddie Phelan (VCL Consultants), Jack Gogarty (The Mill) and Richard Hanlon (Vesta) pointed the Taoiseach to the Report of the Boundary Review Commission given to the Minister of the Environment in February 2017, which outlined key actions for both Louth and Meath County Councils to have implemented since that time, to encourage and sustain future sustainable development of Drogheda, which quite simply have not happened. Breanndan Casey of The Mill Enterprise Centre and Drogheda Chamber called for the Recommendations of the Boundary Review Commission 'to be implemented as a matter of emergency, so that Drogheda's growth is aligned with the regional and national priorities of Government.' MEP Mairead McGuinness said "This was a well organised, well delivered meeting and probably the best managed regional discussion I have ever attended. Credit to the delegates from Drogheda Chamber who made the case for their town's future development in the context of the 2040 Plan, exceptionally well. Their points were clear and well established." During an interview following the meeting in the Drogheda & District Chamber offices, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar advised , "It is evident to me having been at the meeting, the boundary issue, the fact that part of Drogheda is in Meath and part of Drogheda is in Louth causes real practical difficulties with the orderly development of what is an emerging city. 'So, I'm going to take into account what was said. There were some good suggestions about how Meath County Council and Louth County Council could work together a bit better. There's been a suggestion that perhaps an assistant city manager could be appointed with a team to actually make decisions and I think it's going to be as much about people working together in a common-sense way, the solution I think probably lies there rather than moving boundaries because that can be controversial, particularly where there are very strong county loyalties and county identities." Mumford and Sons confirmed to play at Malahide Castle this summer, making it six gigs at the castle this year in all. The announcement of a sixth gig in Malahide Castle this summer, in the shape of Mumford & Sons was cautiously welcomed by local community activist James T. Doyle. Acknowledging the boost these events bring to the area, James also noted that the over-commercialisation of Malahide Demesne was a concern. He said: 'Malahide Castle and grounds are a fantastic public amenity for local residents and visitors alike. 'The facilities have been greatly developed by Fingal County Council and Shannon Heritage into a top class attraction over the past number of years. 'The revenue generated from tourists and concerts contribute to the council's ability to provide other services for Fingal residents.' James continued: 'In 2017, Malahide Castle played host to two concerts. 'In 2018, there were four concerts. 'This year there are six. Clearly the number of events is escalating year on year. 'While the economic benefit to local businesses is very welcome, we should not forget that the castle grounds are not a commercial enterprise.' He added: 'It is vitally important that our public facilities are not lost to or diminished by over-commercialisation.' The local community activist, concluded: 'I'm not against concerts in the castle grounds and look forward to attending one or two myself. 'However I would urge the officials who make these decisions to be mindful of the level of commercialisation of our great public amenity, and ensure a balanced approach is maintained.' The six concerts will take place at the castle this summer. Malahide recently hosted a special fundraising quiz for a North Dublin Regional Drugs and Alcohol Task Force initiative called Substance Abuse and Mental Health or SAMH. Chairperson of the new initiative is Cllr Eoghan O'Brien who explained to the Fingal Independent what it is all about. He said: 'We set up last summer and are comprised of community people in the Malahide and Portmarnock areas. 'I'm chairperson, Cllr Anthony Lavin and Darragh O'Brien TD are the other public representativess involved. 'We have members from St Sylvester's and Naomh Mearnog GAA clubs as well as local health care professionals and a member of An Garda Siochana.' Cllr O'Brien explained: 'SAMH stands for Substance Abuse & Mental Health and we operate under the umbrella of the North Dublin Regional Drug & Alcohol Task Force. SAMHs have been established and are operating in Skerries and Donabate Portrane. 'We are fundraising for a youth support worker for Malahide, Portmarnock and surrounding areas. 'This service will be free of charge and will be co-funded 50% by community fundraising and 50% by the Drug Task Force and will be based out of the DTF's recently opened Malahide office.' He said: 'The quiz is the first fundraising event to fund the community portion of providing this vital service. 'We've had great support from local businesses in Malahide and Portmarnock who have contributed some excellent prizes which were raffled on the night. The winning team got 300 in One for All vouchers with prizes for second and third place on the night also.' It was a very successful night of fundraising for a venture which is hoped will give support to vulnerable young people Dublin Airport welcomes Ryanair's announcement that it is to have seven new routes this winter. The airline will operate a new daily service to Milan Malpensa, and six routes that will begin this summer will also continue into the winter schedule. These are: a twice weekly service to Bordeaux, Gothenburg, Kyiv, London Southend and Pisa and a four times weekly service to Bournemouth. Ryanair will also add extra capacity on its existing services to Cologne, Lisbon and Malaga. 'It's fantastic to see Ryanair's route network continue to go from strength to strength at Dublin Airport, providing customers with an ever-increasing range of destinations to choose from,' said Dublin Airport General Manager Vincent Harrison. 'Today's announcement means that Ryanair will operate 82 routes from Dublin Airport next winter. We will work closely with Ryanair to help promote its new services,' he added. Ryanair's new Milan Malpensa service is one of 21 new routes at Dublin Airport for this year. Last year, Dublin Airport welcomed 31.5 million passengers, which was a 6% increase on the previous 12 months. Dublin Airport has flights to almost 200 destinations in 43 countries, operated by 56 airlines and is the 11th busiest airport in the European Union. It one of Ireland's key economic assets, as it generates or facilitates 117,300 jobs and 8.3 billion worth of economic activity. A great example was the focus on keeping high school freshmen on track to graduate from high school. The district organized resources, supports and policy to ensure that students started high school strong. They created new summer programming, trained teachers and counselors, strengthened relationships with feeder elementary schools and provided direct interventions for students when their grades or attendance started to wobble. They communicated regularly with parents about the importance of freshman year and whether their students were on track. And, most important, they stayed with the work for the long haul 15 years and counting. Charlie Rooney surrounded by generations of his loving family at his 100th birthday, last year. Charlie Rooney sporting the jersey of his beloved Wild Geese with the Sam Maguire in the background The close-knit community of Oldtown is in mourning at the sad passing of one of the town's best loved and popular residents, Charlie Rooney. Charlie, who turned 100 last June, had been a resident in Oldtown all his life, living in the same family home since his birth in 1918. An avid GAA enthusiast, Charlie was, up until his passing, President of his beloved Wild Geese GAA Club, where he would attend local matches before retiring to The Oldtown House for debriefing and a chat with friends. Speaking in the days after the funeral, daughter-in-law Trina Rooney paid tribute to Charlie: 'Charlie had been a little unwell since around last August, and he'd only recently been diagnosed with vascular dementia. 'He just took a bad turn on the Thursday before, and passed away on the Sunday. I suppose it was just old age, given how old he was. 'He'd been well and active up until his 100th birthday last June, then I suppose after the birthday things went a little downhill. 'That was from about last August onwards, and then the mobility slowly started to go. 'By Christmas time he was in a wheelchair and we needed to help him to do things.' Charlie, says Trina, hadn't been out much since last September, but did get to attend a fundraiser for the Cappagh Hospital Foundation, which he had been involved with every year. The charity walk is organised by Leo Halpin every year and Charlie, despite his advancing years was always there to do his bit at the unique charity event that sees ex-patients of Cappagh Hospital raise money for the very hospital that gave them the abilty to walk. He was well known in the Oldtown House, Trina sais, where he could often be seen sitting on the high bar stool, discussing matches and joking with the other club members. Charlie, whose wife passed away in 1975, lived with son Peter and daughter-in-law Trina in the same house in which he was born, and they were both grateful that he got to pass away in his house, which held so many happy memories. With three grandsons, one step-grandson and three great grandchildren, and brothers and sisters living locally, he always had family around him. Trina says: 'Charlie was just a very unassuming man, he led a very simple life, but a life that he was very content with. 'He absolutely loved his GAA, a strong Dublin supporter, and used to watch all the matches, and a huge supporter of the local club here, The Wild Geese as well. 'He went very few places in his lifetime, and just loved Oldtown through and through and the whole community he grew up with here.' Chairman of Wild Geese GAA Club Sean McNulty, also paid tribute to the late and great, Charlie Rooney. Sean said: 'Charlie was a gentleman. He loved the GAA and he was very fond of anything to do with Gaelic games, and if he was still alive and capable of going, he'd still be going. 'The man was a legend in the area. 'He'd great interest in Dublin GAA, and the local club.' Sean concluded: 'The man was 100 years of age and of course he'll be missed, he was part of the community, the oldest person in the whole parish, in Rolestown and Oldtown.' Charlie's funeral, leading to the burial in Palmerstown Cemetery in Oldtown, saw around 250 people attend, from family, friends, club members to locals. Of course it was a sad occasion but also a celebration of a long life, well lived and a fond farewell to a beloved local character. A guard of honour, arranged by the Wild Geese and the Cappagh Hospital Foundation led the procession, to see off a local legend, and with him, a little piece of this rural village's history. 'Metro Dublin' is a proposed, privately funded, mass rapid transit network to serve Ireland's capital city and the country as an alternative to Metrolink and Jed van de Poll, Metro Dublin CEO, explains to The Fingal Independent in this opinion piece why and how it is possible to put this network underground forming a 'backbone' for mobility in Dublin. Through a desire for a better quality of life and sheer frustration Dubliners' understand their need for a mass transit public transport system. A 2016 European Commission Report said it well ...that a key weakness in Ireland's economy is the lack of a Dublin mass transit system critical for competitiveness, environment, quality of life, housing and mandatory emission reduction targets. Why is Metro Dublin offering an extensive metro network for Dublin? Well - here are just a few reasons; This year was scheduled to see the completion of 'Metro North' (remember that?). So far 225 million has been spent on Metro/DART underground planning but not a single shovel of earth has been moved. By the time 2020 comes around (a new date for planning application) the NTA and its progenitors will have spent over 45 years planning a metro for Dublin - don't you think it is about time someone else had a go? 'Metro Dublin' has a grand vision for Dublin transport. The NTA, on the other hand, have a small vision. Don't get me wrong - it's not that the NTA can't think as big as anyone, it is just that their vision is limited by the size of the public purse. Exchequer borrowings are maxed out. With Ireland's national debt standing at 198 billion (Feb 2018) the European Central Bank will not allow government to further increase this figure. Public infrastructure projects will have to be funded out of current earnings. Since MetroLink will cost somewhere between 3 and 9 billion (witness the 'National Children's Hospital' overrun) this is going to have to be spread over the next ten years. If anyone in the NTA tells you any different ask them to bet their pension on it. The NTA's project methodology binds them to the 'iron law of mega projects' over budget, over time, over and over again. Do not expect to see any ribbon cutting before 2030. In order to build any metro one must first secure a 'Railway Order' and the progress of all applications is governed by the NTA. Naturally being a government body the NTA would like full control over all that happens in transport infrastructure - but this is not their function. Indeed the NTA establishment Act requires them to actively seek and cooperate with developments such as Metro Dublin which they have, so far, failed to do. At rush hour Dublin is the ninth most congested city in the world - we are on the verge of gridlock. At any moment the right sort of incident in the wrong place could bring the City centre to a standstill. We need radical thinking to solve Dublin's mobility problems - we need a radical approach. 'Metro Dublin' will build 94 Kilometres of Metro (46 Km underground), 62 station stops, creating 19 major transport hubs, delivering 250 million passenger journeys per year by 2025. With a nod to (now) Taoiseach Leo Varadkar's desire to see a less expensive solution and his written comment about Metro Dublin in 2014 'if we could build an underground system in Dublin for significantly less than the Metro North/Dart underground proposals, in a much quicker timeframe and without needing significant subvention then I'd support it unequivocally. As I am sure Dublin City Council's members would as well.' Metro Dublin won't cost the Irish taxpayer a red cent (net zero or better to the exchequer) and our team (whose Chairman is one of Ireland's most experienced transport civil engineers) is assisted by Prof. Dr. Manuel Melis Maynar. A man who has completed a larger project, in less time and with a smaller budget, Prof. Melis is the world's number one metro builder whose achievements were described by the 'World Bank' as 'superb' and '...from which the whole world could learn' a veritable modern day Brunel. 'Metro Dublin' has already brought Prof. Melis, to meet with Minister of Transport Shane Ross Imagine for a moment taking 250 million people off Dublin's roads annually. We have been deliberately conservative with our figures. Munich with a smaller population than Dublin, delivers over 400 million passenger journeys per year with its modern 110 kilometre of metro. Contrary to what people might think, the efficiency of a mass public transport system lies not in population density but in geography. You have to feed the beast a central underground loop. Six radial lines from Ashbourne, Swords, Donaghmede, Rathfarnham, Adamstown and Blanchardstown will converge on the city centre feeding the underground loop line in the heart of the capital. Because so much of the track is underground no GAA pitch or apartment block or such like will be demolished or disrupted in the building of the network! But the real beauty of such a system is the way in which it links Dublin communities together. Swords with Sandyford, Ashbourne with Adamstown, Blanchardstown with Bray. The reaction from the authorities to 'Metro Dublin's' proposals has been, to say the least, tepid. Rather than asking 'Metro Dublin' to explain how we are going to achieve our proposals we are met with ridicule and dismissal by the very organisations that have presided over a forty four year hiatus in Dublin's planning for transformative underground transportation. This level of can't do, inaction and obstruction is what typifies the establishment response to Dublin's need for a joined up mobility infrastructure. If Dublin is to achieve its stated goal of becoming a 'Smart City' it needs to row in behind a can-do organisation like 'Metro Dublin'. Dublin City and County will never be 'Smart' until all of its communities are linked by a mass rapid transit network. The Peter McVerry Trust, the national housing and homeless charity, has officially opened its newest social housing development in Fingal at Ravenswood in Coldwinters. The scheme which is the charity's first greenfield development is a scheme of eight one-bedroom homes together with a small community building. It has been specifically designed to provide housing to single people with the most complex needs. The scheme was supported by Fingal County Council and the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government and was primarily funded through Rebuilding Ireland. The scheme was also supported by money raised in 2018 through the Refund Project, an initiative to encourage people to donate their refunds from Irish Water to three of Ireland's leading homeless charities. Speaking ahead of the opening, Pat Doyle CEO of Peter McVerry Trust said 'This is Peter McVerry Trust's first new-build social housing scheme and is a landmark achievement for us. I'd like to thank our project partners in Fingal County Council and the Department of Housing for enabling us to deliver this scheme, and also to the public who helped increase the number of units delivered through donations received by the Refund Project. 'This scheme consists of eight really high-quality units and a community building which were delivered at a cost of around 1.6 million. The new tenants will have access to both visiting and on-site supports from Peter McVerry Trust staff, while the community building will provide residents with a central location in which to socialise.' The Mayor of Fingal, Councillor Anthony Lavin said: 'Fingal County Council has been a pro-active leader in providing housing solutions. We could not do this without the help of organisations such as Peter McVerry Trust who work tirelessly to support our residents impacted by this crisis. I would like to wish those living here a very happy and safe future in the beautiful Ravenswood development.' Blythe Danner as Ruth Keller and Hilary Swank as Bridget Keller in What They Had Based on writer-director Elizabeth Chomko's observations of her grandparents, What They Had is a poignant study of a fractured family coming to terms with surrendering a loved one to Alzheimer's. Her script packs an unexpectedly meaty emotional wallop as characters repeatedly avert their gaze from the painful reality of their situation. 'We all know what's coming,' warns a straight-talking son to the rest of his clan, whose personal and professional woes provide the film - essentially a five-hander - with sensitively handled narrative detours. Chomko shoots predominantly inside a family home where years of resentment and regret have seeped into the walls, and photographs of happier times litter the downstairs rooms. Inevitable heartache is deftly balanced with humour. When the youngest member of the family confides to her uncle that she has just witnessed grandma drinking holy water in church, he drolly responds: 'At least she's hydrated.'. Two-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank, Michael Shannon and Robert Forster elevate familiar and potentially cloying material, capturing the spiky rat-a-tat of dialogue between kin, who know each other too well but turn a blind eye to their own failings. Bert Keller (Forster) wakes to find the other side of the martial bed empty. His beloved wife Ruth (Blythe Danner), who has stage six Alzheimer's, has wandered into a snow storm wearing just a flimsy nightdress and housecoat. Bert telephones his son Nick (Shannon), who in turn calls his sister Bridget (Swank), and she hurriedly flies into sub-zero Chicago from California with her petulant daughter Emma (Taissa Farmiga) in tow. Thankfully, Ruth is unharmed but the unsettling episode is the last straw for Nick, who has secured a place for his mother in a memory care facility called the Reminisce Neighbourhood. Ex-military man Bert stubbornly refuses to entertain the thought of a nursing home - 'She's my girl. You can't take my girl away from me.' - and Nick's frustration boils over when peacemaker Bridget refuses to back him up. Her determination to please the old man by accepting his judgment - and keep secrets about her unhappiness - stokes resentment between the siblings. 'You can't even tell him you're not a Catholic any more,' snipes Nick. 'What's he gonna do - perform an exorcism?' As Christmas beckons, members of the Keller clan face tough choices about their (in) ability to nurture themselves as well as the people they love. What They Had is an assured debut feature from Chomko, who elicits compelling performances from a superb ensemble cast. The central trio of Swank, Shannon and Forster relish the combative nature of their realistically flawed characters' scenes, neatly dividing our affection and sympathy as the picture moves towards a surprisingly lightweight conclusion. Populations of the Marsh Fritillary are in decline due to fragmentation and loss of the wetland habitats they need to survive Margaret Desmond, Phillip O'Brien and Frank McGovern of the Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Climate, Licensing and Resources paint a revealing picture of how our climate has already changed and is likely to change in the future. An observed mean annual temperature increase of 0.8C has been documented between 1900 and 2011 and that is projected to increase to 1-1.6C by 2050. The number of warm days was increased, and the number of frost days was decreased. It is projected that there will be an increased frequency of heatwaves and a decrease of 50% in the number of frost days by 2050. An increase in mean annual rainfall has been recorded. It is projected that while winter rainfall will increase, there will be a decrease of up to 20% in summer rainfall by 2050 and a 35% increase in extended dry periods. That will result in much increased river flow in winter and much decreased flow in summer. Fewer more intense storms are projected. An increase of 0.8C in sea surface temperature has been recorded since 1982. That trend is predicted to continue. Coupled with increases in mean temperature, seawater is becoming more acid and that trend is also projected to continue. Sea level is rising by 3.4mm per year so it is projected that sea level will be higher by an estimated 25-44cm by 2080. Significant wave heights have increased by 20cm per decade since 1950. Surge events are likely to increase by an estimated 9mm per year. The combined impact of all these changes on biodiversity is going to be severe. There are several clear indications that significant change is already underway. Warnings abound and alarm bells ring out all around. To enthusiastic applause, President Michael D Higgins put it rather well recently when he addressed Ireland's first National Biodiversity Conference in Dublin Castle: 'If we were coal miners, we would be up to our knees in dead canaries'. To address the warnings and respond to the alarm bells regarding the loss of our biodiversity, the government has published a draft of Ireland's Biodiversity Sectoral Climate Change Adaptation Plan. The 69-page draft plan in available online and is open for public consultation until 17 April 2019. Guidelines are available to assist those who wish to make a submission. Full details may be accessed at www.npws.ie under the 'News and Events' tab on the homepage of the National Parks and Wildlife Service website. Ballyellis NS pupil Ben Kelly presenting Tricia Quinn of Make A Wish Ireland with a cheque for 200. Also pictured are pupils Conall Butler, Shay Doran, Michael Kinsella, Cian Lancaster, Ben Walsh, Tom Mackey and Adam Donohoe The kind hearted students of Ballyellis National School raised 200 for Make A Wish Ireland. Principal at Ballyellis NS, Enda Morrissey, said the sixth class boys at the school had decided to raise money for charity as part of the school's entrepreneur programme. One of their classmates, Ben Kelly, had previously benefited from Make A Wish Ireland and the boys wanted to thank the charity for this. In order to raise vital funds they sold raffle tickets both in the school and in the local community. They also sourced a number of prizes from local businesses. In total the students raised 200 which Ben and his classmates presented to Make A Wish Ireland regional co-ordinator Trish Quinn in the school last Wednesday. Enda said the staff were very proud of the boys saying they had worked very hard selling tickets to ensure they raised a lot of money for Make A Wish. Riverchapel publican Jimmy Fleming is throwing his hat into the political ring once again. Jimmy who runs Jimmy'z pub in Riverchapel will be running as an Independent candidate in this May's local elections. He has had a chequered political career and served on the former town council in Gorey for ten years until his shock retirement from politics in 2012. Jimmy started his political career as a Sinn Fein councillor before he famously defected to Fianna fail in 2007. He was first co-opted to Gorey Town Council in 2002, when he took Sinn Fein Councillor Michael Sheil's seat. He was then elected to both the Town and County Council in 2004. At one stage he had harboured ambitions to run as a TD for Sinn Fein but didn't get the opportunity. In August 2007, the former Sinn Fein County Councillor famously 'jumped ship' to Fianna Fail, saying he had been 'pushed out, ignored, and left on his own by senior party members' in Sinn Fein. The move to Fianna Fail was masterminded by Lorcan Allen, who was a sitting councillor at the time. In 2009 he retained his seat on the town council in Gorey but lost his county council seat and in 2012 he resigned the town council seat citing work commitments. Yesterday (Monday) Mr Fleming announced his intention to contest the local election as an Independent councillor. 'I feel being Independent is the best way to go. When you look at the way Fianna Fail is propping up the Fine Gael government and all the fiasco with the Children's Hospital I felt I couldn't run under the Fianna Fail banner. 'A lot of people have been approaching me about running over the past few months and the more I thought about it the more I wanted to get involved in politics again. To be honest I've missed the cut and thrust of it all. I really enjoyed my time in politics. 'If I'm elected my main priorities will be getting a new second level school built in the Riverchapel/Courtown area, road improvements as our back roads, in particular, are in an appalling condition and to see some major employment in the area. Most people in Gorey are travelling to Dublin to work making it very much a commuter town which is not ideal and isn't great for businesses in the district.' Jimmy said he will be starting his campaign in earnest after St Patrick's Day and will be knocking on doors throughout the area to meet as many people as possible and listen to their concerns. His appearance on Ireland's Got Mor Talent on Saturday night might not have turned out the way that he had hoped but Killorglin based comedian and magician Steve Mills' enthusiasm and passion for the stage and performing remains as strong as ever. Steve, who performed a series of magic tricks on the talent show on Saturday night, including a blind-folded trick involving plastic cups, a nail and the help of host Lucy Kennedy, was ultimately not chosen to progress to the next stage, but is happy he took the chance and went for it nonetheless. "I've always watched them, the programmes like Ireland's Got Talent and Britain's Got Talent and I've always thought that I should go and give it a go and see how far I would get. I've been doing stand up and children's parties for years now so I thought that would be the next step," said Steve on Monday. "It's so different to what you expect. Everything is almost out of sequence in certain things. You're filming one section one day and the next section the next day. Then of course, you go along for the audition and there's just crowds and crowds of people just waiting to go on stage and you're waiting in one room to go to another room," Steve said. "There wasn't so much as nerves, there's jitters of course, but I'm so used to performing to crowds that I jut really enjoyed it. I'm obviously a little disappointed with the result, but it was great fun and I enjoyed it," he continued. Never one to be dissuaded easily though, Steve said that he is already in the midst of preparing to take another run at the show next year so watch this space! It was from a young that Steve said that he has had this love of magic and tricks, but that it was from watching the comedian Karl Spain performing that he was taken with the idea that he should try stand up comedy. "I come from a drama and theatre background which I used to do after school. I went to see Karl Spain perform once and I thought that's something I'd love to try, I did a few bits in the local bits in the Roscrea area. I've supported people like Ardal O'Hanlon in Nenagh and only last Saturday in Tralee, I was performing with Joe Rooney who was Fr Damo in Father Ted," he said. It is a love of being on stage and performing that keeps Steve coming back for more. "I love everything about it. I can't wait to get back on stage and do it again. Once you get on and you start and people start laughing and you can see that they are enjoying themselves, it just creates this kind of adrenaline to help you keep going and going," she said. Having lived in various locations throughout the UK and even in South Africa for a brief period, Steve has been based in Killorglin for the past three years and has weaved himself into the local community expertly, so much so that he is now involved in the new monthly comedy club called the 'Crafty Devils' being run in The Barn in Killorglin on the first Thursday of every month. The club have secured quite a big name to perform at the club in May with comedian Ross Browne - who recently grabbed attention online with is rap responding to the Azealia Banks controversy. "It will be a great night and we're looking forward to it. Check out 'The Barn' in Killorglin for all the details. If past is prelude, many elementary, secondary and college instructors will exploit the session as an in-class teaching tool or will record it for classroom use. Teachers, students, be our guests! Did we mention facebook.com/chicagotribune? Virgin Media TV will be offering up some tasty programmes this summer after it signed local Killarney chef Paul Treyvaud to a six-programme series. The new show, which will be 30 minutes each in length, will be called 'Treyvaud's Kitchen' and it will see the colourful Killarney restaurateur preparing and cooking a number of delicious looking dishes. "I'll be concentrating on recipes that everybody can relate to, using ingredients everyone has immediate access to," said Paul who runs Treyvaud's Restaurant in Killarney with his chef brother Mark. "The focus is on proper cooking methods, proper seasoning and proper techniques and one ingredient I always like to use is laughter so it will be a bit of fun," he added. "There is absolutely no chance of using any ingredients that people have never even heard of and they won't have to go running to the shops to try to find something when they don't even know what it looks like". The six episodes have already been filmed in Paul's own home in Kenmare with the first episode expected to be broadcast in the summer. It has certainly been a whirlwind experience for the local chef after he was first spotted by Virgin Media producers when he appeared in a number of guest cooking slots on Ireland AM with presenters Mark Cagney and Alan Hughes. Members of the Glin Triathlon Club launching their forthcoming 5km fun run and walk event at Glin Castle this week. The beautiful surrounds of Glin are to come into their own as a local sporting organisation host a fun run event on St Patrick's weekend, one that's guaranteed to leave participants wanting more of the west Limerick location. Glin Triathlon Club is delighted to announce the details of the club's forthcoming free 5km fun run and walk, taking in the grounds of spectacular Glin Castle, as well as the Knight's Walk. Now in its third year, the club is keen to expand its membership and to encourage new athletes to get involved in what it describes as Ireland's fastest-growing sport. Starting at 10am in the grounds of the Castle on Saturday, March 16, with a warm-up session, the event will also offer a shorter run for juniors in line with parkruns. "We want as many people as possible to feel part of a real, local community brought together by these events," PRO of the club, Anne Riordan, said. "Glin is an amazing location with open-water swimming from the pier; lots of long, quiet secondary roads for walking and running; and plenty of hills to build up stamina on the bike. "One of the gems on Glin's doorstep is the Knights Walk, which is named after the late Desmond John Villiers FitzGerald, the 29th Knight of Glin, who granted permission for trails to be opened through the estate," Anne explained. Participants in no hurry to the finishing line can enjoy a panoramic view of the surrounding counties of Kerry, Clare, Galway and Tipp - if the weather plays ball - at the top of the viewing platform on Tullyglass Hill, which is along the trail. "Glin Triathlon Club wishes to acknowledge the support of Glin Development Association for this event; the Development Association have developed the Knight's Walk and continue to maintain this wonderful local amenity. The club will be offering winter warm-up sessions including turbo-bike sessions, running workshops, nutrition talks and open-water swimming instruction and support late in spring," Anne added. Following the sudden death of Edwina Duggan's Dad in 2016 while undergoing treatment for cancer of the Oesophagus, she vowed to do something to help overcome the grief and to help others who like her have lost loved ones. Having attended previous Killarney Strictly Come Dancing shows, she decided to sign up and take part and now, days before the event, she is getting nervous about what lies ahead. This weekend will see Edwina, from Lissivigeen; and her dancing partner, Jason Culloty, take to the stage for the fifth annual Strictly Come Dancing with 11 other couples to raise fund for the Killarney Branch of the Irish Cancer Society. They will take to the stage at the INEC this Friday, March 8, in front of a packed house, and each of the 24 dancers have very personal reasons for helping this worthy cause. For Edwina, this is her Dad, Martin, Gneeveguilla, who passed away in November 2016. A popular and well-known bar man, he had been diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in September and had begun chemo but, tragically, his heart gave out during treatment. Despite attempts by her Mom, Avril, to perform CPR to save his life Martin passed away. This also prompted Edwina to join the Killarney Cardiac Response Unit to help save lives. This year she decided to go a step further and raise funds for the Irish Cancer Society to help others diagnosed with cancer. "I think this is a way of helping others," she said. "If he were here, I know he would be very proud, and I will be thinking of that when I am on stage," said Edwina. Her mother, Avril, has also had cancer twice, so she knows first-hand how cancer can affect families, and everyone will be out in force to support her. She is appealing to everyone to support Strictly in Killarney this weekend but also to donate to the Irish Cancer Society during the year. Valentia Slate has graced unique and iconic buildings around the world including Westminster and St Paul's Cathedral, and famous homes in Ireland belonging to the likes of Sarah Jessica Parker and Bono. It is now hoped that Valentia Slate will become even better known word-wide as a new owner, Aidan Forde, from Killarney, takes over the business. The Killarney businessman is involved in Torc Brewing and in windfarm energy around the country, including through his company, Saorgus Energy. Now he's turning his hand to Valentia Slate. A geologist by trade, Aidan hopes to develop the business, which is more than 200 years old. "We are keen to develop it sustainably and leverage the uses that Valentia slate can be put to," he told The Kerryman this week. "We want to continue the international business and develop the Irish business, and we are very keen that Valentia Slate plays a role in the UNESCO project. The first message was sent from the slate yard; that's where the quarry is, and we hope the company plays a role into the 21st century." Valentia Slate dates back to the early 1800s, and in the 1850s it employed over 450 people. It closed in 1911, and more than 80 years later it was re-opened in 1998 by three local business men - Micheal Lyne, Mike O'Donoghue (RIP) and Pat O'Driscoll. The plan by the three local men had been to reopen Valentia slate to bring much-needed employment to the area in the 1980s, but it took longer than anticipated to get the quarry re-opened. The location had to be purchased from the Knight of Kerry, and then geological surveys were undertaken before any works could take place. Quarry equipment also had to be financed. Three men from the Ukraine were hired to come to Valentia to oversee the quarry when it re-opened. One of the biggest contracts Valentia Slate received was for the Palace of Westminster, which since 2004 has been using Valentia Slate for their refurbishment, and a major project is due to get underway in the coming years at Westminster, which will use more of the product. Micheal Lyne said this week that it is sad to say goodbye to the company but added that he and his business partners had never intended to run the company for so long. However, he said it is in good hands for the future. "He is a geologist and he loves the story," said Micheal. Two venues in Kerry will hold fundraising bake sales next week to help support those who have been affected by brain injuries. Milltown Secondary School will hold their bake sale on Wednesday, March 13, from 12-1.30pm while the next day, Thursday, March 14, from 11am-2pm, an event will be held in the Castleisland Resource Centre. All money raised on the day will go towards the local branch of the 'Acquired Brain Injury Ireland' (ABII) charity here in Kerry. The two Kerry events are being held during what is the National Brain Awareness Week, which runs from March 11 to March 17. "Your support or donation will make a real difference to people who need our help after their lives are turned upside down after brain injury," said Jonathan Power of ABII. "Monies raised will go to support our local services so we can provide more personalised rehabilitation programmes to more brain injury survivors," he said. A sharp difference of opinion has emerged between Tourism and sport Minister Brendan Griffin and his senior Minister at the Department of Transport Shane Ross. Over the weekend it emerged that Minister Griffin had asked officials at the Department to examine a system that is used in New Zealand which allows convicted drink drivers an exemption from their driving bans to allow them drive to and from work. If a driver can prove that a ban is causing them "extreme hardship" then they can be granted an exemption by the courts that allows them to drive on certain routes at specific times. Minister Griffin said that he had "asked officials to come back to him on it" adding that he was open to considering and looking at all proposals. He did not explicitly back the idea and said only that he wished to have officials at the Department examine the pros and cons of the New Zealand system. Independent Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae made a similar call this week saying that the introduction of a New Zealand-style limited permit system should at least be considered. "All I'm simply saying is explore the idea, it has worked in other countries, I don't see why it couldn't work here. Again, all I'm saying is, look into it," Deputy Healy-Rae said. However, Transport Minister Shane Ross has moved to shoot down the suggestion. "Absolutely no question of countenancing any idea of exempting anyone. This idea is a non-runner," Ross said. "If the vinters want to suggest ways of stopping drivers drinking alcohol, let's hear them. The (road Traffic Amendment) Bill will not be amended. No exceptions. We have introduced lifesaving legislation. We will not be diluting it," Minister Ross said. Twenty-five people were in attendance at a controversial 'Irexit' meeting which was held at the Ballygarry House Hotel last Friday night. The meeting made national headlines last week after Bec Fahy of the People Before Profit made allegations that the group was racist and urged people to call the hotel and demand that the talk be cancelled. The meeting, which was organised by the group 'Irexit: Freedom to Prosper' included a number of speakers who each outlined the reasons why they believe that Ireland should follow Britain's lead and leave the EU - an idea that organisers said is gathering momentum around the country. Wearing green 'Make Ireland Great Again' hats, organisers welcomed Frank Shinnock, a farmer from Fermoy to speak first. Describing the government parties as "Fianna Filth" and "Fine Goons" and using terms such as the "SS Gestapo" in Dublin, Mr Shinnock made comparisons between the EU and the Soviet Union - and described the EU as "an anti-Christian totalitarianism system." "Nice and Lisbon [treaties] were the start of the destruction of democracy. The majority of the people in this country voted no for 'Nice' and voted no for 'Lisbon' and then we were told to 'go again lads' To me, that's anti-democratic. These people, they have no respect for democracy. They are federalists," said Mr Shinnock on Friday night. A local girl who was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer at Christmas has made a miraculous recovery. Born on August 24, 2013, five-year-old Sophia McMahon-Egan - who is known as Fi - was rushed to Our Lady's Children's Hospital in Crumlin on Christmas Eve where she was diagnosed with stage 4 Wilms' tumours and with metastatic tumours three days later. She had a major operation in late February, when her tumour and a kidney were removed. The surgery was pushed forward by a week as there were serious concerns her life could be at risk as the tumour had gone up inside the main artery like a tunnel towards the liver and she had spots on her lung also. Her father Leon said if the cancer hadn't been detected when it was Fi might not have lived beyond April. 'If they hadn't of caught it within six months it would have been on her heart. She didn't even have time to have a blood transfusion before starting her chemotherapy on the Friday after Christmas, two days after St Stephen's Day. They couldn't do a biopsy on it as it was ready to pop.' The Gusserane NS Junior Infants pupil is the youngest of five (brothers Alex, Dean and Josh and sister Enya). Her parents Leon and Bridget were told by Fi's doctor prior to the operation that there was a chance she could die. Leon said: 'The doctor gave us the worst possible outcome. After the operation he said it was one of the worst cases he had seen as the size of the tumour was so big compared to Fi's size. It was the same width as her hips. They removed the tumour and sent it away for a biopsy and the cancer was dead. We can't believe it!' Wilms' tumour is a type of kidney cancer that often affects children under the age of seven. Leon said: 'It knocked on our door on Christmas Day. We brought Fi up to Wexford General on Christmas Eve as she had blood in her urine. She was transferred to University Hospital Waterford where Fi had an ultra sound and within two hours she was being rushed to hospital in Dublin. She had a scan on Christmas Day in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Crumlin and on Stephen's Day morning the news was broken to me.' The family were horrified to learn the tumours were most likely present in Fi for up to 16 months. 'The doctors said she shouldn't have survived but she has come back from the brink. The tumour was near the artery of her heart. Her lung was dying but the cancer peeled away from the liver. Her doctor couldn't believe it. It just popped out and the cancer cells were 100 per cent dead. I am putting it down to just pure positivity. She's up and walking around now. She is a miracle!' Leon and Bridget have been given a very positive prognosis for their little Fi, having braced themselves for the worst news. 'It's all very positive. We have another six months of chemotherapy to prevent anything from coming back. She is past the critical stage at the moment and it looks like Fi isn't going to need a liver transplant. Keeping it off the lung is the main thing. She's home now since last Wednesday and both us and her doctor are scratching our heads. We got the best answer on every single thing we could have asked for.' When this newspaper called to the family's home in Dunmain we were greeted by a smiling Fi and her parents. Having undergone an intense chemotherapy session on Friday, she, and her parents, had very little sleep. Leon said Fi gets sick and is very tired after her chemo treatment. 'We are hoping and praying to hear the words "in remission" before Christmas. We are still in shock to be honest as we had ourselves prepared for the absolute worst outcome. The gods were smiling down on her that day and the doctor too. He came out of surgery whistling. He was so happy. I think I am after witnessing a miracle,' Leon, 36, said. The sitting-room has been converted into a princess wonderland for Fi, with pink walls featuring slogans like Be Your Own Kind of Beautiful and PS I Love You, with a wide screen TV for Fi to watch her favourite film Frozen and play on the Wii when she has the energy. Family photos are displayed on the wall opposite her bed, beside which is a drip and tray with medicines. Both Leon and Bridget are trained in applying her bandages and giving her medicine. 'I don't like the tubey any more', Fi says in her sing song voice. Leon said the family has been through a lot over the past few years and if not for the assistance of a spiritual healer and close family friend named Daniel they don't know they would have gotten through the last three months. 'I was shown the scan on St Stephen's Day. If this happened a year ago (before we learned spiritual healing), I don't know where we'd be,' he says, playing with a teddy with Fi. 'When she was asleep we'd lie beside her and play the spiritual music.' Leon and Bridget said they are overwhelmed by the support they have received from people across the country over recent days and weeks. 'The sheer amount of people who have helped us, it would break your heart. Bridget and I are overwhelmed by all the support and kindness, including from her school. Fi's teacher Vicky Roche got the word out to the media about her. So many people have helped us like Floor Gallery in Waterford and Woodbine furniture.' Fi received a special letter from Santa before her big operation and her parents are forever grateful to Danny Brennan in New Ross for ensuring it got to their daughter in time. More than 7,000 was raised for the couple to fit out a hospital room for Fi, while Gusserane NS, where Fi and a sibling attend, donated almost 1,000 from a pink t-shirt day and Slimming World in Terrerath raised 300. The family are only living on a disability allowance as Leon suffered an injury from a fall and Bridget is currently training to be a hairdresser, so all donations were gratefully received. Bridget and Leon thanked everyone for helping them make life as comfortable as possible for Fi. 'She is out of hospital now and is getting back to herself. We'd just warn people to get their child tested (whenever they feel something isn't right). She is one of the lucky ones. It could have been a lot worse,' Bridget said. Preckwinkle: You know, when someone stands with you, its hard not to take that as an endorsement. In public life we often disagree, but I dont call the people with whom I disagree liars. And I think it's really disrespectful, and its hard to be an effective leader if youre going to engage in name-calling. And this is a person who not only just engages in name-calling here, but at another point in time called me a cockroach. I mean, this is, I dont know how you can be an effective leader if you believe that people who disagree with you or express opposing views should be subject to name-calling. Kilmore woman Julie Caulfield pictured at the Oscars ceremony in Los Angeles in a dress designed by herself. Julie was a make-up artist on Detainment, the controversial film directed by Irish filmmaker Vincent Lambe which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Short Film (Live Action). Julie, who is also a dress designer and has a shop in Kilmore Quay, travelled to Los Angeles with the director and other crew members for the glittering Oscars ceremony. Detainment is based on transcripts from the police interrogation of John Venables and Robert Thompson, the 10-year old boys who abducted, tortured and murdered British toddler James Bulger in 1993. The film lost out to Skin, a short film about racism in America which was directed by husband and wife team Guy Nattiv and Jaime Ray Newman. Coronation Street. It's Seb's 18th birthday. Unaware that Eileen and Faye are planning a surprise party for him, he thinks everyone has forgotten. Pleased to see Sarah and Gary at loggerheads, he is thrilled when Sarah says she has a birthday surprise for him later. Later, Sarah apologises to Gary for arguing and tells him to meet her at Number 8, where she has a surprise for him. Eager to get rid of Seb whilst she prepares the surprise party, Eileen tells Seb that Sarah is looking for him. Seb calls at Number 8 to find the door open. He lets himself in and finds a note from Sarah which reads "In the bath, waiting for you!" Seb heads upstairs, unable to believe his luck. Meanwhile, Geoff arrives at Number 6 with flowers for Yasmeen and his overnight bag. Yasmeen is clearly uncomfortable. Making excuses, she hurries out. Elsewhere, Gemma makes herself at home at Number 5 and offers to do the shopping. Chesney returns home and fondly surveys the pile of dirty plates. Gemma is oblivious. Also, Lolly talks Kate into ordering completely different flowers to the ones Rana wanted. When Lolly suggests they have a night on the town, Kate's all for it and Rana feels left out. Rana asks Imran if he'll walk her down the aisle at her wedding. Imran is touched. Eastenders As Stacey continues to worry about her mum, Kat gets Martin on board with a plan to get Jean's results. Kat pretends to be Jean at the surgery, but her scheming backfires. Fortunately, Martin secretly wrote down Jean's notes and they consult Sonia about what they mean. Sonia's response is a shock for the Slaters. Meanwhile, Whitney tries to get answers out of Tiffany, but can tell that she still isn't being entirely honest. At the same time, Keegan accepts that he needs help. Later, Whitney visits the Taylors and thanks Karen for calling the police. The drama for Tiffany clearly isn't over when she meets up with Evie, who tries to manipulate her into thinking that her family don't love her. Elsewhere, Mel sets her sights on Walford East as she needs cash. Also, Stuart tries to help Bex with her studies. Emmerdale Kerry, Jessie, Marlon and Paddy arrive in Belfast. Jessie is surprised when Kerry reluctantly reveals why she's come to Belfast - to find her daughter Amy. She opens up to Jessie over her. As Marlon and Paddy search for Bear in a busy pub, things take a turn for the worse when the crowd mistake Paddy for a wrestler and drag him to the ring. As a stunned and protesting Paddy faces his terrifying opponent, Bear Wolf saves the day. Paddy runs, with Marlon and Bear close behind. Later, Bear is stunned to see evidence that Paddy is his son. Meanwhile, Billy and Ellis once again are at loggerheads, but this time over Tracy when one of them kisses her. Fair City Wayne questions the solidity of his marriage, Hughie assures Renee he would be happy to spend more time with Ellie, and Melanie is shocked by Paul's decision. It has been claimed that two inflatable rescue boats being used by Sligo Civil Defence need urgent replacing. The boats in use by the Civil Defence are 35 and 18 years old, both of which have been described as 'not fit for purpose.' Replacement craft are believed to cost in the region of 35,000 each. The matter has been raised with the Minister of State for Defence Paul Kehoe by Deputy Marc MacSharry. In correspondence sent to the Minister, Deputy MacSharry says one of the boats, the Avon, was an ex Navy rigid inflatable which is 35 years old and has been formally classed as 'usable but not fit for purpose' by marine consultants. The engine was 20 years old with high hour usage. The Avon was described as having "numerous patches under its hull." The other boat, the Zodiac rigid inflatable was 18 years old and was decommissioned in 2015 but re-emerged for use in 2018 following some "ad-hoc" repairs. The engine was also some 20 years old and it was stated that the boat was sometimes "swamped by following seas." "This boat was the subject of a serious incident in June 2018 where the tubes separated from the hull. Luckily, this happened relatively close to shore and tragedy was avoided thanks to the initiative of the crew," said Deputy MacSharry. He said he was bringing the matter to the attention of the minister in the wake of the Kilkee report into the death of Coast Guard Officer, Caitriona Lucas in September 2017 and the important health and safety issues highlighted. "Sligo Civil Defence rescue boats are defective and pose a very real threat to the trained crews manning them," said Deputy MacSharry. He pointed out that some eight lives were saved across multiple events and rescues by the Civil Defence in Sligo last year alone. The Deputy has appealed to the Minister to immediately make provision for two new rigid inflatable boats with adequate deck space, suitably powered with modern and economic four stroke engines. Sligo County Council in a response says it is always seeking investment to enhance our civil defence equipment, the boats being one element. "Over the years we have had success with getting funding for vehicles, and with that need reasonably met at this time, we are putting Sligo forward for any funding that might be available," said the statement. Postmistress Mary Murphy preparing to close the doors on Gurteen Post Office for the last time on an emotional day last Thursday It was as though the whole of Gurteen came out to say goodbye to its post office on Thursday evening as postmistress Mary Murphy closed the door for the last time. There were lot of tears as locals gathered to bid farewell to service which the community strongly feels should never be taken away from them. Local shop owner and Save Gurteen Post Office committee member Damian Tansey described the farewell as a very very sad day. Fr Caulfield broke down, there were a lot of tears. Its been a part of peoples lives for many years. The local Centra owner described it as eery to see the doors now closed on what was considered a thriving post office. Acknowledging the service given by postmistress Mary Murphy, Mr Tansey said she helped so many people in the community. She helped so many vulnerable people who may not be confident with filling out forms. To take that service away is scandalous, Id call it criminal damage. Asked what the plan is now following the official closure, after what was a hard-fought campaign to try to reverse An Posts decision, Mr Tansey said, Were going to continue the fight. He and others in the community now expect An Post to follow its own protocol and stick by its verbal commitments which cited that people would have a post office where they do their weekly shop. They [An POst] need to be held to account. Were going to keep banging this drum. There is an unjustice here, said Mr Tansey. With anger now turning to determination, the committee spokesperson said they feel they must continue to fight for the people of the community. Mr Tansey still refutes claims that closing the post office was done as a cost-saving measure as Gurteen Post Office had a healthy amount of transactions, compared to other post offices which are still operating. Speaking in relation to the provision of services going forward, Tansey said as his shop is a designated Post Point it can offer some of the services, but many essential services have now been transferred to Ballymote. People can pay bills in the shop but pensions and social welfare cant. Jobseekers must present themselves. that means they have a roundtrip costing 20 or 30 that they dont have. Theyre targeting the most vulnerable. He added that Gurteen has always been thriving and that the closure of the post office was a devious plan between An Post and the Postmasters Union. The AGM of Blessington & District Credit Union Limited was held in the Avon Ri hotel on Thursday last where it was outlined that the total of new loans issued grew by over a million Euro, from 5,243,796 to 6,256,450 - an increase of 19.3 per cent. The meeting was well attended and chairman Michael Doyle reported on another successful year. The total assets of the Credit Union grew from 42,635,363 to 45,663,115 - an increase of 7.1 per cent. With a surplus of 869,404 for the year the board of directors was pleased to recommend the payment of a dividend of 0.25 per cent on shares and a loan interest rebate of 5 per cent. In his address the chairman paid special tribute to retiring directors Con Flynn and Breda Brophy on their remarkable record of service to the Credit Union. They had both been on the board of directors for over 40 years. Charles Murphy, president of the Irish League of Credit Unions, joined in the tribute to Con and Breda. Mr Murphy said they wouldn't just be a great loss to Blessington Credit Union but also to the wider credit union movement after a lifetime of involvement. Another highlight of the meeting was the draw for two cars and a number of substantial cash prizes. The lucky car winners were Aidan Gilheany senior from Blessington and Michael Bradshaw from Ballymore Eustace. All the winners are now listed on the Credit Union's Facebook page. The chairman also outlined the board's position in relation to licences at the Enterprise Centre owned by the Credit Union and dealt with questions which had been raised by members prior to the meeting. He also answered any further questions which came from the floor of the meeting. The board welcomed the opportunity to outline to members its position on this issue which had attracted some recent publicity. The chairman thanked the management and staff for their commitment to the highest standards of customer service. He thanked the volunteers who serve on the board and committees of the credit union. He appealed for more members to get involved as volunteers, as this has always been a vital element in the community ethos of the credit union. The chairman thanked everyone for attending and wished all members well for the coming year. An appeal has been lodged with An Bord Pleanala against planning permission granted for a 25-bedroom hotel at South Quay in Wicklow town. BPS Planning consultants, Irish planning institute town planning and development consultants have submitted the appeal on behalf of 17 residents living nearby to the planned development at properties on Castle Street, Market Street and Quarantine Hill. Wicklow County Council granted Waterbrand Holdings Ltd permission for a 25-bedroom hotel made out of shipping containers in February of this year. The permission allowed for the demolition of two warehouses on South Quay. There are also plans for a cafe/restaurant, wine bar and roof terrace and 14 car parking spaces. Residents attached to the appeal are 'not opposed to the development' of the site but consider that any 'development proposal must be appropriate to the site and not impact on properties in the vicinity.' A number of reasons for objecting to the development are included in the appeal, such as the height of the five story building. According to BPS: 'There is no five storey building in this part of Wicklow (or, my clients believe, in Wicklow Town as a whole), therefore, how can this proposal - for a building taller than any other in the entire town - be acceptable?' Other concerns include the heigh of a rooftop bar and fears it could overlook and impact on nearby residential properties. In the appeal BPS state : 'The applicant proposes a very large front elevation to the South Quay. BPS is not convinced that in the absence of the use of containers, that such a dominant visual form would be considered acceptable. Containers are only a material and should not cause us to ignore that the proposed elevation's monolithic, unbroken height, scale and massing would be overbearing onto the quays.' The appeal also argues that there is no night time use in this part of Wicklow town at present, and therefore it isn't considered a suitable location for the proposed hotel. Questions are also raised over the environmental sustainability of the development. BPS also state: 'Having reviewed the full planning application and WCC's assessment of same, BPS and our clients do not consider that were this hotel proposed to be constructed in standard materials that it would be considered acceptable as currently proposed. My clients submit that the proposal should be re-designed and re-submitted in a revised form that is more sensitive to the site and to the surrounding area.' The appeal is to be decided by June 24. Keith Flint pouring a pint of the black stuff during his visit to Black Toms in Tinahely last September Just months after Prodigy front man Keith Flint was welcomed to south Wicklow, news of his tragic death has stunned fans. The English music star paid an unannounced visit to Black Tom's in Tinahely last September while in Ireland for a wedding and was the life and soul of the party as he chatted with locals and even pulled a pint in the local pub. It was announced on Monday that Flint (49) had passed away at his Essex home. His band member Liam Howlett later indicated on social media that the death had occurred as a result of suicide. During his brief visit to Tinahely, Flint's presence caused great excitement as local customers couldn't believe their eyes when they saw the 'Firestarter' hit-maker in their local pub. Proprietor Ed Heffernan posted a touching tribute on the Black Tom's Facebook page on Monday and reminded people to talk to somebody if they are feeling overwhelmed or in crisis. 'Having had the pleasure of Keith Flint visit the pub last September we were shocked to read of his passing this morning, wrote Mr Heffernan. 'He brought laughter to our customers and ourselves during his visit and was a gentleman in every sense of the word. A smile can hide many demons and Keith and many, many more people are proof of this. It's okay not to be okay and if you aren't okay talk to somebody.' One thing we dont need is for someone to come in whos learning how to be mayor with all of the issues that this city is having, Binion said. We need someone who is qualified, who knows where the bodies are buried and the skeletons and the bones, to go in, roll up her sleeves and make change. Because what we need right now is a positive change. Pope Francis yesterday branded anti-Semitism part of a wave of "depraved hatred" sweeping some countries. In comments to members of the American Jewish Committee during a visit to the Vatican, he said it was sinful for Christians to hold anti-Semitic sentiments because they shared a heritage with Jews. "A source of great concern to me is the spread of a climate of wickedness and fury, in which an excessive and depraved hatred is taking root," Francis said. "I think especially of the outbreak of anti-Semitic attacks in various countries." More than 500 anti-Semitic attacks occurred last year in France, which has Europe's biggest Jewish community. Episodes of anti-Semitism have coincided with the rise of populist parties in countries such as Germany, Poland, Italy and Hungary. A patient has opened fire at a hospital in Prague, injuring two other patients, Czech police said. A spokesman said the incident happened late on Friday night in the haematology ward of the Vinohrady University Hospital, where the three shared a room. The attacker was detained after being disarmed by nurses. One of the wounded was reported to be in a very serious condition. Police are investigating. Women and children are evacuated out of Baghouz in Syria (AP Photo/Andrea Rosa) A woman and her children, who were evacuated out of the last territory held by Islamic State sit outside Baghouz, Syria, Tuesday, March 5, 2019.(AP Photo/Andrea Rosa) U.S-backed fighters will resume their assault on Islamic State's last, small patch of ground in eastern Syria if no more civilians come out by Saturday afternoon, one of their spokesmen said on Friday. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have slowed their offensive on the jihadist enclave at Baghouz near the Iraqi border to allow many thousands of people to leave over the past few weeks. A month ago the SDF launched what it called a "final battle" to take the cluster of houses and farmland, and people leaving the enclave have described harrowing conditions of peril and hardship. The SDF said a week ago that it believed all civilians had come out and renewed its assault, leading to a new surge of displacement, including obdurate disciples of Islamic State, some of its captives and hundreds of surrendering fighters. Expand Close Black plumes of smoke rise in Baghouz, Deir Al Zor province, Syria. Photo: Rodi Said/Reuters / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Black plumes of smoke rise in Baghouz, Deir Al Zor province, Syria. Photo: Rodi Said/Reuters A Yazidi woman who emerged on Thursday spoke of years of enslavement and abuse by the jihadists. Two Iraqi boys who came out with her, pretending to be her brothers, said many fighters remained dug into tunnels in Baghouz. However, the head of the SDF media centre, Mustafa Bali, said no more people had emerged on Friday. Expand Close Queue: Boys wait in line for aid near Baghouz. Photo: REUTERS/Rodi Said / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Queue: Boys wait in line for aid near Baghouz. Photo: REUTERS/Rodi Said "We are waiting for tomorrow morning or perhaps until the afternoon, we'll give another space, for the possibility that civilians are present and the chance to get them out," he said. After that, "if no civilian or terrorist comes out, we will launch our military operation anew." The capture of Baghouz will mark the end of Islamic State's territorial rule over populated areas of Iraq and Syria, and the culmination of a U.S.-backed military campaign waged by the SDF for four years. After suddenly seizing swathes of land straddling the Iraqi-Syrian border in 2014 and declaring it their caliphate, Islamic State was beaten back by numerous local and foreign forces in both countries, suffering major defeats in 2017. Expand Close Women and children are evacuated out of Baghouz in Syria (AP Photo/Andrea Rosa) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Women and children are evacuated out of Baghouz in Syria (AP Photo/Andrea Rosa) However, the jihadists remain a menace. In Iraq they have gone to ground, staging waves of killings and kidnappings. In Syria, their comrades hold out in remote desert areas and have carried out bombings in areas controlled by the SDF. Those who have fled Baghouz have mostly gone to al-Hol, a displacement camp in northeast Syria whose population has swelled to 62,000 people, 90 percent of them women and children. Expand Close A member of US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces watches over evacuees (AP Photo/Andrea Rosa) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A member of US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces watches over evacuees (AP Photo/Andrea Rosa) A senior U.S. defence official in Washington said it could take a couple of days to retake Baghouz, or even weeks. About 20,000 Islamic State fighters and family members have come out of Baghouz so far, said the official, who requested anonymity. "We have been consistently wrong, as have our SDF partners, on how big this is in terms of both fighters coming out and also what we consider ISIS affiliates, these are women and children," the official said. Expand Close Attack: Kurdish-led SDF fighters fire on Isil positions in Baghouz in eastern Syria. Photo: Reuters / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Attack: Kurdish-led SDF fighters fire on Isil positions in Baghouz in eastern Syria. Photo: Reuters SDF forces were holding about 4,000 suspected Islamic State fighters from Iraq and Syria and more than 1,000 foreign fighters, the official said. The baby son of Islamic State runaway Shamima Begum has died. Ms Begum, 19, gave birth in a refugee camp in the middle of February, having already lost two children. Her third child's death was confirmed on Friday by her family's lawyer Tasnime Akunjee. He had earlier tweeted: "He was a British citizen." Ms Begum, from Bethnal Green in east London, was 15 when she and two other schoolgirls went to join the terror group in February 2015. She resurfaced heavily pregnant in a refugee camp in northern Syria last month and spoke of her desire to return to the UK, as the self-styled caliphate collapsed. On February 17, her family announced the boy's birth and said they believed he was "in good health". In an earlier interview with the BBC Ms Begum said: "Losing my children the way I lost them, I don't want to lose this baby as well and this is really not a place to raise children, this camp." Expand Close Shamima Begum (PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Shamima Begum (PA) Home Secretary Sajid Javid stripped Ms Begum of her British citizenship amid a fierce national debate over whether she should be allowed to return. Her family, who pledged to appeal against the decision, also wrote to Mr Javid pleading with him to allow a safe passage for the boy to come to the UK. Last month, Mr Javid confirmed the boy was a British citizen and said he had considered the child's interest when deciding to revoke Ms Begum's citizenship. Following news of the boy's death shadow home secretary Diane Abbott criticised Mr Javid's decision. She tweeted: "It is against international law to make someone stateless, and now an innocent child has died as a result of a British woman being stripped of her citizenship. This is callous and inhumane." Asked whether there was any plan for Ms Begum's son, Mr Javid has previously told the Commons Home Affairs Committee it would be "incredibly difficult" for the Government to facilitate the return of a child from Syria. "If it is possible somehow for a British child to be brought to a place where there is a British consular presence, the closest place - it might be Turkey for example - in those circumstances I guess potentially it is possible to arrange for some sort of help with the consent of the parent," he added. "Inside Syria, whether in a camp or maybe somewhere else, there is no British consular presence." A Government spokesman said: "The death of any child is tragic and deeply distressing for the family. "The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has consistently advised against travel to Syria since April 2011. "The Government will continue to do whatever we can to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism and travelling to dangerous conflict zones." Flights at New Jersey's Newark Liberty International Airport resumed on Saturday after the airport closed its runways due to reports of a possible fire in the hold of a Boeing 737 cargo plane that was diverted there, officials said. Air Transat Flight 942 was headed to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, from Montreal, Canada, when it made an emergency landing in Newark at around 8:30 a.m. EST (1330 GMT), the Federal Aviation Administration said. Flight activity has resumed at #EWR after the pilot of an Air Transat flight requested an emergency landing due to a report of fire in the cargo hold of the plane. Plane landed safely. 2 minor injuries unrelated to any smoke condition. Confirm with your carrier for flight status. Newark Liberty Airport (@EWRairport) March 9, 2019 Firefighters responded and passengers were evacuated on emergency slides, the FAA said. There were two minor injuries "unrelated to any smoke condition," the airport said on Twitter. Alabama bound: President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump and their son Barron Trump, walk to board Air Force One, en route to Lee County, where tornadoes killed 23 people. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) US President Donald Trump has labelled the investigation into his links with Russia a "collusion witch hoax", in a rambling and inaccurate tirade on the White House lawn. As Democrats decried the lenient sentencing of ex-Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort as a "miscarriage of justice", the top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee sent a scathing letter to its chairman Jerrold Nadler attacking the panel's motivations in investigating the president for abuse of power. "Your investigation is an abuse of Congress's oversight power. Such an investigation serves only one of two possible purposes: either you intend to impeach the president, for alleged crimes that have yet to be discovered, or you intend to embarrass him," wrote Georgia representative Doug Collins. The probe saw 81 members of the Trump inner circle sent letters earlier this week requesting private documents as it seeks to find out whether Mr Trump sought to obstruct justice by discredit FBI special counsel Robert Mueller into possible Russian election hacking. As part of what is being viewed as an ongoing effort to persuade the public that his campaign did not collude with Russia, Mr Trump also dramatically misrepresented comments made by the judge who presided over the sentencing of Mr Manafort. Mr Manafort was sentenced to nearly four years in prison on Thursday for cheating on his taxes and bank fraud. The case was prosecuted by special counsel Robert Mueller's office but was unrelated to his core mission of investigating Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. During Thursday's proceedings, US District Court Judge TS Ellis noted the distinction, saying that Mr Manafort was "not before this court for anything having to do with collusion with the Russian government to influence this election". In a tweet, Mr Trump incorrectly suggested that the judge's comments had cleared his campaign of wrongdoing. "Both the Judge and the lawyer in the Paul Manafort case stated loudly and for the world to hear that there was NO COLLUSION with Russia," Mr Trump wrote. "But the Witch Hunt Hoax continues as you now add these statements to House & Senate Intelligence & Senator Burr. So bad for our Country!" Mr Trump's tweet also referenced Manafort lawyer Kevin Downing, who told reporters outside the courthouse that "there is absolutely no evidence Paul Manafort worked in collusion with any government official from Russia". Mr Trump's tweet prompted immediate pushback from politicians, including Senator Angus King, "This case doesn't prove there was no collusion because that wasn't the subject of the trial," Mr King said. At a trial last year, Mr Manafort was found guilty of hiding millions he made lobbying on behalf of Ukrainian politicians in overseas bank accounts, then falsifying his finances to get loans when his patrons lost power. Prosecutors highlighted his lavish lifestyle, saying his crimes were used to pay for high-end clothes and multiple properties. Mr Manafort contends he is mere collateral damage in Mr Mueller's investigation into Russian involvement in the 2016 presidential election. Mr Mueller is expected to send a report in coming weeks to Attorney General William Barr regarding his findings related to election interference. The House Intelligence and Senate Intelligence committees are continuing Russia- related investigations as well. Senator Richard Burr, chairman of the Senate panel, who Trump referenced in his tweet, has said he has seen no direct evidence of collusion. Earlier Mr Trump said he would be disappointed if North Korea were to resume weapons testing, and reiterated that he had a good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. "I would be surprised in a negative way if he did anything that was not per our understanding. But we'll see what happens," Mr Trump told reporters. "I would be very disappointed if I saw testing." The Republican president's comments come after a second summit between him and Mr Kim collapsed last week over differences on US demands for denuclearisation and North Korea's demand for sanctions relief. Two US think-tanks and Seoul's spy agency said this week that North Korea was rebuilding a rocket launch site, and there have been reports of new activity at a factory that produced North Korea's first intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of reaching the United States. Hernandez, who has been the 8th District representative on the Kane County Board since being elected in 2016, once worked as an intern in Chapa LaVias office. At age 26, Hernandez becomes the youngest member of the Illinois General Assembly. Ben Affleck told us this when we asked him what patriotism means to him. "One example of patriotic service that i got to see myself, was to work alongside some Indian peacekeepers who were working, thousands of miles away from home, in the democratic Republic of Congo where many Indians soldiers were serving in order to make the transition of another country to democracy more peaceful. I found that admirable and to me that form of service is the true act of patriotism." Bhavya Sadhwani/Indiatimes We met Affleck, Charlie Hunnam and Garrett Hedlund, all part of the new Netflix movie Triple Frontier. The movie revolves around former war veterans undergoing a mission for their own selves after having served the country for over 17 years. Bhavya Sadhwani/Indiatimes Ben Affleck took it upon himself to share his bit on the same. He said, This is a question that has no great one answer to this but i can tell you one thing, you know the acts of patriotism in service when you see them. War-mongering is something that is engaged in by the political class. Bhavya Sadhwani/Indiatimes The military folks are there serving, so whatever service they do is in the name of their country and they put their trust in their commanding officer to make the right decision and the politicians who lead them to make the right decisions. But naturally there is a line - Patriotism, nationalism, jingoism. We have to be mindful of that." Bhavya Sadhwani/Indiatimes The movie is all set to premier on Netflix on March 13th. Talking about prepping that it took for the film, Ben Affleck said, Its not just for the military but for a particular brand of service- the special operations, so we did some training with those guys, where they taught us their techniques, how they move and how they shoot, that was definitely the most interesting and the most challenging part of the role and we tried to do it very realistically. Bhavya Sadhwani/Indiatimes Without giving away any spoilers, Charlie Hunnam said, I wont give anything away but theres a sequence in the movie which involves swimming with the mules, with horses and it was sort of one of those things, sometimes as a director you need to be Machiavellian and by any means necessary ,get your actors to do what you need them to do. Our director JC needed two people to do the sequence, so he went to Ben first with the scene and he said - NOPE, then he went to Pedro and Oscar they also said no. Bhavya Sadhwani/Indiatimes So Garrett and I, like idiots, said yes to it and found ourselves swimming in olympic sized pools with mules and I can tell you this that mules can swim really fast. Ben Affleck gave an overview about the film, he said, "Its a couple of different films in one actually. On one level, its a very exciting action heist movie with a lot of cool stunts. Bhavya Sadhwani/Indiatimes Underneath that, its really a character story of these professional operatives of many many years, bonded together quite closely and who now take a mission that is outside of what they usually do and is morally questionable. Underneath that, it's also a parable about war and military intervention. Therefore, there's something for everyone in this film." We saw the special screening of the film and it won't be wrong to say that the audience is in for a treat! An Indian pilot, working with Indian carriers to operate flights from New Delhi to the United States was deplaned and deported over charges of downloading child pornography. The Mumbai-based pilot was handcuffed in front of passengers by the US law enforcement authorities soon after he landed in San Francisco. The pilot who is in his fifties works as a first officer with an Indian carrier and frequently operated flights to the US. He was arrested on Monday following which his passport was seized, his visa was cancelled and he was put back on a flight to Delhi, a source informed Times of India. All air carriers operating U.S bound flights must send the passenger manifest and crew details to the U.S Bureau of Customs and Border protection, no later than 15 minutes after the departure of the flight. Photo: AFP/Representative Image The source added that the pilot wont be able to visit the U.S again. It was found that the said pilot had been under the scanner of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for accessing and downloading child pronography. The agency had even monitored his internet activity and usage to gather evidence while his stay in US during layovers. Reportedly, the FBI has even sent evidence to the Indian authorities in the form of a sealed dossier. Though, a spokesperson for the airline said that he was deported over visa issues, but three other independent sources confirmed to TOI that the visa issue in question was due to child pornography charges. Section 2256 of Title 18, United States Code, defines child pornography as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor (someone under 18 years of age). Federal law prohibits the production, distribution, reception, and possession of an image of child pornography using or affecting any means or facility of interstate or foreign commerce. Any violation of federal child pornography law is a serious crime, and convicted offenders face severe statutory penalties. Jammu and Kashmir is on high alert ever since the Pulwama terror attack took place on February 14. Encounters in Tral, Kulgam and Poonch districts have killed as well as injured not only the Indian armed forces but civilians as well. In the most recent attack, two people were killed following a grenade attack at a bus stand in Jammu. 32-year-old Mohammad Riyaz, a resident of Anantnag district died in the early hours of Friday while undergoing treatment at the Government Medical College hospital in Jammu. A 17-year-old teenager named Mohammad Sharik was also killed in the grenade attack who had arrived in Jammu to learn tailoring and become self-reliant. Photo: AP/Jammu and Kashmir police officers walk with a suspected rebel who is accused of Thursday The Jammu and Kashmir police arrested a teenager suspect who is believed to have hurled the grenade. Now, media reports have revealed that the suspect named Yasir Javaid Bhat was paid Rs 50,000 by terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen for carrying out the attack. IANS reported that Bhat confessed to interrogators on Friday that an overground worker of the terror group had paid him the money. Around 32 people were injured in the blast. The suspect, belonging to Kulgam district, was arrested from Toll Plaza at Nag rota outside Jammu city when he was trying to escape to the Kashmir Valley. Eyewitness accounts and CCTV footage helped the police to set up checkposts. Photo: AFP/Jammu Blast site The suspect is yet to turn 16 on March 12 and if his Aadhaar and school records are correct then as per law, Bhat is still a juvenile. He is the eldest son of his parents and a student of class IX. His father earns a living as a painter. Further interrogation revealed that Hizb district commander Fayaz Bhat alias Umer originally gave the task of carrying out the grenade attack to Muzammil at a crowded place in Jammu, however he failed to do so following which Muzammil handed over the task to Bhat who was code-named Chhotu. The Pulwama terror attack in which over 40 CRPF soldiers were martyred was also carried out by a 19-year-old Indian Kashmiri Adil Ahmed Dar who was described as a responsible kid by his parents. He drove an explosives-laden SUV into the CRPF convoy as part of the Jaish-e-Mohammed terror plan. Two days after an infuriating video of saffron-clad goons who beat two Kashmiri dry-fruit vendors black and blue went viral on social media, the vendors are back to business in the city. The dry-fruit sellers were thrashed by two men with armed sticks who attacked them just because they were from Jammu and Kashmir. Ever since the Pulwama terror attack rocked the nation on February 14, Kashmiris have been the target of right-wing groups. The Pulwama attack was carried out by an Indian named Adil Ahmed Dar following which cases of xenophobia were reported from various parts of the country. Kashmiris were forced to escape metropolitan cities and take shelter elsewhere. Photo: Twitter/Prashant Sharma The video drew a lot of flak on social media. One of the locals in the video comes to the rescue of the vendor asking the miscreants to not take the law in their own hands. However, by Friday afternoon the vendors were back at the very same spot where they were attacked, HT reported. There was a better response today when we re-occupied our spot to sell dry fruits after the Wednesday incident,the duo told the publication. Earlier in the day, the vendors were invited at a market organised by the All India Democratic Women's Association or AIDWA. The women encouraged them to visit Lucknow again. Photo: HT Abdul Salaam, one of the traders who was attacked told NDTV that the police helped them a lot. "I have been coming to Lucknow for 22 years... People of Lucknow love us very much. We felt safer here than back home." said his friend Mushtaq. Another native of Jammu and Kashmir named Khurshid Ahmed who frequents the U.P capital said that all of these attacks were happening due to the Pulwama attack. One fish dirties the entire pond, he was quoted as saying. Though, he added people of Lucknow have always welcomed them. SHOCKING: Some goons in saffron kurtas throttle, assault a Kashmiri dry fruit seller in Lucknow. Passersby come to rescue of the Kashmiri. Case yet to be registered. Hope @Uppolice @Igrangelucknow @lkopolice register an FIR and jab these goondas at the earliest. pic.twitter.com/zXjI3Anh2n Prashant Kumar (@scribe_prashant) March 6, 2019 The two men who were attacked were identified as Abdul Salam Naik and Afzal Naik. Both of them belong to Hajipura area in Kulgam district in south Kashmir. Salam Naik reportedly said that he would sell dry fruits worth Rs 4,000 to Rs 6,000 between 10 am and 6 pm everyday. However, on Friday he was able to sell fruits worth the same amount in only four to five hours. SECOND video of the attack. These cries of this Kashmiri should make us all hand our heads in shame. Truly disgusted to see these clips. This is not the #NewIndia anyone can hope for. India is big, our hearts are bigger. Kashmir is our and so are the Kashmiris. pic.twitter.com/L7nXAqL2vf Prashant Kumar (@scribe_prashant) March 6, 2019 He also received Rs 20,000 as compensation from Lucknow district magistrate Kaushal Raj Sharma as a goodwill and confidence-building gesture. Following the incident, the local police arrested five people including main accused Bajrang Sonkar. The men belonged to a Lucknow-based fringe group called Vishwa Hindu Dal whose chief named Ambuj Nigam was also arrested. Nirav Modi, one of India's most wanted economic offenders is enjoying a luxurious life in London. Modi who has been elusive ever since he ran away from India in January 2018 was tracked down by a report of British newspaper The Telegraph on the streets of London. In a video posted by the newspaper the reporter is seen confronting Modi with a series of questions about his whereabouts, plans to seek political asylum and reports of him still doing business. The Telegraph/ Twitter For every question the fugitive scamster had one answer - No comments. Exclusive: Telegraph journalists tracked down Nirav Modi, the billionaire diamond tycoon who is a suspect for the biggest banking fraud in India's historyhttps://t.co/PpsjGeFEsy pic.twitter.com/v3dN5NotzQ The Telegraph (@Telegraph) March 8, 2019 According to the newspaper, Modi, who is accused of defrauding the Punjab National Bank is currently living in a three-bedroom 8 million apartment occupying half a floor within the luxury skyscraper called Centre Point off Tottenham Court Road, where rent is understood to be 17,000 a month. When confronted by the reporter, Modi was said to be wearing an ostrich hide jacket which is estimated to be worth over Rs 9 lakhs. The newspaper also reported that Modi has resumed his dimond business under a new name. BCCL The development comes even as India's request to extradite the fugitive from Britain has failed to make any headway. On Friday the district authorities in Maharashtra's Raigad had razed an illegally constructed bungalow which belonged to Modi in Kihim beach, Alibaug. AFP The 48-year-old, once one of the most celebrated luxury jeweller in India was accused of swindling the bank of Rs 6,498.20 crore, through his companies, using fraudulent Letters of Undertakings (LoUs). The elaborate scam which was happening for many years came to light only in February 2018, by then he and his uncle Mehul Chosky along with their families had fled the country. Mohammad Yaseen, the Indian Army soldier, who was earlier reported to have been abducted by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir, is free and safe, the Defence Ministry has said. Media reports of the abduction of a serving Army soldier (Mohammad Yaseen) on leave from Qazipora, Chadoora, Budgam(J&K) are incorrect. Individual is safe. Speculations may please be avoided, said the defence ministry statement. Read More. Here's More Top News For The Day: 1) Fugtive Nirav Modi Found Strolling Around London, Wearing Ostrich Hide Jacket Worth Rs 9 lakh Nirav Modi, one of India's most wanted economic offenders is enjoying a luxurious life in London. Modi who has been elusive ever since he ran away from India in January 2018 was tracked down by a report of British newspaper The Telegraph on the streets of London. In a video posted by the newspaper the reporter is seen confronting Modi with a series of questions about his whereabouts, plans to seek political asylum and reports of him still doing business. Read More. 2) Jammu Blast Accused Was Paid Rs 50,000 By Hizbul Mujahideen For Hurling Grenade In the most recent attack, two people were killed following a grenade attack at a bus stand in Jammu. 32-year-old Mohammad Riyaz, a resident of Anantnag district died in the early hours of Friday while undergoing treatment at the Government Medical College hospital in Jammu. The Jammu and Kashmir police arrested a teenager suspect who is believed to have hurled the grenade. Now, media reports have revealed that the suspect named Yasir Javaid Bhat was paid Rs 50,000 by terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen for carrying out the attack. Read More. 3) Pakistan Is Not Letting Anyone Visit Terror Sites Hit By India, Meanwhile Telling The World Its Own Stories Ever since the Indian Air Force hit the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror training camp in Balkot on February 26, Pakistan has been living in denial. Initially they told the world that the IAF was forced to turn away by its air force. It soon changed to the IAF dropped the payload in the open. Pakistan also invited international media to the spot to see for themselves. But so far the only international media house that has been granted access there is Doha-based Al Jazeera, when a Pakistan based correspondent was taken to the spot which they say the bomb fell. Read More. 4) On Women's Day Meghalaya HC Sentenced Two Women Journalists For Contempt, Fined Rs 2 Lakh, Made To Sit In The Corner The Meghalaya High Court on Friday found the publisher and editor of The Shillong Times, a local newspaper guilty of contempt and fined them Rs 2 lakhs each, failing which they will be send to jail for six months, and the paper will also be banned. On International Women's Day, the editor Patricia Mukhim (in photo) and her publisher Shobha Chaudhuri were sentenced to sit in the corner of the courtroom till the rising of the court. Read More. 5) Lucknow Embraces Kashmiri Vendors As They Are Back To Business After Being Attacked By Goons Two days after an infuriating video of saffron-clad goons who beat two Kashmiri dry-fruit vendors black and blue went viral on social media, the vendors are back to business in the city. There was a better response today when we re-occupied our spot to sell dry fruits after the Wednesday incident, the duo said on Friday. Earlier in the day, the vendors were invited at a market organised by the All India Democratic Women's Association or AIDWA. The women encouraged them to visit Lucknow again. Read More. Sending out a strongly worded warning, the Supreme Court has reminded the Haryana Government not to take any action that will affect the ecological balance of the Aravalli hills and forest. "We are concerned with Aravalli. If you are doing anything with Aravalli or Kant Enclave you will be in trouble. If you are doing anything with forest, you will be in trouble. We are telling you," the SC bench of Justices Arun Mishra and Deepak Gupta said. BCCL The court's stern warning was in the context of the Haryana Assembly passing the amendments in the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA) which would have opened it for construction work in the ecological sensitive zone. According to citizens and environmentalists the Haryana Government, under the pressure of the land mafia have been trying to open up the Aravallis, often referred to as the lungs of the NCR for construction. BCCL Solicitor general Tushar Mehta told the court that the state government would not do anything to harm Aravali hills and clarified that the bill was not passed to help anyone. The Haryana Assembly had on February 27, passed amendments to the Act opening up thousands of acres of land in Gurgaon, Faridabad, Nuh, Mahendragarh and Rewari to real estate and other non-forest activity in the area that was protected under it for over a century. Haryana Chief Minister ML Khattar had defended the move saying it was the"need of the hour", and had added that it was a "very old" Act and much has changed over a period of time. BCCL On March 1, the SC come down heavily on the government for passing amendments and said the state would not act on it without the court's permission. In a related development the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in its final order has ruled that 52 acres of Aravali land in Faridabad which was cleared of trees in 2017, is a 'deemed forest'. The Haryana government had permitted cutting of trees on the land to build a housing project. BCCL Haryana government has been facing criticism from environmentalists and citizens for opening up protected areas for construction. With just 3.5 percent of its land as forest, Haryana has the worst forest cover in the country. Recently Gurugram was ranked the most polluted city in the world for 2018. Bike aficionados come in all shapes and sizes. It is well known that many of them hail from Bollywood. One such lover of powerful two-wheelers is Shahid Kapoor and it looks like the renowned actor has just added to his list of mean machines, with a BMW adventure traveller. A recent post by Shahid on his Instagram shows that the actor has now got himself a BMW R1250 GS Adventure, one of BMWs premium bike offerings that costs around Rs 18.25 lakh. In the post, a picture of himself on the bike has been described by Shahid as a bike lover gone mad. For all the other bike lovers pondering about the bike, Shahids new machine is quite impressive on the spec sheet. It comes with a 1254 cc engine capable of producing 136 horsepower, 143 Nm of torque and up to 200 kmph of top speed. The 268 kgs bike comes with an electronic fuel injection with ride-by-wire throttle system and multiple riding modes. Also read: At Rs 133 Crore, Bugatti 'La Voiture Noire' Is Now The World's Most Expensive Car And It Is Already Sold Out In addition to the recent BMW R1250 GS Adventure, Shahid also owns a Ducati Scrambler 1200 that comes with an around Rs 11 lakh price tag. Shahid can also often be spotted driving around Mumbai on the Scrambler Shahid Kapoor with daughter Misha on his Ducati Scrambler (Image: Insta/ ShahidKapoor) Back in Feb this year, even ex-Indian skipper Saurav Ganguly opted for a BMW bike namely the BMW G310 GSS. With a 313 cc single cylinder 34 bhp engine the bike was delivered to the southpaw on February 8. As for Shahid, his latest bike is an adventure tourist so dont be surprised if you catch him riding alongside on your next trip to Pune or maybe Goa from Mumbai. It's a new year again, and another round of college admissions coming up, with students frantically trying to get a slot. The cream of the crop of course will have their pick of choice. The 2019 Times Higher Education World University Rankings lists the best of these. But it has no Indian institutes listed, which is worrying for all of us. The list looks at the top engineering and technology colleges in the world. The University of Oxford in London tops this list, with Stanford and Harvard in the US coming in second and third. The California Institute of Technology and Massachusetts Institute of Technology round out the top five. You can find the entire list here. But for all the impressive names on the list, there's one glaring fact. None of India's colleges make it into the top 50. This actually ties in with other data studies recently. One by HSBC points out that Indian parents would rather send their kids abroad for higher education, at least 44 percent of them. And they're all mostly looking at the US, UK, and Australia. Also Read: 44 Per cent Indian Parents Want To Send Their Kids To US, UK Or Australia For Education So, why do Indian parents not want their kids to study in their home country? After all our education system is the third largest in the world, according to the World Bank, behind only the US and China. Despite its size, does our education system just suck? You see, our higher education system has grown in the past 10 years, to the point where we're full to bursting with new IITs and IIMs. Unfortunately, though this has served to provide more access to the more financially stable class, there's been no money funneled into regional universities. Frankly, there just are a lot of quality teachers in India. Because of the comparatively lower pay scale as a university teacher, as compared to say a working engineer, most won't even opt for the profession. And those that do are likely eventually being demotivated by the lack of financial reward for their efforts. Those good enough and lucky enough to come to the notice of Universities outside the country are bound to take the leap, considering their standard of life would automatically be much higher. Then again, part of the reason regards the funds at the university's disposal. In India, engineering and technology colleges don't have a lot of government funding for research grants and the like. Some might come in from tech corporations once in a while, but for the most part there's just nothing to dole out, at least in comparison to the US and UK. Infrastructure is the other hurdle. It's hard enough for a university to acquire land and set up buildings, then they also have to find a way to furnish them with labs of an adequate standard. Perhaps if the government were to help out by at least constructing shared labs for two or three universities in an area, this might help reduce the seriousness of the problem. In any case, it seems we have a long way to go before we get to the top. Also, students who participate in the program will receive a scholarship for their first year of enrollment at Columbia based on cumulative grade point average on all transferable courses taken at Waubonsee, according to the release. On March 11, 2019, the Chettikulangara Temple, Mavelikkara will defy the ban and perform Chooral Muriyal a ritual of symbolic human sacrifice. Despite the High Court having banned the ritual in February last year, temple authorities and devotees seem to be unfazed and all set to repeat history. As per the ritual, young boys below the age of 10 are pierced with golden threads and their blood offered to the deity to invoke blessings. What is more disturbing is that wealthy people buy children from not so well-to-do families for Rs 50,000 to Rs 1,00,000 for the purpose of this ritual. So, while the child at the sacrificial alter is not theirs, the blessings are meant for the family and children of whoever bought the child aka sponsors. Watch the video here to get a grasp on how big money buys little boys for a ritual inside #Kerala temples even to this day. This is child trafficking in modern #India.@k_satyarthi @BBAIndia https://t.co/m3exNrgM6K Jaswinder Singh (@freudontherocks) March 6, 2019 Its not just a matter of physical pain. These children are isolated and kept in the houses of their sponsors for seven days until the ritual of Kuthiyottam symbolic human sacrifice - is performed. Not even their parents are allowed to interact with them during this period. @MinistryWCD @LabourMinistry @CMOKerala @HAQCRC this is a clear violation of #HumanRights and the exchange of money in return of a minor to perform any act is violation under #BondedLabour Act. Please rake cognizance of this immediately and save these children.. https://t.co/XzUKAOGaUZ Varsha (@VarshaBhargavi) March 4, 2019 The kids bought for the banned body piercing ritual #ChooralMuriyal being paraded at Chettikulangara temple, Kerala. Is this our New India? #StopChooralMuriyal pic.twitter.com/LrCORMseOD T Sudheesh (@sudheeshdc) March 4, 2019 According to Deccan Chronicle, 13 sets 26 kids - of Kuthiyottam will be held as a part of Kumbabharani festival on March 11. Protsahan an NGO has been trying to reach out to the higher echelons of the government to seek help on the issue and prevent the temple from carrying out the ritual. According to lawyer Sandhya Raju, who had moved to the high court in 2017 against the ritual, the court will be informed of the violation. An FIR was registered under sections 324 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means), 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of Indian Penal Code and section 75 (punishment for cruelty to child) of Juvenile Justice Act. At an age when children can barely tell right from wrong, an experience like this can be daunting. While there are people who are standing up against this ritual, there are far too many who believe that spilling a childs blood is the only way to impress their deity. One of India's most wanted men, Nirav Modi was recently tracked down in Londons West End by British newspaper The Telegraph. His new avatar didn't skip anyone's attention either. For those unaware, 48-year-old billionaire and fugitive businessman, Nirav Modi is the prime accused in the multi-crore PNB fraud. But he defended himself saying he is not done anything wrong and that the Rs 14,000 crore scam was a "civil transaction" which was being blown out of proportion. Exclusive: Telegraph journalists tracked down Nirav Modi, the billionaire diamond tycoon who is a suspect for the biggest banking fraud in India's historyhttps://t.co/PpsjGeFEsy pic.twitter.com/v3dN5NotzQ The Telegraph (@Telegraph) 8 March 2019 From his ostrich hide jacket to his 'no comments' stance and the handlebar moustache, Netizens have not spared Mr Modi: #1 I don't think #Uber can help in this case... Finding a neighbourhood called No Comment? a city named No Comment? and a mansion named #Nocomment???? .. let's be fair... pic.twitter.com/Qz6QaL5XKu GS (@suharia) 8 March 2019 #2 How about this as a plot:#NiravModi is arrested by four undercover RAW agents. They take him to an underground room. "Mr Modi, you know diamonds, and you're already in london. If you can get the Kohinoor back, all is forgiven." Cue rock music to set up heist prep montage. Vir Das (@thevirdas) 9 March 2019 #3 NIRAV MODI wearing an exotic skin jacket having robbed thousands of crores in his Ponzi scam does not look remotely worried https://t.co/0YbV9hl03u Swati Chaturvedi (@bainjal) 9 March 2019 #4 The moral of the story is this... No matter how hard you try... No matter how much ostrich skin you wear..... It's hard to get a cab in London. #NiravModi Vir Das (@thevirdas) 9 March 2019 #5 Vijay Mallya & Nirav Modi, both are in London. This is not surprising. Historically, England has always been home to people who loot India. Shridhar V (@iimcomic) 9 March 2019 #6 My first thought when I heard "We know #NiravModi lives in a flat that costs over 40 crores" was...wait...he's in Colaba? Vir Das (@thevirdas) 9 March 2019 #7 Pakistani version of #NiravModi. Pakistani leader faces tough questions, gives a perfect answer to journalists. Nirav Modi must be inspired from him. #NoComments pic.twitter.com/nSIr9FfmDJ Rahul Upadhyay (@rahulrajnews) 9 March 2019 #8 Watch India"s fugitive nirav Modi new look. pic.twitter.com/V0LUJpIwK1 Sai mahapatra (@Saimahapatra10) 9 March 2019 #9 When someone is asking, " How is your life? " Me: #niravmodi pic.twitter.com/TAQWWtmxTL Yasin Kolia (@yasinkolia_yak) 9 March 2019 #10 #NiravModi When ever relatives try to ask me a question after exam Me* pic.twitter.com/iH13qLp90u Asura (@Asura25533361) 9 March 2019 #11 There you are my friend in an ostrich hide jacket Hoping that would help keep you unseen.#ostrich#comebackmodi https://t.co/7eBZ4VTk4N Urban Che (@UrbanChe) 9 March 2019 "Sorry, no comment" says #NiravModi trying to 'bury his head in the sand' The fact that he was wearing an Ostrich hide jacket is only a strange coincidence! pic.twitter.com/wMt4ChWzaz Gautham Shanbhogue (@ohmygaut) 9 March 2019 #12 The Telegraph tracked Modi down to a three-bedroom luxury apartment at the Centre Point off Tottenham Court Road. Reports state that he is involved in a new diamond business, just a few hundred yards from his swanky apartment. On Friday, the district authorities in Maharashtra's Raigad had razed an illegally constructed bungalow which belonged to Modi in Kihim beach, Alibaug. Reliance Jio director Akash Ambani has finally tied the knot with diamantaire Russel Mehta's daughter Shloka Mehta. The couple got engaged last year after Akash proposed to Shloka in March 2018 in Goa. The wedding ceremony took place at The Trident hotel in Mumbai. The dinner will be hosted at the Jio World Centre in Bandra Kurla Complex. Meet the new couple: Here are some of pictures from the Barat ceremony This video gives a sneak-peek of what the wedding venue looks like The family posed for the media while Isha Ambani was caught doing something unuual, according to Viralbhayani's Instagram post, 'Well this is a tradition followed in Gujarati weddings during Varghodo. The priest gives the grooms sister a small bowl wrapped in cloth and containing coins on which the Hindu Swastika has been etched." "She rattles this over her brothers head to ward off the evil eye and also to warn him that even though he is getting married, he must not forget his sister! " The groom was seen having a quiet moment with grandfather Dhirubhai Ambani's photo ahead of the baraat. High profile guests such as former British Prime Minister Tony Blair with Cherie Blair, former UN General Secretary Ban Ki Moon, Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra, Amir Khan, Jackie Shroff, designer Manish Malhotra have already arrived to attend the ceremony. A UK family found that their ancestor, Major Thomas Hart, who was an army officer with the British East India Company brought certain artefacts back home after the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War in 1798-99. The valuables they found in their attic turned out to be artefacts from Tipu Sultan's armoury. Major Thomas Hart brought the artefacts after the Tiger of Mysore's defeat at Seringapatam in 1799 Now they are going under the hammer at an auction later this month. Over two centuries later, Brits still gleefully profiting from the pillage of India https://t.co/wmWoWHXyg2 Kanishk Tharoor (@kanishktharoor) 7 March 2019 The items were passed down generations and could fetch millions of pounds for the unnamed family in whose home it was discovered. These are the list of things they found: Tipu Sultans tiger-striped gun which was said to be on his person during his last battle in Seringapatam. His father Haider Ali Khans gold-encrusted sword. A gold betel nut casket with 3 nuts still inside. "This is a very exciting discovery, made in an ordinary little home in Berkshire after lying wrapped up in an attic for 220 years," said Anthony Cribb, of Antony Cribb Ltd auctioneers who specialise in arms and armoury related sales. UKMALAYALEE/Ali Khans gold-encrusted sword. "The family is not motivated by money and sincerely hopes these items find their way back to India, maybe to a museum, for future generations to have access to it," he said. The auction house will put up all eight items for auction on March 26 as individual pieces, without any price estimates, due to the "special" nature of the discovery. Mr Cribb said it was impossible for him to put a price to any of the items and would rather let the market and buyers decide. The lots came to light in January this year when the couple contacted Anthony Cribb Ltd about a sword they had in their attic. Source After an evaluation, a gold "Haider" symbol found on the sword confirmed that the sword belonged to Haider Ali Khan -- Tipu Sultan's father. Three other swords bearing similar gold markings were found soon after, along with a bayonet and gun. "The gun is definitely the highlight as it not only bears the symbol of Tipu Sultan's armoury but is also battle-worn. There is a chance that this gun was among the weapons used by the ruler in his famous last stand against the British in the Anglo-Mysore battle," said Mr Cribb. An intricately designed Betel Nut Casket and a shield belonging to Tipu Sultan as well as a Gold East India Company Seal ring belonging to Major Thomas Hart will also go under the hammer. In 2014, a solid gold ring belonging to the 18th century ruler of Mysore had fetched 145,000 pounds at a Christie's auction in London and a collection of items associated with him sold at another auction for around 6 million pounds in 2016. Inputs PTI File photo of Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) participating in an interview and question-and-answer session with leaders from historically black colleges and universities during a Thurgood Marshall College Fund event at the JW Marriott Feb. 7, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Israeli forces and the Israeli Civil Administration cut off water to dozens of Palestinians living in communities of Bardala village, in the Jordan Valley, northern occupied West Bank on March 6. Mutaz Bisharat, an official who monitors settlement activity in Tubas/Jordan Valley, told Maan News Agency that Israeli forces cut off the water supply for 60% of residents of Bardala village; that is 2,600 people.Israeli forces also cut off water supply for 1,800-2,000 dunams of Palestinian agricultural lands that must be continuously irrigated.Bisharat added that Israel claims the water sources supplying residents with water are illegal, stressing that the water comes from water wells in the village, and inside Palestinian lands.He pointed out that, as Israeli forces cut off the water supply for Palestinians, they construct water wells for Israeli settlers.Bisharat called upon international and humanitarian institutions to immediately intervene, to stop Israeli violations of human rights.The Jordan Valley forms a third of the occupied West Bank, with 88 percent of its land classified as Area C under full Israeli military control.Water allocations are very necessary for the increase of agricultural production, in order to support the economic growth of many Palestinian farmers.Jordan Valley residents mostly live in enclaves closed off by Israeli military zones, checkpoints, and more than 30 illegal Israeli settlements.03/06/19: Two Children Die In House Fire After Army Delayed Fire Trucks PHOTOS How to handle unexpected unemployment Before the coronavirus pandemic hit, 59% of Americans were living paycheck-to-paycheck, according to a 2019 Charles Schwab survey. In March, the number of people reporting a temporary layoff more than doubled, bringing the number to 1.8 million, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In the same survey, it was noted that the number of people who are unemployed rose by 1.4 million. This marked a March increase in the unemployment rate of 0.9 percent the largest monthly increase since January 1975. If your job was one affected by the coronavirus, coping with the effects of that loss can be emotionally taxing. Here are some ways to handle the sudden change and to stay positive. AUDUSD Bounces Off Key 0.70 Level Tradable Patterns - Wed Dec 8, 11:42PM CST The (AUDUSD) is consolidating after a 3 day bounce to its December high. Significantly, the AUDUSD has broken above a month long downtrend resistance (on the daily chart) and is trying to bounce off... ^AUDUSD : 0.71621 (-0.10%) FXA : 71.24 (+0.83%) Crypto execs head to Capitol as Congress mulls regulations AP - Wed Dec 8, 4:36PM CST NEW YORK (AP) Cryptocurrency executives went to Capitol Hill Wednesday to say their fast-growing industry understands more regulation is likely coming, but they don't want it to squelch the next wave... $SPX : 4,701.21 (+0.31%) $DOWI : 35,754.75 (+0.10%) $IUXX : 16,394.34 (+0.42%) Cotton Firms Up for Close Barchart - Wed Dec 8, 4:07PM CST After extending the pullback through midday, the midweek cotton trading session closed with futures 16 to 35 points in the black for the front months. March was a full 1 1/2 cents off the low at the bell.... CTH22 : 106.11 (-0.57%) CTK22 : 104.70 (-0.59%) CTZ21 : 111.55s (+0.25%) Corn Closes Firm for Wednesday Barchart - Wed Dec 8, 4:07PM CST Corn futures closed the midweek trading session with fractional to 1 1/4 cent gains. December contracts were the outlier with a 1 1/2 cent dip during the delivery process. New crop December was also red... ZCZ21 : 588-2 (+0.60%) ZCPAUS.CM : 5.7439 (+0.23%) ZCH22 : 587-4 (unch) ZCZ21 : 588-2 (+0.60%) ZCPZ21US.CM : 5.7439 (+0.23%) Irish diplomats are expected to travel to Syria in the coming days after it emerged an Irish woman is being detained in the country. 37-year-old Lisa Smith, from Dundalk in County Louth, is being held at a camp there after being picked up by US forces. She is being held along with her two-year-old son. The former member of the Irish Defence Forces travelled to war-torn country in 2015. Irish soldier held in Syria worked on Government jet By Sean O'Riordan A former female Defence Forces soldier arrested in Syria on suspicion of joining Islamic State (IS) also served in the Air Corps, where she helped work on the government jet. The woman, believed to be in her 30s, was reportedly detained in northern Syria a few days ago. Shes believed to be the first former member of the Defence Forces to have gone on to join IS, although it is well known that a number of former soldiers defected to the Provisional IRA in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The woman, who is believed to have married a Tunisian and has a young child, was detained a few days ago by forces fighting the last remnants of IS in the region and is understood to want to return to Ireland. According to a well- informed source, the woman first worked as a private in the Irish Army, before transferring to the Air Corps. She is a native of one of the border counties and left the Defence Forces around five years ago. Its understood that it was around this time that she began to be radicalised and she is said to have left for Syria in 2016. A Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman said they were aware of reports of an Irish passport-holder being detained in Syria. Appropriate consular assistance is provided to all Irish citizens where it is possible to do so, the spokesman added. The Defence Forces press office said it couldnt comment on the arrest as it didnt yet have all the facts to hand. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar recently said Ireland would take back extremists or sympathisers who have travelled to war-torn regions as we shouldnt expect our citizens to be somebody elses problem. He added hed be loath to revoke anyones citizenship provided they are a citizen by right or acquired their citizenship appropriately. Last January Alexandr Bekmirzaev, 45, who was born in Uzbekistan and then moved to Belarus, was arrested in Syria on suspicion of fighting for IS, which he denied. He was granted an Irish passport in 2010. The family of an Irishman who was missing for two months in Malaysia have hailed the person who found him as a hero. Tourist Stephen Warde, 31, from Kinvara, Co Galway, was last seen on CCTV footage outside Mercu Summer Suites on Jalan Sultan Ismail in Kuala Lumpur on December 28 last. This led to his family travelling to Malaysia in a desperate bid to find him and offering a reward of $5,000. The e-commerce businessman had last made phone contact with his mother Mary Morrissey, 57, on New Years Day when he asked for 150 to be wired out to him. Malaysian police issued a national appeal for information on the missing man. In a post on the Help Find Stephen Warde - Malaysia Facebook page last night, which was set-up in the wake of Stephen going missing, his family said that he is very unwell and will be remaining in Kuala Lumpur for some time to come. Stephen was brought to the Irish Embassy in Kuala Lumpur by a man who found Stephen in a distressed state. We were delighted to hand over the reward of $5,000 to this man. Were it not for this mans thoughtfulness and compassion, it is likely Stephen would still be missing, or worse. You are a hero and we will be forever grateful to you. In the post the family added: Thankfully, Stephen was found alive in Kuala Lumpur last week. Unfortunately, he is not in good health. "(He) is expected to remain in hospital in Malaysia for the foreseeable future as he is not fit to fly and he needs serious medical care. He faces a long road to recovery, but now that he has been reunited with us, we can support him during this difficult time. Stephen Warde. The Wardes went on to thank the public for their support over the past couple of months. The generosity of everyone in our community has been totally overwhelming and the total of funds raised from all of the fundraising efforts has significantly exceeded the target of 25,000. Therefore we want to donate all funds in excess of the 25,000 target (approx. 5,000+) to Kinvara Alive which is a group that promotes mental wellbeing in Stephen's hometown of Kinvara. We would like to again thank everyone who supported us over recent weeks. "Words cant describe how grateful we are to all of the people who donated, fundraised and assisted us in the search for Stephen. Thank you for helping us find Stephen. The Warde family. Today, an organised fundraising coffee morning still went ahead as a time to celebrate that Stephen was found. The head of jazz at the CIT Cork School of Music has expressed fears for the future direction of the citys jazz festival following the sudden departure of its director. John OConnor, the head of department of pop, jazz, trad, voice, and theatre studies at the CIT Cork School of Music, said he was shocked and saddened to learn of Sinead Dunphys departure just a year into her role. Mr OConnor said he has been involved in the festival since its inception 40 years ago, primarily its educational aspect, as a partner in a major project involving young musicians from the School of Music. Last years festival put Cork back on the international map as a major jazz festival in terms of its artistic credibility and legendary hospitality, he said. I fear it will now revert to a lowest common denominator, juke-box pop-party festival and a blot on the cultural landscape. He was reacting to the news revealed in yesterdays Irish Examiner that Ms Dunphy, a respected arts administrator widely credited with the rejuvenation of the jazz festival, has been axed from her job. The jazz festival, staged every October bank holiday weekend since 1978, is one of the countrys top festivals, worth an estimated 45m to the regional economy. Ms Dunphy, who was appointed as festival director early last year, had a three-year rolling contract with Verve, The Live Agency, which manages a range of marketing and promotional initiatives for several companies including Diageo, the owners of Guinness, the sponsor of the jazz festival. Ms Dunphy worked closely with Verve executives to programme last Octobers event, which saw a return to more traditional jazz performances and an increased focus on bringing music to the streets. It is widely regarded as one of the most successful jazz festivals in the events 40-year history. In a statement last night, Ms Dunphy confirmed that Verve Marketing Ltd, who represent Diageo, have terminated her three-year rolling contract. She said: I have been left with no option but to place the circumstances of my termination in the hands of my solicitors. And in the interim Id like to thank everyone for their overwhelming support. Verve has declined to comment, or answer questions about why it terminated Ms Dunphys contract. Diageo has also declined to comment in detail on the reason for Ms Dunphys departure, opting to confirm by statement only Ms Dunphys departure, and thanking her for her contribution. A spokesperson said Diageo remains committed to the jazz festival. But New York-based Irish guitarist David ORourke has raised questions. In a post on Facebook, he said: I have a big band of the leading New York jazz musicians, along with some of Ireland and the UKs leading players, plus special guests, holding dates for months now, based on an agreement made prior to last years festival. Something is off here, but I really hope Diageo/Guinness will keep their commitments to my musicians... In its statement on Thursday, Diageo said the Cork Jazz Festival Committee, in association with Guinness and the 80 venues that host the festival each year, are committed to delivering a world-class event again this year. Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan has said that sufficient Garda numbers and resources are ready for a no-deal Brexit and any new policing demands for the Border area. His comments come with just three weeks to go until the March 29 Brexit deadline and amid concern that any disorderly Brexit could impact on the peace process. At the attestation of over 200 new gardai at the Garda College in Templemore, Co Tipperary, Mr Flanagan said the force was prepared for Brexit. He was asked about plans to deploy more gardai to the Border over Brexit. In terms of deployment, this is a matter entirely for the Garda commissioner, he said. I have discussed the issue of the border with him and continue to do so. It is important in the context of any border area. There are going to be challenges in terms of organised crime or smuggling. The border area between any states is always one challenge. Im quite confident the gardai will deploy the appropriate and necessary resources that are deemed fit. He said Garda Commissioner Drew Harris was continuously reviewing the policing of the border areas. Any future assignments would be a decision for the commissioner, he said. Mr Flanagan said that the Government absolutely had a plan to secure the border. The security of the state is my priority as minister for justice. Whether there is a hard Brexit or a soft Brexit, the Governments plan is to protect people in the border area, he said. However, Mr Flanagan declined to comment on specific numbers that may be needed in the Border area in the event that the UK crashes out of the EU and the region becomes a frontier for the union. His comments come after Taoiseach Leo Varadkar last week confirmed increased numbers of armed gardai would be sent to border regions. However, he denied this was linked to Brexit concerns. Mr Varadkar said this was to battle cross-border crime and burglaries. This included proposals to send an armed unit to the Co Cavan region, he told the Dail. He also told TDs: I am happy to clarify that it would be happening, Brexit or no Brexit, due, unfortunately, to the level of crime people experience in Ireland, not least on foot of armed burglaries in rural areas on which we are determined to crack down, not only in Cavan, Donegal, and Louth, but everywhere in the country. The Government does not possess the political will to protect vulnerable homeowners from so-called vulture funds, it is claimed. The comments from the Opposition came after the master of the High Court said any judge who knowingly favours banks in litigation should resign. Edmund Honohan observed that, following two recent Supreme Court judgments, it is going to be more difficult for a vulture fund to get summary judgment, even in an uncontested case. Mr Honohan said it is hard for judges, given recent banking scandals, to view bank records without suspicion. He was speaking yesterday when dismissing a funds uncontested application for liberty to enter final judgment against a woman for about 944,550, including interest. The woman did not appear in the masters court and was not represented. In his written decision, Mr Honohan emphasised that any outcome in the masters court is check and not checkmate and not final unless a plaintiff so chooses. Noting there are now more claims for judgment by assignees of original lenders than by the original lenders, he said an assignee plaintiff cannot lay claim to the same historically uncritical acceptance of accounts statements and business records as a bank as they have bought an IOU. Vulture fund plaintiffs need not come to court expecting the judge to rubber-stamp the IOUs. They may not be worth the paper theyre written on. It is not correct, just because an assignee can apply to be substituted as plaintiff, that their title or ownership of the debt has been accepted by the court. Vulture fund cases need detailed examination, he said. In an appendix to his decision, he set out a checklist of 35 points for judges to address when dealing with uncontested summary judgment applications. Having referred to several banking scandals, he said what is common to all of those is the vehemence with which bank officials try to defend. This is banking culture. It starts with bonuses and ends in disinformation, he said. The age of innocence is over. Banks affidavits have fallen from grace. They no longer enjoy any presumption of accuracy. Justice now requires scepticism, he said. From next Monday, Mr Justice David Barniville will deal with such cases but Mr Honohan will continue to deal with debt cases initiated before the direction. Reacting to his comments, opposition TDs have called on the Government and the judiciary to act to protect the rights of borrowers against the banks. The chair of the Oireachtas finance committee, John McGuinness, said he fully supported Mr Honohans comments, saying he has set down the playbook for other judges to follow. I fully support him. He has set out exactly what other judges must do. They should challenge the banks on their paperwork. Other judges need to be as vigilant about the rights of the borrower as they are of the rights of the banks, he said. Independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice said Mr Honohan has been proven to be correct in all of his pronouncements as to the maltreatment of homeowners. Speaking to the Irish Examiner, he said: Sadly, the political will is not there to protect homeowners. Just look at the repeated attempts to block Pearse Dohertys bill on the Central Bank powers. The Government will not block a new EU proposal which would allow Britain to leave the customs union when it wants, but only if it honours its commitment to avoid a hard border. The EU, with the approval of Dublin, is ready to give the UK the unilateral right to leave the customs union, in a bid to avoid a disorderly Brexit. Chief negotiator Michel Barnier insisted that in return for the offer, Britain would still need to honour its commitment to preserving a border free of controls between the Republic and Northern Ireland. As a result, this would see the border effectively running along the Irish Sea. The British government, however, was quick to dismiss Mr Barniers offer as a rerun of old proposals. UK Brexit secretary Steve Barclay, on Twitter, rebuffed the Barnier statement. With a very real deadline looming, now is not the time to rerun old arguments. The UK has put forward clear new proposals. We now need to agree a balanced solution that can work for both sides, he said. With three days to go before a make-or-break House of Commons vote, Mr Barnier warned the UK that time has run out on securing a Brexit deal. He offered a deal that comes with a controversial price-tag. Mr Barnier said if Britain wants to leave the EU on time at the end of this month, the EU will help it by: Agreeing to legally enforce an arbitration panel which will give the UK the right to a proportionate suspension of its obligations if the EU breaches good faith by not seeking alternatives to the backstop; This option will come into force at any required point during the two-year with-drawal period which follows the March 29 Brexit divorce date; It will mean Britain will have the option to exit the single customs territory unilaterally and help to ensure the UK will not be forced into [a] customs union against its will. However, he said the deal depended entirely on Britain ensuring that the other elements of the backstop, those relating specifically to Northern Ireland, must be maintained to avoid a hard border. A Government spokesman said: These negotiations on the political declaration are taking place between Michel Barniers taskforce and the UK. The Government welcomes the fact that Michel Barnier continues to stand up for the interests of the whole of the EU, including Ireland. The Taoiseach has repeatedly made clear that he would not oppose a backstop which is specific to Northern Ireland, if that is deemed helpful, but that would have to be a decision for the UK. Fianna Fail Brexit spokesperson Lisa Chambers said getting a deal over the line would be good for Northern Ireland and I would urge the DUP to think long and hard on this offer. Predictably, the DUP rubbished the offer last night, saying the latest deal is a non-starter and shows no respect to the constitutional and economic integrity of the United Kingdom. The situation means that unless DUP leader Arlene Foster buckles under growing business and farming pressure to back down, and unless Brexiteers force her hand, the Brexit stand-off has failed to be resolved. Mr Barniers comments came as British prime minister Theresa May gave a keynote speech in Grimsby in which she warned that the UK may never leave the EU if MPs vote down her deal on Tuesday. Describing the coming week as a moment of crisis if the EU-UK deal is rejected again, Ms May warned: Next week, MPs in Westminster face a crucial choice: whether to back the Brexit deal or to reject it. Back it and the UK will leave the European Union. Reject it and no-one knows what will happen. We may not leave the EU for many months, we may leave without the protections that the deal provides. We may never leave at all. Gardai objected to bail being granted yesterday to a 22-year-old with mental health issues who put his mother in fear after he had been drinking. Garda Danielle Porter testified at Cork District Court yesterday that the accused was on bail on a charge of breaching the safety order when he breached it again on Thursday night, March 7. The defendants mother said her son had a problem with alcohol and underlying mental health issues. It was alleged that the young man would get violent and aggressive after drink and would scream and roar at his mother and run at her and that it became a very chaotic situation and that he would also destroy property. Students from secondary schools all around the country are to strike next week over the Governments lack of action on climate change. The Schools Strike for Climate Action will see marches in Dublin and Cork and strike events outside local authority offices and school gates in counties from Tralee to Donegal, Meath to Galway on March 15. The Irish events are part of a wider global movement inspired by the 16-year-old schoolgirl Greta Thunberg, who began striking outside the Swedish parliament last August. The events next Friday follow on from smaller strikes that have been taking place over the past three months in Ireland. The students have called on the Government to address issues including: Ensuring all fossil fuels are left in the ground and preventing any new fossil fuel infrastructure from being built; Ensuring Ireland uses 100% renewable electricity by 2030; Declaring a climate emergency; Prioritising the protection of life on Earth; Transitioning to a CO2-neutral Ireland; Implementing all the recommendations of the Citizens Assembly on climate change; Stronger regulations on corporations that cause climate issues. [/factbox] Maisy Morgan-Sutton, 14, a second-year student from Cork Educate Together Secondary School, accused the Government of doing nothing to tackle the issue. The Earth isnt dying, its being killed, she said. The Government is doing nothing and then blaming us for our personal choices. Sustainability isnt a luxury. If we fail now there is no undo button. If you truly cared for your kids youd fight for their future. Second-year student from North Wicklow Educate Together Molly Mercier-Redmond said the young people of today will have to deal with the inaction of todays politicians in the future. If the leaders of our country are not willing to act, then we have no choice but to step up to the plate and demand action, she said. We have always been taught that adults know best, but the truth is, they are the ones ignoring climate scientists and destroying our future. Ireland may face penalties in light of damning EU audit report. The European Commission is seeking a meeting with Irish officials this month over a damning audit of the States monitoring and fishery controls of the 1bn mackerel industry. In a letter to Cecil Beamish of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the European Commissions fisheries directorate, DG Mare, says that follow up by Ireland to address the audit findings is imperative as a matter of urgency. Ireland may face penalties over the final EU audit report, which identifies severe and significant weaknesses in the Irish control system for pelagic (mackerel, herring, blue whiting) catches. Warnings of such weaknesses had been flagged in a review of Irelands fishery control regime commissioned back in 2007 by the then Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. The EU report highlights inadequate sanctioning of infringements which often go unpunished due to the cost and length of procedures in a purely criminal sanction system which has no administrative alternative. The audit also identifies the States failure to control a recreational fishery for bluefin tuna, with evidence that some tourist trips advertised over the internet resulted in bluefin tuna being kept, landed and offered for sale in breach of regulations. The audit of monitoring, conducted by the States Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA), was carried out by EU officials in March 2018, in the largest fishing port of Killybegs, Co Donegal. The auditors scrutinised weighing systems in seven fish factories in Killybegs, and analysed monitoring of the fleet of large pelagic vessels, some of which were found to have under-recorded storage capacity in 2014 and 2015. The auditors highlight that no infringements have been cited by Ireland for this non-compliance, nor has any enforcement action been taken against the vessels. The report questions why the SFPA did not alert the States Marine Survey Office about the discrepancies, which might have led to prosecutions by that body. It also says there was no attempt made by the Irish authorities to quantify the level of historic under-reporting of pelagic catches. The EU audit notes several cases of suspected manipulation of weighing systems, one of which was successfully concluded in the courts in 2017. It says weighing of fish should ideally be done on piers or point of landing to prevent under-reporting. It finds that only one benchmark for inspections of mackerel, herring, blue whiting, and horse mackerel was met for 2017 in breach of regulations. It notes that the dual role of SFPA inspectors as both seafood health officers and fisheries control officers clearly creates a significant draw on resources, away from fisheries control duties. It also notes that previous EU audits had highlighted the lack of automated crosschecks of data in Ireland. The 2007 review for the Department of Marine had said weighing of pelagic fish should primarily be undertaken at the quayside However, the SFPA notes difficulties with weighing fish at the pier. The original idea was simple: Try to do something different, something that celebrates the restaurant world in a new, more relevant and entertaining way, awards from the ground up but it took a whole decade to become a reality. These ground breaking awards celebrate the excellence, integrity and rich culture of the restaurant world. So with much pomp and ceremony, the inaugural World Restaurant Awards were held at the Palais Brongniart in Paris on February 18, 2019. Ten countries and four continents were represented, in a glitzy, super chic event that celebrated not just the chefs that work their magic with foams, gels, skid marks on plates and liquid nitrogen instead these awards celebrated many other aspects of the restaurant experience. Over 100 judges from 37 countries made up a cosmopolitan, multicultural, gender balanced, panel of experts chefs, restaurateurs, influential media figures, film makers, book publishers, food scientists, activists, campaigners. They chose from 18 different categories including: No reservations required for places where it is possible to turn up without a booking. This award went to Mocoto, Sao Paulo Brazil House special restaurants defined by one particular dish was won by Lido 84 on the edge of Lake Garda in Italy for their simple but iconic pasta dish, Cacio e Pepe en Vessie (cooked in a pigs bladder). Multi-starred Alain Ducasse won the Tattoo-free chef of the Year. The Tweezer-free kitchen went to Bo.Lan in Bangkok. The Pop Up Event of the Year was awarded to the Refugee Food Festivals. New arrival of the Year went to Inua in Tokyo. Ethical Thinking, rewarding environmental and social responsibility to Refettorio various locations. Food for Soul, an Italian not-for-profit organisation that addresses food waste, loneliness, and social isolation through community meals. Instagram Account of the Year was won by another 3-star Michelin chef, Alain Passard of Arpege in Paris. Off map destination was won by Wolfgart, a 20-seat restaurant in a 130-year-old white washed fishermans cottage on the edge of the ocean in Paternoster on the Western Cape. Wolfgart also won Restaurant of the Year. Chef owner Kobus Van der Merve said by keeping it small, we keep it sustainable. Red-Wine serving Restaurant -for those who shun current fashion by championing the red grape. This category was won by a cult London wine bar called Noble Rot. Ireland was nominated in two categories and won both: Collaboration of the Year went to Corks own Denis Cotter of Cafe Paradiso and farmer Ultan Walsh from Gortnanain Farm in Nohoval who has been growing beautiful produce for Cafe Paradiso for over 18 years. Denis accepted his award in beautiful, fluent gaelic. Much to our excitement, The Trolley of the Year Award went to Ballymaloe House. JR Ryle, who is the passionate young pastry chef and I proudly accepted the award on behalf of Ballymaloe and dedicated it to the memory of Myrtle Allen whose idea it was to have a trolley groaning with delicious desserts for her guests to choose from. She and her husband Ivan opened their home as a restaurant in 1964. Everything about the Oscars of Food Awards was super exciting. Chefs from all over the world flew in to give us a taste of their special little dish. The finest pata negra was carved off the bone into paper thin wisps, hundreds of oysters were shucked, tender abalone, black pepper soft shelled crabs, tantilising tacos, chilli crab beignets and delicious coconut madelines, warm from the oven made by Cheryl Koh from Singapore, who promised me the recipe. But perhaps what impressed me most was the short film by perennialfarm.org which reminded us cooks and chefs, what restaurants can do to combat climate change. Chefs can help by sourcing from climate friendly farms and ranches. Going carbon neutral with zero foot print Composting By conserving energy and reducing consumption and waste. Spreading the message that food can be a solution: www.perennialfarm.com [/factbox] Its so worth thinking about how we can all do our bit. Meanwhile here are some perennial favourites from the world famous Ballymaloe House sweet trolley. Orange Mousse with Dark Chocolate Wafers This mousse sounds slightly retro now, but everyone loves it when we serve it on the sweet trolley at Ballymaloe. Serves 6-8 2 organic oranges (1 1/2 ifvery large) 4 eggs (preferably free-range) 21/2 ozs (70g) caster sugar 2 teaspoons gelatine 2 tablespoons water 1 organic lemon 8 fl ozs (225ml) whipped cream Chocolate Wafers 2 ozs (50g) best quality dark chocolate Decoration 2 oranges 8 fl ozs (225ml) whipped cream a pinch of caster sugar Wash and dry the oranges; grate the rind on the finest part of a stainless steel grater. Put into a bowl with 2 eggs, 2 egg yolks and the caster sugar. Whisk to a thick mousse, preferably with an electric mixer. Put 3 tablespoons (3 American tablespoons + 3 teaspoons) of water in a little bowl, measure the gelatine carefully and sprinkle over the water. Leave to sponge for a few minutes until the gelatine has soaked up the water and feels spongy to the touch. Put the bowl into a saucepan of simmering water and allow the gelatine to dissolve completely. All the granules should be dissolved and it should look perfectly clear. Meanwhile, squeeze the juice from the 2 oranges and 1 lemon, measure and if necessary bring up to 1/2 pint (300ml/1 cups) with water. Stir a little of the juice into the gelatine and then mix well the remainder of the juice. Gently stir this into the mousse; cool in the fridge, stirring regularly. When the mousse is just beginning to set around the edges, fold in the softly whipped cream. Whisk the two egg whites stiffly and fold in gently. Pour into a glass bowl or into individual bowls. Cover and allow to set for 3-4 hours in the fridge, or better still overnight. Meanwhile make the chocolate wafers. Melt the chocolate in a bowl over barely simmering water. Stir until quite smooth. Spread on a Silpat mat or a heavy baking tray. Put into a cold place until stiff enough to cut in square or diamond shapes. While the chocolate is setting, make the orange-flavoured cream. Grate the rind from half an orange, add into the whipped cream and add a pinch of caster sugar to taste. Peel and segment the oranges. Decorate the top of the mousse with orange segments and pope on some rosettes of orange-flavoured cream. Peel the chocolate wafers off the card and use them to decorate the edges of the mousse. Ballymaloe ice bowl The ice bowl was Myrtle Allens brilliant solution to keeping the ice-cream cold during the evening on the sweet trolley in the restaurant. I quote from The Ballymaloe Cookbook. It took me twelve years to find the solution to keeping ice-cream cold on the sweet trolley in my restaurant. At first, we used to unmould and decorate our ices on to a plate. This was alright on a busy night when they got eaten before melting. On quieter occasions the waitresses performed relay races from the dining-room to the deep freeze. I dreamed about 19th century ice boxes filled from ice houses, to my husbands increasing scorn, and then I thought I had a solution. "A young Irish glass- blower produced beautiful hand-blown glass cylinders which I filled with ice-cream and fitted into beautiful tulip-shaped glass bowls. These I filled with ice cubes. "Six months later, however, due to either the stress of the ice or the stress of the waitresses, my bowls were gone and so was my money. In desperation I produced an ice bowl. It turned out to be a stunning and practical presentation for a restaurant trolley or a party buffet. To make a Ballymaloe Ice Bowl Take two bowls, one about double the capacity of the other. Half fill the big bowl with cold water. Float the second bowl inside the first. Weight it down with water or ice cubes until the rims are level. Place a square of fabric on top and secure it with a strong rubber band or string under the rim of the lower bowl, as you would tie on a jam pot cover. Adjust the small bowl to a central position. The cloth holds it in place. Put the bowls on a Swiss roll tin and place in a deep freeze, if necessary readjusting the position of the small bowl as you put it in. After 24 hours or more take it out of the deep freeze. Remove the cloth and leaves for 15 to 20 minutes, by which time the small bowl should lift out easily. Then try to lift out the ice-bowl. It should be starting to melt slightly from the outside bowl, in which case it will slip out easily. If it isnt, then just leave for 5 or 10 minutes more. Dont attempt to run it under the hot or even cold tap, or it may crack. If you are in a great rush, the best solution is to wring out a tea-towel in hot water and wrap that around the large bowl for a few minutes. The best course of action is to perform this operation early in the day and then fill the ice bowl with scoops of ice-cream, so all you have to do when it comes to serving the ice-cream is to pick up the ice bowl from the freezer and place it on the serving dish. Put a folded serviette under the ice bowl on the serving dish to catch drips. At Ballymaloe, Myrtle Allen surrounds the ice bowl with vine leaves in summer, scarlet Virginia creeper in autumn and red-berried holly at Christmas. However, as you can see Im a bit less restrained and I cant resist surrounding it with flowers! However you present it, ice-cream served in a bowl of ice like this usually draws gasps of admiration when you bring it to the table. In the restaurant we make a new ice-bowl every night, but at home when the dessert would be on the table for barely half an hour, it should be possible to use the ice bowl several times. As soon as you have finished serving, give the bowl a quick wash under the cold tap and get it back into the freezer again. This way you can often get two or three turns from a single ice bowl. Note: Dont leave a serving spoon resting against the side of the bowl or it will melt a notch in the rim. Ballymaloe Praline Ice-Cream with Praline Brittle The praline can be made from almonds, hazelnuts, pecans or even salted peanuts. If this is too expensive in these credit-crunch times, make brown bread ice cream, which gives a similar texture for a much lower price. Serves 6 - 8 110g (4oz) sugar 225ml (8fl oz) water 4 egg yolks 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1.2 litres (2 pints) softly whipped cream Praline 110g (4oz) unskinned almonds 110g (4oz) sugar Put the egg yolks into a bowl and whisk until light and fluffy (keep the whites for meringues). Combine the sugar and water in a small heavy bottomed saucepan, stir over heat until the sugar is completely dissolved, then remove the spoon and boil the syrup until it reaches the thread stage, 106-113C (223-236F). It will look thick and syrupy; when a metal spoon is dipped in, the last drops of syrup will form thin threads. Pour this boiling syrup in a steady stream onto the egg yolks, whisking all the time. Add vanilla extract and continue to whisk until it becomes a thick creamy white mousse. Fold the softly whipped cream into the mousse, pour into a bowl, cover and freeze. Meanwhile make the praline. Put the unskinned almonds with the sugar into a heavy saucepan over a low heat until the sugar gradually melts and turn a caramel colour, DO NOT STIR, when this stage is reached and not before, carefully rotate the pan until the nuts are all covered with caramel. When the nuts go pop, pour this mixture onto a lightly oiled Swiss roll tin or marble slab. Allow to get quite cold, when the praline is quite hard, crush in a food processor or with a rolling pin, the texture should be quite coarse and gritty. After about 1 1/2 hours when the ice cream is just beginning to set, fold in the 4 tablespoons of praline powder and freeze again. If you fold in the praline too early it will sink to the bottom of the ice cream. To serve, scoop out into balls with an ice cream scoop. Serve in an ice bowl, sprinkle with the remainder of the praline powder. Toasted Almond Meringue with Chocolate and Rum Cream This mixture can of course be halved but youll need to use a hand held electric whisk rather than a food mixer to create the volume. Serves 12 75g (3oz) almonds 4 egg whites 225g (8oz) icing sugar Filling 50g (2oz) good quality dark chocolate (62%) 25g (1oz) unsweetened chocolate (85%) 2 tablespoons rum 2 tablespoons single cream 600ml (1 pint) softly whipped cream Decoration 5 toasted almonds or chocolate curls Check that the bowl is dry, spotlessly clean and free from grease. Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas Mark 4. Blanch and skin the almonds. Grind or chop them coarsely they should not be ground to a fine powder but should be left slightly coarse and gritty. Toast in the preheated oven for 4-5 minutes until golden. Reduce the temperature to 150C/300F/Gas Mark 2. Mark four 7 1/2 inch (19cm) circles or heart shapes on silicone paper or a prepared baking sheet. Mix all the sugar with the egg whites at once and beat until the mixture forms stiff dry peaks, 5- 8 minutes. Fold in the almonds. Divide the mixture between the two circles or heart shapes and spread evenly with a palette knife. Bake immediately in the preheated oven for 45 minutes or until crisp, they should peel off the paper easily. Turn off the oven and allow to cool. To make the filling Melt the chocolate with the rum and single cream very gently in a very cool oven, or over hot water. Cool and then fold the mixture into the softly whipped cream. To assemble Sandwich the meringues together with most of the filling. Decorate with rosettes of the remaining chocolate and rum cream stuck with halved toasted almonds or chocolate curls. Toasted Almond Meringue with Raspberries Substitute 10fl oz (300ml) softly whipped cream and 12oz (350g) fresh Autumn raspberries for chocolate and rum cream in the recipe above and use to fill the meringue as above. Kya deLongchamps examines the potential for creating the perfect work/life balance. Working from home (in addition to the Trojan work of parenting) can take many forms. Traditional jobs by the self-employed, staff and contracted employed include freelance writing, telemarketing, product support, design and more. The number of remote jobs is growing but still modestly with the demands and freedoms offered by knowledge jobs. If our infrastructure can deliver (including quality broadband access nationwide), the potential to have that enviable work/life balance appears to be brighter than ever. According to IDA Ireland, some 216,000 individuals were working from their home desk for a remote employer last year. At the Grow Remote conference held in September in Tralee, Co Kerry, the IDA together with a group of managers, freelancers, nomads, remote workers and remote working companies set forth their vision for the support and unification of the home-working community throughout Ireland. The IDA writes that what was identified in Tralee was a huge quality of life benefit. By working from home or from a nearby co-working space, they (workers) spare themselves gruelling, unproductive commutes. It reduces pressure on house prices and rent rates in major cities, while allowing smaller communities to thrive with the arrival of skilled workers (idaireland.com). Video conferencing, cloud technology, secure authorisation and access to company tools and data from just about anywhere using high-speed broadband access, is stirring new possibilities for individuals and families. The steady extension of remote working opportunities could not only take pressure off the property frenzy but refresh rural areas of Ireland where many families want to raise their children. Delivering work to a good standard from where you live will not suit everyone. Ive written for 20 years from a desk surrounded by animals, babies, and daily interruption. The expectations from the client are just the same as they would be in any office setting. The social isolation is very real, and its something Ive tackled by writing from a cafe table using my laptop at least two mornings a week. The rewards? If I cant sleep I work. If I want to take an afternoon off, I get up at 5.30am and finish at 12pm. Self-employment is a versatile, flexible gift for a working mother. Meticulous planning and unstinting self-discipline are crucial to prevent freedom dissolving into chaos and broken deadlines. My partner, for a time, presumed as I was at the house all day, I was, by association, the chief cook and bottle-washer. Hes long since cleaned up his act. Compartmentalising work and play is not easy when both are entwined under one roof. Adam Coleman is CEO of HRLocker. The company supplies software-based HRsolutions for firms, including those using a remote workforce, all over the world. Its ingenious cloud HR system is described as having an extra HR manager to manage employees wherever they are and allowing them the necessary communication, planning, platform, access and security they need to do their work efficiently. Its a brilliant Irish startup success. Over the years, Adam explains, I worked in O2 UK and O2 Ireland and was head of HR for Esat Digifone. "This gave me a taste of what was possible. We (in Ireland) were frankly just so far behind the UK. The companies I was involved with were cheerfully doing 30-person conference calls. Following what Adam describes as 28 years a HR slave, he returned to Ireland in 2005 due to family circumstances, somewhat stressed by his own success. A conversation with his mother changed everything. She told me to live where I wanted to and to build my job and life around that place. Ultimately, having tried to figure out how I could possibly put together living in the West of Ireland and being a HR specialist, I moved back to Lahinch. I set up my HR consultancy in the house looking straight out over the bay. It didnt outwardly make much sense, but I was determined to make it work. His performance and experience working for high-tech companies soon led Adam into developing empowering software detailed for the HR sector. He believes the best part of any business is its people. HRLocker now employs 15 in its Lahinch, Co Clare, base, serving firms HR needs across the globe. Some of the HRLocker team are working at the 600sq foot extension to Adams house, others managing their brief from home or even from internet cafes and other non-traditional nomad spaces. Having made the journey and facilitated others to go to the West, Adam is well placed to talk about stepping away from the conventional office or studio into the unknown. As with other Global Remote members, HRLocker is part of the push to develop a remote culture along with new work/play job opportunities across the country. Trust is the centre of it all for our clients (employers), and our system helps to foster that sense of trust in hiring and working with individuals who are not under your eye in a conventional, physical office, said Adam. Our system records not just hours but what someone is doing during each day in a predetermined time-sheet mechanism. We use tools including Zoom conferencing software to enhance communication, productivity and engagement. Should someone working remotely expect to be accessible at all times of the day? Adam is measured, but the open-all-hours connectivity of remote working appears to parallel a standard office-based role. Yes, Adam affirms, the core hours of normal business say 9am-5pm (time zones may change this, of course) would be certainly the expectation in terms of availability. "It depends on the job and on the individual. Some flexibility is helpful. We do expect important messages to ourselves in our HR role, or to employers, to be done by employees directly by phone, not by jetting off a quick text or email. Is blistering broadband performance needed to work remotely from home or other appropriate remote workspaces? Not necessarily. Using a mobile phone tether as an Internet modem, you could be anywhere. Some of the current products upload and download speeds are at least adequate to most jobs. We find 3Connect, for example, to be quite good with around 20mb uploads and 5/6mb downloads as standard. Will this kind of off-site job style suit everyone? No, obviously not, but there are many personality types who are well able to thrive working from home, says Adam. We use a psychometric evaluation to match clients and workers during the recruitment process. Everyone is different I am very, what is termed, directive, for example. That suits my role. I have one very talented employee who is a very, very busy working mother. Shes self-policing, and I never have to wonder whether she is getting the work for us done. There may be a period of adjustment starting this or any new job. Both sides have to embrace the remote working process to make it a success. Grow Remote would like to make Ireland the number-one place for remote working. Interruption is a given part of my working day as a parent and partner. Does Adam find this difficult to cope with? Not really, he laughs, Ive been talking intently to a CEO in the States, and had my children burst into my office loudly waving a school project they want to show me. It happens. "Designating a working space and building understanding that you are involved in your job while there is something the family can set up over time. "There are acceptable ways of signalling that Im working now. A set-up, quiet place is a good start." For more from Adam Coleman, watch his talk Work is No Longer a Place, recorded at Disrupt Dublin 2018, here. Every morning, soon after 6am, they gather in the caravan. They have a rota, sorting out who can come on which mornings. As the dawn breaks across the Midlands, the light goes on in the caravan, the kettle is boiled, news of the day is exchanged. And then they wait to see whether or not there will be an attempt to breach their blockade. Since last June, local people have been blockading the construction of a new electricity substation on a 20-acre site in Ratheniska, Co Laois, about 10km outside Portlaoise. Its part of a dispute over the siting of the substation that has been going on for 10 years. The project has been through the planning process, including an oral hearing. It has been before the High Court, which gave it the nod. But local people dont accept the outcome. As far as they are concerned, their health and safety fears are being ignored by the State apparatus, including Eirgrid, which is responsible for electricity infrastructure, the planning authorities, and the courts. You cant come into a community and tell them youre going to build X and basically lie, says Colm Fingleton, of the Ratheniska Timahoe Spink (RTS) group, which claims that the extent of the development was never made known locally. We had to take this step (blockading). Its not a thing that people do lightly, go to the gate of somebody elses farm. But at this stage, we had no other choice. The primary concern cited by the locals is what they perceive as a real danger to a water aquavar near the site, from which the local water scheme draws its resource. This, they believe, has not been given due consideration by the authorities. However, this dispute is also indicative of a problem that is now common across rural Ireland where energy infrastructure is being built. Local people believe that the developer Eirgrid has shown itself to be untrustworthy, and, by extension, anything that it develops must therefore be treated with the greatest suspicion. Lack of consultation The substation at Ratheniska is part of what is routinely described as vital national infrastructure. It is designed to take electricity from the 400kv line that travels from Moneypoint, Co Clare, to the greater Dublin area. The substation will facilitate diverting power to the Kilkenny region. The first intimation that most local people got about the project came in the autumn of 2009. I saw an ad in the paper, farmer John Lowry says. They would have to come on our land to make the connection with the 400kv line but nobody told us. I rang and they still wouldnt say what the details were. Eirgrid, which manages and operates the electricity grid across the State, had identified the perfect site for its purpose, as described in a strategic document about the project. It is approximately 1.5km south of the existing 400kV overhead line and is located in an isolated area close to a disused quarry there are a low number of dwellings in the immediate vicinity and the site is accessed from an existing quarry road. So far so promising. Except the local people didnt see it like that. As far as they were concerned, this substation was going to be too close to the aquavar serving the local water scheme. Mr Lowry says he remembers a time when there was no running water in the area. We went to a school where wed no toilets, he says. My father and others started the scheme in 1975. There was nothing before that. And it got set up and expanded and now there are 12,000 people on the scheme. The potential danger posed to the water resource is a constant theme among the group. The site, they point out, will include two transformers, requiring around 600 tonnes of oil. What if the oil seeps into the watertable? What if there is a fire? Potential contamination has been assessed, mainly through an Environmental Impact Statement, which found that the substation would not pose a danger. The planning inspector agreed. It appears that the substation can be constructed without undue risk to groundwater sources. The development could be carried out and operated satisfactorily from an ecological standpoint. But locally, there is little faith in this assessment. The other big issue is so-called future proofing. While Eirgrid has insisted that the project is designed specifically to link up with the Kilkenny line, local people see a Trojan Horse that will ultimately be used as a hub for wind farms. Across the Midlands, as with much of rural Ireland, wind farms remain highly contentious. There was no mention of renewables in the planning application, and the High Court hearing on the matter heard that such a situation remained hypothetical. Yet locals claim that the size of the project will make it quite easy to accommodate multiple connections, which could plug into harvested wind energy. As Colm Fingleton put it: The difference between what they said it was for and what it could turn out to be is the difference between building a bungalow and a 200-room hotel. A spokesman for Eirgrid said the substation is to have 10 bays, and not 17 as alleged by the local group, and that all these bays are allocated for the Kilkenny line. One reason why trust is a sump may be the lack of consultation about the project. A log of interactions between Eirgrid and local elements prior to receiving planning permission highlights only two public forums, neither in the specific locality. While there were multiple meetings with politicians and elements of the county council, those who believe they will be most affected by the project were, as far as theyre concerned, left largely out of the loop. Eirgrid, in a statement, rejected a lack of engagement, pointing to meetings and newspaper ads it took out. It said: We are fully satisfied that we engaged fully and properly with people in Laois and Kilkenny . By November 2014, all roads led to Portlaoise where an oral hearing was held over five days. The inspector presented his report which was generally positive of the application with a few caveats. By the following April, the planning board gave the go-ahead. With that, the RTS group brought their case to the High Court, which sat in December 2014 for three days to hear challenges to the planning permission. Judge Robert Haughton gave his ruling in January 2015. He dismissed all of the five separate grounds of appeal by the group. An appeal to the Supreme Court was planned, but quickly shelved when it was conveyed to them that the costs which were covered by the planning board in the High Court, would not extend to an appeal. In other words, in the event of failure, the group could be saddled with the costs of the whole case. They backed down. With due process complete, the way was now clear for a bright new shining substation to rise up from the lowlands of Laois. Trust further eroded And then Eirgrid went and spoiled it all. In 2017, work got under way. The local people kept an eye on events from nearby. One method of keeping tabs involved stepping into the bucket of a mechanical digger which was raised up for an elevated view of the neighbouring site. Nearly immediately, they spotted that works were going on for a temporary pylon that did not have planning permission. Laois County Council was informed, work was stopped and trust was further eroded. Eventually, in 2018, things got up and running again. But by then, the locals had had enough. At a public meeting in June last year, the RTS group threw it out to the 140 or so locals who attended. Amongst ourselves, we werent sure how to proceed, says Dave Fingleton, another member of RTS. So we asked the community what do we do. Does the community want us to keep on fighting this, even if its doing something thats uncomfortable for everybody? The response came back in the positive and the site has been blockaded since. There have been attempts at mediation. Before Christmas, local TD Sean Fleming chaired a meeting between the group and Eirgrid executives, but nothing came out of it. Sean Fleming says the whole affair has left him with no faith whatsoever in Eirgrid. I watched their performance over the last 10 years and they have treated the community with contempt. I have no confidence in them based on that performance. They were never open or forthcoming at any stage. For instance, I have experience of a number of motorways going through this county. One road took out 20 houses, some of which people had been in for three generations. Yet the NRA (National Roads Authority) negotiated their way out of any trouble. The lack of that kind of skill on the part of Eirgrid is the reason why things are as they are now with this project. In response to a query from the Irish Examiner about where it goes from here, ESB Networks, which has taken over the construction of the substation, said that it is aware of some local concerns and continues to liaise with the local community and landowners to alleviate these concerns. Meanwhile, every morning, before the sun rises, the local people man the battle stations. What the future holds is as yet unclear.# We have to look at what we give back to the community Eirgrid has confirmed to the Irish Examiner that it has no plans to use the Ratheniska substation for anything other than connection to the Kilkenny line, as per planning permission. Yet, there is obviously a complete lack of trust in the companys actions and plans. The narrative is one that is occurring with increasingly frequency in rural Ireland where energy provision has become a major challenge. Typically, a developer, state company or energy provider arrives in a rural area, spots an opportunity and attempts to set up shop. Usually, the company is operating with the blessing of national policy, as with, for instance, wind energy or the upgrade of the electricity network. In addition, the incoming company is usually backed by serious financial muscle and plenty of technical expertise. Usually, there is a sense that there will inevitably be some opposition. So the tactic thereafter is to either attempt to tiptoe around the locals or display a complete indifference to any concerns. The most outstanding example of the latter approach was the Corrib gas field which began to impinge on Co Mayo nearly 20 years ago. The matter ended with seven local men being jailed for contempt of court and a protracted and bitter dispute that has left wounds exposed to this day. There was plenty of local support for the project, but there was also scathing criticism of how Shell had handled the matter from day one. The companys personnel marched into Belmullet and the surrounding area expecting to be greeted like conquering heroes with saddlebags full of prosperity. As far as they were concerned they had the Government on their side and money to throw around so the peasants would be best served by lying down and letting them get on with it. We know how that ended. Today the tactic of tiptoeing around is the one most in vogue. Time and again, this has been how windfarm developers have conducted themselves, keeping engagement to a minimum, a tight rein on information, and offering up a few prayers to St Jude that it will get over the line before the local insurgents know whats afoot. Thats bad enough but even greater ignorance is displayed in how some of these developers negotiate the law. Rules are routinely broken, and, more often than not, local authorities appear to be just keeping the head down. That was what occurred in Barnafaddock, Co Waterford, last year when a wind- farm developer exceeded its planning permission and was not stopped until persistent complaints by local people could no longer be ignored. In Ratheniska, Eirgrid attempted to build a structure without planning permission. And the slow response of Laois County Council also spoke volumes. So its high time that those charged with bringing energy infrastructure to rural Ireland copped on. The chief executive of Eirgrid, Mark Foley, left, acknowledged as much when he addressed the bodys annual conference last October. He said six regions, including two in Munster, needed electricity upgrades in the coming years if the State was going to meet the demands of a modern society and economy. Doing that work in areas where there will inevitably be resistance is going to be a serious challenge. Mr Foley accepted that Eirgrid will need to approach it differently than has been the case heretofore. There are a number of key principles, he said. One is that you have to start [engagement] much earlier in the process. You dont rock up with a fait accompli. Secondly, you have to listen, and part of that skillset is you preferably have people with local roots to do that engagement. Thirdly, weve got to be open to what we have heard. Fourthly, we have to look at what we give back to the community. It is about a contract between two parties. It has to be; both parties have to benefit in some way. Its not about big infrastructure on peoples doorsteps. Its about understanding what the need is, and whether we have looked at all the options, and if we have taken account of what peoples concerns are. We have to make communities partners, not just in transmission, but also other pieces of vital national infrastructure, for the whole economy and society. His analysis is spot on and would be unlikely to face any dispute in communities around the country. Whether and how exactly Eirgrid and other operators actually follow through on it is one of the biggest questions facing further energy infrastructure development in rural Ireland in the coming years. The driver stopped the car, got out and called 911. Prosecutors alleged that McCuiston climbed over the drivers seat, followed the victim out the front door, yelled another slur and told her, Just because youre a Muslim, Im gonna kill you and snap your neck. A patient has opened fire at a hospital in Prague, injuring two other patients, Czech police said. A spokesman said the incident happened late last night in the haematology ward of the Vinohrady University Hospital, where the three shared a room. Dateline Unity Needed for Effective Constitutional Reform This week, The Irrawaddy discusses the likelihood and potential scope of constitutional amendments among a divided government. Ko Ye Ni: Welcome to Dateline Irrawaddy. We will discuss efforts in constitutional amendments this week. A constitutional amendment committee has been formed at the Union Parliament. However, we still dont know how far the amendment will go or if it will be a waste of time and end up with the same status quo. Lawyer U Kyi Myint and political commentator U Yan Myo Thein will join me in the discussion. I am Ye Ni, editor of The Irrawaddy (Burmese Edition). Saya U Kyi Myint and Ko Yan Myo Thein, there were disagreements at the Union Parliament this morning as the Tatmadaw (Myanmar Army) opposed a proposal submitted by the Constitutional Amendment Committee. We saw that (sound of) the live broadcast of criticisms made by the Tatmadaw representatives had to be omitted. The Tatmadaw has always opposed the NLDs aim to reduce the leading role of the Tatmadaw in politics. During the Tatmadaws press conference, they made it clear that they will not relinquish their political role as long as ethnic armed organizations exist. As the Tatmadaw and the NLD hold no negotiations and have different views on constitutional amendments, is it possible to amend the Constitution? If it is possible, under what circumstances can the Constitution be amended? I would like to ask Saya U Kyi Myint to discuss this. U Kyi Myint: The Constitution, which is also known as mother law or basic law, is vital for a country. It is the mother law that affects the development of a country. What we see now is anarchy in which everyone is perusing their own cause amid criticisms and protests instead of making the Constitution more democratic. We, [activists] are very sad because we are not affiliated with any political party. As we fought against the military dictatorship at all stages, we were imprisoned repeatedly but we are still full of hope for our country. Whenever we raise the topic of constitutional amendment, different stakeholdersincluding the military, the USDP, ethnic groups, the government and so oninterpret it to their own ends. Efforts in constitutional amendment should not be treated in this way. The Constitution will be democratic only when we all keep in mind that everyone is contributing something to the country and we must do it for the interest of the country. The Constitution will be democratic only with this approach. One stakeholder says they will amend it when they are the majority in Parliament, while another says they have constitutional rights to object to constitutional amendment. Similarly, ethnic groups say they will continue their armed struggle if their demands are not met and they instigate hatred towards the Bamar. Under such circumstances, it is impossible to make the Constitution more democratic. As a result, only some articles of little importance are likely to be amended. Efforts in constitutional amendment should not be treated as a propaganda campaign. YN: Whats your opinion, Ko Yan Myo Thein? The NLD collected 5 million signatures from the public during their signature campaign to amend the Constitution in 2013. However, nothing has materialized from the campaigns for constitutional amendment. Ko Yan Myo Thein: In 2013, about 5 million signatures were collected during a campaign calling for the amendment of Article 436 and they were submitted to Parliament. The Parliament also tried to amend the Constitution. As far as I know, there is no official record of the 5 million signatures to amend Article 436 in the documents of the Parliament, in which 37 representatives of the NLD were sitting. They failed to point it out and raise questions for discussions. It was not even mentioned when the NLD submitted the proposal for constitutional amendments recently. In reality, all Myanmar people deeply believe in their hearts that the entire 2008 Constitution must be amended. To realize that belief, it is necessary to build trust among the political leaders, the military and ethnic groups through tripartite negotiations. We cannot ignore the fact that constitutional amendment is possible only when their differences can be settled and an agreement is reached. To amend the Constitution in Parliament, more than 75 percent of representatives must vote for it. It means that no article can be amended without the support of the Tatmadaw. Therefore, in the amendment process in 2019, it is essential for political leaders, Tatmadaw leaders and ethnic leaders to build trust among themselves through comprehensive negotiations. YN: What is interesting about your discussion is the tripartite negotiations. One article ethnic groups are interested in amending is Article 261. As far as we know, the Tatmadaw, the USDP and ethnic parties like the ANP (Arakan National Party) support the amendment of the article. It is a topic for discussion. If it is to be amended, some point out that it would be good for the decentralization of power of the central government. On the other hand, others point out the expansion of the role of the Tatmadaw in states and regions. What is your opinion, Saya U Kyi Myint? KM: Recently, the United Nationalities Alliance, with members from all ethnic groups in the entire country, held a two-day conference at the Green Hotel. They have no objection to the amendment of Article 261. There is no problem with the amendment of Article 261 as ethnic groups, the USDP and the NLD support it. The problem lies in the manner of proposing it. They are arguing about who was first to propose it. Ethnic groups pointed out that the amendment of the article alone is not sufficient and it is necessary to amend other related articles. For example, it is contradictory if a chief minister is to be elected by the regional parliament but regional ministers are to be appointed by the president. It is necessary for ethnic groups to amend the complete set of related articles. The NLD said it also intends to do so. The USDP agreed and said they had submitted their own proposed amendment of Article 261. As I said, they are trying to get ahead of one another even while working in the interest of the country. The manner they are doing it in is annoying for the public and ethnic groups. The situation is confusing because of their manners of promoting their personal popularity and party interests rather than making the Constitution more democratic. There is no problem in amending the article. They are not united. I am not asking them to be united forcefully but it is a common goal in the interest of the country. It appears difficult to amend the article because of their personal and political grudges. It is not a problem. YN: I would like to ask Ko Yan Myo Thein: which articles are likely to be amended through negotiations as a common goal? YMT: Every stakeholder including the ruling party, ethnic groups, the USDP and the Tatmadaw has agreed to amend the Constitution but they disagree on the extent of the amendment. To bridge their differences, it is important to negotiate through political means. It is important to approach constitutional amendment more from the political point of view rather than from a legal one. When you ask me which articles are likely to be amended, it is necessary to make a reference to the Union Agreement reached during the 21st Century Panglong Conference. Terms of the agreement signed by the president, Parliament speakers, the state counsellor, the commander-in-chief, ethnic leaders and leaders of EAOs must be integrated into the constitutional amendment. Some of the terms are concerned with the basic principles of the Union. As these terms are agreed on in the Union Agreement, it is necessary to amend the Constitution based on them. The Union Agreement states that the Union shall be built on a democratic federal system while the Constitution pushes for a unitary state. Terms of the agreement must be integrated into the constitutional amendment process in 2019-20. If we cant do this, it will have an impact on the peace process by undermining the trust of ethnic leaders. So it is necessary for political leaders, Tatmadaw leaders and ethnic leaders to treat this issue seriously. YN: A final question for Saya U Kyi Myint: how can constitutional amendments benefit the public? KM: I believe that the NLD, as an elected government, proposed constitutional amendments as it is the wish of the people. However, the Tatmadaw said they didnt know about it because they were not invited for negotiations. They held a press conference and said that a total of 48 articles must not be amended. These articles are important and related to the role of the Tatmadaw. They said these articles must not be amended. How can we build a democratic federal Union with these articles? If we are to amend the Constitution without touching on the 48 articles, it will be just a superficial amendment. It will be a waste of time and bring no benefit to the country. It has been a decade since the Constitution was enacted and it doesnt work. It says the population of Myanmar is 57 million but it is only 52 million in reality. It is wrong. A referendum should be held on whether the Constitution should continue to be in place or whether it is in accord with the democratic federal system. If more than half of the votes at the referendum support the Constitution, it will go on. If not, leaders should find a solution through negotiations. YN: Thanks for your comments. On This Day Colonial Burmas Only Local Governor Dies Sir J. A. Maung Gyi, British Burmas only local governor On this day in 1955, Sir Joseph Augustus Maung Gyi, the only Burmese to serve as governor of British Burma, died. Maung Gyi (b. 1871) was an Oxford-educated barrister and a leading political figure in the 1920s and 1930s. He served as a minister and later a Home Member in the dyarchy government introduced by the British to allow for a measure of self-rule. He was also a judge of the High Court and the leader of the conservative Independent Party (also known as the Golden Valley Party after the neighborhood in Rangoon that was home to most of its leaders). He was knighted by the colonial government in 1927, and served as acting governor for several months in 1930-31 when Governor Sir Charles Innes was on sick leave in the U.K. During his tenure as acting governor, Saya San led an uprising against the colonial government by Burman peasants who were frustrated by high land taxes. Saya San was hanged the following year, though the popular rebellion is now recognized as one of the earliest nationalist movements leading to independence. Dr. Maung Maung, Myanmars seventh president and a prolific author, would later write that Sir J. A. Maung Gyi is honest and dares to take on tasks. But he does not know well about Myanmars affairs, not to mention farmers affairs. He was not close to the people as he got high positions without the vote. However, in his autobiography My Burma, Dr. Ba Oo, the countrys second president, defended Maung Gyi, saying he had no choice but to refuse the call for lower taxes. He called Maung Gyi a strong patriot who was not in a position to defy the British. Had he been free to act, Dr. Ba Oo wrote, Maung Gyi would have done anything within his power for Myanmar citizens. On the other hand, Maung Gyi is remembered positively for his lead role in establishing Rangoon University, his research on traditional Myanmar drama and his efforts to publish the Tripitaka, or Buddhist scriptures. Maung Gyi died at the age of 83 at his residence in Golden Valley. Qualcomm has been identified as a national treasure by the U.S. administration, which moved to prevent what appeared to be an Apple-orchestrated hostile takeover of the company by Broadcom last year. Apple has been fighting to destroy Qualcomms income, which largely goes to R&D and benefits Apples competitors, who bring out ever cheaper, better smartphones, undercutting Apples prices and clearly having an adverse effect on Apples sales. What seemed strange is that the FTC, whose mission is supposed to be focused on protecting the U.S. consumer, came out in favor of Apple, even though crippling Qualcomm would have a massive adverse effect not only on smartphone competition in the U.S. but U.S. technology leadership. This week, both the Department of Defense and the Department of Energy met with the FTC, but they dont seem to get why the FTC is on the wrong side either, claiming national security is at risk. In the background, Huawei is being pilloried by the U.S. government, but positions as the 5G leader in much of the media, bringing into question Qualcomms actual leadership and pointing out that the big picture is that this is a battle between countries, not companies. In addition, the company battle is between Huawei and Qualcomm, not Apple and Qualcomm, for technical leadership. I expect Huawei will eventually emerge as the technology winner, largely because it has the full support of its government, the Chinese market is expected to be three times the U.S. market by 2030, and Apple is aggressively trying to kill Qualcomm. Huawei Huawei is an impressive company, ranked second in the smartphone market, ahead of Apple and behind Samsung. It builds a high-quality smartphone that rivals Samsung and Apple offerings at what is typically a more aggressive price. Like most large companies in China, it has significant Chinese government influence, which has led to allegations that its devices are used for spying on the U.S. and other foreign governments. (Doing this would be suicidal for the firms global aspirations but, once dominant, things would likely change.) These allegations are problematic on two fronts. First, Huawei doesnt just sell smartphones, but a host of networking products, including the switches used to connect smartphones to their networks. These carrier products are extremely aggressively priced and were flowing very well into the carriers, both domestically and abroad, due to the acceptable quality and huge value they represented. Concerns that these products were either compromised, or more likely could be compromised as part of its support, had Huawei broadly blacklisted not just by the U.S. government but by a critical number of U.S. allies. China was slow to realize the value of patents, but since it has, did the country has been turning out a lot of them. But Huaweis patents appear to be more focused on quantity than quality and designed to protect all of Huaweis business, not just handsets. This means, if you were to do a patent comparison between Huawei and Qualcomm, you shouldnt just count patents but also assess the strength and value of those patents. Huawei may have more, but Qualcomm, by nature of its business, should have better handset patents due to the companys tighter focus. Having said all of that, Huawei is effectively an end-to-end infrastructure vendor with the switches and a significant market power with phones. Should both become dominant, it would be nearly impossible for any other vendor, including Apple, to compete in the resulting ecosystem because unique features enabled between the Huawei switches and phones should force competing vendors to exit the market as unable to compete (it might force a merger between Apple and Cisco, for instance). This is somewhat like the kind of lock that AT&T once had on the telecom market. While it would take a decade or more to achieve, that kind of dominance is incredibly hard to break once established. A world where a vendor partially controlled by the Chinese government controlled the majority of communications would be problematic to any other government. Qualcomm While Huawei is a solutions vendor producing complete products and increasingly not only vertically integrated, but ecosystem integrated (phones to switches), Qualcomm is a component vendor and a market maker. This means it spends a lot of time influencing and driving standards and its patents are designed to be licensed, with licensing being a major part of the firms business model. It lacks the patent breadth that Huawei has but its focus raises the quality of what it does have because its patents are more tightly targeted at the modem market and build on each other, making it far more difficult to work around them. This isnt about the quality of each firms work, as both do high quality work, but the difference in the nature of both firms. Qualcomm licenses and makes a considerable amount of income from those licenses, which forces a different kind of rigor when it comes to patent creation than Huawei, where the patents are mostly defensive or protective to assure Huawei isnt adversely damaged by patent litigation or doesnt lose an edge due to a competitor stealing its IP. This also means that Qualcomm can drive industry advancements like 5G much better than Huawei can. While Huawei is bigger than Qualcomm, it is contained within its own product set, while Qualcomms technology extends across the entire vendor ecosystem worldwide. Qualcomm was the first to launch a commercial 5G chipset while Huawei could have had the first 5G phone in market, but wont. (The advantage, or one of them, to vertical integration is potentially faster time to market.) But, if Qualcomm didnt do all the initial groundwork to bring 5G to market, Huaweis 5G phones would likely only work with Huawei 5G switches; most of those appear to be in China, so the worldwide launch of 5G would have been delayed, likely by a year or more. Wrapping Up: Digital Dominance This is as much a war for technology leadership between countries as it is companies, and between a competitive telephony market vs. one that is dominated by a single vendor. Huawei could easily become the equivalent of Chinas AT&T with even greater world power and, if it is successful, competition would all but dry up. Qualcomm assures competition between vendors, but its much smaller size means it needs help to hold off what otherwise might be that Chinese government-backed telephony takeover. Every metric I see suggests that much like the U.S. took over for Europe in terms of technology last century, China will do the same thing to the U.S. this century unless the U.S. government moves far more aggressively to stop this trend and stops helping China to achieve its increasingly well-executed goal to dominate the tech world of tomorrow. Rob Enderle is President and Principal Analyst of the Enderle Group, a forward-looking emerging technology advisory firm. With over 30 years experience in emerging technologies, he has provided regional and global companies with guidance in how to better target customer needs; create new business opportunities; anticipate technology changes; select vendors and products; and present their products in the best possible light. Rob covers the technology industry broadly. Before founding the Enderle Group, Rob was the Senior Research Fellow for Forrester Research and the Giga Information Group, and held senior positions at IBM and ROLM. Follow Rob on Twitter @enderle and on Facebook The organization behind most of the world's cross-border money and security transfers is deploying a blockchain proof-of-concept (PoC) for clients' shareholders to use in electronic voting. SWIFT said this week it will jointly conduct the PoC in the Asia Pacific region with securities software provider SLIB and the Singapore Exchange (SGX), along with Deutsche Bank, DBS Bank, HSBC Holdings and Standard Chartered Bank. "Shareholder voice in corporate decision-making is stifled by the existing paper-based voting process. Technology is the solution to enhancing shareholder say," Tony Lewis, head of Securities Services at HSBC, said in a statement. "E-Voting using [distributed ledger technology (DLT)] has the potential to create greater efficiencies, transparency and participation." SWIFT has previously carried out DLT PoCs around Nostro Vostro account reconciliation (bank-to-bank account transfers), as well as serving as a potential connector allowing DLT and other e-commerce and trading platforms to use SWIFT's global payments innovation network (gpi). "We continue to explore a wide range of new and emerging technologies to best meet the needs of our customers, including the use of APIs that provide rapid cross-border payments on SWIFT gpi," a SWIFT spokesperson said via email. SWIFT is among a groundswell of financial services firms testing blockchain as a more efficient and transparent way of conducting cross-border financial transactions, unhampered by much of the regulatory oversight to which current networks must adhere. SWIFT may also be feeling pressure as more and more firms in financial services pilot, or outright adopt, DLT technology. "There is a lot of competition now," said Avivah Litan, Gartner vice president of research. "If you think about SWIFT, it was just a big banking network that moved money quickly and authenticated users, but it costs a lot to do that. And now there are competing initiatives using blockchain." Litan pointed to J.P. Morgan Chase, CLS Group and Ripple, a permissioned blockchain ledger that moves money using a proprietary cryptocurrency, as prime examples of those developing blockchain for cross-border financial transfers. "Ripple is a competitor in the sense that they are trying to set up a bank-to-bank network," Litan said. In October, J.P. Morgan created what at the time was arguably one of the largest blockchain payments networks in existence. The Royal Bank of Canada and Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. were the first two banks to join the blockchain network, "representing significant cross-border payment volumes," JP Morgan said at the time. J.P. Morgan said its blockchain-based Interbank Information Network (IIN) would significantly reduce the number of participants needed to respond to compliance and other data-related inquiries that delay payments. Last month, J.P. Morgan announced plans to launch what is considered to be the first cryptocurrency backed by a major bank, a move that could legitimize blockchain as a vehicle for fiat cryptocurrencies. "J.P. Morgan could run an international network. They're the largest ACH processor and credit card processor domestically," Litan said. "All this points to stablecoins for international transfers and blockchain DLT as more efficient and SWIFT is threatened by it." Nearly two years ago, New York-based cash settlement system provider CLS (Continuous Linked Settlement) announced it was building a payments service with IBM that would enable cash trades on the Hyperledger Fabric blockchain platform. Along with SWIFT and the Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation (DTCC), CLS Group was a founding member of the Hyperledger Project, which is overseen by the Linux Foundation. At the time, more than a half dozen banks agreed to support CLS' blockchain platform, including Bank of America, Bank of China (Hong Kong), Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Citibank, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase and Morgan Stanley. In November, CLS Group announced that its DLT platform, CLSNet, was live with Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley. The blockchain network offers a standardized, automated bilateral payment netting service for more than 120 currencies. Six additional banking partners from North America, Europe and Asia, including Bank of China (Hong Kong), committed to joining the service, CLS said in a statement. "This really isn't a revolution, it's just a big incremental improvement to doing business as usual. It's more efficient to move money through DLT," Litan said. Blockchain distributed networks are a good way to move money because each participant in the network has their own independent copy of the electronic ledger and can verify the transactions are moving properly. There is no central banking authority. "If you want to see if your money is moving right, you don't need to call SWIFT or log into SWIFT's network, you can look at your own node," Litan said. "You can also participate in validating the transactions if you want to." In most cases, financial institutions using permissioned blockchain networks to move money aren't interested in participating in the validation process known as blockchain consensus but they may eventually want that power, Litan said. "They trust [the financial services firms] to run the network, but they want their own copy of the ledger because then they can run their own smart contracts and do other things that [the financial services firms] may not do," Litan said. SWIFT, which stands for the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication, provides a messaging network that allows banks and other financial services to transmit information about monetary transactions in a standardized and secure format. SWIFT is behind most cross-border money and security transfers, serving 10,000 member institutions who send about 24 million messages daily over the network. SWIFT's PoC, which will use the Hyperledger Composter blockchain platform, will explore whether the technoloogy can help simplify "the currently inefficient management of shareholder meetings and the associated voting processes that are often time-consuming and resource intensive," SWIFT said in a statement. "Proxy voting, in particular, often results in avoidable complexity and errors that could be eliminated through greater transparency and automation," SWIFT said. SWIFT will facilitate the PoC in its DLT sandbox testing environment with Deutsche Bank, HSBC Holdings and Standard Chartered Bank joining as participants, while Singapore-based DBS and SGX serve as both participants and issuers. The participants will reuse the SWIFT network and their existing SWIFT infrastructure and interfaces to access, test and validate the applicability of DLT. The PoC, which will run during the first half of 2019, is designed to test the deployment of a voting system in collaboration with issuers and a Central Securities Depository (CSD), where the information is stored and managed on the permissioned, private blockchain. The distributed ledger will also demonstrate the viability of hybrid solutions based on ISO 20022 the standard for electronic data interchange between financial institutions combining messaging and DLT to enable interoperability between institutions and avoid market fragmentation. And, it will test SWIFT's capacity to host third-party applications in its sandbox and reuse its security and interface stack. Today Partly cloudy skies during the morning hours will become overcast in the afternoon. High 71F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. Low around 50F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph. Tomorrow Sunshine and clouds mixed. High 68F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 9) - Davao City's mayor ripped into Vice President Leni Robredo Saturday, saying she had no right to comment on "honesty and integrity." In a statement, presidential daughter and Mayor Sara Duterte said, "Her honesty has been questioned since day one of her term as Vice President. She is not called fake VP for no reason. She has tried to copy her late husband but has failed at every turn." Duterte hit back after Robredo said honesty was a crucial factor in anyone wanting to run for public office. "Iyong kampanya, ito iyong paraan para makapagdesisyon nang tama iyong taumbayan kung sino iyong kaniyang bobotohan. Kung ang premise nito kasinungalingan, parang ang dinadaya natin, taumbayan," the mayor said Thursday in Tugegarao City. [Translation: The campaign is a way for people to decide who they want to vote for. If dishonesty is the premise, it would be like cheating the public.] Robredo's comment was in response to Duterte who earlier said all candidates lie. READ: Sara Duterte hits opposition slate anew: 'They are liars, and this is the truth' Duterte, in her statement Saturday, called out Robredo, saying she "was not forthcoming in everything," citing her battle with former Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. over supposed fraud during the 2016 elections and allegations of a relationship with a married man. "The reason why good moral character is not a requirement to run for Vice President is because we have so many Leni Robredos in this world. And if she insists in saying that you have to be honest to run for public office, then she must say goodbye to her dreams of becoming President," Duterte said." Robredo spokespeson, LP respond Members of the Liberal Party (LP) and the Vice President's spokesperson were quick to respond to Duterte. The LP, Robredo's political party and which she is chairperson of, said in a statement Saturday it doesn't seem right that Duterte makes honesty an issue when it comes to the Vice President but not when it comes to the mayor's allies. "Ang dapat na nagsasalita ay ang kanilang mga kandidatong tumatakbo para sa Senado. At ang mga dapat pag-usapan ay ang mga hinahanapan ng sagot ng mga Pilipino: kawalan ng trabaho, mataas na presyo, pagpatay, at katiwalian," the LP said. [Translation: The ones who should speak are their candidates who are running for the Senate. And they should discuss issues faced by Filipinos: joblessness, high prices, killings, and corruption.] The LP stressed Robredo is not running for office. "Ang pag-atake sa kanya gamit ang fake news at paninira ng mga Marcos ay pagtatangkang ibaon ang mga usapin ng panloloko, pagnanakaw, at kapalpakan na kinasasangkutan ng mga kandidato nila sa Hugpong," the party added. [Translation: Attacking her using fake news and the tirades of the Marcoses are attempts to bury issues on lies, theft, and the failures of the candidates of Hugpong.] In a separate statement, Atty. Barry Gutierrez Robredo's spokesperson - said Duterte's statements prove she does not believe that honesty was needed in public service. "Babanat ka na nga lang, mga fake news pa ang ginamit mo. Ilang beses nang napatunayang peke ang mga ito. Magbasa din kasi ng totoong balita pag may time. Ginawa mo lahat ito para lang sa pag-iwas sa debate ng mga kinakampanya mong kandidato? Grabe namang tumbling ito para sa mga Hugpong na nagtatago. Mag reserba ka naman nang kaunti, madam, masyado pang maaga para mangampanya para sa 2022," he said. [Translation: You would use fake use in your tirades. These have been proven fake several times. I suggest you read real news when you have the time. You did all of this just to avoid debates with the candidates you're campaigning for? This is an unbelievable effort for the Hugpong ng nagtatago. You may want to hold back a little, madam, it's too early to campaign for 2022.] Police said it is believed Miranda died at about 8 p.m. Officials said they had received and investigated a call of shots fired in that general area about 90 minutes before Miranda was discovered. Evanston police officers were dispatched to several locations in the general area to respond to the reports, Glew said. The police have spoken to more than one person who heard shots, but there are no known eyewitnesses at this time. Kashuv said he heard two pops on Feb. 14, 2018, and then he and his classmates at Stoneman Douglas hid for about two hours, not knowing what was going to happen to them. A 19-year-old former student had entered the school and began shooting, eventually killing 17 people before he was arrested. A preliminary investigation concluded that two adult males, wearing masks and armed with guns, entered the residence and demanded money. At least one of the two armed men shot a 27-year-old man and a 25-year-old man, according to officials, who added that the armed men then fled from the area. Chelsea Manning, who spent more than three years in prison for leaking US military secrets to WikiLeaks, was jailed again Friday for refusing to testify in a grand jury investigation targeting the anti-secrecy group. US District Judge Claude Hilton ruled Manning in contempt of court and ordered her held not as punishment but to force her testimony in the secret case, according to a spokesman for the US attorney in the Alexandria, Virginia federal court. Chelsea Manning has been remanded into federal custody for her refusal to provide testimony, said a statement from the Sparrow Project, a support group for Manning. They quoted Hilton as saying Manning would be held indefinitely until she purges or the end of the life of the grand jury. In a statement, Manning said she had ethical objections to the grand jury system and had answered all questions about her involvement with WikiLeaks years ago. I stand by my previous testimony, Manning said. I will not participate in a secret process that I morally object to, particularly one that has been historically used to entrap and persecute activitists for protected political speech. Manning, 31, was ordered to testify earlier this week for an investigation examining actions by WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in 2010, according to her own description, inadvertent court revelations and media reports. At the time Manning, a transgender woman then known as Bradley Manning, was a military intelligence analyst. She delivered more than 700,000 classified documents related to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan into WikiLeakss hands. The documents exposed cover-ups of possible war crimes and revealed internal US communications about other countries. Attack on media freedom She became a hero to anti-war and anti-secrecy activists, and her actions helped make WikiLeaks a force in the global anti-secrecy movement. In 2013, she was sentenced to 35 years in prison. She spent more than three years in an all-male prison, during which she underwent gender transition therapy, spent time in solitary confinement and attempted suicide twice. President Barack Obama later commuted her sentence, leading to her release in May 2017. In court Friday, Mannings lawyer requested home confinement after the judge found her in contempt, according to the US attorneys spokesman. But she was jailed in the Alexandria Detention Center which, according to the judge, is experienced in holding transgender inmates and capable of addressing any special personal and medical needs Manning may have. The grand jury investigation could eventually herald a case focused on media freedoms. The US government has been investigating Assange and WikiLeaks for years and has stepped up its efforts against the Britain-based group after it served as an outlet for internal Democratic communications that Washington alleges were stolen by hackers from Russias GRU intelligence agency during the 2016 US election. Fearing arrest and extradition to the United States, Assange has been sheltering in Ecuadors embassy in London since 2012. He says WikiLeakss publishing of US secrets is no different than what the mass media does and he should enjoy the same protections as journalists. Reacting to Manning being sent to jail Friday, WikiLeaks said in a tweet: Whistleblowers are now being forced to testify against journalists and sent to jail when they dont cooperate. A new angle in the attack on media freedom. Mitigation for fill of wetlands in the Des Plaines River Watershed should be provided within the watershed, the report states, and there should be no net loss of wetlands in the watershed. Warner said that the topography of land is similar to Lake County in that there are lots of small depressions within the watershed that act to hold stormwater. I am thrilled to join the District 67 team and the learning community of Cherokee School, Livingston said in a statement. Throughout the interview process, I met Cherokee students, staff, and families and learned about what makes Cherokee such a wonderful school. It was clear that the heart of Cherokee is focused on doing what is best for all students, and I am honored to be a part of that team. HAPPY CAMP, Calif. A tense encounter between Sheriff's deputies and a man thought to be menacing neighbors with a handgun ended in relative peace on Thursday, according to an account from the Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office (SCSO). The incident began around 4:15 p.m. when an SCSO deputy and an officer with California Highway Patrol (CHP) responded to a call reporting a man armed with a gun. According to the caller, the man had walked onto his property and confronted him, with a gun visible in the subject's pocket. Minutes later, the officers tracked the man to an area in the 1900-block of Curly Jack Road. According to SCSO, they identified the suspect as 32-year-old Brett Christopher Rhodes of Happy Camp a man with an "active felony drug-related arrest warrant." "As Deputy Garrison approached the suspect he walked behind a camp trailer and later emerged in the open with his hands in the pockets of a jacket," SCSO said. "He was ordered to show his hands and he refused, became increasingly belligerent, and he appeared to be purposely reaching into his pocket attempting to retrieve an unidentified object while held at gunpoint by both peace officers." Instead of complying, SCSO said that Rhodes ran away in the direction of other local residents with the officers in hot pursuit. Rhodes ran up onto the porch of a nearby home and tried to get through the front door as the officers caught up with him, but the door was locked by residents on the inside. SCSO said that Rhodes ignored orders to surrender, and the officers used a Taser "however, the Taser deployment had no impact on the suspect." Neither did a second attempt. "Mr. Rhodes cursed and taunted the deputy and officer and refused to take off his jacket or reveal what was in the one pocket, which Deputy Garrison observed to look like an object forming the shape of a possible handgun. Mr. Rhodes removed a glass pipe from his pocket and advised the deputy and officer it was his 'crack pipe,'" SCSO said. Deputy Garrison reportedly asked dispatch to tell the residents in the home to "take cover" in case gunfire broke out, since the officers still believed that Rhodes had a gun. Rhodes then fled again, with more attempts to tase him proving ineffective. Finally, he tossed his jacket away just before the officers tackled him to the ground and took him into custody "after less than lethal means to stop further resistance proved successful." In a pocket of the jacket Rhodes had discarded, SCSO said investigators found a "realistic-looking BB 'facsimile' handgun." Rhodes was brought to Fairchild Medical Center for treatment of his injuries, then booked into the Siskiyou County Jail for felony arrest warrants, resisting, obstructing, and delaying a peace officer, possession of drug paraphernalia, and for being under the influence of a controlled substance. This was a high risk call for Deputy Garrison the CHP officer. The facsimile BB gun looked like a real handgun and the suspects aggressive, belligerent, and resistant actions endangered the safety of the involved peace officers and nearby residents," said Sheriff Jon Lopey. "Mr. Rhodes refusal to surrender the facsimile firearm, coupled with his other unlawful actions, could have led to a very tragic outcome. The responsible and measured response from Deputy Garrison and the CHP officer prevented that tragedy from happening and protected citizens threatened by Mr. Rhodes unlawful and violent behavior." **CNN** NATIONAL-- Starting in 2021 if you travel to the European Union nations you have to have more than just a passport. You now have to get a visa as well. This policy change was just announces yesterday. The EU says this is for security reasons to help deal with terrorism and illegal migration. This type of visa is good for three years and can be used for multiple entries. This does not apply to the UK. The community mini-mural project was launched in 2010, and it features several murals currently painted along the railroad embankments along North and South boulevards at Oak Park Avenue near the CTA Green Line station, as well as both east and west of Marion Street. Murals have also been installed on South Boulevard east of Taylor Street and west of Lombard Avenue. 402 Shares Share Well, today it happened. I participated in my first code. We were in the telemetry unit (the room where they monitor all the patients who have EKG strips) to ask about a different patient of mine only to find that a patient was coding (lost a life-sustaining heartbeat). With some coaxing from my attending, the other student and I wound our way through the around-20 people standing outside and inside of the room none of whom I had met or who knew me up to the bedside and offered to switch out with the guy giving chest compressions. I proceeded to give the patient four rounds of chest compressions, switching out with a fellow student and a nurse. After practicing on dummies for so long, I always wondered what it would feel like. They tell you to not worry about breaking ribs because it will happen. The code had already started when we entered and so the patients ribs were already broken. But the first thing I noticed was the crunch with each compression. I always wondered how I would know how hard to push, but the body seems to give the right amount naturally. I wondered how it would feel to be causing a body so much damage in an attempt to keep it alive. And yet today I found it oddly easy to focus on the task at hand, almost dissociating from the fact that it was a real human under my hands a real, dying human. Each time I compressed while another nurse squeezed bagged air into the mans lungs, a deathly squeal escaped from around his endotracheal tube. So I compressed, ignoring my aching back and my stethoscope as it fell off my shoulders, repeating the lyrics to Staying Alive by the Bee Gees in my head to keep up the pace. Its only now upon reflection that I realize that song which is commonly taught as a way to stay on beat with compressions is either a morbid irony or an optimistic rallying cry given that CPR is often unsuccessful. It was only when I switched out with another person and started observing the room that the emotional weight of it all hit me. A frail, dying man on the bed, body heaving with each forceful chest compression, tube sticking out of his throat, nurses literally drilling into his shin in attempt to obtain arterial access to deliver medicine as the rest of his vasculature was so deflated with impending death. The calm cardiology fellow with her attending observing and providing silent support over her shoulder continually scanning the EKG tracing, calling out when to stop compressions, when to shock and what medicines to deliver. The frenzied chaos of all the people squeezed into this one small, hot room using the best of modern medicine and pharmacology to keep this man alive. And to be honest, I was in awe. A beautiful mix of determination and desperation permeated the room as each team member hurried about delivering medications, charging the defibrillator, watching the clock, feeling for pulses, administering medications, bagging the patient and tracking the medications. Watching, learning, hoping. And then the cardiology fellow gets the latest critical blood-gas reading. His bicarb tanked. Despite our best efforts to manually circulate blood throughout his body while we worked to beat, shock, and medicate his heart back to life, we had failed. His tissue was too starved for oxygen. And just like that, the cardiologist called out a time of death. I stopped my compressions. The room went quiet. People encouraged each other for their efforts. And everyone started filing out and returned to the rest of their day and the rest of their patients. Death is a funny thing. When did it actually occur? When the doctor called the time of death? When I stopped my compressions? When the last medication was administered? When the nurse stopped bagging oxygen into his lungs? Or did he die when his heart flat-lined? When did his spirit leave his body? What is a spirit? What even is death? A while later I realized my stethoscope had fallen off while I was doing compressions, and I had forgotten to retrieve it after the time of death was called. I made my way back up to that floor, and a nurse saw me and thanked me for helping with chest compressions. She then walked me back to the patients room, where the door was closed, and a sign had been posted, letting people know that they could not enter unless they asked the nursing staff. I entered the room and, unlike the chaos I had last seen it in during the code, it was serene. Completely quiet. The patient was lying in bed, blankets pulled up under his chin, tucked in for his final rest. Another nurse was in the room quietly taking care of whatever business is required after a patient passes away. I found my stethoscope and quietly exited the room, unsure of how to feel after only being involved in this patients last dying moments. Moments during which his naked body was on display for all to see as we hit him physically and metaphorically with everything we had in our attempt to save him. And all the while I was singing to myself, almost hopefully, ah ah ah ah, staying alive, staying alive. I am thankful that this mans final act, wittingly or unwittingly, was to provide me with an incredible learning experience. Timothy S. Kelly is a medical student. Image credit: Shutterstock.com JUNCTION CITY, Ore. -- School administrators at Junction City said their students are becoming fed-up with the Instagram account that's allegedly targeting LGBTQ students. Despite all of that, one of the principals at Junction City High School said he's proud of the way his students have been handling themselves. The Instagram account JCHS Straight Alliance resurfaced late Thursday night -- the third time this account has been made in as many days. Though students are frustrated by this ongoing incident, Junction City Co-Principal Brian Young said on Friday, students handled themselves and others with respect. "Students, in general, saying this is not acceptable at Junction City," Young said. "It's not what we're about as a community, and doing everything possible to put an end to this." Young said students demonstrating their particular views were walking alongside each other in the hallways without any issues. He also said other students have come forward, trying to help administrators identify the person or people behind the Instagram account. While the school district is working on their investigation into the alleged harassment, Young asks parents to step in and help out as well. "We want to really work with our parents to monitor social media activity, make sure we're paying attention to what our kids are doing online," Young said. "We're going to put an end to this as a community in Junction City." Young said even if this account were to be removed and never to resurface again, they still want to find out who is behind this account and hold them responsible for their actions. SPRINGFIELD, Ore. -- After a tragic and frightening Thursday at Riverbend Hospital involving guns, PeaceHealth officials are seeing what they can do to make sure their staff and patients stay safe. Marcy Marshall, a spokesperson with PeaceHealth, said they already have a no weapons policy in place but are looking at enhancing it. "We live in a day in age where any one organization can use enhancements," Marshall said. "Through the learning of this current situation, we'll certainly take them back and make security enhancements." Officials said it started with a patient taking their own life with a gun early Thursday morning. Marshall said no one else was present at the time of the incident. They are offering their deepest sympathies to the family and friends of this patient and said spiritual care and support are being offered to caregivers working on the affected unit. RELATED: RIVERBEND HOSPITAL ON LOCKDOWN; MAN IN CUSTODY Just hours later, Springfield police said Shawn Wusstig, 43, came to Riverbend Hospital with a rifle, allegedly asking staff about gun classes. Police said he left the hospital and was arrested for methamphetamine possession and disorderly conduct. After his arrest, police said a staff member found a rifle in a parking garage at Riverbend, triggering a lockdown at area PeaceHealth hospitals. That lockdown has since been lifted. On Friday, both Riverbend and University District hospitals were still on high alert. Marshall said they are only allowing people through certain entrances and have added security to check for weapons. Officials at PeaceHealth said they are keeping the entry restrictions in place as they review security protocols over the weekend. Access at Riverbend will be through the ER or main lobby only. At University District, only the ER, third floor or clinic parking across Hilyard are accessible. "I thank them for looking out for everybody," said Chad Christensen, who works at University District Hospital. "Somebody's got to do it. It's inconvenient as staff members to have to follow these precautions but the greater good is pretty clear." Marshall said it's too early to tell if PeaceHealth will be adding metal detectors to their to hospitals but said the health and safety of their patients and staff is their number one priority. "We want people to feel safe but not intimidated, so how do we strike that balance," Marshall said. According to court records, Wusstig was also charged with ciminal trespass on Feb. 23 at the Eugene Airport. Court documents state as part of his release conditions, he was ordered to stay away from the airport and not use drugs. Court documents state that his bond has been revoked because of these new charges and as of Friday evening, he was still booked into the Lane County Jail. He is expected to be in front of a judge again on March 15. Both Springfield police and the Lane County District Attorney's Office told KEZI 9 News they are still investigating the case. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 9) Special envoy to China Ramon "Mon" Tulfo Jr. refuses to apologize despite drawing flak for saying that Filipino workers have bad work ethics, making their Chinese counterparts more desirable for employers. "To the Filipino construction workers: Why should I apologize to you for telling the truth that you're basically lazy and a slowpoke? Does the truth hurt?" Tulfo said in a tweet on Saturday. His statement comes even as Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III "violently" disagreed with him, and vouched for the industry and efficiency of Filipino workers. "He should know that the most sought after workers in the world are the Filipinos. You go in any other country and they always give preference to Filipinos because Filipinos are very industrious, very efficient, and they are very good workers," Bello told CNN Philippines on Friday. READ: Bello defends Filipino workers amid Tulfo's comments Labor groups also came to the Filipino workers' defense, with Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino President Luke Espiritu saying that they are actually the "most overworked" among laborers. "Imaginin mo sa ating mga pabrika, nagtatrabaho ng 12 hours dahil naghahabol ng overtime at kung iisipin na ganyan ang sitwasyon ng manggagawang Pilipino, oppressed, kaya ang gusto ba ni Mr. Tulfo eh bumalik tayo sa sweatshop?" Espiritu told CNN Philippines in another interview. [Translation: "Imagine that in factories, Filipinos work for 12 hours because of overtime. That is the situation of Filipinos -- oppressed. Does Mr. Tulfo want us to return to the sweatshop?"] On CNN Philippines' "On The Record" on Thursday, Tulfo defended the influx of Chinese workers in the country, saying it is because they are better than Filipinos. "Alam mo bakit nila preferred, 'yung mga developers, 'yung mga Chinese worker? Masipag. 'Yung mga Pinoy worker, mawalang galang na, 'pag pupunta sa job site tsaka lang dun magpe-prepare ng kanilang tools, whereas 'yung mga Chinese preparado na. ... Tapos sigarilyo nang sigarilyo, salita nang salita," he said. [Translation:You know why developers prefer Chinese workers? They're diligent. Pinoy workers, on the other hand, when they go to a job site, that's the time they will prepare their tools, whereas Chinese always come prepared. Filipino workers also always smoke and keep talking.] A big number of Chinese nationals have flown to the country since President Rodrigo Duterte assumed office in 2016. Duterte had established ties with China, which provides funds and loans for several projects under the administration's massive infrastructure program. Amid the Philippines' stronger relationship with China, the number of Chinese nationals flocking to the country to work has also increased. READ: Special envoy to China Tulfo defends Chinese workers in PH, says they're better than Filipinos Dominique Tutay, Bureau of Local Employment director, said from 2015 to 2018, there were 169,893 foreign workers in the country; about 51 percent of them Chinese. Citing data from the Immigration bureau, Tutay said in 2018 alone, 185,000 foreign nationals were given special work permits by the agency, and 127,033 of the applicants for such permit were Chinese. The Sharm el-Sheikh Asian Film Festival (SAFF) closed on Friday with a feature movie from Afghanistan, Rona Azim's Mother, winning the best prize. The closing and award ceremony of the SAFF took place in the coastal Red Sea city of Sharm el-Sheikh with the attendance of filmmakers and critics from countries across Asia. Altogether 58 films from 26 countries have competed for nine awards in five competitions. Leon Le received the best director for his Vietnamese Song Lang. A Song Lang is a musical instrument, a little percussion used in Vietnamese traditional music to keep the tempo for the musicians and the performers and to guide the artists, Leon told Xinhua. The director left Saigon when he was 13 to go and live in California with his family and "Song Lang" is his debut feature after two U.S.-produced short movies, an elaboration of his interrupted upbringing in Vietnam. "The film is also a tribute to his beloved Vietnamese traditional folk opera," Leon said, noting his movie has won 12 other prizes. He added his movie is a passionate love letter to his teenage time in Saigon in the 1980's, his tape cassettes and the way art influences life and vice versa. Leon said he was very happy to win the best director from a festival in Egypt because one of his dreams to visit the most populous Arab country finally came true. He said the movie is a message to young people to always fulfill their dreams no matter what obstacles hinder them. The prize of the best animation movie went to the Iranian movie "Last Fiction" while Syrian-Lebanese-Tunisian joint production movie "Travelers of War" won the best Arab movie. Chinese renowned filmmaker Xie Fei, head juror at the festival, has been honored by a certificate of appreciation at the closing ceremony. Magdi Ahmed Ali, president of the SAFF, said "the festival is a base for promoting Asian movies in Egypt." He added the festival aims at attracting more Asian movies, events and cultures in the next year edition. Though the festival included varied Asian films, Ali hoped the coming years will see more participations from the Asian filmmakers, adding Egypt is a good market for promoting the cinema production. Magdi al-Tayyeb, head of the critics committee, agreed with Ali, saying "it's a new thing to turn towards Asian cinema and it's essential to support such festivals, as it's one of Egypt's soft power." The Asian cinema has been barely known for the Egyptian audience, he told Xinhua, and expected the SAFF will attract more movies that will inspire the Arab and Asian people. He hoped the festival will encourage the cinema distributers to start displaying Asian movies in Egypt after they saw positive reactions from the Egyptians about such new kind of films. The Noon Foundation for the Arts which organized the SAFF stated "it is our duty to give Egyptian and international artists venues and opportunities to inspire and in turn be inspired by each other, and build a sustainable friendship between Egypt and the rest of the world." The foundation will also organize the 2020 edition of the SAFF. A pilot programme to help schools introduce coding at Junior Cycle is to be extended to a second phase from September 2019, Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh T.D. has announced. Colaiste Mhuire, Johnstown, was amongst almost 50 schools selected in 2017 to pioneer Junior Cycle Coding in Action, an initiative spearheaded by the Department of Education and Skills Junior Cycle for Teachers support service; Lero the Irish Software Research Centre; Science Foundation Ireland and Intel Ireland. An interim review of the Junior Cycle Coding in Action initiative, showed its positive impact on post-primary schools involved in the first phase and called for the programme to be extended. Minister McHugh welcomed the report and praised the schools, teachers and pupils involved in the initiative. Increasing the availability of a coding programme at Junior Cycle will boost the take up and completion of computing at secondary and into third level an important goal for our economy and the creation of exciting employment opportunities for our young people. The interim report is available at www.jct.ie MANLY, Iowa - A children's author from Eastern Iowa made a couple pit stops today to read to kids and talk about her journey as an author. Jill Esbaum is from near the Quad Cities, and became interested in reading and writing at a young age. Her focus is on children books, and spoke with students at Central Springs Elementary in both Manly and Nora Springs. Esbaum also talked about the writing process, and says it's key for students to learn it at an early age. "The earlier you can teach that and the more comfortable kids can get with it, and the idea that, yes, you can cross things out and erase and delete...and work to make it better...then everything is going to be easier." She loves to visit schools when she can, and even got to sign some of her books, and appreciates today's visit. "When you can get kids fired up about books and reading by having an author come, if you can add that to your toolkit, do it. I don't care if it's me or someone else, but kids can look forward to it for so long, and you feel like a rockstar when you come to a school." Esbaum has written over 30 books, including some for National Geographic. She says four new books are scheduled to be released next spring. The per capita GDP of Beijing reached US$21,300 last year - the most in the country - pushing the city's pursuit of high quality development to a new level. Data also shows that Beijing's GDP in 2018 surpassed 3 trillion yuan (about US$447 billion) for the first time, up 6.6 percent year-on-year. Beijing's current economy aggregate is the sign of a key turning point in its development, meaning the city now has an enormous capacity for driving its own high-quality development, as well as supporting the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and the construction of Xiongan New Area, according to Liu Zhenzhong, an associate researcher from an institute under the National Development and Reform Commission. And such progress is made by joint efforts of adjusting industrial structure, relocating Beijing's non-capital functions, and developing high-grade, precision, and advanced industries. In 2018, Beijing's industrial structure was further optimized, with added values of the high-tech manufacturing industry and the strategic emerging industry rising by 13.9 percent and 7.8 percent, respectively. The service sector accounted for up to 81 percent of the city's total GDP. Beijing has taken a series of pro-business measures to develop the high-end industries such as information technology, medical health, and AI. The city also introduced tax policies to ease the burden on private businesses, including VAT reduction, cutting corporate income tax for more businesses, and personal income tax reform. In 2018, Beijing reduced taxes by about 40 billion yuan and abolished administrative fees from enterprises. The next steps for Beijing's high quality development will focus on scientific and technological innovation. In 2019, Beijing plans to step up efforts in building three science cities and the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area (BETDA). Zhongguancun Science City will focus on the development of cutting-edge and core technologies, Huairou Science City will strive to build national major science infrastructure, Future Science City will adopt tailored measures to make full use of the resources offered by state-owned enterprises there, and BETDA will build four industrial clusters, including new generation information technology, new energy smart automobile, and 20 innovation centers. Beijing will step up infrastructure construction for 5G and industrial internet, and advance the implementation of major projects, such as the drone theme town in Zhongguancun Yanqing Park. In addition, Beijing will mull over polices to further spur consumption, especially in the fields of culture and education. Activities will also be held to welcome Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and 2019 Expo. Graham Adams writes in The Listener: As the debate over the introduction of a comprehensive capital gains tax rages in the media, it has mostly been reduced to arguing about its effect on the housing market and who would be stung by it and who wouldnt. But one thing most commentators agree on is that it wouldnt dent house prices significantly. The Michael Cullen-chaired Tax Working Group said it would put only a small downward pressure on house prices and even Finance Minister Grant Robertson admits it would have a minor impact on affordability. In fact, the governments general exclusion of the family home from any CGT regime could have the opposite effect in some suburbs if homeowners poured money into extending their houses, to bolster an investment beyond the taxmans reach. In Australia, where family homes are generally exempt, this phenomenon is dubbed the mansion effect. Interviewed on The Nation over the weekend, Jacinda Ardern seemed unaware of these inconvenient truths. Asked about a capital gains tax, she said: There is a large group of New Zealanders particularly young New Zealanders now who, if their aspiration has been homeownership, [it] has just become harder and harder. It is extraordinary that the Prime Minister whose captains call for a capital gains tax backfired on her so spectacularly in the 2017 election campaign still doesnt appear to understand the negligible effect it would have on housing affordability and is continuing to use it as a selling point. You are here: China Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday called for more efforts to implement the rural revitalization strategy with the chief goal to modernize agriculture and rural areas. "The top task for implementing the rural revitalization strategy is to ensure supply of important farm produce, grain in particular," said Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission. He made the remarks when joining deliberation with deputies from Henan Province at the second session of the 13th National People's Congress, China's national legislature. Efforts should be made to promote the supply-side structural reform in the agricultural sector to achieve food security while building a modern and efficient agriculture, Xi added. Xi also called for enhanced protection of agriculture ecological environment and prevention and treatment of pollution in rural areas. Xi stressed strict penalties on crimes involving food safety so as to ensure safe farm produce for the public. Efforts should be made to strengthen the leadership of grassroots Party units in the rural areas, Xi said, noting that the practices of rural residents' self-governance should be further explored. Xi also called for measures to promote two-way flow and equal exchange of factors, including human resources, lands and capital, between urban and rural areas. "The task to eradicate extreme poverty must be fulfilled by 2020," Xi stressed. Implementation of the rural revitalization strategy and seeking progress in work related with agriculture, rural areas and farmers should be taken into consideration and promoted in the overall economic and social development, Xi said. Li Keqiang, Wang Huning and Han Zheng -- members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee -- on Friday also separately joined deliberation with NPC deputies. Premier Li Keqiang stressed building a business environment that is fair and convenient for enterprises under all forms of ownership, when joining a deliberation with deputies from Hubei Province. He called for efforts to fully carry out the reforms of tax and fee cuts and further stimulate the market vitality. Wang Huning, a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, asked deputies from central China's Hunan Province to take bigger steps in pushing forward high-quality development. He also called for taking a people-centered approach to further live up to people's new expectations for their cultural lives. Joining the deliberation of the Beijing delegation, Vice Premier Han Zheng underlined deepening the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region to further relieve Beijing of functions nonessential to its role as the capital. China's imports of solid waste continued to decline in the first two months of the year as the country tightened enforcement of a ban on solid waste imports. Imports of plastic, paper, and metal waste totaled 2.65 million tonnes for Jan.-Feb., down 22.9 percent from the same period last year, according to the General Administration of Customs. In February alone, solid waste imports reached 918,000 tonnes, sharply down from 1.74 million tonnes in January and 1.71 million tonnes registered in February of 2018. China began importing solid waste as a source of raw materials in the 1980s and for years has been the world's largest importer, despite its weak capacity in garbage disposal. Some companies illegally bring foreign waste into the country for profit, posing a threat to the environment and public health. Given rising public awareness of environmental protection and China's green development drive, the government decided to phase out and halt such imports by the end of 2019, except for those containing resources that are not substitutable. The government banned imports of 24 types of solid waste, including plastics and paper, and has imposed tough quality restrictions on other recyclable materials. Countries around the world have been facing the challenges of hunger, poverty and lack of education, so that shaking off poverty is seen as the most meaningful task for the whole of humanity in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. In this regard, modern China's four decades of determined efforts to eliminate poverty through various government welfare schemes have enabled 800 million people to escape the poverty trap. This accounts for more than 76 percent of global poverty reduction and significantly made life better for its 1.3 billion-plus people while also shedding light on the means to alleviate poverty in other developing countries. This incredible success was delivered by a combination of strong leadership, comprehensive policies, targeted measures, increased investment and incentives that form a "role model" for global poverty alleviation governance. Ana Revenga, senior director of Poverty and Equity Global Practice at the World Bank, has praised China for its "decisive progress," adding that, "If anyone could show the world how to do the last mile of ending extreme poverty, it is probably China." The country is now aiming to become a moderately prosperous society in all respects by 2020, ahead of the 100th anniversary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in 2021. China vowed to lift 10 million people out of poverty each year from 2016 to 2020 under the Second Ten-Year Poverty Reduction Program (2011-2020). Certainly, setting such a firm deadline for eradicating poverty is a bold move; but there is no doubt China will again be the frontrunner in reaching the UN's post-2015 Development Agenda. Since the critical stage of poverty alleviation got underway in 2015, it has lifted an average of more than 10 million people out of poverty every year. In recent years, an array of national plans for eliminating poverty has been prioritized in the agenda of the "Two Sessions" which are the annual meetings of the National People's Congress (NPC) and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). This year, the two bodies are focused on how to accelerate the final battle against poverty. On March 5, Premier Li Keqiang delivered the annual Government Work Report to nearly 3,000 legislators during the second annual session of the 13th NPC. While reviewing last year's achievements, Premier Li prioritized the anti-poverty actions to be taken in 2019. He highlighted the importance of harnessing positive energy for securing a decisive victory against poverty. Li's report showed that rural residents living below the national poverty line dropped to 16.6 million as of the end of 2018, down by 13.86 million year-on-year. Thus, China now has less than 17 million rural people living in poverty, according to the national standard. To reach the 2020 target, Premier Li announced China would further reduce the rural poor population by over 10 million this year, including 2.8 million people to be relocated from inhospitable areas frequently hit by natural disasters, or areas with fragile ecology. A total fund of US$18.82 billion has been earmarked for this purpose, and there is no doubt China is on the right course to win its battle against abject poverty by the target date. There are various projects underway, including the Southwest Poverty Reduction Project, the Poor Rural Communities Development Project, the Guangxi Rural Poverty Alleviation Pilot Project, the Qinba Mountains Poverty Reduction Project, Inner Mongolia Poverty Reduction Project, the No.1 Central Document, the "Ten Thousand Enterprises Aid Ten Thousand Villages" campaign and the "Internet Plus" model, that have helped the rural impoverished population achieve a moderate per-capita income. On March 7, at a press conference during the ongoing NPC session, Liu Yongfu, head of the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development, said 2019 was an important year for winning the tough battle against poverty by 2020. In the past six years, China has lifted more than 80 million rural poor out of poverty, reducing the number so afflicted from 98.99 million at the end of 2012 to 16.6 million at the end of last year. Surely, China's remarkable progress has brought numerous benefits to not only Chinese people but also those in other countries. Truly, there is a lot the rest of the world can learn from China's experiences, including India. Rabi Sankar Bosu, Secretary of New Horizon Radio Listeners' Club, West Bengal, India Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors only, not necessarily those of China.org.cn. If you would like to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at opinion@china.org.cn. Flash British Prime Minister Theresa May issued a message to the European Union on Friday saying its action will have a big impact on a crucial vote in the House of Commons next week. May used a visit to a factory in Grimsby, Lincolnshire, to stress the importance of the part Brussels should play in seeking a deal on a future relationship after Britain leaves the EU later this month. May will urge the more than 640 MPs on Tuesday to support her Brexit deal in a meaningful vote. Political commentators are predicting she will lose by as many as 100 votes, lower than the record 230 she lost by earlier this year, but still the prospect of a big defeat. Speaking on Friday, May warned that Britain could face not leaving the EU at all. She said: "Just as MPs will face a big choice next week, the EU has to make a choice too. "We are both participants in this process. It is in the European Union's interest for the UK to leave with a deal. EU leaders tell me time is running out, my message to them is now is the time." May said the decisions the EU make over the next few days will have a big impact on the outcome of the vote in the House of Commons. She wants the EU to make changes over the Irish border issue which is at the center of the current impasse blocking a breakthrough in the quest for a deal. May said if MPs at Westminster reject her deal on Tuesday, nothing will be certain, with a possible delay to the departure or even not leaving the EU at all. "MPs face an historic choice next week. If MPs don't vote for that deal then we know we will see ongoing uncertainty," she said. May said: "The British people have already moved on. They are ready for this to be settled." Flash A U.S. young man was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole Friday for his role in the 2014 murder of Ji Xinran, a Chinese graduate student in electrical engineering at the University of Southern California (USC). Alberto Ochoa, 22, was convicted of first-degree murder, assault with a deadly weapon, second-degree robbery and attempted second-degree robbery last December. Ochoa is the fourth and last person convicted for the murder of 24-year-old Ji. Three other suspects were also previously convicted and sentenced for the death of Ji. Prosecutors said the group of suspects were trying to rob Ji, who was walking home from a study group near the university campus early on July 24, 2014. Ochoa struck the victim with a metal bat before he ran away. Andrew Garcia, another defendant in the case, eventually caught up with Ji and hit him repeatedly with the bat. Ji made his way back to his apartment where he was found dead hours later by a roommate. In August 2017, Garcia was sentenced to life in prison without parole after jurors found him guilty of first-degree murder, robbery, attempted robbery and assault with a deadly weapon. The other members of the group Jonathan Del Carmen and Alejandra Guerrero were sentenced to 15 years to life in state prison and to life in prison without parole respectively. The tragic death of Ji sent shock waves to Chinese students at the USC and Chinese community in the United States. In response to the incident, USC improved campus security and set up a scholarship in the name of Ji to honor his memory. The scholarship is awarded annually to an electrical engineering graduate student at USC who comes from China. Enditem Twenty-three dogs have been removed from a home in Rogers, some of which were found in a dungeon-like room, police said. Officers found the dogs on Wednesday at the home at 11 Benton St. in Rogers, police said in a press release Friday. At the door there was a strong odor of feces, police said and the resident said he and his wife had 24 dogs that did not have vaccinations. Fifteen of the dogs had never been outdoors, police said, and the resident told officers the animals urinated and defecated inside the house. Thursday morning Rogers officers, Bell County deputies and Bell County Community Supervision officials returned to the home and removed 23 dogs. Some were in a dungeon-like room that had a single chair in it, police said. Neighbor Jesse Anchando says he would hear dogs but didn't know there was that many. "I just thought it was 2 or 3. I mean I would hear them bark and bark and when you didnt hear them I guess thats when they were in the house. I just figured that was it but when there is that many dogs... that is way too many dogs, says Anchando. Twenty of the dogs were taken to a shelter and three others were released to a relative. Rogers police are investigating. No charges have been filed. (CNN) U.S. citizens traveling to Europe without a visa will be a thing of the past come 2021. The European Union announced on Friday that American travelers will need a new type of visa -- a European Travel Information and Authorization System or ETIAS -- to visit the European Schengen Area. The Schengen Area is a zone of 26 European countries that do not have internal borders and allow people to move between them freely, including countries like Spain, France, Greece, Germany, Italy and Poland. Currently, U.S. citizens can travel to Europe for up to 90 days without a visa. To apply for the ETIAS, U.S. citizens will need a valid passport, an email account and a credit or debit card, the EU said. Minors, the website said, will still only need their normal passports to travel after the visas go into effect. The Union said that the ETIAS visa is valid for three years and allows Americans to enter the Schengen Area as many times as necessary. On the ETIAS website, the European Union said it "has recently decided to improve their security level to avoid any further problems with illegal migration and terrorism." The United States has been in a dispute with the EU's European Parliament and European Commission over visas for Bulgaria, Croatia, Poland, Romania and Cyprus. Travelers in those five countries are the only EU nations that the U.S. requires to apply for a visa. In 2016, the European Commission first released a report calling for the U.S. to grant the same visa-free status to those five countries as the other 23 EU nations in exchange for U.S. citizens maintaining the same visa-free status in the Schengen Area. EU rules require equal treatment for all member states. The report also indicated, however, that the commission wanted to wait until after President Trump was in office to "push for full visa reciprocity." In June 2018, the Parliament voted in favor of the Commission imposing visas on U.S. citizens. This story was first published on CNN.com, "United States citizens will need a visa to visit Europe starting in 2021." The governorship election will not hold in seven states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The affected states, Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, Kogi, Ondo and Osun, will not be participating because their governorship elections held at different times or `off season, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. This was mainly due to court judgments that nullified the election of their governors at different times in the past. READ ALSO: Atiku cant prove his case at tribunal - Bolori Infographics: 7 states exempted from Saturdays governorship polls Source: Facebook However, the State Houses of Assembly elections will be conducted in all the 36 states. The FCT will not witness both elections because it is run by a minister, who is appointed by the President, with laws made by the National Assembly. But Saturday will witness election of new chairmen and councillors in the six Area Councils of the territory, namely Abaji, Abuja Municipal, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali. Meanwhile, Legit.ng had reported that the Defence headquarters reiterated on Friday, March 8, that the role of the Armed Forces in the ongoing elections is to support the police in providing security for voters to exercise their franchise. PAY ATTENTION: Download our mobile app to enjoy the latest news update The governorship and House of Assemblies elections, as well as the Area Councils elections in the Federal Capital Territory are scheduled to hold on Saturday. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng upgrades to serve you better. Robbers Return Firearms to Nigerian Police (Crime News in Nigeria) | Legit TV. Source: Legit - Amaechi has said the elections of 2015 could not in any way be compared to the 2019 general elections in terms of security situation in Rivers state - According to the minister, with military personnel supporting other security agencies already on ground in Rivers, the exercise would be more secure - The minister is canvassing votes against Wike, the governorship candidate of the PDP in Rivers state The minister of transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has said that the heavy deployment of soldiers in Rivers state ahead of Saturdays governorship and House of Assembly elections would ensure the exercise is more secure to avoid unnecessary loss of lives. Speaking after meeting with British diplomats at his Port Harcourt residence on Friday, March 8, Amaechi criticised the Rivers sate governor, Nyesom Wike, wondering why he was worried about the military presence in the state. The minister said Governor Wike preferred a situation to freely manipulate polls, Premium Times reports. READ ALSO: Elections 2019: Lagos, Kano, others listed among 9 'battleground states' by CDD Amaechi, former Rivers governor, said: All Wike has done so far is killings and he doesnt care about the lives of the people. Would Governor Wike and his PDP party prefer the election of 2015 where thugs overwhelmed the state and unleashed terror on innocent Rivers people that resulted in the loss of so many lives on the streets of Port Harcourt? asked Mr Amaechi. Even my cousin was also killed in front of Wike fathers house." According to the former governor, Wike's plan is to see the total withdrawal of the military so he can have a "free hand to start killing APC members as they did in the previous elections. You are aware that they killed four APC members in the LGA of the PDP national chairman and beheaded them and took away their corpses. READ ALSO: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: a letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda Amaechi said during his tenure as governor of the state, he gave people assurances that his life is as important as their own lives. Since the APC is not participating in the elections in Rivers state, Amaechi has endorsed the African Action Congress (AAC) governorship candidate to challenge Governor Wike. My party is not on the ballot for tomorrows election and you know I have the right to vote, that is why I will vote for the candidate of the AAC, he said. Legit.ng had reported that following reports of Amaechi's endorsement, the AAC has denied having any relationship with the APC in Rivers state. According to the AAC leadership, the party has not entered into any form of agreement with the APC. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We keep evolving to serve our readers better. Will the result of the presidential election have an effect on the guber polls? On Legit TV Source: Legit - Friday, March 8, was International Womens Day - Many celebrities took to their social media handle to celebrate themselves and other female folks they love - Cross dresser Bobrisky also celebrates himself as a woman while celebrating other ladies too Friday, March 8, was International Womens Day and it was celebrated by the female folks all over the world. The male counterparts were not left out in celebrating the females in their lives. Nigerian male Barbie born Idris Okuneye but popularly known as Bobrisky decided to take part in the celebration. The cross-dresser shared a couple of Instagram posts where he wished himself and other women a happy International Womens Day. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android and read the best news about Nigeria Sharing posts to his Instagram handle, Bobrisky wrote: Yaaaaas Bobrisky HAPPY WOMAN DAY to us women The male Barbie also remembered to tell men to respect women as it is not an easy task being one. He wrote: Women today is our day o ! HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN DAY to us. So our boyfriends should respect us is not easy to be a woman. Bobrisky celebrates International Womens Day as a female Source: Instagram READ ALSO: International Women's Day: 5 legendary Nigerian women that have set pace across the world In another report, while many Nigerians are confused as to what the real gender of Bobrisky is, the bleaching expert who is Nollywood actress Tonto Dikehs best friend has revealed that he is Nigerias first transgender with a class. If there is anything Nigerian cross-dresser and openly gay man, Bobrisky, loves other than bragging about his mystery 'bae', it is the opportunity to slay at all times, no matter how much it may cost him or her as the case may be. HELLO! NAIJ.com (naija.ng) upgrades to Legit.ng We keep evolving to serve our readers better Bobrisky bares it all | Legit TV: Source: Legit - A low turnout of electorates has been noticed in the governorship and house of assembly elections in Nigeri states - Among the places that have very few voters present were Minna, Chanchaga, Bosso Paikoro and Shiroro local government areas - It was also observed that that the turnout of women in those areas was more than men A low turnout of voters has been observed in the ongoing governorship and house of assembly elections in most polling units visited in Niger, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports. It was gathered that some polling units in Minna, Chanchaga, Bosso Paikoro and Shiroro local government areas, met only very few voters milling around the voting points. READ ALSO: Nigeria Decides 2019: Live updates of governorship and state assembly elections In some of the units visited in Shiroro Local Government Area (LGA), it was found that most of the few voters were women. Musa Abdullahi, a voter at Shiroro LGA, commended women for the turnout. Kauna John, a presiding officer at a polling unit in Shiroro, told NAN that the commission had provided adequate electoral materials for the conduct of the elections. The turnout is not particularly encouraging, but INEC is ready for the exercise. So far, so good. We dont have any problem. The voters are cooperating and the process is smooth, he said. Some voters - Chado Jenukpe, Ahmadu Isa and Hajia Aliyu Bawa - who spoke with NAN, commended the security agencies for ensuring a peaceful conduct of the exercise. They said that they had voted, and described the process as speedy and smooth. PAY ATTENTION: Download our mobile app to enjoy the latest news update Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that the governorship election will not hold in seven states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The affected states, Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, Kogi, Ondo and Osun, will not be participating because their governorship elections held at different times or `off season. Follow live updates: Situation reports, collation of governorship election results from polling units across Nigeria This was mainly due to court judgments that nullified the election of their governors at different times in the past. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng: Same great journalism, upgraded for better service! 2019 Election: Atiku heads to court to contest election result, can he win? | Legit TV Source: Legit Newspaper An election observer has been shot dead at the home of Ayaogu Eze, the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Umuonu-Umuida, Enugu-Ezike, Enugu state. Circumstances surrounding the shooting is still unclear even as the bus of the group has been damaged. The home of Ayogu Eze has been cordoned off by a combined team of police and officers. The victim is part of a group of observers monitoring the governorship and state House of Assembly elections. READ ALSO: Live updates: Situation reports, collation of governorship election results from polling units across Nigeria Bus conveying the election observers damaged Source: UGC Bus conveying the election observers damaged Source: UGC After the shooting, the observer group was held hostage at Eze's compound until a combined team of the police and army came to rescue them and took them to a nearby police station. "We were almost killed there," one of the survivors said. A source in the village who didn't want to be identified said that the victim was shot in the head and he lost a lot of blood and may not survive. "His blood is everywhere if you go there," the resident said. The Enugu state police PRO, SP Ebere Amarizu, has confirmed the incident via a phone call. The police spokesperson confirmed that the victim is dead. He said the police have commenced investigation into the incidence. The name of the deceased is Onuorah Odoh. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app Meanwhile, Legit.ng earlier reported that the a former chairperson of Andoni local government in Rivers state, Ms Emilia Nte, was on the night of Friday, March 8 kidnapped at gun point by unknown gunmen at her home in Uyeada. It was not clear whether the kidnap was politically motivated or a separate incident of kidnapping for pecuniary gains. Information from credible sources in Andoni confirmed the incident. According to the sources, the gunmen first shot her on the thigh before taking her away. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng: Same great journalism, upgraded for better service! Election not a do or die affair - Sanwoolu| Legit TV Source: Legit Nigerians across the 36 states and the FCT have trooped out to elect new governors and state House of Assembly lawmakers who will be piloting the affairs of the country for the next four years. The elections have been largely peaceful though there are complaints of voter apathy, logistics problem and few incidents of violence in some areas. As results are being collated across all the polling units where voting took place, Legit.ng is on ground to bring to you situation reports, news regarding the results collations and other relevant events. Follow our live updates of the voting process here. Disclaimer: Please note that Legit.ng cannot independently verify the results. - Emeka Ojukwu, the son of late Dim hukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu has said that the Igbos are moving to the next level with President Muhammadu Buhari - Ojukwu Jnr said this next level will be possible for the Igbos if they are given appointment in the Buhari-led administration - The son of the late Ojukwu also appealed to the president to be generous in his second term tenure Mr Emeka Ojukwu jnr, the son of late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, has said Igbo are moving on to the Next level with President-elect Muhammadu Buhari and should share in key appointments. Ojukwu urged President Buhari to be more magnanimous in victory in the second term, especially to the Igbo, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. READ ALSO: Nigeria Decides 2019: Live updates of governorship and state assembly elections Ojukwu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday, March 8, in Onitsha that the Igbo people supported President Buhari more in the 2019 elections than in 2015 with over 25 per cent votes in three states of the South East because of his achievements in office. Ojukwu in November 2017 dumped the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) which was founded by his father for the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing Igbo interest as his decision. He said: Buhari won Aba North local government area based on his performance; he gave the business men and women in Ariaria market an independent power plant to boost their industries. The votes also doubled in Anambra and Ebonyi. We have Senators and Federal Representatives elected on the platform of APC in the south east." Ojukwu commended Buhari for committing N33 billion to the second Niger Bridge and for rehabilitating federal roads in the zone. Follow live updates: Situation reports, collation of governorship election results from polling units across Nigeria He however, urged the president to use his second term to address the perception that the South East and South-South were being marginalised. We look forward to a better spread in terms of appointments and inclusiveness as he has promised. We hope to see greater investment in the different sectors including power, roads and agriculture, he said. He urged the president to ensure fairness and equity and to see that the country outgrows the old divides based on ethnicity in the interest of national development. Mr president has served the nation in various high level positions and has reached the pinnacle; all that is left is his legacy. What will he do in these next four years for the benefit of the entire nation and how will he be remembered? The answer to these questions lies solely in his hands, Ojukwu jnr said. PAY ATTENTION: Download our mobile app to enjoy the latest news update Meanwhile, Legit.ng earlier reported that Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, wife of the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, allegedly asked voters to show their hands and get money after she was besieged by a crowd after casting her vote on Saturday, March 9. The senator-elect cast her vote at Polling Unit 034, Falomo Police Barracks IV, Ikoyi, Lagos. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng: Same great journalism, upgraded for better service! Election not a do or die affair - Sanwoolu| Legit TV Source: Legit The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Saturday, March 9, said it deployed a drone to monitor elections in Benin city, the capital of Edo state. The commission in a statement on its official Facebook page said the drone was activated at the Oba Market polling unit in Benin. The drone also flew into the air before hovering around the polling unit, capturing activities in the area. READ ALSO: Live updates: Situation reports, collation of governorship election results from polling units across Nigeria The drone was activated at the Oba Market Polling Unit. Source: UGC The commission said: "The Benin Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission today, March 9 deployed a drone to monitor elections in Benin City." "The drone was activated at the Oba Market Polling Unit." The drone flew into the air, hovered around the polling unit for minutes, capturing events before returning to the ground," the EFCC said in its statement. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Asari-Toru local government area in Rivers state, Tobotamuno Dick, has been reportedly arrested by some soldiers for an undisclosed offence. According to Legit.ng regional reporter in Rivers, Tony Ihunwo, Boma Goodhead, the lawmaker representing Akuku-Toru/Asari-Toru federal constituency in the House of Representatives, has called for his immediate release. In a related development, a former chairperson of Andoni local government in Rivers state, Ms Emilia Nte, was on the night of Friday, March 8 kidnapped at gun point by unknown gunmen at her home in Uyeada. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng: Same great journalism, upgraded for better service! Suspected political thugs hijacks ballot materials in Rivers state | Legit TV Source: Legit.ng - The All Progressives Congress (APC) has lost in Atiku Abubakar polling unit in Yola North local government area - Atiku had lost to President Muhammadu Buhari at the same polling unit during the presidential election - Wild jubilation followed as supporters rejoiced over the massive win of the party at the polling unit There was wild jubilation as former vice president and presidential candidate of PDP, Atiku Abubakar, delivered his polling unit, Ajiya 02, in Gwadabawa Ward, Yola North local government of Adamawa. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Atiku lost the unit to President Buhari during the presidential election by scoring 167 to Buharis 186. READ ALSO: Nigeria Decides 2019: Live updates of governorship and state assembly elections The result of todays governorship election announced by the returning officer, Dorathy Inaku indicated that PDP scored 161 votes, while APC got 99 votes. For the House of Assembly election at the unit, PDP got 207 votes, while APC scored 76 votes Atiku and PDP supporters who trooped to the unit went wild in celebration after the announcement shouting Atikulation! Atikulation!!. Last time it was APC and today is our turn, said a happy PDP supporter who identified himself as Bello Abubakar In another development, the gubernatorial candidate of Africa Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator Abdul-Aziz Nyako has lost in his unit 014 of Gwadabawa Ward where he got 78 votes as against PDPs 123 and APCs 63 votes. PAY ATTENTION: Download our mobile app to enjoy the latest news update Meanwhile, Legit.ng earlier reported that Honorable Kaka Bolori, the national coordinator of north-east alliance for Buhari 2019, said on Thursday, March 7, that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)'s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, will find it hard to prove his case in court that the presidential election was rigged. Follow live updates: Situation reports, collation of governorship election results from polling units across Nigeria It should be noted that Atiku had said the turnout of voters in Borno and Yobe states was a clear sign of rigging which contributed to the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng: Same great journalism, upgraded for better service! 2019 Election: Atiku heads to court to contest election result, can he win? | Legit TV Source: Legit _ Temitope Olatoye, a senatorial candidate and former House of Representatives member has reportedly died - Olatoye is said to have died at the Intensive Care Unit of the University College Hospital, Ibadan on Saturday, March 9 - The former lawmaker popularly known as Sugar died from a gunshot wound by some unknown gunmen on his head A senatorial candidate, Temitope Olatoye, popularly known as Sugar in the ongoing general election has reportedly died. Nigerian Tribune reports that Olatoye died at the intensive care unit of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, on Saturday, March 9, evening, following a gunshot wound he sustained after he was shot in the eye by unknown gunmen in Ibadan. Olatoye, who contested for the seat of Oyo central senatorial seat under the Action Democratic Party was said to have been shot in the head by some unknown gunmen during the election. The Cable reports on its Twitter handle said that an aide to Olatoye said the politician has been rushed to the accident and emergency unit of University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan. READ ALSO: LIVE UPDATES: I will accept election's outcome in good faith - Tambuwal says after voting as Nigerians elect new governors, state lawmakers However, Premium Times in its report said the UCH Ibadan has confirmed that the lawmaker shot on Saturday by political thugs is in a critical situation at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the hospital. The spokesman of the hospital, Toye Akinrinlola, said the lawmaker was brought in a critical situation and was being resuscitated at the ICU. As I am talking to you now, the man is in the Intensive Care Unit, efforts are on to try to resuscitate him, Akinrinlola said. Also News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Akinrinlola, confirmed Olatoye's death in an interview in Ibadan. According to NAN, Akinrinlola said the Olatoye died from gunshot wound in UCH Intensive Care Unit. The AIG Police, Zone 7, the Oyo Commissioner of Police, Chief Medical Director and other top police officials are in UCH now. We have formally told the family of his demise, Akinrinlola said. Olatoye vacated his seat as a member of the Federal House of Representatives representing Lagelu / Akinyele Federal Constituency he was also the chairman, House Committee on Urban Development and Regional Planning at the lower chamber. Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that a former governor of Oyo state, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, has delivered his polling unit for the candidate of All Progressive Congress (APC), Bayo Adelabu, in the governorship and House of Assembly election held in the state. PAY ATTENTION: Download our mobile app to enjoy the latest news update Akala, who remained the governorship candidate of Action Democratic Party (ADP) in the election, delivered his polling unit in Ogbomosho region of the state to APC. Legit.ng notes that the former governor, who returned to APC barely four months after leaving the party for ADP, voted at Olukutun unit 13, ward 7 in Ogbomoso north. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng: Same great journalism, upgraded for better service! 2019 elections: Do you still trust INEC to conduct fair elections? - Nigerians speak| Legit TV Source: Legit - Former deputy governor of Osun state, Senator Iyiola Omisore, has delivered his polling unit for APC - APC scored 517 votes while PDP had 12 at Omisore's polling unit located at Saint Gabriel Moore Ile Ife - Omisore had on Thursday, March 9, lured the minority leader of the state House of Assembly, Honourable Adewale to decamp and join him in APC Senator Iyiola Omisore, a former governorship candidate of Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the September 22 governorship election in Osun state, Senator Christopher Iyiola Omisore, has delivered his polling unit in Ile-Ife for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The Independent reports that Omisore, who was former deputy governor under Chief Adebisi Akande of Alliance For Democracy (AD) had since the rerun of governorship election in the state joined the APC. READ ALSO: Nigeria Decides 2019: Live updates of governorship and state assembly elections Legit.ng gathered that in his polling unit located at Saint Gabriel Moore Ile Ife, APC scored a total votes of 517 while the PDP had just 12 votes. Omisore had on Thursday, March 9, lured the minority leader of the state House of Assembly, Honourable Adewale to decamp and join him in APC. It would be recalled that Omisore assisted APC to win the governorship election late last year when INEC declared that the first election as inconclusive. In the rerun election, APC approached Omisore and he accepted their offers and assisted APC to have an inroad into his stronghold in Ile-Ife and Isiaka Gboyega Oyetola eventually won the election. Meanwhile, Legit.ng had previously reported that former governor of Ogun state, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, won his polling unit for the candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Dapo Abiodun in the governorship election in Ogun state. READ ALSO: Live updates: Situation reports, collation of governorship election results from polling units across Nigeria NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng Same great journalism, upgraded for better service! Election not a do or die affair - Sanwoolu| - on Legit TV Source: Legit Nigeria TROPHIES Nazareth native Matt Kern is among the semifinalists for the distinguished best chef award bestowed each year by the James Beard Foundation. Kern, the executive chef at Heirloom, a restaurant in Lewes, Delaware, got his start washing dishes at the former Viennese Pastries Cafe in Bethlehem while he was still in high school. He worked and learned under several chefs among them Dick Barrows at the former Starfish Brasserie and Timothy Widrick at the Edge Restaurant, both in Bethlehem. He went on to work at Bolete in Salisbury Township, which is a semifinalist for the James Beard best restaurant award this year. Ever since she visited a few cat cafes in the Pacific Northwest, Bre Cropley said she knew she wanted to open a similar operation in the Lehigh Valley. Cropley, a Bethlehem Township resident who has been has baking speciality cakes for about six years, is looking for a Bethlehem location for a cafe that will offer customers coffee, tea and treats and the chance to mingle with cats and kittens. She has has been talking with cat cafe owners to learn about the costs and legal requirements, such as keeping the cat lounge separate from the eating area. Cats and kittens at the cafe will be available for adoption. Cropley is holding fundraising events, including a Tats for Cats event today at Raygun Samurai Tattoo, 7 E. Third St. in Bethlehem. TURKEYS Pennsylvania State police at Belfast want to know who spray-painted a speed-monitoring sign in the Slate Belt and cut the battery wires. The damage is believed to have been done between 11 p.m. Friday, Feb. 22, and 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24, state police said. The $6,000 sign, owned by Upper Mount Bethel Township, was set up at Potomac Street and Marshfield Drive in the township. Anyone who witnessed suspicious vehicles or people in the area at the time of the vandalism is asked to call state police at 610-759-6106. Who brings a grenade launcher onto a commercial flight? Transportation Security Administration officials say a passenger attempted to do that at Lehigh Valley International Airport recently. Inspectors found the unassembled parts of a military rocket-propelled grenade launcher and what appeared to be a grenade in the checked suitcase of a Florida man booked on a flight from Allentown to Sanford, Florida. The grenade turned out to be a realistic replica. Neither real nor replica weapons of a military nature are permitted on airplanes; the items were confiscated. The unidentified man was allowed to take the flight and wont face criminal charges, a TSA spokesperson said. An anonymous tip about an active shooter at Bangor Area Middle School led to a lockdown and brief disruption of classes Thursday, according the school districts website. Bangor Superintendent William Haws said state and local police responded, swept the school and found no evidence of a threat. The tip came in at 11:38 a.m. The school reopened at 12:23 p.m. False reports are serious and cause panic for students, parents, and educators, Haws said. The district is aggressively working with police to determine the source of this false claim. On one hand, Gov. Phil Murphys plan to boost state education funding would increase funding for about two-thirds of school districts in New Jersey. On the other hand, it takes money away from almost everybody else. Nearly 370 districts would see their aid increase, from as much as $24 million to as little as $260. But nearly 200 districts will have their funding reduced as part of a incremental redistribution of state school spending passed into law last year. Just 12 districts, primarily county vocational districts, would get flat funded. The preliminary figures are sure to be celebrated by long-underfunded districts that are finally seeing a spike in funding. More than 100 districts would see at least a 10 percent increase in state dollars. Thats what Id call real progress, Murphy said during a news conference Friday at West Orange High School touting his proposed $15.4 billion investment in education. But those increases are partially thanks to about $90 million that was taken from other districts lawmakers determined were getting too much state funding. Many of those of this districts have challenged the cuts, including through a lawsuit and a massive protest in Trenton before Murphys budget address. Murphy said he has an enormous amount of sympathy of those districts but was noncommittal when asked about considering sparing them from the cuts. Use the tool below to find out how much every district would get under the governors 2020 state budget proposal. The budget will now go to state lawmakers for final approval by the June 30 deadline. Loading... NJ Advance Media staff writer Brent Johnson contributed to this report. Carla Astudillo may be reached at castudillo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @carla_astudi. Find her on Facebook. Adam Clark may be reached at adam_clark@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @realAdamClark. Find NJ.com on Facebook Scoil Mhuire Junior School is celebrating Seachtain na Gaeilge 2019 with a packed programme of Irish-based events and activities to encourage children to speak through the medium of Irish. Seachtain na Gaeilge is an important fixture in the school calendar and runs from March 4 to March 15. It features artwork/flags on display, along with music, Irish dancing and traditional song-singing and storytelling. The first and second classes are taking over the intercom for five minutes each day for Radio Scoil Mhuire and the entire school will turn green for La Glas on March 15. Visiting artistes include Mary Beth Taylor, director of Sean-Nos Dance Ireland who will give outreach classes facilitated by Newbridge library and storyteller Helena Byrne, who recently performed Tales of Irish folklore at the Embassy of Ireland, Washington DC. Local musicians such as Mairead Carroll, Rossagh Purcell and Brid Leddy are all kindly giving of their time and Mary Donohue will teach some lively Irish jigs. We are lucky to have our own very talented fiddle player, Sandie Purcell to add to the fun said principal Caitlin O Connor. At the heart of Seachtain na Gaeilge in Scoil Mhuire Junior is the sharing of ceol agus craic between classes which take place as part of the festivities and the encouragement given to young children to speak the cupla focail at home and at school. The Naas Lions club has handed over 16,900 to the Society of St Vincent de Paul in Naas and Sallins. The money was raised from public collections held for three days in the run up to Christmas. A total of 150 volunteers gave up heir time to help organise the collections. Most of the money (2,200) went to the Naas V de P and the balance was donated to the Sallins V de P conference. In addition, the local business community generously donated towards this worthy cause, said Cyriel Varwijk of Naas Lions. The Naas group is also part of Lions Clubs international, which is the worlds largest service organisation with more than 1.3 million members in over 45,000 clubs in over 200 countries around the world. The Lions motto is we serve and the clubs aim to improve the local communities. The Naas Lions club celebrated its 40th anniversary last year and raised over 1.7m during that time for local causes. Since 1978 the group has supported many local charitable causes and groups. The club has been very active in its support for Naas Hospital, contributing over the years to the provision of heart monitors and stress management facilities. Other organisations have benefited since then and these include Suicide Bereavement Support, St. Brigids Hospice on the Curragh, KARE, McAuley Place residents and Naas Care of the Aged centre at Newbridge Road. Glenfarne may be a small village, nestled in the hinterlands of North Leitrim, but it has made and continues to make its mark on the national arena. Just over a week ago Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross took a turn about the iconic floor of the Rainbow Ballroom of Romance with the leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), Arlene Foster. An unusual pairing? Certainly, but they aren't the only ones to have fallen under the spell of Glenfarne. The iconic Ballroom of Romance. Sheila OKeeffe was born and raised in Upper Glenfarne, there is a difference from Lower Glenfarne she laughingly confides. After working and living along the east coast for most of her life, she opted to return to her native Glenfarne to retire. When I came to retire I couldnt think of anywhere Id rather be than Glenfarne, said Ms OKeeffe. It has everything a person could want. I am a big hill walker and there are lakes and mountains and beautiful surroundings here. I am a part of the Holey Soles Hill Walking club and I have also joined the Glenfarne development committee and I am vice-chairperson, she said, adding this has all been a great way to contribute to the community and to help promote community life and tourism in Glenfarne. I was delighted to see Glenfarne included in Irelands Hidden Heartlands tourism area - I think thats what this place is, a hidden tourism gem. I hope that more and more people come here to the Rainbow (Ballroom of Romance) and to the wider Glenfarne area. They dont know what they have been missing! Of course, people have been coming to Glenfarne for generations - drawn by the famous Rainbow Ballroom of Romance dance hall and the promise of a little romance - or at worst, a lift home after the evening is over. Both Ms OKeeffe and Mary McLoughlin remember the excitement of heading out for a night of dancing at The Rainbow. I used to love coming here. I remember coming here to dances on Tuesday nights when I was still at school, said Mrs McLoughlin. Ms OKeeffe laughs as she remembers how all the men headed to mirrors on one of the walls to fix their appearance after they cycled to the dance. Then the men would line up along one wall and the women along the other and it would be like the charge of the light brigade as the men tore across the floor to grab a partner as the music began, she observes. You didnt know whose hand would grab yours, you just hoped you'd end up with someone decent looking! Of course with so many young people without cars and few public transport options, most either walked, cycled or hitched lifts to the dance. It was very important that at least one of you would find a fella with a car by the end of the night so you and your friends could all get a lift home, said Ms OKeefe. The new manager at The Rainbow, Ballroom of Romance, Niall Speak, is pictured in the showband museum. A new lease of life has been given to the historic ballroom with major renovations carried out internally and externally over the past few years. Work has included the addition of a museum honouring the founder of the Ballroom of Romance, John McGivern and charting its involvement in the showband scene from its opening in the 1930s, right through to the 1980s. Last week, newly appointed manager, Niall Speak, took over the reins of The Rainbow. Coming from a previous position with Strokestown Park House, he is excited by the prospect of bringing Glenfarnes ballroom into a new era. This is a place so close to many peoples hearts. It is amazing to see the names of the those who have played here down through the years and to hear the stories from people, he said. I am really looking forward to the challenge of bringing a whole new generation back to The Ballroom. This new lease of life is also being seen just a short distance up the road in the former Glenfarne Railway Station. Francis White and his family not only took on the historic station, they renovated it, extending the building and reopening parts to the public each summer. The station was opened originally in January 1880 and served as part of the Sligo Leitrim Northern Counties Railway line. It was also the home of the customs and excise men and the first stop for checks this side of the border for passengers. A quick perusal of customs records show seizures of butter and other goods including, of all things, a pair of socks. I bought this (the station) in 1995 and we started renovation works. I moved in with my family in 2000. I even found references to my maternal grandfather in some of the transport documents relating to this station. Donations from local people and railway enthusiasts along with the sympathetic restoration of the original waiting room area, have created an atmosphere which takes you right back in time. We have people coming here from England and Northern Ireland and from parts of Europe to see the station. This is the station where Sean MacDiarmada (1916 signatory) left Leitrim for the last time in 1915 and we have an inscription to commemorate that. Just a short distance up the road is Clancy's of Glenfarne - a shop, guesthouse and restaurant. The business is run by Jim Clancy and his wife, Assumpta . Their business is a bustling part of the local community, attracting residents and tourists alike. Were already booked out for the Easter weekend for the Hill Walking Festival, he notes adding that a growing interest in genealogy and 'completing the family tree' has also brought a growing number of tourists to this area in recent years. We had a lady from London recently who found she had connections with Dowra and she has already booked to bring her family back in August. Mr Clancy is clearly proud of the area and delighted to see investment in Glenfarnes amenities and properties. I think peoples expectations are high when they come to an area and you have to meet those expectations when you are dealing with the tourism market. We have hillwalking, fishing and now the greenway with the possibility of more. The whole slow tourism concept, thats what is working for this area. Just across the road is local publican and photographer, Ben McHugh. His maternal great-grandfather took up the licence on their pub in 1873. Hes lived his entire life in the village where he raised a family. I am delighted to see things coming on so well in the village. There has been new life brought to the area in recent years. People have moved back and new people have also come here and that is lovely to see at last... that renewal, he said. This spirit of renewal and welcome will, no doubt, be to the fore this summer with the celebration of Glenfarnes 50th Gala Festival. While the population of Glenfarne may be small the numbers of people living everywhere around the globe with connections to this area is enormous. So many people come back each year for the festival and this year, because it is the 50th, well be running the festival for a week. People have already told us they are coming home and were expecting big crowds, said local councillor, Sean McDermott. Who knows, with the renewal of so much in the village and the addition of the newly opened demonstration greenway nearby - maybe some of those visiting this summer will take the plunge and return home to Glenfarne! Four Courts Press have announced that Leitrim will feature as part of their Irish Revolution series of publications, with a planned book launch in the autumn of 2019. The Leitrim publication will form part of The Irish Revolution, 1912-23 Series which explores the experience of the Irish Revolution at a local level, addressing key developments and issues in a period that witnessed the campaign for Home Rule, the First World War, the Easter Rising, the War of Independence and the Civil War. The approach of the series to date has been both thematic and chronological, and the series is bringing to a wide readership the findings of a new generation of historians with concise, accessible, and scholarly studies of the Irish Revolution at a county level. The volume on Leitrim will take 1912 as its starting point, when the Irish Party controlled all political affairs in the county, and will conclude at the end of the Civil War in 1923. The countys experience of the First World War and the widespread political change in the post 1916 period, including the 1918 general election and the War of Independence and subsequent Civil War will feature as part of the publication. Author: Dr Padraig McGarty from the Institute of Technology Tralee has been chosen as the author of the Leitrim edition. A native of Mohill he is seeking any photographs relevant to Leitrim in the 1912-23 period. All material will be copied, acknowledged and returned promptly to the owners. The position of Leitrim in the period has attracted much interest from both historians and the general population, because in addition to political violence, the county witnessed unprecedented levels of boycott, intimidation and an active anti-rates campaign in its efforts to thwart the countys rulers. While happenings in the county resembled that of many of its neighbours in the 1912-1923 period, aspects of life in the county differed from many other regions. Huge levels of support for John Redmonds Irish Party and its local support organisations such as the Ancient Order of Hibernians ensured broad support initially for World War One. Hundreds of Leitrim men, predominantly from the countys towns enlisted in the British army and over three hundred were killed in the conflict. However, mounting casualties in the battlefields of Europe ensured that the initial appeal and enthusiasm for the war dwindled, and by 1916 army enlistment from the county had virtually ceased. It was the executions of the leaders of the Easter Rising including Kiltycloghers Sean MacDiarmada, and widespread nationwide arrests and repression that turned the county and country against Britain. Throughout 1917 and 1918 Ireland witnessed huge political change with the growth of Sinn Fein led by Eamon de Valera and the demise of the Irish Party. This political transformation was reflected in the results of the 1918 British general election with Sinn Fein winning 73 of the 105 seats across Ireland, and the Irish Party successful in only six constituencies. Leitrim followed the national trend with the election of Manorhamiltons James Dolan as the countys first Sinn Fein member of parliament with an 85% share of the vote, the largest majority recorded in Ireland. Four Courts Press have chosen Dr Padraig McGarty from the Institute of Technology Tralee to author the Leitrim edition. Speaking to the Leitrim Observer, Dr McGarty, a native of Mohill said, While it is a great personal honour to be chosen to write the Leitrim edition of the series, it is a huge honour for the county to be finally recognised as providing its own unique contribution to Irish independence. While fatalities in the north west were small compared to other regions, British rule was severely disrupted in Leitrim with crown forces and officials suffering widespread boycott and intimidation which they subsequently responded to with widespread violence against sections of the local population. While the author and publishers have comprehensive access to both Irish and British government material and sources, they are seeking any photographs relevant to Leitrim in the 1912-23 period. Dr McGarty said We would make an appeal to anyone who has photographs of the period to forward the material to me at the School of Health and Social Sciences, North Campus, Institute of Technology Tralee, Tralee, Co. Kerry. All material will be copied, acknowledged and returned promptly to the owners. Sinn Feins Cllr Caroline Mulvey proposed the council not go ahead with the proposed plans to turn Church St, Ballinamore into a one-way system last week. The council replied: Church Street has two footpaths, both of which are used by cars to park. Therefore there is no safe passage up Church Street for pedestrians, childrens buggies, mobility impaired persons. The proposed one-way system will allow traffic to travel from Main Street to Oughteragh while providing parking on one side of the carriageway - leaving both footpaths unimpeded. We have yet to investigate whether deliveries and refuse vehicles can be carried out with the proposed system. Senior engineer for Leitrim County Council Shay O'Connor outlined there are two options available. Either they do nothing with the traffic flow and police the illegal parking correctly and issue tickets to those who park on footways or they put a one way system in place. The district engineer will hold a meeting with residents and traders affected by the proposed changes shortly. The council concluded saying, The majority of residents along this street are in favour of the proposal. Cllr Mulvey said she believes many residents dont see a need for this. She said there are concerns that a one-way system would create a bottleneck at the SuperValu junction. The council are expected to discuss plans with those affected before any works begin. The HSE has denied cutting public health nursing hours in the Drumkeerin area despite the fact that hours have been reduced from 31 to 19.5 hours per week. Raising the issue at last Mondays council meeting in Carrick-on-Shannon, Cllr Mary Bohan said the reduction in hours occurred when a new public health nurse was hired to replace an existing member of staff. The HSE say there has been no cut in the service. They say that a registered general nurse (RGN) is available as backup, but the RGN is covering a big area. Our public health nurse is very competent and highly qualified but the hours available are just not sufficient, said Mrs Bohan. She pointed out that the HSE has chipped away at services in Drumkeerin with the loss of chiropody services and the closure of the community welfare office in recent years. There is so much money going into the HSE, in Sweden they are spending about the same amount of money and they have a much better health service than we do, she observed. Cllr Bohan called on the Minister for Health, Simon Harris and the HSE to look at the situation in Drumkeerin and urged them to restore the previous hours of the public health nurse. We have even been told that the birth rate in the area is down and that is why hours have been reduced but that is ridiculous. We have a lot of elderly people in the area who need assistance from the public health nurse, she said. Councillors Enda Stenson and Padraig Fallon backed her motion with Mr Fallon noting: do (the HSE) not expect other individuals to get sick ? He said he was aware the HSE was pointing to a reduction in births in the wider Drumkeerin area as a reason behind the change in public health nurse hours locally. There is clearly no forward planning with the HSE. They dont think about what they are doing. The birth rate may have dropped but there are still people who need help, said Mr Fallon. Cllr Des Guckian observed that this was a problem seen around the country. A MAN has been refused bail after he appeared in court charged in connection with the seizure of a loaded semi-automatic pistol and a significant quantity of drugs during a garda operation targeting criminal activity in Limerick. Kieran Doyle, 29, of Daar River Walk, Newcastle West was bought before a special sitting of Limerick District Court this Saturday evening. He is charged with suspicious possession of a Baikal semi-automatic pistol and with possession of cannabis worth an estimated 12,000 for the purpose of sale or supply. Garda Aled Harkin said the defendant, who was detained at Henry Street garda station following his arrest, made no reply when he was formally charged in connection with the seizure which was made at Ballinamudagh, Coolcappagh, Ardagh on Thursday last March 7. Opposing bail, he said it will be alleged the loaded pistol and a silencer were found by members of the divisional drugs unit during a search of a shed as part of a intelligence-led operation. The firearm, he said, was wrapped in cling film and a white cloth. Garda Harkin said it will be further alleged that around 500g of cannabis was located in a Citroen Berlingo van which was parked at the property at the time. The drugs, which have sent for forensic analysis, were vacuum-packed in plastic when recovered. Bail was opposed given the serious nature of the charges and gardai also cited concerns the defendant might flee the jurisdiction as he has connections in the UK. Solicitor Con Barry said his client has strong ties to Limerick and he submitted strict conditions could be imposed by the court which would satisfy the garda concerns. He added that a substantial amount of cash was available to be lodged with the court if necessary. Judge Larkin said she had some sympathy for Mr Doyles predicament but said she had to balance things and had to have regard to the law. She refused bail and remanded the defendant in custody for DPPs directions next Tuesday. Meanwhile, gardai say a 61-year-old man and and a 32-year-old woman who were also arrested during Thursdays operation have since been released from custody without charge. A file is to be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions. THE proprietor of a small family-run business was fined almost 2,000 for breaches of employment legislation. Sole trader Michael Fitzpatrick, who trades as Fitzpatricks Bakery, was prosecuted before Limerick District Court by the Workplace Relations Commission for breaches of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997. Mike Leahy, a labour inspector with the WRC, said he called to the companys premises at Ballingarde, Ballyneety, on July 25, 2017, seeking to view employee records relating to the business. Under the provisions of the Act, all employers are obliged to retain records relating to any employees at its main place of business for at least three years. He said he met with the defendants wife and that she agreed to produce the records for inspection within 14 days. Mr Leahy told solicitor Noleen Geraghty that she confirmed her intentions to him by text message but failed to follow through and the records were never produced. There has been no engagement by the defendant since, he added. He stated that correspondence which was sent to Mr Fitzpatrick by the WRC was not replied to and that he has had no dealings with him or his wife since he visited the premises in 2017. After being informed there were no previous convictions, Judge Marian OLeary imposed fines totalling 1,750. She also directed that 250 be paid by the defendant towards the costs of the WRC. Michael Fitzpatrick was not present or legally represented during the brief hearing. THE HUNT is on to find the owners of a famous Limerick Castle. Carrigogunnell Castle was built during the 13th century, and was destroyed in September of 1691 after being captured during the second siege of Limerick. The castle is built on top of volcanic rock near Clarina village and is overlooking the Shannon Estuary. It is understood the land surrounding the castle is owned by one or a number local farmers, however the owner of the actual castle remains a mystery. A meeting was held at Ballybrown/Clarina Community Resource Centre on Monday February 25 regarding the future attracted over 70 people. The meeting, which was open to the public was chaired by Stephen ODowd. Before anything can be done, we need to establish who owns the castle. The land is owned by a local farmer, but the castle itself is owned by someone else, said Mr ODowd. It seems the Monsell family owned it until recently. They took ownership of the castle in 1692 and records show that they had ownership for hundreds of years. It would have been in that family, who now live in the UK, until recently. But then records disappear, he added. Mr ODowd said that after the owner is established, a number of steps could be taken, including purchasing the historic site. A MAN who ran after his former girlfriend before damaging her friends car has avoided a criminal conviction. Kevin Walsh, 30, of Knoppogue, Brosna, County Kerry, had denied assault and criminal charges arising from an incident at Main Street, Abbeyfeale, in the early hours of December 25, 2017. During a contested hearing an Newcastle West Court, Judge Mary Larkin was told the incident happened at around 12.15am on Christmas evening. Mr Walshs former partner said her car was parked in the town earlier in the night and that she had returned with a friend to collect some Christmas presents from the vehicle. She described how the defendant, who had a beer bottle in his hand, had run towards her on the street forcing her to retreat to her friends car. The woman said Mr Walsh was banging on the window trying to get into the car and that she feared for her safety. He was trying to get into the car, he told me to get out. He was frantic and volatile, she said. Being cross-examined by solicitor Pat Enright, the woman accepted the defendant did not touch her but insisted she was terrified. She also agreed that her relationship with Mr Walsh had not ended well. Mr Enright put it to the witness that his client was not in Abbeyfeale on the night and that she and her friends had concocted a story as she owed his client money. After Judge Mary Larkin refused an application to dismiss the charges, the solicitor said that having consulted with his client he would not be calling any evidence. In mitigation, he said his client is working full time and has no previous convictions. He said Ms Walsh was willing to pay compensation for the damage caused to the car and he asked the court not to criminalise his client. Judge Larkin accepted what happened was a rush of blood to the head and she said she was willing to strike out the criminal damage charge. She applied the Probation Act in relation to each of the assault charges - leaving Mr Walsh without a criminal conviction. WHATEVER kind of a gra people have for it, it gets them rightly revved up at this time of year. The words of trainer Enda Bolger, discussing, what else, but Cheltenham. With the showpiece event of the National Hunt season just around the corner, theres a mix of giddy excitement and anxious anticipation in the air. At Howardstown House in Bruree three horses are being readied to make the trip to the Cotswolds. The two boys run in the cross country on the Wednesday, Josies Orders and Auvergnat, and then on the Friday in the Foxhunters we have Stand Up And Fight, says Enda of his Cheltenham team, all of which will race in the famous green and gold silks of JP McManus. Betting: Laurina can land Cheltenhams Champion Hurdle crown https://t.co/yh2alXng3K pic.twitter.com/4HfLc441IK LimerickLeader Sport (@LimkLeaderSport) March 7, 2019 The name Enda Bolger is of course synonymous with the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham, having won the race five times. Obviously the Cross Country was our lucky race for a good while but its really after turning out to be a very hot contest now. Tiger Roll won his last race very impressively. We are hoping for a good run but Id be surprised if we beat him, is Endas honest assessment. As for Stand Up And Fight, he is hoping for a strong performance which will stand to the seven-year-old. We think Stand Up is going to be a really nice hunter chaser down the line but he has never even been to the UK or experienced the razzmatazz of Cheltenham. Its going to be a big experience for him. Its like a fella playing for the first time in Croke Park. He is going to have his eyes opened. Again, Im hoping for a good run from him but I feel hell be a far better horse for all the experience of it. The horses head across the Irish Sea on Monday ahead of the famous Cheltenham roar which goes up at 1.30 on Tuesday to signal the start of the four-day festival. While Enda has a long and fruitful association with Punchestown and the spring meeting remains his favourite festival, Cheltenham, he says, has the greatest racing, and the greatest build-up and its where every trainer, owner and jockey wants to be, as well as the punters. I think its Ireland against England, thats where it comes from and we have great horses in Ireland at the moment and we are well able to take them on because we have the best owners and everything. Thats really what it is - that rivalry between Ireland and England. So long as we come out the right side of it, thats the main thing. We cant let the handler go without getting a few tips for Limerick punters next week. I hope JP wins with Buveur D'Air, he says of the JP McManus-owned horse which will bid to become the sixth horse in history to win the two-mile hurdling crown three times. And I think a few bob each way on my lads - they are all there doing their best. I think Josies Orders would be my best of the three. The police in Lagos have said that only two students died, while 12 others w ... Grandparents are revered in many human societies. But telling stories about old times and overfeeding grandchildren seem like distinctly human traits. Are these classic grandparent behaviors really limited to Homo sapiens? Do any animals know their grandparents the way people do? For most species on Earth, the answer is an unequivocal no. "Usually, there aren't grandparents [around] anymore" when an animal is born, said Mirkka Lahdenpera, a biologist at the University of Turku in Finland. Even if an animal's life span does overlap with its grandparents', most species spread out to avoid competing for resources, so the odds of running into a grandparent are slim. But there are a few notable exceptions, primarily among mammals that live in close-knit social groups. In her book "The Social Behavior of Older Animals" (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2009), Canadian zoologist Anne Innis Dagg described troops of langur monkeys in India in which older females commingled with their daughters and grandchildren. [Why Can't All Animals Be Domesticated?] The grandmother langurs have a particular job: They aggressively defend the group's infants against attacks from humans, dogs and rival monkeys. Some female langurs even give their own grandchildren special treatment, grooming them and stepping in when they play too roughly with other young. Many whale species, too, travel in family pods that include both grandmothers and grandcalves. In groups of sperm whales, according to Dagg, old females help babysit the group's young while their mothers dive for food. Orca grandmothers often lead their pods and can live for decades after they stop reproducing. (The oldest known orca, nicknamed "Granny," died in 2016 at over 100.) In 2015, scientists writing in the journal Current Biology suggested that these elder orcas help their descendants survive during hard times, because they remember all the best places to find food. Elephant herds are also famously matriarchal. Calves are typically born into groups led by their grandmothers, who can live to around 80 years old. The females in a herd form close bonds, said Lahdenpera, and collaborate to raise their young. In a 2016 study in the journal Scientific Reports, Lahdenpera tried to determine if being an elephant grandmother has evolutionary benefits. She analyzed records from a semi-captive population of Asian elephants working for the timber industry in Myanmar. Some adult females still lived in groups with their mothers, while others had been moved to different areas. Lahdenpera found that the calves of young mothers were eight times more likely to survive if their grandmothers lived near them than if they didn't. When the calves' mothers were older and more experienced at raising babies, this beneficial "grandmother effect" disappeared even if the actual grandmothers were still around, she found. It isn't entirely clear how elephant grandmothers help their inexperienced daughters, said Lahdenpera. There's anecdotal evidence that they may help nurse their grandcalves, thereby giving them a nutritional boost. But Lahdenpera thinks that the more likely advantage is the wisdom a grandmother elephant has amassed during her long lifetime. If a calf gets stuck in a mud pit, for example, its grandmother might be more successful at helping the calf than its mother would be, because she's seen similar situations. Indeed, most evidence for the benefits of grandparenting comes from mammals. But in 2010, researchers reported in Current Biology that in colonies of insects called gall-forming aphids (Quadrartus yoshinomiyai), older females defend their relatives after they've ceased to reproduce. And a 2007 study in the journal Evolution found that older female Seychelles warblers (Acrocephalus sechellensis) sometimes help their offspring raise chicks. And what about grandfathers? Studies of humans in recent decades have shown that a living grandfather can improve a person's mental health and other indicators of well-being, said Lahdenpera. But there's no evidence of that in the animal kingdom, she said. Male animals rarely socialize with their own progeny, let alone any further descendants. "Males are usually focusing on producing [more of] their own offspring, and aren't providing so much care," Lahdenpera said. Originally published on Live Science. Albany When Ni Lar Way was still in Thailand, she thought America was like a Disney princess movie. She thought its women only wore gowns and everybody lived in castles. Ni Lar was a kid then, born and raised in a refugee camp occupied by members of the Karen ethnic minority ravaged by genocide in Myanmar. When she was 9, Ni Lar's family was given permission to come to America, with Albany as their final destination. They arrived in January. "When I first came here, it was snowing," Ni Lar told me Thursday morning, sitting in a classroom at Bishop Maginn High School. "I thought the snow was ice cream and you could eat it." Life in upstate New York for the family of six, including Ni Lar's three brothers and a sister, was hardly easy. They arrived, like most refugees do, with hardly any possessions. They were completely unprepared for the harshness of winter. But poverty in Albany was preferable to poverty the family had known at the Mae La refugee camp. Here, the family had freedom. Here, there was hope for a better life. Ni Lar seized the opportunity. Now 17, she is at the top of her Bishop Maginn class, with a 4.0 grade-point average. Ni Lar has already secured a full scholarship to Russell Sage College, where she plans to study nursing. She'll be the first member of her family to attend college. It is a remarkable achievement for a girl who arrived speaking hardly any English, who landed in a strange and baffling country that was nothing like the Disney movie she had expected. "She has the drive to make herself successful," said Amanda Millier, associate director for undergraduate admissions at Sage. "She worked her tail off." I and many others have written before about Albany's growing Karen population and how it is enlivening sections of the city. Indeed, Ni Lar's immediate neighborhood along Delaware Avenue is almost a recreation of the refugee camp; her family's neighbors their have followed in their footsteps to Albany. And I have written before about how Karen students have enriched Bishop Maginn, a Roman Catholic school that had been struggling to find its place. Roughly 40 percent of the school's students are from refugee families, their tuition paid largely by donations from Bishop Maginn's large and loyal network of graduates. Michael Tolan, the principal, told me he hates to think what the Park Avenue school would be without the immigrant students, who are largely Christians but not Catholic. They've reinvigorated its mission, he said. They gave Bishop Maginn new purpose. It's almost an understatement to say that teachers and administrators at Bishop Maginn rave about the Karen refugees. They adore them. They say the newcomers are giving as much to Bishop Maginn as the school gives them. Meet Ni Lar and other refugees attending the school and you quickly understand why. They have gratitude and a sense of obligation that is rare among American teenagers. Escaping a genocide and a refugee camp will do that for a person. "When I feel sad, I think back and remind myself that my family suffered to let me have what I have today," said Ni Lar, whose great-grandmother was a slave. "I'm very thankful for my parents and everyone who made this possible. I'm blessed by God." Ni Lar said she decided to become a nurse because she wanted to help those in pain and need, including some of the 50,000 refugees still living at Mae La. Nobody should doubt that Ni Lar will do just that. She's small, just 4-foot-9, but tough and her heart is big. In recent months, there has been a massive surge in the number of asylum seekers arriving at the southern border 76,000 just last month. Most are from Central America, Guatemala especially. They are fleeing terrible poverty and, at times, violence. Like most of our ancestors, they are coming in search of a better life. The suggestion here isn't that they are all worthy of asylum or that we should open our borders to them. More than a million migrants may arrive at the southern border just this year alone. But the migrants shouldn't be demonized, disrespected or treated like faceless, swarming masses. Because among the waves rolling toward the border, there are undoubtedly girls like the young Ni Lar, who would thrive if given the chance and who believe America is a land of princesses and castles. cchurchill@timesunion.com 518-454-5442 @chris_churchill On this date in ... 1919: During a nighttime fog, Truck 3 of the Albany Fire Department was answering what ultimately turned out to be a false alarm when it crashed head-on into Engine Company No. 10, sending Captain Michael J. Fleming, who was acting as Truck 3's tillerman, 20 feet into the air before he crashed to the sidewalk, striking the back of his head. Authorities of the Albany Hospital offered little hope for Fleming's recovery. Four other firemen were injured during the accident, as well as two horses. One of the animals was already shot and the other was expected to be soon. 1969: Campus disorders, urban riots and assassinations were not caused by violent people, said Hans Toch, Ph.D., a psychologist and professor at the University at Albany. In his upcoming book, "Violent Men," he said there were 10 distinct personality types whose actions showed them to be prone to violence repeatedly, much as some individuals were accident-prone. Putting the violent offender into jail, or "storage," was doing nothing for the person, Toch said, adding he would "therapeutically intervene" to get through to those people. 1994: If the mass of information on a Thruway toll ticket taxed your brain, you were in luck. The Thruway Authority would redesign the tickets soon, using the results of a survey of 100,000 motorists. About 107 million tickets were printed every year at a cost of $300,000. The current printing contract, held by Electronic Data Magnetics of High Point, N.C., would expire in May 1995, at about the time the Thruway was ready to introduce new, magnetic-stripe tickets. Spokesman David Ardman said the Thruway Authority had already begun the transition to higher technology by purchasing new toll equipment. Want to read more about the Capital Region's past? Have any memories or thoughts about how our history relates to today's events? See http://blog.timesunion.com/history/ For Laredoans who find solace in the good ole days, a new vintage clothing shop may have the nostalgia you've been searching for. DNA Vintage Clothing, an '80s and '90s thrift store, will celebrate its grand opening in a new location on Saturday. Shop owner Gabriel Garza, 23, said to think Dallas Cowboys and Metallica mixed in with classic American brands like Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger. "Our mothers and fathers came from the generation of rock 'n' roll and metal. We are into that type of music and scene," Garza told LMTonline.com, referring to himself and his brothers, who also help around the shop. READ ALSO: 12 unique restaurants to try in Laredo, according to Yelp reviews As a '90s baby, Garza said he has been collecting and thrifting items for years. While in college at Texas A&M International University, he would sell vintage T-shirts to friends. That passion for vintage turned into his first business endeavor upon graduation and DNA was born. "No one else is doing what we're doing (in South Texas,)" Garza said. It's hard to find this type of culture in smaller towns unlike you may find in Austin or San Antonio, he noted. But Garza said he has been pleasantly surprised with Laredo's reaction to the store. READ ALSO: Big names taking the stage in Laredo this year In December, he opened DNA's first location in a south Laredo building renting out with holiday rates. As the store began to increase in popularity and the lease ended, Garza decided to move the store towards the north side of Laredo and in a larger location. Locals can browse through men and women shoes, T-shirts, denim and a special $1 T-shirt rack. And besides purchasing clothing, the store also encourages customers to sell or trade their own vintage items. "Come out and show love and support local. Come chill," Garza said. DNA's grand opening will be held from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 4501 McPherson Road. JeriLynn Thorpe is a digital reporter for the Laredo Morning Times. Read more of her stories on LMTonline.com | jerilynn.thorpe@lmtonline.com The mother of the 6-month-old infant who suffered multiple fractures, including to his head, has been arrested. Esperanza Valdez, 18, was served with two warrants on Friday in the 2300 block of South Bartlett Avenue. She was charged with abandoning, endangering a child and injury to a child. She remained behind bars as of Friday evening, according to custody records. Valdez denied causing the injuries to her son but could not say how the boy was hurt, according to an arrest affidavit. Police first arrested the father on Wednesday. Riley Garza, 19, was served with warrants that charged with two counts of injury to a child. He was released on bond on Thursday, according to Webb County Jail records. READ MORE: LPD: Man accused of breaking bones, fracturing skull of 6-month-old son Police said Child Protective Services has custody of the child. The case unfolded at about 1:34 p.m. Feb. 10. Laredo police officers responded to an injury to a child report at the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services on 1500 N. Arkansas Ave. Authorities learned that a 6-month old boy had been airlifted from Doctors Hospital to Driscoll Children's Hospital in Corpus Christi because he had severe injuries to his head and neck. An initial assessment revealed the child had multiple serious head trauma injuries, including a skull fracture on the left side, bleeding between the brain and the skull, swelling to the left eye, bruising and swelling to the right and left sides of his forehead, bruising inside his left ear, bruising on the scalp near the left ear and bruising to his left hand, states the affidavit. A CPS investigator spoke to Garza and Valdez. Garza first stated that he had found the child crying face down on the bedroom floor. Garza added that he and Valdez had left the boy alone on their bed as they watched television and had dinner in the living room, according to court documents. Garza allegedly claimed that the fall had caused the skull fracture to his son, states the affidavit. He later told the investigator that he was going to be honest. He stated he may have accidentally him the baby with a bottle while feeding him, according to court documents. Garza further stated that he had smoked hydro marijuana and regular marijuana. This caused him to be "high that day" and "super high as fuck," and could not remember when it happened, states the affidavit. He added that the child had been "fussy" lately because the boy was teething. He and Valdez hardly slept that night because the child woke them up at 1 a.m., 3 a.m. and 5 a.m., according to court documents. Valdez confirmed that her son had trouble sleeping because he was teething. She also confirmed that she and Garza were in the living room and left their child alone in their bedroom. But she put pillows around the child so that he would not roll off the bed, according to the affidavit. Valdez told Garza to check on the child because they heard him crying. Garza then called Valdez into the room and told her that their son had fallen off the bed, the affidavit states. Then, Garza, Valdez and relatives took the child to Doctors Hospital South. Because of his injuries, the boy was then airlifted to Driscoll Children's Hospital in Corpus Christi. Valdez alleged that the child's bruises on the left hand came from the boy holding the rails on his crib. She added she did not hear the child falling off the bed, according to court documents. READ ALSO: Laredo couple charged in connection with deceased child found in acid-filled container At Driscoll, an examination revealed the child had inflicted injuries, states the affidavit. "The bruising on the child's left hand was attributed to broken bones in the hand, which were in various stages of healing that the child had been suffering of the fractures for some time," the affidavit states. On Feb. 14, police learned that child's fracture skull was due to a non-accidental blow. Further, an intentional strike caused the swollen, bruised left eye on the child, the doctor told police, according to the affidavit. The doctor added that the child's injuries to the neck were consistent strangulation, states the affidavit. With the permission of their professors, psychology students at Argosy University in Chicago on Thursday grabbed books from the school library and from faculty members who were vacating their offices. That afternoon in Tampa, Argosy students gathered for information about transferring their academic credits after the campus president warned of an imminent closure. Similar scenes, according to students and faculty, played out at other Argosy campuses as the chain of 22 career schools closed Friday amid allegations of fraud. University staff and accreditation bodies are frantically working to give students paths to complete their degrees. "Everyone's trying to help everyone, and our students trust us to try, but things are very confusing, ever-changing and sad," said Deborah Lewis, a psychology professor at Argosy in Phoenix. "Our dean and I are trying to complete a dissertation defense with a student that was almost done. He's in his tie presenting while security takes out the chairs from the room." Argosy has spent the last few weeks in a tailspin. The U.S. Education Department cut off federal student loan and grant funds last week after learning Argosy used $13 million owed to students to cover payroll and other expenses. Without the critical source of revenue from federal student aid, Argosy's owner, Dream Center Education Holdings, had a slim chance of keeping the school open. By Wednesday, the court-appointed receiver for Dream Center, Mark Dottore, filed a motion warning that the university would close Friday if no one stepped forward to purchase the campuses. The court never approved the motion. Dottore, whose management of the receivership and relationship with Dream Center has angered creditors, may be removed from his post, according to court filings. Despite those loose ends, Argosy campuses are in shutdown mode. Students, some of whom are months from graduating, are scrambling to find out which colleges will accept their academic credits. Although Dream Center posted a list of schools on its company website, Argosy had no such information. Argosy's accreditor, WASC Senior College and University Commission plans to update its website with the names of institutions willing to absorb students or entire academic programs. So far, a dozen schools have contacted the commission indicating a willingness to absorb students, including the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Alliant International University in Los Angeles and Trident University International in California. Although the commission had threatened to revoke Argosy's accreditation as Dream Center's financial condition deteriorated, WASC President Jamienne Studley said keeping the university in good standing was important for students. "If we terminated Argosy right now, we fear that would cut off students' ability to transfer or complete their programs," said Studley, who served as deputy undersecretary at the Education Department under President Barack Obama. "We are prepared to work with Argosy to be as flexible as possible to do that in whatever time they can support those arrangements." The commission is in talks with schools it accredits to accommodate Argosy students by, for example, accepting more academic credits than usual. But as the receiver rushes to shutter the schools, the commission's support may be limited. Dottore informed all Argosy campuses late Friday that the university is effectively closed, without court approval. "We understand the particular plight of students in their final term and had proposed to Argosy ways they might be able to help those students complete. However, we don't know how this latest news will affect those options," Studley said. The Education Department is keeping a running list of transfer fairs being hosted by state higher education agencies. The department began notifying Argosy students Friday that it will cancel their spring semester loans and update them about transfer options if the university officially closes. "It was helpful to get information and have some answers," said Niki Terranova, a doctoral candidate in psychology at Argosy in Phoenix, who received a notification. "But it also feels a bit behind the times. Like, they are saying this on the day the school is closing. I need to know who will take me to confer my degree? What is the DOE doing to make this easier for us?" The Education Department has faced criticism for being unresponsive and ill-prepared to help Argosy students. A group of Democratic senators, led by Sen. Richard Durbin of Illinois, chastised the federal agency for failing to coordinate with Argosy's accreditor to ensure a path for students to complete their studies - known as a teach-out plan - was in place when the university lost access to federal funds. Those plans typically include a list of comparable programs at other schools that have agreed to absorb students. "The department's failure to ensure over the last several months and weeks that Argosy had teach-out agreements in place has exacerbated the chaos for students," the senators wrote in a letter Friday to Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. The lawmakers urge DeVos to make sure that schools willing to accept Argosy students are in good financial and academic standing and not facing state or federal investigations or lawsuits. They want the Education Department to ensure that students will not be charged additional tuition and fees, and that transfer options will not exclusively include online institutions. Washington The Trump administration is eyeing a plan to seek more money from allied European and other nations where American troops are based. Several U.S. officials said Friday the White House has asked the Defense Department to gather data on the cost of keeping troops in other countries and how much those nations contribute to the expenses. The officials weren't authorized to publicly discuss internal deliberations President Donald Trump has waged a lengthy, public campaign to get NATO allies to meet the goal of spending 2 percent of their gross domestic product on defense. And in the last two years, a number of allies have increased their spending. The officials said this latest effort is along those lines. They said the collection of data could be used in subsequent meetings and discussions to pressure allies to help offset the costs of having U.S. troops within their borders. The plan was first reported by Bloomberg. National Security Council spokesman Garrett Marquis said getting U.S. allies to "increase their investment in our collective defense and ensure fairer burden-sharing" has been a long-standing U.S. goal. "The Administration is committed to getting the best deal for the American people," Marquis said Friday, declining to provide details on any ongoing deliberations. Most NATO allies have a U.S. presence, but there are larger bases and military populations in countries such as Germany, England, Japan, Italy, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain. Derek Chollet, former assistant defense secretary for international affairs, said allies should pay their fair share. But, he said, the bases serve critical U.S. interests and must not be considered charitable contributions. For example, key U.S. military commands that oversee operations in Europe and Africa are located in Germany as well as the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, where thousands of American troops were treated after injuries in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. "The fact is that U.S. bases are an essential part of protecting American interests in Europe, Asia, Africa or the Middle East," said Chollet, now with the German Marshall Fund of the United States. "Moreover, those countries that host our troops want to be our partners, and the message he (Trump) is sending is that we don't care. This is totally self-defeating." HURON COUNTY Recent legislation made its way through the Michigan House that aims to to support outdoor recreation and natural resource protection projects across the state, including in Huron County. The House unanimously approved House Bill 4244, sponsored by State Rep. Phil Green, a Millington Republican. Greens measure would provide $26 million for 34 recreational development projects and 30 land acquisition projects statewide. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan asked Democratic legislative leaders Friday to slow the state's march toward a $15 minimum wage, saying it would hurt businesses and make the state less competitive with its neighbors. In a letter to Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr., D-Calvert, and House Speaker Michael Busch, D-Anne Arundel, Hogan, a Republican, suggests raising the minimum wage to $12.10 by 2022 - instead of $12.50 in 2022 and $15 in 2025, as legislation that cleared the House of Delegates last week would require. Under Hogan's proposal, the state's minimum wage would not increase above $12.10 unless surrounding states, including Virginia, Delaware, West Virginia and Pennsylvania, reach a combined average of 80 percent of Maryland's wage. All of those states have a lower minimum wage than Maryland's $10.10 an hour. The House passed its bill 96-44, enough support to override a veto. The Senate Finance Committee this week approved the measure but made some changes to the bill to soften the impact on small businesses. Among them is a provision that would give companies with fewer than 15 employees more time to phase in the higher wage. Hogan wrote that while many of the "most unpalatable anti-business provisions" have been cut from the legislation, "there are many troubling items in these bills that I fear will be detrimental both to our economic future and the very people that we would like to help." "Small businesses faced with the choice between a $7.25 wage in Virginia or $15 in Maryland will be forced to create jobs in the lower cost location and possibly reduce jobs or eliminate operations in Maryland," Hogan wrote. The governor also asked Miller and Busch to consider different minimum wages for different parts of the state, which he said is the policy in Oregon and New York. He said the best way to help low-wage workers would be to expand the state's Earned Income Tax Credit. Democrats, who control both chambers of the General Assembly, have made a $15 an hour minimum wage a top priority of the 90-day legislative session, reflecting pressure from the newly energized liberal wing of the party and growing momentum for a $15 wage in Democratic circles across the country. The increased minimum wage is widely supported among Maryland voters, according to recent polls, and Hogan has limited leverage on the issue, especially if the bill passes the Senate with a veto-proof majority. Several other deep-blue states, including California, New York, Massachusetts and New Jersey, have already adopted a $15 minimum wage, and most 2020 Democratic presidential hopefuls said they support it. Connecticut, Illinois and New Mexico also are weighing bills to raise their wage floors. A man accused of shooting a 17-year-old during a botched drug deal near Leon Valley was arrested Friday, almost six months after the crime. Taijhzee Slum Dialantey Mitchell, 20, is charged with murder in the death of Zachariah Utah Bostic, according to court records. His bail is set at $150,000. On Sept. 13, the night of the shooting, San Antonio police responded to a call about 10 p.m. in the 5600 block of Prentiss Drive and discovered Bostic on the ground and unresponsive. He had a gunshot wound to his chest, police said. FIND OUT FIRST: Get San Antonio breaking news directly to your inbox Bostic was taken to University Hospital, where he died at 11:46 p.m., the arrest warrant affidavit states. San Antonio police investigators found two witnesses who said that they, along with Mitchell, had arranged to buy drugs from Bostic. For some reason, the drug deal went wrong, witnesses told police. While they were in a vehicle, Mitchell turned to Bostic and shot him, the affidavit said. Bostic got out of the vehicle and the three drove away, investigators said. Witnesses told police that they did not know Mitchell had a gun or that he had any intention of shooting Bostic. The beginning of the school year when you got to show off your new duds, new cars, new looks! Sports! Playing, cheering, watching high school athletics. The arts: Dramatic arts, musical groups and shows, graphic arts groups, debate, etc. The prom! No dancing the night away or punch bowl antics. The daily interactions. Just being with the group, hanging with friends and classmates. Access to college recruiters and advisors its harder to line up higher education. Walking onstage to get a diploma while all the family is watching with everyone elses family. Vote View Results Local Experts, Community, Charity & Cause By Sal B Published: March 09 2019 This week we meet Alex Palumbo, a Long Island creator whose telling stories through his photos and videos. Written by Salvatore DiBenedetto Long Island is filled with creative minds producing amazing content. This week, we're spotlighting local Long Islander Alex Palumbo, whose telling stories through his photos and videos. The 28 year old Amityville local is an alumni of Saint Anthony's High School as well as Coastal Carolina. "I graduated in Economics, but you could say I've switched paths a little bit." Palumbo tells me jokingly. Though he may not be analyzing money, what he is doing is capturing moments in time around both Long Island and the world. His photos and videos are a look into the moments that some people often overlook and take for granted. "For me, what's important is to shine a light on the places people consider mundane. There's beaches that people drive right past on Long Island that I've been able to capture some wonderful shots." His work has garnered him creative work with conglomerate companies like Spotify to local businesses like a wheelchair ramp producer. "I love a challenge when I'm creating. Storytelling is so important to me, whether its for one of the world's biggest music companies or a local business that helps people live better. It's all relavant." Palumbo's video work has been particularly inspiring to him recently. "There's something about pairing audio with visuals. Did you know that your ear registers sound before your eye registers sight? That's powerful stuff. My video work has allowed me to take the idea of captruing a moment through photography and expand it even further." Attributing his Mother's photography to helping train his creative eye, his Father's work ethic for showing him how to turn his passion into income and a stint traveling through California, Palumbo has a vision for his future. He hopes to produce content for National Geographic while building his client list around the globe to allow freedom in travel. "Do what you love. I never went to film school, but here I am. I can't wait to see what''s next!" To view more of Alex Palumbo's work, check out his Instagram and website. Family, friends, strangers, and local politicians waited in long lines outside the St. Peter Parish in Dorchester Friday night to honor Jassy Correia, the 23-year-old woman who was kidnapped and killed after celebrating her birthday in a Boston nightclub in February. Correia, who leaves behind a 2-year-old daughter and a large extended family in Dorchester, was remembered by friends as sweet and caring. Hundreds waited for up to an hour to get into the church and pay their respects. A woman who identified herself as Yaya said Correia was her daughters best friend. She saw her as one of her own, she said through tears outside the church. She stayed at my house every day, she said. I love Jassy. She is my daughter too. Correia was found dead in the trunk of a red sedan in Delaware on February 28 - four days after authorities said she left the Venu nightclub in the citys Theater District with Louis D. Coleman III. Coleman, of Providence, faces a federal kidnapping charge that carries a penalty of a life sentence or death, according to U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling. He will face charges of kidnapping, refusal to report a death with intent to conceal, and mutilation of a dead body in Rhode Island, according to the attorney generals office. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, Boston Police Commissioner William Gross, and Gov. Charlie Baker attended the wake together. Outside, Baker said everyone is busted up about the fact that a 22-year-old girl is gone. The story is just horrifying and tragic, Baker said. And as you can see this community which is really tight knit community is out in force to show their support for her family. Baker said he spoke with the family while he was inside the church. Look I have a 22-year-old daughter and this is about as awful as it gets, he said. I thought it was important to be here and pay respects. Walsh declined to speak with reporters. Correias death has shocked a city already reeling from the disappearance and dramatic rescue of Olivia Ambrose, a 23-year-old woman who was kidnapped outside of another downtown Boston bar in January. The city has called for hearings on patron safety in the wake of the two kidnapping cases. Cindy Delozerio said she did not know Correia, but saw her death as a lesson. Everyone should pay attention to each other, she said. It doesnt matter if you know someone or not. She didnt deserve this. No one does. Eunice Gomes, who said she was Correias third cousin, said the Cape Verdean community came out to support the Correia family on Friday night. When someone dies we all hold each other up, Gomes said. She said that Correias mother who lives in Portugal attended the services. Shes very sad, Gomes said. A funeral mass is scheduled at the Bowdoin Street church Saturday morning. A Sutton man who admitted to illegally harvesting hundreds of pounds of marijuana per year in a cannabis magazine interview was sentenced to six months in prison on Friday. Eric Vallee, 38, faces six months in prison with two years of supervised release following an investigation in which authorities found he maintained a large, commercial-style marijuana grow operation." United States District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman sentenced Vallee in Boston on Friday. Vallee pleaded guilty in Worcester last summer to two counts of manufacturing marijuana and possessing marijuana with intent to distribute. In a raid of his Auburn home, where he lived before moving to Sutton, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents uncovered about $13,000, a cash-counting machine, more than 100 marijuana plants and about seven pounds of marijuana packaged for distribution, according to a statement by U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling. At Vallees new Sutton home, authorities found 55 marijuana plants and similar evidence that pointed to distribution. Vallee was featured in a High Times magazine article in February 2017, in which he detailed the strains and amount of marijuana he cultivated. In the piece, Vallee is described as a multiple Cannabis Cupwinning grower." The Sutton man also discussed aspirations to expand his business into the then-new legal marketplace in the interview: Hopefully, with the lifting of prohibition here and in other parts of New England, the social stigma will lift and business will pick up, Vallee told the magazine. Grieving family and community members filed into Saint Peters Parish in Dorchester on Saturday morning to say goodbye to Jassy Correia, the radiant young mother who was kidnapped and killed after a night out in Boston. Some loved ones wore all white, while others wore pinned buttons, shirts and sweatshirts that displayed Correias face and the phrase #JusticeForJassy. That call for justice has been repeated often by members of the Dorchester and Cape Verdean communities who remain shocked by news that Correia was kidnapped and found dead in the trunk of a car driven by Providence man Louis Coleman III on February 28, about four days after she had gone out to Venu nightclub in Boston to celebrate her 23rd birthday with friends. As a family, as friends, as a community, we express our sadness but we must also accept the death of Jassy. We do not know, but God knows. And I have faith and trust in God with all of my heart that her death was not in vain, said Makeila De Andrade, a cousin and best friend to Correia, while delivering the first eulogy. While expressing her anger of her cousins death, she said she has placed her trust in her faith. Jassy, your life has touched people you never knew, De Andrade said. She and the other pallbearers - Rosie Gomes, Emily Depina, Shalise DePina, Jenny Andrade and Katia DePina - wept over the cream-colored casket that held Correia before the mass began. The group, mainly cousins of Correia, said she would want to be remembered as a "young, vibrant, fun mother, full of life aspirations and joy. The songs of a Portuguese choir filled the cavernous Catholic church during the service Saturday morning. By the altar stood a photo collage depicting Correias life, including a now-famous Boston Globe image of Correia playing her with 2-year-old daughter, Gabriella, or Gaby, and pictures of Correia with friends and SnapChat selfies. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh also spoke, while John Barros, his chief of economic development translated his words into Portuguese. The mayor promised to work toward creating a safer world for women. Young women deserve to go out at night and celebrate their birthdays with their friends. And they deserve to come back home afterwards to their children and their families, Walsh said. No family should ever go through what Jassys family has endured. Outside the church, a friend who said she was once very close to Correia remembered her as a free spirit with an infectious sense of humor and a nurturing disposition. I just remember taking a lot of pictures and videos with her. Literally, we just always acted goofy together, that was just my girl," friend LaShay Thorpe, of Dorchester, said. If anything was wrong, she always made sure you were okay." Thorpe and others noted Correia was an excellent mother" who always put her daughter first. Joaquin Correia, Jassy Correias father, thanked the crowd of over 200 people inside the church. Correias mother, who lives in Portugal and had not seen her daughter in 20 years, according to one cousin, was also in attendance. The parents appeared stricken with grief as they prepared to lay the 23-year-old to rest. Every seat was filled at the church, and many people lined the back wall. Joaquin Correia thanked the city for its support and all of the different law enforcement agencies and departments that did not spare effort in resources in fulfilling their noble and risky mission in the three states involved. Rest in paradise to my dear Jassy, he said. Rest in peace my dear child. A Sharon teenager heard the rumors before she even got into high school. One of the science teachers was creepy toward female students. I definitely knew he was doing inappropriate things with girls, name-calling, really creepy things, said the 16-year-old, who is now a Sharon High School junior. So when the student arrived in teacher Bradley Lengas classroom her sophomore year for chemistry, those rumors were on her mind, the student told MassLive in an interview Friday. The student is not being named because she is a minor and because of the nature of the allegations Lengas is facing. At first, Lengas would make fun of the girl every day, she said, making jokes about her intellectual ability and other topics. Every single day hed say something new, she said. Then, the student said she was in chemistry lab last year when an instrument broke. She said she asked Lengas to help her fix it. He just told me out of the blue, 'I think about you all the time. Mostly good things, some bad things, the student said. I felt pretty frightened, she added. I told him, thats not nice.' Lengas allegedly told her he meant it as a compliment. The students account of the incident matches the narrative of a Sharon police report containing interview notes from this student and others who came forward with allegations. Lengas never made physical contact with the student, but several other girls have accused the teacher of rubbing his genital area against their backs during class as he walked along aisles of desks, according to a police report. Lengas is now facing criminal charges and is no longer an employee at Sharon High School. Lengas, 57, was arraigned in Stoughton District Court on Wednesday on charges of indecent assault and battery on a person 14 and older, as well as annoying or accosting a person. A not-guilty plea was entered on his behalf. Lengas, of Cumberland, Rhode Island, was released on personal recognizance. He was ordered to stay away from Sharon High School, to have no contact with victims or witnesses and to avoid employment at a job that involves people younger than 18, according to the Norfolk District Attorneys office. An attorney for Lengas did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday afternoon. A woman who answered the phone at the Sharon Public Schools superintendents office Friday said the district could not comment on the allegations because it is a criminal matter. After Lengas made the comment to the 16-year-old student, she was moved to a different chemistry class. I guess what is the most important part is my school has not taken the right actions, she said. One day this school year, the girl went to her math class to find that Lengas was filling in as the substitute teacher. She told the principal she was upset about the incident, and the principal responded that there was no guarantee that Lengas would never be her substitute teacher, a police report reads. That incident pushed the girl and her parents to bring the incident to the attention of Sharon police in the fall. Originally I felt very angry and I still am angry and disappointed with how [the school has] handled this, the student said. I just think its terrible that theyve allowed students to feel unsafe. On Friday, more than 60 students brought letters to the school regarding Lengas. During a student-led assembly, the student body was able to ask questions about Lengas and the schools actions. Im very impressed about what we as students have done to tackle this problem because its clear that the administration hasnt, the student said. Students at Sharon High School had a rally on Friday, March 8, 2019, after a former science teacher has been charged with indecent assault and battery. More than 60 students wrote letters and brought them to school. Sharon police in November interviewed three students who had uncomfortable interactions with Lengas. One student told police that She witnessed Lengas, while during labs, come up behind mostly Asian females and rub/press his lower body into them," a police report reads. She also states that while Lengas passed out papers, while going up and down the aisle, he would bring his genitalia very close to the females. Another student told police that it was a known fact that Lengas favored the Asian and Indian females" and that he witnessed Lengas, while during labs, purposely rub his lower extremities up against females while helping them." The student interviewed by MassLive, who is Chinese, said she believes her race is why she was targeted by Lengas. A Sharon High School teacher approached police in November to report that a group of former female students, who are now sophomores in college, wrote letters about Lengas inappropriate behavior while they were students, police documents read. None of the former students signed the letters because they were afraid of Lengas, the report said. Lengas was formerly the head of the National Honor Society and students were afraid to come forward out of fear that Lengas would not write them letters of recommendation for college, documents read. In December and January, police continued to interview students. One student told police that Lengas would brush himself against her back and other students backs while they were seated at desks. She sat in the middle row of desks and Lengas would stand behind her with his genitals pressed against the middle of her back, a police report reads. She stated she knew it was his genitals because they stuck out from his tight pants. Another student told Sharon police that Lengas would make comments like thats my girl" to female students during class, according to the police report. That student told police that Lengas on more than one occasion brushed his leg against her upper thigh, the police report reads. The girl told police Lengas also brushed his stomach and back against her, as well as touched her shoulder and upper back. [The student] said these encounters happened often and made her feel weird and uncomfortable, the police report reads. On Jan. 21, a Sharon police officer spoke to Lengas on the phone and asked him if he was willing to go to the department to discuss the allegations. Lengas said he would speak to his attorney and call back. By Feb. 1, the officer had not heard from Lengas, according to the report. SPRINGFIELD -- The City Council voted Monday to seek a legal opinion on the permitting status of Palmer Renewable Energy, a 35-megawatt wood-burning biomass plant proposed at 1000 Page Blvd. in East Springfield. City Solicitor Edward Pikula now has 30 days to respond to the singular question: Are the controversial plant's building permits still valid? The permits were first issued in 2011, later revoked by the zoning board and City Council, and reinstated in September of 2015 as the result of an appeals court decision. In 2016, the city's health commissioner cleared the way for the project to proceed. However, developers never built the plant, and many thought the project was dead -- until a lawyer for Palmer Renewable Energy recently said that a spring 2019 groundbreaking is planned. "Have the permits expired?" asked City Councilor Michael Fenton at Monday's special meeting, which was called by City Council President Orlando Ramos. Pikula said he would look into it, and give his legal opinion during an executive session of the council. While building permits are generally good for 120 days, the state's Permit Extension Act gave another four years of life to certain permits issued between August 15 of 2008 and 2012. Since the Sept. 2015 court decision upheld building permits issued in 2011, they could potentially be good through Sept. of 2019. Councilor E. Henry Twiggs asked Pikula if the council could prevent the plant from gaining new building permits if the current ones are deemed invalid. "This body should never interfere with the building commissioner's duties," said Pikula. Code Enforcement Commissioner Steven Desilets, also present, said he had received no recent communication from Palmer Renewable Energy. Desilets said the two permits he issued in 2011 are for excavation and foundation work. Over the course of a decade, Palmer Renewable Energy gained state environmental permits, even as it weathered litigation and strong opposition from the City Council, neighbors, and other groups, including the Conservation Law Foundation. In addition to air quality, opponents had expressed concern about the impact of biomass electricity on forest health. Ramos told reporters he wanted answers after reading news reports about the plant's possible revival. "I heard about it it through the media," he said. "I had assumed it was dead. It came as a surprise." Ramos said he remains staunchly opposed to the project. "We have some of the poorest air quality in the country, according to the American Lung Association," Ramos said. "We don't need a biomass plant." Massachusetts recently reversed a previous policy and now allows woody biomass power plants to qualify for clean energy incentives if they meet certain criteria. Qualifying plants must find a way to use their waste heat, meet certain efficiency standards, and use only "sustainably harvested" wood. Palmer Paving Corporation and its Springfield site were sold last month to Peckham Industries of White Plains, New York. The biomass plant will be a tenant of the Palmer Paving site, project lawyer Frank Fitgerald previously told The Republican. NORTHAMPTON City Councilors are asking the state Legislature to change the state flag and seal after passing a resolution Thursday night with the support of local legislators who are aiming to see it passed. The Massachusetts flag and seal depict an Algonquian Native American holding a bow with an arrow pointed downward, signifying peace. He is standing under an arm that is brandishing a sword. It was adopted by the Provincial Congress in 1780. But during a first reading last month and during public comment Thursday night, city residents spoke in favor of changing the symbol. One speaker, who identified herself as a sociologist, said it creates a hostile climate for Native Americans as a reminder of the genocide and violent history against Natives in the country, and that it increases stereotyping and prejudices in non-Natives. State Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa told councilors Thursday night she was grateful they were taking up this issue, and also to former State Rep. Byron Rushing, who spent years lobbying in the state House to change the flag and seal. I dont think the seal is something people think about, but symbols are important they represent what we stand for and what our values are, Sabadosa said during opening public comment. State Sen. Jo Comerford, who co-sponsored the corresponding bill in the Senate, also planned to address the council, but couldnt be there due to an unforeseen scheduling conflict. Sam Hopper, a representative of Comerfords office, said Comerford is all in for advocating for the change in the Senate. Both Comerford and Sabadosa have spoken to Native people who live in the state and have said they would like to see the flag and seal changed and said it currently promotes feelings of hostility for Native people. The resolution was developed through the initiative of and with help from David Detmold, a Montague resident and organizer with Change the Massachusetts State Flag and Seal Campaign. Detmold addressed the council Thursday night, adding that the flag and seal have unhealthy images that are studied by school children and passed on through generations and that only Massachusetts and Mississippi have racist flags (Mississippis flag contains an image of the Confederate flag). Councilors unanimously approved the resolution on a second reading with minimal discussion, also thanking Sabadosa and Comerford for their attendance and support. (CNN) The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted its first approval to an immunotherapy regimen for breast cancer, the agency announced Friday. The treatment received accelerated approval for triple-negative breast cancer that is locally advanced or metastatic, that cannot be surgically removed and whose cells include a protein called PD-L1. It comprises a combination of immunotherapy and chemotherapy: Tecentriq and Abraxane, respectively. The FDA's decision comes after an October study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that the therapy extended progression-free survival -- the amount of time in which a patient's cancer does not worsen. In the PD-L1 subgroup, the median progression-free survival for those receiving the combination treatment was 7.4 months, versus 4.8 months for those getting the chemotherapy with placebo, according to the FDA's announcement. The trial was funded by Genentech Inc., the maker of Tecentriq. "This is the first time immunotherapy has worked in such a difficult to treat cancer, and is a huge step forward for these breast cancer patients," lead study author Dr. Peter Schmid of Queen Mary University of London said in an October statement. Dr. Otis Brawley, Bloomberg Distinguished Professor of oncology and epidemiology at Johns Hopkins University, said the FDA's decision to grant the treatment accelerated approval was "the right thing to do" but cautioned that it's not the end of the story. "The FDA has approved it based on progression-free survival with the hope that later on ... data will show that the treatment actually makes women live longer," said Brawley, who was not involved in researching the treatment. This FDA says it grants accelerated approvals to "drugs that treat serious conditions, and that fill an unmet medical need" based on data that suggests, but may not directly measure, a clinical benefit. Drugmakers are still required to confirm that the drug is beneficial through later trials. If that happens, the drug may receive a traditional FDA approval. Otherwise, the agency may decide to pull the drug, as has happened in the past. In this case, the drugmaker is expected to submit a final report detailing subsequent findings in September 2020, according to the approval letter from the FDA to Genentech. Tecentriq, the brand name of the immunotherapy drug atezolizumab, was previously approved to treat other specific types of urinary and lung cancers. Breast cancer patients on the newly approved therapy most commonly reported adverse reactions like hair loss, fatigue, nausea, headaches and decreased appetites, according to the FDA. Dr. Larry Norton, director of the Evelyn H. Lauder Breast Center at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, told CNN in October that scientists are learning "so much and so rapidly about other ways to stimulate the immune system" that he predicts an "explosion of well-designed studies that will push the agenda forward." Norton, who was not involved in the October study, said "this is just the beginning of using immunotherapy for breast cancer." Triple-negative breast cancer About 15% of breast cancers are triple-negative, according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. The protein PD-L1 may be found in roughly a fifth of those cancers, research has shown. Triple-negative breast cancer is most likely to affect Hispanic and African-American women and those with a BRCA1 gene mutation. It also tends to appear among women in their 40s and 50s. "It is particularly tragic that those affected are often young," Queen Mary University's Schmid said. "We have desperately been looking for better treatment options." When breast cancer cells test negative for estrogen, progesterone or human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2), it's called a triple-negative breast cancer. Therefore, it does not respond to any of the available hormonal cancer treatments. It does respond to chemotherapy. However, cancer cells can quickly develop resistance to chemo drugs, allowing them to spread to other parts of the body, reducing survival rates. How does it work? Cancers have a way of eluding the body's immune system, which recognizes them as part of the body. That's where Tecentriq comes in: It's an antibody that attaches to the cancer cell and inactivates the PD-L1 protein, which is responsible for telling the immune system, "don't attack me." Chemotherapy is also needed to "rough up" the exterior of the cancer cell, Schmid explained. That allows the newly revved-up immune system to recognize and attack the invader. "We are using chemotherapy to tear away the tumor's 'immune-protective cloak,' to expose it," Schmid said, "enabling people's own immune system to get at it." Norton said in October that "I think the expectation is, this will change the standard of care. "This is a real advance that is going to allow us to help more people." This story was first published on CNN.com, "FDA approves first immunotherapy regimen for breast cancer." NORTHAMPTON In a letter of apology to defense attorney Dana Goldblatt, First Assistant District Attorney Steven Gagne said he will step aside as the prosecutor in the case against Eric Matlock, and will no longer supervise prosecutors for cases involving her other clients. Gagne said he learned a valuable lesson after sending a Feb. 5 letter to Northampton District Court First Justice Maureen Walsh in which he accused Goldblatt of making threatening remarks about Northampton police officer Andrew Kohl. Though Gagne said the letter to Walsh was supposed to be confidential, the matter became public when the Daily Hampshire Gazette reported on it. Goldblatt, meanwhile, denied making the remarks. I fully understand and apologize for the risk I created of this matter becoming public and thereby harming your professional reputation," Gagne wrote to Goldblatt on Thursday. I have learned a valuable lesson from this experience, and will ensure that the mistake does not repeat itself. Goldblatt could not be reached Friday. Through a spokeswoman, Northwestern District Attorney David E. Sullivan declined to comment. Records filed Thursday in Hampshire Superior Court show Gagne filed a motion to withdraw as counsel of record for party in Matlocks current case. He was indicted in January 2018 on two counts of assault and battery and one count of destroying property; Goldblatt is his attorney. Matlock was previously involved in a high-profile case that included allegations of excessive force against Northampton police. Officers arrested him in August 2017 as he staged a protest over a custody battle on the steps at City Hall. Our police should be trained to be shields to the people, not swords, Matlock told Northampton City Council in September 2017, after he was charged with assault and battery on a police officer, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. He was acquitted in September 2018. Goldblatt had questioned the officers handling of the arrest and was critical of the police department. If the officers use of force on Matlock was allowed under the departments policies, then those policies violate the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution, she said at the time. Gagne had been prosecuting Matlock in the assault case, and wrote the letter to Walsh after a January hearing during which Goldblatt was allegedly overheard saying she wanted to kill Kohl for arresting Matlock on the new charges. His Feb. 5 letter called the incident troubling," and he asked Walsh to take whatever steps you deem appropriate to address it. But Gagne struck a conciliatory tone in his March 7 letter to Goldblatt. I am writing to apologize for the unnecessary and avoidable harm my February 5, 2019 letter to Judge Walsh has caused you," he wrote. "I also apologize for the statements in my letter that were or could have been deemed to be an accusation that you threatened Officer Kohl. It is clear you did not threaten Officer Kohl. Gagne described Goldblatt as a "zealous and highly effective advocate for those accused of crimes in Hampshire County, particularly here in Northampton,adding: It is vitally important that a District Attorneys Office always be seen as treating everyone with fairness and respect. There were more appropriate ways to have handled the situation, Gagne wrote. Gagne said the DAs office has also created an internal protocol to ensure that future substantive letters of this type which involve a member of the defense bar are carefully reviewed and authorized by a panel before being sent to a member of the judiciary or any reviewing body, and that such a letter is warranted. Authorities from West Springfield and the Massachusetts State Police are searching for a man in the Connecticut River Saturday morning following a car crash near Memorial Bridge. Mass. State Police announced in a tweet that their air wing and Troop B patrols are assisting police and fire officials in West Springfield Saturday morning in the search for a man who was last spotted between the Memorial Bridge and railway bridge. The man, who has not been identified, is believed to have ended up in the Connecticut River after a car crash around 7 a.m. in West Springfield. Few other details were immediately available. In an ideal world, government and private higher education would work independently and keep a safe distance. Current conditions, however, are anything but ideal. The multi-faceted crisis in higher education is inevitably ushering in a new era of government involvement in college operation - not just among state universities but in private institutions as well. Runaway student debt is creating calls for government relief. These calls are coming not just from liberal politicians such as Bernie Sanders, but also from more moderate voices who say so-called free college is not the answer, but neither is doing nothing. And it is a crisis, causing high school students and families around the nation to question whether a college degree, which for many occupations is a bare-minimum necessity, is worth the stress and demand of crippling long-term debt. More regionally, Governor Charlie Baker is proposing a bill that would force more transparency by colleges facing closure. Massachusetts institutions would be required to notify the state Board of Higher Education if its financial situation could jeopardize its ability to serve current and admitted students. This would put the state in an oversight position, not just for public but private institutions. The bill is on a fast track, too: the education boards goal is to put regulations in place for the 2019-2020 school year, with sanctions imposed on institutions that do not comply. This bill is part of a ripple effect from the abrupt 2018 closing of Mount Ida College in Newton and the purchase of its property by the University of Massachusetts. Among segments of the public and media, the Mount Ida closing was initially viewed as an isolated case that administrators mishandled, but educators warned it was the tip of an iceberg, with dozens of private New England liberal arts colleges facing similar financial challenges. Much of the outrage directed at Mount Ida did not dispute the financial crisis, but the secrecy that surrounded the decision and the helplessness of betrayed students. Bakers bill would address that by requiring contingency plans and a thoughtful transition process during closings or mergers. By its own existence, this legislation declares that more such closings will occur soon. No one in education has been heard to disagree. Meanwhile, the national debate rages over how to rein in college debt. Advocates of free college tuition are rebuked by taxpayers and politicians who respond its not really free, but a question of why taxpaying families should foot the bill for college students who are not theirs. As for existing student debt, the argument that they knew what they were getting into does not resonate with advocates demanding relief. They insist the accepted belief that all American children are entitled to an education must now, in the realistic 21st Century environment, be extended to college opportunity as well. They also claim debt-ridden families felt they were held captive by reality and left with no choice but to mortgage their futures with debt that will suffocate them for years and even decades to come. Government and higher education are meeting at a crossroads of historic proportions. As colleges buckle under the realities of rising costs and dwindling enrollment, the increased role of legislators and tax dollars looks inevitable. Theres no denying the deep problems in higher education, but no clear consensus on what role the government should play in alleviating them. How these decisions are made will shape the way we look at the responsibilities of everyone - the government, the colleges and the students - for decades to come. , Mediapool.bg, , - . - , . 18:00 . by Wendy Davis , Staff Writer @wendyndavis, March 7, 2019 Lawmakers in the Washington state Senate voted 46-1 this week in favor of a new privacy bill that would give consumers the right to prevent their personal data from being used for some forms of ad-targeting. The Washington Privacy Act, introduced by Senator Reuven Carlyle (D-Seattle), would also allow consumers to learn what data is collected about them and whether the information is sold to outside companies. If the bill clears the House, Washington will join California in regulating companies' use of personal data. Washington lawmakers define that term as information linked, or reasonably linkable, to people who can be identified. The definition excludes data that can't be connected to individuals without additional information, data that's been modified to a degree that the risk of reidentification is small, and publicly available information. advertisement advertisement The proposal's ad-targeting provisions aim to allow consumers to prevent companies from serving ads based on data collected across nonaffiliated sites and services. The Washington measure also would require private companies to obtain consumers' consent before deploying facial recognition technology in public. Other states, including Illinois and Texas, already have privacy laws protecting biometric data. Not surprisingly, the ad industry opposes the proposed law. The industry -- which was already pushing Congress to override California's new privacy law -- argues that online privacy should be regulated on the federal level. The ANA is working very diligently to try to create a uniform approach, Dan Jaffe, executive vice president of the Association of National Advertisers, tells MediaPost. When you're dealing with an international, digital communication system, regulating it state by state -- so that your privacy rights vary as you cross the border -- just doesn't make any sense. by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, March 8, 2019 Take-it-or-leave-it privacy policies that require people to accept tracking cookies in order to access a website are illegal, Dutch regulators said this week. Thorough monitoring and analysis of the behavior of website visitors and the sharing of this information with other parties is only allowed with permission. That permission must be completely free, the Dutch Data Protection Authority said Thursday, according to a Google translation of the decision. With so-called 'cookie walls' on websites (no permission means no access) the permission is not given freely, the opinion continues. Permission is not 'free' if someone has no real or free choice. Or if the person can not refuse giving permission without adverse consequences. advertisement advertisement The Data Protection Authority said it had received dozens of complaints from people who weren't able to access websites after refusing tracking cookies. The agency added it will intensify monitoring efforts. Europe's GDPR broadly requires companies to obtain people's consent before using cookies for tracking. Since the law took effect in May 2018, companies have faced complaints over their practices -- including their methods of obtaining consent. Regulators in France said earlier this year they fined Google $57 million after concluding that the company failed to obtain people's unambiguous consent before using their data in order to personalize ads. The French regulators said Google's interface included a pre-checked box that allowed the company to use data for ad targeting. The use of a form that had already been filled out rendered people's consent ambiguous, according to regulators. Shoulder stretches can help relieve muscle tension, pain, and tightness in the neck and shoulders. Stiff or tight shoulders can cause discomfort and limit a persons range of motion. If the tightness goes unchecked, it can lead to neck pain and cause tension headaches. In this article, we describe 10 shoulder stretches and their benefits. We also discuss what causes shoulder tightness and how to prevent it. 1. Neck stretches Share on Pinterest Neck stretches can help release tension at the top of the shoulders. To do a neck stretch: Stand with the feet hip-width apart. Let the arms hang down by the sides. Look forward. Tip the head to the right, trying to touch the right ear to the right shoulder. Feel the stretch in the left side of the neck and shoulder. Tip the head to the left, trying to touch the left ear to the left shoulder. Feel the stretch in the right side of the neck and shoulder.Each time, hold the position for 10 seconds. Repeat this three times on each side. 2. Shoulder rolls Share on Pinterest Image credit: Cancer Research UK, 2004. Shoulder rolls are an easy way to stretch the shoulders. To do shoulder rolls: Stand with the feet hip-width apart. Let the arms hang down at the sides of the body. Breathe in and lift the shoulders up toward the ears. Move the shoulders back, squeezing the shoulder blades together. Exhale and drop the shoulders back. Move the elbows forward, feeling the stretch at the back of the shoulders. Repeat this 10 times. 3. Pendulum stretch The pendulum is a gentle way to increase movement in the shoulder using the force of gravity. To do this stretch: Stand with the feet hip-width apart. Lean forward and look at the ground. Place the right hand on a table or chair for support. Let the left arm hang down. Swing the left arm gently in small circular motions, letting gravity do most of the work. Continue for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Change the direction of the motion. Repeat this, using the other arm. 4. Cross-body arm swings Arm swings help warm up the shoulder joint and increase movement. To do cross-body arm swings: Stand with the feet hip-width apart. Inhale and lift the arms out to the sides, squeezing the shoulder blades together. Exhale and gently bring the arms in toward each other. Cross the right arm under the left, keeping both arms straight. Inhale and swing the arms back out to the sides, squeezing the shoulder blades together. Exhale, and gently swing the arms in toward each other again. This time, cross the left arm under the right, keeping both arms straight. Repeat this 10 times. 5. Cross-body shoulder stretch Share on Pinterest The cross-body shoulder stretch helps extend the back of the shoulder. To do this stretch: Stand with the feet hip-width apart. Stretch the right arm out straight. Bring the right arm across the body, so that the hand points to the floor on the other side of the left leg. Bend the left arm at the elbow. Hook the left forearm under the right arm, supporting the right arm above the elbow. Use the left forearm to pull the right arm further in and across the body, stretching the back of the right shoulder. Hold this for 20 seconds, then repeat the stretch on the other side. 6. Childs Pose Share on Pinterest Childs Pose is a gentle yoga pose that can help stretch the back of the shoulders. To do this pose: Kneel on the ground or a mat. Touch the big toes together. Spread the knees apart. Sit up straight. Inhale and reach the arms above the head. Exhale and bow forward, toward the floor, reaching the arms out in front. Touch the ground with the palms. Bring the elbows to the ground. Sit back, bringing the bottom of the back toward the heels. Feel the stretch in the back of the shoulders. Breathe deeply, and hold the position for 1 minute or longer. 7. Ragdoll Pose Share on Pinterest Ragdoll Pose is a forward-bend yoga pose that may help release tension in the shoulders. To do Ragdoll Pose: Stand with the feet hip-width apart. Bend the knees slightly. Bend forward and try to touch the toes. Keep the stomach against the bent knees to support the lower back. Place each hand on the elbow of the opposite arm. The crown of the head should point toward the floor. Let the head hang heavily, releasing tension in the neck and shoulders. Stay in the pose for 1 minute or longer. 8. Eagle arm stretch Share on Pinterest The eagle arm stretch is inspired by the upper body position in the Eagle Pose in yoga. This stretch may increase flexibility in the shoulders. To do it: Stand with feet hip-width apart. Inhale and lift the arms to the sides. Exhale and swing the arms in toward the body. Allow the right arm to cross under the left. Cradle the left elbow in the crook of the right elbow. Bring the palms together if they reach. If the palms are not touching, hold the backs of the hands together. Take three or four deep breaths. Release the stretch and repeat it on the other side, with the left arm crossed under the right. 9. Cow Face pose Share on Pinterest The Cow Face pose is another yoga stretch for the shoulders. To do the Cow Face pose: Stand with the feet hip-width apart. Reach the right arm up straight toward the sky. Bend the right arm at the elbow. Keeping the elbow raised, reach the right hand over the head and down the back. Stretch the left arm down toward the ground. Reach the left hand behind and up the back. Bring the left and right hands close together, clasping them if it feels comfortable. Take three or four deep breaths. Release the stretch and repeat it on the other side. 10. Side-lying thoracic rotation Share on Pinterest The side-lying thoracic rotation may sound complicated, but it is easy to do. This shoulder stretch helps improve mobility in the thoracic spine, lumbar spine, and shoulders. To do a side-lying thoracic rotation: Lay on your right side on the ground or a mat. Bend the knees slightly. Stretch the right arm straight ahead. Place the left hand on top of the right. Keep your gaze fixed on the left hand. Reach the left hand straight up. Rotate the left arm toward the floor behind the back, as if drawing an arch in the air. Keep the knees and hips pointing to the right throughout. Bring the left arm back over to meet the right hand. Repeat the drawing motion several times. Then, practice it on the other side. Benefits When a muscle stretches, its fibers and the surrounding fascia, or bands of connective tissue, extend to full length. This improves the ability of the muscle and fascia to extend during activity. Shoulder stretches have numerous potential health benefits. Stretching can: reduce tension relieve pain increase mobility reduce the risk of muscle and joint injury improve posture Research suggests that stretching alone is as effective as stretching alongside strength training for people looking to reduce chronic neck pain. Shoulder tension can cause this pain. A small-scale 2015 study found that a 4-week regular stretching program could reduce neck and shoulder pain. The researchers noted that the stretching program improved neck function and the quality of life among office workers with chronic, moderate-to-severe neck pain. What causes tight shoulders? Tight shoulders can result from: improper posture sitting for long periods working at a laptop or desktop that is not well-positioned the overuse of a cell phone stress carrying heavy bags injury arthritis Shoulder tension may worsen with age. Preventing shoulder pain and tightness Regular stretching can help prevent the shoulders from becoming tight in the first place. Getting plenty of exercise is also important. Yoga may help reduce stress and tension and increase flexibility. When working at a computer, use a stand to place the screen at eye-level. This reduces the need to bend the neck and shoulders and lowers the risk of shoulder tension. Maintaining good posture is also important. If a person notices that they are slouching, the shoulder roll exercise above can help with repositioning the shoulders. Practicing good posture while sitting and standing, especially during long periods at a desk, can reduce shoulder and neck tension in the long term. Learn about the best sitting positions for good posture here. Fever in babies is a common concern among parents and caregivers. However, a fever itself is not dangerous. Share on Pinterest Tatiana Kutina/EyeEm/Getty Images A fever most often means that a babys body is fighting off an infection. Parents and caregivers may worry when they notice a baby has a fever, although this is a sign of a healthy immune system. However, because newborns have more vulnerable bodies, a fever can signal a serious infection. This article examines the causes of fever in babies, what it means, and when a parent or caregiver may want to take the baby to a doctor. It also discusses how to care for a baby with a fever. Identifying fever in babies When taking a babys temperature, a rectal thermometer generally gives the most accurate results. What is fever in babies? A typical temperature in a child under the age of 12 months is an average of 98.6F (37C) when using a rectal thermometer. In the morning, this temperature can be as low as 96.8F (36C) and go up to 100.3F (37.9C) later in the day. This is a normal range for an infant at this age. Fever in a child depends on the method of taking the temperature: above 100.4F (38C) using a rectal thermometer above 100F (37.8C) using an oral thermometer, however, this method is not accurate in infants above 99F (37.2C) using an armpit thermometer What does fever mean? By itself, a fever does not necessarily signal a serious illness. If the baby is behaving as they would, they are likely to be fine. However, if a baby under 3 months of age has a rectal temperature of 100.4F (38C) or higher, a parent or caregiver should call a doctor. Additionally, the severity of a fever does not always indicate how unwell a child is at the time. The body temperatures of babies can rise for many reasons other than illness, including extended crying, sitting in the hot sun, or spending time playing. Their temperature may also slightly rise when they are teething. None of these things causes a fever. A babys body is also less able to regulate temperature than an adult body, meaning it can be more difficult for them to cool down during a fever. Their bodies are naturally warmer than an adults body because they are more metabolically active, which generates heat. Common causes of fever in babies A fever is a symptom of an illness, not the illness itself. Fever occurs due to the immune system fighting against infections, which can be bacterial or viral. Viral infections are much more common. Common causes of fevers in babies include: viral infections, including the common cold, the flu, roseola, or respiratory infections, such as respiratory syncytial virus or viral croup ear infections pneumonia, which can be viral or bacterial meningitis, which can be viral or bacterial and is a very serious infection of the brain and spinal cord A fever of 100.4F (38C) or higher before the age of 3 months. At this age, any bacterial infection can progress quickly and lead to sepsis, so an infant needs immediate medical care. to sepsis, so an infant needs immediate medical care. A fever after a vaccine that can occur within 12 hours after the shot and lasts for 23 days. Rarely, heat-related illnesses can cause high temperatures in babies. Babies are less effective at controlling their body temperature than adults, making them more vulnerable to very hot weather. Dressing babies in weather-appropriate clothing, keeping them out of the hot sun, and keeping them indoors when the weather is very hot will help regulate their body temperature. urinary tract infection, a bacterial infection that can sometimes cause fever in babies Despite common beliefs, teething does not cause a fever. Are fevers dangerous for babies? Fevers are a sign that the babys immune system is fighting infection, so the fever itself is not dangerous. What may put the baby at risk is the underlying infection, if it is serious. Should parents be worried? Some parents and caregivers may worry that fevers are dangerous. However, except in rare cases, these fevers themselves are rarely serious. Fevers of up to 105F (40.5C) are common in babies and children whose temperatures often get much higher than an adults temperature. Where there is a viral infection causing this fever, they may just need to run their course. Some bacterial infections may require treatment with antibiotics, but the fever itself is just a symptom. Additionally, treating the fever will not make the infection go away. Instead, parents and caregivers should simply carefully monitor the child for signs of complications. However, a doctor needs to examine babies younger than 3 months for any signs of fever. This is to check for underlying conditions, as certain infections are more common and can be more dangerous in newborns. Fever complications Some parents or caregivers may hear about fevers causing brain damage. However, this can only happen if the temperature rises above 107F (41.6C), which is very rare. When an infants temperature is below this, there is no need to take drastic measures, such as ice baths, to lower the childs fever. For 25% of children aged between 6 months and 5 years, a fever can cause a seizure, which can be worrying but is not typically harmful. Doctors call them febrile seizures. Febrile seizures do not cause brain damage or increase a childs risk of epilepsy. Even long seizures, or those that last longer than 15 minutes, usually have a good outcome. However, prolonged seizures may mean a child is more likely to develop epilepsy. The biggest risk of febrile seizures is that a child may fall, hit their head, or suffer a similar injury. Therefore, parents and caregivers should monitor children during a seizure to prevent injury and call 911 or emergency services for any seizures in a baby that continue for longer than 5 minutes. How to care for a baby with a fever The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that parents and caregivers make their babies comfortable if they have a fever, rather than focusing on lowering their temperature. To look after a baby with a fever, parents and caregivers can: Monitor the babys activity level and overall comfort: Babies who seem happy, alert, and comfortable may not need treatment. Babies who seem happy, alert, and comfortable may not need treatment. Ensure the baby remains well hydrated: Fever increases the risk of dehydration, so parents, caregivers, and nurses should offer milk or formula on demand. Older babies should also drink plenty of water. In some cases, a healthcare professional may recommend using an electrolyte drink to help with dehydration. Fever increases the risk of dehydration, so parents, caregivers, and nurses should offer milk or formula on demand. Older babies should also drink plenty of water. In some cases, a healthcare professional may recommend using an electrolyte drink to help with dehydration. Monitor the baby for signs of dehydration: This can include not urinating as often as usual, sunken eyes, chapped lips, or very dry or pasty-looking skin. This can include not urinating as often as usual, sunken eyes, chapped lips, or very dry or pasty-looking skin. Avoid waking a sleeping baby to administer anti-fever medication: Unless a doctor instructs to do this. Unless a doctor instructs to do this. Administer anti-fever medication under a doctors supervision: People can give this medication if the infant is in pain or uncomfortable from the fever. The babys weight determines the dose, so follow the label instructions carefully. Call a doctor before giving new medication to a baby, especially a sick one. People can give this medication if the infant is in pain or uncomfortable from the fever. The babys weight determines the dose, so follow the label instructions carefully. Call a doctor before giving new medication to a baby, especially a sick one. Help limit the spread of infections: Do not send a sick baby to daycare or take them to places where babies or other vulnerable people may be, as this can spread infections. When to speak with a doctor Call a doctor or seek medical care if a baby has a fever and one of the following: The baby is inconsolable, lethargic, or seems very sick. A fever lasts longer than 24 hours in a baby younger than 2 years old without other symptoms. The fever rises above 104F (40C). The child still seems sick with medication. The baby is taking antibiotics but does not seem better within a day or two. The baby has signs of dehydration, including dry lips or a sunken soft spot on top of their head. The baby has a weak immune system for a separate reason. The baby is younger than 3 months old. Go to the emergency room for a fever if a baby: is a newborn has a seizure for the first time has a seizure that lasts longer than 15 minutes has a fever rising to 107F (41.6C) or higher Fever in newborns A fever in a newborn may be a sign of a serious medical condition. Newborns are more vulnerable to infections, so it is important to take any signs of infection seriously. Call a doctor if a newborn has a fever or other signs of illness. One concern with newborns is respiratory illness. Newborns breathe more through their noses than older infants and children, so congestion can make breathing appear more difficult. They also have smaller airways. A lack of oxygen can seriously injure a newborn. If a baby has trouble breathing, call a doctor, even if their fever goes down. Signs that a newborn is having trouble breathing include : wheezing or grunting flaring the nostrils when breathing white or blue skin, especially around the nail beds or on the mouth or tongue, though this may be harder to detect in infants with darker skin. harder to detect in infants with darker skin. pulling in the muscles around the ribs when breathing If a baby has breathing problems and a fever, a parent or caregiver should take them to the emergency room immediately. When the Nirav Modi scam made headline, the entire nation was shocked and surprised. The man behind a big diamond empire eloped the country right before the scam hit the papers and the government couldn't get him back to the homeland to punish him. However, people who flock from India have a way of finding a life beyond the border here. After Vijay Mallya was traced in UK, Nirav Modi was spotted chilling in London near his 8 million pounds apartment (roughly 72 Crore) by a reporter from Telegraph and his video has gone viral on social media. Exclusive: Telegraph journalists tracked down Nirav Modi, the billionaire diamond tycoon who is a suspect for the biggest banking fraud in India's historyhttps://t.co/PpsjGeFEsy pic.twitter.com/v3dN5NotzQ The Telegraph (@Telegraph) March 8, 2019 The reporter persisted with a few question to Modi about the money he owed and how long he intended to stay in England. Nirav Modi's standard reply to every question was 'no comment'. He smiled and politely faded away in the crown as if he's a star being hounded for pictures. The report also claimed that Modi was wearing a jacket made from Ostrich hide which roughly costs around 9 lakh rupees, so clearly he's not as distraught as one might imagine him to be! Also, as per the report, he has resumed his business under a new name and is living a decent life.Nirav Modi was accused of committing one of the biggest frauds in the history of India and he owes PNB a sum of over 13,600 crores already. His uncle, Mehul Choksi who was also accused in the same case is already residing in Antigua and Barbada. Since 2000, German films have won more Oscars in the foreign language film category than any other. This clearly indicates that German cinema has always given value to creating films that leave a lasting impact and have captivated the attention of the audience globally. From the '30s to the modern times, there have been a good number of German films that set benchmarks. A few like 'Downfall' have become a matter of discussion for critics and cinema lovers. In this post, we will walk you through those German films that won both awards and accolades from the critics. Read below to know more of which films made it to our list of the best German films of all time. 1. The Lives of Others (2006) The winner of 2006 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, 'The Lives of Others' is a finely crafted, gripping tale set at the backdrop of 1983 East Berlin. Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck's debut is an 'art' film created against a political setting. The film has got an intimate hue to it added by Ulrich Muhe (who plays a Stasi officer Gerd Wiesler). Gerd spying the lives of Sebastian Koch (a popular playwright performed by Georg Dreyman) and his lover Christa-Maria (Martina Gedeck) faces extreme personal and professional conflict. Released 17 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the viewers and critics were stunned by the accurate atmosphere created in the film and the depiction of East Berlin. The film gives a taste of the German culture at large. 'The Lives of Others' remains at the top of our list and a must watch for world cinema lovers. 2. Good Bye, Lenin! (2003) Directed by Wolfgang Becker, this German tragicomedy narrates the story of a family and their struggles at the time of the 1989 revolution. Christiane (Katrin Sass) wakes up months after being in a coma. His son Alex Kerner (Daniel Bruhl) tries to protect her from the news of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Set in East Berlin, 'Good Bye, Lenin!' received strong positive reviews and numerous award nominations including BAFTA and European Film Awards. It went on to win German Film Award for Best Feature Film. The movie resonated with a larger audience in Germany at the time of its release. 3. Downfall (2004) 'Downfall' is a historical war drama directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel set in the backdrop of World War II during the Battle of Berlin. Starring Bruno Ganz, Alexandra Maria Lara, Corinna Harfouch, Ulrich Matthes, Juliane Kohler, Heino Ferch, Christian Berkel, Matthias Habich, and Thomas Kretschmann, the film outlines the final days of Adolf Hitler (played by Bruno Ganz). The film's director used eyewitness accounts and survivors' memoirs in addition to many important historical sources to add accuracy to the film. 'Downfall' sparked controversy and remained a matter of debates due to its portrayal of the human side of Hitler, however, went on to be nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 77th Academy Awards. 4. Das Boot (1981) 'Das Boot' is one German movie that has always found its place amongst the best foreign language films of all time. Directed by Wolfgang Petersen and starring Jurgen Prochnow, Herbert Gronemeyer, and Klaus Wennemann, the film portrays how German U-boat U-96 and its crew, set out on a dangerous patrol in the Battle of the Atlantic. The film inspired many film-makers to come up with their own versions of films and TV series based on the same theme. With highly positive reviews and six Academy Awards nominations, the film is now seen as a pioneer in the category of war films. The film also holds a record for the maximum number of Academy nominations ever received by a German film. 5. The Counterfeiters (2007) Written and directed by Stefan Ruzowitzky, the Austrian-German drama is a product of high-end research and fine scripting. 'The Counterfeiters' is a story based on Operation Bernhard during World War II (the largest counterfeiting operation in history). It brilliantly narrates the horrors of the concentration camps in Nazi Germany and chronicles the life of Solly (the counterfeiter). 'The Counterfeiters' received outstanding reviews from the critics. Some even put the film amongst the best films of 2007. The film went on to bag the Best Foreign Language film at the 80th Academy Awards. 6. Nowhere in Africa (2001) Written and directed by Caroline Link, 'Nowhere in Africa' depicts the story of a German-Jewish family that moves to (Kenya) Africa in order to escape the Holocaust in Nazi Germany during World War II. The screenplay of the film is based on the 1995 novel of the same name written by Stefanie Zweig. The international critics hailed the film's visual appeal and termed it an exceptional story. The film has got the power to captivate the audience and leave them with an experience of a lifetime. Apart from five German Film Awards that it won, 'Nowhere in Africa' also won an Oscar in the foreign language film category. 7. Run Lola Run (1998) Starring Franka Potente as Lola and Moritz Bleibtreu as Manni, 'Run Lola Run' follows the story of a woman who finds herself in a race against time to save the life of her boyfriend. Though it was made decades later, it depicted various allusions to Alfred Hitchcock's film 'Vertigo'. The film touched on philosophical themes including the butterfly effect and determinism. Directed by Tom Tykwer, the German thriller has got many accolades to its name including seven German Film Awards. The film was also Germany's official submission for the Best Foreign Language Film category. 8. The Baader Meinhof Complex (2008) Nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 81st Academy Awards, 'The Baader Meinhof Complex', depicts the story of the Red Army Fraction, or Red Army Faction, a.k.a. RAF from 1967 to 1977. Directed by Uli Edel, and written by Bernd Eichinger (who also produced 'Downfall'), much has been taken in the film from a book by investigative reporter Stefan Aust who always had connections to those inside the RAF. The film portrays the events that took place in a decade with precision and objectiveness and thus stands out when compared to other films in a similar niche. 9. M (1931) Master storyteller Fritz Lang's German thriller-drama 'M' is one film that established itself as a classic over a period of time. Starring Peter Lorre, the magnum opus is based on the story of a serial killer and how both the police and the underworld try to get a hold of him. The film holds highly positive reviews by the critics and is considered a must watch in the psychological thriller category. Many instances from the film have been used in various other films including the 1940 Nazi propaganda movie 'The Eternal Jew'. In 2010, the film was ranked at number 33 in Empire magazine's list of 100 Best Films of World Cinema. Not only this, but the film has also been adapted into a radio show and comic book series. 10. Aguirre, the Wrath of God (1972) Out of the many cult films Germany has given to the world cinema, 'Aguirre, the Wrath of God' stands in its own glory. Written and directed by Werner Herzog, the epic historical drama follows the journey of Spanish soldier Lope de Aguirre (Klaus Kinski), who takes his group of conquerors down the Amazon River on a quest to El Dorado. The film uses a minimalist approach to dialogue and storyline, at the same time succeeds in leaving a lasting impression at the audience. Rolling Stone put the film on its '100 Maverick Movies of the Last 100 Years' list. 'Aguirre, the Wrath of God' went on to inspire films like 'Apocalypse Now', 'The New World' and a few others. It also won a few accolades including the National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Cinematography. HADDAM Planning for the closure of Haddam Elementary School is complete, and the process of implementation will begin next week, officials said at a joint meeting this week. Haddam-Killingworth school officials and leaders from both towns spent nearly three hours Thursday at the joint meeting to discuss the districts restructuring plan, which includes closing a beloved elementary school in Haddam and sending fourth-graders to the middle school. The education panel convened the boards of selectmen and finance at the middle school to give an update on the controversial project, approved a year ago as a cost-saving measure. The plan is to move kindergarten through third-graders at Haddam Elementary School to Burr District Elementary School, about four miles away, and turn the middle school, which now houses fifth through eighth grades, into an intermediate facility with the addition of fourth graders. That decision has evoked prolonged public outcry from parents and other community members whove formed the Save HES Committee to oppose turning the school in historic Higganum village into apartments. After Regional School District 17 put out a request for bids Nov. 1 for the reuse/redevelopment of the property on Saybrook Road/Route 154, which includes the 155-acre Swan Hill Trail nature preserve, a single developer submitted a proposal. The bid was made by family-run Rak Realty of Middletown. Two options were included: one for the purchase of the facility and surrounding 10 acres for $450,000; and a second offer to buy the entire site for $650,000. If accepted, the Raks propose the creation of 49 apartment units in the 29,000-square-foot building. In 2016, the entire 155-acre property, including the facility, 10 acres of grounds and trails behind the school, was assessed at $3.12 million, according to the property card. Soon, parents will be notified of upcoming meetings, programs and a initiative for Burr and HES students to pair up in a pen-pal exchange to ease the transition, according to a videotape of the two-hour-and-45-minute meeting Thursday. Those at the meeting were also told redistricting will mean some teachers and other staff will lose their jobs, and still others could be reassigned. No further details were provided. Across town at the community center, planning and zoning commissioners voted 5-2 to include the Swan Hill trails behind the school in the towns conservation zone. It was formerly zoned as residential. Toward the beginning of the joint boards session, Selectwoman Melissa Schlag asked school board Chairwoman Joanne Nesti and Superintendent of Schools Howard Thiery if they had sent lawyers to the planning and zoning meeting, taking place across town at the same time. Both acknowledged they had done so. Why do you have members if its going to be decided by you and the superintendent? one person in the audience yelled out, according to the video, vocalizing a feeling among some residents who say the school board was trying to block the zoning commissions effort to protect the nature trails. Nesti said the attorneys were speaking at the hearing because this board has not even had a chance yet to talk about the process that we want to use for considering this proposal and the property at HES, the acreage and what to do with it, she said. She was referring to a special joint meeting of the school board, Haddam and Killingworth boards of selectmen, Haddam town planner, and both towns zoning and finance chairpersons Monday night to discuss the next steps in creating a review process for the HES proposal. I really have a hard time understanding how you guys could send attorneys to fight a conservation zone in Haddam that you dont have any purview over, Schlag said. In an email statement Friday afternoon, Nesti said the school boards lawyers represented the panel at the zoning meeting after a request to have that meeting date changed was rejected. Because of the time conflict, the superintendent and education board members could not attend the zoning meeting. This is a highly technical issue best addressed by an attorney with a specialty in zoning regulations, and thats why Attorney Nicholas Bamonte accompanied Attorney (Floyd) Dugas to the hearing. They did express concern about certain aspects of the PZC action, but we have an opportunity to clarify that on Monday, Nesti said. Thursday, she told those in the audience they were expected to not disturb the proceedings. Her remarks recalled the Feb. 12 school board meeting, during which many audience members spoke loudly from where they were seated. Those of you who are here to shout or boo or laugh derisively will make it difficult for this meeting to go on. And since it would be impossible to know who might be creating the disturbance, and who isnt, I would have no choice but to ask everyone in the audience to leave, the chairwoman said. I beg you, please do not make me face that choice to choose between this districts right to conduct its business and your right to be here, to observe, Nesti said. Even though Swan Hill is now in a conservation zone, at any time in the future, commissioners could vote to change that arrangement if, for instance, an offer for future development is proposed on the land, Schlag said Friday morning. It gives the planning and zoning commission control over what happens to the property. It drives development to where you want it in town, but you can change it at any time she added. Meanwhile, a Change.org petition created Thursday, calling for a vote of no confidence in Thiery had solicited 388 signatures as of Friday afternoon. It charges Thiery has failed to meet Common Core standards by failing to promote the growth of all students by actively engaging and collaborating with families, community partners and other stakeholders to support the vision, mission and goals of the school and district. It also criticizes communication between the superintendent and the community. Thiery didnt return messages for comment by Friday afternoon. Neither did Town Planner Bill Warner or First Selectman Lizz Milardo. The special joint boards meeting will take place Monday at 5:30 p.m. at the Haddam-Killingworth Middle School cafeteria. Items on the agenda include a discussion of the right of first refusal regarding the Swan Hill land, as well as the proposal to convert the elementary school into apartments. The Air Force has received an upgraded version of its Ghostrider gunship. The 4th Special Operations Squadron, 1st Special Operations Wing, at Hurlburt Field, Florida, received its first AC-130J Ghostrider Block 30 gunship this week during a ceremony at Bob Sikes Airport in Crestview, Florida, Air Force Special Operations Command said in a news release Thursday. The 4th Special Operations Squadron currently operates and maintains the AC-130U Spooky. The Block 30 model marks "a major improvement in software and avionics technology" over the original Block 20 software AC-130J, the release states. Related content: "The Ghostrider is the newest and most modernized gunship in existence, fulfilling the same mission sets as the Spooky but with upgraded avionics, navigation systems and a precision strike package that includes trainable 30mm and 105mm weapons," according to the release. The first Block 30 model will remain in a testing-only status for a year before it can deploy for battlefield operations, officials said. Along with the 105mm cannon the U-models sport, the AC-130J is equipped with a 30mm cannon "almost like a sniper rifle. ... It's that precise, it can pretty much hit first shot, first kill," Col. Tom Palenske, then-commander of 1st Special Operations Wing, told Military.com last May at Hurlburt. The model achieved initial operational capability in September 2017. The J-model also has improved turboprop engines, which reduce operational costs with better flight sustainability, the service has said. It has the ability to launch 250-pound, GPS- or laser-guided small-diameter bombs (SDB). The aircraft is expected to carry AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, interchangeable with the SDBs on its wing pylons, AFSOC has said. Palenske said last year that airmen have been waiting to see the aircraft in action. "It's going to [be] the most lethal, with the most loiter time, probably the most requested weapons system from ground forces in the history of warfare. That's my prediction," he said. The fourth-generation J is slated to replace the AC-130H/U/W models, with delivery of the final J- model sometime in 2021, according to the Air Force. The service plans to buy 37 of the aircraft. Crews expect the J to be deployed in late 2019 or early 2020. "It's our big gun truck," Palenske said. "It's going to have more powerful engines, a more efficient fuel rate. ... You can keep the sensors on the bad guys longer ... [and] it's also going to have AGM-176 [Griffin] missiles on the back, so you can put 10 missiles on the back of them. "It's going to be awesome," he said. -- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214. ABOARD THE USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN -- As an EA-18G Growler approached the flight deck of the carrier Abraham Lincoln, up on the bridge, Lt. Riza Suriben called out for a slight adjustment to the ship's rudder. After it was made, and with her eyes never leaving the incoming aircraft, she calmly ordered: "Steady as she goes." The Growler caught the first cable, completing flight operations for the morning. And Suriben allowed herself to smile for the first time that day. "Sometimes you forget the bigger picture -- you get into a routine, the daily grind," she said. "But then we have visitors up here and they are so excited, and you remember, 'Hey, wait, my job is actually pretty cool.'" As women make inroads into military ground combat positions previously closed to them, one naval community is celebrating a milestone in gender-integrated operations: 25 years ago this week, the Navy ordered the first assignment of women to a combat ship. Sixty-three women were detailed to the carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower, homeported in Norfolk, Virginia. To the Abraham Lincoln Strike Group, the idea of all-male units or ships is unthinkable. Hardly any member of the crew of more than 6,000 remembers gender-restricted ships, except for the most senior officers and enlisted personnel. According to Vice Adm. Andrew "Woody" Lewis, commander of the Navy's 2nd Fleet, diversity in age, gender, race and religion strengthen a ship or squadron's lethality. "It's a meritocracy. It's an environment where all walks of life come on and serve in the military. It should be reassuring and refreshing and really makes you feel proud to be a part of this organization," Lewis said during an interview with reporters in late January. Women make up roughly 19 percent of the U.S. Navy, and those serving on ships operate in an environment where they can excel based on ability and opportunities are unrestricted. For example, Vice Adm. Lisa Franchetti commands the U.S. Sixth Fleet while Vice Adm. Mary Jackson leads Navy Installations Command. Fleet Master Chief April Beldo, who retired in 2017, was the first black female command master chief of an aircraft carrier, the Carl Vinson. Lt. Cmdr. Jennifer Hesling is an F/A-18 Super Hornet pilot currently assigned to Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, she deployed onboard the carrier Harry S. Truman with Strike Fighter Squadron 32 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. In her nearly 11-year career, she has not encountered any negative bias on the basis of gender, she said. "I have served my country with wonderful men and women next to me. Most of my mentors have been men, encouraging me to fly fighter jets and to excel," she said. "I never felt like I'm not part of a team because I'm a woman." And, she added, thanks to women like Capt. Rosemary Mariner, one of the Navy's first female fighter pilots and the first woman to command a naval aviation squadron, she is accepted on the basis of her qualifications. "I am grateful for those who opened doors for us because it allowed me to join naval aviation, without ever questioning whether I could or could not be a part of this community because of my gender," Hesling said. Sailors onboard Abraham Lincoln have experienced first-hand what it's like to work with a trailblazer. Capt. Amy Bauernschmidt recently left the ship after working for two years as the executive officer, the first female XO of a nuclear carrier. According to an interview with CBS News, the 24-year veteran lives by a motto given to her by her mother: Never pass up an opportunity to grow. "There are a lot of times in life that you're a little nervous or afraid to do something, 'cause you think you're gonna fail. Well, so what? I mean ... what's the worst that's gonna happen if I fail?" Bauernschmidt told CBS. "You know, if you fail, you get up and you may realize in that failure that what you're really meant to do is something else." In December 2015, then-Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced that all military occupations and positions would be open to women, without exception. The decision freed up 220,000 more jobs for women, from Marine Corps ground combat billets such as infantry and artillery to Army Rangers, special operations, Air Force pararescue jumpers and more. For women in these physically challenging billets, the path has not been easy, and integration efforts have been slow. Of the services, the Army has seen the most success, with roughly 800 women serving in previously closed combat billets. As of November, the Marine Corps had 151 female Marines in previously restricted military occupational specialties, including one infantry officer and 16 female enlisted personnel. The Air Force currently has one woman in Tactical Air Control Party training, on the pathway to become the first female battlefield airman, but no women have made it through pararescue training. And no women have become Navy SEALs. Lt. Emily Rixey, an F/A-18 Super Hornet pilot who deployed onboard the aircraft carrier George H. W. Bush in support of Operation Inherent Resolve and is now assigned to Strike Fighter Weapons School Atlantic, encourages women to keep trying. "If you have the drive and dedication, leave gender out of the equation and keep going for it," she said. Rixey and Hesling had the honor of participating Feb. 2 in the first all-female flyover, a historic tribute to Mariner, who died Jan. 24. Being in the ready room with seven other female fighter pilots -- and no men -- was "really odd," Rixey said, but "so awesome." "We were laughing about it because we'd never seen that before. The energy was great," she said. -- Patricia Kime can be reached at Patricia.Kime@Military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @patriciakime. The Russians will take advantage of any void left by U.S. troops leaving Syria, the top general overseeing military operations there warned this week, which would likely mean more support for the Assad regime's brutal policies. Russia viewed President Donald Trump's December announcement that U.S. troops would leave Syria positively, Army Gen. Joseph Votel, head of U.S. Central Command, said Thursday. "I think ... they looked at that [like] this is an opportunity to fill the void that -- that we had provided in the support to the partners that we work with on the ground there," he told members of the House Armed Services Committee. "So, they look to gain and perpetuate what the Assad regime is doing." Russia has been sending troops to Syria since 2015. While there to fight the Islamic State group, Russia has also struck U.S.-backed rebel groups fighting back against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces. Assad has used ruthless tactics to counter local rebel groups fighting against his regime, including chemical attacks on civilian areas that have killed children. Related content: Votel, who said he's under no set timeline to remove U.S. troops from Syria or Afghanistan, despite Trump's calls to end the wars there, said Russia stands to gain power and clout in the region. And that could have a real impact, regionally and globally. "It puts Russia more in the driver's seat in terms of what that solution might be. And, of course, it solidifies their presence in the Middle East in this critical part of the Levant right here," he said, speaking of the area that includes Iraq, Syria, Israel, Lebanon and Jordan. "I think that is an important objective of theirs." Russia's presence in Syria has complicated an already-complex fight. Since they're sometimes on the opposite end of the fight as the U.S. and its coalition partners, things have the potential to escalate quickly. Russia's military has also brought capabilities to the fight that many American troops haven't faced since the Cold War, including electronic warfare and air-defense systems. The U.S. has about 2,000 troops in Syria. If they leave, which Trump announced they would do via a Twitter video in December, surprising military allies, Votel said it will create a void that Russia will quickly work to fill. In his Twitter message, Trump said the fight against ISIS had been "won" and that "our boys, our young women, our men -- they're all coming back and they're coming back now." Votel said during the hearing that the fight against the terror group is "far from over." Trump has since reversed course on his decision to pull all U.S. troops from Syria, NBC News reported this week, telling members of Congress that he agreed 100 percent with keeping a military presence there. Rep. Trent Kelly, a Mississippi Republican member of the House Armed Services Committee and brigadier general in the Army National Guard, hit back against the idea that Trump's decision to withdraw troops from Syria would be responsible for creating the void Russia would fill. That happened, he argued, during the Obama administration. "Our failure to respond in Syria in 2013 left a void which the Russians quickly filled where they had not been before," Kelly said. "Because we had no action whatsoever for a long period of time -- even a delayed reaction after ... the government gassed their own people -- that is part of the reason that we have Russian influence in Syria now. Not just the tweets of recent days." -- Gina Harkins can be reached at gina.harkins@military.com. Follow her on Twitter @ginaaharkins. In all, more than 30 recommended changes were put in place based on testing and feedback from airmen and reviews by the 2020... Marine Corps Systems Command wants to know whether defense companies can build it a new communications system capable of transmitting large amounts of voice, video and data on the battlefield. The command put out a request for information March 5 to find a complete line-of-sight optical communication transmission system that doesn't require further development, according to a recent Marine Corps news release. "The adage 'move, shoot, communicate' hasn't changed, but how we communicate is rapidly changing," said Maj. Eric Holmes, MCSC project officer, in the release. "Given the rapid pace of innovation in technology, the Marine Corps is currently evaluating maturing capabilities." The new system must be capable of providing a "high-bandwidth transmission path used for voice, video and data communications," the release states. The Corps could field up to 638 of the new systems, according to the solicitation on the government contracting website FedBizOpps. Industry responses are due by 1 p.m. March 19. "The Marine Corps is turning to industry to help rapidly develop and field this technology," Holmes said. The Marines have taken other steps to improve battlefield communications with the recent adoption of the Mobile User Objective System, or MUOS, a narrowband satellite communication system that uses commercial cell phone technology to increase access to voice and data communication, according to a release the Marine Corps sent out last June. MUOS is designed for highly mobile units that need higher data rates, and it offers a more secure and reliable beyond line-of-sight communication capability, the release states. The Marine Corps will be the first service to widely deploy the system since it has fielded thousands of MUOS-capable AN/PRC-117G radios over the past six years, according to the release. -- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com. all mines in Madagascar AgataIt does sound a bit unusual for someone who needs to mapusing mindat information for an academic research project (for which absolutely no information is provided by you) when we only have a relatively small number of mines/localities listed for Madagascar.If you need all mines then perhaps you should be contacting the likes of the Office of National Mines and Strategic Industries 21, Lalana RAZANAKOMBANA Antananarivo, Madagascar or one of the universities in Madagascar and enlist their help.My understanding also is that we do not permit large downloads of Mindat data.Having said that, perhaps with more information, Jolyon may be able to assist in some way. The Tigers have struck a deal to acquire veteran backstop Cameron Rupp from the Giants, according to Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press (via Twitter). Cash considerations will go back in return. Rupp had signed on with the San Francisco organization in early December. He was among several competitors for a reserve job at the MLB level but evidently was not likely to earn a nod. Rene Rivera, Stephen Vogt, and Aramis Garcia are all still competing to back up Buster Posey. It doesnt seem particularly likely that Rupp will break camp with the Tigers, either. The team appears to be set with Grayson Greiner and John Hicks at the MLB level and already has veterans Bobby Wilson and Hector Sanchez in camp, though the deal could suggest that theres a desire to take a look at alternatives. Rupp has never been valued particularly for his defensive chops and doesnt reach base at a very appealing rate. But he does have over a thousand MLB plate appearances under his belt and is a nice source of power for a backstop. MUSKEGON, MI -- Those nominations keep pouring in for Michigans Best Fish Fry 2019! On Friday we reported that 280 fish fry nominations have come in from community halls and restaurants across the state. We were impressed with the nearly 50 nominations for the Upper Peninsula. We were also a little surprised at the lack of nominations from Kalamazoo. Could it be that people in Kalamazoo dont eat fish? Obviously, they do. You have until noon Monday, March 11, 2019 to nominate your favorites. You can do that using our Nominations Form found on our initial story. CLICK BELOW Once we have all your nominations we plan to offer a couple polls so you can vote. We wont be able to travel all over the state this time, but we do plan to visit a few favorites. In fact, on Friday we traveled to Muskegon to check out five fish fries! Yes, you heard that right. FIVE! We plan to post a story soon, recapping all of our visits. We want to thank everyone who accepted us so kindly as we came into many of those restaurants and halls unannounced. Follow us on Social Media: Facebook at facebook.com/MLiveMIBest/ @mlivemibest on Twitter @mlivemibest on Instagram Were using the hashtags #MIBest and #BestFishFry Learn more about Michigans Best at mlive.com/michigansbest. More on social media: Amy Sherman on Twitter @amyonthetrail, as well as Facebook and Instagram @amyonthetrail. John Gonzalez on Twitter @michigangonzo, as well as Facebook and Instagram @MichiganGonzo. CATAWABA ISLAND, OHIO - U.S. Coast Guard Air Station crews from Traverse City and Detroit flew to help other Coast Guard groups and Ohio state and local authorities Saturday morning after getting calls that more than 150 people were stranded or needed to be rescued after a large ice floe broke free near Catawaba Island in Lake Erie. The first calls for help came into the U.S. Coast Guard Station at Marblehead about 8:13 a.m., the military said. An Ohio Department of Natural Resources staffer called to say there were about 100 people stranded on an ice floe, with up to 40 other people in the water. The Marblehead Station crews launched two 20-foot airboats to start the mass rescue. Command staff also asked Air Station Detroit to fly over with two of its MH-65 Dolphin helicopters, and called Air Station Traverse City, which flew over with two of its MH-60 Jayhawk helicopters. Local firefighters drove more airboats to the scene, and DNR and emergency services workers answered the call for help. Coast Guard Station Marblehead arrived on scene at approximately 8:50 a.m. and there were no persons in the water, staff said. "Those who had fallen in or intentionally entered the water to try to swim to land were all back on the ice or land. Approximately 100 people were able to walk to shore via portions of ice that were still unbroken; however, as the temperature continued to rise, the ice broke into multiple separate ice floes. The remaining fishermen were rescued by the airboat crews and helicopter crews. By 11:15 a.m., everyone was out of danger, the Coast Guard said. Two people who were hoisted into a helicopter where checked by a rescue swimmer, then taken to the mainland for minor medical treatment. As temperatures begin to rise, the Coast Guard strongly urges people not to go out onto ice. Ice may look safe but it is difficult to determine the thickness visually and the increase in warm weather will continue to melt and weaken the ice. U.S. Coast Guard helicopters rescue people stranded on Lake Erie. An effort to open Michigans legislature, governor and lieutenant governor up to increased public scrutiny made its debut in a House committee this week, although changes to the initial rollout are likely in coming weeks. House Bills 4007 through 4016, headed by Reps. Daire Rendon, R-Lake City, and Vanessa Guerra, D-Saginaw, would subject the governor and lieutenant governor to the states Freedom of Information Act, and create a new Legislative Open Records Act for lawmakers and their offices. During a House Government Operations Committee this week, supporters of the bill say creating a separate process for lawmakers avoids constitutional challenges to enforcing FOIA that some other states have faced. Other states that have simply subjected their legislators to FOIA have run into problems with laws that are unenforceable, Rendon said. Our solution ensures the appeals process is fair and independent while still complying with the state constitution. The Legislative Open Records Act, or LORA, contains several exemptions, including for legislative negotiations, caucusing, active investigations and a sweeping exemption for constituent communications. The current version of the bill package does not exempt constituent communication for the governors office under FOIA, something several lawmakers said was being discussed as a possible change. In testimony, Sen. Ed McBroom, R-Vulcan - who previously sponsored similar legislation with Sen. Jeremy Moss of Southfield - acknowledged the wide scope of exemptions, but said he thought it struck a balance between privacy needs and the public interest. You can argue that - and I would agree with you - a very significant portion of what we all do in our offices will remain exempt," McBroom said. Im not exactly sure how to avoid that situation and still protect the interest of personal constituents. McBroom and Moss noted that despite the exemptions, key pieces of legislative activity would become open to public scrutiny, including lawmakers communications between state agencies and staff. Moss said had LORA been in place during the sex scandal that took place between former Reps. Todd Courser and Cindy Gamrat, it would have become known much sooner that state resources were being misused. Some believe the legislation doesnt go far enough. The progressive group Progress Michigan came out against the current version of the language, with Executive Director Lonnie Scott questioning the legislations lack of judicial review for lawmakers through the LORA process and an insufficient retention policy for relevant records. We believe that the legislature should not get its own special rules when it comes to FOIA, he said. The time for FOIA reform is now. We should not settle for incremental steps when bold action is what we need. Rep. Jason Sheppard, who chairs the Government Operations Committee, said several changes were being considered for the legislation. He said he believes protecting constituent communications is an important piece of the package, but noted hes open to working with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and other stakeholders to get the legislation through where past attempts to expand open records laws have failed. The biggest thing for us is to get something completely through the process and get the governor to sign it at this point, said Sheppard, R-Temperance. If the legislation passes the House, it also has to be approved by the Senate and Whitmer before it can become law. Whitmer has promised to sign legislation that extends FOIA to her office and the legislature, and that treats them the same in relevant respects, spokesperson Tiffany Brown said. She remains committed to that promise. Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, R-Clark Lake, has expressed some concerns with the concept, and has said hes worried about how lawmakers use of technology such as social media, texting and email could blur the line between public and personal communication and potentially "have unintended consequences of discouraging negotiation and communication. ROMULUS, MI - A Detroit man has been charged in a road rage incident in which gunfire was reported on I-94 near Detroit Metro Airport. Demetrius Butler, 28, was arraigned Friday, March 8 in 34th District Court on 10 charges related to the Thursday incident, according to the Wayne County Prosecutors Office. Officials believe Butler was driving erratically and menacing a family of three - a 25-year-old Royal Oak woman, a 49-year-old Detroit man and their eight-month-old baby - about 4 p.m. Thursday as they drove westbound on I-94 near Merriman Road in Romulus, according to the prosecutors office. Butler then pulled out a weapon and pointed it at their car, prosecutors say. Police believe Butler fired a shot, but no one was injured, Michigan State Police First Lt. Michael Shaw said. Officers blocked the highway Thursday evening while searching for a shell casing. Police stopped Butlers vehicle, also carrying two passengers, and arrested him on I-94 near Michigan Avenue in Ypsilanti Township, shortly after the gunfire was reported. Butler is charged with two counts of felonious assault, four counts of using a firearm in the commission of a felony, being a felon in possession of a firearm, being a felon in possession of ammunition, reckless driving and driving while license suspended. Butler previously served probation for illegally carrying a concealed weapon and possession of marijuana, according to Michigan Department of Corrections records. Bond was set at $100,000, according to prosecutors. Hes scheduled for a probable cause conference March 20 and a preliminary examination March 27. EAST GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- A 39-year-old man who worked at Spectrum Health Blodgett Hospital is accused of sexual assaults upon two different patients, prosecutors say. Kent County Prosecutor Christopher Becker confirmed that Francisco Muniz, who was an X-ray technician at the hospital, is accused in two incidents -- one last year and the other early this year. Muniz is charged with one count of third-degree criminal sexual conduct and one count of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct. Kent County Jail records show he was booked into the jail on Feb. 27 and was released March 6 after posting 10 percent of a $25,000 bond. Fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct typically involves inappropriate touching while third-degree criminal sexual conduct involves more serious conduct. Spectrum Health released a statement about the situation Friday. The care and safety of our patients is of paramount importance to Spectrum Health. We are fully cooperating with law enforcement on this situation. We will continue to do whatever we can to support this investigation. The individual involved is no longer employed by the organization, Spectrum Health administrators said. JACKSON, MI Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was unreserved on the campaign trail when speaking about misconduct accusations against Jackson County Sheriff Steven Rand. Since taking office two months ago, Whitmer and her staff have been less outspoken on the topic. When asked about the status of a probe into the sheriffs conduct during Whitmers Friday, March 8 trip to Jackson, she said its still pending. "We have been asked to take a look at it and that request has been received and it's something that is pending," Whitmer said, offering no further details. Whitmer visited Northeast Elementary School and Jackson College on Friday to read to students and talk with locals about her plans for Michigan. Rand was accused in a February 2018 federal lawsuit of creating a hostile work environment for sheriff's Lt. Tommy Schuette, and harassing him for a work-related hearing disability. Schuette also accused Rand of being a multi-faceted bigot in the lawsuit. His lawyer later released audio recordings of the sheriff referring to female coworkers as a b---- or c--- and making other derogatory comments toward women and minorities. Schuette last year also released documents showing Rand discharged his firearm in his office and did not report it. Undersheriff Chris Kuhl confirmed the incident, saying it was accidental and handled internally with undocumented, verbal disciplinary action. Outside of a lengthy recall process, only the governor can oust an elected sheriff. Former Gov. Rick Snyder had former Attorney General Bill Schuette review requests from Jackson County and the city of Jackson to take such action. After months of indecision, Whitmer criticized the office of Bill Schuette her political opponent for governor for dragging its feet. The people of Jackson deserve answers, and more importantly, they deserve a Sheriff who upholds the law and has the trust of the community, Whitmer said in October 2018. If I am elected and this matter has still not been resolved by the time I take office, I will carefully review all of the facts in this case and move swiftly to ensure that Sheriff Rand is held accountable for any misconduct in office. The offices of Whitmer and Attorney General Dana Nessel have declined to comment on questions about the status review and its progress. Mayor Derek Dobies said last October he expected the new governor and attorney general to address the topic. He's not concerned it hasn't been addressed yet. Dobies and Vice Mayor Arlene Robinson plan to write a formal letter to governor soon, asking for the sheriff's removal. The former administration took the entire year and produced no result. I understand that Gov. Whitmer has a lot on her plate, Dobies said. I have full confidence that shell be able to get to it in due course. SPAULDING TWP, MI The new medical marijuana facility opening in Saginaw County this spring will be the headquarters for other marijuana facilities throughout the state. Great Lakes Natural Remedies, located at 3435 Sheridan Ave. in Spaulding Township, will be a medical marijuana growing, processing and dispensing facility, according to owner Trevor Wisniewski. Wisniewski said the business will feature topicals, oils, drips, medical grade cannabis and edibles. The business has 25 Class C licenses, two processing licenses, and one provisioning license, which will allow the business to have 37,500 plants in total. Spaulding Township issued a permit in August for the site to operate as a medical marijuana facility, said township secretary Ginger Scheffler. The permit is good for up to one year. Wisniewski, a Saginaw native and Arthur Hill High School graduate, has a background in regulation compliance, which has helped him navigate the regulations in the marijuana business. Im down in Detroit now because of jobs and most of all my friends left Saginaw because of jobs, Wisniewski said. Im like, why cant we go back there and help the community, and see if theres anything around that we can do commercially with this new industry in Michigan? Wisniewski and his wife interviewed people from around the country to put together a professional team with knowledge about the budding marijuana industry. Jason Crockett, COO of Great Lakes Natural Remedies and Sarah Foss, director of provisioning and sales of Great Lakes Natural Remedies, are both from Denver, Colorado where they had prominent roles in the marijuana industry. Anything that comes in, Im going to make sure is clean, tested, said Foss. I will be checking the back of packaging to make sure that everything is compliant before I even accept it into the store. Were going to be doing everything in-house, were fully vertical. said Crockett. You buy it, you leave Patients need to have a government-issued medical marijuana card and ID to enter the facility and buy the products, said Wisniewski. There will be several checkpoints where identification will be checked to assure the customer is the right person. Foss added that the products will cater to different patients and their needs. Patients can buy up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis-related products per day, which will be in child-resistant packaging, but they cant consume the items on the property. You buy it, you leave, said Wisniewski. The provisioning center within the building will pay homage to Timbertown bowling Lanes, a business that was once housed in the building. The center will be called Timbertown and have a bowling alley theme with pictures of the old businesses displayed on the walls. Community and jobs Wisniewski said one of his goals it to make sure the community is educated and informed about the business. A lot of people just dont know the facts, Wisniewski said. They dont know how a provisioning center actually works and that theres all these checks and you dont just walk in. Theres security, theres a waiting room. The Saginaw County-based business will be the headquarters to supply provisioning centers that Wisniewski owns and other unrelated centers throughout the state. We want to have this as our headquarters here, where we can grow a massive amount of medicine to be able to provide for patients throughout the state, Wisniewski said. Wisniewski said he has plans to give back to the community by taking the proceeds from the business to beautify parks in the area and donate money. He added he chose Spaulding Township to plant the business because of the dilapidated assets. Were taking a building that sold at auction five years ago for $45,000 and were putting $10 million into it, into the community, Wisniewski said. Just think of their tax revenue on their property taxes alone. Just for that property -- that $10 million property. He said the business will employ about 50 people. Foss said the employees will be called bud tenders and they will be trained to help communicate information to the customers among other tasks. Education is first and foremost so people know that people know what theyre getting into and that its safe, clean and safe for consumption, Foss said. She said people who have worked in the hospitality, sales and education fields would make solid candidates for employment. Job seekers interested in working at the facility can apply here. SAGINAW TWP, MI A Saginaw Township man has been charged in the shooting death of his younger brother. Saginaw County District Judge David D. Hoffman on Friday, March 8, arraigned Adrian L. Villanueva, 33, on six counts open murder, three counts of felony firearm and two counts of felonious assault. Open murder covers both first- and second-degree murder. While both degrees are life offenses, a first-degree conviction comes with a mandatory sentence of life without the possibility of parole. Hoffman denied Villanueva bond. The judge also indicated Villanueva has warrants pending in Colorado. Police and prosecutors have identified the victim as Jonathan I. Villanueva, 25. The two brothers lived together at 4035 Emerick St., where the shooting occurred shortly before 4 p.m. on Monday, March 4. Saginaw Township Police Lt. Rick Herren has said Saginaw County Central Dispatch received a call at 3:52 p.m. from a man stating that he had shot another man inside of the home. Saginaw County Deputy Chief Assistant Prosecutor Blair N. Stevenson said its believed Adrian Villanueva is the person who called 911. Police arrived and established a perimeter and the Saginaw Emergency Services Team was activated. Also present inside the home at the time were a 79-year-old man, a 19-year-old woman and a 21-year-old woman along with her two young children. Negotiators established telephone contact with Adrian Villanueva and were able to talk him into letting some of the people outside. He eventually exited the house around 8 p.m. and surrendered. Police then entered the home and found Jonathan Villanueva already deceased. Stevenson said the felonious assault charges relate to Adrian Villanueva having allegedly assaulted the two women. Jonathan Villanueva suffered multiple gunshot wounds. Stevenson said its not clear as of yet who owned the gun involved. He also said it doesnt appear alcohol or drugs were factors. As far as motive or what precipitated the shooting, Stevenson said investigators have a couple of theories, but declined to share them. Records indicate Jonathan Villanueva received a prison sentence in Georgia in February 2015 on convictions of burglary, possession of burglary tools and felony firearm. In January 2019, his parole status was transferred to Michigan, according to the Michigan Department of Corrections Spokesman Chris Gautz. Adrian Villanueva is to appear for a preliminary examination at 3 p.m. March 21. After weeks of insinuating that Nicolas Maduros ouster was imminent, Washington now insists that theres no timeline for regime change in Venezuela. RT looks at how the US best laid plans havent panned out. When Vice President Mike Pence released a video statement in January pledging full US support for Juan Guaidos claim to the Venezuelan presidency, many assumed that an operation to install the opposition leader in Caracas was just around the corner. But more than a month later, and with Maduro still firmly in power, Washington seems to be out of ideas: Not only has the US failed to deliver its humanitarian aid to Venezuela, but Washingtons allies have unanimously ruled out military action. Also on rt.com Venezuela sanctions intended to motivate people to change & Guaido not a puppet Abrams The Trump administration now asserts that theres no timeline for regime change in Venezuela what RTs Igor Zhdanov described as a thinly veiled admission of failure. Washington still contends that all options are on the table but how many options are left? Watch the full report below. Like this story? Share it with a friend! Anti-establishment parties across the EU are expected to receive a surge in popularity at the ballot box, as a poll released Saturday indicates voters tired of the Brussels status quo could lead to a doubling in Eurosceptic MEPs. Conducted by the German newspaper Bild between late February and early March, the poll surveyed over 9,500 voters in six countries on their voting intentions in Mays elections for the EU Parliament. In three countries France, Italy, and Poland anti-establishment right-wing parties came out on top, confirming a growing Eurosceptic shift among EU voters. Parties expected to benefit from this shift in voter sentiment include Marine Le Pens National Rally party, which could secure 23 percent of the vote in France. In Italy, Interior Minister Matteo Salvinis League Party is set to win 33 percent. Both right-wing parties are members of the Eurosceptic Europe of Nations and Freedom (ENF) group, which expects to increase its number total of MEPs from 37 to 67 in the 705-seat Parliament. Eurosceptic parties outside of the ENF grouping are also expected to benefit in Mays election. In Poland, Bild suggest that the ruling Law and Justice party (PiS) will take 42 percent of the vote. While in neighboring Germany, support for Alternative for Germany (AfD) is expected to reach 12 percent. The establishment in Brussels along with social democratic and conservative parties previously sounded the alarm against the rising tide of populism across the EU. A recent report by a pro-EU think tank warned of Eurosceptics gaining 30 percent of seats and paralyzing the parliament. Speaking earlier this month, the European Parliaments former president, Martin Schulz, slammed such populists as only being concerned with my nation, my religion and my interest first. Also on rt.com Caving in to the US? Brussels kills its own money laundering blacklist after Washington criticism The major pro-European group in the parliament, the European Peoples Party (EPP), which unites center-right and liberal-conservative parties, has been shaken recently from within. Its Hungarian member, populist party Fidesz, put up a series of billboards aimed at billionaire George Soros and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. After being accused of conducting an anti-Brussels campaign and threatened with expulsion from the EPP, Fidesz said they would replace the billboards with ones urging Hungarians to have more children. However, the partys leader, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said Fidesz may still leave the EPP in the near future, if discussions over the EPPs future policy didnt shift to a more anti-immigrant platform. Speaking to voters on Hungarian radio, Orban proposed the formation of a new political grouping in the EU Parliament, with Polands PiS to be the first like-minded party contacted. Think your friends would be interested? Share this story! The Philippines will not legalize medical marijuana because recreational users will likely abuse the legislation to grow and smoke it, Rodrigo Duterte stated, admitting that he had not read any scientific studies on the herb. The Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act, currently pending debate at the countrys House of Representatives, will not get Dutertes endorsement because it will give potheads an excuse to cultivate and smoke weed, Duterte told a crowd in Victorias City. I do not intend to legalize it. I dont want to. You will just use that as an excuse to plant your own. You will just say: 'this is just for medicinal purposes', he said. Also on rt.com Drug-busting Duterte quips smoking pot keeps him awake Making clear that the bill will not see the light of day amid the ongoing war on drugs, Duterte noted that some other president might legalize medical cannabis, as he himself remains ignorant to scientific studies which argue the benefits of marijuana use in treating medical conditions. The statement might come as a shock to patients seeking to reap the benefits of medical cannabis, especially considering Dutertes support for the issue over the last few years. Last December, Duterte even confessed to occasionally smoking pot to stay awake. While he later called the revelation a joke, his office explained that the 56-year-old was in favor of limited use of marijuana. Also on rt.com Merry marijuana! Cannabis becomes the perfect Christmas gift in US & Canada Think your friends would be interested? Share this story! Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 Shane Bouchard, the Republican mayor of Lewiston, Maine, has resigned, after messages were leaked showing he exchanged racist jokes with a former lover. During his mayoral campaign in 2017, Bouchard was allegedly having an affair with a local woman, Heather Everly Berube. As well as discussing politics, Bouchard spiced up his text messages to Berube with some light flirting and some full-on racism. All my jokes are quite racist lol, he reportedly said in one message, adding: What do you call 2 old black people sitting on your front lawn. Antique farm equipment, his punchline followed. In another message, Bouchard called a GOP meeting he was attending a clan meeting. Berube released the messages to the Sun Journal on Wednesday. Bouchard initially attempted to downplay the scandal, saying his text was a joke and not a reflection of how I feel, before resigning from office on Friday. Also on rt.com Virginia governor admits to KKK/blackface yearbook photo, refuses to resign Racial issues featured front-and-center in Bouchards election. His Democratic opponent, Ben Chin, complained in internal emails that he had run into a bunch of racists while on the campaign trail. Locals were unhappy with Chins portrayal of them, and Bouchard went on to win after Chins emails were made public. Berube, who had volunteered with Chins campaign, claims shed leaked the emails to Bouchard. Think your friends would be interested? Share this story! Turkey to face serious consequences over buying S-400 missiles Pentagon Turkey to face serious consequences over buying S-400 missiles Pentagon Ankara will have trouble maintaining military-to-military ties with Washington and other allies once it procures the cutting-edge S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems from Moscow, the Defense Department has warned. Speaking to TASS, Pentagon spokesman Eric Pahon said the US understands that Turkey wants to upgrade its air defenses, but ramifications will follow . The country will begin deployment of the first S-400 squadrons in October this year, according to local defense officials.Source : RT - Daily news Security at Sheremetyevo Airport in Moscow was stunned to discover a mortar shell in the luggage of a US Embassy employee heading to London. The Foreign Ministry said the incident was a provocation and demanded explanations. The eyebrow-raising discovery of an object resembling a mortar shell with a fuse was made on Saturday morning and a bomb squad was immediatly even called in. The specialists could breath a sigh of relief, however, as it emerged that the shell had no explosive compound inside. Only small traces of a blasting agent remained, officials confirmed. Making the situation even more bizarre, the person who tried to smuggle the forbidden cargo has been identified as an employee of the US Embassy in Moscow, who was traveling to New York. Trying to cool things down, the US citizen explained that he bought an empty mortar shell without an explosive compound for his "private collection, according to the Russian side. His immediate problems with law enforcement apparently ended there as he was allowed to leave. Though missing his flight due to the ordeal, the American still received assistance from airport staff in obtaining a ticket for the next US-bound plane. Sadly enough for the man, his collection will be deprived of the new item as he had to leave the shell back in Moscow. Even though the object seems to have posed no imminent threat, the move did not sit well with the Russian Foreign Ministry, which decried the incident as a planned provocation by the US side. Earlier this week, a similarly bizarre incident occurred at Lehigh Valley International Airport in Pennsylvania, when a disassembled RPG was discovered in the luggage of a man from Florida. The owner of the weapon was surprised to learn that he was doing something illegal. Luckily, the rocket launcher was not in working order and a shell that came with it turned out to be a replica. Think your friends would be interested? Share this story! SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, whose CrewDragon capsule splashed down near Florida, and Roscosmos head Dmitry Rogozin, lauded each other in a series of bromance-like tweets. CrewDragon, a SpaceX-built commercial astronaut capsule, carried out a test flight which ended with a safe splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean. The mission apparently impressed Dmitry Rogozin, who took to Twitter to reach out to Elon Musk and NASA chief Jim Bridenstine. Dear colleagues On behalf of Roscosmos I congratulate you on the first successful test flight of a new spacecraft, he wrote. To Rogozin, building alternative space engines that will ferry cargo and astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) ensures that its safe and stable in orbit. The Roscosmos messages sounded a bit formal, but it didnt stop the SpaceX CEO from returning the favor. Thank you on behalf of SpaceX! We have always admired your rocket/spacecraft technology, Musk replied. The entrepreneur, who frequently reflects on building colonies on Mars, went on to hail Russias NK-33 and RD 170/180 rocket engines, calling them exceptional. The SpaceX-built Dragon vehicle detached from the ISS on Friday after being docked there for the past week. It safely re-entered the Earths atmosphere and landed in the Atlantic 450km from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The mission, which had no humans on board, was a success not only for Musk, but NASA as well. Since the end of the Space Shuttle program in 2011, American astronauts have been sent into orbit on the Soyuz spacecraft, taking off from Baikonur in Kazakhstan. Also on rt.com Hard to argue with Elon: Roscosmos head taunts Musks praise of Russian rockets Like this story? Share it with a friend! India carried out three cross-border strikes in Pakistan in the last five years, the countrys Home Affairs Minister Rajnath Singh has said. One of these three strikes, however, remains shrouded in secrecy. Singh admitted that Indian forces struck alleged terrorist launch pads in Pakistani Kashmir in 2016, after four militants killed 19 Indian soldiers near the town of Uri. India struck again last month, bombing suspected terrorist training camps in Pakistani territory, in retaliation for a suicide bombing attack that had claimed the lives of 40 Indian police officers. I want to tell you brothers and sisters that, in the last five years, we have gone beyond our borders thrice and our men have successfully conducted airstrikes, Singh told a public rally in Mangalore on Saturday. About two I will tell you, but won't tell you about the third one. The third strike may refer to an alleged 2017 Indian Army action that Indian journalist Shiv Aroor said had killed three Pakistani soldiers. The army did not confirm or deny the attack at the time. In each of the acknowledged cases, Indian forces targeted the militants of the Jaish-e-Mohammed terror group. India has accused the Pakistani government of aiding and abetting terrorism, and has cautioned its nuclear-armed neighbor that supporting terrorism will not be tolerated. The country will not provoke anyone, but will not leave anyone if provoked, he said. Meanwhile, Pakistan has detained close relatives of Jaish-e-Mohammeds leader, Masood Azhar. Prime Minister Imran Khan declared on Friday that Islamabad will not allow Pakistan's land to be used for any kind of outside terrorism. The most recent strikes set off a tit-for-tat escalation that saw the much-publicized capture and prompt release of Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, as well as outbreaks of shooting and shelling along the heavily militarized border. Like this story? Share it with a friend! (CNN) Defying decades of political tradition, China's most powerful man is going gray. Silver streaks in President Xi Jinping's hair spotted at the annual national legislative session, which began March 5, have captured attention and stirred speculation among China watchers as to what the radical change might mean. In official portraits and in public, top Chinese leaders -- who are usually in their 60s or older -- have long sported impeccable jet-black hair. The apparent use of hair dye is a custom dating back to the era of Mao Zedong, Communist China's founding father. But the trend has become more pronounced since the 1990s. Top leaders want to be seen as "larger than life ... and appear to have a faultless appearance," said Willy Lam, an adjunct professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and a longtime analyst of Chinese politics. "Xi Jinping wants to debunk this tradition to make himself look more like an ordinary Chinese citizen, a man of the people." A softened image This populist image has been carefully cultivated by the Chinese leader since he came to power in late 2012. His poverty alleviation initiatives and massive anti-corruption campaign, which has thus far netted more than a million Communist officials, have made him popular. However, a constitutional amendment that last year paved the way for Xi to rule for life, and an increasingly over-the-top propaganda blitz touting his leadership, have proved controversial. "(Not dyeing his hair) could be a strategy to diminish criticism that he's building a Mao-style personality cult," said Lam. "This is a kind of camouflage strategy to make him look less aristocratic, in the Chinese sense." Amid a slowing economy and rising tensions with the United States, analysts also see the embrace of his natural hair color as a way to dispel periodic rumors about internal challenges to Xi's monopoly on power. "It's a sign of Xi's increasing self-confidence," said Pin Ho, founder and chief executive of Mirror Media Group, a New York-based publishing group focused on Chinese politics. "There is no real threat to his power among the political elite," he added. "Xi is trying to project strength and show that he can look the way he wants." Leaders have traditionally dyed their hair black as a kind of "conformity to a single regimented style as a sign of unison and agreement," observed Hung Huang, a prominent media personality who grew up among the Communist elites in Beijing in the 1960s and '70s. It's one that Xi -- who now clearly stands above everyone else -- no longer needs, she said. The topic appears to have quickly become off-limits on Chinese social media, however, with searches on "Xi Jinping's gray hair" returning no posts or images on a number of platforms. Political signals Observers can already count a growing number of senior officials showing their natural hair color in public. The current gray-hair list includes two of China's most visible figures on the global stage: Vice Premier Liu He, who has been shuttling between Beijing and Washington for the China-US trade talks, and Wang Yi, the country's foreign minister. But the practice has been historically limited to either retired or purged officials, as if to highlight their departure from the apex of power. Analysts say Xi's new look will only inspire more underlings to follow suit. And if past leaders dyed their hair black to illustrate their health and vigor, 65-year-old Xi doesn't seem to have such a need, as one of the youngest Chinese heads of state in recent years. "I don't think youth was something that he was afraid to lose," said Hung. "It's highly possible that such a relaxation of rigidity in (politicians') style, especially to show a bit weariness, is planned and orchestrated to win some sympathy, which they might need." In the opaque world of Chinese politics, leaders' hairstyle and sartorial choices can act as a window into the Communist Party's inner workings. When officials ditched their Mao suits in favor of Western-style suits in the 1980s, it was an unequivocal message about the country's opening to the outside world. Leaders without military backgrounds revert to olive-colored Mao suits when meeting generals and soldiers to bolster their revolutionary creed. In recent years, leaders have attended international gatherings wearing "tangzhuang" -- a traditional-looking Chinese jacket with a straight collar -- to underline cultural heritage and confidence. Black windbreakers continue to be the attire of choice for officials visiting ordinary citizens, showing their affinity to the masses. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Gray leap forward: Xi Jinping shows natural hair color in a rare move for Chinese politics." 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. A popular job site recently released a new advertisement that has an employee walking out of the office after finishing his work. His colleagues taunt him for 'taking a half day' from work. This was despite the individual finishing the day's assignments. Staying longer at the workplace, unfortunately, is equated with being more productive. Just because a company has an 8 hour or 9 hour work day does not mean that an employee must sit around even if there is no work. A 2018 study by Swiss investment bank UBS had said that an average employee in Mumbai works 3,315 hours a year, which is the highest in the world. Out of this how many hours are productive and how many involve employees sitting around because it is considered inappropriate to leave before the others is a question that needs to be asked. A bank chief was known to get fired up if his team leaves office before him. He made his displeasure known by calling them out publicly and asking why the particular individual left 'early'. When such a mandate is initiated from the top, it slowly becomes a part of the company culture to stay back in office without any reason. On the other hand, capital goods major in Mumbai ensures that each employee leaves office at 6 pm, irrespective of whether their work is over or not. The human resource official said that employees should learn to plan their day better and not sit around till the last hour to complete work. While multiple labour laws mandate companies to pay overtime if an employee works beyond 9 hours a day, this is rarely enforced in corporate workplaces. Even working on weekends is no longer a rarity in India Inc. How many of them pay for the additional number of hours clocked in? Less than 20 percent. While an 8-hour workday is a standard timing across companies, employees are well aware of their responsibilities. There could be days where one would have work for 10 hours while on others he/she may get done in 5 hours. Taking this situation into account, does it make sense to have rigid working hours or should employees be allowed to take a call depending on their work areas. There are professions like the armed forces, police, fire services and medical sector where these policies cannot be strictly enforced since these individuals are into emergency services. However, in a non-factory work setting where most of the daily job consists of mental work, there could be early steps to allow employees to maintain work timings as long as their assignments for the day are complete. Trusting the employee is the first step towards freeing the stringent work hour culture. When each employee is given the freedom to choose his/her work timings, the person will automatically be responsible for his job role. The key here then will be, not how many hours one needs to clock, but how to work efficiently to complete the day's tasks and be free to leave once it is done. Unless the job involves an individual being present in the work-site, it does not matter what is the number of hours he/she is required to mandatorily sit in the office. business Explained: India becomes Trumps latest trade target Watch the video to know what does the withdrawal of tariff concessions available to India under the Generalized System of Preferences means for both countries. Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg in his blog post on March 7 spoke about companys way forward, privacy and data storage among others. Zuckerberg said, People want to know their data is stored securely in places they trust. Looking at the future of the internet and privacy, I believe one of the most important decisions we'll make is where we'll build data centers and store people's sensitive data. He further added, As we build our infrastructure around the world, we've chosen not to build data centers in countries that have a track record of violating human rights like privacy or freedom of expression. If we build data centers and store sensitive data in these countries, rather than just caching non-sensitive data, it could make it easier for those governments to take people's information. At a time when countries across the world, including India, are looking at implementing privacy and data protection laws, Zuckerbergs message is clear. You can block us if you want. That's a trade-off we're willing to make, he says. But we are not going to build local data centres just because the government says so. Though he did not imply India specifically, it might as well be the answer to the government's continuous questioning and demands to setup data centres here. From demanding that the US tech giant be put in place with appropriate regulatory mechanisms, to calling for increased transparency while appointing executives in India, the ministry has been coming down on the company pretty strongly. This face-off between Facebook and Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has been happening going on for some time, starting with the circulation of fake news through its messaging platform Whatsapp, which have resulted in violence, and even death. The parliamentary committee on information technology recently asked Facebook about the steps it has taken to curb fake news ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, which according to reports, Facebook's executives were unable to answer. Not too long ago, the Reserve Bank of India mandated that payment solutions providers should store the payment details in India, and banned the ones that failed to do so. Whatsapp payments, after much lobbying, complied and said that it has created an infrastructure to store the data of Indians in India. The government has been coming up policies on data protection and a privacy, which after clearing Cabinet approval, would likely work against these US companies. The policy that takes key learnings from the EUs General Data Protection Regulation, when implemented would require all companies to store sensitive data in India. This means that players like Facebook and Google to open data centre here for data storage. Though these players continue to lobby against the data localisaiton rule, many of them have stated that they would comply with local government policies. India is one of the biggest markets and they cannot afford to lose them. Facebook has 300 million users in India, its biggest market. It has only 210 million users in the US, according to Statista. Given the sheer volume of users, it makes one wonder about the Facebook founders recent opinion about data privacy. Is it a challenge to the government that is hell-bent on making them store their data? The government cannot extradite Nirav Modi just because he has been spotted in London, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson, Raveesh Kumar, told ANI in an interview. He added that all necessary steps are being taken for his extradition. Kumar said that the ministry has been aware of his presence in the UK and the extradition request is under the consideration of the UK government. Raveesh Kumar,MEA: All necessary steps are being taken for the extradition of Nirav Modi. We have been aware of his presence in UK. It(extradition request) is under their(UK Govt) consideration pic.twitter.com/Jvc4H3WEzc ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2019 "We had made a request for extradition to the UK government based on the investigations of the CBI and ED in August last year. Despite what we have seen on television today, the status of the request is the same. It is with the British government. Try to understand how the whole process works. Just because he has been spotted, doesn't mean he will be extradited to India," Kumar further said. His response comes hours after the news of fugitive billionaire diamantaire Nirav Modi, accused in the $2 billion PNB fraud case, living openly in a swanky 8-million pound apartment in London's West End was reported by The Telegraph. Modi, 48, is currently living in a three-bedroom flat occupying half of a floor of the landmark Centre Point tower block, where rent is estimated to cost 17,000 pounds a month, as per the British Daily report. It added that Modi is now involved in a new diamond business. The revelation comes a day after Modi's 30,000 sq ft seaside mansion at Kihim beach in Maharashtra was demolished by authorities using explosives. Exclusive: Telegraph journalists tracked down Nirav Modi, the billionaire diamond tycoon who is a suspect for the biggest banking fraud in India's historyhttps://t.co/PpsjGeFEsy pic.twitter.com/v3dN5NotzQ March 8, 2019 Despite his bank accounts being frozen by the Indian authorities and an Interpol red notice being issued for his arrest, Modi, a diamond jeweller whose designs have been worn by Hollywood stars, is now involved in a new diamond business based in London, the report said. Read: Nirav Modi's Alibaug bungalow to be demolished on March 8 using controlled blasting technique In a video posted by the newspaper, Modi can be seen sporting a handle-bar mustache and wearing an Ostrich Hide jacket, estimated to cost 10,000 pounds. When journalists from the paper questioned him on various issues, including whether he has urged Britain to grant him asylum, Modi ducked them by saying, "Sorry, no comments". A source told the the UK daily that Modi had been given a National Insurance number by the Department for Work and Pensions, meaning he can legally work in Britain, and has used British bank accounts. (With inputs from PTI) Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on March 8 called for defeating the "destructive forces of hatred, the fanatical cries of religious bigotry and the megalomaniac designs of despotic rulers" to ensure peace for promoting the welfare of humankind. He also said that terrorism has emerged as the "biggest threat" to the world peace and India is bearing the impact of this most serious challenge. Naidu made the remarks after receiving an honorary doctorate by the University of Peace founded by the United Nations for his contribution "to the rule of law, democracy and sustainable development in India". He is the first Indian to receive an honorary doctorate from this varsity. In his acceptance speech, Vice President Naidu "called for defeating the destructive forces of hatred, the fanatical cries of religious bigotry and the megalomaniac designs of despotic rulers to ensure peace for promoting the welfare of humankind", said a statement issued by his office. "The ability to appreciate and celebrate the fascinating diversity in thoughts, languages, cultures and religious beliefs is the foundation for our ability to live together. Peace begins with our search for common bonds that unite us rather than when we look for and accentuate the differences," he said, urging the people to see others as their own kin. He called for building a larger collective effort to present a world view drawn from all the major faiths to encourage a greater understanding of the essential tenets that promote peace through promotion of inter-faith understanding. Stating that radicalisation on the basis of religion is gaining ground, Naidu called for combating terrorism with the collective might by breaking its nexus with illicit financial and arms flows. "India's endeavour towards peaceful development has only too often being derailed by cross border terrorism," he said, in an apparent reference to Pakistan, which is accused of providing safe havens to terrorists who carry out attacks in neighbouring countries. Referring to inequalities and exclusion as the major causes of conflict derailing peace, Naidu gave on account of the initiatives taken by India to promote inclusive and sustainable development. Stating that peace is synonymous with development, Naidu said that national fervour and international cooperation shall co-exist and force shall be used only to defend and not to attack. Earlier, Naidu along with Costa Rica Foreign Minister Lorena Aguilar offered floral tribute at Mahatma Gandhi's bust installed in the university campus. India is a founding member of the varsity. The opposition CPI(M) in Tripura on March 8 urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to make sure that no political party takes credit for the air strikes in Pakistan or showcase the killings of CRPF troopers to solicit for votes. A four-member delegation including state secretary Gautam Das, MP Sankar Prasad Datta, secretariat member Naresh Jamtiya and committee member Haripada Das met Chief Electoral Officer Sriram Taranikanti and submitted the memorandum. The memorandum, copies of which were also made available to reporters, said that the present situation in the state was not at all conducive for holding Lok Sabha election in a free and fair manner. The CPI(M) delegation narrated incidents of attacks on its party workers before the Chief Electoral Officer which they claimed were perpetrated by ruling BJP in collusion with the police. Other demands of the party included deployment of paramilitary forces well ahead of the polls and intense patrolling in the booth areas to remove apprehensions of people. "It is evident that violent attacks on the leaders, workers and supporters of the party escalate immediately after election results are out. Thus, the police authority may be directed to take appropriate measures to tackle the anticipated backlash in the post-election period," the memorandum said. The party also demanded reopening of CPI(M) offices in the state, zero discrimination for granting permission for holding party meetings, ensuring proper security to party leaders and poling and counting agents of the party. US President Donald Trump said on March 8 he would be disappointed if Pyongyang were to resume weapons testing and reiterated his belief in his good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un despite the collapse last week of their second summit. "I would be surprised in a negative way if he did anything that was not per our understanding. But we'll see what happens," Trump told reporters. "I would be very disappointed if I saw testing." Trump's comments came after two US think tanks and Seoul's spy agency said this week that North Korea was rebuilding a rocket launch site at Sohae in the west of the country. There have also been reports from South Korea's intelligence service of new activity at a factory at Sanumdong near Pyongyang that produced North Korea's first intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of reaching the United States. On Friday, U.S. National Public Radio quoted experts from California's Middlebury Institute of International Studies as saying that satellite images of Sanumdong taken on Feb. 22 and on Friday suggested North Korea could be preparing to launch a missile or a space rocket. One of the experts, Jeffrey Lewis, told Reuters the activity at the two sites was "probably connected." NPR said the Feb. 22 photos showed cars, trucks, rail cars and two cranes at Sanumdong, while in those taken on Friday, the activity had died down and one of the cranes had disappeared. Other experts, including Joel Wit at 38 North and Michael Elleman of the International Institute for Strategic Studies considered the conclusion speculative. "In the past there have been multiple reports about activity at this place that turned out to be false alarms," Wit said, referring to Sanumdong. "It could either be preparation for an eventual launch or not." The White House, State Department and Pentagon did not immediately respond to requests for comment. North Korea has frozen nuclear and missile testing since 2017, and Trump has pointed to this as a positive outcome from nearly a year of high-level engagement with North Korea. Sohae has been used in the past to test missile engines and to launch rockets that US officials say have helped development of North Korea's weapons programs. A senior US State Department official said on Thursday that any launch from there would be "inconsistent" with North Korean commitments. Kim pledged at a first summit with Trump in Singapore in June that the engine test site and launch platform at Sohae would be dismantled. He repeated the pledge in a summit with the South Korean president in September. Trump said he thought his and the U.S. relationship with Kim and North Korea was "a very good one." "I think it remains good," he said. SUMMIT COLLAPSE Trump has been eager for a big foreign policy win on North Korea which has eluded his predecessors for decades and has repeatedly stressed his good relationship with Kim. He went as far late last year as saying that they "fell in love," but the bonhomie has failed to bridge the wide gap between the two sides and a second summit between them collapsed last week in Vietnam over differences on US demands for Kim to give up his nuclear weapons and North Korea's demands for sanctions relief. US National Security Adviser John Bolton and other U.S. officials have sought to play down the developments spotted at Sohae, although Trump on March 7 called recent North Korean activity "disappointing." The senior State Department official who briefed reporters in Washington on Thursday said he would "not necessarily share the conclusion" of the think tanks that the Sohae site was operational again, but said any use of it would be seen as "backsliding" on commitments to Trump. Pyongyang has used Sohae to launch satellites into space since 2011, and one such launch in April 2012 killed off an Obama administration deal for a freeze in North Korean nuclear and missile testing in return for food aid. North Korean state media acknowledged the fruitless Hanoi summit for the first time on march 8, saying people were blaming the United States for the lack of an agreement. "The public at home and abroad that had hoped for success and good results from the second ... summit in Hanoi are feeling regretful, blaming the US for the summit that ended without an agreement," its Rodong Sinmun newspaper said. The paper directed fiery rhetoric against Japan, accusing it of being "desperate to interrupt" relations between Pyongyang and Washington and "applauding" the breakdown of the summit. Washington has said it is open to more talks with North Korea, but it has rejected an incremental approach to negotiations sought by Pyongyang and it remains unclear when the two sides might meet again. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Monday he was hopeful he would send a delegation to North Korea for more talks in the next couple of weeks, but had received "no commitment yet." The senior State Department official who briefed reporters on Thursday declined to say whether there had been direct contact between the sides since the summit. He said Washington was keen to resume talks as soon as possible, but North Korea's negotiators needed to be given more latitude. "There will necessarily need to be a period of reflection here. Both sides are going to have to digest the outcome to the summit," said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "Fundamentally, where we really need to see the progress, and we need to see it soon, is on meaningful and verifiable steps on denuclearisation. That's our goal and that's how we see these negotiations picking up momentum." The official said complete denuclearisation was the condition for North Korea's integration into the global economy, a transformed relationship with the United States and a permanent peace regime on the Korean peninsula. Bolton, who has argued for a tough approach to North Korea, said this week that Trump was open to more talks, but also warned of tougher sanctions if North Korea did not denuclearize. Representative Image An unmanned capsule from Elon Musk's SpaceX splashed into the Atlantic Ocean on March 8, successfully completing a mission crucial to NASA's long-delayed quest to resume human space flight from US soil later this year. After a six-day mission to the International Space Station, Crew Dragon detached at about 2:30 a.m EST (0730 GMT) and sped back to earth, reaching hypersonic speeds before an 8:45 a.m. EST (1345 GMT) splash-down about 200 miles (320 km) off the Florida coast. A SpaceX rocket launched the 16-foot-tall (4.9-meter) capsule from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida last Saturday. "Everything happened just perfectly, right on time the way that we expected it to," Benjamin Reed, SpaceX's director of crew mission management, said in a live stream from California. It was a crucial milestone in the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Commercial Crew Program ahead of SpaceX's first crewed test flight slated to launch in July with US astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken. "This really is an American achievement that spans many generations of NASA administrators and over a decade of work," said current Administrator Jim Bridenstine. Steve Stich, the crew program's deputy manager with NASA, said the vehicle was doing well after the splash-down. The capsule, which was lifted out of the water by a boat using a crane, is due back on land by March 10. The live stream showed its protective shell had been weathered from intense heat during re-entry. The mission carried 400 pounds (180 kg) of test equipment to the space station, including a dummy named Ripley outfitted with sensors around its head, neck, and spine to monitor how a flight would feel for a human. The space station's three-member crew greeted the capsule last Sunday, with US astronaut Anne McClain and Canadian astronaut David Saint-Jacques entering Crew Dragon's cabin to carry out air quality tests and inspections. NASA has awarded SpaceX and Boeing Co a total of $6.8 billion to build competing rocket and capsule systems to launch astronauts into orbit from American soil, something not possible since the US Space Shuttle was retired from service in 2011. Results from this mission will determine whether SpaceX can stick to its current 2019 test schedule following previous development delays for the Hawthorne, California-based company and Boeing. "I don't think we saw really anything in the mission so far - we've got to do the data reviews - that would preclude us from having a crewed mission later this year," Stich said. The launch systems are aimed at ending US reliance on Russian Soyuz rockets for $80 million-per-seat rides to the $100 billion orbital research laboratory, which flies about 250 miles (400 km) above earth. NASA resumed talks with Russia's space agency Roscosmos in February seeking two additional Soyuz seats for 2020 to maintain a US presence on the space station. The short-notice solicitation, posted on Feb. 13, "provides flexibility and back-up capability" as the companies build their rocket-and-capsule launch systems. Boeing's Starliner crew capsule is poised to launch its maiden unmanned mission in April ahead of an August test flight carrying US astronauts Michael Fincke, Chris Ferguson and Nicole Mann. Bridenstine told Reuters the cost per seat on the Boeing or SpaceX systems would be lower than for the shuttle or Soyuz. Privately owned SpaceX, also known as Space Exploration Technologies Corp, was founded in 2002 by Musk, who is also a co-founder of electric car maker Tesla Inc. Representational picture The slow-moving UN Security Council reform is a "very divisive" and "contentious" issue and all the member States have to walk the extra mile as they work on divergences and commonalities to ensure the process does not become a "zero sum game", General Assembly President Maria Fernanda Espinosa has said. India has been at the forefront of efforts at the UN to push for an urgent long-pending reform of the Security Council, emphasising that it rightly deserves a place at the UN high table as a permanent member. The Security Council reform "is very much a member State driven process. My role as President is to accompany, to lead, to make sure that the process continues, to make sure that it is inclusive and that it is transparent," Espinosa said at a press briefing here on Friday. She was responding to a question by PTI on the long-pending reform of the powerful 15-nation UN organ, with little progress 10 years after the Inter-Governmental Negotiations (IGN) began. "It is not an easy issue. I want to be very open and frank with you. It is very divisive, it is contentious," she said. Espinosa had appointed Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Luxembourg to the UN Christian Braun and Permanent Representative of the United Arab Emirates to the UN Lana Nusseibeh as Co-Chairs of the Intergovernmental Negotiations on UN Security Council reform. She described the two co-chairs as "excellent" and lauded them for putting a lot of effort and working, engaging with all member States in "trying to pull together the different positions, trying to look at the commonalities to see how we can tackle the issue in order to avoid the zero sum game". In January this year, India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin said at an informal meeting of the Plenary on the Intergovernmental negotiations on the question of increase in the membership of the Security Council that no process known to UN members had traversed "winding pathways" in the manner as the Security Council reform process had. "In terms of length, it is unparalleled. In terms of inertia too, it has no peer," Akbaruddin had said, noting that it has been an "arduous journey" given that it has been more than 10 years since the start of the IGN process in 2008. Espinosa acknowledged that people were getting "impatient" after 10 years of the IGN but said "this is the process we have and I think that we have to make sure that the process continues, that all member States engage and we pull a little bit, we push and push and walk the extra mile". She, however, did not give a direct reply to a question on when the Council will get reformed and on her expectations from countries such as India, Germany and Japan seeking to become the permanent members of the Council. "Sometimes, perhaps I shouldn't be saying this because I'm supposed to be neutral, but sometimes we see the Security Council reform as an either/or and a black and white issue but there are so many things that we can do to improve the Security Council working methods and we can do it now without any major changes," she said. Espinosa said she had a "lot of hope" on what the 10 elected members of the Council were doing. "I think that they (elected 10 members) are de-facto making some meaningful changes in improving the working methods and the transparency of the Security Council," she said. Akbaruddin said last week that while the world was not what it was when the reform process began, the objections to moving forward remain the same. "While the global challenges of the 21st century have multiplied, we remain divided even about the process to adopt in order to move forward," he had said. Akbaruddin also said that on the issue of 'Categories of Membership', a total of 113 Member States, out of 122 who submitted their positions in the Framework Document, support the expansion in both the permanent and non-permanent membership categories of the Council. France, which assumed the rotating presidency of the Council in March, has reiterated its support for India, Germany and Japan as permanent members of an expanded Council, saying enlargement of the powerful UN organ in both permanent and non-permanent categories is the "first crucial part" towards the UNSC reform. France has maintained that if the crises of recent times have confirmed the centrality of the UN, they have also reinforced the need to make the organisation more effective and more representative of the current balances in the world. "That is why France pushes for the expansion of the Security Council by supporting the accession to a permanent seat of Germany, Brazil, India, Japan, as well as a greater presence of African countries," according to the Permanent Mission of France. March 09, 2019 Venezuela - Three Total Blackouts In Three Days - Government Presumes U.S. Cyberattack Venezuela currently experiences multiple total outages of its electricity network. It is quite possible or even likely that the U.S. is causing these incidents. But it is not certain. Shit happens and so do long blackouts: The Northeast blackout of 2003 was a widespread power outage throughout parts of the Northeastern and Midwestern United States and the Canadian province of Ontario on August 14, 2003, beginning just after 4:10 p.m. EDT. Some power was restored by 11 p.m. Most did not get their power back until two days later. In other areas, it took nearly a week or two for power to be restored. [...] The outage, which was much more widespread than the Northeast Blackout of 1965, affected an estimated 10 million people in Ontario and 45 million people in eight U.S. states. The blackout's primary cause was a software bug in the alarm system at the control room of FirstEnergy, an Akron, Ohiobased company, causing operators to remain unaware of the need to re-distribute load after overloaded transmission lines drooped into foliage. What should have been a manageable local blackout cascaded into collapse of the entire electric grid. When the northeast blackout happened no one blamed President Bush or socialism for the outage. Bringing an electricity grid back into full and balanced operation is quite difficult because power generation and consumption must always be balanced. Restoration can only be done gradually. It is a complicate process and takes time. The Guri Dam hydro electric power station produces up to 10,235 megawatt. It provides 70-80% of all electricity used in Venezuela. bigger On Thursday afternoon local time the Guri Dam system failed: NetBlocks.org @netblocks - 22:04 utc - 7 Mar 2019 Urgent: Network measurements show extraordinary nationwide impact as #Venezuela is knocked offline amid power outages from 8:55 PM UTC (4:55 PM VET); incident ongoing #7Mar #SinLuz netblocks.org/reports/ven ... The blackout affected 18 out of 23 states in Venezuela with some 25 million people. It took 24 hours for some power to come back. It would have taken another day or two for the network to again reach full capacity. But today another total outage happened: NetBlocks.org @netblocks - 16:10 utc - 9 Mar 2019 Urgent: Second national power outage detected across #Venezuela; real-time data shows 96% of country now offline #SinLuz #ApagonNacional #9Mar netblocks.org/reports/second .. The internet connectivity of a country if often an excellent indicator for power outages. Mobile towers, routers and switches need electricity. bigger The graph shows a total of three outages over now three days. The last incident might have been caused as a side effect of a previous outage, by recovery attempts or by a separate sabotage act: Reports and videos of an explosion at the SIDOR steel company hydroelectric sub-station in Puerto Ordaz, Guayana started to circulate on social media shortly after the latest disruption was detected, indicating a cause for the new outage. Unverified videos show a burning transformer at a larger substation. When the first outage happened U.S. Senator Marco Rubio eagerly mocked the government of Venezuela. He also mentioned that some backup generators failed: Marco Rubio @marcorubio - 22:18 utc - 7 Mar 2019 ALERT: Reports of a complete power outage all across #Venezuela at this moment. 18 of 23 states & the capital district are currently facing complete blackouts. Main airport also without power & backup generators have failed. #MaduroRegime is a complete disaster. After the first outage the government of Venezuela said that it was caused by a cyberattack on the automated control system but gave no further details: Communications Minister Jorge Rodriguez said Maduro's government planned to bring "proof" of US involvement in the blackout to a UN Human Rights envoy who is set to visit the country in the coming days. Rodriguez pointed to the Rubio tweet: 'How did Marco Rubio know that backup generators had failed? At that time, no one knew that,' the Bolivarian government official asked. The Venezuelan government should contact the Russian cybersecurity specialists at Kaspersky Lab who are well known for detecting U.S. produced malware like the one used for the Stuxnet attack on Iran's uranium enrichment plant. Kaspersky is highly respected in the international cybersecurity scene. Should it confirm that a U.S. attack malware caused the problem the U.S. will find it difficult to deny. Elliot Abrams, convicted for lying to Congress in two cases and Trump's current henchmen for 'regime change' in Venezuela, denied U.S. responsibility: This is a multiyear decline in Venezuela, Mr. Abrams said. The situation there, due to the mismanagement, the economic policies and the sheer corruption of this regime, are the cause of those problems. In 2003, during the northeast blackout, Mr. Abrams was a special assistant to President G.W. Bush. He did not blame "the mismanagement, the economic policies and the sheer corruption" the Bush regime when that much larger outage happened. It is quite possible that the U.S. is causing the outages in Venezuela's network. The second total outage yesterday and the third today could be explained by a malware hidden within the control system of the whole network or in some important side components. It took the Iranian government months to find the malware that again and again crashed its uranium centrifuges. Simply restarting the control systems did not help. The U.S. is well know for cyberattacks as well as for attacks on electricity networks. In 2012 it knocked Syria off the internet when it 'bricked' the central router in Syria while attempting to install malware. In 2015 it systematically bombed Syria's power plants. The CIA and other U.S. agencies have been quite active in Venezuela for a long time. In 2017 then CIA director Mike Pompeo admitted that he was tying to get others on board for 'regime change': In one of the clearest clues yet about Washingtons latest meddling in the politics of Latin America, CIA director Mike Pompeo said he was hopeful that there can be a transition in Venezuela and we the CIA is doing its best to understand the dynamic there. He added: I was just down in Mexico City and in Bogota a week before last talking about this very issue, trying to help them understand the things they might do so that they can get a better outcome for their part of the world and our part of the world. In preparation for the 1973 coup against Allende in Chile the U.S. also caused blackouts. Back then the New York Times reported: SANTIAGO, Chile, Aug. 13 A power cut brought a total blackout here as President Salvador Allende Gossens was in the middle of a nationwide address on the country's political crisis. ... The electricity went off at 10:15 P.M., 35 minutes after President Allende had begun to speak, citing long list of recent acts of terrorism and sabotage that he attributed to fascist opposition. He went back on the air, The Associated Press reported, as power was beginning to be restored in some areas, and said that the blackout could have been either a technically explicable failure or a fascist attack. The news agency said that unidentified saboteurs blew up an electricpower transmission line outside the city, attributing the information to Fernando Figueroa, general manager of the state power system. It wasn't just the "fascist opposition" but the CIA behind it that caused the chaos: As described in the Church Committee report, the CIA was involved in multiple plots designed to remove Allende .. [...] [T]he CIA, with the approval of the 40 Committee, attempted to bribe the Chilean legislature, tried to influence public opinion against Allende, and provided funding to strikes designed to coerce him into resigning. [...] In addition, the CIA gave extensive support for black propaganda against Allende, channeled mostly through El Mercurio. Financial assistance was also given to Allende's political opponents, and for organizing strikes and unrest to destabilize the government. On February 24, after the 'humanitarian aid' stunt at the Colombian border failed, we foresaw that such incidents would happen: U.S. Vice President Mike Pence will arrive in Colombia tomorrow to tell Guaido how to proceed. The focus will most likely be on how to start a sabotage campaign and a low level guerrilla war within Venezuela. Both will certainly hurt the country and its people but they are unlikely to achieve the larger "regime change" aim. A U.S. cyberattack on Venezuela's power grid will have taken some time to implement. One first has to understand a system before one can sabotage it without leaving obvious fingerprints. If the U.S. is involved in these incidents, it is likely that it prepared for this months if not years ago. Attacks on electricity networks affect the civilian population. Hospitals are hard to run without electricity. Lives are endangered. Both , the Obama and the Trump administration, rejected international attempts to ban cyberattacks that "indiscriminate or systemic harm to individuals and critical infrastructure": All members of the European Union signed the agreement. Australia and Turkey joined the United States in declining. ... Israel, which along with the United States conducted the most sophisticated cyberattack in history, the Stuxnet attack on Irans nuclear enrichment program, also declined to sign. The U.S. also rejected an agreement that would ban cyber manipulation of elections. The given reasons are of interest: [T]he United States has interfered in foreign elections before, including Italy in the 1940s and Iran and Latin America in the 1950s and 1960s, and some officials say that no American president should be forced to give up that tool if it could prevent a war. Similarly, the Pentagon worries about commitments to avoid using cyberattacks as a prelude to military action. The United States had a secret program, code-named Nitro Zeus, which called for turning off the power grid in much of Iran if the two countries had found themselves in a conflict over Irans nuclear program. Such a use of cyberweapons is now a key element in war planning by all of the major world powers. It will take a cyberattack on vital U.S. systems with long lasting effects to change its malicious standpoint and behavior. Posted by b on March 9, 2019 at 18:01 UTC | Permalink Comments next page next page Financially struggling Venezuela must pay Houston's ConocoPhillips $8.7 billion for the government's expropriation of the company's investments in Venezuela more than a decade ago, a legal dispute arm of the World Bank ruled Friday. The new tribunal ruling keeps a focus on Houston-based Citgo Petroleum, the multibillion-dollar U.S.-based refining arm of Venezuela. Citgo is considered the top prize for companies that Venezuela owes billions of dollars if the country can't afford to pay in cash installments. The new ruling is even more troubling news for the socialist nation that's already undergoing a geopolitical and financial crisis, as well as a fight over the nation's leadership with President Nicolas Maduro being challenged by opposition leader Juan Guaido, who's declared himself as interim president. A massive power outage even swept across much of Venezuela on Thursday. And Venezuela, an oil-rich nation, is producing just more than 1 million barrels of crude a day, the lowest volumes in roughly three decades. The World Bank's International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes previously ruled in ConocoPhillips' favor in 2013, but the financial award of $8.7 billion wasn't determined until Friday. RELATED: Board, named by Venezuelan opposition, takes control at Citgo "We welcome the ICSID tribunal's decision, which upholds the principle that governments cannot unlawfully expropriate private investments without paying compensation," said ConocoPhillips General Counsel Kelly Rose. Venezuela can still contest the ruling. A separate tribunal last year awarded ConocoPhillips $2 billion from Venezuela, and they reached a settlement involving an initial $500 million payment last year with additional quarterly payments through 2022. However, it will be much harder for Venezuela to pay the newer and larger penalties in cash, even on a delayed payment system. And that's where assets like Citgo come into play. Other companies also are seeking penalty payments from Venezuela, so there are no simple legal answers. And Russia's Rosneft holds a lien over Citgo as collateral for its loans to Venezuela's state oil company. With the White House's support, the opposition leadership in Venezuela recently appointed a new board of directors and interim leadership for Citgo, ousting the top Maduro loyalists. In a recent interview before the new tribunal ruling, ConocoPhillips Chairman and CEO Ryan Lance acknowledged he's eyeing the proceedings with Citgo. "We're really watching it closely because it's a considerable asset for the Venezuelans," Lance said. "It does represent an asset that's held in ownership of the Venezuelans outside of their country, so everybody is trying to focus on that and figure out where the pecking order stands for the value of those assets." Lance added, "It's safe to say any asset they own outside of Venezuela we are very aware of, and that includes Citgo." Lance acknowledged the plight of feeling concern for Venezuela's citizens while also having to fight for ConocoPhillips' interests. "Unfortunately the country is in an awful state right now. It's not the citizens' fault, but it's the government's fault for kind of leading them astray from our perspective," he said. "We're using all the tools we can to make sure we get our fair share back out of what's due to us for taking some pretty significant assets away from the company." WINCHESTER A man stabbed Tuesday in Winchester now is facing arrest. An arrest warrant was served Friday on Matthew Richardson, 39, accusing him of domestic battery and violation of an order of protection, Scott County States Attorney Michael Hill said. The Scott County Sheriffs Department declined to say whether Richardson was in custody. The sheriffs department denied a Journal-Courier Freedom of Information Act request for reports on the incident, citing the ongoing investigation. The newspaper plans to appeal the decision. Richardson was stabbed behind The Pitt Stop restaurant in downtown Winchester just before noon Tuesday. Mayor Rex McIntire and a corrections officer helped him into City Hall, where staff called 911 and helped control the bleeding. The rear of the restaurant at 12 E. Cross St. is adjacent to City Hall. Illinois State Police and Hills office have been investigating the incident but have released few details. The person who stabbed Richardson had not been arrested Friday afternoon, Hill said, adding that he could not release more details because he had not received police reports. A statement Hills office released Wednesday said the stabbing was the result of a physical altercation among three people. I have the blueprint to the ... Calaveras County Sheriff's Office View Photos San Andreas, CA Three members of the Calaveras County Sheriffs Office are moving up the ranks. Nineteen year veteran of the force, Lt. Rachelle Whiting, will take on the role of Division Commander in the custody bureau at the county jail. Sgt. Ken Grognet, with fifteen years, moves to the position of Detective Sergeant supervising the detectives in the investigations division. Finally, with three years on the force, Corporal Brain Cockey has been assigned to the patrol division to take on the job of training new deputy sheriffs. Sheriff Rick DiBasilio announced the promotions this week and provided these details: Lieutenant Rachelle Whiting has been with the Sheriffs Office for 19 years. She graduated from Calaveras High School, then went on to San Diego State University where she earned her Bachelors degree in Business Management. She holds numerous certificates from the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training. Ms. Whiting started working as a Community Service Officer for a law enforcement agency in San Diego. She returned to Calaveras County and started her employment for the Calaveras County Sheriffs Office in the jail as a Correctional Officer where she excelled. Ms. Whiting transferred to the Patrol Division where she worked as a Deputy Sheriff. She later became a Field Training Officer training new Deputy Sheriffs. Ms. Whiting later became a Detective working inside of the Investigations Division until she was promoted to Sergeant. As a Sergeant, she supervised both Patrol Shifts, Dispatch, OES and later the Detective Division. Lieutenant Whiting has been a long time member of the Hostage Negotiations Team (HNT). During her tenure as a Hostage Negotiator Ms. Whiting has successfully resolved several very dangerous life threatening situations. Ms. Whitings actions and her efforts in this area have been nothing short of heroic. Lt. Whiting established the Sheriffs Office Peer Support Program within the Sheriffs Office which provides support to employees. She became a CVSA examiner in 2005. Lt. Whiting has received several awards and commendations from the Sheriffs Office including the Deputy Sheriff of the Year in 2003 and Unit Citation Awards. Lt. Whiting was most recently assigned as the Recruiting/FTO Sergeant and she worked as the Sheriffs Office Public Information Officer (PIO). Lieutenant Whiting will be assigned to the Jail as a Division Commander in the Custody Bureau. Sergeant Ken Grognet has been with the Sheriffs Office for 15 years. Mr. Grognet is a graduate of Summerville High School and holds a degree in General Education Studies. Sergeant Grognet has been assigned Patrol Division as a Deputy Sheriff. Mr. Grognet was a Field Training Officer where he trained new Deputy Sheriffs. Mr. Grognet became a CVSA examiner in 2007. Mr. Grognet has worked on the Off Highway Vehicle Program as well as Search and Rescue. Mr. Grognet later transferred to the Investigations Division where he has been working as a Detective. Sergeant Grognet is also a Search and Rescue Coordinator. Mr. Grognet has received a Search and Rescue Award. Sergeant Grognet will remain in the Investigations Division as the Detective Sergeant Supervising the Detectives. Corporal Brian Cockey has been with the Sheriffs Office for just under 3 years. Prior to this Mr. Cockey worked in Animal Services for Modesto PD. Mr. Cockey has worked in both the Patrol Division and as a Deputy Sheriff Assigned to a Probation Team for monitoring criminal offenders released from prison/jail. Mr. Cockey is a certified Taser Instructor and is also a member of the Dive Team and Hostage Negotiations Team (HNT). Corporal Cockey will be assigned to the Patrol Division to train new Deputy Sheriffs. Texas Rep. Dan Crenshaw stunned Avengers star Chris Evans on Friday during his visit to the Congressman's office. In a photo posted to Twitter, the Houston representative lifted his eye patch revealing the Captain America shield on the glass eye. Crenshaw who was a former Navy SEAL lost his eye after an enemy bomb went off in Afghanistan. READ MORE: SNL's Pete Davidson received support from unlikely friend: TX Rep. Dan Crenshaw Evans who plays the Marvel superhero retweeted the photo of him and Texas Republican saying "a very cool use of vibranium." Vibranium is what is used to make Captain America's shield, according to the comics. Crenshaw made headlines during last fall's midterm election when Saturday Night Live Pete Davidson mocked the Congressman for suggesting he looked like "a hit man in a porno movie." The comment sparked backlash and later Davidson apologized to Crenshaw when the Houston Rep. appeared on SNL. Candice.Garcia@express-news.net | Twitter @_candicegarcia A man accused of attempting to steal basket loads of electronics from a Target after the store closed and then running from an officer who was arresting him in January received two new charges Friday. Jacob Anthony Ramirez, 27, is charged with escape and criminal mischief between $2,500 and $30,000. He was already in jail for burglary of a building with intent to commit theft. His bail totals $31,000. The most glaring missing piece from the city of San Antonios proposed Climate Action and Adaptation Plan directly impacts the three pillars that define sustainability: economic, environmental and social factors. Namely, there is no discussion or consideration of replacing the citys long-standing urban planning model, which defines success in business terms rather than in socioeconomic terms . This model focuses and invests heavily on a built environment an economic growth agenda with the objective of becoming a metroplex. It is with pride that city leadership announces that San Antonio is one of the fastest growing cities in the nation, a place where demand shows no sign of slowing. But we now have a runaway-train situation as a result, and changing course to address real, critical needs of the community will take courage, dedication and political will, which are currently missing. Untold tens of millions in public subsidies over many years has assured this manufactured urbanization scheme, which has included an aggressive annexation plan. Instead of promoting and sustaining a natural rate of urbanization in which the supply side keeps up with the demand side of the equation we have public officials intervening in the marketplace to artificially build out and away from the city core. This happens because success equates to accommodating the commercial real estate industry. After all, we are city that nurtures entrepreneurship, encourages investment, and funds infrastructure, all mentioned in the plan. Todays SA Tomorrow vision captures this construct clearly. In many ways, this call in the climate plan to put a brake on the citys long-range plan to double its size in 25 years comes too late. Decisions have been made, and more will be made soon, to maintain this heavily subsidized public infrastructure agenda, directly contributing (and contradicting) the purported concern for greenhouse gas emissions. Is city leadership courageous enough to recognize its direct role in accelerating harmful climate-related impacts and outcomes? With respect to the plans pleas for recognizing history to solve for the future, this requires an understanding of the historical legacies, structures, and policies that have resulted in and continue to perpetuate racial and economic inequities in San Antonio. These set the foundation for San Antonio to become one of the most economically segregated cities in the country. Yet, I see no course correction, analysis or policy ideas to address this reality at City Hall. In fact, neither the mayor, council members or city manager have addressed this situation head-on. I see no movement to address economic segregation either. Addressing economic segregation means replacing the citys urban planning model and, in its stead, formulating a sustainable socioeconomic framework in which success is measured by metrics that eliminate our standing as a poor, economically segregated city. That means raising standards of living and quality-of-life outcomes in real terms. Instead, we will continue to succeed in business terms, irreversibly experiencing rising costs of living, gentrification and displacement, and greater harm to seniors, those on limited incomes, young adults, renters, those with special needs and those living in concentrated poverty, which, in our last census count, rose 8 percent. I constantly see recycled statistics and indicators about our conditions, but I do not see a real interest in discussing, debating and prioritizing how these challenges can best be tackled and in having a real strategic plan to achieve real socioeconomic results. Where is this competence and expertise? A segregationist past and attention to a white population (that) had the lowest concentration of people living in high poverty neighborhoods suggests a black-white racial agenda, accounting for a historical and current divide. I note, however, that since 1981, San Antonio replaced its at-large voting system with one having 10 council districts assuring for greater equity representation at City Hall. Since that time, at least five of the 11 council members have been of Hispanic origin. This means that with one additional vote, this minority group would have effective control in the formulation of public policies to address these inequities. Yet no discussion takes place to better understand their role in policy outcomes in socioeconomic terms. If we continue to see structural inequities, where have Hispanics failed in their capacity to seek greater public outcomes? The answer lies in the fact that Hispanics in elected/appointed office have continued with the old business structure culture, one which favors a strong built environment agenda, and thereby sustaining and maintaining the status quo. In short, the citys urban planning model has remained in place, contributing to our widening socioeconomic divide. There is no consideration or discussion of viable alternative planning concepts or frameworks. We hear and see the illusion of growth, progress and prosperity, yet we remain a poor city. Some voices are underrepresented in city processes these populations may not see solutions that work for them in city-led responses to climate change, according to the climate plan. But this reality will remain in place unless and until better key stakeholders are invited to the table. The city assures its long-term vision by having influential community members, and business and institutional partners, who are well-connected in policy formulation, financing and the citys long-term planning vision. This component needs greater consideration for truer equity to occur. In the plans glossary section, equity is left out. I would pay attention to what this term means in the context of the discussion above. Fernando Centeno specializes in community economic development strategies. He has a master's degree of education, and in administration, planning and social policy from Harvard University. This commentary comes from a a letter he wrote to the citys Sustainability Office. He can be reached at fcenteno@satx.rr.com OPPOSITION MDC leader Nelson Chamisa wants sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by Western powers to be removed but wants President Emmerson Mnangagwa to sort out his mess first. Zimbabwe under former President Robert Mugabe was slapped with sanctions over allegations of human rights abuses which have since been renewed under Mnangagwa. The US and the European Union argue little has changed under Mnangagwa since he took charged following the November 2017 coup. Chamisa told members of his partys womens assembly who had gathered to commemorate this years 112th International Womens Day in Chitungwiza south-west of the capital. The celebrations are running under the theme: Think equal, build smart, innovate for change. Chamisa revealed he would also want to see the sanctions removed but argued Mnangagwa has no moral authority to call for the lifting of the targeted measures. I am also hurt by these sanctions imposed on this country. I am saying sanctions must go but, for sanctions to go certain behaviour must go. America is saying for us to bail you out; Zimbabwe must be accountable and responsible, said Chamisa. The 41 year-old lawyer chided Mnangagwa for splashing half a million dollars to a US firm contracted to do public relations work for the Zanu PF leaders administration. You do not need all that but, just do the right thing and cleanse yourself from evil deeds. We want sanctions to go but, we want all bad habits such as civilian killings, deploying soldiers in streets and unnecessary arrests of opposition members done away with, Chamisa told cheering supporters. Two weeks ago Chamisa told supporters in Gweru that he would want Mnangagwa to agree to an arrangement in which they alternate to lead the country and Friday he seemed to repeat his plea. Mnangagwa must give us an opportunity to change things in this country, if someone accuses you of bad behaviour why can you not change your arrogance; five things need to be corrected in this country for progress sake. We will not waste time with financial issues. I have told his government about the economics of this country but, they do not listen. We have credible bankable alternatives, said Chamisa. The opposition leader insists he won last years presidential elections despite his challenge at the Constitutional Court being thrown out for lack of merit. Chamisa continues to demand that Mnangagwa cedes power to those who won. He said the countrys groaning because of Zanu PFs sordid past. We are in pain, (but) if we implement our reforms, we are done with all these challenges. You (Mnangagwa) are not trusted because of your past record. Even the Chinese and Russians will not support you despite the public smiles because they dont trust him, he said. Mnangagwa has demanded that the sanctions be removed because they are hurting Zimbabweans. The Zanu PF leader has received support from Sadc and the African Union. NewZimbabwe Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News Douglas Mwonzora is an advocate who studied at Goromonzi High and later went to the University of Zimbabwe were he studied law. At the University Mwonzora studied constitunal law and was instrumental in writing the ZUM constitution. (ZUM was a political party formed by the late Edgar Tekere in 1985 to challenge Mugabes Zanu PF dream of a one party state) This escapade resulted in him in being incarcerated for more than 34 days by Robert Mugabes regime making him the opposition leader to be jailed for a long time in Zimbabwe. He went on to join the MDC on its formation in 1999 and was also instrumental in the writing of the MDC constitution. Mwonzora as a constitutional lawyer is an excellent guy. In 2007 he was Co-Vice Chairman of COPAC with Munyaradzi Paul Mangwana of Zanu PF . Together they did a great job and saw the birth of the current constitution of Zimbabwe. Despite all these notable achievements I still believe Douglas Mwonzora cannot be a President either of his party or country. This I would state why in this article. During the 2013 parliamentary election Mwonzora lost his Nyanga North seat to Zanu PF. He contested the result citing a lot of irregularities and the Constitutional court threw out his petition. In 2014 during the MDC elective congress Mwonzora was Nominated by Manicaland province only for the position of Secretary General which had been left by Tendai Biti who had proceeded to form his political party. His rival Nelson Chamisa who was the Kuwadzana Member of Parliament was nominated by all the remaining provinces. Although Mwonzora brew a shocker by defeating his rival by 2, 464 votes against 1,756 votes I still believe that Mwonzora cant be a President in any capacity. It was stated Mwonzora as the custodian of the MDC constitution in his capacity as the Secretary General failed to uphold the constitution. Mwonzora as the secretary General stated that the MDC council erred when they appointed Chamisa as acting president on the eve of Tsvangirais death but went on to do nothing about it. His inaction allowed the status quo to continue. Mwonzora allowed this unconstitutionalism to continue because of his personal ego. To him Chamisa was the best to beat come the next congress. Such a self fulfilling leader cannot be allowed to lead the country or the MDC as a president. He was planning all along to wrestle power from Chamisa. To me this is treasonous. Such a selfish and self conscious individual cannot be allowed to lead. Mwonzora as a constitutional lawyer who has spent all his life writing the constitution should be appointed a Supreme Court Judge instead of being president. Mwonzora was told to write the ZUM constitution and he did well. He was then asked to write the MDC Constitution and did it splendidly. Finally he was asked to write the new Zimbabwean Constitution and he did it very well. As a writer and used to following orders I think Mwonzoras rightful place is at the Supreme Court bench were he would be guided and given orders not as a president. Mwonzora as the secretary general failed to uphold the MDC Constitution and allowed Chamisa to make blunders without using his authority as a constitutional lawyer and secretary general of the party to enforce the partys constitution. This he did because he is selfish, ambitious and does not have Zimbabwe at heart. He allowed the mistakes to prevail in order to address his personal ego. Such an egoistic leader cant be president in any form. His true colors are now showing and letting such an individual to be the President of MDC and let alone the president of Zimbabwe would be the worst mistake that people can make. Mwonzora is always speaking out of his brain and has a hard time connecting with an ordinary person and lacks charisma at best. He has a tall stature befitting a President but he lacks the qualities of a people person. He is also a plotter and sacrifices stability of the whole in order to survive his political career. He must be out of politics because he makes a devilish politician who is focused on self aggrandisement rather than the core. Without politics Mwonzora would be a fine gentleman building the country by following orders of the law as judge. To sum up my argument I implore that Mwonzora should be appointed to the Supreme Court bench. He indeed cannot be president of Zimbabwe or the MDC. He should be given a job on the bench by Mnangagwa. I rest my case. MTT (MDC Truth Trumpeter) Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News A DIRECTOR with Smart Express buses was last week arrested by detectives from the Minerals, Flora and Fauna Unit in Chiadzwa, Marange after he was found in possession of 11 pieces of diamonds. Apart from unlawfully possessing the precious stones, Charles Makosi (37) of House Number 13 Longmore Crescent, Palmerstone is facing a kidnapping charge after he allegedly sped off with one of the detectives who got into his car during the arrest. However, Makosis lawyer, Mr Victor Chinzamba of Mugadza and Chinzamba Legal Practitioners said the detectives picked the diamonds from somewhere and planted them on his client. He accused the detectives of corruption. Makosi, who is out on $200 bail with reporting conditions, appeared before Mr Lazarus Murendo last Saturday for contravening Section 3 (1) of the Precious Stones Trade Act Chapter 21:06 and Section 93 (1)(a) of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act Chapter 09: 23. Public prosecutor Mr Nyasha Mukonyora told the court that the suspect was arrested on February 28 at Tenda Business Centre in Chiadzwa. On the day in question at around 5.30pm, Detective Assistant Inspector Dliwe Mpofu received information to the effect that the accused person was in illegal possession of diamonds at the business centre driving an Isuzu smart cab (ADL 5258). Det Ass Insp Mpofu teamed up with sergeants Elliot Muchariona, Isheunesu Magune and constable Collen Chidhakwa and made investigations. The police detectives managed to intercept the accused who was seated in his vehicle with another accomplice, Pedzisai Kurehwatira, who ran away. The cops introduced themselves to the suspect by showing him their identity cards and advised them of their mission. Kurehwatira tried to open the vehicles door in a bid to run away but he was intercepted by Ass Insp Mpofu who quickly got into the vehicle as well. When this was happening the accused person took a plastic sachet which was in the vehicles glove box and threw it outside. He then drove off at high speed and only stopped after about 50 metres. Sgt Magune picked the sachet which contained 11 pieces of diamonds, said Mr Mukonyora. The court heard that the suspect failed to produce a permit which allows him to possess diamonds. The recovered diamonds were taken to the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe for assessment. Makosi is accused of kidnapping Ass Insp Mpofu after he drove off with him despite being ordered to stop his vehicle. He thus deprived the cop of his freedom to bodily movement. Mr Chinzamba said the charges were cooked up. These cops picked up the stones from somewhere and gave them to my client and they are now saying they are his. Come on, this is a joke, he said. ManicaPost Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News By Matthew Gardner Kelly, Assistant Professor of Education, Pennsylvania State University. Originally published at The Conversation From California to Wisconsin, efforts to stop charter school growth are gaining momentum. In the April 2019 mayoral election in Chicago, both candidates say they want to halt charter school expansion. Financial issues lie at the core of these efforts. Schools were hit particularly hard by the 2008 recession. Many states cut education funding. As a scholar of school finance, I would argue that charter school expansion is making this bad situation worse. Trends in School Finance In my home state of Pennsylvania, schools watched US$1 billion disappear when former Gov. Tom Corbett, a Republican, both cut state funding and refused to replace federal stimulus funding. A similar pattern unfolded across the country. In 2015, 29 states were still providing less money per pupil than before the recession began. In most states, state aid is designed to assist districts with high needs and low wealth. As a result, high-poverty districts were hurt the most by state cuts. School finance scholars often consider school funding systems fair when they give additional funds to districts with the greatest needs. For instance, in conjunction with the Education Law Center of New Jersey, Bruce Baker, an education finance scholar at Rutgers University, has developed a measure of school funding fairness. In a majority of states, Baker found that funding fairness declined in the five years after the Great Recession. Why Funding Disparities Matter A number of politicians, such as Education Secretary Betsy Devos, reformers, and pundits claim that education spending does not impact student learning. They are wrong. Over and over, rigorous research has shown that money matters and that increases in funding for low-income students have a positive impact on outcomes. No matter how we define those outcomes from scores on standardized tests to the probability a student will experience poverty as an adult the results are consistent. Anyone who says otherwise is misinformed. The impact of charter expansion The details of how charter school funding is structured differs by state, and even by districts within a given state. Despite this variation, a number of studies have shown that charter school growth hurts the finances of nearby public school districts. Recent studies from New Yorkand North Carolina have found that charter expansion negatively impacts local districts finances above and beyond simply losing per pupil revenue because of declining enrollments. In Pennsylvania, the local district makes a tuition payment to the charter school enrolling each student from that district. The payment is based on per-pupil spending for similar students. For example, if a fourth grader leaves a public school in the Pittsburgh School District to attend a charter, the Pittsburgh School District is required to pay the charter school $16,805.99 which is the average amount the district spends on a student in the district. At first glance, it perhaps makes sense to have money follow the children. The problem is that increased charter enrollments rarely allow a district to save as much as they lose in charter tuition. As a result, without additional revenue from state governments or local taxes, districts are forced to make budget cuts and spend less on the students who remain in traditional public schools. Consider an example. Bethlehem Area School District paid $25 million in charter school tuition payments in 2017. It was not possible to save $25 million with the students gone, however, because of the way the students were distributed across the district. The students enrolled in charter schools came from 13 different grades in 22 different schools. Since students moving to a charter were rarely all of the students from a single school, grade or class, the district was not able to reduce staff or close classes to help cover the charter tuition payments. If next years third grade class goes from 28 students to 26 students in a school, district officials still need to keep that third grade class open. They cannot pay that teacher 2/28th less, heat 2/28th less of that classroom, or reduce the operation of electricity in that classroom by 2/28th. Yet, if the class went from 28 to 26 students because two students enrolled in charters, the district needs to make tuition payments for the missing students. When those payments are repeated and distributed unevenly across schools and grades, it adds up to millions of dollars. Students move between districts all the time, but nowhere near the scale nor with the fiscal impact that takes place because of charter expansion. Bethlehem Area School District had 1,900 students, about 12 percent of the districts population, enrolled in charter schools in 2017. As Bethlehem Area School Districts business manager explained in a recent survey describing the challenges the district faces because of charter tuition payments, theres nothing left to cut. Across the state, mandated costs are growing faster than the money many districts have coming in: costs for faculty and staff benefits like health insurance and pension payments, special education services and charter school tuition payments. Charter school expansion drains dollars from local districts in other ways as well. For example, charters enroll far fewer students with characteristics that require additional financial resources, including students with disabilities and English language learners. These dynamics compound the financial difficulties for traditional public schools, which are required to educate all students. The Appeal of Charter Schools Research on the academic performance of charter schools is mixed, though some perform quite well. In New York City, students in a number of well-known charters often outperform similar students in traditional public schools. It makes sense the highest-performing charters in New York often spend $2,000 to $4,300 more per pupil than traditional public schools, much of it coming through fund-raising and philanthropic efforts. Some pundits and politicians like U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz insist charter school expansion will force traditional public schools to improve through competition. I believe its dishonest to ask traditional public schools to improve through competition while at the same time creating fiscal difficulties that hamper their ability to compete. Since the 19th century, American school reformers have focused on making schools and districts larger to lower costs and save money through economies of scale. But charter schools increase costs by removing these economies of scale and creating multiple school systems within the same district. Until policymakers provide additional funds to deal with the problems that arise from removing economies of scale, charter school moratoriums might provide some temporary relief. However, a moratorium on charter schools will not fix the issue by itself. Public schools need more revenue to deal with the problems created by the money they lose to charter schools. By Michael Poyker, Postdoctoral Researcher, Columbia University Graduate School of Business. Originally published at the Institute for New Economic Thinking website hile labor coercion in agricultural and preindustrial economies is well-studied, few papers address the effects of coercive institutions in an industrial setting (Naidu and Yuchtman, 2013). The most common form of labor coercion in modern times is convict labor: it is still widespread, not only in developing countries but also among the worlds most developed countries. This practice is potentially important to the economy because a large share of labor, working at significantly below the minimum wage, could impose externalities on the broader non-coerced segment of the labor market. In 2005, the U.S. convict-labor system employed nearly 1.4 million prisoners, of which 0.6 million worked in manufacturing (constituting 4.2% of total U.S. manufacturing employment).[1]Prisoners work for such companies as Wal-Mart, AT&T, Victorias Secret, and Whole Foods, and their wages are substantially below the minimum wage, ranging from $0.20 to $5.15 per hour in state prisons.[2] In recent research (Poyker, 2018) I provide empirical evidence on how convict labor affects local labor markets. Using a new dataset of U.S. prisons from 1886 to 1940, I calculate each countys exposure to competition with prison-made goods. I find that the 18701886 introduction of convict labor accounts for a 0.5 percentage-point slower annual growth rate in manufacturing wages from 1880 to 1900. At the same time, affected industries had to innovate away from the competition and thus had higher patenting rates and adopted new labor-saving technologies. The economics of convict labor are straightforward. Prisoners employed in manufacturing production cannot be employed by any firm on the competitive market. Prison-made goods are relatively cheap because the cost of convict labor is lower than the reservation/minimum wages of free laborers. Thus convict labor decreases labor demand in a similar way to import competition shocks. While an active literature in economics has investigated local demand shocks due to import competition (among others Autor et al. (2016)), no economics paper has yet addressed such shocks due to convict labor. Previous work has not been able to study this issue due to lack of data and due to a lack of exogenous variation in convict labor. U.S. prisons tend to be built in economically depressed counties under the assumption that they will provide jobs (e.g., guards and nurses) in the local labor market (Chirakijja, 2018) so cross-sectional estimates comparing prison towns to others would have selection bias. Similarly, trends in recent convict-labor legislation may be correlated with trends in states budgetary health, which is directly related to local labor market conditions. I address both the lack of data and lack of exogenous variation. The empirical context is U.S. counties for the years 1886 through 1940. These data come from a newly digitized archive of the Bureau of Labors reports on convict labor used in all U.S. prisons and labor camps. Adapting an approach from recent works on import competition (Autor et al. (2013) and Kovak (2013)), I construct county-level exposure to convict labor as the weighted average of industry-specific values of convict-made goods in all U.S. prisons, where the weights include the countys industry-labor share and the costs of trade between those prisons and the county. In the baseline analysis, I estimate the effect of convict-labor exposure on manufacturing wages and employment using first-difference ordinary-least-squares regressions. To address the concern that the location of prisons and the choice of industries by prisons might be endogenous, I employ an instrumental-variable estimation. Exogenous variation in the use of convict labor comes from the fact that prisons built before the 1870s (when state laws introduced convict labor) did not have the facilities and infrastructure for factory production. The introduction of convict labor was unanticipated, both by firms and by prison wardens, who were suddenly in charge of employing prisoners within their institutions. Pre-existing prison capacities are correlated with the value of goods produced in prisons after convict-labor laws were enacted. Therefore, my instrument for exposure to convict labor is the exposure to pre-existing prison capacities; i.e., I compare counties that were located closer to prisons built before convict-labor legislation to the ones located farther away from the pre-convict-labor-era prisons. I find that the 18701886 introduction of convict labor decreases manufacturing wages and employment. Comparing two counties, one at the 25th percentile and the other at the 75th percentile of exposure to convict labor, the more exposed county would on average experience a 0.4-percentage-point slower growth rate in manufacturing wages, a 0.3-percentage-point slower growth rate in manufacturing employment share, and a 0.12-percentage-point slower growth rate in labor-force participation annually. By comparing counties with prisons (Figure 1) to counties adjacent to them and to second-order adjacent counties, I find that the effects of convict labor are stronger in counties with prisons and that the effects decay with distance. My results are not driven entirely by the extensive margin: I find that the results hold within the sample of counties with prisons. [1]Sources: Census of State and Federal Adult Correctional Facilities, 2005, and FRED. [2]See Prisonpolicy.org. Figure 1: Convict labor and manufacturing wages: Event studyNote: Each square is the coefficient of the event-study regression of the log wages in manufacturing on the time-invariant log value of convict-labor output in 1886 in a county, interacted with decade dummies. Relative time (in decades) is plotted on the horizontal axis, such as 1880 is counted as 1 the first decade when convict labor was imposed. Wage data for 1910 is not available. I use state and decade fixed effects, and log manufacturing output in a county as controls. The dark blue line corresponds to a regression where I treat counties that had convict labor in it as treated. The dashed green line treats counties that are adjacent to counties that had prisons. The dashed gray line assumes that counties that are adjacent to counties that are adjacent to prisons as treated. My results hold if I double-count counties that are adjacent to more than one county with a prison. 95% confidence intervals are depicted. While prison labor was used in many industries, most prisons produced clothes and shoes. The apparel and shoemaking industries employed mostly women, who were more affected than men by coerced labor. I find that womens wages decreased 3.8 times more than those of men. I find that convict-labor shocks facilitated technology adoption. Comparing two counties, one at the 25th percentile and the other at the 75th percentile of exposure to convict labor, the more exposed county would be expected to experience double the mean annual number of registered patents (8.4) in industries where prisoners were employed (with no effect on patents in industries where prisoners were not employed), and a 0.18-standard-deviation increase in the capital-labor ratio. The latter result is partially driven by adoption of new technologies (decreasing the costs, increasing the quality of goods, or substituting labor with capital) and these technological changes were capital-biased. I provide three pieces of evidence on potential mechanisms. First, using firm-level survey data from the Weeks Report, I show that firms in affected industries and localities were more likely to adopt improved labor-saving machinery, as competition in (low-skilled) labor became futile. Second, using county-industry-level data from Hornbeck and Rotemberg (2018), I show that firms in affected industries and locations invested in technologies associated with increased productivity of capital relative to technologies related to the productivity of labor. Moreover, the set of available technologies in the words of Caselli and Coleman (2006), the technological frontier of affected firms improved (Figure 2). Third, I demonstrate that the returns-to-capital relative to returns-to-labor ratio increased by 0.5 percentage points annually in affected counties (interquartile range). However, the increase in the capital-labor ratio is also driven by changes in industrial composition. Using firm-level data from Atack and Bateman (1999), I show that it is also partially explained by the exit of labor-intensive firms in the affected industries. Figure 2: Technological frontier in leather industry: Affected vs. unaffected firms The number of convicts has soared from approximately 160,000 in 1932 to more than 2.3 million today, and the effect of contemporary convict labor on the U.S. economy is likely large. No detailed data are released on the amount and industrial composition of convict labor, but according to the U.S. Census of State and Federal Adult Correctional Facilities, approximately 1.4 million prisoners were employed in 2,500 U.S. prisons in 2005. From 2000 to 2005, the number of prisoners employed in manufacturing almost doubled, from approximately 308,000 to approximately 594,000.[1]Today, those prisoners still receive lower-than-minimum wage and impose externalities on free labor. Thus, this 92% increase in the number of employed prisoners led to a 0.07-percentage-point decrease in manufacturing employment in 2000s, and a 0.02-percentage-point decrease in 1990s. Even if my estimate is an upper bound of the effect and the actual effect is smaller, the contemporary policy of placing prisons in economically depressed regions may be fallacious. While the 18701886 convict-labor shock was similar in magnitude to the China shock (Autor et al., 2013) in 2000 and 2007, the effect of contemporaneous convict labor is relatively small, constituting 6.4% of its effect in the 2000s. Hence, exposure to prison labor competition explains 5% of the manufacturing employment decline 2000 and 2007, compared 55% explained by the China shock. Decreased costs of international trade and trade liberalization have made import competition a more important determinant of the decline in manufacturing employment; however, prison labor still affects labor markets. Moreover, the United States has accused China of using convict labor to produce export goods (Hairong and Sautman, 2012), while its own convict labor takes jobs from U.S. free laborers. My analysis highlights the fact that many aspects of economic life and many groups of people can be affected directly and indirectly by competition from prison-made goods. Thus, when we evaluate the overall effect of the penitentiary system, we should carefully assess the negative externalities created by convict labor. See original post for references (Natural News) Teenagers are often highly susceptible to chronic sleep deprivation. Their busy schedules at school and sometimes at home can often lead to many nights of staying up late, while still needing to wake up early the next morning. This is a huge problem for a number of reasons, but the biggest one of all might be that it leads to an increased risk of addiction and depression, according to a new study. Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh conducted a study that involved 35 teenage participants. What they found was that the ones who were sleep deprived showed worse judgment, responded less to rewards and incentives, and became more prone to risky behavior. Lack of sleep was also found the be a huge factor for mood changes, which could eventually lead to depression. Sleep loss affects brain activity of teenagers The study was conducted by University of Pittsburgh professors Peter Franzen and Erika Forbes, who worked together to invite the 35 participants, aged 11.5 to 15 years old. The participants were taken to a sleep lab for two nights straight, where half of them slept for 10 hours, while the other half only slept for four hours. One week later, all of them came back to the lab for another two nights, but they were given opposite sleep schedules from their first visits. During each visit, the participants in the study played a game that gave them a reward of either $1 or $10, while their brains were scanned. At the end of the two-day period, they all answered questions that were meant to measure their so-called emotional functions and determined if they had any symptoms of depression. What the researchers found was that sleep deprivation directly affected the putamen, a round structure located at the base of the forebrain, which is the area of the brain that plays a role in setting and achieving goals as well as reward-based learning. To be more specific, in sleep deprived participants, the putamen was less responsive whey they played a game, even with a large reward. Meanwhile, those who were not sleep deprived showed a consistency in putamen responsiveness between low- and high-reward game conditions. The researchers also found links between sleep deprivation and a persons mood. Participants in their study who lacked enough sleep ended up reporting more symptoms of depression after the study was finished. Consistent with earlier research As the researchers concluded their study, they found that their results were consistent with findings from a large literature of studies on depression and reward circuitry. That is, depression is characterized by lower activity levels in the brains reward system, which directly affects individual performance in everyday tasks. The results of their study suggest that a tween or teenager that is suffering from sleep deprivation may encounter problems with how their brain looks at rewards, which could result in mood disruption and put them at risk of depression. Worse, it could also lead to risk-taking behavior and addiction. As other studies have shown, getting a good nights sleep is highly important for ones overall health. Some of the benefits of proper sleep include enhanced immunity, weight gain prevention, increased prevention of diabetes and heart disease, and improved mental health. These are incredibly important to develop, especially during ones teenage years, where what happens may be carried all the way into ones adult years. Sources include: TechnologyNetworks.com TheDailyMail.co.uk (Natural News) If a part of your body hurts, your first instinct might be to stop moving or using that part of your body. After all, pain often comes from external pressure on certain body parts, so it makes sense to stop applying that pressure or stop it from happening. But in the case of patients who are suffering from knee osteoarthritis (OA), the best advice might be something that seems counter-intuitive at first: keep walking. Indeed, a new study suggests that walking can actually reduce the risk of so-called functional limitation normally associated with knee OA. To be more specific, the study shows that walking for a total of 6,000 steps or more each day can help protect those with or at risk of knee OA from developing severe mobility issues that will make it difficult to move around. The study, which was funded in part by grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), was published in the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) journal, Arthritis Care and Research. Details of the study According to Daniel White, lead author of the study from Sargent College at Boston University in Massachusetts, they aimed to determine if there were any benefits to walking for those with knee OA. If there were, how much walking would be necessary. Our study examines if more walking equates with better functioning, and if so, how much daily walking is needed to minimize risk of developing problems with mobility in people with knee OA, he explained. Medical evidence show that two-thirds of U.S. adults never walk more than 90 minutes per week. The researchers used this as a basis for their study, where they took 1,788 people with or at risk for knee OA and measured their daily steps. All study participants were part of the Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study, and took part in walking for research for seven days. The study involved checking back on the participants two years later for functional limitation, which is defined as a slow walking speed as well as a Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) physical function score of more than 28 out of 60. After taking account their research results, Dr. White concluded that there is a certain magic number of steps that should be the bare minimum per day if you want to get the maximum benefits from walking, especially if you suffer from or are at risk for knee OA. That number is 6,000. Walking is an inexpensive activity and despite the common popular goal of walking 10,000 steps per day, our study finds only 6,000 steps are necessary to realize benefits, states White. We encourage those with or at risk of knee OA to walk at least 3,000 or more steps each day, and ultimately progress to 6,000 steps daily to minimize the risk of developing difficulty with mobility. Other benefits of walking Apart from reducing the risk of losing functional mobility by exercising the knees despite OA, there are other benefits to walking. For one thing, walking has been shown to impact individual happiness levels. It can help clear the mind and get rid of inner anxiety, which is important in achieving a certain level of joy. Walking is also necessary for decreasing the risk of illness or disease, boosting the immune system without the need for supplements or medication. All of this, of course, points to a longer life. And since its free, youve got nothing to lose except a little bit of your time. Sources include: ScienceDaily.com Wiley.com A man arrested for roaming a San Jose neighborhood naked is out on bail. That's some unwelcome news for residents of the Evergreen community, where the suspect was caught on camera at least twice. The accused is Mark Veregge, a percussionist with the California Symphony and a former Stanford lecturer. The woman whose video helped police track down the suspect, praised officers for taking her fear seriously and capturing Veregge. But she told NBC Bay Area the fear has not gone away and said she hopes the justice system will be as forceful as the police. "It's not a good feeling, you know, to feel unsafe in your home," said the woman, who did not want to be identified. Veregge was arrested for misdemeanor prowling in 2017 while wearing just women's underwear. But we checked records and he was convicted only for loitering and put on probation. Legal analyst Steven Clark said the district attorney will be tougher this time. "Because he has a history and because if he has a mental health issue that needs to be addressed that should be part of a probationary term," Clark said. It could take a while to find out, given the nature of the charge. The DA's Office has one year to go to court. A lot of people in the neighborhood want to see it happen much faster. Sofas, lamps, closets, TVs, fridges, microwaves, mirrors, mattresses entire living rooms, kitchens, bedrooms aka peoples lives are on display on the sidewalks and side streets of Guerneville, California after a historic flood submerged this picturesque river town some 70 miles north of San Francisco, turning it into a tiny island. As you walk past wine bars, restaurants and yoga studios on Main Street the main drag downtown you cant help noticing how the angry floodwaters from the Russian River have receded, leaving behind a muddy streak on hedges, fences, houses, barns, storefronts pretty much everything. Guerneville residents are spending most of their time cleaning up, removing debris, looking for toxic waste and taking out bags of garbage but the trash keeps piling up. And theres no end in sight. One of the few places in town that doesn't have trash right now is the local K-8 school the only one in the Guerneville School District. Guerneville School was closed for three days a total of nine days this school year if you take into account the recent wildfires and the creeks overflowing over Valentines Day. But on Tuesday, 270 students returned to class. Their classrooms, built on higher ground, were spared, but the playground and outdoor facilities were not as lucky. We estimate $300,000 to $700,000 in damages, Superintendent Dana Pederson told us over the sound of power-washing. Also, for every day we are open, and students dont come, we will also financially take those hits. The schools maintenance equipment got trapped under seven-feet of water, which moved entire chunks of concrete, damaged the playground turf, shifted tree roots and ruptured waterlines. You cant tell right now, but this was all sludge, Pederson said pointing at the playgrounds flanked by Sycamore trees.[[506913441, C]] Pederson said some of her students had lost homes in the flood and she didn't know whether they would stay on in Guerneville. The Russian River has flooded Guerneville 38 times since 1940. As far as water that comes onto the campus, this is the worse we have seen since 1995, Pederson said. Who could have predicted it would get this crazy. The focus right now is to get the work done. 'Nothing But Mud, Trash And Hope:' Guerneville Tries to Rebuild After Historic Flooding A few blocks away, outside the Russian River Community Services Center, a group of displaced residents waited in line for a hot lunch and aid from the Red Cross. Among them were John Cronin and his Australian Shepherd, Melba Martinella and her 85-year-old mother, Ebe Cerqua, and Glynis Miller and her dog "Gold Digger," whose homes had been either destroyed or damaged by the floodwaters. As they begin the slow and painful process of getting their lives back together, Guernevilles streets continue to fill up with garbage and muddied trash. They are hopeful the federal government will step in to help. "I Helped My 90-year-Old Neighbor Evacuate" John Cronin got the evacuation call on Tuesday, Feb 26. We started packing up My friend Gil is 90, so we got him out to Cloverdale. I got a little bit too late, Cronin said. I barely crossed the Monorail Bridge as the water was coming up both sides I used the wheels as a paddle. We finally hit dry pavement We made it. You do what you need to survive. Cronin survived the Ben Lomond flood of 1982 and the Loma Preita earthquake. Ive already been through two major disasters, he said, adding that his family has been living near the Russian River since the 1970s and was familiar with its flooding. His house which is one mile from the river was inundated by 8-feet of water. Its all mud and muck Never live one mile from a river, he said laughing. Cronins dog stayed with him the whole time during the evacuation. He affectionately referred to him as a river rat. I lost a bunch of stuff, but thats just stuff, what matters is people, he said. Everything is destroyed the water came up to the roof Jennifer Gonzalez / NBC Bay Area Melba Martinellis cat went up to the roof of her mother's trailer when it flooded and hasnt come down since. Im afraid we lost her, she said, visibly upset. Martinellas mom Ebe Cerqua, lost her trailer home in the flood. She came to California from Italy when she was 23, and has lived in the town for as long as she can remember. I told her, you have to leave now, Martinelli said, remembering the chaos of the evacuations. Everything is destroyed, I dont know what Im going to do the water came up to the roof. The trailers on Church Street are some of the worst impacted by the flooding in Guerneville. The mud is everywhere: In the kitchen, the bathroom, and the bedroom. But Martinellis mothers trailer is the worst off. It had sunk to the ground, and everything inside was chalked in mud. Ive never seen anything like this mud, its greasy mud, and it sticks to everything, Martinelli said. As for the floodwater, Martinelli said it went up to the ceiling. My brother was walking out of the trailer and the water was up to his chest, and a helicopter had to pick him up out of the mess. The waters retreated, but its left so much, everything is ruined. When they were talking about flood, I was thinking, itll be a little bit in the kitchen or something, but oh no, it came into the trailer and destroyed everything. "Everythings covered in mud, inside and out" I tried to wash a pair of pants 5 times, and the mud wouldnt come out, Martinelli said. Everyone and everything is completely mud-soaked." She added that she doesnt know what was going to happen to the trailer. My mothers really upset because thats the only thing she had. She really loved her trailer. Jennifer Gonzalez / NBC Bay Area Across the street Martinelli's mother sits inside their car, holding a plastic bag in her hand. Even the car smells damp, as does a few of her clothes she was able to save in those last moments of the evacuation. Everythings covered in mud, inside and out, Cerqua said. All of the cupboards, all of the drawers, I open up a drawer and its full of water. Its just a mess. A total disaster. I dont even know if it can be cleaned. Cerqua said she bought her trailer in 2005. Its a nice trailer 25-feet long. I got everything I need there. But now everything is destroyed. Its disheartening. Teachers have a new contract in Oakland, but it comes with a big cost. The Oakland Unified School District said it has to lay off more than 100 people starting this month to get its finances in check and help pay for the teachers' raise. Among the layoffs are case workers who help students in foster care. Now those workers worry about what that will mean for many at-risk students. There are more than 200 foster care students in the district, officials said. If there has been one source of stability for those kids, the foster youth program has been it. Without the program, case workers now worry foster kids will be suspended and other might drop out. NBC Bay Area's Melissa Colorado examines the new challenges students face and how the district is working to secure funding for the program in the video report above. The town of Yountville is holding a community remembrance Saturday for the three clinical staff workers of The Pathway Home veterans mental health treatment center who were killed by a former client a year ago. Executive Director Christine Loeber, 48, Jennifer Gray Golick, 42, a clinical director, and Jennifer K. Gonzales Shushereba, 32, a clinical psychologist and her unborn daughter were killed by Albert Wong, 36, of Sacramento, a former Pathway Home client. Wong shot the women with a rifle in Madison Hall of the Pathway Home at the Veterans Home of California in Yountville on March 9, 2018. Wong then shot himself in the head and died. Shushereba's unborn daughter also died from a lack of oxygen caused by her mother's death. The remembrance ceremony is at noon Saturday at Veterans Memorial Park, 6465 Washington St. in Yountville. The event is public, and Pathway Home officials will make brief remarks. A San Jose community marched through the city Friday night demanding justice for a man who was stabbed to death outside of his home six months ago. Frankie Santos, a young father of two, was attacked on Sept. 2 and police have yet to make any arrests. "I am Frankies voice and Im a determined mom thats not going to give up," said Santos mother, Erica Rego. Police are still looking for a truck seen in the area the night he died, a 2004 or 2005 Nissan Titan. Santa Clara County sheriff's detectives have identified a vehicle they hope will lead to a suspect in the fatal stabbing of a San Jose father of two in front of his own home in September. Ian Cull reports. "He was raised with respect, integrity, morals and values," Rego said. "For something like this to happen to him is devastating." Investigators were offering $20,000 for any information leading to arrests but increased it thanks to a $10,000 donation by a foundation and Santos employer. "Were hoping this is going to make a big difference and somebodys going to call," Rego said. Santos family recently started a foundation in his name to help the families and children of murder victims for those holding on to hope for justice. "We cant allow a human being to just be stabbed to death while his children and wife are inside the home, his friends are outside," said Margaret Petros from Mothers Against Murder. "Six months go by and nothing." Anyone with information is asked to contact the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department or Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers. SpaceX's swanky new crew capsule made an old-fashioned splashdown in the Atlantic on Friday, ending a six-day test flight to the International Space Station. The Dragon capsule pulled away from the orbiting lab early Friday. Six hours later, the capsule carrying a test dummy parachuted into the ocean, a couple hundred miles off the Florida coast. SpaceX employees cheered and applauded at company headquarters near Los Angeles when the red and white parachutes popped open. NASA televised the descent live, the dramatic views coming from a plane. The crowd went wild when splashdown occurred on time and the capsule was seen floating upright. "I'm kind of shaky and I'm super excited," said Benji Reed, SpaceX's director of crew mission management. "It was an incredible journey to get to this moment." It was the first time in 50 years that a capsule designed for astronauts returned from space by plopping into the Atlantic. Apollo 9 which orbited Earth in preparation for the moon landings splashed down near the Bahamas on March 13, 1969. Space station astronauts have been stuck riding Russian rockets since NASA's shuttles retired eight years ago. NASA is counting on SpaceX and Boeing to start launching astronauts this year. SpaceX which has been delivering station cargo for years is shooting for summer. Friday morning's splashdown was the final hurdle of SpaceX's test flight. While improvements still need to be made, the company aims to fly NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley on the next demo flight. A pair of recovery ships was stationed in the Atlantic well before splashdown and quickly moved in, ready to lift crew Dragon from the water and return it to Port Canaveral. All this is "leading to a day where we are launching American astronauts on American rockets from American soil," said NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine. Boeing plans to launch its Starliner capsule without a crew as early as next month and with astronauts possibly in August. The Starliner is designed to land on land in the U.S. Southwest. Canadian space station astronaut David Saint-Jacques was the first to enter the Dragon capsule and the last to leave this week. He found it "very slick" and called it business class. NASA's Bridenstine considers privately built and operated spacecraft the way to go when it comes to rides to the space station. NASA awarded the first contracts in 2014 to SpaceX and Boeing, now totaling about $8 billion. This first SpaceX test flight opens a new era, Bridenstine said, with new technology and new business approaches. SpaceX acknowledges some capsule systems need more work before Behnken and Hurley climb aboard for liftoff, as early as July. Vibration, acoustic and other measurements were taken throughout the recently completed flight, not only of the capsule but also the mannequin named Ripley after the lead character in the "Alien" films which was strapped into one of the four seats. A small blue and green plush toy shaped like Earth which SpaceX chief executive Elon Musk termed a zero-gravity indicator was left behind on the space station. Behnken and Hurley will bring it back on their flight. Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigans office is accused of not taking action when two female employees alleged that they had been sexually harassed or assaulted by a male co-worker, according to a court filing in a lawsuit against Madigans campaign committees and the Democratic Party of Illinois. Attorneys for former Madigan aide Alaina Hampton filed the documents Friday as part of Hamptons ongoing lawsuit against Madigans three campaign committees and the state Democratic Party that he chairs. The document was filed in response to questions from attorneys representing Madigans committees in the suit, which Hampton filed in 2018, alleging that the powerful lawmakers political organizations ignored her complaints of sexual harassment and retaliated against her for bringing them forward. Hamptons attorneys said in the document filed Friday that she came to learn that other females had been sexually harassed and/or assaulted by a male co-worker and that they reported it directly to Madigans attorney Heather Wier Vaught, but nothing was done in response. The document identified the male staffer as Travis Shea and alleged that he remained on the Speakers staff for an additional two years thereafter. Neither Shea nor Wier Vaught immediately responded to a request for comment. Records from the Illinois Secretary of States office show Shea registered as a lobbyist in 2018 after leaving his government position. Madigans office said in a statement Tuesday night that Wier Vaught was contacted with allegations of workplace intimidation against Shea twice, with each woman claiming Shea had intimidated them and threatened to make or break their careers. Madigans former chief of staff Tim Mapes, who resigned in June in the wake of unrelated allegations of, and Jessica Basham, who was Sheas supervisor at the time and was promoted to chief of staff following Mapes departure, were immediately notified of the allegations against Shea, Madigans office said. Mapes met with Shea, according to Madigans office, who said Shea was told the alleged behavior must immediately cease and that it would not be tolerated. Basham met with Shea as well and made it clear he was not in a supervisory role and told he would not be given additional responsibilities, Madigans statement said. Basham also met with each member of her staff to ask about any issues they would like to bring to her attention, according to Madigans statement, which said no other issues were identified at that time. Madigans office also said the speaker was not made aware of the allegations. Had the allegations been brought to the Speaker at the time, he would have terminated any employment relationship with Mr. Shea, as he has done on other occasions upon learning of such incidents, Madigans statement said. Hampton first spoke publicly of her own allegations in February 2018, accusing Madigans organization of preventing her from advancing professionally after she reported claims of "severe and pervasive sexual harassment at the hands of her supervisor Kevin Quinn," according to the lawsuit she filed the following month. Hampton said Quinn harassed her for five months beginning in fall 2016, making multiple unsolicited advances and sending inappropriate text messages at all hours, even after she said she told him repeatedly that the relationship was strictly professional. Quinn, who worked for the speaker for nearly 20 years, is the brother of 13th Ward Ald. Marty Quinn - perhaps Madigan's most senior operative and a figure that Hampton called her "mentor." Hampton said she reported Kevin Quinn's inappropriate behavior to his supervisor, Ald. Marty Quinn, in February 2017, but her claims "were disregarded and ignored, her lawsuit reads. She said left the organization that April because "there was no way" she could continue to work with Kevin Quinn, the lawsuit reads. Hampton said she then wrote a letter to Madigan in November 2017 to explain her decision to leave because she did not want him to think she "abandoned [her] job for no reason" and "in hopes of returning to work on upcoming campaigns," according to her suit. Hampton said in the lawsuit that she was then contacted by Wier Vaught, who Hampton claimed "minimized the sexual harassment I experienced and falsely told me that the party was not getting involved in a specific campaign for which I was well suited to provide assistance and wanted to work on." The campaign in question was the Democratic primary for Illinois' 5th District, for which Hampton had previously managed the successful campaign of state Rep. Juliana Stratton, now serving as the states lieutenant governor. Hampton's lawsuit alleges that Madigan's organization "selected another individual" to run the campaign, despite the claim that the Democratic Party of Illinois would not be involved. Hampton also alleged in the documents filed Friday that while seeking employment with the Chicago Teachers Union for the 5th District race, a CTU representative asked her if she was on the outs with Ald. Marty Quinn and that she never heard back about working with them. A spokeswoman for CTU told WBEZ the organization was baffled to be mentioned. We take orders for any hiring decisions from no one, CTU spokeswoman Chris Geovanis told WBEZ, adding, We are quite capable of making our own hiring decisions. Throughout the ordeal, Hampton said in her lawsuit that Kevin Quinn "continued to work in a supervisory capacity" and was only fired as part of what she had previously called a "cover-up" in a news conference. Madigan said in a statement at the time that Quinn was terminated "after a thorough investigation." Kevin Quinn released a 14-page document addressing the allegations in June, nearly three months after Hampton filed her lawsuit. "It was never my intent to make Ms. Alaina Hampton feel uncomfortable," Kevin Quinn wrote in the document entitled The Truth. "I take responsibility for sending the text messages she has publicly released between us and apologize for my attempts to get to know her outside of necessary interactions," he continued, before detailing the timeline of their interactions and the aftermath as he saw it. He claimed he was never Hamptons supervisor, that there was never any sort of cover up and that she was not welcomed back into any of the Speakers political organizations after she took a position working on a campaign against a political ally of Madigan. "To our knowledge, no one within the Speakers government or political offices had any involvement with Kevin Quinn in preparing this document," a spokesman for Madigan said following its release. Hampton's account disputing how the harassment allegations were handled, as well as the termination of another high-ranking operative in Madigan's organization over misconduct complaints the same week she came forward in 2018, put the country's longest-serving House speaker under a microscope. In the months after Hampton came forward, two more high-ranking aides to Madigan were ousted after allegations of misconduct. Shaw Decremer, who once worked as a Madigan staffer and is now a lobbyist who oversaw legislative campaigns on a volunteer basis, was quietly removed from that role in February 2018 after the speaker was made aware of "inappropriate behavior by a volunteer toward a candidate and staff," Madigan said in a statement at the time. Then in June, Mapes Madigans longtime chief of staff, clerk of the House and executive director of the Democratic Party of Illinois was ousted from each role after a legislative employee brought forth claims of sexual harassment and bullying Sherri Garrett, an account technician and minutes clerk in Madigan's office, detailed several alleged incidents in which Mapes made inappropriate comments of a sexual nature. Mapes resigned from all of his roles with Madigan and the party later that day, Madigans office said in a statement at the time. Hampton was scheduled to appear in court for a hearing on the civil lawsuit Thursday. Funeral arrangements have been announced for a McHenry County Sheriffs deputy who was gunned down in the line of duty earlier this week. A visitation will be held for Deputy Jacob Keltner on Tuesday, March 12 at the DeFiore Funeral Home, located in the 10000 block of Dundee road in Huntley, according to the McHenry County Sheriffs Office. Public visitation will be held from 2 to 8 p.m., and a forma law enforcement walk-through will be held at 6 p.m., according to the department. Deputy Keltners funeral will be held on March 13 at Woodstock North High School, located in the 3000 block of Raffel Road in Woodstock. The funeral service will start at 10 a.m. Keltner was killed on Thursday as U.S. Marshals attempted to serve an arrest warrant at the Extended Stay Hotel in Rockford. The suspect, identified as 39-year-old Floyd Brown, fled the scene after the shooting and was later apprehended after a lengthy stand-off on Interstate 55 in central Illinois. 9/11 organization announces campaign to pay off the mortgage of Keltner's home. "'Tunnel to Towers Foundation,' whose mission is to support first responders,urges public to join effort to assist widow and children of Jacob Keltner," according to a statement released. If you wish to donate to the fundraising effort, click here. What to Know The longtime boss of the infamous Colombo crime family, Carmine "the Snake" Persico, has died in prison at the age of 85 Persico died Thursday; he had been serving what was effectively a life sentence at a federal prison in Butner, North Carolina Prosecutors said Persico took over the murderous New York-based crime organization in the early 1970s when it was at the height of its power Legendary New York mob boss Carmine Persico, who as head of the Colombo crime family was convicted in the 1980s for a laundry list of crimes, has died. He was 85. His lawyer confirmed to NBC New York that Persico died Thursday at Duke University Medical Center in North Carolina. He had been serving what was effectively a life sentence at a federal prison in Butner, North Carolina. Carmine John Persico Jr., known variously as "Junior" and "The Snake," was born in 1933 in Brooklyn. Prosecutors said Persico took over the murderous New York-based crime organization in the early 1970s when it was at the height of its powers. In the summer of 1986, he was convicted of racketeering and murder in a prosecution of mob bosses led by then U.S. Attorney Rudolph Giuliani and sentenced to more than a century in prison. He acted as his own lawyer at trial. According to a New York Times report, Persico (who was his own attorney at the trial) blamed "Mafia mania" for influencing the proceedings. Sentenced to more than 100 years in prison in 1987, Persico was reputed to still exert authority over the Colombo family from behind bars for decades. In prison, he was also reported to have befriended notorious fraudster Bernie Madoff. Troopers and Enfield Police are looking for a missing inmate last seen at Asnuntuck Community College in Enfield on Saturday. According to a Department of Corrections spokesperson, 45-year-old Christopher Somsky of Westport, was on furlough to attend class. They say he left Saturday afternoon and didnt return to the Willard-Cybulski Correctional Institution, where he was being held on a second degree robbery conviction. Somsky was a student in the Second Chance Pell Program, according to a school spokesperson. According to the colleges website, prisoners enrolled in the program are contained to one section of the school to study advanced manufacturing technology. A school spokesperson said there were nine inmates enrolled in the program studying advanced manufacturing. Asnuntucks president, James Lombella, said there is no threat to the campus. State Police said Somskys criminal history dates back to the 1990s. However, the DOC considers him a low-risk offender. According to the colleges website, the program, started by the Obama administration, aims to equip inmates with job skills necessary to become contributing members of society upon their release. Somsky wasnt set to be released until 2022. I think certainly those are good programs to have and you have to take that chance, local resident Diana Malek said, who pointed out that another inmate escaped in Enfield last year. The DOC said Willard-Cybulski was put under lockdown during the investigation. "They think that they can escape and they think they wont get caught but you know the old adage you can run but you cant hide, Laurie Metta of East Windsor said. Authorities say if you see Somsky you should not approach him. If you have any information on his whereabouts youre asked to call police at 860-534-1000. Authorities have found the body of a man who somehow ended up in a western Massachusetts river after a car accident. A state police dive team found the man's body in the Connecticut River between Springfield and West Springfield on Saturday. Officials haven't released the man's name and it's not clear how he entered the water after the 7 a.m. accident in West Springfield. He was last seen in the water between Memorial Bridge and a railroad bridge. The search began on the West Springfield side of the river and involved a police dive team, boat and helicopter. The Hampden District Attorney's Office and West Springfield police are investigating. Friday marked International Women's Day, a day of recognition for the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. While events are being held across Connecticut celebrating womens achievements, it is also a time for Connecticut to push forward. On Friday Governor Ned Lamont had his first unofficial cabinet meeting, which was also the first meeting of the Council on Women and Girls in Connecticut. Here to help empower women in all aspects of life, said Clare Kindall, the Solicitor General of Connecticut. That means celebration for Connecticuts accomplishments. 50% of the folks in our administration are women. 50%, Historic. I don't think that has happened before, said Governor Ned Lamont. While there is progress, there is also room to grow when it comes to womens rights and equality. Therefore, the Council of Women and Girls is made up of Lamonts cabinet, lawmakers and even state entities such as police. They all came together on Friday to get to work. This is about how we can expand job and educational opportunities and healthcare opportunities for women and girls in our state, said Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz. The departments discussed how they can advance the interest of women and girls through administrative action. They addressed equal pay, the possibility of paid family and medical leave, minimum wage issues and even sexual assault. The governor said the council is just the beginning. In the future he wants to see more women walking the halls of the capital and making legislation in our state. I want Connecticut to be able to look at my administration and see somebody just like them and say I could do that too someday, said Lamont. State police echoed that sentiment, saying they are looking to hire more women, right now. I always like to tell my daughter you can do whatever you want to do, said Lt. Colonel Michael Davis with Connecticut State Police. That is the point of this group. The first meeting is for organizing, then the council plans to include steering committees made up of female organizations. Sending a message to girls and women of all ages. All the folks that are in that room what a difference they are making every day. I hope you are thinking about that as a career as well, said Governor Ned Lamont. Plymouth is the latest Connecticut town to fall victim to hackers, according to the mayor. Plymouth Mayor David Merchant confirmed that computers on the town networks suffered a ransomware attack that was discovered Wednesday evening. Merchant confirmed the attack began with an email, but was not sure what department that employee works in. The town's IT team is working to determine the extent of the breach. The police department systems are back up and running, Merchant said. Colchester is far from the first town to suffer a cyberattack. Back in October, the City of West Haven paid $2,000 in digital currency to unlock its servers. More recently Colchester discovered its systems were infected with malware. Last year, a dozen state agencies were hit by ransomware attacks, but no sensitive data was compromised. Tech experts say the best defense against a ransom attack is a good backup system. Its important to train employees on how to spot suspicious emails, because thats usually how malware gets into a system. The Connecticut Spelling Bee named this year's champion on Saturday, beating out 41 other students from across the state, according to a spokesperson for the competition. Twelve-year-old Janelle Newell won the competition by spelling the word "spencerian" correctly, the spokesperson said. Newell is currently in the seventh grade and attends the Multicultural Magnet School in Bridgeport. Newell was awarded a $1,000 scholarship and an all expenses paid trip to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Harbor Park, Maryland on May 29, where she will represent the state of Connecticut, according to the spokesperson. The competition featured students in fourth through eighth grade. The event was hosted by the University of Saint Joseph and co-sponsored by the Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society and the Hartford Courant. University of Connecticut police say they have arrested an 18-year-old student after detectives found dozens of images and videos of child pornography on his laptop computer. Chun Wang posted $100,000 bail on Friday after being arraigned on a charge of felony possession of child pornography in Rockville Superior Court. His case was continued to April 26. Police say they received a tip last October that child porn images were downloaded to an IP address located on the Storrs campus and determined Wang downloaded them. The Hartford Courant reports Wang told police he didn't know possessing child porn was a crime. Messages seeking comment were left for Wang's lawyer Saturday. UConn officials say they can't comment on Wang's case, but code of conduct violations can result in discipline including expulsion. Animal shelters from around Georgia were called in to help authorities rescue 700 dogs from a home in Valdosta. News outlets report the shelters say the dogs were kept in small cages, and many of the animals rescued on Saturday had never been walked or held before. One shelter, Release Atlanta, calls it "an extreme hoarding puppy mill case." A transport coordinator with the Humane Society in Valdosta, Tim Hill, says the dogs did appear to have been fed and watered. He says the owner had asked for help from the state Department of Agriculture. Reason Craig Gray, 58, of Nashville, was facing charges of animal cruelty and obstruction, the Berrien County Sheriffs Office said in a statement late Thursday. Gray ran a licensed pet-breeding business known as Georgia Puppies. It sold miniature breeds including teacup Yorkies and toy poodles for up to $600 per dog. Releash Atlanta, an organization caring for eight of the rescued animals, said they "flinch at the feeling of grass under their feet" and were used to sleeping standing up. In a statement posted on Facebook, the Atlanta Humane Society said the animals "have been living in crates their whole lives one tiny crate stacked on top of another. Theyre matted, covered in feces and have never been held or walked." The Humane Society previously named Gray on its "Horrible Hundred 2018" list of problem puppy mills and puppy sellers in the United States. The Georgia Department of Agriculture inspected his facility last week. Gray initially voluntarily surrendered 630 of the dogs, but police say he admitted to subsequently bringing puppies back onto the property. An additional 85 dogs were rescued Thursday after a search warrant was obtained. The shelters say the dogs will be up for adoption once rehabilitated. Psychedelic (psilocybin) mushrooms are proving helpful for depression, anxiety and addiction, according to research being done at Johns Hopkins University. "Psilocybin is what you'd call a classic psychedelic," said Matthew Johnson, Ph.D.. "It very strongly alters conscious experience." Dr. Johnson is a leading expert on the effects of psychedelics, and is part of the Johns Hopkins Psychedelic Research Unit in Baltimore. Johns Hopkins researchers have FDA approval to study the effects of psilocybin, by giving it to volunteers in a clinical setting. Psilocybin mushrooms are currently illegal in the U.S. and are considered a Schedule I Controlled Substance. During their research, volunteers (who are extensively screened) take a pill of synthesized psilocybin, they put on an eye mask so they can't see, and they listen to peaceful music to help them internalize the psychedelic experience. Dr. Johnson said after 15 years of studies, they've found (in general terms) psilocybin to be beneficial for people who are stuck in a way of thinking or behaving. "Whether it's using a particular druglike cigarettes or alcoholor whether it's being stuck on a way of thinking about oneself like, 'I'm a failure, I'm never gonna make it, no one likes melike in depression," Dr. Johnson said. The psilocybin sessions seem to shake people out of their mental or behavioral cycles. The effects are not just for the five or so hours that volunteers are on the drug, Dr. Johnson said they've found some results can be lasting. "We've seen somewith just a single substantial dose, in a safe settingwe've seen substantial reductions in depression and anxiety six months later," Dr. Johnson said. On the Johns Hopkins Psychedelic Research Unit's website, it has a list of its notable achievements, including the fact that Johns Hopkins was the first to research psilocybin since the 1970s. A 2006 research report stated that, "Psilocybin led to profound experiences that 67 percent of participants rated as among the top 5 most meaningful experiences of their lifetime. The single psilocybin session led to positive changes in moods, attitudes, and behavior for 14 months (and possibly longer), with 64 percent indicating the experience increased well-being or life-satisfaction." In regards to addiction, the Johns Hopkins team researched Psychedelic Assisted Smoking Cessation. The results showed, "that 80% of participants were biologically verified as smoke free six months after psilocybin treatment. These are drastically higher than typical success rates, with the most effective medications showing success rates less than 35 percent." Also listed under "Notable Achievements" on its website, was a study involving cancer patients, titled, "Palliative Effects of Psilocybin Treatment in Cancer Patients . . . demonstrating that a single administration of psilocybin produces large and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with a life-threatening cancer diagnosis." Johns Hopkins is also currently working on research of psilocybin's effect on long-time meditators and religious clergy. So what's happening in the brain when a person takes psilocybin? That answer is complex and there are a variety of factors: Dr. Johnson said psilocybin activates a certain serotonin receptor called 5-HT2a, it also helps the brain better communicate with itself. "So this isn't about what area of the brain is active or not, this is more about the synchronization across brain areas, or how the different areas of the brain are communicating with each other essentially." Dr. Johnson said. Then there are the benefits of the actual internal psychedelic journey in a setting and dosage controlled by researchers. While each person's experience varies, psilocybin can force you to deal with your own drama, by letting you see your challenges in a different perspective. It can also make complex issues that you are facing seem smaller and simpler. "The deeper ranges of experiences are contemplations about themselves, about their life history, about the important relationships in their life, their childhood," Dr. Johnson said regarding what volunteers have shared about their revelations during psilocybin sessions. "And then there are the truly big questions: the nature of reality, what life is aboutthese can be religious or non-religious in naturewhat is the meaning of life? What am I doing in life?" Researchers say psilocybin is not addictive, and they don't know of any long-term damage to the brain of a healthy participant, but they also warn it is still a drug that can be abused. "These are powerful tools and they definitely come with risks," Dr. Johnson said. "We're definitely not encouraging people to use on their own, but there's a lot of potential when, with the safe guards that are in place in a medical setting." So what could this look like in the future? The long-term goal for these researchers is for psilocybin to be approved for medical use. In that case, it could be available in a clinic and treated like out-patient surgery: with preparation, monitoring, and follow-up care. Psilocybin mushrooms are also making headlines in Denver, Colorado. In May, voters will decide if psilocybin will be decriminalized in the city. If approved, city resources would not be used to prosecute people who use or grow these psychedelic mushrooms for personal use. In the meantime, psilocybin is helping researchers at Johns Hopkins better understand how the brain works. If you'd like to volunteer to be part of Johns Hopkins Universitys psilocybin research, here is a link to their website that describes the active studies: https://hopkinspsychedelic.org/index/#projects. In December 2016, NBC 5 took a week-long look at mental health in North Texas. Click here to see the coverage. Crews are working on 134 flood control projects as parts of a $2.5 billion bond program approved by Houston-area voters last year in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, officials announced Thursday. Another 103 projects are on the drawing board -- all part of a process that could take up to 10 years to complete. "Most people we talk to think we're going too slow. I think we're going relatively quickly for a government agency working on difficult infrastructure projects. But there's always room for improvement," said Matt Zeve, deputy executive director of the Harris County Flood Control District. Some of the projects already being built include widening of area bayous and construction of stormwater detention basins. The bond referendum is being supplemented by federal funds earmarked for flood mitigation after Harvey. Harvey, which made landfall as a Category 4 storm on Aug. 25, 2017, killed 68 people and caused an estimated $125 billion in damage in Texas. Thirty-six of the deaths were in the low-lying Houston area, where days of torrential rainfall and decades of unchecked development contributed to the flooding of more than 150,000 homes and 300,000 vehicles. As construction continues, questions have been raised about possible equity guidelines related to the projects. In a letter sent last month to Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, a group of 11 state lawmakers expressed concerns about factoring income levels into the prioritization of the projects. "Harris County has been clear that prioritization of projects depends on a number of factors but neighborhood and/or individual income levels have not, to my knowledge, ever been on the table," the lawmakers wrote. "Actions by the State's largest county to base project prioritization on elements outside of the scope that was understood by voters last summer could undermine our efforts to deliver much needed aid to Harris County and Texans across the state." The legislators became concerned after "low-moderate income" data was to be considered in the evaluation process for prioritizing bond projects. But Hidalgo later indicated that such data would no longer be considered. Other factors now being considered as criteria for prioritizing bond projects include existing drainage conditions, flood risk reduction and long-term maintenance costs. At the county commissioners meeting last week, Commissioner Rodney Ellis worried the ongoing debate about the equity guidelines would pit rich neighborhoods against poor neighborhoods over who would get projects built first. "I don't think any of us ought to engage in class warfare. That's the wrong thing for our community," Ellis said. County commissioners had been scheduled to discuss the equity guidelines at their meeting on Tuesday, but the issue has been postponed, Zeve said. Officials said they want to reassure residents that all the flood control projects are moving forward. "We are not canceling any projects," Zeve said. "We are going to complete every project in the bond program." Four murals from the 1940s created in a Public Works Administration cultural effort have been returned to an East Texas post office-turned-art center. The Longview News-Journal reports workers spent Monday rehanging the Xavier Gonzalez murals inside the structure in Kilgore, 110 miles southeast of Dallas. Volunteers supporting the Old Post Office History & Art Center relied on photos to pinpoint original locations for the murals at the Kilgore post office, which opened in the late 1930s. Gonzalez created the murals in 1941. The collection includes "Pioneer Saga," "Drilling for Oil," "Contemporary Youth" and "Music of the Plains." The artwork, since that post office closed, was on loan the past 20 years to the East Texas Oil Museum at Kilgore College. A group of polygamists, with their blond child brides and 19th century doctrine of plural marriage being the pathway to heaven, were forced out their compound here in 2014, and scattered to the west. The San Antonio Express-News reports their prophet and absolute leader, Warren Jeffs, 63, once on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted List, is serving a life sentence in a Texas state prison for raping young girls at the site. And for most residents of this one-stoplight farming town three hours west of San Antonio, the whole traumatic story that began 15 years ago is fading into history. But just a few miles north of town, the abandoned Yearning for Zion Ranch looks much like it did when hundreds of followers of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints called it home. The broad streets, orchards, water treatment plant and more than 40 large buildings, including a massive white temple, remain intact and functional. After years of legal entanglements, the property soon will belong to ETG Properties LLC. The Dallas-area company intends to use it as a military and law enforcement training base. On a recent flyover, James Doyle, 82, a pilot and former Schleicher County justice of the peace, noted important landmarks. "That big house down there is where Warren Jeffs lived. He had 15 to 20 wives there," he remarked, pointing out an elongated structure that resembles a small motel. He also pointed out a huge concrete amphitheater from which Jeffs reportedly planned to address the leaders of the free world after his prison walls crumbled. And if the fear and anxiety triggered by the arrival of polygamists from Arizona and Utah has ebbed, the unnerving presence of the prophet lingers. "He is terrible, horrible. He caused a lot of heartache for a lot of kids and other people. He separated wives from their husbands and all kinds of things," Doyle said. The ranch and all of its improvements were forfeited to the state in 2014 after Jeffs and nine other men were convicted or pled guilty to bigamy and sex crimes committed on the property. In October, ETG Properties, based in Addison, agreed to buy the ranch for $4.17 million. While waiting for the sale to close, ETG has been leasing the property for $5,000 a month. Already Border Patrol and Department of Defense personnel have come for training, and neighbors are getting used to the sounds of helicopters and other aircraft moving after dark. Repeated attempts to reach the principals of ETG Properties and related companies were unsuccessful. Schleicher County Sheriff David Doran is the most eager for the story to end. "This has consumed my life since 2004. There has not been a day that did not involve something to do with this bunch or this land," he said. For a decade, Doran was the county's liaison with the polygamists and he still maintains contact with one of them. After the group left in 2014, Doran and his wife Lenette moved into a two-bedroom apartment on the ranch as caretakers. "It was the cheapest way for the county. At first it was creepy because of everything that happened there. Now there is nothing there that bothers me," he added. He used inmate labor to maintain the property and structures, once valued at $34 million on county tax rolls. During his watch there, the ranch has experienced flooding, a wildfire and scattered attempts to break into the property. Along the way, he said, he had to learn how everything worked, including the municipal water system. Before the YFC Ranch turned this small town upside down, people here talked more about cotton, cattle and high school sports. Doran still remembers the shock of learning that the reclusive polygamists were building a community just to the north. "It was baptism by fire. We were trying to wrap our minds around what this group was about," he recalled. "Me personally, I barely knew what polygamy was." On March 25, 2004, as stunned townspeople gathered with Doran outside the courthouse to hear the news, one local woman held up a sign that read "The Devil is Here." Flora Jessop, an apostate who had left the polygamist colony at Short Creek, Arizona, and Buster Johnson, an official from Mohave County, Arizona, spoke to the crowd. "They are not a danger to your children. They are a danger to their own children," said Jessop, who said she had 28 brothers and sisters. Johnson spoke graphically about how the FDLS women received almost no education and some begin bearing children as young teenagers. Randy Mankin, publisher of the Eldorado Success, the paper of record for the story since 2004, likened the polygamist's arrival to that of a UFO. "It's still fresh to me, like yesterday but I'm one of the old geezers," Mankin said. "It just felt like a cloud was hanging over the town. No one knew what the future would be. Some people left because they were afraid a group would come and take over," he said. Things reached a chaotic peak in April 2008, when the state raided the ranch, prompted by an anonymous complaint to Child Protective Services of child abuse. The call later proved to be a hoax, but not before hundreds of women and children were removed. "There were 13 satellite television trucks parked at the courthouse," Mankin recalls. More than 400 children were taken into temporary custody by the state. They were returned seven weeks later after the Third Court of Appeals ruled that the state had not met its burden for an emergency removal. Still, the evidence obtained, including DNA from the children, led to indictments of Jeffs and 11 other men on charges of bigamy and sexual assault. In August 2011, Jeffs was convicted of aggravated sexual assault of a child and sexual assault of a child. His victims were 12 and 15 years old. He was sentenced to life in prison plus 20 years. In November 2012, the Texas Attorney General's Office began legal proceedings to seize the ranch. In April 2014, the last polygamists left peacefully and Texas authorities took possession. As Eldorado's improbable polygamist ordeal is now finally ending, opinions about the place among community leaders differ. Johnny Griffin, 74, who was county judge through 2008, still thinks the state was wrong to forcefully remove more than 400 children. "I was really opposed to that whole operation. It was a political stand for (then-Attorney General) Mr. Abbott. He was going to run for governor. In my opinion, it was the worst of the state being Big Brother," Griffin began. He also disagrees with the state using the criminal convictions of a handful of polygamist men to justify seizing the Yearning for Zion Ranch, and forcing everyone who lived there to leave. "Why in the hell didn't they leave the mommas and the kids in there, and get rid of the men? When you see your momma get drug off, it's got to affect you. I thought it was terribly handled," he said. Former County Commissioner Matt Brown, however, thinks that state officials handled the situation appropriately. "We're just glad that they are gone. There was a lot of turmoil and unrest in the county. When they move in, they can certainly ruin a community," he said. Brown said that the abuses that occurred within the polygamist community outweigh any arguments about religious liberty or criticism of the state's abrupt removal of the children. "It was the child abuse and the brainwashing that goes on in that cult. And it's sad that it's still going on. It's pretty much a slave state," he said. "We're glad to have new owners. We're glad someone was interested in the property and it's being put to good use," he added. The death of a girl whose body was found stuffed in a duffel bag off an equestrian trail in Hacienda Heights, California was ruled a homicide, sheriff's officials said Friday. The girl, who hasn't been identified, is believed to be between ages 8 and 13. She was found by County workers Tuesday morning on an equestrian trail, said Los Angeles County Sheriff's Lt. Scott Hoglund. Authorities didn't know who she was and said there were no obvious signs of trauma. They reached out to the local school district but it didn't appear that she went to school there. A sketch depicting the girl described as African American, 4 foot 5 inches tall and weighing 55 pounds was released during a news conference Wednesday. The sketch shows her wearing a pink long-sleeved shirt that read, "Future Princess Hero" and panda patterned pants. Investigators believe the body was dumped down an embankment south of Colima Road sometime between Sunday night and the morning the body was found. The body was found partially stuffed inside a black rollaway-type duffel bag, the upper portion of the body protruding from the bag, officials said. Detectives don't know if the girl was dead or alive when she was put in the bag. Scores of people held a vigil Thursday night for the girl. Singing "He's got the whole world in his hands," they gathered near where the body was found. "This little girl is now part of this community," said Marlene Contreras, one of the vigil organizers. Joseph Contreras, 11, was out Thursday night paying his respects to the unidentified girl. "I feel lots of sadness about her," he said. Anyone with information on the case was urged to call the Sheriff's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500, or Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS. British Home Secretary Sajid Javid faced criticism Saturday after the death of a U.K. teenager's baby in a Syrian camp. Shamima Begum, who had left London as a 15-year-old in 2015 to join the Islamic State group, had pleaded with British authorities before her baby was born to let her return to Britain to raise the child. But Javid revoked her passport, saying Begum hadn't shown any remorse. The teen had told newspaper reporters she didn't have a problem with ISIS actions, including the beheading of captives. Begum's infant son died Friday. Begum's family said the boy appeared to be in good health when he was born on Feb. 17. No clear cause of death has yet been given, but reports suggested he was having respiratory problems. Fellow Conservative Party lawmaker Phillip Lee said Saturday he was "deeply concerned" by Javid's handling of the case, suggesting he had taken a hard line in order to please populists. He said it was clear 19-year-old Begum "holds abhorrent views," but called her a child who was a product of British society. Britain had a moral duty to her and to her baby, he said. When Begum first started speaking to reporters more than three weeks ago, she said the first two children she had given birth to since joining the extremist group had died of malnutrition and other ailments. She said she wanted to come home so she didn't lose another child. Her predicament sparked a national debate on how the U.K. should handle Britons who had joined the extremists and now seek to return because ISIS has lost its territory in Syria and Iraq. The challenge faces other European countries as the final ISIS stronghold in Syria is on the brink of falling, giving its fighters and their often youthful spouses no place left to hide. U.S. President Donald Trump weighed in on the matter last month, saying European countries have a responsibility to take back and put on trial about 800 ISIS fighters who have been captured by U.S.-backed forces in Syria. Begum is married to a Dutch national who joined ISIS extremists and has since been taken into custody. He said last week that he wanted to be able to live in the Netherlands with his wife and newborn son, who is now dead. Kirsty McNeill, a director at Save the Children UK, said Britain should "take responsibility for their citizens" in Syria to prevent further unnecessary losses. "It is possible the death of this baby boy and others could have been avoided," she said. Javid didn't comment directly on the baby's death. A government spokesman said "the death of any child is tragic" and reiterated the British government's advice that citizens avoid travel to Syria. A growing list of Democratic presidential contenders want the U.S. government to legalize marijuana, reflecting a nationwide shift as more Americans look favorably on cannabis. Making marijuana legal at the federal level is the "smart thing to do," says California Sen. Kamala Harris, a former prosecutor whose home state is the nation's largest legal pot shop. New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, a prominent legalization advocate on Capitol Hill, says the war on drugs has been a "war on people." Former Texas Congressman Beto O'Rourke, who appears poised to join the 2020 Democratic field, has written a book arguing marijuana legalization would hobble drug cartels. In an email to supporters this week, he called again to end the federal prohibition on marijuana. "Who is going to be the last man more likely than not a black man to languish behind bars for possessing or using marijuana when it is legal in some form in more than half of the states in this country?" O'Rourke wrote. It's a far different approach from the not-so-distant past, when it was seen as politically damaging to acknowledge smoking pot and no major presidential candidate backed legalization. In 1992, then-White House candidate Bill Clinton delivered a famously tortured response about a youthful dalliance with cannabis, claiming he tried it as a graduate student in England but "didn't inhale." And two decades before that, President Richard Nixon unleashed a war on marijuana and other drugs and it helped carry him to a second term. This year, leading Democrats hold similar positions supporting legalization. Presidential hopefuls in the Senate who have co-sponsored Booker's legislation to end the federal prohibition include Harris, New York's Kirsten Gillibrand, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Vermont's Bernie Sanders, who campaigned on decriminalizing pot in his 2016 presidential bid. Another 2020 Democratic candidate, Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, supports legalization and believes states should have the right to determine how to handle marijuana regulation within their borders but hasn't signed on to Booker's legislation. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, who entered the contest this month, said in his announcement speech it's "about time" to legalize the drug nationally. During his 2012 run for governor, Inslee opposed the ballot initiative that made Washington one of the first two states to legalize so-called recreational marijuana. As governor, however, he has frequently touted what he describes as Washington's successful experiment with regulation and has urged the Obama and Trump administrations not to intervene. He recently began pardoning people with small-time marijuana convictions. The widespread endorsement for national marijuana reform among Democrats tracks the nation's evolving views. In the late 1960s the era of Woodstock and Vietnam 12 percent of Americans supported legalization, according to the Gallup poll. By last year, the figure hit a record 66 percent. About 75 percent of Democrats support legalization, along with a slim majority of Republicans. Most Americans now live in states where marijuana is legal in some form. Pot dispensaries are familiar sights in cities like Los Angeles and Denver, and conservative strongholds like Utah and Oklahoma have established medical marijuana programs. To Mason Tvert of the Marijuana Policy Project, a pro-legalization advocacy group, it's not surprising there's broad support among candidates to end the federal prohibition. "It's no longer popular to be in favor of marijuana prohibition," Tvert said. But there are limits: "We are not seeing any candidates saying, 'I am currently a marijuana user,'" he added. The trajectory toward legal pot has come with generational change. In a 2003 Democratic presidential forum, candidates John Kerry, John Edwards and Howard Dean acknowledged using marijuana in the past. Former President Barack Obama has been open about his youthful drug use, sometimes with a jab of humor: "When I was a kid, I inhaled. Frequently. That was the point," he said in 2006. In a recent radio interview on the syndicated "The Breakfast Club," Harris recalled smoking pot in her college days in the 1980s. She was an early supporter of medical marijuana but the Los Angeles Times reported that in 2010, the year she was elected California attorney general, that Harris opposed an initiative to more broadly legalize marijuana. How potent the legal pot platform might be with voters in 2020 is only a guess. Polls show some of the strongest support comes from younger voters. In California, millennials are now the largest generation among registered voters. However, younger voters are also the most likely to stay home on Election Day, said Paul Mitchell of Political Data Inc., a nonpartisan research firm. President Donald Trump's position on cannabis remains somewhat opaque. He has said he supports laws legalizing medical marijuana but hasn't offered a definitive position on broader legalization. In a departure from his predecessor, Jeff Sessions, new Attorney General William Barr has said he will "not go after" marijuana companies in states where cannabis is legal, even though he personally believes the drug should be outlawed. Standing somewhat apart from the Democratic field is the man who presided over one of the first legal recreational marijuana marketplaces in the nation, former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper. Hickenlooper opposed the ballot measure that fully legalized marijuana in Colorado in 2012. But he said he accepted the will of the voters and won praise for implementing the measure. He says his "worst fears" about legalization haven't been realized and considers the system better than when the drug was illegal. Still, Hickenlooper isn't willing to go as far as some competitors. Rather than calling for national legalization, he wants the drug to no longer be a Schedule 1 controlled substance so it can be studied. He doesn't think the federal government "should come in and tell every state that it should be legal," believing states should make their own determinations. "I trust this process by which states should be the models of, or laboratories of, democracy," he said. ___ Associated Press Writer Gene Johnson in Seattle contributed. Former Texas Rep. Ralph Hall, the oldest-ever member of the U.S. House and a man who claimed to have once sold cigarettes and Coca-Cola to the bank-robbing duo of Bonnie and Clyde, has died at age 95. The Republican and World War II pilot died at his home in Rockwall on Thursday morning, said Ed Valentine, Hall's longtime strategist. Asked about a cause of death, Valentine simply cited Hall's age, saying he hadn't been suffering from any known long term ailments. Former Rep. Ralph Hall, a political survivor whose career mirrored the massive partisan shift that marked the last 50 years of Texas politics and made him the oldest person to ever serve in the U.S. House, died Thursday. He was 95. Hall was 91 when he left the House, after being defeated in a 2014 Republican primary runoff election by John Ratcliffe. The former U.S. attorney was less than half Hall's age and well-schooled in digital and data-heavy campaigning. Hall won the 2012 Republican primary despite a tea party challenge. But he lost in a primary upset in 2014 to John Ratcliffe. On the night he lost, Hall said he'd wasn't quitting. "I am not going to retire and I'm sure not going to quit. I have a job until the 31st day of December. How many other 91-year-old men can say that," Hall said. Ratcliffe, after learning of Hall's death, released the following statement Thursday afternoon. An avid jogger who began his days with 2-mile runs, Hall marked Memorial Day 2012 -- when he was 89 -- by skydiving to honor American service members. That Christmas he became the oldest member of Congress' lower chamber, breaking the record set by North Carolina Rep. Charles Manly Stedman, who died in office when he was 89 years, 7 months and 25 days old. "I'm just an old guy -- lived pretty clean," Hall said just after breaking the record. "I have no ailments. I don't hurt anywhere. I may run again. I'll just wait and see." Getting ousted by his own party in 2014 came a decade after Hall became a Republican as Texas moved farther to the right. Hall served 12 terms in Congress as a Democrat but announced in January 2004 that he'd made the switch, backed by his friend, George W. Bush, who released the following statement early Thursday afternoon: Hall, who flew Hellcat fighters during World War II, was known in Congress for promoting NASA and energy production. Hailing from the town of Rockwall, east of Dallas, he was fond of saying that he voted with his party often but always voted with his district. But he was probably most popular for mailing or personally dolling out pennies fitted with a special silver band bearing his name. Only three U.S. senators were older than Hall while still serving in Congress: South Carolina Republican Strom Thurmond, who was 100 when he retired in 2003; Democrat Theodore Francis Green of Rhode Island, who left the Senate at age 93; and West Virginia Democrat Robert Byrd, who died in office in 2010 at age 92. Hall stuck to retail politicking, preferring to greet voters personally rather than organize formal campaign stops, and was ever quick with a joke or a story. That was enough to retain his House seat in 2012, when he bested tea party primary opponent Steve Clark. The telecommunications executive spent around $100,000 of his own money on the failed campaign that was also supported by grassroots groups targeting incumbents. But in 2014, Ratcliffe painted his opponent as a do-little Washington insider. He noted that Hall had represented the district so long that he had an airport, lake and highway named after him. Ratcliffe also used targeted data to bring that message to likely Republican voters. Hall tried to modernize with the times, joining Twitter in 2013 and marking former President Ronald Reagan's 102nd birthday with his first Tweet. But that proved no match for Ratcliffe, who ran unopposed in the deeply red district in November 2014 general election. Ralph Moody Hall was born on May 3, 1923, in Fate, Texas. He attended Texas Christian University and the University of Texas, before earning a law degree at Southern Methodist University in 1951. While working in a pharmacy in his hometown as a boy, Hall said then-fugitives Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker used curb-side service. Hall said they bought "two cartons of Old Golds, two Coca-Colas and all the newspapers we had." "He was a funny looking little guy. She was acceptable looking," Hall said in 2014. "I saw them. But I don't think it's that unusual. They were a lot of places." [NATL] In Memoriam: Influential People We've Lost in 2019 Like his father, Hall worked in the energy sector, helping run bulldozers during the construction of a pipeline before joining the Navy at age 19. He married Mary Ellen Murphy in November 1944, while serving in Pensacola, Florida. The couple had three sons: Hampton, Brett and Blakeley. After World War II, Hall returned to practice law in Rockwall County, where he served as a judge from 1950 to 1962. He was elected the following year to the Texas Senate. He ran unsuccessfully in the 1972 Democratic primary for lieutenant governor and left the chamber the following January. Hall was president and chief executive officer of Texas Aluminum Corp. and general counsel of Texas Extrusion Co. Inc. He was a counsel for the aircraft parts maker Howmet Corporation from 1970 to 1974. Winning a U.S. House seat in 1980, Hall came to Washington just as Ronald Reagan's presidency began. Hall was among the Democratic conservatives who sided with Reagan on key budget issues, favoring efforts to reduce federal spending. He voted against the North American Free Trade Agreement and was an original co-sponsor of bills to repeal the estate tax and the marriage tax penalty. Hall also supported a resolution allowing America's use of force in Iraq, and voted "present" in January 2003 rather than vote for Nancy Pelosi in her bid for minority leader. Two months later, he voted for a budget that included Bush's 10-year, $726 billion tax-cut plan. After becoming a Republican, Hall leaned heavily on Bush, a former Texas governor, and got strong White House backing in 2004's three-way GOP primary, winning 77 percent of the vote. In 2009, he opposed the federal bailout of the financial industry and the economic stimulus package, and was a harsh critic of federal health care reform when it was debated and ultimately approved by Congress in 2010. Two years later, Hall was appointed chairman of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee. That October, when the Environmental Protection Agency proposed easing pollution restrictions that had angered several states, Hall said EPA's revision proved its rules were not based on sound science. "As we have seen in Texas and throughout the United States, pursing an EPA-knows-best approach to compliance will unquestionably result in increased unemployment, power plant shutdowns and more expensive, less reliable energy," he said. After the primary defeat to Ratcliffe, Hall injured his hip in car crash, and his recovery kept him away from Washington for much of the remainder of a term that formally ended in 2015. Hall is survived by his three children. His wife died in 2008 at age 83, after 63 years of marriage. During a visit to North Texas Friday, the state's top eduation official said he "remains optimistic" that state lawmakers will get something done on school finance reform before the end of the current session. Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath made the comments while touring Eagle Ridge Elementary in the Keller Independent School District. "The spirit is very willing and there is a high degree of alignment from our legislative leaders," said Morath. "These are thoughtful people that want the best for kids. They're just trying to come up with the best solutions." Morath was in town to meet with local superintendents and to learn more about some of the innovative programs Eagle Ridge Elementary has rolled out to keep students engaged in learning -- like their "house" model that sorts students into different teams and challenges them to earn house points. Like many school districts across Texas, Keller ISD is underfunded by the state. Their leaders have joined the chorus of eductators calling on lawmakers to pump more state dollars into the education system, which has become heavily reliant on local property tax dollars over the last decade. Among the proposals being considered by lawmakers -- upping the state's financial contributions to local school districts and giving teachers and librarians pay raises. "We want to make sure the school finance system as a whole provides the resources that all of our kids need to become the best versions of themselves," said Morath. "The proposals on the table are bold and will be of tremendous help to huge numbers of kids." The challenge lawmakers face -- and the key issue they're now debating -- figuring out where that money is going to come from and how to balance education spending with the rest of the state's budgetary needs. Experts said Wednesday that only 22 vaquitas remain in the Gulf of California, where a grim, increasingly violent battle is playing out between emboldened fishermen and the last line of defense for the smallest and most endangered porpoise in the world. Jorge Urban, a biology professor at the Baja California Sur University, said the 22 vaquitas were heard over a network of acoustic monitors. That was in fact higher than many had expected; some had estimated as little as 15 would remain in the Gulf, also known as the Sea of Cortez, the only place in the world where the vaquita marina is found. It may be a sign the vaquita is holding on, and what is keeping it alive is a thin line of defenders: Every night 22 volunteer crew members from ships operated by the environmentalist group Sea Shepherd go out to search the upper Gulf for hidden gill nets that catch prized but protected totoaba fish and drown vaquitas. It is increasingly dangerous work. Over the last month, the Sea Shepherd ship Farley Mowat has suffered two attacks in which dozens of fast fishing boats pounded the ship with rocks and firebombs. "If we stop operations, the vaquita will go extinct," said Sea Shepherd first mate Jack Hutton. "It's just out here removing nets, if we stop removing them then there's no hope for the vaquita." The prime season to catch totoaba, which peaks in May, is causing a frenzy. The big fish's swim bladders are considered a delicacy in China and can bring thousands of dollars apiece at retail. With so few vaquitas left, a mass totoaba fishing effort this spring could wipe out the species. "We know we are going to keep getting attacked," said Hutton, who was operating a drone that fishermen shot out of the sky last year. "We know we are risking our lives, but if we don't the vaquita has no chance." The activists are not alone. Mexican marines and federal police aboard the Farley Mowat fired rubber bullets during the most recent attacks. But officials are clearly not capable of handling the attacks, or preventing fishermen from setting the submerged, hidden nets, which are banned by law from the area. The Mexican Navy and Environment Ministry did not reply to request for comments. But marines have been intimidated by the fishermen, said documentary filmmaker Richard Ladkani, who filmed as they stood by while fishermen set out in their boats or as they battled authorities to free detained fishermen. Ladkani directed "Sea of Shadows," which won the audience award at the Sundance film festival this year for world documentaries. Ladkani said he accompanied the Navy on wild, dangerous nighttime chases at top speed in which fishermen tried and sometimes succeeded in ramming naval patrol boats to disable their engines. "Why is the navy not using force?" Ladkani wondered. "We were on 10 chases, and every time the pangas (boats) got away." Ladkani also has a theory about why the fishermen are getting so violent and desperate: Sea Shepherd is successful enough at pulling out nets which cost about $3,000 apiece that the fishermen are going into debt, borrowing money from the cartel of Chinese and Mexican totoaba traffickers to buy new nets. "This is a vicious circle where people get more indebted," said Ladkani. "This one fisherman wound up owing the cartels $54,000 for 18 nets. He tried to get out, he finally came out and said there is no way I can repay the cartel. He was murdered." Sunshine Rodriguez, a leader of the fishermen in the Baja California town of San Felipe, agreed that the illegal totoaba trade has not brought riches to the town: A total ban on gillnets has paralyzed the fishing fleet, and government payments meant to compensate for lost fishing income haven't been paid in at least three months. "I know people who are dedicated 100 percent to that (totoaba) business, and don't even have $10 to put gas in the tank of their panga," said Rodriguez. "The Chinese are making the profit, that I can tell you." "What did they expect the people to do, starve?" Rodriguez asked, saying the idea that fishermen make thousands of dollars for each totoaba bladder is a myth. He said a half-kilogram bladder from an average-sized fish commands only about $400, and prices are dropping. Rodriguez said the Chinese-Mexican illegal dealers keep cutting the price because the fishermen "are starving. ... They say 'we'll keep on dropping it, we'll keep on making more profit, and these people are going to keep fishing because they have nothing else to do." Investigator Andrea Costa of the group Elephant Action League agreed that prices appear to be falling, calling that "the first good news for the vaquita in a long, long time." He attributed that to his group's work in identifying illegal traders in Baja California's Chinese community, noting that the Chinese government recently arrested 16 traders. Costa, who spent a year and a half working undercover to expose the totoaba trade, agreed with Rodriguez on another point: The Mexican government's strategy of focusing almost exclusively on cracking down on the fishermen is never going to work unless it also cracks down on the middlemen and the traders. "As long as you hammer, put all your efforts only on the fishermen, only on removing the nets, you will fail," Costa said. "You don't address the problem, and the problem is a very sophisticated supply chain As long as you don't hit these people and you do that ... you'll bleed out, not only the vaquita but the whole marine life in the Sea of Cortez." Rodriguez, the fishermen's leader, puts it this way: "Everybody is illegal out there. Regardless if it's a shrimp net or a totoaba net, there is a ban on nets. "So if you're going to catch me and take my boat away for using a shrimp net, what do you think I'm going to do instead? I'm going to do the most profitable illegal thing because I'm still illegal." But in the meantime, the Sea Shepherd goes each night and hauls in nets, sometimes as many as 15 per night. The fishermen go out each night and lay nets because many of them can't stop; they're too in debt to the traders. The Sea of Cortez, which Jacques Cousteau once called "the aquarium of the world," is suffering long-term damage from the nets, which are carefully weighted to float below the surface to avoid detection. "The fact that they hide their nets does mean that we find active nets months later that have not been checked or forgotten about or lost by the poachers," said Hutton. "It means that there's walls of death that are just going to sit out there forever if no one picks them up Ladkani said, "When it's totoaba season at the end of May, they may have killed everything by then." Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson, once seen as a candidate to succeed Jim Mattis as defense secretary, said Friday she is resigning to become president of the University of Texas at El Paso. A former U.S. House Republican member from New Mexico and graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, Wilson has headed the Air Force since May 2017, making her President Donald Trump's first Senate-confirmed service secretary. She had been an early skeptic of Trump's interest in creating a Space Force as an independent military department, but she publicly embraced the administration's proposal to Congress last month that would establish a Space Force as a separate service within the Department of the Air Force. Trump praised Wilson on Twitter Friday. "A strong thank you to Heather for her service," he wrote. Wilson also had been mentioned as a potential successor to Mattis. After Mattis announced his resignation in late December, Trump named the former deputy defense secretary, Patrick Shanahan, as acting defense secretary. But Trump has not yet nominated anyone for confirmation by the Senate. In her resignation letter to Trump, Wilson said the University of Texas Board of Regents announced on Friday that she is the sole finalist to become the university's next president, effective Sept. 1. "Under Texas law, my name will be public for three weeks before the regents take a final vote on my appointment," she wrote. "Upon a favorable vote by the regents, I will resign my position as secretary of the Air Force effective May 31, 2019," she wrote. "This should allow sufficient time for a smooth transition and ensure advocacy during upcoming congressional hearings." She graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1982 and later earned masters and doctoral degrees as a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University in England. Wilson is the first graduate of the academy to hold to hold the service's top civilian post. She served in the House from 1998 to 2009. From 1989 to 1991, she served on the National Security Council staff as director for defense policy and arms control for President George H.W. Bush. By going to the University of Texas at El Paso, Wilson said she was returning to her academic roots. She previously served as president of the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology. Her family home is in New Mexico. Wilson said she appreciated the opportunity to serve as the Air Force's top civilian official. "It has been a privilege to serve alongside our airmen over the past two years, and I am proud of the progress that we have made restoring our nation's defense," Wilson said in a statement distributed by the Air Force. "We have improved the readiness of the force; we have cut years out of acquisition schedules and gotten better prices through competition; we have repealed hundreds of superfluous regulations; and we have strengthened our ability to deter and dominate in space." Rep. Michael Turner, an Ohio Republican, praised Wilson's work as Air Force secretary. "It is not surprising to me that Heather would be sought out by other organizations looking for her strong leadership," he said. "I wish Heather all the best in her future endeavors. She will be deeply missed. Hopefully, someday we can see Heather Wilson as the first female secretary of defense." ____ Associated Press writer Lolita C. Baldor contributed to this report. Judge extends authority to more families separated at border By ELLIOT SPAGAT Associated Press SAN DIEGO (AP) A federal judge who ordered that more than 2,700 children be reunited with their parents on Friday expanded his authority to potentially thousands more children who were separated at the border earlier during the Trump administration. Dana Sabraw ruled that his authority applies to parents who were separated at the border on or after July 1, 2017. Previously, his orders applied only to parents whose children were in government custody on June 26, 2018, when he issued his initial decision in the case. Sabraw was responding to a report in January by the U.S. Health and Human Services Department's internal watchdog that said thousands more children may have been separated since the summer of 2017, which he noted has not been disputed. The department's inspector general said the precise number was unknown. The judge will consider the next steps on March 28. The first move may be to identify the separated families, no easy task because the government didn't have an adequate tracking system at the time. The administration argued that it would be difficult to identify families, the children were no longer in its custody, and the children would likely be emotionally harmed if they were removed from their current homes. Justice Department attorney Scott Stewart told the judge last month it would be a "significant burden" to add families and "blow the case into some other galaxy" after the administration had "done all things to correct the wrong." Sabraw disagreed in his 14-page order. "The hallmark of a civilized society is measured by how it treats its people and those within its borders," he wrote. "That defendants may have to change course and undertake additional effort to address these issues does not render modification of the class definition unfair; it only serves to underscore the unquestionable importance of the effort and why it is necessary (and worthwhile)." Justice Department spokesman Steven Stafford declined to comment on the ruling. The American Civil Liberties Union, which sued over the practice of splitting families, welcomed the decision. "The court made clear that potentially thousands of children's lives are at stake and that the Trump administration cannot simply ignore the devastation it has caused," ACLU attorney Lee Gelernt said. The ACLU wouldn't want U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to go to the children's homes, Gelernt said. It would prefer that the government tell them where to find the children. Sabraw wrote that identifying separated parents and their children "may be burdensome, (but) it clearly can be done." Jallyn Sualog, deputy director of Health and Human Services' Office of Refugee Resettlement, said in court filing that it would take up to eight hours to review each of its 47,083 cases between July 1, 2017, and Sabraw's June order, which translates to 100 employees working up to 471 days. Such an assignment would "substantially imperil" operations without a "rapid, dramatic expansion" in staffing. The vast majority of separated children are released to relatives, but many are not parents. Of children released in the 2017 fiscal year, 49 percent went to parents, 41 percent to close relatives like an aunt, uncle, grandparent or adult sibling and 10 percent to distant relatives, family friends and others. The Health and Human Services inspector general said in January that a "steep increase" in separations began in the summer of 2017, before the administration announced a "zero tolerance" policy on illegal border crossings to criminally prosecute every adult, even if it meant splitting families. Families separated before the policy was introduced across the border in last spring included 281 people in a pilot project in the Border Patrol's El Paso, Texas, sector that ran from July to November of 2017. The lack of a tracking system left the government unable to quickly reunite families when parents finished their criminal cases and, in nearly 500 instances, parents were deported without their children. Sabraw ordered in June that the practice be stopped and that more than 2,700 children in government care be reunited with their parents within 30 days, which has largely been accomplished. Jonathan White, who leads the Health and Human Services Department's efforts to reunite migrant children, testified in Congress last month that Sabraw "created a pathway" for the administration to successfully reunite thousands of children with their parents. "We could not have affected the reunification of children with their parents in ICE custody absent his providing a way to do that under our steady state authorities." White said. A federal judge who ordered that more than 2,700 children be reunited with their parents on Friday expanded his authority to potentially thousands more children who were separated at the border earlier during the Trump administration. Dana Sabraw ruled that his authority applies to parents who were separated at the border on or after July 1, 2017. Previously, his orders applied only to parents whose children were in government custody on June 26, 2018, when he issued his initial decision in the case. Sabraw was responding to a report in January by the U.S. Health and Human Services Department's internal watchdog that said thousands more children may have been separated since the summer of 2017, which he noted has not been disputed. The department's inspector general said the precise number was unknown. The judge will consider the next steps on March 28. The first move may be to identify the separated families, no easy task because the government didn't have an adequate tracking system at the time. The administration argued that it would be difficult to identify families, the children were no longer in its custody, and the children would likely be emotionally harmed if they were removed from their current homes. Justice Department attorney Scott Stewart told the judge last month it would be a "significant burden" to add families and "blow the case into some other galaxy" after the administration had "done all things to correct the wrong." Sabraw disagreed in his 14-page order. "The hallmark of a civilized society is measured by how it treats its people and those within its borders," he wrote. "That defendants may have to change course and undertake additional effort to address these issues does not render modification of the class definition unfair; it only serves to underscore the unquestionable importance of the effort and why it is necessary (and worthwhile)." Justice Department spokesman Steven Stafford declined to comment on the ruling. The American Civil Liberties Union, which sued over the practice of splitting families, welcomed the decision. "The court made clear that potentially thousands of children's lives are at stake and that the Trump administration cannot simply ignore the devastation it has caused," ACLU attorney Lee Gelernt said. The ACLU wouldn't want U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to go to the children's homes, Gelernt said. It would prefer that the government tell them where to find the children. Sabraw wrote that identifying separated parents and their children "may be burdensome, (but) it clearly can be done." Jallyn Sualog, deputy director of Health and Human Services' Office of Refugee Resettlement, said in court filing that it would take up to eight hours to review each of its 47,083 cases between July 1, 2017, and Sabraw's June order, which translates to 100 employees working up to 471 days. Such an assignment would "substantially imperil" operations without a "rapid, dramatic expansion" in staffing. The vast majority of separated children are released to relatives, but many are not parents. Of children released in the 2017 fiscal year, 49 percent went to parents, 41 percent to close relatives like an aunt, uncle, grandparent or adult sibling and 10 percent to distant relatives, family friends and others. The Health and Human Services inspector general said in January that a "steep increase" in separations began in the summer of 2017, before the administration announced a "zero tolerance" policy on illegal border crossings to criminally prosecute every adult, even if it meant splitting families. Families separated before the policy was introduced across the border in last spring included 281 people in a pilot project in the Border Patrol's El Paso, Texas, sector that ran from July to November of 2017. The lack of a tracking system left the government unable to quickly reunite families when parents finished their criminal cases and, in nearly 500 instances, parents were deported without their children. Sabraw ordered in June that the practice be stopped and that more than 2,700 children in government care be reunited with their parents within 30 days, which has largely been accomplished. Jonathan White, who leads the Health and Human Services Department's efforts to reunite migrant children, testified in Congress last month that Sabraw "created a pathway" for the administration to successfully reunite thousands of children with their parents. "We could not have affected the reunification of children with their parents in ICE custody absent his providing a way to do that under our steady state authorities." White said. Giovanna Vega doesnt consider herself a domestic violence victim. I see myself like a survivor, she said. She was stabbed 13 times, and survived. I prayed to God that day, Vega said. And I told him, dont let me die. My kids need me. Giovanna says her husband had her pinned down the bathroom of their apartment and she was pleading to him. I told him, Please can you call the police. Can you call the ambulance? Im going to die here, she said. Adan Fioalisso Andia did call police. He was arrested and recently entered a plea of no contest to a charge of attempted murder. He was sentenced to spend 13 years in prison for the attack. His attorney says Andia had never been in trouble before and just snapped. Giovanna is speaking out about her painful moments to highlight an innovative program in Hollywood that she credits for helping her recover. As a part of the program, the Hollywood Police Department has assigned a domestic violence expert to her and shes going to counseling. The objective behind all of this is to stop the repeat violence and to hopefully stop it from initiating, said Sergeant Brian Joynt, the units commander. Sgt. Joynt oversees the departments effort that were started three years ago. The unit has three detectives, two victims advocates and a data researcher. Together they are able to give officers on the street a heads up if theyre responding to a home where domestic violence has happened. Every time someone is arrested, we give them a letter explaining that they are now on a watch list and we are going to do more scrutiny on themwatch what they are doing, Joynt said. The officers also make periodic visits to the homes to people on the watch list. There are now more than 3,200 men and women on the watch list separated into four categories that is based on the level of risk they pose. Joynt says people can be put on the list even if they havent been arrested. We are going out to their house and they are repeat domestics over and overwe get twothree-- five timesthere wasnt enough to make an arrest, Joynt said. We also put them on notice. They think their outreach is working. We might even be able to get the offenders some kind of help to stop them from repeating their violence, Joynt said. Joynt says that since 2016, the number of domestic violence incidents in Hollywood as fallen, down 24 percent. Giovanna is thankful for the help shes getting. I feel like Im really lucky because some people they dont make it, she said. She recently graduated from Broward College with her kids by her side to celebrate. She wants to be a lesson to them and to others. Maybe my story can change or help some other people, she said. Women in Distress of Broward County has a helpline for people in a domestic abuse situation. The number is 954-761-1133. At first glance, Mark Zuckerberg's new "privacy-focused vision " for Facebook looks like a transformative mission statement from a CEO under pressure to reverse years of battering over its surveillance practices and privacy failures. But critics say the announcement obscures Facebook's deeper motivations: To expand lucrative new commercial services, continue monopolizing the attention of users, develop new data sources to track people and frustrate regulators who might be eyeing a breakup of the social-media behemoth. Facebook "wants to be the operating system of our lives," said Siva Vaidhyanathan, director of media studies at the University of Virginia. Zuckerberg's plan, outlined Wednesday, expands Facebook's commitment to private messaging, in sharp contrast with his traditional focus on public sharing. Facebook would combine its instant-messaging services WhatsApp and Instagram Direct with its core Messenger app so that users of one could message people on the others, and would expand the use of encrypted messaging to keep outsiders including Facebook from reading the messages. The plan also calls for using those messaging services to expand Facebook's role in e-commerce and payments. A Facebook spokesperson later said it was too early to answer detailed questions about the company's messaging plans. Vaidhyanathan said Zuckerberg wants people to abandon competing, person-to-person forms of communication such as email, texting and Apple's iMessage in order to "do everything through a Facebook product." The end goal could be transform Facebook into a service like the Chinese app WeChat , which has 1.1 billion users and includes the world's most popular person-to-person online payment system. In some respects, Facebook was already headed in this direction. It has dabbled with shopping features in its Messenger app for a few years, although without much effect. And WhatsApp, which Facebook acquired for $22 billion in 2014, embraced a strong privacy technology known as "end-to-end encryption" nearly three years ago. Messages protected this way are shielded from snooping, even by the services who deliver them. But Zuckerberg said nothing in the Wednesday blog post about reforming privacy practices in its core business, which remains hungry for data. A recent Wall Street Journal report found that Facebook was still collecting personal information from apps such as user heart rates and when women ovulate . Facebook, which perfected what critics call "surveillance capitalism," knows it has serious credibility issues. Those go beyond repeated privacy lapses to include serious abuses by Russian agents, hate groups and disinformation mongers, which Zuckerberg acknowledged only belatedly. "Until Facebook actually fixes its core privacy issues and especially given their history it's difficult to take the pivot to privacy seriously," said Justin Brookman, who was a research director at the Federal Trade Commission before joining Consumers Union as privacy and technology chief in 2017. Combining the three messaging services could allow Facebook which today has 15 million fewer U.S. users than in 2017, according to Edison Research build more complete data profiles on all its users. The merged messaging services should generate new profits from the metadata they collect, including information on who you message, when you do it, from where and for how long, said Frederike Kaltheuner of the advocacy group Privacy International. That is the information that users leave behind when they message each other or conduct retail, travel or financial business, she added. And Facebook doesn't just use people's information and activity on its platform, dissecting it to target people with tailored ads. It also tracks people who don't even use the platform via small pieces of software embedded in third-party apps. Privacy International published research in December showing that popular Android apps including KAYAK and Yelp were automatically sending user data directly to Facebook the moment they were opened. KAYAK, which was sending flight search results, halted the practice and said the transmission was inadvertent. Yelp continues to send unique identifiers known as "advertising IDs" that link to specific smartphones. Facebook also has trackers that harvest data on people's online behavior on about 30 percent of the world's websites , said Jeremy Tillman of Ghostery, a popular ad-blocker and anti-tracking software. "When they say they are building a private messaging platform there is nothing in there that suggests they are going to stop their data collection and ad-targeting business model," he said. In a Wednesday interview with The Associated Press, Zuckerberg offered no specifics on new revenue sources. But "the overall opportunity here is a lot larger than what we have built in terms of Facebook and Instagram," he said. Privacy advocates, however, do admire one key element of Zuckerberg's announcement. "In the last year, I've spoken with dissidents who've told me encryption is the reason they are free, or even alive," Zuckerberg wrote. Officials at the State University of New York at New Paltz have picked new names for campus buildings that were named for slave-owning families. The college said they selected new names Wednesday for six buildings based on a survey that drew responses from more than 3,000 students. For more than a year, the school has been considering renaming the buildings named after Huguenot families who settled in the region and owned slaves. The new names have local links, including Shawangunk (SHAWN'-guhnk) Hall, named for Shawangunk Ridge, and Minnewaska Hall, named for a lake that sits on the ridge. The SUNY New Paltz College Council voted in February to rename the buildings. The new names are now pending approval by the Board of Trustees. On the cusp of another White House run, Joe Biden faces a daunting challenge that could complicate his path to the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination: money. Those close to the former vice president believe he would start off at a fundraising disadvantage compared to would-be rivals, whose campaigns have benefited from an early flood of small-dollar donations from the most liberal wing of the party. Biden, a 76-year-old lifetime politician with strong connections to the party's establishment, would be forced to rely on an "old-school grind-it-out" plan to generate campaign cash from wealthy individual donors, according to a person with direct knowledge of Biden's thinking. Questions about money are among the nagging issues Biden is still considering as he weighs launching a campaign. He's decamped this week to St. Croix, a favorite Biden family vacation spot in the Caribbean, to discuss the remaining roadblocks with his wife, Jill. Biden has long disliked the time-intensive process of political fundraising. But with virtually no campaign operation in key states, he'd need to generate millions of dollars in a matter of weeks should he enter what is expected to be the most expensive presidential campaign in U.S. history. "He obviously has a lot of friends among the Democratic donor community," said David Axelrod, one of former President Barack Obama's top political advisers. "But fundraising today is turbo-charged by social media. He's not of the social media generation." The fundraising question comes as Biden allies across the country feel an increasing sense of urgency for the Democratic heavyweight to declare his intentions. He has repeatedly hinted that he's close to making a decision, but those close to him now believe that an announcement, which some expected in January, might be delayed until April. Democrats in key primary states are warning that it's becoming more difficult to persuade Biden holdouts to be patient as a crowded field of presidential contenders such as Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, California Sen. Kamala Harris and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders actively fight for their support. In South Carolina, which holds the first primary contest in the South, Charleston County Democratic Party Chairman Brady Quirk-Garvan said Biden's indecision has created a holding pattern for potential staffers and supporters. As time drags on, he said, he's fielding calls from some who are confused by Biden's indecision. "Several have said it's concerning that he can't seem to make up his mind," Quirk-Garvan said. "If you're going to run for president, most people want someone who's pretty damn sure they want to be president." Biden has made clear to his family, friends and advisers that he wants to run, but he has held off giving his team the final go-ahead to launch a campaign. Among the factors giving him pause is concern about the impact a presidential run would have on his family, particularly given his son Hunter's complicated personal history. Even so, Biden adviser Steve Ricchetti has been signaling to potential Democratic rivals that Biden is expected to run. Other advisers including Greg Schultz and Peter Kavanaugh have been in regular contact with potential staff across the country to ensure Biden could quickly ramp up a national organization. Those close to Biden expect him to signal his decision at least internally in the coming days to be followed by an intense period of hiring ahead of an April announcement should he decide to run. Biden's likely entry into the race was among the factors that led former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg to decide this week that he would not launch a campaign. Biden and Bloomberg spoke after the former mayor announced his decision, according to a person with knowledge of the conversation. That person, like others in the story, spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss private conversations. Biden has openly raised questions about the social media and fundraising landscape, which has changed dramatically since he first joined Obama on the Democrats' 2008 presidential ticket. Several 2020 Democratic contenders have condemned super PACs in recent weeks. Warren, who has been struggling to raise money, took it a step further late last month, vowing not to court wealthy donors at all. Biden acknowledged during a recent appearance at the University of Delaware that fundraising is a major consideration. "We also are making a decision on whether or not we can fund this campaign on my conditions because I will not be part of a super PAC and to see whether or not it's realistic," Biden said. "An awful lot of people have offered to help the people, who are usually the biggest donors in the Democratic Party, and, I might add, some major Republican folks." A frequent headliner on the Democratic money circuit, Biden is well-known among donors but does not have a pool of big-dollar fundraisers lined up ready to commit to his campaign. And his fundraising track record is underwhelming at best. He faced little more than token opposition in his long run as a Delaware senator, requiring a relatively light fundraising burden. And in his 2008 presidential run, Biden raised barely half of the $20 million fundraising goal he set before dropping out of the race following a weak finish in the Iowa caucuses. He was outraised by four other Democratic candidates in the final three months of his campaign, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. With no clear front-runner in the crowded 2020 Democratic field, many of Obama's donors are holding off on making commitments to one candidate or plan to give smaller amounts to multiple candidates in the coming months. Biden's entry into the race is unlikely to change that approach, according to a Democrat who has spoken to several Obama donors. But at least one Obama donor, Don Peebles, a two-time member of the former president's national finance team, expressed confidence in Biden's fundraising ability. "I think he'd raise more money than several of the top candidates combined," Peebles said, vowing to support Biden if he runs. "He's the best chance that the Democrats have to win in November." Some Biden loyalists are not as patient. In Iowa, Roxana Moritz, who was part of Biden's Iowa steering committee during his failed 2008 bid, expressed concern that by waiting so long, Biden was allowing other candidates to peel off some of his supporters. "The longer it goes, the harder it gets" for the former vice president to consolidate support, said Mortiz, the Scott County auditor. While she's still certain to support Biden if he runs, Moritz is getting anxious. "I wish that he would be clear on his plans," she said. ___ Pace reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Meg Kinnard in Columbia, S.C.; Alexandra Jaffe in Des Moines, Iowa; and Hunter Woodall in Manchester, N.H., contributed to this report. Joe Biden isn't a presidential candidate yet. But with two key rivals already getting out of the way, the former vice president has more space to court voters who could help him claim the Democratic nomination. Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown said Thursday he wouldn't run for president, following an announcement earlier this week from former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg that he would also sit out 2020. Both men have vastly different political profiles. Brown has deep connections to blue-collar, union-friendly voters in the Midwest while Bloomberg saw his path to the nomination run through centrists uncomfortable with the party's move to the left. But together, their decisions could give Biden a greater opportunity to appeal to the middle-America voters who sided with President Donald Trump in 2016 and could be crucial to Democratic hopes of winning back the White House. "I think it certainly creates a whole new constituency for the vice president that might have been split otherwise," California Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who has vowed to support Biden if he runs, said soon after Brown's announcement. "So, that's good." Chris Coons, elected in 2010 to fill the Delaware Senate seat Biden occupied for 36 years, said Brown's decision not to run "absolutely" strengthened the former vice president's case. Brown "comes from and connects to the heartland in a remarkable way. He's a real guy," Coons said, likening his appeal to Biden's. Bloomberg's aides said their internal polling suggested his path to the Democratic nomination was narrow, particularly if Biden who shares some of Bloomberg's moderate positions decides to run. Brown, in contrast, denied that the former vice president had any effect on his choice to opt out of the primary. "His getting in or out had zero impact on this," the 66-year-old senator said of Biden. Brown told reporters that he and Biden talk "from time to time" but had last connected before his Senate re-election win in November, "when he was in Ohio campaigning with me or for me." Biden spokesman Bill Russo declined to comment on either Bloomberg or Brown's decisions against running in 2020. Of course, if Brown had sought the presidency, he would have faced a steep challenge in climbing ahead from the back of the pack in a field with a dozen candidates already declared. Biden and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders consistently lead in early surveys of the 2020 Democratic field, and former Texas Rep. Beto O'Rourke could shake up the race if he decides to run. Brown's departure also provides a possible boost to Sanders, given their shared distaste for free-trade deals and vocal criticism of Wall Street. Although Brown leans further left on policy than Bloomberg or Biden especially when it comes to trade the senator and former vice president have a parallel appeal to working-class voters who fled their party for Trump. Biden's ties to his hardscrabble hometown of Scranton, Pennsylvania, have made him a compelling messenger for the plight of blue-collar workers whose jobs and livelihoods remain under threat by globalization and outsourcing. His role in an Obama administration that poured billions of dollars into rescuing the U.S. auto industry from the 2008 financial crisis also gives him a unique opportunity to connect with Midwestern voters. "It's a mantle that is open to be grabbed by people who are willing to talk to these voters in an authentic way, in sharing their frustrations," said Tom Russell, a Wisconsin-based Democratic strategist who aided the party's successful effort to topple GOP Gov. Scott Walker in 2018. "Biden has a history of being able to do that," Russell said, though he added that Brown's absence from the race creates potential advantages for O'Rourke, who has elements of the more centrist profile that Biden and Bloomberg would bring, as well as for Sanders. Brown "was Bernie without some of the Bernie baggage," Russell said. Still, Biden will have to confront several vulnerabilities. He is famously prone to gaffes and angered some in the LGBT community last week when he called Vice President Mike Pence a "decent guy." The decades in public life that he often portrays as an asset also carries challenges. The Washington Post, for instance, reported on Thursday that Biden opposed bussing children in the mid-1970s as schools sought to further integrate classrooms. Russo said Biden is a longtime civil rights advocate who supports equal housing, education and job opportunities. But such comments from decades ago could seem tone-deaf in a Democratic primary heralded for its historic diversity. Ultimately, Democrats are weighing how to keep their grip on progressives without alienating Midwestern voters. Ohio Democratic Party Chairman David Pepper said Brown has proved that's possible by winning over some voters in his battleground home state in 2018 who backed Trump in 2016. "Any candidate can" succeed in Ohio "if they are focused on the right issues, and if they come across as someone who will fight for the everyday Ohio worker," Pepper said. "Certainly, Joe Biden is somebody I think would have a very good chance of beating Trump in Ohio. But I'm quick to say I don't think other candidates couldn't do the same thing." Associated Press writers Tom Beaumont in Des Moines, Iowa, and Julie Pace in Washington contributed to this report. The federal budget deficit is ballooning on President Donald Trump's watch and few in Washington seem to care. And even if they did, the political dynamics that enabled bipartisan deficit-cutting deals decades ago has disappeared, replaced by bitter partisanship and chronic dysfunction. That's the reality that will greet Trump's latest budget, which will promptly be shelved after landing with a thud on Monday. Like previous spending blueprints, Trump's plan for the 2020 budget year will propose cuts to many domestic programs favored by lawmakers in both parties but leave alone politically popular retirement programs such as Medicare and Social Security. Washington probably will devote months to wrestling over erasing the last remnants of a failed 2011 budget deal that would otherwise cut core Pentagon operations by $71 billion and domestic agencies and foreign aid by $55 billion. Top lawmakers are pushing for a reprise of three prior deals to use spending cuts or new revenues and prop up additional spending rather than defray deficits that are again approaching $1 trillion. It's put deficit hawks in a gloomy mood. "The president doesn't care. The leadership of the Democratic Party doesn't care," said former Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H. "And social media is in stampede mode." Trump's budget arrives as the latest Treasury Department figures show a 77 percent spike in the deficit over the first four months of the budget year, driven by falling revenues and steady growth in spending. Trump's 2017 tax cut bears much of the blame, along with sharp increases in spending for both the Pentagon and domestic agencies and the growing federal retirement costs of the baby boom generation. Promises that the tax cut would stir so much economic growth that it would mostly pay for itself have been proved woefully wrong. Trump's upcoming budget, however, won't address any of the main factors behind the growing, intractable deficits that have driven the U.S. debt above $22 trillion. Its most striking proposed cuts to domestic agency operations were rejected when tea party Republicans controlled the House, and they face equally grim prospects now that Democrats are in the majority. Trump has given no indication he's much interested in the deficit, and he's rejected any idea of curbing Medicare or Social Security, the massive federal retirement programs whose imbalances are the chief deficit drivers. An administration official said Friday that the president's plan promises to balance the budget in 15 years. The official was not authorized to publicly discuss specifics about the budget before the document's official release and spoke on condition of anonymity Democrats have witnessed the retirement of a generation of lawmakers who came up in the 1980s and 1990s and negotiated deficit-cutting deals in 1990 and 1993. But those agreements came at significant political cost to both President George H.W. Bush, who lost re-election, and President Bill Clinton, whose party lost control of Congress in 1995. But the moderate wing of the Democratic Party has withered with the electoral wipeout of "Blue Dog" Democrats at the hands of tea party forces over recent election cycles. "Concern about the deficit is so woefully out of fashion that it's hard to even imagine it coming back into fashion," said Rep. Jim Cooper, D-Tenn., one of his party's few remaining deficit hawks. "This is as out of fashion as bell bottoms." While in control of the House, Republicans used to generate nonbinding budget blueprints that promised to balance the federal ledger by relying on a controversial plan to eventually transform Medicare into a voucher-like program. But they never pursued follow-up legislation that would actually do it. Republicans, who seized Congress more than two decades ago promising and ultimately achieving balanced budgets during the Clinton administration, have instead focused on two major rounds of tax cuts during the Trump era and the administration of President George W. Bush in 2001. Nor are Republicans willing to consider tough deficit-cutting steps such as higher taxes or Pentagon budget cuts. Leading Democratic presidential contenders talk of "Medicare for All" and increasing Social Security benefits instead of curbing them. "You have to get pretty damn serious about revenue as well as defense spending, and those are two things the Republicans don't want to bring into the conversation," said Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill. "My Democratic friends who talk about expansion of benefits. I've told them to 'get real.'" Trump has never gone to the mat for his plan to slash domestic spending such as renewable energy programs. "If Trump can be criticized I think the perception has been that he has not fought for the spending cuts that he's proposed," said former Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C. "There's no upside to trying to cut anything. There's no political reward. But if you cut something there's a lot of political downside." Neither is there any reservoir of the political will and bipartisan trust required to take the political heat for the tough steps it would take to rein in deficits. And it's not like voters are clamoring for action. "There's been very little dialogue in the last several years about debt and deficit and how to really be able to address it," said Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla. "It just never came up" in the 2016 election. "It still doesn't come up." The deficit registered $714 billion during Trump's first year in office but is projected to hit about $900 billion this year, according to the Congressional Budget Office, which says Trump's tax cut will add $1.5 trillion to the deficit over 10 years. "One of the short-term goals should be I know it's not a lofty goal stopping things from getting a lot worse. It's something the Republicans obviously were unable to do. That's a low bar, but they couldn't meet a low bar," said Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md. Divided in debate but mostly united in a final vote, the House passed a resolution condemning anti-Semitism and other bigotry Thursday, with Democrats trying to push past a dispute that has overwhelmed their agenda and exposed fault lines that could shadow them through next year's elections. The one-sided 407-23 vote belied the emotional infighting over how to respond to freshman Rep. Ilhan Omar's recent comments suggesting House supporters of Israel have dual allegiances. For days, Democrats wrestled with whether or how to punish the lawmaker, arguing over whether Omar, one of two Muslim women in Congress, should be singled out, what other types of bias should be decried in the text and whether the party would tolerate dissenting views on Israel. Republicans generally joined in the favorable vote, though nearly two-dozen opposed the measure, one calling it a "sham." Generational as well as ideological, the argument was fueled in part by young, liberal lawmakers and voters who have become a face of the newly empowered Democratic majority in the House. These lawmakers are critical of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, rejecting the conservative leader's approach to Palestinians and other issues. They split sharply from Democratic leaders who seemed caught off guard by the support for Omar and unprepared for the debate. But the leaders regrouped. "It's not about her. It's about these forms of hatred," Speaker Nancy Pelosi said before the vote. The resolution approved Thursday condemns anti-Semitism, anti-Muslim discrimination and bigotry against minorities "as hateful expressions of intolerance." Omar, a Somali-American, and fellow Muslims Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Andrew Carson of Indiana, issued a statement praising the "historic" vote as the first resolution to condemn "anti-Muslim bigotry." Some Democrats complained that Omar's comments on Israel had ignited all this debate while years of President Donald Trump's racially charged rhetoric had led to no similar congressional action. The seven-page document details a history of recent attacks not only against Jews in the United States but also Muslims, as it condemns all such discrimination as contradictory to "the values and aspirations" of the people of the United States. The vote was delayed for a time on Thursday to include mention of Latinos to address concerns of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. It was inserted under a section on white supremacists who "weaponize hate for political gain" over a long list of "traditionally persecuted peoples." An earlier version focused more narrowly on anti-Semitism. The final resolution did not mention Omar by name. Getting this debate right will be crucial for Democrats in 2020. U.S.-Israel policy is a prominent issue that is exposing the splits between the party's core voters, its liberal flank and the more centrist Americans in Trump country the party hopes to reach. "What I fear is going on in the House now is an effort to target Congresswoman Omar as a way of stifling that debate. That's wrong," said presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders, the Vermont independent. "Anti-Semitism is a hateful and dangerous ideology which must be vigorously opposed in the United States and around the world," the senator said. "We must not, however, equate anti-Semitism with legitimate criticism of the right-wing, Netanyahu government in Israel." Other Democratic presidential contenders tried to walk a similar line. California Democratic Sen. Kamala Harris said "we need to speak out against hate." But she said she also believes "there is a critical difference between criticism of policy or political leaders, and anti-Semitism." A statement from Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts said, "Branding criticism of Israel as automatically anti-Semitic has a chilling effect on our public discourse and makes it harder to achieve a peaceful solution between Israelis and Palestinians." She said threats of violence, including those made against Omar, "are never acceptable. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York said, "Everyone is entitled to their opinion, they are allowed to have free speech in this country," Gillibrand said. "But we don't need to use anti-Semitic tropes or anti-Muslim tropes to be heard." Another member of the new crop of outspoken young House freshmen, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, said the final product, as well as the way presidential candidates are now talking about the issue, showed "there's been some really great progress we've made." But Omar's rhetoric is taking Democrats to a place that leaves many uneasy. The new lawmaker sparked a weeklong debate in Congress as fellow Democrats said her comments have no place in the party. She suggested Israel's supporters were pushing lawmakers to take a pledge of "allegiance" to a foreign country, reviving a trope of dual loyalties. It wasn't her first dip into such rhetoric. The new congresswoman has been critical of the Jewish state in the past and apologized for those previous comments. But Omar has not apologized for what this latest comment. Pelosi said she did not believe that Omar understood the "weight of her words" or that they would be perceived by some as anti-Semitic. Asked whether the resolution was intended to "police" lawmakers' words, Pelosi replied: "We are not policing the speech of our members." Instead, she said, the goal was to condemn anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and white supremacy. Some of the House's leading Jewish Democrats wanted to bring a resolution on the floor simply condemning anti-Semitism. But other Democrats wanted to broaden the resolution to include a rejection of all forms of racism and bigotry. Others questioned whether a resolution was necessary at all and viewed it as unfairly singling out Omar at a time when Trump and others have made disparaging racial comments. There remained frustration that the party that touts its diversity conducted such a messy and public debate about how to declare its opposition to bigotry. "This shouldn't be so hard," Rep. Ted Deutch, D-Fla., said on the House floor. Among the Republican dissenters, Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming, a member of the GOP leadership, called the resolution "a sham put forward by Democrats to avoid condemning one of their own and denouncing vile anti-Semitism." In part, Democratic leaders were trying to fend off a challenge from Republicans on the issue. They worry they could run into trouble on another bill, their signature ethics and voting reform package, if Republicans try to tack their own anti-Semitism bill on as an amendment. By voting Thursday, the House Democratic vote counters believed they could inoculate their lawmakers against such a move. The mayor of Maine's second largest city has resigned in the wake of a controversy over his leaked text messages, one of which included a racist remark. Republican Shane Bouchard stepped down as Lewiston's mayor, effective immediately Friday morning. Text messages made public by a woman who said she had an affair with Bouchard when he was a mayoral candidate revealed a remark in which he described elderly black people as "antique farm equipment." Heather Berube Everly said the two had an affair, and that she was the source of emails the Maine GOP used to attack Democratic opponent Ben Chin. Bouchard admitted making mistakes but also decried media reporting on "rumors." Everly said her affiliation with Chin and the Maine People's Alliance helped Bouchard's campaign. "I did work with Ben Chin as a recruiter with MPA," she said during a Lewiston City Council meeting. "I connected with Mayor Bouchard, where I had an affair with him, and he was able to retrieve emails from MPA's and Ben Chin's campaign." During his 2017 campaign against Bouchard, Chin said hundreds of his campaign signs were stolen. In 2015, when he was facing Mayor Robert Macdonald, a landlord posted signs reading "Don't vote for Ho Chi Chin," which Chin criticized as racist. In the intial November election of 2017, Chin's 4,239 votes led Bouchard's 2,979. A month later, Bouchard defeated Chin by a much narrower margin of 145 votes, with the Republican receiving 3,663 votes to the Democrat's 3,518. "The Republican Party has, through Mayor Bouchard, rigged the election," Everly said. "They interfered and affected results, and they were also able to influence the votes of people, especially in the ward that I was in." The attorney general's office confirmed Friday that it's assisting a Lewiston Police Department investigation into the matter. What to Know Air Transat Flight 442 made an emergency landing at Newark Airport Saturday morning The plane reported smoke in the cargo hold; 189 passengers were evacuated via chutes Flights in and out resumed with major nationwide delays just before 10 a.m. All runways were temporarily closed at Newark Airport Saturday morning after a plane made an emergency landing for smoke in the cargo hold. A Port Authority spokesman said an Air Transat flight from Canada to Florida made an emergency landing at the airport due to reports of smoke in the aircraft. Chutes were deployed to get passengers off after landing. Air Transat identified the plane, a Boeing 737, as Flight 442 from Montreal to Fort Lauderdale. A total of 189 people were evacuated. Two minor injuries were reported, including a panic attack, the Port Authority spokesman said. The total closure last more than a half-hour and caused more than 140 delays for incoming and outgoing flights, according to FlightAware data. Planes that were diverted to other airports have now resumed routes to Newark, according to data posted by airlines in the terminals. The FAA noted on its website that there was a departure backlog at the airport because of the emergency. No fire was found and the cause of the smoke remains under investigation, the Port Authority said. "Our 189 passengers' safety is our top priority and they were evacuated promptly upon landing," said Debbie Cabana, Air Transat marketing director. Another aircraft was to be sent to Newark to operate the flight to Fort Lauderdale, she said. What to Know A New Jersey man on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted list was captured in Maryland, law enforcement sources say Lamont Stephenson is a Newark resident Stephenson was wanted for the 2014 strangulation killing of Olga DeJesus and her dog in Newark A New Jersey man on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted list was captured in Maryland, according to authorities. Lamont Stephenson's arrest took place in Prince George's County, the FBI Newark Field Office said in a press conference Thursday afternoon. "I am proud to announce that after 147 days on the Top 10 list Lamont Stephenson was arrested this morning," Greg Ehrie, Special Agent in Charge of the Newark FBI office, said during Thursday's press conference. Stephenson was placed on the list in October 2018. He was wanted for the 2014 strangulation killing of Olga DeJesus and her dog in Newark, the FBI previously said. Newark police officers found DeJesus and her dog unresponsive in bed at a residence. Stephenson, 43 and from Newark, New Jersey, was known to have contacts in Virginia and the Carolinas, according to the FBI. The FBI Newark Field Office said that Stephenson's arrest was in conjunction with the Essex County Prosecutor's Office, Newark Police Department, Prince George's County Police Department and with the Metropolitan D.C. Police Department. "Getting Mr. Stephenson was a goal a longstanding goal by the Essex County Prosecutor's Office and I am just so happy for the family, that this may move toward some measure of closure with regard to this very serious matter," Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II said during the press conference. Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose said the DeJesus family "received closure." According to Ehrie, an investigation is ongoing. No further information was provided pertaining to what Stephenson has been up to since DeJesus' death or if he is connected to any additional crimes. Ambrose, Stephens and Ehrie commended the value of the FBI's 10 Most Wanted list. Stephenson will be extradited to New Jersey where he will face charges, Ehrie said. Felix DeJesus, Jr., brother of the victim, thanked the efforts of the authorities that led to Stephenson's arrest. "I know that she is looking down on me right now and she can finally rest in peace," he said. "Thank you everyone for being a part of this." Felix said he was overwhelmed after receiving the phone call that an arrest was made, a moment he said he thought about "every day" for four years. "I didn't stop because my sister has two kids and because of them I kept on with the case, keeping it alive," he said. During the press conference, the victim's father said in Spanish that the arrest won't bring his daughter back but at least the family knows that Stephenson will pay and that "there is justice." It is unclear if Stephenson has already retained an attorney. A toddler and his parents are recovering after gunmen opened fire at their vehicle, causing it to crash and overturn in Philadelphia Thursday night. A 28-year-old woman, her 37-year-old husband and their two-year-old son were inside a Jeep traveling on the 6600 block of Upland Street before 7 p.m. when two gunmen opened fire. Police say the gunmen fired about 28 shots. Seven shots struck the SUV, including one that went through the front windshield. The gunfire caused the woman to crash into a parked car and the SUV flipped on its side as the gunmen fled the scene. Fortunately the family was not seriously hurt. The toddler was taken to the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia for an evaluation but is doing OK. Shortly after the shooting, police found a person of interest in nearby Yeadon, Pennsylvania. Police say the person of interest was inside a green vehicle that had crashed. He was taken into custody for questioning but is not considered a suspect at this time. Both Philadelphia and Yeadon Police are investigating. Officials have identified a man killed in motorcycle crash with an SUV earlier this week in La Jolla. A report released by the San Diego Medical Examiners Office confirmed the motorcyclist was Danny Chehaiber, of San Diego. The report said Chehaiber had been riding his motorcycle northbound in the bicycle lane in the 8000-block of Gilman Drive Tuesday morning. At the same time, in the same area, a driver in an SUV made a turn. The motorcycle and SUV collided. San Diego Police Department Sgt. Michael Stirk said the deadly crash happened just after 7:50 a.m., about a half-mile south of the University of California San Diego. Chehaiber suffered critical blunt force injuries in the impact. The driver of the SUV was not hurt. Paramedics did everything they could to revive him; he was rushed to Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla where he was never able to regain consciousness and soon died, the report said Traffic in the area, including parts of La Jolla Village Drive, was impacted for several hours following the crash. NBC 7 Investigates has identified another U.S. Immigration Attorney named as a target in a secret surveillance program tied to the migrant caravan. Erika Pinheiro, an attorney for the immigration law center Al Otro Lado and U.S. citizen, said the Trump administrations actions have left her essentially stuck in Mexico. "It did not surprise me," Pinheiro said, upon learning she was listed in the surveillance program's database. Documents obtained by NBC 7 show agents listed Pinheiro, along with another attorney she works with, as targets for increased scrutiny when crossing the border. According to the database documents, agents were waiting for Pinheiro in January to cross the border to interview her. On Thursday, a spokesperson for U.S. Customs and Border Protection said the agency compiled the list of 59 individuals tied to the migrant caravan because they may have information related to Tijuana border clashes from November 2018 and January 2019. But Pinheiro said she was in New Jersey with family during the late-November incident and at home with a sick baby during the January clash. Ironically, Pinheiro said she was interviewed by journalists following the New Years incident, denouncing anyone who encouraged immigration activists to storm the border. We saw how it was really unsafe for the children who were present, Pinheiro said. Pinheiro is not alone. Al Otro Lado Refugee Director and attorney Nicole Ramos is also listed as having an alert placed on her passport through the surveillance program. In addition, agents created a dossier on Ramos, including personal details on the car she drives, her mothers name, and her work and travel history. To think the government is suspicious of us just for doing our jobs is very troubling, immigration attorney Jonathan Montag said. At the end of January 2019, the administration implemented a new policy that said those seeking asylum must stay in Mexico as they wait to go through immigration courts. Montag said between the controversial government surveillance program and the new Trump Administration Remain in Mexico policy, the challenges of the job could turn attorneys away from helping those in need at the border. Its really scary that it has come to this, Pinheiro said. That theyve started targeting U.S. citizens." Pinheiro agrees with Montag that there may be a chilling effect for some border attorneys, but she said shes emboldened to continue fighting for asylum seekers. Anyone who opposes these policies should be afraid that theyre next, Pinheiro said. On Friday, in a letter to the Department of Homeland Securitys Secretary Kristjen Nielsen, Senator Richard Blumenthal asked for more information on the surveillance program and raised the issue of attorneys being targeted by border agents. While this administration has a disturbing history of harassing immigration attorneys, these lawyers serve a critical public function, Blumenthal said. The U.S. government created a secret database of activists, journalists, and social media influencers tied to the migrant caravan. NBC 7's Mari Payton has more. A new study said that over 20 percent of seafood in the United States is mislabeled, resulting in deception to consumers who fall victim to a bait and switch. According to Oceana, an ocean conservation organization, one out of every five fish tested (in a sample of 449) were mislabeled. Oceana refers to this as seafood fraud. But a local seafood distribution company is contesting the use of the word fraud. "To say that this is fraud is incorrect," said Dave Rudie, owner of Catalina Offshore Products in San Diego. "There is mislabeling, but it's getting less and less." Rudie said the Food and Drug Administration also has statistics on mislabeling as well. "It's closer to the five to ten percent range," said Rudie. "It is not fraud. We need to educate restaurants and fishermen on different fish species." The study discovered that in San Diego, fish sold as halibut actually turned out to be California flounder, a cheaper alternative that is often times not sustainably caught. Four out of 12, or 33 percent of halibut samples collected from the West Coast were substituted with California flounder. Consumers thought they were getting halibut and instead were sold a fish that could be an over fished species. Between March and August, 2018, Oceana collected seafood samples from 24 different states, including southern California. The research said that sea bass and snapper had the highest rates of mislabeling. Sea bass fell into the category of seafood fraud 55 percent of the time, and snapper 42 percent of the time. Rudie said he has business relationships with many fishermen in town who would never purposely mislabel their products. Species substitution in fish was noted in popular consumer options. For example, sea bass turned out to be giant perch and tilapia, Alaskan halibut was actually Greenland turbot, and redfish was Channel catfish. Other sea creatures besides fish, like lobsters and scallops, were also found to be mislabeled. Seafood fraud was evident in packaged sea food sold in stores, as well as restaurants. Oceana said mislabeling was most frequent at restaurants at 26 percent, followed by smaller markets at 24 percent and larger chain grocery stores at 12 percent. Ocean said that the mislabeling not only tricks consumers into thinking the fish is locally sourced and sustainable, it can also hurt honest fishermen and seafood businesses. But according to Rudie, the regulations for snapper and sea bass are confusing and that restaurants could easily mislabel their fish by accident. "If Oceana really knew there was seafood fraud they should tell the authorities," said Rudie. "We have laws to prevent seafood fraud. That's not what this is." The New York Post has a crush on Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and like any other childish bully, it expresses its affection through derision. Recent stories on the left-wing rising star have included an accusation that she doesnt live at her Bronx address and pieces denouncing or trivializing her "Green New Deal" proposal to combat climate change. This trend reached its apex with a Sunday front-page story claiming to expose hypocrisy in Ocasio-Cortezs frequent car trips around her district, which spans adjacent parts of the Bronx and Queens. Remarkably, while most such smears fail to resonate outside the conservative echo chamber, this one got some support from journalists at mainstream or even left-leaning outlets. Streetsblogs Angie Schmitt tweeted, It would be better if AOC was taking the subway especially since she reps NYC, and CityLab ran an article that concluded, AOC should take the subway as much as she can. All of these arguments are nonsensical and misleading, as they are predicated on a failure to understand climate change, its solutions and Ocasio-Cortezs clearly articulated beliefs. First, consider the math: The U.S. is responsible for 15 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions annually. Twenty-eight percent of U.S. emissions come from transportation, the same proportion as electricity generation, and 85 percent of American commuters travel by automobile. So catastrophic climate change is not going to be averted by individuals opting for mass transit. Even if the proportion of commuters avoiding private cars doubled to 30 percent, the change in global emissions would be very limited. Greenhouse gas emissions can only be reduced to net zero before mid-century through transforming the energy sector to rely on low-carbon sources, including solar and wind power, and turning the U.S. auto fleet to electric vehicles. It also requires converting heating systems from burning oil, gas or wood to electricity, and policies to somehow dramatically reduce industrial emissions, which account for 22 percent of the U.S. total. At the margins, increasing mass transit, biking and walking capacity will help reduce emissions and have other environmental, social and public health benefits. But that will be determined by policies that make traveling without a car more appealing or efficient and make driving less so not by personal choices. Climate change isnt a problem like litter that can be solved by inducing better behavior through public shaming. People can be expected to hold their garbage until they reach a trash can, but they cant realistically be expected to give up using electricity. Carbon pollution is an economy-wide problem requiring economy-wide solutions, and any discussion of anything else is a misleading distraction. Second, consider these claims of hypocrisy: Hypocrisy means demanding that others do something you dont. But Ocasio-Cortez doesnt demand that people voluntarily avoid driving. The "Green New Deal" does not propose reducing U.S. emissions through personal sacrifices such as forgoing air conditioning or automobiles. Rather, it calls for national public policies to transition the U.S. energy portfolio, transportation sector and agricultural practices. Third, even in situations where individuals leading virtuous lifestyles might conceivably be some alternative to government action, that is the opposite of Ocasio-Cortezs democratic socialist philosophy. Complaining that Ocasio-Cortez rides in cars is like complaining that she doesnt give her entire salary to a soup kitchen and then eat all her meals there. Conservatives, not liberals or leftists, are the ones who claim that poverty can be ameliorated through charity. Ocasio-Cortez and her supporters believe the opposite: that social ills such as hunger, homelessness and carbon pollution can only be solved through collective action. The whole debate is reminiscent of the hilariously inept attack on Ocasio-Cortez by a Washington Examiner reporter that she is not struggling because her outfit looked stylish. The congresswoman clapped back by noting that her dress wasnt expensive, but thats actually beside the point. There is nothing hypocritical about advocating for policies that will shift social outcomes while allowing individuals to pursue their own rational self-interest. Progressives can be financially comfortable or have nice things. There are rich people with nice things, including cars, in the Western European social democracies that Ocasio-Cortez wants to emulate: They just pay more in taxes, pay more for energy and gasoline, and adjust their habits accordingly. And then that money is used for things like improving public transit and building low-carbon energy infrastructure. Speaking of improving public transit, that raises a fourth point, which is the foolishness of criticizing someone for taking a car around Queens or the Bronx, or between the two. The New York City subway system is designed to bring riders from the outer boroughs to Manhattan, not to travel between the boroughs or laterally within them. As a result, in Ocasio-Cortezs district, one can take trips by car in 20 minutes that would take well over an hour by transit. CityLab noted that the attack on Ocasio-Cortezs avoidance of the bus and subway echoed similar complaints about New York City Mayor Bill de Blasios peculiar insistence on driving from the Upper East Side to a gym in Brooklyn instead of working out closer to his home at Gracie Mansion. But de Blasio is making a long, unnecessary trip, whereas Ocasio-Cortez is just trying to get places quickly. Even still, the criticism of de Blasios workout commute is a bit misplaced: The mayors performance on the environment should be measured by looking at the citywide result of his policies. (De Blasio has initiated programs to reduce New Yorks carbon footprint, which are showing some success.) The better complaint about de Blasio and Ocasio-Cortez, which CityLab also made, is that they are insulated from the daily frustrations of mass transit riders. Perhaps they would lead more on improving mass transit service if they relied on the subways and buses that bedevil their constituents. There is some merit to this critique, which can be fairly leveled at much of the political class including also Gov. Andrew Cuomo and President Donald Trump. That is separate, and should be disentangled, from bogus charges of climate hypocrisy. And anyone who wants to note that politicians who stay away from the subways are out of touch with their less-cosseted constituents should target liberals and conservatives equally. But the New York Post has never run an expose asking why Trump doesnt take the crosstown bus when he visits his aerie in Midtown. A 2-alarm fire devastated a McLean, Virginia, home Saturday, killing an elderly woman who had been missing for hours. The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department said firefighters were called to the house on the 1400 block of Brookhaven Drive in McLean to put out the flames, but called for backup upon arriving. UPDATE 1400 block of Brookhaven Drive in McLean: Fire investigators have confirmed one fatality. An autopsy will be performed to determine cause of death. The investigation is ongoing. pic.twitter.com/j2RsXKA4YT Fairfax Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) March 9, 2019 During the firefight, fire officials said one person was unaccounted for and later reported the person had died. Neighbors told News4 that an elderly woman lived in the home and was possibly a hoarder. Firefighters from a collection of other Northern Virginia agencies responded as well, including from Dunn Loring, Alexandria and Vienna. Neighbors also reported hearing an explosion while the fire consumed the home. "It was like when you are at a concert and your heart just pounds, that's what it sounded like," Charlie Stallmer, a neighbor, said. "It was just a ton of smoke rising up, black smoke, all the way to the sky. It was crazy." The local power company, Dominion Energy, also shut off power during the response. The fire department said an autopsy is pending and an investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing. What would you do if you found $6,000 cash? A 20-year-old worker at a pizza place in Stafford County, Virginia, recently did the right thing and called authorities. Morgan Burnley was at work at Papa John's Pizza the morning of Feb. 16 when she went to take out the trash. She closed the dumpster lid and saw a big wad of cash on the ground. "When I saw this money, I was like, 'Somebody has to be looking for this,'" she said Friday. "Someone didn't drop this on the ground on purpose." Burnley told the store manager what she found and they called the Stafford County Sheriff's Office. A sheriff's deputy picked up the cash and was able to return it to its rightful owner. He had accidentally thrown it away while taking out garbage, sheriff's department spokeswoman Amanda Vicinanzo said. The sheriff's department praised Burnley for her honesty. "We're so grateful and so proud of Morgan and her integrity," Vicinanzo said."The owner would be out of the money if it wasn't for her." On Tuesday, the sheriff's department thanked Burnley with a certificate and commemorative coin. Burnley shrugged off the honor. "Everyone said, 'You did such a great thing,' and I say it was the right thing to do," she said. Monthly shots of HIV drugs worked as well as daily pills to control the virus that causes AIDS in two large international tests, researchers reported Thursday. If approved by regulators in the United States and Europe, the shots would be a new option for people with HIV and could help some stay on treatment. Instead of having to remember to take pills, patients instead could get injections from a doctor or nurse each month. "Some people will be thrilled" at the convenience, said Mitchell Warren, executive director of AVAC, an AIDS advocacy group. Condoms remain the most widely available and inexpensive form of HIV prevention. Pills taken daily can keep HIV levels so low the virus is not transmittable to sex partners, but not everyone takes them as prescribed. The shots could improve how well some people stick to treatment, perhaps helping those who have trouble remembering to take daily medicine to keep infection at bay. There are other potential benefits. Getting shots at a clinic can lend more privacy to patients worried about the stigma of filling an HIV prescription at a pharmacy, said Dr. Susan Swindells of the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, who presented results Thursday at an HIV conference in Seattle. Cost will be an issue "to make sure that everyone has access to this medication," said Dr. Hyman Scott of the San Francisco Department of Public Health, who was not part of the study. It's not clear how much the shots would cost. HIV pills can cost a patient up to thousands of dollars monthly , depending on the drug combination, insurance coverage, rebates and discounts. And there will be concerns about patients missing a monthly shot, which could lead to drug-resistant strains of the virus. It will be "a good option for some people," Scott said. Whether monthly shots will also work to protect users' sex partners hasn't been studied yet, but there is reason to think they will, said experts at the conference. The shots are a long-acting combo of two HIV drugs rilpivirine, sold as Edurant by Johnson & Johnson's Janssen, and ViiV Healthcare's experimental drug known as cabotegravir. ViiV Healthcare paid for the research. The drugmakers are seeking approval later this year in the United States and Europe. One study included 616 people who were taking pills to treat their HIV infection. The other study enrolled 566 people who hadn't yet started treatment, so they first got pills to get the virus under control. In each of the studies, half the participants switched to the shots while the rest stayed on pills. After nearly a year, 1 to 2 percent of people in both groups had traces of virus in their blood, whether they got shots or pills. That shows the shots worked as well as the standard pill therapy. A few people withdrew from the studies because of pain after the injections. The studies were done in Europe and North America and in nations including Argentina, Australia, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Japan and Mexico. "We don't have experience rolling out an injection in the real world," said Warren, the AIDS advocate. He said the next challenges will be how to deliver the shots and whether patients will remember to come back monthly. "These are big questions." The boyfriend of the woman who was shot and killed outside a Manchester, New Hampshire, bar over the weekend pleaded not guilty to drug and driving charges in Hillsborough County Superior Court Friday. In an orange jumpsuit while being arraigned by video, a tearful Jeremy Winslow listened as Defense Attorney Mark Osborne described in detail the night his girlfriend was murdered. "Tanya Hall had been shot and was leaning against him," explained Osborne. "As he drove to the police department, she died." Authorities say Hall was shot and killed as Winslow drove away from the ManchVegas Bar and Grill Saturday night. Justin Moura has been charged with Hall's murder. Manchester Police arrested Winslow Thursday for allegedly driving his blue Jeep without a license and possessing cocaine the night of Hall's death. Police say during a search, "they found a small baggie containing a white powder on the center dash board." At Winslow's arraignment Friday, the state argued for $10,000 cash bail, saying Winslow has failed to appear almost 20 times for previous court proceedings. "The basis for the state's request is that the defendant is both a danger to the community, but moreso, your honor, is that the defendant is a flight risk," said Assistant Hillsborough County Attorney Patrice Casian. Casian went on for several minutes listing motor vehicle charges, probation violations and domestic violence convictions dating back almost two decades. Osborne argued that the state's bail request was "excessive and unfair," and said the court must focus on the charges at hand. "He was approached by some people looking for trouble. He did not fight, he did not cause trouble," Osborne said. "He wants justice for himself, he wants justice for his lost girlfriend and he wants these allegations behind him." Late Friday afternoon, the judge issued a bail order siding with the state in this matter. Winslow is being held in jail on $10,000 cash bail. A pickup truck crashed into a home in Millbury, Massachusetts, overnight causing the house to erupt in flames. Millbury Fire says the truck severed the gas meter as it struck the home on Grafton Street around 2:30 a.m. Saturday. I was getting ready to go to bed and I heard a boom and thats when I went upstairs and I looked outside from the second floor window and the whole house was just an inferno, neighbor Karen Debaros said. The pickup drove right through Debaros' yard before crashing into her neighbor's house. "We had a sign there for the garage. He took down the sign. Then he went right across into the house," she said. A pickup truck crashed into a home in Milbury, Massachusetts overnight Saturday causing the home to erupt in flames. Debaros says 911 arrived within "seconds." Responding firefighters checked on everyone inside as witnesses capturing video questioned if the family inside made it out safe. Authorities say the driver was not hurt and everyone in the home did get out safetly. The family's home did suffer extensive damage. "I'm just glad everyone in the house is OK," Debaros said. The family's black lab named Koda is missing, however. They have been walking throughout town all day trying to find him and they do believe he is still out there. Family and friends gathered at a Boston church for the funeral of a 23-year-old Massachusetts mother who was kidnapped and killed following an outing for her birthday at a nightclub. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh was among those who attended the Saturday morning service for Jassy Correia at Saint Peter Parish in Dorchester. A private burial followed. Hundreds had attended a vigil for Correia held on Thursday, and hundreds more, including Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, attended a wake for her on Friday. The mother of a 2-year-old girl from Lynn was last seen leaving a Boston nightclub early on the morning of Feb. 24. Her body was found four days later inside the trunk of a car driven by a Rhode Island man during a traffic stop by Delaware police. Court documents revealed the young mother died of blunt force trauma and strangulation. Louis Coleman, 32, of Providence, Rhode Island, was arrested and faces a felony kidnapping charge that carries the possibility of the death penalty upon conviction. Coleman's lawyer declined to comment Saturday. Police in Canton, Massachusetts are investigating after shots were fired during an apparent road rage incident in town Friday. Neighbors say this is usually a very quiet neighborhood, but it wasn't quiet Friday afternoon. Canton Police Chief Ken Berkowitz said his department received a 911 call shortly before noon from a caller who said she saw a male with a gun get out of a white SUV near the intersection of York and Randolph streets and fire several rounds into a black sedan. When police arrived, they found ballistic evidence confirming that a shooting had occurred, but both vehicles had already fled the scene. Police characterized the case as a "road rage incident" and said there is not believed to be any danger to the public. "I'm just coming out of my driveway and walked right into it," said the witness who did not want to show her face on camera. "I heard about five, six gun shots and I got scared still not knowing if it was gun shots or not so we just left." The eyewitness says she saw the shooter. "I am scared mostly because of how close I came to it. It's just scary. I'm not really a person that's searching for this stuff especially here but this definitely taught me to keep my eyes open," she said." As a precaution, the school resource officer assigned to the nearby Blue Hill Regional School put the school in lockdown for about 10 minutes as the investigation was conducted. Police said they are still in the process of investigating the evidence they recovered at the scene and canvassing the neighborhood. No arrests have been made, but police believe there was one shooter and one gun involved in the incident. Anyone with information is asked to call Canton police at 781-828-1212. A member of President Donald Trumps cabinet joined Vermonts governor and state agriculture officials Friday to celebrate the kick-off to the sweetest time of the year in Vermont: maple season. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue learned how critical maple is to both Vermonts bottom line and identity. Perdue tapped his first-ever tree, using an old-fashioned sap collection bucket. Modern methods involve pipelines and technology to maximize sap yields, making little Vermont responsible for roughly 50 percent of all U.S. maple syrup output. Thats pretty good, Perdue observed. A smaller state like Vermont, and half the U.S. production? Thats a big deal. Maple season tends to last four to six weeks, depending on the weather. According to the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, in 2018, Vermont producers made more than 1.9-million gallons of the all-natural sweet product, worth more than $53-million. The Vermont maple industry creates and supports some 4,000 jobs, according to the USDA. Maple producers such as Georgia Mountain Maples are now hoping for a gradual arrival to spring. Temperatures below freezing at night and around 40 during the day are considered ideal for a good maple crop. Maple sugaringonce it gets into your blood, its there; its a tradition, said Janet Harrison of Georgia Mountain Maples. Were just so happy we live in a state where we have the opportunity to do this. Also at the maple event, Perdue was greeted by several dairy farmers who pleaded with him for policies to help struggling milk producers. Because of the high costs of running dairy farms, compared to the low prices milk processors are paying farmers right now, many have been forced out of business nationwideespecially small operations. The dairy farmers dont have any money to operate with, the grain farmers dont have any money to operate withthose are the economic engines for the rural community across this country, Sheldon dairy farmer Bill Rowell said in an interview with necn about the concerns. So what happens? Is everybody going to move to the city? Whos going to produce our food? Its been a tough go out there, Perdue acknowledged. But if they can just hang on, I think until the summerliterally we dont say this very often in the federal governmenthelps on the way. Perdue predicted relief should come through market protection provisions in the federal farm bill, and through new trade agreements. However, the U.S. agriculture secretary dismissed suggestions from some of the Vermont dairy farmers to consider a supply management system like one in place in Canada. It keeps farm incomes steady, though costs consumers more. Perdue said he understands why a group experiencing financial duress would look for all options, but added that, to him, a system like Canadas would be unneeded, given the spirit of entrepreneurship and economic liberty in the United States. Perdue praised the Vermont maple producers and the nations farmers for their hard work and contributions to Americas rural economyand for what he said are critical roles in ensuring a safe food supply for the nation. Yuh-Line Niou, the easygoing second-term assemblywoman who represents a large chunk of lower Manhattan, is part of a coterie of young lawmakers that are seeking to make change in Albany. For Niou, that change begins in her district office, where creating a comfortable space for her constituents and mentoring her young staff are her top priorities. When Niou worked as the chief of staff for Assemblyman Ron Kim, he was the only Asian-American in the state Legislature. She had this in mind when she decided to run, and in her third year, she still sees her role as creating a seat at the table for those that have been left out of the policymaking process. City & State caught up with Niou to talk about whats on her policy agenda and how younger elected officials are changing the status quo in Albany. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. You are part of a group of lawmakers that is younger than ever in the state Legislature. Are you doing anything together? Are you forming a voting bloc? Thats not exactly true that were the youngest. There were a lot of young white men. I think thats something that hasnt really been talked about. Its not that were new because were young. Its that were new, and were women. Were people of color. And some are queer. And a little different! And so now people have to bring these perspectives to the table, and these are perspectives that have hardly been represented in government before. Do you ever feel this burden to be that person? Im thinking about the Child Victims Act vote, when four of you got up and told these very personal stories about being sexually assaulted or abused. Women often especially women of color feel somewhat of a responsibility of personal disclosure. Sure. And youre right. I think we do feel that responsibility. Not to speak for my colleagues, but we did talk about that after. When I talked about it first was actually in conference of the year before, when they decided not to do the bill when they were trying to modify it, which I was really concerned about. Thats when I did share, and thats when we turned the votes. I think people didnt realize that it affects people daily. You know? And nobody wanted to speak up about it. And that was the first time I talked about it. Was it a no-brainer? No, it wasnt. I was really freaked. It was like the worst feeling, you know? But what can you do? You know that its the right thing to do. And I think being a legislator is a lot like that because its not always the most pleasant job. Youre not making a lot of money; youre constantly taking criticism; and youre under scrutiny for everything, which is part of the job of a public servant. And other people have not always lived up to this position. Literally your seat. It only opened up because of Sheldon Silvers corruption conviction. Yes! Literally my seat. And on top of that, the environment itself can be very toxic, and women dont they just never had that voice at the table. Women just havent had that kind of support because, as you can see with the sexual harassment hearings, there is a lot of stuff that was building up for a long, long time and there was no avenue for people to complain or go to, or feel safe doing that. So the environment was toxic. The more people that are elected, and the change thats happening with those elections, youre starting to see change in how people behave. Really? Absolutely, 100 percent. How? Theres more women. I havent seen some of the bad behavior of the past. I havent seen the hot or not list. It might still be out there, but there was previously a hot or not list circulating among some of the men in Albany. Things were weird. But its different now. Lets shift gears. So youre deep into policy. Youre a policy person, a legislators legislator. Yes! Im a policy wonk, yeah. Im more into the policy than I am into the politics, as youll notice. What proposals are you working on right now? I have a whole economic justice platform that Im working on. OK, tell me about it. So, Ive always been a really huge anti-poverty advocate. Thats mostly where my policy background comes from. I worked before in Washington state for an organization called the Statewide Poverty Action Network, and I worked on anti-poverty legislation, as a whole, but a lot of the things I focused on were also regulating predatory products that preyed on communities of color and low-income folks, such as payday loans, check cashers, etc. So, when I was elected, the first committees I wanted on were banks, insurance, consumer protection, housing. Which corresponds with your economic justice platform. Everything is interconnected, right? Every policy. When youre talking about environment, when youre talking about housing. The interconnected part of it is, theres a huge disparity between people who are rich and poor. Every single policy issue that were discussing has to do with that economic interconnectedness. So, when youre talking about relieving poverty, everything has to be changed. Such as? Theres economic segregation. Theres environmental segregation. Why is it that NYCHA is right next to the highway? Nobody wants to live next to a highway where all of this pollution is coming in, and kids are breathing in all of these pollutants and getting asthma. And if theres no heat or hot water, which is often the case, these are the parents that end up in jail because maybe they turned on their oven to keep their child warm, and then their kid touched the oven. You know? Theres a huge, high cost to being poor. How are you going to target that with policy? I have bills that are basically designed to help protect our usury laws. In New York, we actually have really strong usury laws, and we have to make sure to shore them up. And we have to stop playing defense against these check cashers who continue to try to become payday lenders. In New York, we ban payday lending all together, which is a positive. But at the same time, you have to make sure that youre also producing good products that people can utilize. So we have to fund things like the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund. Were one of the only states that has community development funds and we never funded it. Huh. Yeah. This is why small businesses have to go get merchant cash advance loans that are just like payday loans. Right? So you need to actually ban those practices, and then also fund the right practices so that people can actually have the upward mobility that they deserve. You have to address the need. Right. And another thing is asset limits. I have a bill on asset limits. One of the biggest things that people dont even realize is that all of our social benefits have these horrible little things asset limits that make it so that you are forced to spend down. Youre afraid of getting that raise for $20 because you might get kicked off of Medicare or lose your SNAP benefits. If we can get rid of asset limits, then were also helping people get into the mentality of saving up. If youre not forced to spend down and youre actually encouraged to save up, then you can get out of poverty. We have to change our systems. Are you for Medicare for all? All about it. Are you for abolishing ICE? Yes. What else are you? What other quippy tags do you have? All of them, man. All the best ones. Youre all of the things. Im maybe more left than left. (Laughs.) I heard youre starting a club? A Democratic club? Oh, I have one down here. I mean, it wasnt me that started it. A bunch of people kept on asking, How do we get involved in the process?, How do we change things?, or like Ive never been involved with a club before, Ive never done this before, Ive never done that before, people were telling me this stuff. And Ive never been part of any of that stuff and neither have all these folks in my district. Theyve always been politically involved, they just never felt like they had any agency in the way that things went. Agency how? The county committee stuff, the way that like things played out in the special election. And a bunch of people whove never been in a club before decided they wanted to form a club. So they were like, How do we do this? And Im the assemblywoman, so they asked me, and I was like, Well. These are the rules. What are the goals of the club, the New Downtown Dems? I think the goal of the club is to make sure theres more transparency in government. Access in government. Anybody can join the club, nobodys barred. Weve brought in people to talk about how petitioning works. We brought in election lawyers. We brought them in just to like give these lectures on how the electoral system works, what a district leader is. This is the level where the process gets a little complicated for most people. Its a lot. So when I decided to run for the special election, for example, I had to figure out what the system was, because not only was it super biased in the sense that you had to be a club member and be on a county committee the county committee members, half of them dont even know that theyre county committee members because sometimes people just put their names in. And then their vote is different weights. And the weighted vote depends on who voted for the governor during the last election the winning governor. In this case, who voted for Cuomo last election. As it happens, a lot of people in my district voted for Zephyr Teachout, so some people lost their political power with that vote. Seems super disenfranchising. Super disenfranchising! And super biased. And super not democratic. I thought that was a really interesting thing. So how do you dismantle the whole system? Good question! Youve got to join a club! So thats actually the reason that these folks decided to put together a club in the first place. Not because they were like we should join the old system, but because if youre not at the table, then you cant change the tableware. Its the same idea of why I ran for office. I think theres so many things we need to do to change things up, and you cant change things unless youre sitting at the table. Very Shirley Chisholm, I guess, except I dont have my folding chair, I have my knock-off Eames! Ross and Nikki Green want their daughter Tilly to have access to life-changing Orkambi A DESPERATE West Berkshire couple are hoping that a wonder drug which would revolutionise life for their daughter with cystic fibrosis (CF) can be made available in England. Bradfield parents Nikki and Ross Green hope the drug Orkambi will be made available on the NHS to improve the quality of life of their daughter, Tilly, 11, who suffers from the genetic condition. The Government is currently embroiled in a financial battle with Vertex, the US pharmaceutical company which makes the drug, which is already available in several countries, including Ireland, Germany and the US. Vertex has refused a 500m offer made by the NHS for the drug over five years with the pharmaceutical giant saying it wasnt enough. While it has been licensed for use in the UK, Orkambi is currently only prescribed to people with CF on compassionate grounds. It comes as an inquiry led by the UKs Health and Social Care Committee, which is aiming to resolve the stalemate between the two bodies, starts today (Thursday). Meanwhile, a petition calling for an agreement to be reached has so far been signed by more than 70,000 people. CF causes fatal lung damage and affects around 10,400 people in the UK. Only around half of those with the condition live to celebrate their 40th birthday. Mr and Mrs Green did not know they were carriers of the CF gene until Tilly was born. Inspired by their daughters mature attitude in dealing with the condition, the pair established the Tour de Berkshire nine years ago an annual charity bike ride which has raised thousands for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. Tilly takes about 40 different tablets a day to control her condition many of which are for her pancreas, which cannot correctly digest food. She is also prone to infections which, if caught, have a much more severe impact than a child without the condition, as it quickly leads to decreased lung function. The youngster is a pupil at Bradfield Primary School, where she also has a mini-trampoline which she accesses throughout the school day as part of her physiotherapy programme. Mr and Mrs Green are desperate for Tilly to be given Orkambi while her lung function is considerably good. Mrs Green said: Theyre calling it a wonder drug, which would help stop the clock and halt the damage that is done to their lungs. Its not going to cure Tilly, but it will help stop any further damage from being done. At the moment, weve got to put our faith in this inquiry that is being held and weve got to put our faith in the Government doing the right thing and putting pressure on NHS England to make that decision. Its a bit like living on a knife-edge. You can think Tillys perfectly well and then overnight you can hear her coughing. By the following morning, she needs to be on antibiotics pretty quickly. Orkambi would mean less infections, which would mean less days in hospital and less antibiotics for her. This could give her the normal life. She could hold down a job, go to university have a family. It would be life-changing. If no progress is made in the ongoing inquiry, Mr and Mrs Green said they havent ruled out a move abroad so that Tilly can have access to the drug. If it came down to either life or death for Tilly, wed do whatever we could, they said. To sign the petition urging Vertex to supply Orkambi in the UK, visit https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/231602 HARTFORD As immigration arrests and removal orders increase across New England, Connecticut lawmakers are considering how much state and local law enforcement should cooperate with federal immigration authorities. A 2013 state law called the TRUST Act limited the occasions when police and court officials may voluntarily aid Immigration and Customs Enforcement. But that law has loopholes that are creating a prison-to-deportation pipeline, some immigration advocates say. For up-to-date information on public policy issues, sign up for the CT Politics newsletter. Legislation proposed by Democrats in the General Assembly would strengthen the TRUST Act by further limiting the information law enforcement can share with ICE. Republicans have filed a competing proposal to increase police collaboration with ICE. Luis Casanova, assistant chief of the New Haven Police Department, spoke in favor of strengthening the TRUST Act Friday in the state Capitol. We are not ICE and we have no interest in doing their work, he said. We need to institute strong protections to protect all of our community members. If we dont, decades of trust-building will be eroded by the actions of a few overzealous law enforcement entities. Over the past two decades, more than 1,100 New Haven area residents were deported, according to data from researchers in 2017. Some ICE arrests outside Bridgeports Superior Court in 2018 troubled that citys police chief chief, who said immigrants were already afraid to work with cops. Bridgeport state Reps. Steve Stafstrom and Chris Rosario, both Democrats, sponsored the legislation to strengthen the existing law. Connecticut was a leader in passing the first TRUST Act as way of making sure those living in the state have an opportunity to seek help, to go to police officers when they are victims of crimes, to interact with government without fear of being deported, said Stafstrom, co-chairman of the Judiciary Committee, which will vote on the bill. We seek to close that loophole and keep pace with other states who have moved forward with strengthening that TRUST law. Democrats, who hold solid majorities in the House and Senate, are also seeking legislation to provide legal counsel to low-income immigrants in removal proceedings. Another priority is a bill to adjust the states misdemeanor sentencing guidelines so some low-level crimes would not trigger deportation under federal law, Stafstrom said. Some Connecticut residents Friday backed the Republican measure to curb the TRUST Act and opposed bills to help immigrants avoid deportation. I do not support any taxpayer funds for legal defense or any other financial support for illegal aliens, testified Cathy Hopperstad of Manchester. I understand there is conflict and hardship in Latin America and throughout the world, yet we are a sovereign nation and a nation of laws. Iva Velickovic, counsel for the Connecticut Immigrant Rights Association, said she hopes a strengthened Trust Act would limit the contact the states judicial marshals have with ICE. A report released by CIRA in February found that from Sept. 2016 to Oct. 2017, judicial marshals detained 50 people until ICE could assume custody. The report states the marshals are overzealously enforcing immigration detainers, and suggested marshals have too much individual discretion on how to interact with ICE. Among other communications obtained by the Freedom of Information Act, the CIRA report cited this May 2017 message from a judicial marshal to an ICE agent: Per my deputy director without a final order of deportation we can not (sic) hold him or directly turn him over, the marshal said. However, if you can provide me with an ETA we will stall his release until you are on site. Don Murphy, director of judicial marshal services, said marshals do not have discretion; they must have written approval from himself or a deputy director to detain or release an immigrant. The judicial marshals policy on ICE cooperation mirrors state statute and was vetted by legal counsel, he said. The branch believes it is in compliance with the statute, he said. emunson@hearstmediact.com; Twitter: @emiliemunson Seen here is BJP leader Prakash Javadekar. Earlier today, PM Modi said that Pakistan was so scared after India's air strike that it began crying 'Modi ne maara' (Modi hit us). "We were quiet because we didn't want to wake people up at 3 am. But Pakistan was so scared that they began tweeting at 5 in the morning," he said, slamming opposition parties for questioning the strikes and India's armed forces. Inaugurating the 6.6-km Noida City Centre-Noida Electronic City section, the prime minister futher said that he was happy to see that his Uttar Pradesh was finally changing. He lauded CM Yogi Adityanath for breaking the 'Noida curse'. According to the myth in political circles, any chief minister who visits Noida loses his or her post shortly. In 1988, Vir Bahadur Singh lost power days after visiting Noida. Subsequently, his successors, ND Tiwari, Mulayam Singh Yadav, Mayawati and Kalyan Singh suffered the same fate. Speaking about Jewar airport, the prime minister said, "The airport will bring a golden opportunity for western UP. Noida residents will no longer have to go all the way to Delhi to board flights. In the coming weeks, flights will also start from Bareilly under Udaan Yojana." The completely elevated section with six stations Sector 34, Sector 52, Sector 61, Sector 59, Sector 62 and Noida Electronic City will benefit the people of Noida and connect the satellite city with the national capital. Meanwhile, the Election Commission has called a meeting of its senior officials at noon to review the final preparations for Lok Sabha polls. The EC has its preparatory meetings on Thursday, including discussions with the home ministry on force logistics. The Commission is expected to announce dates for the general elections and a few state assemblies any time this weekend or early next week. Attacking PM Modi over fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi's luxurious life in London, Congress said that it's mauja hi mauja (fun and frolic) for the "fraudster" as prime minister has failed to get his "younger brother" back to India. "Narendra Modi's fraudster bachao yojana has helped Chhota Modi live a luxurious life in London. The chowkidar is asleep," party spokesperson spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi said. The political parties are leaving no stone unturned to ensure victory in the upcoming polls. While Congress and Samajwadi Party have already released their first list of candidates, BJP is yet to make an announcement. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi will visit Lucknow today to meet workers from various Lok Sabha constituencies, including party members from brother Rahul Gandhi's constituency Amethi and mother Sonia Gandhi's Raebareli. On the other hand, Congress president Rahul Gandhi will launch party's Lok Sabha election campaign in Karnataka's Haveri today. A mammoth pandal has been erected at a municipal high school ground for the rally, which local leaders claim will be attended by over a lakh people. Gandhi will also kick off his party's campaign at Pahadi Sharif in Telangana's Chevella parliamentary constituency. He will hold a rally as a part of the programme. In the run-up to polls, BJP president Amit Shah had recently launched a nationwide mega bike rally in Madhya Pradesh. The party said in a statement on Friday that over a crore of its workers reached out to people across the country and shared the "achievements" of the Narendra Modi government with them. Kingpin's true plan to change the Marvel Universe revealed in Devil's Reign #1 Wilson Fisk's plan to outlaw superheroes in New York City is just the tip of the iceberg for what he's planning in Devil's Reign #1 Sorry! This content is not available in your region Left to right: Executive Officer Alick Berry Thompson, Director General Roy Mickey Joy and Senior Finance Officer Ben Joseph all of Ministry of Trade New Delhi: Ola, the Indian origin online transportation network company is in talks with automobile manufacturer Hyundai Motor Company for investing about USD 300 million in the cab-hailing platform. As per the latest reports, the discussions are at an advanced stage and a deal could be stamped in the next few weeks. If the deal goes through, it would be Hyundai's second investment in the Indian start-up ecosystem. Previously, it had led an Rs 100-crore funding round in car rental start-up Revv. Though Ola did not respond to an e-mailed query on the development, a Hyundai Motors India spokesperson said that the company is "open to cooperation with various potential partners but it is our policy not to comment on market speculation and rumours". The fresh funding will give Ola more ammunition to compete with rival Uber in India and other markets like Australia, New Zealand and the UK. In February, Ola had announced that Flipkart co-founder Sachin Bansal has invested about Rs 650 crore in the company. The investment was in Sachin's personal capacity and was also the largest financing by an individual in Ola. Bansal's investment was part of Ola's plans to raise about USD 1 billion in funding. In October last year, the company had announced raising USD 1.1 billion funding from China's Tencent Holdings and SoftBank Group. At that time, 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 has been aggressively ramping up its rides business as well as food delivery operations (through Foodpanda). Meanwhile, Hyundai Motor India is also gearing up to launch its all-new subscription model in six cities across the country as part of its partnership with self-drive car-sharing firm Revv. Hyundai Subscription aims to provide an opportunity to the customers to experience Hyundai product portfolio, with hassle-free ownership, flexibility and limited commitment through subscription-based ownership model. Hyundai had joined hands with Revv last year. With the company's deep understanding of Indian consumers and progressive tech-driven mobility solutions, Hyundai aims to forge a new market for the new-age Indians. The shared mobility space is evolving at an exponential rate, from USD 900 million in 2016 to USD 1.5 billion in 2018, it is projected to expand to USD 2 billion by 2020. India's 15,000 car-sharing vehicles are expected to grow to 50,000 by 2020, and 150,000 by the year 2022. New Delhi: A statue of Rabindranath Tagore was vandalised in West Bengali's Bidhannagar on Saturday. Trinamool Congress councillor Nirmal Dutta said three men vandalised the statue, the police have arrested one of them, while other two managed to escape. "We don't know why they did it," he said. This came days after an Ambedkar statue in Uttar Pradeshas Hastinapur was found damaged. The statue placed at Ambedkar Bhawan was allegedly vandalised by unidentified people. The locals have alleged that every year before the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti on April 14th something or the other is done to disturb the peace and harmony in the vicinity. They also alleged that every year in Mawana area, statue of BR Ambedkar is vandalised by anti-social elements. It was also alleged by some locals present on the spot that such incidents are deliberately done to disturb the harmony ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha Polls. West Bengal: Statue of Rabindranath Tagore vandalised in Bidhannagar. TMC Councillor, Nirmal Dutta says, "3 men vandalised the statue, we caught one of them while other 2 managed to escape. We don't know why they did it. The one who was caught has been handed over to the police." pic.twitter.com/BOuU96ocIy a ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2019 The statue destruction began when a statue of Russian revolutionary Vladimir Lenin was brought down in Tripura days after the BJP registered a historic victory in the state Assembly elections. A statue of social reformer Periyar was vandalised in Tamil Naduas Vellore district and a bust of Jan Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee was blackened in Kolkataas Kalighat. New Delhi : A truck parked near a petrol pump in Kanpur district of Uttar Pradesh caught fire before being exploded. The incident took place on Saturday in Barra - a neighbourhood in Kanpur city of Uttar Pradesh. The truck caught fire suddenly which rapidly spread to other vehicles standing near the truck. The fire caused a loud explosion in diesel tanks of the trucks. Bystanders informed local fire brigade authorities about the fire which later sent four engines to douse the flames.A Fortunately, there were no casualties due to the incident. The incident also exposed the emergency fire fighting preparations of the petrol pump where, as per eyewitnesses, not ever water was available to extinguish the fire. Mangaluru: Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday made a startling revelation, saying that in the past five years, Indian forces carried out three counter strikes across the border. He, however, added that he will talk about two of the instances, not the third. aIn the last five years, three time we have crossed the border and conducted successful strikes. I will provide information on two, but not the third. Once in Uri, our soldiers were killed by terrorists coming from Pakistan, then our soldiers had responded. Next was after Pulwama. The third one I will not disclose,a Singh said at a rally in Mangaluru. As Rajnath Singh said he won't mention the third incident of "air strike", the crowd broke into a round of applause, lauding the minister's claims. "One time you saw in Uri, terrorists who came from Pakistan killed 17 of our soldiers, who were sleeping at night in a cowardly attack. #WATCH Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh at a public rally in Mangaluru: Pichle 5 varsho mein, teen baar apni seema ke bahar jaa kar hum logon ne air strike kar kaamyaabi haasil ki hai. Do ki jaankari apko dunga, teesri ki nahi dunga. #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/NZKeJPulrS a ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2019 After that, our soldiers also decided. Whatever happened after that you too know it very well, I need not tell....Now you are seeing. First attack happened. Second one was air strike... happened after Pulwama attack. I won't give you information about the third one," Singh said without elaborating. Singh asserted that "it is no more a weak India." "...Leaving aside all our differences, we have to stand together. Time and again India has done this." Just 12 days after the dastardly terror attack in Pulwama which claimed lives of 40 CRPF jawans, the Indian Air Force carried out anon-military, pre-emptivea action, destroying Jaish-e-Mohammedas biggest terror camp in Pakistanas Balakot on February 26. The next day, Pakistan Air Force violated the Indian airspace and downed a MiG-21 and captured its pilot Abhinandan Varthaman, who was handed over to India on March 1. A Earlier, on September 29, 2016, the Indian Army carried out surgical strikes on seven terrorist launch pads across the Line of Control (LoC) as a response to an attack on its base in Uri earlier that month in which 18 personnel were killed. Apart from the Balakot airstrike and the 2016 surgical strike, Indian soldiers had crossed the border with Myanmar in 2015. The strike was carried out by a crack team of about 70 commandos of the Indian Army who finished the operation within 40 minutes, leaving 38 Naga insurgents dead and seven injured.A The big claim by Singh comes at a time when the government is already being cornered by the opposition, which has been questioning the success rate of the IAF action in Pakistan. Several leaders have apparently asked the government to come up with proof of the goverment's claim that over 300 terrorists were neutralised in the action.A A New Delhi: Giving rest to all speculations, Gujarat Congress leader Alpesh Thakore on Saturday said that he will continue to stay with the party and to fight for his people. It was widely speculated that the OBC leader and Congress legislator from Radhanpur in north Gujarat would leave the Congress for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). It was said that he would directly get a ministerial berth. However, Thakore had denied rumours that he was preparing to join the BJP. Earlier in September 2018, Thakore had rubbished all rumours stating that he was going join the BJP. "I don't know who is spreading these canards at regular intervals but I want to state clearly that I am in the Congress and shall remain in the Congress," Thakore told reporters, flanked by state Congress president Amit Chavda and Leader of Opposition Paresh Dhanani. He had asserted: "I had joined the Congress after seeking the opinion of over 20,000 followers and today I am entrusted with national responsibility in the party, including in Bihar." There had been rumours of Thakore negotiating with the ruling BJP and that he might be accommodated as a Minister in the Vijay Rupani government. Political circles have also been speculating that he may vacate his constituency for former Minister Shankar Chaudhary. Thakore had courted controversy for raising his voice against the Congress and supporting the BJP government's move to raise salaries for legislators in the state from Rs 70,000-plus to over Rs 1.16 lakh per month. Mumbai: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena President Raj Thackeray on Saturday claimed that another Pulwama-like attack would be organised within a couple of months", at the height of the Lok Sabha elections. "Mark my words - another 'Pulwama-type' strike will be organised in the next two months, during the Lok Sabha elections, to divert peoples' attention from all problems to patriotism," he said, addressing the MNS' 13th anniversary celebrations. This is because, Thackeray alleged, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have "miserably failed" in all their policies, including the Ram temple issue. Thackerays remarks come at a time when the Congress and other opposition parties have accused the government of constantly calling attention to the airstrike in BJPs election rallies, in the process of politicising the aerial bombing on Jaish-e-Mohammeds biggest camp in Pakistans Balakot. The opposition has also raised questions on the governments claim that over 300 terrorists were neutralised in the pre-dawn strike. However, an assessment by the National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO) that said some 300 mobile phones were active at Balakot just before 12 Mirage 2000 of the IAF dropped laser-guided bombs on the terror camp. New Delhi: Delhi Congress president Sheila Dikshit on Saturday met UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi. While the former rejected the issue of alliance with the ruling AAP for the Lok Sabha polls was discussed during their meeting, sources claimed otherwise. "The decision (against alliance with AAP) after meeting Rahul Gandhi still continues, that is all," Dikshit told PTI when asked whether the alliance issue came up during her meeting with Sonia Gandhi. AICC sources said, "The issue of alliance was discussed between Sonia Gandhi and Dikshit and the former asked her to consider the consequences of vote split between the AAP and the Congress, paving way for victory of BJP in the polls." The Delhi Congress leaders strongly rejected any talks of alliance between the two leaders. "Sheila ji went to invite Sonia Gandhi for our booth workers convention scheduled on Monday and it's a rumour that issue of alliance, which has already been rejected, was discussed," said Devender Yadav, working president of the Delhi Congress. Sonia Gandhi has already said the Congress president will take decisions on all matters concerning the party, said another working president of the Delhi unit Rajesh Lilothia. "In such a situation, how can she say anything that is contrary to Rahul Gandhi's stand on alliance issue?" he said. Earlier this week, the Congress president told reporters that the Delhi Congress is against alliance with the AAP in the national capital for the upcoming general elections. Dikshit, after meeting Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday, said there was unanimity in the party against alliance with the AAP. Delhi AAP leader Gopal Rai on Thursday said the Congress president should "responsibly" take a decision in this regard considering challenges faced by the country like the "dictatorship" of the BJP government at the Centre. New Delhi: Gujarat Congress MLA and mining baron Jawahar Chavda, who resigned from the party on Friday, took oath as a minister in the Vijay Rupani government on Saturday. Chavda is a four-time MLA from Manavadar, with even staunch Congress supporters concede that he is a very good catch for the BJP. If sources are to be believed he may contest from Junagadh Lok Sabha, in place of the current BJP MP Rajesh Chudasama. The oath-taking ceremony is likely to take place around 12.30 pm. After Kunvarji Bavaliya and Asha Patel, Jawahar Chavda is the third Congress MLA to resign from the current Gujarat Legislative Assembly. Chavda, son of Congress veteran Pethalji Chavda of Junagadh district, won from Manavadar in four consecutive elections and this has been a Congress fort. He won the 2017 Assembly polls defeating Nitinkumar Valjibhai Fadadu of BJP. He won the election in 2012 with 72,879 votes defeating Ratibhai Gordhanbhai Sureja of BJP by 4,402 votes. Another name doing the rounds is that of Jamnagar North MLA Dharmendrasinh Jadeja, who is likely to take oath as a minister on Saturday. The development assumes significance as sources say that Gujarat Congress MLA Alpesh Thakore is likely to join the BJP. He will also directly get a ministerial berth, the sources added. However, the OBC leader and Congress legislator from Radhanpur in north Gujarat, denied rumours that he was preparing to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Earlier in September 2018, Thakore had rubbished all rumours stating that he was going join the BJP. "I don't know who is spreading these canards at regular intervals but I want to state clearly that I am in the Congress and shall remain in the Congress," Thakore told reporters, flanked by state Congress president Amit Chavda and Leader of Opposition Paresh Dhanani. He had asserted: "I had joined the Congress after seeking the opinion of over 20,000 followers and today I am entrusted with national responsibility in the party, including in Bihar." There had been rumours of Thakore negotiating with the ruling BJP and that he might be accommodated as a Minister in the Vijay Rupani government. Political circles have also been speculating that he may vacate his constituency for former Minister Shankar Chaudhary. Thakore had courted controversy for raising his voice against the Congress and supporting the BJP government's move to raise salaries for legislators in the state from Rs 70,000-plus to over Rs 1.16 lakh per month. New Delhi: Just as the suspense is building over the schedule of the much-awaited Lok Sabha elections, the Election Commission of India is expected to come out with the crucial dates anytime soon. According to media reports, the poll panel may announce the poll schedule over the weekends, may be even today, or early next week. The Election Commission is set to have finalised the dates of the polls and also concluded preparatory meetings. Also, it was scheduled to hold a crucial meeting on Saturday to discuss the final modalities of the parliamentary polls. On Friday, PTI had a quoted a senior official saying that the Election Commission is prepared to list dates for Lok Sabha polls any day and an announcement could come over the weekend or by Tuesday. The elections are likely to be held over seven or eight phases in April-May, sources said on Thursday. The announcement of dates will be followed by a meeting of election observers next week for the first and second phase of polling. A notification for the first phase could be issued by the end of March for voting in early April, sources said. There is a strong possibility that the commission may go by the precedent and hold assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh along with the Lok Sabha polls. The commission has to decide about Jammu and Kashmir where there the Assembly has been dissolved and the law says elections must be held within a six-month period, which will end in May. While there is a view that the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections can be held along with the Lok Sabha polls, but a lot depends on the complex security situation in the state given the heightened tension along the India-Pakistan border. While the Centre and the state administration, being managed by the Centre-appointed governor, are against holding the two elections together, all political parties there favoured simultaneous polls during a meeting with the Election Commission earlier this week. The J-K assembly's six-year term was to end on March 16, 2021, but it got dissolved after a ruling coalition between the PDP and the BJP fell apart. The other state assemblies and Lok Sabha have five-year terms. While the term of the Sikkim Assembly ends on May 27, 2019, the terms of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Arunachal Pradesh assemblies end on June 18, June 11 and June 1 respectively. The Commission has held several review meetings across the country in last few weeks to gear up its machinery. The required electronic voting machines and paper trail machines are in place to be deployed in nearly 10 lakh polling stations across 543 Lok Sabha constituencies. This is a high probability of the elections being spread across 7-8 phases this time. In 2004, the Commission had announced four-phase Lok Sabha polls on February 29. While the first date of polling was April 20 and the last date was May 10. In 2009, the commission had announced Lok Sabha poll scheduled on March 2. The five-phase polls began on April 16 and ended on May 13. In 2014, the commission had announced the election schedule on March 5 and the nine-phase electoral exercise was spread across April and May. While the first phase polling was on April 7, the last phase was on May 12. The term of the present Lok Sabha ends on June 3. New Delhi: Nearly a month after the gruesome terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday raised significant questions over the BJP's decision to release Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar during the Kandahar standoff in 1999. Addressing a public gathering in north Karnataka's Haveri, the Gandhi scion further slammed PM Modi for the death of 42 CRPF jawans in the gruesome Pulwama terror attack on February 14. A The Jaish-e-Mohammad had claimed responsibility for the attack. The Congress chief was in the state to launch his party's election campaign for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls from the BJP's stronghold of Haveri. A few days ago, our soldiers were martyred in Pulwama. I have a small question for PM Modi - Who is responsible for the attack? Who sent Masood Azhar back to Pakistan? What is the name of the JeM chief," the Congress president was quoted as saying in Haveri. "Ajit Doval, who is the National Security Advisor for the Modi Govt, escorted head of JeM Masood Azhar back to Pakistan. We are not like Narendra Modi, we don't bow down to terrorists," he added. "Why are you not speaking about it. Why are you not saying that the person who killed CRPF jawans was sent to Pakistan by BJP... Modiji we are not like you. We don't bow in front of terror. Make it clear to people to India who sent Masood Azhar," he said. Moving on the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, the Congress president said, "There are reports that our forces were ready to avenge 26/11 Mumbai attacks, but they were not allowed to act". Gandhi also alleged that while Modi talked about corruption, the whole country knew he was corrupt.A The Congress chief said the ruling alliance of Congress and JD-S in Karnataka would fight the Lok Sabha elections together and win it. Gandhi also accused Modi of "fooling" the people of the country for the last five years with his programmes like "Make in India, Stand Up India and Sit Down India". What is the Kandahar incident? On December 24, 1999, Indian Airlines flight IC 814 from Kathmandu to Delhi was hijacked by Harkat Ul Mujahideen terrorists. The hijackers demanded the release of three people in Indian custody - Masood Azhar, Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar and Omar Sheikh. Post that, the Vajpayee government relented and asked the then External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh and the then Intelligence Bureau Chief Ajit Doval to escort the three terrorists to Kandahar in Afghanistan, where they were handed over to the Taliban. With the BJP having won three consecutive polls from Haveri Lok Sabha constituency, the Congress is seeking to woo back its vote bank ahead of the parliamentary elections due by May. Congress leader Saleem Ahmad, who has been defeated in past polls, is hoping to contest for the third time from Haveri. Other top contenders for the ticket include DR Patil, brother of Congress leader H K Patil and former legislator Basavaraj Shivannavar. Minister Zameer Ahmed, who is in charge of Haveri district, is also demanding a ticket for his community either from Dharwad or Haveri parliamentary constituency. Kolkata: Icons of the Bengali film industry, including Aparna Sen and Soumitra Chatterjee, will take to the streets this Sunday against bar on the screening of 'Bhobisyoter Bhoot' (Future Ghosts), a political satire, at cinema halls in the city. The film was allegedly withdrawn from single screen theatres and multiplexes a day after its release on February 16. Director of the film, Anik Dutta, has alleged that the owners of the theatres were forced to stop the screening though it ran to packed houses in many places on the day it released. An appeal to join the march in the city, issued by industry stalwarts such as Soumitra Chatterjee, Aparna Sen, Tarun Majumder, Buddhadeb Dasgupta, veteran poet Sankha Ghosh, said, "Amra Hatbo Dale Dale, Chhobi Phirchhena Kano Hall-a" (We will walk in large numbers to ask why the film is not coming to theatres). The story of the film revolves around a group of ghosts, including a politician, who assemble at a refugee camp and try to be relevant in contemporary times."It is a deplorable act, the way a film was taken off theatres within a day of its release," Dasgupta told PTI. The multiple National Award-winning directors said he will participate in the rally despite poor health "as everyone should protest such undemocratic and fascist act where a film is stopped from screening but there is no word from any quarters about the reasons"."I think everyone should join the protests," Dasgupta added. In a statement, director Aparna Sen said, "I am appalled to learn that Anik Dutta's film has been removed from theatres after the first date of screening. I do not know who or what is responsible for this. I do not know what the film had to say, but whatever it may be there cannot and should not be any reason to stop its screening without flouting the fundamental right granted by our Constitution to every individual, freedom of speech."Director Sandip Ray said he might not be able to attend the protest march because of other commitments but he would send a letter where "I will register my protest against the move (withdrawal)". Young film-maker Utsav Mukherjee, one of the organisers of the protest, said, "Personalities like Aparna Sen, Soumitra Chatterjee, Buddhadeb Dasgupta, Sankha Ghosh, among others have issued appeal for the rally and we hope that thousands will turn up that day."The film has Sabyasachi Chakraborty, Moon Moon Sen, Kaushik Sen and veterans Barun Chanda and Paran Bandyopadhyay in leading roles. The cast and crew of the film has held several protest meets across the city over the past few weeks. At an earlier protest meet, Chatterjee, who is 84, had said, "I am stunned. How can a film, passed by the Censor board, can be withdrawn from theatres in such a manner? It is autocracy.""...the step to withdraw Bhobisyoter Bhoot from Kolkata theatres after release looks like a revengeful step for me...There is ample reason to infer that the step to take off the film from theatres is related to some comments made by director Anik Dutta at a discussion in recent Kolkata International Film Festival," Chatterjee had said in an open letter penned to voice his protest. Dutta, who is known for his outspokenness, had earlier hinted during an interview that he had to face lots of pressure during the making of the film and promotion.He said the multi-plex owners and theatres could not produce any written document or instruction with regard to sudden halt in screening of the film.The film had been released in more than 40 screens across the state. New Delhi: The Defence Ministry on Saturday junked media reports stating the abduction of serving soldier of the armyas Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JAKLI) Mohammad Yaseen Bhat from his residence at Qazipora Chadura in Central Kashmir's Budgam district on Friday, as incorrect and said the aindividual is safe. Speculations may please be avoided.a In a tweet, the Defence Spokesperson said, "Clarification. Media reports of the abduction of a serving Army soldier on leave from Qazipora, Chadoora, Budgam are incorrect. Individual is safe. Speculations may please be avoided. (sic)" Clarification. Media reports of the abduction of a serving Army soldier on leave from Qazipora, Chadoora, Budgam are incorrect. Individual is safe. Speculations may please be avoided.@PMOIndia @nsitharaman @DefenceMinIndia @PIB_India @adgpi a Defence Spokesperson (@SpokespersonMoD) March 9, 2019 It was reported that Yaseen, posted with Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry Regiment, was on leave from February 26 to March 31.A A massive search operation was launched by special operation group along with the army and Jammu & Kashmir police.A The family of Yaseen informed police that some people came to their house at Qazipora Chadura and took him away. "Immediately after receiving the news, teams of police and Army rushed to the village. A massive search operation has been started to trace the missing soldier," a police source said. The incident is reminiscent of the June 14, 2018 incident when Rifleman Aurangzeb was abducted from Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district. He was later killed by terrorists. Hailing from village Salani in Poonch, 24-year-old Aurangzeb had joined the Army in 2012. He is survived by his wife, parents and three brothers.A A similar incident was reported in September 2018 when three police personnel were abducted and shot in cold blood from their homes in the state's Shopian district. Hizbul Mujahideen claimed the responsibility for the attack. A For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: In a big blow to the Congress ahead of forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, senior leader and general secretary from Bihar Dr Binod Sharma resigned from the party on Saturday contending that the party should not have demanded evidence of from the Centre of Indian Air Forces strike on the Jaish-e-Mohammeds terror camp across Line of Control (LoC). In his resignation letter addressed to Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Sharma said the party high command has hurt the sentiments of ground-level workers and the common people by raising questions over the pre-emptive strike on the terror camps in Balakot, days after the Pulwama attack on a CRPF convoy. Sharma also said that he wrote to the Congress president several times in the last one month, apprising him of the sensibilities of the party workers in the state, but his requests were not entertained. Terming the repeated demands for proof of air strike as "shameful and childish", he said, "I am resigning from the Congress with a heavy heart after serving it for 30 years. The party high command has hurt sentiments by breaking the Army's morale, while boosting the spirits of terrorists." Sharma alleged that some Congress leaders have strayed from the path shown by party's stalwarts Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi. "Today, we (Congress members) are seen as Pakistani agents. I feel ashamed of being called a Congressman. Since the nation is above party, I am resigning from the Congress," he stated in his letter. The senior leader also said that many party workers, who are disappointed with the high command's stance over the air strike, may follow in his footsteps. Without taking names, Sharma said he would join a party that puts nation ahead of petty politics. A former general secretary of Bihar Congress, Sharma had unsuccessfully fought the Paliganj assembly by-poll on a Congress ticket in 1996. He also served as the president of National Students Union of India's Bihar unit from 1996 to 2000. On February 14, a convoy of vehicles carrying CRPF personnel was attacked by a suicide bomber in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in the death of 40 jawans. Twelve days later, Indian Air Force jets crossed the Line of Control in Kashmir and pounded Jaish-e-Mohammed training camps in Pakistan. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Hours after Congress president Rahul Gandhi took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying that the recent video of the PNB scam accused Nirav Modi in the UK shows an "uncanny similarity" between the two, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has hit back with a claim that the diamantaireas loan was sanctioned a day after he met the leader of the grand old party. " Profound argument from a man who himself has a stolen surnamea. By the way, is it not true that in September 2013, you visited Nirav Modi's bridal jewellery exhibition in Delhi and the very next day Allahabad Bank approved loan to him, despite opposition from bank's director?a asked the BJP in a tweet. The jibe was aimed at the Congress presidentas grandfather Feroze Jahangir Ghandyas surname. He changed his surname from Ghandy to Gandhi, after being Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi. Profound argument from a man who himself has a stolen surname.Yaai BTW, is it not true that in Sept 2013, you visited Nirav Modi's bridal jewellery exhibition in Delhi and the very next day Allahabad Bank approved loan to him, despite opposition from bank's director? No comments? https://t.co/MS9jE9iiwr a BJP (@BJP4India) March 9, 2019 The BJP hit back saying Nirav Modias fraud began in 2011 when the UPA dispensation was in power. aNirav Modias fraud to cheat the banks started in 2011 when UPA government was in power. It was detected and exposed during the Modi govt,a the BJP tweeted. Earlier, Rahul Gandhi took a swipe at the PM saying that the recent video of the PNB scam accused Nirav Modi in the UK shows an "uncanny similarity" between the two as both "believe they are above the law". Gandhi's jibe came after a UK media report claimed that Nirav Modi, wanted in India in the Rs 13,500 crore PNB fraud case, has been living openly in a swanky 8-million pound apartment in London's West End and is running a new diamond business just yards away. "The video of fugitive #NiravModi in London shows an uncanny similarity between him & his bhai, PM Modi. Both have looted India and are called Modi. Both refuse to answer any questions. Both believe they are above the law. Both will face justice (sic)," the Congress chief tweeted. The video of fugitive #NiravModi in London shows an uncanny similarity between him & his bhai, PM Modi. Both have looted India and are called Modi. Both refuse to answer any questions. Both believe they are above the law. Both will face justice. https://t.co/20Y36iVj2Y a Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) March 9, 2019 In a video posted by the Telegraph newspaper, Nirav Modi can be seen sporting a handle-bar moustache and wearing an Ostrich Hide jacket, estimated to cost 10,000 pounds. On being accosted by reporters and questioned on various issues, including whether he had applied for political asylum in Britain and what he had to say about the charges against him, Nirav Modi responded with a curt: "No comment". Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi are the main accused in Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam and they both left India before the details of the fraud came to light in January 2018. With PTI Inputs For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The Indian Army shot down another Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), also known as drone, in Rajasthan's Sri Ganganagar sector around 7.30 pm on Friday, according to reports. This was the second such incident of the day that took place in Sri Ganganagar. Earlier in the day, India shot down a Pakistani drone along the international border (IB) in Rajasthan's Sri Ganganagar after it violated Indian airspace. This is the fourth time Pakistani drone destroyed by India along the IB since February 26 air strike on Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror camp in Balakot inside Pakistani territory. Earlier, a Pakistani drone was detected by a ground-based radar station in Rajasthan's Bikaner and minutes later one of the Sukhoi-30 jets deployed in the area to keep an eye on Indian air space shot it down. The Pakistani military drone was targeted at around 11:30 am in Bikaner-Nal sector in Rajasthan, the sources said. It was the second unsuccessful attempt by Pakistan to send a spy drone inside India in the last six days. On February 27, a day after the air strike, a Pakistani drone was shot down by India along the Indo-Pak border in Kutch district of Gujarat. The Indian Air Force has kept all its bases in the Western sector on maximum alert after the Balakot strike. The Indian Air Force carried out pre-dawn airstrikes on February 26 and destroyed major launch pads of the terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed, which was behind the February 14 Pulwama terror attack. Several reports claimed that the Surgical Strike 2.0 decimated Jaish's Alpha 3 Control Rooms located in Balakot, Muzaffarabad and Chakothi in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. More than 10 bombs were dropped by the multi-role fighter jet Mirage 2000 at around 3:30 am on February 26 morning. Understandably, Pakistan has downplayed the airstrike. The aerial attack came a day after Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman held a high-level meeting with all three service chiefs. Following the strike, the Pakistani Air Force also entered the Indian air space and dropped bombs on military establishment in Kashmir. However, IAF planes scrambled the Pakistani jets and destroyed one of them. In the intense aerial battle, an Indian jet was also downed by Pakistani fighter planes. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Security forces on Saturday defused an IED planted in mineral bottle in Phalanwala falling in Khour Block of Akhnoor sector, triggering panic in the area. After seeing the suspicious bag, the locals informed the concern police station who immediately rushed the spot to investigate the suspicious item. This is the third terror-related incident in a row in Jammu after the grenade attack at a bus and detection of an IED circuit outside the airport in Jammu in the last two days. The grenade attack that took place at the Jammu bus stand killed two persons and injured 32. The IED in Akhnoor was concealed in a mineral water bottle that was spotted in Pallanwala village of the sector. The death toll in the Jammu bus stand grenade attack increased to two on Friday, police said. Muhammad Riyaz, 32, who was injured on Thursday when the grenade flung by a militant exploded under a parked passenger bus at the General Bus Stand in Jammu, succumbed to his wounds in a hospital early Friday, the police added. A 17-year-old youth from Uttarakhand was killed on Thursday, with 30 others injured. Yasir Javaid Bhat alias Arhaan of Kulgam district, who has confessed of carrying carried out the attack, has been arrested.Yasir Bhat was said to be aligned with the Hizbul Mujahideen outfit.State Governor Satya Pal Malik has sanctioned Rs 5 lakh for the victims next of kin and Rs 20,000 each for the injured. Thursdays was the third such attack at the Jammu General Bus Stand by militants in the last nine months. (With PTI inputs) For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The police on Saturday detained a suspicious man roaming near an Army camp in Rajasthanas Jaisalmer. The man, identified as Kadar Khan, was brought to the police station after he was found roaming near their campus. He has confessed that he had gone to Pakistan in 2018, said KS Dhillon, SHO Ramgarh, adding that the man is being investigated. Earlier in the day, India shot down another Pakistani drone along the international border (IB) in Rajasthan's Sri Ganganagar after it violated Indian airspace, accordingA to Army sources. This is the third time Pakistani drone destroyed by India along the IB since February 26 air strike on Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror camp in Balakot inside Pakistani territory. KS Dhillon, SHO Ramgarh on suspicious man caught near Army camp in Jaisalmer: Kadar Khan, was brought to police station after he was found roaming near their campus. He has confessed that he went to Pakistan in 2018. Officials have been informed. He's being questioned. #Rajasthan pic.twitter.com/Mf3okEJcun a ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2019 Earlier, a Pakistani drone was detected by a ground-based radar station in Rajasthan's Bikaner and minutes later one of the Sukhoi-30 jets deployed in the area to keep an eye on Indian air space shot it down. The Pakistani military drone was targeted at around 11:30 am in Bikaner-Nal sector in Rajasthan, the sources said. It was the second unsuccessful attempt by Pakistan to send a spy drone inside India in the last six days. On February 27, a day after the air strike, a Pakistani drone was shot down by India along the Indo-Pak border in Kutch district of Gujarat. The Indian Air Force has kept all its bases in the Western sector on maximum alert after the Balakot strike. The Indian Air Force carried out pre-dawn airstrikes on February 26 and destroyed major launch pads of the terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed, which was behind the February 14 Pulwama terror attack.A Several reports claimed that the aSurgical Strike 2.0a decimated Jaish's Alpha 3 Control Rooms located in Balakot, Muzaffarabad and Chakothi in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. More than 10 bombs were dropped by the multi-role fighter jet Mirage 2000 at around 3:30 am on February 26 morning. Understandably, Pakistan has downplayed the airstrike. The aerial attack came a day after Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman held a high-level meeting with all three service chiefs. A For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi : India on Friday shot down another Pakistani drone along the international border (IB) in Rajasthan's Sri Ganganagar after it violated Indian airspace, according to Army sources. This is the third time Pakistani drone destroyed by India along the IB since February 26 air strike on Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror camp in Balakot inside Pakistani territory. Earlier, a Pakistani drone was detected by a ground-based radar station in Rajasthan's Bikaner and minutes later one of the Sukhoi-30 jets deployed in the area to keep an eye on Indian air space shot it down. The Pakistani military drone was targeted at around 11:30 am in Bikaner-Nal sector in Rajasthan, the sources said. It was the second unsuccessful attempt by Pakistan to send a spy drone inside India in the last six days. On February 27, a day after the air strike, a Pakistani drone was shot down by India along the Indo-Pak border in Kutch district of Gujarat. The Indian Air Force has kept all its bases in the Western sector on maximum alert after the Balakot strike. The Indian Air Force carried out pre-dawn airstrikes on February 26 and destroyed major launch pads of the terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed, which was behind the February 14 Pulwama terror attack. Several reports claimed that the Surgical Strike 2.0 decimated Jaish's Alpha 3 Control Rooms located in Balakot, Muzaffarabad and Chakothi in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. More than 10 bombs were dropped by the multi-role fighter jet Mirage 2000 at around 3:30 am on February 26 morning. Understandably, Pakistan has downplayed the airstrike. The aerial attack came a day after Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman held a high-level meeting with all three service chiefs. Following the strike, the Pakistani Air Force also entered the Indian air space and dropped bombs on military establishment in Kashmir. However, IAF planes scrambled the Pakistani jets and destroyed one of them. In the intense aerial battle, an Indian jet was also downed by Pakistani fighter planes. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi : Indian Army on Friday killed several Pakistani soldiers and destroyed their four bunkers in response to heavy shelling in Shahpur Kirni sector of Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir. According to reports, Pakistan had resorted to heavy shelling in the area in which a Jammu and Kashmir police SPO sustained injuries. Following the provocation, Army retaliated and destroyed four bunkers in the firing that continued till late Friday night. Earlier, Pakistan forces fired mortar shells on Indian security posts as well as the residential area. Several houses were also damaged due to the unprovoked shelling by Pakistan. The tension on the border between India and Pakistan has been high since the Balakot strike in response to the February 14 Pulwama attack, in which over 40 CRPF soldiers were killed. The attack was carried out by Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). To avenge the deadly attack, Indian Air Force on February 26 had conducted cross border strike on a JeM camp in Pakistan's Balakot. The confrontation, the most serious between the nuclear-armed neighbours in more than a decade, led to a war-like situation with both countries flying jets in each other's air space. Even though tensions have cooled down after Islamabad's decision to return a captured IAF pilot, both sides continued to engage in cross-border shelling. On March 2, three members of a family, including a nine-month-old, were killed and two others sustained injuries after Pakistani forces fired mortar shells along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch. The Pakistan Army has violated the ceasefire for over 60 times during the last week and targeted over 70 civilian and forward areas along the LoC in Poonch, Rajouri, Jammu and Baramulla districts of Jammu and Kashmir. In view of the prevailing situation, authorities have ordered temporary closure of educational institutions in a 5-km radius along the LoC in Rajouri and Poonch districts. They have asked all border dwellers to remain inside their homes. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The Jamaat-e-lslami Jammu and Kashmir - which was banned by the government under Section 3 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 for alleged anti-national and subversive activities - has strong links with Pakistan's ISI and has been maintaining regular contact with the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi for promoting secessionism in the state, officials said. The most important member of the Jamaat-e-lslami Jammu and Kashmir in the Hurriyat Conference is Syed Ali Shah Geelani, who was at one point of time designated as the 'Amir-e-Jihad' (Head of Jehad) of Jammu and Kashmir by the proscribed organisation. The Jamaat-e-lslami Jammu and Kashmir has established strong links with Pakistan's ISI for ensuring logistics support for arming, training and supply of weapons to Kashmiri youths and its leaders continue to maintain regular contact with the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi for support, a senior government official said. According to the intelligence inputs, the Jamaat-e-lslami Jammu and Kashmir has been using its network of schools to spread anti-India feelings among children in the Kashmir Valley and encouraging cadres of the Jamaat-e-lslami Jammu and Kashmir youth wing (Jamiat-ul-Tulba) to join 'Jihad' by getting recruited into terrorist outfits. It is no surprise that the pattern of militancy in the Valley has a strong correlation with the spread of the hardline Jamaat-e-lslami Jammu and Kashmir activists in the area, the official said. The Jamaat-e-lslami Jammu and Kashmir has been utilising the fear generated by Pakistan-based Hizbul Mujahideen and leveraging the financial clouts of its members and trusts under its control to mobilise funds both locally and from abroad and using these assets to consolidate its hold at the grassroot level. This base is used to provide a fertile ground for the operation of militants outfits in the Kashmir Valley including motivation, new recruits, shelters and hideouts, couriers etc. The hardliner elements in Jamaat-e-lslami Jammu and Kashmir have been at the forefront of secessionist activities and were the brain behind the formation of the All Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC) as well as Hizbul Mujahideen, another official said. The Jamaat-e-lslami Jammu and Kashmir also has several trusts for running schools to disseminate orthodox Islamic education, has a youth wing and has numerous publications for spreading its fundamentalist ideology. Behind this facade, hardliners within the Jamaat-e-lslami Jammu and Kashmir have been involved with militant groups, have actively participated in promotion of secessionist activities, have been questioning the finality of the Jammu and Kashmir's accession to India and have been "striving for merger of the state with Pakistan", the official said. The group has extensive foreign links through which it secures funding and promotes its objectives. It has close links with Jel-Pakistan, Jel-POK and Jel-Bangladesh, where several leaders have faced death penalty for anti-national activities. It has also been promoting sectarian tensions in the Valley by mobilizing opinion against the Hanfi-Aithkadi sects. Gilani, the Jamaat-e-lslami Jammu and Kashmir representative in the Hurriyat, has been continuously supporting militancy in Kashmir and even during the Kargil War, he had termed the intruders as "freedom fighters". The Jamaat-e-lslami Jammu and Kashmir was formed in 1945 as a chapter of the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind and separated in 1953 due to differences over political ideology with the parent body.? It is opposed to participating in the electoral process and has been pursuing the agenda of setting up an independent theocratic Islamic State by destabilising the government established by law. The outfit was banned twice in the past due to its activities. The first time in 1975 for two years by the Jammu and Kashmir government and the second time in April 1990 for three years by the Centre, when Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was the Union home minister. The ban continued till December, 1993. The Jamaat-e-lslami Jammu and Kashmir was banned again by the central government on February 28. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Kashmir dispute can be the cause of nuclear war between India and Pakistan, the New York Times has said in an opinion piece. The board in its Thursday write-up wrote that "this relative calm is not a solution" and the US needed to get involved in defusing the tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad. "As long as India and Pakistan refuse to deal with their core dispute - the future of Kashmir - they face unpredictable, possibly terrifying, consequences." According to the NYT, the next confrontation between the two neighbours might not end "so calmly." "With Pakistan's Army most likely shaken by the Indian raid and unwilling to slide into protracted conflict, Prime Minister Imran Khan returned the pilot to India, in what was seen as a goodwill gesture, called for talks and promised an investigation into the bombing. (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi took the opportunity to back off further escalation", it said. The Indian Air Force on February 26 conducted an air strike on a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorist camp in Pakistans Balakot to avenge the Pulwama attack. At least 42 CRPF personnel were killed last month in one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir when a Jaish suicide bomber rammed a vehicle carrying over 30 kg of explosives into their bus in Pulwama district that also left many critically wounded. More than 2,500 Central Reserve Police Force personnel, many of them returning from leave to rejoin duty in the Valley, were travelling in the convoy of 78 vehicles when they were ambushed on the Srinagar-Jammu highway at Latoomode in Awantipora in south Kashmir. It was the first time in more than a decade that Indian jets had crossed the LoC to strike against Pakistan. The Indian Air Force hit Jabha Top, a forested hilltop where the Jaish-e-Mohammed had its camp. Islamabad also captured an Indian Air Force pilot after a February 27 dogfight between the two air forces. He was released on March 1 as a "peace gesture" by Pakistan. The NYT said the US "could help India strengthen its counterterrorism capabilities to prevent future attacks and it could encourage India to modify its approach to those opposing its rule in Kashmir, which the UN and other groups say involves widespread human rights abuses. "And while it's good when India and Pakistan decide to walk back from the brink, as they seem to be doing now, the US should be ready to assist if they cannot." The article stated that Islamabad and New Delhi were "long among the world's most antagonistic neighbours" and that it was fortunate they found "the good sense to de-escalate". The NYT stated: "The JeM, which seeks independence for Kashmir or its merger with Pakistan, took responsibility (for the Kashmir bombing). While it is on America's list of terrorist organisations and is formally banned in Pakistan, the group has been protected and armed by the Pakistani intelligence service." The NYT said that the situation between India and Pakistan "could have easily escalated, given that the two countries have fought three wars over 70 years, maintain a near-constant state of military readiness along their border and have little formal government-to-government dialogue. "Adding to the volatility, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi is waging a tough re-election campaign in which he has used anti-Pakistan talk to fuel Hindu nationalism," it said. Pakistan has never seriously cracked down on militant groups that attack India and the Indian-controlled part of Kashmir. "In recent days, Pakistani authorities said they detained 44 members of various armed groups, including a brother of Masood Azhar, the head of JeM, and planned to seize assets of militants on the UN terrorist list. But Pakistan has rarely followed through on such promises." The NYT said that without international pressure, a long-term solution was "unlikely and the threat of nuclear war remained". "While the Clinton, Bush and Obama administrations aggressively worked to ensure that India-Pakistan confrontations in 1999, 2002 and 2008 did not spiral out of control, the (Donald) Trump administration has done little but issue a few statements urging restraint. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Fugitive billionaire diamantaire Nirav Modi, who is accused of defrauding the state-owned Punjab National Bank (PNB) with over Rs 13,700 crore, is living openly in a lavish 8-million-pound apartment in London's West End and has started a new diamond business in Soho, according to a report published on a British daily The Telegraph on Saturday. Modi, the 48-year-old diamond tycoon is currently paying around 17,000 pounds a month for a three-bedroom flat occupying half of a floor of the landmark Centre Point tower block near Oxford street, the report added. Taking to Twitter, the leading daily posted a video and interview with the alleged fugitive in the early hours of Saturday and captioned it as "Exclusive: Telegraph journalists tracked down Nirav Modi, the billionaire diamond tycoon who is a suspect for the biggest banking fraud in India's history". In the 2 minutes-13-seconds-long video, Modi is fatter than before and can be seen sporting a handlebar moustache and wearing an Ostrich Hide jacket, estimated to cost around 10,000 pounds. However, during his video interview with the UK daily, Modi chose to remain tight-lipped while asked about various issues related to the infamous PNB fraud scam case. He ducked the journalists by saying, "Sorry, no comments". Soon after, the Congress launched a scathing attack on the Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government at the Centre, asking why was the Modi Govt unable to track down Nirav Modi. "Journalists of The Telegraph managed to track down Nirav Modi. Why was the Modi Govt unable to do so? Who is Modi trying to protect? Himself, Nirav Modi or the people who let him escape?" the tweet read. There are also reports that Modi had been given a National Insurance number by the Department for Work and Pensions, which means that he can legally work in Britain, and has used British bank accounts. The revelation comes a day after Modi's 30,000 sq ft seaside mansion at Kihim beach in Maharashtra was demolished by authorities using explosives. A large amount of dust was seen coming from the structure as it collapsed during the controlled blasts. Trouble found Modi in February 2018, after he was found guilty of swindling the PNB of Rs 6,498.20 crore, through his companies, using fraudulent Letters of Undertakings (LoUs). But by then the jeweller had already left the country. His passport was revoked the same month. However, India made a request to extradite the 48-year-old from Britain last August but the matter remains in the hands of the home secretary and the officials have so far refused to confirm or deny if it has received any such request. On his extradition process, MEA Raveesh Kumar on Saturday said, "All necessary steps are being taken for the extradition of Nirav Modi. We have been aware of his presence in the UK. The extradition request s under the UK Govts consideration". For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi : Pakistan is behaving like a spokesperson of terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and despite big claims, took no action against terror outfits operating from its soil, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in a weekly press briefing on Saturday. Kumar said that it was regrettable that Pakistan continues to remain in a state of denial even after JeM claim taking ownership of Pulwama attack. aIt is regrettable that Pakistan still continues to deny Jaish-e-Mohammed's own claim of taking ownership of Pulwama attack. Pak Foreign Minister said that they (JeM) have not claimed responsibility of the attack, there is some confusion - Is Pakistan defending the JeM?a the Kumar asked. Referring to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khanas slogan of aNaya Pakistana (New Pakistan), the MEA spokesperson said that if Pakistan really want to be a new country with new thinking, it needs to show anew actiona against terror groups and cross border terrorism. aIf Pakistan claims to be a 'Naya Pakistan' with 'nayi soch' then it should show 'naya action' against terrorist groups and cross border terrorism,a he said. #WATCH Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson, Raveesh Kumar: If Pakistan claims to be a 'Naya Pakistan' with 'nayi soch' then it should demonstrate 'naya action' against terrorist groups and cross border terrorism in support of its claims. pic.twitter.com/Ji7ZBZsVjc a ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2019 The MEA spokesperson claimed that India has electronic evidence that a Pakistani F-16 fighter jet was destroyed by Indian Air Force pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman and said that they have asked the US to examine whether the use F-16 against India was in accordance with terms and conditions of the sale. aThere are eyewitness accounts and electronic evidence that Pakistan deployed F-16 aircraft and that one F-16 was shot down by Wing Commander Abhinandan. We have asked USA to also examine whether the use of F-16 against India is in accordance with terms and conditions of sale,a he said. He also denied Pakistani claims that they destroyed two Indian jets.A aIf as Pakistan claims it has a video recording of the downing of a second Indian aircraft then why have they not shared the video with international media?a Kumar asked. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Pakistani troops violated ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) on Saturday by targetting forward post in Keri Battal area of Akhnoor, Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan has used heavy artillery guns prompting strong and effective retaliation by the Indian Army. This is the secondA ceasefire violation in the past 24 hours.A Jammu & Kashmir: Pakistan violates ceasefire in Keri Battal area of Akhnoor. Indian Army is retaliating strongly. More details awaited. pic.twitter.com/N24ouYnR2E a ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2019 Earlier on Friday,A Pakistan violated ceasefire along Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district, breaking a two-day long lull in the border skirmishes. There has been a spurt in ceasefire violations by Pakistan after India's preemptive air strike on a Jaish-e-Mohammad terror camp in Balakot on February 26 following the February 14 Pulwama terror attack in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed. A Four civilians, including three members of a family, were killed and several others injured as Pakistan targeted over 80 villages in over 100 incidents of ceasefire violations along the LoC in the state since then. Meanwhile, security forces defused an IED planted in a mineral bottle in Pallanwala falling in Khour Block of Akhnoor sector, triggering panic in the area. After seeing the suspicious bag, the locals informed the concern police station who immediately rushed the spot to investigate the suspicious item. This is the third terror-related incident in a row in Jammu after the grenade attack at a bus and detection of an IED circuit outside the airport in Jammu in the last two days. The grenade attack that took place at the Jammu bus stand killed two persons and injured 32. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: There are eyewitness accounts and electronic evidence that Pakistan deployed F-16 and one F-16 aircraft was shot down by IAF pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in the ministrys weekly media briefing. He also said that evidence of the use of AMRAAM Missile, which can only be deployed on the F-16 with Pakistan, has also been shown to the media. Pakistan should explain why it continues to deny that its F-16 aircraft has been shot down? The ministry of external affairs has also asked the United States to examine whether the use of F-16 against India is in accordance with the terms and conditions of sale. It was reported last week that the United States had sought more information from Pakistan on the potential misuse of F-16 fighter jets against India in violation of what it is called the end-user agreement, the State Department said. Pakistan had acquired the F-16 fighter jets from US to fight against terrorism in 2008. However, the country has long been using the assets acquired from the US against India. Earlier in the week, US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Robert Palladino had said that they "have seen those reports and were following that issue very closely." are during an aerial raid targeting Indian military posts in Kashmir following Indias anti-terror strike on Jaish-e-Mohammed camp in Balakot. He also said, I cant confirm anything, but as a matter of policy, we dont publicly comment on the contents of bilateral agreements that we've in this regard involving US defense technologies, nor communications that we've with other countries about that. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Hours after a British daily reported that Nirav Modi, accused in the USD 2-billion Punjab national Bank (PNB) scam, is living a luxurious life in London and is involved in a new diamond business, senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Saturday took potshots at External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and asked if she would swoop down and bring back the fugitive diamantaire. Taking to Twitter, Chidambaram said: When Lalit Modi stayed on in the UK, I wrote to the UK Chancellor that he should be sent back to India. Mrs Sushma Swaraj mocked me for writing letters. Now Nirav Modi is walking on the streets of London. Will Mrs Sushma Swaraj swoop down, pluck him off the street and bring him back to India? he added. The remarks by the former finance minister came at a time when the government said it is taking all steps to extradite Nirav Modi from the UK, asserting that the extradition request made to that country shows that New Delhi was aware he is there. It also said the UK was considering India's request to extradite Modi, a diamantaire accused in the USD 2 billion Punjab National Bank scam. MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar, at a media briefing, said the fact that "we requested the UK government for extradition of Nirav Modi, means that we were aware that he is in UK otherwise we would not have made the request". "Just because he has been spotted doesn't mean he can be immediately brought back to India as there is a process in place. We have made a request for extradition, it is for the UK government now to consider our request and respond to the demand of the CBI and ED for extradition," he said. Meanwhile, the Congress slammed the government over the media report and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of running a fraudster settlement yojana for such fugitives. The opposition party also alleged that fugitives had looted Rs 1 lakh crore from Indian banks but not even one of them has been caught in five years of the Modi government. According to report in a British daily on Saturday, Modi is living in a swanky 8 million pound apartment in London's West End and is now involved in a new diamond business. Modi, 48, is currently living in a three-bedroom flat occupying half of a floor of the landmark Centre Point tower block, where rent is estimated to cost 17,000 pounds a month, The Telegraph reported. The revelation comes a day after Modi's 30,000 sq ft seaside mansion at Kihim beach in Maharashtra was demolished by authorities using explosives. Despite his bank accounts being frozen by the Indian authorities and an Interpol red notice being issued for his arrest, Modi, a diamond jeweller whose designs have been worn by Hollywood stars, is now involved in a new diamond business based in London, the report said. In a video posted by the newspaper, Modi can be seen sporting a handle-bar moustache and wearing an Ostrich Hide jacket, estimated to cost 10,000 pounds. When journalists from the paper questioned him on various issues, including whether he has urged Britain to grant him asylum, Modi ducked them by saying, "Sorry, no comments". A source told the the UK daily that Modi had been given a national insurance number by the Department for Work and Pensions, meaning he can legally work in Britain, and has used British bank accounts. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Dependency on someone to go to school acts as the biggest disabler for girls and 90 per cent of girl children are impacted by it in four states of Haryana, Bihar, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh, a study has found. On International Women's Day, the Child Rights and You (CRY) released a study that focuses on the enablers and disablers that significantly impact access and continuation of girls' education. It also explores the role of incentive schemes for boosting girl child education in India. The study found that dependency on someone to go to school is the biggest disabler for girls in attending educational institutions and 90 per cent of girls are impacted by it. "Frequent absenteeism (29 per cent) and discomfort in absence of female teacher (18 per cent) were identified as some of the other disabling factors that are often interlinked with the drop out of girl children," it stated. Delving deep into the reasons behind frequent absenteeism from school, frequent illness (52 per cent) and being engaged in household chores (46 per cent) surfaced as the biggest deterrents across the four states, according to the study. Also, infrastructural issues like poor roads and unavailability of transport to schools were highlighted as some of the top reasons for girls to miss education. Girls in Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh mentioned about the distance and cost of transportation as some of the main reasons to miss school, the study stated. In Haryana, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat, menstruation emerged as another important reason for missing school, which highlights the vital need for improved infrastructure and amenities in school "Though 87 per cent of schools reported having separate toilets for girls, not all of them were found to have running water and hand wash facilities," the study stated. Using both qualitative and quantitative research methods, the study was conducted with more than 3,000 interviewees from 1,604 households across the four states. Among the enablers, self motivation to go to school (88 per cent) and inspiration from family (87 per cent) were the most sought after motivating factors for girls to go to school. "No resistance from family (94 per cent) and community (95 per cent) were also reported as some of the prominent encouraging reasons by majority of school going girls, while 70 per cent of school going girls claimed to have received government incentives and/or benefits in the school," the study stated. However, while analysing the most prevalent factors likely to hinder girl child education, the most spontaneous responses from the parents highlighted requirement of female labour within the household, indicating discontinuation of studies for the girl child. The interesting aspect is that when both the spontaneous and the aided responses are combined, marriage of girls (66 per cent) emerged as the chief factor that hinders girls' education, followed by household chores (65 per cent) and cost of education (62 per cent), the study found. Amongst the underlying causes, elopement/love affairs followed by caring for siblings, predetermined gender roles and physical insecurity of girls were some of the top responses in this area, it said. Besides assessing different factors impacting girl child education, the study also evaluates the effectiveness of 21 government education incentivisation schemes, of which 12 are monetary and the rest provide non-monetary incentives. Despite a large number of schemes being implemented, the analysis reveals that 40 per cent of parents across the four states were unaware of the schemes. "This indicates that though a number of government schemes are available for promoting girl child education, their benefits are yet to reach and touch the lives of girls due to lack of awareness and knowledge about the schemes," said Puja Marwaha, the CEO of CRY. "For increased utilisation of incentive schemes, there must be better implementation to ensure timely provision of scheme benefits. It is also required to address the disablers through policy provisioning, which include safe and frequent transport facilities; provision of entitlements under the RTE; investing in social behaviour change and communication to enhance status of girl child, and universalising cr?che facilities," she added. New Delhi: The inaugural India-Japan Space Dialogue was held here on Friday, with both the countries exploring ways to step up cooperation between their space agencies. The Indian delegation was led by Indra Mani Pandey, Additional Secretary for Disarmament and International Security Affairs, Ministry of External Affairs, while the Japanese delegation was co-led by Kansuke Nagaoka, Deputy Assistant Minister, Foreign Policy Bureau, and Shuzo Takada, Director General, National Space Policy Secretariat. The dialogue brought together ministries and agencies related to outer space in the two countries and provided an opportunity for information exchange on the respective space policies, the MEA said in a statement. Discussions were also held on bilateral cooperation between JAXA-ISRO, their space industries, global navigation satellite system, space situational awareness (SSA), space security and space-related norms, it said. For all the Latest Science News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: SpaceXs Crew Dragon capsule completed its NASA demonstration mission on Friday with a successful splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean, paving the way for the resumption of manned space flights from the US. After hours of suspense, the Crew Dragon touched down in the Atlantic Ocean at 8:45 am some 230 miles (370 kilometres) off the coast of the US state of Florida. The capsule brought its "crew" of one test dummy back to Earth in the same way that American astronauts returned to the planet in the Apollo era in the 1960s and 1970s, before the 1981-2011 Space Shuttle Program. NASA TV footage showed the capsule gently drifting into the ocean, its decent slowed by its four main orange and white parachutes, which folded into the water around it as boats sped toward the site. SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule: Timeline of events March 2: Launched on Saturday from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Dragon docked at ISS the following day before successfully undocking Friday some 250 miles over Sudan. On NASA TV, it looked like a slow-motion ballet, even though the two craft were actually orbiting Earth at 17,500 miles per hour. March 3: The spacecraft arrived at the station on March 3. The Demo-1 Crew Dragon delivered about 400 lbs. (181 kilograms) of supplies and gear for the station crew, NASA officials said. SpaceX employees who watched the landing at company headquarters in California cheered when the red and white parachutes opened to lower Crew Dragon into the water. March 8: SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule on Friday returned home from its historic six-day test flight. The final burn lasted about 15 minutes and helped the vehicle safely slice back through the Earth's thick atmosphere while still traveling thousands of miles per hour. A recovery ship called Go Searcher, waited at sea to use a large crane to haul the capsule out of the water. The ship is also equipped with medical quarters and a helicopter pad so that, when the crew is involved, it's ready for emergencies. For all the Latest Science News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Telecom operator Bharti Airtel on Thursday received commitment from its single-largest shareholder Singtel, promoters and GIC Singapore to participate in its Rs 32,000 crore capital raising programme. Singapore telecom major SingTel said it will infuse Rs 3,750 crore in Bharti Airtel by subscribing to the proposed Rs 25,000 crore rights issue of the company. GIC Private Limited, on behalf of Government of Singapore and Monetary Authority of Singapore, has made a commitment of Rs 5,000 crore in the proposed programme. "The entire rights entitlement of Promoter and Promoter Group of approximately Rs 167,857 million (Rs 16,785.7 crore) will be subscribed by them and GIC, with Promoter and Promoter Group subscribing to Rs 117,857 million (Rs 11,785.7 crore) and GIC subscribing Rs 50,000 million (or Rs 5,000 crore) by way of renouncement in their favour," Bharti Airtel said in a statement. The board of Bharti Airtel last week approved rights issue to raise up to Rs 25,000 crore through issuance of fully paid up shares at a price of Rs 220 per share, and an additional Rs 7,000 crore via the foreign currency perpetual bond issue. Bharti Airtel said the capital infusion will help it continue investments in future rollouts to build large network capacity and create content and technology partnerships to ensure the best customer experience. SingTel announced that "it will subscribe to 170 million new shares in the Rs 250 billion rights issue by regional associate Bharti Airtel (Airtel) at an issue price of Rs 220 per share, for a total consideration of Rs 37.5 billion (approximately USD 525 million), representing the rights entitlement for its direct stake of 15 per cent." Together with Airtel's major shareholders and GIC, a total of 67 per cent of the rights issue has been committed, SingTel said. With this rights issue subscription, Singtel's effective interest in Airtel will be 35.2 per cent and the company will continue to be the single largest shareholder in Airtel. At present SingTel holds around 39.5 per cent stake in the India telecom firm. "The Promoter and Promoter Group also reserves the right to subscribe either itself or through investors for additional shares in the Issue, including in the event of under subscription by the public, in accordance with the applicable laws," the statement said. Airtel is in the process of appointing banks to take this forward. "The Rights Issue reiterates the confidence of our shareholders in the competitive strength and sound business strategy of Airtel. It shall further strengthen our balance sheet with desired financial flexibility so as to meet future opportunities, particularly in the rapidly transforming Indian mobile market," Gopal Vittal, MD and CEO (India & South Asia) - Bharti Airtel said. He said the fresh capital infusion will help the company to continue investments in future rollouts to build large network capacity and create content and technology partnerships to ensure the best customer experience. New Delhi: Amid strain ties between the two countries in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack, Pakistan's High Commissioner to India Sohail Mahmood on Friday met Prime Minister Imran Khan and took his advice on Indo-Pak relations before returning to his post in New Delhi on Saturday. Mehmood is scheduled to return to New Delhi after he was called back to Islamabad for consultations following flare-up of tensions between the two neighbours in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack. The envoy took Prime Minister Khan's advice on Pak-India relations before he returned to his post in New Delhi, the Foreign Office said in a statement. Meanwhile, Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Ajay Bisaria, who was also called to New Delhi for consultations in the wake of the attack, is scheduled to reach Islamabad on Saturday having completed his consultations in the national capital. "High Commissioner of India to Pakistan, Ajay Bisaria, is returning to Islamabad after having completed his consultations in India. He will reach Islamabad on 9 March 2019 and resume his duties," MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in response to a media query regarding Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan's return to Islamabad. Talking about the latest developments, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said the delegation-level visits scheduled between New Delhi and Islamabad will de-escalate tensions between the two neighbours. Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after a suicide bomber of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) killed 42 CRPF personnel and injured dozens of others in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district on February 14. India launched a counter-terror operation in Balakot on February 26. The next day, Pakistan Air Force (PAF) retaliated and downed a MiG-21 in aerial combat and captured its pilot Abhinandan Varthaman, who was later handed over to India on March 1 as "a gesture of peace" and the first step towards negotiation between the countries. Amid this escalating tension between the countries, the United States on Friday asked Islamabad to take "sustained and irreversible" actions against terrorist groups operating from its territory to prevent future attacks and promote regional stability. China, on the other hand, asked the countries to quickly turn the page and convert the present tensions into an opportunity for long term improvement in their relations. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday said post-Wuhan summit between President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, China wants to develop closer ties with India and forge ahead like the "Yangtze and Ganges" rivers despite Beijing's all-weather ties with Pakistan. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: At least 15 people have been killed following a shooting at a nightclub in central Mexico, prosecutors said on Saturday. Four more people suffered injuries, public prosecutor's office spokesman Juan Jose Martinez told news agency AFP. The nightclub lies in Guanajuato state, where authorities have launched an operation against criminal gangs involved in fuel theft. The attack took place in the early hours Saturday as several heavily armed men opened fire at the La Playa nightclub in Salamanca before making off in a vehicle, the spokesman said. The four injured people were taken to a nearby hospital. So far, none of the victims have been identified. Salamanca is the site of the main pipeline of state oil company Petroleos Mexicanos (PEMEX), where fuel thieves have cost the firm around USD 3 billion over the last few years. In late January, a fake bomb was found in a car parked close to the refinery. Nearby, signs were found threatening Mexico President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and demanding that he withdraw from the area soldiers fighting against fuel theft gangs. Salamanca is less than 100 kilometers (60 miles) from Santa Rosa de Lima, where a few days ago authorities conducted an operation against Juan Antonio Yepez, the alleged leader of a fuel-stealing cartel. (With AFP inputs) For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Beijing played a key role in defusing the recent tensions between India and Pakistan. China has stressed from the beginning the need to exercise calm and restraint and prevent escalation, Wang said at a press conference on the sidelines of the second session of the 13th National Peoples Congress. China hopes Pakistan and India will replace confrontation with dialogue, settle a disagreement by goodwill and create a better future through cooperation, The Express Tribune quoted Wang as saying. Referring Pakistan as Chinas iron brother, Wang said China welcomes the willingness expressed by the two countries in recent days to de-escalate the situation and start talks. China hopes the two countries, which are neighbours and heirs to an ancient civilization, will get along, help each other and progress together, Wang said. China also hopes Pakistan and India will transform the crisis into opportunity and meet each other halfway, Wang said. We advise both parties to quickly turn this page and seek a fundamental long-term improvement in their relations. Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after a suicide bomber of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) killed 40 CRPF personnel in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district in February 14. India launched a counter-terror operation in Balakot on February 26. The next day, Pakistan Air Force retaliated and downed a MiG-21 in an aerial combat and captured its pilot, who was handed over to India on March 1. China recently dispatched its Vice Foreign Minister Kong Kong Xuanyou to Pakistan where he held talks with Prime Minister Imran Khan, Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, besides Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua, on ways to ease the India-Pakistan tensions. His visit coincided with the US, the UK and French application in the 1267 counter terrorism committee of the UNSC to declare JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist. If listed by the committee, Azhar would face a global travel ban and asset freeze. the JeM has already been banned by the UN. While China blocked India's previous attempts to declare Azhar as a global terrorist, expectations are high that this time Beijing may take a different stand considering JeM has admitted its role in the Pulwama terror attack. "In the last couple of days both Pakistan and India indicated a desire to de-escalate the situation and start talks. We welcome this. Pakistan and India are neighbours and always have to live with each other," Wang said. "Both countries face important opportunities to realise stability, development and prosperity. China hopes the two countries will get along and progress together," he said. Asked post-Wuhan summit, how China plans to develop its relations with India in the light of challenges and Beijing's close ties with Pakistan, the foreign minister said that 2018 was an "year of great significance for China and India relations". (With PTI inputs) For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier on Friday proposed that Britain could leave the bloc's customs union after the divorce though the offer would not include Northern Ireland which will anger London. Barnier's proposal "aims to counter arguments from the British who say they want to trap the UK in a customs union", a European diplomat told news agency AFP. But it risks "making Theresa May very angry", he added, because it goes back to an earlier version of the "backstop", limited to Northern Ireland, which May insisted the EU abandon. The last minute-bid by Barnier comes just days before British Parliament is due to vote on a withdrawal deal agreed between the two sides, in which the fate of the Irish border is seen as a key issue. "The EU commits to give UK the option to exit the single customs territory unilaterally," Barnier said on Twitter after a meeting with the ambassadors of the remaining 27 EU states. However, "the other elements of the backstop must be maintained to avoid a hard border," said Barnier, in reference to alignment between Northern Ireland and the EU-member republic. Both the EU and Great Britain want to prevent a "hard border" that would bring controls between the British province of Northern Ireland and EU-member Ireland after the Brexit. Earlier, British Prime Minister Theresa May insisted that Britain will leave the European Union on schedule next month, amid signs that her promise to give Parliament a vote on delaying Brexit was boosting support for her unpopular EU divorce deal. May has bowed to pressure from within her Conservative government and given Parliament the chance to delay Britain's scheduled March 29 departure if lawmakers fail to approve her divorce agreement with the bloc. Without a solution in a future arrangement, the current deal agrees to keep the UK in a customs union with the EU until a better answer can be found. But supporters of Brexit fear that Britain would then be trapped permanently in the EU, and have refused to back the deal. The counter-offer will almost certainly be refused or ignored by the government of Prime Minister Theresa May, which depends on unionist MPs from Northern Ireland for its majority. Putting a post-Brexit border in the Irish Sea is a strong red line that May's government has refused to concede. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: While post-strike images of the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorist training camp in Pakistan's Balakot showcase prominent bomb impact points in the area, the Pakistani security officials have reportedly barred the media from entering the site yet again on Friday, denying any damage to the place. A group of Reuters journalists on Friday reached Balakot to visit the Islamic seminary and the adjacent buildings but could not climb the hillock as the path to the buildings was blocked. The camp has been sealed off for journalists and visitors for an indefinite period of time, according to sources. On February 26, the Indian Air Force (IAF)'s Mirage 2000 fighters armed with SPICE 2000 satellite-guided bombs had struck the Jaish-e-Mohammed's Balakot training camp in response to the gruesome terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district on February 14. Being touted as the Surgical Strike 2.0, the airstrike killed "a very large number of Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists, trainers, senior commanders, and groups of jihadis" at the alleged terror camp in Balakot, Indias foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale said. This was the third time in the last nine days that the media professionals were prevented from entering the site, citing security, weather and organisational reasons. The press wing of the Pakistani military said that no media visits will be possible for a few more days. Previously, the Pakistani military's press wing had cancelled media visits to the sites citing weather and organisational reasons. The military said no media visits will be possible for a few more days. Meanwhile, the recently-released high-resolution private satellite images reviewed by Reuters show significant changes on the ground and possibly structures a short distance from the largest structure of the Jaish training camp in Balakot. A close analysis of pre-blast and post-blast images also indicated four likely bomb entry points on the roof of the structure. However, Reuters, quoting satellite imagery experts, had disputed the claim of the Indian Air Force and the government that they had successfully struck the Jaish-e-Mohammed's Balakot camp. According to Colonel Vinayak Bhat, a retired satellite imagery expert, the images show four dark spots on the roof, missing tents and burnt earth but walls and buildings intact". Days after the Indian Air Force's Balakot airstrike, the Government of India and several ministers from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have indicated off the record that around 250-300 terrorists may have been killed in the camp. However, the government is yet to release any evidence in support of its statement. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Islamabad: Pakistan has once against extended the closure of its airspace for international transit flights till March 11. Pakistan's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) issued a new notification on Saturday stating that the opening of Pakistan's airspace has been delayed till 3 p.m. on March 11 (Monday). The decision came a day after, Pakistan on Friday had announced that the country's airspace would be fully re-opened from March 9. However, Saturday's notification stated that the airspace has been closed for all flights from east to west and west to east till March 11 while some transit flights between the north and south of Pakistan's airspace have been permitted to fly over some routes. Pakistans airspace was closed on February 27 due to tensions between India and Pakistan following a dogfight between the two nuclear-powered nations on February 26 in the aftermath Pulwama terror attack in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed. Pakistan-based banned terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed had claimed responsibility for the attack. Flights between Asia and Europe were also disrupted, stranding thousands of passengers, the report said. With Agency Inputs For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Islamabad: Pakistan has asked the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), an international terror financing watchdog, to remove India as co-chair of its Asia-Pacific Joint Group, the Finance Ministry said on Saturday. Currently placed on the FATF's 'grey list', Pakistan has been scrambling in recent months to avoid being added to a list of countries deemed non-compliant with anti-money laundering and terrorist financing regulations by the Paris-based FATF, a measure that officials here fear could further hurt its economy. In a letter addressed to FATF President Marshall Billingslea, Pakistan Finance Minister Asad Umar asked him to appoint any other member country besides India as co-chair of the Asia-Pacific Joint Group "to ensure that (the) FATF review process is fair, unbiased and objective", the finance ministry said in a statement. The Joint Group is a sub-body of the FATF's International Cooperation Review Group (ICRG) of the Asia Pacific Group. Pakistan is a member of the APG and its case is being presented before the FATF by the APG. India's Financial Intelligence Unit's (FIU) director general is the co-chair of the Joint Group. "India's animosity towards Pakistan was well known and the recent violation of Pakistan's airspace and dropping of bombs inside Pakistani territory was another manifestation of India's hostile attitude," Umar wrote in the letter. Referring to India's efforts of isolating Pakistan globally and call for the country's blacklisting during the ICRG meeting on February 18, Umar said, "Indian presence among the evaluators and as Co-chair of the Joint Group would undermine the impartiality and spirit of the 'peer review' process." "We firmly believe that India's involvement in the ICRG process will not be fair towards Pakistan," he wrote. During the February 18-22 plenary and review meetings, the FATF had noted "limited progress" by Pakistan on targets set for January 2019, and urged the country "to swiftly complete its action plan, particularly those with timelines of May 2019." It had expressed dissatisfaction over Pakistan's action and said the country did "not demonstrate a proper understanding of the terror financing risks posed by Daesh (ISIS), Al Qaeda, Jamaat-ud-Dawa(Jud), Falah-i-Insaniat Foundation (FIF), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) Haqqani network (HQN), and persons affiliated with the Taliban". Assuring the FATF president of implementing the Action Plan, the Pakistani finance minister said, "The ICRG and FATF meetings must not be allowed to be used as a platform by India to make political speeches against Pakistan." The FATF continuing Pakistan with the 'Gray' listing means downgrading of the country by multilateral lenders like IMF, World Bank, ADB, EU and also a reduction in risk rating by Moody's, S&P and Fitch. Pakistan was nominated for a detailed review of its "serious deficiencies" in countering terror financing in February 2018. This nomination was supported by the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany and India. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi : In the backdrop of tensions with India over February 14 Pulwama attack, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday assured the world that Pakistani soil will not be used for carrying out terrorist strikes in other countries. Addressing a public a rally at Chachro in southern Sindh province near border, Khan accused his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi of resorting to the "politics of hatred" and beating war drums just to win the coming Lok Sabha elections scheduled to be held in May this year. "The politics of hatred, dividing people for votes, is easy politics. This is the politics of Narendra Modi. Divide humans, spread hatred and when a leader starts this, the workers under him do what we saw happened to the Kashmiris in India after Pulwama," Khan said referring to a series of attacks on Kashmiris across the country. India has long been accusing Islamabad of providing safe haven to terror groups and using them to carry out attacks in the country. On Thursday, Indias permanent representative to the United Nations Rajiv Chander had lashed out at Pakistan, accusing it of using terrorism as an "instrument of state policy". "The central problem is cross-border terrorism and Pakistans use of terrorism as an instrument of state policy. This fact needs due recognition," Chander said at the 40th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva. Facing international pressure and the risk of being blacklisted by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) for failing to curb terror financing, Pakistan on Monday announced a new crackdown against UN proscribed terrorist groups and seized as many as 182 religious schools run by them and detained more than 120 people. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo discussed with British NSA Mark Sedwill the current situation between India and Pakistan and the efforts to reduce tensions between the two South Asian neighbours, the State Department has said. Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after a suicide bomber of Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) killed 40 CRPF personnel in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district on February 14. Pompeo and Sedwill reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the US-UK special relationship and cooperation in the face of major global challenges, State Department Deputy Spokesperson Robert Palladino said Friday. According to the State Department, the talk was reflective of the fact that the United States continues to engage its resources to reduce the tensions between the two nuclear countries. ALSO READ | Outrage in Pakistan as 'honour-killing' whistleblower Afzal Kohistani shot dead "Secretary of State Michael R Pompeo met with UK National Security Advisor Mark Sedwill today to discuss key global priorities, including support for reducing tension between India and Pakistan, securing progress in Syria, and countering Iran's malign influence," Palladino said in a statement. India launched a counter-terror operation in Balakot. The next day, Pakistan Air Force retaliated and downed a MiG-21 in an aerial combat and captured its pilot, who was handed over to India on March 1. The US, the UK, and France, the three-permanent veto-wielding members of the 15-nation United Nations Security Council, last month moved a fresh proposal in the UNSC to designate JeM's chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist. Earlier, the US reduced the visa duration for Pakistani citizens from a period of five years to three months and increased the cost of visa application $160 to $192, a spokesperson of the US embassy in Pakistan said. This comes about after the Pakistan government had decided to decrease the visa duration and increase the application fee for US citizens. Apart from civilians, the new visa policy will also be applicable to Pakistani journalists. The scribes will be issued visas for three months, ARY News reported quoting the US embassy spokesperson. The decision was taken by the State Department because Pakistan was unable to liberalise its visa regime for certain visa categories, [hence] the United States was required by US law on January 21 to reduce the visa validity and increase the visa fees to match Pakistans practices for similar visa categories. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New York: The US border patrol agents apprehended two Indian citizens who were smuggled into the US, officials said. On Thursday afternoon, US Border Patrol agents assigned to Massena Border Patrol Station observed a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot of a casino in Hogansburg in upstate New York, the US Customs and Border Protection said in a press release. Border Patrol agents further observed suspicious behavior by the occupants and conducted a vehicle stop. Six Indian citizens, including two who were identified as smuggled aliens, were inside the vehicle, it said. The vigilance of the Border Patrol agents prevented two illegal aliens from furthering their entry into the United States, Deputy Patrol Agent in-charge Glen Pickering said. Also Read | Mexico night club attack leaves 15 dead: Prosecutor The two smuggled Indians were charged with improper entry and an investigation is underway. The Swanton Sector is responsible for securing the land border between ports of entry in Vermont, New Hampshire and northeastern New York. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. The baby son of Shamima Begum - who fled London to join the Islamic State group - has died, a spokesman for the Syrian Democratic Forces has said. The group, which runs the camp where the teenager has been living, confirmed the death on Friday. The baby died of pneumonia, according to a medical certificate. He was less than three weeks old. Ms Begum left the UK in 2015 with two friends and was found in a Syrian refugee camp in mid-February. She wanted to return to Britain but was stripped of her citizenship. The Kuwait National Assemblys health and social affairs committee has agreed to increase annual leave in the private sector to 35 days from 30 currently as part of a number of amendments to the labour law, according to a lawmaker. MP Osama Al Shaheen said the amendment applies to both Kuwaitis and expatriates employed in the private sector. Annual leave was raised to 30 days not including Fridays several years ago, when the labour law underwent major changes. Earlier, a parliamentary committee had recommended amending the labour law in the private sector by increasing annual leave days and granting bonuses retroactive to 2010 to workers at the end of their contracts. However, the Kuwaiti Chamber of Commerce and Industry has expressed in a statement concerns about the retroactive bonuses, saying they would affect the financial status of companies and institutions and violate the rights and obligations arising from the contracts. The increase in annual leave would benefit more than 1.7 million non-Kuwaiti workers, which would lead to an increase in labour and production costs in Kuwait by 15 per cent in monthly wages and end of service, a spokesperson for the chamber was quoted by a local daily. A Bahraini national is facing trial for burning the car of a fellow national to avenge a sexual assault the latter committed against him ten years ago. According to the police records, the car owner reported to police that his car was burned while it was parked outside his home. The fire caused damages to the houses fence, and detectives later discovered that the Bahraini man was responsible for the crime. During his arrest, the accused reportedly resisted police officers, attacking them by a knife. His mother is reported to have attacked cops assigned to arrest him, and she was held too. I wanted to avenge a sexual assault he committed on me 10 years ago. And I didnt find a better way to do that than setting his car on fire, the defendant told prosecutors during questioning, admitting that he was behind the incident. The Bahraini man has been accused of putting lives in danger. He and his mother also have been charged with attacking on-duty police officers. Jail sentences issued against four Bahrainis were upheld in the case of kidnapping a teenager, torturing him and forcing him to state that he is a police informer. The High Criminal Court earlier sentenced the defendants to seven years of imprisonment as they were found guilty of committing the offences at a farm located in Dar Kulaib Village. According to court files, the incident took place when one of the defendants assigned his accomplices to kidnap the victim as he received information that he was co-operating with teams of police officers. The victim was taken from Shahrakkan village and brought to the farm in the neighbouring village of Dar Kulaib, where he was forced to confess that he was a police informer while being recorded on camera. After committing the crime the defendants released the victim near his fathers house, where a friend witnessed the incident and recorded the registration number of the vehicle used by the defendants. The victims father rushed him to the hospital and reported the case to the police. Investigations led to the culprits who were immediately arrested. On January 31, 2018, the Public Prosecution interrogated the defendants and charged them with kidnapping and torturing the victim. They were all sentenced by the court to serve a seven-year imprisonment sentence. They appealed against the verdict, but their plea was rejected by the High Court of Appeals. The Stockholm Agreement was signed by the Yemeni government and Houthi representatives in December last year The Iranian-backed Houthi militia committed 18 violations against the Swedish ceasefire agreement in Hodeidah during the last 24 hours, the Arab coalition spokesperson was quoted by Arab News yesterday. The Stockholm Agreement was signed by the Yemeni government and Houthi representatives in December last year. The main points of the agreement were a prisoner exchange, steps toward a ceasefire in the city of Taiz, and a ceasefire agreement in the city of Hodeidah and its port, as well as ports in Salif and Ras Issa. The coalition said the Houthis targeted several neighbourhoods in Hodeidah using various weaponry. The violations included shooting with various light weapons and mortars on the areas of Hais, Al Faza and Jabaliya, said the coalition, adding that one citizen was killed and another was injured. Earlier yesterday, Saudi Arabias Royal Air Defence Force shot down a Houthi drone that was flying towards Saudi Arabia, Saudi state TV reported. The spokesperson of the Saudi-led Arab coalition, Col Turki Al Maliki, said that the drone was targeting civilians in a residential area in the city of Abha. The Houthi militia has committed thousands of violations since the agreement came into force on Dec 18, 2018. Last month, state news agency SPA said the Houthi militia had committed 1,112 violations since the Hodeidah agreement was implemented, leading to 76 civilian deaths and 492 injuries. The report said the Houthis continued to target civilian homes, public areas and army positions, using a variety of werapons. The Supreme Council for Women (SCW) has launched a national programme to help women who benefited from the optional retirement scheme. The National Guidance Programme for Bahraini Women aims to help those who want to make a smooth transition from the public sector to the private sector or entrepreneurship field. The scheme aims to maintain womens sustainable contribution to the national economy, switch safely to the private sector, encourage innovative entrepreneurship projects and explore labour market potential opportunities. The programme was endorsed during the third meeting which was held on December 10, 2018, chaired by Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Wife of HM the King and SCW President. The programme aims at supporting the fiscal balance initiative, which was launched by the Government, said SCW Secretary-General Hala Al Ansari, citing the Optional Retirement Scheme. A network of guides would be set up as part of the SCW programme, which includes also workshops and specialised career expo. The scheme will also highlight success stories and outline opportunities available in the economic sectors. Labour and Social Development Ministry Undersecretary Sabah Salem Al Dosari commended the programme, which will provide an adequate platform that creates work opportunities. Industry, Commerce and Tourism Undersecretary for Trade Affairs Nader Almoayyed said that the national guidance programme would increase the number of women entrepreneur in the private sector. He said that the ministry would spare no efforts to facilitate the establishment of companies, the issuance of commercial registers, whether conventionally or online, including government employees who retired optionally. Citing official statistics, he said that Bahraini women hold 50 per cent of the overall number of the commercial registers issued by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism. Bahraini Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) First Deputy Chairman Khalid Mohammed Najibi expressed BCCI readiness to support the SCW-led programme to co-opt newly-retired women. He announced that the chamber would reach out to all private sector establishments, inform them about the new scheme, hold forums, induction and training programmes and engage them career expos. The meeting was also attended by the Labour Fund (Tamkeen) Chief Executive Officer Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Janahi, the General Organisation for Social Insurance (GOSI) CEO Eman Mustafa Al Murbati and Economic Development (EDB) representatives. WASHINGTON - In private discussions with his aides, President Donald Trump has devised an eye-popping formula to address one of his long-standing complaints: that allies hosting U.S. forces don't pay Washington enough money. Under the formula, countries would pay the full cost of stationing American troops on their territory, plus 50 percent more, said U.S. and foreign officials familiar with the idea, which could have allies contributing five times what they provide. Trump calls the formula "cost plus 50," and it has struck fear in the hearts of U.S. allies who view it as extortionate. Rumors that the formula could become a global standard have especially rattled Germany, Japan and South Korea, which host thousands of forces, and U.S. officials have mentioned the demand to at least one country in a formal negotiation setting, said people familiar with the matter. National Security Council spokesman Garrett Marquis said the Trump administration "is committed to getting the best deal for the American people" but would not comment "on any ongoing deliberations regarding specific ideas." Trump has long complained that U.S. and NATO allies freeload on U.S. military protection, but the cost-plus-50 formula has only gained traction in recent months, said current and former U.S. officials, who like others spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive negotiations. It is not a formal proposal or policy but serves as a kind of "maximum billing" option designed in part to draw attention to an issue that speaks to Trump's demand that allies shoulder more of the burden of their own defense, a senior administration official said. One of the first U.S. allies to confront the Trump administration's hardball tactics was South Korea, which last month agreed to pay $925 million for hosting 28,500 American troops. That was an 8.2 percent increase from the previous year's payment and about half the total costs. South Korean officials preferred a five-year agreement, but the deal covers only one, meaning they could face pressure to meet Trump's cost-plus-50 demand next year. A U.S. military official said U.S. Forces Korea had been "sweating" the signing of a new agreement for months. There are numerous burden-sharing ideas floating around, and Trump has not settled on any one, officials said. - - - Although it may be a red herring, the phrase "cost plus 50" has appeared on informal lists of options, one official said. But it is not clear what Trump advisers mean by "cost," whether it's the entire budget to run a base and pay U.S. armed forces or some part of that. U.S. allies hosting permanent American military installations pay for a portion of costs in various ways. Japan and South Korea make cash contributions, while Germany supports the U.S. troop presence through in-kind contributions such as land, infrastructure and construction, in addition to foregone customs duties and taxes. Trump has called that "in-kind" contribution insufficient, a senior U.S. diplomat said. For decades, leading foreign policy figures in both parties have urged U.S. allies to take on greater responsibility for their security, but even staunch advocates of burden-sharing have questioned Trump's approach. "Trump is correct in wanting U.S. allies to bear more responsibility for collective defense, but demanding protection money from them is the wrong way to do it," said Stephen Walt, a scholar of international relations at Harvard University. "Our armed forces are not mercenaries, and we shouldn't send U.S. troops into harm's way just because another country is paying us." The cost-plus-50 idea would probably not be presented as a blanket demand to all allies, even if Trump ended up signing off on it, several people familiar with elements of the discussion said. Many of his top aides oppose the formula and have succeeded in the past in bringing him down from the maximalist approach, the people said. The existence of Trump's formula was first reported by Bloomberg News. Critics of U.S. bases around the world say the bases are costly, stoke tensions with adversaries and have unintended consequences. The Pentagon counters that its 54,000 troops in Japan and presence in South Korea allow it to project power and deter North Korea and China. In Germany, where the Pentagon has more than 33,000 troops, the U.S. Army announced last year that it could add 1,500 more by 2020 in "a display of our continued commitment to NATO and our collective resolve to support European security." - - - Trump's idea has been rumored in European capitals for months, though senior European diplomats said they knew of no formal presentations or threat from the White House. Such a proposal appears aimed principally at Germany, the subject of frequent Trump complaints about NATO defense spending and what he says is an unfair German reliance on American forces for its defense. Trump does not accept the argument that U.S. forces in Germany are a strategic asset for the United States and maybe an overall cost savings because they help facilitate U.S. military actions in the Middle East and Africa as well as across the European continent, former U.S. officials said. That disconnect predates the discussion of billing Germany for the cost of basing forces there, and some former advisers had hoped they could steer Trump toward a wider view of what the United States gains from the arrangement. American lives that might have otherwise been lost on the battlefields of Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere, for example, are often saved at Landstuhl military hospital in Germany. "When he says, 'Thirty thousand American forces are there protecting Germany,' that is a completely inaccurate explanation of what American forces in Germany are there for," retired Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges III, said in an interview in the fall as Trump's rhetoric on the issue heated up. Hodges was addressing the president's complaints about the number of U.S. forces in Germany - more than 30,000 - and threats to downsize or relocate forces, not the specific idea of billing Germany. The benefit to the United States can't be measured in the transactional ways Trump frames it, said Hodges, who served as commanding general of the U.S. Army in Europe. "Like with our base in Ramstein, this is a platform for power projections in the Middle East, Africa, Russia." Emma Ashford, a scholar at the libertarian Cato Institute, agrees with Trump that the U.S. military is overextended but said his latest gambit is the wrong tactic. "The solution to America's unbalanced commitment to rich allies is to gradually shift the burden to them and remove the troops," she said. "Not to keep American troops there and charge for them like they're mercenaries." The discussion comes as allies prepare for the annual summer summit, where Trump has twice berated German Chancellor Angela Merkel over her country's defense contributions. Trump routinely misstates the NATO funding arrangement and defense spending targets, but Germany acknowledges that it has not met the threshold goal of spending 2 percent of gross domestic product on defense. Trump could undermine the effort to increase European NATO defense spending if he starts demanding bilateral payments, said Jeffrey Rathke, president of the American Institute for Contemporary German Studies at Johns Hopkins University. "The United States, including under the Trump administration, has had a lot of success in persuading Germany and other NATO allies that they need to contribute more to their own defense," Rathke said. "That is possible because the spending is directed at a common NATO objective, and that is collective defense," which is more politically palatable in Western Europe. Its school budget season, and whether or not you have children in the school system, you should get informed and involved. According to a data analysis by the Connecticut School Finance Project, Danbury Public Schools is the 7th largest district in Connecticut and educates 11,483 students. Of those students, nearly 60 percent are low-income, more than 1 in 4 are English Learners, and close to 1 in 8 need special education services. Danbury property taxpayers pay nearly 70 cents of every dollar in the citys education budget, roughly $8,930 per student. Through its Education Cost Sharing (ECS) formula the State of Connecticut distributes funding to local public school districts to cover a portion of the education costs. But what seems like a fair system in theory is not fair at all, and due to the states fiscal crisis, the formula cannot be fully funded as it stands (in fact it has not been fully funded for years). For example, in fiscal year 2019, Danbury is estimated to receive $32.3 million in ECS funding. But, if the ECS formula were fully funded, Danbury would receive an estimated $55.7million a staggering $23.4 million more than the district is currently scheduled to receive in fiscal year 2019. So as a result: What happens? Team Do not Raise My Local Taxes vs. team Fully Fund Us arises in the municipal budget season, and good intentioned tensions flare. On one side you have those who do not want local tax increases when they see 70 percent of their tax dollars invested in schools instead of in other city services. On the other team you have those who advocate for more resources to improve our schools and serve a growing student population that has expanded in part due to the citys ability to attract new businesses and residents. And in the middle we have the State of Connecticut, deep in its struggle to figure out its financial crisis. Looking at the implementation of tolls and adding additional taxes to create more revenue, which will still not make it able to fully fund its own Education Cost Sharing formula. So what needs to happen? All sides need to find a way to become part of the same team, one that is responsible with our present resources but has an eye on our future as a unified community during the budget process. One that sees all facets of the citys growth as a positive asset, that is transforming our city into a large urban center, and is willing to invest to make it one we can all be proud of. A team that realizes a stronger school system leads to overall higher property values, with an increased desire to live and raise a family here. We need to continue to join forces, advocate and fight for fair education funding for all at the state capitol. Funding that is based on student learning needs, is predictable, efficient, accessible and takes into consideration the depth and breadth of the different types of diversity of all communities. But what can you do? Regardless of what team you are on, Wednesday, March 20, at 6 to 8 p.m. at Rogers Park Middle School, located at 21 Memorial Dr., Danbury, come to the Community Forum on the School Budget, where you will be able learn more about the issue. Childcare and translation services in Portuguese and in Spanish will also be provided. To register for childcare, please call 203-797-4734. Out of the forum there may not be a solution, but it could be the start of building Team Danbury as one unified front for our citys future. Emanuela Palmares is a member of the Danbury Board of Education and Editor of the The Tribuna Newspaper. Once again Stephan Lesher, the unrelenting champion of all things left, has attempted to defend the indefensible. (U.S. Rep. Omar gets a bad rap, March 8) Despite his and others protestations to the contrary its become obvious to most of us, including folks like Rham Emanuel and Nancy Pelosi, to name just two with whom I share no political common ground, that Rep. IIhan Omar is an unrepentant anti-Semite. One who uses the vilest anti-Semitic tropes to underscore her positions, two of the most prominent being that American Jewish support for Israel can somehow be construed to mean that American Jews owe their first loyalty to the state of Israel, and that for Jews its all about the Benjamins. Its nice to see that Omar has taste for the classics, those are two of the oldest anti-Semitic tropes in the book. This appeared in Saturday's Washington Post. - - - Long before fears erupted in the United States about Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential campaign, Jessikka Aro, an investigative journalist in Finland, was poking around an unusual company in St. Petersburg, the Internet Research Agency. In early 2015, she identified the building that housed the firm, and by looking at job advertisements and building on earlier reporting by Russian journalists, Aro identified the Russian online troll factory. After she reported her findings on the Finnish broadcasting company YLE, she was mercilessly attacked by the same Russian trolls. One troll activist filmed her appearance at a journalism seminar, then posted video online ridiculing every sentence she said in the seminar. "This discrediting method is used almost every time I appear on TV or radio," she said in a retrospective about living as a Russian troll magnet, subject to vicious hate and abuse, which also spread online. "I was accused of engaging in information warfare, distributing American propaganda and waging war," she recalled. One posting that called her and a colleague "media prostitutes" was spread to 16 Facebook pages that mostly disseminate news from the Russian propaganda outlet Sputnik. Their faces were illustrated with a graphic that was a hybrid of the NATO logo and a swastika. Another time, "I received a text message from a person pretending to be my father, who died 20 years ago. My 'father' told me in the message he's not dead, but 'observing me.' " What Aro exposed in St. Petersburg was ground zero for the Russian mischief campaign against the 2016 presidential election, according to an indictment subsequently returned in the United States. The troll factory was funded by one of President Vladimir Putin's cronies, Yevgeniy Viktorovich Prigozhin. For her journalism, Aro was informed in January by the State Department that she was to be one of the winners of this year's International Women of Courage Award, presented Thursday by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and first lady Melania Trump. The award has been given since 2007 to women around the world who have "demonstrated exceptional courage and leadership in advocating for peace, justice, human rights, gender equality, and women's empowerment, often at great personal risk and sacrifice." Aro got a formal invitation from the State Department on Feb. 12, and a tour around the United States was envisioned. However, according to Foreign Policy magazine, which broke the story, the State Department then wrote to Aro to rescind the award, saying there had been a "regrettable error." In fact, Foreign Policy reported, the award was rescinded because Aro had criticized President Donald Trump on social media. It wasn't clear who made the decision. But it is in keeping with a president who has set the tone of prizing loyalty and personal sycophancy over wisdom and vision. Aro deserved the award. She should hold her head high for courage, unlike those who denied her the honor. Latest in series of Government actions to protect Canadians from exposure to lead OTTAWA, March 8, 2019 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is committed to safeguarding the health of all Canadians and to protecting the environment from toxic substances, including lead. Based on the latest science, Health Canada, in collaboration with the provinces, territories and other federal departments, has updated the drinking water guideline to reduce the maximum acceptable concentration from 0.01 mg/L, set in 1992, to 0.005 mg/L. Lead levels in Canadians have fallen dramatically over the past 30 years because of strong actions taken by the Government of Canada to reduce exposure to lead, including limitations on lead use in: smelters, steel mills, refineries and mining operations; gasoline; paints, ceramics, glassware, kettles, corded window coverings, cosmetic products and pharmaceuticals; and, a range of other natural health and consumer products, especially those intended for children. While lead levels have been significantly reduced, the metal can still be found in the world around us. Lead is usually found in drinking water after leaching from distribution and plumbing system parts. It was historically used in service lines (i.e., pipes connecting a home or business to a street's water main) and in plumbing fittings and solders. Until 1975, lead was an acceptable material in pipes based on the National Plumbing Code of Canada, so it is more likely to be found in older homes and neighbourhoods. Since lead was regularly used in these plumbing system parts for many years, drinking water systems in Canada may still have some of these lead components in place today. As such, it is expected to take time before all jurisdictions are able to meet the new guideline for the maximum concentration of lead in drinking water. All jurisdictions in Canada agree on the need to reduce exposure to lead. Health Canada will continue support provinces, territories and other federal departments in implementing the new guideline. Health Canada will also work with provinces, territories and other federal departments, including Indigenous Services Canada, to provide accurate and relevant information to municipalities and Canadians concerned about the health effects of lead levels in drinking water. Associated Links Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality Info document SOURCE Health Canada For further information: Media Relations, Health Canada, 613-957-2983, [email protected]; Public Inquiries: 613-957-2991, 1-866-225-0709 Government of Canada invests $2 billion to double the number of women-owned businesses by 2025 VANCOUVER, March 8, 2019 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is advancing women's economic empowerment with the first-ever Women Entrepreneurship Strategy, a $2-billion investment that seeks to double the number of women-owned businesses by 2025. This week, in celebration of International Women's Day, the Honourable Mary Ng, Canada's Minister of Small Business and Export Promotion, met with female entrepreneurs in Yukon and British Columbia to share how the Government of Canada is supporting them as they start up, scale up, and access new markets. On March 6, Minister Ng joined Larry Bagnell, Member of Parliament for Yukon, for a roundtable discussion with female entrepreneurs at YuKonstruct in Whitehorse. Following this, Minister Ng announced Lumel Studios as a recipient of the Women Entrepreneurship Fund. Minister Ng concluded the day by attending a fireside chat with local business owners, including members of the Yukon Chamber of Commerce, Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce, and Yukon First Nation Chamber of Commerce. On March 7, Minister Ng was in Vancouver, Surrey, and Richmond. She began the day by participating in a fireside chat with small business owners hosted by the Fleetwood Business Improvement Association before meeting female entrepreneurs in advance of the 2019 Influential Women in Business Awards. Minister Ng concluded the day by participating in an International Women's Day panel discussion on women in technology and business hosted by UrbanLogiq. On March 8, Minister Ng celebrated International Women's Day by joining the Coquitlam Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce for an International Women's Day celebration with female business leaders. Minister Ng also visited local female-run small businesses throughout the day. The Women Entrepreneurship Strategy complements the Government of Canada's efforts to advance gender equality through addressing pay equity, introducing more affordable childcare and putting an end to gender-based violence. Quotes "Our government believes that women's economic empowerment is not just the right thing to do; it's good for the bottom line. That's why we launched the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy, a strategy that seeks to double the number of women-owned businesses by increasing their access to financing, networks and advice. It's a smart investment with an economic and social return." The Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business and Export Promotion "Local businesses will soon be looking at significant new opportunities for redevelopment and growth as the arrival of rapid transit transforms our community. We're building on a local economy that is already strong, and our government has great partners like the Fleetwood Business Improvement Association, the City of Surrey, and TransLink to make the absolute best of what's to come." Ken Hardie, Member of Parliament for FleetwoodPort Kells "Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, but only 16% are owned by women. That's why the Government of Canada is investing in Canada's first-ever Women Entrepreneurship Strategy, which aims to double the number of women-owned businesses by 2025. That means businesses in our community can scale up and grow, and women who want to start a business have improved access to capital, advice and targeted, gap-closing support." Ron McKinnon, Member of Parliament for CoquitlamPort Coquitlam "Women entrepreneurs and business leaders in Yukon make incredible contributions to our economy every day. This funding will help a successful local business become even more successful by scaling up and broadening its current market. Investing directly in women-led companies is smart and strategic, and I congratulate Lumel Studios on their pursuit of new and expanding opportunities." The Honourable Larry Bagnell, Member of Parliament for Yukon Quick facts The Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES) will help women start and grow their businesses by improving access to financing, talent, networks and expertise through an investment of nearly $2 billion . . The strategy will help our government achieve its goal of doubling the number of majority women-owned businesses by 2025. WES programs complement our government's broader initiatives to help women, including measures on pay equity, more flexible parental leave and more affordable childcare. Advancing gender equality has the potential to add $150 billion in incremental GDP to the Canadian economy by 2026. in incremental GDP to the Canadian economy by 2026. Fewer than 16% of SMEs in Canada are majority women-owned. are majority women-owned. Only 8.4% of majority women-owned SMEs export, compared to 12.8% of majority male-owned SMEs. The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor Canada 2015/16 Report on Women's Entrepreneurship indicated that in 2016 Canada had the highest percentage of women participating in early-stage activity (13.3%) and the fifth highest in terms of female ownership of established businesses among comparable innovation-based economies. Associated links Follow Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada on Twitter: @ISED_CA Follow @CanadaBusiness on social media for business-related news: Twitter, Facebook SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada For further information: Mallory Clyne, Director of Communications, Office of the Minister of Small Business and Export Promotion, 343-291-3553; 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 Several dozen professors, students, and others gathered in Hartford Friday to protest a cost-saving plan to consolidate the states community colleges, appealing to Gov. Ned Lamont and lawmakers for help. After a news conference at the Legislative Office Building, students and others in the group marched their petition against the consolidation with 1,300 signatures on it to Lamonts office in the state Capitol and asked for meeting with him. We are here to respectfully ask Gov. Ned Lamont to stand up and step in, said Elle Van Dermark, a faculty member at Asnuntuck Community College, which is one of the 12 colleges in the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system. He promised leadership and we are here asking him to deliver on that promise. Consolidation is a radical and ill-advised plan that collapses 12 unique and independent colleges into a single, monolithic entity, Van Dermark added. An undertaking of this magnitude has never been successful. Rob Blanchard, a spokesman for the governor, told the group that he would work with staff to try to schedule a meeting with the governor. The governors office issued a statement saying Lamonts primary focus is to ensure we cut costs without sacrificing the high quality education our Connecticut schools provide. He understands there are strong feelings on all sides of this issue and looks forward to working with CSCU, students, faculty and other stakeholders to ensure our students are supported and ready to live and work right here in Connecticut. Many of the faculty at Fridays news conference have been opposed to the consolidation plan since CSCU President Mark Ojakian proposed it a couple of years ago, but now that Ojakian is moving forward with hiring and organizational efforts to accommodate the consolidation of the 12 colleges into a single statewide college, opponents say it is urgent that they speak up. The original plan for the merger called Students First was turned down by the accrediting agency almost a year ago. CSCU is now working on a new plan, with the goal of consolidating completely in 2023. In the meantime, Ojakian has plans to hire top executives who have statewide or regional responsibilities. That includes three regional presidents who are expected to be hired in April with salaries ranging from $139,800 to $223,700. Ojakian said recently that his goal is to have the colleges operating for all intents and purposes as one college by the time he submits the next application. He expects that will make the application process less difficult. Ojakian has framed the consolidation as necessary to put the struggling system which could face a budget gap as large as $57 million next year on firmer, more sustainable financial footing. He says it will save $23 million annually in administrative costs, starting in 2023, and the savings will be invested in services to help students stay in school and graduate. Faculty members said that with a new governor in place and many new legislators, they are hopeful their protests will be heard. As Central Connecticut State University professor Matthew Warshauer explained, Ojakian was close to Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and had worked with him for years, most recently as his chief of staff before moving to the state university system. Warshauer and other faculty members hope that Lamont will review the plan with fresh eyes. The faculty members are also heartened that the legislature is again considering a bill that would require the General Assembly to approve any plan to consolidate or close a public college or university. The bill was approved by the Education Committee last year, but never made it to the floor of either chamber. We are here asking the legislature to halt the hiring of new regional presidents, which will siphon important tax dollars away from educating students, Van Dermark said. This plan fails students, fails faculty and fails staff at the most accessible institutions in the state. Faculty members said they fear that if those regional presidents are hired, it will be all the more difficult to stop the consolidation plan. David Schultz, one of the students who spoke and an alumnus of Manchester Community College, said he fears that consolidation will strip the college of its identity, removing substance and spirit from the school. It is difficult to have school pride when your schools identity has been forcefully torn away and replaced with a new external identity, he said. Schultz graduated from Manchester and now attends Trinity College. The faculty and students contend in their petition that the merger wont save money, that it may lead to a loss of accreditation for various reasons, that it will increase bureaucratic red tape, rob the colleges of their individual identities and hurt student enrollment and retention. They also said they feel that Ojakian and others implementing Students First havent listened to them and have proceeded in a top-down manner. A statement from CSCU spokesman Leigh Appleby said Students First is necessary to ensure students are better prepared for 21st century jobs and to save money and put the system on a more sustainable financial footing. He also said that more than 250 faculty members, staff and administrators have engaged in a collaborative, transparent process to align curriculum and take other steps needed to implement Students First. There has not always been agreement, but the process has been anything but top-down, Appleby said. NEW HAVEN Yazenia Lebron said she is alive today, employed and in stable housing with her son because of the care and services of New Reach. Lebron, now 43, has come full circle in her long relationship with the social service agency as she takes on a crucial role in helping to implement a $2.4 million, 5-year grant from the federal Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration. Under it, New Reach will work with personnel at Yale New Haven Hospital to establish new methods to help women experiencing co-occuring conditions, namely substance abuse and mental illness, to reduce relapse and a return to homelessness. The effort will offer a wide variety of services to at least 130 women: 20 each in the first and last year and 30 in each of the other three years. New Reach has provided services to the homeless population for decades, but now will also have the ability to use medical staff at the hospital as part of a team that will intervene quickly to assist this underserved population. Lebron will help guide the effort as a recovery specialist who has experienced what the women she will encounter are going through. New Reach saved me twice, Lebron said after she relapsed to drug abuse and homelessness when her sons father died. New Reach found her an apartment and supportive housing, taught her coping skills and helped her reunite with her son. I am not ashamed nor embarrassed. My mission is to tell my story because despite the difficult moments, I held on to the last little bit of hope I had left, Lebron said. Years now in recovery, she said the new patients will be able to benefit from the staffs understanding of the trauma their clients are going through to help them recover faster. She said the hardest thing she had to do was to forgive herself. I am beyond ecstatic that I will be a part of this effort, Lebron told a group of state, hospital and local officials who gathered to celebrate the grant award with the therapists, doctors and social workers who will carry it out. Part of the goal is to reduce the number of times clients seek care at hospital emergency rooms. They estimated that cutting those visits by two per person, can save $2.6 million a year. Finding housing for these women is crucial to keeping them stable, as will be keeping them in the loop on available services in the community. New Reach has some housing and will coodinate with the state access networks to identify more. Kellyann Day, chief executive officer at New Reach, said the goal is to formulate a proven method that can be replicated across the country. New Reach was the only organization in the state that got the grant. She said their personnel and the social workers at the hospital will be able to identify the women who are in and out of the shelters and living on the streets as good candidates for the program. In putting the grant together, the hospital said about 150 women annually fit this criteria. Day said they have a client who was used the emergency room 100 times in a year. She said what had been missing in New Reachs programs was the coordination with medical and behavorial specialists at the hospital that will now occur. mary.oleary@hearstmediact.com; 203-641-2577. WEST HAVEN A dying man who made international headlines Tuesday when he got a bucket list telephone call of encouragement from President Donald Trump received hand-delivered gifts Saturday from the Trump family, including a red Make America Great Again cap, autographed by the president himself and a Build the Wall toy building block set. Its pretty cool, pretty bad ass, a smiling Jay W. Barrett said of the gifts of mostly rare 2016 campaign bling. Hes (Trump) the person I always thought he was. He (Trump) needs to be portrayed as a better person. Mayor Nancy Rossi, a Democrat, threw Trump some public love too on behalf of West Haven. The gifts were delivered to Barretts home by close Trump family friend and HUD official Lynne Patton, who grew up in New Haven and now lives in Westchester County, N.Y. In addition to the trademark cap, among the treasures delivered in red and blue gift bags was a rare 2016 Trump campaign jacket and some shirts from The Girls Ivanka Trump, Erics wife Lara, Don Jr.s girlfriend Kimberly Guilfoyle; Trump gear designer Christl Mahfouz and Patton and a Build the Wall building locks toy set. Patton said there are only about 100 of the campaign jackets in existence. Attorney Albert V. Carocci of East Haven, whom Patton introduced as her best friend gave Barrett an unopened blanket that was a special gift that came with him being invited to Trumps inauguration. The devout Trump fan described by his largely Democratic family as a Republican through and through also received a heartfelt note from Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump saying the president and entire family were touched by his story and are thinking of him. The notecard cover is the Trump family insignia. Barrett, who is in the end stages of cystic fibrosis, was released from Yale New Haven Hospital last week to begin hospice care at the West Haven home of his sister, Democratic First District City Councilwoman Bridgette Hoskie. Part what has made Barretts story resonate worldwide he has heard from publications in Egypt and Japan is that his politically active sister, Hoskie, is 100 percent Democrat and made it all happen by putting the word out across the political aisle about her brothers wishes. Hoskie said at the time that Barrett is her baby brother and politics and religion shouldnt separate families. Barrett said Saturday, My sister is 100 percent Democrat and Im 100 percent Republican, but we love each other. Even Trump called Hoskie a great sister during his call with the president. Barrett said hes lost friends over his love of Trump, but, Politics shouldnt divide us. As a result, folks from both political parties dropped their differences and worked to get Barretts wishes fulfilled. In a move perhaps less likely to happen in West Haven than a presidential telephone call, Rossi on Saturday declared March 5 as Political Unity Day, as that was the day West Haven folks of both political parties, came together and put political differences aside to request the last wish, of Barrett to speak with Trump. That was the date of Trumps call to Barrett. The proclamation read by Rossi urges all residents to join her in commending the President of the United States for his compassion in this difficult time. Rossi said shes always for both parties working together. Barrett got the attention of the Trump family through Patton, who is originally from New Haven, via Facebook, after a story appeared in Hearst Connecticut Media about how Hoskie was on a campaign to get folks to email the White House to see if they could get Trump to send a card or email to Barrett, as his time is running out. His biggest wish still is to visit Washington and his fantasy is to run into Trump and shake his hand. Theres nothing thats going to stop me from doing anything except God himself, Barrett said. The day after the first Hearst Connecticut Media story ran, Eric Trump called and on Wednesday, the president himself made a surprise call Barrett. They chatted like buddies Barrett even used a few swear words and the president told him to keep fighting because the campaign needs fighters. Trump also promised Barrett that when he has a rally in this area Barrett will be front and center. Barrett, a fighter by nature, is hoping to defy the odds of six months or less to live and beat back the congenital illness that requires him to be on oxygen around the clock. Barrett told Trump he intends to vote for him in 2020. Among those gathered at the Hoskie home to see Barrett receive his gifts were his mother, Glenda Barrett of New Haven, who fought back tears of joy seeing her son so happy. She lost another son soon after birth to CF. I think he deserves it hes been fighting for 44 years, Glenda Barrett said, referring to the illness her son has had since birth. There were a few giggles in the room when Hoskie who describes herself as 100 percent Democrat received a Trump campaign T-shirt as a gift from Patton, who while handing it to her said, You can sleep with it. To which Hoskie said, I can do a couple of things with it. Laster, Hoskie said she may use it to dust. Barretts best friend since childhood, Mike Milano of New Haven, said all the hubbub has lifted Barretts spirits. It was good for him, Milano said of the attention Barrett has received. Rossi, a close friend of Hoskie told Barrett, I think you look a lot better since all this happened. After the gift presentation, Patton, Carocci, Barrett, Hoskie, Rossi and others headed toward a fundraising West Haven Pizza Wars event at the West Haven Italian American Club, which sparked a Facebook firestorm among Republicans at the event who couldnt wait to meet Patton. The gift from Carocci Pattons best friend had a special meaning because he belongs to a charitable group, New Havens Finest, which raises money for cystic fibrosis, the congenital disease that Barrett has suffered since birth. Carocci told Barrett when he handed him his gift the goal is to change the abbreviation CF to stand for Cure Found rather than cystic fibrosis. All that has happened means a lot to me because none of it had to happen, Barrett said. Johnny Bobbitt, the man once hailed as a good Samaritan who turned out be a willing actor in a $400,000 GoFundMe scam, pleaded guilty for a second time this week to his role in the scheme. It was the latest development in the once feel-good story that made thousands believe in the kindness of strangers, and has since spurred outrage at the trios bold deception. Appearing in Burlington County Superior Court before Judge Christopher Garrenger Friday afternoon, Bobbitt entered a guilty plea to a second-degree charge of conspiracy to theft by deception in exchange for a five-year special probation sentence in Drug Court. That follows his appearance earlier this week in U.S. District Court in Camden. There, Bobbitt pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering, and is awaiting a federal sentencing date. Kate McClure, the 28-year-old New Jersey woman who purported to have been the motorist in distress, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, is expected to be sentenced to 27 to 33 months in federal prison. Bobbitt, McClure and her now ex-boyfriend Mark DAmico made headlines around the world in 2017, when the couple launched the GoFundMe to help get Bobbitt off the streets of Philadelphia. They claimed they wanted to help their new friend, who they met when he spent his last $20 to buy McClure gas when she became stranded on I-95 driving into the city. The campaign sought $10,000, enough for new clothes, a used truck and a few months rent. But donors fueled by the holiday spirit opened their wallets and pledged a whopping $400,000 into the fund. Bobbitts plea agreement laid out a narrative in which the 36-year-old then homeless man had no role in hatching the scheme, but became a willing player once the ball started rolling. He admitted to meeting McClure and DAmico while panhandling in Philadelphia, rather than along the highway. The former Marine, whos originally from North Carolina, had been battling a drug addiction for years, and was homeless since he arrived in Philadelphia. But it was McClure and DAmico who took it upon themselves to start the fundraising without consulting Bobbitt, according to the plea agreement. After the Burlington County Times published a news article about the fundraiser, they showed Bobbitt the newspaper and filmed his reaction. Thats when Bobbitt became a co-conspirator, authorities said. He admitted speaking to various news outlets and appearing on shows like Good Morning America to further the lie and garner more donations for the campaign. Bobbitts attorney, John Keesler, asked him if he knew what a good Samaritan was. Helping someone out without expecting anything in return, he replied. But he knowingly kept that story up, too, by speaking to reporters in August 2018, claiming McClure and DAmico had withheld money that rightfully belonged to him, he admitted. Bobbitt did see more than $75,000 of the $350,000 the trio received after GoFundMe collected a fee off the top, he admitted. It was spent on motel rooms, trucks, trailers and drugs. At other times, McClure and DAmico gave Bobbitt money directly for purchasing drugs, or even transported him to areas where he could do so, according to the plea deal. Meanwhile, McClure and DAmico are accused of spending thousands themselves on BMW, vacations, clothing and gambling. The two of them also face charges of conspiracy and theft by deception, with cases pending presentation to a grand jury for indictment. The Burlington County Prosecutors Office said no additional information would be provided given the nature of the on-going cases. All GoFundMe donors received full refunds last year. If Bobbitt cannot abide by the terms of his probation, he faces up to five years in prison. Bobbitts Burlington County sentencing is scheduled for April 12, although Garrenger said he would try to move it up, so Bobbitt could leave the county jail and enter an in-patient drug treatment program sooner. The in-patient drug program will last between three and nine months. Following the plea, Keesler said Bobbitt was hopeful about the in-patient treatment program, which Keesler believed would give him the help and support McClure and DAmico had promised, but failed to deliver. Hes really looking forward now to getting well, and moving on with his life, he said. Amanda Hoover can be reached at ahoover@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @amandahoovernj. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Authorities in South Jersey are investigating what caused a massive fire that destroyed a large house in the Blackwood section of Gloucester Township late Friday night. Police said the fire was reported on Evergreen Avenue shortly after 11 p.m. and firefighters arrived on the scene to find heavy flames coming from the roof. Fire units from Pine Hill, Lindenwold, Deptford, Runnemede and Washington Township assisted local firefighters in battling the blaze. There were no reports of injuries at the fire scene, and the residence was unoccupied when the blaze broke out, according to Gloucester Township Police. Township resident Ed Rainas, a former firefighter, said he was in the area and started taking video footage of the fire around 11:22 p.m. Rainas, 33, said he spoke to a woman who told him she was buying the home and was going to close the deal on Monday. Gloucester fire 3/8 Gloucester fire 3/8 Gloucester fire 3/8 New Jersey property records show the 2,620-square-foot home listed as 61 Evergreen Ave. was built in 2006 and has been owned by a Texas- based company, MTGLQ INVESTORS LP, since 2017. On Zillow, the residence is listed as a four-bedroom, three-bathroom house that has a pending offer. The Blackwood fire marshal, the Camden County Fire Marshals Office, the Gloucester Township Police Department and the Camden County Prosecutors Office are investigating the cause of the fire. Taylor Tiamoyo Harris may be reached at tharris@njadvancemedia.com. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Its lunchtime at the Cumberland County Technical Education Center, and the cafeteria is full of students sitting around telling jokes and talking about the upcoming weekend. Standing to the side of the room, keeping a watchful eye on everything going on was the first of its kind team in the state: Steve Manera and K-9 Meadow. Manera and Meadow are the first K-9 officer team in the state to work full-time and perform campus safety and security duties on a high school or college campus. The duo, which reports to the district and isnt associated with a law enforcement department, will not only patrol CCTEC but nearby Cumberland County College. The move comes in the wake of active school shootings that have happened around the country. School districts have tried to find new ways to protect students. Dogs and their officers are one of those ideas. CCTEC Superintendent Dina Rossi says she was approached by local K-9 trainer Joe Nick who came to her with the idea to train a canine for a school. He asked our permission our Board of Education and myself to see if that was an initiative that we wanted to do, Rossi said. Our board, along with our administration here, is all about whatever we can do to add additional layers of safety. Rossi says the school and administration saw this as an opportunity to enhance the safety of the more than 800 students at the school. It has been a really quick process, Rossi added. Joe came to us in May, so it hasnt even been a full year for Meadow and Officer Manera. The yess from the Board and Freeholders were all in place without hesitation. We were excited to be able to offer this to our school and our community. The next step was to find a handler for a dog. Manera said when the school asked him to join, he said he would love to participate adding Meadow to his family, which already included a non-working dog. Its hard having her adjust to my family, Manera said. Getting ready for work takes a little longer because getting her ready is almost like having a kid. That being said, its all worth it. Going to work with your best friend is awesome. The two patrol not only the cafeteria and the hallways, but they also stop to talk to teachers and students. Meadow is trained to detect guns and ammunition, as well as find out the location of an active shooter and attack, if released by Manera. When visiting, it is apparent the students and faculty have accepted and embraced Meadow, with Meadow even giving one of the school employees a high-five when she saw the worker. K-9 Meadow and her handler Steve Manera, Campus Safety Officer at Cumberland County Tec Center, receive their diploma during the Atlantic County K-9 Academy Graduation ceremony at ACIT in Mays Landing, Friday, March 8, 2019. Joe Warner | For NJ Advance Media Unlike most strong-willed K-9 dog names, Manera and the school wanted to go a different route. They called Andrew Pollack. Pollacks daughter, Meadow Jade Pollack, was killed in the Stoneman Douglas school shooting in Parkland, Florida on Feb. 14, 2018. To be honest with you, when I heard they were going to name a dog after my daughter, I thought it was kind of nuts, Pollack said. But, after thinking about it and what my daughter would want, she would want the schools safer and the teachers safer. At the end of the day, thats what it is about. My daughter would have been all for it. Pollack is now an advocate for school safety and believes the dog being at a school is going to be enough of a from a school shooting at the school. He also believes the dogs will not have any hesitation to enter any dangerous situation. I would want people to know that there was a lot of people that failed my daughter that day that hid, the father said. With the right training, these dogs dont hide. Ive had friends in the military that these dogs saved their lives. Police departments have these dogs that save their lives. They have no fear. They are trained in a job, and they are going to get it done, and theyre not going to cower like what can happen with a human. When push comes to shove, you dont know what a human is going to do. With these dogs, theres no question of what they are going to do when the time comes. K-9 Meadow and her handler Steve Manera, Campus Safety Officer at Cumberland County Tec Center, enter the stage to receive their diploma during the Atlantic County K-9 Academy Graduation ceremony at Atlantic County Institute of Technology in Mays Landing, Friday, March 8, 2019. Joe Warner | For NJ Advance Media Later on Friday, in the dimly lit auditorium inside the Atlantic County Institute of Technology, Manera walked across the stage with Meadow toward Pollock, Rossi, and the other dignitaries and received his plaque. The two had officially graduated the Atlantic County John Sonny Burke K-9 Academy. They may have taken different roads here, some whose road was painful, but all involved hope the program started, implemented and put in action in Cumberland County will be one that will serve as a successful model for others in the state. Chris Franklin can be reached at cfranklin@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @cfranklinnews or on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us.nj.com/tips The Eagles have a hole to fill at the defensive end position after reportedly dealing veteran pass rusher Michael Bennett to the New England Patriots on Friday. Bennett was a key part of last years pass rushing rotation and his departure will create a notable void. He produced nine sacks during his lone season in Philadelphia. Luckily for the Eagles, the team should have plenty of options at the defensive end position during free agency and the draft. Below are 10 offseason options for the Eagles at defensive end: FREE AGENCY Alex Okafor Okafor has been a consistent force against the run and pass during his tenure in New Orleans. Following a breakout season, Okafor could serve as the Eagles top rotational reserve and insurance for Derek Barnett, who is coming off shoulder surgery. Vinny Curry Curry lasted just one year in Tampa Bay due to regime and scheme changes. He knows the Eagles defense and has been very productive in it. Kerry Hyder Hyder was hampered by his recovery from a torn Achilles last season. Now fully recovered, he could get back to his 2016 form, as he produced a career-high eight sacks that season. He also shares Bennetts tweener body type. Andre Branch Branch was recently let go as part of a massive cap purge by the Dolphins. While he isnt a top-tier pass rusher, he is strong against the run and has experience. Cameron Wake Like Branch, Wake is probably leaving Miami due to salary cap purposes. The highly productive veteran could accept a one-year contract for a chance to win a ring. THE DRAFT Joe Jackson Jackson was one of the more consistent pass rushers in the ACC during his three-year tenure at Miami. He could be a long-term asset for the Eagles. DAndre Walker Walker displayed his pass rushing prowess during his last two seasons at Georgia. He could serve as a rotational pass rusher early in his career. Chase Winovich The Michigan pass rusher produced 18 sacks over the past three seasons with the Wolverines. He has the potential to be an eventual starter. Wyatt Ray Ray has earned praise from several draft pundits in recent weeks. A one-year wonder at Boston College, Ray produced 17 sacks in four college seasons. Malik Carney Carney has some off-the-field red flags but he is an absolute beast off the edge. He produced 17 sacks over the past three seasons at North Carolina. Before converting the living room of their Springfield home to an office and study, Brian and Jaclyn Diffily looked at hundreds of room designs online. "It was more item-specific than room style," says Jaclyn Diffily, who directs marketing for a major clothing brand and runs her own web-based company, ImpressedInc. "We knew we wanted coffered ceilings with paneling, and French doors and built-ins." They found and saved images with designs they liked for each feature. Their three bedroom, 1951 Cape Cod has two spaces that can work as living rooms, both with wood-burning fireplaces. They decided to make an office and receiving area in the one nearest to their home's entry. "It's the smaller of the two spaces, and it's also attached to our front door, so you're not walking through the house to get to the office," Jaclyn Diffily said. "We both work from home occasionally, and we wanted a space that felt inviting and inspiring." For privacy, they would control access between the rooms with leaded glass pocket doors, adding beauty to both rooms while making it easier to separate the office from the rest of their home. The larger living room has numerous windows with pond views and was best preserved as a family area where they can relax or play with their 16-month-old son. For the office, the couple envisioned custom-built shelves on either side of the entry to the larger living room. They had decided the office should have beamed ceilings with paneling and a contemporary chandelier to add light from the ceiling. For privacy, they would control access between the rooms with leaded glass pocket doors, adding beauty to both rooms while making it easier to seperate the office from the rest of their home. Tracking down the doors they loved in an inspiration image took some work, however. They finally learned that the door had been custom made in Texas. They wanted something made locally, and their contractor Joseph Augis recommended Westfield Lumber. The company worked with the couple to have doors made by a mill. The resulting doors have leaded glass detailing sandwiched between two solid glass sheets. We were very specific, and the doors took a lot more time than we anticipated," Jaclyn Diffily said. When they were completed, Augis painted the doors light gray to complement the room, which is painted Benjamin Moores Iced Cube Silver, as well as the deep custom shelving he built in the Linden workshop of his company, Heavy J Construction. To avoid disturbing the existing walls, he built a steel framework that would support the custom ambrosia maple shelves and make way for installation of the new pocket doors. We built a wall in front of that wall, he said. With all the small pieces, its easier to frame it out with metal. Theres a door frame that gets installed in the rough opening to support the pocket doors. The assembly meant the Diffilys would lose a little more than two feet in the office area, but they don't miss it. "We are now able to work and take calls in the room," Jaclyn Diffily said. "The doors shield us from noise." Augis said the couple's decision to add beams to the office ceiling is on trend. All the new houses are being made with them. They are bringing that old look back," Augis said. Ceiling work also included adding wiring to support a ceiling light fixture. Previously, the couple only had an outlet operated by a switch to support a floor lamp. Augis said the Diffilys showed him photos of what they wanted in the office room, and he determined what was needed to make it happen. We collaborated, he said. They sent me some pictures, and I took it from there. There were frequent exchanges on the room's redesign, and Jaclyn Diffily shared an example of how Augis understood their desires: "He realized quickly how attention-to-detail we were, so he found wood covers for the ceiling heating registers that don't stand out on the paneling." They had lived in their 3,100-square-foot home for about two years before deciding to update the office space, she said. We purchased the desk about a year in, and we always had two chairs in front of the fireplace. We were using it, we just didnt love using it, she said. We definitely use it a lot more now. What they renovated They converted the living room of a 1951 Cape Cod to a home office and study. Who did the work Heavy J Construction of Linden; pocket doors by Reeb Millwork How long it took About three months, from June to September 2018. The time frame includes fabrication of a custom door. What they spent $17,580 Where they splurged On the custom pocket-style French doors. How they saved By using ambrosia maple lumber for the shelves on either side of the doors. What they like most "The built-ins look as though they should have always been there. They not only add aesthetic value but are functional as storage, too," Jaclyn Diffily said. "Also, by adding the pocket French doors, we are able to section off the space, creating a quiet working environment." What they'd have done differently Nothing. We are very happy with the end result. This week, Kevin Smith is in a glass case of emotion. The director, who is currently filming the Jay and Silent Bob Reboot" in New Orleans, has been chronicling the making of the film in a series of YouTube videos. In the latest video, posted on Friday, Smith tears up when talking about how through movie magic, the production was able to reproduce the facade of the Quick Stop convenience store from Leonardo in Monmouth County, where audiences first met Jay and Silent Bob (Jay Mewes and Smith) in the 1994 film Clerks." The movie launched Smiths career and his View Askewniverse series of films set in New Jersey. This is crazy, says Smith, 48, in the video, surveying the yellow Quick Stop Groceries sign with its signature stop sign logo. I never thought this was possible. Our budget didnt allow for us to go to New Jersey, he explains, visibly wowed by how the crew and producers pulled off the feat. Caution: the video below contains a number of expletives. You cant fool me, says Smith, who grew up in Highlands. Ive been there, I lived there. My career (expletive) started there," he continues, getting more emotional. And Ill probably be buried there. To pull this off is (expletive) nuts, man. I just want to take this back to Los Angeles, the director says of the set, calling the day of filming in front of the Quick Stop one of his five greatest days in his movie career. Spent the whole day in Leonardo, New Jersey and I never once left Louisiana, he says. Isnt that amazing? Smith began filming the Jay and Silent Bob sequel in February on the one-year anniversary of the day he suffered a massive heart attack in 2018. The health crisis moved him to become vegan, drop more than 50 pounds and sign on as a Weight Watchers ambassador. The Jay and Silent Bob Reboot is set to be a commentary on reboot culture. In the film, the classic slacker characters find that Hollywood is shamelessly rebooting the film they tried to stop in Smiths 2001 movie Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. In what amounts to a meta reboot plot, Jay and Silent Bob try to thwart the latest reboot from within a reboot. The whole idea was to make stories about people that nobody gave a sh*t about, Smith says in the video, reflecting on his career. And that was us, he says, pointing at the fake Quick Stop. And for a quarter of a century now, Ive been telling those stories over and over again, introducing my friends and the world of New Jersey my fictional New Jersey to the rest of the world, man. So this, this is my heart, he says, again pointing at the building. Youre looking at my heart, writ large in real life and sh*t. Just saw @captainmarvel. I am a blubbering mess. After a lifetime spent referencing the movies, the movies just referenced me! Many thanks to @MarvelStudios and to my friend @TheRealStanLee for the shout-out! But if Im now part of the @Marvel Universe... Did I survive The Snap? pic.twitter.com/S560n3mQFl KevinSmith (@ThatKevinSmith) March 8, 2019 On Friday night, Smith posted a photo of himself in tears again, this time because he had received the greatest gift a professional fanboy could ask for. He had just watched the new movie Captain Marvel," which contains a Kevin Smith reference, by way of a cameo from the late Stan Lee. Lee, who died in November, was known for making brief appearances in many Marvel movies, his random roles including a mailman and a guy selling hot dogs. But in Captain Marvel, starring Brie Larson, he plays himself. Smith, who considered Lee to be an idol and mentor, was floored to see the mind behind Marvel reading a script for Smiths Mallrats in Captain Marvel. The film is set in 1995, the same year Mallrats came out (Jay and Silent Bob were also in that movie). Just saw @captainmarvel, Smith tweeted. I am a blubbering mess. After a lifetime spent referencing the movies, the movies just referenced me! Many thanks to @MarvelStudios and to my friend @TheRealStanLee for the shout-out! But if Im now part of the @Marvel Universe... Did I survive The Snap? Smith was referring to the scene in the 2018 film Avengers: Infinity War (spoilers) in which Thanos, having acquired the Infinity Stones, snaps his fingers and demolishes half of all life in the universe. Of course, Lee had an expanded cameo in Mallrats," too, in which he serves as an expected mentor to Brodie (Jason Lee). Smith addressed his penchant for emotional reflections in the Quick Stop video. Middle-aged stoners, he said. Everything (expletive) touches me. And that sounds worse than I meant it in the #MeToo era. Nobody touches anybody on a Kevin Smith set. On Feb. 27, Smith shared a photo from the Jay and Silent Bob Reboot set in which hes pictured with Brian OHalloran, who returns as Dante Hicks. Stan Lee and Kevin Smith at San Diego Comic-Con in 2017. (Rich Polk | Getty Images)Rich Polk | Getty Images Were not even supposed to be here today! he posted on Instagram alongside the photo, referencing Dantes famous refrain from Clerks. It was 26 years ago that @briancohalloran and I first gathered at the Quick Stop to start a cinematic journey of a lifetime - a journey that continues in @jayandsilentbob Reboot!" he said. "Welcome back to the View Askewniverse, my friends! Its like the @marvelstudios cinematic universe - just with waaaaaaaay less money. Smith has been giving frequent updates on the cast, sharing photos from the set. Newarks Redman and his frequent movie partner Method Man will be seen in the Jay and Silent Bob Reboot, as well as Smiths daughter, Harley Quinn Smith, who joins the reboots 2019 version of the Girl Gang seen in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back." (Smiths wife, Jennifer Schwalbach Smith, played a character in that movies Girl Gang.) Other cast members Smith has revealed so far include Frankie Shaw (SMILF); Justin Long, who had roles in the Smith movies Yoga Hosers and Tusk"; Craig Robinson, who had a role in the 2008 Smith film Zack and Miri Make a Porno"; and Joe Manganiello (Rampage). Have a tip? Amy Kuperinsky may be reached at akuperinsky@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @AmyKup or on Facebook. Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. The Catholic church is humbled today by its predator priests and the bishops who covered up their actions. Today, we know that abuse is more than a sin; it is also a crime and the process of justice has to take its course. The church did not invent the statute of limitations that has protected offenders; prosecuting cases from decades ago poses many pitfalls. Today, if someone contacts a diocese about any abuse allegation, they are told to report it to the police; the diocese also follows through with the civil authorities. Proving guilt requires due process with built-in safeguards. Each diocese has empaneled a team to evaluate any accusation made by a priest, deacon or church employee that the current statute of limitations would prevent from going to trial. The work of this team carries weight, as was seen in the recent release of 188 names of priests, living and deceased, who had been removed from active ministry. But removal from ministry does not make someone guilty under the law. Thats why The Jersey Journals recent editorial was wrong. Only after a trial in which the accused gets to confront their accusers, and vice versa, can society see to it that predators (are) in prison jumpsuits, handcuffs and shackles. Some priests have made this a terrible time for all priests and the church. Some bishops have acted immorally even when the evil of the abuse of minors was exposed as a major problem in society and the church. But none of these failures justifies a rush to judgment. Many peoples legal woes take R. Kelly, for example are tried in the court of public opinion, which can find them guilty. I would trust and want a court of law to make that decision. And I think this newspaper should, as well. Rev. Alexander M. Santora, Hoboken Submit letters to the editor and guest columns to jjletters@jjournal.com. JERSEY CITY A six-part HBO miniseries based on Philip Roths The Plot Against America is scheduled to film along Martin Luther King Drive in Jersey City in upcoming weeks. The show is being written and executive produced by David Simon and Ed Burns, who partnered on the acclaimed HBO series The Wire. The 2004 book from Roth, a Newark native, depicts an alternate history where Charles Lindbergh defeats Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1940 presidential election and then signs a treaty with Nazi Germany. The story follows a New Jersey family as it deals with anti-Semitism that spreads across the nation. Filming is expected to begin in the spring and run for several months on a three-block stretch of MLK between Myrtle and Orient avenues. Simon is no stranger to Jersey City. His grandparents ran a grocery store on MLK, then known as Jackson Avenue, and his father, Bernard, attended Snyder High School, a block away from the planned filming site. News that HBO wants to film in Jersey City comes months after the city doubled as Gotham City for The Joker," a film about the Batman villain that has an October release date. Terrence T. McDonald may be reached at tmcdonald@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @terrencemcd. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook. In two communities in North Hudson, where they bask in the spotlight of May elections, candidates filed their nominating petitions this year with as much fanfare and hoopla as they could muster. There are mayoral and commissioner elections in North Bergen and West New York on May 14, and three of the four slates vying for the seats have already beaten Mondays filing deadline. In West New York, the New Beginnings slate, challenging incumbent Mayor Felix Roque, filed its necessary signatures and then some by Feb. 19. The slate led by defectors from Roques 2015 team touted an impressive 8,500 signatures among the five candidates. On Friday, Roque announced that his slate had filed 5,730 nominating petitions, also far more than necessary. In a press release the mayor noted that with three women on the ticket, it was no coincidence that the Forward with Roque team filed on International Womens Day. Meanwhile in North Bergen, long-time Mayor Nicholas Sacco and his slate claims to have set a record by filing 10,492 signatures among the five candidates on the slate. A press release sent by the campaign used phrases like breathtaking total and quotes that described the support as an outpouring" and unprecedented." Saccos opponent, Larry Wainstein, said his ticket plans to file their petitions Monday. As a first-time candidate in 2015, Wainstein had a surprisingly strong showing with roughly 35 percent of the vote against the Hudson County Democratic Organization-backed Sacco. With two months to go before the election, both races have gotten salty. Accusations, lawsuits and ethics complaints have already been hurled in the West New York race. In North Bergen, both sides have taken pot shots, sniping over the character of the characters associated with each campaign. JERSEY CITY The school board voted Thursday to allow its members who were supported by the local teachers union to vote on the new union contract, which could be finalized later this year. The approved measure is known as the doctrine of necessity, which is invoked when a quorum of the board has conflicts of interest that prevent it from voting on a specific matter. Absent Thursdays action, only four board members would be able to vote on the teachers union contract because the other five have conflicts. The contract expires in June. Thursdays measure was approved with little discussion by a 7-1 vote, with Matt Schapiro voting no. He is one of the non-conflicted members. Three of the conflicted members Mussab Ali, Marilyn Roman and Joan Terrell-Paige were endorsed by the teachers union in last years school elections, which usually keeps members from voting on contracts with that union for a full year. A fourth, Gerald Lyons, is a member of the statewide teachers union and the fifth, Gina Verdibello, has an immediate family member who is a member of the local union. Ali/Roman/Terrell-Paige reported receiving $31,227 in campaign donations last year, $24,000 from the statewide teachers union and $2,500 from the local union. Ali was absent from Thursdays meeting. Bayonnes school board invoked the doctrine of necessity in 2016 when six of its seven members were conflicted and could not negotiate with its teachers union. The Jersey Journal asked Board of Education President Sudhan Thomas whether Thursdays action means there is a new deal with the union. Thomas said he could not comment on contract negotiations. Last year, the districts teachers walked off the job for the first time in 20 years after negotiations for the current contract broke down. The agenda for Thursdays meeting did not specify that the board would take this action. Asked about this, Thomas accused The Jersey Journal of spreading a false narrative and asking a false choice question. Sometimes I question the integrity of your work, said Thomas, reached by phone. You want to peddle this, you want to keep this subtext lie that this board acts in secret. On Friday, AFSCME Local 2262, which represents about 600 school employees, announced it ratified a tentative contract agreement with the BOE that offers significant relief from escalating health care costs for its members, plus pay increases. The BOE needs to vote on that contract. Thomas said Thursdays invoking of the doctrine of necessity is unrelated to the AFSCME deal. Terrence T. McDonald may be reached at tmcdonald@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @terrencemcd. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook. The Bayonne and Union City school districts were the biggest winners in Hudson County when the state Department of Education released its preliminary state aid figures for the 2019-2020 school year Thursday night. While it was not exactly a surprise, Jersey City was sent reeling with a gut shot $27 million loss in the proposed state aid. The funding figures are not final until they are approved by the state Legislature and Gov. Phil Murphy. Among the 13 school districts, 10 received an increase in state aid for the 2019-2020 school year from last year, while three saw less funding. Bayonne topped the winners with a $5.5 million, or 9.2 percent, increase from $60 million to $65.5 million. Under the proposed aid, Union City will gain $5 million, for a total of $195.1 million in aid. Secaucus, which has long seen its school aid remain flat, received the largest boost in the county percentage-wise, 13.1 percent. Hoboken will receive $450,000 less than last year and Weehawken will lose $108,000 in state aid, according to the DOE numbers. The state aid summaries can be found here. But it is Jersey City that took the biggest hit in the state. The Freehold Regional district was a distant second in state aid loss at $3.78 million. Jersey City school board President Sudhan Thomas said the district had braced for a $30 million loss in aid, since the DOE had said it was phasing out $175 million in aid from the district. Last year the district received $407 million in aid, This years figure currently stands at nearly $380 million. Sudhan said he had hoped the seven-year phaseout of $175 million in state funding would have been spaced out over many more years. He said that district was already underfunded by $110 million a year. We will pursue all options, legal and legislative (to restore funding), Thomas said. There is no one silver bullet. The Bayonne school district has been awarded $6.75 million for its pre-K program, twice as much as it received last year, according to proposed state aid figures released by the state Department of Education Thursday night. The district has offered half-day pre-K classes for 4-year-olds and a limited number of seats for full-day pre-K but now it can offer full-day for all 4-year-olds, Assemblyman Nicholas Chiaravalloti said. Bayonne school officials declined to comment on the $6.75 million proposed state aid because they believe the figures, which are posted on the DOEs website, are embargoed. Overall, Bayonne is receiving $65.5 million in state aid, $5.5 million more than last year. For the past two school years, funding for pre-K was steady at $3.4 million. With the additional funding Bayonne will potentially serve 585 students, Chiaravalloti said. Pre-K access has been linked to improved educational success later in life, said Gov. Phil Murphy said in a statement. But for too many in our state, access to pre-K has been defined by zip code and income level. "Our administration is making strides in leveling the playing field for New Jerseys children and we are proud to work with Sen. Cunningham, Assemblyman Chiaravalloti, Assemblywoman (Angela) McKnight, and Mayor (Jimmy) Davis, to expand pre-k access for Bayonnes children. Bayonne officials recently announced that the city was scaling back the pre-K program it has offered for more than 40 years at the public library. Officials did not say if the new funding would allow the school district to offer pre-K for 3-year-olds. Data has shown that full-day pre-K impacts a childs future academic success," Chiaravalloti said. "Bayonne children now have the same opportunity as other children in New Jersey. Bringing pre-K for all to Bayonne has been a major goal of mine since joining the Assembly in 2015. I am very thankful to Gov. Murphy and (DOE) Commissioner (Lamont) Repollet for their commitment to public education. This is about the future of Bayonne. Extended-day preschool has dramatic and lasting effects when it is high quality. Only Jersey City ($69.3 million), Union City ($29 million), West New York ($15.5 million) and Hoboken ($14.2 million) districts that must offer pre-K for 3-year-olds received more pre-K funding than Bayonne. Harrison, which also must offer pre-K for 3-year-olds, was given $5 million in aid. We are excited about the opportunity this offers our parents and children," acting Bayonne Superintendent Michael Wanko said in a statement." This award is the result of the efforts of the Cabinet and Early Childhood team at the Board of Education and Assemblyman Chiaravalloti. From the moment we discussed this possibility, Nicholas has made securing these funds his top priority." While most high schools trying to raise money for an extracurricular club turn to selling popcorn or magazine subscriptions, Steinert High School in Hamilton is going a different route: A mattress sale. The school has partnered with Custom Fundraising Solutions to transform the schools gym into a mattress showroom on April 6. I get stuff in the mail every day. This guy, Dave Cox called me on the school phone at exactly the end of the day when I was free and convinced me to listen to his pitch, Steinert choir director Richard Schneider said. Schneider credits Coxs positive and dynamic personality for convincing him and the choirs parent group to give the fundraiser the green light. They have been planning the logistics of the fundraiser for the last year, according to Schneider. Lots of schools have been successfully doing the fundraiser and I expect we will do quite well, Schneider said. Schools on average raise $3,500 per event, according to Custom Fundraising Solutions. Proceeds from the sale will go to the high schools choir group. The showroom will display name brand mattresses along with adjustable bed frames, pillows, sheets, and other bedroom linens. Staff members will also be on hand to answer any questions shoppers might have. Shoppers will find deals up to 50 percent off during the one-day sale, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This is the first mattress fundraiser in Hamilton but Custom Fundraising Solutions has been working with groups in New Jersey since 2012, according to Cox. Shawnee High School in Burlington County is holding a similar event on March 23. Olivia Rizzo may be reached at orizzo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @LivRizz. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Last year, the average property tax bill in the state set another record high, at $8,767. However, despite New Jerseys sky-high property taxes, some townships managed to lower their municipal tax rates or keep them steady. So, whats the secret? We looked at two townships municipal operations to find out. Robbinsville Township has done something few New Jersey municipalities have been able to accomplish cut its municipal tax rate. This is after having one of the fastest-growing municipal tax rates in Mercer County, according to Mayor David Fried. The town of about 15,000 has something in common with its smaller neighbor to the north Cranbury. The average homeowners municipal tax payment in Cranbury Township is set to reach a historic low in 2019 with a reduction of about $650 on average, and the rate could stay flat for the next two years, according to Mayor Jay Taylor. The municipal tax rate already stayed flat in 2017 and 2018. Small towns like Cranbury, which is home to 3,900, are almost always pointed to as a model of inefficiency, Taylor said. But in this towns case, its the opposite, he said. Cranbury and Robbinsville tax data. Keep in mind, however, that the municipal portion of the tax bill is just one slice of it, and accounts for 20 to 26 percent of the bill in these towns. While the municipal share stayed steady or even declined, the overall tax bills did increase between 2017 to 2018 due to the county and school district increases. Heres how the mayors of Robbinsville and Cranbury say they did it. Making Cuts Fried, elected in 2005, said his philosophy is to look at property owners as if they are shareholders. What can I do to make our shareholders values increase? Fried said. The basic thing that I can do for them is keep taxes stable. And number two, what can I do to create a better surrounding, a better quality of life which will also increase the value of their home. The township consolidated its fire district, eliminating the need to pay for a commissioner, lawyer and attorney for each district. Since the consolidation, the township only needs to pay for one of each per year, saving the township $1 million annually. It also eliminated its salary steps program in the police unions contract, which used to give officers 15 percent raises incrementally, to its current system which hires officers at higher salary and limits pay raises to 2 percent per year. A cut that Fried said will benefit future administrations is the elimination of lifetime health benefits for township employees. Non-union represented township employees stopped receiving health insurance benefits after retirement in 2007. The same policy went into effect for the fire division in 2008 and the police department in 2009, Fried said. "Those are some of the things [we cut], and you know some of them were tough, Fried said. None of them happened easily, but we were able to do each one. Theres no one big thing that we did. Its all little things. Cranbury has also made cuts to its budget over the past decade. We went in and we slashed our budgets," Taylor said. We told residents, look, we can increase taxes or we can cut our budget.' To save costs, the small town held off on replacing two police officers that retired and made cuts to its operating budget and municipal alliance funding for school programs, bringing down the budget substantially to match what it was in 2007 before the recession, Taylor said. The township only made needed road repairs, and spent little on capital improvements. Adding Ratables Cranburys low municipal tax rate is partially the result of the township establishing a robust warehouse district that, in the past decade, welcomed Wayfair, Amazon and Home Depot. Both Route 130 and the New Jersey Turnpike run through the small Middlesex County township, making it an ideal location. When businesses came into the warehouse district, they paid added assessment and sewer connection fees, bringing in additional surplus for the township, Taylor said. The township also does not offer any PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) programs, a controversial tool that attracts new business but allows the company to avoid paying its full share in taxes, sometimes for 30 years. Robbinsville also has an advantageous location to help attract more ratables. And the businesses the township went after - warehouses. We started to think about what we could be great at and retail had been done, and we realized we were in a great spot, location-wise between east and west. We had the (New Jersey) Turnpike and Route 195 so we could, in theory, be really good at warehousing, Fried said. Fried said they surveyed those who needed warehousing and found the biggest challenge was getting employees in on time and their warehouse facilities built within budget. Robbinsville had more than 700 acres of open land, so the township went to work marketing itself as a destination for large corporations that needed warehouse space, Fried said. The townships 21 warehouses are split between five industrial parks. Some of the warehouses that occupy the space include Mercedes Benz, Green Mountain Coffee, McMaster Car and Amazon, which was granted a 20 PILOT plan. The township has added approximately 6.7 million square feet of ratable space valued at approximately $245 million in ratables since 2005, Fried said. More commercial property helps keep tax rates down because they bring in more tax revenue while using fewer local services, Fried said. Open Space Robbinsville has one of the highest open space preservation taxes per person in the state, but that tax has helped lower municipal taxes, Fried said. Using the funds generated by the tax to buy up land that could otherwise be turned into housing has slowed growth and reduced the number of families with school-age children, in turn keeping the overall local tax rate lower, Fried said. It's inexpensive to keep up a farm, Fried said. Its not so with a house. So, every time you add a new house, you add more costs and were very lucky in that our residents continue to vote and support our open space tax. Meanwhile, while Cranbury has a warehouse district on one side of Route 130, but the other side to the west is a residential zone, supported by farmland preservation. Farmland doesnt generate a lot of revenue, but it also doesnt generate any liabilities, Taylor said. In 2018, $121.19 of the average homeowners bill went to conserving municipal open spaces, according to the municipal budget. We have a high percentage of preserved farmland in the community, Taylor said. To a large extent, it worked. Farmers worked with us. They either sold us development rights or they sold the land to the town as farmland. Taylor emphasized the importance of keeping residents in town rather than driving them out with New Jerseys notoriously high taxes. A lady in front of me at the supermarket was ordering bologna at the cold-cuts counter. The guy cut up five slices and she said, No, I only want four because I can only afford four. And I thought to myself, Wow, heres somebody thats struggling. Thats who were accountable to, not just people who are making $1 million a year. Fried believes any municipality in New Jersey can hold the line on spending, as long as its leaders are willing to make difficult decisions. You cant keep doing the same things and hope for different results, Fried said. You have to really start from the beginning. You have to take a look at every single budget. You have to be willing to have uncomfortable conversations. Olivia Rizzo may be reached at orizzo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @LivRizz. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Gianluca DElia may be reached at gdelia@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @gianluca_delia. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips. Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. A school bus driver was in critical condition after she suffered an apparent medical episode while driving, leading to a bus crash that sent several children to the hospital in Boonton Township on Friday afternoon, officials said. Atlantic Health Systems Morristown Medical Center received seven pediatric patients from the incident, a statement from the hospital said. All of those children ranged from fair to good condition, and were expected to be treated and released. The crash involved a full size school bus from the Rockaway Valley School and occurred on Valley Road around 2:30 p.m., officials confirmed. The bus apparently struck a utility pole near a church cemetery. CPR was performed on the bus driver, who was rushed to Saint Clares Hospital in Denville, according to Traffic Safety Police Officer Jody Becker, of the Boonton police. In total, 18 children were onboard the bus. Six of the injured were taken to the medical center using the Morris County Office of Emergency Managements Medical Ambulance Bus, according to county Emergency Management Director Jeffrey Paul. Responders checked all of the children as a precaution. Boonton Bus accident involving school children. Witnesses say bus driver had a medical condition and hit a utility pole and fence. Kids were taken back to school and some taken to the hospital for observation. pic.twitter.com/IVYA9oOAQl Anthony Johnson (@AJohnsonwabc7) March 8, 2019 School officials could not be immediately reached. Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters A second Ocean County resident infected was diagnosed with measles Friday and now others may be at risk of catching it. Anyone who visited the LabCorp at 1352 River Ave. in Lakewood on March 5 after 3:45 p.m. may have been exposed to measles, the New Jersey Department of Health said. The announcement comes two days after the department said it confirmed a case of the highly contagious disease in a county resident who had visited two places while infected. Health officials warned anyone who visited Congregation Sons of Israel - Park Avenue, 401 Park Ave., on Feb. 26, 2019, between 5:30 p.m. and 8:15 p.m, or the Kol Shimshon synagogue, at 323 Squankum Road, on Feb. 27 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. that they also may have been exposed. The health department asked people who visited any of these three Lakewood locations to call their doctor immediately to discuss potential exposure and risk of developing the illness." The department said it was investigating to see if there was a connection between the two cases or the previous outbreak in Ocean County, or current outbreaks in other states. These two new measles were reported just under two months after a 3-month long outbreak sickened 33 people in Ocean and Passaic counties ended. People who have not been vaccinated or have not had measles were at risk of getting the disease, which usually starts with symptoms including fever, coughing and a rash that usually starts on the face. These symptoms might not develop until as late as March 26 for anyone who was possibly infected at the LabCorp. Measles can also cause serious complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis, a swelling of the brain, and can lead to a miscarriage, premature birth or low-birth weight baby for pregnant women, the CDC said. It can be spread through the air when someone coughs or sneezes and an people can get sick if they come in contact with mucus or saliva from an infected person, officials said. The New Jersey Department of Health also warned on Feb. 26 that a New Jersey resident with measles may have exposed others to measles in Bergen County. Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @chrisrsheldon Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. A photo of an anti-Trump T-shirt displayed in a New Jersey classroom last week created a stir among students and parents. A Roxbury High School history teacher posted a blue and red T-shirt featuring President Donald Trumps face with the word NOPE and Vive la Resistance -- which means Long Live the Resistance -- underneath, according to Laurel Whitney, a parent of a former student at the school. Whitney said a child of a family friend sent her the photo. She would not name the teacher who posted it in his Morris County classroom. Whitney, a Succasunna resident, took to social media to complain. Even people that dont like Trump took issue with this in classroom, she told NJ Advance Media, adding that by displaying the shirt, the teacher was attempting to sway his students toward his political opinion. After a closed-door Board of Education meeting on March 4, Roxbury Schools Superintendent Loretta Radulic said the shirt was given to the teacher by a student, according to TapInto Roxbury. She said it was taken down that same day. NJ Advance Media reached out to Radulic and the two social studies teachers listed on the high schools website on Saturday. They have not yet responded. Cassidy Grom may be reached at cgrom@njadvancemedia.com. a cura di Marco Meneguzzo curated by Marco Meneguzzo in collaborazione con Fondazione Carlo Battaglia in collaboration with Fondazione Carlo Battaglia 14 marzo - 14 maggio 2019 march, 14th - may, 14th 2019 Inaugurazione: mercoledi 13 marzo 2019, ore 18.30 Opening: wednesday october, 13th 2019 at 6.30 pm PRESS KIT Dopo le personali dei tedeschi Winfred Gaul e Jurgen Knubben e dell'inglese Joe Tilson, la galleria Menhir Arte Contemporanea inaugura la stagione 2019 con una mostra dedicata a Carlo Battaglia. La rassegna, dal titolo "Carlo Battaglia. ORIZZONTALE e ORIZZONTALE. Opere 1968 - 1980", rende omaggio all'artista di origini sarde presentando una decina di capolavori, scelti tra le sue opere iniziali. Tele spesso di formato orizzontale - realizzate negli anni che rispecchiano la fase desordio della sua carriera artistica, generalmente identificata con la Pittura Analitica, classificazione alla quale sara sempre insofferente nonostante partecipi proprio in quegli anni a un numero significato di mostre che si rifanno a vario titolo a questa tendenza. La predilezione per il formato orizzontale e un tema che permane in tutta la sua produzione artistica, soprattutto in quella degli anni Settanta. Questo formato gli permette infatti di coinvolgere il pubblico invitandolo a perdersi nella superficie mutevole della tela; ripercorrendola da destra a sinistra, lo sguardo dello spettatore viene cullato dal movimento rigoroso e costante che Battaglia compie sul supporto, rievocando un ulteriore elemento che caratterizzera le opere dellartista: il mare. Scrive infatti il curatore: Gia negli anni Settanta i suoi titoli sono evocativi Tifeo, Vertiginoso, Brezza, Canone Conseguente, Ilva, Occaso, Come un giovane mare temerario, - e quasi tutti riferiti al mare (Tifeo e Tifone, mentre il nome Ilva potrebbe essere lantico nome dellisola dElba) che e la radice, la lontana memoria realistica della pittura di Battaglia, isolano de La Maddalena. E come il mito e la radice interpretativa della realta, cosi il mito dichiarato e la chiave per interpretare lastrazione dellartista: alla maniera di Paul Klee, si tratta di unastrazione con molti ricordi, anzi, con uno solo, quello inesauribile del mare. Ecco allora che prima di arrivare al disvelamento conclamato del soggetto, avvenuto dai primi anni Ottanta e mantenuto sino alla fine, per tutti gli anni Settanta Battaglia non dipinge il mare, ma la sua sublimazione, e piuttosto lo imita nel movimento costante e perenne del pastello o del pennello sulla carta o sulla tela. Negli anni Settanta, la sua affermazione di aver in fondo sempre dipinto il mare sarebbe risultata incomprensibile o frutto di un paradosso da intellettuali, mentre nel consuntivo di tutta la sua attivita non possiamo non dargli ragione La personale si chiude infatti con l'opera Come un giovane mare temerario n.5, opera in cui il mare finalmente si svela e si rivela, presentata alla Biennale di Venezia del 1980, alla quale Battaglia fu invitato a partecipare con una sala personale. La mostra, curata da Marco Meneguzzo, in programma dal 14 marzo al 14 maggio presso la sede di Via Giuriati 9 a Milano, si propone di valorizzare l'operato artistico di uno dei Maestri della pittura degli anni Settanta e di rendere omaggio a quel mare tanto amato da Battaglia, e da sua moglie Carla. Following the solo shows of German artists Winfred Gaul and Jurgen Knubben and English Master Joe Tilson, Menhir Arte Contemporanea gallery starts the 2019 season off with an exhibition dedicated to Carlo Battaglia. The show, titled "Carlo Battaglia. ORIZZONTALE e ORIZZONTALE. Opere 1968 - 1980" ("Carlo Battaglia. HORIZONTAL and HORIZONTAL. Works 1968 - 1980") pays tribute to the Sardinian- born artist exhibiting a dozen masterpieces, chosen among his early paintings. Canvases often in horizontal size produced in the years denoting the debut of his career as an artist, usually identified with Analytical Painting, a categorisation he will always be reluctant to, though taking part throughout the years to a significant number of exhibitions pertaining in different ways to this tendency. His predilection for the horizontal size constitutes a constant which will last throughout his entire artistic production, especially in that of the Seventies. This dimension allows him to involve the public inviting people to get lost in the iridescent surface of the canvas; running through it from left to right, the spectator s look is cradled by the meticulous and steady movement executed by Carlo Battaglia on the medium, which recalls a further element characterising the works by the artist: the sea. In the words of the curator:Back in the Seventies his titles are already evocative - Tifeo, Vertiginoso, Brezza, canone conseguente, Ilva, Occaso, Come un giovane mare temerario, - and almost all refer to the sea (Tifeo is Tifone, while Ilva could be the ancient name of the Isola d Elba) which represents the origin, the remote realistic recollection of Battaglia s painting, islander from La Maddalena. Just like the myth represents the interpretative root of reality, hence the related myth constitutes the key to understand the abstraction carried out by the artist: inspired by Paul Klee, he accomplishes an abstraction full of memories, which is actually only one, the endless recollection of the sea. Before achieving the acclaimed unveiling of the subject, taking place in the early Eighties and then preserved until the very end, throughout the Seventies Battaglia does not merely paint the sea, but its sublimation, rather reproducing it in the constant and endless movement of pastels or brushes on the paper and the canvas. In the Seventies, his statement claiming that, after all, he had always painted the sea would have appeared incomprehensible or the outcome of an intellectual paradox, whilst considering his activity as a whole it would not be possible to argue the contrary. The solo show thus ends with the work Come un giovane mare temerario n.5, which finally discloses and reveals the sea, presented at the Venice Biennale in 1980, where Battaglia was invited to participate with a solo project. The exhibition, curated by Marco Meneguzzo, on view from March 14th until May 14th at the Milan venue, in ViaGiuriati 9, aims at enhancing the artistic value of one of the Masters of painting of the Seventies and honors the sea so deeply loved by Battaglia, and his wife Carla. CARLO BATTAGLIA nasce il 28 gennaio 1933 nellisola della Maddalena, ma trascorre linfanzia a Genova. Dopo il liceo classico, studia scenografia allAccademia di Belle Arti, dove si appassiona alla pittura. Nel 1964 espone per la prima volta alla galleria La Salita di Roma, ma e con la mostra del 1966 al Salone Annunciata di Milano che si consacra come artista. Nel 1967 soggiorna per sei mesi a New York, lavora in uno studio a Canal Street e frequenta Reinhardt, Motherwell e soprattutto Mark Rothko, al cui studio si reca quotidianamente. Nel 1970, invitato con una sala personale alla Biennale di Venezia, espone per la prima volta le Maree, tema che lo coinvolgera per tutta la vita. Lambiguita, lillusione, la malia del paesaggio marino coincidono con il suo sconfinato amore per il mare. Dagli anni 70 partecipa a tutte le piu importanti mostre in Italia e in Europa della Nuova Pittura o Pittura analitica, provando pero un sempre piu crescente senso di distacco nei confronti di quelle formulazioni teoriche in cui non si riconosce. Nel 1980 e nuovamente invitato con una sala personale alla Biennale di Venezia. Dal 1980 si isola sempre piu, dividendosi tra Roma e New York per approdare definitivamente alla Maddalena dove dipinge in totale solitudine, guardando il mare dalla collina di Sualeddu. Muore alla Maddalena il 17 gennaio 2005, di fronte a quel mare amato per tutta la vita senza riserve. CARLO BATTAGLIA was born on the 28th of January 1933 on the island of La Maddalena, but he spent his childhood in Genova. After high school, he studies scenography at the Accademia di Belle Arti, where he develops a passion for painting. In 1964, he exhibits for the first time in La Salita gallery in Rome, though achieving his consecration as an artist with the solo show in 1966 at Salone Annunciata in Milan. In 1967 Battaglia lives in New York for six months, working in a studio in Canal Street and spending time with Reinhardt, Motherwell and, in particular, Mark Rothko, whose study he visits daily. In 1970, invited with an individual space to the Venice Biennale, he exhibits for the first time the Maree,a topic which will engage him throughout his life. The ambiguity, the illusion and the charm of the seascape coincide with his boundless love for the sea. Starting from the 70s, he takes part into all the most important exhibitions, both in Italy and Europe, of the Nuova Pittura or Pittura analitica, although feeling an ever-increasing distance from those theoretical formulations. In 1980 he is invited for the second time to the Venice Biennale, with a solo project. From 1980, he increasingly isolates himself, dividing his time between Rome and New York, eventually going back to La Maddalena, where he paints in total solitude, looking at the sea from the hill of Sualeddu. Carlo Battaglia passes away on the morning of January 17, 2005 in La Maddalena, facing the sea he had so unreservedly loved. MENHIR ARTE CONTEMPORANEA Via Giuriati, 9 20129 Milano Martedi - Sabato, 11.00 - 13.00 e 14.00 - 19.00 Tuesday - Saturday, 11 am - 1 pm and 2 pm - 7 pm Port Authority officials are investigating the cause of an apparent fire that forced a plane to make an emergency landing at Newark Liberty International Airport Saturday morning, forcing the entire airport to be shut down for about an hour and disrupting numerous flights. At 8:20 a.m. an Air Transat pilot flying from Canada to Florida requested an emergency at Newark Liberty Airport after reporting smoke inside the aircraft, according to Steve Coleman, a spokesman for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The Boeing 737 landed safely shortly afterward, and all 189 passengers were evacuated and transported to a terminal. Two minor injuries were reported, but none related to smoke inhalation Coleman said. All runways at Newark Liberty -- one of the nations busiest airports -- were shut down temporarily, and the plane was removed from the runway. #BREAKING: A possible fire on a plane reportedly diverted to Newark Liberty International Airport has caused the airport to shut down all runways, officials said. https://t.co/YS0SyvUsGd Eyewitness News (@ABC7NY) March 9, 2019 Shortly before 10 a.m., the FlightAware website, which monitors flight delays across the nation, was reporting arrival delays ranging from 1 hour and 16 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes, and departure delays of up to 1 hour, at Newark Liberty because of the incident. However, all flights were expected to resume by 10 a.m. Coleman said. While the cause of the incident is still under investigation, the fire seems to have started in the planes cargo hold, Coleman said. The plane had departed from Montreal and was on its way to Fort Lauderdale when the pilot reported a possible fire in the cargo hold, according to a statement from the Federal Aviation Administration. The passengers were evacuated from the plane on emergency slides. UPDATE (3 p.m. Saturday): The Port Authority spokesman said no fire was found inside the plane, and the cause of the smoke in the cargo area remains under investigation. Emergency at Newark Airport. Nothing arriving or going pic.twitter.com/YZBsg7QplN R.J.C (@RJCRampAgent) March 9, 2019 Something happened at EWR Newark Airport? pic.twitter.com/okVdIa7YTo Rich (@ochostrike) March 9, 2019 Taylor Tiamoyo Harris may be reached at tharris@njadvancemedia.com. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. WASHINGTON A day after U.S. Sen. Cory Booker introduced comprehensive legislation to further overhaul the criminal justice system, the 2020 Democratic presidential candidate delivered a message to supporters. The scales of justice in America havent ever been balanced, but if we can come together to pass this legislation, we can finally restore justice to our justice system, Booker, D-N.J., wrote on Friday. That is what it means to dream big. Raise your hand to say you support my plan and lets raise our voices together. The preceding week, Booker sent out a fundraising email on the same day he reintroduced legislation ending the federal ban on marijuana. These laws fracture communities, destroy families, and make us all less safe its time we fix this broken system," this email read. I need your voice with mine on this sign on today and join the call to pass the Marijuana Justice Act. In introducing such high-profile bills, Booker has been signaling his legislative priorities and his need for money to run for president. Any sitting legislator is going to seek support for their agenda," said Ben Dworkin, director of Rowan Universitys Institute for Public Policy and Citizenship. If he was just running for re-election, he would be making the same pitch for support about the work hes been doing in Washington. Still, the close proximity of a bill introduction and a fundraising appeal didnt sit well with good government groups. I wish he wouldnt simultaneously introduce legislation and then use it as a fundraising vehicle, said Craig Holman, who lobbies on campaign finance issues for Public Citizen, a watchdog and advocacy group. The legislative process ought to at least be at arms length from the fundraising process." Campaign spokesman Jeff Giertz did not immediately respond to a request for comment. With so many Democrats in the race, and possibly more to come, an early test of their viability will be the amount of money they will be able to raise through the end of March. Those figures are due at the Federal Election Commission by April 15. Booker played a major role in enacting legislation last December that provided alternatives to incarceration for nonviolent offenders and offered some of those already in prison a chance to get out early. His newest bill built on that by shortening sentences for nonviolent offenders, helping those released from prison find work and get the tools they need to succeed. sealing or expunging records of some convicted of nonviolent drug offenses, and improving improve training for law enforcement officers in areas such as use of force and racial bias. He was an early advocate for removing marijuana from federal list of controlled substances, where it has been since 1970, alongside heroin, ecstasy and LSD. That move would end federal prohibition and leave it up to states to forge their own marijuana policies. His Marijuana Justice Act immediately was co-sponsored by four other Democratic presidential candidates. You can give a speech and say. This what I want to do on criminal justice, this is what I want to do on marijuana, Dworkin said. You have the opportunity to do it as a member of the Senate. Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant or on Facebook. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Gov. Phil Murphy and state Senate President Stephen Sweeney have reached a deal that rescues a housing assistance bill for low-income and disabled people the governor had rejected and almost triggered a historic override vote last month, NJ Advance Media has learned. The legislation, sponsored by Sweeney, would expand housing aid for potentially thousands of chronically ill and disabled people in New Jersey who have maxed out under the rules of the the states Emergency Assistance program. Murphy, a Democrat, vetoed the bill (S1965) in January, saying the state could not afford the legislations potentially $100 million to $200 million price tag. The measure, championed by affordable housing and family advocates, won near-unanimous support in the Democratically-controlled state Legislature. Sweeney, D-Gloucester, called for an override of Murphys veto on February. It would have been the first veto override of Murphys year-old administration and would have ratcheted up the tensions between the dueling Democrats. Sweeney later called off the vote. According to two sources privy to the negotiations who were not authorized to reveal the details, both sides reached a compromise Friday. The full 40-member Senate is expected to vote on the revived bill at its next session on March 14, the sources said. My goal all along has been to provide assistance to a very vulnerable population of people who are threatened with homelessness. I was adamant about this because I believe we have a moral responsibility to care for those in desperate need," Sweeney said in a statement. The bill should not have been vetoed in the first place, but I worked with the Governor to get this done and we now have an agreement and a plan that will help to achieve a real priority of mine, Sweeney added. "This will provide assistance in emergency conditions and help to protect against the loss of shelter and basic needs for those who are living on the edge. The governors office declined to comment. Under the compromise, the emergency assistance program would continue offering 12 months of assistance with the possibility of a six-to 12-month extension, depending on the severity of the persons circumstances. The program would not count any time spent in the program prior to seven years ago. All of these provisions were contained in Sweeneys bill. Murphy negotiated a $20 million cap on the legislations annual cost. Sweeney had argued the governors estimate of $100 million to $200 million was exaggerated. He said if one-third of all 3,600 recipients in the $58 million program each signed up at once, the cost would not exceed $20 million. In addition, Murphy and Sweeney agreed that in another piece of legislation, $3 million would be set aside to create a new Office of Homelessness Initiatives, and $5 million would be spent on case managers helping enrollees find stable housing, the sources said. Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlins spokesman Kevin McArdle said he was aware of the compromise between Sweeney and Murphy. The 80-member Assembly also must approve the changes. As is the case with any legislation, the Assembly will undertake a thoughtful review to assure the needs of this vulnerable population are met, McArdle said. Susan K. Livio may be reached at slivio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SusanKLivio. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook. Gov. Phil Murphy still has nothing new to say about who may have hired a former top aide accused of raping a campaign supporter, even as that ex-official is set to testify in public next week. Albert J. Alvarez is scheduled to appear before state lawmakers in Trenton on Tuesday and may finally answer the nagging question that has surrounded Murphys administration in recent months: Who actually tapped him for a state job? Up to now, numerous officials close to Murphy have all said they dont know who brought Alvarez on board. And Murphy himself has been mum on the question. That didnt change Friday. The Democratic governor was asked during an unrelated news conference in West Orange if he believes Tuesdays hearing will solve the mystery. I apologize for disappointing you, Murphy told the reporter who asked the question. Ive read what youve read. I got no visibility into that. Ive got nothing new to add there." The issue has cast a shadow on Murphys administration for six months. Another state official, Katie Brennan, has publicly accused Alvarez of raping her after a Murphy campaign gathering in 2017, when she was a supporter and Alvarez was a campaign official. Alvarez has denied the allegations, and two county prosecutors have declined to charge him with a crime. Alvarez was hired as chief of staff of the New Jersey Schools Development Authority a job that paid $140,000 a year (and $170,000 after a raise) despite top Murphy aides saying they knew about the allegations. He remained in the job for months though Brennan told Murphys team about the matter multiple times and top Murphy aides told him to leave twice. Alvarez didnt resign until October, when the Wall Street Journal asked him to comment on Brennans accusations. A special legislative committee investigating how Murphys team responded to the allegations has heard testimony from various members of Murphys inner circle. All of them have said they dont know who hired Alvarez. Some lawmakers have even wondered if Alvarez hired himself. Now, the committee has subpoenaed Alvarez to testify. State Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, D-Bergen the committees co-chair said he has agreed to appear Tuesday. Weinberg said the panel is not allowed to ask about the alleged rape itself because Brennan has sued the state. Lawmakers have agreed to ask Alvarez only about his hiring and Murphys hiring practices. A report commissioned by Murphy to examine the administrations response to Brennans allegations largely cleared Murphys aides of wrongdoing in the matter and did not discover who hired Alvarez. Murphy has said he didnt know about Brennans allegations until Alvarez resigned in October. Though he has declined to answer questions about who may have hired Alvarez, the governor has said he wishes his staff told him about the issue earlier and that Alvarez was removed sooner. NJ Advance Media staff writer Susan K. Livio contributed to this report. Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @johnsb01. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Catholic Church officials learned in 2003 one of their priests had been accused of sexually abusing a boy years earlier while he was a Boy Scout leader before he joined the clergy, according to a new lawsuit. But Archdiocese of Newark leaders still assigned the priest to a Union County parish, where he became head of youth ministry and began abusing another young boy a year later, according to a civil lawsuit filed this week by the alleged victim. The Rev. Kevin Gugliotta, a nationally-ranked poker player, pleaded guilty in 2017 to disseminating child pornography in Pennsylvania. He was sentenced to up to 23 1/2 months in jail and has been permanently removed from ministry. In the new lawsuit, one of his alleged victims, identified by the pseudonym Richard Roe, says the Archdiocese of Newark, then-Archbishop John H. Myers and St. Bartholomew of the Apostle Parish in Scotch Plains should be held responsible for the priests alleged abuse at the Union County parish. In 2003, church officials briefly removed Gugliotta from ministry and sent his case to the Vatican for review. But church leaders later said they could not remove Gugliotta from ministry because the alleged sexual abuse took place in the 1980s when he was a Boy Scout leader -- years before he became a priest, the lawsuit said. The case was reported to police, but never prosecuted. Its just shocking to me that anyone associated with the Archdiocese of Newark . . . would even think of allowing this man to remain a priest, much less allow him to become head of youth ministry, said Greg Gianforcaro, the alleged victims attorney. The alleged victim is suing the archdiocese, Myers and the Scotch Plains parish for an unspecified amount, citing fraud and negligence in the hiring and supervision of Gugliotta. Though he is named in the lawsuit, the priest is not being sued. The lawsuit comes a month after the Archdiocese of Newark and the states four other dioceses released a list of 188 priests, including Gugliotta, who were credibly accused of child sexual abuse. The states attorney generals office is also in the midst of a statewide investigation of how the Catholic Church handled abuse allegations. Gugliotta was removed from ministry in 2016 and steps to defrock him, or strip him of standing as a priest, have been taken, the Archdiocese of Newark said in a statement Friday in response to the lawsuit. We will carefully review the details of this allegation and work diligently in collaboration with the New Jersey Attorney Generals Clergy Abuse Task Force to ensure justice is served. Most importantly, we wish to express our sincere regret to all victims betrayed by a member of our church and continue to offer our prayers and support as they continue on their healing journey, the Archdiocese of Newark statement said. Rev. Kevin Gugliotta in a 1996 Star-Ledger file photo when he was a seminary student at the Immaculate Conception Seminary at Seton Hall University in South Orange. (Star-Ledger file photo) Under New Jerseys current statute of limitations law, the new lawsuit will likely be thrown out of court because it is filed more than two years after the alleged abuse. However, the attorney for the alleged victim said they are hoping a proposed new law extending the statute of limitations for sexual abuse victims, currently under debate in Trenton, will pass quickly and be signed into law so the case can continue. In a 2016 Star-Ledger story about the allegations against Gugliotta, the pastor of St. Bartholomew of the Apostle Parish said he had no idea of the past allegations against the priest when he was assigned to his parish and worked with the church youth group for eight years. To me, its unconscionable that they allowed him to remain a priest without restrictions, Mark Crawford, the New Jersey director of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, an advocacy and support group, told The Star-Ledger in 2016. And then to allow him to be a youth minister? How reckless was that? Gugliotta was never charged in the alleged abuse case from the 1980s, though his alleged victim wrote an anonymous column detailing his allegations in The Star-Ledger in 2017. Gugliotta played poker on his personal time and regularly competed in tournaments around the country. When he pleaded guilty to child pornography charges in 2017, court records showed he told probation officers he blamed God when he lost poker tournaments. He also said he collected porn as revenge against God. In addition to serving in Scotch Plains, Gugliotta previously served as a priest in numerous New Jersey parishes, including Holy Spirit in Union, Immaculate Conception in Mahwah, St. Joseph in West Orange, St. Elizabeth in Wyckoff, St. Rose of Lima in Short Hills and at Ramapo College in Mahwah. Kelly Heyboer may be reached at kheyboer@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @KellyHeyboer. Find her at KellyHeyboerReporter on Facebook. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. One first-floor courtroom inside Criminal District Court on Tulane Avenue and Broad Street was damaged Friday (March 8) after a fire broke out inside the kitchen of a judge's chambers. A man and woman have admitted hindering the investigation into an unusual double homicide in Harvey in which a man suspected of killing a woma Marqueta Leach gave birth to a baby girl in March 2017. After two healthy pregnancies, her third was fraught with complications. An ugly fight over an audit that found the city of Zachary paid two vendors $3.5 million without having contracts in place has died down some, but the city councilman most upset about the matter has made clear he is not giving up on his quest for Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. The Global Pyrogen Testing Market size was valued at US$ US$ 689.9 million in 2017, and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 12.4% over the forecast period (2018 2026). Pyrogen testing is detection of pyrogen in pharmaceutical drugs and devices. The contaminated devices or drugs when introduced in body can cause fever, shock, inflammation, and other problems. Pyrogen testing consists of kits, reagents, and instruments, which enables pyrogen and endotoxins detection by in-vitro methods and minimizes the usage of animal testing. Market Dynamics Increasing research and development in the field of pyrogen testing and advancements in technology for detection of endotoxin is a major factor driving pyrogen testing market growth. According to the Pharma R&D Annual Review, 2018, an estimated drug count in 2017 was around 14,872, while in 2018 it was around 15,267, resulting in an overall pipeline growth by 2.7% in 2018. Stringent government regulations and rising focus on in-vitro testing for detection of pyrogen is one of the major factors boosting growth of the market. For instance, in June 2012, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provided guidelines for pyrogen and endotoxin testing to industries. Increasing demand for testing of pyrogen contamination in medical devices and drugs is expected to propel growth of the pyrogen testing market Pyrogen testing is used in detection of pyrogen contamination in pharmaceutical dosage forms and medical devices. Pyrogen contaminated injections post administration can cause temperature dysregulation (fever), bodyache, inflammation, shock, multiorgan failure, and other life threatening problems. Moreover, increasing research and development of therapeutic drugs and medical devices is propelling growth of the pyrogen testing market over the forecast period. According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), November 2016, an estimated US$ 1.7 trillion of global spending in research and development for various medical applications. Moreover, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and its Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), has approved around 59 novel drugs in 2018 compared to 46 approvals of new molecule entities in 2017. Key Players Major players operating in the global pyrogen testing market include Thermo Fisher Scientific, Merck KGaA, Lonza Group, Associates of Cape Cod Inc., Charles River Laboratories Inc., GenScript, WuXi PharmaTech (Cayman), Inc., bioMerieux, Wako Chemicals USA, Inc., Sanquin, Ellab A/S, and Pyrostar. Ask For Sample Copy Of This Business Research Report : https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-sample/243 Increasing research and development in healthcare sector in North America is expected to bolster the market growth North America holds dominant position in the pyrogen testing market, owing to high prevalence of cardiovascular disease. According to the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Association (EFPIA) report, 2018, an estimated US$ 48,111 million and US$ 82,418 million pharmaceutical expenditure was recorded in 2015 and 2016 respectively, in the U.S. Increasing number of approvals for new molecule entities (NMEs) by regulatory agencies in this region is expected to bolster the market growth over the forecast period. In 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), approved 59 new molecule entities which enables new treatment options for patients and advances in health care for the American people. About Coherent Market Insights: Coherent Market Insights is a prominent market research and consulting firm offering action-ready syndicated research reports, custom market analysis, consulting services, and competitive analysis through various recommendations related to emerging market trends, technologies, and potential absolute dollar opportunity. Contact Us: Mr. Shah Coherent Market Insights 1001 4th Ave, #3200 Seattle, WA 98154 Tel: +1-206-701-6702 Email: sales@coherentmarketinsights.com Proton Technologies AG, the company behind the popular encrypted email service ProtonMail, has issued a press release to reveal it has been awarded 2 million in funding from the European Commission (EC). The company plans on using the money to develop encrypted services such as its ProtonDrive file storage application. 4 Reviews , News , CPU , GPU , Articles , Columns , Other "or" search relation. 3D Printing , 5G , Accessory , AI , 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 , E-Mobility , Education , Exclusive , Fail , Foldable , Gadget , Galaxy Note , Galaxy S , Gamecheck , Gaming , Geforce , Google Pixel , GPU , How To , Human 2.0 , 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 , Single-Board Computer (SBC) , 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 The EC, an institution that is part of the European Union (EU), has given a grant of 2 million (US$2.25 million) to Proton Technologies to aid work on its ecosystem. Proton is known for developing ProtonMail, which offers end-to-end encryption for users. An estimated 10 million people use ProtonMail, and the company is now busy developing its privacy-based ProtonDrive for secure data storage. Proton Technologies was founded in Geneva, Switzerland, and its appropriately named ProtonMail service was created at the CERN research facility, which is world-famous for its proton-acceleration experiments. ProtonMail is in good company: The World Wide Web was invented by Tim Berners-Lee at CERN. The EU has often championed online privacy rights: Google was recently fined 50 million (~US$56 million) for violating privacy rules. As the Proton press release points out, the companys work on encrypted services and data privacy aligns with the EUs current policies. Protons servers and headquarters are based in Switzerland, which puts the company outside of direct US and EU influence. Xiaomi has made its name by offering phones that could be seen as value-for-money in the past. However, its CEO, Lei Jun, has unveiled plans that involve the company turning its back on this strategy in the future. He has said that "this might be the last time our price will be under RMB 3,000 (about US$447)". 4 Reviews , News , CPU , GPU , Articles , Columns , Other "or" search relation. 3D Printing , 5G , Accessory , AI , 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 , E-Mobility , Education , Exclusive , Fail , Foldable , Gadget , Galaxy Note , Galaxy S , Gamecheck , Gaming , Geforce , Google Pixel , GPU , How To , Human 2.0 , 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 , Single-Board Computer (SBC) , 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 Xiaomi's CEO Lei Jun has advised the company's fans that the days of its brand's association with cost-effective hardware is over. The OEM has built a sizeable business out of targeting the mid-to-low tiers of the smartphone and tablet markets. However, Lei has indicated that those days may be over soon for the company. This apparent move may be a bid for more effective revenue-building by the Chinese electronics firm. However, it seems that the company's image is at least as much a cause for concern for the executive and his staff. In an interview with TechNode, Lei stated: "Actually, we want to get rid of this reputation that our phones cost less than RMB 2,000. We want to invest more and make better products." This suggests that the model developed for phones such as the Galaxy S10-rivalling Mi 9, as well as the Mi Mix 3, is now the more desirable for the company. Xiaomi's apparent direction for its future may be the rationale behind the establishment of the name Redmi as a sub-brand rather than a product line. Its first release, the Note 7, has been shown to compromise on durability in order to attract buyers with a 48+5MP rear camera for only US$150. On the other hand, Redmi has also indicated that higher-end devices under its name are also in the works. Therefore, it seems that Xiaomi's premium ambitions will extend to all areas of its business. Therefore, those looking for a decent budget-level phone may have to look to other names such as Realme or Vivo in the future. You are clearly a super-user of NUVO.net. Thats a good thing. It means you depend on independent and local news sources to keep you informed. You are a smart person. Coincidentally, independent and local news sources depend on you too. Youve read 25 articles this month and now, wed like you to be join our mission and become a NUVO Supporter. For as little as $4 a month, you can keep us alive and fighting -- and can have unlimited access to the independent news that cant be found anywhere else. A grand jury indicted Jussie Smollett, the actor from the television series Empire, on Thursday on 16 counts of disorderly conduct after the authorities said he falsely reported to the police that he had been attacked by two men who made racial and homophobic slurs, court records show. Mr. Smollett, who is black and gay, had told the police in January that while he was walking in downtown Chicago to pick up food, he had been assaulted by two men who put a rope around his neck, poured a chemical substance on him and said it was MAGA country, a reference to President Trumps campaign slogan of Make America Great Again. About a dozen detectives were assigned to the case. Mr. Smollett, who the police said did not have serious injuries, received an outpouring of public support at a time when reported hate crimes were on the rise. But last month, the authorities revealed that they believed the assault was staged and that Mr. Smollett was upset with his salary for his work on the television series and wanted publicity. The Federal Aviation Administration has warned Southwest Airlines and its mechanics union that their legal dispute could end up damaging the safety of the airline. In a letter sent to the airline and the union on Friday, the agencys top safety official, Ali Bahrami, said the dispute raises concern about the ongoing effectiveness of the airlines safety management system. Southwest sued the union on Feb. 28, claiming that a work slowdown had illegally grounded many of the airlines planes and caused over 100 flight cancellations since the middle of the month. The lawsuits implication was that the union had grounded the planes to gain leverage in contract negotiations, which have been going on for years and had recently broken down over how much of the airlines maintenance work would be outsourced. The union, the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association, said it had grounded the planes because of safety concerns. The F.B.I. is investigating whether employees of one of Walmarts technology contractors obtained sensitive information by monitoring email accounts at the retail giant, including those of several executives. The investigation into the employees of Compucom is described in an application for a search warrant filed by the F.B.I. in federal court. It was approved by a federal judge in Fayetteville, Ark., in August. In the court filing, the F.B.I. accused the Compucom employees of sifting through internal Walmart correspondence in search of information that could give the firm an edge over competitors. In at least one instance, the filing says, the Compucom employees obtained information that may have helped the firm submit a winning bid. A spokesman for Compucom, which was acquired by Office Depot for $1 billion in 2017, said the company was cooperating in the investigation. A woman attacked seven people with a substance like pepper spray in four places in Harlem and the Upper West Side on Friday, including two subway stations, in a series of attacks that were being investigated as possible hate crimes, the police said. Detective George Tsourovakas, a police spokesman, said the woman was black and the seven victims were white. He declined to elaborate on the hate crime investigation. As of Friday night, the police were still searching for the woman, who had not been identified or arrested. David Rogers, a sociologist whose book vilifying New Yorks ossified Board of Education contributed to its eventual abolition and replacement by mayoral control over the citys public schools, died on Feb. 27 in Manhattan. He was 88. The cause was prostate cancer, his son Paul said. In 1968, Mr. Rogers published 110 Livingston Street: Politics and Bureaucracy in the New York City School System. Few New Yorkers needed reminding that No. 110, in Downtown Brooklyn, was both the board of educations headquarters, a 1926 Beaux-Arts building designed for the Elks by McKim, Mead & White, and a metaphor for an implacable and oppressive bureaucracy. It has an almost unlimited capacity for absorbing protest and externalizing blame, for confusing and dividing the opposition, seeming to appear responsive to legitimate protest by issuing sophisticated and progressive policy statements that are poorly implemented, if at all, Mr. Rogers wrote. The system is like a punching bag, he added. Protest groups can hit it in one place, and it simply returns to an old equilibrium. None of this should be difficult to celebrate. An economy in which private property is protected, private enterprise is rewarded, markets set prices and profits provide incentives will, over time, generate more wealth, innovation and charity and distribute each far more widely than any form of central planning. This is not a theory. Its as true in Nordic countries like Denmark (often mislabeled socialist) as it is in hyper-capitalist Singapore. Its the empirically verifiable conclusion from the 20th centurys bitter contest between capitalist and socialist states. Its not a race we should have to run twice. Nor should it be hard for someone like Hickenlooper to acknowledge as much while also insisting on the distinction between unrestrained and regulated capitalism, market prices and moral values. One of the reasons why the right-wing charge of socialism against the Democratic Party rarely stuck was that it was generally untrue. To smooth the edges of capitalism, even to save it from itself, doesnt mean to disdain and disavow it. Theres a difference between taming a horse and shooting it. Until about, oh, a year ago, few Democrats would have disagreed. Not anymore. Moderate Democrats are by no means an endangered species, but increasingly they act like a hunted one. Watching Hickenlooper, you could read his mind as if it were a chyron at the foot of the screen. Dont say proud capitalist, John. Dont say it. Twitter will kill me if I do. Death by Twitter mob or pre-emptive surrender to it is how politics is largely conducted these days. Is this good politics? I doubt it. As Geoffrey Kabaservice noted in the Guardian last November, Nearly all of the Democrats who flipped the seats of moderate Republicans are themselves moderate. Few support the socialist agenda of Senator Bernie Sanders. Progressive favorites like Andrew Gillum lost his race against a weak Republican opponent. And Joe Biden tops most Democratic primary polls by a wide margin. Two of my children were born in socialist France. They survived. In fact, their births were great experiences: excellent medical care, wonderful postnatal follow-up, near-zero cost. My sons bris, in a Paris deserted through the August exodus, was another story, but I wont get into that. France has one of the worlds most elaborate social protection systems. The ratio of tax revenue to gross domestic product, at 46.2 percent, is the highest of all Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries. In the United States, that ratio is 27.1 percent. Look no further to grasp Franco-American differences. This French tax revenue is spent on programs universal health care, lengthy paid maternity leave, unemployment benefits designed to render society more cohesive and capitalism less cutthroat. Of the French Revolutions three-pronged cry Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite the first has proved most problematic, freedom being but a short step, in the French view, from the Anglo-Saxon free-market jungle. Socialist presidents have governed France for half of the past 38 years. The country has paid a price for its social solidarity, particularly in high unemployment. But France has prospered. It has a vibrant private sector. I t is a capitalist economy, among the worlds seven largest . Its socialism is no European exception. The Continent decided after World War II that cushioning capitalism was a price worth paying to avoid the social fragmentation that had fed violence. During the trial, a friend of Mr. Syed said that he had heard him confess to the murder and accompanied him to the park to bury Ms. Lees body. But another student, who said she saw Mr. Syed in the library on the afternoon of Ms. Lees disappearance, was not called to the stand. Serial debuted in 2014, featuring as its host Sarah Koenig, a former producer with the weekly public radio program This American Life. Its first season focused on whether Mr. Syed had received a fair trial. It was downloaded more than 100 million times and won a Peabody Award, turning the case into a topic of national conversation. Image Mr. Syed and Hae Min Lee were in high school at the time of her disappearance. For many listeners, Serial raised doubts about his guilt. Credit... Syed family/HBO In February 2016, lawyers for Mr. Syed argued in postconviction hearings that his original defense lawyer, Maria Cristina Gutierrez, who died in 2004, had been grossly negligent. They also presented new evidence, including testimony from the alibi witness. Mr. Syed was granted a retrial in June 2016 by Judge Martin P. Welch of the Baltimore City Circuit Court, and that decision was upheld in 2018. But things took a turn on Friday. The appeals court agreed that Ms. Gutierrez erred in failing to investigate the potential alibi witness but disagreed that this additional evidence would have changed the outcome of the case. Mr. Syed had also tried to claim that his defense lawyer had failed to challenge cellphone location data that had been used by prosecutors in 2000. But the appeals court also rejected this on Friday, essentially because those claims were raised too late in the process. The department largely sided with the rules opponents who believed that large disparities were not evidence enough of discrimination in classrooms, and could be a result of other factors such as districts capacity to train teachers in properly identifying and disciplining students with disabilities. It also argued that the rule could have unintended consequences for those same children if districts felt pressure to meet racial quotas to avoid being found in violation of the rule. The secretary is concerned that the regulations will create an environment where children in need of special education and related services do not receive those services because of the color of their skin, the department wrote. But Judge Chutkan wrote in her ruling that the departments concern over racial quotas did not have adequate support in the rule-making record. She wrote that the department failed to show how the safeguards in the Obama-era rule, which expressly prohibited racial quotas, were insufficient. She also found that the department violated the law that governs the promulgation of regulations by failing to provide a reasoned explanation for delaying the rule and failed to account for the costs to children, their parents and society. Representative Robert C. Scott of Virginia, the chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee and a vocal critic of delaying the rule, said it was troubling that the department delayed this critical rule without fulfilling its legal responsibility to provide a rational justification. By forcing the Trump administration to implement the rule, the courts ruling will put us back on a track toward reversing systemic racial discrimination in education, Mr. Scott said in a statement. But district leaders might not welcome the news. Among those who supported Ms. DeVoss delay of the rule was the School Superintendents Association, which represents more than 13,000 superintendents across the country. On Feb. 22, the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces threw out the conviction of an Air Force lieutenant colonel who had sexually assaulted a female enlisted subordinate because the case had been brought long after the expiration of the five-year statute of limitations on military rape cases that was still in effect in 2005, when that assault occurred. While Congress amended the Uniform Code of Military Justice in 2006 to eliminate the statute of limitations on rape cases, the appeals court ruled that the case against the lieutenant colonel was required to have been brought within the statute of limitations in effect at the time. Nothing in the 2006 amendment or its legislative history suggested that Congress intended to make the change to the code apply retroactively, the court wrote. The net effect: Only rapes that occurred after Congress changed the military law in 2006 do not have a statute of limitations for prosecution. Those that occurred before the change are still subject to the five-year window. Ms. McSally has not said when she was raped. But based on other details she provided that she confided to people what had happened only later in her career, after she had been in the military for 18 years, which would have been about 2006 it appears that the assault she disclosed most likely occurred before Congress changed the law. The Feb. 22 decision in the case against the lieutenant colonel who was a captain and an F-16 instructor pilot at the time of the assault and other recent decisions by the same appeals court have resulted in a number of rape cases being overturned or dismissed, said Don Christensen, a retired colonel who was the Air Forces chief prosecutor before he left the military in 2014. For a long time, Mr. Christensen said, the accepted understanding was that there was no statute of limitations in military rape cases. But the recent armed forces appeals court rulings have upended that precedent, he said. Cases such as Senator McSallys are now impossible to prosecute, unless they occurred after 2006, said Mr. Christensen, who is now the president of Protect Our Defenders, a military victims rights group. The Pentagon did not respond to a query about whether it would appeal the decision to the Supreme Court. WASHINGTON For months, President Trump has been railing about the urgent need for a wall to protect against what he calls an invasion of illegal immigrants flooding across the southwestern border. But he has also been delivering another message: We need workers, he told a group of activists recently. In other words, he wants more immigrants. I want people to come into our country, in the largest numbers ever, but they have to come in legally, Mr. Trump ad-libbed last month during his State of the Union address. Comments like those from the president have ignited furious criticism from his hard-line, anti-immigrant supporters who accuse him of caving to demands for cheap foreign labor from corporations, establishment Republicans and big donors while abandoning his election promise to protect his working-class supporters from the effects of globalism. This is clearly a betrayal of what immigration hawks hoped the Trump administration would be for, said Mark Krikorian, the executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies, which advocates cutting legal immigration by more than half. He warned that Mr. Trump was in danger of being not even that different from a conventional Republican. WASHINGTON Attacking the secretive nature of pricing in the health care market, the Trump administration said this week that it wanted to require public disclosure of the rates that doctors and hospitals negotiate with health insurance companies. Patients have a right to price information before they receive care, the administration said. Disclosure of the wildly different prices paid by insurers for the same services in the same market would probably incite competition and drive down health care prices, the administration said in soliciting comment on its idea. The concept, set forth Monday in the Federal Register and reported by The Wall Street Journal, is not a formal proposal, but rather a first step toward a possible proposal, clearly signaling the direction in which President Trump wants to go. Price transparency has been a hallmark of health policy under Mr. Trump. In a country that spends more than $3.5 trillion a year on health care, administration officials say, it is absurd that consumers cannot shop for medical goods and services as they shop for airline tickets and electronic gear. Weve been reporting on the story more or less from the beginning. And throughout that time, some broad differences have emerged in the responses from Canada and American readers. While online comments may not necessarily reflect general public opinion, many Canadians who wrote in didnt seem to accept Mr. Trudeaus assessment that no one in his government did anything improper. [Want the Canada Letter newsletter in your inbox every week? Sign up here.] Heres one take on events from Ellen Buckley, a reader from Toronto: This erosion of trust mentioned by Justin Trudeau is based on the fact that Jody Wilson-Raybould was not responding to the pressure that he and others were putting on her to interfere in the SNC-Lavalin case. So he removed her from her post. I would argue that he intended to replace her with someone who would respond differently, the way he wanted the SNC-Lavalin case managed. This issue is not going away. But many American readers noted that, despite the attempts by Mr. Trudeau and others to settle the criminal case against SNC-Lavalin with a large fine, the prosecution continues. Combined with the fact that no one pocketed any money or obviously benefited politically, those readers seem puzzled that the issue has created so much political turmoil in Canada, particularly when contrasted with the current upheaval in Washington. One of President Trumps lead Middle East peace negotiators lashed out at the Palestinian Authority on Friday, accusing it of institutionalizing support for terrorism amid a dispute over Israeli tax transfers that make up a significant portion of Palestinian revenues. Under longstanding accords, Israel makes monthly transfers to the Palestinian Authority from certain taxes it collects related to Palestinians. Last month, Israel announced a freeze on about 5 percent of the tax payout, as punishment for the Palestinian Authoritys policy of paying stipends to Palestinian prisoners in Israel and to the families of Palestinians killed or wounded in confrontations with Israelis. In response, and despite the authoritys financial problems, the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, rejected the full tax transfer and vowed to continue to pay the stipends. On Friday, the Trump administrations Middle East envoy, Jason D. Greenblatt, accused Palestinian leaders of offering the stipends as a reward for acts of terrorism. The baby of Shamima Begum, a British teenager who joined the Islamic State and has sought to return home even as she has defended the groups actions, has died in a detention camp in Syria, according to a spokesman for the group currently holding the woman. Now 19, Ms. Begum was a 15-year-old schoolgirl when she slipped out of her parents home in the Bethnal Green district of London and joined two of her friends as they headed to Syria to pledge allegiance to the Islamic State, or ISIS. She had lived inside the groups territory for four years, married a fighter and had two children, both of whom she said died of malnutrition and were buried in ISISs last remaining village in Syria, which has now been encircled by coalition forces. She was pregnant with her third child when she fled the groups territory and surrendered to an American-backed group, the Syrian Democratic Forces, which brought her to a detention camp. She was held there alongside other fighters wives, and was found by Anthony Loyd, a reporter for The Times of London, last month. Speaking through an English translator, a spokesman for the Syrian Democratic Forces, Mustafa Bali, confirmed the death of the weeks-old infant on Friday, but did not provide details. Earlier in the day, Mr. Bali had tweeted that reports of the babys death were untrue, only to later delete the statement. The first step to making a private investment is understanding the pitch. After all, there are some 7,000 private investment managers across the globe. Determining the skill of the manager is important, so do your homework. Andrea Auerbach, global head of private investments at Cambridge Associates, a consultant and an adviser, said picking an average manager could affect your bottom line. The difference in returns between public equity managers who are in the middle of the pack and top performers was less than three percentage points, she said. But when it came to private equity, the difference in returns between mediocre and top managers was 21 points. A second step is spreading money across funds raised in different years, not just with different strategies. For instance, funds raised in the years before the recession made most of their investments when the market was at a peak, so they consequently performed worse than those that raised money in the years right after the downturn, when asset values were lower. A bigger problem for investors in 2008, though, was that private equity firms demanded money from investors in a capital call. The timing was bad because some investors had put their money in the stock market and had to sell their shares at steep discounts to avoid defaulting. Most investors oversimplified it, which increased their risk, said Adam I. Taback, deputy chief investment officer for Wells Fargo Private Bank. You have to figure in the growth of every other asset. Whats happened to the other 90 percent of your portfolio while youre doing all this private equity planning? Patience is a necessity in private investments. The marketing material for these funds suggest the investment will last about seven years, but in reality, with clauses in the documents about mandatory extensions, some of these funds can drag on for twice as long. The latest installment in the Jurassic Park franchise gets its television debut. And four drag queens help a bride whos in need in a new TLC special. Whats on TV JURASSIC WORLD: FALLEN KINGDOM (2018) 8 p.m. on HBO; also on streaming platforms. As is the case with almost every film franchise, the Jurassic Park sequels havent found the same success as the original 1993 movie. This fifth iteration was narrowly saved by mixed reviews: Variety said it plays like a 1970s disaster movie run amok. Vulture said the movie is chasing its own tail. And A. O. Scott wrote in The New York Times that it is in most respects a dumber, less ambitious movie than its immediate predecessor, and also, for just that reason, a little bit more fun. Set three years after 2015s Jurassic World, the film follows Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard), an activist, and Owen (Chris Pratt), an animal-behavior specialist, as they try to rescue dinosaurs from a fictional island before it erupts. Once they arrive and track down the creatures, they realize they have been duped by bad guys who have sinister plans for the reptiles. MICHAEL JACKSON: THE JURY SPEAKS 9 p.m. on Oxygen. Questions about Michael Jacksons alleged pedophilia have been dominating the headlines after the HBO documentary Leaving Neverland debuted last Sunday. But accusations surfaced many years before the documentary, which focused on two men who were coming forward with abuse allegations against the pop star for the first time. In 2003, Jackson was accused of molesting a 13-year-old boy at his Neverland Valley ranch; two years later, he was acquitted of all charges. In The Jury Speaks, part of a true crime series that aired in 2017, five members of the jury from the trial explain why they found Jackson innocent and Thomas Mesereau, Jacksons lead lawyer at the time, details how he won the case. THE TWICE-BORN Life and Death on the Ganges By Aatish Taseer The twice-born in Aatish Taseers title are the Brahmins who are reborn when they undergo initiation as young men into Indias highest caste. But the word could refer equally well to Taseer himself. His story is a variant of the much-told tale of the American man (or Englishman or European man, seldom a woman) who revolts against the shallowness of Western materialism and goes to India to find his soul, to reinvent himself, to be spiritually reborn. Cross this genre epitomized by W. Somerset Maughams 1944 novel, The Razors Edge with the equally shopworn story of the American in search of his ethnic identity and you get a man of Pakistani and Indian heritage who (re)turns to India to find his roots (and/or soul). But Taseers is a far more convoluted authorial voice: Born in 1980 in London to a Muslim father (the governor of Pakistans Punjab Province, assassinated by an Islamist fanatic in 2011) and a Sikh mother (a famous Indian journalist), Taseer was educated at a posh international school in India and then in America, where he graduated from Amherst College. A successful, often controversial, journalist, he was much praised for his first book, a blend of memoir and travelogue called Stranger to History: A Sons Journey Through Islamic Lands, and for his three novels, which deal with a young Indian who returns to his country after some years abroad. Its not very hard to see an obsessive pattern here, in which The Twice-Born forms the final element, since it aims to do for Hinduism (and India) what Taseers first book did for Islam (and Pakistan). It was a difficult re-entry. Taseer describes his own cultural schizophrenia in India: I saw everything as an Anglicized Indian watching an imaginary European or American visitor watch India, and I had my heart in my mouth as I tried to guess what he would make of it. It was an embarrassment twice removed. Part of the problem was that he had chosen to view his rediscovered country through the lens of Sanskrit, the ancient language of India, which he had studied for a decade. Image Taseer is rightly enthralled by the great richness of Sanskrit literature and by its amazing survival over thousands of years in the minds and lives of Indian scholars, primarily in one community: the Brahmins. He loves the Brahmins for both their knowledge and their disdain for materialism. And his admiration for these unworldly intellectuals, who seem at first to be his kind of people, inspires his appreciation of traditional India, which for him is Hindu India. But this gives him an idealized, airbrushed image of Hinduism and India, which he views en saffron, the color of the robes of ascetics and hence originally a symbol of ascetic Hinduism but nowadays an emblem of right-wing, nationalist Hinduism. He therefore decides to live in the holiest city of Hindu India, Varanasi. BEIJING A senior Chinese trade official called on Saturday for a compromise between the United States and China that could make a trade deal easier to reach this spring. But it could also lead to a more fragile agreement, which could fall apart quickly should trade frictions rise again. Over the past year, the most contentious issue in the countries trade talks has been the Trump administrations demand for what it calls an enforcement provision, which would allow the United States to monitor Chinas behavior and put penalties in place if the Chinese violated the deal. The Trump administration has pressed China to accept an agreement allowing the United States to unilaterally reimpose tariffs if it concludes that China has not gone through with structural changes to its economy. In the past month, the administration has also pushed for a broader enforcement mechanism, which would include the right to reimpose tariffs for any category of goods in which imports from China surge. In exchange, the Trump administration would roll back at least some of the tariffs it placed on $250 billion of imports from China that it imposed last year, penalties that have strained ties between the governments, rocked financial markets and thrown the future of companies that operate in both countries in doubt. Vanessa Beatriz Golenia and Peter Gynd Medley were married March 6 at the Manhattan Marriage Bureau. A staff member of the City Clerks Office officiated. On Feb. 23, the couple took part in a celebration ceremony in the Yucatan, Mexico, that was produced by Mia Rovegno, a New York playwright, and took place at Hacienda Kancaba, near the town of Espita. The bride, 34, is the director of strategy at Jwalk, an advertising agency in New York. She graduated from the University of San Diego and received a certificate in account planning from Miami Ad School. She is a daughter of Beatriz L. Golenia and Gerd Golenia of San Diego. The brides father retired as a San Diego-based long-haul trucker. Her mother, also retired, was an executive assistant at San Diego Gas and Electric. The groom, who is 37, legally changed his surname to Gynd. He is an artist, independent curator and the director at Lesley Heller Gallery in New York. His conceptual landscape-based paintings and photographs were on display from May 18 to June 3, 2018 at the Ground Floor Gallery in Brooklyn. [What you need to know to start the day: Get New York Today in your inbox.] At Hudson Yards, the expansive real estate development that is about to open in Manhattan, seven floors of retail are occupied by Fendi, Dior, Neiman Marcus and other high-end shops. Major corporations, including WarnerMedia and LOreal USA, will have their headquarters there. In the luxury residential buildings, one-bedroom apartments will rent for at least $5,200 a month or you can buy a two-floor penthouse condo for $32 million. All thanks to the help of taxpayers. New York was riveted for weeks by a debate over whether Amazon should receive $3 billion in tax breaks and other incentives in return for setting up a headquarters in Queens and creating 25,000 jobs. But with far less public attention, the city government has for more than a decade been funneling even more aid to Hudson Yards, a 28-acre complex of gleaming office buildings and luxury residential towers that is one of the nations biggest real estate projects in recent years. In all, the tax breaks and other government assistance for Hudson Yards have reached nearly $6 billion, according to public records and a recent analysis by the New School. The city spent about $2.4 billion to extend the No. 7 subway line to Hudson Yards and set aside $1.2 billion for about four acres of parks and open spaces called Hudson Park and Boulevard. The City Council stepped up to pay $359 million in interest payments on bonds when revenue from the development, which was supposed to cover the tab, fell short of projections. The mixers that followed led to hundreds of black male New Yorkers gathering. I had to ask myself, Mr. Lindor said, Is this an enterprise or a hobby? At the time, Mr. Lindor was working as the strategic adviser to the executive staff at the Department of Correction , in the DeBlasio Administration. He resigned, spent two months developing a business model, then secured a lease with money he had saved. Mr. Lindor asked friends who made more than six figures a year if they would support him; in the end, they invested $100,000 into The Gentlemans Factory. "There are very few spaces where men of color can come together and engage in meaningful dialogue, said Rubain Dorancy , a member who is also an attorney and an educational consultant. At the Gentlemen's Factory, you will find men of all ages and with varied backgrounds, engaging, supporting and uplifting each other." Spaces made by and for people of color are not new. In 1826, young African-Americans gathered at 161 Duane Street to socialize and discuss the arts in a group known as the Philomathean Literary Society . In 1892, Victoria Earle Matthews, an author and activist, created the first black womens club in New York City, the Womens Loyal Union. Five years later, in 1897, she created the White Rose Mission, in uptown Manhattan, where young black girls who migrated from the South could get acclimated to city life. Yet social spaces for people of color such as The Gentlemens Factory with its 100+ member strong base and a range of event programming, from finance workshops to wellness seminars remain extremely rare in New York. In the 1950s and 60s, there were many social clubs in different communities of color, but as the decades passed, their numbers dwindled. Some clubs closed because they were being operated illegally; others could not afford the expensive licenses required. Barbara Winslow Grant, a former charity fund-raiser and leader in school volunteerism who was the wife of one New York Times publisher, the mother of another and the grandmother of a third, died on Saturday in Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif. She was 90. Her death, at a retirement home, was confirmed by her son Arthur Ochs Sulzberger Jr., the chairman of The New York Times Company. Mr. Sulzberger succeeded his father, Arthur Ochs Sulzberger, as publisher in 1992 and as chairman in 1997. The elder Mr. Sulzberger was married to Ms. Grant from 1948 until they divorced in 1956. He died in 2012. Mr. Sulzberger Jr.s son, Arthur Gregg Sulzberger, was named publisher in 2017. Ms. Grant was born on March 31, 1928, in Paris to Theodore F. Grant, an importer of animal hides, and the former Helen Fisher MacDonald, a secretary. Alex Trebek fascinates America, but we dont quite get him. Hes a game show host, but hes not hearty or ingratiating. Hes a comedy signifier, most famously lampooned by Will Ferrell on Saturday Night Live for many years, but he also seems to be in on the joke. My picture of him has been built up in little glimpses over the years, to the point where I finally feel confident handling the endless stream of Whats Alex like? In person, hes decidedly not the stern, judicial presence you might expect. On TV, hes all business. He has 61 clues to get to, and not a lot of time. Hosting such a dense, fast-moving game is an insanely hard job, but he makes it look effortless. Heres the belief that lies at the core of Alexs TV persona: Jeopardy! itself, not he, is the star of the show. Its all about the format, the players, the facts, the dissemination of answers and questions. Its hard to imagine any modern TV personality deftly avoiding the spotlight like that. But when the cameras stop rolling, Alex is a looser, even goofy presence. He takes studio audience questions at every break, sometimes slipping into funny accents or even bits of soft-shoe. He still has the slight testiness, the dry imitation hauteur you can see when he spars with contestants in the interviews, but hes gracious and candid and self-deprecating. The audience eats it up. And does he actually know all those answers? I get asked. Not everyone likes that a big part of the Jeopardy!" hosts job is to correct wrong answers er, questions no matter how gently Alex offers his traditional ooh, noooo, sorry. Of course Alex has all the responses on a big sheet of paper in front of him, but hes also well-read and well-traveled, the kind of dad with a basement full of old National Geographics. When he pronounces the name of an Italian aria hyper-accurately, or explains that a contestant got George V and George VI confused, hes not putting on airs. Yes, he really knows that stuff. Carson and Cronkite are long gone, but Alex Trebek remains, the last of the old-school broadcasters who once visited us every night as a matter of ritual. When the syndicated modern Jeopardy! began in 1984, he was perhaps an odd choice to replace the shows original host, the dignified Art Fleming: He was young, sexily mustached, fresh from dopey daytime game shows like Battlestars. But two generations of youngsters have now grown up on his clipped syllables. College students and retirees alike plan their evenings around his reassuring presence. He takes it seriously, being the face of Jeopardy!, the voice of facts in a post-fact world. Ive seen him with the beaming tourists who sit in his studio audiences and the awe-struck, bookish kids for whom he was the host of the National Geographic Bee for 25 years. He knows how much he means to people, and I hope it gives him comfort that so many people are pulling for him now. Clemente was put in a hielera, or ice box, notorious detention rooms predating Trump that are kept cold. Clemente, wet from the river crossing, was soon freezing as well as hungry and weak because he had given his food to Wendy. As a dad, the last thing you want is for your daughter to suffer, he explained simply. So I gave everything to her. In this frail state, he caught pneumonia and passed out. Many hours went by before he was taken to a hospital, unconscious and gravely ill. Inadequate health care in detention centers is common, and two migrant children died in December in Border Patrol custody. I woke up in the hospital, and I didnt know where I was, Clemente told me. It was a nightmare. My first question was, Wheres my daughter? After he was released from the hospital and later from detention, he found himself on the streets of Brownsville, Tex. He was distraught and he was crying, recalled Sergio Cordova, a volunteer in Brownsville who does heroic work with immigrants, funded by donations, and discovered Clemente at the bus station. I gave him a hug and he started saying he cant find his daughter, he doesnt know where his daughter is. Eventually, Clemente discovered that she was in a shelter. She was allowed to telephone him once a week, but not return to his care; his voice broke as he described her as an angel from God. Immigration is a complicated challenge, but ripping families apart isnt the solution. Perhaps the best approach is to help improve security in Central America so that people like Clemente need not flee. Some anti-gang initiatives there have been very successful in reducing murder rates that drive migration. If it were peaceful, Id like to be back there where I grew up, said Clemente, who received help from Immigrant Families Together in his quest to reunite with his daughter. Id love to be in the land where I was born. After earning enough to purchase his freedom (ransoming the life that should have always been his own), Hayden organized a fund-raiser to pay a $650 fine securing the release from jail of the white abolitionist who had aided his escape (a Methodist minister from the Midwest, Calvin Fairbank). Hayden chose the activist life, fighting for the dignity of others as part of what the historian Manisha Sinha called the shock troops of fugitive slave rescues, in her book The Slaves Cause. The home that the Haydens made, the one I would soon be visiting, became a refuge for the hunted. On the day of my visit, the homeowners, Mary and John Gier, ushered me in with warm smiles and graciously served tea and cookies. The couple, who are proud of their heritage (English, Dutch, Irish and German) but resist hyphenated labels like Euro-American or African-American, told me they bought the house in the 1970s. They cherish their historic home and have preserved or replicated most of the original features: cabinetry, doors, windows, flooring, fireplaces, and exterior brown brick. Even the 19th-century tunnel is visible in the subbasement. Lovingly restored and furnished with period antiques, the house looks much the same as it might have during Haydens residence. Harriet Beecher Stowe probably sat there having tea just like you are, they noted. This is the same room where Hayden met with his band of resisters. Mrs. Gier confirmed that the sticker was a relatively recent addition to the facade, but it was clear she and her husband saw the N.R.A. emblem as simpatico with the homes spirit. To them, Lewis Hayden is a model for America. Mrs. Gier thinks if he were alive today, he would be a member of the N.R.A. or the National African-American Gun Association. Can you imagine what would have happened had he not had his guns? she said. I believe that Hayden would have left no stone unturned to maintain his defense. In that sense, he is not unlike our law-abiding citizens today who are protecting their constitutional rights. I am anti-gun and support strict gun control laws. But sipping tea with the homeowners, walking the floors where the Haydens and their compatriots had plotted what turned out to be the roots of a political revolution to overturn slavery, pried ajar a little door in my mind. Roger Stone and WikiLeaks Mr. Muellers indictment of the Trump adviser Roger Stone alleges that Mr. Stone worked throughout the summer of 2016 to get in touch with WikiLeaks and became aware of the organizations plans to disclose hacked information. Mr. Cohen claimed in his testimony to Congress that he was in the room when Mr. Stone informed Mr. Trump that WikiLeaks was planning a massive dump of emails that would damage Hillary Clintons campaign. Was Mr. Stone coordinating with the campaign in his efforts to get information from WikiLeaks? How much did Mr. Trump know about what Mr. Stone had found out? And who in the campaign, if anyone, might have been aware of separate efforts by the Republican operative Peter Smith to obtain additional Clinton emails from sources Mr. Smith believed were Russian hackers? Flynns Promises to Moscow The national security adviser Michael Flynn was fired just 24 days into his tenure over fallout from his transition-period contacts with the Russian ambassador at the time, Sergey Kislyak a matter about which he later pleaded guilty to lying to federal investigators. When he promised Mr. Kislyak that Mr. Trump would lift sanctions on Russia imposed by the departing Obama administration, was Mr. Flynn freelancing or was he acting on the instructions of someone higher? Russian Influence Operations Almost every case that Mr. Mueller has filed has illuminated a different facet of what appears to be a systematic, long-running effort by the government of Russia to reach out to Mr. Trumps world. Its clear that the Kremlin was attempting to gain access and influence. Was it also out-and-out working to recruit agents within the Trump Organization and campaign? On our side of the Atlantic, to what extent was that outreach welcomed and reciprocated by the Trump team, and to what extent was Mr. Trump a passive beneficiary? Did the Trump Organization and campaign understand and respond to those instances as manifestations of a systematic effort by the Russian government or as unrelated connections with unconnected Russians? Obstruction of Justice Mr. Mueller has also reportedly conducted an investigation into potential obstruction of justice by the president: possible interference with the special counsels efforts , and with the F.B.I.s before that. Mr. Barr, among others, has argued that action authorized by the Constitution like dismissing the F.B.I. director by definition cannot constitute obstruction. Will the report sidestep these tricky legal questions by showing efforts by Mr. Trump to derail the inquiry that fall plainly outside the scope of presidential authority? To what extent does the obstruction investigation overlap with the collusion investigation meaning that the special counsel and the F.B.I. understood the presidents apparent efforts at obstruction as part of the troubling pattern of coordination with the Russian government that incited the investigation in the first place? I had the #Measles #Mumps #Chickenpox as a child and so did every kid I knew, she tweeted, adding that her own kids were, regrettably, vaccinated. They will never have the lifelong natural immunity I have. Come breathe on me! Thanks but no thanks. I suspect my breath is better spent elsewhere. A week and a half ago, a Republican state representative in Arizona said on her Facebook page that pressure on parents to vaccinate children is not based on American values but, rather, Communist. Bet you didnt know that the original symbol of the Russian Revolution wasnt a hammer and sickle. It was a syringe. I shouldnt joke, and I should add that anti-vaxxers run the political gamut. Theyre on the left, their professed concern for social welfare proven hollow by the risk that their unvaccinated children pose to newborns and others who havent yet been or cant be vaccinated. Theyre on the right, among people who see the government and its edicts as oppressive forces. Paranoia has no partisan affiliation. I should also add that alternative facts had currency long before Kellyanne Conway christened them such and that junk science, nutty hypotheses and showy apostasies have been around forever. Humans arent rationalists. Were romantics, and the world is wondrous when you believe that you belong to some brave and special tribe and have experienced enlightenment about the assassination of John F. Kennedy, about the existence of extraterrestrials, about the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center, about vaccines that all the less perceptive, more gullible conformists out there simply cant comprehend. But there are differences now that make the cranks that much more baffling, numerous and pernicious. For starters, they fly ever more stubbornly in the face of sophisticated research and hard-earned knowledge. Beneficiaries of wisdom that prior generations lacked, they toss it away, wasting and mocking progress itself. At the same time, in many educational circles, theres as much talk of students individual truths as of the truth. Joan Donovan, the director of the Technology and Social Change Research Project at Harvards Shorenstein Center, said that social science and history courses increasingly emphasize that truth is situational and that very few things are always true all the time. That healthy skepticism can turn unhealthy when it leads to the rejection of incontestable realities. Theres a crisis of authority, a crisis of expertise, Donovan told me. Theres also a man in the White House, at the Resolute Desk, who makes grand pronouncements based on random conversations; implores Americans to distrust traditional institutions and conventional sources of information; and promotes conspiracy theories (millions of illegal votes, a celebration among Muslims in Jersey City on 9/11, and on and on). He has specifically echoed and validated the apprehensions of anti-vaxxers. Whether hes symptom or cause doesnt matter. Hes dangerous either way. Its easy to sell soybeans to China. The Chinese are voracious consumers of the worlds raw materials. Until 2018, shiploads of soybeans from the American Midwest streamed to the processing plants that dot the Chinese coast. So there is no reason to applaud the news that the Chinese government has offered to guarantee large purchases of American soybeans as part of a potential trade deal with the United States that the Trump administration is pushing to complete by late March or early April. Instead, it is a worrying sign that the administration may settle for an ephemeral victory at the expense of Americas long-term economic interests. President Trump, by imposing tariffs on Chinese imports, created an opportunity to improve Americas economic relationship with China. It is a chance that may not come again. The American economy is strong, while the Chinese economy is faltering. China still needs American technologies. And despite Mr. Trumps distaste for multilateralism, much of the rest of the world shares his concerns about Chinas economic policies and trade practices. His decision to go it alone, rather than making common cause with longstanding allies, was ill advised, and his tit-for-tat trade war has caused significant pain for many Americans. Farmers and other American exporters lost access to an important market; consumers are paying higher prices on a wide range of goods. The badger is chubby but strong, with short legs, a long body and endearingly goofy gait. It has become a cultural icon to children who grew up reading The Wind in the Willows, or more recently, Harry Potter, in which the badger is the symbol of the Hufflepuffs. Once tortured by dogs in a blood sport called badger baiting, it is now a protected species in Britain. But the beloved creatures also carry bovine tuberculosis, a disease that has killed hundreds of thousands of cows across Britain since at least the 1970s. For that reason, the omnivorous mustelids have been targeted in bloody culls to control the diseases spread. In some instances the effort worked; in others, it didnt. All along, Britons who love badgers have questioned the effectiveness and necessity of the culls. [Like the Science Times page on Facebook. | Sign up for the Science Times newsletter.] In a new study, researchers simulated different badger-culling scenarios, and discovered that culling can help reduce the spread of wildlife disease. But to work, the efforts must fall within a Goldilocks zone, wherein the number of animals killed, the ground covered and the duration of the cull all must be just right. The studys results, published in Journal of the Royal Society Interface on Tuesday, help explain some of the mystery over the varied effectiveness of the culls, which has driven decades of dispute in Britain. The results also provide a framework for understanding culling efforts to stop the spread of wildlife diseases in other animals, and suggest that on-the-ground realities often make a successful cull unattainable. Project Runway arrived on television at the end of 2004, the same year that Mark Zuckerberg created a website called The Facebook at Harvard. In 2007, Apple released the first iPhone. Three years later, when Project Runway was in its seventh season, Instagram appeared in the App Store. That tech-history lesson is to say: 2019 looks a whole lot different from 2004. So when Bravo reacquired the rights to Project Runway last year, the network wasted no time in recalibrating the show, which will have its premiere on Thursday . The most significant of the changes is the cast. Tim Gunn and Heidi Klum, whose faces have been synonymous with Project Runway, announced last September that they would not return to the show and that they are developing a new fashion series with Amazon, where viewers will be able to buy the styles they like through the website. Zac Posen, who replaced the designer Michael Kors, also departed. Nina Garcia, now the editor of Elle, is the only remaining member of the original cast. Had he known it was illegally listed, Mr. Aveli said, he would not have booked the room. Why was it even an option? he asked. Its not right. Mr. Aveli ended up crashing on a friends couch for the remainder of his stay. Knowing that the rental had been illegal and upset about the experience, he tried to get a refund for the two nights he had stayed at the apartment. I contacted Airbnb and they refused to refund me, he said. Mr. Aveli said he didnt bother trying to get a refund from Dina directly because he was frustrated. Mr. Breit would not comment on Mr. Avelis situation, but said the company wanted to partner with Miami Beach to develop sensible and enforceable home-sharing regulations, which would help protect guests to the City against unfortunate incidents like this. The apartment and the host are no longer listed on Airbnb. Even if that rental is no longer available, walking around Flamingo Park at midday, its clear that many other homes are: every few blocks there is a van parked on the street with its doors wide open. Inside are towels and bedding that smell freshly cleaned. When asked if the linens are for hotels, a man laughed and said, You a reporter? I cant talk to you, but lots of Airbnbs around here. Good for business. Rates From $249 The Basics To get to the front desk of the 50-room Ramble Hotel, which opened in Denvers River North Art District (RiNo) last May, guests walk through what amounts to a cocktail jamboree: the first outpost of the bar Death & Co beyond New York Citys East Village. The hotel, owned by Ryan Diggins, 34, a local developer, was generally inspired by the salons of 17th-century France, and, specifically, by Catherine de Vivonne, Marquise de Rambouillet, whose own salon was known as an egalitarian gathering. I loved what the French salon stood for, as really it was a place for everyone, as long as you had an opinion, Mr. Diggins said. Ramble is our shortened version of her name, and also means to wander or explore without a definitive destination. In hopes of fostering the Marquises ideal of interaction and engagement, the hotel stocked the airy, ground-floor lobby with myriad seating areas for lingering, and also holds occasional art programs in its adjacent event space. The Location The hotel is close to RiNos inventive restaurants (Comal Heritage Food Incubator, where Syrian refugees make the best hummus Ive tasted, based on their own recipes), shops (like Modern Nomad, a housewares store in a former auto body shop) and food halls (including Zeppelin Station, which opened last March). Our room faced Larimer Street, which was once a hangout for the Beat muse Neal Cassady , and can be rowdy; we listened to bachelorette parties swish by like whirligigs on 16-passenger bike bar tours. The Denver Rescue Mission nearby means revelers may be sobered by denizens down on their luck. Affordable experiences for everyone Ms. Virgil booked her trip with Pack Up and Go, a domestic travel company offering budget-friendly, three-day getaways by plane, train or car. The price tag includes airfare and lodging (usually boutique hotels that showcase the local character), but the daily itinerary is determined by travelers themselves. With Pack Up and Go and most other surprise planners, travelers take an initial survey online that establishes their budget, gauges their interests and determines the style of their trip (choices include adventure trips, cultural excursions or relaxing retreats). A week before departure, Pack Up and Go Clients receive an email with a weather forecast and packing recommendations. A physical envelope, to be opened at the airport, arrives a day or two before departure and contains flight and hotel information. The Vacation Hunt also offers flat-fee trips, which range from three to 14 days with stays at budget-conscious lodging in city centers. Its trips have the added thrill of emailed clues (Hope you enjoy indulging! Your surprise destination had over 1,000 beers to try!) sent to travelers before their departure. Along with a survey, the firm searches and sifts through clients social media accounts to assess their interests and pair them with a destination. Packages like All-American Adventures and International Intrigue include flights, accommodations and at least two activities such as a food tour or entry to a museum. Anniversaries and other special occasions are the companys specialty, organizing five- or six-day international trips to destinations like Portugal, Spain, Aruba or Panama. Josh Yokela, a Republican state legislator in New Hampshire, is working on a way around that problem. He is the lead sponsor of a bill, passed by the State House last month, to request that New Hampshire be shifted into the Atlantic time zone, which by fine coincidence would do exactly what daylight saving does now: put the state an hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time. Then the state would opt out of seasonal clock changes, as the 1966 law allows. The key is that moving to a different time zone does not require an act of Congress all it takes is an order from the Transportation Department, the federal agency that oversees time (a legacy of its duties regulating railroad schedules). We would be on the same time as the rest of the Eastern time zone for eight months of the year, because they accept daylight saving time and when they fall back in the winter, we wouldnt, Mr. Yokela said. Of course, it matters what your neighbors clocks say, and not just your own. Regional considerations played a role both in how daylight time first appeared a century ago, and in the debate over what to do about it now. New Hampshires bill, for example, says that because the state is so closely tied economically with the other New England states, especially Maine and Massachusetts, it would only try the jump to Atlantic time if the others did as well. Proximity also had ripple effects in the 1920s, when New York City, having tasted daylight saving as a temporary measure during World War I, decided to keep it in peacetime. Retailers found that people shopped and spent more on their way home from work when there was more evening light, and Wall Street investors liked gaining an hour of overlap with trading on the London financial markets. Supporters also argued that nudging the clock forward to have more of a summers daylight fall in the evening would save energy by reducing the need for artificial light. C.B.P. does not declare that a parent poses danger to a child arbitrarily or without merit, the agency said in a statement. It said agents will maintain family unity to the greatest extent operationally feasible, separating children only in the presence of a legal requirement set out in written policy or an articulable safety or security concern that requires separation. But opposition to the new separations has been growing from both outside and inside the federal government. At the Health and Human Services Departments Office of Refugee Resettlement, which oversees the care of separated children until they can be reunited with their families, some officials have tried to resist receiving children referred to the agency by the Border Patrol. According to an official who was not authorized to discuss government business and spoke on the condition of anonymity, staff members have in some cases raised questions with Border Patrol agents about separations with what appear to be little or no justification. In some of those cases, border agents have refused to provide additional information, the official said, or if additional documents were provided, they were sometimes redacted to the point of illegibility. The official, along with another staff member at the Department of Homeland Security, the Border Patrols parent agency, said that some separations were occurring with no formal notification to the refugee resettlement office. Both officials said they had been made aware of concerns about an apparent inconsistency in standards applied by border agents when determining whether a family should be separated. The failure to keep accurate records suggests that more children could have been separated than the 245 accounted for by Feb. 20 in official records. The New York Times reviewed several cases of children who have been separated since the policy was officially ended, and learned of many others through the lawyers who handled them. Some of the new separations, the review showed, occurred in families with a parent who had a drunken-driving conviction in the past, or a 20-year-old nonviolent robbery conviction. In one case, a parent had been convicted of possession of a small amount of marijuana. Donna Abbott, vice president for refugee and immigrant services at Bethany Christian Services, a contractor that accommodates migrant children in temporary foster homes until they can be reunited with family members, said most cases of family separations do not list detailed reasons, making it difficult to evaluate whether they were appropriate. They are, at least, hastening the tectonic shifts taking place in the party. It was no accident that House Democrats modified a resolution targeting Representative Ilhan Omar of Minnesota for her controversial claim that pro-Israel advocates carry an allegiance to a foreign country after Ms. Ocasio-Cortez, other lawmakers of color and the partys leading presidential hopefuls rebelled against singling out Ms. Omar. The episode marked a striking departure from the down-the-line support for Israel that has characterized the upper ranks of most Democratic primaries. Relying on wealthy donors has also been standard fare, and unremarkably so, in past White House races. But Mr. Sanders elevated the issue of campaign finance in his 2016 race, and his jeremiads against the billionaire class have all but made super PACs verboten in this race; he and Ms. Warren are refusing to hold high-dollar fund-raisers. Representative Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, who won her seat after defeating an incumbent Democrat last year, conceded that the first months of 2019 had inflicted growing pains on Democrats, but she argued it was merely a necessary side effect in the partys evolution. After we build that muscle, were going to flex it, Ms. Pressley said. Yet Mr. Biden, in speeches at home and abroad, has used much of the first part of this year pledging to restore the dignity he believes that the country has lost in the Trump years, promising a restoration rather than a revolution. And, as his supporters put it less subtly, his campaign would represent something else. Overwhelmingly, the primary electorate of the Democratic Party wants to win, Senator Chris Coons of Delaware said. He argued that Mr. Biden could repair a lot of the ways in which our position in the world has been harmed while offering a hopeful, optimistic, positive vision at home that would heal the divisions he said Mr. Trump has exacerbated. To such moderate Democrats, the most instructive recent election is not that of Mr. Trump in 2016 but rather the 2018 midterms, when many of the Democrats who won in battleground House districts and governors races were decidedly less confrontational than Mr. Sanders. The overwhelming majority of seats we picked up were by center-left candidates representing more centrist-type districts, said Representative Brendan Boyle of Pennsylvania, adding, Theres still lots of folks on our side who are O.K. with compromise. From the presidents checks to a resolution against hate, its been a busy week in American politics. Here are some of the biggest stories you might have missed (and some links if youd like to read further). ___________________ More developments in the Trump investigations. On a busy day at the White House in October of 2017, President Trump took the time to sign a $35,000 check to Michael D. Cohen, his fixer, who had made hush payments to keep sexual misconduct allegations against Mr. Trump from being exposed. Six such checks were provided to The Times, showing that the president was managing affairs of state while, allegedly, paying to keep his personal secrets out of the public eye. Mr. Cohen gave documents to the House Intelligence Committee on Wednesday that he said backed up his claim that Mr. Trumps lawyers helped to shape false testimony he delivered to Congress in 2017. The chairman of the House Judiciary Committee sent requests for information to 81 agencies, individuals and entities tied to Mr. Trump on Monday, opening a broad inquiry into possible obstruction, corruption and abuse of power. Mr. Trump signaled that he did not intend to cooperate with the requests, calling the investigation a disgrace to our country. SHREVEPORT, La. Transgender troops like Senior Airman Sterling Crutcher are seen as an unreasonable burden by the Trump administration. It says their presence hurts morale and the militarys ability to fight, and that they have no place in uniform. Thats news to Airman Crutcher. He just got back from a deployment with his B-52 bomber squadron, and when he did, fellow airmen in his squadron, whom he counts among his best friends, threw a shower for him and his wife, Aimee, to celebrate their first child, born in February. [Sign up for the weekly At War newsletter to receive stories about duty, conflict and consequence.] At my level, its not an issue, Airman Crutcher, 30, said about serving while transgender. I can meet and exceed all the standards, and the people I work with, they like me. They have a lot of questions, but they dont have a problem. This has been an uneasy time for transgender troops in the United States military, caught between a commander in chief who wants them out and court injunctions that, at least temporarily, said they could stay. (The last of the injunctions was lifted on Thursday.) STELLENBOSCH, South Africa One cold morning, Stefan Smit, a white farmer in South Africas stunning wine region, woke up to find his vineyard under siege. Anxious and angry, Mr. Smit, 62, drove his pickup truck to the highest point on his estate and peered down. Impoverished residents from the black township next door had stormed the land, clearing weeds and erecting 40 shacks in a matter of hours. I, personally, cant breathe here, Mr. Smit said later. Virtually overnight, Mr. Smits farm, with its sweeping views of the Stellenbosch region, became a battleground in a bitter political fight that has split the nation and reached all the way to the Trump White House: Who should own South Africas land? The fight pits white South Africans, who still control much of the economy a generation after the end of apartheid, directly against their black neighbors, many of whom are struggling to acquire a tiny patch on which to build a shack. CARACAS, Venezuela Thousands of opposition supporters marched to central Caracas on Saturday, defying a government ban on rallies in the Venezuelan capitals core and testing a heavy police presence as the country struggled to emerge from its worst blackout in recent memory. Clashes between the police and protesters were reported early in the day, but a cordon of officers stepped aside to allow the demonstrators to rally and hear from the opposition leader Juan Guaido. We have to conquer public spaces in a peaceful manner, Mr. Guaido, standing atop a car, declared through a megaphone. We have to prepare ourselves for very tough times. Power was intermittent in Caracas on Saturday, two days after the country went dark, and it remained off in large portions of the countrys west. Much of the countrys telecommunications network was offline after another power failure on Saturday, according to NetBlocks, an internet monitoring group. State utility workers say it will take days to fully restore the national grid. It should be acknowledged that the private sector is experiencing difficulties that are real, and even quite severe, Mr. Xi said at a meeting with more than 50 selected businesspeople. Private businesses and businesspeople are one of us. Such reassurances may now mean little to Mr. Zhao. A former soldier, Mr. Zhao went into business after quitting his job for a supplies company in 1991. He made his fortune as a construction contractor and later plowed his earnings into the mining investment. Mr. Zhao, 52, was among the entrepreneurs who plunged into business after Deng Xiaoping, then Chinas paramount leader, unleashed market overhauls. At the time, Mr. Zhao said, entrepreneurs were like famished goats set free from a pen and allowed to flourish. But were seeing this vitality steadily shrink, he said. Since 2005, he has been fighting for the right to explore more than 100 square miles of sandy, scrub-covered land on the fringe of Yulin, a coal-rich city in Shaanxi Province. After initial surveys indicated that the land was abundant in coal, the mining institute that had sold an 80 percent share of exploration rights to Mr. Zhaos company canceled the contract, citing government orders. Mr. Zhao waged a legal fight that took him all the way to Chinas top court, the Supreme Peoples Court. His chances of victory seemed slim. In China, judges answer to the party. While courts have greater autonomy than before in business disputes, they often rule in favor of officials and their allies. Mr. Hataman, who travels by armored convoy, expressed worry that if the bombing raids intensify in Jolo, militants will slip undetected into Basilan via small boats. Already, they travel among Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines over poorly patrolled seas. One problem goes away and another starts, Mr. Hataman said. Interior Secretary Eduardo Ano has blamed the Jolo attack on an Indonesian couple, although Indonesian investigators say there is little evidence. Colonel Besana acknowledged that a number of foreign fighters were hiding in the Jolo hills, under the command of Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan, who is believed to have replaced Mr. Hapilon as the regional Islamic State emir. The Islamic States lure seems never far from the surface in the southern Philippines. At a government ceremony in Basilan where houses were awarded to former Abu Sayyaf rebels under a long-gestating peace deal to bring autonomy to the Muslim south, security was so heavy that they were outnumbered by Philippine soldiers. Jem Habing, 22, a former Abu Sayyaf fighter who said he had joined at age 11, like many children in his village, seemed noncommittal when asked if he might rejoin. They convinced me that if you die in battle, you will be rewarded in the hereafter, he said. They said it was the right path. WASHINGTON President Trump was forced to publicly acknowledge this past week what American intelligence officials said they had long been telling the White House: Even during eight months of blossoming diplomacy, Kim Jong-un, the North Korean leader, was steadily adding to his weapons arsenal and nuclear infrastructure. Three times, Mr. Trump told reporters that he would be very disappointed if North Korea was preparing to launch a space rocket that intelligence officials believe could help Mr. Kim perfect the means to heave a nuclear warhead across the ocean. Satellite imagery taken Friday, and analyzed by the Beyond Parallel program of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, shows that the North has continued preparations on the launching pad at Sohae consistent with readying for the delivery of a rocket. American officials said the reconstruction there began long before Mr. Trump left Washington in late February for a summit meeting with Mr. Kim in Hanoi, Vietnam, where talks abruptly ended. The rebuilding at Sohae was not the only work underway. While North Korea blew up the entrances to its major underground testing site at Punggye-ri in May, it never allowed in inspectors, as promised, to determine whether the facility had actually been destroyed. Commercial satellite photographs suggest the buildings containing the control rooms and computers used to trigger and study the explosions were carefully mothballed. They were very, very emotional, said Ms. Yates. It was a very powerful experience: people coming together who didnt know each other, there were tears and these were all with people who voted the same way. For the remainers it was rather like a bereavement group. There was this huge sense of loss. People talked about waking up on the day of the vote crying and in shock and they didnt fully understand it themselves. They understood that they were upset but why did they feel so strongly? So it was a bit like a therapy group. For leavers there was more a sense of grievance than grief, Ms. Yates said, and a feeling that they had been left behind, they had been forgotten, it was really this town-city divide. Winning the referendum was an unexpected victory some described it as a gift but a precarious one. They couldnt quite believe their luck and also said even back then in 2016 It will be taken away, Ms. Yates said. They were saying, They wont let us have it. There was a real feeling of them and us and a feeling of powerlessness. They had managed to get this, but how long they could hang on to it, they didnt know, she added. More recently, Ms. Yates managed to cajole two groups into the same room. People talked about it being like a civil war, she said. Indeed, some mentioned Britains Civil War, which took place in the 17th century, or even episodes further back in history. ROME Italys ambassador to Pakistan on Saturday announced the deaths of two climbers, one British and one Italian, who had been missing for weeks while climbing Nanga Parbat in Pakistan, the worlds ninth-highest mountain. The ambassador, Stefano Pontecorvo, wrote on Twitter that the silhouettes of the climbers, Tom Ballard, 30, of Britain and Daniele Nardi, 42, of Italy had been spotted at about 5,900 meters (about 19,000 feet) on the mountain. R.I.P., Mr. Pontecorvo said, and expressed great sadness at the discovery. Mr. Pontecorvo said that the team of another European climber, Alex Txikon, had partly flown over the mountain and partly climbed it, and had recognized the two bodies by telescope. Pakistani Army helicopters had searched the mountain for days, sometimes obstructed by bad winter weather and delayed when a military confrontation flared between India and Pakistan and the Pakistani airspace was closed. TEHRAN, Iran A top Iranian diplomat has rejected Britains decision to give diplomatic protection to a British-Iranian woman who has been detained in Iran for nearly three years, saying it contravenes international law. British officials have said that Iran has failed to meet international obligations in its treatment of the woman, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, and offered her diplomatic protection this past week. The British foreign secretary, Jeremy Hunt, said this meant that the country no longer regarded her case as simply a consular matter and had raised it to the level of a legal dispute between Britain and Iran. But the Iranian ambassador to Britain, Hamid Baeidinejad, said in a post on Twitter on Friday that Iran did not regard Ms. Zaghari-Ratcliffe as British. Videos Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. Human chain formed to demand release of Rajiv Gandhi assassination case convicts Chennai oi-Chennabasaveshwar P Coimbatore, Mar 09: Various Tamil organisations took part in human chain protest in Coimbatore demanding Governor Banwarilal Purohit to release seven Tamilians who are in prison since 28 years in connection with the assassination of former PM Rajiv Gandhi. In September 2018, a meeting of the Tamil Nadu Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami, recommended to Governor Banwarilal Purohit that all seven life convicts in the former PM Rajiv Gandhi assassination case be released under Article 161 of the Constitution. The decision followed the Supreme Court's observation that the Governor shall be at liberty to decide on the remission application of Perarivalan, one of the convicts, "as deemed fit." Telangana Congress leader likens PM Modi to terrorist On February 23, Nalini Sriharan, a convict, had written a letter to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami appealing to use the current political opportunity to release her and six others. The assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, former Prime Minister of India, occurred as a result of a suicide bombing in Sriperumbudur, Chennai, in Tamil Nadu, 21 May 1991. At least 14 others were also killed. It was carried out by Thenmozhi Rajaratnam, also known as Dhanu, member of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a militant organization from Sri Lanka. Chinese state media says new chopper drone may be deployed along India border Rogue drone in Punjab returns to Pakistan on being fired upon Another Pakistan drone shot down near Rajasthan border India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, Mar 09: Indian Army troops shot at a Pakistani drone along the international border in Sri Ganganagar sector (Rajasthan) as it had entered Indian airspace on Saturday. This is the 3rd Pakistani drone to have been shot at by Indian forces since the 26 February IAF air strikes. Earlier in the day, a similar drone tried to enter Indian territory at 5 am at Hindumalkot border near Sriganganagar, but the drone had to take u-turn as it was sighted by troopers who started firing. [Sukhoi shoots down Pak drone at Bikaner border] Villagers living in the nearby areas also heard heavy firing. On Monday, the Indian Air Force (IAF) shot down the neighbouring country's drone at the Bikaner Nal sector area with Sukhoi 30MKI fighter jet. Meanwhile, on Friday, Pakistan violated ceasefire in Shahpur and Kerni sectors of Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district at. Pakistan, around 6 pm yesterday, initiated the unprovoked firing of small arms and heavy mortars shelling, to which Indian Army retaliated effectively. Between 2009-2011, Separatists got highest funding to tune of Rs 34 billion India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Mar 09: In the year 2011, an operative by the name Hira Lal was arrested for circulating money through hawala. He was picked up from a hotel in Srinagar where he was found to be in possession of fake currency. During his interrogation, he told the police that he was in Srinagar to hand over funds to the Separatists. He also said that he had passed on Rs 30 million, while adding that the money was given to him by an official in the Pakistan High Commission. The heat on the Separatists of Kashmir has been stepped up. The National Investigation Agency has conducted raids, the Enforcement Directorate is in the process of attaching their plush properties. During the probe, it was learnt that the money moved in freely between 2009 and 2011 and an estimate showed that an approximate of Rs 34 billion had moved into the coffers of these separatists in these two years. To hit them where it hurts, ED set to attach plush properties of Kashmiri separatists The Home Ministry report on the funding which was prepared on the basis of the details provided by the Delhi special cell and the NIA in 2014 made some startling revelations. The report named 50 persons for using the LOC trade route and misusing it to move hawala money. These persons have sent out money to the tune of Rs 8 million in one instalment. In the second instalment it was found that money to the tune of Rs 3.1 million was handed over to a Hizbul Mujahideen operative in the valley. In the year 2012 10 persons were arrested and an amount of Rs 9.9 lakh was recovered from them once again enroute to be paid off to the separatists. The persons who have been arrested included members of All Parties Hurriyat Conference, Kashmir Mass Movement, People's Conference, Democratic Freedom Party, Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front and Islamic Students Front. Members of terrorist groups belonging to the Hizbul, Lashkar, Al-Umer, Tehreek-e-Mujahideen and Jaish-e-Mohammad were also part of the gang that were arrested from circulating money in the Valley. The modus operandi: Investigators say transfer of money through hawala is still the biggest draw. In the month of November 2011, four businessmen were booked by the Enforcement Directorate to facilitating hawala transactions through the Line of Control. It had become evident that this money was being sent by the Lashkar-e-Tayiba to facilitate its terrorists and also the separatists. However investigations had found that the businessmen were only facilitating the transfer for a fee and were not ideologically connected to the Lashkar. The terror groups still find hawala to be their best bet since it is safer compared to legal banking. It is very difficult to crack the hawala trail as the persons involved in the transfer change after every two or three transactions the officer says. There is a lot of trade along the border that takes place on the barter system. Terrorists, separatists and their agents pose as traders and end up exchanging money along the border. Very often these persons also pass on money which is in turn brought into India and handed out to separatists and terrorists. Investigations have shown that there were at least 48 agents until 2014 who were using the barter system to fund terrorism in the Valley. The NIA and the ED had found that these persons had managed to move Rs 7.5 million in 20 different cases. Infographic: Money spent on Kashmir Separatists In addition to this the seizures also led to the NIA finding cheques worth Rs 1 lakh which was meant to reach a terrorist or a separatist. The agents: The investigations also revealed that at least 90 persons from different parts of the world were involved in funding terrorists in the Valley. Investigations would reveal that between the years 2009 and 2011 an amount of Rs 12 million had been recovered. In addition to this fake currency and also Euros were recovered from the agents who were funding terrorists. In the year 2011 some agents had also brought in Saudi Arabian Riyals worth 74,000 into the Valley. Who benefitted: NIA sources say that the funding has gone both to terrorist groups and separatists as well. Money has been pumped into the Hurriyat Conference, Jammu-Kashmir Liberation Front, Islamic Students Front, Hizbul Mujahideen, Jaish-e-Mohammad and Jamiat ul-Mujahideen. In the case of Syed Ali Shah Geelani an FIR had been registered in the year 1997 in which it was alleged that he had got funding to the tune of Rs 190 million from Saudi Arabia and also another donation of Rs 100 million from the Kashmir American Council. Investigations had revealed that all these funds were routed through a Delhi based Hawala operative. It was also found that Yasin Malik had received funding of 1 lakh US dollars and the money was being carried by a lady called Shazia. The NIA says that it is probing into all these angles. We are looking at each case since the 1995 onwards and this will help us get a better picture of the entire racket, the officer further added. Scindia says Congress path different from SP-BSP, but objective same India pti-PTI New Delhi, Mar 9: The Congress will fight the general election in Uttar Pradesh on its own strength, party's west UP incharge Jyotiraditya Scindia said on Saturday, asserting the path of his party may be different from that of the SP and the BSP but their objective is the same. Scindia also said that as far as talks for alliances are concerned, "like-minded parties should also think in a like-minded way". The AICC general secretary incharge UP west's remarks assume significance as they come amid reports that there may be a rethink on the grand alliance in Uttar Pradesh to include the Congress. On Akhilesh Yadav's remarks that the Congress was very much in the Samajwadi Party-Bahujan Samaj Party-Rashtriya Lok Dal alliance and two seats were being left for it, Scindia said, "If this is his thinking, then we may also leave 2-3 seats for them." [RLD joins SP-BSP alliance in Uttar Pradesh, to contest on three seats] "The current situation is that the SP and the BSP have taken a decision that they want to walk on a different path with the same objective that the Congress has. Our paths can be different, but the objective is the same," he said. Scindia asserted that the Congress wants to have a UPA government at the Centre and in Uttar Pradesh it was determined to come back to power by 2022. "We have said time and again that our objective is the same that UPA government must be formed at the Centre. In Uttar Pradesh, the Congress is going to fight this election on its own strength," Scindia told reporters here. "We believe that be it BSP or SP, they have taken a decision and we respect that decision. They have the right to choose their path. They have chosen their path and the Congress is going to fight this election on its own strength," he said. Asked about whether talks should be held to bring like-minded parties together, he said dialogue should take place but it should be from both sides. [Lok Sabha polls 2019: SP releases first list of 6 candidates; Mulayam to contest from Mainpuri] "We are going to establish the Congress strongly on the ground in UP. And we are moving in that direction," he said. On leaders in UP like Savitri Bai Phule joining the Congress, Scindia said the party's doors are open for those who have strength on the ground, want to serve the people and are committed to form a new Uttar Pradesh. Interestingly, both the Congress and the SP have announced their first list of candidates for some seats in UP. The Congress on Thursday announced 11 candidates for the electorally crucial state of the UP, fielding UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi from Raebareli and party president Rahul Gandhi from Amethi. Former Union ministers Salman Khurshid, Jitin Prasad and R P N Singh have been fielded from their traditional seats of Farrukhabad, Dhaurahra and Kushi Nagar respectively. The Samajwadi Party on Friday released its first list of nine candidates for the Lok Sabha polls in Uttar Pradesh, fielding party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav from its stronghold Mainpuri. Uttar Pradesh has 80 Lok Sabha seats out of which the Congress had won just two (Amethi and Raebareli) in 2014. BSP chief Mayawati and SP's Akhilesh Yadav had jointly announced their alliance in January. On Tuesday, Yadav, at a press conference in Lucknow with RLD's Jayant Chaudhary, had said the Rashtriya Lok Dal will contest three Lok Sabha seats as part of an alliance with the SP and the BSP. PTI Desist from displaying photographs of defence personnel: EC advisory to political parties India oi-Chennabasaveshwar P New Delhi, Mar 09: The Election Commission issued advisory to all national and state political parties of the country asking them to 'desist from displaying photographs of Defence personnel or photographs of functions involving Defence personnel in advertisements, or otherwise as part of their election propaganda/campaigning'. In a statement on Saturday, the election commission said it was brought to its notice that photographs of defence personnel were being used by political parties and candidates in advertisements as part of their election propaganda. If you say 'Chowkidar' people will respond with 'Chor Hai': Rahul Gandhi The Election Commission, in its notice, drew the parties' attention to a letter dated December 4, 2013, that gave reasons for not using the armed forces in poll campaigns. "It is pertinent to mention here that the Armed Forces of a nation are the guardian of its frontiers, security and the political system. They are apolitical and neutral stakeholders in a modern democracy. It is therefore necessary that political parties and leaders exercise great caution while making any reference to the Armed Forces in their political campaigns," an extract from the notice noted. EC issues advisory to all national&state political parties of the country,asks them to 'desist from displaying photographs of Defence personnel or photographs of functions involving Defence personnel in advertisements,or otherwise as part of their election propaganda/campaigning' pic.twitter.com/jBFsSyZEZM ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2019 "The Commission is of view that photographs of Chief of Army Staff or any other Defence personnel and photographs of functions of Defence Forces should not be associated with or used in any manner in advertisement/propaganda/campaigning or in any other manner in connection with elections by political parties and candidates," it added. The advisory has been issued after a banner carrying photographs of PM Narendra Modi, BJP chief Amit Shah with Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman surfaced in Delhi's Mehrauli area on Saturday. ED says UK home secretary has sent Nirav Modis extradition request to London court India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, Mar 09: The United Kingdom's home secretary has recently referred India's request for extraditing bank-fraud accused Nirav Modi to a court for initiating legal proceedings against the diamantaire, Enforcement Directorate said on Saturday. A British daily reported that Modi, accused in the USD 2-billion Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam, is living in a swanky 8-million pound apartment in London's West End and is now involved in new diamond business. Enforcement Directorate (ED) said that they had been officially informed about UK Home Secretary Sajid Javid's move to forward the case to a London court about two days back. This move takes the process of extraditing and bringing back Modi to face the law in India to the next stage. [Watch: Nirav Modi spotted in London with 10,0000 Pound Ostrich hide jacket] The ED and the CBI are investigating Modi, his uncle Mehul Choksi and others for alleged money laundering and corruption to perpetrate the alleged scam in the Brady House branch of the PNB in Mumbai that was unearthed last year. Modi, 48, is currently living in a three-bedroom flat occupying half of a floor of the landmark Centre Point tower block, where rent is estimated to cost 17,000 pounds a month, The Telegraph reported. [Nirav Modi spotted in London: Cong hits out at Centre, says 'Jab Modi bhaye kotwal, to darr kahe ka'] The revelation comes a day after Modi's 30,000 sq ft seaside mansion at Kihim beach in Maharashtra's Raigad district was demolished by authorities using explosives for alleged violation of coastal regulation rules. Earlier in the day, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also reacted on the issue of Modi's extradition, saying the UK was still considering India's request. India is taking all steps necessary for his extradition, an MEA spokesperson said Saturday. Modi has been charge-sheeted by both the agencies and the ED has also attached his assets worth crores under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, March 9, 2019, 14:34 [IST] That rotting husk on the right is the decomposing, decapitated head of a white-tailed buck, removed in battle by its rival and carried aloft in the victor's antlers as a warning to any who might challenge its dominance. The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, inspired by the Viking-like scene of brutal combat prowess, reported the event on Facebook with unnerving gusto, observing, "It was truly a rare harvest!!!" Continue Reading Below Advertisement And this was not a fluke. A similar scenario played out near the bustling Mecca of Walhalla, North Dakota. Jim Brown, via Duluth News Tribune Known for its scenic views, friendly people, and nearby portal to Hell. And here's an elk waving the remains of its vanquished foe around like the Predator: If the Balakot hit is false, why is Pak conducting a select tour for scribes around the facility India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Mar 09: Pakistan has yet again cancelled a visit by journalists to Balakot, where the Indian Air Force had hit a terror training facility of the Jaish-e-Mohammad. Pakistan has either cited weather and other organisational reasons for cancelling the visit. Even those journalists who had visited the site had said that they were prevented from climbing a hill in north-eastern Pakistan to the site of the camp. This Indian officials say has been done by Pakistan as this is the area which was hit by the IAF. Not just Balakot, R&AW had codified 30 other terror camps close to army installations in Pak Pakistan has only allowed the media to view selected areas and these do not constitute where the actual terror facility is located. Further a sign with the name of the Jaish-e-Mohammad too has been removed. The IAF had hit four targets during the air strike. Further it was said that the buildings were hit by 5 S-2000 precision guided munition that were fired from the Mirage 2000. The evidence that was collected us under the classified category and it was entirely up to the government whether or not to release the information. India collected evidence in the form of Synthetic Aperture Radar, which suggested that the four buildings that were selected as targets were hit. Further, following the strike, Pakistan took journalists to the spot and were selectively shown around. No journalist was allowed into the facility, Indian officials have learnt. Moreover the JeM facility was not accessible to anyone, officials also said. Four targets identified at Balakot were hit as intended Further there have been questions about the scale of destruction. India says that the S-2000 smart bombs penetrates the targets and causes a blast inside. The Indian Air Force has collected from independent sources satellite imagery of the site to assess the impact and the same has been handed over to the government. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, March 9, 2019, 13:35 [IST] As Mamata Banerjee takes swipe at Rahul Gandhi, Cong says such posturing for personal ambition will help BJP What exactly is home ministry doing: Rahul Gandhi slams Centre over Nagaland incident If you say 'Chowkidar' people will respond with 'Chor Hai': Rahul Gandhi India oi-Chennabasaveshwar P Haveri, Mar 09: Congress President Rahul Gandhi sounded poll bugle in Karnataka from Haveri on Saturday. Unemployment, demonetisation, corruption and farm-loan waiver were focal points of attack against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In the political rally attended by state Congress leaders in Haveri, Rahul Gandhi hailed loan waiver in Congress-ruled states. Rahul Gandhi said, "Rs. 11,000 crore has been given to farmers in Karnataka and Narendra Modi called it a 'lollipop'. We delivered as promised here as well as other states within 2 days. PM has been ruling since 5 years but waived Rs. 3.5 lakh crore of 15 cronies." 'We kept quiet, but Pakistan began crying 'Modi ne Maara' at 5 am: Modi on Balakot airstrike Speaking about impact of demonetisation common people, Rahul Gandhi said, "Today,unemployment is at a sky high and no future for farmers under Narendra Modi. Demonetisation led to all of you standing in line. Did U see even one suited person in line? Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi? Mallya, Ambani? No But all of you stood in line." Rahul Gandhi went on to say, "Unemployment is highest in 35 years today all because of Narendra Modi but he had promised to give 2 crore jobs. Where are the jobs?." "Earlier, people used to respond for the sentence Acche Din with 'Aayega', now people will respond to 'Chowkidar' with 'Chor Hai'." On the politically sensitive Rafale fighter jet deal, Rahul Gandhi alleged that PM Modi ran prallel negotiations to favour Anil Ambani's company which has no experience in defence manufacturing. "Narendra Modi keeps saying he has been battling corruption everywhere but he is the corruption. Only 15 of his friends are everywhere. He is a Chowkidar, not for the people, but for Anil Ambani," said the Congress President. "Anil Ambani has not made a single aircraft in his life. But he went to France with Narendra Modi to take Rafale Deal. Papers show that PM opened his own negotiations parallel to the Defence Minister," he added. In Balakot hit, JeM lost a training camp, seminary and two rooms that accommodated terrorists India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Mar 09: The Indian Air Force which hit the Balakot terror facility of the Jaish-e-Mohammad managed to destroy four targets that were intended to be hit. Sources tell OneIndia that the targets that were hit included the training complex, a seminary and two halls that accommodated the terrorists. While the Research and Analysis Wing had mapped the entire Balakot facility several years back, the IAF went in for a precision strike. The intent was hit the selected four targets, the source added. India has carried out 3 air strikes in last 5 years: Rajnath Singh By March 2 2019, India had gathered sufficient evidence that suggested the targets identified at the Balakot facility had been hit as intended. Evidence in the form of satellite imagery had been collected, which clearly suggested that the buildings that were identified had been hit. Further it was said that the buildings were hit by 5 S-2000 precision guided munition that were fired from the Mirage 2000. The evidence that was collected us under the classified category and it was entirely up to the government whether or not to release the information. India collected evidence in the form of Synthetic Aperture Radar, which suggested that the four buildings that were selected as targets were hit. Further, following the strike, Pakistan took journalists to the spot and were selectively shown around. No journalist was allowed into the facility, Indian officials have learnt. Moreover the JeM facility was not accessible to anyone, officials also said. Further there have been questions about the scale of destruction. India says that the S-2000 smart bombs penetrates the targets and causes a blast inside. The Indian Air Force has collected from independent sources satellite imagery of the site to assess the impact and the same has been handed over to the government. Not just Balakot, IAF was ready to hit JeM chief's home at Bahawalpur too The government was given on Sunday all the "evidence" of the February 26 strike on the JeM camp, including radar and satellite imagery, which showed that the S-2000 laser-guided munition hit the intended targets causing significant "internal damage." On February 26, in a pre-dawn operation, the IAF struck at the Balakot camp in Pakistan. While many have sought for proof regarding the strike, officials have said that one must also take into consideration the message that this hit has sent to Pakistan. Would Pakistan have reacted the very next day had these targets on their soil not been hit asks former officer with the Research and Analysis Wing, Amar Bhushan. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, March 9, 2019, 16:43 [IST] India no longer weak, will give befitting reply to anyone threatening its territorial integrity: Rajnath Singh India has carried out 3 air strikes in last 5 years: Rajnath Singh India oi-Vikas SV Mangaluru, Mar 9: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said that India has conducted air strikes by crossing the border three times during the last five years of the BJP-led government at Centre. He further said that he would tell people only about two and not reveal about the third one. Four targets identified at Balakot were hit as intended On February 26, Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted pre-emptive strike at Jaish-e-Mohammad camp in Pakistan's Balakot. The government, while confirming the air strike, said that a 'large number of terrorists' were killed. It was then reported that Indian fighter planes crossed the border for the first time after 1971 war. "In the last five years, three air strikes have been successfully conducted. I'll tell you about two but will not say anything about the third one," the Home Minister said in Karnataka's Mangaluru today. #WATCH Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh at a public rally in Mangaluru: Pichle 5 varsho mein, teen baar apni seema ke bahar jaa kar hum logon ne air strike kar kaamyaabi haasil ki hai. Do ki jaankari apko dunga, teesri ki nahi dunga. #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/NZKeJPulrS ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2019 The February 26 air strike was seen as India's retaliation to the terrorist attack on CRPF convoy in South Kashmir's Pulwama on February 14 which left 40 security personnel martyred. The very next day after strike at Balakot, Pakistan Air Force fighters had tried entering Indian airspace in Kashmir in a bid to target military installations. But, IAF fighters thwarted the attack and shot down one Pakistani F-16 fighter. When Pakistan put all its terrorists in one basket at Balakot Before that in 2016, India had carried out a surgical strike at terrorist camps across LoC and destroyed several terror launchpads. Jamaat-e-lslami J&K established strong links with ISI, in regular touch with Pak India pti-PTI New Delhi, Mar 9: The Jamaat-e-lslami Jammu and Kashmir, which was banned by the government recently, has established strong links with Pakistan's ISI and has been maintaining regular contact with the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi for promoting secessionism in the state, officials said. The most important member of the JeI (J&K) in the Hurriyat Conference is Syed Ali Shah Geelani, who was at one point of time designated as the 'Amir-e-Jihad' (Head of Jehad) of Jammu and Kashmir by the proscribed organisation. [Mehbooba Mufti protests over govt's decision to ban Jamaat-e-Islami, says ban must be lifted] The JeI (J&K) has established strong links with Pakistan's ISI for ensuring logistics support for arming, training and supply of weapons to Kashmiri youths and its leaders continue to maintain regular contact with the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi for support, a senior government official said. According to the intelligence inputs, the Jel (J&K) has been using its network of schools to spread anti-India feelings among children in the Kashmir Valley and encouraging cadres of the Jel (J&K) youth wing (Jamiat-ul-Tulba) to join 'Jihad' by getting recruited into terrorist outfits. It is no surprise that the pattern of militancy in the Valley has a strong correlation with the spread of the hardline Jel (J&K) activists in the area, the official said. The Jel (J&K) has been utilising the fear generated by Pakistan-based Hizbul Mujahideen and leveraging the financial clouts of its members and trusts under its control to mobilise funds both locally and from abroad and using these assets to consolidate its hold at the grassroot level. This base is used to provide a fertile ground for the operation of militants outfits in the Kashmir Valley including motivation, new recruits, shelters and hideouts, couriers etc. [Crackdown on Jamaat-e-Islami will be multi-pronged] The hardliner elements in Jel have been at the forefront of secessionist activities and were the brain behind the formation of the All Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC) as well as Hizbul Mujahideen, another official said. The JeI (J&K) also has several trusts for running schools to disseminate orthodox Islamic education, has a youth wing and has numerous publications for spreading its fundamentalist ideology. Behind this facade, hardliners within the JeI (J&K) have been involved with militant groups, have actively participated in promotion of secessionist activities, have been questioning the finality of the Jammu and Kashmir's accession to India and have been "striving for merger of the state with Pakistan", the official said. The group has extensive foreign links through which it secures funding and promotes its objectives. It has close links with Jel-Pakistan, Jel-POK and Jel-Bangladesh, where several leaders have faced death penalty for anti-national activities. It has also been promoting sectarian tensions in the Valley by mobilizing opinion against the Hanfi-Aithkadi sects. Gilani, the JeI (J&K) representative in the Hurriyat, has been continuously supporting militancy in Kashmir and even during the Kargil War, he had termed the intruders as "freedom fighters". The JeI (J&K) was formed in 1945 as a chapter of the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind and separated in 1953 due to differences over political ideology with the parent body. It is opposed to participating in the electoral process and has been pursuing the agenda of setting up an independent theocratic Islamic State by destabilising the government established by law. The outfit was banned twice in the past due to its activities. The first time in 1975 for two years by the Jammu and Kashmir government and the second time in April 1990 for three years by the Centre, when Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was the Union home minister. The ban continued till December, 1993. The JeI (J&K) was banned again by the central government on February 28. PTI If normalcy to be brought in Kashmir, Article 370 has to be reinstated: Farooq Abdullah J&K: Suspected terrorists make away with cop's AK-47, threaten him India oi-Vikas SV Srinagar, Mar 9: The incidents of snatching guns from the security personnel has reduced in the past one year or so as compared to 2016-17. But on Friday (March 8), suspected terrorists on Friday snatched the service rifle of a policeman in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district, said reports. An AK-47 automatic rifle of Personal Security Officer (PSO) of Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar was looted from his residence in Kishtwar last night (Friday), reported news agency ANI today. MHA advisory asks states to ensure safety of Kashmiris PSO Daleep Kumar claimed that some masked gunmen intruded into his residence at Shaheedi Mazar area of the town late night and fled with his AK-47 rifle and mobile phone after threatening him and his family, PTI reported officials as saying. In 2016, gun snatching incidents in Jammu and Kashmir had become a routine. Several incidents of terrorists snatching guns from security personnel in the Valley took place then following a video by the Hizbul Mujahideen. In the video which did rounds in 2016, a Hizbul Mujahideen commander had urged the youth to snatch weapons from government forces. The Indian army had then expressed concern over such incidents. After Friday's incident, the area was immediately cordoned off and a massive hunt was launched to nab the gunmen and recover the looted weapon. The PSO was being questioned, the officials said adding further details are awaited. In July 2018, suspected terrorists stepped up their activities in the Valley, looting three banks and snatching five service rifles from policemen at three different spots in south Kashmir, all in the course of one day. Why gun snatching in J&K has become a routine affair In 2016, as per the Home Ministry data, around 70 weapons, including 62 rifles, six pistols and a Tasar gun, were snatched in 16 weapon snatching incidents. The data further revealed that 12 AK magazines, 34 magazines of SLRs, 131 magazines of Insas rifle and four carbine magazines were also snatched from the government forces in 2015. OneIndia news with PTI inputs After Pak allows access, India says yet to decide on opening Kartarpur Corridor Kartarpur corridor talks not resumption of bilateral ties, says India to Pakistan India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, Mar 09: India on Saturday made it categorically clear that Kartarpur talks scheduled to be held on March 14 have nothing to do with resumption of talks with Pakistan. Addressing a media briefing MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said that holding talks doesn't mean a resumption of bilateral ties and added that this is related to the emotions and sentiments of Indian citizens of Sikh faith. ['Naya Pakistan' must show 'naya action', 'naya soch' against terror: MEA] "I would like to make it clear that holding Kartarpur corridor talks doesn't mean resumption of bilateral ties. This is related to the emotions and sentiments of our Indian citizens of Sikh faith," Kumar told a press conference in New Delhi. A delegation from Pakistan is scheduled to visit India on March 14 to discuss the draft agreement on the Kartarpur corridor. The talks are being held in the shadow of heightened tension between eh two countries following terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama on February 14. Forty CRPF jawans were killed in the incident. The terror attack, claimed by terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed, saw a series of steps by India to mount pressure on Pakistan, which has not shown "verifiable" action against such organisations. Nearly two weeks after Pulwama attack, the Indian Air Force carried a strike at a terror camp in Pakistan's Balakot. The terror camp was believed to be the biggest training centre of Jaish-e-Mohammed. Bihar By-polls: Lalu Yadav to campaign for RJD candidates on Wednesday to ensure 'visarjan' of Nitish Kumar He can get me shot, cant do anything else: Nitish on Lalus visarjan claim Lalu to approve RJD Lok Sabha poll candidates; alliance partners India pti-PTI Patna, Mar 09: RJD chief Lalu Prasad will have the final say on the selection of candidates and choice of alliance partners for the Lok Sabha elections and Assembly bypolls, his party said Saturday. The decision was made at the RJD's central parliamentary board meeting which was preceded by another meeting of state units of Bihar and Jharkhand at former chief minister Rabri Devi's 10, Circular Road residence here. The party's central parliamentary board has unanimously authorised Lalu Prasad to select the candidates for Lok Sabha elections and state Assembly bypolls, RJD's national spokesperson and Rajya Sabha member Manoj Jha told reporters. "Besides, the party chief has also been authorised to hold parleys with like-minded parties to find out the possibilities and give a final shape to the alliance for Lok Sabha polls," the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader said. Samajwadi Party releases another list, Dimple Yadav to contest from Kannauj Prasad is presently serving prison sentences in Ranchi after being convicted in a number of fodder scam cases. RJD leaders meet Lalu in jail every Saturday where he is apprised of the latest developments, party sources said. Jha, accompanied by the party's national secretary general and MLC Qamar Alam, said that several RJD state units of Bihar and Jharkhand have passed resolutions and conveyed to the central parliamentary board to authorise Prasad to take the final call in selecting candidates and alliance partners. Jha, however, declined to comment on the issue of seat sharing among the opposition alliance in Bihar which comprises RJD, Congress, Upendra Kushwaha's RLSP, former CM Jitan Ram Manjhi's HAM(S) and Mukesh Sahni's VIP. "All is well and everything is on right track in regard to talks on alliance," Jha said. It may be noted that the Left parties have already communicated to the RJD leadership that they wish to be part of the opposition alliance in Bihar to ensure Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) defeat in the 2019 general elections. This has put the RJD in a tight spot which may find it difficult to accommodate each and every one in the alliance with individual wish-list and claim for seats. Jha also said that the RJD has decided to stay away from Holi celebrations this year in order to show its solidarity with the people of the country and families of those who got killed in Pulwama terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir last month. PTI 'Naya Pakistan' must show 'naya action', 'naya soch' against terror: MEA India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, Mar 09: Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar on Saturday said that if Pakistan claims to be a 'Naya Pakistan' with 'nayi soch' then it should show 'naya action' against terrorist groups and cross border terrorism. He also said that Pakistan has failed to take any credible action against the Jaish-e-Mohammed and other terror organisations operating from its soil. While addressing media, Raveesh Kumar dismissed Pakistan's claim that its air force downed two aircraft of the Indian Air Force. He said,''If as Pakistan claims it has a video recording of the downing of a second Indian aircraft then why have they not shared the video with international media?.'' There are eyewitness accounts and electronic evidence that Pakistan deployed F-16 aircraft and that one F-16 was shot down by Wing Commander Abhinandan. We have asked USA to also examine whether the use of F-16 against India is in accordance with terms and conditions of sale.'' Weekly Media Briefing by Official Spokesperson (March 09, 2019) https://t.co/q1RcC9Z462 Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) March 9, 2019 ''If Pakistan claims to be a 'Naya Pakistan' with 'nayi soch' then it should show 'naya action' against terrorist groups and cross border terrorism,'' he also said. [Timely and correct move averted war with India, says Pak PM Imran Khan] Kumar said,''It is regrettable that Pakistan still continues to deny Jaish-e-Mohammed's own claim of taking ownership of Pulwama attack. Pak Foreign Minister said 'they(JeM) have not claimed responsibility of the attack, there is some confusion' Is Pakistan defending the JeM?.'' Kumar, while reacting to reports of fugitive businessman Nirav Modi being spotted in London and running a new diamond business there, said the UK was still considering India's request for extradition. The MEA spokesperson said,''All necessary steps are being taken for the extradition of Nirav Modi. We have been aware of his presence in UK. It(extradition request) is under their(UK Govt) consideration.'' Speaking on Kartarpur corridor, Kumar said,''Would like to make it clear that holding Kartarpur Corridor talks doesn't mean resumption of bilateral ties. This is related to the emotions and sentiments of our Indian citizens of Sikh faith.'' Kumar further said,''All members of the UNSC are aware about JeM training camps in Pakistan and about the chief of JeM Masood Azhar & his presence in Pakistan. We call upon all members of UNSC to list Masood Azhar as a designated terrorist under UN sanction committee.'' The MEA statement came a day after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan reiterated his government's stand that they would not allow Pakistan's soil to be used for terror purposes against any country. NIA files chargesheet against 7 Khalistani terrorists in case of extortion in Punjab NIA charges Bengal resident in fake currency case India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Mar 09: The National Investigation Agency has filed a chargesheet against a resident of Malda, West Bengal in connection with a fake currency case. Charges were filed against one Abdul Kader in connection with a fake currency case amounting to Rs 6.34 lakh. The case pertains to seizure of FICN having face value of Rs. 6,34,000 in Rs. 2,000 denomination, by Madanayakanahally Police Station on July 8 2018. Four accused persons were arrested. NIA arrests one from Malda in fake currency case During further investigation, Abdul Kadir was arrested by NIA from Malda, West Bengal. The probe also revealed that he was the main conspirator. One mobile phone with two SIM cards including one Bangladesh Grameen SIM was seized from him at the time of his arrest. He was in regular contact with his associates based in Bangladesh as well as in India who were involved in FICN procurement, trafficking and circulation. He used to procure high denomination FICN in huge quantities from his associates based in Bangladesh through smuggling for further supplying and circulating the same in various parts of India including Bengaluru. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, March 9, 2019, 5:51 [IST] Nirmala Sitharaman backs AG after he takes U-turn, says opposition allegations incorrect India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, Mar 09: Two days after he claimed in the Supreme Court that documents related to the Rafale fighter deal were "stolen" from the Ministry of Defence, and threatened to invoke the Official Secrets Act and initiate "criminal action" against two publications and a lawyer, Attorney General K K Venugopal did a U-turn Friday, saying the "statement that files have been stolen is wholly incorrect". Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her tweet quoted Attorney General as saying that he had never said that that the Rafale documents were stolen. He had told the top court that the petitioners (Yashwant Sinha, Arun Shourie and Prashant Bhushan) in their application used "photocopies of the original" papers, deemed by the government. 1.Learned AG KK Venugopal told @PTI_News the Rafale documents were not stolen from the Defence Ministry & what he meant in his submission before the Supreme Court was that petitioners in the application used "photocopies of the original" papers, deemed secret by the government. Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) March 8, 2019 The Congress Spokesman Randeep Singh Surjewala in his tweet late in the evening said, "Art of serving hundred lies to hide one truth. Yesterday in Supreme Court - Rafale files have been stolen. Today - photocopies of Rafale files have been stolen." [Stolen or photocopied? What really happened to the Rafale documents] In the course of the hearing on March 6 when AG said that Rafale papers were stolen and that everytime on the day of hearing something appeared in the media, the court had asked what he had done after first write-up appeared in the media on February 8. "What have you done? Papers were stolen; first article came on February 8. In between what had happened?" CJI had questioned AG on March 6 in the course of the hearing of the review plea, among others, by Yashwant Sinha, Arun Shourie and Prashant Bhushan. Not just Balakot, IAF was ready to hit JeM chiefs home at Bahawalpur too India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Mar 09: It was not just Balakot that the Indian agencies had mapped. There were several other targets in Pakistan that had been on the radar of the agencies. The mapping or codifying of these targets was an exercise first carried out by the Research and Analysis Wing on in 1997. Apart from Balakot and Bahawalpur, the R&AW had codified 28 other terror camps, some of which were closely to military installations in Pakistan. Not dead, God will decide when, Masood Azhar says in audio clip For the current operation, the agencies picked up the files that had been prepared since 1997. With the addition of technology today, the agencies were able to get clear images of these targets, which also included the terror training facility at Bahawalpur, which incidentally is the home of Jaish-e-Mohammad chief, Maulana Masood Azhar. For this operation, all the agencies including the Intelligence Bureau, Research and Analysis Wing, NTRO, the three services coordinated. An officer said that during the discussions a hit on Bahawalpur too had come up. However that would have required much more planning and India wanted to hit Pakistan quick in response to the Pulwama attack. Hence it was found that Balakot was a more feasible target. The officer further explains that the files that had been prepared by the R&AW since 1997 were constantly updated. With the advent of technology, the imagery only got better. The official also said that the government wanted to hit these camps hard. A loud message had to be sent out to Pakistan and hence it was decided that the IAF would cross the Line of Control and hit the target. Once the government gave the go-ahead, the IAF said that it was ready to carry out this mission. Even after the Uri attack, the agencies had discussed the possibility of hitting Balakot. However it was decided that they would carry out a surgical strike instead to first test the waters. For the Jaish-e-Mohammad it is all in the family It was no easy job for us back then explained former Research and Analysis Wing officer, Amar Bhushan. Apart from Balakot, we had codified 30 similar camps, all of which were located near army installations in Pakistan. We had managed to piece together all the information regarding these camps and more importantly we were able to show them on maps. This list was then circulated to agencies across the world and none denied the information. Those were the times, when the problem of terrorism had not hit the European nations as yet. They always felt that it was an internal issue. They would cite their domestic laws and say that they would get involved only if an organisation hurt their domestic security interests says Amar Bhushan. However post 9/11 everything changed. The first codified terrorist list prepared by us was taken more seriously and the problem of terrorism was widely recognised, he also adds. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, March 9, 2019, 16:10 [IST] Ruling LDF in Kerala to field 6 sitting MPs, MLAs in Lok Sabha polls India pti-PTI Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 09: The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala will field six sitting MPs and an equal number of MLAs in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections. While the CPI(M)--the largest partner in the Left Front-- will field 16 candidates, including six Members of Parliament (MPs) and four Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs), the CPI, the second major ally, will contest four seats and two will be sitting MLAs. Two women and two CPI(M)-backed independents are also among the candidates announced by the ruling coalition. With sharing of all the seats by the CPI(M) and CPI, other coalition partners of the 10-member-strong LDF have been left with no seat. Announcing his party's candidates list, CPI(M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan Saturday said the coming Lok Sabha polls were crucial and inevitable to enhance the strength of the Left front in Parliament. The sitting MLAs were chosen considering the winnability, he told reporters at the party headquarters, AKG Centre here. Samajwadi Party releases another list, Dimple Yadav to contest from Kannauj "It is not for the first time that sitting MLAs are contesting. In 2009, four MLAs of the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) had contested. It had happened on several other occasions also," he said. The six sitting MPs of CPI(M) who will contest in the Lok Sabha polls are Innocent (Chalakkudy constituency), Joice George (Idukki), M B Rajesh (Palakkad), P K Biju (Alathur), A Sampath (Attingal) and P K Sreemathi (Kannur). A M Arif (Alappuzha), Veena George (Pathanamthitta), A Pradeep Kumar (Kozhikode) and P V Anwar (Ponnani) are among the sitting MLAs who figure in the CPI(M) candidate list. Of these, George and Anwar are CPI(M)-backed independents. The Communist Party of India (CPI), which had already announced the candidates, plans to field sitting MLAs C Divakaran and Chittayam Gopakumar in Thiruvananthapuram and Mavelikkara constituencies, respectively. The CPI would field P P Suneer at Wayanad and Rajaji Mathew Thomas in the Thrissur constituency. During the 2014 Lok Sabaha polls, the Congress-led UDF had won 12 seats and CPI(M)-led LDF eight, while the BJP had failed to open its account in the state dominated by the bipolar polity. The Sabarimala women entry row and the alleged slow pace of flood rehabilitation initiatives will be among the key issues the ruling LDF would face during the elections. However, the Left front is banking on the three-year old Pinarayi Vijayan government's achievements on the development front, health and education sector and the stand it had taken in terms of protecting progressive values. The opposition UDF and BJP are yet to officially announce their candidates list. PTI Tensions de-escalate: India to send back envoy to Pak today India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Mar 09: India has announced that its envoy will return to Pakistan today. The move is a step towards de-escalation of tensions with Pakistan. "High Commissioner of India to Pakistan, Ajay Bisaria, is returning to Islamabad after having completed his consultations in India. He will reach Islamabad on 9 March, and resume his duties," the official spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, Raveesh Kumar said. The announcement comes a day after Pakistan said that it would send High Commissioner Sohail Mahmood back to Delhi. He is expected to return to the national capital on Saturday. Following the Pulwama attack and the Balakot strike, both countries had withdrawn the envoys amidst high tension. Both sides would now take up discussions relating to the Kartarpur corridor project when a Pakistan delegation visits India on March 14. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, March 9, 2019, 8:14 [IST] To hit them where it hurts, ED set to attach plush properties of Kashmiri separatists India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Mar 09: Furthering its probe, the Enforcement Directorate is all set to attach the properties of the Kashmir separatists. The ED is currently probing charges of money laundering against the separatists. The move comes just days after the National Investigation Agency carried out searches at premises of separatists, including Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, in connection with a case related to funding to terror and separatists groups in Jammu and Kashmir. Government imposes ban on Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu And Kashmir The ED has identified properties that are based in Kashmir and New Delhi. In Delhi, the properties identified are at Vasant Kunj, ED sources tell OneIndia. NIA sources say that during the raids, they had seized incriminating material. The NIA had questioned two maternal uncles of the Mirwaiz - Maulvi Manzoor and Maulvi Shafat - and his close aides last year. Both of them are retired senior government officers. The NIA probe seeks to identify the chain of players behind the financing of terrorist activities, including those who pelted stones on security forces, burnt down schools and damaged government establishments. The case names Hafeez Saeed, Pakistan-based chief of Jamaat-ud Dawah, the front for banned Lashker-e-Taiba, as an accused, besides organisations such as the Hurriyat Conference (factions led by Geelani and Mirwaiz Umer Farooq), Hizbul Mujahideen and Dukhtaran-e-Millat. NIA raids houses of separatists, including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, in Kashmir The ED on the other hand is in the process of verifying these properties. Some are directly linked while some indirectly, the ED official said. Once the verification is completed, the properties would be attached, the official also added. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, March 9, 2019, 9:48 [IST] If normalcy to be brought in Kashmir, Article 370 has to be reinstated: Farooq Abdullah US issues travel advisory for its citizens, asks them not to visit Kashmir India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, Mar 09: The United States on Saturday issued a travel advisory for its citizens visiting India owing to civil unrest and increased risk of 'terrorism' in Jammu and Kashmir. Americans were further advised to avoid travelling within 10 kilometres of Indo-Pak border "due to the potential for armed conflict." However, the country allowed its citizens to visit the eastern Ladakh region and its capital Leh. "Sporadic violence occurs particularly along the Line of Control separating India and Pakistan, and in tourist destinations in the Kashmir Valley: Srinagar, Gulmarg, and Pahalgam," the Department of State advisory added. However, it said tourists can visit the Ladakh region and its capital, Leh. [J&K: Suspected terrorists make away with cop's AK-47, threaten him] On February 14, a Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorist drove an explosive-laden van into a bus carrying Central Reserve Police Force soldiers in Kashmir's Pulwama district, killing 40 of them. The US Department of State said the administration has limited ability to provide emergency services in rural areas from eastern Maharashtra, northern Telangana and western West Bengal, because American employees need special permission to enter these areas. "Incidents of violence by ethnic insurgent groups, including bombings of buses, trains, rail lines, and markets, occur occasionally in the northeast," it added. Uttar Pradesh: PM Modi to unveil projects today India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, Mar 09: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday. He will launch various development projects at Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Institute of Archaeology. Modi will unveil a plaque to mark the inauguration of the institute and unveil the statue of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya at the campus. The Institute is under Archaeological Survey of India. The Prime Minister will also inaugurate Noida City Centre - Noida Electronic City Section of the Delhi Metro. The new section will provide a convenient and faster mode of transport for the residents of Noida. It will also decongest the roads and provide an environment-friendly mode of transport. The 6.6 kilometre long section is an extension of Delhi Metro's Blue Line. [ Modi to contest Lok Sabha elections 2019 from Varanasi] The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone of two thermal Power Plants. One is 1,320 Mega Watt Super Thermal Power Project at Khurja, in Bulandshahar District of Uttar Pradesh and other is 1320 Mega Watt Thermal Power Plant at Buxar in Bihar. Both projects are based on Supercritical Technology with two units of capacity 660 Mega Watt each, equipped with latest emission control technology to protect the environment and has high efficiency and uses less fuel to generate power. The Khurja plant will transform the power deficit situation of Northern Region, particularly Uttar Pradesh and will benefit states like Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh and Delhi. The project is expected to generate substantial direct and indirect employment and overall development of District Bulandshahr and nearby districts of Western Uttar Pradesh. The Buxar plant will transform the power deficit situation in Bihar and the Eastern region. PM-Kisan 10th installment to roll out by next week: How to check your status and name in beneficiary list? PM Modi lauds UP govt for the work done for the benefit of sugarcane farmers 'We kept quiet, but Pakistan began crying 'Modi ne Maara at 5 am: Modi on Balakot airstrike India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, Mar 09: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said it was Pakistan which "cried" after the Indian Air Force (IAF) carried out a strike at terror camps of Jaish-e-Mohammed deep across the Line of Control. He said Pakistan had done its preparation after Pulwama attack expecting a post-Uri style surgical strike, but "we went by air". "Pakistan was expecting an Uri-style surgical strike. But we went by air," Modi said while addressing a rally in Noida. "Pakistan thought that India will do something similar to surgical strikes again. They tightened the border, installed soldiers and tank. But we flew over them and attacked them at 3.30 in the night. Pakistan's sleep broke and they began crying 'Modi ne maara'," the Prime Minister said. PM Modi targeted the opposition leaders once again or questioning the air strikes. The JeM had taken responsibility for the February 14 suicide attack on CRPF in Kashmir's Pulwama in which 40 jawans were killed. "Pakistan has admitted that the air strikes happened there. The IAF has stated that they carried out a strike at terror camp. But some people still have doubts and raise questions. They are just helping Pakistan," he said. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, March 9, 2019, 16:16 [IST] After summit with Trump tanks, N Korea leader Kim stresses on economic growth International oi-Shubham Ghosh Pyongyang, March 9: The second summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in February ended without success as the two sides failed to arrive at an agreement since the US could not fulfil North Korea's stubborn demand of lifting the sanctions imposed on it. Following the failure of the summit, Kim has reportedly stressed economic development as his nation's urgent task, Pyongyang's state media said on Saturday, March 9. It was said that in a letter to a national conference of propaganda officials held in the North Korean capital earlier this week, Kim emphasised on the need to concentrate on building the socialist economy which has faced hardships because of international sanctions. For North Korea media, Kim's Hanoi trip was immense; summit outcome insignificant Kim, who took over power after his father Kim Jong-Il's death in 2011, asked the party officials to encourage ideology education for the citizens to ensure that "a great progress will be made in socialist economic construction," the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported, as per Yonhap news agency. It was Kim's first message that was unveiled in public after he returned home from Hanoi where the second summit with Trump was held. The North Korean media and officials though celebrated his longest-ever foreign trip which he made in a train and viewed the summit as secondary. There were also reports that North Korea was restoring part of the Dongchang-ri missile launch site that it had started dismantling last year. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, March 9, 2019, 16:36 [IST] Collapse of Kabul will go down as one of the greatest defeats in American history: Donald Trump Thousands of terrorists might have been airlifted out of Kabul: Trump slams Biden Never in history has withdrawal from war been handled so badly: Trump Donald Trumps former poll campaigner Paul Manafort gets 47-month jail for fraud International oi-Shubham Ghosh Washington, March 9: It seems US President Donald Trump's tryst with legal controversies is relentless. Amid the episode involving Michael Cohen, the president's former attorney, his ex-campaigner Paul Manafort has been handed a 47-month imprisonment on charges of fraud. Manafort was convicted last year of concealing millions of dollars of income earned from his political consulting in Ukraine. The charges came from an inquiry into Russia's alleged meddling in the 2016 presidential election in the US. Manafort had resigned as Trump's campaign chairman in August 2016 after he came under fire over his past lobbying work for pro-Russian oligarchs of Ukraine which was at odds with Trump's claims of being free from moneyed interests, along with a sloppy nature of the Republican National Convention. He was succeeded by Kellyanne Conway who is currently the counsellor to President Trump. Florida man raises money online for US President Donald Trump's border wall The 69-year-old Manafort's sentence of 47 months was though shorter than that recommended by the US Department of Justice Special Counsel Robert Mueller. The latter is thought to be wrapping up his almost two-year-long probe that has rattled the Trump administration. The man is also due to be sentenced in another case next week related to illegal lobbying. Manafort has been one of the top political Republican gurus who advised as many as four American presidents, including Trump, besides other foreign leaders. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, March 9, 2019, 16:19 [IST] Seven US Lawmakers write to Mike Pompeo on Farmers' protest In India Mike Pompeo, British NSA discuss tension between India and Pakistan International pti-PTI Washington, Mar 9: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo discussed with British NSA Mark Sedwill the current situation between India and Pakistan and the efforts to reduce tensions between the two South Asian neighbours, the State Department has said. Pompeo and Sedwill reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the US-UK special relationship and cooperation in the face of major global challenges, State Department Deputy Spokesperson Robert Palladino said on Friday. According to the State Department, the talk was reflective of the fact that the United States continues to engage its resources to reduce the tensions between the two nuclear countries. "Secretary of State Michael R Pompeo met with UK National Security Advisor Mark Sedwill today to discuss key global priorities, including support for reducing tension between India and Pakistan, securing progress in Syria, and countering Iran's malign influence," Palladino said in a statement. [Mike Pompeo stresses on finding common ground between India and Pakistan] Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after a suicide bomber of Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) killed 40 CRPF personnel in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district in February 14. India launched a counter-terror operation in Balakot. [Avoid military action, de-escalate tensions: US tells Pakistan] The next day, Pakistan Air Force retaliated and downed a MiG-21 in an aerial combat and captured its pilot, who was handed over to India on March 1. The US, the UK and France, the three permanent veto-wielding members of the 15-nation United Nations Security Council, last month moved a fresh proposal in the UNSC to designate JeM's chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist. PTI Pakistan uses terrorism as state policy, says India International oi-Oneindia Staff By Anuj Cariappa United Nations, Mar 09: India has said that Pakistan's use of terrorism as an instrument of state policy is a "central problem" and the international community must unequivocally condemn terrorism and its perpetrators. Addressing the 40th Session of the Human Rights Council on Thursday, Permanent Representative of India to the UN in Geneva Ambassador Rajiv Chander said, "Terrorism is the most fundamental violation of human rights and we overlook it at our own peril." He told the Council that the "central problem is cross-border terrorism and Pakistan's use of terrorism as an instrument of state policy. This fact needs due recognition." Balakot air strike: FIR filed in Pakistan against IAF pilots for bombing trees Chander called for a UN-led consensus on zero tolerance on terrorism, saying the international community needs to unequivocally condemn terrorism and those who perpetrate it. "We firmly believe that UN-led consensus on zero tolerance on terrorism is as much an international obligation as it is a commitment to our own people. We all need to unequivocally condemn terrorism and its perpetrators," he said at the Interactive Dialogue with the High Commissioner for Human Rights. On the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, the envoy said India's views on the state have been made clear in the Council. "The whole state of Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India. Pakistan remains in illegal occupation of a part of our territory," Chander said Earlier, Pakistan's Acting Permanent Representative Tahir Hussain Andrabi had made references to Kashmir in his statement to the Council. Chander said India's efforts towards protection and promotion of human rights are second to none. "This is reflected in the Constitution of India that guarantees its citizens fundamental political and civil rights and provides for the progressive realisation and enforcement of economic, social and cultural rights," he said. The diplomat underscored that India is a secular state and safeguarding the rights of minorities forms an essential core of its polity. "The Indian Constitution enshrines various provisions for the protection of rights and interests of the minorities. The State makes no distinction between caste, creed, colour or religion of a citizen," he said. To de-escalate Indo-Pak tensions, all eyes on Kartarpur talks Chander underlined that along with being the world's largest democracy, Indian polity also weaves in immense diversity along with respect for tolerance and mutual understanding. "An independent judiciary, free and vibrant media, and, a vocal civil society are all active in this regard within the legal framework of the State. National and State level Human Rights Commissions along with other specific Commissions continue to monitor complaints from minority communities regarding issues of discrimination and disadvantage faced by them," he said. The government has issued Communal Harmony Guidelines which lay down Standard Operating Procedures to deal with communal violence, the envoy added. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, March 9, 2019, 6:04 [IST] Rajasthan: 15 schools to be named after martyrs Jaipur oi-Vikas SV Jaipur, Mar 9: The Rajasthan government has issued an order to name 15 school runs by the state government after martyrs. The state education minister said that honouring the maryrs was one of the top priorities of the Congress-led government in Rajasthan. Rajasthan education minister Govind Singh Dotasara said this on Thursday, as per an Amar Ujala report. He further said that the state government salutes the maryrs who laid down their lives for the country, adding that Ashok Gehlot-let regime is sensitive towards the families of the martyrs. Rajasthan IPS officer dismissed from service over extramarital relationship The minister said that three schools in Churu, three in Nagore and three Jhunjnu district would be named after the martyrs. While in Alwar and Sikar, two school each would be re-named. In Jaisalmer and Jodhpur, one school in each of the districts would be named after martyrs. He said that the files considering this proposal had not moved forward during the previous government, the Congress government now has moved the file and schools would be re-named after martyrs soon. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, March 9, 2019, 16:49 [IST] Join Indian Army: Apply for 40 Technical Graduate Course, salary up to Rs 2.25 lakh 6 year old murder case solved, man arrested New Delhi oi-Oneindia Staff By Anuj Cariappa New Delhi, Mar 09: A 26-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly killing a person in Haryana's Ambala district six years ago, police said. Navjot Singh Heera, a native of Ambala, was residing in Ramesh Nagar, Delhi. He was carrying a reward of Rs 1 lakh, they said. During investigation, police got a tip-off on Thursday that Heera would come to Sagarpur to meet his relative. A trap was laid and the accused was apprehended, Sanjeev Kumar Yadav, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell), said. Auto rickshaw fares in Delhi to increase by over 18 per cent During interrogation, Heera said that in 1999, his father was killed by one Gurpal Singh. To avenge his father's murder, Heera, along with his associates, kidnapped Gurpal on July 8, 2013 and killed him. His seven associates were earlier arrested and convicted. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, March 9, 2019, 11:48 [IST] By 2024, On-board Diagnostics Aftermarket to surpass $1.5 billion| By Key Vendors Azuga, Bosch, CalAmp, Metromile, Mojio, Continental, Intel Corporation, Verizon Communications, Danlaw https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/2839 https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/2839 https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/on-board-diagnostics-obd-aftermarket https://www.marketwatch.com/press-release/by-2024-atm-market-to-reach-25-billion-2018-09-19 https://www.gminsights.com http://solutionrocket.com The hardware segment held a majority share of over 40% in the OBD aftermarket in 2017 due to the large-scale adoption of traditional OBD scanners such as scan tools and code readers to access the vehicles OBD port. These scanners act as an interface to provide users with the vehicles engine-related parameters. However, with the emergence of OBD dongles, additional information, such as driver behavior analytics and remote diagnostics, can be effectively extracted from vehicles.Request for a sample of this research report @OBD Aftermarket size is set to exceed USD 1.5 billion by 2024; according to a new research report by Global Market Insights, Inc. The increasing emphasis on developing connected vehicle solutions and the growing adoption of IoT technology in the automobile sector are driving the growth of the OBD aftermarket. The increase in vehicle production, particularly LCVs and HCVs, has generated the demand for more stringent emission control standards. The government agencies around the world have implemented stringent emission control regulations to combat the increasing impact of air pollution on the environment. The increasing complexities in vehicles have generated the need to have more robust remote diagnostics solutions. Remote diagnostics technology is also gaining more popularity as it provides the vehicle owners and technicians with the real-time information about the vehicles status and helps in the effective monitoring of vehicle components remotely.Company profiled in this report based on Business overview, Financial data, Product landscape, Strategic outlook & SWOT analysis: Autel Intelligent Technology Corp.,Ltd. Automatic Labs AVL Ditest Azuga Bosch Diagnostics CalAmp Continental AG Danlaw, Inc. ERM Electronic Systems LTD Geotab Inc. Innova Intel Corporation Magneti Marelli S.p.A. Metromile Mojio TomTom International BV. Vector Informatik Verizon Communications Xirgo Technologies, Inc.The passenger vehicles segment held a dominant share of over 40% in 2017 in the global OBD aftermarket. The increased production of passenger vehicles, particularly in the U.S. and China, is majorly contributing to the adoption of OBD telematics solutions in the segment. According to the American Auto Council, the U.S. auto production is expected to exceed 12 million vehicles per year through 2019 and reach 13 million by 2020. As it has been made mandatory by government institutions in various countries to have OBD compatibility for passenger vehicles, the segment is projected to grow consistently during the forecast timeline.The OBD apps segment is expected to exhibit the fastest growth by 2024 at a CAGR of over 25%. The increasing penetration of smartphones and the adoption of advanced telematics technologies have triggered the demand for mobile-based apps. As the OBD apps reduce the dependency on any hardware to gather information and make it possible for the user to convert the smartphone or tablet into a portable OBD scanner for gathering diagnostic information, the demand for apps is likely to grow during the forecast timeline. These apps handle all the information collected from the OBD systems and ease the task of monitoring the vehicle parameters in the real-time, allowing the continuous monitoring of the vehicles status.The fleet management segment dominated the OBD aftermarket in 2017 with a market share of over 45% and is expected to maintain the dominance throughout the forecast period. The use of OBD in the fleet management software offers effective management of fleet operations and provides access to the real-time data regarding the vehicles location. It also monitors the driving patterns and helps in early diagnosis and mitigation of any malfunction in the vehicle components. With the significant growth in the electric vehicle technology, the demand for OBD telematics systems for managing and controlling the vehicle components is expected to increase significantly. The fleet management software in electric vehicles helps in increasing the fleet efficiency and reducing the operational costs.North America held a major share of the OBD aftermarket in 2017. The proliferation of OBD dongle-based solutions is estimated to grow at a faster pace in the region between 2018 and 2024. The automobile sector in this region continues to record a steady growth due to the high penetration of advanced technologies in the transportation systems and the increased momentum of autonomous vehicles. The presence of some major global automobile players and the increasing investments by foreign auto suppliers in their manufacturing facilities are driving the regions automobile market growth.Make an inquiry for purchasing this report @Companies operating in the On-board Diagnostics Aftermarket focus on offering new products along with strategic acquisitions to leverage their mutual technological capabilities and create innovative offerings. For instance, in April 2018, Quartix launched a new installation option; plug, and track. The new tracking device can be easily installed into the OBD port and it eases the installation and flexibility when moving the tracking function from one vehicle to another without disconnecting the hardwiring. In April 2017, SiriusXM acquired Automatic, the maker of the Automatic Pro and Automatic Lite connected car OBD II ports accessories for USD 10 million. The acquisition enabled the company to expand and improve its connected vehicles services.For instance, in January 2018, Ford planned to invest USD 11 billion in electric vehicles to have 40 hybrid and fully electric vehicles in its model lineup by 2020. Similarly, in April 2016, Nissan made strategic investments in its U.S. operations to meet the growing need of the U.S. consumers. The company has invested around USD 10.8 billion in its U.S. operations since 1981.Browse Full Report @Some of the key players operating in the OBD aftermarket are Continental, Automatic Labs (SiriusXM), Magneti Marelli, Tom Tom, Geotab, Danlaw, CalAmp, Verizone, Mojio, Intel, Metromile, ERM Telematics, Azuga, Xirgo Technologies, AVL Ditest, Vector Informatik, Bosch Diagnostics, and Autel.Browse Related Report:ATM Market Size By Solution (Deployment [Onsite, Offsite, Worksite, Mobile], Managed Services), Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook (U.S., Canada, Germany, UK, France, Italy, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Brazil, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, UAE, South Africa), Application Potential, Price Trends, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2017 2024About Global Market Insights:Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology.Contact Us:Arun HegdeCorporate Sales, USAGlobal Market Insights, Inc.Phone: 1-302-846-7766Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688Email: sales@gminsights.comWeb:Blog: Synthetic Biology Market Scrutinized in New Research 2018-2026 By Top Key Players Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Twist Bioscience Corporation, Genscript Biotech Corporation, Codexis, Inc., Amyris, Inc. Synthetic Biology https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-sample/112 https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-customization/112 Increasing concerns regarding depleting natural resources of oil reservoirs is propelling demand for replacement for fossil fuels. Biofuel production is increasing steadily with promising results. Furthermore, rising concerns regarding climate change and energy security makes biofuel an efficient alternative for fossil fuels. In this context, synthetic biology has shown promising result for biofuel production. Synthetic biology approaches can be used in reducing cost of celluloses and, thereby, of biofuels. Moreover, various companies are engaged in collaboration and partnership activities to use their expertise in the synthetic biology to produce cost-efficient biofuels.Growing adoption of synthetic biology in emerging applications such as genetically modified crops (GMCs) in agriculture, green chemicals, and biofuels in the industrial applications will offer lucrative growth opportunity in the near future. Since 2014, rising engagement of various investors to fund the synthetic biology companies including established and startup companies is continuously increasing. For instance, according to SynBioBeta LLC January 2018 data findings, 50 companies in the synthetic biology market raised around US$ 1.7 billion for the development of innovative synthetic biology technologies.The global synthetic biology market size is estimated to be valued at US$ 6.09 billion in 2018, and is expected to witness a CAGR of 33.9% during the forecast period (20182026).Ask For Sample Copy of This Business Report @Market DynamicsFurthermore, growing research and development (R&D) activities to develop new technologies in synthetic biology by government and private organizations and increasing demand for efficient alternative therapy to design and market active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in drug diagnosis and therapeutics are other growth factors, which will drive the synthetic biology market growth.Synthetic biology is majorly used in applications such as bioremediation, gene synthesis, industrial enzyme production, drug discovery, therapeutics, and green chemicals, among others. However, utilization of these applications is increasing concern regarding the risk and ethical issues associated with synthetic biology, which include off-target mutation development, environmental misbalance, and various other illegal usage of DNA sequencing.Furthermore, the regulations that govern synthetic biology are not designed specifically for synthetic biology and are inadequate to regulate new gene editing applications such as CRISPR gene editing. The current legal framework focuses on genetically modified products and the procedures to make them, create a hurdle in the growth of synthetic biology market. Furthermore, stringent regulations related to the application of genetically modified organism (GMOs) in developed economies such as the U.S. and Europe reflects the concern related to the adoption of synthetic biology in the near future.Growing Research and Development (R&D) Funding and Rising Number of Synthetic Biology Start-ups are expected to propel Growth of the Synthetic Biology MarketGrowing investment/funding from companies in the branch of synthetic biology offers lucrative opportunity to develop products such as consumer goods, bioengineered medicines, and industrial chemicals. According to SynBioBeta data finding, January 2018, 50 companies including public and private companies raised over US$ 1.7 billion for the development of innovative synthetic biology technologies. Furthermore, according to the finding, the number of synthetic biology-based companies is growing significantly. According to same source, in 2013, total number of synthetic biology companies worldwide were 293, which increased to 346 (2014), 387 (2015), and 411 (2016).For instance, in December 2017, Ginkgo Bioworks: a biotechnology company working in synthetic biology having area of interest in cultured ingredients, strain improvement, and enzyme production; invested US$ 275 million in Series D finding to increase its production facility for organism engineering- Bioworks 3, which was its third foundry for prototyping and scaling engineered organisms.Competitive AnalysisKey players operating in the global synthetic biology market includes Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Twist Bioscience Corporation, Genscript Biotech Corporation, Codexis, Inc., Amyris, Inc., Danaher Corporation (Integrated DNA Technologies, Inc.), EnBiotix, Inc., Evonetix Ltd., Ginkgo Bioworks, Inc., and Prokarium.Request Customization @Wide Range of Synthetic Biology ApplicationsSynthetic biology offers high efficiency to re-engineer and design the artificial bimolecular components and biomaterials, which are majorly adopted in several biological, industrial, and environmental applications such as gene engineering, drug discovery & therapeutics, novel protein synthesis, artificial tissue regeneration, biofuels, industrial enzymes, bioremediation, and green chemicals.In recent times, synthetic biology is tested to be used for storage of digital data. DNA offers potential to store the massive amount of digital data, allowing to store one million times more dense information than flash drives, and this data stored in DNA can be preserved for over 1,000 years. Furthermore, it is also easier to prevent or detect the attempt to modify the stored data in the DNA. Currently, various research and possible attempts are ongoing to commercialize this technology.For instance, in September 2018, the Arch Mission Foundation partnered with Microsoft, University of Washington, and Twist Bioscience to archive 10,000 crowd sourced images and full text of 20 important books, among others, in Astrobotics 2020 mission to the moon. DNA-based data storage allows data to be encoded into billions of synthetic DNA molecules and encapsulated for long-term preservation.About Coherent Market Insights:Coherent Market Insights is a prominent market research and consulting firm offering action-ready syndicated research reports, custom market analysis, consulting services, and competitive analysis through various recommendations related to emerging market trends, technologies, and potential absolute dollar opportunity.Contact Us:Mr. ShahCoherent Market Insights1001 4th Ave,#3200Seattle, WA 98154Tel: +1-206-701-6702Email: sales@coherentmarketinsights.com Needle-free IV Connectors Market predicts rise in demand by 2026| Baxter International Inc., B. Braun Melsungen AG, Becton And Others Needle-free IV Connectors www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-sample/426 www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-pdf/426 Needle-Free IV Connectors are routinely used in the hospitals for intravenous administration of fluids and medicines to protect the hubs in vascular access systems. In order to reduce risks of possible contaminations associated with the IV administration and to curb manipulation as much as possible, needle free IV connectors can prove to be ideal in all types of IV infusions.The fluid displacement and fluid pathway are determined by the motion of the internal parts namely mechanical valve, which controls the movement and direction of the fluid in complex connectors. External characteristics such as housing, shape, and color for both the type may or may not be similar. The purpose of using needle-free IV connectors apart from the ease in infusion for both care providers and patients is to reduce the risk of needle-stick injuries among the health care providers and reducing the risk of bacterial and microbial contamination.Request For Sample Copy Of This Research Report:Some major players operating in the needle-free IV connectors market are Baxter International Inc., B. Braun Melsungen AG, Becton, Dickinson and Company, CareFusion Corporation, ICU Medical, Inc., Nexus Medical LLC, RyMed Technologies, LLC, and Vygon SA.Government organizations and regulatory bodies namely Centers for Disease Control and prevention (CDC) have recommended the usage of needle-free connectors to reduce the incidence of sharp injuries and blood stream infections mandating its usage in medical facilities in the Guidelines for the Prevention of Intravascular Catheter-Related Infections in 2011. Major issues associated with the conventional options of intravenous infusion are contamination from external sources during administration, blood reflux, and risk of bloodstream infections, which are addressed by needle-free IV connectors.The global needle-free IV connectors market was valued at US$ 621.1 million in 2016 and is expected to reach a robust CAGR of 10.3% over the forecast period (2017-2025).Needle free iv connector marketRising incidence and prevalence of various chronic diseases and need for treatment is expected to boost the needle-free connectors marketKey features of the study:This report provides in-depth analysis of needle-free IV connectors and provides market size (US$ Million) and Cumulative Annual Growth Rate (CAGR %) for the forecast period (20172025), considering 2017 as the base yearIt elucidates potential revenue opportunity across different segments and explains attractive investment proposition matrix for this marketThis study also provides key insights about market drivers, restraints, opportunities, new product launches or approval, regional outlook, and competitive strategy adopted by the leading playersIt profiles leading players in the global Needle-Free IV Connectors market based on the following parameters company overview, financial performance, product portfolio, geographical presence, distribution strategies, key developments and strategies, and future plansDetailed Segmentation:Global Needle-Free IV Connectors Market, By Design Type:Simple, ComplexGlobal Needle-Free IV Connectors Market, By Mechanism:Positive, Negative, NeutralDownload the PDF brochure:About Coherent Market Insights:Coherent Market Insights is a prominent market research and consulting firm offering action-ready syndicated research reports, custom market analysis, consulting services, and competitive analysis through various recommendations related to emerging market trends, technologies, and potential absolute dollar opportunity.Mr.ShahCoherent Market Insights1001 4th Ave,#3200Seattle, WA 98154Tel: +1-206-701-6702Email:sales@coherentmarketinsights.com Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Market 2019 - Global Trends, Growth, Opportunities and Market Forecast to 2026 Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Market https://www.upmarketresearch.com/home/requested_sample/75961 https://www.upmarketresearch.com/home/enquiry_before_buying/75961 https://www.upmarketresearch.com/reports/tyrosine-kinase-inhibitors-market-2019 https://www.upmarketresearch.com/home/request_for_discount/75961 www.upmarketresearch.com A new business intelligence report released by Up Market Research with title Global Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Market Research Report 2019 that targets and provides comprehensive market analysis with future prospects to 2026. The analysts of the study have garnered extensive research methodologies and data sources (i.e. Secondary & Primary Sources) in order to generate collective and useful information that delivers latest market undercurrents and industry trends.Request Sample Copy Of this Report @Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Market research report delivers a close watch on leading competitors with strategic analysis, micro and macro market trend and scenarios, pricing analysis and a holistic overview of the market situations in the forecast period.It is a professional and a detailed report focusing on primary and secondary drivers, market share, leading segments and geographical analysis. Further, key players, major collaborations, merger & acquisitions along with trending innovation and business policies are reviewed in the report. The report contains basic, secondary and advanced information pertaining to the Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Market global status and trend, market size, share, growth, trends analysis, segment and forecasts from 2019 2026.The scope of the report extends from market scenarios to comparative pricing between major players, cost and profit of the specified market regions. The numerical data is backed up by statistical tools such as SWOT analysis, BCG matrix, SCOT analysis, PESTLE analysis and so on. The statistics are represented in graphical format for a clear understanding on facts and figures.The generated report is firmly based on primary research, interviews with top executives, news sources and information insiders. Secondary research techniques are implemented for better understanding and clarity for data analysis.The report for Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Market analysis & forecast 2019- 2026 is segmented into Product Segment, Application Segment & Major players.Region- wise Analysis Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Market covers: North America Europe China Japan India Southeast Asia Other regions (Central & South America, Middle East & Africa)For More Information On This Report, Please Visit @The Major Players Reported In The Report Are: AstraZeneca Pfizer Novartis Bristol-Myers Squibb Bayer Boehringer Ingelheim International F. Hoffmann-La Roche Johnson & Johnson EisaiGlobal Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Market: Product Segment Analysis: BCR-ABL Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGFR) Tyrosine Kinase InhibitorsGlobal Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Market: Application Segment Analysis: Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) Lung Cancer Breast Cancer Renal Cell CancerThe Report Covers In- Depth Analysis As Follows: Chapter 1 Overview of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Market Chapter 2 Global Market Status and Forecast by Regions Chapter 3 Global Market Status and Forecast by Types Chapter 4 Global Market Status and Forecast by Downstream Industry Chapter 5 Market Driving Factor Analysis of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Market Chapter 6 Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Market Competition Status by Major Manufacturers Chapter 7 Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Market Major Manufacturers Introduction and Market Data Chapter 8 Upstream and Downstream Market Analysis of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Market Chapter 9 Cost and Gross Margin Analysis of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Market Chapter 10 Marketing Status Analysis of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Market Chapter 11 Report Conclusion Chapter 12 Research Methodology and ReferenceRead More detailsTyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Market Analysis and Forecast 2019- 2026 report helps the clients to take business decisions and to understand strategies of major players in the industry. The report also calls for market- driven results deriving feasibility studies for client needs. UpMarketResearch ensures qualified and verifiable aspects of market data operating in the real- time scenario. The analytical studies are conducted ensuring client needs with a thorough understanding of market capacities in the real- time scenario.Global Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Market: Key Stakeholders: Manufacturers Distributors/Traders/Wholesalers Subcomponent Manufacturers Industry Association Downstream VendorsIn this study, the years considered to estimate the market size of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Market are as follows: History Year: 2014-2018 Base Year: 2018 Estimated Year: 2019 Forecast Year 2019 to 2026Key Reasons to Purchase: To gain insightful analyses of the market and have a comprehensive understanding of the Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Market and its commercial landscape. Learn about the market strategies that are being adopted by your competitors and leading organizations. To understand the future outlook and prospects for Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Market analysis and forecast 2019- 2026.Avail Discount On this Report @Customization of the Report:Up Market Research provides free customization of reports as per your need. This report can be personalized to meet your requirements. Get in touch with our sales team, who will guarantee you to get a report that suits your necessities.You can also ask for region wise market research report, as below: Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Market Global Market Status & Trend Report 2014- 2026 Top 20 Countries Data Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Market North America Market Status and Trend Report 2014- 2026 Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Market South America Market Status and Trend Report 2014- 2026 Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Market Europe Market Status and Trend Report 2014- 2026 Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Market EMEA Market Status and Trend Report 2014- 2026 Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Market Asia Pacific Market Status and Trend Report 2014- 2026 Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Market China Market Status and Trend Report 2014- 2026 Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Market India Market Status and Trend Report 2014- 2026 Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Market United States Market Status and Trend Report 2014- 2026About UpMarketResearch:The UpMarketResearch () is a leading distributor of market research report with more than 800+ global clients. As a market research company, we take pride in equipping our clients with insights and data that holds the power to truly make a difference to their business. Our mission is singular and well- defined we want to help our clients envisage their business environment so that they are able to make informed, strategic and therefore successful decisions for themselves.Contact Info:Name: Alex MathewsEmail: Alex@upmarketresearch.comOrganization: UpMarketResearchAddress: 500 East E Street, Ontario, CA 91764, United States. Global Erectile Dysfunction Devices Market Is Likely to Witness Tremendous Growth by 2026: Key Players are Pfizer Bayer, Boston Scientific, Coloplast, Apricus Biosciences Erectile Dysfunction Devices https://www.upmarketresearch.com/home/requested_sample/72040 https://www.upmarketresearch.com/home/enquiry_before_buying/72040 https://www.upmarketresearch.com/reports/erectile-dysfunction-devices-market-2019 https://www.upmarketresearch.com/home/request_for_discount/72040 www.upmarketresearch.com The newly released research at Up Market Research titled 2019 - 2026 Global Erectile Dysfunction Devices Market Report provides data, information, brief analysis, company profiles, statistics for past years and forecasts for next few years. This report presents a comprehensive overview, market shares, and growth opportunities of Erectile Dysfunction Devices Market by product type, application, key manufacturers and key regions.Request Sample Copy Of this Report @Erectile Dysfunction Devices Market research report delivers a close watch on leading competitors with strategic analysis, micro and macro market trend and scenarios, pricing analysis and a holistic overview of the market situations in the forecast period.It is a professional and a detailed report focusing on primary and secondary drivers, market share, leading segments and geographical analysis. Further, key players, major collaborations, merger & acquisitions along with trending innovation and business policies are reviewed in the report. The report contains basic, secondary and advanced information pertaining to the Erectile Dysfunction Devices Market global status and trend, market size, share, growth, trends analysis, segment and forecasts from 2019 2026.The scope of the report extends from market scenarios to comparative pricing between major players, cost and profit of the specified market regions. The numerical data is backed up by statistical tools such as SWOT analysis, BCG matrix, SCOT analysis, PESTLE analysis and so on. The statistics are represented in graphical format for a clear understanding on facts and figures.The generated report is firmly based on primary research, interviews with top executives, news sources and information insiders. Secondary research techniques are implemented for better understanding and clarity for data analysis.The report for Erectile Dysfunction Devices Market analysis & forecast 2019- 2026 is segmented into Product Segment, Application Segment & Major players.Region- wise Analysis Erectile Dysfunction Devices Market covers: North America Europe China Japan India Southeast Asia Other regions (Central & South America, Middle East & Africa)For More Information On This Report, Please Visit @The Major Players Reported In The Report Are: Eli Lilly Pfizer Bayer Boston Scientific Coloplast Apricus Biosciences Cristalia Produtos Quimicos Farmaceuticos Dong-A Socio Endo Pharmaceuticals Futura Medical Meda Pharmaceuticals Promedon SK Chemical Teva Pharmaceuticals Vivus Zephyr Surgical Implants (ZSI)Global Erectile Dysfunction Devices Market: Product Segment Analysis: Inflatable Penile Implant Semi-Rigid Rod ImplantGlobal Erectile Dysfunction Devices Market: Application Segment Analysis: Congenital Patients Pathological PatientsThe Report Covers In- Depth Analysis As Follows: Chapter 1 Overview of Erectile Dysfunction Devices Market Chapter 2 Global Market Status and Forecast by Regions Chapter 3 Global Market Status and Forecast by Types Chapter 4 Global Market Status and Forecast by Downstream Industry Chapter 5 Market Driving Factor Analysis of Erectile Dysfunction Devices Market Chapter 6 Erectile Dysfunction Devices Market Competition Status by Major Manufacturers Chapter 7 Erectile Dysfunction Devices Market Major Manufacturers Introduction and Market Data Chapter 8 Upstream and Downstream Market Analysis of Erectile Dysfunction Devices Market Chapter 9 Cost and Gross Margin Analysis of Erectile Dysfunction Devices Market Chapter 10 Marketing Status Analysis of Erectile Dysfunction Devices Market Chapter 11 Report Conclusion Chapter 12 Research Methodology and ReferenceRead More details Erectile Dysfunction Devices Market Analysis and Forecast 2019- 2026 report helps the clients to take business decisions and to understand strategies of major players in the industry. The report also calls for market- driven results deriving feasibility studies for client needs. UpMarketResearch ensures qualified and verifiable aspects of market data operating in the real- time scenario. The analytical studies are conducted ensuring client needs with a thorough understanding of market capacities in the real- time scenario.Global Erectile Dysfunction Devices Market: Key Stakeholders: Manufacturers Distributors/Traders/Wholesalers Subcomponent Manufacturers Industry Association Downstream VendorsIn this study, the years considered to estimate the market size of Erectile Dysfunction Devices Market are as follows: History Year: 2014-2018 Base Year: 2018 Estimated Year: 2019 Forecast Year 2019 to 2026Key Reasons to Purchase: To gain insightful analyses of the market and have a comprehensive understanding of the Erectile Dysfunction Devices Market and its commercial landscape. Learn about the market strategies that are being adopted by your competitors and leading organizations. To understand the future outlook and prospects for Erectile Dysfunction Devices Market analysis and forecast 2019- 2026.Avail Discount On this Report @Customization of the Report:Up Market Research provides free customization of reports as per your need. This report can be personalized to meet your requirements. Get in touch with our sales team, who will guarantee you to get a report that suits your necessities.You can also ask for region wise market research report, as below: Erectile Dysfunction Devices Market Global Market Status & Trend Report 2014- 2026 Top 20 Countries Data Erectile Dysfunction Devices Market North America Market Status and Trend Report 2014- 2026 Erectile Dysfunction Devices Market South America Market Status and Trend Report 2014- 2026 Erectile Dysfunction Devices Market Europe Market Status and Trend Report 2014- 2026 Erectile Dysfunction Devices Market EMEA Market Status and Trend Report 2014- 2026 Erectile Dysfunction Devices Market Asia Pacific Market Status and Trend Report 2014- 2026 Erectile Dysfunction Devices Market China Market Status and Trend Report 2014- 2026 Erectile Dysfunction Devices Market India Market Status and Trend Report 2014- 2026 Erectile Dysfunction Devices Market United States Market Status and Trend Report 2014- 2026About UpMarketResearch:The UpMarketResearch () is a leading distributor of market research report with more than 800+ global clients. As a market research company, we take pride in equipping our clients with insights and data that holds the power to truly make a difference to their business. Our mission is singular and well- defined we want to help our clients envisage their business environment so that they are able to make informed, strategic and therefore successful decisions for themselves.Contact Info:Name: Alex MathewsEmail: Alex@upmarketresearch.comOrganization: UpMarketResearchAddress: 500 East E Street, Ontario, CA 91764, United States. Transplant Diagnostics Market Global Trend, Demand, Growth Analysis and Industry Forecast 2018-2026 Transplant Diagnostics www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-sample/1335 www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-pdf/1335 Transplant diagnostics involves assessing compatibility between organ donor and receiver so as to predict any future organ rejection episodes and have contingencies in place. Number of tests are performed such as ABO blood group compatibility, tissue typing, cross matching, panel reactive antibody test, serology screening, and testing for infectious diseases. Increased understanding of the organ rejection phenomenon has led to identification of robust biomarkers along with development of robust biomarker identification tests. Technological advancements in the molecular and non-molecular assays such as PCR, and NGS has increased the data throughput. However, high cost of transplant diagnostic products, limited medical reimbursement, and low awareness about organ transplantation in emerging economies such as Middle East and Asia Pacific is expected to be a factor hindering the transplant diagnostics market growth.Get HOLISTIC Request Sample Copy Of This Business Report:Rising prevalence of chronic diseases leading to multiple organ failures; benefits offered by transplant diagnostics, which can predict organ rejection episodes and help in preparing a contingency plan; increasing government initiatives for organ donation awareness; and research and development by leading players to enhance transplant diagnostic products is expected to boost growth of the transplant diagnostics market over the forecast period. For instance, Natera, Inc. and University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), announced a research collaboration in 2016, to study DNA markers of Kidney Transplant Rejection. Furthermore, in 2016, the U.S. government announced plans to invest US$ 200 million to shorten the waiting list of organ transplant patients. These factors are expected to aid in growth of the market over the forecast period.Key features of the study:This report provides in-depth analysis of transplant diagnostics market and provides market size (US$ Million) and Cumulative Annual Growth Rate (CAGR %) for the forecast period (20172025), considering 2016 as the base yearIt elucidates potential revenue opportunity across different segments and explains attractive investment proposition matrix for this marketThis study also provides key insights about market drivers, restraints, opportunities, new product launches or approval, regional outlook, and competitive strategy adopted by the leading playersIt profiles leading players in the global transplant diagnostics market based on the following parameters company overview, financial performance, product portfolio, geographical presence, distribution strategies, key developments, and strategiesAdvent of new diagnostic tests have improved medical outcomes associated with organ transplants. Organ rejection rate can be minimized by matching the donor and recipient compatibility before transplantation. Conventional techniques in transplant diagnostics include analysis of human leukocyte antigen (HLA). HLA analysis is done in high-throughput laboratories with a limited staff, which is time consuming. However, presence of molecular assay technologies, such as sequencing techniques and PCR-based assays have proved to be efficient. Genetic information can be interpreted on a large scale by using advanced next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies at an affordable price.Some major players operating in the transplant diagnostics market are Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., Qiagen N.V., F. Hoffman-La Roche Ltd., Immucor, Inc., Becton Dickinson and Company, bioMerieux S.A., Illumina, Inc., CareDx, Inc., and GenDx.Download the PDF brochure:About Coherent Market Insights:Coherent Market Insights is a prominent market research and consulting firm offering action-ready syndicated research reports, custom market analysis, consulting services, and competitive analysis through various recommendations related to emerging market trends, technologies, and potential absolute dollar opportunity.Mr.ShahCoherent Market Insights1001 4th Ave,#3200Seattle, WA 98154Tel: +1-206-701-6702Email:sales@coherentmarketinsights.com A 31-year-old band teacher at Aloha High School has been sentenced to 60 days in jail after pleading guilty to one count of second-degree online sexual corruption of a child. Ryan Christopher Mutchler, who was also a youth pastor at Mountain Park Church, was charged in connection with activities involving a 14-year-old girl he met at a church camp in the summer of 2018. He befriended the girl and began communicating with her with text messages that were sexual in nature, the Washington County District Attorneys Office reported Friday. Mutchler, the office said, suggested meeting up with the child to engage in sexual activities. The childs parents became concerned after noticing several red flags. They spoke with the child and immediately contacted police. Detective Chad Opitz pretended to be the child in online conversations with Mutchler, who then sent sexually explicit messages. He was arrested in September of 2018. The girls parents were in court Thursday when Mutchler was sentenced. They made what the district attorneys office described as emotional victim impact statements. The judge commended the parents for noticing the red flags and intervening before Mutchler was able to physically meet with the child. In addition to the jail time, Mutchler was sentenced to five years of supervised probation, ordered to undergo child sex offender treatment and required to register as a sex offender. -- Tom Hallman Jr. thallman@oregonian.com 503 221-8224 @thallmanjr A former sheriffs deputy was indicted Friday on 25 counts by a Marion County grand jury, the Marion County District Attorneys Office reported. Sean Banks has been charged with theft, official misconduct and tampering with physical evidence between June 2014 and April 2018. Banks was originally arraigned on July 27, 2018, on a five-count district attorneys information alleging the theft of five firearms during a 2015 death investigation. A criminal investigation led by the Salem Police Department and the Oregon Department of Justice has been ongoing since. Banks was arrested by Salem police and is being held in the Linn County Jail with $200,000 bail. His next appearance is scheduled for Wednesday in the Marion County Courthouse. --Tom Hallman Jr. thallman@oregonian.com; 503 221-8224 @thallmanjr iStock/Thinkstock(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) -- None of the 84 protesters arrested in the wake of of Sacramento's decision not to press charges against city police officers for the shooting death of Stephon Clark last year will face charges. District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert made the announcement on Friday, saying, "In the interest of justice, no charges will be filed in any of the cases submitted." Schubert is the same person who made the decision not to press charges against two Sacramento police officers -- Terrence Mercadel and Jared Robinet -- involved in the shooting death of Clark, a black 22-year-old from East Sacramento, on March 18, 2018. Police responded to reports of a person breaking into cars and chased Clark through several backyards before he was shot outside his grandmother's home. He was unarmed, with police officers saying they believed a cellphone in his hand was a gun. The 84 protesters, many holding "Black Lives Matter" signs or invoking the names of other black men killed by police such as Michael Brown or Eric Garner, were arrested March 4 for unlawful assembly after allegedly ignoring police orders to disperse. Rev. Kevin Kitrell Ross, from Unity of Sacramento, was one of those arrested on Monday night. "I am grateful that the charges have been dropped against the peaceful protesters, who should not have been arrested in the first place," Ross told Sacramento ABC affiliate KXTV. "The charges being dropped is insufficient without the acknowledgment that this was cruel," Ross added. Sacramento Bee reporter Dale Kasler, who was covering the protests, was also among those arrested. His arrest drew swift condemnation from Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg. "No member of the press should be detained for doing their job," Steinberg said. Steinberg supported Schubert's decision not to press charges against any of those arrested: "I appreciate her decision not to file charges against Monday night's peaceful protesters. It was the right thing to do." The Sacramento Police Department released its review of the March 4 protest on Friday, as well. The department defended its conduct in arresting the 84 people, and diverted from the mayor's claim of the protests being peaceful. "Initially, protestors marched in the street peacefully," police said in its release. "Over the next two hours, however, the circumstances began to change. The group of protestors blocked access to a hospital in the area. Multiple vehicles were vandalized during the protest. "For approximately one hour and forty minutes, thirty dispersal orders were given. ... Some participants left the area, however, a large group remained," the statement continued. "In the interest of community safety, protection of property and after multiple requests to disperse were made, officers proceeded with an orderly arrest process." Protests continued Tuesday night at a city council hearing, with citizens angrily ripping into the council and often unleashing profanity-laced attacks. Two days after Schubert announced the city did not find the officers committed a crime, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced the state's investigation had also not found reason to charge Mercadel or Robinet in the deadly shooting. A federal investigation into whether the two officers committed a crime is ongoing. Copyright 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Evacuee women in Santo making a backyard garden to grow vegetables to sell (on a piece of land donated by a member of the Santo host community, to use temporarily). PC: Department of Womens Affairs, 2018 An American prosecutor landed in Saudi Arabia and found himself whisked to a royal palace, then directed to a seat next to King Abdullah. Beneath the gold-encrusted ceiling in the throne room, John Suthers began defending Colorados prosecution of a Saudi national convicted of sexually abusing a live-in housekeeper who slept on a mattress in his basement. The king suspected the case was rooted in anti-Muslim bias and it fell to Suthers, then Colorados attorney general, to explain the U.S. justice system. The encounter more than 13 years ago illustrates not only the kingdoms longstanding interest in protecting its citizens, but also sheds light on the lengths the Saudis will go on behalf of their people facing criminal charges in the U.S. The Oregonian/OregonLive has identified more than a dozen times Saudis in Oregon and elsewhere have skipped the country in recent years while facing criminal prosecution. Most, like the Colorado case of Homaidan al-Turki, involve sex crimes. Some defendants vanished before trial, including those who had surrendered their passports to U.S. authorities. The Colorado prosecution stands out from those examined by The Oregonian/OregonLive because al-Turki didnt disappear but faced trial and was convicted. Yet the diplomatic pressure afterward highlights common themes in all of these cases: Saudi concerns that U.S. courts wont give them a fair shake and the kingdoms starkly different view of justice and what constitutes a crime. The Saudis have acknowledged a policy to post bail for citizens incarcerated in the U.S. and to hire a lawyer for them. In Colorado, news accounts reported that the kingdom posted $400,000 bail for al-Turki. Federal law enforcement officials suspect the kingdom went further in one instance and helped one of its citizens, a young man studying in Portland, to flee before his 2017 manslaughter trial. Much about the recent cases remains unknown and theyre now the subject of a federal investigation. The Colorado episode, however, is documented in public records. The Oregonian/OregonLive also interviewed key players who detailed the kingdoms role. The Saudis more hands-on approach differs from the typical U.S. government response of a health and welfare check when an American gets arrested in a foreign country, said Robert Jordan, who served as U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia from 2001 until 2003. This is a pattern we have seen over the years, Jordan said. During his diplomatic tenure, Jordan said he didnt see signs of Saudi interference in criminal cases, but the kingdom was highly engaged in custody disputes involving the children of Saudi men. There were a number of instances in which the Saudis appeared to be helping Saudi fathers abduct children in contested custody disputes with American mothers, Jordan said. Saudi involvement in the lives of its citizens overseas is no surprise to those who have studied the kingdom. The Saudi government goes out of its way to protect its citizens, said Bruce Riedel, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and an authority on Middle East policy and national security. They do so by essentially ignoring their crimes and the laws in the nation in which these crimes take place. I WAS TO DEFEND THE AMERICAN CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM Homaidan Al-Turki, 50, a linguist who owned a publishing business in the Denver area, had lived in the U.S. for more than a decade when he was convicted in 2006 of charges related to his abuse of an Indonesian housekeeper he brought to the U.S. He received eight years to life in prison. Saudi royals knew of the case and worried that in the years after 9/11 their citizens in America wouldnt get equitable treatment if they got in trouble. The government even filed a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court, arguing that al-Turkis trial was driven by suspicion and intolerance of Muslims. The kingdom said it wanted to ensure that its citizens, including tens of thousands of students attending American colleges and universities, receive a fair trial when prosecuted in the U.S. and, in particular, that they do not suffer bias because they are Arabs or Muslims. The U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia at the time, James Oberwetter, said he doesnt recall if Saudi religious leaders or al-Turkis family were the first to question the case. But at some point the king brought it up during a private conversation with Oberwetter. Abdullah told the diplomat, an appointee of President George W. Bush, that he thought the prosecution stemmed from al-Turkis efforts to preach Islam in the U.S. And as I listened to him tell the story, Oberwetter said, it seemed very clear to me that the king had not been well served by whomever had presented the facts of this case to him. So Oberwetter called Colorados then-Gov. Bill Owens to ask if hed send a representative to the kingdom to explain the U.S. justice system to government officials. The governor asked Suthers to go. I didnt want another country, whether its Germany or France or Saudi Arabia to think that we were going after their national in a case like this, Owens recalled in a recent interview. Suthers agreed to make the trip. Before taking off, he met with the prosecutor on the case and the FBI. He declined to discuss what federal agents said but remembered it was clear they were nervous that Saudis would pressure the U.S. government to send al-Turki home. Well, thats not in my power, Suthers said he told them. Only the governor can do that. We agreed that would be my position if the topic was brought up, he said. From my perspective, I was to defend the American criminal justice system and I was perfectly willing to do that. WHATS THE BIG DEAL? Suthers was a natural choice to explain federal and state laws given his background. Before becoming attorney general, hed served as U.S. attorney for Colorado and district attorney for Colorado Springs. Before he took off for Saudi Arabia, he read up on the states case, which had hinged on the victims account. About a week after getting the call, Suthers was in Riyadh. He assumed he would meet with Saudi diplomats but instead was escorted to the palace of King Abdullah within hours of touching down. American diplomats explained the protocol to meet with the king. You are going to meet him in one of the sitting rooms, he remembers being told. The king is going to come from his throne, meet you at midpoint, cameras will be there at that time. Dont stop and stare at the ceiling -- because its all gold -- youll be sitting in a chair next to the throne. Suthers took his seat and, through a translator, listened to the monarch. Basically, Ive got a problem, Suthers recalled the king saying. He said, I have this very strident -- not his word, my word -- segment that is angry about this case and you coming over here shows a lot of respect and I appreciate that, Suthers recounted. The king was puzzled that al-Turki hadnt testified in his own defense. He was curious, too, about reports that other women had alleged al-Turki had sexually assaulted them. During the meeting, Abdullah didnt ask the U.S. to return al-Turki to Saudi Arabia, Suthers said. He then met with Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdel Aziz whose interest in the case appeared to center on the victims background. Whats the big deal? Suthers recalled the crown prince saying. It was a common reaction in Saudi Arabia, Suthers said. Ill tell you everyone in Saudi Arabia referred to her as an illiterate Indonesian maid, he said. In fact, she spoke five languages or something like that and she obviously was very convincing because the jury found beyond a reasonable doubt that he had committed these offenses. A 2017 Human Rights Watch report says Saudi Arabia is home to an estimated 10 million foreign workers. Sexual and physical abuse and exploitation of domestic workers arent uncommon, noted the report, which said some workers who tried to report abuse faced prosecution. Last year, an Indonesian domestic worker convicted of killing her employer was executed by Saudi Arabia. According to an organization that assists Indonesians working abroad, the woman acted in self-defense because the employer was sexually assaulting her. In general, Islamic law as practiced in Saudi Arabia gives prosecutors wide discretion in how they pursue criminal cases like rape. Prosecutions can involve confessions and male witness accounts as standards of proof, said Adam Coogle, a Saudi expert at Human Rights Watch, the international advocacy network based in New York. He said the kingdom is notorious for coercing confessions from criminal suspects. Penalties for rape can include death; human rights watchdogs report two to three executions a year for the crime on average, Coogle said. In the Colorado case, Suthers said he told al-Turkis brother and other relatives that the victims testimony was very consistent. And I explained to everyone throughout, that look, the issue in America is not how poor or the education level or anything of the victim. The issue is after all the evidence is in, is the jury convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that a crime has been committed? Al-Turkis brother asked the U.S. government to allow al-Turki to serve his sentence in Saudi Arabia, a decision Suthers said wasnt his to make. Suthers said he returned home a week later. Oberwetter, the U.S, ambassador, said he wasnt directly asked by anyone in the Saudi government to transfer al-Turki to Saudi Arabia to complete his sentence. The diplomat said Abdullah seemed pleased with American efforts to defend the prosecution, but he sensed the king wasnt entirely satisfied. I gleaned there was still suspicion that the arrest came because the man had been proselytizing, Oberwetter said. HES NOT A HAPPY CAMPER Another seven years passed before Suthers heard about the case again. This time, an aide to Owens successor, then-Gov. John Hickenlooper, called. Al-Turki had exhausted his appeals and his lawyers were lobbying the governor to send him home, Suthers said. Suthers, who today serves as mayor of Colorado Springs, recalled that the aide said Hickenlooper planned to leave the decision up to the Colorado Department of Corrections director, Tom Clements. If you have any objection to this, Suthers recalled the aide saying, you need to call Clements. So Suthers did. Suthers told the prisons chief that he didnt think the Saudis would do much in the way of punishing al-Turki. I dont think you should reward him, Suthers recalls saying. I cant believe that imprisonment in Saudi Arabia is going to be very burdensome. Colorado officials ultimately decided not to return al-Turki to Saudi Arabia. Within days, Adel al-Jubeir, the Saudi ambassador to the U.S., was on the line. (Al-Jubeir is a longtime Saudi official who rose from translator to ambassador, then foreign minister. Late last year, he was removed as foreign minister and named minister of state for foreign affairs.) Whats the problem here? al-Jubeir asked, according to Suthers. Suthers said he told al-Jubeir that al-Turki had refused to take part in mandatory sex offender treatment and that he would likely be denied parole for failing to participate. The call was cordial, Suthers said, but the ambassadors disappointment was obvious. Hes not a happy camper, Suthers said. I am sure hes under a lot of pressure. In a disturbing development, the state prisons director was shot to death at his home the following week. Authorities believe Clements was killed by an ex-con with white supremacist prison gang ties. The suspect died in a shootout with police. Al-Turkis name has swirled around the Clements case given the timing of the officials death. But the Saudi was never charged with the killing and his lawyers deny he was involved. Today, al-Turki remains in prison. At one point, he was transferred to a federal prison in Pennsylvania. He has previously been denied parole because of his refusal to participate in sex offender treatment; in all, al-Turki has been denied parole a half-dozen times, according to the Colorado Department of Corrections. Al-Turki didnt respond to a letter requesting a phone interview. A Denver magazine, 5280, examined the al-Turki case last year, noting that the Saudi hasnt spoken to American reporters since his conviction. A lawyer who represented him declined to comment on the case. Al-Turki is eligible to apply for parole again in May, according to Colorado authorities. For his part, Oberwetter, the former ambassador, said he was struck by the recent reporting on the number of Saudis who have left the U.S. before their criminal cases are resolved. If the Saudis are involved in all of this, said Oberwetter, they need to be brought up quite short. Staff writer Shane Dixon Kavanaugh contributed to this report. -- Noelle Crombie 503-276-7184 ncrombie@oregonian.com @noellecrombie Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox. Multnomah County is petitioning to file a friend of the court brief in support of young people who want the Oregon Supreme Court to revive their lawsuit against the state, alleging it has failed to protect its public resources from the effects of climate change. The countys legal foray into the climate change case marks the first time a government entity has publicly supported the young plaintiffs climate change litigation. "I am afraid of the climate change we already see in Oregon and in Multnomah County. Record breaking wildfires. An acidifying ocean. Snow melting a full month earlier than when I was a kid,'' Multnomah County Chairwoman Deborah Kafoury said Friday. "But I am most afraid because in the face of overwhelming scientific evidence that we are on a runaway train, adults are failing to act. So I am here today, on behalf of Multnomah County, to stand with your children. And with my children, Anna, Jacob and Alexander.'' In January, the Oregon Court of Appeals ruled that the state doesnt have an obligation to protect public trust resources from the effects of climate change, a defeat for two young plaintiffs who had sued the state under whats called the common law public trust doctrine. They had sued the state in 2011, arguing Oregon holds vital natural resources in trust for the benefit of its citizens, including the waters of the state, submerged and submersible lands, islands, shore lands, coastal areas, wildlife, fish, and the atmosphere. They further argued that the state has an obligation to protect and preserve these resources and its failure to do so threatens the health, safety, and welfare of plaintiffs, as well as present and future generations of Oregon citizens. The plaintiffs are Ollie Chernaik, now 18, and Kelsey Juliana, who is now 22 and also a plaintiff in the landmark federal climate lawsuit, Juliana v. United States. Represented by the Crag Law Center, theyve asserted the state has a legal obligation to protect the atmosphere, a public trust resource , by limiting greenhouse gas emissions. The state argued that the common law public trust doctrine doesnt extend to the atmosphere and the public trust doctrine doesnt compel the state to take any affirmative action. The trial court concluded that only submerged and submersible lands are resources encompassed in the public-trust doctrine and that other resources - navigable waters of the state, beaches, shore lands, islands, fish and wildlife and the atmosphere arent public-trust resources. The appeals court held that the common law public trust doctrine doesnt impose duties on the state to affirmatively act to protect public trust resources from the effects of climate change. Chernaik and Juliana now are petitioning the Oregon Supreme Court to review the case, and Multnomah County is supporting that move. "This court should allow review because many people - current and future Oregonians - are affected by the decision, which makes this an issue of great public importance,'' wrote Courtney Lords, an attorney representing the county in its petition made to the Oregon Supreme Court to be recognized as a "friend of the court'' in the case. "The viability and future of Oregons natural resources, and the critical role sovereigns play in protecting those natural resources for public use are at stake in this case.'' The plaintiffs and the county argue that the Oregon Court of Appeals misinterpreted state law and failed to consider its history. "That climate change was unknown at the time the early public trust doctrine cases were decided in Oregon does not render the common law incapable of addressing the current condition,'' wrote Courtney Johnson, one of the attorneys representing Chernaik and Juliana. "The Court of Appeals erred by basically taking the trust out of the public trust doctrine; without a trust, there is no public trust doctrine,'' wrote Lords, the Multnomah County attorney. "The basic framework of a trust creates a fiduciary relationship where a trustee holds title to the property of another for the benefit of the beneficiary.'' The countys move and the petitions to the Oregon Supreme Court come a week before a worldwide "School Strike 4 Climate'' walkout being planned for next Friday, with students across the world planning to leave school to protest the lack of action on climate change. In another development. U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and U.S. Reps. Peter DeFazio and Earl Blumenauer, all Oregon Democrats, have filed a brief with the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals supporting the federal climate case filed by Juliana and other young plaintiffs. It urges the court to allow the case to proceed to trial. DOCUMENTS: -County motion for amicus curiae friend of the court status -County brief in support of its petition for amicus curiae status -- Maxine Bernstein Email at mbernstein@oregonian.com Follow on Twitter @maxoregonian Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox. SALEM A substitute teacher in Salem has been barred from teaching in a district after a student says the teacher said go back to Mexico when the student said he didnt want to say the Pledge of Allegiance. KOIN reports the incident happened Tuesday at Swegle Elementary School in the Salem-Keizer School District, where the unnamed substitute teacher has worked for two years. A spokesperson for the district said a student wasn't participating in the Pledge of Allegiance and, after the teacher made a racial comment, the student reported what happened. Lillian Govus, director of communications for Salem-Keizer, said: "It's hard to stand up to an adult and say that an adult is wrong. But, in this case, he did the absolute right thing." The substitute teacher will no longer be allowed to teach in the district. -- The Associated Press Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox. CHICAGO A grand jury in Chicago indicted "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett on 16 felony counts related to making a false report that he was attacked by two men who shouted racial and homophobic slurs. The Cook County grand jury indictment dated Thursday and made public on Friday gives details of the disorderly conduct charge against Smollett. It elaborates on the allegation that he falsely reported he was attacked on Jan. 29 by two masked men who hurled racial and homophobic slurs at the black and openly gay actor, beat him, threw an unidentified liquid chemical on him and looped a rope tied like a noose around his neck. The indictment eight counts from what he told the officer who responded to the report of the attack and eight for what he later told a detective comes a little more than two weeks after prosecutors announced one felony count of the same charge. Chicago police initially investigated the incident as a possible hate crime but later said Smollett staged the attack, recruiting two brothers to carry it out, because he was unhappy with his pay on the Fox show. An attorney for Smollett, Mark Geragos, called the indictment "prosecutorial overkill." He said Smollett "adamantly maintains his innocence." This redundant and vindictive indictment is nothing more than a desperate attempt to make headlines in order to distract from the internal investigation launched to investigate the outrageous leaking of false information by the Chicago Police Department, Geragos said. During the investigation of the incident, several Chicago media reported that there were doubts about Smollett's account, quoting unnamed sources. Some local media have reported that the police department is investigating alleged leaks. While it was not immediately clear why the grand jury indicted Smollett on 16 counts, it divides what prosecutors and police say the actor told the officer who responded to the initial call from what he said to the detective. The second eight counts are more explosive because they include two things that helped propel the incident into an international sensation. The first is that by the time he talked to the detective, Smollett said he could see through the eye holes of one attacker's mask that he was a white man. The two brothers who allegedly participated are black. "He took advantage of the pain and anger of racism to promote his career," Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson, who is black, told reporters the day Smollett was initially charged. Johnson said Smollett paid the two brothers $3,500 to carry out the staged attack. The second eight counts also include the allegation that Smollett told the detective one of the attackers looped a rope around his neck a detail that both Johnson and the judge who set Smollett's bond said was a particularly offensive use of a symbol of the ugly history of black lynchings in the United States. The indictment, written in the dry legal language, does not include new details. It says that Smollett knew at the time he relayed his account that he had "no reasonable ground that such an offense had been committed." Since Smolletts arrest, the producers of Empire announced that the actors character would be removed from the seasons final two episodes. Fox network and the studio that produces Empire had no immediate comment on the latest indictment. --By Don Babwin By Scott C. Ratzan, Barry R. Bloom, Lawrence O. Gostin and Jonathan Fielding In the year 2000, the United States essentially claimed victory against childhood diseases, eliminating measles and making the prevalence of other childhood diseases, such as mumps, extremely rare. Today, we are losing. Eleven states have reported measles cases, and a checkerboard of communities across the United States lack the necessary vaccine coverage needed to maintain the threshold herd immunity of about 96 percent - when vaccination of a substantial portion of a population protects everyone. The costs in human and financial terms are enormous. The rise in such cases is not due to more virulent strains or resistant viruses. Rather, society suffers from the success of anti-vaccine advocates who pushed vaccine hesitancy and refusal and issued unrelenting demonization, disinformation and demagoguery against immunizations. Social media is infected with viral messaging from bots and trolls that masquerade as legitimate information outlets but instead stoke illegitimate fear of vaccines. The crisis has reached a tipping point, forcing Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb to warn recently that states are "going to force the hand of the federal health agencies." As leaders in public health, we agree. It's time for policymakers - especially those at the federal level - to respond decisively to this threat and protect the health of our children by eliminating broad nonmedical exemptions to vaccination mandates. The medical and public-health community has overwhelming scientific evidence that demonstrates the safety and effectiveness of vaccines. Yet parents today can easily go to Google to find discredited anti-vaxxer pediatricians or find solace among anti-vaxxer "friends" in Facebook groups full of misinformation. Other culprits include mainstream websites and some pediatricians who publicly cast doubt on vaccine safety. The World Health Organization now lists "vaccine hesitancy" as a top-10 global health threat, joining others such as antimicrobial resistance, Ebola, air pollution and climate change. The constitutional power to compel vaccination is beyond doubt. As early as 1905, the Supreme Court upheld a law in Massachusetts requiring the smallpox vaccination.The ruling, Jacobson v. Massachusetts, affirmed the constitutionality of state and local laws across the country requiring childhood vaccination as a condition of school entry. By 1922, the court found that school vaccination laws were squarely "within the police power of a state." Yet, federal law is virtually silent on childhood vaccinations. Although every state has school immunization requirements, cavernous gaps exist through generous exemptions. All states, appropriately, allow medical exemptions, but 47 states (excluding California, Mississippi and West Virginia) permit religious exemptions, and 17 states allow exemptions for philosophical or "conscience" reasons. After experiencing a devastating measles outbreak that began in late 2014, California entirely eliminated nonmedical exemptions. Following the law's passage, the state experienced a major increase in vaccination rates, with a precipitous drop in measles and other outbreaks. But most states have failed to respond in a similar way, and it would be irresponsible to wait as outbreaks expanded with severe consequences for our children. What would decisive action look like? First, the federal government should immediately initiate a comprehensive communication "Safe Vaccinations for a Healthy America" campaign. Such an effort would improve our nation's public health by delivering information about vaccine benefits and risks in plain language from sources we trust (not just health advocates but also athletes, celebrities, etc.). Second, the federal government should work with states to eliminate all nonmedical exemptions, following the lead of California and the evidence-based health outcomes. Third, for those states that fail to comply, the federal government should condition certain Medicaid or public-health funding on states eliminating nonmedical exemptions. The Constitution allows the federal government to use its spending power to entice states to comply with national public health norms, as long as there is no coercion. Finally, the government should encourage major social network organizations to screen out false anti-vaccine messages that promote childhood disease, just as they do for sexually explicit, violent and threatening messages. Anti-vaxxers will object to such a vigorous campaign and will likely argue that it interferes with parental rights. But they are wrong. Children are not able to make their own decisions, and no parent has the right to place their child, or other children, at risk of serious harm. Federal policymakers have a responsibility to protect those children who have been put at risk whenever a parent claims the "right" to refuse vaccination. - - Scott C. Ratzan is a senior fellow at the Harvard Kennedy Schools Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government. Barry R. Bloom is a professor of public health and former dean at the Harvard School of Public Health. Lawrence O. Gostin is the ONeill professor of global health law at Georgetown University Law Center, where he directs the World Health Organization Collaborating Center on National and Global Health Law. Jonathan Fielding is a distinguished professor of health policy and management at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health and a distinguished professor of pediatrics at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine. By EUGENE ROBINSON President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump waves as they board Air Force One, Friday, March 8, 2019, in Andrews Air Force Base, Md., en route to Lee County, Ala., where tornados killed 23 people. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)AP WASHINGTON -- Ive got the perfect slogan for President Trumps re-election campaign: Promises Made, Promises Not Kept, But Im Betting My Voters Are Too Stupid to Notice. Let's take stock: Trump promised to build a wall along the 2,000-mile southern border, with the cost of the "big, beautiful" barrier to be borne by Mexico. Trump made this pledge not once but dozens of times, in a call-and-response ritual at his campaign rallies. "Who's going to pay for the wall?" he would demand, and the cheering crowds would yell the answer: "Mexico!" Result: Not a single mile of Trump's wall has been built. When Mexican officials made clear they would never pay a cent toward construction, Trump asked Congress for the money. Even with Republicans in control of both the House and the Senate for two full years, Congress declined to waste taxpayer dollars on the project. When Democrats took the House, Trump declared a "national emergency" in an attempt to steal funds from other projects. Still, despite what he claims, Trump has built no new wall. Trump promised to reverse trade policies that he said were allowing the rest of the world to play Americans for suckers. He pointed to the U.S. balance-of-trade deficit as a yardstick measuring the "stupidity" of prior administrations that allowed trading partners like China, Mexico, Germany and even Canada to walk all over them. Tariffs were the solution, Trump said, as he launched a series of trade wars. "I love tariffs," he crowed. Result: The Commerce Department announced Wednesday that the overall U.S. trade deficit in goods last year soared to an all-time high of $891 billion. The deficit with China, Trump's principal target -- the amount by which the value of imported goods exceeded the value of exported goods -- reached a record $419 billion. Many economists believe this is actually a sign of the U.S. economy's relative good health. But according to Trump's understanding, or misunderstanding, it is an abject failure. Trump promised on Twitter that "there is no longer a Nuclear Threat from North Korea." He made that boast last year following his summit in Singapore with Kim Jong Un, with whom Trump said he had fallen "in love." Most experts on North Korea warned that Kim's vague promises to work toward "denuclearization" were worthless, but Trump insisted he had made a breakthrough and mused about possibly winning the Nobel Peace Prize. Result: Following months of little or no progress, Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats told Congress in January that North Korea is "unlikely to completely give up its nuclear weapons." A second Trump-Kim summit, held last month in Hanoi, ended abruptly without an agreement. Around the same time, according to news reports, the North Koreans restarted work on a ballistic missile site. While Pyongyang has refrained from further tests of its nukes and missiles, Kim's stockpile likely continues to grow. The threat remains. Trump promised to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, claiming he would put in place a new health insurance system that would deliver better results and lower costs. He made the assault on Obamacare the main thrust of his first year in office. Result: Obamacare remains the law of the land. Trump and the Republican-controlled Congress failed in an attempt to repeal the ACA and did not even make a serious attempt to design a potential replacement. Republicans have managed to chip away at the health care law -- the individual mandate is gone, for example -- and Trump often claims the ACA is "imploding." But still it stands. Trump promised to spend up to $1.5 trillion on refurbishing the nation's infrastructure, building new airports, bridges, tunnels, roads and other gleaming monuments to American greatness. He said he was uniquely able to oversee such a program because of his successful career as a real estate magnate. Result: "Infrastructure Week" has become a running joke. Every once in a while, the administration announces it is launching the infrastructure campaign -- then does nothing meaningful to follow through. Trump promised to "drain the swamp" of corruption in Washington. Result: Perhaps the most corrupt administration in U.S. history, riddled with nepotism and teeming with swamp creatures. I could go on. Trump did fulfill some promises he made to far-right ideologues (appointing archconservative judges) and the ultra-rich friends he sups with at Mar-a-Lago (cutting taxes for the wealthy). Overall, though, his administration has been a great big failure. He apparently believes his loyal supporters are the dumbest, most gullible people on earth. We shall see if he's right. Eugene Robinson's email address is eugenerobinson@washpost.com. (c) 2019, Washington Post Writers Group By The Associated Press FILE - In this Nov. 1, 2005 file photo, a doctor prepares a patient for Lasik surgery in Chicago. On Friday, March 8, 2018, The Associated Press has found that stories circulating on the internet that elective Lasik surgery is offered to all female migrants to the U.S. in family detention, and children given braces, all no cost, are untrue. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)AP A roundup of some of the most popular but completely untrue stories and visuals of the week. None of these is legit, even though they were shared widely on social media. The Associated Press checked these out. Here are the real facts: CLAIM: US asylum officer to me: elective Lasik surgery is offered to all female migrants in family detention. Children given braces. All no cost. Then catch and release into the interior. Migrants calling home with this news of these incredible benefits, and the rush here goes on. -- Tweet. THE FACTS: Female migrants are not offered elective LASIK eye surgery and children are not being given braces while in family detention, despite what a tweet circulating widely claims. Todd Bensman, a Texas-based senior national security fellow at the Center for Immigration Studies, who posted the tweet, told The Associated Press he spoke with the asylum officer but was not attesting to the veracity of the details in the tweet. He added that the asylum officer provided few details beyond what he posted. According to a public affairs officer for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the agency responsible for managing care and services in migrant detention centers, no elective surgeries or procedures of any kind are approved. The spokesman said medical procedures are only approved if necessary to preserve life, limb or eyesight. He added that there may be limited instances where orthodontics are medically necessary, but they are not proactively offered. --AP Writer Chloe Kim reported this item from Washington. CLAIM: President Barack Obama resettled 70,000 Somalian refugees in Minnesota. No wonder Rep. Ilhan Omar was elected. THE FACTS: Minnesota received 6,320 Somalian refugees, not 70,000, under the Obama administration, according to data from the U.S. Department of States Refugee Processing Center. About 54,000 Somalian refugees total came to the U.S. under Obama, who served from Jan. 2009 to Jan. 2017. In contrast, the administration of President George W. Bush, a Republican, placed more Somalian refugees in Minnesota roughly 9,800. Omar, a Minnesota Democrat who was elected to Congress last year, came to the United States from Somalia as a refugee 24 years ago, settling in Minneapolis with her family in 1997. Somalian refugees have long migrated to Minnesota and first began settling there in the early 1990s to flee an ongoing civil war, said Micaela Schuneman, refugee services director for the International Institute of Minnesota, a nonprofit that offers immigration services in the region. Minnesota continues to be a popular place for the State Department to place Somalian refugees because many of them have family members in the state and benefit from having an existing community of people from their home country, Schuneman said. --AP Writer Amanda Seitz reported this item from Chicago. CLAIM: U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison urged people to vote twice in same election. THE FACTS: Social media users are sharing a photo posted on Instagram by Omar in 2012 to falsely claim that she and Ellison, both Democrats, encouraged people to vote twice in an election. In the photo, Omar, a community activist at the time, and Ellison, who was a congressman, are marching behind a banner that states, Be nice, VOTE NO twice. We dont need Voter ID. The photo is from an Oct. 20, 2012, march that was held to support two Minnesota statewide ballot amendments, one that would have required people to show a photo ID to vote and another that would have defined marriage as between a man and a woman. Both failed. Emily Rodvold, a graphic designer and activist, told the AP this week that she developed the vote no twice motto to show opposition to the proposed ballot amendments. That was not encouraging people to vote twice, Rodvold said. It was shorthand to tell people if you want to support gay marriage in the future and peoples voting rights, you need to vote no twice. --AP Writer Amanda Seitz reported this item from Chicago. -- This is part of The Associated Press ongoing effort to fact-check misinformation that is shared widely online. Find all AP Fact Checks here: https://www.apnews.com/tag/APFactCheck Follow @APFactCheck on Twitter: https://twitter.com/APFactCheck By NICHOLAS K. GERANIOS Associated Press Washington Gov. Jay Inslee and state attorney general Bob Ferguson are urging gun dealers in their state to abide by the terms of a gun control initiative that voters passed by a wide margin last fall. Inslee and Ferguson, both Democrats, sent a letter Thursday to 262 gun dealers who operate in counties where sheriffs have indicated they will not enforce the so-called Initiative 1639, which passed with 60 percent of the vote. "Despite what some of these sheriffs would have people believe, no one has the ability to pick and choose which laws to follow," said Inslee, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for president. Inslee added: "Our state's voters overwhelmingly approved stronger background checks and gun safety measures, and dealers will be required to comply with those laws." The letter noted that, as a condition of their federal licenses, gun dealers are required to comply with state and federal law. Unless a court rules otherwise, laws and initiatives are presumed to be constitutional. No court has struck down any provision of the initiative. The letter warns dealers of the possibility of license revocation or state or federal criminal charges if they break the law. An initiative prohibition on selling semiautomatic assault rifles to those under age 21 is already in effect and remaining provisions go into effect July 1. Among the remaining provisions are expanded background checks on all sales of semiautomatic rifles that will be the same as those that have been performed on handgun sales for many years, Inslee and Ferguson wrote. There are also new gun storage requirements and other provisions. Also Thursday, a Portland-based human rights group called the Western States Center complained that initiative opponents are trying to intimidate elected officials into not enforcing the law. "We encourage the state of Washington and its elected officials to stand firm in the face of intimidation," said Eric Ward, the group's executive director. Ward said sheriffs in about half of Washington's 39 counties, many of them rural and conservative, have said they won't enforce the new law until the courts decide whether it is constitutional. The initiative raised the minimum age for buying semi-automatic rifles from 18 to 21, required buyers to first pass a firearms safety course and added expanded background checks and gun storage requirements, among other things. The National Rifle Association and the Second Amendment Foundation have filed a lawsuit in federal court alleging the initiative is unconstitutional. ___ Chemical Bank recently announced that its first annual Soup Bowl Stars campaign gathered almost 14,000 food items for donation to 12 regional food banks. "I'm never short of amazed at what our customers and team members can do when they come together for the good of our communities," said Bob Rathbun, regional president of East Michigan for Chemical Bank. "Something as simple as a hot meal can make a world of difference to some of our neighbors, and our communities didn't hesitate to go out of their way to help make that difference." Midland County Veteran Service Department and Senior Services of Midland County recently welcomed Bruce Hernandez, who will head the new veteran's position at the Senior Service Building. Hernandez served in the U.S. Marine Corp and retired from the U. S. Army. He has had deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq. Until this new position, he was serving the Vassar community as a police officer. This new veteran position was made possible from a state grant through Public Act 210 of 2018. Wildfire Credit Union's Brian Pennington has been selected to attend Crash the GAC 2019 by The Cooperative Trust and Credit Union National Association to represent the Michigan Credit Union League. "I am excited to be able to Crash the GAC and represent Michigan and Wildfire Credit Union," Pennington said. "I look forward to networking and advocating for credit unions and their members in Washington, D.C. Our purpose is our members and I will be the voice for them this year." When her daughter was two, Jennifer Douglas read an article that encouraged parents to "make up science stories for your children" in order to inspire their interest in the subject. "So, at bedtime, I would refer to one of her favorite books and add a science spin on it," Douglas said. "She grasped the concepts quite quickly, but when I tried to buy books to aid me in my quest, I found they didn't readily exist." So the Saginaw Valley State University alumna took matters into her own hands. She authored the recently-published "Itsy-Bitsy's Science Adventure," a 28-page children's book aimed at encouraging interest in science, technology, engineering and math -- known as STEM, for short -- among children. "I wanted to be an inspiration to my children and show them you can do anything you put your mind to, while addressing -- what I saw as -- a need," Douglas said. "Understanding the world around you from a child's perspective can help foster not only a scientific foundation in young minds, but will also encourage environmental responsibility." "Itsy-Bitsy's Science Adventure" -- published by FriesenPress in late 2018 -- explores the day in a life of a spider who meets various creatures along his journey while learning about their biology, such as the differences between an arachnid, an amphibian and an insect. The book is available at outlets including online stores such as iTunes and Amazon. The story isn't finished, Douglas said. The book is labeled as the first of the "Itsy-Bitsy Science Series," and Douglas already has plans for follow-up titles that continue to explore the spider's adventures in learning about science. Douglas knows a thing or two about science. She works as an environmental health and safety project manager for Ontario-based Golder Associates, a global company that provides consulting, design and construction services. Douglas said her interest in a STEM-based career began when she was an undergraduate at SVSU more than a decade ago. "I have always been interested in science, though I was not planning to study science or pursue science as a career," said the Lexington, Michigan native whose maiden name is Jennifer Watson. In 2003, she enrolled in a course taught by Richard Trdan, a longtime SVSU biology professor who retired a year before his death in 2018. "He got me excited about science, and we -- with our colleagues and classmates -- ended up working together on various research projects for five years," Douglas said. "That eventually led me to a career in science." Among her undergraduate projects at SVSU was research examining potential genetic weaknesses in zebra mussels that could aid in bioremediation efforts. One year after graduating with a bachelor's degree in biology in 2007, she began her job at Golder Associates. In 2010, she married SVSU alumnus Matt Douglas, who earned a bachelor's degree in marketing in 2007. They now reside in Ontario, where they are raising two children. Jennifer Douglas, meanwhile, hopes her writing helps other parents raise their children to love science. Less than three months after its publication, "Itsy-Bitsy's Science Adventure" has sold about 400 copies, she said. "My children -- ages 6 and 3 -- have heard the stories for years, so to have the book in hand has been very exciting for them," Douglas said. "They know the book was inspired by them, which they love." While some friendships naturally wane with time, the bond between three Midland residents has been going strong for 70 years. Betty Jacobs, Ethyl Jacobs and Margaret Wejrowski have known each other from their years at Midland High and now are residents in Washington Woods senior living facility. "We were always friends through the years. It's been good," Ethyl commented. The three ladies, all 93 years old, knew of each other in high school, but grew closer while working in the tabulating department at The Dow Chemical Co. During their young adult years, they even dated at the same time. "We went out on double dates all the time," Ethyl said. Once they began families of their own, they saw less of each other, yet made an effort to remain in contact. The ladies organized lunches at Big Boy restaurant - with Ethyl acting as chauffeur when Betty and Wejrowski were unable to drive. They also traveled together, once on a shopping trip to Chicago through the community center while they were still working at Dow, and wintered in Zephyrhills, Florida once they retired. "They had reunions there because there were so many people from Midland." Betty explained. After their husbands died, the trio eventually moved into Washington Woods. Wejrowski was the first to move in, followed by Ethyl last June, then Betty in October. "I heard it was a nice place to live. The food was great," Wejrowski explained. "It's close to everything, too," Betty stated. Their shenanigans continue to this day and the staff fondly refers to them as "the three musketeers." Wejrowski and Betty live on the third floor, with Werjrowski directly above Ethyl's residence on the main level. For a brief period last year, Wejrowski created her own airmail service, tossing magazines from her balcony to Ethyl's patio. Since then, she has continued with more traditional methods of delivery. "I said I don't get them. But then last week there were four little ones stuck under my door," Ethyl said. The trio continues to get together at lunch, play cards and simply visit, making sure to get a few quips in here and there. "It is nice. I have no complaints, other than Margaret next door," Betty joked. "Yeah, that noisy old neighbor," Ethyl added with a laugh. While being held in Midland County Jail, a Reese man charged with the murder of his great-aunt wrote a letter to a friend, attempting to frame his younger brother for the crime he had been arrested for. Joel Brandon Wallace, 34, appeared in court Friday, March 8, before Judge Stephen Carras of the 42nd Circuit Court for the fourth day of his trial, which is scheduled to conclude March 21. He stands accused of the murder of Victoria Kilbourne, 74, a Midland hairdresser who was reported missing on June 26, 2018. Kilbourne's remains were found on June 30 in a shallow grave on Wallace's hunting property near Onaway. Wallace faces five counts, including homicide-murder first degree premeditated, homicide-felony murder, unlawful imprisonment, forgery and uttering and publishing. If he is convicted on all counts, he could face life in prison without the possibility of parole. Testimony resumes Monday at 9 a.m. Representing the people as prosecutor is Midland County Prosecuting Attorney J. Dee Brooks. Wallace is represented by attorney Dan Duke. Jason Louchart, a former friend of Wallace, testified in court on Friday regarding a letter his family had received shortly after Wallace's arrest. The letter, postmarked July 13, 2018, had been written by Wallace while he was being held in Midland County Jail, and included a message to Louchart along with a script. In the letter, Wallace pleaded with Louchart to set up a scenario in which Louchart would record a staged conversation between Louchart's cousin James and Armando Sandoval -- the brother of Louchart's fiancee Maria Sandoval -- in which James would pose as Wallace's younger brother Jordan Wallace and "admit" to murdering Kilbourne. The script called for the trio to set up a scene, complete with music in the background to given the impression of a bar setting, in which Louchart's cousin -- posing as Jordan Wallace -- would come to a friend, played by Armando Sandoval, to "get something off his chest," and from that point admit to the murder. Wallace also wrote for Armando Sandoval to talk about pushing Kilbourne's shirt up to give the impression of a sexual assault, which is one detail about the state of Kilbourne's body that had not been released by the time the letter was written. "(Wallace) gives (Louchart) details for the guy playing his brother to say about how things happened," Brooks said on March 5, when the trial began. "The interesting thing about that is there's details in that we believe the evidence will show (Wallace) had no way of knowing, except if he was at the scene of her murder, and saw the way she was buried." Jordan Wallace appeared in court on March 6, where he said he had little contact with his brother after the two had a "falling out" in 2014. After receiving the letter, Louchart consulted Maria Sandoval, and the pair decided to throw the letter away after a short conversation, deciding they "wanted no part in it." "(Louchart) saw the letter first, then he told me about it, and I read it," said Maria Sandoval, who also testified on Friday. "I just looked at (Louchart) and said 'No -- we need to throw this away.' We have a family -- we have children." Maria Sandoval would later retrieve the letter from the garbage and hand it over to a detective from the Midland Police Department on July 23, 2018. Though Wallace offered Louchart no monetary incentives to go along with the plan, he wrote that he "would do it for (Louchart) if it was the other way around." The letter also contained a request for Louchart to buy a "burner" phone and to call Crimestoppers to report seeing a dark-colored SUV parked at Kilbourne's home at about 11 p.m. June 25, 2018. At a motion hearing on Feb. 15, Duke argued that the evidence does not inherently prove Wallace's guilt. "(The evidence) could be a consciousness of guilt or it could be an innocent person's effort to show that they didn't do it, or are trying to get out of the mess that they found themselves in, whether they're responsible for it or not," Duke said. The envelope the letter came in was addressed to "Jason Louchart, Attorney at Law." At the motion hearing, Brooks argued Wallace did this to prevent it from being opened -- Louchart is not an attorney. Congressman John Moolenaar invites all high school students from Michigan's Fourth Congressional District to enter their art in the 2019 Congressional Art Competition. The winning student from the Fourth District will have his or her art displayed in the U.S. Capitol for a year and receive two round-trip tickets to travel to Washington, D.C., for an annual event with Congressional Art Competition winners from around the country. Saginaw Valley State University students are spending their spring break vacations this week supporting communities across the Midwest and East Coast states. Through Alternative Breaks, a student-run organization that sends SVSU volunteers to help nonprofit agencies during the university's winter holiday and spring break sessions, 70 students are participating in six projects spanning four states this week before classes resume Monday. Hospital-bound children and elderly in need of support are among the people benefiting from the students' work. Volunteer efforts also are focusing on improving the environment, raising awareness about HIV and AIDS, and improving housing conditions for families in need. The six SVSU Alternative Breaks projects include the following: Volunteers are assisting Asheville Greenworks, an environmental advocacy organization, as it works to enhance the Asheville, North Carolina, community through educational and volunteer-based environmental programs. During their stay, SVSU students also will learn about human contribution to environmental degradation, urban forestry and invasive plant removal. Another team of SVSU students are working with Le Bonheur Children's Hospital in Nashville. Volunteers there are spending the week interacting with child patients by playing games with them, reading books, as well as supervising arts and crafts and other activities. The students also are assisting with short-term relief services for families and caregivers there. Volunteers are supporting Citymeals on Wheels, an elderly hunger advocacy group in New York City. Participants are spending the week ensuring that home-bound elderly New Yorkers receive a continuous lifeline of nourishment and companionship. A second group of students volunteering in New York City are teaming with Gay Men's Health Crisis, a provider of HIV/AIDS prevention, care and advocacy. Participants are helping to organize educational workshops, meal services and an AIDS Walk project. Volunteers are aiding a Habitat for Humanity spring service trip in Elk Park, North Carolina. Students there also will learn about substandard learning conditions as well as how affordable housing builds strength, stability and self-reliance. A group of SVSU students are assisting La Casa de Amistad, a youth and community center in South Bend, Indiana. Alternative Breaks participants there are helping teach English as a second language, hosting mock interviews, providing digital assistance and preparing the center's youths for citizenship exams. For more information about the Alternative Breaks program at SVSU, visit www.svsu.edu/officeofstudentlife/serve/. What if there was a way to avoid or delay putting your loved one with dementia into a nursing home? Or a way to instantly locate your adventurous 5-year-old with autism when they wander away? Staff at The Arc of Midland, a nonprofit organization that promotes the welfare of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, began asking these questions 10 years ago, in search of a solution. The solution they found was Project Lifesaver, a search and rescue system that uses FM radio waves to locate someone who is lost, leading to prompt and safe rescues. Users of project lifesaver would wear a bracelet that could be located by law enforcement using special receivers. In the event that a user became missing, his or her caretaker could call law enforcement to locate them. The executive director of The Arc, Jan Lampman, said she recalls a three-day search for a missing person that could have been avoided had the missing person been wearing a Project Lifesaver device. However, technology has made leaps and bounds since The Arc began using Project Lifesaver devices, and many similar devices now use GPS technology and smartphone apps to perform similar functions -- and more. "GPS technology has gotten better in the last decade and so we felt it was time to make a change," Lampman said. Last year, the Midland Area Community Foundation provided a $30,000 grant to The Arc of Midland to purchase and implement new devices. The product chosen was AngelSense, a company that uses GPS tracking, allowing its users more freedom and independence. Much like Project Lifesaver, AngelSense is a device meant to bring peace of mind and security to families and caretakers. However, AngelSense is a more proactive system that allows users to track their loved one's location in real-time using an application, Lampman said. "With this device a family can have a lot more control," she said. Lampman said the Midland County Sheriff's Department played an instrumental role in choosing AngelSense, specifically Deputy Trent Millard. Lampman said Millard went to lengths testing and comparing devices. She recalls driving around Midland County with him -- going places she said she never knew existed -- checking for "dead spots" where the devices wouldn't work. "Once we were satisfied that this device really did have the coverage that we needed, then we went forward choosing this over another," Lampman said. She said Project Lifesaver has come out with its own GPS tacking device, however it proved to have several dead spots in the county along with other limitations. The Arc of Midland has now fully transitioned to AngelSense, serving about 20 families in the community, with room for more, Lampman said. One of the AngelSense users in Midland is Melvin Fisher, a man in his 70s with an intellectual disability and dementia. Fisher was the first person in Midland to receive a Project Lifesaver device. Now, he uses AngelSense to help him maintain his independence. "It certainly has allowed Melvin to continue to enjoy whatever freedom he wants to have," Lampman said. Magnetic pins that can only be removed using a special magnet -- much like a security tag at a store -- secures the waterproof tracking device inside Fisher's pocket. At night, Fisher charges his device using an electric cable -- another benefit over the old battery-operated Project Lifesaver bracelets. Fisher lives alone, but loves to go for walks, Lampman said. Had Fisher not received the Project Lifesaver device, his quality of life would have been less, she said. "He will live in his own home until his last breath and now, because of AngelSense, we feel really confident that we can fulfill that promise," Lampman said. Having worked with Melvin for the last 36 years, Lampman acts as his main "tracker." She uses the AngelSense app to set boundaries for his walking routes. When Fisher travels outside the set boundaries, Lampman is alerted. She said she can then send Fisher's location to his team of caregivers, if needed. In addition, the AngelSense device allows for two-way communication. Lampman said she used to use the device with her adopted son with autism, Tim, and has coaxed him to go back home through the device. These features combine to help cut down the need for law enforcement intervention and give families more control, Lampman said. The Arc of Midland is willing to help any family looking to sign up for the AngelSense program, Lampman said, and still has grant funding to do so. She said the grant will cover the first year of the cellular service, but after that the cost to families is $30 a month. Midland residents that are interested in AngelSense can call Laurel Bucci, the community programs director at The Arc of Midland, at 989-631-4439. President Donald Trump signed the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act on March 28, 2017, to recognize and thank our Vietnam Veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice during one of the longest wars in our country's history. This Act designates every March 29 as National Vietnam War Veterans Day. It is a time for all Americans to come together to remember and honor the service and sacrifice of our Vietnam Veterans. We remember 9 million American men and women, some 6.6 million living today, who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces during our involvement in Vietnam from Nov. 1, 1955, to May 7, 1975. Whether they were stationed in-country, in-theater, or elsewhere during those two decades, they answered the call to duty. To the editor: The Midland County Emergency Food Pantry Network held a mobile food pantry at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Midland on Feb. 23. The free food giveaway also was funded by the generous congregations of the 1st and 2nd wards. Church volunteers unloaded the semi-truck from Flint on Friday and then served 217 families (627 individuals) on Saturday morning. The 19,919 pounds of frozen meats, squash, asparagus, potatoes, apples, split peas, cereals, canned and boxed foods, pastries and breads were purchased from the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan in Flint. The Network is also very grateful to the many donors of food, money and time throughout the year to the Network's mission of "always food in every home." Midland County residents in (financial) need of food and personal care items during the year may call the Network at 989-486-9393 to leave a name and phone number. The fourth MFP in 2019 is scheduled for Wednesday, March 13, at Faith United Methodist Church in Coleman. Thanks again to the members and the staffs of the 1st and 2nd wards of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for their partnering support in this ministry. SALLY ANN SUTTON Midland County EFPN Yaounde, Cameroon (PANA) - The African Union (AU) has been urged to order the listing of between 25-30% of all state-owned companies in the security exchanges to attract foreign capital into the continent Algiers, Algeria (PANA) The situation in Algeria is becoming more and more tense and confused with the proliferation and extension of popular demonstrations rejecting then candidature of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika for a fifth term Port Louis, Mauritius (PANA) - The news was dominated this week in Mauritius by the celebration of International Women's Day with a statement by Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, assuring that the government will not tolerate any discrimination against women Two friends and I wanted to visit the bazaar in Tehran while we were there. (He is a historian of Islamic philosophy; she was unfortunately, she died some years ago, far too young an anthropologist with a focus on the Middle East. At the time, they were on research leave in Pakistan from their American university.) Bazaars like the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul and Khan al-Khalili in Cairo are culturally fascinating places. But, although none of us was really much of a shopper, we also thought it might be nice to have something from Iran. We persuaded the powers-that-were to line up a car and a driver for us. (It quickly became obvious that the driver was working for the Iranian Foreign Ministry and that he was assigned, in part, to keep an eye on us.) In the event, our shopping experience was fairly disappointing, as souvenir-hunting goes. The driver didnt take us to a fascinating medieval bazaar Tehran is, on the whole, a very modern city; it wasnt overly extensive or significant in the classical, medieval period but, rather, to a souvenir shop located across the street from the former embassy of the United States. And that was both surprising and absolutely fascinating. First, though, the souvenir shop: It must have been the most desirable location possible back in the day, when the embassy was in operation. (Tehrans was the largest American embassy in the Middle East, in its heyday.) Now, though, it was quite forlorn. There were a couple of German tourists in the largish shop but nobody else, until we entered. The shopkeeper heard us speaking English among ourselves and asked whether we were Americans. When we answered Yes, he almost danced with excitement. Youre back! he said. Not really, we responded, cautioning him not to get his hopes up. Not wanting to disappoint him entirely, though, I bought a little plate with an image of the Zoroastrian deity Ahura Mazda on it, bearing the inscription Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds. (See above.) Then we went out to look at the former embassy, which has evidently been turned into a kind of museum focused on the evils of the United States and which was emblazoned with anti-American slogans in both Persian and English including the ever-fresh Death to America! as well as anti-American murals (featuring such charming elements as the Statue of Liberty with a skull for a head, and so forth). Im not much of a photographer, but I snapped a few pictures and then had to defend myself against a guard who wanted to confiscate my camera. (As it is, I no longer know where the photos are, anyway, so that was a lot of shouting and tension with not much to show for it.) You can read the account here of a British woman who actually gained access to the former embassy and who provides some helpful photographs: Inside The Den of Espionage Former US Embassy in Tehran Saturday Link Love is a feature where I collect and post links to various articles Ive come upon over the past week. Feel free to share any interesting articles youve come along as well! The more the merrier! Imagining a Better Boyhood, on The AtlanticIn the afternoon, he was still wearing the unicorn dress. He skipped down the sidewalk, reporting that some kids had protested his attire, but hed assured them that he was comfortable with himself. Conversations on Racism With White People Getting Stuck or Looping? Thirteen Questions To Get It Moving Again, on Healing from WhitenessIf you find yourself in a conversation with a fellow white person (perhaps someone dear to you) about racism and it keeps going on the rails, getting stuck or looping it can be easy to fall into the simple assessment that, They are racist, or to follow the prescribed, rote response of calling them on their racist shit. Its easy to want to write people off (and sometimes you may need to) but its not always possible or desirable (e.g. theyre family or a dear friend or an important colleague etc.). Heres why black families have struggled for decades to gain wealth, on MarketWatchThe GI Bill is one example of several postwar policies in which the federal government invested heavily in the greatest growth of a white asset-based American middle class, to the exclusion of blacks. Georgia Woman Endured Arrest, Million-Dollar Bond, and Months of Jail over Meth that Was Actually Cotton Candy, on The AppealA notoriously unreliable roadside drug test administered by Monroe County sheriffs deputies led to Dasha Fincher being charged with methamphetamine trafficking. I have a Patreon! Please support my writing! Patna: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Giriraj Singh, the man known for grabbing headlines for his over-the-top and offensive rhetoric, a day after the BJP candidate Pradeep Kumar Singh lost the Araria Parliamentary seat to Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) nominee Sarfaraz Alam, said that with Alam's win, Araria will turn into a terrorist hub threatening the entire nation. "Some people, in order to attain their political ambitions, have spread extremism and fanaticism in Araria that borders both Nepal and West Bengal. This is certain to turn this region into a hub for terrorist activities that could jeopardize the security of the nation," the Union Minister said in the Narendra Modi government said. Not surprisingly, Singh's statement evoked strong condemnation from opposition leaders in Bihar as well as at the Center with many demanding sacking of him from the Central government. Former NDA ally and now a friend of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) chief Jitan Ram Manjhi said it was wrong to assume that only Muslims lived in Araria. "There are Muslims, Hindus, and backwards live in Araria so how it can be termed as a den of terrorists," he enquired. Former Chief Minister and RJD leader Rabri Devi also slammed Singh saying all the 'terrorists' were sitting in the BJP offices and the BJP leaders like him should be focusing on them than Araria. Rabri Devi, the wife of incarcerated party chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, further said that the recent election debacles of the BJP candidates have made the saffron party very nervous and that is why people like Giriraj Singh were uttering nonsense to hide their frustration. Her son and former Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar Tejaswi Yadav also mocked the NDA saying it ruled in both Bihar and at the Center and yet they cannot do anything about this so-called terrorism in Araria. "If there is terrorism in Araria then Nitish Kumar should be held responsible for it because he is the Chief Minister of Bihar. We should ask him to step down then," he said. Patna: Has the magic of political wunderkind Prashant Kishor on decline within the Janata Dal U or its just the internal bickering that is typical of any political party? That is the question many people are asking in Bihar as voices against the party national vice president grows louder with a number of senior party leaders expressing their frustration, and in some case even anger, against Prashant Kishore who has been, until now, the blue-eyed, blond-haired boy of the party bigwigs completely immune from any criticism. At a press conference in Patna on Friday, senior party leader RCP Singh said that Kishore in the last few weeks had uttered a few things that is not only damaging to the party but gave the opposition a weapon to politically hurt JD-U and the Chief Minister himself. First, without consulting any senior member of the party, Prashant Kishor issued an apology to the family of martyr Pintu Singh of Begusarai. And when the Chief Minister himself visited the martyrs family, Kishor tweeted And the Follow-up suggesting it was only after Kishors apology that Nitish Kumar decided to visit the grieving family in Begusarai. Furthermore, at a meeting of partys youth wing in Muzaffarpur, Kishor said that he has, in the past, made a Prime Minister and a Chief Minister and with his track record, he can also make any young party leader an MP or an MLA. All these reeks of condescension and arrogance, Singh said adding no one but the voters have the power to make a Prime Minister or Chief Minister or any other political leader. He further chastised the party national vice president for criticizing the JD-U for leaving the Grand Alliance and going back to the NDA fold. At the time, he had said that the JD-U, instead of going back to the NDA, should have gone for a mandate in Bihar. The fact is, the entire party unanimously decided to leave the Grand Alliance and go back to the NDA. Prashant Kishore was not in the JD-U at that time so he has no knowledge of what went behind the closed door before the decision to go back to the NDA was taken, he said. JD-U spokesperson Neeraj Kumar also had some harsh words for Kishore saying no one was capable of creating leaders except the voters who ultimately decide who to put in power and who not to. It may be noted that Kishor was not invited to the BJPs Sankalp rally at Patnas Gandhi Maidan on March 3 where Nitish Kumar, after a gap of nearly 10 years, shared platform with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Earlier on Friday, RCP Singh inducted Dr. Alok Kumar Suman in the party at a function at party headquarters in Patna. Grandview Vineyard rolls into its sixth year knowing at least one thing will change at its location in the rolling hills of Lancaster County, near Mount Joy: Its upgrading its wedding venue. Thats located down the hill from the winery, family-owned and among the newer establishments that has found a niche and run with it, helped by a list of wines that have earned numerous accolades. With the permits finally approved, work is already underway on a building by the events pavilion, where Grandview welcomes couples to hold their wedding event. This new structure will house bathrooms, changing areas for the bride and groom, and sinks and space for caterers, and is expected to be completed for the first scheduled wedding there in May. Otherwise, one of the regions most visually appealing wineries, sitting atop a hill overlooking the more than 5 acres of vines and surrounding farmland, will mark this new year in business with its variety of events, including Wine by the Vine on the large deck on Friday nights and a sprinkling of Saturday afternoon concerts throughout the summer and fall. Heres a link to its events page. In the winery, Larry Kennel said hes slowly aging another vintage of his top-of-the-line Grande Rouge, a Bordeaux blend, which could be ready for purchase by summer. Its one of several dry reds he makes, including a Cabernet Franc and a cultivated American grape called Norton that makes a wine about as dark as they come. That Cab Franc and an Albarino from the winery both scored an 88 in a fall 2018 national tasting undertaken by jamessuckling.com. Grandviews whites include dry and semisweet, including a popular sparkling wine called Diamond Dust, which is featured on tap at the winery. Kennel noted that over the past couple years the winery has ramped up its production of kegged wines, largely to satisfy the local beer producers that carry Grandviews products. Next up, possibly, are a couple of wines in a can, a trend thats picking up steam regionally and nationally. Wed like to can some, he said, but it adds a whole new dimension that makes it even more difficult because what you try to do is what youre tasting in the winery is the same thing youre selling out the door, its the same thing youre selling at a ballpark, if youre going to do that. So when people come in to taste you can say, aw, yeah, were going to serve that at the Barnstormers, in cans. " For now, he said, theyll continue to look at the possibility while they assess how much wine they are planning to make this year and its growing distribution channels. Kennel noted they have made a lot of progress gaining more suppliers for their wines, from Lancaster County brewers to restaurants. One other factor to weigh is how much wine theyll have from their own vineyard, after a miserable 2018 vintage that might have similar repercussions on the 2019 output. Kennel called it the worst vintage theyve had there, netting less than a quarter of the crop they normally expect. The year was so wet that by the time the grapes started to ripen they were also starting to rot. We ended up picking everything weeks before we normally pick them and then had to deal with sorting out rot issues in the vineyard. All the rain, compounded by a deep drop in the low temperatures in November, has caused damage that could affect the upcoming growing season. A lot of the buds, the primary, the secondary and even some of the tertiary.buds, are dead, so were not sure what the 2019 harvest will look like. It might look as bad or worse than 2018 and as Im talking to everybody else in every area of Pennsylvania with the exception of northwest Pennsylvania I think theres going to be a lot of other people in the same boat. Summing up, he said he has a tremendous amount of respect for people involved in farming and how they deal with adversity. Thats farming, he said after outlining what the past year has been like. The things that farmers have to deal with are just really disheartening in a lot of years and all they say is that, yeah, next year will be better. Its an attitude of resignation with what Mother Nature brings and an optimism that many, many people dont possess. The winery will continue to be open Thursdays through Mondays, with extended hours on Thursdays and Fridays during the summer and fall. A Harrisburg man accused by police of fatally shooting a man outside of a bar in December has been arrested by U.S. Marshals. Sheldon Reece, 24, was arrested by the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force early Saturday morning in New York, according to a news release from the agency. Task Force members pursued leads throughout Pennsylvania and Maryland until the afternoon of March 8, when they learned Reece would be found in New York City, according to the release. Shortly after 2 a.m., new information led members of the USMS New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force to a hotel in Long Island City (Queens), New York, where Reece was taken into custody without incident. Reece was turned over to the New York Police Department Central Booking Department to await extradition to Pennsylvania. An inactive court docket for Reece indicates he faces once count each of murder in the first degree, firearms not to be carried without a license, and recklessly endangering another person in connection with the shooting. Police were called to the Double Ds bar at 546 S. 19th Street at 12:48 a.m. on December 18, about 15 minutes after the bar announced last call for drinks, according to bar employees. Officers arrived to find 34-year-old Sean Jackson outside the bar and transported him to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Police previously said Jackson was talking to someone in a car in the parking lot when a man confronted him with a gun and opened fire. The special elections to fill two open state Senate seats have been set to coincide with the May 21 primary election. Lt. Gov. John Fetterman signed the writ of election on Thursday calling for the special elections for the Senate District 33 seat formerly held by Republican Sen. Rich Alloway and the Senate District 41 seat formerly held by Republican Sen. Don White. Both vacated their seats on Feb. 28 Alloway announced in mid-January he was stepping down two years into his third four-year term, saying later it was because he was frustrated by the political gridlock, saw no path to top leadership post and was burned out. His district encompasses all or parts of Adams, Cumberland, Franklin and York counties. Shortly thereafter, White announced he was retiring in the middle of his fifth term due to health issues. His district includes all or parts of Armstrong, Butler, Indiana and Westmoreland counties. Special elections can be costly if held on days separate from the primary or general election. The state picks up the tab and the cost frequently runs into the six-figures. According to a Department of State summary prepared for PennLive, the state shelled out nearly $1.5 million to cover the cost of special elections since 2014. That figure is about to escalate with some upcoming special elections. There are special elections to fill two House vacancies scheduled for March 12. One is to fill the seat formerly held by the late Sid Michaels Kavulich, a Democrat who represented the 114th House District comprising parts of Lackawanna County. The other is to fill the 190th House District seat held by Vanessa Lowery Brown, a Democrat who resigned after being convicted last year of bribery and other crimes. She represented a portion of Philadelphia. Another special election is scheduled for April 2 to fill the state Senate seat in District 37 vacated by Republican Sen. Guy Reschenthaler, who resigned to take a seat in Congress. Jan Murphy may be reached at jmurphy@pennlive.com. Follow her on Twitter at @JanMurphy. Sign up now for Good Morning, Pa. and get the most important headlines delivered free to your inbox by 6 a.m. Monday-Friday. Jerry Pinkney's work is the subject of a new exhibit at the Woodmere Art Museum. Read more The Woodmere Art Museum exhibition Freedoms Journal: The Art of Jerry Pinkney wraps 60 years worth of the artists paintings (about 100 of them) around the museums circular, two-floor gallery. The exhibition also lays out 400 years of African American history via Pinkneys book and magazine illustrations, and life-size portraits he created for the National Park Service. Freedoms Journal includes video interviews with the artist, video storytelling, and Pinkney-illustrated books such as Minty: A Story of a Young Harriet Tubman, John Henry, and The Old African that visitors can sit down and page through. Its a compelling tribute to the decades Pinkney, 79, has spent documenting African American history and culture. But its especially meaningful to the Caldecott Award winner, who grew up a few miles away, in Germantown. Pinkney said the exhibition was an embarrassment of riches, that Ive been preparing for for most of my working art life. Looking backward and forward, Pinkney feels proud of what hes done and daunted by the task ahead. Now living in New York, hell return to the Woodmere at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 23, to be interviewed by author Lorene Cary. He spoke with the Inquirer about his distinguished career and whats next. This is not your first art exhibition. How is this one new? The focus is on reexamining African American history. When I say reexamining, I mean diving into the origins of why Africans were torn away from their homeland. It starts with capture and enslavement, and then it moves through the Middle Passage and the many chapters from slavery to the Underground Railroad to the civil rights era. Its trying to visually tell the story of the 'why of the African American experience, the origins of the African American experience and, most importantly, the resilience and struggle of African American life. Thats comprehensive. In that mix, we also have other books that speak to other peoples who have been marginalized. There is Journeys with Elijah: Tales from the Prophets, Jewish folktales, as well as the book Tonweya and the Eagles, and other Lakota Tales. Its this idea of journeys: a journey of the people of African descent, and also other journeys that include other groups that might have been and have been marginalized throughout history. So I guess its a big arc. It includes all those things. And its works from not only my book work, but also National Geographic magazine as well as the National Park Service. How did you come to make art for the National Park Service? Its very interesting. In the 80s and 70s, I began to see myself as someone for whom opportunities were opening up I was trying to figure out a way that I could talk about that experience of being a person of color who came from a place where there were an ample number of naysayers to arrive at a level of stature in the visual arts. I wanted to speak to that sense of possibility opening up in the United States. So I went searching for clients who represented, in some way, this country. I went to see the people at the U.S. Postal Service. I went to see the national park folk, and I threw National Geographic in that mix, as well. I was seeking a way to use my gifts, my talents, in a much broader arena that also spoke to the U.S. government, to speak about the contributions and the history of people of African descent. How did that feel, to approach those entities? It was at the time when the national parks were beginning to rethink the material they had generated in the past. We were all searching to correct things in history and African American history. There are always these tendencies in each artist, and mine was, in a sense, to go in and to begin to help change perceptions. This allowed me to enter into those dark spaces in African American history to bring a sense of a group of people, who, through resilience and grit, have contributed and contributed in a big way. How does your more historic work tie into John Henry and other illustrations for fiction in the exhibition? There are two prongs in my work: the work that celebrates and explores African American history, and fables. The fables are really directly connected to my roots. I tell or adapt stories that were important to me as a child growing up. Most of my work, especially the work that I initiate, National Geographic or the national parks, John Henry or Minty, its all part of those things that moved me, or fired up my imagination as a child, that made me more curious. Should we assume you have another book coming out soon? I just finished a project thats in production for a book called A Place to Land. Its on Martin Luther King Jr. It takes place the evening before the March on Washington, during the process of preparing his remarks. Its about process, the weight that he carried, and interacting with his council and, after the march, with President Kennedy. It was very dramatic for me to think of the time that we live in now, and to realize the remarks that Martin Luther King Jr. gave that historic day could be given today. We couldnt have imagined the possibility of African Americans, as a people, becoming more limited in some ways, in terms of schools being more segregated and the inequity of income between whites and blacks. There was a point where we were working on this when spirits were not high. I was trying to figure out this arc of promise. Then I realized the promise was President Obama. America elected a black president: That sparked something for me that was very positive. Obama is the last image in the book. He was the marker for how America has moved forward. The exhibition ends on a hopeful note, too. Hildy Tow of [Woodmeres] education department came up with the idea of including the poem I Want to Be by Thylias Moss. The idea of it is finding a way out of no way making a dream out of no way. Thats the African American experience. Youre a great-grandfather. Any thoughts of retirement? Im going to be 80 in a year, and my creative tendencies are all in bloom. As we get older, everything becomes, in a sense, not more important, but requires a more thoughtful focus. There are parts of African American history that I havent gotten to and are still burning inside of me. Freedoms Journal: The Art of Jerry Pinkney, through May 12 at the Woodmere Art Museum, 9201 Germantown Ave., $10 adults, $7 seniors, free children and students with ID, 215-247-0476, woodmereartmuseum.org Dan McGlaughlin (left) and John Cannon in 'Da,' an Irish Heritage Theatre Company production on stage through March 23 at Plays & Players. Read more Irish Heritage Theatre honors its own father with Da, on stage at Plays & Players through March 23. Hugh Leonards 1978 Tony-winner for best play serves as a star vehicle for 81-year-old company founder John Cannon. Even as he plays a ghost, Cannon seems vibrantly alive under Peggy Meachams energetic direction. The title character shuffled off the mortal coil at some undetermined point in the past, leaving his adopted son Charlie (Daniel McGlaughlin) to return to his childhood home and deal with the detritus. A posh London playwright, Charlie must come to terms with a history hes avoided that of his family, his country, and his relationship with Da. Though slightly dotty and dated, Leonards play smartly subverts expectations of Irish theater. It neither overdoses on blarney nor leaves its audience keening and moaning. Mostly, it finds a happy middle ground: tender and touching in some places, spectral and searching in others. Da isnt the only ghost haunting the sets modest Dublin digs, rendered with pleasant shabbiness by Ian and Siobhan McCrane. Charlies Ma appears in the sympathetic form of Mary Pat Walsh, who vacillates between prideful warmth and stern rapprochement. Youthful desire materializes in the person of Mary Tate, also known as the Yellow Peril, given vivacious life by Kelly Filios in Kassy Bradfords delectable costumes. Charlie even shares the stage with his former self, played by J. Oliver Donahue as a terminally unfulfilled youngster who envisions a world beyond his humble beginnings. McGlaughlin and Donahue achieve something rare and wonderful: They actually seem like the same person separated by a few decades and an ocean of lived experience. Young Charlies teenage insouciance calcifies into his adult selfs hard-edged worldview, a total rejection of Das easygoing spirit. Leonard smartly contrasts the Irish generation who grew up in the swell of nationalist fervor with those who fled to a calmer life across the pond, without passing judgment on either choice. Charlie and Da rarely see eye to eye, but their bond transcends petty grievances. Like many Irish plays from OCasey to McDonagh, Da wears out its welcome ever so slightly as it ambles toward a neatly telegraphed resolution, and some of Leonards jokes dont stand the test of time. Yet Irish Heritage Theatres superb company communicates such a level of unforced charm that any small expanse of dead weight can be forgiven. You will certainly find your face fixed in a broad smile whenever Cannon takes center stage. I love you, Da, Charlie tells his father to defuse a tense interaction. Certainly you love me, Da replies. Why wouldnt ya? THEATER REVIEW Irish Heritage Theatres Da Through March 23 at Plays and Players Mainstage, 1714 Delancey Place. Tickets: $15-25. Information: irishheritagetheatre.org. FILE photo shows a students walking in front of the Old Main building on the Penn State campus. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) Read more College tuition tends to rise faster, year to year, than other stuff Americans pay for. Like health care and military weapons, which are also bought with public funds (or at least government aid), college seems to resist some of the usual laws of supply and demand, and inflates automatically. To help parents help kids trim college costs, and save them from relentless student loan debt, Congress gave the Internal Revenue Code its Section 529, for saving for college, tax free. Americans have set aside more than $32 billion in tax-protected 529 savings plans, the Federal Reserve reported last year. Theres at least one 529 plan sponsored by every state. Although when you start taking a look at the plans, you might wonder why some states bother. Measured by dollars, these plans are lopsided. Under-populated Nevada has attracted $22 billion to its 529 programs, more than twice as much as neighboring California, the most populous state. Pennsylvania and New Jersey state-sponsored 529 savings are also smaller than their populations would make you expect, each in the neighborhood of $5 billion, according to the Fed. Virginia has the most-popular plan, with around $70 billion. More on why that is, a little later. Pennsylvania offers a 529 plan featuring funds from home-state provider Vanguard Group, which earns its reputation for low fees. But when you go to Vanguards college-savings website, and tell them youre from Pennsylvania, you start to see why the states program might not be a little more popular. As Vanguard spokeswoman Emily Farrell points out, you can get similar tax benefits from a different states plan (best to check a particular plan against your own states rules.) 529 plans are like E-ZPass: you might find one in another state that has features you like better than your own, with comparable savings. Pennsylvania is one of a minority of states that gives full tax savings to out-of-state 529 plans, said Treasury spokesman Michael Connolly, and has by far the largest deduction for college contributions $15,000 a parent a year. And Vanguard helps you choose: Instead of sending you to sign up with its funds in the Pennsylvania 529 program, Vanguard confronts the visitor who hits the Pennsylvania button with a comparison between the Pennsylvania 529 Investment Plan offering those Vanguard funds, against Vanguard 529 plan offered by Nevada. The Nevada plan gives you more Vanguard choices, and mostly lower fees -- for example, 15 basis points (0.15%) for the Vanguard 529 plan sponsored by Nevada for age-based options that shift from stocks into bonds as college gets closer, versus 24 to 28 basis points for the Pennsylvania 529 Investment Plan. Pennsylvania does a lower threshold: You can sign up with just $25, compared with $3,000 in Nevada. As fans of the late Vanguard founder John Bogle know, those fees add up over the years, for parents saving for college. So why is the Vanguard plan from Nevada cheaper than Vanguard funds in Pennsylvanias plan? Ask Harrisburg, the Vanguard rep told me. Officials at the Pennsylvania Treasury department, who inherited the plan from previous administrations, say Nevada got into the business early and got big quick, so it was able to negotiate lower fees. Pennsylvania has been pressing Vanguard to get its fees down, and theyre lower than they used to be, state treasury spokesman Connolly told me. Pennsylvania also has a unique second 529 choice, the Guaranteed Savings Program, a more flexible version of the pay-in-advance discounted tuition programs some universities offer. Virginia, with the biggest 529 plan, is also one of a few states whose plans are widely sold by investment brokerage offices. The fact those plans have attracted tens of billions more than other plans, because more people are out there selling them and collecting commissions, looks like confirmation of the old brokers motto: Financial products are not bought, they are sold. Sold a little too hard, maybe: The brokers self-regulatory body, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), has demanded that brokers who sell 529 plans self-report any excess fees they are charging by April 1, or face unspecified consequences. Firms that fail to assess their historical 529 Plan sales-recommendation procedures may face serious sanctions if FINRA later identifies any suitability deficiencies.according to Richard Margolies, partner in the securities enforcement and regulation group at law firm King & Spalding in New York. If FINRA finds brokers have been ripping off college savers, that would reflect poorly, not only on any brokers found to be overcharging, but also on state college savings managers asleep at the switch. This becomes a hot-button political issue, since state officials who set 529 plan terms are often the same people who are supposed to be ensuring consumer protections, Brad Bennett, FINRAs former chief of enforcement, told me. . They are reluctant to blame themselves for any problems, Bennett candidly added that he couldnt remember FINRA sanctioning a broker for overcharging on 529 fees, up til now. Its important for 529 savers is to know in advance the fees they are committing to pay, Bennett concluded. The number one problem with college savings is, people dont save. Number two is fees. An irony in Pennsylvania is that tuition at Penn State and other state-backed schools, and at state universities, has been driven up by the relatively generous pension and health benefit programs for retirees and veteran former employees. For every dollar paid to professors and other staff, another 30 cents plus goes into keeping the State Employees Retirement System (SERS) solvent. Retiree health care is an even larger, and a fast-growing, expense. Just as Vanguard and other money managers compete to run states 529 plans and gain savers assets to pay for college, so also do money managers compete to invest billions for SERS and other state pension plans funded by taxpayers. SERS executive director Terrill Sanchez told legislators at Tuesdays annual budget hearing that the surcharges should level off in the next few years, and SERS assets should finally match its liabilities, under current assumptions, by about 2040. By then, most state college employees will have lower pension guarantees, under a law signed by Gov. Tom Wolf that start taking effect for people hired this year. So that part of the problem will dissipate. (Though who knows how many Pennsylvania state colleges will still be in business by then? The states average age is now over 40, compared to 32 in, for example, Texas.) Meanwhile, investment managers will keep collecting their own fees, both from the state pension plans that help jack up college expenses, and the college savers who help pay for them. Larry Weathers III, left, watched a drunk driver kill the daughter of Roseann and Richard DeRosa, right, and then prayed over the woman as she died on Feb. 16, 2009, in Upper Chichester, Pa. A decade earlier, Mr. Weathers was the subject of an extensive Inquirer series after Weathers Dodge was among 789 Chrysler dealers ordered out of business during the near-collapse of the U.S. economy in 2009. Read more Larry Weathers III could see the woman, right there in front of him. She was trapped in the spaghetti-like wreckage of a Subaru on Route 452, a car from which he had heard screams and smashing metal just moments before, in a crash that would echo in his mind for days. This was someones daughter. And she was probably dying. He had just seen a drunk driver with five previous DUI convictions roar past his minivan and smash into the womans oncoming Subaru. Larry had ducked behind the steering wheel of his own car to avoid what had seemed like certain death for him, too. A Dodge Ram pickup had nearly run him off the road before killing the woman, breaking her husbands pelvis, and turning Larry, a traumatized eyewitness, into the one soul on Earth who could later provide a sense of peace to the devastated families. There, on the two-lane road near I-95 in Delaware County, shivering because he had left his coat at home for what was supposed to be a quick run to a Home Depot, all he could think about was this woman. A stranger. Are you all right? he whispered. Over the next four hours, he prayed over her. I can never remember, even when I was in the military anything that pierced my heart, my soul, my mind, my entire being like when there was that collaboration of noise from the vehicles and ... Tears swallowed the rest of the former Navy mans anguished sentence. Larry spoke to me twice over the last two weeks from the same modest office inside Weathers Motors, where, almost exactly 10 years ago, I sat many times with him and his now-deceased father as they cried over the loss of their century-old Dodge dealership in Lima, Delaware County. I had spent 18 months getting to know and write about Weathers Dodge, a casualty of the near-collapse of the U.S. economy in the Great Recession, never imagining that another trauma could bring us back here on such a sad anniversary. Larry didnt know Deana Eckman before that night three weeks ago, though just about everyone in those parts, including Deanas parents, had known the Weathers name. They knew what Chrysler did to Weathers Dodge in 2009. They thought it was just awful. Larry didnt know that this woman in the car had been born 6 weeks premature. That her hospital heart monitor would go wild every time her mom approached the incubator 45 years ago. That she loved animals and had a dog named Chooch. He knew only that she had been in the car whose headlights hed seen coming over a bridge and toward the maniac in a souped-up truck who had caused it all. I couldnt bear the thought of walking away from her and leaving her there just with the first responders around, Larry said. He would stay, he decided, if only to help witness and guide, and just see her as she launches herself off to heaven. You know, the 62-year-old continued, his face crumpling with tears, it just made me sad. Much will be said in the months ahead about what happened on the 3300 block of Market Street around 9:20 p.m. on Feb. 16, in Upper Chichester, near the Pennsylvania border with Delaware. Why, for instance, was such a menace to the public welfare behind the wheel yet again? A preliminary hearing for David Strowhouer, the 30-year-old charged with homicide by vehicle, is scheduled for Tuesday. Strowhouer, according to investigators, was driving someone elses truck, even though his license had been suspended after a decade of drunken criminality across the suburbs of Philadelphia. Asking the toughest questions will be Deanas mother and father, Roseann and Richard DeRosa. They are on a mission" to investigate Pennsylvanias DUI laws, targeting people like their daughters alleged killer, even as they tangle with grief and rage. Their son-in-law, Chris Eckman, is on crutches; rescuers removed him from behind the wheel but declared Deana dead at the scene minutes after impact. My husband and I are staying strong for our family, Roseann told me Wednesday from the kitchen table of their Brookhaven home. Weve had our horrible moments. It feels like someone just came and ripped your heart out. Prayer, she said, had been a part of their lives up till now. I always prayed for whoevers up there to watch over my children, Roseann, a retired paralegal, said. Of three children, they put their two daughters through Catholic grade school and Cardinal OHara High School. I prayed every night that everybody was kept safe. Got me nowhere. It was Larry Weathers, however, who would bring talk of God back to the DeRosa kitchen table. Last Sunday, barely two weeks after the crash, Roseann and Rich had him over. They wanted to know what happened that night. Larry held nothing back. Larry was driving south on 452, with Deana and Chris heading north. He heard a roar from behind. A souped-up engine or muffler making noise. In the rearview mirror of his Dodge Caravan, he saw headlights in the distance behind him. Quickly, the glare from the lights of a deafening pickup truck had reached his tail. The driver repeatedly accelerated all the way to his bumper, only to then coast. This happened over and over. Petrified, Larry thought its headlights were touching his window. I thought he was trying to run me off the road," he said. "I thought: I have got no choice, Ive got to keep moving. If I put my brakes on, this guys going to crash into my vehicle, cause theres no way hes going to be able to stop, he said. Maybe the guy had a gun. Larry was terrified. Things only got worse. In his rearview now, the trucks lights shifted to the left and into the lane of oncoming traffic. The pickup pulled up alongside Larry. Im still thinking, this guys going to pull out a gun and shoot me." Instead, the driver "puts the gas pedal down to the ground. And the noise of that truck ... I felt like my car shook, and my heart almost jumped out of my head. The pickup zoomed up the incline of a small bridge. Almost immediately, headlights from a 2019 Subaru poked over from the other side. Larry threw an arm up over his face and ducked. The crash. The noise. The bloodcurdling screams. Larrys van stopped. He touched his arms to see that he was alive. He gave chase when the pickup tried to get away. The truck came to a halt moments later with a broken axle right over the bridge, and Larry ran back to the scene. He stayed by Deanas side until 1 a.m. He told all of this to Deanas mom and dad. She had the look of peace, like an angel, even lying there in the car, he told them. That is a picture that will be in my mind for the rest of my life, despite all the horror. Larry and Deanas mom then shared a long, warm hug. Yes, some comfort, perhaps. But the truth is more complex. Larry is having trouble driving and sleeping. Roseann, of course, feels empty and hopeless, as only a mother would. She fell to pieces the other day just remembering one of her daughters most beloved mantras. She always said, make time for your family, Roseann said, crying, because you never know when youre not going to see them again. >> READ MORE: Surviving the Storm: The Inquirers 2010 series on the demise of Weathers Dodge and 789 other dealerships amid the bankruptcy of Chrysler Corp: PART ONE >> PART TWO >> PART THREE >> READ MORE: Lawrence Weathers Jr., 1931-2012 Car dealer lost beloved garage to the Chrysler bankruptcy Students wait for the town hall discussion on Customs, the first-year experience program at Haverford College, to begin. Read more At 4 in the morning one day last November, 20-year-old Haverford College student and dorm leader Laurel Benjamin woke up suddenly with the feeling that someone was watching her. My first-year was standing in my room. Hed opened my door and, like, let himself in.... He told me he needed Nyquil. Benjamin recalls being upset violated, she says by the freshmans entrance. I was shocked that he just expected me to do anything, at any hour of the day. She knew her role in dorm leadership was to provide first-year students with resources, but wasnt there a limit? It made me less excited about the role, she says, twisting her hands in her lap. I feel like Ive been taken for granted. Benjamin works in the first-year experience program, Customs. She is one of nearly 200 sophomores, juniors, and seniors who live on campus from August to May; they host hangouts, mediate roommate conflicts, ensure dorm safety, advise first-year students, and respond to hall emergencies. This kind of residential leadership structure is distinctive in many ways among them that all positions are unpaid. At nearby Bryn Mawr College, the stipend for hall advisers, for instance, is $2,500. At Swarthmore College, part of the same consortium, resident assistants are paid nearly $8,000 (the cost of housing on campus). For low-income Haverford students who are balancing full academic course loads and multiple jobs participation in Customs can be daunting. Back when the majority of Haverford attendees were from families of means, reliance on unpaid labor might have been sustainable. On college tours, the institution cites the volunteer aspect of the program as consistent with its emphasis on self-governance. But student organizers now are criticizing the tradition as outdated and even exploitative. Eyasu Shumie, 19, works four jobs on campus, clocking nearly 20 hours a week, in addition to his role as a Customs member. A first-generation college student, he doesnt think what hes doing is sustainable but there arent many other options. You cant balance working all these hours, on top of taking four courses, on top of being on committees, on top of being on students council, he says. It affects your academic success, your mental health. Its just impossible to manage. Martha Denney, dean of the college, says she doesnt believe that Customs is comparable to other residential systems, as the nature of the program is not merely to provide dorm support, but to help first-year students integrate into the community. She also emphasizes that the program remains voluntary, as no one is required to participate. In the last 10 years, Haverfords tuition has risen from $48,975 to $70,502. The average amount granted to students on financial aid is $50,101, which several recipients said leaves them with more than $20,000 a year to make up through scholarships, loans, savings, or work. Denney says school aid meets each students financial needs. Many Haverford students say they cant afford to work for free. Customs member Simon Balukonis, 22, already works from 10 to 15 hours a week to cover essentials like groceries and textbooks. There are students who have to work constantly when they should be focused on getting a degree, he says. Hes missed lectures and cut classes short in order to work enough hours to break even; being an unpaid residential assistant compounds the problem. You live in the dorm, so you cant go home and leave work. Home is work. In February, a group of students calling themselves the Haverford Student Workers Organizing League (SWOL) issued a statement advocating a boycott of the program. We view the lack of Customs compensation as an extension of Haverfords long history of depriving student workers of fair pay, the statement read. [Customs] members are pivotal in shaping the Haverford community. Our continued labor is essential in the running of this college. A week later, nearly 150 students crowded into a town-hall discussion to voice concerns. They were met by administrators, who told them they could consider restructuring Customs as a paid program but not now, and not at the same scale. Any paid models would involve cutting the positions available, reducing the program, and taking more administrative control. Denney acknowledges that the responsibilities are significant, and says that "a request for some kind of recognition is entirely reasonable. We have pledged to work with students to find solutions given changes in student demographics and pressures. Some students are skeptical. They believe that the school can afford to compensate student labor. Customs is an incredibly essential position, Shumie says. "Not paying students just feels like a clear misallocation of funding. He, Balukonis, and other members of Haverford SWOL say they intend to continue engaging the administration about the issue. Tina Le, 22, has been involved in Customs for two years, working closely with both students and administration. She thinks the position should be compensated, but says shes not sure SWOL knows what the administration is capable of financially. This isnt because admin doesnt care," she says. "They do care, immensely. ... Its just not realistic to expect change instantly. In the days following the town-hall discussion, Denney sent out a campus-wide request asking for interested students to join a task force examining short- and long-term scenarios involving compensation. The task force will move forward once the students return from spring break. Meanwhile, Customs selection is taking place again this spring. One of the positions available is Laurel Benjamins. A year ago, she was passionate about the program; now, when students ask her about the application process, she isnt sure what to say. I think youd be a really great CP, she told one first-year student. But I wouldnt wish that on you. Philadelphia police arrested Johnny Bobbitt on Wednesday morning in Fishtown after a New Jersey judge ordered him picked up for skipping a court hearing in the $400,000 GoFundMe scam case. Bobbitt, a formerly homeless veteran accused of fabricating a feel-good story with two coconspirators that bilked donors out of nearly $403,000 last year, was arrested at 10:45 a.m. near where he had been living while he was awaiting trial, according to police sources. Joel Bewley, a spokesperson for the Burlington County Prosecutors Office, said Bobbitt will be extradited to New Jersey to answer to charges he violated the conditions of his release from jail while awaiting trial. Bewley said he had no other details of the arrest. When Bobbitt was first charged with fraud in November, he was arrested at a home in the 1200 block of Shackamaxon Street, according to the warrant. Its not clear if that was where he was arrested Wednesday. At a hearing last month in Mount Holly, Superior Court Judge Mark Tarantino had ordered Bobbitt to stay drug-free; attend Narcotics Anonymous hearings; provide the court with his address, a copy of his lease, and proof of efforts to find employment; and to check in with pretrial staff to provide urine tests and updates. Then on Tuesday, Tarantino held another hearing and said there were indications that Bobbitt was using drugs again and that he last reported to court officials on Dec. 17, three days after his release. Bobbitt didnt show up Tuesday, and his public defender, John Keesler, said he hoped that he didnt have a problem getting from Philadelphia to Mount Holly on public transportation. Keesler also said that he last spoke to Bobbitt on Friday and had expected him to make the hearing. Bobbitt, 35, is charged with conspiracy, fraud, and theft by deception. He and his alleged coconspirators, Mark DAmico and Kate McClure, a former Florence, Burlington County, couple, are accused of fabricating a story in which they claimed that Bobbitt gave McClure his last $20 to purchase gas for her when she ran out of it on I-95 in Philadelphia, near where he was panhandling, in October 2017. DAmico and McClure have also been released pending trial. Bobbitt was recently accepted into drug court, a diversionary program that allows nonviolent drug addicts to plead guilty to some charges and to receive intensive rehabilitation and monitoring instead of criminal prosecution. This image provided by the U.S. District Court in Maryland shows a photo of firearms and ammunition that was in the motion for detention pending trial in the case against Christopher Paul Hasson. The Coast Guard officer, accused of being a white supremacist who compiled a hit list of prominent Democrats, was indicted Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, on firearms and drug charges. Read more Most people arrested as the result of FBI terrorism investigations are charged with non-terrorism offenses, and more domestic terror suspects were arrested last year than those allegedly inspired by international terror groups, according to internal FBI figures reviewed by The Washington Post. As government officials and activists debate the best way to pursue violent extremists, the figures show how much of counterterrorism work goes undeclared and unnoticed. Thousands are investigated each year. Hundreds are charged with crimes. But the public and the media see only dozens. The debate centers on whether federal law and law enforcement are too focused on Islamic terrorism and not paying enough attention to the rise in far right-wing extremism. In fact, according to the data, more domestic terrorist targets are being charged, and in both categories, law enforcement often leverage simpler crimes, such as violations of gun or drug laws, to prevent violence. "It's violence that we key in on," said a senior law enforcement official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive federal investigative work. "And sometimes, it's the violence that motivates someone more than any particular ideology." The arrest last month of Coast Guard Lt. Christopher Hasson, 49, is the latest example of this pattern. Prosecutors have alleged Hasson is a white nationalist inspired in part by mass murderer Anders Behring Breivik, who in 2011 unleashed two attacks in Norway that killed 77 people. Hasson, who has been detained since his arrest, is accused of amassing weapons as part of a domestic terror plot targeting politicians and journalists. Authorities have highlighted a letter in which he allegedly wrote, I am dreaming of a way to kill almost every last person on the earth. But as with most people arrested in FBI counterterrorism investigations, Hasson does not yet face terrorism charges. Rather, he was indicted on charges of illegal possession of firearm silencers, possession of firearms by a drug addict and unlawful user, and possession of a controlled substance. According to FBI figures shared with The Post, in the 2017 budget year there were about 110 people arrested after being investigated for actions inspired by foreign terror groups such as the Islamic State and al-Qaeda. Of those, about 30 faced terrorism charges. The rest faced gun, drug, fraud or immigration charges. Last year, out of about 100 such arrests, only nine defendants faced terrorism charges - a drop-off owed in part to a decline in the number of people attempting to travel overseas to join the Islamic State, the senior law enforcement official said. In the 2017 budget year, FBI investigations led to the arrest of about 150 domestic terrorism suspects, according to law enforcement officials. The following year, the figure was about 120. But because federal law does not designate domestic groups as terrorist organizations, no corresponding terrorism crimes apply to such suspects. And while the number of such arrests fell last year, the senior law enforcement official emphasized that, overall, more domestic terrorism suspects are being arrested. About one in four counterterrorism arrests are made by state and local authorities - not the FBI, the senior law enforcement official said. Seamus Hughes, deputy director of the Program on Extremism at George Washington University, said the figures explain how counterterrorism work is done. "You're going to arrest someone with whatever charges you have to negate the threat. The FBI doesn't need to pad stats on terrorism if it means getting a terrorist off the streets," Hughes said. He warned, though, that charging practices may be unintentionally misleading to the public, presenting an incomplete picture of law enforcement's work to keep Americans safe. Hughes tracks terrorism cases independently as part of his work and said that he identified about 65 such cases last year, far less than the total figure of more than 200 people charged after an FBI investigation. "If I missed it, I'm sure many others did, too," Hughes said. ". . . Unless the public understands that terrorism cases don't necessarily mean terrorism charges or convictions, you don't get a sense of the scope of the threat, whether it's domestic terrorism or international." With Hasson, the absence of terrorism charges could have a significant effect on how his case is handled. At a court hearing last month in Maryland, the judge, Charles Day, said it would be unusual to detain someone without bail based on the gun and drug charges Hasson faces now. He has not yet entered a plea. Prosecutors have labeled Hasson a "domestic terrorist" who planned to murder innocent civilians. His lawyer, Julie Stelzig, said the government's description is "histrionic" and that there was "no actual indication of any plan. . . . It's not a crime to think negative thoughts. It's not a crime to think about doomsday scenarios." A case in Tucson, Arizona, similarly highlights the complicated factors prosecutors must weigh before filing terrorism charges. In April 2017, Ahmad Suhad Ahmad was the focus of an intense FBI undercover operation. Ahmad, who allegedly bragged to a government informant about the bombmaking skills he developed in his native Iraq, was brought to a Las Vegas condominium by an undercover FBI agent posing as a member of a Mexican drug cartel who wanted to kill an enemy, according to court records. Prosecutors say that once in the condo, Ahmad assembled a bomb using materials he brought and others supplied by the undercover agent. Authorities charge that Ahmad also showed the undercover agent how to build a bomb, but those devices did not contain real explosives. Two months later, Ahmad, 30, was arrested, jailed and charged with violating his parole for an unrelated drug charge. He was released in September and rearrested a month later on two federal drug charges and two counts of distributing information related to explosives. The second arrest came after a lengthy internal debate among Justice Department and FBI officials over whether the evidence supported terrorism charges,according to people familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. At a court hearing late last year, U.S. Magistrate Judge Eric Markovich noted an apparent contradiction in the government's case - that the suspect prosecutors argued was too dangerous to release on bail had been free for months after the FBI's undercover sting. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Hakala insisted that Ahmad "was being very closely monitored" after the alleged bomb-building trip to Las Vegas. Ahmad has pleaded not guilty and was ordered held without bail until his trial, which is scheduled for May. His lawyer, Walter Goncalves Jr., told the judge that the FBIs handling of the case showed Ahmad was not dangerous, saying his client had a drug problem leading to his 2017 arrest. "He was, unfortunately, using drugs and was addicted and was not thinking clearly," Goncalves Jr. said. Its kind of odd, the judge remarked, youve let him out on the streets. This 2009 photo provided by AquaBountyTechnologies shows a juvenile salmon raised at the company's hatchery in Fortune, Prince Edward Island, Canada. On Friday, March 8, 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said it had lifted an alert had that had prevented AquaBounty from importing its salmon eggs to its Indiana facility, where they would be grown before being sold as food. (AquaBountyTechnologies via AP) Read more NEW YORK (AP) U.S. regulators on Friday gave the green light to salmon genetically modified to grow about twice as fast as normal, but the company behind it may face legal challenges before the fish can be sold domestically. The Food and Drug Administration said it lifted an alert that had prevented AquaBounty from importing its salmon eggs to its Indiana facility, where they would be grown before being sold as food. The agency noted that the salmon has already undergone safety reviews, and that it lifted its alert because the fish would be subject to a new regulation that will require companies to disclose when a food is bioengineered. The move comes despite a pending lawsuit filed by a coalition of consumer, environmental, and fishing groups that challenged the FDAs approval of the fish. "We think a remedy in our case would stop sale of the fish before they're allowed to be sold," said George Kimbrell, legal director for the Center for Food Safety, one of the groups suing the FDA. AquaBounty was founded in 1991, and it has been working through years of safety reviews and regulatory hurdles to sell its fish in the United States. In 2015, its salmon became the first genetically modified animal approved by the FDA for human consumption. But the agency subsequently issued an alert that stopped the Maynard, Mass.-based company from importing its fish eggs until disclosure guidelines for genetically modified foods were resolved. Called AquAdvantage, the fish is Atlantic salmon modified with DNA from other fish species to grow faster, which the company says will help feed growing demand for animal protein while reducing costs. AquaBounty CEO Sylvia Wulf said the company expects to get a final certification for its Albany, Ind., growing facility in the coming weeks. Salmon eggs could then be sent from the companys research and development facility in Canada, and would be harvested after about 18 months when they reach 10 pounds, she said. Wulf said it's been difficult to engage companies in sales discussions because AquaBounty didn't know when it could start growing the fish in the United States. She said the salmon already has been sold in limited quantities in Canada, where it doesn't have to be labeled as genetically modified. Wulf said she doesn't expect the pending lawsuit to affect the company's U.S. plans. The genetically modified salmon are raised in tanks and bred to be female and sterile, measures designed to address any fears that they might get into the environment and breed with wild fish. But Kimbrell, of the Center for Food Safety, said the company's own tests have shown it's not 100 percent certain the fish would be sterile, and that concerns about it getting in the environment would grow if the company's operations were to expand. He also noted the disclosure regulation uses the term bioengineered, even though most people are more familiar with the term genetically modified. And he pointed out that companies can provide disclosure through codes that have to be scanned. Implementation of that regulation starts in 2020, though people may start seeing disclosures on packages sooner. Compliance becomes mandatory in 2022. The genetic modification for AquaBountys fish is different from gene-editing technology, which lets scientists snip out specific genes to bring about traits without introducing foreign DNA. Companies are also working to develop a variety of gene-edited crops and animals. The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content. A trio of women hold a sign with a message that reads in Spanish: "See how we end up," during a demonstration commemorating International Women's Day, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Friday, March 8, 2019. Read more BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) Marches and protests were held Friday across the globe to mark International Women's Day under the slogan #BalanceforBetter, with calls for a more gender-balanced world. The day, sponsored by the United Nations since 1975, celebrates women's achievements and aims to further their rights. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told a commemoration at U.N. headquarters in New York that "remarkable progress on women's rights and leadership" in recent decades has sparked a backlash from "an entrenched patriarchy." And he warned that nationalist, populist, and austerity agendas add to inequality with policies that curtail womens rights and cut social services. "I do not accept a world that tells my granddaughters that economic equality can wait for their granddaughter's granddaughters," Guterres said. "I call for a new vision of equality and opportunity so that half the world's population can contribute to all the world's success." Millions of others around the world demanded equality amid a persistent salary gap, violence and widespread inequality. Europe Police in the Ukrainian capital Kiev detained three people as far-right demonstrators tried to provoke activists protesting domestic and sexual violence. About 300 people gathered on Mykhailivska Square in central Kiev on Friday for the women's rights demonstration. Several dozen far-right demonstrators stood nearby, holding placards reading "God! Homeland! Patriarchy!" and "Feminism is destroying Ukrainian families." In Spain, where women's rights have become one of the hot topics in the run-up to a general election next month, many female employees didn't show up to work Friday. Others also halted domestic work or left to men the care of children and ill or elderly people. In the evening, cities across the country lit landmark buildings with purple lights as hundreds of thousands poured into the streets. "We are getting killed and we are getting lower salaries for being women, but that's just the tip of the iceberg," said Sara Baladron, a 27-year-old pharmacist joining the protest in central Madrid. In neighboring Portugal, the Cabinet observed a minute of silence Thursday as part of a day of national mourning it decreed for victims of domestic violence. Portuguese police say 12 women have died this year in domestic violence incidents the highest number over the same period in 10 years. Pope Francis hailed the "irreplaceable contribution of women" to fostering peace. "Women make the world beautiful, they protect it and keep it alive," the Argentine Jesuit said. Francis has vowed to give more decision-making roles to women in the Catholic Church, where the priesthood and therefore the highest ranks of authority is reserved for men. Some feminists bristle at Francis' frequent use of the term "feminine genius" and his focus on women as mothers. In Germany, topless feminist protesters went to one of the country's most famous red-light districts in Hamburg and pulled down a metal barrier wall intended to keep out women other than prostitutes. A half-dozen women belonging to the Femen activist group had the slogan "No brothels for women" written on their bare back in black lettering. Legally, all women are allowed to enter the street, but in reality most women obey the signs saying, "Entry only for men 18+." In France, the first Simone Veil prize went Friday to a Cameroonian activist who has worked against forced marriages and other violence against girls and women. Aissa Doumara Ngatansou was married against her will at age 15 but insisted upon continuing her studies as a young wife. She has since turned her attention to victims of Boko Haram extremists. The French award is named for the trailblazing French politician and Holocaust survivor Veil, who spearheaded the fight to legalize abortion. Meanwhile in Russia, International Womens Day is a public holiday but it mostly lauds gender roles that are now outdated. As is his custom every year, President Vladimir Putin gave a speech thanking women for their patience, good grace, and support. "You manage to do everything: both at work and at home and at the same time you remain beautiful, charismatic, charming, the center of gravity for the whole family, uniting it with your love," Putin said. Latin America Women in Argentina were galvanized to take to the streets after a bill that would have legalized abortion was rejected by lawmakers last year. They prepared for a large march from Congress to the country's historic Plaza de Mayo square later Friday, during which they were set to protest against violence. Rallies against violence against women in Argentina, held under the slogan "Not One Less," have drawn multitudes in the past. We have achieved a change of era. Sexist violence is no longer accepted, abuses are not accepted, neither is street harassment there are many things that have changed, said Marta Dillon, an activist and one of the founders of the Not One Less movement. In Puerto Rico, hundreds clad in purple T-shirts protested to demand safer housing as the U.S. territory struggles to recover from Hurricane Maria, while others held up signs with the names of more than 20 women reportedly killed by their partners on the island last year. Amid the protests, Gov. Ricardo Rossello signed an executive order that would in part create a special agency to intervene in domestic violence cases and establish preventive police patrols around the homes and workplaces of women awarded protection orders. Meanwhile, similar scenes played out in other South American countries. Hundreds of women in Bolivia rallied in main cities, carrying giant undergarments bearing messages such as, "underwear of an irresponsible and abusive father" and "underwear of a child molester," as Chilean women also demanded access to free and safe abortions. And in nearby Ecuador, President Lenin Moreno took the day to announce the creation of a bonus of about $300 per month for the children of victims of femicides. The bonus will help an estimated 88 orphans. Asia In India, hundreds of women marched on the streets of New Delhi demanding an end to domestic violence, sexual attacks and discrimination in jobs. Boys are prized more than girls in India. Thousands of Indian women are killed often doused in gasoline and burned to death every year because the groom or his family feel the dowry of the bride is inadequate. Political parties in India have for years been promising 33 percent of seats for women in the country's Parliament, but they have yet to enact legislation to that effect. In Indonesias capital Jakarta, several hundred men and women carried colorful placards calling for an end to discriminatory practices such as the termination of employment for pregnancy and exploitative work contracts. Our action today is to urge [the government] for our right to a society thats democratic, prosperous, equal, and free from violence, said Dian Trisnanti, a labor activist. Girls and women in Indonesia, the worlds fourth most populous country, have equal access to education but face higher unemployment, lower wages, and poorer working conditions than men. Both Koreas marked the day. In the South, women wearing black cloaks and pointed hats marched against what they describe as a "witch hunt" of feminists in a deeply conservative society. College student Noh Seo-young said that South Korea struggles to accept that women are "also humans" and that women have to fight until they can "walk around safely." In the North, where Women's Day is one of the few national holidays that is not explicitly political in nature, people dressed up for family photo shoots or bought roses for their mothers or wives at the many small, bright orange street stalls in central Pyongyang that sell flowers. North America U.S. President Donald Trump honored International Women's Day with a presidential message, saying that the U.S. celebrates women's "vision, leadership, and courage," and reaffirms its "commitment to promoting equal opportunity for women everywhere." On the eve prior, U.S. first lady Melania Trump saluted women from 10 countries for their courage. The recipients of the International Women of Courage Award included human rights activists, police officers, and an investigative journalist. Courage is what divides those who only talk about change from those who actually act to change, Melania Trump said at a ceremony Thursday that was also attended by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Pompeo separately recognized women in Iran for protesting the requirement that they wear a head covering known as a hijab in public and a Ukrainian activist who died in 2018 after she was attacked with sulfuric acid. Africa Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who named one of the world's few "gender-balanced" Cabinets last year, told a gathering that "women are the pillars of the nation and the least recognized for their sacrifices." In Nigeria, the U.S. Embassy hosted talks on sexual harassment that included a founder of the recent #ArewaMeToo campaign among women in the country's conservative, largely Muslim north. And in Niger, first lady Aissata Issoufou Mahamadou oversaw the awards in the Miss Intellect Niger contest. Women protested against gender-based violence in Kenya's capital. "We havent gotten to a stage where women are comfortable to come out and say, I was sexually abused, " said protester Esther Passaris. So what we need to do is slowly, slowly grow. In this Feb. 28, 2019 file photo, U.S President Donald Trump, right, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un take a walk after their first meeting at the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi hotel, in Hanoi, Vietnam. Read more TOKYO - Satellite images suggest North Korea was preparing to launch a space rocket even before the breakdown of the Hanoi summit between President Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un, experts say. There is no way of knowing if Pyongyang will follow through with the plans, which would undoubtedly be seen very negatively in Washington and could derail an already shaky negotiation process. Meanwhile signs of a hardening of attitudes within the Trump administration has left several experts increasingly pessimistic. The plans may reflect a feeling that talks had already hit an impasse even before the summit, as well as North Korea frustration with a lack of sanctions relief, expert say. North Korean leader Kim had already warned in a New Year's Day speech that he might be forced to follow a "new path" if the United States demanded unilateral concessions and failed to lift sanctions. The images showed signs of activity on Feb. 22 at Second Academy of Natural Sciences (SANS) at Sanumdong, just outside Pyongyang, which is North Korea's primary developer of ballistic missiles and space launch vehicles. Other images made available this week show North Korea has also rebuilt a launchpad and rocket engine test site at the Sohae Satellite Launching Station, reinforcing suspicions that a rocket launch could be imminent. In 2012, an agreement between North Korea and the Obama administration to cease nuclear and missile tests in return for food aid broke down after Pyongyang launched a satellite rocket. Trump has set considerable store in a promise by Kim Jong Un to suspend testing, and said on Friday he said he would be "very disappointed" if testing resumed. "With the inconclusive result in Hanoi, North Korea now appears to be moving again toward a space launch," wrote Jeffrey Lewis, a scholar at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, in California, on a blog post. Lewis said he expected North Korea would use older, and already tried and tested technology for a space launch, but he said there was a possibility it could use a larger rocket that would send a more provocative signal. "If North Korea wants to place a satellite in geostationary orbit, however, it will require a larger launch vehicle," he wrote. "North Korea might instead debut a new rocket, possibly using a variant of the March 18 Revolution engine that powers its new generation of strategic missiles including the Hwasong-15." Lewis said the move followed a pattern of North Korean negotiating tactics: "Pressure before the summit to make deal, followed by a credible punishment after the U.S. walks away." "Trump is going to lose his one foreign policy victory bit by bit," Lewis added. Attitudes also appear to be hardening in Washington. On Thursday, a senior State Department official said launch of a space launch vehicle from Sohae "would be inconsistent with the commitments that the North Koreans have made." But more significant to many experts was a comment that appear to put the ball squarely in Pyongyang's court to dismantle its nuclear weapons before the United States would consider easing the pressure. "So nobody in the administration advocates a step-by-step approach," the official, who could not be named under State Department guidelines, said. "In all cases, the expectation is a complete denuclearization of North Korea as a condition for all the other steps being - all the other steps being taken." Experts said the latest remarks appear to contradict a speech made by U.S. envoy to North Korea Stephen Biegun at Stanford in January, when he said he hoped the two sides could move "simultaneously and in parallel," through a road map of "concrete deliverables," negotiations and declarations. Instead, the official's latest comments suggest the Trump administration is losing interest in a gradualist approach built around confidence-building and reciprocal steps. Instead, it seems to be banking on Trump's offer that Kim go "all in," and completely surrender its nuclear and missile arsenal in one go, in return for economic rewards and "a brighter future." Among the North Korea-watching community, such a prospect is seen as completely unrealistic. "I can certainly affirm what the president proposed to Chairman Kim, which was the complete elimination of their weapons of mass destruction program," the official said. "We still believe this is all achievable within the president's first term, and that's the timetable we're working on." Meanwhile, North Korean state media has finally admitted the breakdown of the talks in Hanoi, after a week in which it declared them a success. The entire world is sincerely hoping for smooth process in the peace process on the Korean Peninsula and prompt improvement of the North Korea - United States relations, Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the Workers Party of Korea, wrote in a commentary. People at home and abroad are regretting and lamenting over the unexpected absence of an agreement at the summit, holding the United States responsible for it. But the commentary said the real fault lay with Japan, a key U.S. ally which has consistently taken a more hawkish stand toward Pyongyang. "The reactionaries in Japan are impudently cheering over the news," it wrote. "The mean tricks that the Japanese played to disturb the Hanoi summit make us wonder how such bastards even have a place on the earth." The Washington Posts Min Joo Kim in Seoul contributed to this report. Johnny Bobbitt (left) looks on as his attorney John Keesler and Assistant Prosecutor Andrew McDonnell (right) talk while appearing before Superior Court Judge Christopher Garrenger at the Burlington County Courthouse in Mount Holly. Read more Johnny Bobbitt Jr. pleaded guilty Friday to conspiracy to commit theft by deception for his role in a $400,000 GoFundMe scam that duped more than 14,000 donors across the country and beyond. During a 20-minute hearing in Superior Court in Mount Holly, Bobbitt, 36, agreed to testify against his coconspirators and cooperate with state authorities. He is expected to serve five years probation and be accepted into a program that will allow him to avoid prison if he remains drug-free. If he doesnt complete the program, which offers intensive court-monitored treatment and rehabilitation to people with addiction problems, he faces up to five years in state prison. In 2017, prosecutors say, Bobbitt, then homeless, conspired with a Burlington County couple to create a false narrative that he used his last $20 to help a stranded Katelyn McClure when she ran out of a gas on a winter night on an I-95 off-ramp in Philadelphia. McClure and her then-boyfriend, Mark DAmico, started a GoFundMe campaign that touted that Good Samaritan story and professed to raise money to get Bobbitt off the street. The campaign went viral, and Bobbitt appeared with the couple on national television to spread their story. As donations poured in, prosecutors say, McClure and DAmico spent the bulk of the money on vacations, casino excursions, a BMW, and luxury goods. They bought Bobbitt a camper, and he lived in it for a time on a property McClures family owned in Florence Township. They also gave him about $25,000, some of which he spent on drugs. < READ MORE: Johnny Bobbitt and N.J. woman behind $400,000 GoFundMe scam plead guilty in federal court >> On Wednesday, in federal court in Camden, Bobbitt pleaded guilty to a single count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. He faces 6 to 30 months in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Jerome Simandle agreed to postpone sentencing on the federal charges until he completes the drug program. McClure, 28, also pleaded guilty in federal court Wednesday to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. She faces up to 33 months in prison when she is sentenced on June 19. She also faces conspiracy to theft by deception charges filed by Burlington County prosecutors. That case is pending. DAmico, 39, faces the same criminal charges in the pending Burlington County case. Prosecutors have not said whether he will face federal charges. Bobbitt will enter drug treatment following his sentencing hearing, which is scheduled for April 12. On Friday, Judge Christopher J. Garrenger said he would work with the attorneys to move the date up so Bobbitt can start treatment sooner. He will remain in the Burlington County Jail until he is placed in rehab. After sentencing, Bobbitt will be sent to a nearby treatment facility, where he could spend three to nine months in the initial phase. Bobbitt, who wore a baggy, prison-issued orange jumpsuit in court Friday, hung his head and stared at the floor for most of the hearing. Outside the courtroom, Bobbitts defense attorney John Keesler said, Hes focused on getting well and moving on with his life." FILE - In this Dec. 14, 2018 file photo, Johnny Bobbitt stands during a hearing Burlington County Courthouse in Mt. Holly, N.J. A judge has issued an arrest warrant for Bobbitt, a homeless veteran charged with engaging in a GoFundMe scheme after he failed to make a scheduled court appearance. Bobbitt was due in a New Jersey court Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019, to face charges that he violated court-ordered conditions that allowed for his release from jail while awaiting trial. (David Swanson /The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP, Pool, File) Read more Johnny Bobbitt Jr., the formerly homeless veteran charged in the $402,000 GoFundMe fraud case, has a new hearing date next month before the New Jersey Drug Court, a diversionary program that allows eligible people addicted to drugs to undergo intensive rehabilitation instead of criminal prosecution. Bobbitt, who was recently arrested in Fishtown, was extradited to New Jersey on Monday and sent to the Burlington County Jail for violating the terms of his release. Superior Court Judge Mark Tarantino issued a warrant for Bobbitts arrest, saying he had failed to provide the court with information about his living arrangements and proof he was staying off drugs, among other things, after his release in December. Bobbitt, 35, is now scheduled for a status hearing in Drug Court on Feb. 22 before Superior Court Judge Christopher J. Garrenger in Mount Holly. Bobbitt and his codefendants, Katelyn McClure and Mark DAmico, were charged with fraud, conspiracy, and theft by deception after they were accused of launching a bogus GoFundMe campaign designed to prey on the sympathies of donors who believed the money would be used to help Bobbitt get off the streets. The trio are accused of fabricating a tale in November 2017 about how Bobbitt spent his last $20 to fetch gasoline for McClure when her car ran out of gas at night in the area where Bobbitt was panhandling. More than 14,000 donors around the world contributed to the cause, and GoFundMe has said it has refunded the money and is cooperating with authorities. Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina said McClure and DAmico, formerly of Florence Township in Burlington County, squandered much of the money on gambling trips to casinos, vacations, designer handbags, and other items, while Bobbitt was given a camper to live in adjacent to their home and used some of the money for illegal drugs. John Keesler, Bobbitts public defender, has said Bobbitt was accepted into the Drug Court program and is expected to plead guilty to one or more charges in exchange for enrolling in drug rehabilitation. Keesler could not be reached for comment Monday. Three Mile Island nuclear power plant complex in Middletown, Pa. TMI Unit 2, (left), shut down in 1979 after an accidednt. TMI Unit 1, on the right, is still operational, although owner Exelon Generation says it will close it down in September without subsidies. Read more Pennsylvania electric customers would pay hundreds of millions of dollars a year in subsidies to the states nuclear industry about $5 more per month for a typical household, by one estimate under a draft nuclear rescue bill widely circulated in Harrisburg. The long-awaited legislation, which proponents say is still undergoing revisions before it is formally unveiled, would direct a massive infusion of ratepayer funds to the states nine reactors. The owners of three reactors have announced their imminent retirement if they do not receive subsidies that they say would put the plants on equal footing with other zero-emission power generators, such as wind and solar. But some of the states reactors are not in immediate danger of closure. The states most profitable nuclear plant, the twin-unit Limerick Generating Station in Montgomery County, is projected to earn hundreds of millions of dollars in the next few years, without a subsidy. Supporters say the proposal would correct market flaws by including nuclear energy into the states 2004 Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act (AEPS), which mandates that 18 percent of all power sold in the state be derived from alternative energy sources by 2021. The draft proposal would create a new category of zero-emission power reserved largely for nuclear producers, that would supply 50 percent of the states electricity demand. Advocates say the rescue would save high-paying nuclear jobs, preserve a diverse mix of electricity sources, and prevent an increase in emissions of carbon dioxide and other pollutants from natural-gas plants that would step in to replace retiring nuclear plants. You cant be serious about fighting climate, you cant be serious about reducing smog in Pennsylvania, and stand idly by as a distorted market closes down nuclear plants, said John Hanger, former Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection secretary, who works as a consultant to Exelon Corp., which has promised to shut down its Three Mile Island Unit 1 reactor in September without a rescue. Unit 1 is located next to Unit 2, the infamous reactor that shut down 40 years ago this month after a partial meltdown. The proposal has already generated fierce opposition from the natural gas industry, large industrial customers, and consumer groups such as the AARP, which deride the bill as a bailout that will increase costs, distort competitive energy markets and fail to improve the reliability of the electric grid. They say the subsidy would enrich most of the states nuclear plants, which are competitive without a subsidy. Theyre crying this is an emergency," said Kathleen Duffy Bruder, a lawyer with McNees Wallace & Nurick, LLC in Harrisburg, which represents the Pennsylvania Consumer Energy Alliance, a trade group of large industries. Theyre pressuring legislators to rush this through based on scare tactics -- `If you dont do this, youre losing jobs, youre losing the nuclear industry, youre losing all these things.' The bills supporters say the draft bill dated Feb. 6, first reported by StateImpact Pennsylvania, has been eclipsed by more recent versions, but the basic framework of creating a new subsidized category of zero-emission power generators is likely to remain in the final version. The current AEPS rewards two tiers of power producers. The first tier reserves 8 percent of the market for emerging renewable producers including wind, low-impact hydro, geothermal and biogas, and includes a 0.5 percent market share for solar photovoltaic producers. A second tier sets aside 10 percent of the market for alternative power producers, including large-scale hydro, waste-coal generators and power plants that burn solid waste. Walter T. Lord resigned on Friday as president of Valley Forge Military Academy and College. Read more After less than a year on the job, the president of Valley Forge Military Academy and College resigned suddenly on Friday, citing an unspecified philosophical disagreement with the chairman of the schools board of trustees. Walter T. Lord, who rose to the rank of major general during a 36-year career in the Army, said in a Facebook post Friday to Valley Forge alumni: Since my arrival last April, Ive had a philosophical disagreement with our board chairman and Ive come to realize that a bridge between our perspectives was not reachable. Lord, 54, called it the most difficult decision Ive ever had to make. John English, the board chairman, said in a statement that the board "received Gen. Lords resignation letter during our board meeting earlier today, citing irreconcilable differences. The decision to resign was Walts, he resigned of his own accord. The board regretfully accepted his resignation and has committed to working with him to achieve an orderly transition, with both parties acting on whats best for the institution we both love, honor, and respect, English said. Neither Lord nor English would elaborate on what led to the departure. Lords resignation came exactly one year after the school announced his selection as president. Lord previously was a member of the board of trustees since 2013 and was chairman of the college oversight committee. Lord, a South Philadelphia native, was a graduate of Valley Forge Military College and was the second alumnus to become president of the school. Based in Radnor, the private institution has a preparatory boys school for grades six through 12 and a coed two-year college. In his Facebook post, the retired two-star general said he would continue to support the school and urged other alumni to do the same. Earlier Friday on his Twitter account, Lord posted a motivational quote: Wisdom is knowing the right path to take ... Integrity is taking it. On Wednesday, he had posted another quote: A bad manager can take a good staff and destroy it, causing the best employees to flee and the remainder to lose all motivation. The response on Facebook to the schools announcement about the resignation was a mix of bewilderment, support for Lord, and hostility to the chairman. Three presidents in four years? As an alumnus, I am requesting, no INSISTING on a more detailed explanation other than irreconcilable differences, one commenter wrote. FILE - In this Nov. 20, 2016, file photo, then-President-elect Donald Trump (right) and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani pose for photographs as Giuliani arrives at the Trump National Golf Club Bedminster clubhouse in Bedminster, N.J.. Read more NEW YORK (AP) Its a he said, he said where the he no matter who he is has a credibility problem. The latest White House legal drama whether or not the president's former legal fixer asked him for a pardon has pulled back the curtain on a whole cast of characters whose comments can't always be taken at face value. Michael Cohen, President Donald Trumps former attorney who denies asking for presidential intervention, has himself pleaded guilty to lying to Congress to back up Trumps own stories. His representative, Lanny Davis, has repeatedly had to walk back and amend statements about what Cohen knew and when. But Davis need to correct previous claims has been topped by that of Rudy Giuliani, the Trump lawyer whose job description, at times, has seemed to be centered as much on fudging and on moving goalposts. And then, of course, there is Trump, who declared for the first time on Friday that Cohen personally asked him for a pardon. Trump's foes call him a liar and worse. He made dozens of misstatements in just one speech last weekend and is estimated, by one count, to have made more than 9,000 false or misleading statements since taking office. So, in a production filled with unreliable narrators, who, if anyone, can be trusted? "My take is that it's all a mess and I don't know if we're ever going to know what really happened," says former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, a Trump ally who acknowledged that the battle over pardons has left him baffled. "It seems now that we live in an age of total confusion." The latest act in the Shakespearean tragedy farce? over Cohen's fall from grace in Trumpworld came to light in the past week over a fierce debate as to whether the attorney had sought a pardon from the president after his office and hotel room were raided by the FBI last spring. Cohen, who spent a decade working for Trump before turning on him and cooperating with the special counsel investigating the president, testified before Congress last week that he had never sought a pardon from his former boss. But in the days that followed, stories changed. Davis, who was not Cohens lawyer at the time, said Cohen had directed his attorney to explore a possible pardon with Giuliani and others on Trumps legal team, a statement that appeared to contradict Cohens sworn congressional testimony. Then Giuliani said that two lawyers working for Cohen approached him about a pardon last spring. And Davis then allowed in a written statement Thursday that his client was "open to the ongoing 'dangling' of a possible pardon by Trump representatives privately and in the media" in the months after the FBI raid. Trump took it one step further on Friday. "Bad lawyer and fraudster Michael Cohen said under sworn testimony that he never asked for a Pardon. His lawyers totally contradicted him. He lied!" Trump tweeted aboard Air Force One while en route to inspect damage from a deadly tornado in Alabama. "Additionally, he directly asked me for a pardon. I said NO. He lied again!" Cohen's turn. Just another set of lies by @POTUS @realdonaldtrump. Mr. President he wrote, before invoking the women whose hush-money payments he helped facilitate for candidate Trump. Let me remind you that today is #InternationalWomensDay. You may want use today to apologize for your own #lies and #DirtyDeeds to women like Karen McDougal and Stephanie Clifford. Cohen arranged payments to Clifford, who goes by the stage name Stormy Daniels, and McDougal to prevent them from speaking publicly about alleged affairs with Trump. Giuliani again. He said in an interview Friday that he remembered Trump telling him when he joined the president's legal team eleven months ago that Cohen had asked for a pardon, something the former New York City mayor had never previously revealed, including in an interview about pardons the previous day. This furor is far from the first time the players in this particular melodrama have, to put it charitably, arranged and rearranged their scripts. Long before he entered politics, Trump embellished his record, posing as his own spokesman to plant flattering stories in New York gossip pages and declaring that the 58-story Trump Tower was actually 68 stories so it would be the tallest in that section of Midtown Manhattan. That track record continued during his campaign and as president. He trotted out big falsehoods claiming that Barack Obama was not born in the United States and, later, that he wiretapped Trump Tower and smaller ones, including when he boasted that the crowd for his inauguration was the largest in history. His administration has had more than 9,000 misleading statements, according to the Washington Post fake news, according to the president. Cohen has become a key figure in congressional investigations since turning on his former boss. During last weeks public testimony, he called Trump a con man, a cheat, and a racist. Trump, in turn, said Cohen is lying in order to reduce his prison time. Indeed, Cohen was known to lie to reporters during Trump's 2016 campaign. He is to begin a three-year prison sentence in May for crimes, including lying to Congress lying to support Trump's own statements about his real estate efforts in Russia. Both men's lawyers who act more as TV spokesmen then courtroom attorneys have also struggled with keeping their facts straight, though sometimes the shifting stories appear to be deliberate efforts to create smoke screens rather than clear anything up. Davis, who served as White House counsel during President Bill Clinton's early crises, has had to walk back at least one bombshell assertion over the past year, that his client could tell investigators that Trump had advance knowledge of a Trump Tower meeting with a Russian lawyer during the 2016 campaign. Giuliani has fumbled facts and repeatedly moved the goalposts about what sort of behavior by the president would constitute collusion or a crime. He has defended his scattershot approach with a series of memorable turns of phrases, including one that could act as a motto for many of those involved in the saga. "Truth isn't truth," Giuliani has said. By Daily Wire , March . 07, 2019 Two more billboards ripping into Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) have popped up in New York City. The billboards hanging on the side of a skyscraper in Times Square, first reported by Reuters, poke fun at the socialist for her widely-criticized Green New Deal and her recent comments applauding herself for her effort, labeling herself "the boss." Read More: Join us - become an Elderado today at: LarryElder.com Follow Larry Elder on Follow Larry Elder on Twitter "Like" Larry Elder on Facebook The ultimate weapon of choice, from the heart of Indonesian Little jump with style and new Polygon Xqurone DH9 Spartan Racing Team is one of the best teams in Indonesia and they compete in many different disciplines in mountain biking and BMX racing. In 2019, they have 12 riders that will be competing in the Indonesian Enduro series, Indonesian Downhill, and BMX racing.In the middle of February, I got the chance to visit their base in Cirebon city, part of East Java, Indonesia. It was rad to see how they bond like a family to each other, although they came from different culture, background, and speak a different language. They are sponsored by Polygon Bikes, so this year they will compete riding many type of bikes from Polygon. Day Trip to Hydra Greece Day Trip to Hydra Island, Greece this beautiful Greek island is nestled in the Aegean Sea. There are no cars the only modes of transportation are walking, bicycles and donkeys! This is one of the most beautiful towns in Greece. A MUST on your trip! Our day trip to Hydra Island was a highlight of my trip to Greece. I LOVED this little fishing town. My only regret was that we didnt have more time to explore the island. Our trip over to Hydra was delayed a few hours by the weather. Hydra is one of the Saronic Islands of Greece, located in the Aegean Sea between the Saronic Gulf and the Argolic Gulf. It gained fame from the 1957 movie Boy on a Dolphin starring Sophia Loren. Leonard Cohen also owned a home on Hydra. One really interesting fact about Hydra is there are no cars allowed! The only way to get around is by bike or donkey! Keep reading to see why I fell in love with this beautiful port city. We took this high-speed boat from Poros to Hydra Island. You are surrounded by beauty from the moment you step off the boat! We took a quick walking tour with our tour group before having some free time to explore the island on our own. Cars are not allowed on Hydra Island. You have to use bikes or donkeys! If you are staying overnight on the island, you can hire a donkey to carry your luggage to the hotel. They are the taxis of the island! Rafalias Pharmacy is one of the most famous pharmacies in the world. It was started in 1890 by the Rafalias family. They make their own cosmetics, soaps, and lotions. The owner is a little grumpy and didnt want us to come inside. LOL! I love looking down alleyways you never know what you will see The landmark Clock Tower in Hydra. We had lunch at this little cafe in front of the clock tower. The special was Chicken Soup. We also got some grilled cheese, fried feta, meatballs and an order of pasta. After lunch, it was time to walk to the other side of the island. We had PERFECT weather! I LOVED all the boats in the harbor. I LOVE this photo. I have it hanging in our den. This is the view of the side of the island we came in on the boat. Look at these rock cliffs! There was a little resort in this area of the island. I bet it is crowded in the summer. The water was SO blue! I could have taken pictures of this little fishing village for days! So picturesque! Here is a row of restaurants on the island. I bet these are hopping at night! We stopped in for some ice cream before boarding the boat back to Poros. The ice cream shop is right next to the boat dock. Perfect! Everything closes down when the last boat leaves the island. You dont want to miss the boat! You cant get off the island until the next day. MORE GREECE POSTS: 24 Hours in Athens, Greece Why You Should Go To Poros, Greece A Day in Nafplio, Greece 195 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard By Andrew Hay, Lucy Nicholson and Jane Ross EL PASO, Texas (Reuters) Huddled against a border fence on a bitterly cold morning in El Paso, Texas, a group of 60 Guatemalan migrants, around half toddlers and children, shouted for help: Were cold, were hungry, we need shelter. The group was trying to surrender to U.S. Border Patrol agents and claim asylum, but the agents were too busy herding other groups along the fence that stands about 100 yards (91 m) inside U.S. territory. The 18-foot-high (5.5 meters) steel barrier is meant to deter illegal immigration. But its position inside the border has turned it into a destination for human smugglers trafficking large groups of asylum seekers fleeing poverty and violence. The smugglers in recent weeks have shifted routes to El Paso from the remote Antelope Wells area of New Mexico, Border Patrol supervisory agent Joe Romero said. Once undocumented migrants are on U.S. soil, the Border Patrol is obliged to arrest them for entering illegally. But migrants can claim fear of returning to their countries, allowing them to remain in the United States legally until an asylum hearing, which can take months or years. The smugglers strategy exploits a weakness in the very border wall President Donald Trump has touted as a means to protect the United States from undocumented immigrants and illicit drugs. The crowds in El Paso illustrate changing immigration patterns. As recently as 2015, the majority of undocumented border crossers were adult men from Mexico looking to disappear into the country and find work. Now the Border Patrol says about 85 percent of migrants arriving in the El Paso sector are Central American families and children seeking asylum. Gaspar Isom, 38, who was with his 16-year-old son Sebastian, said he chose El Paso for the relative safety of its sister Mexican border city, Ciudad Juarez. We were told other places were more dangerous to cross, they were controlled by the Zetas, Isom said, referring to the Mexican cartel. The pair were among close to 1,000 mostly Central American migrants who crossed into El Paso on Wednesday in the kind of surge the U.S. border has not seen in over a decade, Border Patrol data show. El Paso is not alone in seeing an uptick. Over 268,000 undocumented migrants were arrested at the Southwest border from October through February, a near doubling over the same period a year earlier, to a 12-year high, according to government data released this week. Annual apprehensions remain well below the peak of 1.6 million in 2000. Border Patrol officials say the El Paso fence, one of multiple sections of barrier built inside the border due to quirks of local topography, is successful in stopping migrants from scattering into El Paso. But they acknowledge having a hard time keeping up with the numbers. El Paso sector Border Patrol stations reached capacity on Wednesday, and the group of 60 was finally picked up at 5 a.m. Thursday, after spending two nights sleeping by the fence, according to Dylan Corbett, who helps run a migrant shelter operated by El Pasos Roman Catholic diocese. Romero said the agency ran out of space to safely and securely transport migrants: We have manpower shortages, our facilities are at capacity if not more. (Reporting by Andrew Hay, Lucy Nicholson and Jane Ross; Editing by Scott Malone and Leslie Adler) 4.6k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard During an interview with Al Jazeera English, Erik Prince got busted for lying to the House Intelligence Committee about a meeting he attended with the Trumps at Trump Tower in August 2016. Prince told the House Intelligence Committee that he had no contact with the campaign during the 2016 campaign, but that wasnt true. He tried to deny that he ever told the House Intelligence Committee that he had no contact with the Trumps during the campaign, but it turns out that he was at a meeting on August 3, 2016, with Don Jr., Stephen Miller, and others. Princes reaction when confronted with this meeting and his lie was to deny everything, including what is in the House Intelligence Committee transcript: Remarkable @mehdirhasan interview: Erik Prince admits to meeting with members of the Trump campaign in August 2016 after, according to a public transcript, apparently failing to disclose the gathering during his testimony in front of the House Intelligence Committee last year. pic.twitter.com/7l5c51Cewk Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) March 8, 2019 This incredible exchange reveals that the coordinated strategy of the White House, Trump allies, and Trumps inner circle was to bald-faced lie to Congress. It is as if these people never expected that Democrats would win control of the House and they would be held accountable for these false statements. Now, that Democrats are in charge, each one of these liars might face prosecution for lying to Congress. If the Russia scandal is a witch hoax as the language challenge president labeled it today, why do all of these people continue to lie about the same thing? Why are they lying about meetings if these meetings are innocent? Why do all of their lies revolve in some way around contacts with Russians or other foreign governments? Look for Chairman Adam Schiff and the House Intelligence Committee to line up these liars and take them down one by one. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. Follow Jason Easley on Facebook CHICAGO (Reuters) A man who was wounded in a shooting at an Illinois warehouse last month has sued the state police for wrongly allowing the shooter to buy the handgun he used to kill five co-workers and injure others, local media said. Timothy Williams, an employee at Henry Pratt Company in Aurora, 40 miles (65 km) west of Chicago, was shot three times during the rampage, the Chicago Tribune said on Friday, citing the lawsuit. He is seeking $2 million, the newspaper said. Williams could not immediately be reached for comment and Illinois State Police declined to comment, saying it does not respond to questions about pending litigation. The gunman, Gary Martin, 45, carried his pistol to work on Feb. 15 and opened fire on fellow employees after being told he was being dismissed from the company. Five co-workers were killed and five police officers and a sixth employee were wounded before Martin died in a gunfight with police. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, a Democrat, vowed to seek tighter gun control measures after it emerged that Martin, a convicted felon, had wrongly been granted a firearms permit and allowed to buy a pistol, but was never forced to surrender the weapon after the mistake was realized. On Wednesday, Illinois State Police announced improvements to their processes, including sharing firearms data with other law enforcement agencies in the state and increasing enforcement of Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) laws and penalties. Martin purchased the .40-caliber Smith & Wesson with a laser sight in March 2014 using a FOID card issued two months earlier, even though his status as a convicted felon should have barred him from obtaining the card. His card was revoked later that month, after he requested a concealed-weapons permit that triggered a more thorough check, including fingerprinting, that revealed his 1995 aggravated assault conviction in Mississippi. Police said they have no record of any effort to ensure Martin surrendered his FOID card or weapons, as required, after he was told by letter that he was supposed to relinquish them. (Reporting by Suzannah Gonzales in Chicago; editing by Daniel Wallis and Grant McCool) 3.4k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Republican corruption has reached the point where they are actively celebrating the fact that Mitch McConnell will obstruct an anti-corruption bill. Check out this video released by the NRCC: Here's an exclusive video of the Democrat Politician Protection Act arriving in @senatemajldr's office. #HR1 pic.twitter.com/LUsLNBCXyX NRCC (@NRCC) March 8, 2019 To Republicans, being anti-corruption is not the same as socialism, even though corruption is the common enemy of both capitalism and democracy, which are two systems that Republicans used to believe in. The Republican Party has become so corrupt that they are celebrating the obstruction of the anti-corruption bill. H.R. 1 also gets rid of dark money, which is the lifeblood of the Republican Party and protects voting rights at a time when Republicans can only win elections in some parts of the country by making it more difficult to vote. Ronald Reagans Republican Party believed in democracy and were dedicated fighters against the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Donald Trumps Republican Party is potentially infiltrated by Russia, and actively undermines democracy at home and abroad. The Republican Party has been remade in the image of Donald Trump, where anyone enforces the law is bad, and corruption is good. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. Follow Jason Easley on Facebook 498 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Television personality Bill Maher confronted the head of the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Matt Schlapp, about Fox News coverage of Donald Trump. In the discussion Maher said, Fox News is basically running our government. During the one-on-one interview with Schlapp, Maher confronted the unwavering supporter of Donald Trump with a list of the presidents scandals involving porn stars, cash payoffs, hiring family members and various other scandals that have led to multiple investigations. Maher, the host of Real Time on HBO, also complimented Schlapp for coming on his show, which was unusual for the chairman of the American Conservative Union. Maher brought up a recent investigation by Jane Mayer published in The New Yorker, which alleged that Fox News killed a report about Trumps alleged affair with adult-film star Stormy Daniels prior to the 2016 presidential election. The report also alleged that Trump received potential questions he would face in a 2016 primary debate from then-network head Roger Ailes. Jane Mayer is saying that Fox News is basically running our government, which I think we know because Trump watched Fox & Friends in the morning and then tweets very often as hes watching it, Maher said. Sometimes he doesnt even refer to what he is tweeting, you just have to know thats what he is watching. This is unprecedented, too, the fact that Sean Hannity does a show every night praising Trump, and then after the show Sean Hannity and Trump talk, Maher continued. Now, if Obama was talking to [MSNBC host] Rachel Maddow every night, what would you think? Schlapp then said that maybe Obama did talk to Maddow every night. He didnt, I promise you he didnt, Maher said, before pulling out a fake book called If Obama Did It. Maher listed some controversies that involved Trumps campaign and administration, including having his former lawyer Michael Cohen and his former campaign chairman Paul Manafort go to jail. He told people across this country that he was going to do five or six big things for a politician that is actually keeping the big promises he has made, which you really cant deny, Schlapp responded. He pointed to Trumps campaign promises of moving the American Embassy in Israel and pulling out of the Iran Nuclear Deal. I understand a lot of you didnt like the fact of what he was saying on the campaign trail but you cant deny that on these big questions, he did it, Schlapp said. Schlapp acknowledged that a lot of people who oppose conservative politics opposed Trumps decisions. And when people in the news media have this constant refrain that he was so dishonest as president, they have to understand that for the people who supported him, they view him of doing what he said he was doing, Schlapp said. CLICK HERE to watch the Matt Schlapp interview with Bill Maher. 5.8k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Former prosecutor Glenn Kirschner warned Donald Trump on Saturday that Robert Mueller is about to drop a collusion bomb on the White House. In an interview on MSNBC, Kirschner said his experience as a prosecutor combined with all the public reporting has convinced him that justice is coming for the president. Everybody has confused Muellers silence on the question of conspiracy and collusion with an absence of evidence of conspiracy, the former prosecutor said. The collusion bomb is coming. Video: Kirschner said: After spending 30 years as a prosecutor, the evidence that I have seen, even in the public reporting, tells me that there was a conspiracy between the campaign and Russia. Weve seen it over and over again, then there were all sorts of acts undertaken that obstructed justice, that tried to prevent the evidence of that conspiracy coming to light. So everybody has confused Muellers silence on the question of conspiracy and collusion with an absence of evidence of conspiracy. The collusion bomb is coming and you know what? Mueller is so strategic in what hes doing, I dont think he wanted to tip his hands on collusion. I dont think he wanted to, for example, indict one of the presidents children for some of the crimes they committed because that may have resulted in Trump trying to shut things down. A conspiracy indictment? Bank on it. Glenn Kirschners bold prediction that Mueller still has a collusion bomb up his sleeve comes after he said on Twitter this week that he believes a conspiracy indictment is coming. Bank on it, he said. Dont despair at todays horrific injustice at the hands of Judge Ellis. The conspiracy indictment is coming, IMO. Dont confuse Muellers silence on the conspiracy front with a lack of evidence of conspiracy. #JusticeIsComing. Bank on it. https://t.co/CpoB25jU5W Glenn Kirschner (@glennkirschner2) March 8, 2019 As many Americans wait for the Mueller report to be released it could come as early as this week they have grown impatient by its deliberateness and by the fact that the special counsel has kept its cards so close to the vest. Trump supporters and critics alike have speculated that this means Mueller might not have much dirt related to collusion after all. But as Kirschner said on Saturday, the silence coming from Muellers office and the fact that the special counsel hasnt, for example, indicted any of Trumps family members isnt because they lack evidence. Instead, a seasoned investigator like Mueller is likely holding his major bombshells until the end, when it would be too late for Trump to shut down the investigation, even if he wanted to. Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter 2k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Vermont senator and 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders promised on Saturday that he will support the eventual nominee no matter who it may be because the number one priority is keeping Donald Trump from winning a second term. At a campaign rally in Iowa, Sanders said, If we do not win, I will strongly support the Democratic nominee and hope and believe that others feel exactly the same way. Donald Trump must be defeated, he added. Video: Bernie Sanders vows to support the Democratic nominee, no matter who it is. #ctl #p2 pic.twitter.com/VnytnVVnSZ PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) March 9, 2019 Sanders said: The nature of our campaign is not belittling people. Its not opposition research. Its not attacking other people. But its a serious discussion about the important issues facing the American people. If we do not win, I will strongly support the Democratic nominee and hope and believe that others feel exactly the same way. Donald Trump must be defeated. Sanders is making a course correction While Bernie Sanders did eventually support Hillary Clinton at the conclusion of the 2016 Democratic primary campaign, he was widely criticized for not having done so more quickly or fervently. This time around, as its clear just how much damage Trump has done and will continue to do if given four more years, Sanders is trying to avoid the same critique. After all, one in 10 Sanders supporters voted for Trump in 2016 a crucial number given how close the election was. The Vermont senators comments on Saturday indicate that he wants to remove all doubt While the number of Democratic candidates continues to grow and each of the hopefuls will try to draw policy contrasts, one thing is clear: They are all united in their belief that defeating Donald Trump is a top priority. Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter 3k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard A new report published Saturday shows that the founder of a Florida massage parlor tied to a sex trafficking ring has been selling Chinese executives access to Donald Trump. According to Mother Jones, Li Yang runs an investment business that has offered to sell Chinese clients access to Trump and his family. And a website for the businesswhich includes numerous photos of Yang and her purported clients hobnobbing at Mar-a-Lago, Trumps private club in Palm Beachsuggests she had some success in doing so, the report added. More from Mother Jones: The company describes itself on its website, which is mostly in Chinese, as an international business consulting firm that provides public relations services to assist businesses in America to establish and expand their brand image in the modern Chinese marketplace. But the firm notes that its services also address clients looking to make high-level connections in the United States. On a page displaying a photo of Mar-a-Lago, Yangs company says its activities for clients have included providing them the opportunity to interact with the president, the [American] Minister of Commerce and other political figures. The company boasts it has arranged taking photos with the President and suggests it can set up a White House and Capitol Hill Dinner. (The same day the Herald story about Yang broke, the website stopped functioning.) The short bio of Yang on the website, identifying her as the founder and CEO of GY US Investments, shows her in a photo with Trump bearing his signature. It says she has been settled in the United States for more than 20 years and is a member of the Presidential Fundraising Committee. According to the Herald, Yang is a registered Republican, and since 2017 she and her relatives have donated more than $42,000 to a Trump political action committee and more than $16,000 to Trumps campaign. Her Facebook page, which was taken offline on Friday, was loaded with photos of her posing with GOP notables: Donald Trump Jr., Rep. Matt Gaetz or Florida, Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, among others. The stench of corruption surrounding Trump gets more rancid each day Donald Trump ran for president promising to drain the so-called swamp in Washington, but he has brought with him a stench of corruption that only grows more rancid each day. The special counsel investigation into his ties to Russia during the 2016 campaign is still looming on the horizon, but thats only the tip of the iceberg. The Southern District of New York and the state of New York continue to dig into potential Trump crimes related to campaign finance, irregular spending by Trumps inaugural committee, tax fraud, misconduct related to the presidents fake charity and much more. Not to mention Democrats in the House of Representatives have launched a roundhouse kick of oversight since taking power in January, scrutinizing the president, his campaign, his business and more. The fact that the president of the United States is now increasingly connected to a sex trafficking ring comes as no surprise to anyone who has been paying attention over the past several years. And while it was big news when New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft was arrested last month, ESPN reporter Adam Schefter said at the time that Kraft is not the biggest name involved in the controversy. If and when Donald Trumps name comes up again in connection to this bubbling scandal in South Florida, it should come as no surprise. Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter 2.7k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Donald Trump just screwed himself over bigly. In a really dumb tweet the president accused Michael Cohen of lying to Congress. And this means Trump can be called to testify under oath. Which also means he might possibly commit and be charged with perjury. After Cohen testified before Congress, Trumps allies tried to claim that Michael Cohen is a perjurer. They focused on his claim that he hadnt sought a pardon from Trump. But this was a huge mistake because Cohen did not commit perjury. By pressing the issue, however, Trumps friends have made sure this ugly Trump scandal will stay in the public eye. Donald Trumps criminal defense attorneys, Rudy Giuliani and Jay Sekulow, both allegedly dangled pardons in front of Cohen in their attempts to convince him not to cooperate with prosecutors. If these allegations are proven to be true, both Giuliani and Sekulow will be going to prison for obstruction of justice. But a new and much larger question has also been raised: Can prosecutors prove that Trump was also involved in the illegal pardon offer to Cohen? And Trump may have given the answer in the form of his own misguided posting on social media. Trump tweeted: Bad lawyer and fraudster Michael Cohen said under sworn testimony that he never asked for a Pardon. His lawyers totally contradicted him. He lied! Additionally, he directly asked me for a pardon. I said NO. He lied again! He also badly wanted to work at the White House. He lied! Bad lawyer and fraudster Michael Cohen said under sworn testimony that he never asked for a Pardon. His lawyers totally contradicted him. He lied! Additionally, he directly asked me for a pardon. I said NO. He lied again! He also badly wanted to work at the White House. He lied! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 8, 2019 Donald Trump has now publicly announced that he had a conversation with Michael Cohen about a pardon. Which means that he can be subpoenaed to testify about this conversation he claims took place. He can now be subpoenaed by prosecutors in New York (SDNY) and also by investigators in the House of Representatives. Trump Will Probably Lie Under Oath, and Cohen Can Probably Prove It Heres the thing: Trump will probably lie about the nature and substance of his conversations with Cohen. And heres another thing: Cohen probably secretly recorded his conversations, which means he can prove Trump is lying. After Trumps tweet, Cohen immediately responded, also on Twitter, writing: Just another set of lies by @ POTUS @ realdonaldtrump. Mr. Presidentlet me remind you that today is # InternationalWomensDay. You may want use today to apologize for your own # lies and # DirtyDeeds to women like Karen McDougal and Stephanie Clifford. Just another set of lies by @POTUS @realdonaldtrump. Mr. Presidentlet me remind you that today is #InternationalWomensDay. You may want use today to apologize for your own #lies and #DirtyDeeds to women like Karen McDougal and Stephanie Clifford. Michael Cohen (@MichaelCohen212) March 8, 2019 As Lawfare Executive Editor Susan Hennessey pointed out, if Trump is accusing Cohen of lying, he will have to prove this by testifying under oath: The president is accusing an American citizen of committing a crime by lying about a matter which the president has direct knowledge of. He did the same to Comey. If he wants to accuse people of perjury, he should be willing to do so under the same penalties. The president is accusing an American citizen of committing a crime by lying about a matter which the president has direct knowledge of. He did the same to Comey. If he wants to accuse people of perjury, he should be willing to do so under the same penalties. Susan Hennessey (@Susan_Hennessey) March 8, 2019 Trump and Republicans have demanded that the DOJ conduct a perjury investigation into Michael Cohen. And now Donald Trump has just identified himself as a key witness in that investigation. If that investigation does go forward and Trump is forced to testify under oath, he will indeed be screwed bigly. On Tuesday, March 5, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov attacked what he described as an overabundance of investigations regarding Russias attempts to interfere with the 2016 U.S. presidential elections and alleged attempts to influence President Donald Trump. There are so many of these investigations their importance has certainly been devalued, Peskov said. He said investigative efforts have become increasingly less serious, adding that not one of the probes has resulted in anything but laughable results. We have neither the opportunity nor the desire to comment on every new investigation initiated by one or another group of U.S. lawmakers, he said, adding that it is probably not our business; its the business of the U.S. On May 17, 2017, U.S. Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein announced the appointment of former Department of Justice official and FBI Director Robert Mueller to serve as Special Counsel to oversee the previously-confirmed FBI investigation of Russian government efforts to influence the 2016 presidential election and related matters. Mueller was tasked, among other things, with investigating any links and/or coordination between the Russian government and individuals associated with the campaign of President Donald Trump. Since then, the Mueller investigation has resulted in more than three dozen criminal indictments, as well as guilty pleas and four prison sentences. Among those indicted were 12 Russian military intelligence officers charged with hacking the Democratic Partys computers, stealing their data and publishing that information to impact the 2016 election. In addition, three entities and 13 Russian individuals, including Putins Chef, Yevgeny Prigozhin, and his Internet Research Agency, a so-called troll factory, were indicted for interfering in the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign in order to sow discord in the U.S. political system, support the presidential campaign of then-candidate Donald Trump and disparage then-candidate Hillary Clinton. The indictment also stated that some of the defendants posing as U.S. persons and without revealing their Russian association, communicated with unwitting individuals associated with the Trump campaign and with other political activists to seek to coordinate political activities. Former Trump campaign head Paul Manafort pleaded guilty to conspiracy against the United States and conspiracy to obstruct justice. Prior to his guilty pleas, Manafort was found guilty on eight counts of financial crimes in a trial in federal court in Virginia. On March 7, Manafort was sentenced to 47 months in prison -- just short of four years -- for the Virginia convictions. The former campaign chief will face sentencing later in other guilty pleas. Long-time Manafort associate and Trump campaign official Rick Gates pleaded guilty to lying to investigators. Another Manafort associate, alleged former GRU operative Konstantin Kilimnik was charged with witness tampering, conspiracy and obstruction of justice. In an improperly redacted court filing, defense lawyers for Manafort accidentally revealed that Mueller had accused Manafort of discussing a "Ukraine peace plan" with Kilimnik "on more than one occasion." Former Trump National Security Adviser Michael Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his contacts with former Russian ambassador to the U.S., Sergey Kislyak. Former Trump foreign policy aide George Papadopoulos pleaded guilty to making materially false statements to the FBI regarding conversations with an allegedly Kremlin-linked Maltese professor who claimed to have dirt on Hillary Clinton. Amid reports that Muellers investigation might be coming to an end, various scenarios are still possible, including the possibility that his final report will not be made public. Whatever the outcome, the Mueller investigations efforts to determine the nature of the Kremlins influence campaign, as demonstrated by the number of Mueller indictments, suggests the probe has been efficacious. Polygraph.info therefore finds Peskovs comment to be false. Charleston, SC (29403) Today A mix of clouds and sun during the morning will give way to cloudy skies this afternoon. High 62F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight A few clouds. Low near 45F. Winds light and variable. The MOET must uphold its gender equity policy and not look down on women, says Former Education Director Roy Obed (seated from left) AMES, Iowa FindAFarmer, Practical Farmers of Iowas free land-matching website, has been relaunched after undergoing upgrades and a redesign. The site helps farmland owners find tenants or a possible successor, and helps beginning farmers overcome the difficulty of accessing land. FindAFarmer lets land seekers share their farming values, goals and qualifications, and landowners can share the story of their farmland and their vision for the future. The two parties can search for users within a specified radius, find someone who aligns with their values and interests, and can start an anonymous conversation. FindAFarmer.net is free and available for anyone in North America. Workshop will help connect kids to outdoors MANKATO, Minn. The Mankato Boys and Girls Club, 709 S Broad St., Mankato, will host a free workshop from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 25 for after-school program providers. Collaborating with Project Get Outdoors, Inc. (Project GO), the goal of the training will be to empower after school organizations to incorporate nature exploration and outdoor learning into their programs. Staff and volunteers from youth-serving agencies and organizations across southwest Minnesota are invited to participate. For more information or to register, contact Sara Holger at sara.grover@yahoo.com. 9 joining FFA Hall of Fame ST. PAUL Nine Minnesotans will be inducted into the state FFA Hall of Fame on April 29. They are Judy Barka of Watkins; Nancy Dahlman of Cokato; Roy Johnson of Elk River; Fred Troendle of St Charles; Neil Pearson of Grove City; Ken Hammer of Frazee; Jeff Voss of Jackson; Gary Olson of Moorhead and Doug Hoseck of Hector. The Faithfully Speaking Toastmaster Club welcomes Bassem Fadlia, who will speak on his faith journey in Islam Tuesday. The meeting, which runs from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., is open to the public at Charter House room 1-158, 211 Second St. NW, Rochester. The mission of the Faithfully Speaking club is to help people speak about their faith confidently and to learn about other faiths. All are welcome to attend. Take a journey of faith in Franciscans footsteps A three-part series of classes, "Journey into God: A Franciscan Pathway," will be offered starting at 6:30 p.m. Monday at Assisi Heights in Rochester. The series will take you on a journey of faith, leading into a profound outline of how a person can more deeply enter into the life of the Trinity (Creator, Christ and Spirit). A blueprint, or pattern, will assist you in a creative, experiential, and prayerful movement with a guide. The life of St. Bonaventure, a Seraphic doctor of the Church and a Franciscan theologian, will guide participants on this journey. Media selections of Bonaventures writings and group activities will be highlighted. Cost to attend is $30 preregistered and prepaid; $35 at the door. Register online, tinyurl.com/y4b8m78l , or call 507-280-2195. Assisi Heights is at 1001 14th St. NW. Tap your own wisdom in workshop In a meditative atmosphere, discover images using a technique called Soul Collage, a transformative process of creating personal cards out of greater awareness of your inner wisdom. In a relaxed and supportive space, spend time with images, assembling collages, composing reflective writing using a journaling technique, while tapping into your intuition. No artistic experience is necessary and all workshop materials will be provided. The workshop is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Assisi Heights. Admission is $25 preregistered/prepaid. $30 at the door. Register online, tinyurl.com/y36mjrfl , or call 507-280-2195. Assisi Heights is at 1001 14th St. NW. Join Quiet Day at Calvary church Calvary Sacred Circle invites you to join them for a morning of quiet contemplation and prayer during Lent from 9 a.m. to noon March 16 at Calvary Episcopal Church. The Lenten Quiet Day will include an open labyrinth walk and a contemplative art activity (coloring mandalas), both offered in silence with background instrumental music. Trained labyrinth facilitation and art instruction/supplies will be provided by parishioners. A free-will donation will be accepted. Please arrive by 11 a.m. to allow enough time to walk the labyrinth. Rev. Beth Royalty will be available for counsel, confession and companionship in the candle-lighted sanctuary and conclude the morning by leading a Service of Noonday Prayer at 11:30 a.m. No registration is necessary and all teens and adults are welcome. Please use the west entrance to the church, on Fourth Avenue Southwest. Calvary is at 111 Third Ave. SW. For more information, call the church office at 507-282-9429 or email office@calvary-rochester.org. Supermarket Saturday set for March 16 Oasis Church will hold Supermarket Saturday, in partnership with Channel One Food Shelf, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. March 16. You must present a photo ID with birthdate to pick up food at Oasis Church. You can visit only one Channel One food site per month. If you have any questions, call 289-8596. Oasis Church is located at 1815 38th St. NW, Rochester. Welcome Spring! says womens club Rochester Christian Womens Connection will hold a "Hello Spring!" luncheon, 11:45 a.m. Tuesday at the Eagles Club in Rochester. The special feature, presented by Linda Stai of Buffalo, Minn., is "Who is Writing Your Story?" Stai is also the special speaker, on the topic, "Storytelling Through Drama and the Written Word." Reservations are required. Call Darlene K., 507-765-4921, or email mploetz@hbcsc.net. Cost to attend is $15 per person and includes lunch. The Eagles Club is at 917 15th Ave. SE. Celebrate the feast of St. Patrick St. Patricks mission to bring Christianity to the Emerald Isle sealed his legacy as the patron saint and the most celebrated icon of Irish history. The wearing of the green is part of the charm of this Irish holiday. Join a meal of mulligan stew and see a performance of Irish folk music March 17 at Assisi Heights in Rochester. The effort is to bring forth the spiritual and social aspect of the feast by first giving time to God, attending the Eucharistic Liturgy at Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel at 11am, and then celebrating with family and friends the blessings of an Irish Heritage. It starts after Mass, at 11 a.m. To join the meal ($15), register online, tinyurl.com/yxvwmz55 , or call 507-280-2195. The music performance follows at 1:30 p.m. To see the music ($15), register online, tinyurl.com/yywz46wk , or call. Or, make a reservation for both the meal and the music ($25). Register online, tinyurl.com/y6sgegcl , or call. Preregistration and prepayment are required. Assisi Heights is at 1001 14th St. NW. Want to join Franciscans? Are you attracted to the values of the Franciscan Sisters and Cojourners? Come experience a morning of storytelling, prayer, and how the Rochester Franciscans are serving others in unique and various ways, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. March 20 at Assisi Heights in Rochester. You can collaborate with us and join us in mission. Working from our "Common Heart," we strive to respond with integrity to every challenge of the Gospel. As Franciscans, we have stories to tell, laughter and joy to share, and a focus on peacemaking and justice. Free, but donations are appreciated. Learn more and register online, tinyurl.com/y499gk6h , or call 507-280-2195. Assisi Heights is at 1001 14th St. NW. The Faithfully Speaking Toastmaster Club welcomes Bassem Fadlia, who will speak on his faith journey in Islam Tuesday. The meeting, which runs from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., is open to the public at Charter House room 1-158, 211 Second St. NW, Rochester. The mission of the Faithfully Speaking club is to help people speak about their faith confidently and to learn about other faiths. All are welcome to attend. Take a journey of faith in Franciscans footsteps A three-part series of classes, "Journey into God: A Franciscan Pathway," will be offered starting at 6:30 p.m. Monday at Assisi Heights in Rochester. The series will take you on a journey of faith, leading into a profound outline of how a person can more deeply enter into the life of the Trinity (Creator, Christ and Spirit). A blueprint, or pattern, will assist you in a creative, experiential, and prayerful movement with a guide. The life of St. Bonaventure, a Seraphic doctor of the Church and a Franciscan theologian, will guide participants on this journey. Media selections of Bonaventures writings and group activities will be highlighted. Cost to attend is $30 preregistered and prepaid; $35 at the door. Register online, tinyurl.com/y4b8m78l, or call 507-280-2195. Assisi Heights is at 1001 14th St. NW. Tap your own wisdom in workshop In a meditative atmosphere, discover images using a technique called Soul Collage, a transformative process of creating personal cards out of greater awareness of your inner wisdom. In a relaxed and supportive space, spend time with images, assembling collages, composing reflective writing using a journaling technique, while tapping into your intuition. No artistic experience is necessary and all workshop materials will be provided. The workshop is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Assisi Heights. Admission is $25 preregistered/prepaid. $30 at the door. Register online, tinyurl.com/y36mjrfl, or call 507-280-2195. Assisi Heights is at 1001 14th St. NW. Join Quiet Day at Calvary church Calvary Sacred Circle invites you to join them for a morning of quiet contemplation and prayer during Lent from 9 a.m. to noon March 16 at Calvary Episcopal Church. The Lenten Quiet Day will include an open labyrinth walk and a contemplative art activity (coloring mandalas), both offered in silence with background instrumental music. Trained labyrinth facilitation and art instruction/supplies will be provided by parishioners. A free-will donation will be accepted. Please arrive by 11 a.m. to allow enough time to walk the labyrinth. Rev. Beth Royalty will be available for counsel, confession and companionship in the candle-lighted sanctuary and conclude the morning by leading a Service of Noonday Prayer at 11:30 a.m. No registration is necessary and all teens and adults are welcome. Please use the west entrance to the church, on Fourth Avenue Southwest. Calvary is at 111 Third Ave. SW. For more information, call the church office at 507-282-9429 or email office@calvary-rochester.org. Supermarket Saturday set for March 16 Oasis Church will hold Supermarket Saturday, in partnership with Channel One Food Shelf, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. March 16. You must present a photo ID with birthdate to pick up food at Oasis Church. You can visit only one Channel One food site per month. If you have any questions, call 289-8596. Oasis Church is located at 1815 38th St. NW, Rochester. Welcome Spring! says womens club Rochester Christian Womens Connection will hold a "Hello Spring!" luncheon, 11:45 a.m. Tuesday at the Eagles Club in Rochester. The special feature, presented by Linda Stai of Buffalo, Minn., is "Who is Writing Your Story?" Stai is also the special speaker, on the topic, "Storytelling Through Drama and the Written Word." Reservations are required. Call Darlene K., 507-765-4921, or email mploetz@hbcsc.net. Cost to attend is $15 per person and includes lunch. The Eagles Club is at 917 15th Ave. SE. Celebrate the feast of St. Patrick St. Patricks mission to bring Christianity to the Emerald Isle sealed his legacy as the patron saint and the most celebrated icon of Irish history. The wearing of the green is part of the charm of this Irish holiday. Join a meal of mulligan stew and see a performance of Irish folk music March 17 at Assisi Heights in Rochester. The effort is to bring forth the spiritual and social aspect of the feast by first giving time to God, attending the Eucharistic Liturgy at Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel at 11am, and then celebrating with family and friends the blessings of an Irish Heritage. It starts after Mass, at 11 a.m. To join the meal ($15), register online, tinyurl.com/yxvwmz55, or call 507-280-2195. The music performance follows at 1:30 p.m. To see the music ($15), register online, tinyurl.com/yywz46wk, or call. Or, make a reservation for both the meal and the music ($25). Register online, tinyurl.com/y6sgegcl, or call. Preregistration and prepayment are required. Assisi Heights is at 1001 14th St. NW. Want to join Franciscans? Are you attracted to the values of the Franciscan Sisters and Cojourners? Come experience a morning of storytelling, prayer, and how the Rochester Franciscans are serving others in unique and various ways, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. March 20 at Assisi Heights in Rochester. You can collaborate with us and join us in mission. Working from our "Common Heart," we strive to respond with integrity to every challenge of the Gospel. As Franciscans, we have stories to tell, laughter and joy to share, and a focus on peacemaking and justice. Free, but donations are appreciated. Learn more and register online, tinyurl.com/y499gk6h, or call 507-280-2195. Assisi Heights is at 1001 14th St. NW. Throughout the years, one of the principles for living in Minnesota I have tried to follow is "if you wait for nice weather to enjoy being outside, you will be stymied most of the time." The reality is that we have more days than not when a lot of us say it is too hot, too cold, too windy, too humid, too rainy, or too snowy. So, when I got a text from birding friends a week ago to see if I wanted to head out at 7 a.m. Sunday to look for birds, I said "sure," even though the forecast was for record lows around 20 below. Our goal was to drive through the Whitewater Valley, which we often do. But, before going there directly, we would spend time just east of Rochester, between Viola and Eyota, driving county roads looking specifically for now-fairly rare Hungarian partridges, also called gray partridges, or "Huns." We spent almost an hour checking out many roadside birds, most of which were either horned larks or snow buntings, but no partridges. If you drive country roads this time of year, you may scare up dozens, sometimes hundreds, of larks and buntings ahead of you, as they are usually quite skittish. We probably saw a few hundred of each and even got close enough to some for fairly good pictures. Then it was off to a spring-fed creek near Eyota before heading to Whitewater. We typically try to hit this country road spot when heading east as, more often than not, we will spot a few snipe in this tributary of the Whitewater going through a farmyard. The snipe we have around here are called common snipe, long-billed birds that live in wetlands and other water areas, thus their liking to this site creek. But, while fairly common in spring, summer, and fall, according to my birding expert buddies it is very rare to see them around here this time of year. Although the snow and vapor rising from the creek provided spectacular views, it made scanning the creek shoreline for snipe difficult. However, we eventually spotted two, maybe three, of what we thought were snipe about a hundred yards away. We got out a spotting scope to verify at least the two, which sat motionless tucked up against shoreline rocks. I couldnt help but imagine what they have had to do the last three weeks to survive our extreme weather. This would be a question we would pose for many of the birds we would see throughout the day. So, now it was on to Whitewater to see what might show up. We began at the visitor center to check out their feeders, and were treated to about 20 different species of birds, with the rarest being a couple red-breasted nuthatches, and four white-throated sparrows. We then headed into the valley, with our first good sighting being a rough-legged hawk nestled into a grove of trees. Later, we would see another, along with four bald eagles, but nothing too rare or unusual, except for one common merganser. We were hoping for bluebirds, a kingfisher, a shrike, or maybe even an early great blue heron, but, only saw more common birds, including a group of at least 100 turkeys. We noted how this time last year we had encountered sandhill cranes in 50-degree weather, but wondered if this year they had yet even gotten to their usual stopover in the Platte River area of Nebraska. Leaving Whitewater, we decided to go look for the partridges on the way back. Before getting to where they had been seen a couple days earlier, we did spot a belted kingfisher on a branch over a little stream. I pondered how it could dive for fish, get wet, and not have its feathers freeze up. And then, shortly after seeing the kingfisher, there they were, a group of 10 Hungarian partridges. We got close enough to the "Huns" for some pictures, and talked about how there were not many of them around anymore. They apparently thrived quite well after introduction to the U.S. from Europe in the early 1900s but, unlike also-introduced pheasants, havent fared so well since, supposedly because of lack of small grain crops. Sounds like there may be more further west in North Dakota and Montana. Seems odd to me that a bird that is so uncommon is still hunted in Minnesota. Anyway, get outside whenever you can, as there is a lot of nature to be seen, even during our extreme cold. Writings on the Wall As I have said before, I read the Organic Act of Guam twice a year, the Guam code at least once a year and I read every Guam legislative bill. Read more Editor's note: This is the seventh in a series of interviews with some of Guam's World War II survivors regarding their wait for war reparations. PQ Im probably better off if I go to Pay-Less and buy a lottery ticket. Then I could consider that a war reparation. Vicente T. Taisipic, World War II survivor World War II survivor Vicente T. Taisipic, 84, said he believes he has a better chance of winning the lottery than receiving a war reparation. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Im probably better off if I go to Pay-Less and buy a lottery ticket. Then I could consider that a war reparation, he said. Born in 1936, he was only 5 years old when the Japanese invaded Guam. He remembers how the sun glinted off the bayonets they carried. What surprised me when I look at the Japanese soldier is that they are not that tall and with the rifle and the bayonet attached to the rife it looked so gigantic it made the Japanese look like a midget, he said. It scared the hell out of me. I was a kid. During an orientation for villagers, the soldiers told them the new laws they were to live by. "It was filled with so many 'dont.' So many you could write a book. Everything was 'dont,'" he said. He said families were told to put up a white flag in front of their dwelling to show that they were "no longer patriotic to Uncle Sam, that you are now under the guidance of the emperor of Japan, that you give up your American rights, he said. They will drag the family out and beat them if no flag was hung, he said. Taisipic said he went to the Japanese-run schools in the morning and then worked in the fields until sunset. As soon as you know how to walk, you are going to work for the emperor, he said. Then he was selected to gather manure for fertilizer. I was one of the unfortunate lucky ones, he said grimly. He was ordered to fill five buckets per day. It doesnt matter if its water buffalo, cow, goat, pigs, chicken, human beings, he said. "Flies would stick with me like Im a honey bucket. In fact, thats my name during the school hours 'Here comes the honey bucket,'" he said his classmates would say. Because he was so young, Taisipic was chosen to help feed George Ray Tweed, a U.S. radioman who was able to avoid capture from the Japanese with the help of Guamanians who hid him and moved him to the northern side of the island. When Tweed came through the property where Taisipic was staying, they hid the American in a banyan tree. But I was warned when you give him the food do not look at his face or see how he looks because if I get captured, I might divulge the information, Taisipic said. Taisipic said the Japanese forced the villagers into camps when it was clear the Americans were coming. They told us they are going to send us to the concentration camp to save our lives. But Taisipic knew that was just a load of what he had been forced to gather in buckets, he said. Trusting them is like trusting a thief to guard your chickens, he said. When the Japanese soldiers began rounding up dogs and beheading them so the animals would not follow them into the hills when they fled to escape the Americans, Taisipic was almost killed himself. As he was holding a dog for slaughter, Taisipic said, the dog moved forward and I reached for it and he almost cut my head. Two of his uncles had been beheaded during the war, and Taisipic cried knowing how close he had come to meeting the same fate. Tears coming down like pouring rain, he said. Relief came when the Americans finally landed in 1944. People got excited. 'The Americans are here. The Americans are here.' The joy, it was like a chain reaction, he said. The sight of the American forces was a shock to young Taisipic. So tall, they were so red. Red because they were sunburned, he recalled. At the age of 19, Taisipic went to serve in the Navy as a submariner during what he calls the best time of his life. But the horrors of war have not faded. It stays with you. Its like a tape recorder. You cannot erase it. You cannot delete, he said. Today, Taisipic blames the local government for the continued delay in war reparations. He called the wait for payments a failure of our leadership. We have leaders in Guam present leaders who are so concerned about their own personal gain that corruption and greed become No. 1 on their list. They want to be known as the one who single-handedly did something good for Guam, but its the opposite of what they are doing, he said. You never fool the people, he said. FRESHMAN DELEGATE: U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar walked from her new office in the Longworth House Office Building to the U.S. Capitol, a few hours before being sworn in as a member of Congress. (Minneapolis) Star Tribune file photo Last week, in a fit of sentimentality, I published an article in the Washington Examiner magazine with the grandiose title My Geneva Convention for the Trump Wars. Its out from behind the Examiner paywall now, and we posted it in our Picks section a few days ago. There is a backstory to this article that I cant fully share, as it involved some private communications with some Never Trump figures (though I am trying to retire that phrase) and pro-Trump friends. The main point was simple: by all means we shall keep fighting, but can we stop with the ad hominem insults and hyperbole about the other conservatives we disagree with? Can we stick to the substance of the matter? There is no good reason to open permanent divisions among like-minded people over a single figure who will be in the historical rear-view mirror in either 22 months or six years. It turned out to be have an extremely ill-timed article, and perhaps I shouldnt have published it at all. In addition to the Atlantic article I referenced in the piece about the resolute anti-Trump view of The Bulwark, there comes now Gabriel Schoenfelds review of Victor Davis Hansons new book, The Case For Trump, which Victor kindly previewed for us here a few days ago. Schoenfeld doesnt like Victors case much at all. Most of the counter-argument is familiar: Trump is an extreme narcissist and prevaricator even by the low standards of politicians, etc. Also a racist, etc. Here (and in other places) I think Schoenfeld goes too far in crediting the liberal narrative about Trump on this and some other questions, but hes hardly alone in thinking so. Up to this point his arguments against Trump, and Victors case, are not new. By now, three years into the Trump Era, the back and forth about Trump is starting to take on the same dreary repetitiveness of the climate change debate, with both sides thinking if they repeat their main points one more time, only louder!, it is going to swing opinion right around. Most of Schoenfelds article argues seriously and with expressions of respect for Victors long body of impressive historical work. But for some reason Schoenfeld had to go all Godwins Law on us in the last paragraph. Godwins Law, you may know, holds that the first person to resort to a reductio ad Hitlerum argument on the Internet loses the argument by default. Here is the entire last paragraph: This is not to say that Hansons book lacks value. As a part of a larger phenomenon, it is instructive in its way. Anyone with an iota of historical awareness is familiar with the fact that intellectuals in Europe and the United States lauded Joseph Stalin even as he sent millions to the Gulag and their death. By the same token, Adolf Hitler, one of the 20th centurys other mega-mass murderers, also found his share of admirers in the academy, among them such brilliant minds as Carl Schmitt and Martin Heidegger. An entire branch of Western scholarship was devoted to the adulation of the genocidal Mao Tse-tung. Whatever Trumps authoritarian tendencies, it is a grotesque absurdity to compare him to historys most terrible tyrants. My point is something else: If such monsters could find admirers among the highly educated, it is unsurprising that our infantile, ignorant leader has found an assortment of professors to sing his praises. Julian Benda wrote The Treason of the Intellectuals in 1927. With legitimate historians like Hanson abasing themselves to write what can only be called propaganda, Bendas title, if not his entire argument, is perennially pertinent. Lets go back for a moment and linger on one central sentence: Whatever Trumps authoritarian tendencies, it is a grotesque absurdity to compare him to historys most terrible tyrants. Whew! Its certainly a relief to learn from Schoenfeld that Trump is not literally Hitler! But that makes the rest of the paragraph so much more shocking, since it asserts that Victors supposed abasement to Trump is on par with the intellectuals who abased themselves to Hitler and Stalin. This would seem to imply that Victor and other pro-Trump thinkers are somehow worse than Carl Schmitt and Heidegger, doesnt it? The implication about Hanson here is odioussomething youd expect to read in The Nation or Mother Jones. Beyond the misfire at an attempt at subtlety here, it is astounding that Schoenfeld would deploy Julian Bendas title in service of an attack on Victor, for I can think of no intellectual to whom Bendas actual argument applies to less than Victor. I dusted off my copy of Benda, which I havent cracked open in more than 30 years, to see if I could figure out how Bendas argument could be applied to Victor. A large aspect of Bendas entire argument is about the supercharged nature of political passion in the early 20thcentury, how intellectuals exploited this secular trend for their own aggrandizement, and the perversions many intellectuals brought to the realist tradition in political thought. To be sure, Victor brings a large measure of bracing intensity to his writing, but he can hardly be regarded as a firebrand of any kind, either in temperament or style of argument. The actual examples Benda givesespecially Charles Maurras and Georges Sorelare diametrically opposed to the disposition and outlook of Hanson. I could go on with further exegesis of Bendas richly argued thesis and why it is wildly off the mark for Hanson, but Ill end with bringing attention to one passage from Benda about how the true historian avoids inflaming passion: By his determination in bringing this partiality [on behalf of political passion] to historical narrative the modern clerk [Bendas original term for intellectual] most seriously derogates from his true function, if I am right in saying that his function is to restrain the passions of the laymen. Not only does he inflame the laymens passions more cunningly than ever, not only does he deprive them of the suggestive spectacle of a man solely occupied by the thirst for truth, but he prevents the laymen from hearing speech different from that of the marketplace speech, which, coming from the heights, shows that the most opposite passions are equally justified, equally necessary to the earthly State, and thereby incites every reader who has any capacity for getting outside himself to relax the severity of his passions, at least for a moment. In this present clash between Hanson and Schoenfeld, to whom does Bendas portrait of the true historian versus the traitorous clerk attempting to inflame popular passions most closely resemble? It doesnt even seem a close call. Yesterday, the House passed a meaningless, vacuous resolution condemning hate in many of its forms. House Democrats were unable to bring to a vote a specific anti-anti-Semitism resolution and never seem seriously to have contemplated a resolution condemning Rep. Ilhan Omar, who caused the fuss with her blatantly anti-Semitic remarks. The anti-hate resolution was a pathetic response. If a Republican congressman had made anti-black comments, would House Democrats have responded, as they did Omars remarks, with a generic resolution condemning nearly every form of group animus under the sun? Of course not. They would have condemned racial bias and the offending Republican. House Democrats voted unanimously in favor of the anti-hate resolution. Even Ilhan Omar and her fellow openly anti-Semitic caucus members were able to vote for it. On the other side of the aisle, 23 Republicans voted against the resolution. Good for them. Some Democrats and their media cheerleaders are claiming that, because of the nearly two dozen GOP nay votes, Republicans have snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. John McCormack at NRO cites some of this commentary. Id be surprised if the commentary is correct. There may be a few congressional districts in which a nay vote on the anti-hate resolution might require some explaining. I doubt that any of the 23 legislators who voted nay represent such districts. Will Democrats be able to use those 23 votes to launch a more general attack on the GOP as a party that is okay with hate? I dont think so. Indeed, its unlikely that the Democrats will pursue this line of attack. Doing so would put the focus back on Omars comments and the inability of Nancy Pelosi to line up her party in favor of a straight vote condemning anti-Semitism. As Scott might say, the Democrats would be happy to call the whole thing off. But its far from clear that passing the generic anti-hate resolution will enable them to do so. I agree with McCormack that for those bothered by anti-Semitism, Omars remarks, the attempts of Nancy Pelosi, Jim Clyburn, and the 2020 Democrats to defend Omar, and the unwillingness of Democrats to pass a simple anti-anti-Semitism resolution remain the scandal here. Many Democrats (albeit a decreasing number) and Independents are bothered by anti-Semitism. The principled vote of 23 GOP members against the cop-out resolution is unlikely to change this dynamic. More broadly, Democrats face the real possibility of fratricidal conflict over the radicalism (of which anti-Semitism is but one manifestation) of members like Rep. Omar and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Tim Alberta discusses this danger at Politico. Through subjective and quantitative examination of key variables which are in charge of boosting or hampering the market development and the promising open doors in Block chain In Banking And Financial Services showcase have been give. Block chain In Banking and Financial Services PR-Inside.com: 2019-03-08 23:07:04 Press Information Research N Reports Contact: Sunny Denis (Sales Manager), (Research N Reports) 10916, Gold Point Dr, Houston, TX, Pin 77064, +1-8886316977, sales@researchnreports.com, www.researchnreports.com Sunny Denis Sales Manager +1-8886316977 email http://www.researchnreports.com # 681 Words Contact:Sunny Denis(Sales Manager),(Research N Reports)10916, Gold Point Dr,Houston, TX, Pin 77064,+1-8886316977,sales@researchnreports.com,www.researchnreports.comSales Manager+1-8886316977 Over the years, hybrids around the distributed led approach and block chain technology have steadily grown, facilitating discussions and research on potential applications across the financial services industry. Current research and multiple use cases reflect the first feasible technology implementation that brings major changes to segments and processes in the industry. More and more banks are realizing the urgency of the subject and looking for ways to use block-chain technology.Investigation of Block chain In Banking And Financial Services market and its up and coming development prospects is been specified with most extreme exactness. This investigation incorporates an elaborative synopsis of Block chain In Banking And Financial Services advertise which likewise incorporates previews that offer profundity of data of different divisions. Through subjective and quantitative examination of key variables which are in charge of boosting or hampering the market development and the promising open doors in Block chain In Banking And Financial Services showcase have been give. Essential and optional research is been done in detail which enables the peruses to have a solid comprehension of the entire market for the gauge time of 2018 to 2023.For Sample duplicate of this report: https://www.researchnreports.com/request_sample.php?id=222895 Major vendors in the global Block chain in Banking and Financial Services market include Google LLC, Microsoft, Intel, IBM, R3 and Chain.Comprehensive market information concerning the urgent components and portion of the worldwide Block chain In Banking And Financial Services advertise that can impact the development prospects of the market are said. The report incorporates monstrous information identifying with the ongoing item and mechanical improvements saw in the market, finish with an examination of the effect of these headways available future advancement. The report investigates the whole request and production network in the worldwide market and further examinations the different segments.The worldwide Block chain In Banking And Financial Services advertise is additionally being driven by the expanding maturing populace, developing use on medicinal services, rising number of government activities to digitalize social insurance, and strengthening selection of wearable gadgets. Continuous mechanical headways and the relentless entrance of web in the remote corners of the world are likewise in charge of the striking development of the worldwide Block chain In Banking And Financial Services showcase.Avail discount on this report: https://www.researchnreports.com/ask_for_discount.php?id=222895 The report additionally examines enter players in the Block chain In Banking And Financial Services showcase and the procedures utilized by them. It likewise clarifies the different variables driving or controlling the Block chain In Banking And Financial Services showcase. It makes utilization of Porter's Five Forces investigation and SWOT examination to comprehend the capability of the Block chain In Banking And Financial Services market and offers intriguing bits of knowledge to new and existing players to empower them to strategize appropriately.Most vital information incorporate the key suggestions and forecasts by our examiners, expected to control a key business choice. The organization profiles segment of this examination benefit is an accumulation of the development methodologies, monetary status, item portfolio, and late advancements of key market members. The report gives itemized industry examination of the worldwide Block chain In Banking And Financial Services advertise with the assistance of demonstrated research strategies, for example, Porter's five powers. The powers broke down are dealing intensity of the purchasers, bartering intensity of providers, danger of new participants, risk of substitutes, and the level of rivalry.For more enquiry: https://www.researchnreports.com/enquiry_before_buying.php?id=222895 Table of ContentsGlobal Block chain In Banking And Financial Services Market Research Report 2019Chapter 1 Global Block chain In Banking And Financial Services Market OverviewChapter 2 Global Economic Impact on IndustryChapter 3 Global Block chain In Banking And Financial Services Market Competition by ManufacturersChapter 4 Global Production, Revenue (Value) by RegionChapter 5 Global Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by RegionsChapter 6 Global Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by TypeChapter 7 Global Market Analysis by ApplicationChapter 8 Manufacturing Cost AnalysisChapter 9 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream BuyersChapter 10 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/TradersChapter 11 Market Effect Factors Analysis Cloud scale is a cloud-based service, application, system, or platform that can scale without any technical limitations. Without technical limitations, such cloud technologies are limited only by financial resources, contractual limitations and physical resources such as data centers. The following is an example of a cloud scale. Cloud Scale Software PR-Inside.com: 2019-03-08 23:07:45 Press Information QYReports Pune,india Jones John Sales Manager +91-9764607607 email https://www.qyreports.com # 514 Words Pune,indiaSales Manager+91-9764607607 This report provides an in-depth study of the overall state of the Cloud Scale Software market and outlines growth. It also provides details of key market factors and key global regions. The number of primary and secondary studies was conducted to gather the information needed to complete this specific report. Several industry-based analytical strategies have been reduced to better understand this market.Get Sample copy of this Report: https://www.qyreports.com/request-sample?report-id=80591 Top key player profiled in this report: IBM Corporation, Oracle Corp., Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP, BMC Software Inc., ServiceNow Inc., BDNA Corporation, LANDESK Software, Aspera Technologies Inc., Cherwell Software, Flexera Software LLC, CA Technology Inc., and Snow Software.A major strategy followed by established companies to improve penetration in the cloud-scale software market globally forms a major part of this study. These strategies can be used by upcoming vendors to better serve the market. The global market for incinerators has been further analyzed in terms of imports. Market dynamics, including market drivers, challenges, opportunities and trends, have been presented with each impact analysis. Impact analysis helps to accumulate information about the future development of the market.Key questions answered in this research report:1. What are the strengths of the top key players?2. What will the market demand?3. Which factors are influencing the progress of the market?4. What are the global opportunities for the Global Cloud Scale Software Market?5. Which trends, tools and technologies are and will affect the growth of Cloud Scale Software Market?Get Attractive Discount on This Report at: https://www.qyreports.com/ask-for-discount?report-id=80591 In the geographic segmentation, different regions like North America, Latin America, Asia-Pacific, Africa, and Europe have been examined to study the several verticals of the businesses. The top key driving forces have been mentioned in this report. Furthermore, it offers different case studies from various c level peoples like business investors, business owners, policy makers, and decision makers.The cloud-scale software market has been studied in terms of applications, types, products and many other parameters. All the data leading to the growth or decline of each segment has been described. In relation to the market, the entire supply chain is studied in depth and delivered in the most comprehensive way possible. The reasons for this trend increase are researched and elaborated. During the forecast 2023, momentum, restrictions and opportunities are provided to provide a better picture of this market investment.Enquiry Before Buying: https://qyreports.com/enquiry-before-buying?report-id=80591 Objectives of this research report:1. It offers an analysis of changing competitive scenario.2. It offers forward-looking perspectives on different factors driving or restraining market growth.3. It throws light on market size as well as the growth rate of the market.4. It gives a detailed analysis of key vendors operating in the Global Cloud Scale Software Market.5. It highlights the trending factors which are influencing the growth of the Global Cloud Scale Software Market.6. Furthermore, it offers outcomes of SWOT and Porters five analysis.7. It offers demand-supply chain analysis.8. The global distributor and market channel analysis.9. Also, it offers an economic impact on the market. Locomotive PR-Inside.com: 2019-03-08 23:08:20 Press Information QYreports The Work Lab,FC Road, Pune, MH, India Jones John Sales Manager +91-9764607607 email https://www.qyreports.com # 568 Words The Work Lab,FC Road, Pune, MH, IndiaSales Manager+91-9764607607 The growing rate of urbanization is contributing to popularity among the general public. In most developed and developing countries, there has been a positive impact on the expansion of the railway network as well as the concern of the people of the ecological sustainability. Global logistics market has increased in the world due to significant investment by rail authorities for the development of railway infrastructure for cargo and high speed trains.A new report titled Global Locomotive Market represents the current scenario of the market, and based on in-depth analysis of all the major factors that are expected to influence the demand in the near future, it estimates the state of the market by the forecast period. The report takes stock of the market on the basis of its attractiveness as well as investment feasibility. It also offers quantitative and qualitative description of every aspect of the market and catches the emerging industry trends. The aim of the report it to enable the readers to focus on the market on the basis of product specifications, existing competitive landscape and the market's revenue with effectiveness.For Sample Copy:Most Prominent Key Players include in this study: Hitachi Ltd (Japan), Siemens AG (Germany), CSR Corporation (China), Bombardier Transportation (Canada), Alstom S.A (France), and AEG Power solutions (Germany) amongst othersWhat our report offers: Market share assessment based on the regional and country level analysis of the Locomotive market. Comprehensive analysis of recent technological advancements. Business profiles of leading key players. Strategic recommendations for the new entrants. Strategic planning and strategies carried out by top-level companies. Market share analysis of the top industry players. Trending factors which are impacting on the market.Avail Discount at:The global Locomotive market is driven by the many rising factors which result in fueling the market globally are included in this report. How an improvement in the economic growth is also boosting the Locomotive industry is given. Rising urbanization is expected to aid the markets growth. Increased globalization is yet another factor benefitting the Locomotive industry. However, factors that may hamper the growth of the industry is also discussed in this report for the readers understanding.The competitive landscape of the global Locomotive market is discussed in the report, including the market share and new orders market share by company. The report profiles some of the leading players in the global market for the purpose of an in-depth study of the challenges faced by the industry as well as the growth opportunities in the market. The report also discusses the strategies implemented by the key companies to maintain their hold on the industry. The business overview and financial overview of each of the companies have been analyzed.Segmentation on the basis of Applications: Automotive Locomotive Industrial Aerospace OthersSegmentation on the basis of Types: Diesel Electric Locomotive DMU EMUSegmentation on the basis of Regions: North America Europe Asia Pacific Middle East & Africa Latin AmericaFor More Information:Key Points Covered in Table of Content: Market Overview Market Competition by Manufacturers Production, Revenue (Value) by Region Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Regions Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type Market Analysis by Application Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders Market Effect Factors Analysis Market Forecast Research Findings and Conclusion PR-Inside.com: 2019-03-08 23:05:50 Press Information QYReports Pune, India Jones John Sales Manager +91-9764607607 email https://www.qyreports.com/ # 548 Words Pune, IndiaSales Manager+91-9764607607 Cloud backup, also known as online backup, is a strategy for backing up data related to the task of sending copies of data to offsite servers over a dedicated or public network. Servers are often hosted by third-party service providers that charge customers backup based on capacity, bandwidth, or number of users. Offsite servers in a business can be owned by the company, but chargeback methods are similar.The Global Cloud Backup Market research study for systematically analyzing the market has recently added by QYReports to its database. The Global Cloud Backup Market is a detailed analysis of different parameters including profit margin, market size, shares, and growth rate. It offers several approaches for competing in the market space. Additionally, it offers some online and offline activities for increasing the performance of the companies. Furthermore, it consists of different methodologies for identifying the customers and potential customers.Ask for Sample Copy of This Report: https://www.qyreports.com/request-sample?report-id=58239 Top Key Players Profiled in This Report: Carbonite, Asigra, Barracuda Networks, Acronis International GmbH, Code42 Software, Datto, Druva Software, IBM, Veeam Software, Microsoft, Iron Mountain Incorporated, Efolder.Key features this report offers:1. It offers several ways for exploring the market growth opportunities.2. It represents the various statistics of financial terms in the businesses.3. It provides insights into factors affecting the growth of the Global Cloud Backup Market.4. Furthermore, it gives massive data of historical records, existing statistics, and futuristic developments.5. It offers the country level regional analysis of the market in terms of size and scope for the Global Cloud Backup Market.6. It provides the strategic planning methodologies for the Global Cloud Backup Market.7. It tracks and analyzes the competitive landscape at the domestic and global platforms.Get Discount on This Report: https://www.qyreports.com/ask-for-discount?report-id=58239 North America, Latin America, Asia-Pacific, Africa, and Europe have been analyzed to study about different verticals of market. Additionally, it offers regional analysis based on developing and developed countries as per the demanding structure of the Global Cloud Backup Market. A detailed outline of the market has been provided by profiling the leading key players.The report also looks at the influential factors that are affecting the development of the Global Cloud Backup Market. This statistical report also offers various internal and external driving as well as restraining factors for this research report.The research study further offers a detailed overview of the competitive landscape of the Global Cloud Backup Market and throws light on the key players operating in it.The key players have been highlighted on the basis of various business strategies and the marketing tactics. This helps provide a strong understanding of the overall market. In addition, the financial overview, recent developments, SWOT analysis, product portfolio, and mergers and acquisitions in the market have been discussed in depth.If You Have Any Query, Ask Our Experts: https://qyreports.com/enquiry-before-buying?report-id=58239 Major Factors Covered in This Report: Global Cloud Backup Market Overview Economic Impact on Industry Market Competition by Manufacturers Production, Revenue (Value) by Region Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Regions Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type Market Analysis by Application Manufacturing Cost Analysis Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders Market Effect Factors Analysis Global Cloud Backup Market Forecast PR-Inside.com: 2019-03-08 23:06:30 Press Information QYReports Pune, India Jones John Sales Manager +91-9764607607 email https://www.qyreports.com/ # 516 Words Pune, IndiaSales Manager+91-9764607607 Social media is moving beyond the epidemic and attracting new interest in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. These changes come as the power of these tools, brand awareness, and effective sales influence, as well as the interest of regulators in social media. In addition, the growth of tools, technology and data science industries has been proven to be a powerful driver. It is necessary to capture the opinion of the patient as the center of the patient becomes the focus of the migration. Social media supports the world of evidence-based medicine (EBM) and provides practical elements for clinical trials. Patients to participate in decision-making about how to make informed decisions and manage their own health.QYReports forecast a new statistical data titled as a Global Pharma and Healthcare Social Media Market. The report focuses on the startups contributing to the growth of the market. It includes an in-depth analysis of the Global Pharma and Healthcare Social Media Market which provides the guidelines for making decisions in the businesses. It has been compiled by using primary and secondary research methodologies. Furthermore, it offers business industry overview with records of the past few years.Ask for Sample Copy of This Report: https://www.qyreports.com/request-sample?report-id=88055 Key questions answered in this research report:1. What are the strengths of the top key players?2. What will the market demand?3. Which factors are influencing the progress of the market?4. What are the global opportunities for the Global Pharma and Healthcare Social Media Market?5. Which trends, tools and technologies are and will affect the growth of Global Pharma and Healthcare Social Media Market?North America, Asia-Pacific, Africa, Europe, and Latin America have been examined on the basis of different parameters. It helps to provide regional analysis as per the developing and developed regions. It sheds light on different terminologies of the market.Get Discount on This Report: https://www.qyreports.com/ask-for-discount?report-id=88055 Objectives of Global Pharma and Healthcare Social Media Market study:1. Analysis of competitive landscape across the global regions.2. A country-level analysis of market according to different market segments.3. Analysis of various business stakeholders.4. Market analysis by global competition5. Analysis of different financial terms.The business profiles of different leading key players have been analyzed to get detailed knowledge about effective strategies carried out by top-level industries. This Global Pharma and Healthcare Social Media Market provides comprehensive data which enhances the understanding of business framework.Finally, the researchers throw light on the different dynamics of the market such as drivers, restraints, and opportunities. Additionally, it offers exhaustive information about new products, developments, and investment.If You Have Any Query, Ask Our Experts: https://qyreports.com/enquiry-before-buying?report-id=88055 Major Factors Covered in This Report: Global Pharma and Healthcare Social Media Market Overview Economic Impact on Industry Market Competition by Manufacturers Production, Revenue (Value) by Region Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Regions Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type Market Analysis by Application Manufacturing Cost Analysis Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders Market Effect Factors Analysis Global Pharma and Healthcare Social Media Market Forecast PR-Inside.com: 2019-03-09 08:10:14 Press Information Research Solution Insights (RSI) 42 joseph street, Portcarling P0B 1J0, Muskoka, Ontario, Canada T: +1-631-721-4201 Email: admin@researchreportinsights.com Web Site: http://www.researchreportinsights.com Phone - (+91) 7875758555 email Published by Ethan Taylor +44-631-787-4201 e-mail https://www.trendsmarketresearch.com # 550 Words 42 joseph street,Portcarling P0B 1J0,Muskoka, Ontario, CanadaT: +1-631-721-4201Email: admin@researchreportinsights.comWeb Site: http://www.researchreportinsights.comPhone - (+91) 7875758555Ethan Taylor+44-631-787-4201 As per the latest report compiled by Research Report Insights (RRI), the global market for top load cartoning machines is likely to witness moderate growth. The market is projected to register healthy CAGR during 2017-2026. By the end of 2027, the global top load cartooning machines market is estimated to reach 766.8 million revenue. The most important factor in the top load cartooning machines market is the evolution of the packaging machinery market. Developers of top load cartooning machines are focusing on improving the design in order to expand the capacity. Manufacturers are introducing new models to strengthen their position in the market. Top load cartoning machines Market will increase at a CAGR of 4.5% through 2026Report For Sample with Table of Contents@ https://www.researchreportinsights.com/report/sample/110114855/Top-Load-Cartoning-Machines-Market The demand for innovative packaging solution is resulting in the development of modular top load cartoning machine. Market players are increasingly investing in the research and development to integrate advanced technology and deliver maximum efficiency. The manufacturers are also developing machines that can handle huge volume with minimal human effort, thereby minimizing errors and eliminating the wastage of raw materials.Key Highlights on the Global Top Load Cartoning Machines MarketThe global market for top load cartoning machines is segmented on the basis of product type, capacity, end use industry, and region. On the basis of product type, the market is segmented into horizontal and vertical. Horizontal top load cartoning machines are likely to be one of the top-selling products. By 2026 end, horizontal top load cartoning machines are estimated to exceed US$ 600 million revenue.Based on the capacity, top load cartoning machines with the capacity of 150-400 CPM are likely to witness robust growth throughout the forecast period 2017-2026. 150-400 CPM capacity of top load cartoning machines are projected to reach nearly US$ 300 million revenue by 2026 end.Europe will Continue to Dominate the Global Top Load Cartoning Machines Market Through 2027On the basis of the end use industry, Food industry is expected to emerge as the largest end user of the top load cartoning machines. By the end of 2026, the food industry is estimated to create an incremental opportunity surpassing US$ 70 million between 2017 and 2026.Request For Report Discount@ https://www.researchreportinsights.com/report/discount/110114855/Top-Load-Cartoning-Machines-Market Region-wise, the global top load cartoning machines market is segmented on the basis of Europe, North America, Japan, Asia Pacific Excluding Japan (APEJ), the Middle East and Africa (MEA) and Latin America. Among these regions, Europe is likely to remain dominant in the global market for top load cartoning machines. Europe is projected to register 3.6% CAGR during the forecast period 2017-2027.Global Top Load Cartoning Machines Market: Competition LandscapeThe report provides a detailed profile of some of the key market Participants active in the global market for top load cartoning machines. The companies operating in the market are Robert Bosch GmbH - Packaging Technology, MolinsLangen - Molins PLC, Omori Machinery Co. Ltd., Tetra Pak International S.A., Cama Group, Rovema GmbH, Econocorp Inc., Bradman Lake Group Ltd., PMI Cartoning, Inc., and ADCO Manufacturing. Most of the players operating in the global top load cartoning machines market are incorporating advanced technologies to develop machines that can offer efficiency and at the same time ensure smooth functioning of the process.Report Analysis@ https://www.researchreportinsights.com/report/rd/110114855/Top-Load-Cartoning-Machines-Market I have always stood by the school that favours human nature to be unchanging, as opposed to the contrary stating that our nature is predisposed to change. In defence of my standing, I am quick to ask why the characters of Shakespeare, Hugo, and Dumas are as relevant in their leanings today as those of Zadie, Emecheta, and Morrison. And while spaces and places differ, it does not take long to agree that across the times, we are as fragile and given to similar passions, as we earlier were. Limbe To Lagos, a non-fiction collection from culturally disparate writers between Nigeria and Cameroon, also proves this truth. It puts together the works of six Nigerians and four Cameroonians from different geographies and ethnicities. As an aside, while we are slaves to our nature, and its looming presence afflicts us time and again, it is worth mentioning that our tenacity and resolve as a specie, is not only headstrong, but arduously prevailing. Because despite our dismal nature, the strides of our restless industry suggests otherwise; that we can rise above the limiting tentacles of nature. Limbe To Lagos encapsulates the perspectives, hopes, fears, and aspirations of the average West African youth. It reaffirms death and grief as the same old infernal phenomenon. And even though it wears different masks, the same face is always behind the changing covers. More so, it oftentimes chooses to visit the best and undeserving of us. Limbe To Lagosedited by Dami Ajayi, Dzekashu Macviban, and Emmanuel Iduma, is a most fulfilled project in my estimation. I reckon that if we rise above the dismal truth of our nature towards entropy, perhapsit may morph into a literary foothold Adams Adeosun and Howard MB Maximus unfurl grief in new ways. From them, we learn that the language of grief, however distant, is always personal. Adeosun says of death: The Yorubas believe that the dead come back, that there is no place in the afterlife for those who die young. Usually their souls stay with the familiar, lurking in shadows, appearing in flashes. Other times they drift to places where they can keep living until they have fulfilled a purpose. They call them Akudaaya. From Howard we see that grief and mourning are sometimes not immediate as is wont. Denial stands in lieu. He says of the deads sibling: Rituals are done. Some boys have dug the grave by Tees grandfathers house. The burial is set. I see Tees younger brother hurry into his grandfathers house. I follow him to the room. It is now that he falls on the ground and begins to cry. Socrates Mbamalu and Raoul Djimeli mirror the mind of the ambitious child at the mercy of a frighteningly towering father whose words are sacrosanct. Socrates says, My goal as a young boy was to make my father proud. To seek his acceptance in everything I did. Raoul says, He shouted all night, threatening to turn out my mother from his fathers property. Mother did not care. When she left her village in Bamboutos, it was to marry our grandfather, not the dictator his successor had become. And while the story ends well for Socrates, who found and stuck to his resolution despite his fathers habitual dismissive reaction to his ambition; for Raoul, it was not so well: the child lost his satchel and went back home empty-handed. I remember thinking at the end of Raouls story: What will his father say at home? Corruption and the subsequent disorder that it births is another theme dealt with in the collection. Godwin Lubas A Trip to Koto, Nkiacha Atemnkengs Impossible nest Pas Camerounais, and Sada Malumfashis Out of the Window of a Train treat the issue with grit. Which begs the question why we at the other side of the modern world, despite the undeniable truth that were serfs to our nature, do not rise above human nature as those in the West have done. Why we, as a people, do not, through the same restless industry, propel our narrative onward. it would appear that little or no praise is thrown in the direction of deserving fathers. Perhaps this is a bias evident on account of my own gender, perhaps it is just the truth of balance as it were, but Daddy, was in more ways than one, a wholesome narrative owing to its handling of the good and the bad in juxtaposition, without throwing stones. Afope Ojo and Caleb Ajinomoh talk about girl power in their stories in different nuanced ways. But perhaps the story most enthralling to me, not on account of the writing, but the story in itself, is Lucia Edafiokas Daddy. Perhaps it owes to some sort of balance that I crave in narratives between genders, because while the world is today rife with oedipal narratives heightened by the feminist movement, it would appear that little or no praise is thrown in the direction of deserving fathers. Lucias attachment to her father (praising the many days he got things right), despite his many short comings, brings balance to the table. Perhaps this is a bias evident on account of my own gender, perhaps it is just the truth of balance as it were, but Daddy, was in more ways than one, a wholesome narrative owing to its handling of the good and the bad in juxtaposition, without throwing stones. Limbe To Lagos, arguably the first of its kind, boxed together by Goethe Institute, Bakwa magazine, and Saraba Magazine, while edited by Dami Ajayi, Dzekashu Macviban, and Emmanuel Iduma, is a most fulfilled project in my estimation. I reckon that if we rise above the dismal truth of our nature towards entropy, perhaps, just perhaps, it may morph into a literary foothold from which many things may spring from in these parts. David Caraballor, Venezuelas Ambassador to Nigeria, says the country remained open to political dialogue in tackling its lingering protests. Mr Caraballor, who made this known on Saturday in Abuja in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), criticised the political intervention of the U.S. in Venezuela. He said the call for dialogue, peace and respect for the sovereignty of the country, had become imperative to tackle its lingering protest, especially Caracas, Venezuelas capital. According to him, the interventionist action by the U.S. in Venezuela contravenes the sovereignty of the country as enshrined by law. We are opened to dialogue; we are opened to promoting the political solution to differences, but we do not accept any coercion outside of our constitution or democracy. We do not accept the February 23 military intervention of the U.S. They talked about humanitarian aid, but any country that receives goods without control or supervision contradicts UN system. The quest now is between the Venezuelan revolution and democracy and the interest of the U.S. to have control over oil and our natural resources. This is difficult and hard to solve, we cannot buy food directly, and if you buy from a particular company, the money is not accepted by the bank. We cannot use the intermediate bank from U.S. some European countries, now we are working to create a new way with Asia, the Middle East and African countries to solve this problem. Internally, we are faced with different problems, not by individual countries but we are under economic attack, we are under military attack from the U.S. He decried the recognition of Juan Guaido, the self-acclaimed Interim President of Venezuela, by the U.S. as a coup plot against the government and people of the country. The ambassador said that the Venezuela system of government is not parliamentary rather it is presidential, adding that there was no need for the actions by the U.S. which could hinder its independent operations. He noted that President Nicolas Maduro was legally voted into office by Venezuelans, saying the country had defined system of government with a parliament that had its function enshrined in the constitution. He further explained that the parliament did not have rights to decide international relations, unless the president; the Supreme Court, army, and electoral institutions. He said that although the U.S. had frozen Venezuelas money in spite of its economic problems, it would not resort to humanitarian intervention or military actions against its citizens. He explained that 25 elections had so far been conducted in the past 20 years due to unnecessary external political interferences. He noted that Venezuela had 23 states and a capital and that 19 of them supported Maduro. He commended the existing bilateral relations between Venezuela and other countries, particularly Nigeria, which he said was established on mutual grounds. We look forward to improving on our economic relationship with Nigeria with big capacity in mining sector, oil and minerals and we hope to invest in these areas, Caraballor said. (NAN) The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) commenced final distribution of sensitive and non-sensitive voting materials on Friday. As of Friday night, almost all registration area centres (RACs) had received or were about to receive voting materials, PREMIUM TIMES and Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) found in separate observations from some states across the country. The commission said it was fully prepared to host the exercise, despite concerns that some of the issues that played out during the presidential and National Assembly elections on February 23 had not been addressed. The welfare of electoral officers, especially members of the National Youth Service Corps specially deployed for the elections, appears to have been largely addressed, although PREMIUM TIMES still noted pockets of irregularities in this aspect as of Friday night. Polls are expected to open by 8:00 a.m. Saturday in all but seven of the 36 states of the federation. Area council elections at the Federal Capital Territory will also hold on Saturday. PREMIUM TIMES and CDD observers surveyed the following states on Friday evening to assess the broadness of INECs preparedness hours before polls open. Although our findings showed an overall improvement over February 23 exercise, delays in delivering materials to some RACs as of 11:00 p.m. Friday could cause delays in the opening time for some polling units. Benue As of 7:05 p.m. on Friday, all major activities were moved from the INEC headquarters in Makurdi, the state capital, to the various RACs. A visit to some of the RACs indicates a high level of preparedness by the electoral umpires. All sensitive and non-sensitive materials were arranged according to various polling units and most ad-hoc staff were already waiting at the centres for distribution. The Benue Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Nentawe Yiltwada, told PREMIUM TIMES another training for ad-hoc staff will be conducted before distribution of materials. We are re-training the ad-hoc staff tonight before the distribution, he said. He added that the training and distribution would not exceed 9:00 p.m. on Friday night. Corps members serving as ad-hoc staff in an interview said they did not have a decent place to pass the night. A corps member, Samuel Bulus, said they were only given mats to find a place to sleep in the vicinity of the RAC. Mr Yiltwada, however, said there were arrangements between the commission and NYSC to distribute mattresses to the corps members. Lagos At a RAC in Ikosi Senior High School, Ikosi-Ketu, Kosofe Local Government Area, INEC regular staff and ad-hoc officials arrived with election materials ahead of the elections on Saturday. Security personnel also arrived as the supervisory presiding officers (SPOs) were seen sorting sensitive materials for the election as of Friday evening. But there appeared to be no improvement with regard to the provision of welfare for ad-hoc staff, especially as many of them are likely to pass the night in classrooms and other unkempt spots in the neighbourhood. Some ad-hoc officers also complained about non-payment of the presidential election stipend from two weeks ago, even though many of their colleagues had been paid. One SPO promised that all issues around remuneration for the officials will be addressed on time. A list containing names of those who volunteered as ad-hoc INEC staff was unveiled for verification of identities ahead of the payments. Bauchi A hitch-free distribution of election materials was underway at the INEC office at the secretariat of Bauchi Local Government Area as of 9:00 p.m. on Friday. Almost all sensitive and non-sensitive electoral materials, as well as ad-hoc staff, left the local government secretariat for their respective wards as of the same time. Materials arrived the nearby Baba Sidi Collation Centre for Makama/Sarkin Bakin Ward, which is the biggest precinct in the metropolis. However, the sorting of the materials was expected to start at 10:00 p.m. The Bauchi metropolis was busier than when it was a on February 22, a day to presidential election, indicating that people are up and ready for tomorrows poll. INEC ad hoc staff were better treated than they were during the presidential and National Assembly elections, PREMIUM TIMES learnt. Plateau As of 6:00 p.m. on Friday, INEC office at Miango Junction in Jos, the state capital, was busy with activities ahead of Saturdays election, and everything appeared to be in order. In Jos South, there was similarly a high level of preparedness and all materials were said to have been distributed to RACs. Jide Bis, the states REC, told PREMIUM TIMES that the ad-hoc staff started receiving their allowances. He also said the corps members were provided buckets and toiletries. He, however, said they were not given mattresses to sleep, but only mats were available and had been distributed, an arrangement many of the corps members found uncomfortable. Rivers As of Friday afternoon, local government areas had started coordinating logistics ahead of Saturdays election, according to the spokesperson for INEC in Rivers State, Edwin Enabor. Activities have also intensified at INEC office in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area as of Friday evening, especially with the deployment of materials and personnel to the various RACs in the area. As of 7:00 p.m., mattresses and buckets were being taken to the RACs ahead of the arrival of the staff. This is an improvement, according to George, an ad-hoc staffer deployed in Ward 9 of the LGA. We were already at RACs before mattresses and buckets were brought in the previous elections on February 23. PREMIUM TIMES observed that the RACs were equipped with power generating set. I have my extension box here; we are able to charge there, George ahead. He did not immediately provide a second name. Kaduna Materials left INEC headquarters in Kaduna, the state capital, to dozens of wards across the states as early as 1:00 p.m. on Friday. Shortly after the distribution, the state REC, Abdullahi Kaugama, said the commission was ready for the election and promised that ad-hoc staff would be at polling units as early as 7:30 a.m. Saturday. A RAC in Chikun LEA Primary School, Chikun Local Government Area, was open to ad-hoc staff as of 6:00 p.m. PREMIUM TIMES observed during a visit Friday evening that corps members and other ad-hoc officers would sleep in three blocks of classrooms at the school without power. They were, however, given mattresses. Imo A RAC in Owerri Municipal Local Government Area at Emmanuel College, New Owerri, was without security agents as of 7:30 p.m. on Friday. About 15 INEC ad-hoc staff including corps members, who had arrived the centre as of 6:00 p.m., said they were surprised the materials were available, yet without security officers. They also complained that they had been waiting for the INEC officials to address them, but neither the electoral officer for the local government nor any of his representatives was on the ground to offer clarifications. Only one of the classrooms where ad-hoc staff had been waiting for senior INEC officials was illuminated. Still, some of them stayed outside, expressing fears that there were no security personnel nearby to protect them. Still, they said the atmosphere was better than their experience during the presidential and federal parliamentary elections on February 23. By this time during the last election, there was not a single material at the RAC, an ad-hoc official said. The materials came in very late into the night and we could not finish sharing until around 9: a.m on the day of the election. A spokesperson for INEC in the state did not immediately return requests for comments about the situation Friday night. Sokoto Preparations for Saturdays election were in order across major RACs in Sokoto. PREMIUM TIMES and CDD observed that ad-hoc officials had gathered at different centres in anticipation of distribution of materials. At 9:00 p.m. when PREMIUM TIMES visited a RAC in Arkilla, officials were seen receiving some of the materials. An ad-hoc official told this newspaper that the non-sensitive materials had been distributed, but they were awaiting the distribution of sensitive materials. A female corps member who declined to be identified said the sensitive materials would be distributed by midnight. The distribution (of sensitive materials) is expected to begin by 3:00 a.m., she said. The atmosphere in Sokoto metro area was calm as of Friday night. Although the election is expected to be keenly contested, many residents moved around without hindrances. Shooting and ballot boxes snatching by armed hoodlums have spread to some parts of Lokoja, Kogi capital, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. As at the time this report, some hoodlums in fake police and army uniforms were scaring away voters at the polling units opposite Bishop Delisle Catholic Cathedral in Lokoja. A staffer of the Justice, Development and Peace Commission, Sunday Adwjoh, told NAN that many people from Karaworo Polling Station ran into the church premises for safety. Mr Adwjoh who spoke on phone said as we are talking, all of us are lying down to escape being hit by stray bullets. Also, at Oke Egbe Polling Unit 01 in Yagba West Local Government Area, a man was shot on the leg when some people invaded the polling unit to snatch ballot box and other materials. The victim, identified as Tunde Oladipo, was said to have joined hands with others at the polling unit to prevent the armed thugs from snatching the ballot box. NAN gathered that the invaders were however prevented from going away with the ballot box. PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported how armed thugs in police and army uniforms invaded polling units in Adankolo community in Lokoja, shooting sporadically to scare away voters on the queue. (NAN) Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State on Saturday expressed satisfaction with logistics and security arrangements for the Governorship and State Assembly Elections. Mr El-Rufai said this in an interview with reporters while on the queue waiting to cast his vote in Kaduna at Polling Unit 24, Anguwan Sarki, Runfa Ward. Mr El-Rufai also commended INEC and the security agencies for their efforts. Voters turn out is impressive. There are more voters compared to the last election. I am sure the turnout will be more and the elections peaceful, he said He noted that due to intimidation during the last election in some part of the state, the government beefed up security in those areas. He urged voters to come out and cast their vote without fear. Also, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta on Saturday voted at about 8.40 a.m., expressing confidence that he would emerge victorious in his re-election bid. The governor spoke with reporters after casting his vote at Ward 2, Unit 3 at Oni Primary School, Owa Alero, Ika North East Local Government area of Area. He lauded INEC for introducing the Registration Area Center (RAC) system which enabled early and timely distribution of electoral materials. By the Grace of God, I will emerge victorious, I expect to win a landslide, if not in the 25 local government areas, I will win in 24 local government areas, he said. (NAN) The police at Efab Estate Polling Unit 017 Mbora District, Life camp on Saturday, arrested a fake Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Polling Officer (PO) during the Chairmanship and Councillors Election. Mohammed Bako, the officer-in charge at the estate who spoke with the correspondent of News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said the fake PO had no incriminating items in the bag he was carrying. Mr Bako said the when the police forced open bag which was locked with a padlock, they found phones, clothing and a sleeping mat. NAN reports that the police called for back up from the Life camp divisional police headquarters and the young man was whisked away. Before the police was called, NAN reports that the man who claimed to be a PO was seen moving around in a suspicious manner wearing a reflector jacket which had the inscription PO. When he was asked by the official PO why he was wearing the jacket since it was impossible to have two POs in a polling unit, he became aggressive. When the attention of the police was drawn by the argument and he was asked to provide his identity card, he snapped and pushed a policeman to the floor. The young man who refused to disclose his name said the bag was not his own and he did not have the key to it. Attempts to calm the young man down failed as he became violent. (NAN) Soldiers on Saturday detained and harassed an accredited election observer for performing his duties. Abdulraheem Tunde, an observer with the Center for Democracy and Development (CDD) was stopped at a military checkpoint in front of the Ojo barracks, along the Lagos-Badagry expressway. Earlier, while in his chartered vehicle, they were stopped by a stranded soldier who begged to be offered a ride. They helped him and were all stopped together. The assisted soldier was also detained for a short time but was later released after some confirmation he was on election duty. However, it was not the same for Mr Abdulraheem, who, despite showing his identification and accreditation tags and vest, was detained for about an hour. I was asked to come down and I identified myself with the INEC accreditation tag, but the soldiers claimed I was a party agent, Mr Abdulraheem said Two of the senior soldiers on duty, A.S. Atunwa and R. Badamasi, forced the observer to reveal the contents of his phone, Even that did not satisfy them. A.S. Atunwa didn`t allow me go until he went through the messages on the WhatsApp reporting platform and claimed we observers make reports filled with lies, Mr Abdulraheem said. It was after an hour and when the soldiers felt satisfied with themselves that they let the observer go. In her reaction, the director of the CDD, Idayat Hassan, described the incident as a sad one. Observers were duly accredited by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to move around and carry out their duties, she said. All these fantasies are completely unwelcomed, Ms Hassan said. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Saturday said there would be no extension of voting time in the Governorship, State Houses of Assembly and FCT Area Council elections. It said this follows the early commencement of the polls nationwide. Festus Okoye, INEC National Commissioner, and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, said this while briefing reporters in the INEC national situation room in Abuja. Mr Okoye said that INEC was pleased to report that the electoral process started as scheduled and the Smart Card Reader proved its functionality and efficiency by successfully authenticating voters within a short time at polling units across the country. According to him, most polling units were opened for accreditation by 8 a.m. He said the commission would investigate and report to security agencies security challenges experienced by some states for necessary action. Mr Okoye said the commission had not received any report on cases of underage voting in this years elections. Speaking on the low turnout of voters in the FCT, Mr Okoye said the commission would take a decision. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu monitored activities around the FCT and the INEC office in Abuja. (NAN) A nonagenarian voter in Kwali, Federal Capital Territory, Amina Muhammadu, says she is participating in the ongoing Chairmanship and Councillorship elections to guarantee a better future for her grand and great-grandchildren. Hajiya Muhammadu, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) after casting her vote at Polling Unit 005 in Kwali township, said education should be the focus of any grassroots leader. At age 90, I still come out to participate in general elections of this nature because I believe we can still elect leaders that will cater for the wellbeing of citizens. I am so concerned about education for our children and grandchildren because, without it, there wont be a good future for them. I want the winner of this election to provide quality basic education for our children, she said. She appealed to whoever will emerge as the area councils chairman to also provide quality healthcare service to the people in the area. The 90-year-old senior citizen who said she had been voting since the return of democracy in the country in 1999, expressed happiness for being alive to participate in the 2019 general elections. I trust my people. I know they will vote for only people who have the capacity to deliver, she said. (NAN) The Albino Foundation (TAF) said on Saturday it was concerned that most of its demands for the March 9 governorship and House of Assembly elections were not met by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Founder of TAF, Jake Epelle, who is also an accredited observer of the European Union (EU) Intervention in Disability Matters, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) the situation was appalling. The situation is appalling. Unfortunately, a lot of work and inputs we made in the electoral process, especially within the INEC framework, have not been implemented at all. I wouldnt even say adequate implementation. It is almost near zero implementation, because we still didnt see magnified glasses INEC promised our members. We didnt see Braille. Many of the INEC staff still struggle with information about disability, he said. Mr Epelle also expressed dissatisfaction over the low turnout of voters with disability during the polls, attributing to the crisis in the February 23, elections and some levels of unpreparedness by the Commission. He said those issues are showing up in the current elections, adding the enthusiasm his members saw in the past presidential election had really died down. I think it should be a serious concern to INEC management. The implication of the low turnout is that a lot of eligible voters would be disenfranchised. And I am wondering if those that will be elected during the exercise with such low turnout will really have the true mandate of the people. Thats a huge concern. When you dont have the majority to put you in a position, you just go there, you are on your own or by a few people who just push you in there. Its a major problem. Mr Epelle said his foundation had deployed about 60 observers for the elections, stressing there was the need to learn from the present experience in order to guard against re-occurrence. (NAN) All electoral materials for Mbalom ward in Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue were in the early hours of Saturday burnt by armed hoodlums. According to a witness, the hoodlums on arrival fired shots in the air before setting on fire the RCM Primary School Aya, housing the materials. Ngunan Yongo, the Electoral Officer for the local government area, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in a telephone conversation. The EO said the materials were yet to be distributed to polling units in the ward when the attack occurred. The entire materials are burnt, she lamented. However, no official of the commission including ad hoc staff was hurt. She explained that final decision over the conduct of the elections in the area would be communicated later. Thaddeus Ujah, a senior staff of the commission, also confirmed the early morning attack. Right now I cant say anything, I am overwhelmed; we were not expecting anything of that nature. I am short of words. I cant see some of my people; they ran into the bush; some of them got injured. For me, the most important thing to me now is to get those people and take them back. Mr Ujah said he was posted newly in the area and could not ascertain the exact number of ad hoc staff that was missing until he takes a roll call. (NAN) Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has taken an indifferent position on the outcome of the governorship election in the state. Voters across Nigeria are electing 29 state governors and members of the 36 state Houses of Assembly. Mr El-Rufai, the incumbent governor, alongside 37 other candidates are vying for the governorship seat in Kaduna State. He is contesting under the flagship of the All Progressives Congress (APC). His main challenger is Isa Ashiru of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP. The governor joined a queue of voters in polling unit 024, Ungwar Sarki ward around 8.30a.m. on Saturday. Fielding questions from journalists, Mr El-Rufai said he is not under any tension over the election because President Muhammadu Buhari has already won his reelection. I have no fears if I win or not because the president has already won his re-election . The worse thing that could happen is for me to lose the election. But since the president has already won his reelection bid, it means I already have a job in Abuja. Only my staff are jittery if I win or not and I usually share this joke with them. But the security in the state has improved because everything has been orderly and from the information I am getting, polling units opened early, he said. He said as a leader, it has become a norm for him to join the queue on election day like any other person. I always joined queue because its the right thing to do. I mixed with people all the time so its what I always tried to do, he said. Addressing journalists again after voting, Mr El-Rufai expressed satisfaction with the conduct of electoral officials and security personnel. I came in here about 8.15, the INEC staff were already in place and there were no issued with the card reader and voting started more or less on time. INEC arrangement has been better. I want to commend and congratulate INEC for excellent work done so far. The report Im getting across the state is that the arrangements are similar. Secondly, the security arrangement has also improved. This polling unit, I can see five to six uniformed personnel and this is very helpful in making people safe and secure in coming out to vote. Initially, the voter turn out was discouraging when I came but by the time I joined the queue, the queue lengthened and more people are trooping out to vote. Two cars conveying ballot papers have been impounded at Magwan Primary School, Nassarawa Local Government Area of Kano State. According to an eyewitness identified as Shazal, the cars were impounded and taken to the Kano State police headquarters in Bompai. Speaking with PREMIUM TIMES in a phone interview, Mr Shazal said, Two cars drove to the back of the polling unit with ballot papers in their booths and two corp members entered the car. When people noticed their movements, they asked who they were, and the people claimed to be INEC officials. But the people did not believe them, and other peoples attention was called. After seeing the ballot papers, the police arrested the cars and towed them to the Kano state police headquarters in Bompai, he said. Today, Nigerians vote in their sixth general governorship and state assemblies elections since the countrys return to democracy in 1999. Voters in 29 states would elect governors while new state assemblies will be elected in the 36 states. There are no governorship elections in Edo, Ondo, Ekiti, Bayelsa, Kogi, Anambra and Osun because the tenures of their governors are yet to expire. However, the governorship polls in Kano could determine the political careers of a former governor of the state, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and the incumbent governor, Abdullahi Ganduje. Although there are 54 governorship candidates in Kano, the contest is really between Mr Ganduje of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and Mr Kwankwasos anointed candidate, Abba Yusuf, contesting under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The PDP lost the presidential and all senatorial seats in Kano during the February 23 elections. So, the opposition party must give all it has to todays election. A PREMIUM TIMES journalist, Kunle Sanni, was on Saturday morning abducted by political thugs for taking pictures of underage voters at a polling unit in Plateau State. Mr Sanni, who was monitoring the elections in the area, was accosted by an agent of the ruling All Progressives Congress who had spotted him while photographing several young children as they lined up on the queue to vote. The journalist took photographs of the children and their voter cards before APC agents at the centre instructed thugs loyal to the governing party to surround the polling unit and bar the reporter from exiting. The stalemate lasted hours as this newspaper worked its contacts in the area to try to ensure Mr Sannis safety. Eventually, after the journalist emerged, he unknowingly walked into an ambush and was promptly forced into a taxi and driven to an unknown destination where his abductors forced him to delete the images. Mr Sanni said the incident occurred at the polling unit of Governor Simon Lalong, Polling Unit 15, Ward 04 of Shendam local government area of the state. After observing and taking pictures at the government polling unit, I was on my way out when some APC party agents ambushed me and forced me into the car and drove off, the journalist said. The men collected my phone which was dead at the time, parked in a bush and plugged the phone to see who I was sending the pictures. When the men confirmed I had deleted them, they offered me money in return, he said. Mr Sanni said their countenance changed when he declined the offer. I had to accept it so that they did not harm me because the place was bushy and I could get killed, he said. Mr Sanni said he was given N20,000. While recounting how he was taken from the polling unit, Mr Sanni said the whole thing happened in the presence of the chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalist, Plateau State chapter, Paul Jatau, and the police. They could not stop them although the NUJ chairman approached me and asked me to delete the pictures, he said. Picture of underage voters taken by Premium Times reporter which resulted in his abduction. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had earlier warned underage voters not to go near polling units in Plateau State ahead of Saturdays governorship and state assembly elections. The head of department for Voter Education and Publicity, INEC Plateau State, Osarentin Imahinyereobo, said underage voters should stay away from the polling units because the security (team) would arrest them. The minimum voting age in Nigeria is 18. Underage voting has been a major issue in Nigerias political discourse since the return of democratic government in 1999. Picture of underage voters taken by Premium Times reporter which resulted in his abduction. While underage voting is prominent in some regions of the country, it is hardly noticed in some other parts. Underage voting has become a national challenge and a threat to Nigerias democracy. However, the electoral umpire, INEC, has not done much to curb the problem. On Saturday morning, the police arrested an agent of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for being in possession of a Voters Register at a polling unit in Manchok Registration Area Centre (RAC), Kaura Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State. The police arrested Samuel Semion after the INEC Supervisor for the registration area, Cletus Joseph, claimed that the agents action contravened the Electoral Act. We have received similar information from our officials in various polling units that APC agents have in their possession INEC Voters Register, the News Agency of Nigeria quoted Mr Joseph as saying. I want to categorically say that no agent is entitled to (hold) the Voters Register for any reason and anyone caught with it should be arrested. The Divisional Police Officer in the Local Government, Daniel Mbwale, then seized the document and ordered security agents to seize the documents from all APC agents in all polling units in the area. Responding to the development, the Public Relations Officer of the APC in the LGA, Mathew Kuyau, said the register was distributed to all members of the party executive in the area who made it available to agents. He explained that the measure was to enable the agents to verify the accreditation of voters by INEC officials but not to interfere with the election process. Checks by PREMIUM TIMES have however shown that the police and INEC are wrong for criminalising the holding of voters registers by agents. Under the nations electoral law, individuals and political parties are at liberty to obtain copies of voters registers from INEC and no law forbids parties from giving copies to their agents at polling units. Section 15 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) reads, The Commission (INEC) shall cause a votersregister for each state to be printed and any person or political party may obtain from the commission on payment of such fees as may be determined by the commission, on payment of such fees as may be determined by the commission, a certified copy of any votersregister for the state or for a local government or area council or registration area within it. Also, being in possession of voters register is not listed in the INEC manual detailing electoral offences prescribed by Nigerian Law as of December 31, 2018. INEC had on January 7 presented the national register of voters to political parties. The register was presented by the chairman of the commission, Mahmood Yakubu, at the quarterly consultative meeting with political parties in Abuja. The Senior Pastor of Latter Rain Assembly, Tunde Bakare, on Saturday expressed his willingness to contest for the presidency after the expiration of President Muhammadu Buharis second term in 2023. Mr Bakare made the announcement about his ambition during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos shortly after casting his vote at the Opebi Grammar School polling unit. I am going to throw my hat into the fray. I am just waiting for President Buhari to finish his tenure (in 2023). We cannot continue this way because we have something to offer this country, and we will by the grace of God, he said. Mr Bakare, who said he was desirous of making Nigeria one of the greatest countries, said he looked forward to a future where every Nigerian vote would count. The pastor who was the vice-presidential candidate with President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2011 presidential elections, said he would continue to pray for the day when every Nigerian would come out and make their votes count. He urged Nigerians not to allow themselves to be deceived by stomach infrastructure when the needed infrastructure in their communities had decayed. Also, he said in an interview published last January 3 at Calgary, Canada, predicted he would succeed Buhari as Nigerias 16th president or head of state. (NAN) The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) said on Saturday in Abuja that voters were scrambling to sell their votes to the highest bidder during Saturdays governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections. The Chair, CDD Election Analysis Centre (EAC), Adele Jinadu, a professor, told journalists that vote buying prevailed in spite of the warnings by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and the anti-corruption agencies. Mr Jinadu said the centre sent out observers to monitor the elections in the states and came out with its findings. On the ground, our observers reported seeing EFCC (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission arresting people involved in vote buying. For example, the EFCC arrested some prominent party stalwarts in Benue and Kwara States. However, reports from our observers indicated significant role played by voters and politicians in the vote trading market. The trend as we observed, is that voters are bargaining for a higher amount and sold their votes to the party with the higher ability to meet their demand, he said. In Polling Unit (PU) 011, Madobi Ward, Madobi LGA, Kano State, he said the vote traded for between N3,000 and N4,000. In PU 02, ward 4 Oke Balogun Epe local government area, Lagos State, he said party agents were seen writing down the names of voters who were expected to collect a paltry amount of N1,500 each. Mr Jinadu said CDDs observers reported cases in which politicians offered ad-hoc officials money at the Registration Area Centres (RACs). For example, in a RAC in Ikosi Senior High School, Ikosi-Ketu, Kosofe-Lagos, a presiding officer alleged that politicians offered them N5,000 each which they refused. The ad-hoc staff turned down the offer but instead demanded that they should be paid N40,000, while some of them requested N20,000, he said Another worrying trend observed, Mr Jinadu said, was that supporters of mainstream party were disguising as members of smaller parties to buy votes for their parties. He said CDD gathered agents of smaller parties were influenced to purchase votes on behalf of the dominant parties. Mr Jinadu said before the commencement of voting, a number of incidents were observed that were capable of disrupting the election were reported by the observers. In Benue, he said armed hoodlums razed a school in Aya containing electoral materials meant for Mbalom ward in Gwer East Local Government Area (LGA) of the state. Other cases involved the abduction of a corps member, election materials destruction and attack on INEC officials, thereby, disenfranchising many voters. Mr Jinadu said in spite promises to improve the safety and welfare of corps members in this election, the day witnessed protests by ad-hoc staff who threatened not to carry out their duties until INEC cleared pending allowances. Besides, he said there were also cases of killings in Ahoada West Local Government area of Rivers, Ndoni, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, Rivers and abduction of a youth corper in Etinan Ward in Akwa Ibom state. This is extremely disturbing, he said, calling on security agencies to ensure that appropriate steps are taken to prevent further incidents of violence likely to negatively impact the outcome of the elections. Voting for the Governorship and State House of Assembly elections commenced at exactly 8 a.m in many parts of Gombe State. A News Agency of Nigeria correspondent who monitored the exercise in Gombe metropolis reports that turnout of voters is impressive. NAN reports that voters were on the queues as early as 6 a.m, waiting for the exercise to commence. At polling unit 008 and 006 at Kamara Primary School, the Presiding Officer, Augustin Kuji, said that everything needed for the election was on the ground and the card readers were working perfectly. In Pantami/Malamkuri Primary School, the Presiding Officer, Maryam Yayaji, said so far, they had encountered no problem and voting had commenced. Also, Adams Emmanuel, the Presiding Officer at Justice Pindiga Street, polling unit 017, said that voting started at exactly 8 a.m. because they had everything they needed on the ground. At Kofan Parashi, polling unit 003, voting commenced at exactly 8 a.m. The Presiding Officer, Barkindo Mohammed, said: this time around we have not encountered any problem, everything is going on smoothly. At the polling unit in Jauro Abare, voters were seen already casting their votes by 8 a.m. (NAN) Voting into the Governorship and State House of Assembly elections has already commenced in Maiduguri, Borno State, and some parts of southern Kaduna State. In Maiduguri polling booth opened at about 8: 00 a.m.; in most polling units visited amid tight security. At Bulama Yusuf I and II polling units in Bolori area of Maiduguri, election workers arrived the centers as early as 7: 00 am and commenced the exercise at 8: 00 am. The situation was the same in several polling units visited at Gwange, GRA Gomori areas of Maiduguri. Similarly, in parts of Southern Kaduna State, voting commenced as witnessed in Jemaa, Kaura and Zangon Kataf local government areas. Also, security agencies were at their duty posts while voters conducted themselves peacefully while the exercise progresses. (NAN) The governorship and state House of Assembly elections holding across Nigeria have so far witnessed an apathy of voters in many polling units in Adamawa State. But the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, expressed different views on the development. Both men are from the state. PREMIUM TIMES reporter who monitored the elections in Yola-North and Yola-South local government areas of the state observed few voters in polling units. At the Government House polling unit 009 where the Secretary of the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, cast his vote, party agents said they were not impressed by the turnout. The last election for the president witnessed massive turnout of voters, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) agent, Bello Abubakar, told PREMIUM TIMES. As at 8 a.m that day, more than 70 per cent were already on the queue. But today, it is about 10 a.m and we have less than 50 per cent of the registered voters on the queue, Mr Abubakar said. In unit 012 of Ajiya Ward where the former vice president, Mr Abubakar, and the Minister of Federal Capital Territory cast their votes, the electoral officials had become idle by 11.30 a.m after accrediting about 200 voters out of the 760 on the units register. The same scenario was recorded at Kofar Babanmufti unit of Yola-North local government area, 80-Unit polling centre, Damare primary school polling centre and some other units outside Yola and Jimeta. In some of the polling units, party agents blamed the low turnout on lack of mobilisation by the politicians and candidates of various political parties in the state. VP Atiku, SGF Mustapha disagree on the cause of apathy Speaking with journalists shortly after he cast his votes at his Unit 012 polling centre in Ajiya Ward of Yola North local government, Mr Abubakar decried the apathy. The PDP candidate, who lost the February 23rd presidential election to President Muhammadu Buhari of the APC, said the low turnout might not be unconnected with the outcome of the February 23rd elections, which he said was rigged. The last elections were marred with a lot of malpractices and that have impacted on the turnout of voters today, he said. I have just cast my votes and I did not see the large number of voters who came out to vote in this unit during the last election. The former vice president said though he hoped for a PDP victory in the state, he was worried that the ruling party may tamper with the results. There are signs that the powers that be may not allow for a free and fair exercise in todays polls. He said the only way Nigeria can overcome the problems of election malpractice is for all Nigerians to come together and work together with government and particularly the leadership to be able to redress all the challenges that weve faced in the last election. He also decried the involvement o the military in the exercise. I particularly abhor the participation of the military in the electoral process. Their participation is absolutely unconstitutional. Despite all these, I have always been optimistic that the PDP will win at the end of the day. But speaking after casting his vote at the Government House Polling Unit in Jimeta, Yola-North local government, the SGF, Mr Mustapha, said there was no voter apathy in the state. According to him, the low turnout was nothing but people deliberately delaying their coming out to vote. After the last general elections, people have understood how easy it was to get accredited and vote; that is why they are taking their time to come out. But as the day goes by, I believe more people will come out and cast their polls, he said. Mr Mustapha said he was confident that the ruling APC will win the elections. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has won the governorship election in former Vice President Atiku Abubakars polling Unit 012 of Ajiya Ward of Adamawa North Local Government Area. The Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Mohammed Bello, and his wife also cast their votes at the unit. Mr Bello, whose house is just a stone throw away from the polling unit, failed to deliver for his All Progressives Congress (APC). Announcing the results at the unit, the presiding officer declared that the APC polled 99 votes while the PDP scored 161 votes. The ADC candidate scored 51 votes while the SDP candidate got only one vote. In the presidential elections of February 23, APC celebrated a victory over PDP at the same polling unit with 187 votes against 167 votes. Similarly, the PDP trounced the ruling APC with a 50 votes margin at the polling unit in front of Adamawa State deputy governors office According to the announced results, APC scored 63 votes, while PDP got 113 votes. The ADC got 78 votes. A new Commissioner of Police has been deployed to Benue ahead of Saturdays Governorship and House of Assembly Elections, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. NAN reports that the new CP, Umar Muri, replaces Omolulu Bishi, who has been reassigned to another duty post. The Deputy Inspector-General of Police overseeing elections in the North Central, Godwin Nwobodo, announced the change at a press conference on Friday in Makurdi. NAN further reports that Mr Bishi spent about six months in charge of the command before his redeployment. Mr Nwobodo also said not more than 7,480 personnel from various security services had been drafted for election duties in the state. Furthermore, a total number of five Commissioners, four Deputy Commissioners (DCPs) and two Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs) are already in the state to man strategic senatorial districts and local government areas identified as flash-points. These deployments are friendly, proactive and do not aim at any person or group, he said. He said the officers were specifically attached to Guma, Logo, Ukum, Agatu, Gwer West, Gwer East, Okpoku and Katsina-Ala LGAs, while security was generally strengthened across the state. He said the command was convinced that Benue people were ready for the polls. Mr Nwobodo, however, appealed to politicians not to see elections as a do-or-die affair, but as a democratic means of enthroning good leadership. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Saturday postponed the state House of Assembly election across Mopa Amuro Local Government Area of Kogi State. The Resident Electoral Commissioner of Kogi State, James Apam, told PREMIUM TIMES that there was a mix up in the distribution of electoral materials which led to the postponement. Mr Apam said the election has been postponed to March 10, mainly due to wrong ballot papers that were taken to the area. Earlier, a Tweeter user, Salami A.E. had provided information on the postponement to PREMIUM TIMES. He said the election had to be postponed because electoral materials meant for Ankpa local government were taken to Mopa Amuro local government. Today, Nigerians vote in their sixth general governorship and state assemblies elections since the countrys return to democracy in 1999. Voters in 29 states would elect governors while new state assemblies would be elected in the 36 states. There are no governorship elections in Edo, Ondo, Ekiti, Bayelsa, Kogi, Anambra and Osun because the tenures of their governors are yet to expire. But the state assembly elections are currently going on in all states. A former governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu has decried the low turnout of voters in the ongoing governorship election in the state. Mr Babangida, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) spoke to journalists after casting his vote at PU 011, Umaru Musa Ward, in Chanchanga Local Government Area of the state. I see no reason why people would not come out to exercise their right, he said. My advice is that voters should be ready accept result, the way it comes. Mr Babangida however commended the peaceful atmosphere at the voting centres, saying the atmosphere is calm and voting is on. There are 31 candidates vying for the governorship of state. The incumbent governor, Abubakar Bello of the All Progressive Congress(APC) and his main challenger, Umar Nasko of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are the frontline candidates in the election. Messrs Bello and Nasko were also candidate in the 2015 governor election in the state. Poor voter turnout has greeted Saturdays Governorship, Chairmanship and Councillorship in parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. Correspondents of NAN covering the polls reported voter apathy in most polling units visited in the territory unlike the massive turnout recorded during the Presidential and National Assembly elections. A voter who pleaded anonymity at the GSS Tudun Wada, Wuse Zone IV, Abuja, polling station, told NAN that he was worried about the low turnout. I believe the reason for low turnout by voters is because of what happened last time. Voters feel discouraged by going through a rigorous process and at the end not getting the desired result, he said. According to him, something has got to change in the voting process or massive voter apathy will be recorded in this poll. Similar low turnout has been reported at Polling Units 09c, 010c and 010b, AMAC Housing Estate along the Airport Road, Abuja. The Presiding Officer at PU 09c, Segun Jimoh, said election material arrived at 8.45 a.m and accreditation and voting began at about 9 a.m. He also said that voter turnout was not encouraging and that card readers are functioning well. However, security personnel and election observers were on ground, while residents failed to comply with restriction of movement order as people are going about their normal businesses. Also, at PU 005, Gosa Primary School, election materials arrived at 8.55 a.m, and accreditation and voting began at 9.15 a.m. One of the Presiding Officers at the centre, Simon Josiah, said the turnout of voters cannot be compared to the presidential and NASS election. We believe that people are on their way, he said. Wodi Ajeye, a PDP party agent, also noted that the turnout of voters was low. According to him, accreditation and voting is going on smoothly, believing that the turnout of voters will improve. (NAN) Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba on Saturday condemned the arrest of some top PDP supporters in Taraba by the Department of State Services (DSS). Mr Ishaku made the condemnation after casting his vote at Kofan Serki Jukun polling Unit 004 in Takum. The governor said the DSS had arrested Danladi Baido, a member representing Karim Lamido/Lau Federal Constituency and Idi Mali, the Chairman of Karim Lamido Local Government Council on Friday. He said that it was unfair to intimidate opposition in an election. I got information that there were plans to arrest my key supporters during the elections and I made it public through broadcast and it still came to pass. Why will supporters of the opposition party be arrested, detained and prevented from voting by security agents? There is no democracy without opposition, so what is happening is against the principles of democracy, he said. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that voting commenced across the state as scheduled and so far, ongoing peacefully. (NAN) The Commissioner of Police in Kogi, Hakeem Busari, has sent police reinforcement to some parts of Lokoja where armed hoodlums snatched some ballot boxes during the Governorship/House of Assembly elections. Mr Busari who confirmed the attack on a polling unit in Lokoja told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in a telephone interview in Lokoja on Saturday that some policemen had been mobilised to the troubled spots. The commissioner said that he had started moving about with other heads of security agencies to see the situation first hand. He also denied insinuations that some policemen were involved in ballot snatching and conveying same in their vans to government facilities for thumb printing. Policemen are not involved; it is not true. No policeman is snatching ballot boxes and conveying same for thumb printing, he said. Hoodlums in fake police and army uniforms scared away voters at the polling units opposite Bishop Delisle Catholic Cathedral in Lokoja. A staff of the Justice, Development and Peace Commission, Sunday Adwjoh, had told NAN that many voters from polling units in Cinema area ran into the church premises for safety. Mr Adwjoh who spoke on phone said as we are talking, all of us are lying down to escape being hit by stray bullets. (NAN) The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Saturday said its personnel on a patrol against vote buying recovered heavy bags of cash belonging to the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Emmanuel Jime. The anti-graft office said its detectives were violently confronted during the recovery process, with their vehicles smashed. A man was caught with large bags containing lots of money. While trying to arrest him, officers of the Commission were attacked and vehicles vandalised. Information gathered confirms that the money belongs to Emmanuel Jimeh, the gubernatorial candidate of the APC in Benue State, the EFCC said in a statement Saturday afternoon. Mr Jime is participating in the governorship election underway across Benue and dozens of other states Saturday. The APC candidate is slugging it out with Samuel Orton, the incumbent governor seeking reelection under the Peoples Democratic Party. The EFCC said the recovery came in North Bank, a major suburb of Makurdi, the state capital. Mr Jime voted in the area on Saturday morning. A spokesperson for Mr Jime denied his principals links to the money, saying he left the area shortly after voting there and was not aware of whatever might have transpired afterwards. The reports that Mr Jime owned the cash was flat out incorrect, the candidates spokesperson, Joe Abuku, said in a statement to PREMIUM TIMES. We are not aware of any arrest or incident as described in these reports. The confirmation by the EFCC followed PREMIUM TIMES posting of a video showing the recovery of the vast wads of N500 notes on Saturday. The EFCC deployed its personnel across the country to monitor voting fields in this election cycle, following alarming rates of vote-buying witnessed in governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States last July and September, respectively. The vote-for-cash scheme had been deemed problematic for social and economic development in a country nurturing its democratic credentials. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) also expressed concerns that paying voters to sway elections by politicians was undermining democracy. It called on the EFCC and other law enforcement authorities to beam their searchlight on such acts in this years elections. Asides violating the electoral laws, movement of huge stash of cash outside the regulated financial system could potentially violate laws against money laundering. The recovery in Benue State was only one of several interceptions the EFCC has claimed credits for today alone. There have been reports of recoveries in other states, including Kwara and the capital Abuja. Some agents of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were distributing money to electorates at Polling Unit 001, Pilot Primary School, Bwari Central. The polling i=unit, which is also the Registration Area Centre (RAC) of other polling units in the area, had a large turnout of voters. A party agent with the PDP tag was seen handing out N200 to voters who clustered around him. He requested the voters to show their PVCs before handing over the money after which they proceed to vote in favour of the party. On another side, a female PDP agent addressed as mama was seen distributing N500 to voters following the same process as the male agent. A voter who gave his name as Bonaventure said an agent of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had distributed N500 earlier, which he collected. PDP even tried. APC people were here earlier and distributed N500 to people to vote for them. Me, I collected their money but I still voted for PDP. I dont know if its by force to vote for APC, he said (in pidgin English). At the polling unit, there were many security personnel; but no one stopped the vote buying process. The chairmanship and councillorship elections are currently ongoing in the Federal Capital Territory. The Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has defeated his closest rival, Emmanuel Jime, at his polling unit in Gbajimba, Guma Local Government Area. Mr Ortom of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) polled 732 votes to beat Mr Jime of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who polled zero votes. The governor had during the last presidential election delivered his polling unit and local government to his party. Just like in the presidential election, it was observed that APC agents were absent at most polling units in Gbajimba. Mr Ortom, originally voted to power under the platform of the APC in 2015, defected to the PDP in 2018. Six staffers of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were on Saturday kidnapped during the governorship and state assembly elections in Kogi State. All the officials were later released unhurt in Lokoja, the State capital. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported the incident was one of the few recorded during the elections said to have been marred generally by violence. The affected INEC staff were said to have been kidnapped by armed thugs decked in fake police and army uniforms at the polling unit inside the Crowther Memorial College in Lokoja. After their abducted, witnesses said they were taken away in a van by their armed abductors to unknown destination. The Director of Publicity in Lokoja office of the INEC, Ahmed Bimabo, said the victims, who were released few hours later, were undergoing medical examination at the Lokoja office of the Commission. Mr Bimabo did not say whether the workers returned with the sensitive election materials and ballot boxes confiscated by the hoodlums as they were taken away. Also, in Ward D area of Lokoja, the elections there were marred by violence launched by thugs who invaded the area shortly after the exercise was underway. A witness said voting took place in only in one of the five polling units in the area. Hoodlums were also on the rampage at the workers village on Hassan Usman Katsina Road in Lokoja. Also, masked armed hoodlums invaded the village and carted away ballot papers and sensitive election materials from the only polling unit in the area, amid gunshots. At Ganaja village, a former commissioner for information in the state, Anthony Puke, lost his bungalow and three cars, as they were set ablaze by hoodlums. The upcoming governorship election in Jigawa State is going to be a contest between three major candidates. The incumbent governor, Mohammed Badaru of the All Progressive Congress (APC) is seeking reelection. He will be challenged by Aminu Ibrahim of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Bashir Adamu from the Social Democratic Party (SDP). The PDP candidate is contesting against Mr Badaru for the second time. In the 2015 election, Mr Badaru defeated him with 648,046 votes against 479,447. The fate of the three main candidates and others seeking the top seat in the state will be determined by 2.6 million registered voters. There are factors that may likely influence the outcome of the election. Governor Badaru may ride on his achievements particularly on massive empowerment programmes, connection of rural communities with road network, prompt payment of workers salaries and pension, among other achievements and of course the profile of President Muhammadu Buhari. The PDP candidate will lean on the popularity of a former governor, Sule Lamido. Jigawa witnessed massive infrastructural development during Mr Lamidos administration which was one of the key messages the PDP campaigned on. A former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido. Meanwhile, the SDP candidate, Bashir Adamu, is the longest-serving former federal lawmaker representing Kazaure, Roni, Gwiwa and Yankwashi constituencies. He was able to empower thousands of rural women and secured federal appointments for many. Political division Governor Badaru is accused for favouring one out of five emirate councils in the state in project execution. Jigawa comprises 27 Local Government Areas divided into 30 state constituencies, 11 federal constituencies, and three senatorial districts. The North-west state, carved from Kano in 1991 has a five-emirate structure: Dutse, Hadejia, Gumel, Kazaure and Ringim emirates, each headed by a first-class emir. Jigawa is populated by Hausa/Fulani, who can be found in all parts of the state. Islam is the predominant religion of the people, with over 99 per cent of the population adhering to the Sunni (Salafist) doctrine. Despite the similarity that blends them together, the state is divided politically. Jigawa politicians are identified and supported based on the emirate councils they hail from, which many say has led to the emergence of incompetent leaders. The emirate council in which a candidate hails from influences voters decision. Messrs Badaru and Ibrahim hail from Ringim emirate council. The SDP candidate hails from Kazaure emirate council with his influential running mate Bashir Aminu from Dutse emirate council. The Buhari factor President Buharis personality profile in the eyes of the masses may also influence voters decision in the governorship election. The just-concluded presidential and parliamentary election in Jigawa was in favour of the APC. The party swept all the 11 seats of House of Representatives and three senatorial seats. Many analysts say this may sway votes again in favour of the APC. In Jigawa, Mr Buhari has grassroots support. Sule Lamido Ex-governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, after flagging off the PDP campaign in Dutse, said the mammoth crowd witnessed in the occasion is a clear indication that people have realised their mistakes after voting governor Badaru. Mr Lamido, a prominent politician said the turnout of people in the event has sent a wrong signal for the reelection of Mr Badaru because the people are now more aware of the condition of infrastructural development championed by the PDP in the state. They have ruined the state with substandard roads, the road the PDP constructed for eight years are still intact, but that of APC have started developing potholes. If you visit Rasheed Shekoni Specialist Hospital in Dutse, even the mortuary section is not working, all the streets light are malfunctioning, he said. Mr Lamido who also commands respect will play a major role in attracting votes for the PDP. Defections In the build-up of the 2019 election, a former governor, Ali Saadu and other former commissioners who served under Mr Lamido defected to the governing APC. The commissioners, especially, a former attorney general and justice commissioner, Yakubu Ruba are influential politicians in their respective constituencies and may also influence the direction of votes. Other commissioners who defected to APC include: Auwalu Harbo, Jinjiri Dutse, Fatima Jalo and Baba Santali. Mr Santali was a member of the Lamido administration. He has been invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for questioning over alleged dubious awarding of road projects in the state. Other top politicians that joined the APC are a former lawmaker representing Dutse/Kiyawa federal constituency and PDP governorship aspirant, Tijjani Ibrahim, SDP governorship aspirant, Ramatu Yelleman and party chieftain, Danladi Auyo. It is certain these will also play diverse roles in ensuring that the APC emerges victorious on Saturday. Barely few hours to governorship and State Assembly elections, gunshots from a robbery attack on Friday, in Manchok, Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State, sent residents and electoral officials running in all directions for safety. A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) who was at the scene reports that the armed robbers stormed the kiosk of a money transfer agent around 9:30 p.m., shooting sporadically in the air. As the sound of the shots rattled the air, pandemonium set in with residents running in all directions for safety. Electoral officials assigned to Manchok Registration Area, who were sorting electoral materials for various Polling Units close to the scene for Saturdays election, also ran for safety leaving the electoral materials behind. The officials, however, returned after the robbers had finished their operation along with security personnel and party agents and continued sorting the materials. A witness, Mukaila Danjuma, said: Three men suddenly appeared from nowhere, two of them with guns and started shooting in the air. One of them came straight to the kiosk and snatched the bag containing all the money generated from various transactions in the day. The owner of the kiosk, Balarabe Danjuma, told NAN that the bag contained about N3.5 million. They did not take anything apart from the bag and left immediately, still shooting in the air to scare people off. This is the second time I was robbed. The first time they came I have already closed for the day but they proceeded straight to my house and took about N5 million. I have not even finished repaying my bank and now this, he lamented. (NAN) Election officials arrived early for the election of a state governor and House of Assembly members in Kebbi but voters turned out in trickles for the exercise even as some demanded for cash. Accreditation and voting took place simultaneously in line with the guidelines issued by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). In Birnin Kebbi, security agents, including personnel of Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps guarded polling units and positioned themselves at strategic locations. Election officials arrived at polling stations before 7.30 a.m. with the necessary voting materials at many polling units but did not find large numbers of voters. The INEC Presiding Officer at Garkar Magatakarda Polling Unit, Tudun-Wada Ward in Birnin Kebbi, Femi Oladun, said although officials arrived at 7.30a.m. they did not see a large number of people compared to the situation during the Presidential and National Assembly elections. We have not witnessed large turnout as much as the previous one but we are hoping to see change as people are still coming out, he said. He said there had not been any hitch with the Card Reader and that the voters were behaving well. At Marafa Ward 004, Baiti Liman Poling Unit in Birnin Kebbi, voters lined up to vote. The officials of INEC arrived at 7.30 a.m at Magawata Polling Unit in Marafa Ward, Birnin Kebbi while accreditation and voting commenced at 8:00a.m. At 8 a.m., accreditation and voting also commenced at Mai-Alelu Polling Unit in Nasarawa Ward 2, where Governor Atiku Bagudu cast his vote. Some voters in Dangaladima 003, Dangaladima Ward and Shehu Zalaka 004, Gorabu and Zoramawa wards expressed pleasure over the early commencement of the elections. However, voters at Nasarawa Polling Unit 002 in Nagari College Ward, Birnin Kebbi, in spite of turning up early, waited to be paid before voting. News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that while accreditation and voting commenced at 8a.m., the turnout of voters was unimpressive. Cash for votes The INEC Presiding Officer at the unit, Faruk Zakari, said the voters refused to cast their votes on the claim that they heard that money was being given to voters in some polling units to enable them to vote. You can see by yourself as voting cubicle and boxes are empty, there are no voters and you have also seen it that people are gathered there in clusters discussing who and who they should see for money before they cast their votes, he said. One voter, Shuaibu Birnin Kebbi, said I will not vote until I get my Dumus money. We came here in the morning but we will not vote anyone until we are paid. I already chose my candidate in the Presidential and National Assembly elections but this one is pay me I will vote for you. Some women voters interviewed said that they heard a huge amount of money was given to an unidentified man to give them. We too heard that some voters get N1,000 per vote cast , we are waiting for them to give us ours if truly they want us to vote, they said Police in Kano on Saturday intercepted a vehicle loaded with thumb printed ballot papers in Kano metropolis. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted the Police spokesperson, Haruna Abdullahi, a deputy superintendent of police (DSP) who confirmed the arrest of the vehicle in an interview in Kano on Saturday. He said the vehicle was intercepted at Magwan Polling Unit at Magwan Primary School in Nassarawa Local Government area of the state. According to him, the Divisional Police Officer from the local government area who reported the matter was directed to move the vehicle to the police command for further investigations. He said the vehicle was under the Police custody and investigation had commenced to ascertain the persons behind the act so that they could be prosecuted. Yes, it is true a vehicle was intercepted with ballot papers around 12 noon and it is now with the Police at the state CID. The investigation will reveal whether the ballot papers are genuine or not, the Police spokesman said. Eye witness told the NAN the vehicle, a Sienna Toyota model, with registration number TRN 54 GR, was arrested along with five other occupants. The eye witness said about 5,000 of the intercepted ballot papers were for governorship election, while 2,500 were for the state assembly election. (NAN) The governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has recorded a landslide victory in his polling unit. Mr El-Rufai voted in polling unit 024, Ungwar Sarki ward in Kaduna North Local Government. Mr El-Rufai is seeking to return to the government house for another four years on the flag of the All Progressives Congress (APC). His main contender is Isa Ashiru of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). At the end of counting Saturday afternoon, the governor polled 367 votes to massively edge his closest rival, Mr Ashiru who had 59. The result was announced by the President Officer, Abdullahi Hamza. As at the time of filing this report, counting is ongoing in several polling units across the state. PREMIUM TIMES reporter observed that voting started early and went on peacefully in every part of the state. The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Kaduna, Isah Ashiru, has won his polling unit in Kudan, Kudan Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Mr Ashiru who cast his vote at the Kofar Fada polling unit at about 10 a.m., Saturday, recorded a wide margin defeating the APC candidate and incumbent governor, Nasir El-Rufai. Announcing the result at the Kofar Fada 007 polling unit, the presiding officer announced that Mr Ashiru of the PDP scored 284 votes while Mr El-Rufai of the APC got 33 votes. As at the time of filing this report, counting of votes was still ongoing in several polling units across the local governments of the state. Just like Mr Ashiru, Mr El-Rufai also won his polling unit at Unguwar Sarki, Kaduna, overwhelmingly. The governor polled 367 votes to heavily defeat his closest rival, Mr Ashiru, who only got 59 votes. The senator representing Sokoto North Senatorial District, Aliyu Wamakko, on Saturday won his polling unit for the All Progressives Congress, APC. Mr Wamakko was reelected as senator in penultimate Saturdays National Assembly election. He is considered the most influential opposition politician in Sokoto state. In the result of the governorship election conducted at Mr Wamakkos Gidan Jadji unit 007/003 on Saturday, the APC polled 442 votes to beat the PDP which polled 98 votes. In the state assembly election, the APC polled 422 to beat the PDP which polled 115. Mr Wamakko is supporting the APC candidate, Aliyu Ahmed, who is slugging it out with the incumbent governor, Aminu Tambuwal. Mr Tambuwal is the candidate of the ruling PDP in the state. He defected to the party from the APC in 2018. Hadiza Balarabe, the running mate to the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, won her polling unit for the All Progressives Congress (APC). Ms Balarabe won her polling unit in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State. She voted in Polling Unit 001, Gwantu I, Gwantu Ward, Sanga Local Government Area. At the unit, the APC scored 150 votes in the governorship poll to defeat the PDP which scored 50 votes. The total votes cast in the poll was 200. Also, APC won for the State House of Assembly election result in the polling unit. The party polled 140 votes to beat its closest rival, PDP, which scored 58 votes. Mr El-Rufai is seeking to return to the government house for another four years on the APC platform. He replaced the current deputy governor, Bala Bantex, with Ms Balarabe after Mr Bantex opted to seek a senatorial seat. The choice had generated controversy in the state as this meant a Muslim- Muslim ticket was been fielded by APC. Mr El-Rufai had justified his choice of picking Ms Balarabe as a running mate by saying it is a continuation of his deliberate policy of promoting women in the state. Ms Balarabes nomination as a running mate means that should the APC win the governorship election, Kaduna would have its first female deputy governor. The All Progressives Congress (APC) has called for an investigation into the fire that burnt the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office at Ibesikpo Asutan, Akwa Ibom State. The fire incident which occurred at about 2 a.m. on Friday destroyed several card readers and some other election materials. The cause of the fire is yet to be established. This fire incident is quite suspicious coming on the eve of a most critical election that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has vowed to win at all cost, the APC chairman in Ibesikpo Asutan, Joe Okon, said in a statement, Friday night. The fire incident may just be a smoke screen to distract attention from current reports that sensitive election materials for the state have found their way into the possession of PDP as part of the unholy marriage between INEC and the PDP our state. The APC said it would reject every move that could compromise the sanctity and integrity of the elections. All election materials dispatched to the local government must be immediately audited to establish the extent of compromise. We will not accept materials that have been compromised or handled in any way that is not consistent with electoral process. We are calling on all security agencies to step in and investigate this strange fire incident. We are also calling on INEC to make full disclosure of all election materials destroyed and compromised by the fire incident. We expect INEC to take all steps necessary to assure all the parties that in spite of the fire, Saturdays election will be free and fair and the sanctity of election process and materials guaranteed, the statement said. A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State has dismissed reports of military intimidation of voters in the state. There have been fears especially among the PDP leaders and their supporters that the deployment of a large number of military officials in the state was meant to intimidate the PDP, and pave way for the All Progressives Congress (APC) to rig the elections. If we can get what we are getting at Ikot Ebiere (Oniong West, Units 8, 9, and 10), Onna, Akwa Ibom State, then the elections can be said to be a success, Ephraim Inyang, the Commissioner for Works, and a PDP chieftain in the state, told reporters on Election Day. Voting was going peacefully at those units when a PREMIUM TIMES reporter visited. The military are patrolling, they are not entering the voting areas, they are just on the main road, Mr Inyang said. As the coordinator of PDP in Onna, I have not received any report thus far. I am certain that it is as peaceful as it here and our people are happy, and they are coming out to vote. So, I hope that let this be the standard in all of the remaining 30 local government areas of the state, Mr Inyang said. The Managing Director of the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA), Umana Umana, has spoken on the conduct of the governorship and house of assembly elections in Akwa Ibom State. Mr Umana, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who spoke after casting his votes at Unit 1, Ndiya Ward, Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, said the election has been peaceful in the unit. Mr Umana, however, accused members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of disrupting the election in some parts of Nsit Ubium. There are reports of violence and disorder in some wards and several units. For example, one of the units very close to me where we have retired Captain Iniobong Ekong, the materials were hijacked, they brought in thugs who perpetrated violence. Many of the voters were injured, Mr Umana, a former secretary to the Akwa Ibom government, said. Mr Umana said his party, the APC, has reported the disruption to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) which has promised to look into the incident. When PREMIUM TIMES contacted Mr Ekong, a security aide to Governor Udom Emmanuel, he denied the allegation that the PDP sponsored thugs to disrupt the election. Mr Ekong, a retired captain in the Nigerian army, said it was an APC agent who tore voting materials and disrupted the election midway at Unit 7, Ndiya Ward, Nsit Ubium after some people had voted. I have not left my house since morning. I have not even voted, look at my voters card here, Mr Ekong said while pulling out his permanent voters card from his pocket. Reports indicate there were pockets of violence also in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area which prevented voting from taking place in some units in the area. The transport minister, Rotimi Amaechi, says Saturdays elections in Rivers State were relatively peaceful compared to the previous exercise. In a statement from his media office on Saturday evening, Mr Amaechi, who leads the All Progressives Congress in the state, commended the security agencies. Mr Amaechi had, ahead of the elections, supported deployment of soldiers for the polls, saying military presence was needed to guarantee violence free exercise in the state. Mr Amaechis APC did not participate in the elections due to a court order. But the party supported the African Action Congress to challenge Peoples Democratic Partys Governor Nyesom Wike who is seeking a second term. Read the full statement below Former Governor of Rivers State and Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has described the Governorship and State House of Assembly elections in the State as relatively peaceful. Amaechi, who is also the leader of the All Progressive Congress in the State, said his assertion was predicated on the fact that there had been no record of violence compared to what was witnessed in previous elections in the State. Speaking to newsmen in his country home, Ubima, Ward 8, Unit 14, in Ikwerre Local Government Area of the State, where he voted for his choice candidates for both the Governorship and State House of Assembly elections on Saturday, Amaechi commended the Police, the Military and other security agencies for keeping the peace. So far, we have not heard of any shootings and killings . We are completely happy that the Army and the Police are everywhere maintaining the peace. We have held elections in Rivers State where over fifteen to twenty persons were killed but this is the only election that has recorded peace and it is because of the presence of the Military. The militants have fled because of the presence of the Military and we are voting peacefully. And you know, one thing about the Soldiers is that they are apolitical, they are neither supporting APC nor AAC or PDP. What they are doing is to maintain peace and ensure that nobody disrupts the process. I think we will prefer to have this kind of election where everybody is having peace, Amaechi explained. Although he alleged that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC compromised by recruiting card carrying members of the PDP as its adhoc staff, Amaechi insisted that the peace and tranquillity experienced during the exercise was enough to adjudge the polls as peaceful compared to past elections. His words: Beyond the fact that the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Rivers State recruited PDP members as adhoc staff, I think the process is a bit straight forward. For instance, in Khana LGA, the people are refusing to vote because all the adhoc staff are known members of the PDP and the electorates have said they would not vote until INEC changes the adhoc staff. So, the point remains that if not for the bias of INEC one would say that the election is to a great extent free and fair because nobody is intimidating the people and there is relative peace. But, unfortunately, the REC is unrepentantly a PDP member. Amaechi also, lashed out at his successor, Governor Nyesom Wike for being too desperate for power. He stressed that the Governor sits in his comfort zone and watch his people being killed recklessly. Wike doesnt like the fact that the Military is maintaining peace, whereas, he stays in Government House with his own security and people are dying on the streets of Port Harcourt. Wike is so desperate about power. Just yesterday (Friday) PDP thugs killed two people in my mothers village The Governor says there is voter apathy because of Soldiers presence. There is no time we dont have voter apathy in Rivers State. What usually happens is they (PDP) write results and announce, now they are not opportune to write results. The Army will escort the materials to the collation centre, Amaechi noted. Emeka Ojukwu Jnr, son of the late Igbo leader, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to be magnanimous in victory and appoint Igbos in strategic positions during his second term. Mr Ojukwu appealed in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Onitsha while speaking on the re-election of President Buhari. Mr Ojukwu had in November 2017 dumped the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) which was founded by his father for the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing Igbo interest as his decision. He said the Igbos supported President Buhari more in the 2019 elections than in 2015 with over 25 per cent votes in three states of the South-east because of his achievements in office. Buhari won Aba North Local Government Area based on his performance; he gave the businessmen and women in Ariaria market an independent power plant to boost their industries. The votes also doubled in Anambra and Ebonyi. We have Senators, and Federal Representatives elected on the platform of APC in the South East. The Igbos are moving on to the Next level with the APC-led government, he said. He commended Mr Buhari for committing N33 billion to the second Niger Bridge and for rehabilitating federal roads in the zone. He, however, urged the President to use his second term to address the perception that the South-east and South-south were being marginalised. We look forward to a better spread in terms of appointments and inclusiveness as he has promised. We hope to see greater investment in the different sectors including power, roads, and agriculture, he said. He urged the president to ensure fairness and equity and to see that the country outgrows the old divides based on ethnicity in the interest of national development. Mr President has served the nation in various high-level positions and has reached the pinnacle; all that is left is his legacy. What will he do in these next four years for the benefit of the entire nation and how will he be remembered? The answer to these questions lies solely in his hands, he said. (NAN) The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Enugu State, Ayogu Eze, has urged the INEC to include his name in the Saturday governorship elections as directed by an Abuja Appeal Court. Briefing journalists in Enugu on Friday, the senator alleged that barely eight hours to the election, the Independent National Electoral Commission had yet to include his name in the race. Mr Eze alleged that the removal of his name from the INEC final list of governorship candidates for the election a few days before the election was a calculated attempt to punish him and create room for INECs preferred candidate and party. Even after the Abuja division of the Court of Appeal overturned the decision of the Federal High Court which formed the basis for INECs action, the commission has bluntly refused to retune my name to the final list on the INEC official portal 24 hours after they were served the order of the court,. He wondered why INEC was taking an apparently partisan position on a matter where they would otherwise have been impartial. According to him, INEC is colluding with unknown forces to rob me of my victory on the Saturday March 9 election. He alleged that the whole plan was designed to discourage his supporters and deny him victory. Mr Eze said that barely eight hours to the election his supporters were still confused whether they would participate in the election or not because of the development. Meanwhile, efforts to reach Emeka Ononamadu, the INEC Residential Electoral Commissioner in Enugu State, for reaction failed as his mobile phone was unreachable and he did not respond to messages sent to him. Court ruling The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja on Thursday ruled that Mr Eze remains the true governorship candidate of the APC in Enugu State. The court affirmed the APC gubernatorial candidate barely two days to the elections. In his ruling over the substantive suit by Mr Eze challenging his removal by Federal High Court, the panel of judges led by Justice Abdul Aboki upheld the prayers of Eze in which he prayed that he was the duly elected candidate of the party. The appellate court ruled that what happened at the lower court was a miscarriage of justice as Mr George Ogara has no case in the first place. He stated that Ogara filed after 14 days of the result being published as allowed by law, so the lower court had no jurisdiction to entertain his case. Mr Aboki directed the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to immediately restore the name of Mr Eze as the candidate of the party. (NAN) Suspected political thugs Friday night set ablaze a Registration Area Centre (RAC) in Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. RACs are used by the electoral commission (INEC) to ensure adequate distribution of election materials in various areas as well as handle other logistics. The RAC in Umuoghara was attacked by the unidentified hoodlums around 2 am. They fire, it was gathered, destroyed sensitive and non sensitive materials to be used for todays governorship and State House of Assembly elections. The hoodlums also burnt down Community Secondary School, Okposi Umuoghara, in the area. The police spokesperson in the state, Loveth Odah, and the Resident Electoral Commissioner for the state, Godswill Obioma, confirmed the attack. I got a call from the area that the RAC was under attack just few minutes ago. I am rushing back to command to ramp up response to the situation, Ms Odah said. Mr Obioma on his part said he has escalated the matter to the INEC headquarters Abuja. Ebonyi, in South-east Nigeria, is one of the states that witnessed election violence during and in the build-up to the presidential and federal parliamentary elections on February 23. At least two people were killed in the state. INEC offices in other states like Benue and Akwa Ibom were also burnt down by suspected hoodlums. Low turnout of voters was witnessed in most parts of the polling units visited in the South Eastern states of Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondents who monitored the elections in some parts of the zone report that few voters were seen trickling to their various polling centres as at 10 a.m. Although the exercise has so far been peaceful, only little security presence was observed as compared to the Presidential/National Assembly Elections of February 23. NAN reports that INEC officials and materials arrived early in most centres visited in the zone. At Onitsha in Anambra, voting commenced at 8.50 a.m as materials arrived as early as 7 a.m. At Polling Unit 010 and 011, Achukwu Hall 1, Ward 2, Odoakpu in Onitsha South, voting commenced at 8.50 am with about 15 persons voting as at 9.30 a.m. However, Julie Eze, the YPP agent at the polling unit, complained that only 600 ballot papers were brought to the polling unit as against the 754 registered voters in the unit. The PDP agent, Eugenia Ozougwu, while corroborating Miss Ezes complain appealed to INEC to complete the ballot papers. In an interview, the Electoral Officer of INEC in charge of Onitsha North, Samuel Nimem, said all electoral materials had been distributed to all units as early as 7 am. No challenges so far, except for security personnel who are to be attached to polling units are not in some polling units. The Divisional Police Officer has assured that security officers would be sent to those areas, he said. In Aba, Abia State, voting in Osisioma local government and Aba South local government commenced at about 8 a.m on Saturday as INEC ad-hoc staff had deployed to work arrived as early as 7 a.m. However, in some centres, INEC staff were ready waiting for voters to come and perform their civic responsibilities. At Ngwa High school, although the electoral staff were ready, elections were yet to commence because there were no voters available. Only one party agent working for the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) was also around to witness the commencement of voting. Evans Evuru, an APGA party agent who spoke to NAN at Ngwa High School centre, said he reached the centre by 7 a.m while INEC staff came by 7:30 a.m. He said voting was yet to start at the centre by 8 a.m because voters were not around to vote at commencement time. However, no security agent was sited at the centre before our reporter left. Meanwhile, soldiers were seen at strategic places at Aba manning road checkpoints. At Enugu North and South Local Governments, many polling stations witnessed low turnout of voters while materials and INEC officials were on ground to attend to voters. At St. Luke, Obiagu ward 4 in Enugu North, an ad-hoc staff who spoke in anonymity expressed dismay at the development adding that it was different from the situation during the February 23 presidential and National Assembly elections. Some of the voters who spoke with NAN said that the people were not happy with the outcome of the Presidential election. According to him, we are not happy with the result of the Presidential election because our vote did not count. However, Mary Okwu at ward 13, Igbariam Primary School said the process had been going well compared to the presidential election. John-Paul Umezuo, an observer of Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) at ward 13, said that the process was better than the February 23 elections. The card readers are able to dictate the thumbprint of most voters, thereby, making it better than that of the presidential election process, he said. NAN reports that governorship election is holding in four states of the zone except for Anambra with only state assembly election and a rerun in Idemili and Ogbaru Federal Constituency. (NAN) The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in Enugu State, Ayogu Eze, a senator, on Saturday boycotted the governorship/state assembly elections in the state. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported Mr Eze told journalists in his country home at Umuozzi in Enugu-Ezike, Igboeze North council of the state he was protesting his non-inclusion among governorship candidates contesting in the state. Mr Eze despite the Appeal Courts order to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) reinstating him as the APC governorship candidate in the election, the final list of governorship candidates published by the electoral umpire left his name out. INEC claims to have party logos on the ballot paper. So, why didnt they publish only the logos of all the political parties and leave the candidates?Mr Eze said. The APC candidate said that his supporters refused to vote because they were angry they had not been treated well by INEC. He said he pleaded with them to go and vote but they insisted they would not vote until INEC created a level playing ground. When contacted, the INEC Residential Electoral Commissioner in the state, Emeka Ononamadu debunked the allegation, saying the Commission included his name on Friday, March 8. The REC said as soon as it received a directive from INEC headquarters in Abuja, his name was restored on the ballot. According to him, at the commencement of work on Friday, March 8, the administrative memo arrived and his name was inserted back at the appropriate place as the governorship candidate of the APC for over 24 hours. The REC urged the residents, especially the media to get things right by informing the people appropriately on developments at the Commission. Mr Ononamadu explained INEC is one and the Enugu office is a sub-section of the INEC headquarters, Abuja. The INEC Enugu office, he said, would always take directives from its national headquarters since it did not have the powers to remove or add any name of candidate or party for election. (NAN) Armed thugs have violently carted away voting materials including ballot boxes, ballot papers, result sheets and card readers across many polling units in Ogor Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State. Electoral officials and voters said they lost valuable items including mobile phones, bags and jewellery. The Presiding Officer for Polling Unit 002 A and B, Ward 1, Central Primary School, Umuhitta Ntu, Deborah Aigbata, said she cried when the hoodlums demanded to see her. According to her, as soon as the hoodlums arrived with dangerous weapons including guns and bottles, she ran into the nearby bush and heard them demanding to see her so as to sign the result sheets. She said: Immediately they came, they displayed ammunition openly and everyone ran away. They packed everything and wanted me to sign. I heard them calling PO while I was inside the bush crying seriously. Their plan was to kidnap me and ensure that I sign whenever they were through writing the results. But the presiding officer for one of the units in Ward 3 in the local government, a corps member, was not that lucky as he was reportedly beaten by the thugs. Some of the assistant presiding officers who found their way to the local government headquarters in Umuneke Ngor village said the corps member was yet to recover from the attack and so they were unsure whether he would make it to the INEC office. Also at the INEC office, which is located in the local government headquarters, another presiding officer for Polling Unit 001, Ward 4, Umuchukwu Hall, Ezeama Village, Sunday Okon, said he did not argue with the hoodlums. As soon as they brandished their weapon, I just handed everything to them. They were fully armed. The victims said there were no security agents in all the affected polling units. A leader of APGA in the local government, Richard Anyaele, accused the candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the House of Representatives in the zone, Bladdin Amajurionwu, of being behind the attacks. He said; We know all the bad boys, they are from the local government. They didnt hide their identities. They are working for AA as instructed by their failed leader who lost out in the House of Representatives election on February 23. Agents of other parties including PDP, who had visited the INEC office at the local government to complain, also corroborated the APGA chief. But efforts to reach the accused politician were unsuccessful as no one could provide his telephone number. When PREMIUM TIMES met the electoral officer at the INEC office at the local government headquarters, she declined to comment. She said she was already compiling her report to be taken to the state office of INEC. When our reporter called the state spokesperson of INEC, Emmanuella Okpara, she said she could not make any official statement until she is briefed by the state electoral commissioner. The Ebonyi State governor, David Umahi, says a constitutional review will check political desperation among citizens of the country. Mr Umahi who made the call in his hometown, Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi while addressing newsmen, said the desperation of politicians was a dangerous trend for the countrys existence. The governor said such desperation not only accounted for the several incidences recorded across the country in the current elections but also why the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was exonerated from the incidences. I want a review of the political system in the country. Ask people of their means of livelihood before venturing into politics. Everything concerning the private sector seems to be collapsing as everybody is interested only in politics. The nation should realize that if we continue this way, there is no future for our children, he said. The governor bemoaned the burning of the INEC Registration Area Centre (RAC) at Umuoghara, Ezza North LGA, blaming it on the disobedience of the areas development centre coordinator to his directive as the states chief security officer. The coordinator negotiated with the devil who failed him two weeks ago despite my warnings over such negotiations. I instructed communities to mobilize about 1,000 youths to break the hands and legs of those who want to kill our people and then hand them over to security agencies. We have lost 36,000 votes in the incident. But, that will not stop me from winning. I, however, suspect foul play in the incident because the security agencies should have been there when the hoodlums were shooting and destroying the facilities, he said. He noted politicians who used other means to win elections had nothing to offer the people as they were just desperate to govern. Such people know that when the election comes, they will use other means so they will not provide employment or social services to the people when they are in power. I commend the chairman of INEC, Mahmood Yakubu, and his team for ensuring that the peoples votes counted though about five incidences of card reader failure were recorded across the state, he said. (NAN) The police in Enugu State have confirmed the death of a man reportedly shot at the residence of the states All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Ayogu Eze. The man, identified as Osondu Ogoh, was allegedly shot by police officers by mistake in the early hours of Saturday. A witness who spoke with PREMIUM TIMES said the victim was among those protesting the conduct of gubernatorial elections in the state, despite a request by the APC for the elections to be postponed. Mr Ezes candidacy was only confirmed on Thursday by the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division. An internal crisis within the APC resulted in a federal high court decision nullifying his candidacy. The court replaced him with another member of the party, Gorge Ogara, before the appeal court ruling. Hours after the police confirmed the incident, describing the victim as a local observer and pledging to conduct a proper investigation, the Enugu State police command said the victim had died. It also said he was not a local observer as initially said. The Enugu state command of the Nigeria Police Force through its operatives have commenced full scale investigations into the alleged shooting and death of one Osondu Odoh aged about 30 years believed to be at Ayogu Ezes residence at Igboeze North Local Government Area of Enugu state on 9/3/19. The victim is not an observer but a supporter to the candidate. The circumstance surrounding the incident is being investigated as the deceased body is deposited at the mortuary, Enugu police spokesperson, Ebere Amarizu, said in a statement Saturday evening. According to the witness, the APC supporters were protesting the conduct of elections and attacking suspected opponents around Mr Ezes residence. The APC candidate, Mr Eze, said he boycotted the elections. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ebonyi State has confirmed there were no elections in three Registration Areas (wards) hit by violence in the governorship and state house of assembly in the state on Saturday. Godswill Obioma, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ebonyi, confirmed this while addressing journalists in Abakaliki on Saturday on the outcome of the governorship and state assembly elections in the country. Some heavily-armed suspected political thugs invaded three registration area camps (RACs) in some parts of Ezza North local government and set ablaze the commissions sensitive materials in the early hours of Saturday. Mr Obioma, who made an assessment visit to the areas affected by the violence, confirmed the incident to journalists. He listed the affected wards and polling units to include Ezza with code number 02, having 16 voting points with 137 polling units and Oriuzor with code number 09 with 32 voting points. According to him, 15,452 registered voters in the ward did not participate in the elections. The registration area is in Ezza North East state Constituency. He said Okposi Umuoghara in Ezza North West constituency was also listed as one of the RACs where sensitive election materials were set ablaze by the suspected hoodlums. The total voting points are 75 and the total number of registered voters affected is 36,392. There were no elections in the three Wards because all materials were burnt by armed thugs. No life was lost. All INEC ad-hoc staff in the areas were rescued to safety by security agents and have since returned to their residences. The commissioner added that he had given the necessary details to the commissions Headquarters in Abuja and was awaiting further instructions. He, however, said the setting ablaze of INEC materials would only affect results in areas where results were not contained in the card readers. Mr Obioma said the commission was investigating unconfirmed reports of ballot-box snatching, burning of election materials in Ngbo, Ohaukwu local government area and a few other parts of the state. He said in spite of reported cases of violence in some parts of the state, the conduct of the elections was generally peaceful and successful. He said sorting and counting of ballots had begun in most polling units where elections held in the 171 registration areas across the local government areas of the state. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 35 governorship candidates participated in the race and state assembly elections in Ebonyi. (NAN) The police in Anambra State say they have rescued an ad-hoc staffer of the Independent National Electoral Commission who was abducted earlier on Saturday by hoodlums. Menirika Njideka, who was a presiding officer for the State House of Assembly election was abducted at Afor market square unit, Mbaukwu, in Awka South Local Government Area. Police spokesman Haruna Mohammed said the police swung into action after receiving a report of her abduction and rescued her. She was subsequently treated at the Police Clinic Awka and discharged, Mr Mohammed said of the injured victim. This is the second abduction in Anambra in this election period. A corps member was abducted during the Presidential and National Assembly elections on February 23 but was later released. Arrests Mr Mohammed said 47 persons were arrested at various parts of the state for various offences ranging from disruption of elections, malicious damage, thuggery, assault, and unlawful possession of firearms. According to him, one of such cases involved a security guard, Ngozi Goodwill, who shot his colleague, Justice Anyadike on his leg. The incident, the spokesman said, happened at Nwanebo Primary School 1 and 2, inside Immaculate Heart Catholic Church premises Ula in Ekwulobia. The two private security guards of the church had earlier engaged in a scuffle, he said. The pallets of the expanded cartridges also brushed five other persons who came to vote at the polling booth and (they) sustained minor injuries and were treated. Mr Mohammed said that the suspects were arrested with two guns, seven live cartridges and one expanded catridge. There were isolated cases recorded in some areas such as shooting incidents and disruption of voting at Agulu township polling unit where three suspects were arrested and a locally made pistol with four live ammunition recovered. Other offences recorded includes thuggery at Nri in Anaocha LGA,Umouji ward in Ogidi and Ntege where the Command responded promptly and effected arrest at the above mentioned scenes, the spokesman said. Mr Mohammed said despite the incidents, the election was generally peaceful in the state. All the suspects have been transferred to CIID Awka for discreet investigation after which they would be charged to court for prosecution, he added. Heavy security and restriction of movement were noticed in parts of Lagos state on Saturday as residents of the state prepare for the conduct of the Governorship and the State Assembly elections. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that stern-looking army officers were seen in positions along several roads as early as 6 a.m to effect the restriction order. This is unlike the February 23 Presidential and National Assembly election, which had only a few areas blocked by the army. NAN correspondent monitoring the exercise reports that the soldiers shunned all appeal by almost all motorists to pass, as only officials of INEC and those on official duty were allowed to pass. Some of the areas blocked include Abesan Gate, Ipaja, Mosalashi area, Alimosho, Idimu Road, Ikotun area among others. Many people were, however, seen walking while others stood in groups in the front of their houses, yet some on the streets were ready to move the polling units exercise their civic responsibility as from 8.00a.m. At polling unit 1 to 13 polling units situated at Gowon Estate in Alimosho Local Government Area, INEC officials were seen as early as 6.45 a.m with their election materials. While some INEC officials were busy moving materials and personnel out of their various Registration Area Centres (RAC) at about 7.00 a.m., some were found at their various polling units. Meanwhile, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Lagos State, Sam Olumekun, had told NAN that the electoral body was good to go and ready to give residents of the state free and fair elections on Saturday. In Lagos, the electorate will go to the polls to elect a Governor and 40 members of the state House of Assembly on Saturday. Supplementary elections will also take place in six federal constituencies in the state where the National Assembly elections held on February 23 were inconclusive. NAN reports that 45 governorship candidates across various political parties will be vying for the number one seat in the state. Also, 640 candidates of various parties are eying the 40 seats in the Lagos State House of Assembly in the election. (NAN) The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials arrived early at the polling units in most of the polling units in Mushin Local Government area Lagos State. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that as at 7:45 a.m., sensitive materials and the officials had arrived at most of the polling units visited. Security personnel were seen at the voting centres to ensure smooth commencement of accreditation and voting. As at 7:30 a.m some voters were seen on the queue before the arrival of the INEC personnel. Armed soldiers were also seen at all the major roads to avoid unauthorised movement of vehicles and to avoid breakdown of law by miscreants. At Agboyi/Ketu and Ikosi/ Isheri Local Council Development Area(LCDA) of Kosofe Local Government Area (LGA), voting was yet to commence at 8 a.m. However, in some polling units party agents and people were gathered, in others, nobody was at the polling units. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there were no INEC officials on sight by 8 a.m but there was a heavy police presence and army patrol along Ikorodu Road in their vehicles. NAN recalls that the Presidential and National Assembly election experienced late arrival of INEC personnel and voting materials in some parts of Lagos. (NAN) There was tension on Saturday morning at Ogudu collation centre in Lagos State over nine missing booklets of ballot papers meant for the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. Each of the booklets contains 100 pages meant for Ward 4 centre. A NAN Correspondent who was at the centre between 7.35 a.m. and 8.30 a.m., reports that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) agents were protesting over the missing booklets. A PDP agent, Kunle Aladiyan, told NAN the party discovered the booklets were missing in the morning while INEC officials were distributing election materials to each ward. Mr Aladiyan said the party would not participate in the election without the missing booklets, adding that similar thing happened in 2015. We told them while they were bringing the materials to count each carton of booklets, but the INEC officials refused. That is how we lost in 2015 election. We participated in the exercise, thinking it would favour us, only for the missing booklets to find their ways to ballot. We dont want to be fooled again, he said. A PDP Senatorial candidate in the National Assembly election, Sherifat Olushola-Hassan, later told NAN that the party would participate on the ground that all ballot papers belonging to ward 4 would not be distributed. An INEC official from Kosofe, who preferred anonymity, said the officers that collected the materials only counted cartons from CBN, stressing that if they had counted the booklets in cartons, they would have found out about the missing items. The official said the booklets of ward 4 would not be used at to avoid problems. The Police Area Commander of Area H Ogudu, Miller Dantawaye who led other security agents to provide security cover for the centre and Kosofe area, confirmed that he was there when they discovered the that the booklets were missing. Mr Dantawaye said their duty was to provide security for the area, adding that the parties and INEC would resolve the problem. NAN reports that the police, DSS, and the civil defence corps were on ground at the centre, while soldiers patrolled the Ogudu road, to check breakdown of law and order. NAN also reports that some ad hoc staff were seen protesting against non-payment of their last elections allowance. (NAN) The Oyo State governorship candidate of the African Action Alliance, Omololu Laosun, has criticised the different coalition arrangements by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC). Mr Laosun said it was a pre-planned arrangement laden with corruption. Speaking with journalists at his polling unit 34, Ward 12 in Ibadan North East Local Government Area, at about 9 a.m, the candidate said although he was approached, he refused to be part of the coalition because all those involved were formerly members of the same party. The alliance is only being formed by some people who are in mushroom political parties and it was probably because they did not get the ticket of their party and feel the next thing is to go and form an alliance, he said. But, let me tell you that the alliance is just a clever thought out strategy to negotiate with the candidate who will eventually emerge as governor and their motive is to continue to loot the state treasury together. Mr Laosun said those forming alliances with some political parties to win the governorship election were only doing so for their own interest and not for the people. He also lamented the low turnout at his polling unit, expressing the hope that the situation would improve as the day goes on. He added that he was out to serve the people as a community builder and one who is willing and prepared to offer s credible leadership. According to him, the people of Oyo State have to choose between a candidate who will bring development to the state or one who would embezzle their resources. The Allied Peoples Movement, (APM), candidate in Ogun State, Adekunle Akinlade, has cast his vote. Mr Akinlade cast his vote at the Polling Unit 022, Ward 3, Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State. He was accompanied to the polling unit by his wife and step-mother. The candidate has the backing of Governor Ibikunle Amosun, who is also the senator-elect for Ogun central senatorial district Mr Akinlade won a controversial governorship primary organised by the governors camp in the APC but a panel sent by the headquarters of the party conducted a separate primary which produced Dapo Abiodun as the partys candidate in todays election. Since then there has been no peace in the state chapter of the party as the contentions set the outgoing governor against the national leadership of the party, represented by Adams Oshiomhole. Mr Amosun obviously did not get the backing of the APCs national leader to support Mr Akinlade, a serving member of the House of Representatives for Egbado South and Ipokia Federal Constituency. Mr Abiodun, on the other hand, has the backing of the Vice President and other national leaders of the party. In December 2018, 26 aspirants for the Ogun State House of Assembly defected from the APC to APM. Jimi Agbaje, the PDP governorship candidate in Lagos state has stated that low turnout in the March 9 governorship election could be as a result of inadequacies of the last presidential election. He stated this at his polling unit; PU 004, Ward A, Hinderea Road, Liverpool, Apapa, Lagos West after casting his vote alongside his wife. Mr Agbaje was only able to vote after several attempts with the card reader, his fingerprint was identified. Mr Agbaje who cast his vote around 10:46 am told journalists that low turnout during election should be a concern to all those that want to advance democracy because the citizens must be part and parcel of democratic process. When you dont have a good turn-out, there are many factors that could account for it. In the case of Lagos today, it could be as a result of what happened in the last election in terms of intimidation, thuggery, ballot box snatching, violence, that could have affected it, he said. But there are deeper issues, if the people do not believe in the process, then they ask themselves why bother. Its a chicken and egg situation and we must continue to appeal to the people that they must believe in the process and exercise their rights.. Furthermore, while addressing some issues of the electioneering process, Mr Agbaje stated that quite a number of PUs havent started voting because some of the adhoc staff have not been paid, so they are not going to work. He also talked about the card readers malfunction as this can cause disenfranchisement of some people. Today fortunately, after several attempts, the card reader was able to identify my fingerprint. When asked about his chances of winning the election, Mr Agbaje said I have no doubt about that, all I need is that there is no violence, ballot box snatching, ballot papers burning and we do not have the kind of intimidation that we had in last election. The numbers are on our side and we have no cause to fear. The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu cast his vote at 10.53 a.m., at Femi Okunni Polling Unit, Ward 09 in Ikoyi during the governorship/ State Houses of Assembly elections on Saturday. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Sanwo-Olu arrived the polling unit at 10.38 a.m., accompanied by his wife, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu. The APC governorship candidate expressed his confidence that he would emerge victorious in the elections while addressing reporters after he had performed his civic responsibility. I am glad that I have voted and Im confident that I will emerge victorious at the end of the whole exercise because we communicated and engaged everyone during our campaigns. I have done a lot of work than my opponents in terms of reaching out to the people of the state and spreading my manifesto; so that gives me an edge. Also, exactly six months ago, September 9, 2018, I collected my nomination form from the party and such coincidence means that I will be the next governor of Lagos State. Earlier, there were reported slight issues with the card readers. I am happy that they have been resolved and generally, the elections have been peaceful and Im confident of winning, he said. (NAN) Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Saturday cast his vote in the Governorship and House of Assembly elections, urging other eligible voters to also come out and exercise their civic obligations without fear. Mr Ambode arrived at his Polling Unit 033, Ward A5, at Ogunmodede Junior and Senior College in Papa Epe by 9.54 am, accompanied by his wife, Bolanle. He cast his vote at exactly 10.03 am. Speaking with journalists shortly after voting, Mr Ambode urged the electorate to believe in the process by coming out en-masse to perform their civic rights. He said this would continue to enhance the tenets of democracy and also promote the culture of one man, one vote. I just want to thank all Lagosians that today, we are going to promote the real tenet of democracy by actually performing our civil obligation and coming out to vote. I just finished voting with the first lady, and in this particular polling booth, everything has been so peaceful and I also understand that across the state, voting is ongoing, there have been reports of delays in some of these polling centres. We implore INEC to make sure that the voting materials, staff and ad-hoc staff come out quickly so that everybody can come out to perform that same obligation, Mr Ambode said. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the INEC officials arrived at the polling unit at 7.30 am, while voting and accreditation commenced at 8.00 am. Meanwhile, there was high turnout at several polling units visited in Epe, Lagos State, with residents coming out to vote for candidates of their choice in the elections. Governor of Oyo State, Abiola Ajimobi, has lamented the low turn out of voters in Saturdays governorship and house of assembly elections in the state. The governor who spoke at his unit 20 polling unit, Ward 11, Ibadan South West local government after voting, told journalists the elections were peaceful in. his polling unit. He however, said the turn out was low compared to what was obtained during the presidential and National Assembly elections. The reason for the low turnout could be as a result of discouragement, fatigue, disappoint or other reasons, he said. Mr Ajimobi, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) said since there was still some more time for voting, more voters could still come out to cast their votes. He said the Independent National Electoral Commission had done well so far and the process of the election had been peaceful and credible. He expressed hope that his partys candidate, Adebayo Adelabu would be victorious at the count of the polls. Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi has said he looked forward to a time when Nigeria would be able to conduct all her elections in one day, possibly through electronic voting. Speaking shortly after casting his vote at 12:28 am at his country home, at Ward 11, Ogilolo Polling unit in Isan-Ekiti. He said the current election schedule where all elective positions are conducted separately is not a good use of time and effort. He hoped that the country would take advantage of technological advancement and switch to electronic voting to enhance seamless voting process that would enable the electorate exercise their voting right while going about their normal daily work. The governor however commended the Independent National Electoral Commission for quickly addressing some hiccups that could have paralysed the smooth conduct of the 2019 general elections; saying that he would be happy if the process run smoothly in all parts of the state just as the card reader worked perfectly in Isan Ekiti where he voted. The card reader worked, my fingerprint was read and it took less than a minute for me to do these and vote. If it is like this everywhere, we really have to give kudos to INEC, Mr Fayemi said. There may have been some errors in the past but they have quickly corrected those and they have done well in this election. I look forward to a time when all the elections can actually happen in one day. This is not a good use of our time, the time we commit to this effort, the man working hour is just too much. So we hope technology will improve, we hope to get to the point of electronic voting and get to the point where everything can be smooth and fast and we can combine work with voting. The governor also said the election went reasonably well and peaceful but turnout was lower than it was during the presidential election a fortnight ago. I have been in touch with virtually every local government and community in the state. The election has gone reasonably well, peaceful and the poll officials got to their units on time and voters were treated respectfully. It appears that we have a low turn out today, lower than we recorded during the presidential and NASS election two weeks ago. Sam Olumekun, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Lagos State, said at 1:48 p.m. that election will still hold in Ogudu/ Ojota, in Kosofe area of Lagos State. There has been a shutdown of the election process in Ojodu/Ojota due to the claim that the electoral officer in charge refused to pay the ad-hoc staffers a sum of money which the staffers tagged conveniency fee after she had negotiated with them in the morning. According to the ad-hoc staffers, mainly corps members, they have video evidence of where the electoral officer addressed them and told them she would pay them N7,000. But they demanded N10,000 which was later agreed on. However, Mr Olumekun stated that he is not aware of such money as the only money they are entitled to has been or will be paid directly to their bank accounts. He added that the money the ad-hoc staff are claiming is not from the federal governments purse and is therefore illegal. We are not giving them any money of any such, no N10,000 anywhere. All they are entitled to is N13,000 as election allowance, feeding allowance and training fee. The commission just approved a sum N3,500 as feeding and transport fee for those that came for the postponed election. Speaking on the allegedly missing ballot papers, Mr Olumekun said that there is nothing of such. These ballot papers they are talking about cannot be used anywhere and we have the number of ballot papers. Amidst the claims of the ad-hoc staff that people were paid in other RAC centres, the official said he was not aware. Nevertheless, PREMIUM TIMES witnessed the disbursement of N10,000 to the ad-hoc staff at Ikosi High School, Ikosi-Ketu, Kosofe, Lagos. There were rumours that the money was donated to the ad-hoc staffers by an APC national leader, Bola Tinubu. Even though it was almost four hours after voting was to start, Mr Olumekun said the elections would still go on in the area. At 2:07 p.m., distribution of election materials to the presiding officers started. Drivers and security officials were also being mobilised. Suspected hoodlums on Saturday shot sporadically as they attacked the vehicle of Desmond Elliot, a Lagos House of Assembly candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The incident happened at about 3:00 p.m. at Akerele junction in the Surulere part of the Lagos where Mr Elliot currently represents in the assembly. The attack is said to have been perpetrated by street boys who wanted the famous actor to stop and give them money. But the lawmaker decided to keep going. His vehicle was attacked and the windshield broken. Supporters of Mr Elliot at a nearby polling unit, PU20, Ward 7, Surulere, quickly called in reinforcement to rescue the lawmaker. Immediately he was rescued, thugs shot sporadically into the air, creating an even more tense atmosphere. In a quick response, however, police officers attached to the nearby polling unit called in armed reinforcement who arrived to calm the situation. Ad-hoc staffers of the electoral commission, INEC, were advised by security personnel to conclude their vote counting early before the situation escalates. A former governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu, has said there is no basis for the O to ge movement which translates loosely as Enough is Enough O to ge, a catchphrase birthed in Kwara State, was used as a tool to demand the defeat of Bukola Saraki in Kwara State, who for years remained the political leader of the state, an influential position he inherited from his father. Mr Saraki, the Senate President, lost his senatorial election in Kwara State a fortnight ago. The All Progressives Congress (APC) also won the presidential election in Kwara. Some Nigerians have since called for a reenactment of the O to ge effect in Lagos, where Mr Tinubu has since 1999 remained the most influential political leader, controlling the structures that have seen mostly his loyalists elected governors, federal and state lawmakers, and local government leaders. While speaking after casting his vote in Ikeja, Lagos, on Saturday, Mr Tinubu said Lagosians should instead rejoice with the APC in the state. Are we in Kwara? there is a limit to copycat, Lagos should be O to pe (be grateful). We are the only party in Lagos, the rest are repeaters stations. They come every four years and they go back in again like crabs, Mr Tinubu said. The APC national leader said he believes victory is assured for the ruling party in Lagos State. The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the March 9 election, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, delivered his polling unit for his party, saying he is expecting to be victorious when the overall results of the elections are officially announced. The APC polled 124 votes, while the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), garnered 26 votes at the Unit 019, Lateef Jakande Avenue/Femi Okunnu in Ikoyi II. Mr Sanwo-Olu, who arrived at his polling unit in company with his wife, Ibijoke, at 10:33 a.m., described the process as generally peaceful, despite pockets of delays recorded in some parts of the state. I think the whole process has been generally peaceful. Reports coming in from our party agents from across the State show that all is going on well save some areas where they are experiencing minor delays. Speaking to reporters after he voted, Mr Sanwo-Olu said he was confident of victory, having traversed the length and breadth of the state during the campaign and felt the pulse of the voters. Exactly six months ago today, I picked the APC gubernatorial nomination form to contest in this election, he said. I have done a thorough campaign. I went to every nook and cranny of the state to meet voters and stakeholders. I listened to everybody and heard their concerns. Given all of these, it means that we are better prepared to earn the confidence of Lagosians. So, I am confident of victory at the end of this process. Asked what he will do if the outcome does not favour him, Mr Sanwo-Olu said the election was never a do-or-die affair for him, urging voters to engage peacefully and desist from acts that may lead to the cancellation of the results. He added that the outcome would reflect the wishes of the people. Initially, there were minor glitches when the election started at Mr Sanwo-Olus polling unit. A card reader did not function properly, leading to complaints among voters. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) technical staff at the unit immediately intervened and reset the malfunctioning card reader. The process went on smoothly thereafter. A former governor of Oyo State, Rashidi Ladoja, and a former Secretary to the State Government, Sharafadeen Alli, on Saturday won their polling units for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Both men had a few days ago declared support for the PDP governorship candidate, Seyi Makinde. The emergence of Mr Makinde as the winner of the election at Mr Ladojas polling unit in old Bodija and Mr Allis polling unit in Oke Aremo came few minutes after the state governor, Abiola Ajimobi, lost his polling unit to the PDP. Mr Ajimobi, whose second term in office as governor will lapse on May 29 this year, had two weeks ago lost his bid to return to the Senate to the PDP candidate, Kola Balogun. The PDP also won the presidential election in Oyo State. Saturdays result indicates that Mr Ladoja who is the leader of a coalition recently formed against APC, won Unit 13, Ward 10 in Ibadan for the PDP. The gubernatorial result showed PDP garnering 180 to APCs 34 where the former governor voted. Mr Alli, who is the gubernatorial candidate of the ZLP but stepped down for Mr Makinde, also delivered his polling unit for PDP. In Mr Allis family house located at Biro compound, Oke Aremo, Ward 3, Unit 022, PDP got 126 to defeat APC that scored 32 votes. Another gubernatorial candidate who equally stepped down for Makinde, Olufemi Lanlehin, also won his polling for PDP. At the Ward 8, Unit 2, of Ibadan North-West, where Mr Lanlehin voted, the PDP scored 136 votes to defeat APC that had 68 votes. Mr Makinde also won his polling unit 001, Ward 11 in Ibadan North East Local Government Area for PDP. The result indicated that PDP scored 165 votes to defeat APC that recorded 71 votes in Mr Makindes polling unit. Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, has said he looked forward to a time when Nigeria would be able to conduct all its elections in one day, possibly through electronic voting. Speaking shortly after casting his vote at his country home, Isan Ekiti, Mr Fayemi said the current election schedule where elections into all elective positions are conducted separately is not a good use of time and effort. Mr Fayemi expressed optimism that the country would take advantage of technological advancement and switch to electronic voting to enhance a seamless voting process that will enable the electorate to exercise their voting right while going about their normal daily work. The governor, however, commended the Independent National Electoral Commission for quickly addressing some hiccups that could have paralysed the smooth conduct of the 2019 general elections; saying that he would be happy if the process runs smoothly in all parts of the State just as the card reader worked perfectly in Isan Ekiti where he voted. The card reader work, my fingerprint was read and it took less than a minute for me to do these and vote, Mr Fayemi said. If it is like this everywhere, we really have to give kudos to INEC. There may have been some errors in the past but they have quickly corrected those and they have done well in this election. I look forward to a time when all the elections can actually happen in one day. This is not a good use of our time the time we commit to this effort, the man working hour is just too much. So we hope technology will improve, we hope to get to the point of electronic voting and get to the point where everything can be smooth and fast and we can combine work with voting. The governor, who voted at 11:28 am, said the election went reasonably well and peaceful but that turnout was lower than it was during the presidential election a fortnight ago. A serving lawmaker and senatorial candidate of the Action Democratic Party, ADP, Temitope Olatoye, has been reported shot by suspected political thugs at a collation centre at Elesu, Ward 13, Lagelu Local Government Area of Oyo State. There is, however, confusion over his present condition, as he is believed to have died from the gunshot wounds. Other reports say he is in critical condition at the hospital. He was said to have been shot in the eyes and was rushed to the University College Hospital, Ibadan. Although police authorities were yet to officially confirm the development, reliable sources informed PREMIUM TIMES that the lawmaker was rushed to the hospital in a critical condition. But the Police Public Relations Officer in Oyo State, Olugbenga Fadeyi, said the matter has not been officially reported, but that the command was investigating it. You should exercise patience so that we can get the facts because it has not been officially reported, said Mr Fadeyi. We will need to get the facts before we can come out and tell you what it is. Please be patient. Mr Olatoye currently represents Lagelu/Akinyele federal constituency in the House of Representatives. He contested the senatorial seat of Oyo Central senatorial district two weeks ago but lost to Teslim Folarin of the APC. The University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan has confirmed that the lawmaker shot on Saturday by political thugs is in a critical situation at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the hospital. The spokesman of the hospital, Toye Akinrinlola, said the lawmaker was brought in a critical situation and was being resuscitated at the ICU. As I am talking to you now, the man is in the Intensive Care Unit, efforts are on to try to resuscitate him, Mr Akinrinlola said. PREMIUM TIMES reported how the lawmaker was shot at a collation Centre in Elesu, Ward 13, Lagelu Local Government Area. He was said to have been shot in the eyes and was rushed to the UCH. The Oyo police spokesperson, Olugbenga Fadeyi, when contacted, said the matter has not been officially reported, but that the command was investigating it. You should exercise patience so that we can get the facts because it has not been officially reported, said Mr Fadeyi. We will need to get the facts before we can come out and tell you what it is, please be patient. Mr Olatoye represents Lagelu/Akinyele federal constituency in the House of Representatives. He contested the senatorial seat of Oyo Central senatorial district two weeks ago but lost to Teslim Folarin of the APC. Temitope Olatoye, the lawmaker representing Lagelu/Akinyele federal constituency of Oyo State, is dead. He died after sustaining wounds in his eyes following a shooting by political thugs on Saturday evening at a collation centre in Elesu, Lagelu Local Government Area. He was rushed to the University College Hospital Ibadan but died after doctors failed to resuscitate him. The spokesman of the UCH, Toye Akinrinlola, confirmed to PREMIUM TIMES that the lawmaker did not survive. There is nothing to hide about it, he is dead, said Mr Akinrinlola, who spoke with PREMIUM TIMES on the phone. He was brought in unconscious because he was shot in the eye, but he is dead. Mr Akinrinlola had earlier hinted that the lawmaker was in a critical situation and was being resuscitated at the ICU. As I am talking to you now, the man is in the Intensive Care Unit, efforts are on to try to resuscitate him, he had said. The Police Public Relations Officer for Oyo State Command, Olugbenga Fadeyi, said the matter has not been officially reported, but that the command was investigating it. Mr Olatoye represented Lagelu/Akinyele federal constituency at the House of Representatives. He contested the senatorial seat of Oyo Central senatorial district two weeks ago but lost to Teslim Folarin of the APC. For the New World Order, a world government is just the beginning. Once in place they can engage their plan to exterminate 80% of the world's population, while enabling the "elites" to live forever with the aid of advanced technology. For the first time, crusading filmmaker ALEX JONES reveals their secret plan for humanity's extermination: Operation ENDGAME. Jones chronicles the history of the global elite's bloody rise to power and reveals how they have funded dictators and financed the bloodiest warscreating order out of chaos to pave the way for the first true world empire. Watch as Jones and his team track the elusive Bilderberg Group to Ottawa and Istanbul to document their secret summits, allowing you to witness global kingpins setting the world's agenda and instigating World War III. to Ottawa and Istanbul to document their secret summits, allowing you to witness global kingpins setting the world's agenda and instigating World War III. Learn about the formation of the North America transportation control grid, which will end U.S. sovereignty forever. Discover how the practitioners of the pseudo-science eugenics have taken control of governments worldwide as a means to carry out depopulation. View the progress of the coming collapse of the United States and the formation of the North American Union. Never before has a documentary assembled all the pieces of the globalists' dark agenda. Endgame's compelling look at past atrocities committed by those attempting to steer the future delivers information that the controlling media has meticulously censored for over 60 years. It fully reveals the elite's program to dominate the earth and carry out the wicked plan in all of human history. Endgame is not conspiracy theory, it is documented fact in the elite's own words. MELBOURNE, Fla., March 9, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Havkin Urology is implementing a non-invasive and drug free solution for Erectile Dysfunction (ED) called GAINSWave , which boasts a 75% success rate. GAINSWave is a premium brand of shockwave therapy designed to remove micro-plaque and stimulate the growth of new blood vessels to improve blood flow. Erectile Dysfunction is a natural condition that affects every man with age. When men age, the vessels in their genitalia weaken as a result of built micro-plaque. This plaque restricts the blood flow that streams throughout the male member, resulting in a lack in the amount of blood required for erection. Subsequently, sensitivity declines along with the promotion of new blood vessels. "For years, medical professionals have been searching for a concrete solution to treat the core of erectile dysfunction as opposed to just masking the symptoms with painful injections and pharmaceuticals," says Boris Havkin, MD. "From my experience, GAINSWave is that solution." The treatment is based on a series of over 30 clinical studies , and is supported by a network of over 320 urologists and medical professionals across the country. Patients receiving GAINSWave have testified on their results, reporting improved erection quality, enhanced sexual performance and decreased refractory times between ejaculation. "It's also a powerful way to prevent ED. Until recently, most men were unaware that they could take their packages in for routine maintenance," adds Boris Havkin, MD. This drug and surgery-free procedure only takes about 20 minutes and can enhance a man's sex life while addressing the root cause of Erectile Dysfunction and Peyronie's disease. Havkin Urology is now treating men with the GAINSWave Therapy in their offices located at 3021 W Eau Gallie Blvd, Melbourne, FL 32934, USA. Dr. Boris Havkin is a Board-certified Urologist and Urologic Surgeon. He's also a long term Member of Sexual Medicine Society of North America and International Society for Sexual Medicine. Havkin focuses on male health and provides GAINSWave treatment to men looking for a non-invasive solution to ED. For More Information Contact: Adrian Gonzalez Social Media & PR Specialist [email protected] 786-558-0338 SOURCE GAINSWave Related Links https://gainswave.com NEW YORK, March 8, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) today appointed Emmy-nominated television personality, award-winning author and internationally acclaimed food expert Padma Lakshmi as its newest Goodwill Ambassador. In this new role, Lakshmi will mobilize support for the Sustainable Development Goals with a focus on fighting inequality, discrimination and empowering the disenfranchised. "As we celebrate International Women's Day, let's remember that women and girls face some of the worst discrimination and hardships in the world," Lakshmi said at a press conference held at UNDP headquarters in New York. "My main mission as UNDP Goodwill Ambassador will be to shine a spotlight on the fact that inequality can affect people in rich and poor countries alike." "Many nations have greatly reduced poverty, but inequality has proved more stubborn," she said. "Inequality is further compounded by gender, age, ethnicity and race. It especially affects women, minorities and others who face unimaginable discrimination in the societies in which they live." Lakshmi added: "Fighting inequality is at the heart of UNDP's mission. I look forward to joining forces with UNDP to help bring about a future in which every person, regardless of their income, their gender or place of birth, is empowered to live the life they want." Lakshmi was named UNDP's latest Goodwill Ambassador in a ceremony today at UNDP headquarters in New York. She was appointed by UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner. "We are very grateful to welcome Padma Lakshmi to our global UNDP family and for her to join our fight against inequality around the world," said Achim Steiner. "Padma has a strong record of speaking out for those who have been left behind and of fighting discrimination. We need more voices like hers to ensure we can meet the vision of the Sustainable Development Goals our shared roadmap for peace and prosperity for people and the planet," he added. Lakshmi is best known for starring as a judge and host, as well as executive producer, of Bravo Television's Emmy award-winning series Top Chef. She is also a New York Times bestselling author, the co-founder of the Endometriosis Foundation of America, a Visiting Scholar at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and an ambassador for the American Civil Liberties Union advocating for immigrants' rights. She is joining a roster of UNDP Goodwill Ambassadors, which includes globally celebrated actors, athletes, musicians and other high-profile influencers. For the full list of UNDP Goodwill Ambassadors, click here. To download high-quality photos and broadcast video from the appointment ceremony, please click here or contact Adam Cathro at [email protected]. UNDP partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crisis, and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life for everyone. On the ground in nearly 170 countries and territories, we offer global perspective and local insight to help empower lives and build resilient nations. www.undp.org . SOURCE United Nations Development Programme Related Links www.undp.org SANTA MONICA, Calif., March 8, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Douglas Emmett, Inc. (NYSE: DEI), a real estate investment trust (REIT), announced today that its Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time on Thursday, May 30, 2019 at Suite 1000, 1299 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica, California 90401. Shareholders of record as of April 3, 2019 will be entitled to vote in person or by proxy at the meeting. About Douglas Emmett, Inc. Douglas Emmett, Inc. (DEI) is a fully integrated, self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust (REIT), and one of the largest owners and operators of high-quality office and multifamily properties located in the premier coastal submarkets of Los Angeles and Honolulu. Douglas Emmett focuses on owning and acquiring a substantial share of top-tier office properties and premier multifamily communities in neighborhoods that possess significant supply constraints, high-end executive housing and key lifestyle amenities. For more information about Douglas Emmett, please visit our website at www.douglasemmett.com. Safe Harbor Statement Except for the historical facts, the statements in this press release regarding Douglas Emmett's business activities are forward-looking statements based on the beliefs of, assumptions made by, and information currently available to us about known and unknown risks, trends, uncertainties and factors that are beyond our control or ability to predict. Although we believe that our assumptions are reasonable, they are not guarantees of future performance and some will inevitably prove to be incorrect. As a result, our actual future results can be expected to differ from our expectations, and those differences may be material. Accordingly, investors should use caution in relying on forward-looking statements to anticipate future results or trends. For a discussion of some of the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Stuart McElhinney, Vice President Investor Relations 310.255.7751 [email protected] SOURCE Douglas Emmett, Inc. Related Links http://www.douglasemmett.com CLEVELAND, March 8, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- On March 8, 2019, Berry Global, a leading packaging manufacturer, announced that it has agreed to acquire RPC Group, Europe's largest plastic packaging supplier, in a deal valued at $4.37 billion. If the deal goes through as planned, the combined firm will trail only the soon-to-be combined Amcor/Bemis (that transaction is due to close in the second quarter of 2019) in global plastic packaging sales. Freedonia Packaging Industry Analyst Chad Henry notes, "The primary effect will be to expand Berry Global more deeply into markets beyond North America." In 2018, nearly all of Berry Global's packaging sales were in North America. The merger will increase Berry Global's European share of net sales greatly as total revenue in the EMEAI region will rise from 10% to over 35%. According to Henry, "In many packaging product areas, the two companies were competitors. However, one area that would mark a significant change for Berry Global is rigid bulk packaging, where RPC Group is currently a top-five supplier of plastic pails of various sizes." Freedonia estimates that the US rigid bulk packaging industry generated more than $7 billion in sales in 2018. Another benefit to Berry Global would be the addition of the rotational molding technology expertise of the RPC Group. The company primarily uses this technology to keep costs low with some plastic parts produced in short runs, due to its low tooling costs. Additional analysis of opportunities and trends in the rigid bulk packaging industry can be found in Freedonia's report Rigid Bulk Packaging (to be published March 18). Coverage of this and other areas in plastic packaging can be found on the Freedonia Group Packaging Portal. About The Freedonia Group The Freedonia Group, a division of MarketResearch.com, is a leading international industrial research company publishing more than 100 studies annually. Since 1985 we have provided research to customers ranging in size from global conglomerates to one-person consulting firms. More than 90% of the industrial companies in the Fortune 500 use Freedonia Group research to help with their strategic planning. Each study includes product and market analyses and forecasts, in-depth discussions of important industry trends, and market share information. Studies can be purchased at www.freedoniagroup.com and are also available on www.marketresearch.com and www.profound.com. Press Contact: Corinne Gangloff +1 440.684.9600 [email protected] SOURCE The Freedonia Group Related Links https://www.freedoniagroup.com DUBLIN, March 8, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Biomimetic Technology Market: Focus on Medical & Robotics: (End-User and Application) - Analysis and Forecast, 2018-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global biomimetic technology market was valued at $6.80 billion in 2017 Rising demand for biomimetic nano drones for search and rescue, surveillance, and biomimetic technologies in medical prosthetics are the main factors driving the global biomimetic technology market. Biomimetic technology market is anticipated to exhibit fast-paced growth during the forecast period 2018-2028. Biomimetics is a field that has the potential to drive the major technological advances in various end-user industries such as medical and robotics. The emerging biomimetic technology is an asset in medical and robotics sectors. The biomimetic technology is of interest to engineers and researchers, as it is commonly used in robotics, nanotechnology, medical industry, artificial intelligence (AI), and the military. Search & Rescue & Prosthetics are the leading market applications in the global biomimetic technology market On the basis of application, the biomimetic technology market is classified into prosthetics, drug delivery, tissue engineering, wound healing in medical industry and search & rescue, surveillance, underwater research, security and safety, and traffic monitoring in robotics. The prosthetics segment dominated the biomimetic technology market in the medical sector. The growth in the market is mainly due to the increasing amputee population based on increasing accidents, diabetes, and vascular diseases, the dominance of the market is one of the crucial factors expected to drive the biomimetic prosthetic market. The robotics biomimetic technology market is expected to grow at the highest CAGR of 18.66% during the forecast period from 2018 to 2028. The penetration of biomimetic technology for nano drones in military/law enforcement has emerged with the development of latest innovations in nano technology. Globally, North America is one of the most prominent regions, which is continuously advancing its technologies related to bionic medical treatments. The North America region is one of the early adopters of biomimetic technology and is leading in biomimetic robots and medical material development. The North America biomimetic technology market is followed by Europe, which is estimated to be second in terms of revenue generation in the year 2017. The company profiles in the report include AeroVironment, Inc., and Wright Medical Group Inc., Avinent, Biomimetic Technology Inc., Chas. A. Blatchford & Sons Ltd, Hstar Technologies, Syntouch LLC, and Veryan Medical, among others. Key questions answered in the report: What was the size of the biomimetic technology market in terms of value ($million) in 2017, and what will be the growth rate during the forecast period 2018-2028? Which biomimetic technology application and end user is dominant in the forecast period? What is the revenue generated by the different end users and applications of the biomimetic technology market with the growth rate of all segments? What are the major market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the global biomimetic technology market? How is the competitive landscape shaping in the global biomimetic technology market? Who are the key players in the market, along with their detailed analysis & profiles (including their financials, company snapshots, key products & services, and SWOT analysis)? Key Topics Covered: Executive Summary 1 Market Dynamics 1.1 Market Drivers 1.1.1 Increasing Demand for Biomimetic Nano Drones 1.1.2 Growth in Tissue Engineering to Drive Medical Biomimetic Industry 1.2 Market Challenges 1.2.1 Privacy Concerns 1.2.2 Biomimetic is a Complex and Multi-Dimensional Technology with Operational Constraints 1.3 Market Opportunities 1.3.1 Rapid Growth in the Bio-Inspired Technologies 1.3.2 Burgeoning Prosthetics and Bionics Industry 2 Competitive Insights 2.1 Key Strategies & Developments 2.1.1 New Product Launch 2.1.2 Mergers & Acquisitions and Collaborations, Agreements, and Joint Ventures 2.1.3 Contracts 2.1.4 Other Developments 2.2 Competitive Benchmarking 3 Industry Analysis 3.1 Overview 3.2 Evolution of Biomimetic Nano UAV's 3.3 Global Drone Market: Regulatory Environment 3.3.1 Drone Regulatory Authorities (by Country) 3.3.2 Overview: Drone Regulations in the U.S. and Europe 3.4 Supply Chain Analysis 3.5 Industry Attractiveness 3.5.1 Threat from New Entrants 3.5.2 Threat from Substitutes 3.5.3 Bargaining Power of Buyers 3.5.4 Bargaining Power of Suppliers 3.5.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry 4 Global Biomimetic Technology Market, 2017-2028 4.1 Assumptions and Limitations 4.2 Market Overview 5 Global Biomimetic Technology Market (by Application) 5.1 Market Overview 5.2 Medical 5.2.1 Prosthetics 5.2.2 Drug Delivery 5.2.3 Tissue Engineering 5.2.4 Wound Healing 5.2.5 Others 5.3 Robotics 5.3.1 Search and Rescue 5.3.2 Surveillance 5.3.3 Underwater Research 5.3.4 Security and Safety 5.3.5 Traffic Monitoring 6 Global Biomimetic Technology Market (by End-User) 6.1 Market Overview 6.1.1 Medical 6.1.1.1 Key Materials in Medical Biomimetics Market 6.1.2 Robotics 6.1.2.1 Key Sensors in Robotics Biomimetics Market 7 Global Biomimetic Technology Market (by Region) 7.1 Market Overview 7.2 North America 7.2.1 North America Biomimetic Technology Market Size (by Application) 7.2.2 North America Biomimetic Technology Market Size (by Country) 7.2.2.1 The U.S. 7.2.2.2 Canada 7.3 Europe 7.3.1 Europe Biomimetic Technology Market Size (by Application) 7.3.2 Europe Biomimetic Technology Market Size (by Country) 7.3.2.1 Germany 7.3.2.2 The U.K. 7.3.2.3 France 7.3.2.4 Spain 7.3.2.5 Rest-of-Europe 7.4 Asia-Pacific 7.4.1 Asia-Pacific Biomimetic Technology Market Size (by Application) 7.4.2 Asia-Pacific Biomimetic Technology Market Size (by Country) 7.4.2.1 China 7.4.2.2 Japan 7.4.2.3 South Korea 7.4.2.4 Australia 7.4.2.5 India 7.4.2.6 Rest-of-Asia-Pacific 7.5 Rest-of-the-World 7.5.1 Rest-of-the-World Biomimetic Technology Market Size (by Application) 7.5.1.1 Brazil 7.5.1.2 Mexico 7.5.1.3 U.A.E. 7.5.1.4 South Africa 7.5.1.5 Others 8 Company Profiles AeroVironment, Inc. Avinent Biomimetics Technology Inc. Chas. A. Blatchford & Sons Ltd Hstar Technologies Syntouch LLC Veryan Medical Wright Medical Group Inc. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/zsktbn/global_biomimetic?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 LYNCHBURG, Va., March 8, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Liberty University extended a warm welcome to Argosy University students as they grapple with the news of the sudden mid-semester closure of their school. Lynchburg-based Liberty, which is offering Argosy students important discounts and aid for school transfers, is one of the leading online universities in the country and can fully accommodate transfers immediately, offered as a gesture of goodwill to Argosy students who should be supported at this critical time. Liberty University President Jerry Falwell, Jr. offered an invitation to Argosy students in the wake of the closure: "I want to personally invite the students who have been displaced by the closing of Argosy University to consider finishing out their degree programs with Liberty University. We're sorry for what you're currently experiencing. Our teams stand ready to welcome you and make your transition into Liberty smooth and free of frustration. Liberty University is here to stay and is here for you at this critical time." Liberty is fully committed to help Argosy students finish what they started and minimize both disruption to their studies and costs by offering significant tuition discounts to complete their degrees online, including: Application fees for Argosy students will be waived between March 10 and May 29, 2019 . . Any Argosy student who transfers their credits to Liberty will receive their first online course free of charge. will receive their first online course free of charge. After the first free course, Argosy students who are enrolled part time in at least 6 credit hours over the summer term will have their $199 technology fee waived, plus they can also take advantage of lower full-time tuition rates. technology fee waived, plus they can also take advantage of lower full-time tuition rates. Argosy students may transfer in a maximum of two-thirds of their program hours toward a graduate program (if approved and allowable). In order to help displaced Argosy students resume their studies with as little loss of academic credits as possible, Liberty has agreed to transfer more than 50 programs from Argosy. Resources have been set aside specifically to assist with this process. Support staff from Liberty is already making itself available to Argosy students to answer questions and provide more details on making a transition to Liberty. All interested transfer students should contact Liberty's admissions team by calling 800-424-9595, Monday Friday, 8 a.m. 8 p.m. EST, and Saturday, 10 a.m. 6 p.m. EST, or by emailing [email protected] . For more information a special webpage for Argosy University transfers has been created at www.luonline.com/argosy . About Liberty University Liberty University , founded in 1971, is the world's premier Christian university, one of the largest private, nonprofit universities in the nation, and the largest university in Virginia. Located near the Blue Ridge Mountains on more than 7,000 acres in Lynchburg, Va., Liberty offers more than 600 unique programs of study from the certificate to the doctoral level. Over 300 programs are offered online . Utilizing its world-class infrastructure and Christian faculty, Liberty's mission is to train Champions for Christ with the values, knowledge, and skills essential for impacting tomorrow's world. SOURCE Liberty University Related Links http://www.luonline.com Primary Industries Minister, Teresa Kok, opened the four-day event running from March 8-11 across two venues - Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) and Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC). According to show organiser, UBM Malaysia, pre-registered international buyers are up by 10% with very strong numbers from North America, Africa and Eastern Europe joining the traditional core of visitors from Southeast Asia and the rest of Asia. Like clockwork, MIFF 2019 kicks off the busiest time of the year for Malaysian manufacturers drawn by the show's ability to attract a highly diversified range of buyers from over 140 countries and rising sales performance. "MIFF will build on its strong legacy as a partner to the local industry to expand exports and drive growth and prosperity for all. We will increase our engagement with exhibitors and partners to ensure MIFF sustains its position as a unique trade show. We must work closer than ever because our future success depends on how well we can create new opportunities, new customers and new ways to bring innovative products to the market," said Datuk Dr Tan Chin Huat, MIFF Founder and Chairman in his welcome remarks. Buyers will have a lot to take in with latest products and new trends including fresh styles from up and coming designers, all under the theme "Design Connects People". There is loads of diversity as well with exhibitors from Malaysia, mainland China, Taiwan, Indonesia, South Korea, Japan, United States, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Portugal, New Zealand, Thailand, Vietnam and Romania. The spotlight falls on Muar, declared official Furniture City of Malaysia in April last year. The small southern township is an industry giant that accounts for 70% of Malaysia's furniture exports to over 160. Over 200 Muar companies are showing in MIFF 2019 with a large group assembled inside Muar Hall. MIFF and the Muar Furniture Association (MFA) have been strategic partners since 2013. Not to be outdone are signature attractions, MIFF Office, the largest office furniture showroom in Southeast Asia, designRena, lifestyle floor curated by top Malaysian manufacturers, International Hall, Sofa Hall, [email protected] showcase, MIFF Timber Mart, China Hall and Taiwan Hall. Also, making its presence for the first time in the show is the Professional Designers Programme (PDP) collaboration between Muar and Malaysian Timber Industry Board. A first-time surprise at the show is an exclusive Chinese ink painting exhibition titled "Ink from the East" by one the world's most renowned artists of the genre, Master Zhong Zheng Chuan, who is also a Malaysian. Meanwhile, MIFF 2019 is the first UBM Malaysia event to host a pavilion for the group's corporate social responsibility initiative Kind Malaysia to match businesses with projects undertaken by humanitarian non-governmental organisations. More information, visit www.miff.com.my. Notes to Editors About MIFF (www.miff.com.my) MIFF is organised by UBM Malaysia, a member of UBM Asia, which is a part of Informa PLC, a leading B2B information services group and the largest B2B Events organiser in the world. SOURCE UBM Asia (Malaysia) Related Links http://www.miff.com.my NEW ORLEANS, March 8, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., Esq., a partner at the law firm of Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF"), announces that KSF has commenced an investigation into SNC-Lavalin Group Inc. (OTC: SNCAF). On January 28, 2019, the Company disclosed that underperformance of a project had resulted in a lower-than-expected earnings before interest and taxes in its Mining & Metallurgy Segment in 2018. On this news, the price of SNC-Lavalin's shares plummeted $10.30 per share or 28% to close at $26.37 per share on January 28, 2019. KSF's investigation is focusing on whether SNC-Lavalin and/or its officers and directors violated state or federal securities laws. If you are a SNC-Lavalin shareholder and have suffered losses, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email ([email protected]), or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/otc-sncaf/ to learn more. About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC KSF, whose partners include the former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is a law firm focused on securities, antitrust and consumer class actions, along with merger & acquisition and breach of fiduciary litigation against publicly traded companies on behalf of shareholders. The firm has offices in New York, California and Louisiana. To learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com. Contact: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC Lewis Kahn, Managing Partner [email protected] 1-877-515-1850 1100 Poydras St., Suite 3200 New Orleans, LA 70163 SOURCE Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC Related Links http://www.ksfcounsel.com MIAMI, March 9, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- WOHASU today announced that the third annual H-20 Government Summit, sponsored by FreeBalance and WOHASU , will hold its first international edition on March 12, 2019, in Lisbon, Portugal. This year's Summit, an invitation-only roundtable with high-level government officials and civic leaders, is co-hosted by the Instituto Superior de Ciencias Sociais e Politicas ( ISCSP ) Universidade de Lisboa, and has positive peace as its theme. "The H-20 serves as a global platform to demonstrate that the science of happiness and national variations in the wellbeing of individuals are directly intertwined," said Manuel Schiappa Pietra, Chairman of the WOHASU Advisory Board, and President and CEO of FreeBalance. "We will address positive peace from the point of view of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Human Rights and Public Happiness, and we are honored to support the UNESCO Chair on Education for Global Peace Sustainability hosted by ISCSP." Furthermore, the H-20 Lisbon is particularly significant given the leadership position that Portugal holds as one of the six founding member countries of the Global Happiness Coalition launched in Dubai in 2018, and we are also pleased to feature an address by former President Laura Chinchilla of Costa Rica, also a founding member of the Coalition. Agenda HERE. Every March we gather stakeholders from the government, civic, corporate, academic, positive psychology, social and emotional intelligence, and human development sectors. WOHASU brings together the brightest thought leaders from each of these sectors. WOHASU features the private H-20 Government Summit and the World Happiness Summit, the three-day experiential public conference held on March 15-17, 2019, in Miami, FL. The H-20 is also a vehicle to expand the findings of the World Happiness Report and Global Happiness & Wellbeing Policy Report , issued in advance of the United Nations World Happiness Day on March 20th. Understanding these primary indicators can help improve policies to support better lives and foster smart prosperity. Contact: Amy Lukes +1(815) 768-5852 [email protected] SOURCE The World Happiness Summit Related Links https://worldhappiness.com Owashington, March 9 : US President Donald Trump will meet with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro in the White House on March 19, the White House said on Friday in a statement. Trump and Bolsonaro would discuss defence cooperation, trade policies, combating transnational crime, and Venezuela issues, according to the statement. The two leaders will also talk about their efforts to provide "humanitarian assistance" to Venezuela, Xinhua news agency reported. The US has piled up a large amount of "humanitarian aid" in the Colombian border city of Cucuta and Brazil's Boa Vista near its border with Venezuela. The Venezuelan government refused to let the aid cross the borders and called the aid operation a US-orchestrated show designed to lead to an eventual invasion. The US and Brazil recognized Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido as the nation's "interim president" on January 23, days after Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was inaugurated for a second term as president. In response to Washington's support for Guaido, Maduro announced he was severing "diplomatic and political" ties with the US, ordering all the US diplomatic and consular personnel to leave Venezuela in 72 hours. Maduro on February 21 also ordered to close the Venezuela-Brazil border because of Brasilia's support of Guaido. Washington, March 9 : Satellite images of a North Korean rocket assembly facility suggest possible launch preparations, an expert told CNN. The images, taken on February 22 by imaging company DigitalGlobe, reveal an uptick in activity at the facility in Sanumdong, a suburb of Pyongyang, Jeffrey Lewis, director of the East Asia Nonproliferation Project at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, Monterey, said on Friday. North Korea has previously assembled some of its intercontinental ballistic missiles and satellite-launching rockets at Sanumdong. Friday's development follows an assessment by US think tank 38 North that North Korea's Sohae Satellite Launch Facility, which had been partially disassembled as part of a pledge by Pyongyang leader Kim Jong-un, is now back to normal operational status after a flurry of restoration work in recent weeks. "We're seeing a lot of vehicle activity at the Sanumdong facility and also at the rail transfer point where it would be loaded and taken to Sohae," said Lewis, who has studied the images. "I think the evidence points to a satellite launch, and not just the evidence at Sanumdong, but also the evidence from Sohae." Lewis warned that it was impossible to know whether the North Koreans were preparing a military missile or a space rocket. It's also possible that the activity was a deliberate attempt to draw the attention of US spy satellites, he told CNN. Satellite launches use similar technology as ballistic missiles, and experts have long warned that North Korea's attempts to shoot satellites into space could help them develop viable long-range ballistic missiles. North Korea's missile programme made strides in 2017, with Pyongyang saying it successfully test-fired three intercontinental ballistic missiles. Experts say the Hwasong-15, which was launched last November, can likely hit much of the US. Srinagar, March 9 : The Indian Army on Saturday dismissed media reports that a soldier was abducted by militants in Jammu and Kashmir's Badgam district, adding that he was "safe". "Media reports of the abduction of a serving Army soldier on leave from Qazipora, Chadoora, are incorrect. (The) individual is safe. Speculations may please be avoided," a Defence Ministry statement said. The reports on Friday said that the soldier identified as Muhammad Yaseen of the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JAKLI) division had been abducted. Damascus, March 9 : The newborn son of Shamima Begum, a British teenager of Bangladeshi descent who ran away in 2015 to become an Islamic State (IS) jihadi bride, has died due to poor health in Syria, the Kurdish Red Crescent told CNN. Begum, 19, gave birth to her baby, Jarrah, in a Syrian refugee camp in February. After the baby's health deteriorated on Thursday, medical staff from the Kurdish Red Crescent transferred the mother and the infant from the al-Hawl camp to the main hospital in al-Hasakah city. The baby died a few hours after arriving at the hospital, the NGO told CNN on Friday. Begum's son is one of scores of children who have died fleeing from fighting in the Islamic State (IS) terror group's last remaining Syrian enclave Baghouz. Nearly 100 children have died en route or shortly after arriving at the al-Hawl refugee camp due to a lack of food, water and health care, according to the International Rescue Committee, adding that the situation there has reached a "breaking point". Begum left London to join the IS in Syria when she was 15. She made international headlines last month as she publicly pleaded with the UK government to be allowed to return. Her family is of Bangladeshi origin, according to Dal Babu, a former chief superintendent for the Metropolitan Police, who has been in contact with the family. However, the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry has said that Begum is not a Bangladeshi citizen, nor has she ever visited the country. Begum's sister, Renu, wrote to Home Secretary Sajid Javid last month asking for his help in bringing Shamima's newborn son to the UK. Caracas, March 9 : A massive power outage has left most of Venezuela without electricity. At least 70 per cent of the country still had no power on Friday evening, more than 20 hours after the massive outage, CNN reported. The blackout stopped mass transit in the capital of Caracas, shutting businesses and gas stations. State broadcaster VTV reported that some power had been restored but provided no specific numbers or locations. Miguel Lara, a former electricity executive at Venezuela's National Electric Corp. told CNN that the outage at Venezuela's main hydroelectric power station in Guri, Bolivar state, was most likely the result of old equipment and bad maintenance. "That damage happened because the machines are old," Lara said. "There are not any spare parts or enough people to upgrade the system." But authorities quickly blamed the blackout on anti-government saboteurs. Electricity Minister Luis Motta Dominguez called the blackout an "electricity war" and act of sabotage. President Nicolas Maduro posted on Twitter: "The electric war announced and led by the American imperialism against our people will be defeated. Nothing and no one can beat the people of Bolivar and Chavez. Maximum unity of the Patriots." Blackouts have become a daily occurrence across Venezuela as the economic crisis has worsened, but one of this magnitude was rare. Opposition leader Juan Guaido, who declared himself the country's acting president in January, described the blackout as further proof that time was almost up for Maduro. "Venezuela knows that the light will arrive with the end of the usurpation," Guaido tweeted on Friday. Washington, March 9 : US President Donald Trump's administration said that it intends to implement a ban on transgender people serving in the military after a federal court struck down the last injunction against the policy. Friday's announcement comes a day after US District Judge George Russell III said he was striking down the last of four injunctions against the transgender service member ban, reports The Hill magazine. Russell, an appointee of former President Barack Obama who serves on the US District Court for the District of Maryland, cited in his ruling the Supreme Court's 5-4 decision in January to stay two of the injunctions. Obama declared in 2016 that transgender service members would be allowed to serve openly, but Trump announced a reversal to that policy in 2017, saying that transgender troops would be prohibited from serving "in any capacity" . Four lawsuits were filed against the policy, and lower courts in all four cases issued injunctions to the rule as the cases made their way through various courts. Former Defence Secretary James Mattis laid out a policy in March 2018 that would allow transgender people to serve if they do so "in their biological sex". Advocacy groups have repeatedly slammed the policy as discriminatory against transgender people who simply seek to serve their country. Jaipur, March 9 : A Pakistani drone attempting to enter Indian territory across the Rajasthan border went back following its detection by the Border Security Forces (BSF), who tried to shoot it down, the BSF said. This was another of the drones from across the international border that tried to enter Indian territory at around 5 a.m. at Hindumalkot border near Sriganganagar, a BSF official said, adding that the moment it was sighted the troopers started firing, forcing it to return. Villagers residing along the western border also heard heavy firing. The drone returned safely across the border to Pakistan, a BSF official said. Mumbai, March 9 : Actor Irrfan Khan, who returned to India last month after receiving neuroendocrine tumour treatment in London, was spotted at Mumbai airport on Saturday. According to the photographs that surfaced online, Irrfan can be seen avoiding paparazzi at the airport as he chose to hide his face with a muffler. He was spotted wearing a pink jacket and camouflage pants. However, it was not clear where the "Piku" actor was heading to. Back in March last year, Irrfan had revealed that he has been diagnosed with a rare tumour. Soon after, he went to London for treatment. "The unexpected makes us grow, which is what the past few days have been about. Learning that I have been diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumour as of now has admittedly been difficult, but the love and strength of those around me and that I found within me has brought me to a place of hope," Irrfan earlier said while sharing the news of his tumour. It is also reported that the 52-year-old actor will soon start shooting the sequel of his 2017 film "Hindi Medium". Bengaluru/New Delhi, March 9 : Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Saturday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi and sought drought relief aid of Rs 2,064 crore for the southern state. "As frequent droughts and erratic rainfall have made agriculture unsustainable in the state... I request you to expedite the process to release Rs 2,064 crore from the National Disaster Response Fund," Kumaraswamy said in a memorandum submitted to Modi. The state has been reeling under drought due to scarce rainfall in the interior and northern districts and has also been affected due to the floods and landslides which hit Kodagu and Chikkamagaluru districts in August 2018. Prolonged dry spells and deficit rainfall have caused severe drought in 100 of the 176 talukas (sub-districts) in the state, Kumaraswamy informed the Prime Minister. Pegging the losses incurred due to the drought situation at Rs 16,500 crore, the state government had asked the Centre for an assistance of Rs 2,434 crore, but was granted only Rs 949.49 crore in January, he said. "Crop loss during kharif and rabi seasons altogether is Rs 32,335 crore, which has had adverse effect on the state's economy," the Chief Minister said. Kumaraswamy also sought Rs 1,351 crore towards the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). Kolkata, March 9 : A goods vehicle loaded with 1,000 kilograms of explosive material was intercepted here on Saturday and two persons have been arrested, police said. Based on prior information, the Special Task Force of Kolkata Police intercepted the commercial vehicle from Tala Bridge in Chitpur, in the early hours of the day. "About 1,000 kg of explosive substances (potassium nitrate) stored in 27 gunny bags were seized," a police officer said. The vehicle was coming from Odisha and heading towards North 24 Parganas district. Two residents of Odisha's Balasore district -- Indrajit Bhui (25) and Padmolochon Dey (31) -- have been arrested and further interrogation is underway. New Delhi, March 9 : With billionaire Nirav Modi, wanted in the Rs 13,500 crore PNB fraud case, tracked down to London, the Ministry of External Affairs on Saturday said that the extradition request for the absconding diamantaire is "still pending" with the United Kingdom government. The Indian government's response came soon after the UK's The Telegraph newspaper claimed that Nirav Modi has been spotted in London. "You are aware that we had made the request based on the information received from the ED (Enforcement Directorate) and the CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation). We had made the request for Nirav Modi's extradition with the UK authorities in August last year," MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar told media at a press conference here. He said that despite whatever we see on television today, the "status remains the same". "UK is still to respond and is considering our request for extradition of Nirav Modi," the spokesperson said. He said India had made the request for extradition of Nirav Modi from the UK, "as it was aware that he was in UK". He said: "Because he (Nirav Modi) has been spotted in UK doesn't mean that he can be immediately brought back to India as there is a process. We have made a request. It is for the UK government now to consider our request and respond to the CBI and the ED demands for his extradition." Pressed about the timeline of the last communication received from the UK authorities, he replied: "As far as the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is concerned, when we make a request for extradition then that request is sent on behalf of the investigative agencies. And in the last six months we have not received any request for any other documents." He said the ED had sent a request to the MEA in early August last year, and the Ministry forwarded that. The CBI sent the request in end August last year. "What we have been communicated is that both the requests are under consideration of the UK government," he said. Asked if the government was taking all necessary steps to extradite other fugitives on priority as in the case of Vijay Mallya, Kumar said, "We are following all the cases on priority. We will take all necessary steps." Earlier, the video released by The Telegraph newspaper showed Nirav Modi walking the London streets. He wore a changed look -- with a handle bar moustache and long hair. He is seen avoiding every question posed to him by the reporter, saying "no comment". The Indian intelligence agencies had already provided inputs about this new look of the fugitive billionaire. The newspaper report also stated that Nirav Modi against whom a Red Corner Notice has been issued by the Interpol, has been living in the city's West End area and has even started a new diamond business. An extradition request against Nirav Modi has been pending since last September before the UK authorities. Earlier on Saturday, the Congress slammed the Centre for its "failure" to bring back the fugitive diamantaire to justice while he apparently thrived elsewhere. Hitting out at the government, Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala in a video message said: "Today, the fugitive diamantaire 'chota Modi' Nirav Modi has been traced to London -- living a luxurious life in a Rs 75 crore flat and wearing a jacket worth 10,000 British pounds." "Is it right Modiji (Narendra Modi), that first someone rob Rs 23,000 crore from the banks; escape the country without any problem and then ridicule the investigative agencies like the CBI and the ED. "Modi hai to mumkin hai (Impossible is possible under Modi). It seems that Modiji is running Bank Fraudster Settlement Company. In five years Rs 1 lakh crore has been robbed by the fugitives and you were unable to catch them," he said. On February 26, the ED attached properties of Nirav Modi and his associate companies to the tune of Rs 147 crore in connection with its ongoing Punjab National Bank fraud probe. Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi are under probe by both the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the ED. The ED filed money laundering cases against them and others on February 15 on the basis of an FIR registered by the CBI. The ED has till date attached properties worth Rs 4,765 crore of Choksi and Nirav Modi. Singapore, March 9 : Hollywood actor Charlie Hunnam believes that the defining characteristic that determines success in showbiz is the desire to be a storyteller with purity and authenticity. He says success is having the ability to keep moving forward and going to work. Asked about the most futile aspect of being a star, Hunnam told select media including IANS here: "I would say almost everything about being famous is somewhat futile and irrelevant. Fame should be the perfume of great deeds. I've been in this business for 20 years and it seems the defining characteristic that determines success in this business is the desire to be a storyteller with purity and authenticity." "Success in this business is predicated on wanting to do as good a job and being compelled to tell stories and those that come in coveting fame and money and all the trappings of that tend to crash and burn really quickly." Hunnam, 38, who has acted in films including names such as "Pacific Rim" and "Cold Mountain", said acting is a fairly difficult job, and it's fairly difficult to sustain a career over many years. "Really, the only success is having the ability to keep moving forward and going to work. That really is the greatest success of an actor's career," he added. He will next be seen in Netflix's original film "Triple Frontier", which is slated to release on March 13. The film, directed by J.C. Chandor, tells the story of five former Special Forces operatives, who reunite to plan a heist in a sparsely populated multi-border zone of South America. "Triple Frontier", which had a theatrical release on March 6 in the US, also stars Oscar Isaac, Ben Affleck, Garrett Hedlund and Pedro Pascal. Asked about doing away with the idea of toxic masculinity in the post-#MeToo era, Hunnam said: "I don't believe that it is a celebration of toxic masculinity. It's a specific story about specific people and just the reality is that contingent of this area is dominated by men -- the special forces. It is slowly changing now... "We certainly explore that question whether or not the mission would've unravelled the way it does if there had been more gender equality in it... in a woman's point of view." (Durga Chakravarty is in Singapore on an invitation by Netflix. She can be contacted at durga.c@ians.in) Mumbai, March 9 : Legendary actor Victor Banerjee has not taken kindly to Congress politician Navjot Singh Sidhu's pacifist attitude to terrorism exported from Pakistan. "Sidhu, whom I privately politely tolerated as a farcical joker with Bollywood aspirations upto now, is a disgrace to the great Sikh people who have, for centuries, sacrificed thousands of lives for Hindustan, for India," said Victor. Victor reiterates that it is the armed forces and not politicians whom we need to respect. "Our armed forces, not our parliament of dunces, are our pride. Doubting our armed forces' integrity and honesty is a disgraceful travesty." The actor, who has played the lead in David Lean's "A Passage To India" and Satyajit Ray's "Ghare Baire", rues the decline in the credibility level in politics. "My opinion of our Parliamentarians is shared by all of us who are victims of governors who have ruled over us selfishly. Democracy in a socialist country is freedom in chains." However, BJP parliamentarian and actor Shatrughan Sinha defends Sidhu. "He should exercise more restraint in his public statements. But to say that there is no need to go to war with Pakistan is not wrong. We are going through an inflammatory phase in our nation's politics where you have to shout for war against Pakistan or you're branded a traitor with pro-Pakistani link. I think we should give peace a chance," said Sinha. Washington, March 9 : Satellite images suggest that North Korea could be preparing to launch a missile or space rocket in the near future, American analysts have said, signaling a potential blow to Washington-Pyongyang relations. The commercial images, taken on February 22 by imaging company DigitalGlobe, revealed an uptick in activity at a facility in Sanumdong, a Pyongyang suburb, CNN reported on Saturday. North Korea has previously assembled some of its intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) and satellite-launching rockets at Sanumdong. The release of the images follows an assessment by respected North Korea monitoring website 38 North that the Sohae satellite launch facility, which had been partially disassembled as part of disarmament steps, is now back to normal operational status after a flurry of restoration work in recent weeks. "We're seeing a lot of vehicle activity at the Sanumdong facility and also at the rail transfer point where it would be loaded and taken to Sohae," Jeffrey Lewis, director of the East Asia Nonproliferation Project at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, who has studied the new images, told CNN on Friday. "I think the evidence points to a satellite launch, and not just the evidence at Sanumdong, but also the evidence from Sohae." Satellite launches use similar technology as ballistic missiles, and experts have long maintained that North Korea's attempts to shoot satellites into space could help them develop viable long-range ballistic missiles. Lewis warned that it was impossible to know whether the North Koreans were preparing a military missile or a space rocket. It is also possible that the activity was a deliberate attempt to draw the attention of US spy satellites. The US State Department has declined to comment on the development. "Because that (Sanumdong) facility produces both ICBMs and space rockets, we don't know what's on the train," Melissa Hanham, a North Korea expert with the One Earth Future Foundation, told CNN. Hanham believes a satellite launch is the more likely scenario because there has never been an ICBM launch from Sohae. North Korea's missile programme made strides in 2017, with Pyongyang saying it successfully test-fired three ICBMs. The Hwasong-15, which was launched last November, can likely hit much of the US. Speaking on Wednesday before the release of the latest images, President Donald Trump said it was "too early to see" whether North Korean leader Kim Jong-un had restarted the country's missile testing programme but added that he would be "very disappointed" if that turned out to be the case. Kim and Trump held their second summit in Hanoi, Vietnam, on February 27-28 but it ended abruptly without any agreement. Brussels, March 9 : The European Union (EU) has said that US citizens will need a new type of visa, a European Travel Information and Authoriation System (ETIAS), to visit the European Schengen Area from 2021. Currently, American citizens can travel to Europe for up to 90 days without a visa, reports CNN. The Schengen Area is a zone of 26 European countries that do not have internal borders and allow people to move between them freely, including countries like Spain, France, Greece, Germany, Italy and Poland. To apply for the ETIAS, US citizens will need a valid passport, an email account and a credit or debit card, the EU said on Friday. Minors, the website said, will still only need their normal passports to travel after the visas go into effect. The Union said that the ETIAS visa is valid for three years and allows Americans to enter the Schengen Area as many times as necessary. On the ETIAS website, the EU said it "has recently decided to improve their security level to avoid any further problems with illegal migration and terrorism". The US has been in a dispute with the EU's European Parliament and European Commission over visas for Bulgaria, Croatia, Poland, Romania and Cyprus. The five countries are the only EU nations that US citizens need to apply for a visa. In June 2018, Parliament voted in favour of the Commission imposing visas on US citizens. Aizawl, March 9 : Assam Governor Jagdish Mukhi was on Saturday sworn-in as the 24th Governor of Mizoram after being given the additional charge. Gauhati High Court judge, Justice Nelson Sailo administered the oath of office to Mukhi at a simple ceremony in the Durbar Hall of Raj Bhavan here. President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday appointed Assam Governor Jagdish Mukhi to discharge the functions of the Mizoram Governor in addition to his own duties after the incumbent Governor Kummanam Rajasekharan quit the post amid speculation that he would be the BJP candidate in Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) constituency in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga, his cabinet colleagues, Chief Secretary Lalnunmawia Chuaungo, leaders of various political parties, senior civil and police officials and other dignitaries were present at the swearing-in ceremony. Rajasekharan, who assumed the office of governor on May 29 last year, began his political career as a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) activist in the 1970s and became chief of the Bharatiya Janata Party's Kerala unit in 2015. Thiruvananthapuram, March 9 : The CPI-M-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) on Saturday announced its list of 16 candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. The party's ally, the CPI, had earlier announced its four candidates. With this, the two communist parties are contesting all the 20 seats in Kerala, leaving nothing for the LDF's eight other allies. State CPI-M secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan told the media in the party headquarters here that the CPI-M has decided to field 14 on their symbol, while two of them would be fielded as LDF supported Independents. "In 2004, the LDF won 18 seats from Kerala and the Left was the backbone of the first UPA government. Our confidence levels are pretty high this time," said Balakrishnan. However in the 2014 polls, the LDF won in eight seats with the CPI-M candidates winning in five, LDF independents winning in two and CPI winning in one. This time P. Karunakaran who had completed a hat-trick of wins from Kasargode constituency has been dropped and in his place comes former party legislator K.P. Satish Chandran. The other candidates include sitting members P.K. Sreemathi (Kannur), M.B. Rajesh (Palakkad), P.K. Biju (Alathur) and A. Sampath (Attingal). Ace comedian Innocent's name after initial confusions has been cleared and he told the media that last time when he was fielded from Chalakudy, he had no clue of how things would pan out. "But after a five-year term, I know how and what can be done for my constituency and it will be done," said Innocent. Six sitting legislators are being fielded in the forthcoming polls. A. Pradeep Kumar (Kozhikode), A.M. Arif (Alappuzha)and Left Independent legislator Veena George (Pathanamthitta) are contesting on CPI (M) tickets; C. Divakaran ( Thiruvananthapuram) and Chittayem Gopakumar ( Mavelikera) are contesting on CPI tickets; and Left Independent legislator P.V.Anwar's will contest from the Ponnani Lok Sabha seat. Sitting Lok Sabha member Joyce George ( Idukki) like in 2014 will contest as a LDF independent. "What's the big deal if legislators are asked to contest. Last time too we fielded sitting legislators and this has been done in the past by the Congress also," said Balakrishnan. The biggest surprise in the list is party veteran P. Jayarajan, who is a former legislator and was jailed in two murder cases. He will contest from the Badagara seat in Kozhikode district. "Jayarajan is the biggest victim of violence in politics as his right hand was slashed when he was in his house by the RSS, some time back. He is only facing the trial as the case against him is going on," said Balakrishnan. V.N.Vasavan, a former legislator, has been fielded from Kottayam, while two former Rajya Sabha members P.Rajiv(Ernakulam) and K.N. Balagopal(Kollam) are also in the fray. V.P. Sanu, All India president of the Students Federation of India, has been fielded from Malappuram. "I am really excited that I have been asked to contest and everyone knows that I am pitted in a constituency that's the stronghold of the Indian Union Muslim League. But, of late, a change has started at Malappuram and I expect that I can change things through this elections," said the young Sanu. The two other CPI candidates includes Rajaji Mathew Thomas, who replaced sitting Lok Sabha member from Thrissur, C.N. Jayadevan and P.P. Suneer will contest from the Wayanad seat. Mumbai/New Delhi, March 9 : In a significant order, the Central Information Commission (CIC), has directed the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to provide the complete list with full details of arrested Indian and Pakistani civilians and fishermen to a Mumbai RTI activist within four weeks. The CIC's directions came on an appeal filed by activist Jatin Desai, an India-Pakistan peace crusader, seeking details of the full lists as submitted by the governments of the two neighbours to each other. "Under the Agreement on Consular Access, 2008, both -- India and Pakistan -- exchange lists of prisoners in each other's countries in their custody on January 1 and July 1 every year. They include both civilians and fishermen," Desai told IANS. Till July 2017, Desai said he was provided the exact copies of the lists exchanges by both sides vide RTI applications. "However, when I sought copies of the lists exchanged between the two countries on January 1, 2018, I was shocked to see the Chief Public Information Officer (CPIO) of MEA giving only a small portion of data from the lists - pertaining to the names and parents' names of the arrested civilians and fisherfolk," Desai said. All other details like the date and place of arrests, the charges they were slapped with, the date when they were provided consular access by both countries were 'missing' from the lists Desai got. After his appeals with the MEA, finally the CIC Sudhir Bhargava gave Desai and the MEA's CPIO a detailed hearing, on February 28, 2019. The MEA contended that providing any other details -- barring the names and parentage of the prisoners -- would affect national security, and hence it was exempted from disclosure under the RTI Act, Section 8(1)(a). However, the MEA failed to explain to the CIC how disclosure of this information would affect national security. In his order, CIC Bhargava ruled: "An information shall be ordinarily provided in the form in which it is sought unless it would disproportionately divert the resources of the public authority or would be detrimental to the safety or preservation of the record in question." Accordingly, he ordered the CPIO, MEA to provide the full information sought by the RTI activist within four weeks, and disposed off the appeal. "This is an important order as the complete lists would give an idea of the arrests details, the charges they face, whether consular access was given or not within the mandatory period of three months after they were nabbed," Desai said. Currently, as of January 1, 2019, there are 537 Indian prisoners of which 483 are fishermen. Similarly, there are 348 Pakistani prisoners in different Indian jails. Of them, 99 are fishermen. Both sides use words like "Indian or believed to be Indian" or "Pakistani or believed to be Pakistani" till their citizenship details are verified, said Desai. The full data of the prisoners also help the families of the arrested persons on both sides of the border to keep track of the progress of the cases going on against them in the courts, the kind of punishment and some indicator of when they are likely to return home, besides follow-up in case of their illness or death while in custody. (Quaid Najmi can be contacted at q.najmi@ians.in) New Delhi, March 9 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Saturday said the UK Home Secretary has referred India's request to extradite fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi to a court there for initiating legal proceedings. "The UK Central Authority of Home Office has confirmed that the extradition request has been sent to the Westminster Magistrate Court for further proceedings," said an official. The request to the court was forwarded by the UK Home Office a few days ago, the official added. The request for extradition of Nirav Modi, wanted in the Rs 13,500 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, was sent to the UK authorities in July 2018. His remarks came after The Telegraph, a British newspaper, claimed that Modi has been spotted in London. Earlier in the day, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, based on the information received from the ED and the CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation), the Ministry had made the request for Nirav Modi's extradition with the UK authorities in August 2018. "The UK is yet to respond and is considering our request for extradition of Nirav Modi," Kumar said. Despite whatever we see on television today, the "status remains the same", he added. When asked about the last communication from UK authorities, he said: "As far as the Ministry of External Affairs is concerned, when we make a request for extradition then that request is sent on behalf of the investigative agencies. In the last six months, we have not received any request for any other documents." Earlier, a video released by The Telegraph showed Modi walking the London streets. He sported a new look -- handle bar moustache and long hair -- and is seen avoiding questions posed to him, replying "no comments". Indian intelligence agencies had provided inputs about the fugitive billionaire's new disguise. The newspaper report also stated Modi, against whom a red corner notice has been issued by the Interpol, has been living in the city's West End area and has even started a new diamond business. An extradition request against him has been pending with the UK authorities since September 2018. On February 26, the ED attached Rs 147 crore properties of Modi and his associate companies in connection with the PNB probe. Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi are under the CBI and the ED probe. The ED filed money laundering cases against them and others on February 15 on the basis of an FIR registered by the CBI. They are accused of defrauding state-run PNB of Rs 13,500 crore in connivance with certain bank officials by fraudulently getting the letters of undertaking (LoUs) and letters of credit (LoCs) issued without following the prescribed procedure. The ED had on May 24 and May 26 filed charge sheets against the two and a court had issued non-bailable warrants against them. The Interpol had issued a red corner notice against Modi, his brother Neeshal and sister Purvi -- both Belgian citizens -- as well as Mihir Bhansali and Aditya Nanvati, close associates of Modi. However, a red corner notice request against Choksi who acquired Antiguan citizenship in January 2018 was approved later in December. Both left India in the first week of January 2018, weeks before the scam was reported to the CBI. The ED has till date attached Rs 4,765 crore properties of Choksi and Modi. Singapore, March 9 : Hollywood star Ben Affleck who is gearing up for the release of his next film "Triple Frontier" on Netflix declined commenting on filmmaker Steven Spielbergs push for blocking streaming of movies from the Oscars. Spielberg's Academy Award attention was devoted to ensuring that the race never sees another "Roma", a Netflix film backed by massive sums, that didn't play by the same rules as its analog-studio competitors, reported indiewire.com. He feels Netflix should only compete for awards in the Emmy arena. As the Academy Governor representing the directors' branch, Spielberg is eager to support rule changes when it convenes for its annual post-Oscar meeting. Affleck said: "That's really a question for various other interested outside groups and how they define the popular arts... that they are interested to give awards to or not or how you are kind of qualified for that which I am not. I am not on the board of governors of the AMPAS (Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences) or any other group." "Triple Frontier", slated for release on March 13 and directed by J.C. Chandor, tells the story of five former Special Forces operatives who reunite to plan a heist in a sparsely populated multi-border zone of South America. "Triple Frontier", which had a theatrical release on March 6 in the US, also stars Oscar Isaac, Garrett Hedlund and Pedro Pascal. Kathmandu, March 9 : A trekking guide died and a Dutch national went missing in an avalanche along the Annapurna Circuit trekking route in Nepal, police said. The deceased was identified as Ajay Dhakal, 25, from Dhading district and the missing Dutch as Bloem Vincent, Inspector Shrawan Kumar BK said, adding the body was found on Friday. Dhakal phoned his family members after he climbed down Pisang on February 26, the police said, adding that the duo might have climbed down on February 27. The area was witnessing snowfall since then which might have buried Dhakal, police said. The police were contacted by the mountaineers' kin and the trekking company, who took Vincent's tour order, after contact was lost for a week. The incident site is 14 km from District Police Office in Chame in Upper Mustang. The roads in the area have been disrupted due to avalanche. The Armed Police Force and Nepal Police personnel have been deployed to search for the missing Dutch national, DSP Nil Kamal Acharya said. Rohtak : , March 9 (IANS) Haryana's ruling BJP said on Saturday that it was capable of fighting the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections on its own and was focussing on winning all the 10 parliamentary seats in the state. "The BJP is capable of contesting and winning the elections on its own," the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) state in-charge Anil Jain told media after a meeting of party leaders here. The meeting was attended by senior party leader Kalraj Mishra, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, state BJP president Subhash Barala, ministers and legislators. "We are focussing on winning all 10 Lok Sabha seats in the state," Khattar told reporters. Barala said that the opposition parties had no issues for the forthcoming elections, alleging that the Congress and Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) were even unable to find candidates to field in the elections. The BJP has been in power in Haryana since October 2014, while it had won seven out of the 10 Lok Sabha seats in the 2014 parliamentary elections. The INLD won two seats and the Congress bagged one seat. Patna, March 9 : Shatrughan Sinha, Uday Singh, Kirti Azad, Arun Kumar, Mahboob Ali Qaiser, Pappu Yadav and Anant Singh are all non-Congress politicians but share one thing in common: They are keen to contest upcoming Lok Sabha polls in Bihar as the Grand Old Party's candidates. They are among nearly a dozen non-Congress leaders keen on a party ticket to contest the polls. More than the ruling BJP and its major ally, the JD-U of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, or the main opposition RJD, the Congress has become the most sought-after party by well-known disgruntled leaders of other parties. Unlike during the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, it's a different Congress this time around. It is aggressive and not ready to follow the dictat of RJD chief Lalu Prasad, its ally. Bollywood actor-turned-politician and disgruntled incumbent BJP MP from Patna Saheb Satrughan Sinha "is ready to opt for the Congress if the party offers him a ticket as his chances of getting a BJP ticket is almost nil after he repeatedly targeted the party and Prime Minister Narendra Modi", a close aide of his told IANS. According to the aide, Sinha may join the Congress after party president Rahul Gandhi clears a ticket for him. "Shatrughan Sinha had met Lalu in Ranchi (where he is serving time after being convicted of graft), his wife (and former Chief Minister Rabri Devi) and (son) Tejashwi Yadav in Patna in recent days. But it had nothing to do with RJD ticket; it was more to pressurise the Congress to give him a ticket. One thing is clear: Satrughan Sinha will not join the RJD as it will annoy his upper caste supporters," the aide explained. Senior BJP leader and former MP from Purnea, Uday Singh, who had resigned from the party last January, is also standing in line for a Congress ticket. Singh's turn-around came after the the BJP finalised its seat-sharing pact with the JD-U and decided to contest from 17 of Bihar's 40 seats - but not from Purnea. Singh is the brother of N.K. Singh, a retired bureaucrat who is the Chairman of the 15th Finance Commission and a senior BJP member. Arun Kumar, a disgruntled member of the Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP) who represented Jehanabad in the outgoing Lok Sabha, is also in talks with the Congress to contest on its ticket. He is confident of victory with the support of the Grand Alliance or mahagathbandan, of which the Congress is a part. BJP ally LIP's Mahboob Ali Qaiser (Khagaria) is also keen to return to Congress as the BJP is eyeing his seat under the NDA's seat-sharing formula.Qaiser,a traditional Congress member, joined the LJP of Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan in 2014 after the party denied him a ticket. Two Bahubali leaders, including Pappu Yadav, expelled from the RJD and who represented Madhepura and an independent legislator, Anant Singh, are also in touch with the Congress for tickets. "Both will join Congress after they would be assured of tickets," party leader said. But both Yadav and Singh, are known criminals-turned-politicians. If Yadav was once closed to Lalu Prasad, Singh was close to Nitish Kumar. In last two months sone well-known leaders from other parties have joined the Congress. Prominent among them is the NCP's Tariq Anwar (Katihar), suspended BJP member Kirti Jha Azad (Darbganga) and former MP Lovely Anand, wife of jailed Bahubali and former MP Anand Mohan. Bihar Congress president Madan Mohan Jha told IANS that some leaders of BJP and other parties "are in touch with us. Congress is happy to welcome those who want to join the party ahead of polls.It will strengthen the party. Few of them may contest as Congress candidates but it is not yet finalised". (Imran Khan can be contacted at imran.k@ians.in) New Delhi, March 9 : With billionaire Nirav Modi, wanted in the Rs 13,500 crore PNB fraud case, tracked down to London, the Congress on Saturday slammed the Centre for its "failure" to bring back the fugitive diamantaire to justice while he apparently thrived elsewhere. The Opposition's attack came soon after the UK's The Telegraph newspaper claimed Nirav Modi has been spotted in London. "In 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised to bring back Rs 80 lakh crore black money, and deposit Rs 15 lakh in the bank accounts of each Indian. But instead he has ensured that Rs 1 lakh crore of honest taxpayers' deposits are now being freely used by fraudsters to lead a luxurious, guilt-free life in foreign shores," Congress spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi said at a media briefing, here on Saturday. Chaturvedi also alleged Modi turned a blind eye to the Rs 26,306 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam for more than eight months, thereby allowing the fugitives a "free pass to flee India". Hitting out at the government, Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said in a video message: "Today, the fugitive diamantaire 'chota Modi' has been traced to London, living a luxurious life in a Rs 75 crore flat and wearing a jacket worth 10,000 British pound." "It is right Modiji (Narendra Modi), first rob Rs 23,000 crore from the banks; escape the country without any problem and then ridicule the investigative agencies like the CBI and the ED. It seems that Modiji is running Bank Fraudster Settlement Company. "You (Modi) promised to bring back Rs 80,000 crore black money but instead you allowed Rs 1 lakh crore to be robbed from banks. It is because 'Modi hai to mumkin hai' (Impossible is possible under Modi)," Surjewala said. Earlier, a video released by The Telegraph showed Nirav Modi walking the London streets sporting a changed look with a handle bar moustache and long hair. He was seen avoiding questions posed at him by the reporter by saying "no comments". The Indian intelligence agencies had already provided inputs about the fugitive billionaire's new disguise. The newspaper report also stated Nirav Modi, against whom a red corner notice has been issued by the Interpol, has been living in London's West End area and has even started a new diamond business. An extradition request against Nirav Modi has been pending since last September before the UK authorities. On February 26, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) attached the Rs 147 crore properties of Nirav Modi and his associate companies in connection with the PNB fraud probe. Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi are under probe by both the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the ED. The ED filed money laundering cases against them and others on February 15 on the basis of an FIR registered by the CBI. The ED has till date attached Rs 4,765 crore properties of Choksi and Nirav Modi. South African Open hosted by the City of Johannesburg Randpark GC, Johannesburg, South Africa Jammu, March 9 : Indian and Pakistan armies exchanged heavy fire on the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district on Saturday after Pakistan violated the ceasefire, a defence official said. "At about 6 p.m., Pakistan initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by shelling with mortars and firing of small arms along the LoC in Sunderbani sector of Rajouri," Defence Ministry spokesman, Lt Col Devender Anand said. "Indian Army is retaliating effectively." Breaking a two-day lull, the two sides had exchanged heavy fire in the LoC in Poonch district on Friday after Pakistan began targeting Indian positions. Authorities have closed all educational institutions within 5 km distance of the LoC in Poonch and Rajouri districts. Mumbai, March 9 : Maharashtra Navnirman Sena President Raj Thackeray on Saturday claimed another "Pulwama-like attack would be organised within a couple of months", at the height of the Lok Sabha elections. "Mark my words - another 'Pulwama-type' strike will be organised in the next two months, during the Lok Sabha elections, to divert peoples' attention from all problems to patriotism," he said, addressing the MNS' 13th anniversary celebrations. This is because, Thackeray alleged, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have "miserably failed" in all their policies, including the Ram temple issue. New Delhi, March 9 : Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said here on Saturday India has "exposed" Pakistan's "nuclear bluff" by carrying out air strikes on a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror camp at Balakot on February 26. Participating in India TV's "Aap Ki Adalat" programme, Jaitley said: "India fought and won conventional wars against Pakistan in 1965, 1971 and during the Kargil conflict. Since then, Pakistan's army has realised that because of our huge economy and superior military strength, conventional wars cannot be won." He said the Pakistan army then chose two options -- one, fighting a proxy war with the help of terrorists, and two, projecting a nuclear bluff. "Since both the countries are armed with nuclear weapons, the nuclear bluff was their second option. But it has been exposed this time," Jaitley said. The Finance MInister said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken India's policy vis-a-vis Pakistan a bit further. "Till now, Pakistan's policy was to send terrorists to carry out attacks, while our policy was to be defensive. Modiji has brought a small change in that. While we will continue to defend, we will also attack the main sources of terrorism. The 2016 surgical strike was our first step, and the latest air strikes were the second," he said. Jaitley said a misunderstanding was being created about not crossing the Line of Control (LoC). "This time, the world powers supported us when our air force struck at the Jaish terror camp. Not only the US, the UK, Europe or Russia, even China released a neutral statement," he said. Hitting out at the opposition parties for demanding evidences of Jaish terrorists killed in the IAF air strikes, Jaitley said: "These parties and leaders should know that operational details of the armed forces are never shared." "The army or the air force doesn't share operational details in public anywhere in the world. The US carried out attack in Abbotabad (Pakistan), killed Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden, took his body away and threw it into the ocean. No operational details were shared," he said. Jaitley said it was unfortunate that some opposition leaders were indulging in foolish politics. "They are unknowingly becoming witnesses for the Pakistan government. I feel people of India will teach them a lesson for raising the TRPs of Pakistani news channels, which are telecasting their statements. These leaders will have to face the wrath of the people in India," Jaitley said. He also attacked Congress leader Kapil Sibal who had questioned the success of the IAF air strike, saying "it was unfortunate that such leaders are in public life". Jaitley also pointed out it was the Pakistani army, and not its civilian government, which first broke the news about the Indian air strikes. "The air strikes were over by 4 a.m. and at 4.45 a.m. the Pakistan army spokesman tweeted that Indian aircraft violated their air space and struck using 1,000 kg payloads but were forced to flee." "There are two plausible reasons, why they first broke the news. First, the Pakistan army had created a big aura about its prowess among Pakistanis, and it did not want its image to be dented. That is why they tweeted that Indian aircraft came, dropped 1,000 kg payloads on an open area and fled. "The second reason is more vital. Had the Pakistan army admitted that IAF aircraft crossed its air space and bombed its buildings, the first question that would have been raised was, what was the extent of damage? Experts would have come for a survey of the buildings and would have asked who were the people staying inside," Jaitley said. "In that case, Pakistan would have been compelled to reveal names of scores of Jaish commanders and the old and new fidayeen who died inside. "Also, look at the consequences. The UN Security Council is now going to impose sanctions against JeM, while the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has put Pakistan in the 'grey list'," he said. Greater Noida, March 9 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, here on Saturday, Noida would get an international airport at Jewar, which would the biggest airport in the country. "Jewar is going to have the country's biggest airport and all the formalities for it are being completed," Modi said at a function after laying the foundation stones for a number of projects, including a power plant at Khurja and an archaeological institute. "Noida will get air connectivity and there will be no need to go to Delhi for air travel," he said. Modi also said in the next few weeks, Bareilly in UP too would be on the air connectivity map. New Delhi, March 9 : With nationalist sentiments on a high after the suicide attack that left 40 CRPF troopers dead, it is the Kashmiris around the country who have felt the heat. Post-February 14 Pulwama attack, a helpline for students from the state in the NCR area received over 500 calls -- more than 25 calls a day. Vidushi Kapoor, Jammu and Kashmir's Liaison Officer in-charge of Delhi-NCR area, told IANS that although no major incident was reported, she received around 500-600 calls, especially from Dehradun, from Kashmiri students saying that they are "feeling insecure". "Police and college authorities were very helpful. Full security and support was provided to the students at all times," she said. However, the charged-up environment and reports from other areas has prompted many Kashmiri students to return home, she added. "The environment has cooled down now, but two weeks were quite upsetting... the students were really scared." Kapoor is one of the seven Liaison Officers appointed around the country by the state government in November 2018 for support of students from the state. After the attack, their contacts were published in newspapers and social media to enable students to contact them. More worryingly, the situation also shows that the rift between the state's three major regions - Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh - extends to influence the perception of their people around India. Kapoor noted that the helpline had not got a single call from any students from the Jammu region. Meanwhile, it is those from the Kashmir Valley who are squeezed between the terror outfits and the security forces. Noting how all this takes a mental toll on its residents, Mehr (name changed), a 21-year-old living in the Kashmir Valley, said: "We are in repressive conditions. Being surrounded by security men is normal for us...livelihood, schools being suspended is normal." About the Pulwama attack, she said: "Violence wouldn't solve the issue. The attack was not a good thing" but noted that people joined militancy because of "excesses". Taniya Tikoo, a Kashmiri Pandit living in Delhi, said it is best for both India and Pakistan if Kashmiris are allowed to have a dialogue among themselves. "It will be a win-win situation for everyone," she said. People from Jammu region have a different take. Citing the recent grenade attack in Jammu bus stand, Delhi University student Saloni, who hails from Kathua, said, "A lot of violence has shifted to Jammu (region)." She demanded greater linkage between the state and India. "India has been investing so much... we should be integrated with the rest of the country and Articles 370, 35A (of the Constitution) should be scrapped - they have done no good so far." Hitu, another girl from Jammu region studying in Delhi, however, said whenever any violence takes place in Kashmir, it affects everyone including "our schools, banks, highways also close". She also said that people from Jammu and Ladakh region "have a general feeling of being ignored by the leaders". Jigmat Paljor, President of the Ladakh Student Welfare Society in Delhi, is in agreement with his Jammu counterparts - but to a point. Paljor told IANS how his people feel alienated because with all focus on Kashmir, issues of Ladakh, which is the state's biggest region but sparsely populated, get overlooked. About the challenges Ladakh faces after a Pulwama-type attack, he said its economy suffers since it is almost fully dependent on tourism. "And since Ladakh has a border with both Pakistan and China, there is always fear of tensions escalating...." While Paljor maintains Kashmir is an integral part of the country, he wants Articles 370 and 35A to stay as his region "is very fragile and susceptible in terms of economy, culture, language, environment, from outside influence". (Muskan Aggarwal can be contacted at muskan.a@ians.in) Thiruvananthapuram, March 9 : A man on Saturday was taken into custody by the police after a Delhi-based woman pilot filed a complaint, accusing him of verbally abusing her at the airport here, officials said. The incident occurred after 11 p.m. on Friday. After finishing duty, the woman pilot was waiting for her vehicle at the airport to go to the hotel, when a man started abusing her verbally, the police said. "She had identified him as a taxi driver. We registered a complaint and her statement was recorded," said the police. After she filed complaint, the CCTV visuals were examined. The man, a Thiruvanathapuram resident, has been taken into custody, police said. His vehicle is also in police custody. Gwalior, March 9 : The Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha (ABPS) of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) passed a resolution on "Bharatiya family system: A unique contribution to humanity" at its three-day meet in Kedardham in Madhya Pradesh, on Saturday. The ABPS, the top decision making body of the RSS, said the resolution was of firm opinion that "there is a need for comprehensive and immense efforts to sustain the lively and value-based nature of our family system." Through day-to-day behaviour and conduct, it should be ensured that the family life worked for building character, enriching life-values and strengthening mutual relationships, it said. "The family life will be joyous and blissful through dining, praying, celebrating festivals and going on pilgrimage together, the use of mother tongue, insistence on Swadeshi and nourishing and protecting family and social traditions. "Family and society are complimentary to each other. To instil the sense of social responsibility, encouraging donations for social, religious and educational cause and readiness to help the needy as per ability should become the nature of our family," the resolution said. Remarking that with the passage of time, some distortions and rigidity have crept in our society. it said ill-practices like dowry, untouchability and discrimination, ostentatious and extravagant spending, superstitions were creating obstacles in the all round development of the society. It lauded the steps taken by the Union government to recognise contributions of the Azad Hind Sarkar and appealed countrymen to organise events to make the youth aware of its inspiring and glorious history. Talking to the media, RSS Sah-Sarkaryavah (joint General Secretary) Dattatreya Hosabale said the 75th anniversary of the Azad Hind Fauj government should be celebrated all over the country. New Delhi, March 9 : Saudi Arabias Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir will visit India on Monday to discuss some important follow-ups from the visit of the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to India last month. During his visit, he will meet External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. This will be third meeting between the two leaders in over a fortnight. The two leaders had met during the OIC meeting in Abu Dhabi earlier this month. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar told reporters here that the Saudi minister is visiting to discuss "some important follow-ups from the recent visit of the Saudi Crown Prince to India". The Saudi minister met Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday in Islamabad. Responding to query if he was coming as a mediator due to tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pulwama terror attack, Kumar said there has been no offer of any mediation from any country. "Not from the Saudis, not from any country that there can be any mediation and I think our position is very clear on that," he said. New Delhi, March 9 : India said on Saturday that the meeting next week with Pakistan to discuss the modalities for the Kartarpur corridor was in no way a resumption of a bilateral dialogue. "It is not any resumption of bilateral talks, let me make it very clear that it is not in any way a resumption of a bilateral dialogue. It is related to emotions and sentiments of the Indian citizens of the Sikh faith and our decision to meet reflects our strong commitment to operationalize the Kartarpur Sahib corridor on the occasion of 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said here in response to queries. He said there is need to understand the objective of the meeting. "It has nothing to do with any kind of the resumption of bilateral talks. This is to respect the sentiments and the will of the Indian citizens of Sikh faith and this has been a long pending demand and this meeting is going to address that part which we have announced in the press release. We are happy that now the Pakistanis are coming for this meeting on March 14," he said. He also ruled out the two countries departing from the scheduled agenda and discussing the prevailing tension. "I don't think there is any mention of any such thing which you are referring to in our statement. We issued a press statement last night, another press statement has been issued earlier as well about what is the purpose of Kartarpur talks and the meeting which is now going to take place in Attari," he said. Mexico City, March 10 : At least 14 people were killed and several others injured in a bar attack in central Mexico, media reported on Saturday. The attack was carried out by a group of armed men at a nightclub named "La Playa" in the early hours of Saturday in Salamanca, Guanajuato state, said the reports, Xinhua news agency reported. Local media earlier reported that at least 13 people were killed at the scene, between four and seven injured people were rushed to nearby hospitals, and one of them died due to serious wounds. The nightclub is located in the northwestern part of Salamanca, a city affected by disputes between criminal gangs seeking control of the fuel theft from a refinery the state-owned oil company Pemex established in the city. According to local media, the police found about 70 bullet casings fired by the attackers who later escaped in a van. Until Saturday morning, the security agencies of Guanajuato had not issued any official information about the incident. The North Columbia Schoolhouse Cultural Center is proud to host an Artist Reception for visual artist Claire Pupo, taking place at 17894 Tyler Foote Rd in Nevada City, California on Saturday March 9th from 6-10 pm, and featuring Stephanie Ulrichs Psychic Snake Readings. Claire Pupo is a visual artist from Spokane, WA currently living in Northern California. She received her BFA in painting from Marylhurst University outside of Portland, OR in 2013. Pupo has shown her work in Portland, OR, Louisville, KY, and Gold Country in Northern CA. Claire Pupos move to Gold Country in 2016 came at an intense time of struggle with a neurological disorder called misophonia and within the midst of a massive transition through heartbreak, personal growth, and spiritual development. Coupled with the overwhelming natural beauty of the area, Claire Pupo found inspiration to create works that relay her experience with surprise, adaptation, intense meditation, and self-care. The playful element to some of the work derives from Claire Pupos fascination with psychology, namely the Rorschach Test of the 1930s. Many of Claire Pupos works are created based on her interpretation of paint blots on paper that she cuts out and pastes onto her painting surfaces. The magic is using her connection to Source/Guidance/The One to create environments for these blots that eventually lead to their anthropomorphication and the construction of narratives between them. Along with the paint blots, the serpent is a powerful symbol of divinity and personal spiritual development in Claire Pupos work. In late summer and early fall of 2018, Claire Pupo found herself in a sticky situation that provided an overwhelming amount of stress, shame, and intense self-transformation. It was at this time Claire Pupo began to create images of a double headed serpent in many of her pieces. The double heads represent the overarching and oftentimes frustrating duality of nature: Macro and Micro. Life and Death. Dark and Light. Wants vs Needs. Growth vs Stagnation. However, the double headed serpents also represent an attempt to revitalize a connection to past selves and foster those relationships while trying to stay present and heal. Ultimately, the lesson and healing message from the double headed serpent is to realize that everything is perfect because it simply IS. Past and present and future exist simultaneously, and information can be gathered from each place at any time if the desire is present. Death is Life and Life is Death. Visual artist Claire Pupo creates acrylic paintings and other special pieces focused on the strange juxtaposition of the outrageously meta nuances of contemporary life and the attempt to journey toward elusive spiritual awakening. Inspiration for the work is derived from Claire Pupo's experiences with synesthesia, misophonia, feminism, and the ethereal. If you would like more information about this topic, please call Claire Pupo at (509) 863-3101, or email claire.pupo (at) gmail (dot) com or visit http://www.clairepupo.com. The Hydrosize Carbon Series will be prominently featured in Hall 5, Booth C34 at JEC World 2019. The show is being held March 12-14 in Paris. Michelmans new Hydrosize Carbon fiber sizing solutions allow customers to leverage carbon fibers unique benefits and produce higher quality composite parts. Part of Michelmans Hydrosize brand family of water-based sizing solutions, Hydrosize Carbon, allows carbon fiber manufacturers to optimize the interfacial adhesion between the polymers and the fibers by tailoring the surface chemistry of their reinforcement fibers to the chemistry of the matrix resin. These various series of grades offer a wide variety of solutions depending on resin compatibility, fiber type, and desired composite performance. Designed for polyamides including high-temperature applications, the Hydrosize Carbon 200 Series is APE, solvent, and VOC-free and is perfect for fiber reinforced nylon composites where greater thermal stability is required. Coolant pumps are a typical automotive application. Other benefits of these small particle size dispersions include excellent film-forming properties and high strand integrity. Formulated for polycarbonates (PC) and other PC blends such as PC-ABS, the Hydrosize Carbon 300 Series produces good chemical resistance along with interfacial adhesion to polymer systems. Appropriate applications include laptop cases or other electronic components. Their Hydrosize Carbon 400 Series include high-performance grades that can withstand the extreme processing temperatures that many high-temperature thermoplastics require. Appropriate materials include PEEK, PPS, PEI, and others used to produce various composite engine components. This Series exhibits excellent thermal stability, mechanical properties, and low creep. It is especially suited for chopped carbon fiber applications. Finally, the Hydrosize Carbon 700 Series is formulated to improve the performance of carbon fiber reinforced vinyl ester composites and is perfect for under-the-hood applications. Its proprietary chemistry allows for increased adhesion between the carbon fiber and various vinyl ester compounds. The Hydrosize Carbon Series will be prominently featured in Hall 5, Booth C34 at JEC World 2019. The show is being held March 12-14 in Paris. About Michelman Michelman is a global developer and manufacturer of environmentally friendly advanced materials for industry, offering solutions for the coatings, printing & packaging and industrial manufacturing markets. The companys surface additives and polymeric binders are used by leading manufacturers around the world to enhance performance attributes and add value in applications including wood and floor care products, metal and industrial coatings, paints, varnishes, inks, fibers and composites. Michelman is also well-known as an innovator in the development of barrier and functional coatings, as well as digital printing press primers that are used in the production of consumer and industrial packaging and paper products, labels, and commercially printed materials. Michelman serves its customers with production facilities in North America, Europe and Asia, product development and technical service centers in several major global markets, and a worldwide team of highly trained business development personnel. RIDING FOR HOPE AT THE YMCA FOR SURVIVORS IN CANCER RECOVERY The YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg hosted their 12th annual Spin-A-Rama event for those in Cancer Recovery The YMCAs 12th annual Spin-A-Rama Ride For Hope fundraising event was held on March 2nd to support survivors in cancer recovery. Jim & Heather Gills YMCA and Bardmoor YMCA located in St. Petersburg & Largo respectively, had this event that boasted hundreds of dedicated riders who rode for this cause. Together they raised over $45,000 in donations and are still accepting donations today. Donations accepted at: https://www.stpeteymca.org/spinarama Spin-A-Rama helps supports our LIVESTRONG at the YMCA program. This program has been in existence for 12 years and focuses on rebuilding the body, mind and spirit of its participants. LIVESTRONG at the Y encourages a safe, comfortable place to build companionship with others affected by cancer and to share inspiration. This program has helped thousands of cancer recovery participants move beyond the disease. LIVESTRONG at the Y is a nationwide program that has served over 50,000 people in over 600 communities by over 3,500 trained YMCA staff members. (2/1/2018 data). Learn more about this program on our website at: http://www.stpeteymca.org/spinarama The Y supports our community with many programs through generous donations. Our Annual Giving Campaign for example, ensures that we are able to offer many meaningful programs like the YMCA Diabetes Prevention program, YMCA Dance Academy, youth sports, affordable childcare and LIVESTRONG at the Y to mention a few. To learn more about giving opportunities, visit our website at: http://www.stpeteymca.org/give About the Y The Y is one of the nations leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the U.S., 2,700 Ys engage 21 million men, women and children regardless of age, income or background to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nations health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Anchored in more than 10,000 communities, the Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change. Learn more about the Y and our programs by visiting our website at: https://www.stpeteymca.org/ All fiction writers write out of their deepest, most intimate personal experiences, even if some of them try to deny it or disguise it, Susan Choi tells me over coffee at the Ashland Place food court in Brooklyn, a loud yet somehow uncrowded space that she playfully refers to as the mall. Her writing space is just around the corner, but it hasnt had heat for a while, thus the mall is providing a booming pop music soundtrack to our conversation. Ive never read a really good fiction writer who wasnt writing from something they had felt personally, even if the story seems different from anything they have lived, she says. Chois fifth novel, Trust Exercise (Holt, Apr.), examines the ways that writers choose to represent and distort their own stories. Trust Exercise was my side project while I worked on my real book, which I have yet to finish, she confesses. Im a big believer in consistent engagement with a project, but a lot of interesting things happen when you step back. I kept disengaging and then something would bring me back, but my perspective would be altered in some unexpected way. The result is a wildly inventive novel that is told in three distinct parts, the second and third blowing up and reframing what came before. The first part is set in a suburban high school theater program in the 1980s, where two students, Sarah and David, fall in love under the watchful eye of their drama teacher, Mr. Kingsley, the kind of blowhard who insists that the proper way to spell the word theater in Middle America is theatre. When a group of British exchange students visit the school to stage a precocious production of Candide, the world becomes a little bit bigger for Sarah and David and their classmates. Thats all readers should know at the start. There are limited ways to talk about the plot, Choi says. Im still figuring out what they are. To avoid wandering into spoiler territory, I ask about Chois own theater background. Much like the characters in her book, she attended a drama programin a high school in Houston, where she grew up. It was exotic for me, because I was supposed to be the smart kid, she says. My parents wanted me to attend a rigorous academic high school, and I rebelled and auditioned in a single mad flair of individuality and self-confidence. Then, horribly, I got in. I was so ill-suited for theater. Every time I had to go on stage I was mortified. So I became a techie, which is the happy refuge of every kid who loves theater but cant stand being on stage. But Choi insists that her own experience was nothing like the one she depicts in the novel, using a modern-day TV metaphor to make her point. I think of this book in terms of Stranger Things: this school is like the upside-down version of the school I attended, where, for the most part, I was really happy. I ask Choi whether shes ever frustrated by the fact that many readers assume that a protagonist written by a female author is nothing but a stand-in for the author herself. Its something I became inured to with my last book [2013s My Education], because it also takes place in a world I know, which is the world of unhappy graduate study, she says. But yeah, its an interesting conundrum for women writers. We get it much much more. My Education may be set in grad school, but it shares with Trust Exercise a tight grip on the unrelenting angst of obsessional first love. The students in Trust Exercise are told that theyll never feel emotions quite as strongly as they do right then and there in high school, but the heroine of Chois previous novel does not seem any wiser or less passionate. I wrote both books thinking a lot about youth, Choi says. In My Education, I was interested in the youth of early adulthood and how different it feels from later adulthood. Looking back on your first chapter of adulthood, you seem like a teenager. The teenagers in Trust Exercise are similarly foolhardy in love and are taught by their theater teacher to revere Shakespeare above all. Think of Romeo and Juliet, the most romantic tale ever, Choi says. And how old were they? That was on my mindthat these relationships that are culturally romanticized have their influence on young people. When youre young, youre capable of repurposing experience into a much more self-mythologized narrative than you are when youre older. Mr. Kingsley also has a fierce influence on the way his students see the world. A friend asked if Id ever be able to write a novel that didnt take place in some kind of school environment, and I hadnt even noticed Id been doing so until that point, Choi says. Clearly Im preoccupied with the student-teacher relationship, with charismatic teaching, with what that sort of power does. I ask Choi whether shes ever had a teacher as pretentious as Trust Exercises fictional drama teacher. I had wonderful writing teachers who, if anything, were too hands off, too confident of my abilities to tell me what to do. She leans closer to me. But I know people whove studied with writing teachers who are incredibly tyrannical and dictatorial. I have in my possession a sheet of dictates that a very well-known writer and writing teacher used to issue to their students. The dictates are bizarre and petty and detailed. They were not at all ironically dictatedthey were handed down by this writing teacher as the way to write serious literature. In contrast, Choi does not have a capital P process. I almost never think thematically when Im writing anything, she says. Im usually writing about the rudiments of a circumstance, and following it. I usually dont know how my books are going to end, or even what will happen in the middle. She says she began Trust Exercise with the aim of writing something sleek and short. Id been reading a lot of Muriel Spark, and all her novels are less than 200 pagesslimand she has brusque, aggressive openings to her books, where she grabs you by the neck and throws you in, and you just have to figure it out. I really wanted to do that. Though the final version of Trust Exercise runs more than novella length, Choi grabs readers right away, immersing them in the fixations of artistic studentsthe kind who claim to be too serious for musicals but are riveted by Andrew Lloyd Weber. Trust Exercise is set in the 1980s, which is when I was a teen, Choi says as the Polices Dont Stand So Close to Me begins playing over the malls loudspeakers, as though shed summoned it. I remember the ubiquity of the Cats sweatshirt, she says. If you wore a Cats sweatshirt, it meant that youd gone to New York and gotten it yourself. It was an incredible totem to have. Choi says she wanted to evoke a lack of worldliness in the Trust Exercise students. My own teen has so much more knowledge of the world than I did at that age, she says. Maybe its being a New Yorker, maybe its growing up in the 21st century and with the internetwe love to blame the internet for everything. Trust Exercise is meant to be more provincial. I wanted to depict teenagers who had never even met anyone who was from outside their city, let alone outside of their country, Choi says, noting that much like her characters, she was incredibly naive as a teenager. My sense of sexuality at the time was that we were both more precocious in terms of behavior than now, and much more innocent in terms of context and a larger understanding of everything having to do with sexual life and identity. We did everything and knew nothing. We thought we knew, but we knew so much less than we even realized. Maris Kreizmans writing has appeared in Esquire, GQ, the L.A. Times, the New York Times, Vanity Fair, and elsewhere. Looking to add another program to its growing lineup of book-driven podcasts, Macmillan Podcasts is turning to true crime, a longtime specialty at Macmillans St. Martins Press division. In January, Macmillan debuted Case Closed, a weekly eight-episode podcast focused on true crime cases that have been solved. The first season of Case Closed showcases Secrets of a Marines Wife by Shanna Hogan, a new title released in February that examines the murder of a 19-year-old in Californias Joshua Tree National Park in 2014. Case Closed is hosted by St. Martins executive editor Charles Spicer, who interviews Hogan and significant figures from the book throughout the first season. The second season of Case Closed kicks off April 2 and features Spicer and Michael Fleeman, author of 2015s Crazy for You: The True Story of a Family Mans Murder, a Wifes Secret, and a Deadly Obsession, which documents the murder of an Atlanta businessman. In a test, the Crazy for You episodes were made available early on Stitcher, a podcast app, and generated a very positive response, according to Spicer. Case Closed will focus on books about solved crimes, Spicer said, so each podcast will have a beginning and an end. Titles featured in the podcast are published by the St. Martins True Crime Library, a line of titles overseen by Spicer. True Crime Library publishes hardcover titles, all focused on high-profile, big-publicity cases, Spicer said. SMPs True Crime Library was a leader in the genre in the 1980s. In recent years, Spicer said, theres been a resurgence in the category thanks to podcasts such as Serial and streaming TV series such as The Jinx and Making a Murderer. Forthcoming SMP true crime titles include John Glatts The Family Next Door: The Heatbreaking Imprisonment of the 13 Turpin Siblings and their Extraordinary Rescue, which will be published in August 2019. Macmillan Podcasts is also developing a second crime podcast, Murder in the Priory, which will focus on historical nonfiction. Although there is as yet no launch date, Murder in the Priory will be hosted by bestselling author Charles Finch; it is not based on a specific book and will investigate a real Victorian-era murder. Macmillan Podcasts associate director Alyssa Martino described Case Closed as Macmillan Podcasts fastest-growing show of the past year, noting that just two weeks after launch, Case Closed has already garnered a significant number of listens and appears poised to continue this growth throughout seasons one and two. St. Martins, Spicer explained, wants the podcasts to serve as lead-ins to books publications. Podcasting is a new media that coordinates well with books, Spicer said. Podcasts can reach the true crime audience, and theyre a real plus for authors. HOW XAVIER WOODS LEARNED HE WAS WRESTLING AT FAST LANE, NEW LOOK FOR WWE STAR AND MORE By Steven Fernandes on 2019-03-09 03:31:00 The 2019 WWE Money in the Bank PPV takes place on 5/19, just several days after the company's European tour ends. So the talent will be flying in from Cardiff and Berlin when the tour ends on 5/17 straight to Connecticut for the PPV. This is the first time that I can recall the talent going from a European tour straight to a PPV, which would also mean the UK TV tapings will serve as go-home shows for MITB. Xavier Woods tweeted the following: Glad I opened twitter today or else I wouldn't have known that we have a match this Sunday https://t.co/VlqGQ8BxsI ??Smooth Pen ?? (@XavierWoodsPhD) March 8, 2019 Also, I assume this is match will be to crown the #1 contenders to the tag titles? ???? can someone here on the internet let me know whats on the line pls, Kthxbye https://t.co/VlqGQ8BxsI ??Smooth Pen ?? (@XavierWoodsPhD) March 8, 2019 No Way Jose tweeted the following: If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here! Poker Central and the Global Poker Index (GPI) have agreed to stream the Global Poker Awards live on digital video subscription service PokerGO on on 5 April. The Global Poker Awards is presented by PokerStars which claims to be the world's largest online poker room. The event merges multiple awards programmes, including the GPIs American Poker Awards and European Poker Awards, into one ceremony. A total of 20 awards will be handed out to this years top contenders. The awards will be broadcast from the PokerGO studio in Las Vegas.In the weeks prior to the ceremony, a nomination panel will determine the finalists in each category through a voting process. Award winners will then be selected by a jury made up of industry representatives.Were thrilled to deliver streaming coverage of the first-ever Global Poker Awards show live from the PokerGO Studio, said Sam Simmons, president of Poker Central. We look forward to celebrating the achievements of the industrys best and brightest while providing PokerGO subscribers a front row seat for all the festivities.GPI president Eric Danis added: Our global initiatives behind the European Poker Awards and the American Poker Awards come together starting this year. Were excited to bring recognition to the poker worlds best players and most prominent industry contributors on an unprecedented scale. Operating since 2004, StarNet offers a portfolio of products and services and provides access to Internet and high speed data transmission via optical fibre. It is said to offer one of the most technically advanced digital distribution platforms in Eastern Europe. Now, all of StarNet subscribers in its home territory will gain access to SPI/FilmBoxs HD channels featuring programmes such as FightBox HD, Gametoon HD and DocuBox . The latter will be available with Romanian subtitles whereas the other channels will be available in English with no subtitles. All seven SPI/FilmBox channels are included in StarNets EBT package.The entry into The Republic of Moldova supports SPI/FilmBoxs strategic business decision to keep expanding its reach into the Eastern European region . It has been one of SPIs top business goals to offer people of the Republic of Moldova some of the most compelling and exciting HD content in the world. Today, weve achieved that goal, said Tamas Fulop CE regional director of operation at SPI International. These are the first steps into what we hope will be a long-lasting and vibrant partnership between SPI International and StarNet. StarNet is committed to provide the most innovative digital TV service and the most exciting content. Thanks to our partnership with SPI International, we came closer to our goals. Our clients will be able to watch some of the most exciting international TV programmes, said Alexei Munteanu, Director of StarNets TV BOX. We will not stop here, we are sure that this important partnership will have a remarkable future. This week marks the anniversary of the recovery of the remains of Challengers crew on the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. On March 10, 1986, the Navy and NASA announced that they had found a compartment that contained the remains of the ill-fated space shuttles crew. When I think about space disasters, I am reminded of the space battle between Earth and Trisolaris in Liu Cixins fantastic sci-fi novel. Stay with me here. Liu Cixins Dark Forest novel needs to be read. In the novel, humans make contact with a nearby alien civilization, who proceed to make plans to invade earth, wipe out its human population, and re-populate it with themselves. The first battle between Earths space forces and the would-be invaders ends badly for Earth, as thousands of space warships are destroyed in a matter minutes by a Trisolaran probe. The novel brings up an uncomfortable theory that humans have been all-too-willing to neglect: what if the universe is a hostile, deadly place instead of a curious one? Nick Nielsen is asking important questions about humanitys place in the stars, and Caleb Scharf is doing wonderful work explaining how life in the universe is likely to confront us at this stage of our development. Despite the massive amount of attention that surrounds space flight disasters, only four have actually happened in space, and only 18 people have died in space (14 astronauts and four cosmonauts). This is due to the vast amounts of effort, planning, intelligence, and energy that go into space flight. In fact, most of the deadliest disasters happen on earth during the preparation phase, where painstaking practice is undertaken in order to execute space flight to perfection. So, in honor of those who have given their lives for humanitys place among the stars, here are Historys 10 Worst Space Disasters: 10. Columbia (February 1, 2003). The Columbia Space Shuttle had served NASA and the United States for 22 years before it exploded in space upon re-entry into the earths atmosphere. In 22 years, Columbia had flown 27 space flights before disaster struck on the 28th mission. The destruction of NASAs second space shuttle put the entire program on hold for two years, and supplies to the International Space Station had to be flown in by a public-private Russian space agency, Roscosmos (which has since become nationalized). 9. Soyuz 11 (June 29, 1971). This disaster marks the only time in human history that people died in actual space, and the three cosmonauts who perished also set a then-record for longest time spent in a space station at 22 days. (The Americans broke the cosmonauts record in 1973 with Skylab.) The Soviet explorers also ran on a treadmill (which shook the whole space station), made live television broadcasts to the Soviet Union, and put out a fire. They died when their cabin depressurized during the flight home, though there was no other damage to Soyuz 11. True to form, the Soviet government refused to reveal the truth of what happened until many years later. An American astronaut, Tom Stafford, was one of the pallbearers during the large state funeral that was held for the cosmonauts. 8. Nedelin catastrophe (October 24, 1960). While the Soviets were testing a missile for space launch in what is now Kazakhstan, it exploded and killed or maimed hundreds of people. True to Soviet form, the official death toll is unknown, but estimates range from 92-126 deaths and hundreds more injured. The disaster was so bad that the Soviet Union refused to acknowledge the event until its dying breath, in the waning days of glasnost. Named after M.I. Nedelin, the Soviet Unions head of its Strategic Rocket Forces, the preparations for the launch were pushed hard by Nedelin as a result of political pressure from Moscow (he was killed in the explosion). 7. Voskhod 2 spacewalk near-catastrophe (March 1965). In the early and mid-1960s the Soviet Union was dominating the space race, reaching milestone after milestone years before the United States. In March of 1965 Alexey Leonov became the first human being to perform a spacewalk. For 12 minutes, 9 seconds Leonov walked around in space, but when he tried to re-enter Voskhod 2, he found that he could not fit through the door because his suit had ballooned, and things got so tense inside the spaceship that Soviet television and radio was cut off from the masses. The troubles for Leonov and his team did not end there, though. While he was able to squeeze inside Voskhod 2, sealing the door proved a nuisance and it was only with some old-fashioned Soviet makeshift tinkering that the crew was able to seal themselves off from the vast darkness of space. Oh, and Voskhod 2 also landed 300 miles off course, in the Siberian tundra, where rescue crews could not reach them via helicopter. So, they sent in a ski squad who built them a log cabin and a very large fire. Alexey Leonov is still alive today, living the good life in Russia, but before he retired he commanded the Soviet half of the first-ever joint space project between the United States and the Soviet Union. 6. Intelsat 708 incident (February 15, 1996). When China entered the space race in the 1990s, nobody took Beijing seriously. Things have changed. In the mid-1990s, though, a test rocket misfired and landed in a nearby village, killing at least six people. Heres the real kicker, though. American technology companies were working with the Chinese rocket scientists, as they wanted to get their products within a budget that could work for them. The Intelsat 708 incident sparked Congress to pass some legislation that prohibited technology flowing so easily out of the United States. Corporations were fined millions of dollars. And 1996 was the last time the United States and China worked together on rocket science. 5. Alcantara VLS accident (August 22, 2003). China is not the only country to try and catch the United States in the space race. The European Union had been trying, with some success, over the years, and Russias space program is, of course, resurgent. How about Brazil? You better believe it. There are actually a whole slew of countries trying to build space programs, such as India, Pakistan, Mexico, South Africa, and Iran. The Alcantara VLS accident, which happened to Brazils space program, serves as a brutal reminder of what happens when countries push too hard for immediate results. Twenty-one people were killed when a rocket exploded on its launching pad in northern Brazil. Smoke from the jungle fire that was started by the explosion could be seen from hundreds of miles away. Brazils space program continues apace. 4. Plesetsk launch pad disaster (March 18, 1980). Back in the U.S.S.R., in 1980, a launch pad disaster killed 48 people and injured another 87. Pravda announced its success to the Soviet people, and nobody knew about the death toll until, again, glasnost ran its course and information began to reach the West in 1989. The official explanation for the deadly explosion pinned the blame on the dead crew, but when another explosion of exactly the same type was narrowly avoided just 16 months later, it was determined that there was an engineering problem that needed to be addressed. Francis Spuffords novel Red Plenty does a marvelous job explaining why the Soviet Union just could not seem to work like a centrally-planned economy was supposed to. 3. Soyuz 1 (April 24, 1967). Somebody had to eventually man the first flight of the first generation Soyuz 7K-Ok spacecraft. That somebody was a hero of the Soviet Union, Vladimir Komarov, an engineer who commanded to the first-ever space flight to carry more than one passenger. Komarov also has the distinction of being the first human being to die in space, after Soyuz 1s parachutes failed to open upon re-entry. All was not lost, though. Soyuz 1s failure postponed the Soviet Unions space program, and significant improvements were made in the 18-month interregnum. The Soyuz program never achieved its goal of putting a man on the moon, but thanks to its failures, the Russian people have contributed immensely to the exploration and understanding of space. The Mir, Salyut, and Zond programs, along with Moscows tremendous support for the International Space Station, have hopefully solidified Russias place in the far future of human history. 2. Apollo 1 (January 27, 1967). The cabin fire that took the lives of Apollo 1s three crew members was, like the Soyuz 1 failure, a blessing in disguise. Because of Apollo 1s disaster, the American space program took a good long look at itself and began focusing on safety as well as exploration and science. Unlike in the Soviet Union, the Apollo 1 tragedy was widely reported on. The American people had to grasp what it meant, each and every one of us, as individuals and as members of communities that we freely chose to join. Even Congress got in on the act and held tough, meaningful sessions about the nature of the republics space program. We are all better off thanks to the Apollo 1 disaster. 1. Challenger (January 28, 1986). Seven crew members, including teacher Christa McAuliffe, were killed when the Challenger broke apart 73 seconds into its flight. The launch was televised and it's been reported that nearly 50 percent of all schoolchildren watched it, because McAuliffe was the first civilian to go into space. The tragedy is inedelibly inked onto the brains of multiple generations. The disaster was caused by a flaw in the "O-ring," that had been identified, but improperly addressed. The tragedy resulted in a nearly three-year break in the shuttle program. When the shuttle program finally resumed, the boosters were redesigned, and NASA adopted a more conservative safety program. Have a good weekend. Top FBI official Andrew McCabe did not just investigate President Trump. As he notes in a little-publicized part of his new book, McCabe even investigated his department boss then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions after Senate Democrats asked McCabe to look into allegations Sessions perjured himself during his confirmation hearings when he denied meeting with Russian officials during the 2016 campaign. Sessions had, in fact, met with the Russian ambassador. He later corrected the record and explained he had forgotten speaking with the official and was not trying to mislead Congress. Ordering the Sessions probe was another unprecedented, partisan action that has been forgotten, said former federal prosecutor Solomon L. Wisenberg, a partner at Nelson Mullins LLP in Washington. McCabe dished a healthy portion of scorn on Sessions in his book, The Threat: How the FBI Protects America in the Age of Terror and Trump. He accused him of having trouble focusing and having to overcome a huge learning curve for an attorney general. He claimed he wasnt even reading briefing materials on national security threats. McCabe also accused Sessions of being Islamophobic and making racist comments in meetings. He even claimed that the attorney general thought federal agents who were taken hostage overseas had it coming and shouldnt be rescued. Main Story: Days After Comey Firing, McCabe's FBI Re-Engaged Dossier Spy A former senior Justice Department aide to Sessions, who was in high-level meetings with McCabe and the former attorney general, strongly disputed McCabe's allegations, calling them fiction." Theyre beyond absurd and outright false. Like just about everything else he says, the official told RealClearInvestigations. "He was fired, after all, for lying. To the FBI." Andrew McCabe omits from his book his role obtaining a FISA warrant to spy on Trump campaign adviser Carter Page, above. Top photo: McCabe, right, also investigated his department boss, Attorney General Jeff Sessions, center, in addition to the President. Sessions fired McCabe last March on the recommendation of the FBIs disciplinary office after the Justice Departments inspector general found that McCabe had repeatedly lied under oath to investigators about leaking information to the press about the ongoing Clinton Foundation case. The department watchdog referred evidence of McCabes false statements to U.S. attorneys for criminal prosecution. A grand jury has been hearing the case. In his 274-page book, McCabe does not mention ex-British spy Christopher Steele or his lurid and unverified Trump-Russia dossier, which was funded by the Hillary Clinton campaign, and McCabe was not asked about either of them in any of his interviews with mostly friendly media outlets. He also left out his role in obtaining a FISA warrant to spy on Trump campaign adviser Carter Page and, by extension, the Trump campaign. It is still not clear if McCabe's investigations of President Trump and his associates were completely absorbed by the special counsel's investigation, or if the FBI under his leadership continued to investigate the president on its own. While its widely assumed that the FBI stopped its entire Trump-related Russia investigation once Mueller was appointed in May 2017, McCabe and deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein signed off on the third renewal of the FISA warrant on Page two months later. And in little-noticed June 2017 testimony, McCabe told the Senate Intelligence Committee that the FBI continues to investigate the Russia investigation. Explained McCabe: [T]he FBI maintains a much broader responsibility to continue investigating issues relative to potential Russian counterintelligence activity and threats posed to us from Russian adversaries." There are laws against groundlessly subjecting individuals to criminal investigation. Former prosecutors say what FBI brass did to the president and his advisers could potentially be a violation of a federal statute known as deprivation of rights under the color of law. a? a?Other statutes proscribing fraud and false statements also come into play. Moreover, Justice Department as well as FBI regulations strictly prohibit inaccurate or unverified information in FISA warrant applications, such as the Steele dossiers rumors the FBI relied on to obtain authorization to spy on Page. It can also be a felony to conceal relevant or exculpatory information and mislead the FISA court.a? Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale Buy real estate. Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale in US and Canada. Search Real Estate . 400 . , DPA. , - , ... , We're sorry, this article is not currently available Porterville, CA (93257) Today Cloudy and damp with rain in the morning...then becoming partly cloudy. High 51F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch.. Tonight Mostly cloudy skies. Low 42F. Winds light and variable. New voting machines, stricter hate crime laws and restrictions on abortions all have a chance at becoming law in Georgia this year. Here's an explanation for what bills have passed on the House and move into the Senate for voting. A few months into his first term as mayor, Mayor Kelly Girtz sat down with The Red & Black to discuss his transition to mayor and future plans, as well as the horse painting in his office. A gun was found in a backpack at Ramsey Center, a cigarette was determined to be the cause of a fire and evacuation at Stegeman and over $900 worth of equiptment was stolen from UGA Poultry Sciences building. Here's your weekly UGA crime blotter. During the 2018 midterm elections, under particular scrutiny were Georgias polling machines, which are 16 years old. November saw breakdowns of these machines, as well as battery depletion and a lack of power chords. Not only that, but these outdated machines were proven to be hackable and left no sort of paper trail. House Bill 316 looks to address these problems by implementing new voting machines in the state. The CAC is currently faced with 88 potential projects and, according to Keith Sanders, the SPLOST Program Administrator, the SPLOST 2020 budget is about $248 million. The CAC is tasked with narrowing down the projects to submit a final list of proposed projects within the budget to the ACC Mayor and Commission in July. Students, new and old, have more than likely seen this McDonald walking through the halls of Tate Student Center. McDonald is the person behind New Student Orientation, Student Vetarans Association and the Disability Resource Center. The United Kingdom's home secretary has recently referred India's request for extraditing Punjab National Bank scam accused Nirav Modi to a court for initiating legal proceedings against the diamantaire, the Enforcement Directorate said on Saturday. "Request for extradition of Nirav Modi to India was sent in July 2018 to the UK. The UK Central Authority of Home Office has confirmed that the extradition request has been sent to the Westminster Magistrate Court for the district judge for further proceedings," the agency said in a statement. A British daily on Saturday reported that Nirav Modi, accused in the USD 2-billion PNB scam, is living in a swanky 8-million pound apartment in London's West End and is now involved in a new diamond business. Sources in the Enforcement Directorate said they had been officially informed about UK Home Secretary Sajid Javid's move to forward the case to a London court about two days back. The move takes the process of extraditing and bringing back Nirav Modi to face the law in India to the next stage, the sources said. Soon, they said, a joint team of the ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation would travel to the UK to apprise the lawyers about the Indian case and evidence against Nirav Modi, in a similar fashion that was done in the case of another absconding bank-fraud accused, Vijay Mallya. The ED and the CBI are investigating Nirav Modi, his uncle Mehul Choksi and others for alleged money laundering and corruption to perpetrate the alleged scam in the Brady House branch of the PNB in Mumbai that was unearthed last year. Nirav Modi, 48, is currently living in a three-bedroom flat occupying half of a floor of the landmark Centre Point tower block in London, where rent is estimated to cost 17,000 pounds a month, The Telegraph reported. The revelation comes a day after Nirav Modi's 30,000 sq ft seaside mansion at Kihim beach in Maharashtra's Raigad district was demolished by authorities using explosives for alleged violation of coastal regulation rules. The ministry of external affairs also reacted on the issue of Nirav Modi's extradition, saying the UK was still considering India's request. India is taking all steps necessary for his extradition, an MEA spokesperson said Saturday. Nirav Modi has been chargesheeted by both the agencies and the ED has also attached his assets worth Rs 1,873.08 crore under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), and has also seized assets linked to him and his family worth Rs 489.75 crore. Overseas assets of Nirav Modi in Hong Kong, Switzerland, the US, Singapore and the UAE worth Rs 961.49 crore have been attached till now, the agency said. The ED had chargesheeted Nirav Modi and others under the PMLA in May last year and subsequently, moved a court to get him declared absconder under the newly-enacted Fugitive Economic Offenders Act in July last year. The agency has sent as many as 18 Letters Rogatories (judicial requests) to countries like Armania, Belgium, China, France, Japan, Malaysia, Russia, South Africa, Hong Kong, Singapore, Switzerland, the UAE, UK and the US to obtain evidence against Nirav Modi and other accused. "Money trail of USD 927 million out of the proceeds of crime of USD 1015 million has been ascertained in this case till now," the ED said. It had got issued Interpol's global arrest notices against Nirav Modi, his brother Neeshal Modi, sister Purvi Modi and company executives Mihir Bhansali, Subhash Parab and Aditya Nanavati. The Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party on saturday sparred over a news report that fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi was living in a swanky apartment in London. Slamming the Narendra Modi government, the Congress Saturday alleged fugitives had looted Rs 1 lakh crore from Indian banks but not even one has been caught in five years. The British daily Telegraph reported that billionaire diamond tycoon, accused in the USD 2 billion the Punjab National Bank fraud case, has been tracked down by it to an 8 million pound apartment in London's West End. "Fugitive Nirav Modi has been seen enjoying in London, living in a Rs 75 crore flat and wearing a 10,000 pound jacket," Congress' chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala told reporters. "First loot Rs 23,000 crore from banks, then run away from the country without any checks, mock the CBI and the ED and then make a comfortable home in a Rs 75 crore flat. Modi Hai to mumkin Hai (PM Narendra Modi is there, so it is possible)," he claimed. It seems Prime Minister Narendra Modi is running a "bank fraudsters settlement company" for the likes of Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi, Surjewala alleged. "Fugitives looted Rs 1 lakh crore from Indian banks but you have not even caught one in the last five years," he claimed. The BJP hit back at the oppositon party saying, Nirav Modi's fraud to cheat the banks started in 2011 when United Progressive Alliance government was in power. "Nirav Modis fraud to cheat the banks started in 2011 when UPA government was in power. It was detected and exposed during the Modi govt," the BJP said on Twitter. In a series of tweets the BJP said,"Many of these who cheated India during the UPA govt have been brought back and are in custody. Others will follow. They are living the life of fugitives and refugees. None who cheats India can get away under the Modi government." "When was the facility of second restructuring of bank loans given to Mallya? under UPA government. Ulta Chor Chowkidar Ko Dante (the thief is scolding the watchman)," it added. Nirav Modi, 48, is currently living in a three-bedroom flat occupying half of a floor of the landmark Centre Point tower block, where rent is estimated to cost 17,000 (Rs 15 lakh) a month, The Telegraph reported. In a video posted by the newspaper, Nirav Modi can be seen sporting a handle-bar moustache and wearing an Ostrich Hide jacket, estimated to cost 10,000 (Rs 9.1 lakh). When journalists from the paper questioned him on various issues, including whether he has urged Britain to grant him asylum, Modi ducked them by saying, "Sorry, no comments". 'About two I will tell you, but won't tell you about the third one' India carried out three cross border strikes in the last five years, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said in Mangaluru on Saturday, without disclosing which was the third. Singh spoke about the 2016 surgical strike after the Uri terror attack and the air strike after the Pulwama incident in which a Central Reserve Police Force convoy was attacked by a suicide bomber killing 40 jawans, but he did not reveal about the third. "I want to tell you brothers and sisters that in the last five years, we have gone beyond our borders thrice and our men have successfully conducted airstrikes. About two I will tell you, but won't tell you about the third one," Singh told BJP's Shakti Kendra office bearers convention in Mangaluru. "One time you saw in Uri, terrorists who came from Pakistan killed 17 of our soldiers, who were sleeping at night in a cowardly attack. After that, our soldiers also decided. Whatever happened after that you too know it very well, I need not tell....now you are seeing. First attack happened. second one was air strike... happened after Pulwama attack. I won't give you information about the third one," Singh said without elaborating. Singh asserted that "it is no more a weak India." "...leaving aside all our differences, we have to stand together. Time and again India has done this," he said. In a pinpointed and swift air strike on February 26, India pounded Jaish-e-Mohammed's biggest training camp in Pakistan in a pre-dawn operation, described as "non-military" and "preemptive". Indian troops had crossed the Line of Control in September 2016 and launched a surgical strike on terror launch pads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir after Pakistani terrorists attacked the Uri army base in Kashmir, killing 19 soldiers. Singh said the Indian government had given a strong message to Pakistan after the Pulwama attack. He also said that Pakistan would have to pay a huge price if it continued to promote terrorism. "The country will not provoke anyone, but will not leave anyone if provoked," he said. He also said that no force in the country could deter the BJP from its fight against terrorism and the party would come back to power at the Centre with renewed force. Singh said the BJP had risen to heights from a party having only two seats in Parliament way back in the eighties. It could attain a clear majority in the 2014 elections, he said. Singh also said that India would become one of the top three nations in the world in the next 10 years. "America, Russia and China are now the top three powerful countries. India will join the league of top three by the year 2028," he said. Stating that BJP was the largest political party in the world with its membership strength, Singh said India could retaliate against the terrorist strikes only because a strong party was in power. The country has become one of the fastest growing economies in the world in recent years, he said. He said state governments and party units in states had been asked to protect Kashmiri students studying at various institutions in the country from attacks after the Pulwama terror strike. Singh expressed the hope that the BJP would win all the 28 Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka. The Congress-Janata Dal-Secular coalition is weak in the state and has not been successful in delivering its promises, he said. BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa, Nalin Kumar Kateel, Shobha Karandlaje MPs and other leaders were present. Pakistan will be judged not by words but on basis of the action it takes to dismantle terror infrastructure on its soil, India said on Saturday, asserting that its non-military strike on the Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist training camp in Balakot achieved its desired objective. External affairs ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said if Pakistan claims to be a 'naya Pakistan' (New Pakistan) with a 'nayi soch' (new thinking), then it should demonstrate 'naya' action (new action) against terror groups operating with impunity from its soil. The MEA's comments came a day after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said he will not allow Pakistani soil to be used for terror directed at other countries. Khan has been saying that a 'naya Pakistan' is embarking on a new journey under his leadership. Kumar said Pakistan has been making identical statements after separate terror attacks and now Islamabad will have to take up the concrete action the international community expected it to take and must rein in terror groups operating from its soil. "We remain resolute in our determination to persuade the international community of the necessity of compelling Pakistan to move beyond mere words and to show credible, verifiable and sustained actions. We have and we will continue to act with responsibility and maturity," he said at a media briefing. Kumar said the widespread presence of terrorist camps in Pakistan is public knowledge and repeated requests by India and the international community for Pakistan to take action against such groups has been met with "denial". "In 2004, the then President of Pakistan had made a solemn public commitment that they would not allow any territory under their control to be used for terrorist activity in any manner," he said. "But till today, however, Pakistan has failed to take any credible action against Jaish-e-Mohammed and other terrorist organisations, which continue to operate with impunity from Pakistan," he said, adding Pakistan will be judged not by its words but on the basis of action it takes to dismantle terror infrastructure. Tension between the two nuclear-armed neighbours escalated after the February 14 Pulwama terror attack and subsequent aerial strike by India on a training camp of the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in Balakot on February 26. Pakistan retaliated the strike next day by unsuccessfully attempting to target Indian military installations. The JeM claimed responsibility for the Pulwama attack. "Our non-military counter terrorism strike of February 26 achieved the intended objective. It has demonstrated our firm resolve to take decisive action against cross-border terrorism," Kumar said about Balakot strike. He, however, evaded questions on number of casualties in the strike. Kumar said the fact that Pakistan refused access to journalists from visiting the site of the strike in Balakot meant that they have "plenty to hide". "So the initial bravado that everything is open please come and visit has disappeared. We are absolutely confident that strikes on Balakot has been successful and achieved the desired objectives," he asserted. On Pakistan's retaliatory strike, he said instead of taking action against terrorist groups on its soil, Islamabad chose to escalate through an "act of aggression" by violating Indian airspace and attempting, unsuccessfully, to target military facilities. Kumar also accused Pakistan of propagating a "false narrative" of the events of the day when Pakistani jets unsuccessfully attempted to target Indian military installations. In the aerial combat India had lost a Mig-21 Bison aircraft and its pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was captured by Pakistan. Pakistan claimed it downed two Indian jets, and rejected IAF's assertion that a F-16 aircraft was shot down by it during the dogfight. "Only one aircraft was lost by us. If, as Pakistan claims, they have a video recording of the downing of a second Indian aircraft, why have they not shown it to the international media even after more than one week? "Questions should be asked to them as to where the fuselage of the aircraft is and what has happened to the pilots? As we have already said, there are eyewitness accounts and electronic evidence that Pakistan deployed F-16 aircraft and that one F-16 was shot down by Wing Commander Abhinandan," Kumar said. He said Pakistan should explain why it continues to deny that its F-16 aircraft has been shot down. "We have asked the United States to also examine whether the use of F16 against India is in accordance with the terms and conditions of sale," he added. Kumar said India's armed forces continue to maintain strict vigil and will remain determined in the defence of the nation and its citizens. Hitting out at Pakistan for remaining in a state of denial, he said, "It is regrettable that Pakistan still continues to deny Jaish-e-Mohammed's own claim of taking ownership of the Pulwama attack." The MEA spokesperson referred to the Pakistan foreign minister's interview to BBC on March where he talked about "some confusion" about JeM's claim on the Pulwama attack. "Is Pakistan defending the Jaish-e-Mohammed and acting as its spokesperson? Does Pakistan's claim have any credibility," Kumar asked. He said despite the media interviews by Pakistan's foreign minister and former president Musharraf acknowledging the presence of JeM in Pakistan, the spokesperson of the Pakistan armed forces openly denied the presence of the terror group in the country. Pakistan has decided to "upgrade" a group of banned outfits, including the Jaish-e-Mohammad, to a "high" risk category and start monitoring and re-examining their activities to comply with the Financial Action Task Force obligations, according to a media report on Saturday. The Paris-based global watchdog against financial crimes had expressed dissatisfaction over considering these entities as "low" to "medium" risk by Islamabad, and said Pakistan did "not demonstrate a proper understanding of the terror financing risks posed by Daesh or Islamic State, Al Qaeda, Jamaat-ud-Dawa, Falah-i-Insaniat Foundation, Lashkar-e-Tayiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, Haqqani network, and persons affiliated with the Taliban". The proscribed organisations will be examined under heightened security checks at all layers of legal, administrative, investigative and financial regimes, the Dawn newspaper reported. At least 40 security personnel were killed when a suicide bomber of the Pakistan-based JeM attacked their convoy in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district on February 14. "All these entities have now been described as high-risk entities and would be subject to greater scrutiny by all agencies and institutions of the state, starting from their registration to operations and from their fund collection to bank accounts and issuance of suspicious transactions, information sharing and so on," an unnamed official was quoted as saying in the report. He said these decisions were taken at a meeting of the general council on FATF, led by Finance Secretary Arif Ahmed Khan, as part of a series of meetings to comply with the FATF obligations. Khan had led the Pakistani delegation to Paris during the February 18-22 meetings of the FATF plenary and its group reviews. During the course of these meetings, Pakistan had banned the FIF and JuD on February 21. The official said based on revised risk profile to "high" from "medium", all the government institutions, including the Federal Investigation Agency, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan, the State Bank of Pakistan, the National Counter-Terrorism Authority, the Financial Monitoring Unit and intelligence agencies, would separately review records, databanks and procedures and methodologies regarding the proscribed entities and their representatives. Based on this review exercise and re-evaluation of risk indicators, fresh suspected transaction reports would originate and run through the banking sector, while law enforcement agencies would continue their ongoing tough actions against the banned entities, including confiscation of their assets and accounts, the official said. "All these institutions would complete the exercise within two weeks so as to present a compliance report to a delegation of the Asia-Pacific Joint Group -- a regional associate of the FATF -- due to visit Islamabad on March 24. "The delegation would review Pakistan's performance on the basis of Islamabad's fresh exercise over the next two days (March 25-26) and submit its assessment report to the FATF headquarters," the report said. The FATF would then make a fresh review the progress and compliance with the remaining targets by May by Pakistan and conclude in June review meetings, whether the country should be moved out of the "grey list" or kept in this list in case of minor shortcomings or be downgraded to the "black list" having serious financial and economic repercussions in case of serious shortcomings. Pakistan has been placed on the grey list by the FATF for failing to curb anti-terror financing in June last year, despite Islamabad's diplomatic efforts to avert the decision. Officials said that defining these banned entities as high-risk meant the investigation agencies, supervisory and regulatory organisations and related institutions would be more alert and proactive to assessments of risk indicators, red flags, guidance and advisories. They would be required to adopt the heightened level of inter-agency coordination for information sharing and actions to combat terror financing and money laundering, considered risk to global economy, the report said. During the February 18-22 plenary and review meetings, the FATF had noted "limited progress" by Pakistan on targets set for January 2019, and urged the country "to swiftly complete its action plan, particularly those with timelines of May 2019." Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday again hit out at those seeking proof of India's air strike at Balakot in Pakistan and slammed the previous Congress government for its handling of terror attacks like the one in Mumbai in 2008. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a gathering at Greater Noida. Photograph: Press Information Bureau Addressing a public meeting in Greater Noida, Modi said the "corrupt" are opposing and abusing him in order to get votes. Modi said today India works on nayi reeti, nayi neeti (new methods, new policies), asserting that after the terror attack in Uri (Jammu and Kashmir) in 2016, the country for the first time taught terrorists a lesson "in a language they understand" with surgical strikes. "Is it okay for you to have a government that does nothing? A chowkidar (referring to himself) who sleeps?" he asked the gathering of thousands, after inaugurating several development projects. He said the country can never forget the 26/11 terror attack in Mumbai. India should have responded then and the whole world would have supported the country, he said. "But that required courage. All evidence was against terrorist handlers in Pakistan which proved them guilty. But how did India respond? There are reports that our forces were ready to avenge the terror attack even then, but Delhi remained cold. The forces were not allowed to take any action," he said. Stating that there were repeated terror attacks in India after 2008 whose links were found across the border, Modi questioned the previous government's response. They did not change their policy, they only changed their home ministers, he said. "Had the previous government shown some courage and taught terrorists a lesson in their own language, terrorism would not have emerged as the menace it is now," he said. He said after the pre-dawn air strike on February 24, India was quietly monitoring the situation and it was Pakistan which started "crying" around 5.00 am that "Modi has hit us". "They were thinking they can keep wounding India, wage attacks, proxy wars and India would not respond. The reason the enemies of India could think this was because of the attitude of the 'remote-controlled' government prior to 2014. That is why the enemies could nurture this attitude," the prime minster said. He said some politicians are making controversial statements which elicit applause in Pakistan and urged the people to decide if they want to trust them or not. "Aaj har bhrasht ko Modi se kasht hai (Today every corrupt person has a problem with Modi). There is a competition among them to abuse this chowkidar (watchman), they think abusing me will get them votes," Modi said. Referring to the opposition, he said, "They have turned so hopeless that in their stubbornness to oppose Modi, they have started opposing the nation also." "After Uri, proof was sought. Our soldiers did something that has never happened before. Our soldiers struck terrorists inside their home. Terrorists and their guardians had not expected such action (this time)," he said. "They thought if India once did a surgical strike, they would again do something similar. So they had deployed forces along the border, but we went by air this time," Modi added. While addressing a public meeting in Ghaziabad on Friday, the prime minister had slammed rivals' questioning the air strike and said the "trust of 130 crore people" was his proof to them. TORRINGTON A British woman whose family is related to Eric Collings of Torrington is hoping someone will recognize him from her collection of vintage photographs. Thursday, Linda Collings Jensenss husband Mike Jensen emailed the Register Citizen, asking for help finding relatives of Collings. Linda Jensen says an aunt gave her a small collection of family and military photos from the Collings family. Collings, according to Jensen, immigrated to the United States after WW II and ran an equine center in Torrington in the 1960s or 1970s. His wifes name was Brigett; and according to Social Security records, his last place of residence was Torrington. (I am) looking for the children/grandchildren of Eric Collings, an ex-British Army Captain, to see if they would like to have photographs of him during his Army career, and of him with his English family, Linda Jensen wrote. The photographs contain scenes from horse lines; Eric in point-to-point races and show jumping; native Indian people (from India), various men of his regiment and a photo of his son in Army uniform in the 1970s. Linda Jensen also discovered Collings family research, which traces the family back to the 1600s. The photos were given to me for safe-keeping by Erics sister (my aunt), but I have no one to pass them on to and would hate to see them lost or destroyed, she wrote. So am trying to find his family to ask what they would like me to do with them, before I offer them to his old Regiment or the Army museum in England. hey both require full copyright to the photos. Anyone who knows anything about the Collings family can email Mike and Linda Jensen at eric.collings.photos@gmail.com. Contributed photo HARTFORD On March 13, nearly 200 Girl Scouts will make their way to the State Capitol for Girl Scouts of Connecticuts annual Girl Scout Day at the Capitol event. During the day, girls will hear from female legislators, participate in programming focusing on civic engagement, and attend a public press conference where they will pin legislators as members of the Honorary Girl Scout Troop at the Capitol. TORRINGTON- State Sen. Henri Martin (R-31) and state Rep. Laura Devlin (R-134), the Senate and House Ranking members of the Legislatures Transportation Committee, along with local legislators Sen. Craig Miner (R-30th), Sen. Kevin Witkos (R-8th), Rep. Jay Case (R-Winsted) and Rep. John Piscopo (R-Granby) invite the public to attend an informational forum on tolls at Torrington City Hall at 7 p.m., March 11. The event will provide time for residents to share their concerns, get their questions answered about the proposals that are being considered, and discuss potential alternatives to tolls. Torrington City Hall is located at 140 Main St., For more information, contact State Sen. Henri Martins office at (860) 240-8800 or State Rep. Laura Devlins office at 1-800-842-1423 Explore vernal pools at Flanders WOODBURY Residents are invited to learn about Flanders vernal pools and amphibian breeding places on Saturday, March 16 at 8 p.m. Vernal pools are fishless temporary spring ponds that form in the forest essential to many amphibians and other aquatic creatures. During this program, Ph.D. biologist and DEEP Certified Master Naturalist Edward Boisits will discuss the importance of vernal pools. Then the group will head into the night to try to get a glimpse of some pools and see what their nocturnal inhabitants are up to. The group will meet at the Flanders Sugar House located a quarter mile up from the intersection of Flanders and Church Hill Road. The cost is $5 for members and $10 for non-members. All ages are welcome and pre-registration is requested. Participants should plan on wearing boots and bringing flashlights and/or headlamps. Those interested may register online at www.flandersnaturecenter.org or call 203-263-3711, ext. 10, for more information. CHH offers free smoking cessation classes TORRINGTON Charlotte Hungerford Hospital (CHH) will be offering its popular Freedom From Smoking cessation program in Winsted as part of their ongoing efforts to help smokers kick the habit and live smoke free. CHH is partnering with Northwestern Connecticut Community College in support of their current plan to create a smoke, vape and tobacco free campus in 2019. The program features discussion and skill sessions led by trained, certified American Cancer Society facilitators who understand the motivations and rationalizations of smoking, and use a positive behavior change approach that teaches people how to become permanent non-smokers. Participants attend eight interactive classes with Quit Day midway through the session. The program will be offered on Tuesdays in Winsted at Northwestern Connecticut Community College in Founders Hall, 4-5:30 p.m. beginning March 19 for 7 consecutive weeks. In this step-by step program, participants will receive the personal attention they need to help them quit smoking and transition to a healthier, smoke free lifestyle through education, relaxation techniques, and methods of preventing weight gain. says Sandy Markus, long time smoking program facilitator. As a special incentive, the $75 program fee will be waived for all participants. Call 860-496-6538 to register or receive more information. Space is limited. According to the American Cancer Society, tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the US, yet millions of Americans still smoke. For more information about smoking and its dangers, visit the American Cancer Society website at www.cancer.org. Technical school to hold open house TORRINGTON - Oliver Wolcott Technical High School, part of the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System (CTECS), will hold an open house for prospective students and their families on Monday, March 11, 6-8 p.m. at 75 Oliver Street, Torrington. Wolcott Tech is accepting applications for students entering grades 9 and 10 in fall 2019. The open house provide prospective students with information about academics and the 12 trade areas offered by the technical school. Trades include automotive collision repair and refinishing; automotive technology; carpentry; culinary arts; electrical; hairdressing and cosmetology; health technology; plumbing, heating, and cooling; electronics technology; graphics technology; mechanical design and engineering; and precision machining. For more information about the open house, contact the school at 860-496-5300 and ask for the main office. Visit wolcott.cttech.org to download an application. Market to hold winter harvest dinner LITCHFIELD The Litchfield Hills Farm-Fresh Market will host a Winter Harvest Dinner, March 16, 6-10 p.m. at Mockingbird Kitchen and Bar, Bantam. Chef Samantha Tilley, owner of Mockingbird, is the dinners executive chef, and has offered to host the dinner at her restaurant. Tilley will be joined by contributing chefs Carol Byer-Alcorace, executive chef for the summer Farmers Table Dinners; and baker Barbara Mojon-Gugnoni, who has done the desserts for both the summer and harvest dinners. Dinner ingredients provided by vendors and other local CT producers including Arethusa Farm, Earths Palate Farm, Plum Brook Chocolate, Bantam Bread, Laurel Ridge Farm, Stella Rose Farm, Berry Ledges Apiary, Maple View Farm, Troy Brook Bakery, Birdseye/Tanner Brook Farm, Mohawk Mtn. Mushrooms, Twin Pines Farm, Brookside Farm, Olive Oil Factory, Wave Hill Bread, and Cato Corner Farm. All proceeds from the event support the markets educational programs. Tickets are $100 per person. Reservations confirmed with receipt of payment, first come first served. Tickets available at http://www.litchfieldfarmersmarket.org/winter-harvest-2019.html. Or mail a check to Winter Harvest Dinner, c/o LHF-FM, PO Box 607, Litchfield, CT 06759. WINSTED The Winchester Board of Education and The Gilbert School superintendent of schools continue to be at odds over the tuition requested by the school and what the district has budgeted for the expense. The gap between the two is large. The School Corporation recently approved the Gilbert budget that requests $7.1 million for tuition and a total of $7.8 million from the district for the 2019-20 school year. The budget was recently submitted to the school board. Winchester Superintendent of Schools Melony Brady-Shanley told the school board in late February, according to the minutes, that the parties are far apart at this time. She noted that the budget request from Gilbert was $600,000 more than last year. It would be a 10.15 percent increase which is a 17.7 percent per pupil increase. The town manager is looking for a zero percent increase in budget, she said. Last years school district budget was $6.475 million. Gilbert School Superintendent Anthony Serio said Friday that the funding differences can be referred to the Joint Finance Committee, which consists of both Gilbert School and district board members. That is where it should be ironed out. Serio said funding negotiations could continue into the summer. However, Brady-Shanley has been told the school districts budget should be submitted by March 15. Funds from state grants for the school district are expected to be $1.89 million less than the last school year, or a decrease of 63.3 percent, from the current year. Funding from the education account from the town is expected to be $19.9 million, reflecting no increase from the prior school year. The total revenue for the school district, given the decrease in state grants and other funding, is expected to be $22 million, down nearly 8 percent from $23.9 million 2018-19 budget. Budget documents show that contractual pay increases, transportation and insurance costs increases, as well as an increase in special education spending, are among the districts major budget drivers this year. The selectman will pass the budget and perhaps theyll give us more money, Serio said. Asked if the annual budget process is normally this fraught, Brady-Shanley said, historically, it comes to an impasse regularly. We sought to go back to the table. It doesnt need to be this way, Brady-Shanley said Friday as the budget deadline approaches. A special meeting of the Winchester Board of Education was scheduled to be held Thursday evening at 6 p.m. at the Beardsley Library. The only item on the agenda was the Quarterly Gilbert Corporation / Winchester Public Schools BOE Meeting. However, the meeting was postponed , with a rescheduled date yet to be announced. Serio said the postponement was for a lack of a quorum. The school board had six members who were to attend, while only two members of the Gilbert Corp. were available, Brady-Shanley said. A Ukrainian-born musician is using the rapid-fire verse of hip-hop to put the complicated legacy of Stepan Bandera -- the variously beloved and reviled World War II-era Ukrainian nationalist leader -- in a different perspective. Inspired by the blockbuster American rap musical Hamilton, Berlin-based composer/musician Yuriy Gurzhy said "everyone laughed" at him when he first broached the idea of staging what he calls a "hiphopera" about the highly contentious Bandera. But Gurzhy and a rapt audience of hundreds had the last laugh when the show, Bandera, debuted at the innovative Maxim Gorki Theater in the German capital late last year and continued its run through mid-February. The whole opera appeared aimed at aspects of an admittedly reductive question: Stepan Bandera, hero or monster? "It always amazed me that any conversation about Bandera very quickly becomes emotional," the 43-year-old Gurzhy told RFE/RL. "Very often any discussion turns into one of hysterics." Bandera is revered as a hero by many Ukrainians for leading the militant wing of the anti-Soviet independence movement, the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN). He was honored as a "Hero Of Ukraine" in 2010 and, in December, the Ukrainian parliament voted to make his birthday a national holiday. War Criminal? But Bandera -- who was eventually killed by a Soviet assassin in Munich in 1959 -- is regarded as a traitor by others for leading an insurgent war against Soviet forces and collaborating with Nazi Germany, although the OUN also fought against the Nazis. He's also considered a war criminal by Poland for the OUN's massacres of ethnic Poles and an anti-Semitic murderer by Jews for similar alleged atrocities, despite spending much of the war under Nazi house arrest after trying to declare Ukrainian independence in 1941. Gurzhy wrote most of the songs and co-starred in Bandera alongside Moldovan-born actress Marina Frenk, who wrote the rest of the rap songs in it. "It seemed to me it would be great to try -- because...this is an important part of the history of Ukraine -- it would be great to try to transfer it all to another plane...make a comic strip* out of it...make the viewer see it from a different perspective," Gurzhy said. Gurzhy, who is Jewish, compared his opera to American director Mel Brooks' famous 1967 comedy The Producers, in which two Jewish producers stage a Broadway play portraying Adolf Hitler as a "cool guy." Gurzhy's production is a mishmash of English and German. "For many, [The Producers] was a catalyst -- a reason to look at the history of the Second World War a little differently," said Gurzhy, who was born in Kharkiv and moved to Germany in 1995. It's not the first time Gurzhy, who fronts the German-based band RotFront, has written a biographical stage production. He wrote a musical in 2013 for the Gorki Theater about the mercurial Ukrainian-born writer Lev Nussimbaum, who converted to Islam and wrote under the name Essad Bey. The mainly young, German audience applauded appreciatively at Bandera's final performance last month, possibly unaware of the historical wrangling generated by the life of its namesake. Bandera's legacy has taken on even greater symbolic significance since fighting began in 2014 between Russia-backed separatists and Ukrainian national forces in eastern Ukraine. Written by Pete Baumgartner based on reporting by RFE/RL Russian Service contributor Alexander Gogun *note that this article was amended to change "comedy" to "comic strip" Iranian President Hassan Rohani has called for what he called "decisive" action by Pakistan in the wake of a deadly suicide attack in a border area. During a telephone call on March 9, Rohani told Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan that inaction by Islamabad could jeopardize relations between the countries, Irans state news agency IRNA reported. Twenty-seven members of Iran's elite Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) were killed in in a suicide car bombing near the border with Pakistan on February 13. The Sunni Muslim extremist group Jaish al-Adl claimed responsibility for the attack in southeastern Iran. The group claims it is seeking better conditions for Iran's ethnic Baluchi minority. In his telephone call with Rohani on March 9, Khan said Pakistani forces had come close to the terrorists' hideout and there would soon be "good news" for Iran, IRNA reported. Based on reporting by AP and IRNA North Korea may be preparing to launch a missile or space rocket, U.S. National Public Radio (NPR) reported. The March 9 report was based on exclusive access to satellite photographs of North Korea's Sanumdong site, a facility that has been used by Pyongyang for the production of intercontinental missiles and space rockets in the past. The photographs were taken by the firm DigitalGlobe a few days before U.S. President Donald Trump met in Vietnam with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The images purportedly show rail cars, cranes, and trucks at the facility on February 22. NPR quoted Jeffrey Lewis, a researcher at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, California, as saying "it looks like when the North Koreans are in the process of building a rocket." The report comes shortly after the website 38 North and the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) concluded the North may have resumed operations at a long-range rocket launch site at Sohae. The February 27-28 summit between Trump and Kim ended without a joint statement or any agreement on North Korea's nuclear and missile programs. Trump said on March 8 that he would be "surprised in a negative way" if North Korea resumed testing missiles. "I would be very disappointed if I saw testing," he said. Based on reporting by NPR, AP, and Reuters Russia's Foreign Ministry has said that "an object similar to an unarmed mortar shell" was confiscated from the baggage of a U.S. Embassy employee at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport on March 9, the Russian state news agency TASS reported. The report said the object had a detonator but no explosives. According to the TASS report, the Russian Foreign Ministry considered the incident "a provocation." The incident comes at a time of tense relations between the two countries, aggravated last month by a U.S. decision to withdraw from a key Cold War-era nuclear-arms treaty amid accusations that Moscow had violated it. In response, Moscow also suspended its participation in the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty and accused the United States of violating it. "The U.S. Embassy was immediately informed about the incident," an unnamed Foreign Ministry source was quoted as saying. The unidentified embassy employee was allowed to board a flight to New York after the object was confiscated. The U.S. Embassy has not commented on the alleged incident. Based on reporting by TASS and Interfax Thousands of people took to the streets of the Serbian capital, Belgrade, on March 9 for the 14th straight weekend to demonstrate against President Aleksandar Vucic. The protests began back on December 8. Demonstrators are demanding that Vucic end his control over state media and are calling for fair elections. On March 9, protesters blocked the entrance to the head quarters of Serbian state broadcaster RTS for one hour, the German dpa news agency reported. One of the speakers addressing the crowd was Branislav Lecic, an actor and politician who was one of the leaders of Serbia's first massive pro-democracy protests on March 9, 1991. The demonstrations were triggered when a gang of thugs beat up opposition politician Borko Stefanovic in November. The movement has since adopted the slogan "one of 5 million," in a jab at Vucic, who said after the early rallies that he would not bow to a single demand "even if there were 5 million of you." So far, the organizers have not lined up behind any opposition group. But the protests have been backed by the largest opposition bloc, the Alliance for Change, a broad coalition grouping more than 20 parties and movements. Based on reporting by dpa and AP DUSHANBE -- When Sobir Sobirov learned in early 2018 that a Dushanbe-based firm called Garduna was guaranteeing Tajiks $1,300-a-month jobs at a Skoda automobile factory in the Czech Republic, his first thought was that the offer was too good to be true. Sobirov had lost his job as a driver in Dushanbe and heard about Garduna over social media after searching eight months to find steady work in a city where the average monthly wage is only about $200. So the money being dangled for work in Europe was certainly appealing, even if there were signs that something was amiss. For example, Garduna did not ask Sobirov about his training as a software developer or other qualifications he might have to live and work in the European Union. And the firm's only requirement was that job seekers provide a valid passport and pay an upfront "recruitment fee" of about $1,320 to secure employment at one of three Skoda production plants in the Czech Republic. To convince Sobirov that Garduna was legitimate, the company's co-owners showed him documents proving that it was legally registered in Tajikistan. They gave him copies of what they claimed would be his Skoda employment contract and promised to obtain a Czech visa and work permit for him. They also showed Sobirov photographs of an actual Skoda dormitory near a production plant in the Czech town of Mlada Boleslav where they said he would work and be housed as part of a "Skoda employment package." Finally, they arranged for Sobirov to have an "interview" with a 51-year-old Czech man named Vaclav Skohoutil -- describing him as an "intermediary" between Garduna and a recruitment agency called Chekhovskaya that they claimed was working with Skoda on "staff issues." 'A Little Bit Dodgy' Skoda Auto spokeswoman Kamila Biddle told RFE/RL that the automaker "is not linked with Garduna in any way," or with any recruitment agency called Chekhovskaya, and has "no involvement" in the activities of either company. "This sounds a little bit dodgy," Biddle said. Sobirov, however, was ultimately convinced by Garduna's elaborate details. He took out a $600 bank loan and, together with his life savings of about $720, handed the money over to the company. Then, like 200 other Tajiks who also paid Garduna's "recruitment fee," Sobirov waited for news about when he would be sent to the Czech Republic to start work. "First. I was told they would send me to the Czech Republic in June or July of 2018," Sobirov said. "They didn't. The next time I confronted them, they promised they would send me to Skoda in October. They didn't, but they assured me that I would start work there in January." Sobirov says it was when Garduna failed to contact him in January that he finally admitted to himself that he'd fallen for an elaborate "fake job" scam and would never again see the $1,320 "recruitment fee" he'd paid. Now, on top of trying to find sporadic odd jobs to support his wife and his elderly parents, Siborv is struggling to pay back his bank loan. He says he has been reduced to begging and borrowing money from his closest friends just to make ends meet. All Too Common The International Labor Organization (ILO) says fake job scams have become all too common, with "unscrupulous recruitment agencies" preying upon would-be migrant workers who want to travel abroad to build a better life for themselves and their families back home. The World Bank says Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are the world's most remittance-dependent economies -- with money sent back home by Central Asian migrant workers totaling more than three times that of official development aid. The Pew Research Center notes that the vast majority of Central Asian migrant workers -- more than 1 million from Uzbekistan and more than half a million each from Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan -- work in Russia where they face complicated bureaucracy, exploitative employment conditions, and social isolation. The ILO says that makes impoverished Central Asians particularly susceptible to fake job scams that "guarantee" employment in EU countries in exchange for paying a recruitment fee. Typically, the ILO says, many workers are not aware that they should not pay recruitment fees to get a job. "This principle is key and has been listed as one of the ILO principles to ensure fair recruitment," the ILO warns. Sharan Burrow, the General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation, says deceitful recruitment agencies also "take advantage of the lack of law enforcement by governments or because workers are simply not aware of their rights." But law enforcement officials in Tajikistan have vowed that they will take action. Criminal Investigation In Dushanbe, the Agency for State Financial Control and Combating Corruption says it has already launched a criminal investigation into the activities of Garduna. Garduna's three Tajik owners -- company director Bakhtiyor Arabov and his deputies Tokhir Rustamov and Tous Hushkadamova -- have been detained and questioned on charges of running a fraudulent scheme to swindle more than 200 Tajiks from across the country out of nearly $250,000 combined. More than half of the victims took out bank loans to pay Garduna's recruitment fee, the agency says. All of them have difficulties paying back what they borrowed and most are becoming desperate as the interest due on their unpaid loans accrues. Rustam Nuraliev, an investigator at the anticorruption agency, told RFE/RL that Tajik authorities are also searching for Skohoutil -- noting that he has visited Tajikistan on multiple occasions. Nuraliev says Skohoutil had stayed in contact with the scam victims, using the Viber messaging app to reassure them they'd be sent to the Czech Republic. But since Garduna's co-owners were detained for questioning in early March, Nuraliev says Skohoutil has "disappeared." Nuraliev said Tajik authorities are in the process of applying for an Interpol "red notice" on Skohoutil -- an international arrest warrant that would call on police around the world to detain him and wait for a court ruling on a request for his extradition to Tajikistan. But so far, Interpol's public database of "wanted" criminal suspects does not list Skohoutil. RFE/RL has been unable to contact Skohoutil in order to discuss his alleged role in Tajikistan's fake-jobs scam. Public records show that Skohoutil was born in the Czech town of Novy Bor, about 115 kilometers north of Prague, where he has operated several businesses since 1994. All of those firms are either defunct or are in the process of being liquidated. Written and reported by Ron Synovitz in Prague with reporting by RFE/RL correspondent Anushervon Aripov in Dushanbe. Police and far-right demonstrators have clashed outside the presidential administration building in the Ukrainian capital and in at least one other city. The far-right activists had gathered in Kyiv on March 9 to call for arrests of figures linked to an alleged military corruption scandal. A media investigation last week detailed purported embezzlement schemes in Ukraine's military industry, including the involvement of a factory controlled by President Petro Poroshenko. Video showed demonstrators trying to break through police lines, shoving officers and setting off fireworks. Police used tear gas to turn them back. In a statement, police said one officer was hospitalized with chemical burns to his eyes. Police said 15 officers were injured in clashes in the city of Cherkasy, about 150 kilometers southeast of Kyiv and the site of a campaign speech by Poroshenko for the March 31 presidential election. The investigation on media outlet Bihus.Info's program Nashi Hroshi alleged that Ihor Hladkovskyy, the son of close Poroshenko ally Oleh Hladkovskyy, who is deputy secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, organized a ring to smuggle spare military-equipment parts from Russia in 2015, a year after Moscow seized Ukraine's Crimea region and threw its support behind militant separatists in the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk. The report alleged that state defense facilities purchased the smuggled spare parts from private companies linked to Ihor Hladkovskyy and his friends at highly inflated prices. It claimed that Ukroboronprom, the state concern that supervises defense industry production facilities, knew the origin of the smuggled parts but agreed to buy them. The report also alleged that Ihor Hladkovskyy and his two associates illegally earned at least 250 million hryvnyas ($9.2 million) by smuggling the items from Russia through three major private firms, one of which belonged to Poroshenko at the time. A day after the investigative report was broadcast on YouTube on February 25, Poroshenko suspended Oleh Hladkovskyy from his post and two days later announced that a probe had been launched into the allegations. On March 4, Poroshenko fired Hladkovskyy. The election comes amid persistent economic challenges in the country and an ongoing war in eastern Ukraine against Russia-backed separatists. The latest survey conducted by the nongovernmental Rating Groups showed that 41-year-old comedian Volodymyr Zelenskiy leads the election race with the support of 25.1 percent of voters. Poroshenko had 16.6 percent support, followed by former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko with 16.2 percent. With reporting by AP The U.S. administration is considering a plan to demand that countries hosting American troops pay the full cost of their deployment -- plus a premium for the privilege of having them there, U.S. media outlets report. Bloomberg News and the Associated Press, quoting several administration officials and people briefed on the matter, said on March 8 that the administration has asked the Defense Department to assemble data on the costs of keeping troops in other countries and the amount host nations pay. The news agencies said the officials were speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly. National Security Council spokesman Garrett Marquis did not comment directly on the reports, but he said that getting allies to "increase their investment in our collective defense and ensure fairer burden-sharing" has long been a goal of the U.S. government. President Donald Trump has complained that U.S. allies, including those in NATO, are not contributing enough to their own defense and burdening U.S. taxpayers with the costs. As part of the proposed policy, some nations hosting U.S. troops could be asked to pay five to six times as much as they do now under the "Cost Plus 50" formula, suggesting a premium of 50 percent of the actual cost for having the troops on their soil. U.S. troops have a presence in most NATO countries, but they have had large bases in countries such as Germany, Italy, Britain, Japan, and Italy since the end of World War II and later in countries such as Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain. Based on reporting by AP and Bloomberg Hundreds of people protested in the U.S. capital to demand "regime change now" in Iran and denouncing what one called Tehrans "atrocity toward the people." Protesters in Washington on March 8 chanted and waved Iranian flags, with some holding portraits of Maryam Rajavi, president of the Paris-based National Council of Resistance of Iran, a group that is banned in Iran. "The regime inside Iran is doing so much atrocity toward the people. Iran in whole has been destroyed by this regime," said Michael Passi, an Iranian-American engineer participating in the protest. "There are a lot of executions, a lot of torture, and a lot of exporting of terrorism by this regime," he said, according to the AFP news agency. AFP quoted Mina Entezari, an activist who was a political prisoner in Iran for seven years, as saying, We want separation of religion and the state." We want freedom for people," added Entezari. The administration of President Donald Trump has taken a hard line against Tehran, accusing it of financing terrorism in the Middle East and of attempting to obtain nuclear weapons in violation of UN resolutions. Iran denies the charges. Based on reporting by AFP UNCASVILLE, Conn. (Associated Press) - A former blackjack dealer at a Connecticut casino has been charged with conspiring with two gamblers to cheat the casino out of more than $60,000. The Day reports that 49-year-old David C. Peters, of New London, is charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree larceny, first-degree larceny and cheating in connection with the alleged cheating last fall at the Mohegan Sun casino. Tribal police say Peters allowed the players to increase wagers after the time to do so had passed. He also allegedly paid them when they had tied or lost, or diverted cards that would break their hands. Police say one player won nearly $34,000 at Peters table. Peters attorney, Peter Catania, said Thursday he is still reviewing the facts of the case and it would be premature to comment. Body of man reportedly kidnapped day before found outside Puerto Aventuras Puerto Aventuras, Q.R. The body of a man reportedly kidnapped the day before in Tulum has been found on property outside Puerto Aventuras. The body of Marco Tulio Sansores Medrano, general secretary of the Sindicato Unico de Trabajadores of CAPA, was discovered Friday morning on a ranch outside the town of Puerto Aventuras. Elements of the Mexican Army and Federal Gendarmerie were sent to the site where they made the discovery around 11:00 a.m. Officials say that the body was found on a dirt road at kilometer 262 of the Playa del Carmen-Tulum highway. Photo: Policia Municipal Marco Tulio Sansores Medrano, who worked as a union leader for la Comision de Agua Potable y Alcantarillado (CAPA), was reportedly forceably removed by four men from a Tulum bar the night before. The four men allegedly fled with Sansores Medrano in white car. His body was found the next morning by a private security guard on the property outside Puerto Aventuras. The security guard called Emergency 911. Ministerial police continue to investigate. Cancun police arrest two, seize truck, 102 kilos of drugs Cancun, Q.R. Regional Security police of Cancun have detained two and seized their vehicle after finding more than 100 kilos of marijuana hidden inside their truck. Members of the regional security division of the federal police say that a truck traveling from Hidalgo was stopped for a routine inspection when the drug discovery was made. The federal agency reported that the arrest was made Thursday along the Agrarian Reform-Puerto Juarez section of highway where agents stopped a Toyota truck with Hidalgo plates for inspection. Photo: Policia Federal Two officers identified only as B.S.D. and M.D.C. requested the driver of the truck open one of the 200-liter drums he was carrying. Once opened, police detected the smell of marijuana. The truck was carrying five 200-liter drums marked as animal feed. Inside, police discovered a total of 102 kilos of marijuana. The two men inside the truck were arrested for transporting drugs, while the truck and five drums were seized as evidence and turned over to la Fiscalia General de la Republica (FGR) in Cancun. The City Council this week directed city staff to begin preparing to receive the money, which comes from a surplus in the California budget that several state legislators helped secure, a city staff report said. His lawyers are planning to appeal. He, now 57 old, identified only as Klaus O. in line with German privacy rules, was an employee four decades of the metal fittings company in Schloss Holte-Stukenbrock and was known rarely communicating because he had no friends. The evidence of his criminal activity was proved by installing a hidden camera in the break room. He was found dusting food of his colleagues bags with a white powder later discovered as highly toxic. His colleagues ingested chemicals and began to fall victim to various illnesses. The convicted man In a search of his home police discovered a makeshift laboratory where they found a number of heavy metals, including lead acetate, cadmium, lead and mercury. Judge Georg Zimmermann described this chemical arsenal as more dangerous than all combat agents used in World War II. Two of his colleagues suffered serious kidney damage. A third has brain damage and is currently in a vegetative state, unlikely to recover. A psychiatrist had confirmed that the defendant was not only fully responsible for his actions, but that he might strike again, if given a chance.The convicted man is suspected for a string of 21 deaths of former employees at the same company. Nobody has any idea about the motivation of this man. The actual verdict did not mark the end of the investigation. Accident Muzaffarnagar (UP), Mar 9: Four people died and nine people were injured when their car rammed into a truck in Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar district, police said on Saturday. The incident occurred in Ratenpuri area of Khatauli block on Friday night. The victims were returning from a wedding in Khera village of Meerurt to Rankhandi village in Saharanpur district. The deceased have not been identified yet and the injured were rushed to a hospital, where some of them are in a critical condition, the police added. -PTI Praveen Togadia Bhopal, Mar 9 (PTI) Former VHP leader Praveen Togadia Friday said the air strike on a Jaish-e-Mohammed training camp in Pakistan has not yielded desired results as terror attacks have not stopped in Jammu and Kashmir. Terrorist attacks have not stopped due to the "weak" leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he alleged. Without naming then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the Hindutva leader praised the country's leadership during the 1971 Indo-Pak war, which led to the creation of Bangladesh. "My question is, have terror attacks stopped after the air strike in Balakot? After the air strike, two majors and 10 jawans had been killed (in separate incidents in J&K). There was a grenade attack in Jammu yesterday," he said. "If the surgery has been done, what is its importance (if the disease has not been cured)? Surgery (for me) means to get the patient rid of cancer," Togadia, a qualified cancer surgeon, told reporters here. Advertisement To a question, Togadia said what is the use of air strikes if solders are still dying? "We split Pakistan in 1971, but at that time the leadership was with somebody else," said the firebrand Hindutva leader. Apparently referring to Modi, who made a surprise visit to Pakistan in 2015-end, he said, "The leadership which without invitation goes to eat the cake of (former) Prime Minister (Nawaz Sharif) is weak." "Official figures say 488 soldiers had been killed in 53 months (in J&K). Why was Pakistan the most favoured country for Modiji?" he asked. Togadia said it was baffling that separatist leaders in Kashmir were provided security. "Modi should answer this. Modiji has neglected national security," he charged. "Life of every human is of great importance but that of soldier is of paramount importance to us," Togadia said. He disapproved of the ongoing politics over the February 26 the air strike on a Jaish-e-Mohammed camp inside Pakistan. P. Chidambaram New Delhi, Mar 9 (PTI) Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Saturday hit out at the Centre over alleged lack of job creation, saying the three main issues in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls would be jobs, jobs and jobs. "What is worse? Not creating jobs or lying about creation of jobs?" Chidambaram asked in a tweet, alleging that the National Democratic Alliance government was guilty of both. "The top three issues in the elections will be jobs, jobs and jobs." "Glad that CII (Confederation of Indian Industry) has found its voice and has exposed the government's bogus claims on job creation. Hope that others also will speak up," the former Union finance minister added. Advertisement The CII had on Wednesday expressed concern over the country's job market amid growing challenges of making a generation employment-ready. However, it had on Thursday said the recent reforms ushered in by the government were creating new livelihoods across existing and emerging sectors. Fugitive billionaire diamantaire Nirav Modi London, Mar 9: The diamond merchant, Nirav Modi, who fled the country after committing a fraud of 13,000 Cr with funds taken from Punjab National Bank, has been spotted, and questioned by the reporters of The Telegraph UK in London. Advertisement As reported by The Telegraph, he lives in an affluent Centre point Tower Block apartment. The said apartment, if taken on rent must be worth Rs 15.5 lakh per month, and if bought, its cost hovers around Rs 73 Cr. Modi can be seen sporting a handle-bar mustache and wearing an Ostrich Hide jacket The revelation comes a day after Modi's 30,000 sq ft seaside mansion at Kihim beach in Maharashtra was demolished by authorities using explosives. Despite his bank accounts being frozen by the Indian authorities and an Interpol red notice being issued for his arrest, Modi, a diamond jeweler whose designs have been worn by Hollywood stars, is now involved in a new diamond business based in London, the report said. Advertisement Modi ducked them by saying, "Sorry no comments" In a video posted by the newspaper, Modi can be seen sporting a handle-bar mustache and wearing an Ostrich Hide jacket, estimated to cost 10,000 pounds. When the journalist from The Telegraph questioned him on various issues, including whether he has urged Britain to grant him a political asylum, Modi ducked them by saying, "Sorry, no comment". A source told the UK daily that Modi had been given a National Insurance number by the Department for Work and Pensions, which means he can legally work in Britain, and has access to British bank accounts. Revised plan : Air pollution control for Bonn without diesel driving ban Bonn The district government of Cologne has revised the clean air plan for the city of Bonn. Authorities no longer see any reason to enforce diesel driving bans on Reuterstrae and Belderberg. Teilen Teilen Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Tweeten Tweeten Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Drucken In November, a Cologne court ruled that both Cologne and Bonn would have to impose diesel bans on older vehicles in order to improve air quality. But the state of North Rhine-Westphalia is challenging the ruling before a higher court, which means the case will be retried in July, and no diesel driving bans will be implemented for April 1, 2019 as previously threatened. Engineers who were contracted by the city administration came to the conclusion that a diesel driving ban would result in cars having to drive an extra 170,000 kilometers each day to circumvent the restricted zones. It would mainly affect the street Bonner Talweg where the number of vehicles passing through would rise from 17,000 to 20,000 on a daily basis. A part of Wittelsbacherring and Endenicher Strae would also have been affected. Retrofitting to reduce pollution The retrofitting of buses from the Bonn Public Works (SWB) and Rhine-Sieg Transportation Authority (RSVG) with SCRT filters is intended to reduce nitrogen oxide pollution at the Belderberg road. This will happen in both 2019 and 2020. RSVG will put new buses with Euro-Norm 6 into service this year. A further 29 buses will be retrofitted. "Once these measures have been completed, RSVG will only use Euro-Norm 6 buses on the Belderberg road, with a few exceptions," reads the Clean Air Plan. The climate ticket, available since December, has made it possible for new subscribers to use public transport in Bonn for 365 euros a year, which also relieves traffic. By the beginning of February, around 3,000 tickets had been sold. Nextbike's rental bike system is also designed to encourage motorists to leave their cars at home. Whether the new air pollution control plan will stand up in court, however, will only be resolved in the proceedings in July. "Skepticism remains", says Rolf Beu, chairman of the Green parliamentary group in the regional council of the district government. The revised plan is mainly based on the retrofitting of bus fleets. Reuterstrasse will remain the main thoroughfare for commuters in the future. And it is questionable as to whether cheaper fares for only passengers living in Bonn makes sense, not only from a legal standpoint. 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. Australian and US researchers have developed a way to discover elusive cancer-promoting genes, and have already identified one that appears to promote aggressive breast cancers. The University of Queensland and Albert Einstein College of Medicine team has developed a statistical approach to reveal many previously hard-to-find genes that contribute to cancer. Associate Professor Jess Mar, of the University of Queensland's Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, said the majority of 'oncogenes' identified to date showed up in most patients with a particular cancer type. "When you average the data across those patients, those common oncogenes tend to stand out, but they don't paint the full picture," Dr Mar said. "Even if a group of people all have the same type or even subtype of cancer, the molecular makeup of that cancer is different from person to person because the activity of genes vary between people," she said. "If an oncogene is over-active in one group of patients but inactive in another group, that's statistically harder to see using the tools that we had available. "If you only look at the average activity of a gene across the two groups, you'd never see the high activity in the first group." The Oncomix method enables researchers to 'zoom in' on genetic information from cancer patients and identify genes with two distinct 'bumps' of data - low activity in one group of patients but high activity in another. "We're acknowledging that there is diversity among cancer patients, but we're still looking for trends in the data that pertain to groups of people," Dr Mar said. Dr Mar and her colleagues used Oncomix to examine breast cancer data from The Cancer Genome Atlas patient database. They identified five genes that were over-active in a subset of breast cancer patients and followed up on the most promising target, known as CBX2. "Previous studies have shown that most healthy female tissue has low levels of CBX2 activity, while an aggressive subtype of breast cancer has been shown to have high levels of CBX2 activity," Dr Mar said. "This suggested a possible link between CBX2 activity and breast cancer, but the nature of that link hadn't been investigated. "So we switched off the gene in a human breast cancer cell line and this slowed down the growth of those cancer cells, suggesting that CBX2 might promote tumour growth." Dr Mar said if further tests confirmed that CBX2 was an oncogene, it could be a potential therapeutic drug target for aggressive types of breast cancer. "This discovery highlights the potential value of the Oncomix approach," Dr Mar said. "Identifying 'hidden' oncogenes that are unique to smaller groups of cancer patients will open up new therapeutic avenues and move us closer to personalised medicine." Oncomix is now a publicly-available, open source software tool, and the study is published in the British Journal of Cancer. SF Chronicle Graphics, Nextzen, OpenStreetMap More than 6,500 residents in Redwood City, Portola Valley and Woodside were temporarily without power on Saturday after a tree fell onto a power line in Redwood City, utility officials said. The power cut to residents when a tree made contact with an overhead power line at 11:03 a.m. Saturday, said Karly Hernandez, a spokeswoman with Pacific Gas & Electric Co. Francisco Martinez likes to read. The Bible, usually. And he likes to ditch his tent a few hours a day for somewhere inside, where its warm and out of the rain, the people are nice and he can snatch a nap in a chair. Theres one place that fills the bill for a homeless guy like Martinez, who at 78 moves more like someone whos 88. The library. Ive got nowhere else but here, he said the other day as he settled into a window chair in San Franciscos Main Library with a Bible study book from a nearby rack on his lap, a knapsack on the floor next to him. His weather-beaten face showed decades of hard wear. But he was neat. Quiet. I dont like shelters, so this is the place I come to, he said. I can mind my business, stay out of trouble, and they treat me decently. Hes got a lot of company in the burgeoning number of homeless folks who have discovered welcome mats at public libraries all over America. And now, theres a Hollywood movie coming out about them. The Public, set for national release on April 5, is a fictional drama about a group of homeless men who take over the Cincinnati Main Library one winter night to avoid freezing to death. And though its got the usual Tinseltown flashes of romance, a standoff with the cops, and a powerhouse cast Alec Baldwin, Taylor Schilling and Emilio Estevez it achieves a rarity in films about the homeless. It captures reality. Credit this to Estevez, the 56-year-old director, writer and star of the movie. A longtime social activist like his father, actor Martin Sheen, Estevez did his homework on the street with homeless people. His project was 12 years in the making, and it shows in the way he captures the reality of what goes on in the typical library when homeless people use it. The proof is in the nuances: The way the homeless shave and wash up in the bathroom, the calm way the librarians handle a crazy guy talking about lasers beaming from his eyes, the pure exhaustion on the faces of men taking refuge. Most telling is Estevezs portrayal of street people as rough individuals who manage to maintain their senses of humor and decency. The movie depicts them as they are, without exaggeration. Estevez began his research after reading a 2007 essay by Chip Ward, a now-retired Salt Lake City librarian, about the surprising numbers of homeless people using libraries as asylums. But the core of the directors research was on the sidewalks in Los Angeles, where the 2,000-soul Skid Row is the biggest homeless sprawl in the nation. I learned to keep my mouth shut and listen, Estevez told The Chronicle this week as he prepared to head to San Francisco for a preview screening of his film on Sunday at Glide Memorial Church. Just by listening to the stories and allowing the people I talked to freely express themselves, I learned quite a lot. Its a fine line between being vulturistic and being a researcher. The point of the film, Estevez said, is not to just entertain people, but to raise awareness of the new role libraries fill for homeless people. A strain of civil disobedience runs through the film, an echo of the social activism Estevez witnessed in his father, who has been arrested 68 times at protests, several in the Bay Area. I thought it was important to create a conversation and shine a light on the unsung heroes the librarians and on the problem of people who are experiencing homelessness, Estevez said. If we dont have the conversation about homelessness, which is a crisis, were never going to solve it. To that end, hes been spending the past month previewing the movie and holding public discussions in cities across the West, mostly in libraries, and will visit 30 communities by the time the movie opens. Hes coming to San Francisco at the invitation of Kelley Cutler, an organizer with the Coalition on Homelessness here who approached him after a screening in Palm Springs. Homeless movies usually dont do well, but this one is different, Cutler said. Its really on point, really about whats going on. And Emilio is so sweet, down to earth he actually sees the relevance, the reality. So I thought he just absolutely had to show it here in San Francisco. The original plan was to show the movie at the Main Library, but it immediately became clear after the coalition advertised the showing that the venue with a capacity for 200 people wouldnt do. The event was moved to Glide, and the 800 tickets all free were quickly snapped up. Cutler will be on a panel with Estevez talking about homelessness after the showing. Librarians began noticing about 15 years ago that homeless people were coming in in increasing numbers to use the internet, wash up, take naps and, as much as anything, simply read and have some quiet time. Just like anyone else. After all, as city homelessness Director Jeff Kositsky said, It is a public place, and unhoused people have every right to use it as housed people do. In San Francisco, dozens, sometimes hundreds, of homeless people like Martinez come to the libraries daily. Around the Bay Area, that number runs into the thousands. This can be a problem, when someone whos mentally ill rants in the aisles or addicts shoot up in the bathroom. But many libraries around the nation have learned to keep those issues to a minimum thanks largely to a pioneering program in San Francisco that stationed a social worker on-site to help the desperate, instead of just keeping a lid on them with police interventions. The social worker, Leah Esguerra, was posted to the Main Library 10 years ago after complaints by other patrons about homeless behavior. The idea behind Esguerras experiment was that instead of rousting the people out, a professional counselor could get them help for housing, shelter or rehab, or just chill out the atmosphere, help everyone fit in together. It has been so successful that 30 other libraries in the nation are replicating a form of Esguerras program. She now has six assistants formerly homeless people, trained to help and her team has helped house 200 people and routed hundreds of others into shelter and services. Esguerra, who works for Kositskys office, will also be on Sundays panel with Cutler and Estevez. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. What we do works because people are already here in the library, she said. Why not access them where theyre at? Its warm, its a sanctuary. Theres a sense of stability here. We see those experiencing homelessness as people. We dont other them. We know theyre experiencing trauma, and if we approach them like that, most of the time they appreciate it. Its been a real culture shift. The library system in Anchorage, Alaska, is in the sixth month of its social work program, using San Franciscos model. After connecting hundreds of homeless people with shelter, counseling and other services, its being expanded to other branches. I do think its making a big difference, said Anchorage social worker Rebecca Barker, who has two support workers and is training the librarians on how to better handle street people who come through the doors. We de-escalate things. And really, what I find homeless people here want most is jobs and housing not trouble. I have to say, its really nice having the wisdom of Leah (Esguerra) to depend on. In San Francisco, librarian Shawana Sherman said the social work program has made a big difference. Adjustments have to be made now and then after a surge of complaints in 2014, the library tightened up its conduct rules and that calmed things down again and thats a positively evolving thing, she said. Having Leah and her team here makes me feel supported, Sherman said while staffing the checkout desk one day. We get trauma training, which helps. Instead of just thinking, Oh, this person is homeless and a problem, you think about whats going on behind the behaviors you see. And that helps you react helpfully, not just trying to figure it out as you go. The kindness-over-enforcement approach works OK for Martinez, who mostly wants to be left alone. But for Phillip Torres, 35, its been a life changer. Before those social workers were here, it was just a free-for-all in the library sex and doping in the bathroom stalls all the time, fights, everything, said Torres, whos been homeless much of his life and strolled into the Main Library the other day to recharge his phone and peruse the book stacks. Now? Its cool. Hes sleeping in a tent in the Tenderloin, but a year ago, Esguerras team helped him get housing. He was evicted six months ago relationship problems, he said but is working with the team to get back inside. Those guys are good, he said. They didnt give up on me. Its nice that they actually care that much. Kevin Fagan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kfagan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @KevinChron According to my own unscientific research, if youre reading this column, youre probably drinking a cup of coffee. Words and coffee go together, so here are some words about coffee. We will make the case that the Bay Area is the coffee capital of the West. Not Seattle, that rainy upstart to the north, or Los Angeles, that sunny megacity to the south. The first cup of restaurant coffee in the West was served in San Francisco in 1846; the first commercially roasted coffee was produced in the city in 1850 by a firm that eventually became Folgers Coffee, a brand that is still sold in supermarkets. All this happened in the days before Seattle was even founded and Los Angeles was a only a dusty nowhere town. Thats history, but San Francisco continues to be on the coffee frontier. It is the home of Cafe X, where the barista is a robot in a glistening silver-and-glass kiosk at the Metreon on Mission Street and two other locations in the city. The robot can make all kinds of specialty coffee: Americano, latte, all the rest. Cafe X was founded in 2017 by Henry Hu, a San Franciscan. It was the first robot coffee stand in the United States. The motto: Never Wait in Line Again. Like most of us, I took coffee for granted. Coffee always starts my day, and its there at work, too. Like a lot of veteran San Franciscans, I remember the aroma of roasting coffee on the Embarcadero in the days when Hills Bros. had a big waterfront coffee plant. But I never realized that the Bay Area was famous in the world of coffee. That changed when I met Monika Trobits, a self-confessed coffeeholic. She was hawking her book Bay Area Coffee last weekend at History Days at the Old Mint in the city. Liz Hafalia / The Chronicle I bought the book and read about the rise and fall and the current renaissance of Bay Area coffee. Its a stimulating story, sometimes as rich as espresso, sometimes as flat as yesterdays coffee. Later, I had a latte with Trobits, sitting outdoors at a Peets on Market Street. Shes a New Yorker and a true believer, who first became attracted to coffee when customers ground coffee beans at an A&P market. I loved the aroma of the coffee, she said. Eventually, she moved west in 1982 and discovered the local coffee culture from coffee shops to places such as Caffe Trieste in North Beach. There are three coffee cities in America, she said. New York, New Orleans and San Francisco. San Francisco became important to coffee because coffee beans from Hawaii, Java and Central and South America came through the port. By the turn of the 20th century, San Francisco was a major coffee-roasting capital, with Folgers, Hills Bros. and MJB the leading brands. They were all family owned. You know the old story, Trobits said. The first generation founds the business, the second grows the business, and the third sells it. By the 1980s, all three brands were sold to larger corporations. But that brought trouble. The quality declined as well, Trobits said. Then came what Trobits likes to call a battle for the younger market between cola and coffee. She calls it the coffee versus cola wars. Cola tried to market itself as the young peoples drink the Pepsi Generation and coffee switched from supermarket brands to speciality coffees. It was a clear victory for coffee. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. The leader in the field, of course, is Starbucks, with 29,000 stores worldwide and $24.7 billion in revenue last year. But even Starbucks has Bay Area roots. Jerry Baldwin, Zev Siegl and Gordon Bowker, who lived in the Pacific Northwest, met as students at the University of San Francisco, where they became familiar with Alfred Peet, who had opened a specialty coffee operation in 1966 at Walnut and Vine streets in Berkeley. Peet had worked for the big local coffee companies and was appalled by the coffee they produced. His product was what Trobits calls a completely new and different coffee tasting experience. And a modest success. The three USF alumni, now back in Seattle, decided to start their own coffee business and consulted Peet about his selection of coffee beans and his style of roasting. They opened their first store, calling it Starbucks, at the Pike Place Market in Seattle on the last day of March 1971. And the rest is history. But now what Trobits calls a third wave of beans is sweeping the coffee world, fueled, she said, by the new tech industry. The techies, she said, are a new brand of Argonauts, comparing them to the original 49ers of the Gold Rush. They are young, savvy, interested in new things. They seem to be sold on coffee and have made coffeehouses their workplaces. These coffee places are now peoples offices, she said. Its not your parents coffee shop, or your cup of old-time percolated coffee on a Sunday morning. Carl Noltes column appears Sundays. Email: cnolte@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @carlnoltesf Milton Moskowitz, a business journalist and author best known for co-writing the popular 100 Best Companies to Work For lists, died Tuesday at his Mill Valley home from natural causes. He was 91. Moskowitz, decades ago, pioneered what was then considered a different approach to business journalism, focusing more on employees than managers or investors. He was the author of several books on corporate America, including six that he wrote with Robert Levering. Moskowitz and Levering co-authored Fortunes 100 Best Companies to Work For list and articles until 2015. Its a significant accomplishment that companies now are paying attention to how they behave, their relationship with the environment, their employees, their community, Levering said. Those are topics businesses have to be concerned with. I think Milt had a lot to do with that reality. Moskowitz was born in Yonkers, N.Y., to Morris Moskowitz and Florence Goodman, who had emigrated from Eastern Europe. His career in journalism started in 1951, when he was hired as a copy boy at the Chicago Sun. He went on to work as a staff reporter for the Hearst wire service, International News Service, as well as Reuters and Advertising Age in London and New York. He began writing the column The Money Tree for The San Francisco Chronicle three times a week starting in 1968. It was later syndicated to more than 30 newspapers across America. Milt was a passionate and fierce advocate for the idea that businesses should treat their employees well and they should be accountable to society, said his stepson Blaine Townsend. And he was relentless in his sort of pursuit of information on those kind of best practices. He wanted to disseminate them and talk about them and have them fully realized in the public debate. Townsend recalls that while he was growing up, the family had a special, huge mailbox to fit all of the newspapers and magazines that Moskowitz subscribed to. What certainly for me will always be more than a memory will be Milts extraordinary intellect and his ability to read four books at the same time, and his love of the theater ... his love of not only classical music but also jazz and ultimately the fact that we did quite a bit of travel, said his wife, Liz Rollins. Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes Moskowitz was a foodie who loved to read and go on walks, Rollins said. The last book she and Moskowitz read together was Michelle Obamas memoir, Becoming. He was someone who was very quiet, and yet when he spoke the room became quiet because there was always something that was more than cultivated and intellectual, Rollins said. It was a point of view that only he could deliver. Moskowitz is survived by his wife of 16 years, Liz Rollins; his brother, Jerry Moskowitz of San Rafael; three children, Jonah, Eben and Abigail Moskowitz, all of San Francisco; four stepsons, Laird Townsend of Great Barrington, Mass., Lee Townsend Jr. of San Francisco, Blaine Townsend of Mill Valley and Salim Rollins of Nairobi, Kenya; three stepdaughters, Leigh Ann Townsend of Mill Valley, Leslie Parks-Bailey of Atlanta and Fatma Rollins of Nairobi; and seven step-grandchildren. A memorial is being planned for the summer. Sophia Kunthara is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sophia.kunthara@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SophiaKunthara Sen. Elizabeth Warren introduced a crowd-pleasing proposal Friday in her bid for the Democratic presidential nomination: Break up the biggest technology companies, including Amazon, Facebook and Google. In a blog post, the senator from Massachusetts promised big, structural changes to the tech sector, including undoing some of the mergers that have enriched the tech giants. The policy would also prevent those companies from using their service to sell other goods and services that they own. Her proposal marks one of the most aggressive bids to rein in near-trillion dollar corporations in the tech sector. The tech giants were largely quiet Friday, but others around Silicon Valley were unimpressed. Warren is jumping on the bandwagon of blaming tech for all societal ills, Bilal Zuberi, a partner at Lux Capital, which has headquarters in New York and Menlo Park, said in an email. She doesnt understand. If you do this and China doesnt break up Alibaba, you can kiss American tech leadership goodbye, tweeted Zach Tratar, a software engineer. More on Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth Warren joins presidential race, offers populist appeal for change Warrens plan would put particular strictures on tech companies that have more than $25 billion in revenue and operate a public marketplace or exchange (what Warren calls platform utilities). Google would be forced to split off its ad and search businesses. Warren also called for tech giants to stop transferring or sharing data with third parties. And Amazon would not be able to sell its own versions of popular items on the Amazon Marketplace, she wrote in the blog post. The biggest of the big The proposal from Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., to regulate big tech companies would fall overwhelmingly on the Bay Area's internet and hardware giants. Bay Area companies with revenue of more than $25 billion Annual revenue Apple, Cupertino $261.6 billion McKesson, San Francisco $213.5 billion Chevron, San Ramon $158.9 billion Alphabet, Mountain View $136.8 billion Wells Fargo, San Francisco $101.1 billion Intel, Santa Clara $70.9 billion HP Inc., Palo Alto $58.7 billion Facebook, Menlo Park $55.8 billion Cisco, San Jose $50.8 billion Oracle, Redwood City $39.8 billion Hewlett Packard Enterprise, San Jose $30.7 billion Source: Bloomberg See More Collapse Representatives from Amazon, Facebook and Google did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The tech sector has come under fire in recent years for controversies related to data privacy and misinformation. Critics say its time for more government supervision. Warrens proposal to break up big tech is what Silicon Valley needs, David Heinemeier Hansson, the Malibu-based creator of the Ruby on Rails programming language, said in a tweet Friday. Theyll kick, scream, lobby. And then 10 years after its done, theyll all laud its vision, as they count the proceeds from the next round of progress itll enable, he added. David Ryan Polgar, a tech ethicist in New York, said Warrens pitch was unsurprising. I think a larger issue that is here is, big tech has unchecked and unelected power, and that power also massively influences how we see the world, how we get our information and how we connect, he said. Breaking down big tech companies is one possible solution, he said, though realistically, I dont think its going to happen in the next year or two. Some members of the Bay Area tech community said the proposal showed how little Warren understands the industry. Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes If you think some intervention is needed against some industry or company, you need to define what exactly the harm youre addressing is ... and how the specific remedy you propose changes that, Benedict Evans, a partner at Menlo Park venture firm Andreessen Horowitz, tweeted. Break it up is not a policy analysis. There is no doubt that misfires happen, said Zuberi of Lux Capital. But only someone without doing any economic impact analysis would come up with a random target to break up companies doing more than $25 billion in revenues. In her blog post, Warren criticized tech giants for using their enormous wealth to snap up smaller competitors and stamp out innovation. She said venture capitalists are now hesitant to fund new startups. Bradley Leimer, whose consulting firm, Unconventional Ventures, matches startup founders with funders, said Warren isnt wrong. Services are making money by harvesting our data and doing it in more discreet ways, but ... the next iteration of those platforms arent able to see the light of day, he said. They are taken from where they could go by being acquired early by these large institutions. Warren appears to be trying to set herself apart with the proposal for harsh regulation. But some of her rivals, including Sen. Bernie Sanders, D-Vermont, and Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., have also taken swings at big tech. A lot of people in the industry realize change is coming, Polgar said. Melia Russell is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: melia.russell@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @meliarobin As California fire officials roll out an ambitious plan to thin the states overgrown forests in an attempt to prevent another year of deadly wildfires, a growing body of research suggests their success may be limited. The foremost strategy, proposed in a 28-page report to the governor last week, is to clear trees and brush near vulnerable communities. Thirty-five areas, including about a half dozen in the Bay Area, are targeted in the safety blitz. But while fewer trees can mean less fuel for fires, researchers have found that it can also mean undermining a forests natural defenses and increase the fire risk. For example, thinning can let in sunlight that dries out the woodlands or create space for new, less fire-resistant vegetation to emerge. Even in cases where forest thinning could slow the spread of a fire, knowing where to do the work that is, predicting where it will intercept a blaze is next to impossible, researchers say. If, by chance, flames do burn into a treated area, it takes one ember to blow over the project and ignite another area. Some of Californias recent fires threw sparks a mile or more. Its not fair to say that fuel treatments wont do any good, said Max Moritz, a UC Cooperative Extension wildfire specialist at UC Santa Barbara. It may provide some protection in some places. But most of us studying this agree that you cant just do this and (expect to) make much headway. The plan by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire, comes at the request of Gov. Gavin Newsom. On his second day in office, Newsom asked the agency to develop a proposal to address the increasingly destructive fire seasons that have rattled the state and are expected to worsen with climate change. The Cal Fire proposal lays out a suite of actions to lessen the risk of damaging fires. It includes possibly hiring more firefighters, increasing public education and working with local governments on hazard planning. But the most immediate is the fuel-reduction work at the 35 sites. The projects, many of which are already under way, span 94,000 acres of forest through such areas as Woodside, Los Gatos, Orinda, Santa Cruz County and Big Sur. Cal Fire spokesman Scott McLean acknowledges that the thinning wont necessarily stop the type of mega-fires seen in recent years, but he says it can help. It gives the folks in those areas time to evacuate and it also give the firefighters a chance to get in there and mitigate the fire, he said. One concern of fire researchers is that Cal Fire will clear too many trees as part of the effort, noting that fuel reduction has often been code for logging. Not only is harvesting trees potentially damaging to the environment but it does little to temper a fire. Recent studies show that areas of forest with large trees tend to burn more slowly and less hot than areas that are broadly cleared. A study published last year by Harold Zald, an assistant professor of forest mensuration and biometrics at Humboldt State University, looked at burn patterns on the California-Oregon border and found that logging sites experienced some of the highest fire intensity. Having bigger trees and a more complex fuel structure, associated with a natural regenerating forest, will have lower fire severity, Zald said. The shade provided by a mature forest and the lack of younger, more flammable vegetation are among the reasons that older trees offer better defense. Cal Fire officials say they dont intend to do any clear-cutting on their projects and plan to tailor their actions to maximize fire protection at each site. Surgical thinning of the forest, when trees and brush are properly cut back, can help reduce fire severity, most researchers agree. You can make things worse ... but you can also make things better, said Scott Stephens, a professor of fire science at UC Berkeley. When forested landscapes are in better condition, you dont have the extreme spread rates and ember rates. Stephens, like many researchers, acknowledges that such precision forestry is not easy to do. Putting work crews in the woods with chain saws, bulldozers and wood chippers is costly and time-consuming, and theres opportunity for error. For example, if trimmings are left on the ground after the work is done, fire risk goes up. Choosing where to do the thinning is also difficult, given the 15 million acres of California forest that the state says is at risk of burning. The chance of a wildfire running into a fuel-reduction project before the vegetation grows back is just 1 percent, according to an estimate provided by Dominick DellaSala at the Geos Institute in Ashland, Ore. Many researchers say the most thorough and cost-effective ways to reduce fuel is to light preemptive fires or let natural fires burn. Controlled burning can clear the most combustible vegetation and cover large swaths of land. The absence of fire in California is the main reason that forests have become so overgrown. Decades of fire suppression by the state and federal governments has saved lives and homes, but has resulted in a dangerous buildup of fuels. Fire Tracker Follow wildfires across the state Latest updates on wildfires burning across Northern and Southern California On a big scale, we cant mechanically thin our way out of the problem, said Zald at Humboldt State. The only way that we can remove fuels on such a large scale and such large amounts is working with fire. The Cal Fire report recommends some immediate prescribed burning but mostly calls for incorporating controlled fires over time. Cal Fire officials acknowledge that burning can be tough to do because of public concerns about smoke and the potential for flames to go awry. Also, most of the land that Cal Fire oversees is privately owned, which makes it that much harder to conduct burns or let natural blazes run their course. In the meantime, many researchers say the most effective approach to fire protection is not in the forests, but in communities. They recommend making homes more resistant to fire with hardier construction materials, and clearing the vegetation around them. You have to address the home vulnerabilities themselves, said Moritz at UC Santa Barbara. If you dont, youre just not going to make a lot of progress on fire. The Cal Fire plan suggests looking into options for retrofitting buildings and ensuring sufficient defensible space, but Moritz says these activities should be prioritized. A 2014 study of fires in San Diego County found that homes with 50 feet of clearance around them were the most likely to have survived. Vegetation work more than 100 feet away, the study said, provided virtually no additional protection. Chad Hanson, an ecologist with the nonprofit John Muir Project in Southern California, said almost all of Cal Fires planned fuel-reduction projects are simply too far from homes to make a difference. The longtime critic of state and federal forest policy called the effort a waste of time and money. The vast majority of what theyre proposing is not going to do anything to stop fires from reaching communities and protecting homes and lives, Hanson said. Fires will burn right through, sometimes slower, sometimes faster. But theyll burn right through. Dave Winnacker commutes over the Berkeley hills each morning into Orinda, often by bicycle, navigating the switchbacks of Wildcat Canyon Road and cringing at the bristling and highly flammable vegetation lining the roadway. Modern firefighting efforts over the last century have saved lives and homes but eliminated the regions natural fire cycle, leaving behind a thicket of nonnative trees and brush that the 44-year-old chief of the Moraga-Orinda Fire District knows is his semirural communitys Achilles heel. Fire was removed from the ecosystem. Photosynthesis was not, Winnacker said this past week, standing at Inspiration Point lookout and pointing to Briones Regional Park below. So stuff still grew. He worries that a fire driven by dry Diablo winds could race from the watershed surrounding San Pablo and Briones reservoirs into Orinda, Lafayette and Moraga and beyond. This is unique, he said. Theres not a whole lot of areas this concentrated with houses and limited egress routes. Since the Wine Country and Camp fires killed dozens of people and destroyed thousands of homes the last two years, residents up and down California have begun assessing their own vulnerabilities, while asking existential questions: Is their community prepared for a monster fire? Could they outrun flames that descended on their neighborhood? A new state report last week provided a snapshot of the states biggest fire fears, ranking 35 critical fuel-reduction projects that need attention. It has residents and local fire officials both nervous and hopeful. In the report, state fire experts rubber-stamped Winnackers assessment and listed an 11-mile stretch 1,760 acres of land along the north edges of Orinda and Lafayette as the ninth most important area for thinning vegetation. Carving out the North Orinda Fuel Break would protect 30 East Bay communities and more than 500,000 people, said the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, known as Cal Fire. None of the other statewide projects had as big a potential impact. The areas north of Highway 24 include a combination of topography and fuel that are aligned to create a potentially significant rate of spread from a large wildland fire that would directly impact residential neighborhoods, said Contra Costa Fire Protection District Deputy Chief Lewis Broschard, whose agency is partnering on the project. Cal Fire, which in its report offered a range of recommendations to Gov. Gavin Newsom on slowing the states wildfire crisis, said it hoped to secure funding for the projects and finish them by the end of the year. Proposed by local fire agencies across the state, the fuel breaks would thin almost 94,000 acres of state land in a bid to keep more than 200 communities safe, including Bay Area towns such Woodside and Los Gatos, plus Aptos in Santa Cruz County. Cal Fire ranked the fuel-reduction proposals based not only on fire risk but what the agency called socioeconomic factors, such as whether communities have aging populations and difficult evacuation routes. In last years Camp Fire in Paradise (Butte County), many of those killed were elderly or had limited mobility, while the few roads out of town got jammed with cars. Alarmed by the way fires tore through places like Paradise, Santa Rosa and Malibu, residents living in the states designated danger zones are paying attention people like Orinda resident Allan Prager. The 75-year-old retired consultant is your dream neighbor if you care about fire safety. He secured a $5,000 grant for himself and his neighbors to clear defensible space around their homes in an area called Sleepy Hollow. He regularly rakes the duff from trees that collects at the edges of his house. And he saws low-hanging branches off his trees. You should see me with a chain saw, he joked as he walked through his acre of land, which sits just south of the proposed Orinda fuel break. Last November, he watched in horror as 85 people perished in the Camp Fire, many dying as they tried to flee. It was going through my mind that it could happen here, he said. It became a hot topic in our neighborhood association. In January, Prager joined his neighbors for an evacuation drill in which law enforcement officials sent notices to residents by phone, text and email, and turned two-lane thoroughfares into one-way escape routes. In a bid to avoid gridlock, authorities created a rolling evacuation plan and safe shelter-in-place zones. The month before, authorities ran a similar drill in neighboring Moraga. We know the road facilities cant support an evacuation, Winnacker said. Just watch the traffic each morning. If funding is approved for the trimming project, the East Bay fire agencies would hire contractors to create a shaded fuel break. Brush and lower tree branches would be removed, though the higher tree canopy would remain in place. Officials want to reduce sun exposure and prevent future growth. The fuel break would be maintained by prescribed burns that chew away vegetation. Fire Tracker Follow wildfires across the state Latest updates on wildfires burning across Northern and Southern California Were not running a bulldozer and knocking everything down, Winnacker said. Its more like pruning. The area has a history of catastrophic blazes. In 1923, a fire sparked by a power line in Wildcat Canyon burned over the ridge into the Berkeley hills, torching 584 structures near the UC Berkeley campus. For almost 70 years, that was the most destructive fire in state history, until the 1991 Oakland hills blaze ruined more than 3,200 homes and killed 25 people. The Camp Fire burned down almost 19,000 structures. In the 1920s, the sprawling grasslands north of Orinda averaged one tree per acre, but as housing and landscaping flourished, the tree density has risen to about 100 trees an acre, Winnacker said. Every fall, near the end of fire season, the area experiences fierce north-to-south winds, similar to the Santa Ana phenomenon in Southern California. The dry gusts push down from the Sacramento Valley, unlike winds from the west, which carry moisture from the ocean. The low moisture makes the late fire-season fuels and grass-covered hills much more susceptible to ignition, Broschard said. In its risk assessment, Cal Fire also considered the presence of electrical equipment. Transmission lines branch out from a Pacific Gas and Electric Co. substation in Orinda, between Sleepy Hollow and Wagner Ranch elementary schools, just south of the proposed firebreak. Last year, each of the schools added a 10,000-gallon water tank to aid firefighters. Rob Schroeder lives a block from Sleepy Hollow Elementary, where his son attends school, and received a grant to remove vegetation from his block. When he attended a neighborhood meeting after the 2017 Wine Country fires, he learned that the house he shares with his girlfriend sat in a red zone in the path of computer-simulated fires. Now, he noted, northern Orinda is officially on the states radar. You see your small community show up on this statewide list and it just reinforced our concerns, he said, adding that hes glad the work is being prioritized. If it gives us a few more minutes to evacuate, thats all you can ask for. For Winnacker, who served as an infantry officer in the Marine Corps during the 2003 Iraq invasion, the fuel break project has parallels to his military experience. This problem looks an awful lot like how you design defensive operations, he said. Obstacles dont stop the enemy, but they do slow the enemy. A San Francisco sheriffs deputy will face trial in May on charges that he punched a handcuffed inmate in the face several times in front of other officers in 2017. Deputy Linton Martin, 55, was assigned to San Franciscos county jail number 5, located in San Bruno. According to the San Mateo County district attorneys office, which is prosecuting the incident, Martin was in a jail interview room on June 21 with two inmates who were handcuffed to each other. At one point, one of the handcuffed inmates hit the deputy in the face, and Martin called for assistance. Another deputy and a sergeant responded. With the other two officers present, Martin handcuffed the inmates wrists behind his back and allegedly said, Oh, youre safe now, you know the other deputies are here. Martin reportedly then pushed the inmates head down and punched him in the face three or four times with a closed fist, while the inmate was still handcuffed behind the back. The other officers intervened and separated Linton from the inmate, who did not want medical treatment and did not suffer any physical injuries, according to the district attorneys office. The deputy faces a charge of assault by a law enforcement officer, which carries a sentence of up to a year in jail double the punishment for a simple assault, because of the assailants position of authority, District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said. (The inmate) hit the deputy but we have to pick somebody to prosecute and weve selected the deputy sheriff because hes expected to show restraint and do things properly, he said. An initial internal investigation into the matter by the San Francisco Sheriffs Office elevated the incident to the district attorneys office for further investigation, sheriffs spokeswoman Nancy Crowley said. Nicole Pifari, Martins attorney, argues that Martins actions were self-defense. San Francisco Deputy Linton Martin was the victim of a crime, and now hes the one getting dragged into criminal court. A career felon with a 20-year history of violent crime punched Deputy Martin in the head with a fist, hard enough to leave a large lump on his head, Linton wrote in a statement. What minor force Deputy Martin may have used was a completely lawful attempt to defend himself from another vicious attack. The inmate had no injuries, never complained of any pain, and in fact never complained about anything at all. In a hearing on Friday, a judge scheduled Martins trial to begin at 9 a.m. on May 6. He still works for the Sheriffs Office in an administrative role and doesnt have contact with inmates, Crowley said. She could not say how long Martin has been with the Sheriffs Office. Martins case is not part of last months revelations of abuse, the majority of which happened in October and November of 2018, Crowley said. Fifteen men said they were assaulted or abused at the San Bruno jail, and 16 women said they were inappropriately strip-searched. None of those cases have led to criminal charges yet. Sheriff Vicki Hennessy announced this week that she is turning an investigation into the allegations over to the San Francisco department of police accountability. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. A San Mateo County sheriffs deputy also faces trial in a few weeks for allegedly assaulting three inmates at the countys jail. Blake Lycette had been working for the Sheriffs Office for six years and was assigned to Maguire Correctional Facility in Redwood City. Lycette, 42, allegedly punched inmates and pushed one inmates head into an elevator door in August 2018. Hes been placed on administrative leave until the criminal investigation is over. This is not conduct we condone or believe represents the dedicated personnel here at the Sheriffs Office, Sheriff Carlos Bolanos said. We take these allegations very seriously and want to thank everyone who came forward. Lycette has a hearing on March 15 to enter a plea and set a trial date. Correction: A previous version of this story misstated Linton Martins start date at the Sheriffs Office. Ashley McBride is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: ashley.mcbride@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ashleynmcb The Sacramento County district attorneys office announced Friday that it would not file charges against the 84 people arrested on Monday during protests against the offices decision not to charge the Sacramento police officers who shot and killed Stephon Clark. In the interest of justice, no charges will be filed in any of the cases submitted, the office wrote in a statement. Crowds took to the streets Monday night in East Sacramento and blocked traffic, played loud music and talked through a megaphone as they walked through residential streets, police said. Several public officials, including Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg and City Council members had called for an independent investigation into the arrests, led by the citys Office of Public Safety Accountability. The arrests also included two journalists who were reporting on the protests. District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert announced on March 2 that she would not charge the two officers who fatally shot Clark, 22, who died while holding a cell phone that police thought was a gun. On Tuesday, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra also concluded that the officers acted lawfully during a rapidly developing situation. On March 18, 2018, two Sacramento police officers responded to a report of a person breaking car windows and followed Clark into a backyard that turned out to be his grandmothers, where they fired 20 shots at him. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. Body camera footage from the incident recorded officers Terrence Mercadal and Jared Robinet referring to a gun several times and telling Clark to show his hands, investigators said. At one point, police said, Clark ran towards the officers. The U.S. attorneys office, the FBI and the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice will also conduct an investigation into whether the shooting violated Clarks civil rights. Ashley McBride is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: ashley.mcbride@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ashleynmcb Brooks Friedeman needed to get creative. Nearly 6 feet of water had filled the tasting room for his winery, Friedeman Wines, in Sebastopols Barlow complex during last weeks floods. All of the furniture was ruined. The drywall would need major repairs. Most devastating of all, Friedeman lost 95 cases of wine about 8 percent of what he produces in a year. How could he manage to pay his employees, Friedeman wondered, while his tasting room remained closed? We quickly figured out a way to do a limited run of 130 magnums as futures, Friedeman said, for $85 apiece: wine that has not yet been bottled, promised to customers at a later date. Within 20 hours, hed sold out of the bottles, providing him with a little bit of a cushion to help keep his staffs paychecks coming. It was a really impressive response from our following. All of Friedemans neighbors at the Barlow, an industrial-chic marketplace with more than 30 businesses, including breweries, art galleries and restaurants, are facing a similar plight. Located along the Laguna de Santa Rosa, the Barlow is in a 100-year floodplain, meaning that each year it has a 1 percent likelihood of flooding. Last week, that probability became a harsh reality. In the aftermath, the Barlows tenant businesses are closed, but their bills for payroll, taxes and insurance dont stop. Owners have had to get resourceful with fundraising. While the Barlow property itself has insurance that will cover the walls and some other built-in elements, tenants are responsible for anything they brought in, from cafe tables to refrigerators. Few had flood insurance, because it would have been prohibitively expensive given their location in a floodplain. While Friedeman sold wine futures, at least six other food and wine businesses in the Barlow have created GoFundMe pages, asking the community for support. A GoFundMe page for Pax Wines has raised $56,715 to help with its building repairs. Crooked Goat Brewings campaign has raised about $4,285 to help its employees, who have been temporarily suspended and had to file for unemployment. The Farmers Wife has received $11,077 so far to help with an estimated $150,000 flood damage bill, while the neighboring El Barrio taqueria has raised $4,270. I cant think of a single business in there thats not severely injured and worried, Friedeman said. Kendra Kolling of the Farmers Wife isnt sure she will reopen her months-old cafe in the Barlow, partly from sheer exhaustion. Her family also lost their home in the 2017 Wine Country Fires two years after her husband was in a serious car accident. The Farmers Wife and Sushi Kosho are among the many Barlow businesses that didnt have flood insurance; the two also had just opened in October. Its going to take a lot of energy to open the same restaurant twice in the same year, said Sushi Kosho chef-owner Jake Rand, who owns the restaurant with his father, Barry. Theyve started a GoFundMe in part so they can retain employees until they reopen, which Rand hopes will happen next month. We put a lot of energy into training and a lot of energy into keeping our staff, he said. Even having flood insurance, however, doesnt mean the bills are covered, as Jackie Wilson of Two Dog Night Creamery has found. She launched her liquid nitrogen ice cream business each serving of ice cream is frozen to order when the Barlow first opened six years ago and was able to secure affordable flood insurance for the small shop. However, hers covers only $50,000 out of an estimated $120,000 in damage, she said. A health department inspector told Wilson last week that anything flooded that isnt metal, one of the few materials that can be thoroughly sanitized, has to be replaced because the floodwaters were contaminated with sewage. That includes porous items like hard-plastic food storage containers, her stone countertops, since they are held up by plywood, and even tile and backsplashes, because the drywall behind it is soaked and likely contaminated. Because she does have insurance, Wilson decided not to start a GoFundMe account. She is telling customers to ask what they can do to help to support the second location of her ice cream shop that is due to open in Windsor later this month. Pax Wines, whose winery and tasting room are located at the western end of the Barlow, counts itself fortunate. No wine was affected, said owner Pax Mahle. Because of our location, we could see the water creeping up, and the staff was able to get all the case goods to higher ground. Construction on the drywall, Mahle said, will begin next week, and if things move quickly, hes hoping he can reopen the tasting room by early April. But right now it still looks like a disaster area, he said. In addition to the financial support from the GoFundMe page, friends of Pax Wines have been coming by with lunch almost every day, while others are volunteering their time to help with the cleanup. Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more. Weve had 25 people in the winery every day just working their butts off, cleaning, moving debris, everything, Mahle said. We feel pretty fortunate. But community support can go only so far. Many of the Barlows tenant businesses are still grappling with how this scale of disaster could have happened in the first place. The Barlow is obviously in a floodplain. Everybody is eyes-wide-open on that, Friedeman said. The way everybody got comfortable with that is that the Barlow has this very elaborate flood plan system, which just wasnt deployed. That flood plan, which had been approved by the city, required the Barlow to activate flood locks on each of the complexs buildings. These barriers, theoretically, would protect against 6.5 feet of water. The plan provided for 50 employees to erect the barriers over a 12-hour period. Friedeman believes the Barlow utilized only six employees. When he arrived at the Barlow on Wednesday morning, after the waters had stormed the complex, Friedeman had to kayak through the parking lot to reach his tasting room. The flood barrier had been raised only about 3.5 to 4 feet, Friedeman estimated. The floodwaters had easily overtaken it. Many are now questioning whether the Barlow, which is owned by Barney Aldridge, failed to fulfill its promise to its tenants, who had trusted that the flood plan would keep their businesses safe. The Barlows management has not responded to multiple requests for comment. Barlow management indicated that they would do everything we need to get us back open, Friedeman said. Were still very much hoping that the Barlow will do the right thing. In the meantime, his neighbors will be watching their GoFundMe pages. Esther Mobley and Tara Duggan are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: emobley@sfchronicle.com and tduggan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @esther_mobley and @taraduggan Federal judges and prosecutors refer to shows of leniency as downward departures from sentencing guidelines. When U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis sentenced President Trumps onetime campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, for financial crimes this week in Alexandria, Va., he didnt so much depart from the guidelines as discard them entirely. While the recommendations called for Manafort to serve 19 to 24 years for eight counts of tax and bank fraud, Ellis gave him less than four. The saga of the veteran hired gun for Russian oligarchs and American presidents, long seen through the prism of the countrys political divide, now points to another chasm: the one separating white-collar criminals from the harsh justice facing others. For cheating the United States out of $6 million, among other crimes, Manaforts 47-month penalty is just two months longer than the average federal sentence, according to the most recent U.S. Sentencing Commission data, and substantially shorter than the mean for selling drugs or stealing cars. Except for crimes that invoke mandatory minimums about two-thirds of which are drug violations and almost none of which are white-collar offenses federal judges have broad discretion in sentencing and depart from the guidelines about half the time. Its the distance of the departure in Manaforts case that is remarkable. The median downward departure from guidelines in fiscal 2017 was 10 months, or 33 percent; Manaforts break amounts to 187 months, or 80 percent. About half of federal sentencing departures are granted with the blessing of prosecutors, usually in recognition of defendants cooperation with authorities. Manafort is an exemplar of the opposite, hailed by Trump for his refusal to assist Special Counsel Robert Muellers team. Judge Ellis himself noted that Manafort had not expressed remorse for his wrongdoing even on the brink of sentencing. The federal judge presiding over a related case against him in Washington, D.C., Amy Berman Jackson, had Manafort jailed for attempting to interfere with the prosecution. And after the defendant struck a belated cooperation agreement with prosecutors only to earn their ire by lying to them, Jackson agreed to throw out the deal. Contrary to Ellis incredibly charitable assessment of his otherwise blameless life, Manafort parlayed his career as a prominent Republican lobbyist in Washington into a series of unsavory foreign assignments for the likes of Philippine strongman Ferdinand Marcos, Mobutu Sese Seko in Zaire, and Vladimir Putins man in Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych. While Ellis noted correctly that the case at hand was not related to collusion between the Trump campaign and Putins regime a comment the president quickly seized upon and distorted Manaforts deception of prosecutors concerned, among other things, his contacts with a suspected Russian intelligence associate. Because Jackson is scheduled to sentence Manafort in the other case next week, whereupon he could face up to 10 additional years on two conspiracy counts, Thursdays sentence wasnt the last word, and Ellis may have pronounced it with that in mind. The judge has been critical of federal sentencing in general, complaining that mandatory minimums and multiple charges sometimes forced him to impose excessive prison terms. He certainly has a point about American punishment writ large, but Manaforts case was a poor choice for his extraordinary exercise of mercy. 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. Regarding Mayor aims to improve pedestrian safety in S.F. (March 7): Although more like Mediterranean hill towns than most American cities, San Francisco is surprisingly provincial in design of pedestrian public realms. As tourists, Americans love the dynamic surprises of foreign bazaars, marketplaces and waterfront promenades in the relative safety of car-free zones, dodging perhaps the occasional camel or cow. Many of these public spaces are relatively new designs, like Shanghais Nanjing Road, Copenhagens Stroget Street or plans for Londons Oxford Street pedestrianization. It doesnt take long to create such beautiful cultural and economic hubs. In San Francisco, opportunities abound like on Grant Avenue, Market Street and neighborhood shopping districts. Is San Francisco the city that knows how? Howard Wong, San Francisco Keep natural system Regarding Its time to stop changing clock, lawmaker says (Page 1, March 8): I do not support the legislators efforts because I think having biannual time shifts serves as a reminder that time of the clock is really only a mental construct. However, if we do choose to maintain only one type of time, keeping it should be the more natural system where noon indicates the period when the sun is highest in the sky. Perhaps instead we could just agree to start the workday an hour later half the year? Stephen Upjohn, San Francisco Directly rebuke hate Regarding A House divided (Editorial, Mar. 8): The Democrat majority-led House of Representatives failure to directly rebuke the anti-Semitic comments made by Minnesota freshman Ilhan Omar is appalling. Hate crimes are on the rise in this country under a Republican president who regularly attacks minority groups. A broad resolution condemning hatred of people of color, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, the LGBTQ community, immigrants and others is an inadequate response to Omars stereotypical remarks. Its like putting a small bandage over a festering wound. Finn MacLaughlin, Daly City Dont be misled The implication in your editorial regarding the vote in the House of Representatives to condemn bigotry is that the Democrats are running a circus instead of a political party. You call it House Speaker Nancy Pelosis attempt to paper over a flareup of religious, racial, political and generational divides in her caucus. Actually, in a large, inclusive party, this resolution is exactly what we should want: open discussion and compromise, followed by an amicable settlement that even most of the Republicans agreed to. Those opposed to this compromise, particularly the Republicans who voted against it, just wanted a vote to condemn Illhan Omar personally and Muslims generally. It is part of their program to stir up hatred and confusion among the press and the public. Pelosi is a wise and effective leader. Do not be misled by the bigots. Will Beatty, San Francisco Speed up time instead Concerning Its time to stop changing clock, lawmaker says (Page 1, March 8): Never mind the arguments for and against daylight-saving time, and whether to change clocks forward in the spring and back in the fall. Im more interested in hearing how we can speed up time to Nov. 3, 2020, when I hope enough rational Americans vote for a change in leadership in the White House. Although only two years and two months have passed since a self-proclaimed stable genius began occupying the Oval Office, it feels like an eternity. Hortensia Delarosa, San Francisco Distinct legislation Your article on climate change, Once wary of issue, Dems go on offense to court progressives (Mar. 5), emphasizes that the Green New Deal energizes Millennial voters. However, the GND proposals such as Medicare for all, guaranteed jobs for all Americans and others, could be labeled as socialism, a politically potent word that can be used by conservatives to attack the GND effectively. To be more appealing to the general electorate, the majority of whom favor dealing with climate change, the green part of the GND should be made distinct. These energy-related recommendations of the GND can be legislated separately: putting a price on carbon, including a smart nationwide power grid in upgrading infrastructure, encouraging the use of alternative forms of energy, and investing in new technologies and methods to ameliorate the near term effects of global warming. Such legislation, taken as a whole, could no more be called socialism than mobilizing the nations resources to fight a world war. Stephan Crothers, Palo Alto Unresponsive boards Appointed boards, whether for transportation or housing, are not responsive to the public. If the Legislature is going to create another new agency, the public should be able to directly elect its members. Bill Collins, Pacifica New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand says her path to the White House is a different one from her more liberal Democratic competitors because shes had to win over conservative voters to get elected and knows how to do it. One way, Gillibrand told The Chronicle, is to go to where the conservatives are such as Fox News. The Democratic Party said this week that it would not invite Fox News to host a presidential primary debate. But Gillibrand said she would be fine appearing at a debate hosted by Fox. I would not mind at all, Gillibrand said Friday in Daly City between appearances at fundraisers. I would debate anywhere with any moderator. Gillibrand was first elected in 2006 to represent a House district in upstate New York where there were twice as many registered Republicans as Democrats. She was re-elected two years later, moved to the Senate in 2009 and won her most recent race in November with 67 percent of the vote. Gillibrand doesnt shy from Fox, which was the subject of a scathing article recently in the New Yorker magazine that argued the network was a propaganda arm for President Trump. Democratic National Committee Chair Tom Perez cited the story in arguing that Fox couldnt host a fair and neutral debate. Gillibrand was interviewed on Fox last week about the Green New Deal, a nonbinding congressional resolution calling for a net-zero carbon emission country within a decade. Democrats cant win if they assume that people on the right side of the spectrum are lost to them, Gillibrand argues. Those with mixed ideological views make up 37 percent of Foxs audience, according to a 2014 Pew Research study, while 18 percent of the networks audience holds left-of-center positions. Although Gillibrand touts herself as being red-state-friendly, she supports many of the policies backed by other 2020 Democratic hopefuls. She backs a Medicare for All health care plan and the Green New Deal. She says shes different because she can sell those ideas to people who dont consider themselves progressives. Not only in the primary I can inspire our base, but I also I believe I can win states like Michigan and Ohio and Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, Gillibrand said. Because I have been representing parts of rural America and parts of red America for a long time. Now Playing: Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand campaigns at the Mid Peninsula Boys and Girls Club at Bayshore School in Daly City on March 8, 2019. Video: San Francisco Chronicle By one measure, Gillibrand is the most anti-Trump of the seven members of Congress in the race. She has voted Trumps position only 12 percent of the time, according to an analysis by FiveThirtyEight.com. But she has struggled to get any traction in the race since announcing her exploratory committee last month. She is polling at less than 1 percent in the latest amalgamation of top polls by RealClearPolitics.com. There were precious few voters at the Daly City school where Gillibrand spent 45 minutes Friday with youths in the Mid-Peninsula Boys and Girls Club, a visit she made at the request of an old friend from college who lives in Burlingame. Still, Gillibrand shook each childs hand, encouraging them to look her in the eye and offer a firm grip. A visit from a woman running for president on International Womens Day made a positive impression on several students. She showed girls can be allowed to be president, too, said 8-year-old Lyric Sabado. Not just boys. Joe Garofoli is The San Francisco Chronicles senior political writer. Email: jgarofoli@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @joegarofoli A proposed law that would phase out diesel trucks in California was introduced Friday in an ongoing effort by state legislators to control pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, but it will likely face major opposition from trucking companies and other businesses that transport products in big rigs. The bill, by state Sen. Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley, would direct the California Air Resources Board to require a 40 percent reduction in diesel emissions by 2030 and an 80 percent reduction by 2050, cuts that experts say would not be possible without a major overhaul of the trucking industry. Heavy- and medium-duty buses and trucks make up 7 percent of the vehicles on Californias roads but contribute 20 percent of the heat-trapping carbon emissions spewed into the atmosphere, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists, a nonprofit science advocacy organization. They also produce 33 percent of the states nitrogen oxides, a major ingredient in particulate matter, or smog, Skinner said. While California is a leader in climate protection, we still have very dirty air, said Skinner, pointing out high rates of asthma, lung and heart disease and other respiratory problems in low-income communities like Oakland and Richmond, which are near freeways and the Port of Oakland. Weve got rising rates of asthma, which is caused by smog and particulate matter, which primarily comes from diesel. SB44 would also designate an unspecified amount of money from the states Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund for the development of alternate fuels and technology. It is the latest move by California to seize control of its own greenhouse gas emissions as the Trump administration pushes for lower fuel efficiency standards and promotes the oil and gas industries. But those who make their living working on or driving trucks were not thrilled by the idea. Trucks move this world. Thats nonsense to me, said Earl, a heavy equipment hauler who declined to give his last name Friday as he stood next to his idling rig at the North Bay Truck Center in Fairfield. What are they going to use? Electric? Thats not going to work. Jim Buell, general manager of the North Bay Truck Center, said that compared with gas engines, diesel engines are much more powerful, last longer they can last 800,000 miles, a gas engine about 200,000 and generally get 30 percent better fuel economy. I dont think the technology has come far enough to phase out diesel, so I dont see how its possible, said Buell, whose company maintains and repairs trucks. It would be a big strain on the industry and it would absolutely affect our business. Every truck Im looking at in my yard now is diesel. The proposed law would join other recent moves designed to help the state meet its goal to cut carbon emissions to 1990 levels. Former Gov. Jerry Brown signed legislation last year requiring all of Californias electricity to be from clean sources, such as solar, wind and hydropower, by 2045. The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency recently committed to replacing its diesel- and gas-powered buses with an all-electric transit fleet by 2035. Skinners bill follows a ruling in December by the California Air Resources Board requiring all transit agencies to make their fleets entirely emission-free within two decades. The rules prohibit the purchase of any new gas- or diesel-powered public transit buses by 2029 and require all buses to be emission-free by 2040. It means some 14,000 gas-guzzling public buses will be taken off the streets as they get old and replaced with battery and fuel-cell electric vehicles. Environmental groups believe the gradual phasing out of diesel trucks and buses will give electric vehicle manufacturers time to design, build and purchase clean-fuel replacement rigs. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. The technology for zero-emission vehicles is accelerating at a rate that is pretty breathtaking, said Kathryn Phillips, director of Sierra Club California, who says at least six factory and assembly facilities are working on clean trucks and buses. I believe the technology is such that, in a decade or two, there will be no more need for diesel trucks to be on the California market. Tom Howard, fleet director for Veritable Vegetables in San Francisco, which uses delivery trucks, said there have been significant improvements in electric, hydrogen fuel cell, compressed natural gas, propane, and plant- and food-based fuels. Still, he said, it will be a tall task for manufacturers to fully replace diesel and for California to build enough infrastructure so that truckers can keep their big rigs going. The move to all but eliminate diesel trucks in California would prevent truckers from elsewhere from entering the state. Business would essentially stop without some type of a diesel engine fuel that can be burned, Howard said. Youre talking tractors, forklifts, cranes. I just dont see diesel going away. That fuel is 200 years old and its not going to be replaced in 30 years. Skinners proposal falls in line with the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, which designated the state Air Resources Board as the agency that would monitor and regulate emissions of greenhouse gases. The Air Resources Board already requires truck owners to install diesel exhaust retrofits that capture pollutants and replace engines older than the 2010 model year by 2022. Skinners bill would require the board to develop a market-based strategy by Jan. 1, 2021, to bring the trucking industry into compliance with federal ambient air quality standards. Peter Fimrite is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: pfimrite@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @pfimrite BASILAN, Philippines Across the islands of the southern Philippines, the black flag of the Islamic State is flying over what the group considers its East Asia province. Men in the jungle, two oceans away from the arid birthplace of the Islamic State, are taking the terrorist brand name into new battles. As worshipers gathered in January for Sunday Mass at a Catholic cathedral, two bombs ripped through the church compound, killing 23 people. The Islamic State claimed a pair of its suicide bombers had caused the carnage. An illustration circulated days later on Islamic State chat groups, showing Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte kneeling on a pile of skulls and a militant standing over him with a dagger. The caption on the picture sounded a warning: The fighting has just begun. The Islamic States territory in Iraq and Syria, once the size of Britain, has shriveled after four years of U.S.-backed bombing and ground combat by Kurdish and Shiite militia fighters. What is left is a tiny village in southeast Syria that could fall any day. But far from defeated, the movement has sprouted elsewhere. And here in the Mindanao island group of the southern Philippines, long a haven for insurgents because of dense wilderness and weak policing, the Islamic State has attracted a range of militant jihadists. Since the Jan. 27 cathedral bombing on the island of Jolo, the Philippine military has responded with air strikes and 10,000 soldiers in Jolo, according to a military spokesman. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. U.S. surveillance drones monitor the southern Philippine archipelago, where the nations Muslim minority is concentrated and local insurgencies have long battled the Christian-majority state. Hannah Beech and Jason Gutierrez are New York Times writers. Over the past few months, a fierce debate has erupted in Silicon Valley over whether large technology companies like Amazon, Google and Microsoft should join forces with the U.S. military, along with agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The debate has largely been conducted along ethical lines. On one side are tech executives and many government officials, who argue that at a time when advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning are poised to reshape top issues like drone warfare or border security, American tech giants have a patriotic duty to pitch in. Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos summed up this view last year: If big tech companies are going to turn their back on the U.S. Department of Defense, this country is going to be in trouble. On the other side are groups of employees at those companies, including many anti-Trump progressives, who dont want their tools to be used for drone warfare, immigrant detention and other projects they consider immoral. This side took a stand at Microsoft last month, when a group of employees wrote an open letter to the companys top executives demanding that they abandon an Army contract that would adapt HoloLens, the companys augmented-reality headsets, for use by soldiers on the battlefield. We did not sign up to develop weapons and we demand a say in how our work is used, the Microsoft employees wrote. This is a debate worth having. But there is a more pragmatic question swirling around the debate, one surprisingly few people are asking. Namely: Could Big Techs decision to pursue controversial defense and law enforcement contracts be a financial mistake? As business deals, some of these contracts seem like no-brainers. Microsofts HoloLens deal is worth approximately $500 million less than 1 percent of the companys 2018 revenue, but a meaningful sum nonetheless. Amazon, IBM, Microsoft and Oracle are all battling over a Defense Department cloud-computing contract, known as Project Jedi, that will be worth as much as $10 billion to the winning bidder. But these contracts may be less lucrative than they appear. And, in fact, they could come with enormous hidden costs in the form of damaged reputations, recruiting problems and customer boycotts that could swamp any short-term gains. To explain why, lets consider one of the most notorious military contracts of the past century. In 1965, Dow Chemical, a Michigan chemicals manufacturer, was awarded a $5 million Department of Defense contract to produce napalm, a highly incendiary chemical used by U.S. troops during the Vietnam War. Dow was not known as a defense contractor in fact, until its Pentagon contract, the business was best known for making industrial chemicals and household plastics like Saran Wrap. But over the next few years, as Americans began seeing gruesome images of South Vietnamese children with horrific napalm burns, the antiwar movement set its sights on the company. Activists boycotted Dow Chemicals products, staged protests at its recruiting events on college campuses and barraged its executives with accusations of unethical war profiteering. (One demonstration outside the companys annual shareholder meeting featured signs like Dow Know-How in Every Drop of Napalm.) Dow Chemical executives dug in their heels. They claimed that napalm was a small part of the companys overall business and that it was the companys duty to provide necessary materials to the military. But the companys pleas of patriotism were drowned out by the opposition. As Robert M. Neer explains in his book Napalm, Dow Chemicals reputation plummeted as a result of its napalm contract. Its recruiting ability suffered, and its marketing department was forced to embark on a long and expensive campaign to win back the publics trust. We went from being a company that made Saran Wrap to keep food fresh to a kind of war machine, former CEO Andrew Liveris said in 2006. Dow Chemical stopped making napalm for the military in 1969, just four years after it began. But the reputational damage haunted the company for decades. (Dow Chemical merged with DuPont in 2017; the company is still a defense contractor, but it produces mainly agricultural and industrial chemicals.) All told, the $5 million napalm contract most likely cost Dow Chemical billions of dollars. And it was the kind of unforced error that could have been avoided if company executives had listened to early signs of opposition, done some risk analysis and changed course. Todays biggest tech companies are in a similar spot. Many of them, such as Amazon and Microsoft, are among the most beloved brands in the world. They employ lots of conscientious, idealistic engineers whose skills are highly valuable, giving them considerable leverage in discussions about company values. And they are operating in an era of heightened consumer sensitivity in which one misstep can tarnish a brand for years. Tech companies arent making anything as obviously harmful as napalm. In fact, supporters of these deals argue that some of the technologies being offered to the military, such as image-recognition algorithms that can help better target drone strikes, could save civilian lives. But the truth is that tech companies have absolutely no idea how the government will use their products in the future and how the political landscape might shift, throwing them into an unwanted spotlight. In some ways, tech companies face the same choice Dow faced in 1965: Accept controversial government contracts and risk a damaging backlash, or leave those deals to conventional defense contractors and protect their reputations. Already, there are signs of trouble on the horizon. At Stanford, flyers recently appeared on campus walls urging students not to work for Amazon, Microsoft, Palantir and other companies with reported contracts with ICE and law enforcement agencies. And AI experts caution that the stigma of being seen as a war profiteer could repel idealistic recruits for years to come. Top AI talent doesnt want to work for Lockheed Martin, said Jack Clark, policy director of OpenAI, a nonprofit artificial intelligence lab. In fact, in todays corporate operating environment, turning down controversial military and government contracts could be a selling point. Rana el Kaliouby, a co-founder of Affectiva, which uses AI to track human emotions, said the company had several early offers from government agencies, including a venture fund backed by the CIA, that wanted to use the product to improve surveillance. Even though the company needed the money, it turned down the deals. Affectiva has since raised more than $50 million from other, nongovernmental sources, and has made ethical AI use a core part of its brand. We wanted to be trusted, she said. We used the core value of integrity and respecting peoples privacy as a way to weed out use cases. Take note, tech giants. Turning down controversial military and government contracts wont doom your business. In fact, in the long run, your shareholders might thank you. Kevin Roose is a New York Times writer. This article, Captain Marvel: Your 5 biggest concerns addressed, originally appeared on CNET.com. Captain Marvel comes out today, the last Marvel Cinematic Universe film to drop before Avengers: Endgame hits on April 26. If you've fallen behind, don't fret. We have a helpful guide on where to watch all the MCU films and what order to watch them in. But the stakes are high going into the MCU's first female-led film, so I'm here to put your mind at ease. Is Captain Marvel a well-developed character? No. By the end of the film, Captain Marvel is still very underdeveloped. However, I don't think her underdevelopment is actually a problem. I get into my spoiler-y reasoning for this below, if you're curious. But did Academy Award winner Brie Larson do a bad acting job as Captain Marvel? In my opinion, no. She didn't pull a Halle Berry in Catwoman. Larson did what she could do with the limitations of the script. She skillfully handles the physical aspects of playing an action hero. Those workouts we saw her do on Instagram totally paid off. Yes, her character is somewhat bland, but Captain America was basically Captain Beige before Black Widow became his foil. Once her character is more defined in future films, I see a lot of potential. Spoilers: Part of the reason Captain Marvel is underdeveloped is because she doesn't actually have a backstory. Where would she even get a personality from? By the end of the film, she seems to have only regained scattered memories and glimpses of her life as Carol Danvers. The only thing Captain Marvel really remembers is six years of brainwashing by the Kree. That's literally it. Six years of brainwashing and the few days worth of events on Earth that happen during the film. And to her credit, she does establish at least three meaningful connections in that short timeframe, with Nick Fury, Maria Rambeau and Maria's daughter Monica. So let's look at the bigger picture here. Captain Marvel shoots off into space at the end of the film and will spend the next 25 years before Avengers: Endgame going on cool space adventures, helping the Skrulls and hopefully developing her own identity. My expectation is that Captain Marvel is drastically different by Avengers: Endgame. Because she will have had 25 years worth of personality development. Is the movie filled with feminist propaganda? Sure, if you consider Hole and No Doubt feminist propaganda. Very minor spoilers: The script speaks subtly to women in a way some women might notice and some men might not. There's a scene where a guy tells Captain Marvel to smile (and she rightfully ignores him). Captain Marvel is repeatedly being told to control her emotions. At one point, she loses her shoes and has to get them back. That's what we're working with here. Subtly pointing out female stereotypes and comments women receive on a daily basis. It's not going to emasculate you, I promise. Will Captain Marvel be a Mary Sue who swoops in to save everyone in Avengers: Endgame? First off, how would that even work? Thanos doesn't need a butt-kicking now; he needed it before he got his hands on the Infinity Stones. Captain Marvel might physically be the strongest Avenger yet, but what difference does that make? Shooting energy blasts at Thanos won't bring half the universe back. That's a problem that'll require the collective skill set of the entire Avengers team to solve. She'll probably be super helpful, but it's asinine to think she'll be the "savior." I know some are frustrated she's being brought into the MCU seemingly deus ex machina style, but that's why there's a Captain Marvel movie before Endgame. Watch the movie first and then decide if she's just a plot device. But can I just point out that the MCU has a history of dropping in new superheroes that "swoop in" and help out? Iron Man 2 introduces War Machine and Black Widow. The Avengers "introduces" Hulk. Avengers: Age of Ultron debuts Scarlet Witch, Quicksilver and Vision. Captain America: Winter Soldier gets Falcon. Captain America: Civil War introduces Spider-Man and Black Panther. Thor: Ragnarok has Valkyrie. Oh look. We just found 10 superheroes who were initially introduced in MCU films they weren't leading to help save the day. Frankly, given the precedent, they could've just dropped Captain Marvel in halfway through Avengers: Endgame and it would've been totally on brand for the MCU. If anything, giving her an origin film first was incredibly generous to the fans. Does anything in the film justify the extreme controversy surrounding it? Everybody needs to chill. The film is a solid 7. It's a shiny blockbuster put together by people who have a great track record at making shiny blockbusters. And honestly, you could just as easily have written a version of this story where Captain Marvel is a male. But Marvel made a point by making Captain Marvel a female. And the point is that superpowers are fictional and gender is irrelevant. What about the cat? Goose the cat is amazing. Goose steals the movie. Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) and Goose are the Korg and Miek of the film. (That's a Thor: Ragnarok reference, for people who don't watch MCU films but are somehow still reading this.) Goose is definitely worth the hype. As is Talos!! Oh, and if you need any help figuring out the Captain Marvel end credits scene, we've got you covered. The Sacramento County district attorneys office announced Friday that it would not file charges against the 84 people arrested on Monday during protests against the offices decision not to charge the Sacramento police officers who shot and killed Stephon Clark. In the interest of justice, no charges will be filed in any of the cases submitted, the office wrote in a statement. Crowds took to the streets Monday night in East Sacramento and blocked traffic, played loud music and talked through a megaphone as they walked through residential streets, police said. Several public officials, including Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg and City Council members had called for an independent investigation into the arrests, led by the citys Office of Public Safety Accountability. The arrests also included two journalists who were reporting on the protests. District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert announced on March 2 that she would not charge the two officers who fatally shot Clark, 22, who died while holding a cell phone that police thought was a gun. On Tuesday, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra also concluded that the officers acted lawfully during a rapidly developing situation. On March 18, 2018, two Sacramento police officers responded to a report of a person breaking car windows and followed Clark into a backyard that turned out to be his grandmothers, where they fired 20 shots at him. Body camera footage from the incident recorded officers Terrence Mercadal and Jared Robinet referring to a gun several times and telling Clark to show his hands, investigators said. At one point, police said, Clark ran towards the officers. The U.S. attorneys office, the FBI and the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice will also conduct an investigation into whether the shooting violated Clarks civil rights. Ashley McBride is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: ashley.mcbride@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ashleynmcb If you were looking up at the sunny, blue skies in San Francisco on Friday, you may have spotted something: inspiring (and admittedly cliche) messages written in the sky. The phrases "WOMEN'S DAY EVERY DAY," "SHATTER THE CEILING," and "THE SKY'S THE LIMIT" were all spotted over different parts of the city. One of the last investigations Jim Boren oversaw before he retired as executive editor of the Fresno Bee was a four-month examination of substandard housing in the city at the heart of Californias Central Valley. The multimedia project revealed the living conditions imposed on many of the citys low-income renters, many of them immigrants: apartments filled with mold, mice and cockroaches, to name some of the more glaring problems. Local housing advocates compared it to the tainted water crisis in Flint, Mich. The investigation got immediate results. We made peoples lives better. We changed laws, said Boren, who retired in 2017 and is now director of the Institute for Media and Public Trust at Fresno State University. Among other things, the city responded by requiring property owners to make repairs when it found violations, rather than just levy fines. Its the kind of journalism holding local government officials accountable for problems that affect the lives of real people that is in danger of being lost in many communities around the country. Newspapers are closing or being consolidated at an astounding rate, often leaving behind what researchers label as news deserts towns and even entire counties that have no consistent local media coverage. According to an analysis of data compiled by the University of North Carolina, more than 1,400 towns and cities in the U.S. have lost a newspaper over the past 15 years. Many of those are in rural and lower-income areas, often with aging populations. The loss of a reliable local news source has many consequences for the community. One of them is the inability to watchdog the actions of government agencies and elected officials. Strong newspapers have been good for democracy, and both educators and informers of a citizenry and its governing officials. They have been problem-solvers, said Penelope Muse Abernathy, a University of North Carolina professor who oversaw the news desert report. The absence of a local newspaper also can translate into real costs to a community and its taxpayers. Researchers from the University of Illinois at Chicago found that municipal borrowing costs increase after a newspaper ceases publication. The demise of a paper emboldens elected officials to sign off on higher wages, larger payrolls and ballooning budget deficits. Michael Casey is an Associated Press writer SACRAMENTO The California Legislature racked up more than $1.8 million in legal costs from sexual harassment investigations during 2018 and the first month of this year when at least nine current or former lawmakers faced allegations of misconduct, according to records obtained by the Associated Press. The Senate spent $1.26 million and the Assembly $571,000, according to the documents provided under the Legislative Open Records Act. Neither chamber provided specifics on how many investigations the money paid for nor how exactly it was spent, citing attorney-client privilege and other exemptions in the public records act. But both chambers previously have disclosed hiring outside attorneys during that time to investigate five current or former Assembly members and four current or former senators. Their behavior ranged from using vulgar language and giving uncomfortable hugs and a noogie, to forcibly kissing a staff member and, in one case, masturbating in front of a lobbyist. The spending occurred after accusations of widespread harassment at the Capitol surfaced in October 2017 as the #MeToo movement was roiling Hollywood and major corporations. Four California lawmakers and multiple staffers eventually resigned, and the Legislature has since revamped its policies for reporting and investigating claims of misbehavior. Its not the kind of place you want your taxpayer dollars being used, said Assemblywoman Laura Friedman, a Democrat representing part of Los Angeles and surrounding communities who led the committee to change harassment policies. The goal of our new policies is to try to intervene much earlier before we get to a point where you need to have a very large investigation. A new Workplace Conduct Unit debuted in February to look into all allegations of harassment and discrimination, sexual or otherwise, based on someones race, gender or other protected classes. The findings of major investigations will then go to a panel of outside experts who will evaluate them and recommend action to the Legislature. In 2018, the Legislature went regularly to outside lawyers to look into complaints. Firms hired by the Assembly in 2018 were: Littler Mendelson P.C., Stoel Rives LLP, and Van Dermyden Maddux Investigations. The Senate, meanwhile, hired the Law Offices of Amy Oppenheimer initially and later retained Van Dermyden Maddux and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP to handle all investigations. The decision to put two firms on retainer came as the Senate was taking heat over allegations former Sen. Tony Mendoza, D-Artesia (Los Angeles County), harassed multiple young women, including offering an underage employee alcohol and inviting another to his home. The firms are no longer handling sexual harassment investigations for the Senate, said Lizelda Lopez, a spokeswoman for Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins. Kathleen Ronayne is an Associated Press writer. WASHINGTON President Trump declared Friday that he rejected a personal appeal from his former lawyer Michael Cohen for a pardon, the strongest assertion yet that Cohen may have lied under oath. Trump tweeted his claim after days of swirling questions about Cohen over the issue of pardons. It has emerged as a key line of inquiry for Democrats launching a series of sweeping investigations into Trumps political and personal dealings. Bad lawyer and fraudster Michael Cohen said under sworn testimony that he never asked for a Pardon. His lawyers totally contradicted him. He lied! Trump tweeted aboard Air Force One while en route to inspect damage from deadly tornadoes in Alabama. Additionally, he directly asked me for a pardon. I said NO. He lied again! Cohen took to Twitter minutes later to deny the accusation. Just another set of lies by @POTUS @realdonaldtrump. Mr. President he wrote, before invoking the women whose hush-money payments he helped facilitate. Let me remind you that today is #InternationalWomensDay. You may want use today to apologize for your own #lies and #DirtyDeeds to women like Karen McDougal and Stephanie Clifford. Lanny Davis, Cohens lawyer, said in a written statement Thursday that his client was open to the ongoing dangling of a possible pardon by Trump representatives privately and in the media in the months after the FBI raided Cohens home, office and hotel room in April 2018. Davis, who was not Cohens lawyer at the time, said Cohen directed his attorney to explore a possible pardon with Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani and others on Trumps legal team. The statement appears to contradict Cohens sworn testimony last week at a House Oversight Committee hearing that he had never asked for, and would not accept, a pardon from Trump. Davis comment raises questions about whether Cohen who is slated to begin a three-year prison sentence in May for crimes including lying to Congress lied to Congress again last week. Cohens legal team argued that his statement was correct because Cohen never asked the president himself for a pardon. Trump did not immediately provide evidence of Cohens attempt to secure a pardon or reveal when the alleged request was made. Earlier Friday, speaking to reporters on the White House lawn, he said that Cohen had told a stone cold lie when he testified that he did not seek presidential intervention. Cohen has become a key figure in congressional investigations since turning on his former boss and cooperating with the special counsel. During last weeks public testimony, he called Trump a con man, a cheat and a racist. Trump, in turn, has said Cohen is lying in order to reduce his prison time. Cohens legal team stressed that he was one of Trumps closest confidants and if he wanted a pardon, he would have just asked Trump himself which the president, for the first time on Friday, claimed is what happened. Jonathan Lemire is an Associated Press writer. SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) Four longtime LGBTQ advocates were recognized Saturday morning in San Francisco for longtime advocacy that led to the development of groundbreaking programs for LGBTQ seniors in the city. California State Sen. Scott Wiener and former San Francisco supervisors David Campos and Christina Olague, as well as LGBT Aging Policy Task Force Chairman Bill Ambrunn, received commendations at a ceremony attended by about 100 people at the city's LGBT Center. "While there is more work to be done, city officials have delivered impressively on their promise to implement task force recommendations," Ambrunn said in a news release by the San Francisco Human Services Agency. Five years ago, a task force created by the three then-supervisors recommended 13 actions to help LGBTQ residents age in place in the community. Since then, most of the recommendations have been followed, including the formation of a new Care Navigation and Isolation Prevention program that helps clients access social services. The task force was created by Wiener, Campos and Olague, all of whom were San Francisco supervisors at the time. Weiner has since gone on to become a state senator. The number of residents who identify as LGBTQ served by the city's Department of Adult and Aging Services has soared 71 percent over the past four years, to 2,039. Representatives link the increase to the services developed in response to the report's recommendations. 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) Bicyclists - as well as exhibitionists - are gearing up for the 10th Annual World Naked Bike Ride happening in San Francisco this weekend. The ride begins Saturday at 11 a.m. just west of the Ferry Building along The Embarcadero. From there, the stripped cyclists will travel through iconic San Francisco areas like Fisherman's Wharf, the Marina, Lombard Street, North Beach, Civic Center, Haight-Ashbury and the Castro, although riders can join at any point, according to organizers. SAN LEANDRO (BCN) A former employee for a San Leandro-based company that sells solar equipment to homeowners filed a civil rights lawsuit on Thursday alleging that it had a policy of refusing to do business with customers it believed to be of Middle Eastern or Indian origin. Ayesha Faiz, who was a supervisor in a call center for Fidelity Home Energy Inc., claims in her federal complaint that she was instructed by Fidelity not to process customer leads with homeowners whose names "sounded Middle Eastern or Indian." Faiz said that unbeknownst to Fidelity Home she herself is of Middle Eastern descent, having immigrated from Afghanistan when she was one. She alleges in her suit that Fidelity's policy created a hostile and oppressive work environment that forced her to leave her job after just three weeks. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) also filed suit against Fidelity Home on Thursday based on the same conduct. "The toxic and reprehensible policy Ayesha was forced to implement didn't just run afoul of California's consumer laws -- it also violated federal and state civil rights laws that guarantee all employees the right to a workplace that is free of discrimination," Beth Mora, one of Faiz's attorneys, said in a statement. Mora said, "Fidelity's working environment was thoroughly permeated with discrimination against persons of Middle Eastern or Indian descent. That had a devastating impact on Ayesha herself." Marisa Diaz, a staff attorney with Legal Aid at Work, who also represents Faiz, said, "Our society should be far beyond the point where discrimination against any group is acceptable, let alone serve as a company's standard operating procedure." Diaz said, "No employee should be forced to take part in such discrimination as the price of her job." Faiz's attorneys said discrimination against persons based on their names is a widespread and well-documented phenomenon, occurring in the real estate industry, the employment context, and elsewhere. They said studies have found that landlords, rental hosts, and employers disproportionately reject rental or job applicants based on them having Arab- or African-American-sounding names. They also said companies have been found to charge higher prices for the same products to consumers who have Muslim-sounding names. Executives at Fidelity Home Energy, which has been in business for nearly 20 years, weren't available for comment on Thursday. City leaders are calling for more protected bicycle lanes along San Francisco's Howard Street after a female bicyclist died Friday morning in a collision with a vehicle in the city's South of Market neighborhood. The collision occurred on Howard Street at Sixth Street around 8:20 a.m., according to police. The victim was riding a rental Ford GoBike when a truck struck her, the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition said. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene and the truck's driver is cooperating with the investigation, police said. Currently, dedicated bike lanes exist on Howard starting at 11th Street, ending at Sixth Street. Those lanes were just unveiled in January. The coalition is calling on the city to extend the protected bike lane to Fifth Street and to add a dedicated bicycle signal at Sixth Street. They're also seeking to accelerate the Folsom and Howard Streetscape project, which aims to redesign the area, making it more pedestrian- and bike-friendly. The coalition also wants the city to remove mixing zones, parts of the roadway where vehicles can enter the bike lanes to makes turns, from Howard between Sixth and 11th streets and replace them with signal protected intersections. On Wednesday, Breed announced she was implementing new measures to fast-track traffic safety projects on the city's high-injury corridors, including expediting safety enhancements and increasing police traffic enforcement. The mental competency of a transient who's charged with murder for the fatal stabbing of 18-year-old Nia Wilson at the MacArthur BART station in Oakland last July remained unresolved at a hearing on that matter on Friday. Alameda County Superior Court James Cramer suspended the legal proceedings against John Lee Cowell, 28, on Dec. 27 for the stabbing death at the MacArthur station at about 9:36 p.m. on July 22, saying there is "substantial evidence" that he's mentally incompetent to stand trial. Cramer appointed two psychiatrists to examine Cowell and submit reports to the court on their findings about his mental competence. Dr. Marlin Griffith said in a report submitted to the court on Feb. 13 that he believes Cowell is incompetent to stand trial. But Dr. John Chamberlin said in a report submitted on Friday that he was unable to arrive at a conclusion about Cowell's competency. Cowell's attorney Christina Moore said Griffith's finding is sufficient basis for Cowell to be placed in a state mental institution to get treatment aimed at restoring his competence. If that happens he could still stand trial at a later date. Santa Clara County officials are opening up warming centers and adding shelter beds for homeless people who might otherwise get stuck in inclement weather this weekend. The National Weather Service says light rain and cool temperatures are forecasted for Saturday and Sunday. The Office of Supportive Housing in Santa Clara County announced an inclement weather episode starting Saturday and continuing through Monday morning. Daytime warming spots are in the county's libraries, community centers and senior centers. Overnight warming locations in San Jose include the Bascom Community Center, the Leininger Center and the Roosevelt Community Center. More beds will be available at shelters, too. Big changes are coming to the way voters get to choose candidates for the West Contra Costa Unified School District's school board starting in 2020, and proponents of the change say historically underrepresented communities will now be guaranteed a seat at the table. Rather than electing trustees from anywhere in the school district in an "at large" model, voters will be able to choose trustees to represent their specific geographical area within the district. The move comes as a result of litigation with the Bay Area Voting Rights Initiative, which argued that the previous election methodology violated the California Voting Rights Act and that it resulted in "racially polarized voting," which may have left minority communities underrepresented on the school board. A map of these new "trustee areas," which has been approved by a court after lengthy negotiations with the plaintiff as well as public input at a series of meetings, is available online at https://bit.ly/2XINZSx. District officials said they sought to create at least two trustee areas in traditionally underrepresented areas within western Contra Costa County. The town of Yountville is holding a community remembrance Saturday for the three clinical staff workers of The Pathway Home veterans mental health treatment center who were killed by a former client a year ago. Executive Director Christine Loeber, 48, Jennifer Gray Golick, 42, a clinical director, and Jennifer K. Gonzales Shushereba, 32, a clinical psychologist and her unborn daughter were killed by Albert Wong, 36, of Sacramento, a former Pathway Home client. Wong shot the women with a rifle in Madison Hall of the Pathway Home at the Veterans Home of California in Yountville on March 9, 2018. Wong then shot himself in the head and died. Shushereba's unborn daughter also died from a lack of oxygen caused by her mother's death. The remembrance ceremony is at noon Saturday at Veterans Memorial Park, 6465 Washington St. in Yountville. The event is public, and Pathway Home officials will make brief remarks. Fremont police have located a 97-year-old woman who was reported missing Thursday night. Bao Lian Wu went for a walk around 3 p.m. and never returned to her home on the 3400 block of Collin Court. Police say they found her around 11 p.m. Police didn't say where they found her or offer any other details. 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) The city of San Francisco will take over the San Francisco Housing Authority after the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development sent notice to the city Thursday that the housing authority is in default. In the notice, HUD is requiring the city to assume responsibility for the housing authority's essential functions because of several agreements and obligations the housing authority has failed to meet, Mayor London Breed's office said. In a statement, Breed said that during the transition she'll focus on making sure that the thousands of San Franciscans who rely on the housing voucher program won't be affected. "My first priority is to ensure that the 14,000 households that rely on the housing authority subsidies keep their housing. At the same time, I am also committed to ensuring that the housing authority's employees are not unfairly harmed by the actions of the housing authority, and that the city meet the obligations HUD has outlined," she said. "The time has come for real transformation of the Housing Authority to ensure both long term housing stability for our residents, and to continue moving forward with our multiyear effort to rebuild and transform distressed public housing communities. My office and city departments will be working closely with the housing authority during this transition to ensure residents are protected," she said. In October it was revealed during a hearing at the Board of Supervisor's Government Audit and Oversight Committee that the housing authority had a shortfall totaling less than $30 million. Breed, who grew up in the city's public housing, said the city's public housing revitalization program HOPE SF is currently focused on rebuilding 1,400 units of dilapidated homes. Copyright 2019 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. A Watsonville man was convicted Friday of shooting and injuring his ex-wife and killing her friend, prosecutors announced. Jose Luis Ramos, who was 31 at the time, now faces life in prison after a jury found him guilty of first-degree murder, attempted murder and shooting into an occupied vehicle. Prosecutors said Ramos tracked his ex-wife Maria Elena Rocha and found her sitting in a car with her friend Santiago Avalos on the afternoon of Dec. 12, 2016. Ramos opened fire, shooting Avalos twice and Rocha three times. Avalos was pronounced dead at the scene of the shooting, near North Rodeo Gulch Road and Soquel Drive in Santa Cruz County. Authorities found Ramos soon after the shooting and arrested him. Rocha survived and was able to testify at trial. "My condolences are with the family of Santiago Avalos," Santa Cruz County District Attorney Jeffrey Rosell said in a statement. "I want to praise the courage of Maria Elena Rocha for testifying at trial and facing the man who stalked and shot her." A GoFundMe page set up at the time of the shooting said Avalos left behind a wife and two children. Prosecutors didn't say when Ramos is expected to be sentenced. 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. President Donald Trump took to Twitter to rip into California Governor Gavin Newsom for using taxpayer money on a new migrant shelter in San Diego County. "I hope the grandstanding Governor of California is able to spend his very highly taxed citizens money on asylum holds more efficiently than money has been spent on the so-called Fast Train, which is $Billions over budget & in total disarray," the president tweeted. "Time to reduce taxes in California!" Trump is likely referencing Newsom's Thursday trip to San Ysidro, where the governor visited a new state-funded shelter for migrants seeking asylum. "The federal government should be doing this," Newsom told CNN of the shelter. "It's the federal government's responsibility. These are people who came here legally, I just want to pause and reflect on that. These are people that came through the process legally, seeking asylum legally." MORE TRUMP AND NEWSOM: Trump says Gavin Newsom 'loves' him and told him he's a 'great president' In his 2019-2020 budget, Newsom proposed giving $20 million to humanitarian organizations and non-profit entities that currently provide aid to migrants. "These funds will be available over a three-year period to assist qualified community-based organizations and nonprofit entities in providing services during immigration or human trafficking emergency situations when federal funding is not available," the budget reads. "These funds will also be available to support the redirection of state-level staff who directly assist in response efforts." During his visit, Newsom took aim at the Trump administration for declaring a national emergency on the southern border. ALSO: US disaster agency rejects $306M for Oroville Dam repair "I'm at our border today where there is no 'national emergency,'" Newsom tweeted. "San Ysidro is the busiest border crossing in the Western Hemisphere. It's a region of economic vibrancy of trade and commerce. Our state thrives because of the families who live on both sides of this border." In addition, the governor tweeted a photo of himself with a young girl, and accused the Trump administration of "trying to demonize her." Newsom wasn't the only person the president directed his ire at regarding the topic of immigration Saturday afternoon. Trump also ripped into conservative commentator Ann Coulter, and called her a "Wacky Nut Job." "Wacky Nut Job @AnnCoulter, who still hasn't figured out that, despite all odds and an entire Democrat Party of Far Left Radicals against me (not to mention certain Republicans who are sadly unwilling to fight), I am winning on the Border. Major sections of Wall are being built and renovated, with MUCH MORE to follow shortly," he tweeted. "Tens of thousands of illegals are being apprehended (captured) at the Border and NOT allowed into our Country. With another President, millions would be pouring in. I am stopping an invasion as the Wall gets built." Coulter has grown increasingly critical of the president in recent months since a border wall has yet to be built. After Trump declared a national emergency, Coulter responded with, "The only national emergency is that our president is an idiot." Eric Ting is an SFGATE staff writer. Email him at eting@sfchronicle.com and follow him on Twitter Start receiving breaking news emails on floods, 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. Six-year-old Jack Tilley from Los Altos, or another kid like him, may one day design the rocket that transports astronauts to build a permanent space base on the moon. Tilley and scores of other junior rocket scientists blasted off model spacecraft Sunday from the Moffett Field tarmac before a rapt audience invited by the NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Apollo moon landing on July 20, 1969. In addition to an all-comers rocket launching session, Moonfest 2009 included hands-on exhibits, games and lectures by notable scientists. "We're trying to get young people excited about science, math, technology and engineering," said Jonas Dino, a spokesman for NASA. "These kids are going to be the next scientists and explorers. As NASA ages, we want to make sure that we're passing along the knowledge to the next generation." An informal survey of some members of the crowd of more than 10,000 at Moffett Field on Sunday suggested that the generations old enough to remember Neil Armstrong are passing their interest in space onto their children. Jack's father, Scott Tilley, 50, is an aerospace engineer. He said he was inspired by the moon landing. "I remember watching the Apollo when I was 10," Tilley said. "That's what got me going on rockets. I was totally into it." Other families also seemed to be infected with the science bug. Speaking to his 6-year-old son, Kai, Jerry Brown, 47, explained in great detail the images of planets, stars and galaxies that were set up for public viewing. It turns out that Brown works at Lockheed as an orbit analyst, and his brother is a NASA employee in Houston. Kai said he had seen a video of a "cross-winged rocket" that exploded and someday wants to make one that "doesn't blow up." Activities for kids on the Moffett Field base parade ground included remote-controlled robots, telescopes that allowed viewers to look at the sun, and shoes that mimicked the feel of a moon walk. Some exhibits used very simple props to effectively demonstrate details about the moon. Vivian White of the Astronomy Society of the Pacific showed bystanders what happens when asteroids and comets crash into the moon. By dropping small rocks onto a pan of flour with a thin layer of cocoa powder on top, she mimicked how the moon's surface is disrupted - and sprays moon dust when large objects strike it. In addition to commemorating the Apollo landing, there was also a focus on the future. NASA's unmanned spacecraft, LCROSS, is currently orbiting the moon and will slam into the lunar surface in October to determine whether hydrogen detected in shadowy craters at the moon's poles is a component of frozen water. Anthony Colaprete, the project's chief scientist, said that if the hydrogen is part of the water, it could be separated out relatively easily and used for rocket fuel, meaning that someday astronauts might launch a craft from the moon into deeper space. "If we found water it would push NASA toward future exploration of the poles of the moon," Colaprete said. "It would be very significant." Washingtons Andre Burakovsky, Nicklas Backstrom and Lars Eller scored and Braden Holtby stopped 25 shots as the host Capitals extended their winning streak to six games with a 3-0 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Friday night. In his fifth consecutive start, Holtby robbed Devils All-Star Kyle Palmieri in the first period and made a handful of other important saves. In airline route news, Delta will go year-round on a key route out of Oakland; Three A380s head to Hawaii; Alaska adds a spoke to its Seattle hub and finally launches Paine Field service; Southwest's Hawaii flights begin in one week; United kicks off new domestic routes; Qatar is coy about its planned SFO service; Denver welcomes a Caribbean carrier; Virgin Atlantic, Air France-KLM and Delta expand their code-sharing; JetBlue transatlantic speculation picks up; Ethiopian expands Dulles service; and El Al plans O'Hare service. Delta will revive service June 9 between Oakland and its Atlanta hub, but this time the route will operate year-round instead of seasonally. From June through September, Delta will offer daily service (except Saturdays) with a 737-900, departing Oakland at 10:30 p.m. and arriving at ATL at 6:06 a.m. Effective October 1, the airline will switch to a 737-800 and operate four days a week Sunday, Monday, Thursday and Friday and instead of a red-eye, the eastbound segment will depart OAK at noon. Southwest Airlines also flies nonstop between Atlanta and Oakland with one flight daily in each direction. The Airbus A380 isn't dead yet. And is Hawaii reaching tourist saturation? This week ANA announced that it will take delivery of three new double-decker behemoths this month to fly between Tokyo and Honolulu starting May 24. The colorful 3-class planes have 520 seats and are painted in special sea turtle livery (one green, one blue, one orange) you can see above or in the slideshow at the top. That's fabulous, fun route news, but how many more airline passengers can Hawaii handle? With the influx coming from the mainland due to the Southwest Effect fare wars combined with this, it's going to get a little crazy in Waikiki and elsewhere where traffic is already a big problem, and hotel demand (and rates) are on the rise. Airbus announced last month that it would stop making the A380 in 2021. Alaska Airlines this week introduced new service from its Seattle hub to Columbus, Ohio the only non-stop service in the market. The airline will offer daily roundtrips with an Airbus A320 departing SEA at 9:45 a.m. and departing Columbus at 6:15 p.m. Columbus is Alaska's 91st non-stop destination from Seattle. In other Seattle news, Delta is planning to discontinue its service between SEA and Victoria, B.C. on September 2, although Alaska will continue to fly that route; two months ago, United axed its San Francisco-Victoria flights. Meanwhile, Alaska this week finally launched commercial service from Washington State's Paine Field, a facility 23 miles north of downtown Seattle that had previously been used only by general aviation flights and the adjacent Boeing plant. The advent of commercial airline service at Paine will make life a lot easier for travelers in Seattle's northern suburbs, saving them a drive of up to 37 miles to Seattle-Tacoma International south of the city. Alaska's new Paine service, operated by its Horizon Air affiliate with three-class Embraer 175s, started with flights to Portland and Las Vegas. By mid-March, Alaska's full schedule of 18 flights a day to eight cities should be in operation, as it phases in service to Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose, Orange County, Phoenix and San Diego. United is due to start service from Paine to San Francisco and Denver at the end of March. Picturesque Victoria, on the southwestern edge of British Columbia is getting a lot harder to fly to. This week, Delta announced that it will cut its Seattle-Victoria flights in September. After 10 years of service, United stopped flying nonstop between San Francisco and Victoria in January. Alaska Air will continue to fly there from Seattle. Or you can take a Kenmore Air float plane from downtown Vancouver. Unless you've been living under a rock for the past week, you probably have heard that Southwest Airlines finally announced details of its new Hawaii service from the Bay Area. It begins March 17 with daily flights from Oakland to Honolulu, increasing to twice-daily on March 24. Oakland-Maui starts April 8, with daily flights increasing to twice a day April 10. Daily San Jose-Honolulu flights are due to start May 5, followed by daily SJC-Maui service May 26. Southwest will also begin four interisland flights a day between Honolulu and Maui on April 28, and four a day between Honolulu and Kona on the Big Island as of May 12. United Airlines kicks off several new domestic routes this weekend, mostly from its Denver hub. New United spokes from that hub include Santa Rosa, California; Brownsville, Texas; West Palm Beach, Pensacola, Sarasota, and Destin/Ft. Walton Beach, Florida. Other new United routes that kicked off this weekend include Los Angeles to Redding, California and Cleveland to Tampa, Florida. Qatar Airways announced some new routes last week, but none of them were to North America. The airline once said it expected to launch Doha-San Francisco flights in 2018, but that didn't happen. What about 2019? "No update as of now when we will start flying to San Francisco," a spokesperson told us via Twitter. "We will announce via our social media channels in case we do. Stay tuned." Meanwhile, after a long-running feud with its Oneworld partner American Airlines, Qatar is expected to decide in the next two months whether it will stay in the alliance or drop out. Don't miss a shred of important travel news! Sign up for our FREE bi-weekly email updates! Denver International Airport Denver has another international destination with the addition of new Cayman Airways non-stop service to Grand Cayman. The carrier is using a brand-new 160-seat 737 MAX 8 on the route, which will operate twice a week (Wednesdays and Saturdays) through mid-August, returning again in December. Previously, Denver was the second-largest U.S. market that had no non-stop flights to the Caribbean. Delta and Air France-KLM are already joint venture partners, and they are working to bring Virgin Atlantic into that close-knit family this year. To that end, the airlines have announced a big expansion of code-sharing, providing one-stop check-in and seamless connections for Air France and KLM passengers who connect to or from Delta or Virgin transatlantic flights at London or Manchester, and for Virgin travelers from the U.K. who connect to Air France/KLM transatlantic flights at Amsterdam or Paris. Related: Why your Virgin Atlantic flight attendant might be wearing makeup That longstanding speculation about JetBlue beginning transatlantic service bubbled up again this week thanks to an interview that chief executive Robin Hayes gave to the British newspaper The Independent. Hayes told the paper "we're actively looking at it (transatlantic service) now," stirring some Internet rumors that JetBlue will make an announcement as soon as next month. Hayes said JetBlue is looking at flights from Boston and New York JFK to London, probably targeting Gatwick or Stansted airports instead of Heathrow, and using new long-range Airbus A321s equipped with the airline's signature Mint front cabin service to attract the business travel market. In other international route news, Israel's El Al is reportedly planning to revive non-stop service from Tel Aviv to Chicago O'Hare in 2020 a route that it abandoned in 2007 although no details are available. Ethiopian Airlines is targeting June 9 for the launch of 787-8 flights between Addis Ababa and Washington Dulles via a stop in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, boosting the airline's Washington schedule to 10 flights a week. 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. JERUSALEM When Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has run into political trouble in the past, he has lashed out at the media, the political opposition and Israels Arab minority with incendiary and divisive language to galvanize his nationalist base. Ahead of April 9 elections, Netanyahu has zoned in on prominent Arab lawmaker Ahmad Tibi. The Israeli leader, slumping in the polls after the dramatic announcement of his pending corruption indictment, is portraying Tibi as a threat to national security in a charged campaign that critics say questions the loyalty of the countrys Arab citizens. Using his own nickname, Netanyahu has been repeating a campaign mantra: Bibi or Tibi. The snappy slogan, eagerly parroted by his hard-line allies, highlights Netanyahus efforts to paint his challengers as weak leftists conspiring with Arab Israelis and a hostile media to oust him. It also shines a spotlight on Tibi an affable, media-savvy political veteran who speaks fluent Hebrew. Tibi is known for his harsh criticism of government policies toward the countrys Arab citizens and toward Palestinians who live under Israeli control in territories Israel captured in 1967. Until this week, I didnt know that against my will I was a leading candidate for prime minister, he said with a smile from his home in an Arab neighborhood of Jerusalem. Despite the humor, Tibi said he is concerned about what he views as Netanyahus attempt to demonize Israels Arab minority. He is delegitimizing the Arab parties, the Arab lawmakers and the Arab public in general, he said. Hes trying to transmit that it is either me, the supposed patriotic Jewish leader, or the Arabs will take over the country and decide who will be the prime minister. Arabs make up about 20 percent of Israels 9 million residents. They hold full citizenship rights but have faced decades of discrimination. The outgoing Netanyahu-led government further stoked tensions by passing a controversial law that defines Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people. A parliamentary panel recently recommended banning an Arab party from running in the election, while Netanyahu has courted anti-Arab extremists in hopes of improving his re-election chances. Part of Netanyahus typical stump speech these days alleges that his prime challenger, ex-military chief Benny Gantz, will be unable to build a ruling coalition without the backing of Arab parties. Arab parties never sat in an Israeli coalition government, and they say they have no interest in doing so now. Fearing a possible loss on election day in 2015, Netanyahu mobilized his supporters by releasing a frantic midday video in which he warned that Arab voters were heading in droves to the polls. The move, for which he later apologized, appeared to help turn the tide and secure another term for him. Aron Heller is an Associated Press writer. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Todays archive page is from Nov. 26, 1965. Two Staten Island women will precede the Washington, D.C., marchers for peace, and head to the capital city for talks on the reorganization of the Committee to End the War in Vietnam. Mrs. Robert Hagenhofer and Mrs. Dorothy Napell have been selected as delegates from Staten Islanders for Peace, a committee that coordinates the work of many smaller peace groups in New York City. Members of the group will make the trip to Washington to join the Vietnam protest. If you have trouble viewing the page below, click here to enlarge it. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Police arrested three people allegedly involved in the stabbing of a 25-year-old woman Friday night in West Brighton. Michael Williams, 28, Tabitha Daniels, 34, and a 15-year-old male were arrested after police responded to 173 Campbell Ave., said a spokesman for the NYPDs Deputy Commissioner for the Public Information. The incident happened around 6:40 p.m., when a woman was punched and kicked, causing lacerations to the back of her head and right side of her face, according to a spokesman. Responding officers were able to locate two witnesses to identify the alleged suspects, according to the spokesman. The three are charged with three counts of assault and one gang assault. Williams and Daniels are charged with a criminal possession of a weapon, while the 15-year-old is charged with a criminal possession of a firearm, according to police. The victim was rushed to Staten Island University Hospital North, where she was in critical condition, but likely to survive. On scene, blood could be seen on the floor outside of the home. More than 10 police vehicles responded to the location. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Police responded to a reported stabbing in West Brighton Friday night. A woman was slashed multiple times in the face and head on Campbell Avenue at approximately 6:40 p.m., according to a spokesman for the Deputy Commissioner for Public Information. The woman was left with critical injuries after the slashing, according to an FDNY spokeswoman. On scene, blood could be seen on the floor outside of a home on Campbell Avenue. More than 10 police vehicles responded to the location. The victim was transported to Richmond University Medical Center, according to an FDNY spokeswoman. 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! The anti-money-laundering watchdog says it has suspended the licences of two cryptocurrency exchanges after a police investigation found the businesses were being exploited for drug trafficking. It is the first such suspension by the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre, or Austrac, since new legislation in April 2018 brought digital currency exchanges under its umbrella to ensure cryptocurrencies were monitored the same way as cash exchanges and transfers. Various estimates show cryptocurrency crime is on the rise globally, keeping pace with the market's rapid growth. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer Various estimates show cryptocurrency crime is on the rise globally, keeping pace with the market's rapid growth. A recent study revealed the value of cryptocurrencies stolen from exchanges and scammed from investors surged more than 400 per cent in 2018 to about $US1.7 billion ($2.4 billion). The decision of the world's largest sovereign wealth fund to reduce holdings in oil stocks wasn't as far-reaching as the industry feared, but dealt a symbolic blow to fossil fuels that will reverberate for energy companies and their investors. While the divestment by Norway's $US1 trillion ($1.4 trillion) fund doesn't include Big Oil, instead rooting out $US7.5 billion of companies that focus purely on exploration and extraction, the impact of the announcement rippled through the sector. Shares of all oil companies initially plunged on the news, suggesting the move sets the industry up for greater disruption. Norway's $US1 trillion fund is rooting out $US7.5 billion of companies that focus purely on exploration and extraction. Credit:Bloomberg It's a bitter taste of the new reality for oil producers, which increasingly have to fight for investor dollars rather than enjoying the perks of being indispensable to the global economy. "The Norwegian sovereign wealth fund is seen as something of a poster-child amongst sovereign wealth funds," said Alejandro DeMichelis, director of oil and gas research at Hannam & Partners. "This decision could also trigger other large investors to review their stance toward investing in the oil and gas sector." The problem with wills, according to Caroline Bellair, is not that other people spend your money its that they do so after youre dead. Now in their late 70s, she and husband Terry have downsized and tree changed. She is a retired librarian, he a semi-retired environmental consultant. Like many Australians of their generation and class, they had money surplus to their needs. And they were at a stage of life where they were wondering what to do with it. Caroline and Terry Bellair near their Castlemaine home. Credit:Meredith O'Shea Last year, in a moment of catharsis, the Bellairs decided. They would donate $1 million to convert private property into nature reserves and help create habitat links for plants and animals to adapt to a changing climate. This is a guest post from Adnan Naseemullah from is Senior Lecturer in International Relations, Kings College London, and the author of Development after Statism (Cambridge University Press, 2017). Indian airstrikes near Balakot inside the Pakistani province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on the 26th of February, and Pakistani airstrikes in response, have created anxiety because nuclear conflict lies at the end of a steep escalation ladder. India was retaliating against a Valentines Day suicide attack on a convoy of paramilitary forces in Pulwama, in Indian-administered Kashmir, in which 42 were killed. Jaish-e-Muhammed (JeM), one of several Pakistan-based militant groups operating against the Indian state in Kashmir, claimed responsibility. Indian retaliation targeted a madrassa thought to affiliated to JeM in Pakistan. Indias position is that because groups like JeM are proxies of the Pakistani state, crossborder strikes are justified as a means of preemptive self-defense combatting terrorism. This dynamic highlights both the uses and hazards of proxies as a tool of crossborder coercive statecraft. It follows a long and ignominious tradition of the use of proxies to weaken strategic competitors that has recent roots in Cold War competition, and has been used by both India and Pakistan. I argue that Pakistans use of proxies is becoming increasingly counterproductive as a tool for enhancing its own security by diminishing its neighbors, even as recent Indian policies toward Kashmir have created an environment hospitable for these proxies. Proxy Conflict and the International System The deployment of proxies was a common tool of pre-modern statecraft, using pirates or bandits to spread ones authority and undermine opponents. The principle of sovereignty established an international norm against states intervening in the internal affairs of other states, including providing support for rebels. Yet this norm that has been frequently violated, such as with British sponsorship of the Arab revolt against the Ottoman Empire during World War I, or Nazi and Soviet involvement in the Spanish Civil War. Proxy conflicts were particularly rife during the Cold War, as a means for the Soviet Union and the United States to compete while avoiding direct conflict. Soviet support behind communist and nationalist movements in Southeast Asia, from the Viet Minh and Viet Cong to the Khmer Rouge and Pathet Lao, undermined French colonial rule and US military efforts to prop up anticommunist regimes, while visiting horrific cruelty on civilian populations. In the 1980s, the US sponsorship of right-wing contras against the socialist Sandinista regime in Nicaragua was associated with widespread human rights abuses. In South Asia, the use of proxies has been frequent and diverse. Indian intelligence armed and supplied a proxy rebel force called the mukti bahini to strike Pakistani military and government targets in East Pakistan, prior to the Pakistani militarys brutal repression there, Indias military intervention and Bangladeshs independence. In the mid-1980s, India covertly provided arms, training and monetary support to the Tamil Tigers in order to contain separatism in India. The most dramatic proxy conflict in South Asia followed the Soviet invasion in Afghanistan. The US and its allies funded and armed mujahidin militias, channeled and organized through Pakistani intelligence, to attack the communist government and Soviet military. Pakistans own proxies in Kashmir grew directly out of this operation: the largest Kashmiri militant group, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), arose from the Markaz Dawa wal Irshad operating against Soviet forces in Kunar, Afghanistan in the 1980s. Proxies as Coercive Statecraft The logic of the use of proxy armed actors is the inverse of balancing: instead of augmenting a states own security in relation to a competitor by mobilizing resources internally or seeking alliances, a state can instead weaken that competitors security by sponsoring its enemies internally. This is useful in contexts of structurally unequal power distribution, as in South Asia. While such activities straightforwardly violate norms of sovereignty, sponsoring states justify them with recourse to alternative norms, with varying levels of cynicism: that of self-determination, or resisting repression, or protecting dignity and human rights. The use of proxies can be hazardous, however. First, terrorism has, in the post 9/11 era, become a taboo, and proxy groups using terrorist tactics, and sponsoring states, have been open to international sanction. Most contemporary proxies are those of great powers using irregular military tactics rather than terrorism in contexts of civil conflict, as with American-sponsored militias in Syria or Russias little green men in Ukraine. Kashmiri-based groups have conducted horrifying terrorist attacks on civilian targets, such as with the 2008 Mumbai strikes, that have rightly elicited international condemnation and attracted stigma. Thus this form of power projection can leads to increasing international audience costs and consequences. Second, the use of proxies involves significant principal-agent problems; armed groups have their own agendas and can mobilize their own resources, often through organized crime. Sponsoring states have little choice but to continue their support despite these differing goals, or else lose a tool of coercion, or worse, face violent backlash. After all, Osama bin Laden was an American-funded proxy in Afghanistan before he became Americas greatest enemy. The Rising Costs of Pakistans Proxies Pakistans continued use of proxies in Kashmir is becoming increasingly costly, relative to uncertain benefits, for its own security and power projection for four reasons. First, proxies are, once deployed, hard to direct, modulate or control; Kashmiri militant groups compete with one another in an ecosystem of violence, responding to incentives and opportunities for action that might not follow the interests of the Pakistani state. The Pulwama attack, for instance, occurred only days before a visit to Islamabad by the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, and a subsequent visit to Delhi. Pakistan, aiming to secure a large loan to address its macroeconomic difficulties, could have done without the embarrassment. Second, proxies are most effective when deniability is at all plausible. Despite protestations and demands for proof, Pakistans associations with these groups, going back to the 1990s, is evident; JeMs headquarters are in Bahawalpur, deep in Pakistan. As particular groups claim credit for attacks as a means of bolstering their strength, there is little difficulty in connecting Pakistan to acts of terrorism in India, either in Kashmir or further afield. Third, shifts in broader Indian strategy have made the use of proxies more dangerous. As Srinath Raghavan notes, previous Indian governments sought to contain terrorism in Kashmir, avoiding escalation by denying terrorist groups capacity to operate counterinsurgent measures, while otherwise exercising strategic restraint and international pressure. Modi, however, is keen on not managing and defusing but rather exploiting the Kashmir issue, as a means of burnishing his reputation as a strongman. As the strikes near Balakot show, the Modi government are committed to expanding the zone of retaliation to Pakistani territory proper. The abandonment of strategic restraint complicates straightforward strategies of Indian containment by proxy warfare. Fourth, India connects Pakistans use of proxies in Kashmir with continuing Pakistani relationships with the Taliban, raising suspicions that Pakistan is destabilizing Afghanistan for ideological purposes. While it is true that Pakistan sponsored the creation of both the Kashmiri militant groups and the Taliban in the 1990s, the latter are presently formidable governance actors operating a shadow state and controlling nearly half of Afghanistan, capable of operating independently of Pakistan. Indias overall strategy of turning Pakistan into an international pariah through the Kashmir-Afghanistan linkage is unlikely to succeed given the strength of Pakistans relationships with China and increasingly Russia. But Indias argument locating Pakistan as the central problem in Afghanistan chimes with some US policymakers, and can endanger the current peace talks necessary to forestall a bloody and destructive civil war following American withdrawal. The Way Forward In response to Pulwama and but following the 2011 National Action Plan against terrorism, Pakistani authorities have cracked down on militant groups, confiscating assets and arresting 44 suspected militants, including relatives of JeMs founder. There are powerful voices within government that argue that Pakistan cannot afford multilateral sanctions and exclusion from the financial system. But these efforts might fail, for two reasons. First, arrests and detentions of high-level militant actors in the past have not been sustained, with deep state actors hedging between containing and preserving proxies. The judiciary has been reluctant to prosecute militants for fear of retaliation. Second, the domestic infrastructure of these organizations is deeply integrated into Pakistani society. JeM runs schools and hospitals in poverty-stricken southern Punjab, and thus enjoys significant popularity there. Sustained actions risks violent backlash against the state. Unfortunately, even if Pakistan continues to take significant, permanent steps in demobilizing its proxies and dismantling its infrastructure, violence in Kashmir is likely to continue. Increasing conflict in Kashmir in the last five years has been spurred by the use of blunt coercion including the use of shotgun pellets that has caused widespread blindness against protestors demanding autonomy and recognition, leading to widespread human rights abuses. The state government has been suspended since June 2018. Adil Ahmad Dar, the suicide attacker in Pulwama, joined the militancy following a series of injuries and humiliations on the part of security forces. Former BJP Foreign Minister Yashwant Sinha has said that due to the brutal actions of the Modi government, India has lost the people of the valley, and is only holding it due to military force. The ongoing political and humanitarian crisis in Kashmir has created an environment particularly hospitable for militant organizations, whether they continue to be supported by Pakistan or not. Proxies are a depressingly common tool of coercive power, and outrage against their use invites charges of hypocrisy. But at the same time, it is a tool of chaos, with inherently uncertain benefits but specific costs. Pakistans use of proxies has both a history and a logic, but it might not survive objective scrutiny in 2019. One of the important take outs from of the Banking Royal Commission is that poor corporate culture not only leads to bad outcomes for customers but also for investors. Commissioner Kenneth Hayne harshly criticised NAB for a culture that did not genuinely admit its failures. Facebook chief operating officer and billionaire Sheryl Sandberg. Credit:AP Unhappy clients affected by the fees-for-no-service scandal joined disgruntled shareholders who have seen their shares fall in value by more than 20 per cent over the past five years. While admittedly not a like-for-like comparison, a company famous for its focus on culture Netflix is up more than 450 per cent over the same period. These are not isolated examples. A new report has found child-like sex dolls may "bridge the gap between fantasy and reality" for potential paedophiles by allowing them to carry out physical acts. The Australian Institute of Criminology published a report on the implications of child-like sex dolls this week, finding there was nothing to support the "hotly debated" theory that the dolls could give paedophiles a way to satisfy their urges without acting on their fantasies with real children. Some life-size sex dolls resemble children as young as five. While acknowledging the topic was under-researched, report authors Rick Brown and Jane Shelling found it was reasonable to assume that interaction with child-like sex dolls could increase the likelihood of the user going on to commit child sexual abuse. The report comes as Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton attempts to ban the possession of such dolls in Australia after what he called an "abhorrent" trend that has seen increasing numbers of the dolls imported. Most Canberrans are robbing themselves of the chance to save up to $1016 on their energy bills because they're not shopping around. According to the Australian Energy Market Commission's latest figures, 70 per cent of ACT electricity customers and 68 per cent of the territory's natural gas customers are still on default offers, commonly known as standing offers. Simon Wilson recently signed up to a market offer and has seen his energy bills drop. Credit:Elesa Kurtz As of Tuesday, ACT residents on the ActewAGL standing offer would have an annual energy bill of $3834 if they used seven megawatt hours of electricity and 39 gigajoules of gas per year. An analysis of the ACT's residential energy market offers shows using the same amount of energy on Origin Energy's 25 per cent maximiser market offer would bring the bill down to $2818 a saving of $1016. "I felt shame, I did masturbate. I was made to lie and cover up. You become conditioned to lying about your behaviour. Then you become closeted and are forced to become closeted," he says. Loading Theres growing pressure on the Utah-headquartered Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints over the appropriateness of worthiness interviews. In Australia, an investigation by The Sunday Age and Sun Herald revealed the questioning was described as an "abuse" of children, according to leaked correspondence from the royal commission. The Mormons have just over 60,000 adherents in Australia, according to 2016 Census data. An increasing number have been recruited to the Victorian Liberals by the party's conservative wing. Mormons regard sexual purity as a key tenet of their faith and regard breaches sex out of marriage, sex between gay couples, even masturbation as being akin to murder in terms of sinfulness. Church policy preaches chastity for church members who identify as gay, lesbian or bisexual. Leaders should support and encourage them in their resolve to live the law of chastity. Mormon policy "If members feel same-gender attraction but do not engage in any homosexual behaviour, leaders should support and encourage them in their resolve to live the law of chastity and to control unrighteous thoughts," the policy says. A spokesman for the Australian church defended the worthiness interviews as important in leading, teaching and inspiring children. He said the church teaches that, "God loves all of His children". Brad Harker with husband Scott. Credit:Steven Siewert "He loves those of different faiths and those without any faith. He loves those who suffer. He loves the rich and poor alike," the spokesman said. "He loves people of every race and culture, the married or single, and those who experience same-sex attraction or identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender. And God expects us to follow His example of loving others." Harkers experience was very different. The methods of teaching, the shaming it made me feel, the guilt I felt all my life for being gay you are called an apostate." He says he had "decades of torment" from the "gay hate" he faced, as he stayed formally in the church until he was 28. "I had an attraction towards men from my early teens, even on my mission I had an attraction towards men," Harker says. "I am still officially a Mormon but I do not practice the religion because I'm gay." It was not until he was 40 that he came out, and when he did, he felt "a burden lifted from my shoulders, I felt I was no longer living a lie. ''Coming out at 40 it still took me a long time after leaving the church, you have this ongoing shame and guilt. My mother cried, she asked me to remain closeted.'' The same-sex marriage debate was painful too, and Harker suffered at his Mormon father voting no: "It was an awful experience to have your family vote against who you are.'' But he had the support of his children and is married for a third time, to Scott, and last year led a float called "The Temple of Equality at Mardi Gras with 80 supporters, half of them Mormon. The 'Temple of Equality' float at Mardi Gras. They dressed in Mormon missionary attire with name tags reading Elder Equality. It stood out as sore thumb in the glam of Mardi Gras, he says. As a cradle Catholic, and as a mother and a grandmother, my response to the Cardinal Pell conviction is, as for others like me, deeply complex. For weeks I have been unable to bring myself to attend Sunday Mass. George Pell outside the Melbourne County Court. Credit:Jason South Almost daily I wake to a deadening of the heart as yet another story of abuse of children by Catholic clergy emerges, here and internationally. Catholics like me are in grief. Cardinal Pell is an unsympathetic character, described as having a pathological lack of empathy, and emblematic of a church that is out of touch with its people. And yet he is a prince of the church: the only ranking higher is that of the Pope. How unthinkable that he has been convicted of abusing children. Murdered Sydney dentist Preethi Reddy has been honoured at candlelight vigils in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Around 60 mourners gathered at Town Hall in Sydney on Saturday night less than a week after the Penrith woman's body was discovered in a suitcase. 200 people lay flowers and lit candles in memory of Ms Reddy. Credit:AAP Members of the humble gathering were moved to tears as people laid bouquets, lit candles and wrote messages of support for Ms Reddy and her family. Ms Reddy was killed and her body put into a suitcase in her own car, which was discovered in a Kingsford lane about 9.30pm on Tuesday, almost three days after she was last seen. The lawyer for a drug-addicted man accused of stealing a tiny puppy from a Brisbane home says there is "real doubt" he actually did it. Legal Aid solicitor Axel Beard made the submission in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Saturday while seeking bail for 23-year-old Ben Alex Worgan. A three-week-old maltese-shih tzu cross puppy allegedly stolen from a Mitchelton home. Credit:Facebook Mr Worgan is accused of taking a four-week-old female Maltese Shitzu cross from a Mitchelton home last Sunday. The puppy was found safe and well at a Stafford address on Friday. It's a situation found right across Brunswick: a couple of adjacent houses back on to a bluestone alley they share with an industrial warehouse, in this case a car mechanic's. For decades, this proximity hasn't been much of an issue. But a proposal by Moreland City Council to rezone some of its industrial pockets into residential areas, creating a potential bonanza for developers, has led to a battle with two residents over whether their backyards should now be considered toxic. Brunswick neighbours Sue Zivkovica and Bernard de la Couer say the council decision could cost them an extra $50,000 if they want to do renovations on their properties. Credit:Eddie Jim IT engineer Bernard de la Coeur and his neighbour Sue Zivkovic are fighting a restrictive determination by Moreland that they could be living on contaminated land because the nearby mechanic's workshop might have polluted the groundwater flowing underneath. A man died after his black Holden sedan lost control and crashed into a parked car in Clayton South on Sunday. The death of the driver, who was the only person in the car, comes after a horror night on Victoria's roads, which has left another man fighting for his life and three others in hospital with serious injuries. In a separate accident in Toolern Vale, north-west of Melbourne on Saturday night, three people were left with serious injuries after a two cars collided on the Melton Highway. Police believe a black Subaru RX was driving at high speed, when it collided head-on with an oncoming silver Ford station wagon about 10.20pm. The two male occupants of the Ford, both French nationals aged in their late 20s, were transported to hospital for treatment. Perth's Lakeside Joondalup shopping centre management believe they have partly solved the mystery of what was preventing people in their car park from being able to lock and unlock their keyless entry cars. On Friday afternoon, more than 100 motorists were locked out of their cars, some forced to break in, after an unidentified signal was jamming keyless entry devices. Confused motorists in the Lakeside carpark. Credit:9 News Perth Australia Media and Communications Authority investigators attended the site on Friday to try and locate where the signal jam was coming from. On Saturday afternoon, Lakeside Joondalup centre manager Gemma Hannigan said the authority was confident the offending device had been located inside Chemist Warehouse, however she would not confirm what the device was. Gun Violence (TNS) On Thursday afternoon, a man was found fatally shot on Fayetteville Street in Durham, N.C.It was the second shooting in the city in less than 24 hours. On Wednesday night, a 21 year-old man was found shot to death on Holloway Street.On Thursday, as police investigated the homicides, the Durham City Council considered using ShotSpotter, an acoustic gunshot surveillance system that determines the location of gunfire.The name of the latest man shot had not been released as of Thursday evening.The man killed Wednesday, Moncel Deangelo Garrett-Richardson, 21, of Durham, suffered multiple gunshot wounds and died at a hospital, police said. A 19 year-old was arrested shortly after in relation to the shooting.Over the past three years, the Durham Police Department has averaged 2,356 shots fired calls per year, according to the city.Council member Mark-Anthony Middleton had previously asked the council to consider ShotSpotter technology after complaints from residents about shootings.ShotSpotter uses sensors placed in locations where there have been reports of gun shootings.Its range is a radius of 25 to 50 meters, which is about 82 to 164 feet. The annual cost depends on the number of sensors used. ShotSpotter typically distributes 20 to 25 sensors per square mile.Phil Dailly of ShotSpotter and a former Baltimore city police sergeant, said less than 20 percent of shootings nationwide are reported to 911.The sensors are passive until they hear an explosive type sound, Dailly said, then software filters out any sound that is not gunfire before it is sent to acoustics experts who confirm it is gunfire.It is then sent online to police computers, tablets or smartphones within 30 to 60 seconds of the trigger time, Dailly said. The data sent includes the location, number of shots, if there appear to be multiple shooters and if the gun is high capacity or automatic.If Durham decides to get ShotSpotter for a three-mile radius, the first year would cost $235,000 including set up and training, with an annual cost of $195,000 after that. ShotSpotter is used in other North Carolina cities including Rocky Mount, Wilmington, Greenville and Goldsboro. Other states such as California, New York, New Jersey, Missouri and Massachusetts have multiple cities using the technology.In Chicago, ShotSpotter is tied in with the citys camera system, too. Council member Javiera Caballero said when she lived in Chicago, residents would just shoot out the cameras.However in Charlotte, the city has decided to stop spending $160,000 annually on ShotSpotter, claiming the return on investment was not high enough, The Charlotte Observer reported.On Monday, Durham Police Chief Cerelyn CJ Davis gave the annual crime report , which showed that overall, crime decreased, though homicides increased in 2018.According to the Police Department, there were 619 shootings last year. The police also reported 729 shooting in 2017 and 703 in 2016.Middleton grew up in Red Hook in Brooklyn, which he said was known as the crack capital in the 1980s. He said his neighborhood became desensitized to gun violence.The good news in Durham is that crime is down ... but theres a different reality for those of us who live in certain neighborhoods, he said, later adding, I think we as a government should consider this.Council member Vernetta Alston said she was concerned there isnt data showing ShotSpotter curbs gun violence.She wanted to know how the data is stored and said she is concerned about false positive reports of gunfire or the possibility of recording bystanders voices. She said she doesnt want communities to feel targeted by geofencing.Mayor Pro Tem Jillian Johnson said she would rather use alternatives tg more government surveillance unless there is more data to show the impact on public safety.But Middleton said the council agreed to spend $2.4 million on the citys new participatory budgeting program, and he didnt see data that showed it significantly increased democratic participation.If not this, then what? he said.Mayor Steve Schewel said he would defer to what Davis and the Police Department wanted to do. Davis also heard the presentation Thursday. Australia has become a testing ground for hackers trying new kinds of malicious software, partly because it has been slow to take cybersecurity seriously, the head of a government-funded science body has warned. Michelle Price, chief executive of AustCyber, also said that as Australia plays a more assertive role in global affairs, it will be targeted more frequently by foreign-government-backed hackers. The recent hack of Parliament and the major political parties was an example of this. Michelle Price, chief executive of AustCyber. Credit:Peter Braig A similar view was expressed by cyber security specialist Mike Sentonas of the firm CrowdStrike, which gained fame as one of the first companies to identify Russian hackers as responsible for the 2016 US election hack. He said the firms research had shown Chinese cyber attacks on the US had increased as tensions between the countries rose, and it was possible the same would apply to Australia. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been forced to defend his controversial remarks about women's progress coming at the expense of others, in the face of international criticism. Mr Morrison used an International Women's Day event to insist that while "we want to see women rise ... we don't want to see women rise only on the basis of others doing worse". Prime Minister Scott Morrison at an International Women's Day event at the Chamber of Minerals and Energy. Credit:AAP In his breakfast address to the Chamber of Minerals and Energy Western Australia on Friday, the Prime Minister said the Coalition "was not about setting Australians against each other, trying to push some down to lift others up". "That's not in our values. That is an absolutely Liberal value: that you don't push some people down to lift some people up," he said. The email from the officials at the border between Iraq and Syria was polite and very straightforward. "I am writing to ask you kindly, can you please send me an official letter that includes the stamp of the newspaper." Selfie time: Photographer Kate Geraghty with a Kurdish border patrolman on the Iraq-Syria border in October, 2018. Credit:Michael Bachelard It was October last year, and the Syrian conflict was beginning its long denouement. People were spilling out from Islamic State areas and into refugee camps. I was with redoubtable photographer Kate Geraghty in nearby Turkey, and we were trying to get into Syria to look for and interview surviving Australian IS fighters. But the border was proving challenging. Charleston, SC (29403) Today Rain likely. Thunder possible. High 68F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. Low 44F. Winds light and variable. This article was originally published at The Conversation. The publication contributed the article to Space.com's Expert Voices: Op-Ed & Insights. "Being a woman in a male-dominated industry sort of sucks, but it doesn't suck any more than being a woman in the world. My advice? Be terrifying." Kelly Sue DeConnick When the Captain Marvel movie opens on March 8, coinciding with International Women's Day, it will be Marvel Studios's first female-superhero led film and many people will be lined up to see this much anticipated flick and to enjoy one of Captain Marvel's trademark specialties: fighting galactic evil. But more than just fighting aliens, Captain Marvel represents a strong female superhero with an intricate and complicated past. She struggles with anger issues as well as a sense of purpose. She's also a sparkle-fisted smartass. In the last decade, Captain Marvel has become a prominent character in Marvel comics. She's a member of the Avengers, was the face of one side of the second superhero Civil War, and is a mentor to the new Ms. Marvel, Kamala Khan. In the hands of writers DeConnick, Margaret Stohl, Michele Fazkas, Tara Butters and Kelly Thompson, Captain Marvel has a rich context for cinematic success. "Let's rewrite some history, shall we?" Captain Marvel (Carol Danvers) The Carol Danvers character was originally created by Thomas and Gene Colan in 1968 as an officer in the U.S. Air Force. Almost a decade later, she gained her powers through an accident and turned into Ms. Marvel. But the Captain Marvel we'll be seeing on the screen is highly indebted to comic book writer Kelly Sue DeConnick's narrative. There are even rumours that DeConnick has a cameo in the film. In 2012, DeConnick created something of a masterpiece when she breathed new life into Captain Marvel. The female superhero first appeared in 1977, and originally named Ms. Marvel as a nod to the iconic feminist magazine, Ms.. She was a minor character but with DeConnick's writing, Captain Marvel was re-developed to become one of the central characters in the Marvel Universe. DeConnick's reboot was also accompanied by a new look leaving behind thigh-high boots, a swim suit and a mask for shorter hair, a Chuck Yeager jumpsuit and sensible footwear. DeConnick's comic book narrative begins with a touching tribute to Carol Danvers's mentor and fellow air force pilot Helen Cobb stressing the importance of inspiring female role models. Readers find out that Captain Marvel has tremendous powers drawn from her half human, half Kree DNA. Soon, Danvers is transported back in time and joins the Banshee Squadron, an all-female fighting unit in the Second World War doing battle and using Kree technology to advance the fight. Carol Danvers also winds up being present at the moment of her superhero origin. Instead of following the 1977 narrative, where she was the victim in an explosion that would give her powers, DeConnick re-writes the narrative as a choice. Danvers has the opportunity to prevent the explosion but chooses to let the past unfold in alignment with her current desire to be a superhero. This gives Captain Marvel's reboot a compelling edge. She's chosen her own destiny to become "the stars we were always meant to be." Captain Marvel was part of the Ultimates, a mini-series about superheroes preventing cosmic threats (they transform the planet-eating Galactus into a golden fertility god), and became the "boss of space," taking up residence with Canadian supergroup Alpha Flight on the Alpha Flight Space Station. Captain Marvel also joined the Guardians of the Galaxy and was part of A-Force, an all-female Avengers. DeConnick's run was poignant and hilarious and if the movie can keep pace, audiences will be in for a treat. We may also see something special from her cat Goose. (In the comics, Goose is known as Chewie Captain Marvel is a huge Star Wars fan.) In the movie, Goose will likely steal a scene or two. As the trailers for the film have shown, Captain Marvel will be punching aliens and blowing stuff up and we'll definitely see why she has the moniker "Earth's mightiest hero." The movie is set in 1995, borrowing elements from Roy Thomas's comic, "Kree-Skrull War" (originally published as Avengers #8997 in 1971), and follows Danvers as she becomes Captain Marvel. Captain Marvel is Marvel Studios's 21st film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the first with a female-led superhero. Captain Marvel will also make a highly anticipated appearance in Avengers: Endgame, to be released in April, where she will no doubt square off against cosmic threats. Kenneth MacKendrick, Associate Professor of Religion, University of Manitoba This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Follow all of the Expert Voices issues and debates and become part of the discussion on Facebook, Twitter and Google +. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. This version of the article was originally published on Space.com. Exos Aerospace's SARGE reusable sounding rocket lifts off on its second flight March 2 from Spaceport America in New Mexico. WASHINGTON Exos Aerospace flew its SARGE reusable sounding rocket for the second time March 2, but winds kept the rocket from achieving its planned altitude. The Texas-based company launched the Suborbital Autonomous Rocket with Guidance, or SARGE, rocket from Spaceport America in New Mexico at about 12:45 p.m. Eastern time March 2. The launch had been scheduled for early January but postponed twice because of issues linked to the partial government shutdown. The launch, called "Mission 1" by Exos, reflew the same rocket it launched from the spaceport on a "Pathfinder" mission in August 2018. The rocket carried several small research payloads and was intended to reach a peak altitude of 80 kilometers. The rocket, though, reached only a peak altitude of about 20 kilometers before gliding back to a landing about 1.2 kilometers from the launch pad. John Quinn, chief operating officer of Exos, said in a later email that engine shut down when it hit a limit for instantaneous impact point (IIP) on its trajectory. The vehicle is designed to shut down its engine during ascent if it runs the risk of impacting outside a "safety circle" seven kilometers in radius around the launch site. That's intended to protect the major buildings at Spaceport America, including the hangar for anchor tenant Virgin Galactic, that are 7.1 kilometers away, and lowers the company's insurance costs. Related: The Latest Rocket Launch News, Photos and Video The rocket's control system wasn't good enough to overcome high winds on ascent that threatened to push the instantaneous impact point outside the safety circle. "As the winds buffeted the rocket the gimbal correction was insufficient to keep it close enough to center of the circle to keep the IIP within the 7 km circle," he wrote. Despite missing its planned altitude, Quinn said the flight was otherwise successful. "This was a great test. Any flight where Exos and its payload customers can walk away with another set of data and an intact vehicle/payload makes for a good day." Exos says it will move into regular commercial operations of the SARGE vehicle, but didn't state when their next launch would take place. The company also plans to use SARGE as the basis for an orbital launch vehicle called Jaguar able to place payloads weighing up to 100 kilograms into low Earth orbit. Chahid El Hafed (Saharawi Refugee Camps), March 06, 2018 (SPS) - President of Republic, Brahim Gali received Monday, a delegation from the Committee on Intelligence and Security Services in Africa (CISSA) which undertakes an official visit to the Saharawi Republic. Brahim Gali has expressed his thanks to the delegation for their visit to the Saharawi camps in order to review the situation experienced by the Saharawi people, stressing that the Committee includes countries such as Nigeria, Namibia and Ethiopia, nations "that have accompanied the struggle of the Saharawi people for 43 years." For his part, the rotating president of the Committee said that the delegation's visit to the Saharawi Republic is part of the continent's efforts for peace and security, the implementation of the Nouakchott Summit and the resolutions of the African Peace and Security Council, where Western Sahara is considered an area of armed conflict. The meeting was attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohamed Salem Ould Salek and the Secretary of State for Documentation and Security, Brahim Ahmed Mahmud.SPS 125/090/TRA Local business owners and advocates of raising the minimum wage are struggling to find common ground amid conflicting studies and political posturing. This has been a long time coming, Rep. Robyn Porter, D-New Haven, announced before attending a Labor and Public Employees Committees public hearing on a bill that would increase Connecticuts minimum wage to $15 by 2022. Its been roughly five years since Connecticut gradually phased in the $10.10 hourly minimum wage thats been in effect since 2017. This legislation ... will help bring much-needed revenue back into the state economy by putting more disposable income into the pocket of workers money that goes back into our communities and produces more revenue for the state, she added. Argued Eric Gjede, vice president of government affairs for the Connecticut Business and Industry Association, Thats a significant increase and it doesnt give business time to figure out how they are going to adapt or how they are going to be able to afford those increased labor costs. If passed, the bill would increase Connecticuts hourly minimum wage to $12 by Jan. 1, 2020; $13.50 in 2021; and $15 in 2022, with future increases automatically tied to a rise in the consumer price index. Business advocates said that three-year plan would place added pressure on employers bottom lines and lead to staff cuts. Gjede said the CBIA would rather extend the full increase to about seven years out. Potential job loss The CBIA posted on its website a study by the Employment Policies Institute, a Washington, D.C.,-based think tank that describes itself as non-partisan, that looked at minimum wage legislation similar to Connecticuts already proposed in California . It estimated that raising the minimum wage would result in a loss of almost 400,000 jobs, with half coming from the retail trade and accommodation and food service industries. It also said that companies would rethink their hiring practices, opting to hire two more-skilled workers instead of three non- or lower-skilled workers. It will eliminate a lot of jobs, said Doug Wade, CEO of Wades Dairy in Bridgeport. Wade has long been a proponent of raising the federal minimum wage but opposes the amount that lawmakers are looking to get for Connecticut workers. Gjede, along with other industry observers, said the higher wages could result in an increase in automation in certain industries. Businesses are always looking for ways to find efficiencies and some level of automation would occur anyways, Gjede said. As hourly wage continues to go up, that automation becomes more and more of an affordable alternative to personnel. Chain brands like McDonalds are transforming thousands of restaurant locations nationwide, adding kiosks and other technology with a goal of fewer human workers and more self-service formats. Bigger companies like McDonalds will look at machines to do a lot of the jobs that people are doing now, so it could have the adverse effects that they are describing in California, Wade said. A similar move at Stop and Shop, which already has experimented with robots that roam aisles on cleanup work, has played a role in a standoff between the grocer and its workers. More than 600 Stop and Shop employees voted to go on strike this week following the companys most recent contract offer, which includes cuts to hours and benefits and increased automation, among other things. A hard sell Advocates for workers said they are not buying EPIs study. Its incredibly cynical that we have to pay human beings less than it costs to run a robot for their work to be valuable and paid, said Lindsey Farrell, Executive Director of the Connecticut Working Families Party. According to Farrell, the EPI studys findings are flawed. The question of automation is a huge topic, and the reality is tech marches onward and it always does, Farrell said. We make decisions about what to automate and what tech to embrace for a variety of reasons. In a state that is looking to overcome ongoing economic woes, supporters of higher wages think raising the minimum is a step in the right direction. Another study, this one conducted by the University of California Berkley, estimated that a higher minimum wage would reduce worker turnover and increase worker purchasing power. The study found that a $15 nationwide minimum wage by 2024 would ultimately increase living standards for about 41.5 million workers and their families without causing too much damage to employment at a small price increase borne by all consumers. The study estimated that businesses could absorb the remaining payroll cost increases by increasing prices by 0.6 percent through 2024 without causing waves among consumers. The workers are the customers and the consumers and if we are not paying them enough, then it stands to reason that all of the industries that they would be spending disposable income on are also going to suffer, Farrell said. Editors note: Corrections made to article to relfect that the study cited by CBIA was from the Employment Policies Institute. Contributions from Pat Tomlinson and CTNewsJunkie Jordan.grice@hearstmediact.com One in 55 American adults about 4.5 million people were on probation or parole in 2016, according to a study published last year by Pew Research Center.The task of monitoring each ones progress and appointments falls to probation and parole officers, and in some jurisdictions, the sheer volume of cases is more than officers are equipped to handle via phone calls and emails.A new software platform for probation and parole departments, designed with input from justice-system veterans and set to be unveiled at the American Probation and Parole Association conference in Miami, aims to ease this burden by addressing two basic problems for parole officers: a lack of readily available case information, and how best to use that information once they have it. The platform is called Nexus, and it represents a foray into software by SCRAM (Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitoring) Systems, which is best known for making electronic monitoring hardware.West Huddleston, SCRAMs vice president of business development and a former CEO of the National Association of Drug Court Professionals, toldthat need was the mother of invention for Nexus. He and Dr. Doug Marlowe, a scholar of evidence-based practices in community corrections, have been trying to train criminal-justice professionals in behavioral sciences that lead to better outcomes for parolees. As their trainees struggled with how to encourage certain behaviors in parolees in their respective departments, Huddleston and Marlowe wondered how better data collection and analytics could help.When they started working with SCRAM on a software solution, they realized one of the first hurdles would be collecting case data in the first place that parole officers often did not, in fact, have up-to-date information on drug test results, treatment attendance and other obligations of their clients that were being logged by different parties on different systems.We assumed that that data was readily available, that we could just attach an analytics software and decision-support engine to it, Huddleston said. Once we engaged SCRAM Systems to build it, what we discovered was, officers dont have that information, that it is not readily available, that it exists throughout many disparate touchpoints.With Nexus, they created a software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform for Microsoft Azure that would be accessible via laptop or mobile device to all parties, including officers, treatment providers and the clients themselves, and automate as many communications as possible. Huddleston described it as a customizable add-on to existing case management systems, not a replacement, that keeps parole officers up to speed on each step of their clients progress while offering suggestions about how to respond at each one.Huddleston listed examples: Nexus recommends to the officer what type of supervision plan is appropriate for a specific client profile; documents what the client is supposed to achieve and when; automates referrals to outside treatment providers so the officer doesnt have to do so by phone or email; provides the treatment provider with a portal to accept that referral and assign the client to appropriate treatment sessions; sends automated mobile reminders to the client 24 hours and two hours in advance of every appointment; gives the treatment provider a portal to report a clients attendance and progress, and sends real-time notifications about it to the officer; notifies the officer whenever something needs attention, such as a client not showing up for treatment; tracks how the officer responds; and so forth.Marlowe said Nexus improves the wisdom of those responses, such as verbal reprimands, rewards or sanctions.(Responses) require probation officers to keep a whole bunch of information in their mind lots of if/then statements. Is this the persons first infraction, is it their 10th infraction, is this person seriously addicted? he said. Our system basically does what computers are good at, which is tabulating hundreds of if/then statements and telling the person what the next consequence or reward should be.According to Scott Taylor, a retired former director of Multnomah County Department of Community Justice in Oregon, one of Nexus most important impacts might come from collecting data on whats effective against recidivism. In Multnomah County, he had a dashboard of tools built to track that information, but he said most jurisdictions have neither the time nor the capacity for that.When you have 50 or 60 officers, each with 100 cases, it gets really mushy as to what made a difference, and evidence-based practices require us to know that. Part of what this software begins to do is develop the ability to see those analytics as to what kind of results this treatment provider gets with this kind of person, Taylor said. That allows you to adjust where youre going to invest, where youre going to help providers or not, and what kind of things youre doing that do or dont make a difference.Huddleston and Marlowe were unaware of any competitors that did this, although much of what they described was similar to Pokket by Acivilate , another mobile-friendly SaaS aimed at reducing recidivism by tracking a clients progress and putting all concerned parties on the same system.With Nexus being piloted in El Dorado County, Calif., and Miami County, Ind., Marlowe clarified that the platform does not yet include an artificial intelligence component, nor has it acquired enough data for major analytics at this stage. But that could change with future iterations.Were not simply selling a tool to people this is something that we use to help departments engineer their policies, study and improve their own practices, so that continuous improvement is part of our job, Marlowe said. At this point it will be scientists like myself, pouring through the data with a pretty good educated guess about what variables to look at and how to look at them. Were going to be working with jurisdictions.Another consultant on the project, retired San Diego County Chief Probation Officer Mack Jenkins, sees the platform as a step in the evolving role of probation officers: away from simple compliance and monitoring, toward proactive engagement and behavior modification.Our business now is behavior-shaping for a justice-involved individual, he said. So what were trying to do is utilize research thats impactful in terms of shaping behavior, and Nexus brings technology to it to facilitate that. When Joyce Pellegrino took out her camera during a tour of Cuba, she wasnt expecting an art exhibit to come from it. But nonetheless, an art exhibit in Black Rock features photos taken during her trip to Havana and its outskirts in 2017. This is Pellegrinos first-ever art show, which will be inaugurated with a free public reception Saturday, March 9 at Framemakers Gallery, 3004 Fairfield Ave., Bridgeport, from 2 to 4 p.m. Pellegrino was encouraged by her friend and colleague, Mary Gibbs, whose paper-and-acrylic works were featured at Framemakers during Black History Month. Originally from the New Haven area, Ms. Pellegrino lives in Branford. She attended Sacred Heart Academy and the University of Saint Joseph; and acquired a masters and advanced degrees in counseling and rehabilitation from Springfield College in Massachusetts. She works for the state of Connecticuts judicial branch, but photography became an avocational pursuit in recent years. I believe my interest in photography began when I was able to start traveling, says Pellegrino. I viewed it necessary to capture the uniqueness of what I was seeing and (at the same time) feeling. And it was coupled with the sense of passion and appreciation to be there in that moment, Pellegrino continues, adding that she is drawn to peoples expressions and their immediate surroundings, so that remains the substantial influence for my photographs. For arranging the trip to Cuba, she credits her friend, Donna Borrelli, who owns Hamden Travel and planned the incredible trip itinerary for a (manageable) group of enthusiastic travelers. The show consists of 29 small 8x10 works and 10 larger works. Some of her photographs are of Cuban art, not scenery. A series of smaller-format panels depict details from vibrant murals at the Habana Compas Dance Company studio. She also captures the vivid mural work from the Picasso of Cuba, Jose Fuster, who works mainly in tile. His palador (restaurant), home, workshop and gallery, roofs, doors, walls and benches stretch for blocks, filled with brightly colored sculptures and mosaics, she says. What Pellegrino wants visitors to walk away with (aside from some of her art) is the idea of Cuban ingenuity. One photo underscores that point. Unable to buy conventional fixtures, the owner of a bathroom turned a gas-station pump into a water faucet. For a vanity, the sinks basin is a metal bowl strapped to a tire. I was so awestruck with how resourceful the people were, in so many ways, she says. The show is on view through March. Visit Framemakers Facebook page for more information on the gallery. Despite Trader Joe's being one of the most popular grocery chains around, the company has refused traditional ads to market its famous brand, instead relying on its Fearless Flyer to make product announcements. But one other way the grocery store is slyly putting word out on new items is through its podcast "Inside Trader Joe's." What began as a five-part series last year has since expanded to a regularly updating series filled with, well, insider information on Trader Joe's straight from its employees. This week's new episode is a deep dive into the freezer section of the store, with the podcast tapping Catherine, a Product Developer with Trader Joe's, as a guest. Among the new items rolling into stores? A new cauliflower dish, according to Catherine. READ ALSO: The Trader Joe's products that professional chefs swear by "[Cauliflower has] really proven to be the perfect substitute for high carb foods, so if you are watching your calories, you're watching your carbohydrates, you can use riced cauliflower as a base instead of rice," Catherine said. "The Cauliflower Gnocchi honestly caught me by surprise," she added. "Our riced cauliflower was a huge success for us, but the Cauliflower Gnocchi was that times 10. It's blown out of the stores." Also rolling out soon? Two new, high-protein ice cream flavors. Among the other interesting tidbits learned from the podcast is the origin story of the store's Mini Stroopwafel Ice Cream Sandwiches, apparently borne out of a company holiday party. READ ALSO: Californians' favorite Trader Joe's item is different from every other state's "So every year at Trader Joe's we have a holiday party. There's unique Trader Joe's songs and, of course, because we're a food company, we have plenty of food to enjoy afterwards. So one of my colleagues, they took two stroopwafels, put vanilla ice cream inside and made an ice cream sandwich," recalled Catherine. "I watched him do this, I thought was absolutely an awesome idea. So I reached out the next day to one of our frozen novelty suppliers." Those suppliers created a custom, mini version of the stroopwafel for the company, according to Catherine, which became a holiday offering last season, and will be available again during the next holiday season. To listen to the podcast, head over to the Trader Joe's website or search for "Inside Trader Joe's" on your podcast app. To find out more about the new frozen products as well as some other Trader Joe's tidbits from the podcast scroll through the slideshow above. Read Dianne de Guzman's latest stories and send her news tips at ddeguzman@sfchronicle.com. Start receiving breaking news emails on wildfires, civil emergencies, riots, national breaking news, Amber Alerts, weather emergencies, and other critical events with the SFGATE breaking news email. Click here to make sure you get the news. STAMFORD A party leader calling for the resignation of pro-Trump-posting city Rep. Marion McGarry, D-12, said McGarry isnt the only non-Democrat on the party line setting the stage for what could be a nasty political spat beyond next weeks meeting on censure The Board of Representatives Tuesday will weigh an official censure of McGarry, under fire for posting and sharing a flurry of racist and Islamophobic Facebook posts. Interspersed with posts that demonize Muslims, McGarry shared anti-Democratic messaging along with calls to build the wall, calling into question the 75-year-olds party allegiance to the Dem-o-rats she ran with. Democratic City Committee Chair Josh Fedeli said she isnt a Democrat, and only has a D next to her name due to her own registration. The burgeoning progressive slate of candidates she ran with in 2017, Reform Stamford, has to answer for her, he said. Reform Stamford, while not a formal caucus, consists of seven members of the 40-member panel. It began as a progressive faction that sought to call the partys pro-development and entrenched political system into question. The group, in a statement from city Rep. Nina Sherwood, D-8, said it condemns the sentiments contained in those awful posts McGarry shared. ... The stereotypes and prejudices contained therein have no place in our public discourse. McGarry has not responded to repeated requests for comment. Fedeli said McGarrys posts highlight how the big-tent party has become a victim of its own success. As of Friday, city Democrats make up 41 percent of registered voters, outranking the GOPs 19 percent share and unaffiliated voters, who make up the 38 percent of the citys 71,227 voters, according to City Registrar figures. In McGarrys district alone which she won by more than twice the GOP totals in 2017 there are 1,360 Democrats to 505 Republicans and 1,310 unaffiliated voters. What has happened recently is that people who arent really Democrats have taken advantage of our electoral prowess, Fedeli said. If you run as a Democrat youll likely get elected. Fedeli said he questions whether Reform Stamford members belong on the ballot as Democrats. Reform Stamford are barely Democrats at all; their platform is an economic and class warfare agenda, he said. The group, in its statement rebuffs Fedeli: Its ironic that Josh Fedeli would characterize such a group as engaging in class warfare, a banal Republican talking point, considering that so many Democratic Board of Representative members are voting the same way. McGarrys censure effort, meanwhile, is to remain apolitical, said city Rep. Jonathan Jacobson, D-12, who is leading the charge. Jacobson did not include McGarrys posts that call for a RED TSUNAMI on Election Day or calling the party traitors to the nation in his package of evidence submitted for censure. The censure special meeting is slated for 7 p.m. in the Government Center. The last time inappropriate messages were brought to a Board of Representatives discussion, it was Reform Stamford behind the charge and city Democrats doing damage control something the statement provided by Sherwood pointed out. In early 2018, the reformers pushed for a renewed look at former Operations Director Ernie Orgeras tenure which included sending sexist and racist emails to employees and succeed in garnering enough votes to halt his re-appointment. Nearly all Democrats but the reform faction voted to re-appoint Orgera, resulting in a 18-18 tie, with one abstention. Democratic Mayor David Martin then re-appointed Orgera as acting director. Orgera served until he retired, leaving the post in July. barry.lytton@stamfordadvocate.com; 203-964-2263; @bglytton American citizens traveling to Europe without a visa will be a thing of the past come 2021. The European Union announced on Friday that American travelers will need a new type of visa -- a European Travel Information and Authorization System or ETIAS -- to visit the European Schengen Area. The Schengen Area is a zone of 26 European countries that do not have internal borders and allow people to move between them freely, including countries like Spain, France, Greece, Germany, Italy and Poland. Currently, U.S. citizens can travel to Europe for up to 90 days without a visa. To apply for the ETIAS, U.S. citizens will need a valid passport, an email account and a credit or debit card, the EU said. Minors, the website said, will still only need their normal passports to travel after the visas go into effect. The Union said that the ETIAS visa is valid for three years and allows Americans to enter the Schengen Area as many times as necessary. On the ETIAS website, the European Union said it "has recently decided to improve their security level to avoid any further problems with illegal migration and terrorism." The United States has been in a dispute with the EU's European Parliament and European Commission over visas for Bulgaria, Croatia, Poland, Romania and Cyprus. Travelers in those five countries are the only EU nations that the US requires to apply for a visa. In 2016, the European Commission first released a report calling for the U.S. to grant the same visa-free status to those five countries as the other 23 EU nations in exchange for U.S. citizens maintaining the same visa-free status in the Schengen Area. EU rules require equal treatment for all member states. The report also indicated, however, that the commission wanted to wait until after President Trump was in office to "push for full visa reciprocity." In June 2018, the Parliament voted in favor of the Commission imposing visas on U.S. citizens. T he government has announced it will fund a scheme to make free sanitary products available in secondary schools across England in a bid to end period poverty. Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond is expected to announce that menstrual products will be made available to all girls who need them on Wednesday as part of the Spring Statement. The scheme, due to start in September, will echo the one already in place in Scotland. In the UK, an estimated 49 per cent of girls have missed an entire day of school because of their periods, while 10 per cent of young women between the ages of 14 and 21 are unable to afford sanitary products. This announcement comes off the back of a two-year campaign championed by Amika George, who was just 17 when she began the petition calling for an end to period poverty in UK schools. George, who the Standard recently profiled as one of its female gamechangers, commented: "This is a victory for everyone who has been campaigning to eradicate period poverty in schools. Periods should never hold back a child from achieving their true potential, and now, after two years of campaigning, we will see menstrual products available for free in all English secondary schools. Were going to keep fighting for better education and work to destigmatise periods. This is a huge step forward for gender equality. We are thrilled that the government has listened and this is proof that activism works." George's #FreePeriods campaign saw an outpouring of support when 2,000 people gathered in London outside Downing Street in December 2017 to call out the UK governments failure to take action against period poverty. Protesters descended on Westminster to campaign against period poverty On January 8 this year, Free Periods joined forced with the Red Box Project to launch a new legal campaign and began working with human rights lawyers to construct a legal case to help end period poverty. The campaign called for the Government to provide equal access to education, by providing free menstrual products in all schools, colleges and universities. AUSTIN, TEXAS Imagine a future in which tech likely powered by artificial intelligence or natural language processing gauges when an officer has undergone too many emotionally taxing calls. That same product would alert supervisors to the officers plight, advising them to take the stressed individual out of the field until theyd recovered.This is part of the future the participants of South by Southwest's "How to Bring Public Safety Into the 21st Century" panel described Friday afternoon. The participants which included retired Boston Police Department Superintendent Paul Fitzgerald, Seattle Police Department Chief Strategy Officer Chris Fisher, and police software company Mark43 co-founder Matthew Polega discussed the future of law enforcement technologies in great detail, addressing both their vast potential as well as the inherent challenges that must be overcome to realize it.Central to the discussion was an assertion that good community policing will almost certainly remain human-based. There is not, in effect, a scenario any of them see in which actual human police officers are replaced by algorithms or drones. The movieis for myriad reasons not a future that any of us should be waiting for. Ditto to the predictive one in the movieIts not looking into the future, Fisher said of using AI to help with officer wellness, its counting how many bad things have happened and if youve passed a threshold. We can use technology to be looking at how a persons doing.In the future, it is all but certain that tech will become an increasingly valuable resource for officers as they do their jobs, like an invaluable partner that goes mostly unseen. In addition to using AI as described above to improve officer wellness, advanced technologies could help police get better and faster data in the field, data that can help them complete investigations, find safety risks, or simply write reports faster so they can get back on the streets.These are, for obvious reasons, all great things, and watchers of the tech space know that theyre not far-fetched, that we in fact have the capabilities to do all these things now. The main limitation, however, are the usual challenges common to local government, including funding, community support and cooperative relationships with technologists.Systemically, tech within police departments has long been looked at as a luxury, the panelists noted, with the vast majority of allocated budgets generally between 85 and 90 percent going to personnel. There is, however, increasing buy-in at all levels to make larger investments. As with many segments of government, though, technologists and startup entrepreneurs can sometimes be reluctant to work in the government space. Polegas company, Mark43, is an outlier in that regard, having worked for nearly a decade with law enforcement agencies across the country, including the Massachusetts State Police, among others. Mark43 is currently working with the Seattle Police Department.The history of that company is perhaps illustrative of some of the challenges new companies face in entering the space. The initial idea which Polega and collaborators developed as students was to use data analysis to aid police combating criminal organizations. What they found, however, was that for any analysis to be effective, police must first be cataloging and sharing good data. So Mark43 pivoted to meet the need it identified.The larger lesson that this speaks to is that human-centered design practices, including extensively researching the experience of the actual people who use the products, are vital. There are also lessons to be learned about being agile and not expecting a fast and immediate payday. The other side of that is that the return is a long-time loyal customer and a rewarding guiding mission, Polega said.There are a lot of boring problems here, Polega said, by way of advice to other company founders, and it just so happens that no one else wants to work on them, no one else finds them interesting. Theres a lot of opportunity in that. T he outside of a court was decorated with purple ribbons today in tribute to 17-year-old Jodie Chesney as a man charged with murdering the teenager was remanded in custody. Manuel Petrovic, 20, appeared at Barkingside Magistrates' Court on Saturday. He is charged with one count of murder over the death of Jodie, who was fatally stabbed in the back as she played music with friends near a children's playground in Harold Hill, east London, on March 1. Petrovic, from nearby Romford, was arrested in Leicester on Tuesday. Jodie's family released this photo of her after she was named by police as the deceased / Metropolitan Police The touching tributes to the teenager, which represent the colour of the girl scout's troop, adorned the outside of the court. Jodie, described by her father Peter as a "proud geek" and a "great girl", was pronounced dead at the scene just over an hour after police were alerted to the attack at about 9.25pm. A post-mortem examination gave the cause of the death as trauma and haemorrhage. Her death has added to the growing urgency for action to be taken to tackle knife crime. Petrovic, wearing a grey tracksuit, spoke only to confirm his, name, date of birth, nationally as Croatian and address in Highfield Road during the three-minute hearing. His lawyer Zahir Ahmed said there was no application for bail and chairing magistrate Nigel Bower remanded Petrovic in custody to appear at the Old Bailey on Monday. A man will appear before court on Saturday charged with murdering 17-year-old Jodie Chesney. Jodie died after she was stabbed in the back while she listened to music with friends at Harold Hill, east London, on Friday, March 1. Police announced overnight they had charged 20-year-old Manuel Petrovic, from Romford, with murder and he would appear before Barkingside magistrates. He was arrested in Leicester on Tuesday. Jodie's father Peter Chesney had described the teenager as a "proud geek" and a "great girl", adding: "The fibre of her being was just about being good, kind... there was nothing bad in her body." Charge: A 20-year-old man will face court accused of murdering Jodie Chesney He said Jodie's death had torn the family apart and said: "We don't know how to deal with it. "Everyone is suffering because she was so good... everyone just can't believe - why her? It is not one life deserves to be killed over another, but specifically her, she was so kind." Her death has added to the urgency for action to be taken to tackle knife crime across the UK. On Thursday, people wore purple ribbons and carried purple balloons in memory of the teenager as they took part in march through Romford calling for an end to knife crime. A mourner during Thursday's march / PA Police said the murder investigation into Jodie's death continues as they appealed for anyone with information to call the Homicide and Major Crime Command Incident Room on 020 8345 3775, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111. A teenager is fighting for his life in hospital after being stabbed in the chest on a north London bus. Scotland Yard was called to reports of a stabbing on board a 134 bus in North Finchley at around 4.40pm on Saturday. Police and paramedics scrambled to Colney Hatch Lane and found a 19-year-old who had suffered a stab wound to the chest. The teenager was airlifted to an east London hospital where he remains in critical condition, a police spokesman said. "At this early stage there have been no arrests," he added. The stabbing comes during a surge in knife crime in London. A spate of fatal stabbings in the capital five in the past week - has prompted warnings from a police chief that the country is facing a national emergency. After a drop in knife crime for several years, marked by a low in 2014, figures from the Home Office show knife crime is on the rise in the UK, with the number of knife related offences in 2018 the highest since 2011. Recent figures show the number of young people killed by knives rose by nearly 50 per cent last year amid a surge of violence. In 2018, 76 people were reportedly stabbed to death in London and 306 in the UK as a whole. Of those, 23 were children. At PMQs on Wednesday, Theresa May announced she would host a summit on knife crime and said the Government would be putting more resources into policing. A n aspiring barrister, 17-year-old Ayub Hassan, was stabbed in the chest on Thursday in broad daylight in west London becoming the latest victim of knife crime in London. He died of his injuries in hospital an hour later, the 17th person to be knifed to death in the capital in the first three months of this year. A 15-year-old boy was charged with murder on Saturday following the attack. The spate of fatal stabbings in the London - five in the past week - have prompted warnings from a police chief that the country is facing a national emergency. After a drop in knife crime for several years, marked by a low in 2014, figures from the Home Office show knife crime is on the rise in the UK, with the number of knife related offences in 2018 the highest since 2011. Some of the 17 victims killed from stabbings in 2019 / PA Recent figures show the number of young people killed by knives rose by nearly 50 per cent last year amid a surge of violence. In 2018, 76 people were reportedly stabbed to death in London and 306 in the UK as a whole. Of those, 23 were children. Police recover what appears to be a knife after searching a drain in West Kensington / Steve Parsons/PA Fourteen-year-old Jaden Moodie is the youngest victim of 2019 and many of those brandishing knives have been found to not be not much older. In the two years between 2016 and 2018, offenders identified as under 18 and convicted of murder and manslaughter with a knife rose by 77 percent, a Channel 4 Dispatches investigation found. Loading.... Theresa May has faced a backlash after she said there is no correlation between a decline in police numbers and certain crimes. The number of police officers across the 43 forces in England and Wales has fallen by more than 20,000 since 2009. London Knife Crime Victims 1 /17 London Knife Crime Victims Ayub Hassan Jodie Chesney Metropolitan Police David Martinez Metropolitan Police Che Morrison Kamali Gabbidon-Lynck Metropolitan Police Glendon Spence Metropolitan Police Dennis Anderson Metropolitan Police Bright Akinlele Metropolitan Police Lejean Richards PA Nedim Bilgin Jaden Moodie Metropolitan Police Charlotte Huggins Metropolitan Police Tudor Simionov Metropolitan Police London mayor Sadiq Khan has demanded ministers "reverse the cuts" and "give us the funding we need to make sure there is sufficient policing across London". "The stark reality is in London over the last eight years, we have lost more than 800 million of funding from central Government, we're being asked to make a further round of cuts of 200 million from central Government - that's a billion pounds lost from the Met Police budget. The scene in Lanfrey Place on Thursday / NIGEL HOWARD He added: "We've got fewer officers now in 2019 than in any time since 2003, when our population has grown by more than a million-and-a-half. "But also we've seen youth services, preventative services, councils, schools have their budgets cut as well, so we need investment in preventative services but also policing too." Police forensics officers search the area near to where 17-year-old Jodie Chesney was killed in east London / REUTERS But, there are groups around the UK who are taking their own initiative to tackle the issue. Earlier this week, charity Street Doctors revealed they were training local young people in how to deal with violence they were experiencing first hand. In 2018, they charity taught 4,039 young people the skills they need to treat someone who is bleeding or unconscious. Tributes laid in Harold Hill after the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Jodie Chesneyon / PA Nineteen of their volunteers have used those skills in a real life emergency. Eleven of those involved young people helping others or themselves after a stabbing. CEO Nicky Hill said solving the issues around knife crime are complex and need to be looked at holistically. StreetDoctors has long delivered thought provoking and educational first aid sessions to young people most at risk of being affected by violence taking a public health approach. We firmly believe that this is the approach that should be adopted by Government, ensuring that we get to grips with the complex drivers of youth violence with a collaborative, multifaceted response. Thousands march to pay tribute to 17-year-old stabbing victim Jodie Chesney. / PA These are the people who have died from stabbings in London so far this year: January 1: Charlotte Huggins, 33, is believed to have been the first stabbing victim in London in 2019. She was knifed in Camberwell, south-east London, in the early hours of New Year's Day. January 1: Later that morning, security guard Tudor Simionov, also 33, was stabbed to death at about 5.30am as he tried to prevent gatecrashers storming a private party in Park Lane, central London. Charlotte Huggins / Metropolitan Police January 8: Jaden Moodie is the youngest stabbing victim this year at just 14 years old. He was knocked off a moped and knifed to death in Leyton, east London. January 27: Kamil Malysz, 34, was found stabbed to death in a share house in Acton, west London. January 29: Nedim Bilgin, 17, was stabbed in the chest with a Rambo knife in a clash with at least two other teenagers in Caledonian Road, Islington, north London. Jayden had moved to London recently, family said / Metropolitan Police February 5: Lejean Richards, 19, was fatally stabbed in Battersea, south-west London after he had recently been released from prison and was planning to go back to college to finish his studies. February 10: Dennis Anderson, 39, was found fatally stabbed in the neck following a row at a 24-hour convenience shop in East Dulwich, south-east London. February 18: Bright Akinleye, 22, was stabbed in the leg during at a row at a house party in Starcross Street, Euston. He later died after staggering into the lobby of a luxury hotel nearby. Dennis Anderson, 39, from Lewisham was fatally stabbed in Lordship Lane, East Dulwich. / PA February 21: Glendon Spence, 23, was killed outside a youth club in Brixton, south London. Police have charged two 17-year-olds with murder. February 22: Kamali Gabbidon-Lynck, 19, was killed by a gang riding bikes and carrying a firearm, knives and a samurai sword in Wood Green, Haringey. A second man, 20, was shot but survived the attack. February 25: Spanish national David Lopez-Fernandez, 38, was pronounced dead after being found with stab wounds at an address in Globe Road in Tower Hamlets, east London. A 36-year-old man was charged with murder. Che Morrison, 20, was fatally stabbed outside Ilford Railway Station in east London. / PA February 26: Che Morrison, 20, died after being stabbed to death outside Ilford station in east London. March 1: Jodie Chesney, 17, was stabbed in the back in an attack in Harold Park, east London while she was listening to music with friends. Manuel Petrovic, 20, has appeared in court charged with murder over the attack. Another man who was also arrested remains in custody. March 2: A 50-year-old woman was found dead with fatal knife injuries at a property in Hendon, north-west London. A 54-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder. Jodie Chesney was stabbed to death in a park in east London / Metropolitan Police March 3: A 37-year-old man was found with stab wounds in Soho and died three days later. A man has been charged in relation to the incident. March 6: David Martinez, a 26-year-old Spanish national was stabbed to death in broad daylight in Leyton, Waltham Forest. Police and medics found him with multiple stab wounds and he died at the scene. T hree men were rushed to hospital on Saturday morning after a triple stabbing at a club in Birmingham. Police and paramedics scrambled to Medleys club, in Northfield, in the early hours of the morning after three men were attacked. The victims, thought to be in their 20s, were rushed to hospital at around 2.20am for stab injuries, none of which are thought to be life-threatening. A crime scene remained in place in Bristol Road South throughout Saturday. Speaking about the Medleys club stabbings, Jenny Birch from West Midlands Police said: We are working hard to establish the circumstances of what took place during the early hours of this morning. "I need anyone who has any information about what happened to get in touch with us as soon as possible. This is a shocking incident where weapons were sadly used again causing injuries to three people, we need to determine what happened and who is responsible. Officers are addressing the rising surge in violence and knife crime. We continue our extra patrols and are still utilising our extensive powers to search people without the need to suspect they are carrying weapons. We are committed to tackling the rise in violence in the city and will robustly deal with those intent on causing harm within our communities." No arrests have been made and an investigation continues. A teenage boy has been charged with murder following a fatal stabbing in west London, police said. It comes after Ayub Hassan, 17, was stabbed to death outside a Waitrose supermarket near West Kensington tube station on Thursday. The teen, from Shepherd's Bush, was found with stab wounds to the chest in Lanfrey Place. A family friend earlier paid tribute to him as a "kind and handsome" boy with ambitions of becoming a barrister. The scene in Lanfrey Place on Thursday / NIGEL HOWARD Police said his next of kin have been informed and a post-mortem examination is due to take place on Sunday. The 15-year-old boy charged with his murder will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Saturday morning. Scotland Yards said four teenage boys were arrested in total as part of the investigation. A 17-year-old has been bailed pending further inquiries to a date in mid-April. T he Leader of the House of Commons has accused the EU of "playing games" following Brussels' latest Brexit proposal as tensions rise during last-ditch negotiations. Andrea Leadsom said she was "deeply disappointed with what we're hearing coming out of the EU" with just days to go before the latest vote on Theresa May's latest Brexit plans. It followed an unprecedented Twitter clash between Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay and the EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier on Friday. Mr Barclay claimed Brussels was trying to "rerun old arguments" in negotiations as he demanded the EU agree to "balanced proposals". Hours earlier, Mr Barnier had indicated that the UK did not like the deal on the table, it could accept an alternative previously rejected by the PM. Less than three weeks before Britain is due to leave the EU on March 29, Mrs May has failed to secure the changes to her controversial Brexit deal. At the heart of the dispute is a disagreement over how to manage the border between the British province of Northern Ireland and EU-member Ireland. Theresa May's Brexit deal vote for MPs will go ahead on Tuesday March 12 / Alex Lentati / Evening Standard On Friday, Mr Barnier put forward a proposal to keep the border open and keep the province subject to EU rules, prompting London to reject it. Following the suggestion, Ms Leadsom told Reuters: "There is still hope, but I have to say I'm deeply disappointed with what we're hearing coming out of the EU. Brexit secretary Stephen Barclay leads his team out of his office as they leave Downing St for Brussels / PA "I do have to ask myself what game are they playing here." Asked who would be to blame if Mrs May loses the parliamentary vote again on Tuesday, Mrs Leadsom said: "I would point to the EU needing to work closely with us. "We are hoping we will be able to win that vote but that does depend on the EU coming to the table and taking seriously the (UK's) proposals." Theresa May: If MPs reject Brexit deal, we may never leave EU Guy Verhofstadt, Brexit coordinator for the European Parliament, backed Mr Barnier. "He has put forward constructive additions, now we wait for a credible response from the UK to ensure an orderly Brexit," he said on Saturday. Talks will continue in Brussels but without a major breakthrough Mrs May looks set to lose the second meaningful vote on her deal. TODO: define component type apester The main sticking point is the so-called Northern Irish backstop, an insurance policy to prevent a return of border controls in Ireland that eurosceptics believe is an attempt to trap the country in the EU's customs union indefinitely. Mr Barnier's solution would potentially create a "border" in the Irish sea between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom, a move that is particularly unpalatable to Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). Brandon Lewis, chairman of the Conservative Party, said on Saturday that the Government could never accept a deal which threatened the integrity of the union. Mrs Leadsom said were Britain to leave the EU without a withdrawal deal it would be harder to guarantee the smooth flow of goods and people across the Irish border that has been possible since 1998. "In making it impossible for us to sign up to that (deal), it actually makes the problems with the Northern Irish border harder to solve, not easier to solve," she said. Mrs May warned on Friday that if MPs rejected her deal on Tuesday, it would increase the chance that Brexit never happens, leaving voters feeling betrayed. If her deal is rejected, MPs will be able to vote on Wednesday and Thursday on whether they want to leave the bloc without a deal or ask for a delay to Brexit beyond March 29. T he Prime Minister's hopes of a Brexit breakthrough are hanging in the balance after the EU appeared to rebuff her latest appeal for help in getting her withdrawal deal through Parliament. The EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier said they would be "working intensively" in the coming days to resolve the impasse over the Northern Ireland backstop ahead of Tuesday's crunch vote by MPs. However his suggestion the UK could unilaterally pull out of the planned single customs territory if it chose was dismissed by ministers as an attempt to "rerun old arguments". The DUP, which props up the Government at Westminster, said Northern Ireland would still be in the backstop, effectively drawing a "border in the Irish Sea" with the rest of the UK, something Mrs May has repeatedly ruled out. European Union's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier / REUTERS There had been speculation the Prime Minister could fly out to Brussels early on Monday to clinch a deal if an agreement on the backstop - intended to prevent the return of a hard border on the island of Ireland - was within grasp. Mrs May had been seeking legally binding assurances that the UK could not be tied indefinitely to the EU through the backstop in an attempt to win round MPs who inflicted a massive defeat on the Withdrawal Agreement in a previous vote in January. But in a sign ministers are preparing to go back to the Commons on Tuesday without fresh concessions, Chancellor Philip Hammond said such fears about the backstop were overblown. In an interview with the Financial Times, he urged Tory MPs to back the Withdrawal Agreement anyway, saying it would enable him to start spending the "insurance fund" built up in case of a no-deal break. TODO: define component type apester "There is nobody in the EU I've ever come across who thinks the UK could be held in perpetuity in an arrangement that was detrimental to its interests against its will. Who is going to enforce such an arrangement on this?" he said. Mr Barnier's latest intervention came after Mrs May delivered a speech on Friday imploring EU leaders for "one last push" to help her get her deal over the line in the Commons. It was unclear whether his comments, in a series of tweets, were intended as a new offer or simply a restatement of the EU's position after his talks on Tuesday with Attorney General Geoffrey Cox and Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay failed to reach agreement. PM: No one knows what will happen if Brexit deal is rejected He said the EU was committed "to give UK the option to exit the Single Customs Territory unilaterally, while the other elements of the backstop must be maintained to avoid a hard border". The EU was also ready to give "legal force" to reassurances given to Mrs May concerning the operation of the backstop in January in a joint letter from European Council president Donald Tusk and European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker. Mr Barclay, however, suggested the latest proposals from Brussels were simply a return to an earlier version of the backstop which had already been rejected by the UK. "With a very real deadline looming, now is not the time to rerun old arguments," he said. "The UK has put forward clear new proposals. We now need to agree a balanced solution that can work for both sides." DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds said Mr Barnier's offer would annexe Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK- something Mrs May has repeatedly said that no British prime minister could agree to. "This is neither a realistic nor sensible proposal from Michel Barnier. It disrespects the constitutional and economic integrity of the United Kingdom," he said. "This is an attempt to get ahead of a possible blame game and appear positive when in reality it is going backwards to something rejected a year ago." D iane Abbott has sparked outrage after she blamed the death of ISIS bride Shamima Begum's baby on the Home Secretary's "callous" decision to strip her citizenship. The Labour MP was blasted online for her comments, which came after the 19-year-old's son died on Friday. Ms Begum, 19, who left London to join the Islamic State group aged 15, gave birth in a refugee camp in the middle of February. Her lawyer confirmed on Friday that her son had died of pneumonia. She had previously also lost two children. Ms Abbott, Labours Shadow Home Secretary, tweeted her response to the news in the early hours of Saturday morning, appearing to place the blame on Mr Javid and the Government. Shamima Begum pictured at Gatwick Airport in February 2015 / EPA It is against international law to make someone stateless, and now an innocent child has died as a result of a British woman being stripped of her citizenship. This is callous and inhumane, she wrote. Later, she added: This week a British baby died from pneumonia in a Syrian refugee camp. A tragedy that might have been avoided. If the mother & baby had been brought home, the mother Shamima Begum would have faced British justice, but the baby might have lived. Sajid Javid has behaved shamefully. Ms Begum resurfaced heavily pregnant in a refugee camp in northern Syria last month and spoke of her desire to return to the UK, as the self-styled caliphate collapsed. Mr Javid stripped her of her British citizenship amid a fierce national debate over whether she should be allowed to return. Former Metropolitan Police chief superintendent says death of Shamima Begums baby was entirely avoidable Ms Abbotts tweets have received thousands of responses defending the Government's decision. One wrote: It's not Britain's fault the children died as sad as it is it's the mother's responsibility for choosing her path. To turn a baby's death into political point scoring now that's callous and inhumane. While another responded: Her baby didnt die because they removed her citizenship, her baby died because of the conditions she elected to subject herself to. Even if she still had the passport its very unlikely she would have been brought back as a matter of urgency. For what reason? Another added that the blame should be placed on Ms Begums choices: No, an innocent child died because of her mothers choices before he was even conceived. Along with countless other innocent lives lost through terrorism. She chose terrorism, they didnt. But, others agreed with Ms Abbott, saying the child deserved a chance. One person wrote: I get the fury directed at Shamima Begum. I felt it myself. It's a powerful, natural reaction. That's exactly why Sajid Javid did what he did. To win votes. Not for anyone's security She probably could have been helped. A child groomed by ISIS But, that boy deserved a chance While another added: I find this so sad!.. she was groomed!!.. she has endured whatever horrors she was exposed to, has had 3 children die, she should have been brought home, counselled deprogrammed, whatever it takes..this young girl!!..I feel sorry for her. The backlash comes as Ms Abbott spoke of her fears that she could be murdered or raped by one of the Right-wing extremists and social media trolls who have bombarded her with vile threats. In Women of Westminster, a new book by Labour MP Rachel Reeves, she said the murder of Labour MP Jo Cox by a far-Right extremist in 2016 sparked fear someone could do her harm. Diane thought to herself: I have no doubt that theres someone out there with a whole wall papered with pictures of me, Ms Abbott is quoted in the book as saying. She also spoke about the abuse she receives on social media: You dont get inured to it, its very painful and personally corrosive. T wo climbers who were missing overnight amid a high avalanche risk in the Scottish Highlands have been found. The men were reported overdue on Friday evening in the Glencoe area. Police began searching for the pair around 7pm on Friday and continued late into the evening. The search resumed at 8am on Saturday and involved Glencoe, Lochaber and Oban Mountain Rescue Teams along with the RAF and Police Scotland Mountain Rescue teams and a Coastguard helicopter. On Friday, the helicopter crew reported they saw evidence of an avalanche in the area. HM Coastguard said one climber was found at midday on Saturday and the helicopter paramedic winchman assessed them for hypothermia at Stob Coire nan Lochan, part of the Three Sisters ridges. The second climber was located at around 12.30pm. There was no information about the condition of the climbers. The Scottish Avalanche Information Service warned of a "considerable" avalanche hazard on Friday and Saturday. A Police Scotland spokesman said: "The two men were reported overdue last night. Why the Census Matters How Data Scientists Can Help the Census Federal Policy Impacts Census Participation AUSTIN, TEXAS The U.S. government is preparing for its first online census, which will, as always, have vast consequences for local government tied to the accuracy of data they use to govern and the amount of funding allocated to departments like health and public safety.During the Out for the Count 2019: How to Repair the Broken 2020 Census panel Saturday at South by Southwest , experts discussed ways that local government as well as volunteer technologists can help ensure the process will yield an accurate count. First and foremost, they stressed that it was vital to make sure residents know why responding to the U.S. census is important.There is an estimated $600 billion of federal funding at stake, and an accurate count of all citizens and their ages is needed to ensure it is distributed fairly. Also, the census is what generates population and demographic data that local governments rely on to provide services and execute data-driven governance, which increases civic efficiency and drives down costs.If you have an undercount, thats a problem in perpetuity for the next 10 years, said Mayor John Giles of Mesa, Ariz., who was one of the panelists, stressing how important census data is to decision-making. We want to make good decisions. If youre putting garbage in, youll be getting garbage out.Whats also worth noting is that the census is a fraught and challenging undertaking under the best circumstances, and this year is certainly not that. For the first time, the federal government is conducting a digital-first census, relying on online methodologies to do the work. This presents problems both in training census volunteers and in reaching populations on the wrong side of the digital divide, which are inherently also populations that under-respond to the census.Another issue, said panelist Denice Ross, a fellow-in-residence at Beeck Center for Social Impact and Innovation at Georgetown University, is that the same misinformation campaigns that targeted the 2016 presidential election will likely be applied again here, in part because the census has the power to add or take away congressional seats. Ross described the census as as important to our democracy as any election.We cant do this again, Ross said. We need to figure out the world has changed. People dont read their mail anymore, and the concept of a household count is a little outdated. So, how do we modernize the census?So the question became, what can municipal leaders as well as concerned citizens do to ensure every resident of their jurisdiction is counted in the upcoming census?Perhaps the easiest and most actionable thing that local leaders can do now is invite their data scientists, as well as GIS personnel within city hall, to any and all census preparation meetings. Mayor Giles said Mesa is already doing that, describing data scientists as the most important people in our organization right now.Its also imperative for local leaders to work with technologists and other volunteers outside of government.One thing techies can do that I think is really helpful is helping government and the nonprofit sector identify those gems of tools that can supercharge census efforts, Ross said.Across the country, there are already groups working on everything from spreading information about the census to creating tools to logistically aid the count. Two of these groups are Civis Analytics and Community Connect, both of whom have created digital tools to help with census.The federal government has also created opportunity.census.gov , which fosters six-week sprints. Interested parties can sign up now to be notified of when the next sprint begins.Meanwhile, there are also events at the federal level interfering with community trust in the Census. Under the Obama administration, the government encouraged individuals brought to the United States as children without lawful immigration status to register for protection. President Trump has imperiled the status of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals act that was put in place to protect them. This has sent roiling trust issues throughout immigrant communities.At a separate panel dubbed Big Data and Innovations for Marginalized Groups," Jeff Reichman of January Advisors pointed out that the U.S. has a long and sordid history of using census data to violate trust, citing how Japanese immigrants were put in camps during WWII.These are cerebral arguments and were making that argument to someone whos basing their decisions off of fear, Reichman said.Jeff Meisel, senior fellow at UC Berkely in the division of data sciences, said there are two key things local leaders need to think about now. The first is to start outreach aimed at spreading accurate information and fostering trust, by April at the latest. Key to the trust issues is deputizing extant community groups and actors.Bring in those advocacy groups, the folks who can help tell those stories to their peers, to their neighbors, about why the census matters, Meisel said.The next piece of advice Meisel offered brought the conversation again back to data. He said he and collaborators would soon be announcing a new project called Lets Make It Count, intended to deliver a data curriculum to school children in kindergarten through 12th grade across the country. The goal is to make sure educational systems understand the importance of telling students how the census affects our communitys futures, which has the simultaneous benefit of potentially interesting young people in data science careers. F ears are growing for a 23-year-old British backpacker who has disappeared in Guatemala. Catherine Shaw, from Witney, in Oxfordshire, who has been travelling since September last year and has previously visited Mexico and California in the US, was reported missing on March 5. She was last seen on March 4 and had been staying in the San Pedro, Lake Atitlan area of the central American country with a friend. Her belongings were left behind. The disappearance of the 23-year-old backpacker has now been described as unusual and is causing concern for her safety, her desperately worried parents have said. In a statement released through the trust, which is supporting the family, her parents said they have been "desperately worried" since her disappearance on Monday. "She has always been really good about keeping in touch and informing us of her whereabouts and activities," they added. "So this is unusual behaviour which gives us great concern for her safety. Please help us to find her." A Foreign Office spokeswoman confirmed they are supporting the family of a British woman and are "in contact with the local authorities as they search for her". In a video released by the trust, her mother urged her to get in touch as they need to know she is happy and well, while her father described his daughter as of "slim build, and about 5ft 7in tall". He added: "Your friends, your family are all really worried about you, please come home sweetheart." The Lucie Blackman Trust chief executive Matthew Searle stressed how the "first few days are vitally important" because those who may have seen something could still be in the area. "We urge anyone who may have any information, no matter how small, to get in touch as soon as they can. They could hold the key to bringing Catherine home," he added. The trust said members of her family are travelling to San Pedro to join the search this weekend. T he father of ISIS bride Shamima Begum has apologised to the British public for her decision to join the terror group. Ahmed Ali said Ms Begum had done wrong without realising it. Ms Begum, 19, left London to join ISIS aged 15, with two other school girls. "She has done wrong, I apologise to everyone as her father, to the British people, I am sorry for Shamima's doing," he told the BBC. "I request to the British people, please forgive her." Shamima Begum with her three week old son who died this week of pneumonia. / ITV Ms Begum resurfaced heavily pregnant in a refugee camp in northern Syria last month and spoke of her desire to return to the UK, as the self-styled caliphate collapsed. Home Secretary Sajid Javid stripped Ms Begum of her British citizenship amid a fierce national debate over whether she should be allowed to return. Mr Ali, 60, spoke to the BBC in a village in north-eastern Bangladesh before he found out Ms Begum's baby son had died. He said she should be allowed to return to the UK, where she could face prosecution. Mr Ali walks through his village of Sunamganu / AP He pointed out his daughter was a child when she travelled to Syria. "She was under age at that time, she couldn't understand that much. I suppose someone influenced her to do that," he said. "I admit that she might have done wrong without realising it." He urged the British government and public to "take her back and punish her if she had done any mistake". Shamima Begum has reportedly fled her refugee camp with her baby / PA He said he had no idea whether his daughter was being radicalised. He has lived mainly in Bangladesh in recent years, visiting London for two to four months at a time. "I do not stay there more than that. I do not know much about her [lately]," he said. H ome Secretary Sajid Javid is facing criticism following the entire avoidable death of the baby son of Shamima Begum in a Syrian camp. Ms Begum, 19, who left London to join the Islamic State group aged 15, gave birth in a refugee camp in the middle of February, having already lost two children. The death of her third child, named Jarrah, at three weeks old was confirmed on Friday by her family's lawyer Tasnime Akunjee. Ms Begum, from Bethnal Green in east London, went to join the terror group in February 2015 with two other schoolgirls. Home Secretary Sajid Javid / PA She resurfaced heavily pregnant in a refugee camp in northern Syria last month and spoke of her desire to return to the UK, as the self-styled caliphate collapsed. Mr Javid stripped Ms Begum of her British citizenship amid a fierce national debate over whether she should be allowed to return. Shamima Begum with baby Jarrah / ITV Dal Babu, a former Metropolitan Police chief superintendent and friend of the Begum family, described it as an "entirely avoidable death of a British citizen". He told BBC's Newsnight: "We failed to safeguard her and now we have failed, as a country, to safeguard a child - a totally innocent British subject." Ms Begum left London to join the Islamic State group aged 15 / PA "What we have here is a totally innocent child, whatever you may think of Shamima's shortcomings, the mistakes she made as a 15-year-old child when she was groomed on our watch. "The family reached out to the Home Office and requested help. The Home Office sent a reply and said 'You've come to the wrong department, you need to speak to Foreign and Commonwealth Office'. There was no attempt to help by the Home Office. He added that he believed the decision regarding Ms Begum's citizenship should be "urgently" reviewed. Mr Javid, when asked whether there was any plan for Ms Begum's son, a British citizen, had previously told the Commons Home Affairs Committee it would be "incredibly difficult" for the Government to facilitate the return of a child from Syria. "If it is possible somehow for a British child to be brought to a place where there is a British consular presence, the closest place - it might be Turkey for example - in those circumstances I guess potentially it is possible to arrange for some sort of help with the consent of the parent," he added. "Inside Syria, whether in a camp or maybe somewhere else, there is no British consular presence." Following news of the boy's death, shadow home secretary Diane Abbott criticised Mr Javid's decision. She tweeted: "It is against international law to make someone stateless, and now an innocent child has died as a result of a British woman being stripped of her citizenship. This is callous and inhumane." On February 17, Ms Begum's family announced the boy's birth and said they believed he was "in good health". Jarrah died of pneumonia on Thursday, according to a medical certificate. A Government spokesman said: "The death of any child is tragic and deeply distressing for the family. "The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has consistently advised against travel to Syria since April 2011. I SIS bride Shamima Begum should be taken in by Bangladesh in an act of sympathy, a senior Muslim leader has said. Caliph Mirza Masroor Ahmad, who represents tens of millions of Ahmadi Muslims worldwide, urged any Muslim country to "show sympathy to her" after she was stripped of British citizenship. His comments come as Sajid Javid faced a fresh backlash for removing her citizenship after it emerged the teenager's weeks-old son died in a Syrian refugee camp. Ms Begum, who fled London to join the terror group aged 15, had earlier begged to return to the UK with her boy, but the Home Secretary revoked her passport amid fierce public debate. Stripping citizenship is only legal if the individual has a second one, and it was thought she may have a claim in Bangladesh because of her family background, but Bangladeshi officials denied this. It emerged on Friday that Ms Begum had lost her third child / ITV Speaking to reporters at the Baitul Futuh Mosque in Morden, south-west London, ahead of an annual peace conference, Mr Ahmad said: "If the British Government has stripped her of her nationality then another country should adopt her, any Muslim country. "Since her parents were from Bangladesh, the first duty is of Bangladesh to take her as a national." It emerged on Friday that Ms Begum, now 19, had lost her third child. A medical certificate showed he died of pneumonia a day earlier, the BBC reported. Ms Begum previously discussed her fears that she could lose her third child / ITV Ms Begum had earlier discussed her fears that she could lose the boy, saying: "This is really not a place to raise children, this camp." Her family, who vowed to appeal against Mr Javid's decision, had also written to the Conservative minister, pleading with him to allow a safe passage for the boy to come to the UK. On Saturday, his Labour counterpart, Diane Abbott, said he had "behaved shamefully" over the "tragedy that might have been avoided". She added: "If the mother and baby had been brought home, the mother, Shamima Begum, would have faced British justice, but the baby might have lived." Conservative MP Phillip Lee told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that he was "deeply concerned" by Mr Javid's decision, which was "driven by a sort of populism" Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Ed Davey said the boy will be remembered if courts rule Mr Javid acted "illegally in making a British citizen stateless". He added: "Many of us feared this tragic outcome when the Home Secretary washed his hands of Britain's responsibility for a British citizen and a British baby." Kirsty McNeill, a director at Save The Children UK, urged Britain to "take responsibility for their citizens" in Syria. "It is possible the death of this baby boy and others could have been avoided," she added. Debate raged over Ms Begum's desire to return after she resurfaced in a refugee camp last month and said she wanted to return to Britain as the self-styled caliphate collapsed. She had left Bethnal Green in east London with two other schoolgirls to join the IS terror group in February 2015. Conservative Party chairman Brandon Lewis defended Mr Javid, telling Today: "There is no question that the duty of a Home Secretary in this country is to keep British people safe." A Government spokesman said: "The death of any child is tragic and deeply distressing for the family. T he bodies of two climbers missing for almost a fortnight on a mountain in Pakistan have been found. British climber Tom Ballard was attempting to climb Nanga Parbat with Italian Daniele Nardi when they lost contact on February 24. A search operation was under way this week after four Spanish rescuers were flown to the area by military helicopter on Monday and were joined by Pakistani mountaineer Ali Sadpara at base camp. Italian Ambassador Stefano Pontecorvo said that the search team has confirmed that silhouettes spotted on the mountain were the bodies of Mr Ballard and Mr Nardi and that the search is over. He tweeted: "With great sadness I inform that the search for @NardiDaniele and Tom Ballard is over as @AlexTxikon and the search team have confirmed that the silhouettes spotted on Mummery at about 5900 meters are those of Daniele and Tom. R.I.P." He said the bodies are in a place that is difficult to reach but that everything possible will be done to try to recover them. The bodies of Tom Ballard, left, and Daniele Nardi have been found. Mr Pontecorvo said the search team involving the Spaniards this week captured photos of the silhouettes and analysis confirmed that they were the missing climbers. The pair set out on February 22 and last made contact on February 24 while at about 6,300 metres (20,700ft). Mr Ballard was attempting an ascent on a mountain in Pakistan known as 'killer mountain' / Tom Ballard/Instagram Two Pakistani mountaineers were with the pair but had decided to turn back because they thought it was too dangerous. Despite being dubbed "Killer Mountain" because of its dangerous conditions, the summit of Nanga Parbat has long drawn climbers. Located in Pakistan's Gilgit Baltistan area, it is the ninth highest mountain in the world at 26,660ft (8,126m). Mr Ballard is the son of Alison Hargreaves, the first woman to scale Mount Everest alone. She died on K2 in 1995. He was born in England and grew up in the Scottish Highlands. The snow-capped mountain of Nanga Parbat. / AP Mr Nardi, 42, from near Rome, had attempted the Nanga Parbat summit in winter several times in the past. In 2015, Mr Ballard became the first person ever to solo climb all six major north faces of the Alps in one winter. Mr Nardi's team posted a tribute on their official Facebook page. They wrote: "We're heartbroken; we inform you that the research of Daniele and Tom has ended. A part of them will always remain on the Nanga Parbat." They added: "The family remembers Tom as a competent alpinist and brave friend of Daniele. Our thoughts are with him. "Daniele will remain a husband, a father, a son, a brother and a friend lost for a dream that we have always accepted, respected and shared. G ale-force winds up 65mph and heavy downpours are set to sweep across the UK next week, with forecasters predicting widespread travel disruption and power outages. The Met Office has issued two yellow weather warnings for wind - the first of which covers much of Northern Ireland, and will begin at 3pm on Tuesday and last until midnight. Another is in place for much of England from around midnight on Wednesday until 3pm. Gusts of up to 55mph are likely inland and up to 65mph along the western coasts are expected. It comes after many places in the North woke to a covering of sleet or snow on Saturday. Those living in Country Durham found roads frozen and their cars covered in snow. Forecasters said the snow is also set to continue. An active jet stream from the Atlantic is driving the wintry weather of strong winds, heavy downpours and sleet just days after the country recovered from the powerful gales brought by Storm Freya. The north of England started the weekend with cold and windy weather and a maximum temperature of 8C. While the south had a sunnier, brighter start with temperatures reaching as high as 14C, wet and windy conditions are expected overnight on Saturday as well as a chance of snow to lower levels. Gales will be developing over the coast with the risk of some snow developing over hills of Midlands, northern England and Wales, forecaster Greg Dewhurst told the Standard. Rain will clear eastwards and then the whole of the country will see a windy day on Sunday with sunny spells. As the showers ease in the north the Met Office warned there could be widespread frost as well as hill snow for central areas in the south. On Sunday, northern England will likely see more snow to lower levels. Temperatures will also drop with highs of 5 or 6C expected in the north and 11C expected in south. The start of next week will start off sunny but by Tuesday the wet and windy conditions will return and carry through to Wednesday, Mr Dewhurst said. In London, winds are not likely to be as strong but could see gusts of up to 35mph over the weekend. T he dust has finally settled on Mobile World Congress 2019, Europe's biggest tech show which takes place in Barcelona every year. The conversations this year were dominated by two major themes: 5G and folding phones, though there were a few other normal smartphones on display. Heres everything you need to know about the mobiles at MWC 2019. Folding phones A few companies had their folding phones, or versions at least, on display at MWC. Huawei unveiled its version, the Huawei Mate X, on the Sunday at MWC, whilst Samsung, which launched its Galaxy Fold a week before, had it safely secured inside a glass case. LG also had a version of a folding phone on show its V50 ThinQ handset has a matching dual-screen add-on. Thats one way to create a folding device. Is this the next step in smartphone design? Well have to see. 5G phones 5G was everywhere at MWC. The next generation in mobile technology promises faster speeds and higher bandwidth, and everyone was offering their opinion on what 5G is going to do for consumers. In terms of phones, Samsung had its Samsung Galaxy S10 5G on display, though the release date is still TBC. Chinese smartphone company Xiaomi also launched the Mi Mix 3 5G the 5G version of last years snazzy Mi Mix 3 smartphone. Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2019 - In pictures 1 /32 Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2019 - In pictures The Nomu S50 Pro waterproof smartphone is displayed at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images A TCL DragonHinge foldable prototype is displayed AFP/Getty Images A visitor plays with a 5G technological robot EPA A Samsung Galaxy Watch Active is displayed AFP/Getty Images Manuel Valls (2-R), candidate of Ciudadanos Party for Barcelona's Mayor, next to party's leader in Catalonia, Ines Arrimadas (R), visits the automobile company SEAT' stand, during the second day of Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona EPA A BlackBerry Key2 is displayed AFP/Getty Images A person holds America-based Chinese company Royole's foldable mobile device FlexiPai AFP/Getty Images People dance in a 360-degree Samsung videobooth AFP/Getty Images Sophie the Robot of Hanson Robotics is displayed AFP/Getty Images A visitor tests a virtual reality headset at the Saudi Telecom Company (STC) AFP/Getty Images A visitor tests a collaborative mobile sensor AFP/Getty Images EHang 216, a 5G-enabled aerial taxi by Ooredoo AFP/Getty Images A visitor tests a LG 5G VR headset EPA A BMW Vision iNEXT is displayed AFP/Getty Images A purse featuring Royole's foldable mobile device FlexiPai is displayed AFP/Getty Images A XR-1 5G cloud robot by CloudMinds shakes hands with a visitor, AP An employee frames the new Huawei Mate X foldable phone EPA A visitor interacts with a Huawei Cloud X simulated reality stand AFP/Getty Images A visitor holds the new Samsung Galaxy S10 5G AP The new models of Sony Xperia 10 AP Attendees take pictures of the new Huawei Mate X foldable 5G smartphone AP A woman holds a 5G-enabled Samsung phone AFP/Getty Images Singtel Group chief executive officer Chua Sock Koong delivers a keynote speech AFP/Getty Images Normal phones And then there were the normal phones, which arent to be sniffed at because its more likely youll be using one of these than a 5G or folding phone this year. Xiaomi, Nokia and Sony all threw their hat in the ring with their version of the 2019 flagship. AUSTIN, TEXAS Cities are growing at the fastest rate in human history and so are the expectations being placed on them. For most, increasingly prevalent smart city technology works as it should. But for those living with disabilities, it often completely misses the mark.Take, for example, city kiosks meant to streamline the payment of parking tickets or service bills. Between their placement in underserved neighborhoods and the immediate access they offer to city services, they might seem like a fool-proof win for local government, but without features like audible output for blind individuals, a significant cross section of the community is immediately excluded.Creating more inclusive and accessible cities was the focus for one panel of experts during a morning panel at South by Southwest in Austin March 8.Karen Tamley, commissioner of the Chicago Mayors Office for People with Disabilities, said she works closely with the citys CIO to ensure technology solutions are inclusive in the first iteration.A solution pushed out to the public, like the kiosks mentioned earlier, needs to take all potential users into account or risk costly retrofits, potential lawsuits, and excluding the disabled from access to the most basic services.Technology is rapidly changing. Were introducing technology to conduct business at such a fast pace, but unless there is inclusion and input from the disability community and disabled end [users], were [less] likely to have products that are going to be usable for people with disabilities, she said.Tamley likened the need for access to digital city halls to the accessibility upgrades made to physical city halls across the country with ramps, automatic doors and the like. As she sees it, access to technology is nothing short of a civil right in the modern world.Cities are rapidly changing, Ive been with the city for over 10 years and I have seen a change, a significant change from a physical city hall to [digital] city hall, she said.Services like online job applications and public documents need to be accessible for everyone, Tamley explained.But making a city smarter goes beyond the ability to access services; it also needs to be safer for the people living there. As Megan Lawrence, accessibility technical evangelist at Microsoft, explained, technologies are not always trained to protect all people equally.She pointed specifically to a study from the University of Toronto in which autonomous vehicle simulations were running over people in wheelchairs because they were not trained to identify them.We are using data to inform the decisions that we make, to streamline in some sense and make our cities more efficient, but we have to constantly be thinking about what is the impact to somebody with a disability? Lawrence said.She pointed to the benefits of hiring disabled technologists and experts to address issues at the development stages to make accessibility a core component of any solution, pointing to research that showed as much as a 28 percent revenue increase for accessible solutions.For Enrique de la Madrid, leader of an urban study initiative at Tecnologico de Monterrey, the issue of disability is one that goes hand in hand with aging. Just because a person is not currently disabled, it doesnt mean they wont be one day.Because this is an aging society, because we are all living more years, at the end of the day we will all have a type of disability, de la Madrid said.He argued the issue is too large for government to handle on its own and said it requires broader community engagement to achieve truly inclusive cities. (TNS) The Taneytown, Md., Mayor and City Council on Wednesday discussed an ordinance that would place limits on the implementation of small cell wireless apparatuses erected on public grounds in the city.Though no wireless provider has put up such a facility within city limits, its important the lawmakers enact this ordinance primarily for the purposes of individual citizens, Councilman Joe Vigliotti told the Times. For the rights of their property. It really is a question of stability.On the one hand youre protecting property rights, but on the other hand youre making sure that anything that does go in does not interfere in such a way that does create problems for people.The Federal Communications Commission in 2018 adopted rules for small cell deployments the vehicle for 5G wireless networks that capped fees state and local governments could levy against providers wishing to erect the devices and provided that municipalities couldnt reject companies wishes but could regulate how the deployments look.Internet providers use the devices to speed up wireless services like Internet across the country. The evolution of 5G wireless, according to an FCC report, will enable a new wave of entrepreneurship, innovation, and economic opportunity for communities across the country.Ordinance 03-2019 would establish a framework for aesthetic criteria that a small-cell provider would have to meet in order to erect such infrastructure, as well as certain procedures the company would need to follow.City Attorney Jay Gullo briefed elected officials about the ordinance at their monthly workshop meeting Wednesday, March 6. The council will vote on its introduction at the monthly Mayor and Council Meeting on Monday.Other types of wireless infrastructure, such as cellular towers on private property or antennae attached to city water towers, are covered in Taneytowns zoning code, Gullo said small cell wireless is different.Small cell deployments are going to be made up of basically two components: an antenna and the box the stuff that goes with it, Gullo told the elected body. The antenna goes on top of the pole, the box goes somewhere else.Wireless companies are aiming to erect these apparatuses on public right of way areas because its cheaper than negotiating with a private property owner, according to Gullo. Taneytowns code covers such a facility on a private property, he added.The FCC capped the fee a municipality could charge a wireless company for erecting a small-cell deployment in the public right of way at $270 per small wireless facility and $500 for non-recurring application fees.The proposed ordinance takes aim at the aesthetics and consolidation, where possible. It mandates that unless a provider can prove it is technologically unpractical, they should co-locate on a pole with other providers. The ordinance encourages the use of underground technology.Ordinance 03-2019 says that support structures for such facilities must maximize the use of building materials, colors and textures designed to blend with the structure to which it may be affixed and to harmonize with the natural surroundings. This shall include the utilization of stealth or camouflage or concealment technique.In order for a provider to erect a small-cell tower up in Taneytown it must secure a Right of Way Agreement from the city, Gullo said regardless of whether the right of way is property of the city, county or state.The FCC also established a shot clock, allowing the municipality a limited timeframe to review an application and decide whether it meets the municipalitys criteria or if it must be adjusted.If the municipality balks and doesnt come to a conclusion within the timeframe, the facility is considered to be approved under the FCC rules, Gullo said. Some of the applications will be reviewed by the city administration, while others will go before the citys Planning Commission.Adding an antenna on an existing pole might be something that could be approved by the administration, Gullo told the. If theyre going to construct a pole, that might go before the planning commission.Taneytowns proposed ordinance would force wireless companies to consider proximity to trees, driveways and residential structures. The ordinance says there must be a 40-foot setback from residences.Because of the setback, Gullo told the elected officials, they established that a small cell tower could be no taller than 30 feet, considering the space it would cover in the case of a collapse.In addition, the ordinance would mandate the company to put up a bond in case they destroy the right of way while erecting the small cell facility the city can pay for repairs at no cost to taxpayers. It also requires the wireless provider to give residents notice if they plan to put an apparatus in front of their residence and gives the city the right to cut down a pole in the case of a public emergency.Two competing pieces of legislation one that limits a local governments authority to regulate small cell installations and another that seeks to establish in state law that municipalities can regulate certain aspects of the installation and appearance of the wireless facilities are advancing in the Maryland General Assembly Municipalities, Gullo said, must adopt ordinances that establish aesthetic standards by April 15 or the aesthetic standards outlined by the federal government is required. AUSTIN, TEXAS Like it or not, technology is already shaping the way local governments function at a core level. Smart leaders acknowledge the potential risks and rewards, while the rest leave the details to chance. During an interactive session at the Civic I/O Mayors Summit at South by Southwest Friday morning, mayors from across the country grappled with the realities of the increasingly technology-driven world.At the request of Katie Joseff, Digital Intelligence Lab research manager with the Institute of the Future, U.S. mayors thought through the implications of existing and emerging technologies. In one instance, she pressed the question of how connected neural implants what she called a coming reality could impact citizens and local government.West Sacramento, Calif., Mayor Christopher Cabaldon questioned what the technology could mean for objective truth, while Columbia, S.C., Mayor Stephen K. Benjamin framed the thought as disconcerting.Were still trying to stop foreign actors from buying social media ads on Facebook, Benjamin said.When pressed to consider more tangible technologies, the group of mayors turned their collective focus to the implications of surveillance and data collection.In Shreveport, La., Mayor Adrian Perkins said leaders struggled to address a lofty murder rate, and surveillance cameras were seen as part of the answer to the problem. Initially, he said, concerns about citizen privacy had not been thoroughly considered and conversations needed to be kickstarted.Right now were looking at how we can roll it out in a responsible way, he said.When the conversation turned to future-proofing certain technologies, the group provided several examples of unforeseen challenges posed by technology. In Spokane, Wash., Mayor David Condon said the city's 350 body-worn cameras prompted a flood of highly specific requests on the part of developers. This uptick in footage requests had not been considered as a potential outcome of the program, but adapting was seen as central to maintaining the citys commitment to transparency.What they are doing with it, we arent allowed to ask, Condon said.Joseff encouraged consideration about emerging technologies and the risks and rewards they bring, warning anecdotally that todays fix-all solutions are sometimes the breeding grounds for tomorrows challenges.The capacity we have in local government to be able to engage, even in life and death questions much less all the others, is a challenge, Cabaldon countered.Cabaldon also pointed out that while the future must be considered, the past and present are equally important.Were describing it as future-proofing as though the present and the past are just fine, he said. I know in my city we have a tendency to really obsess about the consequences of new things, but some of these new things are simply making visible the problems with the old things. The selective justice of the past 12 years is a grave regress, said, on Saturday, the chairman of the Senate and Alliance of Liberals and Democrats (ALDE) chair, Calin Popescu Tariceanu. He participated in the military and wreath-laying ceremony organized on the Day of anticommunist political prisoners and deportees from Romania in the 1944-1989 period at the "Wings" monument in the Free Press Square. "We have made progress but we have also seen regress", he stated, when asked if Romania evolved following the fall of communism."What happened in the past 12 years with selective justice, justice that was used to eliminate intellectual elites, business elites, ordinary people who had to suffered, political figures, is a grave regress that happened," he said.The Senate chair also spoke of the obligation to return to normality."Today I see that there are many people who are aware of these grave slippages in the rule of law and it is our obligation to return to normality because, as I said, there cannot be democracy without liberty, there cannot be welfare without democracy and liberty," he emphasized. (TNS) In a letter to the Portland Bureau of Transportation, advocates for disabled Oregonians called on the agency to strengthen restrictions on e-scooters, which are poised to return to the city this summer. Emily Cooper, legal director for Disability Rights Oregon, wrote that the city had fallen short in adhering to the Americans with Disabilities Act, which calls for equal access to public space. During the citys pilot program last summer, Portlanders rode more than 800,000 miles on the roughly 2,000 e-scooters dispersed across the city.But the devices, which users are free to leave wherever they finish their trip, often end up blocking sidewalks and other public rights of way, Cooper wrote, creating dangerous conditions for those with disabilities. The citys own report on the pilot noted that improperly parked scooters negatively impacted accessibility and created a hazard for people with visual impairments.During this 2018 pilot, [Disability Rights Oregon] received several concerning calls and complaints regarding the lack of sidewalk accessibility and safety from both our staff and clients with mobility disabilities and vision impairments, Cooper wrote.Her concerns were first reported by theIt was unclear what additional steps the city would take to address the critical concerns with sidewalk accessibility and improve e-scooter safety, before the scooters return to Portland streets this spring, Cooper added.E-scooters will return to Portland this spring, transportation officials say.Portland transportation officials set the framework for bringing electric scooters back to city streets in 2019.Cooper requested that the city require data from the scooter companies on the number of times the devices were left blocking a public right of way, and for the city to enforce state and federal law with regards to parking and riding violations. She also encouraged the city to give priority to companies that employ geofencing, technology that would require parking the scooters in specific areas, and to create a public forum where members of the community can address concerns about the devices.That last request was of particular importance, Cooper wrote, because renewal of the e-scooter program for a full year was decided without any public meetings or open discussion, especially with the disability community.It is unclear what efforts the city took to invite the public to comment on the possibility of any future or long-term renewal of the program or offered citizens a chance to say what might be changed in a future initiative, she wrote. The processes of government and the votes of administrative bodies should be open to the public.Cooper met with city attorney Ken McGair on Tuesday, and the city is considering ways to address compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. But, as Cooper wrote, the City is hesitant to implement too many regulations as it may dissuade smaller, more diverse e-scooter businesses from entering the marketplace.No date has been set for exactly when the scooters will return. (TNS) A bill that could spark a transit expansion across Georgia cleared the state's House of Representatives on Thursday but with a tweak that could eventually hit ride-hailing companies and their customers in the wallet. House Bill 511 would allow Georgia counties once they receive voter approval to raise sales taxes for transit expansion. And it would launch pilot programs to help transport unemployed Georgians to jobs.The bill would pay for those programs by dedicating the state sales tax on rides for hire to transit a change from the original bill.HB 511 originally replaced the states sales tax on rides for hire with a 50-cent flat fee for taxi, limousine and ride-hailing service rides and a 25-cent fee for shared rides fees Uber and Lyft had agreed to support. But the version that passed the House by a vote of 159-11 replaces the flat fee with language that would keeps the sales tax and dedicates it to transit.Uber and Lyft currently dont pay sales taxes and say theyre not required to under state law. State officials disagree. The matter may be decided in court.If the state wins, Uber and Lyft customers could pay more for each ride. How much more would depend on the length, time and location of a trip.For example, earlier this week a trip from Morehouse College to the Capitol would have cost 67 cents in sales tax or 17 cents more than the flat fee. But the tax on a trip from Atlantic Station to Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport would have cost an extra $1.30.Uber spokeswoman Evangeline George said applying the sales tax to ride sharing would mean Georgia customers would pay the highest taxes on ride-hailing services in the country.We hope to continue our conversations with legislators about a reasonable fee structure that makes sense for riders and drivers, she said.The change to the transit bill highlights a long-standing dispute between ride-hailing companies and the state over sales taxes. Currently, taxi and limousine companies pay sales taxes, but Uber and Lyft dont. They say theyre technology companies, not transportation companies subject to the sales tax law.The Department of Revenue disagrees and recently billed Uber for $22.1 million in back taxes, penalties and interest it says the company owes. Uber has appealed the bill to the Georgia Tax Tribunal, a special court that handles such disputes. State Rep. Brett Harrell , R-Snellville, has sponsored separate legislation, House Bill 276 , which would also require ride-hailing companies to pay sales taxes. In comments on the House floor Thursday, he praised the transit bill as a very bold proposal and downplayed its sales tax provision.This bill has no new taxes of any kind, Harrell said. It recognizes the will of the General Assembly to appropriate from growing ride-share revenues funding to implement these rural transit projects.The 50-cent fee was estimated to raise $30 million to $60 million for transit programs. Its unclear how much the sales tax would raise, though it likely would be substantially more.HB 511 is the General Assemblys latest effort to encourage transit expansion. Last year it approved a law that allows 13 metro Atlanta counties to raise sales taxes for transit construction and operations.The latest bill focuses on the rest of the state and would divide it into eight zones for the purposes of transit funding and planning. It also would create pilot programs that would provide transit vouchers or credits to the unemployed and tax credits to companies that subsidize their employees transportation to work.Separate pilot programs would benefit metro Atlanta communities State Rep. Kevin Tanner , R-Dawsonville, the bills sponsor, said the pilot programs would allow Georgia to test different ideas. If they work, the could be expanded.Among other things, the bill would also consolidate state transit functions in a single new agency, though the State Transportation Board has objected to that plan About a year ago I advanced the theory that US President Trump understood that the only way to "Make American Great Again" was to disentangle it from the imperial mission that had it stuck in perpetual wars. I concluded that his statements implied that he believed that 1) the post 9/11 military interventions did nothing for American security; 2) foreign interventions impoverish the country; 3) the alliance system is neither useful nor a good deal for the country; 4) Russia is not the once and future enemy. I further argued that he understood that the Gordian Knot of entanglements could not be cut from the American end because Americans were too wedded to the idea that the USA was "the indispensable nation" or too complacently accepting of the conceit that it had a moral obligation to set the world aright. (Gallup has just revealed that Americans greatly overestimate the respect and affection the rest of the world holds for them.) In any case "The Swamp" was too entangled in the war business ever to change. I speculated that he understood that the cutting could only come from the other side. In short I saw method in Trump's boorishness and well-displayed contempt for Washington's allies. So what do we find thirteen months later? Well, of course, one year is not nearly enough time to cause American allies to quit. Washington has not pulled out of NATO and no one has left it, the wars continue, the bases remain; but the Knot is loosening a bit. Despite very strong pressure from Washington, Ankara is going ahead with its S-400 purchase and Berlin is determined to complete Nord Stream. Washington has made its opposition plain and with menaces but these two important allies persevere in their contumacy. Recently more cracks widened. Secretary of State Pompeo at Warsaw, trying to get everyone on board with attacking Iran: "Sadly, some of our leading European partners have not been nearly as cooperative. In fact, they have led the effort to create mechanisms to break up our sanctions." Vice President Pence at the Munich conference all but ordering the allies to get on board with Washington's leadership, to stop buying weapons from "our adversaries" and equating opposition to Washington's stand on Iran with anti-Semitism. These efforts fell flat. Even The Economist called the Warsaw effort "shambolic" and a number of invited key players sent lower-ranking substitutes. So unenthusiastic was the response that the meeting had to be rebranded as about security in the Middle East rather than about making war on Iran. So, altogether, a bust: the whistle blew but the dogs didn't come. But worse, Pence's speech at Munich, praising Trump in every paragraph and threatening allies, fell completely flat with almost no applause. German Chancellor Merkel, speaking for the opposition (lots of applause) demurred. NPR sums up the two meetings: First, in Warsaw, Poland, the U.S. organized a conference seeking to marshal international outrage over Iran, and Vice President Pence urged France, Germany and the U.K. to abandon the Iran nuclear deal, accusing them of concocting a "scheme" to continue to business with Iran. Top European allies trying to keep the nuclear deal alive declined to send top-level diplomats to the conference. Then on Saturday, in Munich, German Chancellor Angela Merkel addressed the security conference with several critiques of U.S. foreign policy and received a sustained standing ovation. So, a failure for Washington but, if you agree with my theory, a success for Trump's scheme. Merkel devoted some time in her speech to Russian gas supplies, pointing out that in the Cold War, both Germanies reliably received gas from Moscow, thereby reminding Pence, if he was listening, of Disagreement Number Two Nord Stream. We had earlier been reminded of Disagreement Number One which was the unilateral American rejection of the JCPOA. Washington has sanctioned Tehran; the repellent CAATSA (not, in fairness, Trump's doing) means that anyone who trades with someone Washington dislikes will also become a target of Washington's sanctions. In reaction, Germany, France and the UK have developed a Washington-independent payment system. How effective it will be remains to be seen but it is undeniably a rebellion against Washington's fiat. And now we come to Disagreement Number Three: Washington's rejection of the INF Treaty. Negotiated in 1987 between the USA and the USSR, it eliminated all land-based missiles with ranges between 500 and 5500 km. The Treaty had been preceded by large demonstrations across Europe against the deployment of American missiles. Washington's excuse is that Russia has violated the Treaty (Theodore Postol has convincingly argued that, whatever Russia may have done, the USA did violate it). Some see it as the latest target of Washington's dismantling of the arms control treaties of the Cold War, although one cannot rule out the possibility that this is Trump's opening position to get an new INF Treaty with Russia and China. But it could put the Europeans on Moscow's target list if the US puts intermediate range missiles into Europe. (The European protests were a causative factor of the original treaty.) In her Munich speech, Merkel called the cancellation "very bad news" and the former head of the NATO Military Committee, Harald Kujat, flatly called it a betrayal of the security of the European allies". The full ramifications of this latest trampling of allies' interests have not been felt but the Atlantic Alliance will not be stronger for it. And I doubt allies will be any happier with Pompeo's latest blank war cheque. Even in Korea, where Trump's new foreign policy has had, perhaps, its greatest success, we see a touch of the same thing. The two Koreas and China are moving forward whatever Washington does or, as in the Hanoi meeting doesn't, do. Two things seem pretty clear: the Trump Administration is alienating its allies and it doesn't seem to care very much that it is. Washington has always overborne its allies but it has usually been more polite and discreet about it. Today there is no attempt to hide it: Trump & Co brusquely tell them our way or else. Will Washington's contempt and indifference make Europe start to look east? Donald Trump and his America First attitude has thereby afforded Europeans some space to maneuver and establish some level of autonomy, resulting in increasing synergies with Moscow and especially Beijing. Or will Europe swallow the insults? Will it stand on its "own two feet"? Or have its feet atrophied? We don't know yet: there is talk, but talk is cheap and easy. My question remains: we see the alienation but is it deliberately-caused or is it not? Is Trump behaving in a boorishly unilateral way to force his allies to break the imperial connection, or is it just the habitual "America First" style now crudely stripped of the earlier politesse? (Which is not to say that they're aren't some significant inconsistencies in Trump's foreign policy and, on closer examination, these exceptions become very confusing and inconsistent themselves. I will take up this question separately.) United Kingdom or British Defense Secretary Gavin Williamson is popping up everywhere these days. He has gratuitously insulted Spain and more or less taunted it to take Gibraltar back from the UK after more than 300 years of occupation An operation incidentally that the Spanish police could carry out in a couple of hours if they were so minded. Williamson has needlessly insulted the leaders of France at European conferences, and his bearbaiting and insults towards Russia and ridiculous posturing of the UKs miniscule military capabilities in Eastern Europe have provoked open derision in Moscow. Now, as if all that was not enough Williamson is boasting about putting China in its place by sending Britains new aircraft carriers, the already obsolete behemoths Queen Elizabeth and Prince of Wales to East Asia to supposedly deter China in its own home waters of the South China Sea. Who is this mighty, fearless titan who bestrides the world like a colossus at least in his own imagination? Is he a seasoned formidable veteran of Britains fabled Special forces? Is he an experienced diplomat with decades of efforts to solve the thorny problems of the Middle East and sub-Saharan Africa? Perhaps he is a brilliant scholar whose dazzling articles on strategy and deterrence have dazzled experts from the Munich Security Conference to the annual Shangri-La gathering in Singapore? Nothing could be further from the truth. Williamson comes from a humble working class background in England and took an average run-of-the-mill degree in Social Sciences at the University of Bradford. His true passion was feverishly getting on in the world and the ladder he climbed to rise in the world was the numbing minutiae of provincial politics in the British Conservative Party. Williamson finally hit the big time so to speak in 2015 when he supported dark horse candidate Theresa May against favorite Boris Johnson in the race to succeed David Cameron as Conservative Party leader and UK prime minister. In reward, she made him her Chief Whip in charge of the partys parliamentary majority in Parliament. Adept at flattery to a colorless, inept mediocrity of a prime minister who was widely regarded with strained tolerance, he rose rapidly in her esteem and shared in her catastrophic decision to call a general election which she almost lost. As a reward for such awful judgment he was further promoted to be defense secretary and has since won the universal derision of his service chiefs, serving officers and troop and professional administrators. At a time when, as my Strategic Culture Foundation contributor Brian Cloughley has pointed out, the entire British Army, with a paltry 77,000 troops has less man (and woman) power than its artillery forces alone did 60 years ago, Williamson has eagerly sought cheap headlines by insulting longtime UK allies and formidable major global powers alike. He enthusiastically supported the Saudi Arabian-led military intervention Yemen that has cost tens of thousands of innocent civilian lives and now threatens hardship and famine for millions. He has told Russia to go away and shut up. He has accused China of acting in a malign way again without any real evidence to back up his nasty allegations. On February 11, he proposed sending the aircraft carrier Queen Elizabeth to the Indo-Pacific region, a boast that led the government of China to immediately cancel trade talks that an ominously isolated UK desperately needed to offset its looming chaotic Brexit departure from the European Union. In less than a year and a half in office, Williamson has already established himself as the most farcical and inept defense chief in British history. His incredibly fast rise reveals a hollow little two-faced charmer and conman straight out of that classic 1976 study On the Psychology of Military Incompetence by Norman F. Dixon and Budd Schulbergs famous novel about sociopathic little hollow influence-peddler and social climber Sammy Glick in What Makes Sammy Run? Both Dixon and Schulberg recognized the phenomenon of what the great poet T S Eliot called The Hollow Men Individuals without self-worth or any inner moral compass. As Dixon and Schulberg both understood, such empty creatures like Williamson seek to over-compensate for their inner emptiness by trying to rise up the social leader by any means flattering, lying, betraying and backstabbing along the way. Such people join every mob and are in the forefront of an every witch hunt. Such people, in Dixons unforgettable study always fawn to superiors and are usually harsh or uncaring to inferiors exactly Williamsons reported conduct to his Great Lady Mrs. May and to the staff unfortunate enough to serve him. Such people, Dixon says, ignore people and facts which do not conform to their world view, learn little from experience and cling to external rules, applying them even when the situation demands other approaches. Hence Williamsons blind faith that the big bully he truly reveres and wants to serve the United States of America will always back him up and send the appropriate overwhelming military force enabling him to make good on all his childish boasts and his threats. But when war or crisis comes, Dixon methodically documents how all such little blowhard phonies end the same way. They sit still like terrified and paralyzed zombies until disaster overwhelms them and those foolish enough to trust in them. It should be no surprise when this fate comes soon to Williamson: It is already written in his (lack of) character. Desperate to replenish its aging fighter force the Indian Air Force is seeking to buy 21 MiG-29 fighters that have been in storage for 30 years. The Russian manufacturer suffered a large cutback in MiG-29 orders at the end of the Cold War and rather than scrap the 21 partially assembled MiG-29s they were put into storage. Indian air force specialists inspected the 21 aircraft, determined that most of the components were still in good shape and made an offer. No one will say what was paid, apparently because it was so low that it was embarrassing. The MiG-29 was unsuccessful as was the Su-27/30 and the MiG-29 manufacturer require subsidies to keep stay in business. India will finish assembly of the 21 MiG-29s using locally made and imported components and end up with some inexpensive MiG-29s that, more importantly, were obtained much more quickly the more expensive and assembled fighters. This is a quirk of the Indian military procurement system that otherwise delays weapons procurement decisions for years while the Indian military tries to cope with older equipment aging into uselessness. Meanwhile India, like many other MiG-29 export customers, is having problems with a special MiG-29 model they had already received. In doing so India learned, the hard way, that jet fighters capable of operating from carriers are a very specialized type of aircraft and not just a land-based jet modified a bit to withstand the rigors of landing and taking off from carriers. The failure in this area has been the MiG-29K. The Indian Navy bought 45 Russian MiG-29K jets for their new aircraft carrier, INS Vikramaditya (a rebuilt Russian Cold War era carrier.) The Indians were not happy with the performance of the Russian work on the Vikramaditya or the MiG-29K and now India is trying to force Russia to fix the shortcomings of the MiG-29K. India ordered the MiG-29Ks in 2004, received the first batch by 2009 and began using them on the Vikramaditya in 2012. India has spent over $2 billion on the MiG-29Ks and Russia is the sole source for many components of the aircraft as well as being under contract to perform warranty repairs and refurbishment services for these carrier aircraft. There have been problems and disappointments with the MiG-29K. The main shortcoming is that the MiG-29K is not robust enough to operate from a carrier. Russia also selected the MiG-29K to replace the Su-33 for its only carrier. The Su-33 was a ruggedized version of the Su-27 that turned out to be insufficiently rugged. The replacement was the lighter MiG-29 that, learning from the Su-33 problems, was ruggedized more effectively, or so it was thought. India has used the MiG-29K more frequently (than Russia has) and found the MiG-29K could not handle the controlled crashes characteristic of successful carrier landings. Meanwhile, the Russians discovered some of the same problems but kept quiet about it. While all this was going on China got some Su-33s (from Ukraine) and copied the tech for their J15. The Chinese thought they had designed and built a version of the Su-33 that would perform adequately. That did not work either. Now India is demanding that the Russians make good on the assurances that the MiG-29K could handle carrier operations or face losing even more Indian defense business. The MiG-29K may well be impossible to make carrier capable but making a lot of expensive repairs might mollify the Indians a bit. The MiG-29Ks not only suffered structural damage after every landing but the engines did as well. So far India has had 40 of these engines become totally unusable because of the damage. Russia is still considering its options as the Indian firm (HAL) that performs engine maintenance is waiting for the government to come up with the money to refurbish 113 MiG-29K engines that can be salvaged. India also has procurement bureaucracy problems getting older aircraft updated. A classic example of this was a 2006 Indian decision to upgrade 49 of its 59 Mirage 2000 fighters. This would cost of $35 million per aircraft and work finally got started in 2015 but is taking longer and costing more than anticipated. Cost has grown to $45 million per aircraft. Part of the delay was due to Indian insistence that most of the work be done in India. That meant Indian technicians had to be trained, often in France and special tools and equipment had to be obtained from France. The Indian military procurement bureaucracy is famous (or infamous) for its sloth and inefficiency and that has been a big part of the problem with getting the upgrades done. In this case, there is also an epic failure to communicate to deal with. A prime example of that occurred when the Mirage 2000 maintenance contracts with the French manufacturer (Dassault) expired in November 2017 and the Indian Air Force, which normally pays this fee ($15 million a year for all 47 Indian Mirage 2000 jets) but in 2017 the air force insisted it was the responsibility of the Indian firm HAL, which was doing the upgrades, should pay the upgrade fee. HAL disputed this and pointed out such a payment was not mentioned in the 2011 contract with HAL that paid the Indian firm $900 million for work done in India. Another 2011 contract, worth $2.1 billion, went to Dassault and other French firms to supply new component and technical services and that one did not mention shifting the annual maintenance contract to HAL until the upgrades were done, or whatever. As always it is unclear exactly what is going on here. All concerned parties do agree that they are talking to each other and the government is pressuring the procurement bureaucrats to clear this up as soon as possible. That could take months or years. This maintenance contract dispute is not unique. Earlier there was a problem with the inability of Indian procurement officials to approve orders for spare parts for the Mirage 2000s, as well as for the items needed for the upgrades. Because of the delays in getting needed spares at least a dozen of the 59 Mirage 2000s are grounded, some of them since 2010. It is also difficult to get politicians to agree on things like upgrades to older equipment, but the larger problem is the inefficient and often ineffective procurement officials. By 2018 seven Mirage 2000s have completed the upgrade work that had been transferred to India in 2015, where HAL, rather than France, attempts to upgrade ten Mirage 2000s a year. A Mirage 2000 crashed on takeoff on February 1st. The two test pilots died checking out a recently upgraded aircraft. The cause of the crash is still under investigation. The upgraded Mirage 2000s are getting new radar with 90 kilometers range (a 20 percent increase). The new fire control systems, modern electronic warfare systems and digital communications will make the Mirage 2000s capable of handling the most modern Pakistani and Chinese fighters. Other components (like the airframe and engines) were also to be refurbished. After the upgrade, the twenty year old Mirage 2000s would be good for another twenty years of service. The upgrade price includes a supply of MICA, long range (50 kilometers) radar guided missiles which are similar to the U.S. AMRAAM. India used ten of the upgraded Mirage 2000s for the late February airstrike on an Islamic terrorist base in Pakistani Kashmir. While expensive, the upgrade would turn the Mirage 2000 fighters into long-range air-to-air killers and extend their useful life another 15 years. These aircraft could very efficiently knock down their Chinese or Pakistani opponents (which are equipped with less capable Chinese FD-60 long-range missiles.) Meanwhile, Pakistan has received new F-16 fighters as well as upgrades for their older ones. Pakistan is receiving American AMRAAM missiles as well. The Indians expect the French to provide electronic warfare equipment that can give AMRAAM a hard time. How well that works won't be seen until, and if, there's another large scale war between India and Pakistan. China uses copies of the latest Russian Su-30 fighters and the upgraded Mirage 2000s, as well as Indian Su-30s, are supposed to be competitive with those. CHERRY POINT, N.C. - Two U.S. Marine Corps EA-6B Prowler assigned to Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 2, fly off the coast of North Carolina, Feb 28, 2019. VMAQ-2 is conducting its last flights prior to their deactivation on March 8, 2019. VMAQ-2 is a subordinate unit to Marine Aircraft Group 14, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. 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: TICKERS: CWEB; CWBHF Source: Streetwise Reports (3/9/19) A ROTH Capital Partners report presented the reasons for investing in this company. In a March 7 research note, analyst Scott Fortune reported that ROTH Capital Partners initiated coverage on Charlotte's Web Holdings Inc. (CWEB:CSE; CWBHF:OTCQX) with a Buy rating and a CA$26.50 per share price target. The stock is currently trading at around CA$17.92 per share. A key advantage is the company's position as a "market leader in the fast growing hemp extract cannabidiol (CBD) market with high-quality supply, a recognized brand and significant new retail verticals to begin selling into the mass market," Fortune described. Charlotte's Web has years of experience producing high-quality hemp from proprietary hemp strains, "enabling a seed-to-sale positioning among consumers with a reputation for quality," the analyst added. Additionally, Charlotte's Web finds itself at an inflection point, facing the potential opportunity to sell into a much larger market following the passage of the 2018 U.S. Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018Farm Bill for shortwhich delisted hemp as a Schedule 1 controlled substance. To meet current demand from 3,700 brick-and-mortar and online stores, the company today is cultivating more than 300 total acres of hemp in Colorado, Oregon and Kentucky, which will yield about 675,000 pounds' worth. The farm bill legalized the selling of hemp-derived CBD products at multiple levels. They include the government, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture; financial (i.e.,) banking, taxes, insurance and U.S. exchanges; hemp operations, meaning Canadian limited partnerships can legally operate in the United States; and consumer, think medical studies that create awareness. Also positive for Charlotte's Web is the public's increasing acceptance of CBD products, Fortune highlighted, particularly as a treatment for anxiety, stress, insomnia and pain. "We believe informed consumers and large retailers will seek high-quality, full-spectrum products in various delivery formats." Revenues from this seed-to-sale business are projected to be high and increase over time, Fortune pointed out, going from $70.5 million in full-year 2018 to $167.8 million in 2019 to $312.2 million in 2020. EBITDA is forecast to come in at $22.4 million, $52 million and $99.3, respectively. Finally, Charlotte's Web is an ideal takeout target for, say, a large Canadian limited partnership or a consumer packaged goods company, Fortune noted. He concluded with this, "We believe the potential large CBD market opportunity is experiencing rapid growth as regulatory illegalities are removed and consumer acceptance of hemp-derived CBD expands. Thus, we think Charlotte's Web offers an attractive Buy." [NLINSERT] Disclosure: 1) Doresa Banning compiled this article for Streetwise Reports LLC and provides services to Streetwise Reports as an independent contractor. She or members of her household own securities of the following companies mentioned in the article: None. She or members of her household are paid by the following companies mentioned in this article: None. 2) The following companies mentioned in this article are billboard sponsors of Streetwise Reports: None. Click here for important disclosures about sponsor fees. 3) Comments and opinions expressed are those of the specific experts and not of Streetwise Reports or its officers. The information provided above is for informational purposes only and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security. 4) The article does not constitute investment advice. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her individual financial professional and any action a reader takes as a result of information presented here is his or her own responsibility. By opening this page, each reader accepts and agrees to Streetwise Reports' terms of use and full legal disclaimer. This article is not a solicitation for investment. Streetwise Reports does not render general or specific investment advice and the information on Streetwise Reports should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Streetwise Reports does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services or securities of any company mentioned on Streetwise Reports. 5) From time to time, Streetwise Reports LLC and its directors, officers, employees or members of their families, as well as persons interviewed for articles and interviews on the site, may have a long or short position in securities mentioned. Directors, officers, employees or members of their immediate families are prohibited from making purchases and/or sales of those securities in the open market or otherwise from the time of the interview or the decision to write an article until three business days after the publication of the interview or article. The foregoing prohibition does not apply to articles that in substance only restate previously published company releases. Disclosures from ROTH Capital Partners, Charlotte's Web Holdings Inc, Company Note, March 7, 2019 Regulation Analyst Certification ("Reg AC"): The research analyst primarily responsible for the content of this report certifies the following under Reg AC: I hereby certify that all views expressed in this report accurately reflect my personal views about the subject company or companies and its or their securities. I also certify that no part of my compensation was, is or will be, directly or indirectly, related to the specific recommendations or views expressed in this report. Shares of CannTrust Holdings Inc. may not be eligible for sale in one or more states. Within the last twelve months, ROTH has received compensation for investment banking services from HEXO Corp. and Tilray, Inc. ROTH makes a market in shares of HEXO Corp. and Tilray, Inc. and as such, buys and sells from customers on a principal basis. Within the last twelve months, ROTH has managed or co-managed a public offering for HEXO Corp. and Tilray, Inc. ROTH Capital Partners, LLC expects to receive or intends to seek compensation for investment banking or other business relationships with the covered companies mentioned in this report in the next three months. The launching ceremony (Source: VNA) After the success of translating and publishing the book Uncle Hos Testament by Vu Ky in Bengali in 2017, the Vietnamese Embassy in Bangladesh continued coordinating with Nawab Salimullah Institute to translate this book to meet the increasing demand of Bengali readers to gain a better understanding of life, career and ideology of President Ho Chi Minh. Journalist, translator Abdul Mozid said the strong impetus for him to translate this book into Bengali was to create opportunities for many Bengali people from all walks of life to easily access the book on the President. Speaking at the launching ceremony, Vietnamese Ambassador to Bangladesh Tran Van Khoa said that projects to translate books about President Ho Chi Minh into Bengali have helped enhance the friendly relationship between the two countries. On the occasion, the Vietnamese diplomat handed a certificate of merit from Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh to Muhammad Abdul Jabbar, Director of Nawab Salimullah Institute, for his contributions to strengthening the solidarity and friendship between Vietnam and Bangladesh./. (TNS) West Virginias Internet infrastructure is expanding through a collaboration with Facebook, according to an announcement made by Gov. Jim Justice at a Monday press conference.Facebook, through its subsidiary Middle Mile Infrastructure, is planning to build a high capacity fiber optic cable network crossing a portion of West Virginia as part of the companys ongoing larger network infrastructure build stretching from Virginia to Ohio, a press release from Justices office stated.The state plans to maximize the benefit of this advanced Internet infrastructure by using excess bandwidth on the fiber to expand connectivity into West Virginia communities. The governor said his administration is committed to working with West Virginias congressional delegation and private partners to improve broadband connectivity in West Virginia. This project provides the foundation necessary for additional broadband infrastructure expansion.Broadband development is absolutely critical to moving West Virginia forward, Gov. Justice said. An investment of this magnitude in our state is really big news and will help us continue to show the world how great West Virginia truly is.U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, long a supporter of broadband development through her Capito Connect Plan, joined Gov. Justice to announce the development.Making sure West Virginia has reliable, high-speed Internet has been a priority of mine since I was first elected to Congress, Sen. Capito said. Todays announcement with Facebook is an important step toward ensuring our state has the critical infrastructure to support broadband deployment, and I know it will help so many in our state, especially the rural communities that are unserved, she said in the press release.Im excited for what a fully connected West Virginia can offer the rest of the country, as well as what it can do for the future of our state. Todays announcement brings us another step closer to achieving that goal.The route will travel approximately 275 miles through West Virginia, starting at the western border, through the Kanawha Valley, then turn northwest to bring the fiber through the Appalachia region adding an important piece of fiber infrastructure to the Appalachia region.Work is slated to begin in 2019 and is expected to take about 18 to 24 months to complete.Access to broadband Internet drives economic growth and opportunity, but there are still too many unserved communities, including here in West Virginia. We see the need for long haul fiber as an opportunity to provide critical infrastructure where it did not previously exist. To that end, weve designed our project to attract potential local and regional providers to expand broadband Internet access for the communities surrounding our builds, said Kevin Salvadori, Director of Network Investments, Facebook.The project will provide the opportunity to significantly enhance Internet connectivity in West Virginia, building upon the states proximity between major Internet exchanges and establishing the state as a preferred route for fiber backbone construction. With access to this Internet infrastructure, broadband providers can expand middle-mile networks into communities along the route.We are very excited to expand West Virginias Internet infrastructure through this partnership with Facebook, Commerce Secretary Ed Gaunch said. I supported Governor Justices Roads to Prosperity initiative because good roads are crucial to our states economic success and in todays economy, Internet infrastructure is every bit as important. University of Waikato students are invited to a free breakfast on Tuesday, March 12 on the Tauranga waterfront from 7.30am-9am. Downtown Tauranga and Priority One are partnering to host the event, with breakfast burritos, coffee, smoothies and juice to be provided. An organiser says not only students are welcome at the breakfast. We invite all those working in the city centre and elsewhere to come along and join the fun. The Breeze and More FM will be broadcasting from the event, the Cave virtual reality experience will be onsite and DropIt will be providing activities and giveaways. To register, click here before Friday, March 8 the password is hello! Fred Brittain, a longtime IT leader for the University of Maine system, will become CIO for the entire state starting next month.Brittain will take over the position on April 1, said David Heidrich, director of communications at the states Department of Administrative and Financial Services.He replaces acting CIO and Deputy Commissioner Dick Thompson, a former CIO for the state as well as the University of Maine system. The state has been without a permanent CIO since Jim Smith stepped down from the role in September in the face of a transition to a new governor Brittain, who has served as the associate CIO for the university system for the past four years, previously served as the executive director of IT services at the schools Farmington campus for nearly two decades. Brittain also spent a year serving as the campus chief operating officer. His LinkedIn profile describes him as having lead "large projects, organizational design and direction, and ensuring well-managed and close relationships exist with the campuses at all levels," as well as working to "(bridge) technology with strategic direction making IT more than a utility but a partner." An area of low pressure is currently crossing the North Island with the centre around Auckland bringing in a few extra showers and isolated heavier downpours to our largest city. This small area of wet weather is slowly crossing Auckland this morning and showers will break up this afternoon as they move into parts of Bay of Plenty as the centre of the system tracks eastwards. It's not an overly large area of wet weather, with a few showers clipping southern Northland and northern Waikato too. Meanwhile further south it's showery in Wellington and around Marlborough, also caught up spinning around this low near Auckland. Lower pressure covers all of the North Island today and it makes the weather more unstable and less predictable - with showers bubbling up especially in northern areas. The low is only weak and isn't likely to cause many issues though. On Sunday the wet weather shifts to eastern parts of the North Island from Gisborne to Wairarapa/Wellington and maybe even down into Marlborough and Canterbury with lighter drizzly areas. A weak southerly change on Sunday will make for pockets of cooler weather as autumn arrives. Eastern parts of the country will be cooler Sunday with daytime highs below normal for some, especially parts of Canterbury and coastal Otago where day time highs may be a few to several degrees below normal. On top of the cooler air flow it will be cloudier with showers, especially the further north you go up the eastern coast. However many areas won't be below or above normal temperature-wise, they will be about where they should be for the second week of March. Warmest places look to be the West Coast and upper inland North Island on Sunday, while Sunday night the upper North Island will be a little cooler than usual. Eastern areas of the South Island not only have a cooler than normal day Sunday, but also Sunday night is below normal. In true autumnal style places like Canterbury are bouncing around temperature-wise with a cooler day Sunday but low to mid 20s by Tuesday, mid to late 20s by Wednesday and back to the teens on Thursday. We can expect more and more temperature fluctuations in the weeks ahead as we continue to see autumn arriving. (Supplied: Weatherwatch) Bay of Plenty My Client in the Bay of Plenty has a fantastic role as a MPI Compliance Officer.This is not an Office role so you will need... View or Apply on GoodWork.co.nz Mark Townsend was on the second-to-last day of his motorcycle trip down the South Island when his rare 1000s Moto Guzzi was stolen. I got off the Cook Strait Ferry at 10.30pm at night on February 15, and had booked a room at the CQ Hotel in Cuba St, says Mark. When I got there, I had nowhere to park. The guy told me to park outside the door and said dont worry, well keep an eye on the bike for you'. Mark went out for a few drinks, and on returning to the hotel at 1.30am found his motorcycle still parked where hed left it. I got up about 7am, came out, and it was gone, says Mark. The hotel said they only had CTV at one door, but not where the bike was parked. I should have ridden it into their lobby overnight and locked it in, as they lock up at night. Although a New Zealander, Mark lives in Australia. He keeps the Guzzi and his other motorcycles in NZ, ready to ride when he comes across to visit. Hed met up with friends from NZ and Australia for a three-and-a-half week stay, spending time travelling through the South Island. Wed gone to the Bert Munro Festival, and I was heading back up north to Te Aroha the next day. I only had a couple of nights left before going back to Australia. On discovering the motorcycle had been stolen, he immediately phoned Police. They didnt come around but did a report over the phone, says Mark. Friends on social media started spreading the message and keeping an eye out for his motorcycle. Mark had to return home to Australia, but is planning to return on March 19 to renew the search. Ill put posters on power poles, take them to motorcycle shops, call in to Police stations, says Mark. Although the 1000s Moto Guzzi is 1994 registered, its actually a 1991 model. Registration number is 96UFF and the bike has a distinctive red diagonal downwards stripe across the tank and below the seat. They only made about 400-500 of them worldwide, says Mark. And theres only about six or seven in New Zealand. "Another old Suzuki was parked near my bike but that was still there in the morning. CQ Hotels Wellington have been contacted by phone and asked about CTV footage. We will follow up with this incident, and see if we have any camera installed. If anythings found well contact you, a hotel staff member told Sun Media by phone today. Police received a report of a stolen motorcycle on Saturday 16 February, report Police. The motorcycle was stolen from Cuba Street in Wellington sometime between 1am and 7.30am on 16 February. Unfortunately so far there haven't been any leads and the motorcycle has not been located. Anyone with information should contact local Police or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. WASHINGTON (AP) The pace of hiring in the United States fell last month to its lowest point in nearly a year and a half, a surprise drop likely reflecting harsh weather and other temporary factors that led most economists to see the slowdown as a temporary blip. Employers added just 20,000 jobs, down from a blockbuster 311,000 in January. Even with February's anemic gain, job growth over the past three months has averaged a solid 186,000, enough to lower the unemployment rate over time. And average hourly pay surged 3.4 percent from a year earlier the sharpest year-over-year increase in a decade. The unemployment rate also dropped to 3.8 percent, near the lowest level in five decades, from 4 percent in January. All told, Friday's monthly employment report from the government pointed to a still-sturdy job market and economy. "The U.S. labor market is still in good shape," said Gus Faucher, chief economist at PNC Financial. "Slower job growth was expected after huge average gains of better than 250,000 over the preceding four months. Job growth should bounce back in March and through the rest of this year." Last month's pullback in hiring does follow signs that U.S. economic growth is probably slowing because of a weaker global economy, a trade war between the United States and China and signs of caution among American consumers. Those factors have led many analysts to forecast anemic growth in the first three months of this year. But most economists still cautioned against reading too much into February's sluggish pace of hiring. The monthly employment data can be volatile. During the nearly decade-long recovery from the Great Recession, job growth has sometimes plunged in a single month to 15,000 in May 2016, for example, and to 18,000 in September 2017 only to rebound to healthy levels in the months that followed. And February's increase in average pay suggests that businesses are stepping up their efforts to attract and keep workers. The year-over-year increase of 3.4 percent in February is up from a corresponding figure of just 2.6 percent a year ago. Julia Pollak, a labor economist at jobs marketplace ZipRecruiter, said many companies are becoming increasingly hungry for workers. The number of job ads on its site that offer to pay for training, she said, jumped 42 percent last year from 2017. And positions that offer flexible hours soared 110 percent a trend that could draw more women with family responsibilities off the sidelines and into work. "Employers are finding all these ways to sweeten the deal and invest in their employees," Pollak said. Carole Witkowski, vice president of human resources at Batteries and Bulbs, said her 700-store retail chain has raised starting hourly pay for workers at its distribution center from $11 to $12, with additional raises for those working evening and overnight shifts. The company has taken other steps, she said: Jobs at the distribution center, located outside Milwaukee, don't require high school diplomas and have been plagued by high turnover. Many workers can find jobs elsewhere. Others haven't worked much before and aren't always used to showing up on time regularly. So about 18 months ago, the company started paying $250 each quarter to workers who arrive on time every day. And in the suburbs outside Chicago, when the company received no applications in response to retail job postings last winter, it offered a $500 signing bonus. That shook loose some applicants. "We got a little aggressive there," Witkowski said. Nationally, though, the sluggish hiring and job cuts in February were widespread across industries. Construction cut 31,000 jobs, the most in more than five years, likely because of cold weather. Manufacturing added just 4,000, the fewest in a year and a half, a sign that Trump's trade war has raised costs and lowered exports for many factories. Retailers cut 6,100 positions, while jobs in a category that mostly includes restaurants and hotels were unchanged . The unemployment rate fell despite the tepid pace of hiring. The government uses one survey of households to calculate unemployment and a separate survey of businesses to count job growth, and sometimes the results of the two surveys diverge for a single month. The jobless rate for African-Americans, which hit a record low of 5.9 percent in May and has frequently been celebrated by President Donald Trump, rose for a third straight month in February to 7 percent, its highest point in more than a year. The rate for Hispanic and Latino Americans, though, dropped to a record low of 4.3 percent. The overall jobless rate fell partly because thousands of federal workers had been temporarily counted as unemployed in January during the partial government shutdown. They returned to work and were counted as unemployed in February. Also on a positive note, the proportion of part-time workers who'd prefer full-time jobs fell sharply. That measure had risen in January during the shutdown as some furloughed government workers took part-time jobs temporarily. But in February, a gauge of what is called underemployment, which includes part-timers who want full-time work and discouraged people no longer looking for jobs, reached 7.3 percent, the lowest level since 2001. There are signs that the economy is slowing: Consumer confidence fell sharply in January, held back by the shutdown and by a steep fall in stock prices in December. And Americans spent less over the winter holidays, with consumer spending plunging in December by the most in five years. "We are seeing a fading of the effects of the Trump tax cut and increased government spending," which helped accelerate growth last year, said Sung Won Sohn, chief economist at SS Economics. Analysts generally foresee growth slowing sharply in the first three months of this year to just a 1 percent annual rate, down from a 2.6 percent rate in the October-December quarter. Still, most expect a rebound in the April-June quarter, and there are already signs of one: Consumer confidence rose in February along with the stock market. And more Americans signed contracts to buy homes in January, propelled by lower mortgage rates. Syracuse, NY -- An Onondaga County Court judge today threw out the indictment against a Lakeland man accused of murdering an acquaintance and stuffing his body in the victims own car trunk. Jacob Stanton, 25, was supposed to stand trial this week in the Nov. 21, 2017 stabbing and beating death of Jacob Giarrusso, 25. But a last-minute discovery by defense lawyer Ed Klein convinced the judge that there was a problem with the grand jury instructions leading to Stantons murder indictment. Klein said the discovery came after prosecutor Robert Moran provided full disclosure of evidence prior to trial. Stanton will likely be indicted again after the problem is corrected, Klein told Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard. Stanton will then stand trial for murder at a later date, Klein predicted. But the dismissal offers a glimpse into the facts surrounding an unusual murder. Giarrusso disappeared from his grandmothers Liverpool residence Nov. 18. After the grandmother called police, an officer described what he saw upon arrival: There was chili thrown across the living room floor." The grandmother wanted to hold off on reporting Giarrusso missing until the next day. When the officer returned a day later, the chili was cleaned up but there was blood on the floor. Prosecutor Robert Moran believes that Stanton, who admitted he was with Giarrusso around the time of his disappearance, killed his acquaintance and stuffed him in the trunk, leaving him in the parking lot of a Morgan Road apartment complex. But witnesses testifying on Stantons behalf, including his mother and girlfriend at the time, told the grand jury that they believed Giarrusso had dropped Stanton off at Stantons home that night. Stanton is believed to have remained at home the rest of the night, Klein said. Doran ruled that such testimony -- whether credible or not -- formed the basis for an alibi. Under the alibi, Giarrusso was still alive when he dropped Stanton off and Stanton remained at home the rest of the night in question. Thats obviously not what prosecutors believe happened. But Doran ruled that such testimony warranted instructions to the grand jury that they could consider the alibi defense in deciding whether or not to indict Stanton. In the present case, the Court finds that the complete and exculpatory defense of alibi was raised before the grand jury... Doran wrote. The Court further finds that based on such evidence, the People were required to provide legal instruction to the grand jury as to such defense, or at the very least, should have advised the grand jury that a defendant does not have the burden of proving the truth of his alibi... The judge kept Stanton locked up and granted prosecutors a chance to present the case to another grand jury for an indictment. Klein said he expects Stanton will be indicted again and his alibi will be addressed at trial. Stanton remains charged with murder. He faces up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted. Children's author Crystal Walters, who confesses to having an obsession with fairy tales, has crafted a story about a young girl who dreams of what it would be like to live in one of the fairy tales she loves so dearly. The most remarkable thing about the book is how Walters chose to illustrate it. Each page comes alive in a series of wonderfully-crafted cakes. Fantasticedible characters swim in the sea, sail on a pirate ship, hang out on the moon with the sandman, and enjoy many other fairy tale adventures. Walters painstakingly created nearly eighty sugar sculptures, each one acting out a part of the story. Then every scene was meticulously photographed and laid into a beautifully illustrated background. The result is a charmingbook with remarkabledetail on every page. Every character is unique. The cascading braid of a princess's long blonde hair drapes over the main character's little dog, while a mermaid relaxes in a waterfall of frosting. A friendly dragon sits on a chocolate boulder with a slice cut out of it and sitting on a plate with a fork - just to remind us that it really is all made of cake. "When I finished writing the story," said Walters, "I was thinking about how the book should be illustrated. I knew exactly how I wanted each page to look, from the chocolate colored tree stump where the fairies lived, to the cotton candy clouds where the unicorns played. I complained to my mother that while I can sculpt sugar paste and carve out cake, I couldn't very well make a children's picture book out of cake. She said, 'Why can't you?' and the rest is history." Asked if she ate all her artwork after the photography was done, Walters smiled and said, "Well, of course. Wouldn't you?" About Crystal Walters: Raised on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, children's author and illustrator Crystal Walters attended the University of San Diego where she graduated summa cum laude with a degree in English. A self-taught baker, she loves bringing stories to life through cake. Ms. Walters splits her time between California and Hawaii. When she's not writing or baking, you can find her hoarding books, watching classic movies, and swimming in the ocean, where she has a funny habit of turning into a mermaid. Walters is currently working on three additional works of children's literature. I Wish I Were a Fairy Tale, (ISBN 978-1-54394-632-1) Hardcover $21.99, 32 pages.Available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble as well as: iBook for $1.99. View the book trailer here: http://bit.ly/FairyTaleTrailer Tags : crystal walters crystal walters new book crystal walters i wish i were a fairy tale ALBANY, NY -- It was big night for breweries in a small New York county. Two Cayuga County breweries were among the most honored Friday at the third annual New York State Craft Beer Competition. Prison City Pub & Brewery in downtown Auburn took home the Governors Craft Beer Cup for the top beer in the statewide competition, held last month in Rochester. The winning beer was Prison Citys Wham Whams, a sweet Imperial Stout made with toasted coconut and both Madagascar and Tahitian vanilla beans. It also won the gold medal in the experimental beer category. In all, Prison City took home three medals. That was matched by Lunkenheimer Craft Brewing of Weedsport, just north of Auburn, and by Threes Brewing of Brooklyn for the largest haul by a single brewery. That gave the relatively small Cayuga County six of the 74 total medals awarded in the statewide contest. The award for New York states best brewery went to The Brewery at the CIA, the teaching brewhouse at the Culinary Institute of American in Hyde Park. That award is based on the highest cumulative score among all beer judged. The competition featured 813 separate beers entered by 160 different New York state breweries. Judging took place in Rochester on Feb. 23. The contest is put on by the New York State Brewers Association, along with the Rochester-based Raise a Glass Foundation and the 1886 Malt House in Fulton. In addition to the gold for Wham Whams, Prison City, at 28 State St in Auburn, won silver in the Pale Ale category for its Illusion of Knowledge pale ale; and bronze in the Wild and Sour Ale for its dry-hopped sour Laser Brain. Owners Derric and Kristen Slocum of Lunkenheimer Craft Brewing of Weedsport. The three medals for Lunkenheimer Craft Brewing, at 8920 N. Seneca St. in Weedsport, were gold in the non-Belgian Strong Ale category for its Barleywine 2018; bronze in the non-sour Fruit and Spice Beer category for its Toasted Coconut Porter, and gold in the category for New York State Beer. The criteria for that category was beer that uses at least 20 percent New York state-grown or produced hops, malt and other ingredients. That category had 353 entries. Heres the full list of 2019 winners: Category 1: Amber and Dark Lagers 35 Entries Gold: Ice Book Bock, Resurgence Brewing Company, Buffalo Silver: Toasted Lager, Blue Point Brewing Company, Patchogue Silver: Fall Black, Big Ditch Brewing Company, Buffalo Bronze: No Bronze Awarded Category 2: Amber/Red Ale (British, American, Irish, Scottish) 28 Entries Gold: Better Red Than Dead, Dublin Corners Farm Brewery, Linwood Silver: Jessicas Red Ale, Red Shed Brewery, Cherry Valley Bronze: Aviator Red, Flying Bison Brewing Company, Buffalo Category 3: American DIPA 32 Entries Gold: Cannon Call, Big Ditch Brewing Company, Buffalo Silver: Hopnami, Greenport Harbor brewing Company, Peconic Bronze: 3XIPA, Southern Tier Brewing Co., Lakewood Bronze: 12 Legs, Spider Bite Beer Co., Holbrook Category 4: American IPA 52 Entries Gold: No Gold Awarded Silver: DUBCO IPA, Destination Unknown Beer Co, Bay Shore Bronze: Sticky Trees, Pressure Drop Brewing, Buffalo Category 5: American IPA Variations 38 Entries Gold: True love in an arranged marriage, Arrowood Farms and Brewery, Accord Silver: Seshquatch, Empire Farm Brewery, Cazenovia Bronze: COASTAL IPA, Destinatination Unknown Beer Co, Bay Shore Category 6: Barrel Aged (non-Sour) 42 Entries Gold: Demons on the Dance Floor, Kings County Brewers Collective (KCBC), Brooklyn Silver: FOUR, Swiftwater Brewing, Rochester Bronze: Bourbon Barrel Aged The Newburgh Conspiracy, Newburgh Brewing Company, Newburgh Category 7: Barrel Aged Sour 14 Entries Gold: Corvid, The Brewers Collective Beer Company, Bay Shore Silver: Superfunk, New York Beer Project, Lockport Bronze: Barrel Aged Grissette with Raspberries, Local 315 Brewing Company, Warners Category 8: Belgian Farmhouse 15 Entries Gold: Freak Tractor 100% Brett Beer, Catskill Brewery, Livingston Manor Silver: F4 3 x Brett Farmhouse, Transmitter Brewing, Long Island City Bronze: Tender Moments, Thin Man Brewery, Buffalo Category 9: Belgian Other (Trappist, Strong, etc.) 17 Entries Gold: Elixir, Crafty Ales and Lagers, Phelps Silver: Good Reef, Blue Point Brewing Company, Patchogue Bronze: Three Philosophers, Brewery Ommegang, Cooperstown Category 10: Brown Ale (American & British) 25 Entries Gold: Class Project Br-Br-Br-Brown, Brewery at the CIA, Hyde Park Silver: Blinding Brown, Kings Court Brewing Company, Poughkeepsie Silver: Messiah Brown Ale, Shmaltz Brewing Company, Clifton Park Bronze: No Bronze Awarded Category 11: Experimental 32 Entries Gold: Wham Whams, Prison City Pub & Brewery, Auburn *Governors Craft Beer Cup Winner Silver: Love is a Soul Sucking Demon Stout, WT Brews, Baldwinsville Bronze: Mimosa Wit, Genesee Brew House, Rochester Category 12: Fruit and Spice Beer sour 38 Entries Gold: Eternal Return: Apricot, Threes Brewing, Brooklyn Silver: Frutetto, Captain Lawrence Brewing Co., Elmsford Bronze: H7 Summer Berry Harvest Ale, H7 Summer Berry Harvest Ale, Long Island City Category 13: Fruit and Spice Beer non-sour 68 Entries Gold: Jalapeno Rye (Rye Whiskey Barrels), Big Alice Brewing Company, Long Island City Silver: Chai Tea Milk Stout,Rusty Nickel Brewing Co., West Seneca Bronze: Toasted Coconut Porter, Lunkenheimer Craft Brewing Co., Weedsport Bronze: Kaceys Kristmas Ale,Rohrbach Brewing Company, Rochester Category 14: Golden/Blonde Ale (American, Kolsch, Cream Ale) 30 Entries Gold: No Gold Awarded Silver: Kold One, Mill House Brewing Company, Poughkeepsie Bronze: Brunettes Revenge, Wolf Hollow Brewing, Schenectady Category 15: Hazy IPA 82 Entries Gold: Logical Conclusion, Threes Brewing, Brooklyn Silver: Ellsworth, Stoneyard Brewing Company, Brockport Bronze: CitMo IPA, Resurgence Brewing Company, Buffalo Category 16: Imperial Stout and Porter 39 Entries Gold: The Majestic Imperial Stout 2018, Three Heads Brewing Inc., Rochester Silver: Boris the Spider, Spider Bite Beer Co., Holbrook Silver: Russian Imperial Stout, WT Brews, Baldwinsville Bronze: No Medal Awarded Category 17: Kettle and Simple Sours 12 Entries Gold: No Gold Awarded Silver: Franc-in-Weizen, Wagner Valley Brewing Company, Lodi Bronze: Pun Intended, Community Beer Works, Buffalo Category 18: Light Lagers 39 Entries Gold: Skills Pils, The Peekskill Brewery, Peekskill Silver: Metric Pils, Industrial Arts Brewing Co., Garnerville Bronze: Utica Club pilsener, Saranac brewery/FX Matt Brewing Co., Utica Category 19: Pale Ale 36 Entries Gold: Whatsis #4, Naked Dove Brewing Company, Canandaigua Silver: Illusion of Knowledge, Prison City Pub & Brewery, Auburn Bronze: All Night IPA, Kings Court Brewing Company, Poughkeepsie Category 20: Porter (Non Imperial) 17 Entries Gold: Davids Porter, Valcour Brewing Company, Plattsburgh Silver: Naked Dove 45 Fathoms Porter, Naked Dove Brewing Company, Canandaigua Bronze: Captain Ellis Porter, Frog Alley Brewing, Schenectady Category 21: Stout (Non Imperial) 27 Entries Gold: Smugtown Stout, Sager Beer Works, Rochester Silver: Ol Gilmartin Milk and Oatmeal Stout, Bridge and Tunnel Brewery, Ridgewood Bronze: So Youre Wild, The Brewery of Broken Dreams, Hammondsport Category 22: Strong Ale (non-Belgian)) 20 Entries Gold: Barleywine 2018, Lunkenheimer Craft Brewing Co., Weedsport Silver: S.O.S. (Scotch on Seneca), WeBe Brewing, Geneva Bronze: Electric Hefeweizen, Mad Jack Brewing Co., Schenectady Category 23: Wheat Beer (American, Wit, Hefe) 21 Entries Gold: Mise en Place Wit Brewery at the CIA, Hyde Park Silver: No Medal Awarded Bronze: Witte, Brewery Ommegang, Cooperstown Category 24: Wild and Sour Ale 16 Entries Gold: No Gold Awarded Silver: Eternal Return: Sauvignon Blanc (2016 Harvest), Threes Brewing, Brooklyn Bronze: Laser Brain, Prison City Pub & Brewery, Auburn Category 24: New York State Beer (At least 20% NYS hops, NYS Malt and other NYS ingredients) 353 Qualified Entries Gold: Lunkenheimer Craft Brewing Co., Weedsport Silver: Valcour Brewing company, Plattsburgh Bronze: Dublin Corners Farm Brewery, Linwood Don Cazentre writes about craft beer, wine, spirits and beverages for NYup.com, syracuse.com and The Post-Standard. Reach him at dcazentre@nyup.com, or follow him at NYup.com, on Twitter or Facebook. Charles Dickens, the beloved author of A Christmas Carol, thought Syracuse was a dump. But even so, somehow, he managed to make a lifelong fan of one young Syracuse boy. I am here, he wrote to a friend in 1868 from his Syracuse hotel room, in a most wonderful out-of-the-world place, which looks as if it had begun to be built yesterday and were going to be imperfectly knocked together with a nail or two the day after tomorrow. Dickens was in Syracuse for a three-day visit, culminating in a reading from two of his most beloved stories, The Pickwick Papers and A Christmas Carol, at Wieting Hall on March 9, 1868. He was nearing the end of his 5-month long American tour and the effects of the travel were taking their toll on the 56-year-old writer. He was sick most of the time, suffered from insomnia and a sore foot, for which he needed a cane. British novelist Charles Dickens in 1868, as he would have looked when he appeared in Syracuse. Courtesy of Wikipedia.Wikipedia He arrived in Syracuse along with an early spring, which turned the citys roads into a mire, only adding to his crankiness. I am in the worst inn that ever was seen, and outside is a thaw that places the whole country under water, Dickens wrote. I have looked out of the window for people and I cant find any people. He did not care for his room at The Syracuse House, his bed, or the food, writing: We had an old buffalo for supper and an old pig for breakfast and we are going to have I-dont-know-what for dinner. He boasted he had tried all the wines in the house and there are only two wines. He arrived in America in December 1867, despite warnings from his family and friends about his failing health, but images of his father being sent to debtors prison as a boy had always stayed with him and he thought he could earn some much-needed extra income by visiting America. He was right. His 1868 American tour earned him $140,000, close to $2.4 million in todays money. Though he enjoyed performing for an audience, by the time he reached Syracuse, making money was his only motivation. In his letter home, he wrote he was pleased that his reading at the Wieting was a sell-out, earning him 300 pounds that night, but he yearned for the 22nd of April, on which day, please God, I embark for home. For all his misery, Dickens found happiness with the hotels 12-year-old bellboy, William Thornby. In fact, Dickens refused nearly every other local visitor but called often for the boy. Thornby never forgot the experience, reciting the story for Syracuse newspapers whenever he returned to town. The relationship begins with an incredible story, a 12-year-old Syracuse boy instructing the great Charles Dickens why he had to turn the gas off in his room before he went to bed. Charles Dickens visited Syracuse in March 1868 as part of an American reading tour. This advertisement appeared in the Syracuse Courier and Union on March 4, 1868. Tickets cost $2 and guests were asked to be in there seats ten minutes before Dickens went on stage at 8 p.m. Heritage MicrofilmHeritage Microfilm There were no heaters or electric lights in the hotel, which was considered then to be the finest in the city, so Thornby had to light the gas for Dickens after bringing him to his room. Mr. Dickens, of course, I know you. I have distinct instructions to tell every guest to turn off the gas when they are going to sleep. You look smart enough; I know youre smart enough to turn off the gas. But a farmer fellow from Pompey Hill came in here a while ago and blew it out when he went to bed. We had a time getting him out in the morning. He never got up himself. The story tickled Dickens. Well, Willie, he said, laughing hard. I guess Im going to get up in the morning, not out. It broke the ice between the two. Thornby said his father, originally from Armagh, Ireland, had read Dickens work and heard him speak in England and would be hearing him again in Syracuse. Dickens said he hoped to meet him. Dickens asked the boy about Syracuse and was especially interested in the salt springs. Thorny said the writer should visit them, but Dickens did not want to go out in the cold, wet weather. The next day, Sunday, March 8, Dickens stayed in his room, writing and reading, great stacks of papers and books all around him. He asked for Thornby to come up and Dickens asked the boy if he wanted Dickens to read to him from The Pickwick Papers. I said I liked Little Nell (from Dickens novel The Old Curiosity Shop). My father used to read it to me, Thornby remembered. Well, said the writer, Maybe Little Nell is buried somewhere in this bunch, and well find her and read. He was the kindest and most fatherly man I ever met. He told me about his own boys and girls over in England, Thornby said years later of the encounter. Thornby said he was given the honor of carrying Dickens manuscripts from the hotel to the Wieting the next day and could sit in the wing of the theater during the performance. Tickled? Of course, I was, Thornby remembered. Tickets were worth $2 that night, a very high price in those days. It was the biggest event in the history of Syracuse up to that date, Thornby said, and he might have been right. Every seat was filled, and chairs and stools were brought in until the standing-only section was filled with people. Marley was dead to begin withThere is no doubt whatever about that, Dickens began the evening with, reading from A Christmas Carol. The Wieting Black in downtown Syracuse as it appeared in 1870. Photo courtesy of the Onondaga Historical Association.SYR Thornby thought Dickens performance was great and the Daily Standard agreed, giving Dickens one of the most positive reviews any performer may have ever received by a Syracuse newspaper: He seems in love with his own genius, and we dont blame him. He is gone, but we shall all remember him. Can we say more? Need we say more? After the performance, Thornby accompanied Dickens back to his hotel room. He was paid $2 for all his efforts. The tip was more money than I ever had at one time in my life before, Thornby said, and joked in 1911 it was his first big money. Thornbys family later moved to Troy. In 1876, his love of adventure took him to the Black Hills during the Gold Rush there. He once walked 300 miles from Cheyenne, Wyoming, to Deadwood, South Dakota, worked in circulation for the Pioneer Press in Deadwood, survived a 5-foot deep blizzard that killed all of his companions while delivering newspapers, learned the mining business before becoming a state senator. He was given the rank of colonel while serving on the staff of South Dakotas governor. And yet meeting Charles Dickens in Syracuse was his favorite memory. He died in 1919 at the age of 63. In brief: Chip-maker Qualcomm has alleged that Apple has violated three Qualcomm patents and is seeking $31 million in damages, roughly $1.40 per patent-infringing iPhone sold. Apple and Qualcomm are back in court in the latest of a series of battles over patent infringement. Before Apple switched to Intel as their modem supplier, Qualcomm chips were used in many earlier generation iPhones. Qualcomm alleges that after the two parted ways, Apple provided Intel with Qualcomms proprietary source code to enable Intels modems to catch up with the capabilities of Qualcomms chips. But the allegations dont end there. The infringement accusations pertain to three patents: one allows rapid network connection when turning a phone on, another aids in graphics processing and battery conservation, and a final one improves data downloads by efficiently redirecting traffic between the modem and an apps processor. Collectively, Qualcomm estimates the value of the three patents at $1.40 per iPhone. According to Patrick Kennedy, an economist and expert witness called on by Qualcomm in this latest trial, that $1.40 figure equates to $31 million in damages given how many allegedly infringing iPhones have been sold. Given the size and value of Apple, $31 million doesnt seem like a particularly large amount of money. Apple famously became a $1 trillion company for a time in 2018, so paying the damages wouldnt hurt Apple. But what might hurt more is any admission of guilt that might be used to limit further sales of iPhones. We reported last year that through similar lawsuits, Qualcomm managed to secure sales bans in China and Germany for some iPhone models, based on other patent infringements. Apple no doubt wants to avoid any similar outcomes reoccurring. Why it matters: Nvidia is signaling the end of its Kepler architecture that debuted in 2012 with the GTX 600-series parts. Driver development and support will end for the Kepler mobile parts beginning April 2019, but Nvidia will deliver critical security updates through April 2020. For now, Kepler's desktop parts will continue to receive full support, marking the first time Nvidia has demarcated an architecture retirement. Presumably, dropping game ready support for the aging cards means Nvidia can focus on newer hardware. It appears the sun is setting on Nvidia's Kepler architecture, set to begin in April 2019 with the Kepler-based mobile GPUs. First debuting in 2012, the Kepler architecture powered Nvidia's GTX 600-series of desktop graphics cards, and notebook GPUs ranging from the 600M series, all the way up to the 900M series. Nvidia recently updated a knowledge base article detailing support plans for mobile Kepler GPUs, and that it would continue to deliver game ready driver updates, including performance enhancements, new features, and bug fixes to only Maxwell, Pascal, and Turing-based notebook GPUs. Effective April 2019, mobile Kepler GPUs will only receive critical security updates, marking the beginning of Kepler's trot into legacy status. The critical security updates will see the mobile Kepler parts through April of 2020. After that, we can assume Nvidia will officially abandon the products. For the time being, desktop parts based on Kepler remain unaffected; however, Nvidia hasn't stated for how long. This is the first time Nvidia has staggered the retirement of an architecture, whereas previously it preferred to close the doors on driver development and support for an architecture all at once. Kepler has powered a slew of mobile GPUs, as they weren't limited to the 600M series; this list details all of the notebook parts based on the Kepler architecture. As an aside, Nvidia will also move 3D Vision products into legacy status beginning April 2019. They too, will receive a year of critical update support, ending in April 2020. According to Nvidia, "Those looking to utilize 3D Vision can remain on a Release 418 driver," and "software that enables the use of 3D gaming with 3D TVs, 3DTV Play, is now included for free in Release 418. It is no longer available as a standalone download. Our 3D Vision Video Player will continue to be offered as a standalone download, for free, until the end of 2019." Qualcomm has filed a $31 million lawsuit against Apple for allegedly violating the chipmaker's intellectual property (IP). The company said Apple had used three of its technology patents on some versions of the iPhone without permission from the chipmaker. Qualcomm is seeking damages of $1.40 for every infringed device. One of the patents Apple supposedly used allows mobile devices to connect to the internet quickly once they are turned on, while another deals with how processors and modems handle app downloading. The third patent manages a device's battery life and graphics processing. U.S. District Judge Dana Sabraw of San Diego has opened an eight-day trial to determine whether Apple did indeed infringed on Qualcomm's IP. The $31 million claim was based on calculations provided by economist Patrick Kennedy, who was brought in by Qualcomm as an expert witness. Kennedy said the amount factors in every iPhone sold between July 2017 and last fall that contained Intel chips. Apple has used Qualcomm components for most of its earlier iPhones. However, the company began using Intel modems for some of its iPhone 7 and 7 Plus models in 2016. Apple has since switched over to Intel chips for all of its latest smartphones. During cross-examination, Apple's defense counsel challenged Kennedy's estimations. The company's lawyer Joe Mueller argued that the figures, which were based on a technical analysis conducted by another Qualcomm witness, were exaggerating the value of the patents in question. Qualcomm vs Apple Qualcomm's patent case against Apple is part of a two-year legal spat between two of the world's biggest tech companies. In 2017, Apple filed an antitrust lawsuit against Qualcomm for engaging in illegal patent practices to keep its dominant position in the market. The company was supported by Intel and the Federal Trade Commission in its claim. In January, Apple COO Jeff Williams testified in court accusing Qualcomm of overcharging the iPhone maker for every patent used. He said Apple had to pay $7.50 per iPhone, which should only have been a fifth of the amount. "We have been unable to get them to support us on new design wins past that time [when Apple filed a lawsuit against Qualcomm]," Williams claimed. "This has been a challenge." Qualcomm responded by suing Apple for infringing on its intellectual property. Earlier this week, Apple thought it had lost a key witness in the patent case. Former engineer Arjuno Siva was supposed to appear in court on Thursday but failed to board his flight to San Diego. Apple's attorneys accused Qualcomm of tampering with their witness. Apple later announced that Siva has retained a new lawyer and is scheduled to testify on Monday, March. 11. Siva is important to Apple's defense since he was the co-creator of one of the patents Qualcomm is contesting. However, the chipmaker did not give Siva credit when it registered the patent and even downplayed the engineer's contributions. Qualcomm and Apple's legal drama is set to reach its climax when the tech companies meet again in April, when the antitrust lawsuit against the chipmaker heads to trial. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. My bank used to take care of my money; now they serve me coffee Newly obtained DNA results that link alleged Baton Rouge serial killer Kenneth Gleason to a nonfatal 2017 shooting prompted a judge Friday to postpone Gleason's first-degree murder trial that was set to begin Monday. Gleason's attorney asked for the delay. Gleason, 24, now will be tried Oct. 21 in the Sept. 14, 2017, shooting death of 49-year-old Donald Smart, the second of two black men Gleason is accused of killing. Gleason, who is white, also is charged with second-degree murder in the fatal Sept. 12, 2017, shooting of 59-year-old Bruce Cofield. Also, Gleason is charged with two counts of attempted second-degree murder stemming from a Sept. 11, 2017, incident in which he allegedly fired three shots into the home of the only black family on the block where he lived with his parents on Sandy Ridge Drive. Two men were inside but not injured. State District Judge Beau Higginbotham, who is presiding over Gleason's charges, ruled in January that East Baton Rouge Parish prosecutors could use evidence of the Sandy Ridge shooting at Gleason's first-degree murder trial in the killing of Smart. +4 For alleged serial killer Kenneth Gleason, judge says 'integral acts' can be used as evidence Nine hours after three shots were fired into a black family's Sandy Ridge Drive home just after midnight on Sept. 11, 2017, a worker at a Cour Prior to this week, Gleason was linked to Cofield's killing through DNA evidence, and to both fatal shootings and the nonfatal shooting through ballistics evidence. But on Friday, prosecutor Dana Cummings revealed during a court hearing that Gleason is now also linked to the Sandy Ridge shooting through DNA evidence. She obtained those DNA results Wednesday. Gleason's attorney, Chris Alexander, filed a motion Friday to continue the trial scheduled for Monday, arguing he hasn't had a chance to test the new DNA results or challenge them. "I have one opportunity to defend Mr. Gleason before a jury. That's it," Alexander told the judge. "I'm dealing with a young man's life." 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 Prosecutors decided not to seek the death penalty after consulting with Smart's family, meaning Gleason would be sentenced to life in prison if convicted of first-degree murder in the slaying. +4 Kenneth Gleason won't face death penalty in September slayings in Baton Rouge A prosecutor announced Wednesday she wont pursue the death penalty against a 24-year-old Baton Rouge man accused in the apparently random kil Cummings offered to withdraw the Sandy Ridge evidence from the trial that was slated for Monday, but Alexander argued the fatal and nonfatal shootings are too intertwined to do that at this point in the case. The prosecutor pledged to use the Sandy Ridge evidence at the October trial, saying the new DNA results turned "good evidence" into "very good" evidence. "My case is even better next time around," she said. Louisiana law allows for a first-degree murder charge when there are multiple killings, so East Baton Rouge Parish prosecutors will introduce evidence of Cofield's slaying at Gleason's trial in Smart's death. +10 How Baton Rouge officials made arrest in 'cold, calculated' slayings of 2 black men Armed with DNA evidence taken from shell casings left behind when a 59-year-old black man was gunned down last week, Baton Rouge police Tuesda Authorities have said the three nighttime shootings in which Gleason is charged were apparently random and possibly racially motivated. Cofield was shot as he sat at a bus stop on Florida Street near South Acadian Thruway. Thirteen shell casings were recovered from the scene, and 10 bullets were removed from his body, Saundra Watts, a Baton Rouge police detective, testified previously in the case. +2 Homicide victim Bruce Cofield recalled as well-dressed man with a song in his heart Employees and clients at a Baton Rouge drop-in center for the homeless remember 59-year-old Bruce Cofield as a private, well-dressed man who w Smart, who was killed while walking to his overnight shift at Louie's Cafe, was shot at the Alaska Street BREC park on the back side of the LSU campus. Ten shell casings were found at the scene, and four bullets were recovered from his body. Gleason allegedly shot both men, then stood over them and fired more bullets, authorities have said. Gov. John Bel Edwards is urging resolution in a dispute that has again triggered a delay in medical marijuana availability in Louisiana. I believe we need to move forward as quickly as possible, but Im not here to cast any blame, Edwards told reporters Saturday. I just want folks to sit down and work it out, and lets get this job done. Quite frankly, its kind of sad to allow people to continue to suffer needlessly if their doctors believe that medical marijuana will help them." LSU claims ag department's accusations over marijuana law-breaking are 'reckless,' 'untrue' LSU is batting back allegations it broke the law when expanding its medical marijuana program, calling Louisiana Agriculture and Forestry Comm Medical marijuana has not hit state-approved pharmacies, after months of delays as the Louisiana Agriculture and Forestry Department, which is designated to oversee the states two sanctioned marijuana growers, has battled publicly with LSU and GB Sciences over regulations. In the latest dust up, LSU and Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain have been locked in a disagreement over allegations that the university broke the law when it expanded its growing operation. The Agriculture Department says LSU never signed the required memorandum of understanding, while LSU argues that it had prior written approval to proceed. The dispute is expected to go before a hearing officer. 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 "The allegations made by Commissioner Strain are simply untrue," LSU Vice President for Agriculture Bill Richardson said in a statement Friday. "Commissioner Strain's actions are preventing thousands of patients from receiving the medical relief that they are anxiously awaiting and deserve." Strain, meanwhile, said hes not trying to hinder the production of medical marijuana and the expansion can proceed once the memorandum of understanding is signed. Agriculture department offers to let LSU expand marijuana production as regulatory process plays out Louisiana's state agriculture department on Thursday offered to give LSU permission to expand its medical marijuana-growing operations if its "As of now, LSU-GBSL is not in compliance," he said in a statement. "Again, the LDAF cannot give LSU-GBSL the authority to break the law. However, LSU-GBSL can be in compliance to only move plant material into the requested rooms by signing the MOU which was clearly a requirement as noted in the original letter dated February 28, 2019." The Agriculture Department also has accused GB Sciences of repeatedly failing to provide information needed for a suitability investigation. The company and LSU have countered that the agriculture department hasnt clearly communicated what information it needs. Edwards declined to wade into the central dispute or take sides on the latest disagreement, but he said he believes there is room for resolution. Im not going to blame anybody for the delays, but its my hope, and Ive encouraged everyone at LSU and in the commissioners office to work together to make this product available, the governor said. Its the will of the state of Louisiana, as expressed by the Legislature on more than one occasion. We had a timeline that we thought going forward we would be able to actually have the product available to be prescribed according to the statutory scheme that was set up by the Legislature. I dont think it does anybody any good to let those deadlines pass. In this Jan. 31, 2018, file photo, workers fix a sewer main below the sidewalk in Mid City New Orleans. The Southern tourist destination is grappling with longstanding infrastructure challenges, including potholes, drainage problems and sporadic drinking water issues. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File) ORG XMIT: LAGH205 Cameron LNG's $9 billion export facility for liquified natural gas in Hackberry is among industrial construction projects that have buoyed overall employment the state. The safety of swimmers in Sydney's non-coastal waters is being put at risk by a lack of information and testing, says a leading water expert. The 133 coastal and harbour beaches around Sydney are covered by the government's Beachwatch program, which helpfully predicts which to avoid. An annual State of the Beaches report reveals longer-term trends. But there is almost nowhere to look when considering a dip in the city's waterways such as the Hawkesbury-Nepean River at Penrith, where the mercury is forecast to climb to the mid-30s today. Water wonders: information on water quality in Sydney's rivers is lacking compared with the city's beaches. Credit:James Alcock Dr Ian Wright, who lectures in water science and management at Western Sydney University, says he's often approached by people wanting to know if it's safe to have contact with water in rivers. Self managed super funds took advantage of a pullback of Australian and international share markets in the second half of 2018 to snap up quality stocks at bargain-basement prices. CommSecs SMSF Trading Trends Report, released this week, shows the largest market share of assets for any single fund type in the $2.7 trillion superannuation space used the bearish market as an opportunity to pick up quality, blue-chip shares often seen as expensive. SMSFs began buying major bank shares as analysts predicted the worst of the banking royal commission impact had been priced in to the market. Credit:Karl Hilzinger Among the companies in favour with investors at CommSec, the country's biggest online broking firm, were Cochlear, with trades up by 85 per cent in value, CSL (up 80 per cent) and Macquarie Group (up 31 per cent). The healthcare sector also showed a strong buying bias, lifting from 6.8 per cent to 8.3 per cent of all SMSF trades by value. "When I was little, I had a pillow that said something like: 'I dream of New York.' I went there five years ago to visit and I knew I had to live there. I knew I'd do whatever it took." The 28-year-old has been in the city for four years, but will soon be living between New York and Los Angeles while she establishes the West Coast branch of the marketing agency she works for. "I live in the East Village, the trendy, younger area of Manhattan, on the lower side of town. I work next to Madison Square Park. For those in marketing, this side of Madison Avenue is a real hub." It wasn't the Manhattan skyline or the delicious bagels which drew her there - but something slightly less tangible. "It's hard to explain, but the energy of the city itself is inspiring. The people you meet, just the ones sitting next to you on a park bench, have amazing stories. The city itself just draws in a particular type of person, a particular type of energy. "Canberra will always be home. I have no family in New York. I just love the challenge that New York can provide. The sense of momentum here keeps me moving ... it's like nothing else in the world." After her first trip to New York in 2014, Norton applied for Miami Ad School. She was the first Australian to be accepted into the New York program. The six-month course in strategic marketing was her gateway to getting herself in front of the right people. "It was about who you know, and I didn't know anyone. What I wanted from the program was essentially to walk away with a black book of contacts. "While there, I sent out millions, well not millions, hundreds of emails about connecting with people and getting in front of people. Honestly out of one hundred, maybe two responded. Still, from there I was able to get some conversations going and I was eventually given an opportunity to work with a company." One result of her sea change has been the stark change in routine. "I used to be up at 5am in Canberra. I'd go to the gym, run around the lake, do a weights session. I'd start work at 8am and two to three times a week I'd meet up with people for a coffee before work. Working late in Canberra is deemed, 7.30pm or 8pm. "Life in New York is the opposite. My working day starts at 10am, so people come into the office from that time. No one leaves before 6pm. They say it's the city that never sleeps, and that's because everyone works in the evening. "On weekends, brunch starts at 1pm. In Canberra, it's 9am." Norton, who completed a degree in advertising and marketing at the University of Canberra, still visits Canberra each year. "In Canberra, I had the option to be a big fish in a small pond. But being in my early twenties at that time, I wanted to learn from the best. The access to clients on a global platform is something I couldn't have in Canberra. "Canberra gives you a great sense of community and how to treat people. Just the act of smiling at someone else when you run past them at the lake, that doesn't really happen in New York." "Living and working in New York is a resilience game. You have to be determined and you have to keep going." Shana Jade, 27, photographer 27-year-old Shana Jade is a Canberra photographer forging a career in New York City. Credit:Shana Jade If you're ever frustrated by chiselling frost off your windshield during a Canberra winter, spare a thought for 27-year-old photographer Shana Jade. "In a New York winter, you'll wake up and it'll be minus 15 degrees. And it's like, oh, I have to get out of bed now. You need a good winter jacket, boots and layers and just get on with your day. You can't let the cold stop you." Like many young artists, she's become more resilient and driven as a result of this make-it-or-break-it quality of the city. Despite living in New York for five years now, she never dreamed she'd be there until later in her career. The former Narrabundah College student lives in the hipster enclave of BedfordStuyvesant in Brooklyn with two of her closest New York friends. Like many Americans, she found her apartment on Craigslist. (It's Gumtree, but weirder.) She spends her time working in the city and finds it comforting being able to "cross the bridge" at the end of the day and return to Brooklyn. It's a welcome change in energy, and she prefers to spend her weekends in the borough. So, will she be returning home to Canberra anytime soon? "I have a lot I want to do in my career. The opportunities in New York don't compare to anywhere else. As much as I miss home and my family, I have to focus on my career. I need to ride this wave for as long as I can." Jack Grayson, 27, photographer Fashion photographer Jack Grayson lives between SoHo and the Lower East Side. Credit:Jack Grayson Fashion photographer Jack Grayson might have gone to school in Canberra, but he grew up in an even smaller town: Yass. These days, he lives with his wife Olivia in an apartment between SoHo and the Lower East Side. He's lived in New York for nearly two years, and says it was a "long road" to the Big Apple. "It ends up being $10,000 just to get an apartment. There's the broker's fee, one month's rent, another month's rent, and two month's deposit," said the 27-year-old. Despite this, and a lengthy visa application process, he hopes to be there for another five years. "There's loads more work in New York, compared to Australia. Here you have all the tools to make great work. Not to say that you can't make it in Canberra or Sydney, but in a fashion photography sense there are heaps of models, studios and set designers in New York. All the ingredients to make good photos are here." Despite the image of New York being occasionally cut-throat, with millions of young people vying for their next big break, Grayson believes this factor actually brings people together. Queensland police are at a crime scene in Brisbane's south after a man was fatally stabbed overnight. The wounded Mount Gravatt resident was left at the QEII Jubilee Hospital at Coopers Plain on Troughton Road about 10.30pm on Saturday. A homicide squad and Mount Gravatt detectives at the crime scene where a 42-year-old man was fatally stabbed in Brisbane's southside. Credit:Harry Clarke, Nine News Queensland Police said attempts were made to treat the mans injury but he died just after midnight. Mount Gravatt detectives and a homicide squad were investigating the crime scene at Wishart, according to other media outlets. We were the first marked unit there. I saw Gary on the ground. I walked towards him but a member I didnt know said: Dont go down there, he has already gone. Sergeant Gary Silk. We found Rod on the apron near the Silky Emperor. I held his hand and cradled him, I just hoped he would pull through. Even though Miller was in agony and knew he was dying, he accurately described the suspect vehicle and, according to the first responders, said there were two gunmen. This is supported by communication tapes of police unit Cheltenham 206 broadcasting: "Member shot twice ... He said two offenders, two on foot." What exactly was said and how that became evidence in the trial of Bandali Debs and Jason Roberts is now the subject of a Supreme Court review and an Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) investigation. Key to the re-investigation is the revelation that the initial statement made by one of those responders, Glenn Pullin, was replaced by a later version to be consistent with a prosecution case that there were two shooters. The IBAC probe found a series of statements were incomplete or altered, with the counsel assisting, Jack Rush QC, alleging police failed to carry out their duty fairly and impartially. December 2002: Jason Roberts is led into court during his murder trial. Credit:Joe Armao Debs was sentenced to life while Roberts, 19 at the time of the killings, was sentenced to a minimum of 35 years. Retrospective changes in the law banning the release of convicted police killers means Roberts has been effectively resentenced to life. Roberts now claims he was not there, that Debs acted alone, that he has new alibi evidence and that the altered statements are an abuse of process. The revelation of altered statements is a serious one that demands examination. It has created enormous collateral damage to Silk's and Miller's families and the first response police now forced to relive the events of that night. Pullin was examined in IBAC open hearings about his statement, his recollections and the circumstances in which a second statement was taken. The truth is he is suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and his memory of that night is hopelessly jumbled. Constable Glenn Pullin arrests a man outside the rollerskating rink in Noble Park in 1992. Credit:Joe Armao Well before the IBAC enquiry he told me that after nursing Miller, the next few hours are blank. I just remember sitting in the gutter and looking down to see a pile of cigarette butts at my feet, so I must have been there just smoking. All I can remember is seeing two blokes with shotguns run past. I dont know who they were. Looking back, I went to work that night and a different person came home. Helen Poke is another who resents having to relive the nightmare at the IBAC hearings. Pressed in the witness box on how she felt, she responded with refreshing honesty: What do you reckon I felt like? I felt like crap, like every other copper that was there ... You [IBAC] just want to f--- people over and make them feel like shit and relive all this ... and I go home and I spend the rest of my f---ing week and months reliving this because you just want to keep rehashing all this crap and putting us through it. Speak to your detectives who did the brief ... Im not coming back. Thwaites was not rostered on that night: I was rung at home and asked if I could cover the nightshift because someones mother had died and that member had to go to Queensland. Instead it ruined my life. Both Thwaites and Poke independently say Miller referred to two offenders. He said, Get them c---s, Im f---ed, according to Thwaites. There is no doubt in my mind, I will go to the grave with that. Rod Miller and wife Carmel Arthur. Credit:The Age Pokes notes taken at the time say Miller said: Two offenders, one on foot, six foot tall with a checked shirt. Thwaites is angry the first responders have been hung out to dry. There has been a total lack of welfare checks. No recognition for us, who were there under the worst circumstances. We didnt even get a thankyou. We had to live through the incident, the funerals, the fifth, 10th and 20th anniversaries and now this. I just want to get on with my own life. While IBAC is looking at the police statements, the issue of whether Roberts was the victim of a miscarriage of justice is before the Supreme Court. Roberts first approached then chief commissioner Simon Overland, saying he had information linking Debs to unsolved murders he would share if his case was reopened. Overland gave him a two-word refusal. Years later he approached respected homicide investigator Detective Senior Sergeant Ron Iddles with a similar deal. Iddles spoke to Roberts, who persuaded him he might be innocent. Iddles told Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton of his concerns and was authorised to complete a review. Iddles found no evidence to contradict Roberts claim that he was not with Debs in the Hyundai. I found two or three things that maybe, on the balance of probabilities, [Roberts] wasnt there, he told radio station 3AW. Former senior police officer Ron Iddles. Credit:Mal Fairclough This is why Millers words are so important, because he was the only one who knew. It is clear from the testimony of Poke, Thwaites and Senior Constable Colin Clarke, who passed on Millers description on the Cheltenham 206 radio broadcast, that the dying policeman identified two offenders. Two guns were used to kill the police - which made it likely but not certain that there were two offenders. Roberts says he did not tell police, his lawyers, the committal hearing, his Supreme Court trial or his appeal that he was not there because he was frightened of Debs. The listening devices tell a different story. In the beginning Debs is the master and Roberts the apprentice, but over months there is a subtle shift, with the younger man taking the lead. After the double murder Debs and Roberts stopped committing armed robberies, but on May 4, 2000, it is Roberts who wants a return to action while the older man urges caution. Bandali Debs: surveillance shows power shifted from him to his younger associate Roberts. Credit:Simon Schluter Roberts: Its time for a job, Ben." Debs responds: "What job? Bang. Bang? ... Id love to. But its, its so hot you wouldnt believe. Debs is taped repeatedly indicating he was with a partner when describing the shooting: They [police] dont know what happened. He called him away to talk to him. The jury was told Silk took Roberts away from the car and was shot dead. The prosecution case was that Debs and Roberts drove into the Silky Emperor car park, saw police, drove out and were stopped in Cochranes Road. Debs says: Straight away, soon as we drove into the car park they came behind ... they seen us so they drove behind us and drove down the street to stop us. Then its not good ... As soon as that happened [the shooting] we went. When detectives released information claiming they had a new witness, Debs says: No one was there but us. Roberts agrees, saying: No one was there. Roberts was recorded bragging that I kill D's [detectives]. A police image of the man seen beside the stopped car when Rod Miller and Gary Silk were killed, released within days of the murders and based on descriptions by senior constables Frank Bendeich and Darren Sherren. This cannot possibly be Debs, which means there must have been two men present. Credit:Victoria Police On the night of the stakeout, another unmarked police car cruised past as Silk and Miller walked towards the suspect Hyundai. Senior constables Frank Bendeich and Darren Sherren caught a glimpse of only one offender, standing next to the driver's door. This is pivotal to Roberts' claim that he wasnt there and Debs acted alone. But here is the sticking point. Bendeich and Sherren described someone who bears no resemblance to the heavy-set, middle-aged Debs. As there is no doubt that Debs was there, does this indicate a second offender? And who does the man they describe look like? Ill give you one guess. When students at Thomas Mitchell Primary School sit their NAPLAN tests, many wont have eaten or touched a drop of water since before dawn. About one third of students at the Endeavour Hills state school are Muslims who observe Ramadan, a month-long fast that has coincided with the national literacy and numeracy tests for two years in a row. Principal John Hurley says the clash is disadvantaging Muslim students. There are calls for NAPLAN to be rescheduled to accommodate students observing Ramdan Credit:Jim Rice They struggle to concentrate and their energy levels are low, he explains. Essendon couple Trevor Salvado and Jacinda Bohan failed to return from a bushwalk in Victorias high country on Friday. Credit:ninevms The search for an Essendon couple missing in Victoria's high country has been called off for the night, three days since they were last seen. A police-led search on foot, helicopter and horseback has failed to find Trevor Salvado, 60, and Jacinda Bohan, 58, who haven't been seen since they left to go hiking on Mount Buffalo on Friday morning. The missing couple are described as experienced hikers. Former prime minister Julia Gillard and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, have come together to champion the education of women and the importance of reducing barriers to accessing leadership positions, on an International Women's Day panel hosted by the Queen's Commonwealth Trust at the King's College in London. Ms Gillard was also joined on the panel by singer Annie Lennox, model Adwoa Aboah, Let Us Learn founder Chrisann Jarrett and executive director of the Campaign for Female Education Angeline Murimirwa. "It wasn't until I was really at the apex of my career as prime minister of Australia that I felt the intensity of the gender backlash when a woman steps forward to lead," Ms Gillard said. "So in this period post-politics, what I want to do is make a contribution to seeing other girls and women get on that continuum, that journey that I had the privilege of being on. A man has been charged after setting fire to the same Perth bar twice within a week. The 31-year-old man was charged after an investigation by arson squad detectives into two separate fires at Voyeur Bar in Subiaco. Damage from the fire last year has been described as "significant". Credit:Cameron Myles Voyeur Bar is co-owned by Adultshop boss Malcolm Day and controversial millionaire Zhenya Tsvetnenko, who is currently in Hakea Prison awaiting his next court appearance on fraud charges later this year. The first fire occurred on December 1, when two men broke into the bar and poured accelerant before setting it alight. The Morrison government has backed down on banning right-wing speaker Milo Yiannopoulos from entering Australia, amid a backlash from MPs and conservative media commentators. In a stark change of position from just four days ago, the government is now distancing itself from a Department of Home Affairs letter which outlined a series of reasons why the controversial figure may not pass the character test and should not be allowed into the country. The government has used the character test to ban others entering Australia in recent years, including WikiLeaks whistleblower Chelsea Manning, Gavin McInnes, the leader of the far right Proud Boys group, and notorious English conspiracy theorist David Icke. The letter notes the Migration Act allows the government to refuse a visa application in the event the person would "incite discord in the Australian community or in a segment of that community". Are there no bounds to the Coalition governments cynicism, mismanagement and disregard for fiscal responsibility and human dignity when it comes to refugees and people seeking asylum? Ahead of establishing orderly regional processing, something the government has inexplicably neglected, the key deterrent now for people smugglers is intercepting their boats. Turn-backs are more effective and far less costly than mandatory, unlimited offshore detention, a policy that has shamed the nation, wasted several billion dollars of taxpayers money, and caused deaths. It has also led to the chronic mental and physical ill-health of most of the desperate children, women and men marooned for years on Manus Island and Nauru against international law. Australian Border Force is struggling with budget constraints and relying on the Defence Department to make up the shortfall. This is compromising our military services. Leaked minutes from a top-level meeting at the department reveal Defence was forced to reduce counter-terrorism ocean patrols, cancel a maritime operation with key Pacific neighbours and cancel an air surveillance exercise with Indonesia. Border Forces underfunding is causing on-water deficiencies and poses an increased risk to maritime security, the leaked documents state. The lack of bucks stops, as it were, with the government. Border Force had to curtail ocean patrols to save money on fuel, a shocking false economy initially denied by Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton and Border Force Commissioner Michael Outram. There is a 20 per cent shortage of staff not expected to be resolved within two years. Yet the minority government, which has been forced by Parliament to allow doctors more of a say in determining whether a refugee on either island requires medical evacuation to Australia, readily and recklessly plunged $1.4 billion into reopening Christmas Island, even though it has paltry medical services. The government arrogantly refuses to tell taxpayers how that $1.4 billion was calculated. Washington: Melania Trump came armed with surefire applause lines when she stepped up to address a largely female audience that had gathered to celebrate other women. The first lady showcased the record number of women serving in Congress. She said women's unemployment had hit its lowest level in 65 years. And she highlighted that more than two million women had joined the workforce since November 2016, when her husband was elected president. "This is something to celebrate," she declared at the State Department event, where many of her lines easily could have fit into a campaign stump speech. Melania Trump talks with Amani, 13, of Mombasa, Kenya, in February. Credit:AP But as President Donald Trump shows his eagerness for the coming 2020 re-election battle, less clear is Melania Trump's fervour for joining the effort. She largely avoided the campaign trail in 2016, citing her desire to be home for the couple's young son, Barron, now 12. And spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham predicted that once again, the first lady "is going to want to be home for her son, no matter his age". A thriving marketplace for SSL and TLS certificates--small data files used to facilitate confidential communication between organizations' servers and their clients' computers--exists on a hidden part of the Internet, according to new research by Georgia State University's Evidence-Based Cybersecurity Research Group (EBCS) and the University of Surrey. Networked machines use keys and SSL/TLS certificates to identify and authenticate themselves when connecting to each other, much like humans employ user names and passwords to go online, according to Venafi, a privately held provider of machine identity protection and sponsor of the research. When these certificates are sold on the darknet, they are packaged with a wide range of crimeware that delivers machine identities to cybercriminals who use them to spoof websites, eavesdrop on encrypted traffic, perform attacks and steal sensitive data, among other activities. Uncovering the widespread availability of these certificates on the darknet was a surprise, according to lead author David Maimon, an associate professor in Georgia State's Andrew Young School of Policy Studies and director of the EBCS. A search of five marketplaces in the darknet for this research uncovered 2,943 mentions for "SSL" and 75 for "TLS." In comparison, there were just 531 mentions for "ransomware." "One very interesting aspect of this research was seeing TLS certificates packaged with wrap-around services--such as Web design services--to give attackers immediate access to high levels of online credibility and trust," he said. "It was surprising to discover how easy and inexpensive it is to acquire extended validation certificates, along with all the documentation needed to create very credible shell companies without any verification information." "This study found clear evidence of the rampant sale of TLS certificates on the darknet," said Kevin Bocek, vice president of security and threat intelligence for Venafi. "TLS certificates that act as trusted machine identities are clearly a key part of cybercriminal toolkits, just like bots, ransomware, and spyware. Every organization should be concerned that the certificates used to establish and maintain trust and privacy on the Internet are being weaponized and sold as commodities to cybercriminals." @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Are you a current print subscriber to Columbia Gorge News? If so, you qualify for free access to all content on columbiagorgenews.com. Simply verify with your subscriber id to receive free access. Your subscriber id may be found on your bill or mailing label. Offer a personal message of sympathy... By sharing a fond memory or writing a kind tribute, you will be providing a comforting keepsake to those in mourning. If you have an existing account with this site, you may log in with that below. Otherwise, you can create an account by clicking on the Log in button below, and then register to create your account. An ambitious health economics study from a consortium of 5 Japanese universities has shown that different university programs to promote the equal geographic distribution of physicians increases the number of graduates practicing in rural areas in Japan. Graduates from these programs were on average 24% more likely to work in non-metropolitan areas than those not involved these programs. Access to healthcare in rural or low-population areas is a problem that affects countries worldwide, not limited only to developing nations. Many developed nations have an aging population, which in countries like Japan and Germany, is putting pressure on their healthcare systems and services for both rural and urban populations. Ease of access to healthcare in rural communities is an important global challenge that must be tackled and is one of the priorities of the World Health Organization (WHO). "I believe that here at Hiroshima University has a destiny to improve this problem," asserts Professor Matsumoto of the Department of Community-Based Medical System in Hiroshima University. "This sort of research is very important to me because I am part of Hiroshima University researchers [sic]". Japan has an urgent problem concerning access to healthcare. This barrier to access has become a long-lasting social problem, due to the uneven distribution of doctors, says Matsumoto. Article 25 of the Constitution of Japan states that everybody has a right to be healthy regardless of the living area or income level. This article was drafted in 1945 by Tatsuo Morito, the founding President of Hiroshima University. "Unfortunately in the real-world the access is not at all equal," says Matsumoto. Japan does not currently have any government policies to allocate doctors to areas experiencing shortages. Matsumoto recounts a story of how a rural town in northern Hiroshima did not have a local obstetrician for 13 years so there was no choice for pregnant women except to move to another area to give birth. "In Japan the poor access to healthcare is largely derived from the geographic barriers rather than economic barriers," concludes Matusmoto. To help overcome these barriers to healthcare, current actions are targeting physicians early, implementing policies that focus on medical school students. Japan has admissions programs integrated in each University with a medical school, which either obliges or encourages medical school graduates to practice in rural areas. There are three types of programs: the regional quota program where a certain number of the incoming high-school students in a medical course must be from a local region, the scholarship program where the medical students benefit from a scholarship for 6 years in exchange for practicing in designated areas after graduation, and a combined quota and scholarship program. This combined program is unique to Japan, as is the scale of its implementation. Canada, Thailand and the US all have similar programs but none of this scale or as a combined regional quota with scholarship, says Matsumoto. In this study, a project of the Japanese Council for Community Based Medical Education sent out surveys to 77 medical schools and 47 prefectures across Japan, targeting graduates who were admitted through the regional quota system and/or benefitted from scholarship admission programs. Location data about graduates was acquired from the Physician Censuscompiled by the Ministry of Health, resulting in the study examining almost 24,000 graduate physicians. "The proportion of those working in rural areas is the most important outcome of this study," states Matsumoto. The result was satisfactory for Matsumoto. Not only were the graduates of the programs more likely to work in rural areas, the population density of those areas was vastly lower than 'usual' medical graduates. "We are recommending the government continue this system. Otherwise we don't have any other solution to solve the unequal distribution of doctors," says Matsumoto. @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. 2-Year-Old Boy Mauled to Death By Family Dogs in Florida A 2-year-old boy was mauled to death in his Florida home by two pet dogs, and his grandmother was severely injured as she fought them off in vain with a shovel. The toddler had gone out into the yard to play on March 8, while his grandmother, who was looking after him while his mother was at work, stepped inside to make a sandwich, according to local reports. When she stepped back out into the yard of the mobile home, situated off a dirt road near the town of Gainesville, she found the dogs and the boy were gone. She heard noise from an outbuilding, where she found two dogs mauling the boy. She called 911, telling the dispatcher that she thought her grandson might already have died. When emergency responders arrived, it was too late to save the boy. It was a bad scene, said Alachua County Sheriffs Lt. Brett Rhodenizer told local paper, the Gainesville Sun. This ties into the greater conversation (of maulings) but this one today is a family tragedy. This was not dogs running amok through a neighborhood. This was dogs in their home with their extended family. And it happened within the confines of their private property. The owners surrendered the two dogs involved in the attack. One of them is described as a Labrador mix, according to News4Jax, the other as an American Staffordshire mixone of three dog breeds that come under the category of pitbull. The two dogs will be held for 10 days quarantine, and then euthanized, according to the Sun. The boy and his grandmother have not been named. The grandmother had previously left the boy out in the yard with no incident, according to reports. When she returned outside, there were no dogs and no boy, Rhodenizer said. She hears the sound from an outbuilding behind the residence. She goes back there and finds the two dogs actively mauling the 2-year-old. She fights them off with a shovel and sustains injuries herself. She suffered injuries to her neck, which Rhodenizer described to local media as severe, but not life-threatening. The family has four other dogs, which were not in the fenced off area with the other two when the attack occurred. According to Jax4, investigators ran a background check on the other dogs, but the results came back negative. Staffordshire bull terriers, American pit bull terrier, American bully, and American Staffordshire terriers are closely related dogs and are generally called just called pit bulls. According to the Pit Bull Rescue Central, First, it is important to know that Staffordshire Terrier and Pit Bull are not official breeds, but rather common terms used to describe a certain type of dog. There are actually many dog breeds that can be easily confused and are often mistakenly referred to as Pit Bulls. It goes on to list the American pit bull terrier, the American Staffordshire terrier, and Staffordshire bull terrier. How can we tell the difference? We cant, really. We can only try to guess the breed based on subtle characteristics. Note that even experts cant always tell if a Pit Bull is an APBT, an AST or a SBT. Even with DNA testing, many known purebred dogs come up with results of mixed breed lineage. For the average Pit Bull owner, however, these distinctions are not really relevant. As a general rule, dogs of these breeds tend to have stable and loving temperaments, the website says. Chrystal Nichole Walraven, 28, allegedly left her five children at home for days while she traveled to another state to look for a job. (Round Rock Police Department) 28-Year-Old Mother Abandoned Five Children to Take Trip to Beach in Another State: Police A 28-year-old mother-of-five was arrested after police said they found she left her children at home in Texas in the summer of 2018 while she traveled to South Carolina to go to the beach. Chrystal Nichole Walraven was charged with two counts of abandoning or endangering a child, a second-degree felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by the Austin American-Statesman. Walravens children were placed in foster care after the arrest on Feb. 11 but are now living with relatives. Investigators said Walraven left home in August 2018. They were called by the principal of Gattis Elementary School, who conveyed that some of Walravens children had talked about staying up all night to change the diaper of their baby sister, then-15 months old. A police officer went to the house to conduct a welfare check and a 10-year-old boy answered. While the boy said everything was fine, the officer smelled feces and garbage and entered the house. He spotted the toddler, who appeared to be dead, but was actually alive. Along with the boy and little girl, officers found a 12-year-old boy and two other girls, ages 6 and 3. The house was extremely dirty, with flies in the kitchen. Officers noted that there were sharp knives in the kitchen that the children had access to. When a teacher called a man listed as one of the parents of the children, the father told the teacher that a neighbor was watching the children while Walraven was in South Carolina, according to the affidavit. Police spoke to a neighbor, who said shed made the children dinner the night before but thought they were being taken care of by one of their fathers. Police said a #RoundRock woman left her children home alone for several days while she traveled to #SouthCarolina. 28-year-old Chrystal Walraven has been charged with child abandonment. https://t.co/NvSjUol75D pic.twitter.com/XyncxTxCyz FOX 7 Austin (@fox7austin) March 9, 2019 When Walraven returned to the area several days later, she went to the police department and told officers shed gone to Myrtle Beach to look for a job and because she needed to get away with everything that was happening at home. She said she stayed in touch with her children through Facebook messenger. Investigators spent months probing the case and issued a warrant for Walravens arrest in early February, reported Fox 7. Shes currently out on bond awaiting trial. The abandoning or endangering counts carry a maximum punishment of 20 years in prison each. The man's children appeared to have "limited contact" with the outside world and did not know their own names, police say. Posted by The Dallas Morning News on Thursday, 21 February 2019 Four Children Found Abandoned in Filthy Home A Texas father is facing criminal charges after four young children were discovered in his filthy home, and officials described the home as filthy and not fit for living. Robert Preston, 31, was arrested on child endangerment charges on Feb. 24 after his four children were discovered in his Dallas apartment, WFAA reported. When police arrived, they found a starving puppy in the closet. According to the Dallas Morning News, The children reacted to the dog as if they had never seen it before, screaming, and running around, said police. The children inside the Dallas apartment called each other "'Robert,' because the did not know their own names,'" the affidavit said. Posted by WFAA on Thursday, 21 February 2019 A police affidavit said the sink water smelled like a dead animal, and it said that toilets appeared to have not been flushed in weeks, WFAA reported. The apartment was also not furnished and reeked of excrement. Its not clear what the children used as a table, the reports said. The floor was also riddled with alcohol bottles, WFAA reported. Prestons children are aged 5 and 2. He also has two 3-year-old twins. According to the Dallas Morning News, the children appeared to have limited contact with the outside world and didnt know their own names. From NTD News Epoch Times reporter Jack Phillips contributed to this report. 3 Pizza Shop Employees Hailed as Heroes After They Save Elderly Co-workers Life The content is not available due to expiration. 5 Dead, Small Plane Crashes in Floridas Lake Okeechobee PAHOKEE, FloridaAuthorities say five people are dead after a small plane crashed in Floridas Lake Okeechobee. A Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office news release says marine unit deputies and rescue workers recovered the bodies from the planes fuselage several hours after the Friday afternoon, March 8, crash. Officials say the twin-engine Piper aircraft went down about 400 yards from the giant lakes southeast shore, just north of the Pahokee Airport. PBSO Marine Unit Deputies and @PBCFR personnel recovered five individuals from the aircraft fuselage. All individuals are deceased. The death investigation will be handled by PBSO Violent Crimes Division. The airplane crash will be investigated by the FAA and NTSB. pic.twitter.com/j70gbdjt4h PBSO (@PBCountySheriff) March 8, 2019 Records show the plane had taken off from Tampa International Airport. The sheriffs office is investigating the deaths. The victims werent immediately identified. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash. FATAL PLANE CRASH Piper PA-23 crashed into Lake Okeechobee north of Pahokee Airport. Flight heading to West Palm Beach from Tampa. Palm Beach County Sheriffs Marine Unit recovered five people from the aircraft. All were killed. NTSB investigators entoute.https://t.co/iejnbFiYs1 pic.twitter.com/5eFV2u0c9i Tom Podolec Aviation (@TomPodolec) March 9, 2019 Last week, Friday, March 1, another small plane crashed into a building in Fort Lauderdale, along a Florida beach, killing the pilot in a heavily trafficked tourist area. Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Stephan Gollan told reporters the plane hit an 18-story condominium building just before noon and then fell several floors onto an outdoor pool deck. He said the pilot was killed, but no other injuries were reported. The buildings residents were evacuated. Television shots show the yellow, single-engine Piper PA-25 crumpled with its wings snapped off. The pilots name was not released. The planes markings show it is owned by Aerial Banners Inc. The companys website says it has more than 50 planes at locations around the country, including Miami, Fort Lauderdale, New York City, Los Angeles, Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, Seattle, and Alaska. The companys Fort Lauderdale office declined comment. The National Transportation Safety Board said it is investigating. Update: I think the pilot has died. Theres a tarp down next to the cockpit and the police arent treating it with the same urgency anymore. This is the view from my balcony pic.twitter.com/nvxXxBCSHx samuel (@SamueIDada) March 1, 2019 Vacationer Jim McHugh of New York City told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel he was on the beach with his wife when the plane flew past heading north. He said the engine was not sputtering, but the plane banked hard to the left toward the tall buildings that line the area. He said he realized the plane was too low and told his wife it was going to crash just before it did. Its a shame the poor guy didnt bank to the right and to the water, he told the paper. Bus Driver Takes 26 Children Off Route, Curses and Abandons Them at Gas Station BATH, Pa.An eastern Pennsylvania school bus driver is facing charges after police allege she drove erratically while under the influence of alcohol with 26 juveniles aboard, then abandoned them and the bus at a gas station. State police in Bethlehem said Lori Ann Mankos, 44, of Walnutport is charged with 26 counts for child endangerment and one count for driving under the influence and careless and reckless driving. Mankos was transporting 26 students for the Northampton Area School District on March 8, but was alleged to have been driving erratically while under the influence, police said. She was driving high and middle school students home when some students noticed she wasnt going by the route she followed daily and she was also agitated. She flipped off at students and also swore at them, reported the WFMZ News. In the video, students can be heard yelling at the driver to pull over and saying that they feel unsafe. The driver then gets mad, pulls over, and walks off leaving the young students stranded. https://t.co/zV8tPiTyA7 WTVM News Leader 9 (@WTVM) March 3, 2019 The major thing on the ride that threw everybody off was when there was a right-hand turn and when she took it, she was going far too fast, student Mason Persiani told WFMZ News. She ended up being halfway into the opposing lane of traffic, Persiani said. That was probably the scariest point of the ride, and at the point, my heart was racing. I was pretty nervous. Call the school, this is not even funny, a female student said in the video. Pull over! A bus driver has been arrested after authorities said she deserted students at a gas station. I thought we got a good lady but apparently, Im wrong, said Mason Persiani, a student who was stuck on the bus. https://t.co/7UN1rAzQLD WDBJ7 (@WDBJ7) March 3, 2019 At this point, the agitated driver refused to pull the bus over to the side of a road. She told us to Go [expletive] yourselves, Persiani claimed. And flipped us off, you know, stuck her hand in the air and flipped us off. After this, she asked students if they wanted her to stop the bus. Do you want, if I just pulled over and called everybodys parents to pick them up? the driver asked, as seen in the video. Yes, students replied. She eventually parked at a Sunoco station, handed the keys to a gas station employee and walked away from the scene. The bus and 26 juveniles were left unattended until school officials, Moore Township police, and state police arrived. Persiani and his 13-year-old brother were picked up by their father, Anthony who told WFMZ News: I would certainly like an explanation. Mankos was later arrested at her home. A listed number for her wasnt in service Saturday and its unclear whether she has an attorney. School bus driver tells children go f*** yourselves then abandons them at petrol station https://t.co/wNqn21wwXF The Independent (@Independent) March 9, 2019 Northampton eighth-grader Stephanie Shiller told The (Allentown) Morning Call that Mankos had been transporting her and other students for two weeks. On Friday afternoon, students noticed she wasnt following her route, missing stops and driving on the wrong side of the road, she said. We were freaking out, Shiller said. We didnt know if she was drunk or what. A spokesman for the bus contractor, Cincinnati, Ohio-based First Student, told the paper that the company is cooperating with investigators. This is not what we expect of any of our drivers, he said. Northampton School District Superintendent Joseph Kovalchik said officials are extremely upset but very thankful no one was hurt. He said the district has been contracting with the bus company for more than 20 years, and nothing like that has happened before. A Pennsylvania school bus driver has been charged with a DUI and 26 counts of endangering the welfare of children after she abandoned the bus with its students still on board at a gas station. https://t.co/7U4JgvrSsd WKCY-AM (@newsradiowkcy) March 9, 2019 NTD News Reporter Venus Upadhayaya contributed to this report. California Governor Declares Theres No National Emergency in Border Town With a Wall Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a major critic of President Donald Trumps immigration policies, visited a border town with a wall and declared there was no national emergency. WATCH: Im at our border today where there is no national emergency. San Ysidro is the busiest border crossing in the Western Hemisphere. Its a region of economic vibrancy of trade and commerce. Our state thrives because of the families who live on both sides of this border. pic.twitter.com/CRfXGpyZb6 Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) March 7, 2019 [We are trying] to highlight a different story as it relates to whats going on here between Mexico and the United States, and the economic vibrancy that is demonstrable here at the border, Newsom said Thursday as he visited San Ysidro, a district in San Diego, California. Newsom on Thursday hosted a roundtable discussion with local residents to talk about Trumps national emergency declaration and what life is like on the U.S. southern border. The press conference was largely meant to push back against the presidents narrative that unfettered illegal immigration leads to crime and lawlessness. Participants of the conference spoke on camera about how the town is actually quite safe. Theyve had the mentality that its dangerous, said local resident Edgar Alaniz, referring to Americans who believe the border town to be unsafe. I live here. I come down here every day and I can tell you that it isnt. However, critics of Newsoms press conference were quick to point out one glaring detail about San Ysidro: it has a border wall. We remind Gov. Newsom that San Diego had a border crisis decades ago and built a border barrier which no sane person today is arguing should be torn down, stated Tony Krvaric, the chairman of the San Diego County Republican Party. We challenge the governor to make his arguments to the faces of angel families and those whose children have been trafficked or hooked on drugs due to the criminal gangs which use our border for their evil deeds. When the president extolls the benefits of border walls, he brings up San Diegos success in deterring illegal immigration after building a wall. It was really, really bad, Trump said when he visited the city in 2018, speaking alongside U.S. Border Patrol agents. They reestablished law and order in San Diego when they put up a wall. And its not a superior wall; its an inferior wall. But its a wall. Around 40 percent of all illegal border crossings in the Southwest took place near San Diego in the 1980s. However, the communities of San Ysidro, Otay Mesa and Imperial Beach saw a 75 percent drop in crossings in the years immediately following fencing installation in the 1990s. Border officials have since beefed up the walls with steel bollards and military landing mats, making the San Diego border one of the most fortified in the country. By Jason Hopkins | Energy Investigator Follow Jason on Twitter. An unmanned capsule of the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft splashes down into the Atlantic Ocean, after a short-term stay on the International Space Station, in this still image from video, in the Atlantic, about 200 miles off the Florida coast, on March 8, 2019. (Courtesy NASA/Handout via Reuters) Elon Musks SpaceX Capsule Splashes Down Off Florida Coast CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.An unmanned capsule from Elon Musks SpaceX splashed into the Atlantic Ocean on March 8, successfully completing a mission crucial to NASAs long-delayed quest to resume human space flight from the United States soil later this year. After a six-day mission to the International Space Station, Crew Dragon detached at about 2:30 a.m EST and sped back to earth, reaching hypersonic speeds before an 8:45 a.m. EST splash-down about 200 miles off the Florida coast. A SpaceX rocket launched the 16-foot-tall capsule from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida last Saturday. Successful splashdown of the #CrewDragon right on time at 8:45 a.m. ET. pic.twitter.com/0qHhHzD4Js NASA Commercial Crew (@Commercial_Crew) March 8, 2019 Everything happened just perfectly, right on time the way that we expected it to, Benjamin Reed, SpaceXs director of crew mission management, said in a live stream from California. It was a crucial milestone in the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administrations Commercial Crew Program ahead of SpaceXs first crewed test flight slated to launch in July with U.S. astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken. This really is an American achievement that spans many generations of NASA administrators and over a decade of work, said current Administrator Jim Bridenstine. Steve Stich, the crew programs deputy manager with NASA, said the vehicle was doing well after the splash-down. The capsule, which was lifted out of the water by a boat using a crane, is due back on land by Sunday. The live stream showed its protective shell had been weathered from intense heat during re-entry. The mission carried 400 pounds of test equipment to the space station, including a dummy named Ripley outfitted with sensors around its head, neck, and spine to monitor how a flight would feel for a human. The space stations three-member crew greeted the capsule last Sunday, with U.S. astronaut Anne McClain and Canadian astronaut David Saint-Jacques entering Crew Dragons cabin to carry out air quality tests and inspections. NASA has awarded SpaceX and Boeing Co a total of $6.8 billion to build competing-rocket and capsule systems to launch astronauts into orbit from American soil, something not possible since the U.S. Space Shuttle was retired from service in 2011. Atmospheric entry at 17,000 mph is like a meteor & will vaporize steel. Burn marks below are on cold side. Main heatshield on bottom. https://t.co/GRs7j751R4 Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 8, 2019 Results from this mission will determine whether SpaceX can stick to its current 2019 test schedule following previous development delays for the Hawthorne, California-based company and Boeing. I dont think we saw really anything in the mission so farweve got to do the data reviewsthat would preclude us from having a crewed mission later this year, Stich said. The launch systems are aimed at ending United States reliance on Russian Soyuz rockets for $80 million-per-seat rides to the $100 billion orbital research laboratory, which flies about 250 miles above the earth. NASA resumed talks with Russias space agency Roscosmos in February seeking two additional Soyuz seats for 2020 to maintain a United States presence on the space station. Beautiful view of the @SpaceX #CrewDragon as it successfully undocked from the International Space Station pic.twitter.com/ycnkagpJbx Intl. Space Station (@Space_Station) March 8, 2019 The short-notice solicitation, posted on Feb. 13, provides flexibility and back-up capability as the companies build their rocket-and-capsule launch systems. Boeings Starliner crew capsule is poised to launch its maiden unmanned mission in April ahead of an August test flight carrying U.S. astronauts Michael Fincke, Chris Ferguson, and Nicole Mann. Bridenstine told Reuters the cost per seat on the Boeing or SpaceX systems would be lower than for the shuttle or Soyuz. Privately owned SpaceX, also known as Space Exploration Technologies Corp, was founded in 2002 by Musk, who is also a co-founder of electric car maker Tesla Inc. Empire actor Jussie Smollett leaves Cook County jail after posting bond on Feb. 21, 2019 in Chicago, Ill. Smollett has been accused with arranging a homophobic, racist attack on himself in an attempt to raise his profile because he was dissatisfied with his salary. (Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images) Empire Actor Jussie Smollett Indicted on 16 Felony Counts by Grand Jury A Chicago grand jury indicted Jussie Smollett, the Empire actor, on 16 counts for allegedly lying to police about what he described to be a hate crime attack, according to reports on March. 8. In February, he was charged with disorderly conduct and released on $100,000 bail. In January, the actor claimed to be attacked by two men who yelled pro-President Trump remarks, along with racist language. They also allegedly poured a chemical on him and looped a rope around his neck to simulate a lynching. Detectives in Chicago later determined that Smollett allegedly set up the attack, which was highly publicized by media outlets, politicians, and celebrities. They said he committed the act to further his career. ABC7 reported on March 8 the Cook County States Attorneys Office confirmed the grand jurys indictment of Smollett. Jussie Smollett knew that at the time there was no reasonable ground for believing that such offenses had been committed, according to the indictment, reported CBS Chicago. New charges could each carry a possible probation sentence of up to four years. Smollett has already pleaded not guilty to the first charge. He and his attorneys have denied having anything to do with staging an assault. Police allege Smollett of paying both Ola and Abel Osundairo, who are originally from Nigeria, $3,500 in the form of a check to carry out the attack. Police have obtained the original check. CBS Chicago reported Smollett directed the two men to purchase rope, masks, and a hat at a store in Uptown Chicago. Police allege the brothers wore gloves during the incident and bruises and scratches on his face were self-inflicted. Attacked for Trying to Eat On Jan. 29, Jussie Smollett told police he was physically attacked by two men in downtown Chicago while out getting food from a Subway restaurant at 2 a.m. The actor says the men used racial slurs, wrapped a rope around his neck and poured an unknown substance on him. Police say Smollett, who is black and gay, told detectives the attackers also yelled he was in MAGA country, an apparent reference to President Donald Trumps Make America Great Again campaign slogan that some Trump critics have decried as racist and discriminatory, according to The Associated Press. On January 30, Chicago police confirmed they had reviewed hundreds of hours of surveillance camera footage, including of Smollett walking downtown but none actually shows the attack happened. Police obtained and released images of two people they would like to question, calling them persons of interest. Reports of an assault on Smollett drew outrage and support for him on social media from some politicians and celebrities. The Associated Press contributed to this report. In this file images, beds are prepared in the intensive care unit section of a hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, on Jan. 15, 2010. (Alex Wong/Getty Images) Family Upset After Doctor Delivers Bad News via Hospital Robot To hear that a family member doesnt have long to live is never easy. But hearing it from a robot was devastating for one family from California. The family member, Ernest Quintana, 79, was admitted into Kaiser Permanente Medical Centers emergency department on March 3. Quintanas granddaughter Annalisia Wilharm told KTVU that she was by her grandfathers side in ICU when it happened. A nurse came in and told her that the doctor was making rounds. A short while later, a robot entered the room, with the doctor appearing on the robots video screen. This was how they learned Quintanas lungs were failing and he didnt have long to live. #CyberpunkisNow Image: Is this how you & your family want to learn you are going to die? Ernest Quintana & his family were told the 78 year old mans lungs were failing & he was going to die by this doctor using this Kaiser Medical Center hospital robot. https://t.co/yL51IKomVa pic.twitter.com/xxtSY4M2bd DRS (@hackermaderas) March 9, 2019 You might not make it home, the doctor said on the screen, which Wilharm had filmed so she could show her mother and grandmother the test results. Wilharm said she didnt expect this to happen, and she was shocked that the news was delivered through a robot. I was going to lose my grandfather. We knew that this was coming and that he was very sick. But I dont think somebody should get the news delivered that way. It should have been a human being come in, she told the news station. In a Facebook post, Wilharm wrote on March 6, This was horrible for me and him. This was horrible for me and him Posted by Annalisia Wilharm on Wednesday, 6 March 2019 A family friend Julianne Spangler said in a Facebook post that Quintana passed away on March 5, one day after the robot delivered the news. She also expressed outrage about the hospitals handling of the patient. This is not the way to show value and compassion to a patient shame on you Kaiser!! she wrote. That Robot Dr. May be ok for some situations but not to tell a Man he is going to Die. Technology at its best? Please share this. This was regarding a friends Dad a couple of hours ago. This is not the way to show value and Posted by Julianne Spangler on Wednesday, 6 March 2019 Quintanas daughter and Wilharms mother, Catherine, told the news station that she was upset because her father couldnt hear very well and needed Wilharm to repeat everything the doctor said to him, putting the family through more pain. In another interview, Catherine told Mercury News that the hospital did not relay the doctors prognosis to her and her mother and that they had to learn it through Wilharm. It was handled with no compassion at all by this robot, there was no bedside manner, no nothing, she said. It needed to be a person, for Gods sake. My mom and myself should have been there. We want to never have this happen to anyone again. Ernest Quintanas family was devastated when a robot machine rolled into his room in the intensive care unit of a medical center and a doctor told the 78-year-old patient by video call he would likely die within days. https://t.co/D6wo3Pez3p WISH-TV (@WISH_TV) March 9, 2019 In a statement to KTVU, Kaiser Permanente Senior Vice-President Michelle Gaskill-Hames said this case was a highly unusual circumstance. We use video technology as an appropriate enhancement to the care team, and a way to bring additional consultative expertise to the bedside. Our health care staff receive extensive training in the use of telemedicine, but video technology is not used as a replacement for in-person evaluations and conversations with patients, she said in the statement. This is a highly unusual circumstance. We regret falling short in meeting the patients and familys expectations in this situation and we will use this as an opportunity to review our practices and standards with the care team. Huawei Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou appears in Vancouver, Canada, on Jan. 29, 2019. (The Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck) Freeland Thanks US Lawmakers for Bipartisan Support on Meng Arrest OTTAWA, CanadaCanadian Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland is applauding a bipartisan American political effort to support Canada in its dispute with China over the detention of Huaweis chief financial officer at the request of the U.S. government. The U.S. Senate foreign relations committee introduced bipartisan legislation this week that commends Canada for its role in arresting Meng Wanzhou in Vancouver to fulfill an American extradition request. Meng is wanted in the United States on fraud-related charges in connection with allegedly violating sanctions on Iran. The joint Republican and Democratic effort recognizes Canada for upholding the rule of law and expresses concern over Chinas actions in response to the U.S. request. Freeland says Canada appreciates the U.S. effort and bipartisan call for China to release Canadians Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig, who were jailed by Beijing authorities following Mengs arrest. Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou Appears in Court, Next Hearing Set in Extradition Proceedings Dr. Steven Rosenberg speaking on the "Preston & Steve" morning radio show during the Great American Smokeout in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 2014. (Courtesy of Dr. Steven Rosenberg) From Three Packs a Day to Helping Others Quit Smoking Smoking is a hard habit to break, and nicotine can be nearly 10 times as addictive as heroin. One man smoked for years, and now that he has quit, hes helping others do the same. Dr. Steven Rosenberg is 72 years old, and lives in Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania. When he was just eight years old, he and his friends would smoke the cigarette butts left behind at a trolley stop every day. By the time he was in high school, he was smoking three packs a day. Rosenberg found himself chain smoking cigarettes. He was a middle and high school teacher, and would even smoke at the school he taught at. No matter what, he couldnt stop himself. In fact, he continued to smoke during a bout of pneumonia. Smoking put a heavy burden Rosenbergs life. He always had to make sure he had cigarettes, and even kept a carton in his freezer. He needed to go out of his way to find places to smoke, his breathing was diminished, and he had a case of bronchitis every winter. This was the late 70s and early 80s, and nearly 40 percent of the population was smoking. Rosenberg knew smoking was bad for his health, but as a young person he doubted it would ever hurt him. It wasnt until his father was dying from lung cancer and emphysema that he had a moment of realization. His father looked at him and made him promise that he would quit. He tragically passed away at age 72. It made me feel terrible that I was smoking as much as he was. Like father like son. When he begged me to quit I had no alternative but to quit, Rosenberg told The Epoch Times. Rosenberg quit before his fathers funeral, and smoked his last cigarette on Oct. 18, 1978 at age 39. He was determined to stop, and was able to quit by making cigarettes taste nasty to him. He psychologically told himself that they would taste like vomit. I felt really like I did something that I knew I had to do. I was on a mission, Rosenberg said. Rosenberg is a psychotherapist, and has dedicated his career to helping other people quit smoking. He uses a technique called aversive hypnosis where he puts patients into a hypnotic state and gets them to believe cigarettes taste terrible and records the session in order to reinforce the feeling of not wanting to have a cigarette. After the hypnosis, patients drink as much water as possible and follow a vitamin and mineral regimen for several days. Rosenberg treats individual patients, groups, and works with companies that want to have their employees quit smoking. He once helped a woman in her 80s quit, and she ended up sending all of the smokers in her family to him. To date, he has helped over 52,000 people kick the habit. I feel like a million bucks. It makes me feel so good that Ive actually reached another individual and that they are going to live a longer, healthier, happier, and a better quality of life because of what I have done with them, Rosenberg said. Kevin White was arrested after allegedly breaking into a house in Atlanta, Georgia on March 8, 2019. (Atlanta Police Department) Homeowner Walks Into House to Find Intruder, Grabs Gun and Shoots A Georgia homeowner who found an intruder inside his house on March 8 quickly grabbed his firearm and shot at the suspect. He noticed a door was open, a man came out of a room yelling and screaming, the homeowner pulled out his firearm and fired several because he felt like his life was in danger, Atlanta police officer Stephanie Brown told Fox 5. At least one shot hit the intruder, who ran out the back door of the Atlanta home. About one mile away from the break-in, the intruder knocked on someones door asking for water. He told me he had been shot and needed water. I told him I wasnt going to give him any water he needed to call 911, said the man who answered the door. Police officers rushed to the scene and arrested the intruder, who was identified as Kevin White. The 28-year-old was charged with criminal trespassing, just three weeks after being charged with trespassing in another alleged break-in. A homeowner walks in his SW Atlanta home and finds an intruder. @Atlanta_Police say the homeowner pulled out his gun and fired multiple shots. #fox5atl pic.twitter.com/lOvBZf86R5 denisedillon (@DillonFox5) March 9, 2019 When the homeowner in that case found White inside his house, he promptly left and called 911. We do advise homeowners to exit the property and call the police so we can handle it, said Brown, but added that the homeowner who shot at White wont face charges. Neighbor Jimmy Thompson said that the homeowner did the right thing. Nobody aint got no business on that property but the homeowner. Thats private property. Im surprised he didnt kill him, said Thompson. Texas Homeowner Shoots Officer A Texas homeowner also recently shot a police officer he thought was an intruder, according to newly released information. Midland police officers responded to a burglar alarm going off at a house on March 5. Officers found nothing out of the ordinary but then noticed that the front door was unsecured. Officers then announced to whoever was inside that police were on the scene, according to a probable cause affidavit released late Tuesday and obtained by CBS 7. Officer Nathan Heidelberg was one of three officers at the house. Another officer heard Heidelberg announce that officers were on the scene. Then he heard a gunshot and asked the other officers if they were okay and they responded yes. The officer heard another noise and found Heidelberg lying face down. He was rushed to the hospital but died around 2:20 a.m. on Wednesday. Texas Ranger Cody Allen said that he spoke with David Charles Wilson, the homeowner, and Wilson said he fired a gun in the direction of the officer. An internal email obtained by local media indicated that Wilson believed Heidelberg, who was holding a flashlight, was a burglar and shot toward the flashlight. The gunshot hit the officer above his bulletproof vest. Rest in peace, Officer Heidelberg. Our thoughts are with the Midland Police Department and Officer Heidelberg's family. pic.twitter.com/8GWA6KBdO2 FBI-LEEDA (@FBILEEDA) March 6, 2019 "It is with the utmost sorrow that we acknowledge the passing of our family member. Officer Nathan Heidelberg, a Posted by Midland Police Department on Tuesday, 5 March 2019 Wilson was arrested and charged with manslaughter but was released on $75,000 bond. The mans belief that Heidelberg was a burglar was confirmed by his attorney. We are cooperating with investigators to attempt to learn all the material facts as soon as possible. David Wilson believed that his family was experiencing a home invasion and only fired his weapon to protect his family, Wilsons attorney Brian Carney told the Midland Reporter-Telegram. We would like to express our deepest sympathies to Officer Heidelbergs family and the Midland Police Department for the events that led to his death, he added. House Democrats Reject Motion Reaffirming That Only US Citizens Have Right to Vote Democrats in the House on March 8 voted to oppose a measure introduced by Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas) that stated that allowing illegal immigrants the right to vote devalues the franchise and diminishes the voting power of United States citizens. The 228-197 vote marks a major reversal from when the GOP controlled the chamber about six months ago, according to the Washington Times. At the time Republicans voted to denounce illegal immigrant voting. We are prepared to open up the political process and let all of the people come in, Rep. John Lewis, a Georgia Democrat, told colleagues as he led opposition to the GOP measure. The vote on illegal immigrants came amid a broader bill dubbed the HR 1, or For the People Act, which purportedly aims at reducing the role of big money in politics, ensuring fair elections, and strengthening ethics standards, according to the Associated Press. However, Republican lawmakers have slammed the bill as anti-democratic and unconstitutional. H.R. 1 is not only a bad bill, many provisions in it are unconstitutional, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) wrote on Twitter. In summary, it forces states to restore voting rights of felons, endangers First Amendment rights, Federalizes congressional redistricting, and Turns the FEC into a partisan organization. Federal law already states that illegal aliens are not legally allowed to vote in federal elections. The GOP-backed measure would have added the language contained in the measure introduced by Rep. Crenshaw to the H.R. 1 bill. Republicans expressed disappointment in the vote, as they hoped to send a message to cities such as San Francisco that allow illegal immigrants to vote in school board elections. It sounds like Im making it up. What kind of government would cancel the vote of its own citizens, and replace it with noncitizens? said Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas), according to the Washington Times. Crenshaw pointed out that last year 49 Democrats joined the GOP to decry non-citizens voting. In this years vote on March 8, only six Democrats voted in favor of it. Lawmakers approved the H.R. 1 bill Friday, 234-193. But it was not only conservatives who opposed the bill. In a March 1 letter to Congress, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) also urged lawmakers to vote against the proposal. We strongly urge the Rules Committee to allow floor amendments that would mitigate our concerns with the provisions that unconstitutionally infringe the freedoms of speech and association, the letter stated. It continued, saying that there are provisions in the bill that unconstitutionally impinge on the free speech rights of American citizens and public interest organizations. They will have the effect of harming our public discourse by silencing necessary voices that would otherwise speak out about the public issues of the day. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Correction: Headline was changed to indicate that House Democrats rejected a motion that was in support of only U.S. citizens having the right to vote. House Democrats did not vote to pass a bill that would allow illegal immigrants to vote. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner addresses the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Washington, on Jan. 25, 2018. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Houston Mayor Lays Off 400 Firefighters to Pay for Voter-Mandated Pay Hikes The mayor of Houston plans to lay off 400 firefighters to fund the pay raises voters mandated in a referendum in November. Democratic Mayor Sylvester Turner plans to send layoff notices to approximately 10 percent of the firefighting force within weeks, according to Fox News. The layoffs include 68 cadets who Turner declined to promote during a hiring freeze. Turner opposed the raises required in Proposition B, which was approved by 59 percent of voters. The pay raises would match the salaries of firefighters to those of police officers of the same rank. The pay raises account for $80 million of Houstons $197 million budget gap. Turner will look to issue $30 million in back pay to firefighters. So, basically, on May 9 you want to be hanging out near a firefighter because hes going to be buying, Councilman Greg Travis told the Houston Chronicle. Hes going to have a lot of money on that day. According to Turner, its nearly impossible to fund the pay raised without layoffs. When you factor in Proposition B, its $197 million that we have to find a way to balance between now and June, and unless theres additional revenue coming in, we cannot do it without there being significant layoffs, Turner said, KHOU-TV reported. To cover the budget gap, the mayor is asking city departments to cut their budgets by 3 percent. The move may result in additional layoffs, although the police force will not be affected, Councilwoman Brenda Stardig said, according to the Chronicle. The layoffs will not affect the number of firefighters on duty at any given time, Fire Chief Sam Pena told council members. The fire departments $503 million budget was cut by $25 million, Pena said. The mayors hatred of firefighters now will have terrible consequences for us and for the public, Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association President Marty Lancton said. Hes willing to destroy public safety in Houston to punish firefighter families. A world-class fire department is being destroyed from within by third-rate politicians. The fire union proposed phasing in the new raises with all of the firefighters reaching police pay levels by July 2020. Turner warned of potential layoffs if the proposition passed and campaigned against the raises. People want to put the administration in a box, Turner said. If you dont implement Prop. B, people criticize you for not implementing Proposition B. When we move to implement Prop. B, people say, We dont want the layoffs. Well, you cant have it both ways. Turners plan features a parity requirement for education, which would require firefighters to have the same educational attainment level as police officers in order to receive equal pay. Police officers in Houston are required to have a masters degree in order to become an assistant police chief, but firefighters dont have the same requirement. If within police, if there are educational requirements to get to a certain rank, then the same thing ought to be expected of fire, if you want parity, Turner said. The mayors plan has its skeptics. Im not sure thats going to fly, Councilman Mike Knox said. Turners plan still requires the approval of the Houston City Council. Houston firefighters earned national recognition for their rescue efforts during Hurricane Harvey in 2017. The storm killed 68 people and caused $125 billion in damage. Reyna Elizabeth Flores-Rosales, 31, was arrested and charged with the murder of her 6-year-old son on March 7, 2019. (Salt Lake County Jail) Illegal Immigrant Mother, 31, Charged With Murder in Death of Her 6-Year-Old Son A 31-year-old Utah mother was arrested and charged with the murder of her 6-year-old son, who was found unresponsive in the familys home on Feb. 25. The child was rushed to the hospital but died two days later. Detectives probing the case found enough evidence to lead to the arrest and charging of Reyna Elizabeth Flores-Rosales. Court documents obtained by the Salt Lake Tribune stated the boy died because of a blow to the side of his head that caused his brain to bleed and swell. The swelling displaced his brain and killed him. Doctors also found a slew of other injuries, including burns on the boys buttocks, scars, and bruises. He had several old scars, numerous additional burns on the extremities, bruises and swelling on the forehead and head, linear scars in a horizontal pattern on his neck, open sores and bleeding from (the boys) nostrils, and scars and open sores on his hands and feet, according to charging documents, reported KSL-TV. There is not an accidental explanation for all of the above injuries, a doctor told police, according to the Tribune. A CT scan was performed and significant head trauma was revealed, the Sandy Police Department said in a statement. Doctors at Primary Childrens confirmed that the injuries to the head were caused by a person in one single event, and ruled out an accident as a possible cause. They compared the damage and the bleeding on the brain to what is seen in shaken baby syndrome. The case shook responding officers and medics. Sandy boy, 7, dies following mothers arrest on suspicion of child abuse https://t.co/HvUWH1VE3T pic.twitter.com/nzuSPBErqO FOX 13 News Utah (@fox13) March 1, 2019 These are the cases that every officer dreadsthat every paramedic and firefighter dreads, Sandy Police Sgt. Jason Nielsen told KSL. Unfortunately, we see them. It takes time for the paramedics, the officers and the firefighters to deal with these types of things. Flores-Rosales was previously investigated for suspected child abuse. She was also convicted in 2015 of felony drug distribution, resulting in probation. According to a former neighbor of the family, screams, and yells could regularly be heard coming from the home. He told police that he moved away from the neighborhood because he was sick of the noises, reported Fox 13. Flores-Rosales was arrested on Feb. 26 and was charged with murder on March 7. Shes also facing aggravated sexual abuse of a child and child abuse. Federal immigration authorities have placed an immigration hold on Floras-Rosales, a Honduran national, indicating that she is in the country illegally. A warrant was issued previously for Flores-Rosales to be released to immigration officials for deportation but the warrant was recalled in September 2018. If she is cleared of the charges, or if she is sentenced but ultimately released after time served, immigration authorities would deport her. 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 report to authorities. Child abuse is one of the nations most serious concerns, the authors 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 half were women. From NTD News Migrants wait to receive donated food and water outside a temporary shelter set up for members of the migrant caravan in Tijuana, Mexico, on Nov. 28, 2018. (Mario Tama/Getty Images) Immigrant Deaths Under Trump Virtually Unchanged Since Obama Era Immigrants detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under the Trump administration are dying at virtually the same rate as they did during the Obama administration. During former President Barack Obamas first year in office, 10 foreign nationals died in ICE custody. Five passed away in 2012, and 12 died in 2016, according to ICE data obtained by the Washington Examiner. The numbers are not far removed from President Donald Trumps first two years in office. Ten detainees died in 2017 and 12 died in 2018, according to the American Immigration Lawyers Association. There have been no reported deaths in fiscal year 2019 as of March 5. Not only are current deaths on par with the Obama administration, but they remain far lower than the numbers from about 15 years ago. Thirty-two people died in calendar year 2004, and 20 died in 2005. A far larger number of foreign nationals were caught crossing the U.S.-Mexico border during the 1990s and early 2000s, which led to more immigrants being detained than is currently the case. The data contradicts a narrative pushed by many Democrats that the current administration is less humane to foreign nationals that are caught trying to enter the country illegally. Madam Secretary, do you know how many children have died in CBP custody under your tenure as secretary? New Mexico Democratic Rep. Xochitl Torres Small asked Wednesday during a House congressional committee hearing with Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen. Can you give me the numbers and how many children have died? (RELATED: 18 Deaths Of ICE Detainees Acknowledged Under ObamaBut Not Investigated) While speaking at a town hall in January regarding immigration, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi claimed Trumps tenure was a departure from all modern presidencies, and blamed the deaths of two migrant children who died in custody on a lack of proper medical care. By Jason Hopkins | Energy Investigator Follow Jason on Twitter. This undated photo issued by the Metropolitan Police shows Shamima Begum. (Metropolitan Police via AP) ISIS Brides Baby Dies of Pneumonia, Reigniting Debate Over UK Citizenship The baby of schoolgirl ISIS bride Shemima Begum died of pneumonia, according to reports that say Syrian Democratic Forces now confirm the death of the 3-week-old boy. A spokesman for the Syrian Democratic Forces confirmed to AP that the infant died at a camp in north Syria, where 19-year-old Begum had been living after fleeing the vestiges of the terror groups so-called caliphate. The boys death has reignited the fierce debate over whether the British interior minister should have revoked Begums citizenship. Her son, Jarrah, died of pneumonia on March 7, according to a medical certificate, the BBC reported. Begum traveled to Syria as a schoolgirl, aged just 15, from her home in London to join the so-called caliphate. She gave birth in a Kurdish refugee camp, after sparking controversy with a number of interviews. In her interviews she indicated she wanted to return to the UK, but expressed little remorse or indication that she had shed the caliphates ideology. Citing security concerns, the UKs interior secretary announced in late February that her citizenship had been revoked. The family has expressed its own shock at her lack of repentance, but proceeded with a legal challenge to the governments move to strip Begum of her British citizenship. The death of the baby sparked criticism of that decision. Speaking to the BBC on Friday before the babys death had been confirmed, British interior minister Sajid Javid said: Sadly there are probably many children, obviously perfectly innocent, who have been born in this war zone. I have nothing but sympathy for the children that have been dragged into this. This is a reminder of why it is so, so dangerous for anyone to be in this war zone. Dal Babu, a former Metropolitan Police chief superintendent and friend of Begums family, told BBC Newsnight: Weve failed, as a country, to safeguard the child. This was an entirely avoidable death of a British citizen, said Babu, referring to the fact that since the baby was born before Begum was stripped of her citizenship, it should have British citizenship. However, Javid had previously said that bringing the baby home from the war zone would be incredibly difficult. If it is possible somehow for a British child to be brought to a place where there is a British consular presence, the closest placeit might be Turkey for examplein those circumstances I guess potentially it is possible to arrange for some sort of help with the consent of the parent, he told a lawmakers committee. Inside Syria, whether in a camp or maybe somewhere else, there is no British consular presence. In response to news of the boys death, a government spokesperson said: The death of any child is tragic and deeply distressing for the family. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has consistently advised against travel in Syria since April 2011, said the spokesperson, according to the Independent. The government will continue to do whatever we can to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism and travelling to dangerous conflict zones. In earlier interviews, Begum said that while she did not agree with everything the terror group had done, she has no regrets about joining ISIS and suggested that air strikes against the terror group in Syria somehow justified the Manchester Arena terror attack. Its a two-way thing, really, she told the BBC, adding that the suicide bomber that killed 22 civilians at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester was a kind of retaliation for bombardments of ISIS-held enclaves, adding, So I thought, ok, that is a fair justification. With ISIS territory squeezed to its final dregs by U.S.-led forces in the last couple of months, interest has grown in the so-called ISIS brides who traveled from the West and are now accumulating in the refugee camps in Syria. The refugee camp of 40,000 has an estimated 1.500 people who traveled from Western nations, predominantly Europe, to join the ISIS terrorist group. Thomas Lawton Evans Jr., 38, of Boiling Springs, South Carolina, was sentenced to three consecutive life terms in federal prison after pleading guilty to kidnapping and assaulting a 4-year-old girl. (Charleston County Sheriffs Office) Judge Calls Man Who Abducted Girl A Sorry Excuse for a Human Being The judge who sentenced a South Carolina man who admitted he kidnapped a 4-year-old girl called him a sorry excuse for a human being. Thomas Lawton Evans Jr., 38, of Boiling Springs, was sentenced to three life terms in prison after pleading guilty to kidnapping the girl, transporting her to engage in sexual activity, and aggravated sexual abuse of a person under 12. Investigators said that Evans followed a family into their house on Johns Island on Feb. 13, 2018. Once inside, he assaulted an adult, who while being assaulted shouted at her daughter to run. The little girl ran upstairs and hid. She also attempted to hide her 2-year-old brother. Evans went upstairs and found the girl and shoved her into the trunk of his car. Evans fled the scene and traveled through the state and Georgia into Alabama, where he was located by police. The girl was rescued and Evans was ultimately arrested in Jackson, Mississippi. At the sentencing on March 5, Federal Judge Norton told the court: Hes a sorry excuse for a human being, get him out of here. He said that in his 29 years as a judge it was the worst offense hed seen. This was random, brutal and senseless, Norton said, reported WCBD. The judge heard from Brittany Todd, the adult who was attacked by Evans before he stole her girl away from her. She said she had to undergo three surgeries following the attack and overall the family has paid $361,000 for her medical bills. Sorry excuse for a human being: Man who kidnapped, abused SC 4-year-old gets life https://t.co/cS63AXe0G6 pic.twitter.com/breWVL4GrK WLOS (@WLOS_13) March 7, 2019 I couldnt care for my kids for four months, Todd said. You [Evans] planned evil against me, but I truly believe God spared your life and my life. I will never get back what I lost, but Im moving forward. Todds husband, Kevin Todd, a Coast Guard member who left for duty two days before the shocking events, also testified and said he went into an evil space in the months following the attack. But he said the familys bonds were strengthened in the aftermath of the assault and kidnapping and looked into Evans eyes before saying: My ultimate goal is to forgive you. In a statement, U.S. Attorney Sherri Lydon joined the judge in condemning the attack. JUST IN: The man who abducted a 4-year-old girl from her Johns Island home last February and brutally assaulted her mother, leaving her for dead, was sentenced to 3 consecutive life terms today.https://t.co/4bC33rCFu9 The Post and Courier (@postandcourier) March 5, 2019 Federal prosecutors will push for a life sentence today for a man who kidnapped a 4-yr-old Johns Island girl. Thomas Evans will be sentenced at noon in Charleston Co.https://t.co/Wcx6umAzqu Michal Higdon (@MichalHigdon) March 5, 2019 Thomas Evans attack on this family was a random, evil act. But it would be the last random act in the story. For there would be nothing random about the excellent work of the FBI and Charleston Police Department that followed; nothing random about the police chief in Riverside, Alabama, who was determined to help; nothing random about a justice system that affords a defendant due process; and nothing random about prosecutors who hold individuals accountable for their violence, she said. Everyone came together with a sense of purpose to make sure this story ended well. Our office will forever be amazed by this familys strength and resilience. WCSC reported that Judge Norton said the life sentences were necessary to reflect the seriousness of the crimes and protect the public. Evans will serve time in a super-maximum security prison in Colorado, he added, calling it the only place suitable for a soulless, sorry excuse for a human being. From NTD News Magic, Legends and Adventures: Inspire Your Childrens Imagination With the Monkey King Collection Everyone likes a good story, but what makes a story a true gem? Journey to the West is widely regarded as one of the top classics of Chinese literature. Written by the Ming Dynasty novelist Wu Chengen during the 16th century, this beloved adventure tale combines action, humor, and spiritual lessons. It has become widely known around the world, featuring unique characters and dynamic episodes that have been the inspiration for international media, including books, TV and film. Shen Yun has adapted tales from Journey to the West for live performance on stage, using the traditional art form of classical Chinese dance, together with original orchestral compositions. Sun Wukong: The First Superhero? Who is your number one superhero? One of the most popular characters from the novella, and all of Chinese literature, is Sun Wukong. You might know of him as the clever, daring and defiantly mischievous hero also called the Monkey King. His character is unmistakable and iconic and weve chosen him as the focus of this weeks post. He has a reputation for being impulsive and unruly, but as we discover, this fictional character has a big, big heart, using his magical powers acquired through the practice of spiritual cultivation to defeat evil demons, protecting the Buddhist monk Tang Seng on his epic quest to obtain the Buddhist scriptures from ancient India. From centuries ago to the present day, hes garnered quite the fan base Here are some essential facts you need to know about this beloved monkey: Every superhero has a powerful weapon. Sun Wukong chose his own: a magic iron staff weighing 8100kg that he can expand or shrink at will. During his Taoist cultivation, Sun Wukong develops the ability to transform into 72 different things. Not only can he shape-shift, he has super-strength, and he can also fly and make monkey clones from the hairs on his head. He is immune to lightning and fire. Even an army of 100,000 Heavenly Warriors is no match for him. Sun Wukong was once given detention of 500 years when his rampant behavior was quelled once and for all by the almighty Buddha, who placed him under a giant mountain and gave Sun Wukong some much needed time for reflection. Fundamentally, hes not really a bad monkey, but actually a loyal Taoist disciple at heart who finds his true purpose when given the noble task of protecting monk Tang Seng. He devotes his time and energies to doing good and ultimately fulfills his greatest potential. Many of Sun Wukongs adventures have been brought to life on stage through Shen Yuns adaptations. Not only are the story-based dances entertaining and memorable for children and adults alike (were all big kids at heart!), they also carry important moral lessons that are great for our kids to learn from and emulate. One of our favorite stage pieces tells the story of Monkey King and the Fire Mountain: Tang Monk and his entourage must traverse a scorching fire mountain to reach their final destination where the Buddhist scriptures are held. The only way to go is forward, but in the extreme conditions, it looks impossible. With the pilgrimage at stake, Monkey seeks out The Iron Fan Princess. She owns a magical fan that would put out the flames and ensure safe passage for Tang Monk. Monkey sets out to get it, but the immortal lady wont hand it over easily, instead she bats him away to the edge of the earth with a wave of the fan. But a divine Bodhisattva comes to Monkeys aid, granting him a special orb to protect him from the Princess furious waves The orb pacifies her, along with the help of his Monkey clones transformed from single strands of Monkeys golden hair. Storytelling then and now Many of the fond memories we recall from childhood revolve around the amazing stories that inspired our imaginations and creative potential. For those of us who grew up in an Asian household, much of this excitement involved the legendary Sun Wukong, following his adventures to meet heavenly beings and discover new worlds. Through such stories, a slice of tradition and culture is passed down and preserved, from generation to generation. All over the world, we connect with our family and cultural roots through a simple and powerful form of storytelling. Chinese families have been telling the story of Journey to the West since the 16th century! We remember being told those same classic stories by our parents, grandparents, cousins, and teachers, just like our grandparents parents, and their parents before them. When it comes to our own kids, we treasure the moments when we can share in the simple joys of superheroes and magical adventures and take a step back from the busy day-to-day to dedicate time to them. In honor of really good storytelling, our team has curated some wonderful items that celebrate the legendary hero Sun Wukong! The adventures of Monkey King: The Magical Monkey King Collection Get ready for the holidays! Encourage your child to start the new year with a bright and curious attitude like Monkey King. Dive into new heroic adventures with our educational coloring book! Featuring well known stories from Journey to the West plus beautiful hand drawn illustrations, its the perfect way to keep kids engaged on vacation. Get creative with the timeless tale of the Monkey King and once school starts, your little explorer will be ready for a whole new adventure of their own with stories to tell to friends old and new. Get yours now! Why should the adults miss out? On stage, Monkey joins Shen Yun to overcome evil in dramatic story dances. As a bookmark, he readies to defend your page in the most mischievous way possible. Treat yourself to a little bit of luxury with our bestselling Monkey King bookmark, lined in 24 carat gold. EXPLORE THE MONKEY KING COLLECTION NOW AND BUY IT HERE! By Lin Shao, contributing writer Man Dug out by Police After Spending Winter Snowed Into Home Ottawa Police helped dig an elderly man out of his home Thursday, March 7, after the citys excessively snowy winter left him housebound for weeks. The man in his 70s had heat and electricity and access to a phone, but decided he would ration his food and wait for spring rather than call for help. He just was going to wait winter out, said police spokeswoman Const. Amy Gagnon. The officers went to the home in the citys east end Thursday night after concerned neighbours called asking for a wellness check. They hadnt seen their neighbour in quite some time and were concerned for his well-being. When police arrived, they found a driveway covered by several feet of snow and a car completely buried. There were no signs that anyone had been in or out for some time. They made their way to the front door and a man answered their knock. He was alive, he was well, but he was alone, said Gagnon. Police dont know exactly when he became trapped in his house. Elderly Ottawa man dug out by police after spending winter snowed into homehttps://t.co/6TxjhoI1Fi pic.twitter.com/FyLyIwKLYK CP24 (@CP24) March 8, 2019 Ottawa has had more than 260 cm of snow fall since November, including a record-setting 97 cm in January and a winter storm in mid-February that convinced the citys schools to close for the first time in years. The man was willing to continue his winter-bound lifestyle, but Gagnon said that was unacceptable to the officers so three of them joined forces to clear his entire driveway of snow. They also called in municipal workers to help remove large amounts of ice built up at the end of his driveway. The officers are also bringing him groceries and asking other city services to continue to check on his well-being. The man doesnt want to be identified. Hes very thankful for the help, but would like to keep his privacy, said Gagnon. By Mia Rabson Visitors to the exhibition (Source: nhandan.com.vn) The exhibition is held by the Embassy of Hungary in Hanoi and the Peoples Committee of Huong Hoa district. Professor Vargyas Gabor is a member of the Scientific Council of the Institute of Ethnology, the Center for Human Sciences Research, the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. He spent from 1985 to 1989 living with the Bru - Van Kieu community in Quang Tri. Thereby, he witnessed the difficult life of the people, as well as efforts to promote traditional values, and preserve the beauty in the customs and beliefs of the Bru - Van Kieu people in the province. Professor Vargyas Gabor (right) at the exhibition (Source: nhandan.com.vn) The Bru-Van Kieu, a Mon-Khmer language group, live mostly in mountainous areas of the central provinces of Quang Tri, Quang Binh, and Thua Thien - Hue, with a population of around 74,500. The group originally lived in the central part of Laos and migrated to Vietnam amid historical changes, inhabiting the western part of Quang Tri province. The group settled in the area of Van Kieu Mountain and were later named after this mountain. The exhibition will run at Van Kieu - Pa Ko ethnic Traditional Cultural House until March 30th. All of the photos will be presented to the locality afterwards./. Hoda Muthana, an Alabama woman who left home to join ISIS after becoming radicalized online. (Hoda Muthana/Attorney Hassan Shibly via AP) Marine Veteran Says ISIS Bride Shouldnt Be Allowed Back Into US A Marine Corps veteran said that ISIS bride Hoda Muthana, who top American officials say is a terrorist, should not be allowed back into the United States years after she left to join the terror group in Syria. Hoda Muthana, 24, left to join the radical Islamist group in 2014 when she was 18 and a college student in Alabama. She later married three ISIS fighters and had a son with at least one of them. At least two of the fighters died in battle; the status of the third isnt clear. Serving as a top propagandist for the group, Muthana was an active social media user who at one point posted on Twitter exhorting Muslims in the United States to carry out terror attacks. Go on drive-bys and spill all of their blood, or rent a big truck and drive all over them. Veterans, Patriot, Memorial etc Day parade, she said in one post. Muthanas family and legal team have argued that she should be let back into the United States because shes sorry for what she did and will pay her debts to society. Joey Jones, a retired Marine bomb technician who lost both his legs while serving in Afghanistan, told Fox News that he doesnt think Muthana is remorseful and that she should not be allowed back into the United States. We send our men and women every daythousands by the yearto go somewhere and possibly die, so that we can stay safe and secure here, Jones said. And we have an opportunity to keep one of those enemy people from coming onto our shores, and we should do everything we can to stop that from happening. Jones also praised President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for not looking for the legal and foolproof approach to keep her away from this amazing country. We cant take that risk, and we shouldnt take that risk, he said. Trump announced on Feb. 20 that he instructed Pompeo not to allow Muthana back into the United States. Pompeo strongly condemned Muthana on March 4, telling reporters: Shes a terrorist. I have instructed Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and he fully agrees, not to allow Hoda Muthana back into the Country! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 20, 2019 This is a woman who went online and tried to kill young men and women of the United States of America. She advocated for jihad, for people to drive vans across streets here in the United States and kill Americans, he said. Shes not a U.S. citizen. She has no claim of U.S. citizenship. In fact, shes a terrorist, and we shouldnt bring back foreign terrorists to the United States of America. Its not the right thing to do. President Trump is determined that she will not come back. And we dont need that kind of risk, and we dont need people like her who threatened the lives of Americans and Iowans coming back to the United States who arent citizens, he added. Its not clear what exactly Muthana did while in Syria and the case highlights how, historically, women who were part of violent groups or regimes, such as the Nazis, used their gender to try to shirk punishment, noted Jessica Trisko Darden, a fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. Drawing from several books, including Hitlers Furies: German Women in the Nazi Killing Fields, Trisko noted that like most Nazi women, the women in ISIS did not engage in armed combat but many helped perpetrate horrific crimes. Womens roles in armed groups vary. But, in large part due to their ability to blur the line between civilian and combatant, womens often unseen contributions to conflict can be key to an armed groups success, she wrote in an article published on The Conversation. The mobilization of more than 4,700 women like Shamima Begum and Hoda Muthana by ISIS was unprecedented because they were foreign. But womens participation in violent projects to remake their societies is more common than we realize. She added, Tens of thousands of Nazi women escaped justice. This historical precedent should be considered as governments decide how they will hold the women of ISIS to account for their crimes. From NTD News A truck carrying mostly Honduran migrants taking part in a caravan heading to the US drives from Santiago Niltepec to Juchitan, near the town of La Blanca in Oaxaca State, Mexico, on Oct. 30, 2018. (Guillermo Arias/AFP/Getty Images) Over 25 Central American Migrants Die in Truck Accident More than 25 Central American migrants died in an accident in southern Mexico on March 7. Twenty-nine others were injured. The truck they were traveling in lost control and overturned in the Mexican state of Chiapas. Chiapas is the usual entry point into Mexico for migrants traveling from Guatemala, the Associated Press reported. The region has seen increasing scrutiny due to several large migrant caravans headed toward the U.S. border in recent months. Authorities are investigating the accident, and have not provided the nationalities of all of the victims. The injured were taken to local hospitals. There have been other tragedies along the routes of Central American migrants venturing through Mexico toward the United States. Two young Hondurans, aged 16 and 17, were murdered after they left a shelter for underage migrants in the Mexican border city of Tijuana late last year. They were found stabbed and strangled, according to The Guardian. A third person was severely injured in the incident, and his or her life was considered in danger due to witnessing what happened. At least two others migrants also recently died on their journey through Mexicoone of a drug overdose, the other after getting run over by a vehicle, according to the publication. Two Dead in Southern Mexico After Gunmen Attack Migrant Caravan https://t.co/zqgrHXE7EF Brandon Darby (@brandondarby) March 5, 2019 In recent years, hundreds of migrants have disappeared in the Mexican state of Veracruz, due to kidnappers in the area seeking ransom pay. Local authorities last year discovered the remains of at least 174 people buried in secret graves, sparking questions on whether the bodies were of migrants, NBC News reported. On Dec. 17 the United States and Mexico announced the creation of a bilateral assistance program meant to curb Central American migration. The United States said it would contribute $10.6 billion, The Washington Post reported. Mexico said it would contribute $25 billion to develop southern Mexico over five years, which Mexican president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador suggested could provide Central Americans work visas as a source of employment. The United States has for years given Central American countries aid in the hopes of stemming immigration. In 2016, the Obama administration announced $750 billion to Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador, after the administration experienced a surge in unaccompanied children trying to enter the United States. The Trump administration has been reviewing the effectiveness of that funding to examine whether the money is actually accomplishing the intended purpose. The administration has been discussing whether to reduce aid funds, in the midst of a constant barrage of Central American migrant caravans that both enter the United States illegally and overwhelm legal ports of entry. A freight train carrying over 400 Central Americans arrived in the border city of Mexicali, on March 6, the latest arrival of a group of migrants from the countries sending caravans. Mexican authorities deemed the practice of riding freight trains illegal in 2014, after it was used as a widespread means of getting to the U.S. border. The train routes begin in Chiapas, then head up to Mexico City, and from there take a number of routes towards different parts of the border, the Washington Examiner reported. Senate Republicans are not voting on constitutionality or precedent, they are voting on desperately needed Border Security & the Wall. Our Country is being invaded with Drugs, Human Traffickers, & Criminals of all shapes and sizes. Thats what this vote is all about. STAY UNITED! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 6, 2019 President Trump tweeted about the border wall, currently in the process of construction, aimed to help stem the crisis of illegal border crossings as a result of the migrant caravans. We are apprehending record numbers of illegal immigrants but we need the Wall to help our great Border Patrol Agents! he tweeted on March 8. We are apprehending record numbers of illegal immigrants but we need the Wall to help our great Border Patrol Agents! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 8, 2019 The Wall is being built and is well under construction. Big impact will be made. Many additional contracts are close to being signed. Far ahead of schedule despite all of the Democrat Obstruction and Fake News! he tweeted slightly earlier, on March 8. The Wall is being built and is well under construction. Big impact will be made. Many additional contracts are close to being signed. Far ahead of schedule despite all of the Democrat Obstruction and Fake News! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 8, 2019 From NTD News Plane Makes Emergency Landing, Passengers Evacuated NEWARK, N.J.Smoke reported on board an Air Transat flight forced an emergency landing Saturday, March 9, at a New Jersey airport, where the 189 passengers were evacuated by emergency slides. Air Transat Flight 942 was on its way from Montreal to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, when it reported a possible fire in the cargo hold and was diverted to Newark Liberty International Airport at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, a Federal Aviation Administration representative said. The Boeing 737 landed and remained on the runway while airport firefighters responded, and passengers evacuated via emergency slides, she said. Passengers were then taken by bus to the terminal. Two of the 189 passengers reported minor injuries, neither related to smoke, and one was taken to a hospital to be examined, said Steve Coleman, deputy director of media relations at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. No fire was found and the cause of the smoke remains under investigation, he said. Our 189 passengers safety is our top priority and they were evacuated promptly upon landing, said Debbie Cabana, Air Transat marketing director. #BREAKING An Air Transat Flight from Montreal to Fort Lauderdale had to make an emergency landing at Newark Liberty International Airport, after a possible fire was detected on the plane. #TS942 https://t.co/qrDtIVHhnA pic.twitter.com/hyfvR5VRNe Natasha Fatah (@NatashaFatah) March 9, 2019 Another aircraft was to be sent to Newark to operate the flight to Fort Lauderdale, she said. Both runways were closed during what Newark Liberty called an airport emergency, but officials later announced that flights had resumed. Air Transat flight #TS942 Boeing 737-800 C-GTQG from Montreal to Fort Lauderdale has made an emergency landing at New York Newark airport after indication of fire onboard. Passengers evacuated using slides. https://t.co/xaLagQ9Q3l pic.twitter.com/ZJcegryNAv Breaking Aviation News (@breakingavnews) March 9, 2019 Last week on Sunday, March 3, another plane that was taxiing at Newark Liberty Airport struck the wing of another plane, no one was injured, authorities say. The airport said in a message on Twitter that the Southwest Airlines plane was taxiing shortly after 7 a.m. Saturday when it struck wings with a parked airliner at the airports Terminal A gate. The airport said there were no injuries, and passengers were to be rebooked. 2 Southwest Airlines planes clip wings at Newark Airport; no injuries https://t.co/WsDvY61IHN pic.twitter.com/OvsHmCvuD5 CBS News (@CBSNews) March 2, 2019 News 12 New Jersey reported that Southwest Airlines Flight 6 bound for Fort Lauderdale, Florida, began to taxi following deicing when its left wing grazed a parked plane being de-iced prior to a trip to Nashville, Tennessee. An airline representative apologized for the delays for passengers and said both planes were taken out of service for review. Theresa Rose Bentaas, in a booking photo released on March 8, 2019. (Minnehaha County Jail via KELO via AP) Police Trace Mother of Newborn Found Dead in Ditch 38 Years Ago, Charge Her With Murder The thought of the newborn baby, lifeless in a ditch, tears frozen on its face, still haunts the man who spotted him wrapped in a red blanket on the side of a South Carolina highway 38 years ago. To see a child thrown away like thathow could someone do that, Lee Litz said in 2016, as he told local media that he still visited the grave of the unknown child. Someone got away with murder. Not anymore. Police have tracked down the mother of the child whose death has transfixed the city of Sioux Falls for decades. She confessed to abandoning him by the roadside where he gradually succumbed to death through exposure. Authorities announced on March 8, that they had charged Theresa Rose Bentaas, 57, with murder and manslaughter in the 1981 death of the infant, known as Baby Andrew. She said she had hidden her pregnancy from friends, family and even the father, according to a court affidavit cited by AP. Bentaas gave birth to the boy alone in her department, then drove to the cornfield ditch where she abandoned him. Police said they used DNA and genealogy sites to determine she was the babys mother. Bentaas, who was 19 at that time, later married the infants father, the Argus Leader reported, who faces no criminal charges in the matter. The couple have two living adult children. Father Saw Bump, Then No Bump Authorities had exhumed Baby Andrews body 10 years ago, to aquire DNA samples. Then, using public DNA genealogy sites, investigators were able to put together a family tree. Using birth records and marriage records, they finally traced the lineage back to Bantaas. They obtained a search warrant for a DNA sample, which determined she was the mother. These pictures were on display during the press conference. The one in black and white is of the scene in 1981 when officers were there after the baby was found. The second is the babys grave at St. Michaels Cemetery. @ksfynews pic.twitter.com/JyjecYwyoY Vanessa Gomez (@VanessagKSFY) March 8, 2019 According to a court affidavit, obtained by the Argus, Bentaas saw the coverage of Baby Andrew on the news but said she was in denial that she was the one responsible for that. She told police interviewers that she still thinks about the baby when she drives by the area. The father of Andrew, Dirk Bentaas, is not facing charges. He admitted he saw she had a bump and then no bump around the time Baby Andrew was found, during a police interview in 2019. (Dirk) Bentaas admitted to hearing about (Baby Andrew) being found but did not believe the defendant was capable of doing such an act, the affidavit read. Public DNA-tracing Sites The authorities had submitted Baby Andrews DNA sample to Parabon NanoLabs, which found two possible matches using the public genealogical database GEDmatch. Public genetic genealogy databases are the DNA-powered equivalent of family tree sites that use DNA instead of public records to put together family trees and trace distant relatives. Cold-case detectives have used them in recent years to successfully track down criminals, creating fake profiles with real DNA samples from crime victims or scenes. For example, the capture last year of the suspected Golden State Killer in northern California was achieved through a fake profile on GEDmatch. A businessman was arrested recently, accused of fatally stabbing a Minneapolis woman in 1993, after a similar DNA-trace. But the method has stirred controversy, raising concerns over privacy and the ability of big data to join the dots where no explicit permission has been granted. Bentaas is charged with murder in the first degree, murder in the second degree and manslaughter in the second degree. She will be charged under 1981 laws, although according to the Argus, despite a reclassification of laws, sentencing parameters remain mostly the same. The grave of Baby Andrew is uncovered with items left on it at St. Michaels Cemetery. The baby was buried there on March 7th, 1981. @ksfynews pic.twitter.com/BKO3dsWiNW Vanessa Gomez (@VanessagKSFY) March 8, 2019 The body of Baby Andrew was found by Lee Litz while cruising in the passenger seat of a friends new jeep on Feb. 28, 1981. Litz spotted a wine-coloured blanket lying in a ditch. But when they pulled over, he found the lifeless infant swaddled inside. Litzs was one of around 50 locals who attended the babys funeral, and still visits the babys grave. I sure would have adopted him rather than see him die like that, Litz told the Argus Leader in 2017. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump greet vistors as they land at Fort Benning, Georgia on March 8, 2019. (Mike Theiler/Reuters) Reporters Mock Trump, Alabama Residents During Post-Tornado Visit Some reporters and analysts mocked President Donald Trump and Alabama residents while Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and other administration officials visited the state in the aftermath of a deadly tornado. After Josh Dawsey of the Washington Post, who was on the scene, posted a picture on Twitter showing Trump signing Bibles, several reporters replied, mocking the president and the people at the church. Trump had started signing Bibles after a 12-year-old boy and 10-year-old girl asked him to sign their copies. Andrew Kaczynski of CNN chipped in, saying: Are they first editions? Molly Jong-Fast of The Bulwark added, How many of said Bibles spontaneously burst into flames. President Trump is signing bibles for volunteers and survivors at a Baptist church in Alabama. pic.twitter.com/9b8VfyZiKF Josh Dawsey (@jdawsey1) March 8, 2019 Are they first editions? andrew kaczynski (@KFILE) March 8, 2019 How many of said bibles spontaneously burst into flames Molly Jong-Fast (@MollyJongFast) March 8, 2019 Meredith McGraw, a reporter for ABC, shared the picture and wondered: Signing Bibles? Dawsey replied, saying: People brought them and asked him to do it. According to Dawseys subsequent article about Trumps visit, the president signed at least two Bibles for an adoring horde of volunteers, who were packed eight-deep around tables of recovery supplies. Ada Ingram, a local resident, said that Trump signed Bibles belonging to her sister and a 12-year-old volunteer, calling the president a godsend. One volunteer shared these photos of President Trump & the First Lady both signing Bibles while stopping at a local church to meet tornado survivors and volunteers in Alabama. pic.twitter.com/E3RHl2QXth Rachel Scott (@rachelvscott) March 8, 2019 He signed his Bible! she said. Trump also signed hats, clothes, and other items while posing for pictures with residents. Rachel Scott, another ABC reporter, posted pictures that were taken by a volunteer that showed the Trumps signing Bibles at the church. She also shared a picture of two Bibles with Trumps signature on the front. President Trump signed Bibles today while visiting Beauregard, Alabama a community devastated by two deadly tornadoes. pic.twitter.com/dueCFABJMh Rachel Scott (@rachelvscott) March 8, 2019 Among those in the media ridiculing the president and Alabama residents was Matthew Dowd, a political analyst for ABC. I dont know who it is a worse commentary on: Trump actually signing Bibles in Alabama, or the people asking him to sign a Bible. Lordy Moses, he wrote. Aaron Rupar, a journalist for Vox, added: It looks like Trump thinks he literally wrote the Bible. Eric Erickson, a writer for Resurgent, wrote: Do not let people autograph your Bibles. Thats creepy and gross. I dont know who it is a worse commentary on: Trump actually signing Bibles in Alabama, or the people asking him to sign a Bible. Lordy Moses. Matthew Dowd (@matthewjdowd) March 8, 2019 Several officials who worked under former President Barack Obama also slammed Trump for signing Bibles. Todd Breasseale, a former Department of Homeland Security assistant secretary under Obama, said: This is *not* a useful mental exercise and always leads to frustration, but Im just trying to imagine if President Obama did at any of the natural disaster areas what Mr. Trump did in Alabama, and the subsequent meltdown on Fox and across the politicized evangelical world. Trust me, if Obama had signed Bibles, the people at Fox News wouldve lost their minds, Chris Lu, former cabinet secretary for the Obama administration, said. But according to Slate, it hasnt been all that uncommon for presidents or U.S. politicians to sign Bibles. According to Peter Manseau, the Smithsonians curator of religion, Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Ronald Reagan all signed one or more Bibles during their presidencies. Reporters and photographers also posted pictures of the president and first lady standing in front of crosses erected in memory of the 23 people killed by the tornado. The president and first lady visited a line of crosses one in honor of each of the tornado victims stopping for a moment at each pic.twitter.com/YBIPYC8ChF Jill Colvin (@colvinj) March 8, 2019 Jong-Fast, The Bulwark reporter, posted a cropped picture zooming in on the Trumps. I call this one Martial bliss, she wrote. She later apologized, claiming she didnt know where the photograph was taken. I deleted this tweet when I was told they were at a grave site, she said. From NTD News Search for Missing Berlin Girl Has Germany Distressed BERLINHundreds of police officers are searching for a teenager who went missing in Berlin last month in a case that has distressed Germany. German news agency DPA reported that 100 officers were sifting through a forest 18 miles southeast of the capital Friday. MISSING This girl (Rebecca) from Berlin is missing. She is 15 years old and wasnt seen in one week. Shes probably wearing a RM hoody. Please spread. pic.twitter.com/YB0saAVeWc Mara is wayVing hinfort (@BangChenle) February 25, 2019 The search comes after investigators said earlier this week that the 15-year-old, only identified as Rebecca, was probably no longer alive and that her 27-year-old brother-in-law was a suspect in her disappearance. pray for this young girl Rebecca Reusch! Missing since 1 week in #Berlin https://t.co/oUv1Jt476z Tino Maier (@tino2003maier) February 25, 2019 The brother-in-law has been detained but is refusing to cooperate with investigators. Rebeccas family says hes innocent. Police received more than 700 responses from the public after asking for help. In particular, theyre trying to find out why the brother-in-law drove to eastern Germany on the day Rebecca disappeared. The logos of Google and Facebook displayed on a tablet in Paris, on Feb. 18, 2019. (Lionel Bonaventure/AFP/Getty Images) Social-Media Giants Fall in Reputation, Poll Shows Companies that dominate the social-media realm have lost esteem among Americans, dropping dramatically in the reputation rankings of the 100 most visible companies, according to the latest annual release by the Harris/Axios pollster (pdf). Google used to be No. 3 on the list in 2016, but sunk to No. 41 in the 2019 ranking. Facebook, never quite a darling of the public, debuted as No. 31 in 2011 and was still No. 51 in 2018. It then plummeted to No. 94 in 2019, as indicated in a summary report (pdf). For the first time, Twitter made it on the list, but ended up No. 89. The list was put together using two surveys. The first, in November, asked over 6,100 people to name two companies with the best and the worst reputations. In the second survey, in January, over 18,200 are asked to rate two companies with which they are very or somewhat familiar on nine attributes, including trustworthiness, vision, growth prospect, shared values, ethics, innovation, and product quality. If a company is not on our list, it does not suggest that they have either good or bad reputation, but rather they didnt reach a critical level of visibility to be measured, the pollster stated in the recently released report. Facebook Plunges Facebook was the biggest loser of the list, tarred by data-privacy scandals, including multiple allegations of improperly sharing user data with other companies. Only 15 percent of Americans agreed that Facebook securely protects its customers personal information and data. For Google, 37 percent agreed. Bias and Privacy Google, Facebook, and Twitter had their executives grilled in congressional hearings in 2018, getting heat from both sides of the aisle. Democrats have largely focused on the companies troubles in purging from their platforms foreign actors meddling in U.S. elections, and stopping user data from getting hacked or improperly shared. Republicans, including President Donald Trump, have accused the companies of political bias as a lineup of influential right-leaning users have been booted from the platforms. The companies have also been expanding their censorship of politically incorrect content, prominently hate speecha category even the companies themselves acknowledge isnt clearly defined and, some experts warned, may not be definable at all. Light and Shade on Amazon Amazon was dethroned as the company with the best reputation by Wegmans, an East Coast supermarket chain. It was only the second time Amazon was pushed to second place since 2013. Americans gave the company good grades for growth, vision, services, and innovation, but poorer for shared values and ethics, including employee treatment. America still loves its smiling boxes, but are beginning to grow uneasy with Amazons reach and power, the pollster said. Governments the Worst Many respondents appeared to vent their political frustrations through the poll, assigning abysmal ratings to The Trump Organization, which Trump handed to his children after assuming the presidency, as well as to the U.S. Government itself, which entered into the ranking for the first time, taking the bottom spot. Never matter that the government isnt technically a company. It isnt on the FORTUNE 500. But Americans feel the way the Democrats and the Republicans run business is the worst of any company they can imagine, the pollster stated. On an unaided basis, Americans (both progressives and conservatives) called out Uncle Sam Inc. as the least respected and trustworthy company in America. An undated photo of fourth-grader William McLeod at home in Bountiful, Utah. (Karen Fisher via AP) Teacher Sent Home After Forcing Student to Wash off Ash Wednesday Cross SALT LAKE CITYA teacher in Utah has been placed on administrative leave after forcing a Catholic student to wash an Ash Wednesday cross off his forehead. William McLeod, 9, had just returned to school at Valley View Elementary near Salt Lake City after attending Catholic mass when his fourth-grade teacher called the ash marking inappropriate and gave him a hand wipe to clean it off in front of his classmates, according to the McLeods grandmother Karen Fisher. At first McLeod explained he could not remove the cross because it is important for the beginning of Easter but eventually agreed to Moana Pattersons request. Ash is often used as a sign of mortality and has a long history in Christian and Jewish worship. He went to see the schools psychologist crying, Fisher told the Associated Press. He was embarrassed. Davis School District Spokesman Chris William confirmed the incident in Bountiful is being taken very seriously and an investigation is underway into whether disciplinary action should be levied against the childs teacher. The teacher has meanwhile been suspended. The actions were unacceptable, he said. No student should ever be asked or required to remove an ash cross from his or her forehead. Patterson phoned Fisher to apologize after being called into a meeting with the principal about the incident. The teacher also gave a handwritten note and candy bar to McLeod. Patterson did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment about the incident. William said he does not know Pattersons religious affiliation. In Utah, Catholics are the minority. The 330,000 Catholics in the state account for about 10 percent of the population, according to Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City Government Liaison Officer Jean Hill. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints account for about two-thirds of the state. The faiths headquarters are in Salt Lake City. We understand that mistakes happen, Hill said in a statement. The diocese is also very grateful to the young student who used the situation to educate his teacher about a part of his faith and its importance to him. Learning about one another is one way we build community across religious, political, racial, ethnic and other borders, she added. Patterson has asked if she could reapply the ashes herself but Fisher informed her thats not how it works. The school districts director of educational equity, who happens to be ordained as a Catholic deacon, came to the school to reapply the ashes. Tennessee House Passes Bill That Would Ban Abortions After Detection of Fetal Heartbeat The Tennessee House of Representatives passed a bill on March 7 that would ban abortions in the state after the detection of an unborn babys heartbeat, which typically happens between six to eight weeks after conception. The measure was approved 65-21 and is set to pass to the state Senate. Except in a medical emergency that necessitates an immediate abortion of a womans pregnancy to avert her death or for which a delay will create serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of major bodily function (medical emergency), abortions will be disallowed if the physician detects the fetal heartbeat, the bill, HB0077, stated. The doctor who believes abortion is necessary due to a medical emergency must note his or her belief in the prospective mothers medical record that the abortion was necessary and must detail the exact condition of the woman that he or she thinks would lead to substantial and irreversible impairment. Rep. Matthew Hill, R-Jonesborough, stops by and talks with some of the pro-choice activists. He says he supports the fetal heartbeat bill because he wants to protect life. #tnleg pic.twitter.com/qZsCOGJ7Ve Sergio Martinez-Beltran (@SergioMarBel) March 7, 2019 Rep. Matthew Hill engages with a pro-choice protester ahead of scheduled House vote on Tennessees fetal heartbeat bill. I want all innocent life to have a chance, he says. And she wasnt innocent when she was raped? the woman replied. #tnleg pic.twitter.com/ES3MStACpA Natalie Allison (@natalie_allison) March 7, 2019 If its not a medical emergency and the doctor performs an abortion after the heartbeat was detected, the doctor could face a felony charge if the bill is passed. Colleagues, we cannot continue to allow the slaughter of the unborn while we hope for better circumstances, state Rep. Micah Van Huss, a Republican and the bills sponsor, told his colleagues on the House floor prior to the vote, reported The Tennessean. It is not overly complicated, added state Rep. Matthew Hill, deputy speaker and a Republican. We have a responsibility as the representatives of our districts, of our citizens, to ensure that life, innocent life, is protected in all its stages. We will be able to inject some common sense into our code. Mothers and state Reps. Esther Helton and Mary Littleton, both Republicans, spoke of their own experiences giving birth and voted for the bill. Galleries at TN House full for fetal heartbeatdebatesome cheered the words of sponsor Micah Van Huss ( unborn need uscannot continue to allow slaughter) and others applauded speech from opponent Rep. London Lamar ( no woman should have to carry a rapists baby) @WKRN pic.twitter.com/OLdGmhdw3L Chris Bundgaard (@bundgaard2) March 7, 2019 Rep. Matthew Hill: you know that that little boy or that little girl is alive when you hear a heartbeat. You know that in your heart. #TNLeg Sergio Martinez-Beltran (@SergioMarBel) March 7, 2019 State Rep. Gloria Johnson, a Democrat, wanted to add an amendment that would allow abortions at any point during the pregnancy in cases of incest or rape but wasnt able to do so. State Rep. London Lamar, a Democrat, spoke and suggested she was the only representative currently at childbearing age, prompting jeers. I think Im one of the only women in this house who can still have children, Lamar said. No woman, including myself, should have to carry a rapists baby. State Senate Speaker Randy McNally, a Republican, said in February that he was going to monitor what happened in other states when they passed similar bills. I think well move fairly slowly on it and make sure that we craft the legislation so thats either constitutional or not proceed with it, he said, reported Nashville Public Radio. I think if the AG [Attorney General] says its constitutionally suspect then we probably would have to go to another source to represent us because hed have a hard time defending it, given his opinion. Herbert Slatery, the AG, has said that the effort was constitutionally suspect. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, though, has come out in support of the legislation. I would support any bill that reduces the number of abortions in the state, he said in January. State Rep. Glen Casada told The Associated Press around the same time that he thinks the issue would eventually be taken up by the Supreme Court. I think its a fight worth having in front of the Supreme Court. I really do, said Casada. Other states have been advancing or passing so-called heartbeat bills. Iowa passed a bill in 2018 but it was struck down earlier this year by a federal judge, following judges declaring similar laws in Arkansas and North Dakota unconstitutional. The Supreme Court has so far declined to take up the issue but both sides expect the judges will, at some point, weigh in. In Tennessee, a federal appellate court threw out a lawsuit last year that attempted to target a vote for a state constitutional amendment against abortion passed by voters in 2014. The amendment states that nothing in the state constitution secures or protects a right to abortion or requires the funding of an abortion. Since the passage of the amendment, lawmakers have passed several bills restricting abortions, including a 48-hour waiting period that requires counseling for women seeking abortions. In 2017, the state banned abortions after 20 weeks on unborn babies deemed likely to be born healthy by doctors. From NTD News Thai Millionaire Who Offered $310,000 to Marry His Daughter Finds Her Choice Too Handsome The content is not available due to expiration. Dominican Maria Marte, who went from dishwasher at Madrids Club Allard to executive chef at that same restaurant in 2013, criticized the machismo culture that still prevails in the fine dining industry and the difficulties that women have in combining their family duties with their jobs. The 40-year-old chef - who returned last year to the Dominican Republic after spending almost 16 years abroad and leaving the kitchen of Club Allard, which received two Michelin stars under her management - said in an interview with EFE that the role of women in fine dining is a shame, because everything is a matter of machismo. A woman with Michelin stars lives for her restaurant, she has to forget about her husband, children, house and everything. Thats where the problem lies. There isnt a single man who hasnt learned to cook from a woman. However, they are the ones who succeed in fine dining. Why? Because of the same belief that men belong out on the streets and women belong at home - at least I grew up listening to that and to this day Im still hearing it, she said. Marte, a self-taught cook who now owns a local catering company for private events, recalled with humor some of the bizarre situations she experienced at Club Allard, where, even though she was wearing a chefs coat, people would ask her where the chef was and when she answered that she was the chef, they would reply: No, its impossible for you to do this. Ive experienced that, Ive gone through very complex situations because Im a woman, she said, adding that there are many men who dont believe that you, as a woman, can run a gourmet kitchen, and thats a shame. She said that male cooks are questioned less than we are. I experienced it first-hand. Were questioned a lot, they look at us with a magnifying glass or over our shoulders. Its like were being watched all the time, as if we were not capable of being as good or better than they are, she said. Marte, who won the Spanish Royal Academy of Culinary Arts National Gastronomy Award for Best Chef in 2014, three years later with Luisa Orlando, general director of the Club Allard, won the Eckart Witzigmann (ECKART) international award in the innovation category. She has allocated most of her ECKART prize - about 50,000 euros ($56,000) - to one-year scholarships for three low-income women from the Serrania School in Jarabacoa, to work and train at Club Allard, where she began her own career in 2003. Marte explained that the scholarships are aimed at allowing the students, who already have been in Madrid for a few months, to come back with a degree ... which is what I never had, so that life is not as difficult for them as it was for her, given that she never received a diploma. They respect you more with a degree, and what I want is for them not to go through what I went through, she said. Marte proudly said that she has contributed to changing the view of Dominican women in Spain and Europe. A while ago there was a very bad view of Dominican women in Spain and Europe, and thank God I managed to change those newspaper headlines for something nicer: they started to talk about the happy cook, she said, adding that she was very excited to read about Dominican women in a different way, one that portrayed them as hard workers, humble and cheerful. By Carmen Jimenez. President Donald Trump participates in a photo opportunity with the 2018 Division I FCS National Champions: The North Dakota State Bison in the East Room of the White House on March 4, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Oliver Contreras/SIPA USA) Trump After Omar Comments: Democrats Have Become an Anti-Israel Party President Donald Trump slammed Democrats as an anti-Israel party after the latest comments by radical Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) in which she questioned why lawmakers support the Middle Eastern country. Democrats have become an anti-Israel party, theyve become an anti-Jewish party, Trump told reporters on March 8. Thats too bad. President Trump: I thought yesterdays vote by the House was disgraceful, because its become the Democrats have become an anti-Israel party. Theyve become an anti-Jewish party. And I thought that vote was a disgrace and so does everybody else if you get an honest answer. pic.twitter.com/TNmPRMwNJA CSPAN (@cspan) March 8, 2019 Trumps statement came after a resolution condemning anti-Semitism finally came to a vote on March 7 but only after Democrats broadened the resolution with portions condemning other kinds of hate, including anti-Muslim bigotry. Omar is a Muslim. The Somalia-born representative sparked a fresh uproar after saying: I want to talk about the political influence in this country that says it is OK to push for allegiance to a foreign country. Previously, Omar said that Israel has hypnotized the world and supported the anti-Israel Boycott, Divest, and Sanctions movement. Omar also took to Twitter in February to insinuate that the Jewish group AIPAC was behind a scheme to exchange funding for politicians in return for support of Israel. After fierce criticism, she apologized but also suggested she was being criticized for speaking her mind. Omar has not apologized for the latest comments, which many perceived as a smear against lawmakers who support both the United States and Israel, and earned praise from former KKK leader David Duke. Trying to explain why the resolution was amended from its original version that only condemned anti-Semitism, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said on March 7 that a new version of the resolution was expanded to speak out against anti-Semitism, anti-Islamophobia, anti-white supremacy and all the forms that it takes. The speaker added that it is up to Omar to explain her latest remarks. Omar was not named in the resolution. I feel confident that her words were not based on any anti-Semitic attitude, Pelosi added, but that she didnt have a full appreciation of how they landed on other people where these words have a history and a cultural impact that might have been unknown to her. Trump slammed Democrats on March 6 for failing to condemn Omar and previously called her comments a dark day on Israel. The far-left lawmaker should resign, he suggested. It is shameful that House Democrats wont take a stronger stand against Anti-Semitism in their conference. Anti-Semitism has fueled atrocities throughout history and its inconceivable they will not act to condemn it! Trump wrote on Twitter. It is shameful that House Democrats wont take a stronger stand against Anti-Semitism in their conference. Anti-Semitism has fueled atrocities throughout history and its inconceivable they will not act to condemn it! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 6, 2019 The resolution was approved by many in Congress but not all due to its expanded language. Todays resolution vote was a sham put forward by Democrats to avoid condemning one of their own and denouncing vile anti-Semitism. While I stand wholeheartedly against discrimination outlined in this resolution, the language before the House today did not address the issue that is front and center, Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Mont.) explained in a statement regarding why she didnt vote for the resolution. Rep. Omars comments were wrong and she has proven multiple times that she embodies a vile, hate-filled, anti-Semitic, anti-Israel bigotry. She deserves to be rebuked, by name, and removed from the House Foreign Affairs Committee so that there is no mistake about the values and priorities that the House stands for. In a floor speech, Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.) said that Republicans stripped Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) of his committee assignments after controversial comments about white nationalists in January and named him in a resolution the House passed condemning white nationalism, in contrast to Democrats neither stripping Omar of committee assignments nor naming her in the resolution. H.Res.183 was spineless, watered down & filled w moral equivalency & double standards. Watch my floor speech explaining my NO vote to this resolution. Name names & remove Rep Omar from @HouseForeign. No double standards! pic.twitter.com/Rj17P6MHFI Lee Zeldin (@RepLeeZeldin) March 7, 2019 We can be no more or any less than what those experiences allow us to be. To recognize and honor the experiences of one member of our Caucus does not mean that we ignore or dishonor the experiences of another. pic.twitter.com/YdzGPFoQk6 James E. Clyburn (@WhipClyburn) March 7, 2019 On the other side, high-level Democrats defended Omars comments, including House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.), who suggested Omars comments stemmed from the pain she experienced in Somalia before fleeing the country. He believes it is much more empirical compared to people who are generations removed from the Holocaust and other violent historical episodes. Im serious about that. There are people who tell me, Well, my parents are Holocaust survivors. My parents did this. Its more personal with her, Clyburn told The Hill. Ive talked to her, and I can tell you she is living through a lot of pain. Clyburn released a statement on March 7 saying he was not minimizing the Holocaust. Every student of history, which I consider myself to be, recognizes the Holocaust as a unique atrocity which resulted in the deaths of six million Jews, he said. It should never be minimized; I never have and I never will. From NTD News Anjoure Lawrence, 35, was arrested and charged with murder after allegedly killing her pregnant sister, Sade Carrie Garner. (Columbus Police Department) Woman Allegedly Killed by Her Sister Was Reportedly Pregnant An Ohio woman who police said was killed by her sister was pregnant at the time of her death. Sade Carrie Garner was gunned down in the driveway of her Columbus home on Feb. 23 by her sister, 35-year-old Anjoure Lawrence. According to WCMH, Garner was pregnant when she was killed. Its not clear how far along in her pregnancy she was and her obituary did not mention her pregnancy. Garners funeral was scheduled for March 9. The revelation comes after Lawrence was indicted by a Franklin County Grand Jury on March 6. She was indicted on two counts of murder and her arraignment was slated for March 20. While police said Lawrence murdered Garner during a dispute, the nature of the dispute has not been made public. Investigators told WSYX initially that they werent sure what the sisters were fighting about. Reactions Writing on the obituary page, many left condolences and remembrances. So sorry this happened to you babygirl. May God wrap his arms around your family and loved ones and give your family strength love and courage and peace during this time. RIP Sade you were always sweet and such a loving spirit you was a real one, wrote Sharde Patterson. My deepest condolences to the family sending prayers of strength to all effected even myself I love u women definition of a REAL WOMEN smh u will be missed and remembered sis love u, wrote Juanee 2 Boo. You were one of few females that I vibed with here. You had the DOPEST personality Ive ever seen, and was always so full of joy and eager to inspire others. From what Ive seen your spirit touched the whole city in such a positive way. We may not fully comprehend why your days were cut so short, but it is a blessing for you to have enjoyed so many moments of your life here on Earth. God gained such a beautiful angel and you will be missed forever and loved a lifetime, added LaTisha Figg. I am still in a daze. Cant believe you are gone. This world just will not be the same without that beautiful smile. You was always so nice and caring. I will miss you so much. Will always love you babygirl. Love Auntie, added Flossie Walker. Student Killed Over Brownie Officials said a Houston student who was stabbed during an argument over a brownie has died. According to Click2Houston, police on March 8 said the student was stabbed in the eye at 4:30 p.m. on March 6 at the corner of Bellaire Boulevard and Rookin Street. Witnesses said the 14-year-old victim was arguing with another juvenile when the stabbing occurred. The juvenile suspect then fled the scene, police said. Houston Independent School District police initially investigated the case, but the Houston Police Department became involved after the victims condition worsened, according to the report. UPDATE: sadly, the 14-year-old stabbed on Wednesday (March 6) at 6436 Bellaire Boulevard has died. No other information is available at this time. The original news release on this case can be found here ===> https://t.co/KWXTOBbeB7 #hounews Houston Police (@houstonpolice) March 8, 2019 On March 8, the Houston Police Department said the boy died. Sadly, the 14-year-old stabbed on Wednesday (March 6) at 6436 Bellaire Boulevard has died. No other information is available at this time, police said on Twitter. Police are investigating an occurrence that took place off-campus, after dismissal (Wednesday) near Jane Long Academy that resulted in a student being seriously injured. Counselors will be on campus (Thursday) to offer support and guidance to students, the Houston Independent School District said in a statement sent to Click2Houston. The victim and suspect were not named. Its also not clear what school the victim attended. The Epoch Times reporter Jack Phillips contributed to this report. From NTD News The South Carolina Highway Patrol is investigating a serious crash involving a Williamsburg County Transit bus and a car that injured a total of 22 people. The crash happened Saturday at approximately 7:30 a.m., according to Georgetown County Fire and Emergency Medical Services Assistant Chief Tony Hucks. South Carolina Highway Patrol Cpl. Sonny Collins said 21 people from the bus were transported to area hospitals. The driver of the car was airlifted to Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, Collins said. Hicks said the driver suffered life-threatening injuries. The Highway Patrol Multi-Disciplinary Accident Investigation Team responded to piece together what led up to the crash. Highway Patrol officials say the investigation is not complete. Tidelands Health hospitals treated a total of nine victims, hospital spokesman Carl Lindquist said. Seven had been treated and released as of 12:45 p.m. As of shortly before 2 p.m., the remaining two patients had been released, as well, Lindquist said. Hospitals in Georgetown County and Conway were also treating the injured, Collins told WMBF News. Collins said 38 passengers were on the bus at the time of the accident. No deaths have been reported. Its exciting getting accepted to one college, maybe even two or three. But Jordan Nixon has offers to dozens of colleges and universities, and its going to take a lot of narrowing down to make a decision. The crazy thing is, Im still waiting on decision letters, but I was not expecting that at all, said 17-year-old Nixon, who has been accepted into 39 schools and counting. Nixon said she did her research when trying to figure out which colleges would be the best fit for her. She said she looked for schools with diversity and schools that offered international business as a major. Were so happy for her because she does put in a lot of due diligence into applying for these schools, said her parents, Angelia and Arthur Nixon. Her proud parents said shes very independent, well-rounded, has great time management skills and participates in many extracurricular activities. I am one of the captains of the varsity cheer team here at Douglas County. Im in Chick-fil-A Leader Academy, and I also participate in DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America), Nixon said. On top of her usual workload and activities, she applied to around 50 schools. In letter after letter, the same word kept showing up: congratulations. Its shocking, each and every time. Youre taken aback every time you open one, Nixon said. It really was amazing at first, and then it became, 'When are the letters going to stop?' joked her mom. Thirty-nine acceptance letters later, Nixon has a big decision to make. She was also awarded a huge amount of scholarship money. Over $1.6 million, Nixon said. Her high school's college and career center specialist said Nixon is very dedicated, and this is the most acceptance letters a student here has ever received. Students like Jordan, who took advantage of being able to apply to a lot of schools through certain avenues like the Common Black App (College Black College Application), you can apply to a lot of schools with one low price for that one, and also, Common App, they can apply to up to 20 schools at one time on one app, said Pinky Quick, the College and Career Center Specialist at Douglass County High School. Jordan said its her motivation and support system helped her the most. I dont study all the time, but I definitely do study. I think my secret is to just give my all, said Nixon. Nixon said shes narrowing down her choices, but she has until May 1 to make a decision. She's not the only girl from the Atlanta area to have some mind-boggling scholarship offers, either. Kayla Willis also applied to 50 schools and had heard back from more than 30 of them as of last month, and had received nearly $1 million in scholarship offers. BENTON A former bass player for rock band, The Ataris, was sentenced to spend 84 months in federal prison by a southern Illinois judge Wednesday for defrauding thousands of would-be renters and home-buyers in Madison County and throughout the United States from 2009 to 2016. Michael S. Davenport, 50, of Santa Barbara, California, pleaded guilty last September to a one-count federal indictment charging him with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. Davenports Santa Barbara-based business changed names several times but was known variously as MDSQ Productions LLC, Housing Standard LLC, Anchor House Financial, American Standard, American Standard Online, and Your American Standard. Court documents simply refer to the business as American Standard. As part of his guilty plea, Davenport admitted that American Standard posted ads on Craigslist listing certain houses for sale or rent at very favorable prices, when, in fact, the houses described in the ads didnt exist. Consumers who responded to the ads were told they would have to purchase American Standards list of houses before they could see any additional information. Consumers were also told that the houses on American Standards list were in pre-foreclosure, that they could purchase the properties by simply taking over the homeowners mortgage payments, and that the deeds to the homes would then be transferred into the customers names. The $199 fee that American Standard charged to access the list was purportedly to cover the cost of title searches and deed transfers. No matter what area of the country the consumer lived in, American Standard salespersons told them that the list contained numerous pre-foreclosure properties available in their area. After consumers paid the $199 fee, they learned that the houses on American Standards list were not actually available for purchase. A substantial number of the addresses contained on the list were fictional, or there were simply no houses at those locations. In numerous other instances, the houses were not in pre-foreclosure or any financial distress and were not available to be purchased at below-market prices. If an American Standard customer asked for more information about a specific house advertised on Craigslist, the companys customer service department always told them that the house was no longer available. Davenports conspiracy and scheme to defraud operated from approximately January 2009 through at least October 5, 2016, over which time American Standard defrauded more than 130,000 people to the tune of more than $25 million. The victims were located in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Over 100 victims of the scam were located within the Southern District of Illinois, spread across 22 counties, with multiple victims in both St. Clair and Madison counties. American Standards list included 534 houses located in Southern Illinois. In handing down the seven-year sentence at the federal district courthouse in Benton, Illinois, United States District Judge Staci M. Yandle chastised Davenport for what she characterized as a crime of simple greed. You were intoxicated with making all this money, she told the ex-rocker. You did horrible things. As part of his sentence, Davenport was ordered to forfeit $853,210.11 in fraud proceeds that were recovered from his credit card processing accounts, as well as $79,000 in cash that was seized from him at the Bill and Hillary Clinton Airport in Little Rock, Arkansas. Four of Davenports former employees have also been charged with participating in the American Standard fraud conspiracy. On Wednesday afternoon, just hours after Davenports sentencing, Cynthia L. Rawlinson, 52, of Santa Barbara, was sentenced by Judge Yandle to five years of supervised release. Rawlinson was a salesperson who also served as a manager for American Standard for a brief period of time. Earlier this year, two other American Standard sales representatives from Santa Barbara Mark A. Phillips, 50, and Semjase E. Santana, 37 were also sentenced to serve five years of supervised release. And last June, Carlynne L. Davis, 34, of Lompoc, California, pled guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with her participation in American Standard. Daviss sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 5, 2019. This case is part of an ongoing investigation by the St. Louis Field Office of the Chicago Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service. The Office of the Honorable Joyce E. Dudley, District Attorney for Santa Barbara County, and the Santa Maria Office of the FBI have provided substantial assistance in the investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Scott A. Verseman. EDWARDSVILLE The Madison County Genealogical Society meeting will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 14, 2019 in the Edwardsville Public Library Community Meeting Room, 112 South Kansas St., Edwardsville. Cherie Kuhn will give a presentation on ancient Indian culture and artifacts. She will talk about the Paleo and Archaic periods plus arrowheads and tools of that time. She is a graduate of Livingston High School. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Editorial Board (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sat, March 9, 2019 08:59 1006 dcc1aefb9780f102b77c720ee8120c87 1 Editorial ITE,ITE-Law,editorial,TNI Free Perhaps university lecturer and prodemocracy activist Robertus Robet was unlucky for singing a song deemed to have insulted the Indonesian Military (TNI). The police arrested him early Thursday and charged him under Article 207 of the Criminal Code on defaming those in power or legal institutions. More than 20 years ago, students chanted the same old song to criticize the militarys omnipresence in government and civilian affairs but went unpunished. The arrest, therefore, comes as a surprise as it happened as Indonesia embraces democracy, with freedom of expression warranted. The Robertus case has only exacerbated the penchant for criminalizing people exercising their freedom of expression under the pretext of defamation, hate speech and other vague offenses, such as an indecent act that our century-old criminal justice system has ironically maintained. The articles, known for their multi-interpretations, were created by the colonial ruler to silence those aspiring to independence. Police eventually released Robertus after questioning him. However, the way law enforcement immediately responded to a defamation report filed against him sends the wrong message about the risk people may face for being critical in this democratic era. A few years ago, a housewife was jailed because of a complaint about a hospitals service she made to her friend by email that later went viral, and it was only in January that the Supreme Court maintained a female teachers jail sentence for defamation just because she posted a recording of a reportedly lewd phone call between the schools principal and herself as evidence of alleged sexual harassment. The list is likely to get longer as it may target not only government critics like Robertus but also ordinary people venting their disappointment in a manner that others cannot accept. Aside from the outdated Criminal Code, the Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law is another legitimate tool to ensnare anyone whose online postings are considered offensive. In Robertus case, what matters is not only his and our endangered freedom of speech but also the substance of his criticism: the governments plan to amend the 2004 TNI Law, which will reportedly justify the recruitment of military officers for civilian jobs outside the 10 government and state institutions accessible to them according to the law. Robertus and others who support democracy, including some retired military generals, have warned that the amendment plan will pave the way for the return of the militarys dwifungsi (dual function) during the Soeharto era. As part of public discourse, criticism is what we need, especially in relation to crucial issues such as the revision of the TNI Law, which was enacted to build a professional military organization. Robertus reminded the government and House of Representatives of the potential revival of dwifungsi. Such apprehension is valid, as there has been no clear explanation on the part of the government about the reasons behind the amendment, except that it aims to settle the issue of hundreds of idle military officers. The more attempts there are to silence critics, the less credible the debate is over the amendment. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sun, March 10, 2019 03:39 1005 dcc1aefb9780f102b77c720ee81307f1 4 Lifestyle boss,employees,workplace Free Employees acting out or sabotaging their own companies might be caused by bullying bosses, new research suggests. For a study published in the Journal of Management, an international team of researchers explored the negative outcome of bullying behavior. It turned out that workers suffering under abusive supervision are more likely to sabotage their own workplace by purposefully messing up tasks, arriving late, taking excessively long breaks and putting in minimal effort, Newsweek reported. The researchers aimed to find out how some bosses made employees less inclined to show organizational citizenship behavior (OCB), or a commitment to the company outside of their contractual obligations. OCB could include activities like helping colleagues or volunteering for unusual work hours. Bullied workers, on the other hand, may tend to harm the organization by showing counterproductive work behavior (CWB). Read also: Common behavior of the worst bosses Conducted by researchers from Southwestern University of Finance and Economics in China, Renmin University of China and Swinburne University of Technology in Australia, the study analyzed 427 existing studies and concluded that employees tended to act out because of unfair treatment in the workplace or stress (which affects the ability to perform as expected). According to study co-author Liu-Qin Yang, associate professor of industrial-organizational psychology at Portland State University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, stress can be uncontrollable and result in not sleeping well, coming in late, taking longer breaks or disobeying instructions. But justice is more rational. Something isnt fair, so youre purposely not going to help other people, or when the boss asks if anyone can come in on a Saturday to work, you dont volunteer, Yang gave as an example. Regularly training managers, introducing policies that tackle workplace injustice and helping workers deal with stress are some of the options for companies to address the issue. Last year, a study published in the European Heart Journal explored how harsh practices could affect the wellbeing of employees. The analysis of 79,201 men and women between 18 and 65 years of age revealed that bullied workers were more likely to develop cardiovascular diseases. Bullying and violence are common at workplaces, and those exposed to these stressors are at higher risk of [cardiovascular diseases], the authors concluded. (sop/kes) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ni Nyoman Wira (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sat, March 9, 2019 13:13 1006 dcc1aefb9780f102b77c720ee8128051 1 Art & Culture Hong-Kong,art,art-exhibition,Hong-Kong-Arts-Month Free Ni Nyoman Wira The Jakarta Post March is the month of art in Hong Kong. The city is scheduled to hold various art events and has launched new destinations that bring art closer to people as part of its campaign for Hong Kong Arts Month 2019. Here are some ways to enjoy art during your visit: Attend Art Basel Held for three days from March 29 to 31, Art Basel is among the must-visit art fairs in Hong Kong. Taking place at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center, it will feature artworks from 242 modern and contemporary galleries from 36 countries around the Asia Pacific region. The Jakarta-based Nadi Gallery and ROH Projects are two Indonesian galleries set to take part at this year's Hong Kong Art Basel. The fair will also be attended by Indonesian artists Jumaldi Alfi, Agus Suwage, Bagus Pandega and Syagini Ratna Wulan. Visit Art Central From March 27 to 31, the fifth edition of Art Central will feature 107 galleries from 22 countries. The fair will present art performances, large scale art installations and discussions with renowned figures in the contemporary art scene. Located at Central Harbourfront, visitors will also be able to feast their eyes on the bustling Victoria Harbour with its picturesque waterfront scenery and popular nighttime lights. Watch a performance and enjoy dim sum Opened in January, the Xiqu Center is a unique building that merges modern and traditional elements. (Hong Kong Tourism Board/File) The Xiqu Centre in the West Kowloon Cultural District is dedicated to preserving Cantonese theater. Opened in January, the Xiqu Center is a unique building that merges modern and traditional elements. Aside from visiting the photography exhibition Constructing the Xiqu Centre, which will end on March 31, people can also watch the Tea House Theatre program that presents traditional Chinese theater. Dim sum and traditional tea will be served during the 90-minute performance. Read also: Six things you must see and do when visiting Hong Kong Learn about Hong Kongs textile industry The interior of The Mills in Hong Kong. (Hong Kong Tourism Board/File) The Mills in Tsuen Wan, formerly the Nan Fung cotton-spinning factory, has undergone a process of revitalization (http://www.themills.com.hk/en/about-the-mills/history-heritage/) since 2014. The non-profit Center for Heritage, Arts and Textile (CHAT) is also part of The Mills conservation project. Set to be opened on March 16, CHAT will feature different types of weaving and art from the heritage to the contemporary. Unfolding: Fabric of Our Life is one of the exhibitions that will be held here, featuring 17 contemporary artists from 12 countries, including Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Australia and India. Indonesian artists Reza Afisina from the West Java city of Depok and Ade Darmawan from Jakarta are set to participate in the exhibition. See how art merges with daily life at the Harbour Art Fair Among Hong Kongs plethora of art events in March is the Harbour Art Fair 2019. Held from March 30 to April 1, its uniqueness lies in how it transforms rooms at the Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel into art spaces. Muhammad Emte Taufiq, an Indonesian artists who has explored the countrys art hubs, said the Harbour Art Fair was among his favorite art shows. Its just unimaginable, said Emte during a Hong Kong Tourism Board event on Thursday, Feb. 21, in South Jakarta. It shows that theres no distance between art and daily life. Art isnt something complicated that is hard to understand. We can enjoy art as casually as possible. Marvel at Hong Kongs street art ArtLane in Sai Ying Pun mesmerizes visitors with urban art. (Hong Kong Tourism Board/File) In addition to attending art events, it is also recommended to take a look at the citys urban arts, including ArtLane, an urban project where visitors can discover attractive murals, and the HK Urban Canvas 2019 that focuses on community art projects including commissioned shutter artworks inspired by local stories and traditions. There is also Draw HK, which comprises workshops and exhibitions, and the HKwalls Street Art Festival from March 23 to 31 that will feature street art from international and local artists. (mut) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sat, March 9, 2019 11:22 1006 dcc1aefb9780f102b77c720ee8126f8d 4 Lifestyle Thailand,Indonesia,Thai-Red-Cross-Society Free The Thai Red Cross Society, currently headed by the wife of the Indonesian ambassador to Thailand, recently organized its annual Diplomatic Red Cross Bazaar for the 52nd time. Held at Siam Paragon Hall in Bangkok, the event ran from March 2 to 3 under the theme Giving Our Lives Colors. As head of the Diplomatic Participant Committee, Anita Rusdi accompanied Princess Sirindhorn as she explored the bazaar's venue comprising 176 booths from 57 countries. Anita, who is the wife of Indonesian Ambassador to Thailand Ahmad Rusdi, expressed gratitude in her opening speech. I feel really grateful to receive this title and proud of organizing this humanitarian event, said Anita in a statement. Anita heads the Diplomatic Participant Committee of the Thai Red Cross Society organization for the period of 2018-2019, after Indonesia was selected by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn as the executive vice-president of the organization. As reported by redcrossfundraising.org, the Diplomatic Participant Committee was formed by spouses of ambassadors to Thailand. Alongside the Thai Red Cross Society, they organize the Diplomatic Red Cross Bazaar annually. Anita Rusdi, head of the Diplomatic Participant Committee (center, in blue outfit), explores the booths alongside Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn (right) at the Diplomatic Red Cross Bazaar at Siam Paragon Hall in Bangkok on March 2. (52nd Diplomatic Red Cross Bazaar Committee/File) The charity bazaar allows the embassies to exhibit their local products and promote their countries to the local community. The products available range from dishes to clothes and accessories all at affordable prices. Read also: Indonesia could learn from Thailand in developing tourist industry, minister says Several booths, such as those from Indonesia, China, Germany and Pakistan, provided space for visitors who wanted to take photos while wearing traditional national outfits. Additionally, 21 vendors from Indonesia joining the bazaar provided plenty of local products, from batik and accessories to organic beverages and works of art made by inmates in the countrys detention centers. Anita Rusdi, head of the Diplomatic Participant Committee (right, in blue outfit), walks beside Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn (right) at the Diplomatic Red Cross Bazaar at Siam Paragon Hall in Bangkok on March 2. (52nd Diplomatic Red Cross Bazaar Committee/File) Various art performances were staged as well. The West Sumatra Tourism Agency, for instance, presented dances including pasambahan, kencak indang and piriang lampu togok, with a parade of traditional outfits. Students from the Indonesian School of Bangkok (SIB) in Thailand performed the dances tor tor and merak. The proceeds from the event are to benefit institutions for disabled children, nursing homes, health institutions, health projects and sanitary projects in several provinces of Thailand. (wir/kes) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Stephanie Nebehay (Reuters) Geneva, Switzerland Sat, March 9, 2019 12:05 1006 dcc1aefb9780f102b77c720ee812791b 2 People Yalitza-Aparicio,Roma,Alfonso-Cuaron,Mexico,domestic-worker,international-womens-day Free She was nominated for an Oscar playing a maid in "Roma" and now Yalitza Aparicio is using her fame to campaign for the rights of domestic workers and indigenous women around the world. The Mexican actress got a standing ovation as she joined an International Women's Day discussion in Geneva on the position of women who earn on average about 20 percent less than men for work of equal value around the world, according to the U.N.'s International Labour Organisation (ILO). "My mother is a domestic worker, I know many domestic workers, so I did have a concept of how that work shapes up, how that person participates in the family," Aparicio told the audience. In the Netflix film, she plays a maid named Cleo struggling with her own problems as she looks after a middle-class family deserted by their father. It won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival, two Oscars and the British Academy award, or BAFTA, for best film. Now 25, Aparicio, the first indigenous woman to be nominated for a best actress Oscar, had completed teacher training when cast in director Alfonso Cuaron's autobiographical film named after the Mexico City neighborhood where he grew up. Read also: Mexico's 'Roma' wins Oscar for best foreign language film "My passion has always been to educate people, to teach them," Aparicio said. "Throughout my career people have told me I haven't stopped teaching, I opted for acting but constantly try to teach the community. "It is possible to demonstrate that one can achieve many things though society might say no. If you are a woman and are told 'no', try again ... continue insisting because at some point in time you will be a success," she said. The ILO says there are at least 67 million domestic workers worldwide, 80 percent of them women. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ganug Nugroho Adi and Asip A. Hasani (The Jakarta Post) Boyolali/Blitar Sat, March 9, 2019 09:25 1006 dcc1aefb9780f102b77c720ee8123145 1 National husband,husband-kills-wife,familicide,murder,domestic-abuse,domestic-violence,Bengkulu,Cilegon,Bekasi,Lubuklinggau,Blitar,Boyolali,East-Java,Central-Java Free The first three months of the year have seen at least eight separate cases in which husbands have killed their wives and in some cases, their children too. The cases have occurred in Java and Sumatra and police investigations have revealed different motives for the murders. All the cases are being investigated by the police but it is possible we will never fully understand why husbands commit such appalling crimes. A professor in philosophy, Aaron Ben-Zeev, an expert in emotion, wrote in Psychology Today that globally almost all cases of murders committed by men against their female partners occur after the woman has ended the relationship or announced her intention to do so. Ben- Zeev in 2008 wrote a book on romantic love with Goussinsky, R. to look into why some husbands kill their partners. They concluded that love is the cause. Needless to say, explaining the mens horrific behavior as stemming from love is in no way a justification for their actions. Understanding the mens state of mind could prevent future murders; hence, we should examine the real state of mind that leads these men to kill their partners, without worrying about whether our findings are politically correct, he wrote. The professor said that usually the murdering man was the weaker partner, who saw the woman as his whole world and the condition of his existence. If the mans ability to maintain his view of himself as a human being depends on the woman being part of his life, how can he let her go? Thus, love turns the woman into a hostagea hostage to the mans lifeand this puts her own life at risk, he went on. Here are the stories: Why are my hands tied? Did I just kill my wife? Nardian, 38, also called Nardi, allegedly killed his wife, Sri Dewi, and their youngest child after he finished his evening prayers on Feb. 16 in Sumberurip village, Doko district in Blitar, East Java. Sugeng, Nardis brother in law, said the tragedy happened very quickly in a downpour and during a blackout when the house was in darkness. Sugeng and the victims father, Supriadi, tried to restrain Nardi but they failed. Nardi ran after his wife, who carried Vika, her seven-month-old baby, with a knife and allegedly killed them outside the house. It happened so fast, said Sugeng recently. The darkness slowed Sugeng and Supriadi and when they got outside it was too late. Sris uncle Ponidi, the nearest neighbor, found Nardi standing next to his porch while Sri and the baby lay helplessly on the ground. As Ponidi tried to pick up Sri, Nardi hugged her dead body while crying: My love, my love... The rain stopped and neighbors gathered around the house but no one dared touch Nardi. They only stared at him as he paced to and fro in front of his house, completely naked. He walked about 200 meters to the crossroad, called out the dead babys name and cried. He then fell to his knees on the rocky village road. The police later arrived and arrested him. He asked Ponidi: Why are my hands tied? Did I just kill my wife? The next day, the police announced the results of the forensic examination of Sri and Vikas bodies. There are nine stab wounds in Sri Dewis body, including one to her chest, which went through to her lungs. In the babys body, Vika, there are six stab wounds, including a slash to her face, said First Insp. Burhanuddin, Blitar Police spokesperson. Sris cousin, Tarji, said Nardi and Sri had been married for 10 years and the family rarely heard of any marital problems. However, he detected some changes in Nardi about two months before the murder. Nardi went out of the house less, and was less friendly to people, Tarji said. Two weeks before the murder, Nardi was often gloomy and angry. A day before the tragedy, a neighbor, Hariono, heard Nardi yelling at Sri. Read also: Bogor man kills two, injures ex-wife, commits suicide The police have not finished their investigation but after a psychiatric examination, they declared that Nardi had mental problems and referred him to a mental institution in Malang, a bigger city in East Java. Burhanuddin of Blitar Police said there were reports that Sri had accused Nardi of having an affair and this was the reason for their fight. But later, Nardi told the psychiatric examination officers that he had a delusion, a hallucination perhaps, that Sri was having an affair with another man. I hate divorce. Just bury all of us here. Another husband, Adek Hariyono, killed his wife, Muntamah, and then hanged himself in Boyolali, Central Java last month, their bodies were found on Feb. 21. The police consider the case closed and did not conduct autopsies on the bodies of the couple. Adek and Muntamah were buried separately in their respective villages. Adek left a message before he killed himself. I hate divorce. Just bury all of us here in Gatak [Adeks village] so we can be close with our children. I want to tell you, [the name of his daughter], punish me and Muntamah. Im like this because of her. He signed the message. Im sure Adek killed Muntamah. After he was sure his wife was dead, he killed himself with a rope. What a coward, said Margono, Muntamahs brother, at his house recently. Margono owned the house where Adek and Muntamah lived with their two children, a 7 year old and a 2 year old. The couple had rented various houses, but in the past two years had lived with Margono. I will be the one who takes care of the children. I will take care of them like theyre my own, he said. Read also: 'I cannot leave them alone': Father allegedly kills wife, children in murder suicide case Margono said the couple had marital problems for the past year. He did not know for sure what, but he suspected it was a monetary problem. I often argued with them too. My sister had already filed for a divorce, he said. A neighbor, Heru Basuki, 63, said Muntamah had complained about their economic difficulties to his wife. Heru said the neighbors also knew about Muntamahs plan for a divorce. Six other cases Media reports on tribunnews.com have cited at least six other cases of husbands killing their wives since January. The most recent case happened in Lubuk Linggau in South Sumatra. Sudirman allegedly killed his wife, Rozalina, on March 6. The police said Sudirman tried to kill himself with rat poison before being arrested. Police believe Sudirman killed her because he could not meet her financial demands. In Cilegon, West Java, a husband, 40, killed his wife, 25, and their baby. A relative found the bodies on March 4. The police said the husband said he had killed his wife because she refused to have sex with him because she had only given birth to their baby about a month previously. Earlier on Feb. 27, in Bekasi, West Java, a man killed his wife because he said he had found out that his wife was with another man. On Feb. 21, Romi Sepriawan, 30, allegedly killed his pregnant wife, Erni Susanti, 29, because he said she refused to tell him the password to her handphone. The crime happened in Sungai Serut district, Bengkulu, and the medical team in the city managed to save the baby in Ernis womb. In Rejang Lebong, Bengkulu, a husband, identified only as JM, killed his ex-wife and her two children, who were not his biological children on Jan. 21. Rejang Lebong Police said JM was angry because his wife divorced him six months previously. On Jan. 6, Tangerang Police in Banten reported that they had arrested a man who had killed his wife after she asked for a divorce. The suspect, Nawier, told the police that he suspected his wife asked for a divorce because she was cheating on him. He stabbed her three times when she came over to his food stall to pick up a divorce document he had told her to come and pick up. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sat, March 9, 2019 If the Jakarta administration wants cheap tickets for passengers of both the MRT and the Light Rail Transit (LRT), the city will have to spend close to Rp 1 trillion (US$70 million) per year in subsidies. The Jakarta Transportation Council (DTKJ) estimated that if the city charged passengers between Rp 8,500 (US$60 cents) and Rp 12,500 per ride for the MRT and between Rp 5,000 and Rp 7,000 for the LRT, for at least 65,000 passengers per day on the MRT and 14,255 people per day on the LRT, it would have to allocate Rp 672.38 billion in public funds for the former and Rp 327 billion for the latter. DKTJ head Iskandar Abubakar said he expected the subsidies to amount to Rp 22,000 per passenger for the MRT and Rp 36,000 for the LRT. Without the subsidies, passengers would have to pay Rp. 32,000 for the MRT and Rp 42,000 for the LRT. In a meeting with the Jakarta Council on Friday, Iskandar proposed that the city would pay the same amount of subsidies for all passengers, whether they held residency in Jakarta or not. "The capital city belongs to all Indonesians, not only Jakartans [...]. It would be very complicated to ask for passengers KTP only to buy MRT or LRT tickets," Iskandar said. During the meeting with councilors of Jakarta Council Commission C, which oversees city finances, the city administration through the DTKJ proposed ticket prices of Rp 10,000 for the MRT and Rp 6,000 for the LRT. Some of the councilors in the meeting said the city administration could achieve cheap fares only if it found an alternative source of funding to finance the operation of the new mass transit systems. Commission C member Ruddin Akbar Lubis of the Golkar Party suggested the Jakarta administration ask for funding from the central government and raise money from the private sector to pay for the subsidy, given that a large number of passengers of the MRT and the LRT were government workers or employees of private companies living in suburbs of the capital. "Ideally, the subsidy would be around 40 percent from the central government, 40 percent from the private sector and 20 percent from the local administration, so that we can reduce the burden. I am sure the private sector will agree to this. Just like they agreed to chip in for the construction of the Semanggi interchange," Ruddin said, referring to a project paid for by a private company in exchange for a higher building floor coefficient permit. Rudin said that, although more discussions were needed before the city could decide on the MRT and LRT fares, he urged the city administration to stick to its plan of opening the MRT and LRT later this month. "We can provide a free service for two months while waiting for the discussions []. The Jakarta administrations budget is enough to cover this, he said. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sat, March 9, 2019 17:41 1005 dcc1aefb9780f102b77c720ee812b6cb 4 City North-Jakarta,cinema,theater Free An affordable movie theater currently being built in Teluk Gong market, Penjaringan, North Jakarta, is nearing completion and scheduled to open its doors in April. According to Indonesian Film Actors Association (Parfi 56) chairman Marcella Zalianti, workers are now putting the finishing touches on the micro cinemas restaurant. The movie theater will have two studios that will play the latest movies at an affordable price. We are leaving the studios for last because thats the difficult part, Marcella said on Friday as reported by wartakota.tribunnews.com. Tickets will be sold at Rp 20,000 (US$ 1.40) on weekdays and Rp 25,000 on weekends. The prices are based on a survey conducted on the area and are expected to encourage people to enjoy movies at the theater instead of watching them online through piracy sites. The movie theater in Teluk Gon will only be showing Indonesian movies to support the local filmmaking industry. It will be a cozy place to hang out and build a movie-watching culture in Indonesia, she added. Creative Economy Agency (Bekraf) head Triawan Munaf said Bekraf fully supported the peoples cinema. We can take part in facilitating and promoting activities at the movie theater, like holding workshops or meetings with film people, he said. (gis) At least 200 workers, activists and students, who are part of the Clamber Alliance, stage a rally to commemorate International Womens Day in the front of Gedung Sate in Bandung, West Java, on Friday. They called for the protection of womens rights and expressed their opposition to the Indonesian Militarys (TNI) New Order era dwifungsi (dual function) amid a plan to allow officers to hold civilian posts.(JP/Arya Dipa)(TNI) New Order era dwifungsi (dual function) amid a plan to allow officers to hold civilian posts.(JP/Arya Dipa) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sat, March 9 2019 The capital ranked first among cities with the worst air quality in Southeast Asia last year, a recent study has shown. The study by Greenpeace and AirVisual IQ published on March 5 monitored air quality in hundreds of cities across the globe. Jakarta ranked first, followed by Hanoi, for the worst air quality, the head of Greenpeace Indonesia, Leonard Simanjuntak, said. Across the globe, Leonard added, Jakarta ranked 161st for cities with the worst air quality. New Delhi was in first place. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Dylan Collins (Agence France-Presse) Near Baghouz, Syria Sat, March 9, 2019 13:55 1006 dcc1aefb9780f102b77c720ee812900e 2 World IS,Syria,Middle-East,war,terrorism Free US-backed fighters have been hoping for weeks that the final day has come for the Islamic State group's "caliphate", but its last tiny sliver of land just won't seem to empty. Tens of thousands of dust-covered women, children and men have streamed out of the ragged tent encampment in the Syrian village of Baghouz since December -- and despite that exodus they still keep on coming. The numbers have flummoxed the Kurdish-led forces and bogged down their offensive to finish off the once sprawling proto-state. "When we began the operation we knew there would be civilians, but not in such a big number," Adnan Afrin, a spokesman for the Syrian Democratic Forces, said Thursday. In recent days thousands more men and women -- including those who once flocked to join IS from across the globe -- left the IS pocket. That upended assumptions that few families remained holed up in Baghouz and those who refused to leave or surrender were choosing to die there. "They're coming from underground... they're never-ending," said one SDF official. The International Rescue Committee on Friday said as many as 12,000 people from Baghouz have arrived in one camp for non-combatants in northeast Syria over the past 48 hours, including some 6,000 people on Thursday alone. The women trucked out of the bastion this week gave drastically varying figures on the holdout families that remain in the bombed-out and besieged jihadist bastion. "There's still more," said Umm Aboud from the northern Syrian city of Al-Bab. "You see how many people have come out in the past few days, there's that many still inside," said the mother of four, her bright green eyes peering through a black veil. More than 55,000 civilians have arrived in the Kurdish-run Al-Hol camp since December, according to the International Rescue Committee. "The IRC and other agencies are doing all they can do help the new arrivals but Al-Hol camp is now at breaking point," the organisation said Friday. "No one could have guessed that such a large number of women and children were still living in Baghouz." Questions remain as to how aid planners, as well as SDF officials and their coalition partners, could have so severely underestimated the number of people left in the crumbling "caliphate". Carrying what they could manage, black-clad women trucked out of Baghouz in the past few days have said they were living crammed together in trenches, tents and cars near the bend in the Euphrates as the bombing campaign rolled the redoubt back. "There are thousands of families leaving... (but) there were thousands and thousands of families there, even I was surprised," 35-year-old Umm Alaa, from the Iraqi town of Heet, said Wednesday after fleeing. The mother of 10 said she lost a child last week due to hunger as the situation grew increasingly desperate. Footage obtained by AFP from the Free Burma Rangers, a Christian aid group run by a former US special forces operative, showed hundreds of people still remained in the riverside camp. In the images said to have been filmed Thursday, women draped in black walked through the makeshift dwellings as overturned cars and scraps of twisted metal littered the ground. The aid group has come in close proximity to the camp in recent days and its head, David Eubank, told AFP some two thousand people could remain inside. Analyst Mutlu Civiroglu, on the ground in eastern Syria, told AFP that IS was purposefully trying to conceal its numbers. They have regularly been "releasing certain numbers of people, including fighters, in controlled amounts" in an attempt to buy time, he said. "If they really wanted to surrender, they would have... and if they wanted to fight again, they could have," he added. The delay was "a deliberate effort, maybe to prepare for something else... what that is though is unclear". Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sat, March 9, 2019 09:03 1006 dcc1aefb9780f102b77c720ee8122067 4 News Wonderful-Indonesia,tourism-ministry-wonderful-Indonesia,Berlin,#Berlin,ITB-Berlin,travel,#travel,tourism,#tourism Free In conjunction with the 2019 Internationale Tourismus-Borse Berlin (ITB 2019), which runs March 6-10, the Tourism Ministry is promoting the Wonderful Indonesia campaign on Berlin buses. Kompas.com reported that the advertisement featured popular tourist destinations in Indonesia, such as Borobudur temple in Central Java, Raja Ampat in West Papua, Lake Toba in North Sumatra and Wae Rebo in East Nusa Tenggara, and it would be on display until March 31. The ads are being displayed on buses with high ridership, such as those operating on the Tauentzienstrae, Checkpoint Charlie, East Side Gallery and Lustgarten routes. Read also: Wonderful Indonesia promoted on Sydney buses Tourism Minister Arief Yahya said the effort aimed to attract the attention of the worlds tourist industry, which was gathered in Berlin for ITB 2019. Arief explained that ITB was among the largest tourism events, bringing together wholesalers, buyers and sellers from around the world. We can see the results, its very interesting and impressive, said Arief, adding that many people took selfies with these buses in the background. It was not the ministrys first attempt to promote Wonderful Indonesia on buses. Previously, the campaign was conducted in Berlin, London and Sydney. (jes/kes) 4 hours ago What Elizabeth Holmes had to say at her trial: 5 takeaways SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) Once-lionized entrepreneur Elizabeth Holmes wrapped up seven days of testimony in her criminal fraud trial Wednesday, having largely used the time to defend her actions as CEO of the startup Theranos. Read Article There is always so much to do at SOBEWFF! As you know, I recently flew to Florida to attend the 18th annual South Beach Wine & Food Festival. It is a wonderful multiple day affair that benefits The Florida International University Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management - one of the top hospitality management schools in the United States. While there, I always try to participate in as many events as possible. Among them, I co-hosted a dinner at The Regional Kitchen & Public House - the first-ever Festival dinner at the Palm Beaches, I conducted a book signing at the Soho Beach House, and hosted a Wine & Cheese Happy Hour reception at the No. 3 Social Roof Bar & Lounge. It was a great time! Here are more photos - enjoy. New Delhi, Mar 9 (UNI): India on Saturday made it categorically clear that Kartarpur talks scheduled to be held on March 14 had nothing to do with resumption of talks with Pakistan. "Let me make it very clear that Kartarpur talks are not in any way related to resumption of dialogues... It is related to emotions and sentiments of Indian citizens and our decision to meet reflects our strong commitment to operationalise Kartarpur sahab corridor," MEA spokesman Raveesh Kumar told reporters here. Pakistan has earlier cast some doubts on the meeting, but India never spoke on these lines, he said. "You have to understand, this has nothing to do with resumption of talks. This is to respect the sentiments of the Sikh citizens...This has been a long pending demand and this meeting (of March 14) is going to only address that part," Kumar said. A Pakistani delegation is come to Attari for talks on Kartarpur corridor on March 14 and an Indian team is likely to visit Pakistan for another round of meeting later this month. However, no final decision has been taken on the dates yet, sources said. In a statement on March 6, MEA has also stated: "India has also proposed that a technical-level discussion on the alignment of the corridor be held on the same day on the sidelines of this meeting." IMAGE CREDIT: UNI Man charged for molesting ladyboy patient at Phuket hospital PHUKET: Phuket City Police have charged a man from Roi Et with sexual assault after he molested a ladyboy recovering at Vachira Phuket Hospital on Tuesday (Mar 5). sexcrimepolice By Eakkapop Thongtub Saturday 9 March 2019, 06:10PM The incident was recorded on video and posted online. Screengrab: Facebook / Pa Pleng Smile The incident was recorded on video and posted online. Screengrab: Facebook / Pa Pleng Smile Pleng was admitted to hospital for breathing difficulties and fatigue. Screengrab: Facebook / Pa Pleng Smile Vachira Phuket Hospital Director Dr Chalermpong Sukontapol filed a formal complaint with police for Phichit to be charged. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub Phuket City Police Chief Col Sompong Thiparpakul confirmed to the press yesterday (Mar 8) that the man charged for the incident was Phichit Pimhom, 57, from Roi-Et. The charge followed a formal complaint filed with police by Vachira Phuket Hospital Director Dr Chalermpong Sukontapol. The charge of sexual assault applies not only to women, but to men and other genders as well, Col Sompong said. If such a crime happens, we will enforce this law immediately, he added. Vachira Phuket Hospital Director Dr Chalermpong Sukontapol explained at a press conference yesterday that the alarm was raised by the patient assaulted, publicly identified so far only as Pleng, who posted a video of the incident on the Facebook account Pa Pleng Smile. Pleng is transgender, explained Dr Chalermpong. Pleng was admitted at Phuket Vachira Hopital on Mar 4 for breathing difficulties and fatigue. We found that Pleng had a respiratory infection. Pleng had previously suffered the same condition and had come to hospital for medical treatment before, he explained The assault occurred at 10pm on Tuesday (Mar 5), Dr Chalermpong noted. Mr Phichit was watching over a patient who is recovering in the bed beside Pleng at the request of that patients relatives, he said. The video posted online showed Phichit approaching Pleng and arranging the sheet covering Pleng in a caring manner. However, it soon became apparent that Phichit had one hand under the sheet and was fondling Plengs breasts. Pleng shouted for the man stop, but Phichit ignored her pleas. After nurses became aware of the incident, they told Mr Phichit to stop and removed him from the room to question him. He admitted to his actions. Then Mr Phichit apologised to the people who paid him to look after other patient, Dr Chalermpong said. We filed a complaint for Phuket City Police to charge him, and he has now been banned from entering the recovery wings at the hospital, Dr Chalermpong confirmed. There are only two nurses and two nurse assistants in the male medical building. We dont have enough staff, which is why the hospital allows for patients relatives to stay overnight, Dr Chalermpong said. Hospital staff have been instructed to pay more attention to patients and staff will now hold the ID cards of all relatives staying overnight in the hospital, he added. Resorts start rolling in own water tankers as Phuket dry spell continues PHUKET: A leading figure in Phukets hotel industry in has confirmed that hotels and resorts across the island are starting to feel the effects of low water pressure in their mains water supply, which is forcing some hoteliers to arrange their own water supplies to ensure guests are not affected. tourismnatural-resourcesweather By The Phuket News Saturday 9 March 2019, 09:00AM A water truck is filled at a private water source in Rassada on Wednesday, to deliver water to a hotel in Patong after 11pm that night. Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot The dry situation has started to affect many hotel businesses, Kongsak Koopongsakorn, President of the Thai Hotels Association, Southern Thailand Chapter, told The Phuket News this week. The tap water does not flow well and there is low pressure. Hotels now have to buy water from private water sources, which is increasing their costs. Plus traffic jams are also increasing as part of the problem because there are now many water trucks on roads throughout the province, he added. Boon Yongsakul, Chairman of Boat Pattana Co Ltd and current President of the Phuket Real Estate Association, also confirmed that he was aware of water shortages in key tourist areas on the island. Phuket started experiencing drought from January to February because there has not been the same amount of rainfall as in previous years. resulting in a shortage of water in many important tourist areas, such as Patong, Kathu and Thalang District, he said. Mr Boon noted that the growing number of tourists on the island is a key factor in the issue. Over the years the number of tourists has grown and many hotels are fully booked during the high season, and the number of hotel rooms is increasing. There are 80,000 rooms (on the island) this year. That will rise to 90,000 rooms in 2020. So with any drought and not enough water supply it will be a big problem in the future, he said. Mr Boon placed his faith in officials to resolve the situation. I know that the Phuket Governor has not been complacent. Officials are working on solving the problem, involving local officials at municipality level. They will find water to provide to people in their areas, Mr Boon said. However, the confirmation of affected water supply to key tourist areas comes despite no announcements from the Phuket Water Authority (PWA). The PWAs regular announcements of areas to be affected water-supply issues stopped flowing mid last month, after the agency recalled a notice warning of imminent water supply management in specified areas, with some areas to have water on even dates and reduce water pressure, causing some to have no water supply at all on odd dates. In other areas, the even-date, odd-date system was to be reversed. The recantation of the urgent water management notice was quickly followed by a public announcement by Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana, assuring the province that there was enough water being held in the islands three main reservoirs to ensure regular water supply through to May, when the annual rains brought by southwest monsoon return. However, Mr Kongsak, who as the owner of The Vijitt Resort Phuket in Rawai has had to arrange his own supplementary water supply for the resort. Mr Kongsak has already secured land with its own lagoon to supply the resort, and bought a water truck to deliver the water to the hotel. "The Vijitt Resort Phuket is a five-star hotel, he stressed. We have planned for a lack of water situation for many years. This is a long-term problem for many hotels. Phukets water reserves are not enough to provide for the needs of each hotel. Now they have to arrange additional water supply from private sources, but the cost is double (PWA rates), Mr Kongsak said. Mr Kongsak urged the government to take proactive steps to ensure that water reserves do not fall short as the number of tourists visiting the island continues to grow. We want the government to start a long-term project to solve water shortage problems because the number of tourists staying here and the number of hotels have grown a lot, but Phuket does not have a large-scale project to solve the water shortage problem, he said. The water held at Bang Neow Dum and the other reservoirs are not enough to meet the demand of 110 million cubic meters of water a year. It is expected that by the year 2032, 150mn m3 of water will be needed. The capacity of the reservoirs is not enough. We should proceed with the water pipeline from Surat Thani or have water supplied from neighbouring provinces to ensure sustainable water supply in Phuket, he said. Meanwhile, the PWA this week admitted that water rations will be among the options presented to the Phuket Governor soon. We just held an internal office meeting yesterday morning (Mar 4) after Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha gave his nationwide order (regarding drought measures) yesterday, Graisorn Mahamad, Chief Provincial Waterworks Authority, told The Phuket News on Tuesday (Mar 5). We are thinking about water rationing by reduce the water released from Bang Wad reservoir, but the detailed plan will first be presented to Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana (before any action is taken), he added. I am not sure when I will meet with Phuket Governor Phakaphong, but it will be soon, Mr Graison said. When called by The Phuket News on Tuesday, Mr Graison said he was unable to confirm when the plan will be presented to the Governor or even reveal more details of the plan to be presented. Somsawat Chaisinsod, Director of Phuket Provincial Irrigation Office, told The Phuket News that he submitted a report to Governor Phakaphong last Thursday (Feb 28), detailing the water reserves in store at Phukets three main reservoirs Bang Wad in Kathu, Bang Neow in Srisoonthorn and Khlong Kratha in Chalong. The water level report submitted was the regular monthly report, not a special report, Mr Somsawat stressed. Bang Wad reservoir currently contains some 3.8 million cubic meters of its 10mn-plus m3 capacity, Mr Somsawat confirmed. Bang Neow Dum contains about 1.74mn m3 of water, and the Khlong Kratha reservoir in Chalong currently contains about 1.38mn m3 of water of its 4.2mn m3 capacity, he said. Right now we must figure out the water situation with the Phuket Governor along with other officials soon as possible. I need everyone to work together, not just Phuket Provincial Irrigation Office, he said. At normal consumption rates we have enough water to last until the end of April, but no longer after that, Mr Somsawat told The Phuket News. I requested that the Governor call together all the heads of the local councils so we can come up with a co-ordinated strategy to conserve as much water as we can (without undue hardship), he said. I also asked for all local administrations to locate and make available any local water sources in their respective areas in order to supplement our water supply, he said. Mr Somsawat said that there were 109 private water sources across the island that could be used. These together can provide about 20mn m3 of water in total, he said. Woman escapes injury after car hits tree, rolls three times PHUKET: A THAI Airways staffer escaped serious injury after her car struck a tree on the central reservation on Thepkrasattri Rd in Muang Mai early this morning (Mar 9) and reportedly rolled three times before coming to a stop. transportaccidents By Eakkapop Thongtub Saturday 9 March 2019, 01:20PM The car hit a palm tree then rolled three times. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub Capt Kraisorn Boonprasop of the Thalang Police was notified of the accident at 1:05am. Officers arrived with Kusoldharm Foundation rescue workers to find the car, a Chiang Mai-registered white Honda City, heavily damaged resting on its side in the middle of the southbound lanes. Rescue workers assisted the driver, Thanatchaya Pirom, 31, from Chiang Mai out of the wreck. Miss Thanatchaya did not not suffer any serious injuries, rescue workers confirmed. There were no passengers in the car. Miss Thanatchaya, who works as THAI Airways ground staff at Phuket International Airport, told police that she was driving from Nai Yang to Phuket Town when the accident happened. She lost control and drove up onto the central reservation, then hit a palm tree and a sign, Capt Kraisorn noted in his report. After questioning witnesses, it was reported that her car rolled three times before coming to rest on its side. However, Capt has yet to confirm what caused Miss Thanatchaya to lose control of the her car. He has also yet to confirm whether Miss Thanatchaya was tested for alcohol. Capt Kraisorn did confirm that Miss Thanatchaya is facing a charge of reckless driving causing damage to government property. Fritz hired as development director as Harmony Hill campaign begins Kelli Fritz has been named Development Director for The Village of Harmony Hill. Women in the highest ranks of Canadian banks are more likely to run divisions than their U.S. counterparts. More than a third of the 20 women in high-ranking positions at Canadas six big lenders oversee revenue-generating operations, according to a Bloomberg survey of North American banks with assets of at least $100 billion. That compares with about a quarter of the 58 female senior executives at the 17 largest U.S. banks. In both countries, high-ranking women tend to be in charge of human resources or marketing, or in positions such as auditor, general counsel, chief risk officer or chief administrative officer. But female executives in Canada are more likely than those in the U.S. to occupy the types of roles that contribute to the bottom line and can someday lead to becoming chief executive officer. In Canada, the banks are the bright spots in terms of progress for female representation at the executive and board level, said Tanya van Biesen, executive director for Canada at Catalyst Inc., a non-profit that pushes to make workplaces better for women. They have been leading the way in terms of progressive policies, and you can see that net out in the numbers. Canadian banks are improving perhaps at the expense of the U.S. In recent months, Kelly Coffey, JPMorgan Chase & Co.s former head of private wealth, and Kristi Mitchem, who was CEO of asset management at Wells Fargo & Co., both left for Canadian firms. In February, Coffey became CEO of Royal Bank of Canadas City National Bank in Los Angeles, while Mitchem joins Bank of Montreal this month as head of global asset management. And recently RBC said it hired BNY Mellon Markets CEO Michelle Neal to head its U.S. fixed income, currencies and commodities business out of New York. Canadas gains are due to a mix of legislation, regulation and a private-sector push to do better, van Biesen said. Canadian banks have been subject to employment-equity law since 1995, and about 20 years later securities regulators began requiring Toronto Stock Exchange companies to disclose annually the number of women with board seats and executive roles. The disclosures show that women make up 30 per cent to 45 per cent of roles at the level of vice-president and above at Canadas six big banks. Competition in the nations concentrated banking industry also has helped, van Biesen said. Teri Currie, who heads Canadian personal banking at Toronto-Dominion Bank, its biggest division, has been close to the issue since 2005. She was then co-head of human resources, when the lender was establishing diversity and inclusion initiatives, including encouraging women to take leadership roles. The percentage of women in the role of vice-president or higher was just above 20 per cent at the time, compared with 39 per cent today. Weve made really good progress in that period of time, Currie, 54, said in an interview. But you are never done. Occupying roles such as Curries is key not only because they produce revenue, but also because future CEOs typically come from such positions. In their 202 years of history, Canadas major banks have never had a female CEO, though London-based HSBC Holdings Plcs Canadian operation is led by Sandra Stuart, and Gillian Riley is CEO of Tangerine, Bank of Nova Scotias online division. There are women leading U.S. banks, including KeyCorp CEO Beth Mooney. Bank of Montreal formed a task force for womens advancement in the early 1990s, when women constituted 13 per cent of senior management. Now, a third of the banks board seats and 40 per cent of senior-leadership roles are held by women. Ive been at the bank almost nine years now, and I would say that I havent faced any barriers because Im a woman, said Joanna Rotenberg, 42, who oversees wealth management. Half of her divisions employees and more than 40 per cent of its senior management are female, she said. My job, as I see it as a leader, is to pay it forward and make sure others do as well. Its not just talk, its action that has led to results. Christina Kramer said shes taken advantage of initiatives aimed at helping women throughout her 32 years at Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, advancing to group head of Canadian personal and small-business banking, the lenders largest division. Ive had mentors along the way that have really helped me in terms of shaping my career, my knowledge, my experience base, she said. Kramer, 52, also is trying to pay it forward, holding monthly forums for female leaders at all levels of the bank. Innovating and adapting to change is really critical for the industry and for a bank, and in order to innovate you need to have diversity of thought, diversity of experience and diversity of background. At Canadas six largest banks, women made up 58 per cent of the workforce and held almost 38 per cent of senior-management roles as of 2017, according to the Canadian Bankers Association. Thirty years earlier, women accounted for just 2.6 per cent of senior management. Women hold at least a third of board seats at each of the six big Canadian lenders. Banks compare well with the rest of corporate Canada: Just 15 per cent of board seats at the nations companies are held by women, according to a September 2018 report by the Canadian Securities Administrators. About two-thirds of 648 companies had at least one female executive. Canadian banks have better female representation on boards than almost all their large U.S. counterparts, according to the survey of 23 banks. Thats noteworthy, said Royal Bank chair Kathleen Taylor, because boards can push management to consider diversity when cultivating future executives. If you look at who are in the top jobs today, whether theyre men or women, whether theyre visible minorities or not, the seeds around that executive success were planted a very long time ago, said Taylor, 61, who became Royal Banks first chairwoman in 2013. It really matters what job a young woman is in today for whether or not shes going to be able to have a career progression that gets her to the most senior management team level in 10 to 12 years. Read more about: VANCOUVERFacebook should ban posts by so-called anti-vaxxers in order to protect children against measles and other contagious diseases, says a British Columbia mother who launched a petition urging parents to start home schooling if theyre against immunization. Katie Clunn of Maple Ridge said Friday the social media giant must go beyond reducing its distribution of such content as well as the ranking of groups and pages that spread misinformation, according to its new policy. I dont think it should be reduced, I think it should be all-out banned, she said. Why are we OK with misinformation thats putting children at harm? Nearly 45,000 people have signed Clunns petition since she started it about three weeks ago after a measles outbreak that has now reached at least 17 cases in Metro Vancouver. Clunn said she attempted to draw attention to the issue of vaccinations about three years ago in her local school district but only about 100 people signed a petition as groups opposed to vaccination seemed to be increasingly using Facebook as a platform to spread their message. The mother of two children, aged six and nine, said the site that has been widely accused of allowing misinformation to continue on a range of topics needs to do more to protect youth from dangerous groups that deal in paranoia, not science. Read more: What the anti-vaccine billboards should tell us Anti-vaccine campaign very concerning, says Ontarios health minister One more time, with big data: Measles vaccine doesnt cause autism Facebook said it would not ban anti-vaccination content. We have long believed that simply removing provocative thinking such as this does little to build awareness around facts and different approaches to health, it said in a statement. Counter-speech in the form of accurate information from experts in the field ... can help create a safer and more respectful environment. The company said it is exploring ways to provide more accurate information from expert groups such as the World Health Organization about vaccines at the top of results for related searches, on pages discussing the topic and on invitations to join groups. It said it would detect misinformation from groups with names that may not suggest opposition to immunization through its artificial intelligence system, which is constantly scanning posts and links shared on Facebook and that a team would confirm if the content violates the companys policies. A team at Facebook will use guidelines based on the most widely debunked vaccine hoaxes published by health experts, it said. Posts from violating groups and pages containing these hoaxes will appear lower in News Feed and will be removed from search results and group recommendations. Fuyuki Kurasawa, a sociologist and director of the global digital citizenship lab at York University in Toronto, said Facebook could have gone as far as Pinterest by banning all vaccine content. (Pinterest) couldnt keep up with the number of attempts to deceive either their human moderation or their algorithms, whether it be anti-vaxxing or pro-vaxxing, said Kurasawa, who analyzes controversial issues on social media platforms around the rejection of scientific expertise, including vaccinations, climate change and gender-based violence. He said Facebook, as well as other companies including Google, has been asleep at the switch on the impact of such content but is now trying to develop a response. What theyre fearful of is government regulation and any sort of intervention with their business model so theyre going to, as much as possible, be relatively evasive while at the same time try to address the issue without compromising their commercial interests. Anti-vaxxers have used social media to spread misinformation about the highly contagious disease, some maintaining the measles, mumps and rubella or MMR vaccine causes autism despite that belief being repeatedly debunked through scientific research. Despite the lack of evidence between the vaccine and the neurobehavioural condition, more parents appear to be shunning immunization, with public health experts warning the progress made against the disease that was declared eradicated in Canada in 1998 could be threatened, with consequences including hearing loss and inflammation of the brain greatest for children. On Wednesday, Health Canada issued an advisory about false claims in the marketing of homeopathic remedies, known as nosodes, being promoted as alternatives to vaccines. If we identify any non-compliance with the Food and Drugs Act or its regulations we will take action, the department said. Children given nosodes instead of vaccinations are at risk of developing serious and potentially fatal childhood illnesses such as measles, mumps, rubella, polio and whooping cough. Vaccination continues to be the very best way to prevent serious infectious diseases and to protect yourself, your family and your community. Read more about: CALGARYA Calgary Police Service officer has filed a lawsuit against the service alleging she was the victim of systematic sexism, sexual harassment and workplace bullying for years. Kim Prodaniuks statement of claim, filed Wednesday, said she has been the victim of outrageous conduct by several officers and members of the Calgary Police Association, the services union. The situation led to multiple mental health illnesses including depression and anxiety, the filing said. The claim depicts numerous examples of alleged harassment, many of them in graphic detail, over several years. None of the allegations have been proven in court. Statements of defence have not been filed by the police service or the union. In a statement, the police service said it was aware of the lawsuit but declined to comment. Calgary Police Association president Les Kaminski, who is specifically named in the claim, told Star Calgary he couldnt comment on the case and that the association will soon respond to the lawsuit. All I have to say is this: Were taking this matter very, very seriously and that well be filling a statement of defence in short order, he said. Read More: Harassment within the Calgary Police Service hasnt ended, officers say its escalated Prodaniuk has been with the service for more than 10 years but has been on stress leave since 2017 the same year one of her colleagues, Jen Magnus, quit the force with similar complaints of gender discrimination. In a previous interview, Prodaniuk said she experienced harassment as far back as 2012. I have been on the record saying that officers who have been enduring the harassment at the CPS have been enduring it for so long that theyre desperate and that it has gotten worse over the years, Prodaniuk said in a statement to the Star on Thursday. I stand by that statement. Prodaniuk and Magnus first brought their concerns to then-chief Rick Hanson in 2013. Hanson launched a human-resources audit in response, which found evidence of gender-based bullying, favouritism and fear of speaking out among officers. Hanson retired in 2015, but his successor Roger Chaffin, who retired last fall later said the service quietly acted on recommendations from the report. To say we did nothing about it is not accurate, Chaffin previously told the Star. Still, more allegations emerged in 2017 after the audit was leaked to local media and Magnus publicly resigned. More than a dozen current and former officers filed formal complaints about harassment, prompting a flurry of human-resources reforms that are still in progress. In the claim filed Wednesday, Prodaniuk alleges: Male coworkers made inappropriate comments, including unwelcome flirting and asking her to describe sex acts shes performed. During training for street-level sex-trade investigations, she was coerced into pretending to perform oral sex and faking orgasms in various public spaces including a mall merry-go-round and a northeast Calgary Boston Pizza. During the same training, she was asked to convince a random male at a grocery store to have a threesome with her and another officer. A superior asked her to leave a suggestive voicemail for a phone number she later found out belonged to a co-worker. A co-worker told her hed had visions of violence and threatened to spread sexual rumours about her if she told anyone. Prodaniuk maintains her superiors at CPS often downplayed or dismissed her concerns when she raised them, according to the statement of claim. Sometimes, she alleges, she was branded a rat or forced to work without a partner, putting her safety at risk. In one instance, she said a male officer who allegedly harassed her was promoted. When Prodaniuk approached Kaminski, the union president, for help, he allegedly told her she seemed like a sensitive girl and that the union didnt handle blue on blue grievances. Kaminski declined to comment on this allegation. After the meeting with Kaminski, Prodaniuk said went to the leadership of a then-new program aimed at reforming workplace culture in the force. She was referred to an officer with the services human-resources unit, who allegedly told Prodaniuk she has a reputation for being a b-h. When Prodaniuk returned to the reform group , she was told the service was not serious about reform, the statement of claim reads. The head of that organization quit the force soon after that meeting. The statement of claim which also alleged the harassment against Prodaniuk was condoned and ignored by her superiors because she is a female police officer doesnt ask for a specific monetary amount in damages. Prodaniuk said she wont be commenting on her case while its before the courts. In a previous interview, however, she told the Star she believed that the old boys club needed to be busted up. Thats the only way things are going to change. Emma McIntosh is an environment, justice and investigative reporter with Star Calgary. Follow her on Twitter at @EmmaMci Read more about: New Delhi, Mar 9 (UNI): India today said it is surprising that Pakistan continues to deny the involvement of Jaish-e-Mohammad in the February 14 Pulwama attack despite the terrorist outfit claiming responsibility for the same. "It is regrettable that Pakistan is still continuing to deny Jaish-e-Mohammad's own claim of taking the ownership of Pulwama attack," MEA spokesman Raveesh Kumar told reporters here. He added that India's non-military strike on the JeM camp on February 26 achieved the desired objective. "Pakistan should explain why it continues to deny that its F-16 aircraft has been shot down (by Wing Commander Abhinandan)," he said. "We have asked United States to examine if the use of F16 against India by Pakistan is according to their terms and conditions of its sale," he said. "We have also shared evidence in the form of parts of AMRAAM missile which were recovered from the site and are only carried by F-16 aircraft of the PAF," he said. Kumar maintained that Indian Air Force 'non-military counter-terrorism' strike achieved the desired objective. "It has demonstrated our firm resolve to take decisive action against cross border terrorism," he said. He repeated that only one MiG 21 Bison aircraft was lost by India during Pakistan's misadventure at targeting Indian military installations in the northern sector on February 27, a day after India carried out aerial strike at Balakot terror camp. He said Pakistan-based terror groups were conducting their activities without any hindrance. The MEA spokesman maintained there had been hardly any credible action taken by Pakistan yet against terror infrastructures. ".....If Pakistan claims to be Naya Pakistan, it should display Naya Action against terror groups on its soil," he said. Image credit: UNI MONTREALA man who surrendered to police after a hostage-taking in a Quebec bank was released from hospital on Saturday and is expected to face charges, according to police. Quebec provincial police said the suspect in his 50s was expected to appear in court on Saturday afternoon, where he could be charged with confinement, uttering threats and using a weapon for a dangerous purpose. The siege ended at about 1:30 a.m. when the suspect turned himself in after nearly nine hours inside the Caisse Desjardins branch in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield. He had released the four bank employees taken hostage at around 10 p.m. Friday, and they were said to be unharmed. Provincial police said the suspect was uninjured, but was taken to a hospital for evaluation before being questioned by investigators. They said the incident began when an armed man entered the branch southwest of Montreal just before closing Friday, but police did not specify what kind of weapon he had. An employee pushed the panic button alerting police at around 4:50 p.m., and police established communications with the suspect a few hours later. Sgt. Louis-Philippe Bibeau described the negotiations as calm. Read more about: MONTREALSome 189 Air Transat passengers travelling from Montreal to Florida had a few scary moments Saturday morning after their plane was forced to make an emergency landing at a New Jersey airport. Julie Chauvin said she and nine of her family members were travelling to Fort Lauderdale for a cruise when they were told over the loudspeaker to follow emergency procedures in preparation for landing. The terrified passengers followed instructions to crouch forward with their heads against the seat in front of them, she said. People started to get scared, we didnt know what was happening, we were scared, she said in a phone interview. We were leaning forward, and waiting, and the pilot told us we were making an emergency landing. Air Transat spokesperson Debbie Cabana confirmed the Boeing 737-800 was forced to land in Newark, NJ due to reports of smoke in the cargo hold. Our 189 passengers safety is our top priority and they were evacuated promptly upon landing, she said in an email. The Federal Aviation Administration said on Twitter that airport firefighters met the plane on the runway and the passengers were evacuated using slides. Chauvin said she never smelled any smoke in the plane, and the landing went smoothly. The resident of Beloeil, east of Montreal, said it only took two or three minutes for authorities to arrive and to instruct the passengers to evacuate the plane by jumping onto cushioned mattresses. Chauvin said the incident was managed in an organized fashion, and passengers were well treated. Nevertheless, she said its not an experience she wants to repeat. You dont want to live that twice, she said. It was very stressful, people were there but its stressful, its scary. Cabana said nobody was injured, however a Port Authority of New York and New Jersey spokesperson said two passengers reported minor injuries, and one was taken to a hospital to be examined. Transat said another aircraft would be sent to Newark to operate the flight to Fort Lauderdale. Chauvin said she wasnt aware of any injuries but believes one person may have felt unwell after exiting. She said Saturday afternoon that her money and personal belongings were still aboard the aircraft, and it wasnt clear when she would be able to reach her destination. A small, bare-bones apartment near Cabbagetown that garnered gasps over social media on Thursday may pass as an acceptable rental unit under government regulations, and tenant advocates are concerned that it signals a worsening state of affordable housing. The barren unit, listed on Kijiji as a cute little bachelor, near Carlton and Sherbourne Sts., elicited strong feelings about the state of Torontos heated housing market. Federation of Metro Tenants Associations executive director, Geordie Dent, called it a ridiculous condition to live in that fills him with a sense of crushing sadness. This entire apartment looks like it was thrown together with duct tape and glue, he said. Even so, with crumbling brick walls and a storage shelf for bed space, the apartment as it is shown on the advertising website could be acceptable under Ontarios Residential Tenancies Act (RTA), said Tanya Walker, owner of Walker Law, a Toronto-based law firm specializing in property and franchise law. In many ways, the regulation provides the bare minimum, Walker said. Read more: Tenants support group getting crushed by demand Ontario government must close loopholes that allow landlords to hike rent, advocacy groups say Nearly half of Canadians think paying rent is a waste of money, survey finds The Kijiji post says that the apartment has high ceilings Juliet balcony, loft area for single mattress or storage. The asking price is set at $1,100 per month. As far as rent goes, it can be as high as the market will bear when a unit first enters the market, Walker said. The kitchen, located in the space under the units storage shelf, includes what appears to be a minifridge, hotplate, microwave and a sink with a bucket underneath its pipe. The bathroom offers a sink, toilet, bathtub and a small potted plant. According to the RTA, landlords in Ontario are required to provide only four fixtures: a toilet, kitchen sink, washbasin, and a bathtub or shower. More broadly, the act obliges landlords to keep appliances in a good state of repair and in a safely operable condition. Dent said hes seeing more and more apartments such as this, as Toronto faces a brutal housing shortage. The only way to solve the crisis, he said, is with government-funded affordable housing. He pointed to a video made by Twitter user @brndan_ showing the number of apartments built in Toronto year by year; theres a large spike between about 1950 and 1980, and not much outside of that. The reason why that happened was because of federal programs to build housing, he said. Government, at some level, has to build affordable housing, or else its just not going to get built. Walker said that she has noticed an increase in concerns about the safety and maintenance of rental units. These inquiries do not seem to violate the Act, but my thoughts are issues, such as this, raise awareness of tenants of their rights, she said. Tenant rights lawyer Jonathan Robart said that, despite the units weathered minimalism, the landlord will likely receive a high level of interest, as the asking price is on the low end for the market. I have no doubt that they will have a number of people check out the apartment, Robart said. It speaks to a failure on all three levels of government to deal with the affordable housing crisis. Poor quality rental units have been an issue in Toronto for years, but have only recently landed in the spotlight as rental increases started climbing to heights where middle class residents are having challenges affording housing, Robart said. Its just getting a lot of attention now, because people who make decent salaries are getting kicked out of their condos because theyre being sold, he said. He pointed to a rental policy that came into effect when the Ontario government removed rent controls in November; the regulation, vacancy decontrol, allows landlords to charge whatever they want when a tenant moves out. Tenants are really afraid of losing their current unit, Robart said. If someone is forced out of their apartment, where a landlord sold their property, theres a very good chance that whichever apartment they seek out will be priced much higher than their current unit. It forces them into a situation where theyre only able to afford units that are substandard or a step down from what they had to begin with. The City of Torontos Municipal Licensing and Standards Division said that the state of the unit is questionable. It appears that this apartment may not meet the minimum standards contained in the Citys Property Standards Bylaw, but an inspection of the actual room would be required to make any definitive determination of compliance or non-compliance with the bylaw requirements, said Mark Sraga, the director of investigative services at the MLSD. The Kijiji user listing the apartment has three other active rental and sales listings, including a basement apartment near Cabbagetown for $1,350 per month, a time share in Dominican Republic for $6,300 USD, and a family compound in Port Severn for $1,300,000. Calls to the number listed in the ad went unanswered. Stefanie Marotta is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Stars radio room in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: @StefanieMarotta Torontos Catholic board is urging the province to reconsider changes to the autism program given the lack of information for schools that are expected to take in a number of students who will see cutbacks to their behavioural therapy. We are disappointed that the provincial government has not yet consulted or provided school boards with the pertinent information about the impacts of their recent autism announcement, says a statement released Friday by the Toronto Catholic District School Board and Chair Maria Rizzo. We do not know how this funding will support better continuity in service delivery from JK to Grade 12 and beyond and what it means for in-school teams and processes within our schools. We still have yet to hear how the government will support students with autism transitioning to school. Meanwhile, in a letter also released Friday, Toronto District School Board Chair Robin Pilkey says it is expecting about 250 elementary schoolchildren who may be increasing their time in our schools, or registering for the first time when the changes come into effect April 1. The number of students has required us to develop a strategy to support our students and staff. This strategy, which would need to be implemented in a short period of time, puts strain on our schools and staff, requiring from us to redirect existing staff, and potentially hiring additional support staff in some specific locations and situations, Pilkey wrote to Community and Social Services Minister Lisa MacLeod. MacLeod has said the governments priority is to eliminate a 23,000-long wait list in the next 18 months under a new system giving families childhood budgets to choose the services they want. Theyll be eligible for up to $20,000 a year for children under 6 with a lifetime maximum of $140,000. Children older than that can access up to $5,000 a year up to age 18, to a lifetime maximum of $55,000. However, children, with severe needs can require up to $80,000 a year in therapy and thousands of families now receiving such care are worried about drastic cutbacks, and if the school system will be able to handle their childrens needs. Hundreds of families protested at Queens Park on Thursday, and a number of school boards and service providers have also expressed concerns about the autism plans. In the legislature last week, MacLeod said of course, there is a diversity of opinions (on the new plan) whether its parents, whether it is service providers, whether its those who have lived experience with autism. But I will tell you, the opinion of this government is that we are going to clear the wait-list of 23,000 children, or three out of four children in Ontario. The education ministry has started to reach out to school boards to get an idea of numbers and resources they have to deal with the changes. She was 15 when she sneaked away from home in East London with two friends and joined Daesh. Then, four years later, Shamima Begum showed up in a refugee camp in Syria, pregnant and asking to return home. Her request sparked national debate in Britain about what the government owed the young woman, who willingly joined the group as a minor and in media interviews seemed to show little remorse, even as she begged to be let back home. Her family members later said the British government informed them that it planned to strip Begum, now 19, of her citizenship. But now British Home Secretary Sajid Javid is under fire, after Begums infant son, born around three weeks ago, fell ill and died in the Syrian camp. The tragic death of Shamima Begums baby, Jarrah, is a stain on the conscience of this government, said Diane Abbott, a leader in the opposition Labour Party. The Home Secretary failed this British child and he has a lot to answer for. Begums wish to return home was met with major controversy in Britain. Some thought she posed an imminent threat to national security, while others argued that she joined the terrorist group as a naive teenager and deserved the chance to come home. In an interview with a reporter from the Times of London, who found her in the Syrian camp, she said she wanted to return home in large part because of her sons health. Im scared this baby is going to get sick in this camp, she told the newspaper. Thats why I really want to get back to Britain, because I know it will be taken care of, like, health-wise, at least. Begum went on to make media appearances, shocking Britons, and her family, when she at times defended Daesh. At one point, she told the BBC that although she was unhappy that innocent people had been killed, she thought the 2017 bombing of an arena in Manchester was fair justification in response to coalition airstrikes that have killed women and children in Syria. In an interview with Sky News, a reporter asked whether she had any regrets before Daesh lost control of Raqqa, Daeshs headquarters in northern Syria. Begum replied no. Her situation has raised difficult ethical and legal questions about foreigners who join terrorist organizations abroad. Advocates for Begum say it is unjust to rescind her citizenship rather than bring her home and let her face trial. Begums family has roots in Bangladesh, but officials there have made it clear that Begum doesnt qualify for Bangladeshi citizenship, meaning Britains decision to strip her of British citizenship could essentially render her stateless. An Alabama woman is facing a similar predicament. U.S. President Donald Trump has said the United States will not allow Hoda Muthana, a 24-year-old who joined Daesh and is now living with her son at a Syrian refugee camp, back into the country. She claimed she was brainwashed by the group and wants to return home. In Begums case, Javid had previously told British Parliament that children should not suffer, so if a parent does lose their British citizenship, it does not affect the rights of their child. Begums sister wrote a letter to Javid and asked him to help the family bring her infant nephew to Britain. Begum said she had given birth to two other children in Syria, both of whom also died. Her husband, Yago Riedijk, a Dutchman who has admitted fighting for Daesh, is being held at a Kurdish detention center. He recently told the BBC that he would like to return to the Netherlands with his wife and son. In an interview published Saturday on the BBC, Begums father apologized on her behalf and asked the British people, please forgive her. Sadly, there are probably many children, obviously perfectly innocent, who have been born in this war zone, Javid told the BBC before the babys death was confirmed. I have nothing but sympathy for the children that have been dragged into this. This is a reminder of why it is so, so dangerous for anyone to be in this war zone. On Twitter, Abbott further lashed out at Javid, saying he had a moral responsibility for the baby. He has behaved shamefully, she said. Read more about: ALGIERS, Algeria - Algeria, a gas-rich African giant and crucial western ally nearly brought to its knees in the 1990s by a bloody Islamist insurgency, is at a new turning point, this time led by citizens young and old peacefully protesting against the 20-year rule of ailing President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. This weeks protest saw hundreds of thousands of protesters on the streets of the Algerian capital, happily defiant and shouting Game over and The wall of fear has fallen. No one knows what lies ahead. The powerful military is girding against eventual chaos, while the citizens in the streets across the North African nation are relishing the notion of an Algeria reborn, no longer shackled by the murky system that runs the country alongside the president. The demonstrations began after the 82-year-old Bouteflika, rarely seen in public since a stroke in 2013, announced in a statement Feb. 10 his plan to run for a fifth term in office. Protests snowballed in the following weeks with huge nationwide marches after Friday prayers. The protests took place while Bouteflika lay in a hospital bed in Geneva undergoing what were described as medical tests. The president, who appears partially paralyzed and uses a wheelchair, has undergone numerous periodic checkups. But the latest stay has lasted some two weeks. His official candidacy was filed March 3 in his absence, bolstering detractors claims that Bouteflika is an unfit candidate for the April 18 election. In a response to the concerns, a letter said to be from Bouteflika, read by his campaign chief, promised reforms and said he would not complete his term if elected, with a new vote held after a national conference. The response from his opponents was curt. Return to sender read the headline in a commentary on the letter in the daily El Watan. Short-lived local protests by various sectors have been legion under Bouteflika, but massive marches in cities and towns throughout the country are a new phenomenon. Its all of society, all categories, families, women, children, youth. ... Since our independence, we havent seen this kind of demonstrations, said sociologist Nacer Djabi, referring to Algerias 1962 independence from France after a brutal seven-year war. The war, its heroes and fighters, those gone, known as martyrs, and those still living Bouteflika among them have modeled Algerias national character, its army and, for decades, its politics. So when Djamila Bouhired, a heroine of the independence war, made an appearance this month among demonstrators in Algiers, it was notable; when the national organization representing war veterans praised the demonstrators and, without naming Bouteflika, denounced ties between influential parties in the power structure and shady businessmen who illicitly benefit from public funds, it was startling. There are no polls in Algeria and no way to know whether the weight of the street might tip the balance and in what direction. The only word to describe the nature of the power structure in Algeria since independence is opaque. Before Bouteflika took office in 1999, generals held the presidency. Though Army Chief of Staff Ahmed Gaid Salah recently insisted the militarys place is not in politics, most Algerians assume the generals retains a powerful voice. But today there are multiple spheres of influence, among them a coterie of the super-rich, who grew their wealth under Bouteflika, experts say. At the same time, corruption has reached crescendo levels. The protests are not a spontaneous movement, said Abdelaziz Rahabi, former communications minister and ambassador to Spain and other countries. Its the fulfilment of the accumulation of scandals, problems of management, problems of government that have peppered the past 20 years. He was speaking to the website Cap Algerie while attending a recent demonstration. Each day new tidings of revolt against a Bouteflika candidacy, and against the status quo, emerge, from lawyers, health workers, architects. A group of unions and more than two dozen political parties held a conclave Thursday, concluding that holding elections as scheduled would endanger the stability of the country, and called for a period of transition. Former Prime Minister Ali Benflis, who hosted the conclave, is among presidential candidates who have dropped out in protest. Twenty others remain in the race, notably retired general Ali Ghediri, who sprang from nowhere and has run a low-key campaign critical of the system. All bids, including Bouteflikas, are still to be validated. On Thursday, Bouteflika himself warned of eventual infiltration among demonstrators of insidious parties, internal or external who could ... spark fitna (disorder) and provoke chaos. The message, which identified no party, corresponded to a warning from Gaid Salah, the army chief, who also evoked dark forces wanting to take (Algeria) back to the years of fire. He was referring to what is now called the national tragedy, the brutal war born in the ballot box with the nations first free elections, won by an Islamist party before the army stepped in. Extremists trying to create an Islamic state took over swaths of territory, burned villages and carried out massacres. Bouteflika is credited with bringing together the divided nation with his national reconciliation plan, adopted in 2005. Today, the presidents camp stresses the need for continuity. Facing peaceful mass protests is a daunting challenge for a system with a deficit of democratic DNA. Past protests were most often resolved with payouts to meet demands. Whats different is that this time its about an expression of political will. The government cannot respond with resources, said Geoff Porter of U.S.-based North Africa Risk Consulting. The government cannot acquiesce to these demands easily. With 65 per cent of Algerias nearly 42 million people under the age of 30, most of todays population didnt live through the years of terror, Djabi, the sociologist, notes. There is something Bouteflika didnt understand. He should have left sooner, Djabi said. He doesnt know this new society, notably young people seeking a more open, modern way of life, he said. The great majority of Algerians want another Algeria. ___ Ganley is based in Paris. She has covered Algeria since the 1990s. Angela Charlton in Paris contributed. LONDON - British Home Secretary Sajid Javid faced criticism Saturday after the death of a U.K. teenagers baby in a Syrian camp. Shamima Begum, who had left London as a 15-year-old in 2015 to join the Islamic State group, had pleaded with British authorities before her baby was born to let her return to Britain to raise the child. But Javid revoked her passport, saying Begum hadnt shown any remorse. The teen had told newspaper reporters she didnt have a problem with IS actions, including the beheading of captives. Begums infant son died Friday. Begums family said the boy appeared to be in good health when he was born on Feb. 17. No clear cause of death has yet been given, but reports suggested he was having respiratory problems. Fellow Conservative Party lawmaker Phillip Lee said Saturday he was deeply concerned by Javids handling of the case, suggesting he had taken a hard line in order to please populists. He said it was clear 19-year-old Begum holds abhorrent views, but called her a child who was a product of British society. Britain had a moral duty to her and to her baby, he said. When Begum first started speaking to reporters more than three weeks ago, she said the first two children she had given birth to since joining the extremist group had died of malnutrition and other ailments. She said she wanted to come home so she didnt lose another child. Her predicament sparked a national debate on how the U.K. should handle Britons who had joined the extremists and now seek to return because IS has lost its territory in Syria and Iraq. The challenge faces other European countries as the final IS stronghold in Syria is on the brink of falling, giving its fighters and their often youthful spouses no place left to hide. U.S. President Donald Trump weighed in on the matter last month, saying European countries have a responsibility to take back and put on trial about 800 IS fighters who have been captured by U.S.-backed forces in Syria. Begum is married to a Dutch national who joined IS extremists and has since been taken into custody. He said last week that he wanted to be able to live in the Netherlands with his wife and newborn son, who is now dead. Kirsty McNeill, a director at Save the Children UK, said Britain should take responsibility for their citizens in Syria to prevent further unnecessary losses. It is possible the death of this baby boy and others could have been avoided, she said. Javid didnt comment directly on the babys death. A government spokesman said the death of any child is tragic and reiterated the British governments advice that citizens avoid travel to Syria. BAGHOUZ, Syria - U.S.-backed fighters could soon resume an offensive against the Islamic State group in the last area they control in Syria, an official said Saturday, adding that the battle against the extremists is expected to take three days. Aras Orkesh of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces said they have about 2,500 fighters ready for the battle in and around the eastern village of Baghouz, where IS fighters still have a presence. Under the cover of heavy coalition bombing on March 1-2, SDF forces advanced on the besieged tent encampment, leaving a corridor for residents to leave. Following that operation, thousands of residents and many fighters evacuated Baghouz over the next four days. But since Friday only a small group came out, raising speculations that a renewed military offensive was being planned. On Saturday, a black flag inside Baghouz could be seen from a distance as well as moving trucks. On the front line, SDF fighters have assumed a relaxed stance with some walking around on rooftops exposed to IS fighters. Orkesh, the SDF official, said the battle could restart tonight or tomorrow. Its the end of the cease-fire with Daesh. He used an Arabic acronym to refer to IS, adding that the battle could take three days. Whats holding us up is the civilians, we can see them, women and children inside, he said. In Washington, a senior defence official estimated that nearly 20,000 people, including 3,500 to 4,000 adult males, have emerged from Baghouz since Feb. 20. The official, who could not be identified by name under Pentagon ground rules, said Friday that nearly all of the 20,000, including women and children, are seen as IS followers or adherents. The official said it would not be a surprise, based on current conditions, if it took another couple of weeks to finish mopping up the IS enclave. The area on the east bank of the Euphrates River in the province of Deir el-Zour that borders Iraq has been under attack by SDF since September. After capturing all of the surrounding towns and villages over the past six months, the SDF in recent weeks advanced on Baghouz from three sides, besieging it. Hundreds of IS fighters, along with thousands of civilians, mostly family members, have evacuated the IS-held area after the SDF alternately applied military pressure and allowed time for evacuees to come out. In the last two weeks, many fighters appeared to be among those evacuating. But some IS militants are still clinging to a patch of land inside the village and are vowing to fight. The capture of Baghouz would be a milestone in the devastating four-year campaign to defeat the groups so-called caliphate that once covered a vast territory straddling both Syria and Iraq. The fight against IS has taken place amid Syrias nearly 8-year-old civil war. In northern Syria, an official with a U.S.-backed group said a suicide car bomb attacker has blown himself up near a military vehicle in the northern Syrian town of Manbij, wounding eight people, most of them civilians. Sharfan Darwish, of the Kurdish-led Manbij Military Council, said the Saturday afternoon attack took place as a military car and several civilian vehicles passed by He said seven civilians were wounded, one of them seriously, as well as a U.S.-backed fighter. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a war monitor, also reported the blast saying several civilians and fighters were wounded. No one immediately claimed responsibility but in January IS claimed a suicide attack in Manbij that killed 19 people, including two U.S. service members and two American civilians. ___ Associated Press writer Bassem Mroue in Beirut and National Security writer Robert Burns in Washington contributed. OLYMPIA, Wash. - Many of Amazons Seattle-area employees would be exempt from new labour protections in a bill passed by the state Senate after lobbyists for the tech giant pushed to change a key threshold in the rules. The protections would partially prohibit non-compete clauses controversial agreements used by tech companies and others to block employees from going to work for competitors or launching rival startups. Lawmakers say Amazon lobbied to have the income threshold set at a level that would likely exempt many workers in Seattle. The effort came as the company has expanded its presence in the state capital, where its spending has tripled in recent years. The bill passed the Washington state Senate Tuesday with the salary threshold of $100,000 sought by Amazon. Employees above the threshold would be exempted from the labour protection. The median salary for Amazon employees in Seattle is about $113,000, according to Glassdoor.com, a company that tracks top firms. Other provisions require some protections for workers making more than $100,000, including an 18-month limit on any non-compete clauses they sign and a requirement that workers must be compensated while they are barred from working. The measure now heads to the state House for consideration. Millions of U.S. workers sign non-compete agreements. A handful of states, including California, prohibit such agreements. Other companies joined talks surrounding the Washington state bill, as well as groups such as the Association of Washington Business and the Washington State Hospital Association. They were also concerned with retaining trade secrets and intellectual property but remained open to blocking the use of non-compete agreements for lower-paid workers. Democratic Sens. Marko Liias of Lynwood and Rep. Derek Stanford of Bothell, sponsors of the House and Senate versions of the bill, said Amazon made the lower threshold a priority. They have a lot of clout, Stanford said. Amazon was saying, if its above this number, were opposed. Amazon held off on endorsing a previous measure over the same issue, even after Microsoft signed off, Stanford said. Stanford, who submitted an amendment to lower the threshold in his bill to the level requested by Amazon, said it came down to simple arithmetic: The opposition of a major employer in the state would turn votes against the bill. Amazon defended its lobbying effort. Like any other business, we work with elected officials so they understand how proposed regulations will impact our more than 50,000 employees and the growth of our business in the state, company spokesman Aaron Toso said. Republican Sen. Curtis King of Yakima voted for the measure and later said the threshold was appropriate and would help businesses safeguard their intellectual property while accommodating low-wage workers. Amazons push on the bill came after the company tripled spending on lobbying in the state capital, in conjunction with a more assertive stance toward city governments around the country. Last year, the company joined an aggressive effort that helped repeal a business tax in Seattle. In 2017, the company dangled high-paying jobs and billions of dollars in investment as incentives for cities to host its new headquarters. Municipalities quickly turned to tax breaks and other lucrative incentives to lure the company. In Washington state, the companys spending on lobbyists jumped from $114,000 in 2014 to $358,000 in 2016, according to Amazons filings with the state Public Disclosure Commission. It spent $679,000 in 2017 and $333,000 in 2018. That puts it behind Microsoft but ahead of Google and Facebook in spending on lobbying in the state. WASHINGTON - Freshman New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and several of her allies were accused this week by a conservative group of improperly masking political spending during the 2018 campaign. Ocasio-Cortez is a vocal critic of untraceable money in politics, and the news provoked uproar from conservative media organizations. Campaign finance experts, however, caution that there is no evidence of wrongdoing. The Associated Press explains: ___ HOW DID WE GET HERE? The conservative National Legal and Policy Center argued in a complaint to the Federal Election Commission on Sunday that Ocasio-Cortez and her allies orchestrated an extensive off-the-books operation. They requested an investigation, charging that political groups tied to Ocasio-Cortez and her advisers improperly obscured how money that they raised was spent. It was quickly snapped up by conservative media outlets like the Daily Caller and Washington Examiner, as well as tabloids like the New York Post. ___ HOW DID THE OPERATION WORK? Ocasio-Cortezs current chief of staff Saikat Chakrabarti helped found two groups, Justice Democrats and Brand New Congress, that aimed to elect progressive candidates to office. Ocasio-Cortez is also listed as a governor of Justice Democrats in a business filing. Records show that in 2016 and 2017 political action committees operated by the groups paid over $1 million to a company that Chakrabarti also ran, which was called Brand New Congress LLC. Limited liability companies are a tool sometimes used in politics to obscure the flow of money. Ordinarily, individual campaign expenses are reported to the FEC. But by routing the money instead to Chakrabartis company which his lawyer says was founded to be a one-stop campaign vendor they were able to label it as a strategic consulting expense and fulfil the FECs disclosure requirements. Chakrabartis company could then spend the money as it wanted without being obligated to report where it went. ___ SO WHATS THE CONCERN? Campaign finance reformers including Ocasio-Cortez bemoan a lack of transparency in how political money is raised and spent. While the use of LLCs is not uncommon, reformers say there is good cause for concern. For example, an operator of a so-called scam PAC could use an LLC to obscure paying themselves money that donors intended to be used for political activity. Former FEC attorney Adav Noti said that much of the coverage of the complaint against Ocasio-Cortez and her advisers was overblown. But he added that it is completely fair for people to raise questions about the way they structured this. When you see this sort of spending pattern, it can be a warning, said Noti, who now works for the non-partisan Campaign Legal Center. ___ HOW DOES AOC EXPLAIN IT? David Mitrani, an attorney representing Ocasio-Cortez and the other various groups named in the complaint, said Chakrabarti did not form the LLC to obscure spending. Rather, Mitrani said tax and campaign finance law is vague and they formed the company out of concern that they may otherwise run afoul of the law. We were concerned about tax and campaign finance law exposure, Mitrani said. Noti said there could be a plausible explanation, but reiterated that it is reasonable for people to demand that these folks explain why they spent hundreds of thousands of dollar from their PAC to buy services from their own company. ___ WHATS NEXT Its unclear what the FEC will do. They could launch an investigation or choose not to take action. A spokesman for the FEC confirmed that the agency had received the complaint, but declined further comment. New Delhi, Mar 9 (IBNS): Amid deteriorating relationship since the Feb 14 Pulwama attack in Jammu and Kashmir and a counter surgical strike from the Indian side, the External Affairs Ministry of India on Saturday said that if Pakistan claims to be a Naya Pakistan with a new line of thought, it should walk the talk by taking real action against terror groups. "Pakistan has failed to take any credible action against the Jaish-e-Mohammed and other terror organisations operating from its soil," said ministry of external affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar on Saturday. "If Pakistan claims to be a naya Pakistan (new Pakistan) with a nayi soch (new thinking), it should demonstrate naya action (new action) against terror groups operating from its soil," Kumar said. This comes a day after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran khan said his government would not allow Pakistan's soil to be used for any kind of terror activities against any country. Concerning the meeting with Pakistan on the Kartarpur issue, Kumar said India will attend the meeting in the interests of the Sikh community in India and this does not indicate resumption of bilateral talks. Pulwama Attack: Jammu and Kashmir witnessed a dark Feb 14 this year, a day which is celebrated across the world as the day of love or Valentine's Day, when a terror attack by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad in Pulwama left 40 Indian paramilitary forces personnel killed. The incident was condemned by top Indian political leaders as well as several others nations including the US. India blamed Pakistan for the attack. Airstrike and Abhinandan: New chapters in the tale of bitterness Weeks after the Pulwama strike which had ignited anger across India, the country's air force targeted a terror camp across the Line of Control in the Pakistan side. The Indian Air Force (IAF) carried out a "non-military pre-emptive" surgical strike across the Line of Control (LoC) in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), a step which seemed to be a fitting reply to the Pulwama attack. India swore revenge and launched surgical strike to destroy a Jaish-e-Mohammad terror camp in POK. In retaliatory strike by Pakistan, the jet of IAF pilot Abhinandan was shot down though he parachuted down in Pakistan occupied territory. Abhinandan was captured by Pakistan but was later released amid international pressure. DALLAS - The Federal Aviation Administration on Friday warned Southwest Airlines and its mechanics union that their bitter fight could hurt the airlines safety program. The FAAs top safety official sent a terse letter to the airline and the union saying that a breakdown in their relationship raises concern. He urged both sides to co-operate in complying with FAA safety standards. However, the dispute appeared to escalate Friday. The leader of the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association said his union filed a defamation lawsuit against Southwest and the airlines chief operating officer. It was the unions response to Southwest, which sued AMFA last week in federal district court in Dallas over what it claims is an illegal work slowdown aimed at pressuring Southwest during bitter contract negotiations. Southwest charges that mechanics are writing up minor maintenance items, leading to a surge in the number of planes taken out of service for repairs. It said write-ups include missing seat row numbers and other cosmetic flaws. The airline has been cancelling flights each day because the number of grounded planes has jumped from the normal 14 per day to as many as 62 one day in February, according to Southwests lawsuit. This week, Southwest CEO Gary Kelly said the airline is losing millions of dollars a week because of the cancelled flights. Union officials charge that Southwest pressures mechanics to overlook safety issues in managers zeal to keep planes flying. Southwest and the union for its 2,400 mechanics have been negotiating over a new contract for more than six years. The unions national director, Bret Oestreich, said the union does not want to fight in court, it only wants a new contract. He also urged his members to continue to keep Southwest passengers and crew safe despite trying times. The FAAs associate administrator for aviation safety, Ali Bahrami, said in his letter Friday that a breakdown in the relationship between Southwest and the union raises concern about the ongoing effectiveness of the airlines safety-management system. Despite the litigation, he continued, he urged both sides to work together to meet FAA safety standards. The letter did not allege any safety violations or investigations. Bahramis letter was addressed to Oestreich and Southwests chief operating officer, Mike Van de Ven. It was first reported by The Wall Street Journal. Government and industry insiders said the letter raising safety issues was unusual. Robert Mann, a longtime airline executive and consultant, said he could not recall a similar warning by the FAA in a labour dispute. Good for them for raising the issue, he said. Safety has to be paramount, superseding everything. However, Southwest spokesman Chris Mainz said it is not unusual for the FAA to emphasize safety during such times at a carrier. As always, we appreciate the FAAs partnership and maintain our dedicated focus on assuring the highest level of compliance and safety, he said. The union declined to comment on the letter. The FAA had already said it was increasing its oversight of Southwest, which an agency spokesman said at the time was standard during periods of labour-management tension. ___ David Koenig can be reached at http://twitter.com/airlinewriter BALTIMORE - A man accused of killing his wife and blaming her death on a Baltimore panhandler had asked his brother to help get rid of her, police said in charging documents. The documents first obtained by The Baltimore Sun state that a friend told detectives Keith Smith had asked his brother to get rid of Jacquelyn, taking that to mean he wanted to kill her. Police believe Jacquelyn Smith had talked about divorcing her husband. When Vick Smith was subpoenaed to testify before a grand jury last week, police wrote that he alerted his brother, who began seeking a way out of the country. When Jacquelyn Smith, an electrical engineer at Aberdeen Proving Ground, was fatally stabbed in December, Keith Smith told police she had rolled down her window to give $10 to a panhandler with a baby. The tale drew national attention, prompting some to regard panhandlers warily. But on Sunday, three months after Jacquelyn Smiths death, police announced that her husbands story wasnt true and Keith Smith and his daughter were facing first-degree murder charges after their arrests in Texas. Baltimore Police are expected to bring the Smiths back to Baltimore on March 20. A Cameron County Sheriffs Office spokesman, Lt. Joe Elizardi, said Friday that the suspects did not wish to speak with reporters. Police note discrepancies in Keith Smiths account of the stabbing and their route that night. Detectives tried to retrace the route with Keith and Valeria Smith, but 27 surveillance cameras along the route they described showed no sign of Smiths car, police wrote. In February, police obtained a wiretap for the Smiths phones. The Smiths cellphone signals show they stopped in Druid Hill Park for about 15 minutes, police said, but neither mentioned it. Valeria Smith said they were never there, police wrote. When asked in an interview, Keith Smith said he hadnt wanted to admit that he got lost and said they sat in the park looking at pictures in his phone, police wrote. Immediately upon completion of the interview, Mr. Smith got into a rental truck and drove to Winter Haven, Florida, where he requested to be relocated by his job, police wrote. Keith Smith signed a lease on a home in Winter Haven on Feb. 21 and his daughter was believed to be living with him, Polk County Sheriffs Office spokeswoman Sherrie M. Morgan told The Baltimore Sun. Meanwhile, a detective spoke to one of Keith Smiths close friends, Donnell Morgan. He told the detective that Vick Smith told him his brother, Keith, had asked him to get rid of Jacquelyn, police wrote. Days later, Vick Smith told detectives his brother told him that Jacquelyn Smith was talking about divorcing Keith. After he left police headquarters, police wrote that Vick Smith called his brother, who said he didnt want to talk because you know everything got ears now. Nothing in the documents related to Keith and Valeria Smith indicates that Vick Smith helped with any alleged plot. He did not respond to phone messages. Morgan told The Baltimore Sun that he has known Keith Smith for 30 years and was his best man, but declined to discuss the case. It breaks my heart, he said. Last week, Vick Smith alerted his brother that he had been served a subpoena to testify before a grand jury, police wrote. That evening, police tracked Keith Smiths efforts to orchestrate a getaway. He tried unsuccessfully to get a cash advance and to book one-way flights out of the country, including Cuba and Canada, police said. But without a passport, he couldnt book the flights. He asked search engines if he needed a passport to go to Jamaica and for ways to travel to Mexico without going through the border. The next day Smith rented a car and drove it south through Texas, where a be on the lookout alert was issued to law enforcement through the Department of Homeland Security, investigators said. As detectives wrote their arrest warrant on Sunday morning, they noted Keith and Valeria Smith were 20 minutes from the border. CHICAGO - The Latest on the indictment of actor Jussie Smollett (all times local): 9:30 p.m. An attorney for Jussie Smollett says a 16-count indictment against the Empire actor is vindictive and Smollett maintains his innocence. Mark Geragos says in a statement that he did not expect a Cook County grand jury would charge Smollet with 16 separate counts and the indictment is prosecutorial overkill. He says the indictment is nothing more than a desperate attempt to make headlines in order to distract from the internal investigation launched to investigate the outrageous leaking of information by the Chicago Police Department and the shameless and illegal invasion of Jussies privacy. Smollett is charged with disorderly conduct for making a false report of an attack on him in Chicago. Police say Smollett staged the attack and recruited two brothers to participate. Local media have reported that the Chicago Police Department is investigating leaks to reporters during the investigation of the reported attack. ___ 5:30 p.m. The16-county grand jury indictment of Empire actor Jussie Smollett relates to allegations that he lied to police about a reported attack in January eight counts for what he told a police officer and eight more for what he told a detective. In the indictment filed Thursday, the Cook County grand jury makes it clear that Smollett added details to his account of what happened Jan. 29 when he talked to the detective. He gave a basic version to the police officer that included allegations that he was beaten by two masked men who shouted racial and homophobic slurs at him. The indictment says that when he talked to the detective, Smollett said he could see from the skin around one of the attackers eyes through the mask that he was white. He also said that the attackers looped a rope around his neck. When Smollett was charged with a single count of disorderly conduct on Feb. 20, police noted that Smollett had said the attackers were white. Police say that in fact, the two men who have admitted taking part in the staged attack are both black. Smollett has denied that he staged the attack. ___ 4:50 p.m. A grand jury in Chicago has indicted Empire actor Jussie Smollett on 16 felony counts related to making a false report that he was attacked by two men in Chicago who shouted racial and homophobic slurs. The Cook County grand jury indictment filed Thursday charges him with falsely reporting an offence. Smollett was charged on Feb. 20 with one count of disorderly conduct for filing a false police report. Smollett, who is black and gay, told police in late January that he was attacked by two men in downtown Chicago who wrapped a rope around his neck. Police say Smollett recruited two men to stage the attack because he was upset with his pay on the Fox show. Smollett has denied playing a role in the attack. ___ Check out the APscomplete coverage of the Jussie Smollett case. WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump will welcome Brazils new president, Jair Bolsonaro, to the White House later this month to discuss trade, defenceco-operation, transnational crime and other issues. The White House said Friday that two leaders also would talk about providing humanitarian assistance to Venezuela and restoring democracy to the country when they meet on March 19. Bolsonaro, who took office Jan. 1, is a former army captain with hard-right positions. He has often expressed admiration for Trump and said he planned to emulate several of the U.S. leaders policies. Bolsonaro 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. BISMARCK, N.D. - As Enbridge prepared to move climate-damaging tar sands crude through a 40-year-old pipeline in eastern Canada in 2015, environmentalists and indigenous peoples including Vanessa Gray thought about what happened in Michigan just five years earlier: Another of the companys lines had burst, sending oil into a river in one of the largest spills in U.S. history. With that in mind, Gray and others decided they needed to do more than just speak out. In December 2015, three activists from Montreal entered Enbridge property near the Quebec-Ontario border and turned an above-ground emergency pipeline shut-off valve. About two weeks later, Gray and two others did the same at a different site, drawing even more attention because authorities levied charges that could have landed them in prison for life. They ended up with no jail time and accomplished their goal of raising awareness. I hope it inspires others, Gray, 26, a member of an Ojibwe tribe, said in a recent interview. It already has, by activists in the U.S. who believe fossil fuels are precipitating a global warming crisis. Just last month four activists targeted an Enbridge oil pipeline in northern Minnesota. But pipeline companies say so-called valve turners are dangerous to themselves and the public and many energy industry officials and advocates say they should be treated as domestic terrorists. Several states are considering increasing fines and prison terms for such incidents and holding associated organizations legally accountable as well. Its reminiscent of a number of years ago when environmental groups were spiking trees to interfere with the timber industry, said Alan Olson, executive director of the Montana Petroleum Association. When environmental groups go out to cause physical harm or to harm infrastructure, in my mind that is domestic terrorism. To Michael Foster, its a wake-up call to a world quickly approaching a life-or-death moment. We must stop the flow of fossil fuels as a society, said the mental health counsellor from Seattle who spent six months in jail for turning a pipeline shut-off valve in North Dakota in October 2016. You can argue about the best, or better, ways to do it, but we havent done it yet, and weve run out of time. Foster was part of a loose-knit group of 11 climate change activists who dubbed themselves Climate Direct Action and simultaneously turned shut-off valves on five pipelines in North Dakota, Minnesota, Montana and Washington state that carry Canadian tar sands crude into the U.S. We were committed to nonviolence. We were committed to safety and making sure no communities were impacted or damage occurred. We werent interested in damaging equipment, Foster said. Thats where we took the cue from Canada. In response to that action, federal regulators issued a bulletin warning that tampering with pipeline valves can result in death, injury, and economic and environmental harm. None of the valve-turning incidents has led to an injury or a spill, but critics say the protest tactic is at the very least hypocritical. What eco-extremists fail to recognize is that their own reckless actions risk seriously harming the same environment that they claim to be trying to protect, said Craig Stevens, spokesman for Grow Americas Infrastructure Now, a pro-pipeline coalition. Enbridge spokesman Jesse Semko said tampering with pipelines is no different than targeting railways or power lines, and the company will support the prosecution of those individuals to the fullest extent of the law. But some think the law doesnt go far enough. The valve-turning protests all have been prosecuted under state laws, and the punishments have varied. No protester other than Foster has spent more than two days in jail. A group of bipartisan lawmakers, led by Colorado Republican Rep. Ken. Buck, asked the U.S. Justice Department in October 2017 whether protesters could be prosecuted under federal domestic terrorism laws. The response in February 2018 from Assistant Attorney General Stephen Boyd, provided by Bucks office, didnt give much clarity. Boyd said pipeline protest incidents may or may not qualify as domestic terrorism, and he wouldnt comment on whether any federal investigations were happening. The department didnt respond to an Associated Press request for comment. Some states arent waiting for federal action. The American Legislative Exchange Council has created a model bill that carries stiff penalties for protest incidents targeting critical infrastructure such as pipelines. Its inspired by a 2017 Oklahoma law that carries penalties of up to 10 years in prison and a $100,000 fine. Louisiana last year passed a law similar to the model, and the legislatures in North Dakota , Illinois, Missouri, Ohio, Mississippi and Indiana are considering similar bills this year, according to Grant Kidwell, the councils energy policy expert. A proposal in the Wyoming Legislature failed to pass. The oil and gas industry also is acting. The Energy Equipment and Infrastructure Alliance in October 2017 launched an online database to catalogue what it calls attacks on pipelines, including valve-turning. I hope it doesnt spread, Alliance President and CEO Toby Mack said. I think its pretty obvious that its just kind of a stupid way of making a point. Activists believe the stupidity lies in ignoring a climate change crisis. The state of the movement for climate justice in the United States is in need of more boldness, said Jay OHara, co-founder of the Climate Disobedience Center. ___ Follow Blake Nicholson on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/NicholsonBlake WASHINGTON - Melania Trump came armed with surefire applause lines when she stepped up to address a largely female audience that had gathered to celebrate other women. The first lady showcased the record number of women serving in Congress. She said womens unemployment had hit its lowest level in 65 years, though it has since ticked up slightly. And she highlighted the more than 2 million women who have joined the workforce since November 2016, when her husband was elected president. This is something to celebrate, Mrs. Trump declared at Thursdays State Department event, where many of her lines easily could have fit into a campaign stump speech. But as President Donald Trump shows his eagerness for the coming 2020 re-election battle, less clear is Mrs. Trumps fervour for joining the effort. She largely avoided the campaign trail in 2016, citing her desire to be home for the couples young son, Barron, now 12. And spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham predicted that once again, Mrs. Trump is going to want to be home for her son, no matter his age. People in Trumps political orbit, for their part, are skeptical that one of the most private first ladies in modern history would want to take on a big public role in her husbands bid to win another four years in office. Even if Mrs. Trump sticks largely to her official role, though, theres plenty she can do to try to help her husband connect with women, a voting bloc with whom Trump is particularly vulnerable. Beyond the State Department appearance, Mrs. Trump showed growing ease with her role in the past week as she also made a three-state swing to promote the three pillars of her Be Best childrens initiative and accompanied her husband to Alabama to survey tornado damage. In Oklahoma, she chatted with second-graders about the burdens of homework and watched older students in a science class measure the density of different colored liquids. In Washington state, she watched as Microsoft Corp. executives demonstrated features to help protect children online. In Las Vegas, she delivered a pointed jab at the news media, prodding the press to spend as much time highlighting the opioid epidemic as it devotes to idle gossip or trivial stories. And in the tornado zone, the stiletto-friendly first lady wore sneakers as she played empathetic backup to her husband. She participated in a briefing, joined the president as he greeted relief workers, engaged with victims with him and on her own, and signed autographs. Recent first ladies have all taken prominent roles in re-election campaigns. Michelle Obama, Laura Bush, Hillary Clinton and Barbara Bush all campaigned separately from their husbands at re-election time. Katherine Jellison, a history professor at Ohio University who studies first ladies, said they can help their husbands politically by reaching out to female audiences and showing up at smaller venues than where the president campaigns. Typically, the president and the first lady are the family superstars, said Jellison, adding that it was hard to find a more reclusive first lady in recent history than Mrs. Trump. Trump continues to suffer from low approval ratings among women, which could prove challenging as he faces a Democratic primary field with a historic number of female candidates vying to run against him in 2020. In Gallups latest tracking poll, Trump had a 36 per cent approval rating among women, which is about where its held throughout his presidency. Still, polls broadly show Republican women are overwhelmingly likely to support him as they do the first lady. Her appeal to other female demographics remains an open question. In a Quinnipiac University poll conducted in November 2018, about two-thirds of Republican registered voters, or 65 per cent, said they had a favourable opinion of Mrs. Trump, while just 3 per cent said they viewed her unfavourably. But just 35 per cent of registered voters overall said they had a favourable opinion of her, and 20 per cent said they had an unfavourable view. The same survey showed that 63 per cent of registered voters said they had a favourable opinion of Mrs. Obama, and 24 per cent said they had an unfavourable one. But that may at least be partially due to the fact that Mrs. Trump has kept a much lower profile than her predecessor. Mrs. Trump limited her role in the 2016 campaign to just a handful of appearances and interviews. Her most memorable moment came during the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, when her high-profile speech was quickly overshadowed by accusations that she had stolen passages from a speech given by Mrs. Obama. A speechwriter later took responsibility and apologized. With her husband out campaigning, Mrs. Trump wanted their son, who was 9 when his dad became a candidate, to have one parent at home at their Trump Tower penthouse in New York. Barron turns 13 later this month, and he will be 14 by the time the re-election effort is in full swing. Grisham said that it was too early for campaign scheduling and that the first lady was focused on her family, her duties as first lady and the nearly year-old Be Best childhood initiative, which focuses on well-being, cyberbullying and opioid abuse. Campaigning aside, Mrs. Trump, 48, remains one of her husbands closest advisers. Shes also independent and protective of her husband and carefully picks the moments when she strikes out politically. Last fall, she told a TV interviewer that she had told the president about staffers they couldnt trust and that some of those people no longer worked for him as a result. And in an extraordinary intervention into West Wing operations by a first lady, she engineered the dismissal of deputy national security adviser Mira Ricardel following a disagreement over the use of assets for the first ladys weeklong trip to Africa last October. Critics have noted that Mrs. Trumps husband routinely mocks people on Twitter. But, much like her spouse, she has been dismissive of the media. As she set out on the Be Best tour, Mrs. Trump ignored a reporters shouted question about whether she accepted an apology from Michael Cohen, the presidents former longtime personal lawyer. He recently testified to Congress that he regretted lying to the first lady about his role in arranging to buy the silence of porn star Stormy Daniels and one-time Playboy model Karen McDougal, both of whom have said they had sex with Trump before he became president. Trump has denied the relationships. Mrs. Trump has never commented publicly about the allegations. By ignoring the question, she signalled she wasnt about to start now. ___ AP Polling Editor Emily Swanson and Associated Press writers Hannah Fingerhut and Jill Colvin contributed to this report. ___ Follow Darlene Superville and Catherine Lucey on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/dsupervilleap and http://www.twitter.com/catherine_lucey JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska - After nearly eight years of military service, the oldest military working dog at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson will, for the first time, become somebodys pet. Military Working Dog Kimba, an 11-year-old Belgian Malinois serving with JBERs 673rd Security Forces Squadron, retired Friday in a ceremony attended by four of her canine comrades. Her career had included everything from foot patrols of the base to drug detection to demonstration patrols. In her eight year career at JBER, Kimba has been assigned to seven different handlers and hit on 32 narcotics finds, officials said. Her most recent handler, Staff Sgt. Christopher Bennett, called her the best friend hes had since hes been at serving at JBER. Kimba completed her training in 2011 at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, squadron officials said. Out of about 2,500 tested for military service every year, about 750 are selected for rigorous training. An additional quarter drop out before completing the training. Lt. Col. Richard Zeigler, commander of the 673rd Security Forces Squadron, called Kimba his favourite, assuring all the other canines present that you guys will all get your chance from now on. She probably doesnt know whats going on, but maybe she will reflect in a few years on the service that shes provided, Zeigler said. Shes going to a good home. Now she can get up on the couch and have a blast. Military working dogs are placed for adoption when they retire, and Kimba will live out her retirement in the home of Capt. Luke Restad, a member of the squadron. Bennett formally handed Kimbas leash off to Restad at Fridays ceremony. I had some openings in the house and a lot of big backyard, so I just wanted to be able to give back to Kimba for what shes given to the Air Force, Restad said. He said Kimba has been transitioning well into her new home over the past couple of weeks. Restad doesnt have any other pets, which is ideal because military working dogs dont have much opportunity to socialize with other pets during their service, he said. When asked whether he had any advice for Restad, Bennett said, patience. Definitely watch your fingers when youre giving her toys, because she does tend to like to nip. ___ Information from: Anchorage Daily News, http://www.adn.com ANN ARBOR, Mich. - A man who graduated from the University of Michigan in 1969 has finally received a congratulatory telegram from family friends that was sent more than 50 years ago. Robert Fink received the Western Union telegram this year. Western Union ended its telegram business in 2006. The Washington Post first reported on the telegram finally being delivered to Fink. The telegram originally arrived in 1969 at an Ann Arbor apartment Fink shared with three classmates a day after he had left to attend graduate school in New York. Christina Zaske rediscovered the telegram in December after removing the bottom drawer of an old filing cabinet now owned by Ann Arbour-based digital marketing agency ICON Interactive to retrieve a piece of paper that had fallen inside. I looked inside, mostly because I was curious to see an actual telegram, Zaske told The Ann Arbor News. Zaske saw Finks name on the paper and used the internet to find him and return the note. Fink is now a professor at Oakland University in Rochester, a Detroit suburb thats about 45 miles northeast of Ann Arbor. I was surprised to learn that he had never received the telegram and was glad that I could reunite it with its intended recipient all of these years later, Zaske said. Fink said the letter has brought back memories and made him reflect on his old connections. The theme for me has been that the long arm of the past is reaching out and grabbing me, and I should take it seriously, he said. Fink said hes regretful he never had the chance to thank Ben and Lillian Fischman for sending the telegram, noting that theyve both died. It also left me with a funny sense of guilt that they had thought about me that way, Fink said. It took some effort to send a telegram its not like texting someone. It touched me they had thought about me and made the effort to do so. PITTSBURGH - Ellsworth Kolb left Pittsburgh in 1900 with $2 in his pocket. He nearly ended up in China. After working his way across the country to San Francisco, he signed on with the crew of a freighter headed across the Pacific. But before he shipped out, something swayed him to go back and check out a big hole in the ground in the Arizona Territory that he had heard so much about. So, he took a train headed east, all the way to the rim of the Grand Canyon. Ellsworth fell in love with what he saw and forgot all about China. It was a moment that not only changed his life but also that of his younger brother, Emery, who soon followed him. Together they would play a pioneering role in making the Grand Canyon the tourist destination it is today. On Feb. 26, 1919, the Grand Canyon was designated as a National Park. The Kolb brothers, who grew up in Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania, are a major focus of the centennial celebration. Before the canyon became a national park, the Kolbs established themselves as photographers and adventurers there, documenting their hair-raising escapades and those of other visitors on the Bright Angel Trail from a studio in the only building below the canyons south rim. It was the way most Americans first saw pictures of and learned about the 277-mile-long canyon carved by the Colorado River. These guys were a part of Grand Canyon history, said Mindy Riesenberg, director of marketing and communications for the Grand Canyon Conservancy. They really were the folks who got the word out about the Grand Canyon to Americans who didnt know anything about it, and their photos really publicized the canyon. In order to give people a sense of the depth and breadth of the canyon, the Kolb brothers often put themselves in their photos. The Kolbs basically invented the selfie, said Roger Naylor, author of a 2017 book titled The Amazing Kolb Brothers of Grand Canyon. They were the first photographers to just continually inject themselves into the photos, and as time went on they started adding a little action and a little adventure, Naylor said. So, you have a lot of photos of the Kolbs dangling from ropes and leaping across crevasses, the kind of thing that would go viral today. They were very much ahead of their time. Early adventures The Kolb brothers were Western Pennsylvania natives whose father, Edward, was an ordained Methodist minister. Ellsworth was born in Smithfield, Fayette County, in 1876; and Emery in 1881. They lived in several places in and around Pittsburgh, including Mt. Washington, as well as the Buffalo Creek area of Armstrong County. In May 1889, during the same torrential downpour that created the Johnstown Flood, the brothers, then 12 and 8, embarked on an adventure that foreshadowed the life they would lead. They built this little raft out of scrap lumber and jumped into the flooded creek. Im sure Ellsworth was the instigator, Naylor said. They ended up being swept down to the (Allegheny) River as the raft starts to break apart. Neither of them can swim. Emery ended up lying across the raft, holding one end with his hands and the other with his toes to keep it together while Ellsworth paddled with all his might to get to the shore. They never mentioned the near-death experience to their parents. They started out as knuckleheads early on, and it just continued throughout their life, Naylor said. Their photography skills were self-taught. Emery, who dropped out of school in the eighth grade to work at Westinghouse Electric Corp., would create his own cameras and go around Pittsburgh taking scenic pictures. After Ellsworth headed west at 24, he told his brother about the virtues of the Grand Canyon and invited him to join him. Emery asked if people might want to get their pictures taken at this place; the day after he arrived, they were in the photography business. In 1902, the brothers began photographing people on mules heading down the Bright Angel Trail, the most popular trail at the canyon, as well as their own river adventures, landscapes and other dramatic scenes. The process was challenging. At first, the government presence in charge of the Grand Canyon Forest Reserve, as it was then called, would not allow them to have a studio on site. So, for the first year they would snap photos of the mule riders, then load the glass plate negatives in their packs and run down the trail, past the mule riders, and down the switchback to a place called Indian Garden, where there was fresh water and a small darkroom they had built. They would develop the photo and then come running back up 3,000 feet out of the canyon, a 9.2-mile round trip, Naylor said. And they would be standing at the head of the canyon with the developed photos when the mule riders would come out of the canyon. They would often do that three times a day. No wonder he (Emery) lived to be 95, Riesenberg said. And both of them were small. They were 5 feet 4 inches tall. Once they had their small studio on the rim, the work became a little easier and the product more sophisticated, including sweeping, hand-tinted photos of the canyon. Daring spirits By 1911, the Kolb brothers were ready to embark on their most-famous adventure. Despite their lack of rafting experience, they decided to go down the Colorado River, which runs through the Grand Canyon, and capture the perilous trip with an early hand-cranking movie camera which was state of the art technology at the time. Only two dozen people had done the trip and survived. They had boats built and spent 101 days on the river travelling from Wyoming to Mexico to make what turned out to be a legendary film. They were utterly fearless, Naylor said. They were thrown in the river over and over again, had boats capsize, had near-misses and crashes and so forth. But they made it. Shooting the film was almost as difficult as going down the river. One brother would set up on the shore with a rope and a life preserver while the other brother would take the boat through the rapids. If he survived, then they would take the second boat through and film that, Naylor said. The result was an epic 45-minute film that the Kolbs took on a nationwide tour, which included stops at the Los Angeles Athletic Club, the National Theater in Washington, D.C., and Carnegie Music Hall in Pittsburgh. It later ran in the expanded Kolb studio at the Grand Canyon every day from 1915 until Emerys death in 1976. He would often stand at the steps of the screening room providing live narration. Their movie was, is and forever will be the longest-running adventure show on the face of the earth, said Ron Brown, a Grand Canyon National Park ranger. The fact that they shot an adventure film going down that river was a big deal. Oddly enough, the brothers who had accomplished so much together in just over two decades developed a rift in their relationship that led them to go their separate ways in 1924. They had flipped a coin to decide who would keep the studio. Emery won. Ellsworth moved to Los Angeles, where he died in 1960. Emery stayed on in the canyon for 50 more years. The original two-story studio, which had fallen into disrepair following Emerys death, was nearly torn down. It sat empty for a decade. Today, thanks to the Grand Canyon Conservancy, it sits fully restored in its original spot, below the rim of the canyon. The greatest front porch on the planet, as Naylor calls it. This past week, as staff, volunteers and visitors celebrated the Grand Canyons 100 years as a National Park, there was little doubt about the Kolb brothers legacy and impact on one of the worlds natural wonders. They popularized the canyon in ways that continue to this very day, Brown said. In the days before television and radio, they became the voice of the canyon, Naylor said. They brought the world to the Grand Canyon. ___ Online: https://bit.ly/2GWMmf2 ___ Information from: Tribune-Review, http://triblive.com LOS ANGELES - A growing list of Democratic presidential contenders want the U.S. government to legalize marijuana, reflecting a nationwide shift as more Americans look favourably on cannabis. Making marijuana legal at the federal level is the smart thing to do, says California Sen. Kamala Harris, a former prosecutor whose home state is the nations largest legal pot shop. New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, a prominent legalization advocate on Capitol Hill, says the war on drugs has been a war on people. Former Texas Congressman Beto ORourke, who appears poised to join the 2020 Democratic field, has written a book arguing marijuana legalization would hobble drug cartels. In an email to supporters this week, he called again to end the federal prohibition on marijuana. Who is going to be the last man more likely than not a black man to languish behind bars for possessing or using marijuana when it is legal in some form in more than half of the states in this country? ORourke wrote. Its a far different approach from the not-so-distant past, when it was seen as politically damaging to acknowledge smoking pot and no major presidential candidate backed legalization. In 1992, then-White House candidate Bill Clinton delivered a famously tortured response about a youthful dalliance with cannabis, claiming he tried it as a graduate student in England but didnt inhale. And two decades before that, President Richard Nixon unleashed a war on marijuana and other drugs and it helped carry him to a second term. This year, leading Democrats hold similar positions supporting legalization. Presidential hopefuls in the Senate who have co-sponsored Bookers legislation to end the federal prohibition include Harris, New Yorks Kirsten Gillibrand, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Vermonts Bernie Sanders, who campaigned on decriminalizing pot in his 2016 presidential bid. Another 2020 Democratic candidate, Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, supports legalization and believes states should have the right to determine how to handle marijuana regulation within their borders but hasnt signed on to Bookers legislation. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, who entered the contest this month, said in his announcement speech its about time to legalize the drug nationally. During his 2012 run for governor, Inslee opposed the ballot initiative that made Washington one of the first two states to legalize so-called recreational marijuana. As governor, however, he has frequently touted what he describes as Washingtons successful experiment with regulation and has urged the Obama and Trump administrations not to intervene. He recently began pardoning people with small-time marijuana convictions. The widespread endorsement for national marijuana reform among Democrats tracks the nations evolving views. In the late 1960s the era of Woodstock and Vietnam 12 per cent of Americans supported legalization, according to the Gallup poll. By last year, the figure hit a record 66 per cent. About 75 per cent of Democrats support legalization, along with a slim majority of Republicans. Most Americans now live in states where marijuana is legal in some form. Pot dispensaries are familiar sights in cities like Los Angeles and Denver, and conservative strongholds like Utah and Oklahoma have established medical marijuana programs. To Mason Tvert of the Marijuana Policy Project, a pro-legalization advocacy group, its not surprising theres broad support among candidates to end the federal prohibition. Its no longer popular to be in favour of marijuana prohibition, Tvert said. But there are limits: We are not seeing any candidates saying, I am currently a marijuana user, he added. The trajectory toward legal pot has come with generational change. In a 2003 Democratic presidential forum, candidates John Kerry, John Edwards and Howard Dean acknowledged using marijuana in the past. Former President Barack Obama has been open about his youthful drug use, sometimes with a jab of humour: When I was a kid, I inhaled. Frequently. That was the point, he said in 2006. In a recent radio interview on the syndicated The Breakfast Club, Harris recalled smoking pot in her college days in the 1980s. She was an early supporter of medical marijuana but the Los Angeles Times reported that in 2010, the year she was elected California attorney general, that Harris opposed an initiative to more broadly legalize marijuana. How potent the legal pot platform might be with voters in 2020 is only a guess. Polls show some of the strongest support comes from younger voters. In California, millennials are now the largest generation among registered voters. However, younger voters are also the most likely to stay home on Election Day, said Paul Mitchell of Political Data Inc., a nonpartisan research firm. President Donald Trumps position on cannabis remains somewhat opaque. He has said he supports laws legalizing medical marijuana but hasnt offered a definitive position on broader legalization. In a departure from his predecessor, Jeff Sessions, new Attorney General William Barr has said he will not go after marijuana companies in states where cannabis is legal, even though he personally believes the drug should be outlawed. Standing somewhat apart from the Democratic field is the man who presided over one of the first legal recreational marijuana marketplaces in the nation, former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper. Hickenlooper opposed the ballot measure that fully legalized marijuana in Colorado in 2012. But he said he accepted the will of the voters and won praise for implementing the measure. He says his worst fears about legalization havent been realized and considers the system better than when the drug was illegal. Still, Hickenlooper isnt willing to go as far as some competitors. Rather than calling for national legalization, he wants the drug to no longer be a Schedule 1 controlled substance so it can be studied. He doesnt think the federal government should come in and tell every state that it should be legal, believing states should make their own determinations. I trust this process by which states should be the models of, or laboratories of, democracy, he said. ___ Riccardi reported from Denver. Associated Press Writer Gene Johnson in Seattle contributed. Blood is a member of APs marijuana beat team. Follow our complete marijuana coverage: https://apnews.com/Marijuana . UNI Mangaluru, Mar 9 (UNI/IBNS): Union Home Minister Rajanath Singh on Saturday said Pakistan will have to pay a heavy price if it continued to encourage, promote and shelter terrorists. After inaugurating a convention of the Shakti Kendra Pramukhs of three Lok Sabha constituencies (Dakshina Kannada, Udupi-Chikkamagaluru and Shivamogga) here, Mr Rajnath Singh said so far country has carried out three strikes against Pakistan in the last five years and everyone knew about the impact of two strikes. "We cannot say much about the third strike," he said, adding that the third strike (Balakot) was a targeted mission and was carried out on specific intelligence input. Referring to some incidents in some parts of the country, targeting the Kashmiri youths, he said that "in this connection the Union Government has already issued an advisory to all state and union territories to safeguard Kashmiri students studying all over India". He appealed to BJP workers to stand by the Kashmiri students. He termed the coalition government in Karnataka as khichri government where welfare of the people has taken a backseat. "The JD (S) leaders are busy protecting their own chairs," he said. By 2028 India will be one of the three powerful countries of the world; he predicted Predicting that the BJP would emerge as the single largest party in the world, he said that everyone in the state had contributed to strengthen the organisaiton. "At present US, China and Russia are the top three powerful nations but by 2028, India will enter into the league of top powerful nations. He claimed that the BJP was not doing politics to gain power but to empower India and its people. The central government has introduced several schemes for the farmers. But the Karnataka state government is not providing data of farmers to credit Rs 2,000 each as first installment under Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana. Farmers loans have not been waived off in the state as the government never bothered about farmers, he claimed. Singh also referred to the economists who said India was one of the fastest growing economies in the world. "We were in the ninth position in 2014. Now, we are in sixth position and soon we will be in the fifth position,Rajnath Singh said. KETCHIKAN, Alaska - Officials have reopened a road linking the Prince of Wales Island communities of Kazan and Thorne Bay, two months after it was closed by a landslide. The Ketchikan Daily News reports the South Thorne Bay/Kasaan Road was reopened Tuesday. Sara Yockey, Kasaans tribal transportation director, says travellers can expect delays as road repairs continue. The Jan. 1 landslide temporarily knocked out power and interrupted essential services. It affected about 300 people, including students who were boated to school. The community of Kasaan began clearing the road after $400,000 in federal funds was secured in late February. Jim Baichtal, a Tongass National Forest geologist, says the landslide affected nearly 200 feet of the road. ___ Information from: Ketchikan (Alaska) Daily News, http://www.ketchikandailynews.com AUSTIN, Texas - The Latest on the Democratic contenders for president (all times local): 4:25 p.m. Former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper tells a house party in Dubuque, Iowa, that immigration hard-liners have to accept that they wont be able to drive out everyone who is in the U.S. illegally. Hickenlooper says it would be crazy to think that a country founded and defined by immigrants would ever expel 10 million to 11 million people. Hickenlooper launched his bid for the Democratic presidential nomination this week. He is on his first Iowa swing as an official candidate and is positioning himself as a uniter who can get things done. In his remarks Saturday, the former governor said the perennial immigration standoff should be a simple problem to fix and that both sides need to sit down. ___ 4:15 p.m. Sen. Elizabeth Warren has defended her new call to break up big U.S. technology companies at a major tech conference in Texas. The Democratic presidential candidate appeared Saturday at Austins South by Southwest Festival a day after making her pitch to reign in the influence of tech giants. She described them as monopolists making fewer monopoly profits, adding boo hoo. The Massachusetts senator was also asked whether Sen. Bernie Sanders had discouraged her from entering the 2020 race. She said they had a private dinner but wouldnt divulge what they discussed. Warren is among several 2020 Democratic candidates appearing at SXSW this weekend. Former San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro, former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper and Washington Gov. Jay Inslee are speaking Sunday. ___ 3 p.m. A documentary released Saturday about Beto ORourkes near-upset of U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz contains no hints about his 2020 plans and the candidate himself was just as coy after its screening. ORourke attended the premiere of Running with Beto at the South By Southwest Film Festival in Austin, Texas, with his wife and daughter. Afterward, ORourke repeated that hes made up his mind about running for president and plans to let everyone know soon. The documentary will air on HBO and was cobbled together from 700 hours of Texas Senate campaign footage. ORourke briefly took questions from reporters afterward but provided no details on when hell announce his next move. He called seeing the documentary very emotional. ___ 12:50 p.m. Sen. Bernie Sanders has told a packed house in Des Moines that as president his power to reform industries and institutions would be limited, but hed still fulfil his campaign promises with their support. Sanders said no president, not the best-intentioned in the world, can take on those extraordinarily powerful forces. He went on to say: But we have something they dont have we have the people! The crowd packed into the Animal Learning Center on the Iowa State Fairgrounds roared their approval of Sanders, who is making another run for the Democratic nomination. Many were decked out in his 2016 campaign gear or waved IA loves Bernie signs. About 50 volunteers showed up to support the Vermont senator at the final stop of his three-day swing through the state, part of an Iowa volunteer force that Sanders said already totals 7,000. We need you to add to that number! he said, to roars from the crowd. ___ 12:35 p.m. Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota isnt calling for a breakup of the biggest U.S. technology companies like one of her Democratic presidential rivals, Sen. Elizabeth Warren. Klobuchar on Saturday was the first of several 2020 candidates to speak at the tech-centric South by Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas. Asked if Google or Facebook should be broken up, Klobuchar said she would first want an investigation. Warren is also scheduled to appear at SXSW. On Friday, the Massachusetts senator said that as president she would pick regulators who would seek to break up what she called anti-competitive mergers. One example is Facebooks recent purchase of Instagram. But Klobuchar criticized big tech in a city rapidly transformed by the industry. She said tech companies didnt like her efforts to improve disclosure requirements for online political ads and floated the idea of taxing social media companies when they sell personal data. ___ 11:50 a.m. Sen. Kamala Harris says shes committed to shoring up rural communities, a message the Democratic presidential hopeful is sharing with voters in some of the most sparsely populated parts of the early voting state of South Carolina. The California senator told a crowd of several hundred gathered in tiny St. George, South Carolina, on Saturday morning that a national infrastructure of crumbling roads and bridges makes it difficult for people in communities like this one to get to their jobs, which may be miles and miles away. Harris also says she wants to make changes to rural hospital funding, tweaks that she hopes will lead fewer health care facilities in such areas to close. On Friday, Harris shared a similar message with voters in Hemingway, a tiny community of about 500. ___ 9:30 a.m. Texas is an unlikely cant-miss stop for the Democratic presidential candidates, but many of them are making appearances this weekend at the trendy and techie South by Southwest Festival in Austin. Texas is an early primary state, but the real draw of the event for Democrats is the chance to spend time with the partys ascendant young and liberal wing. Beto ORourke, a former Texas congressman, is expected to attend the premiere of a documentary film chronicling his longshot U.S. Senate campaign last year. It ended in a narrow loss to the Republican incumbent, Ted Cruz. ORourke hasnt said yet whether hes in or out of the 2020 White House race. First up on Saturday at the festival are two senators who are running Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota. The controversy over alleged political interference in the criminal prosecution of SNC-Lavalin has over a few short weeks drastically changed the federal political landscape. A recent Forum poll conducted for the Star showed a majority of respondents were considering changing their vote because of allegations that Justin Trudeau and his top aides attempted to politically interfere in the prosecution of the Quebec engineering giant. Another Star poll showed the ruling Liberals slipping from a solid lead in recent months to well behind the Conservatives. But what, exactly, is driving the shift in electoral dynamics? What about the SNC-Lavalin affair has moved the electorate? Or is it the affair at all? The Star talked to a handful of people across the country who chose the Liberals in 2015 about whether they would vote the same way again and why. The result? Many are considering changing their votes but not necessarily for the reasons (or the parties) you might expect. Yes, SNC-Lavalin came up as a concern. But just as often, broken promises, inauthenticity and perceived incompetence seemed to be the source of disillusion. Voters on both the left and the right voiced disappointment in a government that has often sought the middle way. Heres what they had to say. Susan Murwyn of Halifax voted for the Liberals in 2015 hoping for action on the environment and electoral reform. He said he was going to do more with the environment and he said he was going to do political reform, she said, adding she really hoped Trudeau would do away with the first-past-the-post electoral system. I really wanted that. That was the reason I voted for him. But Murwyn doesnt feel like Trudeau has delivered, and now she feels hes mishandling the SNC-Lavalin scandal. He hasnt communicated properly, she said. Now she plans to vote for Elizabeth Mays Green party. Fiona Organ of Halifax isnt sure who shell be voting for come October. In 2015, it was Trudeaus Liberals. He was young and he was out there to do things, very personable, she said. Now Im not sure. Organ said she feels like Trudeau hasnt been up front about the SNC-Lavalin affair. Its almost like he said one thing but hes doing something different, she said. Sometimes to me it feels like theres not too much honesty there, and thats very important to me, honesty. Though Nicholas Anderson says he was never very politically engaged, the 28-year-old voted for Trudeaus federal Liberals in 2015 because they appeared to protect individual freedoms while wanting progressive change. Four years later, the filmset carpenter says his values have swung far more conservative. One day I just realized I dont like whats happening in the world with rampant political correctness, word policing, and the infringement that the Liberals and the left-wing world has taken on free speech, he said. Then they paint it with the brush of diversity. When he heard Maxime Bernier speak last year, Anderson was immediately compelled to join the newly-minted populist Peoples Party of Canada, saying he had to get politically involved if he wanted to be able to complain about things. In fact, Anderson was the vice-president of the PPCs Burnaby-South electoral district association. And thats the party hell be voting for come October. I like how (Bernier) sticks to his guns, he explains. I havent felt this inspired to take part in Canadian politics until now and I have to credit him with that feeling. Carson Park, 29, is a self-described lifelong lefty who voted for the Liberals in 2015 because the party appeared to be pro-liberty and marijuana legalization. And, he says, they at least pretended to be honest. However, the former mortgage broker and current communications consultant says the party botched the rollout of that policy horribly, adding he doesnt like a lot of the other scandals facing the embattled party. Since theyve been elected in the age of internet culture wars, theyve taken the position of an ideological group that is fundamentally against institutions like democracy, common law and free speech, he told the Star. Im in virile opposition to both corporate welfare and identity politics. Park will be voting in his West Kelowna riding for the novel populist Peoples Party of Canada, led by Maxime Bernier. And despite reports the party is fending off the alt-right movement or composed of white nationalists, Park dispels those notions as myths. The doubling down on Canadian nationalism is not an ethnic nationalist position, he says. All the people tossing out those pejoratives are just engaged in a satanic panic. Luke Gilmore has no regrets about casting his vote for the Liberals in the 2015 federal election. The 24-year-old French teacher from Regina said hes still a strong supporter of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Liberal government despite the fallout from the SNC-Lavalin controversy. Theres been quite a bit of noise in the past few weeks but I still have a firm belief that the government can handle the situation, Gilmore said. He said he was happy with the prime ministers statement on Thursday and took him at his word as to what transpired. Overall, he said hes been encouraged by the Liberals governance, and said there has been a unique emphasis on Saskatchewan. He pointed to how the Liberals held their national caucus meeting in Saskatoon in September. That was the first time in decades that happened. So there is a lot of positive that the government is doing and I hope they can carry forward and not let this scandal or situation bog them down too much. When Kiefer McCrae, a 28-year-old set to graduate from Calgarys Mount Royal Universitys policy studies program, voted liberal in the 2015 federal election it was because of the partys promises for marijuana legalization and electoral reform. Now he says, its difficult not to be pissed off at the party in the wake of the SNC-Lavalin controversy, but he isnt yet sure where he stands. He said he wont make a decision on who he votes for in the next election until he hears their 2019 campaign platform. We dont know how much he (Justin Trudeau) knew about it. We dont know where the actual pressure came from. Its a he said she said thing. My understanding of it is that even what hes being accused of isnt illegal, which I guess thats better than if it was illegal, McCrae said. Its way too early to have a strong opinion on this and on the governments reaction to it, in my opinion. LJ Valencia couldnt vote in the 2015 election, which took place shortly before he became a Canadian citizen. But the 22-year-old University of Alberta student still volunteered for the Liberal party in Edmonton during that campaign. Now, Valencia believes a new face needs to emerge to lead the party. He still plans to support the Liberals in this falls election. But the current SNC-Lavalin controversy, on top of other promises that didnt materialize into action, has Valencia hoping someone new can take over the party. Ill still volunteer for the Liberals, but I think Trudeau needs to go as leader, Valencia said. I think a lot of people were disappointed when Trudeau came into power and he campaigned for real change, and some of the changes he argued for and campaigned for like electoral reform, which I strongly supported, hasnt really gone through. And then this SNC-Lavalin issue is happening and Im quite disappointed frankly with how Jody Wilson-Rayboulds been treated. Specifically, Valencia has taken issue with the way Wilson-Raybould has been discredited and thinks her treatment by the party has been problematic. The fourth-year U of A economics student said he still plans to vote and volunteer for the Liberal party this fall, to oppose the Conservative party. He specifically cited his issues with that partys immigration and economic policies. Nevertheless, Valencia still hopes to see improvement from the Liberals this year. I think the party needs to get their act together in terms of trying to regain Canadians trust, Valencia said. Trudeau tried to campaign back in 2015 to bring real change. But given how the whole SNC-Lavalin issue is developing, I think theres an issue of trust and accountability. Ravi Dodla says he has been closely following the unfolding of the SNC-Lavalin story since its beginning, and what he sees worries him. Something looks suspicious. I am not entirely sure if there isnt any corruption involved, said the Toronto resident, who has voted for Liberal MPs in the past. The software engineer said he has usually been critical of Trudeau on his economic policies or his photo opportunity behaviours like when he went to India and was seen wearing traditional Indian outfits. But he always viewed the prime minister as a nice person, he said. This SNC-Lavalin affair changes my perspective of him, said Dodla. Jody Wilson-Raybould seems credible. I believe her, he said, noting no one in the Trudeau camp has really disputed her story, except saying there have been miscommunications. Rebecca Hearn admits not knowing all the details about the SNC-Lavalin portfolio, but says it bothers her that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau seems to be in the news for the wrong reasons. People around him dont seem to have a lot of confidence in him now, said Hearn. The fact that the ministers in his cabinet, who were appointed by him, are resigning and quitting on him, that is a big concern for me. The west-end Toronto resident and pet store manager said it is hard to know the truth in politics: some people are siding with Trudeau, while others are against him. While she wants to continue to believe in the prime minister and his political agenda, the SNC-Lavalin saga could change her mind and ultimately influence her choice in the next federal election, she said. It all depends on the truth but I cant guarantee I will vote for him if it continues to drag on, she said. With files from Philip Croucher, Zane Woodford, Gilbert Ngabo, Andrew Jeffrey, Melanie Green, Amy Tucker and Omar Mosleh. Read more about: VANCOUVERAs another scandal plays out in Ottawa, government watchdog groups are calling for wider scrutiny of SNC-Lavalins activities in jurisdictions like British Columbia, where the company donated to the ruling political party at the same time it was being awarded large public infrastructure contracts. However, the watchdog groups also argue that the evidence and allegations of corruption against the Quebec engineering firm demonstrate why all corporate donations need stronger rules and regular audits. Its essentially a form of legalized bribery, said Duff Conacher, founder of Ottawa-based Democracy Watch, referring to lax rules allowing corporations that benefit from political decisions to donate to political parties. For years, Democracy Watch has advocated campaign finance limits because of the risk that large donors can wield oversized influence on politicians who start to feel more beholden to the wealthy people, corporations and unions that fund their campaigns than to the wider electorate. Though Quebec, British Columbia and the federal government have lowered donation limits and banned union and corporate donations, companies have found ways around those regulations. Conacher said the rules end up being a charade without regular audits. For example, Conacher noted, in 2016 the federal election commissioner found SNC-Lavalin had funneled $118,000 in donations to the federal Liberal and Conservative parties, meaning that senior executives asked employees to make donations as individuals; the company then reimbursed employees through fictitious bonuses or other benefits. Read more: The SNC-Lavalin affair has gone from legal thriller to family drama Trudeaus former senior aide Gerald Butts offers much different version of events in the SNC-Lavalin scandal Trudeau was warned Wilson-Raybould would connect the cabinet shuffle to SNC-Lavalin issue In an emailed response, the Liberal Party said it returned the money and improved its donation acceptance procedures. The Conservative Party of Canada did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Dogwood, a B.C. environmental organization, is calling for a deeper examination of SNC-Lavalins activities in British Columbia and a full inquiry to examine possible links between political donations and public works contracts. Quebecs Charbonneau Commission, which concluded in 2014, found that many companies, including SNC-Lavalin, regularly bribed politicians to get government contracts. To be fair to (SNC-Lavalin), we havent found the same allegations about how theyre operating in B.C., said Lisa Sammartino, a campaign co-ordinator with Dogwood. Quebec knows because they had an investigation But I think its worth looking at the bigger picture of how the company operates and that bigger picture of how we give out our public contracts. On Feb. 25, Dogwood published a blog post scrutinizing donations made by SNC-Lavalin and related parties to the BC Liberals, pointing out that the company was awarded several large public infrastructure projects over the same period. Through Elections BCs political donations database, the Star verified that between 2005 and 2013, SNC-Lavalin and the companys chairman of the board at the time, Gwyn Morgan, donated a combined total of $196,157 to the BC Liberal Party. During the same period, SNC-Lavalin was part of engineering consortiums that worked on the Canada Line and Evergreen Line rail transit projects in Metro Vancouver, the William R. Bennett Bridge in Kelowna and upgrades to the Sea to Sky Highway between Vancouver and Whistler. In an emailed response to the Star, Nicolas Ryan, a communications staffer with SNC-Lavalin, said many of Dogwoods assertions in the post were erroneous but did not elaborate. The company is also part of a consortium bidding on the Pattullo Bridge in New Westminster, B.C., a project worth $1.37 billion. Expanding the analysis to Alberta, the Star found that between 2005 to 2014, SCN-Lavalin and its subsidiaries including SNC Transmission Ltd., SNC Transmission 11 Ltd., and SNC Transmission 111 Ltd. donated a total of $54,504 to Albertas Progressive Conservative Party. During that time, the company worked on the Western Alberta Transmission Line. No investigations have been conducted to prove any connection between the donations and the contracts in either province. Ryan pointed to a compliance agreement SNC-Lavalin signed with Elections Canada after the company adopted new ethics and compliance measures, and another agreement the company signed with the federal government after being criminally charged in 2015 with fraud and bribery in relation to allegations the company paid $47.7 million to officials in Libya. The latter agreement allows SNC-Lavalin to continue to get government contracts because of the effort it has made to improve ethics and compliance, according to a Dec. 10, 2015 company press release. The company has pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges. The allegations have not been proven in court. All allegations of wrongdoing by SNC-Lavalin occurred prior to 2013. The BC Liberal Party and Albertas United Conservative Party did not respond to interview requests. The Star attempted to reach Morgan through Encana, the oil-and-gas company he founded, but did not receive a response. Last week, Canadas former attorney general and justice minister, Jody Wilson-Raybould, told a parliamentary committee that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and others in his office had repeatedly pressured her to give SNC-Lavalin a deferred prosecution agreement rather than face a criminal trial on the fraud and bribery charges. If found guilty, SNC-Lavalin could face a 10-year ban on bidding on federal government contracts. For its part, SNC-Lavalin says it is a changed company, has replaced board members and senior executives and put in place a world-class ethics and compliance framework. The company, which employs 8,700 people in Canada and nearly 35,000 worldwide, has warned that employees and pensioners could be put at risk without a deferred prosecution agreement. Taxpayer-funded infrastructure projects make up a significant portion of SNC-Lavalins business: a Star analysis found that the company was awarded $68 million in new federal work in 2018, not including projects SNC-Lavalin is involved in as part of a consortium of companies. Examples of consortiums SNC is a part of include Ottawas new $2.1-billion light rail line and a $2.8-billion contract to upgrade Montreals regional transit system. Transparency is a major subject of debate in B.C., which was once known as the Wild West of political donations because it had no limits on who could donate or how much. The topic was an election issue in 2017. The BC Liberals, which had governed for 16 years, ultimately lost that election and were replaced by an NDP government supported by the Greens. The new government moved quickly to ban corporate and union donations and capped individual donations at $1,200. Even though the donation rules have changed, Dogwood is still calling for a Charbonneau-style inquiry into B.C.s anything-goes period. The Quebec commission found a widespread system of companies bribing politicians to get government contracts. As a result of the inquiry, SNC-Lavalin agreed in a 2016 deal to reimburse Quebec municipalities for contracts obtained through questionable means. The commission also sparked a 2013 Elections Quebec audit, which found that between 2006 and 2011 more than 500 companies used their employees and others to illegally funnel nearly $13 million in donations to political parties in the province. The audit did not examine the awarding of contracts but did find that the majority of the illegal donations came from employees of consulting engineering firms and construction companies. A similar inquiry in B.C. would show whether the link between donations and government contracts is more than coincidence, said Sammartino. Dogwood analyzed provincial road maintenance contracts and political donations between 2013 and 2016. The non-profit found companies that donated to the then-governing BC Liberals received a higher number of contracts and those contracts were higher in value: 90 non-donating companies received $539 million in contracts, while 44 donating companies received $758 million in contracts. Dogwoods analysis, which Sammartino shared with the Star, also found donations tended to be made around the same time the companies bid, received winning bids or started work on the contracts. With files from Alex Boutilier, Alex Ballingall, Tonda MacCharles and Bruce Campion-Smith Read more about: EDWARDSVILLE A three-hour hearing on the need for a state capital improvement program led to wide-ranging discussions on needs, funding and trust in government. A wish list totaling billions of dollars for roads, education and other infrastructure was talked about, but how to fund the program remains elusive. The hearing, one of six statewide, was held at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and was co-chaired by State Sens. Andy Manar, D-Bunker Hill, representing the Appropriations Committee; and Martin A. Sandoval, D-Chicago, representing the Transportation Committee. A number of state and local elected officials emphasized that one of the most important points was that Southern Illinois was heard. We hope some of this money comes downstate, said Wood River Mayor Cheryl Maguire. We hope it doesnt stay up north. State Sen. Rachelle Aud Crowe said she has been speaking to elected, union, education and business leaders for months. Each of those conversations ended with a concern: We just want to make sure Southern Illinois is not forgotten, Crowe said. Gov. J.B. Pritzker has said he wants a capital improvement program, and Sandoval emphasized the need to act quickly, saying he wants to see it approved and signed by May. Its been about 10 years since the states last capital program, its about due, said State Sen. Don DeWitte, R-St. Charles. The states roads and bridges are in serious difficulty now. We have to start making some hard decisions about how we take care of our infrastructure so that it doesnt get any worse. The committees heard from representatives of higher education, unions, transportation and local municipalities. Public universities as Economic Drivers SIUE Economist Tim Sullivan said public universities were often the lifeblood of the community and act as major economic drivers. He noted SIUE is the second largest employer in the Metro East and has an economic impact of about $500 million annually. While he could not provide specifics, he said a new capital improvement program would have a $20 million to $30 million annual economic impact, creating hundreds of jobs. These types of projects improve our facilities, and allow us to continue to grow our programs, he said, saying that allows students to stay in Illinois. An educated population is the most surefire way of increasing productivity, wages and tax revenues. Speaking on higher education were SIU system President Kevin Dorsey; SIUE Chancellor Randy Pembrook; SIUC Chancellor John Dunn; Lori Williams of the SIU School of Medicine; Lewis and Clark Community College President Dale Chapman and Southwestern Illinois College President Nick Mance. Most of their discussion centered on their schools needs. In addition to new projects, most said their campuses had deferred maintenance needs of hundreds of millions of dollars. $13-$15 billion needed for highway maintenance over 10 years Paul Loete, representing the Illinois Department of Transportation, said they need $13 billion to $15 billion in additional funding over the next 10 years just for highway maintenance, in addition to increasing road capacity. Our funding needs are great, but in order for us to drive the economy of our great state forward, we must invest in the maintenance and expansion of our multimodal transportation system, he said. Unfortunately, as you can tell by driving around the roads in the state, our infrastructure continues to decline despite our investment, he said. We have a large percentage of our assets that are getting to the end of their useful lives; this includes the majorities of our interstates that were constructed during the 1960s and 1970s. Hearing ends with long discussion by municipal officials Four mayors were schedule to speak, but only Joe Silkwood of East Alton remained when their turn came. Other mayors in the audience were asked to join him., including Maguire and Michael Suarez of Fairmont City. Maguire spoke, then asked about the timing of the bill. We will have a capital bill in this legislature, Sandoval said, saying he was unsure of exact timing. However, he preferred it happen quickly. Id like to leave Springfield in the spring session with a capital bill laid out so (the governor) could sign, he said. I would prefer a robust capital bill. Go for the gusto, go large and have it ready by May 31. Silkwood noted that a capital bill has to be reliable and sustainable. We need something we can count on, he said. He also said there needs to be communication between the state, local governments and voters. No one likes to pay taxes, but I think what they (citizens) get frustrated by is when they pay taxes and dont see the fruits of their taxes, Silkwood said. Its going to be imperative that we educate citizens. I think communication is going to be very important state-wide. He noted that East Alton has a smaller population, but also has manufacturing that brings in a lot of cars. The funding through the motor fuel tax has created issues with us, he said. Weve seen a decline in motor fuel tax funding. In a small town like ours thats devastating. Shari Albrecht, executive director of the Jerseyville Economic Development Council, also testified, asking for $16 million to completed the Delhi Bypass on U.S. 67. She said completing the bypass was of paramount importance to complete the bypass for the development of the Mid-American International Gateway Business Park, a 1,400-acre development planned just south of Jerseyville. Pointed questions from Chicago Senator on funding While Manar asked some questions, much of the more pointed questions and comments came from Sandoval, who at one point asked whether congressional leadership has done a piss poor job of bringing home the bacon for Southern Illinois. Sandoval asked a number of those testifying pointed questions on how they would pay for the capital program, specifically asking several of them about support for a gas tax or mileage tax. If I knew where the money was going and it was earmarked for certain things absolutely I would, Gernigin said. When Maguire was asked, she said all options need to be explored, but noted that increased taxes could drive some business, such as gasoline sales, to Missouri. Part of the issue, according to several officials, is trust. When I talk to residents and we talk about tax, I think theres a frustration that theres going to be a bait and switch, Silkwood said. If we raise the motor fuel tax, is it really going to go to the roads. We have to find a way to demonstrate to the public that the money youre paying extra at the pumps is actually going for what we say its going to go for. Weve got to make sure they understand that if we create new taxes its going to what we say its for, he added. Sandoval noted that roads are funded at approximately $300 per person annually. Thats what we care about our roads, bridges and highways, he said. And we complain about that investment. We pay more for our cell phone bills. Additional hearings are set for 1 p.m. Monday, March 18 in the Decatur Public Library, 130 N. Franklin St., Decatur; 3 p.m. Monday, April 8 at Bradley University, Peplow Pavilion inside the Hayden-Clark Alumni Center, 1501 W. Bradley Ave., Peoria; 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 16 in the Bilandic Building, 160 N. LaSalle St., Chicago; and 1 p.m. Monday, April 22 in the Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin. Reach reporter Scott Cousins at 618-208-6447. The Dutch firm also proposed to cultivate the plant on an area of 100 ha in a pilot project to establish a production chain, and connect with cooperatives in the province. Binh Phuoc authorities have encouraged the company to join hands with local farmers and cooperatives, which will create optimal conditions for the establishment of a site producing clean cashew material. The province is home to more than 71,600 households growing cashews on nearly 174,020 ha, accounting for 30 percent of total agricultural land. The trees are being grown mainly in farms across the four districts of Bu Dang, Phu Rieng, Bu Gia Map and Dong Phu, yielding about 200,000 tonnes of nuts per year. There are about 200 cashew companies and 400 cashew processing facilities in Binh Phuoc, with an annual combined capacity of 500,000 tonnes. Representative of the MCE-MARD Group said it has worked with a Vietnamese partner in producing cashew nut shell oil (CNSO) in Binh Phuoc. The company also plans the construction of a CNSO factory in the near future. In 2018, Vietnams cashew export revenue hit USD3.52 billion. Major importers include the US, the Netherlands and China. According to the Vietnam Cashew Association (Vinacas), in 2019, Vietnam plans to ship abroad 350,000 tonnes of cashew nuts for about USD4 billion, a lower volume but higher value than the year previous./. Tunis, March 8 (Xinhua): Tunisian navy arrested 64 illegal immigrants, including four women, off Zarzis coast in southeastern Tunisia after their vessel broke down, the Tunisian Red Crescent (CRT) of Medenine province said Friday. "The illegal immigrants came from Libya. They tried to cross the Mediterranean toward the Italian coast," said Mongi Slim, head of the provincial CRT. He added that a team of doctors and representatives of the CRT headed to Zarzis for these illegal immigrants. According to Mazen Abu Shanab, representative of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Tunisia, dozens of irregular immigrants arrive every day in the Tunisian coast from Libya. Image: Wikimedia Commons SPRINGFIELD The loss of two congressional seats and billions of dollars in federal funding are only two of the problems facing Illinois if it cannot get all of its residents to respond to the 2020 census. Although the official count does not start for another year, the federal government and state and local governments are ramping up their efforts to make the next census as accurate as possible. Activists, lawmakers and community leaders around the state, meanwhile, are fighting to address all the factors that might contribute to an undercount. The census The federal census is conducted every ten years to count population and demographics for every household in the U.S. The data is used to reapportion congressional seats and distribute more than $800 billion in funds for more than 300 federal programs, according to a study by the George Washington Institute of Public Policy. In fiscal year 2016, for example, Illinois received more than $34.3 billion in federal funds for 55 federal spending programs guided directly by data from the 2010 census. This is on top of dozens of state programs that use census data to appropriate money and services, including but not limited to local government unit boundaries and redistricting, tax credits, agency appropriations, and school and infrastructure needs. Its everything from schools to highways getting paved to the information McDonalds needs to build another franchise, said Jay Young, executive director of nonpartisan Common Cause Illinois, which works on redistricting and election reform as well as census outreach. If you dont get counted, you dont exist, and I [the federal government] dont need to put a qualified health center in your community if you dont exist. I dont need to boost police presence if you dont exist, Young said. The 2010 Census Illinois initial response rate to the 2010 census was 80.7 percent, which puts it in the middle of the pack compared to other states. Census workers had to follow up either by mail or in person to get responses from the other 19.3 percent, and an unspecified number of those people did not respond at all. While the exact undercount number is not clear, it is a general consensus that Illinois was historically undercounted during the 2010 Census efforts and data seems to support this theory, according to a November 2018 report by the Illinois Complete Count Commission, a panel of elected officials from all over the state created to help with census outreach. For every one person missed, according to the George Washington study, Illinois lost $953 in federal dollars. In fiscal year 2015 alone, according to the same study, Illinois lost $123 million in federal funding for every 1 percent of the population not counted in 2010. Stacked up over the years, the Complete Count Commissions report said, those numbers amount to the forfeiture of billions of dollars in federal assistance that aid in the support of children, veterans, senior citizens, and middle- and low-income families, as well asschools, healthcare facilities and infrastructure. But federal dollars are not the only loss Illinois faces with a census undercount. Congressional representation The census also determines state representation in Congress. Every 10 years, the federal government doles out congressional seats based on the relative size of each states population. Illinois has lost a congressional seat every decade since the 1930s, falling to its current number of 18. With the estimated state population declining over the last five years, however, Illinois is all but guaranteed to lose another congressional seat after 2020. But the state also faces the loss of an additional seat not because of people leaving, but because of people not responding to the census. We think were so close to losing two that its within the margin that will be controlled by the potential undercount, Young said. Election Data Services, a consulting firm that analyzes congressional seat changes using the Census Bureaus complicated formula for reapportionment, issued a report in December 2018 backing this up. Assuming the loss of one seat already, Illinois is holding onto the 435th Congressional seat by a mere 25,149 to 53,598 people, according to EDS. Thats less than half of 1 percent of the states population, a number that, based on county-by-county response rates, could reasonably be undercounted in the next census. Illinois congressional maps will have to be redrawn after the census to account for one lost seat. If a second seat is lost, it would require even greater changes decided through a deeply partisan redistricting process carried out by state lawmakers that always favors the party in power. All three branches of the state government are currently controlled by Democrats. Illinois would also lose two electoral votes, weakening its strength in future presidential elections. Future installments in this series will examine a number of bills moving through the Legislature and specific outreach efforts by local governments and organizations to address the factors that make a 2020 undercount likely. Reach Capitol News Illinois reporter Grant Morgan at gmorgan@capitolnewsillinois.com Baghdad, Mar 9 (Xinhua/UNI): A total of six Islamic State (IS) militants were killed and seven of their hideouts destroyed in a two-week operation by security forces to chase the extremist militants in Iraq's eastern province of Diyala, a provincial official said on Friday. "The large-scale military operation, which was launched two weeks ago to track the militants of Daesh (IS group) in the area of the Hawdh al-Waqf, some 25 km northeast of the provincial capital Baquba, has ended today after completing all of its planned stages," said Sadiq al-Husseini, head of security committee of the provincial council, told Xinhua. The operation was carried out by the army, provincial elite police force of Rapid Response, paramilitary Hashd Shaabi and backed by the army's helicopter gunships, al-Husseini said. The troops also detonated 20 roadside bombs planted by IS militants and seized several caches of weapons and ammunition, he added. Hawdh al-Waqf is an agricultural area and its 11 villages stretch in northeast of Baquba, which itself located about 65 km northeast of the Iraqi capital Baghdad. The extremist militants are holed up in the farms and orchards of the area, al-Husseini said. Despite repeated military operations in the Diyala province, remnants of IS militants are still hiding in some rugged areas near the border with Iran, and in the sprawling areas extending from the western part of the province to the Himreen mountain range in north of Baquba. The security situation in Iraq has been dramatically improved after Iraqi security forces fully defeated the extremist IS militants across the country late in 2017. IS remnants, however, have since melted in urban areas or resorted to deserts and rugged areas as safe havens, carrying out guerilla attacks from time to time against security forces and civilians. There is no doubt that Indias decision to bomb a Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorist base camp inside Pakistan has marked a critical shift in the countrys security doctrine. Not just was air power used across the Line of Control for the first time in five decades; that the target was inside Pakistan and not Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir is the all-important shift. India is signalling to Pakistan and the world that the old assumptionnuclear weapons will deter India from conventional military responses to terrorism no longer apply. Since then, however, instead of a cohesive, united response to the Pakistan deep states patronage of terrorism, we have been squabbling among ourselves. Our political parties are trading charges and our ideological extremes are using over-generalised labels for the citizenry. Phrases like warmonger and anti-national are being meaninglessly and lazily bandied about. Illustration: Bhaskaran In some ways, the BJP has only itself to blame for the political noise that has tailed the Balakot airstrike. The statements by Indias foreign secretary as well as the two on-record articulations by Indian Air Force Chief B.S. Dhanoa and Air Vice Marshal R.G.K. Kapoor were brilliantly professional, responsible and measured. The IAF chief made it clear that while the air force had got the target it wanted, the service counts targets, not human bodies. It was party president Amit Shah who went on record at a public rally to amplify the claim that more than 250 terrorists had been killed in the air strike. In the initial aftermath of the strike, these numbers were extensively used by journalists, quoting unnamed government officials. But once it was claimed on record by the BJP president at an election rally, the statistic became fair game for opposition scrutiny. You may argue that the opposition is walking into a BJP-laid trap and that the more it raises questions, the more the BJP gets the chance to paint it as pro-Pakistan. But that would be a separate argument. What is true is that the BJP cannot have it both ways. The party cannot use the military strikes for partisan political purposes and then expect that the political opposition will not respond in kind. We have seen the prime minister deliver a speech with a poster of the Pulwama martyrs forming the backdrop of his address. The head of the local BJP unit in Delhi campaigned wearing army fatigues. Union minister and former Army chief V.K. Singh has drawn the analogy of mosquitoes to talk about terrorists killed. And posters saying, Khoon Se Tilak Karo; Goliyon Se Aarti (mark your foreheads with blood; offer prayers using bullets) have been used by party supporters to greet Modi at public gatherings. The BJP has the right to argue that it was political will and Modis appetite for risk that made the Balakot airstrike possible. It is legitimate politics for it to question why the Congress, by contrast, did nothing similar after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. But, once a top-secret, classified, military action becomes material for election slogans, it is as legitimate for it to be discussed and deconstructedboth by the media and political parties. In this situation, more information, not less, is the need of the hour. And while we are on the subject of nationalism, the entire country stood with the military and was overwhelmed by the courage of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman. But it is not a mark of respect to soldiers to drag them into the ugliness of electoral battle. Let their uniform be deployed only in actual warfare. There is something sullying about allowing the sacrifice of armed forces to become the material for speeches, stage design, poll posters or jingles. The Election Commission must stop this. editor@theweek.in I had the opportunity to attend the Art Education in India conference organised by the Foundation for Indian Art and Education (FIAE) and Goa University, this week. The conference had some of the most important artists and art educators in India speaking, including Gulammohammed Sheikh, Sadanand Menon, R. Siva Kumar, Indrapramit Roy and many others. FIAE was formed out of the realisation that there did not exist a database that we could use to identify the problems of art education in India and the possible solutions for the future. So a number of researchers surveyed art colleges in India about the syllabi, infrastructure, students and funding. In 2015, the Kochi Biennale Foundation, at its Students Biennale conference, hosted the first report of the FIAE that covered the southern states. The Goa conference presented a more comprehensive data covering the whole of India. Students of college of Art, Delhi | Sanjay Ahlawat My role at the conference was to present the lessons we have gathered through the Students Biennale, as well as my thoughts as an artist who has come through the Indian education system. One of our learnings with the Students Biennale is about the disparity in conditions of art schools in India. The FIAE studies also bear this out. In Students Biennale workshops, we have attempted to bring together the students and resources of geographically close institutions, so that the students of one college can benefit from what is available at the other. Such an exchange and reciprocity between colleges could be activated at a larger scale. Another lesson from the Students Biennale and our Young Residency programmes is that colleges are unable to connect students to the wider art-world ecosystem. I think an elementary layer of familiarisation with both the art-world landscape and its practices will be very useful for young artists. Simple exercises like how to prepare a portfolio, how to write a proposal will enable students to access opportunities that will otherwise remain distant from them. Art colleges should also create spaces where students can learn, read and talk about other subjects. In spite of what we think is a surfeit of information available today, I find that many art students still do not have sufficient exposure to knowledge repositories on the internet or journals and magazines. One of the tasks of the teacher is to make sense of this bigness of data, to give students the tools to sort and filter information. In addition, the presence of the teacher is important to ensure that she is not simply a compiler or a syllabus-giver. The teacher should enable the students to converse among themselves and with the world outside. The most concerned discussions of the conference were on UGC policies, especially on qualifications of a teacher at colleges. It says that you have to have a PhD to get a job! Indian art has had many inspirational figures as teachersNandalal Bose, K.G. Subramanyan, A. Ramachandran and Gulammohammed Sheikh, to name a few. Sometimes, inspirational individuals outside institutions can also come to function like universities. At the conference, Sadanand Menon was talking about Akbar Padamsee, whose house in Mumbai was a gathering ground for filmmakers, artists and writers. I benefited tremendously from being able to meet and speak with such persons. Finally, another element art schools have been unable to provide to students enough is the opportunity to travel. Young artists should be able to travel to different places, especially to visit museums, biennales and galleries. These should be included in the syllabi, and museums and other such institutions should take a proactive role in facilitating visits from art schools. editor@theweek.in Touched by the compassion of the nurses who tended to her... Since the mid-twentieth century, GDP has become the world's most powerful indicator of national development and progress. In a similar way, India has been claiming its progress on the basis of GDP amount and growth. Questions are hardly asked on its relevance, applicability in the present context and impact on the people living in the remotest part of the country. Bring macro results down for the benefits of the grassroots in the principle of Trickle-down economics or trickle-down theory has become a dream to accomplish. Famous American economist Simon Kuznets in 1934, while developing modern concept of GDP, warned not to use it as a measurement of well being. Even in 1968, an American Senator, Robert F. Kennedy, spoke of the shortcomings of GDP: The gross national product does not allow for the health of our children, the quality of their education, or the joy of their play. It does not include the beauty of our poetry or the strength of our marriages; the intelligence of our public debate or the integrity of our public officials. It measures neither our wit nor our courage; neither our wisdom nor our learning; neither our compassion nor our devotion to our country; it measures everything, in short, except that which makes life worthwhile. This indicates many vital and quality components of the human development are not accounted and thus, missing in GDP. The key question is, does higher GDP reflect higher happiness? We have seen the recent headline that India surpassed France in terms of GDP. Indias position was seventh, and now it is placed at sixth position with $2.697 trillion. India is the world's sixth-largest economy by nominal GDP and the third-largest by purchasing power parity (PPP). Indian leaders, at all times, have celebrated a growth higher than 7 per cent of the GDP. On the other hand, if we believe UNs recent World Happiness Index 2018, India is not a happy country at all. The world happiness is a composite indicator of GDP per capita, social support, and healthy life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, generosity and perceptions of corruption. The index shows Indias position in 136 out of 156 countries, a drop from 122nd rank in last year and 118th in 2016. What is more surprising is to see India ranked lower than our neighbors Pakistan and Myanmar. Happiest country Finland is ranked 42nd in terms of GDP. The US, with $19.39 trillion (around 25 per cent of worlds wealth), takes the first position on the GDP ladder, whereas it is placed 18th on the happiness index. This proves that a rich country with huge wealth does not make its people happy. The current national government aspires for a double digit growth rate of GDP at 10 per cent. During a national-level debate, NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant raised concerns over India's low Human Development Index (HDI), which will affect the GDP growth. There are apprehensions that a lower HDI may lead to India missing the much debated double-digit growth rate of 10 per cent. However, the question is, even if India achieves the GDP target, will it be able to make its people happy? Will India's development effectively translate into social development of common man and provide economic equality in India? The government has failed to recognise the factors behind our low HDI and its macro impact on quality development. The recent discussions on macroeconomic environment shows that one per cent people has eaten away 73 per cent of increased wealth. This means increased wealth of India is cornered by a few individuals. That one per cent of people own 58 per cent of the countrys wealth. Interestingly, as per Forbes 2018, of these 2,208 billionaires, there are 121 Indian billionaires19 more than last yearmaking India the third largest group of richest people after the US and China. At the sub-national level, India lacks information on inequality in accumulation of wealth. Taking Odisha as a case of analysis, it is seen that as per the Socio-Economic Caste Census, 2011, 87 per cent households in the state have a monthly income of less than Rs 5,000. It is also seen that 92.23 per cent SC and 95.68 per cent ST households have a monthly income of that is less than Rs 5,000. It is becoming difficult for the poor to afford basic health and education. On the one hand, the state has been recognised for performance in agriculture sector and further, aspires for doubling of farmers' income. On the other hand, more than 100 farmers a year are committing suicide due to crop loss and debt trap. Thus, the paradoxes of development still exist even today. There is a clear divide between the rich and poor. The rich people are receiving elite and branded quality services, but the poor are still struggling to get basic facilities to lead a quality life. Hence, it is futile for India to take pride in being the sixth ranked nation in the world in terms of GDP; rather economists and policy think-tanks should rethink for a timely measurement of countrys progress on the basis of growing inequality. (The author is Oxfam Indias essential services programme coordinator and is based out of Bhubaneshwar, Odisha. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author's and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of THE WEEK) Dhaka, Mar 9 (IBNS): A fire broke out at Anarkali Market in Dhakas Mouchak area in Bangladesh on Saturday, media reports said. Fire fighters have brought the flames under control. The fire originated on the third floor of five-storey building around 5:20pm, sources at Fire Service and Civil Defence control room told The Daily Star. Seven units of firefighters went to the spot and brought the fire under control. The cause of the fire is still not known. No casualty was reported. Bapu [Mahatma Gandhi] purchased 100 plus acres of land to establish an ashram on the banks of river Sabarmati (Sabarmati Ashram). A couple of days ago Gujarat High Court was told that the ashram is a one-acre plot. Where did the rest 100 plus acres disappear? Unfortunately, High Court did not bother to ask. Tushar Gandhi author and great-grandson of Mahatma Gandhi Democracy may yet survive in India as long as the BJP fears losing an election. Even better, an actual defeat in February 2022 may prod the BJP to shed some of its hubris and arrogance. P. Chidambaram Congress leader You might have heard Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath say that I am Samajwadi Partys agent. Leaders of Samajwadi Party say that I am BJPs agent. Congress says that I am so and sos B team. I would like to tell all of them to sit down and decide whose agent I am. Asaduddin Owaisi president, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen Whenever I finish a match I will go and check where I am on the Sri Lankan run charts to figure out how many I need to score to pass someone. Dimuth Karunaratne Sri Lankan Test cricket captain and opener. He wants to be the first Lankan opener with 10,000 Test runs. He has 5,448 Test runs The sky is a brilliant blue and the sun merciless as we drive into Jayapur, one of three villages adopted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi under the Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana. The wheat is in ear here. The mustard crop is a carpet of yellow flowers, and coriander blooms a pale lavender. A nilgai bull bounces out of a thicket and smashes his way through the fields; a farmhand yells and waves his arms. The bull disappears like a puff of smoke. Pests, says Rohit Kumar Singh nonchalantly, befitting someone who dreams of being in uniform. The 20-something Rohit has just taken a test for recruitment into the Assam Rifles. But, thanks to his NCC days, his heart is set on the Army. Compared with my village, the situation is much better here. After Modiji adopted the village, the roads have become better. Borewells were sunk and power is steady. Rita Rai, Head of spinning centre, Jayapur village The houses were built in 2015, and were completed in six months. The title deeds were also handed over to us. Jeetu Banvasi, Atal Nagar Earlier in the morning, we had crawled out of Varanasis fabled traffic blocks on to NH 19. On the left, we pass Audhe village, where Modi had spoken the previous day. Only a skeleton of the marquee marks where a huge crowd had gathered to cheer him. At Raja Ka Talab, we turn left into Rani Bazaar and get bogged down in a road fit more for off-road rigs. Many a turn later, we end up at Jayapurs tiny junction, which is blocked with cars and SUVs sporting Samajwadi Party flags. An SP meeting is in progress, and the welcome address is on. Jayapur falls in the Sevapuri assembly constituency, one of five that together form the Varanasi parliamentary constituency. The seat is represented by Neel Ratan Singh Patel of the Apna Dal (Sonelal), an NDA ally. In 2012, Sevapuri was won by the SPs Surendra Singh Patel with 31.87 per cent of the votes; Neel Ratan had got 20.71 per cent. In 2017, the tables were turned when Neel Ratan got a decisive 50.08 and Surendra Singh 26.26. The increase in turnout in 2017 was only 2.56 per cent. So, Modis attention and the alliance has clearly helped the NDA here. In Jayapur, our first stop is the Kashi Adarsh Kanya Vidyalaya. Opened in July 2015 by Union Ministers Chaudhary Birendra Singh and Harsimrat Kaur Badal, the school building is now a spinning centre for a Khadi and Village Industries Commission project. Rita Rai, who heads the spinning centre, said that because the school was not used, the sarpanch assigned the space to the women. Hailing from Chandauli district, Rita moved to Jayapur after marriage. Compared with my village, the situation is much better here, she says. After Modiji adopted the village, the roads have become better. Borewells were sunk and power is steady. The women are paid by the kilo for the yarn they spin; monthly earnings are in the Rs2,000-Rs4,000 range. Rai pointed at the anganwadi on the grounds and said that some women left their children there while they worked here. The village has a primary school. There are bigger schools, a degree college and a primary health centre in Jakhni, around 2km away. So, villagers say access to education and health is not an issue. Roof, at last: Women at the entrance to Atal Nagar | Salil Bera After talking to Rai, we go hunting for the school toilet. No luck. Quite surprising that the builders did not factor it, despite the Union governments fight against open defecation. But, there are two bio-toilets just outside the school grounds. Blue fibre-board cabins with overhead fibre tanks and Indian style commodes. One tank had a gaping hole in the side and both toilets looked clogged and unusable. They have not been used, serviced or cleaned in a long, long time. The villagers are to blame, says Subhash Singh Patel, a resident and the village headmans nephew. His uncle is away in Varanasi for the day. The family welcomes us with drinking water and rough nuggets of homemade jaggery. Toilets were allotted to every home, Subhash continues. Some maintained it, some did not. Modiji gave us everything, but should we not maintain it? A drain got clogged during the monsoon, but people could not be bothered to clear it. We get assured water supply from 5am to 9am and 4pm to 7pm. Power has been steady. And, please dont leave before seeing Atal Nagar. Maya Singh, the headmans daughter, confesses shyly that she picked journalism for her graduate degree so that she could meet Modi. Maya echoed Subhashs views and hinted that there was friction among the SP supporters and BJP supporters in the village. The Patels are in the majority in the village, followed by the Bhumihars. While villagers are satisfied with the basic necessities, an unfulfilled wish is for employment opportunities for men. While spinning has generated employment for women, men are still dependent on agricultural work, which is seasonal. The landless mostly work as farmhands and in brick kilns. Next stop: Atal Nagar, a block of 14 homes built for adivasi families in Jayapur. A dirt track through the fields leads us to Atal Nagar. As everywhere, no project is complete without the Modi branding. The black stone marker at the entrance of the colony says Modiji Ka Atal Nagar (Modijis Atal Nagar). The iron bench has the prime ministers name painted on it. At the centre of the block of homes is a temple dedicated to Lord Ram, Lakshman and the legendary devotee Shabari. Dark green ber berries crunch underfoot as we head to the temple. Quite symbolic, considering that Shabaris devotion was marked by her collecting and tasting berries before offering them to Lord Ram. She tasted them to ensure that she offered only the sweetest fruit. The homes and the grounds in Atal Nagar have been neatly maintained by the residents. Some of the trees in the courtyard have the traditional platforms around them for people to sit. A lush hedge separates the courtyard from the walkway and the homes. Jeetu Banvasi says, The houses were built in 2015, and were completed in six months. The title deeds were also handed over to us. Entry to every house is through a small, gated courtyard. On the left is a bathroom and a toilet, both with water connections and light sockets. Then, a niche with a wash basin. Next to it, a tiny kitchen. And, facing the gate is the one-room bedroom, which has a ceiling fan and light sockets. In Banvasis home, the one room is shared by him, his wife and two sons in their mid-twenties. The homes are surely an improvement on what we used to stay in, he says. But, is it sufficient? We manage. When guests come or when it gets too crowded, some of us sleep outside. If we were to build an earthen hut outside to make up for the lack of room, we would be made fun of saying adivasis will not sleep in proper homes even if the government builds it for them. Of the 14 homes, six have received cylinders under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana. Apparently, the other eight families are above poverty level. Hard to believe, considering that most of them are brick kiln workers like Vanvasi. And, they are paid twice a yearon Dussehra and Ram Navami. The cylinders are pricey, Banvasi says. But service is prompt. You just have to call them. Everything in Jayapur is an advertisement of a government project. Bathrooms and waste baskets = Swachh Bharat. Spinning units = Harit Khadi. Spinning training unit = Skill India. Solar charkhas = SPIN. And, so on. This village will undoubtedly back Modi in 2019. And, hopefully that would also bring employment opportunities for men and a maintenance plan for assets allotted under government schemes. New Delhi, Mar 9 (PTI) Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy Saturday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and sought early release of Rs 2,064.30 crore funds to provide relief to drought-hit farmers in the ongoing rabi season, an official statement said. Kumaraswamy informed Modi that the state faced drought situation during this year's kharif season as well but the financial assistance sanctioned by the central government was inadequate. In addition to floods, Karnataka reeled under severe drought both during kharif (summer) and rabi (winter) seasons of the 2018-19 crop year (July-June). "Consecutive droughts, flood has brought farmers under distress and it is the time to rush to their aid," Kumaraswamy told the Prime Minister. He requested Modi to expedite the process to release Rs 2,064.30 crore for drought relief and mitigation, the statement said. The state government has submitted a memorandum seeking Rs 2,064.30 crore drought relief fund for the ongoing rabi season as crop loss is estimated to be Rs 11,384.7 crore. The state has declared drought in 156 out of 176 talukas. In the meeting, Kumaraswamy apprised the Prime Minister about the pro-active steps taken to mitigate the drought impact on farmers. The state has released Rs 386 crore from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and given priority to ensure drinking water and fodder, besides creating 1.19 crore man-days jobs under the MGNREGA scheme, he added. The state government has advanced Rs 1,351 crore towards payment of pending wage and material bills in anticipation of release of central funds, Kumaraswamy said and requested for early release of funds to make further wage payments. The chief minister further said the central relief funds released to the state for drought faced during kharif season this year was not sufficient. The Centre sanctioned Rs 949.49 crore against the state government's demand of Rs 2,434 crore as drought relief for the kharif season, which is less than 50 per cent of the input subsidy claim by the state, he noted. The crop loss during the khariff and rabi seasons together is estimated to be Rs 32,335 crore, he added. PTI LUX ABM ABM New Delhi, Mar 9 (PTI) The United Kingdom's home secretary has recently referred India's request for extraditing PNB scam accused Nirav Modi to a court for initiating legal proceedings against the diamantaire, the Enforcement Directorate said Saturday. "Request for extradition of Nirav Modi to India was sent in July 2018 to the UK. The UK Central Authority of Home Office has confirmed that the extradition request has been sent to the Westminster Magistrate Court for the district judge for further proceedings," the agency said in a statement. A British daily Saturday reported that Nirav Modi, accused in the USD 2-billion Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam, is living in a swanky 8-million pound apartment in London's West End and is now involved in a new diamond business. Sources in the Enforcement Directorate (ED) said they had been officially informed about UK Home Secretary Sajid Javid's move to forward the case to a London court about two days back. The move takes the process of extraditing and bringing back Nirav Modi to face the law in India to the next stage, the sources said. Soon, they said, a joint team of the ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) would travel to the UK to apprise the lawyers about the Indian case and evidence against Nirav Modi, in a similar fashion that was done in the case of another absconding bank-fraud accused, Vijay Mallya. The ED and the CBI are investigating Nirav Modi, his uncle Mehul Choksi and others for alleged money laundering and corruption to perpetrate the alleged scam in the Brady House branch of the PNB in Mumbai that was unearthed last year. Nirav Modi, 48, is currently living in a three-bedroom flat occupying half of a floor of the landmark Centre Point tower block in London, where rent is estimated to cost 17,000 pounds a month, The Telegraph reported. The revelation comes a day after Nirav Modi's 30,000 sq ft seaside mansion at Kihim beach in Maharashtra's Raigad district was demolished by authorities using explosives for alleged violation of coastal regulation rules. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also reacted on the issue of Nirav Modi's extradition, saying the UK was still considering India's request. India is taking all steps necessary for his extradition, an MEA spokesperson said Saturday. Nirav Modi has been chargesheeted by both the agencies and the ED has also attached his assets worth Rs 1,873.08 crore under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), and has also seized assets linked to him and his family worth Rs 489.75 crore. Overseas assets of Nirav Modi in Hong Kong, Switzerland, the US, Singapore and the UAE worth Rs 961.49 crore have been attached till now, the agency said. The ED had chargesheeted Nirav Modi and others under the PMLA in May last year and subsequently, moved a court to get him declared absconder under the newly-enacted Fugitive Economic Offenders Act in July last year. The agency has sent as many as 18 Letters Rogatories (judicial requests) to countries like Armania, Belgium, China, France, Japan, Malaysia, Russia, South Africa, Hong Kong, Singapore, Switzerland, the UAE, UK and the US to obtain evidence against Nirav Modi and other accused. "Money trail of USD 927 million out of the proceeds of crime of USD 1015 million has been ascertained in this case till now," the ED said. It had got issued Interpol's global arrest notices against Nirav Modi, his brother Neeshal Modi, sister Purvi Modi and company executives Mihir Bhansali, Subhash Parab and Aditya Nanavati. PTI NES SNE SNE Dehradun, Mar 9 (PTI) Uttarakhand has became the country's first state to produce sex sorted semen, which can enhance the possibility of birth of female calves to ninety per cent. A laboratory in Rishikesh under Gokul Mission has started producing sex sorted semen with the help of technology which can increase the chances of birth of female calves to ninety per cent, Secretary Animal Husbandry R Meenakshi Sundaram said at a press conference here on Saturday. Describing it as a major step towards doubling the income of farmers and cattle keepers, the official said they will get equal subsidies of Rs 400 from both - the state government and Centre - for each dosage of sex sorted semen. With the subsidies provided by the Centre and the state government, each dose of sex sorted semen will come for approximately Rs 300, whereas its market price is Rs 1,200. Normally, there are 50 per cent chances of the birth of a female calf, this technology will increase it to 90 per cent, the secretary said. The programme is being run by the livestock development board under a contract inked with a US firm for technological assistance. Uttarakhand is also planning to sell the sex sorted semen to other states. PTI ALM BAL Chelsea Manning jailed for refusing to testify before grand jury Manning will be in custody until she testifies or until the grand jury ends its work. By Pete Williams and Elisha Fieldstadt March 08, 2019 " Information Clearing House " - Army whistleblower Chelsea Manning was jailed on Friday after refusing to answer questions from a federal grand jury in Virginia looking into the release of documents to WikiLeaks. U.S. District Judge Claude Hilton told Manning that she would remain in federal custody until she purges or the end of the life of the grand jury a statement from her representatives said. Earlier in the day, Manning told reporters that she was prepared to go to jail following the closed contempt hearing for her resistance to provide testimony because she doesn't believe in the grand jury process. On Wednesday, Manning appeared before the same grand jury, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, but refused to answer any questions. "I responded to each question with the following statement: I object to the question and refuse to answer on the grounds that the question is in violation of my First, Fourth, and Sixth Amendment, and other statutory rights," Manning said in a statement. "All of the substantive questions pertained to my disclosures of information to the public in 2010 answers I provided in extensive testimony, during my court-martial in 2013," the statement said. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter Manning was sentenced to 35 years in prison for leaking a trove of military intelligence records to the anti-secrecy website Wikileaks. Her sentence was commuted by President Barack Obama in 2017 after seven years behind bars. A day earlier, a judge in the Eastern District of Virginia denied a motion filed by Manning's attorneys challenging a subpoena calling her to testify, according to her lawyers. Manning told The Associated Press Tuesday that she didn't know what case she was being called to testify about. "I just know there were an awful lot of government lawyers there," she said after the hearing in which her motion was denied. "Grand juries are terrible, to say the least," Manning, 31, added. Manning's support committee, Chelsea Resists! , called the grand jury system "dangerous and undemocratic." "Grand juries operate in secret, allowing the government to retaliate against activists and dissidents behind closed doors," said a statement from the committee released by Manning's lawyers. Donald Trump and his administration have publicly declared their disdain for Chelsea, and for President Obamas decision to commute her sentence," the Chelsea Resists! statement said. "Chelsea has stood by the testimony from her 2013 court-martial, and this subpoena serves no legitimate purpose. It is a punitive effort to reverse Obamas legacy, exposing Chelsea to legal hardship and possible imprisonment." This article was originally published by " NBC NEWS " - (Eds: Disclaimer: The following press release comes to you under an arrangement with Business Wire India. PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.) The First Ladies become the Ambassadors of Merck More Than A Mother campaign to eliminate stigma around infertility in their countries Mumbai, Maharashtra, India Business Wire India Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany marks the International Womens Day themed #BalanceforBetter through partnering with 11 African First Ladies to work together on defining interventions to break the stigma around infertile women in Africa. Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation emphasized, I am very proud that 11 African First Ladies have partnered with Merck Foundation and have become the Ambassadors of our unique and historic campaign Merck more than a Mother to empower infertile women and eliminate the stigma around infertility in their countries and across Africa. Merck more than a Mother Ambassadors are: H.E. NEO JANE MASISI, The First Lady of Botswana; H.E. DENISE NKURUNZIZA, The First Lady of the Republic of Burundi; H.E. BRIGITTE TOUADERA, The First Lady of Central Africa Republic; H.E. HINDA DEBY ITNO, The First Lady of Chad; H.E. REBECCA NAA OKAIKOR AKUFO-ADDO, The First Lady of Ghana; H.E. KEITA AMINATA MAIGA, First Lady of Mali; H.E. AISSATA ISSOUFOU MAHAMADOU, The First Lady of Niger; H.E. FATIMA MAADA BIO, The First Lady of Sierra Leone; H.E. FATOUMATTAH BAH-BARROW, The First Lady of Gambia H.E. CONDE DJENE, The First Lady of Guinea Conakry H.E. ESTHER LUNGU, The First Lady of Zambia In many cultures in Africa, infertility is a huge stigma and women are solely blamed for it. The women suffer discrimination, violence and are mistreatment due to their inability to bear children, although 50% of infertility cases are due to male infertility. Therefore, there is a huge need to create a culture shift to respect women whether they are mothers or not, encourage men to speak up about their infertility and support their wives during the treatment journey. We want to take this opportunity while we are marking International Womens Day to remind all women that they are more than just mothers, and they are valuable members in society whether they can bring children or not. It is very sad to learn that women are still being abused and subject to violence, for their inability to bear children. This is unacceptable and must be changed, and we will work hard with all our partners to create this culture shift and emphasize to everyone that women are more than just Mothers. At Merck Foundation we do not only mark womens day today, but we celebrate women every day, empowering women and youth is in the spirit of what we do, it is a part of Merck foundations DNA, added Dr. Rasha Kelej. Merck More than a Mother has been empowering infertile women in African countries by improving access to information, health, change of mind-set and economic empowerment. Through the partnership with the African First Ladies, Merck Foundation to partner with more sectors such as media, art with all its forms to address the issue of the stigma around infertile women and to sensitize the communities about infertility topic in term of infertility prevention and male infertility. They will launch together Merck more than a Mother local songs, Media Recognition Award, Film Award, Fashion Award and Art Award to encourage young talents to apply those skills to sensitize communities about this sensitive issue with the aim to empower infertile women in their countries. About Merck More Than a Mother campaign Merck More Than a Mother initiative aims to empower infertile women through access to information, education and health and by changing mind-sets. This powerful initiative supports governments in defining policies to enhance access to regulated, safe and effective fertility care. It defines interventions to break the stigma around infertile women and raises awareness about infertility prevention and management. In partnership with academia, ministries of health and international fertility societies, the initiative also provides medical education and training for healthcare providers and embryologists to build and advance fertility care capacity in Africa and developing countries. With Merck More than a mother, we have initiated a cultural shift to de-stigmatize infertility on all levels: By improving awareness, training the skills of local experts, building advocacy in cooperation with decision makers and by supporting childless women in starting their own small business. Its all about giving every woman the respect and the help she deserves to live a fulfilling life, with or without a child. Also, part of the campaign is our Merck Embryology & Fertility Training Program, a three-month hands-on practical course in partnership with IRSI, Indonesia, IIRRH, India and Manipal Academy of Higher Education (Manipal University), India to establish the platform of fertility specialists across Africa and developing countries. Merck Foundation provided for more than 84 candidates, in clinical and practical training for fertility specialists and embryologists in more than 29 countries across Africa and Asia such as: Chad, Niger, Central African Republic, Cote DIvoire , Ghana, Ethiopia , Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania , Zambia , Nigeria, Benin, Mali, Burkina Fuso, Senegal, Guinea Conakry, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Cameron, Rwanda, Botswana, DR Congo , Congo Brazzaville, Gambia , Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Cambodia. Merck Foundation is making history in many African countries where they never had fertility specialists or specialized fertility clinics before Merck More Than a Mother intervention, to train the first fertility specialists such as; in Sierra Leone, Liberia, The Gambia, Niger, Chad, Guinea, Ethiopia and Uganda. Merck Foundation launched new innovative initiatives to sensitize local communities about infertility prevention, male infertility with the aim to break the stigma of infertility and empowering infertile women as part of Merck more than a Mother such as; Merck More than a Mother media recognition award and health media training Merck More than a Mother fashion award Merck More than a Mother film award Local songs with local artists to address the cultural perception of infertility and how to change it Join the conversation on our social media platforms below and let your voice be heard Facebook: Merck Foundation Twitter: @Merckfoundation YouTube: MerckFoundation Website: www.merck-foundation.com Join Merck Foundation online community to exchange experience and information with other healthcare providers, researchers, students, policy makers and community members in Africa and beyond www.merck-foundation.com free registration. About Merck Foundation The Merck Foundation, established in 2017, is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives through science and technology. Our efforts are primarily focused on improving access to innovative healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building healthcare and scientific research capacity and empowering people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with a special focus on women and youth. All Merck Foundation press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Foundation Website. Please go to www.merck-foundation.com to read more and/or register online to interact and exchange experience with our registered members. About Merck Merck is a leading science and technology company in healthcare, life science and performance materials. Almost 53,000 employees work to further develop technologies that improve and enhance life from biopharmaceutical therapies to treat cancer or multiple sclerosis, cutting-edge systems for scientific research and production, to liquid crystals for smartphones and LCD televisions. In 2017, Merck generated sales of 15.3 billion in 66 countries. Founded in 1668, Merck is the world's oldest pharmaceutical and chemical company. The founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed corporate group. Merck holds the global rights to the Merck name and brand. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the company operates as EMD Serono, MilliporeSigma. To View the Images Click on the Links Below: (L-R) H.E. ESTHER LUNGU, The First Lady of Zambia; H.E. AISSATA ISSOUFOU MAHAMADOU, The First Lady of Niger; H.E. BRIGITTE TOUADERA, The First Lady of Central Africa Republic; H.E. NEO JANE MASISI, The First Lady of Botswana; Dr. RashaKelej, CEO of Merck Foundation; Prof. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck KG; H.E Mahammed Dionne, Prime Minister of Senegal; H.E. MARIEME FAYE SALL, The First Lady of Senegal; H.E. DENISE NKURUNZIZA, The First Lady of the Republic of Burundi; H.E. REBECCA NAA OKAIKOR AKUFO-ADDO, The First Lady of Ghana; H.E. FATIMA MAADA BIO, The First Lady of Sierra Leone; H.E. HINDA DEBY ITNO, The First Lady of Chad (L-R) H.E. REBECCA NAA OKAIKOR AKUFO-ADDO, The First Lady of Ghana; H.E. BRIGITTE TOUADERA, The First Lady of Central Africa Republic; H.E. NEO JANE MASISI, The First Lady of Botswana; H.E. AISSATA ISSOUFOU MAHAMADOU, The First Lady of Niger; H.E. HINDA DEBY ITNO, The First Lady of Chad; Dr. RashaKelej, CEO of Merck Foundation; H.E. MACKY SALL, The President of Senegal; H.E. MARIEME FAYE SALL, The First Lady of Senegal; H.E. FATIMA MAADA BIO, The First Lady of Sierra Leone; H.E. ESTHER LUNGU, The First Lady of Zambia; H.E. DENISE NKURUNZIZA, The First Lady of the Republic of Burundi Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President, Merck More Than a Mother with The First Lady of Zambia, H.E. ESTHER LUNGU during their visit to a village in Central Province, Zambia to meet and empower infertile women. PWR PWR Singapore, Mar 9 (PTI) Actor Ben Affleck on Saturday sidestepped a question on veteran filmmaker Steven Spielberg's push for a rule change by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) to exclude streaming services for Oscars eligibility. There have been reports that Spielberg will be speaking with the AMPAS's Board of Governors to insist for a rule change that will make films made by streaming services like Netflix, Hulu and Amazon ineligible for Oscars. The legendary filmmaker represents the Directors branch of the Academy on the Board. Asked for a comment on Spielberg's move, Affleck told reporters, "That's really a question for interested outside groups and how they define the popular art that they are interested in giving awards to or not or how you are kind of qualified for that." "I'm not on the Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) or any other group," he added. The 46-year-old actor is promoting his upcoming action thriller "Triple Frontier" here along with co-stars Garrett Hedlund and Charlie Hunnam. Affleck had previously told AP that it is "fun" partnering with Netflix as they are committed to telling new stories. "I'm not entirely sure how it's going to look. There's some controversy, people have different opinions but it's definitely also fun to be part of what Netflix is doing because they're heavily invested in telling stories, they want a lot of stuff out there, and there's a thrill and a rush and excitement to that," he said. Netflix, in its response to Spielberg's move, had said that the traditional cinema and the digital platforms can coexist in harmony. "We love cinema. Here are some things we also love: Access for people who can't always afford, or live in towns without, theaters. Letting everyone, everywhere enjoy releases at the same time. Giving filmmakers more ways to share art. These things are not mutually exclusive," the streaming giant had said in a statement shared on official Twitter account of Netflix Films on Monday. At the 91st Academy Awards, Netflix-produced "Roma" claimed three major honours -- Best Foreign Language, Best Director and Best Cinematography -- but stopped short of claiming the top prize of Best Picture which was claimed by "Green Book". The Peter Farrelly-directed racial drama, starring Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali, had Spielberg's backing. PTI RDS RB RB RB Mumbai, Mar 9 (PTI) Actor Irrfan Khan was on Saturday spotted by eager paparazzis at the Mumbai airport, his first appearance since he returned to India after undergoing treatment for neuroendocrine tumour in London. The 52-year-old actor had revealed last year in March that he was suffering from neuroendocrine tumour and has been away from the limelight since then. In photos doing the rounds on social media, Irrfan's face was not completely visible as the actor covered it with a scarf. The actor was donning a pink jacket over a white shirt with a pair of camouflage cargo pants and a hat. Earlier, there were reports that Irrfan is undergoing treatment in the city-based hospital here, but a source close to the actor has denied, saying, "He isn't here for any treatment." It is still unclear when the actor will be returning to work and start shooting for "Hindi Medium 2", a sequel to his 2017 comedy drama. Irrfan, who has has delivered outstanding performances in films such as "Paan Singh Tomar", "Haasil, "Maqbool" and "Piku", has also established himself in the West with movies like "The Namesake", "Life of Pi" and "Jurassic World". PTI RB RB RB Colombo, Mar 9 (PTI) Sri Lanka's communist party JVP Saturday said the time was right to bring in the 20th amendment to the Constitution to abolish the all-powerful executive presidential system of governance. The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), the main mover of the motion seeking abolishing of presidency, held a series of discussions with the main opposition leader and Sri Lanka's former President Mahinda Rajapaksa to seek his support to bring in the 20th amendment to abolish the executive presidency. "He (Rajapaksa) was for the idea of abolishing it," senior JVP leader Bimal Ratnayake said. He claimed that all current leaders Rajapaksa, Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesimghe were afraid of facing another presidential election. "All of them know they can't win it. So they all will support it," Ratnayake said. He said it was an opportune time to abolish the executive presidency which has been in existence since 1978. Rajapaksa, who is constitutionally barred from contesting again to become president, has supported the proposal. His supporters, however, have expressed public opposition to abolishing the presidency. They want Rajapaksa's brother Gotabaya to contest it as Rajapaksa will be constitutionally barred from running for president again. Ratnayake said both Sirisena and Wickremesinghe want to dodge holding the provincial elections which have fallen due. "If we can adopt 20th amendment then there will be no need to hold another presidential election. A parliamentary election can be held thereafter," he said. The Sinhala-majority political parties, however, will face stiff resistance from the minority Muslim and Tamil parties for abolishing the presidency. Sri Lanka Muslim Congress leader Rauff Hakeem said his party would strongly object to abolishing the presidency. "When the whole country is considered as one electorate to elect a president, the minority vote will become important, so we will be politically valued. That is why we would not allow JVP to change it," Hakeem said. Since the introduction of the presidential system in 1978, every election which ensued was fought on the promise to abolish the presidency. However, once elected all presidents chose to ignore the election promise. Rajapaksa was elected twice as President. In 2010, he adopted an amendment to the Constitution allowing him to contest any number of times to be president. Sirisena's current government in 2015 through the nineteenth amendment to the Constitution restored the two term limit. This means Rajapaksa cannot become President again. With his new party's unexpected win in the local council elections held February, the former strongman presses for an early parliamentary poll ahead of its 2020 August schedule. However, the next election which is due is the presidential election which must be held by January of 2020. PTI CORR MRJ MRJ New Delhi, Mar 9 (PTI) Following are the top foreign stories at 1700 hours: FGN9 UK-NIRAVMODI-LD REPORT Indian diamond billionaire Nirav Modi tracked down to swanky London apartment: Report London: Fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi, wanted in India in the Rs 13,500 crore PNB fraud case, has been discovered living openly in a swanky 8-million pound apartment in London's West End and is running a new diamond business just yards away, a UK media report said on Saturday. By Aditi Khanna. FGN2 US-PAK-BERA Pak will face global isolation if it doesn't rein in terrorist groups: Indian-American Congressman Washington: An influential Indian-American Congressman has warned that Pakistan will continue to slide into international isolation if it does not take actions against terrorist groups operating from its soil. By Lalit K Jha. FGN1 US-UK-INDOPAK Pompeo discusses Indo-Pak situation with British NSA Washington: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo discussed with British NSA Mark Sedwill the current situation between India and Pakistan and the efforts to reduce tensions between the two South Asian neighbours, the State Department has said. By Lalit K Jha. FGN5 COSTARICA-NAIDU VP Naidu holds talks with Costa Rica President, seeks investment from Costa Rican companies San Jose (Costa Rica): Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu has met President of Costa Rica Carlos Alvarado Quesada and held "fruitful" discussions on a range of issues, including cross border terrorism, and new areas of collaboration that hold potential to boost the bilateral ties. FGN7 PAK-FATF Pak to put group of banned outfits in high risk category, monitor their activities: Report Islamabad: Pakistan has decided to "upgrade" a group of banned outfits, including the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), to a "high" risk category and start monitoring and re-examining their activities to comply with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) obligations, according to a media report on Saturday. By Sajjad Hussain. FGN10 PAK-COURT-IMRAN Lahore HC to hear plea on Imran Khan's disqualification on March 11 Lahore: The Lahore High Court will on Monday hear a plea seeking disqualification of Prime Minister Imran Khan for not being "honest and righteous" and concealing the alleged parentage of a daughter with a former partner in his nomination papers for the 2018 election. FGN8 US-IS-TEEN-BABY ISIS bride Shamima Begums baby confirmed died in Syria London: After a series of conflicting reports, a Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) spokesperson confirmed the death of the newborn son of the UKs runaway ISIS bride, Shamima Begum, in a refugee camp in Syria. By Aditi Khanna. FGN6 UNSC-REFORM-PREZ UN Security Council reform process "contentious" issue: General Assembly Prez United Nations: The slow-moving UN Security Council reform is a "very divisive" and "contentious" issue and all the member States have to walk the extra mile as they work on divergences and commonalities to ensure the process does not become a "zero sum game", General Assembly President Maria Fernanda Espinosa has said. By Yoshita Singh. FGN4 US-CHINA-TRADE Trade deal with China only if it is good for US: Trump Washington: Amidst reports of negotiations for a deal with china hitting a bump, President Donald Trump has said that he will enter into a trade deal with Beijing only if he is confident that it is good for the US. By Lalit K Jha. RUP RUP New Delhi, Mar 9 (PTI) Following are the top foreign stories at 2000 hours: FGN13 UK-NIRAVMODI-2NDLD REPORT Nirav Modi tracked down to swanky London apt; UK home secy certifies India's extradition request London: UK Home Secretary Sajid Javid has certified India's extradition request for fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi, wanted in the Rs 13,500 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, officials involved with the proceedings in the UK confirmed on Saturday, even as he was tracked living openly in a swanky 8-million pound apartment in London's West End and running a new diamond business. By Aditi Khanna. FGN2 US-PAK-BERA Pak will face global isolation if it doesn't rein in terrorist groups: Indian-American Congressman Washington: An influential Indian-American Congressman has warned that Pakistan will continue to slide into international isolation if it does not take actions against terrorist groups operating from its soil. By Lalit K Jha. FGN1 US-UK-INDOPAK Pompeo discusses Indo-Pak situation with British NSA Washington: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo discussed with British NSA Mark Sedwill the current situation between India and Pakistan and the efforts to reduce tensions between the two South Asian neighbours, the State Department has said. By Lalit K Jha. FGN5 COSTARICA-NAIDU VP Naidu holds talks with Costa Rica President, seeks investment from Costa Rican companies San Jose (Costa Rica): Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu has met President of Costa Rica Carlos Alvarado Quesada and held "fruitful" discussions on a range of issues, including cross border terrorism, and new areas of collaboration that hold potential to boost the bilateral ties. FGN7 PAK-FATF Pak to put group of banned outfits in high risk category, monitor their activities: Report Islamabad: Pakistan has decided to "upgrade" a group of banned outfits, including the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), to a "high" risk category and start monitoring and re-examining their activities to comply with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) obligations, according to a media report on Saturday. By Sajjad Hussain. FGN10 PAK-COURT-IMRAN Lahore HC to hear plea on Imran Khan's disqualification on March 11 Lahore: The Lahore High Court will on Monday hear a plea seeking disqualification of Prime Minister Imran Khan for not being "honest and righteous" and concealing the alleged parentage of a daughter with a former partner in his nomination papers for the 2018 election. FGN8 US-IS-TEEN-BABY ISIS bride Shamima Begums baby confirmed died in Syria London: After a series of conflicting reports, a Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) spokesperson confirmed the death of the newborn son of the UKs runaway ISIS bride, Shamima Begum, in a refugee camp in Syria. By Aditi Khanna. FGN6 UNSC-REFORM-PREZ UN Security Council reform process "contentious" issue: General Assembly Prez United Nations: The slow-moving UN Security Council reform is a "very divisive" and "contentious" issue and all the member States have to walk the extra mile as they work on divergences and commonalities to ensure the process does not become a "zero sum game", General Assembly President Maria Fernanda Espinosa has said. By Yoshita Singh. FGN4 US-CHINA-TRADE Trade deal with China only if it is good for US: Trump Washington: Amidst reports of negotiations for a deal with china hitting a bump, President Donald Trump has said that he will enter into a trade deal with Beijing only if he is confident that it is good for the US. By Lalit K Jha. RUP RUP New Delhi, Mar 9 (PTI) India on Saturday said its non-military strike on JeM camp in Pakistan achieved its desired objective and demonstrated the country's firm resolve to take decisive action against cross border terrorism. Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar, at a media briefing, also said that an Indian Air Force MiG-21 Bison, piloted by Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, shot down a Pakistan Air Force F-16 fighter aircraft and there were eyewitness accounts and electronic evidence for it. "We have also shared evidence in the form of parts of AMRAAM missile which were recovered from the site and are only carried by F-16 aircraft of the PAF," he said. "Our non-military counter-terrorism strike achieved the desired objective. It has demonstrated our firm resolve to take decisive action against cross border terrorism," he said. Only one aircraft was lost by India during Pakistan's unsuccessful attempt at targeting Indian military installations, he said. Kumar also said if, as Pakistan claims, it has evidence of downing of second Indian aircraft then why has it not shared it. Since the Pulwama terror attack the international community has stood by India, Kumar said. It is unfortunate that Pakistan still continues to deny JeM's own claim of carrying out the Pulwama attack in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed, he said. Kumar asserted that Pakistan-based terror groups were conducting their activities without any hindrance. Pakistan must show credible, verifiable and sustained action against terror groups operating from its soil, he said. On the issue of the fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi's extradition, the MEA spokesperson said the UK is still considering India's request. India is taking all steps necessary for his extradition, he asserted. PTI MPB ASK AAR Noida (UP), Mar 9 (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday said India now follows a new policy of dealing with terrorists, citing the retaliatory strikes against Pakistan during his term. Addressing a public meeting here, Modi said the country should have responded to the Mumbai terror attack during the term of the previous Congress-led government. There are reports that our forces were ready to avenge the terror attack even then, but Delhi was cold. The forces were not allowed to take any action, he said. The prime minister said after the Uri attack in 2016, Indian soldiers conducted a surgical strike for the first time, teaching the terrorists a lesson in a language they understand. Modi said India now works on nayi reeti, nayi neeti (new methods, new policy). PTI KIS ASH ASH (Eds: Adding quotes of Cong spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi) New Delhi, Mar 9 (PTI) The Congress slammed the government on Saturday over a media report that fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi was living in a swanky apartment in London and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of running a "fraudster settlement yojana" for such fugitives. The opposition party also alleged that fugitives had looted Rs 1 lakh crore from Indian banks but not even one of them has been caught in five years of the Modi government. The government has said that the UK still considering the request to extradite Nirav Modi and India is taking all steps necessary for his extradition. British daily The Telegraph reported that billionaire diamond tycoon, accused in the USD 2 billion Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, has been tracked down by it to an 8 million pound apartment in London's West End. "Fugitive Nirav Modi has been seen enjoying in London, living in a Rs 75 crore flat and wearing a 10,000 pound jacket," Congress's chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala told reporters. "First loot Rs 23,000 crore from banks, then run away from the country without any checks, mock the CBI and the ED and then make a comfortable home in a Rs 75 crore flat. (Narendra) Modi is there, so it is possible," he claimed. It seems Prime Minister Narendra Modi is running a "bank fraudsters settlement company" for the likes of Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi, Surjewala alleged. "Fugitives looted Rs 1 lakh crore from Indian banks but you have not even caught one in the last five years," he claimed. Congress spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi said it is another instance in which the Modi government has proved that "their slogan 'Modi hai toh mumkin hai' (It's possible if there is Modi) correct for fraudsters. The country is now a witness to the Narendra Modi Fraudster Settlement Yojana". "How in 2014, PM Modi had promised the return of Rs 80 lakh crore of black money to India and Rs 15 lakh back in the accounts of every Indian but instead he has ensured Rs 1 lakh crore honest taxpayers' deposits are now being freely used by these fraudsters to lead a luxurious guilt free life in foreign shores," she told reporters. Chaturvedi also said that Prime Minister Modi had complete knowledge of Nirav Modi's dealings. "Yet, PM Modi stayed silent and turned a blind eye. India will never forget the Rs 26,306 crore PNB scam...and how these fugitives were given 'a free pass to flee India'," the Congress leader said. Chaturvedi also accused the government of not pressuring the UK over the extradition request of Nirav Modi. Senior Congress leader and former finance minister P Chidambaram also reacted to the media report. "When Lalit Modi stayed on in the UK, I wrote to the UK Chancellor that he should be sent back to India. Mrs Sushma Swaraj mocked me for writing letters," he said in a tweet.. "Now Nirav Modi is walking on the streets of London. Will Mrs Sushma Swaraj swoop down, pluck him off the street and bring him back to India?" he said in another tweet. PTI ASK UZM SMN New Delhi, Mar 9 (PTI) India on Saturday said the Kartarpur corridor talks are related to the emotions of Indian citizens of Sikh faith and it is not in any way a resumption of bilateral dialogue. India had earlier this week said its first meeting with Pakistan to finalise the modalities of the Kartarpur corridor would be held on the Indian side of the Attari-Wagah border on March 14. Asked if the time was right to hold the dialogue amid the ongoing tensions in bilateral ties, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said that one should understand the purpose and objective of the Kartarpur talks and it was not in anyway a resumption of bilateral dialogue. "It is related to the emotions of Indian citizens of Sikh faith. Our decision to meet reflects our strong commitment to operationalise the Kartarpur Sahib corridor on the occasion of 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev ji and also to meet the long pending demand to have easy and smooth access to the holy Gurudwara Kartarpur Sahib," Kumar said. Pakistan had cast some doubts on the meeting but India never said the meeting will not be held, the MEA spokesperson said, adding "We are happy that Pakistanis are coming for this meeting on the 14th." "So you have to understand the objective of the meeting. This has nothing to do with any kind of resumption of bilateral talks," he said. The announcement by both sides to hold the meeting on the corridor comes amid heightened tensions between the two neighbours following India's air strike on a terrorist training camp of the Jaish-e-Mohammed in Balakot and Pakistan's subsequent retaliation. India and Pakistan agreed to set up a border crossing linking Gurudwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan's Kartarpur - the final resting place of Sikh faith's founder Guru Nanak Dev - to Dera Baba Nanak shrine in India's Gurdaspur district. Kartarpur Sahib is located in Pakistan's Narowal district across the river Ravi, about four kilometres from the Dera Baba Nanak shrine. The corridor will facilitate visa-free travel of Indian Sikh pilgrims to Gurudwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur. Pakistan has committed to open the corridor in November on the occasion of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak. India's Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had on November 26 last year laid the foundation stone of the Kartarpur corridor in Gurdaspur district. Two days later, Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan laid the foundation stone of the corridor in Narowal, 125 km from Lahore. PTI ASK RT Bought and Paid For Trump criticizes Democrats for passing resolution condemning hate By John Fritze and David Jackson March 08, 2019 " Information Clearing House " - President Donald Trump has branded as "disgraceful" the resolution passed after Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar's comments suggesting House supporters of Israel have dual allegiances. (March 8) AP President Donald Trump described the Democratic Party as an anti-Israel party" and an "anti-Jewish party" on Friday and said a House vote condemning hate but not specifically denouncing the remarks of one of its members was disgraceful. The president, speaking at the White House before departing for Alabama , was responding to a question about a vote in the House Thursday to condemn hate after freshman Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minnesota, made comments critical of Israel that detractors said played to anti-Semitic tropes Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter I thought yesterdays vote by the House was disgrace, said Trump, who will meet with officials in Alabama on Friday who are working on recovery efforts following last weekend's deadly tornado. The House resolution drew criticism from some after it was broadened from its original version, which focused solely on denouncing anti-Semitism, to condemning other forms of bigotry against minorities. The resolution passed 407 to 23. The trouble for the Minnesota Democrat began when The Intercept's Glenn Greenwald tweeted a link to an article that said Republican leaders were considering "action" against Omar for her criticisms of Israel. "It's stunning how much time US political leaders spend defending a foreign nation even if it means attacking free speech rights of Americans," Greenwald tweeted. "It's all about the Benjamins baby," Omar tweeted in reply. "Benjamins" refers to $100 bills, on which Benjamin Franklin is depicted. That tweet prompted Forward columnist Batya Ungar-Sargon to reply that she "would love to know who @IlhanMN thinks is paying American politicians to be pro-Israel, though I think I can guess." "AIPAC!" Omar tweeted in response. That tweet prompted a chorus of bipartisan condemnation. Contributing: William Cummings This article was originally published by " USA Today" - New Delhi, Mar 9 (PTI) An Indian Air Force MiG-21 Bison, piloted by Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, shot down a Pakistan Air Force F-16 fighter aircraft and there are eyewitness accounts as well as electronic evidence for it, the Ministry of External Affairs said Saturday. It also said evidence on the use of F-16 fighter jets by Pakistan is there in the form of parts of AMRAAM missile recovered from the site, which is carried only by F-16 aircraft of the Pakistan Air Force. Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar, at a media briefing, said an Indian Air Force MiG-21 Bison, piloted by Wing Commander Varthaman, shot down a Pakistan Air Force F-16 fighter aircraft and there are eyewitness accounts and electronic evidence for it. In the aerial combat, India had lost the MiG-21 Bison aircraft and its pilot Wing Commander Varthaman was captured by Pakistan. Pakistan claimed it downed two Indian jets, and rejected IAF's assertion that a F-16 aircraft was shot down by it during the dogfight. "Only one aircraft was lost by us. If, as Pakistan claims, they have a video recording of the downing of a second Indian aircraft, why have they not shown it to the international media even after more than one week? "Questions should be asked to them as to where the fuselage of the aircraft is and what has happened to the pilots? As we have already said, there are eyewitness accounts and electronic evidence that Pakistan deployed F-16 aircraft and that one F-16 was shot down by Wing Commander Abhinandan," Kumar said. He said Pakistan should explain why it continues to deny that its F-16 aircraft has been shot down. Official sources had earlier said Varthaman downed a F-16 fighter jet of Pakistan Air Force by firing an \RR-73 air-to-air missile before his MiG-21 Bison was hit during a fierce dogfight. PTI ASK SMN Jammu, Mar 9 (PTI) Pakistani troops violated ceasefire along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district on Saturday, a defence spokesperson said. At about 6.00 pm, Pakistani Army initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by shelling with mortars and firing of small arms in Sunderbani sector, he said. The spokesperson said the Indian Army is retaliating strongly and effectively. There was no report of any casualty on the Indian side, he said. A special police officer escaped with splinter injuries when a mortar shell exploded at Gondria village in Shahpur sector which, along with nearby Kerni sector in Poonch district, witnessed heavy artillery and small arms firing from across the border Friday evening. There has been a spurt in ceasefire violations by Pakistan after India's preemptive air strike on a Jaish-e-Mohammad terror camp in Balakot on February 26 following the February 14 Pulwama terror attack in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed. Four civilians, including three members of a family, were killed and several others injured as Pakistan targeted over 80 villages in over 100 incidents of ceasefire violations along the LoC in the state since then. The shelling from across the border stopped on Wednesday all along the LoC and the lull was broken by latest incident of firing Friday evening. Meanwhile, deputy Commissioner, Poonch, Rahul Yadav on Saturday visited injured SPO Sayeed Hussain at a district hospital and gave him Rs 5,000 from Red cross fund as immediate relief. Yadav inquired about his health and assured more relief after completion of formalities, an official said. PTI TAS KJ KJ Noida (UP), Mar 9 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday accused previous governments of allotting land to their "sycophants" next to archaeologically important buildings by overlooking the law. The prime minister, who inaugurated an archaeology institute in Greater Noida, however, did not name any particular party or specific plot of land while levelling charges during a public meeting in presence of Union Minister Mahesh Sharma and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. He said he was in Varanasi on Friday where he laid the foundation stone for the Kashi Vishwanath Temple's approach road and its beautification. He had charged the Samajwadi Party government in Uttar Pradesh with non-cooperation for the delay in beautification of his parliamentary constituency. Those of you who have been to Varanasi can imagine the congested lanes there, don't know what was the condition of the God there. When the people there elected me as their MP, I decided to do something there. Now you go there and notice, we had acquired around 300 properties adjoining Bhole Baba (Kashi Vishwanath temple) and I was astonished because temples started emerging from inside houses during demolition work," he said. "People had constructed walls and changed temples to their homes, made bedrooms, and even kitchens on them. Forty temples, 200 to 300-year-old, fine examples of archaeology emerged from these houses, he told the gathering. The prime minister said these findings are the testimonies to the fact how fast asleep the people running the archaeology department were prior to 2014. "If you want to move even a stone, the archaeology department will catch you by your neck and the people there had usurped 40 temples for 40-50 years with the blessings of rajnetas, he said. Modi said he does not work for his own praise, but for the praise of the country, adding these temples were now being conserved and taken care of. "But you have seen how some people have problem even with that. They are the same people who ignored scientific findings about our history and heritage, he said. "They overlook the law for their own gains. There are plenty of examples when previous governments had allotted their 'raag darbaris' (sycophants) plots of land for bungalows and farm houses next to the archaeologically important buildings. Who are these 'raag darbaris' for whom the law was ignored? he said. Inaugurating the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Institute of Archaeology, under the Archelogical Survey of India, Modi said research scholars, students from across the world can come here and have a comprehensive study of the rich heritage, spirituality, tradition, books, art and other skills of India with the help of modern tools and facilities. Our glorious country has witnessed a phase of centuries of slavery, faced invasion by foreigners, seen ancient heritage being destructed by invaders. Archaeology has a major role in rediscovering that, he said. Union Minister for Culture (independent charge) Mahesh Sharma said the state-of-the-art institute, built at an estimated cost of Rs 289 crore is spread over 25 acres and has been completed in 17 months. The ultra modern green building of the institute is equipped with all latest technologies. It comprises an auditorium with seating capacity of 1,000 people, an open-air theatre and an archaeological museum, the ministry of culture said in a statement. The Institute of Archaeology is an academic wing of ASI under the Ministry of Culture. In the institute, the students are provided with a supportive, enthusiastic and challenging academic atmosphere which enables them to achieve their full potential in the field of archaeology, it added. PTI KIS RAX RAX New Delhi, Mar 9 (PTI) Following are the top stories at 2100 hours: DEL36 MEA-LD NIRAVMODI India taking all steps for extradition of Nirav Modi: MEA New Delhi: The government is taking all steps to extradite PNB scam accused Nirav Modi from the UK, the External Affairs Ministry said Saturday, asserting that the extradition request made to that country shows that India was aware he is there. DEL33 ED-LD NIRAV MODI-UK Nirav Modi's extradition request sent to court by UK home secy: ED New Delhi: The United Kingdom's home secretary has recently referred India's request for extraditing PNB scam accused Nirav Modi to a court for initiating legal proceedings against the diamantaire, the Enforcement Directorate said Saturday. DEL38 UP-2NDLD PM Modi slams Cong's handling of terror attacks, says India now follows new policy Noida (UP): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday again hit out at those seeking proof of India's air strike at Balakot in Pakistan and slammed the previous Congress government for its handling of terror attacks like the one in Mumbai in 2008. DEL48 CONG-2NDLD NIRAV MODI PM running 'fraudster settlement scheme' for likes of Nirav Modi: Congress New Delhi: The Congress on Saturday hit out at the government over a media report that PNB scam accused Nirav Modi was living in a swanky apartment in London and alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was running a "fraudster settlement yojana" for such fugitives. DEL21 MEA-LD INDOPAK Naya Pakistan should demonstrate Naya action on terror: India New Delhi: Pakistan will be judged not by words but on basis of the action it takes to dismantle terror infrastructure on its soil, India said Saturday, asserting that its non-military strike on the JeM terrorist training camp in Balakot achieved its desired objective. DEL46 RAHUL-MODI Nirav Modi video shows uncanny similarity between him and PM Modi: Rahul New Delhi: Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying that the recent video of the PNB scam accused Nirav Modi in the UK shows an "uncanny similarity" between the two as both "believe they are above the law". MDS11 KA-RAJNATH India carried out 3 cross-border strikes in 5yrs;Rajnath Singh Mangaluru: India carried out three cross border strikes in the last five years, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said here Saturday, without disclosing which was the third. BOM3 GJ-CABINET-LD EXPANSION Rupani expands ministry, Cong turncoat made cabinet minister Ahmedabad: Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani Saturday expanded his cabinet by inducting three members, including Congress turncoat Jawahar Chavda, who was rewarded with a ministerial berth a day after he joined the BJP. Legal: DL-HC-CHIDAMBARAM INX Media case: CBI moves HC to place additional documents in Chidambaram's anticipatory bail plea New Delhi, Mar 9 (PTI) The CBI has filed an application in the Delhi High Court for taking on record additional submission in the anticipatory bail plea of former Union minister P Chidambaram in connection with INX media case. Foreign: FGN13 UK-NIRAVMODI-2NDLD REPORT Nirav Modi tracked down to swanky London apt; UK home secy certifies India's extradition request London: UK Home Secretary Sajid Javid has certified India's extradition request for fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi, wanted in the Rs 13,500 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, officials involved with the proceedings in the UK confirmed on Saturday, even as he was tracked living openly in a swanky 8-million pound apartment in London's West End and running a new diamond business. By Aditi Khanna FGN2 US-PAK-BERA Pak will face global isolation if it doesn't rein in terrorist groups: Indian-American Congressman Washington: An influential Indian-American Congressman has warned that Pakistan will continue to slide into international isolation if it does not take actions against terrorist groups operating from its soil. By Lalit K Jha. FGN1 US-UK-INDOPAK Pompeo discusses Indo-Pak situation with British NSA Washington: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo discussed with British NSA Mark Sedwill the current situation between India and Pakistan and the efforts to reduce tensions between the two South Asian neighbours, the State Department has said. By Lalit K Jha. FGN7 PAK-FATF Pak to put group of banned outfits in high risk category, monitor their activities: Report Islamabad: Pakistan has decided to "upgrade" a group of banned outfits, including the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), to a "high" risk category and start monitoring and re-examining their activities to comply with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) obligations, according to a media report on Saturday. By Sajjad Hussain. FGN8 US-IS-TEEN-BABY ISIS bride Shamima Begum's baby confirmed died in Syria London: After a series of conflicting reports, a Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) spokesperson confirmed the death of the newborn son of the UK's runaway ISIS bride, Shamima Begum, in a refugee camp in Syria. By Aditi Khanna. PTI AQS \R New Delhi, Mar 9 (PTI) Days after the Congress said it would go it alone in the general elections, Delhi Chief Minister and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal Saturday termed the party "arrogant" and claimed that its candidates would lose their deposits in the polls. At a public meeting in the Mustafabad area, Kejriwal claimed his party tried persuading the Congress to forge an alliance, but "it did not understand". Recently, Delhi Congress chief Sheila Dikshit had said there's unanimity in the party against an alliance with the AAP for Lok Sabha polls in Delhi. "Congress (candidates) will lose their deposits in Delhi in Lok Sabha elections," Kejriwal claimed. The Delhi CM, while addressing the gathering in minority-dominated Mustafabad, requested people to make sure that votes don't get split between the Congress and the AAP. "Vote for the AAP in Delhi because only it can defeat the BJP in Lok Sabha elections," he said. Speculation over a pre-poll alliance between the Congress and the AAP still persists, even as Rahul Gandhi has already said the Delhi unit of his party is against it. PTI VIT GVS Oppn parties hold dharna for Khandu's ouster Itanagar, Mar 9 (PTI) Opposition parties in Arunachal Pradesh Saturday staged a dharna demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Pema Khandu over his "inept handling" of the Permanent Resident Certificate (PRC) issue that claimed three lives last month. The protesters also demanded resignations of Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein and Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju, holding them responsible for the violence that unfolded in the state capital on February 23 and 24. The opposition parties including Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC), Janata Dal (Secular) and Peoples Party of Arunachal (PPA) under the aegis of All Party Coordination Committee staged the dharna at 'O' Point Tinali near the Raj Bhawan. The protesters had submitted a memorandum to Governor B D Mishra on Wednesday requesting him to use his constitutional powers to remove Khandu and others for their alleged failure to control the law and order situation on February 24. The committee had set a deadline of three days to the governor which ended on Friday. Hundreds of protesters brought out a rally from Nyokum Lapang Ground here to Raj Bhawan but they were stopped by security forces. Later, they sat at the tri-junction of 'O' Point Tinali, which leads to Raj Bhawan. Former Chief Minister Gegong Apang of JD(S) condemned the state government for failing to diffuse the situation which he alleged was created by the government. "In my 23 years and 7 months stint as chief minister of the state, I had never witnessed such a chaotic situation. This was a creation of the present leaders in the helm of affairs who, instead of working for the interest of the common people, is working for their vested political interest. "People should give them a befitting reply in the forthcoming Assembly elections, Apang, the longest serving chief minister of the state said. APCC President Takam Sanjoy alleged that the recommendation he made to the government when he was the chairman of the Joint High Power Committee (JHPC), constituted to study the PRC issue for four years, was wrongly uploaded in social media by the present government. "My recommendations were edited and posted in social media by the present government to distract the attention of the people from the real facts. It was Khandu and Mein who openly announced in public meetings to grant PRC to non-Arunachalees residing in Changlang and Namsai districts as New Year gift, for which the situation turned worse last month," he said. Sanjoy added that the next stage of democratic movement against the government would be chalked out soon after meeting of all opposition parties. He also cautioned that if the demands were not met, the opposition parties could lay siege to the state civil secretariat. PTI UPL JM JM Chennai, Mar 9 (PTI) A petition has been filed in the Madras High Court by a man who claimed that he is an Indian national, and not a Bangladeshi living illegally in the country as alleged by authorities, and that he has been "wrongfully" detained in a special camp in Tiruchirapalli under the Foreigners Act. When the petition by Momin alias Momimwar Hussain came up Friday, Justice K Ravichandrabaabu adjourned the matter for hearing to March 15. The plea was adjourned after a request was made by the Special Government Pleader Shanmugasundaram that Advocate General Vijay Narayan would appear and argue in the case on behalf of the Kerala government. The prosecution submitted that Hussain, along with seven others, were native of Bangladesh and were staying in India without any valid documents namely visa, passport etc. Also, there was a case filed by the police in Tirupur under Foreigners Act, stating that the petitioner, along with other accused, has been staying in India for more than 10 years. Over the period, the petitioner obtained Aadhar card, PAN card and other documents by way of fabrication to get employment in India and accommodation, it was alleged. Hussain and the others were arrested on October 9, 2018 and released on conditional bail two months later. After the petitioner's release, a government order was passed that led to him and the others being lodged in a special camp. The police also sought deportation of Hussain and the others to Bangladesh. To this, the petitioner claimed that he was an Indian citizen as he was born in the country on November 3, 1986 and has worked in reputed companies in Tirupur and obtained Aadhar and PAN cards with his Indian citizenship. He submitted that the entire "confusion" happened because he could not communicate with the police as he was not familiar with Tamil and English. Hussain said this led to the police filing an FIR based on "unascertained facts" and led to his detention of more than 60 days in judicial custody. The petitioner further alleged that the police has acted in an undue manner in lodging him in the special camp by misconstruing the November 10, 2018 G.O., which, he said, was "punitive in nature" and against settled principles of law. Noting that the government order was clear from its very construction, the petitioner said it authorises punishment of a person only after his or her conviction period and not before that. He claimed that the regulation of his continued presence by confining him in a special camp was clearly "illegal". "Even assuming the power of detaining a foreigner is available with central government under the Foreigners Act and and hence the state government cannot by exceeding its power pass an order of detention and confinement," he pointed out. Hence, he prayed for quashing the order. PTI COR NVG ROH RT 'Cong will implement minimum income gurantee scheme if voted to power' Hyderabad, Mar 9 (PTI) Congress chief Rahul Gandhi Saturday said the party would implement the minimum income guarantee scheme and deposit money in bank accounts of all the poor in the country if voted to power after the Lok Sabha polls. "We have taken a decision that Congress party will give Guaranteed minimum income to every poor person in India. After the 2019 polls, the Government of India will fix minimum income. It will not be below any of the income levels (Below Poverty Line) of people," he said. People will get money under the scheme if their income was less than the Minimum Income (fixed), irrespective of whoever they are, whichever state they lived in or religion they followed and whatever language they spoke, he said. "We will not leave even a single person. We will search for people whose income is less than the Minimum Income, we will deposit money in their accounts, the congress chief said. Gandhi was addressing a meeting of Congress functionaries where he kick started the partys campaign for the coming Lok Sabha polls. Continuing his tirade against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he alleged that Modi was creating two Indias - one in which only the rich benefited and the other in which farmers seeking loan waiver are let down. "The congress party will not let this happen," he said Referring to the Doklam issue, he alleged that the Prime Minister hosted the Chinese premier in Gujarat at a time when that nation's army intruded into Doklam. "On the one hand Chinese army entered into Doklam and on the other hand, this patriot (Modi) was sipping tea with the Chinese President," he said On the women's reservation bill, Gandhi said Congress would ensure its passage in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and the state legislatures Attacking Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, Gandhi said Modi is aware of his 'corrupt activities' and was 'remote controlling' him. PTI SJR GDK APR APR APR Hyderabad, Mar 9 (PTI) Kicking off the Congress' election campaign in Telangana for the Lok Sabha polls, Rahul Gandhi Saturday said his party would implement a minimum income guarantee scheme for the poor if it is voted to power. He alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was into "making two Indias" - one where "only the rich are benefited and the other in which farmers who seek loan waiver with folded hands are let down". The Congress would not let this happen, Gandhi said. "We have decided that the Congress party will give guaranteed minimum income to every poor person in India. After the 2019 polls, the (Congress-led) Government of India will fix minimum income. It will not be below any of the income levels (below poverty line)," he said. Asserting that not a single person would be left behind, the Congress president said, "We will deposit money into accounts of those whose earnings are less than the minimum income." "People will get money under the scheme if their income is less than the minimum income (fixed), irrespective of whoever they are, whichever state they live in or religion they practice and whatever language they speak," he said while addressing a meeting of Congress functionaries in Shamshabad on the city outskirts. Alleging that some businessmen fled the country after taking hefty loans from banks, but no action has been taken, Gandhi said, "Modi works for 15 people." "Nothing can be done about demonetisation which has hurt people badly, but GST would be simplified once the Congress comes to power," he said, adding the doors of banks would be opened to small businessmen and traders. The Congress would also support farmers in whatever way it can, Gandhi said and asserted that his party would ensure the passage of women's reservation bill. Continuing with his attack on the prime minister, he said, "Modi talks about about patriotism but spreads hatred." Referring to the Doklam issue, the Congress president alleged, "On one hand the Chinese army entered Doklam and on the other, this patriot (Modi) was sipping tea with the Chinese president." The Congress does not bend before anybody and two prime ministers from the party lost their lives for the cause of the nation, he said. "The time has come to remove Narendra Modi (from power). All workers of the Congress should visit every house in Telangana and tell them that the state's chief minister wants to help Modi whose aim is to suppress the voice of India. The Congress can safeguard the voice of India and the Constitution," Gandhi said. The Congress president claimed that the MPs of Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao-led Telangana Rashtra Samithi supported the NDA government at the Centre on various issues. "Every day we stand up and ask questions about Modi's corrupt deals. I ask how many times did KCR raised his voice. Did the chief minister ever say that there should be a probe into the Rafael deal? This is because he wants Narendra Modi to continue as prime minister," Gandhi said. PTI SJR GDK NSD NSD Home Search ICH The Fake News Nazi - Corbyn, Williamson And The Anti-Semitism Scandal By Editor Media Lens March 08, 2019 " Information Clearing House " - One of us had a discussion with an elderly relative: 'He can't be allowed to become Prime Minister.' 'Why not?' 'It's so awful...' 'What is?' 'The way he hates the Jews.' The last comment was spoken with real anguish, the result of continuous exposure to just two main news sources: the Daily Mail and the BBC. What is astonishing is that, just four years ago, essentially no-one held this view of Jeremy Corbyn. Corbyn first became an MP in 1983. He stood for the Labour leadership 32 years later, in May 2015. We searched the ProQuest database for UK newspaper articles containing: 'Jeremy Corbyn' and 'anti-semitism' before 1 May 2015 = 18 hits 'Jeremy Corbyn' and 'anti-semitism' after 1 May 2015 = 11,251 hits None of the 18 hits accused Corbyn of anti-semitism. For his first 32 years as an MP, it just wasn't a theme associated with him. We also searched the ProQuest database for UK newspaper articles containing: 'Labour Party' and 'anti-semitism' before 1 May 2015 = 5,347 hits 'Labour Party' and 'anti-semitism' after 1 May 2015 = 13,921 hits The archive begins in 1980, which means that more than twice as many articles have included these terms in the last four years than in the 35 years from 1980 until May 2015 when Corbyn stood for the Labour leadership. A standard response to these findings runs along these lines: Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter 'Irrelevant backbencher gets less Press attention than Leader of The Opposition SHOCKER. What's your next scoop, Water Wet, Sky Blue?' But in fact, Corbyn was not an irrelevant backbencher. We found 3,662 hits for articles mentioning Corbyn before May 2015. Many of these are mentions in passing, but he had also long been a high-profile anti-war MP at a time of numerous wars. And he was frequently smeared, only not about his supposed anti-semitism. Consider, for example, an article that appeared in The Sun in 1999, under a typically cruel title: 'Why did it take you so long to dump him, Mrs Corbyn?' (Ally Ross, The Sun, 13 May 1999) The story: 'EXTREME Left MP Jeremy Corbyn has been dumped by his missus after an amazing bust-up over their son's education.' The key issue, according to The Sun: 'Now the question on everyone's lips is: Why did it take her so long to leave the loathsome Lefty, and more importantly, why is she only moaning about his choice of schools?' Because there was, apparently, plenty to moan about. The Sun described Corbyn as 'class crusader Jeremy - a rabid IRA sympathiser' who 'not only looks and dresses like a third-rate Open University lecturer, he thinks like one too. In 1984 the Provo stooge invited twice-convicted terrorist and bomber Linda Quigley to the House of Commons just 13 days after the IRA's murderous attack on Tories staying at the Grand Hotel in Brighton'. This was pretty brutal stuff. The Sun added of Corbyn's ex-wife: 'Claudia's saviour of the masses also suffers incredible delusions of grandeur. Communist states may be falling like dominoes, but raving Red Jeremy still believes his outdated views are relevant to modern-day Britain.' And: 'Not only is Jeremy a political coward who backs terrorists, he is also a self-confessed big girl's blouse.' And: 'Jeremy's mis-shapen suits, lumpy jumpers and nylon shirts are not exactly what the well-dressed radical is wearing in 1999... Claudia should be aware her ex is irredeemably, unforgivably, annoyingly stupid.' Given the no-holds-barred nature of the smear, it is amazing that The Sun made no mention at all of Corbyn's vile anti-semitism, viewed as his most obvious and dangerous defect now. The reason is that, as this shows, not even his worst enemies viewed him as an anti-semite. The extreme Tory press aside, the accepted view of Corbyn pre-2015 is indicated by a long, admiring piece in which Jewish journalist Deborah Ross, whose family members were murdered in Polish pogroms even before the Nazi Holocaust was unleashed, interviewed him for the Independent in 2005. Ross commented: 'He is also, it is generally agreed, an exemplary constituency MP. Even my friend Rebecca, who recently sought his help on a local issue, and never usually has a nice word to say about anybody, which is why I like her, describes him as a "totally genuine mensch".' Ross added: 'As The Sun would have it, Mr Corbyn is a "beardy Bolshevik" and "loathsome lefty" but he does not come across as either. He has strong opinions but does not demand you listen to them, if you don't want to. 'He is scandal free, unless you count the hoo-ha a few years back when it was revealed that Jeremy's oldest son would be attending a grammar school outside the borough.' Joseph Finlay is a former Deputy Editor of the Jewish Quarterly, who co-founded a range of grassroots Jewish organisations such as Moishe House London, Wandering Jews, Jewdas and The Open Talmud Project. On 2 March 2018, Finlay wrote in his blog under the title, 'Jeremy Corbyn is an anti-racist, not an anti-Semite': 'Firstly we need to restore some perspective. The Labour party has thousands of Jewish members, many Jewish councillors, a number of prominent Jewish MPs and several Jewish members of its ruling council. Many people at the heart of the Corbyn team, such as Jon Lansman, James Schneider and Rhea Wolfson are also Jewish. Ed Miliband, the previous party leader, was Jewish (and suffered antisemitism at the hands of the press and the Conservatives). I have been a member for five years and, as a Jew, have had only positive experiences.' Finlay added: 'Jeremy Corbyn has been MP for Islington North since 1983 a constituency with a significant Jewish population. Given that he has regularly polled over 60% of the vote (73% in 2017) it seems likely that a sizeable number of Jewish constituents voted for him. As a constituency MP he regularly visited synagogues and has appeared at many Jewish religious and cultural events. He is close friends with the leaders of the Jewish Socialist Group, from whom he has gained a rich knowledge of the history of the Jewish Labour Bund, and he has named the defeat of Mosley's Fascists at the Battle of Cable as a key historical moment for him. His 2017 Holocaust Memorial Day statement talked about Shmuel Zygielboym, the Polish Bund leader exiled to London who committed suicide in an attempt to awaken the world to the Nazi genocide. How many British politicians have that level of knowledge of modern Jewish history?' Israel-based journalist Jonathan Cook notes that a recent Labour Party report 'decisively undercut' the claims of Corbyn's critics 'not only of endemic anti-semitism in Labour, but of any significant problem at all'. Cook summarised: 'Over the previous 10 months, 673 complaints had been filed against Labour members over alleged anti-semitic behaviour, many based on online comments. In a third of those cases, insufficient evidence had been produced. 'The 453 other allegations represented 0.08 percent of the 540,000-strong Labour membership. Hardly "endemic" or "institutional", it seems.' He added: 'That echoed an earlier report by the Commons home affairs committee, which found there was "no reliable, empirical evidence" that Labour had more of an anti-semitism problem than any other British political party.' In 'Antisemitism in contemporary Great Britain: A study of attitudes towards Jews and Israel' by the Jewish Institute for Policy Research, L. Daniel Staetsky found: 'Levels of antisemitism among those on the left-wing of the political spectrum, including the far-left, are indistinguishable from those found in the general population. Yet, all parts of those on the left of the political spectrum including the "slightly left-of-centre," the "fairly left-wing" and the "very left-wing" exhibit higher levels of anti-Israelism than average. The most antisemitic group on the political spectrum consists of those who identify as very right-wing: the presence of antisemitic attitudes in this group is 2 to 4 times higher compared to the general population.' The report notes that 'the prevalence of antisemitism on the far right is considerably higher than on the left and in the political centre'. Noam Chomsky has commented: 'The charges of anti-Semitism against Corbyn are without merit, an underhanded contribution to the disgraceful efforts to fend off the threat that a political party might emerge that is led by an admirable and decent human being, a party that is actually committed to the interests and just demands of its popular constituency and the great majority of the population generally, while also authentically concerned with the rights of suffering and oppressed people throughout the world. Plainly an intolerable threat to order.' (Noam Chomsky, email to Media Lens, 9 September 2018) Suspending Chris Williamson On February 27, a propaganda blitz was launched against anti-war Labour MP Chris Williamson who had been filmed saying that Labour Party responses to claims of anti-semitism had exacerbated the crisis: 'I've got to say, I think our party's response has been partly responsible... Because, in my opinion, we've backed off far too much, we've given too much ground, we've been too apologetic.' Williamson added: 'We've done more to address the scourge of anti-semitism than any political party.' It is clear that Williamson was strongly endorsing the fight against anti-semitism and was proud of the Labour Party's record. Actual anti-semites talk of 'the scourge of Judaism', Williamson talked of 'the scourge of anti-semitism'. He was suggesting that the party had been too apologetic in responding to a cynical smear campaign attempting to destroy Corbyn by exploiting the issue of anti-semitism. Others chose to see it differently. Guardian columnist Owen Jones responded to Williamson's comments: 'This is utterly out of order. When does the left ever say we've been "too apologetic" about fighting racism or bigotry? Why is he, a non-Jew, right and Jon Lansman - a Jewish socialist who founded Momentum and ran Corbyn's second leadership campaign - wrong about anti-Semitism?' We replied: '"When does the left ever say we've been "too apologetic" about fighting racism or bigotry?'" 'He's *endorsing* the fight against racism and bigotry. He's saying Labour has been too apologetic in responding to a cynical smear campaign to destroy Corbyn in the name of anti-racism.' Ash Sharkar of Novara Media tweeted: 'Chris Williamson has been had the Labour whip suspended pending investigation, which I think is the right decision. But much more work must be done to proactively confront and dismantle conspiratorial and antisemitic thinking on the left, and it goes much further than expulsions.' Aaron Bastani, also of Novara Media, wrote: 'I think media coverage of the "Labour anti-semitism crisis" is completely disproportionate - primarily because it underplays problem more broadly across society. 'Equally, hearing & reading the things I have in recent days I wouldn't feel welcome in the party as a Jewish person.' In our latest book, 'Propaganda Blitz', we noted a key factor driving home these smear blitzes: 'while a demonising propaganda blitz may arise from rightist politics and media, the propaganda coup de grace ending public doubt often comes from the "left-liberal" journalists at the Guardian, the Independent, the BBC and Channel 4; and also from non-corporate journalists who crave acceptance by these media. Again, the logic is clear: if even celebrity progressive journalists people famous for their principled stands, and colourful socks and ties join the denunciations, then there must be something to the claims. At this point, it actually becomes difficult to doubt it'. (David Edwards and David Cromwell, 'Propaganda Blitz', Pluto Press, 2018, pp.8-9) Foreign Wars Racism Versus Speciesism The truth of the corporate media's 'ethical concern' becomes clearer when we consider Corbyn's record on foreign wars. While the UK affects to care deeply about racism, Chomsky has noted that the West's endless 'interventions' - all reflexively supported by the same media damning Corbyn now - are manifestations of a prejudice, beyond even racism, that is a kind of speciesism: 'Namely, knowing that you are massacring them but not doing so intentionally because you don't regard them as worthy of concern. That is, you don't even care enough about them to intend to kill them. Thus when I walk down the street, if I stop to think about it I know I'll probably kill lots of ants, but I don't intend to kill them, because in my mind they do not even rise to the level where it matters. There are many such examples. To take one of the very minor ones, when Clinton bombed the al-Shifa pharmaceutical facility in Sudan, he and the other perpetrators surely knew that the bombing would kill civilians (tens of thousands, apparently). But Clinton and associates did not intend to kill them, because by the standards of Western liberal humanitarian racism, they are no more significant than ants. Same in the case of tens of millions of others.' (Chomsky ZNet blog, 'Samantha Power, Bush & Terrorism,' 31 July 2007) Even if Corbyn was an anti-semite, a racist, he would still be a far safer ethical choice than Tory and Blairite speciesists who value human beings on the level of ants. After all, we find that Jeremy Corbyn: 'Consistently voted against use of UK military forces in combat operations overseas.' 'Consistently voted against the Iraq war.' '... voted to say that the case for war against Iraq has not yet been established'. '... voted against a motion stating the Government should use all means necessary to ensure the disarmament of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction. Support for the motion by the majority of MPs led to the UK joining the US invasion of Iraq two days later'. 'Generally voted for investigations into the Iraq war.' '... acted as teller for a vote on UK Air Strikes Against ISIL in Iraq'. '... voted against the establishment of a no-fly zone in Libya'. '... voted against the continued deployment of UK armed forces in Afghanistan'. '... voted to decline to authorise UK military action in Syria'. '... voted against UK airstrikes against ISIL in Syria'. 'Generally voted against replacing Trident with a new nuclear weapons system.' Consider, by contrast, the record of the Labour MPs who have left the Labour Party, supposedly in protest at the rise of anti-semitism, to form The Independent Group: Chuka Umunna 'Almost always voted for use of UK military forces in combat operations overseas.' Angela Smith 'Almost always voted for use of UK military forces in combat operations overseas.' Mike Gapes 'Generally voted for use of UK military forces in combat operations overseas.' Chris Leslie 'Almost always voted for use of UK military forces in combat operations overseas.' Luciana Berger 'Generally voted for use of UK military forces in combat operations overseas.' Joan Ryan: 'Consistently voted for use of UK military forces in combat operations overseas', ' Consistently voted for the Iraq war', 'Consistently voted against investigations into the Iraq war.' Ann Coffey 'Almost always voted for use of UK military forces in combat operations overseas.' Gavin Shuker 'Voted a mixture of for and against use of UK military forces in combat operations overseas.' Not even his most extreme critics are suggesting that Corbyn is offering the kind of threat to Jewish people consistently offered by Tory and Blairite MPs to millions of people in countries like Iraq, Libya, Syria, Venezuela, Iran and Yemen. Even if Corbyn had erred in failing to perceive the ugliness of a mural declared antisemitic by the press; even if had been lax in taking action against party racists, and so on, how do these failings compare to the destruction of whole countries in lie-based wars of aggression? Why do corporate media never make this moral comparison? Because they are incapable of perceiving US-UK crimes against humanity as crimes; a wilful moral blindness that renders them completely unfit to pass judgement on Corbyn. Especially as they are themselves, of course, complicit in these same war crimes. Conclusion The claim that Corbyn is an anti-semite presiding over a surge in Labour Party anti-semitism is fake news; it is a scam of the utmost cynicism and brutality. It should be viewed as the latest in a long line of attempts to destroy Corbyn by all necessary means. He has been smeared for not bowing low enough, for not singing loudly enough, for hating women, for disrespecting gay people, for consorting with terrorists, for refusing to unleash a nuclear holocaust, for being a shambolic leader, for being a shambolic dresser, for leading Labour towards certain electoral disaster, for being a Putinite stooge, for aping Trump, and so on. Now, finally, someone widely admired for thirty years as a decent, socialist MP, has been transformed into an anti-semite; or as game show assistant and political commentator Rachel Riley implies, a 'Nazi'. Anti-semitism does exist in the Labour Party, as it exists throughout UK society, and of course these delusions should be resisted and exposed. But the smear campaign against Corbyn is not rooted in concern for the welfare of Jewish people; it is not even about blocking a political leader who cares about Palestinian rights. It is about preventing Corbyn from undoing Tony Blair's great achievement of transforming the Labour Party into a second Tory Party, thus ensuring voters have no option challenging corporate domination, including the 'humanitarian interventions' for oil and other resources. The goal is to stop Corbyn letting democracy out of its box. Stephen Law of Heythrop College, University of London, warns that cavalier accusations made 'on the basis of obviously flimsy or nonexistent evidence' are 'disrespecting the memory of the millions who were slaughtered by real antisemitism during the Holocaust'. But in fact, it is worse than that. State propagandists and their corporate media allies are exploiting the suffering of these millions as part of an attack on British democracy. This is obscene. But it is not particularly shocking after the campaigns of deceit which, as discussed, knowingly risked and then shattered the lives of millions of innocent human beings in US-UK wars of aggression. One thing is certain, if Corbyn and his style of socialism can be made to disappear, we'll hear no more about anti-semitism in the Labour Party, just as we heard no more about Iraqi democracy after Saddam Hussein, or human rights in Libya after Gaddafi; just as we will hear no more about press freedom in Venezuela, if Maduro is overthrown. As this alert was being written, news emerged that Corbyn had been subjected to a physical assault in London, to muted concern from almost all corporate media and journalists (compare 'mainstream' reaction to news that Conservative MP Anna Soubry had been called a 'Nazi'). Journalists claimed Corbyn had merely had an egg thrown at him. Labour MP Diane Abbott tweeted: 'I was there. He punched Jeremy very hard. He happened to have an egg in his palm. But it could have been a knife. Horrible' Perhaps journalists couldn't bear to express concern for a person they have so completely reviled for almost four years. Or perhaps they knew their smears of a thoroughly decent, well-intentioned man would be thrown back at them. More likely, they just didn't care. And that, finally, is the truth of their 'ethical concern' they don't care. This article was originally published by " Media Lens " - Do you agree or disagree? Post your comment here ==See Also== Jewish Labour Movement was refounded to fight Corbyn UK: That Labour antisemitism crisis in numbers... 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. Haveri (K'taka), Mar 9 (PTI) Congress chief Rahul Gandhi Saturday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to tell the nation that it was the BJP government which released terror outfit JeM chief Masood Azhar from an Indian jail. Addressing a public rally here in north Karnataka, Gandhi said, "Let Modi make me understand who sent Masood Azhar from Indian jail to Pakistan." The Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) had claimed responsibility for the Pulwama terror attack in which 40 CRPF men were killed. "I have a small question for Modi. Who killed CRPF jawans? What is the name of JeM chief? His name is Masood Azhar," the Congress chief said, adding it was the BJP government in 1999 that sent him from Indian jail to Pakistan through Kandahar in Afghanistan. "Why are you not speaking about it. Why are you not saying that the person who killed CRPF jawans was sent to Pakistan by BJP... Modiji we are not like you. We don't bow in front of terror. Make it clear to people to India who sent Masood Azhar," he said. Pakistan-based Azhar was released by India in exchange of passengers of the hijacked Indian Airlines plane IC-814 in 1999 during the Vajpayee government. Gandhi also alleged that while Modi talked about corruption, the whole country knew he was corrupt. He said the ruling alliance of Congress and JD(S) in Karnataka would fight the Lok Sabha elections together and win it. Gandhi also accused Modi of "fooling" the people of the country for the last five years with his programmes like "Make in India, Stand Up India and Sit Down India". PTI KSU RA SS AAR Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 9 (PTI) A taxi driver has been booked here for allegedly harassing a Delhi-based woman pilot at the international airport here, police said. The driver, who is yet to be identified, had passed some "sexually coloured comments" against the 26-year-old pilot of a public carrier while she was waiting for her vehicle at the airport premises Friday night. Quoting her complaint, police said he had made the comments sitting inside the taxi and immediately drove away the vehicle. The woman pilot later lodged a complaint with the airport manager who forwarded the same to the police station concerned. The case was registered against the driver under IPC section 354A (making sexually coloured remarks), an officer told PTI. "The pilot noted down the taxi's number. A probe is on to identify the driver. As per the cab number, the vehicle is registered in the name of a woman," he said. PTI LGK RRT ROH AQS AQS Jammu, Mar 9 (PTI) Four persons have been arrested in separate incidents in Jammu and Kashmir and huge quantity of narcotics was seized from them, police said Saturday. Imtiyaz Ahmad (27), a resident of Karyote-Thanamandi, was arrested under Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in Rajouri district, a police spokesman said. "The accused was found actively consuming and trafficking drugs in Thanamandi town and its adjoining areas. He was also found luring youths into substance abuse. He has been detained on the orders of the divisional Commissioner of Jammu, after a dossier was submitted by the senior superintendent of police, Rajouri against him," the spokesman said. He said the accused was earlier detained under various sections of the CrPC for involvement in other unlawful activities. In another case, the spokesman said, an alleged woman drug peddler was arrested during checks in Narwal area of Jammu, when 1 kg of 'ganja' was recovered from her possession. A case under NDPS Act was registered against Reena, the arrested woman, he said. Similarly, the police recovered 90 kg of poppy straw from the chamber of an oil tanker during checking at Nagrota Bypass along Jammu-Srinagar National Highway on Friday evening. Alleged smuggler Paramjit Singh of Kurukshetra-Haryana was arrested in the matter and a case under NDPS Act was registered, the spokesman said, adding he had brought the consignment from Kashmir. Another oil tanker driver, Kamljit Singh, a resident of Punjab, was arrested after 5.5 kg of poppy straw was recovered from his vehicle on the Tapyal-Ghagwal route along Jammu-Pathankot Highway Saturday, the spokesman said. He said Singh was also booked under the NDPS Act. PTI TAS IND IND Jammu, Mar 9 (PTI) The Jammu and Kashmir administration has approved creation of 33 posts in Government Medical Colleges (GMC) in Jammu and Srinagar, an official spokesman said Saturday. The sanction was accorded at a meeting of the State Administrative Council (SAC) under the chairmanship of Governor Satya Pal Malik here on Friday, the spokesman said. With the creation of these 33 posts, he said the long pending issues of stagnation of employees in GMC Jammu and GMC Srinagar would get addressed to a large extent. The spokesman said the SAC also accorded sanction for the creation of 85 posts for six Auxiliary Nurse Midwifery (ANM) Schools and five General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) Schools in the state. The posts include six posts of principal, 18 posts of nursing tutors and six of clerks for ANM Schools. There are five posts of principal, 35 posts of sister tutor and five each posts of clerk, library assistant and lab attendant for GNM schools, the spokesman said. As per Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) norms, the health sector in the state is facing shortage of nurses. Against the national ratio of 1:5 of nurses to a bed, it is 1:10 in the state. The health department requires 3,193 nurses, while the actual staff strength is 1,290. Six ANM and five GNM schools were sanctioned by the Centre in 2009-10. While the ANM schools are in Bandipora, Budgam, Kishtwar, Ramban and Shopian and GNM schools are in Kulgam, Udhampur, Akhnoor, Pulwama and Kargil. All 11 schools have been completed and handed over to the health department. These institutions would annually produce 540 skilled nursing staff. Further, the number of nursing students will go up when additional 10 ANM and GNM Schools, which are coming up under central assistance under Phase-II, are completed and made functional, the spokesman said. PTI TAS AAR Corporates urged to contribute to housing for all scheme Coimbatore, Mar 9 (PTI) Tamil Nadu Municipal Administration Minister S P Velumani Saturday urged the corporates to contribute towards the Housing for All scheme. "Tamil Nadu government is doing everything possible to implement the scheme. And if corporates can contribute, more people from the poorer sections of the society will benefited from it," Velumani said. He was addressing a summit on CSR experience and impact with focus on "Reviving innovative and successful models for sustainable tomorrow," organised by CII Southern Region here. ACC has recently constructed 100 houses for the poor and if the corporates could help in such projects, there would be more beneficiaries, he said. On various projects coming up in the city, Velumani said the 400-acre CODISSIA industrial park project, extension of the defence corridor and airport expansion plan for which Rs 75 crores had been given to land owners as the first instalment, would lead to development and generate more employment. The summit had various sessions focusing on various aspects of CSR Activites. PTI NVM ROH ROH Jaipur, Mar 9 (PTI) A unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) which intruded into Rajasthan's Ganganagar was shot down by the Army on Saturday, defence sources said. "One UAV intrusion in Ganganagar sector around 7.30 pm. The drone was engaged and brought down," a defence source said. No further details were shared. On March 4, a fighter jet of the Indian Air Force shot down a Pakistani military drone in Bikaner sector of the Indo-Pak border using an air-to-air missile. Another Pakistani drone was shot down by India on February 27 along Indo-Pak border in Kutch in Gujarat. The downing of the drones came in the midst of heightened tension between India and Pakistan after IAF struck a terrorist training camp in Pakistan's Balakot and subsequent retaliation by Islamabad. PTI SDA NSD NSD India carried out 3 cross-border strikes in 5yrs;Rajnath Singh (Eds; rpting after adding words in 1st para) Mangaluru, Mar 9 (PTI) India carried out three cross border strikes in the last five years, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said here Saturday, without disclosing which was the third. Singh spoke about the 2016 surgical strike after the Uri terror attack and the air strike after the Pulwama incident in which a CRPF convoy was attacked by a suicide bomber killing 40 jawans, but he did not reveal about the third. "I want to tell you brothers and sisters that in the last five years, we have gone beyond our borders thrice and our men have successfully conducted airstrikes. About two I will tell you, but won't tell you about the third one," Singh told BJP's Shakti Kendra office bearers convention here. "One time you saw in Uri, terrorists who came from Pakistan killed 17 of our soldiers, who were sleeping at night in a cowardly attack. After that, our soldiers also decided. Whatever happened after that you too know it very well, I need not tell....now you are seeing. First attack happened. second one was air strike... happened after Pulwama attack. I won't give you information about the third one," Singh said without elaborating. Singh asserted that "it is no more a weak India." "...leaving aside all our differences, we have to stand together. Time and again India has done this." In a pinpointed and swift air strike on February 26, India pounded Jaish-e-Mohammed's biggest training camp in Pakistan in a pre-dawn operation, described as "non-military" and "preemptive". Indian troops had crossed the Line of Control in September 2016 and launched a surgical strike on terror launch pads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir after Pakistani terrorists attacked the Uri army base in Kashmir, killing 19 soldiers. Singh said the Indian government had given a strong message to Pakistan after the Pulwama attack. He also said that Pakistan would have to pay a huge price if it continued to promote terrorism. "The country will not provoke anyone, but will not leave anyone if provoked," he said. He also said that no force in the country could deter the BJP from its fight against terrorism and the party would come back to power at the Centre with renewed force. Singh said the BJP had risen to heights from a party having only two seats in Parliament way back in the eighties. It could attain a clear majority in the 2014 elections. Singh also said that India would become one of the top three nations in the world in the next 10 years. "America, Russia and China are now the top three powerful countries. India will join the league of top three by the year 2028," he said. Stating that BJP was the largest political party in the world with its membership strength, Singh said India could retaliate against the terrorist strikes only because a strong party was in power. The country has become one of the fastest growing economies in the world in recent years, he said. He said state governments and party units in states had been asked to protect Kashmiri students studying at various institutions in the country from attacks after the Pulwama terror strike. Singh expressed the hope that the BJP would win all the 28 Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka. The Congress-JD(S) coalition is weak in the state and has not been successful in delivering its promises, he said. BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa, Nalin Kumar Kateel, Shobha Karandlaje MPs and other leaders were present. PTI MVG KSU RA APR APR APR CHARIHO: Charihos girls and boys soccer teams both won Division II titles in dramatic fashion. The girls won in penalty kicks and the boys in the final two minutes of double overtime. The football team reached the D-III title game, as did the field hockey team. The girls volleyball team played in the D-II semifinals. Erin vonHousen was All-State in girls cross country. STONINGTON: Stoningtons boys soccer team earned its second straight Class M state title, closing the season with 21 straight victories. The field hockey team lost in the Class S title game. WESTERLY: Westerlys girls volleyball team reached the Division III semifinals, losing to eventual champion Scituate. The football team played in the D-II semifinals. The girls soccer team reached the D-III semifinals. Jake Serra and Kaya West were All-State in cross country. WHEELER: Wheeler boys and girls soccer teams qualified for the Class S state tournament. Vote View Results March 08, 2019 " Information Clearing House " - The world faces many overlapping crises: regional political crises from Kashmir to Venezuela; brutal wars that rage on in Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen, and Somalia; and the existential dangers of nuclear weapons, climate change, and mass extinction. But beneath the surface of all these crises, human society faces an underlying, unresolved conflict about who or what governs our world and who must make the critical decisions about how to tackle all these problems or whether we will tackle them at all. The underlying crisis of legitimacy and authority that makes so many of our problems almost impossible to solve is the conflict between U.S. imperialism and the rule of law. Imperialism means that one dominant government exercises sovereignty over other countries and people across the world, and makes critical decisions about how they are to be governed and under what kind of economic system they are to live. On the other hand, our current system of international law, based on the UN Charter and other international treaties, recognizes nations as independent and sovereign, with fundamental rights to govern themselves and to freely negotiate agreements about their political and economic relations with each other. Under international law, multilateral treaties that have been signed and ratified by large majorities of nations become part of the structure of international law that is binding on all countries, from the least to the most powerful. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter In a recent article, The Hidden Structure of U.S. Empire, I explored some of the ways that the United States exercises imperial power over other nominally sovereign, independent countries and their citizens. I cited anthropologist Darryl Lis ethnographic study of U.S. terrorism suspects in Bosnia, which revealed a layered system of sovereignty under which people around the world are not only subject to the national sovereignty of their own countries but also to the overarching extraterritorial sovereignty of the U.S. empire. I described how Julian Assange, trapped in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, and Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou, detained while changing planes at Vancouver Airport, are victims of the same extraterritorial U.S. imperial sovereignty as the hundreds of innocent terrorism suspects that U.S. forces kidnapped around the world and shipped off to indefinite, extralegal detention at Guantanamo Bay and other U.S. prisons. While Darryl Lis work is invaluable in what it reveals about the actually existing layers of sovereignty through which the U.S. projects its imperial power, U.S. imperialism is much more than an exercise in capturing and detaining individuals in other countries. Many of todays international crises are the result of this same system of overarching, extraterritorial U.S. imperial sovereignty at work. These crises all serve to demonstrate how the U.S. exercises imperial power, how this conflicts with and undermines the structure of international law that has been painstakingly developed to govern international affairs in the modern world, and how this underlying crisis of legitimacy prevents us from solving the most serious problems we face in the 21st century and thus endangers us all. U.S. Imperial Wars Unleash Long-Term Violence and Chaos The UN Charter was crafted at the end of the Second World War to prevent a repeat of the mass blood-letting and global chaos of two World Wars. The architect of the UN Charter, U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt, had already died, but the horrors of global war were fresh enough in the minds of other leaders to ensure that they accepted peace as the essential prerequisite for future international affairs and the founding principle of the United Nations. The development of nuclear weapons suggested that a future world war might completely destroy human civilization, and that it must therefore never be fought. As Albert Einstein famously told an interviewer, I do not know how the Third World War will be fought, but I can tell you what they will use in the Fourth: rocks! World leaders therefore put their signatures to the UN Charter, a binding treaty that prohibits the threat or use of force by any country against another. The U.S. Senate had learned the bitter lesson of its refusal to ratify the League of Nations treaty after the First World War, and it voted to ratify the UN Charter without reservation by 98 votes to two. The horrors of the Korean and Vietnam Wars were justified in ways that skirted the UN Charters prohibition against the use of force, with UN or US forces fighting to defend new neocolonial states carved out of the ruins of Japanese and French colonialism. But after the end of the Cold War, U.S. leaders and their advisors succumbed to what former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev now refers to as Western triumphalism, an imperial vision of a unipolar world effectively ruled by a sole superpower, the United States. The U.S. empire expanded economically, politically and militarily into Eastern Europe and U.S. officials believed they could finally conduct military operations in the Middle East without worrying about triggering World War Three, as Michael Mandelbaum of the Council on Foreign Relations crowed in 1990. A generation later, the people of the greater Middle East could be forgiven for thinking that they are in fact experiencing World War III, as endless invasions, bombing campaigns and proxy wars have reduced entire cities, towns and villages to rubble and killed millions of people across Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia, Lebanon, Palestine, Libya, Syria and Yemen with no end in sight after 30 years of ever-proliferating war, violence and chaos. Not one of the U.S.s post-9/11 wars was authorized by the UN Security Council, as the UN Charter would require, meaning that they all either violate the UN Charter, as Secretary General Kofi Annan admitted in the case of Iraq, or violate the explicit terms of UN Security Council resolutions, such as UNSCR 1973s mandate for an immediate ceasefire, a strict arms embargo and the exclusion of a foreign occupation force of any form in Libya in 2011. In reality, while U.S. imperialist leaders are often eager to use the UN Security Council as window dressing for their war plans, they presume to make the real decisions regarding war and peace themselves, using political arguments to justify wars that have no real legal basis in international law. U.S. leaders show the same disdain for the U.S. Constitution as for the the UN Charter and UN resolutions. As James Madison wrote to Thomas Jefferson in 1798, the U.S. Constitution with studied care vested the question of war in the legislative, precisely to prevent such dangerous abuses of war powers by the executive branch of government. But it has taken decades of war and millions of violent deaths before the U.S. Congress has invoked the Vietnam-era War Powers Act to assert its constitutional authority to stop any of these unconstitutional, illegal wars. Congress has so far limited its efforts to the war in Yemen, where Saudi Arabia and the UAE are the lead aggressors and the U.S. plays only a supporting, albeit vital role. With one of their own in the White House, most Republican Members of Congress are still resisting even this limited assertion of Congresss constitutional authority. Meanwhile HR 1004, Representative Cicillines bill to confirm that Mr. Trump has no constitutional authority to order the use of U.S. military force in Venezuela, has only 52 cosponsors (50 Democrats and 2 Republicans). Senator Merkleys companion bill in the Senate is still waiting for its first cosponsor. U.S. political debates over war and peace pointedly ignore the legal reality that the UN Charter, backed up by the Renunciation of War as an Instrument of National Policy in the 1928 Kellogg-Briand Pact and the prohibition against aggression in customary international law, all prohibit the U.S. from attacking other countries. Instead U.S. politicians debate the pros and cons of a U.S. attack on any given country only in terms of U.S. interests and their own one-sided framing of the political rights and wrongs of the situation. The U.S. uses information warfare to demonize foreign governments and economic warfare to destabilize targeted countries, to generate political, economic and humanitarian crises that can then serve as pretexts for war, as the world has now seen in country after country and as we are witnessing today in Venezuela. These are clearly the actions and policies of an imperial power, not those of a sovereign country acting within the rule of law. Cutting Off the Branch We are Sitting On Not a week goes by without new studies that reveal previously unreported aspects of the environmental crisis facing the human race and the world we live in. Every species of insect may be extinct in a century, with the possible exception of cockroaches and house-flies, triggering ecological chaos as unpollinated plants, starving birds and other creatures follow the insects into mass extinction. Half the Earths population of mammals, birds, fish and reptiles has already disappeared in the past 40 years. Climate change may produce six or eight feet of sea level rise this century or will it be 20 or 30 feet? Nobody can be sure. By the time we are, it will be too late to prevent it. Dahr Jamails recent article at Truthout, titled, We Are Destroying Our Life Support System, is a good review of what we do know. From a practical, technological standpoint, the necessary transition to renewable energy on which our very survival may depend is entirely achievable. So what is preventing the world from making this critical transition? Scientists have understood the basic science of human-induced global warming or climate change since the 1970s. The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was negotiated at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit and quickly ratified by almost every country, including the United States. The 1997 Kyoto Protocol committed countries to make specific, binding cuts in carbon emissions, with greater cuts imposed on the developed countries that are most responsible for the problem. But there was one notable absentee: the United States. Only the U.S., Andorra and South Sudan failed to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, until Canada also withdrew from it in 2012. Many developed countries substantially reduced their carbon emissions under the first round of the Kyoto Protocol, and the 2009 Copenhagen Summit was planned to draw up a legal framework to follow up on Kyoto. The election of Barack Obama encouraged many to believe that the United States, the country historically responsible for the greatest carbon emissions, would finally join a global plan to fix the problem. Instead, the U.S. price for its participation was an insistence on voluntary, non-binding targets in place of a legally binding treaty. Then, while the European Union (EU), Russia and Japan set targets of 15-30% reductions from their 1990 emissions by 2020, and China aimed for a 40-45% reduction from its 2005 emissions, the U.S. and Canada aimed only to cut their emissions by 17% from their 2005 levels. This meant that the U.S. target was only a 4% cut in carbon emissions from its 1990 level, while almost every other developed country was aiming for a 15-40% cut. The Paris Climate Accord was based on the same model of non-binding, voluntary targets as the Copenhagen Accord. With the second and now final phase of the Kyoto Protocol expiring in 2020, no country will be under any binding international obligation to reduce its carbon emissions. Countries whose people and politicians are genuinely committed to a transition to renewable energy are moving forward, while others are not. The Netherlands has passed a law to require a 95% reduction in carbon emissions from its 1990 level by 2050, and it has banned the sale of gasoline and diesel cars after 2030. Meanwhile U.S. carbon emissions have only declined by 10% since they peaked in 2005, and they actually rose by 3.4% in 2018. As with international laws that prohibit war, the U.S. has refused to be bound by international agreements to tackle climate change. It has used its imperial power to thwart international action on climate change at every step, to preserve as much as possible of the international fossil fuel-based economy for as long as possible. Fracking and shale oil are boosting its own oil and gas production to record levels, generating even more greenhouse gases than traditional oil and gas drilling. The U.S.s destructive, possibly suicidal, environmental policies are rationalized by its neoliberal ideology, which elevates the magic of the market to a quasi-religious article of faith, shielding politics and economics in the United States from any aspect of reality that conflicts with the narrow financial interests of increasingly monopolistic corporations and the 1% ruling class represented by Trump, Obama, the Bushes and Clintons. In the corrupt market of U.S. politics and media, critics of neoliberalism are derided as ignoramuses and heretics, and the 99%, the acclaimed American people are treated as inferior subjects to be passively herded from TV to voting booth to Walmart (or Whole Foods) and occasionally off to war. A soaring stock market proves that everything is going well, even as the neoliberal economy destroys the natural world whose real magic sustains it and us. U.S. imperialism is the carrier actively spreading the virus of neoliberalism to the four corners of the Earth, even as it destroys the natural world that sustains us all: the air we breathe; the water we drink; the earth that produces our food; the climate that makes our world livable; and the miraculous fellow creatures who, until now, have shared and enriched the world we live in. Conclusion As Darryl Li observed in the cases of the terrorism suspects he studied, the U.S. exercises an overarching, extraterritorial imperial sovereignty that trumps the individual sovereignty of other countries. It recognizes no permanent geographic limits to its imperial sovereignty. The only limits that the U.S. empire grudgingly accepts are the practical ones that strong countries can successfully defend against the weight of its power. But the U.S. works tirelessly to keep expanding its imperial sovereignty and diminishing the national sovereignty of others to shift the balance of power further in its favor. It forces every country that clings to any aspect of sovereignty or independence that conflicts with U.S. commercial or geostrategic interests to fight for its sovereignty at every step of the way. That ranges from the people of the U.K. resisting imports of U.S. hormone-fed beef and chlorinated chicken and the piecemeal privatization of their National Health Service by the U.S. healthcare industry, all the way up to Iran, Venezuela and North Koreas struggles to deter explicit U.S. threats of war that flagrantly violate the UN Charter. Wherever we turn in our troubled world, to questions of war and peace or to the environmental crisis or to other dangers we face, we find these two forces and two systems, U.S. imperialism and the rule of law, at odds with one another, contesting the right and the power to make the decisions that will shape our future. They both implicitly or explicitly claim a universality that denies the authority of the other, making them mutually incompatible and irreconcilable. So where will this lead? Where can it possibly lead? One system must give way to the other if we are to solve the existential problems facing humanity in the 21st century. Time is short and getting shorter, and there is little doubt which system offers the world some chance of a peaceful, just and sustainable future. Nicolas J S Davies is the author of Blood On Our Hands: the American Invasion and Destruction of Iraq. He is a researcher for CODEPINK and a freelance writer whose work is published by a wide range of independent, non-corporate media. Lodged as it is between vital Parliamentary votes on Brexit, the Spring Statement on Wednesday will be a low-key affair. Philip Hammond will point to Britains victory against ballooning budget deficits and talk about employment. A hefty undershoot of the 25.5billion borrowing forecast for 2018-19 is certain. The Chancellor is likely to keep the 15billion or so of extra cash behind the clock. It could be useful to smooth a hard Brexit or, if there is some kind of deal, Hammond will have a chance to start addressing some of the bottlenecks in public services left by austerity. Philip Hammond will point to Britains victory against ballooning budget deficits and talk about employment at the Spring Statement on Wednesday What makes Hammonds task harder are broader economic conditions. Yes, the UK deficit has been tamed, but at 82.6 per cent of total economic output, debt levels are still high. There is a tendency towards schadenfreude when we look at the eurozones problems, and that stirs the Brexit spirits. The outsized downgrade of euro area growth by the European Central Bank for 2019 from 1.7 per cent to 1.1 per cent is a shocker. And it is not terribly helpful in that for the moment, at least, the other 27 EU nations are our biggest trading partner. The latest data from Germanys locomotive economy shows exports down 2.6 per cent. It shows why the ECB has rapidly reversed course on monetary easing and is offering new help to the banks. The other dark cloud on the global horizon is China. You can never quite be sure about the data from Beijing. But a 20.7 per cent drop in exports in February looks titanic. This could be Donald Trumps 200billion of tariffs biting, or President Xi playing some political game with Washington. Clouds are looming: The other dark cloud on the global horizon is China What is inescapable is that Chinas growth has cratered and, at 6 per cent, is less than half what it was before 2012. The countrys financial system is overloaded with debt, with the ratio of corporate debt to the size of its economy standing at 160 per cent. The worst export figures for three years sent share prices in China and across Asia down by as much as 4 per cent in latest trading. The US labour market also disappointed, with just 20,000 jobs created in February. But with the jobless rate down at 3.8pc this might not be considered much of a blow. What it does suggest is that the US is coming off the boil, adding to broader uncertainty. Britain has been defying the odds since the June 2016 referendum. Earlier this week the services sector threw up a stronger than expected number. But an open economy like the UK cannot withstand problems in the rest of the world forever. Hammond may need the extra fiscal space sooner than expected, irrespective of Brexit. Frankfurt misery Speculation about a merger between Germanys two biggest banks, Deutsche and Commerzbank, refuses to die. Deutsche chief executive Christian Sewing, who took charge last year, was dealt a weak hand by his British predecessor John Cryan. The battle to be a world-class investment bank is lost. The Wall Street Journal reports that the equities business has been a loss maker for years. It sits outside the big five in US capital markets, M&A is costly and it is way down the league table in initial public offerings. The chemistry has changed because finance minister Olaf Scholz is keen to get the 15 per cent of Commerzbank off government books. But the two banks are very different. Commerzbank has a huge 1,000-branch network focused on smaller enterprises and private investors. Deutsche is focused on big corporates. It is fashionable for investment banks to venture into retail, as Goldman Sachs has in Britain with Marcus. But that is an online bank using the latest technology. Putting two weak banks together will not necessarily create a stronger one. Indeed, when the UK encouraged a healthy bank in Lloyds to buy HBOS, it caused years of grief for stakeholders. US private equity investor Cerberus, which has stakes in both, opposes such a deal. Very wise. Crafty revenge Could Unilever finally turn the tables on Kraft Heinz after the failed bid of two years ago? Unilever shares have climbed steadily and Kraft has gone in the opposite direction, and is worth just a quarter of its former target. Revenge is best served cold but it is hard to think that right on Unilever would have much interest in Krafts very unfashionable brands, which include over-processed Kraft cheeses and meat products from Oscar Mayer. No trendy Ben & Jerrys or vegan Magnum to be found there. What is it? Sydney-based eServGlobal offers mobile services such as electronic wallets, customer service platforms, as well as cross-border payment systems. Whats the latest? It said last week that its gross profits rose to 2.7million in 2018, compared to a 3.5million loss the previous year. It made an overall loss of 10.4million, but this had fallen from 22.7million previously. Who backs it? Investment funds such as Lombard, Legal & General, Canaccord and M&G. The firm also has a joint venture with US payments group Mastercard, called Homesend. This offers cross-border payment services to banks, clearing houses and money transfer firms. Why you should invest Lorne Daniel, director of research at broker Finncap, says the key value in eServGlobal is its interest in Homesend. Mastercards joint backing gives it a major boost and means it has the fire power to dominate the international money transfer market. ...And why you shouldnt Because eServGlobal is still loss making. It is trying to sell its Paymobile business, but no buyer has been found yet. Trump Asks Germany, Japan To Pay For Being Occupied By Moon Of Alabama March 08, 2019 " Information Clearing House " - It will fun to watch this developing: Trump Seeks Huge Premium From Allies Hosting U.S. Troops Under White House direction, the administration is drawing up demands that Germany, Japan and eventually any other country hosting U.S. troops pay the full price of American soldiers deployed on their soil -- plus 50 percent or more for the privilege of hosting them, according to a dozen administration officials and people briefed on the matter. ... Current and former administration officials briefed on the idea, who asked not to be identified discussing the program, describe it as far more advanced than is publicly known. As well as seeking more money, the administration wants to use it as a way to exert leverage on countries to do what the U.S. demands overseas. As evidence, they say officials at the Pentagon have been asked to calculate two formulas: One would determine how much money countries such as Germany ought to be asked to pay. The second would determine the discount those countries would get if their policies align closely with the U.S. The extortion scheme Trump wants to use against 'allies' is a perfect own goal. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter The German government under Chancellor Angela Merkel is already accused of being too deep inside the U.S. rear. Her party supported the war on Iraq and now joined the illegal regime change attempt in Venezuela. The public is way less pro-American than German politicians. It will be quite difficult for Merkel and others to justify additional billions for U.S. troops in Germany. They are neither needed nor wanted. (The only sound reason to keep the 30,000 U.S. troops in Germany is to prevent them from moving to Poland from where they could threaten the country.) The situation in Japan is similar. The government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe supports hawkish U.S. policies but is also under attack over a new U.S. base on Okinawa. It will have problems to justify spending for the privilege of keeping the country under U.S. occupation. Trump's extortion racket will make it more difficult for Merkel and Abe to ally with the U.S. on other issues. That is a sound reason to welcome it. 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 views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Information Clearing House. What should Vodafone shareholders do next? The stock is languishing at nine-year lows, with the disappointing performance prompting some investors to wonder if it's time to get out. Yet the telecoms group is also at a major crossroads which could dramatically revive its fortunes or cause more trouble. Analysts say Vodafone's 16billion takeover of Liberty Global's European cable assets, which it hopes to have approved this year, could bag it significant cost savings across the business. Dividend fears: Vodafone stock is languishing at nine-year lows, with the disappointing performance prompting some investors to wonder if it's time to get out And the group is also poised to roll out cutting-edge 5G mobile networks across Europe, which are expected to allow a dizzying array of new devices including autonomous cars and even talking fridges to connect to the 'internet of things'. Vodafone is pondering the future of its masts business and whether it will sell a stake in it, another possible source of income. But at the same time, boss Nick Read who took over in October must wrangle with a 26billion debt pile and keep investors onside. Many remain worried about the firm's 3.5billion dividend, despite reassurances from management. Vodafone first handed shareholders a dividend in 1990 and has never cut it since. Last November the company said this year's payout to shareholders would be flat and most analysts are not expecting a surprise cut this year. However, they are divided on whether Vodafone will be able to maintain this in the long run. Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, warned the company was 'facing many challenges on many fronts'. Investors must be careful, he said, because the company is juggling growing spending with pressure on its profits something that affects how much free cash it has for the dividend. Chief amongst analyst concerns are the costs Vodafone could face to roll out 5G mobile services. The technology, following 3G and 4G, will give customers even speedier connections to browse the internet and stream content such as music and video straight to their phones. It will also allow a litany of other technologies to be developed, which were previously not possible at slower speeds. But Vodafone must first acquire air waves known as 'spectrum' by industry wonks in various countries which it can use to run its 5G network on. A 1.4billion auction of these air waves has already taken place in the UK, but telecoms firms were left feeling burnt by one in Italy that squeezed 5.6billion out of them. Vodafone individually paid around 2billion for its share, far more than it had originally planned. Chief executive Read was frustrated enough that he warned European governments not to use the auctions as cash cows. But all eyes have turned to an upcoming auction in Germany. And analysts say a higher-than-expected payment could dent the cash pile needed for the dividend. On top of this, it is facing tougher competition in the key markets of the UK, Spain and Italy. According to Reuters, analysts expect it to post a slight drop in full-year sales to 38.5billion in May. Vodafone's bosses have repeatedly insisted they have cover for the dividend, pointing to planned cost savings of 1billion over three years and partnerships with rivals that should reduce how much the firm has to spend on infrastructure. The company's takeover of Liberty Global cable assets is also expected to yield more cost savings, boosting cash flow. After the deal, Vodafone will also be the continent's biggest provider of broadband, cable and mobile services giving it a presence in European living rooms comparable to Sky. Dhananjay Mirchandani, an analyst at Bernstein, believes that Vodafone is a stock that will substantially outperform its peers. But he admits cover for the dividend 'will be tight'. In a note, he said: 'The big unknown will be the cash spend in the German spectrum auction: movements up or down from our forecast would have significant implications for the dividend.' But he added: 'We remain convinced that Vodafone does not need to cut its dividend and will not do so.' Mould also believes an imminent cut short of some unforeseen calamity is unlikely. But he says: 'This may yet be one meaty-looking FTSE 100 dividend yield that proves to be 'too good to be true' over time.' Arizona has more than 3,800 hours of sunshine a year equivalent to over 10 hours a day. It is the sunniest state in the US but several others, including California, Nevada and New Mexico, are not far behind. America is a sunny place and that makes it ideally-suited to solar energy. To the outside world, the US may seem an unlikely place to bang the drum for renewable energy these days. President Trump is a well-known climate-change sceptic, a keen supporter of the oil and gas industry and publicly opposed to any greenhouse gas-curbing policies that jeopardise US jobs. At an individual state level however, attitudes are very different. Most US states have clean energy targets and even those which do not are increasingly interested in renewable power, particularly solar. Clean energy: Solar one of the cheapest sources of power in the US Their enthusiasm reflects a dramatic change in the economics around this energy source. Building and operating solar plants used to be exceptionally expensive but prices have tumbled over past decade, making solar one of the cheapest sources of power in the US. US Solar Fund intends to tap into this trend. The company expects to list on the Stock Exchange next week and investors can apply for shares until Wednesday. Shares will be priced at $1 (76p) each but investors can subscribe in pounds or dollars and the minimum application is $1,000 or 1,000. The flotation looks appealing, with chief executive John Martin targeting a 5.5 per cent dividend yield from 2020, rising steadily in subsequent years. Martin has form. An Australian with more than three decades' experience in the energy sector, he has been running a Sydney-listed solar energy fund for the past three years, acquiring solar farms in Australia and the US. That fund attracted interest from British investors so Martin decided to establish a new, London-listed operation, focused solely on the US solar market. The decision is timely. As solar prices have fallen, demand has surged, with increasing numbers of electricity companies aiming to source a chunk of their energy from solar plants. Plants urgently need to be built to increase capacity and the US Solar Fund is keen to help. The fund hopes to raise $250million (190million) and will borrow an equal amount from banks so it will have $500million to invest in new plants. Martin has already identified a $4.8billion pipeline of assets across America so he can afford to be choosy about which ones he pursues. The fund will also be highly selective in its choice of customers, only selling to large, reputable utility groups. Energy contracts in the US tend to be fixed over 15 to 20 years so, once the plants are built and deals are established, US Solar Fund will have a long-term, highly predictable revenue stream. Building solar plants is relatively simple too. Martin expects to have committed the flotation cash by the end of the year and have his new sites up and running in 2020. There will be five to ten plants at first, generating about 500 megawatts of electricity, enough to power 180,000 households. President Trump is a well-known climate-change sceptic but individual states' attitudes are very different A small maiden dividend will be paid this November, but payments should rise significantly once the plants start producing and selling energy. Over time, US Solar Fund is likely to raise more money on the stock market to expand its portfolio and build new farms. Size brings cost efficiencies, so the larger the portfolio, the more profitable US Solar is likely to be. In time, the fund may invest in battery storage too. Today, the cost of storing energy via batteries is prohibitive but the economics are changing fast. Once storage becomes commercially viable, US Solar can store some of the energy it creates during daylight hours and sell it for night-time use, thereby increasing overall revenues. Midas verdict: The US Solar Fund offers UK investors access to a fast-growing renewable energy market, with a robust long-term outlook. An attractive investment, despite President Trump's antipathy. The bosses of Foxy Bingo owner GVC have sold shares worth nearly 20million sending the stock price plummeting. In a move that stunned investors, chief executive Kenny Alexander, 49, scooped 13.7million offloading more than 2million shares for 6.66 each. And chairman Lee Feldman, 51, landed a 6million payday after dumping 900,000 shares in the owner of bookmaker Ladbrokes at the same price. Pay day: The bosses of Foxy Bingo owner GVC have sold shares worth nearly 20m sending the stock price plummeting 14% The share sale sent shockwaves through the City and the GVC stock plunged 14 per cent, or 95.5p, to 588.5p on a brutal day for investors. The slump, the worst for nine years, came days before the Cheltenham Festival, a crucial week for bookies when punters bet millions on one of the world's most prestigious horse racing events. The GVC share price has halved in value since peaking at 11.70 last summer and the company has lost its place in the FTSE 100 index. Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said: 'There is a widely used phrase in investing that says 'follow the money'. In GVC's case, shareholders are following this advice to the letter as the gambling company's share price dives amid news of hefty share sales by directors. Investors are clearly spooked by this news and are also selling down.' Alexander, who was paid 20.7million in 2017 and 22.2million in 2016, still owns 666,666 GVC shares, worth 3.9million at last night's close. Feldman, who was paid 10.1million in 2017 and 9.2million in 2018, has 287,408 remaining shares worth 1.7million. The share sale came just days after GVC reported a huge jump in annual revenues, from 789.9million to 2.9billion, following the acquisition of Ladbrokes Coral for 3.2billion last year. But the company is bracing itself for a financial hit from a looming cut to the maximum stake allowed on fixed odds betting terminals from 100 to 2. The machines have been dubbed the crack cocaine of the gambling industry for their addictive nature. Alexander attempted to calm nerves, saying in a statement that he and Feldman remained committed to the firm. 'We have both held large personal shareholdings in GVC for a long time and continue to do so,' he said. 'Both of us remain fully committed to GVC and, whilst I continue to have the support of our shareholders, I'm here for the long term and at the very least I have a current plan that will take three plus years to accomplish. We reported excellent results earlier this week and we both remain convinced of the exciting prospects for the business. Therefore while we continue at GVC we will not reduce our holdings below the current levels.' GVC was set up in 2004 and owns brands including Bwin, Sportingbet, Foxy Bingo, Party Poker and Gala Casino. Until last year, it was an online-only business, but the takeover of Ladbrokes Coral gave it 3,500 betting shops and two of the best known names in British book-making. The Ladbrokes deal handed disgraced banker Andy Hornby an 8million windfall. As chief executive of Halifax owner HBOS, Hornby, 52, oversaw its demise in the financial crisis following years of reckless lending. He later became chief operating officer at Ladbrokes Coral and received 8million for his shares in the company when it was bought by GVC, where he still works. GVC was hit by a furious backlash from investors over bosses' pay at its annual meeting last year. Shareholders were angry at massive payouts to Alexander who had been handed 45million in share options since 2016 and Feldman, who was given options worth 22.5million at the time. This triggered a rebellion against the pay decision by 44 per cent of shareholders. Meanwhile, non-executive director Peter Isola was forced to quit at the same meeting after a revolt because of questions over his independence. Dismal economic figures in Germany and China have sparked fresh fears for global growth. In January German industrial firms suffered their biggest drop in orders for seven months. And Chinese exports were unexpectedly 20.7 per cent lower last month than in February 2018 their steepest fall for three years. Chinese exports were unexpectedly 20.7 per cent lower last month than in February 2018 their steepest fall for three years America, meanwhile, revealed that 20,000 jobs were created in February much lower than analysts had expected, but it did follow a bumper month for job creation in January. Monthly figures often swing wildly and do not necessarily signal a downturn has taken hold. The Chinese statistics suggest that world trade is still slowing in the wake of a crackdown by President Trump. Julian Evans-Pritchard, senior China economist at Capital Economics, said: 'These downbeat data provide further evidence that global demand is cooling and remains consistent with subdued domestic demand. 'A row back in US tariffs would provide a mild boost to exports but not enough.' The world economy has been buoyed by a huge boom in China, and it is feared that a severe slowdown there would do massive damage worldwide. The boss of West End landlord Shaftesbury has transferred more than 880,000 worth of shares to his husband, Kevin. Brian Bickell, 65, moved 100,000 shares into his husbands name, worth 882,000 as of last nights closing price. Bickell, pictured, was paid 1.2m last year, owns 11million worth of shares in Shaftesbury. He has worked at Shaftesbury owns 15 acres across Central London for more than 30 years and was appointed chief executive in 2011. Millionaire investor Neil Woodford Neil Woodford's staggering reliance on stockbroker Hargreaves Lansdown was revealed last night. The Bristol-based firm, popular with small investors and boasting one millions clients, generated a third of the assets channelled to the investment manager's funds, according to website Citywire. It lays bare for the first time the huge reliance Woodford now has on the stockbroker, after months of poor performance. Hargreaves clients owned 3.1billion, or 38 per cent, of Woodford's Equity Income fund in 2015 and by 2016 this had risen to 3.4billion. Even when they began to sell in 2017 as the fund manager endured a torrid year the assets still only dropped down to 2.2billion, or around 28 per cent of the fund. Over those years Woodford, 59, would have generated 50million in fees from Hargreaves clients, it was claimed. They also ploughed huge amounts of cash into his smaller Woodford Income Focus fund and Woodford Patient Capital. His popularity with Hargreaves clients is thought to be linked to his continued inclusion on the broker's Wealth 50 list, which says he is one of the UK's 'best-known investors', incentivised to perform' and 'prepared to invest differently from his peers'. Other brokers such as AJ Bell and Charles Stanley have culled Woodford from their own lists. Property tycoon Nick Candy owns 46% of Metals Exploration The bosses of an Aim-listed miner controlled by property tycoon Nick Candy are set for crunch talks with lenders to avert its collapse. Metals Exploration owns the Runruno gold and molybdenum mine in the Philippines, but the firm has been hit by the country's crackdown on mining. The company, 46 per cent owned by Candy, agreed with its banks last month that it would raise $20million (15.3million) by issuing new shares this month so loan repayments of $63.3million are delayed. But Candy and second-largest shareholder Runruno Holdings have now said they will not put up the money, having previously backed the firm financially. 'The company's major shareholders have advised the company that they are currently not willing to support an equity fundraising,' Metals Exploration said. It means new chief executive Darren Bowden faces crucial meetings with lenders HSBC and BNP Paribas. If the talks fail, a $35million repayment due at the end of the month could push the firm into administration. Ryanair boss Michael OLeary infuriated his rivals last night by predicting a series of takeovers that he believes will soon leave just five main airlines operating in Europe. In a provocative interview with The Mail on Sunday, OLeary suggested that London-listed Wizz Air, Norwegian Air, Alitalia and Air Portugal will all fall into the hands of larger peers in the next five years. He said many other firms would be forced out of business as they contend with steep fuel prices, Brexit uncertainty and another summer of delays and cancellations caused by strikes. 'Five major airlines will control over 80 per cent of the traffic' said Ryanair boss O'Leary OLeary claimed the only big survivors would be easyJet, Germanys Lufthansa, Franco-Dutch giant Air France KLM, International Airlines Group the FTSE 100-listed owner of British Airways and Ryanair. You are going to see more failures and more consolidation, he said. I think in Europe... five major airlines will control over 80 per cent of the traffic. Everybody else in the next five years is either going to be taken over by, become a partner of, or be subsumed into one of those groups. Flybmi, Germania, Primera Air and Cobalt of Cyprus have all gone bust recently, while Norwegian Air and Thomas Cooks airlines arm have been the subject of takeover rumours this year. OLeary added: The obvious developments, as we would see it: I think IAG will eventually buy Norwegian; I think that would lead to Lufthansa probably buying Wizz; I think its inevitable eventually that when the Italian government stops screwing around with Alitalia they will finish up back in the Air France KLM family; Tap [Air Portugal] will finish up as part of IAG. An industry source last night described OLeary as a Machiavellian and a troublemaker. A Norwegian Air spokesman said OLearys comments had no root in reality, adding: Norwegian has been through a period of significant growth and as has been previously announced the airline will change its strategic focus from expansion and growth to profitability. Willie Walsh, chief executive of IAG, last week declined to rule out a future bid for Norwegian, telling reporters: Never say never, but I think its unlikely. Willie Walsh, chief executive of IAG, last week declined to rule out a future bid for Norwegian His firm previously looked at making a bid but chose not to push ahead with a takeover earlier this year. OLeary told The Mail on Sunday that Ryanair is planning to grow organically by increasing its existing operations rather than buying rivals. But he added: Opportunities, though, crop up. He ruled out any interest in buying Norwegian Air or Thomas Cooks airline business. Airline executives warned last week that the coming summer could be just as bad for delays and cancellations as 2018 when they are estimated to have cost the EU economy 15.2 billion. The industry claims that 60 per cent of the delays were due to air traffic control disruption including from strikes in France and Germany. Lengthy hold-ups result in the airlines having to pay substantial compensation to passengers. March 08, 2019 " Information Clearing House " - I was 23 when we invaded Iraq, and I wasnt sure it was based on lies, but something deep down in mejust behind the spleentold me it was based on lies. Kinda like if your blind date shows up and you notice he has a 2004 flip phone. It seems vaguely worrisome, and no explanation he can haltingly supply will put you at ease. Plus, anyone else who acts like its normal also becomes suspect. The invasion of Iraq just felt like it was a lie to me. And it turned out that I was right, that it was a lie, and that the entirety of the mainstream media and our government were either wrong or lying and, most of the time, both. Now our government and our media are trying their damnedest to lie us into another war, this one with Venezuela. They tell us the Venezuelan people are desperate for necessities like toothpaste, while independent journalists show piles of affordable toothpaste in Caracas. And even if they didnt have toothpaste, that hardly seems like a good reason for America to be dropping our long-range bad decisions on the heads of innocent people. Turning a town into an impact crater for the sake of a battle to stop gingivitis seems a bit extreme. The mainstream media and nearly the entirety of the U.S. government tell us Juan Guaido is the interim president, even though he was never elected to that position and the current president is still leading the Venezuelan government and military. So I guess this interim is the time between Guaido being a nobody and the time when he goes back to being nobody but now gets to tell women at parties, You know, I used to be interim president. The mainstream media also inform us that the Venezuelan military set U.S. aid trucks on fire, when video shows opposition forces doing it. Furthermore, the idea of Venezuela taking aid from the country whose sanctions are crushing them would be like the Standing Rock Sioux accepting gift packages from the construction crews swiss-cheesing their land to lay down the Dakota Access pipeline. Unless the boxes are filled with industrial paper towels to help clean up oil spills, I fail to see how it would be beneficial. Sometimes you do indeed have to look a gift horse in the mouth (or should I say gift dog). This is not the first time our government and our media have conspired to drag the American people into war with another countryor helped create a coup that will inevitably have disastrous results. So I thought this would be a prime moment to go through the top four greatest hits. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter Number 4: The Spanish-American War This is widely considered to be the birth of modern media propaganda, because it was the first war actually started by the media. Newspapers fabricated atrocities in the never-ending quest for more readers. And as The New York Times noted, [T]he sensationalistic reporting of the sinking of the American battleship Maine in Havana harbor on Feb. 15, 1898 and all the other egregious reporting leading up to the Spanish-American War might have been considered merely cartoonish if it hadnt led to a major international conflict. I think maybe The New York Times got that quote confused with its mission statement: Cartoonishly dragging America into major international conflict since 1851! Number 3: The Vietnam War Sure, most everyone knows the catastrophic Vietnam War was precipitated by the Gulf of Tonkin incident, in which U.S. naval vessels were fired upon by villainous North Vietnamese torpedo boats. Following that skirmish, Defense Secretary Robert McNamara recommended that President Johnson retaliate, and the full-force Vietnam War had begun. But most Americans still dont know that there was no Gulf of Tonkin incidentunless you count U.S. naval ships literally firing their weapons at weather events they saw on the radar. The 2003 documentary The Fog of War finally revealed the truth. Former Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara confessed that the Gulf of Tonkin attack did not actually happen. Thats right. It never happened. Much like leprechauns or dragons or Simon Cowells talent, it was a figment of our national imagination. The lies of our government, followed by the fawning, credulous reporting from our media, led to the death of 58,000 U.S. service members and as many as 3.8 million Vietnamese. The United States government has one of the most powerful Departments of Fabrication and Falsification ever assembled. Its a modern marvel on par with the Great Pyramid of Giza and Rafael Nadals down-the-line running forehand. Number 2: The Iraq War Of course, theres the most obvious lie about Iraq, i.e., that Saddam Hussein had so many weapons of mass destruction that he would often use one to scrub hard-to-reach places while in the tub. But that wasnt the only falsehood manifested to bring about our complete annihilation of the sovereign nation Saddam ruled over. There were others, such as the idea that Saddam was connected to al-Qaida and perhaps played a role in the 9/11 attacks. William Safire at The New York Times, in May 2002, wrote, Mohamed Atta, destined to be the leading Sept. 11 suicide hijacker, was reported last fall by Czech intelligence to have met at least once with Saddam Husseins espionage chief in the Iraqi Embassy. Yes, Safire was able to polish a load of bullshit so thoroughly it would sparkle like a sapphire. And that column is still up on the Times website, without a correction or retraction. I would say the Times is only useful for covering the bottom of a birdcage, but Id fear the paper would lie your pet cockatoo into an ill-advised invasion, killing millions. But the propaganda didnt even stop there. There was also the anthrax attacks following 9/11. Anthrax was mailed to press outlets and the offices of politicians. To this day, many people still believe it had something to do with Iraq or al-Qaida because of award-winning national embarrassments like Brian Ross. Brian Ross at ABC News wrote the anthrax in the tainted letter sent to Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle was laced with bentonite and bentonite is a trademark of Iraqi leader Saddam Husseins biological weapons program. As Salon so clearly put it, All of those factual claims were completely false, demonstrably and unquestionably so. Yet neither ABC nor Ross have ever retracted, corrected, clarified, or explained these fraudulent reports. And, as you would expect, following that blatantly false reporting, Brian Ross did not lose his job. In fact, he wasnt put out to pasture from ABC News until last year, when he reported that fired national security adviser Michael Flynn was ready to testify that Trump told him to contact the Russians during the campaign. That reportmuch like the rumors of Brian Rosss journalistic integrityturned out to be absolutely false. (In my professional opinion, anyone who had anything to do with the selling, perpetrating or planning of the Iraq War should never again hold a position higher than assistant trainee to the guy who picks up the shit of a dog that does not belong to anyone of any particular importance. If that position does not exist, we as a nation should create it just for this moment. Yet, despite my objections, Robert Mueller (head of the FBI at the time of the invasion and a big supporter of it) is leading the biggest investigation in the country. John Bolton, who advocated for the Iraq invasion as far back as the 1990s, is now national security adviser. Bill Kristol, who pushed for the war and said it would last two months, is now a regular panelist on MSNBC. And the list goes on.) Unlike Defense Secretary McNamara, who admitted the Gulf of Tonkin incident never happened, we dont have a smoking gun showing that the Bush administration created these lies to get us into Iraq. Oh, wait! Turns out the paper shredder at the Bush Oval Office was on strike for a higher minimum wage in 2002, and in fact, we do have a memo written by Bushs defense secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, a year before U.S. forces unleashed a reign of terror on the Iraqi people. His memo about war with Iraq stated, How start? US discovers Saddam connection to Sept 11 or to anthrax attacks? Or maybe a dispute over WMD inspections? Im not sure whats more strikingthat this memo exists, or that it sounds like the Bush boys planned a massive international battle the same way a broke 35-year-old maps out his bad novel that hes sure is the ticket out of his moms basement. How start horrible bloody war? Maybe Saddam found to moonlight as porn star? Point is, multiple completely false stories laid the groundwork for an invasion of Iraq that left well over 1 million people dead. Number 1: The Bombing of Syria President Bashar Assad gassed his own people, thereby guaranteeing more American involvementand he did it just days after Donald Trump had told the Pentagon to begin withdrawing troops from Syria. At least, thats the story the corporate media repeated on-loop for at least a month, only pausing every 10 minutes to try desperately to get us all to buy more things with baconator in the name or to seek out a harder penis. So we are expected to believe Assad did the one thing that would ensure more U.S. involvement just as he was about to win his war? Its kinda like how, when Im about to win a fistfight, I often poke myself repeatedly in the eye. You knowjust to keep it exciting. Famed journalists Seymour Hersh and Robert Fisk have done great work showing that the chemical attacks never happened, but theres a new update. Just two weeks ago, a BBC producer came forward and said the Douma, Syria, chemical attack footage was staged. His tweet said that after six months of investigations, he can prove that no fatalities occurred in the hospital. Yet our breathlessly inept mainstream American media, with little to no evidence, ran around saying, There was a chemical attack! Those poor people! And they dont have toothpaste, either! We must bomb them to help them! The overarching point here is that weve replaced our media with stenographers to the ruling elite long ago. The ruling class comes up with a lie to manufacture American consent for its all-American war crimes, and that lie is then sprayed like laminate all over average American citizens. This goes on until such time as any average citizens who question said lie is looked at like they have two heads, and one of them is covered in rat shit. For the journalists who hose the lies across the country the best, awards and private jets and rooftop drinks with midlevel celebrities like Chuck Norris await them. Now were getting to the point where the actual rulersthe Trump administration, etc.are not even hiding their corruption. John Bolton stated on Fox News that the ultimate goal is to steal Venezuelas oil. But our media continue to tout the propaganda line. Even after Bolton said that, you wont see Anderson Cooper or one of Fox News grand wizards saying, Venezuela is undergoing a U.S.-backed coup because wed like to steal their oil. Its truly dizzying that the corporate media preserve the propaganda even after the leaders have revealed their true sinister intentions. On the inside of Wolf Blitzers eyelids, the phrase, Must Defend the Matrix blinks in red. The propaganda line for Venezuela right now is, We want to help the poor Venezuelans. Well, if you want to help them, then keep America out of their face. Dont force them to have anything to do with the country that came up with drive-through fried food served in a bucket and opioid nasal sprays. At no point does anyone look at the Donald Trump presidency and think, Wow, that country really has things figured out. I hope they bring some of their great decision-making to our doorstep. Lee Camp is an American stand-up comedian, writer, actor and activist. Camp is the host of the weekly comedy news TV show Redacted Tonight With Lee Camp on RT America. 2019 TruthDig Zalando SE operates as an online fashion and lifestyle retailer. It offers a range of products, including shoes, apparel, accessories, and beauty products for women, men, and children, as well as free delivery and returns services. The company also sells its products through its Zalando Lounge; and brick-and-mortar stores in Berlin, Frankfurt, Cologne, Leipzig, Hamburg, Hanover, MAnster, Stuttgart, Mannheim, and Ulm. It serves in Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxemburg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. The company has a strategic partnership with Sephora SAS to create the online prestige beauty destination. Zalando SE was founded in 2008 and is headquartered in Berlin, Germany. Read More Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, has delivered his polling unit to the Allied Peoples Movement(APM) in the governorship and House of Assembly elections. Amosun who got re-election on the platform of the ruling All Progressive Congress(APC) is in a running battle with the leadership of his Party. His prefered candidate, Adekunle Akinlade, was denied APC ticket and as such, he told him to pick up APMs ticket. He then promised to work with APC at the Federal level and work with APM at the state level. Result: APM 70 votes, APC 31 Votes, ADC 14 and PDP 0 Details later The Lansdale Borough Police Department has announced the arrest of a Philadelphia man wanted for allegedly brandishing a gun during a road-rage incident that took place in February. Mikal Jackson-Stevenson, 27, of Philadelphia, was arrested Wednesday and arraigned Thursday, and now faces several charges, police announced Friday. Around 9 a.m. on Feb. 2 officers responded to the intersection of West Seventh Street and Line Street for a report of a road-rage incident, according to police. There, the victim told police that the suspect left his vehicle at a red light, where both vehicles had been stopped, and displayed a black semi-automatic handgun before getting back in his vehicle and driving away. The Lansdale Police Department would like to thank the public for their assistance in this investigation. Over the last several weeks, the department received numerous tips from the public regarding this incident, police said in a statement. Jackson-Stevenson was taken into custody by the police department on March 6 and charged with misdemeanor counts of simple assault, endangering the welfare of children, recklessly endangering another person, making terroristic threats, possessing an instrument of crime, and weapons possession. Jackson-Stevenson was arraigned before District Judge Ed Levine on Thursday, March 7, who set his bail at $50,000 unsecured, and Jackson-Stevenson was released from custody, police said. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 13 before Levine, according to court records. Rensselaer The latest Amtrak report card on how badly its trains were delayed by the freight railroads shows some improvements. But the overall average grade for all host railroads Amtrak only owns a small portion of the tracks over which it operates remains a C, which Amtrak says means "many passengers are very late." The 2019 Amtrak Host Railroad Report Card also ranked specific routes by their on time performance. The Empire Service between New York City and Albany/Rensselaer ranked well, with the percentage of trains arriving within 15 minutes of schedule at 89 percent. Amtrak controls most of that route, with Metro-North Railroad handling much of the rest. The Adirondack between New York City and Montreal via Albany met Amtrak's on-time definition just 70 percent of the time, earning an F grade. Much of the route not handled by Amtrak is handled by Canadian Pacific, which had the best grade an A among the six major freight railroads for the second year in a row. Canadian National handles a portion of the route in Quebec. Amtrak trains between New York and Niagara Falls via Albany also were on time just 70 percent of the time. The Maple Leaf between New York and Toronto via Albany failed with 64 percent of the trains operating on time over CSX tracks. CSX, meanwhile, received a B- grade, up from a C the year before. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Some of the worst on time scores were found among the long-distance trains Amtrak operates. Just one of those, the Lake Shore Limited serving Boston and New York City from Chicago, goes through Albany. The Lake Shore uses the tracks of both CSX and Norfolk Southern, which according to the report card had the worst on time record of the majors, earning an F for the second year in a row. The Lake Shore was on time just 41 percent of the time. Efforts to reach CSX, Norfolk Southern, and the Association of American Railroads for comment weren't successful. Beijing China's foreign minister on Friday promised "all necessary measures" to defend Chinese companies and citizens abroad amid legal clashes between tech giant Huawei and Washington. Recent legal action against Chinese companies and individuals is "deliberate political suppression," said Wang Yi at a news conference. Wang was responding to a question about Beijing's stance on Canada's arrest of a Huawei Technologies Ltd. executive on U.S. criminal charges and the company's lawsuit in an American court aimed at overturning restrictions on sales of its telecom equipment. "Recent actions against specific Chinese enterprises and individuals are not simply judicial cases, but deliberate political suppression," said Wang. Beijing will take "all necessary measures to resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises and citizens," he said. "We also support companies and individuals using legal weapons to protect their rights and interests and not to be silent lambs." China's government has demanded Canada release Huawei's chief financial officer. She is fighting U.S. efforts to extradite her to face charges of lying to banks about dealings with Iran. Wang gave no details of what Beijing might do, but a Canadian former diplomat and a businessman have been arrested in China in what is widely seen as an effort to pressure Canada. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Authorities also have slowed imports of Canadian canola, an oilseed crop, by imposing more stringent inspections. Meanwhile, Huawei faces charges including theft of trade secrets in a case in federal court in Seattle. The company pleaded not guilty this month. On Thursday, Huawei announced it filed a lawsuit asking U.S. federal court to throw out a portion of this year's American military appropriations bill that bars the government from using its technology or dealing with contractors that do. Huawei argues the measure improperly singles out the company for penalties without giving it a chance to defend itself. Mark Wilson/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) -- Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar, who has been at the center of controversy all week on Capitol Hill, said Friday that a perceived criticism she gave of former President Barack Obama was the result of a reporter distorting her words. In an interview Omar gave to POLITICO Magazine, the freshman Democrat said while it is right to criticize President Donald Trump and the policies of his administration, she also feels that there are "ways that our Democratic leaders have conducted themselves within the system is not one that we are all proud of." "You know I will talk about the family separation or caging of kids and people will point out that this was Trump -- I mean this was Obama. I mean I'll say something about the droning of countries around the world and people will say that was Obama. And all of that is very true," Omar, who posted audio of the specific portion of the interview on Twitter, said. "We can't be only upset with Trump because he's not a politician who sells us his policies in the most perfect way. His policies are bad, but many of the people who came before him also had really bad policies. They just were more polished than he was, and that's not what we should be looking for anymore," Omar added. "We don't want anybody to get away with murder because they are polished, we want to recognize the actual policies that are behind the pretty face and the smile so that we can understand the kind of negative impact, or positive impact they will have on us for generations to come." After many took Omar's comments as a harsh critique of Obama, who remains widely popular across the Democratic Party, she took to Twitter to clarify the comments, writing, "I'm an Obama fan! I was saying how Trump is different from Obama, and why we should focus on policy not politics." Exhibit A of how reporters distort words. Im an Obama fan! I was saying how Trump is different from Obama, and why we should focus on policy not politics. This is why I always tape my interviews. https://t.co/iZOAEslo1c https://t.co/8rjIq5LfxD Rep. Ilhan Omar (@Ilhan) March 8, 2019 In a March 2018 Quinnipiac Poll 49 percent of Democrats ranked Obama as the best president the United States has had since World War II. Omar has been the subject of scrutiny on Capitol Hill for the better part of the last month, and her comments about Israel earlier this week sparked a debate over anti-Semitism that led the House to pass a resolution Thursday condemning "hate in all its forms." In a joint statement released Thursday evening Omar, along with the other two Muslim members of Congress, Reps. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Andre Carson of Indiana, the trio praised the resolution writing, "We are tremendously proud to be part of a body that has put forth a condemnation of all forms of bigotry including anti-Semitism, racism and white supremacy ... Our nation is having a difficult conversation and we believe this is great progress." Our nation is having a difficult conversation, but we believe this is great progress. pic.twitter.com/gSua9a8mki Rep. Ilhan Omar (@Ilhan) March 7, 2019 While her comments earned a rebuke from many House Democrats, Omar was defended by a number of the party's leading presidential candidates. including Sens. Bernie Sanders, Kamala Harris and Elizabeth Warren. In a statement released Wednesday afternoon, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who is Jewish and lived in Israel for a time in the 1960s, said that while anti-Semitism "must be vigorously opposed in the United States and around the world," the country "must not, however, equate anti-Semitism with legitimate criticism of the right-wing, Netanyahu government in Israel." "What I fear is going on in the House now is an effort to target Congresswoman Omar as a way of stifling that debate. That's wrong," Sanders added. Copyright 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. The latest statistics from Vietnams Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) showed that, as of February 20, 2019, the RoK was the largest foreign investors in Vietnam, with 7,592 valid projects registered at more than US$63.7 billion. In the first two months of this year, the RoK was the third largest foreign investor in Vietnam, with US$873 million worth of newly-registered and newly-added capital, and stake acquisitions. The top and second largest foreign investors are Hong Kong (China) (US$4.323 billion), and Singapore (US$979.17 million). New York-based Kroll, a division of Duff & Phelps, which is the leading global provider of risk solutions, said that RoK investment in Vietnam has been a success story, and the RoK remains by far the largest foreign investor in Vietnam. On the rise The positive position of RoK firms in Vietnam is a result of long-standing bilateral commercial relations. RoK FDI entered Vietnam in three waves. After 1992, Vietnam experienced the first wave of RoK investment primarily focused on labour-intensive manufacturing in the garment and textiles sector. The second wave, starting in the early 2000s, featured the increased manufacture of electronic goods. Most recently, the third wave focused on consumer goods, including retail and services. Conglomerate CJ Group is a typical example of the third wave of Korean investment in Vietnam. The group came to the country in 1998. It now has a dozen member companies in Vietnam, with business interests ranging from food processing, the production of fertiliser and feed, to TV shopping, film production and distribution. In 2016, it pledged an additional US$500 million investment in Vietnam, constituting the single largest investment of any RoK film in Vietnam during the year. Last year, CJ inaugurated its sixth feed mill in Vietnam in the south-central province of Binh Dinh. The 4.1-hectare factory has a capacity of 150.000 tonnes per year, and total investment capital of nearly 30 million. According to Kim Sun Kang, general director of CJ Vina Agri, Vietnam is becoming one of CJs major hubs for animal protein production in Asia. The firm started its feed production in Vietnam in 2001, with its launch in the Mekong Delta province of Long An. In 2006, 2008, and 2015 it constructed three more feed mills in Hung Yen, Vinh Long, and Dong Nai provinces. Earlier this year, CJ opened another feed mill in the northern province of Ha Nam and the company is constructing another mill in the Mekong Delta, bringing the total number of its feed mills in Vietnam to seven. However, the most high-profile RoK investor in Vietnam is Samsung, which has been estimated to produce almost half of its smartphones at two factory complexes in the northern provinces of Bac Ninh and Thai Nguyen. So far, Samsung has invested dozens of billions of US dollars in Vietnam, turning Vietnam into its global hub for manufacturing mobile phones. It is expected that in April 2019, Samsung will officially launch its Galaxy S10 mobile phone in the Vietnamese market. LG Electronics has also invested heavily in Vietnam, opening a new US$1.5 billion production base in the northern city of Hai Phong, which manufactures OLED products for mobile phone, smart watches, TV and tablets. The involvement of companies such as Samsung and LG has helped to persuade suppliers to those firms to invest in Vietnam as well. For example, Seoul Semiconductor Co. was granted a license in 2016 to build a semiconductor production factory in northern Vietnam, with capital of roughly US$300 million. In another case, RoKs biggest maker of telecommunications and LED equipment KMW has been operating a US$100 million 30-hectare project in the northern province of Ha Nams Duy Tien district, some 30 kilometres from Hanoi. This factory, employing more than 3,000 local workers, annually produces 220,000 telecommunications equipment products including filters, diffusers, antennas, radio connectors and remote radio heads, in addition to 380,000 LED lamp products. All products are both locally marketed and exported. Samsung has not just been looking at electronics manufacturing opportunities in Vietnam. For example, the conglomerates insurance units, Samsung Life Insurance and Samsung Fire and Marine Insurance, have been exploring investments in Vietnam. Other RoK companies have also been investing in the Vietnamese financial service sector, including Shinhan Financial Group, whose Shinhan Bank Vietnam has been expanding its branch network in key cities across Vietnam, and Shinhan Investment, which acquired a local securities trading firm in 2015. Effect of EVFTA According to the Korea Chamber of Business in Vietnam (KorCham), since it took effect in late 2015, the Korea-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (KVFTA) has been one of the major propellants for a soar in the RoK investment and exports into Vietnam, thanks to slashed tariff cuts. The KVFTA has further bolstered the countries bilateral relationship. As part of the agreement, the RoK agreed to eliminate 95% of its tariff on Vietnamese imports, while Vietnam will reduce 89% of its tariffs on RoK imports. In the first two months of this year, Vietnam earned US$3.1 billion from exporting goods to the RoK, up 10.1%, with an annual rise in the export turnover of many items, such as mobile phones and their spare parts (26.5%), electronics, computers and their spare parts (11.4%), and garments and textiles (9.3%). In terms of imports, the RoK was the second largest goods supplier of Vietnam, with Vietnam spending US$7.4 billion purchasing RoK goods, down 2.1% annually. Last year, total two-way trade between Vietnam and the RoK reached US$66.2 billion, including US$18.3 billion worth of Vietnamese exports up 23.2% on-year, and US$47.9 billion worth of imports, up 2% on-year. Thus Vietnam has been suffering from a trade deficit with the RoK. However, according to KorCham, the trade deficit is not negative for Vietnam, because many RoK firms have been boosting their investment and exports of machinery, equipment and materials to the country to serve their production here. A large part of the made-in-Vietnam products are also exported to foreign markets, including RoK. Temitope Olatoye, a lawmaker representing Lagelu/Akinyele federal constituency of Oyo state, has reportedly been shot dead by local thugs. Olatoye, sometimes referred to as Sugar was shot said to have been shot in Elesu village, Lalupon, Lagelu local government area of the state. Although the lawmaker was immediately rushed to the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, he was said to have died soon after. More to come At first glance, Mark Zuckerberg's new "privacy-focused vision" for Facebook looks like a transformative mission statement from a CEO under pressure to reverse years of battering over its surveillance practices and privacy failures. But critics say the announcement obscures Facebook's deeper motivations: To expand lucrative new commercial services, continue monopolizing the attention of users, develop new data sources to track people and frustrate regulators who might be eyeing a breakup of the social-media behemoth. Facebook "wants to be the operating system of our lives," said Siva Vaidhyanathan, director of media studies at the University of Virginia. Zuckerberg's plan, outlined Wednesday, expands Facebook's commitment to private messaging, in sharp contrast with his traditional focus on public sharing. Facebook would combine its instant-messaging services WhatsApp and Instagram Direct with its core Messenger app so that users of one could message people on the others, and would expand the use of encrypted messaging to keep outsiders including Facebook from reading the messages. The plan also calls for using those messaging services to expand Facebook's role in e-commerce and payments. A Facebook spokesperson later said it was too early to answer detailed questions about the company's messaging plans. Vaidhyanathan said Zuckerberg wants people to abandon competing, person-to-person forms of communication such as email, texting and Apple's iMessage in order to "do everything through a Facebook product." The end goal could be transform Facebook into a service like the Chinese app WeChat , which has 1.1 billion users and includes the world's most popular person-to-person online payment system. In some respects, Facebook was already headed in this direction. It has dabbled with shopping features in its Messenger app for a few years, although without much effect. And WhatsApp, which Facebook acquired for $22 billion in 2014, embraced a strong privacy technology known as "end-to-end encryption" nearly three years ago. Messages protected this way are shielded from snooping, even by the services who deliver them. But Zuckerberg said nothing in the Wednesday blog post about reforming privacy practices in its core business, which remains hungry for data. A recent Wall Street Journal report found that Facebook was still collecting personal information from apps such as user heart rates and when women ovulate Facebook, which perfected what critics call "surveillance capitalism," knows it has serious credibility issues. Those go beyond repeated privacy lapses to include serious abuses by Russian agents, hate groups and disinformation mongers, which Zuckerberg acknowledged only belatedly. "Until Facebook actually fixes its core privacy issues and especially given their history it's difficult to take the pivot to privacy seriously," said Justin Brookman, who was a research director at the Federal Trade Commission before joining Consumers Union as privacy and technology chief in 2017. Combining the three messaging services could allow Facebook which today has 15 million fewer U.S. users than in 2017, according to Edison Research build more complete data profiles on all its users. The merged messaging services should generate new profits from the metadata they collect, including information on who you message, when you do it, from where and for how long, said Frederike Kaltheuner of the advocacy group Privacy International. That is the information that users leave behind when they message each other or conduct retail, travel or financial business, he added. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. And Facebook doesn't just use people's information and activity on its platform, dissecting it to target people with tailored ads. It also tracks people who don't even use the platform via small pieces of software embedded in third-party apps. Privacy International published research in December showing that popular Android apps including KAYAK and Yelp were automatically sending user data directly to Facebook the moment they were opened. KAYAK, which was sending flight search results, halted the practice and said the transmission was inadvertent. Yelp continues to send unique identifiers known as "advertising IDs" that link to specific smartphones. Facebook also has trackers that harvest data on people's online behavior on about 30 percent of the world's websites , said Jeremy Tillman of Ghostery, a popular ad-blocker and anti-tracking software. "When they say they are building a private messaging platform there is nothing in there that suggests they are going to stop their data collection and ad-targeting business model," he said. In a Wednesday interview with The Associated Press, Zuckerberg offered no specifics on new revenue sources. But "the overall opportunity here is a lot larger than what we have built in terms of Facebook and Instagram," he said. Privacy advocates, however, do admire one key element of Zuckerberg's announcement. "In the last year, I've spoken with dissidents who've told me encryption is the reason they are free, or even alive," Zuckerberg wrote. Albany When Ni Lar Way was still in Thailand, she thought America was like a Disney princess movie. She thought its women only wore gowns and everybody lived in castles. Ni Lar was a kid then, born and raised in a refugee camp occupied by members of the Karen ethnic minority ravaged by genocide in Myanmar. When she was 9, Ni Lar's family was given permission to come to America, with Albany as their final destination. They arrived in January. "When I first came here, it was snowing," Ni Lar told me Thursday morning, sitting in a classroom at Bishop Maginn High School. "I thought the snow was ice cream and you could eat it." Life in upstate New York for the family of six, including Ni Lar's three brothers and a sister, was hardly easy. They arrived, like most refugees do, with hardly any possessions. They were completely unprepared for the harshness of winter. But poverty in Albany was preferable to poverty the family had known at the Mae La refugee camp. Here, the family had freedom. Here, there was hope for a better life. Ni Lar seized the opportunity. Now 17, she is at the top of her Bishop Maginn class, with a 4.0 grade-point average. Ni Lar has already secured a full scholarship to Russell Sage College, where she plans to study nursing. She'll be the first member of her family to attend college. It is a remarkable achievement for a girl who arrived speaking hardly any English, who landed in a strange and baffling country that was nothing like the Disney movie she had expected. "She has the drive to make herself successful," said Amanda Millier, associate director for undergraduate admissions at Sage. "She worked her tail off." I and many others have written before about Albany's growing Karen population and how it is enlivening sections of the city. Indeed, Ni Lar's immediate neighborhood along Delaware Avenue is almost a recreation of the refugee camp; her family's neighbors their have followed in their footsteps to Albany. And I have written before about how Karen students have enriched Bishop Maginn, a Roman Catholic school that had been struggling to find its place. Roughly 40 percent of the school's students are from refugee families, their tuition paid largely by donations from Bishop Maginn's large and loyal network of graduates. Michael Tolan, the principal, told me he hates to think what the Park Avenue school would be without the immigrant students, who are largely Christians but not Catholic. They've reinvigorated its mission, he said. They gave Bishop Maginn new purpose. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. It's almost an understatement to say that teachers and administrators at Bishop Maginn rave about the Karen refugees. They adore them. They say the newcomers are giving as much to Bishop Maginn as the school gives them. Meet Ni Lar and other refugees attending the school and you quickly understand why. They have gratitude and a sense of obligation that is rare among American teenagers. Escaping a genocide and a refugee camp will do that for a person. "When I feel sad, I think back and remind myself that my family suffered to let me have what I have today," said Ni Lar, whose great-grandmother was a slave. "I'm very thankful for my parents and everyone who made this possible. I'm blessed by God." Ni Lar said she decided to become a nurse because she wanted to help those in pain and need, including some of the 50,000 refugees still living at Mae La. Nobody should doubt that Ni Lar will do just that. She's small, just 4-foot-9, but tough and her heart is big. In recent months, there has been a massive surge in the number of asylum seekers arriving at the southern border 76,000 just last month. Most are from Central America, Guatemala especially. They are fleeing terrible poverty and, at times, violence. Like most of our ancestors, they are coming in search of a better life. The suggestion here isn't that they are all worthy of asylum or that we should open our borders to them. More than a million migrants may arrive at the southern border just this year alone. But the migrants shouldn't be demonized, disrespected or treated like faceless, swarming masses. Because among the waves rolling toward the border, there are undoubtedly girls like the young Ni Lar, who would thrive if given the chance and who believe America is a land of princesses and castles. cchurchill@timesunion.com 518-454-5442 @chris_churchill AMSTERDAM - Two Montgomery County men were arrested on drug charges after they were stopped on Route 30 in the city of Amsterdam, State Police said Saturday. Fonda-based troopers on Thursday night arrested Scott M. Coyle, 52, of Gloversville and Mark L. Miller Jr., 31, of Johnstown after they saw the car "in violation of the traffic law" shortly before 10 p.m. TROY - A Hudson Valley Community College student has been suspended after allegedly making statements on Snapchat threatening to harm students and campus police through gun violence, officials said on Friday. Corey Hoyt, 19, of Castleton was arrested Feb. 28 for a crime of terrorism, a felony, and aggravated harassment, a misdemeanor, Troy police said Friday. In addition to the criminal charges, Hoyt is suspended from classes, not allowed on the HVCC campus, was charged with violations of the student code of conduct and faces expulsion, Dennis Kennedy, the college's executive director of communications and marketing community relations, said. On Feb. 28, the college's public safety office was alerted by another student about the threats made by Hoyt on social media, officials said. Hoyt was arrested by the college's public safety department and Troy police at HVCC, police said. No weapons were found in his possession. Kennedy said no members of the college community were considered to be at risk but students and faculty were notified about the incident through email. "Hudson Valley has zero tolerance for any threat to harm members of our community," Kennedy said. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Hoyt was arraigned in Troy City Court on Feb. 28. His bail was set at $10,000, which was posted that same day. His next court appearance is scheduled for March 26. The attorney representing Hoyt, Art Frost, reached out to the Times Union on Friday with a message from Hoyt's family who called the teen and "an excellent young man with an intellectual disability who has gone far beyond all expectations in pursuing his dream of obtaining a college degree at Hudson Valley Community College." Hoyt's family said that he "would never harm anyone" and is known for his generosity. "The accusations only tell a portion of what really occurred," Hoyt's family said in the statement. "To the extent Corey inadvertently caused any concern, he deeply regrets it and looks forward to returning to school as soon as some technical aspects are worked out with the College." Washington A federal judge has ruled that Education Secretary Betsy DeVos illegally delayed an Obama-era rule that required states to address racial disparities in special education programs. In a decision Thursday, Judge Tanya Chutkan of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia called the Education Department's delay of the special education rule "arbitrary and capricious." The rule, drafted under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, would require states to identify districts with "significant disproportionality" in the number of minority students channeled into special education services, segregated in restrictive classroom settings or disciplined. The rule, published in the final weeks of the Obama administration, required districts to examine policies and practices that contributed to the disparities and fund remedies. The judge's ruling vacates DeVos' decision to put off the regulation by two years. Instead it will take effect immediately. Leaders in the Education Department said last summer that they needed time to study the rule's potential impact because they were concerned that it could promote unconstitutional "racial quotas." Civil rights groups hailed the ruling as a victory over one of the most significant policy moves DeVos has made to date. While the department has rescinded nonbinding guidance documents, which championed Obama-era practices for addressing racial bias, the special education rule is binding, and states had been preparing to implement it for more than a year. Denise Marshall, executive director for the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, an advocacy organization that sued the department over the delay last year, said the decision "assures states will be required to help their districts who have historically discriminated against children" by offering them services rather than suspensions. "The court has sided with the children whom the department had deemed unimportant through its actions," Marshall said. Liz Hill, a spokeswoman for the Education Department, said the agency was reviewing the ruling and exploring its options. DeVos delayed the rule after a public comment period in which the overwhelming majority of more than 300 commenters expressed concern that discriminatory practices were denying black and Hispanic students a proper education in a traditional classroom setting and pushing them out of school to lives on the margins of society or in prison. The department largely sided with the rule's opponents who believed that large disparities were not evidence enough of discrimination in classrooms and could be a result of other factors such as districts' capacity to train teachers in properly identifying and disciplining students with disabilities. It also argued that the rule could have unintended consequences for those same children if districts felt pressure to meet "racial quotas" to avoid being found in violation of the rule. "The secretary is concerned that the regulations will create an environment where children in need of special education and related services do not receive those services because of the color of their skin," the department wrote. But Chutkan wrote in her ruling that the department's concern over racial quotas "did not have adequate support in the rule-making record." She wrote that the department failed to show how the safeguards in the Obama-era rule, which expressly prohibited racial quotas, were insufficient. She also found that the department violated the law that governs the promulgation of regulations by failing to provide a "reasoned explanation" for delaying the rule and failed to "account for the costs to children, their parents and society." Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Rep. Robert Scott, D-Va., chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee and a vocal critic of delaying the rule, said it was "troubling that the department delayed this critical rule without fulfilling its legal responsibility to provide a rational justification." "By forcing the Trump administration to implement the rule, the court's ruling will put us back on a track toward reversing systemic racial discrimination in education," Scott said in a statement. But the news might not be welcomed by district leaders. Among those who supported DeVos' delay of the rule was The School Superintendents Association, which represents more than 13,000 superintendents across the country. Under the Obama rule, states must apply a standardized methodology and establish a formula called a "risk ratio" to identify districts with high levels of disparities. Those found to have wide disparities would be required to set aside 15 percent of their federal funding to examine their policies and take corrective measures. The association wrote in a public comment last year that the new formula stood to impose a significant financial burden on districts found to exceed thresholds and could further strap already underfunded special education programs. The group wrote that this year, more than 300 districts would save money as a result of the delay. "Without considerable new financial and technical support from the states, a new requirement for hundreds of districts to address significant disproportionality will either not be fulfilled or will be met with lackluster results," The School Superintendents Association said. PLATTSBURGH A year ago, this North Country college town on the shore of Lake Champlain found itself in the middle of an unexpected tech boom. Due to the region's abundance of low-cost hydroelectric power, Bitcoin "miners" were opening up shop as part of a race to cash in on the cryptocurrency craze. But because such miners use electricity-hungry networks of computer servers to generate the digital lucre, longtime residents were seeing their energy costs skyrocket. Angry and a bit worried about the influx, Plattsburgh imposed a moratorium on new mining operations. Since then, the price of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies has crashed. That, combined with a newly boosted state-imposed rate on power for mining, has caused the boom to come to an abrupt halt. We dont have anybody calling anymore, said Plattsburgh Mayor Colin Read. A year ago, the phone rang all the time with Bitcoin miners inquiring about space for rent. The situation is the same in other North Country municipalities, especially those which have their own low-cost electricity thanks to the massive hydro dams along the St. Lawrence River. Well likely lift the moratorium, said Lake Placid Mayor Craig Randall. Fearful that their allocations of cheap power would also be gobbled up by the miners, leaders of the resort town imposed their own moratorium. Randall said there had been no visible influx of crypto miners. As in Plattsburgh, electricity costs in Lake Placid are so low that many people use it to heat their homes, something that would be prohibitive in most New York communities, let alone the snowy environs of the North Country. Bitcoin, the best-known brand of cryptocurrency, is a form of virtual currency or money. The coins or tokens carry a dollar value that fluctuates and can be used to pay for goods or services. But rather than taking shape as paper currency, bank checks or metal coins, cryptocurrency is stored and traded in online ledgers using blockchain technology. Cryptocurrency advocates prefer the system, noting that unlike dollars and other forms of currency, digital coins are not backed or supported a government. More for you Cryptocurrency 'miners' shake up North Country communities And blockchain technology can track other transactions such as real estate sales. Cryptocurrency systems are designed in a way to be almost impossible to manipulate and they offer open access and online records of transactions. While anyone can buy cryptocurrency online, a technologically savvy person can try to mine it. That involves using specially made computers to run the complex math calculations that are the basis of the online commerce. As payment for detecting and verifying cryptocurrency commerce, miners get their own crypto coins. The lack of government backing comes with serious downsides, such as the volatility that has recently afflicted the market. In 2017, a single Bitcoin rose in value from $900 to almost $20,000. Thats what sparked the rush to the North Country, with its cheap power aiding the mining computers. But then the price fell. On Friday, a Bitcoin was just below $4,000. Global confidence in the currency technology was dinged last month after the sudden death of Canadian cryptocurrency mogul Gerald Cotten left $145 million in assets held by his company, Quadriga, locked inside so-called "cold wallets," or offline digital vaults. Cotten's widow claimed she was unable to find the necessary passwords. Adding to the challenges, the state Public Service Commission last summer ruled that municipal power companies can charge crypto miners higher rates, with the money essentially helping to keep costs low for residents. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. The North Country miners havent entirely vanished, and some saw their low power costs grandfathered in. And one mining company, Coinmint, continues to operate a large mine in what was once an aluminum smelter in Massena, St. Lawrence County. The company laid off 15 of its 70 employees in January. I havent been out there in a while, said Massena Supervisor Steve OShaugnessy, who helped bring the company to town in 2018. Coinmint officials didnt respond to emails seeking comment. Some miners have adopted new strategies. Ryan Brienza, a Plattsburgh resident who early on helped open a firm that hosts the computer farms, is working on adapting the devices to heat buildings. In addition to consuming large amounts of power, cryptomining computers throw off a lot of heat. The moratorium really affected our expansion plans, Brienza said, adding that hes talking with SUNY Plattsburgh officials about a system that recaptures heat from the computers. According to some accounts, tech-savvy college students continue to run small-scale mining operations in their college dorms. They can make money even at low prices since they dont pay for their own electricity. Officials at the Cisco technology conglomerate recently estimated that college miners account for 22 percent of such operations worldwide, according to a recent PC Magazine story. And college students remain interested in learning about this new fieId. SUNY Plattsburgh, for instance, has a summer course offering introduction to cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. The course is offered online. rkarlin@timesunion.com 518 454 5758 @RickKarlinTU SARATOGA SPRINGS Saratoga Hospital President and CEO Angelo Calbone is appealing directly to residents as the hospital considers reviving a controversial medical office development next to its main campus. Hoping to combat opposition early on, Calbone wrote a four-page letter to the hospital's neighbors last week, making the case for a 75,000-square-foot medical office building next to the main hospital at the top of Myrtle Street. The last time the building was proposed in 2015, residents blocked it, citing concerns about potential traffic, noise, lights and flooding. "Yes, we have an obligation to this neighborhood," he wrote. "At the same time, Saratoga Hospital has an obligation to the entire community this hospital is committed to serving." The hospital wants to build a complex that would centralize and house the offices of its medical hospital group a team of more than 250 doctors, nurse practitioners and physician assistants who provide care across more than 30 specialties. The group currently practices from rented space around the city. Centralizing offices in a building the hospital owns would result in savings of about $750,000 per year, Calbone said. He maintained that it's best practice for hospital medical groups to operate within close proximity to their hospital. An alternative, nearby site for the development the hill on the west side of Myrtle Street has been "fully explored" and determined to be "less viable," he wrote, as it would displace existing parking and require the construction of an 800-space, multilevel parking garage. The project the hospital is considering would require only 300 spaces, he said. The hospital may have an easier go of winning approval for the complex this time around. In 2015, the hospital needed to apply for a zoning change in order for the project to move forward. Early the next year, residents defeated the project after they filed a Zoning Amendment Protest Petition that required a supermajority vote of the City Council for it to move forward. A supermajority vote was impossible at the time, as two of the five members had recused themselves due to conflicts of interest. Even with a different city council makeup now, zoning may no longer be an issue. The council is in the midst of a citywide land use and rezoning initiative designed to align the city's zoning, subdivision and building codes with its 2015 comprehensive plan. That process could result in a zoning change from residential to institutional for the 8.54-acre site on Myrtle Street. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. "One way or another, the assumption must be that the property at the top of Myrtle Street will be sold and ultimately developed," Calbone wrote. "If the hospital moves forward, our objections are clear," he continued. "If another developer purchases the property, those objectives are also clear to maximize profits." A special council workshop is expected to present proposed zoning map changes at the City Council meeting on Tuesday at 7 p.m. Both residents and hospital officials are expected to show up. In the letter, Calbone said the hospital's plan to revisit the project is predicated on how the revised zoning map unfolds. Residents from the impacted neighborhoods told the Times Union last month that they intend to oppose any attempt to revive the project. [March 09, 2019] Happy 143rd Birthday to the Telephone From The Telephone Doctor Since its first dramatic moment on March 10, 1876 with the now famous words: "Mr. Watson, come here, I want to see you," the telephone has had a remarkable and sometimes quirky history. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190309005004/en/ Nancy Friedman (News - Alert), President, Telephone Doctor Customer Service Training (www.nancyfriedman.com and www.serviceskills.com) (Photo: Business Wire) "We've forgotten some of the incidents in the development of the telephone," said Nancy Friedman, president of Telephone Doctor Customer Service Training, headquartered in St. Louis MO. "For a device that has shaped our lives for over a century, its significant evolution is often taken for granted. In anticipation of celebrating its 143rd anniversary, here are some of the more notable events." AHOY, HOY. Alexander Graham Bell, inventor of the telephone, originally wanted to answer the phone by saying, "Aho, Hoy!" Thanks to Thomas Edison and his insistence, we answer the phone with a simple, "Hello." At the first demonstration of the telephone, the public was intrigued, but doubted its practical use. Acceptance of the phone was slow, with doctors and pharmacists as its primary customers. (Just think - now the doctors don't even come to the phone!) Increased phone usage led to the switchboard. Initially names were used for identification, which was later followed by the publication of the phone book. Numbers followed later. More women than men were operators because women were found to be more friendly, docile and accommodating than men. In New York alone, in 1910, there were 6,000 women switchboard operators. At this time, the telephone was only operable 12 hours a day. Imagine not being able to make a phone call at night! (And imagine - NO CELL PHONES?) In 1915, the first long distance call took place covering 14,000 miles of wires from Bell in New York to Watson in San Francisco. The telephone is one of the most abused instruments around. Complaints of poor service ranks high and the most frustrating of all - according to https://twitter.com/clutch_co, is being put on hold. Telephone Doctor Customer Service Training's online platform (www.serviceskills.com) can help. Nancy Friedman is a popular speaker on customer service, communication skills and sales. She is founder and president of Telephone Doctor Customer Service Training- St. Louis, MO; who helps companies communicate better with their customers in person and, of course, on the telephone. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190309005004/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 08, 2019] DIPLOMAT PHARMACY SHAREHOLDER ALERT: CLAIMSFILER REMINDS INVESTORS WITH LOSSES IN EXCESS OF $100,000 of Lead Plaintiff Deadline in Class Action Lawsuit Against Diplomat Pharmacy, Inc. - DPLO NEW ORLEANS, March 08, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have until April 25, 2019 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Diplomat Pharmacy, Inc. (NYSE: DPLO), if they purchased the Companys securities between February 26, 2018 and February 21, 2019, inclusive (the Class Period). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. Get Help Diplomat investors should visit us at https://www.claimsfiler.com/cases/view-diplomat-pharmacy-inc-securities-litigation-1 or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are available to discuss your legal options. About the Lawsuits Diplomat and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws. On February 22, 2019, Diplomat disclosed the postponement of the release of its Q4 and full-year 2018 earnings as it worked to finalize the amount of an impairment charge, which was expected to be equal to a significant portion of the PBM's Goodwill and Definite-lived intangible assets, which total approximately $630 million as of December 31, 2018, prior to impairment charges. On this news, the price of Diplomats shares plummeted over 56%. The case is Riehm v. Diplomat Pharmacy, Inc. et al, 19-cv-1369. About ClaimsFiler ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. At ClaimsFiler.com, investors can: (1) register for free to gain access to information and settlement websites for various securities class action cases so they can timely submit their own claims; (2) upload their portfolio transactional data to be notified about relevant securities cases in which they may have a financial interest; and (3) submit inquiries to the Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC law firm for free case evaluations. To learn more about ClaimsFiler, visit www.claimsfiler.com . [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 08, 2019] MAXAR SHAREHOLDER ALERT: CLAIMSFILER REMINDS INVESTORS WITH LOSSES IN EXCESS OF $100,000 of Lead Plaintiff Deadline in Class Action Lawsuit Against Maxar Technologies Inc. - MAXR NEW ORLEANS, March 08, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have until March 15, 2019 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Maxar Technologies Inc. (NYSE: MAXR), if they purchased the Companys securities between March 29, 2018 and January 7, 2019, inclusive (the Class Period). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado. Get Help Maxar investors should visit us at https://www.claimsfiler.com/cases/view-maxar-technologies-inc-securities-litigation or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are available to discuss your legal options. About the Lawsuit Maxar and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws. On January 7, 2019, the Company revealed that its WorldView-4 satellite, which generated revenue of roughly $85 million in FY 2018 and had a net book value of about $155 million, could no longer produce usable imagery due to a failure in its control moment gyroscopes causing loss of stability and that it would likely not be recoverable. On this news, the price of Maxars shares plummeted $5.69 per share, or 48.5%. The case is Durant v. Maxar Technologies, et al., 19-cv-00124. About ClaimsFiler ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. At ClaimsFiler.com, investors can: (1) register for free to gain access to information and settlement websites for various securities class action cases so they can timely submit their own claims; (2) upload their portfolio transactional data to be notified about relevant securities cases in which they may have a financial interest; and (3) submit inquiries to the Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC law firm for free case evaluations. To learn more about ClaimsFiler, visit www.claimsfiler.com . [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 08, 2019] CONAGRA SHAREHOLDER ALERT: CLAIMSFILER REMINDS INVESTORS WITH LOSSES IN EXCESS OF $100,000 of Lead Plaintiff Deadline in Class Action Lawsuit Against Conagra Brands, Inc. - CAG NEW ORLEANS, March 08, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have until April 23, 2019 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE: CAG), if they purchased the Companys shares between June 27, 2018 and December 19, 2018, inclusive (the Class Period) and/or traceable to its October 2018 secondary public offering. This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Get Help Conagra investors should visit us at https://www.claimsfiler.com/cases/view-conagra-brands-inc-securities-litigation or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are available to discuss your legal options. About the Lawsuit Conagra and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws. On December 20, 2018, the Company disclosed disappointing financial results for 2Q 2019, including net sales for its recently-acquired Pinnacle segment that were below expectations due to weak performance across a range of significant brands, which resulted in much negative scrutiny by analysts, questioning whether Conagra had performed proper due diligence in the transaction. On this news, the price of Conagras shares plummeted. The case is West Palm Beach Firefighters Pension Fund v. Conagra, 19-cv-01323. About ClaimsFiler ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. At ClaimsFiler.com, investors can: (1) register for free to gain access to information and settlement websites for various securities class action cases so they can timely submit their own claims; (2) upload their portfolio transactional data to be notified about relevant securities cases in which they may have a financial interest; and (3) submit inquiries to the Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC law firm for free case evaluations. To learn more about ClaimsFiler, visit www.claimsfiler.com . [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 08, 2019] CVS SHAREHOLDER ALERT: CLAIMSFILER REMINDS INVESTORS WITH LOSSES IN EXCESS OF $100,000 of Lead Plaintiff Deadline in Class Action Lawsuit Against CVS Health Corporation - CVS NEW ORLEANS, March 08, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have until April 26, 2019 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against CVS Health Corporation (NYSE: CVS), if they purchased the Companys securities between May 21, 2015 and February 20, 2019, inclusive (the Class Period). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. Get Help CVS investors should visit us at https://www.claimsfiler.com/cases/view-cvs-health-corporation-securities-litigation or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are available to discuss your legal options. About the Lawsuit CVS and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws. On February 20, 2019, the Company announced its 4Q and full year financial results and provided its 2019 full year guidance, disclosing that 2019 adjusted earnings would be only $6.68 to $6.88 per share, much lower than average market estimates of $7.36, due to rising costs and poor results relating to its 2015 acquisition of Omnicare, Inc. On this news, the price of CVS shares plummeted. The case is Anarkat v. CVS Health Corp., et al, 19-cv-01725. About ClaimsFiler ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. At ClaimsFiler.com, investors can: (1) register for free to gain access to information and settlement websites for various securities class action cases so they can timely submit their own claims; (2) upload their portfolio transactional data to be notified about relevant securities cases in which they may have a financial interest; and (3) submit inquiries to the Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC law firm for free case evaluations. To learn more about ClaimsFiler, visit www.claimsfiler.com . [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] An election observer in Umuida community, Enugu Ezike, Igbo-Eze north local government area of Enugu state has been shot dead by police, according to latest reports. The observer was fatally shot in the head by a policeman stationed near the home of the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Ayogu Eze. The accidental discharge that led to the death of the yet-to-be identified election observer was confirmed by Ebere Amarizu, spokesman of the Enugu police command to newsmen. There are also reports that the deceased had an argument with the policeman at a polling unit, just around Ezes home, before the accidental discharge that claimed his life. It was also reported that the APC guber candidate in the state had asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to postpone the election so hed have more time to campaign because the court only confirmed his candidature, two days ago. When INEC didnt bulge to his request, he directed his supporter to boycott the election. [March 08, 2019] WIRECARD AG SHAREHOLDER ALERT by Former Louisiana Attorney General: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC Reminds Investors with Losses in Excess of $100,000 of Lead Plaintiff Deadline in Class Action Lawsuit Against Wirecard AG - WCAGY, WRCDF Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have until April 9, 2019 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Wirecard AG (OTC: WCAGY, WRCDF), if they purchased the Company's securities between April 7, 2016 and February 1, 2019 (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. What You May Do If you purchased securities of Wirecard and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email ([email protected]), or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/otc-wcagy/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court by April 9, 2019. About the Lawsuit Wirecard and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws. On February 1, 2019, news media sources reported that an external law firm retained by the Company to investigate activities in its Singapore office had discovered evidence of "serious offences of forgery and/or of falsification of accounts." Further, "there are reasons to suspect that they may have been carried out to conceal other misdeeds, such as cheating, criminal breach of trust, corruption and/or money laundering." On this news, the price of Wirecard's shares plummeted. The case is Dalpoggetto v. Wirecard AG et al, 19-cv-986. About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC KSF, whose partners include the former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is a law firm focused on securities, antitrust and consumer class actions, along with merger & acquisition and breach of fiduciary litigation against publicly traded companies on behalf of shareholders. The firm has offices in New York, California and Louisiana. To learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190308005498/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Editors' Note: Updated April 23, after Samsung indefinitely delayed the Galaxy Fold's launch. Samsung and Huawei now find themselves in a foldable phone race. The two phone makers have each unveiled their own foldable devices the Galaxy Fold for Samsung, and the Mate X for Huawei though it will be a longer wait than we thought for the showdown to begin. Samsung was to have launched the Galaxy Fold on April 26, even taking pre-orders for its new phone. But Samsung has since delayed the Fold's launch after reviewers ran into problems with some test units. Samsung hasn't set a new launch date for the Fold, as it's still investigating what caused problems with the device's screen. Meanwhile, the Mate X is supposed to launch by midyear, with reports out of China saying Huawei's phone is on track for a June launch. We can't say which phone will be superior until have a chance to use both phones. (We have had a chance to review the Galaxy Fold, and we didn't run into the problems with the screen that some other reviewers reported.) Still, based on what we've seen so far, we can draw some comparisons as to what you can expect. Here's how the Galaxy Fold and Mate X compare. Samsung Galaxy Fold Huawei Mate X Price $1,980 2,299 Unfolded Screen Size (Resolution) 7.3 inches (2152 x 1536) 8 inches (2480 x 2200) Folded Screen Size (Resolution) 4.6 inches (1960 x 840) 6.6 inches (2480 x 1148), 6.4 inches (2480 x 982) CPU Snapdragon 855 Kirin 980 RAM 12GB 8GB Storage 512GB 512GB Expandable? No Yes, up to 256GB Cameras 3 rear (12-, 12- and 16-MP); 1 front (10-MP); 2 inside (10- and 8-MP) 40 MP (wide-angle), 16 MP (ultra-wide-angle), 8 MP (telephoto) Battery 4,380 mAh 4,500 mAh Size (Folded) 6.3 x 2.5 x 0.66 inches 6.4 x 3.1 x 0.43 inches Weight 9.48 ounces 10.4 ounces Colors Space Silver, Cosmos Black, Martian Green and Astro Blue Interstellar Blue Availability Unknown June 2019 Display Any comparison between the Galaxy Fold and the Mate X has to start with the screens on the two foldable phones. When extended, the Galaxy Fold gives you a 7.3-inch OLED screen with 2152 x 1536 resolution. Unfold the Mate X, and you're left with an 8-inch OLED panel with a sharper 2480 x 2200 resolution. Huawei Mate X Folded up, the two devices also offer a contrast in screens. The Galaxy Fold features a single and quite small, 4.6-inch panel with HD+ resolution. You actually get two screens because of the way the Mate X folds a front-facing 6.6-inch display (2480 x 1148) and a 6.4-inch screen (2480 x 982) on the back of the device. That back panel can come in handy, as you can use it as a mirror when you're snapping a photo with the Mate X's cameras, so that your subjects can see what they look like. Samsung Galaxy Fold The different screen real estate reflects the different approaches Samsung and Huawei have taken with their phones. The Galaxy Fold opens like a book on a hinge, with the 7.3-inch main display tucked inside and the 4.6-inch panel on the outer cover. To get the larger screen on the Mate X, you fold the front and rear displays into each other. You press a button to unhinge the screen so that it folds out. Samsung Galaxy Fold It's worth noting that there's a small gap between the front and back covers of the Galaxy Fold when it's folded up. The Mate X's screens lie flat against one another, thanks to a handle that also houses the phone's circuits, cameras and USB Type-C port. We've only gotten to see the Mate X in hands-on demos with Huawei, while we've had a chance to put the Galaxy Fold to the test as part of our review. That 4.6-inch outer screen is very tiny, especially when compared to today's popular smartphones and their 6-inch or larger screens. Because the Fold's small screen is narrow, too, it's pretty tough to type on. Galaxy Fold Opening up the Fold is a different story. That 7.3-inch screen gives you a lot of room to work on, and we found ourselves able to do everything from watch videos to work on articles in the Tom's Guide content management system (something we would never dream of doing on a regular-sized phone). Yes, there's a crease down the front of the Galaxy Fold's main screen, and it's visible when you're using apps with light backgrounds. We didn't find it too distracting, though, especially when viewing the Fold head on. For what it's worth some users have spotted the same issue with the Mate X, though we won't be able to confirm that until we get more time with Huawei's device. Blame the creases on the plastic displays the two phones have to use, as flexible glass for foldable phones is still a little ways off. Now to the elephant in the room the problems with the Galaxy Fold's display that some early reviewers have run into and which have forced Samsung to delay the Fold's launch. Some of those issues are self-inflicted as two reviewers mistakenly removed a protective layer over the Fold's display that affected performance. (That the layer was so easy to remove raises concerns about the Fold's design that Samsung will need to address before the phone is released.) In other instances, Samsung said problems with the display "could be associated with impact on the top and bottom exposed areas of the hinge. There was also an instance where substances found inside the device affected the display performance." MORE: Despite Galaxy Fold Debacle, Foldable Phones Will Rise Design The Galaxy Fold is fairly bulky, at 6.3 x 2.5 x 0.66 inches. That 0.66-inch thickness is particularly noteworthy, as it makes it hard to slip the phone into your pocket (unless we're talking coat pockets). Compare that to the Mate X, which measures 6.4 x 3.1 x 0.43 inches. That thinness 11mm when folded, according to Huawei is a significant edge for Huawei. Huawei's phone is expected to be a little heavier than the Galaxy Fold, though. The Mate X tips the scales at 10.4 ounces to the Fold's 9.48 ounces. Huawei Mate X Samsung is offering more colors for the Galaxy Fold, which comes in Space Silver, Cosmos Black, Martian Green and Astro Blue. You can get the Mate X in any color you want so long as it's Interstellar Blue. Cameras For sheer number of lenses, it's hard to top the Galaxy Fold. On the back of the phone, you'll find three cameras a 12-megapixel wide-angle lens, 16-MP ultrawide lens and 12-MP telephoto. That's the same setup on the back of the Galaxy S10 and S10 Plus. When the phone's folded shut, there's a 10-MP selfie cam pointed at you. Open the Galaxy Fold, though, and two more lenses are staring back at you a 10-MP selfie cam aided by an 8-MP depth sensor. Those two inside cameras are housed by a notch that dips into the right side of the Galaxy Fold's Infinity Flex display. Huawei Mate X The Mate X keeps things simple, if a three-camera stack can be considered simple. Huawei didn't really talk up the cameras during our hands-on time with the Mate X, other than to say they're the same quality of lenses featured in the Mate 20 Pro. The Mate X's spec sheet notes that the phone offers a 40-MP wide angle lens, 16-MP ultra wide angle shooter and 8MP telephoto. Unlike the Galaxy Fold, in which you're turning to different cameras depending on whether the phone is folded or opened, with the Mate X, you're using the same lenses whenever you take a picture. Because those lenses are housed in the Mate X's sidebar, they're available regardless of what orientation the Mate X is in. Performance The Galaxy Fold runs on a Snapdragon 855 processor, the same chipset that powers the new Galaxy S10 flagships. To bolster that mobile processor, the Fold includes 12GB of RAM. For context, that's the amount of memory you get if you shell out for the most expensive configuration of the Galaxy S10 Plus. You'll get 512GB of storage, but no microSD slot for adding on more capacity. Galaxy Fold The state-of-the-art processor and extra RAM help the Fold deliver strong performance. We recorded a score of 10,593 for the Galaxy Fold on Geekbench 4, which measures overall performance. That's in line with the 10,732 score the Galaxy S10 Plus turned in, making the Fold one of the faster Android phones available. The Galaxy Fold excelled in graphics testing, too, and we didn't notice much of a lag when running multiple apps at once. There was occasionally a noticeable delay with the phone recognizing our taps on the screen, though. Huawei will turn to its own chipset to power the Mate X. Specifically, Huawei is using a Kirin 980 processor, accompanied by a Balong 5000 modem, to provide 5G connectivity. Like the Galaxy Fold, the Mate X will have 512GB of storage, though here, you'll be able to add up to 256GB via microSD. The Mate X ships with less memory than the Fold, with 8GB of RAM. MORE: Best Smartphones - Here Are the 10 Best Phones Available We'll need to benchmark the Mate X to truly compare it to the Galaxy Fold, but thus far, phones running the Snapdragon 855 get better numbers than those powered by the Kirin 980. When we ran Geekbench 4 on the Huawei Magte 20 Pro, for example, we saw a 9l973 for that Kirin 980-based phone. That's an impressive number, but both the S10 Plus and Galaxy Fold outperform it. We're interested to see if the Mate X can reverse that trend. Battery Big phones require big batteries to keep things up and running, and both Samsung and Huawei are taking a similar approach to keep their respective folding phones running. Both phone makers are turning to dual batteries to provide power to their devices. Huawei Mate X The Mate X boasts the bigger total battery, with its two power packs combining to form a 4,500 mAh power source. The Galaxy Fold, in contrast, offers a 4,380 mAh battery bigger than anything you'll find in a Samsung device outside the Galaxy S10 5G's massive 4,500 mAh power pack, but short of what Huawei is packing into the Mate X. We didn't yet run the Tom's Guide battery test on the Galaxy Fold. (We're waiting for a shipping version of the phone.) Anecdotally, though, we saw long battery life from Samsung's foldable. My colleague Mark Spoonauer unplugged the phone at 6:30 a.m. one morning and still had 60 percent battery life at 9:15 p.m. A more intensive day of use ran the battery down to 25 percent by 9 p.m. That bodes well for the Mate X's battery life. Samsung is turning to another power management feature to set its Galaxy Fold apart from the competition. Like the Galaxy S10 phones, the foldable Samsung device supports Wireless PowerShare, a feature that lets you charge any Qi-capable device wirelessly by placing it on the back of the Samsung phone. Huawei is countering with a fast-charging feature for the Mate X that will get the foldable up to 85 percent power after just a half hour of charging. Special Features So far, Samsung is emphasizing the multitasking aspect of the Galaxy Fold, and it's one of the more noteworthy benefits to the folding phone. The foldable-friendly version of Android powering the device lets you run three apps simultaneously. Your main app fills up the left two-thirds of the screen, while two other apps are stacked on top of each other on the right. You can drag-and-drop apps into different areas of the screen depending on which ones require your focus. A decent number of apps currently support multitasking, though app makers will have to add that functionality to make the feature truly useful. The Galaxy Fold also boasts a feature called App Continuity. Say you're looking at a map on the 4.6-inch front screen of the device. When you open up the Fold to get to the larger screen, the map will have already launched, showing you the location you had been looking at, only with more detail. Annoyingly, the feature doesn't work in reverse, unless you tweak a setting to keep the app running once you've folded up Samsung's phone. We've only seen demos of the Mate X in action back when the phone was announced. At that point, Huawei had some tweaking to do: when we used the Mate X, there was a noticeable lag when switching modes, for instance. Still, apps like YouTube fill up the 8-inch screen, and since the unfolded display is nearly square, you can use the Mate X in either horizontal or vertical orientations. When unfolded, the Mate X doesn't lie flat there's a bar that props up the display. We found that when we placed the phone so that the bar was facing opposite of us, it made for a better typing experience on the Mate X's display. Price and Availability The Galaxy Fold is the less expensive option, though "less expensive" is relative in this case. Samsung's foldable phone costs $1,980 for the standard version. A model with 5G connectivity will come later and likely cost more. The Mate X will cost 2,299 more than $2,570 at the current exchange rate, though 5G connectivity will come standard with the Mate X. Samsung Galaxy Fold We thought the Galaxy Fold was going to beat the Mate X to the market, but the indefinite delay on the Fold's launch could mean the Mate X arrives first, especially if Samsung's investigation into the Fold's problems drags into June. You can stillpre-order the Galaxy Fold through Samsung. AT&T, T-Mobile and Best Buy are also offering the phone. Galaxy Fold Galaxy Fold It's less clear if you'll be able to get the Mate X when it debuts in June, at least if you're in the U.S. Huawei has shied from releasing its devices in the U.S. ever since carriers in this country backed away from plans to sell the Mate 10 smartphone, reportedly after pressure from the U.S. government. With the feds and Huawei at odds over the security of the Chinese phone maker's devices, it seems unlikely that the Mate X is going to buck that trend. So Samsung's Galaxy Fold could find itself without any competition from Huawei in the U.S., even with its delayed launch. Outlook At first glance, the Mate X seems to have an edge on the Galaxy Fold regarding hardware. You get a larger screen in both phone and tablet mode, a second display on the back when folded up, a larger battery and no gap between the screens when closed. Samsung seems to be touting a more polished software experience, and it could offer better overall performance. It's hard to overlook the Fold's stumble out of the gate, even if Samsung is going to use the delayed launch to find ways that will keep users from running into the same issues that some reviewers faced with the Galaxy Fold's display. Samsung's caution is admirable, but with durability one of the key concerns for foldable phones not just Samsung's device, but all products this couldn't have been a worse start for the foldable phone era. Assuming Samsung works through these initial problems, the Galaxy Fold may be holding the ultimate trump card over the Mate X, though it should be more readily available, at least in the U.S. Well find out for sure once both foldable phones get closer to their new release dates. Credit: Samsung; Huawei Kansas City Bank Robbers Still On The Run From The Feds FBI offers $5,000 reward for information on bank robber suspects KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The FBI is offering $5,000 for information that will lead them to identifying, arrest and convicting suspects in a violent bank robbery on Friday, Feb. 15. Two armed men wearing ski masks entered Equity Bank near NW 64th Street and N. Lucerne Ave around 10:56 a.m. Designer Drug Charge Kansas City man who sold carfentanil to teen is sentenced | The Kansas City Star Gage S. Lankas is sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for possessing synthetic opioid carfentanil. A Grain Valley teen who snorted half a pill nearly died from an overdose. Have You Seen These Purse Snatcher People Of Interest?!?! Lenexa police release photos of 2 people suspected in numerous purse thefts LENEXA, Kan. -- Lenexa police released three photos Friday of two people they need help identifying. According to police, the two are part of a theft investigation. "They were seen leaving a department store with numerous purses/wallets stashed. They're also suspected of similar crimes around the KC metro as well," police said. KCK Cold Case History The forgotten ones: KCK police reveal new leads in 20-year-old murder case KANSAS CITY, KS (KCTV) -- On Feb. 23, 1999, Star Boomer vanished. She was last seen in the Turner section of Kansas City, KS, at a bar called Uncle Mike's. Witnesses originally admitted there was a bar fight, and Boomer was knocked out then dragged out of the bar by two men, never to be seen again. Suspected JoCo Pussy Beater!!! Johnson County man accused of beating girlfriend's cat to death charged with felony SHAWNEE, Kan. -- A Johnson County man is behind bars, accused of beating his girlfriend's cat to death. Levi Law, 24, is charged with one count of felony cruelty to animals after he allegedly beat his girlfriend's cat so badly that it died. Happy Rock Heist Gone Wrong Suspect in custody following bank robbery in Gladstone GLADSTONE, MO (KCTV) - A suspect has been taken into custody following a bank robbery in Gladstone. The police said the incident happened around 12:15 p.m. at the KCB Bank at 99 NE 72nd St. The suspect made a verbal demand for cash and no weapon was displayed. Golden Ghetto Crime Dump??? Lenexa police respond after rocking chair is thrown at car LENEXA, KS (KCTV) - The police were called in Lenexa after someone threw a rocking chair at a car's windshield. The incident happened on Friday and the police department posted on Twitter about it just after 1:30 p.m. According to the police, the criminal property damage call happened following an argument between two cousins about "family matters." Lady prison drama reality check . . .Closer to home, here's a glimpse of these Kansas City area alleged misdeeds:Developing . . . Kansas City Chuckle Hut Incubator Aspiring comedians living on the spectrum take stage to find humor in autism KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -- Aspiring comedians took to the stage Friday at the Plexpod Commons in Westport, some of them had never been in front of a live audience. Their material came from a different kind of experience. Like every good comedian, Joe Harman draws on his life, living independently as an adult with autism. Fate Of INSTEAD's JoCo Raising Cane's wants to take Lenexa Winstead's location | The Kansas City Star Raising Cane's is going through planning to open at 12056 W. 95th St., longtime home of locally owned Winstead's. Winstead's owner said the landlord hasn't told him a new restaurant wants the spot. PIZZA END OF AN ERA Northland pizza staple Kelso's to close next week KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A restaurant that has long been a staple in the Northland has announced it will be closing. a pizza shop, said Thursday it will close its doors for the last time on Tuesday, March 12. Kelso's opened 50 years ago on the square in Liberty, according to a Facebook post. Street Tech Overview Crews use high-tech asphalt truck to burn up potholes An infrared asphalt repair truck burns the pothole. Crews rake out the debris, filling the warm pothole with fresh asphalt. Meth Town Blight Fight Future of Independence eyesore remains unknown INDEPENDENCE, Mo. - People in Independence, Missouri are upset over a building they have called an eyesore for more than a decade. 41 Action News first reported the after neighbors said their concerns were not being addressed. The building, located at 1106 W. Lexington Avenue, sits across the street from several homes and churches. Greg Still Going Strong 'Brady Bunch' star Barry Williams in Kansas City this weekend Actor Barry Williams, who played Greg Brady in the "Brady Bunch" is in Kansas City this weekend. Kansas City Playoff FAIL Advocacy Chiefs officially submit proposal to change overtime rules, also want review of personal fouls The NFL's 2019 rules change proposals were submitted to all teams in the league Friday, as announced by the league's official football operations account. Local tribute to futbol loyalists . . .Closer to home, here are the news links worth a peek tonight that most revolve around shutting the lights off, take a look . . .And this is thefor right now . . . KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) - One man was injured in a shooting that happened on Friday night in KC. It happened just after 7:30 p.m. near the intersection of Prospect Avenue and E. 46th Street. When police arrived, they found a man at a gas station suffering from a gunshot wound. Catholic School in Kansas Faces a Revolt for Denying a Same-Sex Couple's Child A Catholic school in Kansas is facing pressure to reverse its decision not to enroll a child with married same-sex parents. More than 1,200 people have signed a petition presented to the institution, St. Ann Catholic School in Prairie Village, urging administrators to allow the child into kindergarten at the school, which serves students through eighth grade. The nation's paper of record documents a silly note from a priest who was far too naive to realize that his words would ignite outrage across the nation over the topic of a lower JoCo school. Take a look: Bolivar police search cancer patient's bags for marijuana in viral video A Facebook Live video posted late Wednesday night went viral this week after depicting three Bolivar police officers searching the bags of a Citizens Memorial Healthcare patient for marijuana. In the video, and in comments to the News-Leader, the patient and his family said Nolan Sousley is a stage 4 pancreatic cancer patient. Possibly the best evidence for marijuana law reform at the Federal level and a glimpse that drug-war defeat suffered by authorities when it comes to weed has inspired increased tension. In August of 2018, firefighters raced to put out flames at the Kansas City Police Department's evidence warehouse.Nearly seven months later, the department says it doesn't know how many cases were affected and there is still no official cause for the fire. The owner of a downtown Topeka restaurant says he banned a group of high-ranking Kansas House Republicans and Statehouse lobbyists for being disrespectful to staff and other patrons while dining at the business.White Linen's manager and owner describe a boisterous scene that intensified in response to directives to the 12-person crowd to be quiet and the manager's decision to cut off the flow of alcohol to Rep. "The Little Mermaid" commended "bright young women." "The Incredibles" lauded superheroes who refuse to "leave the saving of the world to the men." "Frozen" reminded us that a woman doesn't need a love interest to be a compelling hero. Walt Disney World in Florida has major plans to celebrate those iconic characters and more Friday for International Women's Day. And the festivities aren't just limited to the Orlando theme park: parks across the world, as well as the many divisions of the Walt Disney Company, are celebrating with guests and employees alike. Captain Marvel, for instance, will greet guests at the Disneyland Resort tomorrow ahead of the premiere of her new movie, starring Brie Larson. And employees have already been attending female-driven speaker sessions and networking events. Full Article See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018 With many Nigerians living below the world poverty line, it is understandable why a simple statement by President Muhammadu Buhari advising Nigerians to live within their means could stir serious agitations. Recently, the president in one of his addresses said everyone desires to live a conformable life, but nothing is more comfortable than living within your means. This statement, though only a statement and not a policy, has stirred a hot debate among Nigerians on Twitter, as supporters and critics try to explain why the statement is good or totally unacceptable. Those who are for live within your means Looks as if we are in a comprehension crisis as to what live within your means means. It does not mean an embrace of poverty. It just says dont spend more than your present income. Even a billionaire like Warren Buffet lives within his means.https://t.co/VUMWcedZAY pic.twitter.com/lsLCTvhO1t HENRY Okelue (@4eyedmonk) March 7, 2019 Guys, DO NOT live within your means. You see that house you can't afford? Take a loan and buy it. That expensive car above your earnings? Fuck it, buy it. Spend N20m you don't have on a wedding. Borrow and fly first class. It's poverty mentality to live within your means. Emecheta's Buchi (@buchionyegbule) March 7, 2019 If MMM comes back to Nigeria today they will still clean out because a large enough number of people can't resist money they didn't earn. They're the ones who are triggered by the saying, 'live within your means.' Good afternoon. David Atta (@the_davidatta) March 8, 2019 Those against it So, we've been asked to live within our means! Reality: Most Nigerians are forced to live BENEATH their means their means have been eaten by others! Point: Some messages aren't sweet coming from certain mouths. If you're denying others their livelihood, please, don't preach! Remi Sonaiya (@oluremisonaiya) March 8, 2019 The fundamental problem with the live-within-your-means narrative is that it runs counter to the operating principles of the free market economy to which we aspire. Greed is good because it is precisely the engine that propels economic growth and development. 1/ https://t.co/ln1fMiP2pl Dr Aloy Chife (@ChifeDr) March 8, 2019 This live within your means rhetoric is misguided and condescending. When exactly were Nigerians living opulent, extravagant lives that they suddenly need to tone down? Haajara (@haajara) March 7, 2019 Take risks, and dare for more. Never live within any means that can be redeemed by a fair policy. There are people elected to provide you with opportunities to expand your means, and unless they stop jumping from Benz to BMW, first class to first class, demand better governance. Gimba Kakanda (@gimbakakanda) March 7, 2019 Live within your means Live within your means But Yusuf Buhari crashed a power bike worth 55mil If your leaders are deceiving you, don't deceive yourself Abdul Basit (@AA_Basitt) March 7, 2019 https://twitter.com/AyanfeOfGod/status/1104337417270644736?s=19 Look at the Northerners leading the charge of "embrace poverty, live within your means". Well educated, well to do and part of the Northern elite. You think it is by mistake? No! They know an educated & prosperous Northern Nigeria will mean the end of their (feudal) power. afrispheric (@afrispheric) March 7, 2019 https://twitter.com/GirlishLava/status/1104356316343078912?s=19 Them: Live within your means! Still them: pic.twitter.com/rqylSzJCax Uchenna (@Demoore90210) March 7, 2019 Live within your means, but your state is waiting for oil and tax money at the end of the month. Money it did not generate. Cruce (@ememesi) March 8, 2019 In order to live within your means you have to first get the means Imoh (@ImohUmoren) March 8, 2019 https://twitter.com/Ody_johnson/status/1103935919961255936?s=19 Vanguard The 2019 Presidential and National Assembly elections may have come and gone but after a close look at the outcome of the exercise in Benue state, Thisday Kaduna State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Abdullahi Kaugama, has warned that no election would be conducted without card reader. The Sun Outspoken Afenifere chieftain, Senator Femi Okurounmu has accused INEC of working against southern interests in the recent presidential election. . Daily Times President Muhammadu Buhari barely a week after saying his next tenure will be tough especially for looters, has recanted, saying his next four years would rather be peaceful and prosperous. Guardian As Nigerians go out to cast their votes in the governorship and State House of Assembly, as well as Supplementary Elections today, the issues of (in)security, conduct and outcome, in addition to the role of security personnel, especially the military in parts of the country during the last Presidential and National Assembly Elections would certainly impact, positively or negatively on todays exercise. Daily Trust President Muhammadu Buhari has paid tribute to Nigerian women for the invaluable roles they play in building homes. The Nation The Supreme Court has upheld the order of temporary forfeiture made by a Federal High Court in Lagos in respect of the $8.4million traced by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to former First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan. Tribune Lekan Shonde convicted for killing his wife, Ronke, at the Lagos State High Court, on Friday, has been sentenced to death by hanging. Oluremi Tinubu, Senator-elect and wife of a former Lagos state governor, Bola Tinubu, has stirred an uproar on social media, after she told an Igbo voter we no trust una again. The statement which has been condemned widely as hate speech and unacceptable by many Nigerians including some All Progressives Congress, APC supporters, was made this morning in Lagos. Hear oluremi tinubu telling voter "igbos we nor dey trust una" pic.twitter.com/iNUqe7g5OM gmowarin (@gbemimowarin) March 9, 2019 Although, there were a few persons who wrote off the statement as merely a joke, and shouldnt be analysed so critically, others blatantly rejected the joke as unacceptable from an office holder and pastor of the Redeemable Christian Church of God. See their reactions Unacceptable behaviour. @oluremitinubu shouldn't even be uttering such, even as a joke. Fact is we have a lot of Igbo Buharist. They face enough backlash within their own community and even tagged as "efulefu", the least we can do is win more over. An apology will be appropriate https://t.co/dGAZMbyAPu Kayode Ogundamisi (@ogundamisi) March 9, 2019 "Remi Tinubu" just brought to the open, excerpts from the oza room. Imagine wat her and tinubu discuss when they both lay down Stark naked in bed? I assume 95% of their discussion is to disparage the ibos and curse them. This is quite unraveling , an rccg pastor 4dat matta Breathe&stop!!! (@anambradecides1) March 9, 2019 The Ogun state governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka has declared support for the All Progressives Congress, APC gubernatorial candidate, Dapo Abiodun, in the March 9 election in the state. Isiaka has therefore directed all his supporters to vote for the APC Governorship candidate in todays election. In a statement on election eve, Isiaka said the state can not afford to continue to enrich one man, who has held the state and its resources in his pocket for the last eight years. We cannot afford a repeat of the misfortune of the last eight years in Ogun State, we cannot continue to submit the economic prosperity of our people into the hands of just an individual who have used our collective commonwealth to develop himself and members of his family. Though I arrived at this painful decision in the larger interest of several citizens of Ogun State believing it is the right decision to take at this critical time and I believe Ogun State will be better for it, he said. The spokesperson for Women and Youth wing of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council, Daniel Bwala has called the decision of the Peoples Democratic Party to reject the outcome of the Presidential election a Mourinhos strategy. Bwala explained that the PDP does not understand what it means to lose an election fairly and hence the desperate outcry. Watch the video below; Senator Ben Murray Bruce has also reacted to the trending argument over a statement that was made by President Mubammdu Buhari, wherein he asked Nigerians to live within their means. The president in an address recently urged Nigerians to overcome the temptation of living above their means even though they want to be comfortable. However in his reaction, Senator Bruce said Nigeria is already the worlds headquarters of extreme poverty, and being suspicious about wealth wouldnt help change the situation. He says that the country must change the attitude of being so suspicious of wealth, otherwise it will continue to slide more and more into poverty, and corruption will be the least of our problem. His words: We cannot continue to be the world headquarters for extreme poverty. But if we dont change our national attitude of suspicion of wealth, we will continue to sink deeper and deeper into poverty and when that happens, corruption will be the least of our problem. The event saw the presence of female ambassadors,representatives of diplomatic organisations and the host country,and female directors of corporations and companies in Singapore. On display were nearly 40 paintings by ten artists, highlighting the noble qualities of Vietnamese women and their great contributions to society. Vietnamese Ambassador to Singapore, Tao Thi Thanh Huong,said that it was a very meaningful event that honoured and showed the solidarity of women around the world, towards equality, peace and progress. Through the exhibition, the Vietnamese Embassy in Singapore wished to introduce the achievements and development of Vietnamese women and promote the countrys fine arts to international friends. At the event, guests had a chance to view vivid drawings by painter Phuong Quoc Tri as he painted the portrait of Singaporean President Halimah Yacob and enjoy delicious traditional food from Vietnam such as nem ran (fried spring rolls) and bun cha (grilled pork with rice vermicelli). One only has to drive through the country to recognise the truth of the findings of the rece EAST GREENBUSH, N.Y. Assemblyman Jake Ashby (R, C, I, Ref-Castleton) hosted a Municipal Executive Forum with town supervisors and mayors of each city and village within Rensselaer County. The goal of the forum, held at the East Greenbush Library on Friday, was to gather feedback from municipal leaders as to how the state can better serve local governments. Among some of the issues addressed were unfunded state mandates, public safety, traffic, and infrastructure. All too often New York state ignores the needs of its local communities. There can be a breakdown in communication and often the state will saddle our local governments with burdens such as unfunded mandates which hamper growth and their ability to serve the public, Ashby said. I think its important to get an executive perspective on whats going on in the 107th district. My main goal is to reduce burdensome state mandates and lessen costs on our municipalities and strengthen our ability to provide the best services possible to our local residents, Ashby added of bringing town and village supervisors together. One issue brought up was regarding student resource officers in schools. Unfortunately, some of the things that have happened at the state recently as far as resource officers havent been broadening the ability of municipalities to utilize them, Ashby said. There was legislation that was recently passed that would not allow retired law enforcement to volunteer as a resource officer, which I thought and many people thought in the Assembly would be a great path to having this there because not only do you have someone with expertise you have the absence of a financial obligation in paying them as well. Town of Schodack Supervisor Dave Harris noted how his town is still awaiting guidance on how the resource office role would function. We desperately want a resource officer but were looking for guidance from the state education department as to what is that officer going to do, Harris said. Town of East Greenbush Supervisor Jack Conway also spoke to the bureaucracy and trouble in hiring the officers. There are also issues as to whether the officer would be full-time or part-time and who would incur the costs between municipalities and the state. Harris added the need for resource officers, given not only increased violence but cited the opioid crisis as well. Another piece of legislation being floated is allowing people to plead guilty and pay traffic fines online. The goal would be to alleviate the paperwork for busy town courts and direct more of the focus on criminal offenses. According to Ashbys Chief of Staff Tom Grant, its estimated the legislation would cut down on the abundance of cases by about a third. Harris welcomed the idea, citing how swamped and overwhelmed with paperwork his towns court is with handling traffic offenses. Harris also mentioned how his town handles a large swath of tickets from Schodack police, the sheriffs office, state police out of East Greenbush, Sand Lake, Zone One, the NYS Thruway and interstate patrols. Another piece of legislation pertaining to municipalities would enable them to cut through red tape and empower them to set their own speed limits. A source of frustration for Town of Nassau Supervisor David Fleming. Its incredibly aggravating. We do the work, apply to the highway department, apply to the county to have them agree with us, which we submit to the state, all the while were incurring the expense for the county as well as the town, Fleming said of the process which he notes is stonewalled in Albany more often than not. We have issues where we have Camp Schodack which is in our community, the largest employer in the town, hundreds of kids who are out and about crossing the road, a local road, they will not allow us to lower the speed limit. Its just absolutely ridiculous, its a public safety issue, Fleming said of not being able to lower the speed limit near Camp Schodack. Fleming also spoke to the high speed and at least a dozen deaths in five years on Route 20. Town and village leaders also spoke to the disparities in funding for upstate road infrastructure when contrasted with the MTA in New York City, in addition to many unfunded state mandates in the wake of AIM funding being taken out of the state budget by the governor. The Economic and Financial Crime Commission(EFCC) has released pictures of a huge sum of money its operatives intercepted at North Bank area of Makurdi, Benue state. According to EFCC, the money was meant for votes buying in the area. The agency, however, revealed that it was unable to arrest the culprit as thugs resisted them and also vandalized their operational vehicle. Pictures: Hi, my name is Scott C. Waring and I wrote a few books and am currently a ESL School Owner in Taiwan. I have had my own UFO sighting up close and personal, but that's how it works right? A non believer becomes a believer when they experience their first sighting. You witnessed it, your perceptual field changes, so now you need to share it. I created this site to help the UFO community get a little bit organized. I noticed that there was a lot of chaos when searching for UFO sighting reports, so I hope this site helps. I wanted to support those eyewitnesses who have tried to tell others about what they have seen, yet were laughed at by even closest of friends. More and more each day the governments of the world leak bits and pieces of UFO information to the public. They have a trickle down theory in hopes of slowly getting citizens use to the idea that we are not alone in universe and never have been. The truth is being leaked drop by drop until one day we look around and find ourselves neck high in it. The discovery of alien species in existence is the most monumental scientific event in human history, suppression of that information is a crime against humanity. About me: I live in Taiwan. I OWN MY OWN ENGLISH SCHOOL, AND ONCE HAD 5 SCHOOLS. Am Former USAF at SAC base (flight line). Age: 42 Educ: BA in Elem ed. Masters in Counseling ed. I had two UFO sightings, (30+bus size orbs) in military and in 2012 personally saw the UFO over Taipei 101 building on New Years Day (and recored it). Russian occupation forces launched one attack in the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) area in eastern Ukraine over the past day. On March 8, the Russian occupation forces launched one attack on positions of the Joint Forces, using small arms to fire on Ukrainian stronghold near Krymske (42km north-west of Luhansk) in the zone of action of tactical force North, the JFO Headquarters press center reports on Facebook. As noted, the weapons banned under the Minsk agreements were not used, and no casualties among Ukrainian troops were reported. Today, the enemy has not opened fire yet. The Joint Forces reliably control the enemy on the contact line, adhering to the ceasefire agreements. ol The U.S. Embassy in Ukraine pays tribute to outstanding Ukrainian and master of all trades Taras Shevchenko. A national hero and master of all trades, Taras Shevchenko dedicated his talent to the people of Ukraine. We celebrate this great Ukrainian today, on his 205th birthday, the Embassy of the United States in Ukraine posted on Twitter. Today marks the 205th anniversary of the birth of Ukrainian poet and artist Taras Shevchenko. His literary heritage is regarded to be the foundation of modern Ukrainian literature and, to a large extent, the modern Ukrainian language. Shevchenko is also known for many masterpieces as a painter and an illustrator. In 1847, Shevchenko was politically convicted for writing in the Ukrainian language and promoting the independence of Ukraine. ol Ralph Waldo Emerson defined a hero beautifully. He said, A hero is no braver than an ordinary man, but he is brave five minutes longer. This article talks about such heroes and brings stories of unusual but remarkable saviors who deserve a mention. These ten heroes have done something extraordinary that was not expected out of them in the circumstances in which they found themselves. They displayed courage and put the lives of others ahead of their own. Read on 1. Italian doctors made up a fake disease named Syndrome K to save the Jews who had taken shelter in their hospital. The doctors told the German soldiers that they had to be quarantined as the illness was contagious. The doctors saved at least 20 lives this way. In the fall of 1943, in Italy, thousands of Jews were in danger. On October 16, 1943, the German soldiers raided a ghetto near Romes Tiber River. The doctors at the Fatebenefratelli Hospital including the doctors Vittorio Sacerdoti and Giovanni Borromeo devised a plan to save some of the Jews. They came up with a fake disease, called Syndrome K, and diagnosed dozens of Jews positive for it. They told the soldiers that the disease was dangerous and could spread, and it was extremely necessary for the Jews to be quarantined. Dr. Adriano Ossicini came up with the name Syndrome K which was actually a codeword for the staff to understand that the patient on whose papers the words were written was a Jew. The K in the name was taken from the surnames of two German officers, Herbert Kappler and Albert Kesselring. The soldiers, when told about the syndrome, did not inspect the patients worried that they might catch the disease. There were children too who had to be protected so the doctors at the hospital taught them how to fake coughing. In an unusual way, these doctors saved more than 20 lives. Their efforts were recognized 60 years later. (source) Advertisements 2. A railways dispatcher, Vince Coleman, sacrificed his life to warn an incoming train of an explosion that was imminent. He sent telegraph messages in time instead of fleeing his post and saved 300 lives. On December 6, 1917, two ships, the SS Imo and SS Mont-Blanc, collided in the Narrows, a strait in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Intercolonial railways dispatcher, Patrick Vincent Coleman (Vince), was working at the railyard about 750 feet away from the site of the explosion. He knew that SS Mont-Blanc was laden with cargo that could explode as it was already burning. He began to flee. Then he remembered that passenger train No. 10 from Saint John, New Brunswick was heading in their direction and was in danger. He returned to his post. Coleman sent several urgent telegraph messages asking the train to stop knowing that he was not going to make it. He sent the warning message asking to hold up and ended it with, Guess this will be my last message. Good-bye, boys. All the stations along the Intercolonial Railway heard his message which made all the trains heading to Halifax stop. The passenger train that he had remembered about had 300 passengers on board. Their lives were saved, but Colemans was not. His name was included in the Canadian Railway Hall of Fame in 2004. (source) Advertisements 3. Tilly Smith, a 10-year-old British girl saved the lives of at least a hundred beachgoers before the 2004 tsunami struck the Maikhao Beach in Thailand. She warned them after reading the signs of the tsunami that she had learned only two weeks ago in school. Tilly Smith was 10 years old when she saved the lives of at least a hundred foreign tourists at the Maikhao Beach in Thailand by remembering what she had learned in school in Oxshott, Surrey as a part of her geography lesson two weeks ago. In 2004, she was on the beach with her parents when she saw the water receding from the shore and frothing bubbles in the sea. She recognized these as the signs of a tsunami and told her parents. They alerted the beachgoers and the staff at the hotel where they were staying. Because of Smiths observation and presence of mind, the beach was evacuated before the tsunami actually hit the shore saving a lot of lives. The beach was one of the few beaches that reported no loss of lives in 2004. She was hailed a hero and was awarded. An asteroid 20002 Tilly smith is named after her. She also was at the United Nations in November 2005. (source) 4. Known as the Snake Man, Bill Haast injected himself with snake venom every day for over 60 years. He was bitten by venomous snakes more than 170 times. By donating his blood he saved countless lives with his anti-body rich blood. When Bill Haast, a scientist, passed away in 2011, he was 100 years old and had handled three million poisonous snakes in his lifetime. For 60 years of his life, he injected himself every day with snake venom from 32 different species of snakes. Because of this habit, his blood became rich with antibodies. He donated it to 21 different snake-bite victims across the globe and saved their lives. Once in Venezuela, he went deep into a jungle to donate blood for a boy who had been bitten by a snake. Although it wasnt for all kinds of snake venom, his blood was an antidote for many. Haast was seven when he first caught a snake. When he was a child and brought a snake home, his mother left the house for three days. His obsession with snakes also led to the divorce of his first wife. (source) Advertisements 5. In 1907, Jesus Garcia, a Mexican railroad brakeman, saved the entire town of Nacozari. He single-handedly drove a burning train containing dynamite six kilometers away from the town. He lost his life in the process. Like a hero in a movie, Jesus Garcia drove a burning train and sacrificed his life to save an entire town. A Mexican railroad brakeman for the line between Nacozari, Sonora, and Douglas, Arizona, Garcia is a national hero in Mexico, and a lot of places and things are named after him. On November 7, 1907, Garcia was resting when he saw that the hay atop a dynamite-loaded car of a train had caught fire. The trains firebox had failed and the sparks were coming out of the smokebox. The sparks were carried by the wind, igniting the hay. Acting swiftly, he drove the train downhill in reverse for six kilometers at full speed before the train blew up. The entire population of the town was spared because of his quick thinking. (source) NDjamena, Chad - The United Nations Development Programme Administrator, Achim Steiner, and the United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mark Lowcock, today wrapped up their first joint visit in Chad. They called for stronger joined-up humanitarian and development interventions in the central African country as it tackles poverty, displacement, malnutrition, and lack of access to basic social services. The United Nations top humanitarian and development officials, visited a nutrition centre in the capitals Chad-China Friendship Hospital, where more than 16,000 children suffering from malnutrition are admitted annually. This year, the number of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) cases increased by 57 per cent in the facility managed by the Ministry of Public Health, with support from international partners and donors. I was profoundly touched by the plight of the women and children I met in the nutrition centre in NDjamena today, Mr. Lowcock said. I commend the efforts and actions undertaken to deal with one of the biggest nutrition crises the people of Chad have faced. But the bigger challenge is to prevent children being in this position to start with. Humanitarian assistance can save lives, but the solution is development, economic progress and better livelihoods. The United Nations stands ready to support the Government, who must lead in this process. In NDjamena, the two UN officials also met with senior government officials and parliamentarians, and discussed plans for national development, poverty reduction, the regional situation, and the recent Lake Chad Basin Region conference in Berlin. Mr. Lowcock and Mr. Steiner called for stronger government leadership and longer-term commitments from all stakeholders, including donors, to support the emergency needs of vulnerable households and increased access to basic social services for all. The challenges the country faces have roots in development deficits and climatic realities that have made living conditions for communities caught up in the crisis, even worse, Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator said, adding that there was urgent need for a scale up in the response. Around 4.9 million people are in need of urgent support, with the majority of them food insecure. Over half a million are in need of shelter: We call upon our partners to engage in multiyear financing to facilitate mid and longer-term planning. Stepping up now will help us address the crisis today, tackle the underlying causes and help people build resilience to better cope with and be able to stand on their own after the crisis, Mr. Steiner added. The humanitarian response plan 2018 in Chad requires US$544 million to respond to the needs of the 2.1 million people who are the most vulnerable in the country. To date, only 35.6 per cent of the funding has been received. Additionally, the Government of the Republic of Chad aims to mobilize over $430 million for resilience and sustainable development in the Lake Chad Basin. This investment will be used to improve delivery of basic social services and stimulate growth in the agriculture sector upon which millions in rural areas depend. This visit concludes a three-day trip to Nigeria and Chad, during which the two UN officials looked at ways both humanitarian and development actors can better support national support efforts, including in the Lake Chad Basin crisis. While in Nigeria, Mr. Steiner and Mr. Lowcock called for more support to ease the humanitarian crisis and rebuild lives in conflict-ravaged north-eastern part of the country. For further information and interviews, please contact: Augustin Zusanne (OCHA Chad): Tel: +235 63 90 09 13, zusanne@un.org Toussaint Mbaitoubam (UNDP Chad): +235 66 27 50 33, Toussaint.mbaitoubam@undp.org Jens Laerke (OCHA Geneva): +41 79 472 9760, laerke@un.org Christina LoNigro (UNDP New York) +1 212 906 5301, christina.lonigro@undp.org Eight-year-old Abdulhay, a refugee from Syria, welcomes UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi as he visits an informal refugee settlement in Mhammara, Lebanon. UNHCR/Andrew McConnell Beirut, 9 March 2019 The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, concluded a two-day visit to Lebanon today, paying tribute to the government and its people for continuing to provide refuge to the highest number of refugees per capita in the world. In his meetings with the government, which included President Aoun, the Speaker of Parliament, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Interior, Social and Refugee Affairs and the Director General of General Security (GSO), Grandi reaffirmed UNHCRs commitment to continue its support to Lebanon to both refugees and Lebanese communities. He will reiterate this appeal at a major aid conference for Syria in Brussels later this week. After eight years of this terrible war, the impact on Lebanon is very heavy and this cannot be taken for granted by the international community, said Grandi, who arrived in Lebanon following a three-day visit to Syria. He acknowledged Lebanons growing fatigue at hosting over one million Syrians for so many years but expressed his hope that it would not lead to growing restrictions, which, he said could fuel social tension. A number of Syrian refugees have already made the decision to return home. UNHCR staff meet with people before returning to ensure they possess the proper documentation such as birth and school certificates and are also present at the departure points of all GSO organized movements. Access to returning refugees is also required in Syria. During his meetings in Damascus, Grandi called for more UNHCR access to places of return, a confidence-building measure, as well as the scaling up of UNHCRs presence to provide more support to IDP and refugee returnees. During a visit with families living in informal settlements near Tripoli today, Grandi heard accounts in line with UNHCRs surveys that the majority of refugees here wish to return home. Small numbers have gone back, but many have fears and concerns that are holding them back. Syrian refugees need trust that their return will be safe, secure and dignified, Grandi said. He added that the refugees cite concerns around five areas: safety & security (retaliation, persecution, military conscription); housing (repairing or rebuilding destroyed homes); access to services (schools, healthcare); legal issues (documents, property deeds) and access to basic livelihoods. UNHCR in Syria is currently working to address some of these obstacles, including by advising the government on documentation issues, offering returnees basic repairs so damaged homes can be reoccupied, refurbishing schools and bakeries and offering initial humanitarian aid to enable reintegration. For more information on this topic, please contact: Russia's aggressive actions undermine regional and international security, the official said. Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister on European and Euroatlantic Integration Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze says Ukraine has no reason to rely on the cessation of Russia's aggression in the near future, but the strengthening of NATO's presence in the Black Sea region could curb Moscow. "The U.S. leadership in strengthening NATO's military presence in the Black Sea region is extremely important. This is the only way that can help deter Russia from aggressive actions," she said at a meeting with Fiona Hill, the Deputy Assistant to the U.S. President and Senior Director for Europe and Russia at the National Security Council, in Washington D.C., Ukraine's government portal reported on March 9. Read alsoPoroshenko, Hale note need to increase pressure on Russia Klympush-Tsintsadze says Ukraine is counting on further close attention from the United States to the situation in the Sea of Azov and Black Sea, and it expects that the U.S. to continue condemning the Russian armed attack on the Ukrainian Navy ships near the Kerch Strait. "Russia's aggressive actions undermine regional and international security. The Kremlin neglects international law and bilateral agreements. Such behavior requires increased pressure on Russia," she said. The official thanked the United States for its continued and decisive support of Ukraine and noted the importance of strengthening economic sanctions against the Russian Federation. According to the government's envoy, Kyiv continues to implement reforms that are a key tool for preparing Ukraine for NATO membership. "The implementation of the law on national security is our priority task for this year. In January, a draft law on parliamentary control over the activities of special services and law enforcement agencies was registered in the Verkhovna Rada, [Ukraine's parliament]. I hope it will be passed by lawmakers," she added. Klimpush-Tsintsadze also stressed the need for an urgent resumption of the format of the NATO-Ukraine Commission at the level of Foreign Ministers, which is now being blocked by Hungary. "Ukraine pays considerable attention to protecting the rights of national minorities and seeks to resolve this issue in a bilateral dialogue with Hungary," she said. The head of state noted the need for the development of the national missile program, stressing that Kyiv would no longer repeat the mistakes of the Budapest Memorandum. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko says that Ukraine needs high-precision missiles that are capable of hitting targets far behind enemy lines that occupied the Ukrainian state. Read alsoUkroboronprom boasts TOP-5 Ukrainian developments in defense industry in 2018 (Photos) "We have additional opportunities in Ukraine due to the fact that the Russian Federation has de facto broken the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty [INF Treaty] and the United States legally withdrew from it. So, we also got rid of certain restrictions and obligations that were observed before. We are no longer bound by any limitations either on the range of our missiles or on their power. Let the enemy know about it, too. We need high-precision missiles and we are not going to repeat the mistakes of the Budapest memorandum," he said at a meeting of the Regional Development Council in Cherkasy region on March 9. The head of state also stressed the need for the development of the national missile program. "We tested and put into service our Neptun ["Neptune"] cruise missiles. Look at how the Vilkha ["Alder"] high-precision multiple rocket launching system significantly increased its range," he said. According to the president, the successes of domestic missile manufacturing enterprises will be demonstrated to society in the near future. Poroshenko says high-precision missiles of extended range are capable of hitting targets far behind enemy lines that occupied the Ukrainian state. "This will make the aggressor more restrained, and our defense will be safer," he added. Over the past day, Ukrainian forces suffered no losses. Russia's hybrid military forces mounted one attack on Ukrainian army positions in Donbas in the past 24 hours, after another truce was agreed from midnight March 8. Read alsoNew truce in Donbas announced from March 8 "In the Pivnich [North] Operational-Tactical Grouping's responsibility zone, the enemy fired at Ukrainian strongholds from small arms near the village of Krymske," the press center of Ukraine's Joint Forces Operation said in an update on Facebook as of 07:00 Kyiv time on March 9, 2019. No heavy weapons proscribed by the Minsk Agreements have been used, the report said. Over the past day, Ukrainian forces suffered no losses. "Since Saturday midnight, Russian-led forces haven't attacked Ukrainian positions yet," it said. "Joint Forces reliably repel the enemy on the line of contact, while adhering to the terms of the ceasefire," the press service added. As UNIAN reported earlier, on March 7, Russian proxy forces 18 times attacked Ukrainian positions, including 14 times using arms proscribed by the Minsk Agreements. Five of Ukrainian soldiers were wounded in the shelling. No casualties have been reported on the Ukrainian side. Russia-led forces mounted two attacks on the Ukrainian army's positions in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, on Saturday, March 9. Read alsoRussian proxies in Donbas block ICRC aid "In the zone of responsibility of the Skhid [East] Tactical Grouping, the enemy opened fire from 120mm mortars at Ukrainian positions near the village of Lebedynske," the press center of the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) said in an evening update on Saturday. In the action area of the Pivnich (North) Tactical Grouping, mercenaries fired 120mm and 82mm mortars at the Joint Forces strongholds near the village of Krymske. The Ukrainian military fired back, using allowed weapons. No Ukrainian army casualties have been reported since the start of the day. The enemy's losses are being clarified. The situation in the area of the Joint Forces Operation remains under control of Ukrainian troops. As UNIAN reported earlier, Yevhen Marchuk, Ukraine's envoy to the Trilateral Contact Group on the settlement of the situation in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, on March 7 announced that a new truce had been agreed after midnight on March 8. However, Russia's hybrid military forces mounted one attack on Ukrainian army positions in Donbas on March 8, the JFO press center said. COLBORNE, ON (March 8, 2019)- His stock car racing resume spans a career that began in 1992 and includes time with the Goodyear Challenge Cup, ALSTAR and the Grisdale Triple Crown. Multiple main event wins at Mosport Speedway and with the ACT weekly Late Model division at Kawartha Speedway, strong runs at the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park Oval and a seasons best fourth place showing on the APC Pro Late Model schedule. His vocation includes laps on nearly every asphalt speedway in the province. Even with that much experience to draw from, when the 2019 season gets underway, Linc Brown will experience something brand new in his time behind the wheel. After racing motocross in his teens, the 53-year-old father of two from Colborne, Ontario will return to his roots; adding a yellow rookie stripe to the back bumper of his equipment, as he makes his dirt track stock car debut in the Canadian Modified division at Brighton Speedway. Itll also be the first time hes driven a racecar without a windshield, four fenders and with exposed front suspension components. Although he admits there will be a lot to learn, the veteran runner says hes looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead. Were starting with a clean slate. No matter what Ive done before in my career, everything about this will be new, said the driver. Ive been around a dirt track a time or two to help some of my friends, but never raced on one. I wont just need to get familiar with a new car but also different vernacular including learning the meaning of terms like cushion, berm, tacky and more as well as some new competition. My notebook is empty and I cant wait to start filling its pages. Linc Brown says one thing that remains unchanged about his 2019 racing return is the long-time relationship with sponsorship partner Tom Elliott at Kawartha Metals (www.kawarthametals.com). Branded as the Candy Store for Welders, the company has been associated with the #99 teams equipment for 20 years. Also returning this year is Mayhew Graphics (www.mayhewgraphics.com), who along with Andrew Gates from Gates Race Designs (www.gatesracedesigns.com) have done an amazing job at putting together the cars paint scheme and graphic layout. New to the team this season will be Sines Flooring (www.sinesflooring.ca). With locations in Brighton and Cobourg, the motorsports supporter of both dirt and pavement racing is a welcome addition to the program this year. Brown says hes excited about having some familiar names helping to support his rookie calendar of dirt track racing. Larry Sine and I have been friends for a few years now and Im happy to have his familys business associated with the team, said Linc Brown. It should be a great season and Im really looking forward to getting things underway. After doing so much travelling earlier in my career, itll be nice to race somewhere thats about half an hour from my front door. Brighton Speedways 2019 season gets underway Saturday May 4th, with test and tune practice session dates scheduled for April 27th, 28th and May 1st. For complete schedule details, see www.brightonspeedway.com. Prepared by Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media clarkemotorsports@hotmail.com, www.facebook.com/clarkemotorsports 613.968.6410 Apple and Qualcomm are officially seated in a court battle, and details of the trial are leaking out. The most recent report comes from CNET, which outlines just how much money Qualcomm is seeking in damages from Apple. The trial, if youll recall, is related to three separate patents that Qualcomm believes Apple violated. The legal battle has been going on for quite some time already, but the trial only just kicked off this week. Qualcomm is seeking $31 million in damages from Apple, which shakes out to be about $1.40 per iPhone that allegedly violated Qualcomms patents. One patent allows a smartphone to quickly connect to the internet once the device is turned on. Another deals with graphics processing and battery life. The third lets apps on your phone download data more easily by directing traffic between the apps processor and the modem. The $31 million in damages would be a drop in the bucket for Apple which briefly became a $1 trillion company last year but a victory for Qualcomm would help to brandish its reputation as a mobile components innovator and lend credibility to the idea that much of those innovations went into iPhones. As noted above, this would be a relatively small amount of money for Apple to pay, all things considered. And it would definitely solve the issue between the two companies, both of which obviously still want to work together. But with the legal issues between the two, getting to that point is difficult. Qualcomm seeking this amount of money is high, but not necessarily for Apple. But does anyone actually see Apple forking over that amount of money, or any money for that matter if they arent forced to? Even if it did calm things down between the two companies? Sound off in the comments if you think Apple will pay this amount without being forced to from the court. [via CNET SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) will hold one-day conference on Role of Chambers in Strengthening Regional Economic Integration in Kathmandu, Nepal on March 16 in which business delegates and ministers from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka will participate LAHORE (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / NNI - 09th March, 2019) SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) will hold one-day conference on Role of Chambers in Strengthening Regional Economic Integration in Kathmandu, Nepal on March 16 in which business delegates and ministers from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka will participate.SAARC CCI Senior Vice President (SVP) Iftikhar Ali Malik disclosed this while talking to a businessmen delegation led by Sohail Hussain Malik, Chairman Co-ordination Committee FPCCI here on Saturday.He said social political dialogues among the member states are indispensable to unleash the socio-economic potential of South Asia. He further said that the government and private sector must come forward joining hands together for working integration of the region and if all tangible steps are taken, only furniture market in the region would reach to colossal figure of $5.4 billion by 2020. Remedial measures may push the regional trade to as high as $170 billion within two years, he added.He said increased regional economic connectivity within South Asia, as well as with other parts of Asia, can bolster economic growth, reduce poverty and enhance regional stability and security. He said the rising disposable incomes, improving consumer lifestyles and a significant increase in the GDPs largely supplement the growth of the market in the South Asian region. Further, the growth is also supplemented by the ongoing developments in the real estate sector in the region, which largely boost the adoption of luxury furniture by both domestic as well as commercial users. Iftikhar Malik said since its inception, SAARC chamber has facilitated regional cooperation in various areas for the well fare of the people of South Asia. He said SAARC should be more active to address major challenges the region faces; job creation for the youth of South Asia- our regions biggest asset and poverty.He said South Asia comprises 3% of the worlds area, 21% of the worlds population and 3.8% (US$ 2.9 trillion) of the global economy. The respective governments are trying to give its people a much higher quality of life racked by high illiteracy, dismissal health care and sanitation.He said the SAARC chamber leadership committed to carry out its six points agenda for an integrated, progressive and prosperous South Asia. The areas of focus include attracting intra-regional investment, industrialization of South Asia via embodying SAARC Investment Parks, nourishing and nurturing the small and medium enterprises and to mentor upcoming entrepreneurs across the region.Iftikhar Malik said if India and Pakistan can move ahead, keeping their internal issues into a bilateral basket, the other six member states believe that SAARC can make substantive progress by following a clear roadmap of its common goal.Meanwhile SAARC Chamber executive committee meeting will be held on March 15 at same venue. (@ChaudhryMAli88) The pending sentencing over the 2014 deadly terrorist attack on the Jewish Museum in Brussels, whose main perpetrator, a former French-born jihadist, and his accomplice are believed to have been initially radicalized in the same French jail, has yet another time highlighted the threat posed by Europeans returning from battlefields in the Middle East BRUSSELS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 08th March, 2019) The pending sentencing over the 2014 deadly terrorist attack on the Jewish Museum in Brussels , whose main perpetrator, a former French-born jihadist, and his accomplice are believed to have been initially radicalized in the same French jail , has yet another time highlighted the threat posed by Europeans returning from battlefields in the middle East. On Thursday, the Belgian Palace of Justice convicted Mehdi Nemmouche, a 33-year-old jihadist of Algerian origin, of killing two tourists an Israeli married couple and two museum employees as he opened fire with a Kalashnikov assault rifle and a handgun at the city's Jewish Museum back in May 2014. Another Frenchman and Nemmouche's former inmate, Nacer Bendrer, 30, was found guilty of aiding the perpetrator through supplying the weapons for the attack. The sentencing is expected to be announced on Monday, with Nemmouche likely to get a life in prison and Bendrer facing up to 30 years in prison. Nemmouche, a multiple criminal offender who had been initially radicalized in French prison and had been later fighting on the side of the Islamic State terror group (IS, outlawed in Russia) between January 2013 and February 2014, was arrested in Marseilles six days after the attack. The detainee was wearing the clothes of the assailant, including a nylon jacket with "gunshot residue," and had a computer in which investigators found six terrorist videos with a voice-over similar to his own. Despite the mass of evidence, the defense lawyers of Nemmouche and Bendrer came up with a far-fetched theory for which they brought strictly no proof. In particular, Nemmouche's defense claimed that the killing was not an IS attack, but a "targeted execution of Mossad agents," in which alleged agents of the Lebanese or Iranian services implicated Nemmouche without his knowledge. According to the defense, Miriam and Emmanuel Riva were actually working for the Mossad, the allegation that was strongly denounced by the lawyers of the Riva family as "an absolute scandal." During the trial, the French journalists, who had been kept hostage of the Islamic State in Syria, also recognized Nemmouche as their captor, detailing his cruelty. In total, the prosecution documented "a wall of evidence: 23 pieces" that obviously made the case evident to the jury. Nemmouche pleaded not guilty and denied everything, so did Bendrer, his accomplice and former inmate. Telephone messages and video-surveillance pictures showed clearly the link established between the two back in the years of their custody in France. After a nine-week trial, Nemmouche and Bendrer are expected to be jailed in Belgian high security prisons, in quarters reserved to Islamic jihadists. Incredible Danger Brought On Eu Citizens' Heads Returning terrorists are jailed when they can be caught upon return. Moreover, each European country has a major problem: what should they do about their own nationals or holders of dual nationality who have been captured by the Kurds or the US-led coalition for fighting in the southwestern Syrian town of Baghuz, which remains the IS last stronghold in the region. Opinion polls show that European citizens don't want to see such people return. The Nordic countries Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland have collegially decided and announced that they will not repatriate their nationals, who they say should be judged and jailed where they committed their crimes, in the Middle East. Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel similarly suggested that people who left their home states to fight for jihadist groups in Syria or Iraq should be trialed mostly in the countries where the crimes were committed, adding that an international legal procedure could be instituted to deal with foreign terrorist fighters. Aldo Carcaci, a member of the Belgian parliament from the People's Party (PP), said that he proposed a law to parliament to ban all jihadists from returning to the country back in 2015. "The government of Charles Michel flatly refused my proposal. It was considered 'inhuman and extreme-right.' Now everybody sees that the Nordic countries apply the proposal that I had made! The Belgian government, as the French by the way, don't know what to do. Their stupid political correctness is rejected by the population," Carcaci told Sputnik. According to the lawmaker, there are already enough jailed jihadists in Europe, whom he describes as a "poison contaminating other prisoners, converting them to islam and radicalizing Muslims and 'new Muslims' in prison." "Most of the Islamic converts were converted in prison, so nobody knows how to deal with the issue. Nothing works with Islamists! You can't de-radicalize them," he opined. To support his viewpoint, Carcaci referred to France, where prison guards have been on strike after the two wardens were nearly killed on Tuesday by an Islamist detainee and his wife, who had come for a visit, dressed in a full hijab. The woman pretended to be pregnant and brought a ceramic knife that was not detected at the entrance of the high-security prison for Islamists in Conde-sur-Sarthe. In a police operation, triggered by the stabbing attack, the detainee was injured, while his wife was shot dead. Carcaci criticized France, whose government had "decided to take all jihadists back," claiming that the country's authorities were "not even capable of keeping them in prison correctly." "President Macron and his incompetent ministers of Justice and Interior, Nicole Belloubet and [Christophe] Castaner, have decided to take all jihadists back, because they would be more dangerous outside France! They are not even capable of keeping them in prison correctly! Governments in Western Europe are blind to the incredible danger that they bring on the heads of their citizens. People will remember it when they go to vote in May for the European elections!" he concluded. Understaffed Prisons As Source Of Radicalization In Belgium, 182 terrorists and radicalized detainees have already been freed. They are supposed to be put under surveillance by the security services. But the police have already warned that they don't have the means, human or technical, to work properly. France, meanwhile, is facing the same challenge, with 30 freed in 2018, and some 45 expected to be set free this year. In a comment to Sputnik, Jerome Massip, the secretary general of the French union of prison guards, who have survived the attack at the workplace, denounced the government's management of the penitentiary system for radicalized prisoners. "Radicalization in prison is very badly managed. We, the wardens, feel like laboratory rats. The government experiments with radicalized units called QPR [Radicalization Prevention Districts] or radicalization assessment that do not work and will not work because the prisoners always manage to communicate. They can't be totally sealed off. We cannot isolate these inmates so that they do not harm others," he said. According to Massip, the specialized facilities, which are configured appropriately for this type of hyper-dangerous inmates, are needed to tackle the issue. Commenting on the latest strike by the French prison wardens, he described it as predictable. "We have a lot of trouble recruiting wardens. Even when there are open positions and recruitment exams organized, only 10 percent of the registered people actually attend. This job is not attractive. We are understaffed. And as soon as a supervisor has an opportunity to leave the penitentiary, he seizes it. Everyone leaves ship. The politicians must open their eyes and take the necessary measures," Massip stressed. Olivier Damien, a French retired police officer and former secretary general of the union of police officers, opined that some 1,100 of the radicalized prisoners currently incarcerated in French prisons and plans to take back 1,100 others captured in Syria were actually "time bombs" for the country. "These figures, which come from 'official' sources, are largely underestimated. In addition, the number of detainees, also suspected of radicalization, recently released and who would be 'followed' are at a level of about 600. The numbers give an idea of the number of 'time bombs' that are installed in our country. It is easy to measure the threat that hangs now, and for a long time on each Frenchman's head," Damien told Sputnik. Damien suggested that specialized prisons should be constructed to "put an end to the dispersal of dangerous radicalized prisoners which only increases the risks of attacks." "Similarly, the officers assigned to guard these high-risk prisoners must be trained and equipped accordingly. The need to intervene and protect their lives at all times must be taken into account by all means. Finally, prisoners with dual nationality must be expelled without delay at the end of their sentence, and not under house arrest in hotels at the expense of the taxpayer. The prevarications prevailing on these subjects for too many years must be lifted," he went on. Summing up, Damien stressed that a "firm and determined" position must finally be adopted in the face of terrorists "who have nothing to lose because they consider themselves at war with the West." (@FahadShabbir) The European Commission on Friday cleared the acquisition of Chevron Denmark, a subsidiary of US energy giant Chevron, by French energy company Total, the commission's press service said in a statement BRUSSELS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 08th March, 2019) The European Commission on Friday cleared the acquisition of Chevron Denmark, a subsidiary of US energy giant Chevron, by French energy company Total, the commission's press service said in a statement. "The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of Chevron Denmark Inc. by Total ... Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would not raise competition concerns. On the market for upstream wholesale supply of gas, the Commission found that the merged entity would not have an increased market power," the statement read. The deal has reportedly increased Total's shares in the Danish Underground Consortium (DUC) from 31 percent to over 43 percent. The DUC is an offshore oil and gas joint venture, where Nordsofonden, a Danish state-owned energy company, owns 20 percent alongside other shareholders. DUC operates in the North Sea and covers almost 90 percent of Denmark's oil and gas production. in 2018, Total has bought out Mollers-Mrsk's shares and became an operator of the consortium. The heads of the Russian and Syrian joint coordination committees, in a Saturday statement, welcomed Jordan's declared commitment to provide comprehensive assistance to Syrians staying on its soil in their return to the home country MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 09th March, 2019) The heads of the Russian and Syrian joint coordination committees, in a Saturday statement, welcomed Jordan's declared commitment to provide comprehensive assistance to Syrians staying on its soil in their return to the home country. "We welcome the desire of the government of Jordan for the provision of comprehensive assistance to Syrians residing in the Kingdom, in their quest to return to their pre-war homes and look forward to the continued participation of our Jordanian colleagues in the implementation of initiatives for the return of Syrian refugees and the speedy liquidation of Rukban camp," the joint statement, published on the Russian Defense Ministry's website said. The statement noted that the situation in the Rukban camp, locked in the US-controlled zone around its At-Tanf base bordering Jordan, remained catastrophic, with children under the age of two making up most of the daily deaths in the area, according to the relatives of camp residents. "As time goes by, and while the United States, hiding behind the supposedly interests of Rukban residents, demand ideal conditions for temporarily displaced persons from long-suffering Syria. There will simply be no one to save," the statement warned. Finally, the heads of the Russian and Syrian joint coordination committees reiterated the call for the United States to disband the Rukban camp by letting those wishing to return leave "the illegally occupied territory of Syria" and ensuring their safety. Over months, the situation in the Rukban camp has been in the focus as Moscow and Damascus criticize Washington for its refusal to facilitate evacuation of the camp's residents wishing to return to their places of residence. In January, the World Health Organization described people residing in the Rukban camp as "trapped," adding that they live "in deplorable conditions." Limited water supply, bitterly cold weather and poorly functioning health care facilities contribute to the rise of diseases, which include influenza, measles, tuberculosis and chronic respiratory diseases, according to the organization. For the last two decades, employers and entrepreneurs have fled California, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, and other high-tax states to seek the American dream in Texas. And were happy to welcome them and the career opportunities they create. But one challenge to the Texas economy seriously risks our growth and threatens to put the Lone Star State into the same category as these other states rapidly escalating property taxes. At our 2018 Republican Party of Texas convention, thousands of delegates from across the state adopted a legislative priority calling for relief from these skyrocketing taxes. Our Republican legislators have done a tremendous job on legislation such as S.B. 2/H.B 2 which seek to put a 2.5% cap on the property tax rate. H.B. 3, in addition to proposing sweeping school finance reform, will provide not just relief from future taxes but a tax cut, right now, for Texas families. These are meaningful and important steps towards ensuring Texans arent taxed out of their homes, and important steps toward replacing financing of the school maintenance and operations costs with a state consumption tax instead of property tax. Moving away from property taxes towards a consumption tax is a realistic way to provide meaningful relief for hard working taxpayers while enabling the state to pay a higher share of public education at the same time. Republican legislators have already begun to move the state in this positive direction. The important thing is that when this legislative session ends Texans see real action to both reduce property taxes and limit the rate of growth in the future. Meanwhile, the Democrats and various school administrator lobby groups are trying to pull a bait-and-switch on Texas property taxpayers. Texas House Democrats recently released a school finance plan that offers no tax relief to employers. Thats right, the job creators that have fueled the economy and brought a record number of new career opportunities to Texans get no relief from Texas Democrats. To make matters worse, the Democrat plan involves $14.5 billion in new spending, with no suggestion on how to pay for it. If youre curious to find out how that works in practice - just ask someone from Detroit or Chicago. The school lobby groups are equally disingenuous. They frequently say that the solution to spiraling property taxes is for the state to pay a larger share of public school costs. But when you read the bills these organizations support, they involve a lot of new spending with either no or token property tax relief. Taxpayers have called upon both Republicans and Democrats to find a solution to this issue. That is why both the Republican and Democrat platforms include true property tax relief. We encourage our elected officials to work toward meaningful change for the hardworking taxpayers of Texas. Republican leadership and responsible policies have made our state the economic powerhouse it is. Texans should be encouraged by the progress that is being made and the Republican Party of Texas, our leadership and our activists, look forward to working with our elected leaders towards meaningful property tax relief. By James Dickey, Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas The lone survivor of a crash that killed two others in Irving earlier this week is continuing her recovery from serious injuries. Karen Ware was the passenger in a car driven by her friend, 38-year old Tyrone Wilson. The crash happened at about 3 a.m. on Monday, when a wrong-way driver collided with them, killing both drivers. he vehicle driven by Wilson was westbound on Highway 183, near Belt Line Rd. in Irving. The other driver was later identified as 40-year-old Sidney Leigh Dew, of Santa Ana, California. Since the crash, Ware has been confined to a hospital bed, and her doctors say it could be up to a year before she fully recovers. It's a wonder she even survived, looking at the car, Wares friend, Kameisha Shelton, said. There's no front end, basically." Ware was on her way home to Fort Worth with a friend when a split second changed her life. She didn't remember much. She did say she woke up and she saw her friend's head in the air bag, but she called his name and then she blacked out, Shelton said. Ware's family says she didn't even see the wrong-way driver coming. She was pinned inside their car and had to be cut out by first responders. Her leg was broken, her hip dislocated, and her face was swollen, bruised, and cut. Metal rod in her leg, and she has pins in her knees and her ankle, Shelton added. When I saw the wreck, the car the next day, I cried even worse because it was a miracle, Wares daughter, Taylor Williams said. The car was smushed. There was really no car. I don't know how she made it. Ware's friend, Tyron Wilson, and the wrong-way driver were killed in the crash. Ware's family says she and her friend were wearing seat belts, which they partly credit with her survival. It's just a blessing. God was over her watching her, Wares daughter added. Police say the crash is still under investigation. They're waiting for toxicology reports to come back on the deceased. Ware's friends and family say they still have a lot of questions about how the other driver ended up going the wrong-way down 183. You don't have anyone to talk to to understand what happened, Shelton said. Why were you going the wrong-way? What caused this? Any of that. Ware is alive, but doctors say she still has a lengthy recovery process ahead of her. I know she's going to get through it because she's determined. I know she's determined, I see it, Williams said. Doctors expect Ware to stay in the hospital for at least two to three more weeks. Her family is raising money to help with her mounting medical expenses. See full report at FOX4 News Last night (March 7, 2019), professional dancers Mari and Keone Madrid, along with their dance troupe Beyond Babel, were spotted attending the hit show ABSINTHE at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas (Photo courtesy of Fabian Pino/Spiegelworld). Enjoying a night out on The Strip, the standout contestants and couple from season one of NBCs World of Dance were seen taking in ABSINTHEs outlandish acts and hilarious antics during the 8 p.m. performance and went backstage after the show for a photo with The Gazillionaire. Today, in celebration of International Womens Day, Madame Tussauds attractions across the U.S. chose a variety of strong and empowering female figures to highlight at the front of their attractions and various iconic landmarks around the nation (Pictured: Madonna wax figure at Madame Tussauds Las Vegas). These legendary women were chosen for inspiring others by leaving their unique imprint on society, forever changing lives in some way. In Las Vegas, Madonna is being honored for not only her strong will to break down barriers in the music industry, but for her impact on society through her philanthropic efforts, inspiring movements, and so much more. Celebrating females from all walks of life that inspired others by leaving their mark socially, politically, or artistically, figures included Rosa Parks, Marie Tussaud, Serena Williams, Laverne Cox and more. Given that the current Decision 11 of the prime minister providing for the feed-in-tariff (FiT) of 9.35 US cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) is in effect only until June 30, the new draft would provide for a new FiT programme for an additional two years from July through to the end of June 2021, for solar power projects in Vietnam. Unlike the first format, establishing one FiT rate for all solar power projects, the draft decision proposes varying levels of tariffs according to location and technology, classified by four different irradiance regions of Vietnam and involving four different solar power technologies. Specifically, it provides for a wide range of tariffs which vary in the range from 6.67 cents per kWh to 10.87 cents per kWh. Compared to the first draft, the new one no longer divides the new FiT period into two separate one-year periods, with a gradual reduction of tariffs in the second year compared to the first. Instead, the new draft sets a single commercial operation date deadline of June 30, 2021, which is still to be confirmed. However, there are still significant differences in tariff rates among different regions, provinces and solar technologies. Specifically, the Ministry of Trade (MoIT) continues to propose higher tariffs for provinces with lower solar irradiance (primarily the northern provinces of Vietnam) and lower tariffs for provinces with higher solar irradiance, namely the southern and central provinces. This change illustrates the governments policy to diversify the locations for solar investments and navigate energy security priorities across different regions of Vietnam. However, this may have a significant impact on many on-going solar power projects already under development or construction in Vietnam given that the majority are being developed in southern provinces and the central highlands of Vietnam with higher solar irradiance. Compared to the first draft, the new one separates six provinces, namely Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan, Khanh Hoa, Dak Lak, Gia Lai and Phu Yen, into a new group of irradiance regional classifications with the lowest tariff rates, ranging from 6.67 to 8.21 cents per kWh depending on solar technologies. The latest draft decision outlines four distinct groupings for solar power schemes Classification of solar power projects For the purpose of the tariffs proposed above, the new draft classifies solar power projects into four groups. The first are floating solar power projects, which are defined as grid-connected ventures with solar photovoltaic (PV) panels installed on structures floating on the water surface, directly connected to the grid of state-owned Electricity of Vietnam or its successors. The second is ground-mounted solar power projects, grid connections having PV panels installed on the ground, directly connected to the grid of the power purchaser, and rooftop schemes with installed capacity of more than 1 megawatt-peak (MWp) directly connected to the power purchasers grid. Solar power projects with an integrated storage system are defined as grid-connected projects using an electrochemical storage system for the purposes of storing electrical power directly connected to the grid, with required minimum storage capacity being 25 per cent of AC capacity in two hours. The final group is rooftop solar power projects with solar PV panels installed on the roof or attached to a building, and having an installed capacity of 1MWp or less. The proposed tariffs will apply to part or the whole of projects achieving actual commercial operation date before June 30, 2021 (yet to be confirmed) for application for a power purchase agreement term of 20 years from the commercial operation date. The draft decision indicates a clear trend on the next FiT period as well as certain priorities and perspectives of the Vietnamese government. Proposed FiT rates, business models, and specific requirements are still in draft form although the likelihood and scope of potential revisions may vary among these details. When the MoIT released this new draft decision, it specifically mentioned that members of the private sector can send in any comments and feedback before April 15 to the MoITs Electricity and Renewable Energy Authority. Several nations have legalised medicinal cannabis, including Canada, Australia, Israel, and more than half the states in the US. (Photo: AFP/Lars Hagberg) Marijuana has been used as a traditional herb for centuries in Thailand but was banned decades ago. The military government's parliament voted in December to legalise it for medical purposes. Thailand is the first in Southeast Asia to embrace medical marijuana though recreational use remains illegal. Now state-sanctioned clinical trials testing the impact of cannabis oil on selected patients will be held as early as July, according to Nuntakan Suwanpidokkul, director of research and development at the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO). Extracts or "sublingual drops" will be administered during the tests to volunteers suffering from nausea and pain from chemotherapy, among other ailments. "We will use cannabis plants to extract oil for finished products," Nuntakan told AFP, adding that "we hope to begin in July or August". They will come from the government-managed indoor plantation that opened last month on the outskirts of Bangkok. It has around 140 plants cultivated under controlled lighting, temperatures and a misting system known as aeroponics. A gold rush mentality has set in since Thailand's parliament voted to change to the law. Political parties are touting the cash crop's benefits for the livelihoods of farmers and big blowout festivals are planned for April. The country's Food and Drug Administration also announced a 90-day amnesty starting in March for Thais to declare marijuana used for medical reasons and it has received thousands of calls asking for more details. Several nations have legalised medicinal cannabis, including Canada, Australia, Israel, and more than half the states in the US. US-based Grand View Research has estimated the global market for medical marijuana could reach US$55.8 billion by 2025. But critics caution that Thailand lacks the technical know-how to be truly competitive in the lucrative industry. "What I feel that the law is lacking is that the people who are writing it don't understand that cannabis is a very finicky plant," said Kitty Chopaka from the Highland Network, which advocates for marijuana legalisation. Small groups of Iranian women celebrated International Women's Day by appearing publicly unveiled in Tehran and calling on Iranians to support their defiance of mandatory veiling in the Islamist nation. VOA Persian received and verified a video clip showing two unveiled women marking Friday's occasion by holding a red sign and speaking to a camera on Valiasr Street, one of the Iranian capital's main thoroughfares. Their sign said International Women's Day is a promise of a just world for all humanity. In the video, the women call for an end to what they see as systematic injustice against women in Iran. "Separation of the sexes doesn't bring security to women, it brings violence," says one of the activists. "The scale of freedom in society should be measured by the freedom of women," says the other. In another video clip sent to Masih Alinejad, the freelance host of VOA Persian's Tablet program, and shared by her on social media, several unveiled women hand out flowers to conservatively dressed women wearing black chadors in a women's-only Tehran Metro train car. One of the unveiled activists says the date is March 8 and praises Iranian women as strong and resilient, before wishing them a happy International Women's Day. Another unveiled activist and a seated woman in a chador exchange kisses on the cheeks, with the activist saying she hopes that one day, women who want to wear a hijab and those who do not will come together and not judge each other. Several other women in chadors appear uncomfortable with the Metro encounter, which the activists recorded on a phone. In another development, Alinejad reported that two Iranian women who shared with her a video of themselves walking unveiled on a street in the western city of Kangavar last week have been arrested. Alinejad told VOA Persian that a relative of one of the two women sent her a message confirming that the pair were detained after their unveiled walk on Feb. 27. In the video, a narrator who identifies himself as the husband of one of the two women says they are filming the walk as part of a "White Wednesdays" campaign, backed by Alinejad, in which women in Iran appear unveiled in public. The Telegram channel of a Kangavar news site posted a March 3 message from a group of conservative women in the city, condemning what they called the ugly act of the unveiled walk and calling on authorities to deal with the perpetrators. There has been no word on the fate of the two women in Kangavar in Iranian state media. This article originated in VOA's Persian service. UNICEF NGO Jobs 2019 in Islamabad Latest Unicef NGO NGO Posts Islamabad 2021 Medical, health, mbbs, doctor and experienced candidate for the position of Integration Health Officer & Coordination Health Officer required United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund UNICEF NGO in Islamabad Pakistan 2019. How to Apply on Unicef NGO Job Advertisement Apply as per details in job advertisement. In some cases, you may apply online at vacancies after registering at https://www.jobz.pk online. Note: Beware of Fraudulent Recruiting Activities. If an employer asks to pay money for any purpose, do not pay at all and report us at contact us form. Apply as per instuctions & dates mentioned in official job ad. Govt jobs may not be applied online here. Human typing error is possible. Error & omissions excepted. Armed assailants on Saturday attacked an Ebola treatment center in the Democratic Republic of the Congo less than a week after it reopened following a previous attack. The attack in Butembo came in the early-morning hours and left one police officer dead and several workers injured. Butembo Mayor Sylvain Kanyamanda told reporters that security forces had defended the center and wounded one of the attackers. World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus visited the center several hours later and encouraged health care workers to continue fighting the deadly Ebola virus. "It breaks my heart to think of the health workers injured and police officer who died in today's attack, as we continue to mourn those who died in previous attacks while defending the right to health," Ghebreyesus told reporters. "We have no choice except to continue serving the people here, who are among the most vulnerable in the world." After the previous attack on the Butembo center, Doctors Without Borders suspended its operations in the city. Precautions stir doubts Anti-Ebola efforts already have faced adversity from residents suspicious of the extensive precautions taken by the health care workers to stop the spread of the highly contagious disease. Because Ebola virus can be transmitted through a victim's bodily fluids even after death, even burial of the victims requires stringent safety protocols. Thursday, Doctors Without Borders President Joanne Liu said the containment efforts used to control the latest outbreak of Ebola, which started in August last year, faced a "climate of deepening community mistrust" that was worsened by the use of security guards at treatment centers. Congo's health ministry has warned the attacks in Butembo and on another treatment center in Katwa last month can lead to a "significant upsurge" in new Ebola cases. More than 86 percent of the confirmed cases over the past three weeks came from Butembo and Katwa, according to the health ministry. The current outbreak is considered the worst since the two-year outbreak in West Africa that started in 2014 and killed more than 11,000 people. Australia this week signed a free-trade agreement with Indonesia. Australia shares a long maritime boundary with Indonesia and has close security ties, but experts have said that the bilateral economic relationship has been underdeveloped. Australia hopes that will change after the signing of a long-awaited free trade agreement. It was delayed last year when Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison suggested he might move his countrys embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. In response Indonesia, a strong supporter of the Palestinian territories, considered putting the trade deal on hold. Australia later decided not to relocate its embassy in Israel, which has diffused much of the tension. Indonesia hopes the trade pact signed in Jakarta this week will give its people more opportunities to work in Australia, as well as support for its palm oil industry. The deal is expected to benefit Australias agricultural and education industries. Australian universities and vocational training colleges will be allowed to operate in Indonesia. Its cattle farmers, grain growers, vegetable producers and steel makers are also expected to benefit. If you are a cattle producer across flood-ravaged north Queensland, or indeed the Northern Territory (or) elsewhere across the country, you are going to see huge growth in access for both live and frozen beef and cattle, said Australian Trade Minister Simon Birmingham. If you are working in the steel industry, you are going to see an opportunity for us to be able to export the equivalent of five Sydney harbor bridges each and every year in terms of steel production. The Business Council of Australia and the National Farmers Federation both support the trade deal, but trade unions say it could damage Australian jobs by allowing more Indonesian workers into the country. They fear migrant workers could be exploited and underpaid by unscrupulous employers. The deal took eight years to negotiate. The signing ceremony has been deliberately low-key because of its proximity to an Indonesian presidential election next month. Indonesia has the worlds largest Muslim population, and is home to 260 million people. Australia has a population of 25 million. Experts say the Australian-Indonesia pact is a timely signal to the international community about the importance of free trade. Australia has 10 free trade agreements currently in force, including accords with China, Japan and Korea. Searchers have spotted the bodies of two climbers from Britain and Italy in Pakistan days after the pair disappeared while trying to scale one of the world's highest peaks, officials said Saturday. Tom Ballard and Daniele Nardi were caught in bad weather about two weeks ago while trying to climb the 8,125-meter Nanga Parbat, nicknamed "Killer Mountain," using a route that has never been successfully completed. The search for Nardi, 42, and Ballard, 30, officially ended when the bodies of the pair were identified "beyond reasonable doubt" through telescope and aerial photos, the Italian ambassador to Pakistan said. "With great sadness I inform that the search for @NardiDaniele and Tom Ballard is over as @AlexTxikon and the search team have confirmed that the silhouettes spotted on Mummery [trail] at about 5,900 meters are those of Daniele and Tom. R.I.P," Stefano Pontecorvo, tweeted (@pontecorvoste). The Italian diplomat was personally monitoring the rescue effort. Pakistani military helicopters were used to fly search teams to the site. Nardi's family, in a message posted on his Facebook page, also confirmed his death along with that of his British climbing partner, saying they were "heartbroken." "A part of them will always remain on Nanga Parbat." Organizers said Nardi and Ballard had last established contact with their base camp on the evening of Feb. 24, saying they would be moving upward the next day. Ballard's mother, Alison Hargreaves, also died in Pakistan while trying to climb K2, the world's second-tallest mountain at 8,611 meters. Months before her 1995 death, Hargreaves had scaled Mount Everest alone, without supplementary oxygen or support. Both Ballard and Nardi stood among the top 10 Himalayan Alpinists in their own right, wrote veteran Pakistani climber Nazir Sabir on his Facebook page. "We are all so sad two more friends are gone, disappearing into the higher heavens and yet again the 'Killer Mountain' takes a toll as they become an eternal part of the Diamir [district, or west-side] Face of Nanga Parbat," Sabir said. Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro will visit the White House March 19 and is expected to discuss subjects including the situation in Venezuela with U.S. President Donald Trump, the White House said in a statement. Bolsonaro is a far-right former army captain who openly admires Trump. In a phone call after Bolsonaros election victory in October, they spoke of a strong commitment to work side by side on issues affecting their countries. Even before taking office in January, Bolsonaro pledged to oppose the government of Venezuela, where an economic crisis has caused millions of people to flee, many to neighboring Brazil. Since taking power, Bolsonaro has stepped up criticism of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduros government and recognized Juan Guaido, the opposition leader and self-declared interim president, as the leader of the OPEC member nation. The United States has also recognized Guaido as president and called on others to do the same. Washington has increased sanctions against Venezuela in a bid to oust Maduro. A labor strike in France, prompted by concerns over Britain's withdrawal from the European Union, might spread to the flying public. Strikes by customs agents at ports and rail stations earlier in the week could now spread airports. Long lines of trucks at Calais and Dunkirk ports. Two-hour delays for Britain-bound Eurostar rail passengers. That was the scene this week in France for passengers and merchandise headed for the U.K. French customs agents staged slowdowns by strictly observing rules, leading to lengthy security checks, a preview, they claim, of what might happen if Britain leaves the European Union without an exit agreement later this month. Unions warned select French airports would also be affected over the weekend, including the countrys busiest hub, Charles de Gaulle, outside Paris amid heavy school holiday traffic. Christophe Abadie, head of the (CFDT) customs labor union, urged passengers to prepare for potential delays. He told Frances CNews TV that the French customs service lacks the technical and infrastructure ability to deal with Brexit. The government says it will be recruiting 700 more agents to cope with Brexit demands. Unions say thats not enough. They also want better pay and working conditions. Another customs union member warned that without enough reinforcements, kilometer-long lines seen this week at northern French ports could be even longer under a no-deal Brexit. French authorities say theyll be prepared. The minister in charge of customs, Gerald Darmanin, meets with union leaders early next week. British lawmakers are set to vote again Tuesday on Prime Minister Theresa Mays Brexit deal, and reports suggest its passage is unlikely. Like France, other European countries are concerned about the transportation chaos that could result from Londons departure from the EU without an agreement. Thats especially true for the Netherlands, where authorities at Europes largest port of Rotterdam warned last month that a no-deal Brexit could lead to serious problems. A Dutch transportation institute also warned that under a worst-case Brexit scenario, trade between Britain and the Netherlands could drop by as much as 50 percent. An acclaimed Italian forensic scientist has for years had the difficult job of identifying bodies of migrants, who sought to reach Europe in search of a better life but never made it. Cristina Cattaneo says it is complicated process but an important one for the families of the victims. At least 30,000 migrants are believed to have perished in the Mediterranean Sea in their efforts to reach Europe. Of these, more than half have not been identified. For some years now, Cattaneo has been trying to improve that situation. But giving a name to migrants who died is no easy matter, particularly because there is no databank of missing migrants. Cattaneo said what is needed is to put post-mortem details of dead migrants into a single database to match with pre-mortem details that must be gathered from relatives looking for their loved ones. She initially encountered resistance: there were no public funds available for that kind of work and criticism included the fact that no one was looking for the nameless migrants. But she disagreed. Cattaneo said she felt the anxiety of relatives searching for their dead and how they have the right to find them and be given their death certificates. She said the initiative began in 2012 to afford relatives the same dignity that is given to victims of other disasters, like plane crashes. She said the discrimination toward dead migrants is wrong. The catalyst for proper identification of nameless migrants, Cattaneo said, came in the form of two major disasters that occurred in the Mediterranean: the sinking of a vessel off the island of Lampedusa on October 3, 2013, in which more than 360 migrants died, and an incident off the Libyan coastline on April 18, 2015, in which a vessel carrying more than 800 migrants sank to the bottom of the Mediterranean. Later reports said that up to 1,100 hundred migrants could have been aboard the doomed vessel. For both of these tragedies, forensic scientists gathered post-mortem information, including DNA, for all those recovered, in an effort to identify the migrants. In the case of the 2015 sinking, the operation was complex because many of the bodies recovered one year later were decomposed, and the vessel had to be raised from a depth of 400 meters by the Italian navy. Cattaneo explained that identifying victims remains is also important from a legal point of view. She said that orphans especially minors and widows often need death certificates of their relatives or it is very difficult for them to legally move forward with their lives. After collecting and profiling the information gathered from the victims, Cattaneo said they needed to gather pre-mortem information from living relatives. In the case of the vessel that sank off Lampedusa, the Italian government put out a call for anyone who thought they may have had a family member who died in that disaster to come forward with details that could be matched against data gathered by forensic scientists. Cattaneo said 72 relatives came forward, leading to the positive identification of 35 dead migrants, and their cases were closed. For the ship that was recovered from the bottom of the sea, the International Red Cross put out a call for the likely relatives to come forward. One-hundred-ninety relatives from Mali and Mauritania alone responded to that call. Cattaneo and her team are continuing their identification efforts at a forensic laboratory at Milan University. Italy is the only country in Europe that has embarked on a project like this using post-mortem and pre-mortem information matching for migrants. Underscoring the many hurdles in this process, Cattaneo saaid the only way forward is for a databank to be created in which European countries share information, similar to how law enforcement officials currently operate. A federal judges unexpected sentencing of Paul Manafort to less than four years in prison has been decried by some critics as a mere slap on the wrist, reigniting a debate over racial and class disparities in the American criminal justice system. On Thursday, U.S. District Court Judge T.S. Ellis sentenced Manafort to 47 months in prison, months after the former Trump campaign chairman and international political consultant was found guilty of eight counts of bank and tax fraud involving millions of dollars he made while working for Ukrainian politicians. The sentence fell well below the 19.5 years to 24.5 years recommended under federal sentencing guidelines. But Ellis said he found the recommended sentence excessive and considered other factors in imposing a much lower sentence, including support letters by Manaforts prominent well-wishers. Talk of social media, late night TV The penalty instantly became the subject of mockery on social media and late night talk shows and sparked criticism of the often disparate outcomes of criminal cases involving white defendants with an army of high-powered lawyers and those of minority defendants aided by overworked public defenders. Scott Hechinger, a New York-based public defender, took to Twitter to provide what he called some context to the Manafort sentence. my client yesterday was offered 36-72 months in prison for stealing $100 worth of quarters from a residential laundry room, he wrote in a post that was retweeted 54,000 times. In an interview with VOA, Hechinger said he was not advocating a harsher sentence for Manafort. My reaction was one of outrage not because how relatively lenient his sentence was, I dont want more time for Paul Manafort, he said. It was an outrage at the fact that my clients dont get the same kind of mercy and individualized justice on a mass scale that he got. Hechinger, who is senior staff attorney and director of policy for Brooklyn Defender Services, represents predominantly black and Latino defendants. US accustomed to long sentences Marc Mauer, executive director of the Sentencing Project, a Washington-based research and advocacy organization, said criticism that Manafort got off easy underlines the degree to which Americans have grown accustomed to seeing people spend decades behind bars, sometimes for a third-time drug offense. In many other industrialized nations to get a sentence of 20 years, youd have to kill someone, possibly several people, Mauer said. In recent years, racial disparities in sentencing have been on the rise. A 2014 University of Michigan study found that black defendants receive sentences nearly 10 percent longer than those of comparable whites convicted of the same crimes. A 2017 survey the U.S. Sentencing Commission put the black/white sentencing disparity in the federal system at 20 percent. While the laws themselves are not directly racist, what we know is that defendants of color are more likely to be sentenced to prison and more likely to do greater time in prison, Mauer said. Sentencing Commission and Supreme Court To remove disparities in sentencing in federal cases, Congress created the Sentencing Commission in the 1980s. Sentencing guidelines adopted by the commission allowed judges little leeway. But in a landmark decision in 2005, the Supreme Court made the guidelines advisory, giving judges wide latitude in handing down harsher or more lenient sentences depending on the circumstances of a case. In many cases, federal judges sentence within those guideline ranges, but theyre also free to depart either above or below the range, Mauer said. In recent decades, however, both the federal government and states have adopted mandatory minimum sentences for drug offenses, giving prosecutors enormous power to slap stiff criminal charges against defendants in hopes of prompting guilty pleas. In 95 percent of cases, defendants plead guilty. The vast majority of them are people of color not because they commit more crimes but because theyre targeted more for arrest, Hechinger said. In addition, research shows that prosecutors are more likely to give white defendants a better plea offer than black or other minority defendants, Mauer added. Every aspect of system to blame According to the Sentencing Project, people of color make up 67 percent of the U.S. prison population while they represent only 37 percent of the population. There are currently 2.2 million people in U.S. prisons and jails. Jonathan Blanks, research associate at the Cato Institutes Project on Criminal Justice, said that while racial bias is a very real and major problem in almost every aspect of our criminal justice system, it is a mistake to read prejudice into every lower-than-expected sentence in a high profile case. Moreover, it is difficult to at once argue for less-severe sentences to reduce mass incarceration and simultaneously reflexively condemn lower-than-recommended sentences just because the public has strong feelings about a given defendant, Blanks said via email. As for Manafort, the relatively light sentence is not the end of his legal woes. Hes scheduled to be sentenced next week in a separate case in Washington, where he pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy last year. Federal guidelines call for a sentence of more than 17 years. Thousands of civilians have evacuated from Baghuz, Syria, in the past two days as U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are trying to recapture the last stronghold of Islamic State (IS) in eastern Syria. More than 6,500 civilians left Baghuz in the last two days alone, SDF officials told VOA Thursday. They said hundreds of IS families, including children and women, were among those fleeing the town. A VOA reporter spoke with some of them as SDF officials were vetting them. SDF said most of these women were from Iraq and some were from different European countries. "I'm from Belgium. I have been here for five years," said one woman who left Baghuz on Thursday. She didn't want to be identified for security reasons. "I left the town because of airstrikes. There was heavy shelling throughout the day," she said. WATCH: IS Wives Evacuating Syria's Baghuz Speak to VOA Some of these fleeing women expressed regret for joining the terror group in Syria. "I regret, but how can I change it?" said another woman who told VOA she was from Finland. "I said it many times now. How can I change my past? I cannot change it," she added. Not all innocent But not all of those heading from Baghuz toward SDF-held areas are innocent civilians, local sources said. "I saw some women chanting [IS] slogans," said Ivan Hasib, a Syrian reporter who is embedded with the SDF. "They are still aggressively defending Daesh and its ideology," Hasib told VOA in a phone interview, using an Arabic acronym for IS. He said the last batch of people who evacuated Baghuz were mostly "die-hard supporters" of the terror group. Once vetted by SDF and U.S.-led coalition officials, displaced people are transferred to the al-Hol camp in the nearby province of Hasaka, SDF officials said. But Kurdish officials said there are already about 2,700 IS family members who have been settled in two heavily guarded refugee camps in northeast Syria. Complaints are mounting as more people arrive from Baghuz, adding further financial burden on local authorities who are assisting them. Kurdish groups have been urging European countries to take back their citizens, including women, children and IS fighters. A United Nations expert finds the use of children by violent extremist groups to fight their battles is growing and becoming internationalized. The findings come in a report on Children and Armed Conflict submitted to the U.N. Human Rights Council. Special Representative of the Secretary-General for children and armed conflict, Virginia Gamba, considers children to be the primary victims of war. While children continue to be recruited as soldiers by governments and rebel armed groups, she notes the emergence of several disturbing new trends. Speaking in Geneva, she said the transnational nature of violent extremist groups has seen the emergence of transnational recruitment and involvement of children as foreign fighters. It is estimated that since 2011, between 30,000 and 42,000 foreign fighters from some 120 countries have travelled to Iraq and the Syrian Arab Republic to join groups affiliated with Islamic State and/or al-Qaida. Those numbers include a significant proportion of children, she said. Gamba said a growing number of children are being detained for their alleged association with violent extremist groups that operate across borders. She said these children who have been exposed to some of the worst atrocities are treated as criminals instead of as victims. She said they should receive help to become rehabilitated and reintegrated into society. Last year, she said there was a significant rise in attacks on schools and the use of schools for military purposes, thus denying children access to an education. She said children are afraid to go to class because they may be exposed to abduction, recruitment or sexual violence by parties to conflict. The U.N. expert says child abductions in situations of conflict also have risen. She warns abductions frequently are a precursor to other violations. She cited the example of Nigeria, where the militant Boko Haram has abducted hundreds of school girls. In many cases, she said, girls were specifically abducted to be used as human bombs. There are indications North Korea may be preparing for a missile or space launch, National Public Radio is reporting. The U.S. news outlet said an analysis of satellite images of the Sanumdong facility near Pyongyang reveal the presence of trucks, cars, rail cars and cranes. "When you put all that together, that's really what it looks like when the North Koreans are in the process of building a rocket," said Jeffrey Lewis, a researcher at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey, California. Lewis has studied the images, which were provided by DigitalGlobe, a U.S. commercial provider of space and earth imagery. This development comes on the heels of U.S. President Donald Trump saying he would be "very disappointed" if North Korea is resuming nuclear testing after his recent meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Trump made the comments to reporters Friday as he prepared to travel to Alabama to view tornado damage. He said he has greatly improved U.S. relations with North Korea during his time in office. "Look, when I came in," he said, "under the Obama administration, North Korea was a disaster. You were going to war, folks, whether you know it or not. ... I inherited a mess." He continued, "Right now you have no testing, you have no nothing. Let's see what happens, but I would be very disappointed if I saw testing." Trump and Kim met last week in Vietnam in a summit meant to reach an agreement on North Korean denuclearization. But the meeting broke down over an impasse over how many sites North Korea would shut down. Following the summit, South Korean newspapers reported there was evidence of new activity at the Sohae long-range rocket site, a site Kim agreed last year to shut down as part of confidence-building measures with the United States. North Korean state media acknowledged the failed meeting for the first time Friday, saying the people of North Korea blame the United States for the collapse of the talks. United Nations Population Fund UNPFA NGO Jobs 2019 Latest United Nations Population Fund Pakistan UNFPA NGO Posts Islamabad 2021 United Nations Population Fund UNPFA NGO required the services of dedicated and qualified personnel for the post of Communications Associate in Islamabad Pakistan 2019. How to Apply on United Nations Population Fund Pakistan UNFPA Job Advertisement Apply as per details in job advertisement. In some cases, you may apply online at vacancies after registering at https://www.jobz.pk online. Note: Beware of Fraudulent Recruiting Activities. If an employer asks to pay money for any purpose, do not pay at all and report us at contact us form. Apply as per instuctions & dates mentioned in official job ad. Govt jobs may not be applied online here. Human typing error is possible. Error & omissions excepted. U.S.-backed fighters could soon resume an offensive against the Islamic State group in the last area they control in Syria, an official said Saturday, adding that the battle against the extremists was expected to take three days. Aras Orkesh of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces said they had about 2,500 fighters ready for the battle in and around the eastern village of Baghuz, where IS fighters still have a presence. Under the cover of heavy coalition bombing on March 1-2, SDF forces advanced on the besieged tent encampment, leaving a corridor for residents to leave. Following that operation, thousands of residents and many fighters evacuated Baghuz over the next four days. But since Friday, only a small group came out, raising speculation that a renewed military offensive was being planned. On Saturday, a black flag inside Baghuz could be seen from a distance as well as moving trucks. On the front line, SDF fighters have assumed a relaxed stance, with some walking around on rooftops exposed to IS fighters. 'End of the cease-fire' Orkesh, the SDF official, said the battle could restart ``tonight or tomorrow. It's the end of the cease-fire with Daesh.'' He used an Arabic acronym to refer to IS, adding that the battle could take three days. ``What's holding us up is the civilians. We can see them, women and children inside,'' he said. In Washington, a senior defense official estimated that nearly 20,000 people, including 3,500 to 4,000 adult males, had emerged from Baghuz since Feb. 20. The official, who could not be identified by name under Pentagon ground rules, said Friday that nearly all of the 20,000, including women and children, were seen as IS followers or adherents. The official said it would not be a surprise, based on current conditions, if it took another couple of weeks to finish mopping up the IS enclave. The area on the east bank of the Euphrates River in the province of Deir el-Zour that borders Iraq has been under attack by SDF since September. After capturing all of the surrounding towns and villages over the past six months, the SDF in recent weeks advanced on Baghuz from three sides, besieging it. Hundreds of IS fighters, along with thousands of civilians, mostly family members, evacuated the IS-held area after the SDF alternately applied military pressure and allowed time for evacuees to come out. In the last two weeks, many fighters appeared to be among those evacuating. But some IS militants are still clinging to a patch of land inside the village and are vowing to fight. The capture of Baghuz would be a milestone in the devastating four-year campaign to defeat the group's so-called caliphate that once covered a vast territory straddling Syria and Iraq. The fight against IS has taken place amid Syria's nearly eight-year-old civil war. Manbij attack In northern Syria, meanwhile, an official with a U.S.-backed group said a suicide car bomb attacker blew himself up near a military vehicle in Manbij, wounding eight people, most of them civilians. Sharfan Darwish, of the Kurdish-led Manbij Military Council, said the Saturday afternoon attack took place as a military car and several civilian vehicles passed by He said seven civilians were wounded, one seriously, as well as a U.S.-backed fighter. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a war monitor, also reported the blast, saying several civilians and fighters were wounded. No one immediately claimed responsibility, but in January IS claimed a suicide attack in Manbij that killed 19 people, including two U.S. service members and two American civilians. The United States has accused Iran of defying a U.N. Security Council resolution with one ballistic missile test and two satellite launches since December and has urged the council to "bring back tougher international restrictions" on Tehran. A 2015 U.N. resolution "called upon" Iran to refrain for up to eight years from work on ballistic missiles designed to deliver nuclear weapons following an agreement with six world powers. Some states argue that the language does not make it obligatory. In a letter Thursday to the 15-member council, acting U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Jonathan Cohen said Iran tested a medium-range ballistic missile on Dec. 1, 2018, and attempted to place satellites in orbit on Jan. 15 and Feb. 5. "Iran has carried out these three launches in defiance of the expressed will of the U.N. Security Council, and such provocations continue to destabilize the entire Middle East region," Cohen wrote. Asked for a response to the letter, spokesman Alireza Miryousefi for the Iranian mission to the United Nations said Iran does not have any ballistic missiles designed to carry nuclear weapons, "therefore none of the ballistic missile launches of Iran are covered by that resolution." At a Security Council meeting in December, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged the body to toughen that measure to reflect language in a 2010 resolution that left no room for interpretation by banning Iran from "activity related to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, including launches using ballistic missile technology." Cohen's letter called upon the council to "join us in imposing real consequences on Iran for its flagrant defiance of the council's demands and bring back tougher international restrictions to deter Iran's missile program." The United States has not yet proposed any concrete action by the council to toughen missile restrictions on Iran. Any such move would likely be opposed by Russia and China, which both have veto power. Most U.N. sanctions imposed on Iran were lifted in January 2016 when the U.N. nuclear watchdog confirmed that Tehran fulfilled commitments under the nuclear deal with Britain, France, Germany, China, Russia and the United States. But Iran is still subject to a U.N. arms embargo and other restrictions. The U.N. sanctions and restrictions on Iran are contained in the 2015 resolution, which also enshrines the 2015 Iran nuclear accord. European powers have been scrambling to salvage the deal following U.S. President Donald Trump's withdrawal of the United States in May 2018. A week after U.S.-backed forces announced the start of their final assault on Islamic State territory in Syria, there is little the troops or the countries backing them can be sure of. Victory over the last remnant of the terror group's self-declared caliphate, still seen as inevitable, has been delayed as a wave of humanity fled the ever-shrinking patch of land IS calls its own. 'We have been consistently wrong' In fact, just about the only thing anyone is almost sure of is what will not be found when the fighting is finally done. "We're pretty confident the leadership is not still down in this tiny little, basically, hellhole that remains," a senior U.S. defense official said Friday, referring to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the terror group's self-declared caliph. As for everything else, "We have been consistently wrong, as have our SDF [Syrian Democratic Forces] partners, on how big this is," the official added, referring to the exodus of IS fighters, women and children from their tiny enclave in the northeastern Syrian town of Baghuz. Since SDF officials estimated in late February that no more than 1,000 people remained in the bombed-out farming community on the banks of the Euphrates River, the Pentagon estimates about 20,000 people have fled. Initial estimates from the United Nations and SDF officials suggest the total may be even higher, perhaps closer to 25,000. Pushed to 'breaking point' "The number of civilians coming out of Baghuz has exceeded any prediction of humanitarian actors," Hedinn Halldorsson, with the U.N.'s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Damascus, told VOA. Separately, the International Rescue Committee warned Friday the al-Hol displaced-persons camp was being pushed to a "breaking point" by the exodus from Baghuz, with 12,000 people arriving in just a 48-hour period, pushing the camp's population to more than 65,000. And more may still be lurking in the kilometers of tunnels and caves extending far beneath the shattered buildings and ragged tents. A YPG media official tweeted that a message recovered from the phone of an IS fighter claimed 45,000 people had taken refuge in the final corner of the IS caliphate. Yet as surprising as the numbers have been, U.S. defense officials do not believe it is an accident or a happenstance of the campaign to liberate this part of Syria from IS rule. "What we are seeing now is not the surrender of ISIS as an organization but a calculated decision," the commander of U.S. forces in the Middle East, Gen. Joseph Votel, told U.S. lawmakers Thursday, using one of many acronyms for the terror group. He and other officials warn IS's goal is to preserve as much of the group's capabilities as possible as it completes a transition from an almost traditional army to a clandestine insurgency, counting on every man, woman and child to do his or her part. "The vast majority of these are assessed not to be innocent civilians," the senior defense official said of the thousands of stragglers who evacuated Baghuz in recent days. "Some of these folks have been with ISIS for years and have sort of followed the retreating ISIS army, battle after battle," the official said. "They want to continue this fight even if there isn't a physical area to protect." As if to echo that defiance, an Iraqi woman, who fled Baghuz and identified herself as Oum Mohammed, told cameras with the French news agency AFP this past week, "It's not a defeat, no, it's nothing." "The brave ones are still left," she added. "Those who remain will win by the grace of God." While few U.S. or SDF officials believe IS will be able to prevail in some sort of last stand at Baghuz, many worry that over the long term, the terror group could find a way to re-emerge and perhaps even attempt, at some point, to reclaim territory. Sleeper cells a concern U.S. defense and intelligence officials estimate IS has tens of thousands of fighters positioned across Syria and Iraq, some as part of sleeper cells that have already begun to activate. Kurdish officials in Iraq warn that in some parts of Iraq, the terror group has free rein, essentially ruling the night even as government troops and police seem to be in charge by day. The group's financial networks, while significantly degraded, remain functional. And whether at the SDF screening centers outside Baghuz or in displaced-persons camps, their fervor has not abated. In one incident at al-Hol this past Tuesday, security guards were forced to fire gunshots to disperse a crowd of about 200 angry women who were demanding to know what had become of their male relatives. Cooks and janitors? For now, most of the men are being held in SDF detention facilities, which are being pushed to the limit as the number of those in custody has about doubled in recent weeks. Many of the men claim to be cooks or janitors, but U.S. officials say almost all 5,000 or so are in fact IS fighters. More than 1,000 are foreign fighters, hailing from 50 countries spanning Europe, Central Asia, North Africa and the Middle East. The remainder come from Syria or Iraq. U.S. officials suspect many of them are content to bide their time in prisons, waiting for a chance to escape and eventually rejoin the struggle. The U.S. believes the SDF can handle them, for now, but that without more aid from the international community, another crisis may erupt. "This is a serious generational problem that if not handled properly will sow the seeds of future violent extremism," Votel said. Waiting game For now, though, the focus remains on Baghuz, where at least on Friday, the exodus has stopped. "We are waiting for [Saturday] morning or perhaps until the afternoon," SDF spokesman Mustafa Bali told Reuters Friday. "If no civilian or terrorist comes out, we will launch our military operation anew." U.S. officials, though, remain cautious, warning IS may simply be trying to buy more time. "They'll negotiate and fight, and negotiate and fight," the senior defense official said late Friday. "Maybe we're done in the next couple of days," the official said. "I hesitate to put a number on it." VOA's Margaret Besheer contributed this report. Women's Affairs Minister Sithembiso Nyoni says Zimbabwe has a lot to celebrate where it comes to achievements by women, but stresses that more has to be done. In an interview with Sithandekile Mhlanga of VOA's Zimbabwe Service, Nyoni highlighted some of the achievements made. Thousands of civilians have been evacuated from Baghuz, Syria, in the past two days as U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces continue battling to recapture the last stronghold of Islamic State in Syria. Among those civilians are hundreds of IS families. VOA's Zana Omer spoke with some of them. No media source currently available The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. Some Zimbabweans living or visiting Botswana seen in the streets of Gaborone on Friday as the world marked International Women's Day. The government of Zimbabwe under President Emmerson Mnangagwa has failed to bring about political and economic changes needed to improve the country's reputation, the State Department said Thursday. The comments relate to President Donald Trump's decision this week to extend by one year U.S. sanctions that target more than 100 entities and individuals in Zimbabwe, including Mnangagwa. "We believe that President Emmerson Mnangagwa has yet to implement the political and economic overhaul required to improve the country's reputation with the community of nations, and with the United States," State Department spokesman Robert Palladino told reporters. "The actions of the targeted individuals continue to undermine Zimbabwe's democratic processes," he said, adding that there were ongoing concerns in the United States over human rights abuses in Zimbabwe. Mnangagwa has called for U.S. sanctions to be lifted against the ZANU-PF ruling party, top military figures and some government-owned firms. The sanctions were imposed during long-time rule of former president Robert Mugabe. Washington has called on Mnangagwa to change Zimbabwe's laws restricting media freedom and allowing protests. Millions around the world observed International Womens Day, Friday, this year running under the theme, Think Equal, Build Smart, Innovate for Change. Zimbabwe marked the day in Gokwe, in the Midlands Province. In a tweet published on his official account, President Emmerson Mnangagwa wrote we continue to work towards full equality and further empowerment for girls and women in the new Zimbabwe. The countrys Womens Affairs Minister, Sithembiso Nyoni who attended the Gokwe festivities, said the government was making good on its commitment to empower women. Nyoni, who also serves as legislator for Nkayi North, attributed much of the progress to the countrys First Lady, Auxillia Mnangagwa. Our first lady is very committed to the girl child and Im sure you have seen that with her trust, Angel of Hope, she has taken the girl child very seriously, said Nyoni. For your own information, most rural schools, secondary schools, have a higher enrollment of girls than boys. Girls are getting more educated. At the UZ (University of Zimbabwe) as I speak, the enrollment is more females than males. So something is happening to the girl child. They are getting awareness, she stressed. Nyoni further applauded the governments efforts to empower women by placing them in powerful positions such as the ministry of information and defense, and also previous high level posts like vice president. She outside government and politics, women have also found opportunities. We now have women in business, who are running very lucrative and very big businesses, women that are CEOs of big companies, like Econet. Econet has a woman CEO thats a big company, and in the judiciary, you find in Zimbabwe we have a 50/50. So we have made inroads, Nyoni said, adding, however that its not enough, we are fighting for a 50/50, but its better, lets celebrate the steps we have taken. Deputy chairperson Budha-Masara of the Zimbabwe Womens Parliamentary Caucus, however downplayed the claims of progress for women in Zimbabwe. The member of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change led by Nelson Chamisa, said government claims that it has created opportunities for women are mostly rhetoric, with little action. The government is talking too much about the women empowerment women empowerment programs, said Budha-Masara. The Womens Bank was established but there is nothing tangible in terms of resources that are being allocated to the womens projects, regardless of whichever political parties that you are aligned to. Budha-Masara also criticized the governments inability to protect women against violence. Her comments reflected those of MDC leader Nelson Chamisa who in a tweet posted on his personal account honoring women for their achievements, also chasticized the government for failing to protect them human rights. In Zimbabwe, horrific crimes against women, including rape are common, wrote Chamisa. Our new Zimbabwe will end the impunity behind these gender atrocities. In observance of the day, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Gutterrez issued a plea for more support for women. "Lets make sure women and girls can shape the policies, services and infrastructure that impact all our lives. And lets support women and girls who are breaking down barriers to create a better world for everyone." The Alabama Education Association says the Alabama Supreme Court ruled Friday in favor of its case against PEEHIP, the Public Education Employees Health Insurance Program. The lawsuit was filed in 2016, and the association says this ruling means thousands of Alabama's educators will receive an overdue pay raise and a refund of illegal health insurance premiums. The association says, at this time, they don't have information about how or when refunds will be issued. Now is the time to talk to your colleagues who haven't joined your professional organization yet. The PEEHIP case is only the beginning of what we will accomplish for Alabama educators when we join forces, AEA President Sherry Tucker said in a statement released on Friday. After the presentation, the Acting President sent his best wishes to senior leaders of Vietnam, affirming that Mauritius always treasures and wishes to promote friendship and cooperation with Vietnam. He also valued Vietnam's economic achievements and international integration and hoped for new strides in bilateral cooperation, particularly in economics, trade, investment, telecommunications, tourism, justice and agriculture. The Acting President of Mauritius expressed his wish that the Vietnamese Ambassador would serve a successful term and act as a bridge to strengthen the friendship and relations between the two countries. Ambassador Le Huy Hoang conveyed congratulations from Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh to the Acting President and leaders of Mauritius on the occasion of the 51st National Day of the Republic of Mauritius. Ambassador Hoang affirmed that Vietnam attaches great importance to developing the traditional friendship and relations with Mauritius while hoping for close coordination with local ministries and sectors during his tenure to contribute to boosting multifaceted cooperation between the two countries. On the occasion, Ambassador Le Huy Hoang also paid courtesy visits to the Prime Minister and the Speaker of the National Assembly of Mauritius. He also had meetings with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade; the Minister of Technology, Communication and Innovation; the Minister of Tourism; Chairman of the Economic Development Board; and representatives of the Mauritian business circle. Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth said that the two countries should promote bilateral cooperation in economy, trade, and tourism, including the signing of a double taxation avoidance agreement and an investment promotion and protection agreement. At the meeting with leaders and the business circle of Mauritius, the Ambassador briefed them of the economic and social situation in Vietnam while expressing his wish that leaders of Mauritius would encourage their enterprises to invest in Vietnam and create conditions for Vietnamese goods to penetrate into the Mauritian market. In addition, the Ambassador met with representatives of the Vietnamese community in Mauritius and informed them of the socio-economic development in Vietnam as well as new policies on overseas Vietnamese. The National Weather Service in Huntsville Alabama has issued a * Severe Thunderstorm Warning for... Southwestern Madison County in north central Alabama... Southeastern Limestone County in north central Alabama... Morgan County in north central Alabama... * Until 300 PM CST. * At 229 PM CST, a severe thunderstorm was located near Hartselle, moving east at 50 mph. HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees. * Locations impacted include... Western Huntsville, Decatur, Madison, Hartselle, Redstone Arsenal, Priceville, Falkville, Triana, Marshall Space Flight Center and Morgan City. A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 900 PM CST for north central and northwestern Alabama...and Middle Tennessee. HAIL...<.75IN WIND...60MPH Instructions: For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building. Damaging winds and continuous cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Move indoors immediately. Lightning is one of nature's leading killers. Remember, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning. The Madison County Sheriff's Office has an honorary member. Lou Ferrigno is mainly known for being the Incredible Hulk on the original TV series that aired in the 70's and 80's, but one thing you may not know about him is his appreciation for law enforcement. "I've gone through the academy to be a sheriff," Ferrigno said. "I know what it takes to be behind a badge and a gun. It's not an easy job." Ferrigno is a reserve deputy at the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office in California and an honorary deputy at many other sheriff's offices across the country. On Friday, he added Madison County to that list. The sheriff gave him an honorary badge and ID. "It's such a great honor, because I'm part of a society, especially being here and knowing I have a connection with the sheriff's office," the actor said. Though Ferrigno is often recognized as one of the strongest Avengers on TV, he says real heroes don't wear capes, or turn green when they get angry. He recognizes the real heroes as the officers who put their lives on the line every day. "We need officers, because there is so much turmoil and so much crime, especially now," Ferrigno said. "I want to give back and help people to show the positive side of what you call a peace officer." You can catch the actor this weekend at the Huntsville Comic and Pop Culture Expo at the Von Braun Center. The Tennessee River in Florence is still one foot above flood stage, but it's down by about nine feet since last week. Now, the Tennessee Valley Authority is preparing for more rain in the Shoals and across their entire system. TVA said Wilson Dam is currently spilling a little less than 2 million gallons of water per second, but they expect large flow volumes for at least the next week, if not longer. TVA said they are now back to preparing for more rain after a little break. All of the tributaries that were storing water from February's flooding are now being released. On Friday, TVA officials said Florence could expect two inches of rain throughout the weekend. They said the Tennessee River should not begin to rise and should remain at about 19 feet, which is one foot above flood stage. People who are still trying to recover from flood damage said they're worried more rain could halt their progress. "There are so many people in this area that want to volunteer and help as much as they can and with that rain coming in, it slows work down," said Amber Gregory, whose home was damaged in Nathan Estates. "We can't get supplies or dry wall in here. It's just hard to start putting the pieces back together when there is so much rain coming." TVA said flooding from February is still impacting all 49 of their dams. They said, right now, the strategy is to move as much water as possible before more rain comes. Officials said they will be monitoring the rainfall over the next week and will change their forecast every six hours. They also said with high flow rates and debris, people should avoid the river or use extreme caution on the river. As a representation of Mazzolis oeuvre, the works for solo violin seemed a little lacking, not revealing every dimension of a still-young composer whos done so much good work in other media. Some common gestures surfaced in several of the pieces, especially a tendency to seesaw the bow energetically back and forth over the strings in paroxysms of intensity, a kind of emotive equivalent to Philip Glasss arpeggios. Many of the pieces also yielded to gentle, meditative codas. Still, it was a bracing hour of expressive music, linked together with interludes from Vespers, a longer work in which recorded voices waved through the electronics like thick smoke. Dissolve, O My Heart, commissioned by the L.A. Philharmonic, was an intense solo introduction for Kohs confident playing; Kinski Paganini deconstructed a Paganini caprice until all that was left was a handful of dry glittering bits, like salt crystals. The last work, Vespers for Violin, was one of the strongest, though undermined by the accompanying video by the director James Darrah, a collection of cliches in which a male model/dancer gestured ecstatically in the desert, and then ended by dragging on a cigarette with a long finger of dangling ash. If theyd wanted to send up men, they couldnt have done it better. She (the boss) has been very discreet, and no one is supposed to know of the wedding. The majority of us did not even know that she had a boyfriend, much less a fiance. I was tipped off by someone who happened to know. Almost all the families had been reunited when the inspector general for the Department of Health and Human Services issued the report in January that surprised Sabraw and the ACLU. The report estimated that thousands of other children may have been taken from their parents, including from July 1, 2017, to November 2017, during a trial run of the crackdown in west Texas and New Mexico. Until then, the ACLU had heard of only a few such cases. The book on which the 1964 film Lilith was based is primarily set in the Chestnut Lodge mental institution on West Montgomery Avenue in Rockville, Md. This beautiful brick building did not appear in the film, but some scenes were shot at a house in Rockville, and a scene was shot near Great Falls as well. Can you locate the Rockville home the movie was shot in? The governor also asked Miller and Busch to consider different minimum wages for different parts of the state, which he said is the policy in Oregon and New York. He said the best way to help low-wage workers would be to expand the states Earned Income Tax Credit. The Honda veered onto the right shoulder and caught fire, trapping the driver inside. Police said the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Hingle was not injured, according to authorities. Kayode and Ross were treated at a hospital. The men fought and Waters threatened to kill Harris if he returned to the area, prosecutors said. They said that Harris left but later returned to the 2600 block of Birney Place SE. Prosecutors said Waters wore a ski mask and came out of a hiding place, shooting Harris six times and killing him. She did the only thing she could do to protect herself, defense lawyer Arthur Ago said Thursday in his opening statement in his clients murder trial. As Lalchan sat facing the jury, Ago added: She did the only thing she could do to save her own life. She did the thing that the law allows her to do. The narrow store, lined with shelves of wine and liquor from floor to ceiling, was one of many local businesses and restaurants celebrating the 110th annual International Womens Day through deals and promotions. Tandon began the tradition last year, giving out about 200 bottles of wine as a gesture of gratitude to women and a way to draw new customers into the store, which he had opened just three months prior. Savoy, in a GMC Jimmy, lost control of his sport utility vehicle on a curve and crossed into the opposite lane, where he was struck by Andersons 2016 Volkswagen Beetle. Both drivers were critically injured and taken to area hospitals. Lawyers for the companies said they intended to appeal Balkmans decision. In a statement, Purdue Pharma, maker of the popular painkiller OxyContin, said it was disappointed the court has denied its motion for a continuance. The facts show clearly that the state of Oklahoma has repeatedly failed to meet its obligations to produce critical information and documents to Purdue and the other defendants in this case. Fridays ruling comes in the consolidated cases of Carol Ann Beal, 43, who lives in northwestern Iowa, and EerieAnna Good, 29, who lives in the east of the state. Both were born male but have identified as female since childhood. They sought to have surgery under the states Medicaid program, which provides care for the poor and disabled, but were denied. They appealed to the state agency, which oversees the program, and were again denied. Courtesy of Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch Theres something about snow; the wintery magic as sparkling crystalline masses fall, especially when approaching a welcoming resort. Fat, beautiful flakes greeted us as we pulled up the drive of The Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch, a warm glow beaconing from within the lobby with the promise of a wood-fueled fire, a hospitable smile from the front desk, and eventually, throwing your bag into the corner and collapsing in a pillowy cloud of a bed in the mountains of Colorado. Looking from the balcony of our room, the solid wooden beams are a perfect framework to the slopes beyond; the resorts own ski lift smoothly transporting guests up the snow-covered peak, outlined by aspen and pine trees laden with freshly-fallen powder. The scent of smoke from the outdoor fireplace wafting through the air, the flakes continue to fall as we make our way to the Club Level Lounge. Complete with several snacks throughout the day, artfully constructed appetizers, cold and hot options, and colorful desserts pepper a daily menu for Club Level guests. Balconies open up to views of the valley, opposite of the mountain and a comfortable indoor seating area is a cozy space to warm by the fire or chat with new friends. Club Level Rooms are also appointed in a fresh color scheme, with airy blues and greys a departure from the expected dark, rustic woods found elsewhere on the property. The Great Room is a gathering spot for guests The Great Room is a communal area right off the lobby, a space to meet with family before hitting the slopes, play a board game (of which there are many readily availablewhen was the last time you saw teenager more interested in participating in a board game than their phone? Its common here), or a mid-day respite to re-fuel or enjoy an apres ski. An outdoor patio and bar adjacent to the outdoor pool and aspen-lined Jacuzzi is a popular spot on the mountain, as is the firepit where gourmet marshmallows are impeccably roasted for a SMore that will have everyone asking for more. Courtesy of Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch The spa at The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch is arguably one of the best in the Vail Valley. Complete with co-ed grotto, with naturally-hewn rocks jutting from the walls and water features massaging away ski-sore muscles, the mens and womens spaces also boast Jacuzzis, cold plunges, steam rooms and saunas. In a surprising twist, the men's facilities are extremely popular, due to the ski resort steps from the prime slopes of Bachelor Gulch and the water circuit an optimal opportunity to soothe sore physiques, while the women's side is more treatment-oriented and mellow. Signature offerings such as the Miners Mineral Mud Bath, Alpenglow treatment, and Black Diamond Facial lend themselves to spa retreats, accentuations to hotel stays or therapeutic care in the mountains. WYLD is not to be missed on the property. The fine dining establishment is a stunning backdrop architecturally and with interior design as splendid as the striking food found within. Table Snacks, Todays Farm, Sea & Land, Grains and Things, Birds & Game, and Things To Share are all headers to lavish dishes such as confit Spanish octopus, ahi cones (a JustLuxe must try), Snake River wagyu short rib, venison loin and wood roasted carrots. Cocktail selections such as the Pearfect Mountain martini and Fresh Tracks martini pair with an extensive wine list, and to top off the experience: gorgeous desserts are almost too beautiful to eat but we invite you to dive right in for surprising favorites such as the Textures of Apple that incorporate apple crisp, apple sorbet, raspberry foam and dulcey. Skis or snowboards are rapidly relocated from vehicles to the ski valet, an on-site service warming boots and placing skis and boards on-mountain primed and ready for a great day of snow. Or, guests can call ahead and rent gear from the on-site ski outfitter. After a day of hitting over 1,800 acres of skiable terrain in Beaver Creek, the concierge will clean and store equipment, warm and ready for the next adventure. The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch is a 4-diamond stay in the mountains of Colorado guests wont soon forget. Whether enjoying a relaxing vacation, a family getaway, a corporate retreat, or over-the-top celebration, the Ritz-Carlton delivers. For rates and reservations, visit The Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch. Courtesy of Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch Club Level Lounge has excellent service and delicious bites throughout the day. Courtesy of Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch With a fireplace and a view, guests may not want to leave the tub at all. Courtesy of Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch Adjacent to the mountain, the pool and hot tubs are an exceptional outdoor experience. Courtesy of Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch WYLD is a must try while on property. Courtesy of Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch Colorful, seasonal dishes at WYLD. Courtesy of Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch For a more casual experience, Buffalos is a great palce to grab a bite or enjoy a drink. Courtesy of Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch Skis ready and waiting for guests to hit the slopes. Courtesy of Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch Roast your own marshmallows over the fire. Courtesy of Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch Beautiful rooms overlook the slopes. Key in the dispute is the Northern Irish backstop, an insurance policy to prevent a return of border controls between the British province and E.U. member Ireland that Britain wants to alter to ease Parliaments fears. But that dispute looked far from being resolved after E.U. chief negotiator Michel Barniers proposals were dismissed as a return to old ideas. Marc A. Thiessens March 6 op-ed, Boycott the bishops, might sound like a great way to send a message by those who rightly want to see the Catholic Church finally deal with the issue of sexual abuse and harassment, but whom would it really be sending a message to? The thousands of children from our poorest communities who seek a way out of poverty through the Catholic education heavily subsidized by the church and generous donors? The poorest parishes and schools that receive much-needed subsidies from their dioceses to continue operating in the neighborhoods they anchor as beacons of hope and opportunity? This argument mischaracterized the opposition to Ms. Rao, President Trumps nominee to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, as a complaint about a single op-ed, when, in fact, Ms. Rao wrote many such pieces about sexual assault, womens equality, people of color and LGBTQ rights. All took positions hostile to the rights of these communities. Ms. Raos apology last month focused narrowly on her statements on date rape, omitting the others. Additionally, The Posts piece failed to connect the dots between these views and Ms. Raos current body of work at the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. At OIRA, she is presiding over attempts to roll back Title IX protections for sexual assault survivors, protections against race-based housing discrimination and protections for LGBTQ patients under the Affordable Care Act. This is strong evidence that her long-held biases hold sway at OIRA today, and would likely be carried with her to the bench. In the case of migrants from the main countries covered by the travel ban Syria, Iran, Yemen, Somalia and Libya there is no doubt that Mr. Trumps policy has had the intended effect, which is merciless. According to the Cato Institute, the ban has already blocked some 9,500 family members of U.S. citizens including 5,500 children and nearly 4,000 spouses from joining their relatives in the United States. And official figures released recently show that the State Department refused some 37,000 visa applications from travel ban countries in 2018, compared with fewer than 1,000 in 2017, when the ban had not taken full effect. President Trumps proposal to create a Space Force is a clarion call for future wars in space. Rival countries with missile capabilities, such as China, India and Iran, will follow the U.S. example and launch anti-satellite weapons into Earths orbit. The debate centers on whether federal law and law enforcement are too focused on Islamic terrorism and not paying enough attention to the rise in far right-wing extremism. In fact, according to the data, more domestic terrorist targets are being charged, and in both categories, law enforcement officials often leverage simpler crimes, such as violations of gun or drug laws, to prevent violence. The United States, including under the Trump administration, has had a lot of success in persuading Germany and other NATO allies that they need to contribute more to their own defense, Rathke said. That is possible because the spending is directed at a common NATO objective, and that is collective defense, which is more politically palatable in Western Europe. Less than two years on, an extensive investigation into the dealings between Human Group and the offices of former chiefs of staff to CEOs Cameron Clyne and later, Andrew Thorburn, has netted two scalps. Loading The investigation by the NSW financial crimes squad's Strike Force Napthali is ongoing. The past week has seen the arrest and subsequent charging of both Mrs Rogers and Human Group director Helen Rosamond, 43, who between them face more than 100 charges of bribery and corruption between 2013 and 2017. It follows an internal whistleblower letter to management at the bank alleging misconduct in December 2017, before the bank reported the allegations to police on January 30 last year. Both women stand accused over an alleged kickbacks scheme, in which extravagant bribes were paid in order to maintain the contract between the two organisations and to ensure the approval of over-inflated invoices to the bank. One such bribe was allegedly a $10,000 prepaid credit card, gifted to Mrs Rogers, who then re-gifted it to the executive assistant of then-CEO Clyne, who said she received it on behalf of Rose and Cameron". Former NAB chief Cameron Clyne. Credit:Sasha Woolley Mr Clyne has told police he has no knowledge of this card. What, if any, bribes were paid in the five years prior to 2013, when the formal contractual relationship between the two organisations began, remains unknown. The alleged bribery, fraud and corruption at the centre of the scandal is so complex, the cost of forensic accounting to the bank since has grown such that it may have been a factor in the banks decision not to examine any period prior to 2013. Loading Documents tendered for the first court appearances for the two women this week reveal four years of decadent travel, fine dining, luxury accommodation and other perks allegedly enjoyed by Mrs Rogers and her family and paid for by Ms Rosamond, all in the service of a $40 million corporate contract. Police allege the benefits were the result of a deal to maintain a contract worth $40 million with Human Group, and to "rubber-stamp" bloated invoices submitted by the events firm. This week the 43-year-old was arrested when she travelled to Sydney to attend the Surry Hills police station. There she was charged with 56 counts of bribery and two of fraud, on a rap sheet revealing almost $6 million in actual benefits she allegedly enjoyed between 2013 and 2017. Ms Rosamond has also been charged with more than 50 bribery and corruption related offences. Now further details uncover just how far the alleged deception went. In 2017, a house for sale caught the eye of Mrs Rogers, then a prominent executive adviser at NAB. The Williamstown house, in Melbourne's inner west, purchased by Rosemary Rogers. Its a homeowners dream: 1880s architecture, complemented with an indoor pool, climate-controlled pavilion, four bedrooms, two bathrooms and an open-plan kitchen, all tucked away on a leafy block less than 10km from Melbournes CBD. One real estate listing described the $3.8 million Williamstown property as Victorian elegance meets todays excellence. In August 2017, Mrs Rogers - wife of Anthony Rogers and a mother of two - was seeking out her NAB personal banker, with a $3.8 million property purchase in mind. Helen Rosamond, former CEO of executive events firm Human Group. Credit:Jessica Hromas In less than a month, Mrs Rogers and her husband signed a contract of sale for 40 Power St, Williamstown, with the $380,000 deposit paid to the real estate agent three days later by Ms Rosamond. By the end of October, NAB had paid the $2.2 million invoice issued by Human Group, while Mrs Rogers had submitted a letter for a loan application, purportedly signed by her parents-in-law Clifford and Janis Rogers, stating that they would be contributing $1.2 million as a gift to assist with the purchase of the Williamstown house. The indoor pool of the $3.8 million home. Police investigators have since identified differences between the actual signatures of Mr and Mrs Rogers snr and those on the letter, while it is understood Mr Rogers has told police the signatures were not genuine, nor had he ever seen or signed a letter regarding a gift of $1.2 million. But the 1880s home would still be purchased thanks to an alleged $1.5 million transferred by Ms Rosamond to Mrs Rogers and her husband. It is now alleged that funds paid to Human Group following the issue of the $2.2 million invoice contributed to the purchase of the Williamstown home. The four-bedroom house is one of a number of Mrs Rogers' assets frozen by the NSW Crime Commission last year, along with three of her bank accounts and a $1 million NAB bank cheque. Before she resigned from the bank in December 2017, Mrs Rogers managed the office of the CEO and was its senior adviser, enjoying a salary package of almost $700,000, including bonuses. She was granted a final payout of around $185,000. Among her responsibilities was managing the NAB employee gift register, in accordance with company policy that any gifts over $300 received by an employee are to be entered into the register. Palazzo Versace on the Gold Coast. Court documents reveal an array of alleged gifts paid for by Ms Rosamond and given to Mrs Rogers over the four years in question, such as a one-month family holiday to Europe worth almost $188,000, another family trip to the US for $485,000, extravagant weekends away in Wolgan Valley and at the Palazzo Versace on the Gold Coast. For these group holidays, and others, Mrs Rogers also allegedly received a separate contribution, paid into her personal account by members of her family, to go towards the trip. More than $30,000 for an in-home nanny, $128,000 in renovations, a BMW X5 and a $46,000 Bayliner boat - plus marina berthing fees - were also among benefits allegedly received. But not all gifts were so extravagant. Others included prepaid credit cards used for expenses such as a Telstra account bill, an Energy Australia bill and women's clothes at Witchery. It is understood there is no record of any of the benefits allegedly received by Mrs Rogers in the gift register. A formal agreement between NAB and Human Group was first signed in 2008, underscoring a relationship in which Human Group manage executive events, such as off-site meetings of the board, the executive leadership team and other forums. As of 2015 NAB would be the sole client of Human Group, which is no longer trading. It is understood this professional relationship, almost solely managed by Mrs Rogers and Ms Rosamond, led to a friendship developing between them. National Australia Bank's former CEO Andrew Thorburn. Credit:Eddie Jim From 2010 onwards, the bank's contract for executive event services was never put out to tender, instead it was extended every two years by way of a one-page letter. Throughout this period almost all invoices and payments were handled by Ms Rosamond and Mrs Rogers on either end. It is alleged Ms Rosamond would submit an invoice directly to Mrs Rogers, who would pass it on to an accounts team in NAB, before it would find its way back to her as the final approver. Over 12 years, the roll-over contract was worth almost $120 million, before it was terminated in February last year. Both Mrs Rogers and Ms Rosamond are on bail in their respective home towns of Melbourne and Sydney, bound by strict conditions, including that they do not contact one another after a court heard there was an ongoing risk of collusion between the two women, who had been in contact since being made aware of the investigation against them. The alleged scam could hardly come at a worse time for NAB under new chairman Phil Chronican. The Melbourne-based bank was wounded by the royal commission more than any other big four lender, with the dramatic resignations last month of its former chief executive Andrew Thorburn, and chairman Ken Henry. Managing director of NAB shareholder White Funds Management, Angus Gluskie, described the alleged bribery as a "really bad circumstance". "It's exactly what you don't want to see," Gluskie says. "I think it raises questions about how loose things were and what needs to be tightened up." A new dumplings bar is set to open its doors in Perth's CBD, as one of the first tenants on the ground floor of the city's first high-rise student accommodation. Small Talk, if given the green light by the the Liquor Licensing, will be one of nine food and beverage tenants within Campus Perth, at 80 Stirling Street. Perth's dumpling queen has her eyes set on her next venture. Credit:Monday Madness Pty Ltd The bar's owner, Jacquie Chan, known as Perth's 'dumpling queen', operates Miss Chow's in Claremont Quarter and Whitfords, and Rice Baby in Subiaco, which produce modern Asian style cuisine and have developed a reputation for their dumplings. The new city venue would feature a lounge dining alfresco area, bar area and in-house bakery. Outside Baghouz, Syria: The newborn son of UK-born teenager Shamima Begum, who left her London home to join the Islamic State group in Syria, died on Friday in a refugee camp, an official has said. Mustafa Bali, a spokesman for the Syrian Democratic Forces, confirmed that the infant died at a camp in north Syria. He didn't provide further details. Shamima Begum. Credit:London Metropolitan Police In a day of conflicting reports about the baby's fate, lawyer Tasnime Akunjee tweeted that he had "strong but as yet unconfirmed reports that Shamima Begum's son has died. He was a British citizen." He declined to provide further details. Then, Bali tweeted that the reports were "fake" and the baby "is alive and healthy." But he later deleted the tweet without explanation, and shortly after confirmed the baby's death. The trouble started when Jody Wilson-Raybould abruptly resigned from the Cabinetafter a news report accused Trudeau's team of pressuring her to negotiate a settlement in a corruption case against a large Canadian company, rather than pursuing a criminal penalty. Compared with political scandals around the world, the accusations seemed tame. But with just seven months until the next national election, they struck at the core of Trudeau's image as a feminist politician committed to doing politics in a new, clean way. Trudeau kisses Inuit elder Alacie Joamie after delivering an official apology. Credit:AP The loss of Wilson-Raybould, who had been reassigned to head veterans affairs, was particularly bruising. She is not just a woman, but also an indigenous leader who embodied Trudeau's often-stated commitment to correcting the country's colonial wrongs against its indigenous population. "He's all puff, no solid," said Priscilla Settee, a professor of both indigenous studies and women and gender studies at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. Loading "He is not used to a strong, indigenous woman being defiant to his power," she added. "As an indigenous woman, I know that behaviour." Last week, in testimony before a parliamentary committee, Wilson-Raybould broke her silence and explained her reasons for resigning that she felt hounded by the prime minister and his aides to change her decision on the case in an inappropriate way, which she felt would bend the law. Less than a week later, a second female minister quit Trudeau's Cabinet. The minister, Jane Philpott, who is also a medical doctor, said in her resignation letter that it was a matter of "acting on one's principles". On Thursday, Trudeau finally told his side. In a rare morning news conference, he repeated that he had done nothing wrong and that at its basis, the problem reflected a breakdown of trust and communication he intended to learn from. He offered no apology. In his remarks, Trudeau described his leadership as one of collaboration, listening and learning together a classic feminist approach to power. "There's one theory that the most effective leaders are adversarial, and tough almost to a fault," he said. "That's not what I believe." Jody Wilson-Raybould at the House of Commons Justice Committee after her resignation. Credit:AP He made a point of saying he'd be celebrating International Women's Day with "incredible young leaders." "I plan to listen and learn from their lived experiences as we talk about how we can work together to deliver true gender equality in this country and around the world," he said. For many, it was not enough to erase the image of a group of mostly men ganging up on a woman in order to get her to bend her morals. Add to that the whispers after Wilson-Raybould's resignation that painted her as difficult, self-centred and untrustworthy and the characterisation by the country's male finance minister that Philpott's was an act of friendship. "Philpott is an incredibly accomplished and strong Cabinet minister, and her decision to step down is being reduced to simply being the actions of a supportive friend, falling into sexist tropes," said Shannon Sampert, a columnist for The Winnipeg Free Press and an associate professor in political science at the University of Winnipeg. She added: "Some feminist prime minister. Too much mansplaining." Until a month ago, few feminists openly questioned Trudeau's sincerity to the cause. The Canadian branch of international development agency Oxfam gave his government a positive rating in its third annual "feminist scorecard," saying that its efforts "have undoubtedly started to pay off" and that it had offered "many wins for feminists to celebrate." While the weekly poll by Canadian firm Nanos Research showed the party's popularity had fluctuated among female voters, it still was strong at 44 percent in early January. Since then, it has dropped so much, it could cost Trudeau the election next year. The question will be whether Trudeau can regain his reputation by the election, and whether voters think he's a worse choice than his competition. Many feminists in Canada bitterly recall the last government under Stephen Harper, a Conservative, which scrapped a national child-care plan, shut down federal Status of Women offices across the country and proposed protecting girls with a national hotline to report "barbaric cultural practices". KIWANIS TO PACK 50,000 MEALS FOR THE FOOD BANK FOR LARIMER COUNTY AND WELD FOOD BANK - North Forty News This Post"> March 9th is a big day in the fight against hunger. Its when nine area Kiwanis Clubs will partner with their high school Key Clubs and converge on the Food Bank for Larimer County. The goal: to pack 50,000 meals for those in need in Northern Colorado. Its a tall order, but thanks in part to grants from the Rocky Mountain District Foundation and the Give Next program, its one that can be achieved. The goal of this project is to make an impact on hunger in our community, said Ashley Lauwereins, the Kiwanis member who organized the project. We want to truly make an impact on our communities and by working together and pulling our resources we are able to make a bigger impact than one single club could work alone. Kiwanis is an organization that focuses on helping children in need. In Larimer County, 1 in 3 children is food insecure, meaning they are either currently hungry or approaching hunger. In Weld County, that number is 1 in 4 children. The 50,000 meals will be split evenly between the two organizations and distributed to those who need them through different programs. In Larimer County, the meals will be primarily distributed through the Fresh Food Share program. In Weld County, the food will be used primarily in the Childrens BackPack Program. This project is a perfect example of the community coming together in the fight against hunger, said Food Bank for Larimer County CEO Amy Pezzani. It is so encouraging to see so many volunteers pitch in to make a difference. The meals that are created during this event really have an impact on those who are food insecure in our community. [What you need to know for the coming month: Get our Comprehensive Monthly Calendar when you subscribe to North Forty News and New SCENE Magazine.] This is the fourth year that Kiwanis Clubs have partnered with the Food Bank of Larimer County, and the largest meal packing event to date. Over the last four years, more than 130,000 meals have been packed and given to the two organizations. Food Bank for Larimer County was founded in 1984, the Food Bank for Larimer County is the countys only Feeding America clearinghouse for donated food. In 2018, the Food Bank provided enough food for nearly 7.2 million meals through a variety of hunger-relief programs. An estimated 37,500 Larimer County residents received assistance through the Food Banks programs and partners last year. For more information, visit foodbanklarimer.org. Kiwanis International is a global community of clubs, members and partners dedicated to improving the lives of children one community at a time. The Fort Collins Eyeopeners Club is one of three Fort Collins Kiwanis Clubs and members contribute over 10,000 hours to different community service projects annually. If youre interested in learning more about the event visit: http://fortcollinseyeopenerskiwanis.org/volunteer-with-us/colorado-feeding-kids-meal-packing-event-sign-up/ The university received the noble award as it is celebrating its 70th founding anniversary (March 10, 1949-2019). On the occasion, Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong also sent a congratulatory letter to doctors and officers of the university. Addressing the event, PM Phuc lauded the achievements the universitys doctors, nurses, officers and soldiers have reaped in developing the military medical sector, contributing to the great progress of the countrys healthcare sector. The PM noted that doctors trained by the Vietnam Military Medical University have been present in all areas of the country, especially in remote, border and island localities, contributing to the national development and defence. Along with taking care of soldiers and local peoples health, they have engaged in socio-economic development activities, he said. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (C) visits medical students at the Vietnam Military Medical University. (Photo: NDO/Tran Hai) The Government leader requested the university works towards the target of becoming a centre for medical training, research and application in the region and the world. Initially, the university should turn itself into a major national-level university and a leading military medical and pharmaceutical centre of the nation with some faculties reaching regional standards, he suggested. The PM asked leaders of the university pay greater attention to training high-quality personnel towards the advanced training quality of the world, while improving its performance in scientific research, and strengthening the application of latest scientific and technological advances into check-up and treatment activities. PM Phuc also stressed the need for the university to focus on educating ethics for doctors in its training programme. He also expressed his belief that with the 70-year tradition and experience, the university will continue to renovate and complete all assigned tasks. Shenandoah, IA (51601) Today Sunny along with a few clouds. High 57F. SW winds shifting to NNW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Cloudy skies early will become partly cloudy later at night. Low 31F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph. by Richard Coulson The ineffable Ms. Sam Duncombe has proclaimed that she is more than irritated by Governments decision to extend to year-end 2020 Bahamas Petroleum Companys (BPC) license to drill an exploratory well on its concessions southwest of Andros. The President of activist group Re-earth has often expressed her implacable NO to drilling in Bahamian waters. Together with fellow environmental extremists, she cites an apocalyptic risk of oil-spills fouling our beaches and destroying our tourist-based economy. This time, she simply accuses Government of being duplicitous, since we had been told that there would be absolutely no oil drilling. In fact, no such promise was as ever made or even implied. As far as ten years ago when licensees were first negotiated, Government recognized that they might someday lead to actual production, for the benefit of both BPC and the State. Ms. Duncombe is concerned that by granting this extension, Government will be distracted from a higher mission to develop renewable energy. However dilatory the authorities may be in exploiting solar or wind power, they are not in any way hindered by a new fossil fuel license to BPC. That company alone, with any farm-in partner, will be spending the time and money, not our Treasury or public ministries. The ladys long and respected efforts to protect our environment are undermined by her misunderstanding of history and the use of alternative resources. Mr. Coulson has had a long career in law, investment banking and private banking in New York, London, and Nassau, and now serves as director of several financial concerns and as a corporate financial consultant. He has recently released his autobiography, A Corkscrew Life: Adventures of a Travelling Financier. News Premium On the 20th anniversary of Wexford container tragedy in which eight migrants died how the life of one of the survivors has turned out Closing date: Thursday, 14 March 2019 . WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles. Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis, and we are committed to promoting diversity and gender balance. ABOUT WFP United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the worlds largest humanitarian agency, fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes. Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need. In emergencies, WFP gets food to where it is needed, saving the lives of victims of war, civil conflict and natural disasters. After an emergency, WFP uses food to help communities rebuild their lives. On average, WFP reaches more than 80 million people with food assistance in 80 countries each year. The organization has the global footprint, deep field presence and local knowledge and relationships necessary to provide access to food and contribute to lasting solutions, especially in many of the worlds most remote and fragile areas. Brief description of WFP in Uganda WFP delivers food assistance in emergencies and work with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience. WFP provides life-saving food assistance and livelihood opportunities to refugees in Uganda. In addition, WFP assists the most vulnerable people in Karamoja with food and nutrition assistance. Finally, WFP works with smallholder farmers and links them to markets. As Uganda strives to achieve Zero Hunger by 2030 and become a middle-income country by 2040, WFP is also assessing its relevance and repositioning its role in Uganda. ARE YOU UP TO THE CHALLENGE? We are seeking for a qualified individual for the position of Business Support Assistant (Assets and Facilities Management), SC4 to be based in Kampala. The successful candidate will be offered employemnt on Service Contract. ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT This job exists in Kampala and the incumbent will provide administrative support to team(s) with the reporting line to the relevant Head of Unit. At this level, work is carried out under minimal supervision. Job holders are expected to produce organised and accurate work, undertaking specific business support activities. They may offer guidance on standard practices to more junior staff in their area of work. JOB PURPOSE To deliver standard business support processes in the area of Assets and Facilities Management. OLYMPIA, Wash. - Many of Amazon's Seattle-area employees would be exempt from new labour protections in a bill passed by the state Senate after lobbyists for the tech giant pushed to change a key threshold in the rules. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 8/3/2019 (1006 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. OLYMPIA, Wash. - Many of Amazon's Seattle-area employees would be exempt from new labour protections in a bill passed by the state Senate after lobbyists for the tech giant pushed to change a key threshold in the rules. The protections would partially prohibit non-compete clauses controversial agreements used by tech companies and others to block employees from going to work for competitors or launching rival startups. Lawmakers say Amazon lobbied to have the income threshold set at a level that would likely exempt many workers in Seattle. The effort came as the company has expanded its presence in the state capital, where its spending has tripled in recent years. The bill passed the Washington state Senate Tuesday with the salary threshold of $100,000 sought by Amazon. Employees above the threshold would be exempted from the labour protection. The median salary for Amazon employees in Seattle is about $113,000, according to Glassdoor.com, a company that tracks top firms. Other provisions require some protections for workers making more than $100,000, including an 18-month limit on any non-compete clauses they sign and a requirement that workers must be compensated while they are barred from working. The measure now heads to the state House for consideration. Millions of U.S. workers sign non-compete agreements. A handful of states, including California, prohibit such agreements. Other companies joined talks surrounding the Washington state bill, as well as groups such as the Association of Washington Business and the Washington State Hospital Association. They were also concerned with retaining trade secrets and intellectual property but remained open to blocking the use of non-compete agreements for lower-paid workers. Democratic Sens. Marko Liias of Lynwood and Rep. Derek Stanford of Bothell, sponsors of the House and Senate versions of the bill, said Amazon made the lower threshold a priority. "They have a lot of clout," Stanford said. "Amazon was saying, if it's above this number, we're opposed. Amazon held off on endorsing a previous measure over the same issue, even after Microsoft signed off, Stanford said. Stanford, who submitted an amendment to lower the threshold in his bill to the level requested by Amazon, said it came down to simple arithmetic: The opposition of a major employer in the state would turn votes against the bill. Amazon defended its lobbying effort. "Like any other business, we work with elected officials so they understand how proposed regulations will impact our more than 50,000 employees and the growth of our business in the state," company spokesman Aaron Toso said. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Republican Sen. Curtis King of Yakima voted for the measure and later said the threshold was appropriate and would help businesses safeguard their intellectual property while accommodating low-wage workers. Amazon's push on the bill came after the company tripled spending on lobbying in the state capital, in conjunction with a more assertive stance toward city governments around the country. Last year, the company joined an aggressive effort that helped repeal a business tax in Seattle. In 2017, the company dangled high-paying jobs and billions of dollars in investment as incentives for cities to host its new headquarters. Municipalities quickly turned to tax breaks and other lucrative incentives to lure the company. In Washington state, the company's spending on lobbyists jumped from $114,000 in 2014 to $358,000 in 2016, according to Amazon's filings with the state Public Disclosure Commission. It spent $679,000 in 2017 and $333,000 in 2018. That puts it behind Microsoft but ahead of Google and Facebook in spending on lobbying in the state. Chinas surprise decision to block canola imports from Canadian-owned Richardson International this week turned dread into reality for the countrys agricultural exporters. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 9/3/2019 (1006 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Opinion Chinas surprise decision to block canola imports from Canadian-owned Richardson International this week turned dread into reality for the countrys agricultural exporters. Agricultural trade has developed a case of the political flu, and it appears to be spreading. The current state of affairs is a huge setback to efforts over the past several decades to get politics out of the marketplace. Ultimately, the effects will ripple back to the farm. The Asian giant is second only to the U.S. as Canadas biggest customer for agricultural exports. It accounts for $2.5 billion in canola sales, or about 40 per cent of that crops exports alone. The reasons for the decision to cancel Richardsons registration to sell into China remain fuzzy, with some vague references to disease and quality issues, which the company denies. However, if it were true, its at least something the industry could address. The more plausible explanation is that China is looking for new ways to pressure Canada to withdraw its decision to hold Huawei vice-president Meng Wanzhou for possible extradition to the U.S. Developments like this are not only beyond the reach of the agricultural sectors problem-solvers, they are impossible to predict and plan around. All exporters can do is wonder who will be next. Political flu-like symptoms have also been pressuring trade between Canada and the U.S. in the aftermath of the negotiations to update the North American Free Trade Agreement to become the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement CUSMA (if youre talking to Canadians), or the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement USMCA (if you are talking to Americans.) The Canadian and Mexican governments are reportedly balking at ratification to increase pressure for the removal of steel and aluminum tariffs U.S. President Donald Trump slapped on imports last year in the name of national security. Those tariffs targeted three of its biggest customers Canada, Mexico and China which account for 44 per cent of its agricultural exports. Don Buckingham, president and CEO of the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute, told a forum by the Farm Foundation in Washington, D.C., earlier this week it was disappointing to see such a prosperous trading relationship between Canada, the U.S. and Mexico side-swiped by politics. "From a Canadian perspective, it seems like an odd juxtaposition of two very different issues being superimposed on one another, and the effects are fairly dramatic for the ag sector," Buckingham said. The only consolation in all this for Canadian farmers is that their neighbours to the south appear to be taking a harder hit at least so far. The Farm Foundation event was reviewing the findings of a Purdue University analysis that measured the effects of Trumps decision to pull out of the Trans-Pacific-Partnership (CPTPD), leaving the remaining signatories to forge ahead without it. The lost trade potential of that withdrawal overshadows any gains the U.S. made under CUSMA by a long shot. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Canadas participation in CPTPP could potentially increase its agricultural exports by $2 billion annually and give it an advantage over the U.S., particularly with respect to Japan. "If this were a 100-metre dash, weve got the first 10 metres, so we are off to a preferential start," Buckingham said. The Purdue economists also looked at the implications for U.S. farm incomes if the new CUSMA is never ratified and if the old NAFTA were revoked. "If the current U.S. trade policy were to continue towards protectionism U.S. agricultural exports would drop by US$21.8 billion," their report says. "These negative trade impacts would be reflected in lower incomes for U.S. farmers, reduced agricultural land returns and farm labour displacement. On average, such an export reduction is equivalent to US$4,000 per person employed in the agricultural and food sectors." Events of this week however, underscore Canadas vulnerability to the effects of political contagion. Farmers in this country are far more dependent on exports than their U.S. counterparts, with up to 80 per cent of what they grow sold outside of the country. Its bad enough farmers must deal with volatile weather, markets and prices. Now it appears politics has resurfaced prominently on the list of risks they cannot control. Laura Rance is editorial director at Glacier FarmMedia. She can be reached at lrance@farmmedia.com WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump will be making a significant request for border wall funds and seeking money to stand up Space Force as a new branch of the military in the White House budget being released next week, an administration official said Friday. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 8/3/2019 (1006 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump and Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson walk from Marine One to board Air Force One at Lawson Army Airfield, Fort Benning, Ga., Friday, March 8, 2019, en route Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Fla., after visiting Lee County, Ala., where tornados killed 23 people. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump will be making a significant request for border wall funds and seeking money to stand up Space Force as a new branch of the military in the White House budget being released next week, an administration official said Friday. For the first time, Trump plans to stick with the strict spending caps imposed years ago, even though lawmakers have largely avoided them with new budget deals. That will likely trigger a showdown with Congress. The official said the president's plan promises to balance the budget in 15 years. Trump will seek $750 billion for defence, a boost for the military, while cutting non-defence discretionary spending by 5 per cent, said the official, who was unauthorized to discuss the document ahead of its release and spoke on condition of anonymity. Budgets are mainly seen as blueprints for White House priorities. But they are often panned on Capitol Hill, where lawmakers craft the appropriation bills that eventually fund the government, if the president signs them into law. Trump's budget for the 2020 fiscal year will increase requests for some agencies while reducing others to reflect those priorities. Reductions are proposed, for example, for the Environmental Protection Agency. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. The official said Congress has ignored the president's spending cuts for too long. The federal budget is bloated with wasteful spending, the official said, and the administration remains committed to balancing the budget. The cuts being requested by the White House would hit discretionary spending as well as some mandatory safety net programs, which Trump has proposed in the past. Many Republicans are often eager to reduce government spending, but Congress has had trouble passing bills that seriously slash the safety net programs used by many Americans. Budgets often rely on various accounting measures to achieve desired results. This one, for example, counts $546 billion in defence money as a base, but another $174 billion in another account to keep within caps. And while the budget will suggest it balances in future years, it is also expected to rely on projections for continued economic growth from the tax cuts Trump signed into law in 2017. But there's no guarantee that would cover the lost tax revenues. By proposing spending levels that don't raise the budget caps, the president is courting a debate with Congress. Lawmakers from both parties have routinely agreed to raise spending caps established by a previous deal years ago to fund the government. Trump, though, has tried to resist those deals. He threatened to veto the last one reached in 2017 to prevent a shutdown. Late last year, a fight over border wall funds sparked the 35-day shutdown that spilled into this year and became the longest in history. The parents of Jaime Adao, the teenager who was killed in what police say was a random home invasion likely fuelled by methamphetamine, are calling for justice as Winnipegs tight-knit Filipino community rallies around them. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 8/3/2019 (1006 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The parents of Jaime Adao, the teenager who was killed in what police say was a random home invasion likely fuelled by methamphetamine, are calling for justice as Winnipegs tight-knit Filipino community rallies around them. Imelda Adaos body convulsed with grief as tears streamed down her cheeks Friday night when she was told homicide investigators believe the man accused of killing her 17-year-old son was high on meth when he broke into their West End home Sunday evening. "Oh God, I dont know what to say. Whats happening to our community? Whats happening to our city? Why are these people allowed to roam around? Oh Jesus," Imelda said, standing beside her husband, Jaime Adao Sr. "We need justice. Thats what were crying for: justice. Justice for Jimboy." The couple was at a community gathering at Maples Collegiate Friday night, in which roughly 100 people, as well as a sizeable police contingent, came out to support the Adao family. Copies of the latest edition of the Manitoba Filipino Journal were distributed. The front page carried a large school photo of Jaime emblazoned with the headline, Gone Too Soon. Winnipeg Police Service Chief Danny Smyth said the 29-year-old suspect, who was shot by officers as he attacked Jaime with a weapon, is expected to survive. PHIL HOSSACK / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Imelda Adao weeps as she describes her son and the events leading to his death last week to a crowd gathered at the Maples Collegiate, Friday. "To be clear on the suspect, hes in hospital in critical condition. We havent even had an opportunity to speak with him yet. I can tell you he will be charged with murder. We just havent had an opportunity to formally do that," Smyth said. "At this point I think he will (pull through). I dont know for certain. I do know that hes got some surgeries scheduled ahead of him." Smyth said that while homicide investigators are waiting for the results of a toxicology report, signs point to the suspect being high on meth at the time of the vicious attack. "Our early indications from our investigators is that he may have been using meth beforehand. We dont know that for certain yet But it looks like he may have been using meth," Smyth said. "I thought it was fair to comment at least that much so it helps people square away such a senseless act. You cant make sense of it otherwise." Jaime was home with his grandmother on the night of March 3 when the suspect broke in and attacked him with a weapon. The incident was recorded on a 911 call and operators heard the attack unfold from the time the intruder broke into the home on McGee Street to when officers arrived and at least one discharged their weapon. WPS spokesman Const. Rob Carver said he was warned before listening to the audio recording and will forever be haunted by what he heard. PHIL HOSSACK / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS City Police Chief Danny Smyth waits his turn to address the crowd at the Maples Collegiate Friday. Imelda said Jaimes grandmother is struggling to come to terms with the tragedy. She didnt witness the attack, but she did discover Jaimes bloodied body on the floor. "She just saw Jimboy and the blood and was asking, What happened to you Jimboy? What happened to you Jimboy? And theres no answer. Jaime was full of blood," Imelda said. "Shes still in trauma right now. Thats why were not able to bring her. She wants to come, but shes also sick. We dont want her to be in this kind of situation where shell hear so many things about her Jaime." Imelda said she hasnt seen her sons body since his slaying, but she hoped she would finally get a chance to say goodbye to him this weekend. Smyth declined to comment when asked what weapon was used to attack Jaime. Meanwhile, the Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba, the provincial police watchdog, is probing the shooting of the suspect by police. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. At Friday nights event, Imelda hung her head in sorrow with her face pressed into a handkerchief as her husband addressed the crowd of supporters and community members. "Where are we going to go now? It happened in our house, in our own house. Its not safe anymore," he said. "We need justice for my son. Not only for my son, but for everybody." "Please, lets unite. Lets do something to stop this senseless fighting," Imelda added. "We would just like to say thank you, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. This is very hard for us, but we have to face the reality that our son is in a better place now." ryan.thorpe@freepress.mb.ca OTTAWA Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is trying to gain back his star power after losing two cabinet ministers and his party slumping in the polls. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 8/3/2019 (1006 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. OTTAWA Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is trying to gain back his star power after losing two cabinet ministers and his party slumping in the polls. A month into the SNC-Lavalin Group Inc. controversy, the Free Press spoke with academics and lobbyists across the continent to determine how the issue is resonating, and if Trudeau can turn his fortunes around as a federal election approaches. All seven say Trudeau will have to turn the public's focus away from Jody Wilson-Raybould, the former attorney general who resigned almost a month ago and then claimed the Prime Minister's Office pressured her to intervene in a corruption case against Quebec-based SNC-Lavalin, in order to shore up votes in that province. Western Canada's 'deep anger' While Trudeau is trying to shore up support in central Canada, the SNC-Lavalin controversy will hardly change how most Albertans feel about him. "Theyre already mad about a whole bunch of things," said Lori Williams, a policy professor at Mount Royal University in Calgary, citing delayed pipeline construction and equalization payments flowing east. Williams said "deep anger and suspicion" cut across class and partisan lines. "Im often surprised by the people I speak to, who are are really angry with him." She said similar feelings in Saskatchewan seem to run less deep. JASON FRANSON / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Alberta Premier Rachel Notley met in Edmonton in September 2018. Williams said the National Energy Program is often invoked by Albertans even those born after Trudeaus father, Pierre, imposed the deeply unpopular policy in the early 1980s. "For older people, its definitely top-of-mind." Duane Bratt, who teaches political science at MRU, suspects Trudeau only has to worry about his support in the Vancouver area, given Wilson-Raybould is a prominent MP in the region, as well as Winnipeg seats where he has soft support. Wilson-Raybould was one of four ministers from B.C., and arguably even more influential in cabinet than Defence Minster Harjit Sajjan. Otherwise, the west is a write-off for Trudeau, Bratt said, with many contrasting him defending a purported 9,000 SNC jobs in Quebec with the loss of 100,000 energy jobs in Alberta. "This has really exasperated national unity," he said. 'Divisive' for Quebec The SNC-Lavalin affair has been "extremely divisive" for Quebec, according Louis Massicotte, a political science professor at Universite Laval in Quebec City. Massicotte said some have expressed surprise Trudeau went to bat for his home province, given hes often accused of being overly deferential to other provinces. But for many more, its confirmed their suspicions Canada is out to get Quebec. "Another way to see it is that even when Trudeau, himself the prime minister, tried to intervene in favour of Quebec, it didn't work because one minister (Wilson-Raybould) stood up to him, and all of English Canada took her side," he said, adding it's rejuvenated tropes about the province being more corrupt than others. In the Quebec press, columnists largely dismissed the initial revelations, saying it would have been surprising for Trudeau to not have exerted pressure and defended jobs. But after Wilson-Raybould claimed the Liberal leader intervened because of elections in Quebec, many columnists took a more moderate opinion, or focused on the need to hear from everyone involved. 'New star' for Americans A recent editorial by The New York Times lamented Trudeaus handling of the SNC-Lavalin case, but most Americans only have a "millimetre-thick" idea of whats taking place, according to Eric Miller, head of the Rideau Potomac strategy group. "The bloom is off the rose a little bit." Miller said Trudeau was the main idealistic symbol for many left-wing Americans, until Januarys U.S. elections when Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez took office as the "new star of the progressive left." CP Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is the 'new star of the progressive left,' says Eric Miller, head of the Rideau Potomac strategy group. He said allies of U.S. President Donald Trump are generally pleased to hear Trudeau has hit a rough stretch after previous difficult trade negotiations. Democrats, meanwhile, "are worried on a very general sense that (Trudeau has) hit bumpy waters, and that something untoward may have been done and theres a scandal but they don't really know much more than that." Miller recalls Trudeaus March 2016 state visit with former U.S. president Barack Obama. "There were actually young girls outside one of the receptions he was going to, screaming, like he was a pop star," said Miller, who also spotted Canadian R&B superstar The Weeknd at that function. "The poor guy was standing there all by himself as everyone hovered around Justin Trudeau." 'Stanch the bleeding Liberal strategist Greg MacEachern said Trudeau is making the right moves to turn things around, by focusing on jobs and getting fresh input. He said Trudeau needs to hear from his MPs, "his ambassadors in their communities," on how theyre feeling and what recommendations they have. "You want to make sure you're going to stanch the bleeding," said MacEachern, who has been a senior adviser to two cabinet ministers and worked for numerous other Liberals. FRANK GUNN / THE CANADIAN PRESS Prime Minister Justin Trudeau greets attendees at a Liberal Climate Action Rally in Toronto. This past week, Trudeau has sought advice from staff who had not worked on the SNC-Lavalin file, many of whom instead helped shepherd Canadas recent trade negotiations with the United States. "I think thats a smart move," said MacEachern, who leads lobbying for Proof Strategies. "If youre involved in this from the beginning, it might be hard to separate some of your awareness of how events went down. And you might want somebody who is maybe a bit more dispassionate." Statistics Canada published a round of flattering employment numbers in the months leading up to the SNC-Lavalin news. MacEachern believes jobs were going to be a key Liberal narrative this spring, before the party jumped on it as their main defence in explaining actions on SNC-Lavalin. MacEachern he expects that message will resonate. "He has to make sure that hes communicating that he does care what Canadians think about him." 'The Liberals will bounce back Nelson Wiseman, a University of Toronto political scientist, said the Liberals can likely outlast the SNC-Lavalin shadow, as long as the topic doesnt constantly re-emerge in the media. "The support for Trudeau has gone down, there's no doubt about it." he said. "The Liberal brand as well, to some extent." Wiseman said the Liberals are among the most popular parties in the western world, because their viewpoints align with a large number of Canadians. 'A paternalistic society of government is still one that we have to face': Mihychuk Audio not supported Winnipeg Liberal MP MaryAnn Mihychuk, speaking at a Habitat for Humanity Women Build Program event on Friday, offered her views on what its like to be a female member of parliament in Ottawa. click to read more Audio not supported Winnipeg Liberal MP MaryAnn Mihychuk, speaking at a Habitat for Humanity Women Build Program event on Friday, offered her views on what its like to be a female member of parliament in Ottawa. A paternalistic society of government is still one that we have to face. So, we have to celebrate that we had gender parity 50 per cent of the cabinet is female but we bring our views and the way we deal with it to the table, but we also, I found, get questioned if we make a decision. We make a recommendation, is our research actually going to be factual 'we better check that out. What does she know. And it does, it gets on you. You know you can feel very, very frustrated in what seems to be an easy road for some and much more challenging for others. But I want to say that is why, we as women, need to stick it out. We need to stay. We need to fight. We need to continue to push the right things. We need you to run. We need you to become elected. We need you in all seats of parliament, provincially, municipally, we need to continue to hear and push our voices. So, I want to just say lets build houses, lets build our movement, lets build our voices in elected seats. Close With seven months until the 2019 federal election, he suspects the Tories will instead focus on immigration and other issues that re-emerge. And voters dont often make their choices on policy, he said. Wiseman noted the Liberals won their 2015 majority after putting forth campaign planks that voters didnt actually agree with, such as bringing in 25,000 Syrian refugees. The idea polled poorly with voters, but bolstered the appeal of a leader who seemed more optimistic than then-Conservative prime minister Stephen Harper. "I think the Liberals will bounce back in the polls; maybe not as high as they were two months ago." Drawn to him in droves Daily polling by Abacus Data shows the Liberals lost their months-long lead in the polls after the SNC-Lavalin news broke, with the Tories overtaking them after Wilson-Raybould's testimony. Those same numbers show that gap closing, putting both parties almost at the same percentage Thursday. "Over time, the oxygen is drawn out of an issue and people pay attention to the 'what's next,'" said Amanda Alvaro, who helped run Trudeau's 2015 campaign. She expects the Liberals will focus on their March 19 budget, which will spur numerous announcements and policy proposals and "turn the channel" for Canadians. Motion to condemn federal liberals hit legislature floor Manitoba Liberal Leader Dougald Lamont says he refused to vote on a legislative motion about whether to condemn the federal governments handling of the SNC-Lavalin Group Inc. affair because he didnt want to dignify it. I thought, This is not an appropriate use of the Manitoba legislatures time. We had spent three months away where all sorts of things had happened and this is what the NDP wanted to use their one day to talk about, Lamont said in an interview Friday, referring to the first day of the 41st legislative session, which resumed Wednesday. click to read more Manitoba Liberal Leader Dougald Lamont says he refused to vote on a legislative motion about whether to condemn the federal governments handling of the SNC-Lavalin Group Inc. affair because he didnt want to dignify it. I thought, This is not an appropriate use of the Manitoba legislatures time. We had spent three months away where all sorts of things had happened and this is what the NDP wanted to use their one day to talk about, Lamont said in an interview Friday, referring to the first day of the 41st legislative session, which resumed Wednesday. NDP MLA Bernadette Smith introduced an opposition motion, which called on members to condemn the federal government and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau "for politically interfering in the criminal prosecution of SNC-Lavalin," and to condemn the "poor and inappropriate treatment" of former attorney general Jody Wilson-Raybould. The motion also called for a public inquiry "to provide Canadians the answers they deserve." It passed with 46 votes in support from the NDP and the Tories. Only one voted against the motion Liberal MLA Jon Gerrard while three other Liberal members (Lamont, Cindy Lamoureux and Judy Klassen) didnt show up to vote. Were not a peanut gallery. Its not a high school debating society. If you want to disapprove of people, go ahead say it on Twitter, put out a press release. But dont take up the business of the Manitoba legislature to posture on a federal issue, Lamont said. Asked what he thinks of the SNC-Lavalin case, Lamont initially didnt want to weigh in. Honestly, my job is to be the leader of the Manitoba Liberal Party... Frankly, its not my circus, its not my monkeys," he said. Lamont wouldnt say whether he still supports Trudeau as prime minister. Im still reserving judgment... There are huge numbers of complicated legal duties and responsibilities that people are arguing about, and I wasnt there. So Im in no position to really pass judgment at this point, he said. For her part, Smith said the issue in Ottawa was clear-cut. "Justin Trudeau's Liberals are more concerned with helping out wealthy corporate insiders then protecting regular Manitoba families," she said in a prepared statement. "The Manitoba Liberal leader is dodging a clear ethical question, and that's not real leadership." -- Jessica Botelho-Urbanski Close Alvaro, co-founder of the Toronto communications firm Pomp & Circumstance, said the Liberals could change the entire narrative by the time Canadians vote in October. "Governing is kind of like an essay exam; and election day will be multiple choice," she said. "We'll be rating our leaders (and policies) against one another." Alvaro said Canadians who arent sure what happened are likely to believe Trudeau, because of his "magnetic" communication style. "He's amassed over time a lot of credibility with Canadians, and he can draw on some of that as he weathers that storm," she said. "People are drawn to him in droves." Trudeau has been pilloried for embarrassing outfits on a visit to India, and a Bahamas vacation that violated ethics laws, but Alvaro believes this is Trudeau's first actual "crisis," and thus intense media focus. "I dont think you can govern scathe-free." dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Juan Guaido returned to Venezuela last Monday after almost two weeks doing the rounds of Latin American capitals that recognize his claim to be the interim president of the country. He defied a government ban in order to leave the country, so he should be arrested any minute now. Or maybe not. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 9/3/2019 (1006 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Opinion Juan Guaido returned to Venezuela last Monday after almost two weeks doing the rounds of Latin American capitals that recognize his claim to be the "interim president" of the country. He defied a government ban in order to leave the country, so he should be arrested any minute now. Or maybe not. Despite all the ferocious rhetoric from both Guaidos camp and Nicolas Maduros "elected" regime, there is a curious lack of urgency in their actions. Maduro has still not arrested Guaido, although in the past he imprisoned other opposition leaders for much lesser offences than claiming to be president. And Guaido has not yet appointed an "interim vice-president" to take over if he goes to jail which suggests that he doesnt really expect to be arrested either. Given the fragmented nature of the Venezuelan opposition four major parties that have a fragile power-sharing agreement called the Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) Guaidos reluctance to pick a vice-president from one of them is understandable. He only became president of the National Assembly last year because it was the "turn" of his party, Popular Will. He cant choose his potential replacement from Popular Will too, but there is no agreement in place for which other opposition party should provide that leader instead. So to avoid a struggle within the MUD coalition in the midst of his confrontation with the Maduro regime, Guaido simply hasnt chosen an interim vice-president. On the other hand, if Guaido were arrested now without having appointed a deputy, there would be an equally great risk of a squabble breaking out between the four parties in MUD over who should succeed him. Conclusion: he calculates that he probably wont be arrested. Of course, he could be wrong, but so far this is a very slow-moving crisis. The lack of urgency even extends to the U.S. armed forces, which are making no visible preparations to invade Venezuela. Connoisseurs of Americas foreign wars know that they almost always clank around for several weeks or months moving forces into place before they actually cross a defended border. They are not doing that. Why is everybody moving so slowly? Because they are all still hoping that there can be a peaceful outcome, if nobody pushes too hard right now. Guaidos big disappointment came on March 2, when he had promised that hundreds of thousands of people would go the borders to bring in the U.S.-supplied "humanitarian aid" that the Maduro regime has been blocking. It didnt go very well. The masses didnt show up, and the Venezuelan soldiers who are keeping the aid out didnt defect in significant numbers. But Maduro cant be very confident, either. He knows desperate shortages of food and medicine (which have caused three million Venezuelans to leave the country in the past few years) have severely eroded the regimes popular support. Maduro got only one-third of the seats in the 2015 elections to the National Assembly, and responded by trying to replace it with a rival "Constituent Assembly." (The National Assembly is still in business, however, and Guaido is its president.) He had to rig the voting and imprison opposition leaders to "win" last years presidential election. The best estimate is that he retains about 15 per cent popular support. And the U.S. army really doesnt want to invade Venezuela. Its looking forward to being released from 17 years of unwinnable guerilla wars in the Middle East, and the last thing it needs now is a new counter-insurgency campaign in Venezuela. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Thats probably what it would face if it invaded. Maduros regime has certainly lost majority support, but even if only 15 per cent of the population remain loyal to the "revolution," there would still be a guerilla and terrorist resistance that might last for years. The Maduro regime is slowly unravelling, mainly because of its spectacular incompetence. Every major oil-exporting economy has been hurt by the drop in oil prices, but only in Venezuela are large numbers of people facing severe malnutrition, and only in Venezuela has oil production fallen by an astonishing two-thirds. Its not because of U.S. sanctions, which only began in a serious way in 2017, and its not because of "socialism." (Cuba came through a cash-flow crisis just as profound after the collapse of the Soviet Union, and nobody starved.) Its because words like "reinvestment" and "maintenance" are not part of the Chavista vocabulary. If the regime is probably heading for collapse anyway, its in nobodys interest to unleash major and long-lasting violence by pushing too hard now. Amnesties and other deals could ease a peaceful transition, and theres still time to see if that would work. That doesnt mean that this confrontation cant have a violent conclusion, but it does explain why all the major players are taking it slow. Gwynne Dyers latest book is Growing Pains: The Future of Democracy (and Work). Adults who supervise Manitoba schoolyards are quick to lay down the law: roughhousing is bad behaviour that must stop. Students who shove, tackle and wrestle will be disciplined for unruliness. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 9/3/2019 (1006 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Opinion Adults who supervise Manitoba schoolyards are quick to lay down the law: roughhousing is bad behaviour that must stop. Students who shove, tackle and wrestle will be disciplined for unruliness. Two Quebec schools do it differently. Theyre experimenting with schoolyard pilot projects in which consenting students can jostle, push and pile atop each other. PHIL HOSSACK / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Free-range parenting advocate Katharina Nuss supports the idea of letting kids engage in respectful rough play. Picture this: the recess bell rings and children in snowsuits sprint to a designated rough-play zone, somersaulting into a snowbank with whoops of excitement. They grab and grapple other students, roaring and laughing, rolling together in a clump, tumbling together like rambunctious bear cubs. And when the recess bell rings again? They return to the classroom less fidgety, better able to concentrate on academics. "We see in class that those children are calmer, and theyre more focused," Sherley Bernier, principal of Quatre-Vents elementary school in Saint-Apollinaire, Que., told The Canadian Press. The other pilot project is at Cheval-Blanc school in Gatineau, Que. Rough-play zones are marked by cones and chaperoned by an adult who ensures the roughhousing kids dont go too far. Rules prohibit kicking, hitting, biting and throwing objects. They must back off immediately if a student says "stop." The Quebec experiments seem philosophically similar to free-range parenting, a trend which took off after Lenore Skenazy wrote in 2008 how she let her nine-year-old ride the subway alone in New York City and he returned home safely, "ecstatic with independence." The free-range movement has since blossomed among parents who look for opportunities to get out of their kids way and let them explore, create, fail and work out problems for themselves. It seems like a reaction against the hovering of so-called "helicopter parents" who, often motivated by exaggerated fears of predators and bullies, insist their kids always be controlled by responsible adults. Katharina Nuss is Manitobas best-known free-range parent. Its a title she wasnt seeking, but was thrust into when the media reported in 2018 how an anonymous person complained to Child and Family Services because she let two of her children, aged seven and three, walk without supervision to a neighbourhood bakery as a confidence-building exercise. She had kept the kids within her sight, from a distance. A CFS official visited her home and said it was unacceptable for children to have such public independence until they are 12 years old. The CFS intervention prompted Nuss to write an op-ed column in the Free Press Think Tank section (Legalize free-range parenting, Nov. 29, 2018) that called on Manitoba to change its laws about children. Hearing about the school experiments with rough-play zones reminded me of Nuss, and I reached out for an update on her attempt to legalize free-range parenting in Manitoba. Turns out, shes making considerable headway. About 9,000 people have signed her petition. In January, she and three others met with the deputy minister of families to discuss research supporting childrens need for healthy independence. The province is already reviewing the Child and Family Services Act, so the free-rangers feel the timing is good for their suggestions to be seriously considered. They want Manitoba to match a free-range parenting law in Utah. It changed the states definition of neglect to let kids of "sufficient maturity" engage in unsupervised activities without their parents being charged. While I had the attention of Nuss, I asked for her opinion of schools introducing rough-play zones, although it was easy to predict her answer. "I love the idea of intentionally giving kids the opportunity to engage in respectful rough play at school. Some kids need more physical contact in their play. To give them an opportunity to channel that energy in fun, safe and healthy ways seems great." Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. I asked Nuss what free-range activities her family has engaged in lately. "Winter somewhat limits opportunities for being out independently, but my almost-four-year-old often spends time out in the front and back yards, puttering and shovelling snow, while I watch from inside and make dinner he loves that. "My nine-year-old somehow still manages to climb trees, even in her snowsuit. Our seven-year-old recently expressed interest in making dinner for the family, which is not exactly a free-range activity, but definitely an expression of increased independence which we try to honour and encourage," she said. Note to CFS: dont feel obliged to visit the Nuss family again. Theyre fine. Carl DeGurse is a member of the Free Press editorial board. carl.degurse@freepress.mb.ca On Thursday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was scheduled to travel to Iqaluit to apologize for the federal government's treatment of Inuit with tuberculosis from the 1940s to 1960s. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 8/3/2019 (1006 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. On Thursday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was scheduled to travel to Iqaluit to apologize for the federal government's treatment of Inuit with tuberculosis from the 1940s to 1960s. A brutal storm intervened. High winds and snow in Iqaluit made flying impossible, even closing the city. Meanwhile, Trudeaus flight was diverted to Newfoundland. The ceremony was rescheduled several times before finally being cancelled. The symbolism was uncanny. There are now so many obstacles between Trudeau and Indigenous peoples, one wonders if a functional relationship is possible. Lets review. In 2015, Trudeau promised reconciliation for Indigenous peoples and Canada. He committed to improve infrastructure and fund education appropriately. He vowed to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action. He used terms like "nation to nation" when describing relationships with Indigenous nations in the country. He also vowed to include women fully in all parts of government. He committed to gender equality in cabinet the first prime minister to do so. Trudeau appeared to be a prime minister for a modern Canada: feminist, pro-Indigenous, multicultural and progressive. Then the journey began. And things went okay for a while. Then, issues began to emerge in the Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls Inquiry eventually making the whole process dysfunctional. Then, there were failures in the constitutionally-mandated consultations on resource projects, resulting in splits between Indigenous leadership, arrests of Indigenous activists on their own land, and the federal governments purchase of the Trans Mountain pipeline leading to Cree MP Romeo Saganash announcing in Parliament that Trudeau "doesnt give a f---" about Indigenous rights. SEAN KILPATRICK / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES NDP MP Romeo Saganash during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill. Theres more. Indigenous peoples under these federal Liberals have more bureaucracy, double the Departments of Indigenous Affairs, and virtually the same poverty, over-incarceration, and moldy houses as before. Sure, theres been a few highlights 72 First Nations boil water advisories lifted but theyre hard to see in the storm. Then, came 2019 and the demotion of Canadas first Indigenous Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Jody Wilson-Raybould, to Veterans Affairs and her eventual resignation from cabinet over alleged political interference in the SNC-Lavalin prosecution. This was directly due to her insistence to maintain her KwaKwakawakw values that privilege people over profit, a fact she referenced in her testimony to the justice committee investigating the affair. Its been quite a walk (perhaps more a crawl) of reconciliation for Trudeau with quite a few stumbles, but now its at a standstill. He even appointed his loyal friend, Seamus ORegan, to oversee Indigenous Services a position he is woefully unprepared for but is sure to keep under control going into this falls election. Getting back to Iqaluit, Trudeaus eventually arrived and apologized Friday morning. This was followed by the release of his statement honouring International Womens Day. "Advancing gender equality is a top priority for the government of Canada," he announced. "Last year, for the first time in Canada's history, we put gender equality at the core of the federal budget and provided important new funding for women entrepreneurs, newcomer women and women in trades." Critics were quick to ask how gender equality is possible when strong, ethical women refuse to work with you. Treasury Board president Jane Philpott resigned Monday, citing support for Wilson-Raybould and a loss in confidence over Trudeaus handling of the SNC-Lavalin scandal. Now, two of Trudeaus most important ministers both women, one Indigenous and the other trusted by Indigenous peoples are gone, replaced by well-known Trudeau supporters who look, think and speak like him. Now, Trudeaus image as a feminist, pro-Indigenous, multicultural, and progressive liberal exactly what many Canadians like to imagine Canada to be has virtually dissipated. Canadians now have a right to ask who the prime minister is if hes not these things. To repair his image if he even wants to do this will require more than just waiting out the storm. ADRIAN WYLD / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Canadas first Indigenous Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Jody Wilson-Raybould was demoted to Veterans Affairs before her eventual resignation from cabinet. He needs to acknowledge his behaviour, apologize, and demonstrate concrete change. He needs to find a way to bring Wilson-Raybould and Philpott back into cabinet even if it raises eyebrows among the buddies and allies around him. He also needs to stop letting people speak for him. In recent days, former Liberal Sheila Copps has called Wilson-Raybould and Philpott "inexperienced" and "ministers gone rogue" while Trudeaus highest remaining female in cabinet, Chrystia Freeland, described Trudeau as "a feminist as a prime minister and he is a feminist as a boss". Um, can someone tell Copps and Freeland that calling women naive and angry is a stereotype, and feminists dont let men boss them around? Trudeau needs to let SNC-Lavalin, with its long record of bribery and corruption, fall apart if found guilty in its dealings with Libya. Sure, jobs will be lost but why would Canadians want these kinds of jobs? Wont someone else perhaps someone more ethical come along and replace them? Government contracts, money, and construction projects are not going away. The reality is that Trudeau still has a chance to recover from recent events, but this grows smaller every day. If theres anything I know about broken relationships, its that disagreements and harms never get better with time. The distance turns to silence. The silence turns to resentment. The resentment turns to anger. The only choices Trudeau has now have to do with humility, honesty, and responsibility. All else leads to nowhere. Want more great journalism? Get our best news and features delivered in your inbox every weekday evening. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. His current path may lead back to power, of course, but women and Indigenous peoples wont come with him. And remember this: denying and erasing these groups is what got Canada into this mess in the first place. As of now, Wilson-Raybould and Philpott have vowed to remain part of the Liberal caucus and the party. Their commitment, patience, and bravery are virtually all thats left in this Liberal party. You cant reschedule relationships, though. They need more than a sorry. Niigaan Sinclair is Anishinaabe and is a columnist at the Winnipeg Free Press. Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. engages in global investment banking, securities, and investment management, which provides financial services. 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Read More The meeting drew the attendance of Cambodian Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry of Commerce Sok Sopheak, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Le Quang Manh, Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Vu Quang Minh, and Lao Deputy Foreign Minister Thongphan Savanphet. Addressing the event, Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Le Quang Manh said that representatives of the three countries will propose effective measures and practical initiatives to the heads of the three coordination committees at their meeting on Sunday, paving the way for high-level agreements and specific directions to promote the development cooperation in the development triangle. Currently, cooperation projects in the border areas of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia have been underway, especially in hydropower, mining and mineral processing, industrial crop planting and processing, he noted. 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Read More Village Farms International, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, produces, markets, and distributes greenhouse-grown tomatoes, bell peppers, and cucumbers in North America. It operates through three segments: Produce Business, Energy Business, and Cannabis and Hemp Business. The company also owns and operates a 7.0 megawatt power plant that generates and sells electricity to British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority; and produces and supplies cannabis products. It markets and distributes its products under the Village Farms brand name to retail supermarkets and fresh food distribution companies, as well as products produced under exclusive arrangements with other greenhouse producers. The company was formerly known as Village Farms Canada Inc. and changed its name to Village Farms International, Inc. in December 2009. Village Farms International, Inc. was founded in 1989 and is headquartered in Delta, Canada. Read More iShares MSCI France ETF's stock was trading at $25.23 on March 11th, 2020 when Coronavirus (COVID-19) reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization. Since then, EWQ shares have increased by 55.8% and is now trading at $39.30. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. DArr Aktiengesellschaft, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a mechanical and plant engineering company worldwide. The company's Paint and Final Assembly Systems segment plans, builds, and modernizes paint shops and final assembly lines for the automotive industry; and supplies products and processes for various process stages in paint shop technology. It also provides supply control and conveyor systems, as well as air supply and exhaust-air systems; consulting services; and assembly and test systems for medical devices. The company's Application Technology segment offers technologies for the automated spray application of primers, and base and clear coats; and systems used for paint supply, quality assurance, and process control and evaluation. It also provides sealing technology for sealing seams, underbody protection, and injecting insulating materials in cars; glueing technology for fitting windows, glass roofs, cockpits, and tanks; and technology for paint application products. The company's Clean Technology Systems segment offers exhaust-air purification for the chemical, pharmaceutical, carbon fiber production, printing/coating, woodworking, mining, energy, oil and gas, and packaging industries, as well as to vehicle and lithium-ion battery manufacturers, automotive suppliers, and decentralized power plant operators. Its Measuring and Process Systems segment provides balancing and diagnostic systems; and systems for the automated filling of refrigerators, air-conditioning systems, and heat pumps with refrigerants. The company's Woodworking Machinery and Systems segment offers woodworking machinery and systems, such as panel cutting systems, through-feed saws and drilling machines, sanders, edge-banding machines, CNC processing centers, and handling and storage systems for use in furniture industry and woodworking trade, and timber house construction. DArr Aktiengesellschaft was founded in 1895 and is headquartered in Bietigheim-Bissingen, Germany. Read More Nuveen Georgia Quality Municipal Income Fund is a closed ended fixed income mutual fund launched by Nuveen Investments, Inc. The fund is co-managed by Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC and Nuveen Asset Management, LLC. It invests in the fixed income markets of the Georgia. The fund invests into undervalued municipal securities and other related investments the income from which is exempt from regular federal and Georgia income taxes. It seeks to invest in investment grade securities with an average maturity of around 17 years. The fund employs fundamental analysis with a focus on bottom-up stock picking approach to create its portfolio. It benchmarks the performance of its portfolio against Standard & Poor's (S&P) Georgia Municipal Bond Index and Standard & Poor's (S&P) National Municipal Bond Index. The fund was formerly known as Nuveen Georgia Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 2. Nuveen Georgia Quality Municipal Income Fund was formed on October 26, 2001 and is domiciled in the United States. Read More In this Feb. 28, 2019 file photo, U.S President Donald Trump, right, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un take a walk after their first meeting at the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi Hotel, in Hanoi, Vietnam. AP-Yonhap South Korea will consult closely with the United States as it seeks to bring lasting peace to the Korean Peninsula, Seoul's top envoy to Washington said Friday. Ambassador Cho Yoon-je reaffirmed the countries' close ties in the wake of last week's second summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, which failed to produce an agreement on denuclearizing the North. "Although the U.S.-North Korea summit in Hanoi did not bring about the result we had hoped for, the U.S. and North Korea both expressed their commitment to continuing their talks," he said at an event marking the 100th anniversary of Korea's March 1 Independence Movement against Japan's colonial rule of the peninsula. The ambassador compared the diplomatic effort to a moving train heading toward the goal of "a new Korean Peninsula of peace and cooperation" and acknowledged that there could be "peaks and valleys" ahead. NEW HARTFORD, N.Y. - It was a packed house Friday night at Daniele's Banquet in New Hartford to celebrate International Women's Day and the Bosnian community. Mayor Palmieri and other elected officials showed up to support the women in the community. Judge Bernedette Clark says she is happy to see so many people coming together to celebrate. "Our community is just such a melting pot," Clark said. "We have so many different cultures coming into Oneida County and I just think its amazing." Judge Clark has been a judge for 19 years, and she says women, like herself, have come a long way. "As a supreme court justice, when I started out in politics, I was the first woman, first assistant district attorney, and then the first woman family court judge and now Im the first woman supreme court justice from Oneida county," Clark said. "So I feel like my career has been about breaking the glass ceiling and pushing forward. We've come a long way and theres still places to go but we came a long way." Judge Clark offered some advice that she says has helped her get where she wanted to be in life. "Dont ever, ever let anyone tell you cannot do anything, thats been my mantra from day one," Clark said. "You can be anything you want to be and I think that's kind of the message I like to give to these women tonight." LAFAYETTE, Ind (WLFI) Franciscan Health Float Nurse Cathy Woodard was diagnosed with renal kidney failure 4 years ago. "I actually kind of found out on accident, said Woodard. I had some lab work drawn for work" Chronic Kidney disease has five stages. By stage 3 your Kidney is unable to function correctly. Woodard was prepared to live with this life-threatening disease. Normally patients with stage 3 kidney failure arent put on the transplant list. "They told me it could be three to five years before I could find a deceased donor, said Woodard. So finding a living donor was my best option" Cathy, a Delphi native, started posting on her city's Facebook page. Her post received nearly 600 shares. From one timeline to another. The post found its way on Woodard's coworkers page, Tina Scott. Tina found Cathys story through a shared post on a mutual friends page. "At first I didn't really recognize her, said Kidney Donor and Franciscan Health Nurse Tina Scoot. And then I was reading through and I was like oh I do know her." Cathy and Tina didnt have much in common other than being nurses. She was determined to help. "Being a nurse you see a lot of things going into the hospital, said Scott. And I was like if I can help somebody now I want to do that" After many tests, Tina was tested as a match for Cathy and the two were able to have the surgery in February of this year. Four days later Tina and Cathy were sent home. "I'm grateful that I didn't get the chance to be sick like some patients are, said Woodard. But I'm, just anybody in this process of life that needs a donation, to share their story. Because you never know who might come along and save you." BOONE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) A Clinton County woman is dead after a car crash in Boone County. On Saturday, Mar. 9 around 8 a.m. Boone County Deputies responded to a head-on collision near County Road 600 West on State Road 47. 45-year-old Tammy Annette Kelly of Kirklin was extracted from her black Chrysler 200 and deputies began CPR. Kelly was rushed to Witham Hospital where she was pronounced dead shortly after arriving. According to the Boone County Sheriffs Office, Kelly was driving the wrong direction when she collided with 63-year-old Michael Kaveney of Arizona heading westbound on SR 47. Kaveney was driving his black Audi Q7L. Kaveney told deputies he noticed a black Chrysler coming eastbound towards him and appeared to be swerving. He said the small black car traveled off the south side of the roadway, overcorrected, and began to fishtail towards him. Kaveney swerved right but could not avoid the collision. He was taken to St. Vincents Hospital for minor injuries. Before the crash, Boone County deputies responded to multiple calls claiming a small black car was eastbound on SR 47 driving all over the roadway. Deputies say it is unclear why Kelly traveled off the roadway. The crash is currently under investigation. North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un waves as he arrives to board his his train at the Dong Dang railway station in Lang Son on March 2, 2019. AFP-Yonhap North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is continuing to stress economic development as the most urgent task facing his country, state media said Saturday, amid speculation that the North may launch a rocket. In a letter to a national conference of propaganda officials held in Pyongyang earlier this week, Kim stressed the need to concentrate all efforts on building a "socialist economy. He called on party officials to spur efforts to handle ideology education for citizens to ensure that " great progress will be made in socialist economic construction," the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported. It was Kim's first message made public since he returned home empty-handed following the breakdown of last week's summit with U.S. President Donald Trump in Hanoi. It also came amid reports that there are signs of North Korea restoring part of the Dongchang-ri missile test site that it began to dismantle last year. U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un sit down for a dinner during the second U.S.-North Korea summit at the Metropole Hotel in Hanoi, Vietnam February 27, 2019. Also pictured at right are U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney. Reuters-Yonhap By Hong Ji-min A group of 36 MBA students and professors from Westminster College in Salt Lake City, Utah, visited the newsroom of The Korea Times in Seoul, Friday. Led by Prof. Mike Keene, director of the Technology Commercialization Department at the college, they had a chance to take a peek into journalism during their visit to the newspaper's headquarters as part of an academic field trip. Korea Times President Lee Byeong-eon welcomed them with a brief presentation about the English daily and shared his views on the company's future and journalism trends in Korea. Collin Bess, a student from the college, said he was surprised by the in-depth stories the Korea Times covers on a wide variety of topics from finance to international relations. "It is surprising that most of the readership actually comes from the United States." Another student Ankur Verma said he was impressed by the size of Seoul. "It's much bigger than I had expected. I personally wanted to come here because I'm currently working in the fintech industry and I've been observing that Korea is one of the leaders in this field. This is why I came." They will stay in Seoul until March 10, during which time they plan to visit leading companies in various industries. After their Seoul trip, the students will visit Hong Kong before returning to the United States. A handout photo made available by DigitalGlobe on Wednesday of a commercial satellite image acquired on March 2 showing the Sohae (Tongchang-ri) Satellite Launching Station in North Pyongan Province, North Korea. EPA-Yonhap N. Korea shows signs of rebuilding nuclear, missile facilities By Lee Min-hyung Voices of skepticism and disappointment toward North Korea are growing stronger inside the United States following reports that it has started to rebuild its nuclear and missile facilities. The North's abrupt shift in relations with the U.S. came only a few days after the breakdown of the second summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. In recent days, a series of signs have been detected of the possible resumption of operations at North Korea's major missile and nuclear sites. On Thursday, the National Assembly Intelligence Committee quoted National Intelligence Service (NIS) chief Suh Hoon as saying in a meeting Tuesday that the NIS had detected movement of transport vehicles at the Sanum-dong missile research facility in Pyongyang. The center is known as a manufacturing facility for intercontinental ballistic missiles that can reach the U.S. mainland. The NIS is also known to have told the committee that uranium enrichment facilities at the Yongbyon nuclear facility are operating "normally." According to the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), North Korea is also rebuilding its Sohae Satellite Launching Station at Tongchang-ri. The U.S. think tank cited satellite images of the facility as evidence for the claim. A street in Fusan, circa 1900. By Robert Neff A sketch of a Korean man, circa 1882. It was at dawn on January 4, 1882, when the Wanderer sailed into Busan harbor to the "semi-fortified Japanese settlement" known then as Fusan. It was a fairly large ship 186 feet long, with a displacement of 840 tons powered by steam and sail and able to glide through the water at about 12 knots an hour. The British flag flew from its mast and its smartly dressed crew of 50 men and 13 passengers gave it a formidable appearance as it sailed past the Korean junks. But it was not a warship, it was a private yacht owned by Charles Lambert. Lambert was a very wealthy Englishman who desired adventure and had the money to buy it. He bought and outfitted the Wanderer so he could embark on a round-the-world cruise starting from England, around the tip of South America, then up through the Pacific to Japan, where he would then sail along the Chinese coast and Southeast Asia and around Africa back to England. It was an epic adventure that would take about 22 months to complete. Accompanying him was his wife and their four children: Helen Mark, Beatrice Kate, George Maximiano and William Stanley. As his guests, Lambert invited the Reverend H.E. Witherall and Robert T. Pritchett, an artist. The Lamberts also brought their personal servants: Julia Power, governess; Agnes McAllan, ladies' maid; Elizabeth Cordell, nurse; John Harris, valet, and John Dadge, footman. Lambert's reason for visiting Korea probably stemmed from an unexpected and brief encounter in Yokohama: "[On December 17] we fell in with some Coreans, part of an embassy sent to Tokio to settle differences, and discuss appearances of Russian aggression in their part of Asia. They are chiefly remarkable for their broad-brimmed hats, with open horsehair work in the upper part of the crown. One of them, who looked about twenty, had a singularly good-tempered and lively look, and laughed with every muscle of his body, as he looked at us with a critical eye, and said inquiringly: 'Yankee? English? French?'" A sketch of the Wanderer, circa 1882. The conversation was in English, but, unfortunately, it was very short. It did, however, awaken a desire in Lambert to visit the land popularly known as the Hermit Kingdom. His expectations, however, were not met. Whereas he found the Japanese to be "very clean and orderly," he found the Koreans to be the opposite. His observations were biased and highly critical: "The [Korean] men were of a finer physique than the Japanese, but the expression of their faces is decidedly evil. They wear loose baggy trousers and a jacket, and a most extraordinary hat, the use of which it is difficult to understand, as it certainly will keep off neither sun nor rain, being made of horse hair, in the shape of a Welsh-woman's hat, and not fitting the head, but being tied down." When the Lamberts set ashore they were mobbed by curious Koreans. Mrs. Lambert was likely wearing her sable coat with its little tails, which had excited great curiosity in Japan: "The men and boys lifted up the little tails, stroked the fur, turned it up to look inside, and were evidently much exercised as to what sort of an animal it was made from." But in Busan, it wasn't her coat that generated excitement it was her. A street in Fusan, circa 1890s. Hundreds of thousands of people joined demonstrations across Algeria on Friday to demand an end to the regime of Abdelaziz Bouteflika, the military-backed president who has ruled the country since 1999. Videos on social media show waves of demonstrators, predominantly youth, filling the streets of the capital, Algiers, the port city of Bejaia, and other towns, chanting Killer regime, The people want the downfall of the regime, and Thieves, you have eaten the country! In the north-eastern port city of Annaba, workers protested for their family members who drowned in the Mediterranean attempting to reach Europe. Yesterday was the third successive Friday protest since the ruling National Liberation Front (FLN) announced on February 10 that it would run Bouteflika in elections this April. The protests have grown larger each week and escalated after Bouteflikas aides submitted his election nomination forms on Sunday, promising at the same time that he would step down within a year if elected. The protests are part of a growing radicalization in the working class and escalation of working-class struggles throughout the Maghreb and internationally against social inequality since the beginning of 2019, eight years after the revolutionary upheavals which overthrew the Egyptian and Tunisian regimes. The 82-year-old president is a political corpse who has been incapable of speaking publicly since 2013, when he suffered a severe stroke. He has been in a hospital in Geneva, Switzerland for nearly two weeks receiving what spokespeople have called routine check-ups. The inner circles of his regime are seeking to gain time to select a suitable successor. An unbridgeable class gulf separates the official opposition parties involved in the protests, who see Bouteflikas removal solely as a means to improve their positions within the existing regime, from the opposition to poverty, unemployment and social inequality that is driving masses of workers and youth into struggle. Somewhere between a quarter and a third of Algerian youth are unemployed, under conditions where approximately two-thirds of the population is aged under 30. A report by the Algerian League for the Defence of Human Rights last year stated that 400,000 Algerian children drop out of school every year, especially in the countryside, where classrooms are not equipped with electricity, water or heating, or lack toilets and school medical healthcare. Meanwhile, over the past 20 years, a tiny layer of billionaires and multi-millionaires has flourished. This year has seen escalating strikes throughout the country, including by port workers, a two-day nationwide teachers strike at the end of February, and strikes by transport workers in the Kabylie region. Workers at the massive Tayal textile factory in Sidi Khettab, Relizane, which exports to Europe, launched an indefinite strike on February 27 against grueling conditions and pay that is below the legal minimum. We are paid 600 dinars (US$5) a day, or 18,000 a month, and if we are absent, they take 1,000 dinars from us, one striker told the French-language Reflexion last week. Autoworkers at Hyundais joint assembly plant in Tiaret launched a strike on Monday against their conditions. The Algerian trade unions are doing everything in their power to contain the movement in the working class. The French-language daily El Watan published a report Thursday, And what if there was a general strike? It quoted Lyes Merabet, the president of the SNPSP national health union, declaring that while the union supported protests demanding Bouteflikas removal, it would be premature to respond to what she nervously referred to as anonymous calls on social media for a general strike. The national teachers federation, which covers university lecturers, has called a nationwide strike on March 13, under conditions where teachers have already been calling meetings to join their students in protests. Algerias largest trade union federation, the General Union of Algerian Labor (UGTA), is a creation of the FLN and openly supports Bouteflika. The political parties and organizations now calling for Bouteflikas removal are no less hostile than those in the regimes leading circles to any measures to address the social concerns of the workers and youth. A massive political operation is underway to ensure that, if and when Bouteflika is removed, an orderly transition is carried through that will involve no fundamental change to the regime besides a reshuffling in personnel. Al Jazeera provided an account of the sordid maneuvering of these figures yesterday. It reported that thirty opposition parties gathered together on March 7 in Algiers, at the headquarters of the Talaie El Hourriyet party founded by Ali Benflis. Al Jazeera diplomatically refers to Benflis, a former prime minister under Bouteflika, only as Bouteflikas top challenger in 2015. Those present at the meeting included Louisa Hanoune, the head of the Workers Party (PT), Mohcine Belabbas, the president of the Rally for Culture and Democracy (RCD), and Abderrakaz Makri, the head of the Islamist Movement of Society for Peace (MSP), as well as other public figures. The RCDs Belabbas told the newspaper that we need to question the nature of the regime we would like to establish after the implosion of this long-lasting system. Al Jazeera noted that only Mouwatana and Jil Jadid, organizations which have been actively involved in the protests, did not attend the meeting, declaring that other parties should first withdraw from the parliament. Mouwatana and Jil Jadid are also dissident factions of the regime; Mouwatana was created by another former prime minister under Bouteflika. The article referred to proposals for a constituent assembly or a temporary government to handle the transition process. Workers and youth should beware that any such political formation would be nothing more than a pseudo-democratic facade to maintain the existing regime resting on the generals, who are the real decision-makers in power. This was made clear by Benflis, who implicitly called for a military intervention in an interview with the Financial Times yesterday, declaring: The people have gone out in their millions, and I dont expect and dont imagine that the National Popular Army would fail to listen to them. All the imperialist powers are actively monitoring and intervening in the political situation in Algeria, a major gas producer and geo-strategic center in northern Africa, to protect their interests. The Economist published a statement yesterday, Out with the old: How to revive Algeria, which called for Bouteflika to step down. It warned nervously that Far from preventing another civil war, the regime risks stoking one. Similar calls for a fraudulent transition, preserving the regime minus its figurehead, have been made by the New York Times and Le Monde. The Financial Times headlined its article: Algeria army pressed to defuse growing anti-Bouteflika protests: Speculation mounts that military will intervene as ailing president seeks fifth term. In another article the previous day, the Times stated that Algeria protests revive memories of final days of Hosni Mubarak. It declared: Few believe the elections can now proceed. Much could depend on another liberation veteranGeneral Ahmed Gaid Salah, the army chief of staff. As in Egypt, the military is a key power behind the politicians. The unknown is whether the armed forces have a contingency plan. The Times reference to the Egyptian military, which, under General al-Sisi, carried out a coup and murdered thousands of political opponents to drown the revolution in blood, is a stark warning. It also points to the political lessons that must be drawn by workers and young people from the experience of the 2011 workers uprising in Egypt. Because they did not have a revolutionary, socialist and internationalist perspective and leadership, powerful struggles of the working class were channeled behind bourgeois parties, enabling the Egyptian military to carry out its coup and re-impose a brutal dictatorship. The turn must now be toward the international working class, the fight for workers governments across the Maghreb and Europe and the socialist reorganization of the economy according to social need, rather than private profit. The critical task is to build sections of the world Trotskyist movement, the International Committee of the Fourth International, to arm the developing struggles of the working class internationally with a socialist and internationalist perspective. Amazons decision to withdraw construction plans for its second headquarters in New York City last month has left intact its plans to build a corporate headquarters in Arlington, Virginia. The decision to place its headquarters, dubbed HQ2, next to the Pentagon and US federal government in the suburbs of Washington DC reflects the web technology and commerce giants increasing strategic alignment with the forces of US militarism. Within hours of Amazon announcing its pullout from New York, officials in Northern Virginia released public statements gloating of their abilities to retain the web corporation. It highlighted a particular community dynamic in a region that has its act together, said Christian Dorsey, Arlington County Board chairman, in a statement quoted by the New York Times. The company will station its offices on a miles-long stretch of land bordering the Pentagon while the neighborhoods Amazon will occupy are to be renamed National Landing in honor of the its arrival. In addition to a $550 million tax giveaway for the company to settle in Virginia and hire over 25,000 workers, with $200 million more promised for exceeding that number, state-funded colleges have set up the equivalent of multi-million dollar feeder programs for the corporate giant. Virginia Tech announced the creation of a $1 billion, one-million square foot innovation campus in the nearby Potomac Yards neighborhood, along the border of the cities of Arlington and Alexandria. The Virginia Tech Innovation Campus will be focused on computer science and software engineering, with specializations in areas including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and data analytics, states the Washington Post. According to a school press release, Virginia Techs comprehensive higher education package was cited as a key reason Amazon selected Virginia for a new headquarters site. Not to be outdone, George Mason University announced a brand new Institute for Digital Innovation to be housed on its Arlington campus, also nearby. The schools website declares that it plans to invest more than $250 million over five years to develop its Arlington campus, which stands adjacent to the New Amazon headquarters. Both GMU and Virginia Techs new innovation facilities will share state money, with over $375 million in performance-based subsidies coming from the government. In addition, Democratic Governor Ralph Northam has pledged a $50 million public investment over 20 years in school technology courses in order to feed the growing Virginia intelligence-tech industry. GMU will also partner with Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC) on a new academic program titled ADVANCE, aimed to help develop future tech talent in the region, according to the InsideNOVA web publication. Virginias biggest employment growth opportunity in the years ahead will be in techfrom artificial intelligence to cloud computing to cybersecurity, and everything in between, stated Stephen Moret, president and CEO of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership to Virginia Tech News of the states purpose in luring more technology corporations. The Military-Intelligence Component Amazons November announcement for HQ2 represents a major escalation in the deepening integration of the state with academia and private corporations. The World Socialist Web Site has previously revealed the extremely close relationship that Amazon maintains with the United States intelligence community. As early as 2013, Amazon Web Services (AWS), the companys subsidiary providing cloud computing services, inked a deal with the United States intelligence community to host a $600 million cloud service for the US spy agencies, called the Commercial Cloud Service (C2S). In the words of then-Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, the program aims to improve the ability to securely and efficiently discover, access, and share information within the IC [intelligence community]. AWS, which facilitates a significant portion of the worlds internet traffic through its data centers located in the Washington DC suburbs of Northern Virginia, where nearly 70 percent of the worlds web traffic flows, is already closely integrated with the Department of Defense. Regarding the AWS partnership with the military, an Amazon blog in March 2016 noted : Adoption of cloud computing is critical to maintaining our militarys technological advantage. Our nations warfighters deserve the most innovative and secure solutions at the tactical edgewhether on land, in air, or at sea. The AWS Cloud provides secure, scalable, and cost-efficient solutions that help agencies meet mandates, drive efficiencies, increase innovation, and secure mission-critical workloads across the US Department of Defense. Amazons announcement for HQ2 comes amid a bidding war between the technology giant as well as Google and Microsoft for rights to the DoDs Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure (JEDI) project, which will see the winning company gaining control of the internet cloud service housing a number of US military computing needs, a contract worth nearly $10 billion. In September, Amazon CEO and owner of the Washington Post Jeff Bezos appeared as the keynote speaker for the US Air Force Associations annual conference. Speaking from the US National Harbor, located across the Potomac River from his companys soon-to-be headquarters, Bezos speech was dedicated to laying out the integral relationship between the US military and intelligence agencies and the private web technology corporations. A report published by the Department of Defense a month earlier calls for a closer integration between the US Warfighter and a diverse network of private sector companies, R&D organizations, academic institutions, and government-owned facilities to develop and produce the technologies enabling U.S. military dominance and ensuring national security. The Military-Corporate-Academic Nexus A highly significant aspect of the academic response to HQ2 is that the institutions responding most strongly to the Amazon challenge are those whom already enjoy an extraordinarily close relationship with the US military-intelligence apparatus. According to a 2015 investigation by Vice, GMU, Virginia Tech and NVCC all rank among the top 20 most militarized colleges in the United States. Both GMU and NVCC have established AWS feeder courses. NVCC, the second largest US two-year college and a founding member of the US National Cyberwatch Center with close ties to the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security, introduced a cloud service apprenticeship last year, training a class comprised entirely of US military veterans on its first run. According to GMU, its ADVANCE program works in collaboration with Northern Virginia employers... to fulfill critical workforce needs, a strategy that is on point with [George] Masons partnership with Amazon. A list of the universitys local employment partners includes organizations such as the US Marines along with military contractors Boeing, L3 Communications, BAE Systems and others. In addition, George Mason hosts numerous Centers of Excellence for cybersecurity, criminal law and other pursuits connected to the state. Staff at GMUs Center of Excellence for Command, Control, Communications, Computing and Intelligence and Cyber Security (C4I) regularly participate in forums and panel discussions at events funded by Northrop Grumman, Boeing, Raytheon and other federal contractors tied to the US military and intelligence agencies. Virginia Tech was a member of the Coalition for National Security Research, in addition to conducting classified work both with state intelligence services and military contractors. The universitys Northern Virginia branch in Arlington houses the Ted and Kathryn Hume Center for National Security and Technology, which leads Virginia Techs research, education, and outreach programs focused on the challenges of cybersecurity, autonomy, and resilience in the context of national and homeland security. The Hume Centers Twitter account has regularly tweeted its support for HQ2, including calling on January 23 for a pipeline starting K12 to close [the] cyber workforce gap. The tweet mentions Amazon by name. The integration of US imperialism, academia and corporate America raises the need to expropriate massive companies like Amazon and place them under democratic control so their technology can be harnessed not for war and surveillance but to improve the lives of billions of people. By Hwang Jae-ho Fan Shiming On February 16, Swiss-born actor Bruno Ganz died of cancer at his home on Lake Zurich at the age of 77. Ganz was one of the leading figures in the contemporary German-speaking theatre and film world. The news of his death was met with grief and came as a shock to all those who worked with a beloved and esteemed colleague over his long career. Bruno Ganz in 2011 (Photo-Loui der Colli) It is comforting that the words of German dramatist Friedrich Schiller from his prelude to Wallenstein, When the artist dies, his spell dies with him, have somewhat lost their sting. Bruno Ganz work lives on in the shape of his many films. Obituaries in the German media have tended to concentrate on two of his film rolesas an angel in Wim Wenders Wings of Desire (1987) and as a demonic Adolf Hitler in Oliver Hirschbiegels The Downfall (2004). This, however, only does Ganz an injustice. The entire range of his art unfolded between these two extremes. In fact, he was a master of the quiet undertone, giving subtle performance that lent authenticity to a vast range of figures. Bruno Ganz and Solveig Dommartin in Wings of Desire (1987) He imbued all of his roles with enormous intensity, urgency and individuality. In its obituary Die deutsche Buhne [The German Stage] magazine commented: He could identify everything within a characters ego; down to the last detail, his approach was gentle and sensitivecombined with his truly incomparable voice, which one recognised as soon as he spoke. Ganz began his career in theatre and performed on all the major stages in Switzerland, Germany and Austria, working under many of the continents most important theater directors, such as Peter Loffler, Peter Zadek, Peter Stein and Claus Peymann, among others. He also acted in films directed by dozens of filmmakers, including Wenders, Eric Rohmer, Volker Schlondorff, Werner Herzog, Mauro Bolognini, Alain Tanner, Gillian Armstrong, Jonathan Demme, Francis Ford Coppola and Bille August. Although Hollywood took note of him years ago, he was never interested in becoming a commercial film personality. He was anything but a star, and never scrambled for attention. Although he never received an Academy Award, he won many awards and prizes in the field of the performing arts, and with complete justification. Ganz ability to fill a wide variety of roles resided in his capacity for introspection combined with profound study of the theme of the play or movie and the world as a whole. He was the holder of the Iffland-Ring [1] from 1996 until his death, an honour handed down from one artist to whomever he or she regards as the most significant and worthy stage artist in the German-speaking theatre. Bruno Ganz was born on March 22, 1941 and grew up in Seebach, a suburb of Zurich. His father was a factory worker, his Italian mother travelled to Zurich on foot across the Alps to work as domestic help. As he stressed, his home as a youth was the unspectacular neighbourhood of Seebach, not nearby Zurich, the home of the Swiss finance industry. The district is home today to large numbers of immigrants, particularly from the Balkans, Sub-Saharan Africa and the Indian subcontinent. Already as a child and a teenager, he was fascinated by the theatre. Ganz was frequently taken to the theatre by an acquaintance who worked as a lighting technician at Zurichs main theatre, the Schauspielhaus. From the wings, he was able to watch famous actors and actresses, many of whom had fled Germany during the Nazi era, including the German-Jewish performer Therese Giehse. Later Ganz acted alongside Giehse in Bertolt Brechts 1932 play The Mother (Die Mutter), about a working class Russian woman who becomes involved in revolutionary activity, based on the 1906 novel by Russian writer Maxim Gorky. Ganz left high school before graduating and became an actormuch to the horror of his parents who wanted him to take up a more practical profession. He began his education in the art of acting, butto supplement his incomeworked for time in a bookstore and also fulfilled his despised military service requirement as a paramedic. The start of Ganz career corresponded to a general mood of rebellious optimism for young people in the 1960s. His work on the stage began at the same Schauspielhaus. The theatre was a centre of intense and often radical activity, as seemed to be the case everywhere. Following a hail of abuse from conservative critics directed against dramaturge and director Peter Loffler and his band of youthful collaborators, the left-wing dramaturge Klaus Volker was summarily dismissed. A large part of the company, including Ganz, promptly resigned in an act of solidarity. Ganz then went to the Junges Theater in Gottingen in central Germany, a student theatre, where, he relates, he learnt to speak German properly. In a video interview from 2004 dealing with the most important stages of his life, he recounted the heated debates between young left-wing actors and right-wing law students in Gottingen. His next stop was Bremen. There he met the young director Peter Stein, who wanted to do explicitly left-wing theatre. After staging the play Viet Nam Discourse (1968) by Peter Weiss at the Munich Kammerspiele, Stein was banned from the theatre because he wanted to collect money in solidarity with Vietnams National Liberation Front after the performance. Bruno Ganz and Dennis Hopper in The American Friend (1977) Together with Stein, Ganz went to the Berlin Schaubuhne, which around 1968 became a focus of left-wing theatre work. At the Schaubuhne, Ganz played many leading roles, such as Henrik Ibsens Peer Gynt and Heinrich von Kleists Prince of Homburg. The Schaubuhne soon became a target of hatred for Berlins Christian Democrats (CDU), who sought to slash its subsidies, arguing the theatre was a Communist cell, where primitive agitation classes had replaced real art. Stein once again turned to Ganz for his legendary performance in Goethes Faust, a project for the Expo 2000 in Hanover. The first and second parts of the drama were to be performed for a total of 22 hours over two evenings. Unfortunately, Ganz was so badly injured during a rehearsal he had to be replaced at the premiere. Later, he took over the mammoth role again, including for its television version. Although he was not entirely happy with the role, he played it with his usual esprit, employing the full range of his art. From the mid-1970s onward Ganz was one of the leading figures in the New German Cinema. His earliest roles include the Count (Graf) in Eric Rohmers film adaptation of Kleists novel, The Marquise of O (1976) and Jakov Shalimov in Peter Steins Summerfolk (Sommergaste), an adaptation of a 1904 Gorky play. Edith Clever and Bruno Ganz in The Marquise of O (1976) Directed both times by Wim Wenders, Ganz played leading roles in The American Friend (adapted from Patricia Highsmiths Ripleys Game and Ripley Under Ground ) in 1977 and Wings of Desire in 1987. He also featured prominently in Werner Herzogs Nosferatu the Vampyre (1978) and Volker Schlondorffs Circle of Deceit (1981), with Hanna Schygulla. According to Ganz himself, among the most interesting films he made at the time was Knife in the Head (1978, directed by Reinhard Hauff), in which he plays a man with a head injury, who loses not only lost his memory, but also a significant part of his motor skills and language. Bruno Ganz in Nosferatu the Vampyre (1979) Bruno Ganz particular strength lay in his portrayal of sensitive, thoughtful intellectuals or dropouts with a critical view of society. He was also able, however, to play very different roles. His portrayal of Adolf Hitler in The Downfall (2004) has become world famous. It was, in his own words, one of his biggest challenges. He hesitated a long time before taking on such an extremely complicated role. He went on to assume the speech and mannerisms of the Nazi dictator in a way that send chills down the spine of any audience member. Bruno Ganz in Downfall (2004) In The Baader Meinhof Complex (2008, directed by Uli Edel), a film dealing with the terrorist Red Army Faction, Ganz played Horst Herold, the president of the Federal Criminal Police. In the same year, under the direction of Rainer Kaufmann, he co-starred with Monika Bleibtreu in the television movie Ein starker Abgang [A Stronger Finish], portraying an apparent hypochondriac and writer on his last reading tour, who gets diagnosed with colon cancer. The German television channel ZDF aired the film the day after Ganz death. David Kross and Bruno Ganz in The Reader (2008) One of Ganz last film roles was in The Tobacconist (2018, directed by Nikolaus Leytner), in which he portrayed Sigmund Freud. A year earlier, he played the great-grandfather Wilhelm Powileit in Matti Geschonnecks film adaptation of Eugen Ruges novel, In Times of Fading Light. In total, Ganz accrued more than 120 film and television credits from 1960 to 2018. Ganz was also a lover of classical music. In memory of the great actor, the ARTE channel broadcast a production of Beethovens music for Goethes Egmont from the 2012 Lucerne Festival under the direction of conductor Claudio Abbado. Bruno Ganz read from the text of Goethes tragedy. In the summer of 2018, he was scheduled to play the narrator in Mozarts opera The Magic Flute at the Salzburg Festival in Austria. He had to stop rehearsing, however, on medical advice after he was diagnosed with the colon cancer, whose complications reportedly led to his death. [1] The ring is named after the German theatre director and actor August Wilhelm Iffland (1759-1814), whose portrait is featured on the diamond-studded iron ring. Iffland was born in the same year as Friedrich Schiller and played Franz Moor in the Mannheim premiere of Schillers famed drama The Robbers. Bruno Ganz was awarded the Iffland ring in 1996 by the Austrian actor Josef Meinrad in the latters will. The new recipient remains unclear. Ganzs own choice, the outstanding actor Gert Voss, died in 2014. Socialist Equality Party (SEP) and International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) campaigners have won significant backing from estate workers in the central hills district for the forthcoming plantation workers conference on 17 March. Entitled The lessons of the plantation workers struggle and way forward to win higher wages and democratic rights, the conference was called by the Abbotsleigh Estate Workers Action Committee with the support of the SEP. The Action Committee was formed in December, during the nine-day national strike of plantation workers. Over 100,000 plantation workers were involved in the December walkout, which was called to demand a 1,000-rupee ($US5.50) basic daily wage. The strike was shut down and betrayed by the Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) with the backing of the National Union of Workers (NUW), Upcountry Peoples Front (UPF), Democratic Peoples Front (DPF) and Lanka Jathika Estate Workers Union (LJEWU). A few weeks later, on January 28, the CWC and LJEWU signed a sellout collective agreement with the plantation companies, accepting a nominal pay increase and pledging to impose new productivity demands. Last week SEP and IYSSE campaigners spoke with workers from Theresia Estate, one of several estates owned by Madulsima Plantations. The Theresia Estate employs almost 900 workers and is located near Bogavanthalawa town, about 17 kilometres from Hatton. Workers from all divisions of the Theresia Estate struck for four days on February 20, in protest against management slashing their work-week from six to four days. The walkout was organised independently of the plantation unions. The unions are working in collaboration with management, one worker told SEP campaigners. The plantation companies refused to increase our wage, in line with our demands, and instead only gave us a 20-rupee increase. We struck for nine days but the union betrayed us, and now management has reduced our working days. We cant go forward without organising independently of the union. Well participate in the workers conference and I intend to speak. SEP campaigner discussing March 17 plantation workers conference V. Annamalai previously worked as a driver at the estates factory but quit the job because he was unable to support his family on his low wage. He said housing was a burning issue among plantation workers. It is common for more than two families to be in one small line room, divided by a partition. How can we afford a decent home on the meagre pay we receive? he asked. Most workers have to wait a long time to repair the homes or until they get the EPF [pension fund] or someone in the family goes to work abroad. A female worker explained how plantation workers were being deprived of the most basic facilities. We have a dispensary, but there is no doctor and we have to go to the Bogavanthalawa hospital, carrying our children, she said. The estate school only has classes up to grade eight and so, after that, our children have to go to another school in Bogavanthalawa for further studies. The Ottery Estate is seven kilometres from Hatton. One section is merged with the Invery Estate, which is owned by Kelani Valley plantations. The other section is in the process of being shut down by its owner. Fifty acres of the estate have been sold to a business developer, who is pulling out the tea bushes to build houses. In 1983, the Ottery Estate employed 150 workers and was managed by the state-owned Peoples Estate Development Board, or Janawasama. In 1989, some parts were sold to private owners. Following a seven-month strike at the estate over living conditions, management slashed its workforce to about 80 people. Workers said that the company had not sent four years of their EPF [pension fund] to the Central Bank, even though it had been deducted from their wages. Near the main entrance to the Ottery Estate there is an abandoned building at the top of a hill. Workers told SEP campaigners that the building had been a hospital and was constructed in 1938. Its closure, they said, was the result of privatisation. One worker from the Dickoya Estate explained the onerous productivity targets being demanded by management. We now have to pluck 20 kilograms daily to receive our basic wage, and if we pluck 15 kilograms we are only paid half that amount, she said. Management claims it has increased the payment to 40 rupees for every extra kilogram we harvest, but we are barely able to pluck two or three extra kilograms. And when it rains, the supervisor cuts three kilograms from our plucked tea leaves to offset the wetness. Leeches and leopards are another threat, she added. Latchumanan, former NUW leader-Dickoya estate Her daughter, studies in an A/L class in the commerce stream. The bus fare to her school in Norwood costs 70 rupees and the monthly tuition classes cost 2,000 rupees. Both the mother and daughter raised concerns about the recent and ongoing military tensions between India and Pakistan. They bought a copy of the International Committee of the Fourth Internationals statement Socialism and the fight against imperialist war after SEP campaigners explained the partys socialist, anti-war program. K. Latchumanan, a former local NUW leader, welcomed the forthcoming conference. He had carefully kept a copy of the SEPs 2015 election manifesto and proudly showed it to the SEP campaigners. Youve been continuously fighting for a socialist solution for the working class, he said. The title of your manifesto was Fight for a socialist program against war and social counterrevolution and its analysis has been proven correct. [CWC leader] Arumugam Thondaman boasted that he would bring a piped-water system to the estate. We laid the pipes and erected taps outside our homes, but were still waiting for the water. Workers have to carry water long distances and there are queues of people waiting to collect water at these sources, he said. Families waiting to collect water in Dickoya estate The estate workers lack the most basic facilities, including toilets near their homes. Latchumanans father and grandfather were plantation workers and there were five families living in one line-room. Our accommodation was very old, he said, and we slept fearfully at night, worried that the dilapidated room would fall down on us. Governments change, but our problems remain. Id like to organise some discussions about your perspective among the workers and to help build the conference. Thissakumar, a 34-year-old estate worker, spoke angrily about the union betrayal of the workers wage strike and also their inadequate and unsafe living conditions. He pointed to fractures in every wall of his home. Although toilet facilities were virtually non-existent, he was previously fined 5,000 rupees for building a toilet pit in violation of local regulations. Dickoya estate worker's home with walls made from sacks Thissakumar showed campaigners his older sisters home, where she lives with three children. The building, which is next to a steep incline did not have brick or wooden walls, but was covered with sacks and, like other line buildings in the area, its roof was falling apart. All the capitalist union leaders must be rejected. We need a new leadership and we need to gather the support of the youth, Thissakumar said. He added that he would back the formation of an action committee and organise a discussion before the forthcoming plantation workers conference, which will be held at 10 am, Sunday March 17 at the Hatton Town Hall. Workers at three Chemist Warehouse (CWH) distribution centres voted this month for a campaign of industrial action over a new enterprise agreement. The warehouses at Somerton and Preston in Victoria and Eagle Farm in Queensland are critical in supplying non-pharmaceutical goods to the companys more than 400 retail stores across Australia. Chemist Warehouse is Australias 13th largest retailer by turnover, with sales of $2.7 billion and more than 10,000 staff. Its sales make up 20 percent of retail pharmacy sales, including 15 percent of all medicines dispensed under the governments Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. The low-paid workers are seeking a 25 to 30 percent pay rise and an increase in the number of permanent positions across three sites to at least 70 percent of the workforce, instead of the current level of just 25 percent. The National Union of Workers (NUW), however, which covers the warehouses, is preoccupied above all with maintaining its own position as a labour hire firm and industrial police force that has imposed the poverty-level wages and onerous conditions that prevail across the sector. According to the NUW, CWH warehouse workers who pick and ship over a million items per week are paid 25 percent less than those employed by industry competitors. Storemen at the CWH distribution centres, for example, earn on average just $20.84 per hour. Similar low pay rates apply across CWHs operations including in its retail outlets, where the average hourly rate for a pharmacy assistant is only $19.05 and a retail sales assistant is paid just $17.54. CWHs low-pay regime is accompanied by intensive pressure, especially on casual workers, to reach productivity targets under threat of having their shifts reduced or cut. Fewer shifts results in drastically reduced take-home pay. Describing such conditions, a worker at the Preston warehouse told the press: There are hundreds of casuals fighting for limited positions. You have to work fast, you have to be like an animal. If you dont reach your target you dont get your shift. The companys callous attitude towards its employees was underscored in 2016 when it was forced to pay back $3.5 million to nearly 6,000 in-store staff. It did so after it was uncovered that CWH had not been paying employees for compulsory training done outside of work hours. The companys low pay and oppressive regime have enabled CWH to reap enormous profits and undercut its industry rivals. Operating under the East Yarra Friendly Society (EYFS), the group, according to reports in the financial media, has consolidated revenue of around $1.43 billion and an annual revenue nearing $3 billion. In the financial year ending June 30, 2016, the group registered a $101 million net profit, up from $97 million the previous year. The groups owners and only directors, Jack Gance and Mario Verrocchi, have personal fortunes of $546 million and $588 million respectively. At the end of last year, the NUW began obtaining signatures to push the company to commence bargaining. According to the union, three workers who signed the petition were put on short shifts. Bargaining on a proposed enterprise agreement begins when the employer agrees to bargaining or initiates bargaining, or when a majority support determination, endorsed by the workforce, is established. As was the case in other warehouse disputes, the NUW held the ballot for industrial action to placate growing hostility among the workers and to exert pressure on CWH to come to the negotiating table. The NUW is seeking to defend its position at the negotiating table, where it bargains away the jobs, wages and conditions of the workers it falsely claims to represent and secures the wealth and privileges of the union officialdom. That is why although workers voted for industrial action, the NUW has not announced any strikes, stoppages or work bans. Confirming the ballot result, an NUW spokesman said that workers had voted for future strikes that could begin if workers decide at future meetings to take industrial action. The current conditions at CWH did not fall from the sky. The NUW, like other unions, has for decades signed off on enterprise work agreements in the warehousing sector that have set ever more exploitative benchmarks. This has led to decreasing wage levels and worsening working conditions, including a massive increase in the casualisation of the workforce. In 2015, for example, the NUW closed down a strike by around 200 warehouse workers at supermarket chain Woolworths Liquor Distribution Centre in the Melbourne suburb of Laverton and then agreed to the companys demand that to use labour-hire casuals. The union claimed the outcome was a victory because the NUW would have a say on the numbers employed, when they could be used and which labour-hire company was involved. Similarly, in 2012 the NUW shut down a two-week strike by hundreds of warehouse workers at a Toll Holdings-operated distribution centre for supermarket giant Coles in Somerton, Melbourne. None of the workers demands were met including on pay, shift arrangements, a capped ratio on casual workers and for all casuals to be made permanent after three months. In 2010, the NUW ended a strike by around 600 workers at a Woolworths operated distribution warehouse in Broadmeadows and pushed through an enterprise bargaining agreement (EBA). Again workers demands were not realized, including for a 6 percent annual pay rise, a 10 to 1 permanent to casual staff ratio and improved work shift and break times. The basis for the wholesale trading-off of working conditions and the rise of casualisation were the accords between the unions, the Hawke-Keating Labor governments and the major companies in the 1980s. The unions were assigned a privileged position in the industrial relations setup and worked to suppress industrial action and to subordinate workers interests to the drive to boost profits and to make Australian-based employers internationally competitive. The Accords led to the destruction of hundreds of thousands of jobs, including in the warehousing sector. Chemist Warehouse (CWH) workers should draw the necessary lessons from the decades-long sell-out deals brokered by the NUW and all of the unions. The record demonstrates that nothing can be defended without a complete break from the unions and the establishment of new organisations of struggle, including independent rank-and-file committees to coordinate an industrial and political fight across the warehousing sector and to reach out to other sections of the working class. Above all, what is required is a socialist perspective, aimed at establishing a workers government that would place essential industry, along with the banks and the major corporations, under public ownership and democratic workers control. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang opened this years annual National Peoples Congress (NPC) that began in Beijing this week with a work report that highlighted the risks and dangers facing the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) regime from a slowing economy, trade war with the US and rising public dissatisfaction. The lengthy report, couched in the bland official language of the CCP bureaucracy, unusually warned that, internally and externally, we will face a graver and more complicated environment as well as risks and challenges, foreseeable and otherwise, that are greater in number and size. On the economic front, Li pointed to the global slowdown in economic growth, the rise of protectionism and the drastic fluctuations in the international prices of commodities that China imports to fuel its giant manufacturing industries. Instability and uncertainty are visibly increasing, and externally-generated risks are on the rise, he declared. Lis target for growth of the Chinese economy was lowered to between 6 and 6.5 percentthe lowest rate of expansion since 1990and significantly lower than the range set for last year of 6.5 to 7 percent. Last years growth came in at 6.6 percent, well below the benchmark of 8 percent which was long regarded by the CCP as essential to prevent rising unemployment and social unrest. Li pledged that the government would create 11 million new jobs over the year and keep the rate of urban unemployment as measured by official survey to around 5.5 percent. No targets were provided for rural unemployment and underemployment, which are likely to be higher. Moreover, jobless and growth rates vary widely from region to region, with the northeastern provinces in particular heavily hit by the closure and restructuring of state-owned industry. Already there are reports of large-scale job losses in key industries due to falling domestic demand and the restructuring or closure of export companies. The New York Times reported last months that thousands of workers were being retrenched by Ford from its massive Chongqing production facilities which employ 20,000 workers. Hu Xingdou, an economics professor at the Beijing Institute of Technology, told Australian-based SBS News that a lot of traditional companies and new internet companies closed because of the US-China trade war. In the southeast and coastal areas there have been a lot of layoffs. Many companies closed after the Lunar New Year holiday. Those business owners have lost confidence in the countrys economic development and policies, Hu said. He also suggested that the actual unemployment rate was much higher than the official figure. While defending the governments management of tensions with Washington, Li warned that US trade war measures were having an impact on the Chinese economy. Chinese officials are in the midst of trying to reach a deal with the Trump administration to prevent another round of heavy tariffs on Chinese goods. The NPC is due to consider legislation designed to guard against foreign companies being forced to hand over technological knowledge as part of investment deals with Chinese partners. The new law is unlikely to satisfy the Trump administration which has repeatedly accused China of the theft of intellectual property. In his work report, Li omitted any mention of the Made in China 2025 strategy designed to boost the competitiveness of Chinese hi-tech corporations, which is also under fire from Washington. Again, this is also unlikely to appease the US which is determined to prevent China undermining the competitiveness and profitability of American companies. While concerned about the prospect of conflict with the US, Li also warned the assembled delegates of the dangers of social unrest. There is still public dissatisfaction in many areas, such as education, healthcare, elderly care, housing, food and drug safety, and income distribution, he declared. The Hong Kong-based China Labour Bulletin recorded a sharp increase in the number of strikes and protests by workers last year from 1,250 in 2017 to more than 1,700 in 2018, mostly over unpaid wages, factory closures and working conditions. The figures are based on strikes reported in the media or by local contacts and represent only a small fraction of the actual overall figure. Also last year, groups of students from elite universities supported workers involved in labour disputes, provoking severe repression by Chinese authorities. A number of students are still being detained. The CCP is terrified that the activities of students might act as a catalyst for a politicization of workers and the eruption of a broad movement that challenges the regime. Thirty years ago, student demonstrations in Tiananmen Square led to wide-scale protests and strikes by workers in Beijing and other cities that were savagely suppressed by the military. The processes of capitalist restoration in China since 1978 and the transformation of the country into a giant cheap labour hub have led to extraordinary rates of economic growth. However, while China is now the worlds second largest economy, the social chasm between rich and poor has also dramatically widened. The CCP absurdly claims to be presiding over a socialist society with Chinese characteristics. In reality, the CCP represents the interests of the small layer of super-wealthy oligarchs who have enriched themselves through the plunder of state-owned enterprises and the exploitation of the working class. The class interests served by the CCP are on display at the NPC and the associated Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference. Among the 2,948 assembled delegates were 153 individuals with a net wealth of $650 billion, up by nearly a third from a year ago, according to the recently published Hurun Rich List. Chinas wealthiest lawmaker is also its richest person, Pony Ma, founder of Tencent and with a net worth is $47 billion. Last years National Peoples Congress declared President Xi Jinping to be the core of the CCP apparatus and enshrined his thought as a central component of official ideology. It also voted to abolish the two-term limit on the countrys presidency and vice-presidency, ensuring that Xi can hold office indefinitely. In his speech last week, Li dutifully called on delegates to follow the guidance of Xi Jinping thought and referred to him repeatedly as the core. The World Socialist Web Site wrote at the time that the regimes elevation of Xi as political strongman was not a sign of strength but of weakness that signalled intensifying social and political tensions in China. Lis speech this week reflects the fears in the CCP regime that these tensions are reaching boiling point and are about to explode. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday, March 7 rescinding a previously toothless measure introduced by the Obama administration in July 2016 for the reporting of civilian casualties inflicted by US drone strikes. Unaccountable drone strikes, including targeted assassinations, were a defining feature of the Obama presidency, expanding far beyond what his predecessor George W. Bush had initiated. Under the original order, signed under the pretext of providing transparency to the global assassination program, the US government was to make publicly available an annual report on civilians killed by airstrikes outside of US recognized conventional war zones. The annual report, which was not released in 2017, was deemed superfluous by the National Security Council in statement released with Trumps newly signed executive order. The Security Council statement continued, stating that the previous, requirements do not improve government transparency, but rather distract our intelligence professionals from their primary mission. The first report issued by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) following the signing of Barack Obamas executive order in 2016, drastically underreported civilian and combat casualties from airstrikes outside of war zones from 2009 to 2015. In that report the DNI only acknowledged 473 strikes outside of areas of active hostilities. The report stated that between 2,372 and 2,581 combatants were killed and an additional 64-116 non-combatants were murdered. These figures have not been creditably substantiated by any other media, academic or reporting agency. The Bureau of Investigative Journalism, which has been tracking drone strikes for over a decade, estimated between 258 and 633 civilians had been killed between January 2009 and December 2015 in Pakistan alone. Meanwhile a June 2017 report provided by the Columbia Law School Human Rights Clinic, in conjunction with the Sanaa Center for Strategic Studies, titled Out of the Shadows , stated that the US only acknowledged approximately 20 percent of reported drone strikes. The report also alleged that over 400 civilian casualties had occurred in Pakistan, Somalia and Yemen, approximately four times more than the 116 alleged casualties claimed by the US government. The definition of what constitutes a war zone is also not clear, and is open to interpretation and revision. Recognized war zones include Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan, while parts of Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia and Libya have also at times been included in what are deemed areas of active hostilities. These areas were also excluded from the policy, meaning that casualty figures were neither tracked nor fully accounted for. The previous policy also did not require the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to report the drone strikes it conducted in remote locations such as on the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan. In addition to relaxing requirements on reporting, the Trump administration has also adjusted limits on acceptable targets. Previous self-imposed constraints, including a May 2013 Obama instruction that individuals targeted for assassination by the military or CIA should be high-level militants with a near certainty of being present, have now been changed to target regular or low-level jihadists with a reasonable certainty of being present. While Obama began his presidency by setting a deadly precedent, launching 186 drone strikes on Yemen, Somalia and Pakistan in his first two years in office, Trump has eclipsed his predecessor. According to US Central Command (CENTCOM), Trump launched 238 strikes in those same countries during his first two years in office. It is unlikely that a true accounting of the number of fatalities inflicted by illegal US airstrikes will ever be forthcoming. The US military, as seen in the 2017 Mosul Massacre , regularly presumes that those it kills are terrorists or jihadists, regardless of the facts. Investigations into civilian casualties are only initiated by the US government after claims by non-government organizations, allied governments, journalists or academics raise concerns. These investigations are slow to release findings and, if fault is founda rare occurrencea hush payment of a few thousand dollars is the most victims of US imperialism can hope to receive. Despite the shrouded, yet deadly, record of civilian casualties inflicted by drone strikes, the Democrats have mounted little opposition to the Trumps administration escalating use of this so-called tool. Democratic presidential candidates, including the anti-war candidates, Tulsi Gabbard and Bernie Sanders, have stated their support for drones and surgical strikes. In an interview with The Intercept in January 2018, Gabbard stated that she still believes that the right approach [is] to take in these quick-strike forces, surgical strikes in and out and the very limited use of drones. Meanwhile, Bernie Sanders publicly stated in 2015, when asked about the use of drone strikes and special forces troops under a Sanders administration, All of that and more. Surgical strikes in Yemen have targeted weddings, funerals, school buses, hospitals and street markets. The use of drones and unmanned aerial vehicles in conjunction with artificial intelligence will continue to increase as US imperialism prepares for great-power conflicts with Russia and China. Two weeks ago, Boeing unveiled its loyal wingman combat drone concept, which it has been developing locally in Brisbane, Australia, as part of a classified program for the Royal Australian Air Force. A similar concept vehicle for the US Air Force dubbed the XQ-58A was revealed this week and completed its inaugural flight on March 5. The XQ-58A is a stealthy drone that will be augmented with artificial intelligence targeting capabilities, and is capable of carrying small diameter bombs. With an estimated $3 million dollar cost for each drone, the Air Force expects to purchase a high volume of the drone, which can be operated independently or as a cooperative swarm under the command of a nearby manned aircraft. Londons Metropolitan Police will not press any charges regarding the 72 deaths at Grenfell Tower until the latter part of 2021. They justify this extraordinary admission by citing the need to wait for the government inquiry into Grenfell to complete its business. The Mets criminal investigation and the inquiry are inextricably linked, the brief statement declares. Therefore, both the police senior investigating officer and the CPS [Crown Prosecution Service] agree that the police investigation must take into account any findings or reports produced by the [Grenfell Tower] Inquiry, including its final report (emphasis added). Only then and only if the police investigation concludes there is sufficient evidence to consider criminal charges will the Met submit a file to the CPS for its consideration. Phase two of the inquiry doesnt even begin until the end of this year, so it is unlikely that any action will be taken by the Met until late 2021. This would be almost five years after the fire and even this is an optimistic figurebased upon phase two being completed in less than two years and the presiding judge, Sir Martin Moore-Bick, delivering his verdict soon afterwards. It could be much longer. Detective Superintendent Matt Bonner posed as someone anxious to respect the inquiry, adding that he was in contact with bereaved families and survivors as well as the wider community and that I know this is longer than some might have anticipated, but the police must ensure all the available evidence is considered before any file is submitted to the CPS. This is so much hogwash. What is confirmed by the Mets announcement is that the Grenfell Tower Inquiry is a filthy manoeuvre by the Conservative government, convened with the sole purpose of protecting the guilty from legal retribution. From day one, every conceivable document was thrown at the inquirys core participants and their legal teams. In December 2017six months after the fire, speaking to the inquiry on behalf of the Met, Jeremy Johnson QC said the police had acquired 31 million documents and had possession of 2,500 physical exhibits. It had taken 2,332 witness statements from 1,144 witnesses, and 383 companies had been identified as having some involvement in or connection to the construction or refurbishment of Grenfell Tower. There were 3,916 investigative tasks or lines of inquiry generated. Moreover, interviews of further witnesses or of suspects could not take place until the forensic analysis of every room within the tower, as well as every inch of the communal areas and, of course, importantly, the outside of the tower had taken place. On this basis, the Met insisted that no one could even be questioned for another nine months. Now everyone is being told to wait for another three years at least. At the end of the first stage of the inquiry, Moore-Bick announced that because there were still a large number of documents which will need to be reviewed, redacted and digested and studied by core participants, this work wont be complete until autumn next year [2019], making it necessary to delay the start of the second stage of the inquiry. Even now, the Guardian reported Thursday that Inquiry lawyers have been swamped with 476,000 separate documents. Swamping the lawyers involved is the intended outcome of this barrage of exhibits. In phase one of the inquiry, bereaved family members and survivors were asked to recount their terrible experiences for days on end. This testimony alone provided damning evidence of the necessity to bring the guilty to justice. But none of this mattered from a legal standpoint. The inquiry has no legal powers to prosecute anyone. It is being held under the 2005 Inquiries Act which stipulates that An inquiry panel is not to rule on, and has no power to determine, any persons civil or criminal liability. This remit was further circumscribed by Moore-Bick and Prime Minister Theresa May, who decided the inquiry would be limited to the cause, how it spread, and preventing a future blaze, and ruled out any examination of issues of a social, economic and political nature. Meanwhile nothing of any substance has been told to the inquiry by the leaders of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Council and its Tenant Management Organisation, or by the various heads of the corporations whose collective decisions turned Grenfell into a death trap by shrouding the tower block in highly flammable cladding. It is high time to bring this rotten fraud to an end! In the aftermath of Grenfell, the demands for justice from survivors and grieving relatives won the support of millions of workers and young people in the UK and throughout the world. This struck fear in the hearts of the ruling elite. It was this which prompted May to convene the Moore-Bick inquiry. Her intention was to neuter social and political protests by forcing everything back into official channelsan inquiry they always intended to be a dead end. The inquiry was boosted as a means of securing justice not only by May, but by the Labour Party, the trade unions and various pseudo-left groups. This time would not be like the inquiry into the 1989 Hillsborough stadium disaster, with an inquiry into the deaths of 96 Liverpool fans not producing any charges until June 2017. The lesson of Hillsborough should in fact have been heeded, not dismissed. Last month, Fire Brigades Union (FBU) General Secretary Matt Wrack belatedly warned that the Moore-Bick inquiry was not only in danger of becoming a whitewash, but that his own members risked being scapegoated for the deaths of Grenfells residents over the standard stay-put advice on the night. However, this statement was made after months of collaborating with the inquiry and only because, as Wrack admitted, The views I am expressing are being expressed more bluntly in fire stations, that this [inquiry] is in danger of turning into a stitch-up of firefighters It is no longer possible to view the Grenfell Inquiry as anything other than a stitch-upjust as the Socialist Equality Party warned. We stated on June 16, 2017, As with every public inquiry called by the ruling elite it will end in a whitewash. The Grenfell Fire Forum was established by the SEP for the express purpose of exposing the inquiry as a fraud, while making known all significant testimony given to as broad an audience as possible. The evidence put forward before the inquiry should from the very beginning have been given before a judge and jury, with solicitors and relevant experts presenting the evidence and those found guilty sent to prison. That must now take place without further delay. The SEP and Grenfell Fire Forum call on survivors and relatives, the local community and all those seeking Justice for Grenfell to end all collaboration with the Moore-Bick inquiry and demand that criminal prosecutions begin immediately. Many of the guilty are already known to the police. This weeks Met statement did not provide an update on who it has questioned about the Grenfell fire since its previous update seven months ago. But the Guardian reported its understanding that the police have so far interviewed 11 people under criminal caution for offences ranging from manslaughter to health and safety breaches. Some were interviewed as representatives of their organisation, others as individuals. All those culpable in the crime of social murder at Grenfell Tower through their part in the decision to add flammable cladding must be arrested and charged, including former Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea council leader Nicholas Paget-Brown; his then-deputy, Rock Feilding-Mellen; the former head of the councils housing management organisation, Robert Black; and the relevant representatives of Rydon, Harley Facades and other companies involved. Charges should also be brought against former London Mayor Boris Johnson, who slashed fire service budgets, and May and her predecessors, David Cameron, Gordon Brown and Tony Blair, whose governments gutted public spending and slashed building regulations. A federal judge ordered Chelsea Manning to prison Friday morning for an indefinite period of time, after the former Army private, jailed for seven years for providing information to WikiLeaks exposing US war crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan, refused on principle to answer any questions before a secret grand jury investigating the media organization and its founder Julian Assange. The Socialist Equality Party unequivocally condemns the US governments vindictive and criminal persecution of Chelsea Manning, said Joseph Kishore, the national secretary of the Socialist Equality Party (SEP) in the US. Chelsea suffered solitary confinement, abuse and torture, and over six years of imprisonment for letting the American and world population know the truth. Yesterday, she once again stood firm to fundamental democratic principle and refused to assist the Trump administration in its vendetta to falsely incriminate WikiLeaks and Julian Assange. She is a heroic figure and she must be defended. Working people all over the world will never forget Chelseas courageous exposure, at vast personal cost, of the crimes of American imperialism. Amid a growing global strike wave, the Socialist Equality Party will do everything in its power to mobilize the working class to defend Chelsea, and free Julian Assange and all other class war prisoners. The Socialist Equality Parties in the UK and Australia are participating in rallies on Sunday, March 10 outside Ecuadors London embassy and at the State Library in Melbourne, called last month to oppose the continued confinement of Julian Assange at the London embassy, and demanding that the Australian government intervene on his behalf and obtain his release from Britain with the right to return home to Australia. The demonstrations will demand the immediate release of Manning as inseparable from the struggle to free Assange. James Cogan, national secretary of the SEP in Australia, issued the following statement Friday: The Trump administration's imprisonment of Chelsea Manning for refusing to give false testimony against WikiLeaks and Julian Assange is an outrage. She has suffered more than enough for her courage and service to the truth. American democracy rolls in the gutter and is rapidly descending into the sewer of dictatorship. The working class everywhere must come to Chelseas defence and take up the demand for the immediate release of Assange and all persecuted class war prisoners. The SEP in Australia will be redoubling our effort to secure Julians immediate return to this country with full protection. And we will be joining all international action to fight for the immediate restoration of Chelsea Mannings freedom. The brief hearing before Judge Claude M. Hilton was the only part of the court proceedings involving Manning that was open to the public. Hilton rejected the argument by Mannings lawyers that confining her to house arrest would better serve her medical needs. She has received gender reassignment surgery and requires complex medical attention. Hilton said the US Marshals Service would provide adequate care. Ive found you in contempt, Hilton declared, ordering Manning to jail immediately. The imprisonment in a federal facility in Alexandria, Virginia would continue indefinitely, he said, either until you purge yourself [agree to testify] or the end of the life of the grand jury. The grand jury has been empaneled to bring espionage and conspiracy charges against Julian Assange and WikiLeaks. Manning revealed that the questions she had refused to answer on Thursday all concerned her interaction with the organization, which receives documents delivered to it anonymously and avoids learning the identity of contributors in order not to undermine their security. Manning provided WikiLeaks more than 500,000 documents which she copied from military and government archives while serving as an intelligence analyst in Iraq during the US military occupation, in 2009. The material showed extensive war crimes in both Iraq and Afghanistan, including the notorious gun-camera video of a US helicopter gunship mowing down unarmed Iraqi civilians, including two Reuters reporters, later published by WikiLeaks under the title Collateral Murder. Manning was arrested in 2010, convicted in a 2013 trial and sentenced to 35 years in prison, serving a total of seven years before her sentence was commuted by President Barack Obama three days before he left office. Federal prosecutors subpoenaed Manning to testify before the grand jury and gave her immunity for her testimony, in the hopes of using it against Assange and WikiLeaks. But Manning has refused on principle to collaborate with the secret grand jury. She answered each question posed to her by invoking her rights under the First, Fourth and Sixth amendments to the US Constitution. All of the substantive questions pertained to my disclosures of information to the public in 2010answers I provided in extensive testimony, during my court-martial in 2013, she said. A statement issued by Manning after being sent to prison reads: I will not comply with this, or any other grand jury. Imprisoning me for my refusal to answer questions only subjects me to additional punishment for my repeatedly-stated ethical objections to the grand jury system. The grand jury's questions pertained to disclosures from nine years ago, and took place six years after an in-depth computer forensics case, in which I testified for almost a full day about these events. I stand by my previous public testimony. The statement concludes with Mannings courageous declaration that she will not participate in a secret process that I morally object to, particularly one that has been historically used to entrap and persecute activists for protected political speech. Manning's lawyer, Moira Meltzer-Cohen, told the World Socialist Web Site after the decision, Chelsea's actions speak for themselves. She is a person of tremendous honor and courage, and this latest struggle is just the most recent in a long serious of principled stands she has taken. Asked if she is concerned about the conditions Chelsea will face in jail, Meltzer-Cohen said that the government has made assurances that her health needs will be taken care of, but that we all need to be vigilant that those assurances are made good on. Mannings lawyers said they expected to file an appeal of Hiltons order jailing Chelsea, citing in particular the fact that jailing for refusal to testify can only be coercive, not punitive. In other words, if they can demonstrate that Manning will never agree to testify, no matter how long she is jailed, the court cannot simply keep her in prison to punish her for her silence. The jailing of Chelsea Manning is a particularly outrageous attack on democratic rights, carried out by a federal judge who is a byword for reactionary pro-government, pro-police and pro-employer bias, and a longtime collaborator with the national security state. Hilton was one of a relative handful of federal judges selected by Chief Justice William Rehnquist to serve on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) court, the special judicial panel set up to secretly rubber-stamp requests for spying authorizations for the FBI, CIA, NSA and other intelligence agencies. The court is notorious for approving 99.9 percent of such requests. Hilton was on the panel from 2000 to 2007, during the period when the Bush administration set up secret CIA torture camps and enormously escalated the NSA spying on telecommunications and the internet. Appointed to the bench by Ronald Reagan in 1985, Hilton proved his value to the military-intelligence apparatus early in his career, with a 1989 decision that cleared CIA operative Joseph Fernandez, charged with four criminal counts in the Iran-Contra affair, after the CIA refused to release documents required for the prosecution of the case. In effect, the intelligence apparatus ensured impunity for its own criminal operations by refusing to cooperate with the investigation by Special Counsel Lawrence Walsh, a legal dodge approved by Judge Hilton. According to the website The Robing Room, which allows lawyers and litigants appearing before federal judges to rate their demeanor, legal knowledge, and bias, Hilton routinely incorporates prosecution and government briefs into his legal opinions, almost never rules in favor of individuals suing their employers, the police or the government, and frequently sleeps through oral arguments by defense attorneys. One attorney, posting on the site, called Hilton, The most prejudiced judge with regard to average and below average income United States citizens that I have ever observed. This judge has no sense whatsoever of the search for Truth and Justice and he clearly avoids any reasonable search for Truth and Justice, especially if a large corporation or the federal government is the defendant! The SEP in the United States and its youth movement, the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE), will announce a series of meetings and demonstrations to demand the immediate release of Chelsea Manning. The World Socialist Web Site urges all of its readers and supporters to join our mailing list to get meeting announcements and updates on the campaign to free Chelsea. The Pentagons top military commander in Europe told the Senate Armed Services Committee Tuesday that more US troops and more warships must be deployed to the continent to counter what he described as Moscows malign influence and Russian threats to the United States vital national interests. The testimony by Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti, the head of EUROCOM and NATOs supreme allied commander, came just one day after Russia formally withdrew from the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF), following the Trump administrations unilateral abrogation of the landmark nuclear accord last month. The scrapping of the treaty heralds a resurgence of a nuclear arms race on a scale not seen since the height of the Cold War between the US and the Soviet Union, threatening humanity with a global conflagration. Scaparrotti laid out the Pentagons agenda of an escalation of the confrontation with Russia, presenting the country as a dangerous aggressor that must be stopped militarily. Russia is a long-term, strategic competitor that wants to advance its own objectives at the expense of US prosperity and security and that sees the United States and the NATO Alliance as the principal threat to its geopolitical ambitions, he told the Senate panel. In pursuit of its objectives, Moscow seeks to assert its influence over nations along its periphery, undermine NATO solidarity, and fracture the rules-based international order. The generals narrative turned reality on its head. Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the United States and NATO, in violation of an agreement reached between Washington and the Moscow Stalinist bureaucracy, have pushed steadily to the east, absorbing the former Warsaw Pact countries into NATO and deploying hostile military forces on the very borders of Russia. Scaparrotti went on to indicate Washingtons real concerns and aims, stating: While the United States maintains global military superiority over Russia, evolving Russian capabilities threaten to erode our competitive military advantage, challenge our ability to operate uncontested in all domains, and diminish our ability to deter Russian aggression. US imperialism is determined to confront any power that challenges a rule-based international order in which the rules are dictated by Washington, and to assure that both its military as well as its financial and corporate oligarchy are able to operate uncontested in all domains. This requires the transformation of Russia into an outright semi-colony. The government of President Vladimir Putin, representing the interests of the Russian oligarchy, has pursued a bankrupt policy that zig-zags between futile appeals for reason on the part of Washington and an adventurist turn to militarism. Scaparrotti detailed before the Senate committee the results of what he described as Russias high levels of defense spendingwhich amount to less than one-tenth of the US military budget. He cited in particular Moscows nuclear modernization program, which he said includes advanced modern road-mobile and silo-based Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs), new Submarine Launched Ballistic Missiles (SLBMs), and Long Range Strategic Bombers, as well as the development of nuclear-armed hypersonic weapons, which could provide them the capability to attack anywhere in the globe with little or no notice. The generals testimony, coming just one day after Moscow formally withdrew from the INF treaty, left no doubt that the Pentagon is actively preparing for nuclear war with both Russia and China. While Washington has repeatedly charged Moscow with violating the treaty through its deployment of SSC-8 cruise missiles, Russia has insisted that the weapon does not breach the terms of the agreement, which bars weapons with ranges of between 500 and 5,500 kilometers. Moscow has in turn charged that the US deployment in Romania and Poland of missile defense systems that have offensive capabilities, as well as the introduction of armed drones in the region, represent violations of the accord. Central to the US decisions to rip up the INF treaty is the fact that China, which is not a signatory to the agreement, has produced medium-range missiles to counter the US militarys pivot to Asia and attempt to encircle the country militarily. Washington wants to deploy similar weapons in the region. Pressed as to the Pentagons strategy in the wake of the abrogation of the treaty, Scaparrotti replied, I dont know that we have a plan today. Were still in a six-month period [until the treaty formally expires] here where we are looking at what our options are. This is hardly credible. Having deliberately scuttled the treaty, Washington clearly has plans as to how it will seek military advantage in its aftermath, including through the deployment of nuclear-armed missiles in both Europe and Asia, triggering a new arms race and placing the world on a hair-trigger for nuclear war. The supreme allied commander, who exercises more power than any US legislator or diplomat, did not care to publicly share these plans. The Pentagons European commander also called for an increase in the supply of lethal weapons to the right-wing nationalist regime in Ukraine. Since the far-right coup in Kievorchestrated and financed by the European Union and US imperialismplunged the region into crisis, Washington has provided the Ukrainian military with more than $1 billion in aid, though most of it has been classified as non-lethal. In April of last year, however, the US provided the Ukrainian military with Javelin anti-armor missiles, which Scaparrotti claimed had served as a deterrent. The general stated that in the wake of last Novembers provocation in the Azov Sea, which led to the seizure of three Ukrainian ships that sailed into waters claimed by Russia near Crimea, the US needed to help them get this Navy back up and begin to supply it. The Pentagon has deployed the destroyer U.S.S. Donald Cook in the Black Sea, just south of the Kerch Strait, leading into the Azov Sea, and, according to Bloomberg News, has pressed for Germany and France to send warships through the narrow strait in a bid to provoke Russia. They, frankly, dont like us in the Black Sea, Scaparrotti told the Senate committee. Its international watersand we should sail and fly there. Scaparrotti delivered his testimony in advance of the release of the Pentagons 2020 budget request, which is expected next week. His main aim was to press the US Congress for more funding for the US escalation against Russia. Specifically, he called for the addition of two more guided-missile destroyers to the US fleet based in the region, as well as the deployment of additional US troops close to Russias borders, including armored units. A series of documents released to NBC 7 San Diego revealed the Trump administration was using a secret database to spy on journalists and immigration activists as they crossed the US-Mexico border to cover last years caravan of immigrants from Central America. The database was used to place alerts on passports and deny entry into Mexico. Journalists and others aiding the caravan reported being under increased scrutiny every time they crossed the San Ysidro port of entry but had no way to prove they were being singled out for secondary inspections. The release of the documents proves that the attacks on immigrants are being increasingly used to attack the democratic rights of all workers, regardless of national origin. The documents leaked to NBC 7 show that the government listed the names of the targets in a database with other personal information as well. The documents, given anonymously, show screenshots from a SharePoint application that was used by a coalition of government agencies including Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the US Border Patrol, and the San Diego sector of the FBI. The spying was done under the codename Operation Secure Line, which according to the anonymous source was specially created to monitor the migrant caravan. The document explicitly lists individuals who should be targeted for screening at the border. The targets included 10 journalists, seven of whom are US citizens, an attorney, and 48 others from the US and other countries labeled organizers, instigators, or simply unknown. Some of the activists were immigrant rights groups based in San Diego including Border Angels and Pueblo Sin Fronteras. The documents are named, San Diego Sector Foreign Operations Branch: Migrant Caravan FY-2019, Suspected Organizers, Coordinators, Instigators and Media. They also contain a seal with the American and Mexican flags labelled, ILU-OASSIS-OMEGA. The ILU stands for the International Liaison Unit, which shares intelligence between the Mexican and US governments. Each person listed in the documents had their photo included, usually from a passport but sometimes with pictures from their social media account, as well as other personal information. Also included is the persons date of birth, their country of commencement, and their alleged tie to the migrant caravan. There is also indication on whether a persons passport was placed on alert. Individuals which had an X colored over their photo were arrested, interviewed, or had their visa or SENTRI pass, which allows for expedited entry from Mexico into the US, revoked. Dossiers were also created for each of the individuals targeted. The anonymous source from Homeland Security told NBC 7, We are a criminal investigation agency, were not an intelligence agency, adding, We cant create dossiers on people and theyre creating dossiers. This is an abuse of the Border Search Authority. Nicole Ramos, the Refugee Director and attorney for Al Otro Lado, a law center for immigrants in Tijuana, was included in the dossier. It included her personal details like the car she drives, her mothers name, as well as work and travel history. Ramos told NBC 7 by email, The document appears to prove what we have assumed for some time, which is that we are on a law enforcement list designed to retaliate against human rights defenders who work with asylum seekers and who are critical of CBP practices that violate the rights of asylum seekers. CBP responded to the news outlets requests for comments by stating ludicrously that the agency was investigating any leads that had to do with last years breach of the border wall, where agents shot tear gas and pepper spray at unarmed civilians on the Mexican side of the border crossing. Freelance photojournalist Ariana Drehsler told the news affiliate she had crossed the San Ysidro border dozens of times to cover the caravan. I was very transparent about what I was doing, Drehsler said. Sometimes you would see me carrying a camera and if I was asked by an agent what was I doing, I would tell them I was photographing the [migrant] shelters. On December 30, 2018, Drehsler was forced into secondary inspection and questioned by border agents as she attempted to cross back into the US. Two people in plainclothes came down and took me to another room, Drehsler said. They questioned me in a small room, asking me questions about the shelter, what was I seeing there, who was I working for. They said that I was on the ground and theyre not, which I thought was really interesting. After an hour, agents told her that if she tried to enter the US again she would be pulled aside for secondary inspection and to plan accordingly. When she asked why, the agents told her they had no idea. Drehsler would be questioned twice more while crossing the borders and each time by the same agents in plainclothes. They asked about the new caravan and if word had gotten out about how difficult it is to seek asylum in the U.S., Drehsler said. Then before I left, the female agent asked if I rented or owned my home. Drehsler told NBC 7 that personal details of her in the leaked documents were accurate including her photo, which came from her passport. Another freelance photojournalist shown in the slides, Kitra Cahana, whose work has been featured in National Geographic, the New York Times, and the Canadian CBC, also told the media that she faced additional scrutiny and was denied entry into Mexico for no apparent reason. On a January 17, 2019 flight from Canada to Mexico City, Cahana was stopped by US Customs before she boarded a connecting flight in Detroit. They asked her questions about her work and how she was being funded. While she was allowed back on her flight, she was detained by Mexican officials for 13 hours and later denied entry. When trying again to cross through Guatemala, she was again denied entry. President Donald Trump and the first lady made a brief two-and-a-half hour tour of Lee County, Alabama on Friday, before flying to his Mar-a-Lago, Florida, residence for the weekend. A powerful storm system generated 38 tornadoes last Sunday across the Southeast, with several causing injury and destruction in Florida, Georgia and Alabama. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency in Grady, Harris and Talbot counties, where almost two dozen homes were destroyed and up to 40 damaged. Lee County in the east-central part of Alabama, near Columbus, Georgia, suffered at least two tornadoes. One of these tornadoes was a category EF-4, meaning it had winds up to 170 miles per hour, stretching a full mile wide. This unusually powerful tornadoand the deadliest in the US since 2013demolished almost everything in a square mile near the community of Beauregard. The EF-4 tornado traveled another 15 miles west and north into the town of Smiths Station, where it diminished into an EF-1 as it crossed the Chatahoochee River into Georgia. The storm killed 23 Lee County residents. One family lost seven, another ten members. Others remain in local and regional hospitals. Makitha Griffin told CNN that she lost five loved ones to the tornadoesher aunts, Florel Tate Stenson, 63, and Tresia Robinson, 62; her uncles, Henry Lewis Stenson, 65, and Raymond Robinson Jr., 63; and her cousin, 38-year-old Eric Jamal Stenson. A cousin who was at the home of those killed during the storm sustained injuries and remains in the hospital. Trumps visit to Lee County appears to have consisted largely of a helicopter overflight and briefings with local officials. Prior to arrival, the president tweeted several times about Sundays tornadoes, including the one on Monday: FEMA has been told directly by me to give the A Plus treatment to the Great State of Alabama and the wonderful people who have been so devastated by the Tornadoes. @GovernorKayIvey, one of the best in our Country, has been so informed. She is working closely with FEMA (and me!). Anyone familiar with Trumps handling of natural disastersand that of the American ruling class more broadlywould understandably fear an A Plus treatment from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. After the recent California wildfires, Trump berated state officials and threatened to withhold recovery funding unless they adopted his bizarre forest management notions. In 2017, the federal governments response to Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico was notoriously callous and insufficient, as was the response to Hurricane Harvey, which swamped Houston, Texas, just weeks prior. Some media coverage of the tornadoes has celebrated the advance warnings from meteorologists as a great success in saving lives, but this depiction is at best incomplete. While scientific knowledge, instrumentation and communications technology did arm residents with awareness of the storms seriousness, the reports of tornadoes on the ground typically gave residents less than 10 minutes to find shelter. By no fault of the forecastersit is in the nature of tornadoes that they move rapidlytheir warnings could only do so much good. For so many living in the rural stretch in the storms path, the only option was to shelter in place. This included a large number of mobile home residents. A Washington Post report on the Lee County tornadoes cites availability of suitable shelter as the decisive factor in saving life and limb. A single designated shelter serves this rural community of 10,000 . Even assuming that the residents had reliable transportationand many of the poorest certainly did notthe short notice of impending disaster made safe and timely arrival unlikely, assuming there was still room inside. The same report states that Lee County received a federal grant to encourage homeowners to build shelters with tax reimbursements following a series of tornadoes in 2011. The shelters can cost $6,000, which homeowners initially pay out of pocket, being reimbursed 75 percent of the cost at a later time. Meanwhile, the median household income in Lee County is only $45,000. A grant application for federal funds to build another community shelter remains unfulfilled. On Friday, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians of Poarch, Alabama, posted a pledge on their Facebook page to pay $184,000 toward funeral expenses of the deceased. This and other contributions to relief agencies and various GoFundMe pages testify to the deeply felt compassion for the survivors. Such sentimentsentirely commendabledeserve political expression. Demands to compensate survivors and reintegrate them into social life, with safe housing, employment and medical care, would find overwhelming popular support. Proper shelter must be viewed as a social right and fought for so that loss of life from natural disaster can become a thing of the past. Since a crippling levy on social media platforms was imposed in Uganda in July, subscriptions to online platforms have plummeted in the country. According to the Uganda Communications Commission, in the nearly one year since the social media tax was imposed, more than 5 million people in Uganda have stopped participating online altogether. The tax imposed by the government of President Yoweri Museveni targets 60 social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp, Instagram, and Voice-Over-Internet-Protocol (VOIP) telephony services, such as Skype, and levies fee of 200 Uganda shillings ($0.05) per day on users. While Finance Minister David Bahati stated the purpose behind the tax is the generation of revenue necessary to upgrade Ugandas dilapidated communications infrastructure, as well as other public services, President Museveni stated the tax was a method to curb online gossip. Overall, the tax is a significant expense for many Ugandans, and places a burden on the population, who experience impoverished conditions. According to the Economic Policy Research Centre (EPRC) in 2017, 25 percent of the population lives under the poverty line of $1.25 (UGX 4,500) a day, with over one-third of Ugandans not able to afford three meals a day. Additionally, many Ugandans use a variety of social media platforms to connect with people in country and around the world, and the tax has threatened to cut them off from this vital communications avenue. The tax also targets money sending platforms, such as the South African-based Mobile Telephone Networks (MTN) and its money transfer service Mobile Money, which allows Ugandans to send money to family and friends at lower rates, compared to the high cost of banking or wire transfer services. According to the UK Guardian, mobile money transactions have declined UGX 14.8 trillion ($3.9 billion) in between just June and September. Paul Cise, a sales manager of Nov Mobile Limited in capital city Kampala, told the Guardian, Customers are not happy about [the tax]. Many have resisted it. It has made business very difficult. I cant manage to pay employees and pay rent. Also speaking with the Guardian, sales agent Florence Acen of Kyaliwajjala reported that she has lost business since the imposition of the tax, and that the levy now takes any extra earnings she formerly received from commissions, causing her to turn away poorer customers that before the tax she provided services for: It makes us too busy for nothing. We tell them the network is off. I cant waste my time. The tax provoked an immediate and furious outcry from the Ugandan masses, and last July thousands participated in demonstrations in Kampala led by popular Ugandan musician and member of parliament Bobi Wine, real name Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, calling for an immediate end to the levy. In a brutal response, security forces mobilized to violently quell the protest, beating and detaining scores of protesters. Police also indiscriminately fired tear gas and live rounds to disperse demonstrators. Notably, Bobi Wine, who had organized the demonstration on Twitter, tweeted a response to the heavy-handed repression, there's no amount of bullets, teargas or arrests that will stop us. Some of our colleagues have been beaten up and others arrested. They must be freed for they have nothing against the police but rather the terrible tax. Underlying the imposition of a tax on platforms designed to facilitate social interactions between people is the ruling elites fear of social opposition. The tax on social media must be seen as an assault on the democratic rights of the Ugandan population. The social media levy comes amid growing opposition within the Ugandan masses towards the government of President Museveni, a thoroughly corrupt regime that has ruled Uganda for more than three decades. Museveni revealed his disdain for the masses with his statement that the tax was a tactic to curb online gossip. Translated, what the president really intends is halting criticism of the government. Museveni described the levy as a tax on vices, stating that idle people chatting online are no different than unproductive people who drink and smoke cigarettes. In a verbose and ranting post on his personal blog, the president defended the tax and called social media users idle and unproductive for the Ugandan economy: Social-media use is definitely a luxury item using internet to access social media for chatting, recreation, malice, subversion, inciting murder, is definitely a luxury a luxury that is costly to the country's economy. In short, the president called every person who signs onto Facebook or Twitter lazy and unproductive, and a drag on the Ugandan economy. In unvarnished form, Museveni is expressing the ruling elites complete contempt for the Ugandan masses. Notably, the tax proposal coincided with the election to parliament of popular musician and Museveni opponent Bobi Wine in July, who organized his political campaign almost entirely online utilizing Facebook and Twitter. Museveni and his corrupt ruling clique, like the ruling class worldwide seeking to censor and restrict internet platforms, see such online political interaction as a threat to their rule. The Museveni government has resorted to antidemocratic and authoritarian methods to crack down on voices critical of his regime. In addition to the completely dictatorial shut down of the internet throughout the country before the 2016 presidential poll, stating it necessary to secure a free and fair vote, the Museveni regime has additionally shut down newspapers critical of the government and has carried out numerous arrests of political opponents. The social media tax is nothing less than blatant attempt by the Museveni regime to crack down on the right of the Ugandan masses to exercise free speech and expression of political views. In 2016, journalist Joy Doreen Biira was arrested by police for illegal filming of military raid when she circulated images on Whatsapp and Instagram of the Ugandan military storming the palace of a regional king near Kasese in Eastern Uganda who had led a paramilitary rebellion against government forces. The World Socialist Web Site has warned the international working class of the ruling elites desire to censor the internet. In January 2018 we called for an international coalition to fight internet censorship, writing: The United States government, in the closest collaboration with Google, Facebook, Twitter and other powerful information technology corporations, is implementing massive restrictions on Internet access to socialist, antiwar and progressive websites. Similar repressive policies are being enacted by capitalist governments in Europe and throughout the world. No doubt that with the imposition of a tax on internet communications platforms, the Museveni government feels emboldened by the efforts taken in the United States and Europe to censor the internet. Tsuyoshi Ozawas installation Jizoing consists of 18 photographs and a large pile of futons. Stacked in a corner a capacious gallery at Blum & Poe, the futons form a mountain one must climb to see the images. This playful piece is a highlight of the large, two-part exhibition Parergon: Japanese Art of the 1980s and 1990s, which also takes place at the L.A. gallery Nonaka-Hill. The show is named for Gallery Parergon, a Tokyo space influential in the 1980s for supporting experimental art. Tsuyoshi Ozawas Jizoing, 1993/2019 (futon structure), 1988-1997 (photographs). Heather Rasmussen / Tsuyoshi Ozawa and Blum & Poe (Heather Rasmussen / Tsuyoshi Ozawa and Blum & Poe) HAMMER: Allen Ruppersberg show is a dont-miss tour de force Advertisement Its fun to take off your shoes and attempt to scale the wobbly mountain. (The gallery warns that you climb at your own risk.) Theres no other way to see the photographs, which were taken all over the world, from the Japanese city of Osaka to Tehran, from the Tibetan capital of Lhasa to New York City. The images are printed in soft blue tones, which complement the light blue floral pattern of the futons. The overall impression is of a pillowy, dreamy landscape. Tsuyoshi Ozawas Jizoing: Spanish Harlem, New York [USA], 1997 (Heather Rasmussen / Tsuyoshi Ozawa and Blum & Poe) LACMA: Charles White show pinpoints the power of an underappreciated black artist Jizoing began in 1988, when Ozawa started photographing statues and drawings of the Buddhist deity Jizo on his travels. In Japanese iconography, Jizo is the guardian of travelers and children. Sculptures of him routinely appear roadside throughout Japan, and worshipers often dress them in red bibs that symbolize childhood, or hats to protect them from the elements. As a child, I first learned of Jizo from a folk tale in which an old hat maker, unable to sell his wares at market on a snowy New Years Eve, gives them to stone statues of Jizo instead. He and his wife are rewarded when the statues come to life, bringing them a large rice cake on New Years Day. Kindness and generosity are repaid; Jizo will take care of you. Some of Ozawas Jizos are small statues, but most are schematic drawings just a circle atop a rounded body which he photographed in front of tourist attractions, street scenes, open fields. Some of the Jizos are rather difficult to spot, especially while trying to keep ones balance atop the mushy mountain. Tsuyoshi Ozawas Jizoing: Trupan [China], 1988. (Heather Rasmussen / Tsuyoshi Ozawa and Blum & Poe) But this experience of searching, of being off balance, is akin to traveling: You may not know exactly where youre going or how youre going to get there, but you venture out nevertheless. Jizo, like the futon mountain, will provide a soft landing should you fall. Blum & Poe, 2727 S. La Cienega Blvd., L.A. Tuesdays-Saturdays, through March 23. (310) 836-2062, www.blumandpoe.com The other part of the show is at Nonaka-Hill, 720 N. Highland Ave., L.A. Tuesdays-Saturdays, through April 6. (323) 450-9409, nonaka-hill.com. Support our coverage of local artists and the local arts scene by becoming a digital subscriber. See all of our latest arts news and reviews at latimes.com/arts. According to statistics from Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, the number of international visitors to the country has continuously increased in the recent three years, from 10 million in 2016 and 12.8 million in 2017 to 15.6 million in 2018. Vietnam is expected to welcome over 18 million foreign arrivals this year, a year-on-year increase of 15.7%. The PATA forecasts an average growth rate of 14% in international tourists in Vietnam during 2019, compared to last year. Meanwhile, the proportion of foreign visitors to the Asia Pacific in the next 5 years will increase around 5.5% annually. These figures show that Vietnam has increasingly affirmed its position on the worlds tourist map with positive signals. In addition to Vietnam, Papua New Guinea and Laos are among top destinations in the region expected to show positive growth rates in foreign visitors over the next five years. Welcome to the weekend! Im Carolina A. Miranda, staff writer at the Los Angeles Times, and Ive been jamming to reggaeton as I round up the weeks essential arts news: ISOZAKI WINS THE PRITZKER Arata Isozaki, the Japanese architect who pried apart boxy Modernism into curved, vaulted and pyramidal shapes, has been named the Pritzker Prize laureate for 2019. One of Isozakis masterworks is his design for the Museum of Contemporary Art Los Angeles on Grand Avenue. I report on his singular career and the behind-the-scenes drama it took to get MOCA built. Los Angeles Times A view of MOCA under construction in 1986, in an image by New Topographics photographer Joe Deal. (MOCA) Advertisement Of his constantly evolving style, Isozaki says: Change became constant. Paradoxically, this came to be my own style. New York Times Plus, a flashback to a 1981 conversation between founding MOCA director Pontus Hulten and architect Richard Rogers on museums and architecture. I think we want to turn especially to minority art, ethnic groups, and women, said Hulten of a future that didnt materialize (but still could?). East of Borneo MANGA AND A MARIONETTE Director Yuval Sharon created a new version of Mozarts The Magic Flute for the Berlin Staatsoper that features a key character rendered as a marionette version of the manga figure Astro Boy. The update of this beloved German classic was not well received, reports Times classical music critic Mark Swed greeted with boos on opening night. But Swed notes that the update has been drawing crowds. Sorry, old-timers and critics, but its time to pack up your invective and go home, he writes. Sharons Flute is a hit. Los Angeles Times Pregardien as Tamino, the young prince presented here in a costume that evokes Astro Boy, in The Magic Flute. (Monika Rittershaus / Saatsoper Berlin) DISPATCHES FROM EUROPE Mark Swed was in Berlin when he got word of composer Andre Previns death. He writes about how that city and others shaped the composers work: The facility he learned in Hollywood, combined with his own musical virtuosity and, in his vocal music, his intimacy with literary texts, led to a music that sounded effortless, immediate and important. Los Angeles Times In Amsterdam, Swed checked out a staging of John Adams Girls of the Golden West at the Dutch National Opera, which has been revised since its 2017 San Francisco debut. His conclusion: Girls of the Golden West is the most powerful opera of the moment. Los Angeles Times Davone Tines, right, in the Dutch National Opera production of John Adams Girls of the Golden West. (Ruth Walz) CLASSICAL NOTES Contributor Richard S. Ginnell caught Mozarts La Clemenza di Tito, at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. He reports that Los Angeles Opera made the most convincing case musically and dramatically for this once neglected opera. Los Angeles Times Russell Thomas is Titus, emperor of Rome, in Los Angeles Operas production of La Clemenza di Tito. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) Plus, Ginnell reviews the new composition Adams wrote for pianist Yuja Wang, a brittle, rhythmic, percussive work that Wang has been performing at Disney Hall. Los Angeles Times Tim Greiving reports on a new oratorio by Bryce Dessner that is inspired by the 1990 controversy over Robert Mapplethorpes images of gay sadomasochism. Los Angeles Times EVERYTHING DANCE In November, choreographer Jessica Lang, who runs the eponymous Jessica Lang Dance, announced that this would be the companys final season. This is just a decision, she tells The Times Makeda Easter. Like a good television program, its time to end. Well leave on the up. Los Angeles Times Members of Jessica Lang Dance perform Thousand Yard Stare. (Michael Owen Baker / For The Times) Contributor Lewis Segal checked out a production of August Bournonvilles La Sylphide at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, and reconsiders the ballet in the age of #MeToo. Los Angeles Times A KEY ARTIST GETS HIS DUE Charles White, the 20th century artist and educator whose legacy looms large among subsequent generations, is currently the subject of a retrospective at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art that is as timely as it is moving, writes Times art critic Christopher Knight. His most powerful works are the graphic ones, rendering the black figure, especially women, with commanding strength. Whites art might have run headlong into the juggernaut of abstraction, which regarded figure drawing as retrograde, Knight notes. But these are works that cannot be held down. Los Angeles Times Charles White, General Moses (Harriet Tubman), 1965. (LACMA) DIANA, THE MUSICAL The late Princess Dianas life has been turned into a musical but Times theater critic Charles McNulty says that Diana, on stage at the La Jolla Playhouse, is a little too American to capture its British subject. Although castle gates figure prominently on David Zinns set, he writes, the hard-charging musical ensemble, which at times seems on the brink of doo-wop, kept transporting me back to Memphis. Los Angeles Times Jeanna de Waal as Diana and Roe Hartrampf as Prince Charles in Diana. (Little Fang) ON THE STAGE Stephen Sondheims Merrily We Roll Along was dead on arrival when it landed on the stage in 1981 but was ultimately resuscitated by its strong cast album. Times assistant managing editor Stuart Emmrich reports on a fresh staging of the musical by New Yorks Fiasco Theater company that may help establish the shows rightful place in the Sondheim canon. Los Angeles Times Merrily We Roll Along director Noah Brody, far left, with cast members. (Jennifer S. Altman / For The Times) Plus, Josh Getlin reports on Chick Flick the Musical, playing at the Westside Theatre in New York, an unabashed, in-your-face love letter to the filmmaking genre. Los Angeles Times ALL ABOUT MOCKINGBIRD Dakin Matthews spent three decades teaching English and appearing in all kinds of roles on stage and on screen. (He is a co-founder of the Antaeus Theatre Company.) In his 70s, he has now hit his stride, drawing critical acclaim as Judge Taylor in Aaron Sorkins adaptation of Harper Lees To Kill a Mockingbird on Broadway. Los Angeles Times Dakin Matthews, center, shares a laugh with the cast of To Kill A Mockingbird during a visit by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. (Patrick Lazour) Plus, after controversies over rights, Sorkins To Kill a Mockingbird is coming to Azusa. Los Angeles Times PASSAGES Carolee Schneeman, whose works of painting and performance, such as 1964s Meat Joy, addressed questions of sex and gender, has died at 79. ARTnews Kevin Roche, the Pritzker Prize-winning architect who designed the Ford Foundation headquarters in New York and the Oakland Museum of California, has died at 96. New York Times As part of the Overlooked series in the New York Times, critic Alexandra Lange writes about Julia Morgan, the Hearst Castle architect who was the first woman to receive an architects license in California. She died in 1957. New York Times READY FOR THE WEEKEND Ive got all the latest in my weekly Datebook, including a show of intricate word paintings by Brian Rea. Los Angeles Times Brian Reas Fears, 2018. (CMay Gallery) Margaret Gray rounds up the 99-Seat Beat, featuring a rollicking play about roller derby. Los Angeles Times And Matt Coopers got the week ahead in art, dance, theater and classical music, as well as his weekend picks, which include a devilish bit of piano courtesy of Yuja Wang. IN OTHER NEWS Behold the humble brick and the greatness it can achieve. Los Angeles Times How does preserving a sense of place square with Walmarts long history of generating mind-numbing placeless-ness? Karrie Jacobs on what the Walton Family Foundation is up to in Arkansas. Architect William Morris Endeavor, a major shareholder in the Frieze Art Fair, returns Saudi investment money. New York Times, Artforum Multimillion dollar museum expansions are throwing low worker salaries into stark relief and sparking a wave of labor unrest. The Art Newspaper Why high rents arent good for the L.A. art scene: light and space artist Fred Eversley was evicted from his Venice studio and is now in New York. Los Angeles County Museum on Fire The Hollywood gallery Various Small Fires has opened an outpost in Seoul. Ed Ruscha and Billy Al Bengston will headline the first show. Design LA Nia Vardalos will restage Tiny Beautiful Things, inspired by Cheryl Strayeds advice columns, at the Pasadena Playhouse in April. Los Angeles Times Ballet star Sergei Polunin discusses his social media implosion. Not sure that this interview will lay anything to rest. The Guardian AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST... The Meat Rack and the Big Banana: A history of L.A.s gay bar scene in matchbooks. Los Angeles Times Sign up for our weekly Essential Arts & Culture newsletter carolina.miranda@latimes.com | Twitter: @cmonstah At the beginning of Us, Jordan Peeles latest assault on your nerves and expectations, we learn that thousands of miles of empty tunnels abandoned train routes, mine shafts and the like run beneath the continental United States. If you still havent shaken off the spell of Get Out, Peeles wickedly sharp 2017 directing debut, you might be reminded of the sunken place, that surreal zone of physical and psychological paralysis that became a terrifying metaphor for black enslavement. Theres a different kind of sunken place in Us, but the less said about it the better, and not just because this movie cries out to be seen in as unspoiled a mindset as possible. The points of connection between Us and Get Out are worth acknowledging, though at the risk of overstating them. Once again, the director draws upon the sketch-comedy gifts he honed on Key & Peele to achieve an artful, ruthless balance of horror and hilarity. Us is a tour de force of comic tension and visceral release, a movie that weaponizes our chuckles against us and reminds us that laughing, screaming and thinking are not mutually exclusive pleasures. At the same time, Peele has no interest in exhausting the same bag of tricks. The twisted satire of racial animus that made Get Out such a conceptual triumph has no real equivalent here (it would hardly be as singular an achievement if it did). The fresh terrors that Peele inflicts on his protagonists a black family of four on a less-than-idyllic vacation in sunny California have nothing to do with the few white characters in their midst. The storys most disturbing implication, succinctly stated by its title, is that we are always our own worst enemy, susceptible to an evil that comes from within. Advertisement This is a troubling if hardly original notion, but the genius of Us is that it explores and sustains the conceit in a way that is both amusing in its literal-mindedness and thrilling in its imaginative energy. It begins with a chilling prologue set in 1986, when a young girl (Madison Curry) visits a Santa Cruz boardwalk carnival and is left unattended by her parents. She wanders down to the beach and into a funhouse of mirrors, where she has an unexplained encounter that leaves her deeply shaken. ALSO: Jordan Peele reveals the secrets of Us at South by Southwest The story proper begins three decades later, when the fully grown Adelaide Wilson (now played by Lupita Nyongo) heads back to Santa Cruz for a summer holiday with her family. Shes still reluctant to return to that fateful beach, but any lingering trauma remains hidden by a veil of suburban normalcy. Her husband, Gabe (Winston Duke), is an affable goofball. Their daughter, Zora (Shahadi Wright Joseph), is a moody adolescent and rising track star. Their young son, Jason (Evan Alex), is an odd duck and a bit of a loner, fond of playing creepy games and hiding behind a mask. The fun of this early stretch comes from watching the movie outline these characters (and set up future narrative payoffs with a few quick, incisive brushstrokes). It also comes from spotting the many cinematic references a kid in a mask named Jason, a Jaws T-shirt on a crowded beach from a filmmaker with an effortless command of the horror lexicon. By the time Peele unleashes his piece de resistance, your mind may race, as mine did, toward home-invasion thrillers such as Funny Games and doppelganger freakouts such as Invasion of the Body Snatchers. (The writer-director has claimed a classic episode of The Twilight Zone called Mirror Image as a key inspiration.) One night, the Wilsons are confronted by another family standing in the driveway of their vacation home, a family to whom they bear an unsettlingly perfect resemblance. Who are these strange, menacing doubles? Why are they wearing red coveralls and wielding very large, very sharp golden scissors? What exactly is Adelaides evil counterpart (the end credits name her Red, but I like to think of her as Badelaide) talking about when she speaks of shadows and untethering? Why does her halting, rasping delivery one of the creepiest aspects of Nyongos sensational performance sound like the voice of someone whose lungs have been crushed underfoot, who hasnt been able to breathe for years? Lupita Nyongo, Winston Duke, Evan Alex and Shahadi Wright Joseph in a scene from the movie Us. (Claudette Barius / Universal Pictures) Peele gets around to answering most of these questions, some more obliquely than others, and he gives this mind-bending scenario the moment-to-moment intensity and jolting humor of a George Romero-inspired nightmare. He also elaborates on, and refines, his thriller technique: If Get Out consisted of a few well-timed shocks en route to a Grand Guignol climax, then Us feels pure and relentless in its grisly B-movie mayhem. Watch the shadows skittering in the background of Peeles beautiful widescreen images, the way he uses razor-sharp cutting and an elegantly swerving camera to keep the worst just out of view. (The picture was shot by Mike Gioulakis and edited by Nicholas Monsour.) Like Get Out, Us is an experience of extraordinary dread-soaked momentum, even if Peele is still learning to differentiate between his A jolts and his B jolts. There are one or two moments when the terror and the comedy dont fuse so much as fight each other, as Peele (knowingly) pushes his characters panic beyond the limits of what we might call reasonable horror-movie stupidity. But beyond the jittery mechanics of attack and pursuit, what lingers is the unnerving intimacy of the whole situation, the terrible and mysterious sense of kinship that binds the Wilsons to their malevolent alter egos. The themes at play in this movie the return of the repressed, the duality of the self, the loss of personal identity are not particularly hard to grasp, but they are open to considerable interpretation. The closing twists, one of which is no less satisfying for being detectable a few minutes in advance, demand an immediate re-viewing. The all-American setting a beachside carnival under the California sun, a reference to the 1986 Hands Across America campaign might lead you to wonder if the movies title should be more accurately read as U.S. But if Peele is indicting a nations coddled middle-class complacency, he is also wise enough not to squeeze his vision into a strictly political reading. And in this he is indebted, more than anything, to the unerring skill and emotional expansiveness of his actors. They include Elisabeth Moss, pocketing a few superbly chilling scenes as a friend of the Wilsons hovering on the sidelines of their nightmare. Duke, so winning as MBaku in Black Panther, has fun playing the bumbling paternal doofus, while Wright Joseph and Alex establish a poignant bond as two bickering siblings brought together by the unthinkable. But the movie belongs rightly and effortlessly to Nyongo, and she sustains every moment by distilling innumerable emotional layers the unshakable resolve of a mother and wife, the stricken gaze of a trauma survivor, the lingering incomprehension of a lost child into a performance for the scream-queen history books. All of which would be mesmerizing even if Nyongo were not acting opposite a radically distinct version of herself, or so good at suggesting that the difference may not be so radical. There isnt a moment when she doesnt have Us in her grip. ------------ Us Rating: R, for violence/terror, and language Running time: 1 hour, 56 minutes Playing: Opens March 22 in general release justin.chang@latimes.com | Twitter: @JustinCChang Spend a day with Brandi Carlile at her property outside of Seattle, and it takes approximately 60 seconds to be thrust into the middle of her extended family which, on the day Rolling Stone visited in early January, included her bandmates Phil and Tim Hanseroth; Laura and Lydia Rogers from the Secret Sisters; musician Cheyenne Medders; video director Mark Slagle; a huge Rhodesian Ridgeback dog and several chickens. And, of course, Carliles wife Catherine and daughters Evangeline and Elijah, who all mull about the kitchen doing normal Saturday things: mixing up mimosas (for Carlile and me), feeding babies (fruit and eggs for Elijah) and making plans for even more relatives to come over later (itll be a burger feast). The whole thing, down to the home itself, is pretty majestic, the kind of place Instagram-hungry boho lodges only wish they could be, save for the four gunshots that fire in the distance as we talk (probably target shooting, Carlile shrugs, at one point calling Phil Hanseroth who is married to Carliles sister to see if her redneck brother is in town). Related stories Hear Maren Morris Interview Brandi Carlile About Highwomen Project, 'Male Allies' The First Time: Brandi Carlile Brandi Carlile: At Home With the Folk-Rock Rebel From a morning cocktail to a long talk on the porch, heaps of takeout tacos and a few hours watching Carlile and the Secret Sisters work (shes once again producing their upcoming record), we got quite a picture of what life for the triple Grammy winner looks like in our recent feature. 1. She once sang with Nickelback. When Carlile was starting out on the Seattle scene, producer Rick Parasher, who introduced her to the Hanseroth twins, would occasionally bring artists he was working with to her Sunday gigs at local club the Paragon. He would wrap up at the studio and then he would come and bring Matchbox Twenty and fucking Nickelback and Three Doors Down, she says. And then they would get onstage and get drunk and sing with me. Story continues 2. Her wife Catherine spent a magical day at Joni Mitchells house. Catherine bought Carlile a rare print over the holidays and took it to Mitchells house to be signed secretly flying to Los Angeles to do so. Once Catherine landed, Mitchells assistant told her to swing by. Joni appears in a tracksuit and a Gucci hatand she spends the afternoon with my wife, taking her into her music room, talking to her for hours. [At the end] Catherine held on to both of Jonis hands and said, I want you to know that I think you are the most magical white bear woman. And Joni said, Thank you, do you know why they call me the white bear woman? Because every once in a while, very rarely, a black bear gives birth to a white bear. And thats me.' 3. Carlile re-wrote a version of the original Highwaymen anthem for her Highwomen project, which she considers to be more than just an album: it will be a movement. We are making a four-part documentary and a record, she says. I re-wrote the original Highwaymen song with Jimmy Webb, with stories of women who died in protest. We wrote a bunch of country songs, Dave Cobb is producing the record and we are saying, We are country artists, and we are going to ask they include us. And if they do or dont, either way it will tell a story about feminism in rural American music. 4. She has a restaurant named after her. The Carlile Room in downtown Seattle is her own namesake restaurant, and includes a tasty cocktail named in her honor (the Carlile Cup). The duck-fat hush puppies are my favorite, Carlile says, who has a copy of the menu hanging in her kitchen. We sampled them and they are indeed delicious. 5. Shes an avid fisher. Carlile loves taking her family on fishing trips, and the hobby is a huge part of her life. She goes to Montana, fishes in the south for catfish and bass, in the Midwest for Walleye, Alaska for halibut and the local lakes for trout. Its kind of rednecky but as they say, The tug is the drug,' Carlile says. You dont know whats down there, but you can connect with something at any time. And, when you do, its always a surprise. But if I never connect, I still leave happy. 6. She was a vegetarian but only very briefly. When I was 15 I didnt eat red meat because I thought thats what lesbians did, Carlile says, laughing. I did that for a few years and I wanted my drivers license so I could drive to Burger King and get a Whopper with cheese so no one would know. 7. Shes very pro gun safety, but careful about the word control. Growing up in Washington, Carliles father often kept firearms around the house, giving her a unique perspective as to why gun owners rarely budge when it comes to the Second Amendment. Im a pretty staunch advocate for gun safety laws, but I am very careful about using the world control,' she says. Not that I dont think it needs to be controlled, because I do. Because I think it turns off the libertarians and those kinds of thinkers. They hate the word control. Some of the safest and most responsible people that I know are gun owners and they take pride in their knowledge of safety. But as soon as they hear the word control after the word gun, they shut off. 8. Shes an obsessed fan. Carlile understands when her fans get a little too passionate, because shes the same way herself. I would sit outside of an Indigo Girls concert for hours to see if someone would just sign my guitar, she says. I feel like I was meant to have this job because I know what it was like to be an obsessed fan. If you cant obsess, you are not worth being obsessed with. So when I see obsessed fans, I dont just understand them I am them. 9. Now she counts the Indigo Girls as close friends and admirers. I think Brandi represents the new generation in a lot of ways, says Amy Ray, because shes not afraid to be herself, but she also has the traditional Grand Ole Opry and Bennie and the Jets style performer in her, which is all about giving the audience a show and truly entertaining them. When a queer woman can do this and be recognized by the mainstream music machine, then something cool is going on. 10. Elton John is always just one email away. Carlile and Sir Elton have become close over the years, and on the morning of the Grammy nominations, he sent her two emails (at one point during our interview, she fires off a note back to him). One time he sent her everything that Buffy Sainte-Marie ever recorded, turning her into a huge fan. 11. She loves Gucci, but isnt precious about it. I have two pairs of these, Carlile says about the fur-lined Gucci loafers she wears on the day of our interview. I know they are special, but I think its funny to not treat them special. Just walk around the farm in them. Walk through the horseshit in them. Theyre shoes, right? 12. She likes to imagine what Freddie Mercury would be like if he were still alive. I think Freddie would be sitting here smoking a long cigarette and calling us darling, Carlile says. I think he would be perfectly offensive and hate PC culture. I think he invented the rock star. I dont think the heterosexual frontmen of todays rock bands would be allowed to indulge in the kind of femininity they indulged in if Freddie Mercury had not been stigmatized. 13. She loves Maren Morris, and thinks shes great for country music. Maren, I fucking love her, Carlile says. I just think she is really outspoken. Carlile invited Maren to sing at her all-women festival, Girls Just Wanna Weekend, and appears on her upcoming album, Girl. 14. She admires when male artists like Sturgill Simpson make an effort to raise their children as feminists especially their sons. Sturgill Simpson, hes really trying, Carlile says. He sent me a picture of a Christmas present he got for his son, called My First Book of Feminism for Boys. 15. President Obama is a fan and a friend. Obama and I have gotten to talk a lot about altruism and nobility, she says of the 44th President, who put Carliles songs on his year-end playlist two years in a row. Hes a good and decent person, and hes been a mentor to me for the better part of a decade. If I reach out to him, hes always written me back. Hes always been a good person in my life. If I write a song that says something I think is important, he doesnt tell me, he puts it on one of those goddam lists and it hits me like a ton of bricks. Sign up for Rolling Stones Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. An Indiana boy allegedly fired on his state-trooper father because he was angry that his video games had been taken away, according to multiple news reports. The child, 11, allegedly shot his father, Indiana State Trooper Matt Makowski, in the lower extremities with the dads .45-caliber duty weapon shortly after 11 p.m. on Feb. 21, according to court records obtained by the South Bend Tribune. The boy allegedly found the gun in his fathers police vehicle, which was parked outside the familys Granger home, the paper reports. On March 1, the St. Joseph County Prosecutors Office filed a petition alleging the boy committed the delinquent act of Attempted Murder, a Level 1 Felony if committed by an adult. He is currently being held at the Juvenile Justice Center, according to St. Joseph County Prosecutors Office Jessica McBrier. According to court documents obtained by the Tribune, the boys mother told police that she awakened to the sounds of her husbands screams after he was shot. She allegedly went to look for her son, then found her husbands service revolver outside the room. After she called 911, she allegedly locked herself and her 46-year-old husband in their bedroom after she saw her son, armed with a BB gun and Makowskis taser, walking up the stairs, according to documents obtained by the Tribune. The boy was taken into custody without incident once police arrived at the scene. Makowski, who suffered a single gunshot wound, was taken to the hospital where he underwent surgery. He is in stable condition, according to NBC. During an interview with police, the boy allegedly said he was angry with his parents and wanted it to end after they had taken away his Play Station, an Xbox and a computer, according to WDIV. He was going to get these simple things, or there would be a Part 2, according to court records, the Tribune reports. According to WDIV, the boy went to his parents bedroom and waited around 10 minutes so his father would roll over and wouldnt see me shooting him. Story continues He also allegedly confessed that he had used the Taser on the family dog before the incident, the Tribune reports. Captain Dave Bursten, chief public information officer for the Indiana State Police told NBC that Makowski has been a trooper for 19 years. We are all concerned for his welfare and are just hoping and praying for his recovery, Bursten said. A status hearing for the boy will be held on April 10 at the St. Joseph County Probate Court, according to prosecutors. QUEER EYE FOR THE STRAIGHT GUY, Ted Allen, Jai Rodriguez, Carson Kressley, Thom Filicia, Kyan Douglas, 'Moose Lodge', (Season 4), 2003-07. photo: Matthew Peyton / Bravo / Courtesy: Everett Collection If you're a true Queer Eye fan, then you must know that the Fab Five we know and love from the hit Netflix series are not the first to transform lives (and wardrobes). Fifteen years before Antoni Porowski, Tan France, Karamo Brown, Bobby Berk, and Jonathan Van Ness stepped on the scene, the original Fab Five debuted on Bravo. The series - which was originally called Queer Eye for the Straight Guy before it was shorted to Queer Eye in its third season to expand its scope - was the first of its kind and a surprise success, and we couldn't be more grateful for it, as it later led to the Netflix reboot we know so well. Rather than Antoni, Tan, Karamo, Bobby, and Jonathan, the original Queer Eye starred Ted Allen, Carson Kressley, Jai Rodriguez, Thom Filicia, and Kyan Douglas, known as the Food and Wine Connoisseur, the Fashion Savant, the Culture Vulture, the Design Doctor, and the Grooming Guru, respectively. Just like Netflix's reboot, each episode began with the Fab Five in an SUV discussing their subject, whom they would make over and prepare throughout the course of the episode for a big debut in the end. While you're waiting for the third season of Netflix's Queer Eye to debut, there's no better way to spend your time than to catch up with the original that inspired its reboot, because - in our opinion - you can't appreciate the all-new series until you've watched the one that came first. Luckily, you can still enjoy the early-aughts series - can you believe? Amazon Prime Video gives viewers the option of buying individual episodes for $2 each or buying a whole season for $10, and there are also plenty of episodes available to stream on YouTube. Get ready to binge and thank us later, hunny. The man accused of kidnapping Wisconsin teen Jayme Closs after murdering her parents reportedly wrote in a letter to a news station that he acted on impulse, adding that he plans to plead guilty to the charges against him. Local Minneapolis-based station KARE 11 reports it received a letter purporting to be from Jake Thomas Patterson, 21, who allegedly abducted the 13-year-old Jayme from her Barron home last Oct. 15 after murdering her parents, Denise, 46, and James Closs, 56. In his cabin in Gordon, about 70 miles away, Patterson allegedly held Jayme captive for 88 days until she escaped on Jan. 10. Wisconsin Department of Justice communications director Gillian Drummond did not immediately return PEOPLEs attempt to verify the letter came from Patterson, but told KARE11, I dont know I would have a reason to assume it is not [authentic]. The letter writer, apparently responding to written questions sent to Patterson by KARE 11 reporter Lou Raguse, wrote that his reasons for the alleged crime are not black and white. Later in the letter, he added, At the time I was really pissed. I didnt want to. The reason I did this is complicated. RELATED: Inside the Moment Jayme Closs Was Reunited with Family: Everyone Was In Tears of Happiness The criminal complaint against Patterson alleges he planned the kidnapping in advance and had made two prior attempts to kidnap her after spotting her getting on a school bus. But the letter writer disputed the allegation of premeditation, writing, The cops say I planned this thoroughly, and that I said that. Theyre really good at twisting your words around, put them in different spots, straight up lie. Little mad about that. Trying to cover up their mistakes I guess. Jayme Closs He added, This was mostly on impulse. I dont think like a serial killer. He wrote he has huge amounts of remorse. No one will believe or can even imagine how sorry I am for hurting Jayme this much, the letter reads. Cant express it. Story continues RELATED: Suspect in Jayme Closs Case Targeted Her After Seeing Her Board School Bus: Court Docs On the back of the letter, large bubble letters that take up nearly half the page state, Im Sorry Jayme! In smaller letters, the letter reads, For everything. I know it doesnt mean much. When asked if anyone close to him knew about the kidnapping, Patterson wrote, No one knew. My dad only came on Saturdays, the same time every day. So it was a routine. Jayme hides on Sat. My family respects privacy so no one even went in my room. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter. In response to a question about what he plans to do now, he responded, Plead guilty. I want Jayme and her relatives to know that. Dont want them to worry about a trial. The criminal complaint alleges Patterson sometimes ordered Jayme under the bed for as long as 12 hours at a time depriving her of food, water or bathroom breaks. When he left the house, the defendant stated he would tell [Jayme] that she better not leave and told her bad things would happen if she tried, the complaint alleges. The defendant stated she knew she shouldnt come out from under the bed when he was not there. The defendant stated that because of his anger outbursts [Jayme] complied and did as she was told. Jake Thomas Patterson It alleges Patterson told police he assumed he had gotten away with the kidnapping two weeks after the killings. The defendant states he never would have been caught if he would have planned everything perfectly, the complaint states. He allegedly said he only learned Jaymes name when he got her back to his home, and only learned the names of her parents from local news coverage of their murders. In the letter that the television station attributes to Patterson, he wrote he followed news coverage of Jaymes disappearance through my phone. If something popped up on TV about it, I would change the channel. Would tell Jayme, Im sorry, I cant watch this. RELATED: Jayme Closs and Family Have a Sense of Some Peace During Smiley Reunions After Her Escape Since his first court appearance via video link on January 14, Patterson has been jailed on a $5 million bond. His arraignment is scheduled for March 27. He has not yet entered a plea to the charges against him, which include two counts of first-degree murder both of which carry a maximum sentence of life in prison along with counts of kidnapping and armed burglary. His public defenders, Charles Glynn and Richard Jones, did not immediately return PEOPLEs call for comment about Pattersons letter. But in a January statement, the attorneys said: This is a very tragic situation. There is a substantial amount of information, interest, and emotion involved in this case. Mr. Pattersons legal team will be relying on the integrity of our judicial system to ensure that everyones rights are protected and respected. Olivia Humphrey is on a mission to bring Kanopy, an indie film-centric streaming service that she originally launched in Australia, to every library-card holder in the United States. The Kanopy business model is different from other typical free OTT services. While VOD platforms such as Popcornflix and Tubi rely on ads to fund content for users, Kanopy members rely on their local libraries to foot the bill.Instead of paying a monthly fee for the service, participating libraries pay for each movie played by one of its card holders. Libraries pay $2 per play regardless of the movie, according to people familiar with the arrangements. That fee is split 50/50 between Kanopy and the licenser of the film, according to an individual familiar with the business, which Humphrey said was a more generous cut than most OTTs offer content owners.Like most streaming services, Kanopy wouldnt disclose revenues or the number of active monthly users on the platform. However, Humphrey said the business is profitable and achieved a 100 percent increase in revenue from 2017 to 2018.Also Read: 5 Questions: Tubi CEO Farhad Massoudi on Netflix's Fate and the Rise of Ad-Supported Video in 2019The VOD service offers more than 20,000 independent films and documentaries, including the 2016 Oscar-winning drama Moonlight, the 2014 sci-fi film Ex Machina, the 2001 drama-fantasy Donnie Darko and 400 titles from the Criterion Collection. Kanopy is also home to the entire A24 catalogue, which includes Greta Gerwigs Oscar-nominated 2018 dramedy Lady Bird. (A24 declined a request for comment on the partnership.)Kanopy is currently available to 50 million library users across the U.S. and still growing, signing up around 50 new libraries per month. In total, Kanopy now services 3,000 U.S. libraries and 1,500 U.S. college campuses.Since partnering with Kanopy at the start of February, Mid-Columbia Library in Washington state has had thousands of visits to its Kanopy site and more than 300 people have signed up for the service, according to the librarys communications and advancement director David Diaz.Kanopys thought-provoking videos are the perfect complement to our existing DVD collection, Diaz said. We were excited to offer our customers another quality product from our vast digital branch.The library, like others that partner with Kanopy, set a monthly limit on the number of films its members can watch to protect the library from being blindsided by unexpected costs if users stream too many movies. The New York Public Library limits users to 10 videos a month, while the Brooklyn Public Library allows six.Also Read: Is Facebook Stuck in a No-Win Position When It Comes to Moderating Content?We are solving a big problem for public libraries, which is engaging their community and maintaining their relevancy, Humphrey said.While library use among Americans has dropped 6 percent since 2012, Pew Research from 2017 found that 46 percent of Americans 18 and older had visited a library at least once in the 12 months prior.Humphrey believes Kanopy can help stop the bleeding. When we launched, say for example, in New York Public Library, they had a record amount of new members sign up, she told TheWrap. In fact, they had to hire a team of temps to cope with all the new members and all of the reactivated memberships. The New York Public Library did not respond to requests for comment.Humphrey, who previously worked in brand management at BBC Worldwide, originally launched Kanopy in 2008 as a DVD distribution business that would rent out and sell DVDs to Australian universities.We knew that university students go to the cinema quite often and bought the DVDs, but on campus there was just books and journals. The video was nowhere to be seen, Humphrey told TheWrap. It didnt make any sense. These students are watching more film in the real world but not in their academic world.In 2010, around the same time that YouTube was gaining popularity, Humphrey decided to turn that DVD distribution business into an online streaming business. She eventually expanded her OTT beyond universities and brought the offering to libraries across Australia and the U.S.Also Read: Facebook Shuts Down Data-Collection App OnavoThere were 35 universities in Australia and around 4,500 in the U.S., Humphrey said, regarding why international expansion was a no-brainer for growth.The company also recently launched a work space in the United Kingdom, which Humphrey says will be a big focus this year, along with beefing up its content library. The company has a 50-person team in San Francisco, which first opened six years ago.Additionally, Kanopy is increasing its focus to encompass more childrens programming and has plans to relaunch its streaming platform, Kanopy Kids, sometime in the middle of the year.Like most OTT services, Kanopy has challenges with discoverability. The biggest challenge we face when we sign up a new library is communicating the fact that Kanopy is live to the members of that library, she added.Libraries like Floridas LeRoy Collins Leon County Public Library have relied on Facebook to spread the word to its 6,000-plus followers since offering the service, the librarys services coordinator Michelle Ray told TheWrap.Read original story How Kanopy Wants to Revolutionize Libraries With a Pay-Per-Play OTT Service At TheWrap Olivia Humphrey is on a mission to bring Kanopy, an indie film-centric streaming service that she originally launched in Australia, to every library-card holder in the United States. The Kanopy business model is different from other typical free OTT services. While VOD platforms such as Popcornflix and Tubi rely on ads to fund content for users, Kanopy members rely on their local libraries to foot the bill. Instead of paying a monthly fee for the service, participating libraries pay for each movie played by one of its card holders. Libraries pay $2 per play regardless of the movie, according to people familiar with the arrangements. That fee is split 50/50 between Kanopy and the licenser of the film, according to an individual familiar with the business, which Humphrey said was a more generous cut than most OTTs offer content owners. Like most streaming services, Kanopy wouldnt disclose revenues or the number of active monthly users on the platform. However, Humphrey said the business is profitable and achieved a 100 percent increase in revenue from 2017 to 2018. Also Read: 5 Questions: Tubi CEO Farhad Massoudi on Netflix's Fate and the Rise of Ad-Supported Video in 2019 The VOD service offers more than 20,000 independent films and documentaries, including the 2016 Oscar-winning drama Moonlight, the 2014 sci-fi film Ex Machina, the 2001 drama-fantasy Donnie Darko and 400 titles from the Criterion Collection. Kanopy is also home to the entire A24 catalogue, which includes Greta Gerwigs Oscar-nominated 2018 dramedy Lady Bird. (A24 declined a request for comment on the partnership.) Kanopy is currently available to 50 million library users across the U.S. and still growing, signing up around 50 new libraries per month. In total, Kanopy now services 3,000 U.S. libraries and 1,500 U.S. college campuses. Since partnering with Kanopy at the start of February, Mid-Columbia Library in Washington state has had thousands of visits to its Kanopy site and more than 300 people have signed up for the service, according to the librarys communications and advancement director David Diaz. Story continues Kanopys thought-provoking videos are the perfect complement to our existing DVD collection, Diaz said. We were excited to offer our customers another quality product from our vast digital branch. The library, like others that partner with Kanopy, set a monthly limit on the number of films its members can watch to protect the library from being blindsided by unexpected costs if users stream too many movies. The New York Public Library limits users to 10 videos a month, while the Brooklyn Public Library allows six. Also Read: Is Facebook Stuck in a No-Win Position When It Comes to Moderating Content? We are solving a big problem for public libraries, which is engaging their community and maintaining their relevancy, Humphrey said. While library use among Americans has dropped 6 percent since 2012, Pew Research from 2017 found that 46 percent of Americans 18 and older had visited a library at least once in the 12 months prior. Humphrey believes Kanopy can help stop the bleeding. When we launched, say for example, in New York Public Library, they had a record amount of new members sign up, she told TheWrap. In fact, they had to hire a team of temps to cope with all the new members and all of the reactivated memberships. The New York Public Library did not respond to requests for comment. Humphrey, who previously worked in brand management at BBC Worldwide, originally launched Kanopy in 2008 as a DVD distribution business that would rent out and sell DVDs to Australian universities. We knew that university students go to the cinema quite often and bought the DVDs, but on campus there was just books and journals. The video was nowhere to be seen, Humphrey told TheWrap. It didnt make any sense. These students are watching more film in the real world but not in their academic world. In 2010, around the same time that YouTube was gaining popularity, Humphrey decided to turn that DVD distribution business into an online streaming business. She eventually expanded her OTT beyond universities and brought the offering to libraries across Australia and the U.S. Also Read: Facebook Shuts Down Data-Collection App Onavo There were 35 universities in Australia and around 4,500 in the U.S., Humphrey said, regarding why international expansion was a no-brainer for growth. The company also recently launched a work space in the United Kingdom, which Humphrey says will be a big focus this year, along with beefing up its content library. The company has a 50-person team in San Francisco, which first opened six years ago. Additionally, Kanopy is increasing its focus to encompass more childrens programming and has plans to relaunch its streaming platform, Kanopy Kids, sometime in the middle of the year. Like most OTT services, Kanopy has challenges with discoverability. The biggest challenge we face when we sign up a new library is communicating the fact that Kanopy is live to the members of that library, she added. Libraries like Floridas LeRoy Collins Leon County Public Library have relied on Facebook to spread the word to its 6,000-plus followers since offering the service, the librarys services coordinator Michelle Ray told TheWrap. Read original story How Kanopy Wants to Revolutionize Libraries With a Pay-Per-Play OTT Service At TheWrap Prince Harry followed up his inspirational speech to school kids in London by heading off on a surprise mission. The royal jetted off to Berlin, Germany, to continue research hes doing on sustainability and tourism. Its part of a project he is exploring as part of his work with the Royal Foundation, PEOPLE understands. The issue fits with his desire to use the foundation the royals charitable vehicle to further environmental and conservation causes. Harry, who traveled solo, leaving wife Meghan Markle home in London, is attending the ITB Berlin, the worlds largest tourism trade fair. He and his staff were spotted on Thursday morning in Berlin. The surprise visit comes a day after Harry, 34, dragged Meghan, 37 onto stage in front of 12,000 excited kids at Wembley Arena after the gave an inspiring speech that included one of his wifes favorite quotes from Martin Luther King Jr.: Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Cant get enough of PEOPLEs Royals coverage? Sign up for our newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! Tomorrow, on International Womens Day, Meghan will join a panel for a discussion with musician and activist Annie Lennox, model and activist Adwoa Aboah and former Prime Minister of Australia Julia Gillard. Meghan is to talk about the importance of International Womens Day, and the spotlight it can bring to obstacles which still affect female empowerment across the world, including access to education and limitations within employment, the palace said in a statement. Everywhere three-year-old Jordan goes, his raptor Fingerling goes too, either in his hand or tucked in his shirt at all times. Jordan loves the little toy so much that he even gave it a name: Dino Baby. So, you can imagine his horror when the head of his beloved dinosaur broke recentlya horror shared by his mother Niah Negron. "The dinosaur was his Christmas present this past year. He tells everyone that it's his baby," Negron told Good Morning America. "He spent the whole morning sitting there holding his dinosaur with a broken head with the saddest look on his face." She immediately began looking for a replacement online. Luckily, she found one quickly and was able to place a same-day pickup order at her local Best Buy store in Jacksonville, Florida. There was just one problem: she knew Jordan wouldnt consider replacing his Dino Baby. Surgery, it seemed, was the only option. So, with Jordan and his broken dinosaur in hand, Negron headed for the pickup counter at Best Buy where she explained the situation at hand. We are here for a very delicate matter, she told an associate named Tina or T at the counter. You see, we need to see the dinosaur doctor, as the head has broken on our baby dinosaur! What happened next was beyond extraordinary service, Negron recalled on Facebook. T nodded understandingly and jumped right into action! She called over her fellow associate Stephanie and explained our very unique and delicate situation. Without missing a beat, they took the broken dinosaur to surgery! Negron said the two women explained every step of the surgery since it was all happening outside of Jordans anxious gaze. In reality they were discreetly verifying my order and opening up the new replacement dinosaur for us and disposing of the old broken one without my little guy ever being the wise, she wrote. Just a few more stitches they explained, as little man was anxiously awaiting his fixed baby. Story continues "The way they communicated with him was beyond words," Negron told GMA. "I had this plan in my head and didn't know how they would react, but they completely got it." When Best Buy corporate learned of the story, they gifted Stephanie and "T" custom badges with "Dinosaur Doctor" written on the bottom. Negron concluded her Facebook post by offering the women her most sincere thanks. They didnt have to do this. They easily could have just found my order and sent us on our way with the new toy, she wrote. I am forever grateful to these two women who went above and beyond to be the best dinosaur doctors ever, and all to keep one little boy who they had never met, and will likely never see again, happy. After stepping onto the stage at Spago in Beverly Hills, actress-activist Maria Bello surveyed the scene, a jam-packed largely female gathering to commemorate International Womens Day, staged by Los Angeles-based organization Visionary Women. Wow, Bello said. I love being in a room with kick-ass women and the men who love kick-ass women. The event Christina McLarty, from left, Coco Arquette, Rosanna Arquette, Patricia Arquette and David Arquette at Visionary Womens International Womens Day. The event honored Patricia and Rosanna Arquette. (Vivien Killilea / Getty Images for Visionary Women) Advertisement Visionary Women, an organization dedicated to advancing the status of women, held the bursting-at-the-seams celebration of International Womens Day on Thursday night, honoring sisters Patricia and Rosanna Arquette as leaders, feminists and activists. An estimated 250 people packed the cocktail party, sponsored by Cartier and the Wall Street Journal. The occasion Frances Fisher, left, and Ashlee Marie Preston at Visionary Womens International Womens Day event. (Rachel Murray / Getty Images for Visionary Women) According to the International Womens Day website, the celebratory day has been taking place each March 8 beginning more than a century ago. The day recognizes womens social, economic, cultural and political achievements and serves as a call for further gender equality. The crowd Maye Musk, left, and Shelley Reid at Visionary Womens International Womens Day event. (Vivien Killilea / Getty Images for Visionary Women) There to mingle were comedian Kathy Griffin, actors Frances Fisher, David Arquette, Chloe Dykstra and Mishel Prada, model Maye Musk, media executive Byron Allen, activist Ashlee Marie Preston and poet and vocalist Gina Loring, who performed two of her compositions. Visionary Womens board members present included Shelley Reid, Price Arana, Lili Bosse, Laura Fox, Nina Kotick, Angella Nazarian, Karen Murphy OBrien and Nadine Watt. The program Jennifer Lucas, left, and Byron Allen at the Visionary Womens International Womens Day event. (Rachel Murray / Getty Images for Visionary Women) Can you feel the energy in the room tonight? said author Angella Nazarian, the groups co-founder, as she stepped up to the podium to welcome the group and thank sponsors. The groups president, Shelley Reid, a TV executive and producer, noted that the group has raised more than $1.3 million during the past three years to support a broad spectrum of organizations and initiatives to support women and girls nationally and internationally. Camille Veneracion, left, and Renee Huesca at Visionary Womens International Womens Day event. (Vivien Killilea / Getty Images for Visionary Women) Bello then introduced Patricia Arquette, praising the Academy Award-winning actress for her work on behalf of women in Haiti and Africa. Astrid Heger, executive director of USCs Violence intervention Program, next made the presentation to Rosanna Arquette for speaking out against sexual assault. As the official ceremonies came to a close, state Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) said she credited Patricia Arquettes 2015 acceptance speech at the Oscars which was not about herself, but about equal pay for women for the passage soon after of the California Fair Pay Act. The quotes Kathy Griffin at Visionary Womens International Womens Day event. (Vivien Killilea / Getty Images for Visionary Women) We were within a breath of having a female president. We have more elected female leaders than weve ever had, said Patricia Arquette during a conversation with the Arquette sisters just before the cocktail party began. Its still not 50% even though women are 51% of the population, but Im trying to look at the positives because there are still a lot of things that are not positive. Sometimes we take two steps forward and then take 10 steps back, said Rosanna Arquette, citing efforts to roll back womens choice and Brett Kavanaughs Supreme Court hearing in 2018 as examples. Yet she too looked toward the positive, and in regard to Hollywood, she said, I think theres a consciousness that were seeing now. There are some wonderful evolved directors that are now giving roles to older women. Poet Gina Loring at Visionary Womens International Womens Day event. (Rachel Murray / Getty Images for Visionary Women) I feel like one of the biggest change-makers is the gathering of women, Bello said earlier in the evening. Its a powerful thing when women are gathering together and sharing their stories. [Change] is really is about community, leadership and taking what weve learned and passing it on to the next generation thats coming up. Griffin said she was proud to be celebrating International Womens Day. For her, she said, it began when California Assemblyman Richard Bloom (D-Santa Monica) chose her as his districts woman of the year for a statewide event earlier in the month. It was a real honor, and I admire that he was ballsy enough to even think of me, she said, following what she called her fake Trump scandal. Were now up against an entire force between the messaging from this administration combined with the residual online all-bets-are-off against women, she said. Its a tough time to be doing the #MeToo movement and Times Up and other forward-thinking womens movements, but what I see looking around the room is a lot of women rising to the occasion. image@latimes.com For fashion news, follow us at @latimesimage on Twitter. "I moved to the U.S. from Sweden with only $500 and landed in New York," says the pioneering Malibu Farm chef. "It feels unbelievable to now open up a restaurant where it all started. Though its been more than a decade since Helene Henderson hosted some of her first farm-to-table dinners in Malibu, where she dazzled celebrities like Madonna and Barbra Streisand with Swedish lamb chops and colorful plates of just-picked produce, its still hard for her to believe shes a real restaurant owner. I often think to myself, Wow, I have a real restaurant? What the heck, she says, sitting on the deck of her oceanfront Malibu Farm outpost in Miami Beach. When I started those dinners in my backyard, it was all for fun. Its basically the hobby that took over my life. I really cant believe Im here right now. In just six years, the Swedish-born chef and restaurateur who is known for her pioneering farm-to-table work at the flagship Malibu Farm on the historic Malibu Pier opened six more locations around the world. Sometime in the next year, shell open the seventh, bringing the concept nearly 3,000 miles away to NYCs South Street Seaport. The restaurant will be part of the Pier 17 complex, which will also include concepts by David Chang, Andrew Carmellini, and Jean-Georges Vongerichten. Were literally going pier to pier, she says. I moved to the U.S. from Sweden with only $500 and landed in New York. It feels unbelievable to now open up a restaurant where it all started. Its a full circle moment. NYCs Malibu Farm, which will be located on the water with a direct view of the Brooklyn Bridge, will take on a slightly darker and moodier look compared to Hendersons other locations, which largely feature whitewashed bricks and light woods. There will be plenty of indoor-outdoor seating, large farm-inspired communal tables, and a bar area. The restaurant will definitely have more of a city vibe compared to the others, she says. But there will be a similar menu with local specials. We like to let the chef of each location come up with his or her own spin to the restaurant and incorporate something weve never done before. For example, in Miami, we have a pizza oven and all of these different wood-fired options. Story continues Either way, New Yorkers can look forward to Hendersons signature lineup of California-cool classics, including the Swed-Ish Meatballs, made with a blend of chicken and ricotta, the Zucchini Crust Pizza, layered with mozzarella and tomato sauce, and the Fish Tacos, served with cucumber tomato pico, pepper jack cheese, and cilantro lime crema. Henderson plans to develop relationships with local farmers and artisans, and ingredients will be sourced locally whenever possible. After New York, Henderson, who spends a majority of her time in California, plans to take some time to slow down and embrace how far shes come. Its been a hectic year for her, she says, after losing more than half of her backyard farm to the 2018 California wildfires. Her flagship Malibu Farm on the Malibu Pier was unaffected, but business still hasnt quite recovered. When we were trying to leave, there was a moment when I really wondered if wed make it out alive, she says. My son and I were driving with fire on both sides. I still cant believe it. They actually just started the debris removal in my neighborhood, where more than 100 houses burned down. People actually told my family that they thought our house burned down, but fortunately it didnt. We did lose a good amount of our farm, which still hasnt been replanted. All these months later, were still feeling it. Henderson says she wont let the possibility of future fires get in the way of how she runs her restaurant. Our neighborhood is burned so badly, there probably couldnt be another wildfire for many years, she says. But other parts of Malibu are a concern, especially close to the pier where it didnt burn. But you cant let that stop you. Were a strong community here. Beyond Malibu, Henderson fantasizes about one day expanding her farm-to-table empire beyond the six locations she operates between California, Miami, and Hawaii, and the soon-to-open outpost in NYC. No question, I would go to Scandinavia, she says. I dont have many living relatives there anymore. Its always a question of finding the time and the logistics of getting there. Id love more than anything to have a reason and to bring it back home. The Democratic party is having a rough time condemning anti-Semitism. Representative Ilhan Omar of Minnesota has, on several occasions, made classically anti-Semitic claims about American Jews, and the effort to formally denounce those statements in the House ruined a week in which the Democrats were supposed to talk about their agenda. The gist of Omars complaints is that the perfidious, string-pulling Hebraic hordes control Congress with their shady shekels; Israel has hypnotized the world; and American Jews are guilty of dual loyalty. The controversies have been compounded by the fact that her apologies suggest shes not actually apologetic. Omar has claimed that the anti-Semitism charge is an effort to silence her because she wants to talk about the Jewish scheme to push for allegiance to a foreign country. In an earlier sorry-not-sorry episode, she apologized for hurting anyones feelings, which is not quite the same thing as recanting. The whole issue of hurt feelings is a red herring which is precisely why so many Democrats want to focus on feelings rather than on the relevant facts. Indeed, if Omar had better facts on her side, she wouldnt be in this mess. For instance, Omar seems to think the American Israel Public Affairs Committee is a political-action committee that funds candidates on behalf of Israel. Inconveniently for Omar, AIPAC isnt a PAC, doesnt work for Israel, and doesnt donate to political campaigns. More interesting, however, is the Democratic leaderships fact problem namely the fact Omar simply isnt a fan of Jews, or at least Jews who support Israel. Its fine to be a critic of Israel, by the way. But when you hate the country so much that you cant explain criticism of Israel without resorting to bigotry, you have a problem. Or rather, the Democratic party does. Because its not just Omar. If Omar had no sympathizers, House speaker Nancy Pelosi would probably have thrown her under the bus already. The younger, fresher, and more radical fringe of the party led by New York representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez doesnt think Omar should be singled out for criticism or censure. In fairness, the primary reason is not that they all share Omars hang-up with the Jews. Some are just anti-Israel. Others think its unfair that Omar should be criticized when Donald Trump or other Republicans have said bigoted things. Story continues Ocasio-Cortez called efforts to censure Omar hurtful because statements by other politicians, most obviously Trump, arent similarly condemned. She has something of a point. I certainly wish Republicans did more to condemn many of the things Trump has said. But she seems to have forgotten that Republicans did condemn and punish Iowa representative Steve King recently for his on-brand racist blather. So while Ocasio-Cortez is right to a point, that point doesnt take her very far. Its her party that has established a zero-tolerance-for-bigotry standard. And whataboutist arguments are the lowest form of defense. Some Republicans may be hypocrites for not condemning all bigotry equally, but thats a criticism of Republicans, not a defense of Omar. The effort to avoid singling out Omar is putting Democrats in knots they will be hard-pressed to untie anytime soon. Pelosi has said Omar wasnt intentionally anti-Semitic. Asked if Omars comment about Jewish dual loyalty was anti-Semitic, Representative Emmanuel Cleaver of Missouri offered this profile in courage: It may or may not be. I havent thought deeply about it. South Carolinas James Clyburn, the No. 3 Democrat in the House, offered a baffling defense of Omar by talking about surprise! her feelings. He says Omars experience as a refugee from Somalia who spent time in a Kenyan refugee camp has to be taken into account. There are people who tell me, Well, my parents are Holocaust survivors. My parents did this. Its more personal with her, Clyburn told The Hill. Ive talked to her, and I can tell you she is living through a lot of pain. Leave aside the fact that whatever happened to Omar in Kenya or Somalia, it has nothing to do with Israel or Jews. Are we going to have greater tolerance for bigotry based on a time-since-victimhood score? Slavery was even longer ago than the Holocaust. Does that make racist comments less outrageous than anti-Semitic comments? On Thursday, Pelosi announced that the House would vote on a resolution condemning all forms of hate. Its a transparent dodge to avoid condemning a specific kind of hate. It might do the trick to turn the page. But it will almost surely be a temporary respite, because Omar (and others) come to their anti-Semitism honestly, and theyre inclined to be honest about it. So well be here again. More from National Review Geneva (AFP) - Algerian businessman Rachid Nekkaz was arrested at a hospital in Geneva on Friday after demanding access to President Abdelaziz Bouteflika who is being treated there. Nekkaz, who sought to run against Bouteflika in Algeria's upcoming elections, said he had come to the University Hospitals of Geneva (HUG) to seek information about the ailing 82-year-old leader. He staged a demonstration with several dozen supporters outside HUG and then announced he was going inside. He was arrested for trespassing following a complaint by the hospital, and was also accused of resisting arrest, police spokesman Jean-Philippe Brandt told AFP, adding that Nekkaz would be held overnight and presented to a prosecutor on Saturday. Bouteflika, in power since 1999, has rarely been seen in public since suffering a stroke in 2013. His bid to secure another term at Algeria's April 18 election has sparked waves of protests, dominated by youths who have called for the defiant president to stand aside. On Friday, tens of thousands protested across the country, chanting "No fifth term -- hey, Bouteflika!" and waved Algeria's green-white-and-red flags. "There are 40 million Algerians who want to know where the president is," Nekkaz told the crowd of a few dozen people that had assembled outside HUG. Bouteflika has been in Switzerland for nearly two weeks receiving what his office has called routine medical checkups. Algeria has not officially confirmed that Bouteflika is at HUG, but multiple Swiss media reports have place him at the hospital. An AFP journalist also heard hospital staff discussing Bouteflika's presence on HUG's eighth floor, where the VIP wing is located, and there was a large deployment of police outside the hospital on Friday. - Candidacy blocked - Nekkaz -- an increasingly popular activist with a large social media following -- suggested that Bouteflika was actually dead. "The entire world, and all of Algeria knows that he is no longer of this world," he told reporters, charging that powerful players in Algeria had an interest in maintaining the illusion that Bouteflika was alive to keep their grip on power in the country. Story continues Bouteflika's campaign manager Abdelghani Zaalane meanwhile insisted Thursday that the president's health raised "no worries". The medical examinations Bouteflika had been undergoing in Switzerland were nearly completed, he said. Nekkaz was himself earlier this week denied the right to stand in the vote, apparently falling foul of a law which bans candidates who have ever possessed a nationality other than Algerian. This despite the fact that he had renounced his French citizenship and also gathered the necessary 60,000 voter signatures needed to run. But Nekkaz instead put forward the candidacy of his cousin and namesake, an Algerian mechanic, with the explicit intention of using inventive measures to take over the presidency if his relative is elected. Algeria's constitutional committee is due to determine on March 13 if the presented candidacies are legitimate. Nekkaz urged the committee not to accept the candidacy of Bouteflika. "It is impossible to continue to support an election with a candidate who is in fact dead," he said. Democratic lawmakers on Friday harshly criticized the lighter-than-expected prison sentence handed down to former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort by U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III Thursday night. Federal sentencing guidelines recommended that Manafort serve between 19 and 24 years behind bars after being convicted on eight felony counts, including tax and bank fraud. Ellis sentenced him to 47 months, calling the guidelines excessive. The prosecution was well deserved in trying to seek a longer term. Obviously, the judge demonstrated some hostility before now to Robert Mueller, said Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut. This sentence, in my view, failed to do justice to the very serious crimes that Manafort has committed, as well as his utter disrespect for the law. Manafort, 69, also pled guilty in a separate Washington, D.C. trial in September to one count of conspiracy to defraud the U.S. and one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice after he attempted to tamper with witnesses. The plea was part of a deal with prosecutors that hinged on Manaforts cooperation with Special Counsel Robert Muellers Russia investigation, but last month Judge Amy Berman Jackson voided the deal after Muellers team contended that Manafort had violated it by lying to investigators. He now faces up to ten years in prison in the case. Prosecutors have devoted special scrutiny to Manaforts contacts with Russians and Ukrainians before the campaign. Manafort resigned from the Trump campaign after about five months when those contacts came to light in August, 2016. Representative Adam Schiff, who chairs the House Intelligence Committee, accused Manaforts lawyer of angling for a presidential pardon by noting after the sentencing that Manafort had not been found guilty of collusion. The statement by Paul Manaforts lawyer after an already lenient sentence repeating the Presidents mantra of no collusion was no accident. It was a deliberate appeal for a pardon, Schiff wrote on Twitter. Story continues Freshman House democrats Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Veronica Escobar of Texas also excoriated the judges decision. Paul Manafort getting such little jail time for such serious crimes lays out for the world how its almost impossible for rich people to go to jail for the same amount of time as someone who is lower income, Ocasio-Cortez wrote on Twitter. In our current broken system, justice isnt blind. Its bought. White collar criminals who betray their country can obviously get preferential treatment in Judge Elliss courtroom. Disgraceful, Escobar tweeted. More from National Review By Gabriela Baczynska BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union can give Britain the unilateral right to leave their customs union after Brexit, chief negotiator Michel Barnier said on Friday in a bid to push their divorce deal over the line in the divided British parliament. But a source in Prime Minister Theresa May's government said it was "not impressed" by Barnier's gesture. And the Northern Irish party that props up Britain's minority government dismissed Barnier's move as a "non-starter", Sky News reported. Barnier's basic idea would keep Northern Ireland in the EU's trade orbit, something already rejected previously by London in the hard-fought Brexit negotiations as weakening the province's ties to the rest of the United Kingdom. "The UK will not be forced into a customs union against its will," Barnier said. "The EU will continue working intensively over the coming days to ensure that the UK leaves the EU with an agreement." Britain aims to depart the bloc on March 29. Barnier stressed that Britain would still need to keep the sensitive border between EU member state Ireland and the UK province of Northern Ireland free of controls, meaning any checks would need to carried out in the Irish Sea. Sky News Northern Ireland correspondent David Blevins quoted Democratic Unionist Party sources as saying the Barnier proposal showed "no respect to the constitutional and economic integrity of the United Kingdom. It's a non-starter." Brexit negotiations will stretch into the weekend, with British Prime Minister Theresa May calling on the EU on Friday for a final push to break the stalemate. Just three weeks before Britain is due to leave, a deeply split UK parliament has yet to ratify May's deal with Brussels last year on withdrawal terms and a separate declaration on the outlook for future trade relations. BACKSTOP At the heart of parliamentary resistance to the divorce deal is the so-called "backstop", a provision to keep the Irish border open in keeping with the 1998 Good Friday peace accord that ended sectarian conflict on the island of Ireland. The euroskeptic wing of May's Conservative party fears the backstop could trap the UK in the EU's trading rules forever. "EU commits to give UK the option to exit the Single Customs Territory unilaterally, while the other elements of the backstop must be maintained to avoid a hard border," Barnier said after briefing ambassadors of the 27 EU states that are staying on together after Brexit. As Brexit goes down to the wire, fears on both sides of the Channel are growing about the economic damage in the event that Britain leaves the EU abruptly without any transition agreement to soften the resulting disruption to trade. While Barnier's latest proposal would make legally binding commitments of the assurances on the backstop that the EU had already offered in January, it is unlikely to be seen as enough by many of the hardline euroskeptics in the Conservative party. Barnier said the bloc was ready to legally commit to using its "best endeavors" in trade negotiations with Britain after Brexit to find a solution that made sure the Irish border stayed open and the contentious backstop was never applied. Britain's stalled withdrawal treaty includes dispute-settling mechanisms under which London could leave parts of the backstop should the EU fail to show enough good faith in talks on a new trade deal that would keep the Irish frontier open. (Reporting by Francesco Guarascio and Alissa de Carbonnel; Writing by Gabriela Baczynska; Editing by Kevin Liffey and Mark Heinrich) By Jan Wolfe (Reuters) - Huawei Technologies Co Ltd has opened up a new front in its battle with the U.S. government by filing a lawsuit challenging a congressional ban on federal agencies' use of the Chinese technology company's products. Legal experts said the firm is likely to lose its case because U.S. courts tend to avoid second-guessing Congress' actions relating to national security, including the ban enacted in August as part of a defence spending bill. But some lawyers said that Huawei might be hoping to score public relations points against the U.S. government even if it knows its chances of winning are slim. The following explains the measures against Huawei, the nature of the lawsuit, and why it will likely be dismissed. What is Huawei and why is it at odds with the U.S. government? Shenzhen-based Huawei is the worlds biggest producer of telecommunications network equipment and it also competes with Apple Inc and Samsung Electronics Co as a smartphone maker. The company and its founder Ren Zhengfei have long been suspected of having close ties with China's military and intelligence agencies. Huawei denies that it works with the Chinese government and that its products are designed to facilitate spying. Separately from the legislation at issue in the lawsuit, the United States is also considering a ban on the use of Huawei telecom equipment by U.S. companies in the construction of 5G wireless networks, and is urging its allies to do the same. Washington has also accused Huawei of stealing trade secrets and violating U.S. sanctions on Iran. Chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou, who is also Ren's daughter, was arrested in December in Canada at the request of the U.S. Justice Department, which claims she orchestrated the violations. Huawei says the U.S. actions are politically motivated, coming at the same time as the Trump administration is holding high-stakes trade negotiations with Beijing. U.S. demands include that China change its laws and practices to protect intellectual property and end forced transfers of technology to Chinese firms. Story continues What is Huawei's complaint? Huawei's primary argument is that the ban on its products is a "bill of attainder" - a legislative act condemning a particular person or group of people and punishing them without a trial. Bills of attainders are specifically banned in the U.S. Constitution. In one of the most well-known cases involving a bill of attainder, a unanimous U.S. Supreme Court in 1946 struck down as unconstitutional an act of Congress that stripped three government employees of their salaries for allegedly supporting "subversive activities." More recently, a federal judge ruled a North Carolina bill limiting funding to the women's health organization Planned Parenthood was an unconstitutional bill of attainder because it was "adopted specifically to penalize" the group. Huawei is also alleging a violation of its due process rights, and argues that Congress violated the constitutional principle of separation of powers by exercising authority reserved for the judicial system. Does Huawei have a case? Most U.S. legal experts say no, since ruling for Huawei would likely require the courts to decide there was no legitimate basis for Congress' inclusion of the ban in its bill. In general, U.S. courts are reluctant to second-guess national security determinations by Congress and the executive branch, who are viewed as being in a better position to make such decisions. Several legal experts pointed to a November 2018 decision by a federal appeals court rejecting a similar bill of attainder claim by Russian cybersecurity firm Kaspersky Lab, whose anti-virus software was banned from U.S. government networks by legislation in 2017. The court in that case said national security concerns about Kaspersky were supported by "ample evidence" and that it needed to give Congress "latitude" to craft measures to protect national security. The Texas court hearing Huaweis case will not be bound by that decision, but will certainly consider its reasoning closely because of the similarities in the two disputes. Why would Huawei bring a lawsuit it is unlikely to win? Huawei may figure the potential benefits in terms of public opinion are worth a legal fight, no matter what the outcome. The firm has launched a massive public relations offensive over the past two months. If Huawei's case survives a motion to dismiss, the Chinese company would be allowed to demand discovery from the U.S. government, including documents and possibly the testimony of officials. Those documents could provide evidence for its position that Washington is motivated more by politics than any real national security concerns. But legal experts said Huawei faces long odds getting past a motion to dismiss, noting the Kaspersky case was thrown out before discovery. The centralized nature of the Chinese government, with its close ties to industry, and the many well-documented cases of Chinese hacking would all support the position that the U.S. law has a reasonable basis. Some legal experts said a case involving a wind energy company owned by Chinese nationals might offer Huawei a slender hope for precedent. Ralls Corp sued after the Obama administration moved in 2012 to block it from building wind turbines close to a military site in Oregon on natural security grounds. A federal court ruled the government violated Ralls' due process rights by not giving it an opportunity to rebut the unclassified evidence the government relied upon to reach its decision. The case was resolved in 2015 in a confidential settlement, after which Ralls sold the wind farms. (Reporting by Jan Wolfe; Editing by Anthony Lin and Sonya Hepinstall) Caracas (AFP) - Venezuela's opposition leader Juan Guaido vowed Tuesday to take Nicolas Maduro's place in the presidential palace "very soon," as thousands of people took to the streets of Caracas to protest. "We need an office to work in, so very soon, and when we have the armed forces totally on our side, we'll go to find my office there in Miraflores. Very soon," Guaido told supporters, who chanted back: "Yes, you can!" Demonstrators banged pots and sounded car horns at the protest in a square in the east of the capital. Many waved large banners calling on Maduro to go. "The situation is very difficult, we are hoping that this government will change. We've had enough of this chaos!" said one of the demonstrators, Miguel Gonzalez. "With courage and strength I asked you to believe in yourselves, that Venezuela would emerge from the darkness, that the end of the usurpation is very close," said Guaido, who is recognized as interim president by more than 50 countries. Venezuela's state prosecutor, Tarek William Saab, told reporters he would place Guaido under investigation for "his alleged involvement in the sabotage of the Venezuelan electric grid." It is the first government move against the US-backed Guaido since his return to Venezuela last week after defying a travel ban to visit several allied South American leaders. - 'Electricity war' - Maduro has blamed a devastating multi-day blackout plaguing Venezuela on Washington, and declared "victory" in what he called an "electricity war" triggered by the Pentagon. He also called for support from allies including Russia and China as well as the United Nations in investigating the US "cyber attack" he said was responsible for the blackout. While Maduro pointed the finger at Washington, critics have long blamed the government for failing to maintain the power grid. Story continues Guaido, 35, is seeking to capitalize on public anger over the blackout, which has piled misery on a population suffering years of economic crisis and shortages of food and medicine under Maduro. The youthful opposition chief -- locked in a power struggle with Maduro since declaring himself interim president on January 23 -- has branded the socialist leader a "usurper" over his re-election in May, widely dismissed as neither free nor fair. Outlining the case against Guaido, Saab said the opposition leader had disseminated a series of messages that have "stoked violence." "At this moment, he appears as one of the intellectual authors of this electrical sabotage and is practically calling for a civil war in the middle of this blackout," Saab said. - 'New sanctions' - The US kept up the pressure, with special envoy Elliott Abrams saying Washington would soon impose "very significant additional sanctions" on institutions doing business with Maduro's government. It has already targeted a growing list of individuals and companies linked to the Maduro government, including state oil company PDVSA. At Guaido's urging, the opposition-dominated National Assembly declared a "state of alarm" on Monday to pave the way for the delivery of international aid, 250 tons of which has been stuck for a month at Venezuela's borders with Colombia and Brazil. However, with Maduro controlling the military and security services -- which are currently preventing aid from entering the country -- he has no means of enforcing it. Maduro used the military to begin distributing food, water and other assistance in several districts on Tuesday. Marshalled by security forces, crowds formed impatient lines at water trucks in some areas, as they waited to fill containers. But tensions were running high amid the shortages. "I saw people lining up for a kilogram (2.2 pounds) of rice, and the shopkeepers had to fire shots in the air to keep the lines under control," Alberto Barboza, 26, told AFP in the oil capital Maracaibo. "I heard a lot of shooting," said Barboza, adding that a local bakery and a tire shop were looted. The blackout has left millions without running water. Many people lined up to buy bottled water in Caracas supermarkets, but most are reduced to desperate means -- besieging fountains in public parks and any available water sources around the capital. - 'Active resistance' - Maduro had called for armed grassroots groups known as "colectivos" to hit back against what he called attacks encouraged by the US against the country's electrical grid. The opposition says the colectivos have been armed by the government and act as militia. Power has been restored to some areas since the weekend, but service has been intermittent and often drops out. Businesses and schools remained shuttered on Maduro's orders, as they have been since the blackout began. Luis Carlos Diaz, a well known Venezuelan journalist who was detained Monday, was released Tuesday and will be charged with hacking the electrical grid in connection with the blackout, the national press union said. As the situation worsened, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced Washington is withdrawing all its remaining personnel from the US embassy in Caracas. All non-emergency staff were ordered to leave on January 24. The State Department said all US citizens residing or traveling in Venezuelan "should depart" the country, citing "crime, civil unrest, poor health infrastructure and arbitrary arrest and detention of US citizens." burs-oh/amz/dw During the hottest, driest summer months, this trek to Ed Davis Park in Newhalls Towsley Canyon might not be such a special walk, but this spring wow! Go when the hills are still green from the rain and wildflowers are showing themselves; its a great Santa Clarita Valley workout. On a wet day, bring good shoes, as parts of the trail may be slippery. If its a hot day, bring water and sunscreen, as there is little shade. 1. Begin this hike from the no-fee lower parking lot at Ed Davis Park in the Santa Clarita Valley, so named for the polarizing former Los Angeles police chief and state senator. Walk straight up a wide paved road, officially Towsley Canyon Road, headed for the hills. Advertisement 2. Continue past a fee parking lot (you may drive this far, and even farther, if youre willing to shell out $7) as the road winds along. When you get to a final fee parking lot and can see the Rivendale Ranch buildings on your left, slow down. (Los Angeles Times) 3. Cross a narrow pedestrian bridge off to the far left. Just above this, find the beginning of the Don Mullally Trail, a narrow dirt path that climbs uphill above Rivendale Ranch. 4. This narrow trail will climb quite a bit, at times steeply, until it finally flattens out. Below are grand views of Newhall and the busy Golden State Freeway. And all around are stunning live oak trees. In late February there were California poppies beginning to appear. 5. The trail will begin a series of sharp switchback drops, until it flattens out at the bottom. Note a right-hand turn for the Towsley View Loop Trail, a five-mile hike that can be accessed from where you left the paved road at Rivendale Ranch. 6. If its a wet or rainy day, use the big stones to carefully cross a narrow creek. Dead ahead youll find the parking lot. STATS Distance: 2.5-mile round trip Steps: 7,850 Difficulty: 4 on a scale of 1 to 5 Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes Details: Free parking, plus pay parking. OK for pets on leashes and bicycles. Fleming is the author of Secret Stairs: A Walking Guide to the Historic Staircases of Los Angeles and Secret Walks: A Walking Guide to the Hidden Trails of Los Angeles. Each month, he leads a free walk at one of his favorite spots in Southern California. Find out more at his Facebook page, Secret Stairs. He is on Twitter @misterfleming The House passed a broad electoral-reform bill Friday, fulfilling a Democratic campaign promise from last year. The For the People Act, or H.R. 1, which was sponsored by Representative John Sarbanes of Maryland, passed the House 234193 in a party-line vote. The bill is Democrats effort to combat corruption and dark money in elections and would overturn the Citizens United Supreme Court case, which lifted certain regulations on political spending by unions and corporations. It would also enable automatic voter registration, make Election Day a federal holiday, expand early voting, put independent commissions in charge of House redistricting, force dark money groups to disclose donors, and require presidential and vice presidential candidates to release ten years of tax returns to the public. The bill will likely die in the Senate, where Republican majority leader Mitch McConnell has disparagingly called it the Democrat Politician Protection Act. Theyre trying to clothe this power grab with cliches about restoring democracy and doing it For the People, but their proposal is simply a naked attempt to change the rules of American politics to benefit one party, McConnell wrote in the Washington Post in January. Representation Rodney Davis of Illinois, the ranking Republican on the House Administration Committee, which advanced the bill, complained that it was being rushed to a floor vote for political reasons instead of good policy. It is fundamental to our democracy that people believe they believe that actions taken here will be in their interest, Speaker Nancy Pelosi said. That is what this legislation will help to restore. Its a power grab a power grab on behalf of the people, she said. More from National Review By Asif Shahzad ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday said no militant group would be allowed to operate from Pakistani soil to carry out attacks abroad, days after his government announced a sweeping crackdown against Islamist militant organizations. Pakistan faces growing international pressure to rein in Islamist groups that carry out attacks in neighboring India. One such attack in Indian-controlled Kashmir on Feb. 14, claimed by the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) Pakistan-based group, killed 40 Indian paramilitary police and led to clashes between the nuclear-armed rivals as India retaliated. Both countries carried out aerial bombing missions last week and even fought a brief dogfight over Kashmir before tensions cooled. But the United States, Britain, and many other nations are urging Pakistan to act against anti-India militant groups. Pakistan has a history of using Islamist groups to pursue foreign policy aims in the region, but it has denied Indian accusations it actively supports militants fighting Indian forces in India's part of Muslim-majority Kashmir. On Monday, Pakistan announced a new crackdown against militants and by Thursday, 182 religious schools run by banned groups had been seized, and more than 120 people detained. "This government will not allow Pakistan's land to be used for any kind of outside terrorism," Khan said while addressing a rally in southern Pakistan. "God willing, you will see that a new era is emerging." Pakistani governments have in the past made similar pledges to stop militant attacks being launched from its soil, notably in early 2002, after a raid by Pakistani-based militants on India's parliament brought the two countries to the brink of war. Crackdowns have been launched with fanfare but faded out after a while, with the proscribed groups able to survive and continue their operations. Given the history, India has been skeptical about Pakistan's latest steps to dismantle militant groups, with Indian officials calling the action cosmetic. But Khan said there was a huge desire to build a peaceful and stable Pakistan. "We will not allow any militant group to function in our country now," he said. Pakistani officials say this crackdown is part of a long-planned drive and not a response to Indian anger. The South Asian neighbors have fought three wars since independence from Britain in 1947, two of them over Kashmir which they both claim in full but rule in part. (Reporting by Asif Shahzad; Writing by Drazen Jorgic; Editing by Nick Macfie, Robert Birsel) India said Saturday that its army is on a "strict vigil" for new attacks from Pakistan and renewed warnings to its neighbour to take concrete action against militant groups. The nuclear-armed arch-rivals have maintained an uneasy calm since tit-for-tat cross-border air raids across their disputed Kashmir frontier last month. Each claimed to have shot down a fighter jet from the other side. An Indian foreign ministry spokesman responded with scepticism to reports of scores of militants being rounded up in Pakistan this week. Islamabad was in "a state of denial" over its support for groups accused of staging attacks in India, the spokesman, Raveesh Kumar, said at a specially convened media briefing. "Our armed forces continue to maintain strict vigil and will remain determined in the defence of the nation and its citizens," he said. "We have and we will continue to act with responsibility and maturity," he added. India is suspicious of Pakistan's statements it has clamped down on the Jaish-e-Mohammed group that claimed a suicide bombing in Kashmir last month that set off the showdown. Forty Indian paramilitaries were killed in the February 14 attack. India on February 26 staged an air raid on a camp inside Pakistan that it said belonged to JeM. One day later Pakistan responded with fighter jets crossing into Indian-administered Kashmir. A pilot who was shot down over Pakistani territory was later sent back to India. Islamabad announced on Thursday that more than 100 militants, including many from JeM, had been detained. But Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi also recently denied in a television interview that JeM had claimed responsibility for the suicide attack. The Indian spokesman said "the widespread presence of terrorist camps in Pakistan is public knowledge within and outside Pakistan." "Pakistan has failed to take any credible action against Jaish-e-Mohammed and other terrorist organisations, which continue to operate with impunity from Pakistan," he added. Kashmir has been split between India and Pakistan since their independence and angry division in 1947. India has long accused its neighbour of supporting Kashmir rebels. Pakistan denies any role in attacks in the Indian side of the Himalayan region where tens of thousands have died in an armed insurgency since 1989. GENEVA (Reuters) - Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif was not informed about Syrian President Bashar al-Assads trip to Tehran last week and that was a reason why he submitted his resignation, the Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA) reported on Tuesday. The news agency cited foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi as the source of the information in its report. President Hassan Rouhani rejected Zarifs resignation last Wednesday, bolstering a moderate ally who has long been targeted by hardliners in factional struggles over the 2015 nuclear deal with the West. The ministry of foreign affairs did not have information at any level (about the trip) and this lack of information was maintained until the end of the trip, Qassemi said, according to ISNA. One of the reasons for the resignation of Dr. Zarif was this type of lack of coordination with the ministry of foreign affairs. And as it has been announced before, the resignation of the honorable minister was not a private and individual issue and the goal and intent of that was a positive effort to return the ministry of foreign affairs and the diplomatic system of the country to its main place. Qassem Soleimani, the commander of the Quds Force, the branch of the elite Revolutionary Guards responsible for operations outside Irans borders, was present at a meeting last week between Assad and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the highest authority in the Islamic Republic. Soleimani said last week that Zarif was the main person in charge of foreign policy and he was supported by Khamenei. (Reporting By Babak Dehghanpisheh; Editing by Nick Macfie) RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) The family of a Palestinian lawmaker says Israeli authorities have released Khalida Jarrar after 20 months of holding her in detention without raising charges. The lawmaker's husband, Ghassan Jarrar, says she was freed on Thursday. The 56-year-old Khalida Jarrar was held under "administrative detention," an Israeli policy that permits holding people for months at a time without charges. In 2015, she served 15 months after being convicted of incitement to violence and "promoting terror activities." A senior member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, she was arrested again in July 2017 and held since then. She was initially scheduled to be released last October, but her detention was then extended another four months. Since her dentition began, the Palestinian parliament has been dissolved due to internal strife. Gaza City (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) - Israeli forces said Saturday they had launched several strikes against Hamas sites in Gaza in response to a projectile launched from the besieged coastal territory the night before. "IDF fighter jets and aircraft struck several military targets in a Hamas compound in the southern Gaza Strip and underground structures in the northern Gaza Strip," it said in a statement. "The strike was conducted in response to the projectile that was launched from the Gaza Strip at Israeli territory" as well as the "balloons carrying explosive devices" into Israel and attempts to damage "security infrastructure", it said. Security officials in Gaza said the strikes had not caused any casualties. A Palestinian was killed and at least 45 others wounded by Israeli fire Friday in new protests and clashes along the Gaza border, the enclave's health ministry said. An Israeli army spokesman said around 8,400 demonstrators had gathered along a barrier between the blockaded territory and Israel, throwing explosive devices and rocks and setting fire to tyres. The Gaza Strip has been the scene of mass protests and clashes since late March last year. Demonstrators have been calling for Palestinian refugees and their descendants to be allowed to return to former homes now inside Israel. Israeli officials say that amounts to calling for the Jewish state's destruction. At least 253 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since the rallies began, the majority shot during weekly border protests and others hit by tank fire or air strikes in response to violence from Gaza. Two Israeli soldiers have been killed over the same period. Israel and Hamas, which has controlled the blockaded Gaza Strip for over a decade, have fought three wars since 2008. Gaza City (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) - A Palestinian was killed and more than 40 others wounded by Israeli fire Friday in renewed protests and clashes along the Gaza border, the enclave's health ministry said. Tamer Arafat, 23, died from his wounds after being shot in the head, ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra said. Qudra said earlier that overall at least 42 Palestinians had been wounded by Israeli gunfire during the 50th week of demonstrations. Four medics were among those hurt, the ministry said. An Israeli army spokesman said "approximately 8,400 demonstrators and rioters are currently gathered in a number of locations along the Gaza Strip security fence". "They have hurled explosive devices and rocks at the security fence and soldiers, and have also ignited tyres," the spokesman said. Troops responded according to "standard operating procedures", he added. The Israeli military on Friday evening reported the launch of a projectile from the Gaza Strip into its territory. Protests and clashes began along the Gaza border on March 30 last year. Demonstrators have been calling for Palestinian refugees and their descendants to be allowed to return to former homes now inside Israel, which Israeli officials say is akin to calling for the Jewish state's destruction. Israel accuses Gaza's Islamist rulers Hamas of using the demonstrations as cover for infiltrations and attacks, while rights groups and Palestinians say protesters posing little threat have been shot by Israeli snipers. At least 253 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since March 2018, the majority shot during weekly border protests and others hit by tank fire or air strikes in response to violence from Gaza. Two Israeli soldiers have been killed over the same period. Israel and Hamas, which has controlled the blockaded Gaza Strip for over a decade, have fought three wars since 2008. There has been an increase in violence over the past week as Israel has repeatedly struck Hamas positions in response to what it said were balloon-borne "explosive devices" floated across the border. Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter has offered to return to North Korea to help restart negotiations on denuclearization, as progress has come to a standstill between Pyongyang and the administration of President Donald Trump. Carter, now 94 years old, told U.S. Representative Ro Khanna at a meeting in Atlanta on Thursday that although he no longer travels, he would be willing to go to North Korea if Trump wanted his help, Politico reports. Khanna also said that the meeting with Carter inspired him to get involved in North Korea negotiations himself, pledging to update a denuclearization strategy that Carter initially drew up with Kim Il Sung, the countrys first leader and the grandfather of Kim Jong Un. Carter, who served as the 39th U.S. president, visited North Korea in 1994 to meet Kim Il Sung toward facilitating negotiations with the Clinton administration at a time when tensions were high between Pyongyang and Washington. Its not the first time Carter has offered to help the Trump administration manage the delicate issue. In 2017, he told Trumps then-National Security Adviser H. R. McMaster that he was willing to take the lead on negotiations. Talks between President Trump and Kim Jung Un collapsed in late February as the two leaders failed to reach an agreement at their second summit held in Hanoi. Analysts say Pyongyang appears to be ramping up activity at a factory where missiles were produced, as well as rebuilding part of a launch site it had earlier promised to dismantle. By Sarah N. Lynch, Andy Sullivan and Jan Wolfe ALEXANDRIA, Va. (Reuters) - President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman Paul Manafort was sentenced on Thursday by a U.S. judge to less than four years in prison - far shy of federal sentencing guidelines - for financial crimes uncovered during Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russia's role in the 2016 election. U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis imposed the surprisingly lenient 47-month sentence on Manafort, 69, during a hearing in Alexandria, Virginia, in which the veteran Republican political consultant asked for mercy but expressed no remorse for his actions. Manafort was convicted by a jury last August of five counts of tax fraud, two counts of bank fraud and one count of failing to disclose foreign bank accounts. Ellis disregarded federal sentencing guidelines cited by prosecutors that called for 19-1/2 to 24 years in prison. The judge ordered Manafort to pay a fine of $50,000 and restitution of just over $24 million. Manafort, brought into the courtroom in a wheelchair because of a condition called gout, listened during the hearing as Ellis extolled his "otherwise blameless" life in which he "earned the admiration of a number of people" and engaged in "a lot of good things." "Clearly the guidelines were way out of whack on this," Ellis said. Manafort was convicted after prosecutors accused him of hiding from the U.S. government millions of dollars he earned as a consultant for Ukraine's former pro-Russia government. After pro-Kremlin Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych's ouster, prosecutors said, Manafort lied to banks to secure loans and maintain an opulent lifestyle with luxurious homes, designer suits and even a $15,000 ostrich-skin jacket. The judge also said Manafort "is not before the court for any allegations that he, or anyone at his direction, colluded with the Russian government to influence the 2016 election." The sentence was even less than the sentence recommended by Manafort's lawyers of 4-1/4 to 5-1/4 years in prison. "These are serious crimes, we understand that," said Thomas Zehnle, one of Manafort's lawyers. "Tax evasion is by no means jaywalking. But it's not narcotics trafficking." Legal experts expressed surprise over the sentence. "This is a tremendous defeat for the special counsel's office," former federal prosecutor David Weinstein said. Manafort's sentence was less than half of what people who plead guilty and cooperate with the government typically get in similar cases, according to Mark Allenbaugh, a former attorney with the U.S. Sentencing Commission. "Very shocking," he said. Ellis, appointed to the bench by Republican former President Ronald Reagan, called the sentence "sufficiently punitive," and noted that Manafort's time already served would be subtracted from the 47 months. Manafort has been jailed since June 2018. Manafort's legal troubles are not over. He faces sentencing next Wednesday in Washington in a separate case for two conspiracy charges involving lobbying and money laundering to which he pleaded guilty last September. Legal experts said the light sentence from Ellis could prompt U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson to impose a sentence closer to the maximum of 10 years in the Washington case, and order that the sentence run after the current one is completed rather than concurrently. Jackson was appointed by Democratic former President Barack Obama. 'IN SHAMBLES' Before the sentencing, Manafort expressed no remorse but talked about how the case had been difficult for him and his family. Manafort, who opted not to testify during his trial, told Ellis that "to say I have been humiliated and ashamed would be a gross understatement." He described his life as "professionally and financially in shambles." The judge told Manafort: "I was surprised I did not hear you express regret for engaging in wrongful conduct." Manafort, with noticeably grayer hair than just months ago, came into the courtroom in a wheelchair holding a cane, wearing a green prison jumpsuit emblazoned with the words "Alexandria Inmate" on the back. It was a far cry from Manafort's usual dapper appearance and stylish garb. During a break shortly before the sentence was handed down, Manafort turned around and blew his wife, Kathleen, a kiss. The case capped a stunning downfall for Manafort, a prominent figure in Republican Party circles for decades who also worked as a consultant to such international figures as former Angolan rebel leader Jonas Savimbi, former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos and Yanukovych. Ellis had faced criticism by some in the legal community for comments he made during the trial that were widely interpreted as biased against the prosecution. Ellis repeatedly interrupted prosecutors, told them to stop using the word "oligarch" to describe people associated with Manafort because it made him seem "despicable," and objected to pictures of Manafort's luxury items they planned to show jurors. "It isn't a crime to have a lot of money and be profligate in your spending," Ellis told prosecutors during the trial. Prosecutor Greg Andres urged Ellis to impose a steep sentence. "This case must stand as a beacon to others that this conduct cannot be accepted," Andres told the hearing on Thursday. Jackson ruled on Feb. 13 that Manafort had breached his agreement to cooperate with Mueller's office by lying to prosecutors about three matters pertinent to the Russia probe including his interactions with a business partner they have said has ties to Russian intelligence. Manafort is the only one of the 34 people and three companies charged by Mueller to have gone to trial. Several others including former campaign aides Rick Gates and George Papadopoulos, former national security adviser Michael Flynn and former Trump personal lawyer Michael Cohen have pleaded guilty, while longtime Trump adviser Roger Stone has pleaded not guilty. Trump, a Republican who has called Mueller's investigation a politically motivated "witch hunt," has not ruled out giving Manafort a presidential pardon, saying in November: "I wouldn't take it off the table." "There's absolutely no evidence that Paul Manafort was involved with any collusion with any government official from Russia," Kevin Downing, another Manafort lawyer, said outside the courthouse. The Democratic chairman of the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee, Adam Schiff, quickly accused Downing of making "a deliberate appeal for a pardon" from Trump. Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani said after the sentencing: "I believe Manafort has been disproportionately harassed and hopefully soon there will be an investigation of the overzealous prosecutorial intimidation so it doesnt happen again." Mueller is preparing to submit to U.S. Attorney General William Barr a report on his investigation into whether Trump's campaign conspired with Russia and whether Trump has unlawfully sought to obstruct the probe. Trump has denied collusion and obstruction and Russia has denied U.S. intelligence findings that it interfered in the 2016 election in an effort to boost Trump. Manafort worked for Trump's campaign for five pivotal months in 2016 that included the Republican National Convention where Trump accepted the Republican presidential nomination, three of them as campaign chairman. (Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch, Andy Sullivan and Jan Wolfe; Additional reporting by Nathan Layne, Eric Beech and Makini Brice; Writing by Will Dunham; Editing by Peter Cooney) BEIRUT (AP) The Latest on developments in, and relating to, Syria (all times local): 3:10 p.m. Sweden is floating the idea of an international tribunal to try foreign fighters who have fought alongside the Islamic State group in Syria. Swedish Justice Minister Morgan Johansson says he "sees great advantages to be able to convict those who have committed crimes" in connection with the fighting. He said Thursday after a meeting of the European Union's Justice and Home Affairs Council in Brussels, "here is a situation where I believe we can use the same model" as the international tribunals that investigated the atrocities in Rwanda and Yugoslavia. The Swedish plan had not been discussed. ___ 2:05 p.m. Scores of suspected IS members, including foreign fighters, are being screened and searched for concealed weapons and explosives after coming out of the last pocket of territory held by the Islamic State group in Syria. The men, their faces covered, were divided into three groups Syrians, Iraqis and those of other nationalities. Their names were taken and they were fingerprinted on Thursday outside the eastern Syrian village of Baghouz, where the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, backed by U.S. troops, have been battling the militants since September. Hundreds have left this week the tiny stretch of land controlled by IS along the eastern banks of the Euphrates River in Deir el-Zour province. There were no signs of combat and calm prevailed for a fourth day to allow for evacuations. Good morning. Im Paul Thornton, and it is Saturday, March 9, 2019. In the interest of starting off with bad news so it can only get better from there, Ill begin by reminding you that the annual menace known as the migration to daylight saving time happens at 2 a.m. tomorrow morning. Lets take a look back at the week in Opinion. Events in Southern California and in Washington this week prompted some deep soul-searching on anti-Semitism. Locally, a video that emerged of high school students in Orange County giving a Nazi salute and making a swastika out of red plastic cups went viral, touching off widespread outrage and questions over how effectively our schools and communities are educating students about World War II and the Holocaust. Writing on our Op-Ed page, Navy veteran James Seddon says the incident in Orange County reminded him of why he continues to hold onto the assortment of swastikas his grandfather brought home with him after fighting in Europe in World War II: After the tragic events in Charlottesville, I sat with my wife and son, who is about the age of the Orange County drinkers. We examined the swastikas my grandfather claimed as his spoils of war. We paged through the Nazi party membership book he brought home, with dues stamps, a speech by Adolf Hitler, and special stamps to commemorate and verify attendance for the books owner at rallies. The items reek of evil. I talked with my son about why we keep them, about how tangible items can bring history alive. They were seized by my grandfather at the Nazis downfall, and they are a lasting legacy to my grandfather and his comrades who stopped the spread of a terrible plague. >> Click here to read more In Washington, comments by Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) speculating about the divided loyalty of Israels strongest supporters touched off a disagreement among Democrats about what exactly they should condemn anti-Semitism in particular, since Omars comments were interpreted as repeating anti-Semitic tropes, or hate expressed against any group more broadly. In a blog post, deputy editorial page editor Jon Healey writes that the fight among House Democrats shows just how much more difficult it is for them to be in charge: There have been outliers in Congress for years in both parties, including weirdos such as James Traficant (D-Ohio) and Dana Rohrabacher (R-Costa Mesa) and extremists such as Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) and Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.). And while they occasionally embarrassed their colleagues, they were never held up as representative. Yet Omar somehow gets held up as the face of the Democratic Party? The House Democratic leadership is partly to blame for this. Republicans criticism of Omar prompted Democrats to take action against her to prove that they were as tough on anti-Semitism as the next elected official, rather than counting on the public to recognize the statements of a single, obscure pol for what they were. That was mistake No. 1. Mistake No. 2 was refusing to single out Omar for criticism, or even denounce just the anti-Semitism implicit in the tropes she invoked. Instead, being Democrats, the resolution they offered also denounced a laundry list of other ills, for fear of singling out the person who caused the problem in the first place. >> Click here to read more Clarence Thomas opinions are starting to get scary. UC Berkeley Law Dean Erwin Chemerinsky warns that two dissents by the conservative Supreme Court justice could signal major changes to important constitutional protections. In one opinion, Thomas expressed the view that persons accused of crimes for which they can be sent to prison may not be entitled to legal representation, and in another he said New York Times vs. Sullivan was wrongly decided. L.A. Times In California, its dry even when its wet. Thats the paradox faced by state regulators who still must convince the public that despite a plentiful Sierra Nevada snowpack and persistent rain throughout California, its still important for us to watch our water use. In an interview with Patt Morrison, Niki Woodard of the state Department of Water Resources sums up the situation in California: We have such a variable climate that we never know when the next droughts around the corner. We're still recovering from a major four-year drought that was quite devastating in parts of the state. So we never know when those conditions are coming back, and we can all work to keep that water in the bank. L.A. Times Vaccine-hesitant parents are victims, not fools. There are so many of them in California that the state eliminated the so-called personal belief exemption in 2015 and yet measles cases are still popping up here. The solution: Resist the urge to scream at parents reluctant to vaccinate their children, and remember that theyre the victims of a slick misinformation campaign. Offer counter-narratives, and show some compassion. The only way to persuade is to get them to listen. New York Times By Joey Roulette (Reuters) - An unmanned capsule from Elon Musk's SpaceX was due to return to earth on Friday after a short-term stay on the International Space Station, capping the first orbital test mission in NASA's long-delayed quest to resume human space flight from U.S. soil later this year. A SpaceX rocket had launched the 16-foot-tall capsule from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida Saturday morning. After a five-day mission on the orbital outpost, Crew Dragon was set to autonomously detach about 2:30 a.m EST (0730 GMT) on Friday and descend to earth for an 8:45 a.m. splash-down off Florida's Cape Canaveral coast. Officials at the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration will scrutinize the performance of the SpaceX capsule's parachute deployment and its buoyancy after splash-down - two of the design and functionality concerns first reported by Reuters in February. Musk, also co-founder of electric car maker Tesla Inc, will be watching closely. "I say hypersonic re-entry is probably my biggest concern," he told reporters after the launch, referring to the capsule reaching thousands of miles per hour as it goes through the earth's atmosphere. The first-of-its-kind mission, ahead of SpaceX's crewed test flight slated for June, brought 400 pounds of test equipment to the space station, including a dummy named Ripley, outfitted with sensors around its head, neck, and spine to monitor how a flight would feel for a human. The space station's three-member crew greeted the capsule Sunday morning, with U.S. astronaut Anne McClain and Canadian astronaut David Saint-Jacques entering Crew Dragons cabin to carry out air quality tests and inspections. The capsule's approach as seen on the earth's horizon from the station represented "the dawn of a new era in human spaceflight," McClain tweeted on Sunday. By Thursday the space station crew bid farewell to Ripley and closed the hatch ahead of Dragon's Friday morning departure. Story continues NASA has awarded SpaceX and Boeing Co $6.8 billion in all to build competing rocket and capsule systems to launch astronauts into orbit from American soil, something not possible since the U.S. Space Shuttle was retired from service in 2011. The launch systems are aimed at ending U.S. reliance on Russian Soyuz rockets for $80 million-per-seat rides to the $100 billion orbital research laboratory, which flies about 250 miles (400 km) above Earth. NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine told Reuters the cost per seat on the Boeing or SpaceX systems would be lower than for the shuttle or Soyuz. (Reporting by Joey Roulette; Editing by Greg Mitchell and Jeffrey Benkoe) Lagos (AFP) - Vote counting began after polls closed on Saturday in keenly fought governorship and state assembly elections in Nigeria, held against a backdrop of political tensions and insecurity. For the second time in a fortnight, Nigerians went to the polls to elect governors in 29 of Nigeria's 36 states, all state assemblies and administrative councils in the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is expected to announce the results in a few days. Although voting was mostly peaceful a local election observer was killed by a stray bullet as police attempted to disperse demonstrators in southeastern Enugu state. There were also reports of abductions, violence and vote buying, as well as at least 10 deaths before and on polling day. The Situation Room umbrella group of more than 70 civil society monitoring organisations recorded seven deaths on Saturday, just weeks after 53 people were killed in presidential polls. INEC meanwhile said some of its staff had been abducted by "thugs" in the southern states of Rivers and Akwa Ibom. "We are working with the security forces to ensure they are rescued," INEC spokesman Rotimi Oyekanmi told AFP, without specifying how many were seized. "When thugs invade our polling units and kidnap our staff there is nothing we can do but rely on security forces," he added. Some election workers protested at the non-payment of their 10,000-naira ($28, 25-euro) salaries, and technical issues with biometric card readers delayed voting elsewhere. Five journalists and two staff from the CoolWazobiaInfo FM Radio station were abducted for four hours by gunmen in military camouflage in the Rivers state capital Port Harcourt. They were later released unharmed. Many voters as well as opposition parties complained about the "militarisation" of the vote, given the strong presence of troops on the ground. The beaten presidential election candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, said the involvement of the military was "unconstitutional". Story continues The PDP is hoping for victory in some of the 22 states currently run by President Muhammadu Buhari's ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). - Local impact - Governors are powerful and influential figures in Nigeria's federal politics, controlling state finances and responsible for key areas from education to health. They can also provide a strong collective voice in Abuja. Political scientist Jibrin Ibrahim, from the Centre for Democracy and Development, said governorship and state assembly elections mean more to many voters than the presidential ballot. "Most of governance functions at the state level where it has the most impact on people's lives," he said. "The choices people make in these elections really determine the level of governance they get." Voting patterns are often predicted to broadly mirror presidential polling. But initial indications were of a low turn-out, with the military blamed as well as voter apathy after a disorganised and delayed presidential vote in February. Adewunmi Emoruwa, an analyst for the Gatefield Consultancy, a public affairs and media group in Abuja, said: "Local elections matter. "But what we are witnessing today are signs of eroding faith in the democratic order." - Death and disruption - Most domestic and international observers said last month's presidential vote was credible, despite well-documented problems. But tensions remain high as the PDP challenges the result in court. Accusations from the two main parties, accusing the other of conspiring with INEC to rig the result, have not gone away. Two people were killed and 35 vehicles destroyed in violence between party supporters in the southwest state of Lagos on Friday, the Situation Room said. In the southern states of Ebonyi and Bayelsa, two people were killed in each state, according to local reports. A further three were killed in the volatile state of Rivers in the oil producing Delta region, according to Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi. Amaechi, a former governor of Rivers, confirmed three people were killed on Friday, including a local government chairman. "The killings happened because the military were not on the ground," he said after voting in his hometown. The PDP governor, Nyesom Wike, had accused the military of complicity in the killing of 16 people in the Abonnema area of the state. Adding to tensions in Rivers this time is a court ruling barring any APC candidates from standing in the gubernatorial election because of procedural irregularities in the selection process. INEC meanwhile said tens of thousands of voters could be affected by fires at its offices in the southern states of Akwa Ibom and Ebonyi, and central Benue. Friday is International Women's Day, and Pornhub is on it. They've just released some new findings about what women seek out when it comes to porn. Using anonymous data collected by Google Analytics, Pornhub is able to determine where women users are coming from and what they're looking for. According to their data, the top category searched by women varies across the world, but the overall most popular category among women was "lesbian." according to Pornhub's internal data. Pornhub for women worldwide Image: Pornhub Worldwide, the "lesbian" category was the most popular across North and South America and well as most of Europe. "Hentai" dominated Russia while "anal" and "ebony" were also popular in other corners of the globe. Pornhub's full report goes even further, detailing top categories in each country relative to other countries. For example, and not surprisingly, women users in France are over 1,000% more into the "French" category than the rest of the world and women users in Germany are over 1,200% more into the "German" category. Pornhub also broke down the top categories per state relative to other states in the U.S. For instance, South Dakota's top category compared to the rest of the nation is "vintage" while Utah's is "striptease." Pornhub's map of women's top category by state, relative to other states Image: Pornhub Even more enlightening are the top searches by state compared to other states. For instance, South Dakota's top search compared to the rest of the U.S. is "cartoon" while Idaho's is "my little pony." There are other nuggets to dig up as well: that Pennsylvania's top result compared to other states is "Philly" is the most Philadelphia thing ever. top women porn searches by state Image: pornhub They've also broken down searches by age group. Women ages 18 to 24 are 81% more likely to search for "hentai," while women age 45 to 54 are 39% more likely to search "mature." Here's the full breakdown: Story continues The entire report is available to read through here and is filled with even more revelations for better understanding what women are seeking in their porn. DEIR AL-ZOR PROVINCE, Syria (Reuters) - U.S-backed fighters will resume their assault on Islamic State's last, small patch of ground in eastern Syria if no more civilians come out by Saturday afternoon, one of their spokesmen said on Friday. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have slowed their offensive on the jihadist enclave at Baghouz near the Iraqi border to allow many thousands of people to pour out in an exodus that has lasted weeks. A month ago the SDF launched what it called a "final battle" to take the cluster of houses and farmland, and people leaving the enclave have described harrowing conditions of peril and hardship. The SDF said a week ago that it believed all civilians had come out and renewed its assault, leading to a new surge of displacement, including obdurate disciples of Islamic State, some of its captives and hundreds of surrendering fighters. A Yazidi woman who emerged on Thursday spoke of years of enslavement and abuse by the jihadists. Two Iraqi boys who came out with her, pretending to be her brothers, said many fighters remained dug into tunnels in Baghouz. However, the head of the SDF media center, Mustafa Bali, said no more people had emerged on Friday. "We are waiting for tomorrow morning or perhaps until the afternoon, we'll give another space, for the possibility that civilians are present and the chance to get them out," he said. After that, "if no civilian or terrorist comes out, we will launch our military operation anew." The capture of Baghouz will mark the end of Islamic State's territorial rule over populated areas of Iraq and Syria, and the culmination of a U.S.-backed military campaign waged by the SDF for four years. After suddenly seizing swathes of land straddling the Iraqi-Syrian border in 2014 and declaring it their caliphate, Islamic State were beaten back by numerous local and foreign forces in both countries, suffering major defeats in 2017. However, the jihadists remain a menace. In Iraq they have gone to ground, staging waves of killings and kidnappings. In Syria, their comrades hold out in remote desert areas and have carried out bombings in areas controlled by the SDF. Those who have fled Baghouz have mostly gone to al-Hol, a displacement camp in northeast Syria whose population has swelled to 62,000 people, 90 percent of them women and children. (Reporting by Rodi Said in Deir al-Zor province, Syria; Writing by Lisa Barrington and Angus McDowall; Editing by Peter Graff/Mark Heinrich) Echo Park resident Jackie Goldberg, a grandmother, great aunt and candidate for school board, says if she had school-age children, she would not send them to a charter school. Not even the one in her neighborhood that has been called one of the best in California. For the record: A previous version of this article said the runoff election in the L.A. Unified school board race is next month. The runoff is May 14. I might be a little biased here because I know the founder of Gabriella Charter School. But parents are impressed, too. And Gabriella, which has a waiting list of students trying to get in, has won a string of accolades over the years, including a Distinguished Schools Award last year from the state. Schoolkids protest the growth of charter schools during the Los Angeles teachers strike in January. (Los Angeles Times) Advertisement Still, said Goldberg, shed pick another school for her kids. Right now, I would, because there are wonderful magnet programs and some of them are not filled, and I would prefer that, if I didnt like the neighborhood schools, she said. Why not the charter? Because I know personally that my decision would unintentionally harm other children, Goldberg said. In the six-day strike by L.A. Unified teachers in January, there were two villains. One was Californias low national ranking in funding per pupil. The other was charters. United Teachers L.A., the teachers union, argued that charters rob traditional schools, leaving them with some of the most challenged students but less money to serve them. The union, which backs Goldbergs run for school board, put the theft at nearly $600 million a year, the amount of funding that follows students to charters even as fixed costs remain for traditional schools. About one in five LAUSD students attend one of the districts more than 200 publicly funded, privately operated charters. Myrna Castrejon, who runs the California Charter School Assn., told me she looked out her downtown L.A. office one day and saw 15,000 teachers screaming about billionaires taking over the schools with their pro-charter movement. Rather than respond to the targeting, she said, charter schools focused on the daily task of educating children. But she added that she agreed with striking teachers that California has shamefully underfunded all of public education. I got chills because this was exactly the wake-up call we needed, she said. Excelencia Charter Academy founder Ruben Alonzo works with students at his new school, which shares a campus with Sunrise Elementary in Boyle Heights. (Los Angeles Times) Charters, like traditional schools, hit all the letters on the report card, from A to F. New legislation demanding more regulatory oversight is a good thing, and theres a call for a moratorium on new charters while their impact on traditional schools is studied. Goldberg, who was the leading vote-getter in her school board race last week and moves on to the runoff on May 14, would tip the LAUSD school board from pro-charter to pro-union if she wins. Among other new rules shed like to see, she told me, was one in which traditional schools dont lose money when students jump to charters. So does this mean the charter wave is beginning to wash out? Probably not. Theres money and passion on both sides of the divide, and compelling arguments, too. Charters do have an impact on traditional schools, but they also offer options to low-income families of color that cant afford to move to high-performing districts or pay for private school. Although charters were being vilified during the strike for creating so many problems, they came into being to solve problems namely, as laboratories in the search for new models to reverse years of low performance in traditional public schools. Liza Bercovici, the founder of Gabriella, was once an attorney who could not have imagined running a school. Twenty years ago, she lost her 13-year-old daughter, Gabriella, in a bike accident during a family vacation. Gabriella loved to dance and wanted to be a teacher. Bercovici gave up her law practice and established a nonprofit dance academy in her daughters memory near MacArthur Park. The dance program grew from a few students to thousands, just as the charter movement was taking root in Los Angeles. Bercovici became intrigued by the idea of building a curriculum and a culture of high expectations around the discipline and fun of ballet, jazz and contemporary dance. Declining enrollment in LAUSD left open spaces in formerly overcrowded schools, and in 2005, Gabriella Charter opened its doors on a portion of the Logan Elementary campus in Echo Park. At that time and to this day, theres friction around co-located schools, but those issues were not quite as contentious back then, and many parents wanted better options. We exist because the state, in its wisdom, wanted to change up how education was being delivered and create new alternatives and choices for parents, said Bercovici. Our school, with its emphasis on dance, was the perfect example of this. Bercovici said she doesnt understand district budgeting well enough to judge the union claim that charters drain millions from traditional schools. She said she supports the district and the efforts of teachers with class sizes that are way too big, and she believes their pay is a joke. But her mission and that of the Gabriella staff is simply to deliver the best possible education to students, the vast majority of whom come from low-income families. I really think we should trust our parents to make decisions about what kinds of schools they want their kids to attend, said Bercovici. I met with three Gabriella parents at the afternoon pickup on Thursday, all of whom once had children at other schools but made the switch to Gabriella and are grateful for it. Ireri Ray lives in East L.A. but said shes happy to make the drive with her kids. Edilia Morales said she takes two buses each way to get her kids to and from Gabriella. Stephanie Briseno has two Gabriella students, including a special-needs son who struggled in a regular school but has prospered at the charter. She lives in Koreatown but doesnt mind the commute, which is often by public transit. UCLA education professor and researcher John Rogers said a school like Gabriella is a good example of the early imperative of charters try something different and see if it works. But recent charter growth has been fueled more by a Wild West drive to compete with traditional schools for students, he said, without enough consideration of the impact or the goal of expanding the menu of innovative approaches. I think when UTLA responds in a negative way, thats where theyre right, Rogers said. Competition creates instability, and instability harms schools like the one in Pacoima. He was referring to Telfair Elementary, where I spent several weeks last fall. That school, which has the most homeless students of any campus in LAUSD, is surrounded by charters. Principal Jose Razo has tried his best to compete even as he loses students and is forced to make hard decisions on class sizes. On most days, the library is closed, the nurses station is vacant, and students suffering the effects of trauma, family dysfunction and unstable housing dont have access to a psychiatric social worker. We keep fighting over the best approach to better schools when the obvious problem is not the schools, or whether theyre charter or traditional, so much as an economy that has made poverty in urban districts the norm. In different ways, I was as impressed by what Telfair does, day in and day out, as I am by what Gabriella Charter has accomplished. Theres a place for both, and a need for greater support of all public schools. Steve.Lopez@latimes.com Get more of Steve Lopezs work and follow him on Twitter @LATstevelopez BEIJING (Reuters) - The Chinese government's top diplomat issued a stern warning on Friday against interfering in Venezuela and imposing sanctions, saying history offered a clear lesson about not "following the same old disastrous road". China has repeatedly called for outsiders not to interfere in Venezuela's internal affairs and has stuck by embattled President Nicolas Maduro. Most Western countries have recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela's legitimate head of state. The United States has pledged to "expand the net" of sanctions against Venezuela, including more on banks supporting Maduro's government. State Councillor Wang Yi, responding to a question on whether China still recognized Maduro or had had contacts with the opposition, said the sovereignty and independence of Latin American countries should be respected. "The internal affairs of every country should be decided by their own people. External interference and sanctions will only exacerbate the tension situation, and allow the law of the jungle to once again run amok," Wang said at his annual news conference on the sidelines of China's parliament meeting. "There's already enough of such lessons from history, and the same old disastrous road should not be followed." China continues to support the Venezuelan opposition and government to seek a political solution via peaceful dialogue, to ensure its stability and the people's safety, Wang added. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted on Friday Beijing time that Maduro's policies "bring nothing but darkness". "No food. No medicine. Now, no power. Next, no Maduro," he wrote, referring to a major power outage in Venezuela on Thursday. China has lent more than $50 billion to Venezuela through oil-for-loan agreements over the past decade, securing energy supplies for its fast-growing economy. China has been stepping up its engagement in Latin America, to the concern of Washington, which has reacted particularly strongly to several nations there recently ditching diplomatic ties with self-ruled Taiwan in favor of China. Last month, U.S. National Security adviser John Bolton requested cooperation with El Salvador to counteract what he called the "predatory" expansion of China. El Salvador abandoned Taiwan last year. Wang said that China-Latin America relations had achieved great progress and were not aimed at any "third party". Ties between the two sides were the correct choice and in both of their long-term interests and should not be subject to "warrantless and interference and criticism". (Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Additional reporting by Philip Wen; Editing by Michael Perry and Nick Macfie) Near Baghouz (Syria) (AFP) - A top US commander warned Thursday that the battle against the Islamic State group was "far from over" despite the jihadists' loss of territory, as survivors abandoned the last shred of the group's collapsing "caliphate" in eastern Syria. A fierce assault by US-backed forces has sparked an exodus of dust-covered children, veiled women dragging suitcases and dishevelled men, many of them wounded, from the village of Baghouz where besieged IS fighters are making a last stand. But General Joseph Votel, head of the US Central Command, warned that many of those being evacuated are "unrepentant, unbroken and radicalised", calling for a "vigilant offensive" against the group. The Syrian Democratic Forces are waiting for more survivors to leave before dealing what they hope will be a final blow to jihadists holed up in a makeshift camp along the banks of the Euphrates. The SDF was not advancing Thursday out of concern for remaining civilians, but its fighters entered the settlement two days earlier and now control a chunk of it, an SDF source told AFP. Remaining families have been pushed towards the far end of the camp near the river, he said. Inside Baghouz on Thursday afternoon, an eerie quiet was interrupted by a brief burst of automatic gunfire. AFP journalists taken into the battered hamlet watched the SDF stage a controlled explosion of a mine found on the side of a road during a sweep of the area. Shortly after, a convoy of lorries carrying civilians and a handful of white vans carrying the wounded came trundling down the same street and out towards a screening point on the edge of village. Hundreds of women disembarked at the outpost, where they waited to be processed and searched by the SDF and members of the US-led coalition. - 'Unrepentant, unbroken and radicalised' - More than 7,000 people have exited the enclave over the past three days, mostly women and children. Story continues The deluge of fire unleashed by SDF artillery and coalition air strikes at the weekend appears to have taken a toll on the diehard jihadists still inside. Votel however told Congress on Thursday that IS remains prepared for a resurgence, even though its territory is disappearing. "Reduction of the physical caliphate is a monumental military accomplishment -- but the fight against ISIS and violent extremism is far from over and our mission remains the same," he told Congress. "The ISIS population being evacuated from the remaining vestiges of the caliphate largely remains unrepentant, unbroken and radicalised," he said. "We will need to maintain a vigilant offensive against this now widely dispersed and disaggregated organisation." US President Trump stunned allies in December when he announced all 2,000 US troops would withdraw from Syria as IS had been defeated. The White House later said that around 200 American "peace-keeping" soldiers would remain in northern Syria indefinitely. Members of Trump's administration, including the US Defence Department, have repeatedly warned that without a sustained presence, jihadists could resurge in Syria within months. - Symbolic victory - Around a tenth of the nearly 58,000 people who have fled the last IS bastion since December were jihadists trying to slip back into civilian life, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor. IS fighters had previously managed to secure passage out of their former strongholds before US-backed forces recaptured the territory. Remaining jihadists, however, are now surrounded on all sides, with Syrian government forces and their allies on the west bank of the Euphrates blocking any escape across the river and Iraqi government forces preventing them from moving downstream. A senior SDF officer said 400 jihadists were captured on Tuesday night as they attempted to slip out of Baghouz and reach remote hideouts. The battle against IS is now the main front in the Syrian war, which has claimed more than 360,000 lives since 2011. The capture of Baghouz would mark the end of IS territorial control in the region, where its "caliphate" proclaimed in 2014 once covered huge swathes of Syria and Iraq. At its peak, the proto-state was the size of the United Kingdom and administered millions of people. It effectively collapsed in 2017 when IS lost most of its major cities in both countries in the face of multiple offensives. But despite the impending loss of Baghouz, which the SDF says is only days away, the group continues to carry out deadly attacks in Syria and Iraq. By Ben Blanchard BEIJING (Reuters) - The Chinese government's top diplomat, State Councilor Wang Yi, said on Friday that China supports Huawei Technologies' bid for legal redress in the United States, adding that Chinese companies should use "legal weapons" and not be "silent lambs". The Chinese telecoms equipment maker has sued the U.S. government, saying a law limiting its U.S. business was unconstitutional, as Washington has sought to counter what it sees as China's growing threat to U.S. economic competitiveness and security. The lawsuit marks another rift between China and the United States, which spent most of 2018 slapping import tariffs on billions of dollars worth of each other's goods. In December, Huawei's chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou was arrested in Canada at the United States' request and faces possible extradition. Speaking at a news conference on the sidelines of China's annual meeting of parliament, Wang said recent actions aimed at certain people and companies were "deliberate political suppression" and that the Chinese government would take "all necessary measures" to safeguards their interests. "At the same time, we support relevant companies and individuals to take up legal weapons to safeguard their rights and interests, and not be silent lambs," Wang said. "What we must protect today is not only a company's rights and interests, but the legitimate development interests of a country and its people," he said. By contrast, foreign firms in China have long feared speaking out about unfair conditions, concerned they might be the target of political retribution and not have legal recourse due to the ruling Communist Party's tight control of courts. Huawei, a privately owned firm, has faced criticism around the world that it could be employed as an intelligence-gathering arm of the Chinese government. It has embarked on a public relations and legal offensive as Washington lobbies allies to abandon its products when building 5G networks, centering on a 2017 Chinese law requiring companies cooperate with national intelligence work. TOWARD CONFRONTATION? Meng's arrest quickly turned her into a central figure in a trade war between two economic superpowers. To resolve the trade dispute, Washington has demanded that China make substantial changes to its laws and practices to protect U.S. intellectual property, end forced transfers of U.S. technology to Chinese firms, curb generous industrial subsidies and open the domestic market to U.S. companies. U.S. President Donald Trump has said he would consider intervening in Meng's case if it would help close a trade deal with China, and her lawyer has told a Canadian court that he has concerns the allegations against her have a political character, noting Trump's comments. But Huawei's activities were under scrutiny by U.S. authorities long before Trump initiated the trade war, according to interviews with 10 people familiar with the Huawei probes and documents related to the investigations seen by Reuters. People with knowledge of ongoing talks to end the trade war have told Reuters the two sides still have substantial work ahead to reach agreement on a way to ensure China follows through on any pledges. Negotiations still could collapse if a deal cannot be reached on enforcement of these "structural" issues. Chinese industrial policies, including its state-backed Made in China 2025 plan to fund and promote sectors including robotics, aerospace, clean-energy cars, have provoked alarm in the West, and are core to Washington's complaints. But over the past year, Beijing has publicly downplayed that program, mindful of the backlash it had created. Once a key talking point for Chinese officials, former finance minister Lou Jiwei told the South China Morning Post on Wednesday the tech development strategy has been a "waste of taxpayers" money. Reuters reported in June 2018 that mentions of the plan had dropped significantly in Chinese state media. Foreign business groups have criticized the plan as large-scale import substitution, and experts doubt China will shelve such ambitions even if it takes a softer line in promoting them amid talks with Washington. Answering a question on growing tensions between China and the United States, Wang said that "substantive progress" had been made in those trade talks. "We believe China and the United States will not and should not move toward confrontation," Wang said, adding that a way to resolve "any difficult issue" could be found so long as it was based on mutual respect. (Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Writing by Michael Martina; Editing by Michael Perry) By Roberta Rampton and David Brunnstrom WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday he would be disappointed if North Korea were to resume weapons testing and reiterated his belief in his good relationship with its leader, Kim Jong Un, despite the collapse of a summit with him last week. "I would be surprised in a negative way if he did anything that was not per our understanding. But we'll see what happens," Trump told reporters at the White House. "I would be very disappointed if I saw testing." Trump's comments to reporters on the White House lawn before leaving to visit Alabama came after two U.S. think tanks and Seoul's spy agency said this week that North Korea was rebuilding a rocket launch site at Sohae in the west of the country. There have also been reports emanating from South Korea's intelligence service of new activity at a factory that produced North Korea's first intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of reaching the United States. Trump said he thought his and the U.S. relationship with Kim and North Korea was "a very good one." "I think it remains good," he said. Trump, eager for a big foreign policy win on North Korea which has eluded his predecessors for decades, has repeatedly stressed his good relationship with Kim. He went as far late last year as saying that they "fell in love," but the bonhomie has failed to bridge the wide gap between the two sides and a second between them collapsed last week over differences on U.S. demands for Kim to give up his nuclear weapons and North Korea's demands for sanctions relief. North Korea has, however, frozen nuclear and missile testing since 2017, and Trump has pointed to this as a positive outcome from nearly a year of high-level engagement with North Korea. Sohae has been used in the past to rest missile engines and to launch rockets that U.S. officials say have helped development of North Korea's weapons programs. Kim pledged at a first summit with Trump in Singapore in June that the site would be dismantled. U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton and other U.S. officials have sought to play down the activity spotted at Sohae, although Trump on Thursday called recent North Korean activity "disappointing. A senior State Department official who briefed reporters in Washington on Thursday said he would "not necessarily share the conclusion" of the think tanks that the Sohae site was operational again, but said any use of the site would be seen as "backsliding" on commitments to Trump. North Korean state media acknowledged the fruitless Hanoi summit for the first time on Friday, saying people were blaming the United States for the lack of an agreement. "The public at home and abroad that had hoped for success and good results from the second ... summit in Hanoi are feeling regretful, blaming the U.S. for the summit that ended without an agreement," its Rodong Sinmun newspaper said in a commentary. The paper directed fiery rhetoric against Japan, accusing it of being "desperate to interrupt" relations between Pyongyang and Washington and "applauding" the breakdown of the summit. Washington has said it is open to more talks with North Korea but it has rejected an incremental approach to negotiations sought by Pyongyang and it remains unclear when the two sides might meet again. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Monday he was hopeful he would send a delegation to North Korea for more talks in the next couple of weeks, but that he had received "no commitment yet." The senior State Department official who gave a briefing on Thursday said the United States was keen to resume talks as soon as possible, but North Korea's negotiators needed to be given more latitude than they were given ahead of the summit. "There will necessarily need to be a period of reflection here. Both sides are going to have to digest the outcome to the summit," said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "Fundamentally, where we really need to see the progress, and we need to see it soon, is on meaningful and verifiable steps on denuclearization. That's our goal and that's how we see these negotiations picking up momentum." The official said complete denuclearization was the condition for North Korea's integration into the global economy, a transformed relationship with the United States and a permanent peace regime on the Korean peninsula. Bolton, a hard-liner who has argued for a tough approach to North Korea, said this week that Trump was open to more talks, but also warned of tougher sanctions if North Korea did not denuclearize. (Reporting by Roberta Rampton, David Brunnstrom, Lisa Lambert and Susan Heavey in Washington and Hyonhee Shin, Joyce Lee and Ju-min Park in Seoul; Editing by Jonathan Oatis) Ankara (AFP) - Turkey's deal to buy Russian S-400 missile defence systems had "nothing to do" with the security of the US, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Saturday after a Pentagon warning. He was speaking a day after Washington warned Ankara of "grave consequences" should the deal go ahead. "It is very clear why Turkey has bought this air defence system, under what conditions it has bought them and how it will be used," Erdogan said in the southeastern city of Diyarbakir. "Everyone knows that this issue has nothing to do whatsoever with NATO, the F-35 project and the security of the US," he said during the televised speech. The "issue was not about the S-400s" but about Turkey "taking actions on its own accord", especially in Syria, he added. Ankara's push to buy the systems from Moscow has caused tensions with its NATO ally, as Washington has raised questions over the equipment's compatibility with the alliance's established weapon systems. The US believes the S-400 sale is part of Russian efforts to disrupt the alliance amid Western concern over Erdogan's burgeoning relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin. US Defence Department spokesman Charlie Summers said on Friday there would be "grave consequences" for Turkey if it went ahead with the deal. Turkey would withhold F-35 fighter jets or US Patriot missiles approved for sale to Ankara in December for $3.5 billion, he warned. But Erdogan has insisted that Turkey will not cancel its plans to purchase the missiles. Erdogan and Putin have been working closely to secure a political solution to the Syrian war under the Astana process with Iran. Ties between Washington and Ankara meanwhile have been strained over multiple issues including US failure to extradite Pennsylvania-based Muslim preacher Fethullah Gulen. Turkey accuses Gulen of ordering the 2016 failed coup, which he denies. Relations have also been strained over US support for a Kurdish militia in Syria, which Ankara views as a "terrorist offshoot" of Kurdish insurgents inside Turkey. Washington delivered the first F-35s to Turkey in June last year, but others the planes remain in the US while their Turkish pilots undergo training, a process which the Pentagon says could take two years. ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 7 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman Paul Manafort was sentenced on Thursday to nearly four years in prison by a U.S. judge for financial crimes uncovered during Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russia's role in the 2016 election. U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis imposed the sentence of 47 months in prison on Manafort, 69, during the hearing in Alexandria, Virginia. Manafort, a veteran Republican political consultant, was found guilty last August by a jury of five counts of tax fraud, two counts of bank fraud and one count of failing to disclose foreign bank accounts. While prosecutors had not recommended a specific sentence, they had cited federal sentencing guidelines that called for 19-1/2 to 24 years in prison. But Ellis said the sentencing guidelines were excessive and would create "an unwarranted disparity" with other cases. Ellis also noted during the hearing that Manafort "is not before the court for any allegations that he, or anyone at his direction, colluded with the Russian government to influence the 2016 election." Manafort asked Ellis for mercy and thanked him for conducting a fair trial. He did not express remorse for his actions but talked about how the case has been difficult for him and his family. Manafort, who opted not to testify during his trial, told the court that "to say I have been humiliated and ashamed would be a gross understatement." He described his life as "professionally and financially in shambles." Manafort, with noticeably grayer hair than just months ago, was brought into the courtroom in a wheelchair holding a cane, wearing a green prison jumpsuit emblazoned with the words "Alexandria inmate" on the back. It was a far cry from Manafort's usual dapper appearance and stylish garb. He has been jailed leading up to his sentencing. Manafort was convicted after prosecutors accused him of hiding from the U.S. government millions of dollars he earned as a consultant for Ukraine's former pro-Russia government. After pro-Kremlin Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych's ouster, prosecutors said, Manafort lied to banks to secure loans and maintain an opulent lifestyle with luxurious homes, designer suits and even a $15,000 ostrich-skin jacket. Story continues His defense team argued he should get a lighter sentence because he had agreed to cooperate with the prosecution after he was convicted - though another judge found he breached that deal by repeatedly lying to prosecutors - and because his bid to secure a $5.5 million bank loan on fraudulent premises did not actually succeed. Ellis rejected those efforts. Manafort faces sentencing in a separate case next Wednesday in Washington on two conspiracy charges to which he pleaded guilty last September. While he faces a statutory maximum of 10 years in the Washington case, U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson potentially could stack that on top of the sentence imposed in the Virginia case, rather than allowing the sentences to run concurrently. Manafort is the only one of the 34 people and three companies charged by Mueller to have gone to trial. Several others including former campaign aides Rick Gates and George Papadopoulos, former national security adviser Michael Flynn and former Trump personal lawyer Michael Cohen have pleaded guilty, while longtime Trump adviser Roger Stone has pleaded not guilty. Gates, a key witness against Manafort, has yet to be sentenced due to his ongoing cooperation with prosecutors. Trump, who has called Mueller's investigation a politically motivated "witch hunt," has not ruled out granting a presidential pardon to Manafort, saying in November that "I wouldnt take it off the table." Jackson on Feb. 13 ruled that Manafort had breached his agreement to cooperate with Mueller's office by lying to prosecutors about three matters pertinent to the Russia probe including his interactions with a business partner they have said has ties to Russian intelligence. Mueller is preparing to submit to U.S. Attorney General William Barr a report on his investigation into whether Trump's campaign conspired with Russia and whether Trump has unlawfully sought to obstruct the probe. Trump has denied collusion and obstruction and Russia has denied election interference. The crimes for Manafort was convicted did not directly relate to the 2016 election. STUNNING DOWNFALL The sentencing capped a stunning downfall for Manafort, a prominent figure in Republican Party circles for decades who also worked as a consultant to such international figures as former Angolan rebel leader Jonas Savimbi, former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos and Yanukovych. Manafort worked for Trump's campaign for five pivotal months in 2016 that included the Republican National Convention where Trump accepted the Republican presidential nomination, three of them as campaign chairman. Defense lawyers had asked Ellis to sentence Manafort to between 4-1/4 and 5-1/4 years in prison, writing in their sentencing memo that Mueller's "attempt to vilify Mr. Manafort as a lifelong and irredeemable felon is beyond the pale and grossly overstates the facts before this court." Ellis had faced criticism by some in the legal community for comments he made during the trial that were widely interpreted as biased against the prosecution. Ellis repeatedly interrupted prosecutors, told them to stop using the word "oligarch" to describe people associated with Manafort because it made him seem "despicable," and objected to pictures of Manafort's luxury items they planned to show jurors. "It isn't a crime to have a lot of money and be profligate in your spending," Ellis told prosecutors during the trial. (Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch; Additional reporting by Andy Sullivan and Nathan Layne; Editing by Will Dunham) Beirut (AFP) - The UN's refugee agency said Saturday it has urged Syria's government to allow it access to all parts of the war-torn country where externally displaced people have returned. "It is very important that in areas of return, organisations like mine... are present," said Filippo Grandi, who heads the UN's refugee agency UNHCR. "This is the very strong message that I have passed to the Syrian government," he told reporters in neighbouring Lebanon's capital Beirut, after earlier this week undertaking a three-day visit to Syria. Organisations should be present so they "can observe the returns... have access to the returnees and help them address some of the problems that they face," he said. With the war in Syria winding down, neighbouring Lebanon has been eager to encourage some of the 1.5 million Syrians it says it hosts to return. Grandi visited the central provinces of Homs and Hama this week, he said, but access to the Damascus countryside is more difficult. Tens of thousands have returned, according to the Lebanese authorities, but many more have been wary of crossing back over the border. Without full access to the UN and other organisations, "there is an element of confidence that is missing" among potential returnees, Grandi said. Going home is not attractive for many refugees living in camps in Lebanon, due to high unemployment and poor basic services, as well as continued clashes on several fronts. But for young men above 18 years old, the chief fear is that they will be conscripted into President Bashar al-Assad's army. Eager to welcome Syrians back, Damascus has said it will allow returnees a grace period of six months before they are drafted. But "there's been a few cases where this, in our opinion, had not been respected... and we have reported" it to the government, Grandi said. "In some places we are not (present), so we cannot raise this issue," he said. Today, Assad's regime controls almost two-thirds of the country, after expelling rebels and jihadists from large swathes of territory with military support from Russia since 2015. The multi-fronted war -- which enters its ninth year this month -- has killed more than 360,000 and displaced millions at home and abroad. Washington (AFP) - A Muslim American congresswoman's remarks deemed anti-Semitic by some colleagues has exposed deep fault lines among Democrats, with the party seeking to contain the damage with passage Thursday of a measure condemning bigotry and hate. After days of soul-searching and febrile recrimination, the Democratic leadership appeared desperate to move past a controversy that has left the party split two months since reclaiming the House majority. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi unveiled a resolution that she called the "strongest possible opposition" to anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and white supremacist bigotry. The decision followed acrimonious debate over how to reprimand Minnesota Democrat Ilhan Omar, who sparked a firestorm over repeated criticisms of Israel and a powerful pro-Israel lobby in Washington that exerts influence in US politics. The resolution passed overwhelmingly, 407 to 23, with all Democrats voting in favor including Omar herself. The former Somali refugee had been assailed for suggesting supporters of Israel are urging lawmakers to have "allegiance to a foreign country." Lawmakers expressed outrage, warning that Omar was peddling in age-old anti-Semitic tropes about Jews having dual loyalties. Weeks earlier she drew ire for suggesting Jewish political power comes through their money, and that the American Israel Public Affairs Committee lobbying group was paying US politicians to support Israel. - 'Hateful expressions' - A vote had been expected on a resolution specifically condemning anti-Semitism. But on Wednesday some Democrats pushed to include language decrying Islamophobia and other bigotry. Ultimately it condemns anti-Semitism and discrimination against Muslims and other minorities as "hateful expressions of intolerance" contradictory to US values. The resolution does not mention Omar by name, and some Republicans complained that the measure's original intent was "watered down." Story continues "Today's resolution vote was a sham put forward by Democrats to avoid condemning one of their own and denouncing vile anti-Semitism," said number three Republican Liz Cheney. Omar joined the two other Muslims in Congress, Rashida Tlaib and Andre Carson, in praising the measure's passage. "It's the first time we have voted on a resolution condemning Anti-Muslim bigotry in our nation's history," they said, noting the worrying rise of extremism in America. "Our nation is having a difficult conversation and we believe this is great progress." Some Democrats including three 2020 presidential contenders Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Kamala Harris, expressed frustration that Omar faced an implicit rebuke, while racist statements by Trump and other Republicans go largely unchallenged. "We must not... equate anti-Semitism with legitimate criticism of the right-wing Netanyahu government in Israel," said Sanders, who is Jewish. Pelosi declined to condemn Omar outright. "I feel confident that her words were not based on any anti-Semitic attitude, but that she didn't have a full appreciation of how they landed on other people," she said. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, a former congressman, nevertheless slammed Omar and described her dual loyalty charge as anti-Semitic, not anti-Israel. "She is casting Jewish Americans as the other, suggesting a dual loyalty that calls our devotion to America into question," he said. The expansion of the resolution to broadly address hate did not sit well with some lawmakers. - Enough 'loyalty'? - "When one of our colleagues invokes the classic... anti-Semitic language that Jews control the world, that Jews care only about money, that Jews cannot be loyal Americans if they also support Israel, this too must be condemned," Democrat Ted Deutch said in a passionate floor speech. Another Jewish House Democrat, Elaine Luria, said over a 20-year military career she deployed six times on US Navy ships, "overseeing nuclear reactors, driving ships and ultimately commanding a combat-ready unit of 400 sailors." "Is that not enough to prove my loyalty to our nation?" she boomed. Trump himself saw the discord as a political opportunity, tweeting Wednesday it was "shameful" that Democrats wouldn't take a stronger stand against anti-Semitism. That earned clap backs from Democrats who pointed to his equivocal remarks after a deadly 2017 neo-Nazi protest in Charlottesville. The Democrats' growing diversity -- in ethnicity, religion, gender, age and ideology -- has created new challenges for party leaders, said Jonathan Sarna, professor of American Jewish history at Brandeis University. "The tension here is that there are a number of Jews, especially young Jews who are actually quite sympathetic to the progressive policies of congresswoman Omar and others in the new Congress," Sarna told AFP. Heather Repenning edged into second place Friday in the contest for a pivotal seat on the Los Angeles Board of Education. Second place matters because the top two finishers will be on the ballot in a May 14 runoff. Jackie Goldberg has already nailed down one spot by finishing far ahead of the other candidates. Votes are still being tallied, although most of the outstanding ballots have now been counted, according to L.A. County election officials. Repenning, who resigned recently as a public works commissioner to run for office, now has 13.17%, or 4,144 votes. Graciela Ortiz is in third place with 12.75%, or 4,011 votes 133 behind Repenning. The election night tally Tuesday had Ortiz, a school counselor and a Huntington Park city councilwoman, ahead by 53 votes. If Repenning makes the runoff, that will set up a head-to-head battle between the two largest unions in the nations second-largest school system, Local 99 of the Service Employees International Union and United Teachers Los Angeles. Advertisement Local 99 represents most of the districts non-teaching employees about 30,000 workers including bus drivers, cafeteria workers, building and grounds workers, teaching assistants and unarmed campus security aides. The union spent close to $1 million on behalf of Repenning, who received more outside support than any other candidate. United Teachers Los Angeles represents about 30,000 teachers, counselors, nurses and librarians. It spent more than $660,000 on behalf of Goldberg. UTLA President Alex Caputo-Pearl on Thursday criticized Local 99 for accepting a $100,000 donation from billionaire Eli Broad for its pro-Repenning campaign. Caputo-Pearl characterized Broad as a privatizer and union buster. Broad has supported the rapid expansion of privately operated, publicly funded charter schools, most of which are non-union. He declined to discuss the donation. Local 99 Executive Director Max Arias said the contribution, which was made on election day, had nothing to do with his unions original decision to support Repenning. Nor did it signify that Local 99 is in agreement with all of Broads views on education. It was consistent, he said, with Local 99s willingness to partner with civic and philanthropic leaders when they have a shared vision of how to improve public education. Repenning has characterized herself as a centrist without close ties either to charter school supporters or the teachers union. howard.blume@latimes.com Twitter: @howardblume Washington (AFP) - US lawmakers will vote Thursday on a measure that condemns anti-Semitism and other forms of hate, a Democratic leader said, amid a backlash over controversial comments by a Muslim congresswoman. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer told fellow Democrats at a closed-door meeting that "a resolution opposing hate will be voted on today," an aide said, adding that the text will be released shortly. The decision follows acrimonious debate over how to reprimand Minnesota Democrat Ilhan Omar, who sparked a firestorm over repeated criticisms of Israel and a powerful pro-Israel lobby in Washington that exerts influence in US politics. Omar, a former Somali refugee, was assailed by Democrats and Republicans alike for suggesting Friday that supporters of Israel are urging lawmakers to have "allegiance to a foreign country." Several lawmakers expressed outrage, warning that Omar was peddling in age-old anti-Semitic tropes about Jews having dual allegiances. The Democratic-led US House had been expected to vote on a resolution condemning anti-Semitism. But on Wednesday in a closed-door meeting of Democrats, the debate expanded to address hateful rhetoric in general, with some lawmakers pushing to include resolution language that decries anti-Muslim bias. Some Democrats also have expressed anger that Omar could be facing an implicit rebuke, while racist statements by Trump and other Republicans go largely unchallenged. In the middle of the Democrats' splintering talks about the path forward, President Donald Trump himself tweeted Wednesday that it was "shameful that House Democrats won't take a stronger stand against Anti-Semitism in their conference." United Nations (United States) (AFP) - The United States on Thursday accused Iran of carrying out three missile-related launches in defiance of UN resolutions and urged the Security Council to "bring back tougher international restrictions" against Tehran. In a letter to the council seen by AFP, US acting Ambassador Jonathan Cohen warned Iran's activities were destabilizing the entire Middle East and risk triggering an arms race. Cohen singled out a December 1 launch of a medium-range ballistic missile and the January 15 and February 5 attempts by Iran to place satellites into orbit using space launch vehicles. "Iran has carried out these three launches in defiance of the expressed will of the UN Security Council, and such provocations continue to destabilize the entire Middle East region," said the letter seen by AFP. The United States called on the council to "join us in imposing real consequences on Iran for its flagrant defiance of the council's demands and bring back tougher international restrictions to deter Iran's missile program." There was no immediate request from the United States for a council meeting to discuss Iran and no further steps were announced in the letter. UN Security Council Resolution 2231 -- adopted just after the 2015 nuclear deal -- calls on Iran "not to undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons." Tehran insists that its missile development program is defensive and in compliance with the resolution, but the United States has repeatedly challenged that stance. In the letter, the acting ambassador said the December 1 launch was "designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons" and that the space launch vehicles use technologies that are "virtually identical and interchangeable" with those used by ballistic missiles. "Iran's January 15 and February 5 satellite launches constitute activities using technologies related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons," wrote Cohen. Story continues "The prospect of rapid escalation in the region is real, and increasingly likely, if we fail to restore deterrence," he added. Iran reined in most of its nuclear program under the landmark nuclear deal with major powers but has kept up development of its ballistic missile technology. President Donald Trump pulled the US out of the nuclear accord in May last year and reimposed sanctions on Iran, citing concerns about missile development among its reasons. At a council meeting in December, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called for tighter restrictions on Iran to curb its missile program but Russia flatly asserted that there was no proof that Iran's missiles can carry a nuclear payload. Caracas (AFP) - Venezuela expelled Germany's ambassador Wednesday, hitting out at international support for opposition leader Juan Guaido as the US stepped up sanctions in a bid to force out his rival President Nicolas Maduro. Separately, an American journalist was detained by Venezuelan security services for some 12 hours and due to be deported, in an incident condemned by advocacy groups as an attack on free speech. The foreign ministry gave German envoy Daniel Kriener 48 hours to leave for "interference" in Venezuela's internal affairs. He had greeted Guaido at Caracas airport on his return to the country on Monday. Guaido said Kriener's expulsion will be seen "as a threat to the free world." Kriener was among more than a dozen foreign representatives to welcome the National Assembly leader -- recognized as interim president by more than 50 countries -- but so far the only one deemed "persona non grata." Kriener had helped to try to bring humanitarian aid to the country, Guaido said in a speech to opposition lawmakers, adding: "It seems that the Maduro regime does not forgive anyone who wants to help Venezuela." German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said that kicking Kriener out only "aggravates the situation." Caracas "is sending a message to the international community that such frontal support would have consequences, but it also carries a risk," said Venezuelan analyst Mariano de Alba. Meanwhile, journalist Cody Weddle, who worked in Venezuela for several years as a correspondent for a variety of US media, "has been released after being detained by Venezuelan authorities," Miami's WPLG Local 10 News, which he reported for, said on Twitter. According to Venezuela's National Union of Press Workers he was picked up at 8:00 am, his work equipment was confiscated, and he was held for over 12 hours before finally being released and sent to Simon Bolivar International Airport to be deported. Story continues The union said it had been in contact with Weddle and he is fine. He has lived in Venezuela since 2014 and worked as a stringer for ABC News, the CBC of Canada, the Miami Herald and The Telegraph in Britain. Weddle is to be deported on Thursday, the union said. "A journalist who has been in Venezuela for five years, deported for reporting the news," the guild said. - Sanctions pressure - Washington continued to tighten the screws on its campaign of sanctions to force Maduro from power, revoking the visas of 77 people linked to the regime, including officials and their families. "We will continue to hold all of the Maduro regime accountable until democracy and libertad (liberty) are fully restored," US Vice President Mike Pence said in a speech. The move brings to more than 250 the number of Venezuelans targeted by US visa bans, a State Department official told AFP. National Security Advisor John Bolton said the US also is putting foreign financial institutions on notice that they will face sanctions if they facilitate "illegitimate transactions that benefit Nicolas Maduro and his corrupt network." The US is already trying to cripple Maduro's access to finances via sanctions on state oil company PDVSA and handing control to Guaido of Venezuelan bank accounts in the United States. However, UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet said sanctions have worsened Venezuela's crippling economic and political crisis, which has forced 2.7 million people to flee since 2015. "Venezuela clearly illustrates the way violations of civil and political rights - including failure to uphold fundamental freedoms, and the independence of key institutions - can accentuate a decline of economic and social rights," said Bachelet, a former president of Chile. "This situation has been exacerbated by sanctions," Bachelet said in her annual report to the Human Rights Council in Geneva. - Hero's welcome - Guaido, 35, returned home to a hero's welcome on Monday, having defied a ban on leaving the country to embark on a 10-day tour of South American allies. He remains free despite the threat of arrest by the government. On Tuesday, a national holiday, he met public sector union leaders. Maduro, meanwhile, pressed his supporters to hold "anti-imperialist" marches Saturday to counter fresh protests planned by Guaido. When he returned to Caracas -- his latest challenge to Maduro's authority -- Guaido announced to tens of thousands of supporters his plans for new protests on Saturday. He has vowed to set up a transitional government and hold new elections. As part of his challenge to Maduro, Guaido is attempting to take control of the state bureaucracy, which he considers to have been "kidnapped" through blackmail and persecution. Unions from the oil industry, basic services, state banks and local government took part in Tuesday's meeting, union leader Ana Yanez told AFP. "The public administration is practically paralyzed. In the town halls, people only go to work three days a week and even then barely half the day," said Yanez. During his travels, Guaido met Pence and the leaders of Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Chile and Ecuador. LONDON (Reuters) - Vodafone said any move by Britain to bar equipment made by China's Huawei from all parts of new 5G networks would cost it hundreds of millions of pounds and "very significantly" slow down the deployment of the new technology. The United States has asked allies not to use Huawei's technology because it could be a vehicle for Chinese spy operations, an accusation denied by the company. Vodafone said last month it had paused the use of Huawei components in its core networks in Europe until governments had assessed the risks. The group's UK chief technology officer Scott Petty said on Thursday that Huawei radio equipment was used in nearly a third of the company's 18,000 UK base stations - a part of the network it gauged to be very low risk. It would also be part of the foundation for 5G technology. Vodafone said it would launch 5G in 19 towns and cities across Britain this year, adding 12 more locations to the seven cities that are already live or are soon to be live under its UK-wide trial. "If we were forced to remove Huawei from the network, we would need to go to the 32 percent of base stations that are currently using Huawei for radio and replace all of those with somebody else's technology and then deploy 5G on top of that," Petty told reporters. "The cost of doing that runs into the hundreds of millions and would dramatically affect our 5G business case; we would have to slow down the deployment of 5G very significantly." He said operators should be able to use Huawei's radio technology on its masts even if they could not use the company's kit in the more critical transport network and core network. Vodafone UK decided against using Chinese technology in the higher risk parts of its network more than five years ago, he added. The British government is reviewing the telecoms supply chain and is due to report in the coming months. The head of Britain's National Cyber Security Center said last month that the country was able to manage the security risks of using Huawei's equipment and it had not seen any evidence of malicious activity by the company. (Reporting by Paul Sandle; editing by Stephen Addison) By Elizabeth Piper GRIMSBY, England (Reuters) - Prime Minister Theresa May urged the European Union on Friday to make "just one more push" to break the Brexit deadlock but proposals from the bloc's chief negotiator fell short of anything that would win over the British parliament. Three weeks before Britain is due to leave the EU, May has failed so far to secure the changes to her divorce deal that she believes would gain the support of lawmakers, who handed the government a defeat of record proportions in January. At the heart of the dispute is the so-called Northern Irish backstop, an insurance policy to prevent a return of border controls between the British province and EU member Ireland that Britain wants to change to ease fears in parliament. But that dispute looked far from being resolved after EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier's proposals were dismissed as a return to "old ideas" already rejected in talks. A government source summed up the feeling in London by saying it was "not impressed". With no changes to offer parliament, May looks set to lose her second attempt on Tuesday to get lawmakers' approval of her deal and smooth Britain's exit from the EU, the country's biggest shift in trade and foreign policy in more than 40 years. In a last-ditch appeal to the EU and to lawmakers at home, May said in a speech on Friday it was time to end the uncertainty over Brexit by approving the deal. Otherwise, Britain faced a "moment of crisis". The Brexit effort "needs just one more push to address the final, specific concerns of our parliament," she said in the northern English port of Grimsby, where 70 percent voted to leave the EU in the 2016 referendum. "So let's not hold back. Let's do what is necessary for MPs (members of parliament) to back the deal on Tuesday." After she spoke, Barnier announced he was ready to give Britain the unilateral right to leave the EU customs union. But he said London would need to honour its commitment to keep the Irish border free of controls, potentially leaving Northern Ireland subject to EU rules, with a "border" in the Irish Sea between Northern Ireland and the island of Britain. Story continues That requirement has been rejected previously by London and would be particularly unpalatable to Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party, which props up May's government in parliament and opposes any proposals for Northern Ireland to have different rules from the rest of the United Kingdom. Stephen Barclay, Britain's Brexit minister, said it was "not the time to rerun old arguments. The UK has put forward clear new proposals. We now need to agree a balanced solution that can work for both sides". The DUP was equally unimpressed, with Nigel Dodds, its deputy leader, calling the proposal "neither realistic nor sensible". 'SIGN OF DESPERATION' But despite the war of words, both sides say talks are continuing over the weekend, just days before May will face parliament once again after resoundingly losing the first vote in parliament on Jan. 15. In Grimsby, she again said that if lawmakers wanted to end the uncertainty that has forced many businesses to put off investment decisions, they should vote for her deal and move on. Otherwise, she said, Brexit might never happen and voters would be betrayed. Or, she added, Britain could leave without a deal to soften the shock, a nightmare scenario for many companies. Those arguments largely restated her well-worn line and have yet to convince lawmakers, especially eurosceptics who say her agreement does not offer a clean break with the EU, as well as EU supporters who want to maintain closer ties. Britons voted 52-48 percent in 2016 to leave the EU and the country remains deeply polarised over the move. Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the main opposition Labour Party, said the appeal was "more like a sign of desperation". "These are very serious times. We don't need any more delays and dithering by the government," he told Sky News. "They've got to recognise her deal isn't going to work, it doesnt get support, and will not get through parliament." It was the first time that May had turned directly to the EU, showing signs of frustration that talks to secure changes to the backstop this week had as yet produced no breakthrough. That frustration was matched on the EU side. Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said the British, not the EU, had to compromise, and the decision to leave the bloc had been "a problem of their own creation". One EU diplomat said May was preparing the ground for "a blame game" if she loses the vote on Tuesday. If that happens, lawmakers will be able to vote on Wednesday and Thursday on whether they want to leave the bloc without a deal, or ask for a delay to Brexit beyond March 29 - all but wresting control of Brexit from the government. In a last-minute flurry of diplomatic activity, May was due to speak to EU leaders by telephone over the weekend and a European Commission spokesman said "intensive work" was going on between London and Brussels. And foreign minister Jeremy Hunt held out some hope that a deal was "entirely possible" in time for the vote. (Additional reporting by Alistair Smout, James Davey and Joe Green in London, Conor Humprhies in Dublin and Gabriela Baczynska in Brussels; Writing by Elizabeth Piper and William Schomberg; Editing by Kevin Liffey and Frances Kerry/Mark Heinrich) An immigration detention facility in Bakersfield that was expected to close later this month will remain open for another year, according to a federal contract made public this week. On Tuesday, Immigration and Customs Enforcement cited unusual and compelling urgency in a notice explaining its justification for keeping open the 400-bed Mesa Verde ICE Processing Center. The $19.4-million contract allows private prison company GEO Group Inc. to continue running the facility through March 2020. The Florida-based corporation, which runs 12 other immigrant detention facilities throughout the country, operates Mesa Verde under a subcontract with the nearby city of McFarland. The city voted to end that contract in December and it expires March 18. Immigrant rights advocates said that ICE had kept them in the dark about the fate of immigrants being held there. Before the Mesa Verde contract was extended, advocates had worried that detainees there would be transferred far away from family and legal resources. Advertisement Mesa Verde is one of eight detention centers in California and after two Bay Area jails ended their contracts with ICE last year the only one located between Yolo County and San Bernardino County. Private prison companies are shielded from so much scrutiny, said Liz Martinez of Freedom for Immigrants, one of 75 groups that signed a letter last month calling on ICE to explain what would happen to Mesa Verde. Thats why its important to bring attention to this. Before opening a detention facility, federal law requires ICE to conduct a competitive public bidding process before awarding a contract to a company interested in managing the daily operations. But most ICE facilities operate the way Mesa Verde has, under intergovernmental service agreements. Critics contend that using local governments as middlemen allows ICE to circumvent the lengthy public bidding process in order to quickly expand bed space, and to avoid responsibility in the event of any abuse or harm to detainees, including fatalities. A pair of California laws passed in 2017 block the expansion of immigrant detention facilities in the state by prohibiting local governments from establishing new contracts with for-profit companies and ICE, or expanding existing ones. One of the laws also requires the state attorney general to monitor existing detention facilities. According to a report last month by the California state auditor, the city of McFarland transferred $50 million (between $16 and $17 million a year) in payments from ICE to GEO Group since the facility, a former jail, reopened in January 2015 as a detention center. In return, GEO Group paid the city a yearly fee of about $35,000. Mesa Verde is 26 miles from McFarland. Its not the only city to oversee detention facility operations from afar: Last year, the U.S. Department of Homeland Securitys inspector general found that Eloy, Ariz., was paid $438,000 a year by the private prison company CoreCivic to manage the 2,400-bed South Texas Family Residential Center which is 930 miles away in Dilley, Texas. In 2016, ICEs Office of Detention Oversight found Mesa Verde to be compliant with just four of 16 standards and found deficiencies in areas including sexual assault prevention, use of force, food service and medical care. McFarlands city manager told the state auditor that he was unaware of that report. And when the California Department of Justice visited the facility last year, it appeared that the only programming available to detainees was an intermittent art therapy class offered by a volunteer organization. The city did not respond to requests for comment. But the Bakersfield Californian reported in December that the McFarland City Council had voted in closed session to pull out of the contract, and that it would take 90 days for the withdrawal to go into effect. City leaders provided no reasoning behind the decision. Mayor Manuel Cantu Jr. told the paper that GEO is a wonderful and amicable company that continues to operate in our city and is committed to supporting our community. The news website Capital & Main obtained public records showing that McFarland appeared unprepared for the scrutiny from the state attorney general and auditor. In a September 2018 closed-door City Council meeting, City Manager John Wooner said he had none of the records the state requested. Wooner then advised the council to threaten GEO with termination of the ICE contract if it didnt raise the citys fee to a quarter of a million dollars, the website reported. The council voted 3 to 2 to accept the plan, but a spokesman for GEO Group denied that the city asked for a higher fee. GEO Group referred a request for comment to ICE. The agency said it is currently in the pre-solicitation phase of the competitive bidding process. Without continued use of the facility, ICE would be required to relocate almost 400 detainees to facilities farther away from their families and attorneys, said ICE spokesman Richard Rocha. In the contract notice this week, ICE said Mesa Verde is an integral hub, a mile from the Bakersfield ICE office and 10 miles from the nearest airport and hospital. The agency said that relocating detainees some with serious medical conditions could result in serious injury to the detainees as well as incur an unnecessary serious financial burden to cover the cost of relocating such a large population. Immigrant rights advocates expressed skepticism about that explanation. It really adds insult to injury when they used the medical conditions of those individuals who are in detention as a basis [for the contract] when they know themselves they could release those individuals if they actually cared about their medical conditions, said Hamid Yazdan Panah, regional director of the Northern California Rapid Response and Immigrant Defense Network. It really points to the fact that this agency continues to bend the law as it sees fit. But Steven Schooner, a government procurement law professor at George Washington University, said that it takes time to plan, draft, advertise and execute a competitive federal contract and that awarding such a contract in less than three months would have been unusual. He said the agency could access several streamlined alternatives to a full and open competition, especially based on urgency, that would make that timeline long enough. But going that route could open ICE up to criticism. Without making excuses for them, it sounds like ICE is damned if it does, damned if it doesnt, he said. andrea.castillo@latimes.com | Twitter: @andreamcastillo A bitcoin entrepreneur who pitched an elaborate vision for a cryptocurrency Utopia in the Nevada high desert pleaded guilty to wire fraud in San Diego federal court this week, admitting he sold land he never owned to investors. Morgan Rockcoons also pleaded guilty on Thursday to conducting an unlicensed money transmitter business, a charge that stems from a bitcoin-for-cash sale with an undercover U.S. Homeland Security Investigations agent. It was Rockcoons bitcoin exchange services, openly advertised online, that first drew the attention of federal agents in 2015. Under federal law, exchangers of bitcoin a long string of code with monetary value are treated the same as money transmitters and must be registered as such with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, the arm of the U.S. Treasury Department that works to combat money laundering with regulations. Exchangers must also know the identity of their customers and report any transactions over $10,000 to the government. Advertisement At the end of 2016, the undercover agent posed as a hash oil manufacturer who needed to buy equipment in bitcoin a currency preferred by criminal organizations because it is hard to trace. Rockcoons admitted in his plea agreement that he transferred about $9,200 in bitcoin to the agent for $14,500 in cash, taking the remainder as a transaction fee. He was arrested, and while he was out on bail last year, he launched a real estate venture called Bitcointopia. He advertised parcels of land in Elko County, Nev. 500- to 1,000-acre plots for 0.5 bitcoin per acre where he would build a city of the future around cryptocurrency, automation and technology. He was inspired by Walt Disneys Tomorrowland. It was an attractive idea for many bitcoin enthusiasts, and at least 10 investors bought land from him, according to his plea agreement. In fact, Rockcoons owned less than 5 acres on two noncontiguous plots, prosecutors said. Much of the land in the area is actually owned by the federal government, one of his former business partners learned. The loss to investors was at least $45,600, the plea agreement states. Rockcoons, who grew up in Chula Vista, faces up to 20 years in prison on the wire fraud charge, and up to five years on the money-transmitting charge. The plea deal comes about a month before trial was to start. Davis writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune. kritistina.davis@sduniontribune.com Israel's already excellent relations with Guatemala may soon receive a new boost, thanks to a most peculiar presidential candidate. Yitzhak Farhi, a 58-year-old businessman from Ra'anana, is running for president of the Latin country, and believes his chances of winning are good. "My four fellow candidates have all run in the past and they failed," he says. Yitzhak Farhi Two months ago, in an interview with a Guatemalan television station, Farhi was asked about the secret of Israel's impressive growth. Farhi replied that "ideals and unity" were behind the young nation's successes, and suggested that Guatemala could also benefit from adopting these principles. His words struck a chord and Farhi received an offer from the ViVa party to run for in the June presidential elections. He is not likely to have a simple path to victory, as he is not among the front-runners in the race. ViVa, or Vision with Values, currently has three seats in the 158-seat unicameral Guatemalan legislature. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales (Photo: Marc Israel Sellem) Farhi was not parachuted into the campaign out of nowhere - he was born in Guatemala and entered politics at an early age. He was among the founders of Guatemala's National Advancement Party (PAN), which became one of the largest in the country. Among other roles, Farhi managed the party's logistical system and led political campaigns that elected two presidents. He was also headed the local Jewish community, was a director of the Chevra Kadisha Jewish burial society and a senior commander in the fire department. Farhi, a married father of four who defines himself as an avowed Zionist, immigrated to Israel 18 years ago. His children all served in combat units of the IDF and he currently serves as CEO of a company that specializes in providing health services. He promises he will return to Israel should his campaign not be successful. Israels English-subtitled premier of Lady Titi, the countrys first commercial film about the Ethiopian community and the first to be directed by an Ethiopian-Israeli, was recently held in Jerusalem. Nominated for three Ophirs, Israels version of the Oscars, the movie was released to theaters across the nation. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter Lady Titi tells the story of a young man named Worko, an Ethiopian-Israeli trying to make it in the music industry. Worko flees to his mothers home in Bat Yam after failing to repay a loan he took from an unsavory gang in order to finance a music video. To hide, he transforms himself into a woman named Titi and lands a job with a female empowerment workshop at the local Ethiopian community center. Tzvika Iskais (L), who plays the character Worko/Titi, and Elsa Almo (R), who plays Melesech, on the set of the movie Lady Titi. Producer Elad Wexler and his wife, director Esti Almo-Wexler, established Abayenesh Productions, which produced Lady Titi, in part so that Ethiopian Israelis could be better represented in films. There are some 144,000 Ethiopian-Israelis, many of whom were brought to the Jewish state in the 1980s and 1990s during secret missions such as Operation Moses and Operation Solomon. The couple says the communitys response to the film has generally been positive. Ethiopian people tell us that they feel proud for the first time. This movie has changed something in our little society, says Almo-Wexler. The character Titi is based on some of Almo-Wexlers own experiences as an Ethiopian-Israeli, and the film seeks to accurately portray life in the community, with half of the dialogue in Amharic, the official language of Ethiopia. This movie gives the general public its first chance to see how we are at home and in our neighborhoods, says Tzvika Iskais, who plays Worko/Titi in the movie. The film represents us in terms of the mother-son relationship, our attitudes, our language. (Almo-Wexler) is trying to express how hard life is for Ethiopians, not through the lens of a sad story but through a guy who becomes a black diva that doesnt care what people think, which all people seem to enjoy, he says. Shula Mola, Chairperson of the Association of Ethiopian Jews, says the production authentically highlights the economic struggles of the cohort. I know stories about people trying to escape poverty like Worko, who borrow money from non-legal sources and cannot pay it back, she says. One reason members of the community turn to dubious sources for loans can be found in statistics gathered in the Employment Diversity Index, published by the governments Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. According to the data, Ethiopian women make almost 50 percent less than the average salaried worker. In addition, Ethiopian Israelis with college degrees have more difficulty finding suitable employment and are thus over-represented in low-wage jobs. The film also highlights racism in Israeli society. In one scene that Almo-Wexler created out of her own experience, Worko/Titi is approached by a woman who asks if she wants to clean her house. People assume she cleans houses because of her skin color and they dont even understand why it is offensive, says Elad Wexler. The English-subtitled premiere came against the backdrop of protests in Tel Aviv sparked by the death of Yehuda Biadga , an Ethiopian Israeli shot by police. Biadga is believed to have had mental health issues and was carrying a knife in the street. Police said he threatened an officer but eyewitnesses dispute the claim that anyone was in immediate danger. Ethiopian Israelis protest police violence after the death of Yehuda Biadga (Photo: AFP) We have problems with over-policing and the profiling of Ethiopian-Israelis, says Shula Mola of the Association of Ethiopian Jews. I dont know how to protect my son as the police treat him like a criminal because he is black. The only thing I can tell him is to take his ID card when he goes out and to answer all their questions if he is stopped. Meanwhile, Mola believes it will take governmental reforms and education of the Israeli public to improve the plight of her community. Israel has made progress by admitting that institutional racism exists, but the real sign of advancement is results, she says. I want to see everyone who cares about society, and the state of Israel, demonstrating for change, not just Ethiopians. Two Israelis were arrested at the Taba Border Crossing between Israel and Egypt after rifle bullets were found in their belongings. The Israeli Consul in Egypt is working to assist them. Vilas County Sheriff's Department Deputy Amanda Dawson and the department's new drug dog, Stitch, visit the Mercer K-12 School Wednesday. They made a presentation to the Leo Club. At left is club vice president Nathan Heleniak. MERCER, Wis. - Deputy Amanda Drewson, of the Vilas County Sheriff's Department, recently visited the Mercer School with her new canine partner, Stitch. Drewson spoke with the Leo Club at their meeting at the school on Wednesday. She explained the many tasks that Stitch will be doing, such as finding drugs. Stitch is a trained Belgian Malinois from the Czech Republic, according to Drewson. While Drewson said Stitch is "fully trained," the training is never really done. She and Stitch have begun a three-month training session to get acquainted and improve their team work. Since Stitch's arrival, they have been together, 24/7, for the bonding process, Drewson said. The Leo Club plans to add the drug dog program as benefactor for its fall fundraising campaign. 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. Members of San Diegos Laotian community have launched a statewide movement to get their history added to California textbooks. Lao Advocacy Organization San Diego, or LaoSD, formed last fall after then-Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill that added lessons on the Vietnamese American refugee experience, the Cambodian genocide and Hmong history to the states model curricula. The group believes that bill left out the experiences of many who fled Laos during the Vietnam War. The bill is a great start, but its incomplete, said Pida Kongphouthone, a Mira Mesa resident and chair of the groups organizing committee. It left out almost an entire country. Advertisement As Hmong people make up a minority group in Laos, that communitys history includes some of the link between Laos and the U.S. Kongphouthone said hes happy Hmong history is making its way into California schools, but he wants to see the stories of other Laotians represented as well. Laos is part of American history, which is why its important for it to be part of the K-12 curriculum, Kongphouthone said. We would like our fellow Americans to take a moment to explore Laotian culture, cuisine and heritage. As the U.S. fought the spread of communism in Southeast Asia, it found allies in the Laotian royal army and civilians who fought alongside American troops during the ensuing conflict. After the new communist government took over Laos, those who had fought against it were sent to reeducation camps. Many escaped and fled to Thailand, where they were placed in refugee camps. The U.S. resettled many from those camps over the course of about a decade, Kongphouthone said. There are close to 7,000 who claim Laotian ancestry in San Diego County, according to data from the 2017 census update. The U.S. also waged a secret war in the region, through which Laos became the most heavily bombed country per capita in history. The Laotian American community avoided talking about its past for years, Kongphouthone said, because of the trauma many went through on their journeys to the U.S. Now, he and others are encouraging Laotians to be more open about their past and to get more civically involved. LaoSD has been raising funds to lobby for Assembly Bill 1393, introduced in late February by San Diego Assemblywoman Shirley Weber, which would add Laotian American history to Californias model curricula. The group plans to meet with legislators in Sacramento in late March, and in April, members of LaoSD will be encouraging the community to get involved in their efforts as part of their celebration of Lao New Year. San Diego Union-Tribune writer Lauryn Schroeder contributed to this report. kate.morrissey@sduniontribune.com With a population of an estimated 13,000 UK nationals residing in Malta, out of which approximately 5,000 are in employment, the Maltese government has announced the treatment of UK nationals in the event that the UK exits the EU without an agreement on the 29th March 2019. UK nationals currently residing in Malta The Maltese government has announced that UK citizens, who, on the 29th March 2019, shall be residing in Malta, shall continue to have the right to reside in Malta. The residence document they currently hold as EU nationals shall continue to be valid until a new residence document is issued, in view of their new immigration position. The new document shall be issued in terms of EU regulations applicable to third country nationals, and shall be issued free of charge. Such document shall be renewable on expiry. Malta shall effectively create a new and special immigration status for UK nationals, which shall be valid for a 10 year period. The issue of new documentation shall be handled by Identity Malta. UK nationals moving to Malta after the withdrawal date UK nationals moving to Malta after the 29th March 2019 shall be granted residence documents valid for 10 years. Fees currently applicable to third country nationals shall apply for the issue of residence cards to UK nationals after the 29th March 2019. UK nationals shall have full access to the labour market for 10 years and shall therefore not be required to apply for an employment licence. Health Care The Health Care Convention of 1975 that provides for reciprocal health care coverage, shall continue to apply. Status of UK students in Malta and Maltese students in the UK Students will retain the fee status in force before the date of withdrawal. Fee structures shall be agreed upon on a reciprocity basis for applications submitted after the 29th March 2019. Pending such agreements, the fees applicable to third country nationals shall apply. Voting in elections UK nationals shall be removed from the European Parliament electoral register, however they may continue to vote in local council elections. Tax matters UK nationals benefitting from a special tax status in terms of the High Net Worth Individuals and the Residence Programme will no longer qualify. They will have the option to register for other programmes applicable to non-EU citizens at no extra cost. They shall continue to benefit from a 15% flat rate of tax. Border controls UK nationals already go through non-Schengen border points since the UK is not a Schengen country, however minimal checks are typically carried out on UK citizens arriving to Malta. After the 29th March 2019, UK nationals will go through the same checks as third country nationals upon arrival at the airport or seaport. Social security and other benefits In a no deal scenario, A1s issued by the UK for UK nationals working in Malta will no longer be valid beyond 29th March 2019 and in the circumstances, UK nationals employed in Malta will be required to request an exemption under the procedure adopted for TCNs i.e. by providing evidence that they are paying their social security contributions in the UK, upon satisfaction of which the Social Security Department would issue an exemption from the payment of social security contributions in Malta. Whilst contributions paid in the UK up to March 29th 2019 shall still be taken into account for future pension claims, contributions paid in the UK after 29th March 2019 shall no longer be considered for assessing Maltese pension entitlements. Malta will continue to pay Old-Age, Survivors and Invalidity pensions to individuals resident in the UK. Benefits paid in terms of the EU Social Security coordination rules shall no longer apply in case of UK nationals who are in a cross border situation between Malta and the UK. It is understood that this is relevant to only a limited number of cases. Posting of Workers Workers who are in cross-border situation between Malta and the UK shall no longer be insurable under the Maltese social security scheme. Posting of workers shall no longer apply. VAT Refunds UK tourists shall be entitled to claim a refund of the VAT paid on items purchased in Malta and carried with them to the UK, subject to the completion of the necessary certifications by Customs. UK Driving licences As is currently the case with non-EU driving licences, UK driving licences may be used in Malta for up to one year. In Ghana and across the world, International Women's Day was celebrated yesterday, March 8, 2019. The theme for the celebration was "Think equal, build smart, innovate for change coupled with an active campaign under the hashtag #BalanceForBetter. In Ghana, government agencies, non-profit organisations and women from various aspects of life marked the day with several activities. READ ALSO: Yvonne Okoro sends strong message to men who want to marry her One way that people send out powerful messages and wish all women well is a post on social media. Some Ghanaian celebrities like the norm took to Instagram to express their joy for the celebration, celebrate women and urge women on. Here, YEN .com,gh brings to you how ten top female celebrities in Ghana marked the International Women's Day on Instagram. 1. UN Goodwill Ambassador and founder of Glitz Africa Fashion Week, Claudia Lumor marked the day with an empowerment program at Chorkor, Accra. 2. Actress and writer, Lydia Forson sent a strong message to mark the IWD 3. Ghanaian lawyer and entrepreneur, Sandra Ankobiah blessed all women to celebrate the IWD 4. Founder of GUBA Awards, Dentaa Amoanteng cheered up strong women by reposting a beautiful photo of her daughters 5. Actress and TV presenter, Joselyn Dumas urged women to close the dream gap as she marked IWD READ ALSO: Yvonne Nelson shares photo with mum and big sister to mark International Women's Day 6. With a powerful message, Actress and Public Relations Expert, Naa Ashorkor Mensah celebrated women to mark IWD 7. Actress, Jackie Appiah wished all amazing and strong women the best on IWD 8. Actress and producer, Yvonne Nelson shared a beautiful photo of her family as she marked IWD 9. Actress, Yvonne Okoro shared a rather interesting message to mark IWD 10. Actress, Martha Ankomah urged all to inspire a girl child in commemoration of IWD READ ALSO: Ghanaians descend on Princess Shyngle after she insults boyfriend who asked her to cook I don't do secular music. I do good music with good themes: Kuami Eugene - Star Gist| #Yencomgh Have national and human interest issues to discuss? Know someone who is extremely talented and needs recognition? Your stories and photos are always welcome. Get interactive via our Facebook page. Source: Yen News New York: A New York politician has been convicted in a US federal court of taking bribes from a once-high-flying Indian-American restauranteur whose web of influence even enmeshed the city`s mayor. A jury found Edward Mangano, the former elected head of Nassau County on Long Island, guilty of several charges of accepting bribes and kickbacks from Harendra Singh, officials said on Friday. Singh has pleaded guilty to bribing Mangano and in a deal with the prosecutors turned approver and testified against him. "Mangano abused his power as a public official by taking bribes and kickbacks from a businessman in exchange for helping him obtain loans worth millions of taxpayer dollars", federal prosecutor Richard Donoghue said. A Republican, Mangano was elected in 2009 to the office of County Executive of Nassau, which has a population of 1.3 million and adjoins New York City. His wife, Linda, who was convicted of conspiracy and other charges, had "a bogus job as a food taster and menu planner at one of Singh`s restaurants", said William F. Sweeney, a Federal Bureau of Investigation Assistant Director. Prosecutors said that she received $450 for the job that did not require her to report for duty. The couple face a maximum prison sentence of 20 years. This is the second time the Mangano couple was put on trial. The first trial last year ended because the jury could not agree on a verdict. Singh had admitted in 2016 in court that he was guilty of bribing New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio to get a concessional lease for a restaurant on city-owned land. However, de Blasio was not charged because the federal prosecutors felt there was insufficient proof against the Mayor, who did not personally benefit from the bribes, which were directed towards his election campaign. De Blasio is an influential Democratic Party national leader, who is said to be considering a run for president. Singh gave the Manganos a $7,500 watch, a vibrating chair, paid for their vacations and for work on their house in return for helping him get a town to guarantee bank loans totaling $20 million and for various contracts, including one to provide bread to jails, according to court testimonies. New Delhi: Karan Johar's 'Kalank' is one of the biggest releases of the year and has been high on the buzzword ever since it was announced. The film is directed by Abhishek Varman and has an ensemble star cast with the likes of Sanjay Dutt, Madhuri Dixit, Varun Dhawan, Aditya Roy Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Sonakshi Sinha. Fans are eager to know more about the film which was initially slated to release on 19 April 2019. However, we will be able to witness the grandeur of the film two days earlier! Yes, the release of the film has been preponed to April 17 this year. Also, the teaser of 'Kalank' will be unveiled on March 12. Noted film critic and trade analyst Taran Adarsh took to Twitter to share the news. He wrote, IT'S FINAL... #Kalank to release on 17 April 2019 [was slated for release on 19 April 2019 initially]... Will be a 5-day *extended* opening weekend... Teaser will be out on 12 March 2019. IT'S FINAL... #Kalank to release on 17 April 2019 [was slated for release on 19 April 2019 initially]... Will be a 5-day *extended* opening weekend... Teaser will be out on 12 March 2019. taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) March 9, 2019 The first look posters of the film featuring the lead actors Varun, Sanjay and Aditya were unveiled on March 7. Yesterday, on the occasion of International Women's Day, the women of KalankAlia, Madhuri and Sonakshi's looks were unveiled. After the mesmerising first look posters, we eagerly look forward to the film's teaser! New Delhi: Days after the Congress said it would go it alone in the general elections, Delhi Chief Minister and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal Saturday termed the party "arrogant" and claimed that its candidates would lose their deposits in the polls. At a public meeting in the Mustafabad area, Kejriwal claimed his party tried persuading the Congress to forge an alliance, but "it did not understand". Recently, Delhi Congress chief Sheila Dikshit had said there's unanimity in the party against an alliance with the AAP for Lok Sabha polls in Delhi. "Congress (candidates) will lose their deposits in Delhi in Lok Sabha elections," Kejriwal claimed. The Delhi CM, while addressing the gathering in minority-dominated Mustafabad, requested people to make sure that votes don't get split between the Congress and the AAP. "Vote for the AAP in Delhi because only it can defeat the BJP in Lok Sabha elections," he said. Speculation over a pre-poll alliance between the Congress and the AAP still persists, even as Rahul Gandhi has already said the Delhi unit of his party is against it. NEW DELHI: The Income Tax Department's raid at the residence of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislator Naresh Balyan in the national capital continued on Saturday. News agency ANI reported that the IT raids at Balyan's Uttam Nagar residence continued throughout the night till Saturday morning. During the raids, the I-T officials seized Rs 2.5 crore in cash from the AAP MLA's residence. Delhi: Income-Tax raids continue at the premises of AAP MLA from Uttam Nagar, Naresh Balyan. Rs 2.56 crore in cash seized in the raids pic.twitter.com/DF5SbcXUqE ANI (@ANI) 8 March 2019 The I-T raids began at Balyan's office and residential premises in the Uttam Nagar locality late on Friday. The AAP MLA had sometimes back stirred a controversy after claiming that officers like Anshu Prakash, the former Chief Secretary of Delhi, should be beaten up for obstructing public work. "Whatever happened to the Chief Secretary (Anshu Prakash)... I say they should be beaten up, they should be thrashed... whoever obstructs the work being done for the common man, should be meted out the same treatment," Balyan had said at a public rally. A case was later booked against him over the comments. In 2015, the Election Commission officials had seized several bottles of illicit liquor from a godown allegedly owned by AAP's Uttam Nagar. Balyan, however, refuted all allegations. The same year, seven AAP members resigned from Haryana unit of the party after Balyan was appointed in-charge of state affairs. Singapore: With a career spanning over two decades, Hollywood star Ben Affleck, whose filmography boasts of movies such as "Mallrats", "Dazed and Confused" and "Armageddon", says the bifurcation between independent films and studio releases is less now. Talking about his career having two pockets with independent and commercial cinema, Affleck told select media, including IANS here: "Now there is less of a bifurcation between studio and independent cinema. People are trying to make movies that are interesting in multiple ways like it used to be in the 1990s and early 2000s... where I kind of started out with `Chasing Amy`, `Armageddon` and then `Shakespeare in Love` that was a little bit of both." The Academy Award-winning filmmaker-actor said he has tried to mix both the sensibilities in his filmography. "I have tried to fuse the sensibilities of popularity and artistic in my career... That`s an interesting challenge..." added Affleck, who has been feted with two Academy Awards. What is the most futile aspect of being a star? "You accomplish doing something and people get to know about that, but there`s this interesting and bizarre parallel life if you`re an actor in movies or television or streaming platform or whatever and you become successful, you kind of become a star in your own reality show in tandem of that that you`re not writing and you`re not directing and you have very little control over (or you don`t necessarily want to participate in). "You very badly want to be off the show, which is a terrible feeling. It is sort of ridiculous and I understand there`s an interest to see drama play out," he added. Affleck will next be seen in Netflix`s original film "Triple Frontier", which is slated to release on March 13. The film, directed by J.C. Chandor, tells the story of five former military officers. "Triple Frontier" also stars Oscar Isaac, Charlie Hunnam, Garrett Hedlund and Pedro Pascal. Asked about doing away with the idea of toxic masculinity in the post-#MeToo era, Affleck said: "It reflects the hard truth... 95 per cent of the people pointing guns at each other or killing each other are men, that is simply true. This kind of violence is perpetrated by men, on men...Not that women aren`t victims of violence.... the certain kind of solving problems through violence is demonstrated by men... The director`s desire was to examine that with a critical eye." Almost a decade ago, "Triple Frontier" began as a solo script and was slated to be directed by the movie`s screenwriter Mark Boal`s frequent collaborator Kathryn Bigelow. Did the long gestation period of the film affect Affleck? "I have done fair number of movies in the last 25 years and I can`t think of... any of them had a linear path... As a function of this business and the difficulties in getting movies made, you often go through casting and that type of thing... the only difference is the extent of that sort of publicity story. "If a movie has been around for a long time... there`s actually a sign there`s something worthwhile in it because people keep coming back to and want it to be made..." The Election Commission (EC) issued an advisory to all political parties across the country, asking them to refrain using photographs of defence personnel in their election campaign. In it's advisory, the poll commission asked all national and regional political parties to desist from displaying photographs of Defence personnel or photographs of functions involving Defence personnel in advertisements, or otherwise as part of their election propaganda/campaigning. In the fresh set of instructions, the EC referred to its December 2013 advisory which had "called upon all political parties to advise their candidates and leaders to desist from displaying photographs of defence personnel or photographs functions involving defence personnel in advertisements." EC's advisory comes against the backdrop of a political hoarding using Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman's image alongside party leaders. An IAF MiG 21 Bison fighter jet, piloted by Wing Commander Varthaman, shot down Pakistani F-16 warplanes which transgressed into the Indian airspace on February 27. In the process, his plane crossed over to the Pakistani side and was shot down. Abhinandan ejected safely but was taken into custody by the Pakistan Army upon landing. He was handed over to Indian authorities after spending nearly 60-hours in captivity. NEW DELHI: Hasmukh Adhia, who earlier served as the Finance Secretary in the Finance Ministry, has been appointed Chancellor of the Gujarat Central University. News agency ANI confirmed Adhia's appointment to the post on Saturday. His appointment has been approved by President Ram Nath Kovind who is also the visitor of the university. Hasmukh Adhia's appointment as the Chancellor of Gujarat Central University comes days before the Model Code of Conduct is enforced ahead of the Lok Sabha elections 2019. The Union HRD Ministry had reportedly proposed Adhia's name for the post earlier this month. Hasmukh Adhia, who earlier served as Revenue Secretary, was appointed Finance Secretary by the Union Government in November 2017. A 1981 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Gujarat cadre, Adhia was the Revenue Secretary when the Goods and Services Tax (GST) was rolled out on July 1 and had played a key role in formulating the new pan-India indirect tax regime. He had defended the Modi government's demonetisation drive, which, he said, was meant to cleanse the system and do away with black money. New Delhi: Coming down heavily on Pakistan, India on Saturday said that if the neighbouring country has claimed to be a 'Naya Pakistan' with 'nayi soch' then it should also show 'naya action' against terrorist groups and cross border terrorism. Addressing the media, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar, challenged Pakistan to share the video recording of the downing of a second Indian aircraft with international media. " "If as Pakistan claims it has a video recording of the downing of a second Indian aircraft then why have they not shared the video with international media?" he said. The MEA further said that there are eyewitness accounts and electronic evidence that Pakistan deployed F-16 aircraft and that one F-16 was shot down by Wing Commander Abhinandan. "We have asked USA to also examine whether the use of F-16 against India is in accordance with terms and conditions of sale," Kumar added. The Ministry spokesperson emphasised that the IAF airstrike on JeM camps in Pakistan achieved its objective. He slammed Pakistan for backing Jaish-e-Mohammad and said, "It is regrettable that Pakistan still continues to deny Jaish-e-Mohammad's own claim of taking ownership of Pulwama attack. Pakistan Foreign Minister said 'they (JeM) have not claimed responsibility of the attack, there is some confusion' Is Pakistan defending the JeM?" The MEA spokesperson added, "All members of the UNSC are aware of JeM training camps in Pakistan and about the chief of JeM Masood Azhar and his presence in Pakistan. We call upon all members of UNSC to list Masood Azhar as a designated terrorist under UN sanction committee." Speaking on holding Kartarpur Corridor talks, Kumar clarified that the talks do not mean a resumption of bilateral ties. "This is related to the emotions and sentiments of our Indian citizens of Sikh faith," he added. In the Asia Backpacker Index for 2019, the website said the food is also top-notch, especially when you are sitting amongst locals at one of the thousands of plastic-chair cafes throughout the city. Keep costs even lower by sticking with bia hoi, the world's cheapest beer. Hostel beds are cheap, but private rooms are too, so don't automatically book a bunk. Cheap price is an advantage that helps attract holiday-makers to the capital city. However, experts said, sustainable tourism development requires more than that. What is more important is diverse and quality products and services to keep tourists staying longer, spending more money and coming back to the city. Given this, the citys tourism sector is consistently pursuing long-term and sustainable strategies. Apart from cultural and historical values, rich cuisine and hospitable people, Hanoi has focused on developing high-quality tourism products and upgrading local infrastructure. Hanoi received more than 2.4 million tourists in January, a year-on-year increase of 10.4%, according to the municipal Department of Tourism. Of the figure, international arrivals to the capital city reached nearly 634,000, up 16% compared to the same period last year. Those who stayed overnight in the city numbered 445,000, mainly from the Republic of Korea, China and Japan, according to local accommodation service providers. Meanwhile, domestic holidaymakers amounted to 1.7 million, an increase of 8.5%. Total tourism revenue was estimated to surge 34.2% year on year to VND8.89 trillion (US$383.3 million). Hanoi welcomed 5.74 million foreign visitors in 2018, up 16% against 2017, among 26 million tourists spending time in the city. Last year, the city was ranked 12th among the 25 best global destinations, and one of the two cities in Vietnam to enter the most prominent group in the world in terms of room reservation. Hanois key tourism markets include China, the Republic of Korea, Japan, France, the US, the UK, Germany, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Canada. A former postdoctoral researcher at UC San Diego has been arrested and charged in a string of robberies at San Diego-area credit unions that took place over the last few months, the FBI and San Diego police said. Karl William Doron, 43, who holds a doctorate in psychological and brain sciences, was arrested Tuesday after a teller was robbed at a Sorrento Valley credit union, authorities said. The suspect had been under surveillance when the heist happened at the Navy Federal Credit Union on Mira Mesa Boulevard and Camino Santa Fe, said FBI San Diego spokeswoman Special Agent Davene Butler. Authorities believe the same person is responsible for six heists at local credit unions between December and February. Advertisement Immediately after the Tuesday robbery, agents and officers from the surveillance team moved in on Doron and arrested him, Butler said. He was allegedly armed with a loaded handgun and was booked into jail later that night. A University of California San Diego spokeswoman said Doron earned his doctorate elsewhere, but worked in UCSDs psychology department from 2014 to 2015. He was arraigned Friday in San Diego Superior Court on 10 felony counts of robbery and attempted robbery, and a judge set his bail at $1 million, according to a spokeswoman for the San Diego County District Attorneys Office. The 10 counts stem from nine separate incidents including seven completed robberies, one of which had two victims, spokeswoman Tanya Sierra said in an email. If Doron does attempt to post bail, a judge will call a hearing to determine the source of the money being used to post bail, Sierra said. Late last month, the FBI had sought the publics help to identify the robber who at the time was suspected of heists at five credit unions in San Diego and one in Chula Vista. The spree began Dec. 28 at a Mission Federal Credit Union on Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, and continued just over a month later, on Jan. 29, at a California Coast Credit Union on Genesee Avenue. Both locations are in Clairemont. Voting records from 2016 and 2017 show Doron resided at a duplex in Clairemont. The bandit, who used demand notes but never flashed a weapon, picked up his pace in February, when he pulled off four robberies: Feb. 7 at a San Diego County Credit Union branch in Rancho Bernardo; Feb. 9 at the same Clairemont Mission Federal Credit Union branch he hit Dec. 28; Feb. 16 at a Mission Federal Credit Union in Miramar Ranch North; and Feb. 23 at a California Coast Credit Union on Eastlake Parkway in Chula Vista. During two of the crimes, the robber carried a motorcycle helmet, and other times, he toted a calculator that he held to his ear as if it were a cellphone, according to the FBI. On two occasions in February, the suspect was spotted casing branches that he later robbed. Based on a joint investigation by agents and detectives, information was developed that identified Doron as the suspect, Butler said in a statement. As a result of that FBI and San Diego police investigation with significant assistance from Chula Vista police, according to Butler Doron was under surveillance Tuesday and taken into custody upon leaving the Sorrento Valley credit union. alex.riggins@sduniontribune.com New Delhi: India is awaiting a response from the United Kingdom (UK) to extradite fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi wanted in the Rs 13,500 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case. "Request for extradition of Nirav Modi to India was sent in July 2018 to the UK. The UK Central Authority of Home Office has confirmed that the extradition request has been sent to the Westminster Magistrate Court for the district judge for further proceedings," the Enforcement Directorate (ED) said in a tweet. Request for Extradition of Nirav Modi to India was sent in July 2018 to UK. The UK Central Authority of Home Office has confirmed that the Extradition Request has been sent to the Westminster Magistrate Court for the District Judge for further proceedings. ED (@dir_ed) March 9, 2019 The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also acknowledged that India is aware of Modi's presence in London and is taking all necessary steps for his extradition. (Since) We requested the UK government for extradition of Nirav Modi, means that we were aware that he is in UK otherwise we would not have made the request, said the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Raveesh Kumar at a media briefing on Saturday. The statements by ED and MEA come a day after a Britain-based newspaper claimed that Modi is living in an eight-million-pound apartment in the London's West End. The rent of the apartment is estimated to be around 17,000 pounds a month. The newspaper also posted a video where the absconding bank-fraud accused, sporting a 10000-pounds (Rs 9 lakh approximately) Ostrich Hide jacket, is seen responding to a volley of questions with repeated "No comments". "Just because he has been spotted doesn't mean he can be immediately brought back to India as there is a process in place. We have made a request for extradition, it is for the UK government now to consider our request and respond to the demand of the CBI and ED for extradition," said the MEA spokesperson. The ED was officially informed about UK Home Secretary Sajid Javid's move to forward the case to a London court about two days ago, sources told news agency PTI. A joint team of the ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is now expected to travel to the UK soon to provide evidence against Modi and bring him back to face the law in India. The 48-year-old reportedly came to UK in early 2018 while his uncle Mehul Choksi, also wanted in the PNB scam, sought refuge in Antigua. Their passports have been cancelled by Indian authorities. Meanwhile, Modi's sprawling seaside bungalow at Kihim beach in Maharashtra's Raigad District was demolished with explosives on Friday for flouting the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms. Over 108 detonators were used to demolish the bungalow, Raigad District Collector Vijay Suryawanshi told Zee Media. The ED and the CBI are investigating Modi, his uncle Choksi and others for alleged money laundering and corruption scam unearthed last year. A day after a Pakistani national was arrested for intruding along the international border (IB) into Jammu and Kashmir's Samba district, the Border Security Force (BSF) on Saturday handed him over to Pakistan as a goodwill gesture. Speaking to reporters, a BSF spokesperson said that for maintaining peace and tranquility at the IB, the Pakistani national was returned to Pakistani Rangers at around 3.40 pm. The Pakistani national had entered in Ramgarh area of the district. The 60-year-old Pakistani national has been identified as Mohammad Ashraf. A resident of Boitah-Narowal area of Punjab, Ashraf was carrying Rs 12,000 in Pakistani currency, according to PTI sources. The intruder has been returned in a healthy and sound condition. Pakistani Rangers have also appreciated the humane approach of the BSF, added the PRO. "As a goodwill gesture and maintaining peace and tranquility at International Border, today at about 1540 hrs, Border Security Force handed over Pakistani national to Pakistani Rangers, who was apprehended yesterday (Friday) while he crossed the International Border in Ramgarh area of Samba district. BSF release the Pak National healthy and sound. Pak Rangers were also appreciating humane approach of Border Security Force," said PRO BSF. The intruder was apprehended by BSF troops in Ramgarh sector. The alert BSF personnel noticed the person and caught him soon after he sneaked into the Indian side from Pakistan. He was arrested and interrogated. NEW DELHI: Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Ajay Bisaria will be returning to Islamabad on Saturday after having completed his consultations with India in connection with Pulwama terror attack. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said on Friday, "High Commissioner of India to Pakistan, Ajay Bisaria, is returning to Islamabad after having completed his consultations in India. He will reach Islamabad on 9 March 2019 and resume his duties." Bisaria was called to New Delhi for consultations - a move which was mirrored by Pakistan, which called back its High Commissioner to India, Sohail Mahmood on February 18, "for consultations". The tensions between the two nations escalated after a CRPF convoy moving from Jammu to Srinagar was attacked by a suicide bomber in Lethpora area on the national highway at around 3.15 PM on February 14, which resulted in the death of at least 40 troopers. Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) had claimed responsibility for the attack. Washington: A nuclear war between India and Pakistan is "most likely" and the "relative calm" is not a solution as long as the two neighbours refuse to deal with their core dispute of Kashmir, the New York Times has said in an opinion piece. In the Thursday write-up, the daily`s Editorial Board said that although the India-Pakistan tensions had diffused for now, their "nuclear arsenals mean unthinkable consequences are always possible". The board wrote that "this relative calm is not a solution" and the US needed to get involved in defusing the tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad. "As long as India and Pakistan refuse to deal with their core dispute - the future of Kashmir - they face unpredictable, possibly terrifying, consequences." According to the NYT, the next confrontation between the two neighbours might not end "so calmly". "With Pakistan`s Army most likely shaken by the Indian raid and unwilling to slide into protracted conflict, Prime Minister Imran Khan returned the pilot to India, in what was seen as a goodwill gesture, called for talks and promised an investigation into the bombing. (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi took the opportunity to back off further escalation", it said. "The next confrontation might not end so calmly," it added. Tensions between India and Pakistan worsened after a suicide bombing on February 14 killed 40 CRPF troopers and was claimed by the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM). India retaliated by bombing the terror group`s biggest training camp in Balakot, Pakistan. Pakistan hit back with its air force the next day. Islamabad also captured an Indian Air Force pilot after a February 27 dogfight between the two air forces. He was released on March 1 as a "peace gesture" by Pakistan. The NYT said the US "could help India strengthen its counter-terrorism capabilities to prevent future attacks in Kashmir.'' "And while it`s good when India and Pakistan decide to walk back from the brink, as they seem to be doing now, the US should be ready to assist if they cannot." The article stated that Islamabad and New Delhi were "long among the world`s most antagonistic neighbours" and that it was fortunate they found "the good sense to de-escalate". "The JeM, which seeks independence for Kashmir, took responsibility (for the Pulwama bombing). While it is on America`s list of terrorist organisations and is formally banned in Pakistan, the group has been protected and armed by the Pakistani intelligence service," the NYT article stated. The NYT said that the situation between India and Pakistan "could have easily escalated, given that the two countries have fought three wars over 70 years, maintain a near-constant state of military readiness along their border and have little formal government-to-government dialogue. "Adding to the volatility, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is waging a tough re-election campaign in which he has used anti-Pakistan talk to fuel Hindu nationalism," it said. The daily said that Pakistan "has never seriously cracked down on terrorist groups that attack India. "In recent days, Pakistani authorities said they detained 44 members of various armed groups, including a brother of Masood Azhar, the head of JeM, and planned to seize assets of terrorists on the UN terrorist list. But Pakistan has rarely followed through on such promises," it added. The NYT said that without international pressure, a long-term solution was "unlikely and the threat of nuclear war remained". "While the Clinton, Bush and Obama administrations aggressively worked to ensure that India-Pakistan confrontations in 1999, 2002 and 2008 did not spiral out of control, the (Donald) Trump administration has done little but issue a few statements urging restraint. "It`s hard to see a role as a mediator for Trump, who has shifted the US more firmly against Pakistan and towards India, where he has pursued business interests. "A solution to a conflict that touches so many religious and nationalist nerves must ultimately come from within, through talks among India, Pakistan and the people of Kashmir," it said. Islamabad: Pakistan has asked the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), an international terror financing watchdog, to remove India as co-chair of its Asia-Pacific Joint Group, the Finance Ministry said on Saturday. Currently placed on the FATF's 'grey list', Pakistan has been scrambling in recent months to avoid being added to a list of countries deemed non-compliant with anti-money laundering and terrorist financing regulations by the Paris-based FATF, a measure that officials here fear could further hurt its economy. In a letter addressed to FATF President Marshall Billingslea, Pakistan Finance Minister Asad Umar asked him to appoint any other member country besides India as co-chair of the Asia-Pacific Joint Group "to ensure that (the) FATF review process is fair, unbiased and objective", the finance ministry said in a statement. The Joint Group is a sub-body of the FATF's International Cooperation Review Group (ICRG) of the Asia Pacific Group. Pakistan is a member of the APG and its case is being presented before the FATF by the APG. India's Financial Intelligence Unit's (FIU) director general is the co-chair of the Joint Group. "India's animosity towards Pakistan was well known and the recent violation of Pakistan's airspace and dropping of bombs inside Pakistani territory was another manifestation of India's hostile attitude," Umar wrote in the letter. Referring to India's efforts of isolating Pakistan globally and call for the country's blacklisting during the ICRG meeting on February 18, Umar said, "Indian presence among the evaluators and as Co-chair of the Joint Group would undermine the impartiality and spirit of the 'peer review' process." "We firmly believe that India's involvement in the ICRG process will not be fair towards Pakistan," he wrote. During the February 18-22 plenary and review meetings, the FATF had noted "limited progress" by Pakistan on targets set for January 2019, and urged the country "to swiftly complete its action plan, particularly those with timelines of May 2019." It had expressed dissatisfaction over Pakistan's action and said the country did "not demonstrate a proper understanding of the terror financing risks posed by Daesh (ISIS), Al Qaeda, Jamaat-ud-Dawa(Jud), Falah-i-Insaniat Foundation (FIF), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) Haqqani network (HQN), and persons affiliated with the Taliban". Assuring the FATF president of implementing the Action Plan, the Pakistani finance minister said, "The ICRG and FATF meetings must not be allowed to be used as a platform by India to make political speeches against Pakistan." The FATF continuing Pakistan with the 'Gray' listing means downgrading of the country by multilateral lenders like IMF, World Bank, ADB, EU and also a reduction in risk rating by Moody's, S&P and Fitch. Pakistan was nominated for a detailed review of its "serious deficiencies" in countering terror financing in February 2018. This nomination was supported by the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany and India. Pakistan on Saturday evening resorted to ceasefire violation in two districts of Jammu and Kashmir, forcing the Indian Army to retaliate. The first ceasefire violation took place along the Line of Control (LoC) at Keri Battal area of Akhnoor in Jammu district and the second incident occurred at Sunderbani sector of Rajouri district. Pakistani troops violated ceasefire in Rajouri district at about 6 pm. The Pakistani Army initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by shelling with mortars and firing of small arms in Sunderbani sector, as reported by news agency PTI quoting a defence spokesperson. However, there has been no report of any casualty on the Indian side, he said. A police officer was injured on Friday evening when a mortar shell exploded in Shahpur sector which, along with nearby Kerni sector in Poonch district, witnessed heavy artillery and small arms firing from across the border. There has been an increase in ceasefire violations by Pakistan after India's preemptive air strike on a Jaish-e-Mohammad terror camp in Balakot on February 26 following the February 14 Pulwama attack in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed. Four civilians, including three members of a family, were killed and several others injured as Pakistan targeted over 80 villages in over 100 incidents of ceasefire violations along the LoC in the state since then, according to PTI. Islamabad: Pakistan has decided to upgrade a group of banned outfits, including the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), to the "high risk" category and start monitoring and re-examining their activities to comply with the requirements of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The Paris-based global watchdog against financial crimes had expressed dissatisfaction over considering these entities as low to medium risk and said Pakistan did "not demonstrate a proper understanding of the terror financing risks posed by the JeM, Islamic State (IS), Al Qaeda, Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD), Falah-i-Insaniat Foundation (FIF), Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), Haqqani Network, and persons affiliated with the Taliban", Dawn News reported on Saturday. All these groups have now been described as "high-risk" entities and would be subject to greater scrutiny by all agencies and institutions of the country, starting from their registration to operations and from their fund collection to bank accounts and issuance of suspicious transactions, information sharing and so on, an informed official said on Friday. The institutions include the Federal Investigation Agency, Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan, State Bank of Pakistan, National Counter-Terrorism Authority, Financial Monitoring Unit, among others. He said these decisions were taken at a meeting of the general council on FATF led by Finance Secretary Arif Ahmed Khan as part of a series of meetings to comply with the watchdog`s obligations. Khan had led the Pakistani delegation to Paris during the February 18-22 meetings of the FATF plenary and its group reviews. The institutions would complete this exercise within two weeks so as to present a compliance report to a delegation of the Asia-Pacific Joint Group, a regional association of the FATF, slated to visit Islamabad on March 24, Dawn quoted the official as saying. The delegation would review Pakistan`s performance on the basis of Islamabad`s fresh exercise and submit its assessment report to the FATF headquarters. The FATF would then make a fresh review of Pakistan`s current progress and whether the country should be moved out of the "grey list" it imposed last year or be downgraded to the "blacklist" having serious financial and economic repercussions in case of serious shortcomings. NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is most likely to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha Election 2019 from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, according to BJP sources. There is no official word on this so far but it is understood that a decision in this regard has been taken during a meeting of the BJP's Parliamentary Board the party's highest decision-making body on Friday evening. When asked from where PM Modi will contest the next Lok Sabha elections, sources told PTI that it has already been decided that he will contest from Varanasi, the constituency which he represents in the current Lok Sabha. Ahead of crucial polls, the BJP Parliamentary Board meeting was held at the partys headquarters in Delhi, during which the central leadership brainstormed for almost three hours discussing the poll strategy to reach out to millions of voters across the country. The meeting was attended by PM Modi, BJP president Amit Shah, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj and other senior leaders of the party. Visuals: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP President Amit Shah, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, EAM Sushma Swaraj and other senior leaders at the BJP Parliamentary Board meeting at party's headquarters in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/PPJjVvdjM7 ANI (@ANI) 8 March 2019 PM Modi had won from Varanasi with 5,81,022 votes in 2014 Lok Sabha elections. Varanasi has been important considering the fact that after PM's victory in Lok Sabha polls, the BJP's allies managed to wrest all eight assembly constituencies in the city during the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections. It is also being speculated that the saffron party may introduce certain criteria, including age bar, for candidates. However, a party leader has said the main criteria behind selecting a candidate will depend on his chances of winning a seat. After the Parliamentary Board meeting, BJP general secretary Bhupendra Yadav announced a tie-up with All Jharkhand Students Union in Jharkhand (AJSU). The AJSU is already a partner in the BJP-led government in the state. Yadav also said the BJP will contest 13 of the 14 Lok Sabha seats in the state and the AJSU one. A statue of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore was vandalised near Kolkata in West Bengal, news agency ANI reported on Saturday. The incident took place in Bidhannagar and was done by three men, according to a TMC Councillor. While two of them managed to escape, the third person was caught and handed over to the police. Speaking on the incident, Trinamool Congress (TMC) Councillor, Nirmal Dutta said, "Three men vandalised the statue, we caught one of them while the other two managed to escape. We don't know why they did it. The one who was caught has been handed over to the police." More details are awaited. NEW DELHI: Days after tweeting a poem on Indian Air Force's airstrikes in Pakistan's Balakot targeting a Jaish-e-Mohammad training camp, the Indian Army on Saturday assured the nation of its battle readiness and the resolve to come out victorious in any situation. Sharing a post on Instagram, the Army said that the nation always comes first for the armed forces. The post, which carried a picture of the Army's battle tank, came with a caption #SaturdayMotivation, #saturdaythoughts. Shortly after the IAF fighter jets raided a terror camp inside Pakistan's Balakot on February 26, the Army had tweeted a Hindi poem which says that "if you are docile and polite before the enemy, he may consider you as a coward, the way Kauravas treated Pandavas". The poem penned by noted Hindi poet Ramdhari Singh 'Dinkar' was tweeted by Additional Director General, Public Information on its official handle. 'Peace overtures, the poem says, is possible only when you are in a powerful position and capable to win. The Indian Army has been regularly sharing encouraging tweets, posts and thoughts to keep the moral of the armed forces high and assuring the country of its readiness for any situation. At many occasions in past, the Army has assured the countrymen that it remains fully prepared to meet the "emerging challenges" and will continue to eliminate the "terror sponsors." Some carried signs reading A swastika is not a joke and Lets make the world a better place. Others wore stickers with the slogan No place for hate. On Friday evening, more than 100 people gathered in Costa Mesas TeWinkle Park to show solidarity with Orange Countys Jewish community after photographs posted on social media this week showing a group of local high school students in Nazi salute around a makeshift swastika went viral. The gathering was the latest response to the photos taken at an off-campus party last Saturday night in Costa Mesa that students and school officials have said included teenagers from Newport Harbor, Costa Mesa and Estancia high schools. Among the groups participating in Fridays event were March for our Lives OC, Orange County Equality Coalition, the Anti-Defamation League of Orange County/Long Beach, and Human Rights Campaign of Orange County/Long Beach/Palm Springs. The event also included a Jewish Shabbat service and a vigil illuminated by electric candlelights. Advertisement On Thursday night, Corona del Mar High School held a public forum on anti-Semitism and its origins. A similar meeting took place on Monday at Newport Harbor High. Also on Thursday, Eva Schloss stepsister and childhood friend of Holocaust diarist Anne Frank met with about 55 Newport Harbor students, staff members and parents to discuss her incarceration as a teenager at the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp and speak firsthand about the horrors Nazi Germany inflicted on millions of Jews and others during WWII. Newport-Mesa Unified School district officials have said they are investigating the incident and want to talk to all of those involved to determine appropriate disciplinary action. luke.money@sduniontribune.com New Delhi: India on Saturday said all UN Security Council (UNSC) members were aware of the JeM training camps and the presence of terror group's chief Masood Azhar in Pakistan and urged the nations to designate him as a global terrorist. The US, Britain, and France had moved a proposal at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) last week to designate the chief of the JeM, which claimed responsibility for the Pulwama terror attack, as a global terrorist. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar, at a media briefing, said, "All 15 members of the UN Security Council had unanimously issued a statement strongly condemning the Pulwama terrorist attack." All members of the UNSC are aware of the Jaish-e-Mohammed training camps in Pakistan and about the chief of Jaish-e-Mohammed Masood Azhar and his presence in Pakistan, he said. "We call upon all members of the UNSC to list Masood Azhar as a designated terrorist under 1267 UN sanctions committee," Kumar said. Official sources had earlier said any UNSC member country can seek clarification on the proposal till March 13 following which the process to listing will commence. Azhar's listing by the UNSC will subject him to a global travel ban, asset freeze and arms embargo. It is the fourth such bid at the UN in the last 10 years to list Azhar as a global terrorist. In 2009, India unsuccessfully moved a proposal to designate Azhar. In 2016 again, India moved the proposal with the P3 - the US, the United Kingdom and France -- in the UN's 1267 Sanctions Committee to ban Azhar. In 2017, the P3 nations moved a similar proposal again. However, on all occasions, China, a veto-wielding permanent member of the Security Council, blocked India's proposal from being adopted by the Sanctions Committee. New Delhi: In the wake of escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, the Donald Trump administration has issued a travel advisory suggesting Americans to avoid visiting Jammu and Kashmir (except the eastern Ladakh region and its capital, Leh) due to terrorism and civil unrest. The advisory also asked people not to travel within 10 kilometres of the India-Pakistan border due to the potential for armed conflict. The advisory comes in a bid to ensure the safety of the Americans travelling to India following the deadly Pulwama attack that claimed lives of 40 CRPF personnel. "Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and government facilities," the advisory said. It added, "The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in rural areas from eastern Maharashtra and northern Telangana through western West Bengal as U.S. government employees must obtain special authorization to travel to these areas." Greater Noida: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said India hit terrorists in their backyard after the Pulwama terror attack and accused the previous Congress-led UPA government of lacking the courage to take action against Pakistan-based terror groups post the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack in 2008. Addressing a rally here, Modi said what his government did post-Pulwama had not been done in decades. Modi addressed the rally after laying the foundation stone for two 1,320 megawatt thermal power plants at Khurja in Uttar Pradesh and Buxar in Bihar, and inaugurating the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Institute of Archaeology and the Noida City Centre-Noida Electronic City section of the Delhi Metro`s Blue Line. "We hit the terrorists in their houses. The terrorists and their masters were not expecting this kind of response. The air strikes were carried out at 3.30 a.m and Paksitan lost its sleep. They tweeted at 5 a.m saying that `Modi has hit us, Modi hit us...`," the Prime Minister said. Recalling the surgical strike of 2016 in the wake of the Uri terror attack, he said terror masterminds were accustomed to thinking that India would do nothing, but his government had "taught them a lesson". Targeting the previous UPA government, he alleged that the perception of inaction by India had emerged due to the government that ruled India before 2014. Modi referred to a series of terror strikes that took place in the country over the years during the UPA regime and said that these were also linked to Pakistan but the "remote-controlled" government showed inaction. He said there was need for action after the Mumbai terror attack in 2008 that killed 166 people as the world community was with India. "In the post 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, armed forces were ready to strike back but their hands were tied and they were not allowed for counter attack," Modi said while pointing out that it was this approach of "inaction" that encouraged the terror outfits from across the border to carry out attacks. "What did the then government do? They did not change the policy but (changed) only Home Ministers. If they had shown the courage, given reply to the terrorists in their language, terrorism would not have become such a big problem (for the country)," he said. He slammed the opposition for questioning the success of the Balakot air strikes and saying things which were "music to the ears of Pakistani leaders", who are clapping at these statements. Pointing to the shift in policy following the Pulwama terror attack, Modi said: "Such action (by armed forces) had never taken place in the past. Our forces hit them (terror outfits) in their own homes. Now terror outfits know that it is not the same old India." He said the thermal power plants launched at Buxar and Khurja will accelerate India`s growth and transform power availability in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and other neighbouring states. During his visit, Modi also unveiled a statue of Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay on the archaelogy institute campus and paid floral tributes. Later he also visited the Deen Dayal Museum on the institute campus. New Delhi: Following reports of abduction of an Army jawan by terrorists in Budgam, Defence Ministry on Saturday clarified that the individual is safe. Terming the reports of his kidnapping as incorrect, the Ministry said suggested to avoid speculations. "Media reports of the abduction of a serving Army soldier (Mohammad Yaseen) on leave from Qazipora, Chadoora, Budgam(J&K) are incorrect. The individual is safe. Speculations may please be avoided," the Defence Ministry said. Media reports suggest that Army jawan Mohammad Yaseen has been missing since Friday evening. He was reportedly kidnapped by terrorists from his residence in Budgam district of Jammu and Kashmir. Yaseen belongs to the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JAKLI) unit. JAKLI is an infantry regiment of the Indian Army. The jawan, who had come home on a vacation, was kidnapped from his residence in Qazipora Chadoora of Budgam district. The family of Yaseen informed the police that some people came to their house and took him away. The incident comes months after Rifleman Aurangzeb was kidnapped and killed by terrorists when he was on his way back home on June 14 to celebrate Eid. He belonged to the 44 Rashtriya Rifles (RR). His bullet-riddled body was found hours after his abduction at Gussu village, about 10 km from Kalampora, in Pulwama district. His killing triggered widespread outrage. He was laid to rest with full state honours and hundreds of people attend his last rites in Poonch. Aurangzeb had taken a lift from a private vehicle outside his camp in Shopian but was being tracked by terrorists, who stopped the car and abducted him a few kilometres away. (With inputs from ANI and PTI) JAMMU: Suspected terrorists snatched the service rifle of a policeman in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district late on Friday. The policeman is posted as a personal security officer (PSO) of district development commissioner, Kishtwar, Angrez Singh Rana. J&K: Weapon(AK-47) of Personal Security Officer (PSO) of Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar, looted from his residence in Kishtwar last night ANI (@ANI) 9 March 2019 PSO Daleep Kumar claimed that some masked gunmen intruded into his residence at Shaheedi Mazar area of the town late night and decamped with his AK-47 rifle and mobile phone after threatening him and his family, the officials said. They said the area was immediately cordoned off and a massive hunt has been launched to nab the gunmen and recover the looted weapon. The PSO was being questioned, the officials said adding further details are awaited. Suspected terrorists killed a senior BJP leader and his brother in the town in November last year. The case was handed over to the National Investigation Agency but the culprits are still at large. Srinagar: A policeman was injured in yet another violation of ceasefire by Pakistan which was reported in Kerni sector of Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district on Friday. The injured has been identified as a Special Police officer (SPO). The shelling with artillery and firing of small arms took place by the Pakistan troops in Shahpur sector and Kerni sector of the district at around 6 pm. The Indian Army retaliated to the unprovoked shelling that happened after a lull of a day. The Pakistani troops have been repeatedly violating the ceasefire by resorting to firing and mortar shelling. Notably, the year 2018 had witnessed the highest number of ceasefire violations - 2,936 - by Pakistani troops in the last 15 years along the Indo-Pak border. The ceasefire violation by the Pakistani troops comes amid prevailing tensions between India and Pakistan which escalated after Indian fighters bombed terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed's biggest training camp in Pakistan's Balakot. India's non-military, pre-emptive airstrikes came 11 days after the JeM claimed responsibility for a suicide attack on a CRPF convoy in Kashmir, killing 40 soldiers. (With inputs from PTI) The Republican Party of India (Athawale) is yet to finalise a seat-sharing agreement with the Bharatiya Janata Party in Kerala for the upcoming Lok Sabha Election 2019. RPI (A) chief Ramdas Athawale said his party, which is a part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), will contest on three to four seats in Kerala independently if a seat-sharing pact with BJP fails. I asked Kerala BJP president Sreedharan for one to two seats out of 20 in state. If we get seats in alliance, we'll contest together with BJP. If we don't get seats, we'll contest independently in three to four seats and support the BJP alliance in other seats, said Union cabinet minister Ramdas told news agency ANI on Saturday. Athawale, who recently expressed unhappiness over the seat-sharing deal in Maharashtra, has decided to stay with the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP)-led NDA alliance for the upcoming general elections. The party core committee has decided to continue being in NDA and will help Narendra Modi to be re-elected as Prime Minister, he said, adding that party is not happy with the new set up of NDA in Maharashtra in terms of seat sharing. We will stay with NDA but we have certain demands including that RPI should get one seat from Shiv Sena and one from BJP. We want two Lok Sabha seats. One seat should be in Mumbai and one outside Mumbai, he said on February 25. Athawale has also claimed the BJP and Shiv Sena are at loggerheads on which Mumbai seat to should be allocated to RPI-A. "While the Shiv Sena feels the RPI should contest Mumbai North-East, the BJP wants to give us Mumbai South-Central seat," said Athawale. Lok Sabha election 2019 are expected to be held in April-May. The term of the present Lok Sabha ends on June 3. With ANI and IANS inputs Siwan: Wedding invitations usually come with a request to avoid presents, but a man from Bihar's Siwan, in his daughter's wedding card, has urged the guests to vote for Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the upcoming Lok Sabha election 20119. Ashok Singh, who seems to be a staunch Narendra Modi supporter, has asked his guests to avoid presents and instead promise to vote for Prime Minister Modi in the elections as a gift to the couple. The cover of the wedding card reads "As a blessing for our daughter please vote for Narendra Modi for the welfare of the nation.'' The wedding is scheduled to take place on March 12. Lok Sabha election is just a few weeks ahead and the Election Commission of India is expected to announce the schedule for it very soon. Ahmedabad: Brushing aside speculations of joining the BJP, Congress MLA in Gujarat and OBC leader Alpesh Thakor on Saturday said that he will continue to support the grand old party. "I am going to continue to fight for my people. I will stay in Congress and continue to support the Congress," he said. Alpesh is a Congress MLA from Radhanpur in North Gujarat. He had joined the Congress in the run-up to the 2017 assembly elections. He contested on a Congress ticket and won. Media reports had earlier suggested that the Congress MLA was planning to join the BJP and would directly take oath as a minister. He is among the young trinity of Hardik Patel and Jignesh Mevani. "Alpesh is not going anywhere and is going to stay in Congress. He has had a wonderful meeting with Rahul ji and our central leadership today. He will clarify everything in his press brief on Saturday. You will see." Congress spokesperson Ashok Punjabi had said. Meanwhile, Congress sources disclosed that Thakor had been hankering for a Lok Sabha ticket but the Congress high command had not given any commitment so far. He met senior leader Ahmed Patel in New Delhi on Friday though it was not known what transpired in the meeting, while he was also expected to meet party president Rahul Gandhi. Thakor also had issues with the Gujarat Congress leadership that he was being sidelined in the party and had conveyed that he would decide the future course of action after meeting the AICC chief. (With inputs from IANS) Singapore: Hollywood star Ben Affleck who is gearing up for the release of his next film "Triple Frontier" on Netflix declined commenting on filmmaker Steven Spielberg's push for blocking streaming of movies from the Oscars. Spielberg's Academy Award attention was devoted to ensuring that the race never sees another "Roma", a Netflix film backed by massive sums, that didn't play by the same rules as its analog-studio competitors, reported indiewire.com. He feels Netflix should only compete for awards in the Emmy arena. As the Academy Governor representing the directors' branch, Spielberg is eager to support rule changes when it convenes for its annual post-Oscar meeting. Affleck said: "That's really a question for various other interested outside groups and how they define the popular arts... that they are interested to give awards to or not or how you are kind of qualified for that which I am not. I am not on the board of governors of the AMPAS (Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences) or any other group." "Triple Frontier", slated for release on March 13 and directed by J.C. Chandor, tells the story of five former Special Forces operatives who reunite to plan a heist in a sparsely populated multi-border zone of South America. "Triple Frontier", which had a theatrical release on March 6 in the US, also stars Oscar Isaac, Garrett Hedlund and Pedro Pascal. They were doing the line dance when what sounded like firecrackers split the air. Because the sound was to be expected at a Chinese lantern festival, no one immediately noticed the demise of a fig tree that for 144 years had watched skyscrapers built around it and a freeway carved out beside it; that saw the changing fashions and hairstyles of the people beneath it; that sheltered a growing number of homeless people from rain and sun. It wasnt the sound of firecrackers. It was the sound of a tree dying. We saw the lanterns attached to the tree start to go, said Teena Apeles, whose daughters troupe was waiting to perform at the March 2 festival. We knew something was wrong. Advertisement The tree seemed to fall in slow motion, the swoop of its descent dramatized by the red paper lanterns strung from its branches, Apeles said. And with that, the four Moreton Bay figs that have towered for more than 140 years over the cradle of Los Angeles were three. Since 1875, the trees had formed a kind of compass circling El Pueblo de Los Angeles, the brick plaza where the city was founded. A Chinese lantern festival at El Pueblo de Los Angeles on March 2. A 144-year-old Moreton Bay fig in the background later fell. (Teena Apeles) Slumped on its side, the downed tree looked like a dinosaur, said Chris Espinosa, general manager of El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument. It was so depressing. Espinosa said he had consulted with arborists about the health of the trees but that their prognoses were made during the drought and were focused on keeping the trees healthy when water was scarce. The recent deluge has posed a different set of problems, he said. A city arborist inspected the trees this week and found the surviving ones in good shape, Espinosa said. A toppled Moreton Bay fig at El Pueblo de Los Angeles. (Teena Apeles) The four figs were planted at El Pueblo by agriculturalist and City Councilman Elijah Hook Workman, KCET reported in 2013. The Ficus macrophylla was brought from Australia to Southern California in the 1860s and 1870s, probably to provide shade and ornamentation, said Donald Hodel, a horticulture advisor for the University of Californias Cooperative Extension. At the time, the citrus industry was taking off, the region was being flooded with new trees, and railroad companies were marketing Southern California as a botanical wonderland where anything and everything could be grown, said Frank McDonough, a botanist with Los Angeles County. Having a big ol Moreton Bay fig in the middle of downtown Los Angeles illustrated that quite nicely, McDonough said. Hodel described the Moreton Bay fig as a commanding breed of tree with an enveloping canopy that threw plenty of shade. His reasons for admiring the Moreton Bay fig: Their grandeur; their size they have an imposing habit; their root structure is incredible; the spreading nature of their branches. Hodel said he last saw the El Pueblo figs about six years ago. I wasnt too impressed by their health or their size, considering theyre 140-something years old, he said. The trees become unhealthy when the ground beneath their canopy is covered with concrete, preventing fallen leaves from decomposing and enriching the soil, Hodel and McDonough said. In a well-maintained landscape what I call benign neglect, where you give a tree some water, let the leaves fall and leave them where they lay I imagine it could live 200 years or more, Hodel said. Today, there is barely a stump where the fig stood for 144 years at the southern point of El Pueblos plaza. The tree was cut up with chain saws and hauled away with a crane. Dave McMenamin, who leads tours of the pueblo as president of the Las Angelitas del Pueblo, said it felt like losing an old friend. Espinosa, El Pueblos general manager, said they were fielding ideas for its replacement. Some have suggested a native tree, like an oak. Others have proposed native plants such as the evergreen currant, the island snapdragon, hummingbird sage and creeping snowberry, Espinosa said. He called the medley a very strong suggestion. I still feel kind of bad when I go past it, a man who gave his name only as Joe said of the stump. He has lived at the plaza for 25 years. I mean, it took 150 years to get there, and to go like that ... Then he shrugged. But its like anything else around here. Its a tree. A tree is a tree is a tree. JAIPUR: Days after a Pakistani spy drone was shot down by the Indian Air Force (IAF) over Bikaner in Rajasthan, another drone from the neighbouring country attempted to enter the Indian airspace but was forced to return by the Border Security Force (BSF) on Saturday. According to reports, the Pakistani spy drone attempted to enter the Indian territory across the Rajasthan border but it was quickly detected by the Border Security Forces (BSF). After detecting the Pakistani drone, the BSF team tried to shoot it down, which forced it to return. Sharing more details of the incident, a senior BSF official said that a Pakistani drone tried to enter the Indian territory at around 5 AM at Hindu Malkot border near Sriganganagar. ''The moment it was sighted, the troopers started firing, forcing it to return,'' he added. The firing by the BSF shooters was also heard by villagers residing along the western border. The incident was reported days after an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) from Pakistan was shot down by IAF in Rajasthan's Bikaner. The Pakistani UAV fell on the other side of the border. ''The Pakistani drone was detected by a ground-based radar station and minutes later one of the Sukhoi-30 jets deployed in the area to keep an eye on Indian airspace shot it down,'' defence sources said. It was the second unsuccessful attempt by Pakistan to send a drone inside India in recent times. On February 27, a drone was shot down along the border in Gujarat's Kutch region. In the aftermath of the Pulwama attack, which resulted in the death of at least 40 CRPF troopers, border surveillance has been increased and the armed forces have been asked to remain vigilant. Both India and Pakistan routinely operate UAVs along the international border for surveillance. Rajasthan police on Saturday arrested a man after he was found suspiciously "roaming" near the Army camp in Jaisalmer. The person, identified as Kadar Khan, has confessed to visiting Pakistan in 2018 during interrogation. Kadar Khan, was brought to the police station after he was found roaming near their campus. He has confessed that he went to Pakistan in 2018. Officials have been informed. He's being questioned, said KS Dhillon, SHO Ramgarh told news agency ANI. This comes on the day the Border Security Force (BSF) repatriated a 60-year-old Pakistani national, who mistakenly ventured into Indian territory, as a goodwill gesture. "As a goodwill gesture and maintaining peace and tranquility at the IB, the BSF handed over the Pakistani national to Rangers. He was apprehended yesterday (Friday) when he crossed the International Border in Ramgarh sector of Samba," the spokesman said. Mohammad Ashraf, a resident of Boitah-Narowal area of Punjab, was apprehended soon after he intruded into India from across the International Border in Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir. Washington: White House Communications Director Bill Shine has resigned as Donald Trump's top White House communications aide and will move to work on the U.S. president`s 2020 re-election campaign, the White House said on Friday. Shine, a former Fox News executive, resigned on Thursday and will serve as a senior campaign adviser ahead of the 2020 presidential election, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said in a statement. A source close to Trump, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the president had lost confidence in Shine and was relying heavily on Sanders to run the communications operation. Shine is the latest in a string of communications directors who have had short tenures in the Trump White House, where the president in many ways serves as his own communications chief. Trump said in a statement released by the White House that Shine had done an "outstanding" job. "We will miss him in the White House, but look forward to working together on the 2020 Presidential Campaign, where he will be totally involved," Trump said. Shine said he was looking forward to spending more time with his family. Serving President Trump and this country has been the most rewarding experience of my entire life. To be a small part of all this President has done for the American people has truly been an honour," he said in a statement. Shine did not respond to an email requesting further comment. The former Fox News executive was named to the top White House communications job in July, 14 months after he left the network amid charges he failed to take effective steps to deal with sexual misconduct at the channel. Although not accused of harassment, Shine was named in a number of lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct and accused of not doing more to prevent it. Trump named Shine to be assistant to the president and deputy chief of staff for communications, a job that had been vacant since Hope Hicks, the president`s campaign confidante, left in February 2018. The New Yorker magazine earlier this week reported on "seamlessly" close ties between Trump and Fox News, citing an expert on presidential studies who said the television network founded by Rupert Murdoch is the "closest we`ve come to having state TV." The article went on to describe the access and interviews that members of the White House have granted exclusively to Fox News. Islamabad: Pakistans High Commissioner to India Sohail Mahmood on Friday called on Prime Minister Imran Khan to seek advice on the current situation between India and Pakistan, the Foreign Office said in a statement. Quoting the statement, ARY News reported that the Pakistani diplomat met Prime Minister Khan before leaving for New Delhi. Following the Pulwama terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir last month, Pakistan called back its High Commissioner in India amid reports of escalating tension between the two countries. India lost over 40 CRPF personnel in the ghastly February 14 terror attack, following which it launched a pre-emptive, anti-terror strike against a major JeM terror camp in Pakistan`s Balakot, where many top JeM commanders and terrorists were targetted. On March 6, Prime Minister Khan said that a war with India was averted because of "timely and correct decisions." There is intense global pressure against Pakistan to stop supporting terrorists and terror outfits after India mounted a diplomatic campaign in this regard. Notwithstanding the heightened tensions, India and Pakistan will be holding the first meeting to discuss and finalise modalities for Kartarpur Corridor at the Attari-Wagah on March 14. Following this, the Indian delegation is due to visit Islamabad on March 28, according to Pakistan`s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. As a convicted tax cheat, Paul Manafort stole $6 million from taxpayers. President Trumps former campaign chairman then blew his fat stacks on Richie-Rich jive eye-rollers such as monstrous houses, giraffe lawn ornaments, a limited-edition titanium watch, an ostrich skin jacket, a moat, four Land Rovers, blah blah blah. Even Judge T. S. Ellis III, a federal judge in the Eastern District of Virginia, who obsequiously praised Manafort at the sentencing hearing Thursday, had to concede that the fancy felons crimes were serious, that he had jacked the American people for his bunk lifestyle fetishes. This, said Ellis, was a theft of money from everyone who pays their taxes. But none of Ellis obligatory tut-tutting kept him from yielding to his own disturbing admiration for the infinitesimally repentant convict. In defiance of federal sentencing guidelines, which recommended 19 to 24 years in prison for Manafort-caliber misdeeds, Ellis gave him 47 months in federal prison, with nine months off for time served. Advertisement A sentence as light as an ostrich feather. Who knows how someone like Ellis decides someone like Manafort deserves such magnificent leniency? To start, theres this: The two men have class, race, gender and, evidently, party in common. It was when Ellis reflected on Manaforts character that the proceedings turned downright creepy. Ellis, who turns 80 in May, was appointed to the bench by President Reagan in 1987. In the same decade, Reagan also appointed Manafort, who campaigned for him, associate director of the personnel office at the White House. It should go without saying that federal sentencing guidelines are no ones partisan whim. They were established in the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984, which passed with majority support in both houses. (The 80s were evidently a weird time when both parties cared about equality and justice.) The reform was intended to ensure uniformity in the punishment of convicts who might otherwise have their sentences influenced by a judges biases or bigotry. The guidelines further serve as a check on a judges caprices because anyone who bucks them, as is his or her privilege, risks being seen as biased, or even in someones pocket. Indeed, soon after Ellis announced Manaforts sentence, his decision came in for scrutiny. He seems to have given Manafort a fair amount of credit for his purported cooperation with the special counsel Robert S. Mueller III, even as prosecutor Greg Andres, of Muellers team, insisted that Manaforts cooperation had been close to useless: odd bits the team already knew, plus stone-cold lies. Andres and the rest of the prosecuting team made it clear they thought the 19-to-24-year guidelines were appropriate. The Eastern District of Virginia, according to federal data, doles out considerably longer sentences for those convicted of fraud than other courts. Not this time. On Twitter came even more eyebrow-raising comps: People not of the ostrich-jacket class sentenced to far more prison time for far, far less serious crimes. But the judge was well within his powers to choose a short sentence. It was when Ellis reflected on Manaforts character that the proceedings turned downright creepy. Ellis commended Manafort as a good friend (to murderous oligarchs?) and a generous person (with his haberdasher?). Aside from all that bank and tax fraud, Ellis went on, Manafort had lived an otherwise blameless life. To anyone who craves justice or simply a return to reality, that otherwise blameless was a punch to the gut a flat-out Trumpian denial of the public record. Manafort has been known for more than 40 years as a member of the torturers lobby, a list compiled by the Center for Public Integrity in 1992. With his partners, Manafort acted as an all-purpose concierge to brutal dictators and war criminals in Nigeria and Kenya. He also represented Zaire, Equatorial Guinea, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine and Somalia. Manafort amassed millions by essentially deflecting criticism of his brutal clients and opulently enabling them. Sounds like he found a kindred spirit in Judge Ellis. For most of us, looking into Manaforts otherwise blamelessness would have to include questioning his intimacy with one Konstantin Kilimnik, who the FBI has long believed has links to Russian spy services. Specifically, there was a Manafort-Kilimnik rendezvous in a cigar bar, according to court documents, that Andrew Weissmann of Muellers team said goes very much to the heart of what the special counsels office is investigating. Still: otherwise blameless in Ellis courtroom. Compare Ellis gratuitous hymn to Manaforts angelic nature with the sentencing memo filed last month by Muellers team, which laid out how Manafort repeatedly and brazenly violated the law over the course of a decade. Even Manaforts daughter described her fathers fortune as blood money and said he had no moral or legal compass. And even when Thomas J. Barrack Jr., Trumps real estate crony, warmly recommended Manafort as campaign chair, he cited not the operators pure heart but his cold blood. Hes lethal, Barrack wrote. Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute Evidently Manafort is lethal to the moral reasoning of anyone who, like Ellis, might be blinded by gaudy-white-man social status. For five decades, Manafort has gotten a double-wide pass for his ego, his financial crimes and his whitewashing of regimes accused of human rights abuses. Next week in the District of Columbia, Manafort will be sentenced on conspiracy charges, related in part to illegal lobbying, that also grew out of the Mueller investigations. Presiding over that case is U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson. She has already proved unimpressed by Manaforts blamelessness, revoking his bail for contacting witnesses and ruling that he lied prolifically to the FBI, the special counsel and the grand jury. Jackson is not likely to consider Manafort blameless, as a lobbyist, a cooperating witness or otherwise. Twitter: @page88 Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinionand Facebook To the editor: As a cancer patient who has been helped by the recent developments in immunotherapy and gene-based treatments, I relate to (and agree with) Melinda Welshs points. It distresses me that President Trump treats science as a disposable option, if not an outright nuisance, when it runs counter to his political agenda or gut views. But Welshs last sentence its science alone that offers us any real hope diminishes the full impact of Oliver Sacks quote. As Welsh also notes, Sacks opined that qualities such as decency, common sense, farsightedness and concern for the unfortunate and poor are needed to aid science in offering hope to the world. Sadly, not only does Trump discount and disparage science, but he lacks any of these important qualities as well. Russell S. Kussman, Pacific Palisades Advertisement .. To the editor: Science is a way of knowing, not believing. Believing is an act of faith. I have tried to explain the distinction to a member of my own family, when he was justifying his metaphysical beliefs to me with proofs from his web research. He declared, Well, you believe in science. I do not believe in science. I accept and understand how science explains the natural world as investigated, revealed and repeatedly verified by its self-correcting processes. Welsh poignantly conveys the benefits of medical and scientific progress with her ongoing participation in this world, cancer free though well past her overdue date. Her quoting of Sacks provides a bleak contrast with those who deny science and all that it can give us. Jana Shaker, Riverside .. To the editor: Welshs op-ed article on Trumps assault on the science of climate change, ranging from the administrations abject ignorance on the subject to its pure greed, should stand alone as cause for impeachment. The Russia thing and multitude of other problems pale by comparison. Stephen Downing, Long Beach Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook To the editor: I read with great interest Noah Berlatskys op-ed article, Congress wont act, but there are other ways to make presidential candidates disclose their taxes. On Friday, the House passed legislation that I first introduced in June 2016, known as the Presidential Tax Transparency Act, to require the president, vice president and major party nominees to disclose their 10 most recent federal income tax returns to the public. Im proud my legislation is part of H.R. 1, the For the People Act, the sweeping reform and anti-corruption package introduced by House Democrats. I agree that states should join in this effort by passing state laws requiring presidential candidates appearing on their ballots to disclose their federal tax returns, but lets not lose sight of the work already being done to assure that the federal government is a more transparent and incorruptible institution. Future presidents and nominees should be required by law to inform the American people of their finances so we can determine who will best make decisions in our countrys interest, not theirs. Advertisement Rep. Anna G. Eshoo (D-Palo Alto) Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook The Democratic Party has a problem with anti-Semitism, and passing a resolution against bigotry wont make it go away. Democrats arent divided on anti-Semitism; theyre all against it. But one of their leftish new House members, Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, has made herself sound insensitive to anti-Jewish slurs repeatedly. That shouldnt be hard to avoid. Most members of Congress, including progressive Democrats who are champions of Palestinian rights, know how to talk about Israel without sounding anti-Semitic. But Omar, a Muslim American success story who came to Minneapolis as a 12-year-old Somali refugee, has flunked the test several times. Advertisement In 2012, Omar tweeted that Israel has hypnotized the world. Years later, as a candidate for Congress, she apologized. In February, she explained the influence of pro-Israel lobbyists in Washington this way: Its all about the Benjamins, baby. She apologized for that too. This month, in an otherwise eloquent statement about the pain suffered by both Israelis and Palestinians, she warned of the political influence in this country that says it is OK for people to push for allegiance to a foreign country. This time she didnt apologize. Again, this shouldnt be hard. Its OK to criticize the government of Israel, its policies and its practices. Its OK to defend the rights of Palestinians, including their right to a state of their own. Its OK to ask if AIPAC, the pro-Israel lobby, is too powerful, or whether pro-Israel donors have too much sway. Its OK to ask whether the United States should keep sending billions of dollars in aid to a country as prosperous as Israel. Thats not anti-Semitic. But its not OK to suggest that American politicians who support Israel are guilty of dual loyalty, or that their votes in Congress are all about the Benjamins. Omar may not have intended those assertions as ethnic slurs, but they revived ugly anti-Jewish tropes. The result was a week of unintended chaos for Democrats. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) papered over the problem by negotiating a resolution that denounced every imaginable kind of bigotry from racism to homophobia. A whopping 407 House members, including Omar, voted for it. Only 23, all Republicans, voted no. But the problem wont go away. For one thing, Omar hasnt issued a clear, straightforward apology for her most recent gaffe. Her defenders insist that shes learning, but they dont sound entirely convinced. I know Ilhan Omar personally; Im convinced shes not anti-Semitic, Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Fremont) told me. I think she understands the hurt her remarks caused. I believe she does. For another, Republicans have every reason to keep the controversy alive. On Friday, President Trump made it overtly partisan with typical subtlety, telling reporters: The Democrats have become an anti-Israel party. Theyve become an anti-Jewish party. Thats not remotely true but the president and his reelection campaign would like it to be. Their all-too-transparent aim is to hang Omars words around the neck of every Democrat whos running for Congress or the White House and to conflate any criticism of Israels increasingly right-wing government with rank anti-Semitism. U.S. policy toward Israel was already going to figure in Democratic presidential primaries, but the brawl over Omar could make the debate more treacherous. Democrats once reflexively supported Israeli governments, especially when they were led by the center-left Labor Party. But Benjamin Netanyahu has been hard for Democrats to love especially since the hawkish Israeli prime minister has passionately embraced Trump and the GOP. Most Americans say they sympathize more with Israel than the Palestinians, but among Democratic voters the split is closer to 50-50 with younger, progressive voters less sympathetic to the Jewish state. Omar isnt the only member of Congress who thinks U.S. support for Israel should be reined in. It was once virtually taboo for an American politician to defend Palestinian rights or advocate a Palestinian state. Thats no longer true. It was noteworthy that three top-tier Democratic presidential candidates went to Omars defense: Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Kamala Harris of California. All three are competing for support from their partys progressive wing. That guarantees that presidential debate moderators, whose job is to help candidates fight with one another, will look for divisions over Israel and keep the dispute alive. So Democrats need to find ways to talk about these issues calmly and civilly, in a way that respects each sides legitimacy. Khanna, a vice chair of the House Progressive Caucus, is among those already trying to mediate. Lets see if we can channel this into something constructive, he told me. We need to have a dialogue, probably private at first, with ground rules. Once again, this shouldnt be hard. The goal is a cease-fire in the Democratic Party, not peace in the Middle East. And they have a strong incentive. If they cant heal these wounds, Democrats risk seeing themselves defined by Omars hurtful tweets and Trumps deliberate slander. Few California Democrats have garnered more praise from the partys various constituencies than Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra, who has led the states charge against the administration of President Trump with 47 lawsuits on issues including immigration and healthcare. But in recent months, Becerra has come under criticism from progressives and civil rights leaders for his reticence to support legislative checks on police use of force. That blowback could have ramifications for an ambitious politician who seems primed for ever-higher offices. On Tuesday, Becerra announced that his office would not seek criminal charges against two Sacramento police officers involved in the fatal shooting of Stephon Clark, an unarmed African American man. While that decision was not unexpected, it built on another recent controversy in which Becerra was sued by civil rights groups for not releasing use-of-force records. He later outraged many progressive allies by threatening legal action over police misconduct records he said were improperly released to the media. Advertisement Becerra has long walked a line of presenting himself as both a civil rights defender and a friend of law enforcement. But has also disappointed some supporters for not taking a stand in support of legislation that would toughen use-of-force rules as well as a proposal that the state Department of Justice routinely provide independent investigation of police shootings. A Democratic attorney general, in particular, is kind of torn between two worlds the law enforcement entities and officials with which he or she must work and build credibility with, and Democratic constituencies that are highly suspicious of, if not downright hostile to, law enforcement, said Garry South, a Democratic political consultant. Becerra is now caught between these two constituencies in a pretty public way, said South, who managed Gov. Gray Davis 1998 and 2002 campaigns that portrayed Davis as a law-and-order Democrat. Sen. Kamala Harris faced the same pressures when she was attorney general, South said. Capitol watchers see Becerra as a possible contender some day for higher office, including governor or U.S. senator if one of those jobs opens up. But Becerra risks alienating key voters by his handling of the Clark case and his refusal to take a position on legislation making it easier to prosecute police officers, said the Rev. Shane Harris, a civil rights activist who has long served as a delegate for the California Democratic Party. He needs to realize that if he wants to be governor someday, he is going to need black votes and brown votes, said Harris, president of the Peoples Alliance for Justice. If he has any aspirations, they just went out the window for now. This right here really took him backwards when it comes to the black vote in the state of California. Harris said Becerra could regain ground with minority voters by supporting tough reform legislation and embracing calls for the attorney generals office to independently investigate all fatal police shootings. Then-Gov. Jerry Brown appointed Becerra as attorney general in 2017 after he served 12 terms in Congress a perch that provided little opportunity to be involved in state discussions of law enforcement oversight. Many activists did not know where he would stand on policing matters. He won election last year with strong support from police groups, including big campaign checks from the California Statewide Law Enforcement Assn. political action committee, the California Correctional Peace Officers Assn., the Los Angeles Police Protective League, the Assn. of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs PAC, the Long Beach Police Officers Assn. and the Oakland Police Officers Assn. PAC. Becerra is too close to the law enforcement community, said Melina Abdullah, a professor of Pan-African Studies at Cal State L.A. and a member of the Black Lives Matter movement. I think the complete unwillingness of the attorney general to intervene in the murders of black people by law enforcement even under the most extreme circumstances, like Stephon Clark demonstrates either a completely failed moral compass or a shameful submission to political cowardice, Abdullah said. On Tuesday, Becerra defended his actions in police use-of-force cases as by the book and based on the evidence. He resisted the idea that his office should routinely parachute in, as he calls it, and investigate officer-involved shootings that are now reviewed by prosecutors in each of the states 58 counties. I dont have the capacity and the resources to try to take over the work of 58 different D.A.s in this one shop, Becerra said. He said local prosecutors are far closer to what is going on in their communities. He said he knows the African American community feels hurt by the shooting of Clark, but added I think there is a lot of hurt in the Police Department too, because they are under a microscope and two of their fellow officers are now under a microscope. The attorney generals actions on law enforcement issues have frustrated some people who supported his election last year, including civil rights attorney John Burris, who represented Rodney King in his civil rights lawsuit against the Los Angeles Police Department. Im disappointed, Burris said after Becerras announcement in the Stephon Clark case. I supported him wholeheartedly [during the election]. I think I had higher hopes for him in the beginning. Burris said he has asked Becerra in the last few years to look at other police shootings and the attorney general has always sided with the local district attorneys in not pursuing action against officers. At the end of the day, the attorney general is law enforcement, and they have to work with law enforcement throughout the state, Burris said. Thats what makes it very difficult for him and others to be very critical of the local police unless the evidence is overwhelming. The Clark decision was not the only action that concerned some Becerra allies. Becerra is under criticism from groups including the First Amendment Coalition, which sued him last month after he refused to release records related to investigations of shootings or confirmed cases of sexual assault by officers. The lawsuit alleges that Becerra is required to turn over the documents by a law SB 1421 that was approved last year. Police unions have sued to keep records from being released. The ACLU of Southern California is very disappointed that Becerra is refusing to make public records ordered released by the state Legislature, said Melanie Ochoa, a staff attorney for the group. It is unfortunate that the states top cop is sending a message that it is OK for agencies to deny the public access to information about serious police misconduct and uses of deadly force particularly when we already have numerous courts that have decided that agencies must release this information, Ochoa said. Becerras actions on the release of records are defended by Robert Harris, a director with the Los Angeles Police Protective League. Harris praised Becerra for withholding such records in the Justice Departments possession while court cases deciding whether the law applied to investigations of incidents that occurred before this year were pending. I think thats an appropriate decision until we have a definitive answer, Harris said. Becerra defended his actions on the release of police misconduct records, citing privacy laws. My progressive values are still there, Becerra told The Times. If I have your Social Security numbers, and theres a good chance I do in one of my databases you would not want me to disclose it lightly, Becerra added. My job is to protect that privacy. In January, in response to a group of journalists in Berkeley, the states Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training released a list of 12,000 names of police officers and job applicants who had been convicted of crimes. Becerra later said the state office made a mistake in releasing the names to reporters for the Investigative Reporting Program at the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism. In a letter, he told the reporters to destroy the records, arguing that possession of the data was a criminal offense. Becerra said this week that his letter to Berkeley was part of due diligence to enforce the law. Someone needs to ask the folks that are in possession of information that they are unauthorized to possess or use, what dont they understand about the law that says, You are in possession of information that you shouldnt have. Its like stolen property, he said. The attorney general also finds himself in the center of a storm of controversy over possible legislative measures to reduce excessive force. Becerra refused Tuesday to take a position on pending legislation by Assemblywoman Shirley Weber (D-San Diego) that would make it easier to criminally prosecute law enforcement officers who kill civilians. Police unions and chiefs are supporting a separate measure that would instead focus on internal department policies and training. Becerra said he has withheld taking a position on the two use-of-force bills because he has not read them yet and he wanted to first complete the investigation into the Clark shooting, which he wanted to be seen as independent and fair. I have not gone through the bills to the point of making decisions, Becerra told reporters at a news conference on the Clark shooting. I will get involved because its important, he said. I dont intend to be AWOL when it comes to the discussion of how we write this new chapter. Coverage of California politics patrick.mcgreevy@latimes.com Twitter: @mcgreevy99 Similar to America and apple pie, few things are as traditional to Catholic school fundraising as holding a bingo night. Yet the affair, much like apple pie a la mode, can be quite vanilla. Providence High Schools Mothers Guild, however, is trying to change that as the new group is hosting its inaugural event Saturday titled, Not Your Grandmothers Bingo Night, at the school, located at 511 S. Buena Vista St., from 5 to 8 p.m. While bingo will certainly be played, there will also be appetizers, alcoholic beverages, a comedian, plenty of prizes and a bit of a sophisticated vibe, all at a cost of $30 per ticket. Pam Loftus, one of the guilds founding mothers, said some inspiration behind the idea came from well-known bingo fundraisers held by the restaurant chain Hamburger Marys, which benefit a variety of organizations and causes. Our event isnt going to be the traditional bingo but a little more adult and a little more fun, Loftus said. Its going to be a little more laid back and will serve our community. Loftus added, Were just trying to put a different spin on it. Make it very inviting, and we want everybody to come out for a laugh and a drink and win some fabulous prizes. Loftus husband, Michael, a producer, comedy performer and writer, will be master of ceremonies and will be assisted by actress, former dancer and guild mother Janet Fontaine. Its going to be like a Pat Sajak-Vanna White sort of thing, Pam Loftus said. It should be a lot of fun. In all, 10 games of bingo will be played and raffles for gift baskets, wine and other prizes will be held in between the action. A 50-50 raffle is also planned. Proceeds raised from the event on Saturday will help cover tuition costs for Providence High students who have a parent who has passed away during their time at the school. Its a wonderful and needed cause, said Mimi Greenfield, a guild founding mother. Were hoping to raise quite a bit of money. Tickets can be purchased at providencehigh.org. When you have a death in the family, a loss of a head of household, we want to be able to help these students, Pam Loftus said. People dont think it happens, but it happens more often than you think, and we want to make sure these affected students can still attend school. Joe Sciuto, Providences head of school, said he is just as excited about Saturdays event as he is about the formation of the schools mothers guild. At many Catholic schools, Loyola and St. Francis to name a few, they have these mothers guilds, and its just not something that has happened at Providence, Sciuto said. Mimi Greenfield just came forward, and she was nervous, but proposed something and I said yes, yes, please. Sciuto added, Anytime we can get our parents more engaged, Im all for it. andrew.campa@latimes.com Twitter @campadresports Eva Schloss says immortality was her step-sister Anne Franks biggest wish. She has succeeded, because wherever I go in the world, people know her as the girl who was murdered by the Nazis, Schloss, 89, said during her Wednesday visit to Chapman University in Orange. Although Anne would not see her 16th birthday, her story lives on through her diary, which is mandatory reading for schoolchildren around the world. Schloss, who now lives in London, shared stories about living in silence with the Dutch resistance in Amsterdam and being told by her captors at the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp to forget her name and respond only to the number tattooed on her arm. Shock and disgust on campuses after Newport-Mesa students are pictured saluting a makeshift swastika, though some arent surprised In 1938, the Schlosses moved to the Netherlands from Vienna, following the Nazi invasion of Austria. Schloss met Anne in the town square outside their shared apartment block in Amsterdam. She fondly remembers playing marbles and hopscotch with her. Although Schloss and her mother, Elfriede, were freed from the death camps by Soviet soldiers, they would learn that her father and brother did not survive. After returning to Amsterdam they reunited with Annes father, Otto Frank, the sole member of his family to survive, and, in 1953, Elfriede married him. Janet Halpert of Irvine was among those in the nearly full auditorium at Chapman. She was told her aunt attended a Montessori School with Anne and was hoping to learn more about her familys connection with the Franks. This image from Twitter shows Newport-Mesa students toasting over a swastika made from red plastic cups. The ultimate rage banner over the image was added by a Twitter user. (Photo from Twitter) After party featuring Nazi salutes and a swastika, Newport-Mesa students address culture of privilege and prejudice Its important that we wake up and know how to be more human and recognize that everyone is created in the image of God, Halpert said. For 40 years, Schloss didnt even talk about her Holocaust experience with her husband and children. Stories she heard in 1986 of Vietnamese citizens fleeing their country motivated her to speak up. Before Schloss arrived in Orange, Rabbi Reuven Mintz of Newport Beachs Chabad Center for Jewish Life asked for her help responding to a viral Internet crisis enveloping Costa Mesa and Newport Beach teenagers who had posted images of themselves saluting a swastika fashioned from red Solo cups. In wake of teens swastika party, speakers at Corona del Mar High forum urge solution to casual approach to hate A torrent of criticism followed when the images went global. In an event that was coordinated and arranged by the Chabad at Chapman University, Schloss agreed to Mintz invitation to counsel the students the morning after her speech at Chapman. When I heard about this incident I was shocked that in 2019, in a well-educated town, in a very well-educated school, that incidents like this could still happen, Schloss said, and was very keen and willing to come speak and hear from the children themselves about why they were able to do anything like that thats so hurtful to millions of other people. Eva Schloss, left, walks out of the theater at Newport Harbor High School with Chabad Rabbi Reuven Mintz, following a meeting with students involved in a party involving Nazi salutes around a Swastika made of red cups during an off-campus party last weekend. (Photo by Scott Smeltzer / Staff Photographer) She added that the incident, as well as the rise of anti-Semitism in Europe and the United States, underscores the importance of Holocaust education. Daniel Langhorne is a contributor to Times Community News. After the political upheaval in 2011 to overthrow the Muammar al-Gaddafi regime in Libya, political divisions and escalating violence have engulfed Libya in prolonged conflicts for many years. Currently, there exist two governments in Libya with their own armed forces. Regardless of the signing of a political agreement sponsored by the United Nations in late 2015, Libya has not yet reached a democratic transitional process. Although the Government of National Accord (GNA) has been internationally recognised, it has yet to establish a military force of its own, but still has to rely on militia groups based in the capital city of Tripoli. Meanwhile, in the eastern region, the army of Gen. Khalifa Haftar is still carrying out crackdowns against armed groups. Despite its large oil reserves, Libya has been exhausted due to political and economic uncertainties. The armed groups vie for control of oil fields, seriously damaging Libyas revenues from oil. Three countries which play an important role in the North African region cannot have good sleep if their neighbour Libya is caught up in bloody conflicts. Taking advantage of the security gap in Libya, members of the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) are rushing to this country to establish a new stronghold aiming to make a springboard for attacks on its neighbouring nations. Libya has recently become a black market, where weapons are freely sold as security lies beyond the control of the internationally recognised government. For fears of threats from security uncertainties, three neighbouring countries of Libya are working together to find a common solution. With Libya on the verge of being torn by armed groups, countries in the region emphasised the importance of uniting the Libyan army, aiming to achieve stability for the nation, while affirming that they would not approve any forms of outside intervention in Libya, which, according to them, only further complicates the situation. A joint statement of Egypt, Algeria and Tunisia clearly stated a nine-point agreement on respecting sovereignty, stability and security of neighbouring Libya, continuing to support the construction of state agencies, and contributing to the stability of Libya. All countries in the region agreed that all political solutions can be achieved through comprehensive dialogue until elections are held based on the 2015 political agreement. After the UNs reconciliation efforts, representatives of the two governments in Libya, including the GNA and the government in the east, sat at the negotiating table and recently agreed to conduct the general elections. The two sides agreed to close the transitional period, move towards organising the general elections and step on the path of ensuring stability and unification of institutions of Libya. This is a groundbreaking deal, aimed at improving political stability throughout the territory of the North African nation. However, in order to ensure the enforcement of the agreement, both sides still have to overcome many difficulties and disagreements. In fact, some similar agreements were made previously but then broke down again. Meanwhile, the UN is coordinating aid partners to map out a plan for humanitarian assistance to Libya, as more than half a million people in the country are currently in need of about US$200 million for humanitarian needs and emergencies. Conflict and uncertainty in Libya have triggered the emergence of potential risks to the North African region. The terrorist forces increasing operations in Libya have become a security threat to neighbouring countries. In this context, promoting a political solution through dialogue is believed to be the only right solution that can help Libya escape the current deadlock, thereby contributing to stabilising the regional situation. Almost a week after they came to light, images showing students from local high schools giving Nazi salutes around a swastika fashioned from red plastic cups remain etched in the communitys mind. Since the photos went viral on social media Sunday morning, the emotional fallout has been both potent and varying. What came as shocking or anger-inducing to some was to many a solemn reminder of a whispered reality. More than 100 people gathered Friday evening in Costa Mesas TeWinkle Park just down the street from Costa Mesa High School, which some of those who were at the party reportedly attend to show solidarity with the Orange County Jewish community and promote the idea that love and unity will triumph over hate. Some carried signs reading A swastika is not a joke and Lets make the world a better place. Others wore stickers with the slogan No place for hate. The event, presented by a host of community groups March for our Lives OC, Orange County Equality Coalition, Anti-Defamation League of Orange County/Long Beach, Human Rights Campaign of Orange County/Long Beach/Palm Springs, Irvine for Everyone, Together We Will Orange County, Women For: Orange County, March for Our Lives California and Women for American Values and Ethics included a Jewish Shabbat service and a vigil illuminated by electric candlelight. It was the latest gathering this week in response to the photos taken at an off-campus party last Saturday night in Costa Mesa that students have said included teenagers from Newport Harbor, Costa Mesa and Estancia high schools. On Thursday night, the theater at Corona del Mar High School was filled for a forum discussing anti-Semitism and the social environment that allows it to take root. A similar meeting took place Monday at Newport Harbor High. Also on Thursday, Eva Schloss stepsister and childhood friend of famed diarist Anne Frank met with about 55 Newport Harbor students, staff members and parents to discuss her incarceration as a teenager at the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp and speak firsthand about the horrors Nazi Germany inflicted on millions of Jews and others during the Holocaust. Laguna Beachs draft historic preservation ordinance moved a step closer this week toward becoming incentive-based and voluntary moves that could one day strip protections favored by preservationists while also making it easier for property owners to make modifications. After a couple of hours of comments from residents on both sides of the issue, the City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to perform an initial California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) study of the proposed ordinance. CEQA is a state law the requires cities to identify and then try to avoid decisions that could harm the environment. RELATED STORY: Revised historic preservation ordinance heading to Laguna council Supporters of the draft complained the initial environmental study was unnecessary and would delay the process, possibly until July 2020 at the earliest, while some opponents argued the draft would never withstand environmental review anyway. Laguna Beach Community Development Director Greg Pfost said he and the city attorney agreed the CEQA analysis is required. As much as Id like to see this thing be converted to voluntary as quickly as possible, I think we have to do some kind of CEQA initial study, said Mayor Bob Whalen. I think if we dont, were going to get sued. There are 852 historic structures The proposed ordinance would eliminate an inventory that earmarks 852 properties as historic, a designation that restricts certain modifications in the interest of preserving the communitys character. What the ordinance is going to do as a voluntary ordinance is potentially take away some of those protections, Pfost said. That act has a potential effect on both the cultural resources in town as well as the physical environment in town. That is really the true reason why we need to move forward, at least with the initial study, to identify what those effects are and then determine what type of environmental process we need to do. The draft s opponents including Preserve Orange County, which circulated an opposition letter to council members before the meeting argued that the ordinance would not comply with CEQA guidelines and should be abandoned. The letter also referenced the likelihood of post-adoption litigation by concerned community groups. Krista Nicholds, president of the advocacy organizations board of directors, said it is too early to decide whether to take legal action, but wanted the city to be aware of the risk. The city is delegating what is properly their role to a private property owner, she said. Thats our concern. And it leaves them open to legal challenge. Age of a property may not matter The council also agreed to a task force recommendation to eliminate a propertys age as a requirement for the citys official historic register. The citys senior planner, Martina Caron, said the draft ordinance included additional criteria to analyze whether a property should be considered a historic resource. Other task force recommendations for streamlining aligning the citys historic rating system with the states and allowing an applicant to simultaneously apply for incentives and acceptance to the historic register got the go-ahead. Officials also agreed to change the municipal code to exempt historic properties from some elements of the design review process required when property owners seek permission to make modifications. Under the current law, properties on the historic inventory or official historic registry must meet several requirements before they can be altered or demolished. The council was undecided about what to do with 21 properties including Hotel Laguna and the village movie theater listed in Lagunas General Plan. They would need historical assessments before any alterations were made. Mayor Pro Tem Steve Dicterow suggested removing the properties from the draft definition and leaving it to city staff to determine how the properties would be included, or not, in the CEQA study. Pfost said in an email Friday that staff is working to address those properties consistent with council action for the ordinance to be voluntary. Other task force recommendations to change a parking incentive and create a historic preservation fund to help homeowners restore, maintain and improve their properties, were denied. Why should the city and the taxpayers have to pay for someones historical home to be remodeled? Councilman Peter Blake said. That makes no sense to me. Whalen asked city staff to return with more information about potentially hiring a historic preservation planner for the Community Development Department. Councilwoman Toni Iseman supported the suggestion, saying the employee could help residents understand the historic registers incentives. There are tremendous benefits that we want people to know, Iseman said. I want somebody at the city whos knowledgeable enough to let somebody say, I dont care what benefits I have, I want off. Instead of hiring someone to explain the incentives, Dicterow suggested providing residents with a list of resources. Several residents spoke against the voluntary nature of the draft ordinance, saying it would strip necessary protections. Jahn Levitt said she has lived in her 107-year-old home, which was once occupied by novelist John Steinbeck, since 1979. The previous owner preserved the character of the property, she said, as will her family. History is a continuum and all of us owners are only temporary, Levitt said. One owner who chooses to demolish ruins that continuum forever. My son will keep our cottage as it exists so a small thread which binds our community together will remain intact. I hope this council would do no less to preserve our treasures. Others said they appreciated easing the regulations in the name of property rights. I walk through all these cute little cottages every day, said Cindy Shopoff, co-owner of Shopoff Realty investments in Irvine. I appreciate all of you who have tried to keep this sense of village in the community, but the sense of village doesnt mean penalizing the people who live in these houses. Re O.C. board approves charter schools requests to start campuses in Newport-Mesa and Ocean View, (March 6): A hundred thousand thanks to Newport-Mesas school board trustees. Thank you for your careful study of the International School for Science and Cultures petition to open a charter school in our district. Thank you for recognizing ISSACs shortcomings and for denying the petition. Thank you for rallying the community to support our local schools as ISSAC appealed your decision to the Orange County Board of Education. And thank you for the Daily Pilot commentary (Proposed charter school is a bad fit for Newport-Mesa, March 1) laying out the chronology of the whole venture. All in time for St. Patricks Day. Perhaps its the luck of the Irish that I, too, sat through the county boards open meetings in January and February and on March 6. I, too, listened to petitioner Patricia Goulds presentations malarkey? on behalf of ISSAC. And I could only ask, why? Why would people come from Los Angeles petitioning to start their school in our distract? Why might the Orange County board overturn our local boards decision? Why might the county divert public funds (NMUSD taxpayer money) intended for public education to such a venture? Why would some county board trustees be so extraordinarily accommodating to ISSACs proposal, despite the reservations and recommendations of the countys own superintendent and professional staff? Why? I listened, too, to the responses of Newport-Mesas representatives: teachers, the districts professional staff, legal and financial advisers. We could not ask for better-qualified, more-dedicated leaders. May the wind be ever at their backs. On March 6, in the time allotted for public comments, parents and grandparents and concerned citizens spoke out, overwhelmingly in support of Newport-Mesas position. We know now how this has all come out. The county board voted 3-2 to overturn Newport-Mesas denial of ISSACs petition. Trustee Mari Barke represents the countys District 2, which includes both Newport Beach and Costa Mesa. She voted with the majority. Why? Joyce McNamara McNabb Costa Mesa Charter proposal doesnt meet our standards ISSAC is a substandard proposed school with substandard leadership that does not belong in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District or any school district. Ruth Sanchez Kobayashi Newport Beach The Nazis didnt just target Jews This incident highlights the ignorance of the general population young and old of the atrocities committed by Hitler and the Nazis during their 12-year regime (In wake of teens swastika party, speakers at Corona del Mar High forum urge solution to casual approach to hate, March 8). Several students asked other students why they should care if they are not Jewish. While the majority of the persecution was against the Jewish communities, not only in Germany but throughout Europe, which resulted in the loss of life of 6 million lives, they were not the only casualties. The Nazis discriminated against all non-Aryans. They emptied mental hospitals and put the patients to death. They also executed Gypsies, Catholic priests and nuns and the homeless. This could only happen when good people remained silent. To those Holocaust deniers, I urge you to tour the Dachau concentration camp outside Munich with its gas chambers and crematoriums. Knowledge and education can eradicate ignorance and hate. Richard C. Armendariz Huntington Beach Authoritarianism breads hatred As this foolish, thoughtless game, which occurred with local high school students, has been well-covered, as it should have been, I have not seen anything written about the deep cause of horrible events like the Holocaust. Authoritarian governments lead to such horrible events. We now see around the globe governments where the rule of law has become the rule of one leader who has no respect for the laws of the nation or for its people. This causes dire actions and results. Poverty, drastic acts against the people, enslaving of children, disregard for the truth and so many violations of peoples rights and other unthinkable acts, are a way of life. In the United States we strive to protect the freedom of all. We must be vigilant and active to see that this freedom continues to be honored, protected by the rule of law, with constant attention to the Constitution. Judy Mader Newport Beach How to get published: Email us at dailypilot@latimes.com. All correspondence must include full name, hometown and phone number (for verification purposes). The Pilot reserves the right to edit all submissions for clarity and length. What do a Michelin two-star restaurant in Chicago and a taco catering company in Laguna Beach have in common? For restaurant operator Alexa Welsh, they both posed a mental challenge. Im scratched, Im bruised, Im exhausted, Im burned its, like, not a glamorous job whatsoever, said Welsh, 41, general manager and operator of Lagunas Rasta Taco. But its this really complicated little puzzle that I keep trying to figure out, and thats what keeps me entertained. Welsh visited Laguna Beach for the first time a year ago to check out the taco shop on the corner of Beach Street and Ocean Avenue. She had no plans to move. She was living in Chicago at the time and had recently closed 42 Grams, the Michelin-studded restaurant she opened in 2014 with her then-husband, chef Jake Bickelhaupt. The establishment was born from a dining experience Bickelhaupt and Welsh began hosting in their home in 2011. The first time they hosted a dinner, two friends and two family members gathered in their dining room for six courses. Within three years, the weekend dinners had transformed into an exclusive fine-dining restaurant in uptown Chicago. They served at least a half-dozen courses per meal for about 24 people a night. Each person paid around $200. Welsh was reservationist, host, server, accountant, communications director and all-around operations manager, while Bickelhaupt oversaw the food. Meanwhile, filmmaker Jack Newell followed them around with a camera, gathering clips for a documentary he made about Welsh and Bickelhaupts evolution from underground kitchen to brick-and-mortar restaurant. He released the film in 2017. One of the things you get to experience when you watch the documentary is this crazy ride alongside Alexa and Jake as they go from being insurgents to being one of the best restaurants in the world, Newell said Friday in a Facebook message from Ethiopia, where he is working on his next documentary. It could sound cliched if it wasnt true that its a real underdog story. Welsh said 42 Grams was the coming together of two souls to create something. The name was predicated on a theory that each human soul weighs 21 grams. In less than a year after opening in January 2014, 42 Grams earned two coveted Michelin stars. Reservations stacked up months ahead of time. It was kind of surreal, Welsh said. We had done something pretty friggin cool. But soon after their marriage fell apart in 2017, 42 Grams did as well. The restaurant closed abruptly in June 2017 after a physical attack on Welsh for which Bickelhaupt pleaded guilty to battery. Welsh became more vocal about general abuses in the restaurant industry and called kitchens boys clubs. After taking a few months to relax and recuperate, Welsh, a Pennsylvania native, was planning to move back to Texas, which she considers her home state. Then she received a private message on Instagram. I remember exactly, it was a couple of simple words: Do you want to run a taco shop in Laguna Beach? said Mario Melendez, owner of the Rasta Taco restaurant and catering company and two Rasta Rita beverage catering trucks. That was it. It wasnt even Hello, he said with a laugh. Alexa Welsh stands next to the colorful Rasta Taco van in Laguna Beach. (Don Leach / Staff Photographer) Melendez had just finished watching the 42 Grams documentary on a flight back to California from Rasta Tacos second location in Jamaica. He wanted Welsh on his team, but he knew it was a long shot. Of course I was not expecting a response, he said. I just figured I would throw it up to the universe and see what happened. But I certainly was hoping. I liked her style and I recognized her talent. To his surprise, Welsh wrote back asking for more details. The two chatted for the next several weeks, and then Welsh flew to California in March 2018 to consult for Rasta Taco for a few months. Mario just came around at about the right time, she said. I said, Lets take a peek under the hood and see whats going on. Soon she was working full time as the taco shops operations manager. Welsh reordered Rasta Tacos kitchen operations, pored over its financial books and revamped the menu. Melendez said he had always been deficient in restaurant operations and needed a strategic partner. The whole thing was really just an evolution based on need, Welsh said. When I got here, I was like, Look, you need a lot. Theres a lot that needs to happen here. Business at the restaurant, which has only outdoor seating, has flagged somewhat during the recent rains, but the pair has high hopes for the future. With her onboard, the possibilities are endless, Melendez said. An Orange County Superior Court judge Friday ruled against a defense motion to dismiss an attempted-murder case against the son of a former Real Housewives of Orange County star on grounds that his constitutional rights had been violated. Joshua Waring, 30, has been fighting since January 2018 to have the case dismissed because of jailhouse phone calls the defense said were improperly recorded and later shared with prosecutors. Waring is facing three counts of attempted murder and other felony and misdemeanor charges in connection with a shooting at a former sober-living home in Costa Mesa in June 2016. He could face multiple life sentences if convicted. After being appointed a public defender, Waring chose to represent himself in November 2016 for about two weeks, after which an alternate defender was assigned to his case. Waring, son of Lauri Peterson, a former cast member on the reality TV series The Real Housewives of Orange County, assumed his calls in Orange County Jail while he was representing himself were unmonitored, according to his current lawyer, Joel Garson. The court had granted Waring two hours of unrecorded collect calls and one 20-minute non-collect call per day in preparation for his court dates, as is standard when a defendant forgos outside counsel. In his ruling Friday, Judge Jonathan Fish referenced a 2010 appeals court decision that determined that although the government intentionally and improperly eavesdropped on privileged attorney-client communications in violation of defendants constitutional right to counsel, dismissal of criminal charges is too drastic of a remedy and not warranted. It is not lost on this court that the very essence of the defense [complaint] relates to the precious and fundamental right to have privileged conversations with ones lawyer, Fish said in the ruling. Garson said he was very disappointed by the decision. The court did a very careful analysis but seemed to rule on the assumption that Josh should have complained about his calls being monitored earlier, Garson said. Our position is that he didnt know they were being monitored until it was too late. Waring is scheduled for trial Tuesday, though Garson said he expects a delay. A real estate agent hoping to show a Glendale home to a prospective buyer had an unwelcome surprise on Wednesday when two masked men bolted from the home and into a waiting vehicle, police say. The agent was about to show a home in the 1500 block of Heather Ridge Road when he saw a Toyota Camry parked in the driveway with a man sitting on the passenger side. At first, he thought it was another agent showing the home, but then he saw that the key the company uses was still in its lock box. Tahnee Lightfoot, a spokeswoman for the Glendale Police Department, said the agent opened the door to find two men wearing gloves and masks, running from the back of the home and back out to the front and into the Camry. Officers were able to find the vehicle and got into a short pursuit on the 5 Freeway that then went onto the southbound 2 Freeway and down Glendale Boulevard. Lightfoot said the car slowed down during the pursuit so that a male passenger could exit and flee on foot. He was eventually taken into custody and found to be a 16-year-old boy. The Camry was eventually stopped by officers, and the driver and another passenger were arrested on suspicion of robbery. They were identified as 27-year-old Jerry Cunningham of Hawthorne and Demetres Ford, a 19-year-old man from Los Angeles. Surgical masks, three backpacks that contained nylon masks, a pry bar and other tools commonly used in burglaries were found in the vehicle, according to Lightfoot. She added that the trio allegedly broke into the Heather Ridge home to burglarize it by smashing a rear window. andy.nguyen@latimes.com Twitter: @Andy_Truc On Feb. 12, one day after the city of Los Angeles abandoned its plan to rebuild three coastal power plants, environmentalist Dan Brotman urged Glendale city officials at the end of a five-hour council meeting to take heed. We all understand this is going to be very challenging for Los Angeles, and no doubt there are risks, but the challenges and risks theyd face if they didnt take this path are even greater, said Brotman, founder of the Glendale Environmental Coalition. So where does that put Glendale? he added. Officials have been grappling with what to do with the citys ailing Grayson Power Plant for more than five years. Glendale utility officials have consistently said they need to rebuild some of the plants aging gas infrastructure in order to keep the lights on, while environmental groups think green and renewable solutions can fill the energy gap once the current machinery is retired. Im sure Glendale Water & Power will argue that Glendale is different, but I challenge that, Brotman said during the February meeting. If Los Angeles can do it, so can we. Glendale Water & Power officials are currently reviewing roughly 30 proposals the city requested last spring from outside firms to draft a plan for Grayson and expect to have a recommendation for City Council members by late May or early June, according to Steve Zurn, general manager of Glendale Water & Power. Zurn said Glendales situation is different from Los Angeles plants in several ways. For one, Graysons equipment is older. Aside from a relatively new gas-fired turbine, known as Unit No. 9 and installed in 2004, the other units are from the 1940s through the 1970s, Zurn said. The older units could stop functioning at any time, Zurn said. One of Los Angeles plants, called Scattergood, is tentatively set to retire in 2024. Two others, named Haynes and Harbor, are slated to shut down in 2029. Zurn said Glendale has less time than Los Angeles to wait for advancements in green and renewable-energy technology. Ten units spread across the three Los Angeles plants were already ordered to close in coming years because they rely on a sea-water-cooling method that harms marine life. Los Angeles also has other power plants with functioning units that are not facing closures, he added. At the end of day, Zurn said he doesnt have the luxury of taking a gamble with the citys immediate energy needs based on technology that may be available in the future, although he thinks currently obtainable technology is reducing the citys dependence on fossil fuel and will continue to do so. Its difficult, for me, to be able to say we can forego everything, hoping that something comes together, Zurn said You can see the dilemma Im in. Los Angeles Department of Water & Power seemed to be taking the same stand just prior to the Feb. 11 announcement made by L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti. The ultimate decision by Garcetti marked an abrupt departure from top L.A. DWP top staffers, who, like Zurn, had in recent months argued they needed the gas plants to continue providing the city with reliable electricity, the Los Angeles Times reported. Luis Amezcua, with the Sierra Club, a nonprofit environmental organization that opposes rebuilding gas plants, said Garcetti should serve as an example for other local elected officials to speak up. For us to push for these clean-energy solutions, there needs to be political will, because that provides support for the staff that are doing a lot of this work, Amezcua said. On the other side, utility staff needs to be open to having this conversation. Brotman agreed that if the politicians lead, the technocrats will follow. Political leaders need to set the direction for [utility officials], Brotman added. Its not really fair to ask them to set a new direction for the community. According to Brotman, Garcettis announcement essentially turned the utilitys priorities upside down, with sustainability taking the top slot over reliability despite the risks. I dont take Garcettis statement lightly, Glendale City Councilman Vrej Agajanian said when asked what he thought about the L.A. mayors statements. Echoing Zurn, Agajanian said the situations in Los Angeles and Glendale are different. As the responsible party for the city, he said he would rather err on the side of caution rather than pursue sustainability as a top priority at all costs. We have to be concentrating on both reliability and renewable energy together, said Agajanian, who previously worked as an engineer. I dont think one is independent of the other. Agajanian has three times rejected the Glendale utilitys vision for the plant, which he said first included 250 megawatts of gas about a year and a half ago, before dropping to 191 megawatts, and finally reduced to 130 megawatts this past winter. While Agajanian said he doesnt know what the plants exact energy mix will be, he wants to see a maximum of 100 megawatts of gas, with about half of that amount provided by the plants newest turbine. At this time, he does not think sustainable energy is reliable or affordable enough to fulfill all of the citys energy needs, even with the gas contributions from the new turbine. Glendale Mayor Zareh Sinanyan responded affirmatively to a request by email for comment after the meeting, but could not be reached directly before press time. Other council members did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Jan Smutny-Smith, chief executive of the Independent Energy Producers Assn., said the environmental groups are overstating the impacts plants like Grayson have on the environment. In California, every molecule of carbon and nitrogen is accounted for, Smutny-Jones said. Facilities that emit those pollution-causing molecules buy credits to do so known as cap-and-trade which are meant to reduce the release of the same molecules elsewhere. As a result, he considers the plants to be net-zero in terms of emissions. Smutny-Jones also dismissed the notion of simply reordering priorities to achieve a greener tomorrow. Our modern economy is dependent on reliable electricity, Smutny-Jones said. Often, these are life-and-death kinds of issues. Many environmentalists see climate change as an equally motivating life-and-death issue, with Brotman describing it as an existential crisis. After the Feb. 12 council meeting, Brotman acknowledged that the predicaments faced by Los Angeles and Glendale are different in some respects. But that doesnt mean that they cant achieve the same result as Los Angeles, he said. Like Agajanian, Brotman envisions a role for Graysons newest turbine, with the idea that it will be ramped down over time, but he thinks no new gas is needed. Stakeholders now await Glendale Water & Powers recommended plan. While no details about the plan have emerged, Zurn said it will likely comprise a patchwork of the proposals the city received. No matter what plan shakes out, a state law passed last year requires all of Californias electricity to come from clean-power sources by 2045. lila.seidman@latimes.com Twitter: @lila_seidman A former Glendale police detective who lied to authorities about his connection to organized crime and warned the Mexican Mafia about an upcoming gang arrest was sentenced on Friday to 21 months in prison. John Saro Balian will also have to serve three years of supervised release following his incarceration and will be required to pay a $300 special assessment and a $60,000 fine to the government. The punishment comes after he pleaded guilty last July to one count each of soliciting a bribe, obstruction of justice and making false statements to federal investigators. During the hearing, Balian, who was in handcuffs and wearing a khaki-colored prison jumpsuit, addressed the court, saying he didnt wake up one day and decide this was the road in life I was going to go down. He added, I didnt have the courage at the time to say no to someone who asked me for a favor I regret what Ive done, Im truly sorry. He ended his remarks saying he hopes to one day get a chance to redeem himself and become a member of society again once hes released. A federal judge pointed out what Balian had done was more than just grant a favor because there was an exchange of money. U.S. District Judge John F. Walter also said he hadnt heard a satisfactory answer as to why Balian made the conscious decision to turn to a life of crime and blatantly disregarded the oath he made to protect and serve as a police officer. Balians conduct was a gross abuse of the public trust he accepted as an officer and that no one should be above the law. I suspect a major part of his remorse is that hes sorry he got caught, Walter said. Balian was arrested last May after being identified as a person of interest during an investigation by the FBIs Eurasian Organized Crime Task Force into possible ties between the Mexican Mafia and Armenian organized crime. Three confidential informants had told investigators of their troubling interactions with the detective. Balian previously worked as a narcotics detective for the Glendale Police Department and served as the agencys spokesman. According to the plea agreement Balian made with authorities, he accepted $2,000 in 2017 to locate someone thought to have broken into an office and stolen $100,000 worth of property from an acquaintance. In March 2017, he utilized law-enforcement resources in an attempt to catch the alleged thief by giving information about the incident to the U.S. Marshals Services. In June 2017, Balian overheard Glendale officers discuss an upcoming sweep of roughly 20 members of the Frogtown gang, which has ties to the Mexican Mafia. He tipped off his associates within the mafia, allowing a Frogtown shotcaller named Jorge Grey to evade authorities for about a month, according to the affidavit. The plea agreement stated Balian had given false and misleading information to authorities to hide his connection with the Mexican Mafia and Armenian organized crime and that he acted corruptly with the specific intent to subvert the due administration of justice for the purpose of enhancing his reputation with the Mexican Mafia. Los Angeles Times reporter Alene Tchekmedyian contributed to this article. andy.nguyen@latimes.com Twitter: @Andy_Truc The Venezuelan opposition and government loyalists held rival demonstrations in Caracas on Saturday, as both sides prepared for what some fear could be a protracted power struggle. The rallies unfolded as power and communications outages continued to hit Venezuela, intensifying the hardship of a country paralyzed by economic and political crisis. The blackouts heightened tension between the bitterly divided factions, which accused each other of being responsible for the collapse of the power grid. Hard times are ahead, said opposition leader Juan Guaido, who addressed crowds with a loudspeaker after security forces dismantled a speakers stage that the opposition had erected. He said he planned to tour Venezuela to seek support and lay the groundwork for a massive rally in Caracas. The 35-year-old leader of the National Assembly said he anticipated more government efforts to sideline and intimidate the opposition. However, President Nicolas Maduros government has not moved directly against Guaido since he returned to Venezuela from a Latin American tour Monday. Advertisement Guaido earlier speculated that Maduro was effectively ignoring him in an attempt to sap the energy of the opposition, whose hopes of ousting the government have so far been stymied. But on Saturday, Maduro stepped up verbal attacks on Guaido, calling him a clown and puppet in a speech to supporters outside Miraflores, the presidential palace. He scoffed at Guaidos claim in late January to be interim president of Venezuela, a declaration supported by the United States and about 50 other countries. Not a president, not anything, said Maduro, who accused Guaido and his U.S. allies of sabotaging Venezuelas Guri Dam, one of the worlds largest hydroelectric stations and the cornerstone of Venezuelas electrical grid. He said authorities had restored 70% of power in Venezuela since what he called an international cyberattack late Thursday, but progress was lost on Saturday when infiltrators allegedly struck again. The Venezuelan opposition and U.S. officials say Maduros attempts to pin blame on his political adversaries is absurd, and that government corruption and mismanagement over many years caused the blackout and wider deterioration of the economy. In another blow to Venezuelas infrastructure, an explosion occurred at a power station in the countrys Bolivar state on Saturday, according to local media. Video posted on social media showed fire and smoke billowing from the site. Venezuelan authorities have not commented. Fleeing a gang, Pedro Cordova joined thousands traveling north last fall from Tegucigalpa, Honduras. He endured tear gas and days without food, trekking thousands of miles to Tijuana in November. But it wasnt the complicated U.S. immigration policy or active-duty troops deployed to the border that slowed Cordovas northward journey. It was Linda Romero Sanchez, a 29-year-old from Ensenada. Shes the coordinator of the Movimiento Juventud 2000 shelter in Tijuana and a mother to three children. From the moment he laid eyes on her, right there on Avenida Constitucion, less than a block from the U.S.-Mexico border, his journey norte was forgotten. I started passing by every day just to catch a glimpse of her, Cordova said. Her smile just fixed everything for me. Advertisement Romero works long hours, sometimes 15 hours a day, helping thousands of migrants a year. There have been times when shes had to put her body in between domestic violence victims and their abusers, and when shes had to show cartel members the door, as she puts it. One morning last week, she apologized for nearly dozing off between intakes. We didnt get to sleep last night until after midnight, Romero said with a yawn. I didnt even feed my own kids until after 10 p.m. Tijuana shelters are once again crowded to the brink of crisis, and shelter workers are bracing for more arrivals as people are sent back under the new U.S. Remain in Mexico policy. OK, breakfast is at 8:30 a.m. There is a schedule to charge your phones. At 7 p.m., its bedtime for all the kids, Romero explained to a new arrival a young woman with long, curly hair and a toddler on her lap. Do not leave your child here and go somewhere. They must be taken care of by you at all times. When you take a shower, they go with you to bathe. Once the paperwork was done, Romero slumped back down toward her desk, nearly drifting off, until something caught her eye from clear across the building. It was Cordova, her new husband. As the 32-year-old Honduran navigated his way through rows of bright-colored tents where the migrants slept, Romero came back to life, sitting up straight at her desk and flashing a smile. When I see him, she said, its like I have all my strength back with me. Cordova arrived with the caravan of Central Americans in November, and the two had a whirlwind romance, quickly falling in love. They arent the only ones to have found love in the time of caravans. News reports document at least a dozen marriages between people who have met amid a migration movement that has garnered international news attention and prompted angry tweets from President Trump. The pair celebrated their wedding Dec. 28, 2018, at Movimiento Juventud.(Romero didnt want to leave the shelter for the whole day.) It happened very fast. Everything happened so fast with our wedding, she said. I called my mom, and it was a big surprise. They tell their love story over the laughter of about a dozen children watching a movie in the shelter. I told her I would take care of her and I just wanted her by my side, said Cordova, who now works in a partner shelter around the block to be closer to Romero. Between the two of them, they have five children. Two are in Honduras, and Cordova doesnt know when or if he will ever see them again. He cries about that sometimes, Romero said. Cordova said he had not yet applied for permanent legal status in Mexico. He keeps his feelings guarded, but its easy to see how proud he is of her, a woman who has dedicated her life to welcoming those who walk a similar path he has as a migrant. When the movie is interrupted by a fight over pan dulce (pastry), Cordova steps in to back up Romero, sending the offending youth to his tent while she wraps her arms around and comforts the other. Romero said they thought about getting regular jobs to have more time with her kids and more money. But I like working with people who need me, she said. Someone has to have a heart or nothing will change. They both know how it feels to be desperate. Cordova said he fled gang violence, leaving everything he had behind even his children and that he would never return to Honduras. About 10 years ago, Romeros family fell on hard times, and she came to Tijuana with her children looking for work. They struggled to find shelter. I knocked on door after door after door and no one would accept me, she said. Before that, she spent parts of her childhood begging in the streets for change. My mom never said to me, How are you feeling today? Do you want me to play with you? Do you want me to help you with your homework? she tearfully recalled. Here, shes able to make sure children get the love and comfort they all deserve, she said. They say love can conquer all. For Pedro and Linda, overcoming the past may be their biggest obstacle. The two are grappling with how to blend their very different families, now stretched thousands of miles apart. The future looks challenging too. Recently, Linda didnt have money to buy her 11-year-old daughter a birthday present. The migrants at Movimiento Juventud chipped in to buy a birthday cake. Their family shares a one-room apartment; the kids sleep on blankets on the floor, and theres a baby on the way. Linda said before she met Pedro she never liked her own name because in Spanish linda meant pretty. When I was in grade school, kids would tease me that it wasnt for me, she explained. The truth is, Pedro countered, shes a beautiful woman with a wonderful heart. All Pedro knows is, when he looks at Linda, he sees the most beautiful woman hes ever laid eyes on. And in Pedro, Linda found what was missing all her life. She finally has someone on her side. Fry writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune * Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi has stressed the important role of the people in constitution amendment, saying that steps were being taken at the parliament in the move. * The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on March 7 blasted the Republic of Korea and the United States for holding a joint military exercise, saying it was a violation of summit agreements they reached with the DPRK last year. * The Republic of Korean President Moon Jae-in on March 8 named seven new ministers, including a top policymaker in charge of inter-Korean affairs, in a cabinet reshuffle for the third year of his five-year presidency, according to the presidential Blue House. * The Russian State Duma passed two bills on March 7 to ban and punish the spread of fake news that pose security risks. * China-Japan relations have got back on track and show a positive momentum toward improved and stronger ties, which fully meets the common interests of the two peoples, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said at a press conference on the sidelines of the country's annual legislative session on March 8. * Finnish President Sauli Niinisto accepted the resignation of the government led by Prime Minister Juha Sipila, national broadcaster Yle said on Friday morning. Earlier reports said the government faltered after its health reform virtually failed. * The death toll of attacks on a gathering in Kabul on March 7 reached to 11 dead and 95 injured, a spokesman for Interior Ministry, Nasrat Rahimi said on March 8. The hardliner Islamic State (IS) group has reportedly claimed responsibility for the bloody offensive. * China will work with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to build a relationship for the new area, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Friday. * US President Donald Trump is open to having further talks with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), National Security Adviser John Bolton said on March 7. * Venezuela on March 7 defied a call from the European Union (EU) urging the South American country to reconsider its decision to expel Germany's ambassador. * Polish President Andrzej Duda and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg held talks on March 7, discussing modernizing the Polish army, European military cooperation under the NATO umbrella and support for Ukraine. * Ukraine on March 7 urged Washington to support its effort to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Enhanced Opportunities Partner program, which creates additional opportunities for non-member states to cooperate with the bloc. * General Joseph Votel, head of the US Central Command, said on March 7 that U.S military has not fixed a specific date to withdraw forces from Syria. Currently, there are about 2,000 US troops deployed in Syria. * American spacecraft Crew Dragon undocked from the International Space Station (ISS) early on March 8, and is scheduled to return to earth hours later. * A total of 111 people in Greece have died of complications caused by flu during the current flu season, which started last autumn, the Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention (KEELPNO) announced on March 7. * Heavy rains have devastated central and southern regions of Malawi since Tuesday (March 5) with at least ten people dead and thousands displaced. Dowen college: ''He was not on the school premises at the time when the unfortunate incident occurred''- Edward Brown's mum denies his involvement in the alleged attack on Sylvester Oromoni Fugitive billionaire diamantaire Nirav Modi, accused in the USD 2 billion PNB fraud case, is living openly in a swanky 8-million pound apartment in London's West End and is now involved in a new diamond business, a British daily reported on Saturday. Modi, 48, is currently living in a three-bedroom flat occupying half of a floor of the landmark Centre Point tower block, where rent is estimated to cost 17,000 pounds a month, The Telegraph reported. Exclusive: Telegraph journalists tracked down Nirav Modi, the billionaire diamond tycoon who is a suspect for the biggest banking fraud in India's historyhttps://t.co/PpsjGeFEsy pic.twitter.com/v3dN5NotzQ The Telegraph (@Telegraph) March 8, 2019 The revelation comes a day after Modi's 30,000 sq ft seaside mansion at Kihim beach in Maharashtra was demolished by authorities using explosives. Despite his bank accounts being frozen by the Indian authorities and an Interpol red notice being issued for his arrest, Modi, a diamond jeweller whose designs have been worn by Hollywood stars, is now involved in a new diamond business based in London, the report said. PTI BEIJING, March 8 (Xinhua) -- The second session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC), China's national legislature, started its second plenary meeting Friday afternoon. Xi Jinping and other Chinese leaders attended the plenary meeting at the Great Hall of the People. National legislators will hear a work report of the 13th NPC Standing Committee and an explanation on the draft foreign investment law during the meeting. Zach Gibson/Getty Images)(WASHINGTON) -- This is how veteran Justice Department official Bruce Ohr who's faced an onslaught of attacks from President Donald Trump and Republican allies described why he passed information to the FBI alleging ties between Russian operatives and Trump's inner circle: "Any time a citizen gets information about a crime or a national security threat it's appropriate to convey it to the FBI. ... It should be passed to the FBI for them to use it or not as they feel appropriate." The comments, from a closed-door session with both Republican and Democratic House members several months ago and released by Republicans Friday, mark the first time the public has been able to hear from Ohr himself. Republicans have long accused Ohr of improperly acting as a conduit between the FBI and former British spy Christopher Steele, who in the months before and after the 2016 presidential election was hearing from foreign sources that Trump and some of his associates may have compromised by Russians. Steele had been hired by the firm Fusion GPS to conduct opposition research on Trump, and the work was being paid for by Democrats tied to Hillary Clintons campaign. "I think Bruce Ohr is a disgrace," Trump said in front of the White House last year. "For him to be in the Justice Department, and to be doing what he did, that is a disgrace." But Ohr insisted to lawmakers that the actions he took were intended to steer clear of the political bias he is now being accused of perpetuating. The information Steele first relayed to him in July 2016 was "scary" and "inflammatory," Ohr said, but he didnt relay it to his supervisors at the time in the deputy attorney general's office. Instead, he shared it with career officials at the FBI "who understood and dealt with these kinds of Russian matters," he told lawmakers. "I wanted to keep it in career channels and not make it political or not have it treated in a political way." Ohr said it's something he had done before. "I had been working in this area for many years, so many people ... would tell me things, I would pass it to the FBI," he said. As a Russia specialist himself, Ohr first met Steele a decade earlier and had come to know and trust Steele's work, Ohr said. Then in July 2016, a week after news reports began wondering whether Russia was behind the theft and release of thousands of private emails from the Democratic National Committee, Steele met with Ohr and Ohrs wife, Nellie, for breakfast at a Washington, D.C., hotel, according to Ohr's testimony. Nellie Ohr, a Russia expert herself, had been working for Steele for several months, culling online articles and other public documents for information related to business dealings in Russia. She never spoke a word while Steele told Ohr of the allegations he was hearing: The Russians "had Donald Trump over a barrel," and former Trump adviser Carter Page "had met with certain high-level Russian officials when he was in Moscow," as Ohr recounted to lawmakers. "I was very concerned when I got the information," Ohr said. "It seemed to have very serious national security implications." So he went to the FBI to meet with two people he had worked with in the past: then-deputy director Andrew McCabe and then-FBI attorney Lisa Page, according to his testimony. He provided them with what he heard from Steele, and they introduced him to senior counterintelligence agent Peter Strzok, a career agent who at the time was handling the investigation already underway inside the FBI looking at possible ties between Russian operatives and several Trump associates. In the weeks that followed, Ohr met with Strzok, Page and three prosecutors from the Justice Department. Strzok, Page and two of the prosecutors would later join Special Counsel Robert Mueller's team. "My job, as I saw it, was just to get the information over there and let them figure it out," Ohr said. Meanwhile, in August 2016, Ohr began to hear about Steeles findings not just from Steele but also from the founder of Fusion GPS, Glenn Simpson, whom like Steele Ohr had known for several years. Simpson spoke of "communications back and forth between the Russian Government and the Trump campaign," Ohr recalled. "I tried to get Glenn Simpson to speak with the [FBI]," Ohr testified. "[But] he was willing to meet with me and give me some information. So I took the information and passed it to the FBI." Ohr said that when he shared the information with the FBI, he "tried to be clear that this is source information" the same type of unverified information involved in the start of most FBI investigations. And hoping to make them "aware of any possible bias," he told the FBI that the information was coming from someone hired by the Clinton campaign who also employed his wife, Ohr said. "I don't know how reliable it is," he recalled telling the FBI of the information he was sharing. "You're going to have to check it out and be aware." In September 2016, just weeks before Election Day, Ohr met Steele again in Washington, D.C., to receive "some additional information," he told lawmakers. Around that time, Steele was becoming "very alarmed by this information" and "did not want Donald Trump to win," Ohr testified. Also around that time, the written reports compiled by Steele now collectively known as "the dossier" first made their way to Strzok, according to Strzok's congressional testimony. Steele had helped the FBI investigate and build other cases in previous years, so he was viewed as a known and credible source of information, the FBI said in court documents. A month after Strzok first received Steele's reports, information from them was included in an application secretly submitted by the FBI to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, seeking to monitor Carter Pages communications. Page has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. The application was approved. But in the days afterward, the FBI cut off its relationship with Steele for talking to a reporter about his work. So, it was Ohr who continued to feed Steele's information to the FBI. "Chris Steele would continue to call at various times, and I would listen to what he had to say, and I would pass it to the FBI," Ohr said. In December 2016, Ohr met Simpson once more, and Simpson handed Ohr a thumb drive, which Ohr then gave to the FBI. "I suspected it was the dossier," Ohr recalled. "I had heard there was such a thing as a dossier, but I hadn't seen it. So he gives me a thumb drive. I assumed this was the dossier." Ohr said he didn't know that Steele himself had already given a copy of the dossier to the FBI and that Strzok received it three months earlier. Steele's information would be included in three more applications to continue surveillance of Page through September 2017. Trump has repeatedly blasted what he called the "fake dirty dossier," insisting last year it "was responsible for starting the totally conflicted and discredited Mueller Witch Hunt." The transcript of Ohr's testimony became public on Friday because the top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Doug Collins, R-Georgia, released it. Speaking with reporters afterward, Collins said Ohr "should not have" gotten involved in the Russia matter. But as Ohr described it, "I didn't have any input or work on those investigations. I'm just providing information." Strzok was later fired from the FBI and Page left on her own, after internal investigators uncovered a massive cache of text messages over several months showing intense disdain for Trump. Copyright 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. JERUSALEM, March 7 (Xinhua) -- Israeli and Chinese scientists have developed an advanced method for examining the spatial structure of molecules, as published Thursday by the Weizmann Institute of Science (WIS) in the center of Israel. The WIS researchers, together with scientists of Shanghai's East China Normal University (ECNU), showed how very short and fast laser pulses align molecules in a certain direction. This enables to examine the structure of the molecules by measuring the radiation that bypasses them and disperses from them. Understanding the structure of complex molecules can lead to technological inventions, the development of advanced methods of medical treatment, and more. So far, an examination of molecules structure required molecular crystals - when the crystallization process in many cases is difficult and complex. In the new method, the radiation is used on individual molecules, which are not arranged in a crystal, so no crystallization process is needed. The scientists demonstrated the new method on sulfur oxide molecules consisting of two oxygen atoms and a sulfur atom. The two oxygen atoms create an axis for the molecule, with the sulfur freely rotating around this axis. First, the researchers launched laser pulses in the direction of the oxygen atoms - aligning the axis of the molecules in the same direction. Then, pulses of additional laser, resulting from the first and coordinated with it, caused also the sulfur atoms to line up in the desired direction. The time taken for molecules to line up as a result of the laser pulses is about 10 femtoseconds (10 millionths of a billionth of a second). BEIJING, March 7 (Xinhua) -- With only two years left for China to meet the deadline in its war against extreme poverty, the country stands ready to face the toughest challenges to meet the goal and ensure the victory stand the test of time. The Chinese government has decided to eradicate poverty by 2020, the target year for China to become a moderately prosperous society. There will be no retreat until the promise, made to the nearly 1.4 billion Chinese people and the entire world, is kept. China has lifted more people out of poverty than any other country. There were 13.86 million success stories last year. Another 10 million are expected this year. By any standard, it is a daunting task for a developing country whose per capita GDP stands only at the middle of the world rankings. The drive will not stop until the day dawns when the last person living in poverty finds his or her rightful place as a citizen of a well-off society. PRECISION IS KEY As goes the Chinese expression, "You should not bomb fleas with grenades," meaning appropriate resources should be used in the right place at the right time. This precision poverty relief adopts varied policies for different regions according to their needs. More support has been given to impoverished areas in developing businesses that leverage local strengths. Projects have been arranged according to the specifics of every region or even every family. For those living in remote areas with few natural resources or fragile ecology, the government has offered assistance to relocate or provide compensation. While creating jobs will not work so well for many -- particularly the old, the sick, and the disabled, China ensures social safeguards for these most vulnerable groups. China gives priority to the work of seeing that the basic living needs of rural poor populations are met and that such people have access to compulsory education, basic medical services, and housing. The further China gets in the crucial stage of the fight, the greater the need to tackle real problems with attention to details, to ensure substantive, sustainable outcomes. ACTIONS, NOT WORDS Policy is just the first step. Implementation of those policies is the responsibility of cadres at all levels. They must seek out the very poorest and work with them. Local officials must interact with people and businesses to find solutions and mobilize all available resources including money, markets and talents. China has a unique and efficient governance system that can concentrate resources and accomplish big things, poverty reduction being one of them. The central government departments and affluent eastern regions of the country are allocating more resources to poverty-stricken areas. This year, the central government will specially allocate 126.095 billion yuan (18.82 billion U.S. dollars) to fund poverty alleviation, an increase of 18.9 percent, according to a draft budget report submitted to the ongoing legislative session. Actions speak louder than words. The government eschews doing things for show. Evaluation and oversight on the poverty alleviation efforts are being strengthened. Corruption, fraud or embezzlement of poverty-relief funds are dealt with in the most severe ways. UPROOTING POVERTY Declaring a "war on poverty" is easy. The hard part is uprooting the causes of poverty. Hundreds of reform measures have covered education, health care, finance and innovation. China is aware of the danger for those who have recently escaped poverty to be pushed back into it as a result of natural disasters or illness. Support policies that apply to populations that have recently been lifted out of poverty will be maintained until the progress in poverty alleviation is consolidated. China is also making full use of the fundamental role of education in stopping poverty from being passed on to future generations. Professional training in poverty-stricken areas is producing an army of workers with the skills that modern industries need. China's model may not work in other countries due to different systems and development stages, but it may help the world realize that, as long as a government makes real promises and takes real action, poverty is a foe that can be defeated. MERIDEN The State Historic Preservation Office is working over the next few months to preserve the history of the Connecticut School for Boys before two former dormitories are razed. The buildings are part of what is now the Col. Leo J. Mulcahy Complex on Colony Street, home to the state police forensic lab and other public safety offices. Officials with the state preservation office have asked that the history and social significance of the two buildings and the Connecticut School for Boys be documented and made available to the public. The final report and pamphlet will be finished within the next few months. The proposed scope of work, which includes abatement (partially completed) and demolition of the structures, would constitute an adverse effect to historic resources, deputy state historic preservation officer Catherine Labadia wrote to Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection officials last July. Labadia added that the office had no objection to the removal of the dormitories, which state public safety officials say cant be rehabilitated. The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection is also interested in expanding the forensic lab. But Labadia strongly recommended the two Colonial revival-style brick structures be documented with photographs, a site plan and narrative text. State historic officials also called for the development of a booklet of photographs and text to detail the significance of the facility, considered one of the earliest reform schools in the country. A spokesman for the Department of Administrative Services said the agency has hired a professional to write the report and pamphlet. The Connecticut School for Boys operated on Colony Street from 1855 to 1972 before merging with Long Lane School, the state reform school for girls. The 11-building complex was turned over to the state police and renamed the Col. Leo J. Mulcahy Complex. A forensic lab was built on site in the 1990s. The site is also home to the State Police Academy Alumni Association Inc. museum, which received approval last summer to construct a building on a half-acre parcel on the eastern side of the property to house vintage vehicles and heavy equipment. The Connecticut School for Boys complex was situated around a green off Colony Street and was originally designed to prevent youths from entering the adult penal system. By the 1930s, the complex contained a main building, several apartments for staff, staff dining room and kitchen, workshops, school rooms, and the administrative offices. It also had nine cottages, a boys kitchen, laundry, bakery, powerhouse, dairy barn, gymnasium and a chapel. Two additional cottages and a greenhouse were completed later. The idea for the school began in 1850, when public outcry and a legislative committee found that about 80 boys younger than 16 served jail time during a one-year period for theft, according to the Connecticut State Library. The report concluded that at least 200 boys deserved classification as juvenile offenders, but nothing came of it. At the start of the 1851 session, Governor Thomas Seymour endorsed the idea of a state reform school in his annual message to the General Assembly, according to state records. Having received additional petitions favoring a state reform school, the legislature created a new joint select committee that also endorsed its creation. The committees report estimated that the land, buildings and furnishings would cost about $20,000. This time, the Assembly enacted the appropriate legislation. Boys who were orphaned, came from dysfunctional homes or had criminal histories were taken into state custody and housed in its dormitories, while administrators lived on site. Judges could sentence any boy under 16, convicted of any offense punishable by imprisonment to the new state reform school for at least 90 days, according to state records. Convictions that carried life sentences were not eligible for placement. Boys could be released as an apprentice to any state resident, while those who reached the age of 21 fulfilled their sentence or met the test for reformation and were discharged. Meriden was selected for its accessibility to the Hartford and New Haven rail lines and central location. The initial site later grew from the 31-acre campus to a farm that stretched to what is now Westfield Meriden mall. A small knoll on the west side of the campus was designated an ancient burial ground in 1986, because it contains the remains of 30 to 40 boys who died at the reform school from childhood diseases or accidents. A plaque near the knoll reads: The 30 to 40 boys buried on this site were forgotten children of their time. In 1893, the school provided vocational training in addition to moral and academic instruction, giving boys an opportunity to learn masonry, carpentry and framing skills, to the benefit of both the school and themselves. They also produced plays, including The Mikado, according to state records. The state Department of Children and Families will cooperate on the project, Labadia said, but there are restrictions under state law preventing the use of photographs depicting students, recordings and medical records. In addition to the historical information, the report will also reveal a glimpse into how the states practice of dealing with children evolved over time. Its not a static thing, but part of a progression, Labadia said. This will look at the development of the building and campus and how it relates to reforming (boys) and bringing them into state custody. To understand the context of how we treat children today, its important to have that information. The state has a $400,000 demolition budget and has hired AAIS Corp. of West Haven to take down the two buildings. This is one of the earliest juvenile reform schools in the country, built in a design that was conducive to reform, said Marena Wisniewski, state registrar coordinator and environmental reviewer. It was a well organized complex. The original buildings were demolished in the 1920s and the complex rebuilt in the 1930s. The architect was Walter T. Arnold of Hartford, who also designed the site plan. The buildings are of no use to DESPP and cannot be maintained, administrative services department spokesman John McKay said. The report, with photographic documentation, will be completed in the next month or so. mgodin@record-journal.com 203-317-2255 Twitter: @Cconnbiz WALLINGFORD Center Street has attracted so many personal grooming businesses that almost 25 percent of the towns barbershops, hair salons, nail salons and day spas are either on Center Street between Main Street and Route 5, or within one block. With that much competition, how do they all stay in business? The answer, it seems, lies in the nature of the personal grooming industry and the variety of services offered by local cosmetologists. According to town Health Department records, there are 82 registered hair and nail businesses in town, and 20 in the lower downtown area. Thirteen of them are on Center Street, and seven more within a block. Cheryl Hair and Nails, 185 Center St., is the newest salon to move into lower downtown. It opened Jan. 8. Owner Cheryl Ellison, whos been a hairdresser for 18 years, said shes the first non-medical tenant to open in the building. From her home on South Orchard Street, Ellison operated her salon for 14 years. Prior to that, it was located in Yalesville. I decided that I was going to change it up, go back out, Ellison said. Ellison employs Gabriella Diaz, of Durham, as a nail technician and Belinda Hayden, a Wallingford native whos been a hairdresser for 50 years. Were all different generations, Ellison said, but we all have the same mentality of treating our clients with respect. Were the ones that make them feel good. Hayden said she sings to her customers. The oldest one I have, shes 97 years old, Hayden said. Ive done her hair since she was 43 and I was 16. Together, they offer hair color and cuts, texture waves, keratin treatments, manicures, pedicures and facial waxing. We love our relationship with our clients, Ellison said. Theyre not just clients, theyre kind of like our family We have kids from when theyre born, all the way until they have kids. The 1,000-square-foot space also includes a small shop of items of jewelry and clothes from Gotta Have It, of Wethersfield. She said that shes more client-based and doesnt really attract walk-ins. Hair salons, in general, are just word-of-mouth, she said. Were not each others competitor. I dont compete with the people down the street and they dont really compete with me. Like Ellisons salon, Classic Cutz Barber Shop recently relocated from another spot in town closer to Center Street. In January, the shop moved from 192 N. Colony Road (Route 5) to 35 N. Colony Road, within a block of Center Street. We just needed more space, owner David Ortiz told the Record-Journal last month. We kind of outgrew the other spot and this was the closest location that we can find from there. The new location is double the size of the previous location, with an additional 400 square feet of space. The shop offers straight razor shaves, fades and hot towel shaves. Ortiz employs eight barbers. He owns a second location at 2551 Whitney Ave. in Hamden. Frenchies, 5 Meadow St., is a small storefront just off Center Street, located near a barbershop on the corner and across the street from another salon. Owner Kristen OConnor attracts a retro crowd, specializing in vintage hairstyles and makeup for women and men. She said she had two clients drive from New Hampshire last weekend. I get a mix (of clients), she said. Its not just rockabilly and pin-up girls that come here. Id say 50 to 60 percent of my clients are just people from Wallingford Oddly enough, I get a lot of really manly men, like mechanics and metalheads. Shes been in the under-1,000-square-foot space, which has customized furniture, equipment and decorations in pink and teal, for nearly five years. Before that, she worked for several years at salons in Wallingford and New Haven. I dont really feel theres a lot of competition, she said. If youre counting on only walk-in business, then being in this area would probably be awful because theres so many options. But Im pretty sure almost all the places around here are more boutique-style, referral and appointment-based. LTakores@record-journal.com 203-317-2212 Twitter: @LCTakores BEIJING, March 8 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday called for more efforts to implement the rural revitalization strategy with the chief goal to modernize agriculture and rural areas. "The top task for implementing the rural revitalization strategy is to ensure supply of important farm produce, grain in particular," said Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission. He made the remarks when joining deliberation with deputies from Henan Province at the second session of the 13th National People's Congress, China's national legislature. Efforts should be made to promote the supply-side structural reform in the agricultural sector to achieve food security while building a modern and efficient agriculture, Xi added. Xi also called for enhanced protection of agriculture ecological environment and prevention and treatment of pollution in rural areas. Xi stressed strict penalties on crimes involving food safety so as to ensure safe farm produce for the public. Efforts should be made to strengthen the leadership of grassroots Party units in the rural areas, Xi said, noting that the practices of rural residents' self-governance should be further explored. Xi also called for measures to promote two-way flow and equal exchange of factors, including human resources, lands and capital, between urban and rural areas. "The task to eradicate extreme poverty must be fulfilled by 2020," Xi stressed. Implementation of the rural revitalization strategy and seeking progress in work related with agriculture, rural areas and farmers should be taken into consideration and promoted in the overall economic and social development, Xi said. By Express News Service MUMBAI: The lenders of fraud-hit Sterling Biotech, a pharma firm that has been facing insolvency, on Friday decided to withdraw the resolution proceedings against the company. The banks have accepted Sandesara brothers one-time settlement offer of Rs 5,500 crore. The e-voting on the resolution put to vote at the 14th meeting of the CoC of the Company concluded on Thursday, 07th March 2019 at (11:30 p.m. IST). In this regard, please note the Committee of Creditors has approved the withdrawal of the CIRP of the Company with requisite majority, the company said in a regulatory filing to BSE. According to sources privy to the developments, 90 per cent lenders have accepted the one-time settlement offer. They have also decided to take 66 per cent haircut on debt exposure to the company.Credit facilities to the tune of Rs 8,100 crore availed by the group were declared fraud account by banks. Investigative agencies including Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) have been probing the case. Its promoters have already fled the country. Last year, Sterlings lenders led by Andhra Bank had moved National Company Law Tribunal against it. The ED has taken the CBI FIR into cognizance. Multiple prosecution complaints or charge sheets have also been filed by it before a special court. It had also attached assets worth over `4,700 crore of the pharmaceutical firm in June last year. In January this year, a Delhi court allowed the ED to go ahead with the process to extradition of four Sterling Biotech promoters who were suspected to be in Nigeria and Italy.However, post those orders, the Sandesara brothers offered one-time settlement to the lenders. Booked for bank fraud The CBI had booked Sterling Biotech, its directors Nitin Sandesara, Chetan Sandesara, Dipti, Rajbhushan Omprakash Dixit and Vilas Joshi, along with chartered accountants Hemant Hathi and Garg, and some unidentified persons, in connection with the alleged bank fraud. By PTI SAN JOSE(COSTA RICA): Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu has met President of Costa Rica Carlos Alvarado Quesada and held "fruitful" discussions on a range of issues, including cross border terrorism, and new areas of collaboration that hold potential to boost the bilateral ties. Vice President Naidu, who became the first Indian on Friday to receive an honorary doctorate by the University of Peace founded by the United Nations, also invited the Costa Rican companies to invest in India and benefit from high returns. "President of Costa Rica Carlos Quesada and I have had fruitful and cordial exchanges covering a range of areas of mutual interest. Based on our fruitful exchanges, we are confident that our mutual efforts will open up new and innovative vistas for deepening ongoing engagement between both countries," Naidu said. #India is a peace loving country but has been a target of #terrorism from across our border for the last few decades.We discussed in detail the menace of terrorism and the need to fight in one voice against individuals & terrorist groups engaged in terrorist activities.#CostaRica pic.twitter.com/DXlUEzw5QI VicePresidentOfIndia (@VPSecretariat) March 8, 2019 Naidu, who met president Quesada at the Casa Presidenical in San Jose on Friday, said there were many new areas of cooperation for the two countries to take their bilateral relations to new heights. Meeting with https://t.co/7B8psDdk76. Carolina Hidalgo Herrera, President of the Congress of the Republic of #CostaRica. India & Costa Rica have close ties, based on shared commitment to democracy, pluralism, multiculturalism, freedom of Press& equitable human rights. @CaroHHe pic.twitter.com/C8uNlB4TeS VicePresidentOfIndia (@VPSecretariat) March 9, 2019 He said the Costa Rican strengths that India would want to take advantage of include eco-tourism, clean transport, education and to have zero carbon emission economy by 2021. "Indian strengths that Costa Rica can benefit from include space and biotechnology, Renewable Energy including solar, pharmaceuticals, ICT particularly eGovernance, hydroelectric generators and power plant equipment, farm machinery & skill upgradation, railway construction," Naidu said. "Costa Rica is the largest economy in Central America. Costa Rican companies are invited to invest in and benefit from the fastest growing large economy. Current bilateral trade volumes between both countries are to the tune of USD 200 million," he said. Terming Costa Rica as an "important partner" of India, Naidu said the two countries shared "close and cordial" ties based on their shared commitment to the pursuit of democracy, pluralism, multiculturalism, freedom of Press and equitable human rights. The two countries also exchanged memorandum of understanding on waiving visa requirements for diplomatic and official passport holders and the signing of the Letter of Intent to collaborate in the field of Biotechnology. "India & Costa Rica could collaborate in various aspects of skill development such as Soft Skills, Entrepreneurship, Financial and Digital Literacy. 50 per cent of the Costa Rican population is less than 25 years. We could share our experiences in skilling, training and capacity building," Naidu said. Naidu is in Costa Rica as part of his two-nation trip to Paraguay and the Central American country. By PTI NEW DELHI: Saudi Oil Minister Khalid al-Falih is making his second visit to India in less than three weeks to attend the wedding of richest Indian Mukesh Ambani's son Akash. Akash Ambani is tying the knot with Shloka Mehta, daughter of diamantaire Russell Mehta and Mona Mehta at a grand ceremony in Mumbai on Saturday. Sources privy to the development said the Saudi oil minister will visit Mumbai for the wedding and will also make a brief stopover in the national capital to have a conversation with Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and other industry leaders. Al-Falih, who has known Ambani for over a decade now, had previously travelled to Udaipur in December last year to attend the pre-wedding festivities of Ambani's daughter Isha's marriage with industrialist Ajay Piramal's son Anand. Akash and Isha's wedding will take place at the newly built Jio World Centre in Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai. The wedding festivities kickstarted on February 23 with a grand bash in St.Moritz, Switzerland. The couple got engaged in June 2018 and celebrated the occasion with a string of lavish parties in Mumbai. Al-Falih last visited India on February 20 as part of the high-level delegation that travelled with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for a bilateral visit. When he last visited the Ambanis in December 2018, the Saudi oil minister had tweeted that the world's largest oil exporter Saudi Arabia and Ambani-run Reliance Industries are discussing joint investments in petrochemicals, refinery and communications projects. At the time of the February 20 visit, Saudi Aramco CEO Amin Al-Nasser had spoken about talks with Reliance for investments in refinery and petrochemical projects. Reliance operates two refineries at Jamnagar with a total capacity of 68.2 million tonnes per annum. Reliance plans to expand its only-for-exports SEZ refining capacity to just over 41 million tonnes from the current 35.2 million tonnes but does not have any plans to set up a new refinery in the country. It is presently focused on expanding petrochemicals and telecom business, industry sources said. Crude oil is the basic raw material for the manufacturing of petrochemicals. Saudi Arabia, on the other hand, is keen to get a foothold in the world's fastest-growing fuel market so as to get a captive customer for the crude oil it produces. Saudi Aramco, the world's biggest oil company, and its partner Abu Dhabi National Oil Co (ADNOC) have picked up 50 per cent stake in a planned USD 44-billion refinery in Maharashtra but the project is facing problems in land acquisition. Aramco and ADNOC will together hold 50 per cent stake in the 60 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) refinery and adjacent 18 MTPA petrochemical complex planned to be built at Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra by 2025. The two will supply half of the crude oil required for processing at the refinery. Like other major producers, the two are looking to lock in customers in the world's third-largest oil consumer through the investment. Kuwait too is looking to invest in projects in return for getting an assured offtake of their crude oil. Saudi Aramco is also keen on retailing fuel in India. A refinery in India can also be a base for it to export fuel to deficit countries in Europe and the Americas. India has a refining capacity of 247.6 million tonnes, which exceeds the demand of 206.2 million tonnes. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), this demand is expected to reach 458 million tonnes by 2040. By Express News Service BENGALURU: A 12-year-old boy suffocated to death and his brother fell unconscious on Friday morning due to a leak in an LPG cylinder, in their room in HAL police station limits.Police booked a case against the gas agency owner who had refilled the cylinder on Thursday evening. The deceased is identified as Sameer, a Class 6 student. Shamshir (5) is recovering at a private hospital in Madiwala. The police said that around 7.30am, the boys mother Kalavathi, a domestic help, went out to work. She returned home and found that gas had leaked from the cylinder. Since the room had no window, the gas was contained within the space and her sons had fallen unconscious. When efforts to wake up her children went in vain, Kalavathi alerted her neighbours who broke open the door. They rushed the children to a private hospital, where Sameer was declared brought dead. Shamshir is said to be out of danger. The family was living in a rented room, located under a staircase of a building in Jagadishnagar.Kalavathi told police personnel that she had left for work at 6am on Thursday, and asked Sameer to lock the door from the inside. Sameer had gone back to sleep after locking the door. Mom wanted to educate her kids Rakesh, a relative of Kalavathi, told police that she came to the city four years ago after her husband Padam died due to ill-health in Nepal. Kalavathi (36) dreamt of giving her children a good education and decided to work as a domestic help. She arranged for money from her relatives and managed to get admission for her kids in a private school. She was living in a 5x7ft room. Kalavathi told police that she had refilled the small cylinder from a nearby shop at 7pm on Thursday, and that the owner was into illegal LPG refilling. When police reached his shop, he had fled the area. Efforts are on to nab him, the police officer added. By Express News Service HYDERABAD : Holy Mary Group of Institutions Secretary Dr Arimanda Vijaya Sarada Reddy speaks on her journey thus far in the field of education, the laurels won, and her message for youthIt takes a long hard road to make it to the top. Through ups and downs, Arimanda Vijaya Sarada Reddy, the Secretary of Holy Mary Group of Institutions, shines bright. Along with my husband Arimanda Vara Prasad Reddy, I had set up Nalanda Vidyalaya High School way back in 1985, after a lot of struggle, she says. The school went on to achieve successive state ranks, Pratibha Awards and many other recognitions. Her interest in teaching began from her schooling days. Her educational qualifications look impressive PhD in management studies from JNTU Hyderabad, BA, MA from Osmania University, BEd from Andhra University, MEd from Sri Venkateswara University (SVU), MS (Psychology) from University of Madras, MS (Counselling and Psychotherapy) from Kuvempu University, MPhil (Psychology) from SVU, MBA from IIM Bangalore, certifications from Dale Carnegie. Training the list goes on. What was the reason behind her obtaining so many degrees? I am passionate about teaching and learning. And I am a hands-on person who believes in mingling with students to know them better. In order to know what is being taught to MBA students, I enrolled for the course. Similarly, to interact with students and understand their feelings, I did Psychology courses, she says matter-of-factly. She also adds, I always update myself with new ideas and technology. The basic nature of mine is continuous learning and as a result I am updated. I try to introduce the same to my students. In 1996, Holy Mary Group established the first MCA college in South India at Jubilee Hills which was later moved to SR Nagar. They now offering MBA courses too. The group established engineering colleges in Hyderabad and Guntur in the year 2000. In 2011, Dr Arimanda Vijaya Sarada Reddy took part in a Women in Leadership in-house programme at IIM Bangalore. She was one among 26 aspirants across the country and the only one from the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh. It was a wonderful experience interacting with industry leaders like ICICI MD Chanda Kochhar, politicians such as former Delhi CM Sheila Dixit, MP Daggubati Purandeswari, Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu and others. The course focussed on the nitty-gritty of politics. As part of the coursework, we went to Singapore to study how their leaders function, how Parliament proceedings happen, etc. It was a hectic but rewarding experience, during which I had learned a lot, she reminisces. She is the only woman from India to take part in a UN conference on Global Problems and Local Solutions organised by Geneva Institute for Leadership and Public Policy in 2013. And she represented India at the WEConnect International Day, a business-oriented meet held in Philadelphia, US in 2014. I joined Confederation of Women Entrepreneurs (COWE) as a member, and was elected unanimously as its Chairperson in 2014. I helped organise various empowerment sessions to women and contributed to their growth, she adds. How about the support given by her family? My husband supported me a lot. In the late 90s, he left his Central government job at MIDHANI to assist me. He gave constructive criticism, which helped me grow. Without his feedback, I would not be here today, she says humbly. A Dale Carnegie certified Train the Trainer, Dr Arimanda Vijaya Sarada Reddy takes sessions on soft skills such as goal setting, time management, positive attitude, among others. Over her decades-long career, she has helped thousands of students achieve their potential. As part of official engagements, she has toured many countries in Asia, Europe, Middle East, etc. Within the country, she organised skill development and entrepreneurship programmes for women, distributed uniforms and notebooks to schoolchildren, held stress management workshops for Police personnel and many other sessionsAny words of wisdom for youth? Keep a goal for each year and try to achieve it in the same year. If I face problems in this process I will try to sort things out but will never turn back. So I say only two things be goal-oriented and try to be a continuous learner, she says with a smile. By Express News Service VIJAYAWADA: The top brass of State police are sceptical about receiving cooperation from their Telangana counterparts in the investigation into the alleged theft of TDP data from the partys Seva Mitra mobile app by some police officials from the neighbouring State and YSR Congress leaders. The State government on Thursday constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) for the purpose. SIT chief N Bala Subramanyam, who is an additional DGP rank officer, on Friday held a meeting with Director General of Police RP Thakur where, it is learnt, that the issue of TS cooperation came up for discussion. One of the SIT members underlined the need for securing relevant documents from the TS police to proceed further in the case. But another senior official expressed the view that it would be futile to expect any cooperation from their counterparts. The IT Grids India Private Limited office in Hyderabad is said to have been sealed by the Telangana police. We have to get access to it for our probe, but it is highly unlikely. We may not even be allowed to visit it, a senior official said. The meeting lasted for more than an hour where another SIT member, P Hari Kumar, and three other officials were present. We are going to expedite investigation into the case. We are yet to receive documents pertaining to the case to ascertain the identity of persons who were involved in the data theft. We also reported the same to DGP, said one of the SIT members on condition of anonymity. It may be recalled that the government constituted the SIT following a complaint lodged by State TDP president K Kala Venkata Rao in Thullur police station on Wednesday alleging conspiracy by opposition YSRC and Telangana police to steal the data of the TDP and deletion of votes from electoral rolls. Based on the complaint, Thullur police filed a case under Sections 120 B, 418, 420, 380, 409, 167, 177, 182 r/w 511 of IPC. Meanwhile, the government formed another SIT with eight officials to investigate the 322 cases filed across the State for filing Form-7 (application for deletion of votes). Director General (DG), Fire Department, K Satyanarayana will head the team and the SIT will investigate all the cases related to the filing of Form-7 across the State. The team consists of one senior official from each range as the cases were registered across the State. When contacted, Satyanarayana said the investigation into the 322 cases would be divided based on zones and the member from the zone concerned would investigate the cases.We are instructed to investigate the cases registered for filing false Form-7 applications intentionally. We are going to hold a meeting to chalk out the course of investigation, Satyanarayana told TNIE. Team of SIT-II K Satyanarayana, IPS DG-Andhra Pradesh SDRF & Fire Services- Head Members-RK Meena, IPS- IGP- Guntur Range G Pala Raju, IPS - DIG- Visakhapatnam Range Dr CM Trivikram Varma IPS-DIG- Eluru Range D Nagender Kumar IPS - DIG- Kurnool Range Kanti Rana Tata IPS-DIG- Anantapur Range Siddharth Kaushal, IPS, SRP, Guntakal A Rajendra, DSP, PCS & S Ashok files plea in HC Hyderabad: IT Grids India Pvt Ltd CEO Ashok D on Friday filed a petition in the Telangana HC with a plea to stay all further proceedings, including his arrest, and to quash the case registered against him for alleged theft of data of AP and TS voters and beneficiaries of schemes By PTI SINGAPORE: Actor Ben Affleck believes finding solutions to problems using violence is endemic to men but he agrees that the idea of masculinity needs to be redefined in the post #MeToo era. The actor says that majority of people pointing guns at each other and killing one another are men is a hard truth. "I'm sure upwards of 95 per cent of the people pointing guns at each other and killing one another are men. That is simply true. This kind of violence is perpetrated almost exclusively by men, not that obviously women aren't victims of violence as well but that this certain kind of problem-solving through violence is endemic to men," Affleck told PTI in a group interview while promoting the Netflix film 'Triple Frontier' here. The actor stars as one of the five former Special Forces operatives in JC Chandor-directed action thriller. Set in South America, the film sees war veterans pull off a seemingly successful heist at an infamous drug lord's house, at the end of which they ironically end up losing more than the spoils. Affleck said Chandor wanted to examine the violent behaviour with a critical eye. "It's an interesting question that 'Why is this that the way we think of solving problems at the point of the gun is going to lead to a solution?' It never has, it rarely has and yet we keep on thinking 'Yeah, there's this problem and we show up with tanks and guns and kill a bunch of people and then things will get better'," he added. The film also stars Charlie Hunnam and Garrett Hedlund, who accompanied Affleck. Hunnam believes 'Triple Frontier' is not a film that celebrates "toxic masculinity". "It's a specific story about specific people. The real world reality is that this (Special Forces) area is dominated by men. It's slowly changing I think there are a couple of female Navy SEALS, Rangers and DELTA. "So I know that we kind of explored that question whether or not the mission would have unravelled in quite the way it does if there had been more gender equality that we had a woman's point of view in there," he said. The actor, however, added the vice of greed is not exclusive to men. "One of the main areas that precipitates this thing unravelling partly in this fashion and on grounds as it does, it is greed. And it's certainly not exclusive to men," Hunnam said. Hedlund said the film attempts to explore the trauma war veterans go through and their life after coming home is an underlining theme. He added that it's about the reintegration of soldiers back into society. "I think that's something is an underlined issue that will stand out," he said. 'Triple Frontier', also featuring Oscar Issac and Pedro Pascal, was released by Netflix in select theatres in the US on March 6. It starts streaming worldwide on March 13. President Xi Jinping extends greetings for International Womens Day to deputies of the National Peoples Congress during his visit to the Henan delegation in Beijing on Friday. XIE HUANCHI / XINHUA Local authorities told to push rural vitalization, guard food security President Xi Jinping stressed the importance of implementing a rural vitalization strategy and ensuring food security while joining a discussion with deputies to the National People's Congress from Henan province on Friday. For a country with nearly 1.4 billion people, China must remain highly vigilant on food security issues, said Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission. Calling Henan a major agricultural producer, Xi instructed the local government to build the province into a core food production zone and steadily increase its production capacity. Xi said some arable farmland is illegally occupied and destroyed in some parts of the country in the process of industrialization and urbanization, and those responsible for such illegal activities must be held accountable. Local authorities must shoulder their responsibility and keep an eye out for illegal destruction of farmland, Xi said. It's intolerable for some farmland to be destroyed in the name of building parks and squares for the people. Xi highlighted the significance of advancing supply-side structural reform in agricultural areas, calling it important for farmers to increase their incomes. A healthy environment is the biggest advantage of rural areas, and it is also the decisive factor in agricultural competition, Xi said, adding that more effort should be made to address pollution problems in rural areas. The president pledged to fight criminal activities related to food safety and ensure that the people have access to safe agricultural products. Xi attached great importance to infrastructure construction in rural areas, and he instructed local authorities to focus on building roads, water projects, logistics and internet facilities for farmers. Xi also instructed local authorities to enhance Party building in grassroots Party organizations in rural areas, boost transparency in rural affairs and enhance supervision of the exercise of power of village officials. Local authorities should deepen reform and boost opening-up, promote the flow of talent and capital between urban and rural areas and inject more impetus into rural vitalization, Xi said. He instructed local authorities to deepen reform of the rural farm system and promote high-quality growth in rural areas. The government must uphold a people-centered philosophy of development and help the people benefit more from the outcomes of reform, Xi said. During the discussion, eight NPC deputies spoke on such issues as building the Belt and Road, eliminating poverty and enhancing Party building in villages. By IANS MUMBAI: Actor Irrfan Khan, who returned to India last month after receiving neuroendocrine tumour treatment in London, was spotted at Mumbai airport on Saturday. According to the photographs that surfaced online, Irrfan can be seen avoiding paparazzi at the airport as he chose to hide his face with a muffler. He was spotted wearing a pink jacket and camouflage pants. However, it was not clear where the "Piku" actor was heading to. Back in March last year, Irrfan had revealed that he has been diagnosed with a rare tumour. Soon after, he went to London for treatment. Irrfan Khan (Photo | Facebook) "The unexpected makes us grow, which is what the past few days have been about. Learning that I have been diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumour as of now has admittedly been difficult, but the love and strength of those around me and that I found within me has brought me to a place of hope," Irrfan earlier said while sharing the news of his tumour. It is also reported that the 52-year-old actor will soon start shooting the sequel of his 2017 film "Hindi Medium". ALSO READ | Irrfan Khan on his battle with cancer: The suddenness made me realise how you are just a cork floating in ocean with unpredictable currents Gopinath Rajendran By Express News Service The 21st film from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, 'Captain Marvel', is a product of many firsts and lasts. While many expected a Black Widow film, Captain Marvel has come as the first standalone female superhero film from Marvel. Its also one of the first films from the franchise, along with Captain America: The First Avenger, to have a storyline set in the past. On the other hand, Captain Marvel will also be the last film with a cameo of Stan Lee; its also the last before its biggest film, 'Avengers: Endgame', hits theatres this April. With a lot to live up to and a lot to deliver, considering Captain Marvel/Carol Danvers (Brie Larson) is expected to be a gamechanger in Endgame, directors Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck have much on their plates to work with. Thats probably why they have rather taken a laidback approach in making this origins film. Captain Marvel, unlike DCs Wonder Woman, does not dwell on how a girl turns into a woman and then, a legendary warrior. What we get instead is an interesting storyline of Danvers, an ex-Air Force fighter pilot, who becomes a member of a military unit named Starforce for the alien race, Kree. Stuck between her past and present, her old world and new, and her human nature and the superhuman powers she gets, its a film about self-realisation. The Academy Award-winning Brie Larson does justice by providing much detail to a character that could have easily seemed cold. As said by Maria Rambeau, Danvers friend and a fellow Air Force pilot, she is smart, funny and a pain in the rear. You could just say the same of this film too. Its smart, given how it connects the dots that have been picking our brains for the last 20 films. From how Nick Fury (Samuel L Jackson) got one of his eyes damaged, to how he gets the pager which he uses 23 years later in the post-credit scene of Avengers: Infinity War, you get the answers. Considering Captain Marvel happens in 1995, the visuals also serve as a walk down memory lane. There are Radio Shacks that are still open, and Danvers, when she gets back to Earth, crash lands at a Blockbuster only to take a brief look of a film cover of The Right Stuff, a film on soldiers involved in aeronautical research. We even get glimpses of Street Fighter video games as well as a bad guy using a Nerf Gun in a fight. Brie Larsons character that has to show both vulnerability and determination almost overshadows all the other characters including that of Fury and his trusty sidekick, Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg), who, thanks to the timeline, is very much alive. The transformation of an optimistic low-level bureaucrat Nicholas Joseph Fury to the Nick Fury we know deserves a solo film on its own. And while on smartness, the smirk of approval when Danvers sees Stan Lee got me wondering if she, like many geeks, believe that he is The Watcher, an extraterrestrial from the comics whose species appear to observe major events. This also explains his presence in all the Marvel films. The film is funny, though not as rib-tickling as 'Thor: Ragnarok'. Be it the innocent punches, such as the one when Fury calls Danvers choice of clothing as dressed for laser tag or the awkward one-liners by Skrulls clan, the jokes give us some much-needed breathing space even during intense situations. Look out for the scenes involving Goose, the cat, who can be compared with Groot for more than just the cuteness. Unfortunately, the films also a pain because though the backstory has little significance to the bigger picture, a majority of the first half is spent on establishing Danvers character. We are as confused as she is until the plot unfolds. After being appreciated for having one of the best villains in recent times for Black Panther, followed by perhaps a better villain in Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War, the villain here Yon-Rogg, a unidimensional character played by Jude Law brings little to the table. Captain Marvel also relies on old tropes and preaches on betrayal and friendship. The emotional sequences serve as a dampener too. It is supposed to be the origins story of one of the strongest characters in the Marvel universe, but it barely scratches the surface of Carol Danvers as a character. That said, the future looks bright for the red, blue and gold draped superhero, and one of the two post-credit scenes gets that point across loud and clear. But it seems the studios resting a bit on the laurels on Infinity War. As Captain Marvel once says, I have nothing to prove to you. By PTI NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday said national broadcaster Prasar Bharati has brought 11 more state Doordarshan channels, including five for the northeastern states, on the satellite footprint of the country through DD Free Dish. "Glad to note that Prasar Bharati has brought 11 more State DD Channels on the Satellite footprint of India through DD Free Dish. This includes five channels for Northeastern states. This will go a long way in strengthening regional cultures and fulfilling people's aspirations," he wrote on Twitter. In another tweet, Modi said, "Congratulations to the people of Chhattisgarh, Goa, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Uttarakhand for getting their own Doordarshan channels on DD Free Dish for the first time!" In a decision bound to further the outreach and accessibility of Doordarshan, Prasar Bharati has brought 11 more state DD Channels on the satellite footprint of India through DD Free Dish, an official statement said. These state channels represent the regional aspirations of the local population. Providing a satellite network for these channels through DD Free Dish will not only increase visibility of these channels in the regions, but also give them an all-India presence, it said. The increased accessibility to regional broadcast will help promote regional culture and give opportunities to local talent as well, the statement said. By Express News Service NEW DELHI: President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday presented the Nari Shakti Puraskar 2018, the highest civilian honour for women, on the occasion of International Womens Day. Among 44 awardees selected out of around 1,000 nominations received by the Women and Child Development Ministry were names such as scientists A Seema and Ipsita Biswas, Doordarshan News anchor Neelum Sharma, acid attack survivor Pragya Prasun, radio music composer Madhuri Barthwal and activist Manju Manikuttan. Other awardees included spiritual leader Sister Shivani, commando trainer Seema Rao and the only woman marine pilot in India, Reshma Nilofar Naha. The awardees are a face of change, reflecting a shift in the status of women, from women development to women-led development, said WCD Minister Maneka Gandhi adding, No field has been left untouched, where women have not left their indelible mark, making women the leading force of our development trajectory, she added. A statement by the ministry said that while making the selection from the nominations, the nominees contributions in empowering vulnerable and marginalised women was taken into account. By PTI NEW DELHI: A Delhi Court on Friday granted more time to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to file a response on Dubai-based businessman Rajiv Saxena's plea seeking to become an approver in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal case. Special Public Prosecutor D.P. Singh told Special Judge Arvind Kumar that he needs more time to examine the statement made by Saxena. The court allowed his plea and listed the matter for further hearing on March 14. United Arab Emirates (UAE) security agencies picked up Saxena from his Dubai residence on January 30 and extradited him to India the same night. He was granted bail on medical grounds last week. The ED did not oppose his bail application. According to the ED, Saxena, in connivance with lawyer Gautam Khaitan, provided the global corporate structure that laundered money for payment to various political leaders, bureaucrats and Indian Air Force (IAF) officials to influence the contract for supplying 12 VVIP helicopters in favour of AgustaWestland. Namita Bajpai By Express News Service LUCKNOW: A family feud which shrouded Samajwadi Partys performance in the 2017 UP Assembly elections, seems to be casting its shadow on the upcoming Lok Sabha polls as well. SP Chief Akhilesh Yadavs rebel uncle Shivpal is set to challenge his other nephew Akshay Yadav by contesting from Firozabad. Akshay, son of party general secretary and Rajya Sabha member Ram Gopal Yadav, made his political debut from the city of bangles in 2014. According to the partys first list, Akshay will contest from Firozabad once again for the big battle of 2019. Stung by insults allegedly inflicted by Akhilesh, sulking Shivpal not only floated his own Pragatisheel Samajwadi PartyLohia (PSP-L) in October last year but also declared to field candidates on all 80 seats with a purpose to dent SP prospects in the LS polls. He claimed his purpose was to breach the Yadav vote bank, on which he had an equal right as he nurtured it shoulder to shoulder with SP patriarch and elder brother Mulayam Singh Yadav. In fact, Shivpal chose Firozabad to challenge the might of Samajwadi Party to settle a political score with elder cousin Ram Gopal by locking in an electoral battle with Akshay. During the last two and a half years, the bitterness between Shivpal and Ram Gopal has increased. At the fag end of 2016, when the feud in the family was at its peak, Ram Gopal sided with Akhilesh whereas Shivpal stood firmly with Netaji (Mulayam Singh Yadav). ALSO READ | BSP-SP alliance a mismatch, its leaders unreliable: Shivpal Yadav The political pundits believe that it was the brain of Ram Gopal who instigated Akhilesh to depose his father and uncle Shivpal in a coup of sorts on the morning of January 1, 2018. Veteran Samajwadis still feel that it was this feud and Akhileshs pejorative and contemptuous approach which pushed the party to a shameful defeat in 2017. The war between Shivpal and Ram Gopal became even more conspicuous when the former floated his own party PSP-L. Moreover, Shivpal was accused by Akhilesh and Ram Gopal of becoming the BJPs B team. However, after the SP-BSP alliance, Shivpal won support from a number of SP veterans who could earlier not digest the idea of a pact with arch-rival Mayawati. Even Mulayam had reprimanded son Akhilesh for compromising the partys stature by forming an alliance with the BSP. Mulayams close confidante, relative and party MLA from Sirsaganj under Firozabad parliamentary constituency, Hariom Yadav, decided to choose Shivpal over Akhilesh. Other prominent SP leaders like former MLA Mohammad Azim also joined Shivpal. Azim also comes from Firozabad. ALSO READ: Interview | RLD, other UP parties with SP-BSP alliance; BJP arch enemy, says Akhilesh Yadav In the given situation, if Shivpal contests from Firozabad, the path to victory for sitting MP Akshay Yadav will not be so easy. Shivpals presence would divide not only the traditional Yadav vote bank but also confuse the Muslim voters. Akshay had defeated BJPs SP Singh Baghel with a margin of 1,14,059 votes in 2014. Significantly, the depleting base of the Samajwadi Party in Firozabad became evident in 2017 assembly polls when SP lost four of five assembly constituencies under Firozabad parliamentary segment to the BJP. The lone SP MLA is now with Shivpal. Sumi Sukanya dutta By Express News Service NEW DELHI: In a move that will help thousands of students planning to pursue medical courses abroad, the government mulls extending the validity of their NEET score to three years. At present, the validity of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test is one year the same year it is being attempted. According to sources, the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry has cleared a proposal by the Medical Council of India-Board of Governors to this effect. This is being done to help students who might be living outside India and are willing to come back after becoming doctors, a senior official with the ministry told TNIE. This will save students the hassle of taking NEET all over again if for some reason they cant join a medical college in the year they appear for NEET, he added. At present, medical graduates who get their degrees from institutes abroad have to take the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination conducted by the medical education regulator before they are registered to practise as doctors in the country. Earlier, students scoring a minimum of 50 per cent marks in Class XII had to procure an Eligibility Certificate from the MCI before they can move offshore to become doctors. NEET this year is scheduled for May 5. Fast facts: By PTI NEW DELHI: The Congress and the BJP traded barbs on Saturday over a media report that PNB scam accused Nirav Modi was living in a swanky apartment in the UK, with the opposition alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was running a "fraudster settlement yojana" and the ruling party accusing the UPA of allowing the banks to be "looted" under its watch. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the government was taking all steps for extradition of Nirav Modi from the UK, and asserted that the extradition request made to that country showed that India was aware he is there. ALSO READ | Nirav Modi spotted in London in Rs 9-lakh ostrich hide jacket, back in diamond business The assertions, claims and counter claims began after British daily The Telegraph reported that Nirav Modi, wanted in India in the Rs 13,500 crore PNB fraud case, was living openly in an eight-million pound apartment in London's West End and running a new diamond business just yards away. Asked about the report, the MEA said the UK was considering India's request to extradite Nirav Modi. MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar, at a media briefing, said the fact that "we requested the UK government for extradition of Nirav Modi, means that we were aware that he is in UK, otherwise we would not have made the request". READ MORE | UK Home Secretary sent Nirav Modi's extradition request to court: ED sources "Just because he has been spotted doesn't mean he can be immediately brought back to India as there is a process in place. We have made a request for extradition, it is for the UK government now to consider our request and respond to the demand of the CBI and ED for extradition," he said. Amid the raging political debate, the Enforcement Directorate said the United Kingdom's home secretary has recently referred India's request for extraditing Nirav Modi to a court for initiating legal proceedings against the diamantaire. Also, officials involved with the proceedings in the UK confirmed in London that UK Home Secretary Sajid Javid has certified India's extradition request for Nirav Modi. Congress president Rahul Gandhi, taking to Twitter, took a swipe at Prime Minister Modi saying that the recent video of Nirav Modi in the UK shows an "uncanny similarity" between the two as both "believe they are above the law". The Congress also alleged that fugitives had looted Rs 1 lakh crore from Indian banks but not even one of them had been caught during the five years of the Modi government. "The video of fugitive #NiravModi in London shows an uncanny similarity between him & his bhai, PM Modi. Both have looted India and are called Modi. Both refuse to answer any questions. Both believe they are above the law. Both will face justice," the Congress chief tweeted. The BJP hit back saying "profound argument from a man who himself has a stolen surname". "BTW, is it not true that in Sept 2013, you visited Nirav Modi's bridal jewellery exhibition in Delhi and the very next day Allahabad Bank approved loan to him, despite opposition from bank's director?" the party said in a tweet. Union HRD minister Prakash Javadekar Saturday held the Congress responsible for the alleged financial frauds involving Nirav Modi, Vijay Mallya and Mehul Choksi, asserting that all such fugitives will be extradited to India under the Modi government. "After Nirav Modi was spotted in London, Congress people are happy that he is spending good time there, but the Modi government will bring back all the fugitives. They (fugitives) as well as those who helped them will be punished," he said at a press conference in Jaipur. They were allowed to loot banks. The then prime minister Manmohan Singh had also said Kingfisher airlines (owned by Vijay Mallya) should be helped. It was the Congress government which allowed them to take away depositors' money," he alleged. The Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) was in power at the Centre from 2004 to 2014 after which the Narendra Modi dispensation assumed office. "Many of these who cheated India during the UPA government have been brought back and are in custody. Others will follow. They are living the life of fugitives and refugees," the BJP tweeted. Targeting the BJP, Congress' chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said: "Fugitive Nirav Modi has been seen enjoying in London, living in a Rs 75 crore flat and wearing a 10,000 pound jacket." "First loot Rs 23,000 crore from banks, then run away from the country without any checks, mock the CBI and the ED, and then make a comfortable home in a Rs 75 crore flat. Modi is there, so it is possible," he claimed. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal alleged that the Modi government allowed economic offenders Nirav Modi and Vijay Mallya to flee the country, and wondered whether this was the prime minister's "patriotism". "Why did Modi government make the two flee country. Is this the patriotism of Modi ji?" the Aam Aadmi Party chief tweeted in Hindi. Congress spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi, at a press conference, said it is another instance in which the Modi government has proved that "their slogan 'Modi hai toh mumkin hai' (It's possible if there is Modi) is correct for fraudsters". "The country is now a witness to the 'Narendra Modi fraudster settlement yojana'," she said. Nirav Modi, 48, was tracked down to a three-bedroom flat occupying half of a floor of the landmark Centre Point tower block of luxury apartments, where rent is estimated to be around 17,000 pounds a month, 'The Daily Telegraph' reported. By PTI MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court directed the Maharashtra government on Friday to file a reply on a plea moved by activist Vernon Gonsalves challenging his arrest in the Elgar Parishad-Bhima Koregaon case. A bench of justices B P Dharmadhikari and Revati Mohite-Dere directed the state to file its reply by April 9. Gonsalves, arrested in October last year and currently in judicial custody, in his plea filed this year argued that his custody was illegal since the prosecution had failed to follow due procedure while seeking an extension of time for filing the charge sheet against him and others in the case. Gonsalves was arrested by the Pune police and booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) following raids at the houses and offices of several activists in connection with a December 31, 2017 event to commemorate the battle of Bhima-Koregaon. The UAPA mandates that the prosecuting agency must file its charge sheet against a person within 90 days of his arrest. However, if there is a delay on a valid ground, the public prosecutor is permitted to file a report before the trial court, explaining the reasons for the same, and seek more time to submit the charge sheet. The Act mandates that if the trial court is satisfied with such a report, it can extend the time for filing the charge sheet by up to 180 days. In the present case, however, a Pune court had granted the police an additional 90 days, following an application from the Investigating Officer (IO) and written submissions by an assistant commissioner of police (ACP) and not the prosecutor. The state's counsel, Aruna Pai, told the bench that in October last year, activist Surendra Gadling, a co-accused in the case, had filed a similar plea (challenging his arrest). While Gadling's plea was allowed by the high court, later, the Supreme Court had set aside the high court order and held the arrest to be legal. Gonsalves and several other activists were booked by the police following an Elgar Parishad event on December 31 2017, which the police had alleged triggered violent clashes at Bhima-Koregaon village, near Pune, the next day. According to the police, the event was funded and supported by Maoists. At the event, certain activists had made inflammatory speeches and provocative statements that had contributed to the Bhima-Koregaon violence on January 1, 2018, the police had said. By PTI NEW DELHI: Faizabad - the first capital of Nawabs of Awadh - around 7 km from Ayodhya will be the seat of mediation for exploring the possibility of amicable settlement in the decades-old politically sensitive Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute case. The Supreme Court Friday said a 3-member panel of mediators, headed by former apex court judge FMI Kalifulla, will conduct the mediation proceedings at Faizabad. It said adequate arrangements including the venue for mediation, place of stay of the mediators, their security, travel should be arranged by the Uttar Pradesh government so that proceedings can commence immediately. A five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi also appointed spiritual guru and founder of Art of Living Foundation Sri Sri Ravishankar and senior advocate Sriram Panchu, a renowned mediator, as members of the mediation panel. Sri Sri Ravishankar had last year reportedly visited the twin city of Faizabad and Ayodhya, trying to settle the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute by holding talks with various stakeholders. ALSO READ: Tamil Nadu plays a crucial role in Ayodhya row again; all mediators from State Records state that the historic city of Faizabad was made first capital of Awadh, a princely state established in 18th century by then Nawab Saadat Ali Khan I. The bench, also comprising Justices S A Bobde, D Y Chandrachud, Ashok Bhushan and S Abdul Nazeer, said the mediation process will commence within a week from Friday and the panel will submit the progress report within four weeks. It said mediation proceedings, which would be held "in-camera", be completed within eight weeks which is the interregnum period granted earlier by the apex court to the parties in main Ayodhya case to go through translations of oral and documentary evidence. Fourteen appeals have been filed in the apex court against the 2010 Allahabad High Court judgment, delivered in four civil suits, that the 2.77-acre land in Ayodhya be partitioned equally among the three parties -- the Sunni Waqf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara and Ram Lalla. On December 6, 1992, the Babri Masjid, constructed at the disputed site in the 16th century by Shia Muslim Mir Baqi, was demolished. Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attends a press conference on China's foreign policy and relations on the sidelines of the second session of the 13th National People's Congress in Beijing, capital of China, March 8, 2019. (Xinhua/Wang Peng) BEIJING, March 8 (Xinhua) -- China on Friday elaborated its foreign policy championing peace, development, cooperation and multilateralism, providing certainty to a world full of uncertainties. At a press conference, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said China will continue to follow a peaceful development path, uphold the existing international system, favor cooperation over confrontation while shouldering more responsibilities, as the country moves r to the world's center stage. The press conference, held on the sidelines of the annual session of the National People's Congress, is regarded as a once-a-year opportunity to take a thorough look at China's foreign policy and understand its views of the world affairs. "China's diplomacy has reached a new starting point," Wang said. "China will surely become stronger but not assertive; China values independence but will not go forward alone; China stands up for its rights but never seeks hegemony." COOPERATE TO GAIN Wang said the fundamental guideline for China's diplomatic work in the new era is Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, which points the way for navigating through a complex array of issues in today's world. "A key part of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy is developing a new path of state-to-state relations featuring dialogue instead of confrontation, partnership instead of alliance," said Ruan Zongze, executive vice president of the China Institute of International Studies. Under the spotlight are China-U.S. relations, as some fear a looming Thucydides Trap, which warns of cataclysmic war between a rising power and an established one. Noting that competition is normal, Wang said exaggerating competition would reduce the space of cooperation. "China and the United States stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation," the state councilor said. The interests of the two countries are indeed inseparable. Bilateral trade surpassed 630 billion U.S. dollars last year, with cumulative bilateral investment reaching 240 billion dollars. Wang noted the substantial progress made in the ongoing economic and trade consultations. "We still have a positive outlook on China-U.S. relations. The two countries will not, and should not descend into confrontation," he said. Xu Xiujun, a research fellow with the Institute of World Economy and Politics at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said cooperation remains the main theme of China-U.S. ties. "China and the United States will not engage in a cold war." A good example of major-country interaction is demonstrated by China and Russia. As China and Russia mark the 70th anniversary of establishing diplomatic ties in 2019, leaders of the two countries are expected to exchange visits, the state councilor said. "When China and Russia stand together, the world will be a safer and more peaceful and stable place," Wang said. The state councilor said China's traditional friendship with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) is brimming with vitality and its ties with Japan is improving. He also expressed hope for friendship and cooperation between China and India to surge ahead "like the Yangtze and the Ganges." PEACE, BUT NO "SILENT LAMBS" Responding to a question on the recent tension between Pakistan and India, Wang reiterated China's call for calm and restraint. Disagreement should be settled by goodwill, he said. Wang applauded the recent DPRK-U.S. summit, describing it as an important step toward a political settlement of the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue. While acknowledging that it's impossible to solve the issue overnight, Wang said the concerned parties should not be "a prisoner of history," urging them to break the cycle of mistrust and together work out a general roadmap for achieving denuclearization and a peace mechanism on the peninsula. Wang took note of the stabilized and improving situation in the South China Sea, appealed to all parties in Afghanistan to "push open the door to peace," and warned against "historical lessons" being repeated in Venezuela under external interference and sanctions. "Upholding peace and development is the 'secret to success' of China's diplomacy and a great contribution China makes to the world," Ruan said. Wang also made it clear that China will firmly protect its legitimate rights and interests. Answering a question regarding recent action against the Chinese tech company Huawei and its CFO, Wang said China supports relevant company and individual seeking legal redress and choosing not to be "silent lambs". Wang said it was not a pure judicial case, but a "deliberate political move," adding that China has taken and will continue to take all necessary measures to resolutely protect the legitimate interests of Chinese firms and citizens. "PASSENGERS IN SAME BOAT" A centerpiece of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy is to build a community with a shared future for humanity, experts said. This vision put forth by Xi has won broad support from the international community. "We rise and fall together," Wang said at the press conference. "Instead of minding our own business, we should treat each other as passengers in the same boat." More and more countries are stepping forward to resist the disturbing trend of unilateralism and protectionism, he said. China will work with all nations under the principle of multilateralism to resolutely uphold an international system centered on the United Nations and an international order underpinned by international law. "Multilateralism correlates ly with openness and inclusiveness -- both hallmarks of China's foreign policy," Ruan said. China is not alone to have that perspective. Europe, Wang said, is also against unilateralism and protectionism. President Xi will visit Europe on his first overseas trip this year, which speaks volumes about China's support for Europe, Wang said. On other continents, Wang said relations between China and Latin American countries have gained great progress, while China-Africa cooperation has grown into a towering tree that no force can topple. The state councilor said China will fully implement the eight major initiatives announced at the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, and continuously deepen Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) cooperation. The BRI, proposed by Xi in 2013, has brought countries and regions together through enhanced trade, infrastructure development, investment, cultural and people-to-people exchanges. A total of 152 countries and international organizations have signed cooperation documents with China on the initiative over the past six years, official statistics show. In April, Xi will host foreign heads of state and government at the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing. Wang revealed that thousands of delegates from over 100 countries are expected to attend. Refuting the "debt trap" claim, Wang said the BRI is instead an "economic pie". Thanks to the BRI, East Africa now has its first expressway. The Maldives has built its first inter-island bridge. Belarus is able to produce sedans. Kazakhstan is connected to the sea. Southeast Asia is constructing a high-speed railway. And the Eurasian continent is benefiting from the longest distance freight train service. "It is not a geopolitical tool, but a great opportunity for shared development," he said. By PTI AHMEDABAD: Patidar community leader Hardik Patel Friday moved the Gujarat High Court to stay his conviction in a 2015 rioting case. The plea seeking a stay on his conviction by a lower court would come up for hearing in the coming days. Hardik has been convicted in a case of rioting and was sentenced to two years of imprisonment, which bars him from contesting an election. His move came days after his announcement to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha polls from Gujarat. The Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS), of which Hardik is the convener, had announced that he would join the Congress on March 12. ALSO READ: Hardik Patel to join Congress on March 12, may contest Lok Sabha polls from Gujarat Since he still stands convicted in the case, he cannot contest the election as per the Supreme Court order. Unless the high court stays his conviction, he is unable to contest the polls. In July last year, the sessions court of Visnagar in Mehsana district had sentenced Hardik to two years of imprisonment in a case of rioting and arson in Visnagar town in 2015, when the Patidar quota stir had started gaining momentum in the state. Although the high court had granted bail to him and suspended his two-year sentence in August last year, his conviction was not stayed by the court at that time. By PTI NEW DELHI: The Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir, which was banned by the government recently, has established strong links with Pakistan's ISI and has been maintaining regular contact with the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi for promoting secessionism in the state, officials said. The most important member of the JeI (J&K) in the Hurriyat Conference is Syed Ali Shah Geelani, who was at one point of time designated as the 'Amir-e-Jihad' (Head of Jihad) of Jammu and Kashmir by the proscribed organisation. The JeI (J&K) has established strong links with Pakistan's ISI for ensuring logistics support for arming, training and supply of weapons to Kashmiri youths and its leaders continue to maintain regular contact with the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi for support, a senior government official said. According to the intelligence inputs, the Jel (J&K) has been using its network of schools to spread anti-India feelings among children in the Kashmir Valley and encouraging cadres of the Jel (J&K) youth wing (Jamiat-ul-Tulba) to join 'Jihad' by getting recruited into terrorist outfits. It is no surprise that the pattern of militancy in the Valley has a strong correlation with the spread of the hardline Jel (J&K) activists in the area, the official said. ALSO READ: Those criticising ban on Jamaat are anti-nationals: J&K Governor Satya Pal Malik The Jel (J&K) has been utilising the fear generated by Pakistan-based Hizbul Mujahideen and leveraging the financial clouts of its members and trusts under its control to mobilise funds both locally and from abroad and using these assets to consolidate its hold at the grassroots level. This base is used to provide a fertile ground for the operation of militants outfits in the Kashmir Valley including motivation, new recruits, shelters and hideouts, couriers etc. The hardliner elements in Jel have been at the forefront of secessionist activities and were the brain behind the formation of the All Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC) as well as Hizbul Mujahideen, another official said. The JeI (J&K) also has several trusts for running schools to disseminate orthodox Islamic education, has a youth wing and has numerous publications for spreading its fundamentalist ideology. ALSO READ: Mehbooba leads PDP protest against Centre ban on Jamaat in Jammu and Kashmir Behind this facade, hardliners within the JeI (J&K) have been involved with militant groups, have actively participated in the promotion of secessionist activities, have been questioning the finality of the Jammu and Kashmir's accession to India and have been "striving for a merger of the state with Pakistan", the official said. The group has extensive foreign links through which it secures funding and promotes its objectives. It has close links with Jel-Pakistan, Jel-POK and Jel-Bangladesh, where several leaders have faced the death penalty for anti-national activities. It has also been promoting sectarian tensions in the Valley by mobilizing opinion against the Hanfi-Aithkadi sects. Gilani, the JeI (J&K) representative in the Hurriyat, has been continuously supporting militancy in Kashmir and even during the Kargil War, he had termed the intruders as "freedom fighters". The JeI (J&K) was formed in 1945 as a chapter of the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind and separated in 1953 due to differences over political ideology with the parent body. It is opposed to participating in the electoral process and has been pursuing the agenda of setting up an independent theocratic Islamic State by destabilising the government established by law. The outfit was banned twice in the past due to its activities. The first time in 1975 for two years by the Jammu and Kashmir government and the second time in April 1990 for three years by the Centre, when Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was the Union home minister. The ban continued till December 1993. The JeI (J&K) was banned again by the central government on February 28. By IANS NOIDA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said India hit terrorists in their backyard after the Pulwama terror attack and accused the previous Congress-led UPA government of lacking the courage to take action against Pakistan-based terror groups after 26/11 Mumbai terror attack in 2008. Addressing a rally here, Modi said what his government did post-Pulwama has not been done in decades. "We hit terrorists in their houses. The terrorists and their masters were not expecting this kind of response. The air strikes were done at 3.30 am and Pakistan lost its sleep. They tweeted at 5 a.m. and started saying that Modi has hit us," he said. ALSO READ: Those who have Indian blood in their veins should not doubt IAF's strike in Balakot: PM Modi Recalling the surgical strike of 2016 in the wake of the terror attack at Uri, he said terror masterminds were accustomed to thinking that India would do nothing, but his government has "taught them a lesson". He alleged that perception about inaction by India was due to the government that ruled India before 2014. Modi said that there was need of action after the Mumbai terror attack that killed 166 people as the world community was with India. "But it needs courage. There were proofs of involvement of terror masterminds based in Pakistan. But what did India do?" he asked. Modi said the forces were ready for action but "Delhi was cold". He said terror cannot be fought by constraining hands of the defence force. ALSO READ: Rahul Gandhi asks PM Modi to tell nation who released Masood Azhar from jail Referring to the terror incidents after the Mumbai attack, Modi said these were also linked to Pakistan but the "remote-controlled" government showed inaction. "What did the then government do? They did not change the policy, but (changed) only home ministers. If they had shown the courage, given reply to terrorists in their language, terrorism would not have become such a big problem (for the country)," he said. By PTI NEW DELHI: India on Saturday said its non-military strike on JeM camp in Pakistan achieved its desired objective and demonstrated the country's firm resolve to take decisive action against cross border terrorism. External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said if Pakistan claims to be a 'naya Pakistan' (New Pakistan) with a 'nayi soch' (new thinking), then it should demonstrate 'naya' action (new action) against terror groups operating with impunity from its soil. The MEA's comments came a day after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said he will not allow Pakistani soil to be used for terror directed at other countries. ALSO READ: Jaish was used by Pakistan intelligence to target India during my tenure: Musharraf Khan has been saying that a 'Naya Pakistan' is embarking on a new journey under his leadership. Kumar said Pakistan has been making identical statements after separate terror attacks and now Islamabad will have to take up the concrete action the international community expected it to take and must rein in terror groups operating from its soil. "We remain resolute in our determination to persuade the international community of the necessity of compelling Pakistan to move beyond mere words and to show credible, verifiable and sustained actions. We have and we will continue to act with responsibility and maturity," he said at a media briefing. #WATCH Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson, Raveesh Kumar: If Pakistan claims to be a 'Naya Pakistan' with 'nayi soch' then it should demonstrate 'naya action' against terrorist groups and cross border terrorism in support of its claims. pic.twitter.com/Ji7ZBZsVjc ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2019 Kumar said the widespread presence of terrorist camps in Pakistan is public knowledge and repeated requests by India and the international community for Pakistan to take action against such groups has been met with "denial". "In 2004, the then President of Pakistan had made a solemn public commitment that they would not allow any territory under their control to be used for terrorist activity in any manner," he said. "But till today, however, Pakistan has failed to take any credible action against Jaish-e-Mohammed and other terrorist organisations, which continue to operate with impunity from Pakistan," he said, adding Pakistan will be judged not by its words but on the basis of action it takes to dismantle terror infrastructure. The tension between the two nuclear-armed neighbours escalated after the February 14 Pulwama terror attack and a subsequent aerial strike by India on a training camp of the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in Balakot on February 26. Pakistan retaliated the strike next day by unsuccessfully attempting to target Indian military installations. The JeM claimed responsibility for the Pulwama attack. "Our non-military counter-terrorism strike of February 26 achieved the intended objective. It has demonstrated our firm resolve to take decisive action against cross-border terrorism," Kumar said about Balakot strike. He, however, evaded questions on a number of casualties in the strike. Kumar said the fact that Pakistan refused access to journalists from visiting the site of the strike in Balakot meant that they have "plenty to hide". "So the initial bravado that everything is open please come and visit has disappeared. We are absolutely confident that strikes on Balakot has been successful and achieved the desired objectives," he asserted. On Pakistan's retaliatory strike, he said instead of taking action against terrorist groups on its soil, Islamabad chose to escalate through an "act of aggression" by violating Indian airspace and attempting, unsuccessfully, to target military facilities. Kumar also accused Pakistan of propagating a "false narrative" of the events of the day when Pakistani jets unsuccessfully attempted to target Indian military installations. In the aerial combat, India had lost a Mig-21 Bison aircraft and its pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was captured by Pakistan. Pakistan claimed it downed two Indian jets and rejected IAF's assertion that an F-16 aircraft was shot down by it during the dogfight. "Only one aircraft was lost by us. If, as Pakistan claims, they have a video recording of the downing of a second Indian aircraft, why have they not shown it to the international media even after more than one week? "Questions should be asked to them as to where the fuselage of the aircraft is and what has happened to the pilots? As we have already said, there are eyewitness accounts and electronic evidence that Pakistan deployed F-16 aircraft and that one F-16 was shot down by Wing Commander Abhinandan," Kumar said. He said Pakistan should explain why it continues to deny that its F-16 aircraft has been shot down. "We have asked the United States to also examine whether the use of F16 against India is in accordance with the terms and conditions of sale," he added. Kumar said India's armed forces continue to maintain strict vigil and will remain determined in the defence of the nation and its citizens. Hitting out at Pakistan for remaining in a state of denial, he said, "It is regrettable that Pakistan still continues to deny Jaish-e-Mohammed's own claim of taking ownership of the Pulwama attack." The MEA spokesperson referred to the Pakistan foreign minister's interview to BBC on March where he talked about "some confusion" about JeM's claim on the Pulwama attack. "Is Pakistan defending the Jaish-e-Mohammed and acting as its spokesperson? Does Pakistan's claim have any credibility," Kumar asked. He said despite the media interviews by Pakistan's foreign minister and former president Musharraf acknowledging the presence of JeM in Pakistan, the spokesperson of the Pakistan armed forces openly denied the presence of the terror group in the country. Express News Service By Express News Service MANGALURU: Home minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said that during the last five years, there were three cross-border strikes. While the first and second followed the terror attack in Uri and Pulwama which killed 17 and 40 soldiers respectively, Singh said he won't disclose about the third such action. Singh lashed out at Congress and other Mahagatbandhan leaders for raising questions over the number of terrorists killed in the IAF's strike on the terror camp in Pakistan's Balakot. He was addressing the office-bearers of BJP Shakti Kendras at Nehru ground here in the city. The home minister said with the air strike India was able to send across a strong message to Pakistan and the terrorists there. But some political parties are a worried lot because of the action against Pakistan and are asking proof for the terrorists killed. They want the number. But one who is brave will not count the dead bodies, he said. Coming down heavily on Congress over its policy against terrorism, Singh said its leaders call terrorists with respect. They call them Osamaji, Hafeez Syedji which hurts India's pride. When it comes to fighting terror, people of the country should bury the differences and get united, he said. Now its not a weak India but a strong India. Our policy is clear that we will not trouble anyone. But someone tries to disturb us, then we will spare them. We will eliminate them even if they are hiding anywhere on the earth, sky and underground. We have decisive leadership. Opposition asks what happen to 56-inch chest. Now it has become 65 inches, he said. Stating that India is doing well on economic indicators, Singh hoped that the country will be one of the three superpowers in the world by 2028 by overtaking either USA, Russia or China. Referring to the Organisation of Islamic's Co-operation (OIC) invitation to India's foreign minister, he said this the proof that BJP government treats people of all religions equally. By ANI POONCH: A Special Police Officer (SPO) was injured in shelling by Pakistani troops in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, officials said. Pakistani Rangers had at around 18:00 hours initiated an unprovoked ceasefire violation by heavy shelling with artillery and firing of small arms along Line of Control (LoC) in Shahpur and Kerni sectors. Indian army had retaliated strongly and effectively. By IANS JAIPUR: A Pakistani drone attempting to enter Indian territory across the Rajasthan border went back following its detection by the Border Security Forces (BSF), who tried to shoot it down, the BSF said. This was another of the drones from across the international border that tried to enter Indian territory at around 5 a.m. at Hindumalkot border near Sriganganagar, a BSF official said, adding that the moment it was sighted the troopers started firing, forcing it to return. ALSO READ: IAF jet shoots down Pakistani drone near India-Pakistan border Villagers residing along the western border also heard heavy firing. The drone returned safely across the border to Pakistan, a BSF official said. By Online Desk The Defence Ministry on Saturday said that the media reports on the kidnapping of Mohammad Yaseen, a serving Army soldier, who was on leave, are incorrect. "Media reports of the abduction of a serving Army soldier on leave from Qazipora, Chadoora, are incorrect. (The) individual is safe. Speculations may please be avoided," a Defence Ministry statement said. On Friday evening, it was reported that armed militants had abducted Yaseen from his residence in central Kashmir's Budgam district. Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of police central Kashmir V K Birdi told the New Indian Express that around 8.45 pm, a group of two-three armed militants barged into Yasin's house at Qazipora, Chadoora. "The militants abducted the soldier at gunpoint and fled from the spot," he said. Yasin belongs to army's JAKLI unit. It was also reported that police, CRPF and army men had launched a massive cordon and search operation to track down the militants. Defence Ministry: Media reports of the abduction of a serving Army soldier(Mohammad Yaseen) on leave from Qazipora, Chadoora, Budgam(J&K) are incorrect. Individual is safe. Speculations may please be avoided. pic.twitter.com/oYKXoYVQGT ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2019 The combing operation was going on when reports last poured in. Top security officials had also rushed to the spot to take stock of the situation. Sources said Yasin's village is close to south Kashmir's Pulwama district. It was reportedly suspected that the militants might have come from Newa, Pulwama to abduct the soldier. "We have launched massive combing operation in the area and its adjoining areas to track down his abductors and recover him safely," a police official said. Police also suspected the involvement of Hizbul Mujahideen and Lashkar-e-Toiba in the whole incident. On June 14 last year, militants had abducted soldier Aurangzeb from south Kashmir's Shopian district. A day later he was killed by the militants and his body was recovered from nearby Pulwama district. Earlier, in May 2017, a young army officer Lt Fayaz was kidnapped by militants from his relative's residence in Shopian district, where he had gone to attend marriage function of his relative. He was later killed by the militants. (With ENS and ANI Inputs) By Online Desk NEW DELHI: Saudi State Minister for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir will visit India on Monday, days after his trip to Islamabad. External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said Jubeir will hold talks with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj during his trip. "Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs will visit India on Monday and will meet External Affairs Minister. My understanding is he is visiting to discuss some important follow-ups from the recent visit of Saudi Crown prince. Beyond that, details can be known only after the visit and meeting between two leaders," MEA spokesman Raveesh Kumar told reporters here. ALSO READ | Terrorism 'common concern', says Saudi Crown Prince after talks with PM Modi The Saudi minister met Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday in Islamabad, and delivered a "special message" from Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, according to Pakistani media reports. His visit to Islamabad took place amid global efforts to de-escalate tension between India and Pakistan triggered by the Pulwama attack and subsequent aerial strike by India on a training camp of the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror outfit in Balakot on February 26. Pakistan retaliated the strike next day by unsuccessfully attempting to target Indian military installations. The JeM claimed responsibility for the Pulwama attack. In Pakistan, Jubeir also held talks with Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi. Countries like the US, the UK, China, Saudi Arabia and the UAE were involved in easing tensions between India and Pakistan. Jubeir's visit comes after the Crown Prince's stand-alone visits to India and Pakistan soon after the Pulwama terror attack. With inputs from PTI By PTI SRINAGAR: The NIA has summoned moderate Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and the son of pro-Pakistani separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani for questioning in Delhi in a terror-financing case, officials said on Saturday. According to a notice served on them, the Mirwaiz and Naseem Geelani have been asked to appear at the National Investigation Agency (NIA) headquarters in New Delhi on Monday, the agency officials said. The NIA had on February 26 carried out searches at premises of separatist leaders, including the Mirwaiz, in connection with the case related to the financing of terrorist and separatist groups in Jammu and Kashmir. ALSO READ | Jamaat-e-Islami established strong links with ISI, in regular touch with Pakistan: Officials The NIA team, accompanied by police and CRPF personnel, searched residences of some of the separatist leaders, including the Mirwaiz, Naseem Geelani and Ashraf Sehrai, the chairman of the Tehreek-e-Hurriyat. The houses of Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) leader Yaseen Malik, Shabir Shah, Zaffar Bhat and Masarat Alam were also raided. Barring the Mirwaiz and Sehrai, all other leaders were jailed for some time. The NIA had questioned two maternal uncles of the Mirwaiz -- Maulvi Manzoor and Maulvi Shafat -- and his close aides last year. Both Manzoor and Shafat are retired senior government officers. The NIA probe seeks to identify the chain of players behind the financing of terrorist activities, pelting of stones on security forces, burning down of schools and damaging of government establishments. The case names Hafeez Saeed, Pakistan-based chief of Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD), the front for banned Lashker-e-Taiba, as an accused, besides organisations such as the Hurriyat Conference factions led by Geelani and the Mirwaiz, Hizbul Mujahideen and Dukhtaran-e-Millat. China's Minister of Commerce Zhong Shan (C), Vice Minister of Commerce and Deputy China International Trade Representative Wang Shouwen (R) and Vice Minister of Commerce Qian Keming attend a press conference on China's domestic market and all-round opening-up for the second session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, capital of China, March 9, 2019. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan) BEIJING, March 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce Wang Shouwen said Saturday he sees "hope" in the prospect of China-U.S. economic and trade consultations. "Teams from both countries are trying their best to implement the consensus reached by the two countries' heads of state," Wang, also deputy China International Trade Representative, told a press conference on the sidelines of the annual legislative session. The two teams have had three rounds of consultations over more than three months, he said. Reaching a mutually beneficial and win-win agreement conforms to the interests of both countries and the world's expectation, Wang said. By PTI NEW DELHI: The United Kingdom's home secretary has recently referred India's request for extraditing bank-fraud accused Nirav Modi to a court for initiating legal proceedings against the diamantaire, official sources said Saturday. A British daily reported that Modi, accused in the USD 2-billion Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam, is living in a swanky 8-million pound apartment in London's West End and is now involved in a new diamond business. Sources in the Enforcement Directorate (ED) said they had been officially informed about UK Home Secretary Sajid Javid's move to forward the case to a London court about two days back. This move takes the process of extraditing and bringing back Modi to face the law in India to the next stage, the sources said. Soon, they said, a joint team of the ED and the CBI would travel to the UK to apprise the lawyers about the Indian case and evidence against Modi, in a similar fashion that was done in the case of another absconding bank-fraud accused, Vijay Mallya. ALSO READ: Nirav Modi living in swanky London apartment, starts new diamond business: Report The ED and the CBI are investigating Modi, his uncle Mehul Choksi and others for alleged money laundering and corruption to perpetuate the alleged scam in the Brady House branch of the PNB in Mumbai that was unearthed last year. Modi, 48, is currently living in a three-bedroom flat occupying half of a floor of the landmark Centre Point tower block, where rent is estimated to cost 17,000 pounds a month, The Telegraph reported. The revelation comes a day after Modi's 30,000 sq ft seaside mansion at Kihim beach in Maharashtra's Raigad district was demolished by authorities using explosives for alleged violation of coastal regulation rules. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also reacted on the issue of Modi's extradition, saying the UK was still considering India's request. ALSO READ: Congress attacks Centre over report on Nirav Modi living in swanky London apartment India is taking all steps necessary for his extradition, an MEA spokesperson said Saturday. Modi has been charge-sheeted by both the agencies and the ED has also attached his assets worth crores under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). By PTI NEW DELHI: India on Saturday said all UN Security Council members were aware about the JeM training camps and the presence of terror group's chief Masood Azhar in Pakistan and urged the nations to designate him as a global terrorist. The US, Britain and France had moved a proposal at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) last week to designate the chief of the JeM, which claimed responsibility for the Pulwama terror attack, as a global terrorist. ALSO READ | India reaching out to all UNSC members seeking support to ban Masood Azhar by UN Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar, at a media briefing, said: "All 15 members of the UN Security Council had unanimously issued a statement strongly condemning the Pulwama terrorist attack. "All members of the UNSC are aware about the Jaish-e-Mohammed training camps in Pakistan and about the chief of Jaish-e-Mohammed Masood Azhar and his presence in Pakistan, he said. "We call upon all members of the UNSC to list Masood Azhar as a designated terrorist under 1267 UN sanctions committee," Kumar said. Official sources had earlier said any UNSC member country can seek clarification on the proposal till March 13 following which the process to listing will commence. ALSO READ | Rahul Gandhi asks PM Modi to tell nation who released Masood Azhar from jail Azhar's listing by the UNSC will subject him to global travel ban, asset freeze and arms embargo. It is the fourth such bid at the UN in the last 10 years to list Azhar as a global terrorist. In 2009, India unsuccessfully moved a proposal to designate Azhar. In 2016 again, India moved the proposal with the P3 - the US, the United Kingdom and France -- in the UN's 1267 Sanctions Committee to ban Azhar. In 2017, the P3 nations moved a similar proposal again. However, on all occasions, China, a veto-wielding permanent member of the Security Council, blocked India's proposal from being adopted by the Sanctions Committee. By IANS KOLKATA: A goods vehicle loaded with 1,000 kg of explosive material was intercepted here on Saturday and three persons have been arrested, police said. Based on prior information, the Special Task Force of Kolkata Police intercepted the commercial vehicle at Tala Bridge in Chitpur in the early hours of the day. The vehicle was coming from Odisha and heading towards North 24 Parganas district. "About 1,000 kg of explosive substances (potassium nitrate) stored in 27 gunny bags was seized," a police officer said. The driver and the helper - Indrajit Bhui, 25, and Padmolochon Dey, 31 - both residents of Odisha's Balasore district, were nabbed. Later, based on information provided by the duo, Sheikh Rabiul, 40, who was going to receive the entire consignment in Barasat in North 24 Parganas, was arrested. He was now been interrogated, the officer said. All three were produced before a court which sent them to 14 days police custody. By Express News Service JAIPUR: While the world celebrated International Womens Day, life took a horrific turn for a 25-year-old woman in Barmer district of Rajasthan after she was thrashed by her husband through the Pachpadra towns streets. A tantrik (quack healer), had advised her husband to march her through the streets barefoot because she was possessed and the process would help her cleanse. In videos that surfaced on social media, the husband can be seen chasing the woman with a slipper in his hand and thrashing her whenever she stops or slows down. The police filed an FIR once the videos made their way online. The husband and the tantrik were arrested under the Rajasthan Prevention of Witch-Hunting Act, 2015. The woman is in shock and is undergoing therapy, said Saroj Chaudhary, Station House Officer, Pachpadra. The Rajasthan Prevention of Witch-Hunting Act, 2015 is special enactment targeted at combating witch-hunting in the state. As many as over 150 such cases have come up in the state in the past two years, data from the department of Women and Child Development shows. Nisha Siddhu, general secretary of the National Federation of Indian Woman said, Even after the law came into force, the cases have not come down because there is no political will. There are temples where they talk about removing ghosts from the body but no action is taken... By Express News Service NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday warned the Haryana government that it would be in trouble if it tried to interfere in the Aravali ranges, its forest cover or top courts order on razing unauthorised dwellings in the Kant Enclave on the outskirts of Delhi. The top court has sought from the state government a copy of the Punjab Land Preservation (Haryana Amendment) Bill, 2019. A bench of Justices Arun Mishra and Deepak Gupta conveyed its stern position as Haryana governments counsel Solicitor General Tushar Mehta sought to dispel the impression that the amendment to the Punjab Land Preservation (Haryana Amendment) Bill, 2019 was aimed at taking away the protection of the Aravalis. We are concerned with Aravali. If you are doing anything with Aravali or Kant Enclave you will be in trouble. If you are doing anything with the forest, you will be in trouble. We are telling you, the bench said.On March 1, the bench had come down heavily on Haryana for passing amendments to the law. The Haryana Assembly on February 27 had passed the Punjab Land Preservation (Haryana Amendment) Bill, 2019, amending the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA), 1900. The Bill takes the protective cover off the Aravalis and Shivaliks exposing nearly 28,000 acres of forest land to private builders and land sharks. Afroz Alam By Terror attacks have often played a role in politics and election campaigns in our country. The Pulwama attack on February 14, in which at least 40 CRPF jawans were killed and the consequent pre-emptive non-military strike on February 26, is no exception to this and has brought terrorism again into the electoral campaign. Both the ruling and opposition parties have clamoured for a hawkish response. Terror casualties have always been portrayed as due to the governments failure to effectively deal with terrorism. And opposition parties had always questioned the incumbent party. In fact, the BJP had made populist allegations against Congress governments in the past. It was often claimed by the BJP that the solutions to terrorism and terror attacks are much more straightforward than the Congress would have us believe over the years. If it was so easy to solve, then why do they persist when the BJP is in power? The post-Pulwama response of the government is no different as it remained populist in multiple ways. First, actions like giving the Army a free hand, hinting about the diversion of Indus water, revoking MFN status and raising customs duties to 200 per cent were not enough to assuage popular anger. Second, a perception is carefully created to brand all critical voices as in cahoots with Indias enemies. Third, the prime minister has gained peoples trust, yet the shifting narratives and the united response of opposition parties have the potential to heighten the righteous anger of a section of the electorate to contain the provisional wave in favour of the BJP. Fourth, the idea of inclusiveness suffered a body blow until the prime minister took a stand. Some politicians belonging to the ruling party gave tacit support to the violent resentment against Kashmiris across India. It was certainly not an attempt to polarise India for electoral gain but highlights the failure of the government to evolve a doctrine with clarity to meet the challenges of growing terrorist activities in Kashmir and its after-effects. We must agree that hawkish measures will only turn Kashmir into a recruiting ground for terrorists than burying terror forever. It is unfortunate for a nation to witness the trivialisation of terror casualties for political advantage. Sadly, peoples sense of grief after Pulwama and the sense of pride after the IAF air strike are being frequently questioned by rival forces to gain political advantage. The characters of individuals, leaders, communities and institutions are assassinated using audio-visual and social media, by partys proxy cadres and fake-cum-hate news. Unfortunately, certain private acts like crying, laughing or dancing for reasons unconnected with the mourning of the terror attack are being not only stigmatised but made viral for electoral reasons. In this context, we can safely argue that the oppositions hype over the prime ministers presence at Jim Corbett National Park and the BJPs allegation of Congress President Rahul Gandhi playing a mobile game are nothing but the hallmark of India becoming an illiberal democracy. Will the terror attack and the consequent air strike have any effect on Indias electoral choices? Yes, but not substantially. Interestingly, some politicians of the ruling party are making attempts to build their political career by politicising the funeral ceremonies of the martyrs and the pre-emptive air strike. The opposition is equally using the same to neutralise the post-Pulwama political dividends for the BJP. For example, the position of the martyrs in the social matrix was used to question the credibility of the nationalistic furore of high-caste groups largely located in urban areas. Above all, the ruling party is not leaving a single opportunity to invoke the Pulwama attack and the IAF strike in its official programmes and political rallies. While sensing the strategic edge of the BJP, opposition parties planned a strategy to hold the government accountable by raising critical questions on the terror attack and political use of the air strike. Indeed, terror casualties have led more people to vote for conservative parties not only in India but across the globe, when in the opposition. When not in power, these parties have portrayed themselves as non-concessionist. But will the right-wing parties enjoy peoples support when major terror attacks happen during their regime? The Assembly election results that happened after the surgical strike in response to the Uri attack may provide an answer. And how will the proximity of the terror attacks and countermeasures to voting affect the parties? The BJP will be able to retain its core and some floating voters, thus reducing the possibility of anti-incumbency. However, the number of traditional loyal voters of the opposition parties does not seem to be shrinking despite the management of public sentiments by the ruling party. In other words, despite popular approval for the IAF air strike, it will not be an easy win for the BJP in the upcoming elections. T J S George By Pakistan is ruled by its military and the military has an animosity against India that wont go away. The reason is permanently engraved in a photographGen A A K Niazi signing papers formalising his countrys surrender to India in Dhaka in 1971. The wiping out of East Pakistan and the creation of Bangladesh were twin humiliations that became etched in the Pakistan armys DNA. For this reason, we should not expect meaningful peace with Pakistan in the foreseeable future. Large sections of ordinary Pakistanis have campaigned from time to time for normal relations with India. So have Indians. But normalcy will not come as long as the craving for revenge drives Pakistans military leadership. Currently, a worldwide awakening against terrorism has weakened Pakistan. European nations raised the issue in the UN. The influential Paris-based Financial Action Task Force included Pakistan in its grey list, a mark of disapproval. Even China advised Pakistan to distance itself from terrorist groups. This could be why Pakistan hinted it would not oppose a UN listing of Jaish-e-Mohammed founder Masood Azhar as a global terrorist. Action was necessary, the foreign minister said, to protect our global reputation. Action was indeed takenbanning various organisations identified with terrorism and taking 44 men under preventive custody, including Masood Azhars son and brother, both of whom were named in the Indian dossier given to Pakistan. Pakistans bonafides in these actions are unsure; preventive custody could mean custody to prevent any harm coming to the men. Even so, Pakistan has been forced by international opinion to take measures and make statements it has not done before. It would be dangerous for India to interpret these developments as signs of peace breaking out in the region. The hatreds that drive organisations like Jaish-e-Mohammed are too deep-rooted to go away in a hurry. Comparable hatreds have unfortunately developed in certain segments of the population in India also in recent years. If we do not accept this, we will have no right to claim moral superiority over Pakistan. Post Pulwama, Indias positions have raised several questions. Two of them are especially disturbing. Question number one: Why did the BJPand the Congresspoliticise the military action? The prime minister and the president of the ruling party made statements that linked the air strike with the imminent elections. Beyond them, Salman Khurshid of the Congress Party made a fool of himself and his party by claiming credit for Wing Commander Abhinandans bravery. He said the IAF hero received his wings in 2004 and matured as a fighter pilot during UPA. How pathetic can a politician get! From the BJPs side, minister Piyush Goyal turned himself into an embodiment of intolerance when a TV anchor politely asked him questions many Indians were asking about the IAF strike at Balakot. Goyal was inexplicably agitated, wouldnt listen to the anchor, and went on with his near-abusive onslaught. When the anchor managed to say, Minister, neither me nor anybody sitting here needs any lesson in patriotism from you, the audience clapped, showing the isolation of Goyal and his bigotry. Question number two should worry us more: How will Israelisation of Indian policy help? For years now Israel has been carrying on an intensive military campaign against Palestinians in their homeland. It is the worlds most unequal war, since Israel is equipped with the latest military devices, while the Palestinians have only militant groups left to their own devices. Offences like stone-pelting by Palestinians are met by state-of-the-art missile attacks by Israel. In recent years, Indias ties with Israel have become closer than its ties with any other country. Is Israels policy towards Palestinians going to be a model for Indias policy towards Kashmiris? Decades of Israeli overkill have failed to ease their Palestine problem. This adds irony to Indias newfound admiration for Israels style of functioning. It was left to Brussels-based researcher Shairee Malhotra to point out that Israels biggest fans in India appear to be the internet Hindus who primarily love Israel for how it deals with Palestine and fights Muslims. The doyen of West Asia specialists, Robert Fisk, wrote: Israel has been assiduously lining itself up alongside Indias nationalist BJP Government in an unspokenand politically dangerousanti-Islamist coalition, an unofficial, unacknowledged alliance, while India itself has become the largest weapons market for the Israeli arms trade... It is difficult to see how Zionist nationalism will not leach into Hindu nationalism when Israel is supplying so many weapons to India.He who has ears to hear, let him hear. By Express News Service MYSURU: While Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and wife Anitha Kumaraswamy are busy visiting temples ahead of son Nikhils political debut from Mandya Lok Sabha constituency, Congress ticket aspirant Sumalatha Ambareesh is also temple hopping. A day after she visited Narasimhaswamy and Gangadhareshwara temples in Malavalli, Sumalatha visited Chamundeshwari, Kote Anjaneyaswamy and Ganesha temples in Mysuru. Sumalatha said that she would wait for the Congress ticket till the last minute and then take a final call. Though I havent met anyone for the party ticket, anything can happen in politics. I am taking cautious steps before taking a final decision, she added. On the war of words on social media between Ambareeshs fans and JD(S) workers, Sumalatha said that she cannot stop them from writing, but appealed to them not to make derogatory statements against anyone. Dont use words that hurt, she said, and advised fans to restrain themselves from making personal attacks on social media. Sumalatha said that as a mother, she would be pained if someone attacks her son. Similarly, an attack on Nikhil would hurt his mother Anitha, she said. Thanking the people of Mandya for accepting her as their daughter-in law, Sumalatha clarified that she was not meeting people, keeping elections in mind. I am happy as people are voluntarily coming to support me, she added.She said she would abide by the fans decision and the peoples opinion if the Congress denies her a ticket. Sumalatha did not express desire to join party: BJP leader Senior BJP leader Jagadish Shettar has stated that Sumalata, wife of actor-turned-politician Ambareesh, has neither expressed interest to join the party nor sought the support of the party to contest from Mandya Lok Sabha constituency. Shettar told reporters that Sumalatha might have visited some legislators or local leaders but BJP as a national party could not respond unless she herself approaches the party leadership. She has on her own announced that she will be contesting from Mandya LS seat, he added. Ashwini M Sripad By Express News Service BENGALURU: If I were a man or a woman I would not have had these many children. As a Jogappa, I have earned many childrens love across the state where I teach Jogati Nrithya. Along with other Jogappas, I am also taking care of three children and it is a very satisfying job, said Manjamma Jogati, a transgender who received the Kittur Rani Chennamma Award on Friday, in Bengaluru. Sixty-one-year-old Jogati Manjamma is from Kallukamba, Kurugodu taluk in Ballari, and is one of the recipients of the award for her contributions to art. When I realised that I wanted to be a woman, I had to face a lot of resistance at home. They beat me up, took me to an astrologer and even offered Pooja at various villages. One day, they wanted to throw me out of my home. After consulting many people, they gave me Deekshe and I became a Jogappa, she said. But when she came back home, her family insulted her and she was forced to get out of the house. Manjamma then went to Davangere and started begging to earn a living. In the late 1980s, one day with little money, I bought some poison and drank it. I was hospitalised and my family members took me home. But the abusing and mental harassment did not stop. So I got out again and started sleeping in temples. Thats where I met a well-wisher, who offered me the job of selling idlis. I used to sell these at nearby villages. For one rupee, I would sell four idlis. In the evenings I used to take tuitions, she said. It was then that she met Kalavva Jogati, a transgender and a Jogati Nritya performer. This art form is a ritual dance that is performed by a group of transgenders, known as Jogappas, to appease Goddess Yellamma. She taught me Choudaki Pada songs, Jogati dance and other historical dramas. With her troupe, I have performed more than 1,000 shows, she added. Today, she has got recognition from the government and is a recipient of the Rajyotsava award and the Janapada Academi award. At Mariyammanahalli in Ballari, along with 11 other Jogatis, she is taking care of three children. Cut short state anthem, demands writer Noted writer Kamala Hampana on Friday urged Kannada and Culture minister Jayamala Ramachandra to cut short the duration of the state anthem to less than a minute. On womens day, Kamala Hampana was one of the recipients of the Kittur Rani Chennamma awards. She received the award from Jayamala, who is also the minister for Women and Child Welfare. We can pick the first and the last paragraph. This can be sung within a minute. We have been arguing over this since SM Krishnas time, it needs to be implemented. she added. KIA first Indian airport to have women firefighters The Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), operator of the Kempegowda International Airport, ushered in International Womens Day in advance by inducting 14 women firefighters into its Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting squad. This makes Bengaluru airport the first in the country to have women firefighters. An official release today said that they were inducted into the squad on February 19. It is probably the first Asian airport to have a female contingent of this size. The firefighting squad has traditionally been a male-dominated field. By Express News Service MEDAK/HYDERABAD: In what appeared to be like a friendly challenge to former minister T Harish Rao, TRS working president KT Rama Rao on Friday said that he would ensure that the majority of the TRS nominee from Karimnagar Lok Sabha constituency, in which his Assembly segment of Sircilla is present, would be more than that of the TRS candidate from Medak Lok Sabha seat. The challenge, though it appeared as part of the bonhomie prevailing at the Medak Parliamentary Constituency preparatory meeting held at Medak, also looked like an indication of competitive spirit of KTR as Harish Rao has the support of almost all voters in his Siddipet constituency which is part of Medak Lok Sabha segment. While addressing the meeting, KTR said: In the ensuing elections, the TRS has no rivals as the other parties are down and out. Now the competition existed only between the margins of victory of contesting TRS candidates in various Lok Sabha constituencies. I represent Sircilla, an Assembly segment of Karimnagar. I am sure of ensuring that the TRS candidate in Karimnagar Lok Sabha seat would get a majority of not less than five lakh votes. I want to know if you (Harish Rao) could get more than what I am going to get in Karimnagar. Harish Rao said that TRS candidates secured 3.60 lakh more votes than Congress in the recent Assembly elections and people should give five lakh majority to TRS nominee for Medak Lok Sabha seat. At Malkajgiri Lok Sabha constituency meeting held at Kompally, KTR heckled at the Opposition Congress for not being in a position to find suitable candidates for Lok Sabha elections. He said that there was no Opposition to TRS. The competition is not with the Opposition candidates. The competition is within TRS. The Malkajgiri workers should compete with Chevella workers in getting huge majorities for TRS candidates in the Lok Sabha polls, Rama Rao said. BEIJING, March 8 (Xinhua) -- Olympic and world champion Shi Tingmao suffered a rare upset in her favorite 3m springboard while Cao Yuan grabbed his third title at the FINA/CNSG Diving World Series 2019 here on Friday. Shi, who remained unbeaten since 2013, both at home and abroad, scored 1.5 points less than long-time friend and new synchro partner Wang Han in the first dives, and had the gap gone further little by little after each round. Shi eventually collected 367.00 points for the silver, 10.40 behind winner Wang. Jennifer Abel of Canada finished third with 332.70. "It's a pity that I did not perform to my best today. Every dive was not as clean as usual. And I was upset, but I wanted to congratulate Wang Han. She did a pretty job," Shi said. "I am not afraid of failure, I need to learn from it since I haven't tasted the bitterness for many years." "It was not too bad to lose to Wang. It's too hard for anyone not to make mistakes, and it's better to take it earlier than later. At least I have a long way to fight for," added Shi. Wang said she has a special feeling of the Water Cube. "I cherish every chance at the Water Cube as it was one of the Beijing Olympic venues. I was happy with the gold medal but not satisfied with my performance. I still need to improve on my techniques," said Wang, the mixed synchro world champion. Two-time Olympic champion Cao who won the 10m platform synchro in London 2012 and the 3m springboard in Rio 2016, sealed the victory in the men's 3m springboard with six stable dives for a winning total 541.95 points. "I was lucky to take my third gold. I just had six smooth dives, no perfect ones and no big mistakes. I enjoyed my pace of competition," said Cao, who won two synchro titles in the 3m springboard and 10m platform on Thursday. World champion Xie Siyi conceded to the silver due to his poor fourth and sixth dives for 527.90. Jack Laugher of Britain took the bronze with 457.55, edging Rommel Pacheco Marrufo of Mexico by 0.45. "I was disappointed, especially the fifth dive 109C that scored only 45.60 points. I did not show my training form," Laugher said. "It's great seeing Cao doing so well. I competed before Cao in the final, so I could watch his dives. Both Cao and Xie are my respected divers and I am happy competing with them. I will get stronger next stop in Canada." Chinese new pair Chang Yani/Yang Hao ruled the mixed 3m springboard for 315.21, beating Francois Imbeau-Dulac/Jennifer Abel of Canada (304.08) and Thomas Daley/Grace Reid of Britain (294.39) to second and third respectively. China wrapped up all seven gold medals on offer during first two days at the second leg of the FINA/CNSG Diving World Series 2019. By PTI ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's jailed former prime minister Nawaz Sharif has accused the federal government of deliberately impeding his treatment for heart-related ailments, according to a media report. Sharif's brother and PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif said the three-time former prime minister is in "high spirits" but still requires immediate medical treatment. "He (Sharif) says the doctors who examined him earlier said they were only sent to check and verify his health condition. The doctors said they did not have any orders to start his treatment," Shehbaz was quoted as saying by the Express Tribune. The National Assembly opposition leader said the government's failure to address concerns regarding Sharif's health was regrettable. "It is sad to see that the medical treatment of a three-time former prime minister has been made a political issue. This victimisation must end," he said. Shehbaz's statements come a day after the Punjab government wrote a letter to the former prime minister stating that he was free to pursue treatment at a hospital of his choosing in Lahore. Sharif on Wednesday refused to be relocated to a hospital for treatment despite requests by his family members, saying he prefers an "honourable death" over kneeling to "politics being done" by the government in the name of his treatment. Sharif, 69, is serving a seven-year imprisonment in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills corruption case at the Kot Lakhpat Jail since December 2018. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo has suffered four angina attacks last week, his daughter Maryam Nawaz said on Tuesday. The Sharif family is complaining that the government is not providing health facilities to the former premier who has serious health complications. By PTI WASHINGTON: In Hanoi, Donald Trump overturned the widely held assumption he would be willing to settle for an interim agreement on North Korea's denuclearisation. But despite the breakdown of the summit and the atmosphere of skepticism that now abounds, the US president seems determined to stick with his "all or nothing" approach, betting on his personal "chemistry" with Kim Jong Un to save the day. Trump insisted Friday his relationship with Kim "remains good" even as his aides attempted to paper over the collapse of the high-stakes second summit which concluded last week without even a modest deal on reducing Pyongyang's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. "Nobody in the administration advocates a step-by-step approach," a senior State Department official told reporters this week. In other words, Washington wants what administration officials have called a "big deal" - "the complete elimination of their weapons of mass destruction program," the State Department official said. In return, Washington would ease the pain of the crippling sanctions that have strangled the isolated North's economy. "It really seems there's an all or nothing approach right now from the administration," Frank Aum, a former advisor to the Pentagon, said at a recent meeting hosted by the United States Institute of Peace (USIP). "That seems to be backtracking" which "the Kim regime would not be very happy about," Aum added. It's a position that has taken many observers by surprise given how, in the run-up to the summit, the administration dropped numerous hints it was willing to take a more incremental approach to the talks. "In no rush" was how Trump repeatedly described his stance -- a position echoed by his Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who emphasised: "We've always known this would be a long process." The administration's point man on North Korea, Stephen Biegun, said the US would be prepared to pursue commitments "simultaneously and in parallel" while suggesting there was room for maneuver when it came to sanctions. That created the impression that Washington could be willing to countenance the step-by-step disarmament and sanctions relief sought by Pyongyang. But when Kim proposed dismantling the Yongbyon nuclear complex in exchange for lifting the main sanctions, Trump refused. "It has very much been characteristic of past negotiations to take an incremental approach to this that stretches it out over a long period of time, and quite honestly, has failed on previous occasions," the senior State Department official said. In Washington, the new line has been interpreted as a victory for National Security Advisor John Bolton, long a hawk on North Korea, over Pompeo and Biegun. Even as Washington increasingly turns its attention toward next year's presidential election, the administration exhumed a goal that has long been buried and seen as unrealistic by experts: the total denuclearization of North Korea by the end of Trump's term in 2021. For Jenny Town of the 38 North think tank, the lack of even a partial accord has meant "we have lost that momentum" created by last year's rapprochement. "You already see things starting to spiral downwards," Town said. Satellite imagery analysed by her organisation revealed that Pyongyang has begun rebuilding a long-range rocket launch site it had promised to dismantle, and North Korea's official news agency has now overtly blamed the US for the failure of the summit. The "all or nothing" approach has "always failed because (of) two mutually distrustful actors," Town said at a recent conference. The Kim dynasty has long seen nuclear weapons as a security guarantee against what it perceives as the hostile, bellicose intentions of the United States. "What this administration tries to do is to show that there is no hostile intent," Joseph Yun, a former US special representative for North Korea policy, said at the USIP meeting. "But that's a tough thing to prove and we're kind of stuck at that, which is why the North Koreans are asking that we go on a step-by-step approach to have a better foundation on that trust fact." So what next? Washington hopes to resume working-level talks as soon as possible, and has reacted in a measured way to revelations about the rebuilding of the rocket test site. US officials say the main goal for now is to make sure the North Koreans do not resume testing in any way, including of space launch vehicles. Trump is even ready for a third summit -- he is convinced, as ever, that his personal relationship with Kim will be the difference at the end of the day. For Town, this represents an "opportunity" for the North Koreans, who "are very aware that this is an unconventional president," seeing as "they didn't have a good track record with the conventional presidents." By PTI ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has decided to "upgrade" a group of banned outfits, including the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), to a "high" risk category and start monitoring and re-examining their activities to comply with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) obligations, according to a media report on Saturday. The Paris-based global watchdog against financial crimes had expressed dissatisfaction over considering these entities as "low" to "medium" risk by Islamabad, and said Pakistan did "not demonstrate a proper understanding of the terror financing risks posed by Daesh (ISIS), Al Qaeda, Jamaat-ud-Dawa(Jud), Falah-i-Insaniat Foundation (FIF), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) Haqqani network (HQN), and persons affiliated with the Taliban". All these groups have now been described as "high-risk" entities and would be subject to greater scrutiny by all agencies and institutions of the country, starting from their registration to operations and from their fund collection to bank accounts and issuance of suspicious transactions, information sharing and so on, an informed official said on Friday. At least 40 security personnel were killed when a suicide bomber of the Pakistan-based JeM attacked their convoy in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district on February 14. "All these entities have now been described as high-risk entities and would be subject to greater scrutiny by all agencies and institutions of the state, starting from their registration to operations and from their fund collection to bank accounts and issuance of suspicious transactions, information sharing and so on," an unnamed official was quoted as saying in the report. ALSO READ: 'Naya Pakistan' must show 'naya action' against terror groups: India He said these decisions were taken at a meeting of the general council on FATF, led by Finance Secretary Arif Ahmed Khan, as part of a series of meetings to comply with the FATF obligations. Khan had led the Pakistani delegation to Paris during the February 18-22 meetings of the FATF plenary and its group reviews. During the course of these meetings, Pakistan had banned the FIF and JuD on February 21. The official said based on revised risk profile to "high" from "medium", all the government institutions, including the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan, the State Bank of Pakistan, the National Counter-Terrorism Authority, the Financial Monitoring Unit and intelligence agencies, would separately review records, databanks and procedures and methodologies regarding the proscribed entities and their representatives. Based on this review exercise and re-evaluation of risk indicators, fresh suspected transaction reports would originate and run through the banking sector, while law enforcement agencies would continue their ongoing tough actions against the banned entities, including confiscation of their assets and accounts, the official said. "All these institutions would complete the exercise within two weeks so as to present a compliance report to a delegation of the Asia-Pacific Joint Group, a regional associate of the FATF, due to visit Islamabad on March 24." ALSO READ: Jaish was used by Pakistan intelligence to target India during my tenure: Musharraf "The delegation would review Pakistan's performance on the basis of Islamabad's fresh exercise over the next two days (March 25-26) and submit its assessment report to the FATF headquarters," the report said. The FATF would then make a fresh review the progress and compliance with the remaining targets by May by Pakistan and conclude in June review meetings, whether the country should be moved out of the "grey list" or kept in this list in case of minor shortcomings or be downgraded to the blacklist, having serious financial and economic repercussions in case of serious shortcomings. Pakistan has been placed on the grey list by the FATF for failing to curb anti-terror financing in June last year, despite Islamabad's diplomatic efforts to avert the decision. Officials said that defining these banned entities as high-risk meant the investigation agencies, supervisory and regulatory organisations and related institutions would be more alert and proactive to assessments of risk indicators, red flags, guidance and advisories. ALSO READ: Pakistani drone attempting to cross International Border returns after BSF tries to engage it They would be required to adopt the heightened level of inter-agency coordination for information sharing and actions to combat terror financing and money laundering, considered risk to the global economy, the report said. During the February 18-22 plenary and review meetings, the FATF had noted "limited progress" by Pakistan on targets set for January 2019, and urged the country "to swiftly complete its action plan, particularly those with timelines of May 2019." By PTI WASHINGTON: An influential Indian-American Congressman has warned that Pakistan will continue to slide into international isolation if it does not take actions against terrorist groups operating from its soil. Ami Bera, the Chairman of the House Foreign affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, also urged China to play a constructive role by lifting its veto over UN Security Council resolution to designate Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist. "The United States' Congress stands ready to support Pakistan should Prime Minister (Imran) Khan begin cracking down on terrorist groups in earnest. This will only help improve his nation's economy," Bera wrote in an op-ed. In his op-ed titled 'Time For Pakistan to Chart a New Course', the four-time Indian-American Congressman from California said that Pakistan did the right thing by releasing Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan Varthaman. "This de-escalated a dangerous situation but more has to be done. Prime Minister Imran Khan should use this opportunity to reset his country's relationship with the world and chart a new course for Pakistan," he said. This starts with cracking down on the JeM and other terrorist groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba which was responsible for the 2008 Mumbai attack, Bera said, adding that unfortunately, Pakistan's behaviour towards these terrorist groups have been contradictory and self-defeating. "Pakistan has banned many of these terrorist groups, including adding two more groups on March 5, but at the same time tolerates them operating within its own borders. This has caused the international community to isolate Pakistan," Bera said. Pakistan has taken some initial steps, like detaining 44 suspected militants, including the brother of JeM's leader Masood Azhar. It is, however, unclear whether this "preventative detention", as Pakistan described it, will lead to criminal prosecutions and justice being served, he said. "Prime Minister Khan can help Pakistan earn enormous goodwill by tracking down and bringing to justice Azhar, whom the Pakistani Foreign Minister indicated was alive, with his whereabouts known. They can further that goodwill by dismantling the terrorist networks that operate within Pakistan. "These actions are in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1267. If Khan does not take these steps, I'm afraid Pakistan will continue to slide into international isolation, which will only serve to increase economic hardship on the Pakistani people," the Indian-American Congressman said. "I also call on China to play a constructive role in India and Pakistan relations. A good first step would be for China to cease blocking a UN Security Council resolution designating Masood Azhar a global terrorist," Bera said. His article came days after Pakistan, under global pressure after the Pulwama terror attack and India's air strikes against JeM terrorist camp in Balakot in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on February 26, started taking actions against some of the terrorist outfits and their leaders over the past few days. In Islamabad, the Interior Ministry on Thursday announced that a total of 121 members of the proscribed groups have so far been taken into "preventive detention" across Pakistan. Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after a suicide bomber of Pakistan-based terror group JeM killed 40 CRPF personnel in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district on February 14. India launched a counter-terror operation in Balakot. The next day, Pakistan Air Force retaliated and downed a MiG-21 in an aerial combat and captured its pilot, who was handed over to India on March 1. By PTI UNITED NATIONS: India has said that Pakistan's use of terrorism as an instrument of state policy is a "central problem" and the international community must unequivocally condemn terrorism and its perpetrators. Addressing the 40th Session of the Human Rights Council on Thursday, Permanent Representative of India to the UN in Geneva Ambassador Rajiv Chander said, "Terrorism is the most fundamental violation of human rights and we overlook it at our own peril." He told the Council that the "central problem is cross-border terrorism and Pakistan's use of terrorism as an instrument of state policy. This fact needs due recognition." Chander called for a UN-led consensus on zero tolerance on terrorism, saying the international community needs to unequivocally condemn terrorism and those who perpetrate it. "We firmly believe that UN-led consensus on zero tolerance on terrorism is as much an international obligation as it is a commitment to our own people. We all need to unequivocally condemn terrorism and its perpetrators," he said at the Interactive Dialogue with the High Commissioner for Human Rights. ALSO READ: Pakistan will face global isolation if it doesn't rein in terrorist groups: Indian-American Congressman On the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, the envoy said India's views on the state have been made clear in the Council. "The whole state of Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India. Pakistan remains in illegal occupation of a part of our territory," Chander said Earlier, Pakistan's Acting Permanent Representative Tahir Hussain Andrabi had made references to Kashmir in his statement to the Council. Chander said India's efforts towards protection and promotion of human rights are second to none. "This is reflected in the Constitution of India that guarantees its citizens fundamental political and civil rights and provides for the progressive realisation and enforcement of economic, social and cultural rights," he said. The diplomat underscored that India is a secular state and safeguarding the rights of minorities forms an essential core of its polity. "The Indian Constitution enshrines various provisions for the protection of rights and interests of the minorities. The State makes no distinction between caste, creed, colour or religion of a citizen," he said. Chander underlined that along with being the world's largest democracy, Indian polity also weaves in immense diversity along with respect for tolerance and mutual understanding. "An independent judiciary, free and vibrant media, and, a vocal civil society are all active in this regard within the legal framework of the State. National and State level Human Rights Commissions along with other specific Commissions continue to monitor complaints from minority communities regarding issues of discrimination and disadvantage faced by them," he said. The government has issued Communal Harmony Guidelines which lay down Standard Operating Procedures to deal with communal violence, the envoy added. By UNI CARACAS: Power supply is gradually being restored in some areas of the Venezuelan capital of Caracas in the wake of a major blackout that hit the country, a Sputnik correspondent reported. As of 09:00 p.m. on Friday (01:00 GMT on Saturday), electricity returned to Caracas' central Altagracia district, southeastern Colinas De Santa Monica area, northern La Florida district and western Caricuao and Catia areas. However, temporary power supply failures can be still experienced in these areas. The blackout swept Venezuela on Thursday as national electricity supplier Corpoelec reported about a "sabotage" at the major Guri hydroelectric power plant. Media subsequently reported about power outages in 21 out or 23 Venezuela's states. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro blamed the United States for waging an electric energy war against Venezuela, however, Washington denied having a role in the crisis. By PTI BERLIN: Scientists have discovered 103 beetle species in Indonesia which are new to science, and named one of them after the Star Wars character Yoda while three others after characters from French comics series The Adventures of Asterix. The Indonesian island of Sulawesi has been long known for its enigmatic fauna, including the deer-pig and the midget buffalo, said researchers from the Natural History Museum in Germany and the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI). However, small insects inhabiting the tropical forests have remained largely unexplored, they said in a statement. Only a single species of the tiny weevils of the genus Trigonopterus had been known from the island since 1885. In the study published in the journal ZooKeys, the researchers discovered a total of 103 new species, all identified as Trigonopterus. "Our survey is not yet complete and possibly we have just scratched the surface," said Raden Pramesa Narakusumo, curator of beetles at the Museum Zoologicum Bogoriense (MZB), Indonesian Research Center for Biology. "Sulawesi is geologically complex and many areas have never been searched for these small beetles," Narakusumo said in a statement. While some of the weevils were best associated with their localities or characteristic morphology, others received quite curious names, researchers said. A small greenish and forest-dwelling species was aptly named after the Star Wars character Yoda, while a group of three species were named after Asterix, Obelix and Idefix -- the main characters in The Adventures of Asterix. Naturally, Trigonopterus obelix is larger and more roundish than his two 'friends', researchers said. Other curious names include T artemis and T satyrus, named after two Greek mythological characters: Artemis, the goddess of hunting and nature and Satyr, a male nature spirit inhabiting remote localities, they said. The names of four of the newly described beetles pay tribute to renowned biologists, including Charles Darwin, Paul D N Hebert, who implemented DNA barcoding as a tool in species identification, and Francis H C Crick and James D Watson, the discoverers of the structure of DNA. Sulawesi is at the heart of Wallacea, a biogeographic transition zone between the Australian and Asian regions, researchers said. They assume that Trigonopterus weevils originated in Australia and New Guinea and later reached Sulawesi. By PTI WASHINGTON: Amidst reports of negotiations for a deal with china hitting a bump, President Donald Trump has said that he will enter into a trade deal with Beijing only if he is confident that it is good for the US. But he also told reporters at the White House on Friday that he is confident of entering into a trade deal with China. The world's two largest economies are locked in a trade war since Trump imposed heavy tariffs on imported steel and aluminium items from China in March last year, a move that sparked fears of a global trade war. Trump imposed tariff hikes of up to 25 per cent on USD 250 billion of Chinese goods. In response, China, the world's second largest economy after the US, imposed tit-for-tat tariffs on USD 110 billion of American goods. Top trade officials from America and China are holding talks to negotiate a comprehensive trade deal. "I am confident. But if we don't make a very good deal for our country, I wouldn't make a deal," Trump told reporters. "If this isn't a great deal, I won't make a deal." In the absence of a trade deal, Trump has threatened to impose additional tariffs on import of Chinese products into the US. Last month the US President had said that he and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping are planning to meet at his Florida resort in Mar-a-Lago to give a final shape to the trade deal, which is being negotiated between the two countries for past several months now. However, after the collapse of the North Korea summit in Vietnam where Trump walked out of his meeting with Chairman Kim Jong-Un, the US president has not spoken about it. Taken aback by Trump's decision to walk away from the summit with North Korean in Hanoi, China now wants the summit as a mere signature ceremony and finalise everything before that. According to The Wall Street Journal report on Friday, a US-China trade accord is facing a new roadblock, as Chinese officials balk at committing to a presidential summit until the two countries have a firm deal in hand. "What Chinese minister wants to say, 'Yes, Xi Jinping. Go to the US for a visit, which isn't a state visit, and hope that Trump doesn't embarrass you'" Evan Medeiros, a Georgetown University scholar who was a senior China adviser to President Barack Obama was quoted as saying by The Wall Street Journal. Republican Senator Marco Rubio on Friday doubted recent reports that China will end the forced transfer of technology and begin allowing "wholly foreign-owned enterprises in more fields" as a way to lure back foreign investors. "For decades, China fooled the world into thinking they would be a responsible international partner. We must not let them fool us into thinking this new 'law' is anything other than a shiny object that will do nothing to stop Chinese state-directed actors' continued assault on US companies' intellectual property and trade secrets," Rubio said. The Trump Administration should continue to hold their leverage and increase pressure on China to secure a strong, enforceable deal, he asserted. "We cannot afford to waste this opportunity and risk losing this century's most important, strategic, economic, and geopolitical competition. China must not be allowed to pursue policies that run directly counter to America's national interest and their international commitments without facing due consequences," Rubio said. By PTI NEW YORK: The US border patrol agents apprehended two Indian citizens who were smuggled into the US, officials said. On Thursday afternoon, US Border Patrol agents assigned to Massena Border Patrol Station observed a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot of a casino in Hogansburg in upstate New York, the US Customs and Border Protection said in a press release. Border Patrol agents further observed suspicious behaviour by the occupants and conducted a vehicle stop. Six Indian citizens, including two who were identified as smuggled "aliens", were inside the vehicle, it said. The vigilance of the Border Patrol agents "prevented two illegal aliens from furthering their entry into the United States," Deputy Patrol Agent in-charge Glen Pickering said. The two smuggled Indians were charged with improper entry and an investigation is underway. The Swanton Sector is responsible for securing the land border between ports of entry in Vermont, New Hampshire and northeastern New York. By Associated Press LONDON: British Home Secretary Sajid Javid faced criticism Saturday after the death of a UK teenager's baby in a Syrian camp. Shamima Begum, who had left London as a 15-year-old in 2015 to join the Islamic State group, had pleaded with British authorities before her baby was born to let her return to Britain to raise the child. But Javid revoked her passport, saying Begum hadn't shown any remorse. The teen had told newspaper reporters she didn't have a problem with IS actions, including the beheading of captives. Begum's infant son died Friday. Begum's family said the boy appeared to be in good health when he was born on February 17. No clear cause of death has yet been given, but reports suggested he was having respiratory problems. Fellow Conservative Party lawmaker Phillip Lee said Saturday he was "deeply concerned" by Javid's handling of the case, suggesting he had taken a hard line in order to please populists. He said that it was clear 19-year-old Begum "holds abhorrent views," but called her a child who was a product of British society. "Britain had a moral duty to her and to her baby," he said. When Begum first started speaking to reporters more than three weeks ago, she said the first two children she had given birth to since joining the extremist group had died of malnutrition and other ailments. She said she wanted to come home so she didn't lose another child. Her predicament sparked a national debate on how the UK should handle Britons who had joined the extremists and now seek to return because IS has lost its territory in Syria and Iraq. The challenge faces other European countries as the final IS stronghold in Syria is on the brink of falling, giving its fighters and their often youthful spouses no place left to hide. ALSO READ| UK revokes ISIS jihadi bride's citizenship US President Donald Trump weighed in on the matter last month, saying European countries have a responsibility to take back and put on trial about 800 IS fighters who have been captured by US-backed forces in Syria. Begum is married to a Dutch national who joined IS extremists and has since been taken into custody. He said last week that he wanted to be able to live in the Netherlands with his wife and newborn son, who is now dead. Kirsty McNeill, a director at Save the Children UK, said Britain should "take responsibility for their citizens" in Syria to prevent further unnecessary losses. "It is possible the death of this baby boy and others could have been avoided," she said. Javid didn't comment directly on the baby's death. A government spokesman said "the death of any child is tragic" and reiterated the British government's advice that citizens avoid travel to Syria. Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi answers questions at a press conference on China's foreign policy and relations on the sidelines of the second session of the 13th National People's Congress in Beijing, capital of China, March 8, 2019. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan) BEIJING, March 8 (Xinhua) -- China-Africa cooperation has grown into a towering tree that no force can topple, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Friday. China's relationship with Africa is at the best it has ever been, Wang told a press conference on the sidelines of the national legislature's annual session. "There is a deep mutual trust between the two sides," Wang said, noting that African leaders and individuals have come out against slanders about China-Africa cooperation. The foreign minister said that the exemplary effect of China-Africa cooperation can be leveraged to encourage more countries to give greater attention, weight and input to Africa. "We can build an even stronger China-Africa community of shared future," he said. By Online Desk This Swedish train station will pay you for doing nothing. Yes, you read that right! All you have to do is clock in and clock out. What you do in between is entirely up to you! The Korsvagen train station in Gothenburg is looking to hire someone for an 'Eternal Employment' project and will offer around $2,280 (Rs 1.6 lakh) per month. The pay, pension and holidays offered to the employee match those of an average public sector employee in Sweden. It is a full-time job that will last for the employee's remaining lifespan or until he or she wishes to quit. If the person wishes to resign or retire, then a new 'forever' employee will be recruited. The successful candidate will be required to clock in at the station in the morning and clock out at the end of the shift. Apart from that, the position does not have any set responsibilities or duties. The employee need not necessarily stay in the station, as long as they return at the end of the day to clock out. The employee will be offered a changing room and a clock which should be used to check in and out of work. The clock will be connected to fluorescent lights above the platform. These "working lights," will signal whenever the employee is at work. Simon Goldin and Jakob Senneby were the Swedish artists who designed this experiment and named it Eternal Employment. To execute their idea, they have arranged funds of around $650,000 (Rs. 4.5 crores) from the Public Art Agency in Sweden. The only hitch is that the railway station, which is under construction at present, is expected to be completed only in 2026. Job applications will be accepted in 2025. So, be ready in six years' time! Champaign, IL (61820) Today Windy. Cloudy skies will become partly cloudy in the afternoon. High 49F. Winds S at 20 to 30 mph.. Tonight A few clouds from time to time. Low near 35F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Commander Wei Xiaohui, intern captain of the guided-missile destroyer Zhengzhou (Hull 151) of the Chinese Navy BEIJING, Mar. 8 (ChinaMil) -- In a recent combat drill on the East China Sea, a female officer with military rank of commander adeptly gave battle orders at the operations commanding room aboard the guided-missile destroyer Changchun (Hull 150) of the Chinese Navy. Who is the female officer? She is Dr. Wei Xiaohui, the first female intern captain of the guided-missile destroyer Zhengzhou (Hull 151) of the Chinese Navy. The story of Weis military career is full of legends: From a well-paid white-collar worker to a naval officer, from an outstanding doctoral student to a commanding officer of a new-type destroyer After graduating with a doctoral degree, Wei aspired to join the military and she sent a cover letter to the Chinese Navy, in which she expressed her longing for serving in the military and elaborated her conditions and advantages that would enable her to become a qualified soldier. She also attached awards and certificates she had won and papers she had published, which added up to more than 200 pages in total. In January 2012, her dream came true as she was enlisted in the Chinese Navy. In the following seven years, she evolved from a new recruit to a deputy department head of Chinas first aircraft carrier and then to executive officer and intern captain of destroyers. In the process she achieved an unprecedented growth, faster than standard routines. In April 2015, Wei was appointed intern executive officer of the guided-missile destroyer Changchun (Hull 150). The first year at the position was full of challenges for her. To learn more about equipment data, she carried a notebook in her pocket so that she could take notes anytime. She took notes on almost everything, ranging from every simple countersign to her own understanding of every operational maneuver, from the name of every piece of equipment to its specific usage methods. Thanks to her tireless efforts, Wei passed the strict examination and officially became the Chinese Navys first female executive officer in March 2016. Then she was appointed the intern captain of the guided-missile destroyer Zhengzhou (Hull 151) in September 2017. Today, the legendary female officer is just a heartbeat away from the first female warship captain of the Chinese Navy. Financial Secretary Paul Chan I am delighted to be here with you tonight to witness this welcome agreement this cross-boundary partnership between Tencent, Chinas leading tech company, and the University of Hong Kong, Asias preeminent university. More specifically, the agreement connects Tencent Finance Academy and the University of Hong Kongs Department of Computer Science in the Faculty of Engineering, enabling them to join forces with each other as they march into a future in which fintech will clearly play a significant role. In transcending institutions and boundaries, this business-education partnership is a dynamic model of what Hong Kong needs if we are to ride the global wave of innovation and technology. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is very determined to ride this wave and leverage it to reach new heights. In my Budget Speech announced last week, I allocated a further $45 billion to building Hong Kong into an I&T hub. And fintech is among our priority areas for good reason. Hong Kong is blessed with a highly developed information and communications technology sector. Our financial regulatory regime is transparent and mature, and we have long embraced the free flow of talent, capital and information. Our robust intellectual property regime is buttressed by the rule of law, and our post-secondary educational sector is innovative on a global scale. Indeed, along with the University of Hong Kong, five other Hong Kong universities have also rolled out fintech undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. The Government is committed to enabling their efforts. Our Study Subsidy Scheme for Designated Professionals, for example, now covers self-financing, fintech-related undergraduate programmes. And to ensure that new graduates gain work experience and international exposure, the Monetary Authoritys Fintech Career Accelerator Scheme provides fintech-related internships. Cyberport also sponsors top students to take fintech training camps in the Silicon Valley and Chicago. We welcome fintech talent from the Mainland and from all over the world through our Talent List, which fast-tracks immigration requirements for a variety of in-demand expertise, including of course, experienced fintech professionals. Its the same with our Technology Talent Admission Scheme, which is open to tenants and incubatees of the Hong Kong Science Park and Cyberport engaged in fintech, and other areas. Im pleased to note that Tencent supported last years Hong Kong Fintech Week by hosting an informative visit to their headquarters in Shenzhen. And through WeChat Pay HK, Tencent helped enable cross-boundary payments, making our Mainland travel more convenient. As for the University of Hong Kong, in co-operation with Cyberport and other industry players, it launched Asias first Fintech Massive Open Online Course last May. Im told that more than 22,000 people, from Hong Kong and from all over the world enrolled in the course. And in the coming academic year, the multidisciplinary Bachelor of Arts & Sciences in Financial Technology programme will commence to nurture financial technologists and entrepreneurs with essential knowledge in both finance and technology. And now we have the partnership between Tencent and the University of Hong Kong, an alliance certain to expand fintech development in Hong Kong, in Shenzhen and, indeed, throughout the Greater Bay Area. In connecting we create opportunity, whether between Tencent and the University of Hong Kong, or through the Greater Bay Area itself. And that is the clear catalyst for mutual success. Something Im confident this partnership will bring about in the fintech area and for all of us. Financial Secretary Paul Chan gave these remarks at the MOU Signing Ceremony between Tencent Finance Academy and the University of Hong Kong on March 6. 1214: The body of national hero Brig-Gen Munemo is now being carried to its final resting place. 1208: President Mnangagwa has concluded his address. 1207: The President says the engagement and re engagement will continue with those who open their doors to the country. He says Zimbabwe is a train on the move and those who want to board should do so and those that dont want will be left behind. 1205: President Mnangagwa says the USA has renewed sanctions against the country even though the sanctions continue to violate the basic human rights of the people of Zimbabwe. 1204: As we sing the the national anthem may it be a recognition of the sacrifices made by cadres like Cde Munemo. My doors remain open for dialogue for all people for whatever reason, 1201: I challenge researchers to research on issues that will enhance our countrys capabilities in economics, politics, tourismthe late Cde Munemo was one of the cadres who were instrumental in the establishment of the Chitepo School of Ideology, 1157: As we mourn and draw lessons from the late Cde Munemo, I challenge educators in the country to inculcate a new mindset in our learnersa mindset thats patriotic, 1154: Cde Munemo received numerous awards during his military career..he as never swayed in his entire career, 1152: His teaching experience was of great value to the partyafter his military training he was deployed in Gaza Province.at independence he was attested into the Zimbabwean army as a Lieutenant Colonel, 1149: President Mnangagwa says the Munemo familys loss is that of the country as well as the nation is poorer without him. He says it is that rich record which has earned him a place in the people heart and it is why he is being buried at the national shrine together with other revolutionaries that went before him. 1147: The late Cde Revolution Tichatonga as he was known during the liberation struggle.was a man who served his country with loyalty and distinction, 1144: The President starts with salutations. 1143: Minister Mathema has now invited President Mnangagwa to address the mourners. Brig-Gen Munemo was critical to the creation of the Civil-Military Division in the Zimbabwe Defence Forces. 1133: The family representative describes Brig-Gen Munemo as a strategic man who challenged family members to understand the history of the country.Brig-Gen Munemo was critical to the creation of the Civil-Military Division in the Zimbabwe Defence Forces. 1130: Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Cain Mathema is the Master of Ceremony and he calls a family representative to address the mourners. 1120: Proceedings start with a sermon. 1101: President Mnangagwa has arrived at the national shrine. VPs Chiwenga and Mohadi are also present. 1100: The body of national hero Brig-Gen Munemo has arrived at the National Heroes Acre and is now being taken to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. 1001: President Mnangagwa has arrived at Stodart Hall. He is set to lead the body viewing rites soon. President Mnangagwa arrives at Stodart Hall. Herald Study Finds 'All Our Efforts' on Vaccines Not 'Trash' After All (Newser) The news isn't getting any better for Jussie Smollett. A grand jury on Friday indicted the Empire actor on 16 felony counts related to his alleged staging of an attack on himself in Chicago, reports NBC News. Smollett already had been charged with one felony count of filing a false report. The new charges cover what Smollett initially told officers as well as what he said during a follow-up interview, reports ABC7 Chicago, which adds that Smollett is expected to strike a plea deal to avoid spending time in prison. Meanwhile, the fallout from the case widens. CBS Chicago reports that "dozens" of staffers at Northwestern Hospital may have been fired for improperly reviewing Smollett's medical records from the night he was brought there. story continues below The hospital is not commenting on the TV station's report, but one unnamed nurse says she was among those fired. However, she says she merely scrolled past Smollett's medical records while looking up another patient and will contest the firing. The Chicago Police Department, meanwhile, has opened a separate investigation to try to figure out who within the department has been leaking news about Smollett to the press, reports Deadline. As for the next legal steps, Smollett's arraignment hearing is set for March 14. According to the new indictment, when he told police about the alleged attack, Smollett "knew that at the time there was no reasonable ground for believing that such offenses had been committed, per CBS Chicago. (Read more Jussie Smollett stories.) (Newser) President Trump made the rounds in Alabama Friday to offer support for those affected by the tornadoes that devastated the state this week, killing at least 23. Per the Washington Post, some called his visit a "godsend," but one thing he did during his trip had others scratching their heads: He signed Bibles at a Southern Baptist church in Opelika. Both the Post and the New York Times note that onlookers burst out clapping when the president put his signature on churchgoers' Good Books at their request. A clip online shows first lady Melania Trump also signing the Biblesand both appeared to be signing them on the Bibles' covers, which others also noted online. At the end of the autograph session, the crowd started chanting, "USA! USA!" before Trump said his goodbyes. story continues below Some were offended by the Bible signing. "It's a desecration of the Bible, for he obviously pays no attention to any of it," one Baptist minister tells the Times. An evangelical psychologist at Wheaton College tells the Post: "I've never seen anything like it." But a GOP consultant in Alabama says it's not unheard of for people to give politicians their Bibles to sign, per the Times, which notes that evangelical stars like Tim Tebow have also scrawled their own names in the pages of the Scriptures. And Peter Manseau, the Smithsonian's religious curator, tells the Post that even other presidents have done so, including Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama, who reportedly signed a Bible at the request of Martin Luther King Jr.'s family. "Presidents seem to sign a lot of random things put in front of them," Manseau says. (Read more President Trump stories.) ZHENGZHOU, March 8 (Xinhua) -- After on-site visits and repeated comparison, Tang Zhijing, a 33-year-old breastfeeding mom, chose a shopping mall five km away from her home, instead of a closer one, to enjoy weekends with her two kids there. The farther shopping mall, established in 2017 in Zhengzhou, capital of central China's Henan Province, has a mother-and-baby room. "I don't want to experience the embarrassment of breastfeeding or changing diapers awkwardly in corners anymore," Tang said. "Those experiences undignified me as a mother." Latest data from a report released by the China Development Research Foundation showed that the rate of exclusive breastfeeding in six months in China increased to 29.2 percent. The number was only 20.8 percent in 2013, according to the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. "Though still low, the rate is slightly rising compared with previous years. It may be related to the more friendly social atmosphere," said Lyu Xiaohua, a deputy to the People's Congress of Zhengzhou. The babycare room of about 20 square meters Tang prefers is equipped with basic facilities such as diaper-changing tables, a sofa, a water dispenser, wash basins and even a playpen in which kids can play safely. The innermost area of the room is divided into five 1-square-meter compartments for breastfeeding, with a curtain hanging over each door to protect the mothers' privacy. "This is a very important reason why I decided to give birth to a second child and insisted on breastfeeding. We now have a more friendly social environment," said Tang. Breastfeeding is considered more conducive to infants than formula feeding. The World Health Organization recommends that children should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months. However, in China, the rate of that target is far below the world average of 43 percent. In addition to mothers' feeding beliefs, the situation is partly caused by the lack of babycare rooms in public areas. In 2016, the second year after the one-child policy was abolished, China's health authorities released a guideline that required airports and railway stations in provincial capitals have babycare rooms by the end of that year, and standard facilities should be set up in public spaces and some companies by 2020. "Besides the government, our society should support breastfeeding by creating a friendly social environment," said Zhang Mingsuo, a professor at Zhengzhou University. He believes the attitudes towards mothers and infants are also an important yardstick for social civilization. In Zhengzhou, with a population of 10 million, babycare rooms are now a required facility for shopping malls built in recent years. A state-owned 7-floor shopping mall in Zhengzhou, for example, has 12 babycare rooms. "Babycare rooms attract more customers to the mall," a staff member of the mall said. In recent years, many provinces, including Henan, Liaoning and Guangdong, unveiled plans to promote the construction of mother/infant-friendly facilities. Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong Province, for instance, opened 658 babycare rooms last year. As of November 2018, the number of babycare rooms in Beijing's public areas reached close to 400, covering all the airports and main railway stations. Mothers can even find a babycare room using mobile apps. "Overall, the situation is getting better," said Lyu. (Newser) He was the last surviving member of New York City's Commission, the governing body of the US Mafia. Now, Carmine "The Snake" Persico has joined his former crime buddies in eternal rest. Persico attorney Benson Weintraub says the 85-year-old head of the Colombo crime family died Thursday in a North Carolina medical center near the Butner federal prison where he was serving out his 139-year sentence for racketeering and murder, per CNN. Weintraub tells WABC that his client's health status deteriorated during the partial government shutdown, when the antibiotics he needed weren't arriving regularly. The New York Post notes his death "marks the end of an era," a time when "organized crime controlled New York City," according to a Pace University law professor. story continues below Per the New York Times, Persico managed to keep running the Colombo crime syndicate even after he'd been incarcerated, with officials suspecting he was partly behind the killings of mob bosses Albert Anastasia and Joey Gallo. His 1986 conviction was said to be then-US Attorney Rudy Giuliani's biggest legal victories against the mob. He's said to have earned the nickname "The Snake," which he apparently didn't love, because he would backstab his allies in organized crime; there was even an alleged attempt to kill a fellow hit man. MarketWatch notes another interesting tie to Persico: Bernie Madoff, whom Persico met and protected in prison. The host of an audio series on Madoff says the two became "good buddies," and that Madoff described Persico as a "very sweet man." (Read more obituary stories.) (Newser) The luxury of hopping on a plane for a European holiday with just a passport in hand will soon be gone for US citizens. A European Union announcement on Friday notes that, starting in 2021, Americans will need to also have a visa if they want to travel to the Schengen Area, 26 EU countries that allow people to move freely between nations, per CNN. To receive a European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) visa, US citizens will require a current passport, an email address, and a credit or debit card. story continues below The reasoning behind the new requirement: "Similar to other countries and regions in the world, Europe has recently decided to improve their security level to avoid any further problems with illegal migration and terrorism," per the ETIAS site. A full list of the countries that will soon require the visa, including France, Italy, Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands, can be found here. Americans can still visit the UK and Ireland with just a passport. Previously, US citizens could stay in the EU for up to 90 days without a visa; the ETIAS visa is valid for three years. (Read more European Union stories.) (Newser) The courtroom gasped. The accused showed no emotion. The judge made his ruling clear: Kansas doctor Steven Henson was getting life in prison for distributing prescription drugs that took a patient's life, NBC News reports. Found guilty in October on charges including conspiracy to distribute prescription drugs outside a medical practice and unlawfully distributing multiple drugs, the 57-year-old was sentenced Friday for the 2015 death of Nick McGovern. A Henson patient, he died from an overdose of alprazolam, which quells anxiety, and methadone, which helps get patients off heroin. "I have sentenced people to life before," said Judge J. Thomas Marten, per the Wichita Eagle. "They were people who took guns and shot people." story continues below Seems Henson sold pain-medication prescriptions for $300 a pop to help pay for his office rent. He is also accused of falsifying records, laundering money, and obstructing justice; the court heard he carried a handgun "because of the clientele he deals with" and drank scotch when meeting them, per the Eagle. But Henson's attorney plans to appeal, saying McGovern took more pills than prescribed. US Attorney Stephen McAllister is calling this a victory in the war against opioids, which led to 378 cases resolved against criminally accused doctors through 2016. "We are dealing with an epidemic," said McAllister, per CNN. "Nationwide, more than 70,000 Americans died in 2017 from drug overdoses. That is more than all the American casualties during the war in Vietnam." (Read more opioids stories.) (Newser) The woman behind a now-infamous Florida day spa has been selling something a little more upscale: access to President Trump, Mother Jones reports. Li Yang, who started the spa-and-massage-parlor chain that recently ensnared New England Patriots owner Bob Kraft in a prostitution charge, has an investment business offering Trump-family access to Chinese clients. The company websitewhich went down right after a report emerged about her hobnobbing with the Trumpsshowed a Mar-a-Lago pic along with a tempting offer: "Activities for clients" can include "the opportunity to interact with the president, the [US] Minister of Commerce and other political figures," the site said, and also mentioned arranging "photos with the President" and a "White House and Capitol Hill Dinner." story continues below Indeed, photos on the now-defunct site for GY US Investments LLC show Yang and her apparent clients shmoozing with Trump family members; one shows Yang with the president in a photo displaying his signature. The site also lists upcoming Mar-a-Lago events and pics of Yang at a White House 2018 "Asian New Year" celebration. (See an archive of the website here.) Company offices are listed in China, Miami, and Washington, DC, but the latter address matches that of a UPS store. Mother Jones couldn't get a response from GY US Investments, but did learn that Yang plays a role in Asian American GOP groups. Business Insider reports that Yang has sold her spa chain and the Hill notes she hasn't been accused of anything illegal. (See what Trump said about the charges against Kraft.) (Newser) A recent CNN hire that caused all kinds of waves has reached safe, dry land: a less powerful job. The network said Friday that Sarah Isgur, a former GOP operative, will be a political analyst instead of a political editor as originally planned, Bloomberg reports. "And news: I will go to CNN as a Political Analyst instead," she tweeted Friday. "Will start next month on air and on line. See y'all soon!" When the network hired her in February, several CNN journalists and reps for presidential candidates expressed concern about hiring a former Trump administration official who had no prior journalism experience, per the New York Times. story continues below Clarifications about her job and changes in her duties didn't seem to help. The network made clear that Isgur would work under political director David Chalian, per CNN, while Politico says the network altered her position to ensure she had no involvement in 2020 debates and wouldn't supervise campaign coverage. But in the end, Isgurwho was lead spokeswoman for former Attorney General Jeff Sessions and deputy campaign manager for presidential candidate Carly Fiorinaapparently suggested the change. "When Sarah came to us and proposed her role be adjusted to a political analyst instead, we agreed and we look forward to her starting in that role," CNN said. (Read more CNN stories.) (Newser) If critics are right, Colorado police may have pulled a gun on a man for cleaning while black. A video has emerged of police officers in Boulder, Colorado facing a black man last Friday in the yard of a house, USA Today reports. "You're on my property with a gun in your hand threatening to shoot me because I'm picking up trash," says the man, who remains unidentified. "You're not going to get away with murder. Not today. I don't have a weapon. This is a bucket. This is a clamp." At one point, an officer tells the man to "just relax" and "drop the weapon," but the man responds, "You have a gun in your hand." The officer responds, "Yes I do because you're not listening." A man shooting the video also speaks up, telling the officers to "go home" and "take your hand off your gun." story continues below Police say it began when an officer spotted a man "sitting in a partially enclosed patio area" behind a "Private Property" sign. Approached by the officer, the man handed over his student ID and said he worked and lived in the building, a Naropa University housing facility, but the officer found him unwilling to let go of a "blunt object" and called for backup, per the Daily Camera. The incident escalated at a Boulder City Council meeting Tuesday when audience members clacked trash grabbers in protest and Police Chief Greg Testa told council members his version of events, per the Denver Post. A police officer, who is white, has been placed on leave pending an internal investigation. The NAACP and other groups are planning to march Sunday in Boulder. (Read more racial profiling stories.) Fairbanks, AK (99707) Today Occasional snow showers. Low around 5F. Winds light and variable. Chance of snow 60%. Snow accumulations less than one inch.. Tonight Occasional snow showers. Low around 5F. Winds light and variable. Chance of snow 60%. Snow accumulations less than one inch. Mark Wilson/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) -- President Donald Trump tweeted Friday that Michael Cohen, his former longtime fixer and personal attorney, asked him directly for a pardon and subsequently lied to Congress about it a claim Cohen was quick to deny. Bad lawyer and fraudster Michael Cohen said under sworn testimony that he never asked for a Pardon, Trump wrote. His lawyers totally contradicted him. He lied! Additionally, he directly asked me for a pardon. I said NO. He lied again! Bad lawyer and fraudster Michael Cohen said under sworn testimony that he never asked for a Pardon. His lawyers totally contradicted him. He lied! Additionally, he directly asked me for a pardon. I said NO. He lied again! He also badly wanted to work at the White House. He lied! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 8, 2019 In testimony before the House Oversight Committee last week, Cohen stated definitively: "I have never asked for, nor would I accept, a pardon from President Trump. While he and his legal team insist that statement remains true, Lanny Davis, a spokesman for Cohen, conceded earlier this week that Cohen did ask one of his attorneys last summer to inquire with Rudy Giuliani, the presidents current personal attorney, about receiving a pardon. But Davis said Thursday that Cohen stands by his testimony, citing the language Cohen used in front of the committee. "[Cohen] never asked President Trump for a pardon, Davis told ABC News on Thursday, before Trumps tweet. His lawyer explored the disingenuous 'dangle' repeatedly floated by Rudy and Trump in one meeting and never followed up." Shortly after President Trump made his claim, Cohen responded in a tweet of his own, calling the presidents suggestion that Cohen directly asked for a pardon just another set of lies. Just another set of lies by @POTUS @realdonaldtrump. Mr. President...let me remind you that today is #InternationalWomensDay. You may want use today to apologize for your own #lies and #DirtyDeeds to women like Karen McDougal and Stephanie Clifford. Michael Cohen (@MichaelCohen212) March 8, 2019 Fridays social media exchange marks the latest escalation of Cohens fraught relationship with the president, a man whom Cohen served for almost a decade. Just a day earlier, Cohen filed a civil lawsuit in New York state court against the Trump Organization for legal fees accrued as part of numerous congressional hearings and federal investigations, seeking nearly $4 million. Meanwhile, on Capitol Hill, congressional Republicans have taken new steps to pin Cohen with lying to Congress charges to which he already pleaded guilty last year. Two top Republicans on the panel, Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, and Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., referred Cohens testimony to the Justice Department last week, alleging he committed perjury on six occasions during his open hearing, including his denial that he sought a White House job as Trump first came into office. On Thursday, Jordan said his staff is preparing to send an updated criminal referral to the Justice Department to include Cohen's comment about never asking Trump for a pardon. Cohen pleaded guilty late last year to charges including campaign finance violations, tax fraud and lying to Congress. He was sentenced in December to three years in prison, and his term is expected to begin May 6. Copyright 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Philippines not to be burdened by its debt to China, financial officials say MANILA, March 8 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines will not be burdened by its debt to China as the Duterte government is trying to raise funds to finance local infrastructure modernization projects, said Philippine financial officials early this week. The Philippines' debt to China stands now at approximately one percent of its total debt, said Philippine Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez on Wednesday. By the end of 2022, Chinese loans to the Philippines will only account for a very small proportion of the whole debt of the government, making it impossible that this Southeast Asian country will be up to its ears in Chinese debt, Dominguez said. "At the end of 2022 ... our debt to China will be 4.5 percent of our total debt. The debt to Japan will be 9.5 percent. Now I don't know why people are not saying we are going to drown in Japanese debt," he said. Dominguez said that his team at the Department of Finance (DOF) has very carefully screened Chinese loans using the same standards as with any other loans. "The debt for projects funded by China goes through the same stringent processes," he said. Moreover, the infrastructure projects that China funded are ones that can benefit the Philippines and its people, Dominguez said. "The important thing about debt is to make sure that the money is invested in projects whose economic return is higher than the cost of the debt and so far this is what we have done," Dominguez said. He said the funds that the Philippines received are soft loans. "We negotiate for as long a term as possible and as low an interest as possible," he said. "So there is no danger of us being drowned by Chinese debt," Dominguez said, adding that such statements calling Chinese funds "burdens" are "totally unfounded." Maria Edita Tan, assistant secretary of the DOF, said early this week that China is not the largest funder of the Philippines' infrastructure modernization projects, which is another evidence that Chinese loans will not be a debt burden. Among all foreign-funded loan agreements on the infrastructure projects implemented, at least four were with Japan, two with China, and two with South Korea, according to the DOF. In 2017, the Duterte administration rolled out a massive infrastructure program, which intends to spend eight to nine trillion pesos (roughly 160 to 180 billion U.S. dollars) in the medium term on building roads, bridges, airports, seaports and railways in the Philippines. According to the government data, the debt-to-GDP ratio of the Philippines in 2018 slightly dropped to 41.9 percent from 42.1 percent in 2017. As the Philippine economy keeps growing, the Duterte administration expects a steady decline in the debt-to-GDP ratio to 38.5 percent by 2022 as economic growth is seen outpacing the increase in borrowings. "If we are not growing but borrowing that is really bad, but since we are growing we have the ability to borrow more because we have the productive ability to pay more," Dominguez said. The Japan Coast Guard says at least 80 people have been injured after a jetfoil ferry hit an object in the Sea of Japan. The operator of the ferry reported that the accident occurred at around 12:15 PM on Saturday. The ship was heading to Sado Island in Niigata Prefecture, central Japan, after leaving Niigata Port on Japan's main island. Coast Guard officials say 13 of the injured passengers are in serious condition, although they are conscious. The ferry continued on its journey after the accident and arrived at the destination at around 1:30 PM, about one hour behind schedule. The injured people were taken to hospital. Coast Guard officials say they found a 15-centimeter crack in the stern of the ship. They also confirmed that part of the hydrofoil wing is bent. The operator says the vessel was carrying 121 passengers. The vice director of the municipal aquarium in Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture, Shinichiro Ikeguchi, says the scale of the impact suggests the boat hit a whale. He says mink and humpback whales are currently migrating through the Sea of Japan. Cincinnati, OH (45221) Today Cloudy skies early will become partly cloudy later in the day. High 52F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Cloudy skies. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low around 45F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. The Vietnam-Russia oil and gas joint venture Vietsovpetro held a ceremony in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau on March 8 to welcome the first flow of oil it pumped up from Ca Tam field. Built in March 2018, the CTC1-WHP oilrig is the most important component in Ca Tam oil field development project in Lot 09-3/12 operated by Vietsovpetro under a production sharing contract signed with the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam), the PetroVietnam Exploration Production Corporation (PVEP), and Bitexco Group. On January 25, it pumped up the first flow of oil with a total capacity of 1,630 tonnes per day. On February 10, Vietsovpetro put the first well CT-101 into operation. As planned, it will launch additional six wells this year, raising the total yearly capacity to 766,000 tonnes. In the near future, it will step up oil and gas exploration and exploitation in Cuu Long field, contributing to safeguarding Vietnams sovereignty and economic interests on the continental shelf and territorial waters.-VNA Temitope Olatoye (Sugar), Action Democratic Party Oyo central senatorial candidate, has been shot. One of his aides who spoke under anonymity said he was shot in the face and has been rushed to the Accident and Emergency centre in University College Hospital(UCH), Ibadan. Meanwhile, the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan has confirmed that the lawmaker shot on Saturday by political thugs is in a critical situation at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the hospital. The spokesman of the hospital, Toye Akinrinlola, said the lawmaker was brought in a critical situation and was being resuscitated at the ICU. As I am talking to you now, the man is in the Intensive Care Unit, efforts are on to try to resuscitate him, Mr Akinrinlola said. The Oyo police spokesperson, Olugbenga Fadeyi, when contacted, said the matter has not been officially reported, but that the command was investigating it. You should exercise patience so that we can get the facts because it has not been officially reported, said Mr Fadeyi. We will need to get the facts before we can come out and tell you what it is, please be patient. Mr Olatoye represents Lagelu/Akinyele federal constituency in the House of Representatives. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested Sulaiman Ishola, accountant-general of Kwara state, for allegedly set... The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested Sulaiman Ishola, accountant-general of Kwara state, for allegedly setting aside N1.5 billion for vote buying. A source at the commission disclosed this to TheCable on Friday evening. In a report, the commission listed Nurudeen Banu, commissioner for finance, and Yusuf Abdulkadir, commissioner for water resources, alongside some top officials of the state government that were rested. Those arrested and currently being interrogated in respect of the suspicious withdrawal include: Commissioner for Finance, Nurudeen Banu; Accountant General, Sulaiman Ishola; Commissioner for Water Resources, Yusuf Abdulkadir; Head of Service, Susan Modupe Oluwole; Special Adviser, Commissioner for Energy, Eleja Taiwo Banu; Chief of Staff, Abdulwahab Yusuf; officials of the Secretary to the State Government, and those of the Government House, it said. Investigations by EFCC operatives revealed that the said money was withdrawn from the states account domiciled with Sterling Bank. The report said the withdrawals were uncovered after operatives acted on a petition by a non-governmental organisation, the Kwara Coalition for Good Governance and Accountability, asking for the probe of over N1bn loan that the government secured from a bank a few days before the general elections. Hassan Omoiya, secretary general of the organisation, noted that intelligence had it that the state government obtained the loan on February 13 from a bank, using the remittance of Kwara State VAT allocation due in February and March 2019 as collateral. Earlier, the commission announced the arrest of Uzoho Casmir, accountant-general of Imo, who allegedly laundered N1 billion for Rochas Okorocha, the governor. The commission said the money was meant for inducing voters during the state assembly and governorship elections. The immediate past governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayodele Fayose, on Saturday failed to deliver his unit and ward at Afao Ekiti in Irepod... The immediate past governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayodele Fayose, on Saturday failed to deliver his unit and ward at Afao Ekiti in Irepodun Ifelodun local government area of the state as his party Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lost in the House of Assembly poll in the state. The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Irepodun/Ifelodun constituency 2, Alhaji Hakeem Jamiu, in Fayoses unit at St Davids Primary School polling unit in Afao Ekiti, polled 168 to defeat the Peoples Democratic Partys candidate, Sunday Omosilade, who garnered 26. However, Omosilade, who is Fayoses Personal Assistant had last week notified the Independent National Electoral Commission in a letter dated March 1 of his intention to withdraw from the race. But a source close to the office of the electoral body in the state, said INEC was not aware of Omosilade withdrawal from the race saying such should have come 45 days to the poll. Governor Kayode Fayemi won Ward 11, Ogilolo Polling unit in Isan-Ekiti for the APC with 172 votes while PDP scored 0. Also at units 15 and 003, Igbemo ward, Jamiu recorded 171 and 335 votes respectively, while PDP polled 0 in the two units. Fayose also lost in his Afao/Araromi ward , as APC scored 648 while the PDP got 67 votes. As low turnout of the voter generally characterized the poll , some chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state have charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and all stakeholders to improve on the electoral process. The APC leaders including the Special Assistant to the President on political Affairs, Senator Babafemi Ojudu , Senator-elect Opeyemi Bamidele and the states Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Mr Wale Fapounda who spoke with journalists stressed the need for INEC to particularly embarked serious voter education with a view to achieving improved participation of electorate in choosing their representatives. Senator Ojudu urged the electoral body and political parties to further encourage and enlighten the people on the need to participate in electoral processes, noting that it remains the only way for them to effect positive impact on their lives. Bamidele, who spoke after voting at his Ward B, Iyin Ekiti, Bamidele said a lot needed to be done in addressing pervasive cases of violence and apathy in the country. INEC must up its game if we really want to get it right. In some part of the country, there were late arrival of materials, so this should not happen, he said. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Saturday postponed the state House of Assembly election across Mopamuro Local... The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Saturday postponed the state House of Assembly election across Mopamuro Local Government Area of Kogi state. The Electoral Officer, Mopamuro LGA, Mr Opanachi Ojodale, at the INEC office in Mopa, said that the election was postponed to Sunday, March 10, due to wrong ballot papers that were taken to the area. According to Ojodale, the ballot papers belonging to Akpa LGA in Kogi East were taken to Mopamuro LGA, a development that was discovered in the early hours of Saturday (election day). He said that the new ballot papers for Mopamuro would arrive at the LG office later in the day, from Abuja INECs office in Mopamuro on Friday night distributed election materials to Registration Area Centres (RACs) at the ward level across the LGA. Meanwhile, some youths of Orokere community had earlier on Saturday conducted a peaceful demonstration to the palace of their traditional ruler, to protest against the alleged importation of thugs to their community by suspected opposition party members. The youths alleged that the thugs were imported by some politicians in the area to cause mayhem and disrupt the electoral process. Mr Segun Peter, the youth leader, who spoke on behalf of the youths at the palace, urged the monarch to call the politicians to order so as to forestall a breakdown of law and order during the elections. The thugs threatened to disrupt the electoral process in the community, and unleash terror on members of opposition parties. The thugs also threatened that voters, who have decided not to vote for their candidates should not bother to come out to vote. We are peace-loving people, our youths are ready to stand firm and resist any form of intimidation to protect our votes, Peter said. The monarch, Chief Ajayi Mejedi, the Ajugbonjagun of Orokere land, praised the youths for the peaceful protest and promised to call the people mentioned to order. This election will be different; nobody should foment any form of trouble before, during, and after the election, the monarch warned. Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has attributed the low turn-out of voters in the ongoi... (PDP), has attributed the low turn-out of voters in the ongoing governorship and state assembly elections to alleged rigging of the presidential poll. Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), has attributed the low turn-out of voters in the ongoing governorship and state assembly elections to alleged rigging of the presidential poll. Atiku spoke after casting his ballot at the Ajiya polling unit 02, Gwadabawa ward of Yola north local government of Adamawa state. There is low voter turn out and I believe its because of the last election which was marred by a lot of irregularities, he said. Atiku said the involvement of the military in the election is unconstitutional, urging the electorate to be law-abiding. Speaking on his loss, Atiku said he was committed to challenging the result f the election in court. He called on his supporters to remain calm and await the outcome of the legal action. Kwara APC governorship candidate Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq has won his Idigba polling unit 004 of Adewole Ward with a landslide. Kwara APC governorship candidate Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq has won his Idigba polling unit 004 of Adewole Ward with a landslide. AbdulRazaq polled 592 votes as against PDPs 80, according to the official result declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to stop gloating as Atiku Abubakar, its candidate in the p... has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to stop gloating as Atiku Abubakar, its candidate in the presidential election, will soon reclaim his stolen mandate at the tribunal. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to stop gloating as Atiku Abubakar, its candidate in the presidential election, will soon reclaim his stolen mandate at the tribunal. The party was reacting to Buharis statement that the PDP still had questions to answer on how it spent the huge resources that accrued to the country from oil sales between 1999 and 2015. In a statement on Friday, Kola Ologbondiyan, PDP spokesman, said it is Buhari that has some explanations to give concerning how some monies were spent under him. According to the statement, Buharis renewed attack on the PDP is a ploy by the president to divert public attention from the overwhelming evidence that he rigged the elections. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) charges President Muhammadu Buhari to stop gloating and showboating on Nigerians with the stolen 2019 Presidential mandate, as the peoples candidate, Atiku Abubakar would soon retrieve it from him at the tribunal, the opposition party said. The party further describes President Buharis renewed attack and blame game on PDP administrations as a lame attempt to divert public attention from the overwhelming evidence that he rigged the elections, as well as from the plots by his Presidency to obstruct the clear winner, Atiku Abubakar, from going to the tribunal to reclaim the mandate freely given to him by Nigerians. It indeed speaks volumes that President Buhari, in his claimed integrity and anti-corruption stance, is grandstanding over the violent rigging of the elections and his attempt to foist himself into a second term in office on the pedestal of stolen votes. President Buhari and his All Progressives Congress (APC) should know that the PDP and Nigerians are focused and will not be distracted by any sort of blackmail in the pursuit of the mandate and we are confident that our justices will never allow an illegitimate government to sit over the affairs of our dear nation. Moreover, if anybody has a question to answer on the administration of the nations resources, it is President Buhari, who has not been able to offer any explanation on the looting of over N14 trillion from revenue generating agencies in a space of three years under his direct supervision. We ask; was it the PDP that siphoned over N9 trillion, through underhand contracts, as detailed in the leaked NNPC memo, in the same sector President Buhari directly supervises as Minister of Petroleum Resources? President Buhari must note that Nigerians are no longer interested in his incompetence and blame game and this is the very reason they voted massively against him on February 23. He should therefore end his diversionary tactics and get ready to meet the peoples candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in court. Atiku had challenged the outcome of the election which he said was rigged to favour Buhari in court. On Thursday, a court of appeal ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to allow him access to all the electoral materials used during the process. Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue had a working session in Hanoi on March 8 with Charles Freeman, Senior Vice President for Asia at the US Chamber of Commerce (USCC). The two sides agreed that meetings between Vietnamese leaders and US President Donald Trump in late February in Hanoi contribute to promoting the bilateral partnership between the two countries, especially in investment and trade. Freeman said that he is looking forwards to welcoming Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong at the USCC in the future when the Vietnamese leader visits the US at the invitation of President Trump. The American Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (AmCham Vietnam) has coordinated closely with Vietnamese ministries, sectors and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry to introduce the White Book on Vietnam-US trade partnership, and organise the US-Vietnam Business Summit in May this year, he said. Freeman said that the USCC supports the USs opening of its door for Vietnamese firms, as well as Vietnams similar act for US businesses. Deputy PM Hue thanked the AmCham Vietnam for assisting the Vietnamese Government in assessing the attraction and the use of foreign investment in the country. Noting that the Vietnam-US relationship is now developing very well, Hue suggested that the USCC and Vietnamese enterprises continue to work out initiatives to foster bilateral investment and trade ties, to be manifested in the White Book that will be introduced soon. The Vietnamese Government pays great attention to proposals of US enterprises to promote trade and investment collaboration between the two business communities, he stated.-VNA Senate President Bukola Saraki on Saturday lamented the malfunctioning of card readers at some polling stations in Kwara State. He... Senate President Bukola Saraki on Saturday lamented the malfunctioning of card readers at some polling stations in Kwara State. He also decried low voter turnout in the state, compared to what obtained during the February 23 presidential/National Assembly election. Saraki arrived at his polling unit (006) at Ajikobi Ward, Agbaji area of Ilorin West Local Government Area at about 11.07am to cast his vote. He was accompanied by his wife, Toyin, who also cast her vote immediately after her husband. The Defence Headquarters reiterated on Friday that the role of the Armed Forces in the ongoing elections is to support the police in pro... The Defence Headquarters reiterated on Friday that the role of the Armed Forces in the ongoing elections is to support the police in providing security for voters to exercise their franchise. The Governorship and House of Assemblies elections, as well as the Area Councils elections in the Federal Capital Territory are scheduled to hold on Saturday. Briefing journalists in Abuja ahead of the elections, Onyema Nwachukwu, a colonel and acting Director of Defence Information (DDI), said the militarys role in election is contained in Section 271 of the 1999 constitution. The section stipulates that the military can be deployed to assist the police in maintenance of law and order during elections. He said: In carrying out this onerous task, the Armed Forces of Nigeria is guided by the code of conduct and rules of engagement that have been provided for military personnel deployed to maintain security during elections. We assure Nigerians that in tandem with our mandate, we will continue to compliment and support the efforts of the Nigerian Police in ensuring that all abiding citizens of this nation and members of the international community go about their legitimate duties and obligations in an environment devoid of violence and insecurity. Mr Nwachukwu restated the Chief of Defence Staffs (CDS), Abayomi Olonisakin directive that personnel had the right to vote during the ongoing elections, but must approach polling units in mufti. Additionally, any military personnel who is not on election security duty found in military uniform on election day will be arrested and sanctioned in accordance with military justice system, the CDS had said. Mr Nwachukwu reminded commanders to ensure that sanity prevailed in their areas of responsibility. He said their assigned tasks apart from ensuring security include the arrest of personnel in uniform but not on election duty, adding that civilians caught in uniform would be treated as impostor. On soldiers killed by suspected political thugs in some states during the February 23 elections, the DDI said the military would not carry out reprisal attacks. In spite of the unfortunate attacks on our personnel by political hoodlums during the last elections, the armed forces of Nigeria, as a professional and reputable institution wishes to reassure the public that no reprisal attack will be carried out by military personnel, unit or formation. He commiserated with the families of the deceased soldiers, saying that no one, including military, civilians, electoral officers or observers deserved to die for elections. The DDI appealed to politicians and their supporters to embrace peace and conduct themselves within the ambit of the law. The Defence Headquarters solicits the support and cooperation of Nigerians and the media toward the sustenance of peace and security before, during and after the elections, he said. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi held a meeting with military and security top ranks after performing Friday prayers at Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi Mosque in New Cairo's Fifth Settlement district. The meeting was held as the country is set to celebrate the Martyr's Day on March 9. A minute of silence was observed in honor of Egypt's martyrs of police and army personnel. El-Sisi discussed with the army and police leaders, notably the ministers of defense and interior, the latest developments at the domestic, regional and international levels. Also, they reviewed army and police efforts within the framework of the ongoing military Operation Sinai 2018, in addition to tightening border security. The president lauded tasks undertaken by police and army forces to preserve the country, as well as their efforts to support the pillars of stability and development across the nation. At the end of the meeting, El-Sisi paid tribute to the martyrs' families. Search Keywords: Short link: Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and his wife Entissar Mohamed Amer El-Sisi both paid tribute to the struggles and achievements of Egyptian women on social media on Friday, to mark International Women's Day. The president tweeted, "Greetings, appreciation, and respect for every lady who has struggled and recognized achievements in all fields, and defended the meaning of freedom, humanity, and life throughout the ages." He further hailed women as "a symbol of strength, compassion, nobility, courage, and all the elements of life, love, and beauty." Sisi El-Sisis wife posted a statement on her official Facebook page, hailing women and their vital role in the Egyptian community. "Greetings, appreciation and respect for every woman who has struggled and recognized achievements," the statement read. She cited the importance of equality and women empowerment, saying, "I take the opportunity to affirm her [woman's] right to equality, empowerment and leadership. I believe in her being a key, and an equal partner for men." She is ambitious, courageous, intelligent, creative and pioneering in all fields. She is the mother, the sister, the working woman, and the distinguished fighting girl in all fields. She is also the heart and the centre of humanity, and all the world." Sisi International Womens Day is celebrated on 8 March. Search Keywords: Short link: Egypts Minister of Defence General Mohamed Zaki laid a wreath at the Memorial of the Unknown Soldier in Cairo on Friday to mark Martyr Day. The Official Spokesperson of the Armed Forces Tamer El-Refai said that President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi had delegated General Zaki to lay a wreath at the memorial in Nasr City, to honour the countrys martyrs who gave their lives to preserve the nation. General Zaki was accompanied by the Armed Forces Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Mohamed Farid. Meanwhile, Minister Zaki delegated the heads of different military regions to lay wreaths on unknown soldier memorials nationwide, accompanied by the heads of security directorates and regional governors. Martyr Day is celebrated on 9 March every year, marking the martyrdom of former Chief of Staff Abdel-Moneim Riad on that date in 1969. Riad was killed alongside several of his aides in an Israeli mortar attack during the War of Attrition. He had participated in several wars, including the 1948 Palestine War and the tripartite aggression against Egypt in 1956. Abdel Moneam Riad El-Refai posted seven new videos on his Facebook page on Saturday to commemorate the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in defence of Egypt against terrorism. The Arabic hashtag #_ was trending on Saturday, with different social media users tweeting about the topic. Search Keywords: Short link: Austrias envoy to the UN in Geneva has praised the strong and historic relations between Egypt and Austria and Egypt's support for the European Union. Robert Mueller met with an Egyptian delegation from the Dialogue Forum for Development and Human Rights, Women and Development in Alexandria on the sidelines of the 40th session of the International Council for Human Rights. Austria was following the positive advances in the area of women's rights in Egypt, Mueller said, adding that Vienna was happy to see more female MPs in parliament. Mueller added that Austria was also aware of the positive advances Egypt had made in strengthening equal citizenship rights and government's efforts to protect Christians, lauding Egypt's passing of the first law to regulate the construction of churches. He said that protecting human rights from the threat of terrorism requires more international cooperation to confront dangerous incitement, saying Austria is paying close attention to Egypt's battle against terrorism and its classification of the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist group in Egypt. On the question of "lenient treatment" by some European countries, Mueller said that the Brotherhood do not receive support in Europe only, but there are Islamic countries that support the group in the United Nations. He said that Austria monitors the activity of this group without infringing on to the rights of its Muslim citizens. Search Keywords: Short link: Britain cannot accept Michel Barnier's proposal to break the deadlock in the Brexit talks because it would risk the unity of the United Kingdom by treating Northern Ireland differently, the chairman of the ruling Conservative Party said. Less than three weeks before Britain leaves the European Union, the EU's chief negotiator said on Friday Britain could have the unilateral right to leave their customs union after Brexit. However, Northern Ireland would remain in the EU's trade orbit to prevent the need for any customs checks on the border with EU-member Ireland. "We are not going to have an agreement that compromises the unity of the United Kingdom," Brandon Lewis told BBC radio. "The proposal that Michel Barnier put out yesterday would compromise the strength of the union. "This government will not tolerate something that puts the United Kingdom's union at risk." Search Keywords: Short link: Paducah, KY (42003) Today Partly cloudy skies in the morning will give way to cloudy skies during the afternoon. High 59F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Cloudy in the evening, then off and on rain showers after midnight. Low 53F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%. Chelsea Manning is facing the potentialof months in custody after refusing to testify before a grand jury, in a trial that's sealed from the public. Virginia Judge Claude H. Hilton has held Manning in contempt of the court, saying she will be detained until agreeing to give evidence. Manning's lawyer, Moira Meltzer-Cohen, has expressed concern that Manning will not be able to access her medication while detained. "As everybody knows, Chelsea has tremendous courage," Meltzer-Cohen told reporters. "Our primary concern at this point is her health while she is confined and we will be paying close attention." The sealed trial concerns Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, who is currently facing secret charges in the Eastern District of Virginia. Manning herself served a seven-year military custody sentence for providing classified military documents to WikiLeaks. Manning must have known this was coming she shared her subpoena for the court case with the New York Times last month. Appearing before the grand jury, she reportedly refused to answer any questions about WikiLeaks and instead asserted that her constitutional rights were being violated. According to The Washington Post, Manning told the court she thought sealed trials were unjust and tended "to favor the government." She said she was "always willing" to explain things publicly. "In solidarity with many activists facing the odds, I will stand by my principles," she said, according to the New York Times. "I will exhaust every legal remedy available. My legal team continues to challenge the secrecy of these proceedings, and I am prepared to face the consequences of my refusal." News and commentary on organized crime, street crime, white collar crime, cyber crime, sex crime, crime fiction, crime prevention, espionage and terrorism. Justin Trudeau rose to power in Canada as a champion of feminism and indigenous rights, quickly earning him golden boy status at home and abroad as a progressive leader. But a major political scandal that sparked the resignation of two of his ministers -- both women, one indigenous -- has tarnished his image just seven months before national elections. Pundits say the 47-year-old premier faces a tough battle just to stay in office, with the latest polls showing his Liberals trailing the Conservatives for the first time. For weeks, Trudeau's government has been rocked by accusations of meddling in the criminal prosecution of engineering giant SNC-Lavalin, which was charged with corruption over alleged bribes paid to secure contracts in Libya. His attorney general Jody Wilson-Raybould, who said she experienced "consistent and sustained" political pressure to shield the company from a trial, stepped down. Budget minister Jane Philpott followed suit, as did longtime Trudeau friend and top aide Gerry Butts. On Thursday, Trudeau addressed the allegations head-on, telling reporters in Ottawa that he had learned "lessons" from the crisis -- but denying any wrongdoing. For the opposition, that wasn't enough. On Friday, they renewed their calls for Trudeau to resign. "Trudeau is facing a serious crisis of confidence in his leadership," said Stephanie Chouinard, a politics professor at the Royal Military College of Canada. "Seeing not one, but two members of his cabinet slamming the door like that, it's unheard of for many years in Canada and it augurs very badly for him ahead of the October elections." - 'Virtue' at issue - The Liberals built their brand around the handsome young Trudeau, a one-time bartender and snowboard instructor with Hollywood good looks and a father who was widely admired when he served as premier. Trudeau brought rock star energy to the job, and his brand of progressive politics -- he made bold statements on climate action, legalized cannabis and helped refugees make a new life in Canada. The Liberals' 2015 victory marked the return of the party, which had governed for most of the last century before being relegated to third-place status in a 2006 ballot. Trudeau was hailed. Now, his "virtue is being questioned," Chouinard said. "He promised to do politics differently and introduce real change, but (in many eyes) has showed himself to be a politician like any other." - Libya, bribes and Trudeau's 'brand' - SNC-Lavalin was charged in 2015 with corruption for allegedly bribing officials in Libya between 2001 and 2011 to secure government contracts during the rule of former strongman Moamer Kadhafi. The Montreal-based firm openly lobbied the government for an out-of-court settlement that would result in a fine and agreeing to compliance measures, saying a conviction would lead to job cuts. But Wilson-Raybould, Canada's first indigenous attorney general, refused to ask prosecutors to settle, and the trial is set to proceed. She later testified to lawmakers that she had received "veiled threats" over her stance -- and Trudeau's inner circle came under suspicion. Since the crisis erupted a month ago, Trudeau has seemed "disconnected" and "not in control" of his government, said Eric Montigny, a politics professor at Laval University in Quebec City. The resignations of two tough, successful women who embodied his values have prompted Canadians to re-examine his bona fides, especially his commitment to women and indigenous people, he said. Also, apparent contradictions in his policies, such as pushing for carbon emissions cuts while buying an oil pipeline in support of Canada's energy sector, are getting more attention. "It strikes at the heart of the Trudeau brand," Montigny said. "It also becomes more difficult for the prime minister to tell voters to trust him when two senior ministers say they have lost confidence in him." For a hint of how things might play out, many will look to the March 19 federal budget vote. If Liberals, who hold a majority in parliament, break ranks, it could trigger snap elections. Marcel Chartrand, a communications professor at the University of Ottawa, is nevertheless optimistic that Trudeau's party and Canadians in general will forgive his missteps. "He is young, he learns from his mistakes and I think Canadians will give him the benefit of the doubt," he said. Search Keywords: Short link: Nigerians are heading to the polls to elect state and local representatives, two weeks after the presidential poll. The exercise will take place in 29 of the country's 36 states. In oil-rich Nigeria, some state governors control budgets larger than those of neighbouring countries and so these are often keenly contested. President Muhammadu Buhari beat his main rival Atiku Abubakar in the 23 February election, securing a second term. Across the country, Mr. Buhari's All Progressives Congress (APC) got 15.2 million votes while Mr Abubakar's People's Democratic Party (PDP) received 11.3 million. There are 73 million registered voters. The APC won 19 states, while the PDP secured 16 plus the capital Abuja. Mr Abubakar said the election was a "sham" and was not free and fair. He has since filed a petition challenging President Buhari's win. Although turnout for the presidential election was low across the country, it was higher in the northern states - one factor behind Mr Buhari's victory. This is likely to change in Saturday's election because the seats being contested are closer to the grassroots and their impact is more felt by the ordinary people, says BBC Nigeria Editor Aliyu Tanko. Fears of possible election-related violence have led to the massive deployment of security personnel across the country. Seven states - Kogi, Bayelsa, Ekiti, Osun, Ondo, Edo and Anambra - will not hold elections because their governors have not finished their four-year terms. The turnout for the state elections is expected to be higher than the 35.5% in last month's presidential election, down from 44% in 2015. Most Nigerians take state elections seriously because their lives are directly impacted by the governor and representatives in the state legislature. For instance, in 2000 - Governor Ahmed Sani Yerima introduced sharia law in Zamfara state and some other state governors in the north followed suit, even though the federal government wasn't fully in support of that idea. The governors also enjoy political influence and control huge budgets. Lagos, one of the most contested states, has an estimated population of 17.5 million people - this is more than the combined population of Gabon, The Gambia, Liberia, Cape Verde and Sierra Leone. The state's GDP is more than that of Kenya. In fact, Lagos would be the fifth largest economy in Africa if it were a country. Other key battlegrounds that will be hotly contested between the APC and PDP are Kaduna, Akwa Ibom, Imo, Kano and Kwara. Source: BBC 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 Citizens of the Republic of Togo, who are living in Ghana, have commended President Akufo-Addo highly for restoring peace to Togo. According to the Association of Togolese Youth Living in Ghana, the Presidents action is laudable and urged him to continue the good works. At a news conference at Aflao in the Volta Region, the President of the group, Koblavi Kansu, observed that the political crises in Togo hindered development in that country. We believe that when there is peace in Togo there will be peace in Ghana, and when there is peace in Ghana there will be peace in Togo he said. The violence could have brought the entire country to a standstill, but the commitment of Ghanas President and Togos Head of State, Faure Gnassingbe ensured peace, especially during the elections and its worthy of emulation, he said. He said the two worked hard to ensure peaceful, transparent and credible elections in Togo. Mr. Kansu called on political leaders in Togo to make decisions that will improve the living conditions of the people instead of what he called the selfish decisions that protect the selfish interest of the leaders only. He was, however, happy with the renovation of buildings and construction of roads among others under the National Development Program (PND) in Togo. The group called on all Togolese living in the diaspora to embrace peace and democracy to enhance development and political stability in the country. He advised those living in Ghana and elsewhere to abide by the laws of those countries to raise the image of Togo. Source: Daily Guide Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings has bemoaned the deteriorating state of Ghanas sanitation, noting that it breaks her heart. According to Mrs. Rawlings, she has lived the most part of her life in the Ridge area of Accra and that what she has observed over the years with respect to sanitation is not pleasing at all. Speaking on TV3s New Day, the former first lady, who recently launched her book It takes a Woman, did not seem enthused about the situation. She answered in the affirmative when host Johnnie Hughes asked whether the situation breaks her heart. I have lived in Ridge since I was like 7 years. I have seen the way it used to be. I have used how it has been and I have seen the deterioration and its sad, she said. The wife of Ghanas longest-serving head of state cited an example of a clinic she said is close to her office. She claims the clinic dumps its refuse across the street and she is contemplating writing to the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) about it. The conversation about Ghanas sanitation was triggered by a chapter in her book which she titles Ghana Rising. In the said chapter, she makes an allusion to a time in Ghanas history where our mothers, like other Ghanaians, saw the filth and hated it but only hoped someone or something happened to change the situation. She believes sanitation is a problem in Ghana and that it is not just enough for the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to talk about Accra becoming the cleanest city. She believes it is possible for Accra to attain that feat but that there should be actions accompanying the talk. She observes that even though there is a minister in-charge of sanitation, more needs to be done to achieve the dream of Accra becoming the cleanest city. It can be done, but it has to be done with all the forcefulness it deserves, with education. While were educating and there is force from the ministry and the rest of us, we should let the populace know you cant just throw paper where you want, she said. Watch full interview here: Source: 3news.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 Former National Organizer of the main opposition National Democratic Congress [NDC], Kofi Adams, has described President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as a hypocrite for his call to disband party militia in Ghanas politics after Manasseh Azures expose. Joy News reported that a militia group associated with the governing New Patriotic Party [NPP] is being trained at the Christiansburg Castle, popularly called the Osu Castle in Accra. The group named 'De-Eye Group' has been meeting at the facility for close to two years investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni claimed in his expose. President Nana Addo is believed to be aware of the operations of the 'De-Eye Group' at the important state facility classified as a security zone. Manassehs expose has, however, raised many questions on President Akufo-Addo's recent call for both NPP and NDC to dialogue on disbanding the party militia during his State of the Nation Address. Speaking on the issue on NEAT FMs morning show Ghana Montie, Kofi Adams was of a view that the Presidents two-faced approach of handling issues mainly on parties militia has been exposed. The President is a hypocrite. He doesnt mean well in his speeches. According to the video [expose], he [President Nana Addo] is aware of the vigilante camp at the castle, yet wants NPP and NDC to dialogue on vigilantism, Kofi Adams said. Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/Peacefmonline.com/ Twitter: @Washman5/ Instagram: Washman007 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 of Ghana has explained why the former bodyguard of President Nana Akufo-Addo, Nana Wireko Addo got access to the premises of the Osu Castle; a former seat of government. A Joy news investigative piece put together by ace journalist Manasseh Azure, titled Militia in the heart of the Nation revealed the training of a group allegedly affiliated to the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) at the Osu Castle. The group called De-Eye allegedly gives training to men and women to provide security and other services according to their website; which according to checks is currently inactive. Minister of Information Kojo Oppong Nkrumah in a statement said Nana Wireko Addo, the founder of the group was initially given access to the Osu Castle as a member of government task-force assigned to retrieve state vehicles and other properties from former government appointees. According to him, Nana Wireko Addo was assigned an office there (Osu Castle) to work with a task force to retrieve landed properties and vehicles in the possession of officials of the erstwhile Mahama Administration however, he later converted his office into a private business office for the stated purposes of his company (De-Eye group). The Minister of Information further admitted that "this (using Osu Castle for his private business) should not have been allowed to happen in the first place" Attached is the full statement 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 Dr Bernice Adiku Heloo, Member of Parliament (MP) for Hohoe has faulted President Nana Akufo-Addo for not highlighting the issue of the three kidnappings girls in Takoradi in the State of the Nation (SoNA) Address. According to her the kidnappings of the three girls in Takoradi is an important public matter which must not be relegated to the background. I echoed it when the SONA was read but the President did not mention it, you are having a public address, why was it not put on the front burner? Dr Bernice Adiku-Heloo gave the criticism when she spoke with the media in parliament on the celebration of the International Womens Day 2019. The theme for this years celebration is: Think equal, build smart, innovate for change. Dr Heloo also stated that the celebration of the International Womens Day offers the country an opportunity to highlight the need for greater effort in the quest to address the reported cases of kidnapping in the country. She said though kidnapping has never been a common crime in Ghana, it was is becoming a serious concern in recent months. As we speak, the girls have not been released despite their families paying various sums of money as ransom to the kidnappers she said. Dr Heloo also called on the Police to intensify their investigations to rescue the girls at all cost and unite them with their families. She advised parents to provide for the needs of children especially the girl child so that they not lured on the social media by the kidnappers with material things such as mobile phones, shoes etc. She urged government to increase public awareness on the matter so that parents can educate their children well on the issue. Dr Heloo further called on the government to pass the Affirmative Action Bill and encourage the current Gender Minister to continue pressing till the bill is approved. She said God created women and men with the same mental abilities but only differ physically saying the equality women are talking about is not physical strength but the inner qualities. She called on government to expand the social protection systems to enable more people have access to public services and sustainable infrastructure. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The CEO of Asuoden Music, Pope Skinny says he was aware that his friendship with Shatta Movement boss, Shatta Wale, will hit the rocks but did not expect it to end as it is now. According to him, he feels sad for himself and does not regret being a friend with Shatta Wale. Speaking on Accra-based Hitz FM, Pope Skinny said, I dont regret, I feel sad for myself but I dont regret. The only reason why I dont regret is because I knew a day like this will come but I didnt know this is how it will happen. To Pope Skinny, because he is humble, he has been able to tolerate Shatta Wale for some time now. I have known Shatta for a very long time, it has happened to almost everybody and because of how humble and very down to earth I am, Im able to tolerate him for all this while, Pope Skinny said, adding, we had our good times we had our bad times and I dont regret being a friend with Shatta. He said if Shatta Wale should call and apologize, he will be ready to forgive him, saying "Shatta Wale be my guy, I still love him." Shatta Wale and Pope Skinny have been at loggerheads with each other for some months now and they have been revealing secrets of each other. Source: Graphic.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The award recognises Gobrans selfless dedication to improving the lives of tens of thousands of impoverished children in Egypt Magda Gobran, also known as Mama Maggie, received an International Woman of Courage Award from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and First Lady Melania Trump in Washington, DC on 7 March. Mama Maggie epitomises the courage and leadership required to uplift the disadvantaged, promote social inclusion, and advance the status of women in Egypt. She is the first woman from Egypt to receive this award. The US Embassy Charge dAffaires Thomas Goldberger welcomed Gobran at the embassy and expressed his pride in her accomplishments. The award recognises Gobrans selfless dedication to improving the lives of tens of thousands of impoverished children in Egypt. She established the non-governmental organisation Stephens Children to serve underprivileged children of all backgrounds in the neighbourhood of Mukattam, providing them with food, clothing, free education and mentoring. The organisation also provides vocational training for adults. Now with branches in nearly every governorate of Egypt, Stephens Children deploys over 2,000 volunteers to provide support and counselling, deliver blankets and meals, and facilitate medical treatment. In over 100 community education centres founded by Stephens Children, children receive free basic education and adults attend literacy classes, giving them the tools they need to earn a living wage and lift themselves out of poverty. Mama Maggies work merges with the US- Egypt strategic partnership, which aims to foster a growing economy and healthy, educated population. Now in its 13th year, the Secretary of States International Woman of Courage Award recognises women around the globe who have demonstrated exceptional courage and leadership in advocating for peace, justice, human rights, gender equality, and womens empowerment, often at great personal risk and sacrifice. Since the inception of this award in March 2007, the State Department has recognised more than 120 women from more than 65 different countries. Search Keywords: Short link: THE fallout from the recent controversy that has rocked social media about some female celebrities who sleep around for money has been big. And unlike in times past when they would have refrained from speaking on it and allowing it to blow over, those whose names have been mentioned are fighting back. First, it was actress Moesha Bodoung and now it is model, Tracy Mireku, who, in an interview with Showbiz last Monday, said she would not allow anyone to dent her hard won image. The first runner-up at Miss Ghana Germany in 2013 said, it takes a lot of work to build a brand that is respectable, so it is wrong for anyone to hide behind social media to do or say all kinds of things. People need to put respect on the hustle of others. Why is it that in our part of the world, the moment a lady is doing well or does well for herself, it is perceived that she sleeps around for money? she asked. Tracy, whose pictures were splashed all over social media as one of the girls who slept with the same man that Moesha was reported to have an affair with, said she initially decided to let it go but later reconsidered. I contemplated for a while whether to say something or not about these malicious allegations made against me in the last few days. "My thoughts were if I dont say anything, nobody can use it against me and silence is the best way to deal with a fool. The truth is I do not know the said guy personally and there is nothing that connects me to the person. However, if I dont say anything to defend myself, people might think its true because these days we are all blinded by the unnecessary excitement on social media, especially lies. Actually, I do not owe anyone an explanation, but this rubbish doesnt sit well with me, Tracy told Showbiz. If the person hiding behind the Snapchat account fatp****y005 making completely false allegations against me truly has proof and knows what he or she claims to know, why hide behind social media? That person should be bold to show him or herself and present facts without fear or favour. After all he/she claims to know but he/she was hiding, she added. Tracy Mireku also blamed bloggers for not cross-checking information before publishing their stories. "I believe bloggers, as professionals in their field, would have verified the stories before publishing but that was clearly not the case. All they did was publish false and unverified allegations quoting someone else. Some blogs even went as far as publishing more than 16 pictures of me along with the story, for what purpose? That was not a decent thing to do, she said. Tracy also debunked the rumours that she has HIV. How can someone make up a lie that somebody has HIV without proof? Thats a very wicked rumour to spread about someone. Moreover he/she claims I am always at Carbon ( a nightclub located at Nyaniba Estates in Accra) in search of foreigners when, in fact, I used to work at Carbon. "I was a manager there for two good years and that is verifiable from that establishment. Imagine if its your sister someone is saying all this about her, would you be happy? Tracy Mireku ended the interview saying, Dont judge me by what you see on social media. You do not know me, I do not have HIV. I just want to clear the air and put a stop to this social media circus. Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here Minnesota House of Representatives photographer's office(WASHINGTON) -- Two federal special agents are under review by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for sharing and showing approval of social media posts promoting unfounded, anti-immigrant conspiracy theories involving U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar. Leslie Derewonko, a Homeland Security Investigations senior agent, shared an inaccurate LinkedIn post with a video that suggested Omar took a class in which terrorism was discussed. In sharing the post, Derewonko added, And this is what represents America? Derewonko has previously engaged in promoting obscure, anti-immigrant conspiracy theories on LinkedIn, according to an ABC News review of posts from his account going back several weeks. In sharing other posts, he used the term White America multiple times. Derewonko could not be reached for comment. Another special agent, who is based in the San Francisco area, liked the post first reported by BuzzFeed, as confirmed by ABC News. Both agents have since changed their LinkedIn accounts, taking down their association with ICE to more general descriptions of their careers. ICE doesnt have a policy that dictates what employees can or cannot share on social media, but the agency confirmed Friday they are looking into the offensive posts. The agents could be found to have violated the departments employee code of conduct. Social media content posted by employees on their personal platforms should not be considered representative of agency policies or positions, ICE spokesperson Jennifer Elzea said in a statement. ICE is reviewing the posts to determine if they violated other department policies. However, Omar, one of the first Muslim women elected to Congress, has remained the focus of angry comments online, particularly among conservative voters. Democrats on Thursday passed a resolution that condemned all forms of bigotry and hatred including Islamophobia. The vote was the culmination of a week of party infighting over whether the resolution should also mention other forms of bigotry and came on the heels of comments by Omar that were criticized as anti-Israel. The measure passed 407-23, with 23 Republicans voting against it because they said it didn't go far enough in condemning Omar. Shortly after the vote, Omar in a joint statement with Reps. Rashida Tlaib and Andre Carson -- the other two Muslims currently serving in Congress -- expressed pride in the Democrat-backed measure. "We are tremendously proud to be part of a body that has put forth a condemnation of all forms of bigotry including anti-Semitism, racism, and white supremacy," the trio noted. "At a time when extremism is on the rise, we must explicitly denounce religious intolerance of all kinds and acknowledge the pain felt by all communities. Our nation is having a difficult conversation and we believe this is great progress." Copyright 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. This article originally appeared in CONCEALMENT Issue 7 Armoring EverythingOK, Not Everything Most tend to think of armor in terms of military men and women overseas, stateside law enforcement, and maybe a smattering of King Arthur cosplayers we wont judge you. To be fair, walking down the street with an EOD bomb suit here in the continental United States is the opposite of the intent of this magazine (it is named CONCEALMENT, after all ). How about something thats lightweight, portable, easily concealed, and actually offers some ballistic protection? Right up our alley. Today well talk about just that and it doesnt even break the bank. Enter the Ally One from Angel Armor At first glance, it looks like a separator for a Trapper Keeper. In actuality, this plain-looking 1013-inch panel conceals a 912-inch piece of armor offering NIJ level IIIA protection. It also weighs under a pound and is only -inch thick. The size of the Ally One makes it suitable to stuff inside briefcases, clipboards, laptop bags you name it. Unfortunately its just a wee bit too large to fit into a standard notebook, but its pretty close. We could classify the Ally One as semi-rigid; you can definitely bend and contort it, but not easily. This attribute comes in handy later in the article. Why Would You Want It? Theres a good argument to be made that time spent lifting armor in front of your face and vitals would be better served with movement and the drawing of your own weapon for the best response. However, there are several examples of people (especially historically in law enforcement) shielding themselves with clipboards and other items in their immediate vicinity. Theres nothing that prevents you from shielding yourself during your drawstroke. With that said, Will Petty, longtime law enforcement academy instructor and owner of Centrifuge Training, had this to say about using an armored clipboard: The majority of law enforcement has moved to electronic ticket writers, replacing the bigassed clipboards. We just dont carry them anymore. There are going to be times when the ability to effectively run away and/or fight back are going to be severely limited, such as the case with your kids. All armor does is buy time, and if something like this can give it its a no brainer. Another law enforcement officer who does plainclothes work with narcotics explained to RECOIL that it wasnt terribly uncommon to shove a hard plate or soft armor panel into a bag or backpack. And the Ally One has a smaller footprint. Remember: just because you have it doesnt mean that you have to use it. If the determination is made that going for your gun is the best course of action, by all means do so. There are times when the carrying of a weapon such as a concealed pistol may be restricted. The rule of the day is to run away, but you may as well have something that can protect your meaty bits between your body and the hot flying metal. We also found that the Ally One made for a decent internal frame for smaller soft backpacks, giving them some more structure for carrying heavier loads. Lets Break It The Ally Ones NIJ Level IIIA rating will largely protect against threats seen domestically. That is, pistol calibers up to .44 Magnum and most shotgun loads. If youre looking for rifle protection, youll need something heavier. Like carrying a subcompact frame instead of a Desert Eagle while youre shopping at the local Whole Foods Market, some compromises have to be made for the sake of concealment. While we could simply take Angel One at their word, we decided to put it to the test. Since we imagined this would mostly be used inside an item rather than directly worn against the body (duct tape, anyone?) we started by hanging it from a stake in front of our target backer. Think businessman holding his briefcase in front of his body by the handle. This allows the armor some resistance, but nowhere close to how it would be against your skin. Two rounds 124g+P 9mm didnt even phase it barely a mark on the surface. The projectiles seemed to hit and deflect rather than be caught in the layers of armor. We saw the same with .45 ACP, albeit with more backface deformation. Due to the Ally Ones flexibility, we were able to press everything back in place and try again. Did we mention that we were hitting everything in the center of the plate for maximum stress on the armor? Yes, we were doing that. A military 12-gauge load of 00 Buck fired from a suppressed Benelli M4 sent the whole panel flying from the stake and entirely through our thick foam target backer. We were sure we finally killed the panel. But no, upon inspection, not one of the nine 0.330-inch pellets completely penetrated the Ally One. You might not be happy, but youd be alive. We picked out the embedded 12-gauge wad and several flattened pellets and gave it another go. No dice. The Ally One held its own once again. Here we reached an impasse. We wanted to destroy the panel, but we didnt want to ramp it up to rifle calibers it wasnt rated for. How about a whole lot of .45 ACP all at once? Theres nothing better for that job than the Trailer Trash Uzi itself. An entire magazine from a full auto MAC-10 was dumped into the Ally One. All in the center. And some finally made it through. We would argue that if someone is dumping a submachine gun into you from 2 feet away, you have larger problems than this panel was meant to solve. Very impressive indeed. The Bottom Line Currently Angel Armor is set up for military and law enforcement sales, so youll have to contact them directly regarding individual purchases. If youre in the market to armorize some otherwise mundane items such as a briefcase or luggage, this is one of the better options that weve come across in terms of weight and thickness. Make: Angel Armor Model: Ally One Ballistic Rating: NIJ Level IIIA MSRP: $149 URL: https://angelarmor.com/ Parliament organizes ceremony to honor Yemen women on International Women's Day [09/March/2019] ANAA, March 9 (Saba) - Speaker of the Parliament Yahya al-Ra'i congratulated Yemeni women in all work facilities, production, farms, fields and housewives on the occasion of International Women's Day, March 8. This came during s the ceremony held by the Presidency of the Parliament and its General Secretariat on this occasion of International Women's Day. He affirmed that the Yemeni women had clear fingerprints and achievements and achievements in all stages and turns passed by the Yemeni revolution. He also praised Yemeni women's efforts during the current circumstances to confront the US-saudi-backed aggression and its unjust siege imposed on the country. He pointed out that the suffering affects all of Yemeni society and the large part of it is borne by women, and despite all this, they still resilient and faces challenges with strong will, patience and steadfastness. He pointed out that the parliament stands with the rights of women through the laws discussed and approved in various fields and seeks to defend their rights in all walks of life. He praised the active women working in the General Secretariat of the parliament, stressing the support of the Presidency of the parliament for all women's activities and its continue its unlimited support. At the ceremony, Acting Secretary General of the Parliament Ahmad Ahmad Al-Nuwaira pointed to the keenness of the Secretariat to facilitate the work and activities of interest to the working woman in the General Secretariat of the Council. For her part, Head of issues and contracts division of the Legal Office of the General Secretariat in parliament, Dr. Jameel Saleh Saif, praised in her speech the women on their global day. She pointed out that Yemeni women deserved this celebration of this anniversary by virtue of their sacrifices in various fields. She explained that women had received attention by Islamic law before international conventions as a nanny for generations, a mother and a sister, a wife and a worker alongside the man. Dr. Jamila pointed out that Yemeni women have achieved many gains and legal rights and that they are moving forward with confident steps to achieve more. For her part, former member of the House of Representatives, Vice-President of the Office of Advisors Hasina Obaid, member of the Legal Office Iman Shaif Qasim and a number of employees of the Secretariat stressed on the roles of women in the defense of the Yemeni revolution and victory for its objectives. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies and the Acting General Secretariat honored the workers of the General Secretariat of the parliament in appreciation of their efforts in helping the parliament and its General Secretariat work. AA Saba Tribal meeting in Amran to disown Saudi aggression-backed traitors [09/March/2019] p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed">AMRAN, March. 9 (Saba) A tribal meeting was held on Saturday by Tribesmen and sheikhs of Amran province to disown traitors backed by Saudi-led aggression coalition. During the meeting, Amran governor Faisal Jaman praised the great stances made by Amran residents in baking army and confronting traitors. At the rally, the participants stressed on the importance of mobilizing to fronts to back the army in confronting the aggression and its plots that target Yemen. The tribesmen affirmed the Yemeni people stand with the Palestinian people and its cause in the frontlines until victory and expelling Israeli occupation. They hailed the great triumphs made by the army against the militias and bandits in all fronts, especially Hajjor district of Hajjah province. saba Armed forces' spokesman: 678 new violations of coalition in Hodeidah within 72 hours [09/March/2019] ANAA, March 9 (Saba) - Spokesman for the Armed Forces on Saturday said that the continuation of US-saudi-backed aggression coalition in their violations of Hodeidah puts the United Nations, the Special Envoy and the Chairman of the Observer Group in front of their responsibilities in declaring the aggression an obstacle to the agreement. "The forces of aggression do not want peace, do not abide by the UN resolutions and continue to commit more crimes against the Yemeni people," Brigadier General Sarie said in a statement to the Saba news agency. He held the United Nations and its Special Envoy fully responsible for the continuation of the coalition in their violations, military escalation. He called to pressure on them and their obligation to implement the agreement and the UN resolution. He called for the declaration of aggression and its mercenaries as a non-respecting party to the Sweden agreement and to hold them accountable for the consequences of their violations and the continuation of their aggression and siege imposed on Yemen. The armed forces spokesman pointed out that during the past 72 hours the mercenaries of the aggression committed 678 violations, targeting residential neighborhoods, houses and farms of the citizens and the positions of the army forces in Hodeidah using 355 shells and 202 medium and light weapons firing. He pointed out that the mercenaries carried out several failed attempts to infiltrate toward the positions of the army forces. He s reported that the air aggression continued to target citizens and public and private property in a number of provinces with 17 raids. Brigadier Sarie explained that the army fighters and the Popular forces responded to the escalation of the enemy through launching several offensive operations on the enemy positions, during which they secured and recovered a number of sites where the enemy had been occupied. The spokesman of the armed forces also confirmed that dozens of mercenaries were killed and wounded. He affirmed that the army fighters and the Popular forces were able to inflict on the coalition's troops material losses. AA Saba The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Saturday said the UK Home Secretary has referred India's request to extradite fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi to a court there for initiating legal proceedings. "The UK Central Authority of Home Office has confirmed that the extradition request has been sent to the Westminster Magistrate Court for further proceedings," said an official. The request to the court was forwarded by the UK Home Office a few days ago, the official added. The request for extradition of Nirav Modi, wanted in the Rs 13,500 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, was sent to the UK authorities in July 2018. His remarks came after The Telegraph, a British newspaper, claimed that Modi has been spotted in London. Earlier in the day, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, based on the information received from the ED and the CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation), the Ministry had made the request for Nirav Modi's extradition with the UK authorities in August 2018. "The UK is yet to respond and is considering our request for extradition of Nirav Modi," Kumar said. Despite whatever we see on television today, the "status remains the same", he added. When asked about the last communication from UK authorities, he said: "As far as the Ministry of External Affairs is concerned, when we make a request for extradition then that request is sent on behalf of the investigative agencies. In the last six months, we have not received any request for any other documents." Earlier, a video released by The Telegraph showed Modi walking the London streets. He sported a new look -- handle bar moustache and long hair -- and is seen avoiding questions posed to him, replying "no comments". Indian intelligence agencies had provided inputs about the fugitive billionaire's new disguise. The newspaper report also stated Modi, against whom a red corner notice has been issued by the Interpol, has been living in the city's West End area and has even started a new diamond business. An extradition request against him has been pending with the UK authorities since September 2018. On February 26, the ED attached Rs 147 crore properties of Modi and his associate companies in connection with the PNB probe. Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi are under the CBI and the ED probe. The ED filed money laundering cases against them and others on February 15 on the basis of an FIR registered by the CBI. They are accused of defrauding state-run PNB of Rs 13,500 crore in connivance with certain bank officials by fraudulently getting the letters of undertaking (LoUs) and letters of credit (LoCs) issued without following the prescribed procedure. The ED had on May 24 and May 26 filed charge sheets against the two and a court had issued non-bailable warrants against them. The Interpol had issued a red corner notice against Modi, his brother Neeshal and sister Purvi -- both Belgian citizens -- as well as Mihir Bhansali and Aditya Nanvati, close associates of Modi. However, a red corner notice request against Choksi who acquired Antiguan citizenship in January 2018 was approved later in December. Both left India in the first week of January 2018, weeks before the scam was reported to the CBI. The ED has till date attached Rs 4,765 crore properties of Choksi and Modi. One Paseo, San Diegos most anticipated or possibly, most dreaded development, is officially, though just barely, open for business. The full scale and impact of the 23-acre, city within a city wont be felt for months, if not years, to come. Saturday, developer Kilroy Realty will remove construction fences from One Paseos retail component, which spans 96,000 square feet, and invite the public in to take a look. However, the expansive Carmel Valley project at 12860 El Camino Real, just east of Interstate 5, will showcase just one retail tenant, the boutique bohemian fashion shop Van de Vort. Thirteen additional stores or restaurants will open on March 16. The projects 608 luxury residential units wont be ready until later this year. The office buildings are slated for completion sometime next year. The retail portion spans 96,000 square feet and is meant to have a country-meets-coast vibe. (Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune) Advertisement Still, adults are invited to walk the grounds, and kids can climb on top of a massive log structure, aptly called The Log, in the center of the property. Ambassadors will also be on site to answer questions and give out tote bags. Free parking is also readily available. The debut marks the first time that the general public can scrutinize in person the once controversial site, which is still very much under construction and may still be a sensitive topic for nearby residents afraid of One Paseos traffic implications. Surely this partial preview is not the first impression originally engineered by the powerhouse real estate investment firm behind the project. But Kilroy Chairman John Kilroy, whose father founded the company in 1947, is no less proud of his urban-esque suburban development, which he said will likely cost closer to $1 billion than $500 million when all is said and done. The publicly traded company has in the past estimated a total project cost of $675 million ($470 million for retail and residential, $205 million for office). Im an optimist, so I have to look at what weve created here, what its going to do and how its really going to transform this area and bring it to a whole different level, Kilroy said during a sit-down interview last week. Im very prideful of that. I think (One Paseo is) going to be a major success as measured by residents, and the business community and others in San Diego who will come visit. Retailers prepare for an industry preview party on Feb. 28. (Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune) After years of costly setbacks the executive estimates that close to $60 million went up in smoke Kilroy, whose firm purchased the land in 2008, is choosing to look at the bigger picture. That picture, as he sees it, is a live-work-play setting that promotes everything San Diego leaders have advocated for years: dense housing, environmentally conscious buildings and a way of life thats less centered around the car. Visitors this weekend will see some of that vision on display. Though they may not be able to literally taste anything, patrons can use their other senses to fill in some of the blanks as the retail centers country-meets-coast decor and its comfortable outdoor nooks should leave them wanting more. Eventually, Kilroy even hopes to win over his biggest naysayers. Opponents of the project sought to kill it through a referendum effort in 2015, but eventually settled for something with a much smaller retail and office footprint. I think this is going to create something where people who were supporters of the project are going to say, Hey, this is better than we thought, Kilroy said. And people who were antagonistic toward the project remember this is not the original project. I think were going to find the vast majority of people who were against the project are going to feel pretty positive about it. One Paseos soft opening may also work in the developers favor. As much as they would love to open up, rolling it out slowly is good for them so they can make sure everything is the right experience for consumers, said Miro Copic, a SDSU marketing lecturer who tracks the retail sector. Residential buildings under construction at the One Paseo. The first batch of luxury apartments is scheduled to open in June. (Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune) And traffic on Del Mar Heights Road, which is the neighbors No. 1 concern, should be less of an issue at launch, given the limited shopping and dining options, Copic said. Of course, Kilroy Realty had hoped that more of One Paseos flagship venues would greet shoppers during a grand opening; it was originally scheduled for March 1. Rain and delays with tenant building permits washed away those plans. Instead, Van de Vorts soft opening on March 9 will be trailed by a dozen or so openings the following weekend, including the second San Diego locations for trendy spinning fitness studio SoulCycle and artisan ice creamery Salt & Straw. One Paseo Retail Openings March 9 Van de Vort March 16 Curbar Drybar Faherty Joe and the Juice Marrow Fine Nathan West Salt & Straw SoulCycle Susies Cakes The Butchery Urban Beach House West of Camden Whiskey and Leather Future Blackbook Bikini Blue Bottle BodyROK Byrds Nest Color Counter Cava Harland Brewery International Smoke Juice Crafters Le Macaron Mizukiyama Sushi Motion Stretch North Italia Parakeet Cafe Pigment Sephora Shake Shack Shop Good Specs Optometry Sweetfin Poke Tender Greens Tocaya Organica URBN Vibe Flow Yoga Ways & Means Oyster House Business jennifer.vangrove@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1840 Twitter: @jbruin As pressure builds to bring easily accessible public transit to the airport, some San Diego County leaders are pressing for more immediate, less costly solutions than a proposed Grand Central Station and people mover that could take years to build. In a meeting Friday that brought together elected leaders from around the region, attendees were briefed on current efforts to craft a long-term vision for a transit connection to the airport a plan that contemplates a Grand Central hub on Navy land with a people mover system that would whisk passengers to Lindbergh Field. While the costs of such an ambitious project are still unknown, it will likely be in the billions, says Hasan Ikhrata, chief executive of the San Diego Association of Governments and an outspoken cheerleader for the project that also has the support of San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer. If you live in San Diego County and want transit to be a viable option to the airport, you have to make sure you can access the airport from anywhere in a reasonable amount of time, Ikhrata told the group. Most important to this proposal is a transit hub that will have the future transit system and buses and shuttles coming into it. We still need to achieve that performance objective and think big. Yes, it will take time and it will cost a lot of money, but no major project doesnt take time and doesnt have cost overruns. Advertisement A 2-month-old airport connectivity subcommittee, which represents governmental entities and transportation agencies from around the county, is working toward reaching consensus on a more refined plan by June. Fridays gathering was one of several meetings that are being held to hash out the transit issue. I really support the long-term big, bold vision but I also want a more immediate solution to get to the airport, said Jewel Edson, deputy mayor of Solana Beach. Paul Jablonski, CEO of Metropolitan Transit System, broached the idea of a free shuttle bus that would operate between the airport and the Old Town transit center where the trolley stops. The San Diego Regional Airport Authority is currently exploring such an option as a pilot program to gauge interest. San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond asked that SANDAG add the Santa Fe Depot to the mix of sites being considered as a transit hub for bringing passengers to the airport. He suggested that something like shared driver-less vehicles could begin operating sooner than later to test the popularity of what could be a more costly people mover system. Maybe these autonomous cars could start sooner at Santa Fe station because Grand Central wouldnt come out of the ground for five years, he said. They could come straight up Harbor Drive first as a test program. And you could even give them their own lane from Santa Fe Station. And once Grand Central evolves, wed have proven technology. Another near-term possibility is adding additional Coaster trains to increase the frequency of service between North County and downtown San Diego from every 45 minutes to 30 minutes, said North County Transit District Chief Executive Matthew Tucker. There currently is no funding, though, for the new trains. Thats not good enough, said Ikhrata, who repeatedly reminded the group gathered at Barona Resort & Casino to not abandon bigger-picture goals. The frequency has to run every five to 10 minutes. Youre not going to have people wait with their bags longer than that, Ikhrata said in an interview following the meeting. Doing something for easy and cheap, thats not going to do it. If you want people to use transit to come to the airport, you need to provide an option that is as good as, if not better, than the car. You dont do that by adding a bus here or there, you do that by making sure every resident in every part of the county can get to that airport with one transfer. Ikhrata and Faulconer are hoping that the Navy will consider letting the region locate a Grand Central Station on its SPAWAR property as part of an ambitious effort to also develop housing and commercial space on the freeway-adjacent site. SANDAG and an undisclosed number of other bidders are waiting to hear back from the Navy on what direction it plans to pursue for its base. In the meantime, SANDAG solicited proposals from developers on the financial feasibility of the Navy base location and, alternatively, other potential sites near the airport. The agency is expected to unveil the results of that request later this month at another meeting of the airport subcommittee. Funding for the transit project remains an open question, but Ikhrata acknowledged that the public would have to contribute. That likely means a new sales tax increase to fund not only a Grand Central Station but other transit and highway projects well into the future. SANDAG currently finances large transportation projects with sales tax money, known as Transnet, which is supplemented with state and federal funds. The intensifying discussion about bringing transit to the airport grew out of a heated debate last year about an environmental analysis prepared by the Airport Authority for its $3 billion plan to expand Terminal 1. Agencies from throughout the county roundly criticized the environmental report for neglecting to address a plan for bringing mass transit to the airports two terminals. Since then, with prodding by Faulconer, the agencies are now collaborating on a plan. And the Airport Authority, in addition to rewriting its environmental impact report, has committed to reserving space near Terminals 1 and 2 for a transit station that could serve whatever sort of people mover or light rail system is ultimately embraced. I think what today is showing is that people involved in this conversation are really interested in seeing immediate term improvements in terms of transit connectivity to the airport, said Colin Parent, executive director of Circulate San Diego. And there are some concerns that this conversation about big, bold future ideas may prevent us from focusing on doing some things more immediately. But that doesnt mean you cant plan for a grand central, big iconic project. That sort of planning, though, shouldnt come at the expense of more immediate action. Business lori.weisberg@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-2251 Twitter: @loriweisberg A Coronado school board meeting ended in tears Thursday evening. Frustrations over a controversial plan to relocate kindergarten classes boiled over when the president of the local teachers union delivered a routine presentation highlighting the work of local teachers. It had been a tense meeting. The board of directors of the Coronado Unified School District unanimously approved the relocation despite objections from parents and teachers. Emotions were still raw when Jennifer Landry, president of the Association of Coronado Teachers, wanted to start her presentation on a positive note. Advertisement So she tried to go off script. I just want to let you know that ACT will take a stand on an issue if we feel that all of our association are on board one way or another. That was not the case with the move she began before she was cut off by school board President Lee Pontes, who appeared tired and irritable from the lengthy and contentious earlier discussion. Ms. Landry, could you keep to your remarks, he said. Weve covered that item already. Keep your remarks to the report, please, as it was presented to me the other day. Sure, Landry responded. I was trying to be positive, if I got to the end. Landry read a few lines from the presentation and paused. She took a deep breath and continued, this time holding back tears. Then she turned around, asked another teacher to finish, and rushed out of the room. Landry wasnt the first person to storm out of Thursdays school board meeting. Earlier in the afternoon, about a dozen parents outraged by the boards decision to relocate the kindergarten marched out. The controversial move is the direct result of Coronado Unifieds budget problems. The school district has a $1.1 million structural deficit. Despite being in a city full of multimillion-dollar homes, Coronado Unified is running out of money. Thats because the district does not receive funding directly from Coronados property taxes, but rather from the state through a Local Control Funding Formula. Sacramento uses that formula to distribute money to school districts throughout California. School districts with a high number of vulnerable students like those who are homeless or have special needs receive more money. Coronado doesnt have a lot of vulnerable pupils. Coronado Unified officials say that unless they find a way to cut spending and increase revenue, they will run out of money. With no changes to our current budget deficit, well be insolvent in 2024/25, Superintendent Karl Mueller told the school board before they voted on the relocation proposal. The districts financial situation puts the board in a difficult position. It has to spend less but doesnt want to cut programs. To the board, relocating kindergarten classrooms from one facility to another is an opportunity to do both. The district expects to save about $450,000 a year and, by renting the unused facility, the district can generate revenue. Parents dont like this because the current kindergarten facilities, known as the Early Childhood Development Center or ECDC, are nicer than the facilities the district wants to move their classrooms to. In their view, this is a downgrade and the school district is balancing the budget by compromising their childrens education. One of the parents biggest problem with the proposal is that Coronado Unified has not laid out all of the details regarding how much the move will cost, how the elementary school will operate with an influx of 150 kindergarten students, or what the pick-up and drop-off schedule will look like. The proposal states the move will happen in August 2020. Parents urged the school to first approve a thorough study and then vote on the relocation once all the data is in. The district defended the move as not only financially necessary, but also one that was in the best interest of their students education. Superintendent Mueller told the board that if the relocation were to happen, students would receive an equal or better education. Mueller also promised transparency going forward. Specifically, he said the district will present updates to the public. If at any point during the relocation process the district finds a compelling reason not to do it, they will stop. Coronado Unified pointed out that before the district built ECDC, all classes were in the elementary school campus. So the relocation is just reverting back to the way things used to be. The elementary campus has space built specifically for kindergarten-age children. It is separated from the rest of campus, has an outdoor courtyard and most classrooms have restrooms in them. Additionally, kindergarten students would now have access to a larger library and administrators will always be on site as opposed to the current situation, where administrators have to drive or walk from one campus to another when they are needed. School board member Maria Simon said she doesnt see this as a cut. To be clear, I dont view this as a cut, she said. Like the superintendent said, its a consolidation of operational efficiencies. School board members told parents that the district tried and fail to generate revenue through a bond measure in 2014. Voters rejected that measure. If you didnt support Proposition E, thats perfectly fine, she said. But everyone should understand that, just like we said there would be, there are consequences to that vote. Before the vote, several parents who had already spoken to the board asked to speak again. They wanted a chance to respond to Muellers presentation, which was delivered after the public comment portion of the meeting. Only one member of the board was willing to hear them out. Mr. President, can we add a motion to add 10 minutes to public comment? board member Esther Valdes asked Pontes. There seems to be a lot of people who want to say something. I dont think we lose anything with hearing from the audience for 10 minutes. After a few moments of awkward silence, the motion failed without any support. Shameful, parents said after the motion failed. Shameful. Contact Gustavo Solis via Email or Twitter In the opening scene of Jake Heggies chamber opera Three Decembers, the seemingly pedestrian subject matter, lengthy plot exposition via long-distance phone call and unmelodic recitative make you wonder if this is going to be a tale epic enough for operatic treatment. But 10 minutes in, the answer arrives with the wistful trio Once, Before You Were Born? Heggies innate gift for lush, sweeping songwriting transports Three Decembers to another level for a fascinating, fast-evolving and deeply moving family story about life, death and the destructive power of secrets. Three Decembers is the latest in San Diego Operas popular Detour series of nontraditional operas in new venues. The production that opened Friday and closes Sunday is the companys first in the 3-year-old PHAME theater at Patrick Henry High School in Del Cerro. The luxurious 500-seat theater is acoustically perfect for unamplified opera. Its also intimate, which makes it the perfect canvas for this 75-minute opera. The three-character Three Decembers is intimate, too, but it has a grand and ambitious score and and a story that unfolds across 20 years and encompasses the AIDS crisis of the 1980s and 90s. Advertisement Three Decembers premiered in 2008 at Houston Grand Opera and two of its original stars, mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade and soprano Kristin Clayton, reprise their roles in San Diego this weekend as battling mother and daughter Madeline and Beatrice Mitchell, respectively. Baritone Steven LaBrie makes a thrilling company debut as Madelines son, Charlie. The libretto by Gene Scheer is based on a play by Terrence McNally about Madeline, an aging and self-absorbed Broadway stage actress, and her dysfunctional relationship with her adult children. Charlie in San Francisco, is losing his partner, Burt, to AIDS, and Beatrice is drinking away her sorrows over an unhappy marriage. Both idolize their perfect father, who died mysteriously when they were children, and they deeply resent their mother who always put her career ahead of their emotional needs. Just as McNallys libretto for the Heggie opera Great Scott had insider jokes about the opera world, Three Decembers is a clever homage to Broadway. Heggies score has the grand but hummable melodies of musical theater, particularly the stunning LaBrie/Clayton duets Golden Gate Bridge and What Do You Remember About Dad? There are also some amusing jokes about the vanity of actors and a sly reference to Henrik Ibsens 1882 play Ghosts, about a widow whose secrets about her husband destroy her adult son. Von Stade was in fine and firm voice Friday and played her character with humor, pathos and iron will, especially in the tender aria Moons Lullaby. Clayton was warm and accessible and her vocals solid, particularly in her upper register. And LaBrie was a knockout, especially in his opening aria about Burts diagnosis. In his company debut, conductor Adam Turner flawlessly guided 11 San Diego Symphony players through Heggies often-challenging score. Also making her debut is stage director Karen Tiller, who brings a contemporary, relatable and surprisingly funny sensibility to the show. Three Decembers is the third Heggie opera produced by San Diego Opera since 2012, following Moby-Dick and Great Scott. Its success in this smaller, ear-pleasing suburban venue the run is mostly sold out is a positive future indicator for San Diego Opera, which continues to reinvent itself into a smaller, nimbler, more accessible and modern company. Three Decembers When: 7 p.m. today ; 2 p.m. Sunday Where: San Diego Opera at the PHAME Theatre, 6702 Wandermere Drive, San Diego Tickets: $35 and up Phone: (619) 533-7000 Online: sdopera.org Mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade plays Madeline Mitchell in San Diego Operas Three Decembers, playing through March 10 at the PHAME Theatre in San Diego. (Karli Cadel) pam.kragen@sduniontribune.com. Twitter: @pamkragen Elizabeth Washburn didnt plan on starting an arts nonprofit, but it couldnt really be helped. After reading about military casualties in Iraq in 2007, she wanted to help, and started offering free art classes by volunteering at the Naval Medical Center San Diego (Balboa Hospital). Later, she turned that series of classes into her nonprofit, Combat Arts San Diego. The purpose of the art classes is to reduce stress and anxiety, giving service members a tool they can utilize independently, to express themselves and communicate thoughts and feelings that are hard to put into words, she says. Making and viewing art is scientifically proven to improve mental health and cognitive processing. Washburn, 46, is an artist herself who is also contracted to teach art in the education department at the Timken Museum of Art, and lives in North Park. She took some time to talk about her nonprofit work with combat veterans and youth in juvenile detention, and the Creative Arts Pop-Up Cafe for active-duty military members, veterans and their families shes organized for Sunday. Q: Tell us about Combat Arts San Diego. Advertisement A: Combat Arts began in 2007 when after reading about more Marine casualties in Iraq, I decided to call the VA (Department of Veterans Affairs) and offer free art classes to wounded warriors as a way to do my part. I ended up becoming a volunteer at the Balboa Naval Hospital (Naval Medical Center San Diego), providing a weekly mural class. In 2010, a Navy psychiatrist who was in charge of opening an inpatient, post-traumatic stress disorder clinic (Overcoming Adversity Stress Injury Support) on the Point Loma submarine base, had heard about me and asked if I would offer my art classes in his program. I happily joined in and have been running a weekly art class that is part of the patients weekly schedule at OASIS ever since. In 2010, in order to pay for art supplies, which I had previously been doing by holding fundraising events where I auctioned off my own artwork and artwork of other local artists, I applied for Combat Arts to become a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, so that I could be eligible for grant funding and donations. Q: How did your program function when you first began? A: Initially, at the Balboa Naval Hospital, I ran the art class in a meeting room. Anyone receiving treatment at the hospital was welcome to join the class. However, attendance was a little all over the place because my class wasnt integrated into the patients schedules. Once I went to OASIS, however, and my class was part of the patients calendar, it became easier to go more in depth with the art making and get to know the service members in treatment. In addition, because I have the same people from week to week at OASIS and treatment is eight weeks, I am better able to build their knowledge and teach more skills. Q: How has the program evolved? What were some of the needs/desires that changed? A: Initially, the art class I ran was all about each group creating a mural and we painted murals on the walls of the clinic. However, once I saw how powerful the murals were, I decided we needed to be painting on large canvases so that the murals could be taken out of the clinic and exhibited in public. In 2012, we had our first art exhibition in the civilian world at Space 4 Art. In 2015, five years after beginning Combat Arts San Diego, I decided to broaden the scope to include incarcerated youth. In my professional life, where I work for the education department at Timken Museum of Art, I had already been teaching art in juvenile detention facilities. I realized that the teens I had been working with for several years face some of the similar challenges that the combat veterans do, whether it is mental health issues, traumatic exposure to extreme violence, or not feeling heard. Art is a very under-utilized and transformative tool that really helps all people, so I increased the amount of people Combat Arts serves. What I love about North Park ... I can walk to anything I need or want. Q: Why did you decide to focus specifically on combat veterans and youth in juvenile detention? A: I have been an artist my whole life, and I have been teaching art for nearly 20 years. In all of those years, I have found that combat veterans and at-risk teens are two groups who dont normally have access to the arts and dont consider art a choice for themselves, but these two groups are also the most in need of arts programming. I also find these two groups of people to the most interesting and fulfilling to work with. Q: What has the response been to Combat Arts San Diego, from the combat veterans and youth youve been working with? A: The response for our arts programming is overwhelmingly positive. Combat veterans report reductions in stress and anxiety, improved community engagement, and a renewed sense of purpose. The teens respond well, too. Many comment that they thought they werent an artist, but realize that maybe they are better than they think. For the most part, the art classes help get them to calm down and focus on something positive. Q: Tell us about your pop-up art event on Sunday. A: The Creative Arts Pop-up Cafe we are hosting is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. this Sunday at Space 4 Art in San Diego. Its a military and veteran family art festival for military service members, veterans and their families. Military folks who show up can expect arts activities, live music, a drum circle, face painting, veteran service provider information booths and a food truck. Everything is free, except for the food truck. This event is part a bigger project that is sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts and Americans for the Arts. Three other arts organizations (Vet Arts, So Say We All, and Resounding Joy), along with Combat Arts San Diego, are collaborating to host pop-up art cafes throughout San Diego to inform veterans about arts programming they can access out in the community...This project will serve as a model that can be replicated throughout the country by other community arts providers in other states, to give opportunities for veterans to continue engaging with expressive arts therapies once they leave the military. Q: What is the best advice youve ever received? A: I have a tendency to worry and someone once told me, Dont live it twice. This advice helps me to wait and cross bridges when I need to. Q: What is one thing people would be surprised to find out about you? A: I am an avid mountain biker. Q: Describe your ideal San Diego weekend. A: A mountain bike ride in Cuyamaca and a dinner later with friends. Email: lisa.deaderick@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @lisadeaderick Some of them are marching to keep their loved ones safe. Others are marching for respect. Some are marching to honor the women who raised them, others are marching for the communities that shaped them. The people who are marching in Sundays March for Black Women San Diego are marching in support of major causes tackling violence against black transgender women, ensuring economic justice for low-income women, providing better access to healthcare and in response to personal stories of discrimination and abuse, and also of triumph and survival. And both the big-picture causes and the personal stories support one of the marchs major missions to provide a platform for the unseen heroines and a powerful boost for voices still in need of a megaphone. We want to make sure that people take note of the fact that black women have been behind so much activism in this country, said march co-organizer Kelsey Daniels. Black women were such a force in the civil rights movement. Black women started the Black Lives Matter hashtag. Tarana Burke started the MeToo hashtag. Advertisement We are not doing it for credit or props, but it is important that as we do this work, we are telling other women that we see you. We see the small stuff that you are doing that is moving the nation, and this is your day. Now in its second year, the March for Black Women San Diego grew out of the national March for Black Women, which was held in Washington, D.C., in September 2017, with sister marches happening in other cities. After that national march, the Black Womens Blueprint civil- and human-rights organization reached out to communities throughout the country to expand the March for Black Women concept on a grassroots level. San Diego was one of the communities that answered the call. About 400 people participated in the 2018 March for Black Women San Diego, which started at Euclid and Logan avenues and wove its way through Southeast San Diego. This year, the March for Black Women San Diego is once again being held on March 10 in honor of Harriet Tubmans birthday. Once again, it is open to marchers of all stripes. According to the marchs Facebook page, Kids/Allies/Co-conspirators/Abolitionists/Non-black (People of Color)/Men are welcome! The march will again start at Euclid and Logan. It will end in Kennedy Neighborhood Park on Ocean View Boulevard, where there will be a community celebration with speakers, vendors and a lot of collective pride. Im a native. I was born and raised in Southeast San Diego, and I had never seen anything like this before, Daniels, 28, said of the 2018 march. To see something like this in my neighborhood, to walk through the Four Corners rallying and chanting, it was really powerful. For me, it symbolizes the idea that no matter who you are, you can be part of something great. While the March for Black Women San Diego is happening independently of the Womens March San Diego which was held in January the two events share a spirit and a conscience. The Womens March San Diego has provided some funding (mostly to offset logistical costs) to the March for Black Women San Diego, and the group is using its large social-media platform to promote Sundays event. Women are not a monolith, said Poppy Fitch, board secretary for Womens March San Diego. If we assume that the Womens March San Diego that happens annually addresses all issues for all women, we really miss an opportunity be in support of groups that are raising awareness for the unique experiences of many different women. Recognizing that the women they represent embody a multitude of experiences and concerns, the March for Black Women San Diego expanded its programming this year to include Black Womxn Save My Life, a gathering for black women and girls to discuss the marchs demands, which also include an end to violence against black women and an end to the deportation of immigrant women. The summit is being held Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Skyline Hills Library. The issues being raised at the summit and at Sundays march are tough and deeply entrenched. The fight to tackle them is just getting started. After last year, we wanted to make sure that the conversation didnt begin and end with the march, Daniels said. We understand that this is a big undertaking, but we also understand that if we plant the seed, we can start having a longer conversation. March for Black Women San Diego When: 10 a.m. Sunday Where: Euclid and Logan avenues, Southeast San Diego Online: m4bwsd.wordpress.com Twitter: @karla_peterson karla.peterson@sduniontribune.com Chula Vista police arrested a man wanted by Tijuana authorities in connection with a case involving a womans body found buried in her own backyard. Aaron Juarez, 20, was booked into San Diego Central Jail on Thursday evening on suspicion of violating probation and firearm possession, according to the San Diego County Sheriffs website. Juarezs stepmother, Fernanda Gonzalez Serrano, 32, was found by members of her family buried outside her Tijuana home underneath a Volkswagen Beetle in February after she had been missing for several weeks. Her husband, Baudelio Juarez, was treated at UC San Diego Medical Center for a gunshot wound in the days after she went missing. The state Attorney Generals office in Tijuana issued an arrest warrant for the younger Juarez earlier this week. Advertisement Immigration Videos On Now New developments in family separation case 9:53 On Now A San Diego woman volunteered as a medic in Texas helping migrant families 2:35 On Now Immigration policy protests in Carlsbad nearly cancelled after permit issue 1:38 On Now When children are separated from their parents at the border, here is where they go next On Now Prospects of a deal for 'Dreamers' may hinge on separating Trump from hard-liners on his staff On Now What is DACA? On Now Border wall prototype contractors selected On Now Video: Ukrainian boxer wins asylum in U.S. On Now 30 apprehended after Border Patrol agents discover tunnel On Now Video: Kurdish diaspora prepare to vote on independence Follow me on Facebook for live updates about immigration news kate.morrissey@sduniontribune.com, @bgirledukate on Twitter Fleeing a gang, Pedro Cordova joined thousands traveling north last fall from Tegucigalpa, Honduras. He endured tear gas, days without food and trekked thousands of miles to Tijuana in November. But it wasnt the complicated U.S. immigration policy or active-duty troops deployed to the border that slowed Cordovas northward journey. It was Linda Romero Sanchez, a 29-year-old from Ensenada. Shes the coordinator of the Movimiento Juventud 2000 shelter in Tijuana and a mother to three children. From the moment he laid eyes on her, right there on Avenida Constitucion, less than a block from the U.S.-Mexico border, his journey norte: forgotten. Advertisement I started passing by every day just to catch a glimpse of her, Cordova said. Her smile just fixed everything for me. Romero works long hours, sometimes 15 hours a day, helping thousands of migrants a year. There have been times when shes had to put her body in between domestic violence victims and their abusers, and show cartel members the door, as she puts it. On Wednesday morning, she apologizes for nearly dozing off in between intakes. We didnt get to sleep last night until after midnight, Romero yawns. I didnt even feed my own kids until after 10 p.m.! Tijuana shelters are once again crowded to the brink of crisis, and shelter workers are bracing for more arrivals as people are sent back under the new U.S. Remain in Mexico policy. Okay, breakfast is at 8:30 a.m. There is a schedule to charge your phones At 7 p.m., its bedtime for all the kids, Romero explains to a new arrival a young woman with long, curly hair, holding a toddler on her lap. Do not leave your child here and go somewhere. They must be taken care of by you at all times. When you take a shower, they go with you to bathe. Once the paperwork is done, Romero slumps back down toward her desk, nearly drifting off, until something catches her eye from clear across the building. Its Cordova, her new husband. As the 32-year-old Honduran navigates his way through rows of bright-colored tents where the migrants sleep, Romero comes back to life, sitting up straight at her desk and flashing a smile. When I see him, its like I have all my strength back with me, she said. Cordova arrived with the caravan of Central Americans in November, and the two had a whirlwind romance, quickly falling in love. They arent the only ones to find love in the time of caravans. News reports document at least a dozen marriages between people who met amid the large numbers of people leaving Central America, a migration movement that garnered international news attention and prompted angry tweets from U.S. President Donald Trump. The pair celebrated their wedding on Dec. 28, 2018 at Movimiento Juventud.(Romero didnt want to leave the shelter for the whole day.) It happened very fast. Everything happened so fast with our wedding, she said. I called my mom and it was a big surprise. They tell their love story over the laughter of about a dozen children watching a movie in the shelter. I told her I would take care of her and I just wanted her by my side, said Cordova, who now works in a partner shelter around the block to be closer to Romero. Between the two of them, they have five children. Two are in Honduras and Cordova doesnt know when or if he will ever see them again. He cries about that sometimes, Romero says. Cordova said he has not yet applied for a permanent legal status in Mexico. He keeps his feelings guarded, but its easy to see how proud he is of her and how he fell in love with someone who dedicated her life to welcoming those who walked a similar path he did as a migrant. When the movie is interrupted by a fight over pan dulce, Cordova steps in to back up Romero, sending the offending youth off to his tent while she wraps her arms around and comforts the other. Romero said they think about getting regular jobs to have more time with her kids and more money. But I like working with people who need me, she said. Someone has to have a heart or nothing will change. They both know how it feels to be desperate. Cordova said he fled gang violence, leaving everything he has, even his children behind and he will never return to Honduras. About 10 years ago, Romeros family fell on hard times and she came to Tijuana with her children looking for work. They struggled to find shelter. I knocked on door after door after door and no one would accept me, she said. Before that, she spent parts of her childhood, begging in the streets for change. My mom never said to me: How are you feeling today? Do you want me to play with you? Do you want me to help you with your homework? she tearfully recalls. Here, shes able to make sure children get the love and comfort they all deserve, she says. They say love can conquer all. For Pedro and Linda, overcoming their pasts may be their biggest obstacle. Much like the forces driving thousands of Central Americans to flee northward, decades of policy is not easily undone. The two are grappling with how to blend their very different families now stretched thousands of miles apart. The future looks challenging too. Recently, Linda didnt have money to buy her 11-year-old daughter a birthday present. The migrants at Movimiento Juventud all chipped in together to buy a birthday cake. Their family shares a one-room apartment; the kids sleep on cobijas on the floor, and theres a baby on the way. Linda says before she met Pedro she never liked her own name because in Spanish, linda means pretty. When I was in grade school, kids would tease me that it wasnt for me, she explains. The truth is shes a beautiful woman with a wonderful heart, Pedro counters. All they know is right now, in this moment, when Pedro looks at Linda, he sees the most beautiful woman hes ever laid eyes on. And in Pedro, Linda found what was missing all her life. She finally has someone on her side, and with that, her beauty shines bright. The board of San Diegos pension system Friday unanimously approved increasing the citys annual pension payment in the coming budget year from $322.9 million to $350.5 million, a spike of more than 8 percent. The increase may require some proposed cuts in the roughly $3.8 billion budget Mayor Kevin Faulconer is scheduled to unveil next month. The pension systems actuary, Gene Kalwarski, told the board that the spike is mostly the result of employee pay increases and less optimistic projections for the systems investment returns. Advertisement Those changes increased Kalwarskis estimate of the citys pension debt from $2.76 billion to $2.98 billion, requiring the city to make higher annual payments in coming years. Without a change in investment return projections, the debt would have fallen to $2.61 billion. The city lowered its expected returns on investment from 6.75 percent to 6.5 percent, the lowest in the state, based on concerns 6.75 percent may be too optimistic and that the stock market might be overvalued. Lower investment returns hike pension debt, because the greater the return on pension system investments, the less taxpayer money the city needs to spend in the long haul covering pension payments to retired employees. Employee salaries, the other key factor in the increase, climbed from an average of $70,271 in budget year 2017 to an average of $76,379 in budget year 2018, which ended June 30. Kalwarski said that was responsible for $115 million of the $220 million increase in the citys projected pension debt. The board voted unanimously in January to set a minimum annual pension payment of about $350 million until the debt shrinks to zero, a significant departure from previous plans to let the annual payment drop to $250 million in 2029. The more aggressive approach seeks to reduce the debt to zero by 2034, 14 years earlier than projected under the previous plan. Moodys Investors Service, one of the nations big three credit rating agencies, recently praised San Diego for the new approach and a related policy change. In January the board also limited how much the pension system can soften the impact of increases in debt caused by changes in long-term projections, such as how well the stock market will perform or how long retirees will live. The city has previously been allowed to spread the impact of higher employee longevity rates or lower investment returns over 30 years, but the board voted to shrink that time to 20 years. david.garrick@sduniontribune.com (619) 269-8906 Twitter:@UTDavidGarrick Deputies found a .32-caliber gun on the bed, between two people. He would die the next day. She died there on the bed. She was Samantha Banegas, 22, who earlier that day Jan 3, 2018 had gone to the home of Bryan Hinkle, a Ramona man she had been dating for about a year, with a purpose. She planned to break off the relationship, her mother said. Hinkle, 35, shot Banegas in her head, according to investigators, then turned the gun on himself. Advertisement Banegas, who had been working toward a career in the medical field, became the first domestic-violence homicide victim in San Diego County in 2018. Last year, 14 people in the county died at the hands of a lover, according to local law enforcement agencies, and the body of a 15th person was found a year after she disappeared. With that tally of 15 domestic-violence deaths, the region saw about twice the number of domestic-violence deaths as the year before. For more than two decades, the annual average number of domestic-violence homicides in the region was 13. Law enforcement hopes to cut that number by watching for relationship violence before it escalates into murder. To that end, officials two years ago enacted a protocol to target strangulation, and began offering more thorough forensic examinations of domestic violence victims. Overall, homicide numbers in the region last year rose, but were relatively low nationally. In all, 86 people died as homicide victims in the county in 2018, according to numbers collected by the Union-Tribune from local law enforcement agencies. Thats 10 more homicides in the region than in 2017. Its 14 fewer than in 2016. Some died last year during robberies, some during fights. Some were doomed by love triangles, and others were felled in ongoing disputes, family violence or gang shootings. More than half 57 percent died as the result of gun violence. At least four of those deaths were gang related. Often, death came from a gun in the hands of someone the victim had loved. Sons killed parents, brothers killed brothers. And five times in the county last year, intimate relationships current or old ended in a murder-suicide. Samantha Banegas (date unknown) (Photo courtesy Hayes Banegas) Its not uncommon. Murder-suicides happened in more than half the countys domestic violence deaths in 2017, according to numbers provided by the county District Attorneys Office. In 2016, four of the countys 13 domestic-violence deaths had been part of a murder-suicide. In 2015, murder-suicide happened in half of the 16 domestic-violence deaths. Big city homicides When looking solely at homicide rates, the city of San Diego remains the safest of the countrys biggest cities. In 2018, the city saw homicides at 2.5 per 100,000 residents. Homicide rates in San Antonio and Dallas, which have roughly similar-sized populations, were 7.1 and 11.7 deaths per 100,000 residents, respectively. When looking at homicides in a city or region, criminologists look at a number of factors, including the strength of the areas economy, unemployment and overall violent crime. Last year, San Diego logged 35 homicides, one more than the year before. Back in 2016, the city tallied 50 homicides. The numbers are based on the homicides that the law enforcement agencies report to the Department of Justice each year. San Diego police homicide Lt. Matthew Dobbs, who has been in the department nearly 25 years, said the city had reached an annual average of about 138 homicides during the early 1990s. The last five years had averaged 38 homicides, he said. To help explain the decrease in killings, the lieutenant points to policing philosophies that use computer data to help identify and target crime hot spots and predict potential threats. We try to be progressive and proactive in what we do, Dobbs said. At this point, he said, the city has too few homicides to identify emerging trends. And when investigators do see a trend, he said, its often traced to gang feuds which can include retaliatory attacks. Last year, San Diego city had two homicides the department has classified as gang-related two men were shot to death on 40th Street last May. Another four killings have a gang nexus, Dobbs said. Those cases involved gang members, but there was no named suspect so its unclear whether the crime was gang motivated. Of the citys 35 homicides in 2018, nine investigations were still open as of the end of February. San Diego police only close a case when they make an arrest. Two cases were close to arrest, and the suspect in a third case has fled the country, police said. The Sheriffs Department, which has jurisdiction in unincorporated areas of the county and also provides policing in several cities from Vista to Imperial Beach, saw its homicide numbers increase by one last year, with 24 deaths. Lt. Rich Williams, who heads the departments homicide unit, said suspects have been identified in all but one of the cases. Most are under arrest or deceased. Guns used more than half the time Nearly six of every 10 homicides 57 percent in the county last year involved the use of a firearm, the highest percentage of gun deaths in the region since 2011. In 2017, half the deaths involved guns. The year before that, it was 40 percent. In the city of San Diego, 21 of the homicides well over half were the result of gun violence. Dobbs said its difficult to identify trends as far as gun violence in homicides, as they are often spontaneous events involving whatever type of weapon is readily available. He pointed to a new tool in the city to get weapons out of the hands of potentially dangerous people: gun violence restraining-orders. Last year, the San Diego City Attorneys Office began a hard push to secure the orders, and in a little more than a year won more than 100 of them. In that time, authorities confiscated more than 265 guns. More than a third of the cases were linked to domestic-violence or stalking. One restraining order targeted a man who had threatened to kill his ex-girlfriend they had dated three months and her family. Stabbing deaths represented 20 percent of homicides in the region last year. Sixteen percent of the homicides were by blunt-force trauma, including a man struck with a frying pan during a fight at an El Cajon group home. In about three-quarters of the homicides, the victim was a man. More than a third of the time, the victim was between the ages of 18 to 29. Not all homicides defined as death at the hands of another are reported to the Department of Justice, which tracks homicides considered murder or non-negligent manslaughter. The department excludes some killings, such those deemed accidental. The data analyzed by the Union-Tribune excludes those cases as well, including the accidental death of a 27-year-old man in San Diego, when a punching game at a Gaslamp Quarter bar turned tragic. Killings deemed self-defense are also absent from the list, such as the fatal shooting of an intruder who tried to steal a yacht in a National City marina. When the would-be thief struggled with a 63-year-old man whod been asleep on the boat, the intruder was shot. The Union-Tribunes homicide count does not include most deaths of people in police custody, such as Earl McNeil, who became unresponsive after a struggle with National City police. The count does, however, include inmate-on-inmate violence. Sometimes there are discrepancies in how agencies track homicides. Maria Elena Guzman Cordova disappeared from her Vista home Oct. 13, 2017. Her body was found near Palomar Mountain in September 2018. The Sheriffs Department and the Union-Tribune count her death among the 2018 homicides. But the Domestic Violence Felony Review Team added Guzman to its list of 2017 victims. Her husband has pleaded not guilty to murder. Authorities suspect he had her body in the trunk when he dropped off his preschooler with his parents then headed off to dump the corpse. Weeks before investigators revealed Guzmans body had been found, her husband took part in a news conference where his young daughters pleaded for help finding their missing mother. Holding up a mirror Local officials have tracked domestic-violence homicides back to 1997. Some years saw a relatively low tally six in 2001 and some were high 18 in 2011. On average for the last two decades, 13 people in the county have died each year at the hands of an intimate partner. Officials strongly cautioned against focusing solely on the number of domestic-violence homicides in any one year. District Attorney Summer Stephan said she looks at trends over spans of at least three years. In all crime data, you see blips where you have highs and lows, she said. And, she said, one death is too many. Once a domestic-violence homicide that occurred in San Diego County is deemed a closed case, a team of professionals from nurses to police to prosecutors try to root out instances in which the system failed the victim. Every month, the team members get together in a room, leave our egos at the door and look for what they might have missed, said Tracy Prior, who has spent more than two decades as a prosecutor with the District Attorneys Office. As a collective, we are remiss in our jobs if we dont try to hold that mirror up, Prior said. One thing they look for is whether the perpetrator had ever choked the victim a big red flag. If you are strangled once, you are seven times more likely to be killed by an intimate partner, Prior said. Its a very intimate form of power and control, she said. The perpetrator looks directly at the victim, hands around the throat. Over 20 years, ending in 2017, more than 13 percent of the domestic-violence deaths in the county were due to strangulation. In February 2017, county law enforcement agencies stood together and backed what is dubbed the strangulation protocol, to better detect and document such attacks. The following month, authorities rolled out domestic assault forensic exams, to more thoroughly document injuries sustained during an assault. One such exam, Stephan said, uncovered that a woman had strangulation-related fractures that could have been life-ending to that victim. These are the stories that dont make headlines, Stephan said. Once local law enforcement started asking victims specific questions about the assault, felony filings involving strangulation tripled. And if a domestic-violence victim undergoes a forensic exam, there is a 40 percent higher chance that prosecutors will file charges. Local authorities also screen every person charged with domestic violence to let the judge know whether that person has access to guns. This year, Stephans office is sponsoring legislation AB 164, introduced by 60th District Assemblywoman Sabrina Cervantes in Riverside County which would make it a crime for a person who is barred from possessing a gun in any out-of-state jurisdiction to have one in California. That is what we constantly do, is look at those gaps and come up with solutions that protect our victims better, Stephan said. Over the last 20 years, gun violence was behind about 44 percent of the domestic violence deaths in the county. Last year, it played a role in more than half. Among them: a 28-year-old Vista woman who shot in the head poolside on a sunny Sunday afternoon in Vista last July. Police say the assailant was her boyfriend. Guns were used in all seven murder-suicides in the county last year and an eighth, in which the suicide attempt failed. In all but two of the murder-suicides, death came at the hands of an intimate partner. In one instance, the gunman shot his Chula Vista 39-year-old fiancee and her 55-year-old aunt multiple times before driving two hours north to Norwalk. There, he turned the gun on himself. She had a good heart Samantha Banegas mother, Stephanie Banegas, smiled last month as she pointed to photos of the 22-year-old in a purple album. There was her daughter in an Easter bonnet, about age 6. There she was as a teen in a cheerleader uniform. There she was as a young woman, mugging with her aunt. Her father showed the honorary phlebotomy certificate his daughters school sent after her death. She had completed the courses. She was just the perfect little girl, father Hayes Banegas said. She was kind. She had a good heart. Neither he nor Samanthas mother they are long divorced had any idea their daughter was in danger. Both said there had been no signs of trouble. Any man would have been lucky to have her in their life, her father said. And maybe that fueled what happened. Banegas is buried in the cemetery on the Barona reservation, a white cross covered with fabric flowers marking her grave. Her mother said she used to spend hours looking for information about the man investigators say killed her daughter. She stopped. It was just too much. I would never want anyone to bear the pain that I bear, her mother said. teri.figueroa@sduniontribune.com (760) 529-4945 Twitter: @TeriFigueroaUT A former postdoctoral researcher at UC San Diego has been arrested and charged in a string of robberies at San Diego-area credit unions that took place over the past few months, the FBI and San Diego police announced Friday. Karl William Doron, 43, who holds a Ph.D. in psychological and brain sciences, was arrested Tuesday after a teller was robbed at a Sorrento Valley credit union. FBI San Diego spokeswoman Special Agent Davene Butler said the suspect had been under surveillance when the heist happened at the Navy Federal Credit Union on Mira Mesa Boulevard and Camino Santa Fe. Authorities believe the same person is responsible for six heists at local credit unions between December and February. Advertisement Immediately after the Tuesday robbery, agents and officers from the surveillance team moved in on Doron and arrested him, Butler said. He was allegedly armed with a loaded handgun and was booked into jail later that night. A University of California San Diego spokeswoman said Doron earned his Ph.D. elsewhere, but worked in UCSDs psychology department from 2014 to 2015. He was arraigned Friday in San Diego Superior Court on 10 felony counts of robbery and attempted robbery, and a judge set his bail at $1 million, according to a spokeswoman for the San Diego County District Attorneys Office. The 10 counts stem from nine separate incidents including seven completed robberies, one of which had two victims, spokeswoman Tanya Sierra said in an email. If Doron does attempt to post bail, a judge will call a hearing to determine the source of the money being used to post bail, Sierra said. Late last month, the FBI had sought the publics help to identify the robber who at the time was suspected of heists at five credit unions in San Diego and one in Chula Vista. The spree began Dec. 28 at a Mission Federal Credit Union on Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, and continued just over a month later, on Jan. 29, at a California Coast Credit Union on Genesee Avenue. Both locations are in Clairemont. Voting records from 2016 and 2017 show Doron resided at a duplex in Clairemont. The bandit, who used demand notes but never flashed a weapon, picked up his pace in February, when he pulled off four robberies: Feb. 7 at a San Diego County Credit Union branch in Rancho Bernardo; Feb. 9 at the same Clairemont Mission Federal Credit Union branch he hit on Dec. 28; Feb. 16 at a Mission Federal Credit Union in Miramar Ranch North; and Feb. 23 at a California Coast Credit Union on Eastlake Parkway in Chula Vista. During two of the crimes, the robber carried a motorcycle helmet, and other times he toted a calculator that he held to his ear as if it were a cellphone, according to the FBI. On two occasions in February, the suspect was spotted casing branches that he later robbed. Based on a joint investigation by agents and detectives, information was developed that identified Doron as the suspect, Butler said in a statement. As a result of that FBI and San Diego police investigation with significant assistance by Chula Vista police, according to Butler Doron was under surveillance Tuesday and taken into custody upon leaving the Sorrento Valley credit union. Twitter: @Alex_Riggins (619) 293-1710 alex.riggins@sduniontribune.com Authorities have identified a motorcyclist who was killed in a crash while using a bicycle lane to pass slower-moving traffic on a La Jolla street earlier this week. Danny Jay Chehaiber, 32, was struck by an SUV on Gilman Drive near University of California San Diego around 8 a.m. Tuesday, according to the Medical Examiners Office. Chehaiber had been riding his motorcycle northbound alongside the sidewalk when he was hit by a 2004 Toyota Highlander that turned into a driveway directly in his path, according to information from San Diego police. He was taken to Scripps Memorial Hospital by medics but never regained consciousness. No one else was injured in the crash. A former speech therapist at Rancho Buena Vista High School was arrested Friday for allegedly threatening co-workers last month at the North County campus, according to the Sheriffs Department. About 9 a.m. Friday, deputies executed a search warrant at a residence on Shadowridge Drive in Vista, and took Arturo Avina into custody, sheriffs officials said. Last month, co-workers of Avinas began receiving menacing messages, Sgt. Shane Watts said. The victims notified law enforcement, and investigators ultimately identified Avina as the alleged perpetrator. No students were involved in the threats, according to Lisa Contreras, director of communications for Vista Unified School District. Advertisement At no time were there any students who were in danger,' Contreras said. Avina worked for the school district from August 2017 until January of this year, Contreras said. Authorities released no details on the nature of the purported threats and did not specify the number of alleged victims. The suspect was being held at Vista Detention Facility on $150,000 bail pending arraignment, scheduled for Monday afternoon. Twitter: @Alex_Riggins (619) 293-1710 alex.riggins@sduniontribune.com A lieutenant stole well over $100,000 from her church. A deputy was accused of biting his wife and lying about it. Another deputy went to Starbucks instead of responding to a call for service. They and at least three other deputies with the San Diego County Sheriff lost their jobs, records show, after they were found to have lied about what they did, didnt do, or saw. That litany of misconduct is described in hundreds of pages of documents the San Diego Sheriffs Department recently released under SB 1421, a new state law that makes public previously secret records of peace officers dishonesty, use of force, shooting incidents, and sustained sexual misconduct charges. Law enforcement unions have slowed the release of such records in some counties, arguing in court that records from before 2019 should not be released, but judges in several counties have disagreed. Recently a San Diego Superior Court judge rejected that argument but kept in place a stay barring release of pre-2019 records until March 29 to allow time for a potential appeal. Advertisement The sheriffs department was not part of that lawsuit and so is not subject to the stay. Here are summaries of the most recent batch of files released by the department. San Diego sheriffs Lt. Devera Scott had been a member of the New Hope Friendship Baptist Church in Logan Heights for nearly 40 years when she started embezzling donations. Scott told investigators she was the churchs treasurer when she began taking money people gave to the church during Sunday services. Between 2008 and 2010, she stole well over $100,000, according to an internal affairs investigation. Church officials discovered the missing funds and she initially denied any wrongdoing. Later she admitted stealing the money, the investigation said. After Scott promised to repay the amount in monthly installments, name the church as a beneficiary on her life insurance policy and donate a portion of her retirement, the church chose not to pursue criminal charges. Not everyone agreed with that decision; at least one unnamed church member made an anonymous tip about it to Crime Stoppers. The pastor told investigators, while some in his congregation did not approve handling the matter internally, the church was in the business of forgiveness. When sheriffs investigators approached Scott, she gave misleading answers about what occurred, the investigation said. Ultimately, the department determined that, in addition to likely committing grand theft and embezzlement, she also exhibited unbecoming conduct. Scott retired in March 2013. When a Chula Vista police officer showed up at Deputy Joe Shermans house, he lied, sheriffs investigators said. On May 9, 2010, Sherman and his wife got into a fight, according to sheriffs department records. The argument escalated and the wife called 911 claiming Sherman had slammed her against their bed and bit her arm. But when a Chula Vista officer responded and asked if there had been any physical contact during the fight, Sherman said No. Sheriffs internal affairs investigators looked into the matter. According to their case file, Sherman later admitted the fight had gotten physical, but he alleged his wife was the aggressor. He described the bite as an instinctual response to being elbowed in the face. Although Sherman was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence, he was never charged with the crime. Sheriffs investigators suggested Shermans wife may have been pressured to recant, but Sherman and his defense lawyer said she fought to get the charges dropped because she knew she had misrepresented the incident. When reached by phone Wednesday, Sherman reiterated that he was never convicted of any domestic violence charges. I have moved on, he said. Sherman was ultimately given three years probation for disturbing the peace and was added to the Brady List a list of officers who cant testify in court because theyre considered untrustworthy. Deputy Sheriffs are entrusted with a great deal of responsibility and their judgment is critical, wrote Lt. Christine Robbins in her report. Deputy Shermans gross error in judgment brought his reputation, professionalism and integrity into question and jeopardized both his credibility, as well as the credibility of the San Diego County Sheriffs Department. Sherman resigned instead of being fired in December 2011. In 2014 Deputy Felipe Guths lost his job when an investigation concluded he had taken property from a driver he stopped an unknown amount amount of marijuana wax and lost it, then he entered an inaccurate record of the stop into the departments computer dispatch system and lied to investigators. Records say Guths pulled a motorist over off Mast Boulevard in Lakeside on Sept. 13, 2014. A search of the car turned up marijuana wax a type of concentrated marijuana that at the time was illegal to possess. The deputy took the wax but made no arrest or report. He also didnt mention the marijuana wax in his patrol log report. The records say Guths said he lost the wax and did not mention it in his patrol log because he completely forgot about it. He was found to have lied to investigators by telling them he had gone back to the scene of the stop some time later to look for the wax. Records from a vehicle tracker attached to all department patrol units showed he did not return. The records show that Guths, who was with the department for two years, was terminated/retired effective Jan. 28, 2015. Guths did not return a phone call for comment. Deputy Stephen Winsor accidentally discharged a single round from a personal handgun when he was cleaning it at this home on Sept. 13, 2015, the records say. Windsor didnt tell either the department or San Diego Police, the agency which had jurisdiction over the matter. He also did not check on his neighbors in his town home complex to see if they had been hit or injured from the discharge, the records say, because he said he didnt think his neighbors were home. The bullet went through Windsors shower wall into his neighbors bedroom, struck a picture frame, ricocheted and went through a computer desk and came to rest on the floor. The homeowner noticed it three days later. When San Diego police investigated, Winsor lied to them and delayed the investigation, according to the sheriffs file on the incident. Records show Winsor retired in lieu of termination on Jan. 15, 2016. It notes he was not afforded the privilege to receive a retired badge or CCW (carrying a concealed weapon) permit. Winsor did not return a phone call for comment. Longtime Deputy Fernando Garcia appealed his firing for dishonesty to the county Civil Service Commission but it was upheld in June 2017. He was accused of dishonesty and incompetence in connection with an incident he witnessed in the Vista jail. On Dec. 16, 2015, the records say, Garcia saw another deputy strike the hand of an inmate with what was described as a large, heavy key. The inmate, described as mentally challenged, suffered a minor injury to his hand but did not make a complaint. Garcia, a 23-year-veteran, didnt report the incident but mentioned it to another deputy, who later relayed it to his lieutenant in a casual conversation. An investigation commenced some three months after the incident. After watching a video of the incident Garcia first said he did not recall it. Later, in a second interview, he admitted he saw the incident and what his partner did was wrong, the records show. He was found to have been dishonest and incompetent for not reporting the incident in the first place, according to records. The Civil Service Commission denied his appeal and upheld the decision to fire him. Garcia could not be located for comment, and the lawyer who represented him at the appeal declined to comment. In June 2010, the Sheriffs Department got a call from a San Marcos man concerned about a stranger digging through his trash. The man asked for a deputy to come check on things. Deputy Todd Biller said he would twice. He went to Starbucks instead. The concerned resident first reported the suspicious person shortly before 7 a.m. Biller informed dispatch he would stop but, about two miles from the residence, he closed the call. The same resident called again about an hour later, saying the suspicious person had returned and again asked for a deputy. Billers GPS would later reveal he was at a Starbucks when he again took the call and again said he would stop by. Before leaving the coffee shop, he wrote in his patrol log that the alleged suspect was minding his own business and not committing any crimes despite never actually responding to the call. The resident, upset a deputy never showed up, drove to the San Marcos substation to file a complaint. Investigators found Biller had violated several policies and procedures, including lying on a department report and neglecting his duty, records show. The deputy resigned to avoid being fired in January 2011. Twitter: @gregmoran greg.moran@sduniontribune.com San Marcos Democrat Alex Balkin, a former inspector general with the U.S. Navy, has ended his campaign to unseat Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Alpine, just six weeks after it began. He has endorsed fellow Democrat Ammar Campa-Najjar. After much time and thought, I decided to withdraw my candidacy for Congress to spend more time as a husband and father, Balkin said in a statement Thursday. It is in my sincerest hope the next representative brings real leadership to the 50th District. Reached by phone late Friday, Campa-Najjar said Balkins statement and endorsement were generous. Advertisement That was a very graceful suspension of his campaign, he said. He was a formidable guy (who) had all the raw materials. But, I think on the ground in the district we had the support locked up. The district, which encompasses parts of Riverside County and much of eastern San Diego County, from Temecula to Chula Vista, is considered to be solidly Republican. However, it has been targeted by Democrats because of Hunters looming criminal trial. The seven-term Congressman and his wife Margaret Hunter were indicted in August on multiple felonies, including campaign finance violations and bank and wire fraud. I wish Ammar Campa-Najjar the best of luck in his endeavor to unseat Duncan Hunter and return respect and integrity to the office, Balkin said. In November, Campa-Najjar lost to Hunter by 3.4 points. Critics say Hunters campaign made personal attacks against Campa-Najjar, a Palestinian-Mexican American, including questioning the San Diego natives loyalty and labeling him a national security risk. Hunters trial is scheduled to begin in September. He was removed from congressional committee assignments by party leaders in August and has recently been advocating for military personnel who are on trial for war crimes. Contact Andrew Dyer via email or Twitter. Penal Code Section 196, enacted in 1872 when California was the nations sparsely populated westernmost frontier, declares that a police officer may lawfully kill someone while arresting persons charged with felony, and who are fleeing from justice or resisting such arrest. Similar laws in other states have been overturned by the courts, but Californias remains intact, described in a legislative report as the single oldest unamended law enforcement use of force statute in the country. In practice, it is the basic reason why Californias police officers are almost never prosecuted when they kill someone, even when the circumstances indicate that deadly force was not needed. Last Saturday, Sacramento County District Attorney Anne-Marie Schubert declared that two police officers who, a year earlier, had fired a barrage of bullets at the shadowy figure of Stephon Clark, will not be prosecuted. The two acted lawfully under the circumstances, she said. Advertisement Three days later, Attorney General Xavier Becerra agreed, saying, Based on our review of the facts and evidence, in relation to the law, Im here to announce today that our investigation has concluded that no criminal charges against the officers involved in the shooting can be sustained. It turned out that Clark, a much-troubled young man who had been vandalizing cars in a South Sacramento neighborhood, was wielding a cell phone, not a gun. Moreover, just eight of the 20 rounds fired at Clark hit their target, which meant those other bullets could have easily killed someone in a neighboring home. Had a civilian done what those officers did fired multiple rounds blindly at an indistinct figure in a backyard he or she would almost certainly be prosecuted, at least for manslaughter if not for murder. Knowing your target, firing only to protect oneself or another from death or great bodily harm and using minimum force to end the threat are drummed into civilian gun owners during firearms training. Californias police shoot and kill more people than those of any other state 162 in 2017. According to a legislative bill analysis, Of the 15 police departments with the highest per capita rates of police killings in the nation, five are in California: Bakersfield, Stockton, Long Beach, Santa Ana and San Bernardino. Police in Kern County have killed more people per capita than in any other U.S. county. The legislative analysis was for Assembly Bill 931, which Assemblywoman Shirley Weber, D-San Diego, carried last year to change the legal standard for police use of deadly force. Instead of the virtually unlimited legal protection that Penal Code Section 196 and other laws give police, Webers bill would allow justified shootings to defend against a threat of imminent death or serious bodily injury to the officer or to another person, with few exceptions. Thats similar to the justified homicide laws governing civilians. Law enforcement organizations bitterly opposed the measure, saying it would put the lives of cops in jeopardy, and Webers bill died in the Senate. Shes back this year with an almost identical measure, Assembly Bill 392, and the Stephon Clark episode, occurring as it did just a few miles from the Capitol, seems to give it a much better chance of passage. Gov. Gavin Newsom and Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg are among those calling for revising Californias use-of-force law. Police work can be very dangerous and most officers are very reluctant to shoot people. However, we are seeing far too many cases of shoot-first-and-ask-questions-later. That might have been acceptable in 1872 California. It cant be in the 21st century. CALmatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how Californias state Capitol works and why it matters. For more stories by Dan Walters, go to calmatters.org/commentary A Bay Area News Group report this week laid out great news on the California water front: Less than 1 percent of the state a remote area near the Oregon border is in drought status, the best showing since 2011. Whats more, the Sierra Nevada snowpack a crucial source of water is at 161 percent of its historic average, and supplies at every major reservoir are in good condition or better. But local and state governments and residents need to continue the good habits and smart practices they established during the lengthy drought that led then-Gov. Jerry Brown to declare an emergency in 2014. Lawmakers need to fund more water storage facilities. Farmers need to be pressed to use water more efficiently. Districts need to work to minimize spills and waste. Individuals need to grasp that conservation should be a way of life. This exhortation may seem odd at a time when supplies are plentiful. But scientists have warned for years that with climate change, severe drought conditions could become close to a permanent part of life. In 2015, researchers from NASA and Cornell and Columbia universities said the harsh drought that California and other Southwest areas were then suffering would seem minor compared to a coming mega-drought that could hit in mid-century and last as long as 30 years. In December at a meeting of the American Geophysical Union, some planetary scientists said such an extreme, lengthy drought could arrive even sooner. In the larger environmental picture, of course, theres a need to sharply limit the greenhouse-gas emissions that are warming the atmosphere, not just prepare for drought. But a focus on coming water shortages helps show how high the stakes are for California and the entire planet. Advertisement Twitter: @sdutIdeas Facebook: San Diego Union-Tribune Ideas & Opinion A central reason that California has a housing shortage is the ability of well-organized, intensely focused people to block or slow new projects as they go through the local planning process. These driven individuals often seek to maximize their clout by getting on the boards of local planning groups. While new state legislation has made it easier for some projects to advance despite local opposition, such NIMBYs (Not In My Back Yard activists) still have plenty of clout in San Diego and elsewhere. This is why it was so heartening to see Rise Up Town a YIMBY (Yes In My Back Yard) group that supports increased density and higher building heights assert itself in a Tuesday election on San Diegos Uptown Planners planning group. Rise Up Town won all seven seats that were up for grabs this year on the volunteer board that advises the city on land-use and transportation matters in Bankers Hill, Hillcrest, Middletown, Mission Hills and part of University Heights. The board had previously opposed efforts by Mayor Kevin Faulconers administration to promote denser, taller development. Hillcrest resident Patrick Santana, who co-founded the YIMBY group, told KPBS the vote reflected this recognition among many people that housing is at the nexus of the climate crisis, homelessness and affordability. That is a smart framing of the issue one that suggests big changes ahead. Twitter: @sdutIdeas Advertisement Facebook: San Diego Union-Tribune Ideas & Opinion Re: Addicted to fear commentary in the Sentinels Feb. 28 issue. Roller coaster? What an absurd analogy! I am always amazed that each of us can hear and see the same information and come away with totally different descriptions of what was seen and heard. I attended the presentation Islamic Culture and Practice as did Mr. Patterson, but never heard the word fear until a detractor in the audience claimed that the panel of speakers was spreading it. All I heard were personal recollections of factual events followed by an objective and even-handed presentation of Islamic doctrine by a recognized scholar of Islam. The first two speakers spoke of their own personal experiences of persecution as minorities in foreign countries. Dr. Evelyn Marcus spoke of her experience in a changing Amsterdam where rising antisemitism, much of it at the hands of Muslim immigrants, drove her to leave her native country. Souad Spivak, born and raised in Iraq, shared her experiences with antisemitism which also drove her to leave her native country. History is important. George Santayana in 1905 was the first to say, Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. The final speaker, Abe Haak, a recognized scholar of Islamic doctrine, presented an objective summary of some teachings found in the Quran, such as the annihilation of unbelievers and apostates, that run counter to American law and culture. So-called cultural practices such as honor killings and female genital mutilation were also discussed. Many identity Muslims in this country reject these practices. But others do not, and these practices are often taught to Muslim children. For me, the take-away from Abes presentation is that for Islam to be acceptable in America, it must change to be compatible with our laws and ethics. Mr. Patterson is quick to imply that the Nazi elimination of millions of Jews was the result of Christian belief. And he calls Dr. Marcus disingenuous? I am a Christian and I know of many other Christians here in Ramona and elsewhere. I have worked closely with Buddhists, Shintoists, Jews and agnostics, and never have I heard entertained such a foolish and false notion! Ramona doesnt need a roller coaster. It needs for its residents to listen to all views and then to think for themselves based on their own research and what they have seen and heard. Tom McKelvey is a Ramona resident. A man accused of carrying out a series of credit unions heists in San Diego County, stealing more than $13,000 over a three- month span, pleaded not guilty Friday to 10 felony counts, including robbery and attempted robbery. Among the string of alleged robberies was one on Feb. 7 at the San Diego County Credit Union in Rancho Bernardo. Karl Doron, 43, was arrested Tuesday after he entered the Navy Federal Credit Union, 6755 Mira Mesa Blvd., and allegedly demanded cash from the employees, according to FBI Special Agent Davene Butler. Police officers and FBI agents had been monitoring Doron based on information they had gathered in an investigation that began in late December, when the first robbery occurred, Butler said. Upon leaving the credit union, he was taken into custody without incident and found to be carrying a loaded handgun, the agent said. Deputy District Attorney Andy Aguilar said Doron, whose alleged spree started three days after Christmas, used gloves, glasses, coats and other clothing to mask his identity. He would pass notes to the tellers asking for cash, and was successful on all but two occasions, the prosecutor alleged. Investigators have recovered $5,000 Doron allegedly took in his last heist, but $8,500 remains outstanding, he said. The defendant faces 14 years and four months in prison if convicted of all counts. Dorons attorney, Deanna L. Lopas, emphasized that none of the holdups her client is alleged to have committed involved violence or threats, simply the passing of a note. She also noted that he has no prior criminal record and holds a doctorate in neuroscience. Dorons LinkedIn page indicates he received his degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2011 and previously served as an Infantry Squad leader in the Marine Corps. His last entry on theLinkedIn page is for work as a postdoctoral scholar at UC San Diego, which ended in January 2015 and involved conducting real time brain-machine interface experiments using electroencephalography.' Doron is being held at San Diego Central Jail in lieu of $1 million bail and is due back in court March 27 for a readiness conference. Houston, TX -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/08/2019 -- Wealth management is an investment-advisory discipline which incorporates financial planning, investment portfolio management and a number of aggregated financial services offered by a complex mix of asset managers, custodial banks, retail banks, financial planners and others. Request Sample Copy of this Report@: https://www.researchnreports.com/request_sample.php?id=246887 The Top Key Players included in this Market: Wells Fargo, BlackRock, Bank of America, Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan Asset Management, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Allianz Group, UBS, State Street Global Advisors The Wealth Management Services Market Report provides the most up-to-date industry data covering overall market conditions along with future assessments. The development trend of market and marketing channel are analyzed. Market Research Report Store in detail analysis on Market to provide key insights and competitive advantage to customers through detailed reports. This report provide information on current market analysis scenarios, future opportunities, revenue growth, price and profitability. The Wealth Management Services Market report gathers business approach, annual sales, company profile and global market share through careful research of key industry players. 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Get Reasonable Discount on this Premium Report @: https://www.researchnreports.com/ask_for_discount.php?id=246887 Wealth Management Services Market Segmentation Market Segment by Type, covers -Portfolio Management -Funds -Investment Advice -Other Financial Vehicles Market Segment by Applications, can be divided into -Financial -Internet -e-Commerce -Other Major Factors: - Global Wealth Management Services Market Overview - Economic Impact on Industry - Market Competition by Manufacturers - Production, Revenue (Value) by Region - Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Regions - Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type - Market Analysis by Application - Manufacturing Cost Analysis - Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers - Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders - Market Effect Factors Analysis - Global Wealth Management Services Market Forecast 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 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 segments For More information: https://www.researchnreports.com/enquiry_before_buying.php?id=246887 Edison, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/08/2019 -- HTF MI released a new market study on Global Advertising Market with 100+ market data Tables, Pie Chat, Graphs & Figures spread through Pages and easy to understand detailed analysis. At present, the market is developing its presence. The Research report presents a complete assessment of the Market and contains a future trend, current growth factors, attentive opinions, facts, and industry validated market data. The research study provides estimates for Global Advertising Forecast till 2025*. Some are the key players taken under coverage for this study are Omnicom Group, WPP, Dentsu Inc., PublicisGroupe, IPG, Havas SA, Focus Media Group, Guangdong Advertising Co., Ltd., Bluefocus Communication Group Co., Ltd., SiMei Media, AVIC Culture Co.,Ltd., Yinlimedia, Hunan TV and Broadcast Intermediary Co., Ltd., Guangdong Guangzhou Daily Media Co., Ltd., Beijing Bashi Media Co., Ltd., Dahe Group, China Television Media, Spearhead Integrated Marketing Communication Group, Shanghai Xinhua Media Co., Ltd., Chengdu B-ray Media. Click to get Global Advertising Market Research Sample PDF Copy Here @: https://www.htfmarketreport.com/sample-report/1580699-global-advertising-market-9 Important Features that are under offering & key highlights of the report: 1) What all companies are currently profiled in the report? Following are list of players that are currently profiled in the the report " Omnicom Group, WPP, Dentsu Inc., PublicisGroupe, IPG, Havas SA, Focus Media Group, Guangdong Advertising Co., Ltd., Bluefocus Communication Group Co., Ltd., SiMei Media, AVIC Culture Co.,Ltd., Yinlimedia, Hunan TV and Broadcast Intermediary Co., Ltd., Guangdong Guangzhou Daily Media Co., Ltd., Beijing Bashi Media Co., Ltd., Dahe Group, China Television Media, Spearhead Integrated Marketing Communication Group, Shanghai Xinhua Media Co., Ltd., Chengdu B-ray Media" ** List of companies mentioned may vary in the final report subject to Name Change / Merger etc. 2) Can we add or profiled new company as per our need? Yes, we can add or profile new company as per client need in the report. Final confirmation to be provided by research team depending upon the difficulty of survey. ** Data availability will be confirmed by research in case of privately held company. Upto 3 players can be added at no added cost. 3) What all regional segmentation covered? Can specific country of interest be added? Currently, research report gives special attention and focus on following regions: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific etc ** One country of specific interest can be included at no added cost. For inclusion of more regional segment quote may vary. 4) Can inclusion of additional Segmentation / Market breakdown is possible? Yes, inclusion of additional segmentation / Market breakdown is possible subject to data availability and difficulty of survey. However a detailed requirement needs to be shared with our research before giving final confirmation to client. ** Depending upon the requirement the deliverable time and quote will vary. Enquire for customization in Report @ https://www.htfmarketreport.com/enquiry-before-buy/1580699-global-advertising-market-9 To comprehend Global Advertising market dynamics in the world mainly, the worldwide Advertising market is analyzed across major global regions. HTF MI also provides customized specific regional and country-level reports for the following areas. - North America: United States, Canada, and Mexico. - South & Central America: Argentina, Chile, and Brazil. - Middle East & Africa: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Turkey, Egypt and South Africa. - Europe: UK, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, and Russia. - Asia-Pacific: India, China, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Singapore, and Australia. 2-Page profiles for 10+ leading manufacturers and 10+ leading retailers is included, along with 3 years financial history to illustrate the recent performance of the market. Revised and updated discussion for 2018 of key macro and micro market influences impacting the sector are provided with a thought-provoking qualitative comment on future opportunities and threats. This report combines the best of both statistically relevant quantitative data from the industry, coupled with relevant and insightful qualitative comment and analysis. Global Advertising Product Types In-Depth: TV Advertising, Newspaper & Magazine Advertising, Outdoors Advertising, Radio Advertising, Internet Advertising, Others Global Advertising Major Applications/End users: Food & Beverage Industry, Vehicles Industry, Health and Medical Industry, Commercial and Personal Services, Consumer Goods, Others Geographical Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific etc In order to get a deeper view of Market Size, competitive landscape is provided i.e. Revenue (Million USD) by Players (2013-2018), Revenue Market Share (%) by Players (2013-2018) and further a qualitative analysis is made towards market concentration rate, product/service differences, new entrants and the technological trends in future. Competitive Analysis: The key players are highly focusing innovation in production technologies to improve efficiency and shelf life. The best long-term growth opportunities for this sector can be captured by ensuring ongoing process improvements and financial flexibility to invest in the optimal strategies. Company profile section of players such as Omnicom Group, WPP, Dentsu Inc., PublicisGroupe, IPG, Havas SA, Focus Media Group, Guangdong Advertising Co., Ltd., Bluefocus Communication Group Co., Ltd., SiMei Media, AVIC Culture Co.,Ltd., Yinlimedia, Hunan TV and Broadcast Intermediary Co., Ltd., Guangdong Guangzhou Daily Media Co., Ltd., Beijing Bashi Media Co., Ltd., Dahe Group, China Television Media, Spearhead Integrated Marketing Communication Group, Shanghai Xinhua Media Co., Ltd., Chengdu B-ray Media includes its basic information like legal name, website, headquarters, its market position, historical background and top 5 closest competitors by Market capitalization / revenue along with contact information. Each player/ manufacturer revenue figures, growth rate and gross profit margin is provided in easy to understand tabular format for past 5 years and a separate section on recent development like mergers, acquisition or any new product/service launch etc. Buy Full Copy Global Advertising Report 2018 @ https://www.htfmarketreport.com/buy-now?format=1&report=1580699 In this study, the years considered to estimate the market size of Global Advertising are as follows: History Year: 2013-2017 Base Year: 2017 Estimated Year: 2018 Forecast Year 2018 to 2025 Key Stakeholders/Global Reports: Advertising Manufacturers Advertising Distributors/Traders/Wholesalers Advertising Subcomponent Manufacturers Industry Association Downstream Vendors Browse for Full Report at @: https://www.htfmarketreport.com/reports/1580699-global-advertising-market-9 Actual Numbers & In-Depth Analysis, Business opportunities, Market Size Estimation Available in Full Report. Thanks for reading this article, you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, Europe or Asia. Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/09/2019 -- Infertility is a one of the major concerning issues, growing prominently amongst youth across the globe. Artificial insemination is a technique used for treating infertility. It is a medical process in which semen is introduced into the female reproductive tract (as the cervical opening, uterus, or fallopian tube) by other than natural means. It is recommended to the couples experiencing unexplained infertility, problem with intercourse, but potentially normal sperm production, abnormal seminal fluid and ovulatory disorder responsive to fertility medication. Report Overview @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/artificial-insemination-kits-market.html Use of Artificial insemination technique has grown in population as infertility is becoming more prevalent, increasing female preference for pregnancy, and increase in the number of sub fertile couples requiring help with pregnancy. It is observed that one part of the reproductive system in either of the partners may not be working correctly for example in cases like Vaginismuses and endometriosis in females, sperm count, anatomical problems, premature ejaculation or other fertility issues in males. The conception depends on a number of factors such as age, the quality of eggs etc. and women in their late 30s may find that pregnancy takes longer to achieve. All these factors have attributed to the increase in the demand for artificial insemination worldwide. The market for Artificial Insemination Kits is driven by the facts that artificial insemination (AI) is a way of helping people to have children who may otherwise be unable to conceive. In western countries many lesbian couples who want to have a child are also opting out for AI. Previously couples opted out for IVF treatment, but now they have realized the cheaper and easier alternative of Artificial Insemination at home or at clinics. Other drivers of the markets are more women opting to become single mothers, advancements in technology of existing products, newer products launched in the market etc. Request Brochure @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=16184 There are a few risks associated with artificial insemination. Multiple births can occur if intrauterine insemination (IUI) is combination with fertility medication, as there is a greater chance of the woman giving birth to twins or triplets. Having multiple births increases the chances of complications such as premature birth or miscarriage. Nowadays, fertility medication is normally used only in cases where endometriosis appears to be the cause of infertility. Artificial insemination kits is successful in about 30% of cases. Market for Artificial insemination is booming. AI market has been segmented in to two type's artificial insemination with homologous (AIH). In this fertility is achieved by insertion of sperm from the husband or regular partner into the uterus by means other than by intercourse. The second one is donor artificial insemination (AID). Artificial insemination of a woman with sperm from an anonymous donor. The procedure is generally done in cases in which the husband is sterile. Global artificial insemination market has been segmented on the basis of techniques as intracervical insemination (ICI), intrauterine insemination (IUI), intravaginal insemination (IVI), and intratubal insemination. Request for TOC @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=T&rep_id=16184 In above techniques ICI is the easiest insemination technique, but IUI is a more efficient and most commonly used method of artificial insemination. In IUI sperm is occasionally inserted twice within a 'treatment cycle'. A double intrauterine insemination theoretically increases pregnancy rates by decreasing the risk of missing the fertile window during ovulation. Additionally intrauterine insemination normally requires a professional medical practitioner to perform the procedure. That's why female under 30 years of age has high chances with IUI. On the basis of end users, market is segmented into Hospitals, Clinics, Fertility Centre, and Home Based. Amongst end user after hospital and fertility center market, home based insemination kits market is highly on rise because various easy to use kits are easily available in the market. On the basis of products type artificial Insemination kits market is segmented in to ultimate Insemination kit, essential insemination kit, basic ovulation kits, syringes and other disposables. In product segment market varies depending on choice, quality and accuracy of the kits. Amongst disposable's cervical caps are actively being used as a delivery system for semen from private sperm donors. They have the advantage over the use of needless syringes. As it is not necessary to wait until the semen liquefies before inserting the cap into the vagina, and the donor may ejaculate straight into the conception cap. Geographically, the market is segmented into six major regions: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Rest of the World (RoW). In terms of geography, North America followed by Europe account for the maximum market share for Artificial Insemination Kits. Asia also accounts for a considerable share of the artificial insemination kits market and is expected to grow with the increasing disposable income and awareness amongst the population. Countries such as India, China, and Brazil are expected to grow at high rate due to rising investments by public, growing healthcare industry and private players in these countries. However, unfavorable reimbursement scenario and increasing cost of surgical procedures before and after pregnancies are some of the factors that might hinder the growth of artificial insemination kits market. Some of the key players in this market are: Rinovum Women's Health LLC (US), Pride Angel, Hi-Tech Solutions (India), Conceivex Inc (US), TenderNeeds Fertility (US) and others. The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications. About Transparency Market Research Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMR's experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge. Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMR's syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement. Contact 90 State Street, Suite 700 Albany, NY 12207 Tel: +1-518-618-1030 USA Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453 Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.com Website: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com London, UK -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/09/2019 -- The "Global Chemical Tankers Market" is an in depth study analyzing the current state and forecast 2018-2025. It provides brief overview of the market focusing on definitions, market segmentation, end-use applications and industry chain analysis. The study on Global Chemical Tankers Market provides analysis of market covering the industry trends, recent developments in the market and competitive landscape. Competitive analysis includes competitive information of leading players in market, their company profiles, product portfolio, capacity, production, and company financials. In addition, report also provides upstream raw material analysis and downstream demand analysis along with the key development trends and sales channel analysis. Research study on Global Chemical Tankers Market discusses the opportunity areas for investors. The report provides key statistics on the state of the industry and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the market. Download Sample Copy Of This Report From Here: http://www.amecoresearch.com/sample/11002 This report studies the Chemical Tanker market, a chemical tanker is a type of tanker ship designed to transport chemicals in bulk. Chemical tankers market includes revenues earned through shipping of chemicals and related products. Based on application, the chemical tankers market has been classified into organic chemicals, inorganic chemicals, and vegetable oils & fats. Organic chemicals dominated the market with market share of 51.37% in 2018. The vegetable oils & fats segment of the chemical tankers market is projected to grow at the highest CAGR, in terms of both, value and volume during the forecast period. View Detail Report With Complete Table of Content@ http://www.amecoresearch.com/market-report/global-chemical-tankers-market-11002 This report focuses on Chemical Tankers volume and value at global level, regional level and company level. From a global perspective, this report represents overall Chemical Tankers market size by analyzing historical data and future prospect. Regionally, this report focuses on several key regions: North America, Europe, China and Japan. At company level, this report focuses on the production capacity, ex-factory price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer covered in this report. The following manufacturers are covered: Stolt-Nielsen Odfjell Sinochem MOL Chemical Tankers Hansa Tankers Iino Kaiun Kaisha MTMM Team Tankers Ultratank Bahri WOMAR Chembulk Ace-Quantum Navig8 Koyo Kaiun Segment by Regions North America Europe China Japan Segment by Type Inland Chemical Tankers (1,000-4,999 DWT) Coastal Chemical Tankers (5,000-9,999 DWT) Deep-Sea Chemical Tankers (10,000-50,000 DWT) Segment by Application Organic Chemicals Inorganic Chemicals Vegetable Oils & Fats Others Available customization: With the given market information, Ameco research offers customization's in line with the company's specific wishes. The following customization choices unit of measurement accessible for the report: Regional and country-level analysis of the Global Chemical Tankers Market, by end-use. Detailed analysis and profiles of additional market players. Table of Contents Global Chemical Tankers Market - Industry Size, Share, Trends and Forecast 2018 - 2025 1 Chemical Tankers Market Overview 1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Chemical Tankers 1.2 Chemical Tankers Segment by Type 1.2.1 Global Chemical Tankers Production Growth Rate Comparison by Type (2014-2025) 1.2.2 Inland Chemical Tankers (1,000-4,999 DWT) 1.2.3 Coastal Chemical Tankers (5,000-9,999 DWT) 1.2.4 Deep-Sea Chemical Tankers (10,000-50,000 DWT) 1.3 Chemical Tankers Segment by Application 1.3.1 Chemical Tankers Consumption Comparison by Application (2014-2025) 1.3.2 Organic Chemicals 1.3.3 Inorganic Chemicals 1.3.4 Vegetable Oils & Fats 1.3.5 Others 1.4 Global Chemical Tankers Market by Region 1.4.1 Global Chemical Tankers Market Size Region 1.4.2 North America Status and Prospect (2014-2025) 1.4.3 Europe Status and Prospect (2014-2025) 1.4.4 China Status and Prospect (2014-2025) 1.4.5 Japan Status and Prospect (2014-2025) 1.5 Global Chemical Tankers Market Size 1.5.1 Global Chemical Tankers Revenue (2014-2025) 1.5.2 Global Chemical Tankers Production (2014-2025) 2 Global Chemical Tankers Market Competition by Manufacturers 2.1 Global Chemical Tankers Production Market Share by Manufacturers (2014-2019) 2.2 Global Chemical Tankers Revenue Share by Manufacturers (2014-2019) 2.3 Global Chemical Tankers Average Price by Manufacturers (2014-2019) 2.4 Manufacturers Chemical Tankers Production Sites, Area Served, Product Types 2.5 Chemical Tankers Market Competitive Situation and Trends 2.5.1 Chemical Tankers Market Concentration Rate 2.5.2 Chemical Tankers Market Share of Top 3 and Top 5 Manufacturers 2.5.3 Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion 3 Global Chemical Tankers Production Market Share by Regions 3.1 Global Chemical Tankers Production Market Share by Regions 3.2 Global Chemical Tankers Revenue Market Share by Regions (2014-2019) 3.3 Global Chemical Tankers Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2014-2019) 3.4 North America Chemical Tankers Production 3.4.1 North America Chemical Tankers Production Growth Rate (2014-2019) 3.4.2 North America Chemical Tankers Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2014-2019) 3.5 Europe Chemical Tankers Production 3.5.1 Europe Chemical Tankers Production Growth Rate (2014-2019) 3.5.2 Europe Chemical Tankers Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2014-2019) 3.6 China Chemical Tankers Production (2014-2019) 3.6.1 China Chemical Tankers Production Growth Rate (2014-2019) 3.6.2 China Chemical Tankers Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2014-2019) 3.7 Japan Chemical Tankers Production (2014-2019) 3.7.1 Japan Chemical Tankers Production Growth Rate (2014-2019) 3.7.2 Japan Chemical Tankers Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2014-2019) 4 Global Chemical Tankers Consumption by Regions 4.1 Global Chemical Tankers Consumption by Regions 4.2 North America Chemical Tankers Consumption (2014-2019) 4.3 Europe Chemical Tankers Consumption (2014-2019) 4.4 China Chemical Tankers Consumption (2014-2019) 4.5 Japan Chemical Tankers Consumption (2014-2019) 5 Global Chemical Tankers Production, Revenue, Price Trend by Type 5.1 Global Chemical Tankers Production Market Share by Type (2014-2019) 5.2 Global Chemical Tankers Revenue Market Share by Type (2014-2019) 5.3 Global Chemical Tankers Price by Type (2014-2019) 5.4 Global Chemical Tankers Production Growth by Type (2014-2019) 6 Global Chemical Tankers Market Analysis by Applications 6.1 Global Chemical Tankers Consumption Market Share by Application (2014-2019) 6.2 Global Chemical Tankers Consumption Growth Rate by Application (2014-2019) 7 Company Profiles and Key Figures in Chemical Tankers Business 7.1 Stolt-Nielsen 7.1.1 Stolt-Nielsen Chemical Tankers Production Sites and Area Served 7.1.2 Chemical Tankers Product Introduction, Application and Specification 7.1.3 Stolt-Nielsen Chemical Tankers Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2014-2019) 7.1.4 Main Business and Markets Served 7.2 Odfjell 7.2.1 Odfjell Chemical Tankers Production Sites and Area Served 7.2.2 Chemical Tankers Product Introduction, Application and Specification 7.2.3 Odfjell Chemical Tankers Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2014-2019) 7.2.4 Main Business and Markets Served 7.3 Sinochem 7.3.1 Sinochem Chemical Tankers Production Sites and Area Served 7.3.2 Chemical Tankers Product Introduction, Application and Specification 7.3.3 Sinochem Chemical Tankers Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2014-2019) 7.3.4 Main Business and Markets Served 7.4 MOL Chemical Tankers 7.4.1 MOL Chemical Tankers Chemical Tankers Production Sites and Area Served 7.4.2 Chemical Tankers Product Introduction, Application and Specification 7.4.3 MOL Chemical Tankers Chemical Tankers Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2014-2019) 7.4.4 Main Business and Markets Served 7.5 Hansa Tankers 7.5.1 Hansa Tankers Chemical Tankers Production Sites and Area Served 7.5.2 Chemical Tankers Product Introduction, Application and Specification 7.5.3 Hansa Tankers Chemical Tankers Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2014-2019) 7.5.4 Main Business and Markets Served 7.6 Iino Kaiun Kaisha 7.6.1 Iino Kaiun Kaisha Chemical Tankers Production Sites and Area Served 7.6.2 Chemical Tankers Product Introduction, Application and Specification 7.6.3 Iino Kaiun Kaisha Chemical Tankers Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2014-2019) 7.6.4 Main Business and Markets Served 7.7 MTMM 7.7.1 MTMM Chemical Tankers Production Sites and Area Served 7.7.2 Chemical Tankers Product Introduction, Application and Specification 7.7.3 MTMM Chemical Tankers Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2014-2019) 7.7.4 Main Business and Markets Served 7.8 Team Tankers 7.8.1 Team Tankers Chemical Tankers Production Sites and Area Served 7.8.2 Chemical Tankers Product Introduction, Application and Specification 7.8.3 Team Tankers Chemical Tankers Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2014-2019) 7.8.4 Main Business and Markets Served 7.9 Ultratank 7.9.1 Ultratank Chemical Tankers Production Sites and Area Served 7.9.2 Chemical Tankers Product Introduction, Application and Specification 7.9.3 Ultratank Chemical Tankers Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2014-2019) 7.9.4 Main Business and Markets Served 7.10 Bahri 7.10.1 Bahri Chemical Tankers Production Sites and Area Served 7.10.2 Chemical Tankers Product Introduction, Application and Specification 7.10.3 Bahri Chemical Tankers Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2014-2019) 7.10.4 Main Business and Markets Served 7.11 WOMAR 7.12 Chembulk 7.13 Ace-Quantum 7.14 Navig8 7.15 Koyo Kaiun 8 Chemical Tankers Manufacturing Cost Analysis 8.1 Chemical Tankers Key Raw Materials Analysis 8.1.1 Key Raw Materials 8.1.2 Price Trend of Key Raw Materials 8.1.3 Key Suppliers of Raw Materials 8.2 Proportion of Manufacturing Cost Structure 8.3 Manufacturing Process Analysis of Chemical Tankers 8.4 Chemical Tankers Industrial Chain Analysis 9 Marketing Channel, Distributors and Customers 9.1 Marketing Channel 9.1.1 Direct Marketing 9.1.2 Indirect Marketing 9.2 Chemical Tankers Distributors List 9.3 Chemical Tankers Customers 10 Market Dynamics 10.1 Market Trends 10.2 Opportunities 10.3 Market Drivers 10.4 Challenges 10.5 Influence Factors 11 Global Chemical Tankers Market Forecast 11.1 Global Chemical Tankers Production, Revenue Forecast 11.1.1 Global Chemical Tankers Production Growth Rate Forecast (2019-2025) 11.1.2 Global Chemical Tankers Revenue and Growth Rate Forecast (2019-2025) 11.1.3 Global Chemical Tankers Price and Trend Forecast (2019-2025) 11.2 Global Chemical Tankers Production Forecast by Regions (2019-2025) 11.2.1 North America Chemical Tankers Production, Revenue Forecast (2019-2025) 11.2.2 Europe Chemical Tankers Production, Revenue Forecast (2019-2025) 11.2.3 China Chemical Tankers Production, Revenue Forecast (2019-2025) 11.2.4 Japan Chemical Tankers Production, Revenue Forecast (2019-2025) 11.3 Global Chemical Tankers Consumption Forecast by Regions (2019-2025) 11.3.1 North America Chemical Tankers Consumption Forecast (2019-2025) 11.3.2 Europe Chemical Tankers Consumption Forecast (2019-2025) 11.3.3 China Chemical Tankers Consumption Forecast (2019-2025) 11.3.4 Japan Chemical Tankers Consumption Forecast (2019-2025) 11.4 Global Chemical Tankers Production, Revenue and Price Forecast by Type (2019-2025) 11.5 Global Chemical Tankers Consumption Forecast by Application (2019-2025) 12 Research Findings and Conclusion 13 Methodology and Data Source 13.1 Methodology/Research Approach 13.1.1 Research Programs/Design 13.1.2 Market Size Estimation 13.1.3 Market Breakdown and Data Triangulation 13.2 Data Source 13.2.1 Secondary Sources 13.2.2 Primary Sources 13.3 Author List 13.4 Disclaimer Quick Buy This Premium Report From Here: http://www.amecoresearch.com/buy/11002 About Ameco Research Ameco Research is the one spot destination for all your research needs. Ameco Research holds the repository of quality research reports from numerous publishers across the globe. Our inventory of research reports caters to various industry verticals including Healthcare, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Technology and Media, Chemicals, Materials, Energy, Heavy Industry, etc. With the complete information about the publishers and the industries they cater to for developing market research reports, we help our clients in making purchase decision by understanding their requirements and suggesting best possible collection matching their needs. Contact: Email: sales@amecoresearch.com | + 1 407 915 4157 New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/09/2019 -- The Top key vendors in Cordless Screwdrivers Market include are Duratool, General Tools, Weller, DeWalt, Bosch. Trend Insight Report - Access the insights Free PDF Sample Copy of Cordless Screwdrivers Market at https://www.marketgrowthinsight.com/sample/16449 Apart from this, the valuable document weighs upon the performance of the industry on the basis of a product service, end-use, geography and end customer. The industry experts have left no stone unturned to identify the major factors influencing the development rate of the Cordless Screwdrivers industry including various opportunities and gaps. A thorough analysis of the micro markets with regards to the growth trends in each category makes the overall study interesting. When studying the micro markets the researchers also dig deep into their future prospect and contribution to the Cordless Screwdrivers industry. A high focus is maintained on factors such as demand and supply, production capacity, supply chain management, distribution channel, product application and performance across different countries. The report not only offers hard to find facts about the trends and innovation driving the current and future of Cordless Screwdrivers business, but also provides insights into competitive development such as acquisition and mergers, joint ventures, product launches and technology advancements. A quick look at the industry trends and opportunities The researchers find out why sales of Cordless Screwdrivers are projected to surge in the coming years. The study covers the trends that will strongly favor the industry during the forecast period, 2019 to 2025. Besides this, the study uncovers important facts associated with lucrative growth and opportunities that lie ahead for the Cordless Screwdrivers industry. #Learn how the best companies avoid overstretching and understretching to improve performance. Learn how to build the strategy and business case to implement Order Here@ https://www.marketgrowthinsight.com/checkout/16449 On the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, and market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split into - Electrical - Pneumatic On the basis of the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, consumption (sales), market share and growth rate for each application, including - Construction - Machinery - Automotive - Others Region wise performance of the Cordless Screwdrivers industry This report studies the global Cordless Screwdrivers market status and forecast, categorizes the global Cordless Screwdrivers market size (value & volume) by key players, type, application, and region. This report focuses on the top players in North America, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia India and Other regions (Middle East & Africa, Central & South America). Key points from TOC 7 Global Cordless Screwdrivers Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis 7.1 Duratool 7.1.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors 7.1.2 Cordless Screwdrivers Product Category, Application and Specification 7.1.2.1 Product A 7.1.2.2 Product B 7.1.3 Duratool Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2013-2018) 7.1.4 Main Business/Business Overview 7.2 General Tools 7.2.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors 7.2.2 Cordless Screwdrivers Product Category, Application and Specification 7.2.2.1 Product A 7.2.2.2 Product B 7.2.3 General Tools Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross argin (2013-2018) 7.2.4 Main Business/Business Overview 7.3 Weller 7.3.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors 7.3.2 Cordless Screwdrivers Product Category, Application and Specification 7.3.2.1 Product A 7.3.2.2 Product B 7.3.3 Weller Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2013-2018) 7.3.4 Main Business/Business Overview Continue.. Browse Full RD with TOC of This Report @ https://www.marketgrowthinsight.com/16449/cordless-screwdrivers-market This Cordless Screwdrivers market report holds answers to some important questions like: - What is the size of occupied by the prominent leaders for the forecast period, 2019 to 2025? What will be the share and the growth rate of the Cordless Screwdrivers market during the forecast period? - What are the future prospects for the Cordless Screwdrivers industry in the coming years? - Which trends are likely to contribute to the development rate of the industry during the forecast period, 2019 to 2025? - What are the future prospects of the Cordless Screwdrivers industry for the forecast period, 2019 to 2025? - Which countries are expected to grow at the fastest rate? - Which factors have attributed to an increased sale worldwide? - What is the present status of competitive development? About Market Growth Insight Market Growth Insight is a one stop solution for market research reports in various business categories. We are serving 100+ clients with 10000+ diverse industry reports and our reports are developed to simplify strategic decision making, on the basis of comprehensive and in-depth significant information, established through wide ranging analysis and latest industry trends. We are striving to provide the best customer friendly services and appropriate business information to accomplish your ideas. Contact 502, Sai Radhe, Kennedy Road, Behind Hotel Sheraton Grand, Near Pune Station, Pune 411 001, Maharashtra, India Contact No- + 91 8956 049 020 Sales@marketgrowthinsight.com Website- https://www.marketgrowthinsight.com Rockville, MD -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/08/2019 -- Medical devices play a significant role in healthcare worldwide, and the recent safety issues around medical devices, such as active implantable devices, have highlighted the need for enhanced pre-market and post-market evaluation. As active implantable devices are meant for internal use, have complex functionality, and are relatively small in size, this medical device is among the hardest ones to manufacture. Moreover, active implantable device is a medical device that comes into direct contact with the patients, thereby, it has to meet the most stringent standards of all. Manufacturers of active implantable devices have been on incorporating the advancing technology in their manufacturing processes to be able to manufacture components that comply with the stringent parameters. As many stakeholders argue that certain features of medicine safety evaluation must be applied to medical devices, including active implantable device, the manufacturers of active implantable device are under immense pressure to constantly alter devices to comply with the rapidly changing regulations on medical devices. Furthermore, due to active implantable devices' extended lifecycle and prolonged contact with patients, they are subject to the most stern standards and regulations. However, factors, such as the growing number of health related issues, hefty healthcare investments and increasing favorable reimbursement plans by medical associations and government point towards positive growth in active implantable device market. Active implantable devices are medical devices that are partially or fully introduced, surgically or medically, inside a human body and remains inside after the procedure. Active implantable devices fall under one of the highest risk categories of devices and are therefore, subject to stringent government regulations before they are allowed entry into the global market. The regulatory parameters also apply to the accessories that are used along with the active implantable devices. The digital age is offering explosive growth opportunities for medical devices and changing the nature of health care delivery. Wireless technologies which include active implantable medical devices are built to control and monitor bodily functions and measure an array of psychological parameters. These devices, based on various applications, are able to control heart rhythm, monitor hypertension and cranial pressure, can operate as sensors and provide electrical stimulation for nerves. Request Free Sample Report@ https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=S&rep_id=1090 Active Implantable Device Market: Drivers and Restraints Primary factors driving the active implantable device market are increasing number of cardiovascular and neurological diseases, growth in aging population, expanded applications, higher accessibility to advanced technologies, increasing development of advanced products with better technology and increasing healthcare expenditure and favorable reimbursement scenarios in various regions. However, increasing pricing pressure by the players who dominate the market pose a great challenge to the growth of the other competitors in this market. Stringent regulations related to active implantable devices in certain regions and high cost of implants along with an unfavorable reimbursement scenario in some regions are some of the factors which might hinder the growth of the active implantable device market. Active Implantable Device Market: Segmentation Tentatively, the global active implantable device market has been segmented on the basis of product type and geography. Based on product type, the global active implantable device market is segmented into: Implantable Cardiac Pacemakers Implantable hearing devices Implantable heart monitors Implantable loop recorders Ventricular assist devices Neuro-stimulators Deep Brain Stimulators Sacral Nerve Stimulators Gastric Electric Stimulators Vagus Electrical Stimulators Spinal Cord Stimulators Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators Transvenous Implantable Cardiverter Defibrillator Biventricular Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Dual-Chamber Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Single-Chamber Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Subcutaneous Implantable Cardiverter Defibrillators Based on geography, the global active implantable device market is segmented into: North America Latin America Western Europe Eastern Europe Asia Pacific China Japan Middle East & Africa Active Implantable Device Market: Overview The global market for active implantable devices is highly consolidated with very few players operating in the global space. To expand their geographic presence and garner higher share in the market, the major players are focusing on mergers and acquisitions, partnerships, agreements, collaborations and expansions. The market is dominated, globally, by four major players who account for more than 75% of the market share. Some of the established brands of active implantable devices are Cochlear Limited (Australia), MED-EL (Austria), Sonova Holding AG (Switzerland), and William Demant Holding A/S (Denmark), Medtronic plc (Ireland) and Nurotron Biotechnology Co. Ltd. (China). Active Implantable Device Market: Regional Wise Outlook Geographically, the global Active Implantable Device Market is classified into 8 regions: North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific, Japan, China and Middle East & Africa. North America is expected to be the leader in the global echogenic catheters market owing to high concentration of key market players in the region. The market in Asia Pacific is expected to witness high growth rate due to the expansion of product offerings by key players during the forecast period. Europe is expected to hold the second largest share in the global active implantable device market throughout the forecast period. Request/View TOC@ https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=T&rep_id=1090 Active Implantable Device Market: Key Players Some of the major players in the global active implantable device market are Medtronic plc (Ireland), Abbott Laboratories (U.S.), Boston Scientific Corporation (U.S.), BIOTRONIK SE & Co. KG (Germany), and LivaNova PLC (U.K.). Whereas, Cochlear Limited (Australia), MED-EL (Austria), Sonova Holding AG (Switzerland), William Demant Holding A/S (Denmark) and Nurotron Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (China). The report is a compilation of first-hand information, qualitative and quantitative assessment by industry analysts, inputs from industry experts and industry participants across the value chain. The report provides in-depth analysis of parent market trends, macro-economic indicators and governing factors along with market attractiveness as per segments. The report also maps the qualitative impact of various market factors on market segments and geographies. The report covers exhaustive analysis on: Market Segments Market Dynamics Market Size Supply & Demand Current Trends/Issues/Challenges Competition & Companies involved Technology Value Chain Regional analysis includes North America (U.S., Canada) Latin America (Mexico, Brazil) Western Europe (Germany, Italy, U.K, Spain, France, Nordic countries, BENELUX) Eastern Europe (Russia, Poland, Rest Of Eastern Europe) Asia Pacific (India, Australia & New Zealand) China Japan Middle East and Africa (GCC, S. Africa, Rest Of MEA) Report Highlights: Detailed overview of parent market Changing market dynamics in the industry In-depth market segmentation Historical, current and projected market size in terms of volume and value Recent industry trends and developments Competitive landscape Strategies of key players and products offered Potential and niche segments, geographical regions exhibiting promising growth A neutral perspective on market performance Must-have information for market players to sustain and enhance their market footprint. Report Analysis@ https://www.factmr.com/report/1090/active-implantable-device-market About Fact.MR Fact.MR is a fast-growing market research firm that offers the most comprehensive suite of syndicated and customized market research reports. We believe transformative intelligence can educate and inspire businesses to make smarter decisions. We know the limitations of the one-size-fits-all approach; that's why we publish multi-industry global, regional, and country-specific research reports. Contact Us Rohit Bhisey Fact.MR 11140 Rockville Pike Suite 400 Rockville, MD 20852 United States Email: sales@factmr.com Web: https://www.factmr.com/ Blog: https://factmrblog.com/ Read Industry News at - http://theguardiantribune.com Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/08/2019 -- The global fluid management market is projected to reach over US$ 64 Bn by 2025, with a cumulative annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 5.3% from 2017 to 2025, according to a new report published by Transparency Market Research (TMR) titled 'Global Fluid Management Market Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast, 20172025.' North America is expected to continue to be at the forefront of global demand, with the market in the region anticipated to expand at over 4% during the forecast period. This is due to increase in the incidence and prevalence of infectious and lifestyle diseases, rise in the number of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients, and rise in prevalence of diabetes and hypertension, driving demand for dialysis treatment. Infusion Therapy Product Segment is expected to dominate the Global Fluid Management Market throughout the Forecast Period The report offers detailed segmentation of the global fluid management market based on product, application, and end-user. The infusion therapy products segment is estimated to hold leading market share in 2017 and is anticipated to expand steadily during the forecast period. The infusion therapy segment includes infusion devices such as infusion pumps and infusion systems; IV access devices such as accessories and disposables such as administration sets; and IV solutions and products such as frozen & liquid premixed medications, empty containers for compounding, and IV solutions. The renal product segment, which predominantly includes dialysis products, is expected to expand at a significant CAGR during the forecast period, owing to rise in prevalence of end-stage renal diseases and increase in number of dialysis centers worldwide. For instance, according to the National Kidney Foundation, more than 2.0 million people undergo treatment for dialysis or kidney transplantation to stay alive across the world. Request A Sample: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=41066 Rise in Adoption of Home-based Dialysis and Infusion Therapy is expected to Boost Demand for Home Care Settings by 2025 The home care settings segment of the global fluid management market is expected to expand at a rapid pace during the forecast period owing to increase in research and development activities for the launch of products suitable for home care settings, rise in patient preference for home-based treatments, and lowest cost of the treatments performed at home as compared to hospitals or dialysis centers. For instance, Baxter, a leading player in the global fluid management market is focusing on new product developments suitable for home hemodialysis. Fluid Management Market in Asia Pacific to Expand at a Rapid Pace with Significant Contribution from China, India, Japan, and Singapore In terms of value, North America is likely to continue its dominance in the global fluid management market throughout the forecast period, owing to a high incidence rate of chronic kidney diseases in the region, high adoption of dialysis procedures, rise in new product launches, and the rise in per capita health care spending in the region. For instance, according to national Institute of Diabetes and Kidney Diseases, in 2016, more than 661,000 Americans were suffering from chronic kidney failure, among these, 468,000 individuals were on dialysis and around 193,000 underwent kidney transplant. Europe is a prominent region of the global fluid management market, owing to the presence of a large number of pharmaceutical and medical device companies and increasing prevalence of lifestyle diseases such as obesity, diabetes, end-stage renal diseases, high blood pressure, and cancer among the population. Request Brochure of Report: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=41066 Asia Pacific is an emerging region of the fluid management market and is expected to expand at a rapid CAGR during the forecast perios, owing to a rapidly expanding health care industry; growing economy; and rise in prevalence of infectious and lifestyle diseases such as cardiac disorders, kidney diseases, and others, which are fuelling demand for infusion, dialysis, and endoscopic surgery treatments. For instance, according to a report by LifeSciences Industry Research, by 2020, the global ESRD patients receiving hemodialysis treatment is expected to reach 4.2 million, out of which 1 million patients are likely to to be from China. The fluid management market in Latin America and Middle East & Africa is expected to expand at a rapid pace owing to expansion in economies of countries in the regions, rise in disease prevalence, increase in urbanization, rise in adoption of novel medical technologies, changing lifestyles, and increase in health care awareness among the population of the regions. Competitive Landscape Major players operating in the global fluid management market include Baxter, Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA, Nikkiso, Co., Ltd., C.R. Bard, Inc., Olympus Corporation, Ecolab Inc., Medtronic, Zimmer Biomet, BD, Smith & Nephew, Hospira, Inc., Animas Corporation, B. Braun Holding GmbH & Co. KG, Cardinal Health Inc., Stryker, Boston Scientific Corporation, Karl Storz GmbH, Richard Wolf GmBH, Asahi Kasei Medical Co. Ltd., Coloplast Group, and NIPRO Medical Corporation. Other prominent players in the global fluid management market include AngioDynamics, Promed Group Co., Ltd, ICU Medical, Inc., CONTEC MEDICAL SYSTEMS CO.,LTD, SWS Hemodialysis Care Co.,Ltd., Dialifegroup.com, and Medica S.p.A. Leading players in the market are focusing on the service portfolio and geographic reach with the help of mergers and acquisitions, partnerships, and new products launches. About Transparency Market Research Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a U.S.-based provider of syndicated research, customized research, and consulting services. TMR's global and regional market intelligence coverage includes industries such as pharmaceutical, chemicals and materials, technology and media, food and beverages, and consumer goods, among others. Each TMR research report provides clients with a 360-degree view of the market with statistical forecasts, competitive landscape, detailed segmentation, key trends, and strategic recommendations. Contact us: Transparency Market Research 90 State Street, Suite 700, Albany NY - 12207 United States Tel: +1-518-618-1030 USA - Canada Toll Free 866-552-3453 Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.com Website: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ Pune, India -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/08/2019 -- Global frozen bakery Market size is anticipated to surpass the revenue of USD 42.4 billion by 2026 and also market is projected to exhibit the CAGR of 5.2% during the coming years. Increasing need for healthy and suitable baked products will boost the complete frozen bakery market in the estimate timeframe in most of the emerging countries, bakery product producers are reformulating their bakery product portfolio & modifying their product packaging, requesting to address the customers' health concerns. The sector endures to see energetic development due to change in customer likings towards the healthier food choices that have longer shelf life & numerous nutritious benefits for instance high less sugar & fat, fiber content, etc. Aforementioned trends will shoot the whole market in forecasted timeframe. Changing way of life, for example, receiving more beneficial schedules combined with surge in number of working ladies will prompt quick development in consumer food service. Worldwide packaged food utilization produced an income of around USD 2.5 trillion out of 2017, of which baked goods represent near 15% offer. Rising number of retail outlets moving the product in the developing economies combined with appealing promotions and marketing will likewise connote the demand for such extravagance nourishment things. The previously mentioned patterns will help the demand for frozen mixture in creating countries as individuals have lesser time to spend in their kitchens. Free Download Sample Report Pages For Better understanding@ https://www.acumenresearchandconsulting.com/request-sample/1186 The global frozen bakery market is segmented into recipe, product, end-user and region. On the basis of recipe, the global frozen bakery market is segmented into bread, viennoiserie, patisserie, and savoury snack. On the basis of product, the global frozen bakery market is segmented into ready-to-prove, ready-to-bake, and fully baked. On the basis of end-user, the global frozen bakery market is segmented into convenience stores, hypermarkets & supermarkets, artisan's bakers, hotels, restaurants, and catering (HORECA), and Bakery chains. On the basis of region the global frozen bakery market is bifurcated into Europe, Latin America, North America, Middle East & Africa, and Asia Pacific. Comfort stores assumes a noteworthy role in marketing and circulation of the product and catches over 15% of the whole end-client section in 2018 and will demonstrate the huge development in coming years. The simplicity of accessibility of the product and frenzied way of life of individuals has prompted the prominence of accommodation stores, for example, Mom and Pops, SMU, Cup Cakes Factory, and so forth. Through such accommodation stores, fabricates have the upside of exhibiting their differing product portfolio in a single platform. This thus, will support the worldwide market development in future. Hotels, restaurants, and catering end-client section grasps over 16% of the volume share in 2018 and will demonstrate a sluggish development over the gauge time allotment. The section incorporates the drive-thru food chains just as family eateries and lodgings that serve nourishment which sets aside less opportunity to cook bringing about negligible table time. Development in worldwide the travel industry will support the whole fragment request and this will emphatically impact the frozen bakery market in gauge period. View Detail Information With Complete TOC@ https://www.acumenresearchandconsulting.com/frozen-bakery-market Germany drove the Europe market in 2018, with an offer of over 21% in 2018 and will probably grow its offer by 2026. Surge in the travel industry and providing food industry in European nations, for example, UK, Germany, Italy, and so forth will offer a promising regional development in coming years. The local market is driven by developing demand for 'bake-off' and 'thaw & serve' products that give simplicity to brisk administration eateries, retail pastry shops, and family units. Also, expanded timeframe of realistic usability of the product offers the upside of stocking the products for regular varieties, which is basic in Europe. In 2017, North America has income of more than USD 8.4 billion in worldwide frozen bakery market and is required to develop at a huge rate by 2026. U.S. and Canada will have a flourishing business sector because of expanded processed food requirement prerequisite and changing purchaser ways of life. Also, the enhanced nourishment culture and expectations for everyday comforts alongside the local financial development will enlarge the frozen bakery showcase in future. The significant businesses working in the worldwide frozen bakery market are BredenMaster, Grupo Bimbo, Vandemoortele, Aryzta, Europastry, Rich Products Corporation, General Mills, Inc, and Dawn Food Products. Browse All official Market Research Reports Press Releases@ https://www.acumenresearchandconsulting.com/press-releases TABLE OF CONTENT CHAPTER 1. INDUSTRY OVERVIEW 1.1. Definition and Scope 1.1.1. Definition of Frozen Bakery 1.1.2. Market Segmentation 1.1.3. List of Abbreviations 1.2. Summary 1.2.1. Market Snapshot 1.2.2. Frozen Bakery Market By Recipe 1.2.2.1. Global Frozen Bakery Market Revenue and Growth Rate Comparison By Recipe (2015-2026) 1.2.2.2. Global Frozen Bakery Market Revenue Share By Recipe in 2017 1.2.2.3. Bread 1.2.2.4. Viennoiserie 1.2.2.5. Patisserie 1.2.2.6. Savory snacks 1.2.2.7. Others 1.2.3. Frozen Bakery Market By Product 1.2.3.1. Global Frozen Bakery Market Revenue and Growth Rate Comparison By Product (2015-2026) 1.2.3.2. Ready-to-prove 1.2.3.3. Ready-to-bake 1.2.3.4. Fully baked 1.2.3.5. Others 1.2.4. Frozen Bakery Market By End Users 1.2.4.1. Global Frozen Bakery Market Revenue and Growth Rate Comparison By End Users (2015-2026) 1.2.4.2. Convenience stores 1.2.4.3. Hypermarkets & supermarkets 1.2.4.4. Artisans bakers 1.2.4.5. Hotels, restaurants, and catering (HORECA) 1.2.4.6. Bakery chains 1.2.4.7. Others 1.2.5. Frozen Bakery Market by Geography 1.2.5.1. Global Frozen Bakery Market Revenue and Growth Rate Comparison by Geography (2015-2026) 1.2.5.2. North America Frozen Bakery Market Revenue and Growth Rate (2015-2026) 1.2.5.3. Europe Frozen Bakery Market Revenue and Growth Rate (2015-2026) 1.2.5.4. Asia-Pacific Frozen Bakery Market Revenue and Growth Rate (2015-2026) 1.2.5.5. Latin America Frozen Bakery Market Revenue and Growth Rate (2015-2026) 1.2.5.6. Middle East and Africa (MEA) Frozen Bakery Market Revenue and Growth Rate (2015-2026) CHAPTER 2. MARKET DYNAMICS AND COMPETITION ANALYSIS 2.1. Market Drivers 2.2. Restraints and Challenges 2.3. Growth Opportunities 2.4. Porter's Five Forces Analysis 2.4.1. Bargaining Power of Suppliers 2.4.2. Bargaining Power of Buyers 2.4.3. Threat of Substitute 2.4.4. Threat of New Entrants 2.4.5. Degree of Competition 2.5. Value Chain Analysis 2.6. Cost Structure Analysis 2.6.1. Raw Material and Suppliers 2.6.2. Manufacturing Process Analysis 2.7. Regulatory Compliance 2.8. Competitive Landscape, 2017 2.8.1. Player Positioning Analysis 2.8.2. Key Strategies Adopted By Leading Players CHAPTER 3. MANUFACTURING PLANTS ANALYSIS 3.1. Capacity and Commercial Production Date of Global Frozen Bakery Major Manufacturers in 2017 3.2. Manufacturing Plants Distribution of Global Frozen Bakery Major Manufacturers in 2017 3.3. R&D Status and Technology Source of Global Frozen Bakery Major Manufacturers in 2017 3.4. Raw Materials Sources Analysis of Global Frozen Bakery Major Manufacturers in 2017 CHAPTER 4. FROZEN BAKERY MARKET BY RECIPE 4.1. Global Frozen Bakery Revenue By Recipe 4.2. Bread 4.2.1. Market Revenue and Growth Rate, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 4.2.2. Market Revenue and Forecast, By Region, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 4.3. Viennoiserie 4.3.1. Market Revenue and Growth Rate, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 4.3.2. Market Revenue and Forecast, By Region, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 4.4. Patisserie 4.4.1. Market Revenue and Growth Rate, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 4.4.2. Market Revenue and Forecast, By Region, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 4.5. Savory snacks 4.5.1. Market Revenue and Growth Rate, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 4.5.2. Market Revenue and Forecast, By Region, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 4.6. Other 4.6.1. Market Revenue and Growth Rate, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 4.6.2. Market Revenue and Forecast, By Region, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) CHAPTER 5. FROZEN BAKERY MARKET BY PRODUCT 5.1. Global Frozen Bakery Revenue By Product 5.2. Ready-to-prove 5.2.1. Market Revenue and Growth Rate, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 5.2.2. Market Revenue and Forecast, By Region, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 5.3. Ready-to-bake 5.3.1. Market Revenue and Growth Rate, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 5.3.2. Market Revenue and Forecast, By Region, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 5.4. Fully baked 5.4.1. Market Revenue and Growth Rate, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 5.4.2. Market Revenue and Forecast, By Region, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 5.5. Others 5.5.1. Market Revenue and Growth Rate, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 5.5.2. Market Revenue and Forecast, By Region, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) CHAPTER 6. FROZEN BAKERY MARKET BY END USERS 6.1. Global Frozen Bakery Revenue By End Users 6.2. Convenience stores 6.2.1. Market Revenue and Growth Rate, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 6.2.2. Market Revenue and Forecast, By Region, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 6.3. Hypermarkets & supermarkets 6.3.1. Market Revenue and Growth Rate, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 6.3.2. Market Revenue and Forecast, By Region, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 6.4. Artisans bakers 6.4.1. Market Revenue and Growth Rate, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 6.4.2. Market Revenue and Forecast, By Region, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 6.5. Hotels, restaurants, and catering (HORECA) 6.5.1. Market Revenue and Growth Rate, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 6.5.2. Market Revenue and Forecast, By Region, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 6.6. Bakery chains 6.6.1. Market Revenue and Growth Rate, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 6.6.2. Market Revenue and Forecast, By Region, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 6.7. Others 6.7.1. Market Revenue and Growth Rate, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 6.7.2. Market Revenue and Forecast, By Region, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) CHAPTER 7. NORTH AMERICA FROZEN BAKERY MARKET BY COUNTRY 7.1. North America Frozen Bakery Market Revenue and Growth Rate, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 7.2. North America Frozen Bakery Market Revenue Share Comparison, 2015 & 2026 (%) 7.3. U.S. 7.3.1. U.S. Frozen Bakery Market Revenue and Forecast By Recipe, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 7.3.2. Market Revenue and Forecast By Product, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 7.3.3. Market Revenue and Forecast By End Users, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 7.4. Canada 7.4.1. Market Revenue and Forecast By Recipe, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 7.4.2. Market Revenue and Forecast By Product, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 7.4.3. Market Revenue and Forecast By End Users, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 7.5. Mexico 7.5.1. Market Revenue and Forecast By Recipe, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 7.5.2. Market Revenue and Forecast By Product, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 7.5.3. Market Revenue and Forecast By End Users, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) CHAPTER 8. EUROPE FROZEN BAKERY MARKET BY COUNTRY 8.1. Europe Frozen Bakery Market Revenue and Growth Rate, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 8.2. Europe Frozen Bakery Market Revenue Share Comparison, 2015 & 2026 (%) 8.3. UK 8.3.1. Market Revenue and Forecast By Recipe, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 8.3.2. Market Revenue and Forecast By Product, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 8.3.3. Market Revenue and Forecast By End Users, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 8.4. Germany 8.4.1. Market Revenue and Forecast By Recipe, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 8.4.2. Market Revenue and Forecast By Product, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 8.4.3. Market Revenue and Forecast By End Users, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 8.5. France 8.5.1. Market Revenue and Forecast By Recipe, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 8.5.2. Market Revenue and Forecast By Product, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 8.5.3. Market Revenue and Forecast By End Users, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 8.6. Spain 8.6.1. Market Revenue and Forecast By Recipe, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 8.6.2. Market Revenue and Forecast By Product, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 8.6.3. Market Revenue and Forecast By End Users, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 8.7. Rest of Europe 8.7.1. Market Revenue and Forecast By Recipe, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 8.7.2. Market Revenue and Forecast By Product, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 8.7.3. Market Revenue and Forecast By End Users, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) CHAPTER 9. ASIA-PACIFIC FROZEN BAKERY MARKET BY COUNTRY 9.1. Asia-Pacific Frozen Bakery Market Revenue and Growth Rate, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 9.2. Asia-Pacific Frozen Bakery Market Revenue Share Comparison, 2015 & 2026 (%) 9.3. China 9.3.1. Market Revenue and Forecast By Recipe, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 9.3.2. Market Revenue and Forecast By Product, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 9.3.3. Market Revenue and Forecast By End Users, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 9.4. Japan 9.4.1. Market Revenue and Forecast By Recipe, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 9.4.2. Market Revenue and Forecast By Product, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 9.4.3. Market Revenue and Forecast By End Users, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 9.5. India 9.5.1. Market Revenue and Forecast By Recipe, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 9.5.2. Market Revenue and Forecast By Product, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 9.5.3. Market Revenue and Forecast By End Users, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 9.6. Australia 9.6.1. Market Revenue and Forecast By Recipe, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 9.6.2. Market Revenue and Forecast By Product, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 9.6.3. Market Revenue and Forecast By End Users, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 9.7. South Korea 9.7.1. Market Revenue and Forecast By Recipe, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 9.7.2. Market Revenue and Forecast By Product, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 9.7.3. Market Revenue and Forecast By End Users, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 9.8. Rest of Asia-Pacific 9.8.1. Market Revenue and Forecast By Recipe, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 9.8.2. Market Revenue and Forecast By Product, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 9.8.3. Market Revenue and Forecast By End Users, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) CHAPTER 10. LATIN AMERICA FROZEN BAKERY MARKET BY COUNTRY 10.1. Latin America Frozen Bakery Market Revenue and Growth Rate, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 10.2. Latin America Frozen Bakery Market Revenue Share Comparison, 2015 & 2026 (%) 10.3. Brazil 10.3.1. Market Revenue and Forecast By Recipe, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 10.3.2. Market Revenue and Forecast By Product, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 10.3.3. Market Revenue and Forecast By End Users, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 10.4. Argentina 10.4.1. Market Revenue and Forecast By Recipe, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 10.4.2. Market Revenue and Forecast By Product, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 10.4.3. Market Revenue and Forecast By End Users, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 10.5. Rest of Latin America 10.5.1. Market Revenue and Forecast By Recipe, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 10.5.2. Market Revenue and Forecast By Product, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 10.5.3. Market Revenue and Forecast By End Users, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) CHAPTER 11. MIDDLE EAST FROZEN BAKERY MARKET BY COUNTRY 11.1. Middle East Frozen Bakery Market Revenue and Growth Rate, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 11.2. Middle East Frozen Bakery Market Revenue Share Comparison, 2015 & 2026 (%) 11.3. Saudi Arabia 11.3.1. Market Revenue and Forecast By Recipe, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 11.3.2. Market Revenue and Forecast By Product, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 11.3.3. Market Revenue and Forecast By End Users, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 11.4. UAE 11.4.1. Market Revenue and Forecast By Recipe, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 11.4.2. Market Revenue and Forecast By Product, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 11.4.3. Market Revenue and Forecast By End Users, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 11.5. Rest of Middle East 11.5.1. Market Revenue and Forecast By Recipe, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 11.5.2. Market Revenue and Forecast By Product, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 11.5.3. Market Revenue and Forecast By End Users, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) CHAPTER 12. AFRICA FROZEN BAKERY MARKET BY COUNTRY 12.1. Africa Frozen Bakery Market Revenue and Growth Rate, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 12.2. Africa Frozen Bakery Market Revenue Share Comparison, 2015 & 2026 (%) 12.3. South Africa 12.3.1. Market Revenue and Forecast By Recipe, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 12.3.2. Market Revenue and Forecast By Product, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 12.3.3. Market Revenue and Forecast By End Users, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 12.4. Egypt 12.4.1. Market Revenue and Forecast By Recipe, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 12.4.2. Market Revenue and Forecast By Product, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 12.4.3. Market Revenue and Forecast By End Users, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 12.5. Rest of Africa 12.5.1. Market Revenue and Forecast By Recipe, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 12.5.2. Market Revenue and Forecast By Product, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) 12.5.3. Market Revenue and Forecast By End Users, 2015 - 2026 ($Million) CHAPTER 13. COMPANY PROFILE 13.1. BredenMaster 13.1.1. Company Snapshot 13.1.2. Overview 13.1.3. Financial Overview 13.1.4. Type Portfolio 13.1.5. Key Developments 13.1.6. Strategies 13.2. Grupo Bimbo 13.2.1. Company Snapshot 13.2.2. Overview 13.2.3. Financial Overview 13.2.4. Type Portfolio 13.2.5. Key Developments 13.2.6. Strategies 13.3. Vandemoortele 13.3.1. Company Snapshot 13.3.2. Overview 13.3.3. Financial Overview 13.3.4. Type Portfolio 13.3.5. Key Developments 13.3.6. Strategies 13.4. Aryzta 13.4.1. Company Snapshot 13.4.2. Overview 13.4.3. Financial Overview 13.4.4. Type Portfolio 13.4.5. Key Developments 13.4.6. Strategies 13.5. Europastry 13.5.1. Company Snapshot 13.5.2. Overview 13.5.3. Financial Overview 13.5.4. Type Portfolio 13.5.5. Key Developments 13.5.6. Strategies 13.6. Rich Products Corporation 13.6.1. Company Snapshot 13.6.2. Overview 13.6.3. Financial Overview 13.6.4. Type Portfolio 13.6.5. Key Developments 13.6.6. Strategies 13.7. General Mills, Inc 13.7.1. Company Snapshot 13.7.2. Overview 13.7.3. Financial Overview 13.7.4. Type Portfolio 13.7.5. Key Developments 13.7.6. Strategies 13.8. Dawn Food Products 13.8.1. Company Snapshot 13.8.2. Overview 13.8.3. Financial Overview 13.8.4. Type Portfolio 13.8.5. Key Developments 13.8.6. Strategies 13.9. Others 13.9.1. Company Snapshot 13.9.2. Overview 13.9.3. Financial Overview 13.9.4. Type Portfolio 13.9.5. Key Developments 13.9.6. Strategies CHAPTER 14. RESEARCH APPROACH 14.1. Research Methodology 14.1.1. Initial Data Search 14.1.2. Secondary Research 14.1.3. Primary Research 14.2. Assumptions and Scope INQUIRY BEFORE BUYING@ https://www.acumenresearchandconsulting.com/inquiry-before-buying/1186 The report is readily available and can be dispatched immediately after payment confirmation. Buy this premium research report https://www.acumenresearchandconsulting.com/buy-now/0/1186 Would like to place an order or any question, please feel free to contact at sales@acumenresearchandconsulting.com | +1 407 915 4157 About Acumen Research and Consulting: Acumen Research and Consulting (ARC) is a global provider of market intelligence and consulting services to information technology, investment, telecommunication, manufacturing, and consumer technology markets. ARC helps investment communities, IT professionals, and business executives to make fact based decisions on technology purchases and develop firm growth strategies to sustain market competition. With the team size of 100+ Analysts and collective industry experience of more than 200 years, Acumen Research and Consulting assures to deliver a combination of industry knowledge along with global and country level expertise. Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/07/2019 -- Low migration inks are used in packaging, wherein undesirable migration of chemicals from inks to materials is considered harmful. Passage of inks from the printed side to the unprinted side of the package can occur due to physical or gaseous migration. Physical migration is defined as penetration of the ink through a substrate from the printed layer to the unprinted side of the package. Substrates include paper, plastic, and metal. Gaseous migration includes evaporation of volatile materials in the ink by heating, especially in case of food products, in their original packaging. Low migration inks should not have chemicals that affect appearance, taste, odor, or safety of the product present inside the packaging. Low migration inks are used in various applications such as food & beverages, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. The food & beverages application segment accounts for major share of the global low migration inks market. Rise in awareness about issues surrounding migration of inks in packaged food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical product is driving the demand for these inks. Low migration ink is a part of the graphics and packaging ink market. SVHC (Substance of Very High Concern), CMR (Carcinogen, Mutagen or Reproductive Toxin), heavy metals, and toxic or very toxic substances should not be present in low migration inks. Different processes are used to apply low migration inks such as flexography and gravure process. Read Report Overview @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/low-migration-inks-market.html Regulations on printing inks have been in place in order to protect consumers from possible health risks involving contamination due to printed food materials and other substances. Authorities in developed regions such as Europe and North America have implemented regulations to monitor food packaging. In these regions, printing inks on the packages of food and beverages is one of the critical terms. Food safety standards are followed across the globe. Europe follows EuPIA Guideline on Printing Inks to the non-food contact surface of food packaging materials and articles. Regulations not only control the inks used for printing, but also the substrate suitable for printing process. Low migration inks are expensive; hence, the high cost is a constraint in the global market. However, printers for food & beverage, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industry in North America and Europe use low migration inks owing to the stringent regulations in these regions. However, conventional inks are preferred by local players in other regions of world. Europe dominates the global low migration inks market in terms of revenue. Demand for these inks in Europe is expected to rise at a fast-paced CAGR during the forecast period. Printers in Europe not only have to adhere to European Union laws of printing on food materials, but also specific regional laws laid by countries such as Switzerland. Switzerland has a law named Ordinance of the FDHA on Materials and Articles which notes that all raw materials for inks in food packaging have to be listed and comply with specific migration limits (SMLs). Increase in end-use industry applications such as food & beverages, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals coupled with implementation of strict regulations is driving the demand for low migration inks in Europe. Request Report Brochure @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=35291 Key players operating in the global low migration inks market include INX International Ink Co., Sun Chemical, TOYO INK GROUP, ALTANA AG, Zeller+Gmelin UK Ltd, Agfa-Gevaert Group, Epson America, Hubergroup, Encres DUBUIT, Janecke+Schneemann Druckfarben GmbH, Kao Collins, Marabu Printing Inks, Siegwerk, SPGPrints, T&K Toka, and Wikoff Color Corporation. The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications. London, UK -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/09/2019 -- The "Global Luxury Pens Market" is an in depth study analyzing the current state and forecast 2018-2025. It provides brief overview of the market focusing on definitions, market segmentation, end-use applications and industry chain analysis. The study on Global Luxury Pens Market provides analysis of market covering the industry trends, recent developments in the market and competitive landscape. Competitive analysis includes competitive information of leading players in market, their company profiles, product portfolio, capacity, production, and company financials. In addition, report also provides upstream raw material analysis and downstream demand analysis along with the key development trends and sales channel analysis. Research study on Global Luxury Pens Market discusses the opportunity areas for investors. The report provides key statistics on the state of the industry and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the market. Download Sample Copy Of This Report From Here:http://www.amecoresearch.com/sample/11006 High-end luxury pens are available as standard pens, special edition, and limited editions, with fountain pens being the most popular variants. Asia Pacific is the fastest growing region in the global luxury pens market. Countries such as India and China are the upcoming countries where demand for such luxury items are at peak because of the increase in disposable income of people. Even, North America is a flourishing luxury pens market due to the improving brand awareness of luxury pens amongst people. View Detail Report With Complete Table of Content@ http://www.amecoresearch.com/market-report/global-luxury-pens-market-11006 This report focuses on Luxury Pens volume and value at global level, regional level and company level. From a global perspective, this report represents overall Luxury Pens market size by analyzing historical data and future prospect. Regionally, this report focuses on several key regions: North America, Europe, China and Japan. At company level, this report focuses on the production capacity, ex-factory price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer covered in this report. The following manufacturers are covered: Sanford Paradise Pen Montblanc International Lamy Grayson Tighe Parker Pen A.T.Cross ... Segment by Regions North America Europe China Japan Segment by Type Precious Gold Metals Precious Resin Rubber Stainless Steel Sterling Silver Porcelain/Ceramic Carbon Other Segment by Application Calligraphy Screen Writing Document Marking Other Available customization: With the given market information, Ameco research offers customization's in line with the company's specific wishes. The following customization choices unit of measurement accessible for the report: Regional and country-level analysis of the Global Luxury Pens Market, by end-use. Detailed analysis and profiles of additional market players. Table of Contents Global Luxury Pens Market - Industry Size, Share, Trends and Forecast 2018 - 2025 1 Luxury Pens Market Overview 1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Luxury Pens 1.2 Luxury Pens Segment by Type 1.2.1 Global Luxury Pens Production Growth Rate Comparison by Type (2014-2025) 1.2.2 Precious Gold Metals 1.2.3 Precious Resin 1.2.4 Rubber 1.2.5 Stainless Steel 1.2.6 Sterling Silver 1.2.7 Porcelain/Ceramic 1.2.8 Carbon 1.2.9 Other 1.3 Luxury Pens Segment by Application 1.3.1 Luxury Pens Consumption Comparison by Application (2014-2025) 1.3.2 Calligraphy 1.3.3 Screen Writing 1.3.4 Document Marking 1.3.5 Other 1.4 Global Luxury Pens Market by Region 1.4.1 Global Luxury Pens Market Size Region 1.4.2 North America Status and Prospect (2014-2025) 1.4.3 Europe Status and Prospect (2014-2025) 1.4.4 China Status and Prospect (2014-2025) 1.4.5 Japan Status and Prospect (2014-2025) 1.5 Global Luxury Pens Market Size 1.5.1 Global Luxury Pens Revenue (2014-2025) 1.5.2 Global Luxury Pens Production (2014-2025) 2 Global Luxury Pens Market Competition by Manufacturers 2.1 Global Luxury Pens Production Market Share by Manufacturers (2014-2019) 2.2 Global Luxury Pens Revenue Share by Manufacturers (2014-2019) 2.3 Global Luxury Pens Average Price by Manufacturers (2014-2019) 2.4 Manufacturers Luxury Pens Production Sites, Area Served, Product Types 2.5 Luxury Pens Market Competitive Situation and Trends 2.5.1 Luxury Pens Market Concentration Rate 2.5.2 Luxury Pens Market Share of Top 3 and Top 5 Manufacturers 2.5.3 Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion 3 Global Luxury Pens Production Market Share by Regions 3.1 Global Luxury Pens Production Market Share by Regions 3.2 Global Luxury Pens Revenue Market Share by Regions (2014-2019) 3.3 Global Luxury Pens Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2014-2019) 3.4 North America Luxury Pens Production 3.4.1 North America Luxury Pens Production Growth Rate (2014-2019) 3.4.2 North America Luxury Pens Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2014-2019) 3.5 Europe Luxury Pens Production 3.5.1 Europe Luxury Pens Production Growth Rate (2014-2019) 3.5.2 Europe Luxury Pens Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2014-2019) 3.6 China Luxury Pens Production (2014-2019) 3.6.1 China Luxury Pens Production Growth Rate (2014-2019) 3.6.2 China Luxury Pens Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2014-2019) 3.7 Japan Luxury Pens Production (2014-2019) 3.7.1 Japan Luxury Pens Production Growth Rate (2014-2019) 3.7.2 Japan Luxury Pens Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2014-2019) 4 Global Luxury Pens Consumption by Regions 4.1 Global Luxury Pens Consumption by Regions 4.2 North America Luxury Pens Consumption (2014-2019) 4.3 Europe Luxury Pens Consumption (2014-2019) 4.4 China Luxury Pens Consumption (2014-2019) 4.5 Japan Luxury Pens Consumption (2014-2019) 5 Global Luxury Pens Production, Revenue, Price Trend by Type 5.1 Global Luxury Pens Production Market Share by Type (2014-2019) 5.2 Global Luxury Pens Revenue Market Share by Type (2014-2019) 5.3 Global Luxury Pens Price by Type (2014-2019) 5.4 Global Luxury Pens Production Growth by Type (2014-2019) 6 Global Luxury Pens Market Analysis by Applications 6.1 Global Luxury Pens Consumption Market Share by Application (2014-2019) 6.2 Global Luxury Pens Consumption Growth Rate by Application (2014-2019) 7 Company Profiles and Key Figures in Luxury Pens Business 7.1 Sanford 7.1.1 Sanford Luxury Pens Production Sites and Area Served 7.1.2 Luxury Pens Product Introduction, Application and Specification 7.1.3 Sanford Luxury Pens Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2014-2019) 7.1.4 Main Business and Markets Served 7.2 Paradise Pen 7.2.1 Paradise Pen Luxury Pens Production Sites and Area Served 7.2.2 Luxury Pens Product Introduction, Application and Specification 7.2.3 Paradise Pen Luxury Pens Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2014-2019) 7.2.4 Main Business and Markets Served 7.3 Montblanc International 7.3.1 Montblanc International Luxury Pens Production Sites and Area Served 7.3.2 Luxury Pens Product Introduction, Application and Specification 7.3.3 Montblanc International Luxury Pens Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2014-2019) 7.3.4 Main Business and Markets Served 7.4 Lamy 7.4.1 Lamy Luxury Pens Production Sites and Area Served 7.4.2 Luxury Pens Product Introduction, Application and Specification 7.4.3 Lamy Luxury Pens Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2014-2019) 7.4.4 Main Business and Markets Served 7.5 Grayson Tighe 7.5.1 Grayson Tighe Luxury Pens Production Sites and Area Served 7.5.2 Luxury Pens Product Introduction, Application and Specification 7.5.3 Grayson Tighe Luxury Pens Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2014-2019) 7.5.4 Main Business and Markets Served 7.6 Parker Pen 7.6.1 Parker Pen Luxury Pens Production Sites and Area Served 7.6.2 Luxury Pens Product Introduction, Application and Specification 7.6.3 Parker Pen Luxury Pens Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2014-2019) 7.6.4 Main Business and Markets Served 7.7 A.T.Cross 7.7.1 A.T.Cross Luxury Pens Production Sites and Area Served 7.7.2 Luxury Pens Product Introduction, Application and Specification 7.7.3 A.T.Cross Luxury Pens Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2014-2019) 7.7.4 Main Business and Markets Served 8 Luxury Pens Manufacturing Cost Analysis 8.1 Luxury Pens Key Raw Materials Analysis 8.1.1 Key Raw Materials 8.1.2 Price Trend of Key Raw Materials 8.1.3 Key Suppliers of Raw Materials 8.2 Proportion of Manufacturing Cost Structure 8.3 Manufacturing Process Analysis of Luxury Pens 8.4 Luxury Pens Industrial Chain Analysis 9 Marketing Channel, Distributors and Customers 9.1 Marketing Channel 9.1.1 Direct Marketing 9.1.2 Indirect Marketing 9.2 Luxury Pens Distributors List 9.3 Luxury Pens Customers 10 Market Dynamics 10.1 Market Trends 10.2 Opportunities 10.3 Market Drivers 10.4 Challenges 10.5 Influence Factors 11 Global Luxury Pens Market Forecast 11.1 Global Luxury Pens Production, Revenue Forecast 11.1.1 Global Luxury Pens Production Growth Rate Forecast (2019-2025) 11.1.2 Global Luxury Pens Revenue and Growth Rate Forecast (2019-2025) 11.1.3 Global Luxury Pens Price and Trend Forecast (2019-2025) 11.2 Global Luxury Pens Production Forecast by Regions (2019-2025) 11.2.1 North America Luxury Pens Production, Revenue Forecast (2019-2025) 11.2.2 Europe Luxury Pens Production, Revenue Forecast (2019-2025) 11.2.3 China Luxury Pens Production, Revenue Forecast (2019-2025) 11.2.4 Japan Luxury Pens Production, Revenue Forecast (2019-2025) 11.3 Global Luxury Pens Consumption Forecast by Regions (2019-2025) 11.3.1 North America Luxury Pens Consumption Forecast (2019-2025) 11.3.2 Europe Luxury Pens Consumption Forecast (2019-2025) 11.3.3 China Luxury Pens Consumption Forecast (2019-2025) 11.3.4 Japan Luxury Pens Consumption Forecast (2019-2025) 11.4 Global Luxury Pens Production, Revenue and Price Forecast by Type (2019-2025) 11.5 Global Luxury Pens Consumption Forecast by Application (2019-2025) 12 Research Findings and Conclusion 13 Methodology and Data Source 13.1 Methodology/Research Approach 13.1.1 Research Programs/Design 13.1.2 Market Size Estimation 13.1.3 Market Breakdown and Data Triangulation 13.2 Data Source 13.2.1 Secondary Sources 13.2.2 Primary Sources 13.3 Author List 13.4 Disclaimer Quick Buy This Premium Report From Here: http://www.amecoresearch.com/buy/11006 About Ameco Research Ameco Research is the one spot destination for all your research needs. Ameco Research holds the repository of quality research reports from numerous publishers across the globe. Our inventory of research reports caters to various industry verticals including Healthcare, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Technology and Media, Chemicals, Materials, Energy, Heavy Industry, etc. With the complete information about the publishers and the industries they cater to for developing market research reports, we help our clients in making purchase decision by understanding their requirements and suggesting best possible collection matching their needs. Contact: Email: sales@amecoresearch.com | + 1 407 915 4157 Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/09/2019 -- Composite is also known as composition material or composite material. Composite material is made of two or more materials that have different chemical or physical properties, which form a new material that has different characteristics than the combined materials. The new material are produced may have many reasons such as materials which are stronger, less expensive or lighter, when it is compared to traditional materials. Composite materials have various applications in the aerospace, automotive, construction, consumer goods, defense, marine, medical, oil & gas, rail, and renewable industries. A composite material can be used for many purposes such as construction of buildings and bridges, and for structures such as boat hulls, race car bodies, bathtubs, swimming pool panels, shower stalls, storage tanks, cultured marble sinks, and imitation granite. Examples of composite material are concrete, ceramic composites, metal composites, and reinforced plastics. Composite materials have wide range of medical uses such as in surgeries, implants, artificial limbs, instrument materials, and diagnostics. Report Overview @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/medical-composites-market.html The global medical composites market has been segmented based on product type, application, end-user, and region. In terms of product type, the market has been categorized into carbon fiber composites, ceramic matrix composites, and other composites. Carbon fiber composites have wide usage and hold the largest share of the market. Based on application, the medical composites market has been segmented into diagnostic imaging, composite body implants, surgical instruments, dental, microsphere, tissue engineering, and others. Moreover, there are various other applications of medical composites which depend on the need and requirement of the material for designing and manufacturing. Medical composites are primarily used in diagnostic imaging systems. These are highly used for patient imaging tables and for accessories used in X-ray, PET, CT, and MRI imaging system. Medical composites used in diagnostic instruments lower the weight of an instrument, which in turn offers better positioning for patients and generation of clearer images. End-users of medical composites are medical device companies, pharmaceutical companies, diagnostic imaging centers, research centers, and others. Request Brochure @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=19214 Geographically, the medical composites market has been classified into five regions: North America (U.S. and Canada), Europe (Germany, France, U.K., etc.), Asia Pacific (China, Japan, Australia, India, etc.), Latin America (Brazil and Mexico), and Middle East & Africa (UAE, Saudi Arabia and South Africa). Europe was the largest market for medical composites in terms of revenue owing to high demand in diagnostic imaging components, prosthetic applications, and composite implants. Europe was followed by North America and is expected to register higher growth. Emerging markets such as Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa are expected to record robust growth during the forecast period from 2016 to 2024 due to the growing health care industry and aging population. China, Brazil, and India are expected to witness strong growth due to increasing investments by government bodies to enhance health care facilities. Technological advancement and increase in the usage of composite materials in various medical application such as implants, diagnostics, medical equipment and accessories are the other factors likely to boost the growth of the medical composites market. The market is also witnessing certain restraints such as intense competition among existing medical composites manufacturers and frequent changes in consumer preferences. Request for TOC @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=T&rep_id=19214 Major players operating in this market include 3M, DSM, Polygon Company, PolyOne Corporation, Quatro Composites, Toray Industries, Inc., Composiflex, Inc., ACP Composites, Inc., Vermont Composites, Inc., and Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd. The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications. About Transparency Market Research Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMR's experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge. Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMR's syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement. Contact 90 State Street, Suite 700 Albany, NY 12207 Tel: +1-518-618-1030 USA Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453 Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.com Website: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/09/2019 -- Myotonic muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic disorder characterized by muscle degeneration and weakness. It is a common form of muscular dystrophy that generally begins in adulthood. Myotonic dystrophy can be categorized into myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) and myotonic dystrophy type 2 (DM2). Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is result of an abnormal DNA expansion in the DMPK gene on chromosome 19. Myotonic dystrophy type 2 (DM2) is caused by an abnormal expansion of DNA in the ZNF9 gene on chromosome 3. Myotonic dystrophy (DM) 1 is sub divided into congenital-onset DM1, juvenile-onset DM1, and adult-onset DM1. Common symptoms of myotonic dystrophy include stiffness and tightness of muscles, progressive muscle wasting, and muscle weakness in lower legs, neck, hands, and face. View Report: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/myotonic-muscular-dystrophy-market.html Abnormalities in parts of brain, cataracts, heart difficulties, insulin resistance, and limb and hand muscle weakness are also symptoms of myotonic dystrophy. Cognitive disabilities in congenital myotonic dystrophy, outgrowing congenital myotonic dystrophy, speech, hearing, and vision difficulties, and weak muscles are the common symptoms of congenital myotonic dystrophy1. Neuromuscular health care professionals diagnosed myotonic dystrophy with the help of sign and symptoms of people. Doctors also used electromyogram or EMG for electrical testing of muscles and nerves. DNA test is recommended by the health care specialists to confirm suspects of DM1 or DM2. Increase in research and development, introduction of novel disease therapies, rise in demand for effective therapies among patients, and upsurge in prevalence of the disease are projected to fuel the growth of the global myotonic dystrophy market during the forecast period. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2016, prevalence of myotonic muscular dystrophy was 1 in every 8000 people. Rise in prevalence of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular, neurovascular, and arthritis and increase in health care insurance coverage are the other factors estimated to accelerate the growth of the global myotonic muscular dystrophy market during the forecast period. According to the World Health Organization, cardiovascular diseases accounted for 17.7 million deaths in 2015, representing 31% of the global deaths. Request a Brochure of the Report @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=39179 The global myotonic muscular dystrophy market can be segmented based on medical treatment, end-user, and region. In terms of medical treatment, the myotonic muscular dystrophy market can be categorized into medications, rehabilitative therapies, devices, and surgeries. Based on end-user, the myotonic muscular dystrophy market can be classified into hospitals, specialty clinics, and ambulatory surgery centers. In term of revenue, the hospitals segment dominate the myotonic muscular dystrophy market in 2016. Geographically, the global myotonic muscular dystrophy market can be divided into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. North America is the leading market for myotonic muscular dystrophy globally. In terms of revenue, the U.S. accounts for a major share of the myotonic muscular dystrophy market in North America. The myotonic muscular dystrophy market in Europe is expanding rapidly due to high prevalence of the disease in the region. The myotonic muscular dystrophy market in Asia Pacific and Latin America is projected to expand significantly in the near future. Developing economies such as China and India are anticipated to contribute to the growth of the myotonic muscular dystrophy market in Asia Pacific between 2017 and 2025 due to developed health care infrastructure, economic growth, increase in the number of insurance payers, growth of the private health care sector, and rise in disease awareness among the people in the region. Brazil and Mexico dominate the myotonic muscular dystrophy market in Latin America in terms of treatment of the disease. In Middle East & Africa, South Africa, Turkey, and other developing countries contribute to the growth of the myotonic muscular dystrophy market in the region. Request TOC @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=T&rep_id=39179 Key players operating in the myotonic muscular dystrophy market are Pfizer, Inc., Eli Lilly and Company, Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc., Wockhardt Ltd., Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Novartis AG, BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Inc., Asklepios Kliniken GmbH, Hoveround Corporation, and Siemens Healthcare. About Transparency Market Research Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMR's experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge. Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector - such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMR's syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement. Contact Us Transparency Market Research 90 State Street, Suite 700 Albany, NY 12207 Tel: +1-518-618-1030 USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453 Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.com Website: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Los Angeles, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/09/2019 -- The global Off Dry White Wine market has been garnering remarkable momentum in the recent years. The steadily escalating demand due to improving purchasing power is projected to bode well for the global market. QY Research's latest publication, offers an insightful take on the drivers and restraints present in the market. It assesses the historical data pertaining to the global Off Dry White Winemarket and compares it to the current market trends to give the readers a detailed analysis of the trajectory of the market. A team subject-matter experts have provided the readers a qualitative and quantitative data about the market and the various elements associated with it. The research report is broken down into chapters, which are introduced by the executive summary. It's the introductory part of the chapter, which includes details about global market figures, both historical and estimates. The executive summary also provides a brief about the segments and the reasons for the progress or decline during the forecast period. The insightful research report on the global Off Dry White Winemarket includes Porter's five forces analysis and SWOT analysis to understand the factors impacting consumer and supplier behavior. Request a Sample of this report at: https://www.qyresearch.com/sample-form/form/984748/global-Off Dry White Wine-market The following Companies as the Key Players in the Global Off Dry White WineMarket Research Report: E&J Gallo Winery,Constellation,Castel,The Wine Group ...... Regions Covered in the Global Off Dry White Wine Market: ?The Middle East and Africa (GCC Countries and Egypt) ?North America (the United States, Mexico, and Canada) ?South America (Brazil etc.) ?Europe (Turkey, Germany, Russia UK, Italy, France, etc.) ?Asia-Pacific (Vietnam, China, Malaysia, Japan, Philippines, Korea, Thailand, India, Indonesia, and Australia) The scope of the Report: The report segments the globalOff Dry White Winemarket on the basis of application, type, service, technology, and region. Each chapter under this segmentation allows readers to grasp the nitty-gritties of the market. A magnified look at the segment-based analysis is aimed at giving the readers a closer look at the opportunities and threats in the market. It also address political scenarios that are expected to impact the market in both small and big ways. The report on the global Off Dry White Winemarket examines changing regulatory scenario to make accurate projections about potential investments. It also evaluates the risk for new entrants and the intensity of the competitive rivalry. Ask our Expert if You Have a Query at: enquiry@qyresearch.com Strategic Points Covered in TOC: Chapter 1: Introduction, market driving force product scope, market risk, market overview, and market opportunities of the global Off Dry White Winemarket Chapter 2: Evaluating the leading manufacturers of the global Off Dry White Winemarket which consists of its revenue, sales, and price of the products Chapter 3: Displaying the competitive nature among key manufacturers, with market share, revenue, and sales Chapter 4: Presenting global Off Dry White Winemarket by regions, market share and with revenue and sales for the projected period Chapter 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9: To evaluate the market by segments, by countries and by manufacturers with revenue share and sales by key countries in these various regions Contact US QY Research, INC. USA: +1 6262 952 442 China: +86 1082 945 717 Japan: +81 9038 009 273 India: +91 9766 478 224 Emails enquiry@qyresearch.com Harrisburg, NC -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/08/2019 -- Global Situation Awareness System (SAS) Market Size, Status and Forecast 2019-2025 Situation awareness systems (SAS) are security systems that help in collecting, visualizing, analyzing, and information related to the surrounding and remote environment to facilitate surveillance as well as security. These systems also help in threat identification, assessment, strategy planning, risk analysis, course-of-action development, finding maximum application in the military and aerospace industries. Increasing demand for situation awareness for effective security & surveillance across different sectors, and growing government investments in the defense sector aimed at improving military intelligence assessment to combat the increasing threat of terrorism have fostered the growth of the situation awareness system market globally. Increasing applications of SAS in military and defense, industrial, and cyber security technology is one of the key factors that is charging the market growth. Currently, the importance of the public safety and security market is increasing due to the growing terrorism and high incidence of natural disasters especially in Asia-Pacific so SAS market is expected to grow notably in next few years. Moreover, due to the recent development of this technology and less awareness about the benefits of SAS among the user are currently hampering the growth of SAS market. The Global Situation Awareness System (SAS) market is expected to garner $32.6 billion by 2022, registering a CAGR of 8.2% during the forecast period 2016-2022. Avail a sample 92 Pages copy before purchase: https://www.marketinsightsreports.com/reports/12261037321/global-situation-awareness-system-sas-market-size-status-and-forecast-2019-2025/inquiry?source=releasewire&Mode=49 Top Leading Companies are: Honeywell International,Rockwell Collins,BAE Systems,Microsoft Corporation,Denso Corporation,D3 Security Management Systems,Lockheed Martin Corporation,Harris Corporation,CNL Software,L-3 Communications Holdings The high demand for security and surveillance systems for timely detection of problems has been a major driver that has positively impacted this market globally. Use of situational awareness systems is increasing as a result of growing concern about improvement in security and public safety. Moreover, the command and control systems helps in monitoring threat identification along with assessment of risks that has further acted as another major driver for the market. Along with this, use of SAS also helps in strategic planning further leading to the development of future course of action. The rise in organized crime and terrorism has led to more focus being given to the need for security systems globally further having a positive impact on this market. Contents of the 15 Chapters for This Situation Awareness System (SAS) Market Study:- Chapter 1, to describe Situation Awareness System (SAS) Introduction, product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force; Chapter 2, to analyze the top manufacturers of Situation Awareness System (SAS) , with sales, revenue, and price of Situation Awareness System (SAS) , in 2017 and 2019; Chapter 3, to display the competitive situation among the top manufacturers, with sales, revenue and market share in 2017 and 2019; Chapter 4, to show the global market by regions, with sales, revenue and market share of Situation Awareness System (SAS), for each region, from 2013 to 2019; Chapter 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, to analyze the key regions, with sales, revenue and market share by key countries in these regions; Chapter 10 and 11, to show the market by type and application, with sales market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2013 to 2019; Chapter 12, Situation Awareness System (SAS) market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2019 to 2025; Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Situation Awareness System (SAS) sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data source. Avail Discount on this report at: https://www.marketinsightsreports.com/reports/12261037321/global-situation-awareness-system-sas-market-size-status-and-forecast-2019-2025/discount?source=releasewire&Mode=49 Situation Awareness System (SAS) Market, by Type: Command and Control System Fire and Flood Alarm System Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Systems Physical Security Information Management (PSIM) Others Situation Awareness System (SAS) Market, by End User: Military and Defense Healthcare Aerospace Marine Security Others The global situation awareness system (SAS) market is segmented on the basis of product type, component, vertical, and geography. Based on product types, the market is segmented in command & control systems, fire & flood alarm systems, radio frequency identification (RFID), radar, chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) systems, sonar, physical security information management (PSIM)/access control (including HMI) and others. The global SAS market by the component is bifurcated into network video recorders (NVR), sensors, a global positioning system (GPS), displays, and others. Geographically, it is North America that forms one of the major regions contributing to the overall growth of this market followed by Europe. Growing demand for advanced security and surveillance systems, smart devices along with rise of cyber threats has been some major drivers that has pushed the demand for situational awareness system in this region. Other than these regions, Asia Pacific forms another major region contributing to the overall growth along with being one of the fastest growing regions globally. China and Japan form some of the leading countries contributing to the growth in Asia Pacific region. Rise in demand for internet based services along with growing adoption of smart appliances has been some major factors that has contributed to the growth of this market. The report will make detailed analysis mainly on the development environment, Market size, development trends, operation situation and future development trends of Situation Awareness System (SAS) Market on the basis of current situation of the industry in 2019 so as to make full comprehension and judgment on the competitive situation of Situation Awareness System (SAS) Market Carrier and assist manufacturers and investment organization to better grasp the development course of Situation Awareness System (SAS) Market. Browse full report along with TOC and List of Figures at: https://www.marketinsightsreports.com/reports/12261037321/global-situation-awareness-system-sas-market-size-status-and-forecast-2019-2025?source=releasewire&Mode=49 Important attributes of the report: The 360-degree Situation Awareness System (SAS) overview based on a global and regional level. Market share, value, volume, and production capacity is analyzed on global, regional and country level. A complete and useful guide for new market aspirants. Forecast information will drive strategic, innovative and profitable business plans. SWOT analysis of players will pave the way for growth opportunities, risk analysis, investment feasibility and recommendations. Lastly, the research methodology and data sources are offered in this report. Contact Us: Irfan Tamboli(Head of Sales) Phone: + 1704 266 3234 Mob: +91-750-707-8687 sales@marketinsightsreports.com irfan@marketinsightsreports.com Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/09/2019 -- The technetium-99m market in the Middle East and Africa is expected to witness moderate growth during the forecast period from 2016 to 2026. The high installed base of gamma cameras in various countries in the Middle East, better product availability in hospitals, and a gradual rise in awareness about cancer in the region are the key factors contributing toward the growth of the technetium-99m market in the MEA. Multinational companies such as General Electric Company, Siemens Healthineers, and Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd. operate in several countries in the region, focusing on addressing unmet medical needs through novel techniques. Report Overview: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/technetium-99m-market.html Global companies are increasingly focusing on growing market economies (GME) and Latin America and the Middle East and Africa appear to be bright spots in the overall technetium-99m market. Key features in these regions include a largely underserved population, especially in central Africa and the Middle East, and the advent of favorable policies toward the growth of radio-diagnosis and radiotherapy. Moreover, the changing disease profile in the Middle East has led to an increased focus on cancer studies. In terms of isotopic application, the technetium-99m market has been divided into SPECT and gamma camera. Gamma camera is expected to be the most attractive isotopic application segment in terms of incremental opportunity. However, the segment is projected to lose market share by 2024, to account for 54.5% by the end of the forecast period. The hospitals end-user segment accounted for the major share in the MEA technetium-99m market in 2015. Hospitals are the most preferred settings for medical imaging in countries in the Middle East due to the availability of a large number of facilities as compared to other segments such as diagnostic centers. However, the hospitals end-user segment is expected to lose a significant market share to the diagnostic centers segment during the forecast period. Obtain the Sample: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=14858 On the basis of geography, Turkey accounted for a 20.5% share in the MEA technetium-99m market in 2015. Turkey is expected to retain its dominance throughout the course of the forecast period owing to the presence of a large population pool affected by cancer. These patients have been availing several diagnostic solutions and this is expected to drive the technetium-99m market in the country. Egypt is also a key market for technetium-99m in the Middle East and Africa. The growth of the market in the country can be attributed to the presence of world-class healthcare facilities, research organizations, and government institutes focused on making quality diagnosis available for every individual suffering from cancer and tumors. Egypt also has a large population base, which serves as a key factor driving the technetium-99m market. Developing countries such as Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, and Iran represent a significant underserved market. Request for Brochure: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=14858 General Electric Company, Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd., Siemens Healthineers, Advanced Cyclotron Systems, Inc., and IBA are some of the key players operating in the MEA technetium-99m market. About Transparency Market Research Transparency Market Research is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. Our experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports. Press Release March 9, 2019 ANGARA: WE MUST CREATE JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR SENIOR CITIZENS Aside from bigger and wider coverage of social pension, the country's elderly population must be given employment opportunities to be productive even in their old age and keep them away from poverty, according to reelectionist Senator Sonny Angara. Angara, a champion of the rights and welfare of senior citizens in the Senate, said many elderly people belonging to the age group 60 to 70 are still physically capable and are prepared to work and earn a living. "Senior citizens who have the capacity and desire to work or be re-employed can have a shot at getting jobs again so they can live a life of dignity and empowerment," Angara said. "Dapat ka-partner natin ang gobyerno sa paghahanap ng trabaho para sa mga seniors sa pribado man o pampublikong sektor." According to the senator who is running under the platform "Alagang Angara," one of the major problems confronting the senior citizens is the lack of financial security since most of them have no more means to earn and largely depend on their meager savings or their children for sustenance. Based on the 2018 estimates of the Commission on Population and Development, there are 8.7 million Filipinos over 60 years old, representing 8.2 percent of the country's total population of 107 million. The United Nations Population Fund projected in 2012 that by 2050, the population of senior citizens in the Philippines will grow by 15 percent to 23.63 million. Data from the Coalition of Services of the Elderly (COSE)--an umbrella organization of 450 groups caring for senior citizens which recently endorsed Angara's reelection bid--only 33 percent or 2.9 million of the elderly population are covered by contributory pension, such as the Social Security System, the Government Social Insurance System, and other pension systems. Of the 5.8 million senior citizens with no contributory pension, only 3.4 million are currently covered by the Social Pension Program for Indigent Senior Citizens of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. This leaves 2.4 million elders with no pension at all. It is for this reason why Angara is vigorously pushing for the passage of a bill that seeks to widen the coverage of the social pension program to include all poor senior citizens and double their pension to P1,000 from the current P500. However, Angara said, it would help if capable senior citizens are still allowed to work because most of the time their pensions and retirement savings are not enough to take care of their needs. He therefore appealed to local government units (LGUs) and the private sector to employ more members of the elderly population and make use of their skills and experience even for part-time or casual work. "We are known as a caring society especially when it comes to our elderly. I appeal to the compassion of the private sector as well as our LGUs to provide work to our senior citizens," said Angara, one of the authors of Republic Act 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, which provides additional privileges and benefits to senior citizens, including VAT exemption. Section 5 of RA 9257 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2003 mandates the government to provide employment assistance to senior citizens, who have the capacity and desire to work or be re-employed, in the form of information and matching services. Under the law, private entities that will employ senior citizens as employees are entitled to an additional deduction from their gross income, equivalent to 15 percent of the total amount paid as salaries and wages to senior citizens, subject to the provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code. Such employment, however, shall continue for a period of six months and that the annual income of a senior citizen does not exceed the poverty level as determined by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) for that year. Angara inherited his advocacy for the elderly from his father, the late Senate President Edgardo Angara, who is responsible for the Senior Citizens Act of 1992, also known as the Angara Law. Aside from the expanded social pension bill, Angara also filed a measure that would put an end to any form of senior citizen abuse--whether physical, psychological, or even economical--by providing stiffer penalties and strengthening institutional support for elderly victims of abuse. Sen. Bam: Ensure fast implementation of subsidy for farmers affected by rice tariffication law Sen. Bam Aquino urged the government to ensure the immediate implementation of subsidy to rice farmer as he expressed concern about the effects of the rice tariffication law on the livelihood of tillers and their families. "Mahalaga na ang ating mga magsasaka, mayroong safety net para sa kanila dahil maraming lugar ang mahihirapan sa pagpasok ng imported na bigas," Sen. Bam said during a meeting with farmers in Urdaneta City, Pangasinan yesterday. "Ang challenge natin, ngayong na papasok na iyan in the next few months, kailangan ang programa para sa ating rice farmers ay naka-ready na," the senator added. The law includes a subsidy for farmers in the form of a Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund to support mechanization, credit assistance, seed development and for extension services for farmers. Sen. Bam believes the Department of Agriculture (DA) should immediately deliver the subsidy under the law so that the livelihood of rice farmers will not be affected by the expected deluge of imported rice in the market. "In the short term, baka kailangan talaga ng subsidiya para hindi sila magutom at hindi mawalan ng hanapbuhay," said Sen. Bam. In the long term, Sen. Bam said the government should help rice farmers transition to other alternative crops that will help them compete in the market. While the law paves way for steady supply of affordable rice in the market, Sen. Bam said the government should balance the situation by also ensuring the livelihood of Filipino farmers and strengthening the country's food security. "Importante na mababa ang presyo ng bigas sa merkado ngunit mahalaga rin na may sapat na produksiyon ng bigas sa ating bansa upang food secure tayo," Sen. Bam explained. Press Release March 9, 2019 De Lima slams Duterte's cheap stunts vs Otso Diretso Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has criticized Mr. Duterte for pulling off his cheap stunts against the senatorial slate of opposition coalition "Otso Diretso" and using his deceptive tricks to endorse his favored candidates. De Lima, the staunchest critic of the administration's crooked policies, lamented that Duterte's unrealistic promises during his campaign in the last 2016 elections are the same promises being made by his endorsed senatorial candidates. "Duterte has the gall to tell Otso Diretso to go straight to hell. Well, the country is in hell right now, courtesy of Duterte's unfulfilled promises made during his hot-air campaign for the presidency and his unstable behaviour," she said in her recent Dispatch from Crame No. 479. "He is using the same tricks now with his candidates, hoping to fool Filipino voters twice in a row. [L]ike empty shells when broken, they have nothing to show on how to fulfill these promises. This is the simple reason why Duterte's candidates will never engage the Otso Diretso in any debate," she added. De Lima was reacting from Duterte's recent rants against Otso Diretso, describing them as "worthless" group of individuals heading straight to hell. He claimed his favored candidates, such as Christopher "Bong" Go and Francis Tolentino, are better than them. Otso Diretso's slate includes Rep. Gary Alejano, Sen. Bam Aquino, human rights lawyer Chel Diokno, civic leader Sam Gutoc, former solicitor general Florin Hilbay, election lawyer Romy Macalintal, former senator Mar Roxas, and ex-Rep. Erin Tanada. De Lima, a former election lawyer, maintained that the sure-fire way to prove or disprove Duterte's empty boast is through a live and televised debate between the opposition and administration bets. "The only problem is, Duterte's favored bets are content with hiding under Duterte's skirt, too afraid to engage in any kind of debate with their opponents," she said. Last Feb. 25, Otso Diretso challenged the senatorial bets and guest candidates from the Hugpong ng Pagbabago to a public debate at Plaza Miranda, in Quiapo Manila but none of the administration candidates ever showed up. Unsurprised, De Lima shared that the campaign of the administration candidates is patterned after Duterte's fake promises during his presidential campaign in 2016, which focused on presenting populist solutions to the pressing issues in the country. "Duterte's own campaign in the 2016 elections was waged on pure gimmickry and uninhibited demagoguery, with no solid program of government on which to anchor his outlandish promises," she said. "This kind of campaign which has won him the presidency is the culprit for the directionless and chaotic governance of the country three years into his administration," she said," she added. The lady Senator from Bicol said she hopes that the Filipino public knows better than to vote for candidates who promise shortcuts to good government and present crazy formulas to solve problems like poverty and corruption. De Lima has called on the Commission on Elections to facilitate a senatorial debate between the administration and opposition senatorial candidates to allow the public to judge their character, competence, and policy positions on national issues. Press Release March 9, 2019 Dispatch from Crame No. 481: Sen. Leila M. de Lima's statement still on Sara Duterte's appalling claim that honesty is not an Election Issue 3/9/19 Davao City Mayor and Hugpong leader Sara Duterte has just summed up what the May 2019 Elections is all about. It is the choice between elective officials who are liars and those who still believe in honesty and integrity in government. By saying that honesty is not an issue in the elections, Mayor Sara has just done the very opposite. She has made it the number one issue in the elections. What is now up for the judgment of the people is her father's own record of lying to the public and defending plunderers and thieves who are now either back in power or who were freed, only to run again for public office. It is now up to the people to decide whether to keep a regime of liars, thieves, and plunderers, or to discard the status quo and choose a new breed of leaders who will fight for truth and accountability in government. Honesty is a basic human value for any individual, public official or not, politician or not. It is the reflection of one's integrity that is constitutionally and morally demanded from public officials. Mayor Sara has just revealed that cynicism about honesty and integrity in government is the bedrock principle of her father's administration. Once they have accepted this, they are further justified in abusing the powers of their high office by undermining the rule of law and destroying public institutions. Because when the family in power and their sycophants believe that everybody lies anyway, they will themselves run a government based on lies and deception. There will be no premium on telling the truth. In the end, there will be no transparency or accountability, only the absolute tyranny of those who are in power. This is what Duterte's government is all about. This is why his daughter Sara does not care about honesty, and believes that everybody lies anyway. These are the Duterte family values. They are not the values of the Filipino people. They must be rejected for the abomination they have turned this country into. Press Release March 9, 2019 Duterte afraid to deport illegal Chinese workers in PH - De Lima Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has called Mr. Duterte's obvious tolerance of the influx of illegal Chinese workers in the country as an act of cowardice in dealing with China. De Lima, the first prominent political prisoner under the Duterte regime, said that allowing illegal Chinese nationals to work in the country means a breakdown in the enforcement of Philippine laws against illegal foreign workers. "Duterte's pronouncement to allow illegal Chinese workers in the Philippines once again demonstrates the President's cowardice when it comes to dealing with China. He justifies this with the lame excuse that China might retaliate against Filipinos working in China," she said in her recent Dispatch from Crame No. 474. "If we allow illegal Chinese workers, we might as well allow all other foreigners working illegally in the Philippines," she added. Mr. Duterte, who has always shown fondness to China, recently said he is in favor of allowing Chinese workers in the country, maintaining that their deportation might affect the number of undocumented Filipino workers in China. "Yung mga Chinese dito, hayaan mo 'yan na dito magtrabaho. Hayaan mo. Bakit? We have 300,000 Filipinos in China kaya hindi ako makasabi, 'Oh, umalis kayo dito. Deport ka doon," he said. The former justice secretary has found suspicious Mr. Duterte's extraordinary accommodation of Chinese interests, which shows signs that the President is indebted to China. "He has practically surrendered the West Philippine Sea to China. He has basically given China a monopoly in Philippine infrastructure projects," she recalled. "He has barely raised a concern to the continued entry into the country of tons of 'shabu from China. He has promoted the influx of Chinese nationals to work in the Philippines, and now has welcomed even those who work here illegally," she added. De Lima asked: "Ano kaya ba talaga ang hawak ng Tsina kay Duterte? Ano kaya ang alam nito tungkol sa kanya?" As a President, the lady Senator from Bicol reminded Mr. Duterte that he is constitutionally mandated to enforce Philippine laws, which include laws on foreign immigrant workers. "That Duterte cannot do this when it comes to Chinese illegal workers only reinforces the perception that he is nothing more than a puppet of China. Whatever China has on Duterte, to be able to hold him firmly by the neck while we are gradually turned into a Chinese vassal state, is definitely working to its advantage," she said. De Lima said the Filipino public must resist and continue to fight against the creeping Chinese invasion and its gradual take-over of the sectors of the Philippine economy that are vital to the country's national security and sovereignty. Last year, De Lima filed Senate Resolution No. 751 pressing for a Senate inquiry into the influx of Chinese nationals employed and residing in the Philippines which, among others, steals jobs away from ordinary Filipinos. GORDON RENEWS CALL FOR DOH TO TAKE ACTION VS ERRING HOSPITALS, MEDICAL FACILITIES Senator Richard J. Gordon has called on the Department of Health anew to take a look at the warned unjust practices committed by both government and private hospitals and medical facilities in the country and take the necessary action to put a stop to such practices. Gordon renewed his call after getting inundated with complaints on social media against some hospitals' unjust practices such as imposing excessive fees, collecting of deposits before admission, requiring blood retesting for blood coming from the Philippine Red Cross, and banning the purchase of medicines outside the hospital, among others. "As I have stressed multiple times in the past, medical facilities' practice of charging retesting fees for PRC blood units and other unjust practices such as imposing exorbitant fees and demanding deposits before a patient is admitted, among others are unnecessary and only add to the burden poor Filipinos who are already financially stressed," the Philippine Red Cross chairman said. "I am not against hospitals but they should not let the people suffer. These hospitals are clearly violating laws, rules, and regulations," Gordon further noted as he asked Health Secretary Franciso T. Duque III. Hospitals cited in the complaints included the following: Philippine General Hospital, National Kidney Transplant Institute, Philippine Heart Center, East Avenue Medical Center, Lourdes Hospital, Labor Hospital, James L. Gordon Hospital in Olongapo City, Community Hospital in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, Medical Center in Dagupan City, Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital, MCU Hospital, Aklan Provincial Hospital, Manila East Medical Center in Taytay, Rizal, and Paranaque Doctors' Hospital, among others. Below are some of the complaints: "Sad and true. Dead on arrival na tatay ko, 24k pa binayaran ko plus 1,500 kay mama na pinakalma lang. Plus sa confinement days ni papa habang naggagamot na dinischarge dahil kaya na daw ng oral medication. Pero after 3 days namatay sa bahay. Tapos everyday may billing na kelangan mong bayaran, di bibigyan ng gamot pag di pa bayad at sobrang mamahal pa ng gamut," a Facebook user complained. "Ang anak ko po, dinala namin sa isang private hospital kaso hinihingan kami ng 50K pangdeposit eh wala akong ganung kalaking pera at that time...Talamak sa pgh at labor hosp. Tamad din mga doctor... Pero sa totoo lang mas mahal pa sa lourdes," other complainants said. "Sa pilipinas, Mahal ang magkasakit.. Pag na ospital ka, sa laki ng babayaran MO, mas gugustuhin mo pang mamatay.. Kasi mamamatay k din sa kaiisip panu ka makakabayad sa hospital bills.. Kawawang Pilipino," another said. Press Release March 9, 2019 Sen. Bam: Provide grants to award-winning Filipino filmmakers Filmmakers who have received recognition in notable international film competitions and festivals should be given incentives by the government in the form of grants. Sen. Bam Aquino said this when he filed Senate Bill No. 918, proposing as much as P5 million as grant to award-winning film producers. "Filmmaking is a valuable part of our artistic landscape and is one way that we can showcase Filipino talent to audiences at home and around the world," he said. The bill, Aquino said, not only seeks to reward talented Filipino filmmakers and artists who have received awards abroad but also encourages further creation of Filipino films under the creative control of award-winning filmmakers and artists. It is the policy of the government to promote and support the development and growth of the Filipino film industry and the public appreciation of the Philippine cinema, the senator said in filing the proposed "World-Class Filmmakers' Grant Act." Under the measure, the National Commission for the Culture and the Arts (NCAA) will oversee the implementation of the bill and provide for the P5 million grant to the producer of a Filipino film awarded best film or its equivalent in an international film competition or festival and P1 million for those who were awarded for their technical excellence in various aspects of filmmaking. An automatic grading of "A" by the Cinema Evaluation Board will be given to Filipino films awarded best film or its equivalent or for its technical excellence. As such, the film producer will be entitled to the benefits under RA 9167 which provides for a 100 percent amusement tax rebates. Aquino underscored though that 30 percent of the amusement tax rebates accrued by the producer shall be distributed to film cast and crew members who received awards as well. The senator proposed an initial appropriation of P50 million to the NCCA for the implementation of the measure and appropriations for the succeeding years will be provided through the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA). The base fare will be Rs 25 for first 1.5 km instead of existing limit of 2 km as per the revised new auto-rickshaw rate, the Minister tweeted. New Delhi: The Delhi Cabinet has given the green light to hike the auto-rickshaw fares from existing Rs 8 per km to Rs 9.5 per km, Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot said on Friday. He, however, did not mention the exact date since when the new fare would be implemented. Gahlot said the waiting charges of 75 paisa per minute would be applicable for every minute when vehicle is stationary or stuck in traffic or moving slow. There is no change in night charges and the luggage charges. The Aam Aadmi Party government will issue a notification to this effect soon. He said the last revision in the auto-rickshaw fare was done in 2013. In 2013, the Delhi government had hiked the fares of auto-rickshaws by 25 per cent, keeping in view the increase in prices of CNG and spare parts. The base fare of auto then was raised from Rs 19 for the first 2 km to Rs 25 and the fare for every subsequent kilometre was raised from Rs 6.5 to Rs 8. According to ED officials, Vadra arrived at the agency's office here at 10.40 a.m and left after eight hours at 7.25 p.m. New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday questioned Robert Vadra, brother-in-law of Congress President Rahul Gandhi, for over eight hours in connection with a money laundeering case. During the questioning, the ED officials demanded some documents from Vadra, which were later provided by Vadra's lawyers. The documents related to bank accounts and properties of Vadra, according to the Directorate officials. Vadra has been questioned by the ED officials in connection with the case related to his ownership of overseas assets in London. Vadra, husband of Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi, is on interim bail till March 19. He had also deposed before the ED twice in Jaipur in connection with another money-laundering case related to an alleged land scam in Bikaner. His mother Maureen, too, was questioned by the agency once. Ahead of his appearance before the ED for questioning in a money laundering case, Vadra extended International Women's Day greetings, saying that he was surrounded by "four strong women". "Wishing all wonderful women, a Happy Women's Day! I am happy to be surrounded by four strong women, 'my mother (Maureen Vadra), my mother-in-law (Sonia Gandhi), my wife (Priyanka Gandhi) and my daughter (Miraya Vadra)'," the businessman said in a Facebook post earlier in the day. "The keywords to describe them are 'hardworking, courageous, compassionate and determined. "I will celebrate the day with them, once I am back from the ED interrogation... I have already deposed for 10 days for almost 64 hours, cooperating with the interrogations. I believe in truth and justice," he wrote. The decision, which paves the way for ArcelorMittal's entry into India, came after 583 days of the stressed asset being referred for insolvency proceedings, instead of the mandatory resolution period of 270 days as per the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC). Ahmedabad: The city bench of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) on Friday cleared ArcelorMittal's Rs 42,000 crore resolution plan for insolvent Essar Steel, probably putting an end to the long-drawn battle for the steel asset. The NCLT bench approved ArcelorMittal's resolution plan, which was voted as the winning bid in October 2018 by the Committee of Creditors (CoC) and which included an upfront payment of Rs 42,000 crore and a post-deal infusion of Rs 8,000 crore in Essar Steel. "We welcome today's pronouncement by the NCLT Ahmedabad. While we will need to review the full written order once it becomes available, we hope to complete the transaction as soon as possible," ArcelorMittal said in a statement after the verdict. The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) had last month directed the NCLT Ahmedabad bench to take a final decision on ArcelorMittal's bid for the acquisition of Essar Steel by March 8, failing which it would pass an order itself. While the NCLT verdict came as a major setback to the Ruias who wanted to retain control of the company and had offered Rs 54,389 crore after the CoC approved ArcelorMittal's bid, the promoters of Essar Steel believe they still have a chance. "We continue to believe that our settlement proposal of Rs 54,389 crore is the most compelling one available to Essar Steel creditors and fulfils the IBC's declared overriding objective of value maximisation, which has been established time and again by courts at all levels," an Essar spokesperson said after the judgment. "We are also confident of the legal validity of our said offer made under Section 12A, which provides for the withdrawal from the IBC process by making full payment to the creditors. We are awaiting a copy of the NCLT order, and will take a call on next steps after examining the same," he added. Further, the NCLT Ahmedabad bench dismissed the application filed by the suspended board of directors of Essar Steel to view the resolution plan. On its verdict on ArcelorMittal's bid, the bench said it cannot impose a judicial view over the banks' wisdom. However, the Ruias are not yet ready to surrender the 10 million tonne steel mill, which owes Rs 49,000 crore to financial creditors. Sources in the group said once they get the court order, they would definitely go for an appeal in NCLAT and if need be, may even approach the Supreme Court. Earlier, Essar's appeal in these two higher courts had been dismissed. The NCLT bench is also learnt to have suggested to the financial creditors to sacrifice some of its dues for the sake of operational creditors. It suggested the CoC to reconsider distribution of dues and give 15 per cent of the total offer to operational creditors. While there were attempts to delay the resolution process and there was a growing angst in the market leading to doubts over the efficacy of the new insolvency law IBC, the resolution of Essar Steel, fourth in the NCLT's first list, is likely to help the stressed assets market. Essar Steel is among the list of the top 12 large corporate debtors, referred to as the 'dirty dozen', where the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) sought a resolution in the insolvency courts. Essar Steel is among the largest single location steel producers with a 10 million tonnes per annum liquid steel capacity. The integrated facilities comprise hot rolling facilities, cold rolling facilities, plate mill, among others located in Hazira, in the western coast of Gujarat. It also has downstream processing and distribution capacity of 4 MTPA. ESIL also has beneficiation and pellet making capacity of 20 MTPA spread across Vizag and Paradeep. The company employs approximately 4,500 persons directly and more than 30,000 people indirectly. Detailing for the first time on how North Korea acquires foreign currency through cyberattacks, a panel of experts told the UN Security Council's North Korea sanctions committee that Pyongyang has used Blockchain, the basic technology behind cryptocurrencies, to cover its tracks. New York: Faced with harsh economic sanctions, North Korea has amassed around $670 million in foreign and virtual currency through cyberthefts, according to a UN panel, the Nikkei Asian Review reported on Friday. Virtual currencies "provide the Democratic People's Republic of Korea with more ways to evade sanctions, given that they are harder to trace, can be laundered many times and are independent from government regulation", the panel was quoted as saying. The panel looked into North Korean-backed cyberattacks on foreign financial institutions from 2015 to 2018. Economic sanctions imposed on North Korea over its nuclear and missile programmes have restricted Pyongyang's exports of coal, a key earner of foreign exchange. North Korean companies also used social media platforms such as YouTube and Instagram to market the country's military equipment, said the report. A summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un ended on February 28 with no agreement after Washington refused Pyongyang's demands for economic sanctions relief. U.S. President Donald Trump said he would be "very disappointed" if North Korea is resuming nuclear testing after his recent meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Trump made the comments to reporters Friday as he prepared to travel to Alabama to view tornado damage. He said he has greatly improved U.S. relations with North Korea during his time in office. "Look, when I came in," he said, "under the Obama administration, North Korea was a disaster. You were going to war, folks, whether you know it or not... I inherited a mess." Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday called the legal clash between Chinese company Huawei and the U.S. government "deliberate political suppression," and he vowed to protect the rights of Chinese companies and citizens abroad. "It's quite obvious to any fair and unbiased person that the recent action against a particular company and Chinese individual is not just a pure judicial case but deliberate political suppression," Wang said on the sidelines of China's annual parliament session. "We have already and will continue to take all necessary steps and resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies and citizens," he said, though he did not elaborate on what those steps would be. Washington has banned U.S. companies from using Huawei technology, warning that doing so could result in security breaches. In December, Canadian authorities arrested Meng Wanzhou, Huawei's chief financial officer, on U.S. charges that she violated sanctions against Iran. Her extradition hearing is to begin May 8. Since Meng's arrest, two Canadians have been arrested in China, and a third who was already in Chinese prison for a drug crime has seen his sentence switched from 15 years to death. On Thursday, Huawei announced it had filed a lawsuit in the U.S., arguing that legislation Congress passed last year restricting Huawei business in the United States was "unconstitutional" because it singled out the company for penalties. The United States has also warned other countries that Huawei technology could allow Chinese intelligence agents to infiltrate their networks. "This ban is not only unlawful but also harms both Huawei and U.S. consumers," Huawei's rotating chairman, Guo Ping, told reporters Thursday in Shenzhen. The 48-year-old most wanted man now lives in an 8 million apartment in Londons West End and is now involved in a new diamond business, UK-based newspaper The Telegraph has reported. : Fugitive billionaire diamantaire Nirav Modi, one of the prime accused in the Punjab National Bank scam, has been tracked down to the United Kingdom. The UK daily has also released a video of Nirav Modi walking freely on the streets of London. With a handle-bar moustache, longer hair and a jacket, Nirav Modi is not easily recognisable. As he is confronted by the newspaper over allegations levelled against him, Nirav Modi says "no comments" as he continues to smile. The intel agencies had earlier provided input the Nirav Nodi had changed his appearance to disguise people. An extradition request against Nirav Modi is pending since September last year before the UK authorities. Recently, the Enforcement Directorate attached properties of Nirav Modi worth 147.72 crore in connection with the 13,000 crore Punjab National Bank fraud case. The attached properties belong to Nirav Modi's - Firestar Diamond International Private Limited, Firestar International Private Limited, Radheshir Jewelry Company Private Limited and Rhythm House Private Limited.